cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Single-Fraction Proton Beam Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

Purpose/Objective(s) To evaluate the obliteration rate and potential adverse effects of single-fraction proton beam stereotactic radiosurgery (PSRS) in patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Methods and Materials From 1991 to 2010, 248 consecutive patients with 254 cerebral AVMs received single-fraction PSRS at our institution. The median AVM nidus volume was 3.5 cc (range, 0.1-28.1 cc), 23% of AVMs were in critical/deep locations (basal ganglia, thalamus, or brainstem), and the most common prescription dose was 15 Gy(relative biological effectiveness [RBE]). Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to assess factors associated with obliteration and hemorrhage. Results At a median follow-up time of 35 months (range, 6-198 months), 64.6% of AVMs were obliterated. The median time to total obliteration was 31 months (range, 6-127 months), and the 5-year and 10-year cumulative incidence of total obliteration was 70% and 91%, respectively. On univariable analysis, smaller target volume (hazard ratio [HR] 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86-0.93, P P P =.001), and higher maximum dose (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05-1.23, P =.002) were associated with total obliteration. Deep/critical location was also associated with decreased likelihood of obliteration (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.47-0.98, P =.04). On multivariable analysis, critical location (adjusted HR [AHR] 0.42, 95% CI 0.27-0.65, P P =.02) remained associated with total obliteration. Posttreatment hemorrhage occurred in 13 cases (5-year cumulative incidence of 7%), all among patients with less than total obliteration, and 3 of these events were fatal. The most common complication was seizure, controlled with medications, both acutely (8%) and in the long term (9.1%). Conclusions The current series is the largest modern series of PSRS for cerebral AVMs. PSRS can achieve a high obliteration rate with minimal morbidity. Post-treatment hemorrhage remains a potentially fatal risk among patients who have not yet responded to treatment.
Evaluation of sustainable development alternatives: relevant concepts, resource assessment approaches and comparative spatial indicators

Environmental, social and cultural factors are increasingly recognized as affecting the long‐term viability of development initiatives. The application of selected ecological concepts and a “systems approach” to resource assessment is suggested to improve understanding of environmental constraints and impacts, while providing a more realistic framework for comprehensive land evaluation. This approach includes the analysis of socio‐economic, technological, and cultural indicators in a spatial and temporal framework supported by geographic information systems and relevant performance or risk/impact assessment models. To provide a spatial comparative perspective, the use of a single, composite indicator is suggested, reflecting economic development opportunities, realistic constraints and impacts. The derived comparative index may be used to provide a long‐term, spatial and comparative perspective of economic development opportunities by improving project appraisals and the selection of viable and sustainabl...
Physician use among patients receiving cancer chemotherapy

BACKGROUND Little research has examined the volume and pattern of physician use or the scope of multiple physician use in patients with cancer. METHODS The authors studied a sample of 259 patients with advanced cancer who received outpatient chemotherapy at two hospital clinics and eight private oncology practices. RESULTS These patients reported regularly seeing an average of three different physicians an average of 15 times in 3 months. The number of physicians seen was strongly correlated with the number of reported visits (r = 0.65). Demographic and disease characteristics were associated only moderately with visit volume. Patients without a regular physician had a less concentrated pattern of visits to many doctors than did those with a regular doctor. CONCLUSIONS This pattern of physician use among active treatment patients has not been described before and has implications for continuity of care.
Estimation of molecular weights of peptides and glycopeptides by thin-layer gel filtration

Abstract The technique of thin-layer gel filtration using Sephadex G-50 in 6 m guanidine hydrochloride was evaluated for estimating the molecular weights of peptides and glycopeptides that have molecular weights below 10,000. A linear relationship between log molecular weight and relative distance of migration was obtained for peptides and glycopeptides ranging in molecular weight from 1700 to 10,500 and from 1500 to 3300, respectively. The migration behavior of glycopeptides in the range of 1900–3300 daltons did not differ significantly from that of peptides, indicating that peptides can be used as calibration standards for the estimation of the molecular weight of glycopeptides, in this molecular weight range and possibly beyond 3300. The procedure is rapid, simple, and requires only small amounts of sample (30–100 μg), and molecular weights can be estimated with an average error of
Reactive and nonreactive lymphocytes in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. I. Possible role of macrophage lymphocyte interactions

Previous studies have shown that peritoneal inflammatory exudate cells from guinea pigs with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis proliferate prominently when cultured with the sensitizing myelin basic protein. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) obtained at the same time responded little, if at all. In the present studies, recombination experiments using appropriate mixtures of peritoneal exudate macrophages and PBL show that the presence of such macrophages will not enhance in vitro reactivity of the PBL to basic protein. The oil-induced peritoneal inflammatory response appears to deplete the PBL somewhat of antigen-reactive lymphocytes, but does not totally explain the difference in in vitro responsiveness between the lymphocytes in the peritoneal exudate and in the peripheral blood.
Visualizing ablation gaps in vitro using a deflectable fiber optic endocardial visualization catheter.

The efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation may be limited by the ability to make continuous and transmural lesions utilizing an ablation catheter. Gaps often persist between ablation lesions leading to failed electrical isolation and thus failed ablation. Recently, a deflectable fiberoptic endocardial visualization catheter has been introduced for use in imaging the coronary sinus using light in the visible spectrum. We utilize this catheter to visualize the endocardial surface and examine radiofrequency ablation lesions in porcine endocardium to determine the presence of gaps between radiofrequency lesions. Videos were taken of the lesions and shown to two readers who were asked to identify the gaps ranging from less than 0.1 mm–9.8 mm. Ninety-four lesion gaps were reviewed. The readers demonstrated a combined accuracy of 98.4% at identifying gaps. Gaps between ablation lesions can be accurately identified down to less than 1 mm distances in vitro using a direct visualization catheter. Further studies are warranted to confirm these finding in vivo.
Interactive macromolecular sites II. Role in prebiotic macromolecular selection and early cellular evolution

All cellular macromolecules are covered with sites or reactive domains to which binding sites can be made on other macromolecules. It is proposed that molecular selection began during prebiotic evolution when polymers which adhered together in three dimensional arrays sedimented out of solution. Those tending to interact two dimensionally to form membranes would be much less actively removed, those forming linear structures less so, and the soluble molecules remaining would tend to be those whose interactive counterparts had been removed. Concentration of the suspension thus produced would tend to yield vesicles having surface and possibly internal membranes, having some internal linear aggregates, and containing soluble macromolecules. Subsequent evolution would select against new surfaces which interacted strongly with those already present (unless an advantageous structure is formed), and would, through random variation, gradually yield a large collection of surfaces whose counter sites are absent. The limiting number of such sites is termed a perfect set and contains all of the information required to recognize foreignness. It is therefore a “self” at the molecular level.
LVI.—Descriptions and records of bees.—CLXI

(1937). LVI.—Descriptions and records of bees.—CLXI. Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Vol. 19, No. 113, pp. 544-552.
Studies on the metabolism of amino acids and related compounds in vivo. VI. Free amino acid levels in the tissues of rats protected against ammonia toxicity.

Abstract The free amino acids present in ethanolic extracts of homogenates of various tissues of the normal rat, and of rats treated with an LD 99.9 dose of ammonium acetate preceded or not by protective doses of l -arginine. HCl, were determined by quantitative paper chromatography. The most striking observations made were ( a ) a very considerable increase of liver aspartic acid in animals treated with ammonia alone, and of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and urea in the livers of animals treated with ammonia and protective arginine, some 15 min. after injection of the ammonia, with no great change in glutamine levels at any time; ( b ) moderate increases of glutamine in the muscle extract of animals given ammonia alone, and of glutamine and urea in extracts of this tissue in animals given both ammonia and protective arginine; and ( c ) considerable increases of glutamine in extracts of brain and of testis with no change in urea levels at any time. It is concluded that ammonia is dealt with in the liver by the Krebs-Henseleit-Ratner cycle, and in brain and testis through the synthesis of glutamine.
Dynamics of a Simulated North American Monsoon Gulf Surge Event

AbstractGulf surges are transient disturbances that propagate along the Gulf of California (GoC) from south to north, transporting cool moist air toward the deserts of northwest Mexico and the southwest United States during the North American monsoon. They have been shown to modulate precipitation and have been linked to severe weather and flooding in northern Mexico and the southwest United States. The general features and progression of surge events are well documented but their detailed dynamical evolution is still unclear. In this study, a convection-permitting simulation is performed over the core monsoon region for the 12–14 July 2004 gulf surge event and the dynamics of the simulated surge are examined. Initially, convection associated with the tropical easterly wave precursor to Tropical Cyclone Blas creates a disturbance in the southern GoC on early 12 July. This disturbance is a precursor to the gulf surge on 13 July and is a Kelvin shock (internal bore under the influence of rotation) that diss...
Debt sustainability and overadjustment

Abstract A simple debt accumulation model based on balance-of-payments identifies is analyzed and used to project debt-to-export ratios in Latin America and Africa uo tp 1990. The fundamentals of debt dynamics are shown to be determined by four ratios: interest rate to export growth, import growth to export growth and the initial debt-to-export and import-to-export ratios. The relevance of the initial conditions and the importance of import growth on debt dynamics are discussed. Sustainability of the debt in terms of keeping debt-to-export ratios on a declining trend is defined and used to quantify the associated amount of excess import restraint in debtor countries. Two tests are constructed that measure excess restraint (i.e., overadjustment) based on the fundamentals of debt dynamics. Both tests assume that interest rates exceed export growth. The first requires a substantial amount of past adjustment effort; the second does not, but places tighter restrictions on the future commitment that is needed to remain solvent. These tests are applied to Latin America and to Africa both before and after the recent downward oil price shock. Estimates of excess import restraint are reported.
Combination oral antiangiogenic therapy with thalidomide and sulindac inhibits tumour growth in rabbits

Neovascularization facilitates tumour growth and metastasis formation. In our laboratory, we attempt to identify clinically available oral efficacious drugs for antiangiogenic activity. Here, we report which non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can inhibit corneal neovascularization, induced by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This antiangiogenic activity may contribute to the known effects of NSAIDs on gastric ulcers, polyps and tumours. We found that sulindac was one of the most potent antiangiogenic NSAIDs, inhibiting bFGF-induced neovascularization by 50% and VEGF-induced neovascularization by 55%. Previously, we reported that thalidomide inhibited growth factor-induced corneal neovascularization. When we combined sulindac with thalidomide, we found a significantly increased inhibition of bFGF- or VEGF-induced corneal neovascularization (by 63% or 74% respectively) compared with either agent alone (P< 0.01). Because of this strong antiangiogenic effect, we tested the oral combination of thalidomide and sulindac for its ability to inhibit the growth of V2 carcinoma in rabbits. Oral treatment of thalidomide or sulindac alone inhibited tumour growth by 55% and 35% respectively. When given together, the growth of the V2 carcinoma was inhibited by 75%. Our results indicated that oral antiangiogenic combination therapy with thalidomide and sulindac may be a useful non-toxic treatment for cancer. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaign
Parent-to-child transplantation with cyclosporine immunosuppression.

The use of cyclosporine, a fungal endecapeptide immunosuppressive agent, has greatly improved the outcome of haploidentical transplantation in adults, but less impressively improved the result of parent to child transplantation. The incidence of allograft loss and treated rejection episodes was much greater in pediatric than in adult recipients, and the evidences of nephrotoxicity lessened. Although resistance of the child's immune system to the effects of the drug cannot be excluded, it appears more likely that this relates to the rapid clearance of the agent in the pediatric age group (39.6 mL/min/kg) versus in adults (12.3 mL/min/kg), thereby reducing the area under the serum concentration curve from 765±593 to 386±277 ng/mL/hr per mg/kg (mean±SD). This effect caused trough serum levels measured by radioimmunoassay to be below the putative threshold. These findings demonstrate the need for higher cyclosporine doses and frequency in pediatric compared with adult patients.
A model of Mozzarella cheese melting and browning during pizza baking

Shreds of full fat Mozzarella cheese usually melt, fuse, and form light brown blisters, but fat-free or lower fat Mozzarella cheese shreds have limited melt and fusion and become scorched during pizza baking in commercial food service pizza ovens. Why is the functionality so different? Our results indicate that dehydration of the shred surface and subsequent skin formation are the critical events during pizza baking that limit melting and induce scorching of fat-free and lower fat Mozzarella cheese during pizza baking. When skin formation is prevented by lightly coating fat-free (<0.25% fat) and lower fat Mozzarella cheese (6 to 9% fat) shred surfaces with a hydrophobic material (ca. 0.9 g vegetable oil/100 g cheese) prior to pizza baking, melting and browning of these cheeses were demonstrated to be similar to those of full fat Mozzarella cheese (21% fat). Therefore, fat within the interior microstructure of the cheese was not necessary to achieve the proper functionality of fat-free and lower fat Mozzarella cheeses during pizza baking. A model is proposed to describe the time series of events occurring during pizza baking.
The Orthogonality of Liberalism and Conservatism Among American Evangelical Protestants

Abstract Kerlinger's (1984) criterial referents theory, which states that responses to conservative sociopolitical issues will be negatively correlated with responses to liberal issues among conservative samples, was tested. Seventy politically aware U.S. evangelicals completed an opinion survey on liberal and conservative religious and political issues. Liberal items were hypothesized to be highly correlated with the operationally defined construct of “liberalism,” conservative items were hypothesized to be highly correlated with the operationally defined construct of “conservatism,” and liberal and conservative constructs were hypothesized to be negatively correlated. A factor analysis revealed that the first and second hypotheses were supported, but the third was not. These findings raise questions regarding the common practice of placing liberalism and conservatism at opposite ends of a single continuum.
All atomic generation and manipulation of squeezed vacuum in hot Rb vapor

We demonstrate control over the noise spectrum of squeezed vacuum by passing it through Rb vapor under EIT conditions. This all-atomic EIT filtering of noise is applicable to gravitational wave interferometers and quantum memory systems.
Toward a conceptualization of communication satisfaction

Need gratification, expectation fulfillment, equivocality reduction, and constraint‐reinforcement conceptualizations have been proposed for the satisfaction construct. Analysis and application of these perspectives to communication satisfaction reveal a number of serious shortcomings. A new perspective, the discriminative fulfillment approach, was developed to overcome these problems. The perspective defines satisfaction as the reinforcement of behavior associated with discriminative stimuli and suggests the investigation of performing and perceiving discriminative stimuli and producing appropriate behaviors and reinforcement.
Grid connected residential photovoltaic energy systems with Plug-In Hybrid electric Vehicles(PHEV) as energy storage

This paper proposes an approach for the control and optimization of power flow by integrating Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV) to an existing residential photovoltaic system. Optimization of Power flow reduces the dependency for electric power from the grid and control involves determining the source from which residential load will be catered. The system built to achieve the goal is a combination of the existing residential photovoltaic system, PHEV, Power Conditioning Unit (PCU) and a controller. The PCU involves two DC-DC Boost Converters and an inverter. This paper emphasizes on developing the controller logic and its implementation in order to accommodate the flexibility and benefits of the proposed integrated system.
Characteristics of the Shoreline Change along Florida Sandy Beaches with an Example for Palm Beach County

Abstract This paper introduces the recently developed resource “Characteristics of the Shoreline Change along the Sandy Beaches of the State of Florida: An Atlas” (available on the web). The shoreline positions on which the Atlas is based encompass 25 coastal counties extending over 1162 km of shoreline and averages over almost 140 years. The data were analyzed over three different periods (early, recent, and total) to distinguish mainly beach nourishment and sand bypassing projects, primarily in the recent period. The east and west coastlines of Florida have advanced significantly in the recent period relative to the early period, with the recent and early period average shoreline change rates being +23 cm/y and +18 cm/y on the east coast and +27 cm/y and −7 cm/y on the west coast, respectively. This improvement is attributable to, in part, the large quantities of sand placed during nourishment and sand bypass projects. Shoreline changes in the vicinity of the 58 inlets were examined, and it was found th...
Long-Term Outcome of Laparoscopic Decortication of Peripheral and Peripelvic Renal and Adrenal Cysts

ABSTRACTPurpose: We determined the perioperative course of laparoscopic decortication of renal/adrenal cysts, and the association among cyst location, radiographic assessment and long-term symptom relief.Materials and Methods: Laparoscopic cyst decortication was performed 18 times in 17 patients for pain relief (1 patient had bilateral cysts) at our institution between August 1996 and June 1999. Of these patients 13 had single and 5 had multiple cysts, and 9 each had peripelvic and peripheral (includes 2 adrenal) cysts. Questionnaires were prospectively distributed to these patients preoperatively, 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively, and annually thereafter. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were reviewed.Results: Perioperative morbidity measures were similar to those previously published with minimal complications and a rapid recovery. Cyst location had no significant perioperative impact. Symptom relief occurred in 78% of cases overall. Median final symptomatic followup was 52 months. Radiographic s...
The Elephant and the Blind Programmers

The architecture of a software-intensive system is best reasoned about through multiple, nearly independent views. Here we examine Kruchten's 4+1 model view in a new light.
Supralinear photoconductivity of copper-doped gallium arsenide

We report on the intensity dependent supralinear photoconductivity in GaAs:Si:Cu material. The results of our measurements show that the effective carrier lifetime can change over two orders of magnitude with variations in the intensity of the optical excitation. Numerical simulations have also been carried out to analyze the effect. The intensity dependent lifetimes obtained from the simulations match the experiments very well. Such a nonlinear intensity dependence could have possible low-energy phototransistor applications.
Cryoatomic Force Microscopy of Filamentous Actin

Cryoatomic force microscopy (cryo-AFM) was used to image phalloidin-stabilized actin filaments adsorbed to mica. The single filaments are clearly shown to be right-handed helical structures with a periodicity of approximately 38 nm. Even at a moderate concentration ( approximately 10 microg/ml), narrow, branched rafts of actin filaments and larger aggregates have been observed. The resolution achieved is sufficient to resolve actin monomers within the filaments. A closer examination of the images shows that the branched rafts are composed of up to three individual filaments with a highly regular lateral registration with a fixed axial shift of approximately 13 nm. The implications of these higher-order structures are discussed in terms of x-ray fiber diffraction and rheology of actin gels. The cryo-AFM images also indicate that the recently proposed model of left-handed F-actin is likely to be an artifact of preparation and/or low-resolution AFM imaging.
Vitamin D enhances the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in a murine model of breast cancer

Cutaneous metastasis occurs more frequently in breast cancer than in any other malignancy in women, causing significant morbidity. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which combines a porphyrin-based photosensitizer and activation by light, can be employed for breast cancer (especially cutaneous metastases) but tumor control after PDT has not surpassed traditional treatments methods such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy up to now. Here, we report that breast cancer nodules in mice can be effectively treated by preconditioning the tumors with 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol; Vit D) prior to administering 5-aminolevulinate (ALA)-based PDT. Breast carcinoma tumors (MDA-MB-231 cells implanted subcutaneously in nude mice) received systemic Vit D (1 μg/kg) for 3 days prior to receiving ALA. The addition of Vit D increased intratumoral accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) by 3.3 ± 0.5-fold, relative to mice receiving ALA alone. Bioluminescence imaging in vivo and immunohistochemical staining confirmed that tumor-specific cell death after ALA-PDT was markedly enhanced (36.8 ± 7.4-fold increase in TUNEL-positive nuclei; radiance decreased to 14% of control) in Vit D pretreated tumors as compared to vehicle-pretreated tumors. Vit D stimulated proliferation (10.7 ± 2.8-fold) and differentiation (9.62 ± 1.7-fold) in tumor cells, underlying an augmented cellular sensitivity to ALA-PDT. The observed enhancement of tumor responses to ALA-PDT after low, nontoxic doses of Vit D supports a new combination approach that deserves consideration in the clinical setting, and offers potential for improved remission of cutaneous breast cancer metastases.
Adaptation to living with a genetic condition or risk: a mini-review

One goal of genetic counseling is to facilitate client adaptation to a genetic condition or risk. Adaptation refers to both the process of coming to terms with the implications of the condition or risk and the observable outcomes of that process. This review summarizes existing studies on how well clients adapt to living with a common chronic disease, and more specifically, a genetic condition. Overall, it appears that about one-third of clients do not adjust well to the stress of living with a genetic condition or at risk. However, the data are limited by inconsistencies in the conceptualization of adaptation, a paucity of theoretical models, poor study design and inadequate outcome measures. Well-designed studies based upon multidimensional models are needed that focus on familial as well as individual adaptation. We conclude with a summary of studies that have explored the use of interventions to enhance adaptation and suggest improved client outcomes. Further research should result in evidence-based interventions to facilitate client adaptation that can be used effectively by genetic providers within the confines of their clinical work.
A service model for improving healthcare delivery in rural developing communities

The infrastructure needed in developing countries, especially in rural areas, often makes providing state-of-the-art healthcare cost prohibitive. We describe a highly asynchronous service model for healthcare delivery that is inexpensive, at least compared to the usual implementation of telemedicine, and involves technical service, public health, training and political aspects. The model is incremental, and will provide improved service even though at the initial stages it is not likely to be fully implemented. Our proposed service model provides relatively comprehensive, but not universal, healthcare coverage, and this paper discusses the service model’s economic and technical limitations.
The use of hexamethonium in treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterans.

The effect of hexamethonium on hypertension has been widely studied but its effect on the peripheral blood vessels of patients with severe occlusive vascular disease has been studied on only a few patients although the drug has been used empirically in the treatment of such disease. Observations were made on the effect of hexamethonium ion administered subcutaneously in increasing doses of 10 to 50 mg. on the skin temperature of the fingers and toes, the blood pressure and the pulse rates of a group of patients with severe arteriosclerosis obliterans. On this group of patients hexamethonium had little or no effect.
Stretched three‐dimensional plasma equilibria with field‐aligned flow

A three-dimensional equilibrium theory for stretched plasma configurations, such as the earth's magnetotail, is extended to include the effects of field-aligned flow. The MHD equations for this case can be solved in a general way by reduction to a set of ordinary differential equations and an ordinary integral. The solutions represent lowest-order solutions of an asymptotic expansion of the MHD equations for small electric field and weak time dependence. Simplified equations are presented for two-dimensional equilibria and for incompressible flow. Possible magnetospheric applications include the configuration of the geotail near and beyond the termination of the closed field line region, the steady motion of a plasmoid (a plasma bubble severed from the earth) through the distant geotail, and configurations at the magnetopause, the interface between the magnetosphere and the shocked solar wind plasma. For illustration, solutions for the steady motion of a two-dimensional plasmoid through the distant magnetotail are presented.
Inexact computing with approximate adder application

This paper presents an analysis of an inexact N-bit ripple carry adder architecture. Results show that a 30 percent power reduction is achieved for several approximate adders while maintaining a root-mean square error of 16 percent.
Electrochemical fusion: a mechanism speculation

where M, is the rest mass of the deuteron and E is the energy of an adsorbed deuteron incident on the electrode surface after passage from the solution. Let it be supposed that fusion occurs at surface states associated with dendritic protrusions on the electrode surface. It seems reasonable to assume that there is a Volmer-Heyrovsky pathway for deuterium evolution on palladium surfaces at high current density (i). Then, the electrode surface is fully covered with D and the rate of D-D collision (mol cmp2 s-‘) would be i/F (F is the Faraday constant). Should a certain fraction (I) of sites on the electrode surface be sites of abnormally strength, where the energy of the D-D collision is rate at which the D-D barrier is penetrated:
Binding of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 to Epidermal Growth Factor-like Repeat A of Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor Decreases Receptor Recycling and Increases Degradation

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) promotes degradation of hepatic low density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR), the major route of clearance of circulating cholesterol. Gain-of-function mutations in PCSK9 cause hypercholesterolemia and premature atherosclerosis, whereas loss-of-function mutations result in hypocholesterolemia and protection from heart disease. Recombinant human PCSK9 binds the LDLR on the surface of cultured hepatocytes and promotes degradation of the receptor after internalization. Here we localized the site of binding of PCSK9 within the extracellular domain of the LDLR and determined the fate of the receptor after PCSK9 binding. Recombinant human PCSK9 interacted in a sequence-specific manner with the first epidermal growth factor-like repeat (EGF-A) in the EGF homology domain of the human LDLR. Similar binding specificity was observed between PCSK9 and purified EGF-A. Binding to EGF-A was calcium-dependent and increased dramatically with reduction in pH from 7 to 5.2. The addition of PCSK9, but not heat-inactivated PCSK9, to the medium of cultured hepatocytes resulted in redistribution of the receptor from the plasma membrane to lysosomes. These data are consistent with a model in which PCSK9 binding to EGF-A interferes with an acid-dependent conformational change required for receptor recycling. As a consequence, the LDLR is rerouted from the endosome to the lysosome where it is degraded.
Different types of ice propagate waves differently

Surface ice on oceans and lakes can cause major problems onshore and offshore. Specifically, surface waves interacting with ice can create hazardous conditions for cargo ships, damage coastal structures, and carry important nutrients away from the shore.
The effects of parental work and maternal nonemployment on children's reading and math achievement

James Coleman's theory regarding family social capital and Mel Kohn's ideas regarding work and personality suggest that parental work may affect child cognition. Using a sample of 1,067 9-to 12-yea...
Complementary Interhelical Interactions Between Three Buried Glu-Lys Pairs within Three Heptad Repeats Are Essential for Hec1-Nuf2 Heterodimerization and Mitotic Progression

Hec1 and Nuf2, core components of the NDC80 complex, are essential for kinetochore-microtubule attachment and chromosome segregation. It has been shown that both Hec1 and Nuf2 utilize their coiled-coil domains to form a functional dimer; however, details of the consequential significance and structural requirements to form the dimerization interface have yet to be elucidated. Here, we showed that Hec1 required three contiguous heptad repeats from Leu-324 to Leu-352, but not the entire first coiled-coil domain, to ensure overall stability of the NDC80 complex through direct interaction with Nuf2. Substituting the hydrophobic core residues, Leu-331, Val-338, and Ile-345, of Hec1 with alanine completely eliminated Nuf2 binding and blocked mitotic progression. Moreover, unlike most coiled-coil proteins, where the buried positions are composed of hydrophobic residues, Hec1 possessed an unusual distribution of glutamic acid residues, Glu-334, Glu-341, and Glu-348, buried within the interior dimerization interface, which complement with three Nuf2 lysine residues: Lys-227, Lys-234, and Lys-241. Substituting these corresponding residues with alanine diminished the binding affinity between Hec1 and Nuf2, compromised NDC80 complex formation, and adversely affected mitotic progression. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that three buried glutamic acid-lysine pairs, in concert with hydrophobic interactions of core residues, provide the major specificity and stability requirements for Hec1-Nuf2 dimerization and NDC80 complex formation.
Biological control of aflatoxin is effective and economical in Mississippi field trials

Aflatoxin contamination of corn reduces grain quality and can negatively impact the economic well-being of Mississippi's corn farmers. Mitigation of aflatoxin contamination in corn through pre-harvest field application of non-aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus holds promise as an effective management strategy. In this study, field trials were conducted at fourteen sites over three years, in experimental plots and within commercial fields, to evaluate the efficacy of two biocontrol products at 11 or 22 kg ha−1 application rates and at various timings, including two vegetative-stages (V5 and V10), tasseling (VT), a reproductive application made at blister (R2) and two split-applications. The greatest reduction in aflatoxin generally occurred with applications at the earliest developmental stages. Furthermore, six treatments proved more cost-effective across multiple fields and years. These observations support the use of atoxigenic strains of A. flavus to promote the safety and marketability of corn grown in areas susceptible to aflatoxin contamination.
The nature of the axial ligands of spinach cytochrome f

Abstract Cytochrome f was isolated from leaves of spinach. Optical, magnetic circular dichroism, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of purified cytochrome f were used to investigate the nature of the two axial ligands to the heme iron. Optical spectroscopy shows no 695-nm band, suggesting that methionine does not serve as an axial ligand. The magnetic circular dichroism spectrum of oxidized cytochrome f in the 450- to 600-nm region markedly resembles that of horse heart cytochrome c at high pH, suggesting that histidine and lysine may be the two axial ligands to the iron in the oxidized state. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of oxidized cytochrome f is characteristic of a low-spin heme protein, giving g values at g = 3.48, 2.07, and ~1.6. These g values, and the crystal field components V and Δ calculated from them, provide further support for the assignment of histidine and lysine as the two axial ligands in oxidized spinach cytochrome f.
Direct cell surface modification with DNA for the capture of primary cells and the investigation of myotube formation on defined patterns.

Previously, we reported a method for the attachment of living cells to surfaces through the hybridization of synthetic DNA strands attached to their plasma membrane. The oligonucleotides were introduced using metabolic carbohydrate engineering, which allowed reactive tailoring of the cell surface glycans for chemoselective bioconjugation. While this method is highly effective for cultured mammalian cells, we report here a significant improvement of this technique that allows the direct modification of cell surfaces with NHS−DNA conjugates. This method is rapid and efficient, allowing virtually any mammalian cell to be patterned on surfaces bearing complementary DNA in under 1 h. We demonstrate this technique using several types of cells that are generally incompatible with integrin-targeting approaches, including red blood cells and primary T-cells. Cardiac myoblasts were also captured. The immobilization procedure itself was found not to activate primary T-cells, in contrast to previously reported antibo...
Successful Therapy Must Eradicate Cancer Stem Cells

Despite significant improvements in cancer therapy, tumor recurrence is frequent and can be due to a variety of mechanisms, including the evolution of resistance and tumor progression. Cancer stem cells have been postulated to maintain tumor growth similar to normal stem cells maintaining tissue homeostasis. Recently, the existence of these malignant stem cells has been proven for hematological as well as some solid tumors. Tumor stem cells are not targeted by standard therapy and might be responsible for treatment failure and tumor recurrence in many patients. We designed a simple mathematical model to demonstrate the importance of eliminating tumor stem cells. We explored different therapeutic scenarios to illustrate the properties required from novel therapeutic agents for successful tumor treatment. We show that successful therapy must eradicate tumor stem cells.
APACHE II score may predict mortality in burns patients

The APACHE II scoring system has not been validated in burn injuries. The validation studies were performed in the general and cardiac ICUs of teaching hospitals in the USA; units that did not admit burn injuries [1]. We correlated known predictors of mortality in burns (age, percentage total burn surface area (%TBSA), inhalation injury) [2,3] with mortality data in our burns cohort. This was repeated for the APACHE II score to investigate its predictive value.
Phase Conjugation In The Forward Direction With Thin Na Vapor Cells

During the study of focusing and phase conjugation of photon echoes it became apparent that similar effects occur for either simultaneous pulses or continuous laser radiation. These effects are apparent in the simple two level atom theory in which the stimulated electric dipole is proportional for steady state to [EQUATION] where the electric field amplitude E = A eiφ + B . A(x,z) and φ(x,z) are the amplitude and phase of the signal wave and B is the amplitude of a plane carrier wave. The phase conjugate wave A e-1φ is generated by the A2 + B2 + 2 AB cosφ term in the denominator. Phase conjugation is limited to physically thin cells and a 1 mm Na cell limits the angular spread to ± 20 milliradians. Current experiments with a 2 mm thick Na cell will be discussed. For two laser beams at angle θ, radiation at the phase conjugate -θ, and at higher angles ± 2θ, ±3θ, etc. are observed. Limited phase conjugation such as focusing of a curved wavefront has been observed. More extensive phase conjugation results will be reported.
Sharing your scholarship while avoiding the predators: guidelines for medical physicists interested in open access publishing.

Originally published in Med. Phys. 41 (7), July 2014, http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.4883836. Despite the copyright notice displayed, the author signed an agreement retaining copyright to this work, and licensing it under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0.
Scapular body nonunion: a case report.

Scapular fractures are uncommon and usually associated with other injuries.1,3-5,9,10 The fracture can usually be treated conservatively with a high healing rate.7,8,11 The indications for surgery include significant displacement of the main fragments, displacement or angulation (or both) of the articular segment of the glenoid when it is involved, and fractures associated with dislocation; surgery is also indicated in patients who need to undergo vascular or neurologic exploration. Scapular body nonunions are very rare. Some authors have reported coracoid process, scapular spine, and acromion nonunions,1,6,8,11 but only one reported case of a scapular body nonunion was found in our search of the literature.2 We report on a case of symptomatic scapular body nonunion that was successfully treated by open reduction, rigid internal fixation, and bone grafting.
Quantum 1/f noise in all-epitaxial metal-semiconductor diodes

The physics, the theory and the engineering formulas of 1/f noise in ErAs-based all-epitaxial Schottky diodes are presented in a way related to the general quanum 1/f noise formulas developed by the author and van der Ziel ealier for pn junctions, but with inclusion of the image force contribution of an electron at the metal-semiconductor interface. On this base the phase noise introduced by mixers constructed with the ErAs Schottky diodes was also studied and can now be calculated analytically with the Quantum 1/f effect formulas.
Design and test rules for CMOS circuits to facilitate IDDQ testing of bridging faults

All possible bridging faults (BFs) between any two circuit nodes are considered, where a circuit node may be the drain, source, or gate terminal of a transistor. Several examples are given to show that under certain circumstances current supply monitoring (CSM) cannot give correct test results. A circuit partitioning model is described, and a minimal set of design and test rules is presented. This set of rules is minimal in the sense that if any one of these rules is removed, then circuits exist for which CSM cannot give correct test results. When all the rules are satisfied it can be formally shown that: (1) all signal irredundant BFs can be detected by single vector tests, and (2) a test vector that detects a single bridging fault f/sub 1/ also detects all multiple BFs that contain f/sub 1/. To enhance the applicability of CSM, test and/or design strategies for dealing with circuits that do not satisfy each rule are proposed. Such circuits include a special exclusive OR gate, BiCMOS circuits, domino logic, synchronous sequential circuits, and circuits implemented by the silicon on insulator (SOI) technology. >
Persistence of mental health problems in very young children investigated by US child welfare agencies.

Abstract Objective To document the persistence and predictors of mental health problems in children aged 12 to 18 months investigated for alleged maltreatment. Methods Data came from the second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAW II), a longitudinal study of youth 0 to 17.5 years referred to US child welfare agencies. These analyses involved children 12 to 18 months. Baseline sociodemographic, social services, developmental data, and health data were collected on children and caregivers. Potential social-emotional problems at baseline were assessed with the Brief Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional (BITSEA) scales. Outcomes were scores over the clinical cutoff on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) 1.5–5 assessed at 18 months after study entry. Results The multivariable analyses showed that an elevated BITSEA score at baseline (odds ratio 9.18, 95% confidence interval 1.49, 56.64; P = .018) and living with a depressed caregiver (odds ratio 13.54, 95% confidence interval 2.50, 73.46; P = .003) were associated with CBCL scores in the clinical range at the 18-month follow-up. For children who scored both positive on the BITSEA and lived with a depressed caregiver, 62.5% scored positive on the CBCL compared to 10.7% of the children with one risk factor and 3.8% of the children with neither risk factor. Only 23.9% of children and/or their caregivers received any service. Conclusions Data show considerable persistence of mental health problems in very young children that 2 factors could identify. Lack of services to these children is a tremendous missed opportunity for identification and treatment that could potentially prevent more serious mental health problems.
Oscillatory Streaming Flow Based Mini/Microheat Pipe Technology

The sustained drive for faster and smaller micro-electronic devices has led to a considerable increase in power density. The ability to effectively pump and enhance heat transfer in mini-/microchannels is of immense technological importance. Using oscillatory flow to enhance the convective heat transfer coefficients in micro-/minichannels is one of many new concepts and methodologies that have been proposed. In this paper, a novel and simple concept is presented on oscillating streaming flow based mini/microheat pipe or heat spreader technology. Phenomena of the flow streaming can be found in zero-mean velocity oscillating flows in many channel geometries. Although there is no net mass flow (zero-mean velocity) passing through the channel, discrepancy in the velocity profiles between the forward and backward flows causes fluid particles near the walls to drift toward one end while particles near the centerline drift to the other end. This unique characteristic of flow streaming could be used for various applications. Some of the advantages include enhanced heat/mass transfer, pumpless fluid propulsion, multichannel fluid distribution, easy system integration, and cost-effective operation. Preliminary work has been conducted on scaling analysis, computer simulations, and visualization experiments of fluid streaming, propulsion, and multichannel distribution by flow oscillation in minitapered channels and channel networks. Results show that streaming flow has the potential to be used as a cost-effective and reliable heat pipe and/or as a heat spreader technique when fluid thermal conductivity is low.
Optimized operating mode of current-fed dual half bridges dc-dc converters for energy storage applications

This paper presents a thorough study for current-fed dual half bridges (DHB) dc-dc converters over the whole operating range under phase-shift and duty cycle control. An optimized operating mode achieving minimum root-mean-square (rms) transformer primary current is derived in this paper under soft-switching conditions. The analysis and experimental results show that this operating mode has less power loss at higher output power range. This finding provides a design guideline to optimize the current-fed DHB converter performance for energy storage elements applications, especially for ultracapacitor that has a wide variation input voltage. Since current-fed DHB converters can be extended to multi-port and multi-phase applications, this research also provides a base to study the optimized operating conditions for those topologies.
Validating Schizotypal Personality Disorders: Problems With the Schizophrenia Connection

The author questions the assumption that family relationship should be given primacy as the validating criterion in establishing diagnostic items for the DSM-III definition of schizotypal personality disorder (SPD). The presenting characteristics of clinically defined patients may be quite different from those that best describe the nonpatient relatives of schizophrenic patients encountered in genetic or high-risk studies. Since the DSM-III nomenclature is meant primarily for use in clinical settings, it must be based on symptom characteristics found in patients, not in nonpatient relatives. If the DSM-III SPD definitions are not optimal for genetic and high-risk studies, special criteria sets will be necessary for such research.