cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A freeze‐fracture study of the anterior and posterior latissimus dorsi muscles of the chicken

The sarcolemma, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), and T system of the anterior (tonic) and posterior (fast twitch) latissimus dorsi muscles of the chicken have been examined by the freeze-fracture technique, and quantitative data on the P and E fracture faces have been obtained. The fractured plasma membranes reveal (a) profiles of surface caveolae, (b) randomly distributed intramembranous particles ranging in size from 40–100 A in diameter, and (c) orthogonal assemblies composed of groups of 60 A particles in close association, and differences with respect to all three structures are present between the tonic (ALD) and fast twitch (PLD) muscles. In the ALD muscle, the surface caveolae are more uniformly distributed and have smaller openings than in the PLD muscle; the former muscle also has a two-fold higher caveolae density than the latter muscle. The intramembranous particles are more numerous in the ALD than in the PLD muscle in both fracture faces, but the orthogonal assemblies are fewer. The functional significance of these differences in the two fiber types are discussed. The fractured membranes of the SR have intramembranous particles (IMP's) approximately 80 A in diameter, with a two-fold higher packing density in the PLD than in the ALD muscle. This difference is present in both the longitudinal and cisternal components of the SR. In addition, there are collar-like expansions (CLE's) in the SR of the ALD muscle which are particularly poor in intramembranous particles. These particles are considered to represent Ca2+ transport ATP-ase, and the reduced density of IMP's could be a significant factor in the low calcium uptake and slow relaxation characteristics of the ALD muscle.
Investigation of Water Vapor Diffusivity Through GDL of a PEMFC

Water transport through the gas diffusion layer (G DL) of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is of critical importance in the operation of the fuel cell. In th is study, the transport of water vapor through the GDL is investi gated. A one-dimensional, single-phase heat and mass transfe r model is developed to investigate the diffusivity of water v apor through the GDL of a PEMFC. An experimental apparatus is developed to induce water vapor gradients across the GDL whil e varying humidity levels and flow rates comparable to actual fuel cell operational conditions. Experimental data is then used to extract an effective water vapor diffusivity from t he numerical model. Effective diffusivity was found to be 0.104 x10 -4 m 2 /s and the overall mass transfer coefficient was found to be 0.019 m/s at a temperature of 40°C.
Quantitative Determination of Bucindolol Concentration in Intact Gel Capsules Using Raman Spectroscopy

The ideal quality control method for pharmaceutical products should be capable of rapid nondestructive testing of intact tablets or capsules. Raman spectroscopy using near-infrared excitation is shown to be capable of obtaining useful spectral data directly from drug formulations in gel capsules and from the gel capsules inside blister packs. The Raman data collected from the capsules inside blister packs containing 0−100 mg of the active ingredient (bucindolol), when coupled with multivariate calibration, resulted in a calibration SEP of 3.36 mg. The largest source of error was found to be due to sample inhomogeneity. Even so, the method is shown to have significant potential as a rapid nondestructive quality control method for pharmaceutical samples.
Stratified lake and oceanic brines: Salt movement and time limits of existence1

Pronounced salt concentration gradients in five antarctic, arctic, and Pacific coastal lakes an be accounted for by diffusional transport of salt out of the deeper saline water layers. The computed values of the mean salt diffusion coefficients, based on the ages of salinity stratification, agree to within an order of magnitude with molecular diffusivities for four out of five lakes. This agreement suggests that no major mixing events occurred in the water column during the late historical stages of the lakes. Upper limit time estimates for the removal of most of the salt from the saline bottom layers range from 5,000 to 35,000 years, depending on lake depth. Historical records of deepening of the Great Bitter Lake owing to dissolution of a salt layer on the bottom suggest that dissolution was a diffusion controlled process. For the saline brines in the Red Sea Deeps, an assumption tllat they are transient structures leads to the following estimates of the time to mixing with Red Sea water: 103-10” years, if mixing takes place by diffusional transport of salt between the heavier and lighter brines, and lo”-10’ years, if salt diffuses from the brines upward. The geologically short range of times suggests that the possible recycling of evaporative brines through the deeper ocean could not affect the ocean water salinity for any- significant time intcgval. A stratified water column consisting of a denser saline layer below a fresher water layer, with neither external input nor removal of salt, would eventually become homogeneous owing to dispersal of salt by molecular or eddy diffusion. Thus, many stratified brine lakes and ocean basins, where composition or salinity gradients are pronounced, are likely to be in a transient state with respect to the distribution of dissolved species. The differences in salt concentration between the denser and lighter layers in natural bodies of water range from a few hundred milligrams per liter to the upper limits of hundreds of grams per liter in salt-saturated brines overlain by freshwater. Here we examine the vertical distribution of salt in a number of coastal brine lakes, arriving at the rates of salt transport through the water column, as well as the limiting estimates of the longevity of brine stratification. In some of the lakes we examine, the higher salinities of the deeper waters are related to entrapment of ocean water during the postglacial rise of the
Radiative exchange across a window and links to indoor energy demand

Abstract This work examines energy exchange between a window and the external environment with emphasis on the role of radiation in determining indoor energy demand. A set of radiometers monitored the flow of solar and longwave radiation to and from a window located in Chicago, IL from December to July. A model of energy exchange between the atmosphere, window and interior space allows estimates of the energy required to maintain indoor temperatures. Energy is lost to the atmosphere by sensible heat transport, longwave emission and reflection of sunlight, where the net effect of radiation is the difference between incoming and outgoing components. Sensible heat transport is the most important contributor to cooling, particularly in winter, while the direct effects of radiation are small, except in June and July. However, longwave radiation has a significant influence on the window's temperature. Radiative processes increase the temperature contrast between the window and the atmosphere, and thereby influence sensible heat transport. For the circumstance analyzed here, the action of solar and longwave radiation during December and January increases the demand for interior heating by a factor of four over what would exist in the absence radiant energy.
Characteristic updrafts for computing distribution-averaged cloud droplet number and stratocumulus cloud properties

[1] A computationally effective framework is presented that addresses the contribution of subgrid-scale vertical velocity variations in predictions of cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) in large-scale models. Central to the framework is the concept of a “characteristic updraft velocity” , which yields CDNC value representative of integration over a probability density function (PDF) of updraft (i.e., positive vertical) velocity. Analytical formulations for are developed for computation of average CDNC over a Gaussian PDF using the Twomey droplet parameterization. The analytical relationship also agrees with numerical integrations using a state-of-the-art droplet activation parameterization. For situations where the variabilities of vertical velocity and liquid water content can be decoupled, the concept of is extended to the calculation of cloud properties and process rates that complements existing treatments for subgrid variability of liquid water content. It is shown that using the average updraft velocity (instead of ) for calculations of Nd, re, and A (a common practice in atmospheric models) can overestimate PDF-averaged Nd by 10%, underestimate re by 10%–15%, and significantly underpredict autoconversion rate between a factor of 2–10. The simple expressions of presented here can account for an important source of parameterization “tuning” in a physically based manner.
CO oxidation over Pd and Cu catalysts V. Al2O3-supported bimetallic Pd$z.sbnd;Cu particles

Bimetallic Cu-rich (91% Cu) particles dispersed on δ-Al2O3 were characterized by chemisorption, in situ IR spectroscopy, and catalytic behavior in the oxidation of CO by O2. On fresh reduced catalysts hydrogen chemisorption was near zero, and irreversible CO adsorption was low at 300 K but substantially higher at 195 K. Shorter reduction times (3 h) at 573 K produced a strong IR peak near 2120 cm− in the presence of gas-phase CO, which is indicative of CO chemisorbed on an oxygen-covered Cu surface or on Cu1+ sites, while longer reduction times (18 h) at 573 K shifted the peak to 2105 cm−1, which is near that reported for CO on more open Cu crystal planes. On the reduced bimetallic surface CO bands that could be attributed to multiple coordination Pd sites, i.e., ensembles of two or more Pd atoms, were extremely weak, and the 2070 cm− peak attributable to CO adsorption on singlet Pd sites was either absent or difficult to resolve from the overlap of the 2105 cm−1 band for CO on the Cu atoms. However, under reaction conditions, CO adsorbed on Cu gave a peak between 2115 and 2120 cm−1, and a weaker broadband developed between 1850 and 2000 cm−1 which was attributed to CO multiply coordinated on ensembles of Pd atoms. This behavior clearly showed an interaction between Cu and Pd and demonstrated bimetallic particle formation. The kinetic behavior established that Pd not only was present at the surface but also dominated the reaction at low CO pressures and gave a −0.5 rate dependence on CO. In contrast, the catalytic activity was similar to the Cu-only catalyst at higher CO pressures and the rate dependence on CO shifted to 0.7. Thus, the contribution to the overall rate from each metal component was approximately additive and each was similar to that observed on the single metal catalysts; however, the TOF for Pd atoms in a Cu matrix may be greater due to the higher surface concentration of oxygen provided by the Cu atoms. None of the catalytic behavior appeared to be due to a ligand (or electronic) effect in this bimetallic system.
Preliminary Evaluation of the Effects of Quenching and Inner-filter on the Ratio Deconvolution of Fluorescence Data

The theory for the use of quenching as an aid in the ratio deconvolution of multicomponent fluorescence data is discussed. The advantage of quenching is that apparent changes in the relative fluorescence intensity of the components can be accomplished without extensive sample preparation. The disadvantage is that most quenchers exhibit significant absorption in the range of excitation wavelengths used for studying many fluorescent analytes. This absorption produces an attenuation of the excitation beam through an "inner-filter" mechanism. The problems associated with inner-filter effects are discussed.
1010 REOVIRUS TYPE 3 ANTIBODIES IN THE SERA OF INFANTS WITH BILIARY ATRESIA

Although a viral etiology for biliary atresia(B.A.) has been suspected, no viral isolates or antibody responses have been consistently correlated with the disease. Because our studies on the hepatobiliary injury in mice inoculated with reovirus type 3 (Reo 3) have shown that many stages of the human and rodent microscopic pathology are similar (Bangaru,et al, Lab.Invest.43,456,1980), we have studied Reo 3 antibody responses in 15 infants with B.A. When neutralization tests were used, the sera from 2 babies demonstrated rising antibody titers to Reo 3. When antibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence using Reo 3 infected L cells as antigen in a coded protocol, 8 of 15 (53%) of babies with B.A. had Reo 3 antibodies. Some of these positive sera were shown to contain viral specific IgM. Only 1 of 18 (6%) of the controls had similar antibody (P<.001). Neutralization tests measure response to only 1 of 10 Reo 3 proteins; however, fluorescent antibodies probably recognize additional proteins. None of these children had antibody responses to cytomegalovirus, toxoplasma, rubella or herpesvirus nor had HBsAg. We have been unable to isolate Reo 3 from stool, throat or liver specimens taken from babies with B.A.; however, at a corresponding stage of the murine Reo 3 disease, no virus can be recovered. These observations are consistent either with the persistence of defective Reo 3 or continuing immunologic mediated tissue damage. In contrast to the common, asymptomatic acquisition of Reo 3 antibodies later in childhood, our results suggest that neonatal infections with Reo 3 are related to hepatobiliary disease.
Virtual worlds and moral evaluation

Consider the multi-user virtual worlds of online games such as EVE and World of Warcraft, or the multi-user virtual world of Second Life. Suppose a player performs an action in one of these worlds, via his or her virtual character, which would be wrong, if the virtual world were real. What is the moral status of this virtual action? In this paper I consider arguments for and against the Asymmetry Thesis: the thesis that such virtual actions are never wrong. I also explain how the truth of the Asymmetry Thesis is closely aligned with the possibility of what Edward Castronova has called closed synthetic worlds. With some qualifications, the ultimate conclusion is that the Asymmetry Thesis is false and that these closed worlds are impossible.
Porous pad separation and loosening of Harris-Galante femoral hip components.

Abstract Failure of the bond between the metal beads and the solid substrate of porous-coated chrome—cobalt femoral components, or so-called “bead shedding,” has been reported previously and may indicate motion of the component within the femur or mechanical loosening of the prosthesis. Failure of the bond between a sintered titanium fibermesh pad and a titanium alloy femoral stem has not been documented in the literature to date. The separation of fibermesh pads from three Harris—Galante femoral prostheses (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN) is reported.
Computation of steady flow in the molten pool at electric-arc heating

Peculiarities of the formation of melt hydrodynamics in the molten pool of electric arc as a result of a viscous interaction with the arc plasma flow and the effect of electromagnetic forces are considered. It is shown that in a relatively shallow pool, the role of viscous interaction with plasma flow predominates electromagnetic forces. In a deeper pool, the flow in peripheral upper region is formed as before by a viscous interaction between plasma and melt, and the electromagnetic forces dominate in deep regions.
Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic data for a ternary complex between tissue factor, factor VIIa and a BPTI-derived inhibitor

Abstract The binding of tissue factor (TF) with the serine protease coagulation factor VIIa (VIIa) is the initial trigger for activation of the coagulation protease cascades. In complex with TF, VIIa has profoundly enhanced function in the limited proteolytic activation of the natural substrate factors X and IX. Here we report the screening and identification of crystallization conditions to produce diffraction quality crystals of the complex between TF · VIIa and a potent inhibitor (5L 15) derived from mutagenesis of the bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) sequence. The complex crystals were obtained from the soluble extracellular domain of tissue factor, expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein, VIIa expressed in mammalian cells and recombinant 5L15. Because only 1.5 mg of complex were available for this work, a reverse screening based strategy was used in the search and optimization of the crystallization conditions. Two different crystal forms were obtained from polyethylene glycol 4000 and monomethyl polyethylene glycol 2000 with cacodylate buffer at pH 6.5 in the presence of sodium and calcium ions. The addition of magnesium and zinc have profound effects on the crystallization. Both crystal forms are trigonal with cell parameters a = b = 129.3 A , c = 110.8 A and a = b = 67.2 A , c = 314.8 A diffracting to 7 and 3.2 A resolution, respectively, each with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. Complete data sets have been collected from each of these forms to the resolution to which the crystals diffract. A structural understanding of the interaction of VIIa with its cofactor TF to form a binary enzyme, and its inhibition by 5L15 will provide a basis for the development of antithrombotic strategies.
Sodium conductance in cultured myenteric AH-type neurons from guinea-pig small intestine

Abstract Whole-cell patch clamp methods were used to investigate sodium conductance in after-hyperpolarization-type (AH) enteric neurons in culture after dissociation from the myenteric plexus of guinea-pig small intestine. Inward current carried by Na + ( I Na ) was identified and its current–voltage characteristics were compared with those for inward Ca 2+ current ( I Ca ). The I Na current was a rapidly inactivating current relative to I Ca . Application of tetrodotoxin (TTX) blocked I Na with an EC 50 of 10.7 nM. Activation curves for I Na showed a rapid decrease in time to peak for test potentials from holding potentials of −80 mV to between −40 and −10 mV. Voltage-dependence of steady-state inactivation curves for I Na was fit to the Boltzmann equation with potential for half-inactivation ( V 1/2 )=−55.6 mV and slope factor ( k )=6.4 mV. Steady-state inactivation for I Ca fit the Boltzmann equation with a V 1/2 =−38.9 mV and k =14.4 mV. Kinetics for inactivation of I Na were voltage dependent at potentials between −70 and −30 mV and accelerated and became less voltage-dependent at more positive potentials. The time constant ( τ ) for inactivation at −70 mV was τ =161±23 ms and decreased to τ =2.3±0.2 ms at −30 mV. Rapid acceleration of inactivation occurred between −50 and −40 mV. This was also the range where activation began. Recovery from inactivation with the membrane potential clamped at −100 or −80 mV was rapid and fit by a single exponential with τ =7.3±1.1 ms for −100 mV and 21.5±5.1 ms for −80 mV. The results suggest that AH-type enteric neurons have only one type of Na + channel that behaves like the “classical” voltage-gated tetrodotoxin-sensitive fast channel. The findings support the hypothesis that I Na current is an important factor in determination of excitability and firing behavior in AH neurons. I Na and I Ca together determine the properties of the rising phase of the spike and thereby contribute to global determinants of excitability as the neurons are exposed to multiple depolarizing and hyperpolarizing stimuli from synaptic inputs and mediators released from enteroparacrine cells.
A computer program to assist with sampling design in the comparison of natural and constructed wetlands

Statistically sound comparisons of natural and constructed wetlands are complicated by variability between and within wetlands. This paper demonstrates the use of a SAS® program that estimates sampling effort and allocates that effort among number of wetlands, number of stations within wetlands, and number of samples to be collected at each station. Estimates are based upon variances known from pre-existing data, desired statistical power and critical effect, and project budget. The program is used to generate a sampling design for comparison of chironomid populations of natural and constructed freshwater herbaceous wetlands in central Florida.
Relationships of the Host, Pathogen, and Environment: Implications for Diseases of Cultured and Wild Fish Populations

Abstract Many effects of diseases on cultured fish are known; they are less clear in wild fish populations. Cultured fish represent captive populations that can be subjected to intense scrutiny with an increasing range of diverse and powerful tools. Disease represents a spectrum from acute mortality to rather benign or inconsequential syndromes, all sharing the common feature of a deviation from the normal structure or function of the host. Understanding these deviations among cultured and wild fish populations and balancing their implications against ecological, economic, and political concerns are challenges for both fish health scientists and fisheries managers. The severity of a given disease is dependent on the interaction of numerous variables of the host, the parasite, and the environment. To understand diseases and their impacts on fish populations, we must know which variables are important, how we measure them, and finally how we assess the results of our measurements. We have perhaps been most ...
PTB or not PTB – that is the question

Phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domains are structurally conserved modules found in proteins involved in numerous biological processes including signaling through cell-surface receptors and protein trafficking. While their original discovery is attributed to the recognition of phosphotyrosine in the context of NPXpY sequences – a function distinct from that of the classical src homology 2 (SH2) domain – recent studies show that these protein modules have much broader ligand binding specificities. These studies highlight the functional diversity of the PTB domain family as generalized protein interaction domains, and reinforce the concept that evolutionary changes of structural elements around the ligand binding site on a conserved structural core may endow these protein modules with the structural plasticity necessary for functional versatility.
Inter-rater reliability of a clinical staging of HIV-associated cognitive impairment

Objective: To determine the inter-rater reliability of a modification of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering (MSK) Staging for HIV-associated cognitive impairment. Methods: Data were abstracted on neurologic, neuropsychological, and functional status on 100 individuals participating at four sites in the Northeast AIDS Dementia (NEAD) Consortium cohort study, a longitudinal study of predictors of cognitive impairment in HIV-infected individuals. Neuropsychological performance was defined 1) based on the neuropsychologist’s global impression and 2) solely based on neuropsychological test scores. Raters at each site used the abstracted data to assign an MSK stage to each subject blind to any identifying information. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using kappa statistics. Agreement between computer-generated ratings and site-generated ratings was also assessed. Results: Kappa statistics for pair-wise agreement among the sites regarding MSK stage ranged from 0.70–0.91, representing good to excellent agreement between sites. Agreement between computer-generated ratings and site-generated ratings was in the good to excellent range (0.62–0.79). Conclusions: The authors have modified the MSK rating scale and developed a reliable instrument that can be used in multicenter studies. This instrument will be useful in staging HIV-dementia in future longitudinal studies and will be valuable in increasing accuracy of clinicopathologic studies.
Cross-linked polymers in the red cell membranes of a patient with Hb-Koln disease

Membranes isolated from the red cells of a Hb-Koln patient were shown to contain appreciable amounts of N epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine, the characteristic product of the post-translational cross-linking of proteins by transglutaminase. Such an apparently irreversible fusion of membrane proteins may contribute to the membrane defect in Hb-Koln disease.
Selectide Technology: Substrate Motif Identification for Post-translational Modifications

Abstract The random synthetic peptide library screening method based on the "one-bead one-peptide concept" (Selectide Process) can be used as a general method for the identification of peptide substrate motif for post-translational modifications. We applied this method to the cAMP-dependent protein kinase system and were able to rapidly identify a peptide motif (RRXS) that exactly matched that described for its natural substrates.
A New Orthogonal Lead for P Synchronous Pacing

P synchronous pacing has long been identified as advantageous for patients with atrioveniricular conduction defects and intact sinus node function. Prior endocavitury systems have been infrequently employed, because of unreliable P wave sensing from standard ring electrodes in the atrium or the requirement for a second atriaJ sensing lead. A single endocardial lead employing a unipolar ventricular stimulating electrode and an orthogonal P wave sensing design was developed and tested in 22 patients undergoing electrophysiologic study or pacemaker implantation. Thirteen centimeters from the stimulating tip of a standard permanent pacing lead, three or four electrodes with a surface area of one millimeter squared, equidistant from the tip, were placed circumferentially about the catheter. With the catheter tip normally placed in the right ventricular apex, atrial sensing eJectrodes were positioned in the mid-high lateral right atrium, adjacent to, but not affixed to, the right atrial wall. Bipolar orthogonal leads X and Y were obtained. In 22 patients, during sinus rhythm, atrial electrogram voltages in the X axis of 2.47 plus or minus 1.6 millivolts and 2.32 plus or minus 1.6 millivolts in the Y axis were recorded. QRS voltages of 0.078 millivolts and 0.073 millivolts, respectively, allowed dramatic ability to discriminate P from QRS complexes (P/QRS equals 32/1). There was no change in QRS voltages recorded during spontaneous premature ventricular contractions, bipolar or unipolar ventricular pacing. A single catheter designed for P synchronous pacing empJoying circumferentially placed atrial sensing electrodes has demonstrated unique atrial sensing voltages with excellent QRS signal rejection. (PACE, Vol. 4, November-December, 1981)
Simulated extreme value fatigue sensitivity to inclusions and pores in martensitic gear steels

The objective of this work is to model the sensitivity of high cycle fatigue resistance of secondary hardening martensitic gear steels to variability in extrinsic inhomogeneities such as primary inclusions, and pores, coupled with intrinsic microstructure variability. A simplified approach is presented to quantify the variability in the driving force for fatigue crack formation in the matrix at non-metallic inclusions and pores in lath martensitic gear steels using a three-dimensional crystal plasticity constitutive model. The utility of a simulation-based strategy for exploring sensitivity of minimum fatigue lifetime (low probability of failure) to microstructure lies in its inherent capability to consider parametric simulations of hundreds of inclusions and microstructures in contrast to limited numbers of physical experiments. Experiments are used to calibrate the polycrystalline cyclic stress–strain response and mean (50% probability) fatigue crack formation life. Several remote loading conditions are considered in the high cycle fatigue (HCF) regime relevant to typical gear applications. Idealized inhomogenieties (spherical) in the form of hard (Al2O3), soft inclusions (La2O2S), and pores are systematically investigated in this parametric computational study. Relations between remote loading conditions and local plasticity are discussed as a function of stress amplitude and microstructure. The maximum plastic shear strain range is used in the modified form of Fatemi–Socie parameter evaluated at the grain scale as a measure of the driving force for fatigue crack formation (nucleation and early growth to lengths on the order of several times the average grain size). Multiple realizations of the polycrystal microstructure are considered to obtain a statistical distribution of this fatigue indicator parameter (FIP). The results are used to construct an extreme value Gumbel distribution of the FIPs for the selected microstructures. Subsequently, a computational micromechanics based minimum life estimate that corresponds to 1% fatigue crack formation probability is calculated.
WE-D-T-6E-07: Incorporating Clinical Outcome Data Into IMRT Inverse Planning

Purpose: To develop a biologically more sensible yet clinically practical framework for IMRT planning by incorporation of existing clinical endpoint data. Method and Materials: To effectively integrate outcome data into inverse planning, two critical steps are (i) identifying the variable that characterizes the dose‐volume status of an organ; and (ii) writing the objective function as a function of the variable with consideration of outcome data. The concept of effective volume is extended to the voxel domain for this purpose. For a dose‐volume structure, the objective function depends not only the dose, but also its volumetric status. When compared with conventional quadratic function, the effect of the new scheme is to modulate the penalty distribution by applying more penalties on those high‐dose voxels, and vice versa. The modulation is organ dependent and determined by the clinical outcome data. An iterative algorithm is used to optimize the system. The new formalism is applied to plan a head‐and‐neck case and a prostate case. The results are compared with that obtained using the quadratic objective function with DVH constraints. Results: The technique provides clinically sensible ranking of competing IMRT plans. For parotid glands, for example, it yields the same score when the glands are irradiated 15Gy to 67%, or 30Gy to 30%, or 45Gy to 24% of the volume since they lead to the same outcome. On the contrary, the quadratic function yields different rankings for the three scenarios. Comparison with conventional technique indicated that, for the same target coverage, critical structure sparing is substantially improved for both cases. Conclusion: A new penalty scheme, in which the voxels are penalized differentially according to clinical outcome data, is proposed. The sub‐optimal performance of the current dose‐based inverse planning can be substantially improved by considering outcome data.
The longest upsequence: a new implementation

In his beautiful paper [2], E. W. Dijkstra discusses an algorithm to find the length of the longest upsequence of a given sequence. Given a sequence s of N elements, a subsequence of s is called an upsequence if and only if it contains no element with a right-hand neighbor smaller than itself [2]. This short paper discusses an implementation for finding an upsequence of a given sequence of integers. The method adopted is a slight variation of Dijkstra's algorithm given in [2]. The basic idea is to construct a binary tree similar to binary search tree, and traverse the tree in a particular order.
Avoiding Symmetry-Breaking Spatial Non-Uniformity in Deformable Image Registration via a Quasi-Volume-Preserving Constraint

The choice of a reference image typically influences the results of deformable image registration, thereby making it asymmetric. This is a consequence of a spatially non-uniform weighting in the cost function integral that leads to general registration inaccuracy. The inhomogeneous integral measure – which is the local volume change in the transformation, thus varying through the course of the registration – causes image regions to contribute differently to the objective function. More importantly, the optimization algorithm is allowed to minimize the cost function by manipulating the volume change, instead of aligning the images. The approaches that restore symmetry to deformable registration successfully achieve inverse-consistency, but do not eliminate the regional bias that is the source of the error. In this work, we address the root of the problem: the non-uniformity of the cost function integral. We introduce a new quasi-volume-preserving constraint that allows for volume change only in areas with well-matching image intensities, and show that such a constraint puts a bound on the error arising from spatial non-uniformity. We demonstrate the advantages of adding the proposed constraint to standard (asymmetric and symmetrized) demons and diffeomorphic demons algorithms through experiments on synthetic images, and real X-ray and 2D/3D brain MRI data. Specifically, the results show that our approach leads to image alignment with more accurate matching of manually defined neuroanatomical structures, better tradeoff between image intensity matching and registration-induced distortion, improved native symmetry, and lower susceptibility to local optima. In summary, the inclusion of this space- and time-varying constraint leads to better image registration along every dimension that we have measured it.
Three-dimensional imaging of ureter with endoscopic optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVES To verify the ability to identify the layered structures of the ureteral wall and to image a segment of the ureter in 3 dimensions with high-speed, endoscopic optical coherence tomography (EOCT). METHODS We imaged a porcine ureter ex vivo using a spectral-domain EOCT with a specially designed circumferential scanning fiber catheter. The images were correlated with the histologic findings to identify the corresponding structures. Three-dimensional images and en face images at different depths from the luminal surface were reconstructed from the multiple cross-sectional images to visualize the layered structure of a segment of the ureter from different perspectives. RESULTS The EOCT images clearly revealed all layers of the ureteral wall as shown in the histologic images. In particular, with the specially designed fiber catheter, the light beam was well centered during the rotation and pull back, allowing constant acquisition of high-fidelity images and unambiguous identification of the smooth muscle layers in all images. With high-speed EOCT, a segment of ureter (20 mm) can be imaged in <90 seconds at a high resolution. CONCLUSIONS With its ability to visualize all layers of the ureteral wall, EOCT offers the potential to stage urothelial cancers that have infiltrated the muscular wall (Stage T2). This information will be complimentary to the diagnostic information obtained through ureteroscopic biopsy and computed tomography urogram.
Opposite effects of astrocyte‐derived soluble factor(s) on the functional expression of fetal peptidergic neurons in aggregate cultures: Enhancement of neuropeptide Y and suppression of somatostatin

Previous studies established that fetal rat and human neuropeptide Y (NPY) cortical neurons in aggregate cultures are differentially regulated. Whereas brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) induces NPY production in rat cultures, only PMA does so in human cultures. We addressed these questions: 1) Do soluble products of rat or human astrocytes (conditioned medium; rCM and hCM, respectively) enhance the functional expression of cultured NPY neurons and if so, do they enhance the expression of somatostatin (SRIF) neurons as well? 2) Is the NPY-enhancing activity (EA) in the CM species specific? rCM enhanced (approximately 2-fold) both basal and BDNF-stimulated production of NPY and coculture of rat aggregates and astrocytes did not prevent this NPY-EA. Likewise, the hCM enhanced (approximately 2.5-fold) basal and PMA-stimulated production of NPY by human aggregates. Moreover, the hCM enhanced NPY production by rat aggregates and rCM enhanced NPY production by human aggregates. In addition, rCM and hCM each enhanced BDNF-, forskolin-, or PMA-stimulated NPY production by rat aggregates. Under each of the above conditions, the rCM/hCM suppressed (approximately 50%) production of SRIF by rat aggregates. In summary, secretory products of rat and human astrocytes exert opposite effects on the functional expression of NPY and SRIF neurons in culture: enhancement of NPY and suppression of SRIF. By the criteria evaluated in this study, these astrocyte-derived activities do not exhibit species specificity.
Costs of occupational COPD and asthma.

Objective: To estimate the number of annual deaths, as well as the direct and indirect costs of occupational COPD and asthma, in the United States in 1996. Design: Aggregation and analysis of national data sets collected by the National Center for Health Statistics, the Health Care Financing Administration, and other government bureaus and private firms. To assess mortality, we reviewed data from national surveys and applied a population attributable risk (PAR) of 15% for both asthma and COPD. We use a lower age limit of 35 years for occupational COPD and 20 years for occupational asthma. To calculate costs, we use the human capital method that decomposes costs into direct categories, such as medical expenses, as well as indirect categories, such as lost earnings and lost home production. We calculated proportionately adjusted costs for other plausible PARs. Results: The 15% PARs result in costs of $5.0 billion for COPD and $1.6 billion for asthma. For COPD, 56% of costs were direct and 44% were indirect; for asthma, 74% were direct and 26% indirect. These estimates are conservative since we ignored costs associated with pain and suffering as well as the value of care rendered by family members. The proportionately adjusted costs for 10 to 20% PARs are $3.3 to $6.6 billion for COPD and $1.1 to $2.1 billion for asthma. Conclusions: The estimated $6.6 billion cost of occupational COPD and asthma in 1996 is likely to rise with the increasing prevalence of these diseases and warrants preventive intervention. (CHEST 2002; 121:264 –272)
Breaking the covalent bond--a pigment property that contributes to desensitization in cones

Retinal rod and cone pigments consist of an apoprotein, opsin, covalently linked to a chromophore, 11-cis retinal. Here we demonstrate that the formation of the covalent bond between opsin and 11-cis retinal is reversible in darkness in amphibian red cones, but essentially irreversible in red rods. This dissociation, apparently a general property of cone pigments, results in a surprisingly large amount of free opsin--about 10% of total opsin--in dark-adapted red cones. We attribute this significant level of free opsin to the low concentration of intracellular free 11-cis retinal, estimated to be only a tiny fraction (approximately 0.1 %) of the pigment content in red cones. With its constitutive transducin-stimulating activity, the free cone opsin produces an approximately 2-fold desensitization in red cones, equivalent to that produced by a steady light causing 500 photoisomerizations s-1. Cone pigment dissociation therefore contributes to the sensitivity difference between rods and cones.
Microscopic evaluation of clinical measurements of connective tissue attachment levels

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to determine how accurately periodontal probes measure connective tissue attachment levels in beagle dogs with (1) clinically healthy gin-givae, (2) experimental gingivitis, and (3) periodontitis. In the healthy and experimental gingivitis specimens die probes were inserted with a standardized force of 25 ponds. In periodontitis specimens the probes were inserted with a gentle, but non standardized force After insertion, 120 plastic periodontal probes (40 in each group) were held in place by fusing them to the teeth. Blocks of periodontal tissue with the probes in situ were subsequently processed and serially sectioned. Histometric measurements were made from the sections in order to compare the level of connective tissue attachment to the level of probe penetration. In healthy specimens the probes consistently failed to reach the apical termination of the junctional epithelium (x =−0.39 mm). In the experimental gingivitis group most probes came closer to the apical termination of the junctional epithelium, but on the average stilt fell short by x =−0.10 mm. In periodontitis specimens the probes consistently went past the most apical cells of the junctional epithelium (x =+0.24 mm). A significant relationship between the degree of inflammation and level of probe penetration was found. No relationship was observed between histological and clinical sulcus depths. It is concluded that in beagle dogs (1) periodontal probes do not precisely measure connective tissue attachment levels, (2) inflammation has a significant influence on the degree of probe penetration, and (3) histological and clinical sulcus depths differ significantly.
Low‐temperature hygrothermal degradation of ambient cured E‐glass/vinylester composites

Freeze and freeze-thaw durability characteristics of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, especially in the presence of moisture, need to be investigated prior to the widespread implementation of these materials in civil, polar, and offshore structural components and systems. The hygrothermal degradation characteristics of an ambient cure E-glass/vinylester system due to exposure to −10°C conditions and conditions of freeze-thaw, including in the presence of water and seawater, was investigated. Changes in mechanical characteristics such as strength and modulus, and thermo-mechanical dynamic characteristics such as storage and loss moduli, and glass-transition temperature were measured, and short-term effects of environmental exposure were assessed. It is seen that the presence of moisture/solution has a significant effect; both in terms of physical and chemical aging, and in terms of microcracking and fiber–matrix debond initiation. Results indicate the critical importance of cure characteristics and diffusion related phenomena. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2255–2260, 2002
A Series-Solution Method for Cometary Orbits

A series-solution method for highly-eccentric perturbed orbits using a modified form of Hansen’s method of partial anomalies is presented. Series in Chebyshev polynomials in the eccentric anomaly of a comet and the mean anomaly at an epoch of a planet provide a theory valid to first order with respect to the masses. The first-order solution becomes a reference solution about which higher-order perturbations are obtained by the method of successive approximations. The first-order solutions are valid approximations for long durations of time, whereas the higher orders are valid only over the interval of time that is selected for the Chebyshev expansions. The method is somewhat similar to Encke’s method of special perturbations except that for each successive interval of time perturbations about a first-order solution are calculated instead of perturbations about a conic solution.
Incidence of Enteric Viruses in Groundwater from Household Wells in Wisconsin

Recent studies on the contamination of groundwater with human enteric viruses have focused on public water systems, whereas little is known about the occurrence of viruses in private household wells. The objective of the present study was to estimate the incidence of viruses in Wisconsin household wells located near septage land application sites or in rural subdivisions served by septic systems. Fifty wells in seven hydrogeologic districts were sampled four times over a year, once each season. Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), followed by Southern hybridization, was used to detect enteroviruses, rotavirus, hepatitis A virus (HAV), and Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs). In addition, cell culture was used to detect culturable enteroviruses. Companion water samples were collected for total coliforms, Escherichia coli, fecal enterococci, F-specific RNA coliphages, nitrate, and chloride analyses. Among the 50 wells, four (8%) were positive for viruses by RT-PCR. Three wells were positive for HAV, and the fourth well was positive for both rotavirus and NLV in one sample and an enterovirus in another sample. Contamination was transient, since none of the wells was virus positive for two sequential samples. Culturable enteroviruses were not detected in any of the wells. Water quality indicators were not statistically associated with virus occurrence, although some concordance was noted for chloride. The present study is the first in the United States to systematically monitor private household wells for virus contamination and, combined with data for public wells, provides further insight on the extent of groundwater contamination with human enteric viruses.
Kochi's tuberculosis strategy article is a "classic" by any definition.

This article reviews the 1991 paper by Arata Kochi on the strategy of WHO to control tuberculosis. It notes that Kochis paper did not report a new scientific discovery rather it depicted the devastating impact of tuberculosis around the world in a clear and forceful manner. Consequently it changed the public health focus of WHO national governments and leading voluntary organizations. Kochis paper pinpointed three major programmatic deficiencies that had to be overcome: inadequate treatment services; high rates of failure to complete therapy; and the worldwide absence of adequate governmental surveillance and monitoring systems. Furthermore the paper gave attention to the role of public health in addressing the tuberculosis issue. To address the problem Kochi emphasized that it would take strong directive leadership by national government to implement systems for an effective prevention and control program for tuberculosis.
Usefulness of Multiple Equations for Predicting Preventive Oral Health Behaviors

Canonical correlation analyses of a previous dental survey suggested that dental checkups, flossing, and tooth brushing could all be predicted from a single equation. Most theories and research about the influence of beliefs on behavior, however, suggest different behaviors will be best predicted by different behavior-specific measures. The current survey investigated influences on brushing, flossing, and dental checkups in a probability sample of adults in the Detroit tri-county area. Both behavior-specific variables, such as perceived benefits and costs of flossing, and general variables, such as gender, were included as predictors. Canonical correlation analysis indicated three equations were needed to predict the three oral health behaviors. Flossing frequency, for example, was best predicted by confidence in flossing ability and beliefs about the benefits of and barriers to flossing. The results suggest that even these closely related behaviors are best predicted using separate equations that include...
Autism and the pervasive developmental disorders: Part 1.

Introduction It has been just 50 years since the syndrome of autism was named and described by Leo Kanner. In 1943, he wrote about a small group of children in his child psychiatric practice who shared clinical characteristics of extreme social isolation, severe language abnormalities, and unusual responses to their environment. Since that time, many earlier concepts have given way to a newer, biologically based understanding of autism as a developmental disability that has an underlying neurologic basis. An expanding body of research has revealed insights into the broad clinical range of autism, the possible nature of the underlying defects, and useful approaches to helping children who have the disorder. Autism also has become part of the public consciousness. Television talk shows frequently feature autism-related topics, and autobiographies by adults who have autism have become best sellers (see Grandin and Williams on the Resources list). Perhaps the event that most solidified autism as a subject of popular interest was Dustin Hoffman9s portrayal of Raymond Babbitt, a young adult who had high functioning autism, in Barry Levinson9s 1988 film Rain Man. Once considered to be encountered only rarely in practice, autism now is thought to be part of a spectrum of related conditions that are much more common than previously thought.