cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Tumor Volume and Timing of Post-resection Stereotactic Radiosurgery to Maximize Local Control: A Critical Review.

After maximally safe neurosurgical resection of brain metastases, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is now recommended as an alternative to whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT), which has been associated with cognitive decline. One complicating factor associated with SRS is that postoperative cavity dynamics can change dramatically, creating significant variability in the recommended timing of SRS. While SRS has been shown to improve local control (LC) in smaller tumor cavities, achieving excellent LC rates still remains a challenge in larger ones. Furthermore, factors predicting the optimal timing of SRS in relation to the cavity size need to be defined and implemented. Variables such as the delay between postoperative MRI and treatment are critical but poorly understood. One potential treatment option that may improve outcomes is brachytherapy, but the widespread implementation of this technique has been slow. This critical review analyzes the relationship between preoperative tumor volume, resection cavity size, and timing of SRS and explores how these variables must be understood in order to achieve the highest LC possible.
Mutational analysis reveals how the essential interactions of a ClpP proteolytic system regulate the apicoplast proteome in malaria parasites

Abstract The human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, contains a plastid called the apicoplast that functions to produce essential metabolites. Most of apicoplast proteins are encoded by the nuclear genome and it is unclear how the apicoplast controls its own proteome. Here, we investigated the apicoplast caseinolytic-protease (Clp) system and how it regulates organelle proteostasis. Our data show that interfering with expression, activity or interactions of the Clp protease (PfClpP), chaperone (PfClpC), non-catalytic subunit (PfClpR), or potential substrate adaptor molecule (PfClpS) results in parasite death because of apicoplast loss. Using conditional null-mutants, we demonstrated that PfClpP is essential due to its role in apicoplast biogenesis. Conditional knockdown mutants of PfClpP revealed the robustness of its proteolytic activity and its interaction with the chaperone PfClpC. A CRISPR/Cas9 based system was developed and used for the expression of a PfClpC variant with a mutation in the putative protease binding site, which led to the discovery of its essential interaction with PfClpP. A combination of several tagged Clp proteins was used for affinity purification and determined complex composition as well as identify putative substrates. Expression of a catalytically-dead variant of PfClpP in the background of PfClpP conditional mutants showed that PfClpP oligomerizes as a zymogen and that the pro-domain is removed via trans-autocatalysis. Conditional knockdown mutants of PfClpS demonstrated its essential function in plastid biogenesis and its interaction with PfClpR as well as putative substrates. This comprehensive study reveals the molecular interactions driving the function of the apicoplast PfClpP/R/C/S system and demonstrates its central role in the biogenesis of the plastid in malaria parasites.
Trends in safety and cost of deep brain stimulation for treatment of movement disorders in the United States: 2002-2014.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is being increasingly utilized to treat movement disorders including Parkinson’s disease (PD), essential tremor (ET), and dystonia. An improved understanding of nationa...
A Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer Using Thin-Film Lithium Niobate

This letter presents the first piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) based on thin-film lithium niobate (LiNbO3). The figures of merit (FoMs) of LiNbO3 as ultrasound sensors and transducers are first studied, showing great prospective as a balanced transceiver platform. Efficient flexural mode excitation is achieved using a proposed lateral-field-excitation (LFE) structure. The implemented device shows a flexural mode at 7.6 MHz, with a high electromechanical coupling ( $k^{2}$ ) of 4.2%. Measured quality factor ( $Q$ ) in vacuum is 2605, indicating the low structural loss, while measured $Q$ in air is 264, suggesting the ultrasound radiation. A dynamic displacement sensitivity of 20.2 nm/V is measured. Upon further optimizations, LiNbO3-based PMUTs are promising candidates for miniature ultrasound applications. [2020-0287]
A Course on Mathematical Modeling for the Life Sciences

This paper introduces a course design for a post-Calculus undergraduate course on mathematical modeling for the life sciences. The course includes differential equations, discrete, and cellular aut...
The effects of proton pump inhibitors on neuropsychological functioning.

The current study investigated the effects of proton pump inhibitor use and apolipoprotein e4 carrier status on changes in neuropsychological functioning in healthy adults with familial risk factor...
Moderne liefde: de driehoeksverhouding tussen jou en mij en de smartphone

Elke romantische relatie wordt mede bepaald door communicatie, openheid en grenzen. Momenteel speelt de huidige informatie- en communicatietechnologie (ICT) daar ook een rol in, zeker in de vorm van de smartphone, die diep is doorgedrongen in onze persoonlijke levens en daarmee ook in het wel en wee van onze liefdesrelaties; en in het ontstaan, standhouden en eventueel beeindigen van die liefdesrelaties. De modellen die tot nu toe zijn gebruikt om deze nieuwe dynamiek te beschrijven, zijn gebaseerd op relatietheorieen uit het verleden. Maar het is daarnaast zinvol om therapeuten en onderzoekers die zich bezighouden met de dynamiek van relatievorming, inzicht te verschaffen in de veranderingen die zich hierbij het afgelopen decennium hebben voorgedaan onder invloed van ICT. Dit onderzoek naar de invloed van ICT op relatiedynamiek is uitgevoerd volgens de methode van de gefundeerde theorie, en is gebaseerd op de verhalen en beschrijvingen van zestien deelnemers. De studie toont aan dat de invloed van technologie op relaties zich op vier gebieden doet gelden: bereikbaarheid, intimiteit, grenzen en aanwezigheid.
Interligand communication in a metal mediated LL'CT system - a case study.

A series of oxo-Mo(IV) complexes, [MoO(Dt2−)(Dt0)] (where Dt2− = benzene-1,2-dithiol (bdt), toluene-3,4-dithiol (tdt), quinoxaline-2,3-dithiol (qdt), or 3,6-dichloro-benzene-1,2-dithiol (bdtCl2); Dt0 = N,N′-dimethylpiperazine-2,3-dithione (Me2Dt0) or N,N′-diisopropylpiperazine-2,3-dithione (iPr2Dt0)), possessing a fully oxidized and a fully reduced dithiolene ligand have been synthesized and characterized. The assigned oxidation states of coordinated dithiolene ligands are supported with spectral and crystallographic data. The molecular structure of [MoO(tdt)(iPr2Dt0)] (6) demonstrates a large ligand fold angle of 62.6° along the S⋯S vector of the Dt0 ligand. The electronic structure of this system is probed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The HOMO is largely localized on the Dt2− ligand while virtual orbitals are mostly Mo and Dt0 in character. Modeling the electronic spectrum of 6 with time dependent (TD) DFT calculations attributes the intense low energy transition at ∼18 000 cm−1 to a ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LL′CT). The electron density difference map (EDDM) for the low energy transition depicts the electron rich Dt2− ligand donating charge density to the redox-active orbitals of the electron deficient Dt0 ligand. Electronic communication between dithiolene ligands is facilitated by a Mo-monooxo center and distortion about its primary coordination sphere.
Mechanistic study of pH effect on organic solvent nanofiltration using carboxylated covalent organic framework as a modeling and experimental platform

Abstract Covalent organic framework (COF) membranes for organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) have attracted growing interest due to their high stability, well-defined pore size, and controllable pore functionality. In aqueous nanofiltration processes, solution pH has a significant effect on membrane permeability, selectivity, and fouling. However, our understanding of pH effects on OSN processes is still limited. Here, we present experimental and reactive force field molecular dynamics (ReaxFF MD) simulation results on the effect of pH on OSN using a well-characterized carboxylated COF (C-COF) membrane. Filtration experimental and modeling results both demonstrate that pH changes can affect solvent permeance and solute rejection dramatically. Specifically, methanol permeance decreases with the increase of NaOH and HCl concentration, respectively. When Alcian Blue dye was used as the solute in methanol, the selectivity increased from 23% to 98% when changing the feed pH from 2.2 to 10.1, respectively. While ReaxFF MD results show that C-COF solvated pore size is only marginally affected by the pH of solution, methanol diffusion is affected by the size of methanol-solvated Na+ and Cl- ions, which increase with increasing Na+ and Cl- concentrations. Solution pH change also affected solute solvation layer thicknesses and C-COF pore charges, contributing to the significant AB dye selectivity increase with pH increase. To summarize, we have shown that dramatic changes in C-COF selectivity are not anomalous in OSN, but are instead controllable by varying feed solution pH to modify solvated solute radii and surface charge.
Radioiodine Labeling Reagents and Methods for New Chemical Entities and Biomolecules

Several radioisotopes of iodine (123I, 124I, 125I, and 131I) are available for medical use. One of them can be used, depending on the application, for radioiodine labeling of New Chemical Entities ...
The L2 Acquisition of Tense–Aspect Morphology

1. Acknowledgments 2. Contributors 3. Abbreviations used in glosses 4. 1. L2 acquisition of tense-aspect morphology (by Salaberry, M. Rafael) 5. 2. The first language acquisition of tense and aspect: A review (by Weist, Richard) 6. 3. The dimensions of pastness (by Andersen, Roger W.) 7. 4. Temporal relations in learner varieties: Grammaticalization and discourse construction (by Noyau, Colette) 8. 5. Analyzing aspect (by Bardovi-Harlig, Kathleen) 9. 6. The development of tense-aspect in English as a second language and the variable influence of inherent aspect (by Housen, Alex) 10. 7. The aspect hypothesis in naturalistic L2 acquisition: What uninflected and non-target-like verb forms in early interlanguage tell us (by Rohde, Andreas) 11. 8. How do learners acquire the classical three categories of temporality? Evidence from L2 Italian (by Giacalone Ramat, Anna) 12. 9. Lexical aspect in child second language acquisition of temporal morphology: A bidirectional study (by Rocca, Sonia) 13. 10. Information structure in dialogic future plans: A study of Italian native speakers and Swedish preadvanced and advanced learners of Italian (by Wiberg, Eva) 14. 11. Reference to past events in dialogue: The acquisition of tense and aspect by advanced learners of French (by Kihlstedt, Maria) 15. 12. On viewpoint aspect interpretation and its L2 acquisition: A UG perspective (by Slabakova, Roumyana) 16. 13. Tense and aspect in the selection of Spanish past tense verbal morphology (by Salaberry, M. Rafael) 17. 14. The acquisition and use of perfective aspect in Mandarin (by Duff, Patricia A.) 18. 15. The prototype hypothesis of tense-aspect acquisition in second language (by Shirai, Yasuhiro) 19. Index
Wait-free Computing

This tutorial has two independent parts. The first part (Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4) is aimed at introducing beginning graduate students to the subject of wait-free synchronization. It explores some important questions that have been studied and the techniques to solve them. The second part (Section 5) is a tutorial on robust wait-free hierarchies. It explains the motivation for studying such hierarchies and presents known results on this subject in one unified framework.
A 16-bit 10Gsps current steering RF DAC in 65nm CMOS achieving 65dBc ACLR multi-carrier performance at 4.5GHz Fout

This paper presents an RF DAC fabricated in a 65nm 1p7m CMOS process. The DAC is capable of >10Gsps operation dissipating ∼800mW. At 3Gsps the SFDR > 70dBc beyond 1GHz and the IM3 performance is < −80dBc within the same range. Signal processing is incorporated into the DAC providing interpolation and modulation through the full Nyquist band. Features and performance enable a wide application range including cable infrastructure, wireless communications, instrumentation, defense & aerospace. These performance capabilities are enabled by a modified DAC switch output structure and a novel current source calibration scheme1.
Analysis of Simian Virus 40-induced Transformation of Hamster Kidney Tissue In Vitro V. Variability of Virus Recovery from Cell Clones Inducible with Mitomycin C and Cell Fusion

Clones of simian virus 40-transformed hamster kidney cells from which infectious virus could be recovered and clones which did not yield virus by the overlay technique were subjected to chemical (mitomycin C) induction and to co-cultivation and fusion studies with indicator cells. The results of these studies indicate that the complete viral genome is present in all clones tested but that considerable heterogeneity with respect to inducibility exists among the clones. It is suggested that differences either in the number of viral genomes per transformed cell or in the status of the viral genome in transformed cells exist among the various clones. Furthermore, the inducibility of the clones may be correlated with their malignant potential.
Fatigue behavior of the resinous cement to zirconia bond.

Purpose Resinous cements are widely used for luting zirconia restorations. Adhesive failures have occurred at the cement/zirconia interface, rather than at the cement/dentin interface, suggesting that the cement/zirconia bond may lack durability; however, few comprehensive, comparative evaluations of fatigue effects have been reported. The rate of fatigue-induced loss of bond strength may be a more important predictor of long-term success than a single snapshot of bond strength after an arbitrary number of thermocycles. Previous studies have failed to identify trends by investigating bond strengths at several different numbers of cycles. This may result in invalid conclusions about which cements have superior bond strengths. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of artificial aging by thermocycling and resinous cement type on bond strengths to zirconia. Materials and Methods The effect of the number of thermocycles (0, 1, 10, 100, 1000, and 10,000) on the bond strengths of five resinous cements, two of which were used with and without a primer, and an oxygen-inhibiting gel, was studied. Specimens were randomly assigned to thermocycle number/cement-type test groups. Because zirconia has a very low thermal diffusivity, exceptionally long thermocycle dwell times were used. Cylinders of zirconia were bonded end-to-end. One end of each bonded specimen was insulated, specimens were thermocycled and tested in shear, and bond strengths were calculated and analyzed. Results Two-way ANOVA revealed that the effects of cement type, the number of thermocycles, and their interaction all significantly affected bond strength (p < 0.0001). By 10,000 cycles, most cements had lost at least half of their initial bond strengths, and two cements effectively recorded zero bond strengths. Failure modes were cement specific, but adhesive modes predominated. Fatigue resistance of two cements was greatly improved by use of a primer and an oxygen-inhibiting gel, as recommended by their respective manufacturers. Conclusions Both the type of resin cement and the number of thermocycles influenced bond strength. Fatigue through thermocycling affected different cement types in different ways. Some materials displayed more rapid loss of bond strength than others. Cements differed in their failure modes.
The Effect of Composition and Inter- and Intrafibrillar Interactions on the Structure of Collagen IV Networks in the Computer-Simulated Glomerular Basement Membrane

The glomerular basement membrane of the kidney, responsible for performing ultrafiltration blood plasma, is largely comprised of type-IV collagen and laminin. Type-IV collagen self-assembles into a heterotrimer composed of three distinct domains (fig. 1A): (1) the globular non-collagenous NCl domain of ∼10 nm in diameter, (2) the non-collagenous 7S domain ∼30 nm in length and ∼3nm in diameter, and (3) the collagenous triple helix of ∼370 nm in length and ∼3 nm in diameter composed of a repeating Gly-X-Y subunit [1]. The heterotrimers associate with remarkable specificity from six genetically distinct α-chains, α1(IV) to α6(IV) forming α1α1α2, α3α4α5, and α5α5α6 heterotrimers [2]. In the healthy glomerulus, α1α1α2 ([α1]2α2) is the predominate collagen while significant α3α4α5 is present; α5α5α6 exists only in negligible quantities [2].© 2009 ASME
Ambient Compression–Compression Fatigue Behavior of Magnesium Single Crystal

A magnesium single crystal sample with a near \( 1 1 {\bar{{2}}{0}} \) orientation was tested at room temperature under compression–compression cyclic loading, and the microstructure was characterized to disclose the involved deformation mechanisms. No plastic deformation region appeared on the stress–strain curve during the cyclic loading. The stress–strain curve stabilized at the first cycle, the strain range for each cycle fluctuated slightly around a constant value, and the mean strain for each cycle was in a narrow range from 0.0846 to 0.0863 during the whole test. The ratcheting strain rate decreased exponentially from ~0.0003, and reached a relatively small and stable value of about zero. The observed deformation mechanisms were prismatic slip, compression twinning, and tension twinning. The prismatic dislocation slip roughened the cylindrical sample surface by forming extrusions and intrusions, and small cracks were also observed on the surface.
Assessing the influence of water and substratum quality on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in a metal-polluted stream: an experimental approach

SUMMARY 1. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the relative influence of water quality and substratum quality on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the Animas River, a metal-polluted stream in south-western Colorado (U.S.A.). 2. A community-level in situ toxicity test measured direct effects of Animas River water on benthic invertebrates collected from a reference stream (Elk Creek). The effects of metalcontaminated biofilm were examined by comparing macroinvertebrate colonisation of clean and contaminated substrata placed in Elk Creek. A feeding experiment with the mayfly Baetis tricaudatus Dodds (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) examined metal bioaccumulation and effects of metal-contaminated biofilm on growth and survival. 3. Animas River water was acutely toxic to most taxa, with greatest effects observed on mayflies (Heptageniidae, Ephemerellidae) and stoneflies (Taeniopterygidae and Capniidae). 4. Although Animas River biofilm was characterised by high concentrations of metals and low algal biomass, most taxa colonised substratum from the reference stream and the Animas River equally. The exceptions were Ephemerellidae, Taeniopterygidae and Simuliidae, which were less abundant on Animas River substratum. Mayflies grazing Animas River biofilm accumulated significantly more metals and showed reduced growth compared with organisms feeding on Elk Creek biofilm. 5. Results of our experiments demonstrated that effects of heavy metals on benthic community structure in the Animas River were complex, and that responses to metals in water and contaminated substratum were species-specific. Predicting recovery of benthic communities following remediation requires an understanding of these species-specific responses.
Additions of water, hydroxide ions, alcohols and alkoxide ions to carbonyl and azomethine bonds

In this review are discussed equilibria involved in nucleophilic additions of H2O, HO - , ROH, and RO - (where R is an alkyl) to compounds containing carbonyl and azomethine bonds. These reactions result in a formation of covalent bonds between the heteroatom of the nucleophile and the carbon of the carbonyl double bond. After a brief summary of reactions resulting in additions to aliphatic carbonyl compounds, attention is paid to additions to benzaldehydes and formyl aromatic heterocycles. Equilibria involving additions to pyridoxal and some related compounds are dealt with in some detail. Discussion of additions of stated nucleophiles to azomethine bonds is practically restricted to additions to C=N bonds in heterocyclic rings. The reactivity of nucleophiles in such additions depends on the number of heteroatoms (in particular nitrogen) in the attacked ring, as well as on the number and position of substituents in such rings. In polynuclear compounds the reactivity depends on the number and kind of annelled rings, on the number and mutual position of heteroatoms and on the kind, number and position of substituents. In particular additions to pyrimidines, quinazolines, 1,2,4- and 1,3,5-triazines, pteridines and other heterocycles with four nitrogens, as well as 8-azapurines are mentioned.
Articulating vs. conventional laparoscopic grasping tools—surgeons’ opinions

Abstract An ergonomically designed articulating laparoscopic prototype tool was developed based on task analyses, evaluation of current tools and surgeon's opinions. A questionnaire was developed to compare the prototype developed to conventional laparoscopic surgical grasping tools. Thirty-eight surgeons evaluated the prototype tool and shared their opinions via a written survey. Surgeons were asked about problems they experience with use of conventional grasper tools and then gave evaluations of the prototype grasper tool. A Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to statistically analyze the questions. Results showed that a significant number of surgeons experience problems in each of fourteen problem areas, including physical (e.g. pain, stiffness and inability to perform precision motions) and cognitive (e.g. mental fatigue) difficulties. The responses had up to a 66% rate of experience by surgeons, with an alarming 29% of surgeons reporting numbness of the fingers or thumb after surgery with conventional tools. When asked to evaluate the prototype grasper, surgeons preferred the articulating prototype grasper to a conventional grasper, felt the prototype would alleviate discomfort caused by conventional tools and would be easier to manipulate. Relevance to industry Laparoscopic surgery requires surgeons to perform complex operative procedures using a standardized set of tools. The surgeon performs the operation with surgical tools and video cameras that are inserted into the patient through port sites (trocars). Surgical tools used in laparoscopic surgery are still being developed, and many have been adapted from conventional surgical tools by adding a long (45–52 cm) stylus to fit through the trocar, putting the handle at a right angle to the long axis (shaft) of the tool. Although the advantages of minimally invasive surgery have been clearly established for the patient, studies have shown that the surgeon is faced with numerous disadvantages caused by poorly designed instrument handles, including the potential of harm to the surgeon due to awkward postures, high repetition and high force exertions and the likelihood of harm to the patient due to poorly designed tools. Thus, there is a crucial need to develop and assess laparoscopic tools that more fully address the needs of laparoscopic surgery and its surgeons.
Observation of higher order parametric x-ray spectra in mosaic graphite and single silicon crystals.

We have observed up to 8 orders ([ital n]) in the spectra of parametric x-radiation (PXR) in the range 5--40 keV, produced by the interaction of a 90 MeV electron beam with mosaic graphite and single silicon crystals. The measured yields and intensity ratios, [ital I]([ital n][ge]2)/[ital I]([ital n]=1), in graphite are not in agreement with the theory of PXR for mosaic crystals. In comparison, the ratios of intensities in silicon are close to the predictions of PXR theory for perfect crystals. The bandwidths of spectral lines measured in both silicon and graphite are in good agreement with theoretical predictions.
Ultraviolet laser induced ionization of molecules near surfaces

Abstract Aromatic molecules are multiphoton ionized in the source region of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer using the output from a KrF excimer laser. Under certain operating conditions unsually sharp mass spectral peaks are observed. It is demonstrated that these result from ionization of molecules initially adsorbed to a metal surface. The implications of this phenomenon are briefly discussed.
Serum ovotransferrin as a biomarker of inflammatory diseases in chickens

Infectious and metabolic disorders are common in poultry and cause stress, poor performance, and mortality that results in considerable economic loss. Identifying the nature of stress in chickens will assist the development of appropriate measures to improve health and welfare. Acute phase proteins are hepatic proteins, the blood concentrations of which change significantly in the event of many health problems including inflammation and physical injuries. Thus, acute phase proteins are used as nonspecific diagnostic markers for various health disorders. Our previous studies showed that serum ovotransferrin (OVT) is an acute phase protein in chickens. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated whether OVT concentration can be a marker of physiological stress using sera from chickens with different infectious and metabolic disorders. A competitive enzyme immunoassay was developed to measure serum OVT concentrations. The results show that with experimentally induced pulmonary hypertension syndrome and tibial dyschondroplasia, there were no significant changes in OVT levels compared with matched controls. In contrast, when chickens were infected with microbes such as the bacterium Escherichia coli, or protozoan parasites such as Eimeria maxima and Eimeria tenella, there was a significant increase in the levels of OVT in the serum. Chickens with spontaneous autoimmune vitiligo also showed a significant increase in blood OVT levels. These studies suggest that blood OVT concentration is modulated under inflammatory and microbial stress and can therefore be used as a diagnostic marker of infection and inflammation in chickens.
Smoking behavior of type A and type B smokers.

Abstract Retrospective surveys have compared smoking between Type A and Type B individuals; however, prospective studies using objective measures have not been reported. In Study 1, we used an ambulatory smoking recorder to compare the smoking behavior of Type A and Type B smokers. Individual smoking behaviors and the derived tobacco and nicotine exposures were similar for Type A and Type B smokers. In Study 2, we compared serum nicotine before and after smoking a cigarette between Type A and Type B smokers. Pre-cigarette and post cigarette nicotine levels and nicotine boost were similar for Type A and Type B smokers. We conclude that Type A and Type B smokers do not differ in smoking behavior or tobacco and nicotine intake.
InGaAs-GaAs-AlGaAs strained-layer quantum well lasers by metal-organic chemical vapour deposition

The structure and characteristics of low threshold long wavelength ( lambda >1.07 mu m) strained-layer InGaAs-GaAs-AlGaAs quantum well broad area lasers and, in particular, buried heterostructure strained-layer lasers formed by wet chemical etching and a two-step metal-organic chemical vapour deposition growth process are reviewed. Low aluminium composition confining layers allow for high-quality regrowth interfaces and effective use of a silicon dioxide mask for selective epitaxy. The buried heterostructure lasers reported have narrow active region stripe widths, low threshold currents, high output powers, and operate on a stable fundamental lateral mode.
Chemical Constituents of Legnephora Moorei Miers (Menispermaceae)

A phytochemical investigation of an ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Legnephora moorei Miers (Menispermaceae) resulted in the isolation and characterization of the alkaloids dehydrocorydalmine, magnoflorine, laurifoline, and stepharine; the pentacyclic triterpene friedelin; and the sterol mixture cam-pesterol, stigmasterol, and sitosterol.
Laser activation of carbon microdisk electrodes : surface oxide effects on Ru(NH3)62+/3+ kinetics

Abstract Cyclic voltammetric experiments triggered by a laser pulse permitted rapid-scan (1000–3000 V s−1) voltammograms to be obtained at various times (0.01 s to 30 min) after laser activation of carbon fiber electrodes. A heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant k° of 0.90 ± 0.05 cm s−1 was observed for Ru(NH3)6 2+ 3+ at a laser-activated carbon fiber disk electrode of diameter 60 μm. This value was constant with time after laser activation for about 10 s but decayed by approximately 70% over a 20–30 min period. Laser exposure did not cause activation in O2-saturated electrolyte, and brief electrochemical oxidation rapidly decreased the observed rate constate. The results indicate inhibition of Ru(NH3)6 2+ 3+ electron transfer by a neutral surface oxide layer. A model for the decay of k° after laser activation based on first-order formation of a neutral oxide layer is proposed.
Dimethyl fumarate modulates antioxidant and lipid metabolism in oligodendrocytes

Oxidative stress contributes to pathology associated with inflammatory brain disorders and therapies that upregulate antioxidant pathways may be neuroprotective in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Dimethyl fumarate, a small molecule therapeutic for multiple sclerosis, activates cellular antioxidant signaling pathways and may promote myelin preservation. However, it is still unclear what mechanisms may underlie this neuroprotection and whether dimethyl fumarate affects oligodendrocyte responses to oxidative stress. Here, we examine metabolic alterations in oligodendrocytes treated with dimethyl fumarate by using a global metabolomic platform that employs both hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and shotgun lipidomics. Prolonged treatment of oligodendrocytes with dimethyl fumarate induces changes in citric acid cycle intermediates, glutathione, and lipids, indicating that this compound can directly impact oligodendrocyte metabolism. These metabolic alterations are also associated with protection from oxidant challenge. This study provides insight into the mechanisms by which dimethyl fumarate could preserve myelin integrity in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Thermal loads on the ignitor limiter for elongated plasmas

Abstract We present an analysis of the energy flux to the axisymmetric limiter in Ignitor for plasmas with elongation κ from 1.0 to 1.32 and midplane scrape off distances λ from 0.5 cm to 3.0 cm. We find that the elongation for a given scrape-off distance is limited by the allowable limiter edge heat load. We also find that by varying the elongation as a function of scrape-off distance, we can limit the peak energy flux to approximately 300 W/cm2 for 0.5 cm ≦ λ ≦ 3.0 cm, assuming 4.5 MW total power incident on the limiter.
Effects of estrogen and psychological stress on plasma homocysteine levels.

Abstract Objective To investigate the effects of estrogen (E) and psychological stress on plasma total homocysteine levels in relation to menopausal status. Design Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Setting The General Clinical Research Center of a university hospital. Patient(s) Thirty-six postmenopausal women and 26 premenopausal women. Both samples were healthy nonsmokers. Intervention(s) Both premenopausal and postmenopausal women were subjected to a 6-minute psychological stressor. Postmenopausal women were randomized to one of three treatment arms: 2 mg of E 2 or 2 mg of E 2 + 5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), or a placebo, all of which were given orally for 3 months. The psychological stressor was readministered after the 3-month regimen. Main outcome measure(s) Plasma total homocysteine levels were measured before and after the psychological stressor on one occasion for premenopausal women and before and after hormone replacement or placebo for postmenopausal women. Result(s) There were no significant differences in homocysteine levels between premenopausal (7.2 ± 1.7 μmol/L; mean ± SD) and postmenopausal women (7.9 ± 2.06; mean ± SD). There was no effect of stress or hormone replacement on homocysteine levels. Conclusion(s) Psychological stress, menopausal status, and oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) do not affect plasma total homocysteine levels in women with normal basal homocysteine levels.
Analysis of round-off errors

Abstract This paper will write equations of the round-off errors for a new direct solver of a system of linear equations. Based upon the equations, the round-off errors can be studied and reduced to some degree of accuracy.
SU-E-J-127: Real-Time Dosimetric Assessment for Adaptive Head-And-Neck Treatment Via A GPU-Based Deformable Image Registration Framework

Purposes: To systematically monitor anatomic variations and their dosimetric consequences during head-and-neck (H'N) radiation therapy using a GPU-based deformable image registration (DIR) framework. Methods: Eleven H'N IMRT patients comprised the subject population. The daily megavoltage CT and weekly kVCT scans were acquired for each patient. The pre-treatment CTs were automatically registered with their corresponding planning CT through an in-house GPU-based DIR framework. The deformation of each contoured structure was computed to account for non-rigid change in the patient setup. The Jacobian determinant for the PTVs and critical structures was used to quantify anatomical volume changes. Dose accumulation was performed to determine the actual delivered dose and dose accumulation. A landmark tool was developed to determine the uncertainty in the dose distribution due to registration error. Results: Dramatic interfraction anatomic changes leading to dosimetric variations were observed. During the treatment courses of 6–7 weeks, the parotid gland volumes changed up to 34.7%, the center-of-mass displacement of the two parotids varied in the range of 0.9–8.8mm. Mean doses were within 5% and 3% of the planned mean doses for all PTVs and CTVs, respectively. The cumulative minimum/mean/EUD doses were lower than the planned doses by 18%, 2%, and 7%, respectively for the PTV1. The ratio of the averaged cumulative cord maximum doses to the plan was 1.06±0.15. The cumulative mean doses assessed by the weekly kVCTs were significantly higher than the planned dose for the left-parotid (p=0.03) and right-parotid gland (p=0.006). The computation time was nearly real-time (∼ 45 seconds) for registering each pre-treatment CT to the planning CT and dose accumulation with registration accuracy (for kVCT) at sub-voxel level (<1.5mm). Conclusions: Real-time assessment of anatomic and dosimetric variations is feasible using the GPU-based DIR framework. Clinical implementation of this technology may enable timely plan adaption and potentially lead to improved outcome.
Outpatient treatment of deep venous thrombosis: a clinical care pathway managed by the emergency department.

Abstract Study Objective: We evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an outpatient clinical care pathway for the initial treatment of acute proximal lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) managed by the emergency department of 2 affiliated community hospitals. Methods: This observational, retrospectively defined, population-based study with 39½ months of preintervention analysis and 32½ months of postintervention analysis was conducted in 2 suburban EDs of a large group model health maintenance organization. Our outpatient DVT clinical care pathway used careful patient selection and multidisciplinary follow-up. Ninety-six patients before the intervention and 178 patients after the intervention met eligibility criteria for the pathway. Adverse events during the first 2 weeks of treatment included symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE), progressive DVT, minor and major bleeding, and death. Results: Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics of the 2 groups were similar. Five (5.2%) of 96 preintervention subjects (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4 to 8.1) developed adverse events compared with 5 (2.8%) of 178 postintervention subjects (95% CI 1.5 to 4.1; difference between groups 2.4%; P =.50). In each group, 1 (1.0% versus 0.6%) subject developed a PE, 2 (2.1% versus 1.1%) developed progressive symptoms of progressive DVT, and 2 (2.1% versus 1.1%) developed minor bleeding. Major bleeding occurred in 1 (1.0%) preintervention subject and no postintervention subjects. No patient in either cohort died. Conclusion: Managed by the ED, an outpatient DVT clinical care pathway using careful patient selection and an integrated multidisciplinary approach can provide a similar degree of effectiveness and safety as customary inpatient therapy. [Vinson DR, Berman DA. Outpatient treatment of deep venous thrombosis: a clinical care pathway managed by the emergency department. Ann Emerg Med. March 2001;37:251-258.]
The rejuvenating effects of leuprolide acetate on the aged baboon's thymus

Abstract Background We have previously demonstrated that the juvenile thymus plays an essential role in tolerance induced by both renal transplantation and a short course of calcineurin inhibitors. Aged thymi have a decreased ability to induce tolerance. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) is known to pharmacologically rejuvenate the thymus in rodents. In order to develop a clinically applicable regimen of transplantation tolerance in adults, we sought to determine if thymic rejuvenation would occur with LHRH agonism in non-human primates. Methods and results Thymic rejuvenation was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histology, as well as in-vitro cellular and molecular tests. Four aged male hamadryas baboons underwent subcutaneous injection of a 3-month depot of Lupron (11.25 mg; LI) and were followed for 3 months. Thymi increased volumetrically by MRI. After LI, thymic cellularity markedly increased within the cortical and medullary thymus. Additionally, a significant increase in the CD4+/CD45RAhi + population in the peripheral blood occurred for 50 days after LI, and flow cytometry of thymic tissue revealed a large increase in the percentage of CD4+/CD8+ cells. TREC assay corroborated enhancement in thymic function. Conclusion These data indicate that LI is associated with thymic rejuvenation in baboons, and further confirm that extrinsic factors play an important role in thymic rejuvenation in a non-human primate model.
Collagen synthesis in fibroblasts transformed by oncogenic viruses.

THE synthesis of collagen has been examined in cultures of various cell strains and established cell lines of fibroblastic origin1–5. All the strains and most of the established lines synthesized considerable quantities of collagen, but the rate of synthesis varied among the different strains and lines4,6. One line, 3T3, in contrast to others evolved from the same initial mouse embryo culture, was found to be severely restricted in its ability to synthesize collagen2,7, while transformants of this line produced by polyoma virus or SV40 were able to synthesize collagen at higher rates7. It therefore appeared that collagen synthesis in cell line 3T3 was repressed and this repression was released by the viral transformation.
Isotope Shift in the Spectrum of Osmium

Using enriched isotopes, the isotopic shift in five lines of the osmium spectrum, involving transitions of the type $5{d}^{6}6s6p\ensuremath{-}5{d}^{6}6{s}^{2}$, was measured with a Fabry-Perot interferometer. The average relative isotope shift for the even isotopic pairs, $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(192\ensuremath{-}190):\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(190\ensuremath{-}188):\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(188\ensuremath{-}186):\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(186\ensuremath{-}184)$, was found to be 1.00:1.12:1.29:1.31, showing a leveling off in the isotope shift as the last neutron pair is subtracted. This results in a predicted intrinsic quadrupole moment for ${\mathrm{Os}}^{184}$ of 6.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The odd-isotope shift $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(192\ensuremath{-}190):\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(189\ensuremath{-}187)$ was determined to be 1.00:1.27. The average value for $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(190\ensuremath{-}188):\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(190\ensuremath{-}189)$ and $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(188\ensuremath{-}186):\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(188\ensuremath{-}187)$ was found to be 1.00:0.69, illustrating the usual even-odd staggering effect.
Glucose in vertebrate skeletal muscle proteins

Abstract Neutral sugar was found in proteins extracted with acid chloroform/methanol from skeletal muscle of frog, normal and dystrophic chicken as well as in conventional preparations of frog tropomyosin and rabbit myosin. Whenever tested, the sugar content remained unaffected by two extractions with 5% trichloroacetic acid and by treatment with acid (0.1 N hydrochloric acid) or alkali (0.1 N sodium hydroxide, 60–90 min, 100°C). These and other chemical properties favor the notion that sugar is present in covalent linkage to protein rather than as an attending contaminant. In every protein studied sugar profiles consisted of glucose only except rabbit myosin where it was accompanied by another sugar, presumably ribose.
The effect of chain length on the binding of polyuridylic acid to ribosomes.

Abstract The binding of synthetic polyribonucleotides to ribosomes has served as a useful model system for the elucidation of some of the facets of the binding of natural messenger RNA. In this work, certain quantitative aspects of the binding of polyuridylic acid to ribosomes were studied. Polyacrylamide gel filtration was used to isolate polyuridylic acid-ribosome complexes. The experiments indicate that in the process of formation of a polyuridylic acid-ribosome complex, the longer polymer chains are preferentially bound. Therefore, meaningful quantitative evaluation of the stoichiometry of polyuridylic acid-ribosome binding should take into account not only the number of polyuridylic acid chains bound but also the size of the chains.
Psychopathology: a primary feature of myotonic dystrophy.

Abstract A review of the literature on the psychopathologic manifestations of myotonic dystrophy reveals that most authors consider them to be secondary aspects of the disease. The authors believe this view to be too restrictive; they offer clinical evidence that altered mental functioning is a basic feature of myotonic dystrophy. Moreover, a group of patients may exist with primary psychiatric disease and little or no myotonic or systemic dystrophies. Myotonic dystrophy should be considered in differential diagnosis of conditions producing alterations in mental function.
Pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum, recruitment variability as an indicator of Florida Bay dynamics

Florida Bay exhibits highly dynamic hydrographic regimes that influence variability in the retention, survivorship, and migration of pink shrimp,Farfantepenaeus duorarum, larvae and juveniles. Florida Bay is the nursery habitat for pink shrimp and since a large fishery is based on the adult population in the Dry Tortugas region, Florida Bay plays a fundamental role in the health of the pink shrimp fishery in South Florida. Conversely, the level of shrimp recruitment to the fishery can act as an indicator of the health of Florida Bay integrating multiple biological, physical, and environmental variables. We examined 372 mo of data on commercial landings of pink shrimp to estimate monthly recruitment. We found recruitment occurs throughout the year, there are one or more seasonal peaks, and the magnitude and monthly position of the peaks changed through decades. These changes may be explained by a varying spawning population producing different levels of eggs, by environmental changes in the nursery grounds that modulate a nearly constant supply of eggs, or a combination of these. Recruitment estimates and the residuals about stock-recruitment relationships were compared over three decades (1965–1995) in terms of annual and monthly trends and average patterns. Significant differences found between the decades could be due to ecological changes in Florida Bay, specifically to loss of recruitment peaks, with an associated overall decline in pink shrimp recruitment. For the lates years of the study, recruitment and residuals about the stock-recruitment curve are increasing, which may indicate an improvement in Florida Bay as a nursery ground for pink shrimp, and thus as habitat for other organisms as well.
Photoluminescence of Eu3+:Y2O3 as an indication of crystal structure and particle size in nanoparticles synthesized by flame spray pyrolysis

Abstract Nanoparticles of europium-doped yttrium oxide ( Eu : Y 2 O 3 ) were synthesized by flame spray pyrolysis. The nanoparticles were separated by centrifugation into two size groups (5–60 nm and 50–200 nm), each characterized by laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The fluorescence spectra, the electron diffraction pattern, and the XRD pattern of the large particles were typical of the stable cubic ( Mn 2 O 3 type) phase of bulk Y 2 O 3 while those of small particles were quite different and indicated the possible presence of higher density metastable mixed phases—including monoclinic with some indication of a face-centered cubic phase. The size dependence of the particle properties could be attributable to the effect of surface free energy that elevated the internal particle pressure as size decreased. Doping with the lanthanide ion provided a new and useful diagnostic method for determining the crystal structure of flame-synthesized materials.
Characterization and Optimization of Gold Nanoparticle-Based Silver-Enhanced Immunoassays

Silver-enhanced nanoparticle-labeled immunoassays provide a simple, low-cost, and effective way of detecting antigens in dilute solutions. The physical mechanisms behind their operation, however, have not been fully investigated. We present a semiquantitative approach for optimizing sandwich nanoparticle immunoassays using an adsorption-controlled kinetic model. Primary antibodies were immobilized on a solid substrate to bind the target antigens in solution. An optical signal was measured by secondary labeling of antigens with gold nanoparticles and their enhancement by silver nucleation. The opacity of the silver-enhanced spots was quantified by densitometry. The selectivity of the sandwich immunoassays was adequately high, and antigen concentrations as low as 0.1 μg cm-3 (4 ng total) were detected reproducibly. The role of mass transfer was investigated, and a model was developed to optimize the performance of immunoassays by correlating the opacities of silver spots to the concentration and incubation ...