cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
vhnf1 and Fgf signals synergize to specify rhombomere identity in the zebrafish hindbrain

Vertebrate hindbrain segmentation is a highly conserved process but the mechanism of rhombomere determination is not well understood. Recent work in the zebrafish has shown a requirement for fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) signaling and for the transcription factor variant hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 ( vhnf1 ) in specification of rhombomeres 5 and 6 (r5+r6). We show here that vhnf1 functions in two ways to subdivide the zebrafish caudal hindbrain domain (r4-r7) into individual rhombomeres. First, vhnf1 promotes r5+r6 identity through an obligate synergy with Fgf signals to activate valentino and krox20 expression. Second, vhnf1 functions independently of Fgf signals to repress hoxb1a expression. Although vhnf1 is expressed in a broad posterior domain during gastrulation, it promotes the specification of individual rhombomeres. This is achieved in part because vhnf1 gives cellular competence to respond to Fgf signals in a caudal hindbrain-specific manner.
Recent changes in Negro fertility

Crude birth rates for the Negro population of the United States indicate that fertility declined while Negroes remained in the South and them climbed in the last twenty-five years as Negroes became urbanized. Cohort rates show more precisely the effects of the Depression upon childbearing as well as the magnitude and persistence of the post-Depression rise in fertility. More Negro women now become mothers, average family size has increased, and the proportion of women bearing six, seven, or eight children has risen. Negro fertility has risen despite the urbanization of Negroes and improvements in their socio-economic characteristics. Negro fertility rates present the paradox of falling when demographic transition theory would predict the maintenance of high rates and then rising when a decline would be expected. Urbanization does not appear to have reduced Negro fertility. Traditionally, urban living has dampened childbearing in two ways—first, health conditions in cities were inferior to those of rural areas, and thus urbanization affected fecundity adversely; second, city residents are more likely to know about and adopt birth control than rural residents. Negroes migrated to cities at the very time when diseases were being controlled and when public health and welfare facilities were being expanded to serve all residents. This has contributed to higher Negro fertility rates. If fertility rates are to fall because of family planning, not only must birth control be available but there must be a desire to limit family size. Such a desire may be linked to opportunities for social mobility. Negroes have not been assimilated into urban society as previous in-migrant groups were, and opportunities for mobility have been restricted. For these reasons Negroes may be slow to adopt stable monogamous families and the intentional control of fertility.
ADRENOCORTICAL STEROID METABOLISM IN NEWBORN INFANTS. II. URINARY EXCRETION OF 6β-HYDROXYCORTISOL AND OTHER POLAR METABOLITES

ABSTRACT Studies of corticosteroids in the urine of normal newborn infants were performed on the free and glucuronide fractions after each was extracted by means of methylene dichloride and ethyl acetate. The latter organic solvent was found to be essential for efficient extraction of the polar metabolites of cortisol. From this fraction, 6β-hydroxycortisol was isolated and identified. The data obtained after cortisol loading suggested that the very polar metabolites are more important pathways of cortisol disposition in the newborn infant than they are later in life. The studies also showed that in spite of the high percentage of the urinary steroids extractable before hydrolysis from the urine of the newborn infant, cortisol itself is present only in very small amounts. It appears, therefore, that the normal infant metabolizes cortisol efficiently, but that degradation pathways of minor quantitative importance in the adult are more extensively used during the first postnatal week.
Advances in laparoscopic urology part II. Innovations and future implications for urologic surgeons

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy has been reported by Schuessler and colleagues.’ This procedure was accomplished in 2 patients; however, the lengthy operative time (upward of 9 hours) and the considerable postoperative morbidity have been discouraging.’ Advances in methods of tissue anastomosis, including the development of minute circular staplers and studies on laser tissue welding, may allow the urologist to rapidly perform a variety of reconstructive procedures laparoscopically in the future.2 However, the current technical constraints are too great and progress in this area presently is occurring very slowly.
Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies: description of seven patients without known family history.

Objectives – Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an inherited disorder resulting in a polyneuropathy with particular involvement at sites of entrapment, and is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. We report findings on seven patients referred for evaluation of focal mononeuropathies or polyneuropathies of undetermined etiology, in whom we established a diagnosis of HNPP. Materials and methods – We retrospectively reviewed clinical, electrophysiological and laboratory data for patients diagnosed with HNPP over a 4-year period at our institution. Results – All patients had transient or recurrent neurological symptoms, some with residual deficits. No patients had a family history of any neuropathy. Electrodiagnostic studies revealed abnormal conduction findings at symptomatic and asymptomatic sites. Testing for the Peripheral Myelin Protein (PMP22) deletion was positive in all patients. Conclusions – A high index of clinical suspicion and thorough electrodiagnostic evaluation can lead to correct diagnosis of HNPP, despite the absence of a positive family history.
Use of a partial-coverage porcelain laminate to enhance clasp retention

Historically, invasive restorative procedures have been required to create undercuts for removable partial denture retainers where natural undercuts are lacking. Resin-bonding procedures have allowed the development of conservative, minimally invasive methods for creating undercuts. A technique using a partialcoverage porcelain laminate is described.
A-genome cotton as a source of genetic variability for Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Since Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is known to have relatively low levels of genetic diversity, a better understanding of variation and relationships among possible sources of novel genes would be valuable. Therefore, analysis of genetic variation of the genus Gossypium, especially the diploids, which are the putative donors of the A and D genomes for the commercially important allotetraploid cottons (AADD), G. hirsutum and G. barbadense, could provide important information about the feasibility of using these genetic resources for cotton improvement. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity in A-genome diploid cotton species, G. herbaceum (A1) and G.␣arboreum (A2) by using microsatellite markers. Forty-one A-genome germplasm accessions were evaluated with 32 microsatellite loci. Genetic similarities between A1 and A2 ranged from 0.62 to 0.86 with a mean of 0.70. Within each A-genome species similarities ranged from 0.80 to 0.97 with a mean of 0.89 for A1 and from 0.82 to 0.98 with a mean of 0.89 for A2. A UPGMA tree and principal coordinate analysis based on genetic similarity matrices showed distinct clusters consistent with the genomic groups.
Synchronized dynamic dose reconstruction

Variations in target volume position between and during treatment fractions can lead to measurable differences in the dose distribution delivered to each patient. Current methods to estimate the ongoing cumulative delivered dose distribution make idealized assumptions about individual patient motion based on average motions observed in a population of patients. In the delivery of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with a multi-leaf collimator (MLC), errors are introduced in both the implementation and delivery processes. In addition, target motion and MLC motion can lead to dosimetric errors from interplay effects. All of these effects may be of clinical importance. Here we present a method to compute delivered dose distributions for each treatment beam and fraction, which explicitly incorporates synchronized real-time patient motion data and real-time fluence and machine configuration data. This synchronized dynamic dose reconstruction method properly accounts for the two primary classes of errors that arise from delivering IMRT with an MLC: (a) Interplay errors between target volume motion and MLC motion, and (b) Implementation errors, such as dropped segments, dose over/under shoot, faulty leaf motors, tongue-and-groove effect, rounded leaf ends, and communications delays. These reconstructed dose fractions can then be combined to produce high-quality determinations of the dose distributionmore » actually received to date, from which individualized adaptive treatment strategies can be determined.« less
When Star Birth Meets Star Death: A Shocking Encounter

The Bok globule B175, located toward a giant region of patchy extinction 10° above the Galactic plane known as the Cepheus Flare, is currently engaged in a chance encounter with a B9.5 V star, producing a prominent reflection nebula, Ced 201. Partly owing to the presence of this star, a fairly accurate distance estimate of 400 pc can be derived for B175. An imaging and spectroscopic study of B175 led to the discovery of a new Herbig-Haro (HH) object, HH 450, emerging from a deeply embedded and cold IRAS source, 22129+7000. Furthermore, we find several parsec-scale filaments of emission that trace the rim of a new supernova remnant, G110.3+11.3, which appears to be approaching the globule. This remnant is located near the edge of a large, 6° radius H I and CO cavity that coincides with a bright diffuse soft X-ray enhancement, probably due to several recent supernova explosions. At 400 pc, G110.3+11.3 is one of the closer known supernova remnants. The supernova remnant and the HH flow appear to be heading toward a frontal collision in about 1000 yr.
Factors Influencing Childhood Immunization in Uganda

This paper investigates the factors associated with childhood immunization in Uganda. We used nationally-representative data from Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) of 2006. Both bivariate and multivariate approaches were employed in the analysis. The bivariate approach involved generating average percentages of children who were immunized, with analysis of pertinent background characteristics. The multivariate approach involved employing maximum likelihood probit technique and generating marginal effects to ascertain the probability of being immunized, given the same background characteristics. It revealed that slightly over 50% of children in Uganda were fully immunized. Additionally, 89%, 24%, 52%, and 64% received BCG, DPT, polio and measles vaccines respectively. Factors which have a significant association with childhood immunization are: maternal education (especially at post-secondary level), exposure to media, maternal healthcare utilization, maternal age, occupation type, immunization plan, and regional and local peculiarities. Children whose mothers had post-secondary education were twice as likely to be fully immunized compared to their counterparts whose mothers had only primary education (p < 0.01). Thus, gender parity in education enhancement efforts is crucial. There is also a need to increase media penetration, maternal healthcare utilization, and to ensure parity across localities and regions.
SU-E-T-384: Dosimetry Studies for Radioactive Gold Nanoparticles

Purpose: This investigation was initiated to determine the absorbed dose and radioactivity distribution of radioactive goldnanoparticles.Methods:Polymergel dosimeter was prepared using about 12% gelatin (Sigma Aldrich, 300 bloom type A), 9% methacrylic acid(Sigma Aldrich), 10mM THPC (Sigma Aldrich), 18mM hydroquinone (Sigma Aldrich) in deionized water. These dosimeters are used for calibration purpose and meant to estimate the absorbed dose in the medium from the radiation emitted by the radioactive goldnanoparticles. The high energy gamma dose, activity distribution were measured using SPECTimaging and the phantom used was the ball of play‐doh made by Hasbro Toys. A previously constructed acrylic cast of beagle dog's head was used in this study to place the phantom. The radioactive goldnanoparticles were synthesized at the University owned nuclear reactor with the high neutron flux of ∼10e14 neutrons/cm2/sec.Results: Carbohydrate suspended radioactive nanoparticles with approximately 200 microCuries were injected in a play doh ball, depicting the prostate gland of beagle dog, approximately 1 inch diameter (8–10ml) in size. The phantom was placed on the SPECTimaging table near the isocenter of the imaging plane. The Gamma camera was peaked for the 411keV photon and equipped with a high energy (Iodine collimator). The phantom was then imaged using SPECTimaging protocol. The activity imaged at various planes and count rates was evenly distributed as predicted Conclusions: The activity distribution as seen in the SPECTimaging indicated active hot and cold spots of radioactive goldnanoparticles. The use of play‐doh determines the activity distribution but uneven diffusion. To compensate for that polymergel dosimeters, equivalent to the tissue densities may be considered, besides there is also an advantage of estimating the absorbed doses.
Threshold strength predictions for laminar ceramics with cracks that grow straight

Finite element analysis is carried out to predict the threshold strength of a laminar ceramic loaded parallel to the layers. These materials are composed of alternate layers of two different ceramics in which residual stress is generated. Strength limiting cracks are trapped by the compressive layers and require a minimum (threshold) applied stress to cause them to fail the laminated ceramic. Predictions of the resulting threshold strength are obtained by finite element analysis of cracks that are assumed to grow straight. The calculations are utilized to study the influence of the elastic modulus mismatch between the alternate tensile and compressive layers. Good agreement is established between numerical simulations and theoretical results for materials involving layers with the same elastic properties. Results are obtained for a variety of combinations of different ceramics and suggest that a threshold strength as high as three times the effective residual stress in the compressive layer is achievable in practical situations. The resulting threshold strengths in practical systems could be higher than 1 GPa.
Characterization of the covalent chromatography of thymidylate synthase on thiopropyl-Sepharose 6B.

Abstract We have examined the covalent chromatography of Lactobacillus casei thymidylate synthase on thiopropyl-Sepharose 6B resin. This enzyme is a dimer of identical subunits, each of which contains one active site that features a catalytic sulfhydryl group (Cys-198). Reversible coupling was achieved via the attack of one of the enzyme's two catalytic cysteine residues, causing displacement of 2-thiopyridone, the reactive moiety of the resin. To establish the usefulness of this matrix for immobilization and the conditions required for chromatography, model studies were conducted with 2,2′-dithiodipyridine. The chemical modification of thymidylate synthase with 2,2′-dithiodipyridine was shown to be specific for the catalytic sulfhydryl groups of the native dimer, titrating 1.51 sulfhydryl groups, while 2.93 cysteines were modified in the GnHCl-denatured protein. The former reaction, which resulted in total loss of enzyme activity, was reversible with complete recovery of control activity within 30 min after addition of 100 mM 2-mercaptoethanol. Characterization of the protein pools generated in the covalent chromatography procedure indicated that the enzyme fraction washing through the column without attachment had substantially lower catalytic and ligand binding activities than the original protein stock; conversely, the enzyme fraction eluted from the column by 2-mercaptoethanol exhibited higher levels of these activities. Gel electrophoresis studies further illustrated that the unique application of the covalent chromatography technique described herein fractionated homogeneous thymidylate synthase protein into enzyme pools exhibiting distinct biochemical properties. As immobilization reaction times were increased beyond 6 h, the coupling of thymidylate synthase was demonstrated to occur through more than one enzymic sulfhydryl group. Interestingly, no covalent coupling was detected in attempts using activated thiol-Sepharose 4B, a result underlining the importance of the structure of the resin linker arm in enzyme immobilization.
A one-pass algorithm for local symmetry of contours from chain codes

This paper presents a one-pass algorithm for computing the local symmetry of contours from their chain code representation. This algorithm embeds the local symmetry deficiency (LSD) computation into our chain codes extraction process. The existing algorithms need to extract chain codes first and use them as input to compute LSD. The new algorithm uses a binary image as input and can complete the code extraction and the LSD computation in one pass. It can also extract multiple contours in an image in one pass. The algorithm is suitable for parallel implementation.
MICROCEPHALY, LYMPHEDEMA, AND CHORIORETINAL DYSPLASIA : REPORT OF TWO ADDITIONAL CASES

In recent years, several patients with microcephaly, lymphedema and chorioretinal dysplasia have been described. We have studied two additional patients with similar findings. The question of whether microcephaly with lymphedema and microcephaly with chorioretinal dysplasia and lymphedema are distinct entities remains unanswered. Identification of other patients in the future may provide additional information. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A qualitative analysis of power‐based entrainment and interactional synchrony in couples

Interpersonal synchrony is a communicative lubricant that is associated with harmonious communication among conversational participants and is believed to be evidence of like-mindedness and interpersonal solidarity. In this secondary analysis of an existing data set of both power-equal and power-unequal couples working through a discussion task, the content and form of their conversations were qualitatively examined for evidence of synchrony and dissynchrony. It was found that power-equal couples tended toward synchronous communication and their conversations were represented by strategies that appeared either collaborative or competitive but generally respectful and problem oriented. The power-unequal couples used one-sided marginalization or withdrawal strategies that were characterized largely by dissynchrony. The theoretical implications for these findings are discussed.
Adrenal Cortical Insufficiency in Young Chickens Exposed to a High Ambient Temperature

Abstract The adrenal cortical response to an acute heating episode was studied in broiler cockerels which were heated (43 C) in chambers for periods up to 2 hr in duration. At intervals of 30 min birds were removed randomly from the chambers, bled via cardiac stab, killed by cervical dislocation, and the adrenals were dissected and frozen. It appeared that acute heating caused acute adrenal cortical insufficiency (AACI) to develop. The development of AACI in heat stressed broiler cockerels was characterized by a sharp increase in levels of plasma corticosteroids which was followed by a rapid decline. The decline of plasma corticosteroid levels was associated with the significant reduction of adrenal cortical levels of the corticosteroids. There was a concurrent decline in plasma levels of glucose, sodium/potassium ratio, total calcium, and inorganic phosphate. These findings conformed to the description of AACI in humans suffering from Addison’s disease. The loss of corticosteroids from the adrenal gland was not related to loss of their precursor cholesterol. The development of AACI in heat stressed chickens may predispose them to irreversible heat prostration and death due to cardiovascular failure.
Survey of hospital doctors' training goals in diagnosis and management of pulmonary diseases.

Summary Although subspecialty training goals for junior hospital doctors have not been evaluated, they are potentially useful for assessing clinical competence. A questionnaire was sent to medical residents, full-time pulmonary teaching staff, and community-based physicians who were asked to rate the importance of diagnosing and managing selected pulmonary diseases for the future practices of young hospital doctors. The latter also rated their perceived preparedness for the same training goals. Generally good intra- and intergroup agreement about the relevance of most of the training goals was observed, although the hospital doctors rated a greater number of items to be more important than did the two other groups. This finding may be attributed to institutional influences and to many clinical abilities expected of all physicians. Immunological or fibrotic and paediatric respiratory disorders were rated least important by most respondents. The hospital doctors disagreed on the basis of the distribution of their ratings about their preparedness for the same goals, which probably reflects varying training experiences and background. The process of developing general professional training goals in a subspecialty requires discussion, identification, and consensus to identify and potentially correct areas of weakness, with allowance for institutional training patterns. A survey such as described in this study can provide data that can help measure clinical competence and support or define curricular changes.
The effect of emission taxes and abatement subsidies on market structure: Comment

Abstract Conrad and Wang (1993, International Journal of Industrial Organization, 11, 499–518) determine that a tax on emissions decreases the total output of a polluting industry, but if demand is sufficiently inelastic, can increase the number of firms in that industry. This follows from their proposition that the tax reduces the scale of the polluting firm. In contrast, the scale of the polluting firm in the present model increases when there are increasing returns to scale in abatement. Whereas Conrad and Wang extend their results to cases of monopolistic competition, the present paper is confined to perfect competition but extends the analysis to the pollution-damaged industry.
Preparation and characteristics of perfluorodiacetylene Langmuir–Blodgett films

Abstract The surface pressure–area curve for the novel perfluorodiacetylene, C24F42, showed that a monolayer was formed on the surface of the water. The monolayer was deposited on KRS-5, Al and quartz plates by the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique. The LB film on the KRS-5 plate showed excellent water repellency with a contact angle of 162°. Comparison of the reflection–absorption and transmission i.r. spectra showed that the difluoromethylene chains in the C24F42 LB film were oriented perpendicular to the substrate surface. The C24F42 LB film on the quartz plate was polymerized by u.v. irradiation giving a highly electroconductive film without doping or further treatment.
Evolution of station keeping as a response to flows in an aquatic robot

Developing complex behaviors for aquatic robots is a difficult en- gineering challenge due to the uncertainty of an underwater environment. Neuroevolution provides one method of dealing with this type of problem. Artificial neural networks discern different conditions by mapping sensory input to responses, and evolutionary computation provides a training algorithm suitable to the high dimensionality of the problem. In this paper, we present results of applying neuroevolution to an aquatic robot tasked with station keeping, that is, maintaining a given position despite surrounding water flow. The virtual device exposed to evolution is modeled af- ter a physical counterpart that has been fabricated with a 3D printer and tested in physical environments. Evolved behaviors exhibit a variety of unexpected, complex fin/flipper movements that enable the robot to achieve and maintain station, despite water flow from different directions. Moreover, the results show that evolved controllers are able to effectively carry out this task using only infor- mation from a simulated accelerometer and gyroscope, matching the inertial measurement unit (IMU) on the actual robot.
Ab Initio Modeled Matrix Trapping Sites, PES Asymmetry, and Automerization in the Ar/Cyclobutadiene System†

The symmetrical geometries of 1,3-cyclobutadiene (CB) and substitutional vacancies in crystalline fcc Ar allow purely ab initio MO estimations to be made for the stabilization energies of several symmetric trapping sites in the Ar/CB matrix system at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) [denoted HI-MO] level of theory. The single-substitutional vacancy supports the most stable trapping site in the HI-MO Ar/CB system. It was examined by filling an Ar13 vacancy of the HI-MO Ar lattice with a symmetrical CB:Ar12 kernel cluster, with dilation of the kernel cluster opposed by a symmetrical HI-MO lattice distortion PEF derived for the purpose. In addition, various supplemental HI-MO stabilization energies were computed. Slightly displacing the four nearest-neighbor Ar atoms coplanar with CB from square-planar geometry shows this site distortion PEF is very soft. The results suggest fluxional behavior for the Ar atoms near the CB guest molecule and the soft trapping site environment provides access to equivalent global PES m...
COMPARING MULTIPLE ChIP-SEQUENCING EXPERIMENTS

New high-throughput sequencing technologies can generate millions of short sequences in a single experiment. As the size of the data increases, comparison of multiple experiments on different cell lines under different experimental conditions becomes a big challenge. In this paper, we investigate ways to compare multiple ChIP-sequencing experiments. We specifically studied epigenetic regulation of breast cancer and the effect of estrogen using 50 ChIP-sequencing data from Illumina Genome Analyzer II. First, we evaluate the correlation among different experiments focusing on the total number of reads in transcribed and promoter regions of the genome. Then, we adopt the method that is used to identify the most stable genes in RT-PCR experiments to understand background signal across all of the experiments and to identify the most variable transcribed and promoter regions of the genome. We observed that the most variable genes for transcribed regions and promoter regions are very distinct. Gene ontology and function enrichment analysis on these most variable genes demonstrate the biological relevance of the results. In this study, we present a method that can effectively select differential regions of the genome based on protein-binding profiles over multiple experiments using real data points without any normalization among the samples.
Load compensation in the crayfish abdomen

1. Unit discharge of the superficial extensor motor neurons (SEMNs) and the tonic sensory neuron (SRI) of the muscle receptor organ (MRO) was monitored during extensions of the loaded crayfish abdomen. Extensions were evoked by stimulation of command fibers in the circumesophageal connectives. 2. The excitatory SEMNs increased their discharge when extending against a load. 3. During most extensions of the loaded abdomen the SR1 was silent. When the SR1 was active, its activity was accompanied by excitation of SEMNs No. 4 and No. 2 as proposed by Fields (1966). 4. In 6 of the 7 preparations in which the load was restricted to a single joint (A2–A3) the SR1 which spanned that joint was silent although the SEMNs increased their discharge in response to the load. 5. It is concluded that in extensions driven by single command fibers the principle load sensors in the abdomen are not the MROs. The load compensating increase in SEMN discharge is the result of excitation of an unidentified load sensitive sensory system.
Selection Bias and Multiple Trait Evaluation

Potential bias in evaluation of single traits resulting from selection on a correlated trait is considered. Examples of potential bias use simulated data for sequential selection and for a trait showing a correlated response. In both cases, single trait evaluation for the correlated trait does not consider the data on which selection decisions were made. The use of methodology for evaluation of multiple traits to reduce or eliminate bias from selection on correlated traits is demonstrated.
Beyond realism and idealism

L'A. etudie le pragmatisme anti-fondationnaliste de R. Rorty qui pretend en droit depasser le debat metaphysique entre realisme et idealisme, par sa substitution au debat metaphilosophique entre pragmatisme et anti-pragmatisme, mais qui en fait ne realise pas un au-dela du probleme, qui ne peut etre espere qu'avec un agnosticisme ontologique depassant l'idealisme de la chose-en-soi et les presupposes ontologiques gratuits
Sampling nearshore estuarine fishes with rotenone

Abstract Sampling with rotenone is an effective method for providing abundance estimates of estuarine fishes at nearshore locations. However, the determination of recovery rates for individual species is critical for estimating abundance by this technique. Recovery rates in this study varied greatly among species, but did not vary among station types (cove or shoreline) or sample years (1976 or 1977). Tagged fishes, used to establish recovery rates, did not change in weight due to the sampling procedures from time of introduction to time of collection. Total adjusted abundance estimates ranged from 157 to 18,300 fishes/hectare and from 36 to 4,080 kg/hectare for fishes greater than 124 mm in Texas estuaries. Mean number and weight of fishes per hectare were generally greater at cove stations than at shoreline stations. Timing for the application of rote-none in estuaries is important to avoid extensive bird predation.
Livestock Handling—Minimizing Worker Injuries

Numerous hazards may occur on farms raising livestock. Animal contact is often ranked as the first or second leading cause of injuries on the farm. In addition to direct trauma from the animal, other injuries may occur from injection of medications, chemical splashes from cleaning the facility, and repetitive motion injuries. Exposures to toxic gases from decomposition of animal waste such as in manure pits and exposure to animal allergens may cause adverse health effects in humans. One additional consideration is the risk of developing various zoonotic infections. Human injuries happen more often when people are handling animals than during any other activity performed in pork production. The National Pork Board of the United States, in response to a request from pork producers, has developed a program designed to improve worker safety, pig welfare, and pork quality when pigs are moved for whatever reason. The objective of the Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) program is to help all those who transport, produce, or handle swine to do so in a way that is optimal for the pigs' well-being, the health of the handler, and to improve the quality of the pork produced. Understanding basic pig behavior, proper handling practices, and using proper handling equipment will help animal handling be a safe activity. This paper was prepared for the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America/National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Conference, "Be Safe, Be Profitable: Protecting Workers in Agriculture," January 27-28, 2010, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.
INTRINSIC STATES IN ODD-A RHENIUM ISOTOPES.

The intrinsic structure of ${\mathrm{Re}}^{183}$, ${\mathrm{Re}}^{185}$, and ${\mathrm{Re}}^{187}$ has been studied using the (${\mathrm{He}}^{3},d$) and ($\ensuremath{\alpha},t$) reactions on targets of ${\mathrm{W}}^{182}$, ${\mathrm{W}}^{184}$, and ${\mathrm{W}}^{186}$. Transfer $l$ values have been determined from angular distributions in the (${\mathrm{He}}^{3},d$) reaction, and from cross-section ratios in the two different proton stripping reactions. Spectroscopic factors have been obtained by comparison with distorted-wave Born-approximation calculations. The low-lying states are found to be well described by the Nilsson model, except that the ${\frac{1}{2}}^{+}[400]$ and ${\frac{11}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}[505]$ intrinsic states show mixing with vibrational states. The results also indicate strong mixing of the ${\frac{1}{2}}^{+}[400]$ and ${\frac{3}{2}}^{+}[402]$ states with ${\frac{1}{2}}^{+}[660]$ and ${\frac{3}{2}}^{+}[651]$ states arising from the $N=6{i}_{\frac{13}{2}}$ spherical state.
Basolateral sorting in MDCK cells requires a distinct cytoplasmic domain determinant

In MDCK cells, Golgi to basolateral transport of several membrane proteins has been found to involve a cytoplasmic domain determinant. In some cases (Fc receptor, lysosomal glycoprotein Igp120), the determinant appears similar to that required for endocytosis via clathrin-coated pits; for Igp120, elimination of a single cytoplasmic domain tyrosine both blocks internalization and results in apical transport. In other cases (LDL receptor), the determinant does not involve the cytoplasmic domain tyrosine required for endocytosis. Thus, contrary to current models, basolateral transport in MCDK cells occurs not by default but depends on one or more cytoplasmic domain determinants, the precise nature of which is unknown. For some proteins, it is closely related to coated pit determinants. The fact that many membrane proteins can reach the apical surface in the absence of this determinant suggests that signals for apical transport are widely distributed.
The de-endothelialized rat carotid arterial graft: a versatile experimental model for the investigation of arterial thrombosis.

Abstract A novel model of arterial thrombosis was developed. A mechanical endothelium-denuding injury was created (using a scalpel blade) on harvested, freezer-stored rat carotid arteries. Vessel length of 5 mm. were grafted into the femoral arteries of recipient SpragueDawley rats using microvascular anastomotic technique. Patency rates in untreated animals were compared with those in animals receiving systemic aspirin or heparin. The control group patency after 2 hours of flow was 15%, while grafts in aspirin- and heparin-treated animals achieved 35% and 95% patency rates, respectively. Uninjured non-frozen carotid grafts in untreated animals yielded a 95% patency rate, while frozen grafts achieved an 80% patency. Therapeutic levels of aspirin, heparin, and urokinase were confirmed through tail bleeding and whole blood clotting tests, as well as platelet aggregation studies and scanning electron microscopy of the graft lumenal surfaces. A long-term series using syngeneic grafts placed in recipients (Lewis-to-Lewis) and employing systemic heparinization demonstrated maintenance of patency for 4 weeks. Scanning electron microscopy revealed good re-endothelialization, well advanced by one week. Histology confirmed the regrowth of endothelial cells, but showed sparse cellular repopulation of medial and adventitial layers. The mechanical injury model was compared to enzymatic deendothelialization (using trypsin or collagenase), for which patency rates were similar (10% and 0%, respectively). Trypsin de-endothelialized vessels were tested in vitro for the amount of active trypsin remaining bound to the lumenal surface; no detectable activity was found when trypsin inhibitor was applied following trypsin treatment. The versatility of allowing both in vitro evaluation and in vivo patency assessment demonstrates the uniqueness and value of this new model, offering an avenue toward more direct investigations of surface-mediated thrombotic processes.
Beyond Hype and Backlash: Innovation, Technology, and the Future of Higher Education.

The pace of technological innovation is affecting nearly every organization in the world. Unfortunately, much of the recent conversation about the uses of technology in higher education has become ...
SU-FF-T-21: The Optimal Number of Lumens for Multi-Lumen Devices Used in Partial Breast Irradiation

Purpose: To compare the dosimetry of single‐lumen MammoSite device to multi‐lumen devices and to find the optimal number of lumens Methods and Materials: Four designs of multi‐lumen devices are studied: a central lumen with two, three, four, or six off‐set lumens which are 180°, 120°, 90° and 60° rotationally symmetric around the central lumen. All lumens are straight and parallel to the central lumen. Patients of three different clinical conditions are simulated: (1) skin and chest wall spacing from balloon are larger than 10 mm, (2) smaller than 5 mm and (3) between 5 mm and 10 mm. 10 mm extension from the balloon is defined as planning target volume (PTV). In clinical conditions (2) and (3), where the spacing of skin and/or the spacing of chest wall are less than 10 mm, PTV are shaped to avoid skin and chest wall. The region of PTV excluding balloon is defined as PTV_EVAL, which is used for DVH constraints and dosimetric comparison. Results: For clinic condition (1), where the PTV is symmetric, single‐lumen MammoSite and multi‐lumen devices provide similar dosimetric results, whereas in clinic condition (2) and (3), the PTV is asymmetric, the multi‐lumen devices provide good coverage to PTV_EVAL with V95 > 90%, and the multi‐lumen devices deliver significantly less incidental dose to skin and chest wall: three‐lumen device reduce the dose to skin/chest wall by 10%, while four‐ five‐ and six‐lumen device provide similar results, reducing the skin/chest wall dose to be less than 120% of the prescription dose, a 25% drop. Conclusion: Compared with single‐lumen MammoSite device, Multi‐lumen device have better dosimetric results in partial breast irradiation where the PTV spacing is less than 10 mm. Devices with more than four lumens provide similar results to four lumen device. Research sponsored by Hologic
Prostate cancer: Proton therapy--revolutionary advance or diminishing returns?

Proton therapy is a promising but costly technology for the treatment of prostate cancer. Although compelling evidence has shown proton therapy to be safe and effective for cancer treatment, comparative randomized data are needed to clarify its role and value in future practice.
Twin-coupled domain structures in epitaxial relaxor ferroelectric Ba(Zr,Ti)O3 thin films on (001) MgO substrate

We report the twin-coupled multi-oriented domain structures in the epitaxial BZT20 (20%Zr) films grown on the (001) MgO substrate using pulsed-laser deposition. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the film consists of an epitaxial layer of pseudo-cubic perovskite structure and a nanopillar layer of multi-oriented twin domain structures near the surface. Four types of the twin domains were formed in the nanopillar layers by coherently joining their {111} with the epilayer and aligning their ⟨110⟩ directions parallel to the ⟨110⟩ axes of the epilayer. A non-uniform polarization switching behavior was observed due to the formation of such complex structure in the BZT20 films.
Sustainable Agricultural Systems: Concepts and Definitions

The evolution of concepts and definitions of agricultural systems over time is presented. Inputs of an agricultural system are classified as components and activities. A component is either a resource or a technology. The activities are the management of resources and the application of technology in the production process. The outputs of a production process will include both the targeted product and the environmental impact. When these terms are used to describe an agricultural system graphically, the dynamic aspects of the system can easily be illustrated and problems associated with the system can be properly identified. Sustainable agriculture is recognized as conveying certain objectives or delineating certain requirements of an agricultural system, in terms of both the input and output of the system. These objectives are: (1) producing necessary quantity of high quality food and fiber; (2) profitable to the grower; (3) conserving nonrenewable resources; and (4) harmonious with biological, physical and social environments. These objectives have long-term implications and attempt to secure the future viability of agriculture. Therefore they embrace the concept of sustainability. The difficulty of constructing such a system is that not all the objectives are compatible; compromise or trade-offs among the objectives are often necessary in developing a workable sustainable system. Progress and improvement can always be made through research, but no perfect system can realistically be constructed. General research issues in sustainable agriculture are discussed. Priorities in developing appropriate technology based on sound biological principles and laws of physics and mechanics for pest and weed control are suggested.
Swelling and Mechanical Stretching of Elastomeric Materials

The equilibrium stress-stretch behavior of elastomeric materials can be captured by statistical mechanics treatments of rubber elasticity. Gaussian statistics is known to capture the essence of the stress-strain behavior; however, discrepancies between Gaussian theory and experiment are recognized to occur at both small to moderate stretch levels and at large stretch levels. These discrepancies are further amplified in studies of the effects of swelling on stress-stretch behavior. A brief review of the various approaches used to represent the stress-stretch behavior of elastomers and the effect of swelling on this behavior is given. Then, hybrid constitutive model composed of the Flory-Erman constrained chain model and the Arruda-Boyce non-Gaussian eight-chain model is presented and found to capture the stress-stretch behavior from small to large stretch levels. Furthermore, the Flory-Erman/Arruda-Boyce hybrid model is also found to successfully predict the effect of swelling on the stress-stretch behavio...
Consistency of reporting basic characteristics of lung nodules and masses on computed tomography1

Rationale and Objectives. To assess the consistency of chest computed tomography (CT) reports in describing basic characteristics of lung nodules and masses. Materials and Methods. We retrospectively identified 107 consecutive patients with preoperative chest CT scans before resection of a lung nodule or mass over a 4-year period within a single institution. There were 54 men and 53 women with a mean age of 64 years (range, 37–86) years. The CT scans were reported by a cohort of 20 board-certified radiologists, three of whom reviewed more than 10 CT scans (n = 60 exams). The CT reports were reviewed for lesion characteristics including size, location, and description of margins, presence or absence of calcification, fat and cavitation, and the diagnosis or differential diagnosis. Pathology reports were reviewed for the same characteristics and the final diagnosis. Both CT and pathologic reports of emphysema were noted in lobectomy specimens. The differences between the interpreting radiologists were also sought. Results. A diagnosis or differential diagnosis was provided in 90% (96/107) of CT reports. The diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma was made in 78% (59/76) of those with bronchogenic carcinoma, compared with 65% (20/31) of those with other diagnoses (P = NS). Radiologists described the margins of the nodule or mass in 64% (68/107) of cases, similar in frequency to 66% of pathologists (71/107). Radiologic description of an irregular/spiculated margins predicted bronchogenic carcinoma in 86% of cases (42/49), while a smooth/lobulated margins predicted a diagnosis other than bronchogenic carcinoma in 58% (11/19; P <.05). The presence or absence of calcification was noted in 7% (5/76) of cases of bronchogenic carcinoma and 32% (10/31) of those with other diagnoses (P <.05, chi square). Both radiologists and pathologists consistently reported the size of the lesions with a correlation coefficient between radiology and pathology reports of 0.88. CT reporting of the characteristics of the lesion did not differ among lesions of different sizes. There was no significant difference between major reporters (more than 10 cases) in this study. Emphysema in the surrounding lung was reported in 25% (20/81) of radiology and 38% (31/81) of pathology reports (P = NS). Conclusion. This series demonstrates a lack of consistent reporting of the margins of resected lung nodules both on CT and on pathologic specimens. The presence or absence of calcification was inconsistently reported, although more frequently noted in diagnoses other than bronchogenic carcinoma. As large-scale CT screening for lung cancer becomes more common, radiologists should prioritize developing and adopting standardized reporting criteria for the CT evaluation of lung nodules.
Dissociation of Basal Turnover and Cytokine-Induced Transcript Stabilization of the Human Cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA by Mutagenesis of the 3′-Untranslated Region☆☆☆

Abstract The immediate early gene cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), which encodes the inducible prostaglandin synthase enzyme, is regulated at the level of post-transcriptional mRNA turnover. In this study, the functional role of the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of the human Cox-2 gene was characterized. Deletion of the distal region of the 3′-UTR strongly inhibited basal mRNA turnover, suggesting that this region contains mRNA instability determinants. However, deletion of the proximal highly-conserved region (CR1: 6082-6198) resulted in increased basal turnover, indicating that it determines mRNA stability. All of the 3′-UTR constructs conferred IL-1-induced stabilization but not dexamethasone-induced down-regulation. Thus, distinct regions of the 3′-UTR of the Cox-2 transcript are involved in the regulation of basal and cytokine-induced mRNA metabolism.
The activity of enviroxime against rhinovirus infection in man.

Abstract In vitro studies have shown the compound 2-amino-1-(isopropyl sulphonyl)-6-benzimidazole phenyl ketone oxime (enviroxime) to be highly active against rhinoviruses. 48 volunteers were given intranasal and oral enviroxime, or placebo, one day before and for five days after infection with rhinovirus type 9. Symptoms of rhinovirus infection and the virus titre of nasal wash specimens were reduced in the enviroxime group, and there was a significant decrease in rhinorrhoea. Although there were some adverse reactions to oral enviroxime, the results indicate that antiviral activity was due to drug administered in the nasal spray and that enviroxime has potential as an antirhinovirus agent for clinical use.
Evidence of dark matter, and the interpretive role of general relativity

Abstract Dark matter is hypothesized in large part to account for anomalous data in rotational speeds of galaxies and random motions in clusters of galaxies. But the anomalies could also be solved by revising the theory of gravity, rather than revising the distribution of mass. This situation of underdetermination would seem to be exacerbated by the use of the theory of gravity, the general theory of relativity, in interpreting the data. In an effort to clarify the status of both the theory of dark matter and the general theory of relativity, this paper describes the details of the role of the general theory of relativity in interpreting evidence for dark matter.