cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measured TG-60 dosimetric parameters of the Novoste Beta-Cath 90Sr/Y source trains for intravascular brachytherapy.

Abstract Measurements were performed on the 30, 40, and 60-mm 90 Sr/Y β-emitter source trains used in the Novoste Beta-Cath system to determine the dosimetric characteristics of the sources at millimeter distances and provide the necessary TG-60 dosimetry parameters for mapping the dose distributions. These measurements were carried out in a Solid Water phantom where MD-55-2 Gafchromic films were placed in direct contact with a 5 French (F) catheter used for the 30 and 60-mm source trains and a 3.5 F catheter used for a thinner 40-mm source train. The dosimetric analysis was performed according to the AAPM TG-60 formalism. For the 30-mm source train, data were collected with the source axis at distances of 0.41 and 1.19 mm from the film surface, respectively, in order to investigate possible dosimetric effects due to the intrinsic off centering of the source train lumen within the 5 F catheter. Absolute dose rates at 2 mm were determined by calibrating the radiochromic film in a high energy electron beam from a radiotherapy accelerator. The dose rates at a radial distance of 2 mm were found to be within 10% of the values provided by Novoste. Radial dose functions from this study were in good agreement (≤10%) with a 30-mm, 90 Sr/Y source train dose data generated from C. G. Soares et al. 90 Sr/Y single seed data. However, larger differences were observed at distances shorter than 1 mm when compared to radial dose functions from the Novoste Monte Carlo data.
Analysis of temperature dependent hysteresis in MoS2 field effect transistors for high frequency applications

Abstract Thermal and hysteresis effects are studied for the first time in Al 2 O 3 top-gated, CVD grown monolayer MoS 2 field effect transistors (FETs). Stressing with an applied bias reversed the hysteresis rotation in the high temperature I ds – V gs transfer characteristics and this behavior, indicative of a multilevel trap model, was explained by charge carriers interacting with traps possibly at the MoS 2 /dielectric interface and within the CVD grown MoS 2 . High temperature FET characteristics measured up to 125 °C demonstrated pinch-off degradation and the influence of trapping/detrapping rates in both the top and bottom gate dielectric. This indicates the importance of maintaining oxide and interface quality for good FET performance.
An exploration of social policy and organizational culture in jail-based mental health services

Mental health staff encounter difficulties delivering services to mentally ill offenders in the criminal justice system environment. This manuscript explores administrative and clinical policy changes made in a mental health program in a mega jail environment resulting in improved inter-agency communications and access to services for mentally impaired offenders. The authors use attribution theory to explain changes in the social policy and organizational culture of the program. The authors suggest the use of two value-based schema as tools to prompt discussions about and improve the relationship between the criminal justice and mental health service systems.
A two-robot printed circuit board assembly system

Abstract This paper addresses the problem of printed circuit board (PCB) assembly using multiple robots simultaneously and sequentially. In particular, a two-concurrent-robot assembly system with fixed table and two fixed magazines is considered. The objective of the procedure is the minimization of the assembly cycle times, defined as the longer of the two robot total assembly times, while avoiding collision between the robots. An example problem is given to demonstrate the use of the procedure in the two-robot assembly PCB system. To analyse the advantages of the two-concurrent-robot PCB assembly system, assembly cycle time and flow time of this system are compared with those of a two-robot sequential PCB assembly system. The computational results generated from a set of test problems demonstrate the performance of the developed algorithms.
The ecological distribution of reproductive mode in oribatid mites, as related to biological complexity

The high incidence of asexuality in oribatid mites presents an unusual opportunity for examining hypotheses for the maintenance of sex. There is a presumed range in age of asexual species: many oribatid species are phylogenetically clustered, occurring in speciose early-derivative families or genera without sexual species, while others are phylogenetically isolated from other asexual species, occurring in later derivative taxa with sexual congeners. We examined the distribution of oribatid mite reproductive mode in soil of corn fields, grassy and shrub fields, and forests in central New York State (three replicate plots of each type, with 25 samples per plot), to test three ecological predictions from current theory. (1) If overall biotic uncertainty, as generated by competitors and predators, mediates the ecological distribution of oribatid mites, then the proportion of asexual oribatid mites should be negatively correlated with biological diversity; we examine this prediction using literature data as well. (2) If Muller’s Ratchet (the stochastic loss of best genotypes, which is independent of environment), mediates the success of asexuality, then no ecological pattern should exist. (3) If general purpose genotypes are characteristic of asexual oribatid mites, their habitat distribution should be broader than that of sexual species. For each plot the level of asexuality was compared to indices of overall biotic diversity, as calculated from the pooled oribatid mite (competitors) and mesostigmatid mite (predator) communities. We found no negative correlation in this relationship in our own data or in the literature analysis of 290 faunal surveys from 50 literature sources, so we reject biotic uncertainty as an important determinant of reproductive mode distribution. When only data on phylogenetically clustered asexuals are considered, there is instead a positive correlation between asexuality and diversity that is not explained. Because of the latter pattern we tentatively reject Muller’s Ratchet as the primary factor maintaining reproductive mode in these mites, but cannot reject it for isolated asexual species. Niche breadth in sexual and asexual oribatid mites provides no support for widespread general purpose genotypes but broad patterns in the literature suggest that the idea needs further investigation. Possible complicating or unknown factors that are discussed include historical disturbance in the study area, the relationship between parasitism and general biotic diversity, and the level and source of genetic diversity in asexual oribatid mites.
Mechanized and Continuous Cheesemaking Processes for Cheddar and Other Ripened Cheese

Abstract Mechanization and automation of the manufacture of ripened cheese varieties have been an intensive research area for the past 20 yrs. Many of the fundamental developments occurred from 1960 to 1970 and were reviewed by Irvine (46, 47), Mann (62, 63), Schwartz (88), Olson (71, 72), and Park (73). During the past 5 yrs, a number of the basic developments have been refined and adapted into commercial use. Investment in mechanized systems, including vats and mechanical curd-handling equipment, has been extensive both in medium-sized and large plants. Economics. The trends in consolidation of privately-owned and cooperative cheese plants, the capability of long-distance transportation of milk and pressures for increased efficiency have accelerated mechanization of cheese manufacture. In spite of the rapid increase in use of mechanized systems, relatively few economic analyses of mechanization procedures have been published. Estimates of labor requirements for traditional methods of manufacturing Cheddar cheese in New Zealand and the United States were made in 1966 and 1969 (51, 71).
Biological treatability of selected organic constituents of PFH liquid waste

Abstract Aerobic biological treatability was demonstrated for selected compounds expected to be present in wastewater generated during retorting of Eastern Oil Shales by the pressurized fluidized bed hydroretorting (PFH) process. Phenol, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), aniline and 4-methyl pyridine were selected because of their concentration and relative toxicity. A biological seed from a municipal activated sludge plant was acclimated to synthetic wastes containing phenol, MEK and aniline. Microorganisms did not acclimate to 4-methyl pyridine under the experimental conditions tested. Each compound was tested to determine if air-stripping was occurring under the experimental conditions. Only the air-stripping of MEK was found to occur under the conditions of the tests. The data were corrected for this effect. Experiments using batch biological reactors demonstrated that phenol, MEK and aniline were biologically metabolized when each compound was the sole source of carbon. A combination experiment demonstrated that phenol, MEK and aniline can be simultaneously metabolized in the presence of 4-methyl pyridine without any noticeable inhibition.
Effect of Ionic Strength on Length-dependent Ca2+Activation in Skinned Cardiac Muscle

Abstract S. H. Smith and F. Fuchs. Effect of Ionic Strength on Length-dependent Ca 2+ Activation in Skinned Cardiac Muscle. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology (1999) 31 , 2115–2125. The length-dependence of myofilament Ca 2+ sensitivity is considered to be an important component of the steep force–length relationship in cardiac muscle (Frank–Starling relation). Recent studies suggest that Ca 2+ sensitivity is a function of the number of strong-binding cross-bridge interactions formed at a given sarcomere length. However, the length-dependent step in the thin filament activation process is still unknown. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that sarcomere length influences the transition of the thin filament from the unattached (blocked) state to the weakly bound (closed) state. This hypothesis was tested by determining the length-dependence of Ca 2+ sensitivity as a function of ionic strength in skinned bovine ventricular muscle. Previous studies have shown that reduction in ionic strength below a critical level, in the absence of Ca 2+ , shifts the thin filament to the closed state. In this study normal Ca 2+ regulation was maintained at low ionic strength but the length-dependence of Ca 2+ sensitivity and the length-dependence of Ca 2+ binding were eliminated. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the transition from the blocked to the closed state is a function of filament geometry as well as Ca 2+ and ionic strength.
Amino-terminal sequence of adenovirus type 2 proteins: Hexon, fiber, component IX, and early protein 1B-15K☆

Abstract The partial amino-terminal amino acid sequence has been determined for four adenovirus 2 proteins: hexon, fiber, component IX, and early protein E1B-15K. A comparison of these sequences with the nucleotide sequence of the region of the genome encoding each of these proteins has identified the initiation sites for protein synthesis. Each protein is initiated at the AUG codon nearest the 5′ end of its mRNA. The initiating methionine is retained by fiber and component IX while it is removed from hexon and protein E1B-15K.
Nuclear activity from F9 embryonal carcinoma cells binding specifically to the enhancers of wild-type polyoma virus and PyEC mutant DNAs

Although wild-type polyoma virus does not productively infect murine embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, a number of mutants (PyEC mutants) that do infect undifferentiated EC cells have been isolated. All PyEC mutants have DNA sequence alterations within the enhancer region of the viral genome. This report describes an activity present in nuclear extracts of F9 EC cells which, by "footprint" analyses, binds specifically to a small region of about 20 base pairs (nucleotides 5180-5200) within the subregion of the polyoma enhancer designated as the B or beta element. While no difference in binding of factor was detected between wild-type polyoma enhancer and the enhancers of the PyEC mutants, PyF111 and PyF441, which had been selected for productive infection of F9 cells, definite differences between wild-type and mutants were observed in the digestion patterns of their naked DNAs with either DNAase I or exonuclease III. This difference was restricted to the region around the point mutation (nucleotide 5258) common to these mutant DNAs.
Measures of Life Quality, Role Performance, and Functional Status in Asthma Research

Recently a consensus has emerged that health care research should address outcomes important to patients, especially quality of life, role performance, and functional status. The assessment of such outcomes is beset by conceptual and methodological difficulties that may be especially problematic for asthma. Nevertheless, several broad conclusions may be drawn about the use of measures of these outcomes in asthma research. Asthma usually is reasonably well controlled if patients are moderately adherent to their recommended regimens. Consequently, the beneficial impacts of interventions are likely to be small, and large samples are required to detect them. Outcome assessment should combine asthma-specific measures with generic measures applicable to a variety of conditions. Generic measures aimed at severely debilitating disease are less appropriate than measures designed for use in the general population. Asthma-specific measures should emphasize the incidence and impact of such symptoms as coughing, wheezing, sputum production, and shortness of breath. Current procedures for computing utility scores and cost-benefit ratios based on them have serious measurement limitations, and use of such scores should be postponed until those limitations are overcome. These assessment issues should be addressed separately for adults and children.
A position-sensitive neutron spectrometer/dosimeter based on pressurized superheated drop (bubble) detectors

Abstract A position-sensitive, superheated emulsion chamber (SEC) is introduced for three-dimensional (3D) spectrometry and dosimetry of fast neutrons. The detector is based on a fine suspension of octafluorocyclobutane droplets emulsified in a tissue-equivalent gel. This gel is highly viscous and immobilizes the bubbles at the location of their formation. At an operating temperature of 35°C, the droplets are moderately superheated and their evaporation is nucleated by the densely ionizing products of fast neutron interactions, with no response to sparsely ionizing radiations. Thus, when a neutron emitter such as a 252Cf brachytherapy source is inserted in the SEC, a bubble distribution forms around the source and makes the neutron field visible. The SEC is operated at different externally applied pressures that correspond to different response thresholds. These responses form a virtually orthogonal matrix which is suitable for spectrometry and allows the use of effective few channel unfolding procedures, yielding the spatial dependence of absorbed dose and neutron energy spectra in-tissue. Bubble spatial distributions in the chamber can be determined through optical tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 3D, steady-state MRI method has proven particularly effective for this purpose. After the imaging, the SEC can be pressurized above the halocarbon vapor tension in order to recondense the bubbles to the liquid phase. Within a few minutes, the device is annealed and ready to be used again for repeated measurements improving the bubble counting statistics.
Improving the performance of the error function for fast phase recovery of QAM signals in CMA blind equalizers using variable step

A new constant modulus algorithm (CMA) type of error function for fast phase recovery of QAM signals was recently proposed in which the cost function of the error function recovers the phase simultaneously with the equalization. In this paper we propose variable step (VS) in the update equations of new error function to enhance the performance of convergence speed and residual inter-symbol interference (ISI). Effectiveness of the error function for well-behaved channel, under-modeled channel and channel disparity are presented. Simulation results are presented to compare the performance of VS, constant step (CS) and the modified CMA (MCMA) using 16-QAM signal constellation.
Driving decision-making in older adults with dementia

Drivers with dementia, like most other drivers, are reluctant to relinquish their driving privileges, making discussions about driving cessation difficult and of great concern to family. To better understand how driving decisions are made 13 focus groups were held with 65 participants including current drivers with dementia, their spouses, and spouses of former drivers with dementia. Results documented the use of compensation strategies by drivers with dementia and their families to maintain safe driving behaviors given declining skills, identified a lack of planning for driving cessation even in light of expectations of cessation, confirmed a desire that driving decisions be a responsibility shared between families and professionals, and showed that diagnostic delays hamper families in making long-term plans. Given the desires and needs of drivers and their spouses, a shared, consistent, and unified approach to driving decisions between professionals and families is needed.
Hydrothermal synthesis of calcium - niobium and tantalum oxides with the pyrochlore structure

Abstract The mixed metal oxides Ca 2 B 2 O 7 (B = Nb, Ta) have been synthesized with the pyrochlore structure. The oxides were prepared by hydrolysis of Nb and Ta alkoxides and subsequent crystallization in the presence of the divalent cation in alkaline solution at temperatures up to 100°C. The reactions yield crystalline phases directly, though with small particle size and high surface area. The pyrochlore oxide Ca 2 B 2 O 7 was also found to undergo ion-exchange in acid under mild conditions to form the hydrated oxide HNbO 3 ·xH 2 O, also with small particle size and high surface area. Confirmation of the structures of Ca 2 Nb 2 O 7 and HNbO 3 ·xH 2 O was obtained by Rietveld analysis of the powder X-ray diffraction data.
CSAMT Mapping of a Utah Tar Sand Steamflood

The mapping of thermal fronts associated with EOR techniques from the surface has important application to improved reservoir stimulation. Real-time knowledge of how a thermal EOR front is developing would help and operator to optimize production well placement as well as to take corrective steps to maximize production. The surface mapping technique that we are evaluating is the controlled-source audio frequency magnetotelluric (CSAMT) electromagnetic (EM) induction geophysical prospecting technique. The analysis of the field data, using results from laboratory studies, is described. Normalized maps show the location of the steam front that is in agreement with production data, temperature data from monitoring wells, and posttest coring data. The location of a major bypass of steam into an underlying formation was also mapped. The results indicate that the CSAMT technique shows promise for monitoring steam-front locations.
Principles of identifying and characterizing neurotoxicity.

There is currently considerable interest in the neurotoxic effects of environmental pollutants. Some of this interest is due to epidemiological, clinical and laboratory studies showing that the nervous system is a target for many toxic substances. The interest is also due to a realization of how little is actually known about the neurotoxicity of most environmental pollutants. Laboratory research in neurotoxicology can be viewed as having two distinct approaches that focus on either the identification or the characterization of neurotoxic substances. Research on the identification of neurotoxicity deals mainly with the screening of chemicals for neurotoxicity. There has been a long-standing tradition of screening chemicals for neurotoxicity. There have, however, been several recent developments that are likely to improve our ability to identify neurotoxic substances, including more detailed assessments of a variety of behavioral and neurological functions. Research on the characterization of neurotoxicity deals mainly with efforts to discover the mechanism(s) of action of neurotoxic substances. This type of research has in some cases significantly advanced our knowledge of neurotoxic effects (e.g., acrylamide, n-hexane). Characterization-based research addresses many of the extrapolation issues of concern in toxicology (e.g., acute to chronic, high-dose to low-dose), and specifically attempts to interrelate the cellular, molecular and functional (neurophysiological, neurobehavioral) effects of toxic substances. These two research approaches represent critical elements of a tiered testing approach that could ultimately lead to more efficient testing protocols and a more comprehensive understanding of pollutant-induced neurotoxic risk in human populations.
High-performance barium titanate capacitors with double layer structure

High-performance barium titanate (BaTiO3) capacitors with excellent electrical and dielectric properties have been made by a two step deposition scheme using reactive rf magnetron sputtering. A novel double layer structure has been developed to reduce the pinholes and improve the electrical properties, such as higher dielectric constant, lower dissipation factor, higher breakdown fields and low leakage currents. Films deposited on a cooled substrate are amorphous whereas those deposited on a heated substrate are poly crystalline. Both polycrystalline and amorphous natures are verified by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Amorphous films have a low leakage current, a high breakdown voltage up to 2.5 x 106 V/cm, and a dielectric constant less than 20. Polycrystalline films yield a high dielectric constant of 330. However, these films also have large leakage currents. The capacitors with the two layer structures,i.e. amorphous layer on top of polycrystal layer, have been shown to be much superior to those prepared by either polycrystal or amorphous layer alone for practical applications. The dielectric constant and breakdown voltage of capacitors with a double layer are found to be as high as 220 and 1.2 x 106 V/cm, respectively. The leakage current is reduced to the same order as the amorphous films alone.
A Method for Assessing the Use of First Person Verb Forms by Preschool-Aged Children with SLI.

Children with specific language impairment (SLI) often have extraordinary difficulty in the use of tense and agreement morphemes. Because spontaneous speech samples may not provide a sufficient number of obligatory contexts for these morphemes, structured probe items are often employed. However, these usually emphasize actions that can be readily illustrated through drawings, which tend to have third person subjects. In this paper we describe a method that has been successful in creating obligatory contexts for a first person morpheme — auxiliary am — that until now has been assessed exclusively through spontaneous speech samples. Participants were 32 mainstream American English-speaking children comprising three diagnostic subgroups: children with SLI, typically developing age-matched peers, and younger typically developing peers matched for mean length of utterance (MLU). The children participated in a task in which they described their actions for an audience; these descriptions required the use of aux...
Production of epinephrine-induced skin lesions and fever following local and systemic injections of herpes simplex and vesicular stomatitis viruses in the rabbit.

A characteristic purple-coloured hemorrhage was produced in rabbits at the site of an intradermal injection of 100 Μg of epinephrine when herpes simplex virus had been injected on the same site 3–4 hours previously or when an intravenous injection of vesicular stomatitis virus had been given 4 hours previously. Both of these viruses had a pyrogenic effect 2–4 hours after intravenous injection in rabbits. Rabbits given an intravenous injection of vesicular stomatitis virus showed resistance to the pyrogenic effect of a second intravenous injection of this virus given 24 hours later, but showed no such resistance to an injection of herpes simplex virus. Rabbits which were thus resistant to the pyrogenic effect of vesicular stomatitis virus were also resistant to the above described skin lesions produced at the site of intradermal injections of epinephrine.
The Complex Variable Boundary Element Method

In this chapter, the Complex Variable Boundary Element Method will be developed for use in approximating solutions to potential problems defined on a simply connected domain. The strategy of the method is to (1) define the problem domain Ω and boundary Γ such that there are no singularities of the state variable φ(x, y) and conjugate stream function Ψ(x, y) for z = x + iy and z e Ω UΓ; (2) develop an approximation function which is analytic in Q and continuous on r and satisfies specified boundary conditions values on Γ; and (3) determine a relative error distribution between the approximation function and the analytic solution of the boundary value problem to be used for error analysis and subsequent modeling refinement. Steps (1) and (2) will be discussed in this chapter, with the error analysis and subsequent modeling refinement methods developed in Chapter 5.
Antibodies to native and denatured collagens in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

A passive hemagglutination assay was used to detect antibodies to native human collagens and to collagen chains in the sera of 110 rheumatoid patients and those of 75 normal controls. The incidence and titer of anticollagen antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis are high, but in controls they are low or in most instances absent. No correlation was found between the stage of RA, or titers of rheumatoid factor, or ANA and the incidence and/or titers of antibody to any given type of collagen.
Elasticity of rock in uniaxial strain

Abstract Deformation under conditions of uniaxial strain was found elsewhere to be very nearly recoverable for rocks like granite, diabase and certain limestones. This apparent elastic behavior is examined here in greater detail. Volumetric compression as a function of mean stress was closely predictable from our measurements of compressibility. However, Poisson's ratio in uniaxial strain was up to 25 per cent higher than the value we obtained in a direct static measurement. Motion on cracks was assumed to have occurred during uniaxial strain, and an elastic analysis was carried out based on the model of a crack-filled solid developed previously by Walsh. The theory correctly predicted characteristics of volumetric compression and Poisson's ratio observed experimentally. The pressure calculated in a shock experiment for Westerly granite would be up to 30 per cent higher if the appropriate Poisson's ratio for uniaxial strain is used instead of the commonly tabulated value found at high hydrostatic pressure.
Tilted surfaces in short-wave infrared imagery: speckle simulation and a simple contrast model

An effective simulation of speckle with tilted surfaces illuminated by short-coherence-length lasers is presented. Two new tools for assessing speckle and/or its contrast under these conditions are developed and validated. The first is a simulation of the time-domain tilted-surface effects that provides speckle imagery. The second is a simple intuitive model for contrast derived from speckle reduction due to averaging. Field results of speckle imagery for a laser-illuminated target and a short-wave infrared imager validate the simulation. Simulated speckle is compared visually with the actual speckle. Also, contrasts of the speckle generated by simulation and actually imaged in the field are compared for one tilt angle. Existing analytical models of the contrast also validate the simulated speckle contrast. Contrast-versus-angle characteristics of simulated speckle are compared with the general analytical contrast model for speckle from tilted surfaces.
Angiotensin II inhibits the forearm vascular response to increased arterial pressure in humans

Objectives. This study tested the hypothesis that angiotensin II may inhibit the forearm vascular resistance response to an increase in arterial pressure in normal humans. Background. Angiotensin II inhibits baroreflex-mediated reductions in heart rate and peripheral sympathetic activity during increases in arterial pressure in experimental animals. If present in humans, such effects could contribute to the pathophysiologic role of angiotensin II in hypertension and heart failure. Methods. Two investigations were performed. In the first, forearm vascular resistance responses were compared during equipressor infusions of angiotensin II and phenylephrine. In the second, heart rate, forearm vascular resistance and systemic venous norepinephrine spillover responses were compared during head-down tilt and head-down tilt plus phenylephrine with concomitant angiotensin II or vehicle infusions. Results. In the first study, forearm vascular resistance increased from 44 ± 12 (mean ± SD) to 54 ± 13 U (p < 0.05) during angiotensin II but did not change during phenylephrine infusions (39 ± 8.5 to 40 ± 14 U) that increased mean arterial pressure comparably (88 ± 9.8 to 103 ± 14 mm Hg during angiotensin II, p < 0.001; 91 ± 7.6 to 104 ± 9.2 mm Hg during phenylephrine, p < 0.001). In the second study, the decrease in heart rate and forearm vascular resistance during the combination of head-down tilt and phenylephrine were both attenuated during concomitant angiotensin II compared with vehicle infusions: ΔHR/ΔMAP = −2.2 beats/min per mm Hg during vehicle and −0.87 beats/min per mm Hg during angiotensin II (p = 0.07); ΔFVR/ΔMAP = −2.8 U/mm Hg during vehicle and −0.19 U/mm Hg during angiotensin II (p = 0.01), where ΔHR = change in heart rate; ΔMAP = change in mean arterial pressure; and ΔFVR = change in forearm vascular resistance. Norepinephrine spillover declined during vehicle infusions (612 ± 367 to 418 ± 196 ng/min, p < 0.05) but not during angiotensin II infusions despite a greater increase in mean arterial pressure when the subpressor angiotensin II was combined with head-down tilt and phenylephrine (6.0 ± 7.0 mm Hg during vehicle; 14 ± 9.4 mm Hg during angiotensin II, p < 0.01). Conclusions. Both pressor and nonpressor infusions of angiotensin II immediately inhibit the forearm vascular response to mild baroreflex loading in normal humans. If present over the long term, such effects could contribute to inappropriate peripheral resistance in diseases such as hypertension and congestive heart failure.
Defect-assisted relaxation in quantum dots at low temperature.

A model for electron relaxation in a quantum dot, including a nonradiative pathway through a point defect, is presented, using time-dependent perturbation theory. The results obtained here extend previous work [Phys. Rev. B 51, 14 532 (1995)] to the experimentally relevant low-temperature regime. It is found that relaxation through defects may circumvent the phonon bottleneck predicted for ideal nanometer-scale quantum dot structures even at low temperatures. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Evaluation of the lower extremities

The Octoson, an automated, water-delay ultrasonic scanner, that provides excellent demonstration of the normal anatomy of subcutaneous tissues, muscles, and blood vessels, was used to evaluate the lower extremities of 25 patients. A variety of pathologic conditions were demonstrated, including popliteal cysts, hematomas, an abscess, and an aneurysm.
Office of Justice Programs focuses on studying and preventing elder abuse.

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is committed to providing a safer America for its aging population. Through efforts in such areas as research, victim services, and statistical reports, OJP is striving to ensure that criminal justice, medical, and social service professionals have the information they need to help the elderly.
Effect of Elastic Strain on the Electrical Resistance of Metals

The strain coefficients of electrical resistivity of some eighteen metals and alloys have been determined experimentally. It has been shown that for most metals the free electron theory accounts qualitatively for the observed effects. In the case of bismuth and antimony, the discussion of the possible deformation of the Brillouin zones of these metals with strain seems to explain their abnormal behavior.
Arginine decreases peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ activity via c-Jun

We have previously shown in the post ischemic gut that enteral arginine enhanced injury and inflammation via c-Jun/AP-1 and abrogated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ activity. In the current study, we investigated the mechanism by which arginine inhibited PPARγ in vitro in rat small bowel epithelial IEC-6 cells. Arginine repressed PPARγ transcriptional activity in a time and dose-dependent fashion. Furthermore, downregulation of PPARγ by arginine involved phosphorylation of c-Jun that occurred before to changes in PPARγ transcriptional activity. Silencing of c-Jun increased PPARγ beyond that of nonsilenced cells and was not mitigated by arginine. Using a series of blocking studies, we found no relationship between arginine and the ligand-dependent binding site of PPARγ. In conclusion, arginine decreased PPARγ transcriptional activity in small bowel intestinal epithelial cells. These changes are due, in part, to phosphorylation of c-Jun and may explain the deleterious effects of enteral arginine in the post ischemic gut.
SU-E-J-23: Prostate Bed Motion Study Using Surgical Clips Based on Daily CBCT.

Purpose: To study prostate‐bed motion after prostatectomy using the surgical clips as a surrogate. Methods: On the treatment planningCT, surgical clips within the PTV are identified and contoured. They are also identified and contoured in each daily CBCT. The center of mass (COM) coordinates for each clip within the native reference frame of each image set of CT and CBCT are recorded. Each CBCT (for daily image guidance) is registered to the planning CT based on the pelvic bony structure. The resulted 3D transformation matrix is used to convert the clip coordinates in the CBCT to the planning CT reference frame. Difference between the converted COM coordinates and the one in planning CT is taken as the rigid motion of the prostate bed relative to the pelvic bony structure during the course of radiation therapy. The motion data are then analyzed using statistical error analysis and quantified by the commonly defined M (average over all fractions and all patients), S (stdev of averages per patient, the systematic motion), and s (root mean square of stdev per patient, the random motion). Among a large pool of patients, seven patients were selected for this retrospective study, each with 3 to 11 identifiable clips and 17 to 26 CBCT sets. The total number of clips is 44 and total daily CBCT sets 160. Results: In the (right‐left, anterio‐posterior, foot‐head) directions, the M values are (0.2 mm, 0.4 mm, −0.6 mm), S (0.2, 2.5, 3.2), and s (1.7, 2.6, 2.1). Conclusions: Relative to the bony pelvic structure, the prostate bed motion characteristics are similar to that of intact prostate, as summarized in Table 2 of Rasch et al 2005 (‘Target Definition in Prostate, Head, and Neck.’ Semin Radiat Oncol 15:136–145).
GRP78 Induction in Cancer: Therapeutic and Prognostic Implications

Cancer cells adapt to chronic stress in the tumor microenvironment by inducing the expression of GRP78/BiP, a major endoplasmic reticulum chaperone with Ca(2+)-binding and antiapoptotic properties. GRP78 promotes tumor proliferation, survival, metastasis, and resistance to a wide variety of therapies. Thus, GRP78 expression may serve as a biomarker for tumor behavior and treatment response. Combination therapy suppressing GRP78 expression may represent a novel approach toward eradication of residual tumors. Furthermore, the recent discovery of GRP78 on the cell surface of cancer cells but not in normal tissues suggests that targeted therapy against cancer via surface GRP78 may be feasible.
ADHD, lead, and PCBs: appropriate comparison studies.

In their article “Lead and PCBs as Risk Factors for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder” (ADHD), Eubig et al. (2010) offered a large compilation of human and animal research supporting a relationship between these environmental contaminants and ADHD occurrence. Key to understanding such a relationship, however, is research quality, not quantity. As Eubig et al. (2010) noted, ADHD is highly heritable, a history of ADHD in a parent or sibling being a strong predictor of ADHD occurrence in a child (Faraone and Doyle 2001). A sound study of the disorder and lead or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) would therefore control for family history. The authors listed seven studies of lead exposure and ADHD in their Table 2, but five of the studies had no information on family history so they could not answer the question of a relationship. Another study suffered from likely underascertainment of parental history; even so, it remained significantly (p < 0.01) associated with ADHD in case children (Wang et al. 2008). The last study controlled for familial neuropsychiatric disease and reported no significant association of children’s blood lead levels (BLLs) and ADHD, despite its ample cohort size of ≥ 1,700 (Ha et al. 2009). In their Table 1, Eubig et al. (2010) listed 12 studies of human lead exposure and performance on test functions impaired in ADHD. Only 3 of the studies considered heritability as a possible confounder of this relationship, but none reported an association with performance (Chiodo et al. 2004, 2007; Stewart et al. 2006). This is surprising, given the marked heritability of ADHD, and raises the question of how well individual test functions may control for or serve as surrogates of ADHD diagnosis per se. Also, Stewart et al. (2006) found only a marginal (p < 0.047) association with medical record information on postnatal BLL in a potentially biased 60.9% of subjects, and no association (p < 0.641) with umbilical cord BLL in 88.6% of subjects. According to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, the proportion of elevated BLLs (≥ 10 µg/dL) in U.S. children 1–5 years of age dropped from 77.8% in 1976–1980 to 0.9% in 2005–2008 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2005; HealthyPeople.gov 2011). However, the occurrence of ADHD and its diagnostic predecessors has been rising since the 1980s, if not before, offering no support for a positive association of BLL with ADHD (Pastor and Reuben 2008). The PCB literature Eubig et al. (2010) presented in their Table 4 provided a picture little different from that of lead. PCB exposure is also apparently trending downward (Tee et al. 2003). The dearth of well-controlled studies leaves open Eubig et al.’s question whether lead or PCBs exert an effect on ADHD occurrence beyond that exerted by heritability. This question cannot be answered satisfactorily until researchers consistently impose adequate control in their studies and funding agencies consistently require such control in the research they support.
Using tensor-based morphometry to detect structural brain abnormalities in rats with adolescent intermittent alcohol exposure

Understanding the effects of adolescent binge drinking that persist into adulthood is a crucial public health issue. Adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure (AIE) is an animal model that can be used to investigate these effects in rodents. In this work, we investigate the application of a particular image analysis technique, tensor-based morphometry, for detecting anatomical differences between AIE and control rats using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). Deformation field analysis is a popular method for detecting volumetric changes analyzing Jacobian determinants calculated on deformation fields. Recent studies showed that computing deformation field metrics on the full deformation tensor, often referred to as tensor-based morphometry (TBM), increases the sensitivity to anatomical differences. In this paper we conduct a comprehensive TBM study for precisely locating differences between control and AIE rats. Using a DTI RARE sequence designed for minimal geometric distortion, 12-directional images were acquired postmortem for control and AIE rats (n=9). After preprocessing, average images for the two groups were constructed using an unbiased atlas building approach. We non-rigidly register the two atlases using Large Deformation Diffeomorphic Metric Mapping, and analyze the resulting deformation field using TBM. In particular, we evaluate the tensor determinant, geodesic anisotropy, and deformation direction vector (DDV) on the deformation field to detect structural differences. This yields data on the local amount of growth, shrinkage and the directionality of deformation between the groups. We show that TBM can thus be used to measure group morphological differences between rat populations, demonstrating the potential of the proposed framework.
Vibrational Relaxation Dynamics of Azide in Ionic and Nonionic Reverse Micelles

Ultrafast infrared spectroscopy has been used to measure vibrational energy relaxation (VER) and reorientation times (Tr) for the antisymmetric stretching band of azide ion (N3-) in several reverse micelle (RM) systems using cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants. RMs were formed using H2O for all surfactants and D2O for the anionic and cationic surfactants. The vibrational dynamics depended on the RM charge. The charge dependence is attributed to differences in ion location in the RM because of Coulombic interactions. The VER times in anionic (AOT, sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate) RMs are indistinguishable from those in bulk solution and Tr times are longer only for the smallest RMs studied. In cationic (CTAB, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) RMs, VER and Tr times are longer and weakly depend on the RM water content and water pool size. The results are attributed to the azide anion being attracted toward the RM wall when it is cationic and repelled into the bulklike center when it is anionic....
Low-Z linac targets for low-MV gold nanoparticle radiation therapy

Purpose: To investigate the potential of low-Z/low-MV (low-Z) linac targets for gold nanoparticle radiotherapy (GNPT) and to determine the microscopic dose enhancement ratio (DER) due to GNP for the alternative beamlines. In addition, to evaluate the degradation of dose enhancement arising from the increased attenuation of x rays and larger skin dose in water for the low-MV beams compared to the standard linac. Methods: Monte Carlo simulations were used to compute dose and DER for various flattening-filter-free beams (2.5, 4, 6.5 MV). Target materials were beryllium, diamond, and tungsten-copper high-Z target. Target thicknesses were selected based on 20%, 60%, 70%, and 80% of the continuous slowing down approximation electron ranges for a given target material and energy. Evaluation of the microscopic DER was carried out for 100 nm GNP including the degradation factors due to beam attenuation. Results: The greatest increase in DER compared to the standard 6.5 MV linac was for a 2.5 MV Be-target (factor of ∼2). Skin dose ranged from ∼10% (Be, 6.5 MV-80%) to ∼85% (Be, 2.5 MV-20%) depending on the target case. Attenuation of 2.5 MV beams at 22 cm was higher by ∼75% compared with the standard beam. Taking into account the attenuation at 22 cm depth, the effective dose enhancement was up to ∼60% above the DER of the high-Z target. For these cases the effective DER ranged between ∼1.6 and 6 compared with the standard linac. Conclusions: Low-Z (2.5 MV) GNPT is possible even after accounting for greater beam attenuation for deep-seated tumors (22 cm) and the increased skin dose. Further, it can lead to significant sparing of normal tissue while simultaneously escalating the dose in the tumor cells.
Using Badges to Increase Initiations of Children with Severe Disabilities in a Play Setting

A study was conducted to investigate a training strategy that allowed children with severe disabilities to choose and initiate activities when playing with chronologically age-appropriate peers wit...
Estrogens, Salt, Blood Pressure, and Cardiovascular Disease in Women. How Do We Interpret the Data?

Until recently cardiovascular disease in women has been a largely neglected and poorly understood issue, in part related to the misconception of a lower incidence among females compared with males, underrepresentation of females in clinical trials and observational studies until recently, and nontraditional presentation of symptoms in many females. Women have been typically viewed as largely protected from cardiovascular disease until menopause, and thereafter a rise in prevalence has been recognized, presumably related to hormonal decline. Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) has been viewed as a useful prophylactic approach to ward off such events after menopause as well as to minimize menopausal symptoms. However, recent studies have yielded conflicting results regarding the protective effects of estrogen administration in preventing myocardial infarction and stroke.1–3 Indeed, the results of the Women’s Health Initiative have been interpreted as showing a neutral effect of estrogen administration in women in the 50 to 59 age decile and an adverse cardiovascular effect in older subjects.1 Whereas different pharmacological regimens may have been used in these replacement trials, the impact of these regimens on known risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as blood pressure, lipoprotein profiles, insulin sensitivity, endothelin, C- reactive proteins, and other vasoactive substances, has not been carefully investigated. The relationship between estrogen and progesterone administration in the form of oral contraceptives and blood pressure, a major risk factor for stroke and cardiovascular disease, has been recognized for 4 decades.4 Population studies have documented a small but significant rise in systolic blood pressure in women receiving oral contraceptives in the 1970s, but only a small proportion of such women demonstrated a rise into the hypertensive range. Whereas epidemiologists remind us repeatedly that a …
Response to Letters Regarding Article, “Aortic Arch Plaques and Risk of Recurrent Stroke and Death”

To the Editor: We did not understate, as Drs Bhindi and Ormerod claim, the potential effect of statins on the risk of recurrent embolic events. We simply observed that, because patient enrollment in our study ended in 1998, statin use was not prevalent at the time the study was conducted.1 If this prevented us from taking into account the effect of statins on the results, it also provided us with an opportunity to evaluate the effect of antithrombotic treatment without the possible confounding factor of statin treatment. It should be noted that, at the time the study was conducted, lipid-lowering treatment was not routinely prescribed after a stroke, and the very relationship between serum cholesterol and stroke risk was questioned. The detection of large aortic plaques may have resulted in the initiation …