cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of postoperative anemia and baseline cardiac risk on serious adverse outcomes after major vascular interventions

Abstract Objective Published data suggest that permissive anemia strategies that allow nadir hemoglobin (nHb) values of 7 g/dL or lower are safe in a variety of clinical settings. The appropriateness of these strategies in patients at high risk for adverse postoperative cardiac events remains unclear. We sought to determine the combined effect of postoperative nHb and cardiac risk status on major complications after vascular surgical interventions. Methods This was a single-institution retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent elective open procedures for occlusive vascular disease and aneurysm repair, either open or endovascular. The Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) was used to assess baseline cardiac risk. Primary outcome was a composite end point of mortality or major ischemic events (myocardial infarction, stroke, acute kidney injury, or coronary revascularization) within 90 days from the index operation. Secondary outcomes included intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) and 90-day respiratory complications (pneumonia, ventilator dependence for >48 hours postoperatively, or reintubation). Hierarchical multivariable regression was used to model each outcome with adjustment for age, type of operation, baseline comorbidities, and intraoperative covariates. Results We analyzed 2508 operations performed during 8 years in 2106 patients with a mean age of 67 years (range, 45-90 years). In the fully adjusted multivariable model, lower values of nHb increased the risk of the primary composite end point (odds ratio [OR], 1.24; P P P P P = .002) and ICU LOS (average 2.6-day increase per 1-g/dL increase of nHb; P Conclusions Postoperative anemia increases the rate of early postoperative mortality and major ischemic events, particularly in patients at higher baseline cardiac risk. It also adversely affects respiratory complications and ICU LOS. Until a randomized trial definitively settles the issue, restrictive transfusion strategies should be practiced with caution in patients undergoing major vascular interventions.
Comparison of speed-accuracy tradeoff between linear and nonlinear filtering algorithms for myocontrol

Whereas previous work has focused on assessing the Bayesian algorithm as a signal processing algorithm for EMG, this study assesses the use of the Bayesian algorithm for online EMG control. In othe...
When "They" Become "Us": The Effect of Time and Ingroup Identity on Perceptions of Gay and Lesbian Group Members.

Prejudice change manipulations rarely produce the expected attitude change effects. Our research suggests that attitude change depends on time-dependent memory consolidation processes. This study t...
Learning Latinidad: The role of a Latino cultural center service-learning course in Latino identity inquiry and sociopolitical capacity

College culture centers are safe havens for underrepresented students, yet we know little about them. Through a survey with open- and closed-ended questions, this exploratory study examined the exp...
Mechanisms of Allorecognition

Allorecognition refers to detection by the immune system of genetically encoded polymorphisms between members of the same species. Following transplantation of allogeneic tissues, recognition by recipient T lymphocytes of foreign proteins expressed by donor cells (T-cell allorecognition) initiates a cascade of immunological reactions resulting in rapid elimination of donor cells and rejection of the graft. Over the past three decades, T-cell allorecognition has represented a challenging enigma for cellular immunologists. Initial immunogenetics studies in transplanted individuals led to identification of proteins encoded with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus as the main driving force behind allorecognitionl2. It is now firmly established that this process is mediated via two distinct and non-exclusive mechanisms: thedirectandindirect allorecognitionpathways (Figure 8.1)3. In direct allorecognition, T cells interact with determinants presented by allogeneic MHC molecules displayed on donor cells. This phenomenon is dictated by the migration of donor “passenger leukocytes” out of the graft to the host’s lymphoid tissues. Alternatively, in indirect allorecognition, donor antigens are processed by recipient antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and presented to T cells in peptide form, thus initiating a response that is restricted to the host’s (self) MHC molecules. Delineation of the mechanisms underlying allorecognition has provided the basis for the design of novel selective strategies for transplantation tolerance. In addition, this knowledge has shed some light on the principles governing self vs nonself discrimination by the immune system. In the present chapter, we review different aspects of allorecognition with an emphasis on the cellular and molecular events involved in the presentation of antigen determinants to alloreactive T cells after allotransplantation. Based upon this information, we briefly discuss the mechanisms by which T-cell allorecognition
Psychotherapy and Religion

The overlapping domains and shared history of religion and psychotherapy have often led to confusion and misunderstanding between these two disciplines. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that the current relationship between religion and psychotherapy is becoming more respectful and mutually beneficial. Data indicate that the beliefs of psychotherapy providers are more consistent with their clients than previously thought and providers are now obligated to incorporate the spiritual troubles of their clients into diagnosis and treatment formulations. The presence and practice of spiritual beliefs is clearly correlated with physical and emotional well-being in this culture and a wealth of data indicates that the previous bias against religious beliefs on the part of psychotherapy providers is unfounded. Similarly, the differentiation of psychosis from mystical experience is straightforward and need not hamper either science or spiritual pursuits. Psychotherapy providers who wish to incorporate the religious or spiritual beliefs of their clients in the therapy process may be assisted by assessment instruments that allow them to evaluate these beliefs in a systematic manner.
PAF Induced Glomerular and Vascular Alterations in the Isolated Perfused Rat Kidney

PAF is a proaggregatory and proinflainraatory mediator with potent vasoactive properties [1, 2]. At low doses, some of its vasodilating properties are attributable to a direct action on vascular smooth muscle cells; at higher doses, extravasation of labeled albumin has been observed. These changes in vascular permeability result in part from the release of vasoactive mediators from inflammatory cells and to direct effects on vessel walls. PAF infusion in rabbits causes reversible proteinuria concomitant with an accumulation of platelets and PMN in capillary lumens and the deposition platelet- and PMN-derived cationic proteins in the glomerular capillary wall [3]. These events coincide with a loss of fixed negative charges of glomerular capillary wall. Because resident glomerular cells can produce PAF [4], it seems important to test the hypothesis that PAF might act directly on glomerular permeability. The aim of the present study was to determine whether PAF may increase glomerular permeability in the isolated rat kidney perfused with a cellfree medium and, if so, whether such effect was related to glomerular hemodynamic alterations or to neutralization of fixed anionic charges.
Inhibition of platelet phospholipid methylation during platelet secretion.

A pathway for the synthesis of membrane phosphatidylcholine involving the N-methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine has been detected in several types of mammalian cells. Furthermore, it has been implicated in the coupling of agonist binding to cell response. We examined whether human platelets exhibit this synthetic pathway and whether platelet agonists influence its activity. When washed platelets were incubated with 0.15 microM L-[methyl-3H]methionine at 37 degrees C, they incorporated methyl-3H into their phospholipids linearly at the rate of 1 pmole/10(9) platelets/hr. When incubated with 20 microM radiolabeled methionine, they incorporated about 15 pmole/10(9) platelets/hr. The radioactivity was found predominantly in phosphatidyl- N-monomethylethanolamine, phosphatidyl-N,N-dimethylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine. Thrombin caused an immediate (within 15 sec) and sustained (up to 30 min) decrease in the rate and extent of N- methylation of platelet phospholipids. This was accounted for by a decrease in synthesis of methylated phospholipids rather than an increase in their degradation. This thrombin effect correlated with serotonin release and could be dissociated from platelet aggregation and prostaglandin synthesis. Thrombin also decreased the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine when choline was used as the radiolabeled substrate. Other agonists such as epinephrine, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), or A23187 also decreased phospholipid methylation under conditions in which they stimulated serotonin release. These data demonstrate that platelets are capable of synthesizing phosphatidylcholine from phosphatidylethanolamine by N-methylation and that agonists perturb this pathway as they induce platelet secretion. The precise role of phospholipid methylation in either resting or stimulated platelets remains to be established.
Liquid-Metal/Water Interactions in a Shock Tube

To investigate liquid-metal (fuel)/water (coolant) interactions, a vertical shock tube has been designed and constructed. A series of tests was conducted with gallium, indium, lead, and tin as the fuel materials at either low (T f ∼ 300°C) or high fuel temperature (T f ∼ 600°C), with water at room temperature (low T c ) and in the range of T c = 56 to 67° C (high T c ), and with driving pressures from 0.25 to 1.22 MPa. These materials were tested to determine their compatibility for potential use in liquid-metal divertor systems for fusion power plants. The increase in fuel and water temperature, as well as the increase of driving pressure, caused more energetic interactions to occur. High T f tin and lead interactions, and high T f and T c gallium and indium interactions were the most energetic. Stronger interactions produced finer debris fragments. In high T f gallium and indium interactions, small superficial oxidation was observed. For the first two pulses, larger ratios of compression- (compression of expansion vessel gas) to-expansion work correspond to the experiments with higher fuel and coolant temperatures. For the first pulse, only work ratio values of the most energetic experiments are larger than those of isothermal experiments. Consequently, for such experiments, the impulse values of second pulses are the largest. Higher values of the conversion ratio for the first pulse correspond to more energetic interactions. Even for the most energetic experiments, the conversion ratio is no higher than 1.2%, and no more than 15% (or a few millimetres-thick surface layer) of the initially loaded fuel participated in the interaction, assuming equal initial volumes of fuel and coolant.
Urological Concerns of Occult Spinal Dysraphism/Tethered Cord

Urologic manifestation, evaluation, and management of a child with a tethered cord secondary to occult spinal dysraphism are not clearly understood. There are no strong evidence-based studies that help guide the pediatric urologist. This chapter reviews the basic understanding of occult spinal dysraphism and its potential impact on urinary bladder dynamics and symptomatic voiding dysfunction. The foundation of management often centers on urodynamic testing which provides objective assessment of urinary bladder function. The urodynamic study helps define current status directing active management and provides a baseline that can be utilized to place in perspective changes that might be occurring because of the progression of cord tethering. The potential need for operative intervention of the tethered cord due to occult spinal dysraphism based on urologic symptoms or urodynamic parameters will be discussed along with the expected outcome.
A Case for the Grand Challenge of Disaster Science

This work calls for the development of the field of disaster science. Specifically, it calls on those in the disaster research community to develop a grand vision for the field. This vision could include assembling the various disciplines that study disasters; examining large scale community and society disruption, dissembling, and destruction; and concerning itself with the social, technical, and environmental phenomenon that pertain to the causes and recognition of, as well as the reaction and adjustment to, various stages of that process. Incremental aspects of this effort already represent much of the actual work of interdisciplinary disaster researchers. The author provides an argument for why a rethinking of the field is important.
Neural correlates of sound-learning experiences in the auditory system: Translational candidates for hearing rehabilitation

A major disconnect between traditional auditory perception research and recent neuroscience is the high propensity in the auditory system for neuroplasticity. Altered processing of reward-associated sound stimuli can contribute to adaptive behavior, such as hearing, listening, and attending appropriately to sound cues. I will the present work from animal models of learning-induced neuroplasticity in the cortical and subcortical auditory system. The data show how receptive fields and tonotopic maps in primary auditory cortex (A1) as well as the auditory brainstem response (ABR) can change when adult animals trained by pairing a tone with the availability to obtain reward alters sound coding in the auditory system. Over the course of conditioning, increases and reductions, respectively, in ABR amplitude and peak latencies predict how well animals can pick out the learned sound-frequency acoustic cue from other frequencies following conditioning. Furthermore, receptive fields in A1 have narrower tuning for a remembered sound frequency—and only in animals who successfully remember that frequency over others assessed by behavioral test. Therefore, learned sounds are preferentially processed over novel and distractor sounds following conditioning. Significant behavioral preferences for learned tones may be due, in part, to the observed changes in auditory processing across the auditory system.
Retinal nerve fiber layer changes based on historic CD4 nadir among HIV positive patients undergoing glaucoma evaluation.

AIM To determine relationships between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and nadir CD4 cell count in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients evaluated for glaucoma suspicion. METHODS Data were reviewed for 329 HIV positive patients evaluated for glaucoma suspicion. High-definition optical coherence tomography (OCT) RNFL measurements were obtained at least 6mo apart. Analyses were performed to identify relationships between nadir CD4 count and RNFL thickness. RESULTS Totally 110 eyes of 55 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 46 eyes were from subjects with nadir CD4<200 cells/mm3 and 64 had nadir CD4≥200 cells/mm3. Patients with nadir CD4<200 cells/mm3 had significantly thicker superior (119.7±18.6 µm) and temporal (63.8±11.7 µm) quadrants at time of initial OCT compared to the superior (112.8±16.8 µm, P=0.048) and temporal (57.1±11.9 µm, P=0.004) quadrants of patients with higher nadir CD4. This trend toward thicker RNFL among subjects with lower nadir CD4 cell counts persisted at the time of follow up OCT where participants with nadir CD4<200 cells/mm3 showed average RNFL thickness in the superior and temporal quadrants of 117.9±18.3 µm and 63.8±12.8 µm, respectively, compared to a superior thickness of 110.5±16.9 µm (P=0.034) and temporal thickness of 57.3±11.6 µm (P=0.007) among those with higher nadir CD4. CONCLUSION Patients with lower nadir CD4 cell counts have thicker RNFL in the superior and temporal quadrants compared to those with higher nadir CD4 counts. RNFL thickness in HIV positive patients may be affected by historic HIV disease control and should be considered when evaluating HIV positive patients for glaucoma.
A novel role for Eip74EF in male reproduction in promoting sperm elongation and male fecundity

ABSTRACT Spermatozoa are the most morphologically variable cell type, yet little is known about genes controlling natural variation in sperm shape. Drosophila fruit flies have evolved the longest sperm known, which are evolving under postcopulatory sexual selection, driven by sperm competition and cryptic female choice. Long sperm outcompete short sperm but primarily when females have long seminal receptacles (SRs), the primary sperm storage organ. Thus, selection on sperm length is mediated by SR length, and the two traits are coevolving across the Drosophila lineage, driven by a genetic correlation and fitness advantage of long sperm and long SR genotypes in both males and females. Ecdysone induced protein 74EF (Eip74EF) is rapidly evolving under positive selection in Drosophila, and it is expressed during post-meiotic stages of spermatogenesis, when spermatid elongation occurs. Partial knockdown of Eip74EF leads to shorter sperm but does not affect SR length, suggesting that Eip74EF is involved in promoting spermatid elongation but is not a genetic driver of male-female coevolution. We also found that Eip74EF knockdown has opposing effects on fecundity in males and females, with an increase in fecundity for males but a decrease in females, consistent with its documented role in oocyte maturation. It is possible that knockdown males produce more sperm that are also shorter, which would explain the increase in fecundity, but this hypothesis remains to be tested. Our results document a novel function of Eip74EF in spermatogenesis and demonstrates that this gene influences both male and female reproductive success.
Recent Progress in Gallium Oxide and Diamond Based High Power and High-Frequency Electronics

In recent years, the emergence of the ultrawide‐bandgap (UWBG) semiconductor materials that have an extremely large bandgap, exceeding 5eV including AlGaN/AlN, diamond, β-Ga2O3, and cubic BN, provi...
Microsecond Fast, 100 kV Modular Pulse Charger

A pulse charger module was designed and tested for use in a larger system Each pulse charger module is powered with a 12 V Lithium-ion battery and set to charge a nF sized capacitor up to 100 kV in less than 10 µs. This is achieved by initially charging a µF sized capacitor to 3 kV, then switching a thyristor to discharge this capacitor into a step-up pulse transformer to charge the load capacitor. A PIC 18F26K80 8-bit microcontroller in each pulse charger module will be used to control the module, communicate with other modules and a computer, and monitor voltages. The modules are programmed to automatically detect the total number of modules well as communication delays between each module at startup, allowing for synchronous triggering and induvial identification and control. Each module is kept in a low power mode when not in use, and fiber optic communication is used throughout such that electrical isolation between modules and the master computer is ensured.
A Comparison of Perioperative Outcomes Between Single-port and Multiport Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy

Single-port (SP) robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) appears to be a safe and feasible approach for radical prostatectomy, but no prior studies have compared SP-RALP to a multiport (MP) platform. Using retrospective data from a single-center tertiary institution we compare 50 consecutive SP-RALP patients (da Vinci SP) to a contemporary cohort of 113 patients who underwent MP-RALP (da Vinci Xi). We found no significant differences in surgical or total operating room time. Pain scores were measured on a scale from 0 to 10. There were more pain-free patients on postoperative day 1 (18% difference, 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.9-27%) and there were shorter hospital stays (-1 d, 95% CI -1.0 to 0) in favor of SP. There were no significant differences in inpatient total morphine equivalents used, complication rates, or stress incontinence determined at a minimum of 90 d. These findings show that the learning curve for SP-RALP is relatively short for an experienced robotic surgeon and may favor better pain control and shorter hospitalization. PATIENT SUMMARY: We analyzed the differences in robotic surgery for localized prostate cancer using a single-port robotic platform compared to the traditional multiport robotic platform. We did not find significant differences in operative times, but significantly more patients were pain-free on the first postoperative day and had shorter hospital stays.
Hypotensive Response on Cardiopulmonary Stress Test is Associated with Increased One Year Mortality After Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Purpose Cardiopulmonary stress testing (CPX) is widely used to evaluate patients with end stage heart failure who may benefit from advanced therapies, such as durable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). A hypotensive systolic blood pressure response on CPX may identify a subpopulation with the highest risk physiology. We sought to evaluate long term outcomes among LVAD recipients with a pre-implantation hypotensive response. Methods This was a retrospective single center study using consecutive patients implanted with a continuous flow LVAD between 1/2011 and 1/2019 at our Institution. Patients with CPX performed within 12 months before implantation were included. Hypotensive response was defined as a peak exercise systolic blood pressure lower than the resting systolic blood pressure. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality. Multivariable cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between hypotensive exercise blood pressure response and mortality. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to determine pre-implant variables and mortality. Results 313 patients were enrolled in the study and 123 were identified to meet our inclusion criteria. The mean age was 60.1 years, 58% had ischemic cardiomyopathy and 85% were classified as INTERMACS 3-5. 54 patients had a hypotensive response on CPX (44%). A total of 14 patients died at 1 year, 10 from the hypotensive cohort (p=0.043), hazard ratio 3.54 with 95% CI (1.1, 11.3, p=0.033). Post-implantation ICU and overall hospital length of stay were similar to the group with normal blood pressure response. There was also no significant difference in post-operative complications and the risk of re-hospitalization at 1 month, 6 months and 1 year. Conclusion Hypotensive blood pressure response on the CPX performed pre-LVAD implantation is independently associated with increased 1-year mortality. Additional studies are needed to further characterize this high-risk patient population and to identify strategies to improve survival rates.
Concurrent basal cell carcinoma and tarsal epithelial cyst as a presenting sign of Gorlin syndrome.

A 43-year-old Caucasian female presented with bilateral painless, slowly-progressing lower eyelid lesions. Past medical history was significant for two basal cell carcinoma (BCC) resections on her ...
iCodon: ideal codon design for customized gene expression

Abstract Messenger RNA (mRNA) stability substantially impacts steady-state gene expression levels in a cell. mRNA stability, in turn, is strongly affected by codon composition in a translation-dependent manner across species, through a mechanism termed codon optimality. We have developed iCodon (www.iCodon.org), an algorithm for customizing mRNA expression through the introduction of synonymous codon substitutions into the coding sequence. iCodon is optimized for four vertebrate transcriptomes: mouse, human, frog, and fish. Users can predict the mRNA stability of any coding sequence based on its codon composition and subsequently generate more stable (optimized) or unstable (deoptimized) variants encoding for the same protein. Further, we show that codon optimality predictions correlate with expression levels using fluorescent reporters and endogenous genes in human cells and zebrafish embryos. Therefore, iCodon will benefit basic biological research, as well as a wide range of applications for biotechnology and biomedicine.
A multi-center, single-arm, phase Ib study of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in combination with chemotherapy for patients with advanced colorectal cancer: HCRN GI14-186

Modified FOLFOX6 is an established therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We conducted a single-arm phase Ib study to address the hypothesis that addition of pembrolizumab to this regimen could safely and effectively improve patient outcomes (NCT02375672). The relationship between immune biomarkers and clinical response were assessed in an exploratory manner. Patients with mCRC received concurrent pembrolizumab and modified FOLFOX6. The study included safety run-in for the first six patients. The primary objective was median progression-free survival (mPFS), with secondary objectives including median overall survival, safety, and exploratory assessment of immune changes. To assess immunological impact, peripheral blood was collected at baseline and during treatment. The levels of soluble factors were measured via bioplex, while a panel of checkpoint molecules and phenotypically defined cell populations were assessed with flow cytometry and correlated with RECIST and mPFS. Due to incidences of grade 3 and grade 4 neutropenia in the safety lead-in, the dose of mFOLFOX6 was reduced in the expansion cohort. Median PFS was 8.8 months and median OS was not reached at data cutoff. Best responses of stable disease, partial response, and complete response were observed in 43.3%, 50.0%, and 6.7% of patients, respectively. Several soluble and cellular immune biomarkers were associated with improved RECIST and mPFS. Immunosuppressive myeloid and T cell subsets that were analyzed were not associated with response. Primary endpoint was not superior to historic control. Biomarkers that were associated with improved response may be informative for future regimens combining chemotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
A 3D-Bioprinted Multiple Myeloma Model

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of plasma cells accounting for ≈12% of hematological malignancies. In this study, the fabrication of a high-content in vitro MM model using a coaxial extrusion bioprinting method is reported, allowing formation of a human bone marrow-like microenvironment featuring an outer mineral-containing sheath and the inner soft hydrogel-based core. MM cells are mono-cultured or co-cultured with HS5 stromal cells that can release interleukin-6 (IL-6), where the cells show superior behaviors and responses to bortezomib in 3D models than in the planar cultures. Tocilizumab, a recombinant humanized anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), is investigated for its efficacy to enhance the chemosensitivity of bortezomib on MM cells cultured in the 3D model by inhibiting IL-6R. More excitingly, in a proof-of-concept demonstration, it is revealed that patient-derived MM cells can be maintained in 3D-bioprinted microenvironment with decent viability for up to 7 days evaluated, whereas they completely die off in planar culture as soon as 5 days. In conclusion, a 3D-bioprinted MM model is fabricated to emulate some characteristics of the human bone marrow to promote growth and proliferation of the encapsulated MM cells, providing new insights for MM modeling, drug development, and personalized therapy in the future.
Measurement errors and estimation biases with incomplete social networks: replication studies on intra-firm inventor network analysis

Abstract The number of studies exploring the role of intra-organizational inventor networks in firm knowledge recombination and diffusion processes has surged in recent years. The typical approach of these studies–to construct intra-firm inventor networks based on archival patent grant data–suffers from a major issue: incomplete data. This incomplete data may have implications for network measures and regression estimates based on these measures. To shed light on these implications, this study explores the consequences of missing data for inventor network studies in the field of technology invention. We do so by comparing networks based on granted patent data–the incomplete data–with networks based on patent application data that also include failed patent applications–the more complete data. The findings from replications of two prior studies–one firm-level study and one inventor-level study–indicate that intra-firm network measures are systematically biased for both network-level and inventor-level measures and cause bias in regression estimates. We further find that these systematic measurement errors are also statistically significantly related to the outcomes in the studies, thereby implying omitted variable biases in the effect estimates in prior studies. These findings have implications for research on networks of scientific collaborations specifically, and networks based on incomplete archival data more generally.
TU-CD-304-04: Scanning Field Total Body Irradiation Using Dynamic Arc with Variable Dose Rate and Gantry Speed

Purpose: Enable a scanning field total body irradiation (TBI) technique, using dynamic arcs, which is biologically equivalent to a moving couch TBI. Methods: Patient is treated slightly above the floor and the treatment field scans across the patient by a moving gantry. MLC positions change during gantry motion to keep same field opening at the level of the treatment plane (170 cm). This is done to mimic the same geometry as the moving couch TBI technique which has been used in our institution for over 10 years. The dose rate and the gantry speed are determined considering a constant speed of the moving field, variations in SSD and slanted depths resulting from oblique gantry angles. An Eclipse (Varian) planning system is commissioned to accommodate the extended SSD. The dosimetric foundations of the technique have been thoroughly investigated using phantom measurements. Results: Dose uniformity better than 2% across 180 cm length at 10cm depth is achieved by moving the gantry from −55 to +55 deg. Treatment range can be extended by increasing gantry range. No device such as a gravity-oriented compensator is needed to achieve a uniform dose. It is feasible to modify the dose distribution by adjusting the dose rate at each gantry angle to compensate for body thickness differences. Total treatment time for 2 Gy AP/PA fields is 40–50 minutes excluding patient set up time, at the machine dose rate of 100 MU/min. Conclusion: This novel yet transportable moving field technique enables TBI treatment in a small treatment room with less program development preparation than other techniques. Treatment length can be extended per need, and. MLC-based thickness compensation and partial lung blocking are also possible.
High Frequency Instabilities in Underdense Plasmas Produced by a 0.35 µm Laser Beam

High frequency parametric instabilities excited when an intense electromagnetic pulse (ω0, k 0) propagates through an underdense plasma are currently under active investigation.1,2 Energy and momentum conservation give $$ {\omega _{o}} = {\omega _{1}} + {\omega _{2}}$$ and, $$ {\omega _{o}} = {\omega _{1}} + {\omega _{2}} $$ where at least one of the decay waves is an electron plasma wave (epw) with the dispersion relation $$ {\underline k _{o}} = {\underline k _{1}} + {\underline k _{2}} $$ In the underdense corona of a laser fusion pellet there are two such instabilities of particular concern; the two-plasmon decay (2ωp) instability and the stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) instability. This is because the epw’s associated with these instabilities can have phase velocities on the order of the speed of light and therefore produce very energetic electrons when they damp.3 Since such electrons can preheat the fuel in a laser fusion pellet before significant compression the 2ωp and SRS instabilities are of particular concern. In the 2ωp decay instability, the two decay waves are both epw’s so that frequency matching can occur only if ω0 ≃ 2ωp. This instability can therefore be expected to occur only near the quarter-critical layer of an inhomogeneous plasma.
Clinical Use of the Arm Counter in Blood Clearance Studies

Foreman [1] suggested in 1953 that a liquid scintillation detector designed specifically to measure radioactivity circulating through the human forearm would be useful in clinical diagnosis. The annular detector, constructed to measure conveniently the human arm in vivo, reduced the number of required photomultiplier tubes without appreciable loss of counting efficiency and minimized the mass of shielding needed for a low background. This detector was found to be an excellent means of measuring radioactivity in the circulation of the arm, and in early trials it also proved to be a facile means of measuring small amounts of radiation in whole mice, rats, or other small animals [2, 3]. It could also be used as a large well counter to assay the radioactivity of 500- to 1000-ml samples of urine, feces, and blood. With most gamma-emitting isotopes in amorphous or variably shaped specimens, effects of thickness were easily minimized by counting all samples of excreta after they were made up to 500 ml in a disposable quart ice-cream carton.
A Silent Spring in Deep Water?: Proposing Front-End Regulation of Dispersants After the Deepwater Horizon Disaster

The unprecedented use of dispersants in response to the BP Deepwater Horizon blowout and subsequent explosion revealed the weaknesses of the current U.S. oil spill emergency response apparatus. The dearth of information regarding dispersant toxicity and effectiveness at various depths highlights the need to revisit the current procedures within the National Contingency Plan for responding to oil spill emergencies. In assessing various options, the experience of pesticide regulation is informative—a front-end regulatory framework like that employed in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act could address many of the shortcomings of federal emergency spill response. Such a regulatory approach would ensure that information about dispersants is made available before their listing on the National Contingency Plan, rather than after their ultimate application. Given the risk for harm to human health and the environment from oil spills and subsequent dispersant application, such an approach is necessary.
Acyl carrier protein. XX. Chemical synthesis and characterization of analogues of acyl carrier protein.

Abstract A number of analogues of Escherichia coli apo-acyl carrier protein (apo-ACP) have been synthesized by the solid phase method. A standard isolation procedure was used for all analogues. This involved cleavage from the solid support and deprotection by treatment of the peptide-resin with hydrogen bromide and trifluoroacetic acid. The product was then purified by gel filtration. When necessary the deprotection of Ne-nitroarginine was achieved by hydrogenation. The prosthetic group, 4'-phosphopantetheine, was introduced enzymatically with holo-ACP synthetase, and the holoprotein was purified by ion exchange chromatography. The product was then assayed for biological activity with the enzymes malonyl coenzyme A-ACP transacylase and β-ketoacyl-ACP synthetase and with antiserum prepared against native ACP. The following analogues were synthesized: [Arg(NO2)6]-apo-ACP-(1-74); apo-ACP-(2-74); apo-ACP-(3-74); [Arg(NO2)6,Nle8, 9, 18]-apo-ACP-(1-74); [Arg(NO2)6,Nle44]-apo-ACP-(1-74); [Nle6, 44]-apo-ACP-(1-74); [Arg(NO2)6, Nle8, 9, 18, 44]-apo-ACP-(1-74); [Arg(NO2)6,Nle8, 9, 18, 44]-apo-ACP-(2-74); [Arg(NO2)6,Nle8, 9, 18, 44]-apo-ACP-(3-74); [Arg(NO2)6,Nle8, 9, 18, 44]-apo-ACP-(4-74); [Arg(NO2)6, Nle8, 9, 18, 44]-apo-ACP-(5-74); [Arg(NO2)6,Nle8, 9, 18, 44]-apo-ACP-(6-74); [Nle8, 9, 18, 44]-apo-ACP-(7-74); and [Arg(NO2)6, Nle8, 9, 18, 44]-apo-ACP-(1-61). A study of the activity of these derivatives indicated that the single methionine at position 44 and the three lysines at positions 8, 9, and 18 play a nonessential role in the biological function of ACP. The single arginine at position 6 is more critical, for although the Ne-nitroarginine derivative was active, substitution of norleucine for arginine gave an analogue which was inactive with malonyl-CoA-ACP transacylase. While a large part of the COOH terminus was not essential, since the fragment 1 through 61 retained significant activity, the NH2 terminus was much more critical and the omission of more than 3 residues caused a significant reduction in the biological activity of the protein.
An Optimized Symbolic Bounded Model Checking Engine

It has been shown that bounded model checking using a SAT solver can solve many verification problems that would cause BDD based symbolic model checking engines to explode. However, no single algorithmic solution has proven to be totally superior in resolving all types of model checking problems. We present an optimized bounded model checker based on BDDs and describe the advantages and drawbacks of this model checker as compared to BDD-based symbolic model checking and SAT-based model checking. We show that, in some cases, this engine solves verification problems that could not be solved by other methods.
Polyphenol-rich extract of Pimenta dioica berries (Allspice) kills breast cancer cells by autophagy and delays growth of triple negative breast cancer in athymic mice

Bioactive compounds from edible plants have limited efficacy in treating advanced cancers, but they have potential to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs in a combined treatment. An aqueous extract of berries of Pimenta dioica (Allspice) shows promise as one such candidate for combination therapy or chemoprevention. An aqueous extract of Allspice (AAE) was tested against human breast cancer (BrCa) cells in vitro and in vivo. AAE reduced the viability and clonogenic growth of several types of BrCa cells (IC50 ≤ 100 μg/ml) with limited toxicity in non-tumorigenic, quiescent cells (IC50 >200 μg/ml). AAE induced cytotoxicity in BrCa was inconsistent with apoptosis, but was associated with increased levels of autophagy markers LC3B and LC3B-positive puncta. Silencing the expression of autophagy related genes (ATGs) prevented AAE-induced cell death. Further, AAE caused inhibition of Akt/mTOR signaling, and showed enhanced cytotoxicity when combined with rapamycin, a chemotherapy drug and an inhibitor of mTOR signaling. Oral administration (gavage) of AAE into athymic mice implanted with MDA-MB231 tumors inhibited tumor growth slightly but not significantly (mean decrease ~ 14%, p ≥ 0.20) if mice were gavaged post-tumor implant. Tumor growth showed a significant delay (38%) in tumor palpability and growth rate (time to reach tumor volume ≥ 1,000 mm3) when mice were pre-dosed with AAE for two weeks. Analysis of tumor tissues showed increased levels of LC3B in AAE treated tumors, indicating elevated autophagic tumor cell death in vivo in treated mice. These results demonstrate antitumor and chemo-preventive activity of AAE against BrCa and potential for adjuvant to mTOR inhibition.
Dirty jobs: the role of freelance labor in web service abuse

Modern Web services inevitably engender abuse, as attackers find ways to exploit a service and its user base. However, while defending against such abuse is generally considered a technical endeavor, we argue that there is an increasing role played by human labor markets. Using over seven years of data from the popular crowd-sourcing site Freelancer.com, as well data from our own active job solicitations, we characterize the labor market involved in service abuse. We identify the largest classes of abuse work, including account creation, social networking link generation and search engine optimization support, and characterize how pricing and demand have evolved in supporting this activity.
Paving the road to hell? cultural institutions and the "New" philanthropy

On February 6, 2002, The Washington Post reported: Throughout the nine months that her idea for an exhibition on American achievement at the Smithsonian Institution had been debated, Catherine B. Reynolds was frustrated with the process. She was angry that her idea of honoring prominent individuals had become a lightening rod for criticism. She was annoyed that some historians thought the Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation’s promised $38 million gift to the National Museum of American History didn’t mean she could help decide how the exhibit would be presented. She was befuddled by the slow and consensus-oriented process of putting together . . .
Analytic properties of systems with Lennard-Jones type potentials☆

The properties of a classical system with a n-m pair potential are analytic in a properly defined domain of two complex variables related to the fugacity or density and the temperature. For a Lennard-Jones potential these variables are ϱσ3(βϵ)14 and (βϵ)12.
An Integrated Modeling and Experimental Approach to Study the Influence of Environmental Nutrients on Biofilm Formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The availability of nutrient components in the environment was identified as a critical regulator of virulence and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This work proposes the first systems-biology approach to quantify microbial biofilm formation upon the change of nutrient availability in the environment. Specifically, the change of fluxes of metabolic reactions that were positively associated with P. aeruginosa biofilm formation was used to monitor the trend for P. aeruginosa to form a biofilm. The uptake rates of nutrient components were changed according to the change of the nutrient availability. We found that adding each of the eleven amino acids (Arg, Tyr, Phe, His, Iso, Orn, Pro, Glu, Leu, Val, and Asp) to minimal medium promoted P. aeruginosa biofilm formation. Both modeling and experimental approaches were further developed to quantify P. aeruginosa biofilm formation for four different availability levels for each of the three ions that include ferrous ions, sulfate, and phosphate. The developed modeling approach correctly predicted the amount of biofilm formation. By comparing reaction flux change upon the change of nutrient concentrations, metabolic reactions used by P. aeruginosa to regulate its biofilm formation are mainly involved in arginine metabolism, glutamate production, magnesium transport, acetate metabolism, and the TCA cycle.
Aerobic and Anaerobic Biodegradation of PCBs: A Review

AbstractThis review summarizes recent research results on the biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These compounds, commonly believed to be indestructible, have repeatedly been shown to biodegrade under a variety of conditions. Two distinct classes of bacteria have now been identified that biodegrade PCBs by different mechanisms. The focus of this manuscript is current research involving the aerobic biodegradation of PCBs (natural strains, recombinant organisms, and soil applications) and the dramatic new results demonstrating microbial reductive dechlorination of even highly chlorinated PCBs under anaerobic conditions.These two PCB-degradative systems include aerobic bacteria which live in oxygenated environments and anaerobic bacteria which live in oxygen free environments such as aquatic sediments. The aerobes attack PCBs oxidatively, breaking open the carbon ring and destroying the compounds. Anaerobes, on the other hand, leave the biphenyl rings intact while removing the chlorines. Thi...
Some aspects of threonine and serine biosynthesis in E. coli.

Summary 1. Escherichia coli , strain B, was grown in glucose-phosphate-ammonium chloride medium with either C 14 -labeled oxalacetate, aspartate, or formate. 2. The distribution of isotope in the threonine and serine indicated that a four-carbon unit is the source of the threonine molecule, whereas serine probably arises from a fragment derived from the metabolism of glucose in the medium.
A Modified Uniformization Method for the Chemical Master Equation

The chemical master equation is considered an accurate description of general chemical systems, and especially so for modeling cell cycle and gene regulatory networks. This paper proposes an efficient way of solving the chemical master equation for some prototypical problems in systems biology. A comparison between this new approach and some traditional approaches is also given.
Protective immunity against H5N1 influenza virus by a single dose vaccination with virus-like particles

We generated influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) containing the wild type (WT) H5 hemagglutinin (HA) from A/Viet Nam/1203/04 virus or a mutant H5 HA with a deletion of the multibasic cleavage motif. VLPs containing mutant H5 HA were found to be as immunogenic as VLPs containing WT HA. A single intramuscular vaccination with either type of H5 VLPs provided complete protection against lethal challenge. In contrast, the recombinant H5 HA vaccine was less immunogenic and vaccination even with a 5 fold higher dose did not induce protective immunity. VLP vaccines were superior to the recombinant HA in inducing T helper type 1 immune responses, hemagglutination inhibition titers, and antibody secreting cells, which significantly contribute to inducing protective immunity after a single dose vaccination. This study provides insights into the potential mechanisms of improved immunogenicity by H5 VLP vaccines as an approach to improve the protective efficacy against potential pandemic viruses.
Intestinal adaptation after small bowel resection in human infants.

Abstract Purpose In animal models, the small intestine responds to massive small bowel resection (SBR) through a compensatory process termed adaptation , characterized by increases in both villus height and crypt depth. This study seeks to determine whether similar morphologic alterations occur in humans after SBR. Methods Clinical data and pathologic specimens of infants who had both an SBR for necrotizing enterocolitis and an ostomy takedown from 1999 to 2009 were reviewed. Small intestine mucosal morphology was compared in the same patients at the time of SBR and at the time of ostomy takedown. Results For all samples, there was greater villus height (453.6 ± 20.4 vs 341.2 ± 12.4 μ m, P μ m, P r = 0.36, P Conclusion Mucosal adaptation after SBR in human infants is similar to what is observed in animal models. These findings validate the use of animal models of SBR used to understand the molecular mechanisms of this important response.
Association test of multiallelic gene copy numbers in family trios.

While recent genomic surveys reveal growing numbers of di-allelic copy number variations, it is genes with multiallelic (>2) copy numbers that have shown association with distinct phenotypes. Current high-throughput laboratory methods are restricted to enumerating total gene copy numbers (GCNs) per individual and not the “genotype,” i.e. gene copy per chromosome. Thus, association studies of multiallelic GCNs have been limited to comparison of median copies in different groups. Our new nonparametric statistical approach is based on GCN information within a trio-based study design. We present theoretical derivation of the statistics and results of simulation studies that show robustness of our approach and power under several genetic models. Genet. Epidemiol. 34:2–6, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.