cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene modifications and mutation mapping to study the function of photosystem II.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes several molecular genetic methods that are useful for mutant studies in photosynthetic organisms and highlights the applications for the study of Photosystem II (PS II). It emphasizes on the use of the spontaneously transformable cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, which readily integrates introduced DNA into its genome by homologous recombination, and whose genome has been sequenced in its entirety. Other photosynthetic prokaryotes, including the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, and chloroplasts of photosynthetic eukaryotes (including the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) also show homologous recombination and are therefore suitable for many of these studies. Apart from molecular genetic characteristics, a crucial feature is that the organism of choice can grow in a number of different conditions, ranging from photoautotrophically to essentially heterotrophically, and that the presence of functional photosystems is not absolutely required for growth. This is of importance considering that many gene replacement strategies require the use of mutants in which a particular gene has been deleted. If this gene deletion leads to a loss of photoautotrophic growth, then the mutant must be maintained under (photo) heterotrophic conditions.
Abstract T P58: TPA Contraindications have Little Impact on Thrombolysis Outcomes

Treatment with tPA is effective in patients with acute ischemic stroke but is only given to ~4% of patients. Part of what limits the use of tPA in acute stroke is the list of recognized contraindications (CIs) to tPA. Many of these CIs have little or no evidence describing how they may affect the safety of tPA. At the OSF Saint Francis comprehensive stroke center we have relaxed our definition of who can qualify for tPA. Aggressively limiting what is considered a contraindication to tPA allows more patients to be treated safely and effectively. We reviewed 218 patients who received tPA at our center from July 2010 to July 2014 to determine how many had one of 19 recognized CIs. Admission and discharge NIHSS, discharge MRS, discharge disposition and symptomatic ICH rates were compared in patients with CIs and those without. Ninety (41%) of our patients were found to have one or more contraindication to tPA. There were a total of 157 CIs. The most common contraindication was NIHSS greater than 22 or less than 4 with 37 patients. The mean decrease in NIHSS from admission to discharge was 4 points in patients with CIs and those without CIs. There was no significant difference in the 43% of patients with CIs and the 42% of patients without CIs who had a good outcome on discharge defined as a discharge MRS of 0-2. There was no significant difference between the 64.8% of patients discharged to home or to rehab in the patients with CIs and the 66.1% of patients discharged to home or rehab who did not have CIs. There was also no significant difference between the 1% of patients with CIs who had symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and the 2% of patients without CIs with symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. When making the decision to treat acute ischemic stroke with tPA, the risks & benefits of treating vs not treating should be weighed as they apply to each individual patient. Given our findings, we feel there is evidence that many contraindications to tPA should have less weight when making such decisions. This may increase the number of eligible patients who would receive treatment for stroke.
A Framework for Characterizing Drug Information Sources

Drug information is complex, voluminous, heterogeneous, and dynamic. Multiple sources are available, each providing some elements of information about drugs (usually for a given purpose), but there exists no integrated view or directory that could be used to locate sources appropriate to a given purpose. We examined 23 sources that provide drug information in the pharmacy, chemistry, biology, and clinical medicine domains. Their drug information content could be categorized with 39 dimensions. We propose this list of dimensions as a framework for characterizing drug information sources. As an evaluation, we show that this framework is useful for comparing drug information sources and selecting sources most relevant to a given use case.
Effect of Chronic Nitrogen Additions on Soil Nitrogen Fractions in Red Spruce Stands

The responses of temperate and boreal forest ecosystems to increased nitrogen (N) inputs have been varied, and the responses of soil N pools have been difficult to measure. In this study, fractions and pool sizes of N were determined in the forest floor of red spruce stands at four sites in the northeastern U.S. to evaluate the effect of increased N inputs on forest floor N. Two of the stands received 100 kg N ha−1yr−1 for three years, one stand received 34 kg N ha −1 yr−1 for six years, and the remaining stand received only ambient N inputs. No differences in total N content or N fractions were measured in samples of the Oie and Oa horizons between treated and control plots in the three sites that received N amendments. The predominant N fraction in these samples was amino acid N (31–45% of total N), followed by hydrolyzable unidentified N (16–31% of total N), acid-soluble N (18–22% of total N), and NH 4 + -N (9–13% of total N). Rates of atmospheric deposition varied greatly among the four stands. Ammonium N and amino acid N concentrations in the Oie horizon were positively related to wet N deposition, with respective r2 values of 0.92 and 0.94 (n = 4, ρ < 0.05). These relationhips were somewhat stronger than that observed between atmospheric wet N deposition and total N content of the forest floor, suggesting that these pools retain atmospherically deposited N. The NH 4 + -N pool may represent atmospherically deposited N that is incorporated into organic matter, whereas the amino acid N pool could result from microbial immobilization of atmospheric N inputs. The response of forest floor N pools to applications of N may be masked, possibly by the large soil N pool, which has been increased by the long-term input of N from atmospheric deposition, thereby overwhelming the short-term treatments.
Mahler measure for dynamical systems on ℙ1 and intersection theory on a singular arithmetic surface

The Mahler measure formula expresses the height of an algebraic number as the integral of the log of the absolute value of its minimal polynomial on the unit circle. The height is in fact the canonical height associated to the monomial maps xn. We show in this work that for any rational map ϕ(x) the canonical height of an algebraic number with respect to ϕ can be expressed as the integral of the log of its equation against the invariant Brolin-Lyubich measure associated to ϕ, with additional adelic terms at finite places of bad reduction. We give a complete proof of this theorem using integral models for each iterate of ϕ. In the last chapter on equidistribution and Julia sets we give a survey of results obtained by P. Autissier, M. Baker, R. Rumely and ourselves. In particular our results, when combined with techniques of diophantine approximation, will allow us to compute the integrals in the generalized Mahler formula by averaging on periodic points.
Primary Traits Of Oral Business Presentation: Translatable Use For Assessment In A Virtual Learning Environment

As more and more classes are taught on-line, new challenges for assessment of student learning have come about. In this paper on the use of digital video (DV) as an acceptable means to assess student oral business presentation skills, content analysis was used to test for the presence of primary traits inherent in effective formal business presentation. A specific set of traits was identified through a comprehensive literature review. Primary traits: eye contact or absence of reading, vocal variety, credibility or confidence, appearance of nervous mannerisms, and the purposeful use of the body represented the five independent variables in a one-level experiment. The five factors were accumulated into a survey instrument for use by study assessors experienced in evaluating formal business presentation skills. Study assessors looked at each speaker to determine if they could assess the five traits. Overall results indicated the five primary traits were noticeable 88.8% of the time, thereby rejecting the null hypothesis. This suggests that digital video may offer a technological solution for oral presentation skills assessment. This is an important finding for faculty in time and distance constrained environments. Future research is suggested to isolate quality characteristics in the digital film environment and to examine the impact that digital video has on student learning and skills.
A Rae1-Containing Ribonucleoprotein Complex Is Required for Mitotic Spindle Assembly

Summary Centrosome-independent microtubule polymerization around chromosomes has been shown to require a local gradient of RanGTP, which discharges mitotic cargoes from the nuclear import receptor importin β. Here, we have used an activity-based assay in Xenopus egg extracts to purify the mRNA export protein Rae1 as a spindle assembly factor regulated by this pathway. Rae1 is a microtubule-associated protein that binds directly to importin β. Depletion of Rae1 from extracts or cells severely inhibits mitotic spindle assembly. A purified Rae1 complex stabilizes microtubules in egg extracts in a RanGTP/importin β-regulated manner. Interestingly, Rae1 exists in a large ribonucleoprotein complex, which requires RNA for its activity to control microtubule dynamics in vitro. Furthermore, we provide evidence that RNA associates with the mitotic spindle and that it plays a direct, translation-independent role in spindle assembly. Our studies reveal an unexpected function for RNA in spindle morphogenesis.
Multiwavelength nephelometer measurements in Los Angeles smog aerosol. I. Comparison of calculated and measured light scattering

Abstract Mie scattering computations were performed for 212 measured size distributions in Los Angeles smog aerosols. Calculated scattering coefficients thus derived correlated well with those measured with a multiwavelength integrating nephelometer. The measured values were higher than those calculated; however, the disparity in magnitude was within the accuracy of the measurement systems.
Genetics Techniques for Thermococcus kodakarensis

Thermococcus kodakarensis (T. kodakarensis) has emerged as a premier model system for studies of archaeal biochemistry, genetics, and hyperthermophily. This prominence is derived largely from the natural competence of T. kodakarensis and the comprehensive, rapid, and facile techniques available for manipulation of the T. kodakarensis genome. These genetic capacities are complemented by robust planktonic growth, simple selections, and screens, defined in vitro transcription and translation systems, replicative expression plasmids, in vivo reporter constructs, and an ever-expanding knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms underlying T. kodakarensis metabolism. Here we review the existing techniques for genetic and biochemical manipulation of T. kodakarensis. We also introduce a universal platform to generate the first comprehensive deletion and epitope/affinity tagged archaeal strain libraries.
Theoretical development for the state of stress along weld lines connecting plane rigid surfaces

Abstract A method for determining the complete state of stress in welds connecting two plane rigid surfaces subjected to full static loading is first developed. The method accounts for the significant contribution of the unwelded portion of the connected surfaces forced into contact by the applied loads to the overall strength of the assembly. The nonlinearity introduced into the system of descriptive equations by the contact nature of the problem is handled numerically using a rapidly convergent iteration technique suitable for programming on a small computer. A compact program written in BASIC for the method is used to illustrate the technique on two example problems. With only minor modifications, the method and program may be used to obtain the familiar section modulus for fully loaded beams with unsymmetrical thin walls or solid cross-sections.
The influence of climate variation on eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) juvenile abundance in Chesapeake Bay

There has been a significant downward trend in the annual abundance (5 spatfall) of 0-age eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) measured in the autumn since 1940 in the Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay. We developed a multiple linear regression model to predict spatfall from environmental conditions and the magnitude of the previous year’s oyster harvest. The model explained 57% of the variance in spatfall from 1940 through 1976. We used the model to predict spatfall using data from 1977 to 2004 and found poor fit for the years after 1985. We suggest that this predictive relation was lost because an epizootic of the protistan parasite Haplosporidium nelsoni in 1985 and 1986 killed large numbers of oysters in the Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay. This event disrupted the tight relation between oyster harvest and spatfall. Using the same variables as in our initial model, we constructed a second multiple linear regression model for all data after 1977. This new model explained 53% of the variance in spatfall, although there was a reduced relation between oyster harvest in the previous year and a strong relation between July salinity and spatfall. Hindcasting spatfall from 1940 to 1976, this model explained 49% of the variance. We suggest that the overall downward trend in oyster spatfall since records began in 1940 is driven by the loss of adult oysters in the spawning stock. Superimposed on this trend is large interannual variability in oyster spatfall that is strongly related to climate-driven changes in environmental conditions during the summer period of larval development and settlement.
Electron-Beam-Generated Plasmas in Hypersonic Magnetohydrodynamic Channels

A novel concept is analyzed of hypersonic cold-air magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generators and accelerators with ionization by electron beams. Ionization processes are considered in detail. Strong coupling between hypersonic boundary layers and electrode sheaths is demonstrated, and anode voltage fall in hypersonic MHD channels is shown to be very high. A potential anode sheath instability and ways to suppress it are discussed. Electron beams are shown to be capable of generating an adequate conductivity in cold air, while allowing full control and stable operation of MHD channels. Example calculations of hypersonic accelerator and power generator performance appear to be promising.
Five-year follow-up of unilateral posteroventral pallidotomy in Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Background Neurocognitive outcome research of individuals with Parkinson's disease after unilateral pallidotomy is inconsistent. Although some studies reported few cognitive changes, other investigations have more consistently shown both transient and long-term cognitive decline postoperatively. Methods We report the long-term motor and neurocognitive outcome 5 years post surgery for 18 patients with Parkinson's disease (12 men and 6 woman; all right-handed) who underwent right or left unilateral posteroventral pallidotomy. Results Pallidotomy patients revealed long-term motor benefits from the surgery in their “off” state and control of dopa-induced dyskinesias in their “on” state, which is consistent with previous research. We found mild declines in oral and visuomotor information processing speed, verbal recognition memory, and mental status 5 years after surgery, which differs from previous literature regarding the long-term neurocognitive outcome after pallidotomy. Differences between the right and left pallidotomy patients for both motor and cognitive skills were not found. Conclusion Although deep brain stimulation is presently the treatment of choice, pallidotomy continues to be performed around the world. Consequently, although unilateral pallidotomy should be considered a treatment option for patients with Parkinson's disease who suffer from severe unilateral disabling motor symptoms or dyskinesias, the long-term neurocognitive outcome should also be considered in treatment decisions.
Decompressive craniectomy reduces white matter injury after controlled cortical impact in mice.

Abstract Reduction and avoidance of increases in intracranial pressure (ICP) after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) continue to be the mainstays of treatment. Traumatic axonal injury is a major contributor to morbidity after TBI, but it remains unclear whether elevations in ICP influence axonal injury. Here we tested the hypothesis that reduction in elevations in ICP after experimental TBI would result in decreased axonal injury and white matter atrophy in mice. Six-week-old male mice (C57BL/6J) underwent either moderate controlled cortical impact (CCI) (n=48) or Sham surgery (Sham, n=12). Immediately after CCI, injured animals were randomized to a loose fitting plastic cap (Open) or replacement of the previously removed bone flap (Closed). Elevated ICP was observed in Closed animals compared with Open and Sham at 15 min (21.4±4.2 vs. 12.3±2.9 and 8.8±1.8 mm Hg, p<0.0001) and 1 day (17.8±3.7 vs. 10.6±2.0 and 8.9±1.9 mm Hg, p<0.0001) after injury. Beta amyloid precursor protein staining in the corpus ca...
Baby-led weaning and the family diet. A pilot study

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is a style of solid food introduction that emphasizes self-feeding rather than spoon-feeding. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether parents using BLW change their dietary intake during weaning, and if their babies are offered family foods. Participants kept diet diaries at baseline and three months later, post-BLW implementation. Wilcoxon tests revealed no significant changes in dietary intake during the first three months of weaning, however, parents offered their children 57% of the same foods they were consuming. Results suggest that BLW does not lead to dietary changes among parents during the weaning process.
A compact beryllium target for production of fast neutrons

Abstract We have designed a compact beryllium target which produces a neutron flux of ∼1013· n/cm2·s (E > 1 MeV) when bombarded with 20 μA of 30 MeV deuterons. With simple modification this target would be capable of withstanding 100 μA.
Reproducibility of ductal lavage cytology and cellularity over a six month interval in high risk women.

Background Ductal lavage (DL) allows repeat sampling of breast epithelium for serial observation in a chemoprevention setting; however, the reproducibility of duct cannulation, cell yield and cytology has not been addressed. Methods We conducted a Phase 2 trial, wherein high risk women chose tamoxifen treatment or observation following an entry DL procedure. We present data from the non-intervention arm of our study to assess the reproducibility of cannulation, cell yield, and cytologic diagnosis from DL of the same duct at two time-points. Inter-observer variability was assessed by a blinded review of Papanicoloau-stained slides by two cytopathologists. Results Sixty-five women had a successful lavage of 187 ducts at baseline and chose observation; 63/65 (97%) had a successful lavage 6 months later. Successful recannulation of the same duct was accomplished in 63 women (97%) and162 ducts (87%). Total epithelial cell yields ≥100 were obtained from 57/65 women (88%) and 129/187 ducts (69%) at baseline, and 46/63 women (73%) and 80/162 ducts (49%) at both time-points. Cytologic diagnosis was reproducible in 27/63 (43%) women and 77/162 (48%) ducts. Inter-observer variability for cytologic diagnosis between two observers showed good agreement (κ = 0.62). Conclusions Recannulation and lavage of the same duct after a 6 month interval can be achieved with high frequency; however, reproducibility of cell yield and cytologic findings from the same duct is sub-optimal, leading to significant attrition of evaluable subjects. The utility of DL for the serial monitoring of breast epithelium is therefore limited.
Class of discrete Gabor expansion

We present a new approach to studying a discrete Gabor expansion (DGE). We show that, in general, DGE is not the usual biorthogonal decomposition, but belongs to a larger and looser decomposition scheme which we call pseudo frame decomposition. It includes the DGE scheme proposed as a special case. The standard dual frame decomposition is also a special case. We derive algorithms using techniques for Gabor sequences to compute 'biorthogonal' sequences through proper matrix representation. Our algorithms involve solutions to a linear system to obtain the 'biorthogonal' windows. This approach provides a much broader mathematical view of the DGE, and therefore, establishes a wider mathematical foundation towards the theory of DGE. The general algorithm derived also provides a whole class of discrete Gabor expansions, among which 'good' ones can be generated. Simulation results are also provided.
Carbohydrates borne on human glycophorin A are recognized by porcine Kupffer cells.

BACKGROUND We have previously shown that when porcine livers are perfused with human blood, porcine Kupffer cells extract up to 3 units of human erythrocytes over the course of a 72 hr perfusion. We have previously hypothesized that the recognition event responsible for this interaction involves a lectin receptor on the surface of the porcine Kupffer cell interacting with a carbohydrate epitope on the surface of the human erythrocytes. METHODS Treatments to disrupt the protein core of purified glycoproteins from the surface of human erythrocytes included: pronase, trypsin, beta-mercaptoethanol (2-ME), and heating to 90 degrees . Alternatively, we have removed the carbohydrate residues from purified human red blood cell (RBC) glycoproteins using glycosidases. Erythrocyte binding in the presence or absence of treated glycoproteins was quantified by Chromium-labeled RBC recognition by primary cultures of porcine Kupffer cells. RESULTS Human, but not porcine, erythrocytes were bound by in vitro primary cultures of porcine Kupffer cells. Binding was inhibited by preincubation of porcine Kupffer cells with purified human erythrocyte glycoproteins (hEGP) from human erythrocyte membranes. Pretreatment of human EGP with pronase, trypsin, 2-ME, or heating did not interfere with the ability of human EGP to inhibit the binding of human erythrocytes to porcine Kupffer cells. Deglycosylation of the purified hEGP completely disrupted hEGP ability to inhibit the binding of human erythrocytes to porcine Kupffer cells. CONCLUSION We conclude that porcine Kupffer cells bind xenogeneic human RBC by recognition of a carbohydrate epitope on the surface of human erythrocytes. We hypothesize that this binding is mediated by a porcine Kupffer cell lectin receptor.
TRAINING AND GENERALIZATION OF SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION SKILLS FOR WOMEN WITH MENTAL RETARDATION

Previous research has shown that behavioral skills training to teach sexual abuse prevention skills to women with mental retardation results in skill acquisition but poor generalization. In this investigation we evaluated procedures for enhancing generalization following training. Five women with mental retardation received 10 behavioral skills training sessions followed by in situ training when the skills did not fully generalize. Behavioral skills training resulted in skill acquisition and in situ training produced generalized responding during naturalistic assessments.
Meaningful work? Nonprofit marketization and work/ life imbalance in popular autobiographies of social entrepreneurship

As social entrepreneurship gains increasing acclaim and institutional support, there is a need for greater critical assessment of its practices and effects, including how it relates to current concerns about meaningful work. Our critical analysis of popular autobiographies of social entrepreneurs provides insight into how marketization forces are shaping the construction of meaningful work within the US nonprofit context. Our findings illustrate that although popular portrayals of social entrepreneurship offer a compelling vision of meaningful work centred on solving pressing social problems, they also celebrate a troubling account of work/life balance centred on self-sacrifice, underpaid and unpaid labour and the privileging of organizational commitment at the expense of health, family and other aspects of social reproduction. In focusing critical attention on popular autobiographies, our analysis contributes to ongoing efforts to understand how popular culture assists in reproducing problematic assumpti...
The Influence of Hormonal Contraception on Mood and Sexual Interest among Adolescents

Mood and sexual interest changes are commonly cited reasons for discontinuing hormonal contraceptives. Data, however, are inconsistent and limited to adult users. We examined associations of hormonal contraceptive use with mood and sexual interest among adolescents. We recruited 14–17-year-old women from primary care clinics and followed them longitudinally for up to 41 months. Participants completed face-to-face interviews quarterly and two 12-week periods of daily diary collection per year. On daily diaries, participants recorded positive mood, negative mood, and sexual interest. We classified 12-week diary periods as “stable OCP use,” “non-use,” “initiated use,” “stopped use,” and “DMPA use” based on self-report of oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) use from medical charts. Diary periods were the unit of analysis. Participants could contribute more than one diary period. We analyzed data using linear models with a random intercept and slope across weeks in a diary period, an effect for contraceptive group, and an adjustment for age at the start of a diary period. Mean weekly positive mood was higher in diary periods characterized by stable OCP use, compared to other groups. Mean weekly negative mood was lower in diary periods characterized by stable OCP use and higher in periods characterized by DMPA use. Periods characterized by stable OCP use additionally showed less mood variation than other groups. Changes in mood among adolescent hormonal contraceptive users differed from those anticipated for adult users. Attention to adolescent-specific changes in mood and sexual interest may improve contraceptive adherence.
Ultrasound-assisted water-confined laser micromachining: A novel machining process

Abstract A novel machining process, called ultrasound assisted water-confined laser micromachining (UWLM) and proposed by the corresponding author, is introduced. In UWLM, in situ ultrasound is delivered to the water-immersed workpiece surface region that is being ablated by a laser beam. The ultrasound in water may generate one or more effects among the cleaning, cooling enhancement, and peening effects. The effect(s) have a great potential to reduce one or more of the major defects of current laser machining processes. Some preliminary experimental results on UWLM have been given and discussed, and lots of future work on UWLM is still needed.
The Mutual Response of the Tropical Squall Line and the Ocean

—The Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) is used to investigate the mutual response of a tropical squall line and the ocean. Simulated squall line compares well with the observations, and consists of counterrotating vortices, and has a bow shape bulge toward the leading edge. In addition to these features, which are also shown in the previous numerical simulations, the unique results from the coupled simulation indicate that the air–sea interaction processes within the squall line are important. They affect both the atmosphere and the ocean locally. Simulated upper ocean displays significant response to the squall line with upwelling and baroclinicity. Depth of the ocean mixed layer in the coupled simulation becomes modified due to feedback processes. Ocean temperature acts as a destabilizing factor, and the salinity as a stabilizing factor. Surface turbulent fluxes from the coupled simulation are about 10% less than that of the uncoupled simulation. The SST in the coupled simulation decreases by about 0.21°C. Predicted squall line in the coupled simulation is weaker as compared to the uncoupled simulation. This is reflected in terms of differences in surface fluxes, cloud water, rain water and vertical velocities between the two simulations.
Measurement with judges: Many-faceted conjoint measurement

Abstract One of the major problems in assessment and evaluation is that different people rate the same performance with varying degrees of severity. Individual raters vary the severity of their ratings in a manner dependent upon a wide array of factors. Most efforts intended to secure reliable and valid ratings across judges assume that the goal is to obtain identical ratings from different judges for the same performance. In contrast to these approaches, probabilistic conjoint measurement facilitates observation and calibration of differences in judge severity, making it possible to account for these differences in the interpretation of the assigned ratings. This chapter addresses issues in the application of Facets analyses to writing assessment, aesthetic judgment, and the evaluation of public speaking ability.
Students' perceptions and reported use of their memories after a memory-improvement course.

23 college students who had taken a memory-improvement course completed a questionnaire at three different times: the beginning of the course, the end of the course, and two months after the end of the course. The questionnaire assessed the students' perceptions of their memory abilities, e.g., how good their memories were and how confident they were in their memories and knowledge about their memories, and their reported use of the memory techniques; it did not assess actual memory performance or ability. The students' responses to the questionnaire were compared with those of 23 control students who completed the questionnaire at the same three times. The memory students reported more positive changes in how they perceived their memory abilities and knowledge, and these reported changes in perceptions were still evident two months later. The students also reported that they were still using their memory techniques two months later.
TU‐A‐WAB‐02: Arterial Perfusion Imaging‐Defined Aggressive Subvolume of Intrahepatic Cancer for Radiation Therapy

Purpose: To assess whether subvolumes of tumors extracted from hepatic arterial perfusion images can predict treatment outcome in radiation therapy (RT) of intrahepatic cancer. Methods: 21 patients who had 25 unresectable intrahepatic cancers and underwent focal RT were enrolled in a prospective IRB‐approved study of dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) MRI. DCE MRI scans of the patients were acquired prior to RT, after delivering ∼60% planned doses and 1 month after the completion of RT. Hepatic arterial perfusion images were quantified by using a dual‐input single‐compartment pharmacokinetic model of DCE MRI. Each treated tumor was classified into the subvolumes with low‐normal, or high hepatic arterial perfusion. The changes in the subvolumes with high hepatic arterial perfusion and in the volumetric means of hepatic arterial perfusion over the whole tumors from pre‐RT to during‐RT were evaluated for differentiation of responsive and progressive tumors using Mann‐Whitney U test. The performance of the early changes in the new metrics for predicting tumor progression following treatment was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Of the 25 tumors, 6 tumors in 5 patients progressed 5–21 months after the completion of RT, the other tumors responded to treatment. From pre‐RT to during‐RT, the tumor subvolumes with high hepatic arterial perfusion significantly increased (118%, p=0.007) in the progressive tumors compared to responsive ones. For predicting tumor progression, the change percentage in the tumor subvolume with high hepatic arterial perfusion had an area under curve (AUC) of 0.87 ± 0.09, while the change in mean hepatic arterial perfusion over the whole tumors had AUC of 0.85 ± 0.10. Conclusion: The tumor subvolume with high hepatic arterial perfusion could be an early predictor for treatment outcome in RT of intrahepatic cancer, and could be a candidate for radiation boost. (Supported by NIH grant RO1CA132834)
Dynamics, NOx and flashback characteristics of confined premixed hydrogen-enriched methane flames

Abstract The operating regime of a gas turbine combustor is highly sensitive to fuel composition changes. In particular, the addition of hydrogen, a major constituent of syngas, has a major effect on flame behavior due to the higher burning rates associated with hydrogen. A laboratory scale premixed test rig is constructed in order to study such effects. The fuel composition is incremented with increasing hydrogen starting from 100% methane. It is observed that increased RMS pressure levels and higher susceptibility to flashback occur with increasing hydrogen volume fraction. Furthermore, hydrogen enrichment can cause an abrupt change in the dominant acoustic mode. Measurements are reported of real-time heat release, emissions and flashback. Particular emphasis is put on understanding the relationship between the thermo-acoustic induced pressure oscillations and flashback.
AIDS-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphomas as primary and secondary AIDS diagnoses in hemophiliacs

We studied the characteristics and temporal trends of AIDS- associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (AIDS-NHL) in individuals with hemophilia. Prospective data were collected on 33 HIV-positive hemophiliacs with AIDS-NHL enrolled in the Hemophilia Malignancy Study (HMS), of whom 21 had primary and 12 had secondary or subsequent AIDS-defining illnesses, and analyzed for frequency and temporal trends. As compared with primary AIDS- NHL, secondary AIDS-NHL occurred at an older mean age, 37 versus 29 years (p = 0.12); at a lower mean CD4 count, 46 versus 154 (p = 0.07); after a longer period of immunosuppression (CD4 < 200/microl), 41 versus 16 months (p = 0.03); and with shorter median survival, 2 versus 7 months (p = 0.09). The presence of EBV in tumor tissue was associated with shorter survival, 1 versus 7 months (p = 0.17). Between 1981 and 1988 and 1989 and 1994, the proportion of primary AIDS diagnoses that were AIDS-NHL changed minimally, 4.6 versus 6.1%, whereas there were significant decreases in Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP, p = 0.02) and wasting (p = 0.07), and an increase in Candida (p = 0.004). These findings confirm that an increasing proportion of AIDS-NHL in hemophiliacs are occurring as secondary or later AIDS diagnoses, and they are associated with prolonged duration of immunosuppression.
Gap junction protein phenotypes of the human heart and conduction system.

Connexin Phenotypes in the Human Heart. Introduction: Gap junction channels are major determinants of intercellular resistance to current flow between cardiac myocytes. Alterations in gap junctions may contribute to development of arrhythmia substrates in patients. However, there is significant interspecies variation in the types and amounts of gap junction subunit proteins (connexins) expressed in disparate regions of mammalian hearts. To elucidate determinants of conduction properties in the human heart, we characterized connexin phenotypes of specific human cardiac tissues with different conduction properties. Methods and Results: The distribution and relative abundance of Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, Cx45, and Cx46 were studied immunohistochemically using monospecific antibodies and frozen sections of the sinoatrial node and adjacent atria, the AV node and His bundle, the bundle branches, and the left and right ventricular walls. Patterns of expression of these connexins in the human heart differed from those in previous animal studies. Sinus node gap junctions were small and sparse and contained Cx45 and apparently smaller amounts of Cx40 but no Cx43. AV node gap junctions were also small and contained mainly Cx45 and Cx40 hut, unlike the sinus node, also expressed Cx43. Atrial gap junctions were larger than nodal junctions and contained moderate amounts of Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45. Junctions in the bundle branches were the largest in size and contained abundant amounts of Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45. Gap junctions in ventricular myocardium contained mainly Cx43 and Cx45; only a very small amount of ventricular Cx40 was detected in subendocardial myocyte junctions and endothelial cells of small to medium sized intramural coronary arteries. Minimal Cx37 and Cx46 immunoreactivity was detected between occasional atrial or ventricular myocytes. Conclusions: The relative amounts of individual connexins and the number and size of gap junctions vary greatly in specific regions of the human heart with different conduction properties. These differences likely play a role in regulating cardiac conduction velocity. Differences in the connexin phenotypes of specific regions of the human heart and experimental animal hearts must he considered in future experimental or modeling studies of cardiac conduction.
A method for isolation of a large amount of a single-stranded DNA fragment.

Abstract Single-stranded DNA inserts can be digested from recombinant phage DNA of M13mp7 with BamHI or EcoRI restriction endonucleases. The single-stranded DNA is satisfactory for DNA sequencing and nuclei acid hybridization.
Nickel oxide particles catalyze photochemical hydrogen evolution from water--nanoscaling promotes p-type character and minority carrier extraction.

Nickel(II) oxide (NiO) is an important wide gap p-type semiconductor used as a hole transport material for dye sensitized solar cells and as a water oxidation electrocatalyst. Here we demonstrate that nanocrystals of the material have increased p-type character and improved photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution from water in the presence of methanol as sacrificial electron donor. NiO nanocrystals were synthesized by hydrolysis of Ni(II) nitrate under hydrothermal conditions followed by calcination in air. The crystals have the rock salt structure type and adopt a plate-like morphology (50–90 nm × 10–15 nm). Diffuse reflectance absorbance spectra indicate a band gap of 3.45 eV, similar to bulk NiO. Photoelectrochemical measurements were performed at neutral pH with methylviologen as electron acceptor, revealing photo-onset potentials (Fermi energies) of 0.2 and 0.05 eV (NHE) for nanoscale and bulk NiO, respectively. Nano-NiO and NiO-Pt composites obtained by photodepositon of H2PtCl6 catalyze hydr...
A comparison of certain potato sprays in different localities in West Virginia

1. In comparison with Bordeaux mixture plus DDT, in experimental plots in 4 tests in three different localities, Dithane plus DDT gave as good results in yield and protection against late blight. 2. In a large commercial planting in one year (1946) Dithane + DDT was inferior to Bordeaux + DDT in both blight protection and resulting yields. 3. Due to variation in climatic conditions, spray materials vary in their effectiveness in different localities in West Virginia. 4. The fixed copper (tribasic copper sulfate) and an exploratory chromate compound gave best protection and best yield results in a test of 12 different materials in 1946 in one locality.
1014 AUTOMATION OF THE PEROXIDASE ASSAY FOR MEASUREMENT OF APPARENT UNBOUND BILIRUBIN CONCENTRATION

1014 AUTOMATION OF THE PEROXIDASE ASSAY FOR MEASUREMENT OF APPARENT UNBOUND BILIRUBIN CONCENTRATION
Development of a polymerase chain reaction assay to detect cyprinid herpesvirus 2 in goldfish.

Abstract Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV2) has been associated with epidemic mortality among cultured populations of goldfish Carassius auratus. As the principal target tissues are hematopoietic cells in the kidney and spleen, the disease is designated herpesviral hematopoietic necrosis (HVHN). Originally described from Japan, the virus is present in at least five other countries and probably has a global distribution in goldfish. Preventing the further spread of the virus via control programs that exploit sensitive viral detection methods is critical. We developed a conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test based on unique sequences found in the putative helicase gene of CyHV2 and completed initial steps toward the validation of this test. The helicase CyHV2 PCR has an analytic sensitivity of at least 78 copies of the target sequence per reaction in serially diluted plasmid and 84 copies/μg of DNA from the kidney and spleen of goldfish experimentally infected with CyHV2. The analytic specificity of ...
Cocaine uptake is decreased in the brain of detoxified cocaine abusers.

Binding of [11C]cocaine in brain was measured with positron emission tomography in 12 detoxified cocaine abusers and in 20 controls to evaluate if there were changes in cocaine binding and in dopamine (DA) transporter availability associated with chronic cocaine use. Nine controls and 10 cocaine abusers had an additional scan with [18F]N-methylspiroperidol to measure dopamine D2 receptors. Cocaine abusers had significantly lower uptake of [11C]cocaine in brain (6.2 ± 1% dose/cc tissues) than controls (7.7 ± 2%). The distribution volumes (DV) for [11C]cocaine were reduced in basal ganglia (BG), cortex, thalamus, and cerebellum (CB) of cocaine abusers. However there were no differences in the ratio of the DV in BG to that in CB, which is an estimate of DA transporter availability. Values for DA D2 receptor availability were decreased in cocaine abusers and did not correlate with estimates of dopamine transporter availability. In summary, detoxified cocaine abusers showed decreased uptake of cocaine in brain but did not show changes in DA transporter availability.
Quantitative profiling analysis of organic acids in complex mixtures

The simultaneous detection and quantitative determination of a very large number of metabolites in physiological fluids or tissues, and the subsequent comparison of these data with reference values, is a process which has commonly been called “metabolic profiling” analysis. Profiles generated by gas-liquid chromatography on packed or capillary columns are readily analyzed by mass spectrometry, utilizing reverse library search procedures to identify individual components. Emphasis will be given here to procedures for the pre-purification of organic acids from plasma, to the use of quartz capillaries for metabolic profiling analysis, and to the sensitivity of this method for trace components.
CHILDREN'S RECALL OF TELEVISION AD ELEMENTS: An Examination of Audiovisual Effects

This study examined children's recall and recognition of ad content contained in the audio and video modalities of television commercials. An experiment was conducted with first and fourth graders who were exposed to a 60-second ad with a story-line format. The ad featured typical aspects of ads targeting youngsters, including animated creatures, role transformations, and loud music, among other production techniques. Results support the supremacy of the audiovisual nature of television in conveying information to children. Age differences between the two groups of children were evident. Suggestions for future research are offered.
Infiltration and instability in dune erosion

[1] Forecasting dune erosion prior to a storm or over longer periods requires knowledge of the fluid forces on the dune sediments. To improve our predictive capability for this process, we propose a new model in which dune slumping occurs when water, which infiltrates horizontally into the dune, increases the overburden sufficiently to destabilize the dune. Horizontal infiltration is driven by suction of water from swash into the dune via capillary action and is a surprisingly strong process with rapid time scales. Because the elevated pore water concentrations increase the apparent cohesion of the wetted sediments, we also propose that the entire volume of wetted sand slumps as a unit when the dune becomes unstable and erosion can be modeled based on the force balance on a sliding block. Several versions of this model were tested, including a numerical infiltration model, a simplified infiltration equation, and an equation based on offshore wave forcing, rather than known forcing at the dune. The model was tested using data from a large-scale laboratory experiment with a storm hydrograph to investigate the time dependence of dune erosion. Predicting slope stability using a numerical infiltration model with known forcing explained 72% of the observed variance in erosion rate, while a simplified stability and infiltration model explained 58%. Error statistics suggest that we captured the majority of the physics controlling dune erosion in this laboratory experiment and that the simplified model will be useful as a forecasting tool.
IMRT treatment of anal cancer with a scrotal shield

The risk of sterility in males undergoing radiotherapy in the pelvic region indicates the use of a shielding device, which offers protection to the testes for patients wishing to maintain fertility. The use of such devices in the realm of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in the pelvic region can pose many obstacles during simulation, treatment planning, and delivery of radiotherapy. This work focuses on the development and execution of an IMRT plan for the treatment of anal cancer using a scrotal shielding device on a clinical patient. An IMRT plan was developed using Eclipse treatment planning system (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA), using a wide array of gantry angles as well as fixed jaw and fluence editing techniques. When possible, the entire target volume was encompassed by the treatment field. When the beam was incident on the scrotal shield, the jaw was fixed to avoid the device and the collimator rotation optimized to irradiate as much of the target as possible. This technique maximizes genital sparing and allows minimal irradiation of the gonads. When this fixed-jaw technique was found to compromise adequate coverage of the target, manual fluence editing techniques were used to avoid the shielding device. Special procedures for simulation, imaging, and treatment verification were also developed. In vivo dosimetry was used to verify and ensure acceptable dose to the gonads. The combination of these techniques resulted in a highly conformal plan that spares organs and risk and avoids the genitals as well as entrance of primary radiation onto the shielding device.
The stacking-fault energy of the hexagonal ζ-phase in the silverAluminum system I. A calculation from thermodynamic data

Abstract Available free-energy data in the silveraluminum system at 820°K are used to calculate the stacking-fault energy γ of the h.c.p. ζ-phase. For non-equilibrium, γ increases from a value of 15 erg/cm 2 at the silver-rich phase boundary to 80 erg/cm 2 near x Al = 0.38, decreasing again to 70 erg/cm 2 at the aluminum-rich phase boundary. For equilibrium, γ is lower than the above values for all compositions of the ζ-phase, except for a point near x Al = 0.38, where no segregation occurs. The calculated yield stress for basal slip based on a Suzuki-locking model is of the same order of magnitude as the one experimentally determined for the alloy Ag 2 Al.
Search for Six-Quark States

We have searched the missing-mass spectrum of the reaction $\mathrm{pp}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{+}{K}^{+}X$ for a narrow six-quark resonance in the mass range 2.0-2.5 ${\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathit{c}}^{2}$. No narrow structure was observed. Upper limits for the production cross section of such a state depend upon mass and vary from 30 to 130 nb.
A Reactance Theorem for Antennas

A rigorous expression for the frequency derivative of the input reactance or susceptance of an arbitrary antenna is derived by integration of Maxwell's equations. This expression is shown to depend on the polarization properties of the far field of the antenna and on a quantity which may be interpreted as the electromagnetic energy stored in its near field. The theorem gives a precise theoretical foundation to an intuitive analysis, based on network theorems, which has been used with some success to predict the bandwidth properties of antennas.