cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface optimization technique for MammoSite breast brachytherapy applicator.

Purpose: We present a technique to optimize the dwell times and positions of a high-dose-rate 192 Ir source using the MammoSite breast brachytherapy applicator. The surface optimization method used multiple dwell positions and optimization points to conform the 100% isodose line to the surface of the planning target volume (PTV). Methods and materials: The study population consisted of 20 patients treated using the MammoSite device between October 2002 and February 2004. Treatment was delivered in 10 fractions of 3.4 Gy/fraction, twice daily, with a minimum of 6 h between fractions. The treatment of each patient was planned using three optimization techniques. The dosimetric characteristics of the single-point, six-point, and surface optimization techniques were compared. Results: The surface optimization technique increased the PTV coverage compared with the single- and six-point methods (mean percentage of PTV receiving 100% of the prescription dose was 94%, 85%, and 91%, respectively). The surface method, single-point, and six-point method had a mean dose homogeneity index of 0.62, 0.68, and 0.63 and a mean full width at half maximum value of 189, 190, and 192 cGy/fraction, respectively. Conclusion: The surface technique provided greater coverage of the PTV than did the single- and six-point methods. Using the FWHM method, the surface, single-, and six-point techniques resulted in equivalent dose homogeneity.
Acute Na+,K+-ATPase Inhibition With Bufalin Impairs Pressure Natriuresis in the Rat

Abstract Although it has been reported that Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition with bufalin induces acute and chronic hypertension in the rat, the mechanisms mediating this response are unclear. To examine the role of the kidney in this process, glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow, and pressure natriuresis were determined in rats treated with bufalin or vehicle during changes in renal perfusion pressure. Mean arterial pressure increased from 123±4 to 149±3 mm Hg ( P <.05) after 40 minutes of intravenous bufalin and remained at this level. In control rats, glomerular filtration rate was well autoregulated. In bufalin-treated rats, glomerular filtration rate fell with decreasing renal perfusion pressure. Glomerular filtration rate autoregulatory index was greater in bufalin-treated than control rats ( P <.05). Renal blood flow showed a similar pattern. Urine flow and sodium excretion were less in bufalin-treated than control rats at equivalent renal perfusion pressures. The slope of the line describing the relation between urine flow and renal perfusion pressure was greater ( P <.05) in control than bufalin-treated rats. Similarly, the slope of the line relating sodium excretion to renal perfusion pressure was greater ( P <.05) in control than bufalin-treated rats. Thus, acute increases in blood pressure during Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition are associated with impaired renal autoregulation and pressure natriuresis. This effect may be important in chronic hypertension associated with Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition in the rat.
Expression of syndecan-1 changes during the differentiation of visceral and parietal endoderm from murine F9 teratocar Cinoma cells

F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells treated with retinoic acid differentiate in suspension into embryoid bodies with an outer layer of visceral endoderm surrounding a core of largely undifferentiated cells. The visceral endoderm-containing embryoid bodies, when plated onto an extracellular matrix coating, give rise to parietal endoderm outgrowth. These in vitro cell cultures mimic both geometrically and biochemically the differentiation of visceral and parietal endoderm in the early mouse embryo and, thus, were used as a model system for the study of molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the differentiation of the extraembryonic endoderm lineages. We have investigated the expression of syndecan-1, an integral membrane proteoglycan that binds to multiple components of the extracellular matrix and basic FGF, during visceral endoderm differentiation and parietal endoderm outgrowth. Syndecan-1 immunostaining is detected on all cell surfaces in the undifferentiated embryoid bodies and in the differentiating embryoid bodies prior to the formation of the visceral endoderm. Following the differentiation of visceral endoderm, syndecan-1 localizes predominantly to the basal surface of this epithelial layer, while syndecan-1 staining in the core of differentiated embryoid bodies is faint. Quantitation of cell associated syndecan-1 indicates that syndecan-1 is down-regulated during embryoid body differentiation. However, northern analysis shows that the amounts of steady-state syndecan-1 mRNA are the same in undifferentiated versus differentiated embryoid bodies, suggesting post-transcriptional regulation of syndecan-1 expression in the differentiating embryoid body. Analysis of syndecan-1 distribution in the outgrowth culture by immunofluorescence demonstrates that syndecan-1 is absent from the cell surface of parietal endoderm. However, a substantial amount of syndecan-1 is detected inside parietal endoderm cells. While all three cell types release syndecan-1 ectodomain into the culture medium, the parietal endoderm outgrowth releases more syndecan-1 ectodomain than the differentiated embryoid body. These data suggest that the post-transcriptional control and post-translational shedding of syndecan-1 from the cell surface are developmentally regulated during the differentiation of visceral to parietal endoderm and the migration of parietal endoderm.
Radial Velocity Studies and Absolute Parameters of Contact Binaries. II. OO Aquilae

New high-precision radial velocities of the contact binary OO Aql have been obtained using the cross-correlation technique. The orbital elements have been corrected for proximity effects, using an analysis of published light curves of the system. The spectroscopically determined mass ratio of 0.843 is in excellent agreement with the photometrically determined value. OO Aql thus has one of the largest mass ratios observed for a contact binary. In contrast to almost all other contact binaries of G spectral type, the primary minimum is due to a transit by the less massive component, and thus the system is classified as an A-type contact binary. Absolute parameters are determined for OO Aql, which indicate that the primary component, although similar to the Sun in mass, is significantly more evolved. An age of about 8 Gyr and a metal abundance of one-half that of the Sun are determined. It seems that the system may have only recently evolved into contact, as suggested by Mochnacki, and that it is an important object for studies of the structure and evolution of contact binaries.
Blood compatibility--a perspective.

This perspective on blood-materials interactions is intended to introduce the set of papers stemming from the symposium, ''Devices and Diagnostics in Contact with Blood: Issues in Blood Compatibility at the Close of the 20th Century,'' organized on August 4-6, 1999 at the University of Washington by the University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) Engineering Research Center. This article outlines some of the history of blood contacting materials, overviews the work that has originated at the University of Washington over the past 28 years, speculates on the origins of the controversies on blood compatibility and considers the issues that should be addressed in future studies.
The graph camera

A conventional pinhole camera captures only a small fraction of a 3-D scene due to occlusions. We introduce the graph camera, a non-pinhole with rays that circumvent occluders to create a single layer image that shows simultaneously several regions of interest in a 3-D scene. The graph camera image exhibits good continuity and little redundancy. The graph camera model is literally a graph of tens of planar pinhole cameras. A fast projection operation allows rendering in feed-forward fashion, at interactive rates, which provides support for dynamic scenes. The graph camera is an infrastructure level tool with many applications. We explore the graph camera benefits in the contexts of virtual 3-D scene exploration and summarization, and in the context of real-world 3-D scene visualization. The graph camera allows integrating multiple video feeds seamlessly, which enables monitoring complex real-world spaces with a single image.
Calibration of the change in thermal stability of DNA duplexes and degree of base pair mismatch

One method of determining the degree of base pair divergence between two sources of DNA (different strains, species, etc.) is to determine the decrease in thermal stability of hybrid duplex DNA due to mismatching of base pairs. Attempts to calibrate the change in median melting temperature (delta Tm) to base pair mismatch have led to conflicting results. We have studied the delta Tm between DNAs of known sequence over a range of from 0.55% to 7.2% base pair mismatch. The relationship of delta Tm and percent base pair mismatch is remarkably linear over this range with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.98. A delta Tm of 1 degree C corresponds to 1.7% base pair mismatch. This conversion is higher than that usually assumed and, therefore, rates of DNA evolution estimated by DNA-DNA hybridization studies are likely faster than previously thought.
The microstructure developed during extrusion of titanium under hydrostatic pressure at room temperature

Abstract The microstructure developed along the extrusion path of a Ti-A50 billet partially extruded (reduction ratio 4:1 and 50° die angle) under hydrostatic pressure at room temperature was investigated employing optical and transmission electron microscopy. Some plastic flow occurred in the region of the billet ahead of the die, the structure consisting of long, straight dislocations, hexagonal dislocation networks and {10 1 2} twins. Within the die region, the density of dislocations and twins increased; however, dislocation networks no longer existed, instead the dislocations formed a cell structure. A rather high dislocation density (> 1011 cm−2) and twin density existed in the extruded product. The hardness of the extruded product is similar to that obtained by swaging or rolling to the same reduction ratio. The relationship between extrusion pressure, extrusion ratio and billet hardness was found to be in good agreement with that established for various other metals.
Recent Progress Toward a Three-Dimensional Unstructured Navier-Stokes Flow Solver

Progress has been made toward solving three-dimensional viscous flow problems with unstructured grids. Enhancements have been added to an established unstructured grid flow solver that upgrade its formal accuracy to second order, improve the code efficiency and speed, and accurately solve the Navier-Stokes equations on tetrahedral cells. Accuracy is increased by a pseudo-Laplacian weight averaging algorithm which produces more robust convergence, and permits higher-order boundary conditions to be used, which is important on highly- stretched cells. An existing time-implicit Gauss-Seidel algorithm is installed which results in an six-fold reduction in total computer time over that of an explicit algorithm for inviscid-flow calculations. Finally, an unstructured laminar solution on the ONERA M6 wing has been validated against a structured- grid solution with encouraging results.
Flax-cotton fiber blends: Miniature spinning, gin processing, and dust potential

Abstract Development of a flax ( Linum usitatissimum L.) industry in North America is desired to supply a domestic source of clean, consistent quality textile fiber for blending with cotton. The objective of this work was to evaluate portions of traditional cotton gin equipment (extractor feeder and lint cleaner) and the “50-g cotton-spinning test (CST)” for flax. Dust was collected on an area sampler in an isolated card room to evaluate dust potential during textile pilot plant processing. Fibers retted by diverse means were cleaned on two separate portions of Continental Eagle's pilot plant cotton gin stand, the Super 96 Feeder and the 24D lint cleaner. Fibers separated and removed from flax stalks by these gin sections were compared against the standard ‘unified line’ processing technique of the USDA Flax Pilot Plant. Test yarns were then made in a CST with cotton and flax blends to provide an indirect measurement of fiber properties that can be related to the retting and gin cleaning processes. The yarns were tested for strength and evenness. Flax fibers that displayed the most favorable properties in the CST were then spun in 23 kg lots in the pilot plant at the following cotton/flax blend ratios: 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 20/80. With modifications, it appears that portions of a cotton gin stand are able to process adequately small samples of properly retted flax stalks. The CST with minor adjustments provides useful data for ranking and further large-scale flax processing. As expected, it appears that flax fiber can be successfully cleaned on a cotton processing line and that increasing the amount of flax generates additional dust.
Diagnostics of Suprathermal Electrons in Active-Region Plasmas Using He-like UV Lines

In the present paper we use UV lines emitted by He-like ions as a tool to test the presence of nonthermal high-energy electrons and to quantify their number and energy. The He-like lines we consider are the He-like 1s2s 3S-1s2p 3P lines observed in the UV, and their use capitalizes on the high excitation energies for the 1s2p 3P levels and on the near-unity ion abundances of the He-like ions for large temperature ranges. We investigate the presence of nonthermal high-energy electrons in solar active regions, placing upper limits on the presence of electrons capable of exciting the upper levels of Ne IX, Mg XI, and Si XIII.
60 DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME IN INFANT TRACHEOSTOMY

Twenty-one survivors of long-term tracheostomy in infancy were seen for developmental follow-up at a mean age of 4.7 years (SD=1.6). Measures of intellectual ability (standardized IQ tests), growth (weight for age), and social and behavioral competence based on Child Behavior Checklist (CBC) were taken. The sample was primarily white (67%), male (57%) and middle class with a mean length of tracheostomy of 44 months (SD=31). Almost half (45%) were prematures with 30% VLBW. One-quarter had some indication of neurological damage, although children with documentable mental retardation were excluded from follow-up. The group as a whole achieved a mean Full Scale IQ of 89.9 (SD=16), in the low normal range. Mean percentile of weight for age was 42.6 (SD=24). The majority of children showed significant behavioral and social problems with 70% scoring in the deviant range on at least one subscale of the CBC. Correlational analyses indicated that, within this sample, prematurity was associated with lowered IQ (r=.59, p <.003) and poorer behavioral functioning (r=.42, p <1.05). Neurological impairment (r=.49, p <.03) and socioeconomic status (r=.68, p<.002) were associated with behavioral difficulties, but not intellectual problems. The present data suggest that the impact of infant tracheostomy on later development is complex and interactive with other biological and environmental factors.
System architecture of Wireless Body Sensor Networks

Wireless Body Sensor Networks (WBSNs) emerged as a design solution of choice for a number of wearable and ubiquitous monitoring applications. Although useful as stand alone monitoring systems, full potential of WBSNs might be explored by integrating individual on-body systems into hierarchical real-time systems to support unobtrusive ubiquitous applications with intermittent communication. However, resource constrains of the lowest levels of the system architecture demand careful system design and specific trade offs in the WBSN design space. Typical issues include proper design of the wireless communication system, buffering, and real-time latency. These issues are application dependent and critically influence system performance and user acceptance. This paper presents system architecture of the hierarchical wireless body sensor networks and design issues in the WBSN design space.
Reduction in Stocks of the Pacific Ocean Perch, an Important Demersal Fish off Alaska

Abstract The Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus) is an important commercial fish of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. Commercially exploitable populations extend from Kamchatka through the Bering Sea and along the Aleutian Islands to California. Heavy exploitation of the stocks off North America began around 1963, principally by stern-ramp trawlers of the Soviet Union and Japan. The original catchable biomass of the species off North America seems to have been about 3.5 billion pounds, and the stocks as of 1968 appeared to be about 39% of the original biomass. Fishermen of all nations that have participated in the fishery complain of stock depletion. Because the fishery has significantly reduced the proportion of large fish in the populations and fecundity increases at a much faster rate than length or weight in the species, a severe drop in fecundity of the populations is hypothesized. If the prerecruit populations do not compensate for the lower fecundity through increased survival and growth, a...
Fickian diffusion in glassy polymer-solvent systems

A free-volume theory is developed for the analysis of Fickian diffusion processes in glassy polymers. Equations are presented for the prediction of mutual diffusion coefficients in concentrated glassy polymer-penetrant systems. The concentration dependence of the mutual diffusion coefficient is dependent on how much free volume the solvent contributes to the system and on how the addition of solvent affects the densification of the polymer matrix. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Development of an analytical methodology for sarin (GB) and soman (GD) in various military-related wastes.

Abstract The Army requires analytical methods that can detect chemical agents down to the low part-per-billion (ppb) levels in their waste streams in order to meet various state regulations regarding the classification of hazardous waste. Analytical methods were developed for the measurement of sarin (GB) and soman (GD) at ppb levels that involved preconcentration of relatively large volumes (40–150 μl) of a chloroform extract onto a sorbent cartridge, followed by thermal desorption and analysis by GC–flame photometric detection. Certified reporting limits (CRLs) achieved with these methods ranged from 8.3 to 19 ppb for GB and from 1.8 to 5.3 ppb for GD in the three matrices screened. Method detection limits (MDLs) achieved with these methods ranged from 1.7 to 8.2 ppb for GB and from 0.39 to 1.2 ppb for GD. The methods are capable of achieving lower CRLs and MDLs with only minor modification.
Boundaries of local no-return sets for control systems

For control systems described by ordinary differential equations and given subsets A of the state space, the points on the boundary of A through which entrance and exit is possible are studied. We assume that solutions that leave A and remain close to it cannot return. Continuity properties of the entrance and exit boundaries when the control range is changed are described.
Modeling functional changes to Escherichia coli thymidylate synthase upon single residue replacements: a structure-based approach

Escherichia coli thymidylate synthase (TS) is an enzyme that is indispensable to DNA synthesis and cell division, as it provides the only de novo source of dTMP by catalyzing the reductive methylation of dUMP, thus making it a key target for chemotherapeutic agents. High resolution X-ray crystallographic structures are available for TS and, owing to its relatively small size, successful experimental mutagenesis studies have been conducted on the enzyme. In this study, an in silico mutagenesis technique is used to investigate the effects of single amino acid substitutions in TS on enzymatic activity, one that employs the TS protein structure as well as a knowledge-based, four-body statistical potential. For every single residue TS variant, this approach yields both a global structural perturbation score and a set of local environmental perturbation scores that characterize the mutated position as well as all structurally neighboring residues. Global scores for the TS variants are capable of uniquely characterizing groups of residue positions in the enzyme according to their physicochemical, functional, or structural properties. Additionally, these global scores elucidate a statistically significant structure-function relationship among a collection of 372 single residue TS variants whose activity levels have been experimentally determined. Predictive models of TS variant activity are subsequently trained on this dataset of experimental mutants, whose respective feature vectors encode information regarding the mutated position as well as its six nearest residue neighbors in the TS structure, including their environmental perturbation scores.
Short-Term Stover, Tillage, and Nitrogen Management Affect Near-Surface Soil Organic Matter

Corn (Zea mays L.) stover removal for biofuel or forage has implications on soil organic C (SOC). The objective of this study was to evaluate short-term (3-yr) stover management (retained or removed [79% removed, across treatments and years]), tillage system (chisel tillage, strip-tillage, and no-till [CT, ST, and NT, respectively]), and fertilizer N (0 and 224 kg N ha⁻¹) effects on particulate and total soil C and N in continuous corn (CC) cropping systems on fine-textured soils in the Upper Midwest. Soil samples were collected at study initiation in 2008 and at its conclusion in 2011. Stover removal decreased SOC in the surface depth (D1) by 15% compared to when it was retained and 11% when compared with the baseline level. In the same depth, SOC with CT was 10 and 9% less than with ST and NT, respectively, and 10% less than the baseline. Particulate organic matter C (POM-C) decreased in D1 between sampling times with stover removal in all tillage systems. When stover was retained, POM-C in D1 increased 36 and 40% over the baseline with ST and NT, respectively, but decreased 18% with CT. Chisel tillage decreased POM-C in the sampled soil profile by 13 and 17% compared with ST and NT, respectively, and by 21% when compared with the baseline. These results demonstrate that annually harvesting the maximum quantities of stover in CC allowable by field-scale machinery can reduce near-surface particulate and total soil organic matter in the Upper Midwest after 3 yr, but losses can be reduced by tillage systems that reduce soil disturbance.
Amplitude modulation rate discrimination with sinusoidal carriers

Discrimination of the change in rate of sinusoidal amplitude modulation was investigated for sinusoidal carriers. The just-noticeable change in the modulation rate was measured as a function of (1) carrier frequency (fc = 500, 1000, 2000, or 4000 Hz), (2) initial modulation rate (fm = 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, or 320 Hz), and (3) stimulus duration (T = 62, 125, 250, 500, 1000, or 2000 ms). For modulation rates less than 320 Hz, the thresholds for a change in modulation rate were not affected by changing the carrier frequency. When fm = 320 Hz, the threshold for changes in the modulation rate ordered in the same way as the threshold for changes in the frequency of a pure tone, suggesting that the primary cue for discriminating a change in modulation rate was the frequency of either sideband. As stimulus duration increased to a certain T (critical duration), the thresholds decreased by more than a factor of 2. Above that duration, the thresholds for changes in modulation rate decreased only slightly or remained constant. The critical duration corresponded to about five cycles of modulation, at least for the slower modulation rates.
Photodynamic therapy from alexandrite to xenon

The field of photodynamic therapy or' PDT" has been the subject of a number of recent comprehensive review articles and books (for example the 1 989 publication by CRC press17). Thus in spite of my title I will give a review which is in no way comprehensive but which deals in some depth with the dosimetry of PDT.
Acoustic measurements in unconsolidated sands at low effective pressure and overpressure detection

Shallow water flows and over‐pressured zones are a major hazard in deepwater drilling projects. Their detection prior to drilling would save millions of dollars in lost drilling costs. I have investigated the sensitivity of seismic methods for this purpose. Using P‐wave information alone can be ambiguous, because a drop in P‐wave velocity (Vp) can be caused both by overpressure and by presence of gas. The ratio of P‐wave velocity to S‐wave velocity (Vp/Vs), which increases with overpressure and decreases with gas saturation, can help differentiate between the two cases. Since P‐wave velocity in a suspension is slightly below that of the suspending fluid and Vs=0, Vp/Vs and Poisson's ratio must increase exponentially as a load‐bearing sediment approaches a state of suspension. On the other hand, presence of gas will also decrease Vp but Vs will remain unaffected and Vp/Vs will decrease. Analyses of ultrasonic P‐ and S‐wave velocities in sands show that the Vp/Vs ratio, especially at low effective pressures...
Characterization of a Salmon Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Promoter

ABSTRACT We have identified four transcription initiation sites in the salmon insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) gene. Use of the most upstream transcription start site generates a minor mRNA spe...
Nurse-managed clinics: A blueprint for success using the covey framework

This article describes the process from inception to successful operation of a university-based nurse managed clinic. The article includes information regarding the planning process, method of financing, political strategies for gaining approval, and on-going development of services. Covey's seven habits of highly effective people are used as a framework on which the development and evolution of the clinic are based. The habits are illustrated by relating how services/operation were enhanced and barriers and obstacles were overcome.
Formation and structure of a novel enediyne-RNA base covalent adduct.

The structure of an unusual covalent adduct formed by thiol-activated neocarzinostatin chromophore (NCS-chrom) and a RNA−DNA hybrid having an overhang of four unpaired residues at the 3‘-end of the RNA strand has been elucidated by MS and NMR spectroscopic analyses. Unlike previously characterized adducts formed by NCS-chrom on the sugar residue of the DNA target, this adduct has been found to be on one of the uracil bases in the RNA overhang. Covalent linkage is between C-6 of the post-activated NCS-chrom and C-5 of the uracil. A novel mechanism involving adduction of the NCS-chrom C-6 radical, generated by 2-mercaptoethanol activation, to C-5 of the uracil at the U9 position of the RNA 11-mer, oxidation by dioxygen, reduction by the thiol, and subsequent dehydration is proposed for adduct formation.
Heart sounds in the aged.

Abstract The heart sounds of 103 residents of the Kansas Masonic Home above the age of 80 years were studied by phonocardiogram and routine auscultation. 1. (1) Sixty patients were found to have systolic murmurs, nearly all of ejection type and probably arising in the aortic valve. 2. (2) Of 16 recorded systolic clicks, 10 were probably of aortic origin, none of which were associated with hypertension. There were 4 systolic clicks possibly of pulmonary arterial origin. 3. (3) In 12 cases in which a third sound was heard, congestive failure was present, while no evidence of failure was present in those 15 cases in which it was only recorded but not audible. 4. (4) An unusually high incidence of fourth heart sound was encountered, suggesting that it may be clinically a less useful finding than in younger age groups. 5. (5) A single diastolic murmur was recorded.
A simple hanging-drop patch-clamp technique for studying single channel activities in excised membrane patches.

A simple hanging-drop technique has been developed for examining the effects of reagents available in limited quantities such as some proteolytic enzymes and site-directed antibodies on single sodium channel activities in patches excised from hippocampal neuronal membranes. The advantages of the technique are as follows: 1. a very small volume (2–4 μl of the buffer solution containing the agents to be tested; 2. recording under static conditions without using continuous perfusion systems; 3. reduced background current noise. The use of the technique for studying modifications of single channel parameters under the influence of agents available in limited amounts is illustrated by modification of single sodium channels by treatment with papain.
Identification of female-produced sex pheromone from banded cucumber beetle,Diabrotica balteata leconte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

A sex pheromone produced by female banded cucumber beetle adults,Diabrotica balteata LeConte, was isolated from volatiles trapped on Porapak Q and identified as 6,12-dimethylpentadecan-2-one. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and confirmed by synthesis. The synthesized racemic compound was equal to the purified natural pheromone in eliciting responses by banded cucumber beetle males to field traps. A doseresponse characteristic was demonstrated for the racemic material formulated on filter paper or rubber septa and placed in field traps. The absolute configuration at the C-6 and C-12 positions was not established.
Signal transduction by the macrophage-colony-stimulating factor receptor (CSF-1R).

SUMMARY The macrophage-specific colony-stimulating factor 1(CSF-1 or M-CSF) is required throughout the G 1 phase of the cell cycle to regulate both immediate and delayed early responses necessary for cell proliferation. These are triggered by the binding of the growth factor to the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor and the activation of its intrinsic tyrosine-specific protein kinase. Phosphorylation of the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor on specific tyrosine residues enables it to bind directly to cytoplasmic effector proteins, which in turn relay receptor-induced signals through multiple-signal transduction pathways. The activity of p21 ras as well as transcription factors of the ets gene family appears to be required for colony-stimulating factor 1 to induce the c- myc gene, and the latter response is essential to ensure cell proliferation. Genes within the fos / jun or activator protein 1 family are targeted via a parallel and independently regulated signal transduction pathway. The continuous requirement for colony-stimulating factor 1 after the immediate early response is initiated indicates that expression of additional delayed early response genes, although contingent on previously induced gene products, might also depend on colony-stimulating factor 1-induced signals. Among the growth factor-regulated delayed early response genes are D-type G 1 cyclins, which play an important role in cell-cycle progression.
Complete problems in the first-order predicate calculus

Abstract Some problems concerning the satisfiability of first-order predicate calculus formulae in Schonfinkel-Bernays form provide a natural hierarchy of complete problems for various complexity classes. Also, problems concerning the existence of resolution proofs from sets of clauses not necessarily in Schonfinkel-Bernays form provide another such hierarchy. In this way we obtain problems complete for P, NP, PSPACE, deterministic and nondeterministic exponential, deterministic and nondeterministic double exponential time, and exponential space. The results concerning resolution proofs may have practical implications for the design of resolution theorem proving programs. Also, these results enable us to make precise statements about the relative difficulty of various resolution strategies. Some connections with temporal logic and alternating Turing machines are discussed.
MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATIONS OF MITOCHONDRIA IN THE PRESENCE OF PLANT TUMORS

IN THE COURSE of cytological investigations involving a number of different chemical agents which have the capacity of promoting abnormal tissue proliferation and of an antiauxin (Roberts, 1953) which has been shown to inhibit these proliferations (Struckmeyer and Roberts, 1955) , it was observed that the morphology of the mitochondria3 appeared to be correlated with the treatments. That plant mitochondria are important centers of enzymatic activity in the cell is substantiated by investigations of the activity of isolated particulate fractions from plant tissues by Hill and .Bhagvat (1939), DuBuy et al. (1950), Millerd and Bonner (1953), Brummond (1952), Laties (1953a, b). The much greater volume of biochemical studies of animal mitochondria also support this concept. The relation of the morphology of mitochondria to cellular activity recently hasbeen studied in intact cells of certain animal and plant tissues. Biesele (1955) found that addition of 6-mercaptopurine to cultures of embryo mouse skin and mouse sarcoma 180 tended to inhibit mitosis in the fibroblasts and simultaneously to bring about a reduction in the -average length and diameter of the mitochondria while the addition of Coenzyme A neutralized the effect of 6-mercaptopurine in both regards. Conversely, the effect of Coenzyme A without 6-mercaptopurine was to increase mitoses and simultaneously to increase the average length and diameter of mitochondrial forms. Chevremont and Chevremont-Comhaire (1953) have described concomitant inhibition of mitosis and shortening, thickening and rounding of mitochondria in tissue cultures of chick embryo treated with trihydroxy-N-methylindole. Frederic (1954), investigating the action of various chemicals on myoblasts and fibroblasts of chick embryo tissues in vitro, found that 2,4-dinitrophenol had the effect of increasing apparent cellular activity while simultaneously resulting in formation of thicker and longer mitochondria (by concatenation). This change in mitochondria, was not reversible with phenylurethane, which, although it slowed down cytoplasmic movements did
Proportion of Hosts Carrying Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Causal Agent of Amphibian Chytridiomycosis, in Oswego County, NY in 2012

Abstract Although the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is a causal agent behind precipitous amphibian declines globally, little is known about its regional distribution in New York State (NYS). With an aim toward increased understanding of B. dendrobatidis prevalence locally, we collected amphibians between April through November 2012 at the Rice Creek Field Station in Oswego County, NY, and took swabs of the ventral surfaces of all individuals caught. Polymerase chain reaction on DNA extracted from swabs and comparison with B. dendrobatidis control DNA showed that 30% of amphibians sampled carried the fungus, with prevalence ranging between 20–50%) for Lithobates catesbeianus (Bull Frogs), Lithobates clamitans (Green Frogs), Pseudacris crucifer (Spring Peepers), and Eurycea bislineata (Two-lined Salamanders). We detected Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis only during the months of April, May, June, August, and September of the sampling period. June and September had the highest percentage of amphibians ...
Modeling nucleation and growth of encapsulated nanocrystals: Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations and rate theory

The nucleation, growth, and early coarsening stages of three-dimensional (3D) cluster growth are modeled with an off-lattice 3D Kinetic Monte Carlo simulation and using a mean-field self-consistent solution to a set of coupled rate equations describing the process. The two approaches yield solutions that agree remarkably well, both for average properties and for the full cluster size distribution throughout the entire growth and coarsening regime. The asymptotic scaling properties of the island size distribution are shown to be similar to those expected from the analysis of Marqusee and Ross.
A multi-objective mixed-integer programming model for a multi-floor facility layout

We consider a multi-floor facility layout problem in which the overall length and width of the facility, the size and location of each department, the number and the location of elevators and the number of floors in the facility are all modelled as decision variables. We adapt a linear approximation scheme to represent the area of each department. We consider two objective functions in our model, namely minimising material handling and facility building costs, and propose a lexicographic ordering technique to handle multiple objectives. The numerical experiments show that the slack used in the lexicographic ordering approach has a significant impact on the optimal solution. The experiments also show that the material handling cost can be significantly reduced in a multi-floor facility compared with a single-floor facility.
Anti-streptococcal, tubulin, and dopamine receptor 2 antibodies in children with PANDAS and Tourette syndrome: Single-point and longitudinal assessments

Single-point-in-time ELISA optical densities for three putative antibodies identified in Sydenham's chorea, the streptococcal group A carbohydrate antigen, N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosamine, tubulin, and the dopamine 2 receptor, showed no differences in children with PANDAS (n=44) or Tourette syndrome (n=40) as compared to controls (n=24). Anti-tubulin and D2 receptor antibodies assessed in serial samples from 12 PANDAS subjects obtained prior to a documented exacerbation, during the exacerbation (with or without a temporally associated streptococcal infection), and following the exacerbation, showed no evidence of antibody levels correlating with a clinical exacerbation. These data do not support hypotheses suggesting an autoimmune hypothesis in either TS or PANDAS.
The inert gases

Inert gases are measured mass-spectrometrically. They are extracted from lunar samples by various techniques. 1. Melting or vaporization in a vacuum for near-quantitative gas-extraction. 2. Stepwise or linear heating for partial extraction. Yields thermal release patterns, which are essential for 39Ar-4°Ar dating. These patterns are also useful for diffusion studies, and yield some information on the siting of the inert gases in the samples (low vs high temperature sites). 3. Vaporization from selected, small spots on surfaces with an electron beam, ion beam, or a laser beam. Degree of gas-release uncertain. 4. Crushing or grinding. Yields information on gases contained in vesicles or porespaces. 5. Etching. Allows removal of gas located at exterior surfaces. As for sample types, measurements are done on: (i) Bulk samples of soils and rocks; (ii) Size fractions of soils and crushed rocks; (iii) Mineral separates of soils and rocks, and (iv) Samples from documented locations, e.g. surface vs interior, or lunar top vs lunar bottom in oriented rocks, or from known depths in cores.
Coherent control of terahertz supercontinuum generation in ultrafast laser–gas interactions

Frequency mixing the fundamental-and second-harmonic fields of an ultrafast laser in any one of a number of materials can generate radiation at terahertz frequencies. A better understanding of this process leads to a brighter source of light at these very useful wavelengths.
Oxygen plasma treatment and deposition of CNx on a fluorinated polymer matrix composite for improved erosion resistance

The use of polymer matrix composites in aerospace propulsion applications is currently limited by insufficient resistance to erosion by abrasive media. Erosion resistant coatings may provide necessary protection; however, adhesion to many high temperature polymer matrix composite (PMC) materials is poor. A low pressure oxygen plasma treatment process was developed to improve adhesion of CNx coatings to a carbon reinforced, fluorinated polymer matrix composite. Fullerene-like CNx was selected as an erosion resistant coating for its high hardness-to-elastic modulus ratio and elastic resilience which were expected to reduce erosion from media incident at different angles (normal or glancing) relative to the surface. In situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to evaluate the effect of the plasma treatment on surface chemistry, and electron microscopy was used to identify changes in the surface morphology of the PMC substrate after plasma exposure. The fluorine concentration at the surface was significa...
The effect of pump bandwidth, lens focal length and lens focal point location on Stimulated Brillouin Scattering threshold and reflectivity

Abstract The dependence of the Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) threshold on the focal length of the lens has been measured for two extreme limits of the pump bandwidth. For a single mode pump with a long coherence length the threshold is found to be independent of the focal length while for a broadband pump the threshold is found to vary quadratically with the focal length. The measurements also show that the location of the focal point in the SBS cell can seriously affect the reflectivity when the pump energy is small.
Dextroamphetamine with Morphine: Respiratory Effects

: The combination of dextroamphetamine and morphine has been shown to be synergistic for analgesia and antagonistic for most other effects. However, the claim that dextroamphetamine antagonizes the respiratory depression caused by morphine has not been well substantiated. In this double-blind study, we investigated respiratory effects, including resting respiration, isohypercapnic ventilation, CO2 response, dose response, and duration of these effects with dextroamphetamine alone and in combination with morphine. Dextroamphetamine alone (0.215 mg/kg) caused increases in minute ventilation and a leftward shift of the CO2 response curve that lasted for less than 2 hours. Dextroamphetamine combined with low-dose morphine (0.15 mg/kg) antagonized respiratory depression throughout the 5-hour observation period. Dextroamphetamine combined with high-dose morphine (0.30 mg/kg) was unable to completely antagonize depressed ventilation, and some residual effects of morphine persisted at 2 hours.
Predicting product quality with backpropagation: A thermoplastic injection moulding case study

This application uses live data from a thermoplastic injection moulding manufacturer to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of using backpropagation artificial neural networks for predictive quality control. Preprocessing and post processing of live data, formulating neural predictive strategies, selecting architecture and parameters, and handling of temporal aspects are topics. Performance of the neural networks are compared to other quality control methods, including control charts and statistical techniques. This case study demonstrates that even manufacturers who have modest expertise in computing and limited hardware and software availability can successfully use neural networks for data analysis and modelling.
Environmental factors that influence the cutaneous production of vitamin D.

All vertebrates, including humans, obtain most of their daily vitamin D requirement from casual exposure to sunlight. During exposure to sunlight, the solar ultraviolet B photons (290-315 nm) penetrate into the skin where they cause the photolysis of 7-dehydrocholesterol to precholecalciferol. Once formed, precholecalciferol undergoes a thermally induced rearrangement of its double bonds to form cholecalciferol. An increase in skin pigmentation, aging, and the topical application of a sunscreen diminishes the cutaneous production of cholecalciferol. Latitude, season, and time of day as well as ozone pollution in the atmosphere influence the number of solar ultraviolet B photons that reach the earth's surface, and thereby, alter the cutaneous production of cholecalciferol. In Boston, exposure to sunlight during the months of November through February will not produce any significant amounts of cholecalciferol in the skin. Because windowpane glass absorbs ultraviolet B radiation, exposure of sunlight through glass windows will not result in any production of cholecalciferol. It is now recognized that vitamin D insufficiency and vitamin D deficiency are common in elderly people, especially in those who are infirm and not exposed to sunlight or who live at latitudes that do not provide them with sunlight-mediated cholecalciferol during the winter months. Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency exacerbate osteoporosis, cause osteomalacia, and increase the risk of skeletal fractures. Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency can be prevented by encouraging responsible exposure to sunlight and/or consumption of a multivitamin tablet that contains 10 μg (400 IU) vitamin D
Placebo response in binge eating disorder: a pooled analysis of 10 clinical trials from one research group.

Objective The aim of this study was to gain further understanding of placebo response in binge eating disorder. Method We pooled participant-level data from 10 double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trials of medications for binge eating disorder. The primary outcomes were response (75% reduction in binge eating episodes), cessation of binge eating episodes, change in mean weekly binge eating episodes and binge eating episodes per week. Results Of 234 participants receiving placebo, 89 (38%) were responders and 59 (26%) attained cessation. Placebo-treated participants significantly reduced their binge eating. The mean (SD) binge eating episodes per week at baseline was 5.2 (3.2) and at endpoint was 2.2 (2.6). Lower baseline binge eating episode frequency and longer study participation were significantly associated with response and cessation. Discussion Less severe eating pathology at baseline was associated with higher placebo response and cessation rates. Future clinical trials may want to stipulate that participants exceed a threshold of illness severity, which may lead to better placebo and drug separation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Fluxes of CH4 and N2O in aspen stands grown under ambient and twice-ambient CO2

Elevated atmospheric CO2 has the potential to change below-ground nutrient cycling and thereby alter the soil-atmosphere exchange of biogenic trace gases. We measured fluxes of CH4 and N2O in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) stands grown in open-top chambers under ambient and twice-ambient CO2 concentrations crossed with ‘high’ and low soil-N conditions.
Contrasting short-term plasticity at two sides of the mitral-granule reciprocal synapse in the mammalian olfactory bulb.

The mitral–granule reciprocal synapse shapes the response of the olfactory bulb to odour stimuli by mediating lateral and reciprocal inhibition. We investigated the short-term plasticity of both the mitral-to-granule excitatory synapse and the granule-to-mitral inhibitory synapse in rat olfactory bulb slices, using whole-cell patch clamp recordings. The granule-to-mitral inhibitory synapse invariably exhibited paired-pulse depression at interstimulus intervals of less than a second, while the mitral-to-granule excitatory synapse showed heterogeneous responses, which on average yielded a moderate facilitation. Trains of stimuli led to a much greater depression at the granule-to-mitral synapse than at the mitral-to-granule synapse. Since mitral cells commonly respond to odours by burst firing with each inhalation cycle, we used bursts of stimuli to study recovery from depression. We found that recovery from depression induced by fast trains of stimuli was more rapid at the mitral-to-granule synapse than at the granule-to-mitral synapse. In addition, depression was enhanced by higher calcium concentrations, suggesting at least partial contribution of presynaptic mechanisms to short-term depression. The observed short-term plasticity could enable mitral cells to overcome autoinhibition and increase action potential propagation along lateral dendrites by burst firing.