cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wetlands protection through impact avoidance: A discussion of the 404(b)(1) alternatives analysis

In order to receive a Department of Army permit to discharge dredged or fill material into “waters of the United States,” including wetlands, a permit applicant may have to clearly demonstrate that the proposed discharge is unavoidable and the least environmentally-damaging practicable alternative. Failure to do so as required under EPA’s 404(b)(1) Guidelines (40 CFR 230) may result in permit denial. Generally, the practicable alternative that involves the least amount of filled “waters” will be considered the least damaging; practicable alternatives that avoid “special aquatic sites” such as wetlands are always presumed to be less damaging environmentally than those that do not. “Practicable” alternatives are not unreasonably costly, but may produce less return on investment than is desired by the permit applicant. Such alternatives are considered available if they are owned by the applicant or if they can be obtained, utilized, expanded, or managed during the planning and permitting phases of the proposed project. In order for the analysis of alternatives to be useful to the permitting process, the project purpose must be defined generically, and separate analyses may be required for each component of a multiple-purpose project. The geographic scope of analysis must remain broad enough to reasonably consider all environmentally-preferable sites where the basic project purpose could be achieved. We conclude that an alternative analysis, performed properly and early in the project formulation stage can reduce project costs, increase certainty, and most importantly, result in avoidance and protection of valuable wetland resources.
The Cross Section for the Radiative Capture of Protons by C 12 near 100 Kev

A low voltage accelerator and high current ion source has been used to determine the cross section of the reaction C12(pγ)N13 over the energy range from 88 to 128 kev. A counter arrangement is described which detects 26 percent of all the positrons from the decay of the N13 produced in the reaction and which has a low background rate of 5.5 counts per minute. With this accelerator and detector, yields of the order of 10^-16 positron per proton and cross sections as low as 10^-10 barn or 10^-34 cm^2 can be measured with errors of the order of ±20 percent. The cross section for the C12(pγ)N13 reaction has been found to fit the semi-empirical expression σ=0.0024E^-1exp[-6E^-1/2] barn with E in Mev over the energy range measured. This is in satisfactory agreement with the Breit-Wigner one-level dispersion formula using constants determined at the 456-kev resonance. The astrophysical implications of these results in connection with the carbon-nitrogen cycle of nuclear reactions in stellar interiors are discussed.
An atomistic simulation study of the effect of crystal defects on the martensitic transformation in Ti - V bcc alloys

An atomic level analysis of the effect of crystal defects such as free surfaces, dislocations and grain boundaries on the martensitic transformation in bcc Ti, Ti - 15V (atom %) and Ti - 25V (atom %) has been carried out using the embedded atom method (EAM) interatomic potentials to quantify the atomic interactions and molecular dynamics to study the evolution of atomic positions with time. The presence of crystal defects has been found to have a profound effect on the martensitic transformation in these alloys. The defects can either facilitate the bcchcp martensitic transformation, the transformation which is typically observed in these alloys, or promote formation of the martensitic phase with a face centred orthorhombic (fco) structure. In the case of free surfaces, the atomistic simulation results revealed the role these defects and their crystallographic characters play in the heterogeneous nucleation of martensite and their effect on the progress of martensitic transformation and the crystal structure of the martensitic phase. In Ti and Ti - 15V, where the hcp phase is thermodynamically more stable than the bcc phase, the presence of dissociate a/2 [111] edge dislocations was found to facilitate the bcchcp transformation. In Ti - 25V where the bcc phase is more stable, these dislocations give rise to the formation of dormant hcp martensitic embryos. These embryos are likely to be activated under stress or during cooling giving rise to the bcchcp transformation. The grain boundaries were found to promote formation of the fco martensite accompanied by significant reduction of the mismatch stresses in the grain boundary region.
Experimentally Defined Structural Model of the Human Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter

Folate cofactors, Vitamin B9, play crucial roles in more than a hundred one-carbon metabolism reactions in mammalian cells. Humans cannot synthesize folates de novo and absorption through the diet is the only source of this vitamin. The proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) mediates this uptake in the upper small intestine by a pH-dependent process. PCFT also transports folates into the central nervous system. Point mutations in the PCFT gene cause Hereditary Folate Malabsorption (HFM), with associated hematological and neurological defects due to impaired folate transport. Certain solid tumor cell lines express high levels of PCFT mRNA. Importantly, the overall expression of PCFT is limited to only certain tissues in humans. Therefore, PCFT is a molecular target for specific delivery of anti-folate chemotherapeutic agents to tumor cells. Unfortunately, the success rate of anti-folate agents to reach clinical use is very low due to their side-effects. A structural model of PCFT can aid the development of specific anti-folate agents for their PCFT-targeted delivery and thus minimize their side-effects. To optimize and verify an initial structural model of PCFT, we applied a wide array of experimental approaches: solvent accessibility profiling through substituted cysteine accessibility scanning, studying the helix packing, and assaying the functionality of PCFT mutants. We complemented the experimental data with theoretical approaches for structure prediction such as homology modeling/threading, ligand docking and an extensive review of other secondary transporters and folate transport proteins. With these combined approaches, we have developed a structural model of PCFT that accurately reflects our experimental observations. This model forms a basis to understand the impacts of HFM mutations, and to develop folate analogues for folate deficiency intervention. Additionally, it will aid the design of PCFT structure-based anti-folate agents for the treatment of cancer.
Relationship of p21(WAF1/CIP1/SDI1) to cell proliferation in primary cultures of adrenocortical cells.

p21WAF1/CIP1/SDI1 was originally described as a protein expressed at high levels in senescent human fibroblasts. We have studied the expression of p21 in adrenocortical cells, p21 is not expressed under most circumstances in the intact adrenal gland in vivo, except when the gland is damaged. When human and bovine adrenocortical cells are isolated and placed in both short-term and long-term culture, p21 levels are much higher. These levels did not show a large increase when the cells senesce after long-term proliferation. Thus, these observations raise the question of whether the elevated p21 in primary cultures of adrenocortical cells is caused by damage or whether p21 is elevated because the cells are dividing rather than quiescent, because it has been reported that p21 levels peak in G1 and G2 in dividing cells. In the present experiments on bovine and human adrenocortical cells in primary culture, labeling techniques that correlated nuclear p21 with measures of cell proliferation (bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and nuclear Ki-67 antigen) supported the hypothesis that p21 is associated with cell division and not with damage. This is consistent with recent data showing that, when adrenocortical cells are transplanted into immunodeficient mice, p21 is associated with healthy dividing cells in the transplant, p21 is not a unique marker for senescence, and more studies are required both to clarify its role in cell biology and to determine molecular features which characterize the senescent state of cells both in vitro and in vivo.
Entrainment of reentrant tachycardia in a computer model

Capture of the cardiac rate by pacing followed by an immediate return to the original rate after pacing has been proposed as characteristic of reentrant rhythms. In this study, such entrainment has been demonstrated using computer-model simulations of propagated excitation and of reentry associated with structural and functional obstacles. With structural obstacles, the mechanism of entrainment was bidirectional propagation of paced excitation in reentry circuits, with collision of the reentrant and paced excitation in one direction and continued propagation of paced excitation in the other direction. The time of pacing onset, rate, and location all affected the QRS waveform during entrainment. With a particular time of onset and rate of pacing, the duration of time during which the QRS waveform underwent dynamic change was directly related to the distance between the pacing site and reentrant circuit. The location of reentry associated with functional obstacles moved so that the relationship between pacing-induced and reentrant excitation varied. In some cycles, pacing did not alter reentrant circuits, that is, entrainment did not occur, while other cycles were entrained, but by a different mechanism than that with structural obstacles. Leading circle reentry circuits, consisting of propagation away from and returning to reentry sites, did not have an excitable gap and paced excitation did not enter those circuits. Paced excitation did, however, enter the propagation paths between leading circle reentry circuits and modified the circuits by affecting the recovery of excitability.
SU-FF-T-78: Accuracy of Patient Positioning Using BrainLab ExactTrac 4.5

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of the latest BrainLab treatment couch (ExactTrac 4.5) based on stereoscopic X‐ray imaging and Infrared markers (IR). Method and Materials: BrainLab's ExactTrac treatment couch is being used for image guided intra‐cranial and spinal radiosurgery. The system uses two oblique x‐ray sources, embedded in the treatment room floor, coupled with ceiling mounted x‐ray detection panels to acquire 2 stereoscopic digital images. ExactTrac also offers an IR tracking mechanism consisting of two IR cameras that identify IR external fiduciary markers fixed on the patient's skin. The IR system monitors patient position in 6 dimensions (6D, X, Y, Z, Roll, Yaw and Pitch). To evaluate the effects of CT slice thickness used for treatment planning on the positioning accuracy, we acquired 5 sets of CTimages of a Rando phantom with slice thicknesses of 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 3.7 and 5.0 mm using a GE helical scanner. Furthermore, we evaluated the reproducibility of phantom positioning using the IR tracking system due to random variability of the IR external markers placements within a 1 cm‐diameter circle from their correct positions. Results: Our ExactTrac stereoscopic X‐ray system positioned the phantom within 0.1 mm of the isocenter using either CT slice thicknesses of 0.625 or 1.25mm. Positional accuracy dropped to 0.5mm when CT slice thickness of 2.5 or 3.75 mm were used. The positional accuracy with CT slice thickness of 5.0 mm was within 2.5 mm. The average phantom positioning error due to misplacing the IR tracking markers was 0.79 mm. Conclusion: The patient tracking error of the new ExacTrac is within 0.25 mm when CT slice thickness of 1.25 mm or less is used for planning with stereoscopic x‐ray imaging for positioning. The random placement of IR markers within a 1‐cm diameter circle yielded a positional error of 0.8mm.
Linear Transformation and the Interpretation of MMPI T Scores.

Raw scores for the clinical scales of the MMPI can be changed to T scores by linear transformation. However, if the underlying distributions of raw scores are not distributed normally, one cannot assume that the traditional point of significance, T score 70, falls at the 97.7 percentile. Our analysis of the improved Minnesota normal sample described by Hathaway and Briggs in 1957 revealed statistically significant degrees of skewness on most of the clinical scales. We suggest that clinicians consider more conservative interpretation for scales 1 (Hs), 2 (D), 7 (PT), 8 (SC), and 9 (MA) for females and for scales 1 (Hs), 2 (D), 4 (PD), 7 (PT), 8 (SC), and 9 (MA) for males.
A Targeted Library Screen Reveals a New Inhibitor Scaffold for Protein Kinase D

Protein kinase D (PKD) has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in multiple pathological conditions, including cancer and heart diseases. Potent and selective small molecule inhibitors of PKD are valuable for dissecting PKD-mediated cellular signaling pathways and for therapeutic application. In this study, we evaluated a targeted library of 235 small organic kinase inhibitors for PKD1 inhibitory activity at a single concentration. Twenty-eight PKD inhibitory chemotypes were identified and six exhibited excellent PKD1 selectivity. Five of the six lead structures share a common scaffold, with compound 139 being the most potent and selective for PKD vs PKC and CAMK. Compound 139 was an ATP-competitive PKD1 inhibitor with a low double-digit nanomolar potency and was also cell-active. Kinase profiling analysis identified this class of small molecules as pan-PKD inhibitors, confirmed their selectivity again PKC and CAMK, and demonstrated an overall favorable selectivity profile that could be further enhanced through structural modification. Furthermore, using a PKD homology model based on similar protein kinase structures, docking modes for compound 139 were explored and compared to literature examples of PKD inhibition. Modeling of these compounds at the ATP-binding site of PKD was used to rationalize its high potency and provide the foundation for future further optimization. Accordingly, using biochemical screening of a small number of privileged scaffolds and computational modeling, we have identified a new core structure for highly potent PKD inhibition with promising selectivity against closely related kinases. These lead structures represent an excellent starting point for the further optimization and the design of selective and therapeutically effective small molecule inhibitors of PKD.
Performance analysis of the ultra-low quantum defect Er^3+:Sc_2O_3 laser [Invited]

In this paper we report a detailed study of Er3+:Sc2O3 cryogenically cooled ceramic laser and related spectroscopic properties of Er3+:Sc2O3 in the 1500-1600 nm wavelength range. We show that two transitions between 4I13/2 and 4I15/2 manifolds, which are responsible for laser operation in low (at 1581 nm) and ultra-low (at 1558–1560 nm) quantum defect modes, can demonstrate equal laser efficiency. A detailed laser model that predicts the specifics of competition between these wavelengths is developed. The dependence of the laser wavelength on the gain medium temperature and cavity losses was confirmed by extensive laser experiments. An energy migration is observed between the Er3+ ions in two different symmetry sites in the Sc2O3 host. This effect along with the up-conversion process and scattering losses in laser ceramic, are the major factors limiting laser efficiency.
Removal of organic debris from bovine dentin shavings.

A common problem with root canal failures is chronic inflammation at the apex caused by overfilling of root canal materials. Dentin filings have been suggested as an apical plug to create a biocompatible barrier between the filling material and the periapical tissue. Unfortunately residual organic material, such as pulp remnants or bacteria, still may be part of the filings. Dentin filings removed from the tooth, cleaned, and then used to form a barrier might serve as an effective barrier. The purpose of this study was to evaluate methods of cleaning dentin of organic debris. NaOCl, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and 1% Triton X-100 were used to treat dentin shavings and were evaluated by a micro bicinchoninic acid protein analysis assay. Two series of experiments were performed. One compared the effect of temperature while using phosphate-buffered saline as a control and the second compared exposure times. The percentage of protein extracted from dentin samples increased with temperature. Sodium hypochlorite at room temperature extracted 24.6%, NaOCl at 37°C extracted 26.9%, and NaOCl at 70°C extracted 33.9%. Only NaOCl at 37°C and 70°C showed statistically significant differences from phosphate-buffered saline at room temperature with p-values of 0.028 and 0.019, respectively. The exposure time series showed a difference between a phosphate-buffered saline solution and 6.25% NaOCl. NaOCl removed approximately 90% of protein compared with 60% for the phosphate-buffered saline. A 10-min exposure to 70°C 6.25% NaOCl may be an efficient means of removing organic material from dentin shavings.
Knowledge Judgments and Object Memory Processes in Early Childhood: Support for the Dual Criterion Account of Object Nameability Judgment

According to the dual criterion account of early linguistic judgment (Merriman & Lipko, 2008), preschool-aged children who possess more efficient object memory processes should also be more accurate judges of whether various objects have known names. In support of this claim, both the accuracy of object recognition and the speed of object naming were found to be correlated with the accuracy of object nameability judgments, but not with the accuracy of four other mentalistic judgments. Nameability judgments tended to be as accurate as judgments of word familiarity and judgments of the relation between seeing and knowing. These three judgments tended to be more accurate than false-belief judgments.
A Consultation Model to Facilitate Reading Success

Poor reading ability is associated with numerous negative consequences. School psychologists should provide teachers with resources and support to improve student reading ability and prevent these negative outcomes. This paper offers a guide for school psychologists to use in the consultation process when working with teachers to address students’ reading difficulties. The paper delineates the important facets of instructional consultation and considerations to take into account including: entering the consultation relationship, effectively identifying the problem and underlying cause, identification of the appropriate intervention, monitoring implementation integrity, and the termination of the consultation relationship. Specific intervention strategies and resources are also provided to offer the school psychologist potential resources.
Comments on Carol Chapelle and Joan Jamieson's “Computer-Assisted Language Learning as a Predictor of Success in Acquiring English as a Second Language” A Reader Reacts…

Carol Chapelle and Joan Jamieson, in their recent article in the TESOL Quarterly (Vol. 20, No. 1, March 1986), report the results of an experiment to determine the desirability of using ESL lessons in the PLATO system with field-dependent (FD) and fieldindependent (FI) learners. One of their main findings in regard to these computer-assisted language learning (CALL) lessons was "a significant negative correlation between field independence and both time [spent on the CALL lessons] and attitude [toward the CALL lessons], indicating that highly field independent students tended not to like to work on CALL" (p. 36). The second major finding was a lack of any significant correlation between time spent using CALL and "end-of-semester performance on the language measures after other relevant variables had been entered" (p. 40). These comments are intended to extend Chapelle and Jamieson's discussion of these results by making certain implications of the article more explicit and by bringing some related points into the discussion of CALL and its potential relationship to learning style. Much courseware in CALL is designed on the pattern of programmed instruction (PI), which involves breaking a body of information down into components and sequences of components so that a learner can work at a desired individual pace with little or no assistance. The ESL lessons in the PLATO system are of this type; they are essentially a set of highly structured drill-and-practice lessons on discrete points of language (Stevens, 1983). Considering the nature of these lessons, one might have expected the FI learners, rather than the FD learners, to be the ones who would like the PLATO lessons. The systematicness of these lessons would seem to fit very well with the learning style of the FI individual, who "tends to approach problem solving analytically" (p. 32), in contrast with that of the FD individual, who "tends to
Microscale Electrolytic Fluorinations of 4-Nitrotoluene - Cell Construction, Computer Monitor and Control, and Chemistry

Abstract An electrochemical microcell that can utilize a 70:30 mixture of HF and pyridine as both the solvent and the supporting electrolyte was constructed and interfaced with a computer for monitoring and control. 4-Nitrotoluene was selectively fluorinated in the cell in good yield and good conversion to give an 83:17 mixture of two monofluoro products, α-fluoro-4-nitrotoluene and 2-fluoro-5-nitrotoluene (a product of rearrangement).
Physician-older patient communication about cancer.

Abstract Cancer is frequently a disease of older individuals. Communication between physicians and older patients about cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and care is complicated by a variety of factors including patients’ beliefs, perceptions, and knowledge about cancer. In addition, other older patient factors such as possible sensory deficits, cognitive impairment, functional limitations and accompaniment by significant others to the medical encounter influence communication. Physicians’ attitudes about aging may also affect recommendations for cancer screening, treatment regiments and care of older cancer patients. To understand communication as a complex, multidimensional human enterprise requires knowledge of older patients’ lived experience of cancer and their need for honest and compassionate care. Research findings on physician–older patient communication about cancer need to be translated into medical education, training and practice to improve the care of the older cancer patient.
Vibrational predissociation and vibrationally induced isomerization of 3-aminophenol-ammonia

We investigate the vibrational predissociation dynamics of the hydrogen-bonded 3-aminophenol-ammonia cluster (3-AP-NH3) in the OH and NH stretching regions. Vibrational excitation provides enough energy to dissociate the cluster into its constituent 3-AP and NH3 monomers, and we detect the 3-AP fragments via (1 + 1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI). The distribution of vibrational states of the 3-AP fragment suggests the presence of two distinct dissociation pathways. The first dissociation channel produces a broad, unstructured feature in the REMPI-action spectrum after excitation of any of the OH or NH stretching vibrations, pointing to a nearly statistical dissociation pathway with extensive coupling among the vibrations in the cluster during the vibrational predissociation. The second dissociation channel produces distinct, resolved features on top of the broad feature but only following excitation of the OH or symmetric NH3 stretch in the cluster. This striking mode-specificity is consistent with strong coupling of these two modes to the dissociation coordinate (the O-H⋯N bond). The presence of clearly resolved transitions to the electronic origin and to the 10a(2) + 10b(2) state of the cis-3-AP isomer shows that vibrational excitation is driving the isomerization of the trans-3-AP-NH3 isomer to the cis-3-AP-NH3 isomer in the course of the dissociation.
Hepatitis E virus: Animal reservoirs and zoonotic risk

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a small, non-enveloped, single-strand, positive-sense RNA virus of approximately 7.2kb in size. HEV is classified in the family Hepeviridae consisting of four recognized major genotypes that infect humans and other animals. Genotypes 1 and 2 HEV are restricted to humans and often associated with large outbreaks and epidemics in developing countries with poor sanitation conditions, whereas genotypes 3 and 4 HEV infect humans, pigs and other animal species and are responsible for sporadic cases of hepatitis E in both developing and industrialized countries. The avian HEV associated with Hepatitis-Splenomegaly syndrome in chickens is genetically and antigenically related to mammalian HEV, and likely represents a new genus in the family. There exist three open reading frames in HEV genome: ORF1 encodes non-structural proteins, ORF2 encodes the capsid protein, and the ORF3 encodes a small phosphoprotein. ORF2 and ORF3 are translated from a single bicistronic mRNA, and overlap each other but neither overlaps ORF1. Due to the lack of an efficient cell culture system and a practical animal model for HEV, the mechanisms of HEV replication and pathogenesis are poorly understood. The recent identification and characterization of animal strains of HEV from pigs and chickens and the demonstrated ability of cross-species infection by these animal strains raise potential public health concerns for zoonotic HEV transmission. It has been shown that the genotypes 3 and 4 HEV strains from pigs can infect humans, and vice versa. Accumulating evidence indicated that hepatitis E is a zoonotic disease, and swine and perhaps other animal species are reservoirs for HEV. A vaccine against HEV is not yet available.
The Relationship between Anemia and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients.

Anemia is a common occurrence in patients with cancer, and especially in those who undergo chemotherapy. Traditionally, significantly decreased hemoglobin levels have been considered to be ￻ 8 g/dl and have been associated with physiologic manifestations. More recent data have shown that milder anemia (hemoglobin levels 10-12 g/dl) has functional consequences as well. This article reviews several communitybased studies that have analyzed changes in hemoglobin concentrations, transfusion requirements, and QOL parameters in anemic patients with cancer before and after treatment with epoetin alfa. The results of these studies have been consistent and show an increase in hemoglobin and a reduction in transfusion requirements when compared with baseline. Furthermore, a relationship between increasing hemoglobin levels and an improvement in QOL is suggested that is independent of tumor response. Additional studies are evaluating the optimal hemoglobin levels for the greatest incremental improvement in QOL. The Oncologist
The effect of end and edge shape on the performance of pseudo-spin valve memories

Three Giant Magnetoresistive Random Access Memories (GMRAM) using different device shapes have been simulated. Tapered bits were found to provide the lowest switching thresholds while maintaining bit stability. The effect of edge roughness was also investigated. Bits with more edge roughness were found to have lower switching fields but also have limited output signals.
Charter School Competition, Organization, and Achievement in Traditional Public Schools

Market models of education reform predict that the growth of charter schools will infuse competition into the public school sector, forcing traditional public schools to improve the practices they engage in to educate students. Some scholars have criticized these models, arguing that competition from charter schools is unlikely to produce significant change among public schools. Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study - Kindergarten Class, I attempt to identify potential mechanisms linking charter competition to achievement in traditional public schools. The results provide little support for the market model. Competition from charter schools is not associated with reading or math scores, and is only associated with three of ten organizational measures. There is some support for an indirect relationship between math achievement and competition through reductions in teacher absenteeism, but these results fall short of meeting conventional thresholds for statistical significance.
Do pediatric residents prefer interactive learning? Educational challenges in the duty hours era

Background: The volume of information that physicians must learn is increasing; yet, trainee educational time is limited. Many experts propose using trainees’ learning preferences to guide teaching. However, data regarding predominant learning preferences within pediatrics are limited.Aim: Identify predominant learning preferences among pediatric residents in a Residency Training Program.Methods: The Visual–Aural–Read/Write–Kinesthetic (VARK) questionnaire and Kolb Learning Style Inventory (LSI) were administered anonymously to 50 pediatric residents.Results: Learning style assessments were completed by 50 pediatric residents. Residents were significantly more likely to be accommodating on the Kolb LSI, which is consistent with an interactive learning preference (p < 0.01); 30% demonstrated a multimodal preference on the Kolb LSI (). VARK assessments demonstrated that 45 (90%) respondents were kinesthetic, which is also consistent with a significant preference for interactive learning (p < 0.01). Forty (8...
Bupropion–varenicline interactions and nicotine self-administration behavior in rats

Varenicline and bupropion each have been shown to significantly improve cessation of tobacco addiction in humans. They act through different mechanisms and the question about the potential added efficacy with their combined used has arisen. Preclinical animal models of nicotine addiction can help with the evaluation of this combined approach and what dose combinations of varenicline and bupropion may be useful for enhancing tobacco cessation. In this study, we investigated the interacting dose-effect functions of varenicline and bupropion in a rat model of nicotine self-administration. Young adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were allowed to self-administer nicotine in 1-h sessions under an FR1 reinforcement schedule. Varenicline (0.3, 1. 3 mg/kg) and bupropion (8.33, 25, 75 mg/kg) were administered alone or together 15 min before each session. The vehicle saline was the control. Higher doses of each drug alone reduced nicotine self-administration compared to control with reductions of 62% and 75% with 3 mg/kg varenicline and 75 mg/kg bupropion respectively. Lower dose varenicline which does not by itself reduce nicotine self-administration, significantly augmented bupropion effects. The 0.3 mg/kg varenicline dose combined with the 25 and 75 mg/kg bupropion doses caused greater reductions of nicotine self-administration than either dose of bupropion given alone. However, higher dose varenicline did not have this effect. Lower dose bupropion did not augment varenicline effects. Only the high bupropion dose significantly enhanced the varenicline effect. Likewise, combining 1 mg/kg varenicline with 75 mg/kg bupropion reduced self-administration to a greater extent than either dose alone. These results demonstrate that combination therapy with varenicline and bupropion may be more beneficial than monotherapy with either drug alone.
Synthesis of bacteriophage and host DNA in toluene-treated cells prepared from T4-infected Escherichia coli: role of bacteriophage gene D2a.

We investigated thesynthesis ofDNA intoluene-treated cells prepared from Escherichia coli infected withbacteriophage T4.Ifthephage carrycertain rII deletion mutations, those whichextend into thenearby D2aregion, thefollowing results are obtained: (i)phageDNA synthesis occursunless thephagecarries certain DNA-negative mutations; and(ii) hostDNA synthesis occurs even though thephageinfection hasalready resulted inthecessation ofhostDNA synthesis invivo. Thelatter result indicates thatthephage-induced cessation of hostDNA synthesis isnotduetoan irreversible inactivation ofan essential componentofthereplication apparatus. Ifthephageare D2a+,hostDNA synthesis intoluene-treated infected cells ismarkedly reduced; phageDNA synthesis isprobably alsoreduced somewhat. TheseD2aeffects, considered along withourearlier work, suggest that a D2a-controlled nuclease, specific for cytosine-containing DNA,isactive intoluene-treated cells.
An evaluation of porcelain inlay investment materials and a reverse platinum matrix technic

An acceptably accurate porcelain inlay is produced by the reverse platinum matrix technic, a technic that combines the desirable characteristics of several investment technics into one workable and simple procedure.
An aggregation index (AI) to quantify spatial patterns of landscapes

There is often need to measure aggregation levels of spatial patterns within a single map class in landscape ecological studies. The contagion index (CI), shape index (SI), and probability of adjacency of the same class (Qi), all have certain limits when measuring aggregation of spatial patterns. We have developed an aggregation index (AI) that is class specific and independent of landscape composition. AI assumes that a class with the highest level of aggregation (AID 1) is comprised of pixels sharing the most possible edges. A class whose pixels share no edges (completely disaggregated) has the lowest level of aggregation (AID 0). AI is similar to SI and Qi ,b ut it calculates aggregation more precisely than the latter two. We have evaluated the performance of AI under varied levels of (1) aggregation, (2) number of patches, (3) spatial resolutions, and (4) real species distribution maps at various spatial scales. AI was able to produce reasonable results under all these circumstances. Since it is class specific, it is more precise than CI, which measures overall landscape aggregation. Thus, AI provides a quantitative basis to correlate the spatial pattern of a class with a specific process. Since AI is a ratio variable, map units do not affect the calculation. It can be compared between classes from the same or different landscapes, or even the same classes from the same landscape under different resolutions.
Clinical Toxicology: Principles and Mechanisms. Frank A. Barile. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2004, 474 pp., $79.95, hardcover. ISBN-0-8493-1582-4.

The field of clinical toxicology has grown dramatically over the last few decades. Along with that growth have come numerous publications pertaining to this field. Part one of this book addresses the basic toxicologic principles and provides a brief overview of basic toxicologic definitions, regulatory bodies, and toxicokinetics. Parts two and three of this book provide overviews of the toxicities of therapeutic and nontherapeutic agents, respectively. I commend the author for the inclusion of …
Problems in estimating thyroxine secretion rates in cattle.

Abstract Experiments with dairy cows evaluated thyroxine secretion rates calculated on plasma disappearance rates of iodine from radioactive thyroxine, chemical thyroxine, and protein-bound iodine. Variations in estimated thyroxine secretion rates occurred in the same cows due to different rates of disappearance and, apparently, different volumes of distribution of test doses between different organic iodine sources. After a large intravenous dose of thyroxine, iodine from radioactive thyroxine and chemical thyroxine disappeared from plasma faster than protein-bound iodine. High iodine diets reduced disappearance rates of protein-bound iodine more than that of thyroxine. Feeding 100 milligrams iodine daily caused normal thyroxine determined in plasma protein-bound iodine to decline from 88 to 59%. Injecting 20 milligrams of 1-thyroxine intravenously caused thyroxine iodine to exceed protein-bound iodine for 1 day on high iodine diets and 2 days on low iodine diets. Protein-bound iodine cannot be used as a precise index of plasma thyroxine. Most accurate estimations of thyroxine secretion rates are made by injecting a minimum dose of radioactive thyroxine to determine rate of disappearance and thyroxine space and determine plasma thyroxine by a method specifically for chemical thyroxine.
Implementation and Experimental Results of a Quaternion-Based Kalman Filter for Human Body Motion Tracking

A human body motion tracking system based on use of the MARG (Magnetic, Angular Rate, and Gravity) sensors has been under development at the Naval Postgraduate School and Miami University. The design of a quaternion-based Kalman filter for processing the MARG sensor data was described in [1]. This paper presents the real-time implementation and testing results of the quaternion-based Kalman filter. Experimental results validate the Kalman filter design, and show the feasibility of the MARG sensors for real-time human body motion tracking.
New SQUIRE publication guidelines: supporting nuanced reporting and reflection on complex interventions

In 2008, the Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE) guidelines were published to clarify the content and format for published scholarly reports of healthcare improvement (http://www.squire-statement.org).1 The guidelines were intended to increase the completeness, precision and transparency of those reports by establishing a level of rigour. The field has dramatically advanced even in the short time since their release, and the SQUIRE guidelines are being revised to align with those changes. As part of the development of SQUIRE 2.0—expected to release in Autumn 2015—Brady et al 2 ‘road-tested’ a draft version of the new SQUIRE guidelines as they wrote their paper on their 6-year experience with family-activated medical emergency teams (METs) at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.2 Providing an excellent example of how the field of quality improvement has developed, their paper exemplifies how SQUIRE 2.0 will continue to help authors report their work and support the growth of the field. Brady et al 2 took on an important topic that would be difficult to study using only the experimental research methods familiar to clinical researchers. They developed an intervention where there was uncertainty about whether it would be effective—a programme in which families would be enabled to call the MET directly if they …
Randomization bounds on Gaussian arbitrarily varying channels

The random coding capacity of the Gaussian arbitrarily varying channel (GAVC) under a maximal probability of error criterion is equal to that of an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel with the interference power as additional noise. The deterministic coding capacity under an average probability of error criterion is zero if the transmitter power does not exceed the interference power. We show that the random coding capacity for average probability error is the same as that for maximal probability of error and that the randomization need only be over a sub-exponential number of codebooks. The achievable error exponent is related to the amount of randomization. An application of these results to the degraded broadcast channel is discussed.
Gender and Social Workers’ Political Activity:

This research compared male and female elected social workers to discover whether they report the same gender differences as other elected officials. Few gender differences were found among respond...
A CK2-Dependent Mechanism for Degradation of the PML Tumor Suppressor

The PML tumor suppressor controls key pathways for growth suppression, induction of apoptosis, and cellular senescence. PML loss occurs frequently in human tumors through unknown posttranslational mechanisms. Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is oncogenic and frequently upregulated in human tumors. Here we show that CK2 regulates PML protein levels by promoting its ubiquitin-mediated degradation dependent on direct phosphorylation at Ser517. Consequently, PML mutants that are resistant to CK2 phosphorylation display increased tumor-suppressive functions. In a faithful mouse model of lung cancer, we demonstrate that Pml inactivation leads to increased tumorigenesis. Furthermore, CK2 pharmacological inhibition enhances the PML tumor-suppressive property in vivo. Importantly, we found an inverse correlation between CK2 kinase activity and PML protein levels in human lung cancer-derived cell lines and primary specimens. These data identify a key posttranslational mechanism that controls PML protein levels and provide therapeutic means toward PML restoration through CK2 inhibition.
Affirmation of Personal Values Buffers Neuroendocrine and Psychological Stress Responses

Stress is implicated in the development and progressionofabroadarrayofmentalandphysicalhealth disorders. Theory and research on the self suggest that self-affirming activities may buffer these adverse effects. This study experimentally investigated whether affirma- tions of personal values attenuate physiological and psychological stress responses. Eighty-five participants completed either avalue-affirmationtaskoracontroltask prior to participating in a laboratory stress challenge. Participants who affirmed their values had significantly lower cortisol responses to stress, compared with control participants. Dispositional self-resources (e.g., trait self- esteem and optimism) moderated the relation between value affirmation and psychological stress responses, such that participants who had high self-resources and had affirmed personal values reported the least stress. These findingssuggestthatreflectingonpersonalvaluescankeep neuroendocrine and psychological responses to stress at low levels. Implications for research on the self, stress processes, health, and interventions are discussed.
Ovine herpesvirus-2 glycoprotein B sequences from tissues of ruminant malignant catarrhal fever cases and healthy sheep are highly conserved.

Ovine herpesvirus-2 (OHV-2) infection has been associated with malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) in susceptible ruminants. In order to further investigate whether OHV-2 is an aetiological agent for sheep-associated (SA) MCF in cattle and bison, the entire sequences of OHV-2 glycoprotein B (gB) from different sources of viral DNA were compared. Target DNA was derived from tissues of bovine and bison cases of SA-MCF, from a lymphoblastoid cell line established from another bovine case of SA-MCF, and from a healthy sheep. The divergence between deduced amino acid sequences of OHV-2 gB ranged from 0·5 to 1·2%. The high degree of similarity between gB sequences from a healthy sheep and clinical cases of SA-MCF in cattle and bison suggests that OHV-2 is an ovine virus that is occasionally transmitted to other ruminant species, in which it can cause severe disease.
Isoflavones restore altered redox homeostasis of antioxidant enzymes in healthy young men undergoing 80% peak oxygen consumption (VO2pk) exercise

Abstract Isoflavones have potential health effects attributed to their antioxidant activity. The objective of this study was to test whether isoflavones affected the enzymatic antioxidant defense system in young men undergoing 80% peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 pk) exercise on cycle ergometer for 30 minutes. Fifteen pairs of subjects were randomly assigned to receive either high-genistein isoflavone extract (HGI, 150 mg/day) or placebo. Subjects engaged in two 30-minute sessions of exercise before and after 4 weeks of supplementation. There was a significant increase in plasma genistein and daidzein concentrations (499 and 415 ng/mL, P P
An eight-week, open-trial, pilot feasibility study of trigeminal nerve stimulation in youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Background: This study examined the potential feasibility and utility of trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in youth. Methods: Twenty-four participants ages 7e14 with ADHD enrolled in an 8-week open trial of TNS administered nightly during sleep, and were assessed weekly with parent- and physician-completed measures of ADHD symptoms and executive functioning as well as measures of treatment compliance, adverse events, and side effects. Computerized tests of cognitive functioning were administered at baseline and weeks 4 and 8. Results: Significant improvements were seen on the ADHD-IV Rating Scale (P < .0001) and parentcompleted Conners Global Index (P < .0001), as well as the majority of scales on the parentcompleted Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF). Improvements were also noted on the computerized Attention Network Task (ANT) Incongruent Reaction Time (P ¼ .006), suggesting that TNS has positive effects on response inhibition. Conclusions: TNS therapy for youth with ADHD appears to be both feasible and without significant risk. Subjective improvements on rating scales and laboratory measures of cognition suggest a potential role for TNS in treating ADHD that merits further investigation. Future research in anticipation of designing definitive controlled efficacy trials should evaluate time to onset of TNS response and durability of treatment effects following TNS discontinuation, as well as validate an effective active sham comparator suitable for blinded studies.
Utilizing Ultrasound Technology to Improve Livestock Marketing Decisions

This study estimates the value of using ultrasound technology to improve cattle marketing decisions by optimally choosing a particular marketing method. For the particular group of cattle analyzed, results indicate that using ultrasound information to selectively market cattle could have increased revenue by $25.53/head, $4.98/head, or $32.90/head, compared with simply marketing all animals on a live weight, dressed weight, or grid basis, respectively. Even if producers incorporate such information as placement weight, days on feed, and breed into their expectations about final carcass characteristics, our results indicate that ultrasound measures could improve average revenue by $4.16/head.
Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis associated with a congenital caliceal diverticulum

We report a rare case of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis occurring in a caliceal diverticulum in a 1-year-old child. She presented with recurrent urinary tract infections. A computed tomography scan demonstrated an enhancing cystic lesion in the left kidney. At open exploration, a caliceal diverticulum was found with a very stenotic opening into the renal pelvis. The diverticulum was enucleated, and the pathologic examination confirmed xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in the parenchyma surrounding the diverticulum. The child did well postoperatively with no recurrence of her urinary tract infections.
Quality Measurement: A Primer for Hand Surgeons

As the government and payers place increasing emphasis on measuring and reporting quality and meeting-specific benchmarks, physicians and health care systems will continue to adapt to meet regulatory requirements. Hand surgeons' involvement in quality measure development will help ensure that our services are appropriately assessed. Moreover, by embracing a culture of quality assessment and improvement, we will improve patient care while demonstrating the importance of our services in a health care system that is transitioning from a fee-for-service model to a fee-for-value model. Understanding quality and the tools for its measurement, and the application of quality assessment and improvement methods can help hand surgeons continue to deliver high-quality care that aligns with national priorities.