cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imaging for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Author(s): Roberts, Lewis R; Sirlin, Claude B; Zaiem, Feras; Almasri, Jehad; Prokop, Larry J; Heimbach, Julie K; Murad, M Hassan; Mohammed, Khaled | Abstract: Multiphasic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are both used for noninvasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. To determine if there is a relative diagnostic benefit of one over the other, we synthesized evidence regarding the relative performance of CT, extracellular contrast-enhanced MRI, and gadoxetate-enhanced MRI for diagnosis of HCC in patients with cirrhosis. We also assessed whether liver biopsy versus follow-up with the same versus alternative imaging is best for CT-indeterminate or MRI-indeterminate liver nodules in patients with cirrhosis. We searched multiple databases from inception to April 27, 2016, for studies comparing CT with extracellular contrast-enhanced MRI or gadoxetate-enhanced MRI in adults with cirrhosis and suspected HCC. Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data. Of 33 included studies, 19 were comprehensive, while 14 reported sensitivity only. For all tumor sizes, the 19 comprehensive comparisons showed significantly higher sensitivity (0.82 versus 0.66) and lower negative likelihood ratio (0.20 versus 0.37) for MRI over CT. The specificities of MRI versus CT (0.91 versus 0.92) and the positive likelihood ratios (8.8 versus 8.1) were not different. All three modalities performed better for HCCs ≥2 cm. Performance was poor for HCCs l1 cm. No studies examined whether adults with cirrhosis and an indeterminate nodule are best evaluated using biopsy, repeated imaging, or alternative imaging. Concerns about publication bias, inconsistent study results, increased risk of bias, and clinical factors precluded support for exclusive use of either gadoxetate-enhanced or extracellular contrast-enhanced MRI over CT.ConclusionCT, extracellular contrast-enhanced MRI, or gadoxetate-enhanced MRI could not be definitively preferred for HCC diagnosis in patients with cirrhosis; in patients with cirrhosis and an indeterminate mass, there were insufficient data comparing biopsy to repeat cross-sectional imaging or alternative imaging. (Hepatology 2018;67:401-421).
Moderate hypofractionation for prostate cancer

The biologic effects of changing the daily radiation dose (fractionation) have been studied for more than a century. The fractionation question in the treatment of prostate cancer came into stark relief in 1999 with the publication of a provocative report suggesting that hypofractionated regimens could maintain the therapeutic ratio with logistic and financial advantages. In the last two decades medical evidence, weak and strong, has accumulated on the efficacy and toxicity of hypofractionated regimens in the radiotherapeutic treatment of prostate cancer. This brief review will focus on the results of randomized trials that compare moderate hypofractionation (HF) to conventional fractionation (CF). Extreme HF is covered in a separate review within this issue.
NLRP3 expression in mesencephalic neurons and characterization of a rare NLRP3 polymorphism associated with decreased risk of Parkinson's disease.

Neuroinflammation is a well-characterized pathophysiology occurring in association with the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Characterizing the cellular and molecular basis of neuroinflammation is critical to understanding its impact on the incidence and progression of PD and other neurologic disorders. Inflammasomes are intracellular pro-inflammatory pattern-recognition receptors capable of initiating and propagating inflammation. These cellular complexes are well characterized in the innate immune system and activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome has been reported in microglia. NLRP3 inflammasome activity has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease, and recent reports, from our laboratory and others, indicate that Nlrp3 is required for neuroinflammation and nigral cell loss in animal models of PD. NLRP3 has not yet been characterized in PD patients. Here we characterize NLRP3 in PD using immunohistologic and genetic approaches. Histologic studies revealed elevated NLRP3 expression in mesencephalic neurons of PD patients. Analysis of exome sequencing data for genetic variation of NLRP3 identified multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including rs7525979 that was associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing PD. Mechanistic studies conducted in HEK293 cells indicated that the synonymous SNP, NLRP3 rs7525979, alters the efficiency of NLRP3 translation impacting NLRP3 protein stability, ubiquitination state, and solubility. These data provide evidence that dopaminergic neurons are a cell-of-origin for inflammasome activity in PD and are consistent with recent animal studies, suggesting that inflammasome activity may impact the progression of PD. A genetic variant of a protein that mediates neuroinflammatory processes reduces the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD). Previous studies have shown that NLRP3 contributes to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and PD in animal models. Matthew Havrda at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, New Hampshire, USA, and colleagues found high levels of NLRP3 in degenerating dopaminergic neurons in the brains of patients with PD. Interestingly, analyses of genetic sequences coding NLRP3 obtained from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative revealed an NLRP3 variant associated with a significantly decreased risk of PD. This effect might be due to its reduced activity as the NLRP3 variant formed insoluble aggregates in cells. Further understanding the role of NLRP3 in neurodegenerative diseases could aid the development of novel neuroinflammatory inhibitors.
The Leadership Connection

I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not followers.—Ralph Nader
Benefits of Treating Arteriovenous Malformations in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: A Retrospective Analysis of 14 Patients.

Background Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a cardinal feature of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). However, whether to treat brain AVMs in patients with HHT remains questionable because of the possible risks. Methods We performed a retrospective study of patients with HHT who had been treated for brain AVMs at our institution from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2016. An institutional database was queried for the phrases “hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia” and “HHT,” and those patients who had been treated during the study period were identified. Data were extracted regarding presentation, AVM characteristics, treatment modality, and treatment outcomes. Results We identified 14 patients (10 males, 4 females) with HHT who had had AVMs (n = 27) from the institutional database. The mean age of the patients was 43 years (range, 2–64). Of the 27 brain AVMs, 13 were Spetzler-Martin grade I, 12 were grade II, and 2 were grade III; none were grade IV or V. Treatment was by microsurgery only (11 AVMs in 10 patients), embolization followed by microsurgery (2 AVMs in 2 patients), and radiosurgery only (12 AVMs in 2 patients). AVM obliteration was achieved in 100% of the patients. No new fixed neurologic deficits developed after treatment of unruptured HHT AVMs. Conclusions The risk of treatment of brain AVMs in patients with HHT is quite low for appropriately selected patients with treatment individualized to radiosurgery, microsurgery, or a combination of embolization and microsurgery.
Special Session: Taking a Deep Dive: Qualitative Methods and Identity

This special session will engage participants in how to apply multiple qualitative research methods to explore the experiences of students, particularly marginalized populations. Throughout the session, we will use our insights and experiences from our collaborative research on student veterans in engineering as an example. The session focuses on using multiple data collection methods (interviews and focus groups) across several institutions. We introduce and discuss the key event timeline and identity circle as qualitative research tools that can be used to answer important questions in engineering education for veterans and other understudied populations. We emphasize the importance of partnerships in such research. Benefits and challenges associated with data collection, synthesis, and analysis, across multiple research sites will be discussed.
A New Modeling Interface for Simulators Implementing the Discrete Event System Specification

The Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS) offers a unique modeling interface that is often perplexing to modelers more familiar with other simulation paradigms. Recent advances in the use of super dense time for discrete event simulation offer an opportunity to recast the traditional interface into a form less confounding for new users. The new interface proposed here allows a natural progression from a message oriented approach to modeling to the familiar DEVS approach. The proposed approach retains the expressive power of the DEVS formalism, and in this sense represents a simple repackaging of the DEVS approach into a more intuitively appealing form.
The Adjunctive Relationship Between Orthodontics and Periodontics

Understanding the relationship between periodontics and orthodontics is an essential tool for the specialist in modern practice. The use of 3D imaging is important as a diagnostic tool in both entities and is an aid for accuracy in surgical interventions. The ability to locate a tooth by these means eliminates much of the guess work in approaching exposure of impactions and the capability to do so. Our ability to move teeth creates new avenues for bony augmentation and soft tissue positioning that would not otherwise be feasible. Both esthetics and function may be enhanced by the careful positioning or repositioning of teeth. These include natural or prosthetically restored dentitions. Through orthodontic means, surgically enhanced implant sites are more predictable and possibly less extensive in nature. Interceptive soft tissue grafting, when indicated, can either prevent or correct mucogingival problems that would otherwise compromise the prognosis of orthodontic outcomes. In addition, plastic procedures are available to allow teeth to be exposed that were inhibited because of hypertrophy, hyperplasia, or inadequate bracket positioning. By utilizing different described procedures, the orthodontist and periodontist may better treat and more simply achieve goals of a particular therapy.
Wave-Particle Interactions in Earth's Inner Magnetosphere: Experimental Results from BARREL

In Earth's inner magnetosphere where the plasmasphere, ring current and radiation belts overlap, energy and momentum are exchanged between different plasma populations by plasma waves. Resonant interaction with these waves can lead to rapid loss of radiation belt and ring current electrons to the atmosphere, called precipitation. For example, electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are thought to scatter ultra-relativistic electrons into the atmosphere on the duskside of the magnetosphere, while whistler-mode chorus causes rapid (∼100ms) electron microbursts near dawn. Over the past six years, more than 50 BARREL (Balloon Array for Radiation Belt Electron Losses) balloons have been launched, making observations of energetic (∼20 keV − 10 MeV) electron precipitation in both hemispheres [Millan et al., 2013]. The combination of BARREL multi-point balloon measurements with in situ particle and wave measurements from equatorial spacecraft (e.g. Van Allen Probes, Arase, GOES) provides a unique opportunity to study the wave-particle interactions that cause precipitation. Moreover, BARREL and other low altitude measurements of precipitation (e.g., from POES, CSSWE, FIREBIRD, AC-6) can be used to determine the spatial scale of the region over which the wave-particle interactions occur.
Multidisciplinary Evaluation Improves the Value of Lumbar Spine Care

Rates of lumbar spine surgery in the United States have increased eightfold over the last three decades. While lumbar spine surgery has been shown to be effective in some randomized controlled trial settings, other nationwide analyses show overall outcomes no better than nonoperative care. There are many variables that influence the choice of therapy for spinal disease, and patient variables have powerful effects on outcomes; multidisciplinary decision-making improves outcomes in many domains.
Retrospective analysis of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with soft tissue sarcomas at Washington University in St. Louis.

e21501 Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas (STS) is controversial. We undertook a retrospective analysis to validate the Memorial Sloan Kettering Predictive Nomogram (MSKPN)....
Ultrastructure of primary pacemaking cells in rabbit sino-atrial node cells indicates limited sarcoplasmic reticulum content.

The main mammalian heart pacemakers are spindle-shaped cells compressed into tangles within protective layers of collagen in the sino-atrial node (SAN). Two cell types, "dark" and "light," differ on their high or low content of intermediate filaments, but share scarcity of myofibrils and a high content of glycogen. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is scarce. The free SR (fSR) occupies 0.04% of the cell volume within ~0.4 µm wide peripheral band. The junctional SR (jSR), constituting peripheral couplings (PCs), occupies 0.03% of the cell volume. Total fSR + jSR volume is 0.07% of cell volume, lower than the SR content of ventricular myocytes. The average distance between PCs is 7.6 µm along the periphery. On the average, 30% of the SAN cells surfaces is in close proximity to others. Identifiable gap junctions are extremely rare, but small sites of close membrane-to-membrane contacts are observed. Possibly communication occurs via these very small sites of contact if conducting channels (connexons) are located within them. There is no obvious anatomical detail that might support ephaptic coupling. These observations have implications for understanding of SAN cell physiology, and require incorporation into biophysically detailed models of SAN cell behavior that currently do not include such features.
Optimal decision-making for tall buildings in the aftershock environment

Abstract Aftershocks can exacerbate the financial losses and functionality disruption to buildings damaged by a preceding mainshock event. A framework is presented for determining the optimal set and timing of activities that are performed on an earthquake-damaged tall building in the aftershock environment. The optimization objective is to minimize the cumulative aftershock loss while considering the necessary safety precautions. To this end, the Markov Process and Dynamic Programming methodology are implemented. The specific post-mainshock actions that are considered include whether to evacuate the building, when to reoccupy the building if it was previously evacuated, whether to repair the building and if so, when to start and stop the repairs. The results for a 42-story reinforced concrete building show that the algorithm is able to balance the need for evacuation during the period of high aftershock seismic hazard with a timely resumption of occupancy and necessary repair activities to minimize functional disruption.
Some Remarks on the Mikhlin–Hörmander and Marcinkiewicz Multiplier Theorems: A Short Historical Account and a Recent Improvement

We present a short historical overview of the Mikhlin–Hormander and Marcinkiewicz multiplier theorems. We discuss different versions of them and provide comparisons. We also present a recent improvement of the Marcinkiewicz multiplier theorem in the two-dimensional case.
Textflow: Screenless Access to Non-Visual Smart Messaging

Texting relies on screen-centric prompts designed for sighted users, still posing significant barriers to people who are blind and visually impaired (BVI). Can we re-imagine texting untethered from a visual display? In an interview study, 20 BVI adults shared situations surrounding their texting practices, recurrent topics of conversations, and challenges. Informed by these insights, we introduce TextFlow: a mixed-initiative context-aware system that generates entirely auditory message options relevant to the users’ location, activity, and time of the day. Users can browse and select suggested aural messages using finger-taps supported by an off-the-shelf finger-worn device, without having to hold or attend to a mobile screen. In an evaluative study, 10 BVI participants successfully interacted with TextFlow to browse and send messages in screen-free mode. The experiential response of the users shed light on the importance of bypassing the phone and accessing rapidly controllable messages at their fingertips while preserving privacy and accuracy with respect to speech or screen-based input. We discuss how non-visual access to proactive, contextual messaging can support the blind in a variety of daily scenarios.
Particle Size Limits to Pass the Acceptance Value (AV)-Based USP Content Uniformity Test for Tablets.

Abstract The papers published by Yalkowsky et al. and Rohrs et al. offer a method to correlate the probability of passing USP content uniformity (CU) test with maximum allowed particle size and distribution. Their work also provides a guidance for setting the particle size specification especially for a low dose drug. However, their methods are developed based on the previous USP CU test and the up-to-date version of USP/NF (e.g., USP42/NF37) has adopted a new Acceptance Value (AV)-based CU criterion. In this study, using the same assumptions and conditions that are utilized in their papers, we develop a new method to calculate the upper limit of particle size that ensures the pass of the AV-based CU test at a given probability (e.g., 0.99). It turns out that, compared to the previous CU test (e.g., the CU test in USP28/NF23), to pass the AV-based CU test, similar but slightly smaller particle size is needed.
Bringing Rurality Back to Planning Culture

The vast majority of the world’s land area is rural, yet rurality is routinely marginalized in planning. Urban bias is tacit and under-problematized, so the challenges facing rural areas and the im...
Quotation Accuracy Matters: An Examination of How an Influential Meta-Analysis on Active Learning Has Been Cited:

When previous research is cited incorrectly, misinformation can infiltrate scientific discourse and undermine scholarly knowledge. One of the more damaging citation issues involves incorrectly citi...
Guayule (Parthenium argentatum) pyrolysis biorefining: Production of hydrocarbon compatible bio-oils from guayule bagasse via tail-gas reactive pyrolysis

Abstract Guayule (Parthenium argentatum) is a woody desert shrub cultivated in the southwestern United States as a source of natural rubber, organic resins, and high energy biofuel feedstock from crop residues. We used guayule bagasse, the residual biomass after latex extraction as feedstock in a pyrolysis process that employs a reactive gas environment to formulate a special intermediate bio-oil product that allows use of conventional hydrotreating with conventional noble metal catalysts and a simple distillation process to synthesize hydrocarbon (drop-in) fuels. The said guayule-bagasse tail gas reactive pyrolysis (TGRP) process comprises pyrolyzing the guayule bagasse in a fluidized-bed reactor in the presence of a reactive and flammable tail gas (comprising CO ∼ 30%, CH4 ∼ 16%, CO2 ∼ 40%, H2 ∼ 10%, C2H4 ∼ traces) generated in the pyrolysis process and without the use of catalyst to produce bio-oil with C/O molar ratio of 14/1 in organic yields of 34–40 wt% having an energy content of 31–37.5 MJ/kg. When we further processed the said bio-oil by centrifugation, we obtained 85 wt% yield and further 50–65 wt% yields following a continuous hydrotreatment over common noble metals (Pt, Ru or Pd) on a carbon support. Distillation of this mixture yielded >95 wt% hydrocarbon liquid fuel mixture comprising 30.4% gasoline (C5–C7), 37% jet (C8–C12) and 24% diesel (C13–C22). Analysis of a composite mixture of the hydrotreated product from the bagasse showed the majority of the sample (66%) was C12 and below, which falls within the gasoline (naphtha) range with the greatest fraction of naphtha falling within the C8–C10 range. Beyond C12, the molecular weights increased through the diesel range (34%), with C37 being the highest observable molecular weight. The product met several ASTM standards for drop-in fuels, but the sulfur content (primarily due to latex extraction additives) was relatively high at around 300 ppm, indicating that hydrodesulfurization may be required to be infrastructure ready.
How School Superintendents View Student Press Rights

his rather paternalistic view-expressed by a highly placed public school administrator-is common among school administrators-or so journalism educators fear. They sense that principals and other administrators see the student newspaper strictly as a learning tool (leaving aside a definition of learning for the moment) rather than as a vehicle for the expression of genuine student opinion. Previous research has provided ample evidence that such fears are well founded. A study of Kopenhaver, Martinson and Habermann (1989), for example, showed that advisers were clearly more supportive of student press rights than were public school principals. Interestingly-and perhaps paradoxically-that study also suggested that public school principals were nearly as supportive as advisers of basic First Amendment rights apart from the school setting. That is, principals were nearly as supportive as advisers in protecting the rights of groups like the Ku Klux Klan to advocate unpopular ideas. School principals apparently believe that the speech/press protections guaranteed under the First Amendment should be respected as long as those rights are not being exercised by students during school hours. This research explores how that individual occupying the pinnacle of power in the public school bureaucracy-the superintendent-views these important issues. Previous research regarding administrator attitudes has tended to focus on the opinions of principals. We thought it important to examine the views of superintendents because a study by
The Case for Specially Compensating the Victims of Terrorist Attacks: An Assessment

In light of the daunting prospect of terrorists striking again on the home front, what special measures, if any, should be taken to assure compensation to those killed or injured by such violence? The starting point for any discussion of the compensation of these victims (and their survivors), we believe, is an appreciation of the baseline arrangements our nation has in place for those killed or seriously injured regardless of cause. One policy option would be to leave victims of terrorism to whatever they might obtain from these baseline tort and social welfare compensation systems in default of special treatment. On what basis, if any, should terrorist victims be singled out for different treatment? Is there something about being victims of terrorism that should entitle them and their survivors to be better treated than they would be by Social Security, victims of violent crimes schemes, and the like? Is there something about tort law's application, or non-application to the terrorist setting, that makes a special compensation scheme appropriate for victims of terrorism?In addressing these questions, there are two basic alternatives to the default solution. One would involve the creation, ex ante, of an ongoing victim compensation fund in anticipation of the occurrence of future terrorist acts. The other would involve the ad hoc creation of a fund established after the occurrence of a terrorist event to provide retrospective compensation to victims. Israel and Northern Ireland are examples of countries with longstanding experience with terrorism, which have adopted legislative schemes of the first sort. In the U.S., the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund is an example of the ad hoc retrospective approach. We begin by commenting on the 9/11 Fund itself, setting it in the context of other American compensation schemes that arose out of concerns about the appropriateness of having injury victims seek compensation through tort law. Next, we consider, in turn, the ex ante and ex post options for addressing the claims of terrorist victims. Finally, we return to the default systems mentioned above, raising the question of whether they offer in all, or most, circumstances the most sensible approach to dealing with future incidents of personal injury from terrorist acts.
Liveness verification of discrete event systems modeled by n-safe ordinary Petri nets

This paper discusses liveness verification of discrete-event systems modeled by n-safe ordinary Petri nets. A Petri net is live, if it is possible to fire any transition from any reachable marking. The verification method we propose is based on a partial order method called network unfolding. Network unfolding maps the original Petri net to an acyclic occurrence net. A finite prefix of the occurrence net is defined to give a compact representation of the original net's reachability graph. A set of transition cycles is identified in the finite prefix. These cycles are then used to establish necessary and sufficient conditions that determine the original net's liveness.
Immunochemical Study of Parainfluenza Virus (Type 2) in Amnion Cells.

de Vaux St. Cyr, C. Columbia University, New York, N.Y.),and C. Howe. Immunochemical study of parainfluenza virus (type 2) in amnion cells. J. Bacteriol. 91: 1911–1916. 1966.—Immunoelectrophoretic analysis of stable amnion cells in which parainfluenza virus (type 2) was being actively synthesized revealed at least three precipitating antigens not found in normal cells. These “new” antigens differed from viral neuraminidase and hemagglutinin in both specificity and electrophoretic mobility; their identity and function remain to be elucidated. Images
Unsupervised tissue classification in medical images using edge-adaptive clustering

A novel algorithm is proposed for performing unsupervised tissue classification in medical images by combining conventional clustering techniques with edge-adaptive segmentation techniques. Based on the fuzzy C-means algorithm, the algorithm computes a smooth segmentation while simultaneously estimating an edge field. Unlike most tissue classification algorithms that incorporate a smoothness constraint, the edge field estimation prevents the algorithm from smoothing across tissue boundaries, thereby producing robust yet accurate results. The algorithm is formulated as the minimization of an objective function that includes penalty terms to ensure that both the segmentation and edge field are relatively smooth. To compute the edge field, a difference equation with spatially varying coefficients is solved using an efficient multigrid algorithm. Some preliminary results applying the method to synthetic and magnetic resonance images are presented.
Motor Learning is Meaningful for Physical Educators

Teaching physical education involves many decisions concerning the planning, carrying out, and evaluation of instruction of motor skills. The argument is forwarded here that research in motor learning provides information that the physical educator can use to develop an effective basis for making these decisions. This decision-making base develops from knowledge concerning factors that influence motor skill learning. To illustrate that this knowledge can be obtained from motor learning research, examples of research studies concerned with three different issues relevant to teaching motor skills are discussed. The first example concerns the influence of externally presented feedback on skill learning. The second addresses the issue of the length and spacing of practice sessions. The third concerns organizing practice sessions when skill variations are being learned. Results from these examples establish that evidence from motor learning research can be used to develop effective guidelines to aid teacher de...
Understanding and preparing for DNS evolution

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a crucial component of today’s Internet. The top layer of the DNS hierarchy (the root nameservers) is facing dramatic changes: cryptographically signing the root zone with DNSSEC, deploying Internationalized Top-Level Domain (TLD) Names (IDNs), and addition of other new global Top Level Domains (TLDs). ICANN has stated plans to deploy all of these changes in the next year or two, and there is growing interest in measurement, testing, and provisioning for foreseen (or unforeseen) complications. We describe the Day-in-the-Life annual datasets available to characterize workload at the root servers, and we provide some analysis of the last several years of these datasets as a baseline for operational preparation, additional research, and informed policy. We confirm some trends from previous years, including the low fraction of clients (0.55% in 2009) still generating most misconfigured “pollution”, which constitutes the vast majority of observed queries to the root servers. We present new results on security-related attributes of the client population: an increase in the prevalence of DNS source port randomization, a short-term measure to improve DNS security; and a surprising decreasing trend in the fraction of DNSSEC-capable clients. Our insights on IPv6 data are limited to the nodes who collected IPv6 traffic, which does show growth. These statistics serve as a baseline for the impending transition to DNSSEC. We also report lessons learned from our global trace collection experiments, including improvements to future measurements that will help answer critical questions in the evolving DNS landscape.
Kostant Modules in Blocks of Category S

In this article, the authors investigate infinite-dimensional representations L in blocks of the relative (parabolic) category &#x1d4aa; S for a complex simple Lie algebra, having the property that the cohomology of the nilradical with coefficients in L “looks like” the cohomology with coefficients in a finite-dimensional module, as in Kostant's theorem. A complete classification of these “Kostant modules” in regular blocks for maximal parabolics in the simply laced types is given. A complete classification is also given in arbitrary (singular) blocks for Hermitian symmetric categories.
Transient transfection of polarized epithelial monolayers with CFTR and reporter genes using efficacious lipids

Transient transfection of epithelial cells with lipid reagents has been limited because of toxicity and lack of efficacy. In this study, we show that more recently developed lipids transfect nonpol...
Fractured-Aquifer Hydrogeology from Geophysical Logs: Brunswick Group and Lockatong Formation, Pennsylvania

The Brunswick Group and the underlying Lockatong Formation are composed of lithified Mesozoic sediments that constitute part of the Newark Basin in southeastern Pennsylvania. These fractured rocks form an important regional aquifer that consists of gradational sequences of shale, siltstone, and sandstone, with fluid transport occurring primarily in fractures. An extensive suite of geophysical logs was obtained in seven wells located at the borough of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, in order to better characterize the areal hydrogeologic system and provide guidelines for the refinement of numerical ground water models. Six of the seven wells are approximately 120 m deep and the seventh extends to a depth of 335 m. Temperature, fluid conductivity, and flowmeter logs are used to locate zones of fluid exchange and to quantify transmissivities. Electrical resistivity and natural gamma logs together yield detailed stratigraphic information, and digital acoustic televiewer data provide magnetically oriented images of the borehole wall from which almost 900 fractures are identified. Analyses of the geophysical data indicate that the aquifer penetrated by the deep well can be separated into two distinct structural domains, which may, in turn, reflect different mechanical responses to basin extension by different sedimentary units: 1. In the shallow zone (above 125 m), the dominant fracture population consists of gently dipping bedding plane partings that strike N46°E and dip to the northwest at about 11 degrees. Fluid flow is concentrated in the upper 80 m along these subhorizontal fractures, with transmissivities rapidly diminishing in magnitude with depth. 2. The zone below 125 m marks the appearance of numerous high-angle fractures that are orthogonal to the bedding planes, striking parallel but dipping steeply southeast at 77 degrees. This secondary set of fractures is associated with a fairly thick (approximately 60 m) high-resistivity, low-transmissivity sandstone unit that is abruptly terminated by a thin shale bed at a depth of 190 m. This lower contact effectively delineates the aquifer's vertical extent at this location because no detectable evidence of ground water movement is found below it. Thus, fluid flow is controlled by fractures, but fracture type and orientation are related to lithology. Finally, a transient thermal-conduction model is successfully applied to simulate observed temperature logs, thereby confirming the effects of ground-surface warming that occurred in the area as a result of urbanization at the turn of the century. The systematic warming of the upper 120 m has increased the transmissivity of this aquifer by almost 10%, simply due to changes in fluid viscosity and density.
Ergonovine testing and forearm plethysmography in cocaine-related myocardial ischemia

Abstract Myocardial ischemia and infarction are among the most common manifestations of cocaine-related heart disease. Coronary vasospasm has been suggested as the proximate cause of cocaine-mediated ischemia 1–6 . We performed ergonovine testing in patients with cocaine-related ischemic symptoms to see if coronary spasm occurred, and also used forearm plethysmography to determine if these patients have a generalized disorder of vascular reactivity, as occurs in microvascular angina 7 .
Ecocultural Adaptive Research: A Synthesis of Ecocultural Theory, Participatory Research, and Adaptive Designs

Recently ethical codes of conduct for research with ethnic families, communities, and groups have emerged. Therefore, a model that includes ethical codes of conduct for researchers and ethnic participants is needed to advocate for change. By integrating aspects of ecocultural theory with the strengths of various research designs and approaches, revisions and strategic changes during the course of planning, proposing, and conducting research can result in specific applications congruent with a unique ethnic population as well as optimized outcomes. The proposed research model is a synthesis of ecocultural theory, participatory research, and adaptive designs. This research model is built on the uniqueness of the ethnic community, issues of participatory social justice and the need for sense making, and valuing the balance of power between the professional researcher and the participants of communities and groups.
The metabolism of exogenous hydroxyproline by gametophytes of Plagiochila arctica Bryhn et Kaal. (Hepaticae).

The metabolic fate of free 4-hydroxyproline (Hyp), dual-labeled in specific positions, supplied to axenically cultured gametophytes of Plagiochila arctica was found to be complex. It could enter into at least three pathways, and the one that predominated depended on the concentration supplied. At low concentrations (i.e., 1 μM), free Hyp was mostly converted to proline (Pro) by a pathway in which pyrroline-5-carboxylate is the most probable intermediate. Lesser amounts entered a pathway(s) in which hydrogen was lost from the 3(2) carbon. And a small amount was directly incorporated into protein. At the higher concentrations that have been found to desuppress leaf and branch development in P. arctica the proportion of the labeled Hyp converted to Pro was markedly diminished and the proportion that was directly incorporated into peptide linkage was increased. This direct incorporation of Hyp into protein may be closely related to the ability of Hyp to relieve suppression of ventral leaves in leafy liverworts. the suppression-desuppression phenomenon is thought to involve cell surface and-or extracellular matrix proteins.
Increased production of collagen in Vivo by hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells in rats with carbon tetrachloride‐induced hepatic fibrosis

We have shown, using the proline:ornithine dual label method, that in normal rats, hepatocytes contribute in vivo about 80 to 90% of the newly synthesized hepatic collagen. In order to quantify the contribution of hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells to collagen synthesis in vivo in hepatic fibrogenesis, rats with CCl4-induced liver fibrosis were given [5(3H)]proline and [14C]ornithine intraperitoneally. About 80% of the 14C in albumin and transferrin was present as arginine, following conversion of [14C]ornithine via the urea cycle. In contrast to hepatocyte proteins, in nonparenchymal cells and serum a negligible percentage of the radioactivity was present as [14C]arginine. These combined findings indicate that, in spite of the hepatocellular damage, the labeling of hepatocyte proteins was efficient and specific, validating the use of the proline:ornithine method in this experimental model of hepatic fibrosis. We calculated the [3H]proline/[14C]arginine ratio in hepatic collagen (after correcting for the relative frequencies of amino acids) as a percentage of the same ratio in either albumin or transferrin, the index hepatocyte proteins. In this experimental model, during active fibrogenesis, both hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells increase their production of collagen 2-fold when compared to normal animals, and hepatocytes produce the majority of the newly synthesized hepatic collagen.
The effect of osteoclastic activity on tendon-to-bone healing: an experimental study in rabbits.

Background: Healing of a tendon graft in a bone tunnel depends on bone ingrowth into the interface between tendon and bone. Excessive osteoclastic activity may contribute to bone resorption, tunnel widening, and impaired healing. We hypothesized that inhibition of osteoclastic activity by osteoprotegerin (OPG) would increase bone formation around a tendon graft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in a rabbit model, while increased osteoclastic activity due to the aplication of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) would impair bone ingrowth. Methods: Sixty skeletally mature, male New Zealand White rabbits underwent bilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. OPG (100 μg per tunnel) or RANKL (10 μg per tunnel) was delivered to the tendon-bone interface with use of a synthetic calcium phosphate carrier vehicle. Twenty animals were killed at two, four, and eight weeks after surgery. Two rabbits from each group were prepared for histological evaluation, and the other rabbits were used for biomechanical testing. Results: A significantly greater amount of bone surrounded the tendon at the healing tendon-bone interface in the OPG-treated limbs compared with the controls and the RANKL-treated limbs at all time-points (p < 0.05). There were significantly fewer osteoclasts in the OPG-treated limbs compared with the controls and the RANKL-treated limbs (p < 0.05). The average tunnel area in the OPG group was significantly smaller than that in the RANKL group (p = 0.003 at two weeks and p = 0.004 at four weeks). The femur-anterior cruciate ligament-tibia complex of the OPG-treated limbs had significantly increased stiffness compared with RANKL-treated limbs at eight weeks (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Osteoprotegerin significantly improves bone formation around the grafted tendon and improves the stiffness at the healing tendon-bone junction in a rabbit model. Clinical Relevance: Inhibition of excessive osteoclastic activity may improve tendon-to-bone healing.
Ventricular performance and biochemical alteration of regional ischemic myocardium after reperfusion in the pig

Reperfusion of acutely ischemic myocardium may cause profound alterations in left ventricular wall performance and metabolism. This study evaluates regional left ventricular wall thickness, analyzes metabolic and biochemical alterations, and examines tissue hemorrhage during 15, 30, and 120 minutes of myocardial ischemia, each followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion. Reperfusion after 15 minutes of ischemia showed nearly normal ventricular wall thickening and motion, intact metabolic and biochemical function, and no tissue hemorrhage. However, reperfusion after 30 and 120 minutes of ischemia was associated with ventricular wall thickening and failure to resume systolic and diastolic wall motion. Furthermore, adverse metabolic and biochemical alterations and reperfusion zone hemorrhaging increased proportionally with the duration of ischemia. These findings suggest critical myocardial damage occurring between 15 and 30 minutes of ischemia in an animal model without preexisting coronary collateral circulation. The observed metabolic and biochemical changes are consistent with irreversible cell membrane defects, allowing calcium ion accumulation and thus adversely affecting diastolic relaxation and systolic thickening.
A paramagnetic d3 defect in KOsO3N

Abstract Irradiation of single crystals of potassium osmianiate (KOsO3N) and subsequent examination by EPR spectroscopy at−190°C revealed the spectra of three oriented paramagnetic defects. One of these (A) is discussed in terms of a d3 electronic configuration and is probably linear OOsO+.
Intracarotid Amobarbital Procedure and Prediction of Postoperative Memory in Patients with Left Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Hippocampal Sclerosis

Summary: Purpose: Although temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients with dominant hemisphere hippocampal sclerosis generally have good cognitive outcome after anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL), a minority of patients experience at least mild post-ATL decline on one or more standardized measures of episodic and semantic memory. The goal of this investigation was to determine whether memory outcome in this group could be predicted from preoperative intracarotid amobarbital procedure (IAP) recognition memory scores. Methods: Data from 22 left TLE patients were studied retrospectively. All were left hemisphere language dominant and had IAP scores for each hemisphere, a significant degree of pathology-confirmed left hippocampal sclerosis (HS+), and no positive MRI findings other than atrophy. Cognitive outcome status was represented by the number of pre- to post-ATL declines across three tests, as defined by 90th percentile Reliable Change Index (RCI) criteria. Results: Only 14% of the sample exhibited decline on more than one memory test. Low right IAP (left hemisphere injection) scores and relatively high preoperative cognitive ability and age at surgery predicted a greater risk of post-ATL memory decline. Conclusions: A minority of left TLE HS+ patients experience at least a mild degree of RCI-defined decline in episodic or semantic memory after ATL. The right hemisphere IAP memory score, which reflects the functional reserve of the contralateral hemisphere, can help predict the risk of postoperative memory decline for TLE patients in whom HS+ is likely based on the presence of hippocampal atrophy on MRI or early age of seizure onset.
Tryptophan as an Auxin Precursor in Cucumber Seedlings

The conversion of tryptophan-(14)C to indoleacetic acid-(14)C in cucumber hypocotyls occurred under both sterile and non-sterile conditions. This conversion was not reduced under sterile conditions. The growth response of cucumber hypocotyl segments to exogenously supplied tryptophan was almost as great under sterile conditions as when contaminating micro-organisms were present. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that tryptophan is a normal precursor of indoleacetic acid in cucumber tissues. The conversions of tryptamine-(14)C and indoleethanol-(14)C to indoleacetic acid-(14)C also occurred under both sterile and non-sterile conditions. Indoleethanol-(14)C was formed from tryptamine-(14)C. Hypocotyl segment growth responses to tryptamine and to indoleethanol were not decreased under sterile conditions.
The effect of carotenoid pigments on photooxidations of some photosynthetic bacteria

Abstract The photooxidase activity of normal and carotenoidless mutants of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides and Rhodospirillum rubrum were compared. With Rhodopseudomonas, carotenoids were shown to act as accessory pigments in indophenol photooxidation. The lack of carotenoids resulted in a greater specific activity of the photooxidase system. In Rhodopseudomonas, carotenoids apparently function as an accessory pigment and as a buffer for the photooxidant. With Rhodospirillum, no accessory pigment function could be demonstrated in indophenol photooxidation, and the absence of carotenoids did not result in an increased photooxidase activity. Addition of ammonium sulfate increased the rate of photooxidations in Rhodospirillum but not in Rhodopseudomonas. This apparent difference in carotenoid function probably reflects a difference in carotenoid concentration and/or in membrane structure.
Application of stereoscopic arc photogrammetry to image-guided radiation therapy and treatment planning

We developed a stereo-photogrammetry camera mounted system and assess its application as an imaging modality suitable for image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). 2D clinical photography of visible disease is routinely employed to document tumor response and the side effects of treatment interventions. IGRT is the process of incorporating new patient imaging data into the radiation treatment course in order to make adjustments to daily treatment delivery parameters. Our system, which combines the two, resides within the head of a linear accelerator treatment machine, which lends its computer-controlled precision to acquire stereo pairs with millimeter accuracy. Our IGRT workflow is contained in our analysis.
Self-Organized Metal Oxide Exhibiting Enhanced Bioactivity

Self-assembled niobium oxide microcones produced by potentiostatic anodization with varied NaF content (between 100 and 250 mg) in an HF electrolyte are shown to nucleate mineral when immersed in supersaturated solutions emulating mineral content in saliva and blood. The most extensive mineral coverage in 100 mL of 2.5 wt. % HF electrolyte occurs when NaF content is about 100 mg with substantial mineral formation occurring within 24 hours. Higher salt content apparently alters the conditions favoring mineral nucleation by generating smaller nucleation centers that ultimately diminish the extent of mineral coverage. Additionally, nucleation kinetics and morphological contrasts between mineral formed from saliva and blood is briefly discussed in terms of the relative degree of supersaturation with respect to hydroxyapatite. Finally, we show that the integrity of the microcone shape is not critical for mineral nucleation, an observation that builds on our prior hypothesis by promoting the importance of self-assembly and crystal formation. Based on these results, we demonstrate the influence of NaF and stress the role of the self-organization process in producing effective mineral nucleation sites.
Pluto's Lightcurve: Results from Four Oppositions

The rotational lightcurve, phase function, and orbital lightcurve of the Pluto-Charon system were measured in blue light over four consecutive oppositions spanning 1980 to 1983. Compared with observations made in the three previous decades, our lightcurve shows a higher amplitude of 0.29 mag, as well as a fainter rotationally averaged brightness, which provide constraints on the surface albedo distribution of the two bodies. The synodic rotational period of 6.38726 +/- 0.00007 days is consistent with the orbital period of Charon, which provides evidence for a completely tidally evolved system. The phase coefficient is 0.0372 +/- 0.0016 mag/deg, indicating a very shallow opposition surge compared with asteroids, but consistent with a high albedo surface. The orbital lightcurve shows substantially less fading than the earlier observations, which suggests that there is not a gross difference in average albedo between the southern and northern hemispheres.