cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of rat hormone-sensitive lipase with adipocyte lipid-binding protein

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is a cytosolic neutral lipase that functions as the rate-limiting enzyme for the mobilization of free fatty acids in adipose tissue. By using the yeast two-hybrid system to examine the potential interaction of HSL with other cellular proteins, evidence is provided to demonstrate a direct interaction of HSL with adipocyte lipid-binding protein (ALBP), a member of the family of intracellular lipid-binding proteins that binds fatty acids, retinoids, and other hydrophobic ligands. The interaction was demonstrated in vitro by the binding of ALBP to HSL translated in vitro, to HSL in extracts of HSL overexpressing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and to HSL in extracts of rat adipose tissue. Finally, the presence of ALBP was documented in immune complexes from rat adipose tissue immunoprecipitated with anti-HSL antibodies. The HSL–ALBP interaction was mapped to an N-terminal 300-aa region of HSL that is distinct from the C-terminal catalytic domain. These results suggest that HSL-derived fatty acids are bound by ALBP to facilitate intracellular trafficking of hydrophobic lipids.
Point of Care Tuberculosis Diagnostics in Developing World

The aim of this project is to develop a cost effective point of care (POC) microfluidic diagnostic device to detect the presence of active tuberculosis (TB) in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infected individuals in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 8.8 million people develop new cases of active TB each year in addition to the many millions of untreated existing cases. Current TB diagnostic tests are less accurate in detecting active TB in HIV co-infected individuals. Hence, the development of a fast, affordable, portable and handheld device to accurately detect active TB is necessary. As there are different stages of TB infection, it is important to detect the presence and progress of the infection. Our device design utilizes a serological assay in a microfluidic device, incorporating protein antigen microarrays spotted onto nitrocellulose, to detect TB at various stages of the disease. Features of the design include a microfilter to separate serum from the blood sample to be used, a passive pump to ensure uniform continuous flow, and an immunosensor to detect and analyze results.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Ball tip–stylus tilt correction for a stylus profilometer

Ball tip and stylus tilt are two error sources found in coordinate measurement machines (CMMs). The magnitude of these errors is dependent on the ball tip radius and the degree of misalignment between the stylus motion axis and lateral referencing plane determined by the x and y axes of the CMM used. It is shown that these two errors are actually coupled and that their correction can be accomplished in one process. The overall benefit and versatility of this correction routine on a more general basis are given.
Lactosyl ceramidosis: Deficient activity of neutral β-Galactsidase in liver and cultivated fibroblasts?

Abstract Neutral β-galactosidase was partially purified from liver of normal controls, a patient with Niemann-Pick disease type A and the previously described patient with lactosyi ceramidosis using Concanavalin A-Sepharose adsorption and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The partially purified fractions were essentially free of galactosyl ceramide β-galactosidase and GM 1 β-galactosidase activities. The normal and Niemann-Pick fractions were found to hydrolyze lactosyl ceramide, in the presence of sodium taurodeoxycholate, at a pH optimum of 5.6 as well as aryl β-galactosides and aryl β-glucosides at pH 6.2. The corresponding fraction from the lactosyi ceramidosis liver contained only 1–4% of the normal activity towards artificial substrates and lactosyl ceramide. Cross-reacting material identical to the normal was demonstrated in this fraction with antiserum raised against purified neutral β-galactosidase, but no activity was observed in the precipitin line when stained with naphthol AS-LC-β-galactoside or naphthol AS-LC-β-glucoside. A similar deficiency of neutral β-galactosidase activity was demonstrated in cultivated fibroblasts of the patient with lactosyl ceramidosis. Following adsorption on Concanavalin A-Sepharose and anti-GM 1 β-galactosidase antibody Sepharose conjugates and chromatography on DEAE cellulose, fibroblast lysates from the patient exhibited 3% of normal activity towards 4-methylumbelliferyl β-glucoside at pH 6.2 and 12% of normal activity towards lactosyl ceramide at pH 5.6. These data suggest that neutral β-galactosidase may have an in vivo role in the cleavage of lactosyl ceramide and that a deficiency of this activity may be related to the lactosyl ceramide accumulation observed in the patient with lactosyl ceramidosis.
Structure, Sequence, and Function Correlations among Parvoviruses

The capsid protein sequences of 10 representative parvoviruses were aligned against the sequence and three-dimensional structure of canine parvovirus (CPV). The structure of CPV was then analyzed after mapping onto it position-dependent sequence similarity scores and the locations of residues that are phenotypically important in other parvoviruses. Antigenicity is primarily associated with external exposed loops of high sequence variability. Amino acids in the canyon, a surface depression encircling each fivefold axis, are well conserved, but may have a function other than external receptor binding. Residues important to parvoviral cell specificity and erythrocyte binding are scattered near the rim of a less-conserved depression near the twofold axis, and on a shoulder of the threefold spike. The number of residues involved in various interactions and their conservation and properties suggest that uncoating may involve separation of fivefold and twofold related subunits before those related by threefold symmetry. The inner surface residues of the capsid are generally more highly conserved than those on the outer surface, presumably due to interactions with DNA, although the binding site that contains ordered DNA in the structure is not especially conserved.
A simple mechanical model for rockslides and avalanches

Abstract A simplified but rigorous mechanical description of the motion of the mass center of rockslides and avalanches leads to an ordinary second order differential equation that accounts for a variety of complex phenomena including periodic pore pressure variations with time, transient loading and rock slide ‘triggering’.
Calorimetric measurement of the latent heat of vortex-lattice melting in untwinned YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ

THE magnetic vortex lattice of copper oxide superconductors in the mixed (field-penetrated) state 'liquefies'1,2 on increasing the temperature T or the external magnetic field H, giving rise to an ohmic resistivity well below the fluctuation-dominated crossover to the normal state at the upper critical field Hc2(T). Theoretical work suggests that in clean materials this melting is a first-order phase transition3; features in the resistivity4–6 and magnetization7–10, as well as results from muon spin rotation11 and neutron-diffraction work12, have been cited to support this hypothesis. A calorimetric measurement of a latent heat provides the most definitive proof of the occurrence of a first-order transition, but such measurements require very high sensitivity. Here we report calorimetric measurements on an untwinned single crystal of YBa2Cu3O7–δ that have sufficient precision to clearly resolve the latent heat. The value obtained, ∼0.45kBT per vortex per superconducting layer (where kB is the Boltzmann constant), is consistent with that inferred from magnetization data using the Clapeyron equation. This result is compelling evidence for a first-order transition at a well defined phase boundary Hm(T).
Poe's Prosody in Perspective

Edgar A. Poe, The Rationale of Verse: A Preliminary Edition, Incorporating Cognate Documents by Goold Brown, William Cullen Bryant, James Davenport Whelpley. Introduction, notes, and index by J. Arthur Greenwood. Princeton, N.J.: Wolfhart Book Company, 1968. xxxii + 270 pp. $3.50 paper. $7.00 cloth.
Enhancing CT productivity: strategies for increasing capacity.

OBJECTIVE. This article will identify strategies and tactics that can be used to enhance CT capacity. The potential financial benefits to the organization and the impact on market share will be discussed.CONCLUSION. Many organizations are challenged to meet stakeholder demands of providing additional CT capacity and reduction of patient waiting lists. However, much can be achieved through workflow redesign, the addition of key personnel, and implementation of information system platforms and databases.
Comparison of TRMM Rain-Rate Retrievals in Tropical Cyclones

Rain rates from four algorithms are examined in tropical cyclones (TCs). Old and new versions of the Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) rain estimates (RSS V03 and RSS V04) are compared with the standard version 6 TMI 2A12 and PR 2A25 algorithms, after averaging those down to the 0.25° scale used by RSS. RSS V03 produces more rain by a factor of two than the others, frequently assigning rain rates up to 25 mm h-1 (which is an internal limit for that product). Among the three current algorithms, PR 2A25 produces the most rain when averaged over a 0 to 100 km radius in hurricanes. This results from PR 2A25 assigning much higher grid-scale rain rates (up to 100 mm h-1) in the small fraction of grid boxes having heaviest rain. TMI 2A12 has the least rain, assigning moderate rain rates (5 mm h-1) to more grid boxes than the other products. The differences between algorithms are greatest for the inner regions of Category 3 to 5 hurricanes. In weaker TCs, or further away from the TC center, the three current algorithms tend to agree on mean rain rate. However, they arrive at these areal means from completely different distributions of grid-scale rain rates. PR 2A25 gets a greater fraction of its rain from grid boxes having high rain rates, with little contribution from the light and moderate rain rates. RSS V04 gets much of its rain from grid boxes with 10 mm h-1. TMI 2A12 gets less rain around 10 mm h-1, but balances that with greater contributions both from the occasional higher (15 mm h-1) and more common lower (5 mm h-1) rain rates. At the 0.25° scale, the TMI-based products are better correlated with each other than with PR 2A25. The RSS products are better correlated with PR 2A25 than TMI 2A12 is. All the correlations increase when more zero-rain or light-rain grid boxes are included (i.e., the weaker TCs or greater distances from the center).
HIGH-TEMPERATURE SPECTRA OF THE PURE ROTATIONAL BAND OF H2O.

Abstract The short wavelength wing of the pure rotation emission spectrum of water vapor (between 10 and 22 μ) has been measured at temperatures between 500° and 2200°K and at a nearly constant optical depth of 2·4 × 10 −4 g/cm 2 . Apparent line positions and relative intensities agree with those determined from previous work. An approximate calculation of the local mean spectral absorption coefficient has been performed. This calculation is the weighted mean value of results obtained using energy levels of the prolate spheroidal top and of the “most asymmetric” top. A comparison of the results of the calculation (applying the statistical band model using broadening parameters obtained in vibration-rotation bands) with the experimental data indicates that the calculation is acceptable for the long wave-length contribution to the total emissivity of hot water vapor. An estimate of the integrated band intensity has been obtained.
Foot and shoe cover for fottfall pattern measurements

A new transduction technique for measuring footfall patterns in gait studies is described. It has the form of a foot or shoe cover and is unobtrusive and accurate.
Structure of the Amino-Terminal Core Domain of the HIV-1 Capsid Protein

The three-dimensional structure of the amino-terminal core domain (residues 1 through 151) of the human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) capsid protein has been solved by multidimensional heteronuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The structure is unlike those of previously characterized viral coat proteins and is composed of seven alpha helices, two beta hairpins, and an exposed partially ordered loop. The domain is shaped like an arrowhead, with the beta hairpins and loop exposed at the trailing edge and the carboxyl-terminal helix projecting from the tip. The proline residue Pro1 forms a salt bridge with a conserved, buried aspartate residue (Asp51), which suggests that the amino terminus of the protein rearranges upon proteolytic maturation. The binding site for cyclophilin A, a cellular rotamase that is packaged into the HIV-1 virion, is located on the exposed loop and encompasses the essential proline residue Pro90. In the free monomeric domain, Pro90 adopts kinetically trapped cis and trans conformations, raising the possibility that cyclophilin A catalyzes interconversion of the cis- and trans-Pro90 loop structures.
The CAN-SPAM Act: a silver bullet solution?

Several recommendations for improving the effectiveness of anti-spam legislation are presented.
Volumetric measurement of human calf muscle from magnetic resonance imaging.

Muscle mass is a determining factor in skeletal muscle function and is affected by inactivity, immobilization, disease, and aging. The aim of this study was to develop an objective and timeefficient method to quantify the volume and cross-sectional area of human calf muscles using three-dimensional magnetic resonance images. We have estimated the errors incurred in muscle volume measurements arising from artifacts known to occur in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The largest source of error was due to partial volume effects, which resulted in overestimation of phantom volumes ranging from 145 to 900 cc by 6% to 13%. The magnitude of this effect has been shown to increase with decreasing object size and decreasing spatial resolution. We have presented a straightforward correction for this effect, which has reduced the volume measurement error to less than 4% for all cases. Through the use of computer simulations, the correction algorithm has been shown to be independent of object shape and orientation. To reduce user subjectivity, a semiautomated computer program has been developed to segment MRI data for particular muscle groups. Images from seven human subjects were analyzed by the program, yielding muscle volumes of 154.2±23.2, 281.2±35.8, and 432.2±83.7 for the lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, and soleus, respectively.
Drug withdrawal convulsions and susceptibility to convulsants after short-term selective breeding for acute ethanol withdrawal.

Abstract High Alcohol Withdrawal (HAW) and Low Alcohol Withdrawal (LAW) mice were selectively bred from a foundation population of C57BL6/J (B6)×DBA/2J (D2) F2 intercross progeny for display of intense or mild handling-induced withdrawal convulsions, respectively, following a single injection of a hypnotic dose of ethanol (alcohol; 4 g/kg). The HAW line had significantly greater alcohol withdrawal severity scores compared to the LAW line after only a single generation of selection; the magnitude of the line difference was 8-fold by the fourth selected generation. We tested these lines for severity of withdrawal convulsions following the benzodiazepine, diazepam; the gaseous anesthetic, nitrous oxide; the imidazopyridine, zolpidem and the barbiturate, pentobarbital. In all cases, HAW mice had significantly greater withdrawal severity than mice of the LAW line. These results indicate that some genes influencing withdrawal convulsion severity following ethanol also affect withdrawal from other CNS depressants. D2 mice are more sensitive to a variety of convulsants than B6 mice (and have more severe withdrawal convulsions). We, therefore, tested separate groups of mice of both selectively bred lines for threshold sensitivity to pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) and kainic acid (KA). No line differences were detected. These results indicate that genes influencing severity of withdrawal from several depressant drugs are largely different from those affecting susceptibility to GABAergic or glutamatergic convulsants.
Toxicity of non-drug-containing liposomes for cultured human cells.

Abstract The effects of non-drug-containing liposomes of different compositions and sizes on the proliferation of nine cancer-derived and one normal cultured human cell lines were determined. Stearylamine- and cardiolipin-containing liposomes were toxic (ID50) at 200 μM liposomal lipid concentrations or less, whereas phosphatidylglycerol- and phosphatidylserine-containing liposomes were toxic in the range 130–3000 μM. Phosphatidylcholine or dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes were not toxic at 3000–4000 μM. In general, small liposomes were more toxic than large ones. The results indicate that there are wide variations in toxicity of non-drug-containing liposomes for cultured human cells. The potential for nonspecific toxicity due to the liposomes themselves should be carefully considered if human administration of drug-containing liposomes is to be done.
Functional Specialization in the Human Brain Estimated By Intrinsic Hemispheric Interaction

The human brain demonstrates functional specialization, including strong hemispheric asymmetries. Here specialization was explored using fMRI by examining the degree to which brain networks preferentially interact with ipsilateral as opposed to contralateral networks. Preferential within-hemisphere interaction was prominent in the heteromodal association cortices and minimal in the sensorimotor cortices. The frontoparietal control network exhibited strong within-hemisphere interactions but with distinct patterns in each hemisphere. The frontoparietal control network preferentially coupled to the default network and language-related regions in the left hemisphere but to attention networks in the right hemisphere. This arrangement may facilitate control of processing functions that are lateralized. Moreover, the regions most linked to asymmetric specialization also display the highest degree of evolutionary cortical expansion. Functional specialization that emphasizes processing within a hemisphere may allow the expanded hominin brain to minimize between-hemisphere connectivity and distribute domain-specific processing functions.
BULLYING MAKES FLIES GET IN FIGHTS

![Figure][1] Pheromones are strong chemical cues that are sometimes thought to induce automatic behavioral responses, particularly in so-called ‘simple animals’ like fruit flies. Male flies fight with each other for the right to feed and mate on food patches, but when a female drops in, a
Parallel-Network Oscillators

A parallel-network oscillator is a two-path oscillator with the gains of the two paths varied symmetrically about a mean value by means of control voltages. The result is a wide-range, electrically tunable, low-level oscillator. Design fundamentals and considerations relating to different types of such oscillators are discussed and analyses made of the two principal types. The tuning ratio of one of the types is limited to about two-to-one and that of the other is limited to a frequency coverage rather than any specific tuning ratio -up to about half the gain-bandwidth product of the tubes employed. The amplitude of oscillations is relatively constant over the major portion of the tuning characteristics. Stability, waveform, and noise are also discussed. Two examples are given, one of which makes use of a single twin-triode tube without amplitude stabilization which covers a range of about 15 to 24 mc. The second example uses four pentodes and covers a range of about 15 to 43.5 mc. Finally, some of the future possibilities of parallel-network oscillators are mentioned.
Modified slater integrals for an ion in a solid

Abstract Expressions for the Slater integrals are derived for an ion of the first transition series when placed in a solid. Reasonable agreement is obtained with experimental data for Co++ in spinel.
Interval methods for kinetic simulations

We propose a speed-up method for discrete-event simulations, including sweep-line or -plane techniques, requiring the repeated calculation of the times at which certain discrete events occur. Instead of calculating these event times precisely, we use interval methods to obtain less expensive approximations that may still be adequate for the simulation. This can happen because some events get descheduled before they actually happen, or because event time comparisons can be resolved using only information about their bounding intervals. The computed intervals are refined as necessary, when greater accuracy is needed. For geometric objects described by polynomials, including moving objects on polynomial trajectories, the proposed method is shown to give a speed-up roughly proportional to the degree of the polynomials.
Cascade calculation of subthreshold π 0 production

Intranuclear cascade calculations are found to provide a good description of the various features of subthreshold ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}$ production in nucleon-nucleus collisions.
Abstract 3395: Role of ErbB3 signaling in tumor cell motility and metastasis

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The major cause of death for most cancers, including that of the breast, is from metastasis. One of the trends in anticancer therapy research has recently been inhibiting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, ErbB) family that is part of the subclass I of the receptor tyrosine kinase superfamily. ErbB receptors are involved in activating such key pathways as PI3-kinase and Ras/MAP kinase. Close to 30% of highly invasive human breast cancers show elevated expression/activity of the ErbB2 receptor, a marker for poor prognosis and decreased disease-free survival. The preferred heterodimerization partner of ErbB2 is ErbB3. Previous data from our laboratory has shown that increasing expression of ErbB3 caused a significant increase in intravasation and metastasis without affecting primary tumor growth/formation. The ligand for ErbB3 is Heregulin Beta 1 (HRGβ1) and its binding leads to heterodimerization with other ErbB's, followed by activation of signaling pathways that result in cell chemotaxis and movement. Knowing that ErbB3 is important for metastasis, our goal is to determine which signaling pathway downstream of ErbB3 is responsible for metastasis as well as what cellular property (e.g. motility or chemotaxis) and which step of metastasis is affected (invasion, intravasation, lung seeding). Stably transduced MTLn3 cells (rat mammary adenocarcinoma cell line) overexpressing WT and mutant versions of ErbB3 defective in PI3K, MAPK and Grb7 signaling were used for in vitro and in vivo experiments examining the role of ErbB3 signaling pathways. WT and mutant versions of ErbB3 were compared in their ability to chemotax in vitro. Orthotopic injection of the WT and mutant MTLn3 cell lines into the mammary fatpads of SCID mice has allowed us to examine their in vivo invasion potential by measuring the ability of cells to migrate out of the primary tumor towards a gradient of HRGβ1, intravasation - number of cells able to enter blood stream, and live imaging using multiphoton microscopy which will allow to see tumor cell polarization and movement towards blood vessels. In addition, tail vein injection tested the ability of cells to seed the lungs. While previous data from our laboratory has shown that ErbB3 overexpression significantly enhances metastasis, it is still not known how. Preliminary results from these experiments suggest a key role for tyrosine residues on the ErbB3 receptor that couple to the PI3-kinase pathway in tumor cell motility and metastasis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3395.
NORMAL ELLIPTIC INTEGRALS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND KINDS

Normal elliptic integrals of first and second kinds and associated hypergeometric functions, quadratic and linear transformations
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES ACCOMPANYING POLLINATION IN ORCHID FLOWERS: I. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND WATER RELATIONS.

It is well known that the reproductive processes in plants are associated with pronounced changes of the physiology of the whole plant. In a series of papers, Murneek (19), Murneek and Wittwer (20, 21), Wittwer and Murneek (28) discussed mechanisms whereby synapsis and syngamy could extend their effects throughout the whole plant body. The increased knowledge about parthenocarpy has called attention to physiological distinctions between the processes of pollination and fertilization. The effect of pollination in leading to fruit development has been duplicated by use of synthetic growth substances (10). Fertilization is essential for embryo initiation and so far has not been replaced by treatment with any known substances. It is therefore of interest to know what effect pollination alone has on the metabolism of the flower.
Phospholipid-Cholesterol Membrane Model: Control of resistance by ions or current flow

A cephalin-cholesterol membrane model is described whose electrical resistance can be reversibly raised by CaCl2 or lowered by KCl or NaCl whether these ions are added to the membrane by mechanical immersion or are driven in electrically. Either KCl or NaCl acts antagonistically to CaCl2. Experiments with controlled pH indicate that the above effects depend somehow on combination of the cations with the phospholipid acidic groups. Also, they are correlated with decreased membrane hydration in CaCl2 solutions, and increased hydration in KCl or NaCl solutions. It is conjectured that cells may regulate their transsurface ion pathways and fluxes by K-Ca competition for negatively charged binding sites on plasma membrane phospholipid. It is regarded as a corollary to say that a fundamental event in excitation is displacement of membrane Ca from such a site by catelectrotonically propelled K.
Bringing students and faculty together through mobile devices

The ubiquity of mobile devices such as the iPad and smartphones on the University of San Diego (USD) campus inspired the iTeam to identify a need to get faculty on the same wavelength as their students, who are leading mobile, digital lives. The team's goals included promoting awareness of mobile apps they support and teaching faculty how to meet students where they are -- constantly plugged in to mobile devices -- and to promote a more mobilely fluent campus.Because digital natives tend to be fluent in the language of social media but often lack expertise in knowing how to efficiently use productivity and academic applications, the iTeam strove to expand students' technical skill sets through devices they were already familiar with, and engage students and faculty with the iTeam and its services. Through this workshop, they wanted to collaborate with faculty, teach them how to use mobile devices to reach their students, and connect them with the real skill sets of digital natives.In response, the iTeam designed and delivered a mobile-device workshop for both faculty and students that promotes apps with the goals of encouraging academic collaboration, keeping learners connected to their coursework even outside of class, and helping students feel less detached and more immersed in their learning. Featured apps included: MySanDiego Mobile, Blackboard Mobile Learn, iClicker, eBook apps, and apps for note-taking such as Evernote.In this session, the iTeam will discuss the workshop format, its impact on and future potential for USD students and faculty, and reactions to the workshop.
A flow-through flume technique for quantifying nutrient and materials fluxes in microtidal estuaries

Abstract The marsh flume methodology has been modified for use in northern Gulf Coast esturies, where tidal ranges are small and irregular and where wetlands are flat and expansive. In this technique, two key changes have been made: (i) flumes are open to water exchange at both ends, and; (ii) samples are taken simultaneously at both ends throughout a tidal cycle. Thus, the flumes are conceptually through-flow systems. Nutrient fluxes are calculated volumetrically, from the microtopography of the marsh and changes in water height over a tidal cycle. Instantaneous fluxes across each end of the flume are pooled for flooding or ebbing flow, then subtracted to give total net flux. Data from three flumes built in fresh, brackish, and saline marshes of the Barataria Basin estuary, LA, show that significant concentration differences (and hence significant fluxes) are detectable using our modified flume technique. Net areal flux values measured using the modified technique are in close agreement with values reported from past studies using flumes where concentrations are sampled only at the mouth end. The similarities indicate that our modifications to the flume methodology allowed us to quantify adequately the nutrient and material fluxes between Gulf Coast marshes and their inundating water column. This technique hhas application in any estuary where marshes are microtidal, expansive, or irregularly flooded.
TH-C-12A-01: Develop a Patient-Specific QA Program for Radiation Therapy with On-Board MRI

Purpose: This work describes development of the first patient-specific quality assurance (QA) program for magnetic resonance imaging guided radiation therapy (MR-IGRT). Methods: The program consisted of following components: 1) multipoint ionization chamber (IC) measurement using a 15 cm3 cubic phantom, 2) 2D stacked radiographic film dosimetry using a 30×30×20 cm3 phantom with multiple inserted ICs, 3) 3D ArcCHECK measurement with a centrally inserted IC, 4) machine delivery file verification, 5) 3D Monte-Carlo dose re-calculation with machine delivery file and phantom CT, 6) 2-head mode delivery validation in case of a malfunctioning head, and 7) independent beam-on time calculation for non-IMRT fields. Both ADCL calibrated ICs and ArcCHECK were MRI compatible. Experimental data were analyzed for the first 10 patients treated at our institution. Results: The customized phantoms allowed measuring multiple points with ICs in one delivery. Absolute IC measurements were all within 3% in all phantom geometry/shape/material combinations. Despite known uncertainty associated with film dosimetry, passing rates greater than 90% were achieved in both absolute and composite modes using TG-129 criteria. Due to the simultaneous irradiation by three radiation sources, ArcCHECK was used as a 3D relative dosimeter with angular and energy dependences uncorrected. 95–100% passing rates were obtained andmore » the centrally inserted IC measurement assured that the overall dose normalization was within 3%. Machine delivery file verification and MC recalculated dose to the phantom results showed 98–100% passing rates, providing opportunity of moving from gamma passing rates to patient DVHbased QA metrics. Same results were obtained for the 2-head delivery mode. Manual beam-on time calculation for non-IMRT fields showed better than 5% agreement. Conclusion: We have successfully developed the first MRIGRT patient specific QA program by adopting experimental and computational dosimetry methods that were developed in the past decade for other radiation therapy modalities.« less
The Perceived Influence of a Peer Advisement Program on a Group of its Former Peer Advisers

Peer advisers were surveyed regarding perceived effects of a peer advisement program on choice of major and selection of a career or graduate/professional training.
Relaxation methods for unfactored implicit upwind schemes

Relaxation methods are presented for unfactored implicit upwind schemes for hyperbolic equations. The theoretical bases are explained using linear and nonlinear scalar equations; construction of the method for the unsteady Euler equations (nonlinear system) is but a natural extension. One of the important advantages of the above methods vis a vis factored implicit schemes is the possibility of faster convergence to steady state, as illustrated by the results. Several classes of relaxation schemes such as pointwise, linewise, Gauss-Seidel, and non-Gauss-Seidel methods are discussed, along with various strategies for convergence.
Evidence that OmcB and OmpB of Geobacter sulfurreducens are outer membrane surface proteins

The c-type cytochrome (OmcB) and the multicopper protein (OmpB) required for Fe(III) oxide reduction by Geobacter sulfurreducens were predicted previously to be outer membrane proteins, but it is not clear whether they are positioned in a manner that permits the interaction with Fe(III). Treatment of whole cells with proteinase K inhibited Fe(III) reduction, but had no impact on the inner membrane-associated fumarate reduction. OmcB was digested by protease, resulting in a smaller peptide. However, immunogold labeling coupled with transmission electron microscopy did not detect OmcB, suggesting that it is only partially exposed on the cell surface. In contrast, OmpB was completely digested with protease. OmpB was loosely associated with the cell surface as a substantial portion of it was recovered in the culture supernatant. Immunogold labeling demonstrated that OmpB associated with the cell was evenly distributed on the cell surface rather than localized to one side of the cell like the conductive pili. Although several proteins required for Fe(III) oxide reduction are shown to be exposed on the outer surface of G. sulfurreducens, the finding that OmcB is also surface exposed is the first report of a protein required for optimal Fe(III) citrate reduction at least partially accessible on the cell surface.
Dose-response study of oral 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid in children with elevated blood lead concentrations.

2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is an orally effective orphan drug that is more specific and has a wider therapeutic index than other currently available drugs used for lead intoxication. Its investigational use in the United States has been limited to the treatment of men with occupational plumbism. Twenty-one children with blood lead concentrations of 31 to 49 μg/dl, who also had a positive calcium disodium edetate (CaNa 2 EDTA) mobilization test result, were hospitalized for 7 days. Fifteen children were randomly assigned to three groups that received either 350, 700, or 1050 mg/m 2 /day, respectively, of DMSA in three divided doses daily. A fourth group of six children received conventional treatment with 1000 mg/m 2 /day of intravenously administered CaNa 2 EDTA in two divided doses daily. The 1050 mg/m 2 /day dose of DMSA was significantly more effective than lower doses of DMSA or intravenously administered CaNa 2 EDTA in reducing blood lead levels and restoring erythrocyte δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity. Intravenously administered CaNa 2 EDTA significantly increased the urinary excretion of several essential minerals (zinc, copper, iron, and calcium), whereas DMSA did not. The DMSA was well tolerated and appears extremely promising as a drug that will simplify the management of childhood lead poisoning.
Case Study of Buckling Failure of a Large Liquid Storage Tank

Large cylindrical tanks are often used to store liquids like milk and chemicals for distribution. These structures are considered thin shells because of their geometry, dimensions, and aspect ratios. In this paper, an actual failure of a large vertical tank is investigated. The tank contained milk and buckled as a result of an internal vacuum caused by human error. Inspection done after failure revealed that an internal vacuum could have been created by a large drop in the inside air temperature. Such tanks are usually washed using extremely hot water. If the water temperature exceeded the manufacturer’s recommendations and the tank is not vented during the cool-down cycle, the contracting air would have drawn a vacuum. Another possibility is that the tank may have been drained without venting the headspace above the milk. This would cause the fixed mass of air above the milk to expand and draw a vacuum. To investigate these scenarios we consider stability of a vertical cylindrical shell under external pressure. The critical pressure differential for buckling of a vertical cylindrical shell with closed ends subjected to uniform axial and radial pressure is known from basic theories of buckling. These equations are used to determine the critical pressure for lobar buckling. The results show that each of these scenarios could have caused failure of the tank. Recommendations to prevent future failures in such storage tanks and design considerations for tanks having arbitrary dimensions and aspect ratios are presented in the paper.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Outside influences: Extramedia forces and the newsworthiness conceptions of online newspaper journalists

This article examines the influence of extramedia (outside) forces on the newsworthiness conceptions of U.S. online and print daily newspaper journalists. A national survey (N=655) found that while extramedia forces exerted only a moderate influence overall, they were more influential on the online group. Online daily newspaper journalists rated Audience Research, Advertisers, Public Opinion Polls, Wire Service Budgets and Prestige Publications are significantly more influential than did print daily newspaper journalists. The findings suggest that journalists in the online environment are reconceptualizing their gate-keeping roles.
Group-based hybrid authentication scheme for cooperative collision warnings in VANETs

Cooperative collision warnings (CCWs) is one of the important applications of Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) where secure and timely delivery of messages to the neighboring vehicles are needed. Secure communication is as important as timely communication to take proper actions in order to avoid collisions and thus prevent fatal accidents. However, security and delay are two competing metrics since security brings additional processing overhead, increasing the packet delays. While symmetric-key-based security techniques can be more efficient as opposed to public-key cryptography (PKC) in terms of delay, they introduce significant key maintenance overheads with the increased number of vehicles in VANETs. To alleviate this overhead and take the advantage of faster processing, we exploit the natural group behavior in CCW applications. We propose a delay efficient authentication scheme for VANETs which is based on group communication. Groups are created and maintained dynamically led by leader vehicles. Since the data communication within the groups will be dominating the overall packet traffic, we utilize symmetric-key techniques within each group which is handled by the group leader. Group creations on the other hand are less frequent events and thus are done by PKC. We analyzed the security properties of our proposed scheme and tested it with real-world vehicle data. Simulations results confirmed the efficiency in terms of delay with respect to other existing techniques. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved One-Pot Synthesis of Mixed Methyl−Aryl Platinum(II) Diimine Complexes

A general one-pot synthetic route for mixed methyl−aryl Pt(II) diimine complexes is described. Performing the alkylation in neat Me2S instead of ether or THF greatly reduces the amount of compropor...
A superior approach to indices in determining mixture segregation

Abstract In the forties, the index approach to measure segregation for powder mixtures was introduced. Since that time, several researchers have introduced new indices in an effort to improve this approach continually for the determination of mixture segregation. However, there are two major drawbacks of all current indices that make them unattractive as measures of segregation. First, these indices can vary for reasons other than segregation. The second drawback is the inability to determine if the calculated values of these indices are significant while controlling the probability of making incorrect conclusions. In this article a measure of segregation is proposed that is not subject to these limitations. In addition, a theoretical evaluation is given of current indices and the proposed approach. The conclusions of this evaluation are illustrated and confirmed by a Monte Carlo simulation study.
Comparative benefits and harms of competing medications for adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder : a systematic review and indirect comparison meta-analysis

Rationale Recommended medication prescribing hierarchies for adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) vary between different guideline committees. Few trials directly compare competing ADHD medications in adults and provide little insight for clinicians making treatment choices.
Design considerations for a cascaded grating interferometer suitable for extreme ultraviolet interference lithography

Recently, extreme ultraviolet interference lithography using a single grating interferometer and a highly coherent synchrotron insertion device source has proven to be an extremely useful technique for producing patterns with feature sizes in the range of 10 nm. The high demand for these nanoscale patterns and the small number of suitable highly coherent extreme ultraviolet sources has created new interest in the cascaded grating interferometer because of its relaxed demands for spatial and temporal coherence. This work extends that of earlier researchers on such systems by providing a compact algebraic analysis of the effects on fringe contrast of source divergence, spectral bandpass, lack of parallelism of the grating rulings, grating period mismatch, defocus, and wavefront curvature. The results are applied to illustrate the feasibility of implementing the interferometer on a small bending magnet synchrotron source, but the analysis should be applicable to typical portable plasma sources as well.
Bound to activate: conformational consequences of cyclin binding to CDK2

The cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are among the most highly regulated enzymes in the protein-kinase family. The crystal structures of cyclin A and the CDK2-cyclin A complex spectacularly reveal the atomic basis for regulation of these enzymes and provide a template for understanding the function and regulation of other members of the CDK family.
Growth hormone-mediated regulation of insulin-like growth factor I promoter activity in C6 glioma cells.

The molecular mechanisms by which GH regulates insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) gene expression remain obscure. One difficulty has been the lack of established GH-responsive cell lines that express the IGF-I gene. To develop such a cell line, we used rat C6 glioma cells which, as determined by RNase protection assay, express the IGF-I gene but not the GH receptor gene. To confer GH responsiveness, C6 cells were cotransfected with vectors that express the GH receptor (pRc/CMV WTrGHR) and Jak2 (pRc/CMV Jak2). GH responsiveness was demonstrated using luciferase reporter genes containing either the Sis-inducible element from the c-fos gene (pTK81-SIE-Luc) or 6 copies of the GH-responsive GAS-like element (GLE) from the rat spi2.1 gene (pSpi-GLE-Luc). The SIE is activated by binding of STAT1 and 3, whereas the GLE binds STAT5. In cells cotransfected with pRc/CMV WTrGHR, pRc/CMV Jak2, and either pTK81-SIE-Luc or pSpi GLE-Luc, treatment with 500 ng/ml GH for 24 h stimulated a 3.1- and 1.7-fold increase in luci...
Transcutaneous PO2 Response to Transient Arterial Occlusion In Peripheral Vascular Disease Detected by Heating Power Oximeter

Transcutaneous PO 2 (TcpO2) was measured in 30 patients with peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAOD) and in 30 age-matched controls in the hand and foot using a heating power electrode oximeter (HP-E). The HP-E was connected with a software modified monitor to simul taneously record changes in arterial stasis in the skin (TcpO 2 mm Hg) and in the underlying tissue 3.5 to 4 mm from the HP-E (TcpO 2 mW). In the hands of patients with PAOD, the following was found, lower mean values of the rest flow (R-F) and of the recovery area (Rc-Ar); delayed appearance of both a PO2 decrease after the start of stasis (ODT) and the increased value after the cuff deflation (ORT); and little relevance of flow changes in the tissues under the HP-E. In the foot homolateral to the obstructive lesion, the hemodynamic effects of the stasis were not consistently a result of circulatory insufficiency. In light-medium PAOD the correlation was more significant with the walking-free distance (WFD). However in severe PAOD, the...
Diagnostic utility of the Thurstone Word Fluency Test in neuropsychological evaluations.

Abstract Previous research has found that verbal associative fluency tasks are sensitive to the presence of cerebral lesions and more sensitive to frontal lobe and left hemisphere lesions than to other focal lesions. The present study investigated the diagnostic utility of the Thurstone Word Fluency Test (TWFT), a test of written verbal fluency, in detecting and localizing cerebral lesions. Using results from 203 brain-damaged and 134 normal subjects, we found that TWFT performance is affected by cerebral damage generally. At the same time, it is more impaired by frontal than by nonfrontal, by left than by right hemisphere, and by left frontal than by right frontal lesions. This test does not discriminate focal frontal from diffuse lesions. Stepwise discriminant function analyses indicated that the TWFT adds to the Halstead-Reitan Battery in discriminating focal frontal from nonfrontal lesions, but not in discriminating left hemisphere from right hemisphere lesions. Only markedly impaired TWFT performance...
Broadcasting Sharia: American TV News' Illustration of Social Identity and the Emergence of a Threat

Using social identity theory to assess in-group, out-group representations, this study examines the portrayal of sharia in American network television media. A 10-year content analysis showed that ABC, CBS, and NBC continually paired sharia with mentions of the United States, reinforcing its representation as the in-group. These mentions frequently were coupled with mentions of non-Western countries, supporting the idea of an in-group versus out-group comparison. Moreover, the stories included many topics connotatively negative in Western culture. A significant and positive relationship between mentions of non-Western countries and connotatively negative topics was found, reinforcing the positioning of individuals associated with sharia—most often Muslims—within the out-group.
Obstetrician-gynecologists and the HPV vaccine: practice patterns, beliefs, and knowledge.

Abstract Study Objective Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, can be contracted by young girls shortly after sexual debut. Human papillomavirus can lead to cervical and anogenital cancers and genital warts. A vaccine has been developed to protect against precancerous lesions. We examined obstetrician-gynecologists' practices, opinions, and knowledge regarding this vaccine. Design A 37-item questionnaire was sent out by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) to its fellows and junior fellows between May and November of 2007. Participants Surveys went to 3896 fellows and junior fellows of ACOG. Of these surveys, 771 were Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network (CARN) members who have volunteered to receive several surveys per year. The remaining 3125 questionnaires were sent to all fellows and junior fellows in ACOG's District V (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Ontario, Canada). Response rates were 51.0% and 30.7% for CARN and District V, respectively. Results Of those who administer vaccines, most offer the HPV vaccine. Most know this vaccine protects against 4 HPV types. Fewer knew the percentages of cervical cancers and genital warts prevented. Over 20% knew all 3 answers. Only a minority answered all incorrectly. Approximately 15% view HPV vaccine as safe in pregnancy. Many agree cost is a reason for patient refusal and a deterrent from mandating the vaccine. Conclusion Obstetrician-gynecologists are knowledgeable of the HPV vaccine and are incorporating it into practice. Financial concerns may limit widespread immunization.