cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mitral valve echoes in patients with mitral valve prolapse syndrome.

Abstract Echocardiology is an important tool in diagnosing patients with the mitral valve prolapse (MVP) syndrome. An unusual echocardiographic finding reported in this study was observed in 12 of 83 patients (14.5 per cent) with MVP syndrome. The finding consisted of a pattern of multiple, high-intensity parallel echoes behind the anterior mitral leaflet noted throughout diastole which in character were closely akin to those previously observed in left atrial myxoma or hemodynamically significant flail mitral valve leaflet. These latter diagnoses were excluded by other criteria. The prevalence of this finding in patients with MVP was significantly increased (P
Large area CIGS2 thin film solar cells on foils: nucleus of a pilot plant

Abstract In earlier research, conversion efficiency of 10.4% (AM1.5) and 9.9% (AM0) has been achieved on small area CuIn x Ga 1− x S 2 (CIGS2) solar cell on 127 μm thick stainless steel substrate. The area of research is mainly focused on studying CIGS2 thin films as solar cell absorber material and growing high efficiency cells on ultralightweight and flexible metallic foils such as 127 μm thick stainless steel and SiO 2 coated 25 μm thick Ti foils. This paper presents the scaling up process of CIGS2 thin film substrate from 2.5 × 2.5 cm 2 to 10 × 10 cm 2 . Initial scaling up efforts focused on achieving uniform thickness and stress-free films. Process of scaling up consisted of refurbishment of selenization/sulfurization furnace, design and fabrication of scrubber and enlargement of new CdS deposition setup. The scaling up from 2.5 × 2.5 cm 2 to 10 × 10 cm 2 substrate size has laid the foundation for PV Materials Lab of Florida Solar Energy Center becoming the nucleus of a pilot plant.
Studies of phase transitions in order-disorder ferroelectrics. III. The phase transition in KH(2)PO(4) and a comparison with KD(2)PO(2)

Calorimetric, dielectric, and electrocaloric measurements have been performed on single-crystal samples of K${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$P${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ in the neighborhood of the ferroelectric phase transition, and show that the transition is of first order, with a discontinuous entropy change of $({{0.0456}_{\ensuremath{-}0.0059}}^{+0.0045})R$ and a change in the dielectric constant by a factor of 2. Calorimetric measurements in applied electric fields were also carried out, and show that the effect of an applied field is to shift the transition to higher temperatures and to broaden it. Calorimetric measurements on K${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$P${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ are reported which can be combined with previously reported results to give the heat capacity for this material in the range 80-280\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Comparison of the heat capacity of K${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$P${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ and its deuterated isomorph allows estimates of the lattice heat capacity to be made. From this estimate, the entropy change associated with the ferroelectric transition is found to be $(0.400\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.036)R$ for K${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$P${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ and $(0.457\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.034)R$ for K${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$P${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$. A significant feature of the comparison is the lack of evidence for the heat-capacity contribution above the transition predicted by theories of the Slater type. Comparison of the calorimetric data with the modified Slater theory due to Silsbee, Uehling, and Schmidt shows that this theory describes K${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$P${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ better than it does K${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$P${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$. The differences between the theory and experiment are of the type predicted by the modifications of the theory which include tunneling motion of the protons.
Nuclear hormone receptors: ligand-activated regulators of transcription and diverse cell responses

Signal transduction via nuclear hormone receptors is unusual in that the hormone ligand forms an integral part of the protein complex involved in DNA binding and transcriptional activation. New structural and biochemical results have begun to unravel how these receptors produce different effects in different cells, and the structural changes involved in transcriptional activation.
Clinical results of cervical laminectomy and fusion for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy in 58 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND There are a number of surgical treatment options for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). In this study, the authors present their clinical results with cervical laminectomy and fusion for the treatment of patients with CSM. METHODS This retrospective study included 58 consecutive patients who underwent cervical laminectomy and fusion for CSM. There were 38 males and 20 females, with a mean age of 64 (range 42-92) years. The Japanese orthopedic association score (mJOA) scale was used as the functional outcome measurement. Both the absolute increase in mJOA and the neurological recovery rate of mJOA were analyzed. The mean clinical follow-up was 17 months (range 5-52 months). RESULTS There was a statistically significant improvement between mean preoperative (13.2, range 7-17) and postoperative (16.1, range 11-18) mJOA scores following surgery. The average improvement in mJOA score was 2.9 points. The mean neurological recovery rate was 56.6%. Overall 85.5% of patients improved with surgery (n = 51) and the remaining 14.5% of patients had no change in their mJOA score after surgery (n = 7). Fusion was documented in all 58 patients. There was a 10.3% overall complication rate (n = 6). The most common complications were C5 nerve palsies which occurred in 6.9% of the cohort (n = 4); all completely resolved. CONCLUSION Cervical laminectomy and fusion is a safe and efficacious procedure for the treatment of CSM. The clinical outcomes appear to be quite reproducible, and this technique is an important part of a spine surgeon's armamentarium.
Transesophageal two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic diagnosis of cor triatriatum in the adult

14. Ostan-Smith I, Silverman NH, Oddershaw P, Lincoln C, Shinebourne EA. Cor triatriatum sinistrum. Br Heart J 1984;51:211-19. Al Abdulla HM, Demany MA, Vimmerman HA. Cor triatriaturn: preoperative diagnosis in an adult patient. Am J Cardiol 1970;26:310-14. Miller GAH, Ongley PA, Anderson MW, Kincaid OW, Swan HJ. Cor triatriatum, hemodynamic and angiocardiographic diagnosis. AM HEART J 1964:68:298-308. MCi 31:263-72. Leung WH, Wong CK, Lau CP, Cheng CH. Cor triatriatum masked by coexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in an adult. Chest 1989;96:776-8. Wong CK, Leung WH, Cheung CH, Lau CP. Myxomatous mitral valve degeneration complicating asymptomatic car triatriatum. Clin Cardiol 1989;12:48-50. Leavitt TW, Nixon JV. Cor triatriatum with mitral regurgitation in a 52-year-old male. Cathet Cardiovasc Diagn 1979; 5:75-g. Pate1 AK, Ninneman RW, Rahko PS. Surgical resection of car triatriatum in a 74-year-old man. J Am Sot Echocardiogr 1990; 3:402-7. Porter BA, Bogren HG, DeMaria AN. Cor triatriatum in an adult with mitral regurgitation and massive left atria1 enlargement. Cardiovasc Intervent Radio1 1983;6:37-40. Ludomirsky A, Erickson C, Vick GW, Cooley DA. Transesophageal color flow Doppler evaluation of car triatriatum in an adult. AM HEART J i$90;120:451-5. Marin-Garcia J. Tandon R. Lucas R. Edward JE. Cor triatriatum: study of 20 cases. Am J Cardiol 1975;35:59-66. Thilenius OG, Bharati S, Lev M. Subdivided left atrium: an expanded concept of car triatriatum sinistrum. Am J Cardiol 1976;37:743-52. Praagh PV, Corsini. Cor triatriatum: pathologic anatomy and a consideration of mophogenesis based on 13 postmortem cases and a study of normal development of the pulmonary vein and atria1 septum in 83 human embryos. AM HEART J 1969;78:379-405.
The correct name of an hawaiian rubiaceous tree: Gouldia Affinis Vs. Gouldia Terminalis

De Candolle published the first binomial applied to a common Hawaiian shrub or small tree. Consequently that binomial should be taken up as the basionym since there is no obstacle preventing its use in the genusGouldia. Previous disclaimers as to the validity of the basionym are shown to be without basis.
Optimized Conformal Surface Registration with Shape-based Landmark Matching

Surface registration, which transforms different sets of surface data into one common reference space, is an important process which allows us to compare or integrate the surface data effectively. If a nonrigid transformation is required, surface registration is commonly done by parameterizing the surfaces onto a simple parameter domain, such as the unit square or sphere. In this work, we are interested in looking for meaningful registrations between surfaces through parameterizations, using prior features in the form of landmark curves on the surfaces. In particular, we generate optimized conformal parameterizations which match landmark curves exactly with shape-based correspondences between them. We propose a variational method to minimize a compound energy functional that measures the harmonic energy of the parameterization maps and the shape dissimilarity between mapped points on the landmark curves. The novelty is that the computed maps are guaranteed to align the landmark features consistently and give a shape-based diffeomorphism between the landmark curves. We achieve this by intrinsically modeling our search space of maps as flows of smooth vector fields that do not flow across the landmark curves. By using the local surface geometry on the curves to define a shape measure, we compute registrations that ensure consistent correspondences between anatomical features. We test our algorithm on synthetic surface data. An application of our model to medical imaging research is shown, using experiments on brain cortical surfaces, with anatomical (sulcal) landmarks delineated, which show that our computed maps give a shape-based alignment of the sulcal curves without significantly impairing conformality. This ensures correct averaging and comparison of data across subjects.
Relationship between oligosaccharide-lipid synthesis and protein synthesis in mouse LM cells.

Previous studies from several laboratories have reported that inhibition of protein synthesis results in a concomitant reduction in synthesis of oligosaccharide-diphosphoryldolichol. We have investigated this phenomenon in LM cells grown in defined culture medium. The results of this study indicate that incubation of LM cells with cycloheximide at a concentration sufficient to totally arrest polypeptide synthesis, results in a rapid reduction in the synthesis of [3H]mannose-labeled or [3H]glucosamine-labeled oligosaccharide-lipid within 2 min. Cycloheximide treatment had only a slight inhibitory effect on synthesis of GDP-Man. Furthermore, during the first 5 min after the addition of cycloheximide to LM cells, when [3H]mannose incorporation into oligosaccharide-lipid was maximally reduced, the specific activity of the GDP-Man pool was identical to that observed in control cells. Labeling in vivo of the lipid-linked saccharide precursors of oligosaccharide-lipid revealed that cycloheximide had virtually no effect on the synthesis of Man-P-Dol, GlcNAc-PP-Dol, GlcNAc2-PP-Dol, and β-Man-(GlcNAc)2-PP-Dol (Dol = dolichol). In agreement with this finding, results of experiments in vitro using microsomes prepared from LM cells indicate that cycloheximide did not directly inhibit the enzymes responsible for the synthesis of these lipid-linked saccharide precursors. Supplementation of mouse LM cells by preincubation for 1 h with dolichyl phosphate (5 μg/ml) resulted in a 300% stimulation of oligosaccharide-lipid synthesis when compared to non-supplemented cells. However, dolichyl phosphate supplementation of cycloheximide-treated cells failed to restore oligosaccharide-lipid synthesis to the level observed in control cells. In control cells pre-labeled oligosaccharide-lipid turned over rapidly and, as expected, cycloheximide addition to the chase medium significantly retarded this turnover process. However, preincubation of cells with exogenous dolichyl phosphate had little or no effect on the turnover of oligosaccharide-lipid in control or cycloheximide-treated cells. These findings argue against dolichyl phosphate deficiency as the primary cause of reduced oligosaccharide-lipid synthesis when protein synthesis is blocked. The implications of these results, and an alternative hypothesis to explain the effect of inhibition of protein synthesis on oligosaccharide-lipid synthesis based on elevation of intracellular GTP levels, are discussed.
Performance of two different types of anodes in membrane electrode assembly microbial fuel cells for power generation from domestic wastewater

Abstract Graphite fiber brush electrodes provide high surface areas for exoelectrogenic bacteria in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), but the cylindrical brush format limits more compact reactor designs. To enable MFC designs with closer electrode spacing, brush anodes were pressed up against a separator (placed between the electrodes) to reduce the volume occupied by the brush. Higher maximum voltages were produced using domestic wastewater (COD = 390 ± 89 mg L −1 ) with brush anodes (360 ± 63 mV, 1000 Ω) than woven carbon mesh anodes (200 ± 81 mV) with one or two separators. Maximum power densities were similar for brush anode reactors with one or two separators after 30 days (220 ± 1.2 and 240 ± 22 mW m −2 ), but with one separator the brush anode MFC power decreased to 130 ± 55 mW m −2 after 114 days. Power densities in MFCs with mesh anodes were very low ( −2 ). Brush anodes MFCs had higher COD removals (80 ± 3%) than carbon mesh MFCs (58 ± 7%), but similar Coulombic efficiencies (8.6 ± 2.9% brush; 7.8 ± 7.1% mesh). These results show that compact (hemispherical) brush anodes can produce higher power and more effective domestic wastewater treatment than flat mesh anodes in MFCs.
Ionic strength: A neglected variable in enzyme technology

Abstract Ionic strength is a variable of considerable importance in enzyme biochemistry. Unfortunately, the ionic strength variable is little used in immobilized enzyme studies. This paper gives examples of enzyme systems known to be sensitive to ionic strength. Suggestions are offered for the manipulation of ionic strength in enzyme technology studies. Laboratory results on the effect of ionic strength on the reaction catalysed by immobilized pancreatic ribonuclease (EC 3.1.27.5) are also presented and analysed using the Debye-Huckel equation.
Malignant Ovarian Tumors in Two Heifers

Granulosa cell tumors (GCTS) are the most common ovarian tumor of cattle. Although there is some disagreement on the clinical behavior of these neoplasms, they are typically composed of well-differentiated cells, and malignancy in unselected bovine populations is uncommon. This report describes poorly differentiated, malignant ovarian tumors with extensive peritoneal spread in 2 heifers. Two heifers from different farms were presented with marked abdominal distention. Heifer 1 was a weak, recumbent, emaciated, 180-kg, 9-month-old Holstein with poor growth and body condition. Heifer 2 was a lethargic, 454kg, 2-year-old Charolais heifer in fair condition. Clinical examination of both animals revealed a large abdominal mass, suspected to be an abscess, palpable per rectum. No abnormalities in sexual behavior had been noted. A poor prognosis was given, and the heifers were euthanized and necropsied. In both animals, 1 ovary was replaced by a large, dark red, solid to multiloculated cystic mass containing serosanguineous fluid and red-black, coagulated necrotic material. In heifer 1, a 30-cm-diameter mass was present at the tip of the right uterine horn (Fig. 1). The contralateral ovary was small (3.0 x 1.0 x 0.5 cm) and inactive. In heifer 2, a 26 x 12 x 12-cm mass was present at the tip of the left horn. Her right ovary contained a corpus luteum, and the right uterine horn contained a 15-cm fetus. Multiple (20 to 30) similar but smaller coalescing masses (5-15-cm diameter) were attached to the mesentery and abdominal serosa of both animals. One bronchial lymph node of heifer 2 was approximately 20 times normal size and contained a cystic mass similar to the abdominal masses. No other lesions were noted in either heifer. Selected tissues were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and prepared routinely for histology. The avidin-biotin complex immunoperoxidase method was used to stain deparaffinized tumor sections from heifers 1 and 2 with antibodies to cytokeratin (dilution 1:250) and vimentin (dilution 1:160) following standard techniques and appropriate controls, using an automated immunostainer. Additional tumor sections from heifer 2 were stained with antibodies from a routine diagnostic panel including ovarian carcinoma-associated antigen (CA 125, dilution 1:10), leukocyte common antigen (LCA, dilution 1:200), -smooth muscle actin (1A4, dilution 1:320), desmin (dilution 1:300), HMB45 (melanoma, dilution, 1:400), and S-100 (dilution 1:7,200). Positive controls were employed as follows: colonic adenocarcinoma for
Linear prediction error method for blind identification of periodically time-varying channels

Blind channel estimation for single-input multiple-output (SIMO) periodically time-varying channels is considered using only the second-order statistics of the data. The time-varying channel is assumed to be described by a complex exponential basis expansion model (CE-BEM). The linear prediction error method for blind identification of time-invariant channels is extended to time-varying channels represented by a CE-BEM. Sufficient conditions for identifiability are investigated. The cyclostationary nature of the received signal is exploited to consistently estimate the time-varying correlation function of the data from a single observation record. The proposed method requires the knowledge of the active basis functions but not the channel length (an upper bound suffices). Several existing methods require precise knowledge of the channel length. Equalization of the time-varying channel, given the estimated channel, is investigated. Computer simulation examples are presented to illustrate the approach and to compare it with two existing approaches.
Reduced abundance of immature Ixodes dammini (Acari: Ixodidae) following elimination of deer.

We determined whether a dense infestation of Ixodes dammini Spielman, Clifford, Piesman & Corwin, the tick that locally transmits Lyme disease and human babesiosis, depends upon the presence of deer. This host was removed from a tick-infested land mass located on Cape Cod, Mass., and the abundance of the tick was monitored. Larval ticks became less abundant beginning in the summer following removal of deer, indicating that the adults of this species generally failed to feed and reproduce. The abundance of nymphal ticks declined more gradually. We conclude that the presence of deer is a precondition for dense infestations of I. dammini and hence for intense transmission of Lyme disease and human babesiosis.
Preserving the Scholarly Side of the Web

This paper presents results of a case study that addresses many issues surrounding the difficult task of preservation in a digital library. We focus on a subset of these issues as they apply to the preservation of scholarly articles encoded in current web standards. We also describe the two common preservation mechanisms, emulation and migration, as well as our selection of the latter for our particular case. Finally, we compare two approaches to migration, automatic and manual, and discuss their strengths and weaknesses in our context. We show that consistent use of open standards leads to more efficient migration processes and issue a "call to arms" to the digital preservation community to ensure that scholarly material currently on the web can be preserved for future generations.
A simple pore water hydrogen diffusion syringe sampler.

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is an important intermediate product and electron donor in microbial metabolism. Concentrations of dissolved H2 are often diagnostic of the predominant terminal electron-accepting processes in ground water systems or aquatic sediments. H2 concentrations are routinely measured in ground water monitoring wells but are rarely measured in saturated aquatic sediments due to a lack of simple and practical sampling methods. This report describes the design and development (including laboratory and field testing) of a simple, syringebased H2 sampler in (1) saturated, riparian sediments, (2) surface water bed sediments, and (3) packed intervals of a fractured bedrock borehole that are inaccessible by standard pumped methods.
An HSV-2 based oncolytic virus can function as an attractant to guide migration of adoptively transferred T cells to tumor sites

Adoptive T-cell therapy has shown promises for cancer treatment. However, for treating solid tumors, there is a need for improving the ability of the adoptively transferred T cells to home to tumor sites. We explored the possibility of using an oncolytic virus derived from HSV-2, which can actively pull T effector cells to the site of infection, as a local attractant for migration of adoptively transferred T cells. Our data show that intratumoral administration of this virus can indeed attract active migration of the adoptively transferred T cells to the treated tumor. Moreover, once attracted to the tumor site by the virus, T cells persisted in there significantly longer than in mock-treated tumor. Chemokine profiling identified significant elevation of CXCL9 and CXCL10, as well as several other chemokines belonging to the inflammatory chemokine family in the virus-treated tumors. These chemokines initially guided the T-cell migration to and then maintained their persistence in the tumor site, leading to a significantly enhanced therapeutic effect. Our data suggests that this virotherapy may be combined with adoptive T-cell therapy to potentiate its therapeutic effect against solid tumors that are otherwise difficult to manage with the treatment alone.
Home Economics in Higher Education: Communities of Convenience or Purpose?.

This article focuses on home economics higher education curricula and argues that an integrative, interdisciplinary curriculum organized around a set of practi cal, perennial problems would strengthen the effectiveness of the field. It begins with a contextual discussion of interdisciplinarity as a phenomenon in higher education. It then provides a rationale for developing integrative, interdisciplinary curricula for home economics in colleges and universities and offers an explana tion of the practical, perennial-problem framework for curriculum. It also exam ines the consequences to home economics of a lack of integration and offers ideas for facilitating integration using the communicative mode of inquiry.
Outage Analysis and Optimization for Discrete Randomized Distributed Space-Time Block Coding

Distributed space-time block coding (Dis-STBC) achieves diversity through cooperative transmission among geographically dispersed nodes. In this paper, we provide a closed- form expression for the outage probability of discrete randomized Dis-STBC for any given number of selected relays. Further, some rules for optimizing discrete randomized Dis-STBC are presented. Simulation results show that, the optimized discrete randomized schemes can achieve almost the same end-to-end outage performance as the continuous randomized scheme, as long as the number of potential relays is much larger than the number of columns in the underlying STBC matrix.
On the in situ study of Li ion transport in transmission electron microscope

For understanding the atomic processes involved, in situ observation at near-atomic spatial resolution is needed in the studies of lithium ion battery materials. We show that the Li transport and the lithiation of carbon atoms may be triggered by the electron beam in an electron microscope, together with simultaneous real-time monitoring of electron energy-loss spectroscopy to reveal the chemical state of the species. The local electric field induced in an electrolyte particle by an electron beam acts on Li ions, resulting in Li transport and reaction with carbons. This process closely mimics the charging process of an electrochemical battery charge cycle, without an external power supply. We find that the lithium transport occurs in the form of Li+.
Double Shroud Delivery of Silica Precursor for Reducing Hexavalent Chromium in Welding Fume

The welding process yields a high concentration of nanoparticles loaded with hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), a known human carcinogen. Previous studies have demonstrated that using tetramethylsilane (TMS) as a shielding gas additive can significantly reduce the Cr6+ concentration in welding fume particles. In this study, a novel insulated double shroud torch (IDST) was developed to further improve the reduction of airborne Cr6+ concentration by separating the flows of the primary shielding gas and the TMS carrier gas. Welding fumes were collected from a welding chamber in the laboratory and from a fixed location near the welding arc in a welding facility. The Cr6+ content was analyzed with ion chromatography and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results from the chamber sampling demonstrated that the addition of 3.2∼5.1% of TMS carrier gas to the primary shielding gas resulted in more than a 90% reduction of airborne Cr6+ under all shielding gas flow rates. The XPS result confirmed complete elimination ...
Scheffersomyces cryptocercus: a new xylose-fermenting yeast associated with the gut of wood roaches and new combinations in the Sugiyamaella yeast clade

The gut of wood-feeding insects is a microhabitat for a specialized community of microbes, including bacteria and several groups of eukaryotes such as nematodes, parabasalids and fungi. The characterization of gut yeast communities from a variety of insects has shown that certain yeasts often are associated with the insects. The gut of wood-feeding insects is rich in ascomycete yeasts and in particular xylose-fermenting (X-F) and assimilating yeasts have been consistently present in the gut of lignicolous insects. The objective of this study was the characterization of the yeast flora from the gut of the wood roach Cryptocercus sp. (Blattodea: Cryptocercidae). Five wood roaches were collected along the Appalachian Trail near the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, USA. We isolated 18 yeast strains from the wood roaches identified as Sugiyamaella paludigena and Sugiyamaella lignohabitans, xylose-assimilating yeasts, and Scheffersomyces cryptocercus (NRRL Y-48824(T) = CBS 12658) a new species of X-F yeast. The presence of X-F and certain non X-F yeasts in the gut of the subsocial wood roach Cryptocercus sp. extends the previous findings of associations between certain ascomycete yeasts and lignicolous insects. New combinations were made for 13 asexual members of the Sugiyamaella clade.
Revisiting the Decision to Arrest: Comparing Beat and Community Officers

During the past 30 years, an expanding body of literature has evolved that examines the correlates of officers'decisions to arrest. This study extends this line of inquiry by investigating the influence of situational- and community-level variables on the arrest decisions of officers in an agency that has implementedcommunity policing. Using data collected through systematic social observations of the police, the authors examine the direct effects of officers' assignment on the decision to arrest. In addition, the authors explore whether conventional arrest predictors vary between community and beat officers and, if so, the extent and nature of the variance. The findings generally suggest that there is no significant direct influence of assignment on arrest decisions. However, substantive differences in the decision-making process are revealed among predictors of arrest across assignments.
A control strategy for hyperthermia

The success of a hyperthermia cancer treatment requires reshaping the applied power to improve the thermal performance in the treatment volume. Herein, the steady state thermal response for a scanned focused ultrasound system is optimized with respect to the four transducer scan parameters. The information obtained from the optimization study is used to establish a schedule of desirable scan patterns as a function of the estimated blood perfusion magnitudes. In addition, the thermal performance of the resulting closed-loop system is shown to be strongly influenced by the location of the measured outputs and the regulated outputs. >
The interaction between theory and experiment in charge density analysis

The field of x-ray charge density analysis has gradually morphed into an area benefiting from the strong interactions between theoreticians and experimentalists, leading to new concepts on chemical bonding and of intermolecular interactions in condensed phases. Some highlights of the developments culminating in the 2013 Aminoff Award are described in this paper.
Molecular imaging of gene expression and efficacy following adenoviral-mediated brain tumor gene therapy.

Cancer gene therapy is an active area of research relying upon the transfer and subsequent expression of a therapeutic transgene into tumor cells in order to provide for therapeutic selectivity. Noninvasive assessment of therapeutic response and correlation of the location, magnitude, and duration of transgene expression in vivo would be particularly useful in the development of cancer gene therapy protocols by facilitating optimization of gene transfer protocols, vector development, and prodrug dosing schedules. In this study, we developed an adenoviral vector containing both the therapeutic transgene yeast cytosine deaminase (yCD) along with an optical reporter gene (luciferase). Following intratumoral injection of the vector into orthotopic 9L gliomas, anatomical and diffusion-weighted MR images were obtained over time in order to provide for quantitative assessment of overall therapeutic efficacy and spatial heterogeneity of cell kill, respectively. In addition, bioluminescence images were acquired to assess the duration and magnitude of gene expression. MR images revealed significant reduction in tumor growth rates associated with yCD/5-fluorocytosine (5FC) gene therapy. Significant increases in mean tumor diffusion values were also observed during treatment with 5FC. Moreover, spatial heterogeneity in tumor diffusion changes were also observed revealing that diffusion magnetic resonance imaging could detect regional therapeutic effects due to the nonuniform delivery and/or expression of the therapeutic yCD transgene within the tumor mass. In addition, in vivo bioluminescence imaging detected luciferase gene expression, which was found to decrease over time during administration of the prodrug providing a noninvasive surrogate marker for monitoring gene expression. These results demonstrate the efficacy of the yCD/5FC strategy for the treatment of brain tumors and reveal the feasibility of using multimodality molecular and functional imaging for assessment of gene expression and therapeutic efficacy. Mol Imaging (2002) 1, 43 – 55.
Success factors in developing and delivering online courses in operations management

This paper reports the experience in using an e-learning success model to promote e-learning quality and success. The model was adapted from DeLone-McLean's Information Systems Success Model to make explicit a process approach to success assessment, whereby the overall success of an e-learning initiative depends on the attainment of success at each of the three stages of e-learning systems development: quality design, quality delivery and quality outcome. The proposed model was tested in two cycles of action research using a web-based learning module on facility location. Findings from the study confirmed the validity of using the proposed success model for e-learning quality and success assessment.
Stability of ligand‐binding domain dimer assembly controls kainate receptor desensitization

AMPA and kainate receptors mediate fast synaptic transmission. AMPA receptor ligand-binding domains form dimers, which are key functional units controlling ion-channel activation and desensitization. Dimer stability is inversely related to the rate and extent of desensitization. Kainate and AMPA receptors share common structural elements, but functional measurements suggest that subunit assembly and gating differs between these subtypes. To investigate this, we constructed a library of GluR6 kainate receptor mutants and directly measured changes in kainate receptor dimer stability by analytical ultracentrifugation, which, combined with electrophysiological experiments, revealed an inverse correlation between dimer stability and the rate of desensitization. We solved crystal structures for a series of five GluR6 mutants, to understand the molecular mechanisms for dimer stabilization. We demonstrate that the desensitized state of kainate receptors acts as a deep energy well offsetting the stabilizing effects of dimer interface mutants, and that the deactivation of kainate receptor responses is dominated by entry into desensitized states. Our results show how neurotransmitter receptors with similar structures and gating mechanisms can exhibit strikingly different functional properties.
Using Evidence-Based Practice to Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Background Strategies are needed to help prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. Objective To develop a ventilator bundle and care practices for nurses in critical care units to reduce the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Method The ventilator bundle developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement was expanded to include protocols for mouth care and hand washing, head-of-bed alarms, subglottic suctioning, and use of an electronic compliance feedback tool. Compliance audits were used to provide immediate electronic feedback. Results Adherence to practices included in the bundle increased. Compliance rates were greater than 98% for prophylaxis for peptic ulcer disease and deep-vein thrombosis, interruption of sedation, and elevation of the head of the bed. The compliance rate for the oral care protocol increased from 76% to 96.8%. Readiness for extubation reached at least 92.4%. Rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia decreased from 9.47 to 1.9 cases per 1000 ventilator days. The decrease in rates produced an estimated savings of approximately $1.5 million. Conclusion Strict adherence to bundled practices for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia, enhanced accountability for initiating protocols, use of a feedback system, and interdisciplinary collaboration improved patients' outcomes and produced marked savings in costs.
The Effects of Participation on Political Efficacy and Political Support: Evidence from a West German Panel

This paper explores the effects of four modes of political participation--voting, campaigning, peaceful protest, and aggressive behavior--on two fundamental attitudes, political efficacy and regime...
Implications of Outside‐the‐Box Technologies on Future Space Exploration and Colonization

In general, planning for future manned space exploration either to the moon, Mars, or an asteroid has depended on a somewhat linear extrapolation of our present technologies. Two major prohibitive cost issues regarding such planning are payload lift and in‐flight energy generation. The costs of these in both engineering and actual flight costs, coupled with the planning necessary to carry out such exploration have prevented us from actively moving forward. Although, it will be worthwhile to continue to plan for such exploration using “present” technologies, I recommend that planning be concerned mainly with mission strategies and goals utilizing both present technology and totally new energy breakthroughs. There are presently in research and development an entire suite of relevant outside‐the‐box technologies which will include both zero point energy generation and antigravity technologies that will replace our present solar/nuclear/fuel cell energy technologies and liquid/solid fuel rockets. This paper describes some of these technologies, the physics behind them and their potential use for manned space exploration. The companies and countries that first incorporate these technologies into their space programs will lead the way in exploring and colonizing space.
Characteristics of highly cross-linked polyethylene wear debris in vivo.

Despite the widespread implementation of highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) liners to reduce the clinical incidence of osteolysis, it is not known if the improved wear resistance will outweigh the inflammatory potential of HXLPE wear debris generated in vivo. Thus, we asked: What are the differences in size, shape, number, and biological activity of polyethylene wear particles obtained from primary total hip arthroplasty revision surgery of conventional polyethylene (CPE) versus remelted or annealed HXLPE liners? Pseudocapsular tissue samples were collected from revision surgery of CPE and HXLPE (annealed and remelted) liners, and digested using nitric acid. The isolated polyethylene wear particles were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Tissues from both HXLPE cohorts contained an increased percentage of submicron particles compared to the CPE cohort. However, the total number of particles was lower for both HXLPE cohorts, as a result there was no significant difference in the volume fraction distribution and specific biological activity (SBA; the relative biological activity per unit volume) between cohorts. In contrast, based on the decreased size and number of HXLPE wear debris there was a significant decrease in total particle volume (mm3/g of tissue). Accordingly, when the SBA was normalized by total particle volume (mm3/gm tissue) or by component wear volume rate (mm3/year), functional biological activity of the HXLPE wear debris was significantly decreased compared to the CPE cohort. Indications for this study are that the osteolytic potential of wear debris generated by HXLPE liners in vivo is significantly reduced by improvements in polyethylene wear resistance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 101B: 467–475, 2013.
Generalized ellipsometry for materials characterization

Abstract Ellipsometry experiments normally measure two to four parameters, which are converted to the ellipsometric parameters ψ and Δ. This is usually sufficient for many samples, but more complicated situations (such as anisotropic or depolarizing samples) require more sophisticated measurements. Over the last 7 years, we have developed the two-modulator generalized ellipsometer (2-MGE), which measures eight elements of the sample Mueller matrix simultaneously either in reflection or transmission. In reflection, the 2-MGE totally characterizes light reflection from anisotropic samples, measuring the normal ellipsometry parameters, as well as the cross-polarization and depolarization effects. Applications include the determination of the spectroscopic optical functions of uniaxial materials (such as TiO2 and ZnO), and the measurement of cross-polarization from diffractive structures. In transmission, the 2-MGE completely characterizes a general linear diattenuator and retarder. Applications include the measurement of the retardation and diattenuation of film polarizers and internal electric fields in LiNbO3 and CdZnTe under bias.
EFFECT OF SCREENING METHODS ON EXPRESSION OF ROMAINE LETTUCE RESISTANCE TO ADULT BANDED CUCUMBER BEETLE, DIABROTICA BALTEATA (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)

Resistance in lettuce, Lactuca sativa L., to feeding by adult banded cucumber beetle, Diabrotica balteata (LeConte), was evaluated using three screening methods: leaf disks, excised leaves and intact leaves attached to plants. Dual-choice and no-choice bioassays were used to evaluate each method based on leaf area consumption. Methods of testing had a significant effect on the level of feeding damage by D. balteata on two lettuce cultivars, Tall Guzmaine and Valmaine. Valmaine expressed a significant degree of resistance to D. balteata damage when intact leaf and excised leaf methods were used in dual-choice bioassays between Tall Guzmaine and Valmaine, but the latter failed to show resistant characteristics in no-choice tests when excised leaves were used. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in D. balteata feeding between Tall Guzmaine and Valmaine in the leaf disk tests. Therefore, whole plants are the best method to evaluate lettuce cultivars for resistance to D. balteata. Reduction or cessation of resistance characters in excised Valmaine whole leaves and disks are discussed with references to potential changes in concentration of feeding stimulants and deterrents and changes in latex pressure.
FALCAUSTRA WASHINGTONENSIS N. SP. (NEMATODA: KATHLANIIDAE) FROM AMBYSTOMA TIGRINUM MELANOSTICTUM (CAUDATA: AMBYSTOMATIDAE) FROM WASHINGTON STATE, USA

Falcaustra washingtonensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) from the intestine of the salamander Ambystoma tigrinum melanostictum is described and illustrated. Falcaustra washingtonensis n. sp. represents the 14th nearctic species assigned to this genus and is distinguished from other nearctic species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae and number of posterior muscle groups of the male: 10 pairs of sessile caudal papillae—3 pairs precloacal, 1 pair adcloacal, 6 pairs postcloacal—and 5 posterior muscle groups.
Electromagnetic interactions of neutrinos

The cross sections for the process (a) $\ensuremath{\nu}+\mathrm{nucleus}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\nu}+\ensuremath{\gamma} (\mathrm{virtual}\mathrm{Coulomb})+\mathrm{nucleus}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\nu}+\ensuremath{\gamma}+\mathrm{nucleus}$ and the related process (b) $\ensuremath{\gamma}+\mathrm{nucleus}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}+\ensuremath{\gamma} (\mathrm{virtual}\mathrm{Coulomb})+\mathrm{nucleus}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\nu}+\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}+\mathrm{nucleus}$ are calculated to lowest order in the weak and electromagnetic interactions, assuming the existence of a direct electron-neutrino weak interaction. While the relevant Feynman amplitude is given by a formally divergent expression, a finite amplitude is obtained by imposing the condition of gauge invariance. The contribution of process (b) to the neutrino luminosity of stars is worked out and found to be somewhat smaller than that of the processes: ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}+{e}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\nu}+\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$, $\ensuremath{\gamma}+{e}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{e}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}+\ensuremath{\nu}+\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$. The present calculation is motivated by recent suggestions that stellar evolution may be significantly affected by energy lost by the star due to the emission of neutrinos. A very crude estimate is given for the contribution of the process (c) $\ensuremath{\gamma}+\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\nu}+\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}+\ensuremath{\gamma}$ to the neutrino luminosity. It is pointed out that a calculation of process (b) which exists in the literature is non-gauge-invariant.
Prospective Study of Patient-Reported Symptom Burden in Patients With Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Undergoing Proton or Photon Chemoradiation Therapy

Abstract Context Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT), and proton-beam therapy (PBT) are chemoradiotherapy modalities for treating locally advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. Although therapy is carefully planned to maximize treatment benefit while minimizing risk for adverse side effects, most patients develop radiation-induced symptom burden. Objectives To demonstrate the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory's ability to detect fine differences in symptom development among these modalities. Methods This was a longitudinal observational study. Patients with unresectable primary or recurrent non–small-cell lung cancer (n = 82) underwent 3DCRT, IMRT, or PBT. Patients rated MD Anderson Symptom Inventory symptoms weekly for up to 12 weeks. We used mixed-effect modeling to estimate development of symptoms and functional interference. Results The PBT group received a significantly higher radiation target dose than did the IMRT and 3DCRT groups (P Conclusion Patients receiving PBT reported significantly less severe symptoms than did patients receiving IMRT or 3DCRT. These results should be confirmed in a randomized study with comparable tumor burden among therapies.
Diels-Alder reaction, inverse electronic demand Diels-Alder reaction, hetero-Diels-Alder reaction

The Diels-Alder reaction, reverse electronic demand Diels-Alder reaction, as well as the hetero-Diels-Alder reactions, belong to the category of [4+2] -cycloaddition reactions, which is a concerted process. The arrow-pushing here is merely illustrative.
Potentiation of Hydrogen Peroxide Toxicity: From Catalase Inhibition to Stable DNA-iron Complexes

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is unique among general toxins, because it is stable in abiotic environments at ambient temperature and neutral pH, yet rapidly kills any type of cells by producing highly-reactive hydroxyl radicals. This life-specific reactivity follows the distribution of soluble iron, Fe(II) (which combines with H2O2 to form the famous Fenton's reagent),Fe(II) is concentrated inside cells, but is virtually absent outside them. Because of the immediate danger of H2O2, all cells have powerful H2O2 scavengers, the equally famous catalases, which enable cells to survive thousand-fold higher concentrations of H2O2 and, in combination with adequate movement of H2O2 across membranes, make the killing H2O2 concentrations virtually impractical to generate in vivo. And yet, low concentrations of H2O2 are somehow used as an efficient biological weapon. Here we review several examples of how cells potentiate H2O2 toxicity with other chemicals. At first, these potentiators were thought to simply inhibit catalases, but recent findings with cyanide suggest that potentiators mostly promote the other side of Fenton's reaction, recruiting iron from cell depots into stable DNA-iron complexes that, in the presence of elevated H2O2, efficiently break duplex DNA, pulverizing the chromosome. This multifaceted potentiation of H2O2 toxicity results in robust and efficient killing.
Synchronization of a millimeter-wave BWO with a spectrum analyzer via a simple phaselock system

The evaluation of very low loss materials in the millimeter-wave region requires precision measurement of the change in the linewidth of a resonant cavity when a sample is inserted. The precision required is on the order of a few kHz change in a 300 kHz linewidth. For a number of years we have utilized the combination of a backward wave oscillator (BWO) source and a microwave spectrum analyzer to obtain such measurements.
Urologic Outcomes of Children With Hemorrhagic Cystitis After Bone Marrow Transplant at a Single Institution

Objective To analyze clinical outcomes and the risk factors associated with genitourinary (GU) morbidity and mortality in children who present with hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) after bone marrow transplant (BMT). Methods A retrospective chart review of patients with HC who had undergone BMT at a single pediatric hospital from 2008 to 2015 was conducted. Demographic data, severity of hematuria, HC management, and mortality were analyzed. Bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression were performed to identify risk factors. Results Out of 43 patients who met inclusion criteria, 67.4% were male with a median age at BMT of 10.2 years (interquartile range 5.8-14.6). Percutaneous nephrostomy catheters were inserted in 5 patients for urinary diversion. All-cause mortality was 32.6% (N = 14). Intravesical retroviral therapy (P Conclusion Children with HC after BMT fall in a very high-risk category with high mortality and significant GU morbidity. The presence of a Foley catheter, need for dialysis, and BK viremia are associated with increased mortality.