cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reflections of ions in electrostatic analyzers: A case study with New Horizons/Solar Wind Around Pluto

Electrostatic analyzers (ESAs), in various forms, are used to measure plasma in a range of applications. In this article, we describe how ions reflect from the interior surfaces of an ESA, the detection of which constitutes a fundamentally nonideal response of ESAs. We demonstrate this effect by comparing laboratory data from a real ESA-based space instrument, the Solar Wind Around Pluto (SWAP) instrument, aboard the NASA New Horizons spacecraft, to results from a model based on quantum mechanical simulations of particles reflected from the instrument's surfaces combined with simulations of particle trajectories through the instrument's applied electrostatic fields. Thus, we show, for the first time, how reflected ions in ESAs lead to nonideal effects that have important implications for understanding the data returned by these instruments, as well as for designing new low-background ESA-based instruments. Specifically, we show that the response of SWAP widens considerably below a level of 10(-3) of the peak response. Thus, a direct measurement of a plasma distribution with SWAP will have an energy-dependent background on the order of ≤10(-3) of the peak of the signal due to that distribution. We predict that this order of magnitude estimate for the background applies to a large number of ESA-based instruments because ESAs operate using a common principle. However, the exact shape of the energy-dependent response will be different for different instruments. The principle of operation is that ions outside the ideal range of energy-per-charge are deflected into the walls of the ESA. Therefore, we propose that a new design paradigm is necessary to mitigate the effect of ion reflections and thus accurately and directly measure the energy spectrum of a plasma using ESAs. In this article, we build a framework for minimizing the effect of ion reflections in the design of new ESAs. Through the use of existing computer simulation software, a design team can use our method to quantify the amount of reflections in their instrument and iteratively change design parameters before fabrication, conserving resources. A possible direction for the new design paradigm is having nonsolid walls of the ESA, already used in some applications.
Hypersplenism in a child with acute lymphatic leukemia.

A case of hypersplenism with sequestration and destruction of granulocytes and platelets in a child with acute lymphocytic leukemia in complete hematologic remission is reported. Splenectomy alleviated this child's problem and enabled chemotherapy to be continued. The absence of any demonstrable cause for the hypersplenism makes this case even more unusual. The problem of 6-mercaptopurine- or methotrexate-produced liver disease, or post-irradiation fibrosis with secondary portal hypertension, are alluded to but could not be definitely related to this child's hypersplenism.
A semiclassical model for intramolecular vibrational relaxation of local mode overtone in polyatomic molecules

A combination of the semiclassical perturbation (SCP) approximation and a kinetic coupling model gives rise to simple analytic formulae for the description of local mode overtone absorption spectra and the associated intramolecular vibrational relaxation in polyatomic molecules. Application to the CH(CD) stretch local mode overtones of C6H6 (C6D6) gives results which are in reasonable agreement with experimental observations. The SCPkinetic coupling model is thus seen to provide a very useful description of this intramolecular dynamics.
Feed-Forward and Feed-Backward Amplification Model from Cochlear Cytoarchitecture: An Interspecies Comparison

The high sensitivity and wide bandwidth of mammalian hearing are thought to derive from an active process involving the somatic and hair-bundle motility of the thousands of outer hair cells uniquely found in mammalian cochleae. To better understand this, a biophysical three-dimensional cochlear fluid model was developed for gerbil, chinchilla, cat, and human, featuring an active “push-pull” cochlear amplifier mechanism based on the cytoarchitecture of the organ of Corti and using the time-averaged Lagrangian method. Cochlear responses are simulated and compared with in vivo physiological measurements for the basilar membrane (BM) velocity, VBM, frequency tuning of the BM vibration, and Q10 values representing the sharpness of the cochlear tuning curves. The VBM simulation results for gerbil and chinchilla are consistent with in vivo cochlea measurements. Simulated mechanical tuning curves based on maintaining a constant VBM value agree with neural-tuning threshold measurements better than those based on a constant displacement value, which implies that the inner hair cells are more sensitive to VBM than to BM displacement. The Q10 values of the VBM tuning curve agree well with those of cochlear neurons across species, and appear to be related in part to the width of the basilar membrane.
Purification and characterization of mouse alcohol dehydrogenase from two inbred strains that differ in total liver enzyme activity

Alcohol dehydrogenase activity in mouse liver homogenate-supernatants is 1.7 times greater in the C57BL/10 strain than in the BALB/c strain, regardless of whether activity is expressed in units per gram liver, total liver, or milligram DNA. The Km values for ethanol and NAD+, approximately 0.4 and 0.03mm, respectively, of enzyme purified from both strains are similar. Moreover, the Ki for NADH, 1 µm, the pH optimum for ethanol oxidation, 10.5, and the Vmax for ethanol oxidation, 160 min−1, for ADH from the C57BL/10 and BALB/c strains are similar. Therefore, the difference in ADH activity in the two strains cannot be due to differences in the catalytic properties of the enzyme. The electrophoretic and isoelectric focusing patterns and two-dimensional tryptic peptide maps of the purified enzyme from both strains are identical. Thus the amino acid sequences of enzyme from C57BL/10 and BALB/c mice must also be identical or very similar. The difference in ADH activity in the two strains is most likely the result of genetic differences in the content of ADH protein in liver.
Cytokine-Receptor Complexes as Chaperones for Nuclear Translocation of Signal Transducers

Abstract A variety of ligands that include interleukins, interferons, and growth hormones activate STAT transcriptions factors. When activated, STATs are translocated to the nucleus apparently through the well described importin/Ran system where they activate target genes. Molecules utilizing this nuclear import system require specific nuclear localization sequences (NLSs). Paradoxically, such NLSs are not identifiable on STATs, raising the question of how they are imported into the nucleus. Surprisingly, most ligands and/or receptors that signal through STATs contain putative NLSs, and where examined either ligand or receptor undergo nuclear translocation. We hypothesize that these ligands and/or their receptors serve as chaperones in the nuclear translocation of STATs, and that they may be directly involved in signal transduction. Using IFNγ as a model system we provide a possible mechanism for how this direct role is fulfilled. A C-terminal domain of IFNγ has been identified that contains a functional NLS. Besides the fact that this domain, and the NLS in particular, is crucial for the biological properties of IFNγ, a peptide encompassing this domain is sufficient to induce an antiviral state. Moreover, this domain interacts exclusively with an internal cytoplasmic domain of a subunit of the receptor complex in a region that is directly involved in the recruitment and activation of the elements of the JAK/STAT pathway. We suggest that this novel mode of receptor recognition and activation may be a driving force for nuclear translocation of molecules like STATs that are associated with the ligand-receptor complex.
Adolescent nicotine exposure produces immediate and long-term changes in CNS noradrenergic and dopaminergic function.

Animal studies have only recently begun to address whether nicotine evokes unique or persistent effects on brain structure or function during adolescence, the period in which smokers typically begin their habit. In the current study, we examined the impact of adolescent nicotine treatment on catecholaminergic synaptic function in rats infused with nicotine on postnatal days 30-47.5, using a paradigm that reproduces the plasma levels of nicotine found in smokers. We assessed norepinephrine and dopamine content, turnover (an index of neural activity), and the response to an acute challenge dose of nicotine. In the midbrain, the region most closely associated with addiction, both norepinephrine and dopamine turnover were activated during the infusion period, an effect not seen in any other region for norepinephrine, and only in the striatum for dopamine. In the immediate post-infusion period (PN50-60), there was a decrement in midbrain catecholamine turnover restricted to males, whereas there was a later-emerging (PN80) activation of these pathways. Again, this pattern was not observed in any other region: the cerebral cortex showed post-treatment increases in turnover without gender selectivity, the striatum showed late-emerging deficits in dopamine turnover and the hippocampus displayed a profound deficit in noradrenergic activity that was limited to females. We also assessed the catecholaminergic response to an acute challenge with nicotine (0.3 mg/kg s.c.). The midbrain once more displayed unique properties; there was initial suppression of responses followed by post-treatment rebound elevations that were more prominent in males and eventual deficits that, in the case of dopamine, were selective for males. With the exception of the cerebellum, other regions showed the initial loss of response during the infusion period but no persistent changes in responsiveness. The current results indicate that adolescent nicotine produces immediate and long-term changes in CNS catecholaminergic systems, with regional targeting and gender selectivity corresponding to the changes seen previously in nicotinic receptor upregulation or indices of cell damage. These effects may underlie long-term behavioral changes associated with adolescent nicotine exposure.
Forecasting the 2008 Presidential Election with the Time-for-Change Model

At first glance, the outcome of the 2008 presidential election would appear to be very difficult to predict. For the first time in over 50 years, there will be no incumbent president or vice president in the race. Instead, the Republican Party, which has seen its popularity and electoral fortunes plummet since 2004, is pinning its hopes of retaining control of the White House on Arizona Senator John McCain—an individual who has frequently clashed with his own party's leadership. And McCain's Democratic opponent will be Illinois Senator Barack Obama, the first African American ever to receive a major-party presidential nomination.
Spinal serotonergic and kappa opioid receptors mediate facilitation of the tail flick reflex produced by vagal afferent stimulation

Facilitation of the nociceptive tail flick (TF) reflex produced by low intensity (2.0 msec, 20 Hz) electrical stimulation of cervical vagal afferents (VAS) was studied in rats lightly anesthetized with pentobarbital. Serotonin (methysergide, LY 53857 or ICS 205–930), adrenergic (prazosin or yohimbine) or opioid (naloxone, nor-binaltorphimine or naltrindole) receptor antagonists were administered into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar enlargement to characterize the spinal receptors mediating VAS-produced facilitation. Spinal 5-HT1 and kappa-opioid receptors were determined to be involved in facilitation of the TF reflex produced by VAS, suggesting that facilitation of spinal nociceptive transmission by activation of cervical vagal afferents is mediated by subtypes of spinal serotonergic and opioid receptors.
A meta-analysis of hypnotically induced analgesia: How effective is hypnosis?

Over the past two decades, hypnoanalgesia has been widely studied; however, no systematic attempts have been made to determine the average size of hypnoanalgesic effects or establish the generalizability of these effects from the laboratory to the clinic. This study examines the effectiveness of hypnosis in pain management, compares studies that evaluated hypnotic pain reduction in healthy volunteers vs. those using patient samples, compares hypnoanalgesic effects and participants' hypnotic suggestibility, and determines the effectiveness of hypnotic suggestion for pain relief relative to other nonhypnotic psychological interventions. Meta-analysis of 18 studies revealed a moderate to large hypnoanalgesic effect, supporting the efficacy of hypnotic techniques for pain management. The results also indicated that hypnotic suggestion was equally effective in reducing both clinical and experimental pain. The overall results suggest broader application of hypnoanalgesic techniques with pain patients.
Estimating a minimum set of physically based dynamic parameters to enhance statistical inference in block-oriented modeling

In process identification (i.e., dynamic model development) information on the precision and reliability of a parameter estimate is conveyed by a confidence interval. The best confidence interval is the one with the shortest width for a given level of confidence. Confidence intervals widen as the standard error increases or as the number of estimated parameters increases. When the value of a parameter is needed for physical understanding of process characteristics, its precision and reliability, i.e., certainty, is crucial. Parameter certainty increases as the number of estimated parameters decreases because this causes confidence intervals to shorten and confidence levels to increase. Hence, this article focuses on maximizing parameter certainty of physically interpretable dynamic parameters under block-oriented modeling by obtaining accurate values for all the dynamic parameters from a minimum set of estimated parameters. This objective is accomplished by the development of a procedure that identifies equivalent sets of parameters and estimates one parameter for each set. For a seven (7) input, five (5) output, simulated CSTR, its 84 physically based dynamic parameters were accurately determined from 23 estimated parameters that resulted in an increase in confidence level from 50% to 99.9% for a fixed interval width.
Building State Failure in East Timor

East Timor is the newest state of the twenty–first century. Yet its human development indicators compare with the most severely collapsed states in the world. Two and a half years of international administration by the United Nations seems to have had little effect on a social and political reality that has evolved by itself. In effect, the UN has given birth to a failed state. The purpose of governorship types of intervention — which attempt to (re)build governments that have collapsed or states that have failed — was to take control of a local political process and break with an abusive past. This aim was the rationale behind the most total form of international administration — UN statehood and international sovereignty in East Timor. In practice, however, the intervention failed to decentralize its own absolutist form of authority, but succeeded in excluding the local population from the equation. If there is to be any future for interventions that are both effective and legitimate, then they will need to guarantee much greater and genuine integration of the local population. ‘Participatory intervention’ is the next doctrinal puzzle to solve in the evolution of international state–building enterprises of any brand.
Application of massively parallel computation to integral equation models of electromagnetic scattering

Integral equation methods are widely used in the analysis and the design of electromagnetic systems. Traditionally, the limiting parts of the simulation have been the memory required for storing the dense matrix and the computational time required for solving the matrix equation. We report on the extension of integral equation solutions to new wavelength regimes and on completion of the solution in an amount of time that is practical for engineering applications. The numerical solution of the integral equation is computed on scalable, distributed-memory parallel computers. Essential to the numerical solution was the development of a complex-valued, highly optimized, dense-matrix equation solution algorithm for scalable machines. A portion of the research outlined is the development of this production-level library routine for the solution of linear equations on parallel computers. A convenient interface, useful for integral equation solutions, among others, was specifically developed in this study. This algorithm has the conveniences offered by the sequential libraries, can be easily ported between parallel platforms, and has been placed in the public domain.
Measurements of Mars at 1.55-cm and 0.95-cm wavelenghts

Abstract Observations of the radiation from Mars at wavelengths of 1.55 and 0.95 cm were made around the time of the 1967 opposition. The average equivalent blackbody temperatures derived from the measurements and corrected to Mars' mean solar distance (1.524 a. u.) are 172° ± 35°K (p.e.) and 171° ± 37°K (p.e.), respectively.
Exploiting rotational and translational invariance of the energy in derivative calculations in quantum chemistry

Abstract It is shown how the invariance of the Born—Oppenheimer potential energy to overall translations and rotations of a molecule can be used to reduce the computational labor required for derivative evaluations at various orders.
Community, family, and race/ethnic differences in health status in rural areas

Many race-specific differences in health outcomes that have been observed in previous research have been attributed to class and racebased group differences which either facilitate or constrain health opportunities and behaviors. These include such variables as different rates of poverty, health insurance coverage, and access to medical care. However, these relationships have been inadequately examined in rural communities where minority status may be even more detrimental to health than in urban areas, due to various constraints on access to health care. We present an analysis that assesses the effects of community, family structure, sociodemographic, and medical care variables on self-reported health status among Hispanics, Mrican Americans, and non-Hispanic whites in six rural communities in Florida. Community structural characteristics had a significant effect on self-reported health, as did some of the measures of how respondents "experience" community. These relationships held even when other sets of variables were added to the models. Family/household characteristics and sociodemographic and medical care variables were less important in explaining self-reported health status. These findings suggest that community continues to be important in explaining differences in health status in rural areas. Language: en
A Cartilage Explant System for Studies on Aggrecan Structure, Biosynthesis and Catabolism in Discrete Zones of the Mammalian Growth Plate

Abstract The structure, biosynthesis and catabolism of aggrecan has been studied in the bovine fetal rib growth plate. Comparative analyses were made on six 1-mm transverse slices which represent the resting zone (slice 6), proliferative zone (slices 5 and 4), upper hypertrophic zone (slice 3), middle hypertrophic zone (slice 2) and lower hypertrophic zone (slice 1). Aggrecan was abundant and exhibited very high aggregability in all zones. The aggrecan monomer was similar in structure in the resting and proliferative zones but showed a marked increase in hydrodynamic size in the lower hypertrophic zone; this was apparently due to an increase in the size of substituent glycosaminoglycans and an increase in core protein size as indicated by peptide analysis for G3 domain abundance. Biosynthetic studies with [35S]-sulfate showed the rate of synthesis per cell to be highest in the upper hypertrophic zone, and the structure of the newly synthesised molecules to be similar to the resident population in all zones. During explant culture in basal medium both aggregating and non-aggregating forms of aggrecan were released slowly from all zones. Addition of 10 nM retinoic acid to explants stimulated the release of both these forms of aggrecan whereas higher concentrations of retinoic acid (100 nM and 1000 nM) preferentially stimulated the release of the degraded forms. In this regard hypertrophic cells were the most responsive and resting cells were the least responsive. Analysis of the degraded fragments by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by N-terminal sequencing indicated that aggrecan catabolism in all zones of the growth plate is due to the action of aggrecanase, a novel cartilage proteinase which is also active in normal and osteoarthritic articular cartilages (Sandy et al., 1992). These observations are discussed in terms of the role of aggrecan in the extensive matrix remodelling which accompanies chondrocyte hypertrophy in the growth plate.
Clinical aspects of renal tumors.

ENAL tumors are the eighth most common malignancy, accounting for approximately 3% of newly diagnosed cancers. In 1994 27,600 new renal tumors were diagnosed, and 11,300 cancer related deaths occurred. The disease therefore is not uncommon, accounting for 11 cases per 100,000 individuals. ~ The majority of tumors (85% to 90%) are renal parenchyma lesions, which are generally renal adenocarcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is primarily a surgical disease. Patients with organ-confined lesions show excellent disease-specific survival. Individuals with more extensive lesions present greater technical challenges, yet often benefit from surgical extirpation. Treatment for advanced disease remains limited because these lesions are essentially resistant to radiation therapy or cytoreductive chemotherapy. Biological response modifiers have been studied intensively in this disease given the very rare but albeit real occurance of spontaneous regression of renal tumors. Immunotherapy remains an active area of clinical research, although major improvements in patient long-term outcomes have yet to be realized. However, notable advances in the molecular genetics of these lesions have recently been described that may have a significant future
Delay Test of Embedded Memories

Memory arrays cannot be as easily tested as other storage elements. They can be considered as non-scan cells. Memory built-in self-test (MBIST), functional test, and macro test are used to test memory arrays. However, these techniques have relatively poor coverage of the timing critical paths. We propose path delay test through memory arrays using pseudo functional test with K Longest Paths Per Gate (PKLPG). Long paths captured into a non-scan cell (including a memory cell) are propagated to a scan cell, and non-scan cells are initialized so that they can launch transitions onto long paths.
Ionization Energy Loss of Relativistic Electrons in Thin Silicon Detectors

We have measured the ionization loss of electrons with Lorentz factors $\ensuremath{\gamma}=2.91$ and $1.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}l~\ensuremath{\gamma}l~{10}^{5}$ passing through a (100.71 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.15)-\ensuremath{\mu}m silicon detector. Our results are in agreement with accepted theory for $\ensuremath{\gamma}=2.91$ and $\ensuremath{\gamma}=1.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$; however, for $\ensuremath{\gamma}g~3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ our results are systematically (7 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 2)% below the theoretical value. We suggest an explanation in terms of the finite detector thickness and a relativistic effect.
Genes coding evolutionary novel anti-carbohydrate antibodies: studies on anti-Gal production in α1,3galactosyltransferase knock out mice.

Abstract This study analyzes the gene repertoire coding for antibodies to an evolutionary novel immunogenic carbohydrate antigen in mice. The α-gal epitope (Galα1–3Galβ1–4GlcNAc-R) is an autoantigen, abundantly expressed in wild type mice, but absent in α1,3galactosyltransferase knock-out (KO) mice, where it can induce the production of the anti-Gal antibody. Hybridoma clones secreting anti-Gal were isolated from different mice and their immunoglobulin genes were analyzed. All anti-Gal clones were found to be encoded by the heavy chain gene VH22.1 and light chain gene VK5.1. Moreover, one ‘forbidden’ anti-Gal clone, produced in a wild type mouse, was also encoded by VH 22.1 and VK 5.1. The genes coding for the different anti-Gal clones were found to contain somatic mutations and different CDR3 domains. These data imply that a highly restricted gene usage combined with junctional diversity and somatic mutations can generate new antibodies that have not been produced in the course of the evolution of a species.
Nitrogen-15 magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Effect of paramagnetic relaxation reagents on the 15N chemical shifts of pyridines

Abstract The acetylacetonate complexes of chromium and iron, used as paramagnetic relaxation reagents to shorten the T1 values of methylpyridine 15N nuclei, appear to affect the chemical shifts to an extent comparable to the substituent effects. The effect is attributed largely to changes in bulk paramagnetic susceptibility when the chemical shifts are measured with respect to an external reference, hence are eliminated by using an internal reference and an external lock. At higher concentrations of the transition metal complex, specific interactions with components of the solution probably play a role.
Theoretical investigation of isotopic scrambling mechanisms in 2-chloroethyl methyl sulfide

Ab initio and semiempirical molecular orbital calculations have been applied to study the concerted and stepwise isotopic scrambling mechanisms of 2-chloroethyl methyl sulfide in the gas phase and in aqueous solution. The calculations reveal the structural details of the reactants, transition structures, and intermediates involved in this reaction and provide relative energy estimates. The concerted mechanism is found to be competitive with the stepwise mechanism in the gas phase, but the stepwise mechanism is favored in aqueous solution as no true transition structure for the concerted mechanism could be found using the solvation models. A combined approach of evaluating solvation energies with the generalized-Bom-plus-surface-tensions SM x solvation models of Cramer and Truhlar at ab initio optimized geometries is found to deliver the best agreement with experimentally determined reaction barriers. Together with the recent experimental results of McManus and co-workers, the present study provides insights into the controlling factors involved in the elementary reaction steps of sulfur mustards and a solid foundation for investigations into more complex reactions of related compounds.
The Big Difference a Small Island Can Make: How Jamaican Adolescents Are Advancing Acculturation Science

New research with Jamaican adolescents has brought acculturation science into closer accord with two 21st-century cultural realities: (a) multicultural destination societies for immigrant families and (b) intercultural contact among nonimmigrant families via modern globalization mechanisms. In this article, I review two theoretical expansions to the traditional conceptualization of acculturation (i.e., tridimensional acculturation and remote acculturation) along with supporting empirical evidence among Jamaican adolescents in the United States and on the Caribbean island. First, bidimensional acculturation lenses are exchanged for tridimensional ones to capture the acculturation of immigrant youth for whom three cultural dimensions are relevant. Second, acculturation pathways are expanded to include modern indirect and/or intermittent intercultural contact for nonimmigrant youth. Tridimensional and remote acculturation may be modern mechanisms by which today's and tomorrow's adolescents produce their own development. These advances reveal new avenues to investigate adolescent acculturation and adaptation in their increasingly complex cultural neighborhoods.
Community health assessment and program planning in the nurse practitioner curriculum: evaluation of a Guided Design learning module.

A 14-hour learning module based on the Guided Design method was developed to teach community health assessment and program-planning skills to nurse practitioner students. The module was developed because students in the program, part of a master's-level community health nursing major, viewed community skills as irrelevant to their role. The module was implemented for two consecutive classes (n= 19) and was evaluated through a quasi-experimental design that measured changes in (1) students' attitudes toward community health assessment and program planning as part of the nurse practitioner role, and (2) their ability to conduct community health assessment and program planning. Upon completion of the Guided Design module, all students satisfactorily assessed a real community and planned a health program to meet a community need, and they reported highly significant (P < 0.001) improvements in their attitudes toward these aspects of the nurse practitioner role.
Twice-daily, split-course abdominopelvic radiation therapy after chemotherapy and positive second-look laparotomy for epithelial ovarian carcinoma☆

Abstract Between July 1983 and December 1988, 34 patients with ovarian carcinoma received whole abdominal irradiation in an attempt to eliminate residual disease following second-look laparotomy. Three additional patients who had initial complete responses to chemotherapy were treated for a recurrence of their disease. All patients had been treated with chemotherapy that included cisplatin and cyclophosphamide. Three patients had also received doxorubicin with some or all chemotherapy cycles. Thirty Gray of abdominopelvic radiation therapy (APRT) was delivered using a twice-daily, split-course schedule. Eleven patients also had a boost of 9–20 Gy to sites of residual disease. Treatment was well tolerated. Only one patient did not complete therapy and two patients had 1-week prolongations of treatment because of hematologic toxicity. Thirty-two percent of patients had grade 2 neoplasms and 61% had grade 3 disease. Three patients with grade 1 tumors continue to have no evidence of disease 20–50 months after irradiation. Patients with grade 2 and 3 neoplasms who had microscopic residual disease prior to APRT had relapse-free survival rates at 3-years of 10% and 14%, respectively. Twelve patients with gross residual disease had rapid recurrences (median time to relapse, 4.9 months) and all have died of their disease. Although 14 patients (38%) have experienced small bowel obstructions, all of these had known recurrent abdominal disease at the time. Twenty patients (54%) had undergone more than two abdominal surgeries prior to APRT, and several were noted to have extensive adhesions at second-look laparotomy. None of the five patients currently believed to be free of disease has experienced a small bowel obstruction. Radiation is only one of several factors that contributed to bowel obstructions. Although APRT may be able to eliminate residual disease in a small proportion of patients with microscopic residual disease after chemotherapy, the aggressive biology of tumors that respond incompletely to chemotherapy and the compromises in radiation dose and schedule that must be made in these heavily treated patients probably contribute to the disappointing results of this treatment.
Quantifying exposure risk: Surgical masks and respirators

Background The interaction between the source of respiratory infectious aerosols and the receiver has not been investigated. Using a bench model, we measured the effects of filtration and deflection achieved with surgical masks and N95 respirators. Methods We constructed a chamber designed to produce radiolabeled wet aerosols simulating contaminated particles exhaled during tidal breathing (source). Particles within the chamber were exposed to either 6 or 0 air exchanges/hr. Aerosols were defined by cascade impaction. Source aerosols were exhaled via a ventilated mannequin head suitable for mask protection. A similar ventilated head within the chamber assessed recipient exposure (receiver). A filter within the receiver quantified exposure. Two types of masks, an N95 respirator and surgical mask, were tested. Data were presented as percent of nebulized particles on the receiver filter (exposure) and simulated workplace protection factor (sWPF). Results In the presence of chamber air exchange, applying a mask on the source (primarily deflection) resulted in significant reduction in exposure to the receiver (sWPF170-320). Masks on receiver (filtration) did not significantly reduce exposure from that of no masks (sWPF1.37-2.21), except with a Vaseline seal (sWPF118). With 0 air exchanges/hr, only Vaseline seal was effective in reducing exposure (sWPF 16-101). Conclusion In a ventilated space, deflection of exhaled particles with a mask worn at the source achieved far greater levels of protection than any mask on the receiver. Mask filtration at source or receiver did not play a significant role in reducing exposure.
Improvements to progressive mode image encoders

All blocks of the given image were divided into six bands, with the first band containing only the dc coefficient, the second band containing the first five ac coefficients, the third band the next nine ac coefficients, and so on. Figure 1 shows this division of DCT coefficients in bands. The number and code size of all DCT coefficients and various EOB markers were calculated. The dc and ac coefficients and all EOB markers in tested images accounted for are 7.3%, 75.5%,and 17.2% of coded symbols, respectively, whereas the EOB(0) alone contributed 15.6% of the coded symbols.
Rheology of fibrin clots. V. Shear modulus, creep, and creep recovery of fine unligated clots.

Abstract Creep and creep recovery in small shearing deformations have been studied in fibrin clots at pH 8.5 and ionic strength 0.45, where the fine, transparent clot is formed with very little lateral aggregation of protofibrils. The initial shear modulus G1 was measured 25 s after deformation on clots aged long enough for complete development of structure. For both human and bovine fibrin, the data were approximately described by log G1 = 1.45 + 1.90 log c, where c is concentration in g l and G1 is in dyn cm 2 , over a range of c from 4 to 13 g l . For bovine clots with completely developed structure, creep and creep recovery showed substantial irrecoverable deformation but the differential modulus GΔ measured at intervals agreed with G1 and did not change during the course of the experiment; it also agreed with the value calculated from the initial recovery after removal of stress. Moreover, several tests showed that the course of recovery conformed closely to the Boltzmann superposition principle. Thus the irrecoverable strain was associated with a structural rearrangement which caused no permanent damage. The irrecoverable deformation relative to the initial deformation was proportional to the elapsed time during creep in the early stages with a proportionality constant that decreased somewhat with increasing clot age prior to imposition of stress; it corresponded to a pseudo-viscosity of the order of 107 poise. However, the irrecoverable deformation does not represent viscous flow and appears to approach a limiting value at long times. Experiments on clots without completely developed structure, i.e., with imposition of stress at an earlier clot age, showed an increase in the differential modulus GΔ during creep. The irrecoverable deformation was greater and a portion of it could be attributed to the balance between two structures formed in the unstrained and strained states. However, unlike the case of ligated clots strained before complete development of structure, where the irrecoverable deformation is entirely due to a two-structure balance, there is also a contribution from structural rearrangement. Experiments with reverse creep and creep recovery showed that the structural rearrangement is symmetrical with respect to direction of deformation. The interpretation of these results in terms of clot structure and internal motions of protofibrils is discussed.
Further observations on relationships between antipyrine half-life, clearance and volume of distribution: an appraisal of alternative kinetic parameters used to assess the elimination of antipyrine.

The pharmacokinetics of antipyrine have been reassessed to establish more firmly the relative utility of antipyrine half-life and disposition rate constant as indices of antipyrine metabolic clearance rate. Pharmacokinetic analyses were performed from previously published studies on healthy volunteers. In addition healthy, non-smoking, non-obese male volunteers (109 from Hershey, PA and 31 from Bristol, UK) and groups of patients with various forms of liver disease were investigated. For any given apparent volume of distribution, the relationship of clearance and disposition rate constant is linear, whereas the relationship between clearance and half-life is hyperbolic. However, over the range of values commonly observed in healthy volunteers for antipyrine clearance, the relationship between antipyrine clearance and half-life approximates linearity. Over the entire range of values for antipyrine clearance, linearity emerges when either I/t1/2 or the disposition rate constant is plotted against clearance.
Application of envelope trend to analyze early EEG changes in the frontal regions during intracarotid amobarbital procedure in children.

Abstract Background Intracarotid amobarbital procedure (IAP) is acknowledged as the gold standard test for language lateralization. EEG is performed routinely during IAP to monitor the anesthetization of a brain hemisphere. Here, we studied the correlation between the early EEG changes using envelope trend and the clinical outcome of IAP. Method Fifty consecutive patients underwent IAP at Texas Children's Hospital (2004–2009). Intracarotid amobarbital procedure was considered “complete” or “incomplete” based on the outcome if the procedure was completed or aborted due to behavior changes. Envelope trend was used to calculate the median EEG amplitude changes within the first 60 s of IAP. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the role of EEG changes and clinical features on the procedure outcome. Results Only 30 IAP-EEG files were available for review. Amobarbital was administered at the dose of 60–150 mg (mean: 110 ± 20). The intracarotid amobarbital procedure was recorded as complete in 23 patients and incomplete in 7 patients. EEG changes occurred within the first few seconds following amobarbital injection. Following amobarbital injection, focal slowing was present in the ipsilateral frontal region or both ipsilateral and contralateral frontal regions. Elapsed time to the first EEG change or duration and change in median EEG amplitude in the ipsilateral frontal regions were indifferent between the complete and incomplete groups (p > 0.05). However, the median amplitude changes between the ipsilateral and contralateral frontal regions within each group were found significant only in the complete group (p 0.05). Conclusion Early EEG changes during IAP using envelope trend may predict successful completion of the IAP test. Younger children are at risk of behavioral changes during IAP.
Importance of alternative foods on the persistence of flavor aversions: implications for applied flavor avoidance learning

Abstract We added a novel flavor, citric acid (CA), to a familiar test diet and conditioned an aversion in lambs to the flavored diet using lithium chloride. In 1 h feeding trials, we examined the roles of a novel flavor cue, choice and nutritional quality of alternatives on the persistence of an aversion. Availability of alternative foods increased the persistence of the aversion to the CA-flavored test diet. Furthermore, persistence was related to the energy content of the alternative. The higher energy alternative better complimented the high protein content of the basal ration (alfalfa pellets) and increased persistence versus the lower energy alternative. Continued avoidance of the CA-flavored test diet was observed even after a 68-day intermission among lambs with access to alternatives. We submit that application of flavor avoidance learning (FAL) may be useful for minimizing herbivory when a novel flavor is employed and alternative forage is present.
Critical Spiritual Pedagogy: Reclaiming Humanity through a Pedagogy of Integrity, Community, and Love

American public schools today continue to segregate, alienate, and disempower non-dominant students through the use of culturally oppressive curricula and pedagogical practices. Through portraiture, this article illustrates how such educational issues are rooted in the fact that non-dominant students are often denied their humanity in schools. Building on a rich theoretical tradition of critical theory and critical pedagogy, this article challenges the complicit routines of mainstream educational practices by introducing the idea of critical spiritual pedagogy (CSP). Critical spiritual pedagogy is a method of teaching and learning that is rooted in three central concepts: spirituality, humanity, and power. It acknowledges the way students and teachers are exploited, fragmented, and Othered in schools while advocating for curricular and educational practices that are based in love and integrity in an interdependent classroom community. The authors propose that CSP can be used as a tool for teachers and stu...
Immunoglobulin G lymphocytotoxic antibodies in clinical liver transplantation: Studies toward further defining their significance☆

Twenty-two consecutive liver allograft recipients, who tested positive for immunoglobulin G (IgG) lymphocytotoxicity were subjected to pretransplantation and posttransplantation immunologic monitoring of anti-donor IgG lymphocytotoxic antibody titers, total hemolytic complement activity (CH100), circulating immune complexes (CIC), and platelet counts in an effort to improve our understanding of the preformed antibody state in clinical hepatic transplantation. Ten contemporaneous liver transplant recipients whose crossmatch results were negative and who experienced severe hepatocellular damage early after transplantation were included as controls. Crossmatch test results were negative 1 day after transplantation and during the 1 month follow-up remained negative in 14 of 22 (64%) sensitized recipients, most of whom had relatively low ( 1:32 to 1024) pretransplantation titers of anti-donor IgG antibodies. After transplantation these patients developed a syndrome that was characterized by decreased CH100 activity and increased CIC compared with pretransplantation levels and refractory thrombocytopenia that was associated with a 50% allograft failure rate because of biopsy-proven humoral and acute (cellular) rejection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
RACIAL COMPOSITION OF DISTRICT POPULATION AND THE ELECTION OF AFRICAN‐AMERICAN LEGISLATORS

The level of concentration of minorities needed to provide a reasonable chance for them to elect candidates of their race has been hotly debated. Previous research has provided either a snapshot for a single point in time or data from elections over time but for a variety of offices. This paper presents the first longitudinal examination for two legislative chambers. The results show that while the threshold at which blacks are initially elected has declined, the cutoff point at which whites are elected or the point beyond which only blacks are successful is less clear. While some evidence supports a 65 percent rule for districts which African Americans can win, the justification for such a threshold has weakened over time with the most severe blow to that standard being dealt in 1992. Only in 1992, however, do blacks hold more than half the districts with black concentration in the 55 to 60 percent range.
GROUP ATTITUDE UNIFORMITY AND CONNECTIVITY OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION NETWORKS FOR PRODUCTION, INNOVATION, AND MAINTENANCE CONTENT

Prior laboratory research on group uniformity suggests the general hypothesis that as correspondence increases between the content on which communication networks and attitude-beliefs are defined, increasing group network connectivity is associated with increasing member uniformity. To test derived hypotheses, natural groups from a large organization are identified through communication network analysis on production (n= 17), innovation (n= 16), and maintenance (n= 16) content. As expected, production and innovation groups show relationships between connectivity and attitude-belief uniformity, with production the stronger of the two; maintenance groups show little association, perhaps due to a content definition restricted to interpersonal problems. The predicted positive relationship between connectivity and uniformity occurs for social-emotional variables in the production network. However, unexpectedly in both production and innovation networks personality variables become less uniform as connectivity increases. As suggested, task variables operate differently in association with connectivity in production and innovation networks, although the differences are more pronounced than expected; in production, uniformity on these variables is negatively associated with connectivity, while in innovation they are positively associated.
Reirradiation as a Component of the Multidisciplinary Management of Locally Recurrent Breast Cancer

Abstract Background and Purpose Our intent was to review a modern multidisciplinary institutional experience involving reirradiation of the breast, chest wall, and lymphatics for locoregional recurrences of breast cancer and report toxicity and clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods Between 1995 and 2009, 12 locoregional recurrences were reirradiated in 8 patients. The mean dose of initial radiotherapy was 57.1 Gy (range, 50.4-60.6 Gy), and the mean dose of reirradiation was 46.7 Gy (range, 30-62.1 Gy). The second course of radiotherapy was delivered using daily radiotherapy to 5 recurrences, twice-daily radiotherapy to 5 recurrences (1 with mold brachytherapy boost), and a combination of once- and twice-daily radiotherapy to 2 recurrences. Results The median follow-up from time of completion of reirradiation was 30 months (range, 1.5-67 months). Local control was achieved in 7 of 8 patients and 11 of 12 recurrences. Regional control was achieved in 5 of 8 patients and 6 of 12 recurrences. Distant control was achieved in 5 of 8 patients. At time of analysis, 5 of 8 patients were alive. Median survival since reirradiation completion was 36 months (range, 4.5-47 months). Acute toxicity included grade 2 dermatitis in 4 patients, ipsilateral shoulder pain in 1 patient, and ipsilateral pleurisy in 1 patient. Late skin and soft tissue toxicity manifested as fibrosis in 4 patients, hyperpigmentation in 3 patients, and telangiectasia in 3 patients. Three patients reported lymphedema, 1 patient reporting chest wall pain and 1 patient with an ipsilateral rib fracture. Conclusions Multidisciplinary management of locoregional recurrence of breast cancer using reirradiation is well tolerated as salvage treatment and provides durable locoregional control.