cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gonadotropin Excretion in Normal Men and Women and Cases of Hysterectomy, Menopause, Migraine, Epilepsy and Eunuchoidism

THERE HAS NOW accumulated considerable evidence concerning the urinary gonadotropin excretion of human females and males. The following study, although not offering many new data, may serve to corroborate the accepted results, especially since a somewhat different technic from that often employed has been used. METHOD The technic of concentration is modified from that of Frank (1) and involves acidification to pH 5 and precipitation with 4 volumes of alcohol of the first morning specimen, dialysis of the precipitate through cellophane for from 4 to 6 hours in the cold (or more recently, washing with 80% alcohol), and 9 injections (two daily) of the entire amount into a 21-day-old female rat. As an end point, the uterine weight is used. However, when this increases above 120 mg., the ovaries are also usually weighed, since the uterine weight soon reaches a plateau beyond which it cannot increase. Although most of the curves shown were made from data obtained by procedures in which the technic of dialysis w...
Frequency selectivity in the anuran medulla: Excitatory and inhibitory tuning properties of single neurons in the dorsal medullary and superior olivary nuclei

1. The excitatory and inhibitory tuning properties of 70 dorsal medullary nucleus (DMN) and 108 superior olivary nucleus (SON) neurons were examined in the medulla of the northern leopard frog (Rana p. pipiens). Inhibitory tuning curves were determined using the two-tone inhibition (TTI) paradigm. 2. The tuning properties of DMN neurons were very similar to those of the VIIIth nerve fibers. (1) Excitatory tuning curves were unimodal, (2) only low frequency (80–500 Hz) tuned neurons exhibited TTI, (3) only higher frequencies were inhibitory, and (4) relative inhibitory thresholds were dependent upon the intensity of the excitatory tone (i.e., as the excitatory tone intensity was elevated, so was the inhibitory threshold). Also like VIIIth nerve fibers, most DMN neurons responded tonically to tonal stimulation. Unlike VIIIth nerve fibers, a small percentage (11%) of DMN neurons elicited a phasic-on response to tonal stimulation. 3. Most SON neurons also exhibited excitatory and inhibitory tuning properties similar to those of the VIIIth nerve. However, 19% exhibited properties previously reported only at the midbrain level of the auditory system. These latter properties include (1) bimodal, recurved and closed excitatory tuning curve configurations; (2) all neurons, not just those tuned to low frequencies, were susceptible to TTI; (3) TTI was exerted by lower, as well as higher, frequencies, and (4) TTI thresholds could be independent, as well as dependent, upon the intensity of the excitatory tone. Also like midbrain neurons, a small percentage (4%) of SON neurons exhibited a phasic-off response to tonal stimulation. 4. In both the DMN and SON, some neurons exhibited the ability to respond consecutively to tone cycles, trill pulses and beats generated by 2 tones at repetition rates up to 280 Hz. The maximum following rate of a given neuron was similar for each type of repeating event. Neurons tuned to all frequency ranges exhibited this property, and all acted as low-pass temporal filters.
Diode sources for 1.0 to 1.2 &#181;m emission

The properties of silica fibers that are potentially attractive for fiber-optic systems at wavelengths between about 1.0 and 1.2 µm are considered. The features and deficiencies of semiconductor LEDs and lasers that could be used in this wavelength range are then reviewed and compared. These sources include: Si-compensated LEDs of GaAs and InP; ternary homojunctions of (In,Ga)As, In(As,P), and Ga(As,Sb); "pseudo" III-Vs or II-VIs such as CuInSe 2 and CdSnP 2 ; and heterojunction lasers and LEDs of (In,Ga)As/(In,Ga)P, Ga(As,Sb)/ (Al,Ga)(As,Sb), and (In,Ga)(As,P)/InP.
Thermodynamics of Titanium Oxide in Ladle Slags

It is necessary to have information on the thermodynamic behavior of titanium oxide in ladle type slags in order to control the titanium content in several grades of steel. In the present study, the thermodynamics was determined from the equilibrium between Fe-C sat -Ti and CaO-SiO 2 -30%Al 2 O 3 -MgO-TiOx slags in equilibrium with CO and from the equilibrium between Fe-C sat -(16∼18)%Cr-Si-Ti and CaO-SiO 2 -20%Al 2 O 3 -MgO-TiOx slags in equilibrium with CO. From the experiment with Fe-C sat -T alloy, the activity coefficients of TiO 1 5 and TiO 2 vary with basicity from 0.3 to 1.5 and from 0.5 to 2.3, respectively. And from the experiment with Fe-C sat -(16∼18)%Cr-Si-Ti alloy, the activity coefficients of TiO 1 5 and TiO 2 vary with basicity from 0.4 to 1.4 and from 0.6 to 3.5, respectively. The results obtained from the equilibrium between Fe-C sat -(16∼18))%Cr-Si-Ti and CaO-SiO 2 -20%Al 2 O 3 -MgO-TiOx slags were used to estimate the titanium content of silicon-added stainless steel. Experiments were also conducted using Fe-Al-Ti melts in equilibrium with CaO-SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 -TiO x slags saturated with MgO. In this case most of the titanium in the slag is present as TiO 2 (Ti 4+ ). The present results were used to predict the titanium content of aluminum-killed steel in equilibrium with ladle slags containing titanium oxide and the predictions agreed with plant data.
Interactive effects of cadmium and all-trans-retinoic acid on the induction of forelimb ectrodactyly in C57BL/6 mice.

BACKGROUND Most toxicological studies have tested single chemical agents at relatively high doses, and fewer studies have addressed the toxic effects of chemical interactions. It is important to understand the toxicity of chemical mixtures in order to assess the more realistic risks of environmental and occupational exposures. A number of chemicals are known to induce a predominantly postaxial forelimb ectrodactyly in C57BL/6 mice, including acetazolamide, ethanol, cadmium, valproic acid, carbon dioxide, dimethadione, phenytoin, and 13-cis-retinoic acid and all-trans-retinoic acid (RA). In the present study, the interactive effects of coadministration of cadmium and RA on developing limbs were investigated. METHODS Pregnant C57BL/6 mice were treated with different intraperitoneal (IP) doses of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and/or RA on gestational day (GD) 9.5, and fetuses were collected on GD 18 and double stained for examination of skeletal defects. RESULTS When RA was given simultaneously with cadmium, a significant increase in the incidence and severity of forelimb ectrodactyly (predominantly postaxial) was observed compared to the results with corresponding doses of cadmium or RA alone. When mice were exposed to subthreshold doses of both cadmium (0.5 mg/kg) and RA (1 mg/kg), the combined treatment exceeded the threshold, resulting in forelimb ectrodactyly in 19% of the fetuses. Moreover, coadministration of cadmium and RA at doses exceeding the respective thresholds showed a synergistic effect, that is, 92% of fetuses were found with the forelimb defect as opposed to 10% if the response were additive. CONCLUSIONS The findings demonstrate that concurrent exposure to these teratogens can have a synergistic effect and that subteratogenic doses may combine to exceed a threshold. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additive and Dominance Effects of Genes in Egg Production and 10-Week Body Weight of Crossbred Chickens

Abstract THE hereditary variation of a quantitative character can be divided into additive and non-additive portions. The additive portion of variation is contributed by the additive effects of gene actions, while the non-additive portion is from the interactions of genes. There are two types of gene interactions—dominance and epistasis. The dominance effect is from the interaction between the allelic genes (loci), while the epistatic effect, from the interaction of non-allelic genes (loci). The heritability estimate (in a narrow sense) of a character for a certain population represents the additive effects of genes, while heterosis in the crossbred progenies indicates the dominance and epistatic effects of genes. Heritability of egg production and body weight of chickens has been estimated by a number of investigators (see Shoffner and Sloan, 1948), while the heterotic effects of genes for these two characters have also been studied (Dickerson et al., 1950; Hutt and Cole, 1952; …
Alkylated polycytidylic acid templates for RNA polymerase.

Abstract 1. 1. Previous studies have shown that polycytidylic acid templates which have been treated with methyl methanesulfonate lead to the anomalous incorporation of UTP into a product polynucleotide with RNA polymerase. To prove that this anomalous incorporation is caused by 3-methylcytosine units in the treated templates, 3-methylcytidine diphosphate has been synthesized and used with polynucleotide phosphorylase to prepare methylcytosine-containing copolymers with cytidylic acid. These copolymers show the same anomalous UTP incorporation as was observed previously 2. 2. Copolymers of cytidylic acid and 3-ethylcytidylic acid have been produced by copolymerization of the appropriate monomers or by ethylation of polycytidylic acid. These templates also lead to the nonspecific incorporation of UTP. 3. 3. The misincorporation of UTP which is directed by methyl- or ethylcytosine can be distinguished from that which is directed by 7-methylguanine by the addition of CTP to the polymerization mixture. The presence of CTP prevents incorporation of UTP in the later case only, evidently because cytosine forms a stable hydrogen bond with 7-methylguanine.
Source of Job Satisfaction among South Korean Police Officers

Studies of police job satisfaction show consistent findings that work-related variables have greater effects than personal demographic factors. Despite the cumulative knowledge about the sources of police officers' job satisfaction, there exist several limitations, including the applicability of the findings drawn from Western studies to the Asian context and differences in the determinants of job satisfaction across organisational subgroups. This study contributes to current literature by examining both phenomena: (1) whether work-related factors dominate for South Korean police officers, and (2) whether determinants of job satisfaction vary across type of duty. Using a sample of 341 Korean police officers, this study found that work-related variables indeed had stronger effects than demographic on job satisfaction in the sample. However, the determinants of job satisfaction differ between patrol officers and clerical officers. Although perceptions of pay and commitment have significant effects on job sa...
Regulation of eicosanoid synthesis in fibroblasts from inflamed gallbladders

Abstract Gallbladder cell cultures obtained from rabbits subjected to sham or 72 h of bile duct ligation (72 h BDL, cholecystitis model) were incubated with calcium ionophore (A23187), dibutyryl cAMP (cAMP), and phorbol 12,13-diacetate (phorbol) to determine the intracellular signal transduction mechanisms responsible for increased inflamed gallbladder eicosanoid synthesis. Incubation of sham and 72 h BDL cell cultures with A23187 or phorbol significantly increased, whereas cAMP decreased, release of 6-keto-PGF1α, PGE2, thromboxane B2 (measured by enzyme immunoassay) in a dose-related manner. Seventy-two-hour BDL cell cultures contained a specific 2-fold increased level of prostacyclin synthase compared to sham cell cultures which was not altered by preincubation with A23187, phorbol or cAMP. These findings suggest that increased PGI2 release in the sham and inflamed cell cultures following A23187 and phorbol stimulation was mediated in part via the inositol triphosphate pathway and protein kinase C activation and was not associated with altered cyclooxygenase or prostacyclin synthase content.
Left cerebral hemisphere contributions to tachycardia: evidence and recommendations.

Abstract Six topics were discussed in which research has shown a stimulus or activity to be independently related to increases in human heart rate and to left cerebral hemisphere functioning: lateralized touching, reasoning, pleasantness, talking, lateralized feedback, and resistance to persuasion. On the basis of this converying evidence, strategies were suggested for altering heart rate by use of the method of induced lateral orientation of attention as a means of selective hemisphere activation.
When expatriates explore other options: Retaining talent through greater job embeddedness and repatriation adjustment

This paper introduces the concept of job embeddedness to research on international assignments to help explain how the processes of expatriation and repatriation might lead to such outcomes as strengthened personorganization fit or career exploration. It develops a model with a related set of theoretical propositions, based on a comprehensive literature review covering international assignments, adult development and career theories, job embeddedness, and career exploration. The paper also presents implications for future research, as well as practical implications for assignment practices and career interventions for organizations trying to retain their valued repatriate talents and, thus, secure a greater return on their investments in talent development. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Athletic Participation, Fraternity Membership, and Sexual Aggression Among College Men: A Meta-analytic Review

A meta-analysis of the data relating either college athletic participation or fraternity membership to attitudes and behaviors associated with sexual aggression was conducted with 29 studies which yielded 57 effect sizes. Membership in each male group was associated to a moderate extent with rape-supportive attitudes, and to a smaller extent with self-report of sexually aggressive behavior. There was much variability in the data that could be partially predicted by variables such as the size of the college, the validity of the study, and the age of the research participants. The involvement of these all-male groups in the perpetuation of hypermasculine attitudes (Mosher and Sirkin 1984) in a patriarchal culture was discussed.
Laminated composite structures by continuum-based shell elements with transverse deformation

Abstract In this paper a first-order shear/fourth-order transverse deformation theory of laminated composite shells is presented. A nonlinear continuum-based (degenerated 3D) finite element model with a strain/stress enhancement technique is developed in such a way that the nonzero surface traction boundary conditions and the interlaminar shear stress continuity conditions are all satisfied identically. Analytical integration through the shell thickness is performed. The resultants of the stress integrations are expressed in terms of the laminate stacking sequence. Consequently, the shell laminate characteristics in the normal direction can be evaluated precisely and the computational cost of the overall analysis is reduced. The numerical results are compared with analytical solutions and other finite element solutions to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theory and the computational procedure developed herein.
UV‐ENHANCED REACTIVATION IN MAMMALIAN CELLS: INCREASE BY CAFFEINE

— It has been reported that caffeine decreases UV-enhanced reactivation of UV-irradiated Herpes simplex virus in CV-1 monkey kidney cells. That occurred when there was no delay between cell irradiation and virus infection. In the present study, virus infection was delayed following cell irradiation to allow an ‘induction’period separate from the ‘expression’period which occurs during the virus infection. Thus, the effects of caffeine on ‘induction’and ‘expression’could be determined separately. Caffeine increased the expression of UV-enhanced reactivation, while causing a small decrease in the ‘induction’of enhanced reactivation.
The conservation equations: A systematic look

Abstract An attempt is made in this paper to pull together, in a systematic fashion, the fundamental concepts and equations of many engineering subjects. The laws of conservation of mass, of momentum, and of energy when expressed in the most general terms can then be reduced in a deductive fashion to the underlying equations for such seemingly diverse fields as aerodynamics, solid mechanics, thermodynamics, strength of materials, fluid mechanics, statics, dynamics, heat transfer, etcetera. This paper develops a systematic approach to the derivations of special cases of above equations; it summarizes the major mathematical, general and physical assumptions; it summarizes the important applications and references in major study areas in order to facilitate further detailed investigations; and it demonstrates a synthesis of the fundamental concepts of several seemingly diverse engineering disciplines.
Complex and rare fracture patterns in perilunate dislocations

Introduction The wrist represents a complex anatomic region in the upper extremity and a highly functional and intricate structural joint. Perilunate injuries have classically been described as involving a greater or lesser arc as described by Mayfield and imply a specific pattern of force transmission. The greater and lesser arc classifications do not include descriptions of when non-scaphoid carpal fractures occur as part of a perilunate injury.
A Case Study of a Chromesthetic

D, a middle-aged female art educator, exemplifies the phenomenon of chromesthesia or “ color hearing, ” a form of synesthesia in which a tone elicits a visual color experience as well as an auditory sensation. Extensive interviews and tests with music stimuli over a five-year period revealed a remarkable range and consistency of tone-color linkages. Absolute pitch, which D possesses independently of her chromesthesia, showed less stability than the chromesthesia. Synesthesia, while not unnatural, rarely is demonstrated because of societal constraints in childhood. Potential learning problems are revealed that should be considered in the development of instructional programs. Also, individual perceptual differences may significantly influence learning style.
Neurons demonstrable by nickel-lysine backfilling of the optic peduncle in the crab Cancer antennarius

Abstract 1. Neuronal mapping studies were conducted in brain and eyestalks of the crab, Cancer antennarius , directed to finding the unit(s) that control neurosecretion of molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH). Control is known to be serotonergic. 2. Nine clusters of neuronal somata were identified in the brain by direct staining with Toluidine Blue. Eight clusters are bilaterally arranged and the ninth occurs in the protocerebrum. 3. Separately, nine groups of cell bodies on each side of the brain were demonstrable by nickel-lysine backfilling of an optic peduncle. In eight of the groups, most of a total of about 250 cells on each side have not previously been identified in decapod crustaceans. 4. Backfilling of an optic peduncle also localized two identifiable axon tracts that filled into the contralateral eyestalk through the brain. Both are associated with filled cells in the eyestalk medulla terminalis, and one projects branches into the m. interna. Neither showed anatomical connection with the neurosecretory X-organ, sinus gland complex. 5. Except for cells in the protocerebrum, none of the neural units that backfilled appear to correspond with cells previously shown to be serotonergic. Together, these observations indicate that serotonergic control of MIH secretion resides entirely within the ipsilateral eyestalk.
Jointing in the Appalachian Plateau of Pennsylvania

The Appalachian Plateau, extending from the Folded Appalachians to the Central Stable Interior, contains Pennsylvanian and Permian cyclic sedimentary rocks which permit study of joints in coal and shale throughout a region of deformation that diminishes to the northwest. The basic unit of jointing is the fundamental joint system, comprised of an approximately orthogonal systematic and nonsystematic set of joints. Complex systems of jointing arise from overprinting of two or more fundamental systems, each of which may occur alone in adjacent areas. In north-central Pennsylvania, the local and regional joint patterns of coals and shales differ: systematic joints in coals are tangent to an arc, convex to the south, with a center of curvature at approximately 78° W. long., in northern Pennsylvania; systematic joints in shales strike north or northwest grossly transverse to northeast-trending fold axes of the Folded Appalachians and Appalachian Plateau. Locally, systematic joints in shale extend into underlying coals and have been overprinted upon the older arcuate pattern of joints in coal. Although systematic joints in shale are grossly transverse to fold axes, no one set of joints remains perpendicular to folds, which bend from N. 30° E. to N. 70° E., throughout the region. Rather, the regional joint pattern consists of overlapping joint trends of remarkably uniform orientation, each trend being dominant (showing greatest size, frequency, and persistence) where it is most nearly perpendicular to fold axes. The joint pattern of the region is cumulative, presenting a record of all events which have produced stress differences sufficient to induce fracture. Systematic joints formed early, independent of folds and faults. This is evinced by the complete independence of joints in coal and fold axis trends, by greater consistency of regional strike of joints in shale than of fold axis orientation, by the rotation of joints adjacent to faults, and by the presence of systematic joints west of folds of Appalachian trend. Although systematic joints may be polygenetic, their mutual relations, relations to nonsystematic joints, surface character, open, lensing nature, and lack of lateral movement suggest that they are of extensional origin. Nonsystematic joints of the special type, here called “truncated joints,” are also of extensional origin although they are probably late release-type fractures resulting from a combination of residual tectonic stress differences and surficial stress differences arising in blocks between successive systematic joints during erosion and unloading.
Urban educators, disability studies and education: excavations in schools and society

This paper describes early efforts underway at City College, New York, to introduce a disability studies content into an otherwise traditional special education programme. The paper draws on previously funded research projects that merged humanities‐based disability studies in education, prior teaching experiences and excerpts from the writing of City College Master’s students in special and general education.
Autoignition in nonhomogeneous mixtures: Conditional statistics and implications for modeling

Conditional statistics associated with the problem of nonhomogeneous autoignition are investigated using direct numerical simulations (DNS). The chemical model is based on a single-step, second-order, and irreversible reaction mechanism with reaction rate expressed by the Arrhenius law. The mixture is initialized as a random distribution with variable mixture strength in decaying isotropic turbulence. Both low- and high-turbulence conditions are studied and three Lewis number cases are examined for the high-turbulence conditions. Simulation results show that under conditions of nonhomogeneous mixture and preheated air, autoignition is initiated in a fuel-lean mixture and evolves by propagation to richer mixtures. The propagation elements of the autoignition process are found in statistics of mean quantities for reactive scalars as well as covariances and variances of these scalars with the rate of dissipation. The addition of a second conditioning variable based on a reduced temperature is investigated. Results show that the addition of a second conditioning variable that measures the extent of completion of combustion may be a reasonable choice for nonhomogeneous autoignition modeling. However, additional nontrivial closure models are required for both reactive scalars' phase space equations and the transport equations for the second conditioning variable.
A Case Study of Subrefractive Conditions at Wallops Island, Virginia

Abstract Microwave propagation conditions in the lower marine troposphere are evaluated using gradients of radio refractivity profiles. These profiles can be characterized as normal refraction, superrefraction, and subrefaction. Ducting of the microwave energy occurs in extremely superrefractive cases and leads to better than normal microwave propagation within the duct. Subrefractive conditions are observed the least frequently. Since subrefractive conditions are characterized by poor microwave propagation, it would be useful to be able to forecast these conditions. Subrefractive conditions may occur in the proximity of strong temperature and dewpoint inversions. Such conditions may be found with the overrunning that occurs in the proximity of a warm front or a quasi-stationary front. A case study is presented in which high-resolution atmospheric measurements made from a specially instrumented helicopter are compared with the associated synoptic surface charts. For the presented, subrefractive conditions...
The effects of anti-sperm antisera and uterine fluids on the fertilizing ability of turkey spermatozoa.

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to study the effects of blood sera and uterine fluids, from turkey hens immunized against turkey semen, on the fertilizing ability of sperm cells. Sperm cells were incubated in the test materials (blood sera, uterine fluids or control diluents) and then inseminated into recipient hens. Pooled sera from immunized hens significantly reduced the fertilizing ability of the sperm cells, while sera from non-immunized hens did not. Uterine fluid from all groups severely reduced the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa. Virgin hen uterine fluid was slightly, but not significantly, less harmful to spermatozoa than uterine fluid from birds exposed to spermatozoa (either by artificial insemination of AI preceded by immunization). Sera from individual immunized and non-immunized hens was tested for anti-fertility effects. Sera from 3 immunized hens with histories of low fertility severely depressed the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa. Sera from 2 immunized hens with histories of high fertility had no effect on the fertilizing ability of sperm cells, while sera from one of these hens depressed it. Virgin hen sera had no significant effect on the spermatozoa. Uterine fluids from high and low fertility immunized hens were dialyzed against a buffer. Aliquots of the dialyzed material from high and low fertility birds were heated to destroy antibodies. These fluids were used as semen diluents. The unheated fluid from low fertility hens significantly depressed fertilizing ability of sperm cells.
NMR studies of vacancy motion in solid hydrogen

The temperature dependence of the nuclear-spin-lattice relaxation time of ortho-${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and HD impurities in solid parahydrogen has been studied from the melting point to 1.5 K. Three distinct temperature regimes are observed: (1) an exponential temperature dependence for 11 KT13.5 K, (2) a minimum for the relaxation time for 7 KT11 K, and (3) a weak, approximately linear dependence for 1.5 KT7 K. The overall behavior can be understood in terms of the cross relaxation between two weakly coupled energy reservoirs corresponding to the ortho-${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and HD impurities, respectively. The temperature dependence near the minimum is different from that at high temperatures and is interpreted as evidence for quantum tunneling of vacancies in the intermediate-temperature regime.
Energy Distributions of Li 8 Fragments Emitted from C, Al, Cu, Ag, Au, and U Bombarded by 2.2-Bev Protons

Targets of C, Al, Cu, Ag, Au, and U were irradiated with 2.2-Bev protons at the Brookhaven Cosmotron. The secondary fragments were collected in nuclear emulsions placed at various angles to the beam. From a study of the numbers and lengths of the "hammer tracks," the energy distributions of the ejected ${\mathrm{Li}}^{8}$ fragments were derived for each target element at two or more angles. Analysis of the results, and comparison with evaporation calculations for Cu, Ag, and Au targets indicated the following. (1) In general, the observed spectra show considerably more high-energy ${\mathrm{Li}}^{8}$ fragments than the calculated spectra. (2) The higher the fragment energy, the greater the tendency for emission in a forward direction. (3) From Ag, Au, and U targets, ${\mathrm{Li}}^{8}$ may be ejected partially by an evaporation mechanism, but some other process must also play an important role. (4) For C, Al, and Cu targets, evaporation of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{8}$ fragments from residual nuclei does not seem to be operating to any appreciable extent. (5) The ${\mathrm{Li}}^{8}$ spectrum from Cu is surprising in that it lies higher in energy by several Mev than the ${\mathrm{Li}}^{8}$ spectrum from Ag. (6) The spectrum of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{8}$ from U is very similar to that from Au; there is no evidence for emission of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{8}$ fragments from excited fission products. (7) The cross section is estimated to increase monotonically from roughly one millibarn for Al to roughly ten millibarns for U.
Trajectory modulated prone breast irradiation: a LINAC-based technique combining intensity modulated delivery and motion of the couch.

Abstract Purpose External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) provides a non-invasive treatment alternative for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), however, limitations in achievable dose conformity of current EBRT techniques have been correlated to reported toxicity. To enhance the conformity of EBRT APBI, a technique for conventional LINACs is developed, which through combined motion of the couch, intensity modulated delivery, and a prone breast setup, enables wide-angular coronal arc irradiation of the ipsilateral breast without irradiating through the thorax and contralateral breast. Methods and materials A couch trajectory optimization technique was developed to determine the trajectories that concurrently avoid collision with the LINAC and maintain the target within the MLC apertures. Inverse treatment planning was performed along the derived trajectory. The technique was experimentally implemented by programming the Varian TrueBeam™ STx in Developer Mode. The dosimetric accuracy of the delivery was evaluated by ion chamber and film measurements in phantom. Results The resulting optimized trajectory was shown to be necessarily non-isocentric, and contain both translation and rotations of the couch. Film measurements resulted in 93% of the points in the measured two-dimensional dose maps passing the 3%/3mm Gamma criterion. Preliminary treatment plan comparison to 5-field 3D-conformal, IMRT, and VMAT demonstrated enhancement in conformity, and reduction of the normal tissue V 50% and V 100% parameters that have been correlated with EBRT toxicity. Conclusions The feasibility of wide-angular intensity modulated partial breast irradiation using motion of the couch has been demonstrated experimentally on a standard LINAC for the first time. For patients eligible for a prone setup, the technique may enable improvement of dose conformity and associated dose–volume parameters correlated with toxicity.
Biochemistry instructors' perceptions of analogies and their classroom use

Biochemistry education relies heavily on students' abilities to conceptualize abstract cellular and molecular processes, mechanisms, and components. From a constructivist standpoint, students build their understandings of these abstract processes by connecting, expanding, or revising their prior conceptions and experiences. As such, biochemistry instructors often use analogies to teach difficult or hard-to-visualize topics to their classes by relating these target concepts to more commonplace analogs with which their students may already be familiar. For example, the binding of an enzyme to its substrate is often compared to a lock and a key; and ATP is frequently referred to as a cellular energy currency in discussions of metabolism and reaction coupling. Although the use of analogies in biochemistry classrooms is fairly common, the specific ways biochemistry instructors use analogies differ from instructor to instructor and class to class. In this article, we discuss biochemistry instructors' perceptions of the use of analogies in their classroom instruction. Specifically, we discuss (1) biochemistry instructors' objectives for using analogies, (2) their perceptions of the potential disadvantages associated with analogy use, (3) the sources of the analogies they use in their classes, and (4) the ways they perceive that analogies should be presented in class to promote student learning of biochemical concepts.
Speculations on the future treatment and control of tuberculosis.

SUMMARY The personal physician should expect to serve ever more important functions in preventive medicine and public health. Minifilm surveys of the future are likely to be limited to special population groups who face unusual hazards of thoracic disease. Insurance against expenses of illness should cover such catastrophes as pulmonary tuberculosis. Present day methods of treatment have reduced the cost of treatment and the prevalence of the disease has diminished sufficiently so that such insurance need not be expensive. Diminished bed occupancy of tuberculosis hospitals should permit the abandonment of less effective institutions and improvement of the surviving hospitals. The treatment of recently converted tuberculin reactors appears to be a logical and feasible substitute for BCG vaccination in many social groups in the U.S.A. Physicians in private practice should provide more direct personal support and encouragement to local and state tuberculosis associations. The Veterans Administration and the Armed Forces will continue to provide leadership in the field of tuberculosis and related problems.
High resolution vibrational overtone studies of HOD and H2O with single mode, injection seeded ring optical parametric oscillators

Design, performance, and applications of a pulsed, single mode optical parametric oscillator (OPO) for studies of high resolution spectroscopy and photodissociation dynamics are presented. Single mode operation is achieved by resonantly seeding a four-mirror OPO ring cavity with a tunable, continuous wave (cw) ring dye laser, providing continuous scanning capability at near Fourier transform limited resolution [Δν=160(20) MHz] with peak output energies ⩾10 mJ. The high spectral brightness of this OPO light source is sufficient to saturate Δv=3 stretching transitions in OH, NH, and CH vibrational manifolds, which makes feasible quantum state-selected multiple resonance spectroscopies at 0.005 cm−1 resolution. The capability of this single mode OPO is explicitly demonstrated via (i) vOH=3←0 overtone spectroscopy of HOD, (ii) near-IR optical saturation studies of H2O in the |03−〉 overtone vibrational manifold, (iii) high resolution LIF Dopplerimetry of OH radicals, and (iv) IR/UV multiple resonance spectroscopy of Ar–H2O molecular clusters.
Effects of a pathogenic canine herpesvirus on established thyroid adenocarcinoma cell cultures.

The effects of a pathogenic canine herpesvirus were studied sequentially in established canine thyroid adenocarcinoma tissue culture cells. The lesions were defined as early, middle, and late manifestations of viral effects based on the time a lesion first appeared. The early phase (3 to 10 hours) consisted of nucleolar swelling followed by disruption. The nucleolar changes were characterized by loss of RNA as determined with acridine orange and segregation of the nucleolar components as demonstrated by electron microscopy. The middle phase (10 to 34 hours) was characterized by the appearance of three types of eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions. One type of inclusion appeared to transform progressively into another. The appearance of viral antigen in the nucleus as demonstrated by immunofluorescence, correlated with ultrastructural evidence of viral replication. The late phase (34 to 72 hours) was manifested by cellular degeneration and viral release into the cytoplasm.
A class of nonlinear boundary value problems on the half line

Abstract Second order nonlinear boundary value problems on the half line are studied. Qualitative properties of the solution and constructive methods for finding the solution are presented.
Silvered-PMMA reflectors

Abstract Metallized, flexible polymeric reflector materials are much lighter and potentially less expensive than the conventional glass/metal mirrors often used in solar thermal concentrators such as heliostats and parabolic dishes and troughs. Unweathered silvered-PMMA reflectors have a solar reflectance at least as high as glass reflectors, but their environmental durability needs to be demonstrated. ECP-305, a silvered-PMMA film available commercially from the 3M Company and developed in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, is the current state of the art. Important progress has been made in overcoming the three primary mechanisms causing ECP-305 to lose reflectance. These mechanisms are: (1) photon-induced silver corrosion, (2) surface soiling, and (3) a form of delamination called tunneling. Given the progress in resolving these performance lifetime issues, silvered-PMMA films should meet the reflectance and durability goals.
Cartwheel neurons of the dorsal cochlear nucleus: a Golgi-electron microscopic study in rat

Cartwheel neurons in rat dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) were studied by Golgi impregnation-electron microscopy. Usually situated in layers 1–2, cartwheel neurons (10–14 μm in mean cell body diameter) have dendritic trees predominantly in layer 1. The dendrites branch at wide angles. Most primary dendrites are short, nontapering, and bear only a few sessile spines. Secondary and tertiary dendrites are short, curved, and spine-laden. The perikaryon forms symmetric synapses with at least two kinds of boutons containing pleomorphic vesicles. The euchromatic nucleus is indented and has an eccentric nucleolus. The cytoplasm shows several small Nissl bodies, a conspicuous Golgi apparatus, and numerous subsurface and cytoplasmic cisterns of endoplasmic reticulum with a narrow lumen, joined by mitochondria in single or multiple assemblies. In primary dendrites mitochondria are situated peripherally, while in distal branches they become ubiquitous and relatively more numerous. Dendritic shafts usually form symmetric synapses with boutons that contain pleomorphic vesicles. The majority of the dendritic spines are provided with a vesiculo-saccular spine apparatus. All dendritic spines have asymmetric synapses. Most of these are formed with varicosities of thin, unmyelinated fibers (presumably axons of granule cells) running parallel to the long axis of the DCN or radially. These varicosities contain round, clear synaptic vesicles. On the initial axon segment few symmetric synapses are present. The axon acquires a thin myelin sheath after a short trajectory. Cartwheel neurons outnumber all other neurons in layers 1–2 (with the exception of granule cells), and presumably correspond to type C cells with thinly myelinated axons described by Lorente de No. The axons of these neurons provide a dense plexus in the superficial layers without leaving the DCN. The possible functional role of cartwheel neurons is discussed.
Symbol, faith, and ritual and the success of Healers: A Mexican case

Finkler, Kaja. Spiritualist Healers in Mexico: Successes and Failures of Alternative Therapeutics. South Hadley, Massachusetts: Bergin and Garvey, 1985. xii + 256 pp. including bibliography, glossary, and index. $27.95 cloth, $14.95 paper.
345 Imatinib For MPGN From Type II Cryoglobulinemia

IMATINIB for MPGN FROM TYPE II CRYOGLOBULINEMIA Eric Wallace, Gerald Schulman Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee Cryoglobulinemia can lead to a systemic immune complex mediated vasculitis that can have significant morbidity and mortality. The standard of care of cryoglobulinemia including chlorambucil, steroids, plasmapheresis and more recently rituximab leaves much to be desired in the way of efficacy and adverse effects. Iyoda et al. demonstrated the efficacy of imatinib, a bcr/abl tyrosine kinase receptor blocker, in amelioration of the phenotype and renal injury in a rat model of cryoglobulinemia. We present a case of type II cryoglobulinemia with severe kidney involvement treated with 400 mg of imatinib administered orally daily, plasmapheresis, and steroids initially with resolution of symptoms, normalization of creatinine, and marked improvement in proteinuria and cryocrit. Furthermore, upon withdrawal of imatinib proteinuria, creatinine, and cryocrit worsened until reinstitution of therapy. This case provides evidence that imatinib is an effective treatment for cryoglobulinemia and should further be studied in the treatment of cryoglobulinemia and perhaps other antibody mediated diseases.
Vasopressin in reaggregated cell cultures of the developing hypothalamus.

Abstract A microsystem for rotation-mediated aggregate cell culture studies has been devised to examine vasopressin (VP) biosynthesis of developing rat hypothalamus. Trypsindispersed hypothalamic tissue was placed into 24 well tissue culture dishes and VP content of culture medium and cells was measured over time by a radioimmunoassay. Reaggregates formed within 4 hr when rotated at 70 rpm in a humid CO2 incubator. Nineteen days post coitus (dpc) hypothalamic reaggregates had 336 pg VP/106 cells while the medium showed 260 pg VP/ml after four days. Measurable VP was seen in fetal tissue after ten days while comparable amounts of VP were present in one day neonatal hypothalamus over this same period. Morphological examination of reaggregates indicated the presence of viable cells throughout the cell mass after ten days of culture. Co-cultivation studies with dispersed posterior pituitary indicated that reaggregates from one day neonate hypothalamus had significantly increased VP levels when co-cultured with one day neonatal posterior pituitary; however, this effect was not seen with 19 dpc co-cultures. These data demonstrate that development of neurosecretory activity of discrete regions of the hypothalamus can be examined early in vitro in a reaggregate cell culture system.
Using administrative child welfare data to identify sibling groups

Abstract California law requires that child welfare agencies place siblings together in foster care whenever possible. Such decisions depend on how siblings are identified. Siblings are usually identified when children are removed from the same household, while non-coresident siblings can be missed and may not be considered in placement decisions or analyses. This exploratory study examines a cross-section of children in the California foster care system, comparing four different sibling classification schemes to determine how well each method identifies siblings and discusses how each strategy might apply to meeting legislative mandates for placing siblings together. Findings suggest that while the current sibling identification method is effective at capturing most sibling relationships, the addition of other search criteria would offer a more comprehensive understanding of sibling placement activity, leading to a broader array of children identified as siblings and a greater potential for children to be placed with one or more of their siblings.
Pathogen security: the illusion of security in foreign policy and biodefence

'Pathogen security' (sometimes called 'biosecurity') is too often seen as the primary strategy to combat bioterrorism. Asserting that materials, technologies and expertise for bioterrorism are available worldwide and that terrorist groups are increasingly able to obtain and disseminate infectious disease pathogens, advocates contend that pathogen security systems and practices are central to reduce bioterrorism's threat. Pathogen security, however, provides only limited protection against bioterrorism. While potentially a diplomatic tool to stimulate international dialogue or scientific engagement, pathogen security is of only limited practical utility because virtually all pathogens exist in nature, technology is readily accessible and expertise broadly distributed. As such, effective international policy strategies to combat bioterrorism must be broader, comprehensive and multi-sectoral with pathogen security as but one component. Foreign policy should instead emphasise enhanced biosurveillance and infectious disease early warning systems, effective and swift treatment, and strengthened preparedness and response mechanisms as the key to successful strategies to combat bioterrorism.
Development of acneiform rash does not predict response to lapatinib treatment in patients with breast cancer.

Study Objective To determine if development of acneiform rash is a predictor of objective response rate with lapatinib. Design Subanalysis of data from a prospective, phase II study. Setting Academic breast care clinic. Patients Forty-nine treatment-naive patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive locally advanced breast cancer, who were treated with neoadjuvant lapatinib monotherapy for 6 weeks; 47 patients were included in the final analysis. Measurements and Main Results Of the 49 patients enrolled, 33 (67%) developed a rash of any type, and 26 (55%) had acneiform rash. Of the 26 evaluable patients with acneiform rash (55%), 19 (73%) responded to lapatinib and 7 (27%) did not. Of the 21 evaluable patients without acneiform rash, 11 (67%) responded to treatment and 7 (33%) did not. Thus, no association was found between the occurrence of acneiform rash and response to lapatinib monotherapy. Conclusion This study does not support the development of the acneiform rash as a predictor of clinical efficacy of lapatinib in the treatment of breast cancer.
Casimir effects: An optical approach II. Local observables and thermal corrections

Abstract We recently proposed a new approach to the Casimir effect based on classical ray optics (the “optical approximation”). In this paper we show how to use it to calculate the local observables of the field theory. In particular, we study the energy–momentum tensor and the Casimir pressure. We work three examples in detail: parallel plates, the Casimir pendulum and a sphere opposite a plate. We also show how to calculate thermal corrections, proving that the high temperature ‘classical limit’ is indeed valid for any smooth geometry.