cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of methods to determine residual soil nitrate zones across the northern Great Plains of the USA

A four-year study was conducted from 2000 to 2004 at eight field sites in Montana, North Dakota and western Minnesota. Five of these sites were in North Dakota, two were in Montana and one was in Minnesota. The sites were diverse in their cropping systems. The objectives of the study were to (1) evaluate data from aerial photographs, satellite images, topographic maps, soil electrical conductivity (ECa) sensors and several years of yield to delineate field zones to represent residual soil nitrate and (2) determine whether the use of data from several such sources or from a single source is better to delineate nitrogen management zones by a weighted method of classification. Despite differences in climate and cropping, there were similarities in the effectiveness of delineation tools for developing meaningful residual soil nitrate zones. Topographic information was usually weighted the most because it produced zones that were more correlated to actual soil residual nitrate than any other source of data at all locations. The soil ECa sensor created better correlated zones at Minot, Williston and Oakes than at most eastern sites. Yield data for an individual year were sometimes useful, but a yield frequency map that combined several years of standardized yield data was more useful. Satellite imagery was better than aerial photographs at most locations. Topography, satellite imagery, yield frequency maps and soil ECa are useful data for delineating nutrient management zones across the region. Use of two or more sources of data resulted in zones with a stronger correlation with soil nitrate.
Spectral studies of heterocyclic β-diketonates of actinide, lanthanide, and transition metals

Abstract The results of absorption spectral studies of the 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone chelates of thorium, uranyl, neodymium, gadolinium, gallium, and iron are presented. These neutral chelates exhibit u.v. spectra very similar to that of the ligand, with slight bathochromic or hypsochromic shifts. The solution stability of the complexes in acetonitrile, ethanol, and chloroform was also studied and the lanthanide complexes were found to be the least stable. Sinha's parameter is calculated for the neodymium chelate to determine the relative degree of covalency upon complexation.
Phenotology of disease-linked proteins†

Are there analogous sequence positions in families of related proteins where disease-linked mutations occur with unusually high frequency? We attempt to answer this question by examining sequence alignments for G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and voltage-gated potassium channels that have a significant number of missense mutations linked to some form of human disease. When the disease-linked mutations are mapped onto the sequences for each family, there are a large number of aligned sites at which disease-linked mutations occur in more than one protein. The statistical significance of the aligned sites is judged by analysis of artificially-generated random datasets. There are a modest number of aligned sites that are statistically significant-we refer to these as "phenotologous" sequence positions. Phenotologous sites represent aligned positions at which mutations linked to disease phenotypes occur with high frequency within a family of proteins. The most interesting of these sites are those which are not conserved-such sites are apparently critical in defining structural or functional differences between related proteins. Phenotology may be used to make experimentally testable predictions regarding medical genetics, the molecular basis of disease, and protein structure-function relationships.
Alterations in ultraspiracle (USP) content and phosphorylation state accompany feedback regulation of ecdysone synthesis in the insect prothoracic gland.

Abstract Insect molting and metamorphosis are elicited by a class of ecdysteroids, mainly 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), the precursor of which is synthesized in the prothoracic gland. 20E acts via the ecdysone receptor (EcR) and its heterodimer partner ultraspiracle (USP). Analysis of the prothoracic gland of Manduca sexta revealed that the developmental expression and phosphorylation of a specific USP form, p47, is positively correlated with ecdysteroidogenesis and that 20E, but not ecdysone, is responsible for initiating the translational expression and phosphorylation of p47. The latter forms a functional complex with EcR and the ligand–complex interaction results in the down regulation of ecdysteroidogenesis and the inhibition of prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH)-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis. The composite data suggest that USP plays a key role in modulating PTTH-stimulated ecdysteroid biosynthesis through the selective expression and phosphorylation of the p47 USP isoform.
Traumatic aorto-right ventricular fistula presenting with a diastolic murmur

Etude echocardiographique, radioisotopique et peroperatoire de cette fistule apres coup de couteau dans le thorax
ALX: autonomous vehicle guidance for roadway following and obstacle avoidance

This paper presents results of research done on an Autonomous Land Experimental Vehicle (ALX). ALX is able to autonomously follow roadways through the use of a vision system and to execute obstacle detection and collision avoidance using a suite of range sensors. This paper describes the embedded real-time control system for ALX based on a multiprocessor, multitasking architecture and presents the algorithms that were used for visual perception, path tracking, obstacle detection and collision avoidance. Experimental results are also presented.
Multislice proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging in X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy

Multislice proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging permits metabolic analysis of brain tissue in vivo by data acquisition in four oblique axial slices, each 15-mm thick and divided into 0.8-ml single-volume elements. We applied this technique to the systematic study of 25 patients with adrenoleukodystrophy: 3 with the severe childhood or adult cerebral form of the disease, 5 with adrenomyeloneuropathy, 12 with no demonstrable neurological involvement, and 5 women heterozygous for adrenoleukodystrophy who had some degree of neurological disability. Abnormalities on magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging included a reduction in N-acetyl aspartate, an increase in choline-containing compounds, and at times, an increase in lactate. Five patients showed abnormalities in the presence of normal-appearing magnetic resonance images, and in 8 other patients the alterations on spectroscopic images were more severe than those demonstrable by magnetic resonance imaging. Correlation with clinical course suggests that an increase in the choline-containing compounds is associated with an active demyelinative process, whereas such compounds are not elevated in lesions that are stable. We conclude that magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging is a more sensitive indicator of early neurological involvement than is magnetic resonance imaging, and that the character of abnormalities detected by the former technique may serve as a gauge of the degree of activity of the demyelinating process and as a guide to the selection and evaluation of therapeutic approaches.
Sexual Attraction, Sexual Identity, and Psychosocial Wellbeing in a National Sample of Young Women during Emerging Adulthood

Identity-based conceptualizations of sexual orientation may not account adequately for variation in young women’s sexuality. Sexual minorities fare worse in psychosocial markers of wellbeing (i.e., depressive symptoms, anxiety, self esteem, social support) than heterosexual youth; however, it remains unclear whether these health disparities exclusively affect individuals who adopt a sexual minority identity or if they also may be present among heterosexually-identified youth who report same-sex attractions. We examined the relationship between sexual attraction, sexual identity, and psychosocial wellbeing in the female only subsample (weighted, n = 391) of a national sample of emerging adults (age 18–24). Women in this study rated on a scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (extremely) their degree of sexual attraction to males and females, respectively. From these scores, women were divided into 4 groups (low female/low male attraction, low female/high male attraction, high female/low male attraction, or high female/high male attraction). We explored the relationship between experiences of attraction, reported sexual identity, and psychosocial outcomes using ordinary least squares regression. The results indicated sexual attraction to be predictive of women’s psychosocial wellbeing as much as or more than sexual identity measures. We discuss these findings in terms of the diversity found in young women’s sexuality, and how sexual minority status may be experienced by this group.
Toward a convergence of regenerative medicine, rehabilitation, and neuroprosthetics.

Abstract No effective therapeutic interventions exist for severe neural pathologies, despite significant advances in regenerative medicine, rehabilitation, and neuroprosthetics. Our current hypothesis is that a specific combination of tissue engineering, pharmacology, cell replacement, drug delivery, and electrical stimulation, together with plasticity-promoting and locomotor training (neurorehabilitation) is necessary to interact synergistically in order to activate and enable all damaged circuits. We postulate that various convergent themes exist among the different therapeutic fields. Therefore, the objective of this review is to highlight the convergent themes, which we believe have a common goal of restoring function after neural damage. The convergent themes discussed in this review include modulation of inflammation and secondary damage, encouraging endogenous repair/regeneration (using scaffolds, cell transplantation, and drug delivery), application of electrical fields to modulate healing and/or ...
THE CAUSE AND PREVENTION OF CERTAIN BROWN STAINS ON SEMIVITREOUS TABLEWARE1

It has been found that the brown stains formed on ware bedded in sand in the bisque fire are due to a reduction of iron in the sand. This reduction is apparently due to insufficient air in the saggers during oxidation of the ware when the kiln atmosphere is low in excess air. Firing the ware in saggers with holes to allow a circulation of air prevented the stains. The ware may also be fired in closed saggers without these defects by admitting sufficient excess air to the kiln and allowing more time at low oxidation temperatures.
Effect of Dose of Bovine Growth Hormone on Milk Composition: α-Lactalbumin, Fatty Acids, and Mineral Elements,

Abstract Tissue-specific effects of bovine growth hormone on lactating dairy cows were examined by analysis of milk composition. Milk samples were from 6 cows that received subcutaneous injections of 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 IU/d of growth hormone in a Latin-square design. Samples from the last 5 d of each 10-d treatment period were pooled for analyses of milk components. Concentration of α-lactalbumin in milk increased progressively across the treatment range up to 32% above controls (1.30 mg/nl) at the 100 IU dose. Specific α-lactalbumin synthesis (expressed as a percent of total milk protein) was also increased. Secretion of de novo synthesized fatty acids (short and medium chain length) in milk was increased, but response plateaued between the 50 and 100IU/d. Secretion of preformed (long-chain) fatty acids progressively increased across the entire dose range. Thus, the percentage of long-chain fatty acids in milk increased at the highest doses of hormone. Changes in fatty acid composition of milk were apparently related to energy status; the milk response to 50 and 100IU/d of growth hormone caused cows to be in or near negative energy balance. Exogenous growth hormone did not affect the concentration of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, copper, and manganese in milk. Results are consistent with growth hormone functioning in homeorhesis to coordinate the partitioning of all nutrients to support the increased secretion of milk and milk components.
A brief overview of evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain with surgery

The management of chronic low back pain (CLBP) has proven to be very challenging in North America, as evidenced by its mounting socioeconomic burden. Choosing among available nonsurgical therapies can be overwhelming for many stakeholders, including patients, health providers, policy makers, and third-party payers. Although all parties share a common goal and wish to use limited health-care resources to support interventions most likely to result in clinically meaningful improvements, there is often uncertainty about the most appropriate intervention for a particular patient. To help understand and evaluate the various commonly used nonsurgical approaches to CLBP, the North American Spine Society has sponsored this special focus issue of The Spine Journal, titled Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain without surgery. Articles in this special focus issue were contributed by leading spine practitioners and researchers, who were invited to summarize the best available evidence for a particular intervention and encouraged to make this information accessible to nonexperts. Although this special focus issue was focused on nonoperative care, it was deemed important to provide an overview of the surgical management of CLBP. This is intended to inform stakeholders of surgical options that are available to them should nonsurgical interventions prove ineffective or contraindicated. It is hoped that articles in this special focus issue will be informative and aid in decision making for the many stakeholders evaluating nonsurgical interventions for CLBP.
Foot placement and velocity control in smooth bipedal walking

For a walking robot to negotiate rough terrain it must adjust its step length to hit suitable footholds while simultaneously regulating its forward speed. This paper develops an algorithm to achieve these aims for a planar dynamic biped in the context of smooth exchange of support. The basis of the algorithm is an asymmetric gait to adjust walking velocity combined with a set of conditions on the leg lengths which ensure smooth exchange of support for any step size. The algorithm was tested on level surfaces in simulation and on an experimental biped robot. The algorithm could track a 30% change in desired walking velocity and a 25% change in desired step length.
Utility-based joint power and rate allocation for downlink CDMA with blind multiuser detection

We treat utility-based joint power control and rate allocation in a downlink code division multiple access system, where either the matched-filter or the blind multiuser detection technique is employed at the mobile receivers. Rate allocation is performed on a per-frame basis; whereas within the frame, power control is performed at the symbol basis. A hierarchical rate allocation scheme is proposed, which together with the utility-based power control and the opportunistic fair scheduling scheme, maximizes the instantaneous weighted system throughput and the number of feasible users, and at the same time, guarantees the fairness among all users. In order to apply such a resource allocation framework to systems employing blind multiuser detection, we make use of the recent analytical results on the signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio performance of the blind multiuser detectors, assuming multiple spreading codes are used to realize multiple data rates. Our results show that under the utility-based joint power and rate allocation framework, the system capacity is significantly enhanced by using blind multiuser detection and the fairness can be well guaranteed.
SteinerNet: a web server for integrating ‘omic’ data to discover hidden components of response pathways

High-throughput technologies including transcriptional profiling, proteomics and reverse genetics screens provide detailed molecular descriptions of cellular responses to perturbations. However, it is difficult to integrate these diverse data to reconstruct biologically meaningfulsignaling networks. Previously, we have established a framework for integrating transcriptional, proteomic and interactome data by searching for the solution to the prize-collecting Steiner tree problem. Here, we present a web server, SteinerNet, to make this method available in a userfriendly format for a broad range of users with data from any species. At a minimum, a user only needs to provide a set of experimentally detected proteins and/ or genes and the server will search for connections among these data from the provided interactomes for yeast, human, mouse, Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. More advanced users can upload their own interactome data as well. The server provides interactive visualization of the resulting optimal network and downloadable files detailing the analysis and results. We believe that SteinerNet will be useful for researchers who would like to integrate their high-throughput data for a specific condition or cellular response and to find biologically meaningful pathways. SteinerNet is accessible at http://fraenkel.mit.edu/ steinernet.
Multiple Comparisons: Comparisonwise Versus Experimentwise Type I Error Rates and Their Relationship to Power

Some statisticians contend that the experimentwise Type I error rate is the most important attribute of multiple comparison procedures to be used for making all possible pairwise comparisons among treatment means after an analysis of variance. That contention is challenged here. The importance of Type I errors is discussed as well as the occurrence of Type I errors in biological experiments. Also considered is the effect of Type I error protection on power. The two methods of measuring Type I error rate, comparisonwise and experimentwise, are explained, and the reader may decide which kind he wishes to control. Several references cited support Fisher's least significant difference and Duncan's new multiple range test despite their higher-than-nominal experimentwise Type I error rates. These procedures control the comparisonwise Type I error rates and are considerably more powerful in finding differences among treatments than procedures that control the experimentwise Type I error rates.
Montelukast Treatment of Urticaria

Objective:To review clinical trial data to determine the benefits of using montelukast alone or as combination therapy in the treatment of urticaria.Data Sources:MEDLINE (1966–March 2006) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970–October 2005) were searched to find clinical trial publications that addressed the use of montelukast in urticaria.Data Synthesis:Six clinical trials were identified. Montelukast was compared alone and as combination therapy with nonsedating histamine1-receptor antagonists to determine efficacy and safety. Patients had chronic or physical urticaria. The results were mixed. Some studies demonstrated that montelukast can decrease urticarial symptoms with minimal adverse effects, while others found no differences.Conclusion:Large-scale, controlled trials are needed to determine which patients would likely benefit from treatment with montelukast.
Use and importance of the NIH noncompeting continuation application.

Each year National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant recipients must submit a noncompeting continuation application before receiving continued federal funding. This paper describes the use and value...
Lipid Monolayer Line Tension Measurements and Model Convolution

Research into the phase separation of coexisting liquid phases in mixed phospholipid/sterol monolayer systems is an important experimental approach to understand the lateral inhomogeneities or “lipid rafts” within lipid membranes. We present measurements of line tensions between immiscible phases in mixed monolayer systems of phospholipids and the cholesterol analog 25-hydroxycholesterol. This hydroxycholesterol is an interesting modulation of the cholesterol structure for both its implicated pathological effect on the plasma cell membrane as well as its unique phase diagram. In addition to these experimental studies we will also discuss ongoing work to improve our line tension measuring tools. Model-convolution microscopy is a technique that can be used to assess the effectiveness of image processing routines by testing them against experimenter determined parameters. Here a theoretical model is used to generate the underlying structure of an image and this is convolved with the point spread function of light. We will also present results obtained using this technique to study the importance and necessity of the incompressibility constraint in the Fourier analysis of lipid domains.
Remarks Concerning the O(z alpha**2) Corrections to Fermi Decays, Conserved Vector Current Predictions and Universality

Finite-nuclear-size contributions to the O(Z${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}$) corrections to Fermi decays are studied for realistic nuclear-charge distributions. In conjunction with the results of Koslowsky et al. and recent papers by the author and Zucchini and by Jaus and Rasche, these refinements lead to an average value scrFt=3070.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.6 s for the accurately measured superallowed Fermi transitions. Correspondingly, ${V}_{\mathrm{ud}}$=0.9744\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0010 and ${V}_{\mathrm{ud}}$${}^{2}$+${V}_{\mathrm{us}}$${}^{2}$+${V}_{\mathrm{ub}}$${}^{2}$=0.9979\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0021 in good agreement with the three-generation standard model at the level of its quantum corrections. The agreement with conserved-vector-current predictions is very good, with each of the eight transitions differing from the average by l1\ensuremath{\sigma}. The consequences of using two other calculations of the nuclear mismatch correction ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{c}$, Wilkinson's microscopic analysis and the recent results of Ormand and Brown, are briefly discussed. A useful upper bound on scrFt, independent of the ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{c}$ calculation, is given.
Meridional Ekman Heat Fluxes for the World Ocean and Individual Ocean Basins

Abstract Monthly climatological estimates of wind stress and sea surface temperature are used to compute meridional Ekman heat fluxes in the world ocean. Qualitatively the annual cycles of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans are quite similar, but quantitatively, the Pacific estimates are up to several times larger than the Atlantic estimates. The Indian Ocean exhibits an annual mean southward flux over nearly all of the 24.5°N–31.5°S latitude belt, which qualitatively supports an annual mean net southward heat flux for this region as determined by surface heat balance requirements. A large southward heat flux in the Indian Ocean centered at about 7.5°N during Northern Hemisphere summer is responsible for a global Ekman heat flux distribution, with an annual cycle in the tropics that qualitatively resembles the results of Oort and Vonder Haar.
CHARACTERIZATION OF WETLAND HYDRODYNAMICS USING HGM AND SUBCLASSIFICATION METHODS IN SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN, USA

The hydrogeomorphic (HGM) wetland assessment method has been developed to provide a muchneeded, ecologically-sound means for classifying, assessing, and comparing wetland hydrodynamics and related functions. A first step in using the HGM is the identification of ‘biogeographical regions’ to characterize regional wetland subclasses. I found no attempts to test existing ecoregions or other subclassification methods in the glaciated Great Lakes basin for use with HGM. Two subclassification methods are tested here. One ecosystem classification (based on geology, climate, topography, and other large-scale variables) is compared with a method based solely on the permeability of underlying glacial deposits. Water-level fluctuation, conductivity, and alkalinity were monitored for three years to determine whether differences in hydrodynamics and water chemistry existed between depressional wetlands using either subclassification method. The hydrodynamics of inland wetlands differed significantly between subclasses based on either method. The permeability-based subclasses were also effective in differentiating wetland water chemistry. Aspects of the ecosystem classification, however, provided additional information not accounted for by the permeability-based method. Thus, the ecosystem classification provides better biogeographical regions for use with HGM in the glaciated Great Lakes basin.
High Temperature Mechanical Behavior of Nb5Si3/Nb Laminates

Two phase alloys based on the intermetallic system Nb5Si3/Nb system provide potentially superior combination of strength and toughness over their monolithic counterparts at high temperatures. To gain fundamental knowledge of the mechanical behavior of these materials, initial focus has been on the mechanical behavior of Nb5Si3/Nb laminates and composites at elevated temperatures. In this study, laminates have been fabricated at 32 at% Si with Nb, and a total laminate thickness of 2.1mm. Tests are being conducted on notched and unnotched tensile specimens. The unnotched specimens provide the overall strength and ductility of the laminate and a basis for comparison with notched specimens which provide information on crack propagation and ductile phase toughening effects. Results from samples with a variety of laminate spacings are being explored, and preliminary data will be presented.
Hospitalization after Cataract Surgery in a Nationwide Managed-Care Population.

Little is known regarding the extent by which patients undergoing outpatient cataract surgery are at risk for postoperative hospitalization. We sought to determine the percentage of patients undergoing cataract surgery who were subsequently hospitalized, the patient characteristics associated with postoperative hospitalization, and the reasons for hospitalization.We identified all beneficiaries of a large U.S. managed care network age ≥40 years old who underwent ≥1 cataract surgery from 2001-2011. All enrollees who required inpatient hospitalization within 7, 14, 30, and 90 days following initial cataract surgery and the reasons for hospitalization were determined. Logistic regression was performed to assess factors that significantly impacted the odds of requiring postoperative hospitalization.Among the 64,981 patients who underwent cataract surgery, rates of hospitalization within 7, 14, 30, and 90 days were 0.3%, 0.5%, 1.3% and 4.2%, respectively. Among the 10,674 patients who had no major preexisting medical comorbidities, 0.1% were hospitalized within 7 days. The odds of hospitalization increased by 35% (OR = 1.35 [CI, 1.23-1.48]) with the presence of each additional comorbidity and by 14% with each additional hospitalization in the 3 years prior to cataract surgery (OR = 1.14 [CI, 1.10-1,18]). Those who were hospitalized in the 30 days prior to cataract surgery had 524% increased odds of being hospitalized within 7 days after cataract surgery (OR = 6.24, [CI, 3.37-11.57]) compared to those with no record of preoperative hospitalization. Postoperative hospitalizations were most commonly due to cardiovascular conditions, comprising over 25% of primary diagnoses associated with hospitalization.The risk of hospitalization after cataract surgery is low, and is very low among those with no major preexisting medical comorbidities. Opportunities may exist to limit comprehensive preoperative evaluation and testing to those who have serious pre-existing medical comorbidities.
Transient seafloor venting on continental slopes from warming‐induced methane hydrate dissociation

Methane held in frozen hydrate cages within marine sediment comprises one of the largest carbon reservoirs on the planet. Recent submarine observations of widespread methane seepage may record hydrate dissociation due to oceanic warming, which consequently may further amplify climate change. Here we simulate the effect of seafloor warming on marine hydrate deposits using a multiphase flow model. We show that hydrate dissociation, gas migration, and subsequent hydrate formation cangenerate temporary methane venting into the ocean through the hydrate stability zone. Methane seeps venting through the hydrate stability zone on the eastern Atlantic margin may record this process due to warming begun thousands of years ago. Our results contrast with the traditional view that venting occurs only updip of the hydrate stability zone.
Expression of the ornithine decarboxylase gene in response to asparagine in intestinal epithelial cells

Refeeding fasted rats significantly stimulates mucosal growth and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of polyamines, but the exact mechanism responsible for induction of ODC at the molecular level is unknown. Of normal dietary constituents, the amino acid asparagine markedly increases ODC activity and mucosal growth when administered intragastrically. The current study examined the expression of the ODC gene in IEC-6 cells (a line of normal rat small intestinal crypt cells) after exposure to asparagine. Cells were grown in Dulbecco's minimal essential medium containing 5% dialyzed fetal bovine serum. They were deprived of serum for 24 h before experiments. Exposure to asparagine at the dose of 10 mM resulted in the rapid increase in ODC mRNA levels. The increased expression of the ODC gene began 1 h after and peaked between 3 and 5 h after treatment with asparagine. Maximum increases in ODC mRNA levels were approximately fivefold the normal value. Increased levels of ODC mRNA in cells exposed to asparagine were paralleled by increases in ODC protein and enzyme activity and cellular polyamine levels. The half-life of mRNA for ODC in unstimulated IEC-6 cells was approximately 30 min and increased to > 2 h in cells exposed to 10 mM asparagine. The half-life of ODC activity also was increased in asparagine-treated cells. When cellular protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide, asparagine superinduced ODC mRNA levels. Furthermore, asparagine also significantly stimulated DNA synthesis in IEC-6 cells. These results indicate that 1) asparagine stimulates ODC in IEC-6 cells through multiple pathways and 2) increased ODC mRNA levels result partly from a delay in the rate of degradation. These findings suggest that luminal amino acids stimulate gut mucosal growth in association with their ability to regulate ODC gene expression.
Movement and Other Neurodegenerative Syndromes in Patients with Systemic Rheumatic Diseases: A Case Series of 8 Patients and Review of the Literature

Patients with rheumatic diseases can present with movement and other neurodegenerative disorders. It may be underappreciated that movement and other neurodegenerative disorders can encompass a wide variety of disease entities. Such disorders are strikingly heterogeneous and lead to a wider spectrum of clinical injury than seen in Parkinson's disease. Therefore, we sought to stringently phenotype movement and other neurodegenerative disorders presenting in a case series of rheumatic disease patients. We integrated our findings with a review of the literature to understand mechanisms which may account for such a ubiquitous pattern of clinical injury.Seven rheumatic disease patients (5 Sjogren's syndrome patients, 2 undifferentiated connective tissue disease patients) were referred and could be misdiagnosed as having Parkinson's disease. However, all of these patients were ultimately diagnosed as having other movement or neurodegenerative disorders. Findings inconsistent with and more expansive than Parkinson's disease included cerebellar degeneration, dystonia with an alien-limb phenomenon, and nonfluent aphasias.A notable finding was that individual patients could be affected by cooccurring movement and other neurodegenerative disorders, each of which could be exceptionally rare (ie, prevalence of ∼1:1000), and therefore with the collective probability that such disorders were merely coincidental and causally unrelated being as low as ∼1-per-billion. Whereas our review of the literature revealed that ubiquitous patterns of clinical injury were frequently associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings suggestive of a widespread vasculopathy, our patients did not have such neuroimaging findings. Instead, our patients could have syndromes which phenotypically resembled paraneoplastic and other inflammatory disorders which are known to be associated with antineuronal antibodies. We similarly identified immune-mediated and inflammatory markers of injury in a psoriatic arthritis patient who developed an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-plus syndrome after tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-inhibitor therapy.We have described a diverse spectrum of movement and other neurodegenerative disorders in our rheumatic disease patients. The widespread pattern of clinical injury, the propensity of our patients to present with co-occurring movement disorders, and the lack of MRI neuroimaging findings suggestive of a vasculopathy collectively suggest unique patterns of immune-mediated injury.
Correlation of the critical micelle concentrations of surfactants with their effects on a bacterial demethylase.

SummaryThe activity of a sarcosine dehydrogenase isolated from a strain of Pseudomonas is enhanced by the addition of Triton X-100, Brij 35, and Tween 80, and is inhibited by deoxycholate and Sar-kosyl NL-97. 2,6-Dichlorophenolindo-phenol, which is used as the oxidant in the dehydrogenase assay, has also been employed as an indicator in the spectropho-tometric determination of the critical micelle concentrations (CMC) of both the nonionic and anionic detergents under conditions optimal for the enzyme analyses. A correlation between the activation or inhibitory activities of the surfactants and their CMC values has been established.A portion of these studies are from the thesis of J. T. Pinto, submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree, The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
A software tool to automatically assure and report daily treatment deliveries by a cobalt-60 radiation therapy device

The aims of this study were to develop a method for automatic and immediate verification of treatment delivery after each treatment fraction in order to detect and correct errors, and to develop a comprehensive daily report which includes delivery verification results, daily image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) review, and information for weekly physics reviews. After systematically analyzing the requirements for treatment delivery verification and understanding the available information from a commercial MRI-guided radiotherapy treatment machine, we designed a procedure to use 1) treatment plan files, 2) delivery log files, and 3) beam output information to verify the accuracy and completeness of each daily treatment delivery. The procedure verifies the correctness of delivered treatment plan parameters including beams, beam segments and, for each segment, the beam-on time and MLC leaf positions. For each beam, composite primary fluence maps are calculated from the MLC leaf positions and segment beam-on time. Error statistics are calculated on the fluence difference maps between the plan and the delivery. A daily treatment delivery report is designed to include all required information for IGRT and weekly physics reviews including the plan and treatment fraction information, daily beam output information, and the treatment delivery verification results. A computer program was developed to implement the proposed procedure of the automatic delivery verification and daily report generation for an MRI guided radiation therapy system. The program was clinically commissioned. Sensitivity was measured with simulated errors. The final version has been integrated into the com-mercial version of the treatment delivery system. The method automatically verifies the EBRT treatment deliveries and generates the daily treatment reports. Already in clinical use for over one year, it is useful to facilitate delivery error detection, and to expedite physician daily IGRT review and physicist weekly chart review.
Clinical application of 360 degree all-around gyration photography of HITACHI angiography system

This article describes the gyration DSA method,and compares it to common DSA method.It summarizes three good points of gyration DSA method in clinical use,and expects its good future.
Abnormal bleeding in childhood.

For general practitioners, who handle more than 85 per cent of all pediatric care, Postgraduate Medicine here presents authoritative, up-to-date summaries, prepared by specialists in pediatric problems.
MO-DE-207A-10: One-Step CT Reconstruction for Metal Artifact Reduction by a Modification of Penalized Weighted Least-Squares (PWLS)

Purpose: Metal objects create severe artifacts in kilo-voltage (kV) CT image reconstructions due to the high attenuation coefficients of high atomic number objects. Most of the techniques devised to reduce this artifact utilize a two-step approach, which do not reliably yield the qualified reconstructed images. Thus, for accuracy and simplicity, this work presents a one-step reconstruction method based on a modified penalized weighted least-squares (PWLS) technique. Methods: Existing techniques for metal artifact reduction mostly adopt a two-step approach, which conduct additional reconstruction with the modified projection data from the initial reconstruction. This procedure does not consistently perform well due to the uncertainties in manipulating the metal-contaminated projection data by thresholding and linear interpolation. This study proposes a one-step reconstruction process using a new PWLS operation with total-variation (TV) minimization, while not manipulating the projection. The PWLS for CT reconstruction has been investigated using a pre-defined weight, based on the variance of the projection datum at each detector bin. It works well when reconstructing CT images from metal-free projection data, which does not appropriately penalize metal-contaminated projection data. The proposed work defines the weight at each projection element under the assumption of a Poisson random variable. This small modification using element-wise penalization has a large impact in reducing metal artifacts. For evaluation, the proposed technique was assessed with two noisy, metal-contaminated digital phantoms, against the existing PWLS with TV minimization and the two-step approach. Result: The proposed PWLS with TV minimization greatly improved the metal artifact reduction, relative to the other techniques, by watching the results. Numerically, the new approach lowered the normalized root-mean-square error about 30 and 60% for the two cases, respectively, compared to the two-step method. Conclusion: A new PWLS operation shows promise for improving metal artifact reduction in CT imaging, as well as simplifying the reconstructing procedure.
Methane Partial Oxidation Using A (La0.6Sr0.4)(Ga0.8Mg0.05Co0.15)O3–δ Membrane

This article describes results on methane partial oxidation in (La0.6Sr0.4)(Ga0.8Mg0.05Co0.15)O3 ceramic membrane reactors. The thin membranes were fabricated by co-firing with porous composite NiO–La-doped Ceria (LDC) supports. A La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.2Co0.8O3-based composite layer on the air side of the membrane promoted fast oxygen reduction. Electrical measurements indicated that LSGMC showed good mixed conductivity and that oxygen transport was co-limited by bulk and interfacial processes. The O2 permeation rate during methane partial oxidation at 750 °C was ≈10–12 sccm/cm2, with a maximum syngas production rate of 60–70 sccm/cm2.
What’s Wrong with Post-Show Discussions?

In this chapter I critically examine what isn’t working in post-show discussions. I discuss the dearth of literature, playwrights’ dislike of them, and the lack of facilitator training, clear focus, and a trained audience, and how all of these factors conspire to create post-show discussions that satisfy very few who participate in them. This is not to say that all post-show discussions are bad, but that many are, causing playwrights to detest them and creating headaches for facilitators preparing them and audiences participating in them.
Cuteness, friendship, and identity in the brony community

I examine the practices of fan productivity and gender negotiation in brony fandom, the community of primarily college-age men who are fans of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (2010–). I examine the contours of brony textual and material practices, noting how productivity within the fandom plays a role in the negotiation of identity and community ethos. I also consider the implications of cuteness in the fandom and discuss how this aesthetic and its corresponding narrative have led to the development of a unique discursive mode among bronies, which I term the discourse of friendship. Drawing on Matthew Gutmann's theory of contradictory consciousness, I argue that the discourse of friendship is an innovative framework that encourages new ways of taking part in existing social institutions that destabilize hegemonic masculinity.
On the incorporation of arsenic (As) in GaN films by conventional MOCVD

Summary form only given. We report on the As incorporation in GaN films by atmospheric pressure MOCVD using AsH/sub 3/ and NH/sub 3/ as the As and N sources, respectively. The effect of growth parameters on the incorporation efficiency, including growth temperature, growth rate, layer thickness, ratio of AsH/sub 3/ and NH/sub 3/ flows for single layer growth, and the effect of growth interruption for multilayer growth, have been investigated. Of particular interest is the incorporation of As at a doping level. The optimum growth condition for the doping of As in GaN producing strong luminescence at a characteristic emission wavelength (/spl sim/480 nm) has been identified. The characteristic emission has been attributed to excitons bound at As isoelectronic impurities. Arsenic (As) concentration and its depth distribution are measured by SIMS. The crystal quality after As incorporation is demonstrated by X-ray diffraction rocking curve. Room temperature and low temperature cathodoluminescence (CL), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and imaging are used to characterize the optical properties. Results will be compared with As ion implanted GaN.
Imaging Surveillance in Patients After a Benign Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Thyroid: Associated Cost and Incidence of Subsequent Cancer

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to determine patterns and cost of imaging tumor surveillance in patients after a benign fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of the thyroid in a large teaching hospital as well as the rate of subsequent cancer detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This cohort study was approved by the appropriate institutional review board and complied with HIPAA. All patients who had a benign thyroid FNA biopsy between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2003, were identified from an institutional pathology database. We gathered information from electronic medical records on imaging tumor surveillance and subsequent cancer detection. Cost was determined using the facility total relative value unit and the 2014 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System conversion factor. RESULTS. Between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2003, 1685 patients had a benign thyroid FNA biopsy, 800 (47.5%) of whom underwent follow-up imaging. These patients underwent 2223 thyroid ultrasound examinations,...
Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Treatment.

ABSTRACTOver 70 years ago Dr. Karel Bobath and his wife Bertha Bobath began to craft the therapeutic intervention now known as neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT). This edition of Reviews, Tools, and Resources will highlight a historical review of research studies that have been completed, current websites, books, and blogs focusing on NDT.
The influence of wavelength-dependent absorption and temperature gradients on temperature determination in laser-heated diamond-anvil cells

In situ temperature measurements in laser-heated diamond-anvil cells (LHDACs) are among the most fundamental experiments undertaken in high-pressure science. Despite its importance, few efforts have been made to examine the alteration of thermal radiation spectra of hot samples by wavelength-dependent absorption of the sample itself and temperature gradients within the sample and their influence on temperature measurements while laser heating. In this study, we take (Mg, Fe)O ferropericlase as an example to evaluate the effects of these two factors. Iron-rich ferropericlase shows strong wavelength-dependent absorption in the wavelength range used to determine temperature, which, together with temperature gradients can account for largely aliased apparent temperatures in some experiments obtained by Wien fitting of detected thermal radiation intensities (e.g., an offset of ∼700 K for a 3300 K melting temperature). In general, wavelength-dependent absorption and temperature gradients of samples are two key ...
Fast Calculation of Protein-Protein Binding Free Energies Using Umbrella Sampling with a Coarse-Grained Model.

Determination of protein–protein binding affinity values is key to understanding various underlying biological phenomena, such as how missense variations change protein–protein binding. Most existing non-rigorous (fast) and rigorous (slow) methods that rely on all-atom representation of the proteins force the user to choose between speed and accuracy. In an attempt to achieve balance between speed and accuracy, we have combined rigorous umbrella sampling molecular dynamics simulation with a coarse-grained protein model. We predicted the effect of missense variations on binding affinity by selecting three protein–protein systems and comparing results to empirical relative binding affinity values and to non-rigorous modeling approaches. We obtained significant improvement both in our ability to discern stabilizing from destabilizing missense variations and in the correlation between predicted and experimental values compared to non-rigorous approaches. Overall our results suggest that using a rigorous affin...
Patient Safety and Quality Improvement in Otolaryngology Education: A Systematic Review.

ObjectiveThe breadth and depth of patient safety/quality improvement (PS/QI) research dedicated to otolaryngology–head and neck surgery (OHNS) education remains unknown. This systematic review aims...
Communication limits of on-chip graphene plasmonic interconnects

In this paper, we develop physics-based performance models of plasmonic single waveguide (SWG) and parallel-plate waveguide (PPWG) interconnects using multilayer graphene (MLG) stack. While the SWG supports transverse magnetic plasmon modes, in the PPWG geometry, quasi-transverse electromagnetic modes emerge as the eigen modes. Using complex dynamical conductivity of MLG obtained from the Kubo formalism, we quantify the impact of the number of layers, electrostatic screening length, and the electrochemical potential on the transport characteristics of plasmon modes up to the terahertz frequencies (< 2 THz). Analytical models of the frequency-dependent distortion and attenuation of a propagating THz Gaussian pulse through the plasmonic interconnect are derived. While PPWG interconnects offer near dispersionless transmission, they have higher signal attenuation compared to the SWG interconnects implying a higher energy-per-bit for PPWG interconnects. We show that the bitrate density of PPWG interconnects is (1–2) orders of magnitude higher than that of electrical interconnects for length scales up to 1 mm. However, the energy dissipation of plasmonic interconnects increases exponentially with interconnect length. As such, the optimal length scales for plasmonic interconnects are several tens to a few hundreds of micrometers. By establishing a clear link between the device- and material-level parameters with the system-level performance, we show that plasmonic interconnects outperform copper interconnects at near-short and semi-global length scales.