cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imaging Facilities' Adherence to PI-RADS v2 Minimum Technical Standards for the Performance of Prostate MRI

Purpose This study aimed to assess variability in imaging facilities' adherence to the minimum technical standards for prostate magnetic resonance imaging acquisition established by Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2 (v2). Methods A total of 107 prostate magnetic resonance imaging examinations performed at 107 unique imaging facilities after the release of PI-RADS v2 and that were referred to a tertiary care center for secondary interpretation were included. Image sets, DICOM headers, and outside reports were reviewed to assess adherence to 21 selected PI-RADS v2 minimum technical standards. Results Hardware arrangements were 23.1%, 1.5T without endorectal coil; 7.7%, 1.5T with endorectal coil; 63.5%, 3T without endorectal coil; and 5.8%, 3T with endorectal coil. Adherence to minimum standards was lowest on T2 weighted imaging (T2WI) for frequency resolution ≤0.4 mm (16.8%) and phase resolution ≤0.7 mm (48.6%), lowest on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for field of view (FOV) 120–220 mm (30.0%), and lowest on dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) imaging for slice thickness 3 mm (33.3%) and temporal resolution .05) for any parameter between examinations performed with and without an endorectal coil. Adherence was greater for examinations performed at teaching facilities for T2WI slice thickness and DCE temporal resolution (P .05). Conclusion Facilities' adherence to PI-RADS v2 minimum technical standards was variable, being particularly poor for T2WI frequency resolution and DCE temporal resolution. The standards warrant greater community education. Certain technical standards may be too stringent, and revisions should be considered.
Antigen-Nonspecific Factors Elaborated by Macrophages Which Stimulate Lymphocytes

The essential role of macrophages in supporting lymphocyte responses in culture has been well established since the initial demonstration that neither antibody production nor T-cell proliferation takes place in the absence of macrophages (Mosier, 1967; Oppenheim et al., 1968). At least three functions of the macrophage have been described which contribute to the vigor of the immune response. The most easily demonstrated of these is a feeder layer effect which can be replaced almost entirely by the addition of 2-mercaptoethanol to the culture (Chen and Hirsch, 1972). It has been suggested that the mercaptoethanol replaces the macrophage by modifying some high-molecular-weight component present in fetal calf serum (Opitz et al., 1977) or by keeping glutathione reduced (Hoffeld and Oppenheim, 1980).
The “Ordinary” Civil Servant: Soft Activist

Rapid social change strains ideas no less than established social relationships. Whether reacting to or anticipating fundamental social changes, such as the shift from agricultural to industrial work, Swedish public servants have organized new programs and expanded public employment to a point at which more than 50 percent of gross national product is now consumed by the public sector. These changes, coming within a relatively brief historical period (i.e., roughly fifty years), have severely challenged prevailing ideas about the proper relationship of government to society as a whole and have undermined civil servant role orientations that had become as comfortable as they were widespread. According to this comfortable view, the appropriate function of government was to enforce rules of fairness and equity in social relationships. The most important requirement for a civil servant, therefore, was training in the law. Knowledge of administrative law together with personal qualities of objectivity and impartiality defined the “classic” Swedish view of administrators as judges, whose chief responsibility was to select and apply legal rules to problems presented to them.1
Subhash Khot: Unique Games Conjecture

This chapter surveys recent results on Subhash Khot’s Unique Games Conjecture. This conjecture has been a unifying force in complexity theory, but these results hint at its being false. Special cases are suggested whose analysis may also delineate the conjecture’s practical implications.
Teaching Chemistry Conceptually

This chapter by Williamson presents teaching chemical concepts through implementing three levels of chemical concepts. This chapter upgrades the Chaps. 1– 3 and 6 of this book. Williamson concludes that traditionally, chemistry at all educational levels has been taught as a mathematical course that emphasized algorithmic problem solving almost exclusively. Because research showed that students at all levels have trouble with conceptual understanding of chemistry, a new approaches to teach chemistry had to emerge. Some chemistry teachers at all levels of education intuitively teach chemistry conceptually, many still have difficulties how to do this and what teaching strategies are available to them. Conceptual teaching, as a teaching strategy emphasizes students’ ability to explain relationships, to predict outcomes, to visualize/explain particle behavior, and to understand the macroscopic, particulate, symbolic, and mathematical levels of chemical concepts presentations. In this chapter, author highlights different teaching strategies to make chemistry teaching more conceptually and less mathematical when that is not really necessary to deeply understand the chemical concepts. These strategies can be used with large or small classes and they include the application of macroscopic representations, particulate representations (both dynamic and static models), group problem solving, algorithmic and conceptual assessments, etc.
Emotion and the Care Ethic in Clinical Deliberation

The care perspective urges physicians not only to accept the significance of emotion but to face the challenge to work out “ways of dealing with one’s emotions.”1 With a renewed understanding of emotion arising from moral psychology, emotion theory, and the care perspective, physicians and ethicists are able to analyze the clinical situation from some fresh perspectives.
Experimental and Theoretical Studies of a One‐Flask Synthesis of 3H‐1‐Benzazepines from 2‐Haloanilines and α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones.

The reaction is successful starting from 2-fluoroaniline to afford the target compounds in moderate yields.
Non-Linear Regression

1. Regression with log-link is useful for studying the relative change in an outcome variable. 2. In a log-link regression model, the antilog of each coefficient represents the independent association of that covariate with the relative change in the outcome variable, holding all other variables constant. 3. Logistic regression is useful for studying associations for a binary outcome variable. 4. In a logistic regression model, the antilog of each coefficient represents the odds ratio of that covariate with the outcome variable, holding all other variables in the model constant. 5. In log-link and logistic regression models, the null hypothesis for a covariate is that the antilog of the coefficient for that covariate equals 1.0.
Biased political reasoning and relational inferences in a small-group deliberative context

Theorists of deliberative democracy envision a citizenry engaged in collective reasoning about public issues on the merits of rival arguments. Partisanship undermines this ideal when it causes people to discount counter-attitudinal arguments, independent of their quality. Empirical deliberative theory lacks an account for what mechanism mitigates this bias in small-group settings. To close that theoretical gap, this study draws on Relational Framing Theory and identifies a relational component of the reasoning process. Participants rated the relevance of dominance/submission and affiliation/disaffiliation relational frames after a small-group deliberation. This perception influenced participants’ decisions to endorse arguments as legitimate public reasons. Implications for deliberative theory, research, and practice are discussed.
Impacts of the Affordable Care Act Dependent Coverage Provision on Young Adults With Cancer.

Introduction Evidence through 2012 suggests that the 2010 Affordable Care Act Dependent Coverage Provision, extending dependent insurance coverage eligibility to age 26years, increased young adult insurance coverage and decreased cancer diagnosis stage in young adult cancer patients. This study examines Dependent Coverage Provision–associated changes in insurance coverage and diagnosis stage through 2014 in young adult cancer patients. Methods Using a quasi-experimental study design, analyses were conducted in 2017–2018 using 2007 to 2014 data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 and the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Using difference-in-differences analyses applied to linear probability models, changes in the percentage of policy-eligible individuals aged 19–25years versus ineligible individuals aged 27–29years who were insured (excluding Medicaid) and diagnosed at early (Stages 0 and 1) or late (Stage 4) stages following Dependent Coverage Provision enactment were estimated. Results A total of 36,901 and 92,358 young adults were included from SEER and NCDB. Consistent increases in the percentage insured (SEER: 3.45 percentage points, 95% CI=2.04, 4.87; NCDB: 3.72 percentage points, 95% CI=2.80, 4.64); variable increases in early-stage diagnoses (2.25 percentage points, 95% CI=0.40, 4.10; 0.69 percentage points, 95% CI= –0.65, 2.02); and decreases in late-stage diagnoses (–1.74 percentage points, 95% CI= –3.10, –0.38; –0.58 percentage points, 95% CI= –1.46, 0.30) were observed in young adults aged 19–25 versus 27–29years. Conclusions These results provide clear evidence for a Dependent Coverage Provision–associated impact on insurance coverage in young adult cancer patients; however, clear impacts on diagnosis stage are less evident.
MRI Compatible DC Modulator for an Envelope Tracking Transmitter

Typical MRI power amplifiers are characterized by the requirement for high linearity and a high peak-to-average power ratio. When implemented as a linear amplifier, such as the commonly used Class-AB architecture this leads to a low efficiency and high heat dissipation, which impacts performance and reliability. Here we present a MRI compatible DC modulator for envelope tracking applications based on a 4-phase interleaved buck converter using air core magnetics and utilizing a FPGA based digital controller. The modulator is capable of delivering 500 W into a 2.5 Ω load at an efficiency of 95.6%, has a 3 dB modulation bandwidth of 50 kHz, and has been tested with a Class-AB linear amplifier operating at 64 MHz to produce a modulated RF envelope with a peak power of 320 W. Due to the higher efficiency of envelope tracking amplifiers and the ability to mount the amplifier directly on the MRI machine itself this system has the potential to decrease both the cost and space requirements of MRI machines.
Safety in Numbers: Successful Student-Approved Case-Based Interprofessional Safety Workshop Utilizing Simulated Real-Life Safety Cases

Introduction Increasing emphasis on medical trainee competence in patient safety and quality improvement processes has led to development of various safety and quality curricula. Methods Curriculum...
2ME2 inhibits HIF-1 mRNA translation and its association with microtubules: Loss of microtubule-dependent HIF regulation in renal carcinoma cells

3265 We have previously shown that the microtubule destabilizing drug 2ME2 down-regulates the HIF-1 α protein (HIF-1α) and inhibits its transcriptional activity at concentrations that disrupt interphase microtubules. We have further shown that 2ME2 inhibits the de novo synthesis of HIF-1α by at least 10-fold, based on immunoprecipitation of newly synthesized HIF-1 α. To investigate the molecular mechanism by which 2ME2 inhibits HIF-1 α synthesis, we examined the polyribosome association profile of the HIF-1 mRNA by linear sucrose gradient fractionation (LSGF). Using LSGF followed by Northern blotting, we showed that the HIF-1 α mRNA was associated with the translationally active components in untreated cells, while upon 2ME2 treatment there was a complete shift towards translation-inactive fractions. This effect was specific for HIF-1α as no shift in the actin and HIF-1β translation was observed. To test the hypothesis that the HIF-1α mRNA requires association with microtubules for efficient translation, we used fluorescent molecular beacons (MB) complimentary to the HIF-1 α mRNA. Transfection of HIF-1α MBs into MCF-7 cells followed by confocal microscopy revealed colocalization between the HIF-1α mRNA and microtubules in untreated cells. Upon 2ME2 treatment extensive microtubule depolymerization was observed leading to lack of colocalization between HIF-1α mRNA and microtubules. These preliminary results support our hypothesis that 2ME2 inhibits HIF-1α translation by affecting the localization of the HIF-1α mRNA complexes with the microtubule cytoskeleton, thus impairing efficient HIF-1α translation. We next investigated whether cells with constitutively high levels of HIF-1 protein due to lack of its degradation (VHL−/− cells) would retain sensitivity to 2ME2. Surprisingly we found that 2ME2 destabilized microtubules but nevertheless had no effect on HIF-1α in renal carcinoma cells lacking VHL and therefore expressing constitutively high HIF-1. In these RCC cells the HIF-1α half life was 4 hr, which is much longer than wt VHL harboring cancer cells (10 min), but nevertheless shorter than the time of exposure to 2ME2 (20 hr). This indicates that RCC cells have lost microtubule control of HIF-1α translation. Next we used the isogenic RCC2/VHL and RCC4/VHLcells, in which wild-type VHL has been stably re-introduced. Despite restoration of VHL, 2ME2 failed to downregulate HIF-1α under hypoxia. Under hypoxia, the half-life of HIF-1α was 4 hr so this could not be responsible for the lack of downregulation of HIF-1 during the 20 hr treatment with 2ME2. We conclude that, in addition to stabilization of HIF-1α due to loss of VHL, RCC cells also acquire microtubule-independent regulation of HIF-1α expression that could not be restored by VHL. We hypothesize that in RCC cells HIF-1α translation is independent of microtubules and contributes to HIF-1 dyregulation.
Auction-based Network Slicing Architecture and Experimentation on SD-RANs

The 5G communication era brings innovations to the Radio Access Networks (RANs) to support increasing traffic demands and a wide variety of network services, where the network slicing is a key technology. However, heterogeneous access technologies (e.g., LTE, WLAN and WiMAX) have their unique mechanism representing and allocating radio resources. In addition, with the coexistence of multiple RANs, network providers may compete with each other in offering accesses and resources. In order to converge to an optimal network slicing scheme under this circumstance, we propose an architecture based on Software Defined RANs (SD-RANs) and auction theories. Our proposed system supports modular deployment to heterogeneous RANs and is capable in achieving slicing through the negotiation with all network providers. The efficiency and scalability of the system are verified by a prototype that we implement with open-source SD-RAN platforms FlexRAN and 5G-EmPOWER.
Structural and spectral studies of binuclear copper(II) 2-acetylpyridine 3-azacyclothiosemicarbazones with sulfato bridges

Structures of two binuclear copper(II) complexes with sulfato bridges and tridentate 2-acetylpyridine 3-azacyclothiosemicarbazone ligands have been solved. The complexμ-sulfato-bis{(2-acetylpyridine 3-hexamethyleneiminyl-thiosemicarbazonato)copper(II)} N,N-dimethylformamide, [Cu(Achexim)]2SO4·DMF, has the following structural properties: triclinic, P1¯(#2), a = 12.314(4), b = 15.885(4), c = 10.959(4) A, α = 103.25(2), β = 103.60(2), γ = 109.94(2)°, V = 1843(2) A3, and Z = 2; for μ-sulfato-bis{(2-acetylpyridine 3-piperidylthiosemicarbazonato)copper(II)}chloroform, [Cu(Acpip)]2SO4·CHCl3: triclinic, P1¯(#2), a = 11.657(1), b = 17.101(2), c = 10.338(1) A, α = 98.51(1), β = 109.294(7), γ = 107.016(9)°, V = 1790.3(4) A3, and Z = 2. The size of the azacyclo ring significantly affects the stereochemistry of these binuclear complexes.
High-Frequency Data for Temperature and Oxygen Reveal the Potential for Stressful Conditions for Fish in a Southern New England Impoundment

Fishes have specific dissolved oxygen and water temperature requirements needed to promote optimal growth. Ongoing anthropogenic climate change will lead to increased water temperature and likely changes in dissolved oxygen concentrations that will affect fish populations in a variety of ways. This study uses high-frequency, automated sensor data from 2011–2015 to examine dissolved oxygen and water temperature in Lake Lillinonah, a hydroelectric impoundment in western Connecticut, to identify potentially stressful conditions for Esox lucius (Northern Pike [NP]) and Micropterus salmoides (Largemouth Bass [LMB]). We found that summer water temperature was nearly always in an optimal range for LMB growth, but was frequently in the stressful range for NP growth. In addition, in some years, Lake Lillinonah experienced consistent hypoxia, reducing the thermal refuge available for NP. Long-term data from Lake Lillinonah show an increase in mean July surface water temperature, and further temperature increases are expected as the climate continues to warm. This trend, coupled with a potential reduction in thermal refuge due to hypoxia, poses serious consequences for NP, given that current conditions frequently exceed documented optimal growth range for the species.
Does significantly elevated lung shunt fraction (LSF >20%) promote extrahepatic progression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with radioembolization?

PURPOSE Radioembolization with yttrium-90 (Y-90) is an effective locoregional therapy for primary and metastatic liver tumors, but its use is restricted or contraindicated for patients with elevated lung shunt fraction (LSF) because of an increased risk of developing pulmonary adverse events, including but not limited to radiation pneumonitis. Elevated LSF is also thought to be correlated with liver tumor progression and metastases. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, we examine rates of metastasis development, rates of adverse events and overall survival (OS) in 23 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and elevated LSF >20% on Tc-99 m macroaggregated albumin scan treated with Y-90 radioembolization at our institution from 2005 to 2016. To minimize confounding variables, patients with baseline extrahepatic metastases or portal vein tumor thrombosis were excluded. Kaplan-Meier estimates were performed for OS and time to development of metastases. RESULTS No patient developed clinical and imaging signs of radiation pneumonitis. Median intention to treat OS from day of radioembolization was 21.3 months; median censored OS was 14.7 months. Five out of 23 patients (22%) developed at least one metastasis during follow-up, for an incidence of 20 per 1000 patient-years (compared to the historical rate of 6 per 1000 patient-years for HCC patients in general). CONCLUSION HCC patients with LSF >20% treated with Y-90 radioembolization have acceptable toxicities and appear to have a rate of extrahepatic tumor development (22%) higher than expected for patients with HCC.
Evaluation of Osmotic Virial Coefficients via Restricted Gibbs Ensemble Simulations, with Support from Gas-Phase Mixture Coefficients.

We present a method for computing osmotic virial coefficients in explicit solvent via simulation in a restricted Gibbs ensemble. Two equivalent phases are simulated at once, each in a separate box at constant volume and temperature and each in equilibrium with a solvent reservoir. For osmotic coefficient B N , a total of N solutes are individually exchanged back and forth between the boxes, and the average distribution of solute numbers between the boxes provides the key information needed to compute B N . Separately, expressions are developed for B N as a series in solvent reservoir density ρ1, with the coefficients of the series expressed in terms of the usual gas-phase mixture coefficients Bij. Normally, the Bij are defined for an infinite volume, but we suggest that the observed dependence of Bij on system size L can be used to estimate L dependence of the B N , allowing them to be computed accurately at L → ∞ while simulating much smaller system sizes than otherwise possible. The methods for N = 2 and 3 are demonstrated for two-component mixtures of size-asymmetric additive hard spheres. The proposed methods are demonstrated to have greater precision than established techniques, for a given amount of computational effort. The ρ1 series for B N when applied by itself is (for this noncondensing model) found to be the most efficient in computing accurate osmotic coefficients for the solvent densities considered here.
Computational analysis of protein conformational heterogeneity.

In this paper, we applied the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and used thermolysin as the system to study the overall protein dynamics and side chain dihedral angles across the Arrhenius break....
Adjoint Approach to Analysis of External Circuit Effects in Vacuum Electronic Devices

We expand the adjoint approach to optimization and sensitivity analysis of beam-wave interaction in any vacuum electronic device (VED) that consists of a circuit interacting with a linear beam through a series of gaps. The method is based on the conservation of symplectic area for two perturbed solutions of the Hamiltonian form of the equations and was originally used for electron optics sensitivity analysis [1] and expanded to the RF beam-wave interaction in [2] , [3] . When the adjoint solution is obtained using a simulation code, it may be used to evaluate the multidimensional derivatives needed for efficient optimization and for sensitivity analysis. The adjoint approach has been implemented in 1D approximation using CHRISTINE-Z code [4] where the external circuit effects are described in terms of the generalized impedance matrix. We focused on numerical implementation and study of the effects of external circuit variations what expressed as variation of gap-to-gap distances, gap size and impedance matrix of the external structure. To study the effects of multi parameter variations of the external circuit we introduced a transmission line model based on fitting of local elements of the line by using calculated by 3D EM codes dispersion curves and coupling coefficients. Realistic terminations of the circuit are mimicked by adding directly calculated by 3D EM codes frequency dependent impedance matrices of terminating cells. The transmission line model shown excellent agreement with the results of direct calculations by 3D EM codes.
Vesiculobullous Skin Diseases

Pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, herpes gestationis, cicatricial pemphigoid, erythema multiforme, and chronic bullous dermatosis of childhood compose the nonhereditary vesiculobullous skin diseases in man. All of these disease processes have had specific immunopathological findings. In the present chapter, we wish to review the salient observations to date which suggest that the above-mentioned diseases are indeed immunological diseases.
Effect of antigen binding on the properties of antibody.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the currently available data on the structure of intact immunoglobulins and their degradation products, the characteristics of antigen-antibody complexes, and the requiredments for antigen-induced antibody function in complement fixation and stimulation of immunoglobulin-bearing cells. The structural data indicate that immunoglobulins are organized into domains consisting of strongly interacting homology regions. The domains appear to interact relatively little. Similarly, the evidence is good that the Fab and Fc regions behave quite independently of each other. What lack of flexibility exists in the molecule is more likely secondary to steric inhibition of movement rather than strong interactions at domains of bonding. Thus, from structural considerations alone, it seems unlikely that antigens reacting with the combining site at the NH 2 -terminal end of the molecule could induce changes in the more distal regions.
A fast and robust moving object segmentation in video sequences

The new video coding standard MPEG-4 is enabling content-based functionalities as well as high coding efficiency considering shape information of moving objects. A novel algorithm for segmentation of moving objects in video sequences and VOP (video object planes) extraction is presented. This algorithm begins with a robust double edge map from the difference between two successive frames. After removing edges which belong to previous frame, the edge map, named ME (moving edge) is used to extract VOP. The proposed algorithm is evaluated for MPEG-4 test sequences and produces promising results.
Role of Integrins in mediating Th17 Pathogenesis (CAM3P.203)

IL-23 plays a key role in autoimmune pathology, as evidenced by the resistance of IL-23 deficient animals to many models of autoimmune disease; susceptibility SNPs in the IL-23 receptor have also been identified in human disease including inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis. We have previously demonstrated that IL-23 drives effector differentiation and proliferation of primary and memory Th17 cells in vivo. We have now identified a novel integrin that is expressed by Th17 cells in an IL-23-dependent manner. Inflammatory Th17 cells (generated in vitro in the presence of IL-23, IL-6 and IL-1) express high levels of this integrin, while ‘regulatory’ Th17 cells do not, as TGFβ suppresses expression in a dose-dependent manner. Integrin blockade rendered mice resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and knockout mice were also resistant to EAE. T cells specifically require integrin expression for EAE induction. While effector functions such as IL-17 are not impaired, integrin knockout cells have reduced migration out of LN and into CNS. Together these data highlight a novel Th17-specific integrin that is regulated by IL-23, and may promote effector Th17 functions and/or proliferation.
Localization of the Adenosine Deaminase, Transferrin, and UMP Synthetase Genes on Chinese Hamster Chromosomes 4 and 6 by in situ Hybridization

Careful analysis of G-band patterns in various rodent families allows identification of homology and thus accurate prediction of gene map positions. However, conclusions based on the synteny of genes without a careful study of chromosome evolution and G-band homology can be misleading. We tested these generalizations by means of G-band analysis and in situ hybridization with three genes in Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus, CGR) chromosomes. The location of the adenosine deaminase gene, previously mapped by somatic cell hybrid panels, was confirmed and further sublocalized on CGR 6q1. Although transferrin and uridine monophosphate synthetase are localized to adjacent bands on human chromosome 3 (3q21 and 3q13, respectively), we report that these genes are widely separated on CGR 4q2 and 4p2, respectively.
The Best You Can Do

Passing the Museum, Clayton saw the panhandler, a woman, leaning against the polished fascia. She wore a thin wool dress, shiny with wear. Beside her a plastic mug, much battered. Daffodils bloomed in planters flanking the steps, and Clayton experienced a pleasant sense of accumulating wealth amidst these intimations of spring. And there was the woman, in watery light. It was as though someone had placed her against the facade, as though she and the light had been composed. Clayton had met his wife, Celia, a photographer, at a gallery open ing. She was enjoying the ease and the challenge that went with early success, and Clayton had begun to rise through the ranks in a design line that enjoyed a commanding presence in women's fashion. Her se ries, Light on Water, was a study in chiaroscuro. Nuance made a differ ence. He noted how small increments of increase or decrease in aper ture changed things the light fell upon, how these increments moved the viewer back and forth between shallows, depths. In their subse quent meetings Clayton discovered how nuance informed Celia's breadth, which seemed wide as the arched span of horizon from pole to pole. She made him think of earth's curvature, how ships going away from land became tiny until they disappeared. His company dealt in a volume that required manufacturing outlets in several Third World countries where Clayton sometimes gave coins to beggars on the street. Some had lost limbs. All were thin in a way that suggested that seldom had they had enough to eat. Some had children who were importunate but listless, as though already they lived without hope. Now he reached into his pocket, dropped his change into the woman's cup. Light reflected by stone seemed to swirl toward him, enclosing him in its warmth. It was a nice moment, and he sa vored it.
Dédales, carrefours et coïncidences : Paris et la mémoire dans Pont de l’Alma de Julián Ríos

La ville peut-elle preserver la memoire de ceux qui ne sont plus ? Voila l’une des questions que pose Julian Rios dans son roman Pont de l’Alma (2010). L’auteur espagnol tisse autour de la princesse Diana un recit de culte et de souvenir, faisant de sa mort dans la Ville Lumiere le noeud de son oeuvre complexe. Promenant le lecteur dans un Paris fragmente et peuple de revenants, il propose de reexaminer la ville et de remotiver les signes qu’elle offre en les considerant comme des formes d’existence post-mortem. Ce faisant, il donne « sens » au paysage urbain, conjuguant les trois acceptions du mot : sensation, direction et signification.
Bacterial Cell Wall

Most bacteria are encased in walls that protect the cells against lysis by osmotic forces from within and from chemical or biological assaults from outside. These walls are assembled in layers consisting of four principal components: inner membrane, peptidoglycan, outer membrane and S-layer. The first two are the basic constituents of bacterial walls, the outer membrane is a hallmark of one branch of bacteria and S-layers are optional in many different microorganisms. The two fundamental types of wall are Gram-type positive, which have no outer membrane, and Gram-type negative, which have an outer membrane. Bacteria also produce various secondary polymers, such as teichoic or mycolic acids, that associate with peptidoglycan and alter its chemical characteristics. Finally, and in addition to its protective role, the wall imparts to bacterial cells their specific shapes and is organised to facilitate the transport of vital chemicals into and out of the cell. Key Concepts: The cell wall protects bacteria from lysis, chemical assault and attack by the immune system. The bacterial cell wall consists of an inner (plasma) membrane, a rigid peptidoglycan exoskeleton and, in some cases, an outer membrane and/or an S-layer. Peptidoglycan is composed of a long chain of repeating disaccharides linked to one another by short peptide side chains, which creates a single macromolecule surrounding the bacterial cell. The biological properties of many bacterial cell walls are strengthened or enhanced by the addition of secondary cell wall glycopolymers. The bacterial world is divided into two main groups: those that have a single membrane (the plasma or inner membrane) and those that have two membranes (inner and outer membranes). S-layers are paracrystalline arrays of a single protein that completely cover the exterior of many bacteria. Bacterial shape is determined by cytoskeleton proteins that direct the synthesis of the overall structure of peptidoglycan. Keywords: Gram-positive walls; Gram-negative walls; peptidoglycan; teichoic acid; periplasm; periplasmic space; S-layers; cell shape; microscopy
SEM Investigation of the Variability of Enamel Surfaces After Simulated Clinical Acid Etching for Pit and Fissure Sealants

Etching preferentially occurs on cuspal inclines and on premolars vs molars. After longer times, etching occurs near the pits and fissures. Enamel rods etch at cores and prism borders simultaneously in the same area. Longer etching times produce more enamel surface relief, permitting better sealant adaption to the enamel.
Niels Stensen's geometrical theory of muscle contraction (1667): A reappraisal

Abstract From reading the Elementorum Myologiae Specimen of 1667 by Niels Stensen (Steno), I assert that the text and illustrations contain an observation-based theory on the mechanics of muscle contraction: 1. (1) Based on the study of the structure and motion of several muscles in different animals and in man, Stensen described the contraction of parallel equally long motor fibers formated as uni- or multipennate structures, each forming a parallelepipedon between parallel tendon plates. The parallelepipedon was used as a model allowing Stensen to apply mathematical methods in the argumentation. When the motor fibers contract, the tendons move in parallel planes, the muscle shortens, but the distance between the tendon planes does not change. There will appear a swelling, even if the volume of the model remains the same. Therefore, the swelling observed during contraction, according to Stensen, is no argument for an increase in muscle bulk and no argument against contraction without any change of muscle volume. 2. (2) In the first century after its proposal, different arguments were published against Stensen's theory: in 1680 by Borelli ( De Motu Animalium ), 1694 by Bernoulli ( De Motu Musculorum ), 1743 by Boerhaave ( Praelectiones ), and 1762 by Haller ( Elementa Physiologiae ). When read today, these arguments are irrelevant, erroneous, or without scientific documentation. However, by the end of the 18th century, Stensen's theory all but disappeared from the science literature. 3. (3) Anatomical and biomechanical studies published after 1980 show that the foundation and applicability of Stensen's theory are still valid. 4. (4) While earlier considered to be perhaps Stensen's weakest work, arguments are presented to reappraise Elementorum as one of Stensen's significant publications and as a significant work in the biomechanical sciences.
Specific causes of death in patients with bullous pemphigoid as measured by death certificate data: a retrospective cohort study.

Background Mortality rates in patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) are higher than those in age-matched counterparts. However, the specific causes of death in BP subjects have not been evaluated systematically. Objectives We sought to characterize the causes of death in patients with BP as recorded by death certificate and to compare these with death data for age- and location-matched control subjects. Methods This was a retrospective cohort analysis conducted in a large tertiary referral center. Twenty-seven participants who had a confirmed antemortem diagnosis of BP, were residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, and had died between January 1, 1999, and January 1, 2009, were included in the study. Underlying cause of death and multiple causes of death data for the study population were compared with data sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a control group matched by age and geographic location of origin by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) block, and specific ICD-10 codes. Results Comparisons of specific ICD-10 codes revealed increased rates of sepsis (P = 0.031), dementia (P = 0.049), and major depressive disorder (P = 0.005) in the study group. The collective incidence of ICD-10 codes for infections indicated that infections were more frequent contributors to death in the study group (P = 0.035). Conclusions Clinicians should be mindful of contributors to death in patients with BP and might consider screening for mental health issues, educating patients on the early symptoms of sepsis, and minimizing risk factors for infection.
Proposed methods for the measurement of regional renal blood flow using heat transfer analysis

The kidney, with its heterogeneous regional perfusion in the two anatomically and functionally distinct vascular beds of the renal cortex and medulla, and with its non-uniform blood vessel geometries, presents a unique challenge for measuring intrarenal blood flow distribution. Determining whole organ perfusion, on the other hand, is comparatively simple for the kidney, but it provides relatively little information about the suspected dependency of renal excretory function on local perfusion rate. Among the variety of methods proposed for gauging regional renal blood flow, some depend on measuring one or more of the tissue's thermal properties. The most straightforward, but least reliable, involve measurements either of focal tissue temperature alone, or of regional tissue thermal gradients. Simply using heat as a diffusible indicator, however, is unreliable as a measure of blood flow, for many of the same reasons that using an inert gas in a dilution technique is unreliable. Recently developed thermal analytical methods, though, hold promise for measuring local tissue blood flow with accuracy and precision. Two of them are reviewed here. One depends on measurement of the effective thermal conductivity of a small mass of tissue by evaluating the steady state ratio between regional unidirectional heat flux across it and the associated temperature gradient in one vector along a segment of it through an imposed spheroidal heat field. The other depends on analyses of tissue temperature decay subsequent to a controlled pulse of heat delivered through a small inserted thermistor bead. Both techniques use bioheat transfer equations to deduce regional blood flow by differentiating between heat dissipation due to local thermal conductivity and that attributable to the effects of regional convection. Although both methods are unavoidably invasive, neither produces debilitating damage in the tissue volume in which perfusion is measured, nor increases local temperature or metabolism enough to affect blood flow itself. Both techniques quantify local blood flow in small volumes of tissue by detailed evaluation of the many properties of tissue and blood which affect heat transfer, and both allow for a virtually unlimited number of nearly continuous sequential measurements at short (nom. 1 min) time intervals.
Blockade or stimulation of D1 dopamine receptors attenuates cue reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior in rats.

Rationale: D1 dopamine receptor antagonists and agonists attenuate cocaine reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior (i.e., responding in the absence of cocaine reinforcement). Objectives: The present study investigated the effects of a D1 antagonist (SCH-23390), partial agonist (SKF-38393), and full agonist (SKF-81297) on reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior elicited by presentation of cocaine-paired cues. Methods: Rats that had been trained to self-administer cocaine with a light/tone stimulus complex paired with each infusion underwent extinction across days. After responding diminished, rats were given response-contingent access to the cocaine-paired stimulus complex. The effects of SCH-23390 (0–10.0 µg/kg), SKF-38393 (0–3.0 mg/kg), and SKF-81297 (0–3.0 mg/kg) on cue reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior were examined. The ability of the two D1 agonists to independently reinstate cocaine-seeking behavior and the effects of SKF-81297 on cocaine reinstatement were also examined. To investigate the possibility of behavioral interference, the effects of SKF-38393 and SKF-81297 on grooming and stereotypy were assessed. Results: SCH-23390 and SKF-81297, but not SKF-38393, attenuated cue reinstatement. However, while SKF-81297 dose-dependently increased response latency, SCH-23390 did not. SKF-81297 also independently reinstated responding at the two lowest doses tested while SKF-38393 had no effect. Furthermore, SKF-81297 decreased cocaine reinstatement and increased response latency only at the highest dose. Finally, stereotypy was observed at all doses of SKF-81297 that also decreased responding, although the patterns of changes in these behaviors did not completely correspond. Conclusions: While the antagonist and full agonist produced similar effects on cocaine-seeking behavior, only the agonist increased response latency, suggesting that different processes mediate the effects of these drugs.
SIFTER-II: a heterogeneous agent society for information filtering

direct consequence of today's interconnected world is the phenomenal growth in the amount of available and accessible information. This information overload is going to increase as more machines will be connected to wide area networks. Thus, an effective and efficient information filtering system is needed, which will weed out unwanted information and present the relevant information in a rank-ordered fashion. This paper describes one such distributed information filter- ing system consisting of collaborating heterogeneous agents.
Effects of dietary endrin on reproduction of mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Effects of dietary endrin treatments (0.5 and 3.0 ppm) on development, egg production, and accumulated residue in treatment adults and their eggs were examined for mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). Egg production, fertility, and hatchability were not affected, although a 9.6% drop in embryo survival was observed for the 3.0 ppm treatment. Hatchling survival to 14 days was not affected by endrin treatments. Males treated with 3.0 ppm sustained a 4.5% loss in body weight. Treated females developed a higher body fat content and greater accumulation of endrin than males. Endrin was deposited in the eggs of treated females at about the same dietary concentration of endrin in their feed.
A fixed subset-size approach to the selection problem

SUMMARY The problem considered is that of selecting a subset of the smallest possible fixed size s that will contain the t best of k populations (t < s < k), based on any given common sample size from each of the k populations. Special emphasis, with a table included for finding s, is given to the case of normal distributions with larger means being better and with a common known variance. A criterion for efficiency, comparisons with other procedures, and a dual problem are also discussed.
Photosensitization of experimental hepatocellular carcinoma with protoporphyrin synthesized from administered δ-aminolevulinic acid: studies with cultured cells and implanted tumors

Abstract Background/Aims: Photodynamic therapy using porphyrins or related compounds and laser light is an investigational treatment for neoplasms. The aim of this study was to establish wether this might be applicable for hepatocellular carcinoma using protoporphyrin synthesized in the tissue from administered δ-aminolevulinic acid. Methods: We measured porphyrin accumulation in normal rat hepatocytes and Morris hepatoma cells in culture, and in subcutaneously implanted hepatomas and other tissues of the rat after administration of δ-aminolevulinic acid, and assessed cell and tissue damage after application of laser light. Results: Porphyrin accumulation after δ-aminolevulinic acid was added to the medium was greater and continued to increase for a longer period of time in hepatoma cells than in hepatocytes (1337±42 vs 513±31 fluorescence units/cells at 8 h, means±SE, p in vivo . Conclusions: We conclude that in vitro and in vivo studies that porphyrin accumulation after administration of δ-aminolevulinic acid in this hepatoma is substantial and time dependent, and delivery of laser light locally can cause tumor photosensitization and necrosis.
Band alignment of CBD deposited Zn(O,S)/Cu(In 1−x Ga x )Se 2 interface

Chemical bath deposition (CBD) Zn(O,S) buffer layers grown on Cu(In 1−x Ga x )Se 2 (CIGS) thin films have recently surpassed CdS in high efficiency cells (20.9%). A critical component of a CIGS device is the buffer layer - the layer that is found between the absorber CIGS layer and the ZnO window layer. Although CBD CdS is an effective buffer layer and traditionally used for devices, it is not entirely effective for high bandgap absorber films. The Zn(O,S)/CIGS interface was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to reveal the valence band offset (VBO) and conduction band offset (CBO) as −1.15 eV and 1.17 eV respectively. Band bending that accompanies junction formation is also characterized in both layers.
Review of accessory parotid gland tumors: Pathologic incidence and surgical management ☆,☆☆,★

Abstract Objective The current study presents our experience with accessory parotid gland masses and reviews the literature on accessory parotid tumor incidence and surgical management. Based on our results, we advocate a standard parotidectomy approach with routine facial nerve dissection at the time of excision. Study Design We performed a retrospective chart review and comprehensive literature review on incidence of accessory parotid gland neoplasms. Methods A retrospective chart review of all patients with mid-cheek masses treated by the senior author was conducted from January 2003 to January 2009. The tumor size at presentation, FNA biopsy, pathologic diagnosis, and surgical treatment were recorded for 13 patients. Results In the case series, 54% of lesions were benign (n = 7) and 46% were malignant (n = 6) including benign pathologies of 4 pleomorphic adenomas, 2 lymphadenitis, 1 monomorphic adenoma and malignant pathologies of 2 mucoepidermoid carcinoma, 2 B-cell lymphomas, 1 adenocarcinoma, and 1 myofibrosarcoma. Surgical intervention was performed on all patients with standard parotidectomy incision for accessory parotid mass excision after identification and tracing of facial nerve and its branches. Conclusion The present study provides support for a standard parotid incision with identification of the facial nerve at the time of surgical incision as this resulted in successful excision of accessory parotid tumors with favorable cosmetic results and without facial paralysis or tumor recurrence. Literature review of 152 cases of accessory parotid gland lesions, revealed a pooled incidence of 70% benign and 30% malignant.
ERK5 Activation Inhibits Inflammatory Responses via Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor δ (PPARδ) Stimulation

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) decrease the production of cytokine and inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, which are associated with aging-related inflammation and insulin resistance. Recently, the involvement of the induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in regulating inflammation has been suggested, but the exact mechanisms for reducing inflammation by HO-1 remains unclear. We found that overexpression of HO-1 and [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2), a carbon monoxide (CO)-releasing compound, increased not only ERK5 kinase activity, but also its transcriptional activity measured by luciferase assay with the transfection of the Gal4-ERK5 reporter gene. This transcriptional activity is required for coactivation of PPARdelta by ERK5 in C2C12 cells. [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) activated PPARdelta transcriptional activity via the MEK5/ERK5 signaling pathway. The inhibition of NF-kappaB activity by ERK5 activation was reversed by a dominant negative form of PPARdelta suggesting that ERK5/PPARdelta activation is required for the anti-inflammatory effects of CO and HO-1. Based on these data, we propose a new mechanism by which CO and HO-1 mediate anti-inflammatory effects via activating ERK5/PPARdelta, and ERK5 mediates CO and HO-1-induced PPARdelta activation via its interaction with PPARdelta.
The effects of neutron irradiation on the superconducting properties of Nb3Pt

Abstract The effects of high energy (E > 1 MeV) neutron irradiation on the superconducting transition temperature Tc, the lattice parameter a0, and the degree of long range order S, for Nb-Pt alloys of A15 type are described. The Tc (midpoint) of stoichiometric Nb3Pt is depressed from 10.6 K to 3.5 K after irradiation to a fluence of 1.44 × 1019 n cm−2, and there is an accompanying decrease in S, from 0.95 to 0.59 and an increase in a0 of 0.13%. Isochronal annealing data for different compositions are also presented. The results are discussed in terms of site-exchange disorder, and a correlation between radiation and thermally induced disorder is noted.