cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation Free Radiotherapy: An Emerging Form of Simulation and Treatment Planning to Simplify Palliative Radiotherapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Simulation free RT (SF-RT) is an emerging technique in which a patient's (pts) diagnostic imaging is used for simulation (sim) and treatment planning. SF-RT may increase the speed of treatment planning while reducing pt visits. In palliative care, minimizing time in the radiation oncology (RO) department and expediting treatment is critical. We evaluated clinical data for pts treated with palliative SF-RT compared to pts treated with palliative CT sim RT (CT-RT) in a retrospective matched cohort analysis. MATERIALS/METHODS From 1/2020 to 11/2020, 30 sessions of palliative SF-RT were performed at a single institution. A session was defined as a single course of palliative RT. Pts received both single and multi-fraction regimens. Time points collected included time of order approval, plan approval, and first treatment. A matched cohort of pts treated with palliative CT-RT was acquired via Reweight Mahalanobis Distance Matching matched on age, total dose, and treatment site. Descriptive statistics were calculated on all variables and statistical significance was evaluated using the Chi-square method for categorical variables and the t-test method for continuous variables. RESULTS 30 sessions of palliative SF-RT were matched with 30 sessions of palliative CT-RT, with the median distance matching being 0.073 (0.018-0.147). Median age of pts treated with SF-RT was 61 (56-73) and median age of pts treated with CT-RT was 62 (55-72). The majority of pts in both groups were treated on an outpatient basis. The most common site treated in both groups was spine. 70% of SF-RT sessions were single fraction, and 57% of CT-RT sessions were single fraction. Mean time from order approved to plan approved was 1.8 days (d) (+/- 1.8 d) for SF-RT sessions and 3.0 d (+/- 3.4 d) for CT-RT sessions. Mean time from plan approved to first treatment was 2.3 d (+/- 2.8 d) for SF-RT sessions and 2.0 d (+/- 2 d) for CT-RT sessions. Mean time from order approved to first treatment was 4.1 d (+/- 3.3 d) for SF-RT and 5.0 d (+/- 3.8 d) for CT-RT. There were no statistically significant differences between variables. CONCLUSION SF-RT led to an average of .9 d faster time from order approval to first treatment while requiring one less patient visit to the RO department when compared to CT-RT. These data demonstrate the potential for SF-RT to increase the efficiency of palliative RT while reducing pt visits to the RO department.
Metallocene basicity : I. Ring tilt and restricted rotation in protonated alkylferrocenes

Abstract Protonation at the metal is shown to occur in boron trifluoride monohydrate solutions of various alkylferrocene compounds. The structure of the resulting ferrocenonium ion is shown to involve tilted rings such that free rotation of substituted rings is no longer possible. Compounds studied include: 1-methyl-, 1,1′-dimethyl-, 1-ethyl-, 1,1′-diethyl-, 1-methyl-1′-ethyl-, and 1-methyl-2,5-dideuterioferrocene.
From Prions to Parasites: Issues and Concerns in Blood Safety

In recent years, blood safety has been the focus of increased attention. Blood safety issues have been numerous and varied and have encompassed a wide range of microorganisms and concerns. This chapter illustrates a variety of issues and challenges in this area, including those posed by emerging infections that may be transmissible by blood. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) strains are classified into different groups based on nucleic acid sequence analysis. HIV-I and HIV-2 are at the extreme of this diversity. Hepatitis G virus (HGY) and human herpesvirus 8 (HHY-8) are two newly discovered viruses that pose very different challenges to blood safety. HGY, a flavivirus, is fairly prevalent among blood donors; 1 to 2% of healthy blood donors have evidence of infection. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, invariably fatal degenerative disease believed to be caused by an unconventional, disinfection-resistant infectious agent. Bacterial contamination can occur at one or more points in the collection, processing, pooling, and transfusion of blood. Several parasitic agents have recently caused concern for blood safety. The same approaches that have contributed to improved blood safety, including donor selection, testing, viral inactivation procedures, improved transfusion practices, and surveillance, are expected to continue to play a major role in dealing with these challenges and other potential threats to blood safety.
Direct medical costs for surgical and medical treatment of condylomata acuminata.

Objective To determine which treatment modalities for condylomata acuminata are associated with the lowest direct medical costs. Design Cost-effectiveness analysis. Setting Ambulatory private practice, primary or specialty care. Patients or Other Participants Adults with no presenting complaints other than condylomata acuminata. Interventions Construction of a cost-effectiveness model. From a literature review, extraction of commonly accepted guidelines regarding duration and frequency as well as reports of efficacies of typical treatment regimens; from Medicare physician fee schedules, costs of physician visits and physician-administered treatments; from published data, average wholesale prices of medications. Main Outcome Measure Estimated direct medical costs per complete clearance associated with different treatment options for condylomata acuminata. Results Mean direct medical costs per complete clearance are lowest for surgical excision ($285). Other low-cost modalities are loop electrosurgical excision procedure ($316), electrodesiccation ($347), carbon dioxide laser ($416), podofilox ($424), and pulsed-dye laser ($479). Higher-cost modalities are cryotherapy ($951), trichloroacetic acid ($986), imiquimod ($1255), podophyllum resin ($1632), and interferon alfa-2b ($6665). Conclusion Surgical modalities, including excision, electrodesiccation, loop electrosurgical excision procedure, and laser, as well as podofilox are low-cost options for the treatment of condylomata acuminata.
Magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy. A definitive method for the determination of urinary porphyrins.

Abstract The application of MCD for the determination of urinary porphyrins is assayed by specific application to the screening of workers exposed to lead arsenate. The definitive nature of this new spectroscopic method arises from: (1) its sensitivity to as little as 0.02 μg/ml of porphyrin dication; (2) its freedom from interference caused by other substances; (3) the highly characteristic shape of the MCD bands exhibited by porphyrin dications; and (4) the high information content of the MCD spectrum.
Comparative studies of luteinizing hormone from beef, pork, and sheep pituitaries: I. Purification and physical properties

Abstract Purification of beef, sheep, and pork luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland is described. The fractionation has been selected to give high yield (over 80%) at each step, to obtain material for physical and chemical comparisons. Highly purified preparations have been obtained which are not completely homogeneous, however. The preparations are similar in molecular size (30,000–34,000) as judged by sedimentation-viscosity studies. All show altered sedimentation behavior at low pH, although pork LH behaves differently from sheep and beef LH. Pork LH also has approximately one-half the specific activity of the beef and sheep LH. Peptide maps of tryptic and chymotryptic digests reveal structural similarities in the preparations although some differences are apparent.
Constructing Tibetan Culture: Contemporary Perspectives.

Constructing Tibetan Culture: Contemporary Perspectives. Frank J. Korom. ed. St-Hyacinthe, Quebec: World Heritage Press, 1997. 230 pp.
Are variations in individual physician success rates within an in vitro fertilization program due to patient demographics or methodology

Apparent variations in individual physician success rates in a large in vitro fertilization program may indeed be due to patient demographics, but this contention cannot be substantiated by the data presented.
Nécroptose des motoneurones dans des modèles de sclérose latérale amyotrophique familiale ou sporadique

> La sclerose laterale amyotrophique (SLA ou maladie de Charcot) est une maladie neurodegenerative de l’adulte qui affecte principalement les motoneurones (MN) superieurs corticospinaux et/ou les motoneurones inferieurs innervant les muscles squelettiques. La SLA se manifeste par une paralysie progressive accompagnee d’une atrophie musculaire entrainant rapidement la mort lorsque la fonction respiratoire est atteinte. Cette maladie incurable se presente dans la majorite des cas de maniere sporadique (SLAs), et seuls environ 10 % des patients souffrent d’une forme genetique hereditaire dite familiale (SLAf). Des mutations dans le gene codant la superoxyde dismutase 1 (SOD1) ont ete identifiees dans environ 20 % des formes de SLA familiale [10]. Cette decouverte a permis le developpement de rongeurs transgeniques surexprimant des formes mutantes de cette proteine humaine et presentant les signes caracteristiques de la maladie. Ce modele animal a ete largement utilise afin d’identifier les mecanismes cellulaires et moleculaires responsables de la mort des motoneurones dans la SLA familiale. De multiples etudes in vitro et in vivo indiquent que les cellules gliales a proximite des motoneurones jouent un role critique dans la neurodegenerescence liee aux mutations de SOD1 [1]. Notre equipe a ainsi precedemment montre que des motoneurones isoles de souris saines meurent spontanement lorsqu’ils sont exposes in vitro a des astrocytes provenant de souris transgeniques porteuses de mutations de SOD1 telles que SOD1G93A [2]. Cette mort est due a la liberation d’un facteur astrocytaire toxique qui affecte selectivement les motoneurones et non les autres types neuronaux spinaux presents dans la culture. Nous avons recemment voulu determiner si ce phenomene de toxicite produit par les astrocytes murins surexprimant SOD1G93A pouvait egalement avoir lieu en presence d’astrocytes provenant de patients souffrant de SLA sporadique. En effet, la presentation clinique des patients affectes par la forme familiale ou sporadique de la maladie est identique, suggerant que ces deux formes partagent certains mecanismes pathologiques.
Potentiation of behavioral arousal after cortical damage and subsequent recovery.

Abstract The effect of ablating the frontal cortex on the rat's activity-response to amphetamine was tested across a wide range of dosages and following varying postoperative intervals. Removal of the frontal poles (but not posterior cortical lesions) greatly potentiated the normal increases in spontaneous activity caused by amphetamine, and this effect became significantly reduced with longer postoperative intervals. Frontal lesions by themselves did not produce any changes in daily activity. The results are interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that the frontal cortex normally serves to control changes in behavioral arousal, and showing that recovery of this brain function takes place following cortical destruction.
Mood, cognition and in vivo protein imaging: the emerging nexus in clinical neuroscience.

Historically, disorders of mood and cognition have been conceptualized and managed clinically as distinct entities. Their genetic underpinnings, pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical outcomes have been treated as very distinct with little overlap between these entities. There is, however, a growing evidence base, largely based on epidemiological and clinical observations, that suggest that mood disorders, especially in late-life and cognitive disorders overlap from both phenomenological and pathophysiological perspectives. These findings have important implications for both the diagnosis and long-term management of patients diagnosed with these disorders. In this review, we will begin by presenting the epidemiological and clinical findings that establish a link between depression and the dementias. This will be followed by a discussion of plausible pathophysiological links between mood and cognitive disorders and of modern neuroimaging techniques aimed at identifying and estimating the protein load using in vivo approaches. We will conclude by discussing the implications of this line of enquiry for the neurobiology and the long-term management of these disorders including the concept of dementia prophylaxis.
Phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in bovine chromaffin cells: effects of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I).

1. Antiphosphotyrosine antibodies were used to detect phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in immunoblots of bovine chromaffin cell proteins. 2. Unstimulated cells exhibited two major phosphotyrosine-containing proteins, which hadMr's of 121,000 and 70,000. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) had little effect on the phosphotyrosine content of these two proteins but greatly increased the phosphotyrosine content of three other proteins ofMr 185,000, 170,000, and 96,000. These proteins were found predominantly in the particulate fraction of cell homogenates. 3. The effects of the IGF-I were time and concentration dependent, with maximal increases in phosphorylation occurring after 1 min of treatment with 10 nM IGF-I. Na3VO4, an inhibitor of phosphotyrosine phosphatases, potentiated the effects of IGF-I. 4. Thus, the IGF-I receptor appears to function as an IGF-I-activated protein tyrosine kinase in chromaffin cells. The tyrosine kinase activity of the IGF-I receptor presumably mediates the effects of IGF-I on chromaffin cell function.
The Cost Effectiveness of Screening Newborns for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Objective: To assess the cost effectiveness of newborn screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in the U.S. newborn population. Methods: We constructed
Kinetics of antiphase domain growth

Abstract The antiphase boundary, APB, energy was recalculated, indicating that, in the B2 superlattice, it is even more isotropic than previously believed. High vacancy concentrations at APB were also analyzed with respect to their positional energy at the boundaries as compared to that in the perfectly ordered crystal. Finally, the motion of APB in β brass has been analyzed with particular emphasis placed upon the geometrical constraints imposed on atom movement by the superlattice. Two cases were considered, the shrinking of an isolated spherical domain, and the flattening of wavy APB. The former is associated with a parabolic rate law similar to that of grain growth in pure metals. The latter is extremely sensitive to the amplitude and period of the boundary.
Synthesis, cyclic voltammetric studies, and electrogenerated chemiluminescence of a new phenylquinoline-biphenothiazine donor-acceptor molecule.

We report the synthesis, electrochemistry, and luminescence of a novel ECL emitting compound containing two electron-accepting hexyl-phenylquinoline groups covalently attached to the 3,3‘-positions of the electron-donating 10,10‘-dimethylbiphenothiazine group. The optimized geometry as determined from semiempirical MNDO calculations shows that the two quinoline groups are twisted 82.5° from the two phenothiazine rings, indicating a lack of electron delocalization among these groups. This unique geometry allows generation of localized radical cations and radical anions capable of generating ECL upon annihilation. However, the phenothiazine rings are twisted 46.5° relative to each other, suggesting possible interactions between the two moieties. This is evident in the electrochemical behavior in which two closely spaced one-electron oxidations, rather than a single two-electron oxidation wave, were observed. The photophysical properties of BHQ-BPZ show strong resemblances to the parent compound, BPQ-PTZ, wh...
Using Off-Line Features and Synthetic Data for On-Line Handwritten Math Symbol Recognition.

We present an approach for on-line recognition of handwritten math symbols using adaptations of off-line features and synthetic data generation. We compare the performance of our approach using four different classification methods: AdaBoost. M1 with C4.5 decision trees, Random Forests and Support-Vector Machines with linear and Gaussian kernels. Despite the fact that timing information can be extracted from on-line data, our feature set is based on shape description for greater tolerance to variations of the drawing process. Our main datasets come from the Competition on Recognition of Online Handwritten Mathematical Expressions (CROHME) 2012 and 2013. Class representation bias in CROHME datasets is mitigated by generating samples for underrepresented classes using an elastic distortion model. Our results show that generation of synthetic data for underrepresented classes might lead to improvements of the average per-class accuracy. We also tested our system using the Math Brush dataset achieving a top-1 accuracy of 89.87% which is comparable with the best results of other recently published approaches on the same dataset.
A data-driven approach to quality risk management

Aim: An effective clinical trial strategy to ensure patient safety as well as trial quality and efficiency involves an integrated approach, including prospective identification of risk factors, mitigation of the risks through proper study design and execution, and assessment of quality metrics in real-time. Such an integrated quality management plan may also be enhanced by using data-driven techniques to identify risk factors that are most relevant in predicting quality issues associated with a trial. In this paper, we illustrate such an approach using data collected from actual clinical trials. Materials and Methods: Several statistical methods were employed, including the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and logistic regression, to identify the presence of association between risk factors and the occurrence of quality issues, applied to data on quality of clinical trials sponsored by Pfizer. Results: Only a subset of the risk factors had a significant association with quality issues, and included: Whether study used Placebo, whether an agent was a biologic, unusual packaging label, complex dosing, and over 25 planned procedures. Conclusion: Proper implementation of the strategy can help to optimize resource utilization without compromising trial integrity and patient safety.
Cutaneous antibodies in excised skin from channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, immune to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

This study determined whether cutaneous antibodies were present in the excised skin of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, immune to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet (Ich). Theronts were immobilized on or near the excised skin from immune fish. The survival of immobilized theronts was significantly reduced after exposure for 8 h to the culture of excised skin from immune fish. Culture fluids from excised skin of immune fish immobilized theronts with a peak in the immobilization titre at 24 h post-exposure. Immobility of theronts in the culture fluid from immune skin was removed after immunoabsorption with theronts. Indirect immunofluorescent staining of theronts treated with culture fluid from excised skin of immune fish revealed strong and uniform fluorescence on the cilia and cell surface of theronts. Western blot analysis of the culture fluid from immune fish revealed a 70-kDa band which corresponded to the molecular weight of catfish immunoglobulin heavy chain. The results of this study show that cutaneous antibodies to Ich theronts were present in and released from the excised skin from fish immune to Ich. Immobilization and killing of the theronts are two characteristics of the antibody response that appear to prevent the successful invasion of theronts into excised skin.
Holomorphic versions of the Fabrey-Glimm representations of the canonical commutation relations

The space cutoff is h, ki ~IK 2, #(k~) = (#2 + tkil2)1/2 For v of a more general form, lower parameter j, and upper cutoff a, they show convergence of ( ~ , q~, ~¢ ~p) ex(~) for ~b, ~p in a dense subset N of Fock space, as ~ 00. T;, is a truncated version of e ~*(~) and X(a) is the renormalization. The closure of the inductive limit of ~ over the lower parameters defines a Hilbert space which carries a Weyl representation of the CCR (canonical commutation relations). The Bargmann-Segal complex wave representation for the free field has as Hilbert space H2(K'cx, d#), the completion of the tame holomorphic functionals on K'cx, the complex distributions, which are square-integrable with respect to the Gaussian cylinder set measure # on K'. The finite-dimensional case has been discussed by Bargmann [1] and the infinite dimensional case by Segal [15; 16]. Creation operators on HZ(K ', dl~) are diagonalized and annihilation operators are differentiations. We construct an analogue to the complex wave representation for the interaction case as a countable inductive limit of spaces of the following form: completion of the tame holomorphic functional s on K'cx in the space of functionals which are square integrable with respect to a countably additive measure associated with Tj. This space carries a representation of the CCR for which creation is a multiplication operator and annihilation is, formally, differentiation plus multiplication by the log derivative of Tj. The representation is unitarily equivalent to the Glimm-Fabrey representation. For a fixed lower parameter j and upper cutoff a we construct H2(K ', drlj~), where dqj~ = I Tj.~l 2 II r~ II-2 d#. In order to show that the t/j~ converge to a countably additive measure, we analyze the characteristic functions L~(h) of tb. ~ and,
Differential functional phenotypes of two primary HIV-1 strains resulting from homologous point mutations in the LLP domains of the envelope gp41 intracytoplasmic domain.

We previously reported that selected mutations of highly conserved arginine residues within the LLP regions of HIV-1ME46 gp41 had diverse effects on Env function. In the current study, we sought to test if the observed LLP mutant phenotypes would be similar in HIV-189.6. The results of the current studies revealed that the LLP-1 mutations conferred reduced Env incorporation, infectivity, and replication phenotypes in both viruses, while homologous LLP-2 mutations had differential phenotypical effects between the two strains. In particular, several of the 89.6 LLP-2 mutant viruses were replication defective in CEMX174 cells despite having increased levels of Env incorporation, and with both strains, there were differential effects on infectivity. This comparison of homologous point mutations in two different strains of HIV supports the role of LLPs as determinants of Env function, but reveals for the first time the influence of virus strain on LLP mutant phenotypes.
The Claw Sampler—A Macroinvertebrate Sampler for Scuba Divers

Abstract A device is described that can be used by scuba divers to obtain quantitative macroinvertebrate samples from flat surfaces. Called the “claw sampler,” it was designed to collect macroinvertebrates colonizing spawning benches in Tennessee reservoirs. The spawning benches, 3.0-m × 25-cm wood slabs attached to 30-cm concrete blocks, were used to simulate logs under which smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu spawn. The claw sampler effectively collected quantitative samples of coleopterans, dipterans, ephemeropterans, odonates, trichopterans, cladocerans, and gastropods that colonized the spawning benches and provided a readily available food supply for age-0 smallmouth bass and other fishes.
Reliable multihop remote sensing and control using wireless sensor and actor networks

In this paper we discuss a novel multihop transport scheme for wireless sensor and actor networks (WSAN) that facilitates (a) reliable multihop data packet transmission from the sensor nodes to a centralized controller (sink), and (b) reliable multihop control packet transmission from the sink to different actor nodes. The transport scheme works on a model of prioritized packet store-and-forward mechanism which enables important information to reach its destination with minimum delay. We also employ congestion avoidance and control mechanism. Simulations are conducted using network simulator (ns-2) tool to study the performance of the proposed scheme.
Commentary: Ethics in public service: Higher standards and double standards

(1989). Commentary: Ethics in public service: Higher standards and double standards. Criminal Justice Ethics: Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 2-83.
The influence of solution composition on protein loss during peritoneal dialysis.

A number of recent studies in man [1–3] and rats [1, 4, 5] has investigated the influence of the composition of commercial peritoneal dialysis solutions on the microcirculation and on the removal of solutes during peritoneal dialysis. One of those studies [3] demonstrated that dialysis with a normal osmolality Krebs solution greatly enhanced the concentration of protein in the drainage solution in comparison to that obtained with commercial, 1.5% dextrose solutions. We proposed that these results represented an effect of osmolality on interstitial movement of protein [6]. Since protein movement in the interstitium probably occurs through water channels in the gel-like matrix of the interstitium [7, 8], a change to a high osmolality dialysis solution could dehydrate the interstitium. This would increase the resistance to protein movement and thus decrease the loss of protein in the dialysate. During the first few exchanges, the high osmolality of commercial dialysis solutions could also pull residual protein out of the interstitium because it produced a generalized dehydration of the interstitial tissues. This would lead to large concentrations of protein in the drainage solution during the first few exchanges and then a progressive fall in dialysate protein with subsequent exchanges. An alternative hypothesis to explain such results would be that there is simply a washout of residual protein from the peritoneal cavity or from tissue spaces within the cavity. The following studies were designed to test which of these two hypotheses, an increased resistance to protein movement through dehydration of the interstitial tissue or a washout of residual protein already present in the peritoneal cavity, could explain our previous findings [3].
The shuttle development and its growth potential

Abstract During the next two decades, we will establish the foundation for the 21st century's accomplishments in space. The Space Shuttle vehicle will become the cornerstone for that foundation by providing economical opportunities for space exploration and utilization. Reusability of the Shuttle vehicle is the key to its economy. The major developmental challenges encountered in the Shuttle program are typified by the complexities involved in designing the reusable propulsion and thermal protection subsystems. We successfully met such challenges and are nearing the launch of the first Shuttle orbital flight. Our immediate goal is to enter the Space Shuttle operational phase because only then will we fully understand the unique capabilities of the Shuttle. Concurrent with our effort to begin Shuttle operations are our initial efforts to expand Shuttle capabilities, extending them significantly beyond those of the current baseline system. Shuttle payload capacity and mission-duration capabilities are to increase considerably during the next decade. Just as present Shuttle performance specifications and development timetables were guided by the space program plans and forecasts of the 1960s, so will the development of long-range space programs be determined by our near-future achievements. We anticipate that the Space Shuttle will play a critical role in those achievements.
Similarity to the self affects memory for impressions of others

The present studies investigated whether similarity to the self influenced memory for impressions of others. We predicted that similarity to the self would facilitate impression memory for others, paralleling the self-reference effect found when information is processed relative to the self. We were interested in how the initial valence of the impression, whether positive or negative, affected impression memory. Across two experiments, participants formed impressions while viewing faces paired with traits and behaviors. After recognition, participants rated the self-descriptiveness of the studied traits allowing impression memory to be sorted into high-, medium-, and low-self-similarity. For positive impressions, similar others were remembered better than dissimilar others. For negative impressions, similar others were remembered more poorly than dissimilar others. These results illustrate that similarity to the self has multifaceted effects on person memory, leading to memory enhancement in the case of people given positive impressions, but reducing memory for people associated with negative impressions.
MRI complements standard assessment of right ventricular function after lung transplantation.

Background. Changes in right ventricular mass and ejection fraction after single-lung transplantation for pulmonary hypertension are poorly understood. Methods. To complement functional data provided by echocardiography, radionuclide ventriculography, and right heart catheterization, magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess right ventricular function in 5 single-lung transplant recipients with preoperative pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction (right ventricular ejection fraction, 0.21 ± 0.09). The right and left ventricular mass, ejection fraction, and mass ratio (left ventricular mass/right ventricular mass) were calculated from the magnetic resonance images. Results. The mean pulmonary artery pressure fell from 72 ± 18 to 21 ± 8 mm Hg after transplantation. At 3 months after transplantation both the left ventricular and right ventricular ejection fractions approached normal values, as shown by both radionuclide ventriculography and magnetic resonance imaging, but the right ventricular mass remained abnormally high with slightly low mass ratios. By 1 year both the left ventricular and right ventricular masses had regressed to normal with near-normal mass ratios. Conclusions. Right ventricular performance returns to nearly normal early after transplantation, but the right ventricular mass regresses over a more prolonged time. Cine magnetic resonance imaging provides a noninvasive means of assessing changes in right ventricular function and mass after lung transplantation.
Trusted verification test bench development for Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) hardware insertion

Trusted design and verification presents new challenges for the case of using Intellectual Property (IP) in mixed signal systems. A Digitally Controlled Oscillator (DCO) subcomponent of a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) is utilized as an example through which the presented verification principles may be applied to PLL tests on the Texas Instruments Analog System Lab Kit Pro (TI ASLK Pro). A VHDL model has also been developed, incorporating Assertion-Based Verification (ABV) as a means for trusted verification of the design.
Optically addressed spatial light modulators by MBE-grown nipi MQW structures.

Promising approaches for achieving optically addressed spatial light modulators (O-SLMs) are investigated based on combining nipi and multiple quantum well structures. Theoretical aspects of photooptic effects achievable in such structures are treated. Test structures are grown by molecular beam epitaxy using two material systems. (In,Ga)As/GaAs and (Al,Ga)As/GaAs. Experiments show large optically controlled modulation of the absorption coefficient in the quantum well layers, a log power dependence on the control signal, millisecond and shorter time response, and generally predictable behavior. The results are encouraging for several different O-SLM device structures proposed.
Suppressive effects of peripheral flicker on foveal bichromatic mixture thresholds

Abstract Increment thresholds were determined for bichromatic mixtures of 660 and 520 nm (red + green), and 440 or 460 and 570 nm (blue + yellow). These measurements were made against a 1000-td white background that was surrounded by a larger, luminance matched annulus that appeared steady or flickered at 10 Hz. Targets were circular spots that subtended 60 and 15 min arc and had durations of 10 and 200 msec. All mixture thresholds with the steady surround were non-additive. The flickered surround gave rise to a periphery effect (PE), in the form of elevated mixture thresholds compared to those using the steady surround, for both red + green and blue + yellow mixtures when the 60 min arc, 10 msec spot was used. A PE was not consistently observed for the other three stimulus conditions. We propose the non-additive results indicate parvocellular (P−) pathway involvement in detection, which occurred under all stimulus conditions tested. Furthermore, that the PE were found when mixture stimuli were large, and brief indicates magnocellular (M−) pathway involvement in detection.
Semantic differential measures of meaningfulness and agreement of meaning

Two different measures of polarity of concepts using the SD were compared and found equivalent (r = .89). It was suggested that a measure such as Jenkins' D4 is preferable due to its relative ease in computation. Polarization was found to be independent of a measure of agreement (A) among Ss as to the meaning of the rated concepts (r = −.08). Further, Noble's measure of m was found to correlate with polarity (r = .67) and not A(r = −.14). Finally, values of polarity found by Jenkins using 20 SD scales correlated .63 with the seven-scale SD employed in the present study.
Needs Assessment for Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery

Cosmetic procedures have been an integral part of dermatologic surgery for over half a century, with a more recent proliferation of devices to improve skin color and texture and modify subcutaneous fat. Overall, cosmetic dermatologic procedures are extremely safe. However, detailed information about safety and effectiveness, and especially comparative effectiveness, is not available for many procedures. There are few randomized control trials of comparative effectiveness of different procedures for similar indications. Key comparative effectiveness studies are briefly reviewed, and areas of substantial deficiency in such research are highlighted.
Progress Towards Simple and Direct Detection of Adenylosuccinate Lyase Deficiency in Human Urine

A rhodamine based boronic acid linearly responds to increasing 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAr) concentrations in human urine. This method is thus an advance in detecting adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL) deficiency as AICAr is a model riboside for the ADSL substrates succinyladenosine (S-Ado) and succinylaminoimidazolecarboxamide riboside (SAICAr). ADSL deficiency is a rare but devastating disease of de novo purine synthesis in infants. Its diagnosis is also significant as it is one of the autism spectrum disorders.
A note on deaf mutism.

Summary The congenital deaf mute (HD) population of Northern Ireland, reported by Stevenson & Cheeseman, appears by maximum likelihood segregation analysis and the theory of detrimental equivalents to consist of three types. 1. Autosomal recessives, complete penetrance, 68% of all HD cases, at least several loci, average mutation rate 1 × 10-5 per locus, carrier frequency 0–080 per gamete. 2. Autosomal dominants, high but not complete penetrance, 22 % of all HD cases, at least two loci, total mutation rate 5 × 10_5 per gamete. (a) Genes inherited from affected parents, 7 % of all cases. (b) New mutants inherited from normal parents, 15 % of all cases. 3. Sporadic cases, due to unrecognized infection or more complex genetic mechanisms, 9 % of all cases. On the evidence, the hypothesis that the (non-significant) excess of affected boys is due to sex-linkage can neither be proven nor excluded. Ex hypothesi, sex-linked cases account for less than 2 % of all HD cases, with a mutation rate of 2 × 10-6 per X chromosome per generation. The hypotheses of heterozygote advantage, absence of dominant cases, synergistic effect of nonallelic recessive genes, and hypotruncate selection are shown to be inconsistent with the data. Studies on deaf mutism in other populations do not disagree with these conclusions. The theory of detrimental equivalents is extended to rare traits with retrospective ascertainment of consanguinity, giving estimates of carrier frequencies, number of loci, and mutation rates for recessive genes.
Practices of Engagement: Comparing and Integrating Deliberation and Organizing

The purpose of this article is to provide a comparison of institution-based community organizing and deliberative practices and to demonstrate how these are complementary approaches for civic engagement. In contrast to older typologies describing these two approaches oppositionally, we seek to reveal a shared democratic ethos and propose greater collaboration between action-oriented organizers and deliberative advocates. The article also identifies where deliberative and organizing practices diverge and proposes a model for how the two approaches can be integrated for mutual benefit.
Prediction of the fusion alpha density profile in ITER from local marginal stability to Alfvén eigenmodes

A simple radial transport code for predicting the fusion alpha density profiles in an ITER burning plasma unstable to Alfven eigenmodes (AEs) is illustrated. This extends earlier work by Angioni et al (2009 Nucl. Fusion 49 055013) treating the fusion alpha transport from high-n micro-turbulence to include marginal stability (or 'stiff') transport from alpha-driven low-n AEs. The local alpha density gradient AE thresholds are provided by physically realistic linear gyrokinetic code simulations. The transported alpha density profiles are compared to the alpha classical slowing-down profiles dependent on the birth rate source profiles. The base case thermal plasma (and hence source) profiles are taken from a theory-based core transport and H-mode pedestal prediction of ITER performance by Kinsey et al (2011 Nucl. Fusion 51 083001). The distinction between the alpha particle and the much smaller alpha energy transport loss is emphasized. The AE transport is localized to the mid-core radii with the high-n micro-turbulence controlling the transport loss of low energy alphas at the edge. Edge energy loss is about 100-fold smaller than particle loss. Even with the worst case boundary condition, only about 0.1% of net heating is lost and escaping alphas can be characterized as very hot helium.
Double dioxygenation of arachidonic acid by soybean lipoxygenase--1.

Abstract Soybean lipoxygenase-1, has been found to catalyze the incorporation of two oxygen molecules into arachidonic acid. The product appears to be 8,15 dihydroperoxy-5,9,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid. This is apparently the first report of the enzymatic production of a conjugated aliphatic triene in vitro .
Using a MAP-MRF model to improve 3D mesh segmentation algorithms

This paper proposes a novel method for improving the performance of a 3D-mesh segmentation algorithm. Our method takes a 3D-mesh object and a segmentation algorithm as input. Our approach uses a Markov Random Field (MRF) to estimate, for each mesh vertex, the likelihood that the vertex lies on a segmentation boundary. This is accomplished by repeating a process where we perturb the 3D mesh data and re-segmenting the surface using the provided algorithm and then analyzing the variation in the provided segmentation boundaries. Our MRF uses these segmentations as data to estimate the likelihood that each vertex is a member of a segmentation boundary. A prior is incorporated into the MRF that encourages solutions to satisfy smoothness conditions. The likelihood and prior are combined to generate a a-posteriori distribution for the mesh vertices that lie on a segmentation boundary. The improved segmentation is then taken as the collection of vertices which Maximize the APosteriori distribution, referred to as a MAP-MRF estimation. Results are provided for 2 different input algorithms and 3 different input surfaces and quantitative measures of the segmentation improvement are provided. The method can be applied to many segmentation algorithms to improve results which may otherwise suffer from over-segmentation or under-segmentation.
Impact of aspirin according to type of stable coronary artery disease: insights from a large international cohort.

Abstract Background Aspirin is recommended in stable coronary artery disease based on myocardial infarction and stroke studies. However, benefit among stable coronary artery disease patients who have not suffered an acute ischemic event is uncertain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of aspirin in stable coronary artery disease. We hypothesized that aspirin's benefit would be attenuated among individuals with stable coronary artery disease but no prior ischemic event. Methods An observational study was conducted from the INternational VErapamil-SR/Trandolapril STudy cohort. Ambulatory patients ≥50 years of age with clinically stable coronary artery disease requiring antihypertensive drug therapy (n = 22,576) were classified "ischemic" if they had a history of unstable angina, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, or stroke at the baseline visit. All others were classified "non-ischemic." Aspirin use was updated at each clinic visit and considered as a time-varying covariate in a Cox regression model. The primary outcome was first occurrence of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Results At baseline, 56.7% of all participants used aspirin, which increased to 69.3% at study close out. Among the "non-ischemic" group (n = 13,091), aspirin was not associated with a reduction in risk (hazard ratio [HR] 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.28; P = .13); however, among the "ischemic" group (n = 9485), aspirin was associated with a reduction in risk (HR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.77-0.99; P = .033). Conclusions In patients with stable coronary artery disease and hypertension, aspirin use was associated with reduced risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes among those with prior ischemic events. Among patients with no prior ischemic events, aspirin use was not associated with a reduction in risk.
Malaria Prevention in Short-Term Travelers

A family is planning a safari that includes 3 days in Cape Town, 3 days in Kruger National Park, South Africa, and 3 days in Victoria Falls, Zambia. The 31-year-old husband takes no medications, but recently he discontinued fluoxetine for depression. His 29-year-old wife is healthy and 15 weeks pregnant. Their 7-year-old child is in good health. How should the risk and prevention of malaria be managed in this family?
Curing of epoxy resins with metal(II)4,4′,4″,4‴-tetraamino phthalocyanines-modification with elastomers

The use of metal phthalocyanine tetraamines in curing epoxy resins to form high-temperature-resistant matrix polymers for composites has been reported earlier. The effect of adding carboxy-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile (CTBN) elastomer is now described; preliminary measurements of tensile, flexural, and short-beam shear strengths, dynamic moduli, resin content, and moisture absorption are presented, and the results of dynamic thermogravimetric analyses are given. In addition to their high char yield (86–87.5% at 800°C in a nitrogen atmosphere) and limiting oxygen index (48.3–50.3), the laminates showed good mechanical properties.
Looking for antigens

An Atlas of Immunofluorescence in Cultured Cells. By Mark C. Willingham & Ira Pastan. Academic: 1985. Pp.186. 35, 31.
Thermal convection associated with hot/cold pipes buried in a semi-infinite, saturated, porous medium

Abstract Analytical and numerical solutions are presented for steady-state, thermal convection induced by hot/cold pipes buried in a saturated, semi-infinite, permeable medium, the surface of which is horizontal, impermeable and subject to Robin's (convective) boundary condition. The pipe's surface is impermeable and isothermal. The analytical solution consists of the construction of a double expansion in terms of the Rayleigh and the inverse Biot numbers. Computer algebra (MACSYMA) is used to carry out the more tedious mathematical manipulations. The numerical approach involves both the construction of a regular perturbation expansion in terms of the Rayleigh number and the solution of the full nonlinear governing equations. The results of the perturbative analysis and the numerical calculations, which include descriptions of the flow and temperature fields as well as correlations for the Nusselt number, are compared and found to agree favorably.
Calculation methods for carbon-13 spectra with off-resonance proton spin decoupling

Abstract Equations are given for calculating decoupling intensities and for using such values to determine proton chemical shifts from carbon-13 spectra. The data needed for each calculation are from two spectra, each obtained by the technique of off-resonance proton spin decoupling at a discrete frequency. An estimate of possible errors is given for a limited range of experimental parameters.
Robust Optimization for Smart Machining Systems: An Enabler for Agile Manufacturing

This paper reports our efforts towards developing a mathematical and information framework for optimization of machining processes within a Smart Machining System (SMS). An SMS uses diverse integrated technologies that enable an enterprise to: (1) produce the first and every product correct; (2) improve the response of the production system to changes in demand (just in time); (3) realize rapid and agile manufacturing; and (4) provide data to the rest of the enterprise as needed. Optimization of machining processes is an important component of an SMS and contributes to realizing these capabilities. Based on a prototype, we demonstrate the concepts for robust optimization within an SMS and develop requirements and challenges for robust optimization in an SMS.
An essential carboxylic acid group in human prostate acid phosphatase.

Abstract Treatment of homogenous human prostatic acid phosphatase (orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (acid optimum), EC 3.1.3.2) with low concentrations of Woodward's reagent K ( N- ethyl-5-phenylisoxazolium-3′-sulfonate ) leads to a rapid loss of enzymic activity. The rate of inactivation of the enzyme is reduced in the presence of the competitive inhibitors phosphate and l -(+)-tartrate, but not in the presence of non-inhibitory D-(−)-tartrate. Measurement of the ethylamine produced upon hydrolysis of enzyme modified in the presence of d - and of l -tartrate permitted the quantitative estimation of the number of carboxylic acid residues at the active site. The data indicate that two carboxyl groups per (dimeric) enzyme molecule are essential for catalytic activity. It is proposed that one function of the active site carboxyl group may be to protonate the leaving alcohol or phenol portion of the phosphomonoester substrate during the formation of the covalent phosphoenzyme intermediate.
Market Response to Earnings Surprises Conditional on Reasons for an Auditor Change

Our interest in this study is the relative informativeness of earnings announcements reported before and after Form 8-K disclosures of the reason for an auditor change. We appeal to several models that predict that the market's response to an earnings surprise is positively related to the perceived precision of the earnings report. We predict that the Form 8-K reason disclosures aid investors in updating their expectations of earnings precision by providing useful information about the financial reporting process that produces the earnings report. For 802 auditor changes from late 1991 through late 1997, the average price response per unit of earnings surprise is lower subsequent to an auditor change for companies that switched for disagreement-related or fee-related reasons and higher for those that switched for service-related reasons. This paper provides further evidence on the effects of differential earnings quality on differences in the returns-earnings relation across companies and over time as well as the efficacy of Form 8-K disclosures of reasons for auditor changes.