cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution and Characterization of Heterochromatic DNA in the Tetraploid African Population Alfalfa Genome

A reference karyotype of tetraploid alfalfa (Medicago saliva subsp. sativa, 2n = 4r = 32) African Population germplasm source (PI 536539) was constructed using the combined techniques of C-banding and image analysis. The image analysis system is a method of obtaining enhanced images of chromosomes in which morphological data can be obtained for the development of karyotypes. In addition, C-banding is a diagnostic tool for distinguishing the homologous chromosomes of alfalfa. Chromosome analysis of tetraploid alfalfa revealed that alfalfa has four similar series of chromosomes based on their chromosome morphology and C-banding. The karyotype of African Population alfalfa germplasm consists of one set of chromosomes with satellites (SATs, Chromosome 8), four sets of submetacentric chromosomes (Chromosomes 1-4), and three sets of metacentric chromosomes (Chromosomes 5-7). All of the chromosomes have centromeric bands and a terminal band on the short arm, with the exception of the SAT. Interstitial bands were observed on the short arm of each of the chromosomes, with the exception of Chromosome 7. Chromosomes 1, 2, and 3 have interstitial bands on their long arms. There exists considerable variability in the number, intensity, and location of the constitutive heterochromatic DNA; however, this variability is not sufficient to preclude recognition of the homologous chromosomes. The chromosome banding pattern of the African Population germplasm resembles the distribution of heterochromatic DNA C-bands of diploid M. saliva subsp. caerulea (Less, ex Ledeb.) Schmalh. The African Population karyotype of alfalfa developed in this study is suggested as the reference for the development of additional chromosome maps of diverse alfalfa populations.
Influence of Porous Media, Airflow Rate, and Air Channel Spacing on Benzene NAPL Removal during Air Sparging

To study the effects of porous media type, airflow rate, and air channel spacing on NAPL removal, air sparging of a benzene NAPL was performed in a lab-scale reactor with two isolated vertical air channels on either side of the NAPL. Experimental conditions included three discrete air channel distances, three types of saturated porous media, and five airflow rates. Benzene NAPL removal efficiency was shown to increase from 7.5% to 16.2% with increasing porous media mean particle size over the 168 h of operation. Initial change in the airflow rate had an effect on contaminant removal rate, but further change in the airflow rate had little effect. Benzene NAPL removal efficiency was shown to decrease with increasing channel spacing, but the mere presence of air channels was shown to suppress lateral contaminant migration. Benzene removal efficiency was shown to be highly correlated with the mean particle diameter, the square root of the uniformity coefficient, and the inverse of the square of the distance between the NAPL and the air channel.
Cerebral resuscitation with succinate and fructose-1, 6-diphosphate

To test the hypotheses that succinate or fructose-1, 6-diphosphate may have a beneficial effect in global cerebral ischemia, we induced complete global cerebral ischemia for 5 minutes in rabbits by occlusion of the ascending aorta and the superior and inferior vena cavae. Fifteen minutes after restoration of cerebral blood flow, animals received an intravenous bolus of either succinate or fructose-1,6-diphosphate followed by continuous infusion. Another group of animals received fructose-1, 6-diphosphate beginning prior to aortic occlusion. Control animals received intravenous glucose by bolus, followed by infusion. Cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels were measured before occlusion and at 2 1/2 hours after occlusion, when the animals were sacrificed. In all animals electrocortical silence was demonstrated for the 5 minutes of global ischemia. The percent change in cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels in all groups was statistically similar. Only two of seven of the control animals recovered electroencephalogram amplitude during the 2 1/2 hour observation period. Time for recovery of amplitude on the electroencephalogram in animals receiving fructose-1, 6-diphosphate either before or after ischemia was statistically similar to controls. In the succinate treated group, all seven animals regained preocclusion levels of electroencephalogram amplitude within 36 minutes of the restoration of cerebral blood flow. Succinate administered after complete global cerebral ischemia resulted in significantly increased recovery of cerebral electrical activity (Fischer's exact test, p less than 0.05).
On the Testing of Regression Disturbances for Normality

Abstract OLS and BLUS residuals in the classical linear regression model are compared with respect to testing the normality of regression disturbances. It is shown that in theory both types of residuals suffer from the common problem of lack of independence under the alternative hypothesis of nonnormal disturbances. Further, Monte Carlo experiments appear to show the superiority of OLS over BLUS residuals, as well as the superiority of the Shapiro-Wilk test over other tests studied, when one is testing for normality.
Characterization of abdominally acquired uterine electrical signals in humans, using a non-linear analytic method

The present work seeks to determine if a particular non-linear analytic method is effective at quantifying uterine electromyography (EMG) data for estimating the onset of labor. Twenty-seven patients were included, and their uterine EMG was recorded non-invasively for 30 min. The patients were grouped into two sets: G1: labor, N=14; G2: antepartum, N=13. G1 patients all delivered spontaneously within 24 h of recording while G2 patients did not. The uterine electrical signals were analyzed offline by first isolating the uterine-specific frequency range and then randomly selecting “bursts” of uterine electrical activity (each associated with a uterine contraction) from every recording. Wavelet transform was subsequently applied to each of the bursts’ traces, and then the fractal dimension (FD) of the resulting transformed EMG burst-trace was calculated (Benoit 1.3, Trusoft). Average burst FD was found for each patient. FD means for G1 and G2 were calculated and compared using t test. FD was significantly higher (P<0.05) for G1: 1.27±0.03 versus G2: 1.25±0.02. The wavelet-decomposition-generated fractal dimension can be used to successfully discern between patients who will deliver spontaneously within 24 h and those who will not, and can be useful for the objective classification of antepartum versus labor patients.
The homeless orthopaedic trauma patient: follow-up, emergency room usage, and complications.

OBJECTIVES To review homeless patients with orthopaedic trauma injuries and examine their emergency room (ER) usage, follow-up rates, and complication rates. DESIGN Retrospective chart review. SETTING Patients presenting to a level 1 trauma center with orthopaedic trauma injuries from 2001 to 2010. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS Sixty-three uninsured homeless patients and 63 uninsured nonhomeless patients with orthopaedic trauma injuries were included. INTERVENTION Homeless patients with orthopaedic trauma were identified through ER intake sheets and current procedural terminology code searches. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS ER usage, orthopaedic clinic follow-up, and complications. RESULTS After the index visit to the ER for their orthopaedic trauma injuries, homeless patients demonstrated more ER visits and had fewer orthopaedic clinic follow-up visits than nonhomeless patients (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences among the type of complications (none, infection, hardware failure, and nonunion) between the homeless and the nonhomeless patients (P = 0.23). Operative homeless patients returned to the orthopaedic clinic for follow-up more than nonoperative homeless patients (mean = 5.4, SD = 7.6; and mean = 1.2, SD = 1.5, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our data are the first to examine the problems associated with homelessness in the patient with orthopaedic trauma and demonstrate an increased challenge in the follow-up care. The orthopaedic surgeon must consider these issues in managing this complex patient population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Analysis of internal stress and anelasticity in the shock-compressed state from unloading wave data

Abstract Time-resolved shock-wave measurements have often been used to infer microstructural behavior in crystalline solids. We apply this approach to an interpretation of the release-wave response of an aluminum alloy (6061-T6) as it is dynamically unloaded from a shock-compressed state of 20.7 GPa. The anelastic behavior in the initial portion of the unloading wave is attributed to the accumulation of internal stresses created by the shock process. Specific internal-stress models which are investigated are (i) the double pile-up, (ii) the single pile-up, and (iii) single dislocation loops between pinning points. It is found that the essential characteristics of double and single pile-ups can be represented by a single dislocation between two pinned dislocations of like sign. Calculations of anelastic wave speeds at constant unloading strain rate are then compared with experimental data. The results suggest that the residual internal stress is due to pinned loops of density 1015m−2, and that the viscous drag coefficient in the shock-compressed state is on the order of 10−7 MPa s (approximately two orders of magnitude greater than expected under ambient conditions).
Condensed phase combustion with a merged sequential reaction mechanism

A model is presented for the propagation of an exothermic chemical reaction through a condensed combustible mixture where the reaction is characterized by the sequential production and depletion of a significant intermediate species. The effects of melting of the initial deficient component and intermediate species are also included. Under the assumptions of large activation energies and both steps of the reaction occurring at nearly the same temperature, together with other constraints on the effective heat released during each stage of the combustion process, an asymptotic approximation for the speed of a uniformly propagating planar merged reaction front is given
Diffusion-controlled reaction. VI. Radiation graft polymerization of styrene to polyethylene

The radiation graft polymerization of styrene to polyethylene was studied under diffusion-controlled conditions of radiation intensity I, monomer concentration M1, and polymer sample thickness L. The results of the present study together with previous work under diffusion-free conditions verify our theoretical model for the diffusion-controlled reaction. The grafting rate is inverse first order in L for diffusion-controlled reaction and independent of L for diffusion-free reaction. The order of dependence of grafting rate on radiation intensity for diffusion-controlled reaction is one-half that for diffusion-free reaction. Diffusion control leads to a decrease in the order of dependence of grafting rate on monomer concentration. The decrease is greater than theoretically predicted; possible reasons for this effect are described.
Multimedia Guided Writing Modules for Introductory Human Geography

Abstract This article describes a pilot project initiated in the fall term of 1993 that implemented and tested an interactive system of multimedia computer learning modules for an introductory human geography course. Modules actively involved students in learning and collaborative writing about topics illustrative of the breadth of contemporary human geography. Evaluation was achieved by means of analysis of student essays, electronic logs of student time spent in various portions of the system, and a comprehensive survey administered to students at the end of the term. This information suggests that the use of interactive multimedia lab modules can greatly enrich the learning environment for a wide range of students taking introductory human geography courses, though careful attention must be paid to ensure ease of use. The modules are now being refined based on these results; our hope is to make them available to other geography departments in the near future.
Adverse events following implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation: a systematic review.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) prevent sudden cardiac death, but patients need to be counseled about potential harms. We summarized the evidence on adverse events from ICDs with a focus on ICD use for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. We searched MEDLINE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from 2002 through 2012 for reports of adverse events from ICDs implanted for primary prevention or mixed indications (primary and secondary prevention). Studies had to have ≥500 patients and specify patient numerators and denominators. Data from 35 independent cohorts reported in 53 articles were included. Reports from one registry provided high quality evidence on adverse events during hospitalization for ICD implantation. Adverse events ranged from 2.8 to 3.6 %. Serious adverse events ranged from 1.2 to 1.4 %. The most frequent serious adverse events were pneumothorax (0.4–0.5 %) and cardiac arrest (0.3 %). The quality of the evidence for long-term adverse events was low. Frequency of adverse events post-hospitalization was variable, as was follow-up: device-related complications <0.1–6.4 % (2–49 months), lead-related complications <0.1–3.9 % (1.5–40 months), infection 0.2–3.7 % (1.5–49 months), and thrombosis 0.2–2.9 % (1.5–49 months). Evidence for inappropriate shock was of moderate quality with 3–21 % of patients experiencing at least one inappropriate shock during 1 to 5 years of follow-up. The limitation of the evidence reviewed in this study is low quality evidence for adverse events post-hospitalization. Evidence is predominantly from mixed primary and secondary prevention populations. In-hospital adverse events after ICD implantation are infrequent. The estimates for long-term adverse events are uncertain. Up to one-fifth of patients receive inappropriate shocks.
Radiotherapy in the multimodal treatment of extrarenal extracranial malignant rhabdoid tumors

Extrarenal extracranial malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRT) are extremely rare and typically lethal. No consensus exists on an optimal treatment approach, and, in particular, the role of radiation therapy (RT) is poorly defined. We report on three children who underwent multimodality treatment including surgery, chemotherapy (CMT), and RT. Two of these patients are alive and without evidence of disease 6(1/2) and 7 years after diagnosis and one has expired. Our limited experience suggests that RT in the setting of CMT and surgery has the potential to prolong survival with acceptable toxicity, but outcomes are inconsistent and further study is necessary.
An Optimal Age Replacement Policy for Multi-State Systems

We consider an age replacement policy (ARP) for a system which consists of several multi-state elements. These elements can be in different states with performance levels ranging from perfectly functioning (the highest state) to total failure (the zero state). The multi-state system (MSS) is considered to be in a failure or unacceptable state if its performance level, determined by the multiple elements and the configuration, falls below the user demand level, and is considered as in a working or acceptable state if its performance level is greater than or equal to the user demand level. Under an ARP, a multi-state system is replaced at a failure, or at age T, whichever comes first. The deterioration of the multi-state element is assumed to follow the non-homogenous continuous-time Markov chain (NHCTMC). We use the recursion to solve the Chapman-Kolmogorov's (C-K) forward equation to obtain the time-dependent state probabilities of each element of the system. Then we compute the state probabilities of the entire system by using the Lz-transform method. Finally, we derive the expected cost and profit functions, and determine the cost minimization or profit maximization ARPs. The multi-state model under the ARP is a generalization of the classic two-state maintenance model, and can be applied to analyze more complex aging systems. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate our results.
Aging and TOR: Interwoven in the fabric of life

Longstanding results with calorie and growth factor restriction plus recent results with the first interventional drug suggest that retarding the pace of aging to improve the quality of life of older people is at hand. The biological system targeted by these approaches is the target of rapamycin (TOR), which is central for cellular responses to a variety of stimuli including stressors, growth factors, and nutrients and energy states. That the life-extending response to reducing its activity is highly conserved from yeast to mammals is consistent with the evolution of aging as a strategy to preserve reproductive potential of young cells and animals.
Abstract 2009: PKR induces apoptosis via PP2A activation and Bcl-2 dephosphorylation in IL-3 dependent murine bone marrow stem/progenitor cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL The Interferon-induced double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) was originally found to be activated by viral infection leading to inhibition of new protein synthesis and apoptosis. Recently multiple studies have reported decreased expression and function of PKR in leukemia cells, although the exact role of PKR in the process of oncogenesis remains unclear. Since leukemias are clonal disorders originating in a primitive pluripotent leukemic stem cell (LSC) which is regulated by multi-potential hematopoietic growth factors including interleukin-3 (IL-3). Thus, studying how PKR regulates apoptosis in IL-3 dependent (CD123+) pluripotent stem/progenitor cells is expected to reveal PKR's role in leukemia. PKR expression was either knocked down (by 78%) using a specific ShRNA or directly inhibited (57%) by treating cells with a specific PKR inhibitor. Results revealed that inhibition of PKR was associated with a reduction of PP2A activity, a 2.3 fold increase in Bcl-2 phosphorylation and inhibition of apoptosis following treatment with 100uM hydrogen peroxide for 48 hours. In addition, okadaic acid (an inhibitor of PP2A) had a similar effect to PKR inhibition on both Bcl-2 phosphorylation (1.74 fold increase) and stress-induced apoptosis. By contrast, treatment of cells with the PP2A activator, FTY 720, resulted in decreased Bcl-2 phosphorylation (by 2.24 fold) and enhanced apoptosis in response to treatment of cells with chemotherapy (etoposide or doxorubicin) or hydrogen peroxide. To test the role of PKR in growth factor- withdrawal mediated apoptosis in bone marrow stem/progenitor cells, CD123+(IL-3R[[Unsupported Character - Symbol Font ]]+) bone marrow cells from wild type, PKR transgenic (over-expressed) and PKR null(-/-) mice were exposed to different stresses including IL-3 deprivation or hydrogen peroxide. CD123+ cells isolated from PKR null mice had a significantly lower percentage of apoptosis while CD123+ cells from PKR transgenic mice had increased apoptosis compared to cells from wild type littermate mice. These results demonstrate that PKR negatively affects hematopoietic cell survival by enhancing apoptosis following stress in a mechanism that involves PP2A activation and Bcl2 dephosphorylation. Taken together these results may indicate that inhibition of PKR's pro-apoptotic function in bone marrow pluripotent stem/progenitor cells may contribute to tumorigenesis in hematopoietic malignancies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2009. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2009
Combinatorial odor discrimination in the brain: attractive and antagonist odor blends are represented in distinct combinations of uniquely identifiable glomeruli.

The rules governing the central discrimination of odors are complex and poorly understood, but a growing body of evidence supports the hypothesis that olfactory glomeruli may represent functionally distinct coding modules in the brain. Testing this hypothesis requires that both the functional characteristics and the spatial position of the glomerulus under study be uniquely identifiable. To address these questions, we examined a specialized array of glomeruli (the macroglomerular complex; MGC) in the antennal lobe of male moths that receives input from olfactory receptor cells tuned specifically to female-released odorants that either promote upwind flight (conspecific sex pheromones) or inhibit it (interspecific antagonists). By using a three-dimensional reconstruction method based on high-resolution laser-scanning confocal microscopy, we generated precise spatial maps of the MGC glomeruli in two related noctuid species with similar pheromone chemistry, Heliothis virescens and Helicoverpa zea. To determine the breadth of tuning of individual MGC glomeruli in processing information about these social signals, we used intracellular recording and staining methods to examine the responses of projection (output) neurons that innervate MGC glomeruli and that each project an axon to higher integrative centers. In both species, a close correspondence was found between the odor specificity of the projection neurons and the glomerulus (or glomeruli) supplied by them. The binary blend of pheromone components for each species was represented by neural activity in only two distinct glomeruli in both H. virescensand H. zea. Odorants that antagonize upwind flight when they are added to the respective pheromonal blendsevoked excitatory activity in output neurons restricted to a third glomerulus in the MGCs of both species. In summary, these results suggest that the selective activation of different combinations of functionally distinct MGC glomeruli is a general means for discriminating these specific attractant and antagonist chemical signals in the brain. J. Comp. Neurol. 400:35–56, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Transport and band structure studies of crystalline ZnRh2 O4

We report the synthesis and characterization of non-${d}^{10}$ $p$-type transparent conducting oxides of the normal spinel ${\text{ZnRh}}_{2}{\text{O}}_{4}$. Undoped ${\text{ZnRh}}_{2}{\text{O}}_{4}$ was successfully prepared by means of bulk solid-state synthesis. The conduction mechanism and bulk defect chemistry of polycrystalline sintered pellets of ${\text{ZnRh}}_{2}{\text{O}}_{4}$ were studied through electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements, in defect equilibrium at elevated temperature under controlled atmospheres. Optical diffuse reflectance measurements were also carried out to evaluate band gap. The data were analyzed in terms of an activated mobility (small polaron conduction), with a hopping energy of 0.25 eV. Results from band structure calculations by $\text{LDA}+\text{U}$ and optical band-gap measurement by UV-visible spectrometry are in good agreement with literature data.
A compiler optimization to reduce soft errors in register files

Register file (RF) is extremely vulnerable to soft errors, and traditional redundancy based schemes to protect the RF are prohibitive not only because RF is often in the timing critical path of the processor, but also since it is one of the hottest blocks on the chip, and therefore adding any extra circuitry to it is not desirable. Pure software approaches would be ideal in this case, but previous approaches that are based on program duplication have very significant runtime overheads, and others based on instruction scheduling are only moderately effective due to local scope. We show that the problem of protecting registers inherently requires inter-procedural analysis, and intra-procedural optimization are ineffective. This paper presents a pure compiler approach, based on inter-procedural code analysis to reduce the vulnerability of registers by temporarily writing live variables to protected memory. We formulate the problem as an integer linear programming problem and also present a very efficient heuristic algorithm. Our experiments demonstrate that our proposed technique can reduce the vulnerability of the RF by 33 ~ 37% on average and up to 66%, with a small 2% increase in runtime. In addition, our overhead reduction optimizations can effectively reduce the code size overhead, by more than 40% on average, to a mere 5 ~ 6%, as compared to highly optimized binaries.
Effect of chloride contamination in MON-1 propellant on crack growth properties of metals

The effect of a high level of chloride content (800 ppm) in MON-1 propellant on the crack growth properties of seven materials was investigated. Sustained load tests were conducted at 49 C (120 F) temperature with thin gauge tensile specimens having a semi-elliptical surface flaw. Alloys included aluminum 1100, 3003, 5086 and 6061; corrosion resistant steel types A286 and 347; and titanium 6Al-4V. The configurations tested with precracked flaws exposed to MON-1 were: parent or base metal, center weld, and heat affected zone. It was concluded that this chloride level in MON-1 does not affect the stress corrosion, crack growth properties of these alloys after 1000 hour exposure duration under high stresses.
Neurospora crassa supersuppressor mutants are amber codon-specific.

Abstract Neurospora crassa has 10 mapped supersuppressor (ssu) genes. In vivo studies indicate that they suppress amber (UAG) premature termination mutations but the spectrum of their functions remains to be elucidated. We examined seven ssu strains (ssu-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -9, and -10) using cell-free translation extracts. We tested suppression by requiring it to produce firefly luciferase from a reading frame containing premature UAA, UGA, or UAG terminators. All mutants except ssu-3 suppressed UAG codons. Maximal UAG suppression ranged from 15% to 30% relative to controls containing sense codons at the corresponding position. Production from constructs containing UAA or UGA was 1–2%, similar to levels observed with all nonsense codons in wild-type and ssu-3 extracts. UAG suppression was also seen using [35S]Met to radiolabel polypeptides. Suppression enabled ribosomes to continue translation elongation as determined using the toeprint assay. tRNA from supersuppressors showed suppressor activity when added to wild-type extracts. Thus, these supersuppressors produce amber suppressor tRNA.
Role of a basement membrane glycoprotein in anti-tubular basement membrane nephritis

Role of a basement membrane glycoprotein in anti-tubular basement membrane. Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen (TIN antigen) is a basement membrane component which is recognized by human autoantibodies in TIN and has been shown to induce TIN in Brown Norway (BN) rats. Detectable by immunofluorescent microscopy, TIN antigen reacts with monoclonal, polyclonal, and human autoantibodies in basement membranes of kidney cortex, small intestine, skin and cornea. Specific sites of TIN antigen within kidney cortex include basement membranes of proximal tubules, distal tubules, Bowman's capsule and peritubular capillaries, with highest concentration in proximal tubular basement membrane (TBM). TIN antigen is also present in interstitium between tubules and in the periarterial sheath, but not in glomerular basement membrane or mesangial matrix. Immunoblotting of TIN antigen isolated from rabbit TBM reveals a major 58 kDa component with minor components of 300 kDa, 175 kDa, 160 kDa, 100 kDa and 50 kDa. Partial protein sequence analysis indicates that 58 kDa TIN antigen represents a newly defined glycoprotein. The structural relationships between various molecular weight forms are currently being investigated. High molecular weight (HMW) forms of TIN antigen, consisting of a mixture of 300 kDa, 175 kDa and 160 kDa forms, are more efficient than low molecular weight (LMW) forms (58 kDa and 50 kDa forms) in inducing TIN in BN rats. The resultant antibody specificity of rats injected with either HMW TIN antigen or LMW TIN antigen is identical as determined by immunofluorescent microscopy and Western analysis. Higher antibody titers and greater amounts of kidney-bound IgG are found in the HMW TIN antigen-immunized animals. TIN antigen is the primary target of anti-TBM antibodies in human and experimental immunologically-mediated anti-TBM nephritis.
Relevant content for a patient-reported outcomes questionnaire for use in oncology clinical practice: Putting doctors and patients on the same page

To investigate relevant patient-reported outcome (PRO) domains for oncology clinical practice. We conducted cross-sectional semi-structured telephone interviews with patients with breast and prostate cancer and clinicians. Using open-ended questions followed by structured prompts of PRO domains, subjects were asked what they currently discuss during visits and which topics are relevant for a clinical practice PRO. For each domain, we calculated the percentage of patients and clinicians who responded positively. A qualitative thematic content analysis identified barriers and benefits of using PROs in clinical practice. A total of 41 patients (21 breast cancer and 20 prostate cancer) and 15 clinicians (7 medical oncologists, 5 radiation oncologists, and 3 surgeons) completed the interviews. In general, clinicians and patients reported that the topics explored were relevant. Barriers to using PROs in clinical practice include (1) time constraints, (2) varying relevance of questions, (3) value of the conversational approach, (4) decreased usefulness in established relationships, and (5) respondent burden. Benefits of PROs in clinical practice include (1) identifying problems, (2) serving as a reminder of topics to discuss, and (3) tracking changes over time. PROs in clinical practice may help triage issues and focus discussions. Computer-adaptive tests should be explored to tailor questionnaires to patients’ specific issues.
Initial Surface Roughening in Ge/Si(001) Heteroepitaxy Driven by Step-Vacancy Line Interaction

The initial surface roughening during Ge epitaxy on Si(001) is shown to arise from an effective repulsion between ${S}_{A}$ surface steps and dimer vacancy lines (VLs). This step-VL interaction gradually inactivates a substantial fraction of adatom attachment sites at the growth front, causing a rapid increase in the rate of two-dimensional island nucleation. The mutual repulsion hinders the crossing of ${S}_{A}$ surface steps over VLs in the second layer, thus organizing the developing surface roughness into a periodic array of anisotropic 2D terraces. Isolated (105) facets forming at specific sites on this ordered template mediate the assembly of first 3D Ge islands.
Formation and reactions of 1-lithiobicyclo[1.1.1]pentane

Abstract Bicyclopentyllithium was prepared in two steps from the readily available [1.1.1]propellane and proved to be a versatile intermediate in the preparation of a wide variety of 1-substituted bicyclopentanes.
Mechanosensing Can Result from Adhesion Molecule Dynamics

When plated onto a substrate, cells spread. Many cell types, including smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, spread more effectively on stiffer substrates, and a simple empirical relationship has been determined that relates a cell's spread area to the substrate stiffness. In addition, some crawling cells when plated onto a stiff substrate will not migrate onto soft substrate, a process called “durotaxis”. Here we show that the resistive force predicted previously for dynamic adhesion molecules can account for both of these mechanosensory effects.
Subcellular Quantitative Proteomics Reveals Multiple Pathway Cross-Talk That Coordinates Specific Signaling and Transcriptional Regulation for the Early Host Response to LPS

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) specifically recognizes lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to initiate signal transduction events that modulate host inflammatory responses. Although increasing numbers of genes have been characterized individually for their involvement in TLR4 signaling, the LPS-induced TLR4-mediated signaling pathway and connected networks are incompletely delineated. Given that most components of signaling pathways are activated at an early phase of the LPS-induced response, we have employed a subcellular, SILAC-based quantitative proteomics approach to identify proteins in LPS-stimulated macrophages showing either cytosolic- or nuclear-specific changes in abundance. Subcellular fractionation not only reduces the spectral complexity for identifying maximum numbers of proteins but also enriches for low-abundance proteins within the compartment in which they function. Following 10 min LPS stimulation, the abundances of 508 proteins were found elevated in the cytosol, while the elevated levels of 678 pro...
A list of Micromethods for the determination of calcium and phosphate

Zwecks Erleichterung der Auswahl geeigneter Analysenverfahren geben die Tabellen I und II vergleichende Zusammenstellungen von Mikromethoden, die fur die Bestimmung von weniger als 1 mg Calcium oder Phosphor dienen konnen.
Ab initio calculation of the structural parameters, conformational stability, vibrational frequencies and Raman and infrared intensities of methoxydimethylphosphine

The structural parameters of the near-cis (where the methyl moiety of the methoxy group is nearly eclipsing the lone pair on the phosphorus atom) and the trans (methoxymethyl with a dihedral angle of 180° from the phosphorus lone pair) conformations of methoxydimethylphosphine, CH3OP(CH3)2, have been calculated with the RHF/3-21G∗ and RHF/6-31G∗ basis sets. For the smaller basis set the trans conformer is calculated to be more stable by 128 cm−1 (366 cal mol−1) than the near-cis rotamer, whereas with the 6-31G∗ basis set the near-cis conformer is more stable than the trans conformer by 549 cm−1 (1570 cal mol−1). This latter result is consistent with the previously reported vibrational data for the vapor where predominately one conformer was observed. With the 6-31G∗ basis set the near-cis rotamer has the methoxymethyl group rotated by 20° from eclipsing the phosphorus atom lone pair with a near-cis to near-cis barrier of 10 cm−1. Full optimization was also performed at the near-cis/trans transitional state and the barrier was calculated to be 1405 cm−1 (4.02 kcal mol−1) and 1675 cm−1 (4.77 kcal mol−1) with the 3-21G* and 6-31G* basis sets respectively. The force constants, vibrational frequencies, potential energy distributions, and the IR and Raman intensity parameters for both stable conformers were calculated with the 3-21G* basis set. These data are used to provide definitive assignments for the normal modes for both stable confonners.
TU-C-332-06: Attenuation Correction for Hybrid PET-MRI System by Deformable Image Registration

Purpose: To develop an accurate patient‐specific PET attenuation coefficients map to be used in hybrid MRI‐PET systems for braintumorimaging. The attenuation maps are obtained by warping a general (atlas) CT dataset to the patient‐specific MRI dataset using a deformable registration model.Method and Materials: Patient MR images and the atlas CTimages are registered using a B‐Spline deformable model and the Mattes formulation of the mutual information metric as registration criterion. The registration establishes a voxel‐to‐voxel correspondence that maps each voxel in the CT atlas voxels to the MRI dataset, creating an artificial, individualized CT scan of the patient's anatomy as observed in the MRI dataset. To evaluate the accuracy of the deformable‐based attenuation correction, ten clinical braintumor cases are studied with MR‐CT image sets. For each case an artificial CT is computed by warping the atlas to the MRI datasets. This artificial CT is compared to the true patient's CT in terms of geometrical accuracy of the deformation module as well as a voxel‐to‐voxel comparison of HU units. Results: In all cases, mapping form the atlas CT to the individual MR was achieved with great geometrical accuracy as visually judged using the qualitative visual inspection tools. The mean distance between the artificial and true CT's external contour and bony anatomy was 1 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively. In terms of HU unit comparison, the mean voxel‐to‐voxel difference was less than 5%. Conclusion: Attenuation correction for hybrid MRI‐PET scanners can be easily achieved by individualizing an atlas CT to the MRI dataset using the BSpline deformable model, with no user interaction required. The method provides clinical accuracy while eliminating the need for an additional CT scan for PET attenuation correction.
Thrombopoietin and Platelet Production in Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia

Since 1968, a greater understanding of platelet biology and its regulation by thrombopoietin (TPO) has emerged. It is now recognized that immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a disorder of reduced platelet production as well as increased platelet destruction. New therapies for ITP have emerged that have exploited this new pathophysiologic understanding. This article reviews the biology of TPO, the regulation of its circulating level in ITP, the platelet kinetic data supporting inappropriate platelet production in ITP, and the TPO mimetic agents available to treat ITP.
The Needs of Elders in Public Housing: Policy Considerations in the Era of Mixed-Income Redevelopment

A number of studies have followed the changes in the lives of public housing residents forced to relocate because of redevelopment. From 2002 to 2007, researchers followed the residents of a public housing development from the first year when residents learned of the pending demolition through 4 years of resettlement. Elder residents dispersed throughout the city provide insights into what life is like for low-income seniors leaving their homes and entering as strangers into new neighborhoods. The article concludes with recommendations for rethinking aging in place for poor elders.
Removal of the coat protein of bacteriophages M13 or fd from the exterior of the host after infection

Abstract The protein coat of the filamentous DNA-containing bacteriophages M13 and fd could be removed from the exterior of the host cell after successful infection had been initiated. M13 and fd thus behaved similarily to other known Escherichia coli bacteriophages. If the disassembled coat protein subunits were not removed from the surface of the infected cell, they were eventually ingested and utilized by the host and appeared partially in progeny phage.
Effect of stress and time for recovery on the amount of compensatory growth after grazing

We tested the hypothesis that the amount of compensatory growth after defoliation is affected by the level of stress at which plants grow when defoliated and by the length of time for recovery. Growth response to defoliation went from partial compensation when plants were growing at high relative growth rates (RGR) to overcompensation when plants were more stressed and growing at low RGR. Defoliation released plants from the limitation imposed by the accumulation of old and dead tissue and this release overrode the negative effect of biomass loss. Compensatory growth resulted from a higher RGR aboveground that was not associated with a reduction in RGR belowground. Time available for recovery had a major impact on the outcome of defoliation. With a short time for recovery, RGR was decreased by defoliation because an immediate increase in net assimilation rate was overridden by a reduction in the ratio of leaf area to plant weight. After defoliation, this ratio increased quickly due to a larger allocation to leaf growth and lower leaf specific weights, resulting in higher RGR. We conclude that the compensatory response to grazing depends on the type and level of stress limiting growth. Allocation and physiological responses to stress may positively or negatively affect the response to grazing and, simultaneously, grazing may alleviate or aggravate the effects of different types of stress.
Effects of Sediment Characteristics on the Toxicity of Chromium(III) and Chromium(VI) to the Amphipod, Hyalella azteca

We evaluated the influence of sediment characteristics, acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) and organic matter (OM), on the toxicity of chromium (Cr) in freshwater sediments. We conducted chronic (28-42-d) toxicitytests with the amphipod Hyalella azteca exposed to Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in water and in spiked sediments. Waterborne Cr(VI) caused reduced survival of amphipods with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of 40 microg/L. Cr(VI) spiked into test sediments with differing levels of AVS resulted in graded decreases in AVS and sediment OM. Only Cr(VI)-spiked sediments with low AVS concentrations (< 1micromol/g) caused significant amphipod mortality. Waterborne Cr(III) concentrations near solubility limits caused decreased survival of amphipods at pH 7 and pH 8 but not at pH 6. Sediments spiked with high levels of Cr(III) did not affect amphipod survival but had minor effects on growth and inconsistent effects on reproduction. Pore waters of some Cr(III)-spiked sediments contained measurable concentrations of Cr(VI), but observed toxic effects did not correspond closely to Cr concentrations in sediment or pore waters. Our results indicate that risks of Cr toxicity are low in freshwater sediments containing substantial concentrations of AVS.
Healthy discretion? Breastfeeding and the mutual maintenance of motherhood and public space

Although idealizations of motherhood are ever in flux, specific historical moments can be said to produce distinctive tropes of ‘good’ motherhood that have very real impacts on how women act and conceptualize themselves as mothers. This article examines good motherhood in its current iteration, and how now-common beliefs about breastfeeding are implicated in its construction. Furthermore, it looks at the ways in which idealizations of motherhood discipline the breastfeeding body so that it will fit into public space without disruption. I discuss the contradictory impacts of characterizations of the good mother as they appeared in the pro-breastfeeding dialogs that arose following a 2007 incident in which a mother was asked to cover herself up while nursing in a Kentucky restaurant. I posit that while these characterizations helped to make breastfeeding a more widely accepted public activity, they also had the effect of reifying a very narrow conception of what it means to be a good mother. I make this cla...
Using a Web-Based Application to Enhance Resident Training and Improve Performance On-call

Rationale and Objectives It is common practice in academic hospitals for radiology residents to provide preliminary interpretations for radiologic examinations performed in the emergency department (ED) during off-hours. In this study, we used a software program called Minerva to identify and track discrepancies between resident and faculty interpretation of ED studies. The objective was to determine if missed case conferences could reduce the number of resident discrepancies related to the types of cases reviewed. Materials and Methods We used Minerva to identify and grade faculty-modified resident preliminary reports as minor or major discrepancies depending on whether the discrepancy had the potential to affect patient management or outcome. Minor and major discrepancy rates were calculated for all residents to evaluate call performance, establish benchmarks, and develop interventions to reduce the number of discrepant cases. Results The total discrepancy rate for all residents (n = 22) was 2.6% with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.7%. The average major discrepancy rate for all residents was 1.1% with a SD of 0.4%. Trend analysis of missed cases was used to generate topic-specific resident missed case conferences on acromioclavicular joint separation injuries, elbow joint effusions, and osteochondral fractures, which resulted in an overall 64% decrease in the number of missed cases related to these injuries. Conclusions The systematic evaluation of resident discrepancies using a simple software application provides a competency-based metric to assess call performance, establish benchmarks, and develop missed case conferences. This process is expected to result in further reduction in resident discrepancy rates and missed cases.
The aerosol measurement and processing system (AMAPS)

As the collection of Earth science datasets continues to grow, so too grows the challenge in the ability to collect, interpret, assimilate, compare, and combine them. Stores of data, already enormous, continue to amass. New instruments are built that introduce differences in measurements and retrieval algorithms from previous ones. Data are rarely collocated either spatially or temporally, and rarely represent equivalent quantities even for similarly named parameters. Uncertainties must be understood and accounted for. Formats differ. In the realm of diverse data sources, the analyst each time must become an expert in the data from each source, and that expertise is disseminated in the form of publications (if at all), but analysis tools are not, and must be continually redeveloped. AMAPS addresses each of these areas in a way that provides a breakthrough in the analyst’s ability to efficiently and effectively make use of the vast wealth of data that continues to accumulate. AMAPS is targeted to aerosol data acquisition and analysis. Data from disparate aerosol sources, including the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS), and the AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET), are efficiently retrieved and transformed behind the scenes to a common format via SciFlo. Analysis algorithms for collocation and comparison between sources are generalized so that researchers have access to a common set of tools applied consistently to each data source. AMAPS has established a successful track record in supporting scientific research.
Neuromuscular Block of the Polymyxin Group of Antibiotics

The neuromuscular blocking effects of polymyxin and colistin were investigated in the unanesthetized rabbit, in the cat sciatic nerve–tibialis anterior muscle preparation in vivo, and in the frog rectus abdominis preparation in vitro. These antibiotics, along with certain others used for comparison, produced paralyses of different intensities in rabbits, depending on the dose, with no preceding fasciculation. In this regard, polymyxin was the most potent antibiotic studied. Polymyxin B sulfate (3–5 mg/kg) and colistimethate sodium (60–90 mg/kg) caused a blockade of neuromuscular transmission, partial paralysis of respiration, and hypotension in cats. The intraarterial injection of these antibiotics did not elicit muscle contraction; the response to the intraarterial injection of acetylcholine was reduced or abolished during the block; calcium and epinephrine antagonized the block; posttetanic potentiation occurred; edrophonium and decamethonium produced brief antagonism of the block; neostigmine, tetraethylammonium, and choline were without effect; and tubocurarine accentuated the block. During the block, muscle action potentials were reduced or abolished, and nerve action potentials were unaffected. (Response of the muscle to direct stimulation was reduced compared to the predrug response.) Both agents depressed muscle twitches elicited at the faster rate of stimulation (60/min) while the slow rate twitches (6/min) were hardly depressed. The serum ionic calcium level was not altered significantly by these antibiotics. Thus, the neuromuscular block displayed characteristics of a postsynaptic, nondepolarizing type that was noncompetitive in nature, with possible presynaptic elements and a depressant action on muscle fibers. Both polymyxin and oolistin possess transient ganglionic blocking action.
Effect of Endo-GIA vascular staple size on laparoscopic vessel sealing in a porcine model

Background Two sizes of endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis (Endo-GIA) staples are currently available for vascular control. The purpose of this study was to compare the Endo-GIA 30–2.0 mm with the Endo-GIA 30–2.5 mm vascular staple.