cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phenol-functionalized polymerization control additives for negative tone epoxide crosslinking molecular resists

Controlling undesired polymerization in nominally unexposed regions is critical to achieving high-resolution, defect-free patterns when using negative tone molecular resists based on the crosslinking of epoxides. Two onium salt additives, a photodecomposable nucleophile (PDN) and a photoacid generator (PAG), were functionalized with phenols in order to investigate their use as generalized additives capable of slowing crosslinking and improving the resolution of a variety of epoxide resists. Presented here is a phenol-functionalized PDN [tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfonium triflate (TPS-OH-Tf)] and a phenol-functionalized PAG [tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfonium antimonate (TPS-OH-SbF6)] used in combination with a model epoxide resist (4-Ep). Utilizing additives that contained phenols resulted in a decrease in resist sensitivity, but enabled higher additive loadings which could be used to offset this loss in sensitivity. Using TPS-OH-SbF6 did not provide enough polymerization control to prevent line broadening, and the use of TPS-OH-Tf was still required to achieve sub 35 nm 1:1 line:space patterns. Adding TPS-OH-Tf was also found to improve pattern collapse behavior at reduced (<25 nm) feature sizes. Initial patterning using 100 keV electron-beam lithography showed that the resolution of 4-Ep was improved to 15 nm 1:1 line:space patterns using these phenol-functionalized additives and demonstrate the potential of these additives to improve the resolution of a variety of epoxide crosslinking molecular resists.Controlling undesired polymerization in nominally unexposed regions is critical to achieving high-resolution, defect-free patterns when using negative tone molecular resists based on the crosslinking of epoxides. Two onium salt additives, a photodecomposable nucleophile (PDN) and a photoacid generator (PAG), were functionalized with phenols in order to investigate their use as generalized additives capable of slowing crosslinking and improving the resolution of a variety of epoxide resists. Presented here is a phenol-functionalized PDN [tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfonium triflate (TPS-OH-Tf)] and a phenol-functionalized PAG [tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfonium antimonate (TPS-OH-SbF6)] used in combination with a model epoxide resist (4-Ep). Utilizing additives that contained phenols resulted in a decrease in resist sensitivity, but enabled higher additive loadings which could be used to offset this loss in sensitivity. Using TPS-OH-SbF6 did not provide enough polymerization control to prevent line broadening, and ...
Fabrication and selection of surrogate knee implant bearings for experimental evaluation of embedded in-vivo sensors

Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is a common procedure that is gaining importance with the aging American population. Although TKR is common, about 20% of patients report being unhappy with their results. Previous research has pointed to misalignment and loosening as contributing factors to negative outcomes. What is lacking in the field of TKR is a sensory system that can determine the internal loads of the knee in a direct manner. Implant bearings embedded with piezoelectric transducers have already shown promise in providing accurate sensing data. To perform further experimentation, prototype implant bearings that can be accurately and efficiently produced are needed. This work investigates various fabrication processes and possible materials to provide a foundation for developing surrogate biomechanical implants, especially those with integrated smart sensors. In this study, an original knee bearing is scanned and the resulting geometries used to generate prototypes. The prototypes are fabricated using a variety of methods including CNC machining and additive manufacturing. The prototypes are then tested to determine load distribution, active sensor performance, as well as kinematic performance under loading. The results of this study show that FDM printing provides quick and affordable results but is not ideal for rigorous experimentation. SLA printed prototypes are improved in final quality with an increase in fabrication time. Lastly, CNC machined processes are more labor intensive but can provide the best material characteristics. The findings from this study aim to have an impact not only on researchers studying biomedical sensing, but on the field of biomechanical implants.
Limitation in Patient-Reported Function Is Associated with Inferior Survival in Older Adults Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

ABSTRACT Although the use of geriatric assessment (GA) in the allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) setting has been reported, few studies have evaluated the impact of patient-reported function on autologous HCT (autoHCT) outcomes. In this study, GA, including the administration of Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant (FACT-BMT) quality of life tool, was performed in 184 patients age ≥50 years (median age, 61 years; range, 50 to 75 years) before autoHCT. Associations among GA findings, quality of life metrics, and post-transplantation outcomes were evaluated using Cox regression. Indications for autoHCT included multiple myeloma (73%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (20%), and other disorders (7%). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 28 months, whereas the median overall survival (OS) was not reached. In unadjusted analysis, both PFS and OS were significantly associated with 5 GA components: limitation in instrumental activities of daily living, patient-reported Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), and the Physical, Functional, and BMT subscale scores of the FACT-BMT. In multivariate analysis, 3 components—limitation in instrumental activities of daily living, patient-reported KPS, and FACT-BMT Physical subscale—remained predictive of both PFS and OS when adjusted for age, provider-reported KPS, disease status, and HCT comorbidity index. In older adults undergoing autoHCT, limitation in any 1 of 3 patient-reported measures of functional status was independently associated with inferior PFS and OS, even after adjusting for known prognostic factors.
Linear Newtonian perturbation theory from the Schrödinger-Poisson equations

We obtain solutions to the coupled Schr\"odinger-Poisson equations. The solutions describe the evolution of cold dark matter density perturbations in an otherwise homogeneous expanding Friedmann universe. We discuss the relationships between descriptions of cold dark matter in terms of a pressureless fluid, in terms of a wave function, of a classical scalar field, and a quantum scalar field. We identify the regimes where the various descriptions coincide and where they differ.
Effective Dimensionality Reduction for Word Embeddings.

Pre-trained word embeddings are used in several downstream applications as well as for constructing representations for sentences, paragraphs and documents. Recently, there has been an emphasis on improving the pretrained word vectors through post-processing algorithms. One improvement area is reducing the dimensionality of word embeddings. Reducing the size of word embeddings can improve their utility in memory constrained devices, benefiting several real world applications. In this work, we present a novel technique that efficiently combines PCA based dimensionality reduction with a recently proposed post-processing algorithm (Mu and Viswanath, 2018), to construct effective word embeddings of lower dimensions. Empirical evaluations on several benchmarks show that our algorithm efficiently reduces the embedding size while achieving similar or (more often) better performance than original embeddings. We have released the source code along with this paper.
Ultrathin Metal-Organic-Layer Mediated Radiotherapy-Radiodynamic Therapy

Summary Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy (CBI) is effective in promoting a systemic immune response against some metastatic tumors. The reliance on the pre-existing immune environment of the tumor, however, limits the efficacy of CBI on a broad spectrum of cancers. Herein, we report the design of a novel nanoscale metal-organic layer (nMOL), Hf-MOL, for effective treatment of local tumors by enabling radiotherapy-radiodynamic therapy (RT-RDT) with low-dose X-rays and, when in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, regression of metastatic tumors by reactivating antitumor immunity and inhibiting myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Owing to the reduced dimensionality, nMOLs allow facile diffusion of reactive oxygen species and exhibit superior RT-RDT effects. The synergy of Hf-MOL-enabled RT-RDT immune activation and anti-programmed death ligand 1 CBI led to robust abscopal effects on a series of bilateral models of colon, head and neck, and breast cancers, as well as significant antimetastatic effects on an orthotopic model of breast cancer.
Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis: a personal perspective.

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), originally described as “Byler disease” in an Amish kindred, has been distinguished from other forms of cholestatic liver disease in childhood ...
Red Heart Disease in Pines Caused by Porodaedalea (Phellinus) pini in Florida

All pine species in Florida are susceptible to red heart disease. The disease can decrease timber value and weaken trees, making them threats to people and property. In forests, however, the same disease can be beneficial to cavity-nesting animals like red-cockaded woodpeckers. This 3-page fact sheet written by Yin-Tse Huang, Jeffrey Eickwort, and Jiri Hulcr and published by the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation describes the disease and provides some tips to manage it in areas where it could cause problems for people.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr425
Abstract B16: Role of RasGRF2 in AnxA6-mediated growth of TNBC cells

Introduction: The mechanisms by which annexin A6 (AnxA6) inhibits anchorage-independent tumor cell growth but promotes tumor cell motility remain unclear. Using whole-genome gene expression profiling, we identified RasGRF2 (GRF2), a Ca2+-activated RasGEF, as one of the most upregulated genes following downregulation of AnxA6 in breast cancer (BC) cells. Here, we examined the role of GRF2 as a critical RasGEF in AnxA6-meditated BC cell growth. Methods and Results: We show that the cellular levels of GRF2 are relatively low in AnxA6-high mesenchymal-like BC cells but higher in AnxA6-low basal-like BC cells. We also show that loss of AnxA6 in AnxA6-high BC cells is associated with early onset and rapid growth of xenograft tumors, while upregulation of AnxA6 in AnxA6-low BC cells is associated with a decrease in growth of xenograft tumors. To explore the reciprocal expression of GRF2 and AnxA6, we demonstrate that ionomycin-induced surge in intracellular Ca2+ led to GRF2 downregulation and that AnxA6, GRF2 and Ras proteins are within the same complex. We demonstrate that upon activation of EGFR, GRF2 is rapidly degraded and that the basal GRF2 levels were restored as the receptor activity decreased. The activation/degradation of GRF2 was followed by the activation of ERK1/2, was not affected by chelation of intracellular Ca2+ with BAPTA, but GRF2 was stabilized by chelation of extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA. Lapatinib treatment efficiently blocked the activation of EGFR but did not block the degradation of GRF2. Finally, we show that downregulation of GRF2 and inhibition of EGFR led to a greater inhibition of tumor cell growth. Conclusion: Together, these data identify RasGRF2 as a major effector of AnxA6-dependent breast tumor growth and that reduced cellular levels of GRF2 imply active RasGEF. Combined inhibition of GRF2 and EGFR may be a viable alternative treatment for triple-negative BC. Citation Format: Diva S. Whalen, Sarrah E. Widatalla, Olga Y. Korolkova, Stephen D. Williams, Heather K. Beasley, Amos M. Sakwe. Role of RasGRF2 in AnxA6-mediated growth of TNBC cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Targeting RAS-Driven Cancers; 2018 Dec 9-12; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(5_Suppl):Abstract nr B16.
Safety model of automated vehicle-VRU conflict under uncertain weather conditions and sensors failure

Safety in autonomous vehicles is a challenging task because it depends on many factors such as weather conditions, sensors, the complexity of the surrounding environment and many more. These factors are unpredictable and hard to capture in real life. Automated vehicle systems depend on sensors such as LiDAR, radar and cameras to enable them to reach safely to the target destination. In this study, we show how the automated vehicle system that utilizes a radar and a camera as an input to the Pedestrian Protection System (PPS) is influenced by uncertain weather conditions and sensor failure. Under these conditions, we investigate surrogate safety measures such as Pedestrian Classification Time-to-Collision (PCT), and Post encroachment (PET). This study uses a physics-based simulation software called Prescan as well as MATLAB and Simulink in order to demonstrate practical test scenarios for surrogate safety analysis of vulnerable road users (VRU)-vehicle conflicts at urban roads. Different scenarios are built such as a pedestrian walking and running in front of the automated vehicle from the nearside. In addition to that, uncertain weather conditions and sensor failure are modelled and analysed. The results showed a high impact of weather conditions and sensor failure to the safety measures during traffic conflict. The outcomes reveal that the physics based safety model can mimic the real world scenarios and can support safety analysis in an accurate and cost-effective way.
When Did Svatantra Inference Gain Its Autonomy? Śāntarakṣita and Kamalaśīla as Sources for a Tibetan Distinction

This article examines Śāntarakṣita’s and Kamalaśīla’s understandings of svatantra and prasaṅga proofs in the attempt to clarify how and why Tibetan Prāsaṅgikas came to portray svatantra inference as an instance of the very thing Madhyamaka rejects. The article proceeds in four parts. (1) A brief comparison of Patsap Nyimadrak’s (pa tshab nyi ma grags, c. 1055–1145) portrayal of svatantra inference with Bhāviveka’s and Candrakīrti’s employment of this expression shows that Patsap expanded the meaning of it, charging its users with embracing a realism at odds with Madhyamaka emptiness. (2) Patsap’s arguments against Śāntarakṣita’s “neither one nor many” proof lead us consider the latter’s and Kamalaśīla’s understanding of svatantra and prasaṅga proofs, which turns out to be consistent with, if more sophisticated than, Bhāviveka’s and Candrakīrti’s usage. (3) An exploration of Kamalaśīla’s development of the proof of the naturelessness of all things, real and imagined, calls into question the svatantra-prasaṅga distinction but still leaves us without a source for Patsap’s characterization. (4) A consideration of Śāntarakṣita’s and Kamalaśīla’s use of svatantra to characterize Mīmāṃsā conceptions of an authorless Veda and “intrinsic validity,” as well as their own view of “self-awareness,” offers potential sources for characterizing (indeed, misunderstanding) valid cognition and, by extension, inference as “autonomous.”
Impact of the Opioid Epidemic

In recent years the prescription opioid overdose epidemic has decreased, but has been more than offset by increases in overdose caused by fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. Opioid overdose patients should receive naloxone if they have significant respiratory depression and/or loss of protective airway reflexes. Patients who receive naloxone should be observed for recurrent opioid effects. Patients with opioid overdose may be admitted to the intensive care unit for naloxone infusions, treatment of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, autonomic instability, or sequelae of hypoxia-ischemia or cardiac arrest. Primary and secondary prevention are important to reduce the number of people with life-threatening opioid overdose.
Abstract IA19: PI3Kgamma control of antitumor immunity

Macrophages play key roles in promoting immune suppression, tumor growth and resistance to therapy. Our recent studies show that tissue-resident macrophages (TRM) as well as bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) play critical but unique roles in promoting tumor growth. While BMDM are recruited to tumors in a PI3K, integrin α4, and CCR2-dependent manner, TRMs accumulate in tumors independently of integrin α4, PI3Kγ, or the trafficking receptor CCR2. Gene expression and functional studies indicate that tumor-derived TRM are highly proliferative, immune suppressive, and distinct from BMDM. We show that TRM develop from macrophage progenitors that are abundant in tumors but not in normal tissues; purified progenitors differentiate into macrophages that potently stimulate tumor growth when adoptively transferred into mice. Notably, we found that the lipid kinase PI3Kγ promotes immune-suppressive polarization of TRM and BMDM. Inhibition of PI3Kγ repolarizes macrophages, induces dendritic cell maturation, and stimulates CD8+ T-cell recruitment to tumors and activation. Inhibition of PI3Kγ also synergizes with checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapeutics to promote tumor regression and immunologic memory, leading to sustained tumor suppression. Our studies identify PI3Kγ as a valuable target for immune therapy of solid tumors. Citation Format: Judith A. Varner. PI3Kgamma control of antitumor immunity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Targeting PI3K/mTOR Signaling; 2018 Nov 30-Dec 8; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(10_Suppl):Abstract nr IA19.
A cumulative risk index for use in the medical home

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Previous studies have described the effect of sociodemographic factors on early development. We describe development of a simple cumulative risk index (CRI) based on four sociodemographic factors and explore the concurrent and predictive relationship of this index to a measure of the cognitive home environment in early childhood and to later school functioning. METHODS This was a secondary data analysis of children from an urban pediatrics clinic. Baseline data were collected at 10-23 months (n = 324) with primary follow-up 6 months later at 18-35 months (n = 179) and secondary follow-up at 8-10 years (n = 68). A CRI score was derived at baseline using maternal education, marital status, race/ethnicity and child insurance. Baseline and primary follow-up included three subscales of the STIMQ, a measure of the cognitive home environment. Effectiveness of CRI was examined using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with linear contrasts. Chi-square examined differences in school function between children from CRI high-risk (CRI 3-4) and low-risk (CRI 0-2) families. RESULTS CRI had a negative impact in early childhood on STIMQ subscale scores (p < 0.007-0.05) that increased as the number of risk factors increased (p < 0.05). Significantly more children from high-risk families (CRI 3-4) were rated as having poor school performance than children from low-risk families (CRI 0-2) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We showed that a practice-friendly CRI, based on characteristics typically available in the medical record, could help identify families less likely to support development concurrently at 1 year of age and predictively at 2-3 years. School functioning at 8 to 10 years was also significantly better in children with a low CRI at 1 year. The CRI could be a useful tool for both clinicians and researchers needing a simple tool for risk assessment.
Representation Disentanglement for Multi-modal MR Analysis.

Multi-modal MRIs are widely used in neuroimaging applications since different MR sequences provide complementary information about brain structures. Recent works have suggested that multi-modal deep learning analysis can benefit from explicitly disentangling anatomical (shape) and modality (appearance) information into separate image presentations. In this work, we challenge mainstream strategies by showing that they do not naturally lead to representation disentanglement both in theory and in practice. To address this issue, we propose a margin loss that regularizes the similarity in relationships of the representations across subjects and modalities. To enable robust training, we further use a conditional convolution to design a single model for encoding images of all modalities. Lastly, we propose a fusion function to combine the disentangled anatomical representations as a set of modality-invariant features for downstream tasks. We evaluate the proposed method on three multi-modal neuroimaging datasets. Experiments show that our proposed method can achieve superior disentangled representations compared to existing disentanglement strategies. Results also indicate that the fused anatomical representation has potential in the downstream task of zero-dose PET reconstruction and brain tumor segmentation. The code is available at \url{this https URL}.
Lightweight finite element mesh database in Julia

Abstract A simple, lightweight, and flexible, package in the programming language Julia for managing finite element mesh data structures is presented. The key role in the design of the data structures is granted to the incidence relation. This concept has some interesting implications for the simplicity and efficiency of the implementation. The entire library has less than 500 executable lines. The low memory requirements are also notable. The design of the data structures is not fixed a priori. The user of the library is given the power over the decisions which mesh entities should be represented explicitly in the data structures, and which of the topological relationships should be computed and stored. This enables a small memory footprint, yet affords a sufficiently rich topology description capability.
The Challenges of Writing a Structural Standard for Glass

Glass has been used as a prized construction material for centuries. Typically it has been used as a window infill, initially designed empirically where thickness available was adequate for the sizes available. As technology has proceeded, the size of glass available has increased by orders of magnitudes and standards have been written to guide the design in windows. Glass remains unique amongst the construction materials, that failure and replacement is considered an acceptable price to pay for the transparency of glass. The same logic has, however, limited the use of glass as a ‘structural’ material, despite the numerous built examples of it performing adequately. If it is acceptable for glass to break and collapse in some circumstances and not others, how does a standard define that boundary? The challenges for standardization are both numerical and philosophical. The means of forcing glass to behave with a robust manner with failure mechanisms that incorporate redundancy and retention generally comes through lamination. But the question is what to require when? Additionally, the performance of the glass in the composite is stress-time dependent and the stress itself is load-time-temperature dependent. This paper describes the philosophical and numerical challenges to writing a structural glass standard, the concepts of glass importance factor, post-failure loads and durations and progress that has been made in the drafting of an ASTM Guide to the Design of Structural Glass.
Exploring the Predictability of Temperatures in a Scaled Model of a Smarthome

In modern smarthomes, temperature regulation is achieved through a mix of traditional and emergent technologies including air conditioning, heating, intelligent utilization of the effects of sun, wind, and shade as well as using stored heat and cold. To achieve the desired comfort for the inhabitants while minimizing environmental impact and cost, the home controller must predict how its actions will impact the temperature and other environmental factors in various parts of the home. The question we are investigating in this paper is whether the temperature values in different rooms in a home are predictable based on readings from sensors in the home. We are also interested in whether increased accuracy can be achieved by adding sensors to capture the state of doors and windows of the given room and/or the whole home, and what type of machine learning algorithms can take advantage of the additional information. As experimentation on real-world homes is highly expensive, we use ScaledHome, a 1:12 scale, IoT-enabled model of a smart home for data acquisition. Our experiments show that while additional data can improve the accuracy of the prediction, the type of machine learning models needs to be carefully adapted to the number of data features available.
The predictability of implicit causes: testing frequency and topicality explanations

In discourses involving implicit causality, the implicit cause of the event is referentially predictable, that is, it is likely to be rementioned. However, it is unclear how referential predictabil...
Regulation of neuronal excitation-transcription coupling by Kv2.1-induced clustering of somatic L-type Ca2+ channels at ER-PM junctions.

In mammalian brain neurons, membrane depolarization leads to voltage-gated Ca2+ channel-mediated Ca2+ influx that triggers diverse cellular responses, including gene expression, in a process termed excitation–transcription coupling. Neuronal L-type Ca2+ channels, which have prominent populations on the soma and distal dendrites of hippocampal neurons, play a privileged role in excitation–transcription coupling. The voltage-gated K+ channel Kv2.1 organizes signaling complexes containing the L-type Ca2+ channel Cav1.2 at somatic endoplasmic reticulum–plasma membrane junctions. This leads to enhanced clustering of Cav1.2 channels, increasing their activity. However, the downstream consequences of the Kv2.1-mediated regulation of Cav1.2 localization and function on excitation–transcription coupling are not known. Here, we have identified a region between residues 478 to 486 of Kv2.1’s C terminus that mediates the Kv2.1-dependent clustering of Cav1.2. By disrupting this Ca2+ channel association domain with either mutations or with a cell-penetrating interfering peptide, we blocked the Kv2.1-mediated clustering of Cav1.2 at endoplasmic reticulum–plasma membrane junctions and the subsequent enhancement of its channel activity and somatic Ca2+ signals without affecting the clustering of Kv2.1. These interventions abolished the depolarization-induced and L-type Ca2+ channel-dependent phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB and the subsequent expression of c-Fos in hippocampal neurons. Our findings support a model whereby the Kv2.1-Ca2+ channel association domain-mediated clustering of Cav1.2 channels imparts a mechanism to control somatic Ca2+ signals that couple neuronal excitation to gene expression.
Role of mTOR inhibition in the treatment of patients with renal angiomyolipomas

Purpose To describe the role of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition in the treatment of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) patients with renal angiomyolipoma in relation to available clinical data and clinical practice guidance for the nurse practitioner (NP). Data sources A review of the scientific literature, key clinical congresses, and key clinical trials. Conclusions TSC-associated renal angiomyolipomas have a propensity to grow over time and predispose patients to serious and life-threatening consequences. Surgery or invasive interventional therapies may not be the most optimal treatments because of the multiple, bilateral growth pattern of TSC-associated renal angiomyolipomas. Targeted therapies, such as mTOR inhibitors, which have demonstrated efficacy in maintaining and reducing renal angiomyolipoma size, are of great benefit to patients. Implications for practice Treatment with everolimus, an oral mTOR inhibitor, offers patients a noninvasive pharmacotherapeutic treatment option. The NP, as a key member of the healthcare team overseeing TSC patients, must be knowledgeable about the safety and efficacy of mTOR inhibitors as their use in the patient population increases.
Nucleoside phosphotransferase from carrot. Kinetic studies and exploration of active sites.

Abstract In the light of the kinetic studies reported in this paper, the nucleoside phosphotransferase of carrot is considered as an enzyme possessing two hydrolytic sites, binding the phosphate donor, and one transfer site, engaging the nucleoside acceptor. The purification of the protein used in these studies, with phenylphosphate as the donor and uridine as the acceptor, is described. In addition to phenylphosphate, d-ribose 5-phosphate was also used as the substrate in the study of the hydrolytic function of the enzyme. Michaelis constants for the transfer reaction were determined with phenylphosphate as the donor (Km = 3.5 mm) and uridine as the acceptor (Km = 3.5 mm). As concerns the hydrolase function, either substrate exhibited two Km values: approximately 0.7 and 3 mm for phenylphosphate, and approximately 2 and 60 mm for ribose phosphate. Uridine acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor of the hydrolase function, with Ki = 4.3 mm. Ribose phosphate produced a "mixed type" inhibition. The evidence pointing to one protein carrying both transfer and hydrolytic functions may be summarized as follows: (a) the constant specific activity of a single, homogeneous protein peak in the chromatographic eluates; (b) similar constants for uridine as acceptor of phosphate transfer and as inhibitor of hydrolysis; (c) the demonstration, in the two separate enzymic functions, of two ionizing groups in the free enzyme having identical pK values (7.0, 7.6); (d) the similarity of the pKes values recorded for the enzyme-substrate complexes in both enzymic functions. With regard to the suggestion that the enzyme possesses two hydrolytic centers, it rests, among other observations discussed in this communication, on two points: (a) the nonlinearity of the Lineweaver-Burk plots depicting the hydrolysis of phenylphosphate and ribose 5-phosphate; (b) the existence, in the free enzyme, of two ionizing groups (pK 7.0, 7.6), both binding phenylphosphate in the course of its hydrolysis.
Solid-phase synthesis of oligosaccharides

Abstract The synthesis and methanolysis of 6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-tri-O-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)-α- D -glucopyranosyl bromide and 6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-tri-O-(N-methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl)-α- D -glucopyranosyl bromide are described. The former compound reacted stereospecifically to give a β- D -glucoside via neighboring group participation whereas the latter gave a mixture of β- and α- D -glucosides (7:3). The solvolysis of α- D -glucopyranosyl bromides having three N-phenyl and N-methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl groups as participating “persistent” blocking groups is not feasible for solid-phase synthesis of oligosaccharides because of their slow rates of reaction, but the former group acts as an effective participating group and may be useful in glycoside syntheses in solution.
Effect of model mismatch on polynomial envelope and phase modeling of nonstationary sinusoids

In this paper we examine the effect of model mismatch when modeling a signal consisting of multiple non-stationary sinusoids. The envelopes and frequencies of the components were modeled as polynomials of low order over short intervals of time and the coefficients estimated using the least-squares error criterion. If the block length and model orders are not properly chosen, unacceptable errors occurred in the estimated frequency tracks. The errors tended to increase as the number of components increased. Using the simpler constant envelope, constant frequency sinewave model for short, heavily overlapping blocks and smoothing the resulting frequency tracks gave surprisingly good results when analyzing a long duration multicomponent signal. We conclude that the more complex polynomial model may not always yield the expected increase in accuracy in signal modeling.
Intracoronary ultrasound plaque volume quantification

An intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS) methodology for quantitative volumetric analysis of coronary atheroma was developed and validated. Sources of errors associated with volumetric ICUS were studied using computer simulations. These issues were addressed experimentally by implementing a data acquisition scheme to acquire calibrated, cardiac gated 3D data. A semi-automated segmentation scheme was developed to compute the plaque area which is enclosed between the luminal boundary and the media-adventitia interface. Volumetric validations were performed on phantoms resembling stenotic arteries. Multiple pull-backs were performed on the phantoms to assess reproducibility. Clinical applicability was assessed by quantifying plaque volumes in 4 patients before and after directional coronary atherectomy. It was found that ICUS has the accuracy and reproducibility required for performing quantitative volumetric analysis of coronary atheroma. Such volumetric analysis will help determine mechanisms of interventions and provide critical data needed for regression and restenosis trials. >
Computed tomographic colonography.

Purpose of reviewComputed tomographic colonography is a new and noninvasive method to evaluate the colon. The goal of this review is to discuss the latest data and define outstanding issues related to computed tomographic colonography.Recent findingsComputed tomographic colonography is gaining momen
A convenient synthesis of vinyl sulfides

Abstract Dithioketals are converted in good yields to vinyi sulfides by action of diethylzinc and methylene iodide. The reaction has been successfully applied to dialkyl and diaryl dithioketals, to spirocyclic analogs, and to a dithioacetal. A monothioketal produced a vinyl ether (enol ether) with the same reagent.
Hydroxyapatite orbital implant exposure in children.

Abstract Purpose Hydroxyapatite orbital implants are buried implants that may be integrated into the overlying prosthesis after enucleation. We report problems encountered using these implants during a 14-year period in a pediatric population. Methods Retrospective analysis of a pediatric population from 1987 through 2001. Results Indications for enucleation (N = 19) included retinoblastoma (n =17), persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (n =1), and painful blind eye (n =1). Conjunctival erosion (36.84%) and consequent implant exposure (15.70%) were the main problems identified in this study. There were no cases of orbital infection. Management included resuturing and scleral patching. Conclusion Conjunctival erosion of hydroxyapatite implants contributed to significant morbidity in 19 children who underwent enucleation and hydroxyapatite orbital implant.
Estradiol induces diurnal shifts in GABA transmission to gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons to provide a neural signal for ovulation.

Ovulation is initiated by a surge of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion by the brain. GnRH is normally under negative feedback control by ovarian steroids. During sustained exposure to estradiol in the late follicular phase of the reproductive cycle, however, the feedback action of this steroid switches to positive, inducing the surge. Here, we used an established ovariectomized, estradiol-treated (OVX+E) mouse model exhibiting daily surges to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this switch. Specifically, we examined changes in GABA transmission to GnRH neurons, which can be excited by GABA A receptor activation. Spontaneous GABAergic postsynaptic currents (PSCs) were recorded in GnRH neurons from OVX+E and OVX mice in coronal and sagittal slices. There were no diurnal changes in PSC frequency in cells from OVX mice in either slice orientation. In OVX+E cells in both orientations, PSC frequency was low during negative feedback but increased at surge onset. During the surge peak, this increase subsided in coronal slices but persisted in sagittal slices. Comparison of PSCs before and during tetrodotoxin (TTX) treatment showed TTX decreased PSC frequency in OVX+E cells in sagittal slices, but not coronal slices. This indicates estradiol acts on multiple GABAergic afferent populations to increase transmission through both activity-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Estradiol also increased PSC amplitude during the surge. Estradiol and the diurnal cycle thus interact to induce shifts in both GABA transmission and postsynaptic response that would produce appropriate changes in GnRH neuron firing activity and hormone release.
Lessons in molecular recognition: The effects of ligand and protein flexibility on molecular docking accuracy

The key to success for computational tools used in structure-based drug design is the ability to accurately place or “dock” a ligand in the binding pocket of the target of interest. In this report we examine the effect of several factors on docking accuracy, including ligand and protein flexibility. To examine ligand flexibility in an unbiased fashion, a test set of 41 ligand−protein cocomplex X-ray structures were assembled that represent a diversity of size, flexibility, and polarity with respect to the ligands. Four docking algorithms, DOCK, FlexX, GOLD, and CDOCKER, were applied to the test set, and the results were examined in terms of the ability to reproduce X-ray ligand positions within 2.0A heavy atom root-mean-square deviation. Overall, each method performed well (>50% accuracy) but for all methods it was found that docking accuracy decreased substantially for ligands with eight or more rotatable bonds. Only CDOCKER was able to accurately dock most of those ligands with eight or more rotatable b...
Evidence for metabolic origin of absorptive hypercalciuria Type II

The objective of this retrospective data analysis was to test the hypothesis that absorptive hypercalciuria Type II (AH-II) is a less severe variant of absorptive hypercalciuria Type I (AH-I), a common cause of calcareous stones. 24-h urinary calcium obtained on constant metabolic diets was retrieved from several data sources, including those of the authors and another group. On a low calcium diet (10 mmol calcium), 35 patients with AH-II were compared with 70 non-stone formers (NSF) and 76 patients with AH-I. On a high calcium diet (25 mmol calcium/day), 10 patients with AH-II were compared with 35 NSF and 32 with AH-I. On a low calcium diet for all participants, 24-h urinary calcium in AH-II (4.13 ± 0.63 mmol/day) was significantly higher than in NSF (3.06 ± 1.17 mmol/day), but significantly lower than in AH-I (6.11 ± 1.14 mmol/day) (p < 0.001). In a smaller subset, fractional intestinal calcium absorption in AH-II (65.0 ± 11.1%) was intermediate between NSF (50.0 ± 6.4%) and AH-I (71.0 ± 6.7%) (p < 0.001 between AH-II and other groups). On a high calcium diet, the rise in urinary calcium in AH-II was significantly higher than in NSF, but not as marked as in AH-I. Estimated calcium balance in AH-II was similar to NSF, but significantly more positive than AH-I. In conclusion, AH-II shares with AH-I the same metabolic disturbance(s) stimulating intestinal absorption and renal excretion of calcium but to a lesser degree. Bone might be spared in AH-II.
Recent perspectives in the diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of Mycoplasma genitalium

Mycoplasma genitalium is a globally important sexually transmitted pathogen. Men infected with M. genitalium frequently present with dysuria, while women may present with or without urogenital symptoms. In some populations, M. genitalium is significantly associated with HIV-1 infection, and is also an etiological agent in pelvic inflammatory disease. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a causative role of the organism in obstetric complications, including tubal factor infertility. Although several nucleic acid amplification tests offer rapid, sensitive methods for detecting M. genitalium, there is no standardized assay. Available evidence supports treatment of M. genitalium infections with an extended regimen of azithromycin and resistant strains respond to moxifloxacin. Accumulating evidence indicates growing fluoroquinolone resistance, including against moxifloxacin, emphasizing the need for new therapeutic strategies to treat M. genitalium infections.
Applying Case-Based Reasoning to the Accounting Domain

Case-Based Reasoning CBR is rapidly emerging as a rich and powerful artificial intelligence approach that can overcome some inherent weaknesses of traditional expert system technology. Several successful CBR systems have been developed in a variety of fields and CBR applications are beginning to emerge in accounting research and practice as well. As sophisticated and user-friendly CBR shells emerge, CBR is more likely to be used to solve complex, real-world problems. This paper provides a broad overview of case-based systems and the principles on which the field is founded. Accounting applications of case-based reasoning and future research issues are identified.
Optical anisotropy of nanotube suspensions.

A semimacroscopic model of an optically anisotropic nanotube suspension is derived perturbatively from Maxwell’s equations in a dielectric medium. We calculate leading-order expressions, valid in the dilute and semidilute limits, for the intrinsic and form contributions to the complex dielectric tensor in terms of the volume fraction, mean orientation, aspect ratio, optical anisotropy, and optical contrast of the nanotubes. The birefringence and dichroism are derived explicitly to leading order in fluctuations, and the connection with depolarized light scattering is established. The results are generalized to include tube deformation.
Real-time monitoring of lipid transfer between vesicles and hybrid bilayers on Au nanoshells using surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)

To investigate the dynamics of exchange/transfer of lipids between membranes, we have studied the interaction of donor-deuterated DMPC vesicles with DMPC hybrid bilayers on Au nanoshells using SERS. Experimental data confirm partial lipid exchange/transfer in the outer leaflet of the hybrid bilayer. The kinetics of the exchange/transfer process follows a first order process with a rate constant of 1.3 × 10−4 s−1. Changes in lipid phase behavior caused by the exchange/transfer process were characterized using generalized polarization measurements. In situlipid transfer can potentially be utilized for preparation of asymmetric supported lipid bilayers and for incorporation of reporter lipids in biological membranes.
Computer holography at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago

This paper discusses the development and implementation of the Computer Holography course, which has been continuously taught by the author at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago since the Spring of 1991. The curriculum, facilities, and some of the techniques used to create computer holograms are also discussed.
Plasmapheresis via central catheter in dermatomyositis: a new method for selected pediatric patients.

7. Jacobs JC: Methotrexate and azathioprine treatment of childhood dermatomyositis, Pediatrics 59:212, 1977. 8. Fischer TJ, Rachelefsky GS, Klein PB, et al: Childhood dermatomyositis and polymyositis: treatment with methotrexate and prednisone, Am J Dis Child 133:386, 1979. 9. Niakan E, Pitner SE, Whitaker JN, et al: Immunosuppressive agents in corticosteroid-refractory childhood dermatomyositis, Neurology 30:286, 1980. 10. Rose AL: Childhood polymyositis: a follow-up study with special reference to treatment with corticosteroids, Am J Dis Child 127:518, 1974. 11. Dau PC, Lindstrom JM, and Denys EH: Plasmapheresis in neurologic disorders, in Taswell HF, and Pineda AA, editors: Therapeutic plasma and cytapheresis, Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office (in press). 12. Brewer El, Giannini EH, Rossen RD, et al: Plasma exchange therapy of a childhood onset dermatomyositis patient, Arthritis Rheum 23:509, 1980.
A Review of the Utility of Remote Sensing in Alaskan Permafrost Studies

This paper reviews the uses of remote sensing techniques for studies of permafrost related features and processes in Alaska. Remote sensing is ideally suited for studying the Arctic because of the inherent problems associated with obtaining in situ measurements in the harsh Arctic environment. Aircraft thermal infrared imagery, aircraft SAR (Synthetic-Aperture Radar), and helicopter-borne shortpulse radar data are also discussed. It is shown that thermal infrared, aircraft SAR, and Landsat data are all useful for qualitative determination of lake depth of the thaw lakes in northern Alaska. Lakes frozen to their beds can be distinquished from lakes not frozen to their beds using thermal infrared and aircraft SAR imagery. Summer Landsat imagery has been used to monitor lake ice cover dissipation, a relative measure of ice thickness and lake depth. Landsat data have also been used to study the distribution and interannual variability of stream aufeis on the Arctic Slope of Alaska. In addition, break-up characteristics and floods have been studied using Landsat data. Shortpulse radar data are being used experimentally to study subsurface permafrost features, and to examine subsurface homogeneity for construction purposes. In addition, Landsat digital data have been used to measure the one year recovery of tundra following a wildfire in northwestern Alaska. Use of remotely sensed data has substantially increased our understanding of processes operating in Arctic land areas as evidenced by the variety of studies that have been undertaken using data from different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
The generation of the late receptor potential: an excitation-inhibition phenomenon.

Abstract Both the kinetics of bleaching of bullfrog visual pigment extracts and the amplitude of the late receptor potential were studied using pH as a common experimental variable. The data indicate that variations in the receptor potential amplitude are directly correlated with variations in the thermal kinetics of the visual pigment. Our interpretation of the data leads to the conclusion that the amplitude of the late receptor potential is inversely proportional to the rate of accumulation of metarhodopsin II. This implies that the receptor response involves inhibitory as well as excitatory processes. It is proposed that metarhodopsin II is intimately associated with the mechanism of inhibition.
Hemochromatosis gene and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background & Aims Previous studies examining the relationship between the C282Y and H63D HFE mutations and presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have yielded conflicting results. The goal of this study was to systematically evaluate and summarize data on the association between these two variants and the presence of NAFLD. Methods The authors searched EMBASE and PUBMED from August 1, 1996 to August 12, 2010. Two investigators independently conducted data abstraction. Ethnic specific weighted prevalence was calculated and pooled odds ratios were estimated using the random effects model. Results From 2542 references, the authors included 16 case-control studies and 14 case-only studies, or 2610 cases and 7298 controls. The majority of the studies came from Caucasian populations (2287 cases and 4275 controls). The weighted prevalence of HFE mutations in cases was comparable to controls. The meta-analysis was restricted to Caucasians only because of the small sample size of non Caucasian participants. The pooled odds ratio for the presence of any HFE genetic variant in cases was 1.03 (95%CI: 0.90, 1.17; I 2 : 65.8%, 95%CI: 38.5, 81.0). The presence of other genotypes and secondary analyses yielded similar non significant findings. Conclusions Our systematic review does not support an association between the HFE genetic variants and the presence of NAFLD.