cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of Y90 sphere therapies in the treatment of hepatic malignancies

1286 Learning Objectives Purpose: 1. To gain a better understanding of principles and general aspects of Y90 sphere therapies for liver malignancies. 2. Review and compare currently available sphere options. 3. Discuss the role and technical aspects of pre-therapy shunt determination and post-therapy biodistribution scans. 4. Briefly discuss interventional radiology aspects related to Y90 spheres therapy procedures. Y90 microsphere selective internal radiation treatment (SIRT) is an emerging management option for hepatic malignancies, both primary and metastases. Y90 spheres are administered intra-arterially in collaboration with Interventional Radiology. Y90 is a pure beta minus emitter. There are two types of microspheres currently in use- SIR spheres and TheraSphere. Y90 SIRT is technically demanding. A multidisciplinary approach and accurate patient selection are needed to ensure better clinical outcomes. The authorized user must have a good understanding of the basic principles behind these therapies, know the difference between the type of spheres available and their role in the hepatic malignancy treatment algorithm. Additional nuclear medicine imaging including pre-therapy Tc-99m MAA shunt determination and post-therapy Bremsstrahlung distribution imaging are important to assess and limit the risk of potential extrahepatic radiation effects. As Y90 SIRT becomes more widely available, competency with microsphere therapies is crucial.
Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS)

Many semiconductor defects manifest themselves through deep and shallow levels in the energy gap. Deep levels may act as electron or hole traps depending on their state of occupancy. Shallow levels are formed in semiconductor crystals when a foreign atom, which belongs to the groups of the periodic table closest to that of the semiconductor, is introduced into the lattice. These shallow levels are used to control the concentartion of holes or electrons in the semiconductor. They can be described by the effective mass theory of Kohn and Luttinger [1], giving a hydrogen like spectrum of the discrete levels with the binding energies E n , which can be written as: $$ {E_n} = \frac{1}{{{n^2}}} {\frac{m}{{2h}}^{ * }}{\left( {\frac{{{q}}}{ \in }} \right)^2} $$ (4.1) where m* is an effective mass for the electron or hole, 2208 is the static dielectric constant of the semiconductor, and n is an integer. For the ground state energies, better agreement between calculated and measured values are obtained using a more complicated pseudo-impurity theory developed by Pantelides [2].
Lemon yellow #15 a new highly stable, water soluble food colorant from the peel of Citrus limon

To provide stable and low-cost naturally derived yellow pigments, a variety of food byproducts were evaluated and the constituents of lemon peel have emerged yielding a highly promising natural product with applications as a food dye. Here we report a new, highly stable and water soluble food dye called yellow #15 from the ethanol extract of the zest of Citrus limon. The structure of lemon yellow #15 was carefully assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and the absolute configuration was established by comparison of the experimental CD with calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectral data. CIELAB values and Delta CIELAB were measured and revealed this new water-soluble pigment has superior light stability relative to other natural products used as food dyes.
Computational design of composite EMI shields through the control of pore morphology

A model-guided design methodology for polymer composite electromagnetic (EM) interference shields is presented. The approach utilizes measurement of intrinsic complex EM parameters, predictive modeling of absorbing geometries in the COMSOL environment, and subsequent fabrication using 3D printing and compression molding. The viability of the first two steps in the approach was confirmed using a commercially available conductive nano-filled polymer composite filament, as well as a model system from the literature. Initial results suggest that the addition of periodically placed air-filled pores within the conductive polymer composite can lead to lower reflection loss and higher absorption bandwidths.
Attention and working memory biases to black and Asian faces during intergroup contexts

Categorizing and individual as a racial ingroup or outgroup member results in processing and memory differences. However, despite processing differences for racial ingroups and outgroups, very little is known about processing of racial ingroup and outgroup members during intergroup contexts. Thus, the present research investigated attention and memory differences for racial ingroup and outgroup members during competition for attention (i.e., intergroup contexts). In experiment 1, event-related potentials (ERPs) were obtained while participants completed a working memory task that presented 4 faces (2 Black, 2 White) at once then, following a short delay, were probed to indicate the spatial location of one of the faces. Participants showed better location memory for Black than White faces. During encoding, ERP results revealed differences based on the race of the face in P300 amplitudes, such that there was greater motivated processing when attending to Black faces. At probe, the N170 indicated enhanced early processing of Black faces and greater LPCs were associated with better recollection of Black face location. In a follow-up study using the same task, we examined attention and working memory biases for Asian and White faces in Caucasian and Asian participants. Results for both Caucasian and Asian participants indicated better working memory for Asian relative to White faces. Together, results indicate that during intergroup contexts, racial minority faces capture attention, resulting in better memory for those faces. The study underscores that examining racial biases with single stimuli paradigms obscures important aspects of attention and memory biases during intergroup contexts.
Dynamic Exhaustive Mobile Target Search Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

This paper presents a novel dynamic progressively spiral-out (PSO) formation for a team of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to perform an exhaustive search of mobile ground targets. Two novel procedures are designed for a UAV to be inserted to and removed from an established PSO formation without discontinuing the confidence area. A comparison study in simulation was conducted using both randomly moving and smart avoidance targets. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Predicting mode-dependent phonon thermal conductivity of silicon nanoparticle using Boltzmann transport equation

Abstract With the advent of nanotechnology, silicon nanoparticles have shown promising applications in the manufacturing sector. In this letter, we examine the lattice thermal conductivity predictions for a silicon nanoparticle using three popular formulations of the Boltzmann transport equation. The models as proposed by Klemens, Callaway and Holland, essentially differ in the phonon scattering mechanisms and the vibrational modes considered in the respective formulations. At low temperatures, results from all three models show strong agreement with experimental measurements, but deviate significantly with increasing temperatures. Estimates from the Holland model, which explicitly accounts for the normal and Umklapp scattering processes of the transverse and longitudinal modes, concur with the measured values. Similar predictions are obtained from both Holland and Callaway models at high temperatures since phonon transport is dominated by longitudinal modes, as revealed from our analyses of the relaxation times. In conclusion, the letter infers the importance of mode dependent thermal conduction in silicon nanoparticle at elevated temperatures.
A New Exact Algorithm to Optimize a Linear Function over the Set of Efficient Solutions for Biobjective Mixed Integer Linear Programs

We present the first (criterion space search) algorithm for optimizing a linear function over the set of efficient solutions of biobjective mixed integer linear programs. The proposed algorithm is ...
The Status Quo in Buchanan’s Constitutional Contractarianism

When Buchanan discusses the constitutional changes that members of society would agree to, he uses the status quo as the default. If no agreement occurs, we continue with the constitutional rules that are currently in place. This article argues that this choice results in an unjustified status quo bias. To make this point, I examine and challenge three possible arguments in favor of using the status quo as the default. Then, I give two arguments in favor of a form of contractarianism that does not use the status quo as a default.
Deformation and Elastic Recovery of Acrylate-Based Liquid Crystalline Elastomers

Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are well known for their stimuli-responsive behavior. Of interest to the work presented here is the distinctive, nonlinear deformation of these materials to load. Here, we assess the cyclic deformation and elastic recovery of acrylate-based LCEs synthesized by chain-transfer reactions. Mechanical deformation of the LCEs (prepared with this synthetic approach) beyond a threshold strain value does not elastically recover, unless heat-treated. The thermomechanical actuation of these materials exhibits limited hysteresis over five cycles. Exploration of the deformation mechanics and elastic recovery extends the understanding of this material composition and informs its potential use in applications.
How Chemical Environment Activates Anthralin and Molecular Oxygen for Direct Reaction.

The role of the chemical environment in promoting anthralin/O2 reactions was discovered using neat solvents to model the amino acids of a cofactor-independent oxygenase. Experimental and computatio...
Association of Peripheral Neuropathy with Erectile Dysfunction in US Men

Abstract Background Peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are common conditions that have both been linked to cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, especially diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the association of large-fiber peripheral neuropathy with erectile dysfunction in adult US males with and without diabetes. Methods We included all men aged ≥40 years from the 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with data on erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy (n = 1213, including 206 men with diabetes). Erectile dysfunction was assessed by a single question during a self-paced, computer-assisted self-interview. Peripheral neuropathy was evaluated using standardized 10-g monofilament testing, which assesses lower extremity sensation. We used logistic regression to examine the association of peripheral neuropathy with erectile dysfunction overall and stratified by diabetes status, adjusting for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Results The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was 26.1% (51.2% in men with diabetes and 22.5% in men without diabetes). There was a significant independent association of peripheral neuropathy with erectile dysfunction overall (odds ratio [OR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-2.43) and among US adult men without diabetes (OR 1.68; 95% CI, 1.11-2.56). The association in adults with diabetes was not statistically significant (OR 1.29; 95% CI, 0.39-4.26), possibly owing to limited power in this subgroup. Conclusions Our study suggests that decreased lower extremity sensation, even in the absence of diabetes, is common and a novel risk factor for erectile dysfunction.
Prediction of optimal contrast times post-imaging agent administration to inform personalized fluorescence-guided surgery

Significance: Fluorescence guidance in cancer surgery (FGS) using molecular-targeted contrast agents is accelerating, yet the influence of individual patients’ physiology on the optimal time to perform surgery post-agent-injection is not fully understood. Aim: Develop a mathematical framework and analytical expressions to estimate patient-specific time-to-maximum contrast after imaging agent administration for single- and paired-agent (coadministration of targeted and control agents) protocols. Approach: The framework was validated in mouse subcutaneous xenograft studies for three classes of imaging agents: peptide, antibody mimetic, and antibody. Analytical expressions estimating time-to-maximum-tumor-discrimination potential were evaluated over a range of parameters using the validated framework for human cancer parameters. Results: Correlations were observed between simulations and matched experiments and metrics of tumor discrimination potential (p 15 h for antibodies, on average. The analytical estimates of time-to-maximum tumor discrimination performance exhibited errors of <10 % on average, whereas patient-to-patient variance is expected to be greater than 100%. Conclusion: We demonstrated that analytical estimates of time-to-maximum contrast in FGS carried out patient-to-patient can outperform the population average time-to-maximum contrast used currently in clinical trials. Such estimates can be made with preoperative DCE-MRI (or similar) and knowledge of the targeted agent’s binding affinity.
Superconductive Single FlUX Quantum Logic Devices and Circuits: Status, Challenges, and Opportunities

With switching speeds in hundreds of GHz and energy dissipation of 10_19 Joules per JJ transition, single flux quantum (SFQ) circuits can provide the speed and energy efficiency for beyond-Exascale computing. This article provides a review of the basic SFQ technology and reports recent advances in SFQ optimizations using qPALACE.
Photoacoustic-guided laparoscopic and open hysterectomy procedures demonstrated with human cadavers.

Hysterectomy (i.e., surgical removal of the uterus) requires severing the main blood supply to the uterus (i.e., the uterine arteries) while preserving the nearby, often overlapping, ureters. In this paper, we investigate dual-wavelength and audiovisual photoacoustic imaging-based approaches to visualize and differentiate the ureter from the uterine artery and to provide the real-time information needed to avoid accidental ureteral injuries during hysterectomies. Dual-wavelength 690/750 nm photoacoustic imaging was implemented during laparoscopic and open hysterectomies performed on human cadavers, with a custom display approach designed to visualize the ureter and uterine artery. The proximity of the surgical tool to the ureter was calculated and conveyed by tracking the surgical tool in photoacoustic images and mapping distance to auditory signals. The dual-wavelength display showed up to 10 dB contrast differences between the ureter and uterine artery at three separation distances (i.e., 4 mm, 5 mm, and 6 mm) during the open hysterectomy. During the laparoscopic hysterectomy, the ureter and uterine artery were visualized in the dual-wavelength image with up to 24 dB contrast differences. Distances between the ureter and the surgical tool ranged from 2.47 to 7.31 mm. These results are promising for the introduction of dual-wavelength photoacoustic imaging to differentiate the ureter from the uterine artery, estimate the position of the ureter relative to a surgical tool tip, map photoacoustic-based distance measurements to auditory signals, and ultimately guide hysterectomy procedures to reduce the risk of accidental ureteral injuries.
Subharmonic Synchronization of Soliton Microcomb Breathing Oscillations to Periodic Forces

We show how soliton microcomb breathing oscillations synchronize to either the soliton repetition rate or to applied pump-laser phase modulation. In experiments, we observe locking ratios up to N = 8.
Production, Circulation and Absorption of Brain Interstitial Fluid

We agree with the classical hypothesis that brain interstitial fluid (ISF) circulates along a system of low resistance extracellular pathways, including perivascular spaces and between fiber tracts. However, we disagree with the conclusion that all ISF drains into the subarachnoid space and suggest, instead, that some fluid may be absorbed in the brain, particularly across fenestrated blood vessels.
Adenosine-to-Inosine Conversion in mRNA

The conversion of adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) by RNA editing, at specific positions within RNAs, represents an increasingly common posttranscriptional modification for generating diversity and flexibility in eukaryotic gene expression. This chapter describes a number of mRNA substrates that undergo A-to-I editing events, the effects that such alterations in coding potential have upon protein function, and the candidate enzymes responsible for such posttranscriptional modifications. While nucleotide sequence analyses have revealed the presence of a CGG codon encoding the critical regulatory arginine residue within the TM2 region of GluR-B cDNAs, a glutamine (CAG) codon was found in GluR-B genomic DNA at this position Q/R site. The editing of RNAs encoding glutamate receptor subunits results from the conversion of genomically encoded adenosine residues to the guanosine-like nucleotides found in cDNAs generated from mature GluR mRNA transcripts. The hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a subviral human pathogen whose packaging and propagation are dependent on concurrent infection with the hepatitis B virus. Recent studies of RNA editing in polyomavirus have suggested that this posttranscriptional modification represents a mechanism by which RNA transcripts expressed early after viral infection are inactivated subsequent to viral DNA replication (the late phase). While future work will further define the cellular and molecular basis for dsRNA adenosine deamination, the functional consequences of subtle A-to-I changes in mRNAs and the alterations in amino acid sequence for resultant proteins are bound to be profound.
Equivalence of Two Solutions of Wahba’s Problem

Many attitude estimation methods are based on an optimization problem posed in 1965 by Grace Wahba. All these methods yield the same optimal estimate, except for inevitable computer roundoff errors. This note shows shows that Shuster’s Quaternion Estimator (QUEST) and Mortari’s Estimator of the Optimal Quaternion (ESOQ) are essentially identical even in the presence of roundoff errors. It also shows some connections between two other algorithms for solving Wahba’s problem: Davenport’s q method and the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) method.
Impairment of immune systems in diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease that involves the progressive destruction of the insulin-producing β cells in the islets of langerhans. It is a complex process that results from the loss of tolerance to insulin and other β-cell-specific antigens. Various genetic and environmental factors have been studied so far, but precise causation has yet to be established. Numerous studies in rodents and human subjects have been performed in order to elucidate the role of B and T cells, which determine the risk of development and progression of diabetes. These studies have demonstrated that while T1DM is fundamentally a T-cell-mediated autoimmune response, the development of this disease results from complex interactions between the adaptive and innate immune systems, with numerous cell types thought to contribute to pathogenesis. Like any complex disease, the variation in severity and incidence of T1DM can be attributed to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Parsing run amok: relation-driven control for text analysis

Traditional syntactic models of parsing have been inadequate for task-driven processing of extended text, because they spend most of their time on misdirected linguistic analysis, leading to problems with both efficiency and coverage. Statistical and domain-driven processing offer compelling possibilities, but only as a complement to syntactic processing. For semanticallyoriented tasks such as data extraction from text, the problem is how to combine the coverage of these "weaker" methods with the detail and accuracy of traditional lingusitic analysis. A good approach is to focus linguistic analysis on relations that directly impact the semantic results, detaching these relations from the complete constituents to which they belong. This approach results in a faster, more robust, and potentially more accurate parser for real text.
Significance of aortic valve calcification in patients with low-gradient low-flow aortic stenosis

Background Assessment of patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and impaired left ventricular function remains challenging. Aortic valve calcium (AVC) scoring with computed tomography (CT) and fluoroscopy has been proposed as means of diagnosing and predicting outcomes in patients with severe AS. Hypothesis Severity of aortic valve calcification correlates with the diagnosis of true severe AS and outcomes in patients with low-gradient low-flow AS. Methods Echocardiography and CT database records from January 1, 2000 to September 26, 2009 were reviewed. Patients with aortic valve area (AVA) < 1.0 cm2 who had ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 25% and mean valvular gradient ≤ 25 mmHg with concurrent noncontrast CT scans were included. AVC was evaluated using CT and fluoroscopy. Mortality and aortic valve replacement (AVR) were established using the Social Security Death Index and medical records. The role of surgery in outcomes was evaluated. Results Fifty-one patients who met the above criteria were included. Mean age was 75.1 ± 9.6 years, and 15 patients were female. Mean EF was 21% ± 4.6% with AVA of 0.7 ± 0.1 cm2. The peak and mean gradients were 35.5 ± 10.6 and 19.0 ± 5.1 mmHg, respectively. Median aortic valve calcium score was 2027 Agatston units. Mean follow-up was 908 days. Patients with calcium scores above the median value were found to have increased mortality (P = 0.02). The benefit of surgery on survival was more pronounced in patients with higher valvular scores (P = 0.001). Fluoroscopy scoring led to similar findings, where increased AVC predicted worse outcomes (P = 0.04). Conclusions In patients with low-gradient low-flow AS, higher valvular calcium score predicts worse long-term mortality. AVR is associated with improved survival in patients with higher valve scores.
Interferon-γ Inhibits T84 Epithelial Cell Migration by Redirecting Transcytosis of β1 Integrin from the Migrating Leading Edge

Intestinal inflammation is associated with epithelial damage and formation of mucosal wounds. Epithelial cells migration is required for wound closure. In inflammatory status, migrating epithelial cells are exposed to proinflammatory cytokines such as IFN-gamma. However, influence of such cytokines on intestinal epithelial wound closure remains unknown. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of IFN-gamma on migration of model T84 intestinal epithelial cells and recovery of epithelial wounds. IFN-gamma significantly inhibited rate of T84 cell migration and closure of epithelial wounds. This effect was accompanied by the formation of large aberrant lamellipodia at the leading edge as well as significant decrease in the number of beta(1) integrin containing focal adhesions. IFN-gamma exposure increased endocytosis of beta(1) integrin and shifted its accumulation from early/recycling endosomes at the leading edge to a yet unidentified compartment at the cell base. This redirection in beta(1) integrin transcytosis was inhibited by depolymerization of microtubules with nocodazole and was unaffected by stabilization of microtubules with docetaxel. These results suggest that IFN-gamma attenuates epithelial wound closure by microtubule-dependent redirection of beta(1) integrin transcytosis from the leading edge of migrating cells thereby inhibiting adequate turnover of focal adhesion complexes and cell migration.
Earth-Emitted Infrared Radiation Incident Upon a Satellite

Summary A rigorous evaluation of the integrals associated with the de­ termination of the earth-emitted infrared radiation incident upon an earth-orbitin g satellite is presented. Numerical results are plotted for altitudes of 200, 300, and 400 sm above the earth's surface as a function of the satellite attitude angle.
Shared genetic basis for obstructive sleep apnea and adiposity measures.

Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea each have a substantial genetic basis and commonly coexist in individuals. The degree to which the genetic underpinnings for these disorders overlap has not been previously quantified. A total of 1802 individuals from 310 families in the Cleveland Family Study underwent home sleep studies as well as standardized assessment of body mass index (BMI) and circumferences at the waist, hip and neck. In 713 participants with laboratory sleep studies, fasting blood samples were assayed for leptin, adiponectin and resistin. Variance component models were used to estimate heritability and genetic correlations. The heritability of the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was 0.37±0.04 and 0.33±0.07 for home and laboratory sleep studies, respectively. The genetic correlations between AHI and anthropomorphic adiposity measures ranged from 0.57 to 0.61, suggesting that obesity can explain nearly 40% of the genetic variance in sleep apnea. The magnitude of the genetic correlations between apnea severity and adipokine levels was substantially less than those with anthropomorphic measures, ranging from 0.11 to 0.46. After adjusting for BMI, no significant genetic correlation with apnea severity was observed for any of the other adiposity measures. Substantial but not complete overlap in genetic bases exists between sleep apnea and anthropomorphic indices of adiposity, and this overlap accounts for more than one-third of the genetic variance in apnea severity. These findings suggest that genetic polymorphisms exist that importantly influence sleep apnea susceptibility through both obesity-dependent and -independent pathways.
Some Models for Pulsed Radio Sources

Already before the discovery of pulsed radio sources, the possibility had been discussed1,2 of rotating neutron stars providing an energy source in supernova remnants. A large number of models have been proposed to explain the pulsed radio sources and some of these invoke a central neutron star, some kind of rotation and some kind of in-homogeneity. In the preceding article Gold has proposed a model in which the neutron star, surrounded only by a tenuous plasma, rotates itself with the inhomogeneity residing merely in the star’s magnetic field. Another model3 considers the possibility that the rotation and inhomogeneity both reside in the orbital motion of a satellite around a neutron star. We discuss here some difficulties associated with models for pulsed radio sources which invoke the orbiting of material satellites around any central object.
A mutant of Arabidopsis deficient in chloroplast dicarboxylate transport is missing an envelope protein

Abstract The polypeptide composition of chloroplast envelopes from wild-type Arabidopsis was compared with that of a mutant (CS1562) deficient in chloroplast dicarboxylate transport activity. An abundant 42 kilodalton (kd) protein in the envelopes from wild-type is low or absent in envelopes from the mutant. It is suggested that this polypeptide may be a component of the dicarboxylate transporter.
Adaptive Vision-Based Collaborative Tracking Control of An UGV via a Moving Airborne Camera: A Daisy Chaining Approach

A cooperative visual servo tracking controller is developed in this paper with the objective to enable an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) to follow a desired trajectory encoded as a sequence of images (i.e. a prerecorded video) utilizing the image feedback from a moving airborne monocular camera system. An innovative daisy chaining strategy is used to resolve the relative velocity between the moving airborne camera (i.e., a camera attached to a remotely piloted aircraft), the moving UGV, and the desired time varying UGV trajectory. An adaptive Lyapunov-based control strategy is employed to actively compensate for the lack of known depth measurements and the lack of an object model.
Exchange Rate Expectations and the Risk Premium: Tests for a Cross- Section of 17 Currencies

Survey data on a broad cross section of 17 currencies are used to determine whether the forward discount moves primarily in response to changes in expectations of depreciation, or in the risk premium. We find that changes in expected depreciation are quantitatively significant. However we also find evidence, in contrast to earlier studies involving only four or five major currencies, that variation in the risk premium constitutes a large part of variation in the forward discount as well.
Living on Luo time: Reckoning sequence, duration, history and biography in a rural African society

Abstract Some reflections on the reckoning of time among the Luo people of western Kenya are offered as a contribution to the evolving discussion on differences in the ways that time is conceptualized by archaeologists and by the people who are the subjects of archaeological research. In particular, the paper examines the ways that the passage of time is conceived of and represented in a society which has not yet been entirely converted to the conceptions of temporality that underlie Western capitalist societies (and the academic disciplines which are a part of them), as well as offering some observations about potential ramifications for archaeological interpretation. Luo time‐reckoning is shown to be a relational process in which cyclical and linear conceptions of time are articulated to discern sequence and duration, and temporality is shown to be a pervasive feature of representations of social relations and identity.
Molecular cloning of Copenhagen rat Krev-1 and rap1B cDNAs and study of their association with mammary tumor resistance in the Copenhagen rat

Abstract The Copenhagen (Cop) rat is resistant to both spontaneous and induced mammary carcinogenesis. Here we examine the hypothesis that the putative suppressor gene Krev-1 (rap1A) or its related gene rap1B might be involved in this strain-specific resistance. We found equal expression of these two genes in mammary tissue from both resistant and susceptible rat strains. Since these genes can potentially be activated by several point mutations, the cDNAs from Cop Krev-1 (rap1A) and rap1B were cloned and sequenced. Only a one base difference in the Krev-1 sequences between the mammary tumor-susceptible Sprague-Dawley rat and the resistant Cop rat was found. This difference did not predict an altered amino acid sequence. The nucleotide sequence of rat rap1B had a 90% homology with its human counterpart and its deduced amino acid sequence was identical to the human sequence with the exception of amino acid 139. We thus conclude that it is unlikely that the Krev-1 or rap1B putative suppressor genes are involved in the mammary tumor-resistant phenotype of the Cop rat.
IRIS-HSVD algorithm for automatic quantitation of in vivo 31P MRS.

Abstract The rapid development of 31 P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has enhanced non-invasive measurement of brain metabolites, which is important for biomedical research. The accuracy and efficiency of data post processing and quantification is paramount for MRS applications. One of the difficulties with in vivo 31 P MRS data quantification is the separation of broad line-width resonances from chemical compounds’ resonances under a low signal-to-noise ratio condition. Furthermore, the chemical shift of some compounds caused by pH and Mg 2+ concentration can be troublesome. This work aims to develop an automatic algorithm using a state-space based quantification approach to solve the above mentioned problems. To achieve this aim, we utilized an HSVD based adaptive optimizing prior knowledge algorithm, which uses so called “interference” signals to optimize prior knowledge iteratively for parameter optimization. We termed this algorithm IRIS-HSVD, which stands for Iterative Reduction of Interference Signal HSVD. The Monte Carlo evaluations of the algorithm were conducted with simulated data using in vivo parameters commonly obtained from a 4 T scanner. The performance of this algorithm using simulated data was compared to those of other automatic methods including HSVD and HTLS-PK. Examples of in vivo 31 P data obtained from brains of healthy subjects on a 4T MRI scanner were also presented, which demonstrated the superiority of the new method. The results were compared with those using AMARES.
Translating research into clinical practice: Functional recovery post total hip arthroplasty using outcomes gathered in the usual physical therapy practice setting

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the pattern of functional change after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients attending physical therapy (PT) in a usual care setting and to explore the effect of sex and time from surgery to the first physical therapy visit as potential prognostic factors influencing postoperative THA recovery. Study Design Adults with THA were retrospectively identified in an electronic medical record PT database (October 1, 2004-April 30, 2010). Hierarchical linear modeling was used to evaluate growth curves and individual variations in function using the Lower Extremity Function Scale (LEFS). Investigated predictors were: sex, age, start time, and PT visit. Results A total of 147 (81 female, 66 male) postoperative THA patients were included in the study; mean age was 62.7 years (SD 10.6, range 45-91 years). The majority (79%) of patients initiated PT Conclusions This study of usual physical therapy practice supports the findings from controlled studies that post-THA women enter and are discharged from outpatient PT with lower functional status than men. New findings suggest that functional status for early start patients steadily improves over 26 weeks postsurgery. Modeling change in clinical practice using outcomes measures acquired through usual practice can feasibly and adequately serve to guide decisions in the management of THA rehabilitation.
Challenges and opportunities in modeling pharmaceutical manufacturing processes

Abstract The pharmaceutical industry currently faces economic and regulatory challenges associated with process development. Process modeling tools can play a role in developing robust and economically efficient manufacturing processes. However pharmaceutical companies have lagged behind other specialty chemical manufacturers in the adoption of these tools. This is in part due to the challenges associated with modeling solids-based processes. However recent advances in the modeling of particulate processes have created opportunities to apply process modeling tools, including flowsheet modeling, to pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. This work will provide an overview of the challenges associated with modeling particulate processes and discuss recent developments in pharmaceutical process modeling. In addition, a case study involving a continuous feeding and blending process will be presented where many of the modeling approaches discussed in this work are applied.
N,N-dimethyl-β-phenylethylamine and bornyl esters from the harvestman sclerobunus robustus (arachnida: Opiliones)

Abstract The defensive secretion of Sclerobunus robustus contains camphene, limonene, bornyl acetate, bornyl propionate, nicotine and N,N-dimethyl-β-phenylethylamine, a new natural product, as the major component.
Moving object tracking by using a novel real-time 2D local-polar-edge-detection method

The LPED (local polar edge detection) method is a newly developed 2D image processing method that automatically utilizes the center-of-mass polar coordinate to represent, in a unique way by a 36-dimension analog vector, the boundary of each object embedded in a picture frame. This 36D vector is the object ID for the particular object it represents. This ID vector is independent of the position of the object and independent of the orientation of the object, but it is a characteristic property from object to object. The background noises are automatically filtered out if the background objects are much smaller and much more randomly distributed than the objects of interest. This concise ID vector will not only identify the object precisely in a large picture frame where multiple-shaped objects lie, it will also track the object automatically when the object moves and it will record the data of movement periodically. I.e., it can measure automatically the distance of movement, the angular change of object-orientation, and the new locations of the central of mass of the moving object between successive sampling time intervals. In other words, it can automatically predict the near future movement of the tracked object. The applications of this novel image processing technique, to name a few, may be (1) automatic satellite-tracking and targeting of ground moving vehicles, (2) robotic identification of surrounding environment by some shape selected scenic part in the environment (e.g., the cross-section of an underground tunnel) with self guidance for the robot to go along a desired path through the whole tunnel without hitting the tunnel wall. This paper describes the principle of LPED and some extensive experimental results, regarding the application (1) described above, by utilizing a real-time soft-ware program designed by the author.
Electronic band structures of metal hydrides

Abstract First principles energy band calculations of rare earth hydrides RHx for PrH2, PrH3, ErH2, ErH3 and for YH0, TH2 and YH3 are discussed in terms of the prototypes YH0, YH2 and PrH3. The location of the states added by the hydrogen atom is determined and leads to a new model for understanding metal hydrides. A non-rigid band model is invoked to elucidate phase changes and semiconducting behavior for x non-integral.
Light-responsive subtilisin-related protease in soybean seedling leaves

Protease C1 (E.C. 3.4.21.25), the soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) proteolytic enzyme responsible for initiating the degradation of soybean storage proteins in seedling cotyledons appears at even higher levels in seedling leaves. This was manifested at the mRNA level through northern blot analysis, at the protein level through western blot analysis, through determination of enzyme activity, and also through isolation and partial sequencing of active leaf enzyme. Comparison of cDNA and amino acid sequences, as well as characterization of enzyme activity, is consistent with the leaf enzyme being identical to or highly similar to the cotyledon enzyme. Protease C1 mRNA and protein are also present in stems of soybean seedlings, but is very low to absent in the roots. This presence in the aerial tissues is consistent with the higher steady state level of gene expression at both the mRNA and protein levels when the seedlings are grown in a 12-h light: 12-h dark photoperiod as compared to seedlings grown in continuous darkness. Transfer of dark-grown seedlings to light is followed by marked elevation in protease C1 protein as seen in western blots.
The Kirkwood-Salsburg equations: Solutions and spectral properties

It is shown that the Kirkwood-Salsburg equations for a classical lattice gas are equivalent to the Dobrushin-Lanford-Ruelle equilibrium equations. The term “Kirkwood-Salsburg equations” is used here in a restricted sense, and thus the known result for a larger system of equations is improved (see Table 1). Some information on the spectrum of the Kirkwood-Salsburg operator is found in connection with zeros of partition functions. An example is given to show that the Kirkwood-Salsburg equations can have other solutions than states in the space of uniformly bounded correlation functions.
Trade‐Adjusted Concentration Ratios in the US Manufacturing Sector

Abstract This paper incorporates international trade into the four‐firm concentration ratio to get a more realistic measure of market structure in the US manufacturing sector using 1997 and 2002 NAICS data. As expected, trade‐adjusted CR4 is significantly lower than the published CR4. Moreover, the effect of international trade is higher in 2002 than in 1997, offsetting the increase in domestic concentration and leaving the US manufacturing sector in 2002 as competitive as it was in 1997. Furthermore, different tests are used to check the validity of the results. All of them confirm that trade‐adjusted CR4s are significantly lower than their published counterparts.
Analysis of a Flexibly Mounted Shaft Incorporating a Non-Constant Velocity Coupling With Dynamic Misalignment

Some shafting systems, such as those in certain types of rotorcraft, are mounted on flexible foundations. Since the foundation can deform, shaft segments are joined by flexible couplings to accommodate motion. Many of these couplings are non-constant velocity, meaning there is a difference in angular velocity between the input and output of the coupling, and this difference can lead to large motion in the shaft system. In this paper, a model is developed which allows the misalignment angle between the input and output shafts to vary dynamically with time, and this kinematic relationship creates a nonlinearity in the system. Through nonlinear analysis and accompanying simulation, this research explores some interesting and potentially harmful phenomena which occur at secondary resonances of such a shaft system. At particular shaft operating speeds, the shaft system may experience internal resonance, large and rapid amplitude growth, or chaotic motion, all of which can lead to destructive large amplitude vibration. This paper also shows that applying appropriate damping is an effective strategy for mitigating these effects.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Influence of Anomeric Configuration, Degree of Polymerization, Hydrogen Bonding, and Linearity versus Cyclicity on the Solution Conformational Entropy of Oligosaccharides

In their various incarnations oligosaccharides have roles that are oftentimes conformationally dependent, where this dependency can be dictated by the anomeric configuration, glycosidic linkage, and/or hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) of the sugar molecules. Examples of this phenomenon are linkage- and configuration-selective aptameric binding to oligosaccharides and taste responses that appear to depend on the H-bonding-controlled shape of sugars. Differences in the behavior and use of oligosaccharides as a function of degree of polymerization are also well-known, a classic example being the case of cyclodextrins (CDs) and the different uses and properties of α-, β-, and γ-CD. Here, we have measured the solution conformational entropy of three homologous series of oligosaccharides, linear malto- and cellooligosaccharides and cyclodextrins, using high-resolution oligomeric size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), an entropically controlled separation method. We measured the change in ΔS of the malto- and cello- s...
Changes in steady-state concentrations of messenger ribonucleic acids in luteal tissue during prostaglandin F2α induced luteolysis in mares

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided luteal biopsy was used to evaluate the effects of prostaglandin (PG)F2alpha on steady-state concentrations of mRNA for specific genes that may be involved in regression of the corpus luteum (CL). Eight days after ovulation (Hour 0), mares (n=8/group) were randomized into three groups: control (no treatment or biopsy), saline+biopsy (saline treatment at Hour 0 and luteal biopsy at Hour 12), or PGF2alpha+biopsy (5mg PGF2alpha at Hour 0 and luteal biopsy at Hour 12). The effects of biopsy on CL were compared between the controls (no biopsy) and saline+biopsy group. At Hour 24 (12h after biopsy) there was a decrease in circulating progesterone in saline group to 56% of pre-biopsy values, indicating an effect of biopsy on luteal function. Mean plasma progesterone concentrations were lower (P<0.001) at Hour 12 in the PG group compared to the other two groups. The relative concentrations of mRNA for different genes in luteal tissue at Hour 12 was quantified by real time PCR. Compared to saline-treated mares, treatment with PGF2alpha increased mRNA for cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2, 310%, P<0.006), but decreased mRNA for LH receptor to 44% (P<0.05), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein to 22% (P<0.001), and aromatase to 43% (P<0.1) of controls. There was no difference in mRNA levels for PGF2alpha receptor between PG and saline-treated groups. Results indicated that luteal biopsy alters subsequent luteal function. However, the biopsy approach was effective for collecting CL tissue for demonstrating dynamic changes in steady-state levels of mRNAs during PGF2alpha-induced luteolysis. Increased Cox-2 mRNA concentrations suggested that exogenous PGF2alpha induced the synthesis of intraluteal PGF2alpha. Thus, the findings are consistent with the concept that an intraluteal autocrine loop augments the luteolytic effect of uterine PGF2alpha in mares.
Between place and story: Gettysburg as tourism imaginary

Abstract This study seeks to advance our knowledge on the socially constructed character of tourism imaginaries. Ethnographic fieldwork at Gettysburg provides insight for theorizing the anchoring of tourism imaginaries on four experiential domains: narrative, moral valuation, emplaced enactment, and emotional connection. Accordingly, tourism imaginaries are defined as value-laden, emotion-conferring collective narrative constructions that are associated with and enacted in a particular place through tourism. Tourism imaginaries are seen as pliant certainties, that is, although they confer a powerful certainty as to what a tourism destination is, they are couched at the same time in pliant—even conflicting—narrative articulations. It is argued here that tourism imaginaries play an important role in the reinforcement of competing ideologies.
Ensemble composition and activity levels of insectivorous bats in response to management intensification in coffee agroforestry systems.

Shade coffee plantations have received attention for their role in biodiversity conservation. Bats are among the most diverse mammalian taxa in these systems; however, previous studies of bats in coffee plantations have focused on the largely herbivorous leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae). In contrast, we have virtually no information on how ensembles of aerial insectivorous bats – nearly half the Neotropical bat species – change in response to habitat modification. To evaluate the effects of agroecosystem management on insectivorous bats, we studied their diversity and activity in southern Chiapas, Mexico, a landscape dominated by coffee agroforestry. We used acoustic monitoring and live captures to characterize the insectivorous bat ensemble in forest fragments and coffee plantations differing in the structural and taxonomic complexity of shade trees. We captured bats of 12 non-phyllostomid species; acoustic monitoring revealed the presence of at least 12 more species of aerial insectivores. Richness of forest bats was the same across all land-use types; in contrast, species richness of open-space bats increased in low shade, intensively managed coffee plantations. Conversely, only forest bats demonstrated significant differences in ensemble structure (as measured by similarity indices) across land-use types. Both overall activity and feeding activity of forest bats declined significantly with increasing management intensity, while the overall activity, but not feeding activity, of open-space bats increased. We conclude that diverse shade coffee plantations in our study area serve as valuable foraging and commuting habitat for aerial insectivorous bats, and several species also commute through or forage in low shade coffee monocultures.