cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A voluntary breath-hold treatment technique for the left breast with unfavorable cardiac anatomy using surface imaging.

Purpose Breath-hold (BH) treatments can be used to reduce cardiac dose for patients with left-sided breast cancer and unfavorable cardiac anatomy. A surface imaging technique was developed for accurate patient setup and reproducible real-time BH positioning. Methods and Materials Three-dimensional surface images were obtained for 20 patients. Surface imaging was used to correct the daily setup for each patient. Initial setup data were recorded for 443 fractions and were analyzed to assess random and systematic errors. Real time monitoring was used to verify surface placement during BH. The radiation beam was not turned on if the BH position difference was greater than 5 mm. Real-time surface data were analyzed for 2398 BHs and 363 treatment fractions. The mean and maximum differences were calculated. The percentage of BHs greater than tolerance was calculated. Results The mean shifts for initial patient setup were 2.0 mm, 1.2 mm, and 0.3 mm in the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral directions, respectively. The mean 3-dimensional vector shift was 7.8 mm. Random and systematic errors were less than 4 mm. Real-time surface monitoring data indicated that 22% of the BHs were outside the 5-mm tolerance (range, 7%-41%), and there was a correlation with breast volume. The mean difference between the treated and reference BH positions was 2 mm in each direction. For out-of-tolerance BHs, the average difference in the BH position was 6.3 mm, and the average maximum difference was 8.8 mm. Conclusions Daily real-time surface imaging ensures accurate and reproducible positioning for BH treatment of left-sided breast cancer patients with unfavorable cardiac anatomy.
Vapor‐liquid equilibrium in the methane–n‐hexane–nitrogen system

Because varying amounts of nitrogen are found in hydrocarbon mixtures, a knowledge of vapor-liquid equilibrium ratios for hydrocarbon-nitrogen system is needed for petroleum reservoir studies and refinery calculations. Presented here are results of a quantitative investigation which shows how the K values of methane and n-hexane change when varying amounts of nitrogen are added to mixtures of the two hydrocarbons. Analyses of equilibrium phases at different conditions of temperature and pressure in order to completely describe the phase equilibria of the system are presented. Temperature intervals of 60°F., starting at 100°F., and going up to 340°F. were used. At each temperature equilibrium samples were taken at 500 lb./sq.in.abs. and the pressure increased in 500 lb./sq.in.abs. intervals with samples taken at each interval up to 5,000 lb./sq.in.abs. or the critical pressure, whichever was lower.
Comprehensive MRI simulation methodology using a dedicated MRI scanner in radiation oncology for external beam radiation treatment planning.

Purpose: The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in radiation oncology is expanding rapidly, and more clinics are integrating MRI into their radiation therapy workflows. However, radiation therapy presents a new set of challenges and places additional constraints on MRI compared to diagnostic radiology that, if not properly addressed, can undermine the advantages MRI offers for radiation treatment planning (RTP). The authors introduce here strategies to manage several challenges of using MRI for virtual simulation in external beam RTP. Methods: A total of 810 clinical MRI simulation exams were performed using a dedicated MRI scanner for external beam RTP of brain, breast, cervix, head and neck, liver, pancreas, prostate, and sarcoma cancers. Patients were imaged in treatment position using MRI-optimal immobilization devices. Radiofrequency (RF) coil configurations and scan protocols were optimized based on RTP constraints. Off-resonance and gradient nonlinearity-induced geometric distortions were minimized or corrected prior to using images for RTP. A multidisciplinary MRI simulation guide, along with window width and level presets, was created to standardize use of MR images during RTP. A quality assurance program was implemented to maintain accuracy and repeatability of MRI simulation exams. Results: The combination of a large bore scanner, high field strength, and circumferentially wrapped, flexible phased array RF receive coils permitted acquisition of thin slice images with high contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and image intensity uniformity, while simultaneously accommodating patient setup and immobilization devices. Postprocessing corrections and alternative acquisition methods were required to reduce or correct off-resonance and gradient nonlinearity induced geometric distortions. Conclusions: The methodology described herein contains practical strategies the authors have implemented through lessons learned performing clinical MRI simulation exams. In their experience, these strategies provide robust, high fidelity, high contrast MR images suitable for external beam RTP.
Glucose transporters and diabetes

Abstract Peripheral insulin resistance is a characteristic feature of obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), and the cause can be localized in part to a defect in glucose transport. GLUT4, the predominant glucose transporter in insulin sensitive tissues, undergoes striking tissue specific metabolic regulation; GLUT4 gene expression is reduced in adipocytes, and generally unchanged in muscle from insulin resistant humans and rodents. In adipocytes, lower levels of GLUT4 account for the glucose transport defect, whereas in muscle, impaired traffic or decreased function of GLUT4 at the plasma membrane may account for the defect. Future studies of GLUT4 translocation, fusion and exposure/activation will unravel the molecular mechanism(s) behind the development of insulin resistance.
The Term ‘Regular Solution’

IN 19201 I directed attention to the fact that the solubility of solids, plotted as a logarithm of mole fraction against reciprocal temperature, gives a family of curves in the case of solutions “where no molecular changes are involved”. In 19272 I designated such solutions as ‘regular’ and in 19293 I discussed the thermodynamic significance of this regularity, stating, in part: “From our picture of a regular solution as one in which orienting and chemical effects are absent, and in which the distribution and orientations are random, just as in an ideal solution, we may conclude that the probability of X2 [species 2] is the same in the two solutions [ideal and actual] and, therefore, that the difference in entropy is zero. We cannot expect this conclusion to hold unless the random distribution of molecules persists. We may expect further that a small correction should be applied to take care of the change in entropy accompanying changes in volume, given by (∂S/∂V)T = (∂P/∂T)V; or we may state our principle in the following form. A regular solution is one involving no entropy change when a small amount of one of its components is transferred to it from an ideal solution of the same composition, the total volume remaining unchanged.”
Cylindrical and spherical shock waves in monatomic conducting fluids

A previously derived first-order differential relation between shock strength and channel area variations, obtained when an initially uniform magnetohydrodynamic shock wave of arbitrary strength propagates with constant speed into an ideal, perfectly conducting, monatomic compressible iluid at rest, is integrated numerically to give a shock strength-area relation valid for channels with continuous area variation. Particular area distributions allow a discussion of converging cylindrical and spherical magnetohydrodynamic shocks. It is shown that near the center, the strengths of such shocks are independent of the applied magnetic field and are given by their gas dynamic values. The usual theory for gas dynamic shock propagation in non-uniform ducts is contained as a special case of the theory presented. (auth)
Crack Growth Behavior in Alloy 718 at 425°C

Subcritical crack growth behavior in Alloy 718 was studied at 425/sup 0/C under static, cyclic, and combined loads. The results are analyzed using linear elastic fracture mechanics. Crack growth was shown to be cycle-dependent at all stress intensities at this temperature and hold times up to 10 min have no effect on the crack growth rates. On the other hand, crack growth is shown to occur readily under static loads at stress intensities less than half of the fracture toughness value. Comparison of the present results with those published in the literature showed that while crack growth is cycle-dependent at 425/sup 0/C and time-dependent at 650/sup 0/C, at an intermediate temperature, 540/sup 0/C, it is time-dependent at low stress intensities and cycle-dependent at high stress intensities. Extrapolation of the present data shows that crack growth under static load could occur at temperatures above approximately 350/sup 0/C and this may be a limiting factor for Alloy 718 for some of its high temperature applications.
A computational texture masking model for natural images based on adjacent visual channel inhibition

Masking is a perceptual effect in which contents of the image reduce the ability of the observer to see the target signals hidden in the image. Characterization of masking effects plays an important role in modern image quality assessment (IQA) algorithms. In this work, we attribute the reduced sensitivity to the inhibition imposed by adjacent visual channels. In our model, each visual channel is excited by the contrast difference between the reference and distorted image in the corresponding channel and suppressed by the activities of the mask in adjacent channels. The model parameters are fitted to the results of a psychophysical experiment conducted with a set of different natural texture masks. Cross-validation is performed to demonstrate the model's performance in predicting the target detection threshold. The results of this work could be applied to improve the performance of current HVS-based IQA algorithms.
Dronabinol for the Treatment of Agitation and Aggressive Behavior in Acutely Hospitalized Severely Demented Patients with Noncognitive Behavioral Symptoms

Objective Behavioral disturbances occur frequently in demented individuals and greatly increase the burden of their care. The efficacy of pharmacotherapeutic treatment options is modest. This study was conducted to explore the efficacy and safety of dronabinol as an adjunctive treatment for agitation and aggressive behavior in severely demented patients. Methods Using a retrospective systematic chart review, we studied 40 inpatients from the McLean Hospital Geriatric Neuropsychiatry Inpatient Unit diagnosed with dementia and treated with dronabinol for behavioral or appetite disturbances. A group of geriatric psychiatrists consulted medical records to rate the patients' behaviors prior to initiation of dronabinol treatment and following up to seven days of treatment, using the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale, Clinical Global Impression, and Global Assessment of Functioning. Data on percentage of food consumed at each meal, sleep duration, and adverse events were also collected from medical records. Results The addition of dronabinol to patients' treatment regimens was associated with significant decreases in all domains of the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale. There were also significant improvements in Clinical Global Impression scores, sleep duration and percentage of meals consumed during the treatment periods. Twenty-six adverse events were recorded during dronabinol treatment, none of which led to medication discontinuation. Conclusion This report represents the largest studied cohort of dementia patients treated with dronabinol to date and confirms earlier reports that dronabinol can serve as an adjunctive treatment for neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia. Further research, including prospective controlled trials, is needed to clarify dronabinol's role in treating noncognitive behavioral symptoms of demented individuals.
Is Twitter a good enough social sensor for sports TV

The globalization of TV programming (especially in the Sports and Reality segments) is leading to a bewildering amount of choice for TV watchers. The social currency around knowing what's happening in these programs as they happen combined with notable undulations in the interestingness of these programs leads to a navigation problem for the TV watcher. The pervasive use of Twitter in conjunction with TV watching makes it a potential sensor for real-time TV, and therefore a building block in solving the user problem of interstitially navigating to the most interesting program at any point in time. Given that users have to tune into shows with peak moments as soon as those peak moments happen, interstitial navigation has to be high enough performance to enable TV event detection and user tune in within tens of seconds of the event. The question being addressed in this paper is - Do Twitter's social sensing capabilities have sufficient precision and timeliness to cater to the `extreme' navigation needs of sports fans? And if so - how can we design a TV event detection framework that can be extended to multiple sports, and beyond sports. We focus on navigation for sports programming in the narrative, as an extremely demanding TV application that also has high market attractiveness. However, we anticipate that the ideas and architecture proposed herein apply to any TV programming that lends itself to interstitial viewing, and elicits a high level of real-time user participation in social networks.
Mutations in the bacteriophage λ pL/oL region that spontaneously occur in plasmid pRPZ126

Abstract In a previous study (Chen and Porter, 1988), we isolated spontaneous mutations in a test plasmid that had occurred under non-selective conditions and assigned them to 1 of 6 different categories or groups. The test plasmid, pRPZ126, is a pBR322 derivative containing the bacteriophage λ immunity region with the cI857 allele so that plasmid-containing cells shifted to 42°C survive only if the expression of th λkil gene is prevented by mutation. 75% of the total spontaneous mutations obtained fall into two of these groups where there is no readily detectable change in plasmid size. The two groups differ in that the plasmids from the group 4 mutations are missing a specific HincII site while the plasmids from the group 5 mutations had no detectable plasmid change whatsoever. In this study, we randomly selected ten group 4 mutants and ten group 5 mutants and sequenced the λ pL/oL region of the mutant plasmid. Of the ten group 4 mutants (HincII site missing), five involved a 24- or 44-basepair detection in the pL/oL region of the plasmid. The other five group 4 mutants and four of the ten group 5 mutants were A-T to G-C transitions in the pL/oL region. The remaining six group 5 mutants did not demonstrate any sequence change in the pL/oL region of the plasmids. 8 out of 9 of these transition mutations occurred next to the 3′ end of 3 different 5′-PyGGNPuNTG-3′ sequences in the λ operator region, and this same sequence is found adjacent to the A-T to G-C transition hotspot in the lac operator region (Schaaper et al., 1986). The 9th mutation, where the A-T to G-C transition occurred one basepair away from the λ operator, was adjacent to a very similar sequence.
Liquid helium-cooled MOSFET preamplifier for use with astronomical bolometer

A liquid helium-cooled p-channel enhancement mode MOSFET, the 3N167, is found to have sufficiently low noise for use as a preamplifier with helium-cooled bolometers that are used in infrared astronomy. Its characteristics at 300, 77, and 4.2 K are presented. It is also shown to have useful application with certain photoconductive and photovoltaic infrared detectors.
Luminescence in ZnS, Se:Cu, Cl

Abstract A series of ZnS, Se phosphor alloys activated with 1·5 × 10 -3 Cu and 10 -3 Cl was investigated for the wavelength dependence of the excitation and quenching of photoluminescence and the photoluminescence emission. Glow curves and the temperature dependence of the photoluminescence were also studied. The objective of this work is simply to show the position of the recombination and trapping levels that exist in these materials as a function of the varying base lattice composition and band edge. A modified Schon-Klasens (1,2) model is shown to accommodate the data with a satisfactory degree of consistency. The chemical nature of the centers that are actually responsible for the levels is not deduced.
Clinical Decision Making in a Patient with Stage 5 CKD—Is eGFR Good Enough?

The development and widespread use of serum creatinine concentration–based prediction equations to calculate eGFR have been major advances for detection of patients with CKD and the epidemiologic study of CKD and its outcomes. However, these equations as well as those that also incorporate serum cystatin C concentration provide GFR estimates that, although reasonably precise on average, can differ markedly and in clinically important ways from actual GFR. Thus, it is important that clinicians who use these equations for clinical decision-making be familiar with their strengths and weaknesses and have an appreciation of their potential for error. More precise knowledge of actual GFR is important in certain clinical circumstances, including, as presented in this Attending Rounds, patients with stage 5 CKD, in whom decisions regarding dialysis initiation are necessary. Nephrologists should have the ability to accurately determine GFR when needed if clinical circumstances suggest inaccuracy of the calculated eGFR reported by the clinical laboratory.
Impaired platelet prostacyclin receptor activity: a monozygotic twin study discordant for spinal cord injury.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has been reported to occur prematurely in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Although persons with SCI have metabolic abnormalities that may predispose them to CAD, other potential aetiologies may also be operative. Increased platelet aggregation, among other factors, initiates thrombus formation at the site of the vessel injury, which may acutely obstruct arterial blood flow. Prostacyclin is known to have a beneficial effect to inhibit platelet aggregation and prevent thrombus formation, Platelets were studied from 12 pairs of monozygotic twins, one co-twin with SCI. Each twin pair had similar patterns of platelet aggregation with adenosine diphosphate (ADP), thrombin or collagen, as well as inhibition of platelet aggregation by prostacyclin (PGE 1 /I 2 ) and synthesis of cyclic adenosine mono phosphate (AMP) by the prostanoid. However, the twin pairs differed in their response to PGE 1 /I 2 inhibition of platelet-stimulated thrombin generation that was completely inhibited in non-SCI platelets but not in SCI platelets. Scatchard analysis of the binding of 3 H-prostaglandin E 1 , a stable prostacyclin receptor probe, showed the presence of one high-affinity (K d1 = 8.1 ± 2.8 nM; n 1 = 168 ± 35 sites per platelet) and one low-affinity (K d2 = 1-1 ± 0.22 μM; n 2 = 1772 ± 220 sites per cell) prostacyclin receptor in normal platelets, whereas in SCI platelets there was a significant loss (P<0.001) of high-affinity receptor sites (K d1 = 6.34 ± 1.80 nM; n 1 = 42 ± 11 sites per platelet) with no significant change in the low-affinity receptor sites (K d2 = 1.2 ± 0.23 μM; n 2 = 1860 ± 412 sites per cell). These discordant platelet findings in identical twin pairs raises the possibility of an environmental aetiology for accelerated CAD in those with SCI. The loss of inhibitory effect of PGI 2 on thrombin generation in the twin with SCI appears to be because of loss of platelet high-affinity prostanoid receptors, which may contribute to atherogenesis in individuals with SCI.
Population densities of selected soil-borne fungi and disease incidence in a crop rotation under varied weed-management systems

Abstract Varied weed-management systems were used in a 4-year field study in a barley-maize-pinto been-sugarbeet cropping sequence. Minimum, moderate, and intensive use of the herbicides cyanazine, desmedipham, dicamba, EPTC, ethofumesate, pendimethalin, phenmedipham, trifluralin and 2,4-D amine had no detectable effect on soil population densities of Fusarium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia or Trichoderma species. Fusarium root rot of pinto bean was associated with high population densities of Fusarium spp. in 1982 and 1983. Although several diseases were observed over the 4-year period, none was economically important and no control measures were warranted. Herbicides neither predisposed the crops to disease, nor did they suppress any disease or potential pathogen.
Refractive Index Effects on Radiation in an Absorbing, Emitting, and Scattering Laminated Layer

A simple set of equations is derived for predicting temperature radiative energy flow in a two-region semitransparent laminated layer in the limit of zero heat conduction. The composite is heated on its two sides by unequal amounts of incident radiation. The two layers of the composite have different refractive indices, and each material absorbs, emits, and isotropically scatters radiation. The interfaces are diffuse, and all interface reflections are included. To illustrate the thermal behavior that is readily calculated from the equations, typical results an given for various optical thicknesses and refractive indices of the layers. Internal reflections have a substantial effect on the temperature distribution and radiative heat flow.
A novel method of transthoracic lung nodule localization1

Abstract Introduction: High-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans now detect smaller pulmonary nodules than were ever detected before, which has created new clinical challenges regarding the timing and method of obtaining a tissue diagnosis. Video-assisted thoracic excisional biopsy is the preferred method of obtaining tissue, but with smaller lesions that are not pleural-based, localization is necessary because tactile evaluation is limited. This study evaluated the feasibility of the deployment of suture-ligated vascular embolization microcoils (microcoils) as a method for localizing peripheral pulmonary nodules before video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and compared the microcoils with hookwires. Methods Six 3-0 Prolene® microcoils and 6 hookwires were injected into 3 freshly harvested goat lungs. Fluoroscopy, CT, and direct visualization were utilized to evaluate the shape, location, and displacement characteristics of the deployed microcoils and hookwires. The forces required to displace these devices were measured by tensiometry. Displacement data were correlated with the force needed to deform a vascular embolization microcoil and hookwire out of tissue. An identical technique using a 4% agarose gel was performed to visualize the deformation characteristics. Results Significantly different loads (0.29 ± .03 vs 0.72 ± .27 lbs, p Conclusion Forces within the physiologic range will displace both microcoils and hookwires from lung tissue. The decreased rigidity of microcoils, their ability to be left in situ if necessary, and diminished disruption of lung parenchyma with displacement suggest that it is feasible to use this system in human subjects as a technique for pulmonary nodule localization before minimally invasive pulmonary resection.
Amino-acid sequence of the β -subunit of the (Na + + K + )ATPase deduced from a cDNA

The sodium/potassium-dependent ATPase [(Na+ + K+)ATPase], which establishes and maintains the Na+ and K+ gradients across the plasma membrane of animal cells, consists of two subunits, alpha and beta. Complementary DNA clones encoding the catalytic (alpha) subunit of sheep kidney and Torpedo californica electroplax enzymes have previously been isolated and characterized. However, there is little information concerning the primary structure of the beta-subunit, a glycoprotein of unknown function and relative molecular mass (Mr) approximately 55,000 (ref. 3). Here we describe the isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone containing the entire coding region of the beta-subunit of the sheep kidney (Na+ + K+)ATPase. We also discuss structural aspects of the protein and present evidence for a possible evolutionary relationship with the KdpC subunit of the Escherichia coli K+-ATPase.
Electrochemical approaches to the study of small molecule-protein reaction rates*

Summary The reduction kinetics of small molecule-protein reactions can be studied quite efficiently by the use of pulse polarography and differential pulse polarography. These results were obtained quite easily for relatively low concentrations of the mediator. It is only for differential pulse polarography that there is an absolute increase in the sensitivity when compared to chronoamperometry. This approach has been recently applied in our laboratory to low potential proteins such as spinach ferredoxin [9], where the requirements of low concentrations, small volumes and oxygen exclusion are quite critical. In addition, previous workers [10, 11] have shown that pulse and differential pulse polarography can be applied to stationary electrodes, which would greatly expand these approaches for small molecule-protein reaction studies.
The Trial of Japanese War Criminals in China The Paradox of Leniency

This article explores the trial of Japanese war criminals by the People’s Republic of China in the 1950s and explains why China decided to try these war criminals in a lenient and humanitarian way, why the trial was held only in 1956 and not earlier, and how these Japanese war criminals were persuaded to change their stance from stubborn denial to open confession of their guilt and regrets. Drawing on declassified documents concerning the trial released by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in May 2006, this article finds that the timing and the conduct of the trial were intertwined with China’s political strategy in relation to Japan at that period of time.
Rotatable Anisotropy in Composite Films

The anisotropy in the plane of the film of thin films of Ni evaporated on Mo-covered substrates and of oxidized Ni films has been measured as a function of field and temperature. At intermediate fields, 200–1200 oe, a large rotatable anisotropy is found, about an order of magnitude larger than the usual magnetic annealing anisotropy. At higher fields the rotatable anisotropy disappears and only the magnetic annealing anisotropy remains. The temperature dependence of the rotatable anisotropy indicates a connection with the antiferromagnetic character of NiO.
Electromagnetic scattering by arbitrary shaped three-dimensional homogeneous lossy dielectric objects

The recent development and extension of the method of moments technique for analyzing electromagnetic scattering by arbitrary shaped three-dimensional homogeneous lossy dielectric objects is presented based on the combined field integral equations. The surfaces of the homogeneous three-dimensional arbitrary geometrical shapes are modeled using surface triangular patches, similar to the case of arbitrary shaped conducting objects. Further, the development and extensions required to treat efficiently three-dimensional lossy dielectric objects are reported. Numerical results and their comparisons are also presented for two canonical dielectric scatterers-a sphere and a finite circular cylinder.
Thermal expansion coefficient of ZnSe crystal between 17 and 1080 °C by interferometry

Abstract The thermal expansion of ZnSe was measured by Fabry–Perot interferometry from 17 to 1080 °C during the heat-up of a seeded crystal growth experiment of ZnSe. The measured thermal expansion follows the two-step heating schedule very well. A single linear interpolation between the measured thermal expansion at 17 and 1080 °C gives a value for the thermal expansion coefficient, a as 4.95 × 10− 6 °C− 1. The estimated errors associated with a give its range of 4.60 to 4.99 × 10− 6 °C− 1.
Lars Onsager (1903–1976), Chemist-Physicist, on the Silver Anniversary of His Death

The Norwegian-born theoretical chemist-physicist Lars Onsager (1903–1976) received the 1968 Nobel Prize for Chemistry “for the discovery of the reciprocal relations bearing his name, which are fundamental for the thermodynamics of irreversible processes.” A recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees, which he did not receive until relatively late in life, he taught at the Johns Hopkins and Brown universities, but spent most of his academic career at Yale University (1933–1972). He spent his post-retirement years (1972–1976) as Distinguished University Professor at the University of Miami’s Center for Theoretical Studies, where he continued his work with several postdoctoral research fellows.
Origin of homoepitaxial faulted island growth on the Si(111) surface

Abstract Silicon homoepitaxy on Si(111) substrates has been studied using a novel growth technique which allows new details of the growth mechanism to be investigated. In agreement with earlier studies the growth of faulted Si(111) islands is observed. Under low-temperature growth conditions these faulted structures are the dominant growth nuclei on the surface. The preference for metastable structures is shown to be intimately related to the manner in which the rest-layer structure of the Si(111)-(7 × 7) reconstruction is gradually transformed into a bulk (1 × 1) structure — a transformation that is a prerequisite for Si(111) homoepitaxial growth. Nucleation is seen to occur rapidly following transformation of small triangular regions of rest-layer to a bulk (1 × 1) structure. However, nucleation events are explicitly avoided for which the island's edge runs along or closely parallel to the dimer rows that border these (1 × 1) regions. This repulsive interaction is suggested to result from excessive tensile stress due to rebonding along the island's step-edge. The repulsion is largest for the case of unfaulted islands since these islands and the (1 × 1) regions in which they are found always point in the same 〈112〉 direction. Under these conditions, faulted-island nucleation is favored since these islands point in the opposite 〈112〉 direction which largely avoids this repulsive interaction.
Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Reduction of Perioperative Mortality by Avoidance of Nontherapeutic Laparotomy

National trends indicate a longstanding decline in gastric adenocarcinoma due presumably to a decreasing prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection. Nonetheless, surgical outcomes continue to include relatively high morbidity and mortality rates owing to the advanced stage of disease encountered. We hypothesize that recent immigration patterns are responsible for a leveling off or even reversal of the declining incidence of gastric cancer associated with H. pylori infection. Furthermore, advances in preoperative tumor staging and nonoperative palliation currently permit better patient selection for operation with lower perioperative morbidity and mortality. A retrospective review of a consecutive case series at a public teaching hospital located in an area of high immigration was conducted that included all patients presenting, from 1995 through 2004, with gastric adenocarcinoma. For time comparison purposes, patients were divided into early (1995–1999) and recent (2000–2004) periods. There was no decline in the frequency of gastric adenocarcinoma among the study population over the 10 years. A total of 260 patients were treated of whom 137 (53%) underwent operation. The operation rate decreased and the gastric resection rate increased from the early period to the recent period as fewer incurable advanced stage (M1) patients underwent exploratory laparotomy and were palliated by nonoperative means. Perioperative morbidity and mortality rates also declined over time. Of the four total perioperative deaths, two followed 11 nontherapeutic laparotomies (18% mortality), whereas the only two additional deaths followed 122 curative or palliative laparotomies (2% mortality) (p = 0.034). We conclude that in an area of high immigration there has been no decline in gastric adenocarcinoma rates over the past decade, and the marked reduction in perioperative mortality was due to near elimination of nontherapeutic laparotomy.
Subnanomolar quantification of caffeine's in vitro metabolites by stable isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method for the quantification of subnanomolar levels of in vitro metabolites of caffeine by an isotope dilution gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric (GC–MS) assay has been developed and applied. Trideuteromethylated analogs of each primary metabolite were synthesized and added after incubations of caffeine with human liver microsomes high in cytochrome P4501A2. HPLC separation of the metabolites prior to GC–MS quantification allowed the isolation of theobromine and paraxanthine which coeluted by GC and enabled quantification over a larger dynamic range. Quantitative analysis was performed on the n-propylated derivatives by selected-ion monitoring of either the M+⋅ ions for the dimethylxanthines or [M−C3H6]+⋅ ions for 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid. For the least abundant metabolite (1,3,7-trimethyluric acid), the detection level on column was 200 pg. Replicate analyses exhibited intra- and inter-day variability of 4.2 and 7.9%, respectively. This assay has been successfully used in the quantification of caffeine's primary metabolites in more than 180 incubations, at varying substrate concentrations and with multiple enzyme sources.
Multi-Target Stool DNA Test: A New High Bar for Noninvasive Screening

Stool DNA testing has evolved into what is now a highly accurate and well-validated test for the screen detection of colorectal neoplasia. An optimized and automated multi-target stool DNA test (MT-sDNA) has achieved the same high point-sensitivities as reported for colonoscopy and significantly higher sensitivity than by fecal immunochemical blood testing for detection of early-stage cancer and advanced precancer. Thus, MT-sDNA sets a new high criterion standard for the noninvasive screen detection of colorectal neoplasia. With clinical application, MT-sDNA has potential to meaningfully address current gaps in our approach to CRC screening through benefits of its high accuracy on screening effectiveness, user-friendly features on patient compliance, and easy mail-out distribution on test access. The US Food and Drug Administration and Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services have recently completed their parallel reviews of MT-sDNA, which has just become available for clinical use. This review summarizes the recent clinical validation data on MT-sDNA, addresses central clinical questions at this front end of implementation, and touches on innovative future applications of stool DNA testing.
Enhancement of Photochemical Smog by N,N'-Diethylhydroxylamine in Polluted Ambient Air

A recent proposal for controlling photochemical smog by the addition to ambient air of 0.03 to 0.05 part per million of diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA) is shown to be invalid. The addition of DEHA in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 part per million to ambient air irradiated with sunlight in a dual outdoor environmental chamber caused marked increases in the rates of formation and concentrations of ozone, peroxyacetyl nitrate, and light-scattering particles.
When “Not” is Not Bad: A Re-Evaluation of the Use of Negatives

Previous literature has consistently shown that affirmative messages are understood more quickly and accurately than negative messages and that redundancy facilitates comprehension and response selection. However, it was unclear which of these two variables is the most important in the design of system-status messages that must be understood and acted upon. In our experiment, we compared affirmative and negative system-status messages when negative messages contained a word redundant with the appropriate action. The results indicated that affirmative messages were responded to more quickly and more accurately than negative messages only when the negative messages did not contain a redundant word. Redundant negative messages were more accurate than affirmative non-redundant messages.
High-Dose Methamphetamine Acutely Activates the Striatonigral Pathway to Increase Striatal Glutamate and Mediate Long-Term Dopamine Toxicity

Methamphetamine (METH) has been shown to increase the extracellular concentrations of both dopamine (DA) and glutamate (GLU) in the striatum. Dopamine, glutamate, or their combined effects have been hypothesized to mediate striatal DA nerve terminal damage. Although it is known that METH releases DA via reverse transport, it is not known how METH increases the release of GLU. We hypothesized that METH increases GLU indirectly via activation of the basal ganglia output pathways. METH increased striatonigral GABAergic transmission, as evidenced by increased striatal GAD65 mRNA expression and extracellular GABA concentrations in substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr). The METH-induced increase in nigral extracellular GABA concentrations was D1 receptor-dependent because intranigral perfusion of the D1 DA antagonist SCH23390 (10 μm) attenuated the METH-induced increase in GABA release in the SNr. Additionally, METH decreased extracellular GABA concentrations in the ventromedial thalamus (VM). Intranigral perfusion of the GABA-A receptor antagonist, bicuculline (10 μm), blocked the METH-induced decrease in extracellular GABA in the VM and the METH-induced increase in striatal GLU. Intranigral perfusion of either a DA D1 or GABA-A receptor antagonist during the systemic administrations of METH attenuated the striatal DA depletions when measured 1 week later. These results show that METH enhances D1-mediated striatonigral GABAergic transmission (1), which in turn activates GABA-A receptors in the SNr (2), leading to a decrease in GABAergic nigrothalamic activity (3), an increase in corticostriatal GLU release (4), and a consequent long-term depletion of striatal DA content (5).
How effectively do copper intrauterine devices prevent ectopic pregnancy

Objective. To assess the risk of ectopic pregnancy when using copper intrauterine devices relative to non-use of coniraception and female sterilization.Design. Case-control study.Material and methods. All cases diagnosed with a histologically verified extrauterine pregnancy and who became spontaneously pregnant in one Norwegian county from January 1, 1987 through to December 31, 1990 were eligible. Non-pregnant control women were chosen at random from the Norwegian Population Registry. Eligible for study were sexually active women, from 20 to 39 years of age, and who defined themselves as fecund. Included in the final analyses were 168 cases and 1,169 controls, who had all been previously pregnant. Statistical methods. Chi square test and unconditional logistic regression.Results. Compared with non-users of contraception, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) among current users of copper intrauterine devices was 0.09 (95% confidence intervals (CI); 0.06 0.13). Compared with women who were sterilized, the aOR of ...
Conditions influencing the development of design expertise: As identified in interior design student accounts

This study examines conditions impacting early design expertise development, as identified in student accounts of design education experiences. Thirty-eight interior design students participated in interviews. A constant comparative approach was applied to identify key themes. Findings indicate interviewees perceived conditions influencing their efforts at expertise development in the areas of interpersonal relationships; personal knowledge, skills, and attributes; pedagogical culture; and resources. While this study does not purport to identify conditions influencing design expertise development for all students, it does suggest such development cannot be assumed to concern only cognitive and other personal development factors. A proposed model, derived from findings, is illustrated and directions for future research are explored.
BIRCH: an efficient data clustering method for very large databases

Finding useful patterns in large datasets has attracted considerable interest recently, and one of the most widely studied problems in this area is the identification of clusters, or densely populated regions, in a multi-dimensional dataset. Prior work does not adequately address the problem of large datasets and minimization of I/O costs.This paper presents a data clustering method named BIRCH (Balanced Iterative Reducing and Clustering using Hierarchies), and demonstrates that it is especially suitable for very large databases. BIRCH incrementally and dynamically clusters incoming multi-dimensional metric data points to try to produce the best quality clustering with the available resources (i.e., available memory and time constraints). BIRCH can typically find a good clustering with a single scan of the data, and improve the quality further with a few additional scans. BIRCH is also the first clustering algorithm proposed in the database area to handle "noise" (data points that are not part of the underlying pattern) effectively.We evaluate BIRCH's time/space efficiency, data input order sensitivity, and clustering quality through several experiments. We also present a performance comparisons of BIRCH versus CLARANS, a clustering method proposed recently for large datasets, and show that BIRCH is consistently superior.
Cardiovascular Costs of Emotion Suppression Cross Ethnic Lines

Previous research has shown that inhibiting emotion-expressive behavior (emotion suppression) leads to increased sympathetic activation of the cardiovascular system [Gross, J.J. and Levenson, R.W. (1993). Emotional suppression: physiology, self-report, and expressive behavior. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 64(6), 970-986]. Ethnic differences have been reported in how frequently suppression is used as an emotion regulation strategy [Gross, J.J. and John, O. (2003). Individual differences in two emotion regulation processes: implications for affect, relationships, and well-being. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 85(2), 348-362]; however, it remains unknown whether there are ethnic differences in the physiological consequences of suppression. To test this, 168 participants from four ethnic groups (African American, Chinese American, European American, Mexican American) watched a disgust-eliciting film clip; half were instructed to suppress their emotions and half simply watched the film. Consistent with previous research, suppression was associated with decreased facial behavior, increased cardiovascular activation, and no impact on subjective emotional experience. Ethnicity failed to moderate these effects, indicating the generality of the cardiovascular consequences of emotion suppression across ethnic background.
Solution structure of human thioredoxin in a mixed disulfide intermediate complex with its target peptide from the transcription factor NFκB

Abstract Background: Human thioredoxin is a 12 kDa cellular redox protein that plays a key role in maintaining the redox environment of the cell. It has recently been shown to be responsible for activating the DNA-binding properties of the cellular transcription factor, NF κ B, by reducing a disulfide bond involving Cys62 of the p50 subunit. Using multidimensional heteronuclear-edited and heteronuclear-filtered NMR spectroscopy, we have solved the solution structure of a complex of human thioredoxin and a 13-residue peptide extending from residues 56–68 of p50, representing a kinetically stable mixed disulfide intermediate along the reaction pathway. Results The NF κ B peptide is located in a long boot-shaped cleft on the surface of human thioredoxin delineated by the active-site loop, helices α 2, α 3 and α 4, and strands β 3 and β 4. The peptide adopts a crescent-like conformation with a smooth 110° bend centered around residue 60 which permits it to follow the path of the cleft. Conclusion In addition to the intermolecular disulfide bridge between Cys32 of human thioredoxin and Cys62 of the peptide, the complex is stabilized by numerous hydrogen-bonding, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions which involve residues 57–65 of the NF κ B peptide and confer substrate specificity. These structural features permit one to suggest the specificity requirements for human thioredoxin-catalyzed disulfide bond reduction of proteins.
Popular White Teachers of Latina/o Kids: The Strengths of Personal Experiences and the Limitations of Whiteness.

This article presents a year-long qualitative study conducted in an “urban” high school, where 77% of the students were Latina/o and 100% of the teachers were White. A teacher in the school, the author studied four popular teachers for the (a) ways they could relate to students, (b) ways they could not relate, and (c) influences of teachers' Whiteness on relating. Findings show that teachers could relate to students through personal experiences but not through race or culture. Most teachers held exceedingly deficit views about the students' home lives, cultures, and families. Implications for the education of Latina/o schoolchildren are discussed.
A study of the reactions between rooftop test and expansion functions in inhomogeneously-filled stripline structures

Formulates closed-form expressions for the method of moment (MoM) reaction elements associated with x-directed, roof-top expansion and test functions that reside in inhomogeneously-filled stripline structures. This paper describes the first step in the extension of the capabilities of a recently developed full-wave layered interconnect simulator (UA-FWLIS). This simulator could previously only handle MoM reaction element evaluations associated with expansion and test functions in homogeneously-filled stripline structures. After a robust algorithm was developed for the computation of all the TM/sub z/ and TE/sub z/ modes for the inhomogeneous case, the Green's functions were incorporated into UA-FWLIS to allow for the evaluation of the MoM reaction elements in inhomogeneously layered stripline structures. In this paper, we use the resulting closed-form expressions for the reaction elements to compare the behavior of the reaction elements for the homogeneously-filled and inhomogeneously-filled stripline cases. These computational results for the reaction elements provide a better understanding of the physical phenomenology associated with coupling in stripline structures.
Discovery of a diaminoquinoxaline benzenesulfonamide antagonist of HIV-1 Nef function using a yeast-based phenotypic screen

HIV-1 Nef is a viral accessory protein critical for AIDS progression. Nef lacks intrinsic catalytic activity and binds multiple host cell signaling proteins, including Hck and other Src-family tyrosine kinases. Nef binding induces constitutive Hck activation that may contribute to HIV pathogenesis by promoting viral infectivity, replication and downregulation of cell-surface MHC-I molecules. In this study, we developed a yeast-based phenotypic screen to identify small molecules that inhibit the Nef-Hck complex. Nef-Hck interaction was faithfully reconstituted in yeast cells, resulting in kinase activation and growth arrest. Yeast cells expressing the Nef-Hck complex were used to screen a library of small heterocyclic compounds for their ability to rescue growth inhibition. The screen identified a dihydrobenzo-1,4-dioxin-substituted analog of 2-quinoxalinyl-3-aminobenzene-sulfonamide (DQBS) as a potent inhibitor of Nef-dependent HIV-1 replication and MHC-I downregulation in T-cells. Docking studies predicted direct binding of DQBS to Nef which was confirmed in differential scanning fluorimetry assays with recombinant purified Nef protein. DQBS also potently inhibited the replication of HIV-1 NL4-3 chimeras expressing Nef alleles representative of all M-group HIV-1 clades. Our findings demonstrate the utility of a yeast-based growth reversion assay for the identification of small molecule Nef antagonists. Inhibitors of Nef function discovered with this assay, such as DQBS, may complement the activity of current antiretroviral therapies by enabling immune recognition of HIV-infected cells through the rescue of cell surface MHC-I.