cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of Ca2+ channels in hippocampal mossy fiber synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation.

Abstract We have addressed the role of Ca 2+ channels in mossy fiber synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP). Whereas the induction of mossy fiber LTP is entirely normal when synaptic transmission is blocked by the glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenate, LTP is blocked in the absence of extracellular Ca 2+ . These findings suggest that presynaptic Cal+ entry is essential for mossy fiber LTP. Therefore, the role of different types of presynaptic Ca 2+ channels in synaptic transmission and LTP was investigated. Mossy fiber responses were little affected by the L-type Ca 2+ channel blocker nifedipine. They were blocked partially by cu-conotoxin-GVIA (N-type) and almost entirely by w-agatoxin-IVA (P-type). None of these antagonists blocked mossy fiber LTP, nor was its expression associated with a change in sensitivity of synaptic transmission to either of the two toxins. These results, together with previous findings, suggest that the induction of mossy fiber LTP is critically dependent on the entry of Ca 2+ into the presynaptic terminal to trigger a series of steps resulting in the long lasting enhancement of evoked glutamate release. Whereas P-type Ca 2+ channels are of primary importance in mossy fiber synaptic transmission, both the induction and expression of mossy fiber LTP can occur in the absence of P-type (or N-type) Ca 2+ channels.
Vortex shedding from a cylinder vibrating in line with an incident uniform flow

A study has been made of the wake of a cylinder vibrating in line with an incident steady flow. The Reynolds number for the experiments was 190, and the vortex shedding was at all times synchronized with the vibrations of the cylinder, which were in a range of frequencies near twice the Strouhal shedding frequency for the stationary cylinder. Two distinct vortex wake patterns were encountered. The first is a complex regime in which two vortices are shed during each cycle of the vibration and form an alternating pattern of vortex pairs downstream. The second pattern is an alternating street which results from the shedding of a single vortex during each cycle of the cylinder's motion. The street geometry in the latter case shares many basic characteristics with the wake of a cylinder vibrating in cross-flow. These include the effects of vibration amplitude and frequency on the longitudinal and transverse spacing of the vortices. The results obtained from these experiments in air are in agreement with previous findings from free- and forced-vibration experiments in water at both higher and lower Reynolds numbers.
Architectural approaches to secure databases

The functional requirements of secure database systems, and underlying security mechanisms needed to support these requirements impose the need for these very general characteristics in a system design: modularity, simplicity, isolatability, and flexibility. It has been observed MANOF77 that thus far the solutions to data security problems have largely been ad hoc and brute force. A view that can stand back and consider the entire system architecture, rather than concentrating on tuning up individual mechanisms, offers hope for more elegant solutions in the future. Perhaps the single most important conclusion of this report is, not to suggest a solution or a particular system, but to recommend a direction and an approach. The bulk of the evidence and information that went into the making of this report points toward system architecture approaches as the most effective way to satisfy the increasingly complex and often competing requirements. In fact, it appears to be the only approach in which the design of such large systems can be understood and believed to be secure.
A retrospective analysis of ten symptomatic multiple myeloma patients with HIV infection: a potential therapeutic effect of HAART in multiple myeloma.

Abstract The impact of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) in multiple myeloma (MM) is unknown. Ten HIV+ and 28 HIV-negative patients were retrospectively identified out of 262 cases of MM diagnosed at Kings County Hospital Center since the introduction of HAART in 1996. The HIV+ MM patients on HAART had superior overall survival (OS) (Fisher exact, p = 0.008; log-rank, p = 0.012) and progression free survival (PFS) (Fisher exact, p = 0.007; log-rank, p = 0.009) than the HIV-negative MM patients. HAART alone blocked the production of serum M-protein. We propose that HARRT should be explored for the treatment of both HIV+ and HIV-negative MM patients.
Measurements of the hemispherical-directional reflectance of snow at fine spectral and angular resolution

[1] We present 2 days’ measurements of the hemispherical-directional reflectance factor (HDRF) of snow made at fine spectral and angular resolution with the Automated Spectro-Goniometer (ASG) for the range of solar zenith angles (q0 =4 0� –50� ) and snow textures (surface grain size = 80–280 mm). Measurements of the stratigraphy of snow texture and density accompanied each day’s suite of measurements. These measurements represent the most detailed available in terms of angular and spectral resolution. The HDRF for fine grain, faceted snow exhibited a local backscattering peak at the view zenith near the solar zenith angle, whereas those for medium grain, clustered snow did not have a local backscattering peak. The HDRF decreased at all wavelengths for an increase in grain radius from 80 m mt o 280mm. However, the decrease in HDRF in the visible wavelengths was largest at qr =8 0� in the forward direction and largest for l >1 .8mm near qr =3 0� in the backward direction. As solar zenith angle decreased from 47� to 41� , the HDRF increased near nadir for l � 1.03 mm but decreased with coherent angular structure for l > 1.03 mm. We compared forward radiative transfer modeling results with the HDRF measurements. The forward model used single-scattering parameters for ice spheres with radii that matched the surface-area-to-volume ratio derived from stereological analysis of snow samples and a stratigraphic distribution of optical depths from measured density and modeled extinction efficiency. All HDRF models underestimated reflectance for l > 1.30 mm and had large absolute errors in the perpendicular plane. Mean absolute RMS errors in reflectance for the fine grain, faceted snow case were 0.09 at l =1 .3mm and 0.14 at l = 1.85 mm. Mean absolute RMS errors for the medium grain, clustered snow were 0.04–0.06 at l =1 .3mm and 0.04–0.06 at l = 1.85 mm. The models for the more spherical medium grain snow had better overall spectral and angular fits than those for the nonspherical fine grain snow. The spherical radii inferred from the surface-area-to-volume ratio from stereological analysis of snow with nonspherical particles have a greater effective path length than the actual snow particles, resulting in underestimates of hemispherical-directional reflectance. INDEX TERMS: 0634 Electromagnetics: Measurement and standards; 1863 Hydrology: Snow and ice (1827); 3360 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Remote sensing; KEYWORDS: snow, hemispherical-directional reflectance factor, high resolution Citation: Painter, T. H., and J. Dozier (2004), Measurements of the hemispherical-directional reflectance of snow at fine spectral and angular resolution, J. Geophys. Res., 109, D18115, doi:10.1029/2003JD004458.
Projected government needs in human language technology and the role of researchers in meeting them

After a brief discussion of current government uses and needs for human language technology, this paper will discuss the uses which will probably survive in the future as well as attempt to define some anticipated ones. Business uses, military uses, and education/training receive the most focus today. Current state of the art technologies are providing initial resources to enable better management of the above. Suggested critical efforts to make the technologies more appropriate for the tasks at hand in the government will be discussed. A tentative view of the role of researchers, in providing the basis to obtain adequate critical natural language technologies, will be presented.
A Theoretical Context for Shift and Share Analysis

CASLER S. D. (1989) A theoretical context for shift and share analysis, Reg. Studies 23, 43–48. Shift and share analysis has been subjected to heavy criticism at least partly because of its lack of an underlying theoretical context. Such a context is provided in this paper in terms of a regional input growth model based upon standard microeconomic theory. Within this model the basic shift and share equation can be derived through use of specific simplifying assumptions. The model can be adapted to include linkage and multiplier effects between industries, regions, or the national economy. CASLER S. D. (1989) Un cadre theorique pour l'analyse deplacement-distribution, Reg. Studies 23, 43–48. L'analyse deplacement-distribution a ete soumise a une critique considerable, du moins en partie a cause de l'absence d'un cadre theorique sous-jacent. Un tel cadre se voit fournir a partir de cet article et sous forme d'un modele regional de la croissance des inputs fonde sur la theorie microeconomique courante. Au se...
Parental imprinting of an IGF‐2 transgene

As a consequence of parental imprinting in mice, the paternal allele encoding insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) is expressed, whereas the maternal allele is silent in most tissues. To examine whether cis-acting sequences involved in imprinting are located in the vicinity of the lgf-2 gene, we have constructed mouse transgenic lines and studied the expression of a 30 kb rat lgf-2 transgene, in which the coding region has been replaced with the lacZ reporter sequence. Chromatin position effects and/or absence of long-range regulatory elements seem to have affected tissue-specific expression in the transgenic mice. However, in one of six expressing lines, staining of embryos for β-galactosidase activity was detected in a minor subset of tissues normally transcribing the endogenous homolog, but only when the transgene was transmitted paternally. This transgene was integrated into mouse chromosome 19, which is apparently free of imprinted loci. Although the possibility that the lgf-2 transgene was inserted into an as yet unidentified imprinted iocus is discussed, a more likely interpretation of our results is that the transgene carries at least a portion of its own imprinting signal, because it consists of the genomic sequences of a locus already known to be imprinted and maintains the correct imprinting mode. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A genome-wide regulatory network identifies key transcription factors for memory CD8 + T-cell development

The establishment of a memory phenotype in T cells requires profound changes in their transcriptional profile, but many components of this profile are still not known. Here, the authors perform a systematic study to identify key transcription factors associated with memory CD8+ T-cell development.
New Metrics of Intrinsic Axonal Excitability from a Computational Model of Demyelination

In white matter, oligodendrocytes tightly wrap axons at regular intervals to form the myelin sheath, the primary attribute of which is conduction velocity acceleration. Axonal demyelination diseases represent a devastating group of neurological disorders that affect more than 2 million people annually worldwide. The process of unraveling the periodic insulation causes axon conduction dysfunction in many diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), as in multiple sclerosis (MS) and infectious encephalomyelitis, or the peripheral nervous system (PNS) as in Guillain-Barre or Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndromes. Although the etiology of these diseases in most cases is thought to be immunological, the mechanisms of the diverse neurological symptoms are just as poorly understood. These confounding symptoms can present intermittently, resolving and returning in a way that is desynchronized from re-myelination. Symptoms include spasticity, dysfunction of somatic sensation, motor control, impairment of vision and other modalities. But these multiple neuropathies cannot be understood by conduction velocity changes alone. Physiological features are accompanied by anatomical and cellular perturbations in affected neurons that include changes in voltage-gated ion channel densities.Here we present a compartmental model of a partially demyelinated axon using the NEURON simulator (http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/) that sheds light on the function of normal, healthy axons as well as those undergoing demyelination. The model suggests a simple set of rules that could explain the wide range of intermittent symptoms observed during demyelination. The rules that govern these destabilized excitability patterns are critically dependent on ion channel densities and the anatomical parameters of the axon. Support: HHMI, NIH R01-MH079076.
Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ of the breast: clinicopathological review of 47 cases

Aims Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (PLCIS) of the breast is a distinctive entity, but its behaviour and management are unclear. The purpose of this study was to review a relatively large number of cases and to evaluate the risk of recurrence. Methods and results Cases of PLCIS (n = 47) from a 12-year period were reviewed. The clinical, radiological and pathological findings were recorded. Immunohistochemistry for oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 was performed. Thirty-one patients had no concurrent breast cancer or past history of breast cancer, and six (19.4%) of these had local recurrence; all tumours (four invasive carcinoma and two PLCIS) were ipsilateral. Younger age at presentation was a risk factor for local recurrence: patients with recurrence had a mean age (range) of 52.5 years (44–59 years), versus 60.6 years (40–81 years) for those without (P = 0.03). Three of 31 patients were treated with radiation therapy (RT), and none of these developed local recurrence. PLCIS had an adverse ER/PR/HER2 molecular profile, with at least 41.2% of the cases overexpressing HER2. Moreover, at least 11.7% of the cases were triple-negative. Conclusions This study included the largest number of patients who had no concurrent breast cancer or past history of breast cancer with the longest clinical follow-up, providing insights into management practices for PLCIS and the risk of recurrence.
Hairy-root organ cultures for the production of human acetylcholinesterase.

Background Human cholinesterases can be used as a bioscavenger of organophosphate toxins used as pesticides and chemical warfare nerve agents. The practicality of this approach depends on the availability of the human enzymes, but because of inherent supply and regulatory constraints, a suitable production system is yet to be identified.
Return to play after lumbar spine conditions and surgeries

Low back pain in athletes can result from a wide variety of conditions. A detailed history and physical examination supplemented by appropriate imaging studies can lead to an accurate diagnosis. The majority of cases will be self-limiting and resolve within 6 weeks regardless of treatment, but it is important to be able to identify conditions that require specific treatment. The decision of when an athlete can return to active competition is determined by the specific condition, associated symptoms, and treatment provided. Most athletes can return to full unrestricted play after sufficient resolution of pain and restoration of range of motion. Athletes undergoing spinal fusion are typically restricted from full-contact sports.
Pathophysiological mechanisms of sudden death induced by platelet activating factor.

Abstract Platelet activating factor (Paf) (15-40 micrograms-1) kills male rabbits within 3 to 5 min. Intravenous injection of Paf at a dose of 15 micrograms kg-1 is uniformly lethal, and the rabbits died within 4.5 +/- 0.4 min. The sudden death is characterized by cessation of respiration, a marked decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (M.A.B.P.), and 8 fold increases in plasma thromboxane B2 (TxB2) concentrations with only modest elevation in plasma 6 keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto PGF1 alpha) concentrations. Pretreatment with the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen (6.25 mg kg-1), or with the thromboxane synthetase inhibitors dazoxiben (2.5 mg kg-1), CGS-13080, or OKY-046 1 mg kg-1) increased survival rates to 83-100%. Protected rabbits showed only modest changes in M.A.B.P. and no significant increase in plasma TxB2 concentrations. The protective drugs showed a dose-related action on M.A.B.P., plasma TxB2 concentration and mortality rate in Paf-induced sudden death. The mechanisms of the protection appeared to be prevention of platelet aggregation (leading to pulmonary thrombosis) and pulmonary and coronary vasoconstriction. However, Paf does not appear to exert direct vasoconstrictor effects in isolated coronary or pulmonary arteries. The effects of Paf in vivo appear to be mediated by TxA2 released by activated platelets in the absence of the protective effects of prostacyclin. Inhibition of thromboxane synthesis effectively prevents the Paf-induced sudden death.
Distribution of distant metastases from newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer.

Background. The purpose of our study was to determine the incidence and locations of M1 disease at presentation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer to help design appropriate preoperative imaging algorithms. Methods. All patients with non-small cell lung cancer seen between 1991 and 1993 were identified, and records were reviewed. For patients with M1 disease, the sites of distant metastases and the methods of diagnosis were recorded. Results. Of 348 patients identified, 276 (79%) had M0 disease and 72 (21%) had M1 disease. In 40 of 72 patients (56%), M1 disease was detected via chest or abdominal computed tomography (CT). Brain, bone, liver, and adrenal glands were the most common sites of metastatic disease, in decreasing order. Brain metastases often occurred as an isolated finding, although isolated liver metastases were uncommon. Conclusions. M1 disease was common at presentation, and was often detectable via chest CT. The incremental yield of abdominal CT over chest CT was very small, and therefore abdominal CT is not an effective method of screening for metastases if chest CT has been performed.
Distribution of epilepsy syndromes in a cohort of children prospectively monitored from the time of their first unprovoked seizure.

Summary: Purpose: To assess the distribution of epilepsy syndromes and their stability in children. Methods: A cohort of 407 children with a first unprovoked seizure was prospectively recruited and followed up for a mean of 9.4 years. Etiology and epilepsy syndromes were classified by using the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) guidelines in the 182 children with two or more seizures. Classification was done both at time of second seizure and at last follow-up. Two-year terminal remission also was analyzed by etiology and epilepsy syndrome. Results: Etiology of epilepsy syndromes was idiopathic in 45 (25%), cryptogenic in 89 (49%), and remote symptomatic in 48 (26%). In the initial classification, 114 (63%) children had a localization-based epilepsy syndrome including idiopathic in 26, cryptogenic in 34, and symptomatic based on localization or etiology in 54. Twenty-one (12%) children had a generalized epilepsy syndrome, including 19 with primary generalized epilepsy. Forty-seven (26%) cases were in the category of undetermined if focal or generalized. At last follow-up, there was a change in either etiology (n = 16) or the final epilepsy syndrome classification (n = 33) or both (n = 15) in 34 (19%) cases. At time of last follow-up, 144 (79%) of the children with epilepsy were in 2-year terminal remission, and 108 (59%) were in 2-year terminal remission without medications. Factors associated with a favorable prognosis included an idiopathic or cryptogenic etiology and having a localization-based idiopathic epilepsy syndrome. Conclusions: After two seizures, childhood-onset epilepsy can be classified by etiology and epilepsy syndrome. Prognosis is favorable in the majority of cases. However, the apparent syndrome may change with longer follow-up. The ability to classify these cases early in the clinical course is important if they are to be used for prognostic purposes.
Plant cell and tissue culture

Applied and Fundamental Aspects of Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture. Edited by J. Reinhart and Y. P. S. Bajaj. Pp. 803. (Springer: Berlin, Heidelberg and New York, 1977.) DM190; $83.60.
Analysis of UV-excited fluorochromes by flow cytometry using near-ultraviolet laser diodes.

Introduction Violet laser diodes have become common and reliable laser sources for benchtop flow cytometers. While these lasers are very useful for a variety of violet and some ultraviolet-excited fluorochromes (e.g., DAPI), they do not efficiently excite most UV-stimulated probes. In this study, the next generation of InGaN near-UV laser diodes (NUVLDs) emitting in the 370–375-nm range have been evaluated as laser sources for cuvette-based flow cytometers. Methods Several NUVLDs, ranging in wavelength from 370 to 374 nm and in power level from 1.5 to 10 mW, were mounted on a BD Biosciences LSR II and evaluated for their ability to excite cells labeled with the UV DNA binding dye DAPI, several UV phenotyping fluorochromes (including Alexa Fluor 350, Marina Blue, and quantum dots), and the fluorescent calcium chelator indo-1. Results NUVLDs at the 8–10-mW power range gave detection sensitivity levels comparable to more powerful solid-state and ion laser sources, using low-fluorescence microsphere beads as measurement standards. NUVLDs at all tested power levels allowed extremely high-resolution DAPI cell cycle analysis, and sources in the 8–10-mW power range excited Alexa Fluor 350, Marina Blue, and a variety of quantum dots at virtually the same signal-to-noise ratios as more powerful UV sources. Conclusions These evaluations indicate that near-UV laser diodes installed on a cuvette-based flow cytometer performed nearly as well as more powerful solid-state UV lasers on the same instrumentation, and comparably to more powerful ion lasers on a jet-in-air system, and. Despite their limited power, integration of these small and inexpensive lasers into benchtop flow cytometers should allow the use of flow cytometric applications requiring UV excitation on a wide variety of instruments. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Current and Emerging Therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder, with a rapidly increasing worldwide prevalence. Although no cure for AD has yet been found, substantial progress has been made in our understanding of AD pathogenesis. This progress has led to the development of numerous promising compounds in various stages of clinical testing. In this review, the current pharmacologic treatments for AD are discussed in detail, followed by an overview of the main experimental strategies that will shape AD therapeutics over the next decade.
Whole-body protein metabolism in cancer-bearing patients. Effect of total parenteral nutrition and associated serum insulin response

Aggressive nutritional support of the cancer patient undergoing treatment has become widespread standard practice. In order to evaluate the effect of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on protein metabolism, 11 patients with localized squamous cell carcinoma of the distal esophagus were studied in the postabsorptive state and again after 2 weeks of TPN. After two weeks of TPN, these cancer patients demonstrated a significant increase in body weight associated with positive nitrogen balance and an insignificant increase in total body potassium (determined by whole body 40K scanning), a measure of lean body mass. Serum transferrin, ceruloplasmin, and total protein did not change significantly, whereas serum albumin decreased significantly (3.5 +/- 0.1 to 3.1 +/- 0.1 g dl-1). Evaluation of whole-body protein kinetics by constant infusion of 15N-glycine demonstrated a significant increase in protein flux (2.79 +/- 0.20 to 4.02 +/- 0.33 g protein kg-1 day-1). In the group as a whole, protein synthesis increased and catabolism decreased, but not significantly. Skeletal muscle protein catabolism, as measured by the rate of excretion of urinary 3-methylhistidine (mumol kg-1 day-1) decreased significantly after 2 weeks of TPN (2.5 +/- 0.1 to 1.9 +/- 0.2). A change from basal to stimulated (TPN) serum insulin level of 40 to 120 microU/ml was found to be associated with optimal changes in protein synthesis and skeletal muscle catabolism. Five patients fell within this optimal range of serum insulin, and demonstrated a significant increase in the rate of wholebody protein synthesis (2.13 +/- 0.35 to 3.56 +/- 0.45 g protein kg-1 day-1) with an insignificant increase in whole-body protein catabolism (2.74 +/- 0.42 to 3.16 +/- 0.43), and a significant decrease in urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion (2.50 +/- 0.35 to 1.53 +/- 0.24) after 2 weeks of TPN. It is concluded that optimum nutritional support with TPN is beneficial to the cancer patients' protein economy by stimulating whole body protein synthesis while decreasing skeletal muscle protein catabolism. It is also concluded that there exists a range of serum insulin in which whole-body protein synthesis and catabolism are optimized.
Analysis of protein variations in adult and postnatal day 11 staggerer and lurcher mutant mice.

Abstract As an initial attempt at uncovering the molecular basis of cerebellar synpatogenic defects in the lurcher and staggerer mutant mice, the pattern of protein expression was compared between cerebellar and non-cerebellar tissues, between normal and mutant mice and between early postnatal and adult developmental stages. While cerebellar and mutation-specific alterations in the expression of proteins could be easily observed in adult tissues, no such alterations were observed in early postnatal lurcher mice and only one qualitatively unique protein species could reproducibly be identified in early postnatal staggerer mice.
Structures of Fructan Oligomers in Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.)

Summary Chemical structures of and relationships among the fructan oligomers ( Waterhouse and Chatterton (1993) . The variety of fructan structures found in different species indicate that plants have evolved species — or possibly genera — specific fructan-synthesizing enzyme systems. Some plant species appear to form fructan oligomers that are characteristic of a particular plant group. Additional research is needed to determine the effects of plant parts, stage of development, and of interacting environmental factors on fructan biosynthetic enzyme activities and on the resultant fructan structures.
An Integral Model of Collective Action in Organizations and Beyond

While a large amount of work has been done to understand public good and to construct conceptual models explaining the antecedents of collective action, current literature is flawed in that most of them only examine the lower-level public good and attribute people's participation in collective action to external variables. It pays little to the developmental nature of collective action. Utilizing Ken Wilber's theory of integral psychology, this paper proposes a holistic definition of public good, emphasizing its different levels of development. The paper also introduces an integral model of collective action that explains the antecedents of collective action in terms of not only the external individual behavior and social factors but also the internal aspects of individuals, organization, and society.
Early Intervention: The Moderating Role of the Home Environment

The Infant Health and Development Program (IHDP) is an intervention aimed at improving the health and development of premature, low birth weight infants through a combination of education and support for parents plus enriched educational day care and health services for children. A randomized clinical trial procedure was used at 8 program sites to examine the impact of IHDP on children's growth and development from birth to age 3. Follow-up assessments were conducted at ages 5 and 8. The effect of the program on children's intelligence at age 3 was greater for those children from low-quality home environments. However, the home environment was not a moderator of program impact on children's intelligence at the later assessment points, nor was it a moderator of program impact on children's behavior.
Mandibular implant overdenture treatment: Consensus and controversy

A literature review of implant overdenture treatment for the edentulous mandible is presented. The report focuses on the knowledge base for this treatment modality, in an effort to distinguish between areas that are well characterized and enjoy a higher level of consensus among practitioners as compared with those that are more controversial and not clearly understood.
SU-E-I-73: Clinical Evaluation of CT Image Reconstructed Using Interior Tomography.

Purpose: Radiation dose reduction has been a long standing challenge in CT imaging of obese patients. Recent advances in interior tomography (reconstruction of an interior region of interest (ROI) from line integrals associated with only paths through the ROI) promise to achieve significant radiation dose reduction without compromising image quality. This study is to investigate the application of this technique in CT imaging through evaluating imaging quality reconstructed from patient data. Methods: Projection data were directly obtained from patients who had CT examinations in a Dual Source CT scanner (DSCT). Two detectors in a DSCT acquired projection data simultaneously. One detector provided projection data for full field of view (FOV, 50 cm) while another detectors provided truncated projection data for a FOV of 26 cm. Full FOV CT images were reconstructed using both filtered back projection and iterative algorithm; while interior tomography algorithm was implemented to reconstruct ROI images. For comparison reason, FBP was also used to reconstruct ROI images. Reconstructed CT images were evaluated by radiologists and compared with images from CT scanner. Results: The results show that the reconstructed ROI image was in excellent agreement with the truth inside the ROI, obtained from images from CT scanner, andmore » the detailed features in the ROI were quantitatively accurate. Radiologists evaluation shows that CT images reconstructed with interior tomography met diagnosis requirements. Radiation dose may be reduced up to 50% using interior tomography, depending on patient size. Conclusion: This study shows that interior tomography can be readily employed in CT imaging for radiation dose reduction. It may be especially useful in imaging obese patients, whose subcutaneous tissue is less clinically relevant but may significantly increase radiation dose.« less
SU‐C‐134‐07: Development and Validation of a Fast Volumetric Determination Method of Visceral Adipose Using CT Images

Purpose: To develop and validate a method for quick and accurate calculation of visceral adipose volume with minimal user interaction. The goal is to provide a tool that can be reliably used to analyze sizable patient databases. Methods: CT images are imported into in-house software. Superior and inferior boundaries of the visceral region are defined by the user. Five ellipses, spaced equal distance apart between these boundaries, are then manually drawn on axial slices inside the rectus abdominis and transverse abdominis muscles to define the border between visceral and subcutaneous adipose. Ellipses are automatically interpolated to fill the rest of the region. A histogram of Hounsfield Units of all voxels within the visceral region is obtained. The threshold for adipose was defined to be the peak adipose value ±1.25 FWHM. The accuracy of the ellipse estimation method was validated by taking ten patient CT images, 5 obese and 5 lean, and comparing them with manually delineated rectus abdominis and transverse abdominis muscles. The accuracy of visceral fat measurement was validated using a CT scan of a physical phantom which was made using animal fat (to simulate human adipose) and other animal tissues. Results: The mean difference between manually delineated and ellipse-based visceral adipose volumes for all ten patients was −1.3%. For nine out of ten patients, this difference was less than 5%. For the phantom measurements, our calculations using CT images differed from absolute fat volume by less than 10% for all scanning parameters. Accuracy of volume determination is inversely proportional to slice thickness and field-of-view, and not affected by kVp or mAs. Conclusion: We developed and validated a method to determine the total volume of visceral adipose based on CT imaging. The entire process takes on average 2 minutes per patient and will be useful for large population studies.
A Video Introduction to Psychology: Enhancing Research Interest and Participation

To assess the extent to which a video about psychological research would heighten introductory psychology students' interest and participation in research studies, we created a video about ongoing research at our university, the value of research participation, and course requirements for the research experience. Instructors in 4 courses (N = 471 students) verbally explained the research requirement and distributed a document detailing alternatives for completing it. In 2 of these courses, students also saw the video. Results indicated that students who viewed the video reported greater interest in research and completed more research participation hours than did students who did not view the video. We discuss the potential advantages of standardized, noncoercive procedures to encourage student participation in research.
Separation of cis-trans phospholipid isomers using reversed phase LC with high resolution MS detection.

The increased presence of synthetic trans fatty acids into western diets has been shown to have deleterious effects on physiology and raising an individual’s risk of developing metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. The importance of these fatty acids for health and the diversity of their (patho) physiological effects suggest that not only should the free trans fatty acids be studied but also monitoring the presence of these fats into the side chains of biological lipids, such as glycerophospholipids, is also essential. We developed a high resolution LC-MS method that quantitatively monitors the major lipid classes found in biospecimens in an efficient, sensitive, and robust manner while also characterizing individual lipid side chains through the use of high energy collisional dissociation (HCD) fragmentation and chromatographic alignment. We herein show how this previously described reversed phase method can baseline separate the cis–trans isomers of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidyl...
Sample size requirements for studying small populations in gerontology research

Calculating sample sizes required to achieve a specified level of precision when estimating population parameters is a common statistical task. As consumer surveys become increasingly common for nursing homes, home care agencies, other service providers, and state and local administrative agencies, standard methods to calculate sample size may not be adequate. Standard methods typically assume a normal approximation and require the specification of a plausible value of the unknown population trait. This paper presents a strategy to estimate sample sizes for small finite populations and when a range of possible population values is specified. This sampling strategy is hierarchical, employing first a hypergeometric sampling model, which directly addresses the finite population concern. This level is then coupled with a beta-binomial distribution for the number of population elements possessing the characteristic of interest. This second level addresses the concern that the population trait may range over an interval of values. The utility of this strategy is illustrated using a study of resident satisfaction in nursing homes.
Reduction of guided-acoustic-wave Brillouin scattering noise in a squeezer

A new scheme for interferometric measurements that uses squeezed light produced in an optical fiber ring is proposed. Guided-acoustic-wave Brillouin scattering noise is suppressed by cancellation of the phase fluctuations caused by this scattering in two consecutive pulses that are π phase shifted with respect to each other.
Market Morality: Robert Nozick and the Question of Economic Justice

. The study of markets and market prices has been a central feature of economic inquiry since the 18th Century. There have always been lingering questions on the meaning of market prices. Most moderneconomists argue that there are no normative implications to price analysis. The disclaimers of some economists about normative judgments ring hollow in the light of their vigorous advocacy of free market solutions to economic and other problems. Either free market solutions are superior alternatives or they are not; one cannot have a value free analysis and an ideological advocacy at the same time. The philosopher, Robert Nozick, in Anarchy, State, and Utopia, clearly finds meaning in the market place. His entitlement theory is predicated upon free exchange of goods and productive services. The normative use of free markets in general and of Robert Nozick's formulation in particular, it is contended, are inconsistent, illogical, and unscientific.
Additives for improving the strength, stiffness, and ductility of epoxy resins

A range of additives at 7 to 20 wt% loading can increase the stiffness and strength of crosslinked epoxy resins by up to 60%, yet the tensile specimens also fail in a ductile fashion. In additive formulations where little chemical bonding occurs between the additive and the epoxy matrix (e.g., the reaction product of 4-hydroxyacetanilide and 1,2-epoxy-3-phenoxypropane), the increase in modulus is directly related to the decrease in free volume available for segmental mobility. The increase in strength results from a combination of the increased modulus and an increased fracture energy, A ductile mode of failure occurs because the cured plastic exhibits a large increase in free volume on straining (low Poinsson's ratio). The strain-induced increase in free volume effectively takes the sample through the glass to rubber transition. In more highly reactive formulations (e.g., the reaction product of 4-hydroxyacetanilide and vinyl cyclohexene dioxide), chemical bonding effects complicate this simple free volume interpretation, but the occurrence of a ductile failure mode is again related to the free volume increase with strain.
Radiation dominant interaction in gasdynamics

Abstract The interaction between a dominant radiation field and a flow field is investigated, where the time scale for such an unsteady interaction may be quite short compared to a characteristic “flow” time. To lowest order there results a radiative cooling process with an uncoupled flow, and an expansion in Boltzmann number then systematically introduces higher order effects. A matched asymptotic expansion scheme is required in view of the disparate characteristic lengths that exist in different spatial regions. Results are presented for the specific example of instantaneous addition of energy to a finite region with one-dimensional symmetry (i.e. planar, cylindrical and spherical). For simplicity the gas is assumed inviscid, perfect and in local thermodynamic equilibrium, and the differential approximation is used for the radiative field. A numerical scheme was developed to avoid time consuming iterations and results are compared to those for an analytic solution limited to the linear case. Both nongrey approximations and up-stream absorption effects are included. Results indicate a negligible upstream heating level, moderate nongrey but large curvature and optical thickness effects. Depending on the local balance between emission and absorption, the blast shock can be either accelerated or decelerated. Finally, comparison between differential approximation and exact formulations for a planar grey case is made. Excellent agreement between the present work and a laser experiment indicates the possible energy coupling to be inferred.
No symbol left behind: a link-layer protocol for rateless codes

Recently, rateless codes have introduced a promising approach to obtaining wireless throughput higher than what is achieved by fixed-rate codes, especially over time-varying channels. Rateless codes like Raptor, Strider, and spinal codes naturally process all the information available at the receiver corresponding to a packet, whether from one or many frame transmissions. However, a profitable deployment of rateless codes in a wireless network requires a link-layer protocol to coordinate between sender and receiver. This protocol needs to determine how much coded data should be sent before the sender pauses for feedback from the receiver. Without such feedback, an open-loop sender would not know when the packet has been decoded, but sending this feedback is not free and consumes a significant fraction of the packet transmission time. This paper develops RateMore, a protocol that learns the probability distribution of the number of symbols required to decode a packet (the decoding CDF), and uses the learned distribution in a dynamic programming strategy to produce an optimal transmission schedule. Our experiments show that RateMore reduces overhead by between 2.6x and 3.9x compared to 802.11-style ARQ and between 2.8x and 5.4x compared to 3GPP-style "Try-after-n" HARQ.
Program Evaluation in Libraries: Relating Operations and Clients

Evaluators of library programs have different perspectives on why to conduct an evaluation and also how to do so. The author suggests that a minimal approach to conducting a library program evaluation is to prove that the program exists. But this perspective has expanded to include different degrees of interest in the client and operations, culminating in a combined focus that leads evaluators to conduct outcome assessments. The chapter includes speculation on what motivates managers to undertake an evaluation, a review of some ways that library evaluations are conducted, and a discussion of several examples of program evaluations. Though there are no single directives for undertaking a library program evaluation, there are a variety of tools and advice to entice librarians to do more of them as a way to improve understanding the value of a library to its clientele and in society.
COMPASS: a CS program assessment project

In this paper, we describe our Computer Science Program Assessment (COMPASS) project. COMPASS uses open-source software tools to support the development and analysis of course portfolios. We use the portfolios internally to improve the quality of our undergraduate computer science curriculum, and externally to satisfy the requirements of program and university accrediting agencies. COMPASS makes it easy for instructors to build good portfolios and for the department to review and analyze them.
Uptake of Mg2+ by KB cells

Suspension cultures of KB cells accumulate 28Mg2+ by a transport system which is saturable and specific. At 37° the uptake of 28Mg2+ is approximately linear for 1–2 h and follows standard Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a Km = 0.1 mM Mg2+ and a νmax = 0.4 μmole/h per · 108 cells. The 28Mg2+ which has been taken up by the cells is exchangeable with Mg2+ added after 5 h exposure and can be released by agents which cause membrane leakiness. Inhibitors such as cyanide, m-chlorophenyl carbonylcyanide hydrazone (CCCP) and ouabain reduce the uptake of Mg2+ by 50% or more.
Monitoring critically ill newborn infants with digital capillary blood samples: an alternative.

Capillary blood samples obtained from a warmed distal phalanx of the right hand were compared with either temporal or right radial arterial blood samples for Po 2 , Pco 2 and pH in 33 critically ill newborn infants. The blood pressure and skin temperatures of each infant and the ambient oxygen concentration were recorded at the time the blood was sampled. Sixty-eight paired Po 2 analyses yeilded a regression line close to the line of identity. The mean difference between digital capillary and arterial Po 2 was 11.3±1.4 mm Hg (r=0.92). The results were similar for the paired Pco 2 analyses (r=0.84) and for the paired pH analyses (r=0.94). The correlation between arterial Po 2 and digital capillary Po 2 deteriorated when the systolic blood pressure of the patient was below 35 mm Hg. There was no correlation between skin temperature and capillary-arterial Po 2 differences. The frequency of retrolental fibroplasia leading to blindness was not different from that in nurseries that sample umbilical arterial blood routinely.
A conserved stable core structure in the passenger domain β‐helix of autotransporter virulence proteins

In Gram-negative bacteria, a wide variety of virulence factors are secreted via the autotransporter (AT) pathway. Intriguingly, there is no significant concentration of ATP in the periplasm, nor a proton gradient across the OM, so the energetic origin of efficient secretion of AT proteins is unknown. More than 97% of AT proteins are predicted to contain right-handed parallel beta-helical structure, and the three crystal structures available for AT passenger domains each contain a long right-handed parallel beta-helix. Previous studies have shown that pertactin, an AT from Bordetella pertussis, exhibits three-state folding and has a C-terminal stable core structure. Here, we show that Pet, an unrelated AT from Escherichia coli, also exhibits three-state unfolding and also has a stable core structure. Deletion mutants, mass spectrometry, and N-terminal sequencing demonstrate that the Pet stable core is also located near the C-terminus of the passenger domain. Moreover, sequence analysis suggests that three-state folding and a C-terminal stable core structure could be important general features of the biogenesis of AT proteins in vivo.
The use of incentives in organizations

Purpose – The authors aim to analyze actual practice in industry with respect to the use, choice, and effectiveness of four types of incentives, cash, prepaid cards, travel, and merchandise.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a survey of 170 practicing incentive design managers.Findings – Usage of cash and cards continue to increase but travel and merchandise are still frequently used.Originality/value – This will provide useful information to practitioners who design incentive programs.
Immunophilin deficiency augments Ca2+-dependent glutamate release from mouse cortical astrocytes

Abstract Immunophilins are receptors for immunosuppressive drugs such as the macrolides cyclosporin A (CsA) and FK506; correspondingly these immunophilins are referred to as cyclophilins and FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs). In particular, CsA targets cyclophilin D (CypD), which can modulate mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics. Since mitochondria have been implicated in the regulation of astrocytic cytosolic Ca2+ (Cacyt2+) dynamics and consequential Ca2+-dependent exocytotic release of glutamate, we investigated the role of CypD in this process. Cortical astrocytes isolated from CypD deficient mice Ppif −/− displayed reduced mechanically induced Cacyt2+ increases, even though these cells showed augmented exocytotic release of glutamate, when compared to responses obtained from astrocytes isolated from wild-type mice. Furthermore, acute treatment with CsA to inhibit CypD modulation of mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering, or with FK506 to inhibit FKBP12 interaction with inositol-trisphosphate receptor of the endoplasmic reticulum, led to similar reductive effects on astrocytic Cacyt2+ dynamics, but also to an enhanced Ca2+-dependent exocytotic release of glutamate in wild-type astrocytes. These findings point to a possible role of immunophilin signal transduction pathways in astrocytic modulation of neuronal activity at the tripartite synapse.