cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dermatology procedures: dermatoscopy.

Abstract A dermatoscope is a handheld device with 10-fold magnification that uses polarized and nonpolarized light in visualizing the detailed structure of skin lesions. Dermatoscopy is used clinically to aid in diagnosis of skin lesions that cannot be identified definitively during a visual examination or to confirm suspected visual diagnoses. Used in this manner, dermatoscopy improves diagnostic accuracy and decreases the rate of unnecessary biopsies. In the widely used two-step dermatoscopy method, the first step in evaluating a lesion is to determine if it is melanotic (ie, contains pigment) or nonmelanotic. If it is nonmelanotic, dermatoscopic examination is used to identify structural features typical of common nonpigmented lesions. If these features are identified, a diagnosis is confirmed. If they cannot be identified, a biopsy of the lesion should be considered. If the lesion is melanotic, the evaluation moves to Step 2. In this step, pattern analysis and/or other approaches are used to determine if the pigment in the lesion has features typical of a benign pigmented lesion or if it is typical of or suspicious for melanoma. In the latter instance, the lesion should be excised or biopsied.
From Multivariate Statistics to Natural Selection: A Reanalysis of the Plio/Pleistocene Hominid Dental Material

Multivariate statistical techniques have had a natural application to the problem of taxa definition in hominid studies. The fundamental problem in taxonomic reconstruction of, first, sorting individual fossil specimens into homogeneous, distinctive groups and, second, of determining the taxonomic relations implied by those groupings, has a format immediately translatable into the framework of techniques such as multivariate cluster algorithms for sorting data into groups, discriminant analysis for measuring distinctiveness of groups, and factorial procedures for forming construct variables that are sensitive to morphological complexes signifying species uniqueness. Yet despite an increasingly sophisticated conceptual and analytical framework for the study of hominid fossil materials, establishing a generally agreed upon taxonomic classification for those materials has remained elusive, with alternative classifications apparently difficult to confirm or disconfirm in any generally accepted fashion as indicated by still current controversy over hominid classification.
The Complexity of Sport: Universal Challenges and Their Impact on Women in Sport

The experiences of women in sport continue to necessitate deliberation, reflection, new ways of thinking, and further discourse in the continued pursuit of opportunity and equality. The subsequent and parallel impact on the roles that women play in sport as athletes and leaders are revealed by identifying the complexities and social realities that are vying and contending for relevance. The notion of complexity offers a novel conceptualization revealing contexts and competing points of view that challenge progress and equality for women in sport. Complexity refers to the state of the world assailed by increased amounts of data, facts, tasks, evidence, and arguments that yield uncertainty in the current age and unpredictability for the future. Universal challenges characteristic of complexity include globalization; digital technology; interpenetration of the wider society; participation, access, and equal opportunity; marketization; competition; and quality assurance and assessment. As a result, these old ...
Women in Agriculture: Professionalizing Rural Life in North America and Europe, 1880–1965

Review of: "Women in Agriculture: Professionalizing Rural Life in North America and Europe, 1880–1965," by edited by Linda M. Ambrose and Joan M. Jensen.
186 SOUTHEAST ALASKA NATIVE FOODS AND THE USDA FOOD PYRAMID

Purpose The USDA revealed a new version of the Food Guide Pyramid in 2005. The Food Pyramid is a tool designed to be used by laypeople and health professionals in making healthy food choices and having a balanced diet. Many southeast Alaska natives still eat local fresh foods prepared in traditional ways. Often as natives move away from subsistence lifestyles, they substitute highly processed and unhealthy food choices for the fresh foods found in their backyard. Methods Using the community-oriented primary care (COPC) model, I identified obesity as a health problem of this population. To address the poor nutrition and eating habits of the community, I obtained information from interviews with Tlingit elders about foods that are traditionally eaten by southeast Alaska natives. I modified the USDA Food Pyramid to include some of these unique foods. After consultation with a nutritionist, I decided the most useful format for a modified food pyramid guide was a miniposter that could be used as a patient handout. On one side, the miniposter has graphics of various native foods fitted into the modified USDA Food Pyramid. On the other side, foods are in bulleted lists by category. Summary Targeted patient education material in the form of a miniposter was created and given to an on-staff nutritionist for use and distribution in the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium clinic. The miniposter included many traditional Alaska native foods to encourage the choice of these foods over less healthy alternatives. Conclusions I found that the nutritional content of many Alaska native foods is quite high, especially in comparison with processed alternatives found at the grocery store. Encouraging this patient population to choose traditional foods will lead to better overall health. A tailored version of the USDA Food Guide Pyramid will promote these choices.
Novel murine mammary epithelial cell lines that form osteolytic bone metastases: effect of strain background on tumor homing.

We have developed a series of novel mammary epithelial cell lines from tumors arising in strain 129 mice, with the ultimate goal of evaluating the role of host factors in the development of bone metastases. Mammary tumors were induced in mice with subcutaneously implanted medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) pellets followed by administration of DMBA by oral gavage. Mammary tumor development was efficient in the 129 strain and was independent of osteopontin (OPN) expression. Epithelial cell lines were isolated from these tumors; surprisingly, these cells did not form tumors upon inoculation into the mammary fat pad of syngeneic mice, even when MPA was present. One OPN-deficient cell line was selected for further study; full transformation of these cells required expression of both polyoma middle T and activated ras. These doubly transfected cells, 1029 GP+Er3, grew in soft agar, and formed hormone-independent tumors efficiently in the mammary fat pad that spontaneously metastasized to several soft tissue sites but not to the bone. Derivatives of these cells were isolated from tumors arising in the fat pad and from a lung metastasis (r3T and r3L, respectively): these cells formed tumors more rapidly in the fat pad than the parental GP+Er3 cells. Upon left ventricle injection, the r3T and r3L cells formed osteolytic bone metastases in 129 mice, with few metastases seen in other organs. These tumors filled the marrow cavity, and caused extensive destruction of both cortical and trabecular bone. Intriguingly, in an alternative syngeneic host, (129× C57Bl/6) F1, osteolytic bone metastases were not seen on x-ray; instead extensive liver metastasis was present in these mice, indicating that genetic factors in these two strains regulate tumor cell homing and distribution during metastasis. These cell lines provide an important new tool in the study of bone metastasis, particularly in elucidating the role of host factors in the development of these lesions, as the 129 mouse strain is frequently used for genetic manipulations in the mouse.
Inactivation of FAM20B causes cell fate changes in annulus fibrosus of mouse intervertebral disc and disc defects via the alterations of TGF-β and MAPK signaling pathways

Intervertebral disc (IVD) disorder is often caused by the defect of annulus fibrosus (AF), especially that of the outer AF. Studies about the mechanisms governing the development of the outer AF are needed for a better understanding of pathogenesis of IVD defects. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are essential components of extracellular matrix (ECM) in AF. FAM20B is a newly identified xylose kinase that catalyzes the biosynthesis of GAGs. In this study, we created Fam20B conditional knockout (cKO) mice in which FAM20B was inactivated in type I collagen-expressing cells, the main type of cells in the outer AF of IVD. The cKO mice showed severe spine deformity and remarkable IVD defects associated with AF malformation. The AF of cKO mice had a lower level of chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate, and the outer AF cells lost their normal fibroblast-like morphology and acquired chondrocyte phenotypes, expressing a higher level of Sox 9 and type II collagen along with a reduced level of type I collagen. The level of phospho-Smad 2 and phospho-Smad 3, and that of scleraxis, a downstream target molecule of canonical TGF-β signaling pathway were significantly lower in the AF of cKO mice. The AF in cKO mice also manifested altered levels in the molecules associated with the activations of MAPK pathway; the changes included the increase of phospho-P38 and phospho-ERK and a decrease of phospho-JNK. These results indicate that FAM20B plays an essential role in the development of AF by regulating the TGF-β signaling and MAPK signaling pathways.
Levels and influencing factors of organizational justice among medical and health professionals

Objective To evaluate current statusand influencing factors of organizational justice feeling among medical staff in hospitals and health personnel in centers for disease control and prevention (CDC).Methods Organizational Justice Questionnaire was self-administered to evaluate the organizational justice level among 1859 doctors medical technicians,1 444 nurses,and 684 public health workers selected by multistage cluster random sampling in Liaoning province.Multiple linear regression(stepwise selection) was applied to elucidate influencing factors of the level of organizational justice.Results The level of organizational justice feeling is higher significantly in the rural medical and health professionals(3.64 ± 0.81) than in the city(3.3 ± 0.86).The level of organizational justice feeling is increased with the decrease of the level of staff.The level of organizational justice,procedural justice and distributive justice are significantly different among the medical staff in hospitals and health personnel in centers for disease control and prevention (CDC).The results of multiple linear regression showed that low income,staff in city,chronic disease,work overload and 10-20 years work were the influencing factors for lower organizational justice.Conclusion Increasing the open and fairness of the salary and salary distributing to each according to the workload may be effective to increase organizational justice feeling among medical and health professionals. Key words: Medical staff; Organizational justice; Questionnaires
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Metabolic Disease in Adolescents With Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Context Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is common and associated with metabolic syndrome. In the general population, metabolic disease varies by race and ethnicity. Objective This work aimed to examine in depth the interaction of race and ethnicity with PCOS-related metabolic disease in adolescent youth. Methods A secondary analysis was conducted of data from girls (age 12-21 years) with overweight or obesity (> 90 body mass index [BMI] percentile) and PCOS. Measurements included fasting hormone and metabolic measures, a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and magnetic resonance imaging for hepatic fat. Groups were categorized by race or ethnicity. Results Participants included 39 non-Hispanic White (NHW, age 15.7 ± 0.2 years; BMI 97.7 ± 0.2 percentile), 50 Hispanic (HW, 15.2 ± 0.3 years; 97.9 ± 0.3 percentile), and 12 non-Hispanic Black (NHB, 16.0 ± 0.6 years; 98.6 ± 0.4 percentile) adolescents. Hepatic markers of insulin resistance were worse in NHW, including lower sex hormone-binding globulin and higher triglycerides over high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TGs/HDL-C) ratio (P = .002 overall, HW vs NHB [P = .009] vs NHW [P = 0.020]), although homeostasis model assessment of estimated insulin resistance was worst in NHB (P = .010 overall, NHW vs NHB P = .014). Fasting and 2-hour OGTT glucose were not different between groups, although glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was lowest in NHW (overall P < .001, NHW 5.2 ± 0.3 vs HW 5.5 ± 0.3 P < .001 vs 5.7 ± 0.4%, P < .001). The frequency of hepatic steatosis (HW 62%, NHW 42%, NHB 25%, P = .032); low HDL-C < 40 mg/dL (HW 82%, NHW 61%, NHB 50%, P < .001) and prediabetes HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4% (NHB 50%, HW 36%, NHW 5%, P < .001) were different between the groups. Conclusion Adolescents with PCOS appear to show similar racial and ethnic variation to the general population in terms of metabolic disease components.
Efficient dominant point algorithms for the multiple longest common subsequence (MLCS) problem

Finding the longest common subsequence of multiple strings is a classical computer science problem and has many applications in the areas of bioinformatics and computational genomics. In this paper, we present a new sequential algorithm for the general case of MLCS problem, and its parallel realization. The algorithm is based on the dominant point approach and employs a fast divide-and-conquer technique to compute the dominant points. When applied to find a MLCS of 3 strings, our general algorithm is shown to exhibit the same performance as the best existing MLCS algorithm by Hakata and Imai, designed specifically for the case of 3 strings. Moreover, we show that for a general case of more than 3 strings, the algorithm is significantly faster than the best existing sequential approaches, reaching up to 2-3 orders of magnitude faster on the large-size problems. Finally, we propose a parallel implementation of the algorithm. Evaluating the parallel algorithm on a benchmark set of both random and biological sequences reveals a near-linear speed-up with respect to the sequential algorithm.
A multifactorial intervention to reduce prevalence of delirium and shorten hospital length of stay.

Objectives: To improve outcomes for cognitively impaired and delirious older adults. Design: Pretest, posttest. Setting: A university-affiliated hospital. Participants: Physicians and nurses in the emergency department (ED) and on an acute geriatric unit (AGU). Intervention: Multifactorial and targeted to the processes of care for cognitively impaired and delirious older adults admitted to medicine service from the ED. Measurements: Prevalence of delirium, admission to AGU, psychotropic medication use, hospital length of stay. Results: Patient characteristics did not differ between baseline and the two outcome cohorts 4 and 9 months postintervention. Prevalence of delirium was 40.9% at baseline, 22.7% at 4 months (P .01). Antidepressant and neuroleptic use were higher (P<.02) and antihistamine use was lower (P<.02) at 4 months on the AGU than for the baseline group. Benzodiazepine (P<.01) and antihistamine (P<.05) use were lower at 9 months. Each case of delirium prevented saved a mean of 3.42 hospital days. Conclusion: A multifactorial intervention designed to reduce delirium in older adults was associated with improved psychotropic medication use, less delirium, and hospital savings.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Adult Onset Adrenoleukodystrophy (P2.025)

OBJECTIVE: To describe 2 patients with adult-onset cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) and their treatment with allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). BACKGROUND: HSCT is the treatment of choice for early stages of cerebral ALD in children. It is not known whether this applies for adult-onset cerebral ALD. We set out to describe the evolution of adult-onset ALD after HSCT. DESIGN/METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: Patient 1 was a 19-year-old man who developed adrenal crisis at age 16 followed by a progressive spastic paraparesis. Serial neuroimaging revealed progression of a left internal capsule lesion, consistent with cerebral ALD. He underwent allogenic HSCT after conditioning with busulfan and cyclophosphamide. Complications included mild GI toxicity and self-limited cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In the 4 years post-transplant, he experienced moderate improvement in gait and bowel/bladder function. However, there were significant mood and behavioral changes characterized by outbursts of anger, self-injurious behavior, and impulsivity. Radiological progression occurred at first, but stabilization occurred within 11 months. Patient 2 was a 36-year-old man who was diagnosed with cerebral ALD and AMN after experiencing progressive gait instability over 10 months. Brain MRI showed posterior-dominant inflammatory changes. HSCT was accomplished using a matched-unrelated donor after conditioning with busulfan and cyclophosphamide. Post-transplant complications included severe febrile neutropenia, cutaneous GVHD, and GI toxicity. Neurologically, his gait stabilized somewhat over 10 months. Transplant did not affect a slow decline in cognitive function with notable impairment in attention, executive function, and short term memory. Radiological progression stabilization occurred within 3 months post-transplant. CONCLUSION: HSCT in children is a well-established treatment for ALD, but very limited data exists for its use in adults. In our 2 patients, there was mild to moderate improvement in gait, but significant neuropsychiatric impairment developed or continued post-transplant. MRI abnormalities stabilized or improved within 1 year. Disclosure: Dr. Eichler has received personal compensation for activities with Retrophin, Inc. Dr. Chen has nothing to disclose.
Cartesian tracking of unknown time-varying number of speakers using distributed microphone pairs

This paper considers the challenging problem of Cartesian tracking of multiple sources using multiple distributed microphone arrays when the number of sources is unknown and varies with time due to new sources appearing and existing sources disappearing or undergoing long silence periods. The problem is posed in a bearings-only tracking framework. Frequency-domain independent component analysis (ICA) in conjunction with state coherence transform (SCT) is used as a robust method to extract the bearing information of the speakers. Also, by exploiting the frequency sparsity of the sources, ICA/SCT has proven to be effective even when the number of simultaneous speakers is larger than the number of microphones in an array. Next, the bearing information for each array is fused using a sequential-corrector probability hypothesis density (PHD) filter with a limited field of view (FOV) for each microphone array. The limited FOV is essential for applications like speech in order to account for the more distant sources not registering detections with respect to a sensor array. The promising tracking capability of the proposed method is demonstrated using simulations of multiple speakers in a reverberant environment.
On Clustering Binary Data.

Clustering is the problem of identifying the distribution of patterns and intrinsic correlations in large data sets by partitioning the data points into similarity classes. This paper studies the problem of clustering binary data. This is the case for market basket datasets where the transactions contain items and for document datasets where the documents contain “bag of words”. The contribution of the paper is two-fold. First a new clustering model is presented. The model treats the data and features equally, based on their symmetric association relations, and explicitly describes the data assignments as well as feature assignments. An iterative alternating leastsquares procedure is used for optimization. Second, a unified view of binary data clustering is presented by examining the connections among various clustering criteria.
Clonal amplification rather than cloning to identify novel alleles: a hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) case study

In this case we describe a Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) African American recipient whose typing included a novel allele initially assigned incorrectly after utilizing 3 traditional Methods Sanger sequence based typing (SBT, Conexio), rSSOP (One Lambda) and SSP (Invitrogen). The correct typing was assigned by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS, MiSeq platform, Omixon reagents and analysis software) and supported by a family study. Initial HLA-C typing in duplicate was assigned as C∗06:44, 08:XX based on rSSOP (positive bead 9 with recognition site highlighted in Fig. 1A) and SBT result of 06:44, 08:05 (0 nucleotide mismatches) or 06:02:01:01, 08:02:01:01 (1 nucleotide mismatch, Fig. 1B). High resolution HLA-C SSP testing assigned 06:44, 08:XX (excluded the 08:05). Two siblings of the patient were HLA typed but neither of them shared any HLA haplotypes with the patient. The typing was reported as 06:44, 08:XX. There was no consistent high resolution assignment by all 3 methods. NGS provided phased information with an unambiguous typing of C∗06:02:01:01, 08:02:01:01v (80 and 93 reads mapping to these alleles respectively, 0 reads mapping to 06:44, Fig. 1C). Subsequent HLA typing of the father ruled out 06:44 and confirmed the NGS results. This novel C∗08:02:01:01v has a non-synonymous substitution at the 3rd nucleotide of codon 66 (AAG > AAC) in exon2 (Fig. 1A) which translates to one amino acid (AA) difference Lys > Asn. This AA resides in the α -1 helix of the HLA molecule, is accessible to antibody recognition and is a T-cell receptor (TCR) and peptide binding site. This novel allele also has intronic substitution at position 1578 (G > A) of intron 3. Currently, IMGT database has no intron 3 or exon 4 sequence information for 06:44 and 08:05 which would be helpful in determining whether the allele stemmed from recombination or point mutation. This case demonstrates that NGS is a powerful tool applicable to HLA-typing in HCT with the capability to resolve typing ambiguity and identify potential clinically relevant novel alleles. Download : Download full-size image
Responsibility, manipulation and ownership: Reflections on the Fischer/Ravizza program

John Martin Fischer and Mark Ravizza have constructed a theory of moral responsibility according to which agents are responsible only if they take responsibility in a particular way. Crucial to taking responsibility is coming to adopt a certain set of beliefs about oneself, such as the belief that one is a legitimate target of attitudes like gratitude and resentment, praise and blame. Moreover, agents must come to adopt this belief in a way that is ‘appropriately based’ upon their evidence, if they are to be genuinely responsible for what they do. In this paper I argue that agents need not meet these conditions in order to be morally responsible. I offer a case in which the agent thinks of himself as responsible, appears to be responsible, but fails to take responsibility in Fischer and Ravizza's sense. I then argue that Fischer and Ravizza's account of responsibility for consequences is in conflict with their contention that individuals who reject the justifiability of responsibility ascriptions fail, th...
Intimate violence in adolescent relationships: recognizing and intervening.

Women in the United States are more likely to be assaulted, injured, raped, or killed by an intimate partner or ex-partner than by any other perpetrator. Adolescents who are exposed to violence in their family of origin are at risk for violence in their own future relationships. This article provides an overview of the subject of intimate violence in adolescent relationships. The author suggests that it is critical for providers to advocate for patients by routinely inquiring about intimate violence at each healthcare visit and assisting the patient to resolution. Language: en
Factorial 1/2: A Simple Graphical Treatment

(1958). Factorial ½: A Simple Graphical Treatment. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 65, No. 10, pp. 735-742.
Obesity prevention and the primary care pediatrician's office

Purpose of review The obesity epidemic confronts the pediatrician every day in the office. Pediatricians should help curb the epidemic through prevention and the usual pediatric primary care tasks of screening, communication and anticipatory counseling. This review highlights findings from recent literature to guide office-based prevention of obesity in children.
The Effects of Different Types of Military Mobilization on the Outcome of International Crises

One dominant explanation for why crises escalate to war is based on misperception. Alternative rational explanations for why crises escalate to war are examined, including commitment problems, the cost of revealing military advantages, and a desire for greater future gains. These explanations for war argue that states are likely to prefer a military to a diplomatic solution and to mobilizetheir militaries to maximize a surprise attack advantage. This type of mobilization (private) is different from mobilization by states seeking a diplomatic advantage (public) because states are trying to avoid revealing information. When one state in a crisis mobilizes privately, war is more likely because one state is committed to conflict whereas the other is not receiving signals of an impending conflict. The effect of private mobilization on war is tested using the International Crisis Behavior data. The results demonstrate that private mobilization is likely to lead to war.
Treefalls and Patterns of Understory Species in a Wet Lowland Tropical Forest

Abstr act. Nested quadrats were used to determine natural clump sizes for three understory species in a mature, wet, tropical forest in Costa Rica. Under a closed canopy, individuals > 60 cm tall of the understory palm Cryosophlila guagara are shown to clump maximally at a size which corresponds to the size of lightgaps created by fallen canopy trees, suggesting that the distribution pattern of this palm is related to the pattern of fallen trees. Two other understory species, Neonichlolsonia watsonii and Car ludovica palmata, clump maximally at sizes which do not correspond to the sizes of average canopy gaps.
End of day far-red light reverses height reduction of chrysanthemum induced by CuSO4 spectral filters☆

Abstract The response of cultivars ‘Bright Golden Anne’ (‘BGA’) and ‘Spears’ chrysanthemum plants to end of day-red (EOD-R) and end of day-far-red (EOD-FR) light was evaluated to determine the involvement of phytochrome in the regulation of plant morphology under CuSO4 filters. The CuSO4 spectral filters removed FR wavelengths and hence, increased the red:far-red (R:FR), blue:far-red (B:FR) and blue:red (B:R) ratios (R = 600–700 nm ; FR = 700–800 nm ; B = 400–500 nm) and ф of transmitted light compared with water (control) filter. Control plants were shaded with cheese cloth so as to attain the same photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) as in the CuSO4 chamber. Light transmitted through the CuSO4 filter significantly reduced height, internode length and stem dry weight of cvs. ‘BGA’ and ‘Spears’ chrysanthemum plants. However, the degree of response varied with the cultivar. Exposure to EOD-FR reversed the reduction of plant height, internode length and the stem dry weight caused by the light transmitted through CuSO4 filters to a level comparable with plants that received no EOD treatment under control. Exposure to EOD-R light reduced the height and stem dry weight of ‘BGA’ plants grown under the control filter, but had no effect under the CuSO4 filter. Exposure to EOD-FR did not significantly alter height and stem dry weight under control filters. In ‘Spears’ plants, EOD-R caused stem dry weight reduction under control filters, but did not reduce stem or internode elongation. The results suggest that phytochrome may be involved in controlling plant response under CuSO4 filters. However, there is evidence to indicate that an additional mechanism may be acting on stem/internode elongation.
The effects of out-of-plane rotations on two dimensional portal image registration in conformal radiotherapy of the prostate

PURPOSE Rotations of the patient out of the image plane can significantly degrade the accuracy of two-dimensional (2D) image registration. This study determines the magnitude of the geometric errors introduced by 2D image registration as a result of out-of-plane rotations, and analyzes the dosimetric effects of these errors. METHODS AND MATERIALS The magnitude of the errors introduced by 2D registration were determined by comparing orthogonal view portal images of a rotated phantom to simulator reference images of the same phantom without rotation. Dosimetric effects were calculated for three-dimensional (3D) conformal prostate treatments by applying the registration errors to patient treatment plans. The calculations were performed using a modified version of the dose calculation software used in our Cancer Center for 3D treatment planning based on computed tomography (CT). A method to detect out-of-plane rotations, specific to pelvic treatments, is introduced that uses the relative displacement of the centers of gravity of the acetabula in lateral images. RESULTS The inherent uncertainty in the registration algorithm was 0.6 +/- 0.5 mm in translation and 0.7 +/- 0.8 degree in rotation within the image plane. For a 2 degrees out-of-plane rotation, the errors increase to 2.3 +/- 1.0 mm and 1.2 +/- 1.1 degrees. In some clinically realizable treatment scenarios it was observed that the errors introduced by the registration procedure could result in an overdosing of the rectal wall. The method to detect out-of-plane rotations was found to have an accuracy of better than 1 degree for rotations of less than 10 degrees. CONCLUSIONS The errors introduced to the patient position by 2D image registration have dosimetrically significant consequences for out-of-plane rotations of 2 degrees or more. However, when used in conjunction with the method to detect out-of-plane rotations, 2D registration software was found to cause insignificant dose errors and, thus, become a more reliable and accurate clinical tool.
Potential relationships between the presence of HIV, macrophages, and astrogliosis in SCID mice with HIV encephalitis

The pathogenesis of HIV encephalitis (HIVE) has not been determined although increased numbers of mononuclear phagocytes (macrophages and microglia), some of which are HIV-infected, and reactive astrogliosis are important pathological findings in this condition. For this experiment, fifty-one SCID mice were inoculated intracerebrally either with human cells and HIV-1, human cells only or HIV only and then sacrificed at various time points. HIV gag mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) distant from the site of inoculation in 73% of mouse brains inoculated with HIV and human cells attesting to the pervasiveness of HIV infection in SCID brain. HIV mRNA was detected as long as 91 days after inoculation of human cells and virus and the presence of HIV gag, nef, and tat/rev mRNA in HIV-infected SCID brains indicates ongoing HIV mRNA synthesis. Brain tissue sections were immunostained for HIV, human macrophages, and astrocytes from a subset of mice (n = 29) from the above groups and qualitatively assessed. PCR data for HIV mRNA was correlated with staining results and these data suggested that the greatest astrogliosis was present in mice inoculated with HIV and human cells, consistent with previously reported data. The data further suggest that astrogliosis is greater when HIV is detected. Taken together the data are consistent with a synergistic effect between macrophages and HIV in the development of astrogliosis.
Chemical Laser Interactions With Human Corneal Tissue

Repetitively pulsed (rp) hydrogen fluoride (HF) chemical laser interactions with human corneal tissue have been studied to understand tissue ablation phenomenology, effects, and mechanisms under well characterized laser irradiation conditions. RP HF chemical laser experiments have been performed at two wavelengths (? = 2.78 pm and 2.91 μm) over a fluence range of 0.6 to 10 J/cm2 to determine ablation efficiencies and effective enthalpies of ablation (Q*) as a function of wavelength and fluence. The experimental results are analyzed to consider the physical and chemical processes associated with thermochemical ablation of human corneal tissue by pulsed mid-infrared lasers.
Survival and Injury of Splittail and Chinook Salmon Passed through a Large Hidrostal Pump

Abstract The passage survival, descaling, and injury rates of marked splittail Pogonichthys macrolepidotus and juvenile chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha that were inserted into the entrance (suction side) of a Hidrostal pump were compared with those of control fish inserted at the exit (pressure side) in 130 paired trials conducted from December 1998 to July 1999. The Hidrostal pump had no significant effect (P < 0.001) on immediate or latent (96-h) mortality, descaling, or body injury rates for all flow rates and sizes and densities of fish tested, except for the 96-h mortality of splittail in June. The immediate survival rates for splittail and chinook salmon averaged 99%, and the cumulative (96-h) survival for these species averaged 93% and 96%, respectively. Average scale loss on splittail and chinook salmon usually was low (1.9% and 2.4%, respectively), and the frequency of injury to head, eyes, skin, and fins typically was low and not significantly different among quality control, control, an...
Amelioration of oral copper toxicity in chicks by dietary additions of ascorbic acid, cysteine and zinc

Abstract Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the interrelationship of L-ascorbic acid, L-cysteine and Zn for amelioration of Cu toxicity in chicks. Chicks were fed a corn-soybean meal diet with 1,000 mg Cu (CuSO 4 · 5H 2 O)/kg to produce Cu toxicity. Single dietary additions and two-way combinations of ascorbic acid (1,000 mg/kg), cysteine (0.5 g/100 g) and Zn (1,000 mg/kg) reduced liver Cu accumulation, with cysteine resulting in the largest response. Although supplemental Zn from ZnSO 4 · 7H 2 O reduced liver Cu concentrations, it also reduced chick weight gain and food intake. Experiment 2 tested a range of cysteine and Zn levels to determine their effects on Cu toxicity in chicks. Supplemental Zn levels as low as 500 mg/kg reduced growth, but a cysteine level as low as 0.1 g/100 g increased chick weight gain and reduced liver Cu. Experiment 3 evaluated two Zn sources to determine if Zn source was affecting weight gain of chicks fed high Cu diets. There was a reduction in chick weight gain with 1,000 mg Zn/kg from Zn sulfate, but no reduction in weight gain with the same level of Zn from Zn oxide. In Experiment 4, 1,000 mg ascorbic acid/kg, 0.05 g/100 g cysteine and 1,000 mg Zn/kg from Zn oxide were tested in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial. As in Experiment 1, ascorbic acid, cysteine and Zn were all effective in reducing liver Cu. The results suggested that L-cysteine was more effective than either L-ascorbate or Zn in ameliorating Cu toxicity, but a lower dose of cysteine together with pharmacologic additions of ascorbate and Zn (from ZnO) may be just as effective.
Reflection high energy electron diffraction measurements of molecular beam epitaxially grown GaAs and InGaAs on GaAs(111)

Abstract Reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) measurements were performed during the molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) growth of GaAs and InGaAs on GaAs(111) A and (111) B surfaces. Under a fixed Ga flux the period of these intensity oscillations was observed to increase with increasing As 4 flux on the 2 × 2 reconstructed GaAs(111) B surfaces. Layer thickness measurements, using cross-sectional transmission electron micrographs of AlAs/GaAs superlattices, indicated that the real growth rate did not correspond to the measured period of the intensity oscillations. The results are explained in terms of a reduction in Ga incorporation and an enhancement of Ga surface diffusion as the arsenic coverage of the 2 × 2 reconstructed (111) B surfaces is increased. The reduced Ga incorporation, on GaAs(111) B, promotes the formation of facets, commonly observed as three-dimensional islands or hillocks, which rob a portion of the Ga flux. The MBE growth and relaxation of strained InGaAs layers on GaAs(111) B were also studied by RHEED intensity oscillations and in situ surface lattice constant measurements. It is shown that by tuning the MBE parameters, during the growth of GaAs buffers and InGaAs layers on GaAs(111) B, premature strain relaxation due to the formation of twin defects can be prevented. Unlike the growth of InGaAs on GaAs(100) no two-dimensional to three-dimensional transition was observed even at high strains.
Supersymmetric sigma models and the heterotic string

Abstract We define the (1 + 1)-dimensional supersymmetry algebra of type (p, q) to be that generated by p right-handed Majorana-Weyl supercharges and q left-handed ones. We construct the non-linear sigma models with supersymmetry of type (1,0) and (2,0) and discuss their geometry and their relevance to compactifications of the heterotic superstring. The sigma-model anomalies can be cancelled by a mechanism closely related to that used by Green and Schwarz to cancel gravitational and Yang-Mills anomalies for the superstring.
Nitric oxide participates in excitotoxic mechanisms induced by chemical hypoxia

Changes in the activity of the NMDA receptor-gated ionic channels induced by potassium cyanide were studied in rat hippocampal slices utilizing a [3H]MK-801 binding technique. A 30-min exposure of slices to potassium cyanide (KCN) increased MK-801 binding by 252%. Co-application of N omega-nitro-L-arginine (NNLA), a competitive antagonist of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, reduced this increase by 72%. This inhibition by NNLA was completely reversed by an excess of L-arginine, a substrate for NO synthase, suggesting that the KCN-induced increase in MK-801 binding is mediated by NO synthase activity. KCN had no effect on MK-801 binding in synaptic membranes. In Ca(2+)-containing medium, KCN increased the release of glutamate, aspartate and glycine by 4- to 5-fold, and this was blocked by application of NNLA. NNLA inhibition was reversed by an excess of L-arginine, indicating that KCN-stimulated release of these amino acids is mediated by NO synthase activity. In Ca(2+)-free medium, a KCN-induced increase in MK-801 binding and in excitatory amino acid release was also observed, however, this increase was not influenced by NO-related agents, suggesting that these changes were not mediated by NO synthase activation. NNLA given after the end of exposure to KCN did not reverse the increase in MK-801 binding. These findings suggest that NO is involved in the initial activation of NMDA receptor-gated ionic channels and in the enhanced amino acid transmitter release induced by KCN, but that KCN can also induce some of these effects by a Ca(2+)- and NO-independent mechanism.
An investigation of possible photolysis and thermolysis effects in metal atom cocondensation procedures. Crucible insulation effects on metal atom oxidative addition, alkene isomerization and polymerization, and the discovery of homogeneous metal-polymer solutions.

Abstract During metal atom cocondensation procedures, the metal vaporization sources operate about 1220–1800°C emitting a great deal of light. Insulation of these crucibles effectively cuts down heat and light emission, but also adds greatly to the surface area where thermolysis reactions may occur. The effect of crucible insulation has been studied in an oxidative addition reaction (Pd + C6H5CH2Cl), alkene isomerization (Ni + alkenes), and alkenes polymerizations (Ni + styrene and tetrafluoroethylene). Our findings indicate that the effect of wool insulators (Kaowool or Fiberfrax) is not a photolytic effect, but a pyrolysis effect. This pyrolysis causes production of organic free radicals from the substrate, and these radicals cause destruction of C6H5CH2PdCl, isomerization and polymerization of alkenes. No effects attributable to photolysis or matrix warming in the absence of insulator were found. Thus, the presence of wool insulators caused polymerization and isomerization reactions to be several fold greater in importance. During the course of this work we discovered that homogeneous Ni-polystyrene solutions could be produced, and this has proven to be a selective nickel catalyst worthy of further study.
Couplings between Peptide Linkages across a 310-Helical Hydrogen Bond Revealed by Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy

Vibrational couplings between the amide modes are keenly dependent on peptide structure. Site-specific couplings can inform us of molecular conformation in detail. For example, when an amide-I mode...
Plasma catecholamines and their major metabolites in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract The function of the sympathetic nervous system was evaluated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their Wistar Kyoto (WK) control rats by measuring plasma concentrations of catecholamines and their major metabolic products from both the 0-methylated and the deaminated metabolic pathways. By using specific and sensitive radioenzymatic assays plasma concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), normetanephrine (NMN), dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) and dihydroxymandelic acid (DOMA) were determined in blood specimens obtained by venopuncture of tail vein of 12 adult male SHR and 12 age and sex matched WK rats. Plasma levels of NE and E were similar in both groups. However, the 0-methylated metabolite NMN was 1842 ± 430 pg/ml in SHR and 543 ± 100 in WK (p
Rates of particle scavenging and particulate organic carbon export estimated using 234Th as a tracer in the subtropical and equatorial Atlantic Ocean

Abstract The export flux of particulate organic carbon and particle scavenging rates were calculated using a 234Th-based approach along a transect through the mid-Atlantic from 35°S to 10°N during May and June of 1996. The median residence time of dissolved 234Th along the transect was 135 days, with intense scavenging from 5°N to 6° N ( τ d =86±17 days). Vertical profiles and depth-integrated samples (surface-100 m) of dissolved ( 53- μm ) 234 Th activities were collected to estimate export fluxes of particulate organic carbon (POC). A steady-state model of the 234Th activity balance in the upper 100 m was combined with measurements of the POC/234Th ratio on >53-μm particles. POC export ranged from 1.5 mmol C m −2 d −1 in the central South Atlantic to 31 mmol C m −2 d −1 at 2.5°S. Export production along the Atlantic equator (5°S–5°N, 25°E–5°W) is estimated to be 0.22 Gt C yr−1. The 234Th-derived POC export estimates reported here and from other studies are comparable with model simulations of export production from the Princeton General Circulation Model (GCM) for the Atlantic Ocean.
The Remarkable Kaleidoscopic Decompositions of the Bivariate Gaussian Distribution

The construction of bivariate Gaussian distributions by Puente and Klebanoff,1 as transformations of diffuse probability distributions via space-filling fractal interpolating functions is reviewed. It is shown that the ergodic theorem,2 which allows a simple computer implementation of the construction for some diffuse measures, leads in a great many instances, to unexpected kaleidoscopic patterns of exotic nature, which, when added, yield the bivariate Gaussian distribution. Examples of such patterns, some resembling natural shapes, are presented.
Sympathetic drive is modulated by central chemoreceptor activation

Abstract To determine the effects of central chemoreceptor stimulation upon sympathetic modulation while minimizing baroreceptor influences, we performed a single-blind, counter-balanced, placebo-controlled trial of a modified hypercapnic/hyperoxic rebreathe protocol stimulus to activate the central chemoreflex. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), heart rate, blood pressure, and ventilation were recorded dynamically as subjects transitioned from a hypocapnia to hypercapnia state. The stages of data recording were defined as hyperventilation (HyV), pre-threshold (PreT) and post-threshold (PostT), with threshold being defined as the point of non-linear deviation in ventilation. The changes in MSNA (−4.2 ± 52.4 arbitrary units (AU) vs. 245.0 ± 84.0 AU) and burst count (−0.1 ± 0.7 bursts/segment vs. 2.5 ± 1.7 bursts/segment) were significantly different between control and rebreathe for the HyV to PreT step. There was also a significant difference for PreT to PostT for total MSNA (3.9 ± 65.4 AU vs. 183.7 ± 104.2 AU). In a hypercapnic/hyperoxic state, the central chemoreceptors modulate sympathetic activity below the chemoreflex threshold independently of the baroreceptors, possibly contributing to basal autonomic/sympathetic tone. Central chemoreceptors also appear to play a significant role in sympathetic modulation after the threshold.
Class differences and traffic deaths

The transition of the East European countries from socialist to capitalist economies is marked by an exponential rise in traffic-related deaths. This increase is routinely ascribed to the rising numbers of privately owned cars; however, this explanation does not take into account the fact that, while in the Western societies the number of cars on the road and number of traffic deaths are positively correlated, in the postcommunist countries this correlation is negative. This finding is discussed within the framework of an hypothesis that class differences and related feelings of superiority contribute to homicides related to moving vehicles.
Experience With Oil Circuit Reclosers on REA Systems

For three years surveys have been made of the operation of small singlepole automatic reclosing oil circuit breakers (also called ``oil circuit reclosers'' and ``service restorers''1) on rural electric distribution systems financed by the Rural Electrification Administration. Results of these surveys indicate that the ratio of lockouts to operations is less than five per cent in most cases, and that there are from four to nine operations per month per breaker during the spring and summer, with each breaker controlling about 20 miles of line. The number of breaker failures and other breaker difficulties have been a small percentage of the total number of breakers installed. These surveys, together with discussions with system managers, have indicated that automatic reclosing breakers offer many advantages for rural line sectionalizing. Presently available breakers can be much improved in operating characteristics, and new sectionalizing devices are needed. This paper presents suggestions for such improvements.
A scalable architecture for lattice-gas simulations

Abstract We describe a computer architecture for simulating the Frish-Hasslacher-Pomeau (FHP) lattice-gas model for fluid flow. It consists of a 1-dimensional pipeline of identical full-custom chips hosted by a general-purpose computer. Sixty-four-pin DIP chips for the site-update rule were fabricated by MOSIS in 3μ CMOS, each containing more than 65,000 transistors. The chips have been tested and perform reliably at a 7 MHz clock rate. There are two processors per chip, so each chip is capable of 14 million site-updates/s/chip. A 10-chip pipeline was interfaced and tested with a SUN workstation. The present test interface transfers a word at a time through the CPU, and also requires the host to handle boundary conditions, so it achieves only about 2 million site-updates/s. This is still about 16 times faster than a software simulation on the DEC VAX 8650. With external memory and a pipeline processor to handle boundary conditions, this 10-chip pipeline should be capable of 140 million site-updates/s. The pipelined architecture has a property we call linear speedup . That is, n processors of fixed size and cost provide n times the throughput of one processor, on the same problem instance, with no increase in memory bandwidth.