cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimating head and neck tissue dose from x-ray scatter to physicians performing x-ray guided cardiovascular procedures: A phantom study

Physicians performing x-ray guided interventional procedures have a keen interest in radiation safety. Radiation dose to tissues and organs of the head and neck are of particular interest because they are not routinely protected by wearable radiation safety devices. This study was conducted to facilitate estimation of radiation dose to tissues of the head and neck of interventional physicians based on the dose recorded by a personal dosimeter worn on the left collar. Scatter beam qualities maximum energy and HVL were measured for 40 scatter beams emitting from an anthropomorphic patient phantom. Variables of the scatter beams included scatter angle (35° and 90°), primary beam peak tube potential (60, 80, 100, and 120 kVp), and 5 Cu spectral filter thicknesses (0-0.9 mm). Four reference scatter beam qualities were selected to represent the range of scatter beams realized in a typical practice. A general radiographic x-ray tube was tuned to produce scatter-equivalent radiographic beams and used to simultaneously expose the head and neck of an anthropomorphic operator phantom and radiochromic film. The geometric relationship between the x-ray source of the scatter-equivalent beams and the operator phantom was set to mimic that between a patient and physician performing an invasive cardiovascular procedure. Dose to the exterior surface of the operator phantom was measured with both 3 × 3 cm2 pieces of film and personal dosimeters positioned at the location of the left collar. All films were scanned with a calibrated flatbed scanner, which converted the film's reflective density to dose. Films from the transverse planes of the operator phantom provided 2D maps of the dose distribution within the phantom. These dose maps were normalized by the dose at the left collar, providing 2D percent of left collar dose (LCD) maps. The percent LCD maps were overlain with bony anatomy CT images of the operator phantom and estimates of percent LCD to the left, right and whole brain, brain stem, lenses of the eyes, and carotid arteries were calculated. Per expectation, results indicated greater percent dose to superficial versus deep tissues and increasing percent dose to deep tissues with increasing scatter-equivalent beam energy and HVL. The results enable estimation of the scatter dose to tissues of the head and neck of interventional physicians based on occupational dose measured by a personal dosimeter worn at the collar outside the protective apron.
Antibody-Based Therapy of Myeloid Leukemia

In recent years, monoclonal antibodies have become an important cancer therapeutic modality. Genetically engineered humanized antibodies have demonstrated activity against both minimal residual disease and overt leukemia. High-dose radioimmunotherapy can potentially allow intensification of antileukemic therapy bone marrow transplantation yet minimize radiation exposure to normal organs. Targeted α particle therapy offers the possibility of selective tumor cell kill while sparing surrounding normal cells. Additionally, antibody-drug conjugates such as gemtuzumab ozogamicin have produced responses in acute myelogenous leukemia.
Statistics, Symmetry, and (In)Distinguishability in Bohmian Mechanics

This paper continues an earlier work by considering in what sense and to what extent identical Bohmian-mechanical particles in many-particle systems can be considered indistinguishable. We conclude that while whether identical Bohmian-mechanical particles ace considered to be “statistically (in)distinguishable” is a matter of theory choice underdetermined by logic and experiment, such particles are in any case “physically distinguishable.”
(Re)conceptualizing preservice teacher supervision through duoethnography: Reflecting, supporting, and collaborating with and for each other

Abstract This paper reports on ways duoethnography encouraged reflection, support, and collaboration for two novice teacher educators. Through duoethnographic research, they juxtaposed their experiences in new roles supervising preservice teachers as lived curriculum, or “currere.” Although supervisors often work in isolation, their collaborative research allowed the opportunity to reflect, coach one another through challenging situations, and collaborate on tools and strategies to use with preservice teachers. By engaging in the process of duoethnography, these teacher educators found themselves jointly (re)conceptualizing the role of supervisors. The authors suggest that duoethnography can promote critical reflection and break down supervisor isolation.
Probe Oscillation Shear Wave Elastography: Initial In Vivo Results in Liver

Shear wave elastography methods are able to accurately measure tissue stiffness, allowing these techniques to monitor the progression of hepatic fibrosis. While many methods rely on acoustic radiation force to generate shear waves for 2-D imaging, probe oscillation shear wave elastography (PROSE) provides an alternative approach by generating shear waves through continuous vibration of the ultrasound probe while simultaneously detecting the resulting motion. The generated shear wave field in in vivo liver is complicated, and the amplitude and quality of these shear waves can be influenced by the placement of the vibrating probe. To address these challenges, a real-time shear wave visualization tool was implemented to provide instantaneous visual feedback to optimize probe placement. Even with the real-time display, it was not possible to fully suppress residual motion with established filtering methods. To solve this problem, the shear wave signal in each frame was decoupled from motion and other sources through the use of a parameter-free empirical mode decomposition before calculating shear wave speeds. This method was evaluated in a phantom as well as in in vivo livers from five volunteers. PROSE results in the phantom as well as in vivo liver correlated well with independent measurements using the commercial General Electric Logiq E9 scanner.
Replay of Episodic Memories in the Rat

Vivid episodic memories in people have been characterized as the replay of multiple unique events in sequential order [1-3]. The hippocampus plays a critical role in episodic memories in both people and rodents [2, 4-6]. Although rats remember multiple unique episodes [7, 8], it is currently unknown if animals "replay" episodic memories. Therefore, we developed an animal model of episodic memory replay. Here, we show that rats can remember a trial-unique stream of multiple episodes and the order in which these events occurred by engaging hippocampal-dependent episodic memory replay. We document that rats rely on episodic memory replay to remember the order of events rather than relying on non-episodic memories. Replay of episodic memories survives a long retention-interval challenge and interference from the memory of other events, which documents that replay is part of long-term episodic memory. The chemogenetic activating drug clozapine N-oxide (CNO), but not vehicle, reversibly impairs episodic memory replay in rats previously injected bilaterally in the hippocampus with a recombinant viral vector containing an inhibitory designer receptor exclusively activated by a designer drug (DREADD; AAV8-hSyn-hM4Di-mCherry). By contrast, two non-episodic memory assessments are unaffected by CNO, showing selectivity of this hippocampal-dependent impairment. Our approach provides an animal model of episodic memory replay, a process by which the rat searches its representations in episodic memory in sequential order to find information. Our findings using rats suggest that the ability to replay a stream of episodic memories is quite old in the evolutionary timescale.
Missing Data in the Unified Dysksinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS).

Objective Identify the number of allowable missing values still permitting valid surrogate score calculation for the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS). Background Missing data frequently occur in Parkinson's disease rating scales, and they compromise data validity, risking data exclusion from final analyses. Methods Accessing the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society-sponsored UDysRS translation databases (3313 complete scores). We sequentially removed item scores, consistently or randomly from subjective and objective sections. Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficient compared prorated scores with complete scores. We considered prorated scores valid when Coefficients exceeded 0.95. Results For consistently missing items, three from the subjective section and five from the objective section are allowable. For randomly missing items, seven from the subjective section and four from the objective section are permissible. Conclusions We provide guidelines for constructing valid surrogate summary UDysRS scores with clear thresholds for retaining or rejecting scores based on missing values.
Distress and Supportive Care Needs of Ethnically Diverse Older Adults With Advanced or Recurrent Cancer

OBJECTIVES To assess the prevalence of supportive care needs (SCNs) and distress and to describe relationships among these and patient characteristics for ethnically diverse older adults with advanced or recurrent cancer. SAMPLE A SETTING Cross-sectional survey in five outpatient oncology clinics in an urban academic medical center involving 100 participants receiving cancer care in an economically challenged community. METHODS A VARIABLES The supportive care framework for cancer care guided this study, and participants completed the SCN Survey Short Form 34 and the Distress Thermometer. Study variables are cancer diagnosis, gender, helping to raise children, number of comorbid diseases, race or ethnicity, treatment status, and zip code. RESULTS Clinically meaningful distress was found in about a third of patients. Distress was not affected by race or ethnicity. Many ethnically diverse older patients with advanced or recurrent cancer report distress and SCNs; those with high distress are more likely to report multiple SCNs. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Nursing assessment of patient SCNs and distress is integral to establishing individualized patient-centered care plans and to delivering optimal care.
Neuron-Type Specific Loss of CDKL5 Leads to Alterations in mTOR Signaling and Synaptic Markers

CDKL5 disorder is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder associated with epilepsy, developmental retardation, autism, and related phenotypes. Mutations in the CDKL5 gene, encoding CDKL5, have been identified in this disorder. CDKL5 is a protein with homology to the serine-threonine kinases and incompletely characterized function. We generated and validated a murine model bearing a floxed allele of CDKL5 and polyclonal antibodies to CDKL5. CDKL5 is well expressed in the cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, localized to synaptosomes and nuclei and developmentally regulated in the hippocampus. Using Cre-mediated mechanisms, we deleted CDKL5 from excitatory CaMKIIα-positive neurons or inhibitory GABAergic neurons. Our data indicate that loss of CDKL5 in excitatory neurons of the cortex or inhibitory neurons of the striatum differentially alters expression of some components of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Further loss of CDKL5 in excitatory neurons of the cortex or inhibitory neurons of the striatum leads to alterations in levels of synaptic markers in a neuron-type specific manner. Taken together, these data support a model in which loss of CDKL5 alters mTOR signaling and synaptic compositions in a neuron-type specific manner and suggest that CDKL5 may have distinct functional roles related to cellular signaling in excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Thus, these studies provide new insights into the biology of CDKL5 and suggest that the molecular pathology in CDKL5 disorder may have distinct neuron-type specific origins and effects.
Investigational luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists and other hormonal agents in early stage clinical trials for prostate cancer.

Introduction: The treatment and management of prostate cancer continues to evolve; newer classes of agents and combination therapies are being developed and some are being investigated in early pha...
A randomized, controlled, pragmatic trial of an iPad-based, tailored messaging intervention to increase human papillomavirus vaccination among Latinos.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes a number of cancers that disproportionally affect Latinos yet there is a paucity of research on interventions to increase HPV vaccination among this population. We...
The Transformation and Challenges of the Surgeon–Patient Relationship

This chapter explores the transformation and the challenges of the surgeon–patient relationship. It reviews the historical, legal, and bioethical background of the surgical profession and its unique nature as compared to other fields of medicine. Although the foundation of the surgeon–patient relationship has always been, and still remains, the principle of beneficence, the relationship has undergone a dynamic shift that places greater value on both patient autonomy and societal justice than in previous times. The surgeon–patient relationship is complicated by a variety of conflicts of interests and obligations, as well as emerging challenges arising from advancing technology, scarce resources, and a team-based approach to healthcare. Navigating the many demands of our changing professional values may appear difficult, but ultimately a practice built on honesty with our patients, each other, and ourselves can help maintain trust in the surgeon–patient relationship.
Joaquim Jordà and Núria Villazán's Mones com la Becky [Monkeys Like Becky] (1999) and the New Global Disability Documentary Cinema

The documentary Mones com la Becky [Monkeys Like Becky] (1999) by Joaquim Jorda and Nuria Villazan is a touchstone for global studies of the representation of cognitive difference. This challenging visual investigation into the violent international history of the lobotomy also foregrounds questions of theatrical and cinematic representation as they relate to cognition. Featuring dialogue in Catalan, Spanish, Portuguese, and English, Mones com la Becky uses a variety of formal strategies identified by theorist Bill Nichols to push beyond the limits of staid documentary filmmaking. This article makes the case that Jorda and Villazan's film should be seen as an early example of what David T. Mitchell and Sharon L. Snyder have called the "new disability documentary cinema."
Journeying to Heaven with The Children’s Encyclopaedia: Arthur Mee’s Territorial Spirituality for Young Pilgrims

Arthur Mee, Baptist editor of The Children’s Encyclopaedia (CE), offers CE readers a ‘territorial spirituality’ for ‘scenery pilgrims’ between the wars. Devotee of English countryside, acculturated...
A causal role for pulvinar in coordinating task independent cortico-cortical interactions

Pulvinar is the largest nucleus in the primate thalamus and has topographically organized connections with multiple cortical areas, thereby forming extensive cortico-pulvino-cortical input-output loops. Neurophysiological studies have provided evidence for a role of these transthalamic pathways in regulating information transmission between cortical areas. However, a causal role of pulvinar in regulating cortico-cortical interactions has not yet been demonstrated. In particular, it is not known whether pulvinar s influences on cortical networks are task dependent or reflect more basic large-scale network properties that maintain functional connectivity across a network regardless of active task demands. In the current study, under a passive viewing condition, we conducted simultaneous electrophysiological recordings from interconnected ventral (area V4) and dorsal (LIP) nodes of the macaque visual system while reversibly inactivating the dorsal part of lateral pulvinar (dPL), which shares common anatomical connectivity with V4 and LIP. Our goal was to probe a causal role of pulvinar in regulating cortico-cortical interactions in the absence of any active task demands. Our results show a significant reduction in local field potential phase coherence between LIP and V4 in low frequencies (4-15 Hz) following muscimol - a potent GABAA agonist - injection into dPL. At the local level, no significant changes in firing rates or LFP power were observed in LIP or in V4 following dPL inactivation. These results indicate a causal role for pulvinar in synchronizing neural activity between interconnected cortical nodes of a large-scale network, even in the absence of an active task state.
Sentience and Consciousness as Bases for Attributing Interests and Moral Status: Considering the Evidence and Speculating Slightly Beyond

Sentient beings are capable of having pleasant or unpleasant experiences and therefore have interests, which I assume to be necessary and sufficient for moral status. But which animals are sentient? While sentience is sufficient for having interests, maybe it is not necessary. Perhaps some creatures are conscious—having subjective experience—yet are not sentient because their consciousness contains nothing pleasant or unpleasant. If so, do they nevertheless have interests and moral status? This chapter addresses both questions. After identifying several methodological assumptions, it proceeds to consider the state of the evidence for sentience in mammals and birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, cephalopods, and arthropods (in particular, crustaceans and insects). It then takes up the possibility that insects are conscious yet not sentient. In exploring the mental life of insects, the discussion considers the possibility of robots who are conscious but not sentient, eliciting implications for moral status.
The Role of Socialization Processes and “Cultural Concepts” in Cooperation with Parents of Migrant Backgrounds in Institutions of Early Childhood Education

Particular attention will be given to the question of how socialization works under intercultural/migration-related conditions, because essential development and learning processes are thereby fundamentally influenced. The socialization processes that children and adolescents undergo in the process of growing up provide the basis for their participation in society. Socialization against the background of experiences of migration/flight as well as integration takes place under specific conditions and is subject to a variety of influences. Acculturation is involved in these processes. The specific structural and institutional conditions offered by the local and social context are important for the outcome of all these processes. Acculturation processes of children are known as learning processes in educational situations. Children and adolescents are changing as their development progresses. All of these processes need time and the institutions’ special attention.
An Implementation of External Capacitor-less Low-DropOut Voltage Regulator in 45nm Technology with Output Voltage Ranging from 0.4V-1.2V

Low-DropOut (LDO) regulators are one of the most essential and critical analog blocks in power management of System-on-Chip (SoC) design. In this work, we present an external capacitor-less LDO voltage regulator design implemented in 45nm technology. The proposed design eliminates the resistive feedback network with a transistor which allows more control over output voltage and improve the transient response and PSRR. The design consists of Error Amplifier (EA), one common-source (CS) stage, one buffer stage and 2 pass transistors which offers a wide range of output voltage ranging from 0.4V-1.2V with an input voltage of 1.8V. The design also ensures low power operation with 7.824uA quiescent current. Furthermore, the design incurs minimum area of 0.0149mm2and voltage overhead of 25mV(max) along with a stable output voltage with less than 1mV ripple. The schematic and layout designs are implemented and simulated in Cadence Virtuoso using 45nm bulk CMOS process.
Safety and Effectiveness of an Accelerated Intravenous Iron Administration Protocol in Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure.

Background:The ACC/AHA heart failure (HF) guidelines include a class IIb recommendation for intravenous (IV) iron replacement in patients with iron deficiency and New York Heart Association class I...
The Constraining Influence of the Revolutionary on the Growth of the Field

This article draws attention to a pattern of development within science and other intellectual research communities that has received virtually no mention. We propose that subsequent dominance of a research community by a figure responsible for significant innovation often delays progress in the field. During the period in which the revolutionary continues to influence research in a community, far too frequently the effect is to freeze progress within the limited directions which the revolutionary sanctions.
How emotional attachment influences lender participation in consumer-to-consumer rental platforms

Abstract Given the proliferation of consumer-to-consumer (C2C) rental platforms, it is important to understand the motivations of stakeholders to participate in these platforms. The viability of online C2C platforms depends on the willingness of lenders to list their possessions for rent. We suggest that psychological mechanisms related to emotional attachment may underlie this decision. Specifically, we show that emotional attachment predicts lenders’ concerns about property preservation, such that higher levels of attachment will be associated with a relatively stronger preference for policies focused on product protection (i.e., policies that provide assurance that the product will not be damaged) versus financial guarantees (i.e., policies that provide financial restitution in the event of product damage). Our results extend prior literature by providing insights into how emotional attachment influences lenders’ participation in C2C rental platforms. These findings further highlight practical interventions that platforms might use to increase lender participation. Our work informs practitioners about motivational and behavioral psychological phenomena underlying the emerging C2C business model.
A Novel Angiography Scoring System Predicts Improvement After Isolated Common Femoral Endarterectomy With Profundaplasty.

Abstract Introduction Numerous angiography-based peripheral arterial disease classification schemes have been developed to stratify severity of preoperative patient disease, but few studies have correlated angiography-based anatomic classification schemes to postoperative outcomes. This study examined whether a proposed pre-operative angiography scoring system was predictive of outcomes after isolated common femoral endarterectomy with profundaplasty (CFEP). Methods A retrospective review was conducted of patients treated with isolated CFEP for claudication and/or rest pain at a single institution from 2016-19. Pre-operative angiograms were assessed quantitatively by four blinded surgeons across three domains: profunda stenosis, profunda disease length, and outflow disease severity. Table 1 describes the proposed angiography scoring system. Internal consistency reliability of rater scores was calculated using Cronbach alpha. Outcomes included clinical improvement, further interventions, major amputations, mortality, and mean increase in ankle-brachial index (ABI) at 30 days and six months. McNemar tests, between-group t-tests, Pearson correlations and linear regression were used. Results Clinical Outcomes 88% of patients (n=22) had clinical improvement at 30 days; the remaining 12% of patients (n=3) required further interventions. One patient (4%) required major amputation between 30 days and six months for recurrence of rest pain that had initially resolved after isolated CFEP. There was 0% mortality during the study period. Mean ABI increased by 0.15 ± 0.21 at 30 days, and by 0.06 ± 0.21 at six months. Angiography Scoring System Profunda stenosis score was associated with clinical improvement at six months (p=0.04). A profunda stenosis score of ≥ 2.6 was strongly associated with six-month clinical improvement (64% of those ≥ 2.6 improved, versus 15% of those Conclusion This institutional angiography scoring system successfully predicts clinical improvement following CFEP. Higher profunda stenosis and profunda disease length scores were most predictive of operative success within six months. Future validation studies will investigate these outcomes in a larger population, and over a longer period.
The Role of Ventral Group Neurons in the Respiratory Depression during Carbachol-Induced Rem Sleep Atonia

Sleep-related decreases in the tone of upper airway and respiratory pump muscles occur most frequently in association with the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep and its characteristic postural muscle atonia12. These decreases in muscle tone may lead to upper airway obstruction and/or reduced tidal volume in patients with sleep apnea syndrome.
Effects of severe calorie restriction on thymic factor activity and lymphocyte stimulation response in rats

The thymic factor (TF) activity and lymphocyte stimulation response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was studied in calorie-restricted rats. Sprague-Dawley rats (28 days old) were fed a calorie-restricted diet (30% of the average food intake of control) for 4 weeks. The control group was allowed food ad libitum. After this period the body weight was 232.9 +/- 41.8 g for control rats and 66.1 +/- 4.5 g for the calorie-restricted group. The mean thymus weight was 0.699 +/- 0.153 g and 0.099 +/- 0.030 g for the control and experimental groups respectively. The TF activity was makedly reduced in the calorie-restricted group compared with the control. There was an overlap between lymphocyte stimulation responses of the two groups; however, the mean number of counts per minute (cpm) of stimulated cultures with PHA was lower and the mean cpm of unstimulated cultures without PHA was higher in the starved animals. Thus, the stimulation index was significantly lower in the deprived rats. It is suggested that deficiency of thymic inductive factors may be important in the pathogenesis of impaired cell-mediated immunity in nutritional deficiency states.
Neglect of Older People in Humanitarian Response

Adapted from Keynote Address at the Association for Anthropology and Gerontology conference, Florida International University, Miami. February 7, 2015. An earlier version of this paper titled “Humanitarian assistance for older people: does it matter?” (June 2012) was presented to Doctors Without Borders for discussion, and later published in PLoS Medicine (December 2012; 9(12):e1001357) as “Ending Neglect of Older People in the Response to Humanitarian Emergencies.” 1
Torsins: not your typical AAA+ ATPases

Torsin ATPases (Torsins) belong to the widespread AAA+ (ATPases associated with a variety of cellular activities) family of ATPases, which share structural similarity but have diverse cellular functions. Torsins are outliers in this family because they lack many characteristics of typical AAA+ proteins, and they are the only members of the AAA+ family located in the endoplasmic reticulum and contiguous perinuclear space. While it is clear that Torsins have essential roles in many, if not all metazoans, their precise cellular functions remain elusive. Studying Torsins has significant medical relevance since mutations in Torsins or Torsin-associated proteins result in a variety of congenital human disorders, the most frequent of which is early-onset torsion (DYT1) dystonia, a severe movement disorder. A better understanding of the Torsin system is needed to define the molecular etiology of these diseases, potentially enabling corrective therapy. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the Torsin system in metazoans, discuss functional clues obtained from various model systems and organisms and provide a phylogenetic and structural analysis of Torsins and their regulatory cofactors in relation to disease-causative mutations. Moreover, we review recent data that have led to a dramatically improved understanding of these machines at a molecular level, providing a foundation for investigating the molecular defects underlying the associated movement disorders. Lastly, we discuss our ideas on how recent progress may be utilized to inform future studies aimed at determining the cellular role(s) of these atypical molecular machines and their implications for dystonia treatment options.
Trace elemental analysis in bone using x-ray microscopy.

The detection, quantification, and localization of trace elements in biological tissues present major difficulties. Recent advances in x-ray fluorescence now make it possible to quantify and localize naturally occurring as well as therapeutic trace elements in a variety of tissues, including bone. Studies of the metabolism and the pharmacology of these high-Z trace elements are feasible. Using a synchrotron radiation source, we used x-ray fluorescence to measure the naturally occurring trace elements, iron, zinc, copper, and strontium, as well as gallium, a new therapeutic agent that inhibits calcium loss from bone (Warrell et al., 1984; Cournot-Witmer et al., 1987; Bockman et al., 1986; Warrell et al., 1987; Repo et al., 1988). Our data show that gallium preferentially accumulates in the metabolically active regions of cortical and trabecular bone, and leads to changes in iron and zinc levels within bone.
Automatic testing of software with structurally complex inputs

Modern software pervasively uses structurally complex data such as linked data structures. The standard approach to generating test suites for such software, manual generation of the inputs in the suite, is tedious and error-prone. This dissertation proposes a new approach for generating suites with structurally complex test inputs; presents a technique that automates this approach; describes the Korat tool that implements this technique for Java; and evaluates the effectiveness of Korat in testing a set of data-structure implementations. Our approach allows the developer to describe the properties of valid test inputs using a familiar implementation language such as Java. Specifically, the user provides an imperative predicate—a piece of code that returns a truth value—that returns true if the input satisfies the required property and false otherwise. Korat implements our technique for solving imperative predicates: given a predicate and a bound on the size of the predicate's inputs, Korat automatically generates the bounded-exhaustive test suite that consists of all inputs, within the given bound, that satisfy the property identified by the predicate. To generate these inputs, Korat systematically searches the bounded input space by executing the predicate on the candidate inputs. Korat does this efficiently by pruning the search based on the predicate's executions and by generating only non-isomorphic inputs. Bounded-exhaustive testing is a methodology for testing the code on all inputs within the given small bound. Our experiments on a set of ten linked and array-based data structures show that Korat can efficiently generate bounded-exhaustive test suites from imperative predicates even for very large input spaces and that these test suites can achieve high statement, branch, and mutation coverage. Moreover, the use of our technique for generating structurally complex test inputs has enabled testers in industry to detect faults in real, production-quality applications. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Secretion of inhibin βA by endoderm cultured from early embryonic chicken

Abstract Although several reports have indicated a role for endoderm in the regulation of heart development, the mechanism remains unknown. To begin characterization of endoderm-secreted proteins, explants from postgastrulation (Hamburger-Hamilton stage 5/6–8 chicken embryos were cultured in defined medium. Fluorography of SDS-PAGE gels revealed a pattern of synthesized, secreted proteins that was independent of time in culture or embryonic stage when explants were removed. Approximately 10 labeled bands were detected, the most prominent of which migrated at 17, 25, and 200 kDa. ELISA analysis revealed that while acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor-like antigens were barely detectable, fibronectin and inhibin βA were very reactive. Western blot analysis verified the presence of fibronectin and, most remarkably, inhibin βA, activin dimers of which have recently been implicated in Xenopus mesoderm induction ( Smith, Price, Van Nimmen, and Huylebrock (1990). Nature 345, 729 ).
Mutational Scanning of Mitochondrial DNA by Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis ☆

An expedient, accurate, and cost-efficient test was developed to scan critical regions of the mitochondrial genome for all possible mutations by two-dimensional DNA electrophoresis. The test involves a two-step multiplex PCR amplification: a long-distance PCR to amplify almost the entire mitochondrial genome, which then serves as template for the amplification of 25 short PCR fragments in two multiplex groups corresponding to regions implicated in human diseases. The mixture of fragments was subsequently subjected to two-dimensional electrophoretic separation, first by size in a nondenaturant polyacrylamide gel and then on the basis of basepair sequence in a denaturing gradient polyacrylamide gel. This latter process of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis is a most accurate form of mutation detection on the basis of differences in melting behavior of mutant and wildtype fragments. Evaluation of the method using samples with known homoplasmic and heteroplasmic mutations, as well as CEPH pedigrees to study segregation of polymorphic variants, indicated a very high accuracy; none of the previously identified mutations and polymorphisms escaped detection, and no erroneous segregation patterns of polymorphic variants were observed. In addition, two variants were found to be novel mutations when analyzed by sequence analysis. One of these novel mutations was a heteroplasmic mutation in the COXIII gene that was found to segregate to homoplasmy in the next generation. Heteroplasmic mutations as low as 1% of mtDNA could still be detected.
Reflective equilibrium and underdetermination in epistemology

The basic aim of Alvin Goldman’s approach to epistemology, and the tradition it represents, is naturalistic; that is, epistemological theories in this tradition aim to identify the naturalistic, nonnormative criteria on which justified belief supervenes (Goldman, 1986; Markie, 1997). The basic method of Goldman’s epistemology, and the tradition it represents, is the reflective equilibrium test; that is, epistemological theories in this tradition are tested against our intuitions about cases of justified and unjustified belief (Goldman, 1986; Markie, 1997). I will argue that the prospect of having to reject their standard methodology is one epistemologists have to take very seriously; and I will do this by arguing that some current rival theories of epistemic justification are in fact in reflective equilibrium with our intuitions about cases of justified and unjustified belief. That is, I will argue that intuition underdetermines theory choice in epistemology, in much the way that observation underdetermines theory choices in empirical sciences. If reflective equilibrium leads to the underdetermination problem I say it leads to, then it cannot satisfy the aims of contemporary epistemology, and so cannot serve as its standard methodology.
The Woman on the Cross: Ritual and Self‐Sacrifice in the Decadent Search for Meaning

T A oward the end of the nineteenth century, ritual-laden religious practices were deepening their hold on the popular imagination in Europe. At this time French and Russian decadents, having disposed of conventional modes of belief, found themselves caught in a disorienting vacuum, which they experienced as metaphysical pain and sought to palliate by embracing ancient or esoteric forms of ritual. In her pioneering 1896 article on Joris-Karl Huysmans, the father of decadence, Zinaida Vengerova connected the prevalence of ritual in A rebours (1884) with spiritual woundedness. Her phrase "despairing searches for the divine" can in fact characterize several Russian novels?Fyodor Sologub's Tiazhelye sny (1896), Valery Briusov's Ognennyi angel (1907), and Anna Mar's Zhenshchina na kreste (1916)?showing the interplay between Russian and French sensibilities as their marginal heroes restlessly cast about for expiation and fulfillment.1 In particular, women seek power by exceeding the suffering of men as they conflate religious and sadomasochistic rituals. Although their despair in the face of metaphysical emptiness was more pronounced, Russian authors found inspiration in French works. My points of departure in tracing these influences are Madame Gervaisais (1869) by Jules and Edmond de Goncourt (a naturalist novel prefiguring some of the decadents' favorite themes) and Huysmans's ritual-laden La-bas (1891). Starting in the French decadent novels, and taken to the next level of intensity in the Russian ones, characters assuage metaphysical pain through ritual. Many such practices stem from fantasies about Catholicism, which exerted a strong hold on the Russian imagination not only because threatening belief systems can fascinate but also, in part, because the Russian Orthodox tradition recognizes fewer martyrs, especially women martyrs,
XPD polymorphisms: effects on DNA repair proficiency

XPD codes for a DNA helicase involved in transcription and nucleotide excision repair. Rare XPD mutations diminish nucleotide excision repair resulting in hypersensitivity to UV light and increased risk of skin cancer. Several polymorphisms in this gene have been identified but their impact on DNA repair is not known. We compared XPD genotypes at codons 312 and 751 with DNA repair proficiency in 31 women. XPD genotypes were measured by PCR-RFLP. DNA repair proficiency was assessed using a cytogenetic assay that detects X-ray induced chromatid aberrations (breaks and gaps). Chromatid aberrations were scored per 100 metaphase cells following incubation at 37 degrees C (1.5 h after irradiation) to allow for repair of DNA damage. Individuals with the Lys/Lys codon 751 XPD genotype had a higher number of chromatid aberrations (132/100 metaphase cells) than those having a 751Gln allele (34/100 metaphase cells). Individuals having greater than 60 chromatid breaks plus gaps were categorized as having sub-optimal repair. Possessing a Lys/Lys751 genotype increased the risk of sub-optimal DNA repair (odds ratio = 7.2, 95% confidence interval = 1.01-87.7). The Asp312Asn XPD polymorphism did not appear to affect DNA repair proficiency. These results suggest that the Lys751 (common) allele may alter the XPD protein product resulting in sub-optimal repair of X-ray-induced DNA damage.
Multimodality salvage for patients with persistently elevated postprostatectomy PSA.

A persistently elevated postprostatectomy prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a therapeutic dilemma for which optimal management is undefined. We evaluated the salvage efficacy of whole-pelvis radiation with hormonal blockade in a subset of patients with persistently elevated postprostatectomy PSA. Within 180 days after surgery, 14 men with elevated postprostatectomy PSA (0.9–18 ng/ml; mean 4.8) and negative metastatic work-up began whole-pelvis radiation (4500 cGy / 25 fractions), which was directly followed by prostate-bed boost (2000 cGy / 10 fractions). Concomitant with radiation, 6 months of LHRH agonist was prescribed. No patients have been lost to follow-up. Chronic morbidity from radiation and hormone treatment was not noted and all 10 patients whose salvage was initiated when PSA was 5.0 ng/ml at salvage initiation, none remain with undetectable follow-up PSA. Postprostatectomy salvage initiated at PSA levels ≤5.0 ng/ml with the combination of whole-pelvis external-beam radiation and hormone blockade offers excellent diminishment of PSA for prolonged follow-up periods. Patients with postprostatectomy PSA of >5 ng/ml likely require salvage regimens with greater emphasis on systemic treatment. Int. J. Cancer (Radiat. Oncol. Invest.) 90, 331–335 (2000).© 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Disruption of passive avoidance learning by magnesium pemoline

Magnesium pemoline, a central nervous stimulant which may affect brain RNA production, produces a deficit in passive avoidance behavior. The main effect of the drug appears to be stimulation, with no effect on learning.
The Interface Between Technology and Acute Ischemic Therapy Development

The evaluation and treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients is a rapidly evolving area in contemporary medical practice that has experienced many recent advances. The interface between physicians and scientists/engineers has become a major driver for these advances. This special issue brings together contributions from physicians and researchers from a broad spectrum of disciplines who work together to solve the challenges in the management of stroke patients.
Endoscopic Laser Reshaping of Rabbit Tracheal Cartilage: Preliminary Investigations

Background: Tracheal cartilage deformities due to trauma, prolonged endotracheal intubation or infection are difficult to correct. Current treatment options such as dilation, laser ablation, stent placement, and segmental resection are only temporary or carry significant risks. The objectives of this project were to design and test a laser activated endotracheal stent system that can actively modify the geometry of tracheal cartilage, leading to permanent retention of a new and desirable tracheal geometry. Methods: Ex vivo rabbit tracheal cartilage (simulating human neonate trachea) were irradiated with an Er: Glass laser, (λ= 1.54um, 0.5W-2.5W, 1 sec to 5 sec). Shape change and gross thermal injury were assessed visually to determine the best laser power parameters for reshaping. A rigid endoscopic telescope and hollow bronchoscope were used to record endoscopic images. The stent was constructed from nitinol wire, shaped into a zigzag configuration. An ex vivo testing apparatus was also constructed. Results: The best laser power parameter to produce shape change was 1 W for 6-7 seconds. At this setting, there was significant shape change with only minimal thermal injury to the tracheal mucosa, as assessed by visual inspection. The bronchoscopy system functioned adequately during testing in the ex vivo testing apparatus. Conclusion: We have successfully designed instrumentation and created the capability to endoscopically reshape tracheal cartilage in an ex vivo rabbit model. The results obtained in ex vivo tracheal cartilage indicated that reshaping using Er: Glass laser can be accomplished.
Prevention of Cardioembolic Stroke

Cardiac causes of ischemic stroke lead to severe neurological deficits from large intracranial artery occlusion compared to small vessel ischemic stroke. The most common cause of cardioembolic stroke is atrial fibrillation (AF), which has an increasing incidence with age. AF stroke trials demonstrate that anti-coagulation is superior to anti-platelet therapy in terms of ischemic stroke prevention. Recently, warfarin was compared with dabigatran, an oral, direct thrombin inhibitor, and was found to be at least equally effective in reducing ischemic stroke with less intracranial bleeding risk. Future research is investigating other direct thrombin inhibitors as potential alternatives to warfarin, which has a narrow therapeutic index, requires frequent blood monitoring, has multiple drug interactions, and a higher rate of intracranial bleeding. Other causes of cardioembolic stroke include myocardial infarction, left ventricular thrombus, reduced ejection fraction, valvular abnormalities, and endocarditis. Patent foramen ovale is a common finding on echocardiograms in patients with and without stroke (up to 20% of the population), and it is a controversial source of cryptogenic stroke. The best way to prevent cardioembolic stroke remains early detection and treatment of AF, and treating the underlying stroke mechanism. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is an emerging technology and reveals some sources of cardiac embolism missed by echocardiography, and might provide an additional diagnostic tool in investigating cardioembolic stroke.
Affinity liquid membrane introduction mass spectrometry

Abstract A mass-spectrometer membrane introduction system, modeled after affinity chromatography, utilizes chemically modified low vapor-pressure liquids to selectively bind and release aryl aldehydes from multi-component aqueous sample streams. Polyphenyl ether, a slightly polar liquid, was admixed with an optimum loading of 10% octadecylamine (w/w) and coated on a microporous support to create a hydrophobic, semipermeable membrane containing primary amine functionalities. A 1.9-cm 2 surface-area membrane interface was built in-house for these experiments and optimized for temperature (71°C), flow rate (1 ml/min), additive loading, and thickness (0.10 mm). Benzaldehyde was selectively bound to this membrane under standard operating conditions with an efficiency of ca. 50%, defined as analyte response during release from the membrane (pH 1) as compared to response during loading (pH 7.8). Analytes were introduced into an ion-trap mass spectrometer in a helium stream via a jet separator. Total analysis periods were ca. 20 min for concentrations between 50 ppb and 50 ppm, with a standard deviation of 7% for similar concentration samples. Selective liquid-membrane interfaces represent new technology for membrane introduction mass spectrometry.
Dielectric constant measurement of zeolite powders by time-domain reflectometry

Low-dielectric-constant (low-k) insulator materials are desired for future integrated circuits (IC) to lower both the crosstalk between wires and power consumption. Previous work in our group has demonstrated that pure silica zeolites (PSZs) are the best candidates for ultra low-k materials. Although there are many different types of zeolite framework structures, only a few (e.g., MFI and MEL) have been investigated because measurement of the dielectric constant requires the preparation of a high quality thin film. The development of a simple measurement method for powdered zeolite samples is essential to accelerate the screening process for zeolites. In this paper, time-domain reflectometry (TDR) coupled with the use of a transmission line is introduced for the first time for measuring low-k powdered materials. The technique can quickly measure the dielectric constants of powdered samples over a large frequency range using less than 0.5 g of sample with high reliability and accuracy. Successful measurements on quartz and high-k materials (e.g., HfO_2) indicate that this method can be applied to powdered samples in general.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis and Toluene Diisocyanate

Excerpt To the Editor:I am writing in response to the article by Yoshizawa and colleagues (1) on hypersensitivity pneumonitis and toluene diisocyanate. Two areas deserve comment. First, the authors...