cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa PrrF1 and PrrF2 Small Regulatory RNAs Promote 2-Alkyl-4-Quinolone Production through Redundant Regulation of the antR mRNA.

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen that requires iron for growth and virulence. Under low-iron conditions, P. aeruginosa transcribes two highly identical (95%) small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs), PrrF1 and PrrF2, which are required for virulence in acute murine lung infection models. The PrrF sRNAs promote the production of 2-akyl-4(1H)-quinolone metabolites (AQs) that mediate a range of biological activities, including quorum sensing and polymicrobial interactions. Here, we show that the PrrF1 and PrrF2 sRNAs promote AQ production by redundantly inhibiting translation of antR, which encodes a transcriptional activator of the anthranilate degradation genes. A combination of genetic and biophysical analyses was used to define the sequence requirements for PrrF regulation of antR, demonstrating that the PrrF sRNAs interact with the antR 5′ untranslated region (UTR) at sequences overlapping the translational start site of this mRNA. The P. aeruginosa Hfq protein interacted with UA-rich sequences in both PrrF sRNAs (Kd [dissociation constant] = 50 nM and 70 nM). Hfq bound with lower affinity to the antR mRNA (0.3 μM), and PrrF was able to bind to antR mRNA in the absence of Hfq. Nevertheless, Hfq increased the rate of PrrF annealing to the antR UTR by 10-fold. These studies provide a mechanistic description of how the PrrF1 and PrrF2 sRNAs mediate virulence traits, such as AQ production, in P. aeruginosa. IMPORTANCE The iron-responsive PrrF sRNAs play a central role in regulating P. aeruginosa iron homeostasis and pathogenesis, yet the molecular mechanisms by which PrrF regulates gene expression are largely unknown. In this study, we used genetic and biophysical analyses to define the interactions of the PrrF sRNAs with Hfq, an RNA annealer, and the antR mRNA, which has downstream effects on quorum sensing and virulence factor production. These studies provide a comprehensive mechanistic analysis of how the PrrF sRNAs regulate virulence trait production through a key mRNA target in P. aeruginosa.
Interventions to Reduce Intraoperative Costs: A Systematic Review.

Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically review the risks and benefits of interventions designed to reduce intraoperative costs. Summary Background Data: Episode-based payments shift financial risk from insurers onto hospitals and providers. The operating room (OR) is a resource dense environment and there is growing interest in identifying ways to reduce intraoperative costs while maintaining patient safety. Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane, and CINAHL for articles published between 2001 and March 2017 that assessed interventions designed to reduce intraoperative costs. We grouped interventions into 6 categories: standardization of instruments, switching to reusable instruments or removing instruments from trays, wound closure comparisons, cost feedback to surgeons, head-to-head instrument trials, and timely arrival of surgeon to the OR. Results: Of 43 included studies, 12 were randomized trials and 31 were observational studies. Gross cost estimates ranged from −$413 (losses) to $3154 (savings) per operation, with only 2 studies reporting losses; however, studies had significant methodologic limitations related to cost data. Studies evaluating standardization and cost feedback were the most robust with estimated cost savings between $38 and $732/case, with no change in OR time, length of stay, or adverse events. Conclusions: Almost all studies assessing interventions to reduce intraoperative costs have demonstrated cost savings with no apparent increase in adverse effects. Methodologic limitations, especially related to cost data, weaken the reliability of these estimates for most intervention categories. However, hospitals seeking to reduce costs may be able to do so safely by standardizing operative instruments or providing cost feedback to surgeons.
Biomechanical assessment of a new adhesive bone cement for otologic surgery.

The adhesion of metallic prostheses to bone is a major problem in otologic surgery. Conventional bone cements lack significant adhesive strength, which predisposes the cemented prosthesis to loosening. The advent of surgically implantable hearing devices is one example where an adhesive cement to secure metal to bone would be useful. The biomechanical properties of a new cement, 4-META/MMA-TBB opaque resin, were evaluated in an animal model. The cement is composed of 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) as monomers and tri-n-butyl borane (TBB) as an initiator. Titanium disks were cemented to the tibias of rabbits, which were sacrificed at 0 and 90 days. Tensile and shear bond strengths between bone and metal were tested at both times. The mean baseline tensile and shear bond strengths were 8.92 MPa and 11.96 MPa, respectively. Adhesive failure occurred at the bone-cement interface. The decrease in bond strength at 90 days was minimal. Thus, 4-META/MMA-TBB cement is a promising new metal-to-bone adhesive that may be useful for the surgical fixation of metallic prostheses in otologic surgery
Feasibility of an optimized MR enterography protocol in the evaluation of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Cross-sectional imaging forms an important alternative and complimentary tool to endoscopy in aiding the clinician with diagnosis and management of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of an optimized Magnetic Resonance Enterography (MRE) protocol in the evaluation of patients with suspected IBD. 31 children (18 boys and 13 girls) were evaluated by a pediatric gastroenterologist prior to MRE and given a grading for clinical severity of disease. Imaging was then performed with oral contrast and a tailored protocol using fast T1/T2 weighted pulse sequences. Additionally, contrast and glucagon were administered intravenously. Imaging findings were then correlated with the clinical data. Excellent distension was achieved in the small bowel. The majority of the studies were of diagnostic quality with no motion artifacts. Imaging findings showed statistically significant correlation with disease activity. An optimized pediatric MRE protocol is feasible and correlates well with clinical disease activity. This in turn aids the clinician in the management of children with this chronic debilitating disease.
A dyadic data analytic primer: An illustration with Mexican-origin couples

Dyadic matched-pairs (each person paired with one other person) research designs that include parallel data from both members of a relationship dyad provide a rigorous method for examining questions of interdependence. These designs require the use of analytic methods that account for statistical dependencies due to dyad member characteristics and environments. Using structural equation modeling, we illustrate two alternative analytic approaches for distinguishable (nonexchangeable) two-wave dyadic data: (a) a hybrid of the two-intercept and actor-partner interdependence models and (b) a difference model. Few studies have used these rigorous analytic approaches to analyze dyadic data with Latinos, despite demographic shifts in the U.S. and the cultural relevance of family values and relationship interdependence for this population. As such, our illustrative data were drawn from a larger longitudinal study of Mexican-origin families, with husbands and wives both reporting on somatic symptoms and marital negativity (N = 246 marital dyads). Results revealed that Mexican-origin spouses' somatic symptoms related to increases in partners' marital negativity five years later. Prior levels of wives' marital negatively linked to more discrepancies in marital negativity five years later, whereas husbands' marital negativity related to fewer discrepancies. We conclude by discussing the benefits of prospective dyadic data designs for researchers examining questions related to Latino populations.
School Peer Non-academic Skills and Academic Performance in High School

Research shows that students’ non-academic attributes, such as forms of engagement, dispositions, and social and emotional skills, are associated with a range of outcomes including academic performance. However, little research has investigated the effects of school peer non-academic attributes on academic performance. This study begins to address this gap in the research literature by examining the effects of ten measures of school peer nonacademic attributes. Importantly, most of the non-academic attributes examined in this study are malleable through school-based interventions. The results show that five measures of school peer attributes have medium to large effects on academic performance including collaboration skills (a social-emotional characteristic), conscientiousness and belonging (dispositions), and cognitive and behavioral engagement. In contrast, the corresponding effects of student’s own non-academic attributes were uniformly smaller. These findings indicate that the non-academic attributes of one’s school peers play an important role in academic performance above and beyond one’s own non-academic attributes. These results suggest that school-wide interventions and instructional practices designed to improve the non-academic skills of all students will provide additional benefits compared with interventions focusing on students with the most under-developed non-academic attributes.
Pheochromocytomas: Fabulous, Fascinating, and First (in everything)!

“Patients that sweat over their whole bodies from the beginning…that have burning heat, are cooled without a crisis and then quickly become burning hot again…” 1 Was Hippocrates talking about patients with pheochromocytomas and their classic triad of paroxysmal symptomatology of palpitations, diaphoresis, and headaches? We will never know…
Bilateral adrenal teratomas

Abstract Teratoma is a rare type of germ cell neoplasm (GCN) which has an incidence of 0.9/100,000. These tumours occur more frequently in girls than in boys, and they usually are diagnosed before four years of age, with a mean age of 18 months. About 75% of these lesions are benign teratomas. Teratomas usually occur in the ovaries and testes, and less commonly in anterior mediastinum, retroperitoneum, sacrococcygeal region, and intestine. Primary adrenal teratomas are extremely rare, with only 18 cases of primary adrenal teratoma previously reported and only three paediatric cases (youngest age 1 day old). The management of adrenal teratoma is surgical resection. Surgery for mature adrenal teratomas is thought to be curative, but follow-up to monitor reoccurrence is warranted as long-term data are very limited. Bilateral adrenal teratoma has never been reported in the literature. We report a case on a two-year-old boy with bilateral mature adrenal teratoma who underwent successful surgical resections and summarise the related literature.
Über das Verhalten unterstöchiometrischer Übergangsmetallcarbide als Katalysatoren in Dehydrierungsprozessen

Messungen an unterstochiometrischen Ubergangsmetallcarbiden (Gruppe IV, V) im Hinblick auf deren Eignung als Katalysatoren fur den Dehydrierungsprozes Aethylbenzol→ Styrol zeigen eine Abhangigkeit der Dehydrierungsrate von der Konzentration des Kohlenstoffs im Metallgitter und von der Struktur der Carbidphase. Einige technische Anwendungsmoglichkeiten werden angefuhrt.
Preservice teachers’ learning to implement culturally relevant physical education with the teaching personal and social responsibility model

Background: As schools become more diverse, preservice physical educators remain predominantly White from middle class backgrounds. There is a need to provide future teachers with cultural awarenes...
OVS-DPDK Port Mirroring via NIC Offloading

As SDN-based networking infrastructure continues to evolve, an increasing number of traditional network functions are deployed over virtualized network. Like traditional networks, traffic monitoring in a Software Defined Network is critical in order to ensure security and performance of the underlying infrastructure. In the context of virtualized networks, deployment of a virtualized TAP service has been reported as an effective VNF that can provide the same monitoring capabilities as a physical TAP. Unfortunately, over a para-virtualization environment, e.g. OVS, where inter-VM communication is expensive it has been observed that virtual TAPs can contribute up to 70% performance degradation. In this paper, we present a hybrid approach that allows network administrators to mirror VIRTIO port traffic to another VF (SR-IOV) via NIC hardware offloading. As a result, the mirrored traffic can be viewed through a monitoring VNF in a separate VM. Through this approach, the throughput overhead can be reduced by as much as 50%.
Vaccinating in the Emergency Department, a Novel Approach to Improve Influenza Vaccination Rates via a Quality Improvement Initiative.

Introduction Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all US children 6 months and older to prevent morbidity and mortality. Despite these recommendations, only ~50% of US children are vaccinated annually. Influenza vaccine administration in the pediatric emergency department (ED) is an innovative solution to improve vaccination rates. However, during the 2017-2018 influenza season, only 75 influenza vaccinations were given in this tertiary care ED. We aimed to increase the number of influenza vaccines administered to ED patients from 75 to 1,000 between August 2018 and March 2019.s. Methods Process mapping identified potential barriers and solutions. Key interventions included mandatory vaccine screening, creation of a vaccine administration protocol, education for family, provider, and nursing, a revised pharmacy workflow, and weekly staff feedback. Interventions were tested using plan-do-study-act cycles. The process measure was the percent of patients screened for vaccine status. The primary outcome was the number of influenza vaccines administered. The balancing measures were ED length of stay (LOS), wasted vaccines, and financial impact on the institution. Results We included 33,311 children in this study. Screening for vaccine status improved from 0% to 90%. Of those screened, 58% were eligible for vaccination, and 8.5% of eligible patients were vaccinated in the ED. In total, 1,323 vaccines were administered with no significant change in ED LOS (139 min) and no lost revenue to the hospital. Conclusions We implemented an efficient, cost-effective, influenza vaccination program in the pediatric ED and successfully increased vaccinations in a population that might not otherwise receive the vaccine.
A Buffer against Whom? Rethinking the Qing-Chosŏn Border Region

As a social institution, a border simultaneously divides and connects. When thinking about state borders, or borderlands, scholars tend to view them as either linear or zonal spaces, distinguishing...
Post-traumatic Headaches After Traumatic Brain Injury: Current Clinical Approaches

The purpose of this review is to provide up-to-date literature on post-traumatic headache (PTH) and define a clear nomenclature for variable clinical presentations. This review discusses an evidence-based approach to the prognostication and treatment of PTH, which are further described in two clinical cases. As significant morbidity is associated with PTH, recent literature has focused on improved identification. Accurate diagnosis has led to targeted treatment that incorporates a multi-modal approach including pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. A detailed history and physical exam are key in recognizing the presenting phenotype of this secondary headache, which may be migrainous, tension-type, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia, cervicogenic, or another PTH classification. Clinicians should clearly define the headache phenotype to provide effective management with a multi-modal approach targeting the namesake primary headache. This is crucial for successful recovery. Further research is needed to establish best practice guidelines for prognosis, as presentation, treatment and outcomes continue to vary.
Pleural mesothelioma classification-update and challenges.

Mesothelial tumors are classified into benign or preinvasive tumors, and mesotheliomas. The benign or preinvasive group includes adenomatoid tumors, well-differentiated papillary mesothelial tumors, and mesothelioma in situ. Malignant tumors are mesotheliomas and can be localized or diffuse. Histological classification of invasive mesotheliomas into three major subtypes—epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic is prognostically important. It also plays a significant role in the treatment decisions of patients diagnosed with this deadly disease. Grading and subtyping of epithelioid mesotheliomas have been one of the major changes in the recent WHO classification of pleural tumors. Mesothelioma in situ has emerged as a precisely defined clinico-pathologic entity that for diagnosis requires demonstration of loss of BAP1 or MTAP by immunohistochemistry, or CDKN2A homozygous deletion by FISH. The use of these two biomarkers improves the diagnostic sensitivity of effusion specimens and limited tissue samples and is valuable in establishing the diagnosis of epithelioid mesothelioma. In this review, recent changes in the histologic classification of pleural mesothelioma, importance of ancillary diagnostic studies, and molecular characteristics of mesotheliomas are discussed.
The Ambiguous Effects of Policy Reforms on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification in Africa: Renewed Threats to Fragile Margins?

To satisfy continued growth in food demand without further degrading already low fertility soils or extensifying onto fragile margins, African farmers must pursue "sustainable agricultural intensification" (SAI). SAI requires adequate use of capital to maintain soil fertility and conserve the land while meeting productivity goals. Nevertheless, many African farmers are either unsustainably intensifying (i.e., mining their soils and degrading the resource base) or extensifying onto fragile margins because they cannot meet needs on existing cropland. These deviations from the SAI path are often due to inappropriate policies that reduce farmers' incentives and capacity to pursue SAI, in particular to economic liberalization measures that removed public support for farming, thus increasing input prices and market risk, without concomitant public investments in institutional or physical infrastructure to induce profitable sustainable intensification by smallholders.
Modified Sequence V-D Test with Two Engines Using Alcohol Fuels

Modifying the standard Sequence V-D test for alcohol fuels requires material changes in the fuel handling system, addition of a fine mesh fuel filter and the provision for easy fuel drainage. Besides rejetting the carburetors, the initial ring gaps of the 2.3L engine are reduced to maintain the blowby level of the standard test. Large oil consumption necessitates a modified oil leveling procedure. Precise measurements of the rings, bores, and valve-train components are essential to the evaluation of oil performance. Wear of a 2.3L engine using alcohols is larger than using gasoline. Special oils can be formulated to mitigate the wear problem. To test the 1.6L engine with the Sequence V-D procedure requires extensive modification to the production carburetor and some plumbing changes of the standard test stand. Load and initial oil charge are scaled to reflect the smaller engine requirements. Wear of the 1.6L engine is less severe than the 2.3L.
Peakedness of Weighted Averages of Jointly Distributed Random Variables.

This note extends the Proschan (1965) result on peakedness comparison for convex combinations of i.i.d. random variables from a PF2 density. Now the underlying random variables are jointly distributed from a Schur-concave density. The result permits a more refined description of convergence in the Law of Large Numbers.
Improved spiking neural networks for EEG classification and epilepsy and seizure detection

The goal of this research is to develop an efficient SNN model for epilepsy and epileptic seizure detection using electroencephalograms (EEGs), a complicated pattern recognition problem. Three training algorithms are investigated: SpikeProp (using both incremental and batch processing), QuickProp, and RProp. Since the epilepsy and epileptic seizure detection problem requires a large training dataset the efficacy of these algorithms is investigated by first applying them to the XOR and Fisher iris benchmark problems. Three measures of performance are investigated: number of convergence epochs, computational efficiency, and classification accuracy. Extensive parametric analysis is performed to identify heuristic rules and optimum parameter values that increase the computational efficiency and classification accuracy. The result is a remarkable increase in computational efficiency. For the XOR problem, the computational efficiency of SpikeProp, QuickProp, and RProp is increased by a factor of 588, 82, and 75, respectively, compared with the results reported in the literature. EEGs from three different subject groups are analyzed: (a) healthy subjects, (b) epileptic subjects during a seizure-free interval, and (c) epileptic subjects during a seizure. It is concluded that RProp is the best training algorithm because it has the highest classification accuracy among all training algorithms specially for large size training datasets with about the same computational efficiency provided by SpikeProp. The SNN model for EEG classification and epilepsy and seizure detection uses RProp as training algorithm. This model yields a high classification accuracy of 92.5%.
The New Immigration: An Interdisciplinary Reader

The New Immigration: An Interdisciplinary Reader. Marcelo M. Suarez-Orozco, Carola Suarez-Orozco, and Desiree Baolian Quin, eds. New York: Routledge, 2005. 366 pp.
Anatomical Organization of Excitatory Amino Acid Receptors and Their Properties

The excitatory amino acids are the major class of excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS and their actions are mediated by four or more physiologically-identified receptor classes. Electrophysiological experiments indicate that L-glutamate excitations are mediated by at least three agonistdefined receptors (N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), kainate, (KA), and quisqualate(QA); Watkins and Evans, 1981; Cotman et al., 1981; McLennan, 1981).And a fourth class characterized by the antagonism of synaptic responses by L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4; Koerner and Cotman, 1981). In order to understand the role of these receptors in the operation of brain circuitry, several approaches are needed, all of which must ultimately be in accord. Electrophysiological studies are required to assess the functional properties and membrane conductance events, and biochemical studies are needed to characterize the detailed receptor properties and assess their regulation. These approaches have traditionally been used in studying the physiology and pharmacology of many receptors throughout the body. However, the CNS is extremely heterogeneous and multiple receptors exist in specific regions which may have different properties. Thus,in addition to traditional approaches, it is desirable to have a method which allows the direct visualization and study of biochemical properties of receptor classes in discrete brain areas. Autoradiography can be used for this purpose. We have found that when great attention is paid toward resolving the multiple receptor populations, the pharmacological properties in autoradiography closely parallel those obtained by neurophysiological analysis in the same receptor field. Until our recent studies, this was not clear and several contradictions existed. Many of these inconsistencies have now been resolved.
The Action Program and Ongoing U.S.-Japan Trade Conflicts

In his April 9, 1985, nationally televised speech Prime Minister Nakasone was surrounded by line-charts and bar-charts, and used a schoolmaster’s pointer to urge his countrymen to increase their purchase of foreign products. Moreover, he also explained the economic rationale for his request, but did not dwell on the more subtle motives. The Prime Minister wanted to achieve several objectives with his bold and unusual move. First, he wanted to demonstrate to the United States, particularly to members of Congress, that his government understood the dangerous state of U.S.—Japanese trade relations. At the same time, he also wanted to show sensitivity to the general international economic situation, marked by huge Japanese current and trade account surpluses, and convince a skeptical world that Japan would do its share to reduce the imbalances.
A gender perspective on the use of supplemental healthcare plans

Because employer-provided health coverage represents the main source of health insurance for Americans and its costs for employees are rising, accurate knowledge about health coverage would seem to be crucial for making sound decisions on choosing the plans that best meet the specific needs of a family. However, previous research suggests that most employees have little understanding of the scope and monetary value, or even the existence of many components of their health benefit package. This paper re-examines employees’ general financial learning efforts and knowledge level, and how they relate to participation in and importance attached to supplemental healthcare plans. We find that, while self-directed financial learning and general financial knowledge significantly predicted plan participation and the importance attached to them, demographic factors, such as gender, age and job classification, dominated the supplemental healthcare decisions.
Functionalized linear low-density polyethylene by ring-opening metathesis polymerization

Functionalized linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) samples containing basic functional groups (cyano, primary amino-, or secondary amino-) were synthesized through the ring-opening metathesis terpolymerization of cyclooctene (COE), 5-n-hexyl-1-cyclooctene (HexCOE), and a functionalized cyclooctene (FCOE), followed by hydrogenation of the polymer backbone and deprotection of any requisite protecting group. Homopolymerization of the cyano- and tert-butoxycarbonyl (tBOC) protected amino-functionalized COEs using the Grubbs second-generation catalyst quantitatively afforded polymers having the corresponding functional groups along the polymer backbone. The terpolymerizations proceeded readily and the number of n-hexyl branches, number of functional groups, and molar mass of the polymer, could be controlled by the feed molar ratio of the monomers.
Effects of medicaid access restrictions on statin utilisation for patients treated by physicians practising in poor and minority neighbourhoods.

Objectives: To explore whether Medicaid preferred drug lists (PDL) impact the utilisation of restricted statin (cholesterol-reducing) medication for all Medicaid patients equally or disproportionately impact patients who are treated by doctors prescribing in poor or minority neighbourhoods.
Influence of solvent on dynamics and stability of a protein

Abstract Proteins are often dissolved in viscous glass-forming solvents to provide thermal stability and preserve biochemical activity. However, the mechanisms by which this preservation is achieved are unclear. This issue of biopreservation is undoubtedly affected by both thermodynamic and dynamic parameters. The latter parameters will control the rate of conformational transitions of the protein that accompany biological activity. In the present communication we observe variations of local conformational motions of lysozyme in different solvents by using low-frequency Raman spectroscopy. We demonstrate that at low temperatures liquid glycerol provides a stronger suppression of the fast conformational motions of the protein than glassy trehalose. This demonstrates that solvent viscosity is not the only parameter that controls protein dynamics, and details of the protein–solvent interactions might be important in the biopreservation process.
THE POLITICS OF SUBURBAN DISTRESS

Rather than a uniformity of affluence, many suburban areas are characterized by a diversity as great as within the core cities, and their poorest segments often exhibit conditions resembling those of the most distressed neighborhoods of the inner city. But, unlike poverty areas of the urban core, the troubled suburbs are unable under most existing arrangements to draw upon the variegated resources of the larger whole because of the fragmented nature of the metropolis. Nationally, with few exceptions, those suburbs which manifest the greatest distress are minority enclaves, products of the availability of low value housing, of income disparities and the forces of discrimination within the larger society. Because of depressed income levels and inequitable properly resource distribution, low income commmunities must have access to a broader asset base to resolve relevant problems. The article examines the forces contributing to suburban differentiation, the consequences of uneven property resource distribution, and possible alternative approaches designed to make a broader range of resources available to needy suburban communities. The point is stressed that political fragmentation has enabled affluent communities to avoid direct responsibility for the problems perpetuated by income and property resource segregation, and that with the advent of Reaganomics, local areas, with some state involvement, will need to develop cooperative efforts to offset the void left by federal disengagement.
WE‐E‐AUD C‐07: A Robust Approach for Estimating Tumor Volume Change During Radiotherapy of Lung Cancer

Purpose:Radiotherapytreatment of lungcancer patients is complicated by changes in tumor position due to breathing and changes in size due to regression. Accurate quantification of these changes during the course of treatment would likely improve tumor response and reduce toxicity risks. We are investigating robust methods for tracking and estimating tumor volume changes between treatment fractions. Method and Materials: We have developed a registration—assisted segmentation approach based on the level‐set deformable model, in which pre‐treatment contours are propagated and adapted to fractions times at selected respiratory phases. At any time‐point during treatment, a reference respiratory phase is selected and corresponding 3D‐CT volumes are reconstructed from 4D‐CT acquisition data. Images are then globally aligned using an efficient registration algorithm. Pre‐treatment planning contours are copied to selected time‐points. In our tumor regression analysis, the GTV contour was used to initialize the level set algorithm in‐place and the PTV contour was used to narrowband the region, thus improving the algorithm's convergence. The feasibility of the proposed approach was investigated on a set of patients with repeated 4D scans acquired at three time‐intervals. Results: Our preliminary analysis indicates that the proposed approach can properly capture the boundary of the shrinking tumor region or split regions due to its topological adaptation ability. On an initial cohort of four NSCLC patients, the estimated tumor volume reductions ranged between 3–46% with a median of 8% by mid‐treatment and between 26–51% with a median of 34% by the end of treatment.Conclusion: We have demonstrated a new approach for tracking tumor regression during the course of radiotherapytreatment of NSCLC patients based on a novel level‐set segmentation algorithm. This approach provides us with a semi‐automated tool for quantifying tumor shrinkage and allows accurate estimates of ‘true’ accumulated dose to the tumor. Supported by CA85181 grant.
Microphysical irreversibility in quantum mechanics

Abstract Irreversibility on the microphysical level is described by a semigroup which is generated by the Hamiltonian and is distinguished from the irreversibility of open systems. The mathematical tool of this quantum mechanical irreversibility is the rigged Hilbert space. The physical basis is found in the distinct initial and boundary conditions for the states and the observables, which can be formulated in terms of an arrow of time. The principal objects of this theory are resonances which are defined by resonance poles of the S-matrix and described by generalized eigenvectors which are Jordan vectors of higher degree. Though there is no physical evidence for these, they have an intriguing semigroup time evolution.
Femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopy of soft modes in structural phase transitions of perovskites

Femtosecond time-domain observations of soft-mode dynamics in crystals near structural phase transitions have been conducted. Impulsive stimulated Raman scattering (ISRS) experiments are reported for both the orthorhombic phase of ${\mathrm{KNbO}}_{3}$ and the tetragonal phase of ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$. The data from potassium niobate clearly show a heavily damped soft mode of ${\mathit{B}}_{2}$ symmetry and relaxational modes of ${\mathit{A}}_{1}$ symmetry but not ${\mathit{B}}_{2}$ symmetry. Similarly, the data from barium titanate clearly show a heavily damped E-symmetry soft mode and no relaxational modes of this symmetry. The absence of relaxational modes of the same symmetries as the soft modes is consistent with an eight-site order-disorder model of the phase transitions in this crystal class. The present results demonstrate significant advantages of ISRS over conventional Raman spectroscopy of low-frequency, heavily damped soft modes.
Effect of low concentrations of quinolone antibiotics on bacterial virulence mechanisms

Recent studies have shown that exposure to quinolone antibiotics at or below the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) results in reduction in the level of production or total elimination of certain factors that contribute to the virulence of bacteria. This study was designed to determine whether low concentrations of enoxacin, lomefloxacin, and ciprofloxacin altered the morphology or affected the production of various virulence factors in several different genera of bacteria. The factors studied were nuclease and a toxin production in Staphylococcus aureus, cell size, pili and fimbriae production, and adherence of Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to urinary epithelial cells and dog bladder cells, and the major virulence factor in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. In addition, the effect of growth in low levels of enoxacin on phagocytosis of S. aureus by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) was studied. Following exposure to subinhibitory levels of quinolones tested, significant reduction in activity or complete elimination was seen in all of those factors measured. Minor differences were noted in the efficiency of elimination among the three quinolones tested. At as low as 1/8 MIC there is significant enhancement of phagocytic activity by human PMNs. These data suggest that exposure to quinolones at concentrations below the MIC disrupts the regulatory mechanisms that control cell morphology, adherence as well as exocellular enzyme production and plasmid maintenance. This may mean that certain virulent organisms that survive exposure to quinolone antibiotics may be less likely to produce or maintain the disease state in susceptible hosts.
Effect of Structural Promoters on Fe-Based Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis of Biomass Derived Syngas

Biomass gasification and subsequent conversion of this syngas to liquid hydrocarbons using Fischer–Tropsch (F–T) synthesis is a promising source of hydrocarbon fuels. However, biomass-derived syngas is different from syngas obtained from other sources such as steam reforming of methane. Specifically the H2/CO ratio is less than 1/1 and the CO2 concentrations are somewhat higher. Here, we report the use of Fe-based F–T catalysts for the conversion of syngas produced by the air-blown, atmospheric pressure gasification of southern pine wood chips. The syngas from the gasification step is compressed and cleaned in a series of sorbents to produce the following feed to the F–T step: 2.78 % CH4, 11 % CO2, 15.4 % H2, 21.3 % CO, and balance N2. The relatively high level of CO2 suggests the need to use catalysts that are active for CO2 hydrogenation as well is resistant to oxidation in presence of high levels of CO2. The work reported here focuses on the effect of these different structural promoters on iron-based F–T catalysts with the general formulas 100Fe/5Cu/4K/15Si, 100Fe/5Cu/4K/15Al and 100Fe/5Cu/4K/15Zn. Although the effect of Si, Al or Zn on iron-based F–T catalysts has been examined previously for CO+CO2 hydrogenation, we have found no direct comparison of these three structural promoters, nor any studies of these promoters for a syngas produced from biomass. Results show that catalysts promoted with Zn and Al have a higher extent of reduction and carburization in CO and higher amount of carbides and CO adsorption as compared to Fe/Cu/K/Si. This resulted in higher activity and selectivity to C5+ hydrocarbons than the catalyst promoted with silica.
A Possible Conflict between Economic Efficiency and Political Pressure

A model of a production externality between two industries facing price uncertainty is specified and a Pigouvian tax introduced and solved using First-Order Conditions (FOC). This solution is then used as a baseline for comparison with results for the level of tax found using an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) where government, as the policy setter, is facing political pressure in the selective environment of the electorate. It is found in the EA solution that if a government faces political pressure in an uncertain economic environment then the settings for the tax may reflect political caution rather than community preferences.
Selective Enhancement of Angiotensin II-and Potassium-Stimulated Aldosterone Secretion by the Calcium Channel Agonist BAY K 8644

Recent studies with dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists have indicated that voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) play a major role in the control of aldosterone secretion. The modulation of VSCC by physiological regulators of zona glomerulosa function was further evaluated by analysis of the actions of the dihydropyridine calcium channel agonist BAY K 8644 (BK 8644) on basal and stimulated aldosterone production in isolated rat glomerulosa cells. In the presence of normal K+ concentrations (3.5–4.5 mm), only high concentrations of BK 8644 (≥100 nm) stimulated aldosterone secretion. However, addition of 10 nM BK 8644 markedly enhanced steroid production (70% over control) in cells stimulated by incubation in 7.5 mm K+ or 0.1 nm angiotensin II (All). Greater enhancement was achieved with 1 μM BK 8644, with aldosterone secretion 150% and 300% above control levels for K+ and All, respectively. In All-stimulated cells, 30 nM BK 8644 enhanced aldosterone secretion at all peptide concentrations stud...
Does the source of support matter for different health outcomes? Findings from the Normative Aging Study.

Objectives: This study investigated the differential relationships between different types and sources of social support and physical and mental health. Methods:Using data from the Normative Aging ...
A revision of the genus Procestrotus Stuckenberg 1971 (Diptera Lauxaniidae)

The genus Procestrotus Stuckenberg 1971, and its type species P. deemingi Stuckenberg 1971, are redescribed. Three new species are described: P. baliensis n. sp., from Bali, Indonesia, P. luzonensis n. sp, from Luzon, Philippines, and P. pallidipennis n. sp. from Luzon and Mindanao, Philippines and Sabah, Malaysia. A key to the species and notes on the phylogenetic relationships of Procestrotus with related genera are provided.
UV damage and repair mechanisms in mammalian cells

The formation of DNA photoproducts by ultraviolet (UV) light is responsible for induction of mutations and development of skin cancer. To understand UV mutagenesis, it is important to know the mechanisms of formation and repair of these lesions. Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and (6-4)photoproducts are the two major classes of UV-induced DNA lesions. Their distribution along DNA sequences in vivo is strongly influenced by nucleosomes and other DNA binding proteins. Repair of UV photoproducts is dependent on the transcriptional status of the sequences to be repaired and on the chromatin environment. Sensitive techniques are now available to study repair of UV damage at the level of nucleotide resolution in mammalian cells. With the aid of in vitro systems, the entire nucleotide excision repair process has been reconstituted from purified protein components with naked DNA as a substrate. Future work will focus on the development of in vitro assays for transcription-coupled repair and repair in chromatin.
Direct patterning of quantum dot nanostructures via electron beam lithography

Patterned quantum dot (QD) nanostructures were prepared by direct electron beam lithography on QD films. Time resolved photoluminescence measurements show that the optical properties of these QDs were retained after cross-linking.
Aeroelastic Analysis of Bridges under Multicorrelated Winds: Integrated State-Space Approach

In this paper, an integrated state-space model of a system with a vector-valued white noise input is presented to describe the dynamic response of bridges under the action of multicorrelated winds....
COMPRESSION OF PHARMACEUTICAL POWDERS. I. THEORY AND INSTRUMENTATION.

Considering that compression of a powder bed involves time dependent flow, it is reasonable to expect that this process would exhibit viscoelastic properties. To test this concept, an instrument was developed to measure stress relaxation of a powder bed under constant strain. Preliminary relaxation data obtained on several powders indicated correlation with physical properties of the compacts. Tests of factors known to influence tablet capping, hardness, and friability showed that these factors also had marked effect on relaxation data.
Multiplicity in Ionic Membranes with Negative Stoichiometric Diffusivity

Abstract Negative polarization resistance can be induced by a negative ionic conductance in membranes. In an electrochemical cell, where an ionic membrane coats the electrode, the existence of multiple steady states, i.e. multiple current densities for a given applied voltage, is analyzed as being caused by the opposing effects of potential on charge transfer and on diffusion in the case of an anion being reduced or a cation being oxidized. The effects of diffusivity, concentration, supporting electrolyte, and fixed space charge on the conductance in the ionic membranes are also studied. An inverse concentration gradient may form as a result of the interaction between the ionic migration and the stoichiometric flux according to the reaction kinetics.
Should goal-strivers think about ''why'' or ''how'' to strive? It depends on their skill level

The current studies attempted to increase individuals’ internalization of their own difficult or unpleasant goals, using either a low-level or a high-level writing intervention. Two writing studies showed that an appropriate match between level of goal-relevant skill (low versus high) and level of prompted goal-cognition (low versus high) enhances motivation. Those lower in initial skills were more likely to internalize their goals over time (Studies 1 and 2) and report greater goal expectancies (Study 2) if they wrote about the “how” of the goals, whereas those higher in initial skills were more likely to experience these positive outcomes by writing about the “why” of goals. This interaction pattern was found in both a short-term experimental study of health goals (Study 1) and in a 2 month longitudinal study of academic goals (Study 2). Results are discussed in the context of action identification theory and of self-regulation, which emphasize allocating attention to the right level of abstraction for optimal functioning.
Formation of 5-aminoimidazole riboside by Escherichia coli: Evidence for its structure and metabolic relationship to the purines

Abstract The arylamine accumulated by the mutant of Escherichia coli K-12, strain W-11 has been identified as 5-aminoimidazole riboside. The compound, isolated by an improved method, yielded upon chemical degradation glycine, formate and pentose in the expected proportions. The product contained no phosphorus. The arylamine was formed in microorganisms from [14C] labeled formate or glycine and could be converted into inosinic acid by an enzyme system of pigeon liver. Chemical conversion of radioactive arylamine to the ureido derivative, hydrolysis to the free base and addition of carrier 5-ureidomidazole, yielded a picrate of 5-ureidoimidazole which could be crystallized to a constant specific activity.
The application of noble metals in light-water reactors

Corrosion potential is a primary determinant of the stress-corrosion cracking susceptibility of structural materials in high-temperature water. Efforts to minimize stress-corrosion cracking in light-water reactors include adding hydrogen. In someplants’ out-of-core regions, the hydrogen required to achieve the desired corrosion potential is relatively high. In-core, more hydrogen is needed for an equivalent reduction in corrosion potential. Additionally, sIDe effects of high hydrogen-addition rates, including increased 16N turbine shine and 60CO deposition, have also been observed in some cases. An approach involving noble-metal coatings on and alloying additions to engineering materials dramatically improves the efficiency with which the corrosion potential is decreased as a function of hydrogen addition, such that very low potentials are obtained once a stoichiometric concentration of hydrogen (versus oxygen) is achieved.
Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics as predictors of treatment failures in uncomplicated skin abscesses within seven days after incision and drainage

Abstract Background Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is now the leading cause of superficial abscesses seen in the Emergency Department. Study Objectives Our primary aim was to determine if an association exists between three predictor variables (abscess size, cellulitis size, and MRSA culture) and treatment failure within 7 days after incision and drainage in adults. Our secondary aim was to determine if an association exists between two clinical features (abscess size and size of surrounding cellulitis) and eventual MRSA diagnosis by culture. Methods Logistic regression models were used to examine clinical variables as predictors of treatment failure within 7 days after incision and drainage and MRSA by wound culture. Results Of 212 study participants, 190 patients were analyzed and 22 were lost to follow-up. Patients who grew MRSA, compared to those who did not, were more likely to fail treatment (31% to 10%, respectively; 95% confidence interval [CI] 8–31%). The failure rates for abscesses ≥ 5 cm and Conclusion Cellulitis and abscess size do not predict treatment failures within 7 days, nor do they predict which patients will have MRSA. MRSA-positive patients are more likely to fail treatment within 7 days of incision and drainage.