cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conebeam CT-Guided MLC-Based GRID Therapy for Very Large Bulky Masses.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of conebeam CT-guided MLC-based GRID therapy as a same day treatment procedure for large bulky masses. MATERIALS/METHODS Twenty-eight patients (12 head and neck, 6 pelvis muscle, 3 breast, 2 chest, 2 liver, 2 para-spinal mass and 1 right arm) with large tumors (range 6.5-13.0 cm) tumors were planned and treated using MLC-based 3D-GRID therapy on the same day as CT-simulation. Utilizing an in-house MLC algorithm, 120 Millennium leaves were fitted to gross tumor volume (GTV) to generate 1 cm diameter holes and 2 cm center-to-center distance (at isocenter). For a single-dose of 15 Gy, 3D MLC-based GRID plans were generated using 4 to 6 coplanar crossfire gantry angles at 60o spacing for differentially-weighted 6 and/or 10MV beams with advanced dose calculation algorithm, generating sieve-like dose channeling without post-processing the GRID-GTV contour-allowing for same day treatment. Dosimetric parameters evaluated included: peak-to-valley dose ratio (PVDR) = GTVD10%/GTVD90%, GTVD50%, mean GTV dose, skin dose and maximal dose to immediately adjacent critical organs. Treatment planning and delivery times and patient set up accuracy was recorded. RESULTS MLC-GRID plans showed excellent dose parameters with mean GTVD50% and mean GTV of 15 Gy being 7.6 ± 0.5 Gy (range 6.6-8.5 Gy) and 7.8 ± 0.4 Gy (range 7.2-8.9 Gy), respectively. Average PVDR was 3.1 ± 0.6 (range 2.7-4.6). Maximum and D5 cc of skin were 10.0 ± 3.2 Gy (range 5.5-13.1 Gy) and 6.6 ± 2.2 Gy (range 1.3-9.6 Gy), respectively. Maximal doses immediately adjacent critical organs were as follows: spinal cord < 3.5 Gy, larynx < 6.7 Gy, humeral head < 6.3 Gy, femoral head < 6.5 Gy, small bowel < 6.9 Gy. Planning time was typically an hour. Mean beam-on time was 3.31 ± 0.16 min (range 3.11-3.54 min) and mean treatment time, including patient set up and conebeam CT imaging to beam-off, was 11.35 ± 0.21 min (range 11.11-11.56 min). Average 3-dimentional vector couch correction was (from the skin-marker) 0.49 ± 0.22 cm (range 0.18-0.88 cm). CONCLUSION The 3D MLC-based forward planned GRID therapy enhanced target dose for bulky masses including deep-seated large tumors while protecting skin and adjacent critical organs. This same day MLC-GRID treatment provides safe, effective, and convenient treatment by eliminating the risk to therapists and patient of heavy gantry-mounted physical GRID-block. This rapid 3D MLC-GRID planning and treatment can be easily adopted by any radiation clinics on the same day eliminating the need of longer plan optimization and patient-specific quality assurance. MLC-GRID provides all the dosimetry information in the planning system and potentially allow escalating dose to the bulky masses. It may allow for debulking of unresectable large tumors-opening an avenue for a neoadjuvant treatment option. Clinical follow up of these patients is ongoing.
Methodological Framework of Psychology

According to a longstanding anecdote concerning psychology, it is a striking fact that the experimental animals of behaviorism behave very much like behaviorists and those of gestalt psychology very much like gestaltists. The moral of this anecdote, it is pointed out, is that psychology shall remain a “subjective science”, and that its attempts to achieve the objectivity of biology are doomed to failure. This reasoning obviously reflects a profound ignorance of the function of methodology in the natural sciences in general and in psychology in particular. For it is not in psychology alone, but in biology and physics as well, that the employment of different methods of observation yields different phenomena.
SU-F-BRD-08: A Novel Technique to Derive a Clinically-Acceptable Beam Model for Proton Pencil-Beam Scanning in a Commercial Treatment Planning System

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy and limitations of a commercially-available treatment planning system’s (TPS’s) dose calculation algorithm for proton pencil-beam scanning (PBS) and present a novel technique to efficiently derive a clinically-acceptable beam model. Methods: In-air fluence profiles of PBS spots were modeled in the TPS alternately as single-(SG) and double-Gaussian (DG) functions, based on fits to commissioning data. Uniform-fluence, single-energy-layer square fields of various sizes and energies were calculated with both beam models and delivered to water. Dose was measured at several depths. Motivated by observed discrepancies in measured-versus-calculated dose comparisons, a third model was constructed based on double-Gaussian parameters contrived through a novel technique developed to minimize these differences (DGC). Eleven cuboid-dose-distribution-shaped fields with varying range/modulation and field size were subsequently generated in the TPS, using each of the three beam models described, and delivered to water. Dose was measured at the middle of each spread-out Bragg peak. Results: For energies 6%. For energies >160 MeV, both SG and DG models fit square-field measurements to 5% differences for smaller fields persisted in longer-range beams. In contrast, the DGC model predicted measurements to <2% for all beams. Conclusion: Neither the TPS’s SG nor DG models, employed as intended, are ideally suited for routine clinical use. However, via a novel technique to be presented, its DG model can be tuned judiciously to yield acceptable results.
Review of Helping Families and Communities Recover from Disaster: Lessons Learned From Hurricane Katrina and Its Aftermath, edited by Ryan P. Kilmer, Virginia Gil-Rivas, Richard G. Tedeschi, and Lawrence G. Calhoun

Disasters create such dramatic circumstances that they have fascinated writers and reporters of every kind throughout history. The fundamental texts of the world's religions, great works of histori...
An Enhanced TSP-Based Heuristic for Makespan Minimizationin a Flow Shop with Setup Times

This paper presents an enhanced heuristic for minimizing the makespan of the flow shop scheduling problem with sequence-dependent setup times. The procedure transforms an instance of the problem into an instance of the traveling salesman problem by introducing a cost function that penalizes for both large setup times and bad fitness of schedule. This hybrid cost function is an improvement over earlier approaches that penalized for setup times only, ignoring the flow shop aspect of the problem. To establish good parameter values, each component of the heuristic was evaluated computationally over a wide range of problem instances. In the testing stage, an experimental comparison with a greedy randomized adaptive search procedure revealed the conditions and data attributes where the proposed procedure works best.
Immunocytochemical characterization of clathrin-associated proteins (CAPs)

Clathrin-associated proteins (CAPs) elicited antibodies in rabbits that were affinity-purified using CAPs-conjugated CNBr-Sepharose 4B. Anti-CAPs IgG formed immunoprecipitates with CAPs and with the clathrin-CAPs complex. Indirect immunoperoxidase-labeling in sections of rat brain cortex using anti-CAPs and anti-clathrin IgG yielded similar staining patterns. Coated perinuclear cisternae and coated vesicles became stained and easily distinguished. Intense staining also was found in synaptic boutons with label between most synaptic vesicles and as a thick crust surrounding coated vesicles. The data demonstrate that clathrin and CAPs polypeptides are in identical subcellular locations.
Genetic tracking of a protected whale

Unusual circumstances have allowed us to trace the life of an individual whale, from its conception in the North Atlantic in 1964 to its sale as raw meat in Osaka, Japan, in 1993. We documented genetic polymorphisms in nuclear and mitochondrial genes of the Osaka meat and showed that they exactly matched those of a naturally occurring blue/fin whale hybrid harpooned near Iceland in 1989. This genetic match allowed us to trace the pathway of this individual from ocean to market. Such techniques can be useful in genetic monitoring programmes developed for the future regulation of the whaling industry and for international management of whale stocks.
Acoustic tomography of the atmosphere using unscented Kalman filter

Acoustic travel-time tomography of the atmosphere is a nonlinear inverse problem which attemps to reconstruct temperature and wind velocity fields in the atmospheric surface layer (ASL) using the dependence of sound speed on temperature and wind velocity fields along the propagation path. A new statistical-based algorithm is introduced in this paper based on fixed-point unscented Kalman filter (UKF) which is capable of reconstructing and tracking temperature and wind velocity fields within a specified investigation area.
SOLIDIFICATION PROCESSING OF METAL - MATRIX COMPOSITES

ABSTRACT The design and synthesis of fibre reinforced and particle filled metal matrix composites produced by melt metallurgy techniques have been described. The various conventional and modern solidification processing techniques including permanent mold casting, pressure die casting, centrifugal casting and squeeze casting have been discussed. The various engineering properties and applications of these composite materials produced by casting techniques have been described.
Airway pressure release ventilation increases cardiac performance in patients with acute lung injury/adult respiratory distress syndrome.

The purpose of the present study is to determine whether airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) can safely enhance hemodynamics in patients with acute lung injury (ALI) and/or adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), relative to pressure control ventilation (PCV). Patients with severe acute lung injury or ARDS who were managed with inverse-ratio pressure control ventilation, neuromuscular blockade and a pulmonary artery catheter were switched to APRV. Hemodynamic performance, as well as pressor and sedative needs, was assessed after discontinuing neuromuscular blockade Mean age was 58 ± 9 years (n = 12) and mean Lung Injury Score was 7.6 ± 2.1. Temperature and arterial oxygen tension/fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) were similar among the patients. Peak airway pressures fell from 38 ± 3 for PCV to 25 ± 3 cmH2O for APRV, and mean pressures fell from 18 ± 3 for PCV to 12 ± 2 cmH2O for APRV. Paralytic use and sedative use were significantly lower with APRV than with PCV. Pressor use decreased substantially with ARPV. Lactate levels remained normal, but decreased on APRV. Cardiac index rose from 3.2 ± 0.4 for PCV to 4.6 ± 0.3 l/min per m2 body surface area (BSA) for APRV, whereas oxygen delivery increased from 997 ± 108 for PCV to 1409 ± 146 ml/min for APRV, and central venous pressure declined from 18 ± 4 for PCV to 12 ± 4 cmH2O for APRV. Urine output increased from 0.83 ± 0.1 for PCV to 0.96 ± 0.12 ml/kg per hour for APRV. APRV may be used safely in patients with ALI/ARDS, and decreases the need for paralysis and sedation as compared with PCV-inverse ratio ventilation (IRV). APRV increases cardiac performance, with decreased pressor use and decreased airway pressure, in patients with ALI/ARDS.
Student use of animated pedagogical agents in a middle school science inquiry program

Animated pedagogical agents (APAs) have the potential to provide one-on-one, just-in-time instruction, guidance or mentoring in classrooms where such individualized human interactions may be infeasible. Much current APA research focuses on a wide range of design variables tested with small samples or in laboratory settings, while overlooking important practical issues relating to large-scale, school-based implementations. The present study provides an early step in addressing this gap by investigating the patterns, affordances and challenges of sustained classroom use of APAs. During a 15-class-period science curriculum, middle school students in the treatment groups ( nDr C-1 = 191; nDr C-2 = 181) had uninterrupted classroom access to one of the two APAs, while control group students ( n = 149) completed the same curriculum without APA access. Usage patterns indicate that students accessed the APAs on a fluctuating, 'as needed,' basis corresponding to the introductory, information-gathering, and synthesis and reporting segments of the curriculum. Survey results revealed no statistically significant difference in student feelings toward the APAs between the two treatments. While treatment students reported that the APAs were unique, reliable, timely resources, interviews indicate little difference between their experiences with the curriculum and those of the control group. Results presented here provide guidance for researchers and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Forensic Accountants, Forensic Accounting Certifications, and Due Diligence

Previous research has established that some corporations that issue certifications in forensic accounting fail to disclose their legal status and the qualifications of their Officers and Board of Directors. Previous research also established that a significant number of forensic accountants have inaccurate beliefs about the legal status of the corporations and the qualifications their Officers and Directors. This study investigates whether forensic accountants exercised due diligence in investigating the corporations that issued their certifications prior to obtaining their certifications. The results of a survey show that forensic accountants failed to exercise due diligence in their investigation of the corporations that issued their certifications. The failure of forensic accounting corporations to disclose important information coupled with the failure of forensic accountants to exercise due diligence in investigating the corporations suggests there is a need for reform within the forensic accounting profession.
Design Optimization of Single-Main-Amplifier KrF Laser-Fusion Systems

KrF lasers appear to be a very promising laser fusion driver for commercial applications. The Large Amplifier Module for the Aurora Laser System at Los Alamos is the largest KrF laser in the world and is currently operating at 5 kJ with 10 to 15 kJ eventually expected. The next generation system is anticipated to be a single-main-amplifier system that generates approximately 100 kJ. This paper examines the cost and efficiency tradeoffs for a complete single-main-amplifier KrF laser fusion experimental facility. It has been found that a 7% efficient $310/joule complete laser-fusion system is possible by using large amplifier modules and high optical fluences.
Ectopic pregnancy among early abortion patients: Does prostaglandin reduce the incidence?

Abstract The availability and efficacy of prostaglandin (PG) FP 2α and E series analogues has prompted their frequent use for pregnancy interruption. In the course of evaluating our experience with PGs for interrupting early first trimester gestations, we became increasingly impressed by the absence of any with extrauterine pregnancy. A review of 63 reports encompassing 2,965 patients whose pregnancies were less than 8 weeks' gestational age dating from the last menstrual period and who were similarly treated yielded only 2 cases of ectopic pregnancy. When compared with the generally accepted ectopic gestation rates of the order of 1 in 200 pregnancies, this frequency of 1 in 1,483 is unexpectedly low. Preselection does not appear to explain this impressive discrepancy. If the observation proves correct, it implies that PGs have some form of therapeutic effect in eradicating extrauterine pregnancy by nonoperative means. The implications are obvious in terms of its potential therapeutic benefits.
Lubricant Flow and Evaporation Model for Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording Systems Including Reactive End-Group Effects and Thin-Film Viscosity

The lubricant applied to the disk in a hard drive is a critical component for head-disk interface reliability. In Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR), the heat supplied to the disk by the laser will add new thermal considerations to lubricant performance. Investigations into how the lubricant behaves at the small time and length scales seen in HAMR systems need to be conducted numerically. Published works on HAMR lubricant modeling have considered only the van der Waals contribution to disjoining pressure, commonly called the dispersive component, and do not consider the film thickness dependence of viscosity. However, lubricants with reactive end groups such as Fomblin Zdol are widely used, and such simple disjoining pressure and viscosity models do not capture certain lubricant behavior. We have developed a simulation tool that incorporates film thickness dependencies of viscosity and polar and dispersive disjoining pressure into a continuum lubrication model. We investigate the effect of initial thickness on lubricant flow and evaporation under HAMR write conditions considering both components of disjoining pressure and thin-film viscosity. Simulation results indicate the effect of including polar disjoining pressure depends on the initial lubricant thickness. The inclusion of viscosity thickness dependence does not affect simulation results under scanning laser conditions but will be important in reflow simulations.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Direct calculation of density matrices: Natural orbitals and occupation numbers of model conjugated molecules

The occupation numbers and natural orbitals of several model π-electron molecules are presented and analyzed, which are directly calculated by employing a theory developed earlier by one of the authors. Computational details are discussed briefly, and the errors which arise in our calculations are estimated through a comparison with the density matrix of a full configuration interaction wave function for the pyridine molecule.
Incompletely-Condensed Fluoroalkyl Silsesquioxanes and Derivatives: Precursors for Low Surface Energy Materials (Preprint)

A novel synthetic method was developed for the controlled functionalization of fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (F-POSS), which are useful as low surface energy materials for superhydrophobic and superoleophobic materials. Utilizing triflic acid, open-cage compounds were created and then reacted with a variety of dichlorosilanes to produce functional F-POSS structures possessing alkyl-, aryl-, and acrylate-based moieties. The crystal structure for an endo,endo-disilanol F-POSS compound was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The chemical structures were confirmed using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 19F, and 29Si), FT-IR, and combustion analysis. Dynamic contact angle measurements of these compounds were taken with water and hexadecane. These novel structures were found to possess excellent wetting-resistant behavior, similar to that of the parent F-POSS compound. They are the first well-defined fluorinated nano-building blocks with a controlled level of reactive func...
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray studies of the diphtheria Tox repressor from Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Abstract Crystals of the diphtheria tox repressor (DtxR) from Corynebacterium diphtheriae suitable for structure determination have been obtained. DtxR activated with transition metal ions represses the expression of the structural gene for the diphtheria toxin, tox , which is encoded on the genome of a family of closely related corynebacteriophages. The space group of the obtained crystals is trigonal P3 1 21 or its enantiomorph P3 2 21 with a = b = 64.2 A, c = 220.5 A, α = β = 90°, γ = 120°. Two monomers comprise the asymmetric unit. The crystals diffract to a resolution of better than 3 A.
Maternal employment, maternal care and pediatric visits for minor acute illnesses

Abstract The purpose of these analyses, based on a prospective follow-up of 532 children, was to describe reported use of three maternal care actions for minor illness episodes, and to determine if maternal employment, as well as other sociodemographic factors, were associated with matemal care behaviors prior to each child's first pediatric acute-care visit. Two factors were associated with greater use of maternal care prior to an illness episode: the mother not working outside the home and less satisfaction with medical care. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that employed women with child-care arrangements are more likely than are other women to seek medical care for symptoms that are minor and can be managed with family-initiated care.
In-Situ Measurement of Chloride Ion at the Coating/Metal Interface

Abstract One of the main reasons for the lack of a complete understanding of corrosion and adhesion failures of a coated metal is the lack of analytical instrumentation to probe the behaviors of corrosive agents at the coating/metal interface. We have developed a procedure based on microelectrodes for studying in situ the behavior of chloride ions at a coating/metal interface. The procedure requires an attachment of a double-barreled Cl− ion-selective microelectrode at the coating/metal interface, thus allowing direct measurements of Cl− concentration changes at localized areas under a coating. The procedure provided very useful information for mechanistic studies of corrosion under coatings, as well as for transport studies of Cl− ions through a coating. The procedure should also be useful for studying the roles of Cl− in localized corrosion.
Mutagenesis studies of the β I domain metal ion binding sites on integrin αVβ3 ligand binding affinity.

Three divalent cation binding sites in the integrin β I domain have been shown to regulate ligand binding and adhesion. However, the degree of ligand binding and adhesion varies among integrins. The αLβ2 and α4β7 integrins show an increase in ligand binding affinity and adhesion when one of their ADMIDAS (adjacent to MIDAS, or the metal ion-dependent adhesion site) residues is mutated. By contrast, the α2β1, α5β1, and αIIbβ3 integrins show a decrease in binding affinity and adhesion when their ADMIDAS is mutated. Our study here indicated that integrin αVβ3 had lower affinity when the ADMIDAS was mutated. By comparing the primary sequences of these integrin subunits, we propose that one residue associated with the MIDAS (β3 Ala252) may account for these differences. In the β1 integrin subunit, the corresponding residue is also Ala, whereas in both β2 and β7 integrin subunits, it is Asp. We mutated the β3 residue Ala252 to Asp and combined this mutant with mutations of one or two ADMIDAS residues. The mutant A252D showed reduced ligand binding affinity and adhesion. The ligand binding affinity and adhesion were increased when this A252D mutant was paired with mutations of one ADMIDAS residue. But when paired with mutations of two ADMIDAS residues the mutant nearly abolished ligand-binding ability, which was restored by the activating glycosylation mutation. Our study suggests that the variation of this residue contributes to the different ligand binding affinities and adhesion abilities among different integrin families. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1190–1197, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thoracic skeletal abnormalities in idiopathic mitral valve prolapse

Abstract Idiopathic prolapse of the mitral valve is a common disorder, but many cases are clinically subtle. Thoracic skeletal abnormalities, reported recently to accompany the syndrome, may serve as an easily identifiable clinical indicator. The prevalence of these abnormalities was defined in 24 patients with proved prolapse of the mitral valve. The valvular syndrome was defined clinically, by echocardiography and, in seven cases, by left ventricular angiography. The skeletal deformities were defined clinically and radiographically. Pectus excavatum was present in 62 percent of the patients, “straight back” in 17 percent and severe scoliosis in 8 percent. Eighteen of the 24 patients (75 percent) had a definite thoracic skeletal deformity. The association of idiopathic prolapse of the mitral valve with these skeletal deformities may represent a forme fruste of Marfan's syndrome. Patients with “straight back” and pectus excavatum should be examined clinically and perhaps by echocardiography to exclude idiopathic prolapse of the mitral valve; when murmurs are present, a diagnosis of “pseudoheart disease” should not be made before mitral valve prolapse has been excluded.
Slow flow of a non-Newtonian fluid past a micro-capsule

The streaming motion past a spherical microcapsule is studied. The particle consists of a thin elastic membrane enclosing an incompressible fluid. Since the problem is highly nonlinear, a perturbation solution is sought in the limiting case where the deviation from sphericity is small. Obviously, the capsule remains nearly spherical when λ, the ratio of viscous forces to elastic (shape-restoring) membrane forces is small. In this limit, the rheology of the inside fluid is immaterial and the problem is essentially characterized by three parameters: λ, the Reynolds number Re (interia effect), and the Weissenberg number We (non-newtonian effect). The deformation is obtained explicitly under the restriction We 0.81 a prolate spheroid results. For 0.57<We/Re<0.81 additional details of the rheology of the membrane and of the suspending fluid are needed. The degree of the deformation is governed by the parameters λ Re. All parameters of the problem enter into the expression of the drag force. On a qualitative basis, these results are similar to those for droplets although major differences exist quantitatively.
Supersymmetric family unification

Abstract The superheavy symmetry breaking of the gauge group in supersymmetrized unified theories is studied. The requirement that supersymmetry be unbroken strongly constraints the possible gauge group breaking, and we systematize such constraints group theoretically. In model building, one issue is whether to permit an adjoint matter superfield with concomitant color exotic fermions. A second issue is that of naturalness which is complicated by the well-known supersymmetry non-renormalization theorems. Both with and without an adjoint matter superfield, the most promising group appears to be SU(9) where three families can be naturally accommodated, at least for low-energy gauge group SU(3)×SU(20×U(1). With an extra U(1) factor, as advocated by Fayet, the non-renormalization theorem must be exploited.
Bacterial transformation and transport of organic matter in the Southern California Bight

Abstract The role of bacteria in transformation and transport of organic matter was studied in the Santa Monica Basin (SMB) during 1985–1990 as part of the California Basin Study (CaBS). Bacterial carbon in the euphotic zone was generally 0.5–2.0 times the phytoplankton carbon and a substantial fraction (14–62%) of the total particulate organic carbon (POC). In the euphotic zone, bacterial carbon demand was generally equivalent to 30–60% of the primary production. Below the upper mixed layer, bacterial carbon demand was calculated to be equivalent to a major fraction (≥80%) of the depth-dissipation of sinking carbon. Since bacteria contribute substantially to the POC pool and its dynamics, the role of bacteria as organic particles should be taken into account in studies of the biogeochemical and optical behavior of particulate carbon in the sea. Our measurements of concentrations and bacterial utilization of dissolved free (DFAA) and dissolved combined amino acids (DCAA) have lead to the realization of a virtual uncoupling between bacteria and DCAA at depths below ∼200. The DCAA pool was quite large (554–1057nM glycine equivalents) and did not vary much with depth. Despite the presence of a large DCAA pool bacterial carbon demand was very low. Even if DCAA were the onky pool of utilizable dissolved organic carbon (DOC) bacterial turnover time of DCAA pool would be on the order of 104d (compared with
Modulation of opioid analgesia, tolerance and dependence by Gs-coupled, GM1 ganglioside-regulated opioid receptor functions

Studies of direct excitatory effects elicited by opioid agonists on various types of neurone have been confirmed and expanded in numerous laboratories following the initial findings reviewed previously by Stanley Crain and Ke-Fei Shen. However, the critical role of the endogenous glycolipid GM1 ganglioside in regulating Gs-coupled, excitatory opioid receptor functions has not been addressed in any of the recent reviews of opioid stimulatory mechanisms. This article by Stanley Crain and Ke-Fei Shen focuses on crucial evidence that the concentration of GM1 in neurones might, indeed, play a significant role in the modulation of opioid receptor-mediated analgesia, tolerance and dependence.
Effect of Ro 15-4513 on ethanol-induced conditioned place preference.

Abstract The benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist Ro 15-4513 reverses a number of ethanol's effects, including its reinforcing properties as measured through self-administration. The present study examined the effect of this putative ethanol antagonist in a place conditioning design that has been shown to be sensitive to ethanol's rewarding properties in mice. Using an unbiased differential conditioning procedure, DBA/2J mice received, on alternate days, pairings of a distinctive floor stimulus (CS+) with either ethanol (2 g/kg), Ro 15-4513 (3 mg/kg), or a combination of ethanol and Ro 15-4513. On alternate days, a different distinctive floor stimulus (CS−) was paired with vehicle. Under these conditions, ethanol produced a conditioned place preference that was unaffected by Ro 15-4513. Ro 15-4513 alone did not produce either a place preference or aversion. Ro 15-4513 did produce reductions in locomotor activity during conditioning, indicating it was behaviorally active. These results indicate that a dose of Ro 15-4513 that alters general activity does not affect ethanol reward.
Hemorrhage into the Lens as a Complication of Glaucoma Surgery

Intralenticular hemorrhage is a rare complication of glaucoma surgery. In a 45-year-old man, the intralenticular blood caused loss of the red reflex from the fundus postoperatively. Clinically, hemorrhage into the lens has usually been misdiagnosed initially as a hyphema.
Bounding procedures for multistage stochastic dynamic networks

This paper presents new procedures for obtaining upper and lower bounds in the cost minimization of multistage dynamic networks with random link capacities and contrasts them to existing methods. These methods include adaptation of Jensen's inequality to the problem, Monte-Carlo simulations and an analytical approximation procedure. The new bounding procedures involve a backward pass in the network coupled with a linear approximation at each stage. Some numerical results are presented for networks of substantial size. © 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Polydisperse polymer liquid crystals near the anisotropic‐isotropic transition

Polydisperse systems of polymer liquid crystal (PLC) macromolecules consisting of LC and flexible sequences are considered, particularly at the phase transition LC-i from an anisotropic to the isotropic phase. The Flory and Matheson lattice model is used for formulation of the partition function; the orientation distribution function for LC orienting potential interactions introduced by Flory and Ronca is included. Using a Landau approach to calculating the Helmholtz function of the system as a function of the orientation parameter s, we obtain the formulae for parameters of the model in the vicinity of the LC-i transition. The critical values at the transition of s, of the strength of orienting interactions, the system temperature, and the anisotropy of LC sequences are calculated and discussed as functions of the polydispersity parameter d. Regions of d are found where polydispersity has a weak influence on the LC-i equilibrium parameters. There is also a region of d values in which the influence of polydispersity is quite pronounced.
Stochastic Gene Expression as a Molecular Switch for Viral Latency

Stochastic ‘noise’ arises from random thermal fluctuations in the concentration of protein, RNA, or other molecules within the cell and is an unavoidable aspect of life at the single-cell level. Evidence is accumulating that this biochemical noise crucially influences cellular auto-regulatory circuits and can ‘flip’ genetic switches to drive probabilistic fate decisions in bacteria, viruses, cancer, and stem cells. Here, we review how stochastic gene expression in key auto-regulatory proteins can control fate determination between latency and productive replication in both phage-λ and HIV-1. We highlight important new studies that synthetically manipulate auto-regulatory circuitry and noise, to bias HIV-1's ability to enter proviral latency. We argue that an appreciation of noise in gene expression may shed light on the mystery of animal virus latency and that strategies to manipulate noise may have impact on anti-viral therapeutics.
Remarks on the Case of Pamela

This is a discussion of Robert Grossmark's paper: “The Case of Pamela.” It emphasizes the trauma in her early upbringing and uses her own words to describe the severe damage this did to both her physical and her emotional sense of existence. It touches on the crumbling of her ability to trust, the dysregulation of her physical and mental economy, the substitution of false self personnae for the endangered real self, and the inevitable enactments that occur in a treatment of this sort. Though recognizing the remarkable help that this treatment afforded her, it suggests that a further phase of explicit negative transference is being postponed and might be necessary for the full completion of this treatment.
Randomized controlled trial of education and feedback for implementation of guidelines for acute low back pain.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of clinical guidelines on resource utilization for complex conditions with substantial barriers to clinician behavior change has not been well studied. We report the impact of a multifaceted guideline implementation intervention on primary care clinician utilization of radiologic and specialty services for the care of acute low back pain. DESIGN: Physician groups were randomized to receive guideline education and individual feedback, supporting patient education materials, both, or neither. The impact on guideline adherence and resource utilization was evaluated during the 12-month period before and after implementation. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen physician groups with 120 primary care physician and associate practitioners from 2 group model HMO practices. INTERVENTIONS: Guideline implementation utilized an education/audit/feedback model with local peer opinion leaders. The patient education component included written and videotaped materials on the care of low back pain. MAIN RESULTS: The clinician intervention was associated with an absolute increase in guideline-consistent behavior of 5.4% in the intervention group versus a decline of 2.7% in the control group (P=.04). The patient education intervention produced no significant change in guideline-consistent behavior, but was poorly adopted. Patient characteristics including duration of pain, prior history of low back pain, and number of visits during the illness episode were strong predictors of service utilization and guideline-consistent behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an education and feedback-supported acute low back pain care guideline for primary care clinicians was associated with an increase in guideline-consistent behavior. Patient education materials did not enhance guideline effectiveness. Implementation barriers could limit the utility of this approach in usual care settings.
Kinetics of BTX biodegradation and mineralization in batch and column systems

Abstract Flow-through column and liquid batch experiments were performed in the present study in order to evaluate whether the kinetics of biodegradation reactions of organic contaminants for batch conditions were comparable to those measured under solid-to-solution ratios applicable to aquifer or water-saturated soil systems. The biodegradation of benzene, toluene, and xylene was observed under oxic conditions. Steady-state reaction rates were determined for the biodegradation reactions in the flow-through columns and evaluated using a rate law based on the Monod equation for conditions where bacterial growth is negligible. Calculated rate constants ( κ 1 ) for biodegradation, or substrate disappearance, for sole substrate experiments were 1.32 mmol L −1 h −1 for benzene, 1.42 mmol L −1 h −1 for toluene, and 0.833 mmol L −1 h −1 for xylene. Rate constants were determined for batch experiments using a rate law based on the Monod equation that does account for bacterial growth. The maximum specific growth rate, μ max , was found to be similar between batch and column experiments, indicating that there were no mass-transport limitations in the columns and that the solid-to-solution ratio was not a significant factor affecting kinetic parameters. There is considerable variability in rate constants for BTX biodegradation reported in the literature, up to two orders of magnitude for μ max . Rate constants from this study were within the range of published values. For the experiments reported here, rates determined for sole carbon sources could be used to predict the reaction rates of BTX mixtures given some adjustment of cell yields and lag times.
Recruitment and Retention of Students in Undergraduate Mathematics.

(1990). Recruitment and Retention of Students in Undergraduate Mathematics. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 294-301.
Nucleophilic aromatic substitution of activated cationic groups by 18F-labeled fluoride. A useful route to no-carrier-added (NCA) 18F-labeled aryl fluorides

Abstract A method is described for the rapid preparation of no-carrier-added (NCA) 18F-labeled aryl fluorides by treatment of the corresponding aryltrimethylammonium perchlorates with 18F-labeled fluoride in DMSO. The basic features of the 18F-for-+NMe3 displacement process are evaluated as a function of the experimental variables and compared with related substitution routes to NCA 18F-labeled aryl fluorides. The relative nucleofugicity of the ammonium group in the nucleophilic substitution reactions surpasses that of the best neutral leaving groups, including NO2 and F itself. In contrast, radiofluoride incorporation into aromatic rings via other cationic substrates, such as aryldimethylsulfonium perchlorates, is prevented by the fast methyl group transfer from the starting compound to the nucleophiles present. The use of the ammonium function as a leaving group in nucleophilic substitutions by 18F− may give access to the rapid preparation of novel NCA 18F-radiopharmaceuticals by facilitating the synthesis and the purification of their labeled precursors.
Rare earth elements in the sedimentary cycle: A summary

The relative and absolute concentrations of rare earth elements (REE) in authigenic and biogenic phases of deep-sea sediments are quite different. Competition between these phases for REE has resulted in fractionation from the parent material, the latter consisting predominantly of terrigenous material, but with a contribution from marine volcanism. The strongest feature of this fractionation is a depletion of Ce, relative to La, in CaCO3, opalline silica, phillipsite, phosphorite, barite, and montmorillonitic clays; and a Ce enrichment in Fe/Mn nodules. The distribution of REE in different masses of seawater strongly reflects their fractionation in sediments. Whereas the relative concentration of REE in rivers resembles that of shale, their removal from seawater by authigenic and biogenic phases results in: (1) a decrease of their total concentration; (2) a depletion of Ce; and (3) an enrichment of heavy REE relative to light REE. The order of fractionation for water masses in the Atlantic Ocean is:Antarctic intermediate water > North Atlantic deep water > Antarctic bottom water> shelf water > river water ∼ shale. The shale-normalized pattern for the sum of REE in the authigenic and biogenic phases of pelagic sediment and in seawater resembles that of an admixture of shale and basalt corresponding presumably to the realtive inputs from continents and marine volcanism respectively. The estimated rate of accumulation of each REE in the sediment, however, is approximately 12 times the estimated rate of input of REE from these two sources.
Surgical (implantation) cyst of the mandible with ciliated respiratory epithelial lining: a case report.

Although respiratory metaplasia is occasionally observed in the squamous epithelial lining of mandibular odontogenic cysts, mandibular cystic lesions that feature linings composed exclusively of respiratory epithelium are extremely rare. This phenomenon may be attributed to entrapment of respiratory epithelium during surgical procedures. Two such cases were reported in which the cystic lesions occurred in the region of the chin after augmentation genioplasty after the use of nasal bone and cartilage.1,2 We present the case of a patient with a history of maxillary and mandibular osteotomies in whom a large cystic lesion of the left mandible developed. The cyst was lined exclusively with ciliated respiratory epithelium.
Chronic toxicity of azathioprine and the effect of this immunosuppressant on liver tumor induction by the carcinogen N-hydroxy-N-2-fluorenylacetamide

Abstract Male Sprague-Dawley, ACI, and Buffalo strain rats tolerated larger doses of dietary azathioprine than did Fischer 344 male rats. Levels of 200 ppm of azathioprine stunted growth and led to death in 4–6 weeks in the Fischer group, while Sprague-Dawley, ACI, and Buffalo male rats survived without difficulty. The effect of continuous azathioprine feeding and its influence on liver tumor induction by the carcinogen N -hydroxy- N -2-fluorenylacetamide (NOH-FAA) was studied in male and female Fischer rats. Male rats fed a combination of 150 ppm azathioprine and 160 ppm NOH-FAA had firm, large livers with multiple nodules, in contrast to mild cirrhotic changes and discrete typical trabecular-type hepatocellular carcinomas seen after feeding the carcinogen alone. On microscopic examination of the livers of male Fischer rats fed the mixture, many large hyperplastic nodules separated by a large amount of dense fibrous collagenous stroma, a number of unusual hyperplastic nodules undergoing malignant change, and several atypical types of carcinoma were seen. In livers of female Fischer rats fed the mixture, a more severe fibrotic reaction occurred than seen in animals on the carcinogen alone. Thus, azathioprine potentiated the toxic, but not the carcinogenic, effect of N -hydroxy- N -2-fluorenylacetamide on the liver. Eight squamous cell carcinomas of the ear duct were observed in male and female Fischer strain rats fed either the azathioprine or carcinogen-azathioprine diets for 52 weeks. No such tumors were observed in the control groups of Fischer rats, or in the smaller numbers of Sprague-Dawley rats treated with azathioprine for 52-week toxicologic studies.
Some results on multifractal correlations

Abstract We have performed a numerical and analytical study of multifractal correlations in a two-scale random Cantor set. At large distances, for |α - ”’| not very large, we find qualitative agreement between canonical simulation results (also counting results) and the formula recently proposed by Meneveau and Chhabra, following work of Cates and Deutsch. For |α - α’| large, a new correlation scaling function ƒ(α, α’, ω) which is linear in log(r) is obtained due to a transition of the moment-scaling function from Cates and Deutsch behavior to a differing behavior for some part of its domain. This linear ƒ(α, α’, ω) is consistent with numerical results.
An atlas of limit set dynamics for asynchronous elementary cellular automata

In this paper we provide an overview of the possible @w-limit set structures for 104 of the 256 asynchronous elementary cellular automata over the circle graph on n vertices. We consider only fixed, sequential updates where the update sequence is given by a permutation of the vertices, that is, the class of sequential dynamical systems. The ECA rules covered are precisely the @p-invariant rules, that is, the rules for which the set of periodic points does not depend on the permutation update sequence. This paper reviews existing work on @p-invariance and cycle-equivalence, and provides and atlas of the possible limit set structures up to topological conjugation.
Effect of a Random Magnetic Field on the Onset Times of Solar Particle Events

We present the results of numerical simulations of solar energetic particles (SEPs) moving in a model heliospheric magnetic field. We find that the onset time of a given SEP event can be sooner than estimated by assuming that particles move along the usual Parker spiral, which is generally believed to be the earliest time. This is because for a random magnetic field, some magnetic field lines are shorter than the nominal (Parker spiral) length. This is important with regard to the physics of injection and/or acceleration at the origin of the particle event.
Heritability of entropion in several US sheep breeds

Abstract Heritability for incidence of entropion was estimated in an experimental flock of purebred (Columbia (C), Polypay (P), Rambouillet (R), Suffolk (S), and Targhee (T)) and crossbred (from matings of Finnsheep rams with C, R and T ewes, from Merino X R matings, and from miscellaneous other matings) lambs. Data from 1986 to 1994 which included 39 440 records were analyzed using a multiple trait REML program with an Animal Model (AM). Overall mean incidence rate for entropion was 3.1% over a 9year period, ranging from 1.1% in 1988 to 5.0% ia 1989. Breed group ranking within each year was consistent, with overall mean incidence rates of 10.4%, 6.9%, 6.4%, 3.7%, and 3.3% for Suffolk, Merino-crosses, Columbia, Targhee, and Rambouillet groups, respectively. Purebred Polypay and Finn-crossbred lambs each had 1.0% overall incidence rate. For all breed groups analyzed together, the direct heritability estimate for incidence of entropion was 0.15. Heritability estimates for separate purebred groups were 0.21, 0.17, 0.10, 0.09 and 0.08 for C, S, T, R and P, respectively. It was concluded that selection against entropion can lower incidence rates, at least in Columbia and Suffolk breeds.
Giardia and Other Intestinal Parasites of Small Mammals in Grand Teton National Park

The objectives of this research are: 1. To document the occurrence of Giardia and other protozoan parasites in Microtus and other sympatric small mammals of Grand Teton National Park; 2. To compare parasite loads for these animals during wet and dry seasons; 3. To determine the occurrence of intestinal parasites in Microtus during a growth cycle that ranges from years of lowest to years of highest population densities of the hosts; and 4. To investigate the relationship of infection to reproductive success in Microtus.
Marine alga Platymonas sp. accumulates silicon without apparent requirement

THE role of silicon in living systems has only recently begun to be understood. Apart from being an important structural component of diatoms and silicoflagellates1, some freshwater flagellates2, higher plants, sponges and other organisms3, it is necessary for DNA polymerase activity in diatoms4 and for bone and tooth development in certain vertebrates5. Silicified algal species are known (or assumed) to have an obligate, concentration-dependent silicon requirement for growth6,2, and transport systems for the accumulation of silicic acid (Si(OH)4) have been described7; however, the uptake of Si(OH)4 by nonsilicified algae has never been reported. Here we report the accumulation of significant amounts of silicon by the planktonic marine alga Platymonas sp. (isolated during the summer of 1954 from Great Pond, Falmouth, Massachusetts). This alga is very close to, or may be an isolate of P. suecica (personal communication from R. Norris) and has no known silicon requirement, growing equally well in Si-rich and Si-poor environments. Because Si(OH)4 is a potentially limiting nutrient for diatoms8, the removal of available Si(OH)4 from the environment by organisms that do not require it could play an important role in phytoplankton competition and succession. This phenomenon could also be important in the cycling of silicon in the ocean.