cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The fine structure of a nanoflare-heated corona

Implications of the conjecture that the solar corona is heated by small-scale events (nanoflares) are examined. It is shown that even if these nanoflares are small-scale (heating areas much smaller than 1 arc sec2) and impulsive, the corona may still be rather homogeneous. In particular, the filling factor (defined as the ratio of the coronal volume radiating in X-rays and EUV to the total volume) can easily be of order unity. Future experimental determination of the filling factor could prove useful in estimating the volume of coronal material that is heated during nanoflares.
Aced Out: Censorship of Qualitative Research in the Age of "Scientifically Based Research".

In this manuscript, we examine three layers of censorship related to the publication of qualitative research studies: (a) the global level of federal legislation and the definition of the “gold sta...
Physiological Effects of CNTF-Induced Wasting

The authors have shown previously that in addition to its survival effects on neurons and glia, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) induced potent cachectic effects and acute phase proteins when present in the peripheral circulation at concentrations of < or = 10 ng/ml. These effects did not depend upon the induction of other cytokine family members. Described here are the specific physiological effects which systemic administration of CNTF can induce in somatic tissue. Mice implanted with C6 glioma cells, genetically modified to secrete CNTF, exhibited rapid catabolism of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, depressed steady-state levels of glucose and triglycerides, elevations in red blood cell content, gall bladder hypertrophy and thymic atrophy, with a disproportionate loss of CD4+/CD8+ T cells. This cachectic wasting resulted in death over a period of 7-10 days. Implantation of the parental C6 line, or C6 cells which express a non-secreted form of CNTF, did not result in overt effects over this time period. These findings have implications both for the biology of CNTF family members, and the therapeutic use of factors such as CNTF in vivo.
Transfer learning and active transfer learning for reducing calibration data in single-trial classification of visually-evoked potentials

Single-trial Event-Related Potential (ERP) classification is a key requirement for several types of Brain-Computer Interaction (BCI) technologies. However, strong individual differences make it challenging to develop a generic single-trial ERP classifier that performs well for all subjects. Usually some subject-specific training samples need to be collected in an initial calibration session to customize the classifier. However, if implemented into an actual BCI system, then this calibration process would decrease the utility of the system, potentially decreasing its usability. In this paper we propose a Transfer Learning approach for reducing the amount of subject-specific data in online single-trial ERP classifier calibration, and an Active Transfer Learning approach for offline calibration. By applying these approaches to data from a Visually-Evoked Potential EEG experiment, we demonstrate that they improve the classification performance, given the same number of labeled subject-specific training samples. In other words, these approaches can also attain a desired level of classification accuracy with less labeling effort when compared to a randomly selected training set.
Genital findings in prepubertal girls evaluated for sexual abuse. A different perspective on hymenal measurements.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the usefulness of the horizontal transhymenal diameter as a screening parameter to differentiate between prepubertal girls with and without other definitive signs of sexual abuse. DESIGN Case comparison study using transhymenal measurements as a diagnostic screening test referenced against prior publications of criterion standards. SETTING A primary care (family practice) clinic in association with an academic program in northern California. PATIENTS A consecutive, referred sample of 1058 prepubertal girls aged 6 months to 10 years who were examined as allegedly having been sexually molested between 1987 and 1994. RESULTS Girls with no definitive signs of genital trauma exhibited a mean transhymenal diameter of 2.3 mm and in general showed an increase of approximately 1 mm per year of age. Girls with definitive signs of genital trauma exhibited a mean transhymenal diameter of 9.0 mm and no significant variance with age. Correcting for age differences, the transhymenal diameter was highly significant as a differentiating factor (F = 1079, P < .001). When compared against the criterion standard, the transhymenal measurement is 99% specific and 79% sensitive as a screening tool. CONCLUSION Although not independently diagnostic of sexual molestation, the transhymenal diameter, when compared against the criterion standard for age, is a useful screening parameter for primary care physicians evaluating children of potential sexual abuse.
Global Variation in the Frequencies of Functionally Different catechol-O-methyltransferase Alleles

Abstract Background: Catechol- O -methyltransferase (COMT) has been investigated as a candidate gene in many neurologic disorders involving catecholaminergic systems. The Nla III restriction site polymorphism (RSP) at COMT is a G↔A (site absent↔site present) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at nucleotide 322/472 (in the short or long mRNA) that results in a Val↔Met polymorphism at amino acid 108/158 (in soluble or membrane-bound) COMT protein and different enzyme activity levels, high for Val, low for Met. COMT enzyme activity is known to vary among ethnic groups, presumably as a result of different population frequencies of these COMT alleles. We have undertaken a direct survey of allele frequencies of this polymorphism in a global sample of populations. Methods: We typed 1314 individuals from 30 different populations using PCR of the relevant region followed by digestion with Nla III and electrophoresis. Results: The frequencies of the low activity allele (COMT∗L, Nla III site-present) vary significantly from 0.01 to 0.62. Europeans have nearly equal frequencies of the two alleles while the COMT∗H allele is much more common in populations in all other parts of the world. Sequencing in nonhuman primates indicates that COMT∗H is the ancestral allele in humans. Conclusions: This is the first global survey of the COMT∗L and COMT∗H allele frequencies, confirming and extending earlier studies to show significant world-wide variation. This is also the first study establishing the COMT∗L allele as the derived allele unique to humans. Henceforth, in any population-based association studies of this polymorphism, the control allele frequencies should be in agreement with these published values for corresponding ethnic groups.
Engineering plants for future: tools and options

The availability of efficient techniques for genetic engineering of plants across taxonomic boundaries is a must to address the challenges posed by the global growth of the human population. This will shorten the time and accelerate the entire process needed for inclusion of novel traits in plants with potential to increase agricultural productivity, improved nutritional quality as well as processing characteristics. This mini-review summarizes current understanding, latest advancements and comparisons of various methods used to date to generate transgenic plants with a special focus on the biological model of gene delivery into plants.
Effect of pregabalin on cerebral outcome after cardiopulmonary bypass with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in rats.

Objective Activation of presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels and release of glutamate play a central role in neuronal necrosis after cardiopulmonary bypass with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Pregabalin binds to the α2-δ subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels resulting in reduced glutamate release. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of pregabalin on cerebral outcome after cardiopulmonary bypass with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest through an established rat model allowing long-term survival. Methods Male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized to receive intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg of pregabalin or an equal amount of normal saline 1 hour before cardiopulmonary bypass (n = 10, each). Rats were cooled to a pericranial temperature of 18°C and underwent deep hypothermic circulatory arrest for 60 minutes. Neurologic performance was assessed at postoperative days 3, 7, and 12. Cognitive performance (Morris water maze) was assessed daily from postoperative day 3 to 12 when histologic assessment was performed. Results Neurologic scores were significantly better in the pregabalin group than in the control group at all time points of measurements. Morris water maze latencies were not statistically different between the groups. The percentage of necrotic neurons in the cerebral cortex was significantly less in the pregabalin group compared with the control group (8.6% [interquartile range, 5.0-8.9] vs 13.6% [interquartile range, 6.9-18.6], P = .045), whereas no difference was observed in the hippocampus. Conclusions Preemptive treatment with pregabalin conveyed a beneficial influence on functional and histologic cerebral outcome in rats undergoing 60 minutes of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest after cardiopulmonary bypass without any noticeable side effects.
Bilateral and multilateral foreign aid: Japan's approach in comparative perspective

Abstract We propose and apply a crude categorization of development aid forms ranging from those with a larger private to a larger public goods component. We reason that the degree of ‘privateness’ is greatest with the highest probability of direct financial compensation and the greatest control by the ‘national’ donor (be it private or public sector). This categorization is used to comparatively analyze foreign aid spending by Japan, the United States, and the entire Development Assistance Committee (DAC). With specific regard to Japan, we conclude that neither the most negative interpretations or the most positive claims seem fully warranted. Japan clearly is not empty‐headed about aid, purely selfish, or simply a follower of others. And the US record is not compatible with comprehensive claims for American leadership and special devotion to public goods provision in the world political‐economy through use of the foreign aid tool. Our findings also suggest, however, that Japanese movement toward a large...
Effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate in elicited anthocyanin-producing cell cultures of ohelo ( Vaccinium phalae )

Elicitation of anthocyanin-producing cells of ohelo (Vaccinium pahalae) by both biotic (purified β-glucan and chitosan) and abiotic [sodium ferric ethylenediamine di-(o-hydroxyphenylacetate) FeEDDHA, and CuSO4] elicitors resulted in significant enhancement of anthocyanin accumulation. Anthocyanin production increased up to 1.8 and 1.5-fold over the control in the presence of abiotic elicitors (90 µM FeEDDHA and 20 µM CuSO4, respectively), and increased 1.9 and 1.6-fold in the presence of biotic elicitors (10 mg L−1 β-glucan and 100 mg L−1 chitosan). Maximum anthocyanin production with the two most effective elicitors was achieved when cultures were treated on Day 3 (β-glucan) or Day 0 (FeEDDHA) after the initiation of fresh cell cultures. A concentration-dependent response was exhibited by cultures treated with exogenous methyl jasmonate (MJ). The addition of 0.5 µM MJ alone provoked a 2–3-fold increase in anthocyanin production over that of the control; however, no additive effect on anthocyanin production was observed in any treatments which combined MJ and β-glucan or FeEDDHA. Conditioning of the cells with a preculture in either MJ, β-glucan, or FeEDDHA similarly did not enhance anthocyanin production. Inoculation of cultures elicited by MJ or β-glucan with ibuprofen, a reported inhibitor of jasmonate biosynthesis, dramatically stimulated, rather than inhibited, anthocyanin production, resulting in levels of accumulation beyond any of the tested elicitor combinations. Hypotheses for the observed influence of ibuprofen in this system are discussed.
The new math of computer programming

Structured programming has proved to be an important methodology for systematic program design and development. Structured programs are identified as compound function expressions in the algebra of functions. The algebraic properties of these function expressions permit the reformulation (expansion as well as reduction) of a nested subexpression independently of its environment, thus modeling what is known as stepwise program refinement as well as program execution. Finally, structured programming is characterized in terms of the selection and solution of certain elementary equations defined in the algebra of functions. These solutions can be given in general formulas, each involving a single parameter, which display the entire freedom available in creating correct structured programs.
A compensation mechanism for siting noxious facilities: Theory and experimental design

Abstract In locating noxious facilities, such as a trash disposal plant or a hazardous waste disposal incinerator, the host community frequently incurs all the costs while other communities in the region receive the benefits. We propose a mechanism for sharing the benefits with the potential loser. Each community submits a sealed bid indicating the minimum amount it would require to host the facility. The site providing the lowest bid obtains the facility and receives its bid as compensation. This compensation is financed by the other communities. If there are N candidate communities, then each of the other communities would pay 1/(N − 1) of their acceptance bid. A series of controlled laboratory experiments show that the outcomes of this low-bid auction come close to predictions from a theoretical model based on maxi-min rules. Equity and efficiency considerations also are discussed in the context of the noxious facility problem.
Chronic bifascicular block: evaluation of familial factors.

Abstract We studied whether familial factors are significant in chronic bifascicular block. One hundred thirty-four first- and second-degree relatives of 44 outpatients with chronic bifascicular bl...
A low-energy solvent separation method

This paper presents a new low-energy method to separate solvents from polymers. The method is based upon the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), a phenomenon exhibited by all nonpolar polymer-solvent systems. Three key issues concerning this new separation method are discussed for the specific system of high cis polybutadiene in a commercial grade n-hexane. The first issue, energy cost, is greatly reduced from present commercial separation processes by avoiding the liquid-vapor phase transition for more than half of the solvent. The predicted energy cost for the new method (not including inefficiencies) is about 15 percent of the present energy cost (including inefficiencies). The second issue, recycling of the dilute phase with terminator, is shown not to be a serious problem, and a solution is suggested based upon available methods. The third issue discussed, and perhaps the most difficult, is the physical separation of the two phases. This is solved by inducing spinodal decomposition, which leads to rapid gravity separation. Several alternative separation scenarios based upon this idea are presented at the end of the article.
Statistical mechanics of ideal Bose atoms in a harmonic trap

For ideal Bose atoms in an isotropic harmonic trap, we consider thermodynamic variables obtained from microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles, each with certain variables specified and other variables fluctuating. For the first two of these ensembles, we derive recursion relations that link partition functions for different dimensions. We discuss fluctuations in general, and obtain expressions for variances of the atom number N, the chemical potential \ensuremath{\mu}, and the temperature T for small, Gaussian fluctuations in the grand canonical ensemble. Then from our recursion relations and others given elsewhere, we obtain probability distributions for N, for ground-state occupation number ${n}_{0}$, for \ensuremath{\mu}, and for T. Below the critical temperature, the shape of the distributions for N, ${n}_{0},$ and \ensuremath{\mu} are definitely not Gaussian for the grand canonical ensemble. For given temperature and small N, we find that the chemical potential values pertaining to the three ensembles differ. We compare the specific-heat function ${C}_{N}(T)$ for the three ensembles and propose to use the minimum of ${\mathrm{dC}}_{N}/dT$ to define the critical temperature to facilitate comparisons with similar configurations of interacting atoms.
Limitations on the fidelity of 100-fs pulses produced by chirped-pulse amplification

We have developed a system for continuously variable independent tuning of the higher order frequency dependent phase of ultrashort laser pulses. This technique relies on geometric aberrations that arise from adjustments to the relative alignment of the elements of an air spaced doublet lens in systems such as a diffraction grating stretcher in which the spectral components of the optical pulses are spatially dispersed. Modeling results are compared to experimental measurements for a non optimized pulse stretcher/compressor combination showing the higher order phase aberrations that limit the performance of a chirped pulse amplification system. Numerical results are presented indicating these higher order phase terms can be compensated by a properly adjusted air spaced doublet design within the pulse stretcher.
Water flow through heterogeneous snow

Abstract An earlier gravity flow theory (Colbeck 1971) treated snow as a homogeneous and uniform medium. The theory is expanded here to include the effects of ice layers and flow channels. Two examples are constructed and compared with observed runoff. In this particular situation, the results suggest that most of the water moves down flow channels.
Monocyte fc receptor function in rheumatoid arthritis. enhanced cell‐binding of igg induced by rheumatoid factors

Monocytes from 11 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 10 control subjects were purified by countercurrent elutriation. Rheumatoid arthritis monocytes had more cell-associated IgG (P less than 0.001) and bound more 125I-labeled heat-aggregated IgG in vitro (P less than 0.02) than did monocytes from control subjects. Interaction of rheumatoid factor (RF) with monocytes was then investigated. Purified 125I-labeled IgM-RF and IgG-RF bound directly to monocytes from normal individuals. Furthermore, preincubation of normal monocytes with RF augmented subsequent binding of aggregated IgG to the cells. We conclude that monocyte-associated RF can enhance binding of IgG-containing immune complexes to the cells and can exaggerate the measured number of Fc receptors. Such cell-bound RF may affect clearance of immune complexes by the reticuloendothelial system in vivo.
Robust position/force control of multiple robots using neural networks

The control of multiple redundant robots, whose end-effectors grasp an object, involves complex control tasks. First, the multiple robotic system, for a cooperative task, forms closed kinematic chains that impose additional kinematic and dynamic constraints. Second, the interactive actions among the robots through the object lead to the essential need to control position and interactive force, simultaneously. Finally, the structured and unstructured uncertainties of the system may cause the system to be unstable. In this paper, a robust controller, which compensates the uncertainties of the dynamic system of the multiple robotic system, is presented in order to obtain good tracking performance of position and force, simultaneously, while satisfying the constraint conditions among the robots. A neural network architecture is proposed as one approach to the design and implementation of the robust controller. In particular, an on-line learning rule is provided for reportedly assigned tasks so that the system is robust to the structured/unstructured uncertainties; and the controller adjusts itself repeatedly to improve the performance progressively for each repeated task.
The role of prothrombin complex concentrates in the treatment of hemophiliacs with factor VIII inhibitors.

While the presence of a Factor VIII inhibitor does not increase the frequency of bleeding, it does make treatment of bleeding episodes difficult. Over the past decade prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) have been used in an attempt to bypass the need for Factor VIII. While their precise mechanism of action is still not known, PCC do seem to be moderately effective in controlling bleeding in hemophiliacs with inhibitors. In each of three controlled double blind studies a single dose of non-activated PCC was found to be effective in controlling acute hemarthroses in approximately 50% of episodes. While FEIBA was found to be somewhat more effective (64%) than non-activated PCC (52%) in the Dutch trial, in the only controlled trial in which a single dose of Autoplex was compared to a single dose of non-activated PCC there was no difference between the two products. Nonetheless a number of independent observers have noted beneficial effects when activated PCC have been used in serious, life threatening types of bleeding. Thus, until a more predictably effective therapeutic modality becomes available, PCC, both non-activated and activated, have a definite role in the management of patients with inhibitors.
Pitting corrosion control using regenerative biofilms on aluminium 2024 in artificial seawater

Abstract EIS has been used to follow the pitting process of Al 2024 during exposure to sterile artificial seawater (AS) for 30 days. In the presence of a bacterial biofilm produced by Bacillus subtilis pitting was also observed during the first two days, however for the remainder of the exposure period the Al alloy was passive. When the biofilm was genetically engineered to secrete polyglutamate or polyaspartate, an additional small increase in corrosion inhibition occurred. Corrosion control using regenerative biofilms (CCURB) on Al 2024 in AS cannot be solely due to a reduction of the oxygen concentration at the metal surface since the experimental values of the corrosion potential E corr became more noble in the presence of bacteria suggesting that production of an inhibiting species retained in the biofilm contributes to CCURB.
The J integral fracture toughness and damage zone morphology in polyethylenes

Abstract The J integral analysis of compact tension samples has been used to evaluate plane strain fracture toughness of various polyethylenes at room temperature. Crack propagation commences from a razor notch in high-density polyethylene at J Ic = 1.7 kJ m −2 . Plastic deformation is confined to a small craze region (about 300 μm long, 20 μm high) through which the crack subsequently propagates. A tough copolymer of PE3408 material resists crack advance until J Ic = 8.2 kJ m −2 . Here again crack propagation is through a craze, though craze length exceeds 1 mm. Toughness is also imparted by the formation of shear bands near the notch tip. Low-density polyethylene does not really fracture under the present test conditions; this material responds by general yielding and blunting of the notch tip.
Low-magnetic-field critical behavior in strongly type-II superconductors

A description is proposed for the low-field critical behavior of type-II superconductors. The starting point is the Ginzburg-Landau functional in presence of an external magnetic field H. A set of fictitious vortex variables and a singular gauge transformation are used to rewrite this finite H Ginzburg-Landau functional in terms of a complex scalar field of zero average vorticity. The continuum limit of the transformed problem takes the form of an H=0 Ginzburg-Landau functional for a charged field coupled to a fictitious ``gauge'' potential, which arises from long-wavelength fluctuations in the background liquid of field-induced vortices. A possibility of a phase transition involving zero-vorticity degrees of freedom and formation of a uniform condensate is suggested. A similarity with the superconducting (Higgs) electrodynamics and the nematic-smectic-A transition in liquid crystals is noted. The experimental situation is discussed.
Structural and functional diversity of cadherin superfamily: Are new members of cadherin superfamily involved in signal transduction pathway?

A large number of cadherins and cadherin-related proteins are expressed in different tissues of a variety of multicellular organisms. These proteins share one property: their extracellular domains consist of multiple repeats of a cadherin-specific motif. A recent structure study has shown that the cadherin repeats roughly corresponding to the folding unit of the extracellular domains. The members of the cadherin superfamily are roughly classified into two groups, classical type cadherins proteins and protocadherin type according to their structural properties. These proteins appear to be derived from a common ancestor that might have cadherin repeats similar to those of the current protocadherins, and to have common functional properties. Among various cadherins, E-cadherin was the first to be identified as a Ca(2+)-dependent homophilic adhesion protein. Recent knockout mice experiments have proven its biological role, but there are still several puzzling unsolved properties of the cell adhesion activity. Other members of cadherin superfamily show divergent properties and many lack some of the expected properties of cell adhesion protein. Since recent studies of various adhesion proteins reveal that they are involved in different signal transduction pathways, the idea that the new members of cadherin superfamily may participate in more general cell-cell interaction processes including signal transduction is an intriguing hypothesis. The cadherin superfamily is structurally divergent and possibly functionally divergent as well.
Limitations of B-Spline Geometry in the Finite Element/Multibody System Analysis

This paper examines the limitations of using B-spline representation as an analysis tool by comparing its geometry with the nonlinear finite element absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) geometry. It is shown that while both B-spline and ANCF geometries can be used to model non-structural discontinuities using linear connectivity conditions, there are fundamental differences between B-spline and ANCF geometries. First, while B-spline geometry can always be converted to ANCF geometry, the converse is not true; that is, ANCF geometry cannot always be converted to B-spline geometry. Second, because of the rigid structure of the B-spline recurrence formula, there are restrictions on the order of the parameters and basis functions used in the polynomial interpolation; this in turn can lead to models that have significantly larger number of degrees of freedom as compared to those obtained using ANCF geometry. Third, in addition to the known fact that B-spline does not allow for straight forward modeling of T-junctions, B-spline representation cannot be used in a straight forward manner to model structural discontinuities. It is shown in this investigation that ANCF geometric description can be used to develop new spatial chain models governed by linear connectivity conditions which can be applied at a preprocessing stage allowing for an efficient elimination of the dependent variables. The modes of the deformations at the definition points of the joints that allow for rigid body rotations between ANCF finite elements are discussed. The use of the linear connectivity conditions with ANCF spatial finite elements leads to a constant inertia matrix and zero Coriolis and centrifugal forces. The fully parameterized structural ANCF finite elements used in this study allow for the deformation of the cross section and capture the coupling between this deformation and the stretch and bending. A new chain model that employs different degrees of continuity for different coordinates at the joint definition points is developed in this investigation. In the case of cubic polynomial approximation, C1 continuity conditions are used for the coordinate line along the joint axis; while C0 continuity conditions are used for the other coordinate lines. This allows for having arbitrary large rigid body rotation about the axis of the joint that connects two flexible links. Numerical examples are presented in order to demonstrate the use of the formulations developed in this paper.© 2011 ASME
Hydrogen migration tunneling effects in the rotational and vibrational spectrum of protonated acetylene C2H3

Abstract The influence of a possible hydrogen atom migration in protonated acetylene, C2H3+, on the high-resolution vibration-rotation spectrum of this ion is considered. The migration model, which derives from ab initio calculations, consists of a planar structure with the three hydrogen atoms moving on an approximately elliptical path around the two carbon atoms. Symmetry considerations for this ion are discussed in terms of the permuation-inversion group G24. A method for calculating energy levels for a highly idealized model of this ion can be found in the early microwave literature. In this idealized model, an equilateral triangle of three hydrogen atoms performs internal rotation about a dumbbell of two carbon atoms, with all atoms remaining in the same plane. This model gives rise to a symmetric rotor top, an asymmetric rotor frame, and a sixfold barrier to the internal rotation motion. An alternative method of calculating the migrational tunneling splittings in this ion, involving a more recently proposed algebraic formalism, shows that qualitatively similar splitting patterns are obtained even when the hydrogens are not constrained to form a rigid equilateral triangle during their migration motion. Energy level diagrams, nuclear spin statistical weights, selection rules for electric dipole transitions, etc., are presented. It is hoped that the patterns described in the present work will aid in identifying and interpreting any spectrum of C2H3+ obtained as a result of ongoing efforts elsewhere in high-resolution ion spectroscopy.
Effect of job strain and depressive symptoms upon returning to work after acute coronary syndrome

Abstract The purpose of this study was 2-fold: to assess whether job strain and depressive symptoms were independent predictors of the timing of return to work after acute coronary syndrome, and to determine whether the association of job strain and timing of return to work was moderated by depressive symptoms. In this 6-month longitudinal study, a total of 240 employed women and men who were admitted to hospital with acute coronary syndrome were consecutively recruited in the United States and Japan. A structured interview and medical record review were conducted to collect baseline data during hospitalization. At 2 and 6 months post-hospitalization, we mailed a questionnaire to assess the timing of first day of return to work and presence of depressive symptoms. It was found that job strain was a significant independent predictor of a later return to work, even after controlling for potential confounding variables. In addition, when depressive symptoms were treated as a time-dependent covariate, patients who had Beck Depression Inventory-II scores of ≥6 to
Functional Properties of Edible Films Using Whey Protein Concentrate

Abstract Methodologies were developed to form edible films of simple proteins or protein-lipid composited using whey protein concentrate. The functional properties of whey protein concentrate films were compared with those of the films derived from sodium caseinate, potassium caseinate, calcium caseinate, and whey protein isolate. Water vapor permeability of simple whey protein concentrate film was lower than that for films of sodium caseinate, potassium caseinate, and whey protein isolate. Composite whey protein concentrate film had the lowest water vapor permeability of all the milk protein films. The ultimate tensile strengths of simple whey protein concentrate films were similar to those of caseinate films. Whey protein concentrate films exhibited lower puncture strengths than did films from other milk proteins except simple film from sodium caseinate. Whey protein concentrate and isolate films had higher elongation values than did simple calcium caseinate films. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of residual milk fat embedded in the protein matrix in whey protein concentrate films. Whey protein concentrate films had good water vapor barrier and mechanical properties that were comparable with those of films from other commercial milk proteins.
RNA Polymerase II Elongation Complexes Containing the Cockayne Syndrome Group B Protein Interact With a Molecular Complex Containing the Transcription Factor IIH Components Xeroderma Pigmentosum B and p62

Transcription factor IIH (TFIIH) is involved both in transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II and in nucleotide excision-repair. Nucleotide excision-repair occurs at higher rates in transcriptionally active regions of the genome. Genetic studies indicate that this transcription-coupled repair is dependent on the Cockayne syndrome group A and B proteins, as well as TFIIH subunits. Previous work indicated that Cockayne syndrome group B interacts with RNA polymerase II molecules engaged in ternary complexes containing DNA and RNA. Evidence presented here indicates that this complex can interact with a factor containing the TFIIH core subunits p62 and xeroderma pigmentosum subunit B/excision repair cross-complementing 3. The targeting of TFIIH or a TFIIH-like repair factor to transcriptionally active DNA indicates a potential mechanism for transcription-coupled repair in human cells.
Lidocaine and bupivacaine exert differential effects on whole blood coagulation.

Abstract Study Objectives: To compare bupivacaine to lidocaine's effects on blood clotting at two concentrations, and to characterize and determine relative effects of two equianalgesic bupivacaine and lidocaine concentrations. Design: Prospective, dual-controlled, whole blood equal volume admixture thrombelastographic (TEG™) study. Setting: University of Pennsylvania Medical Center operating rooms. Patients: 20 ASA physical status I and II patients' blood comprised control groups and anesthetic groups. Interventions: Analysis of whole blood clotting used six TEG™ channels for untreated and saline controls and four final concentrations (1.0% lidocaine, 0.5% lidocaine, 0.25% bupivacaine, and 0.125% bupivacaine) of local anesthetics. Saline control and the local anesthetic-treated specimens underwent 8.3% hemodilution. Measurements and Main Results: Blood was studied. Saline control or four anesthetic solutions (30 μl) were added in random order two 5 TEG™ cuvettes. Whole blood (330 μl) was mixed ex vivo at 37°C. A sixth channel with untreated whole blood (360 μl) acted as an undiluted control. Data for four TEG™ parameters [reaction time (r), angle (α), maximum amplitude (MA), and percent decrease in TEG amplitude from MA 30 minutes after MA acquisition (Lysis 30)] for undiluted control and saline volumetric controls were compared to each other using Student's t -test for paired observations. Lidocaine and bupivacaine groups' TEG™s were compared to the paired saline control analysis of variance for repeated measures. A p -value less than 0.05 was considered significant. There was no difference between whole blood and saline control TEG™s. All local anesthetics produced significant hypocoagulable changes from control. Angle α and MA were significantly decreased in all local anesthetic groups. The r time was prolonged only in the high lidocaine-treated blood. Lysis was a feature of the low lidocaine and bupivacaine solutions. Equianalgesic lidocaine produced more profound hypocoagulable effects than did bupivacaine. Conclusions: Lidocaine and bupivacaine both significantly impaired TEG™ coagulation in a concentration-dependent manner. Lidocaine was significantly more hypocoagulable than bupivacaine at two similarly analgesic concentrations.
Independent control of ion transmission in a jet disrupter dual-channel ion funnel electrospray ionization MS interface.

A new atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer (API-MS) interface has been developed to allow the control of ion transmission through the first vacuum stage of the mass spectrometer. The described interface uses a dual-heated capillary and a dual-inlet ion funnel design. Two electrosprays, aligned with the dual-capillary inlet, are used to introduce ions from different solutions independently into the MS. The initial design was specifically aimed at developing a method for the controlled introduction of calibrant ions in highly accurate mass measurements using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FTICR). The dual-channel ion funnel has different inlet diameters that are aligned with the dual capillaries. The large diameter main channel of the ion funnel is used for analyte introduction to provide optimum ion transmission. The second, smaller diameter channel inlet includes a jet disrupter in the ion funnel to modulate the ion transmission through the channel. The two inlet...
SU‐GG‐T‐512: CT Resolution for Lung Treatment Planning: An Application of a 2 ½‐D Random Lung Model Using MC Method

Purpose: To investigate the effects of CT resolution on treatment planning where heterogeneities exist, such as in the lung, using a recently developed, realistic random lung model and Monte Carlo method.Method and Materials: A thoracic phantom with a realistic random lung model embedded was built and two representative realizations with two different sizes of tumors were generated. The MC code DPM was employed to calculate dose distributions in the phantom with different CT resolutions. The three‐field conformal setup used a 6MV photon beam. Both qualitative and quantitative dose evaluation metrics were applied. Results: A reference CT resolution of 1×1 cm2 was established by comparing the CAX depth doses between a detailed lung model and its voxelized version. The fine details revealed in high resolution can be smoothed, especially when the geometrical voxels cross the heterogeneities, hence introducing a potential systematic error. Visible difference, up to 1%, can be seen in the DVHs of the cases with a small tumor. The insensitive relative absolute differential dose shows the DVH's disadvantage of lack of positional information of the dose distribution. Conclusion: A realistic random lung model was applied to show the effect of the accuracy of the geometrical representation on dose distribution in heterogonous sites, such as the lung. Our results show that a CT resolution up to 2×2 mm2 may be sufficient while a 4×4 mm2 could lead to significant perturbations. This may be especially problematic for treatment planning involving small tumors and tissue heterogeneities.
1258 BODY WATER SPACES IN BABOON NEONATES

Body water spaces were estimated within 2 hours of birth in 15 baboon neonates delivered by cesarean section. Birthweights ranged from 495 to 1001g, gestational ages ranged from 134 to 174 days and all animals were normally-grown for gestational age. Total body water (TBW) ranged from 503 to 803 ml, extracellular water (ECW) ranged from 201 to 496 ml and intracellular water (ICW) ranged from 225 to 330 ml. All values were within 1 SD of the mean expected for human neonates of similar weights. In proportion to body weight, mean (±SD) TBW for term (764±59.4 ml/kg) and preterm (853±79.3 ml/kg) animals were quite similar to mean TBW reported for human neonates (753 and 816 ml/kg respectively). Mean ECW (460±38.6 and 531±142.7 ml/kg) were somewhat higher than in humans (388 and 431 ml/kg) but most values were within the human range. Mean ICW (318±16.3 and 423±129.6 ml/kg) were again similar to human means (360-386 ml/kg) and individual values were within the range of human values. Mean plasma volumes for term (42±7.9 ml/kg) and preterm (43±9.7 ml/kg) baboon, were almost identical to human means (43 and 46 ml/kg), and so were mean blood volumes (89±13.2 and 85±13.7 ml/kg vs. 98 and 88 ml/kg). These data suggest that the body composition of baboon neonates at a given gestational maturity is quite similar to that of equally mature human babies. Baboon neonates may therefore constitute an adequate animal model for studies of intrauterine growth and development.
Pulmonary resection for metastatic gastric cancer.

Introduction: Sixteen percent of patients with gastric cancer will develop pulmonary metastases. Standard of care for these patients is systemic chemotherapy with a median survival of 6 months and a 5-year survival of only 2%. Our aim was to critically evaluate the published data on pulmonary resection for metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) and to analyze the potential rationale for surgical management to determine which patients may benefit from this approach. Methods: The Pubmed and SCOPUS databases were queried for all studies reporting on pulmonary resections for MGC. All available clinicopathologic data were analyzed. Results: Twenty-one studies from 1975 to 2008 reported 48 pulmonary resections in 43 patients including five repeat resections and four extrapulmonary metastasectomies. Eighty-two percent (34/43) of patients had solitary lesions with a median size of 24 mm (4–90 mm). Median time from gastrectomy to pulmonary resection was 35 months (0–120 months). At a median follow-up of 23 months, 15 of 43 (35%) patients were alive without disease, and two patients died without disease. Median survival was 29 months (3–84 months) after pulmonary metastasectomy and 65 months (5–180 months) after gastrectomy. Fifty-six percent (24/43) of patients had another recurrence at a median of 12 months (range: 6–48 months) after resection including 30% (13/43) of patients with pulmonary recurrences. Overall 5-year survival was 33%. Conclusions: Pulmonary metastasectomy for MGC can potentially result in long-term survival in a highly selected group of patients and should be considered for those who present with small, isolated lesions after a prolonged disease-free interval.
Partitioning in REE-saturating minerals - Theory, experiment, and modelling of whitlockite, apatite, and evolution of lunar residual magmas

Compositions, including REEs determined by ion microprobe, of apatite and whitlockite in lunar rock assemblages rich in incompatible trace elements, are presented. Concentrations of REEs in lunar whitlockites are high, ranging from about 1.2 to 2.1 REEs (lanthanides + Y) per 56 oxygens. This slightly exceeds the level of two REE atoms per 56 oxygens at which the dominant substitution theoretically becomes saturated. This saturation effect leads to whitlockite REE(3+) D values at typical lunar whitlockite REE concentrations which are 30-40 percent lower than the D values at low concentrations. The halogen-to-phosphorous ratio in lunar melts is a key factor determining the REE distribution with crystalline assemblages. As long as P and REE concentrations of melts are in KREEP-like proportions, one or both of the phosphates will saturate in melts at similar REE concentrations.
Phenomena of Adelges piceae populations (Homoptera: Phylloxeridae) in North Carolina.

Populations of the balsam woolly aphid, Adelges piceae (Ratzeburg), on Fraser fir and factors affecting them were observed for a 2-year period. The host tree was the most important factor affecting the aphid after peak population was reached. The number of aphids settling on each tree greatly exceeded the carrying capacity of the tree; survival of aphids was correlated with condition of the tree. Early infestation of a tree is probably related to aphid density—the aphid modifies the bark and the result is increased fertility and survival of aphids per unit area of bark. Predators had little effect on the aphid population; primarily they ate eggs and showed a numerical response to egg density. However, egg losses attributed to predators were small when compared to total egg mortality and to egg survival. Survival of eggs was either not related to expected predation or increased as predation increased. Weather factors were considered primarily responsible for large losses of eggs, but were of little consequence in the dynamics of the aphid. Crawlers, neosistentes, and adults of the aphid are well adapted to survive weather conditions occurring when aphids in these stages are most prevalent.
Observation of the existence of electrically excited purely mechanical resonance in piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials

A displacement laser interferometer system has been adapted to measure the mechanical displacements of specimens of piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials driven by cyclic electric fields. It is found that mechanical resonances of quite large amplitudes can exist independent of any noticeable electrical disturbances. They are also detected in virgin and depoled specimens of ferroelectric ceramics. Preliminary experimental evidence suggests that this phenomenon depends on the domain structure of the ferroelectric materials.
Thermodynamics and dynamics of phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol mixed model membranes in the liquid crystalline state: effects of water

A method for obtaining the thermodynamic activity of each membrane component in phosphatidylcholine (PC)/cholesterol mixtures, that is based upon ESR spin labeling is examined. The thermodynamic activity coefficients, gamma PC and gamma chol, for the PC and cholesterol, respectively, are obtained from the measured orientational order parameters, SPC and S(chol), as a function of cholesterol content for a spin-labeled PC and the sterol-type cholestane spin probe (CSL), respectively, and the effects of water concentration are also considered. At water content of 24 weight%, the thermodynamics of DMPC/cholesterol/water mixtures in the liquid-crystalline state may be treated as a two-component solution ignoring the water, but at lower water content the role of water is important, especially at lower cholesterol concentrations. At lower water content (17 wt%), gamma chol decreases with increasing cholesterol content which implies aggregation. However, at higher water content (24 wt%), gamma chol is found initially to increase as a function of cholesterol content before decreasing at higher cholesterol content. This implies a favorable accommodation for the cholesterol in the membrane at high water and low cholesterol content. Good thermodynamic consistency according to the Gibbs-Duhem equation was obtained for gamma PC and gamma chol at 24 wt% water. The availability of gamma chol (and gamma PC) as a function of cholesterol concentration permits the estimate of the boundary for phase separation. The rotational diffusion coefficients of the labeled PC and of CSL were also obtained from the ESR spectra. A previously proposed universal relation for the perpendicular component of the rotational diffusion tensor, R perpendicular, for CSL in PC/cholesterol mixtures (i.e., R perpendicular = R0 perpendicular exp(-AS2chol/RT)) is confirmed. A change in composition of cholesterol or of water for DMPC/cholesterol/water mixtures affects R perpendicular only through the dependence of S(chol) on the composition. In particular, the amount of water affects the membrane fluidity, monitored by R perpendicular for CSL, solely by the structural changes it induces in the membrane for the compositions studied. Rotational diffusion for the labeled PC is found to be more complex, most likely due to the combined action of the internal modes of motion of the flexible chain and of the overall molecular reorientation.