cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-E-T-606: Optimal Emission Angle Selection in Rotating Shield Brachytherapy.

Purpose: In this work a general method is presented that enables clinicians to rapidly select Rotating shield brachytherapy (RSBT) emission angles based on the patient‐specific tradeoff between delivery time and tumordose conformity. Cervical cancer cases are used as examples. Methods: Anchor plans with high dose conformity but infeasible delivery times are generated with a fine emission angle, with simulated annealing. The RSBT emission angle selector determines the optimal emission angle for each case by efficiently solving a globally‐optimal quadratic programming problem that closely reproduces the angular distribution of beam intensities from the anchor plan. Pareto plots of the dosimetric plan quality metrics, such as D90 versus the delivery time, are generated for clinicians. In this work two cervical cancer cases were considered for verification. The RSBT system was assumed to be a Xoft AxxentTM electronic BT(eBT) source with a 0.2mm tungsten shield. The intent for each treatment plans was to maximize tumor D90 while respective the GEC‐ESTRO recommended constraints on the D2cc values to OARs. Results: Generating anchor plans with simulated annealing takes 10‐20min while emission angle selection can finish within seconds. The shield sequencing algorithm also ensures the balance between D90 and delivery time. One case shows that the D90 can achieve 98.3Gy10 with emission angle 202.5 degree with 8.64min delivery, while the conventional intracavitary plan has D90 65Gy10 with 2.86min delivery. Another case shows RSBT with emission angle 67.5 degree can produce D90 108.7Gy10 with 44min, and the conventional plan uses 2.2min for D90 48.9Gy10. Conclusions: The RSBT emission angle selection algorithm enables the users to rapidly determine the best emission angle for a given cervical cancer case by selecting the most appropriate D90 and delivery time. RSBT may be a less invasive alternative to intracavitary and supplementary interstitial BT for the treatment of cervical cancertumors, supported in part by NSF grants CCF‐0830402 and CCF‐0844765, the NIH grant K25‐CA123112.
Fangirls as teachers: examining pedagogic discourse in an online fan site

Videogames, such as The Sims, are a digital media passion drawing adolescents to online spaces where they create and share content. This article explores how discourses and expectations are taught in one online, videogame-related fan site of adolescents who read and write Sims fan fiction. Using Bernstein's pedagogic discourse theory, data from a 2-year virtual ethnography are analyzed to study pedagogic interactions between moderators and members within The Sims Writers' Hangout, an online discussion forum. Findings point to the dominance of regulative discourse and how discourses relocated from other media sites serve as pedagogic discourse in this informal digital literacy learning space. This article contributes to our understanding of digital literacy and learning in online environments by focusing on the pedagogy used to teach expectations. The analysis also points to the utility of Bernstein's theory for studying informal online learning.
Understanding complex coacervation in serum albumin and pectin mixtures using a combination of the Boltzmann equation and Monte Carlo simulation

A combination of turbidimetric titration, a sigmoidal Boltzmann equation approach and Monte Carlo simulation has been used to study the complex coacervation in serum albumin and pectin mixtures. The effects of the mass ratio of protein to polysaccharide on the critical pH values, the probability of complex coacervation and the electrostatic interaction from charge patches in serum albumin were investigated. Turbidimetric titration results showed an optimum pH for complex coacervation (pHm), which corresponded to the maximum turbidity in the protein/polysaccharide mixture. The pHm monotonically decreased as the ratio decreased, and could be fitted using the sigmoidal Boltzmann equation. It suggests that pHm could be a good ordering parameter to characterize the phase behavior associated with protein/polysaccharide complex coacervation. Qualitative understanding of pHm by taking into account the minimization of electrostatic interaction, as well as quantitative matching of pHm according to the concept of charge neutralization were both achieved. Our results suggest that the serum albumin/pectin complexes were ultimately neutralized by the partial charges originated from the titratable residues in protein and polysaccharide chains at pHm. The Monte Carlo simulation provided consistent phase boundaries for complex coacervation in the same system, and the intermolecular association strength was determined to be several kBT below the given ionic strength. The strongest binding site in the protein is convergent to the largest positive charge patch if pure electrostatic interaction was considered. Further inclusion of contribution from excluded volume resulted in the binding site distribution over five different positive charge patches at different protein/polysaccharide ratios and pH values.
Isolation and characterization of a protease from Pseudomonas fluorescens RO98.

Pseudomonas fluorescens RO98, a raw milk isolate, was inoculated into McKellar's minimal salts medium and incubated at 25 °C for 48 h to allow production of protease. A zinc-metalloacid protease was purified from the cell-free concentrate by anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The purified protease was active between 15 and 55 °C, and pH 4·5 and 9·0, and was stable to pasteurization. The enzyme had pH and temperature optima for activity of 5·0 and 35 °C, respectively. It was heat stable with a D55 of 41 min and a D62·5 of 18 h. Molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 52 kDa by SDS PAGE and size exclusion chromatography. Values for kM of 144·28, 18·73, 110·20 and 35·23 µmol were obtained for whole, α-, β- and κ-casein, with a Vmax of 8·26, 0·09, 0·42 and 0·70 µmol mg−1 min−1, respectively. The enzyme hydrolysed κ-casein preferentially when incubated with artificial casein micelles.
Perspective: Obesity is not a disease

The misguided urge to pathologize this condition reflects society's failure to come to terms with the need for prevention, says D. L. Katz.
Mixture of Bivariate Exponential Distributions

The exponential distribution is one of the most used type of distribution because of its importance in many lifetime applications and its properties. So is its bivariate form. Simply used, there can be limitations specially for the heterogeneous type population. Its mixture form adds a lot of characters and desirable properties. We propose a mixture of bivariate exponential distribution, study properties of the associated parameters and predict the elements of the mixture. We include the presence of covariate information through a linear relationship, capturing the now famous idea by Marshall and Olkin.
Styrene popcorn polymers

A study of the growth of butadiene popcorn polymer seeds in the presence of styrene monomer vapor at 60° has shown the growth to be logarithmic with time. The growth appears to be independent of the peroxide content of the seeds and can be retarded by the presence of various sulfur containing compound. Oxidation of the butadiene seeds grown in styrene by air exposure destroys their activity for continued growth.
A characterization of compact perturbations of Toeplitz operators

Let X be a bounded operator on the Hardy space H 2 of the unit circle. It has been a longstanding problem to determine whether the condition that T u XT u ― X is compact for every inner function u implies that X is a compact perturbation of a Toeplitz operator. We show that the answer is affirmative.
Pyrosequencing reveals unique microbial signatures associated with healthy and failing dental implants.

Aim Although it is established that peri-implantitis is a bacterially induced disease, little is known about the bacterial profile of peri-implant communities in health and disease. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the microbial signatures of the peri-implant microbiome in health and disease.
Aromatization of androgens by human breast cancer

Abstract The metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone by human mammary tumor was investigated. Estrogen synthes is from dehydroepiandrosterone was observed in 9 of 10 estrogen-receptor-negative tumors and only in 2 of 8 receptor-positive tumors (p
Modern pollen spectra from the highlands of the Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic

Abstract We studied pollen, spores, and pine stomata in surface pond and bog sediments and surface soils to characterize modern pollen deposition in highland plant communities of the Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic. We collected our samples at 47 sites representing a range of elevations (1200–3000 m) and cover types on both the windward and leeward flanks of the cordillera. Pollen from the endemic West Indian pine dominated surface spectra in nearly all forested sites, as well as in most grasslands. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) revealed that the modern pollen spectra of forested uplands and open wetland sites are clearly distinct, while other site types that are intermediate in terms of vegetation are also intermediate in terms of modern pollen spectra. The DCA also separated windward from leeward sites based mainly on higher pollen percentages of broadleaf trees and shrubs in the windward sites. A lack of pine stomata was an excellent indicator of treelessness in grassland sites. This clear distinction between treeless and forested sites may be useful in interpreting highland fossil records that date to the last glacial period.
Curcumin Attenuates Opioid Tolerance and Dependence by Inhibiting Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II α Activity

Chronic use of opioid analgesics has been hindered by the development of opioid addiction and tolerance. We have reported that curcumin, a natural flavonoid from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, attenuated opioid tolerance, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that curcumin may inhibit Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II α (CaMKIIα), a protein kinase that has been previously proposed to be critical for opioid tolerance and dependence. In this study, we used state-of-the-art polymeric formulation technology to produce poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-curcumin nanoparticles (nanocurcumin) to overcome the drug’s poor solubility and bioavailability, which has made it extremely difficult for studying in vivo pharmacological actions of curcumin. We found that PLGA-curcumin nanoparticles reduced the dose requirement by 11- to 33-fold. Pretreatment with PLGA-curcumin (by mouth) prevented the development of opioid tolerance and dependence in a dose-dependent manner, with ED50 values of 3.9 and 3.2 mg/kg, respectively. PLGA-curcumin dose-dependently attenuated already-established opioid tolerance (ED50 = 12.6 mg/kg p.o.) and dependence (ED50 = 3.1 mg/kg p.o.). Curcumin or PLGA-curcumin did not produce antinociception by itself or affect morphine (1–10 mg/kg) antinociception. Moreover, we found that the behavioral effects of curcumin on opioid tolerance and dependence correlated with its inhibition of morphine-induced CaMKIIα activation in the brain. These results suggest that curcumin may attenuate opioid tolerance and dependence by suppressing CaMKIIα activity.
Optimization of a D-CHP System Based on Monthly Power-to-Heat Ratio

In this paper, a combined heat and power (CHP) system utilizing two power generation units operating simultaneously with differing operational strategies (D-CHP) is analyzed on the basis of operational cost savings. An operating cost optimization metric, based on the facility monthly power-to-heat-ratio (PHR), is presented. The PHR is defined as the ratio between the electric load and the thermal load required by the facility. Previous work in this field has suggested that D-CHP system performance may be improved by limiting operation of the system to months in which the PHR is relatively low. The focus of this paper is to illustrate how the facility PHR can be used to determine the potential of a D-CHP system to reduce operational cost. This paper analyzed the relationship between the PHR and the operational cost savings of six different benchmark buildings, including buildings that are traditionally poor candidates for CHP or D-CHP systems, due to high cost of operation as compared with conventional systems with separate heating and power (SHP). Achieving operational costs savings through optimal operation based on monthly PHR for these building types can enhance the practical implementation potential of D-CHP and CHP systems.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Mutations in Bacchus reveal a tyramine-dependent nuclear regulator for acute ethanol sensitivity in Drosophila

Fruit flies and humans display remarkably similar behavioral responses to ethanol intoxication. Here we report that loss-of-function mutations in the CG9894 gene (now named Bacchus or Bacc) attenuate ethanol sensitivity in flies. Bacc encodes a broadly expressed nuclear protein with a motif similar to ribosomal RNA-binding domains. The ethanol-related activity of Bacc was mapped to Tdc2-GAL4 neurons. Genetic and pharmacological analyses suggest that ethanol resistance of Bacc mutants is caused by increased tyramine β-hydroxylase (tβh) activity that results in excessive conversion of tyramine (TA) to octopmaine (OA). Thus, tβh and its negative regulator Bacc define a novel biogenic amine-mediated signaling pathway that regulates fly ethanol sensitivity. Importantly, elevated tbh activity has been shown to promote fighting behavior, raising the possibility that the Bacc/tbh pathway may regulate complex traits in addition to acute ethanol response.
Technology development with an agenda: interventions to emphasize values in design

Researchers have begun exploring techniques to promote social values within the technology design process. Increasingly, such projects include interventions: action research that inserts social scientists into design to promote values of interest. This article evaluates interventions to promote privacy and anti-surveillance values in a ubiquitous computing laboratory. Data from two years of participant observation suggest how interventions by outside social scientists, mentors and colleagues, clients and research subjects, and institutional authorities increase designers' ability to foreground, react to, and incorporate privacy and anti-surveillance ethics into design. The article also suggests criteria by which social science researchers can evaluate the success of a values in design intervention, including 1) moving the values advocate from outsider to insider; 2) changing the topic of conversation; 3) making values considerations a positive, rather than negative, part of design work; and 4) materializing new values in resulting technologies. Though the project features a difficult-to-replicate blend of personalities and situations, analysis of the structures that enabled successful interventions can be useful to researchers concerned with values in design.
Robust sensory gating in the cortical visual evoked potential using two spatially separated stimuli.

Abstract Objective Sensory gating has been reported to be either absent or weak in the cortical visual evoked potential (VEP) response to diffuse or spatially overlapping stimuli. In this study, the authors evaluated sensory gating to two spatially separated visual stimuli. Methods Spatially separated stimuli were presented either singly or in combination at the same or different onset times and the VEP recorded at either Oz, or O1 and O2, referenced to Cz. Results When one visual stimulus is flashed on, the VEP response to another non-overlapping stimulus is almost completely suppressed. Conclusions The VEP does not reflect the bulk activation of retinotopically organized visual cortex, but rather it primarily reflects a distributed mode of visual cortical activity that only indicates that at least one visual stimulus was presented, and not how many or in what order. Significance Other studies performing intracortical recordings of the local field potential (LFP) in visual cortex have identified a slow-distributed component that exhibits the same nonlinearity found here in the VEP, suggesting that these two phenomena are related.
Phospholipid interactions with cytochrome P-450 in reconstituted vesicles Preference for negatively-charged phosphatidic acid

Abstract Cytochrome P-450 LM2 was reconstituted by the cholate-dialysis method into vesicles containing a mixture of either phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine with up to 50 mol% of phosphatidic acid. Phase transition curves in the presence or absence of cytochrome P-450 were obtained from electron paramagnetic resonance experiments by measuring the partitioning of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl. Protein-free phospholipid vesicles exhibit a phase separation into domains of gel phase enriched in phosphatidic acid in a surrounding fluid matrix containing mainly phosphatidylcholine. The phase transition of the phosphatidic acid domains disappeared following incorporation of cytochrome P-450 into the bilayers. In contrast, in vesicles containing mixtures of egg-phosphatidic acid and dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine, the phase transition of the domains enriched in dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine was less sharp than in the corresponding vesicles containing cytochrome P-450 . The results of both of these experiments could be explained by a redistribution of the mol fraction of the two phospholipids in the gel phase due to preferential binding of the egg-phosphatidic acid to the cytochrome P-450 . For comparison, incorporation of cytochrome P-450 into uncharged vesicles of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine and egg-phosphatidylethanolamine did not alter the
Modified Constraint-Induced Therapy: A Promising Restorative Outpatient Therapy

AbstractBackground and Purpose: Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and upper limb hemiparesis is a primary impairment resulting in this disability. However, there remains a paucity of scientifically validated treatment regimens for hemiparesis. Data from randomized controlled studies suggest the effectiveness and efficacy of modified constraint-induced therapy (mCIT), a reimbursable, outpatient, upper limb training regimen. The purpose of this article is to review evidence and discuss the theoretical bases of mCIT for stroke-induced hemiparesis. The objective is to make stroke practitioners aware of the mCIT theoretical bases and of this clinically practical, efficacious protocol. Conclusions: mCIT is solidly grounded in motor learning principles, is practical and safe, and is both efficacious and effective. mCIT studies have shown efficacy using rigorous randomized controlled methods in both subacute and chronic stroke and have shown high effect sizes that have been independe...
Identification of amino acid residues and protein kinases involved in the regulation of NFATc subcellular localization.

The subcellular localization of the transcription factor NFATc is tightly regulated by the calcium-regulated phosphatase calcineurin, which acts to directly dephosphorylate NFATc, causing its rapid translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. The calcineurin-mediated nuclear localization of NFATc is opposed by poorly defined protein kinases that act either to directly antagonize nuclear import or, alternatively, to promote nuclear export. Here, we provide evidence that the cellular protein kinases JNK, ERK, p38, and CK2 (formerly casein kinase II) are involved in the regulation of NFATc subcellular localization. We show that JNK, ERK, and p38 physically associate with the NFATc N-terminal regulatory domain and can directly phosphorylate functionally important residues involved in regulating NFATc subcellular localization, namely Ser172 and the conserved NFATc Ser-Pro repeats. Moreover, we found that overexpression of JNK, ERK, or p38 is able to block ionomycin-induced NFATc nuclear translocation, whereas treatment of cells with both PD98059 and SB202190, which inhibit MAPK/SAPK signaling pathways, is sufficient to trigger NFATc nuclear localization. Finally, we show that CK2 also binds the N terminus of NFATc and phosphorylates functionally important amino acid residues, including a conserved amino acid motif located downstream of each of the NFATc Ser-Pro repeats that appears to be important for regulating NFATc nuclear export. Collectively, these studies identify functionally important amino acid residues and protein kinases involved in the regulation of NFATc subcellular localization.
Immunoparasitology in Avian Species

There has been no work on the immunological response of birds to helminth infections since the late 1960s, an area of investigation that has been too long ignored. Similarly, studies of arthropod-mediated responses in birds are lacking except for a few scattered investigations. Recently, a serum antibody response has been seen against one arthropod, the northern fowl mite. The appearance of antibodies recognizing an 8–10 kilodalton mite antigen seems to correlate with a reduction in the mite population on infested chickens. Most of the studies on parasite immunity in avian species have centered on the economically important Eimeria species, protozoan parasites that infect the intestine of chickens and turkeys. These investigations encompass wide areas of interest including the effect of immunity on parasite invasion, development of T-cell proliferation assays and T-cell clones, inhibition of parasite penetration and development by hybridoma antibody treatment, production of genetically engineered Eimeria antigens used in bird immunization studies, and studies using inbred or congenic lines of birds to determine what effect the major histocompatibility complex has on parasite immunity. From these efforts it has been learned that not only is the immunity species-specific, but also depending on where in the intestine the parasite invades, penetration is either not affected or inhibited by as much as 50%. The T-cell proliferation assays suggest that this specificity may be due to a species-specific T-cell response. Immunization studies using a genetically engineered antigen have indicated that at least partial protection against one species of Eimeria is possible. Studies done with the inbred congenic lines of birds have shown that the genetic makeup of the bird is important in how it responds to either a natural infection or to immunization with a genetically engineered antigen. Clearly, these results show not only the complexity of the bird response to parasite infection, but also the amount of work still undone.
Effects of respired polyvinylpyrrolidone aerosols in rats

Abstract Two studies were conducted in which Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to polyvinylpyrrolidone concentrations of 118 and 146 mg/m 3 . In both studies the particle size was controlled so that 99% of the particles were between 0.5 and 4 μ. The periodic acid-Schiff and congo red stains were used, and these became positive 4 months after termination of exposure. The lungs were analyzed chemically for polyvinylpyrrolidone and the concentrations found correlated well with the histologic appearance.
A meiotic uv-sensitive mutant that causes deletion of duplications in neurospora.

The meiotic-3 (mei-3) mutant of Neurospora crassa has several effects: (1) When homozygous, it almost completely blocks meiosis and ascospore formation, (2) it is sensitive to UV, (3) its growth is inhibited by histidine and, (4) it increases the instability of nontandem duplications. This was shown for duplications produced by five different rearrangements and was demonstrated by two different criteria. The effects on meiosis and duplication instability are expressed strongly at 25°; the effects on sensitivity to UV and to histidine are expressed strongly at 38.5° but only slightly at 25°. Nevertheless, all four effects were shown to be due to a single gene. mei-3 is not allelic with previously reported UV-sensitive mutants.—Two other results were obtained that are not necessarily due to mei-3: (1) A cross involving mei-3 produced a new unlinked meiotic mutant, mei-4, which is not sensitive to UV or histidine, and (2) a burst of several new mutants occurred in a different mei-3 stock, including a partial revertant of mei-3.—mei-3 has previously been shown to cause frequent complete loss of a terminal duplicate segment, beginning exactly at the original rearrangement breakpoint. Possible mechanisms are discussed by which a UV-sensitive mutant could cause such precise deletions.
Medical student evaluation of teaching quality between obstetrics and gynecology residents and faculty as clinical preceptors in ambulatory gynecology.

Objective This study was undertaken to compare teaching quality between obstetrics/gynecology resident and faculty preceptors in ambulatory gynecology as determined by medical student evaluation. Study design A prospective assessment of medical student evaluations of resident and faculty preceptors in ambulatory gynecology was conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Forty-eight third-year medical students evaluated preceptors on 15 teaching quality items and recorded their clinical experience during their obstetrics/gynecology clerkship from July 2004 to June 2005 for a total of 138 evaluations. Results Faculty scores were statistically higher than resident scores on 4 of the 15 teaching quality items; acting as an appropriate clinical role model, emphasizing evidence-based learning, being enthusiastic about teaching and patient care (P Conclusion Residents and faculty contribute important and different aspects of teaching experiences for medical students in ambulatory gynecology.
Link Estimation and Routing in Sensor Network Backbones: Beacon-Based or Data-Driven?

In the context of IEEE 802.11b network testbeds, we examine the differences between unicast and broadcast link properties, and we show the inherent difficulties in precisely estimating unicast link properties via those of broadcast beacons even if we make the length and transmission rate of beacons be the same as those of data packets. To circumvent the difficulties in link estimation, we propose to estimate unicast link properties directly via data traffic itself without using periodic beacons. To this end, we design a data-driven routing protocol Learn-on-the-Fly (LOF). LOF chooses routes based on ETX/ETT-type metrics, but the metrics are estimated via MAC feedback for unicast data transmission instead of broadcast beacons. Using a realistic sensor network traffic trace and an 802.11b testbed of ~195 Stargates, we experimentally compare the performance of LOF with that of beacon-based protocols, represented by the geography-unaware ETX and the geography-based PRD. We find that LOF reduces end-to-end MAC latency by a factor of 3, enhances energy efficiency by a factor up to 2.37, and improves network throughput by a factor up to 7.78, which demonstrate the feasibility and the potential benefits of data-driven link estimation and routing.
Infrared Spectroscopy of Interstellar Molecules

Infrared spectroscopy of molecules in regions of star formation holds the greatest potential for probing the high excitation gas adjacent to protostars and the shock fronts generated as a result of star formation activity. The current observational data at λ = 2 — 300 µm are reviewed and methods for analysis are developed. Future studies which will become possible with spectrometers in space are briefly discussed.
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor protects against high-fat diet-induced obesity

Obesity is a growing epidemic with limited effective treatments. The neurotrophic factor glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was recently shown to enhance β-cell mass and improve glu...
Differences between families in the amount of salivary H substances

Schiff & Sasaki (1932) demonstrated that the secretion of the blood group substances in the saliva was inherited as if due to a single gene Xe, with the homozygous recessive individuals, sese, being non-secretors. This hypothesis has been verified since that time by several investigators and is now generally accepted. Even though it is quite certain that the secretor trait is dominant over the non-secretor, little experimental evidence has been advanced with respect to the inheritance of the amount of substance secreted and the possible effect of the blood-group genes on the substance secreted. McNeil, Trentelman, Kuntzer & Fuller (1957) showed that certain A individuals secrete only the A substance and not the H, and likewise some B secrete only the B substance without H. Our experiments (Plat0 & Gershowitz, 1961) demonstrated that the H substance is secreted in much higher titre in 0 group individuals than in individuals of the three other ABO groups. The A,group secrete less H than the 0, but considerably more than the A1. The B group secrete little H substance and the AB the least. We also advanced the possibility that at least two different types of H substance, with differences in specificities, are present in the saliva. With the above results at hand, the present study was undertaken with the objectives: (1) to determine whether quantitative differences in the secretion of H substance are genetically determined, and (2) to investigate the role of the ABO genes with respect to the type of substances to be secreted in the saliva. Materials. Two types of anti-H materials were used. One was extracted from the seeds of Ulex europaeus (anti-H,) and the other from the seed of Cytisus sessilifolius (anti-H,). The method of extraction and the specific differences between these two lectins were described in our previous report (1961). Data. Twenty-seven sibships (with ninety-eight sibs) were selected. All parents were blood group 0 and have had at least two secretor children. Sixteen of these families involved secretor x secretor matings and eleven secretor x non-secretor. A second sample of ten families was selected in which one of the parents was group B and the other group 0, each family having produced one or more secretor children of each of the parental groups. The non-secretor sibs were excluded from the analyses of variance in all families. The selection of families in which one parent was B was based on the fact that persons of I3 blood group secrete only small quantities of H substance and persons of 0 blood group secrete large quantities of H substance. These differences make the detection of fluctuations more reliable.
Traction forces and rigidity sensing of adherent cells

This article is a concise review of our efforts in understanding the biological functions of traction forces, particularly in relation to the detection of rigidity of adhesive materials by fibroblasts.
Stacking textures and singularities in bilayer graphene

We study a family of globally smooth, spatially varying, two-dimensional stacking textures in bilayer graphene. We find that the strain-minimizing stacking patterns connecting inequivalent ground states with local $AB$ and $BA$ interlayer registries are two-dimensional twisted textures of an interlayer displacement field. We construct and display these topological stacking textures for bilayer graphene, examine their interactions, and develop the composition rules that allow us to represent other more complex stacking textures, including globally twisted graphenes and extended one-dimensional domain walls.
Relative Completions of Linear Groups Over Coordinate Rings of Curves

We compute the completion of the special linear group over the coordinate ring A of a curve over a number field k relative to its representation in SL n (A/&#x1d52a;), for &#x1d52a; a maximal ideal.
Improving the efficiency of emission tomography simulations using variance reduction techniques

The development for public distribution of a general-purpose code, SIMSET, for the modeling of positron-emission and single-photon-emission tomographs (PET and SPECT) is discussed. An important part of the SIMSET project is the development of methods for efficient photon simulation which can handle heterogeneous distributions of activity and attenuation. For both positron and single-photon tomographs, the solid angle of acceptance of the detector array is small, due to collimation and to the size of the detector array itself. This results in significant computational inefficiencies with conventional Monte Carlo simulation, because only a few percent of the photons generated and tracked will actually be detected. A similar kind of problem arises in radiation shielding calculations, where the flux through the shield, although significant, may correspond to only a tiny fraction of the initial emitted photons. To improve the efficiency problem of simulations, some techniques from the radiation shielding literature have been adapted to increase the yield of detected photons. >
Batch Tuning Strategies for Statistical Machine Translation

There has been a proliferation of recent work on SMT tuning algorithms capable of handling larger feature sets than the traditional MERT approach. We analyze a number of these algorithms in terms of their sentence-level loss functions, which motivates several new approaches, including a Structured SVM. We perform empirical comparisons of eight different tuning strategies, including MERT, in a variety of settings. Among other results, we find that a simple and efficient batch version of MIRA performs at least as well as training online, and consistently outperforms other options.
Mapping Invasive Tamarisk (Tamarix): A Comparison of Single-Scene and Time-Series Analyses of Remotely Sensed Data

In this study, we tested the Maximum Entropy model (Maxent) for its application and performance in remotely sensing invasive Tamarix sp. Six Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite scenes and a suite of vegetation indices at different times of the growing season were selected for our study area along the Arkansas River in Colorado. Satellite scenes were selected for April, May, June, August, September, and October and tested in single-scene and time-series analyses. The best model was a time-series analysis fit with all spectral variables, which had an AUC = 0.96, overall accuracy = 0.90, and Kappa = 0.79. The top predictor variables were June tasselled cap wetness, September tasselled cap wetness, and October band 3. A second time-series analysis, where the variables that were highly correlated and demonstrated low predictive strengths were removed, was the second best model. The third best model was the October single-scene analysis. Our results may prove to be an effective approach for mapping Tamarix sp., which has been a challenge for resource managers. Of equal importance is the positive performance of the Maxent model in handling remotely sensed datasets.
Changes in Mushroom Texture and Cell Wall Composition Affected by Thermal Processing

: The effects of thermal processing, calcium, and storage time on texture and cell wall composition of mushrooms were investigated. Whole fruit-bodies were blanched and retorted with addition of 0, 5, or 25 mMCaCl2. Firmness was determined as force for puncturing and toughness as shear force. Alcohol-insoluble fractions were extracted from fresh, blanched, and processed mushrooms. Proteins, carbohydrates, and chitin were analyzed in sequential extracts of alcohol-insoluble solids. Blanching caused an increase in force for puncturing but reduced force for shear. Further retorting did not affect texture, but toughness increased during storage. Calcium increased values for both textural characteristics possibly due to formation of cross-links between proteins and polysaccha-rides.
Analysis of a Cylindrical Microstrip Antenna Fed By a Microstrip Line

A cylindrical microstrip antenna fed by a microstrip line is discussed. A problem has been solved by the moment method in the spatial domain using a relatively new representation of a spatial Green's function. For excitation a unit voltage source has been incorporated with the microstrip line. The current on the patch and the far field have been calculated. The input impedance has been extracted from the standing wave pattern on the microstrip line.
Neurostereology protocol for unbiased quantification of neuronal injury and neurodegeneration

Neuronal injury and neurodegeneration are the hallmark pathologies in a variety of neurological conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Quantification of absolute neuron and interneuron counts in various brain regions is essential to understand the impact of neurological insults or neurodegenerative disease progression in animal models. However, conventional qualitative scoring-based protocols are superficial and less reliable for use in studies of neuroprotection evaluations. Here, we describe an optimized stereology protocol for quantification of neuronal injury and neurodegeneration by unbiased counting of neurons and interneurons. Every 20th section in each series of 20 sections was processed for NeuN(+) total neuron and parvalbumin(+) interneuron immunostaining. The sections that contain the hippocampus were then delineated into five reliably predefined subregions. Each region was separately analyzed with a microscope driven by the stereology software. Regional tissue volume was determined by using the Cavalieri estimator, as well as cell density and cell number were determined by using the optical disector and optical fractionator. This protocol yielded an estimate of 1.5 million total neurons and 0.05 million PV(+) interneurons within the rat hippocampus. The protocol has greater predictive power for absolute counts as it is based on 3D features rather than 2D images. The total neuron counts were consistent with literature values from sophisticated systems, which are more expensive than our stereology system. This unbiased stereology protocol allows for sensitive, medium-throughput counting of total neurons in any brain region, and thus provides a quantitative tool for studies of neuronal injury and neurodegeneration in a variety of acute brain injury and chronic neurological models.
Women Like Being Valued for Sex, as Long as it is by a Committed Partner

How do women respond to being valued for sex by their partners? Although research supporting objectification theory suggests that women’s reactions to sexual valuation are primarily negative, a separate body of research indicates that women expend significant effort to enhance their sexual appeal. Evolutionary perspectives suggest that whether women are more or less satisfied with partners who value them for sex may depend on how committed those partners are. Being sexually valued by a relatively uncommitted partner may violate women’s desire to avoid short-term sexual relationships and thus may be negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. In contrast, being sexually valued by a highly committed partner may positively influence women’s relationship satisfaction because it signals to them that they have successfully attracted a long-term relationship partner. Two studies of newly married couples supported these predictions. In Study 1 (N = 109), husbands’ sexual valuation was positively associated with marital satisfaction among wives who perceived that those husbands were highly committed, but negatively associated with marital satisfaction among wives who perceived that those husbands were relatively less committed. Study 2 (N = 99) revealed the same pattern for wives (but not husbands) using a likely manifestation of sexual valuation—engaging in frequent sex. These findings join others to demonstrate that interpersonal processes do not have universally positive or negative implications for relationships; rather, their implications depend on the context in which they occur, including contexts that were reproductively beneficial or costly throughout evolutionary history.
The new Landsat 8 potential for remote sensing of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM)

Due to a combination of factors, such as a new coastal/aerosol band and improved radiometric sensitivity of the Operational Land Imager aboard Landsat 8, the atmospherically-corrected Surface Reflectance product for Landsat data, and the growing availability of corrected fDOM data from U.S. Geological Survey gaging stations, moderate-resolution remote sensing of fDOM may now be achievable. This paper explores the background of previous efforts and shows preliminary examples of the remote sensing and data relationships between corrected fDOM and Landsat 8 reflectance values. Although preliminary results before and after Hurricane Sandy are encouraging, more research is needed to explore the full potential of Landsat 8 to continuously map fDOM in a number of water profiles.
Constructing Mail Survey Questionnaires to Maximize Rates of Return and Assure the Validity and Reliability of Responses

OBJECTIVES: Because the results generated by Shane P. Desselle, R.Ph., Ph.D. from mail survey questionnaires can be a rich source of information for practitioners, administrators, marketers, and policy-makers, the researcher must have confidence in the validity and reliability of the estimates obtained. Following simple tenets of survey questionnaire construction can help prevent spurious results. After completing this continuing education program, participants will be able to: 1) Identify methods of increasing the likelihood of a higher rate of return for mail surveys. 2) Discuss the importance of a properly written cover letter. 3) Describe the components of a properly written cover letter. 4) Design survey questions to collect demographic, personal, and practice- related data. 5) Identify some potential pitfalls when constructing attitude scales. 6) Construct items comprising a summated ratings scale.
Pulmonary effects of sulfur dioxide exposure in the Syrian hamster. I. Combined with viral respiratory disease.

In order to elucidate the role of sulfur dioxide (S02) on the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive lung disease, Syrian hamsters with experimentally produced emphysema were exposed chronically to high concentrations of S02 (650 ppm)m This produced a mild bronchitic lesion with relatively minor changes in the mechanical properties of the lung.
Algorithms in the diagnosis and management of exotic diseases. XV. Leprosy.

Leprosy is a chronic bacterial infection of man that is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Skin and peripheral nerves are primarily involved, but other tissues, especially the eyes, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, muscle, and testes, may be affected [1]. The clinical pattern varies depending upon the reaction of the host to the organism. An individual patient may be anywhere on a spectrum between the two polar types of leprosy, lepromatous and tuberculoid. Lepromatous leprosy is characterized by enormous bacterial growth concomitant with gross impairment of cell-mediated immunity, whereas patients with tuberculoid leprosy have an intense lymphocytic reaction and organisms can be found only rarely [2]. The immunological and clinical status is not necessarily static since patients may move toward either pole during a period of time. It is estimated that there are 15 million patients with leprosy throughout the world. The infection is most prevalent in Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and parts of South America. A prevalence of more than five affected persons per 1,000 population is common in endemic areas, and the highest levels are seen in tropical Africa where 20-50 persons in every 1,000 may be afflicted. In the United States, 100-150 new cases are reported every year; most of these cases are imported, particularly by Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, and immigrants from Asia. Autochthonous infections are especially found in California, Texas, and Hawaii [3].
1: COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF SELECTIVE AND NON-SELECTIVE COX-2 INHIBITORS ON LIPID ACCUMULATION IN HUMAN MACROPHAGES

Purpose of Study It is the second decade of controversy regarding the cardiovascular (CV) effects of cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. COX-2 inhibitors possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects comparable with conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but produce fewer gastrointestinal adverse effects. Here we demonstrate that only selective COX-2 inhibitors cause disruption of the delicate balance between cholesterol efflux and influx that leads to lipid overload and macrophage foam cell formation (FCF). Methods Used THP-1 human macrophages were incubated with: celecoxib (10 µM, 25 µM); rofecoxib (10 µM, 25 µM); naproxen (10 µM, 25 µM); acetaminophen (0.5 mM, 1 mM)±oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL, 25 µg/ml, 48 h) or 5 µg/ml (Dil)-oxLDL. FCF (% oil red O stained cells) and oxLDL accumulation were determined (fluorescent intensity). Scavenger receptors: CD36, LOX-1, SR-A1 and CXCL16 and cholesterol efflux proteins: ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC) A1 and ABCG1 were detected in macrophages by QRT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. Summary of Results Celecoxib decreased ABCA1 and ABCG1 message in a concentration dependent manner: 68.2±13.36% for ABCA1 and 65.7±13.36% for ABCG1 (control set at 100%, n=6, P Conclusions Here we report that only specific COX-2 inhibitors might contribute to atherogenesis by promoting lipid overload and lipoprotein accumulation. This may explain, in part, the increased CV risk in patients taking COX-2 inhibitors for extended periods. Despite increased scavenger receptor expression, naproxen and acetaminophen do not impact lipid content, perhaps because efflux pathways remain intact.
Evidence that activation of Kupffer cells results in production of L-arginine metabolites that release cell-associated iron and inhibit hepatocyte protein synthesis.

Le metabolisme de la L-arginine est necessaire pour l'inhibition de la synthese des proteines et la liberation de fer et les produits finaux du metabolisme de la L-arginine n'exercent pas d'activite cytostatique ou cytotoxique a l'egard des hepatocytes
Echocardiographic evaluation of female centrifuge subjects for chronic changes in cardiac function.

Background: High sustained G exposure as experienced in flying high performance aircraft can affect cardiac function. Numerous studies, mostly on male pilots, have evaluated the chronic effects of exposure to high G. To date, none of these studies has revealed significant positive findings in cardiac function as a result of long-term high G exposure. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted on six female centrifuge panel members who did not have a history of significant high +Gz exposure. Baseline echocardiographic studies were conducted prior to any +Gz exposure on the Dynamic Environment Simulator (DES) centrifuge. The echocardiograms were repeated after each panel member completed approximately 100 3-min high G (up to 9 G) exposures over the period of 7 mo. These follow-up echos were performed after all six subjects had been exposed to at least 6 h (cumulative) of sustained acceleration > 3 G. The women were protected with the COMBAT EDGE positive pressure breathing G protection ensemble. Each subject served as her own control. All studies were evaluated independently by a cardiologist who was blinded to the order in which the echos were performed. Although complete echocardiographic studies were performed, only the parameters identified as significant in prior studies were evaluated. Results: No significant differences were found between the initial and follow-up echo parameters. Conclusions: We found no significant differences in cardiac function after at least 6 and up to 17 h (cumulative) of exposure to G > 3 in women. These subjects will be monitored during a longitudinal study throughout their centrifuge subject career.