cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase from Trypanosoma brucei: catalytic activity and mechanism of a QSOX family member with a single thioredoxin domain.

Quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase (QSOX) flavoenzymes catalyze the direct, facile, insertion of disulfide bonds into reduced unfolded proteins with the reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide. To date, only QSOXs from vertebrates have been characterized enzymatically. These metazoan sulfhydryl oxidases have four recognizable domains: a redox-active thioredoxin (Trx) domain containing the first of three CxxC motifs (CI−CII), a second Trx domain with no obvious redox-active disulfide, a helix-rich domain, and then an Erv/ALR domain. This last domain contains the FAD moiety, a proximal CIII−CIV disulfide, and a third CxxC of unknown function (CV−CVI). Plant and protist QSOXs lack the second Trx domain but otherwise appear to contain the same complement of redox centers. This work presents the first characterization of a single-Trx QSOX. Trypanosoma brucei QSOX was expressed in Escherichia coli using a synthetic gene and found to be a stable, monomeric, FAD-containing protein. Although evidently lacking an entire ...
Does God have Beliefs

Beliefs are freely attributed to God nowadays in Anglo–American philosophical theology. This practice undoubtedly reflects the twentieth–century popularity of the view that knowledge consists of true justified belief (perhaps with some needed fourth component). (After all no one supposes that God has beliefs in addition to, or instead of knowledge.) The connection is frequently made explicit. If knowledge is true justified belief then whatever God knows He believes. It would seem that much recent talk of divine beliefs stems from Nelson Pike's widely discussed article, ‘Divine Omniscience and Voluntary Action’. In this essay Pike develops a version of the classic argument for the incompatibility of divine foreknowledge and free will in terms of divine forebelief. He introduces this shift by premising that ‘A knows X’ entails ‘A believes X’. As a result of all this, philosophers have increasingly been using the concept of belief in defining ‘omniscience’.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Effects beyond the Lungs

Peter Barnes discusses the growing epidemic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially in developing countries and among nonsmokers.
Understanding and exploiting feedback in synthetic biology

Abstract Synthetic biology employs traditional engineering concepts in the construction of cells and organisms. One of the most fundamental concepts is feedback, where the activity of a system is influenced by its output. Feedback can imbue the system with a range of desirable properties such as reducing the rise time or exhibiting an ultrasensitive response. Feedback is also commonly found in nature, further supporting the incorporation of feedback into synthetic biological systems. In this review, we discuss the common attributes of negative and positive feedback loops in gene regulatory networks, whether alone or in combination, and describe recent applications of feedback in metabolic engineering, population control, and the development of advanced biosensors. The examples principally come from synthetic systems in the bacterium Escherichia coli and in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae , the two major workhorses of synthetic biology. Through this review, we argue that biological feedback represents a powerful yet underutilized tool that can advance the construction of biological systems.
Using Active Circuits to Model Drillstrings and Analyze the Effect of Phase Shift on Stability Analysis

In recent years, deeper wells are drilled in order to reach untapped reserves. The long drillstrings needed for such wells are more susceptible to vibrations induced by instability. To study these vibrations, test rigs are employed. These rigs must represent the dynamics of the drillstring to be effective at predicting bit vibrations. In this paper, we show that active circuits can be used to simulate drillstring dynamics and study bit vibration characteristics. A circuit representing one such vibration mode was used to study the effect of phase shift on bit stability. It is also shown that such circuits can be incorporated in test rigs to provide real-time input to actuators replicating bit displacement.© 2007 ASME
VH Replacement Footprint Analyzer-I, a Java-Based Computer Program for Analyses of Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Genes and Potential VH Replacement Products in Human and Mouse

VH replacement occurs through RAG-mediated secondary recombination between a rearranged VH gene and an upstream unrearranged VH gene. Due to the location of the cryptic Recombination Signal Sequence (cRSS, TACTGTG) at the 3’ end of VH gene coding region, a short stretch of nucleotides from the previous rearranged VH gene can be retained in the newly formed VH-DH junction as a “footprint” of VH replacement. Such footprints can be used as markers to identify IgH genes potentially generated through VH replacement. To explore the contribution of VH replacement products to the antibody repertoire, we developed a Java based computer program, VH replacement footprint analyzer-I (VHRFA-I), to analyze published or newly obtained IgH genes from human or mouse. The VHRFA-1 program has multiple functional modules: it first uses service provided by the IMGT/V-QUEST program to assign potential VH, DH, and JH germline genes; then, it searches for VH replacement footprint motifs within the VH-DH junction (N1) regions of IgH gene sequences to identify potential VH replacement products; it can also analyze the frequencies of VH replacement products in correlation with publications, keywords, or VH, DH, and JH gene usages, and mutation status; it can further analyze the amino acid usages encoded by the identified VH replacement footprints. In summary, this program provides a useful computation tool for exploring the biological significance of VH replacement products in human and mouse.
Convective gas transport in the pulmonary acinus: Comparing roles of convective and diffusive lengths

To investigate the relative importance of convection and diffusion in the transport of oxygen in the pulmonary acinus, it is often useful to locate the transition from convection-dominated to diffusion-dominated transport. Traditionally, this is done by estimating the values of a Peclet number. This dimensionless number compares the bulk ductal flow velocity at an acinar generation with a diffusion velocity over a characteristic length scale. Here, we revisit the convection–diffusion transition by comparing the relative importance of convective and diffusive lengths. We introduce the ratio of such lengths (Lconv/Ldiff) to quantify the extent of convective transport in the acinus over an inhalation phase. We distinguish between convection along the acinar airways and within alveoli, respectively. Results for Lconv/Ldiff suggest that convection in acinar ducts may play a potential role in more peripheral airways compared with values obtained for a Peclet number. Within alveoli, however, independent of acinar depth, oxygen transport is governed by diffusion as soon as molecules enter within alveolar cavities.
“Effective” Dielectric Constant for Short-range Ionic Interactions at High Salt Concentrations

AT any highly charged interface with aqueous media, for example those of surfactant micelles, membranes, ion-exchange resins or proteins, the “effective” dielectric constant D controlling coulombic interactions is likely to be different from the value for water1,2. At least three identifiable factors, not necessarily independent, may be involved2: (a) the proximity of a low-dielectric region, for example the micelle core, (b) dielectric saturation in the electric field present3, and (c) the presence of high local concentrations of ions1,4. Factors (b) and (c) have often been used in theories of electrical double layers1,4. The contribution from factor (c) is usually calculated on the basis of microwave measurements of static D values of salt solutions5, which can be substantially lower than that of water.
The wall and aperture development of pollen from dioecious Solanum appendiculatum: What is inaperturate pollen?

Pollen from the dioecious species Solanum appendiculatum H. et B. ex Dun. is dimorphic. Pollen from the functional male flowers is tricolporate and pollen from the functional female flowers is inaperturate. Pollen from both types of flowers exhibit a high percentage of viability. Ultrastructural studies of the development in both pollen types is similar except for the development of apertures. Early in development, pollen from the male flower lacks deposition of the primexine in the apertural region. Pollen from the female flowers develops a primexine in the position of the apertures similar to the primexine in non‐apertural areas. Following the development of sexine in both pollen types, the nexine is accreted on unit‐membrane like structures. After the nexine has developed, the development of the intine ensues and is completed before anthesis. In pollen from the female flowers the nexine and intine exhibit thickening in various places. These thickenings are similar to those in the apertural region of th...
Concentrations of the Allelochemical (±)-Catechin IN Centaurea maculosa Soils

The phytotoxin (±)-catechin has been proposed to mediate invasion and autoinhibition by the Eurasian plant Centaurea maculosa (spotted knapweed). The importance of (±)-catechin to C. maculosa ecology depends in part on whether sufficient catechin concentrations occur at appropriate times and locations within C. maculosa soil to influence neighboring plants. Previous research on catechin in C. maculosa soils has yielded conflicting results, with some studies finding high soil catechin concentrations and other, more recent studies finding little or no catechin in field soils. Here, we report the most extensive study of soil catechin concentrations to date. We examined soil catechin concentrations in 402 samples from 11 C. maculosa sites in North America sampled in consecutive months over 1 yr, excluding winter months. One site was sampled on seven dates, another was sampled twice, and the remaining nine sites were each sampled once on a range of sampling dates. Methods used were similar to those with which we previously measured high soil catechin concentrations. We detected catechin only in the site that was sampled on seven dates and only on one sampling date in that site (May 16 2006), but in all samples collected on that date. The mean soil catechin concentration on that date was 0.65 ± 0.45 (SD) mg g−1, comparable to previously reported high concentrations. There are a number of possible explanations for the infrequency with which we detected soil catechin in this work compared to previous studies. Differences in results could reflect spatial and temporal variation in catechin exudation or degradation, as we examined different sites in a different year from most previous studies. Also, large quantities of catechin were detected in blanks for two sampling periods in the present study, leading us to discard those data. This contamination suggests that previous reports of high catechin concentrations that did not include blanks should be viewed with caution. Our results suggest that pure catechin is only rarely present in C. maculosa bulk soils. Thus, although catechin may play a role in C. maculosa invasion, the infrequency of soil catechin that we determined in this study suggests that we cannot be as certain of its role as previous reports of high soil catechin concentrations suggested.
Unrecognized trauma and PTSD among public mental health consumers with chronic and severe mental illness

Lifetime prevalence of traumatic events and current PTSD was assessed among 142 mental health consumers with serious mental illness served by a psychosocial rehabilitation day program. Lifetime exposure to trauma was high (87%). The rate of PTSD based on the PTSD Checklist (PCL) was also high (19–30% depending on different scoring criteria). Overall, the PCL had strong internal reliability for this sample. Documentation of trauma and PTSD was exceptionally low in medical records. Results suggest that trauma and PTSD are significantly overlooked in the public mental health system. Improved recognition of trauma and PTSD are needed in order to provide meaningful services to this highly vulnerable population.
EnergySniffer: Home energy monitoring system using smart phones

Tracking energy consumption for individual operating machines (e.g., home appliance) is a prerequisite for making energy conservation and management efficient. In order to meet the requirement for monitoring home energy consumption, several industries and researchers came up with different solutions. Unfortunately, all these solutions require invasive and expensive installation of sensor devices. Furthermore, many of these solutions can't measure the energy consumption of individual machines. In this paper, we propose and evaluate the feasibility of using smart phones in machines's energy monitoring system. We call our system EnergySniffer in which it exploits various sensors, such as magnetic sensor, light, microphone, temperature, camera, WiFi, in smart phones to build a multi sensing framework. This framework is used to build a unique fingerprint profile for each individual machine. As a proof of concept, we develop a simple sensing framework prototype that utilizes only the microphone sensor on the phone. We call this framework a sound sensing framework. Experimental evaluation on sound sensing framework demonstrate the feasibility of continuously identifying and monitoring individual machine in real-time.
Theoretical analysis of wake-induced parachute collapse

During recent drop tests of a prototype weapon system, the parachute collapsed soon after it became fully inflated. The magnitude and duration of the collapses were severe enough to degrade parachute performance drastically. A computer-assisted analysis is presented which models parachute inflation, forebody and parachute wake generation, and interaction between the wake and the inflating or collapsing parachute. Comparison of the analysis results with full-scale drop test results shows good agreement for two parachute sizes; both parachutes were tested with and without permanent reefing. Computer-generated graphics (black and white drawings, color slides, and color movies) show the forebody and inflating parachute, the wake, and the wake and parachute interaction.
Plastid disruption in a thiamine-requiring mutant of Nicotiana sylvestris blocks accumulation of specific nuclear and plastid mRNAs

In the absence of supplemental thiamine, cotyledon leaves of the thi mutant of Nicotiana sylvestris are green, but expanding true leaves (TL) become chlorotic upon emergence and the chloroplasts fail to maintain thylakoid membrane structure. Albino TL1 is deficient in transcripts from the plastid genes psbA, psbE, and rbcL. As in carotenoid-deficient mutants of maize, albino TL1 is deficient in accumulation of the chlorophyll a/b binding protein (LHCP) and its mRNA (cab). The small subunit of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (SSu) and its mRNA (rbcS) are also deficient, but not to the same extent as cab. Application of supplemental thiamine and its subsequent removal was employed to examine patterns of gene expression during the onset of plastid disruption in older leaves. Accumulation of plastid transcripts (psbA, psbE, rbcL) is blocked shortly after the onset of chlorosis in TL6. In contrast, transcripts for cab and rbcS follow their normal course of accumulation in spite of plastid degeneration, suggesting that nuclear genes are transcribed without regard to chloroplast integrity in older leaves. The conditional nature of the thi mutation provides a valuable tool for investigating temporal patterns of intracellular communication during development of primary leaves.
Photophysical Properties of Pyrene-Functionalized Poly(propylene imine) Dendrimers

Four generations of poly(propylene imine) dendrimers have been covalently modified with pyrene moieties and examined by fluorescence spectroscopy. Emission and excitation spectra were obtained so that the generational dependence of the dendrimers, especially the extent of steric crowding, could be correlated to the photophysical properties of pyrene. In particular, the effect of dendrimer concentration and generation on pyrene-pyrene interactions was evaluated. More excimer emission was observed for higher generation dendrimers, while little or no evidence for interdendrimer interactions was observed over more than 2 orders of magnitude in dendrimer concentration. Excitation spectra revealed the presence of preassociated pyrene moieties. Protonation of the tertiary amine units was shown to increase monomer fluorescence significantly, while only slightly increasing the observed excimer fluorescence.
Synergistic Effects of Gemcitabine and Gefitinib in the Treatment of Head and Neck Carcinoma

Although the combination of gemcitabine and radiation produces a high frequency of complete responses in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer, substantial toxicity suggests that an improvement in the therapeutic index is required. The purpose of this study was to determine if gefitinib could improve the efficacy of gemcitabine and if drug schedule is important. We hypothesized that gemcitabine followed by gefitinib would be superior to the opposite order because of both cell cycle and growth factor signaling interactions. Using UMSCC-1 cells in vitro, we confirmed that gefitinib arrested cells in G(1) and suppressed phospho-epidermal growth factor receptor (p(Y845)EGFR) and that gemcitabine arrested cells in S phase and stimulated p(Y845)EGFR. The schedule of gemcitabine followed by gefitinib caused arrest of cells in S phase. Gefitinib suppressed gemcitabine-mediated p(Y845)EGFR stimulation. This schedule caused decreased p(S473)AKT, increased poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, and increased apoptosis compared with gemcitabine alone. The schedule of gefitinib followed by gemcitabine also caused suppression of p(Y845)EGFR but arrested cells in G(1). This schedule in which gefitinib was used first was associated with stable levels of p(S473)AKT and minimal poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and apoptosis. These results were reflected in experiments in nude mice bearing UMSCC-1 xenografts, in which there was greater tumor regression and apoptosis when animals received gemcitabine followed by gefitinib during the first week of therapy. These findings suggest that the schedule of gemcitabine followed by gefitinib may increase the therapeutic index over gemcitabine alone and, combined with clinical data, encourage exploration of combination of gemcitabine, EGFR inhibitors, and radiation.
Impact of Chronic Renal Failure on Nitrogen Metabolism

Evidence indicates that both nephrotic and nonnephrotic chronic renal failure (CRF) patients can activate normal compensatory responses when dietary protein intake is restricted and that their protein and energy requirements are similar to normal subjects. When properly implemented, low-protein diets are safe and the benefits include the amelioration of uremic symptoms and some of their metabolic complications and possibly a reduction in the rate of progression of renal failure. To ensure dietary adequacy and compliance, patients should be monitored when treated with low-protein diets. Recent evidence that the protein intake of patients with progressive CRF declines when they consume unrestricted diets should not be considered as an argument against the use of low-protein diets. Rather, it is a persuasive argument in favor of restricting dietary protein intake to minimize the complications of renal failure.
Bovine growth hormone treatment increased IGF-I in circulation and induced the production of a specific immune response in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH) increases growth rates in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and this response is thought to be under the control of the GH–IGF axis, as it is in mammals. However, the mechanisms regulating fish muscle growth are poorly understood. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to examine the effects of rbGH on growthrelated hormones in rainbow trout. Rainbow trout (550F10 g) received an intraperitoneal injection of rbGH (120 A gg 1 BW) or vehicle on days 0 and 21. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 7, and 28 and assayed for rainbow trout growth hormone (tGH), rbGH, and IGF-I. As expected, rbGH levels increased (Pb0.05) in circulation 12 h after treatment and continued to increase (Pb0.05) from day 0 to day 7 after treatment. Unexpectedly, levels of rbGH detected at day 28, 7 days after the second injection, were lower than those at day 7. Corresponding to this observation, anti-rbGH antibodies were detectable in serum from treated fish at day 28, but not at day 7. We suggest that the low levels of rbGH detected at day 28 were due to increased clearance of rbGH caused by the anti-rbGH antibodies. Treated fish also exhibited increased serum IGF-I levels (Pb0.01) following rbGH injection, while endogenous tGH did not change (P=0.28). These results suggest that the endogenous negative feedback control loop described in mammals is not activated by rbGH in rainbow trout, as tGH was unaffected by increased circulating rbGH and IGF-I. However, consistent with previous reports, rbGH does increase circulating IGF-I over time and rbGH is detectable throughout the 3-week injection period. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating specific antibody production following an exogenous rbGH injection in fish. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Infliximab: A Review of its use in the Treatment of Pediatric Crohn’s Disease

The past decade has brought great change to the treatment of pediatric Crohn’s disease. The majority of affected patients now receive therapy directed at the underlying immune dysregulation that is associated with this chronic disease. The monoclonal antibodies directed against tumor necrosis factor alpha play an increasing role in such therapy. Infliximab is the prototype of this class of biologic based therapy. This review covers the basic pharmacokinetics of infliximab while reviewing the data on its efficacy in pediatric Crohn’s disease patients. Current issues related to infliximab dosing and safety are also reviewed.
Placing Cybereducation in the UK Classroom.

The use of the Internet in the classroom has often been characterized as a practice that disconnects the teacher from traditional forms of externally imposed influence. This paper examines this assertion by mapping the emerging field of cybereducation and considering how endemic knowledge is contextualized by national curricular authorities. The field theories of Pierre Bourdieu and Basil Bernstein are employed in order to demonstrate the relationship between expert discourse and classroom pedagogy, using the National Grid for Learning (NGfL) as a case study. This attempt to capture the dynamics of cybereducation ultimately suggests how this emergent intellectual field’s fragmentation and decoupling from State education forces offers policymakers the capacity to influence use. Progress of the UK government in integrating knowledge from an emergent educational field with its incumbent priorities is gauged, demonstrating the way in which national education officials have attempted to constrain potential dep...
Geochemistry and Ground-Water Movement in Northwestern Minnesotaa

The relation between water quality and water movement within the ground-water reservoir may be better understood if studies of flow systems are used in conjunction with hydrochemical methods. Within small watersheds, local, intermediate, and regional flow systems may develop, depending upon the shape, the relief, and the thickness of the ground-water reservoir. Lateral and vertical variations of water quality in the ground-water reservoir reflect the difference in length of flow paths within a system. The relative ion concentration of the major ions in solution in ground waters change as water moves from recharge areas to discharge areas. These changes are used to interpret the direction and rate of ground-water movement. Ground-water types mapped in the Two Rivers watershed of northwestern Minnesota indicate that calcium bicarbonate type water occurs near the source of recharge and progressively changes to the sulfate type as water moves downgradient toward the discharge area. Local recharge areas are indicated by the greater penetration of calcium bicarbonate waters into the ground-water reservoir. The calcrum bicarbonate type water of surface streams during low flow indicates that water moves into the stream from the upper part of the ground-water reservoir. Chloride type water moves from the Paleozoic rocks and mixes with water in the glacial drift probably at places where permeable zones in the Paleozoic rocks are in contact with the overlying drift.
Pregnancy in the severely mentally ill patient as an opportunity for global coordination of care

Although obstetricians commonly care for pregnant patients with psychiatric disorders, little has been written about the implications of managing a pregnancy during a prolonged psychiatric hospitalization for severe mental illness. Multidisciplinary care may optimize obstetric and psychiatric outcomes. We describe a severely mentally ill patient at 27 weeks' gestation (G1P0) who was admitted after a suicide attempt. She exhibited intermittently worsening depression and anxiety throughout a 2-month inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, during which her psychiatric and obstetric providers collaborated regarding her care. We review recommendations for antepartum and intrapartum treatment of the acutely suicidal and severely mentally ill patient and, in particular, the evidence that a multidisciplinary coordinated approach to planning can maximize patient physical and mental health and facilitate preparedness for delivery.
Enrichment and Primate Centers: Closing the Gap Between Research and Practice

A wealth of published research is available to guide environmental enrichment programs for nonhuman primates, but common practice may not consistently correspond to research findings. A 2003 survey to quantify common practice queried individuals overseeing enrichment programs about (a) social, feeding, structural, and manipulable enrichment; (b) human interaction and training; (c) general program administration; (d) the role of the institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) in the enrichment program; and (e) the impetus for recent programmatic changes. Returned surveys provided information on the management of 35,863 primates and found social housing significantly more constrained than inanimate enrichment. Survey results suggest that social housing of macaques has not increased significantly over the past decade. The most commonly mentioned constraints related to research protocols. Facilities with thorough IACUC reviews of enrichment issues provided social housing for a significantly larger proportion of primates in biomedical research studies than did those with rare IACUC reviews. IACUC reviews prompted program enhancements much less often than did regulatory or accreditation inspections. These results suggest IACUC review is an underutilized mechanism for improving enrichment programs.
Disparities in the Use of Primary Prevention and Defibrillator Therapy Among Blacks and Women

Abstract Objectives This study determines whether there are racial or gender disparities in the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Background Primary prevention of sudden death with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy has been shown to improve survival for high-risk patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction. Methods The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Medicare database from the year 2002 was used to identify patients who were potential candidates for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy on the basis of a combination of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes that reflected the presence of an ischemic cardiomyopathy. This cohort was analyzed to determine which patients received implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy during the same year. The clinical characteristics of the potential implantable cardioverter-defibrillator candidates were compared with those who actually received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Results A total 132565 Medicare patients hospitalized during 2002 were identified as having an ischemic cardiomyopathy; 10370 (8%) of these patients underwent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation during the same year. The percentage of patients who underwent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation was higher for men compared with women (10.2% vs 3.5%; P P P P Conclusions Use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy for primary prevention of sudden death among the elderly population identified as having an ischemic cardiomyopathy was significantly lower among women compared with men, and among blacks compared with whites. Further exploration of gender and racial barriers to appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator use for primary prevention is needed.
SU-E-T-588: A Treatment Planning Comparison of Dual-Arc VMAT Vs. Helical Tomotherapy for Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for post‐mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) and to compare dual‐ arc VMAT treatment plans to helical tomotherapy (HT) plans on the basis of dosimetric quality, radiobiological calculations and delivery efficiency. Methods: Dual‐arc VMAT and HT treatment plans were created for fifteen patients previously treated at our clinic. Planning target volumes (PTV) included the chest wall (CW) and regional lymph nodes. The following metrics were used to compare treatment plans for each patient: dose homogeneity index (DHI) and conformity index (CI); coverage of the PTV; dose to organs at risk (OAR); tumor control probability (TCP), normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) and secondary cancer complication probability (SCCP); and treatmentdelivery time. Differences between treatment plans were tested for significance using the paired Student's t‐test. Results: Both modalities produced clinically acceptable PMRT plans. VMAT plans showed better CI (p < 0.01), and better OAR sparing at low doses than HT plans. For example, VMAT plans showed a 26% (p < 0.01) and 9% (p < 0.01) decrease in V5Gy in the lungs and heart respectively. On the other hand, HT plans showed better DHI (p < 0.01) and PTV coverage (p < 0.01). HT plans also showed slightly better OAR sparing at higher doses, including 8% (p < 0.01) and 9% (p < 0.01) lower maximum doses to the lungs and heart, respectively. Both modalities achieved nearly 100% tumor control and approximately 1% NTCP in the lungs and heart, with VMAT showing lower SCCP (p < 0.01). VMAT plans also required 66.2% less time to deliver.Conclusions: Both VMAT and HT are suitable treatment options for PMRT. Our study showed that VMAT“‘in addition to being significantly faster’”achieved better CI and low dose OAR sparing while HT achieved better DHI. This work was supported in part by a research support from Elekta, Ltd. However, Elekta, Ltd., did not participate in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to submit
Existence for the modified Kassoy problem

We prove that there exists an ᾱ > 0 such that for each 0 ≦ α ≦ ᾱ, there is at least one β = β(α) y “ − ( x /2) y ' + e y − 1 =0, y (0) = α, y '(0) = β has a solution y ( x , α,β) satisfying the asymptotic property y ( x , α,β)∼ −2 In x + K α as x → ∞.
The bells within the bell curve: destination visitation model revisited.

AbstractIn the present research, Stanley Plog's (1974) Psychocentrism—Allocentrism Visitation Model is reimagined. The authors decompose Plog's original model and identify five smaller bell-shaped curves constituting five tourist personas within the normal distribution of tourist flow that depicts Plog's model. The study also finds that while allocentric tourists largely prefer nascent destinations, they also regain a strong affinity for destinations that are nearing the end of their life cycles.
Inhibition of intracellular pyrimidine ribonucleotide reduction by deoxycytidine, arabinosylcytosine and hydroxyurea.

Abstract A correlation has been made between the ability of selected agents to inhibit intracellular pyrimidine nucleotide reduction and the ability of these agents to inhibit the growth of L5178Y cells. Both deoxycytidine and its analogue, arabinosylcytosine, appeared to inhibit intracellular cytidine phosphate reduction. The depletion of deoxycytidine phosphate pools may play a role in arabinosylcytosine toxicity by enhancing the action of arabinosylcytosine at one or more of its proposed sites of action. Hydroxyurea inhibited uridine phosphate reduction, and this inhibition correlated well with the growth inhibition caused by this agent. The inability of hydroxyurea to affect cytidine phosphate reduction suggests that there may be a cytidine phosphate reductase present in L5178Y cells which either is insensitive to inhibition by hydroxyurea or is sequestered at an intracellular site which is relatively inaccessible to this drug.
Neonate with a fibrosarcoma and consumptive coagulopathy

We report a case of a neonate with a congenital tumor on the left palm. The patient had a grapefruit-sized tumor and coagulopathy at birth and was presumed to have a hemangioendothelioma with associated Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon. When the tumor failed to respond to systemic steroids, a biopsy specimen was taken, revealing a fibrosarcoma. We describe this case to highlight the importance of including rare tumors, such as fibrosarcomas, in the clinical differential when evaluating a congenital tumor with associated coagulopathy. We discuss subtle differences in clinical presentations that might aid in differentiating vascular tumors from fibrosarcomas.
Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus presenting with unilateral proptosis

An unusual case of spontaneous rupture of the esophagus (Boerhaave syndrome) presented initially with only unilateral proptosis secondary to orbital emphysema, without significant chest or abdominal symptoms. The classical signs of chest pain and cardiovascular collapse were absent. The diagnosis was suggested by the presence of mediastinal emphysema on chest roentgenogram. Boerhaave syndrome was seen after a barium swallow, and the patient was taken immediately to surgery and he survived without further complications. The presence of subcutaneous or mediastinal emphysema with or without other classical signs or symptoms should prompt an aggressive search for its origin. Because a decrease in mortality and morbidity occurs with early detection of this syndrome, a brief review of common and uncommon symptoms is presented.
Applications of the gröbner fan to gene network reconstruction (abstract only)

Grobner fans have gained popularity in computational commutative algebra and algebraic geometry with applications ranging from Grobner basis conversion to the emerging field of tropical mathematics. Recently Grobner fans have been employed for the selection of minimal models that fit measurement data from gene regulatory networks. The model space is described as the sum of an interpolating polynomial function f and the set of all polynomials that vanish on the data, that is, the ideal of data points. A minimal model can be chosen by computing the reduction of f with respect to a fixed Grobner basis, which is dependent on the choice of term order. As Grobner fans partition the set of Grobner bases into equivalence classes, they can be thought of as parametrizations of the model space. This characterization permits exploration of the model space and discovery of "most likely" models. In this poster we show how Grobner fans are used to two reconstruct gene regulatory networks: lactose metabolism in the bacterium E. coli and tissue development in the roundworm C. elegans.
Two tetrahedral C1 cubic macro elements

We propose two tetrahedral C^1 cubic macro elements that are constructed locally on one tetrahedron without any knowledge of the geometry of neighboring tetrahedra. Among such geometrically unconstrained local polynomial tetrahedral C^1 schemes requiring only first order derivative data, our macro elements have the smallest number of coefficients. The resulting macro element spaces are stable and provide full approximation power. We give explicit formulae that can be used to implement our schemes.
Modeling salt-mediated electrostatics of macromolecules: The discrete surface charge optimization algorithm and its application to the nucleosome

Much progress has been achieved on quantitative assessment of electrostatic interactions on the all-atom level by molecular mechanics and dynamics, as well as on the macroscopic level by models of continuum solvation. Bridging of the two representations-an area of active research-is necessary for studying integrated functions of large systems of biological importance. Following perspectives of both discrete (N-body) interaction and continuum solvation, we present a new algorithm, DiSCO (Discrete Surface Charge Optimization), for economically describing the electrostatic field predicted by Poisson-Boltzmann theory using a discrete set of Debye-Huckel charges distributed on a virtual surface enclosing the macromolecule. The procedure in DiSCO relies on the linear behavior of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation in the far zone; thus contributions from a number of molecules may be superimposed, and the electrostatic potential, or equivalently the electrostatic field, may be quickly and efficiently approximated by the summation of contributions from the set of charges. The desired accuracy of this approximation is achieved by minimizing the difference between the Poisson-Boltzmann electrostatic field and that produced by the linearized Debye-Huckel approximation using our truncated Newton optimization package. DiSCO is applied here to describe the salt-dependent electrostatic environment of the nucleosome core particle in terms of several hundred surface charges. This representation forms the basis for modeling-by dynamic simulations (or Monte Carlo)-the folding of chromatin. DiSCO can be applied more generally to many macromolecular systems whose size and complexity warrant a model resolution between the all-atom and macroscopic levels.
What US prosecutors and defence attorneys know and believe about eyewitness testimony

The present study compared what prosecutors and defence attorneys know about eyewitness testimony, what they believe jurors know about eyewitness testimony, and what legal safeguards they think are necessary to educate jurors about eyewitness factors. A total of 73 prosecutors and 1184 defence attorneys completed a survey about eyewitness testimony. Both groups of attorneys had extensive experience practicing law and trying criminal cases. Prosecutors were significantly less knowledgeable than the defence attorneys on almost every issue including the weak relationship between eyewitness confidence and accuracy at trial, jurors' inability to distinguish between accurate and inaccurate eyewitnesses and the benefits of sequential lineups. The prosecutors were less willing than the defence attorneys to permit eyewitness expert testimony and were less sceptical of jurors' knowledge of eyewitness testimony. We highlight issues from the survey that are relevant to the training of prosecutors and defence attorneys about eyewitness testimony. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zur Bildung von Difluorhalogenmethylarsanen durch Reaktion von Difluorcarben mit Arsenhalogeniden

Fur die in situ Erzeugung von Difluorcarben wird mit Acetonitril stabilisiertes Bis(trifluormethyl)cadmium, Cd(CF3)2 · 2 CH3CN, verwendet. Dieses reagiert mit Arsenhalogeniden, AsX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) unter Bildung entsprechender Difluorhalogenmethylarsane, As(CF2X)nX3−n. Das Ausmas der Insertion nimmt in der Reihe AsCl3 < AsBr3 < AsI3 zu. Gegenuber AsF3 verhalt sich der Cadmiumkomplex als Trifluormethylierungsagens. Formation of Difluorohalomethyl Arsanes by Interacting Difluorocarbene with Arsenic Halides Bis(trifluoromethyl)cadmium stabilized by acetonitrile, Cd(CF3)2 · 2 CH3CN, is used as source for the in situ formation of difluorocarbene. Difluorocarbene reacts with arsenic halides, AsX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) to form the corresponding difluorohalomethylarsanes, As(CF2X)nX3−n. The extent of insertion increases in the series AsCl3 < AsBr3 < Asl3. The cadmium complex behaves towards AsF3 as trifluoromethylating agent.
Exchange rates, stock prices, and money markets: evidence from Singapore

Abstract This paper uses a monetary approach to analyze the asymmetric asset-price movements (exchange rates and stock prices) in Singapore, a small open economy with managed exchange rate targeting. The Singapore dollar exchange rates vis-a-vis the developed countries’ currencies are negatively related to stock prices whereas the relationship between the Singapore dollar-Malaysian ringgit exchange rate and stock prices is positive instead. The pattern of asymmetry is explained by the relative exchange-rate elasticity of real money demand and real money supply and evidenced by the distributed-lag regression and VAR analysis. Furthermore, the distributed-lag regression of monthly data suggests that fiscal revenues as well as fiscal expenditures exert positive influences on stock prices.
Specific elements of the glyoxylate pathway play a significant role in the functional transition of the soybean cotyledon during seedling development

The soybean (Glycine max) cotyledon is a specialized tissue whose main function is to serve as a nutrient reserve that supplies the needs of the young plant throughout seedling development. During this process the cotyledons experience a functional transition to a mainly photosynthetic tissue. To identify at the genetic level the specific active elements that participate in the natural transition of the cotyledon from storage to photosynthetic activity, we studied the transcript abundance profile at different time points using a new soybean oligonucleotide chip containing 19,200 probes (70-mer long). After normalization and statistical analysis we determined that 3,594 genes presented a statistically significant altered expression in relation to the imbibed seed in at least one of the time points defined for the study. Detailed analysis of this data identified individual, specific elements of the glyoxylate pathway that play a fundamental role during the functional transition of the cotyledon from nutrient storage to photosynthesis. The dynamics between glyoxysomes and peroxisomes is evident during these series of events. We also identified several other genes whose products could participate co-ordinately throughout the functional transition and the associated mechanisms of control and regulation and we described multiple unknown genetic elements that by association have the potential to make a major contribution to this biological process. We demonstrate that the global transcript profile of the soybean cotyledon during seedling development is extremely active, highly regulated and dynamic. We defined the expression profiles of individual gene family members, enzymatic isoforms and protein subunits and classified them accordingly to their involvement in different functional activities relevant to seedling development and the cotyledonary functional transition in soybean, especially the ones associated with the glyoxylate cycle. Our data suggests that in the soybean cotyledon a very complex and synchronized system of control and regulation of several metabolic pathways is essential to carry out the necessary functions during this developmental process.
Cecilia Beaux: A career as a portraitist

(1987). Cecilia Beaux: A career as a portraitist. Women's Studies: Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 389-411.
Nutrient recycling and allelopathy in a gradostat

Presented is a two-vessel gradostat model in which one microbial species excretes a toxin that increases the mortality of another as both species compete for a limiting nutrient resource. The model is intended to explore the role of allelopathy in blooms of harmful algae, such as red tide (Karenia brevis) and golden algae (Prymnesium parvum). This study introduces the model and its biological basis, and proceeds to the analysis of its asymptotic states to delineate the ecological outcomes of competitive exclusion and coexistence. Theoretical results are supported by a set of numerical simulations. A discussion of biological conclusions and similarities to other mathematical models is also presented.
Modelling the spatial-temporal variability of spring snowmelt in an arctic catchment

Arctic spring landscapes are usually characterized by a mosaic of coexisting snow-covered and bare ground patches. This phenomenon has major implications for hydrological processes, including meltwater production and runoff. Furthermore, as indicated by aircraft observations, it affects land-surface–atmosphere exchanges, leading to a high degree of variability in surface energy terms during melt. The heterogeneity and related differences when certain parts of the landscape become snow free also affects the length of the growing season and the carbon cycle. Small-scale variability in arctic snowmelt is addressed here by combining a spatially distributed end-of-winter snow cover with simulations of variable snowmelt energy balance factors for the small arctic catchment of Trail Valley Creek (63 km2). Throughout the winter, snow in arctic tundra basins is redistributed by frequent blowing snow events. Areas of above- or below-average end-of-winter snow water equivalents were determined from land-cover classifications, topography, land-cover-based snow surveys, and distributed surface wind-field simulations. Topographic influences on major snowmelt energy balance factors (solar radiation and turbulent fluxes of sensible and latent heat) were modelled on a small-scale (40 m) basis. A spatially variable complete snowmelt energy balance was subsequently computed and applied to the distributed snow cover, allowing the simulation of the progress of melt throughout the basin. The emerging patterns compared very well visually to snow cover observations from satellite images and aerial photographs. Results show the relative importance of variable end-of-winter snow cover, spatially distributed melt energy fluxes, and local advection processes for the development of a patchy snow cover. This illustrates that the consideration of these processes is crucial for an accurate determination of snow-covered areas, as well as the location, timing, and amount of meltwater release from arctic catchments, and should, therefore, be included in hydrological models. Furthermore, the study shows the need for a subgrid parameterization of these factors in the land surface schemes of larger scale climate models. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differentiating religiousness and spirituality through boundaries of the mind and daydreaming styles.

The present research examined differences between religiousness and spirituality by looking at their respective relationships to daydreaming and “boundaries of mind.” Having “thick” boundaries implies a degree of separateness among aspects of mind or between a person and the outside world, whereas “thin” boundaries signify fluidity. In order to observe these personality traits in conjunction with a person's religious practices, 113 undergraduate participants received a series of questionnaires. Although religiousness and spirituality were highly related to each other, religiousness showed stronger relationships to thicker boundaries. Relationships between boundary structure and daydreaming style were also investigated, revealing that thin boundaries may have more of a negative connotation than previously thought. Limitations and possibilities for further research are discussed.