cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementation of the ETAR method for 3D inhomogeneity correction using FFT

The equivalent tissue‐air‐ratio (ETAR) method employs three‐dimensional (3D) CT pixel information to approximate scatter dose contribution for inhomogeneity correction. In general, the calculation provides better agreement with measurements than the one‐dimensional (1D) methods typically used in commercial treatment planning systems. In its original implementation, the 3D formulation of the ETAR method is modified empirically as a 2D calculation in order to reduce computation time. The modification compromises the use of the method in several treatment geometries. An examination of the ETAR formulation shows that the calculation can be expressed as a convolution and thus can be performed in 3D using fast Fourier transform (FFT) techniques. The algorithm has been implemented as a 3D FFT convolution. Making use of the symmetric properties of the FFT, the new approach shows significant savings in computation time without excessive memory requirement. Despite its fundamental limitations when applied to regions of electronic disequilibrium, the ETAR method offers a practical solution to improving current dose calculation in 3D treatment planning, particularly when the more advanced scatter ray‐tracing dose calculation algorithms remain impractical for clinical use. Recent work to extend the method to approximate electron transport is also encouraging.
Recognition of shared melanoma antigens in association with major HLA-A alleles by tumor infiltrating T lymphocytes from 123 patients with melanoma

A total of 123 tumor-infiltrating T lymphocyte (TIL) cultures established from patients with HLA-A1, -A2, -A3, -A24, or -A31 metastatic melanoma in the Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, were screened for recognition of shared melanoma antigens including five melanosomal proteins (tyrosinase, MART-1/melan-A, gp100, TRP1, TRP2) as well as peptides derived from MAGE-1 and MAGE-3. Examination of the specificity of these T cells indicated that 16% of HLA-A1 TIL, 57% of HLA-A2 TIL, 7% of HLA-A3 TIL, 13% of HLA-A24 TIL, and 27% of HLA-A31 TIL recognized shared melanoma antigens restricted by major histocompatibility complex class I. Melanosomal proteins were frequently recognized by these TIL, and MART-1(27-35), gp100(154-162), gp100(209-217), and gp100(280-288) represent highly immunogenic epitopes that were recognized by a high percentage of HLA-A2 restricted melanoma reactive TIL. Recognition of gp100 by HLA-A2 restricted TIL significantly correlated with clinical response to adoptive immunotherapy with TIL in 21 HLA-A2 melanoma patients (p = 0.024). Four HLA-A1, two HLA-A2, two HLA-A3, one HLA-A24, and two HLA-A31 restricted shared antigen-specific TIL did not recognize the previously identified antigens tested in this study, and may be useful for the identification of new melanoma antigens. The observation that TILs isolated from patients with metastatic melanoma recognized melanosomal proteins in the context of predominant HLA-A alleles implies that it may be possible to develop immunotherapies for patients with melanoma expressing diverse HLA types.
Providing immunizations in a pediatric emergency department: underimmunization rates and parental acceptance.

Objectives: To assess the vaccination status and vaccinate eligible children with age-appropriate antigens. Design: Intervention. Setting: Pediatric emergency department in an urban, public hospital. Patients: Convenience sample of children, aged birth through 72 months. Interventions: Immunization of eligible children. Main Outcome Measures: 1) Immunization coverage rates in the sample population, 2) Acceptance rates of immunization. Results: A total of 9321 children were enrolled over a 2-year period. Fifty-nine percent were documented to be underimmunized. Overall, 2514 children received a total of 6482 immunizations. Parents who carried portable immunization cards documenting that their child was underimmunized were almost five times more likely to accept immunization for their child than parents who lacked documentation (71% VS 15%, P <0.0001). The estimated cost of providing immunizations in the emergency department was $47.15 per child immunized, or $18.56 per immunization given. Conclusions: The majority of children with documentation of immunization status were underimmunized. When documentation of underimmunization was available, parents were significantly more likely to accept vaccination. These data suggest that vaccinating children in nontraditional settings is feasible and support the creation of an accessible vaccine registry.
Individual and community predictors of fear of criminal victimization: Results from a national sample of urban US citizens

The present study investigated the validity of the construct of fear of criminal victimization, and identified factors associated with fear and crime prevention behaviors using a nationally representative sample from 12 US cities. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling analyses indicated that along with individual-level characteristics, three latent constructs were predictive of fear and preventive behaviors, including: law enforcement, neighborhood environment and neighborhood crime. Specifically, knowledge of negative characteristics of the neighborhood environment and neighborhood crime were related to increased fear, whereas increased law enforcement activities were predictive of less fear. Additionally, knowledge of law enforcement activities and greater neighborhood crime lead to more preventive efforts, whereas knowledge of negative neighborhood characteristics lead to decreased preventive efforts. These findings provide empirical support for the multidimensionality of fear of criminal victimization, indicating that reformative efforts should be directed toward all three constructs in order to curtail fear.
Torture Is the Ticking Time‐Bomb: Why the Necessity Defense Fails

Abstract: The essay asks whether the ‘necessity defense’ can be used to legitimate torture. By modifying the criteria so as to fit the case, it is argued that torture fails to meet the established norms of the historic just-war tradition, which also underlie international law. ‘Interrogational,’‘terroristic,’ and ‘demonic’ aspects of torture are distinguished along the way. It is concluded that torture admits no necessity by which it can be justified.
Development of a two-sided piezoelectric rotary ultrasonic motor for high torque

A two-sided piezoelectric traveling-wave rotary ultrasonic motor is being developed for a high-torque, low-speed application. In the symmetric two-sided configuration, the elliptical motion of teeth on both sides of the vibrating element is coupled to two respective interfaces, inherently increasing the motor's torque capability at reduced rotating speeds. Greater torque densities are attainable than with present configurations which operate with a single interface, enabling reduced size and mass and expanding the potential for direct-drive applications. The design of a two-sided motor prototype was initiated with a previously developed nonlinear physical dynamics model for the purpose of predicting, a priori, steady-state motor performance in a timely, automated manner. To assess the model's merit, the performance of a similar commercially available one-sided motor was simulated and compared to experimentally obtained measurements. Then, using the knowledge gained from correlating the two, a two- sided motor was designed to output significantly greater torque. A prototype was realized, and its speed-torque and efficiency-torque characteristics were obtained and compared to the predicted curves. Impressive stall torque and torque density have been achieved, yet lower than expected performance raises questions regarding the contact profile. Careful redesign of the passive interface washers to improve performance constitutes ongoing work, and improvements to the model are suggested which would alleviate present limitations and make it a more powerful design tool.
Getting (Chromosomes) Loaded—A New Role for Timeless

A recent study in C. elegans reveals an unanticipated link between sister chromatid cohesion and the TIM-1 protein, a homolog of the Drosophila circadian rhythm protein TIMELESS. The phenotypes of tim-1 mutants suggest that cohesin subunits load onto chromosomes in a stepwise manner. Whether TIM-1 is also involved in circadian rhythms is discussed.
An XPS study of the adherence of refractory carbide silicide and boride rf‐sputtered wear‐resistant coatings

Radio frequency sputtering was used to deposit refractory carbide, silicide, and boride coatings on 440-C steel substrates. Both sputter etched and pre-oxidized substrates were used and the films were deposited with and without a substrate bias. The composition of the coatings was determined as a function of depth by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy combined with argon ion etching. Friction and wear tests were conducted to evaluate coating adherence. In the interfacial region there was evidence that bias may produce a graded interface for some compounds. Biasing, while generally improving bulk film stoichiometry, can adversely affect adherence by removing interfacial oxide layers. Oxides of all film constituents except carbon and iron were present in all cases but the iron oxide coverage was only complete on the preoxidized substrates. The film and iron oxides were mixed in the MoSi2 and Mo2C films but layered in the Mo2B5 films. In the case of mixed oxides, preoxidation enhanced film adherence. In the layered case it did not.
Is happiness a home in the suburbs? The influence of urban versus suburban neighborhoods on psychological health.

Classic urban theory suggests that living in highly urbanized areas of the city results in social isolation, social disorganization, and psychological problems. Living in the suburbs, however, is thought to be much more conducive to happiness, because suburban areas have a lower population density, lower crime, and a more stable population when compared to urban areas. Using data collected in 1974 from the Detroit Metropolitan Area, this study evaluates this “happy suburbanite” hypothesis. Results show that people living in the suburbs are no more likely to express greater satisfaction with their neighborhood, greater satisfaction with the quality of their lives, or stronger feelings of self-efficacy than people living in the city. The analyses reveal that social integration and perceptions of the neighborhood are associated with neighborhood satisfaction, whereas employment status, age, housing satisfaction, and neighborhood satisfaction are associated with good psychological health. The results also show that length of residence has the strongest effect on neighborhood social ties and participation in local activities. The implication of these findings for a social psychological theory of community life is discussed.
Photochemical generation and reactivity of the 5,6-dihydrouridin-6-yl radical.

Nucleobase radicals are the major family of reactive intermediates formed when nucleic acids are exposed to hydroxyl radical, which is produced by γ-radiolysis and Fe·EDTA. Significant advances have been made in understanding the role of nucleobase radicals in oxidative DNA damage by independently generating these species from photochemical precursors. However, this approach has been used much less frequently to study RNA molecules. Norrish type I photocleavage of the tert-butyl ketone (2b) enabled studying the reactivity of 5′-benzoyl-5,6-dihydrouridin-6-yl (1b). High mass balances were observed under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, and O2 did not affect the photochemical conversion of the ketone (2b) to 1b. Competition studies with O2 indicate that the radical abstracts hydrogen atoms from β-mercaptoethanol with a bimolecular rate constant = 2.6 ± 0.5 × 106 M−1s−1. The major product formed in the presence of O2 was 5′-benzoyl-6-hydroxy-5,6-dihydrouridine (6). In contrast, 5-benzoyl-ribonolactone (7), a...
TNF-α–Induced Tolerance to Ischemic Injury Involves Differential Control of NF-κB Transactivation: The Role of NF-κB Association with p300 Adaptor:

Preconditioning with sublethal ischemia results in natural tolerance to ischemic stress, where multiple mediators of ischemic damage are simultaneously counteracted. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) has been implicated in development of ischemic tolerance. Using cellular models of ischemic tolerance, we have demonstrated that an effector of TNF-alpha-induced preconditioning is ceramide, a sphingolipid messenger in TNF-alpha signaling. TNF-alpha/ceramide-induced preconditioning protected cultured neurons against ischemic death and cultured astrocytes against proinflammatory effects of TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha activates a transcription factor NF-kappaB that binds promoters of multiple genes, thus ensuring pleiotropic effects of TNF-alpha. We describe here a mechanism that allows selective suppression of TNF-alpha/NF-kappaB-induced harmful genes in preconditioned cells while preserving cytoprotective responses. We demonstrate that in astrocytes activation of an adhesion molecule ICAM-1 by TNF-alpha is regulated through association of the phosphorylated p65 subunit of NF-kappaB with an adapter protein, p300, and that in preconditioned cells p65 remains unphosphorylated and ICAM-1 transcription is inhibited. However, TNF-alpha-activated transcription of a protective enzyme, MnSOD, does not depend on p300 and does not become inhibited in preconditioned cells. This new understanding of TNF-alpha-induced adaptation to ischemic stress and inflammation could suggest novel avenues for clinical intervention during ischemic and inflammatory diseases.
Perinatal indicators and subsequent crib death

The supposition is supported that infants subsequently succumbing to crib death (sudden infant death syndrome) endured perinatal stress and had constitutional vulnerabilities, particularly suggestive of oxygenation deficits. Closer attention to predictive variables, neonatal assessment of sensorimotor functioning, and the refinement of already existing risk scales could enable better detection of high-risk infants, and thus facilitate opportunities for intervention.
Alumina-supported Cu@Ni and Ni@Cu core–shell nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity in water–gas-shift reaction

Abstract Novel Cu@Ni catalysts consisting of a Cu core and a Ni shell and Ni@Cu catalysts have been synthesized by successive reduction of Cu and Ni sources dissolved in ethanol. A combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), CO chemisorption, as well as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to characterize the core–shell nanoparticle catalysts. The powder XRD patterns, CO chemisorption data, and UV–vis spectra indicated the formation of core–shell structures in the bimetallic Cu–Ni nanoparticles. Cu5@Ni5 and Ni5@Cu6.5 nanoparticles with an average particle size of 4.7 and 5.4 nm, respectively, were observed in TEM images. Alumina-supported Ni@Cu nanoparticle catalysts were found to possess similar activity in the water–gas-shift (WGS) reaction to supported Cu catalysts, while supported Cu@Ni catalysts showed comparable WGS activity to supported Ni catalysts and reduced extent of undesirable methanation side-reaction.
Role of ischemia in the induction of changes in cell membrane during hemorrhagic shock.

Abstract Sustained hemorrhagic shock results in consistent depression of the transmembrane potential difference in the skeletal muscle cell. Ischemia produces abrupt changes in the PD after a variable but long period of electrogenic normality. In the presence of shock, a tourniquet isolated extremity would show the changes of ischemia, but not those of shock. The PD changes seen during hemorrhagic shock appear not primarily related to tissue ischemia.
Bandwidth allocation for best effort traffic to achieve 100% throughput

Generalized Processor Sharing (GPS) is a powerful fluid model and there are practical scheduling algorithms that can perfectly emulate it. GPS has been widely used as the reference model to schedule guaranteed performance traffic. However, there has not been a way to apply GPS to best effort traffic. In this paper, we propose a bandwidth allocation scheme called Queue Length Proportional (QLP) for crossbar switches without speedup, so as to use GPS to schedule best effort traffic. QLP dynamically obtains a feasible bandwidth matrix as the GPS scheduling criteria. In QLP, the amount of service that each flow receives is proportional to the length of its backlogged queue. We analytically prove that QLP is strongly stable and hence provides 100% throughput for any admissible traffic, no matter whether the traffic distribution is uniform or nonuniform. Moreover, we show that QLP is feasible, which means the allocated bandwidth does not exceed the available capacity. Finally, we perform simulations to verify the theoretical results and to measure the performance of QLP.
Hepatotoxicity: From Genomics to In Vivo and In Vitro Models

Hepatotoxicity: From Genomics to In Vivo and In Vitro Models. First Edition. Saura C. Sahu, Editor, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., Chichester, UK, 2007, 682 pp.As stated by the editor, the main aim of ...
Feed and Water Placement for Starting Bobwhite Quail in Batteries

Abstract A total of 480 unsexed Bobwhite quail were used to determine if placement of feed and water relative to the heat source influenced body weight and mortality to 4 weeks of age. Body weights at 4 weeks of age were significantly lighter when water was located away from the heat source. Mortality and feed conversion were not influenced by placement of feed and water.
Vibrational Modes in Acoustic Gallery Scanning Probe Microscopy

A distinct characteristic in Acoustic Gallery Scanning Probe Microscopy (AG-SPM) constitutes the use of its supporting structural frame as an acoustic resonant cavity for monitoring the nanometer-sized amplitude of its stylus-probe. Although very straightforward in its implementation, its amplitude detection sensitivity could be improved by a more thorough understanding of its working principle mechanism, as well as by a more systematic procedure to attain a closer matching between one of the cavitys acoustic resonances and the probes natural frequency. Herein, a description of the working principle of the AG-SPM is attempted from a vibrationalmode analysis perspective, and a successful specific procedure is presented to maximize the AG acoustic response. Such an improvement in sensitivity will make AG-SPM a better metrology instrumentation to study probe-sample shear-force interactions at nanometer scale separation distances, as well as its role in the fabrication of nanostructures via SPM.
Multiple Disadvantaged Statuses and Health The Role of Multiple Forms of Discrimination

The double disadvantage hypothesis predicts that adults who hold more than one disadvantaged status may experience worse health than their singly disadvantaged and privileged counterparts. Research that has tested this thesis has yielded mixed findings due partly to a failure to examine the role of discrimination. This article uses data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (N = 2,647) to investigate the relationship between multiple disadvantaged statuses and health, and whether multiple forms of interpersonal discrimination contribute to this association. The results suggest that multiply disadvantaged adults are more likely to experience major depression, poor physical health, and functional limitations than their singly disadvantaged and privileged counterparts. Further, multiple forms of discrimination partially mediate the relationship between multiple stigmatized statuses and health. Taken together, these findings suggest that multiply disadvantaged adults do face a “...
Radiobiology of Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

In recent years, increasing number of cancer patients are treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which deliver hypofractionated irradiation with high-dose per fraction . It is highly likely that the radiobiological principles such as 4 Rs (Reoxygenation, Repair, Redistribution, Repopulation) for the conventional fractionated radiotherapy with small-dose per fractions do not apply for SRS and SBRT. Reoxygenation: When tumors are exposed to high-dose per fraction, e.g. [10 Gy, significant vascular damage will occur. Consequently, intratumor environment becomes hypoxic and acidic, which not only will prevent reoxygenation of hypoxic cells but also will cause indirect cell death. Repair: delivery of SRS or SBRT lasts considerable lengths of time, which may allow repair of sub-lethal radiation damage during the irradiation exposure. Redistribution: high-dose irradiation prevents cell cycle progression and cells undergo interphase death in the cell cycle phases where they are irradiated. Repopulation: Since SRS or SBRT treatment is completed within 1-2 weeks, repopulation of tumor cells during the course of treatment may be negligible. The linearquadratic (LQ) model , which is used to calculate isoeffect doses for different hyperfractionated irradiation schemes, may be applied for hypofractionated SRS or SBRT, provided that indirect cell death due to vascular damage is negligible.
THE DEMONSTRATION OF Y2BACUO5 PARTICLE SEGREGATION IN MELT-PROCESSED YBA2CU3O7-X THROUGH A COMPUTER VISUALIZATION MODEL

In melt-processed YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{ital x}} (123) microstructures, often unreacted Y{sub 2}BaCuO{sub 5} (211) particles are observed to be present in an inhomogeneous manner delineating distinguishable patterns. The presence of these patterns in 123 is more clearly observed in the case of low 211 volume concentration and also when the 211 particle size is small. The observed patterns are believed to be due to 211 particle segregation in 123 domains in specific planes during melt texture growth. In the present paper a software program is used to draw a three-dimensional visualization model to demonstrate a possible structure of 211 particle segregation in 123 domains and to explain the presence of observed patterns in the microstructures. The formation of such a 211 particle segregation is explained in the light of previously proposed 123 growth mechanisms. {copyright} {ital 1996 Materials Research Society.}
The rediscovery of the lymphatic system: old and new insights into the development and biological function of the lymphatic vasculature

The lymphatic system is composed of a vascular network of thin-walled capillaries that drain protein-rich lymph from the extracellular spaces within most organs. A continuous single-cell layer of overlapping endothelial cells lines the lymphatic capillaries, which lack a continuous basement membrane and are, therefore, highly permeable. Lymph returns to venous circulation via the larger lymphatic collecting vessels, which contain a muscular and adventitial layer, and the thoracic duct. The lymphatic system also includes lymphoid organs such as the lymph nodes, tonsils, Peyer’s patches, spleen, and thymus, all of which play an important role in the immune response. The lymphatic system develops in parallel with the blood vascular system through a process known as lymphangiogenesis, and lymphatic vessels are not normally present in avascular structures such as epidermis, hair, nails, cartilage, and cornea, nor in some vascularized organs such as brain and retina. Although studies of normal development and pathologic growth of the blood vascular system have thoroughly elucidated the molecular mechanisms that control these angiogenic processes (Gale and Yancopoulos 1999), studies of the lymphatic system have been hindered by the lack of specific lymphatic markers and growth factors. Consequently, our understanding of the development and function of the lymphatic system and its role in disease is still emerging. Recently, the discovery of molecules that specifically control lymphatic development and lymphatic vessel growth (lymphangiogenesis) and the identification of new lymphatic endothelium-specific markers (Breiteneder-Geleff et al. 1999; Wigle and Oliver 1999; Jackson et al. 2001; Sleeman et al. 2001; Veikkola et al. 2001) have facilitated key scientific advances and provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms that control lymphatic development and function. These findings include the identification of specific genetic defects in certain hereditary diseases that are associated with lymphatic hypoplasia and dysfunction (i.e., lymphedemas; Milroy 1892; Meige 1898), and evidence that malignant tumors can directly activate lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis (Karpanen et al. 2001; Mandriota et al. 2001; Skobe et al. 2001a; Stacker et al. 2001).
The complexity of DRw6 and DR5 haplotypes in American blacks demonstrated by serology, cellular typing, and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Abstract This study describes the diversity of DRw6 and DR5 haplotypes in the American black population using serology, cellular typing, and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. DRw6 (DRw13 and DRw14) and DR5 (DRw11 and DRw12) haplotypes are observed at a high frequency in this population (DRw6: 32%, DR5: 30%). Many of these haplotypes express undefined HLA-D specificities and unusual DQ and DRw52 associations which previously have not been well characterized or reported (e.g., DRw13, DQw5, DRw52c, D-; DRw13, DQw2, DRw52a, D-; DRw11, DQw5, DRw52c, D-). Serologic analysis of class II alleles in American blacks suggests the presence of DRw13, DRw11 and DQw6 alletic variants and demonstrates the difficulty in defining DRw6 and DR5 in this population. The class II genes from four American black families expressing many of the novel DRw13, DRw14, DRw11, and DRw12 haplotypes defined by serology and mixed leukocyte culture were further characterized by RFLP analysis. The data presented here along with other published data identify at least eight DRw13 haplotypes (DRw13A-DRw13H) in the human population. Five of these haplotypes exhibit an undefined HLA-D specificity. Three DRw14 haplotypes (DRw14A-DRw14C) and eight DR5 haplotypes (DRw11A-DRw11E and DRw12A-DRw12C) were also identified. The novel DRw6 and DR5 haplotypes observed in American blacks may arise from differences in DRB1, DQA1, and DQB1 genes as well as from differences in the combinations of alleles of these genes encoded by a haplotype. The serologic and RFLP analyses suggest that some DRw13 and DRw11 haplotypes represent transitional steps between DRw13 and DRw11 in the evolutionary pathway which generated the DRw52 family.
Poplar breeding and testing strategies in the north-central U.S.: demonstration of potential yield and consideration of future research needs

We present results from a Populus Regional Testing Program that has been conducted in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan over the past six years. Our objectives have been to: 1) identify highly productive, disease resistant intra- and inter-specific clonal selections and 2) understand patterns of genotype x environment interactions within the region that would, logically, govern commercial deployment of new clones. Clones were developed by breeding and selection programs at the University of Illinois, Iowa State University, University of Minnesota, and the USDA Forest Service for experiments established in 1995. We report results of analyses of variance and principal component analyses of tree diameters and estimated above-ground biomass that demonstrate significant genotype main effects and significant genotype x environment interactions. Maximum mean annual above-ground biomass increments have surpassed 16Mg ha-1 y-l, exceeding previously reported yields of poplars grown under similar conditions in the north-central U.S. We also discuss the breeding and selection of poplars in general with specific attention to regional research needs.
Manganese superoxide dismutase mediates the early release of mitochondrial cytochrome C and subsequent DNA fragmentation after permanent focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

Recent studies have shown that release of mitochondrial cytochrome c is a critical step in the apoptosis process. We have reported that cytosolic redistribution of cytochrome c in vivo occurred after transient focal cerebral ischemia (FCI) in rats and preceded the peak of DNA fragmentation. Although the involvement of reactive oxygen species in the cytosolic redistribution of cytochrome c in vitro has been suggested, the detailed mechanism by which cytochrome c release is mediated in vivo has not yet been established. Also, the role of mitochondrial oxidative stress in cytochrome c release is unknown. These issues can be addressed using knock-out mutants that are deficient in the level of the mitochondrial antioxidant manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD). In this study we examined the subcellular distribution of the cytochrome c protein in both wild-type mice and heterozygous knock-outs of the Mn-SOD gene (Sod2 −/+) after permanent FCI, in which apoptosis is assumed to participate. Cytosolic cytochrome c was detected as early as 1 hr after ischemia, and correspondingly, mitochondrial cytochrome c showed a significant reduction 2 hr after ischemia ( p < 0.01). Cytosolic accumulation of cytochrome c was significantly higher in Sod2 −/+ mice compared with wild-type animals ( p < 0.05). N -benzyloxycarbonyl-val-ala-asp-fluoromethyl ketone (z-VAD.FMK), a nonselective caspase inhibitor, did not affect cytochrome c release after ischemia. A significant amount of DNA laddering was detected 24 hr after ischemia and increased in Sod2 −/+ mice. These data suggest that Mn-SOD blocks cytosolic release of cytochrome c and could thereby reduce apoptosis after permanent FCI.
Nonlinear waves in compacting media

An investigation of the mathematical model of a compacting medium proposed by McKenzie (1984) for the purpose of understanding the migration and segregation of melts in the Earth is presented. The numerical observation that the governing equations admit solutions in the form of nonlinear one-dimensional waves of permanent shape is confirmed analytically. The properties of these solitary waves are presented, namely phase speed as a function of melt content, nonlinear interaction and conservation quantities. The information at hand suggests that these waves are not solitons.
Network and radio receiver simulation studies of the Pan-European digital cellular system .

Two GSM (Groupe Special Mobile) network simulation tools, TRANSIM and GSMRCVR, are discussed. The first has been effectively used to predict call-type traffic delays and processor performance and can also be used to configure mobile switching centers. Extensive simulations have been performed on the radio reception performance for GSM. Coding gains have been established for the basic coding/interleaving scheme. This scheme appears to break down at slower speeds and requires hopping over a number of frequencies to correct. Results have been found to be quite sensitive to the channel model used. >
Adaptive step-down switched-capacitor power converter with z-domain observation-based line-load regulation

The paper presents an integrated switched-capacitor power converter, employing an efficient step-down conversion power stage and a cost-effective observation-based controller for both line and load regulations. The complete z-domain design makes system modeling and analysis consistent and efficient, avoiding the controversial domain transformations. The converter delivers up to 220 mW power with a maximum efficiency of 74.1%, surpassing a linear regulatorpsilas theoretical limit. The output is adjustable from 1.25 to 2.0 V, with a 3.3-V input supply. The converter responds to a 100% load step change from 36 to 72 mA within only 165 ns. The measured DVS tracking time is no longer than 45 mus to a 0.55-V step change.
RADIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF SPLENIC INJURY WITHOUT CONTRAST: IS CONTRAST TRULY NEEDED?

Introduction Computed tomography (CT) has become an essential tool in the assessment of the stable trauma patient. Intravenous (IV) contrast is commonly relied upon to provide superior image quality, particularly for solid-organ injury. However, a substantial proportion of injured patients have contraindications to IV contrast. Little information exists concerning the repercussions of CT imaging without IV contrast, specifically for splenic injury. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis using data from our trauma registry and chart review as part of a quality improvement project at our institution. All patients with splenic injury, during a 3-year period (2008–2010), where a CT of the abdomen without IV contrast (DRY) early during their admission were selected. All splenic injuries had to have been verified with abdominal CT imaging with IV contrast (CONTRAST) or via intraoperative findings. DRY images were independently read by a single, blinded, radiologist and assessed for parenchymal injury or “suspicious” splenic injury findings and compared with CONTRAST imaging results or intraoperative findings. Results During the time period of the study, 319 patients had documented splenic injury with 44 (14%) patients undergoing DRY imaging, which was also verified by CONTRAST imaging or operative findings. Splenic parenchymal injury was only visualized in 38% of patients DRY patients. “Suspicious” splenic injury radiographic findings were common. When these less-specific findings for splenic injury were incorporated in the radiographic assessment, DRY imaging had more than 93% sensitivity for detecting splenic injury. Conclusion DRY imaging is increasingly being performed after injury and has a low sensitivity in detecting splenic parenchymal injury. However, less-specific radiographic findings suspicious for splenic injury in combination provide high sensitivity for the detection of splenic injury. These results suggest CONTRAST imaging is preferred to detect splenic injury; however, in those patients who have contraindications to IV contrast, DRY imagining may be able to select those who require close monitoring or intervention.
A DC/DC resonant power converter for an electric artificial heart

A switch-mode voltage switching class E power converter has been developed for use with an electric-powered total artificial heart. This work outlines a procedure taken in utilizing class E power amplifier techniques for DC/DC conversion with transcutaneous powering. The power converter's load network consists of a pair of coupled coils, matching circuit and rectifier/filter which determine the transient response. The converter will power the control systems and implantable rechargeable batteries of the Milwaukee total artificial heart, which together require 10 to 12 W (nominal). Small-size coupled coils and high efficiency (upper 80% presently) benefit from operation at 2.0 MHz. >
Miscible blend dynamics and the length scale of local compositions

We consider the influence of a local, or effective, composition on dynamics in the miscible polymer blend PEO/PMMA. Quasielastic neutron scattering in combi- nation with deuterium labeling is employed to determine characteristic relaxation times of the PEO component over spatial scales from 3 to 10 A ˚ . Information about the distribution of relaxation times is obtained indirectly from the stretching parameters in a stretched exponential fit. We examine the behavior of these parameters with spat- ial scale and temperature, finding that their variation supports a distribution of PEO mobility in the blend which is far wider than pure PEO and narrows with decreasing temperature for small spatial scales. This is linked to the concept of local compositions defined over varying spatial scales, and indicates that the concept of a local composi- tion, linked to PEO dynamics, is important in this system. V C 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J
THE EVOLUTIONARY RESPONSE OF PREDATORS TO DANGEROUS PREY: HOTSPOTS AND COLDSPOTS IN THE GEOGRAPHIC MOSAIC OF COEVOLUTION BETWEEN GARTER SNAKES AND NEWTS

Abstract The “geographic mosaic” approach to understanding coevolution is predicated on the existence of variable selection across the landscape of an interaction between species. A range of ecological factors, from differences in resource availability to differences in community composition, can generate such a mosaic of selection among populations, and thereby differences in the strength of coevolution. The result is a mixture of hotspots, where reciprocal selection is strong, and coldspots, where reciprocal selection is weak or absent, throughout the ranges of species. Population subdivision further provides the opportunity for nonadaptive forces, including gene flow, drift, and metapopulation dynamics, to influence the coevolutionary interaction between species. Some predicted results of this geographic mosaic of coevolution include maladapted or mismatched phenotypes, maintenance of high levels of polymorphism, and prevention of stable equilibrium trait combinations. To evaluate the potential for the...
Treatment strategies for advanced hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor 2-negative breast cancer: the role of treatment order

Although survival rates among patients with breast cancer have improved in recent years, those diagnosed with advanced disease with distant metastasis face a 5-year survival rate of less than 25%, making the management of these patients an area still in significant need of continued research. Selecting the optimal treatment order from among the variety of currently available therapy options presents a relevant challenge for medical oncologists. With the understanding that the majority of patients with breast cancer and those who succumb to this disease have HR-positive disease, this review will focus on treatment options and treatment order in patients with HR-positive advanced breast cancer. While endocrine therapy is considered the preferred treatment for first-line therapy in HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer, selection of the specific agent depends on the menopausal status of the patient. Palbociclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor, is also recommended as first-line treatment in patients with ER-positive/HER2-negative disease. In patients with endocrine therapy-resistant disease, specific strategies include sequencing of other antiestrogen receptor agents, or agents that target other molecular pathways. Future treatment strategies for patients with primary or secondary resistance to endocrine therapy for advanced disease are discussed. These strategies include first-line therapy with high-dose fulvestrant or everolimus (in combination with exemestane or letrozole or with other endocrine therapies), use of the PI3K inhibitors (e.g., buparlisib, alpelisib, pictilisib, taselisib), entinostat, CDK 4/6 inhibitors (e.g., palbociclib, ribociclib, abemaciclib), and novel selective estrogen receptor degradation agents that may enhance the targeting of acquired mutations in the ESR1 gene.
Nonspatial Sequence Coding in CA1 Neurons.

The hippocampus is critical to the memory for sequences of events, a defining feature of episodic memory. However, the fundamental neuronal mechanisms underlying this capacity remain elusive. While considerable research indicates hippocampal neurons can represent sequences of locations, direct evidence of coding for the memory of sequential relationships among nonspatial events remains lacking. To address this important issue, we recorded neural activity in CA1 as rats performed a hippocampus-dependent sequence-memory task. Briefly, the task involves the presentation of repeated sequences of odors at a single port and requires rats to identify each item as “in sequence” or “out of sequence”. We report that, while the animals9 location and behavior remained constant, hippocampal activity differed depending on the temporal context of items—in this case, whether they were presented in or out of sequence. Some neurons showed this effect across items or sequence positions (general sequence cells), while others exhibited selectivity for specific conjunctions of item and sequence position information (conjunctive sequence cells) or for specific probe types (probe-specific sequence cells). We also found that the temporal context of individual trials could be accurately decoded from the activity of neuronal ensembles, that sequence coding at the single-cell and ensemble level was linked to sequence memory performance, and that slow-gamma oscillations (20–40 Hz) were more strongly modulated by temporal context and performance than theta oscillations (4–12 Hz). These findings provide compelling evidence that sequence coding extends beyond the domain of spatial trajectories and is thus a fundamental function of the hippocampus. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The ability to remember the order of life events depends on the hippocampus, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we addressed this issue by recording neural activity in hippocampal region CA1 while rats performed a nonspatial sequence memory task. We found that hippocampal neurons code for the temporal context of items (whether odors were presented in the correct or incorrect sequential position) and that this activity is linked with memory performance. The discovery of this novel form of temporal coding in hippocampal neurons advances our fundamental understanding of the neurobiology of episodic memory and will serve as a foundation for our cross-species, multitechnique approach aimed at elucidating the neural mechanisms underlying memory impairments in aging and dementia.
What do we know about fracture risk in long-duration spaceflight?

Summary The preponderance of evidence shows that, on average,crews of long-duration spaceflight appear to experiencesevere loss of bone mass, particularly in the lower skeleton.In the proximal femur, a recent study has shown that the lossof trabecular and cortical bone, taken together, may result inlosses of proximal femoral strength in the order of 15% fora six-month flight. These findings, taken together with dataon muscle loss and decreased postural stability in bed rest,indicate that the risk of fracture may increase due to bothdecreased bone strength and an increased risk of falling. Abetter understanding of whether the observed changes inbone strength and postural stability translate to increasedfracture risk will benefit from modeling of the loads associ-ated with physical activities and potential falls on the surfaceof the Moon and Mars. AcknowledgementsResearch was funded by NASA grants NNJ04HC7SA andNNJ04HF78G. References 1. Stupakov GP, Kazaykin VX, Kozlovsky AO, KorolevVV. Evaluation of changes in human axial skeletal bonestructures during long-term spaceflights.Kosmicheskaya Biologiya i AviakosmicheskayaMeditsina 1984; 18:33-37.2. Vogel JM, Whittle MW. Bone mineral changes; the sec-ond Skylab mission. Aviat Space Environ Med 1976;47:396-400.3. Whedon GD, Lutwak L, Reid J, Rambaut P, Whittle M,Smith M, Leach C. Mineral and nitrogen metabolic
Evaluation of Model Validation Techniques in the Presence of Aleatory and Epistemic Input Uncertainties

Model validation is the assessment of the “correctness” of a given model relative to experimental data. The results of a model validation study can be used to quantify the model form uncertainty, to select between different models, or to improve the model (i.e., through calibration or model updating). The process of model validation is complicated by the fact that both the simulation and experimental outcomes include significant uncertainty, which can come in the form of aleatory (random) uncertainties, epistemic (lack-of-knowledge) uncertainties, and bias errors. The application of Probability Bounds Analysis for treating mixed (i.e., containing both aleatory and epistemic) input uncertainties results in a family of cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) of the simulation outcomes, which is referred to as a “probability box” or “p-box.” The fact that a family of CDFs, as opposed to a single CDF, is required to characterize the outcomes complicates the implementation of model validation techniques. In this paper, we will examine the following approaches to model validation and assess their ability to handle problems with mixed uncertainties: 1) the area validation metric, 2) a modified area validation metric with a factor of safety, 3) a modified area validation metric with confidence intervals, 4) the standard validation uncertainty, and 5) the difference in simulation and experimental means. To provide a rigorous assessment of these model validation techniques, we employ the recently developed Method of Manufactured Universes (MMU), where “true values in nature” are constructed by the analyst to reflect the behavior of a physical reality of interest. Here, MMU is applied to the compressible turbulent flow over a NACA 0012 airfoil, where the “true” values are constructed using turbulent computational fluid dynamics simulations while the “model” employs simplified lift and drag estimates based on thin airfoil theory and empirical lift and drag correlations. Preliminary results suggest that the modified area validation metric implementations provide more conservative estimates of the model form uncertainty than the area validation metric for mean values, with the confidence-interval implementation also returning smaller uncertainty ratios.
Severe metabolic acidosis in the rat induced by toxic doses of tetracycline.

SummaryTreatment of rats with tetracycline in a dosage of 400 mg/kg results in a syndrome somewhat similar to reported cases in humans of death following intravenous administration of large doses of tetracycline. The rats rapidly developed a severe metabolic acidosis with arterial pH levels frequently decreasing to values below 7.10 units. The acidosis was disproportionately severe for the degree of azotemia present. In addition, marked hyperkalemia frequently developed within 4-8 hours after administration of tetracycline. It is suggested that death resulted from an overwhelming metabolic acidosis or cardiac arrhythmias due to hyperkalemia.
Composite Constant Propagation and its Application to Android Program Analysis

Many program analyses require statically inferring the possible values of composite types. However, current approaches either do not account for correlations between object fields or do so in an ad hoc manner. In this paper, we introduce the problem of composite constant propagation. We develop the first generic solver that infers all possible values of complex objects in an interprocedural, flow and context-sensitive manner, taking field correlations into account. Composite constant propagation problems are specified using COAL, a declarative language. We apply our COAL solver to the problem of inferring Android Inter-Component Communication (ICC) values, which is required to understand how the components of Android applications interact. Using COAL, we model ICC objects in Android more thoroughly than the state-of-the-art. We compute ICC values for 489 applications from the Google Play store. The ICC values we infer are substantially more precise than previous work. The analysis is efficient, taking two minutes per application on average. While this work can be used as the basis for many whole-program analyses of Android applications, the COAL solver can also be used to infer the values of composite objects in many other contexts.