cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accurate transcription start sites enable mining for the cis-regulatory determinants of tissue specific gene expression

Abstract Gene expression across tissues is regulated by an unknown number of determinants, including prevalence of transcription factors (TFs) and their binding sites along with other aspects of cellular state. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of both genetic and epigenetic states, at least two of which have substantial literature support as causal determinants of tissue specificity: TF binding sites, and chromatin accessibility at those sites. In order to investigate the extent and relative contributions of these potential determinants, we constructed three genome-scale datasets for both root and shoot tissues of the same Arabidopsis thaliana plants: TSS-seq data to identify Transcription Start Sites, OC-seq data to identify regions of Open Chromatin, and RNA-seq data to assess gene expression levels. For those genes that are differentially expressed between root and shoot, we constructed a machine learning model incorporating chromatin accessibility with TF binding information upstream of TSS locations, with the goal of predicting the tissue in which each of these genes would be upregulated. The resulting model was highly accurate when both chromatin structure and sequence were considered (over 90% auROC and auPRC), allowing one to predict the tissue in which a given gene will express. By considering model contributions that most strongly influence the predicted tissue of expression, our analysis suggests that patterns of TF binding sites within ~500 nt TSS-proximal regions are predominant explainers of tissue of expression in a large majority of cases. Thus, in plants, cis-regulatory control of tissue specific gene expression appears unlikely to be limited to or even predominantly located in enhancer-like distal accessible chromatin regions. This study highlights the exciting future possibility of a native TF site-based design process for the tissue-specific targeting of plant gene promoters.
The Generalized Auslander–Reiten Condition for the bounded derived category

We consider the bounded derived category Db(R mod) of a left Noetherian ring R. We give a version of the Generalized Auslander–Reiten Condition for Db(R mod) that is equivalent to the classical statement for the module category and is preserved under derived equivalences.
Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

To measure short-term outcomes of neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) while on Neurally Adjusted Ventilator Assist (NAVA), and to measure the impact of a congenitally abnormal diaphragm on NAVA ventilator indices. First, we conducted a retrospective-cohort analysis of 16 neonates with CDH placed on NAVA over a treatment period of 72 h. Second, we performed a case–control study comparing NAVA level and Edi between neonates with CDH and those without CDH. Compared to pre-NAVA, there were clinically meaningful improvements in PIP (p < 0.003), Respiratory Severity Score (p < 0.001), MAP (p < 0.001), morphine (p = 0.004), and midazolam use (p = 0.037). Compared to a 1:2 matched group without CDH, there was no meaningful difference in NAVA level (p = 0.286), Edi-Peak (p = 0.315), or Edi-Min (p = 0.266). The potential benefits of NAVA extend to neonates with CDH. There is minimal compensatory change in Edis, and higher/lower ventilator settings compared to neonates without CDH.
Can indocyanine green perfusion imaging detect microangiopathy in mastectomy skin flaps

Intraoperative vascular imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) angiography may better predict flap viability than clinical judgement alone. Intraoperative ICG angiography was used in a chronic corticosteroid user undergoing bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy with expander placement. Large blood vessels were visualized, however, the skin surrounding these vessels remained dark. The flap demarcated to full-thickness necrosis that matched the intraoperative SPY findings. Visualization of intact blood vessels may not be sufficient to rule out flap necrosis in some patients. In these circumstances, interpretation of perfusion with consideration of patient factors will be required to accurately predict flap viability.
Dworkin's Rights Thesis: Implications for the Relationship Between the Legal Order and the Moral Order

and concrete rights, which are not important for the present discussion. 39. R. DWORKIN, supra note 1, a t 116. 40. Dworkin admits to heavy reliance on this characterization. Id. at 280. 41. Id. at 116. 42. Dworkin even uses the phrase as his ideal judge, Hercules, addresses a "hard
Environmental drivers of leaf breakdown in an urban watershed

AbstractLeaf-litter breakdown is an important ecosystem process in urban streams, but urbanization may have complicated effects on breakdown rates. Low abundance of macroinvertebrate shredders may slow breakdown, but rates may increase if high nutrient concentrations stimulate microbial decomposers or if flooding enhances leaf fragmentation. We measured the relative importance of multiple environmental drivers on breakdown of eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) leaves at 5 sites in the urbanized North Branch of the Chicago River watershed. Few specialized macroinvertebrate shredders were present, but generalist macroinvertebrates, including isopods (Asellus aquaticus) and amphipods (Gammarus sp.) were abundant at all sites. We tested macroinvertebrate effects on breakdown rate in large- and small-mesh bags. We measured discharge, nutrient concentrations, benthic macroinvertebrate community composition, and subwatershed land use at each site. Leaf breakdown differed significantly among sites and between...
Interconnection algorithms in multi-hop packet radio topologies

Consideration is given to a two-cluster system in multihop packet radio topologies. Each cluster deploys a limited sensing random-access algorithm and contains local users, who transmit their packets only via the algorithm in their own cluster. The system also contains marginal users, who may transmit their packets using either one of the algorithms in the two clusters. The author adopts a limited sensing random-access algorithm per cluster that has been previously studied. This algorithm utilizes binary, collision versus noncollision, feedback per slot, and in the presence of the limit Poisson user model and the absence of marginal users its throughput is 0.42. He considers a dynamic interconnection policy for the marginal users, and then studies the overall system performance in the presence of limit Poisson user populations. Specifically, the author studies the stability regions of the system and per packet expected delays. The interconnection policy accelerates the marginal users, presenting them with a significant delay advantage over the local users. This is desirable when the marginal users transmit high-priority data, for example. >
Direct observation of growth and collapse of a Bose-Einstein condensate with attractive interactions

Summary form only given. Quantum theory predicts that Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) of a spatially homogeneous gas with attractive interactions is precluded by a conventional phase transition into either a liquid or solid. When confined to a trap, however, such a condensate can form provided that its occupation number No does not exceed a limiting value. The stability limit is determined by a balance between self-attraction and a repulsion arising from position-momentum uncertainty under conditions of spatial confinement. Near the stability limit, self-attraction can overwhelm the repulsion, causing the condensate to collapse. Growth of the condensate, therefore, is punctuated by intermittent collapses, which are triggered either by macroscopic quantum tunneling or thermal fluctuation. The data presented here are the first direct observations of the growth and collapse of Bose Einstein condensates with attractive interactions.
The engineering and material aspects of impurity control systems

The design of impurity control systems for fusion energy devices is discussed from the engineering and materials viewpoint. First, examples of impurity control devices are presented, and the plasma...
Pin assignment using stochastic local search constraint programming

VLSI chips design is becoming increasingly complex and calling for more and more automation. Many chip design problems can be formulated as constraint problems and are potentially amenable to CP techniques. To the best of our knowledge, though, there has been little CP work in this domain to date. We describe a successful application of a CP based tool to a particular pin-assignment problem in which tens of thousands of pins (i.e., connection points) belonging to internal units on the chip must be placed within their units so as to satisfy certain constraints and optimize the wirability of the design. Our tool has been tested on real IBM designs and is now being integrated into IBM's chip development environment.
The Differential Thermal Analysis of Natural and Modified Wool and Mohair

Four types of wool and three types of mohair were examined by differential thermal analysis (DTA) in the natural and dried states. The DTA curves of wool and mohair were not significantly different. Curves for both in the natural state showed an endotherm at 130–145°, ascribed to the vaporization of bound water, and endotherms at 220–230° and 230–250° accompanied by charring, the release of gaseous decomposition products, and, ultimately, liquefaction. Derivatives of one type of wool and one type of mohair prepared by acetylation or modification of the disulfide cross-linkages were compared with unmodified materials by DTA. Differences in the DTA curves are described, and possible correlations of these with the changes in chemical structure are suggested. Collagen, gelatin, silk, horn keratin, cystine, and cysteine hydrochloride were also characterized.
Screenwriters and Screenwriting: Putting Practice into Context

Screenwriting in the academy is a funny animal. It can, and often does, find itself being housed in any number of disciplines: Cinema Studies, Creative Writing, Communications, Rhetoric and so on. ...
Whose Voice Counts? A Critical Examination of Discourses Surrounding the Body Mass Index

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is almost universally used by health practitioners and the general public to determine how to classify a person's body in terms of relative weight. The author traces the story of the vocal actors who developed and championed the BMI as it moved from obscurity to occupy a central position in dominant discourse about body size and its relationship to health. She also highlights the voice of a fat advocate who is challenging not only the BMI, but the general dominant discourse concerning the relationship between body size, health, and personal value. The article serves as a call to all communication researchers working in health contexts to carefully consider how their work might reinforce or challenge this dominant discourse.
Early Postoperative Development of Aortic Regurgitation Related to Pannus Ingrowth Causing Incomplete Disc Seating of a Björk-Shiley Prosthesis

Abstract Incomplete seating of the disc of a recently implanted Bjork-Shiley aortic prosthesis occurred because of excessive ingrowth of fibrous tissue. This resulted in significant aortic regurgitation plus hemolytic anemia. Reoperation with identification of the problem and implantation of a Hancock bioprosthesis was required for resolution of the situation.
Electrostatic interactions between model mitochondrial membranes

Lipids are very diverse in both their respective structures and functions; and cells exquisitely control membrane composition. One intriguing issue is the specific role of lipids in modulating the physical properties of membranes. Cardiolipin (CL) is a unique four-tailed, doubly negatively charged lipid found predominately within the inner mitochondrial membrane, and is thought to be influential in determining the inner mitochondrial membrane potential and permeability. To determine the role of cardiolipin in modulating the charge properties of membranes, this study investigated the electrostatic interactions between mixed cardiolipin and phosphatidylcholine bilayers as a function of cardiolipin concentration. For physiologically relevant concentrations of cardiolipin, the surface charge density of the membrane was found to increase linearly with increasing concentration of cardiolipin. However, only a fraction of the cardiolipin molecules predicted to carry a charge from pK-values were ionized. Clearly environmental factors, beyond that of pH, play a role in determining the charge of bilayers containing cardiolipin.
Discussion of “mathematical representation of thermodynamic properties of binary system and solution of Gibbs-Duhem equation”

The conclusion that orthogonal series is an advantageous method of representing the thermodynamics of binary solutions is examined. It is noted that at least three terms are normally required in representations but seldom more than five. The inclusion of supplementary conditions to control the smoothness would only increase the number by one or two. (JRD)
Expression of the Serum Response Factor Gene Is Regulated by Serum Response Factor Binding Sites

The serum response factor (SRF) is a ubiquitous transcription factor that plays a central role in the transcriptional response of mammalian cells to a variety of extracellular signals. Notably, SRF has been found to be a key regulator of members of a class of cellular response genes termed immediate-early genes (IEGs), many of which are believed to be involved in regulating cell growth and differentiation. The mechanism by which SRF activates transcription of IEGs in response to mitogenic agents has been extensively studied. Significantly less is known about how expression of the SRF gene itself is mediated. We and others have previously shown that the SRF gene is itself transiently induced by a variety of mitogenic agents and belongs to a class of "delayed" early response genes. We have cloned the SRF promoter and in the present study have analyzed the upstream regulatory sequences involved in mediating serum responsiveness of the SRF gene. Our analysis indicates that inducible SRF expression requires both SRF binding sites located within the first 63 nucleotides upstream from the start site of transcriptional initiation and an Sp1 site located 83 nucleotides upstream from the start site. Maximal transcriptional activity of the promoter also requires two CCAATT box sites located 90 and 123 nucleotides upstream of the start site.
Triage and critical care of children.

Critical care as a discipline has become so expensive that some have proposed extensive limitations on the amount of money devoted to it by society. In this paper that issue is examined with respect to pediatric and neonatal intensive care. Initially, a case is presented which includes many of the ethical and economic issues. The neonatal population at present has a tolerable median cost, with a distinctly higher average cost created by many special cases such as the one described with very high costs. The pediatric population is served by an intensive care system costing approximately one billion dollars. This contrasts with the adult costs which are markedly higher and yet do not meet the total preceived need. Different theories of justice would concede differing allocations to individuals and to the problem of critical care as a whole based on their view of the obligations of societal membership. The authors argue that in fact critical care might be analyzed from the view-point of economics more effectively by breaking down the cost allocations for different components for that care, and argue that labor is the major cost in its provision. They then argue that that labor component may be a necessary and affordable cost for a post industrial society. It may be that libertarians, Rawlsians, and utilitarians could accept such an allocation of resources. Further, it is argued that triage is not an appropriate approach to limiting expenses, and that other methodologies such as cost effectiveness are the only appropriate ones to invoke in pediatric critical care. Recognition of the economic realities present in a given case may be the key to clinicians' demonstrated reluctance to participate in the gatekeeper role through the use of triage.
Application of miller's classical path approximation to the calculation of the shape of one-dimensional anharmonic probability distributions

Abstract Miller's classical-limit expression for the thermally averaged probability distribution of an ensemble of one-dimensional oscillators is applied to a model anharmonic system, the Morse oscillator. It is shown that this method, which requires no knowledge of the stationary state wavefunctions or eigen values, accurately characterizes the shape of the distribution function at very low as well as higher temperatures.
Differential Measurements of Oxidatively Modified Proteins in Colorectal Adenopolyps

Introduction: Adenopolyps patients have a three-fold higher risk of colon cancer over the general population, which increases to six-fold if the polyps are multiple and with lower survival among African American population. Currently, 6% of CRC can be ascribed to mutations in particular genes. Moreover, the optimal management of patients with colorectal adenopolyps depends on the accuracy of appropriate staging strategies because patients with similar colorectal adenocarci- noma architecture display heterogeneity in the course and outcome of the disease. Oxidative stress, due to an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant capacities as well as a disruption of redox signaling, causes a wide range of damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids which promote tumor formation. Objective/Method: This study applied spectrophotometric, dini- trophenylhydrazone (DNPH) assay, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and western blot ana- lyses to assess the levels of oxidatively modified proteins in 41 pairs of primary colorectal tissues including normal/surrounding, adenopolyps (tubular, tubulovillous, villous, polypvillous) and carcinoma. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t-tests were utilized for the resulting data set. Results: Our data showed that the levels of reactive protein carbonyl groups significantly in- creased as colorectal adenopolyps progresses to malignancy. No significant differences were found in the levels of carbonyl proteins between gender samples analyzed. For African American patients, there were, relative to Caucasians, 10% higher levels of reactive carbonyls in proteins of tubulovillous tissue samples (P < 0.05) and over 36% higher in levels in adenocarcinomas (P < 0.05). In normal tissues and tubular, there were no significant differences between the two groups in levels of protein carbonyls. Differences in the levels of protein carbonyl expression within indi- vidual patient samples with different number of tumor cells were notably evident. Conclusion: Results suggested that oxidative stress could be involved in the modification of oxidatively car- bonyl proteins in the precancer stages, leading to increased aggressiveness of colorectal polyps. * Corresponding author.
Aldolase and Actin Protect Rabbit Muscle Lactate Dehydrogenase from Ascorbate Inhibition

Muscle-type LDH (LDH-m4) activity is critical for efficient anaerobic glycolysis. The results here show that rabbit LDH-M4 is inhibited by concentrations of ascorbate normally found in tissues. Aldolase and muscle G-actin were found to protect and to reverse inhibitions of LDH-m4 by ascorbate. G-actins showed some species specificity. Myosin, tropomyosin and troponin from rabbit muscle and muscle proteins from other animal sources had no affect on the inhibitions by ascorbate. The substrate inhibition of LDH-m4 by pyruvate is partially relieved by the presence of aldolase and lowers the Km without affecting the Vm. G-actin under similar conditions has no affect. It is believed that these studies reflect some of the resting properties of glycolytic enzymes that bind and unbind to contractile elements. It is proposed that ascorbate facilitates the storage of glycogen in muscle at rest by inhibiting glycolysis.
Stimulation of fetal thymidine kinase in cultured human fibroblasts transformed by SV40 virus

Abstract We have previously shown that thymidine kinase in normal human fetal tissue has properties distinguishable from thymidine kinase in adult tissue, and that the fetal form of thymidine kinase predominates in several types of human tumor cells. Results reported here show that thymidine kinase from SV40-transformed fibroblasts has characteristics indistinguishable from normal human fetal enzyme. The elaboration of the fetal form of thymidine kinase with transformation suggests that it is coded by the host genome and provides evidence that derepression of fetal thymidine kinase has occurred during transformation.
“Eldum Unnyt”: Treasure Spaces in Beowulf

Treasure spaces in Beowulf serve as structural and thematic touchstones for Beowulf’s fights with the Grendelkin and the dragon, and the locations of these fights—the mere, the barrow, and Heorot—are linked within the poem by their shared tomb-like structure and precious internal content. These three central locations are framed by two other treasure spaces in the poem—Scyld’s ship burial and Beowulf’s burial—at the beginning and end respectively, which also mirror the fight locations in structure and contents. Examined together, the parallels between these five enclosures create striking connections between their occupants: the Grendelkin, the dragon, Hrothgar, Scyld, and ultimately Beowulf. These parallels also attest thematically to the poem’s overarching discussion on the transitory nature of material wealth, creating a network of associations between the spaces and their inhabitants. This framework complicates the veneration of the human heroes and demonstrates that the accumulation of earthly goods is ultimately as useless to a hero as to a monster.
Stress-inducible transcription factor CHOP/gadd153 induces apoptosis in mammalian cells via p38 kinase-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Abstract CHOP/gadd153 is a transcription factor induced by cellular stresses such as UV light, genotoxic agents, and protein misfolding in the endoplasmic reticulum. The fact that these stresses induce CHOP expression, and at the same time cause cellular apoptosis, suggests that CHOP may be directly involved in apoptosis. However, evidence has been circumstantial. Here, we show that CHOP can directly induce apoptosis. A GFP-tagged CHOP vector, ectopically overexpressed in several cell types (3T3 fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and HeLa cells), caused apoptosis as defined by morphology, DNA fragmentation, and FACS analysis. Apoptosis was quantified using a rapid fluorescence assay that measures the signal from cells collected in culture supernatants. The apoptosis-modulatingeffects of p38 kinase, previously shown to phosphorylate CHOP, were also examined. Simultaneous overexpression of CHOP and p38 significantly augmented apoptosis. However, although p38 kinase clearly modulated the activity of full-length CHOP, it was not absolutely required. Deletion mapping experiments showed that the bZIP region of CHOP stimulates apoptosis to nearly the same extent as wild-type CHOP. Thus, while the amino-terminal region of CHOP serves an important modulatory role (i.e., regulation by p38), the underlying apoptosis-inducing activity of CHOP resides within the bZIP region of the molecule.
Results of treatment of gastroesophageal reflux with bethanechol

Thirty-seven infants and children with gastroesophageal reflux were studied with prolonged esophageal pH monitoring before and during treatment with bethanechol. Total reflux scores improved by 69% ( P =6.47×10 −7 ) during bethanechol therapy. This improvement resulted primarily from decreases in the frequency and the duration of reflux episodes occurring more than two hours after feeding. Our findings indicate that infants and children with gastroesophageal reflux may safely be treated with bethanechol; thus the need for surgery is avoided.
A Century of John and Evelyn Dewey's Schools of To-morrow: Rousseau, Recorded Knowledge, and Race in the Philosopher's Most Problematic Text

A century ago, John Dewey and his daughter Evelyn published Schools of To-morrow to nearly universal acclaim. However, over the course of the 20th century, critics of Dewey have drawn upon Schools of To-morrow to accuse him of being an uncritical disciple of French philosopher, Jean Rousseau, of being opposed to the transmission of content to students, and most recently of endorsing a curriculum that patronized Black students. As a result, the text has become John Dewey's most controversial and problematic. In this historical study, we seek to place Schools of To-morrow in its historical, intellectual, and social context. The first part of the study traces the writing and publication of the text, as well as its changing reception over the past century. The second part of the study directly responds to the three criticisms previously cited: that Dewey was a disciple of Rousseau, that Dewey was opposed to the transmission of content knowledge, and that Dewey endorsed the racially segregated school system of...
Stabilization of a type VI turn in a family of linear peptides in water solution

The sources of the stability of a type VI turn formed with high population in the cis isomeric form of an unblocked six residue peptide, Ser1-Tyr2-Pro3-Tyr4-Asp5-Val6 (SYPYDV), were investigated by making extensive amino acid substitutions at residues 2, 4 and 5. Several NMR parameters indicate the presence of the turn, including significant upfield shifts of the proton resonances of the cis proline, a small 3JHN alpha coupling constant for residue 2, a cross-turn d alpha N(i,i+2) from residue 2 to residue 4 and in increased mole fraction of the cis form in the conformational ensemble. By these criteria, a number of peptides were found to contain significant populations of type VI turn conformers in the cis form of the peptide. The NMR parameters are highly dependent on the sequence of the peptide, and are strongly correlated with each other and with the population of type VI turn. The greatest populations of turn conformations were observed for peptides of the general form AA-Ar-Pro-Ar-Hp, where AA represents any amino acid, Ar an aromatic residue and Hp a small hydrophilic residue. There is no evidence in the form of lowered amide proton temperature coefficients for direct hydrogen bonding as a primary source of turn stability. Instead, the major stabilizing factor, indicated by the strong dependence of the turn population on the presence of aromatic (not hydrophobic) residues at positions 2 and 4, is the stacking of the aromatic and proline rings. A measurable preference for deprotonated aspartate at position 5, which is not part of the turn itself, and the destabilization of the turn at high and low pH, indicate that electrostatic interactions between the unblocked N terminus and the aspartate carboxyl group also act to stabilize the turn conformation when the Ar-Pro-Ar sequence is present. Implications for stabilization of local elements of secondary structure during the earliest events in protein folding are discussed.
Time management in a real-time animation/graphics environment

An important aspect of a real-time animation/graphics system is the definition and management of time and time-dependent relationships: a correlation between "time in the outside world" and the program parameter considered to be "time" by the system must be established, and time-dependent relationships between user-defined objects must be fairly easily specified and possibly subsequently changed.
On the minors of an incidence matrix and its Smith normal form

Abstract Consider the vertex-edge incidence matrix of an arbitrary undirected, loopless graph. We completely determine the possible minors of such a matrix. These depend on the maximum number of vertex-disjoint odd cycles (i.e., the odd tulgeity ) of the graph. The problem of determining this number is shown to be NP-hard. Turning to maximal minors, we determine the rank of the incidence matrix. This depends on the number of components of the graph containing no odd cycle. We then determine the maximum and minimum absolute values of the maximal minors of the incidence matrix, as well as its Smith normal form. These results are used to obtain sufficient conditions for relaxing the integrality constraints in integer linear programming problems related to undirected graphs. Finally, we give a sufficient condition for a system of equations (whose coefficient matrix is an incidence matrix) to admit an integer solution.
Tophaceous Gout of the Cervical Spine Causing Cord Compression: Computed Tomographic Diagnosis

Tophaceous gout causing cord compression with a normal serum urate level and with no current symptoms of polyradiculopathy is a rare occurrence. We describe the computed tomographic (CT) findings of large, well-defined marginal and juxtamarginal erosions containing urate deposits which resulted in extradural cord compression in the cervical spine of a patient with chronic polyarticular tophaceous gout.
Numerical modeling of the creep behavior of unidirectional eutectic composites

Finite element methods have been used to study the continuum aspects of the creep behavior of unidirectional discontinuous composites loaded parallel and transverse to the fiber axis. Microstructural features unique to eutectic composites are emphasized in these parametric studies. Modeling predicts that fiber creep resistance, the degree of load transfer to the fiber and flow constraint at fiber ends govern the longitudinal creep response. The transverse creep response is most sensitive to the matrix creep properties. These differences in strengthening mechanisms result in a pronounced anisotropy of minimum creep rates. Variations in microstructural parameters, including the fiber creep resistance and fiber aspect ratio, influence the composite creep strength through the load transfer and flow constraint. Load transfer and misfit-induced residual stresses affect the initial creep transients significantly. The results of the simulations are compared to analytical models and experimental creep data.
A microscopic derivation of macroscopic sharp interface problems involving phase transitions

Macroscopic free boundary problems involving phase transitions (e.g., the classical Stefan problem or its modifications) are derived in a unified way from a Hamiltonian based on a general set of microscopic interactions. A Hamiltonian of the form H=52x, x,J(x-x')q~(x)q)(x') leads to differential equations as a result of Fourier transforms. Expanding the Fourier transform of J in powers of q (the wave number), one can truncate the series at an arbitrary order M, and thereby obtain Mth-order differential equations. An asymptotic analysis of these equations in various scalings of the physical parameters then implies limits which are the standard macroscopic models for the dynamics of phase boundaries.
Determinants of pattern of breathing during respirator use.

The relationship between the pattern of breathing in response to respirator-type loads and an individual's psychophysiologic sensitivity to loads (load scaling sensitivity, LSS) was investigated in the study of 11 normal volunteers. LSS was measured by having the subjects numerically rate a series of resistors; Stevens's Psychophysical Law was used to evaluate sensitivity as the slope relating log (sensation) to log (stimulus). Peak pressure and actual added resistance were the stimuli. Inspiratory time, peak pressure, duty cycle, and tidal volume were inversely related to independently measured LSS during exercise and with a respirator-type dead space and inspiratory resistance load. Because the need for changes in respiratory timing is a major adaptation in respirator use, it suggests that workers who are very sensitive to loads may have limited ability to adapt to respirator use.
Olfactory bulb maturation in Acomys cahirinus: Is neural growth similar in precocial and altricial murids?

Olfactory bulb maturation was assessed in the precocial murid Acomys cahirinus by quantifying developmental changes in laminar volume and glomerular and mitral cell size. At the time of birth (38 days postconception), the Acomys bulb is in a developmental state similar to that of altricial murids of the same gestational age. Rapid growth occurs in Acomys during the first 10 postnatal days with more gradual changes occurring thereafter. Altricial murids also exhibit accelerated bulb development in early postnatal period, but growth rates have declined by 38 days after conception. These results suggest that maturation is not similar in precocial and altricial murids and that rapid postnatal development is a necessary feature of murid brain development.
Literatures of Exile and Return: Jack Kerouac and Quebec

Melehy's essay explores Jack Kerouac's relationship to the Quebecois diaspora of which his Massachusetts family was a part, his experience of English as a foreign language, and how these inform his aesthetics. Melehy situates the discussion in debates on multilingualism in the study of American literature as well as theories of minor literature and translation. He demonstrates that Kerouac's realism involves an effort to bring into dominant US representation many aspects of the diaspora that were ideologically hidden. Part of this consideration is the reception of Kerouac in Quebec as a major literary figure who made immense contributions to reflections on hybrid North American identity. In the appreciation of Kerouac by Quebec novelist and critic Victor-Levy Beaulieu, the author shows that early critical dismissals of Kerouac in the United States were closely connected to the aesthetic problems he raised in his work that were specific to his awareness of the diaspora. Melehy then turns his attention to some of Kerouac's lesser-known novels, especially two that focus mainly on French-Canadian culture and identity, Dr. Sax (1959) and Satori in Paris (1966). Proceeding to a commentary of a Quebecois rewriting of Kerouac, Jacques Poulin's 1984 Volkswagen Blues, Melehy demonstrates this novel's exploration of North American identities in connection with Quebec and the role of literature in mapping them. The conclusion assesses Kerouac's contribution to American literature as a meditation on transnational, translingual identity.
Local cerebral blood flow with fentanyl-induced seizures.

Local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) was evaluated with the [14C]iodoantipyrine quantitative autoradiographic technique in 29 brain structures in conscious control rats and during fentanyl-induced electroencephalographic (EEG) spike and/or seizure activity and in the postseizure EEG suppression phase. During spike activity, LCBF increased in all structures; the increase reached statistical significance (p < 0.05) in the superior colliculus, sensorimotor cortex, and pineal body (+ 130%, + 187%, and + 185% from control, respectively). With progressive development of seizure activity, LCBF significantly increased in 24 brain structures (range, +58% to +231% from control). During the postseizure EEG suppression phase, LCBF remained elevated in all structures (+80% to +390% from control). The local cerebrovascular resistance (LCVR) significantly decreased in 10 of 29 structures with the onset of spike activity (range, –24% to –64%), and remained decreased in all brain structures during seizure activity (range, –34...
Achievement goals, perceived motivational climate, and students' self-reported mastery behaviors.

Abstract Achievement goals and perceived motivational climate are two important constructs in achievement goal theory, and they play critical roles in student motivation and behavior. Traditionally, these two constructs have been examined separately. The present study examined relationships between the two constructs and students' self-reported mastery behaviors as well as age-related differences. Three hundred eight students in 4th, 8th, and 11th grades completed questionnaires assessing their achievement goals, perceived motivational climate, and perceptions of their mastery behaviors. Results indicated that achievement goals and perceived motivational climate were related to students' self-reported mastery behaviors. However, the relations varied depending on the students' ages. The older students, compared to the younger ones, appeared to be inclined more toward ego orientation and the ego-involved climate. A multiple achievement goals perspective is recommended for future research on relationships am...
Increases in protein kinase C gamma immunoreactivity in the spinal cord of rats associated with tolerance to the analgesic effects of morphine

Abstract Our previous studies have indicated a critical role of protein kinase C (PKC) in intracellular mechanisms of tolerance to morphine analgesia. In the present experiments, we examined (1) the cellular distribution of a PKC isoform (PKCγ) in the spinal cord dorsal horn of rats associated with morphine tolerance by utilizing an immunocytochemical method and (2) the effects of theN-methyl- d -aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801 on tolerance-associated PKCγ changes. In association with the development of tolerance to morphine analgesia induced by once daily intrathecal administration of 10 μg morphine for eight days, PKCγ immunoreactivity was clearly increased in the spinal cord dorsal horn of these same rats. Within the spinal cord dorsal horn of morphine tolerant rats, there were significantly more PKCγ immunostained neurons in laminae I–II than in laminae III–IV and V–VI. Such PKCγ immunostaining was observed primarily in neuronal somata indicating a postsynaptic site of PKCγ increases. Moreover, both the development of morphine tolerance and the increase in PKCγ immunoreactivity were prevented by co-administration of morphine with 10 nmol MK-801 between Day 2 and Day 7 of the eight day treatment schedule. In contrast, PKCγ immunoreactivity was not increased in rats receiving a single i.t. administration of 10 μg morphine on Day 8, nor did repeated treatment with 10 nmol MK-801 alone change baseline levels of PKCγ immunoreactivity. These results provide further evidence for the involvement of PKC in NMDA receptor-mediated mechanisms of morphine tolerance.
WE-G-17A-04: Measurements of the Electron-Return-Effect in a Commercial Magnetic Resonance Image Guided Radiation Therapy (MR-IGRT) System

Purpose: The aim of this work was to measure the influences of the Lorentz force (electron return effect) on secondary electron transport in the presence of a low magnetic field produced in a commercial MR-IGRT system using a custom heterogeneous phantom. Methods: A commercial MR-IGRT system has been commissioned in our department. The system combines real-time imaging using a split-bore 0.35-T MRI and three Co-60 heads, each collimated with a doubly-focused MLC. The integrated treatment planning system uses a Monte-Carlo algorithm that models the magnetic field effects on scattered electrons. During commissioning, a custom heterogeneity phantom was designed to acquire ionization chamber and film measurements. The 30 cm cubic phantom consists of two waterfilled annuli, each containing a central region that simulates a 6 cm cubic lung tumor using polystyrene embedded in cork. Film may be placed inbetween the halves, and small-volume ionization chambers may be placed in different positions to measure dose to the tumor and near interfaces where the electron return effect is expected. The treatment planning system was used to create open-field and IMRT treatment plans on a CT scan of the phantom. Plans were delivered to the phantom, and radiographic film and ionization chamber measurements weremore » obtained. Results: The mean ionization chamber measured dose ratio for 27 measurements for 5 plans was 0.993 ± 0.027. Lateral profile film measurements confirm that the electron-return-effect is observable, producing local dose variations of less than 10% over 5 mm with 0.35 T magnetic field for single field treatment plans. The effect becomes negligible for opposing-field and IMRT treatments. Conclusion: A heterogeneous phantom for measurement of the electron-return-effect has been designed. Ionization chamber and film measurements made with the phantom indicate that the dosimetric effect is minimal, and the treatment planning system predicts dose reasonably well for complex heterogeneous scenarios.« less
Mechanical ventilation in patients with acute severe asthma

Abstract purpose: Acute respiratory failure necessitating intubation and mechanical ventilation in patients with acute severer asthma is relatively uncommon, and there are few data available regarding positive pressure ventilation in critically ill patients with asthma. We therefore decided to evaluate our experience with the use of mechanical ventilation for acute asthma and to critically review previous reports on this subject. patietns and methods: A retrospective analysis of all medical records of patients who required mechanical ventilation for acute severe asthma was performed for the period of 1980 to 1988. Various clinical parameters were reviewed and examined via Fisher's exact test for association with survival. results: Twenty-seven patients who underwent ventilation for a total of 32 episodes of mechanical ventilation comprised our study group. The overall mortality was 22%. A total of 76 complications were documented, including six episodes of baro-trauma. The mean duration of artificial ventilation was 114 hours for nonsurvivors and 77 hours for survivors (p conclusion: Although there appears to be a trend toward increased survival after mechanical ventilation for acute asthma, ventilation of critically ill asthmatic patients continues to be a potentially perilous ventures associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
SU-D-141-01: Quantification of Automatic Couch Correction Accuracy with An Optical Tracking System

Purpose: To quantify the accuracy of automatic couch corrections using an in‐house optical tracking system (OTS). Methods: First, system calibration accuracy was assessed with a ball‐bearing phantom (0.01 mm resolution). An infra‐red marker (IRM) was mounted on the phantom and shifted by known amounts (up to ±1cm) along all 3 directions. OTS observed shifts were compared to known shifts to evaluate system calibration accuracy. System stability was assessed by observing fluctuations of a stationary IRM for a 10‐minute period. Second, accuracy of automatic couch correction was retrospectively analyzed on 4 head and neck (HN) patients (51 fractions) and 4 pelvis patients (94 fractions). To prevent patient setup error, an IRM was permanently mounted on the immobilization devices (aquaplastic face mask or body mold) of each patient. The OTS continuously tracked IRM throughout the treatment to validate setup accuracy. Residual errors of automatic couch correction were calculated as the difference between CBCT dictated shifts and OTS observed actual shifts after automatic couch adjustment. Results: The OTS calibration accuracy was within 0.18 mm along each direction. System stability was within 0.12 mm. For couch adjustments in patient treatment, the mean and maximum residual errors in any direction were found to be 0.20 mm and 2.3 mm for HN and 0.03 mm and 1.5 mm for pelvis cases, respectively. 21 cases (14%) had a residual couch correction error over 1.5 mm, and 3 cases (2%) had a residual error over 2 mm. Conclusion: Overall, automatic couch corrections are reliable and accurate. However, errors of over 2 mm have been found in our study. This suggests the importance of daily QA of automatic couch correction. An accurate OTS with real‐time tracking ability should be considered in hypo‐fractionated treatments to prevent accidental couch correction errors.
Reliability of estimates of changes in mental status test performance in senile dementia of the alzheimer type

The concept of the reliability of a measure can also be applied to its change over time. In this study we consider the growth curve approach to estimating the reliability of change, in the context of cognitive status as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Blessed and Tomlinson Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) in patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). The reliability of the estimates of change is shown to depend primarily upon the length of time of observation, not the number of observations made. The estimated reliability coefficient for the change in MMSE (or DRS) at 6 months is 0.16 (or 0.08); at 2 years is 0.75 (or 0.57). The concept of signal-to-noise ratio is introduced to compare reliabilities in change scores.
Separation of enantiomers by capillary electrophoresis using pentosan polysulfate.

Pentosan polysulfate, a semisynthetic polysaccharide, was employed as a chiral run buffer additive in capillary electrophoresis. Twenty-eight racemic analytes were resolved. The separations were successful only at low pH when the analytes were significantly protonated. This suggests that ionic interactions were the dominant associative interactions between the anionic pentosan polysulfate and the positively charged analytes. Compared to other linear, carbohydrate-based chiral selectors (i.e., chondroitin sulfates, heparin and dextran sulfate) pentosan polysulfate has some characteristics common of anionic polysaccharides; yet it has several differences in its structure and properties which account for its unusual enantioselectivity. The effects of pH, concentration of phosphate buffer, concentration of pentosan polysulfate and the type and concentration of organic modifier on the enantiomeric separations were investigated. The optimization of these separations were dependent on the nature of the analytes and could be achieved by the proper choice of experimental conditions.
IMPROVING ECONOMIC UNDERSTANDING OF STUDENTS IN JUNIOR COLLEGE ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES COURSES

The purpose of this study was to compare two teaching methods: Method One (control), a conventional lecture textbook method; and Method Two (experimental), one based on current event readings with lectures and class discussions. This study was also designed to show any discoverable improvement in students’ understanding in junior college economics attributable to the teaching method and whether such learning is influenced by the personality dimensions of the teachers or students, students’ age, sex, high school grade point average, previous economic education, interest or lack of interest in economics, the course being required or elected, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score in math, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score in verbal skills, combined math and verbal SAT scores, or major course of study.
Electroencephalography in neonatal seizures: Comparison of a reduced and a full 10/20 montage

This study compares a reduced electrode montage (9 electrodes) with the full 10/20 electrode montage for the ability to detect and characterize neonatal seizures and background electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics, utilizing new digital technology allowing "remontage" of previously acquired records. A total of 151 neonatal EEG records were retrospectively and blindly analyzed by two readers. Records were first analyzed for seizure number, topography, duration, and characteristics of EEG background using the reduced montage, before reanalysis with the full montage. One hundred eighty-seven seizures were identified in 31 ictal recordings using the full montage. Using the reduced montage, 166 seizures were identified in 30 records. The sensitivity and specificity of the reduced montage for detecting electrographic seizures was 96.8% and 100% respectively. In only one patient's record, the single seizure was missed altogether. For grading background abnormalities, the sensitivity and specificity of reduced montage was 87% and 80%. Although there are inherent weaknesses in reduced montages with respect to both underestimation and overestimation of seizure number, a nine-electrode reduced montage can be a sensitive tool for identification of neonatal seizures and assessment of background characteristics of neonatal electroencephalography.