cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three-Dimensional Whole Breast Segmentation in Sagittal and Axial Breast MRI With Dense Depth Field Modeling and Localized Self-Adaptation for Chest-Wall Line Detection.

Objective: Whole breast segmentation is an essential task in quantitative analysis of breast MRI for cancer risk assessment. It is challenging, mainly, because the chest-wall line (CWL) can be very difficult to locate due to its spatially varying appearance-caused by both nature and imaging artifacts-and neighboring distracting structures. This paper proposes an automatic three-dimensional (3-D) segmentation method, termed DeepSeA, of whole breast for breast MRI. Methods: DeepSeA distinguishes itself from previous methods in three aspects. First, it reformulates the challenging problem of CWL localization as an equivalent problem that optimizes a smooth depth field and so fully utilizes the CWL's 3-D continuity. Second, it employs a localized self-adapting algorithm to adjust to the CWL's spatial variation. Third, it applies to breast MRI data in both sagittal and axial orientations equally well without training. Results: A representative set of 99 breast MRI scans with varying imaging protocols is used for evaluation. Experimental results with expert-outlined reference standard show that DeepSeA can segment breasts accurately: the average Dice similarity coefficients, sensitivity, specificity, and CWL deviation error are 96.04%, 97.27%, 98.77%, and 1.63 mm, respectively. In addition, the configuration of DeepSeA is generalized based on experimental findings, for application to broad prospective data. Conclusion: A fully automatic method-DeepSeA-for whole breast segmentation in sagittal and axial breast MRI is reported. Significance: DeepSeA can facilitate cancer risk assessment with breast MRI.
Boron-speciation and aluminosilicate crystallization in alkali boroaluminosilicate glasses along the NaAl1-xBxSiO4 and LiAl1-xBxSiO4 joins

Abstract The influences of boron on silicate glass dissolution behavior and crystallization have long been important in the nuclear waste glass and technical glass communities. Boron is a challenging component to model due to this ability to assume three- and four-fold coordinations with oxygen, as well as its ability to form complex structural units with silicate tetrahedra. Furthermore, the low atomic mass limits the available characterization techniques. In the present work, recent literature findings on the compositional influence on boron speciation are implemented to interpret new data on alkali boroaluminosilicate glasses studied with 11B nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), synchrotron X-ray scattering (s-XRS), and chemical durability measurements. The purpose of this study is to understand the influence of boron on the crystallization behavior of sodium and lithium aluminosilicate systems, NaAl1-xBxSiO4 and LiAl1-xBxSiO4, as applied to problems in nuclear waste vitrification. Comparisons are drawn between the alkali coordination number and crystallization behavior as a function of boron addition, as obtained through modeling of synchrotron X-ray total scattering using Empirical Potential Structural Refinement.
Visualization of nanoscale wear mechanisms in ultrananocrystalline diamond by in-situ TEM tribometry

Abstract We visualize and quantify wear of ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) nanoscale asperities in sliding contact using in-situ transmission electron microscope (TEM) sliding experiments. By comparing high-resolution TEM images obtained before and after a series of sliding intervals and measuring the normal force, we quantify the evolution of the specific wear rate and visualize the morphological and crystal-structure changes as wear progresses. When two sharp UNCD asperities are slid against each other, the wear rate is initially as high as ∼0.4 mm3/N·m, but decreases substantially after a few micrometers of sliding to 10−3 – 10−2 mm3/N·m. This latter wear rate is much larger than that observed in macroscale, multiasperity low-humidity experiments (∼10−5 mm3/N·m). When a sharp UNCD asperity is slid against a UNCD flat, the wear rate is similarly high at the beginning, but decreases to slightly lower values, sometimes approaching ∼10−4 mm3/N·m. In both cases, generation of amorphous debris is evident, providing in-situ confirmation of previous observations in both atomistic simulations and macroscale experiments. Gradual wear of grains and embedded crystallites in the amorphous debris are also observed. Our experiments suggest amorphization, gradual atomic-scale wear, and fracture all play a role in the nanoscale wear process of self-mated UNCD nanocontacts.
RELATIVE TENSORS, FIELD TRANSFER, AND THE BODY STRESS TENSOR FIELD

The properties of vectors and tensors derive essentially from two facts: (1) the linearity of the transformation relating representative matrices in two coordinate systems and (2) the transitivity property for successive coordinate transformations. Relative tensors are convenient to use in discussing surface and volume elements, the alternating tensor and vector products, and the invariant differential operators curl and div. The matrix notation is convenient for defining tensors of first and second rank; for tensors of third and higher rank, however, it is easier to revert to the more conventional component notation. A single contraction in a tensor product yields a tensor of a rank that is lower by two than the rank of the original product. There are various theorems, known as quotient theorems, which in a sense are converse theorems to the contraction theorems and are sometimes useful for the proof as per which a given array of components associated with an arbitrary but definite coordinate system represents a tensor.
Do the Right Thing in the post-post Civil Rights era

Spike Lee is one of the most important artists of his generation. He has been profoundly productive on his own – few directors have as large a body of work across films, commercials, and documentar...
Elevated troponin level as a predictor of inpatient mortality in patients with infective endocarditis in the Southeast United States

Despite recent improvement in management, infective endocarditis (IE) continues to be associated with considerable risk of morbidity and mortality. Early identification of predictors of inpatient mortality is key in improving patient outcomes in IE. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of serum troponin levels measurements as a marker of increased mortality. A case-control study included adult patients with IE admitted to a tertiary care hospital in east Tennessee between December 2012 and July 2017. Cases were defined as patients with definitive IE who died in-hospital; controls were patients who did not die in hospital. First patient admission was included only. Data collected included the patients’ demographic and baseline clinical information, microbiological data, injection drug use status, elevated serum troponins levels. Two hundred eighty three patients with definitive IE were included; median (IQR) age was 41 (30–57) years, and 153 (54%) patients were men. One-hundred sixty-four (58%) were injection drug users. The most frequent IE type was: 167 (59%) right-sided, 86 (30%) left-sided, 24 (9%) both left and right-sided, and 10 (4%) device related. The most commonly isolated organism was Staphylococcus aureus (n = 141), and 64% were methicillin-resistant. Two-hundred twelve (75%) patients had a troponin level obtained, and 57 (27%) had an elevated troponin value. Thirty-six (13%) patients died in-hospital; in-hospital mortality was associated elevated troponin values (adjusted odds ratio [adjOR], 7.3; 95%CI, 3.3–15.9), and methicillin-resistant S. aureus IE (adjOR 2.6; 95%CI, 1.2–5.8). Forty-four (16%) patients received IE valve surgery, and none of these patients died in the hospital. Inpatient mortality was higher in patients with IE and elevated cardiac troponin levels compared to patients with normal levels.
I think I made a mistake: How do prospective teachers elicit the thinking of a student who has made a mistake?

Interactions around unexpected, incorrect, or dis-preferred responses can be powerful sites of learning for both teachers and students. The information that teachers uncover through probing student thinking can then guide their pedagogical response. We report on a study of prospective teachers’ skills and capabilities around a particular problem of practice: eliciting student thinking when a student has an incorrect answer. In this case, if the student’s thinking is sufficiently probed, the student is able to recognize the mistake and revise their work. Focusing on prospective teachers at the beginning of a teacher preparation program, we illustrate how knowledge of this kind of eliciting skill can be gathered through the use of a live teaching simulation. Our findings reveal that these prospective teachers were more fluent with eliciting the student’s process than the student’s conceptual understanding. Further, they focused more on eliciting the revised method and/or solution than asking about why the mistake was made. We consider the findings in terms of the skills brought by prospective teachers that could be built upon in teacher education, skills that need to be learned, and skills that need to be unlearned.
Effect factors of the prevalence of thyroid nodules in Zhejiang Province in 2010

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of thyroid nodules and explore the risk factors for thyroid nodules among the community residents in Zhejiang Province. METHODS The residents of twenty-two communities in Zhejiang Province were selectedwith stratified cluster sampling. The cross-sectional survey includes questionnaire, examination on thyroid. The prevalence and related factors of thyroid nodules was described, and the possible risk factors for thyroid nodules was analyzed with logistic regression. RESULTS The prevalence of thyroid nodules in Zhejiang was 21. 78%, and the prevalence of a single nodule was 11. 75%, which was higher than that of multiple nodules( 10. 03%). The prevalence of thyroid nodules in men was less than women, urban residents higher than rural, and both increased gradually with age. The residents in coastal areas had the highest prevalence of thyroid nodules, followed by sub-coastal areas, inland minimum. High education level, consumption of seafood habits, high frequency of anger, the history of thyroid disease and iodine deficiency were potential risk factors for thyroid nodules in this surveyed population. CONCLUSION The prevalence of thyroid nodules in Zhejiang Province was at the middle level, female prevalence was greater than male, and gradully increased with age, the elderly should be the focus of prevention. Although thyroid nodules of children was at the lower rate, it should be paid attention due to high risk to develop to malignancy. High education level, consumption of seafood habits, high frequency of anger, the history of thyroid disease and iodine deficiency were potential risk factors for thyroid nodules, which need to be confirmed by further epidemiologic study.
Comparing bowel and urinary domains of patient‐reported quality of life at the end of and 3 months post radiotherapy between intensity‐modulated radiotherapy and proton beam therapy for clinically localized prostate cancer

PURPOSE To prospectively assess acute differences in patient-reported outcomes in bowel and urinary domains between intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and proton beam therapy (PBT) for prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS Bowel function (BF), urinary irritative/obstructive symptoms (UO), and urinary incontinence (UI) domains of EPIC-26 were collected in patients with T1-T2 prostate cancer receiving IMRT or PBT at a tertiary cancer center (2015-2018). Mean changes in domain scores were analyzed from pretreatment to the end of and 3 months post-radiotherapy for each modality. A clinically meaningful change was defined as a score change >50% of the baseline standard deviation. RESULTS A total of 157 patients receiving IMRT and 105 receiving PBT were included. There were no baseline differences in domain scores between cohorts. At the end of radiotherapy, there was significant and clinically meaningful worsening of BF and UO scores for patients receiving either modality. In the BF domain, the IMRT cohort experienced greater decrement (-13.0 vs -6.7, P < .01), and had a higher proportion of patients with clinically meaningful reduction (58.4% vs 39.5%, P = .01), compared to PBT. At 3 months post-radiotherapy, the IMRT group had significant and clinically meaningful worsening of BF (-9.3, P < .001), whereas the change in BF score of the PBT cohort was no longer significant or clinically meaningful (-1.2, P = .25). There were no significant or clinically meaningful changes in UO or UI 3 months post-radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS PBT had less acute decrement in BF than IMRT following radiotherapy. There was no difference between the two modalities in UO and UI.
COMPASS and SWI/SNF complexes in development and disease.

The Trithorax group (TrxG) of proteins is a large family of epigenetic regulators that form multiprotein complexes to counteract repressive developmental gene expression programmes established by the Polycomb group of proteins and to promote and maintain an active state of gene expression. Recent studies are providing new insights into how two crucial families of the TrxG — the COMPASS family of histone H3 lysine 4 methyltransferases and the SWI/SNF family of chromatin remodelling complexes — regulate gene expression and developmental programmes, and how misregulation of their activities through genetic abnormalities leads to pathologies such as developmental disorders and malignancies. In this Review, Cenik and Shilatifard focus on two families of Trithorax group proteins: COMPASS histone H3 lysine 4 methyltransferase complexes and SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complexes. They discuss the roles of these complexes in gene regulation, development and disease.
Developing and Implementing a Cloud-Based Software Solution for Tracking Ureteral Stents: A Pilot Study

Introduction: As many as 12.5% of patients who undergo ureteral stent placement fail to have their stent removed in a timely manner. Because retained stents can be a source of substantial morbidity...
Power Supply Noise-Aware Scan Test Pattern Reshaping for At-Speed Delay Fault Testing of Monolithic 3D ICs *

Monolithic 3D (M3D) integration is an emerging technology that offers significant power, performance, and area benefits for integrated circuit (IC) design. However, a problem with the 3D power distribution network in such ICs is that it can lead to high power supply noise (PSN) during the capture cycles in at-speed scan testing for transition delay faults. Therefore, the failure of good chips (i.e., yield loss) resulting from the PSN-induced voltage droop is a major concern for M3D designs. In this paper, we first assess the PSN and voltage droop problems, and their impact on path delays for at-speed testing of benchmark M3D designs. Next, we present an analysis framework to identify test patterns that are most likely to lead to yield loss. We describe a test-pattern reshaping solution based on integer linear programming to make appropriate changes to the test patterns that cause yield loss. Simulation results for four M3D benchmarks highlight the effectiveness of the proposed solution.
Charlotte Jirousek with Sara Catterall, Ottoman Dress and Design in the West: A Visual History of Cultural Exchange

Ottoman Dress and Design in the West was written by Charlotte Jirousek, a scholar of Ottoman, modern Turkish and world dress, and a curator at Cornell University, who died unexpectedly in 2014. Her...
Investigating Active Slip Planes in Tantalum

Active slip systems in body centered cubic (BCC) metals remain ambiguous and controversial. In this work, active slip planes in tantalum are investigated using single crystal experiments and simulations. Four tantalum single crystals with [100], [110], [111] and [149] orientations along the loading direction are analyzed after quasi-static compression tests and dynamic Taylor impact tests. Mechanical behaviors, deformed shapes, texture evolutions and slip traces of single crystals are analyzed and compared with crystal plasticity finite element simulations to investigate active slip systems in tantalum. Both experimental observations and modeling results support dominant dislocation slip along {112} planes in tantalum.
Effects of shear cell size on flowability of powders measured using a ring shear tester

Abstract Flowability parameters of powders measured by a shear cell is expected to depend on shear cell size, but details of that effect are lacking. In this work, we have systematically evaluated this using a number of powders under three preshear normal stresses using a ring shear tester. The flowability index (ffc) of a limestone powder (BCR 116) exhibited relatively small differences when measured on three shear cells of different sizes, S (~9.5 cm3) 22 μm was more than 15% higher using S than M. Large differences between data from M and L were found for powders with a median particle size >125 μm. Therefore, one must exercise caution when comparing flow properties of powders characterized using different shear cells.
Prosthetic Choice in Open Inguinal Hernia Repair

Modern open inguinal hernia repair is generally performed with prosthetic mesh. The quantity of types of mesh available for repair has greatly increased in the past few years, to include porous, nonporous, absorbable, and biologic mesh. Each mesh carries with it a profile of characteristics to address patient anatomy and clinical setting in the overall context of surgeon choice.
Vehicle steering control using modular neural networks

The RoadView project/spl trade/ at the Advanced Highway Maintenance Construction Technology (AHMCT) research center seeks to improve the safety and efficiency of snow removal by providing information to the driver using an in-vehicle computer. The calculation of future vehicle lateral position is achieved with cooperative modular artificial neural networks, trained using data generated from a known, but somewhat slow, mathematical model. The performance of a single monolithic neural network is compared against a cooperative modular neural network trained with uniform matching criteria. Additionally, an algorithm to calculate a best achievable matching criterion for each network is described and the best achievable matching criterion is combined with a modular network partitioning scheme. The use of cooperative modular artificial neural networks reduces mean error between 46% and 55% compared with the single network.
Formal verification and testing of software architectural models

Ensuring the correctness of software has been the major motivation in software research, constituting a Grand Challenge. Due to its impact in the final implementation, one critical aspect of software is its architectural design. By guaranteeing a correct architectural design, major and costly flaws can be caught early on in the development cycle. Software architecture design has received a lot of attention in the past years, with several methods, techniques and tools developed. However, there is still more to be done, such as providing adequate formal analysis of software architectures. On these regards, a framework to ensure system dependability from design to implementation has been developed at FIU (Florida International University). This framework is based on SAM (Software Architecture Model), an ADL (Architecture Description Language), that allows hierarchical compositions of components and connectors, defines an architectural modeling language for the behavior of components and connectors, and provides a specification language for the behavioral properties. The behavioral model of a SAM model is expressed in the form of Petri nets and the properties in first order linear temporal logic. This dissertation presents a formal verification and testing approach to guarantee the correctness of Software Architectures. The Software Architectures studied are expressed in SAM. For the formal verification approach, the technique applied was model checking and the model checker of choice was Spin. As part of the approach, a SAM model is formally translated to a model in the input language of Spin and verified for its correctness with respect to temporal properties. In terms of testing, a testing approach for SAM architectures was defined which includes the evaluation of test cases based on Petri net testing theory to be used in the testing process at the design level. Additionally, the information at the design level is used to derive test cases for the implementation level. Finally, a modeling and analysis tool (SAM tool) was implemented to help support the design and analysis of SAM models. The results show the applicability of the approach to testing and verification of SAM models with the aid of the SAM tool.
Classification problem solving

A broad range of heuristic programs—embracing forms of diagnosis, catalog selection, and skeletal planning—accomplish a kind of well-structured problem solving called classification. These programs have a characteristic inference structure that systematically relates data to a pre-enumerated set of solutions by abstraction, heuristic association, and refinement. This level of description specifies the knowledge needed to solve a problem, independent of its representation in a particular computer language. The classification problem-solving model provides a useful framework for recognizing and representing similar problems, for designing representation tools, and for understanding why non-classification problems require different problem-solving methods.
GluA1 promotes the activity‐dependent development of motor circuitry in the developing segmental spinal cord

The neuronal dendritic tree is a key determinant of how neurons receive, compute, and transmit information. During early postnatal life, synaptic activity promotes dendrite elaboration. Spinal motor neurons utilize GluA1-containing AMPA (2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid) receptors (AMPA-R) to control this process. This form of developmental dendrite growth can occur independently of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDA-R). This review focuses on the mechanism by which the GluA1 subunit of AMPA-R transforms synaptic activity into dendrite growth, and describes the essential role of the GluA1 binding partner SAP97 (synapse-associated protein of 97 kDa molecular weight) in this process. This work defines a new mechanism of activity-dependent development, which might be harnessed to stimulate the recovery of function following insult to the central nervous system.
The upper extremity loading during typing using one, two and three fingers

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the number of fingers used during typing on the biomechanical loading on the upper extremity. Six subjects typed in phone numbers using their right hand on a stand-alone numeric keypad in three conditions: (1) typing using the index finger; (2) typing using the index and the middle fingers; (3) typing using the index, middle and ring fingers. Typing with three fingers decreased wrist posture deviation, decreased angular velocity at the wrist, elbow and shoulder joints, and decreased peak to peak torques at the wrist and shoulder joints compared to single finger typing, while no difference was found between one and two finger typing. These results demonstrated that different computer keyboarding styles affect the biomechanical loading on the upper extremity.
Simulation of geometric stable and other limiting multivariate distributions arising in random summation scheme

A method for simulation of @n"@a-stable random vectors based on their representation as location and scale mixtures of @a-stable random vectors is discussed. The method has applications in modeling multivariate financial portfolios and Monte Carlo estimation procedures.
Solid phase synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted succinimides

Abstract The solid phase synthesis of N-substituted succinimides is described. The strategy used is based on the intramolecular cyclization of a dipeptide containing aspartic acid in the second position promoted by diphenylphosphorylazide (DPPA) and triethylamine. Large numbers of succinimides can be prepared using different, commercially available building blocks.
Pyroelectric Ceramics for Infrared Detection Applications

Pyroelectric and dielectric behavior of cation(s) modified lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic has been studied for their use in infrared detectors. Various materials' figures-of-merit for their use in infrared detector are calculated. The results are compared with several existing candidate materials including PZT type ceramics.
Electroexcitation of rotational bands in O 18

The fourth 2{sup +} state in {sup 18}O at an excitation energy of 8.21 MeV has been studied by high-resolution electron scattering. The Coulomb form factor for this state was measured in the momentum-transfer range 0.9{le}{ital q}{le}2.1 fm{sup {minus}1} and the extracted {ital B}({ital C}2){up arrow} value was determined to be 7.3{plus minus}4.2 {ital e}{sup 2}fm{sup 4}. The level at 8.21 MeV is identified as a four-particle, two-hole (4p2h) state of the type {ital p}{sup {minus}2}(sd){sup 4}. Form-factor measurements in the range 1.0{le}{ital q}{le}1.9 fm{sup {minus}1} are also presented for a strongly excited normal-parity state at 9.36 MeV. Preliminary measurements of the differential cross section for exciting this state by 135-MeV protons suggest a 2{sup +} assignment; the measured Coulomb form factor of this state allows it to be identified as the best experimental candidate for a predicted {ital K}=2 4p2h state with the four {ital sd}-shell nucleons coupled to {ital T}=0. The excitation of these states and other members of rotational bands in {sup 18}O are discussed within the framework of structure models. Shell-model calculations for the {ital C}4 form factors of the first three 4{sup +} states in {sup 18}O are compared to existing data.
Effect of Scattering Coefficient on Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Spectra

The application of Kubelka-Munk theory for thin samples for which the Kubelka-Munk function would not be expected to yield a quantitative relationship between reflectance and analyte concentration is examined. For thin samples, the effective penetration depth of radiation is dependent on both the absorption and the scattering coefficients. Different penetration depths result in inaccurate relative reflectance values being measured, with the magnitude of the error being dependent on the absorption coefficient of the sample and the scattering coefficient and thickness of the reference. For diffusely reflecting samples, previous experimental results are explained on the basis of the magnitude of the scattering coefficient for the surrounding matrix. The scattering coefficient of ground potassium chloride was determined experimentally to be approximately 50 cm−1. It is shown that "infinite depth" for nonabsorbing diffusely reflecting materials would not be achieved with thicknesses less than 1 mm, necessitating the use of the full Kubelka-Munk equations to explain band intensities of thin samples.
Potential Environmental Impact of a Hydrogen Economy on the Stratosphere

The widespread use of hydrogen fuel cells could have hitherto unknown environmental impacts due to unintended emissions of molecular hydrogen, including an increase in the abundance of water vapor in the stratosphere (plausibly by as much as ∼1 part per million by volume). This would cause stratospheric cooling, enhancement of the heterogeneous chemistry that destroys ozone, an increase in noctilucent clouds, and changes in tropospheric chemistry and atmosphere-biosphere interactions.
Sexual abuse history: prevalence, health effects, mediators, and psychological treatment

OBJECTIVE: Lifetime history of sexual abuse is estimated to range between 15% and 25% in the general female population. People who are sexually abused are at greater risk for a whole host of physical health disorders that may occur many years after the abusive incident(s). Despite the high prevalence of this trauma and its association with poor health status, abuse history often remains hidden within the context of medical care. The aims of this review are to determine which specific health disorders have been associated with sexual abuse in both women and men, to outline the types of sexual abuse associated with the worst health outcome, to discuss some possible explanations and mediators of the abuse/health relationship, to discuss when and how to talk about abuse within a clinical setting, and to present evidence for which psychological treatments have been shown to improve the mental health of patients with past sexual abuse. METHOD: To meet these objectives, we have reviewed a wide literature on the topic of sexual abuse. RESULTS: We demonstrate that abuse appears to be related to greater likelihood of headache and gastrointestinal, gynecologic, and panic-related symptoms; that the poor health effects associated with abuse are also seen in men; that abuse involving penetration and multiple incidents appears to be the most harmful, and that exposure-type therapies with and without cognitive behavioral therapy hold promise for those with abuse history. CONCLUSION: We need more research examining psychological treatments that might be efficacious in treating the physical health problems associated with sexual abuse history. Language: en
Endodontic working length assessment: Comparison of storage phosphor digital imaging and radiographic film

Abstract Objective. This study compared the difference in interpretation of the position of endodontic file tips between two imaging systems: photostimulable storage phosphor luminescence imaging versus radiographic film. Study design. Thirteen patients were selected at random. Preoperative and trial file length radiographs were made with a dual image receptor composed of a Digora Digital Imaging Plate and a piece of Ektaspeed Plus film. Exposure techniques for E-speed film were used. Root length and file length measurements were made from digital images with the Digora system's measuring tools. Measurements were also made on radiographic film with a 7× measuring magnifier. Root length, file length, and their difference were compared for both film and digital images. Results. Differences were found to be less in digital than in film images. Photostimulable storage phosphor luminescence imaging performed similarly to Ektaspeed Plus film for measuring root lengths, but file tip positions (especially of small file sizes) were difficult to visualize with E-speed film. Conclusions. The smaller difference between file tip and root apex found with digital imaging suggests that this technique is more accurate to assess trial file length. This imaging modality for assessing file positions during root canal treatment may be beneficial to the practitioner.
Flow structure in lean premixed swirling combustion

Swirling flows have been widely used in industrial burners, furnaces, and gas turbine combustors to improve blowoff characteristics, ignition stability, mixing enhancement, flame stabilization, and pollutant reduction. Mean flow structure of the swirling flows with and without combustion has been extensively studied over the past 40 years. Some important phenomena in swirling combustion, such as combustion instabilities, depend on the multipoint instantaneous flow structure. However, the multipoint instantaneous flow structure in swirling flows has not been revealed in the past work because of measurement difficulties in the complex flow environment. Motivated by this, a cross-correlation particle image velocimetry (PIV) system was used to measure the multipoint instantaneous velocity fields in strongly swirling flows with a theoretical swirl number of 2.4 and a Reynolds number of 72.000. The mean flow structure based on the present measurements is consistent with the literature. However, the multipoint instantaneous flow structures show significantly different characteristics compared with the mean flow structure. Many smaller scale vortices with both directions of vorticity appear in the instantaneous flow in contrast to a single large vortex observed in the mean flow. Heat release seems to help a breakdown of the multiple vortices to produce a more homogeneous field. The turbulence intensity has a spatial distribution similar to that of the mean velocity. The heat release significantly increases the magnitude of the mean and the instantaneous vorticity. The differences in the flow structure and length scales of the vortices between the mean and the instantaneous fields suggest that the latter should be used in evaluations of transient phenomena and simulations.
Mean excitation energies of chlorine and bromine

Abstract Measurements of the stopping cross sections of Cl2 and Br2 gases for 0.3–0.7 MeV protons have been analyzed in the context of modified Bethe-Bloch stopping power theory in order to extract values of parameters of the theory. In particular, the values of mean excitation energy thus obtained, 199 eV for chlorine and 492 eV for bromine, are significantly higher than any other currently suggested values.
Comparison of indirect immunofluorescence and multiplex antinuclear antibody screening in systemic sclerosis

Indirect immunofluorescence antinuclear antibodies (IIF-ANA) are detected in approximately 90% of scleroderma patients, and the staining pattern correlates with scleroderma-specific antibody subsets. Solid-phase ANA assays that are dependent on multiplex bead technology (MULTIPLEX-ANA) are replacing immunofluorescence in many commercial labs; however, performance of these assays has not been compared to IIF-ANA in scleroderma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a proportion of scleroderma patients have negative testing on MULTIPLEX-ANA assays and demonstrate whether negative MULTIPLEX-ANA is associated with particular scleroderma-specific autoantibodies. A retrospective chart review was completed on all 238 scleroderma patients evaluated in the Georgetown scleroderma clinic between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009. Autoantibody results, demographics, and scleroderma features were collected. Data were analyzed using unpaired t test and Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables, and Fisher’s exact test for dichotomous variables. Simple kappa coefficient was used to measure the level of agreement between MULTIPLEX-ANA and IIF-ANA results. Two-tailed p values <0.05 were considered significant. MULTIPLEX-ANA testing was available in 57 patients and only 29 (51%) tested positive. In contrast, IIF-ANA was positive in 91% of these patients. Using simple kappa coefficient, there was a good agreement between the MULTIPLEX-ANA, and presence of Scl70, RNP, and centromere antibodies (0.76; 95% CI 0.59, 0.92), but there was no agreement between MULTIPLEX-ANA and presence of other IIF-ANA patterns including nucleolar ANA (−0.40; 95% CI −0.64, −0.16). Because RNA polymerase III and nucleolar antibodies are seen in 43% of the entire scleroderma population, we are concerned that these false-negative tests could result in delays in referral and diagnosis. Until the MULTIPLEX-ANA assays can be modified to include the antigens for RNA polymerase III and the nucleolar ANA subsets, IIF-ANA remains the recommended screening test for ANA in suspected scleroderma.
Evidence for change in current-flux coupling of GLT1 at high glutamate concentrations in rat primary forebrain neurons and GLT1a-expressing COS-7 cells.

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system and is toxic to neurons even at low concentrations. GLT1, the rodent analog of human EAAT2, is primarily responsible for glutamate clearance in the cerebrum. GLT1 was thought to be expressed exclusively in astrocytes in the mature brain. Recently, however, GLT1 a was demonstrated in excitatory axon terminals where synaptic glutamate concentration rises above 1 m M during excitatory transmission. GLT1 function in neurons with accurate control of both intracellular and extracellular solutions mimicking synaptic concentration gradients has never been studied. Here we characterized the kinetics of coupled glutamate transporter current in whole-cell configuration and [ 3 H]-L-glutamate uptake in cultured rat cerebral neurons across the entire range of synaptic glutamate concentrations. In both neurons and GLTIa-transfected COS-7 cells, the kinetics were similar and revealed two specific components: a high-affinity component with glutamate k D value around 15 μM and a low-affinity component with k D value around 0.2 m M . The specific low-affinity component was discovered as a result of significant deviation of the transporter current from Michaelis―Menten kinetics in the 100―300 μM concentration range. Activation of the specific low-affinity component led to a two-fold decrease in the current/flux ratio, implying a change in the transport coupling. Our data indicate that GLT1 endogenously expressed in cultured rat forebrain neurons displays high and low glutamate affinity uptake components that are different in current―flux coupling ratios. This property is intrinsic to the protein because it was also observed in GLT1a-transfected COS-7 cells.
Tissue specific deficiency of lysozyme in ruminants.

Abstract 1. 1. The distribution of lysozyme in tissues and fluids of ruminants was examined and it was determined that, except for a few tissues, ruminants were deficient in lysozyme activity compared with other species. 2. 2. The prominent exception was the abomasum of cattle, which had high levels of lysozyme activity. 3. 3. Mixing and extraction studies indicated that the lysozyme deficiency of ruminants was due neither to the presence of inhibitors of lysozyme in ruminant tissue nor to the binding of lysozyme in a manner that interfered with its enzymatic activity or assay. 4. 4. Other investigations have indicated that isozymes of lysozyme are present in ruminants and this study suggests that ruminants have only low levels of the isozyme that is the major isozyme of lysozyme in non-ruminants.
Human Cytomegalovirus Induces Multiple Means To Combat Reactive Oxygen Species

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated as by-products of many cellular processes and can modulate cellular signaling pathways. However, high ROS levels are toxic; thus, intracellular ROS need to be tightly controlled. Therefore, cells use a group of antioxidant molecules and detoxifying enzymes that remove or detoxify reactive species. We found that the level of the antioxidant glutathione is greatly increased in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-infected cells due to activation of glutathione synthetic enzymes. In addition, our data suggest that virus-specific mechanisms are used to induce the expression of target antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes critical for the success of the infection. As a result of this virus-induced anti-ROS environment, key signaling kinases, such as the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase in mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1), are protected from inhibition by exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). In this regard, we found that phosphorylation of mTOR kinase at serine 2448 (suggested to be activating) was maintained during infection even under ROS stress conditions that inhibited it in uninfected cells. We also show that AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK)-mediated phosphorylation of serine 792 of raptor, the specificity subunit of mTORC1, increases in infected cells after H(2)O(2) treatment. This phosphorylation is normally inhibitory for mTORC1. However, in infected cells this did not result in inhibition of mTORC1 activity, suggesting that inhibitory effects of raptor phosphorylation are circumvented. Overall, our data suggest that HCMV utilizes virus-specific mechanisms to activate a variety of means to protect the cell and mTORC1 from the effects of ROS.
Blocking factors in sera of breast cancer patients

In previous studies, we have demonstrated that serum blocking factors (SBF) from sera of breast cancer patients was specific in our Leukocyte Adherence Inhibition assay (LAI).34 To elucidate the nature of SBF, we have investigated the antigen-antibody complex by precipitation of immune complexes (I.C.) with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Specific and nonspecific blocking activities of sera obtained from breast cancer patients were investigated using the LAI and PHA-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis (PHA Blastogenesis) assays. I.C. precipitated in PEG, were utilized to test simultaneously the blocking capacity of these complexes and the corresponding serum. Blocking activity of sera and corresponding I.C. correlated in 20 out of 24 (83%) experiments in the LAI assay and 16 out of 19 (84%) experiments in the PHA Blastogenesis assay. When immune complexes from breast cancer patients were quantitatively compared with normal donors and benign breast patients, a significantly higher yield of protein concentration was obtained. Furthermore, I.C. of benign breast patients was also higher than normal controls. When 10 of the 28 I.C. were further fractionated into Ig (Retentate) and antigen containing component (Filtrate) by ultrafiltration after acid treatment, neither of these components manifested blocking. When reconstituted at a ratio of Ig:antigen = 1:1, blocking activity was again restored in 3 out of 3 in LAI and in 3 out of 4 in blastogenesis. In two experiments, I.C. with negative blocking was readily converted to a positive blocking state with the addition of a small amount of antigen. I.C. also demonstrated specificity in blocking activity and the degree of blocking activity depended on the concentration of I.C. in cultures. Evidence obtained suggests that specific and nonspecific serum blocking factors are related to I.C. but not to the fractionated components of Ig nor antigen. Cancer 43:838–847, 1979.
Banach *-algebras, B*-seminorms, and positive functionals

Abstract This paper concerns Banach ∗-algebras which are nonunital or have bounded approximate identity. A necessary and sufficient condition is given for a B ∗ -seminorm to be regular. A one-to-one correspondence between the carrier space of a complex Banach ∗-algebra and the set of all regular B ∗ -seminorms is established. Interaction between α-bounded functionals and regular B ∗ -seminorms is examined. We prove that the carrier space of a Banach ∗-algebra is identical with the set of all extreme points of positive linear functionals. The main approach is via an ordering of the algebra, the positive cone being the closure of the set of certain elements in the set of self-adjoint (hermitian) elements of the algebra (but not in the algebra) where the involution on the algebra is not continuous. A characterization of the set of centralizers for algebra in terms of positive cones where the involution is not continuous is given. This result improves some previous results on this topic. In the context of approximate identity of norm less than or equal to the real number 1, we prove that a cone is closed with respect to a special product if and only if the algebra is commutative modulo its radical. An application of the Shirali–Ford theorem is also discussed. In particular, the equality between the two positive cones is established if the algebra is symmetric.
Review: recombinant human erythropoietin decreases the need for blood transfusions and may delay dialysis in chronic renal failure.

Source Citation Cody J, Daly C, Campbell M, et al. Recombinant human erythropoietin for chronic renal failure anaemia in pre-dialysis patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001(4):CD003266 (latest ...
Biodistribution, Tumor Detection, and Radiation Dosimetry of 18F-DCFBC, a Low-Molecular-Weight Inhibitor of Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen, in Patients with Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a type II integral membrane protein expressed on the surface of prostate cancer (PCa) cells, particularly in androgen-independent, advanced, and metastatic disease. Previously, we demonstrated that N-[N-[(S)-1,3-dicarboxypropyl]carbamoyl]-4-18F-fluorobenzyl-l-cysteine (18F-DCFBC) could image an experimental model of PSMA-positive PCa using PET. Here, we describe the initial clinical experience and radiation dosimetry of 18F-DCFBC in men with metastatic PCa. Methods: Five patients with radiologic evidence of metastatic PCa were studied after the intravenous administration of 370 MBq (10 mCi) of 18F-DCFBC. Serial PET was performed until 2 h after administration. Time–activity curves were generated for selected normal tissues and metastatic foci. Radiation dose estimates were calculated using OLINDA/EXM 1.1. Results: Most vascular organs demonstrated a slow decrease in radioactivity concentration over time consistent with clearance from the blood pool, with primarily urinary radiotracer excretion. Thirty-two PET-positive suspected metastatic sites were identified, with 21 concordant on both PET and conventional imaging for abnormal findings compatible with metastatic disease. Of the 11 PET-positive sites not identified on conventional imaging, most were within the bone and could be considered suggestive for the detection of early bone metastases, although further validation is needed. The highest mean absorbed dose per unit administered radioactivity (μGy/MBq) was in the bladder wall (32.4), and the resultant effective dose was 19.9 ± 1.34 μSv/MBq (mean ± SD). Conclusion: Although further studies are needed for validation, our findings demonstrate the potential of 18F-DCFBC as a new positron-emitting imaging agent for the detection of metastatic PCa. This study also provides dose estimates for 18F-DCFBC that are comparable to those of other PET radiopharmaceuticals such as 18F-FDG.
Androgen receptor activation results in metabolite signatures of an aggressive prostate cancer phenotype: an NMR-based metabonomics study

Metabolomic studies have proven to provide a unique perspective of the cellular dysfunction developing as a result of prostate cancer (PCa) onset and progression, facilitated primarily by mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. PCa develops as an androgen-dependent disease with the expression of the androgen receptor (AR), where patient treatment typically involves androgen ablation therapy. In response, it is theorized that PCa transforms to an androgen-hypersensitive or androgen-independent state, where treatment options are severely reduced. Under the hypothesis that AR stimulation increases the aggressivity of pre-existing PCa, NMR spectroscopy was utilized in the delineation of the metabonomic response of an androgen-dependent PCa cell line (LnCAP) as a result of AR activation. Metabolite profiles were determined after 12, 24, and 48 h of exposure to methyltrienolone (R1881), an AR agonist. Principal components analysis revealed the relative myo-inositol and phosphocholine levels were severely altered after androgen treatment. Furthermore, univariate analysis revealed multiple metabolic perturbations in response to R1881 exposure, including amino acid, choline, the phosphocholine/glycerophosphocholine ratio, and UDP-coupled sugar metabolism, which are consistent with reported measurements between normal and PCa samples. These results suggest that androgen-sensitive PCa may transform to an aggressive phenotype upon AR activation.
Capillary fiber ratio and electrolyte content of compensatory hypertrophied rat soleus.

Abstract Capillary-to-fiber ratio and the content (μmoles/g muscle) of Na, K, Mg, Ca and Zn was measured in compensatory hypertrophied (CH) soleus muscles of adult Sprague-Dawley rats. The soleus hypertrophy was induced by unilateral tenotomy of the gastrocnemius and the plantaris muscles. Seven days after synergistic tenotomy the compensatory hypertrophied Soleus muscles showed no difference in the capillary-fiber ratio, Sr-extractable calcium ([Ca] Ext. ) or the total content of Na, K, Mg and Zn. However, compared to the contralateral control side, the CH muscles showed an increase in the wet muscle weight (31.6%, P P Res. ) and 43.2% ( P Total ) content. It is concluded that during compensatory hypertrophy of skeletal muscles, the residual Ca reserves are significantly depleted, which may lead to a lower isometric tension generation in the muscle.