cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monte Carlo simulations of the differential beam hardening effect of a flattening filter on a therapeutic x-ray beam

A quantitative study of the differential beam hardening effect of the flattening filter on the 6-MV beam of Clinac 2100C has been conducted with Monte Carlo simulations using EGS4 code. The fluence-weighted photon energy of the unfiltered beam decreases from 1.35 MeV at central axis (CAX) to 1.22 MeV at an off-axis distance (OAD) of 20.0 cm. Compared to the unfiltered beam, the fluence-weighted photon energy of the filtered beam increases to 1.93 MeV at CAX and to 1.36 MeV at an OAD f 20.0 cm, respectively. The beam hardening effect was found to be 2.1 times higher at CAX than at an OAD of 20.0 cm. With the differential filtration of the flattening filter, the photon energy fluence reduced to 44% and 78% at CAX and an OAD of 20.0 cm respectively, resulting in the energy fluence of the filtered beam being flat from CAX to an OAD of 20.0 cm. The differential transmission ratios between the high energy and low energy photons decrease as the OAD increases. The percentage depth doses (PDDs) at field size of 10.0 cm x 10.0 cm for both the filtered and unfiltered 6-MV beams at CAX and at an OAD of 15.0 cm were calculated with a Monte Carlo technique based on the simulated spectra and fluence. The calculated PDDs were found to be consistent with the measured data for the filtered beam at CAX and an OAD of 15.0 cm. The beam quality (BQ) of the filtered beam at CAX is also higher than that of the same beam at an OAD of 15.0 cm. All the above results quantitatively demonstrate the differential beam hardening effects of a flattening filter on a therapeutic x-ray beam.
THE THIRD LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS

We consider a very general class of discrete classical one dimensional statistical mechanical models and prove that generic finite range interactions have crystalline zero temperature ensembles, and in particular satisfy the third law of thermodynamics.
Looking for Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

This study examined the correlates of symptom-seeking behavior for Alzheimer's disease (AD) among middle-aged persons. Symptom seeking, the tendency to search for signs of disease, is one manifestation of an individual's concern about developing AD. The data were obtained from a survey of two subsamples of 40-60 year old adults: 1) 108 adult children with a living parent with a diagnosis of probable AD; and 2) 150 adults in a matched group with no parental history of AD. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify significant predictors of symptom seeking, which was measured by a composite index comprised of responses from three questions about checking for signs of AD, interpreting signs as symptoms of AD, and soliciting external validation for concerns. Four clusters of predictors were examined: memory assessment, AD experience, sociodemographics, and well-being. Within these clusters, the constellations of significant predictors varied by subsample, but the most robust predictors were aspects of subjective assessments of memory functioning and AD experience. An understanding of the correlates of symptom seeking for AD has implications for early detection of the disease as well as identifying populations under stress from excessive worry about their own future health.
Obese men have more advanced and more aggressive prostate cancer at time of surgery than non-obese men after adjusting for screening PSA level and age: results from two independent nested case–control studies

Obese men have more advanced and more aggressive prostate cancer at time of surgery than non-obese men after adjusting for screening PSA level and age: results from two independent nested case–control studies
Detection of nuclear-bag states

We discuss the masses of nuclear-bag states containing 3A quarks, the decay width of the deuteron bag, d*, the appearance of dinucleon bags as resonances in nucleon-nucleon reactions, the inelastic form factor for the reaction ed ..-->.. e'd* and the differential cross section for pd ..-->.. p'd*. Separation of bag signals from the background from pion production requires the detection of one or more decay nucleons.
Independent factorizations of abstract algebras

The concept of independence of abstract algebras, defined by A. L. Foster in [5], has been used in proving unique factorization theorems for various classes of algebras (El], [5], [6], [?I, [S]). (For the definitions used here, see below and Section 2.) The usual approach has been a synthetic one; writers have taken a set of independent algebras as given and sought necessary and sufficient conditions for an algebra to be representable as a direct or subdirect product of these algebras. The most general result along these Iines seems to be the following:
Current and future evidence-based acne treatment: a review.

Introduction: Current acne treatment guidelines, as well as, treatment efficacy, safety, tolerability and patient preferences must all be considered in determining appropriate treatment regimes. Literature can assist physicians' evidence-based recommendations according to these factors. Areas covered: To determine the current and future direction of pharmacotherapy for treatment of acne, a PubMed search was conducted to identify all clinical trials involving the treatment of acne from 2009 to 2012. A total of 65 publications met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Literature was heavily focused on the efficacy and tolerability of topical combination therapies and supported their use compared with monotherapy. A few studies on topical antiandrogens and antioxidants showed an alternative approach to targeting acne. Studies on oral monotherapy provided some evidence for the use of pulsed azithromycin for acne in adolescents. Literature also supports the use of low-dose isotretinoin for moderate acne, which...
Response to HER-2 Pulsed DC1 Vaccines is Predicted by Both HER-2 and Estrogen Receptor Expression in DCIS

Patients with estrogen-independent (ERneg) human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)-positive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treated with lumpectomy alone or lumpectomy and radiation are at increased risk of developing subsequent breast cancer events. Thirty-eight patients with HER-2 expressing DCIS received a HER-2 pulsed autologous dendritic cell (DC1) vaccine administered over 4–6 weeks before surgical resection. HER-2 and estrogen receptor (ER) expression were determined by immunohistochemistry. In 35 patients, CD4pos T-cell sensitization to HER-2 peptides was identified by ELISPOT. In 19 patients, CD8pos T-cell responses were identified by ELISA. Clinical and immune responses postvaccination were compared between intermediate-expressing HER-2 (2+) and high-expressing HER-2 (3+) patients, as well as ERneg and estrogen-dependent (ERpos) patients. There was no significant difference in immune response after HER-2 vaccination in patients with HER-2 (2+) and (3+) tumors or ERneg and ERpos tumors. Complete tumor regression rates were similar in patients with HER-2 (2+) and (3+) DCIS. Overall, clinical response rates were similar in patients with ERneg and ERpos DCIS, but complete tumor regression was significantly more common in patients with ERneg DCIS. Despite equivalent immune responses after vaccination in patients with HER-2 (2+), HER-2 (3+), ERneg and ERpos DCIS, HER-2 pulsed DC1 induces more complete responses in patients with ERneg DCIS. These data provide a rationale for developing vaccinations to reduce recurrence in patients with ERneg DCIS for whom there are currently limited adjuvant options.
Quora.com: Another Place for Users to Ask Questions

It's been more than 15 years since Ewing and Hauptman wondered whether reference was an obsolete practice (1995, 3). The issue has been debated many, many times since then, and probably quite frequ...
Identification of adsorbed species of nitric oxide on silica-supported chromia

Abstract Infrared data have been interpreted as indicating an N 2 O 2 dimer and an NO monomer as the surface species for nitric oxide adsorbed on silica-supported chromia. These assignments are reinforced by isotopic substitution experiments. The experimentally observed bands attributed to 15 N 2 O 2 and 14 N 15 NO 2 agree with those calculated from the assumption that the observed bands for 14 N species arise from the cis dimer of N 2 O 2 . Slow isotopic mixing in the dimer species is observed at −78 °C and rapid mixing at 25 °C.
Experimentally determined content of a geometrically necessary dislocation boundary in copper

Abstract Weak beam and stereo transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to analyze the dislocation content of a crystallographic geometrically necessary dislocation boundary (GNB) in rolled copper. The GNB is oriented close to the ( 1 1 1) slip plane and is composed primarily of dislocations from the three highest stressed slip systems: 1 2 [ 1 1 0](1 1 1) , 1 2 [1 0 1]( 1 1 1) , and 1 2 [1 1 0]( 1 1 1) . The boundary also contains a large number of dislocation nodes and reaction products (junctions) of the three primary sets including junctions of the first two sets resulting in a Lomer lock configuration 1 2 [0 1 1](1 0 0) . The dislocation configuration within the boundary appears to be a low energy structure within the confines of the system. The general boundary minimum energy solution to Frank’s formula does not agree well with the observed configuration. Solutions containing high densities of dislocations with Burgers vectors from the highest stressed slip systems give more reasonable agreement. An alternate analysis of Frank’s formula considering only slip activity on two fcc slip planes also gives reasonable results.
Exchange rate sensitivity of demand for money and effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policies

One of the arguments between proponents and opponents of floating exchange rates centres around the relative effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policy. While proponents of floating rates argue that monetary policy is more effective under floating rates, its opponents contend that fiscal policy is more effective under fixed rates. However, economic theory suggests that there is room for both policies under both types of exchange rate system, depending upon degree of sterlization. Concentrating on the floating rates, Mundell (1963) has argued that the relative effectiveness of monetary and fiscal policies would also depend upon sensitivity of money demand to exchange rate. More precisely he has conjectured that The demand for money is likely to depend upon the exchange rate in addition to the interest rate and the level of income; this would slightly reduce the effectiveness of a given change in the quantity of money, and slightly increase the effectiveness of fiscal policy on income and employment under ...
Lack of therapeutic effect of the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat in patients with metastatic radioiodine-refractory thyroid carcinoma.

Context: Aberrant histone deacetylase activity is seen in a variety of malignancies, and histone deacetylase inhibitors such as vorinostat have been shown to induce cell death and sensitize cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy in thyroid cancer cell lines. This phase II study was undertaken to assess objective response to vorinostat in patients with advanced thyroid cancer. Experimental Design: A total of 19 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (n = 16) and medullary thyroid cancer (n = 3) were enrolled in the study. Patients received oral vorinostat at a starting dose of 200 mg twice daily, with dose adjustments allowed as necessary for toxicity. Patients were treated for 2 wk, followed by 1 wk off therapy (3-wk cycle) until disease progression or study withdrawal. Responses were measured by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria and correlated with tumor markers. Results: No patient achieved a partial or complete response. Median duration of therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer was 17 wk, whereas in medullary thyroid cancer patients it was 25 wk. Reasons for termination included progression of disease by RECIST criteria (n = 7), clinical progression (n = 3), and adverse events (AEs) (n = 9). AEs were primarily grade 1–3; no clinical grade 4 or grade 5 events were observed. Clinical grade 3 AEs consisted of fatigue, dehydration, ataxia, pneumonia, bruises, and deep vein thrombosis. Severe thrombocytopenia was seen in seven patients (grade 3, n = 5; grade 4, n = 2) and was associated with minor bleeding or bruises. Conclusions: Vorinostat at this dose and schedule is not an effective treatment for advanced thyroid cancer.
School counselors’ perceptions and experience with acceleration as a program option for gifted and talented students.

This article presents findings from a national survey of 149 practicing school counselors who are members of the American School Counsel or Association. The survey gathered information on school counselors' perceptions of and experiences with acceleration as a program option for gifted students. Results indicate that, although school counselors' opinions are being solicited in decision making regarding acceleration, they do not possess training and accurate information regarding acceleration. Hence, training and professional development focusing on the research-based practices of acceleration are needed to ensure that school counselors give accurate advice and guidance concerning gifted students' education. Future research is needed to compare and contrast the effectiveness of accelerative decision making between school counselors who are trained and untrained in acceleration programmatic options.
Function and Mechanisms of Autophagy in Brain and Spinal Cord Trauma

Abstract Significance: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) are major causes of death and long-term disability worldwide. Despite important pathophysiological differences between these disorders, in many respects, mechanisms of injury are similar. During both TBI and SCI, some cells are directly mechanically injured, but more die as a result of injury-induced biochemical changes (secondary injury). Autophagy, a lysosome-dependent cellular degradation pathway with neuroprotective properties, has been implicated both clinically and experimentally in the delayed response to TBI and SCI. However, until recently, its mechanisms and function remained unknown, reflecting in part the difficulty of isolating autophagic processes from ongoing cell death and other cellular events. Recent Advances: Emerging data suggest that depending on the location and severity of traumatic injury, autophagy flux—defined as the progress of cargo through the autophagy system and leading to its degradation—may be...
Trade Wind Cloud Evolution Observed by Polarization Radar: Relationship to Giant Condensation Nuclei Concentrations and Cloud Organization

AbstractShallow marine trade wind cumuli are one of the most prevalent cloud types in the tropical atmosphere. Understanding how precipitation forms within these clouds is necessary to advance our knowledge concerning their role in climate. This paper presents a statistical analysis of the characteristic heights and times at which precipitation in trade wind clouds passes through distinct stages in its evolution as defined by the equivalent radar reflectivity factor at horizontal polarization ZH, the differential reflectivity ZDR, and the spatial correlation between and averages of these variables. The data were obtained during the Rain in Cumulus over the Ocean (RICO) field campaign by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) S-band dual-polarization (S-Pol) Doppler radar, the National Science Foundation (NSF)–NCAR C130 aircraft, and soundings launched near the radar. The data consisted of 76 trade cumuli that were tracked from early echo development through rainout on six days during RICO. Tr...
Hyperbolic problems in three independent variables: Mathematical analysis and constructive methods

Abstract We consider initial-boundary value problems associated with nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations in three independent variables in a unified setting, wherein the forcing function is a sum of two monotonic functions. After deriving the required mathematical theory of hyperbolic partial differential inequalities, we employ natural lower–upper solutions and two types of coupled lower–upper solutions, to derive linear iterative schemes which converge uniformly and monotonically to the minimal–maximal solutions or the coupled minimal–maximal solutions of the nonlinear problem. Examples are given to illustrate the results.
Long-range cis effects of ectopic X-inactivation centres on a mouse autosome

In mammals, the X chromosome is unique in being capable of complete inactivation. Such X inactivation evolved to compensate for gene dosage differences between females with two X chromosomes and males with one. Transcriptional silencing of a single female X chromosome is controlled in cis by Xist, whose RNA product coats the inactive X chromosome (Xi), and the X-inactivation centre (Xic). A transgenic study limited the Xic to 450 kilobases including Xist, and demonstrated that it is sufficient to initiate X inactivation. Here we report that ectopic Xist RNA completely coats transgenic chromosome 12. Expression of genes over 50 centimorgans was reduced two-fold and was detected only from the normal homologue in fibroblasts. Moreover, ectopic Xic action resulted in chromosome-wide changes that are characteristic of the X(i): DNA replication was delayed, and histone H4 was markedly hypoacetylated. Our findings suggest long-range cis effects on the autosome similar to those of X inactivation, and imply that the Xic can both initiate X inactivation and drive heterochromatin formation. Thus, the potential for chromosome-wide gene regulation is not intrinsic to X-chromosome DNA, but can also occur on autosomes possessing the Xic.
Normal Inability Versus Pathological Disability: Why Ossorio's Definition of Mental Disorder Is Not Sufficient

Ossorio's proposed definition of mental disorder as “inability to engage in deliberate action” is evaluated and compared to Wakefield's analysis of mental disorder as “harmful dysfunction.” Ossorio's definition is found to be neither necessary nor sufficient for disorder. The most severe problem is its extreme over inclusiveness; normal mental functioning includes many restrictions on deliberate action, and entire nonpathological domains, such as ignorance and lack of skill, are encompassed within Ossorio's definition. Bergner's attempt to defend Ossorio's definition through various construals of its clauses is found to be ad hoc and unsuccessful, tt is argued that the harmful dysfunction analysis adequately explains the shared classificatory judgments about disorder and non-disorder that Ossorio's definition fails to explain, and that Bergner's “epistemological” objection to the harmful dysfunction analysis is invalid.
Short Nights Attenuate Light-Induced Circadian Phase Advances in Humans

Context: In humans, sleep duration often determines the night (dark) length experienced, because we close our eyes when we sleep and are exposed to artificial or natural light when we are awake. Although it is recognized that there is an increasing trend in modern society toward shorter sleep time, it is not known how short nights (long photoperiods) affect the human circadian system. Objective: In this study we investigated for the first time the effects of night length on circadian phase shifts to light in humans. Design and Setting: Eight young healthy subjects experienced 2 wk of 6-h sleep episodes in the dark (short nights) and 2 wk of long 9-h sleep episodes (long nights) in counterbalanced order. After each series of nights, they were exposed to four 30-min pulses of morning bright light (∼5000 lux) that advanced by 1 h/d for 3 consecutive days while night (dark) length was maintained at 6 or 9 h. Circadian phase was determined from the circadian rhythm of melatonin in dim light before and after th...
In the Shadow of the General Will: Rawls, Kant and Rousseau on the Problem of Political Right

This is the first of three chapters focusing upon the thinking of John Rawls, the leading contemporary liberal political thinker. The relationship between Kant and Rawls is apparently an obvious one; Rawls himself acknowledges the Kantian foundations of his approach to questions of justice and political right, and identifies the precise points at which his theory departs from that of Kant. This chapter attempts to show that when one examines those points of departure carefully, they turn out to point not merely away from Kant, but directly and inexorably toward the account of political right given by Rousseau in The Social Contract. The essay argues that it is impossible to fully understand Rawls’ theoretical project until one sees the (unstable) position it occupies between the Kantian and Rousseauean accounts of political right. Moreover, it argues that the theoretical project undertaken by Rawls, that of revising the Kantian conception of autonomy in an attempt to show how it could be coherently “expressed” politically, was actually undertaken and “completed” by Rousseau — though with ironic, and unsettling results.
Solitons and ionospheric modification

The possibility of Langmuir soliton formation and collapse during ionospheric modification is investigated. Parameters characterizing former facilities, existing facilities, and planned facilities are considered, using a combination of analytical and numerical techniques. At a spatial location corresponding to the exact classical reflection point of the modifier wave, the Langmuir wave evolution is found to be dominated by modulational instability followed by soliton formation and three-dimensional collapse. The earth's magnetic field is found to affect the shape of the collapsing soliton. These results provide an alternative explanation for some recent observations.
Prepregnancy weight status, prenatal weight gain, and the outcome of term twin gestations

Relationships among prepregnancy weight status, prenatal weight gain, and the outcome of 922 twin gestations delivered at term were retrospectively investigated with the use of data provided by linked birth-death certificates in Kansas, 1980 to 1986. Infant birth weights were found to increase linearly with prenatal weight gain for women who entered pregnancy underweight and at normal weight, but not for women who were overweight or obese at the start of pregnancy. The rate of twin gestation was twice as high in obese women as that in underweight women. The proportion of infants born with low birth weight declined as prepregnancy weight status increased. The mean prenatal weight gain of underweight women who were delivered of term twin infants with birth weights in the range of lowest perinatal mortality (3001 to 3500 gm) was 44.2 ± 12.4 pounds. For normal-weight women, the corresponding figure was 40.9 ± 11.3 pounds. These mean gains were significantly higher than the gains of underweight and normal-weight women who were delivered of smaller infants at term. (AM J OBSTET GYNECOL 1990;162:182-6.)
Late-life Depression and the Death of Queen Victoria

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate relationships between the death of Queen Victoria and the depressive episode she experienced during the last year of her life. Methods The last volume of Queen Victoria's personal Journal was reviewed from a geriatrician's perspective, tracing the onset and course of depressive symptoms from entries beginning on 17 August 1900 and ending on 13 January 1901, 9 days before her death. The Queen's own words are supplemented with observations from contemporaneous secondary sources. Results The antecedents of Queen Victoria's late-life depression, including multiple losses, disabilities, and chronic pain, taken together with the presentation of vegetative, affective, and late cognitive symptoms, suggested the presence of a distinctively geriatric major depressive disorder. The absence of any other medical condition to explain the clinical picture seemed probable but not certain. Conclusions Although historians and biographers have long been aware of Queen Victoria's final depression, the emphasis has mostly been on her earlier and prolonged mourning for her husband Prince Albert. Re-examined now, the Queen's Journal suggests that a severe late-life depressive episode occurring approximately in her last 5 months contributed meaningfully to her death.
Intracellular uptake of Pluronic copolymer: effects of the aggregation state

The effect of the Pluronic P-105 aggregation state on its uptake by HL-60 cells was studied by flow cytometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, and confocal and fluorescence microscopy using a fluorescently labeled Pluronic P105. In the low concentration region below the critical micelle concentration (CMC), Pluronic uptake was proportional to the concentration in the incubation medium. The proportionality broke sharply above the CMC, revealing a less efficient intracellular uptake of Pluronic micelles than that of unimers. The data suggested that Pluronic micelles were internalized via fluid-phase endocytosis while unimers were internalized via diffusion through plasma membranes. Based on the above findings, the shielding effect of Pluronic micelles on drug intracellular uptake was explained.
The corrosion performance of microcrystalline titanium-modified 316 stainless steel

Abstract The corrosion performance of rapidly solidified (RS), consolidated RS and conventionally processed titanium-modified nuclear grade 316 stainless steel was studied. As-solidified RS foils exhibited general corrosion behavior identical to that of the conventionally processed alloy, but inferior pitting resistance, due to the presence of dendritic microsegregation. The consolidated RS alloy exhibited inferior general and pitting corrosion performance due to the detrimental effect of the prior foil boundary formed during the consolidation process. The results of immersion tests in 6% FeCl3·6H2O solution showed that pit initiation occurred primarily at the prior foil boundaries in the consolidated RS alloy. Studies of sensitization were inconclusive due to preferential attack on prior foil boundaries in the consolidated RS specimens which made the determination of the degree of sensitization difficult.
Design and Implementation of Mobile Objects Tracking System Based on Wireless Sensor Network

ZigBee technology, based on the IEEE802.15.4 protocol, is a newly developed short range wireless communication technology with the merits of low cost, low power consumption at comparably lower data rate. Mobile objects tracking system based on wireless sensor network becomes a hot topic recently. The paper, aiming at wireless sensor network, investigates the tracking system. Based on RSSI and location engine, the tacking system is implemented. The system includes three parts: hardware platform preparation, communication program of nodes and PC monitor software. The core of hardware platform is CC2430 and CC2431. The exploitation of node communication program is based on Z-Stack protocol stack which is provided by TI. The paper goes into details of the nodes communication flow. Elaborate solution is proposed in this paper. In the end, practical test is implemented. This part analyzes the influence of the different location area consisted by reference nodes to the accuracy and stability of blind nodes.
Design and fabrication of tilting and piston micromirrors for maskless lithography

In this paper we present the design and fabrication results of tilting and piston micromirrors for their potential applications in DUV and EUV maskless lithography. The dynamic characteristics such as stability, damping, and the settling time of various types of electro-mechanically coupled micromirrors are investigated using the perturbation method, linear control theory, and numerical simulation. Non-dimensional control parameters are identified and transient optimization is carried out to minimize the systems’ settling time. It is found that vertical double-comb tilting micromirrors and clamped double-flexure piston micromirrors have superior stability. The mirror hinge is proposed to function as a built-in resistor to introduce optimal electrical damping for EUV micromirrors operating in vacuum. We have developed a low-temperature (<420°C) IC compatible SiGe process, in which SiGe can be doped at different levels without annealing to function as a structural (conductive) and damping (resistive) material. Self-aligned processes using "spacer nanolithography" to define ultra-thin nano-scale actuation gaps for low-voltage operation have been developed to fabricate both tilting and piston micromirrors. We have successfully constructed double-comb tilting micromirrors with 300-nm fingers and 40-nm finger gaps, and double-flexure piston micromirrors with 80-nm thick flexures and 80-nm actuation gaps. The mirror sizes are in the range of 10 to 0.5 mm.
The IMF and World Bank: Time to merge

These two global economic behemoths, founded for very different purposes, are for all intents and purposes indistinguishable—and their artificial separation is inefficient.
Bulk leakage in avalanche diodes due to silicon-metallization reactions

Abstract The results of heating TiAu and TiMoAu layers on silicon at 300°C in air are reported. Silicon is found to diffuse into the Au while Mo is found to act as a temporary barrier. The transport of Au and Si is responsible for a certain type of excess leakage in TRAPATT diodes.
Conserved Functions of Membrane Active GTPases in Coated Vesicle Formation

Coated vesicles concentrate and package cargo molecules to mediate their efficient transport between intracellular compartments. Cytosolic coat proteins such as clathrin and adaptor complexes and coat protein complex I (COPI) and COPII self-assemble to deform the membrane and interact directly with cargo molecules to capture them in nascent buds. The guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) Arf, Sar1, and dynamin are core components of the coated vesicle machinery. These GTPases, which associate with and dissociate from donor membranes in a guanosine triphosphate-dependent manner, can also actively remodel membranes. Recent evidence suggests that, although structurally diverse, Arf family GTPases and dynamin may play mechanistically similar roles as fidelity monitors that govern cargo packaging and coated vesicle maturation and as components of the fission machinery to mediate vesicle release.
Foraging efficiencies and techniques of juvenile and adult northern mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos)

Adult and newly independent juvenile northern mockingbirds foraged on arthropods in the breeding season at similar rates within bouts, but adult efficiency (both as captures/attempt and captures/min) was higher than juvenile efficiency. Adults also captured a greater proportion of large arthropods than juveniles, and adults preferentially fed larger prey to dependent young. Juveniles engaged in more aerial attacks as the season progressed, although their success rate in these bouts did not increase. Both adults and juveniles captured a greater proportion of large arthropods in aerial attacks than in ground attacks. Juvenile success rate in ground attacks increased with season. These observations suggest that juvenile mockingbirds change their foraging behaviour in the first 1-2 months of independence, although the mechanism involved in this change is unknown.
"Techno-savvy" nurse or on the brink of "digital distress"? How to survive change in the delivery of pediatric nursing care.

“It is important for nurses to move beyond fear of technology use so that they are engaged in making decisions that impact their practice”. DO YOU CONSIDER yourself to be a “techno-savvy” nurse, one who is a willing pioneer in the use of new technology? Or do you feel as if you are on information overload and on the brink of “digital distress” (McKenzie, 2003)? The environment within which pediatric nurses work is continually changing, and technology is a major factor impacting nursing practice. Some nurses welcome the change that technology brings, whereas others cringe at the thought of having to learn something new. Regardless of individual opinion, nurses may have little input into what technology will be used in the workplace, the timing of its implementation, and how technology education will be delivered. Kirchbaum et al. (2007) described a phenomenon called complexity compression, “...the expectation that nurses will assume additional, unplanned responsibilities in a compressed time frame while still conducting their normal responsibilities” (p. 86). Nurses become dependent upon technology that their employer implements in the workplace. New technology adds to the demands placed upon nursing work and adds to complexity compression. Pediatric nurses need to learn techniques for building resiliency in chaotic health care environments so that new technologies can be safely incorporated into the delivery of nursing care. The purposes of this article were to identify the traits of the techno-savvy nurse and to provide suggestions for overcoming digital distress.
Understanding US Trade Controls

US trade controls, including export controls and trade sanctions, impose complex and ever-changing requirements and restrictions on transactions and transfers of goods, technology, software, and services.
Effect of Ratio of Positive to Negative Instances on Efficiency of Musical Concept Learning

The effects of three ratios of positive to negative instances in a musical concept learning task were studied using 36 second-grade classrooms. The ratios studied were 5:1, 2:1, and 1:2 positive to negative instances. The concepts studied were ascending melody, even duration, and bassoon. No significant effects on gain scores were found for ratio or concepts, and the amount of gain due to learning was less than 1 item on a 24-item test. It was concluded that current methods of teaching elementary musical concepts, like those examined in the present study, are ineffective and should be rethought.
Identification, characterization and stereotaxic mapping of intraneuronal α-melanocyte stimulating hormone-like immunoreactive peptides in discrete regions of the rat brain

Abstract A highly specific antibody to α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) was used to histochemically localize and biochemically identify and quantitate α-MSH immunoreactivity in nerve fibers and cell bodies of the rat brain. α-MSH-like immunoreactivity was contained in fibers throughout the brain. The distribution of α-MSH was determined by immunocytochemistry as well as by radioimmunoassay combined with microdissection techniques. High concentrations of α-MSH were contained in the nucleus interstitialis stria terminalis, the median eminence and the medial preoptic, anterior hypothalamic, periventricular, paraventricular, arcuate, dorsomedial, and posterior hypothalamic nuclei. Moderate α-MSH concentrations were noted in the amygdala, septum, central gray, dorsal raphe, and the nucleus tractus solitarius. Cell bodies containing α-MSH were observed only in the arcuate nucleus. The α-MSH-like compound in brain had similar immunochemical and electrophoretic properties of standard α-MSH but high pressure liquid chromatographic analysis demonstrated that the α-MSH-like immunoreactivity was comprised of one major and two minor components. The major immunoreactive peak had an identical retention time as α-MSH and therefore may be chemically identical to α-MSH. The similar retention times and immunoreactivity of the other two compounds suggest a similarity in size and structure to α-MSH. These observations demonstrate that fibers containing α-MSH emanate from the arcuate nucleus to innervate many other regions of the rat brain.
Phenotype of Genetically Regulated Thymic Involution in Young BXD RI Strains of Mice

Age-related thymic involution is a multifactorial process related to age-related changes in intrathymic T-cell development and cytokines. In contrast, early thymic involution, because of genetic differences that cause rapid or slow thymic involution at younger age, is less well characterized. Here, we analysed three representative rapid-involuting strains of mice, BXD 8, 18 and 32, compared with three representative slow-involuting strains, BXD 9, 19 and 29, all at 2 months of age. In rapid-involuting strains compared with slow involution strains, thymocyte production, as indicated by CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell receptor recombination excision circle (TREC), were decreased. Rapid-involution strains of mice exhibited a developmental block at the DN1 to DN2 and CD4-CD8- (DN) to CD4+CD8+ (double positive, DP) transition stages. There was also increased susceptibility to H2O2-induced apoptosis, decreased thymic expression of IL-7, decreased expression of an IL-7 downstream anti-apoptosis gene, Bcl-2, and increased expression of a pro-apoptotic gene, Bad. In contrast, IL-7R expression was higher on DN thymocytes of rapid-involution strains. The increased expression of IL-7R was associated with an increased thymocyte proliferation in response to anti-CD3 + IL-7 or anti-CD3 + IL-12 + IL-7. These findings indicate that, even at young age, genetic differences of IL-7/IL-7R regulation pathway in BXD strains of mice can lead to characteristic phenotypic changes that have been previously associated with age-related thymic involution.
The role of hydrogen peroxide and glutathione in glucose oxidation by the thyroid.

Abstract Catalase depressed the 14CO2 yield from [I-14C]glucose in vitro in both TSH-stimulated and unstimulated thyroid slices. This observation was specific for the enzyme and seemed related to its action on H2O2, since H2O2 in the presence of GSH induced a significant stimulation of the hexose monophosphate shunt in thyroid homogenates. This effect of H2O2 and glutathione was specifically linked to the increased reoxidation of NADPH to NADP+, as measured by the spectrophotometric disappearance of the pyridine nucleotide at 340 mμ. These results offered proof for glutathione peroxidation in thyroid and suggested a role of glutathione in regulating thyroid hexose monophosphate shunt activity. It is postulated that the increased hexose monophosphate shunt activity induced by TSH could be at least partially related to H2O2 production in the course of colloid droplet or phagosome formation.
Recombinant adenovirus deleted of all viral genes for gene therapy of cystic fibrosis.

Recombinant adenoviruses are being developed for gene therapy of inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis because they efficiently transduce recombinant genes into nondividing cellsin vivo.First generation recombinant adenoviruses, rendered defective by deletion of sequences spanning E1a and E1b, express low levels of early and late viral genes that activate destructive cellular immune responses. Current strategies for improving recombinant adenoviruses attempt to inactivate other essential genes through deletion and growth in new packaging cell lines or incorporation of temperature sensitive mutations which allow propagation of the virus in available packaging cell lines at permissive temperatures. We describe in this report a new type of recombinant adenovirus that is deleted of all viral open reading frames. This recombinant (called ΔrAd), which contains only the essentialciselements (i.e., ITRs and contiguous packaging sequence), is propagated in 293 cells in the presence of E1-deleted helper virus. Concatamers of the monomeric vector genome were passaged and capable of transduction. The ΔrAd genome is packaged into virions that sediment at a lower density than the helper virus in cesium gradients forming the basis for a purification protocol. A fully deleted recombinant adenovirus that expresses human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator was produced and used to transduce human airway epithelial cells derived from a cystic fibrosis patient. Packaging and propagation of a fully deleted adenovirus is an important step toward the development of a safer vector. Improved production and purification strategies need to be developed before this new vector system can be evaluatedin vivo.
Evidence for sequence preferences in the intercalative binding of ethidium bromide to dinucleoside monophosphates.

The formation of solution complexes of ethidium bromide with the self-complementary ribodinucleoside monophosphates, as well as ethidium complexes with mixtures of complementary and non-complementary ribodinucleoside monophosphates, has been monitored by circular dichroism, fluorescence, nuclear magnetic resonance, and visible spectroscopic techniques. Although ethidium bromide will form a complex with all of the dinucleoside monophosphates used in this study, it does exhibit a definite preference for binding to dinucleosides that have a pyrimidine (3′-5′) purine sequence when compared to their isomeric purine (3′-5′) pyrimidine sequence dinucleosides. The pyrimidine-purine sequence dinucleoside monophosphate complexes with ethidium exhibit fluorescence, circular dichroism, and visible spectra that closely resemble the spectra observed for the ethidium complexes with double-stranded nucleic acids. An analysis of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the same ethidium-dinucleoside monophosphate solutions used for the optical experiments shows that complexation results in the formation of a miniature double-helical complex in which the phenanthridinium ring of ethidium bromide is intercalated between the adjacent base-pairs of a miniature double-helical complex. The formation of a double-helical complex is also indicated by the observation of the hydrogen-bonded guanine ring NH resonance in a complex of ethidium bromide with CpG dissolved in an aqueous solution. The combination of the optical spectroscopies and the nuclear magnetic resonance experiments on these model systems thus provides direct evidence for the intercalation model for the binding of ethidium bromide to double-stranded nucleic acids. The fact that ethidium preferentially interacts with dinucleoside monophosphate sequence isomers suggests that it binds to the various base sequences available as intercalation sites on DNA and RNA with significantly different binding constants.
A concise enantioselective synthesis of rans-olefin dipeptide isosteres

Abstract A new asymmetric synthesis of trans-olefin dipeptide isosteres is described which utilizes chiral allysilane based-bond construction methodology involving a Lewis acid promoted electrophilic addition of chiral (E)-crotylsilanes to the formaldehyde equivalent s-trioxane. The reaction results in the simultaneous introduction of a trans double bond and both amino acid side chains with high levels of diastereo- and enantioselection. The derived isostere units were incorporated into tetrapeptides and their inhibitory constants determined against the HIV-1 protease.
Corporate Profits and Personal Misery: Credit, Gender, and the Distribution of Income

Financial institutions engage in financial innovation to increase profits. The resulting increases in consumer debt, however, make low income groups vulnerable to declines in income; households headed by women are particularly vulnerable. Consumers are disadvantaged given the asymmetry between business and consumer choices. Consumers use credit for many reasons including pecuniary emulation and supporting others, support that often falls to women. The paper examines the ratio of debt to financial assets, the ratio of debt to income, the ratio of dept payments to income, and the rate of bankruptcy as indicators of the fragility of household balance sheets.
The pregnant sheep as a model for human pregnancy

Successful outcome of human pregnancy not only impacts the quality of infant life and well-being, but considerable evidence now suggests that what happens during fetal development may well impact health and well-being into adulthood. Consequently, a thorough understanding of the developmental events that occur between conception and delivery is needed. For obvious ethical reasons, many of the questions remaining about the progression of human pregnancy cannot be answered directly, necessitating the use of appropriate animal models. A variety of animal models exist for the study of both normal and compromised pregnancies, including laboratory rodents, non-human primates and domestic ruminants. While all of these animal models have merit, most suffer from the inability to repetitively sample from both the maternal and fetal side of the placenta, limiting their usefulness in the study of placental or fetal physiology under non-stressed in vivo conditions. No animal model truly recapitulates human pregnancy, yet the pregnant sheep has been used extensively to investigate maternal-fetal interactions. This is due in part to the ability to surgically place and maintain catheters in both the maternal and fetal vasculature, allowing repeated sampling from non-anesthetized pregnancies. Considerable insight has been gained on placental oxygen and nutrient transfer and utilization from use of pregnant sheep. These findings were often confirmed in human pregnancies once appropriate technologies became available. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of human and sheep pregnancy, with emphasis placed on placental development and function as an organ of nutrient transfer.
Intrinsic variability in Pv, RRP size, Ca2+ channel repertoire, and presynaptic potentiation in individual synaptic boutons

The strength of individual synaptic contacts is considered a key modulator of information flow across circuits. Presynaptically the strength can be parsed into two key parameters: the size of the readily-releasable pool (RRP) and the probability that a vesicle in that pool will undergo exocytosis when an action potential fires (Pv). How these variables are controlled and the degree to which they vary across individual nerve terminals is crucial to understand synaptic plasticity within neural circuits. Here we report robust measurements of these parameters in rat hippocampal neurons and their variability across populations of individual synapses. We explore the diversity of presynaptic Ca2+ channel repertoires and evaluate their effect on synaptic strength at single boutons. Finally, we study the degree to which synapses can be differentially modified by a known potentiator of presynaptic function, forskolin. Our experiments revealed that both Pv and RRP spanned a large range, even for synapses made by the same axon, demonstrating that presynaptic efficacy is governed locally at the single synapse level. Synapses varied greatly in their dependence on N or P/Q type Ca2+ channels for neurotransmission, but there was no association between specific channel repertoires and synaptic efficacy. Increasing cAMP concentration using forskolin enhanced synaptic transmission in a Ca2+-independent manner that was inversely related with a synapse’s initial Pv, and independent of its RRP size. We propose a simple model based on the relationship between Pv and calcium entry that can account for the variable potentiation of synapses based on initial probability of vesicle fusion.
POSTER: OFX: Enabling OpenFlow Extensions for Switch-Level Security Applications

Network Security applications that run on Software Defined Networks (SDNs) often need to analyze and process traffic in advanced ways. Existing approaches to adding such functionality to SDNs suffer from either poor performance, or poor deployability. In this paper, we propose and benchmark OFX: an OpenFlow extension framework that provides a better tradeoff between performance and deployability for SDN security applications by allowing them to dynamically install software modules onto network switches.