cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Anxiolytic Requirement During Radiation Therapy With Thermoplastic Mask Immobilization.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Anxiety during radiation simulation and/or treatments is common in cancer patients and is frequently treated with anxiolytic medications. Specifically, mask anxiety has been documented in patients requiring a thermoplastic mask for immobilization and has the potential to disrupt the safety and efficacy of treatments. We sought to identify factors that predict for anxiolytic requirement (AR) during mask immobilization. MATERIALS/METHODS Patients who received radiation therapy with a thermoplastic mask covering their entire face (including eyes, nose, and mouth) at a single institution from 2019-2020 were identified and charts were retrospectively reviewed. The use of anxiolytic medications during simulation/treatments, possible predictive factors, and absolute number and percentage of missed treatment days were recorded. If patients underwent multiple radiation treatments, only the first was evaluated. Factors analyzed include gender, spoken language, ECOG performance status, smoking history, past psychiatric history (anxiety, depression, panic attacks, dementia, alcohol abuse, claustrophobia, or post-traumatic stress disorder), previous use of anxiety-related medications, treatment site, mask type, treatment modality, and dexamethasone use. Regression analysis using a generalized linear model was used to create predictive models for AR and for missed radiation treatments. RESULTS A total of 250 patients were evaluated, of whom 124 were female and 126 were male. Median age was 63 years and median ECOG performance status was 1. Thirty-nine percent of patients had a history of anxiety, 4% of claustrophobia, 30% of depression, and 41% were previously prescribed at least one outpatient anxiety-related medication. Thirty patients (12%) required an anxiolytic medication during radiation simulation and/or treatments and 67 patients (27%) missed at least one planned treatment fraction. On multivariate analysis, history of anxiety (P = 0.0002, OR = 5.6) and claustrophobia (P = 0.003, OR = 7.7) were independently predictive of AR. Additionally, AR and head and neck treatment site were independently predictive of percentage of missed radiation fractions (P < 0.01) and AR and IMRT were independently predictive of absolute missed radiation fractions (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION History of anxiety and claustrophobia were independently predictive of AR during radiation simulation/treatments with a thermoplastic mask. These factors can be detected in patient charts prior to consultation and therefore have the potential to allow for early identification of individuals who may be at higher risk for anxiety during their radiation experience. Furthermore, patients who required anxiolytics during radiation therapy tended to miss more treatment days, possibly indicating that optimal anxiety management has not yet been achieved.
Dissociation of Cellular and Humoral Immune Responsiveness to GAT

We have examined two aspects of cell-mediated Ir gene controlled responses to GAT in responder and nonresponder strains. First, levels of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), T cell proliferative (Tprolf), and plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses in various mouse strains following subcutaneous immunization with GAT/CFA at the base of the tail were examined. Responders (H-2b,d,f) gave significant responses in all assays, while nonresponders were found to fall into two distinct response patterns. H-2q,s haplotype mice failed to respond to GAT in any assay system, while the B6.H-2 bm12 (bm12) mutant strain failed to show significant PFC or DTH responses, but responded at the same level as parental B6 (H-2b) in the Tprolf assay, suggesting that the site of the Ir defect in GAT nonresponders can lie at different points within the helper pathway. Secondly, we examined the help/suppression balance in GAT responders. IV injection of syngeneic GAT-coupled spleen cells (GAT-SC) into GAT responders led to the induction of antigen-specific tolerance of PFC, DTH, and Tprolf responses. Tolerant responder mice were found to contain antigen-specific Lyt 2+ suppressor T cells (Ts) which inhibited the induction of GAT-specific PFC and DTH, but not of Tprolf responses in recipient animals. A suppressor extract (TsF) prepared from these tolerant responders was found to inhibit the induction of primary GAT-specific PFC and DTH responses, but had no effect on either the induction or expression of GAT-specific Tprolf responses.
Thresholding for Work Distribution of Recursive, Multithreaded Functions

Work distribution, i.e., assigning tasks to different processors, is an important task in compiling for parallel architectures. In this paper, we focus on addressing the work distribution problem in the context of a fork-join parallel language and a multithreaded architecture.
Mental Health Problems Among Children Seen in Pediatric Practice: Prevalence and Management

An ambulatory care survey involving 40% of all pediatricians in Monroe County, NY, was conducted between January and December 1979 to obtain an estimate of the prevalence of mental health problems among children seen by pediatricians. If a child with such a problem was identified, the pediatrician described the problem in detail, its impact on the family and the patient, and the action taken to handle the problem. The weighted 40% probability sample was representative of all pediatric practices in the county. During the 2 months for which each of the 30 pediatricians reported on all visits, there were 21,575 visits made by 18,351 children. There were 935 children detected at their first visit as having a problem, and another 48 children at a repeat visit during the reporting period. This is equivalent to a point prevalence at time of first visit of 5.09%. There was considerable variation between pediatricians: group practitioners reported a point prevalence of 4.06%, solo practitioners reported 5.06%, and health center pediatricians reported 7.33%. High rates were reported among children 7 to 14 years old (8.0%), boys (6.2%) compared with girls (3.9%), those on Medicaid (8.3%), and those whose presenting complaint was a chronic physical disorder (13.1%). The slightly higher rate among blacks than whites appeared to be related to the generally lower socioeconomic status among blacks. The rate among children in one-parent families was twice as high as in two-parent families. With regard to the mental health problem, most frequent diagnoses (primary or secondary) were adaptation reaction (31.5% of "problem" children), speech and language disorder (18.4%), other specific learning disorder (17.1%), hyperkinetic disorder (16.8%), and conduct disorder (14.7%). Functional impairment was moderate or severe in more than half the affected children; most frequent treatment provided by the pediatricians was supportive therapy or counseling (81.4%); drugs were prescribed for 11.3% of the affected children, amphetamines for 4.7%.
Does the Party in Power Matter for Economic Performance

In this brief paper, I consider whether five common political beliefs have any basis in fact. Does the economy grow faster when Republicans are in charge? Does the size of the government actually keep expanding? If so, is this growth correlated with Democrats being in charge? Does bigger government lead to slower growth? Finally, is it accurate to characterize Democrats as the tax and spend party? While correlation is not causation and theoretical relationships are complex, the data on U.S. economic performance during the postwar period does not appear to support any of these beliefs, and in fact tends more to support the alternative hypotheses.
Copy number variants are produced in response to low-dose ionizing radiation in cultured cells.

Despite their importance to human genetic variation and disease, little is known about the molecular mechanisms and environmental risk factors that impact copy number variant (CNV) formation. While it is clear that replication stress can lead to de novo CNVs, for example, following treatment of cultured mammalian cells with aphidicolin (APH) and hydroxyurea (HU), the effect of different types of mutagens on CNV induction is unknown. Here we report that ionizing radiation (IR) in the range of 1.5–3.0 Gy effectively induces de novo CNV mutations in cultured normal human fibroblasts. These IR-induced CNVs are found throughout the genome, with the same hotspot regions seen after APH- and HU-induced replication stress. IR produces duplications at a higher frequency relative to deletions than do APH and HU. At most hotspots, these duplications are physically shifted from the regions typically deleted after APH or HU, suggesting different pathways involved in their formation. CNV breakpoint junctions from irradiated samples are characterized by microhomology, blunt ends, and insertions like those seen in spontaneous and APH/HU-induced CNVs and most nonrecurrent CNVs in vivo. The similarity to APH/HU-induced CNVs suggests that low-dose IR induces CNVs through a replication-dependent mechanism, as opposed to replication-independent repair of DSBs. Consistent with this mechanism, a lower yield of CNVs was observed when cells were held for 48 hr before replating after irradiation. These results predict that any environmental DNA damaging agent that impairs replication is capable of creating CNVs. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 55:103–113, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Love, Honor, and Protect (Your Liver)

The liver has remarkable powers of regeneration, and can regrow to its original size even after 70% of its mass has been surgically removed. In a Perspective, [Davidson and Zon][1] reveal part of the liver's secret of success. As reported by [ LeCouter et al. ][2], liver injury induces the secretion of VEGF-A, which then directs liver endothelial cells to secrete growth and survival factors that in turn promote hepatocyte proliferation and survival. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/299/5608/835 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/299/5608/890
Molecular Cloning of α-Amylase Genes from DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER. I. Clone Isolation by Use of a Mouse Probe

A cloned α-amylase cDNA sequence from the mouse is homologous to a small set of DNA sequences from Drosophila melanogaster under appropriate conditions of hybridization. A number of recombinant lambda phage that carry homologous Drosophila genomic DNA sequences were isolated using the mouse clone as a hybridization probe. Putative amylase clones hybridized in situ to one or the other of two distinct sites in polytene chromosome 2R and were assigned to one of two classes, A and B. Clone λDm32, representing class A, hybridizes within chromosome section 53CD. Clone λDm65 of class B hybridizes within section 54A1-B1. Clone λDm65 is homologous to a 1450- to 1500-nucleotide RNA species, which is sufficiently long to code for α-amylase. No RNA homologous to λDm32 was detected. We suggest that the class B clone, λDm65, contains the functional Amy structural gene(s) and that class A clones contain an amylase pseudogene.
When rewards compete with nature: The undermining of intrinsic motivation and Self-Regulation

Publisher Summary Self-determination theory (SDT) assumes that humans have inherent propensities to be intrinsically motivated, to assimilate their social and physical worlds, to integrate external regulations into self-regulations, and in so doing integrate themselves into a larger social whole. This chapter concerns the relation of imposed rewards to these evolved propensities toward autonomy and homonomy. It examines evidence concerning the potential of contingent rewards to undermine self-regulatory propensities, desensitize individuals to their basic needs, and disrupt awareness and choice, all to the detriment of healthy development. Subsequently, it turns to an examination of the effects of rewards on organismic processes, interpreting the results in terms of the interface between rewards and basic psychological needs. Under this, it takes into consideration, the effects of rewards on intrinsic motivation. The chapter also focuses on the reward effects on other organismic processes, such as prosocial behavior, and to a discussion of real-world implications. Finally, it explores the general issue of reward effects from the personality perspective of individual differences in motivational orientations and life goals.
Statistical Methods for Persistent Precipitation Patterns

Abstract Procedures are developed to estimate the probability of occurrence for a given consecutive sequence of wet and dry days which begins with a specified day of the year. A good first approximation for such a probability can be obtained by assuming that the sequence can be described as a first order Markov chain. Initial and transition probabilities in the Markov chain model are estimated so as to reflect seasonal variation.
Arcsecond-level pointing calibration for ICESat laser altimetry of ice sheets

Arcsecond-level accuracy of NASA's ICESat (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite) satellite laser altimeter beam pointing angle is required to satisfy the scientific goal of detecting centimeter-level elevation changes, over time, in the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. Two different approaches, termed “topographic inferred” and “direct detection”, were examined for calibrating the laser pointing angle (that is, detecting and removing pointing determination bias) at the 1.5-arcsec level, using information independent of the onboard pointing instrumentation. Both approaches entail estimating the beam pointing by differencing the three-dimensional position of the altimeter instrument and the laser-beam spot (or “footprint”) location on the ground. Analytical assessments of the two approaches are discussed, along with recommendations for the ICESat pointing determination calibration strategy.
Cerebral microvascular and parenchymal phospholipid composition in the mouse.

Cerebral microvessels consisting predominantly of capillaries and small arterioles (<30 μm dia.) were isolated from the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of 3-month-old mice. Lipids were extracted from both microvascular and brain parenchymal fractions and the major phospholipid classes (choline phosphoglyceride, ethanolamine phosphoglyceride, inositol phosphoglyceride, serine phosphoglyceride, and sphingomyelin) separated by 2-dimensional TLC. Comparison of mol % determined by phosphate analysis of each phospholipid revealed significant differences in membrane composition of ethanolamine phosphoglyceride, inositol phosphoglyceride, and sphingomyelin between microvascular and parenchymal components of the central nervous system. Moreover, the choline phosphoglyceride/sphingomyelin mol ratio, one of three determinants of membrane fluidity, is significantly lower for microvessel membrane than for membranes of the brain parenchyma.
The Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale for Children

Abstract A scale for the measurement of hypnotic responsiveness in children was constructed with norms provided by testing normal children ages 3 to 16. The test as constructed correlated .67 with SHSS:A, slightly modified in wording to be appropriate for use with children. Because it was designed for clinical use, items were selected such as visual and auditory TV hallucinations, a dream within hypnosis, age regression, and a posthypnotic suggestion to reenter hypnosis — all items later useful in therapy if the child was responsive to them. In the very young child an induction technique using the imagination of familiar experience, with eye closure permitted but not required, proved more satisfactory than the usual eye closure/relaxation induction.
Subnanomolar Detection of Acid-Labile Sulfides by the Classical Methylene Blue Method Coupled to HPLC

Methylene blue reactive sulfides (MBRS) are ubiquitous in surface waters of local lakes and streams. However, in most cases they exist in concentrations too low to measure by traditional methods. Both the classical methylene blue and the similar Cline method have been used to determine concentrations of a particular pool of acid-labile sulfides in aquatic systems. The estimated lowest limit of MBRS detection is ca. 10 nM under ideal conditions. By coupling the classical methylene blue method to HPLC, it is possible to make direct, reliable measurements of MBRS in fully oxygenated freshwaters. Using this modified approach, a detection limit for MBRS of ca. 0.3 nM is achieved. Measurements in a variety of local freshwaters reveal levels in the range of 0-74 nM, with systematic variations explainable in terms of standard biogeochemical characteristics.
Educational risks for children experiencing homelessness

Abstract Educational risks were investigated among 73 children 6 to 11 years old from homeless families staying in a Minneapolis shelter. Families were recruited at the shelter and followed up after they had moved into their own housing. Access to school was not a problem. However, significant school success problems, defined in terms of achievement and classroom behavior, were found among the 59 African American children who were the primary focus of analysis. Moreover, academic and behavioral problems often co-occurred, as did good achievement and good behavior. Results support the feasibility of research with highly mobile families whose children have extremely high risk for educational problems. Implications are discussed for researchers and educators who share the goal of fostering school success among high-risk mobile children.
Center manifolds in equations from hydrodynamics

Elliptic partial differential equations on tubular domains arise in hydrodynamics and in other applied settings. The center manifold approach to the analysis of small solutions has as one of its steps the study of a reduced equation of differential-integral type leading to a system of ordinary differential equations, generally of finite order. Here we give existence and regularity results for reduced equations which are adapted to the Holder space setting and which are suitable for application to quasi-linear problems. Applications to flow problems are given.
Cell-free synthesis of equine herpesvirus type 3 nucleocapsid polypeptides.

Abstract Rate-velocity centrifugation in sucrose gradients of nuclear lysates from cells infected with equine herpesvirus type 3 (EHV-3) demonstrated two major species of viral nucleocapsids that differed in buoyant density, sedimentation velocity, and DNA content. Nucleocapsids present in the bottom sucrose band (B capsids) comprised 62% of the total nucleocapsid protein and possessed a higher density and seven times more DNA than nucleocapsids isolated from the top sucrose band (A capsids). Analysis of B-capsid proteins in SDS-polyacrylamide gels revealed the presence of five major polypeptides with molecular weights of 151,000, 59,000, 48,000, 40,000, and 30,000. In vitro synthesis of EHV-3 nucleocapsid polypeptides was demonstrated in a cell-free translation system consisting of (1) 150,000 g supernatant from rabbit reticulocytes; (2) preincubated ribosomes from the cells of a continuous equine cell line (ETCC); (3) factors dissociated from infected ETCC cell ribosomes with high salt; (4) RNA extracted from the cytoplasm of cells infected with EHV-3. EHV-3 nucleocapsid polypeptides were selected from the total in vitro synthesized products by indirect immunoprecipitation with specific antiviral rabbit serum and antiglobulin goat serum. Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoretic analysis of the cell-free products synthesized in response to poly(A)-rich RNA from EHV-3 infected cells and precipitated with immune serum prepared against purified viral nucleocapsids indicated that four of the five major nucleocapsid polypeptides were made in vitro .
Relationships between accumulation of a 60 kDa stress protein and scope-for-growth in Mytilus edulis exposed to a range of copper concentrations

Blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, were exposed in the laboratory for 7 days to a range of Cu concentrations (0 to 100 μg/liter) to test the feasibility of using the accumulation of a 60 kDa stress protein, also referred to as heat shock protein 60 (hsp60), as a molecular indicator of contaminant exposure and ecological status. At the end of the experiment, scope-for-growth (SFG) measurements were completed to assess whole organism physiological condition. In addition, antibodies raised against hsp60 were employed as probes for Western blot analysis and immunobinding assays of mantle tissue. Physiological measurements revealed a significant (p < 0·05) decrease in the SFG index for organisms at 32 and 100 μg/liter Cu. Western blot analysis indicated that the abundance of hsp60 was greater in tissues exposed to elevated Cu concentrations than in controls. Quantitation of hsp60 accumulation as determined by a dot immunobinding assay demonstrated a significant correlation between hsp60 accumulation and nominal Cu concentration in the seawater. Significant (p < 0·1) increases in accumulation of hsp60 over controls was detected at 3·2 μg/liter Cu and higher, Cu concentrations which were substantially lower than that at which a significant decrease in SFG was observed. These data suggest that hsp60 accumulation may hold promise as a molecular indicator of contaminant exposure and an early warning of adverse biological effects.
Cadmium Induces Apoptosis in the Human Osteoblast-like Cell Line Saos-2

Human exposure to the heavy metal cadmium has been associated with the development of bone diseases, including osteoporosis and osteomalacia. The mechanisms by which cadmium exerts a direct effect on bone remain unclear. Bone cells go through apoptosis for proper bone remodeling; therefore, it was hypothesized that cadmium disrupts this normal balance by inducing apoptosis. Human osteoblast-like cells (Saos-2) were treated with 10–200 μM cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and evaluated by trypan blue staining and phase-contrast microscopy. Exposure to CdCl2 resulted in decreased cell viability and changes in cell morphology characteristic of apoptosis. The role of apoptosis in cadmium-induced toxicity was further evaluated using the fluorescent marker annexin V, which detects externalization of cell membrane phosphatidylserine. Nuclear changes associated with apoptosis were assessed by Hoechst staining and a DNA fragmentation assay. A significant increase in annexin V-positive cells was observed following CdCl2 tre...
A Multicultural, Multivocal, Multimedia Approach to Teaching Classroom Management and Preservice Teachers

(1994). A Multicultural, Multivocal, Multimedia Approach to Teaching Classroom Management and Preservice Teachers. Teaching Education: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 113-122.
Role of atomic variability and mechanical constraints on the martensitic phase transformation of a model disordered shape memory alloy via molecular dynamics

Abstract We use molecular dynamics (MD) with an embedded atom model potential parameterized for NiAl to study martensitic phase transformations in a disordered shape memory alloy. We focus on the role of intrinsic atomic-level variability and mechanical constraints on the martensite and austenite transformation temperatures and on the martensite microstructure for specimens with varying size. We find that periodic system size has a weak effect on transformation temperature all the way to the nanometer scale, with the entropy-stabilized austenite phase slightly penalized with decreasing size. Atomic-level variability in these random alloys leads to significant sample-to-sample variability in transformation temperature. The uncertainty in the austenite transformation temperature increases with decreasing size, reaching ∼10% of the mean value for samples 10 nm on the side. Interestingly, the variability of the high-temperature martensite transition shows little size dependence. We find that a critical size of ∼40 nm is required to develop multidomain martensite microstructures, and mechanical constraints reduce this critical size to ∼7 nm, while significantly affecting the transformation temperatures. These results contribute to the understanding of martensitic transformation in nanocrystalline samples and of the fundamental limits of miniaturization of these alloys.
Chemical trends in band offsets of Zn- and Mn-based II-VI superlattices: d-level pinning and offset compression.

Calculation of the unstrained band offsets between conventional zinc-blende II-VI superlattices (ZnS/ZnSe/ZnTe), or between magnetic II-VI superlattices (MnS/MnSe/MnTe) or combinations thereof ($\frac{\mathrm{Mn}X}{\mathrm{Zn}X}$) show that (i) the range of offsets spanned by different magnetic II-VI superlattices is compressed by a factor of 2 relative to the range of offsets spanned by conventional II-VI superlattices, (ii) the distance between the Mn $d$ band and the valence-band maximum in $\mathrm{Mn}X$ depends weakly on $X$, while in conventional II-VI superlattices (e.g., Zn $3d$ in $\mathrm{Zn}X$) there is a wider spread, and (iii) unlike the case for conventional commonanion II-VI superlattices, the mixed offset $\ensuremath{\Delta}{E}_{V}(\frac{\mathrm{Zn}X}{\mathrm{Mn}X})$ depends strongly on $X$. We show that all three effects have a simple and common physical origin.
Reversal of radiographically impending stroke with multiple intraarterial papaverine infusions in severe diffuse cerebral vasospasm induced by subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: Selective intraarterial infusion of papaverine is used in the treatment of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm induced by aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Delays in instituting therapy for vasospasm can lead to irreversible cerebral infarction and a devastating outcome. Endovascular papaverine treatment of vasospasm in the presence of low-attenuation lesions on computed tomography (CT) is controversial, because of the fear of reperfusion hemorrhage in completed infarcts.
Therapists in a Foreign Land: Acculturation, Language Proficiency and Counseling Self-Efficacy among Foreign-Born Therapists Practicing in the United States

Immigration and acculturation can have profound effects on counselors’ sense of self and interactions with others. Yet the influence of being an immigrant on a therapist’s use of self during actual clinical encounters has received very little empirical attention, even though the number of foreign-born counselors is steadily increasing in the U.S. In order to fill this gap we conducted a web-based survey study to examine the associations between acculturation, language proficiency, and clinician’s self-efficacy in a sample of 258 foreign-born counselors and providers currently practicing in the U.S. Results suggest that perceived prejudice and not the level of acculturation is significantly associated with levels of clinical self-efficacy, suggesting that the attitudes and behaviors of the host community play a much bigger role in the acculturation of immigrant therapists than previously assumed.
Geometric Quantization and Multiplicities of Group Representations.

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle says that it is impossible to determine simultaneously the position and momentum of a quantum-mechanical particle. This can be rephrased as follows: the smallest subsets of classical phase space in which the presence of a quantum-mechanical particle can be detected are its Lagrangian submanifolds. For this reason it makes sense to regard the Lagrangian submanifolds of phase space as being its true "points"; see Weinstein [17]. Now let G be a compact Lie group and G x X ~ X a Hamiltonian action of G on X (see w for definitions). It is well-known that the fixed points of this action form a symplectic submanifold of X. (See for instance Guillemin and Sternberg [5].) However, what can one say about the fixed "points" of G? We will show that they are also the "points'" of a symplectic manifold, Xc. This manifold is the Marsden-Weinstein reduction of X with respect to the zero orbit in g*, and will be described in Sect. 2. (It was introduced in a completely different context fl'om ours by Marsden and Weinstein [12].) Problems in classical mechanics can often be reduced to the study of Hamiltonian systems on symplectic manifolds and problems in quantum mechanics to the study of linear operators on Hilbert space. This fact has inspired a number of efforts to "quantize" symplectic geometry by devising schemes for associating Hilbert space to symplectic manifolds. The "no-go" theorems of Groenwald and Van Hove impose some embarrassing limitations on all such schemes; however, it seems to be a useful idea heuristically to think of every symplectic manifold, X~a~ic, 1, as being symbiotically associated with a Hilbert space, Xq,a, t ..... in such a way that the classical observables on the first space correspond to quantum observables on the second space. The heuristics further suggests that if G is a group of symmetries of X~la~,i~, j, it should also be a group of symmetries of Xq,a,,tum. In this heuristic spirit, we will state the main conjecture of this paper:
The renin-angiotensin system in the fetal lamb.

Extract: This study was designed to investigate the renin-angiotensin system in the fetal lamb. Simultaneous measurements of plasma renin activity (PRA) were carried out in seven acute fetal-maternal sheep preparations at 91, 100, 104, 112, 124, 142, and 145 days of gestational age, respectively (term 145 days). The mean fetal PRA in this group was 4.87 mμ/ml as compared with 1.58 mμ/ml for the maternal plasma. PRA was also measured simultaneously in three intrauterine nonstressed fetuses. Six days after insertion of catheters, the fetal PRA was 9.0, 9.2, and 8.75 mμ/ml, respectively, and the maternal PRA was 0.4, 4.5, and 3.75 mμ/ml, respectively. The fetal response to aortic constriction was studied in three fetuses and the PRA increased from control values of 4.8, 5.5, and 22.2 mμ/ml to 8.0, 11.5, and 34.5 mμ/ml, respectively, within 15 min after initiation of the aortic constriction and continued to rise to maximum levels of 11.8, 25.5, and 38.0 mμ/ml, respectively. PRA then decreased after release to near control levels. The maternal PRA did not change significantly during the study period. PRA was also measured in the in utero fetus after decreasing the blood volume 8–10% by acute controlled bleeding, and the PRA rose from control values of 6.0 and 4.2 mμ/ml to 40.0 and 54.4 mμ/ml within 15 min after blood loss, followed by a return towards control values over the subsequent 30 min. Morphologic studies in five fetuses, 91–141 days of gestational age, indicate that the juxtaglomerular apparatus contains Bowie-positive smooth muscle granular cells and appears well developed in the fetal kidney by light and electronmicroscopy. These studies, therefore, indicate that the renin-angiotensin system is present during fetal development in the sheep and also demonstrate that the fetus does respond to stimuli which, in the adult, result in renin release. However, further studies will be necessary in order to establish a definitive physiologic role for renin in the fetus. Speculation: The renin-angiotensin system appears to be well developed during fetal development. These observations suggest that the enhanced activity of the renin-angiotensin system may play a role in the control of renal hemodynamics and fluid and electrolyte homeostases in the developing fetus.
Evaluation of personal digital assistants as an interpretation medium for computed tomography of patients with intracranial injury

The objective of the study was to assess the feasibility of using a personal digital assistant (PDA) as a medium for the interpretation of cranial CT scans of trauma patients. Twenty-one noncontrast cranial CT scans were transferred in their entirety to a PDA from the picture archiving and communications system (PACS) utilizing General Electric (GE) PathSpeed PACS Web Server interface and synchronization. All CT scans had been interpreted by board-certified radiologists prior to the study. Seven of the scans demonstrated subarachnoid hemorrhage, seven demonstrated subdural hematomas, and the remaining scans were normal. After transfer to the PDA, all images were separately reviewed in a blinded manner by a radiologist and a neurosurgeon. Images were graded for their quality and diagnostic utility in the evaluation of intracranial hemorrhage. Image quality was categorized as excellent, very good, acceptable for diagnosis, or not acceptable for diagnosis. Based on the radiologic diagnosis, recommendation for surgical management was made by the reviewing neurosurgeon. The accuracy rate for both the radiologist and the neurosurgeon in the detection of intracranial hemorrhage was 95%. There was one false negative which was attributed to error in judgment rather than poor image quality. This diagnostic error did not affect patient management. The sensitivity and specificity for detection of intracranial hemorrhage were 93% and 100%, respectively. Image quality was judged to be excellent in 90% of the cases and very good in the remaining 10%. Our results suggest that the PDA is a robust medium for interpretation of CT scans in patients with suspected hemorrhage following intracranial injury. In this setting, the PDA should be considered for teleradiology purposes.
Bioavailability of synthetic steroids for canine adrenal suppression

Abstract The bioavailability of methylprednisolone (MP) and prednisone (P) in terms of suppression of the hypothalamic—pituitary—adrenal (HPA) system was studied in dogs. MP and P were equipotent in suppressing both the basal cortisol secretion acutely and the HPA response to laparotomy after chronic daily steroid administration. The plasma concentrations of MP and P were measured by radioimmunoassay. The MP:P dose ratio used was 4:5 since this ratio is the relative potency of the two steroids usually published in the literature. Peak plasma concentrations of P were higher than those of MP in spite of equal biological potency. However, MP is bound to plasma proteins to a lesser degree than is P and is therefore more readily diffusible into the target cell. Studies of comparative potencies of steroids which take into account such factors as plasma concentrations of steroid, especially that portion not bound to proteins, can lead to a more careful selection of types and dosages of steroids. We have examined only one aspect of the many facets of steroid therapy, but the present report is an example of a more precise approach to in vivo studies of steroidal effects. The approach is applicable to other target areas of steroid administration such as wound healing, infections, tumor immunology, and transplantation immunity.
Long-lasting self-inhibition of neocortical interneurons mediated by endocannabinoids

Neocortical GABA-containing interneurons form complex functional networks responsible for feedforward and feedback inhibition and for the generation of cortical oscillations associated with several behavioural functions1,2. We previously reported that fast-spiking (FS), but not low-threshold-spiking (LTS), neocortical interneurons from rats generate a fast and precise self-inhibition mediated by inhibitory autaptic transmission3. Here we show that LTS cells possess a different form of self-inhibition. LTS, but not FS, interneurons undergo a prominent hyperpolarization mediated by an increased K+-channel conductance. This self-induced inhibition lasts for many minutes, is dependent on an increase in intracellular [Ca2+] and is blocked by the cannabinoid receptor antagonist AM251, indicating that it is mediated by the autocrine release of endogenous cannabinoids. Endocannabinoid-mediated slow self-inhibition represents a powerful and long-lasting mechanism that alters the intrinsic excitability of LTS neurons, which selectively target the major site of excitatory connections onto pyramidal neurons; that is, their dendrites4,5,6,7. Thus, modulation of LTS networks after their sustained firing will lead to long-lasting changes of glutamate-mediated synaptic strength in pyramidal neurons, with consequences during normal and pathophysiological cortical network activities.
Changes in epidermal growth factor receptors associated with adenovirus transformation, chemical carcinogen transformation and exposure to a phorbol ester tumor promoter

Abstract Transformation of rat embryo cells by wild type or a mutant (H5ts125) of human adenovirus type 5 results in >97% reduction in binding of epidermal growth factor to cell surface receptors. A 26 to 89% reduction in binding was observed in clones of NIH-3T3 cells transformed by benzo(a)pyrene (BP) or N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Chemically or spontaneously transformed rat liver epithelial cell lines and a rat hepatoma cell line also displayed low binding. The reduction of epidermal growth factor binding does not correlate quantitatively with expression of other markers of transformation. Brief exposure to a phorbol ester tumor promoter reduced epidermal growth factor binding in all of these cell types.
Progress in the development of a dedicated breast CT scanner

A pendant-geometry, cone-beam breast CT scanner has been constructed and is undergoing thorough testing in our facility. The system is capable of acquiring 30 frames/sec in 2×2 binning mode (1024×768 pixels) using a flat panel detector coupled to a thallium-doped cesium iodide scintillator. The DQE of the detector system for RQA5 and RQA9 x-ray beam qualities were computed, and the low frequency DQE values were 65% and 57% respectively at approximately 16 μR/frame. The results also shown that minor improvements in DQE are achieved for exposures greater than 16 μR/frame. It is expected that the scanner will be available for the imaging of human volunteers in the first half of 2004.
Conformational effects in biological catalysis: an antibody-catalyzed oxy-cope rearrangement.

Antibody AZ-28 was generated against the chairlike transition-state analogue (TSA) 1 and catalyzes the oxy-Cope rearrangement of substrate 2 to product 3. The germline precursor to AZ-28 catalyzes the reaction with a 35-fold higher rate (k(cat)/k(uncat) = 163 000), despite a 40-fold lower binding affinity for TSA.1 (K(D) = 670 nM). To determine the structural basis for the differences in the binding and catalytic properties of the germline and affinity-matured antibodies, the X-ray crystal structures of the unliganded and TSA.1 complex of antibody AZ-28 have been determined at 2.8 and 2.6 A resolution, respectively; the structures of the unliganded and TSA.1 complex of the germline precursor to AZ-28 were both determined at 2. 0 A resolution. In the affinity-matured antibody.hapten complex the TSA is fixed in a catalytically unfavorable conformation by a combination of van der Waals and hydrogen-bonding interactions. The 2- and 5-phenyl substituents of TSA.1 are almost perpendicular to the cyclohexyl ring, leading to decreased orbital overlap and decreased stabilization of the putative transition state. The active site of the germline antibody appears to have an increased degree of flexibility-CDRH3 moves 4.9 A outward from the active site upon binding of TSA.1. We suggest that this conformational flexibility in the germline antibody, which results in a lower binding affinity for TSA.1, allows dynamic changes in the dihedral angle of the 2-phenyl substituent along the reaction coordinate. These conformational changes in turn lead to enhanced orbital overlap and increased catalytic rate. These studies suggest that protein and substrate dynamics play a key role in this antibody-catalyzed reaction.
Effect of a kokumi peptide, γ-glutamyl-valyl-glycine, on the sensory characteristics of chicken consommé

Recent studies have demonstrated that kokumi substances such as glutathione are perceived through the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). Screening by a CaSR assay and sensory evaluation have shown that γ-glutamyl-valyl-glycine (γ-Glu-Val-Gly) is a potent kokumi peptide. In the present study, the sensory characteristics of chicken consomme with added γ-Glu-Val-Gly were investigated using descriptive analysis. Chicken consomme containing γ-Glu-Val-Gly had significantly stronger “umami” and “mouthfulness” (mouth-filling sensation) characteristics than the control sample at a 99% confidence level and significantly stronger “mouth-coating” characteristic than controls at a 95% confidence level. These data suggest that a kokumi peptide, γ-Glu-Val-Gly, can enhance umami, mouthfulness, and mouth coating, implying that the application of this peptide could contribute to improving the flavor of chicken consomme.
Improved crash crew rescue fire fighters' boots — A feasibility study

The author reports on work that establishes the feasibility of using commercial insulated fire fighters' boots and reflective spats to protect the feet of crash crew fire fighters performing rescue operations in critical fire areas.
SIROM3 -- A Scalable Intelligent Roaming Multi-modal Multi-sensor Framework

Understanding the future transportation infrastructure performance demands a smart Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) approach integrating heterogeneous sensors, versatile computing systems, and mobile agents. However, due to sensor versatility and computing intricacy, designing such systems faces challenges of immense complexity in mobile sensor fusion, big data handling, system scalability, and integration. This paper introduces SIROM3, a Scalable Intelligent Roaming Multi-Modal Multi-Sensor framework, for next generation transportation infrastructure performance inspection. SIROM3 offers a scalable and expandable framework through orthogonally abstracting software / hardware structures in a layered Run-Time Environment (RTE), which facilities sensor fusion, distributed computing, communication and mobile services. A Heterogeneous Stream File-system Overlay (HSFO) and a flexible plug-in system (PLEX) are embedded in SIROM3 to simplify big data storage, processing, and correlation. To evaluate the scalability of SIROM, we implemented a mobile sensing system of 30 heterogeneous sensors and 5 computing platforms coordinated by 1 data center. SIROM's expandability is highlighted by adding an advanced radar platform which required less than 50 lines of C++ code for integration. Over 20 terabytes of data covering 300 miles have been collected, aggregated, and fused using SIROM3 for comprehending the pavement dynamics of the entire city of Brockton, MA. SIROM3 offers a unified solution and ideal research platform for rapid, intelligent and comprehensive evaluation of tomorrow's transportation infrastructure performance using heterogeneous systems.
Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Landing and Resistance to Tomato Spotted Wilt Tospovirus Among Lycopersicon Accessions with Additional Comments on Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Thirteen Lycopersicon accessions were compared for landing of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), on leaves and flowers and resistance to tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) in field experiments on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Occurrence of the onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, and the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), on leaves was also recorded. Adult western flower thrips occurred on all Lycopersicon accessions, and no significant difference was found among accessions in western flower thrips landing per leaf. Significant differences were found among accessions with regard to number of western flower thrips occurring per flower and incidence of TSWV. Landing of onion thrips and greenhouse whitefly on leaves varied significantly among accessions. Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Anahu’ was the only accession infected with TSWV at the foliar stage. L. esculentum ‘Pearl Harbor’, ‘ L. paroiflorum (Jusl.) Mill., and L. hirsutum Humb. and Bonpl. were infected after flowering, and TSWV infection was not observed in L. peruvianum (L.) Mill., L. hirsutum f. glabratum C. H. Mull., L. chmielewskii Rick et al., L. pennellii, L. pimpinellifolilum (Jusl.), and L. chilense Dun. even after 7 mo in the field, suggesting field resistance in these accessions. Among L. esculentum cultivars, ‘Rey de los Tempranos’ was the only accession that did not become infected with TSWV. Because thrips landing did not correlate with TSWV infection in our experiment, we suggest that TSWV susceptibility and thrips feeding after landing are likely more important in influencing virus incidence under field conditions than landing behavior or direct resistance to insect colonization.
A Comparison Between Human Operator and Optimum Linear Controller RMS-Error Performance

The rms-error performance of a human operator in a simple closed-loop control system responding to input signals from a non-Gaussian process was measured and compared with the performance of an ``optimum'' linear controller. The results show that the human operator produces rms errors which are approximately equal to those produced by a highly constrained optimum linear controller. Comparison of the error-signal waveforms in the human operator system and the linear system reveals some adaptive behavior on the part of the human operator.
Hyperlipidemic effects of trans fatty acids are accentuated by dietary cholesterol in gerbils

Trans isomers of dietary fatty acids, generated during the commercial hydrogenation of unsaturated fats, may contribute to coronary heart disease (CHD) in humans by interfering with lipid metabolism. To examine this possibility in a fat-sensitive model, the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) was used to compare the cholesterolemic and triglyceridemic potential of modest increments of trans fatty acids from partially hydrogenated soybean oil with other saturated fatty acids in the presence and absence of dietary cholesterol. Age-, dose-, and time-dependent effects were examined in weanling, 6-month-old, and 1-year-old gerbils. Although lipoprotein metabolism in weanling gerbils was initially refractory to trans fat, even as perturbations by saturated fatty acids were demonstrable, these gerbils eventually (after 16 weeks) developed a trans-induced hypercholesterolemia that was intermediate between the response to 16:0 and 12:0 + 14:0. The hepatic and plasma 18:1/18:2 cholesteryl ester (CE) ratio was depressed by trans in a manner similar to saturated fatty acids. The 6-month-old gerbils readily developed hypertriglyceridemia but not hypercholesterolemia, again revealing a decrease in the plasma 18:1/18:2 CE ratio. The 1-year-old gerbils revealed a dose-related (0, 5, 10%en as trans) elevation in total cholesterol (TC), and especially triglycerides (TG), that was accentuated by 0.04% dietary cholesterol. Increases in plasma lipids were again accompanied by a significant decrease in the mass of hepatic esterified cholesterol, particularly 18:1-cholesteryl esters. Thus, dietary trans-fatty acids induce age-, time-, and dose-dependent modulations in gerbil plasma lipids associated with decreased 18:1 cholesteryl esters. Further investigation with gerbils may reveal mechanisms by which trans fat consumption disturbs lipoprotein metabolism.
Double-layer effects on simple electrode reactions III. The reduction of Eu3+ and Cr3+ in the presence of thiocyanate anions. Evidence for ligand bridging

Abstract The rates of reduction of Eu 3+ and Cr 3+ have been measured in mixed perchlorate + thiocyanate electrolytes at constant ionic strength, using low concentrations of thiocyanate to minimize its association with the cationic reactants. The effect of adsorbed thiocyanate anions on the reduction kinetics of Cr 3+ resembled those produced by iodide and bromide on both Cr 3+ and Eu 3+ . However, thiocyanate exhibited an unusual catalytic effect on the reduction of Eu 3+ which was identified as arising from a reaction pathway involving thiocyanate-bridging between the mercury surface and the Eu 3+ . The diagnostic criteria used to support the proposed mechanism included analysis of the rate—potential behavior and of the effects of competitively adsorbed iodide ions upon the reduction rates.