cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Point pressure sensitivity in early stage Parkinson's disease.

Abstract A number of sensory changes occur in the earliest stages of Parkinson's disease (PD), some of which precede the expression of the classic motor phenotype by years (e.g., olfactory dysfunction). Whether point pressure sensitivity (PPS), a cutaneous measure of light touch mediated by myelinated Aβ fibers, is altered in early PD is not clear. Prior studies on this point are contradictory and are based on non-forced-choice threshold tests that confound the sensitivity measure with the response criterion. While α-synuclein pathology, a defining feature of PD, is present in the skin of PD patients, it is restricted to unmyelinated nerve fibers, suggesting PPS may be spared in this disease. We determined PPS thresholds using a state-of-the-art forced-choice staircase threshold test paradigm in 29 early stage PD patients and 29 matched controls at 11 body sites: the center of the forehead and the left and right forearms, index fingers, palms, medial soles of the feet, and plantar halluces. The patients were tested, in counterbalanced sessions, both on and off dopamine-related medications (DRMs). PPS was not influenced by PD and did not correlate with DRM l -DOPA equivalents, scores on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, side of the major motor disturbances, or SPECT imaging of the striatal dopamine transporter, as measured by technetium-99m TRODAT. However, PPS thresholds were lower on the left than on the right side of the body (p = 0.008) and on the upper extremities relative to the toes and feet (ps
A Library Research Course for Graduate and Professional Students in Communication Sciences and Disorders

SUMMARY This article describes the formation and content of a required library and information research course for graduate and professional students enrolled in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Master of Arts degree program at Western Washington University. The course was created as a result of library assessment, student feedback, and faculty observations. In place since 2003, the curriculum continues to evolve and is sustained through the collaborative efforts of the library and the department faculty.
TU‐EE‐A4‐04: Inter‐Fraction Shape Change When Using An Endorectal Balloon for Radiation Therapy of the Prostate

Purpose: To investigate inter‐fraction shape change when using an air‐filled endorectal balloon (ERB) to localize and immobilize the prostate. Method and Materials: Under an IRB‐approved treatment protocol to evaluate the use of endorectal balloons, patients have port films acquired before delivery of the treatment fields. Position adjustments in the AP direction are made based on the comparison of lateral portal images with planning DRRs. After treatment, a left lateral portal image is taken to evaluate setup. Currently an ERB is used for 15 fractions (27Gy) of the total treatment. The anterior wall of the ERB in the left lateral portal images for five patients was contoured, and the results used to estimate inter‐fraction shape change. Results: The mean position of the ERB wall was within 2mm of its position in the treatment plan for all patients, with a standard deviation of 1.2 – 2.3mm at central axis (CAX). Since the ERB minimizes intrafraction rectum/prostate motion, most of this can be attributed to setup uncertainties or patient motion. The standard deviation of the ERB wall at a point 3cm superior to CAX, corresponding to the superior end of the prostate, was larger at 2.1 – 4.3mm. The total range in the position of the ERB wall (i.e. difference in most anterior and most posterior positions) at CAX and 3cm superior to CAX was 4–6mm and 6–13mm, respectively. These differences indicate some significant inter‐fraction shape change. Conclusions: Interfraction shape change of the ERB appears to be negligible (s.d. 3cm superior of CAX 3mm) for two patients, indicating that some form of image‐guided or adaptive radiation therapy may be useful for some patients. Results for more patients will be presented at the meeting.
Interpretation of Internal Wave Measurements in the Presence of Fine-Structure

Abstract Philips has pointed out that the measurement of the internal wave spectrum and coherence in a stratified medium is distinctly altered when the profile contains fine-scale layers. Garrett and Munk demonstrated that the measured spectrum can be explicitly calculated in terms of the internal wave distribution and the statistics of the layered medium with the result P0=P+F, where P is the true spectrum and F the fine-structure contamination. The present study is based on a formal modification of the Garrett and Munk method, tailored to describe a medium for which the layers occur, in effect, as a nonstationary Poisson process in the vertical dimension, i.e., a randomly layered ocean. The fine-structure contamination is discussed in detail for the case of a Gaussian internal wave distribution, with a band-limited power law spectrum P=ω−q for ω1<ω<ωn. Above the cutoff (Vaisala) frequency, ωn, the result is F≈omega;−2, in agreement with Phillips and the “fine-structure approximation” of Garrett and Munk...
The anatomy and output connection of a locust visual interneurone; the lobular giant movement detector (LGMD) neurone

1. The anatomy of a giant movement detector neurone in the locust lobula (the LGMD) is described on the basis of both intracellular injection of cobalt (Fig. 2) and the reconstruction of osmium-ethyl gallate and silver impregnated serial sections (Fig. 3). 2. It is shown that the LGMD has an anatomically complex junction with a previously described interneurone, the Descending Contralateral Movement Detector (Fig. 4), and that spikes in the LGMD precede 1∶1 with fixed latency spikes in the DCMD (Figs. 1,5). 3. Three separate dendritic subfields are seen in the lobula complex (Figs. 2, 3); these are tentatively ascribed to the three different classes of input to the cell. 4. A large part of the LGMD's terminal arborisation appears to serve only a single functional junction, that with the DCMD (Fig. 4).
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and concurrent capecitabine for pancreatic cancer

Abstract Purpose Local failure continues to be a major problem in the management of pancreatic cancer. Delivery of adequate radiation doses to the pancreas is limited by radiation-sensitive normal structures in the upper abdomen. To overcome some of these restrictions, we have developed a regimen of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with concurrent capecitabine. Methods and material This is a retrospective analysis of the first 15 patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas treated on this regimen (7 as adjuvant therapy after curative resection and 8 patients for unresectable disease). Intensity-modulated radiotherapy was planned using the CORVUS system and delivered with a segmented multileaf collimator, using a 6-MV photon beam and 10 intensity steps. Two target volumes were entered: target 1 consisted of the gross tumor volume (in unresectable cases) or the tumor bed (in postsurgical cases); and target 2 consisted of the draining lymph nodes. Both targets were treated simultaneously in 25 daily fractions, 5 days a week. In the postoperative setting, the total dose to target 1 was 45–54 Gy (median, 54 Gy). For unresectable disease the dose was 54–55 Gy (median, 54 Gy). The total dose to target 2 was 45 Gy in all patients. Patients were treated with one of two six-field beam arrangements found to produce superior dose distributions. Capecitabine was given at 1,600 mg/m 2 /day in two divided doses, 5 days per week, concurrently with radiotherapy. In addition, most patients (73%) received gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. Systemic chemotherapy was given before, after, or both before and after chemoradiotherapy in 47%, 7%, and 20% of patients, respectively. Patients were evaluated on a weekly basis. Results Treatment was tolerated well. Grade 1/2 nausea/vomiting developed in 8 patients (53%) and Grade 1/2 hematologic toxicity developed in 9 patients (60%). Only 1 patient (7%) had Grade 3 toxicity, a gastric ulceration that responded to medical management. Nine patients (60%) had weight loss (median, 7 lbs; range, 3–12 lbs). The median follow-up time is 8.5 months (10.1 months in patients who are alive). In the resectable group there have been no deaths, and there has been 1 local relapse (14%). In the unresectable group there have been 2 deaths, and the 1-year actuarial survival rate is 69%. Two patients converted to resectability, 5 patients (62.5%) have persistent locoregional disease after chemoradiotherapy, and 1 patient (12%) is locally controlled without surgery. Conclusions This regimen of IMRT with tumor-selective radiosensitization is well tolerated. The low toxicity profile compares favorably with that of protocols based on continuous-infusion 5-fluorouracil or gemcitabine, and the preliminary indications of efficacy are encouraging.
The Rank of Abelian Varieties over Infinite Galois Extensions

Abstract G. Frey and M. Jarden (1974, Proc. London Math. Soc.28, 112–128) asked if every Abelian variety A defined over a number field k with dim A>0 has infinite rank over the maximal Abelian extension kab of k. We verify this for the Jacobians of cyclic covers of P1, with no hypothesis on the Weierstrass points or on the base field. We also derive an infinite rank criterion by analyzing the ramification of division points of an Abelian variety. As an application, we show that any d -dimensional Abelian variety A over k with a degree n projective embedding over k has infinite rank over the compositum of all extensions of k of degree
Opponent state modeling in RTS games with limited information using Markov random fields

One of the critical problems in adversarial and imperfect information domains is modeling an opponent's state from the information available to the acting agent. In the domain of real time strategy games, this information consists of the portion of the map and enemy units visible to the agent at any given point in the match. From this, we wish to infer the true values of the opponent's state, to inform both current actions and planning ahead. We present a graphical model for opponent modeling in StarCraft: Brood War that uses observed quantities to infer distributions for unseen features. We train and test this model using replays of professional play, and show that our results improve upon prior work. In addition, we present a new metric for measuring aggregate performance of a model within this domain. Finally, we consider possible use cases and extensions for this model.
Effect of compression on fast swelling of poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) superporous hydrogels

Superporous hydrogels (SPHs) swell to a large size in a very short time. In many applications it is preferred to compress SPHs to reduce the overall dimension in the dried state. The effects of compression on the swelling property of SPHs were examined. The swelling property of the compressed SPHs was dependent on the orientation of the SPHs during compression. If SPHs were compressed in an orientated manner so that they retained interconnected porous structure, they were able to swell to near equilibrium within 10 min of immersion in aqueous fluids. If SPHs were compressed in a manner that did not retain the open pore structure, the swelling rate was greatly reduced. The results showed that the SPHs could be compressed without significant sacrifice of the fast swelling property if compressed in a proper orientation. Because pores were formed owing to the generation of gas which rose from bottom to the top of the container, the compression parallel to the pore formation resulted in preservation of the pore structure, and thus fast swelling property. The ability to compress SPHs, maintaining the fast swelling property, is expected to be useful in various applications including development of gastric retention devices for oral drug delivery.
Safe Treatment of Seizures in the Setting of HIV/AIDS.

HIV+ patients are at increased risk for developing seizures due to the vulnerability of the central nervous system to HIV-associated diseases, immune dysfunction, and metabolic disturbances. In patients with acute seizures, standard protocols still apply with urgent seizure cessation being the priority. Management of the person with established epilepsy who contracts HIV is challenging, but the decision to initiate chronic antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy in an HIV+ patient is also difficult. Chronic treatment guidelines emphasize the interactions between AEDs and antiretroviral (ARV) medications, but provide no explicit advice regarding when to initiate an AED, what medication to select, and/or the duration of treatment. Epidemiologic data regarding seizure recurrence risk in HIV+ individuals is not available. The risk of further seizures likely depends upon the underlying etiology for the seizure(s) and patients’ immune status and may be increased by the use of efavirenz (an ARV). The issues for consideration include AED-ARV interactions, organ dysfunction, seizure type, and drug side effects, which may worsen or be confused with symptoms of HIV and/or epilepsy. Co-administration of enzyme inducing (EI)-AEDs and ARVs can result in virological failure, breakthrough seizure activity, AED toxicity, and/or ARV toxicity. Where available, the AED of choice in HIV+ patients is levetiracetam due to its broad spectrum activity, ease of use, minimal drug interactions, and favorable side effect profile. Lacosamide, gabapentin, and pregabalin are also favored choices in patients with partial onset seizures and/or those failing levetiracetam. Where newer AEDs are not available, valproic acid may be the treatment of choice in terms of an AED, which will not cause enzyme induction-associated ARV failure, but its side effect profile causes other obvious problems. In resource-limited settings (RLS) where only EI-AEDs are available, there are no good treatment options and further pressure needs to be placed upon policymakers to address this care gap and public health threat.
Lee Myung-bak's foreign policy: a 250-day assessment

Abstract Since his inauguration in February 2008, Lee Myung-bak has pursued a “pragmatic” foreign policy based on strengthening relationships with key regional powers and promoting conditional engagement with North Korea, while also enhancing South Korea's role in the international community. But Lee's foreign policy initiatives have thus far been stymied by a combination of internal and external obstacles. South Korea's capacity to effectively manage relations with regional powers, engage with North Korea, and meet its global commitments will depend on how the Lee administration applies its new foreign policy agenda in practical terms. This article assesses Lee Myung-bak's foreign policy performance in the first nine months since his inauguration, based on a critical review of his initial steps in relations with the United States, Japan, and China, and recent developments in inter-Korean relations. In addition, it considers Lee Myung bak's efforts to design a global strategy for South Korea including Lee...
Zur selektiven Korrosion von Kupferlegierungen

Die Begriffe der „selektiven Metallkorrosion” und der „selektiven Gefugekorrosion” sollten angewendet werden, um zu unterscheiden, ob lediglich ein einzelnes Legierungselement oder ein bestimmter Gefugebestandteil, also eine Mischkristallart, selektiv zerstort wird. Bei kritischer Sichtung des Schriftums wird die Entzinkung von Messing besprochen, ihre Ursachen, ihr Mechanismus, der Einflus von Deckschichten und anderen Faktoren, auch der von Legierungselementen, und schlieslich ihre Verhinderung. Dabei zeigt sich, das viele – zum Teil wesentliche – Einzelheiten des Entzinkungsvorganges noch nicht geklart sind. Im Gegensatz zur Entzinkung wurde die Entaluminierung von Aluminiumbronze bisher im Schrifttum wenig beachtet. Uber den Mechanismus wurden bisher noch keine Versuche angestellt. Verhutungsmasnahmen sind deshalb kaum bekannt. The selective corrosion of copper alloys It is recommended to distinguish between “selective metal corrosion” where the selective destruction is confined to a single alloy constituent, and “selective structure corrosion” where the selective destruction concerns a certain structure component, i.e. a type of mixed crystals. In the course of a critical survey of technical literature, the authors discuss the dezincking of brass, its causes and mechanism, the influence of top coatings and other factors, including that of alloy constituents, and finally its prevention. It is found that many, including some essential, features of the dezincking process have not yet been clarified. In contrast to dezincking, the reduction of aluminium in aluminium bronze has so far not figured greatly in technical literature. Its mechanism has not been investigated experimentally so that hardly anything is known about preventive measures.
Molecular confirmation of carriers for Lowe syndrome

Abstract Objective To determine the sensitivity and specificity of ocular examination for the carrier state of Lowe syndrome in females known to be either carriers or noncarriers by direct DNA diagnosis. Design Nonrandomized cohort study. Participants Thirty-one females at risk for carrying Lowe syndrome in 3 families. Methods Slit-lamp biomicroscopy after pupillary dilation was performed by a single observer (RAL) who was masked as to carrier status as determined by allele-specific detection of mutations in genomic DNA. Results Carrier assessment predetermined by slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination yielded only one false-negative in a young girl 5 years of age and no false-positives among 31 female members examined. Conclusions Slit-lamp examination is a highly accurate and sensitive test for carrier detection in Lowe syndrome, particularly in women of reproductive age.
Comparison of experimental and theoretical intensities of inelastic electron tunneling spectra for thiourea

Abstract A comparison of experimental and calculated inelastic electron tunneling intensities for several modes of thiourea are reported. The measurements were made on aluminum-aluminum oxide-lead tunnel junctions doped with thiourea. The partial charge model of Kirtley, Scalapino and Hansma was used to calculate the relative intensities of each mode. The best agreement between the two sets of intensities occurred when the CS bond was oriented perpendicular to the oxide, the structure was non-planar, and the separation between the molecule and the image plane formed by the lead electrode was about 1.6 A. The orientation was such that the sulfur was bonded to the aluminum oxide and the plane formed by the SCNN atoms was perpendicular to the surface.
Orthogonal polynomials: applications and computation

We give examples of problem areas in interpolation, approximation, and quadrature, that call for orthogonal polynomials not of the classical kind. We then discuss numerical methods of computing the respective Gauss-type quadrature rules and orthogonal polynomials. The basic task is to compute the coefficients in the three-term recurrence relation for the orthogonal polynomials. This can be done by methods relying either on moment information or on discretization procedures. The effect on the recurrence coefficients of multiplying the weight function by a rational function is also discussed. Similar methods are applicable to computing Sobolev orthogonal polynomials, although their recurrence relations are more complicated. The paper concludes with a brief account of available software.
NDE Development for Ceramics for Advanced Heat Engines

Following an assessment of needs for NDT and characterization of ceramics for the DOE program, Ceramic Technology for Advanced Heat Engines (CTAHE), many NDT projects have been implemented under the sponsorship of CTAHE to address the needs. Tasks at Argonne National Laboratory have involved X-ray computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory has emphasized high-frequency ultrasonics, low-voltage radiography, and an advanced system for X-ray computed tomography. A brief investigation was made by Radiation Sciences, Inc., into the feasibility of synchrotron-computed tomography for ceramics. New programs recently initiated at Allison and Garrett integrate ultrasonics, radiography, and other methods into a major effort on life prediction. New programs at Norton and GTE on advanced processing of ceramics also place heavy emphasis on several methods of NDT for process development and control. Initial work on NDT standards has begun in ASTM Committees E-7 and C-28.Copyright © 1991 by ASME
Resolution limits of microscopy through scattering layers

Abstract The combination of confocal microscopy and suitable correlation methods with short light pulses is shown to enable imaging with micrometer resolution through scattering media with potential applications in biology and medicine. Experimental and theoretical investigations are presented describing fundamental limits of this imaging technique.
Alignment Telescope For Antares

The Antares Automatic Alignment System employs a specially designed telescope for alignment of its laser beamlines. There are two telescopes in the system, and since eacn telescope is a primary alignment reference, stringent boresight accuracy and stability over the focus range were required. Optical and mechanical designs, which meet this requirement as well as that of image quality over a wide wavelength band, are described. Special test techniques for initial assembly and alignment of the telescope are also presented. The telescope, which has a 180-mm aperture FK51-KZF2 type glass doublet objective, requires a boresight accuracy of 2.8 prad at two focal lengths, and object distances between 11 meters and infinity. Travel of a smaller secondary doublet provides focus from 11 m to infinity with approximately 7.8 m effective focal length. By flipping in a third doublet, the effective focal length is reduced to 2.5 m. Telescope alignment was accomplished by using a rotary air bearing to establish an axis in front of the system and placing the focus of a Laser Unequal Path Interferometer (LUPI) at the image plane.
Trends in aerosol optical depth for cities in India

Abstract Recent analysis of trends in global short-wave radiation measured with pyranometers in major cities in India support a decrease in solar radiation in many of those cities since 1990. Since direct and diffuse radiation measurements include cloud effects, spring and summer dust and the variable summer monsoon rains, we concentrate in this paper on wintertime (November–February) aerosol optical depth measurements. The aerosol optical depth is derived from cloud-free turbidity measurements beginning in the 1960s and more recent sun photometer direct aerosol optical depth measurements. We compare the sun photometer derived trends with the pyranometer-derived trends using a radiative transfer model. These results are then compared to total ozone mapping spectrometer (TOMS) satellite-derived regional aerosol optical depths from 1980 to 2000. The results show that inclusion of the earlier turbidity measurements helps to establish an increasing regional turbidity trend. However, most of the increasing trend is confined to the larger cities in the Ganges River Basin of India (mainly Calcutta and New Delhi) with other cities showing a much less increase. Regional satellite data show that there is an increasing trend in aerosol off the coast of India and over the Ganges River Basin. The increase over the Ganges River Basin is consistent with population trends over the region during 1980–2000.
Identifying the risk factors for developing incontinence: Can we modify individual risk?

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common but often misunderstood problem. Newer treatments are being developed and examined, but prevention of incontinence rarely is addressed in the medical literature. This article reviews the current literature on risk factors for developing UI and raises the question, "Can patient education or nursing intervention reduce the incidence of incontinence by identifying and modifying risk factors?"
Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinase-Mediated Periodontal Bone Loss in Rats: A Comparison of 6 Chemically Modified Tetracyclines

Background: Chemically modified tetracyclines (CMTs), devoid of antimicrobial activity, inhibit pathologically elevated collagenase activity both in vivo and in vitro. In the current study, doxycycline and 5 different CMTs were tested to prevent matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-dependent periodontal tissue breakdown in an animal model of periodontitis. Methods: Adult male rats received intragingival injections with either 10 µl of physiologic saline or Escherkhia coli endotoxin (1 mg/ml) every other day for 6 days and were distributed into 8 treatment groups (12 rats/group): saline (S), endotoxin alone (E), E + CMT-1 , E + CMT-3, E + CMT-4, E + CMT-7, E + CMT-8, and doxycycline. All animals were treated daily with 1 ml of 2% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) alone or containing one of the above-mentioned CMTs (2 mg/day) orally. The gingival tissues were removed, extracted, and assayed for gelatinase (GLSE). Some rat maxillary jaws from each treatment group were fixed in buffered formalin and processed for histo...
Metal pollution-induced immunomodulation in fish

Abstract The exact relationship between disease incidence in aquatic organisms and environmental pollution is not well defined. A number of mechanisms by which aquatic pollutants may act to increase disease incidence in fish have been speculated, many suggesting immunosuppression as a link in the etiology of disease among fishes in highly contaminated areas. This article will review the effects of metal pollutants on the immune responses of fish by examining in vitro and in vivo laboratory studies carried out since 1980. It will also describe how those alterations may be responsible for pollution-associated diseases in directly exposed fish. While a large number of environmental contaminants represent aquatic pollutants of concern (e.g. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated organics, and pesticides), heavy metals were selected as the pollutants for this review because of their: (a) prevalence in polluted aquatic environments; (b) immunotoxic potential in mammalian systems; (c) ability to induce tumors in exposed rodents; and (d) their overall toxicity in a variety of species. It can be concluded that a number of heavy metal pollutants shown to be immunotoxic in mammalian systems, including cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, nickel, and zic, also alter immunoregulatory functions in a variety of fish species. These alterations may ultimately lead to increased host susceptibility to infectious and malignant diseases in fish inhabiting heavy metal-contaminated waters.
Turbulence-Augmented Minimization of Combustion Time in Mesoscale Internal Combustion Engines

Mesoscale internal combustion engines for a variety of new combustion system applications have dimensions that are far smaller than conventional macroscale engines, yet unlike true microscale engines allow significant mean flow and turbulence to be created in the combustion chamber by the injection process. The resulting flow allows minimization of the combustion time by augmenting flame propagation across the combustion chamber to provide maximum power and efficiency. However injection and ignition locations that give minimum combustion times in traditional macroscale engines are of limited relevance in such small-scale engines. This study has therefore examined premixed flame propagation in a generic mesoscale combustion chamber for various injection and ignition configurations to develop guidelines for minimizing combustion times in mesoscale engines. Numerical simulations based on the G-equation, coupled with mean flow and turbulence fields for various injection configurations, reveal key features of flame propagation and combustion times for combinations of injection and ignition sites. Mean flow velocities and turbulent flame speeds are found to be comparable in such mesoscale engines, indicating that both the mean flow and turbulence must be matched to the combustion chamber geometry to minimize the overall combustion time B τ . Results show that τB in such mesoscale engines can be 8-20 times faster than the laminar combustion time scale 0 max L LS that governs true microscale engines, and can be 1-2 times faster than the turbulent combustion time scale 0 max L LS . Minimum τB values are found to result from injection across the smallest chamber dimension, with ignition on the opposite side of the chamber providing rapid initial flame growth and a secondary flow that assists in flame propagation. Moving-boundary simulations permit analysis of flame propagation in realistic engine configurations, and assessments of resulting combustion times.
The effect of protein deprivation on pancreatic function in young animals and on animals in utero

Malnutrition is worldwide. Irreversible effects on the pancreas and pancreatic function when studied clinically have been contradictory. This laboratory experiment was designed to study the pancreas under conditions of severe malnutrition over a long period of time. Its purpose was to determine whether organic as well as functional changes are reversible in young animals as they mature, and in animals deprived in utero. Dramatic decreases in enzyme levels as well as protein and DNA occur with severe protein restrictions. Electron microscopy and H&E sections show no abnormalities and all measurements return almost to normal levels after refeeding. Animals deprived of protein in utero although severely malnourished at birth have excellent functional recovery of enzyme content after 13 to 19 weeks on a normal diet and a return to almost normal growth curves.
Effect of reducing and oxidizing agents and pH on malt endoproteolytic activities and brewing mashes.

The activities of the four endoproteinase classes of malted barley are known to vary with pH, and it seemed likely that the cysteine enzyme activities could be altered by redox agents. This study determined how altering the pH and adding redox agents to mashes influenced the worts that were produced during the brewing process. The reducing agents cysteine.HCl, dithiothreitol, and beta-mercaptoethanol increased the proteolysis that occurred in malt extracts and mashes. This increased proteolysis was negated by the addition of the oxidizing agents diamide or hydrogen peroxide. The addition of reducing agents to mashes increased the soluble protein, free amino nitrogen (FAN), and extract values of their resultant worts, and this effect was abolished by the concomitant addition of oxidizing agents. Raising the pH values of the mashes strongly reduced their proteolytic activities, soluble protein, FAN, and extract values, but not their beta-glucan levels. These results show that several of the major aspects of malting and brewing quality can be adjusted by varying the pH and redox qualitites of mashes, which could be helpful to brewers. These results also strengthen the previous proposal made by Buchanan et al. that the redox status of plants may play a significant part in controlling their physiology.
TU‐A‐108‐05: Quantification and Prediction of Dose Variation in Scanning Beam Proton Therapy From Setup and Anatomical Change for Single‐Field, Multi‐Field, and Robustly Optimized Plans

Purpose: The purpose of this study is two‐fold: 1) to study proton dose variation due to weekly patient setup and anatomy change; and 2) to evaluate the effectiveness of robustness optimization and robustness evaluation techniques. Methods: For a given patient, single‐field optimized (SFO), multi‐field optimized (MFO) and multi‐field optimized with robustness constrains (MFO‐Robust) plans were generated on a simulation CT (CT0). The robustness of the plans was evaluated on CT0 with a statistical technique to compute standard deviation of the dose‐volume histogram (SD‐DVH) of the target volumes and critical structures for 600 combinations of setup and range uncertainties. The original plans were recalculated on subsequent weekly CTs (CTn), and the dose distributions on weekly CTs were deformed onto CT0 using the Velocity (Velocity Medical Solutions) software. The DVHs of weekly doses, as well as the accumulated dose were compared on CT0 with the anticipated SD‐DVH variations predicted by the statistical plan robustness evaluation system. Results: The mean standard deviation of weekly doses for voxels within the GTV is <2%, for all techniques, the standard deviation of dose difference between the accumulated dose and the planned dose is <1% in GTV for all techniques. The DVH deviations of weekly and accumulated doses were within the 2SD‐DVH confidence interval. Conclusion: This study quantifies the weekly variation of the patient dose, and the accumulated dose variation due to setup uncertainty and anatomy change. The SD‐DVH, which is calculated at the time of planning, could be a good predictor of dose variation over the course of treatment.
Radiation from a moving scalar source.

We study classical radiation and the quantum bremsstrahlung effect of a moving point scalar source. Our classical analysis provides another example of resolving a well-known apparent paradox, that of whether or not a constantly accelerating source radiates. Quantum mechanically, we show that for a scalar source with arbitrary motion the tree level emission rate of scalar particles in the inertial frame equals the sum of emission and absorption rates of zero-energy Rindler particles in the Rindler frame. We then explicitly verify this result for a source undergoing constant proper acceleration.
Elastic electron transmission by barriers in a three-dimensional model quantum wire

Numerical solutions of the time-dependent and time-independent Schr\"odinger equations for electron tunneling in a three-dimensional model quantum wire have been carried out and used to calculate transmission probabilities over a range of energies. The model simulates a quantum heterostructure corresponding to a cylindrically symetric wire constructed from two different materials such that square barriers to the axial (z) motion occur in the disjoint region B=(${\mathit{z}}_{1}$\ensuremath{\le}z\ensuremath{\le}${\mathit{z}}_{2}$)\ensuremath{\cup}(${\mathit{z}}_{3}$\ensuremath{\le}z\ensuremath{\le}${\mathit{z}}_{4}$). In addition, the electron is bound harmonically in the radial distance r transverse to the longitudinal axis z; the electron vibrational frequency changes discontinuously from ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{A}}$ in the disjoint region A=(-\ensuremath{\infty}z${\mathit{z}}_{1}$)\ensuremath{\cup}(${\mathit{z}}_{2}$z${\mathit{z}}_{3}$)\ensuremath{\cup}(${\mathit{z}}_{4}$z\ensuremath{\infty}) to ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{B}}$ in the disjoint region B.
Progesterone, but not 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, inhibits human myometrial contractions.

Objective The aim was to determine whether progesterone (P4) or 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) directly inhibit human uterine contractility in vitro and thereby clarify their mechanisms of action. Study Design Myometrial tissues were suspended in organ chambers and exposed for 2 to 20 hours to varying concentrations of P4 or 17P or solvent. Contractile activity was registered, stored, and analyzed. Dose response curves were then generated for P4 or 17P at various times. Results P4 significantly inhibited spontaneous contractility dose dependently. The inhibition was not blocked by RU486 but was reversible after washing. Surprisingly, 17P dose dependently stimulated contractility. HPLC and GC-MS methods were used to determine the detectable concentrations of progestins in the baths. Conclusion P4, at concentrations equivalent to those present in the placenta and uterus, inhibit spontaneous myometrial contractility in vitro by nongenomic mechanisms.
Marking and Measuring Single Microtubules by PRC1 and Kinesin-4

Summary Error-free cell division depends on the assembly of the spindle midzone, a specialized array of overlapping microtubules that emerges between segregating chromosomes during anaphase. The molecular mechanisms by which a subset of dynamic microtubules from the metaphase spindle are selected and organized into a stable midzone array are poorly understood. Here, we show using in vitro reconstitution assays that PRC1 and kinesin-4, two microtubule-associated proteins required for midzone assembly, can tag microtubule plus ends. Remarkably, the size of these tags is proportional to filament length. We determine the crystal structure of the PRC1 homodimer and map the protein-protein interactions needed for tagging microtubule ends. Importantly, length-dependent microtubule plus-end-tagging by PRC1 is also observed in dividing cells. Our findings suggest how biochemically similar microtubules can be differentially marked, based on length, for selective regulation during the formation of specialized arrays, such as those required for cytokinesis.
Flow intrusion characteristics and fracture properties of titanium-fibre-reinforced bone cement

Two clinically relevant considerations for a new bone cement are its fracture properties and flow intrusion characteristics. We present data for a titanium-fibre-reinforced poly(methyl methacrylate) (Ti-PMMA). The fracture properties presented are a concise review of previously published material, while the flow intrusion observations are new. We performed fracture toughness and fatigue fracture experiments. Two types of fatigue specimens were designed and tested. A 'smooth' specimen represented the extreme case of minimum surface flaws. The lifetime of a 'smooth' specimen incorporates fatigue crack initiation (FCI) and fatigue crack propagation (FCP). 'Notched' specimens were created by machining a sharp notch into cylindrical specimens. The sharp notch effectively eliminated FCI from a random surface flaw and thus we made the assumption that the lifetime of the notched specimen was a function of FCP only. Fatigue testing was performed on rotating-bending fatigue machines until failure. Fibre addition resulted in a significant increase in fracture toughness over the control bone cement. Fibre addition and the combination of fibre addition and centrifugation increased the fatigue crack initiation and propagation resistance of the bone cement. For the intrusion studies, eight femurs were obtained from four dogs. The femurs were prepared following a procedure similar to that in human hip replacement surgery. One of the pair of femurs from each dog was filled with non-reinforced bone cement and the other was filled with Ti-PMMA. A stainless-steel rod was inserted into the cement to simulate the insertion of a prosthesis stem. The cemented bones were sectioned and then stained with Alizarin Red S to distinguish the bone from the PMMA or Ti-PMMA. Because of the irregular bone morphology, it was not practical to quantify intrusion depth, but instead to make general observations on the intrusion characteristics. The Ti fibres did not generally flow into the small openings; however, fibre addition did not hinder the bone cement's ability to penetrate into bone interstices.
Cellular expression of alphaherpesvirus gD interferes with entry of homologous and heterologous alphaherpesviruses by blocking access to a shared gD receptor.

Several human and animal alphaherpesviruses can enter cells via human herpesvirus entry mediator C (HveC), a receptor for viral glycoprotein D (gD). In previous studies with cells expressing unknown entry mediators, cellular expression of alphaherpesvirus gD was shown to inhibit entry of the homologous virus and sometimes also of heterologous alphaherpesviruses. To investigate the mechanism of gD-mediated interference and the basis for cross-interference among alphaherpesviruses, HveC was expressed in cells as the sole entry mediator, in the presence or absence of one of the gDs encoded by herpes simplex virus type 1, pseudorabies virus, or bovine herpesvirus type 1. Cells expressing HveC alone were highly susceptible to entry of all three viruses, whereas cells coexpressing HveC and any one of the gDs were at least partially resistant to infection by each virus. Coexpression of gD with HveC did not cause reduced levels of cell-surface HveC but the HveC had reduced ability to bind to exogenous gD. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed that HveC was complexed with gD in lysates of cells expressing both. Thus, cellular expression of gD can interfere with alphaherpesvirus entry by blocking ligand-binding sites of the gD receptor(s) used for entry and cross-interference can occur because different forms of alphaherpesvirus gD can compete for shared entry receptors.
A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator Inducing Near-Rectangular Pulses With Controllable Pulse Width (cTMS)

A novel transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device with controllable pulse width (PW) and near-rectangular pulse shape (cTMS) is described. The cTMS device uses an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) with appropriate snubbers to switch coil currents up to 6 kA, enabling PW control from 5 mus to over 100 mus. The near-rectangular induced electric field pulses use 2%-34% less energy and generate 67%-72% less coil heating compared to matched conventional cosine pulses. CTMS is used to stimulate rhesus monkey motor cortex in vivo with PWs of 20 to 100 mus, demonstrating the expected decrease of threshold pulse amplitude with increasing PW. The technological solutions used in the cTMS prototype can expand functionality, and reduce power consumption and coil heating in TMS, enhancing its research and therapeutic applications.
Ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion is safe, simple, and reliable: results from a large animal model.

Introduction. Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) is an emerging preservation modality that holds the potential to prevent the injury associated with low temperature and to promote organ repair that follows ischemic cell damage. While several animal studies have showed its superiority over cold storage (CS), minimal studies in the literature have focused on safety, feasibility, and reliability of this technology, which represent key factors in its implementation into clinical practice. The aim of the present study is to report safety and performance data on NMP of DCD porcine livers. Materials and Methods. After 60 minutes of warm ischemia time, 20 pig livers were preserved using either NMP (n = 15; physiologic perfusion temperature) or CS group (n = 5) for a preservation time of 10 hours. Livers were then tested on a transplant simulation model for 24 hours. Machine safety was assessed by measuring system failure events, the ability to monitor perfusion parameters, sterility, and vessel integrity. The a...
Reliability-driven don't care assignment for logic synthesis

This paper describes two algorithms for the selective assignment of input don't cares (DCs) for logical derating of input errors to enhance reliability. It is motivated by the observation that reliability-driven assignment of DCs can improve input error resilience by up to 49.7% in logic circuits. Two algorithms — ranking-based and complexity-factor-based — for reliability-driven DC assignment are proposed in this paper. Both algorithms use Hamming distance metrics to determine 0/1 assignments for the most critical DC terms, thereby leaving flexibility in the circuit specification for subsequent optimization. Since ranking-based DC assignment offers less control over overhead, we develop a complexity-factor-based DC assignment algorithm that can achieve up to 21.4% improvement in error rate with a simultaneous 4.3% reduction in area over conventional DC assignment. Finally, we derive analytical estimates on min-max reliability improvements to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Analysis of thinning algorithms

Uses a combinatorial approach to analyse the differences of thinning algorithms among iteration and sub-iteration, thinning by coordinate and by edges of patterns. The authors also propose a serial model thinning algorithm in which the skeletons only consist of three types of points: connected points, end-points, and hole-points. >
Attachment of Cryptosporidium parvum Sporozoites to Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based attachment model using the human intestinal cell line Caco-2A was developed to study attachment of Cryptosporidium parvum sporozoites in vitro and to assess potential inhibitors of sporozoite binding. In this system, attachment was related to sporozoite dose, incubation time, and host cell differentiation status. Polyclonal antibodies to C. parvum as well as glycoprotein inhibitors of a sporozoite lectin reduced attachment. This model will be a valuable tool in elucidating specific molecules and mechanisms involved in sporozoite-host cell attachment.
A neural network structure for vector quantizers

A variable perturbation method for codebook design in vector quantization (VQ) is proposed. The resulting codebook can be used as the initial codebook in the implementation of the LBG (Line, Buzo, Gray, 1990) VQ algorithm. The proposed method is based on the concept of entropy implemented as a learning algorithm for a feedforward neural network. Such a neural network with the proposed learning algorithm can construct a codebook for input vectors with an unknown distribution without memorizing long training data. >
The Role of Marketing in Antitrust

MARY W. SULLIVAN is an economist, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice. The views expressed are not purported to reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice. Economics plays a large role in antitrust enforcement by helping determine whether certain business practices are anticompetitive. The models and methods used by antitrust economists are taken from the branch of economics referred to as industrial organization. Marketing and industrial organization have a great deal in common: Both are concerned with the study of markets on a micro level, and both strive to understand consumer behavior, competition, and firm decision making. Marketing tends to analyze business practices in greater depth than industrial organization and in some areas has the potential to improve antitrust economics. However, to date, marketing has had little influence on the economic analysis used to support antitrust enforcement. This article offers reasons antitrust economists have been reluctant to embrace marketing and how research in marketing might be used to improve econometric methods in merger investigations.
Novel B-cell precursors blocked at the stage of DJH recombination.

Abstract Abelson murine leukemia virus-transformed cells have provided the principal model for study of the early events in immunoglobulin gene rearrangements. In this communication, we describe a new type of Abelson virus-transformed pre-B-cell line that is arrested at the DJH stage of the recombination process. These cells differ from other pre-B transformants with respect to two properties associated with the immunoglobulin rearrangement process. First, in contrast to cell lines undergoing VH-to-DJH joining in vitro, none of these cell lines contained detectable levels of RNAs transcribed from their unrearranged VH genes. Second, only some of the cell lines recombined exogenous heptamer-nonamer sequences, indicating that many of them have lost at least a portion of the enzymatic machinery that mediates recombination. The correlation between the absence of unrearranged VH RNAs and the inability to rearrange endogenous immunoglobulin gene segments suggests that VH gene transcription is required both to maintain an active recombination system and for the final step in variable-region formation.