cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dosimetric evaluation of total scalp irradiation using a lateral electron-photon technique☆

Abstract Purpose : To evaluate the radiation dosimetry of a new technique for total scalp irradiation. Methods and Materials : A treatment technique described by Akazawa (1989) has been studied. During each fraction, two electron and two photon fields are treated. While most of the lateral scalp is treated with the electron fields, a rind of scalp close to the midsagittal plane is irradiated by parallel-opposed lateral photon fields. A wax bolus is used to build up skin dose and to protect the brain from electron dose. The dose distribution and dose-volume histograms were evaluated for different field arrangements using a 3-dimensional treatment planning system. After modifying the technique, in-vivo thermoluminescent dosimetry were used to evaluate the dose distributions for the first two patients. Results : To compensate for the lack of dose from the opposed photon field at the junction, the technique was modified using overlapped fields instead of abutting fields. A field overlap of 3 to 4 mm between the electron and photon fields was found optimal. When used with the field junction shift of 1 cm midway through the treatment, this scheme resulted in a dose uniformity of -5% to +15% of the prescrived dose in the region of abutment. Results of the 3-dimensional dose calculation were supported by in-vivo thermoluminescent dosimetry on two patients. Conclusion : On the basis of computer dose calculations and in-vivo dosimetry, Akazawa's technique for scalp irradiation can be improved by using a 3 to 4 mm overlap of electron and photon fields. This modified technique is practical and produces clinically acceptable dosimetry.
A two-phase model for planning the production of aluminum ingot

Abstract This paper addresses an important scheduling problem associated with the electromagnetic ingot casting process which is used in the production of a variety of metal alloys. The casting procedure begins when molten metal is poured into casting facilities which house a fixed number of ingot molds each of a specified width. The casting process requires that all ingots produced in a given batch be of the same alloy and length. The resulting ingots can differ only in width as determined by the particular mold configuration in a casting pit. In general, mold width changes occur infrequently since they are both costly and time consuming. Given the nature of the process, it is difficult to produce a mix of ingots that exactly matches demand. When required ingots are not available, they must be either imported from outside sources or longer, wider ingots must be trimmed (‘misapplied’), generating excess scrap. The objective of this paper is the development of an effective solution procedure for scheduling the ingot casting process which reduces ingot misapplication/import and maintains low inventory levels. A two-phase model is designed to address this problem. Application of the model at the ingot production facility of a leading US aluminum manufacturer resulted in lower average inventory levels and a decrease in ingot misapplication/import from 20.4% to 0.4% of corresponding production.
UV Dosage Levels in Summer: Increased Risk of Ozone Loss from Convectively Injected Water Vapor

The observed presence of water vapor convectively injected deep into the stratosphere over the United States can fundamentally change the catalytic chlorine/bromine free-radical chemistry of the lower stratosphere by shifting total available inorganic chlorine into the catalytically active free-radical form, ClO. This chemical shift markedly affects total ozone loss rates and makes the catalytic system extraordinarily sensitive to convective injection into the mid-latitude lower stratosphere in summer. Were the intensity and frequency of convective injection to increase as a result of climate forcing by the continued addition of CO2 and CH4 to the atmosphere, increased risk of ozone loss and associated increases in ultraviolet dosage would follow.
Determination of p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate, p-hydroxyphenyllactate and tyrosine in normal human plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry isotope-dilution assay

Abstract The synthesis and purification of [13C2]p-hydroxyphenyllactatic acid from 13C2]p-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid, the characterization of tert-butyldimethylsilyl-derivatized tyrosine, p-hydroxyphenylpyruvic and p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid, and an isotope-dilution assay for these substances in normal human plasma using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) are described. Using this method plasma p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate, p-hydroxyphenyllactate and tyrosine levels of 68±42 ng/ml, 118±45 ng/ml and 16.6±6.3 μg/ml, respectively, were found in 9 normal adults. Isotope-dilution assays are sensitive enough to determine tyrosine, p-hydroxyphenylphyruvate and p-hydroxyphenyllactate content in normal subjects, and may be useful for studying disorders of tyrosine metabolism, including inborn errors of metabolism, liver disease and ascorbic acid deficiencies.
Nutritional Interventions in Clinical Depression

Depression is one of the leading causes of mental disability worldwide and a significant public health problem in the United States. Individuals with depression have lower quality of life, diminished role functioning, increased comorbidity, and increased mortality. Although psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are well-validated treatment options for clinical depression, nutritional supplements may be another means of alleviating depressive symptoms while limiting adverse effects. Nutritional supplements can be utilized in tandem with preexisting therapeutic regimens, or as stand-alone therapies. Omega-3 fatty acids, B-vitamins (folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6), S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and magnesium have been of interest in the treatment of depression for several decades. This article reviews the literature investigating these nutritional interventions for the treatment of clinical depression, with a particular focus on pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical research.
The role of T-cell subsets in the response to anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies

Administration of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to CD3 elicits an immune response to the mAb and an acute toxic syndrome that has been attributed to the release of cytokines from activated T cells. To clarify the cellular basis for these effects, we used anti-lymphocyte mAb to deplete selected T-cell subsets from BALB/c mice prior to administration of anti-CD3. In our first series of experiments, anti-CD4 repeatedly blocked the immune response to anti-CD3, but did not prevent severe toxicity. This observation suggested that other T-cell subsets might contribute to anti-CD3 induced toxicity. Therefore, we treated mice with mAb to CD8 as well as mAb to CD4 prior to administration of anti-CD3. Despite depletion of > 95% of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, toxicity was not suppressed. This finding cast doubt on the belief that toxicity is due to activation of either CD4+ or CD8+ T cells by anti-CD3. Therefore, we assessed the role of thymocytes (which are not deleted by the mAb) and gamma delta + T cells. Thymectomy did not prevent toxicity in CD4/CD8-depleted mice, demonstrating that thymocytes are not responsible for toxicity. Anti-alpha beta TCR mAb produced a toxic reaction similar to anti-CD3 whereas anti-gamma delta TCR mAb did not, suggesting that gamma delta+ T cells are not the source of toxic cytokines. In addition, we proved that anti-CD3-induced toxicity was not due to direct effects on macrophages or to other nonspecific factors associated with the hamster mAb. These findings imply that a few residual mature T cells in mice treated with mAb to CD4 and CD8 are sufficient for the full expression of the anti-CD3-induced toxic syndrome. To confirm that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells can mediate toxicity, we showed that:(i) SCID mice, which normally do not develop anti-CD3-induced toxicity, can be rendered susceptible by reconstitution with purified CD4+ T cells; and (ii) CD4-knockout mice that lack CD4+ T cells but have normal CD8+ T cells are susceptible to anti-CD3-induced toxicity. These findings establish that both CD4+ and CD8+ cells contribute to the toxic effects of anti-CD3, and that relatively few cells are required to mediate the full effect.
Biometric identification using holographic radar imaging techniques

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers have been at the forefront of developing innovative screening systems to enhance security and a novel imaging system to provide custom-fit clothing using holographic radar imaging techniques. First-of-a-kind cylindrical holographic imaging systems have been developed to screen people at security checkpoints for the detection of concealed, body worn, non-metallic threats such as plastic and liquid explosives, knifes and contraband. Another embodiment of this technology is capable of obtaining full sized body measurements in near real time without the person under surveillance removing their outer garments. Radar signals readily penetrate clothing and reflect off the water in skin. This full body measurement system is commercially available for best fitting ready to wear clothing, which was the first "biometric" application for this technology. One compelling feature of this technology for security biometric applications is that it can see effectively through disguises, appliances and body hair.
Dendritic islands in metal-on-metal epitaxy II. Coalescence and multilayer growth

Abstract Dendritic or fractal islands occur naturally during epitaxial growth in systems where island edge diffusion is restricted. Here we use a lattice-gas model to characterize the evolution of island structure in such systems, from the low coverage to the coalescence regime, and to consider the ramifications for multilayer growth. Island densification and slowing of radial growth prior to coalescence is observed in the simulations, as in Au/Ru(0001). We also elucidate the relationship of the real-space island structure to the width and shape of the corresponding kinematic diffraction profile. Our multilayer growth studies incorporate disruption of and downward funneling from island edges upon impact of depositing atoms, in the presence of a large Schwoebel barrier. Using the geometry and length scales appropriate for Pt/Pt(111), the calculated kinematic Bragg intensities for a two-layer model show that even limited disruption can produce the observed low-temperature “reentrant” oscillations.
Development of blending chart for different degrees of blending of RAP binder and virgin binder

Abstract Recent studies have consistently shown that RAP mixed with virgin binder and aggregates results in partial blending; that is, a phase between 100% blending and the “black rock” effect occurs. The impact of partial blending on new virgin binder content is apparent and may cause under-asphalting of mixture, resulting in poor pavement performance. Influence of partial blending on critical grade of RAP mixes and allowable percentages of RAP have not been evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to develop the blending chart for different degrees of blending to study the impacts of partial blending on the critical grade of blended binder. To achieve the objective, blending charts for 100%, 70% and 50% degree of blending have been developed for PG 70-28 and PG 58-28 binder by mixing virgin and RAP binders in differing proportions. The higher critical grade of blended binder does not change for different degrees of blending (70% and 50%) for low percentages of RAP binder (25% and 35%) with PG 70-28 binder. However, for high percentages of RAP binder (50%) and low degree of blending (50%), higher critical grade of blended binder can cause grade change.
System Reliability Analysis for Planar Mechanisms Using the Matrix Method

In this paper, a practical technique for system reliability evaluation of kinematic performance of planar linkages with correlated failure modes is proposed. Taylor series expansion is utilized to derive a general expression of the kinematic performance errors caused by random design variables. A practical limit state function for reliability analysis of the kinematic performance of planar linkages corresponding to different failure models is established. Through the reliability theory and the linear programming method the upper and lower bounds of the system reliability of planar mechanisms are provided.
pi - capture on the deuteron as a dibaryon search.

We consider radiative capture of a ..pi../sup -/ from an atomic orbital around deuterium into a bound NN..pi.. system with two units of isospin. It is found that it is a feasible method to search for such hypothetical states.
Microfield effects: Strongly coupled plasmas

Abstract In dense strongly coupled plasmas the equilibrium level of collective excitation is high: their characteristics can be inferred from the dynamical structure function S( k , ω). The high level of dynamical field associated with the electron plasma oscillations and with the ion acoustic modes gives rise to a number of specific effects. The scenario is somewhat similar to that studied earlier in hydrogenic plasmas where turbulent dynamical fields can resonate with Stark split levels. In dense plasmas the levels are pre-existing and the interaction with the dynamical field can lead to level shifts, formation of satellites and to the lowering of the continuum. The dynamical fields can also cause ionization either directly or through a chaotic diffusional process.
Efficient Response Time Approximations for Multiclass Fork and Join Queues in Open and Closed Queuing Networks

Parallel and concurrent structures are widely used both as standalone components and as building blocks of larger systems. Efficient models of parallelism and concurrency are therefore necessary to understand the impact of parallelism in system performance. These models become more critical with the proliferation of adaptive systems that require solving a large number of performance models in a short amount of time to facilitate configuration decisions dynamically. This paper presents efficient response time approximations for parallel constructs modeled as fork and join queues. These approximations can be used by practitioners and performance engineers to quickly compare the performance of contending configurations. The contributions over previous work are twofold. First, this paper considers heterogeneous multiclass fork and join open and closed queuing networks. Second, the paper also presents models for fork and join where each class of jobs might fork to different queues in a probabilistic manner.
Interactions of Quinoxaline Antibiotic and DNA.: The Molecular Structure of a Triostin A—d(GCGTACGC) Complex

Abstract The crystal structure of a DNA. octamer d(GCGTA.CGC) complexed to an antitumor antibiotic, triostin A, has been solved and refined to 2.2 A resolution by x-ray diffraction analysis. The antibiotic molecule acts as a true bis intercalator surrouding the d(CpG) sequence at either end of the unwound right-handed DNA. double helix. A.s previously observed in the structure of triostin A.—d(CGTA.CG) complex (A.H.-J. Wang, et. al., Science, 225,1115–1121 (1984)), the alanine amino acid residues of the drug molecule form sequence-specific hydrogen bonds to guanines in the minor groove. The two central A · T base pairs are in Hoogsteen configuration with adenine in the syn conformation. In addition, the two terminal G · C base pairs flanking the quinoxaline rings are also held together by Hoogsteen base pairing. This is the first observation in an oligonucleotide of. Hoogsteen G · C base pairs where the cytosine is protonated. The principal functional components of a bis-intercalative compound are discussed.
Effect of local deposition of antigen on salivary immune responses and reaccumulation of mutans streptococci

In this study glucosyltransferase (GTF) fromStreptococcus sobrinus was topically administered onto the lower lips of young adults. The effect of this route of antigenic exposure on labial and parotid gland and serum antibody levels to GTF and on the reaccumulation of indigenous mutans streptococci after a dental prophylaxis was then measured. Young adults between 18 and 42 years of age were screened for levels of antibody activity to GTF in parotid and labial gland salivas and levels of mutans streptococci in their whole saliva. Prior to antigen administration, two groups were formed which had similar distributions of mutans streptococci in their whole saliva. Antigen (GTF) or placebo, each combined with aluminum phosphate (AP), was then administered to the lower lip daily for 5 days. Immediately prior to topical application of GTF or placebo to the labial salivary glands, all subjects were given a dental prophylaxis. Statistically significant differences in anti-GTF IgA antibody activity in parotid or labial salivas were not observed between the GTF-administered and the placebo groups during the 6 weeks following topical application. However, the proportions of indigenous mutans streptococci/total streptococcal flora, or total cultivable flora, were always lower in the whole salivas of the GTF, compared with the placebo group. These differences were statistically significant on days 13, 20, 34, and 41 after initial topical application. Delays in reaccumulation were significantly associated (P<0.025) with elevations in parotid saliva IgA antibody levels of all subjects. Seven of 10 of the subjects demonstrating this association were in the group to which GTF was topically administered. These results suggest that labial application of GTF in aluminum phosphate can modify the salivary immune environment to retard the reaccumulation of indigenous mutans streptococci after a dental prophylaxis.
Folkss: A fortran program for petrographic classification of sandstones

Abstract FOLKSS is a FORTRAN IV program to classify and name sandstones. The program also prints the percent composition of the total rock and of the framework and it prints the percent quartz-type composition of the quartz fraction. For all sandstones the program recalculates quartz (except chert) plus feldspar plus rock fragments to 100 percent. For sandstones containing abundant rock fragments the program recalculates the total rock-fragment part of the framework to 100 percent and, where appropriate, it recalculates the sedimentary-rock-fragment part of the framework to 100 percent. The program allows simple, inexpensive, rapid, accurate codification, and it was found to be extremely useful where more than a few samples are involved, as in a regional petrologic study.
The effect of number of response categories on unidimensional concept identification

Concept identification problems with a single relevant dimension may be solved in two stages: the selection of the relevant dimension and the learning of appropriate responses to the values of the dimension. Such a theory was investigated by manipulating the number of response categories (four, six, or eight) in a 3 by 3 design involving 90 human subjects. Errors were found to increase with increases in response categories during all stages of problem solution, with a linear increase for paired associate and complete learning conditions. The results were interpreted as supporting a theory incorporating overlapping dimension selection and paired associate processes.
Does the Shoe Fit?: Testing Models of Participation for African-American and Latino Involvement in Local Politics

Despite the voluminous literature on participation, when it comes to the participatory behavior of racial and ethnic minorities and lower-income groups, many questions remain unanswered. The author tests the extent to which four theoretical models—socioeconomic status, psychological orientations, social context, and mobilization resource—explain the participation of whites, African-Americans, and Latinos in local political and community activities. Based on a sample of inner-city New York respondents, the author finds that existing theories differentially explain participation across both ethnic group and participatory activity. More generally, the findings indicate that more attention needs to be focused on how the broader social and institutional environment shapes the behaviors and attitudes that ultimately foster political engagement.
Increasing nursing postdoctoral opportunities: National Institute of Nursing Research Spring Science Work Group.

Abstract On May 1-2, 2000, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) hosted a Spring Science Work Group on Increasing Nursing Postdoctoral Opportunities. The work group met at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda and was chaired by Dr Patricia A. Grady, director, and Dr Hilary D. Sigmon, program director, NINR. The purpose of the meeting was to identify ways to increase postdoctoral opportunities for nurse researchers. The work group considered the gaps and strengths currently present in postdoctoral education and suggested strategies and collaborative approaches for future initiatives. As biomedicine and behavioral science enter the 21st century, nurse scientists have critical roles to play in basic laboratory studies, translational research, clinical investigations, care delivery, and outcome evaluations. To fulfill these roles and to meet the growing need for well-trained nurse scientists in complex, multidisciplinary research, the “pipeline” of postdoctoral nurse researchers must be strengthened. Nurs Outlook 2001;49:179-81.
Variation in capture height and trap persistence among three Costa Rican understorey butterfly species

Tropicalforestinsectsareverticallystratifiedbetweenthecanopyandunderstorey.Using60trapssetattwo heights above the forest floor (30 at 15 cm and 30 at 1 m) we compared abundances in capture height, persistence in traps, and sex of three co-occurring understorey butterflies (Cithaerias pireta, Dulcedo polita and Pierella helvina )i n Costa Rica. We captured, marked and released 283 individual butterflies (65 C. pireta,79D. polita, 139P. helvina)and showed all three species were captured more often in low traps, and P. helvina was captured only in low traps. The probability of remaining in traps for 24 h did not differ significantly for D. polita and P. helvina, but was significantly lower for C. pireta. The odds of trapping either sex did not differ significantly for P. helvina and C. pireta, but they were significantly lower for D. polita males. We experimentally demonstrate that these co-occurring species fly and feed just abovetheforestfloor,butdifferwithrespecttotheirpersistenceintrapsandattractiontotrapsbysex.Ourstudyimplies that closely related species can exhibit behavioural differences that may influence population abundance estimates in multi-species studies.
In phantom determination of collimator scatter factor

The collimator scatter factor S c has generally been measured in air using an ionization chamber inside a buildup cap or mini‐phantom. Here, S c was measured in phantom at 10 cm depth for 6 and 15 MV photons with square collimator settings of 2.5–40.0 cm. The results were consistent with in air measurements with a mini‐phantom to within 0.4%. In the measurements, a series of Cerrobend field shaping blocks were used to define the field size in the phantom while the collimator settings were varied from the field size in the phantom to twice that value. Corrections of up to 2% for scattered radiation from the added Cerrobend field shaping blocks were necessary. Since a buildup cap or mini‐phantom is not used, the smallest field size that can be measured is limited only by the size of the detector and the measurement is performed with full scatter resembling the treatment condition of a patient.
A classification system for impact-related defects in potato tubers

The type of tuber bruise that occurs for a given severity of impact indicates the condition of that tuber in relation to its impact sensitivity. This article describes a system for classifying such bruises. Such information is important because sensitive tubers can be re-conditioned (e.g., temperature and/or hydration can be adjusted) to reduce risk of bruising during harvesting and handling. Each class of bruise is described, illustrated, and related to tuber condition. The literature review illustrates the inadequacies of previous bruise evaluation systems in relating bruise type to tuber condition. Growers, processors, storage operators and fresh packers can use this system to make informed decisions on adjusting modifiable factors such as temperature, hydration level, and impact velocity to reduce impact-related defects during harvesting and handling of potatoes.
Superplasticity in eutectoid steel

A eutectoid steel exhibited abnormally large tensile extensibility in three quite dissimilar circumstances: i) micrograin plasticity, defined by a strain-rate sensitivity exponent m = 0.42, was found at 716°C for straining the ferrite-cementite aggregate at the rate e = 4.4 x 10-3 min-1, giving 133 pct elongation; ii) at a much greater strain rate, e = 25 min-1, superplasticity appeared in austenite strained at 927°C, giving 142 pct elongation; iii) a new type of transformation plasticity was predicted and experimentally verified: 490 pct elongation resulted from thermal cycling 21 times across Ae1. Plastic stability analysis distinguishes it from micrograin plasticity by showing that it owes to strain-hard ening during plastically stable flow; hence, there are no restrictions e or m. Furthermore, it is not necessary to perform the straining during the transformation, since the strain-hardening capacity can be regenerated by thermal cycling through the phase transformation if the transformation serves to recover the flow stress. Additional work showed that straining during austenitizing fails to increase m above pretransformation levels.
A physical and computationally efficient methodology for statistical circuit simulation in bipolar technologies

Abstract A methodology for statistical circuit simulation in advanced bipolar technologies is developed based on a novel IC TCAD system consisting of the semi-numerical mixed-mode device/circuit simulator MMSPICE with its parameter evaluator SUMM. The system reliably and efficiently relates device/circuit performance directly to measurable fabrication-process parameters since MMSPICE/SUMM implicitly accounts for physical correlations among device model parameters and does not rely on optimization (i.e. parameter extraction). The computational efficiency permits use of a simple Monte Carlo technique involving random generation of process parameters for the statistical simulation. The utility of the methodology is demonstrated by predicting IC parametric yields and statistical device/circuit performance correlations from specified fluctuations of process parameters in an actual bipolar technology.
Transient growth hormone deficiency after treatment of primary hypothyroidism.

In primary hypothyroidism, enlargement of the pituitary sella can mimic a primary pituitary tumor on computed tomography) Enlargement of the sella, thought to represent pituitary hyperplasia and hypertrophy in response to lack of feedback inhibition of thyroid hormone, has been demonstrated in 81% of adults with primary hypothyroidism. 2 The magnitude of the sellar enlargement is proportional to thyrotropin levels, and thyroid hormone replacement therapy can produce reduction of the enlarged pituitary gland to normal size. Rarely, treatment of primary hypothyroidism has resulted in hypopituitarism? A recent report documents by CT the development of an empty sella and hypopituitarism in a child after thyroid hormone replacement because of primary hypothyroidism. 4 Hypopituitarism in the absence of empty sella syndrome has also been described after thyroid hormone replacement. In only one reported patient, an adult with primary hypothyroidism, this hypopituitarism (gonadotropin deficiency) was thought to be transient? We report two children with longstanding primary hypothyroidism who grew poorly despite adequate hormone replacement and were found to have growth hormone deficiency. Subsequently, under androgen influence and without GH therapy, growth was good and testing showed adequacy of endogenous growth hormone secretion.
On the stability of the boundary layer on a transonic swept wing

Both incompressible and compressible linear stability theory are applied to the three-dimensional compressible boundary layer on a particular transonic sweptback wing of infinite span. A spatial stability theory is used which identifies the growth direction with the real part of the complex angle of the group velocity. It is found that in the forward, but not the rear, crossflow instability region, the maximum amplification rates of the steady disturbances may be calculated to within about 10% by the incompressible stability theory. There is little difference between the sixth and eighth-order compressible theories. The maximum amplification rate of the steady disturbances at any chordwise station is closely related to the maximum crossflow at that station independent of the Reynolds number. For other than crossflow instability, there can be large differences between the incompressible and compressible theories, both as to the amplification rate and the angle of the wavenumber vector for maximum instability. Amplitude ratios of individual wave components are obtained by integrating the spatial amplification rate along the growth direction subject to the constraint that the wavenumber vector is irrotational. This procedure yields steady disturbances aligned with the local potential flow direction whose wavelengths are nearly independent of downstream distance.
Intronic polymorphism in CYP3A4 affects hepatic expression and response to statin drugs.

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) metabolizes ∼50% of all clinically used drugs. Although CYP3A4 expression varies widely between individuals, the contribution of genetic factors remains uncertain. In this study, we measured allelic CYP3A4 heteronuclear RNA (hnRNA) and mRNA expression in 76 human liver samples heterozygous for at least one of eight marker SNPs and found marked allelic expression imbalance (1.6–6.3-fold) in 10/76 liver samples (13%). This was fully accounted for by an intron 6 SNP (rs35599367, C>T), which also affected mRNA expression in cell culture on minigene transfections. CYP3A4 mRNA level and enzyme activity in livers with CC genotype were 1.7- and 2.5-fold, respectively, greater than in CT and TT carriers. In 235 patients taking stable doses of atorvastatin, simvastatin, or lovastatin for lipid control, carriers of the T allele required significantly lower statin doses (0.2–0.6-fold, P=0.019) than non-T carriers for optimal lipid control. These results indicate that intron 6 SNP rs35599367 markedly affects expression of CYP3A4 and could serve as a biomarker for predicting response to CYP3A4-metabolized drugs.
Phase transition in the lattice gross-neveu model

Abstract We show that for N =∞, the N -component lattice Gross-Neveu model is equivalent to an Ising model, and thus has a (chiral symmetry breaking) phase transition.
Statistical justifications for interrater reliability of levator ani deficiency (LAD) assessment by 3D endovaginal ultrasonography: response to critique

Tester 1 vs tester 2 0.891 0.825 0.874 0.930 0.889 0.887 Tester 1 vs tester 3 0.882 0.839 0.831 0.891 0.903 0.881 Tester 1 vs tester 4 0.714 0.712 0.638 0.740 0.821 0.797 Tester 2 vs tester 3 0.857 0.857 0.885 0.873 0.890 0.862 Tester 2 vs tester 4 0.670 0.715 0.678 0.752 0.803 0.816 Tester 3 vs tester 4 0.708 0.705 0.639 0.674 0.791 0.865
Oxidative Protein Folding and the Quiescin–Sulfhydryl Oxidase Family of Flavoproteins

Abstract Flavin-linked sulfhydryl oxidases participate in the net generation of disulfide bonds during oxidative protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. Members of the Quiescin-sulfhydryl oxidase (QSOX) family catalyze the facile direct introduction of disulfide bonds into unfolded reduced proteins with the reduction of molecular oxygen to generate hydrogen peroxide. Current progress in dissecting the mechanism of QSOX enzymes is reviewed, with emphasis on the CxxC motifs in the thioredoxin and Erv/ALR domains and the involvement of the flavin prosthetic group. The tissue distribution and intra- and extracellular location of QSOX enzymes are discussed, and suggestions for the physiological role of these enzymes are presented. The review compares the substrate specificity and catalytic efficiency of the QSOX enzymes with members of the Ero1 family of flavin-dependent sulfhydryl oxidases: enzymes believed to play key roles in disulfide generation in yeast and higher eukaryotes. Finally, limitations of...
Activity of urea amidohydrolase immobilized within poly[di(methoxyethoxyethoxy)phosphazene] hydrogels

Abstract Urea amidohydrolase (urease) was immobilized within poly[di(methoxyethoxyethoxy)phosphazene] (MEEP) hydrogels. This was accomplished by mixing an aqueous solution (pH 7) of the soluble polymer with the enzyme. Films of the conjugate were cast and the solvent removed to yield an MEEP/ enzyme composite. The conjugate films were dried in a vacuum and were then cross-linked by exposure to 0.2 or 0.5 Mrad of 60 Co γ-radiation to give an MEEP network with the enzyme entrapped within its matrix. The cross-linked films were sectioned into strips and were washed with pH 7 buffer to remove enzyme adhering to the surface. The films were then allowed to swell to form a hydrogel in pH 7 buffer to which was added a 1.0 m aqueous urea solution. The increase in pH from the conversion of urea to ammonia was monitored over a 24 h period. The immobilized enzyme could be recycled at least five times without significant loss of activity. Several control experiments were also performed by monitoring the pH of buffer solutions that contained hydrogels devoid of entrapped urease, and by monitoring the pH of solutions of the free, non-irradiated and free, irradiated urease after the addition of the urea solution. The polymer-free, irradiated urease lost little to no activity compared with its non-irradiated counterpart. The MEEP gel-immobilized enzyme retained approximately 80% of the activity of the non-irradiated, polymer-free urease.
Molecular Crowding Effects On Multiscale Diffusion As A Function Of The Hydrodynamic Volume Of Both The Solute And Solvent Molecules

Molecular crowding in living cells influences passive intracellular transport, which regulates a number of cellular processes such as signal transduction, macromolecular assembly, and reaction kinetics. Recent studies indicate that crowding molecules influence both the effective viscosity and free-volume exclusion available for the diffusing solutes. In this contribution, we investigate the size effect of both the crowding as well as solute molecules on multiscale diffusion. Ficoll-70 and -400 are used as crowding agents as compared with a buffer with different glycerol content as a continuum. The rotational (ps - ns) and translational (μs-s) diffusion kinetics of rhodamine green, EGFP, and DsRed, in different crowding environments, are characterized using time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Our single-molecule and ensemble studies suggest that molecular crowding effects on diffusion depend on the size of crowding agent, the hydrodynamic volume of the solute, and the temporal resolution of the technique used.
Emotional task-dependent low-frequency fluctuations and methylphenidate: Wavelet scaling analysis of 1/f-type fluctuations in fMRI of the cerebellar vermis

Ion channel currents, neural firing patterns, and brain BOLD signals display 1/f-type fluctuations or fractal properties in time. By design, fMRI methods attempt to minimize the contribution of variance from low-frequency physiological 1/f-noise. New fMRI methods are described to visualize and measure 1/f-type BOLD fluctuations in volunteers recalling affectively neutral or emotional memories or meditating (i.e., attending to breathing) then retrospectively rating emotional content. A wavelet scaling exponent ( α) was used to characterize signals from 0.015625 to 0.5 Hz in cerebellar lobules VIII to X of the vermis (posterior inferior vermis; PIV), a region coordinating balance, eye tracking, locomotion, and vascular tone, and a possible site of pathology in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Results: Changes in α and emotional measures were correlated in PIV voxels (r = 0.622, d.f. = 14, P < 0.0005), but not other regions examined. In contrast, conventional means and standard deviations of PIV voxels were unchanged. Methylphenidate, shown to decrease slow oscillations in rodent basal ganglia [Ruskin DN, Bergstrom DA, Shenker A, Freeman LE, Baek D, Walters JR. Drugs used in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder affect postsynaptic firing rate and oscillation without preferential dopamine autoreceptor action. Biol Psychiatry 2001;49:340–50.], abolished task-dependent α changes in the PIV of an adult with ADHD. Wavelet analysis of long BOLD time series appears well suited to fractal physiology and studies of pharmacologically modulated cerebellar–thalamic–cortical function in ADHD or other psychiatric disorders. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Incorporating a junior design experience into a Digital Systems Design course

The capstone design experience is an important component of our undergraduate engineering program. Until recently the capstone project was only the second major design experience for undergraduates, the first occurring in the freshman year Because of this gap in project experience, seniors often had difficulty with nontechnical skills (teamwork, effective communication, project management, etc.) despite instruction in these skills at the start of their senior year. We have used the existing ECE course in Digital Systems Design as an opportunity to include a major design project in the junior year. By introducing juniors to nontechnical skills, in the senior year the skills are reinforced rather than introduced, and the seniors understand the necessity of learning and applying these skills. This paper describes the revised Digital Systems Design course, focusing on a description of the semester-long project. We describe the project mechanics, examples of projects, and how the project experience develops nontechnical skills.
Training Faculty to Teach Civil Engineering

Adoption of ASCE’s Policy Statement 465 and subsequent discussion of the what, how, and who of teaching the body of knowledge (BOK) that will be required for professional civil engineering practice has heightened the need for continued improvement in civil engineering education. ASCE has explicitly said the role of educators and practitioners in teaching the body of knowledge is critical and has listed faculty-related success factors for teaching the BOK. A key success factor is statement 465’s call for faculty and practitioners to properly prepare to “effectively engage students in the learning process.” This paper considers this challenge and discusses an instructor training program that effectively prepares faculty and practitioners to actively engage students in the learning process as envisioned by Policy Statement 465. We will show quantifiable evidence of the positive results gained by using this instructor training program through student and instructor feedback. Additionally, alternative shorter ...
Effect of Arthritis in Middle Age on Older-Age Functioning

Loss of the ability to perform basic functional tasks such as activities of daily living (ADLs) or walk short distances increases markedly with age.1–10 When elderly people lose their independence in these tasks, they lose the ability to live alone and must be dependent on caregivers or live in a long-term care setting. Although loss of independence in these tasks is common in old age and rare in middle age, life-course views of disability and successful aging are increasingly recognizing that the antecedents of late-life disability may occur earlier in life.11,12 It is widely agreed that arthritis is an important contributor to disability in elderly people. Evidence for this comes from cross-sectional studies that demonstrate that elderly people with arthritis are much more likely to have limitations in mobility and ADLs.13–17 Also, several longitudinal studies, most of short duration, show that elderly people with arthritis are more likely to develop new disabilities.18–21 However, arthritis complaints frequently develop in mid-life, long before the disabilities of late life present. Although it has been demonstrated that middle-aged persons with arthritis are more likely to experience work disability, it is not known whether those with arthritis complaints in mid-life are at higher risk for developing the types of task difficulties that are most likely to lead to loss of independence in older populations.22–25 Because the effects of arthritis are generally insidious, there is strong theoretical support for the hypothesis that arthritis in mid-life may lead to late-life disability, although few studies have had sufficiently long follow-up to test this hypothesis. To test whether arthritis in mid-life leads to earlier onset of late-life disabilities, a study was conducted using subjects enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). The HRS is an ideal cohort in which to address this question, because it enrolled subjects between the ages of 50 and 62, an age range in which arthritis is common but before the disabilities of old age become common. Over 10 years of subsequent follow-up, the relationship between arthritis and incident difficulty in activities important for independent functioning in older people was determined.8
The Social Science of Democracy

Alexis de Tocqueville, the First Social Scientist. By Jon Elster. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2009. 212p. 22.99 paper.Alexis de Tocqueville is surely one of the most widely cited, discussed, and celebrated political theorists in the world. Jon Elster's book, Alexis de Tocqueville: the First Social Scientist proceeds from a provocative premise: that Tocqueville's major works were lacking in “system” and were “hugely incoherent,” and that Tocqeuville himself “was not a major political thinker” (xi). Elster argues that instead Tocqueville ought to be viewed as a penetrating historical sociologist and an exemplary social scientist who might well be considered the first true social scientist. Elster's argument is important for at least two reasons: first, because it offers a striking and challenging reading of Tocqueville; and second, because it expands on Elster's own contributions in the philosophy of social science, and develops interesting understandings of “causal mechanisms,” methodological individualism, and social explanation more generally. As Elster writes in his Introduction, “the main task of this book is to argue for the relevance of Tocqueville for social science in the twenty-first century (p. 5).” The purpose of this Perspectives symposium is to assess Elster's argument in broad terms. What are the strengths and limits of Elster's reading of Tocqueville? How ought we to assess Elster's understanding of Tocqueville's deficiencies as a “political theorist?” What is the relevance of Tocqueville for contemporary social science? And, most importantly, what are the challenges and possible trajectories facing social science in the twenty-first century, and to what extent does Elster's essay point us in the right direction?—Jeffrey C. Isaac, Editor
Land surface temperature derived from the SSM/I passive microwave brightness temperatures

Passive microwave brightness temperatures from the Defense Meteorological Space Program Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) were used to determine surface temperature over land areas in the central plains of the United States. A regression analysis comparing all of the SSM/I channels and minimum screen air temperatures (representing the surface temperature) showed good correlations, with root-mean-square errors of 2-3 degC. Pixels containing large amounts of water, snow, and falling rain, as classified with SSM/I brightness temperatures, were excluded from the analysis. The use of independent ground truth data such as soil moisture or land surface type was not required to obtain the correlations between brightness temperatures and surface temperatures. >
Targeted RNA fingerprinting: the cloning of differentially-expressed cDNA fragments enriched for members of the zinc finger gene family

We have developed and applied a modification of an 'RNA Fingerprinting' protocol previously published by Welsh and McClelland (Nucleic Acids Research 19: 5275-5279 1991) such that cDNA fragments which are both differentially-expressed and enriched for members of a specific gene family can readily be identified. cDNA fragments were amplified with an arbitrary primer initially used in the reverse transcription reaction in combination with a member of a primer set which corresponded to a conserved region within a specific gene family. This technique was used to isolate cDNAs encoding a recently described protein kinase as well as an unknown gene that contained a zinc finger. Several other known genes that contained a zinc finger domain and that were differentially-expressed were also isolated.
Musicians show general enhancement of complex sound encoding and better inhibition of irrelevant auditory change in music: An ERP study.

Using electrophysiology, we have examined two questions in relation to musical training - namely, whether it enhances sensory encoding of the human voice and whether it improves the ability to ignore irrelevant auditory change. Participants performed an auditory distraction task, in which they identified each sound as either short (350 ms) or long (550 ms) and ignored a change in timbre of the sounds. Sounds consisted of a male and a female voice saying a neutral sound [a], and of a cello and a French Horn playing an F3 note. In some blocks, musical sounds occurred on 80% of trials, while voice sounds on 20% of trials. In other blocks, the reverse was true. Participants heard naturally recorded sounds in half of experimental blocks and their spectrally-rotated versions in the other half. Regarding voice perception, we found that musicians had a larger N1 event-related potential component not only to vocal sounds but also to their never before heard spectrally-rotated versions. We therefore conclude that musical training is associated with a general improvement in the early neural encoding of complex sounds. Regarding the ability to ignore irrelevant auditory change, musicians' accuracy tended to suffer less from the change in timbre of the sounds, especially when deviants were musical notes. This behavioral finding was accompanied by a marginally larger re-orienting negativity in musicians, suggesting that their advantage may lie in a more efficient disengagement of attention from the distracting auditory dimension.
The potential of p-well GaAs MESFET technology for precision integrated circuits

A p-well GaAs MESFET technology that totally eliminates sidegating between adjacent MESFETs is described. Both the small-signal output conductance (g/sub ds/) frequency dispersion, and the drain current transients of the p-well GaAs MESFET are reduced by more than an order of magnitude as compared with a conventional GaAs MESFET. The test chip used to develop the p-well MESFET technology is discussed. It includes an array of sidegate structures to test the importance of the various p-type layers and the importance of connecting the p-well to the source. Several analog building blocks and circuits are implemented, including fully-differential self-bootstrapped gain stages, transimpedance amplifiers with metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors, precision DC voltage references, and other operational amplifiers. >