cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MO‐D‐351‐01: (Jack Fowler Junior Investigator Competition Winner) Optimization Tools for Modulated Electron Radiotherapy

Purpose: To devise optimization tools to plan Modulated Electron Radiotherapy (MERT) and to compare MERT plans to conventional or IMRT plans. Method and Materials: There are no commercially available treatment systems to plan or deliver MERT. Tertiary electron MLCs for MERT has been met with practical limitations. We've investigated use of the inherent photonMLCs. We optimized MERT plans for a left sided post‐mastectomy breast cancer patient. From CTimages, target organs such as chest wall, axillas, inter‐mammary nodes were contoured. The MERT plan was performed in a three‐step optimization process. Distances from the external contour‐to‐distal location of the PTV were calculated in transverse CTimages. Energies were selected for efficient target coverage and energy bins were generated. Optimization of the energy bins was accomplished using a custom MERT Planning graphic user interface (MERTgui). Monte Carlo simulations were then performed using different MLC instructions for each segment generated by the MERTgui. Dose distributions of each segment were imported to CERR. Finally we used a custom built dose superposition GUI to combine doses for each segment using different weights which yields their relative MUs. The resulting dose distribution was used to calculate DVHs using CERR and compared to the conventional plan. Results: The MERT plan resulted in good target organ coverage and less dose to the organs at risk than the conventional plan. The dose that 20% of the ipsilateral lung received was reduced from 45Gy (conventional) to 26Gy (MERT). Using MERT, 80% volume of both axilla and IM received the prescription dose without consequence of excess dosage as with the conventional plan. Contralateral breast dose decreased significantly to 1/10 the dose of the conventional plan. Conclusion: MERT is ideal for treatment of shallow targets such as post‐mastectomy chest wall. We have devised optimization tools to facilitate the MC based planning.
Modeling bearing failure initiation in pin-contact of composite laminates

Failure induced by pin-contact in composite laminates was investigated. The experimental part of this research involved the use of a contact test in which a steel pin was pressed against the straight edge of a composite laminate. It was found that failure initiated at the edge near the flat surfaces, and the failure mode in the 0°-plies resembled the kink band observed in compression failure in unidirectional composites. Fiber microbuckling appeared to be the primary failure mechanism. An approximate 3-D finite element stress analysis was performed. The results show that linear elasticity is not adequate for predicting contact failure of the laminate and that nonlinear behavior of the composite must be accounted for. A fiber microbuckling failure criterion including effects of nonlinear matrix stress/strain behavior was developed. Using the elastic-plastic analysis result in conjunction with the microbuckling criterion, the failure initiation due to pin-contact was successfully predicted.
Coverage Estimation in Heterogeneous Visual Sensor Networks

Coverage estimation is one of the fundamental issues in many applications of sensor networks. Coverage estimation in visual sensor networks (VSNs) is more challenging than in conventional 1-D scalar sensor networks (SSNs) due to the directional sensing characteristic of cameras and the existence of visual occlusions in crowded environments. Moreover, deployment of heterogeneous visual sensors and existence of heterogeneous targets in the sensing field makes the coverage estimation problem even more challenging. In this paper, we study the coverage estimation problem in heterogeneous VSNs. We first investigate into a new target detection model, referred to as the "certainty-based target detection" as compared to the traditional "occupancy-based target detection" to facilitate the formulation of the visual coverage estimation. By adopting the new target detection model, we then derive the closed-form solution for the visual coverage estimation problem in heterogeneous VSNs. Our formulation also allows us to take both the presence of visual occlusions and boundary effect into consideration. Results from simulation validate the theoretical formulation, especially when the boundary effect is considered.
Subdivided left atrium: An expanded concept of cor triatriatum sinistrum

Abstract Twenty-four hearts with cor triatriatum were studied. On the basis of this material and a review of the literature a new classification of “subdivided left atrium” is proposed. Type A, the most common form of subdivided left atrium, is the classic cor triatriatum with its multiple variations of partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage; the fossa ovalis can be related to the proximal left atrial chamber (type A, a) or the distal left atrial chamber (type A, b). Type B hearts are related to (but not identical with) total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage into the coronary sinus; the coronary sinus opening is atretic in these hearts; abnormal defects connect the proximal left atrial chamber usually with the right atrium only, rarely also with the distal left atrial chamber. The Type C heart, first reported in this paper, has a superiorly and medially situated proximal chamber, located between the right and distal left atrium; it does not receive any pulmonary veins; the coronary sinus is normally formed. Current morphogenetic hypotheses that satisfactorily explain the Type A b and B heart fail to account for the Type A a and C heart.
Interfacial Adhesion between Rough Surfaces of Polycrystalline Silicon and Its Implications for M/NEMS Technology

An electrostatically actuated double-clamped cantilever beam test structure has been designed and fabricated to determine the adhesion forces between co-planar, impacting polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) surfaces. To examine the effect of apparent contact area, dimples of varying sizes have been included in the test structure. By measuring the cantilever beam profile, through optical interferometric methods, as a function of applied bias, the force of adhesion has been determined for various device geometries. The results reveal a weak dependence of adhesion on apparent contact area, rather than a linear dependence. Fabrication process artifacts, observed and discussed here, contribute to but do not suffice to explain this observed weak scaling. The results strongly suggest that contact on the micrometer scale between rough, rigid materials such as polysilicon involves only a few asperities.
Gene expression changes after seizure preconditioning in the three major hippocampal cell layers

Rodents experience hippocampal damage after status epilepticus (SE) mainly in pyramidal cells while sparing the dentate granule cell layer (DGCL). Hippocampal damage was prevented in rats that had been preconditioned by brief seizures on 2 consecutive days before SE. To identify neuroprotective genes and biochemical pathways changed after preconditioning we compared the effect of preconditioning on gene expression in the CA1 and CA3 pyramidal and DGCLs, harvested by laser capture microscopy. In the DGCL the expression of 632 genes was altered, compared to only 151 and 58 genes in CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cell layers. Most of the differentially expressed genes regulate tissue structure and intra- and extracellular signaling, including neurotransmission. A selective upregulation of energy metabolism transcripts occurred in CA1 pyramidal cells relative to the DGCL. These results reveal a broad transcriptional response of the DGCL to preconditioning, and suggest several mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effect of preconditioning seizures.
Expression of Janus Kinase 3 in Human Endothelial and Other Non-lymphoid and Non-myeloid Cells

Members of the Janus kinase (Jak) family of protein tyrosine kinases have recently been implicated in the proximal signal transduction events of cytokine receptors. Jak3, a newly discovered member of this family, is believed to be normally limited in its expression to cells of the lymphoid and myeloid lineages. Herein we show that Jak3 is expressed in primary human vascular cells, as well as other non-lymphoid and non-myeloid cell types. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis revealed that Jak3 mRNA was expressed at low levels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC), A549 (human lung carcinoma), and DLD-1 (human colon adenocarcinoma) cells. Higher basal levels of Jak3 mRNA were detected in HMEC-1 (human microvascular cell line) and HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma) cells. Jak3 mRNA expression was induced in HUVEC, HMEC-1, and HASMC by treatment with interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, and lipopolysaccharide. Jak3 protein was detectable at low levels in untreated HMEC-1, and these levels increased significantly with cytokine treatment. Furthermore, Jak3 protein was phosphorylated upon treatment of these cells with interleukin-4. This work shows that Jak3 is expressed or inducible in human vascular endothelial, vascular smooth muscle, and other non-lymphoid and non-myeloid cells, suggesting a broader role for Jak3 in the cytokine signal transduction of these cells.
Phonetic feature encoding in human superior temporal gyrus

During speech perception, linguistic elements such as consonants and vowels are extracted from a complex acoustic speech signal. The superior temporal gyrus (STG) participates in high-order auditory processing of speech, but how it encodes phonetic information is poorly understood. We used high-density direct cortical surface recordings in humans while they listened to natural, continuous speech to reveal the STG representation of the entire English phonetic inventory. At single electrodes, we found response selectivity to distinct phonetic features. Encoding of acoustic properties was mediated by a distributed population response. Phonetic features could be directly related to tuning for spectrotemporal acoustic cues, some of which were encoded in a nonlinear fashion or by integration of multiple cues. These findings demonstrate the acoustic-phonetic representation of speech in human STG.
Meta-analysis—a technique with promise and problems

This paper will discuss some emerging questions/problems connected with the new methodology Gene Glass has called meta-analysis (Glass, 1976, 1978). While I have not performed a meta-analysis myself, I have gained a reasonable amount of exposure to the technique as Project Director of the Class Size and Instruction Project, which supported two meta-analyses on the literature of class size and its relationship to achievement, attitude, classroom processes, and teacher satisfaction (Glass and Smith, 1979; Smith and Glass, 1979), and a discussant of papers presented at two 1979 AERA symposia on the methodology. The AERA symposia contained papers produced by students and/or colleagues of Glass, Walberg and Gage. The experiences of working with meta-analysis has led me to the awareness of an immediate problem the length of the papers or reports. Monograph-length reports are difficult to publish. Many of the reports seen to date are long, usually between 40 and 100 pages. The reason that they are long is that they provide a literature review, an explanation of the specific techniques used in the meta-analysis, a discussion of the results, plus an extensive bibliography. Perhaps the length of reports will be reduced in the future as authors will not need to provide such extensive descriptions of the methodology.
Efficient calculation of diffusion limitations in metal organic framework materials: a tool for identifying materials for kinetic separations.

The very large number of distinct structures that are known for metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) and related materials presents both an opportunity and a challenge for identifying materials with useful properties for targeted applications. We show that efficient computational models can be used to evaluate large numbers of MOFs for kinetic separations of light gases based on finding materials with large differences between the diffusion coefficients of adsorbed gas species. We introduce a geometric approach that rapidly identifies the key features of a pore structure that control molecular diffusion and couple this with efficient molecular modeling calculations that predict the Henry’s constant and diffusion activation energy for a range of spherical adsorbates. We demonstrate our approach for >500 MOFs and >160 silica zeolites. Our results indicate that many large pore MOFs will be of limited interest for separations based on kinetic effects, but we identify a significant number of materials that are pred...
Probabilistic multidimensional unfolding: an anisotropic model for preference ratio judgments

Abstract A probabilistic multidimensional unfolding model is proposed in which the coordinates of each stimulus and each ideal point are allowed to have different variances and covariances on each dimension. The model permits the specification of isotropic or anisotropic variance structures, independent or dependent sampling conditions, and internal or external analyses. Properties of the model are described and comparisons are made to other probabilistic and deterministic unfolding models.
Approximating Extremely Large Networks via Continuum Limits

This paper is concerned with modeling of networks with an extremely large number of components using partial differential equations (PDEs). This modeling method is based on the convergence of a sequence of underlying Markov chains of the network indexed by N, the number of components in the network. As N goes to infinity, the sequence converges to a continuum limit, which is the solution of a certain PDE. We provide sufficient conditions for the convergence and characterize the rate of convergence. As an application, we model large wireless sensor networks by PDEs. While traditional Monte Carlo simulation for extremely large networks is practically infeasible, PDEs can be solved with reasonable computation overhead using well-established mathematical tools.
Arrhythmias induced by exercise in paced patients

Abstract Seventy-nine per cent of a series of 48 patients with implanted pacemakers developed arrhythmias during exercise. There were 23 patients without known previous competition, and in 69.5 per cent of them arrhythmias developed during exercise. No serious arrhythmias developed, but there were three cases of repetitive firing or short bursts of ventricular tachycardia, five instances of pacing on the apex of the T wave, and one instance of R-on-T phenomenon. None of these cases of ventricular tachycardia was preceded by spike-on-T or R-on-T stimulation. Based on these observations, recommendations for selection of the proper pacemaker have been made.
Microwave plasma synthesis of silver nanopowders

Silver nanopowder was synthesized by the microwave plasma synthesis method. The effect of feeding rate of precursor raw material to the average particle size and crystallinity were studied. The microwave plasma unit can be modified to prepare silver nanopowder with polymeric coating. The silver nanopowder was characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
BK Channels Are Linked to Inositol 1,4,5-Triphosphate Receptors via Lipid Rafts A NOVEL MECHANISM FOR COUPLING [Ca2+]i TO ION CHANNEL ACTIVATION

Glioma cells prominently express a unique splice variant of a large conductance, calcium-activated potassium channel (BK channel). These channels transduce changes in intracellular calcium to changes of K+ conductance in the cells and have been implicated in growth control of normal and malignant cells. The Ca2+ increase that facilitates channel activation is thought to occur via activation of intracellular calcium release pathways or influx of calcium through Ca2+-permeable ion channels. We show here that BK channel activation involves the activation of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors (IP3R), which localize near BK channels in specialized membrane domains called lipid rafts. Disruption of lipid rafts with methyl-β-cyclodextrin disrupts the functional association of BK channel and calcium source resulting in a >50% reduction in K+ conductance mediated by BK channels. The reduction of BK current by lipid raft disruption was overcome by the global elevation of intracellular calcium through inclusion of 750 nm Ca2+ in the pipette solution, indicating that neither the calcium sensitivity of the channel nor their overall number was altered. Additionally, pretreatment of glioma cells with 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate to inhibit IP3Rs negated the effect of methyl-β-cyclodextrin, providing further support that IP3Rs are the calcium source for BK channels. Taken together, these data suggest a privileged association of BK channels in lipid raft domains and provide evidence for a novel coupling of these Ca2+-sensitive channels to their second messenger source.
Methylguanine methyltransferase activity deficiency in immature rat mammary epithelial cells parallels increased carcinogenic susceptibility

The prepubertal breast is more susceptible than the mature breast to the carcinogenic effects of ionizing radiation, and potentially to cigarette smoke and alkylating chemotherapeutics. Mammary epithelial cells (MECs) from sexually immature (3-week (wk)-old) Fischer 344 rats were more sensitive than mature (8-wk-old) rats to the carcinogenic, lethal, and mutagenic effects of N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU). The work reported here was undertaken to better define this age-specific susceptibility of the mammary gland to NMU. Using the alkaline comet assay, it was found that MECs from immature but not mature rats displayed an increase in single-strand DNA breaks or alkali-labile lesions 2 h following NMU treatment. Hoechst staining indicated apoptosis was not responsible for the increase. Inhibition of methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) did not affect immature MECs but caused mature MECs to recapitulate the immature response to NMU. Direct measurement of MGMT activity revealed that immature MECs are significantly deficient in MGMT activity relative to mature MECs. MECs had the lowest MGMT activity of all organs tested. Immature kidneys, which preferentially developed nephroblastomas after NMU treatment, also displayed significantly lower MGMT activity than mature kidneys. These results suggest that age-related differences in MGMT activity may play a significant role in age-differential susceptibility to rat mammary gland and kidney carcinogenesis, and argue the importance of extending these studies to humans. They also provide a mechanistic basis for studying, as potentially initiating events in breast cancer, exposures of prepubertal girls to alkylating agents, to which humans are exposed in cigarette smoke, the diet, and as chemotherapy.
A new species of Typhlophis (Serpentes: Anomalepididae) from Bolívar State, Venezuela

n. Se describe la segunda especie del genero Typhlophis. T. ayarzaguenai sp. nov., para la Serrania de Los Pijiguaos, estado Bolivar, Venezuela. Typhlophis ayarzaguenai se diferencia de T. squamosus principalmente por tener un mayor numero total de escamas dorsales (398-418 vs 345), mayor numero de escamas alrededor del cuerpo (24 vs 21) y mayor numero de escamas cefalicas. Esta nueva especie constituye el primer registro del genero Typhlophis para Venezuela.
Intermittent microclimate cooling during exercise-heat stress in US army chemical protective clothing

The effectiveness of intermittent, microclimate cooling for men who worked in US Army chemical protective clothing (modified mission-oriented protective posture level 3; MOPP 3) was examined. The hypothesis was that intermittent cooling on a 2 min on-off schedule using a liquid cooling garment (LCG) covering 72% of the body surface area would reduce heat strain comparably to constant cooling. Four male subjects completed three experiments at 30 degrees C, 30% relative humidity wearing the LCG under the MOPP 3 during 80 min of treadmill walking at 224 +/- 5 W . m(-2). Water temperature to the LCG was held constant at 21 degrees C. The experiments were; 1) constant cooling (CC); 2) intermittent cooling at 2-min intervals (IC); 3) no cooling (NC). Core temperature increased (1.6 +/- 0.2 degrees C) in NC, which was greater than IC (0.5 +/- 0.2 degrees C) and CC (0.5 +/- 0.3 degrees C) ( p < 0.05). Mean skin temperature was higher during NC (36.1 +/- 0.4 degrees C) than IC (33.7 +/- 0.6 degrees C) and CC (32.6 +/- 0.6 degrees C) and mean skin temperature was higher during IC than CC ( p < 0.05). Mean heart rate during NC (139 +/- 9 b . min(-1)) was greater than IC (110 +/- 10 b . min(-1)) and CC (107 +/- 9 b . min(-1)) ( p < 0.05). Cooling by conduction (K) during NC (94 +/- 4 W . m(-2)) was lower than IC (142 +/- 7 W . m(-2)) and CC (146 +/- 4 W . m(-2)) ( p < 0.05). These findings suggest that IC provided a favourable skin to LCG gradient for heat dissipation by conduction and reduced heat strain comparable to CC during exercise-heat stress in chemical protective clothing.
Identification of Hypertension Susceptibility Loci on Rat Chromosome 12

Previous studies have identified multiple blood pressure and renal disease quantitative trait loci located on rat chromosome 12. In the present study, we narrowed blood pressure loci using a series of overlapping Dahl salt-sensitive/Mcwi (SS)-12 Brown Norway (BN) congenic lines. We found that transferring 6.1 Mb of SS chromosome 12 (13.4–19.5 Mb) onto the consomic SS-12 BN background significantly elevated blood pressure on 1% NaCl (146 ± 6 versus 127 ± 1 mm Hg; P P BN consomic, these animals also had significantly elevated albumin (218 ± 31 versus 104 ± 8 mg/d; P P
Effect of Training with the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System Lexicon on Mammographic Interpretation Skills in Developing Countries1

Rationale and Objectives The authors evaluated the effect of training in the American College of Radiology (ACR) Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) lexicon on the interpretive skills of radiologists evaluating screening mammograms in Ukraine. Materials and Methods As part of a program to improve breast cancer detection and treatment in Ukraine, a series of training sessions was given to a group of radiologists across Ukraine to improve their interpretive skills in screening mammography. The training sessions focused on the use of the lexicon and assessment categories developed by the ACR BI-RADS committee. Participants (n = 14) evaluated 30 test screening mammograms before and after the training sessions. The test sets were randomly selected from a larger collection of training sets containing normal, benign, and abnormal mammograms. False-positive, false-negative, true-positive, and true-negative evaluations were determined, and sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values were calculated for each participant before and after training. Results The mean baseline sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values were 50%, 77%, and 43%, respectively. Each of these measures of interpretive skills improved significantly after training in the use of the lexicon, to 87%, 89%, and 78% (P < .0001, P < .01, and P < .0001, respectively). Conclusion As the use of mammography spreads throughout developing countries, it is essential to address training and educational needs, as well as equipment needs. The ACR BI-RADS lexicon provides a systematic and efficient method for training radiologists to interpret screening mammograms. Educating radiologists on the use of this lexicon proved an effective way to improve their interpretive skills in screening mammography.
The social class determinants of income inequality and social cohesion

The authors argue that Wilkinson's model omits important variables (social class) that make it vulnerable to biases due to model mis-specification. Furthermore, the culture of inequality hypothesis unnecessarily "psychopathologizes" the relatively deprived while omitting social determinants of disease related to production (environmental and occupational hazards) and the capacity of the relatively deprived for collective action. In addition, the hypothesis that being "disrespected" is a fundamental determinant of violence has already been refuted. Shying away from social mechanisms such as exploitation, workplace domination, or classist ideology might avoid conflict but reduce the income inequality model to a set of useful, but simple and wanting associations. Using a nonrecursive structural equation model that tests for reciprocal effects, the authors show that working-class position is negatively associated with social cohesion but positively associated with union membership. Thus, current indicators of social cohesion use middle-class standards for collective action that working-class communities are unlikely to meet. An erroneous characterization of working-class communities as noncohesive could be used to justify paternalistic or punitive social policies. These criticisms should not detract from an acknowledgment of Wilkinson's investigations as a leading empirical contribution to reviving social epidemiology at the end of the century.
Transformation Discourse: Nuclear Risk as a Strategic Tool in Late Soviet Politics of Expertise

In this article, the author examines an exemplary part of the Soviet media discussion following the Chernobyl disaster. She traces transformations in this discourse affecting the concepts of risk a...
Public Opinion, the Courts, and Same-sex Marriage: Four Lessons Learned

Social scientists often have been called upon to weigh in on social issues, and same-sex marriage is no exception. We draw on quantitative and qualitative data from a national survey to evaluate four of the most prominent arguments raised by opponents of same-sex marriage in court cases. Our data undermine these claims, leading to four lessons about same-sex marriage that we can surmise from public opinion: (1) opposition to same-sex marriage is about animus, (2) marital status brings clear benefits to same-sex couples, (3) state variation in marital laws places same-sex couples in a vulnerable position, and (4) legal alternatives to same-sex marriage do not obviate the need for same-sex marriage. We briefly outline these four lessons and discuss the continuing importance of social science research—in particular, public opinion research—for understanding issues that will emerge as the perceptions of and legal rights afforded to same-sex couples change in the United States.
Size Dependent Study of MeOH Decomposition Over Size-selected Pt Nanoparticles Synthesized via Micelle Encapsulation

We present here the size-dependent decomposition of methanol (MeOH) over narrowly distributed Pt nanoparticles supported on nanocrystalline anatase TiO2 powder. Micelle encapsulation has been used to create Pt catalysts with average particle sizes of ∼4, 6, and 8 nm. A packed bed mass flow reactor and mass spectrometry were employed to quantify the catalyst’s activity and selectivity. Among the catalysts tested the smallest nanoparticles showed the best performance including an onset reaction temperature of ∼145 °C. No byproducts such as CO2 or CH4 were observed in the test range of 100–330 °C.
Dicrotic pulse in pericardial tamponade.

ANALYSIS OF THE arterial pressure waveform is useful to the clinician in that alterations in the waveform morphology may indicate changes in cardiovascular parameters, such as stroke volume, systemic vascular resistance, or preload. Distinct arterial waveform morphologies, such as pulsus alternans and pulsus paradoxus, may indicate specific conditions and are helpful in directing therapy. The dicrotic pulse is a unique arterial pressure waveform associated with specific physiologic conditions. Recognition and understanding of factors associated with dicrotic pulse formation should aid the clinician in patient management. As opposed to anacrotic and biferious pulses, in which 2 pulsations occur during systole, a dicrotic pulse is characterized by 2 palpable pulsations with 1 upstroke in systole and 1 upstroke in diastole. Meadows et al1 defined a fully dicrotic pulse when the dicrotic wave (peak of the dicrotic wave pressure dicrotic notch pressure) is 30% of the pulse pressure and when the pressure difference between the dicrotic notch and the diastolic pressure is 10% of pulse pressure. A dicrotic pulse historically has been associated with typhoid fever and more recently described with a variety of low cardiac output states.1,2 After mitral or aortic valve replacement, a dicrotic pulse has been correlated with left ventricular dysfunction and is an indicator of a poor postoperative prognosis.3 This case report describes the occurrence of a dicrotic pulse in a patient with cardiac tamponade that resolved after surgical drainage of pericardial fluid.
Late Onset Neurodegeneration with Brain-Iron Accumulation Presenting as Parkinsonism

Neurodegeneration with brain-iron accumulation (NBIA) encompasses a family of neurodegenerative disorders connected by evidence of abnormal brain iron deposition. Advances in imaging and genetic testing expanded the clinical spectrum of these disorders. Here, a case of parkinsonism and dystonia with orofacial stereotypies is presented. While the patient was initially diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and placed on levodopa therapy, dopamine transporter imaging via (123)I-FP-CIT SPECT (DaTSCAN) was normal. MRI brain showed "eye of the tiger" sign on T2 weighted imaging. NBIA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism.
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission was selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 2008 for development as the second Mars Scout mission. 12The mission is on schedule for a November 2013 launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. MAVEN will study the Mars upper atmosphere, solar interactions, and the effects of loss of volatiles from the atmosphere to space. This paper provides an overview of MAVEN's science, the mission, and current project management activities and future plans.
On a Result of Aleliunas et al. Concerning Random Walks on Graphs

Aleliunas et al. [3] proved that for a random walk on a connected raph G = (V, E) on N vertices, the expected minimum number of steps to visit all vertices is bounded by 2|E|(N - 1), regardless of the initial state. We give here a simple proof of that result through an equality involving hitting times of vertices that can be extended to an inequality for hitting times of edges, thus obtaining a bound for the expected minimum number of steps to visit all edges exactly once in each direction.
Peripheral ulcerative keratitis after clear corneal cataract extraction

A previously healthy 80-year-old man had uneventful clear corneal cataract extraction. An extensive peripheral corneal infiltrate with overlying epithelial defect at the incision site was noted at the regular follow-up visit 1 week after surgery. Corneal cultures showed no evidence of infectious keratitis. A systemic evaluation uncovered early-stage, active rheumatoid arthritis. This case illustrates that peripheral ulcerative keratitis may occur with a small clear corneal incision and may be the presenting sign of a previously undiagnosed rheumatoid disease.
Creep properties of the Nb-1% Zr alloy☆

Abstract Creep rupture properties of two heats of Nb-1% Zr have been determined. Although these materials have comparable chemical analyses and were reported to have the same fabrication history, their creep strengths are considerably different. It was found that, at a test temperature of 982°C and at high stresses, a fine precipitate formed which was oriented normal to the applied stress. At 1204°C, the precipitate was quite coarse and, again, was preferentially oriented normal to the applied stress. It was found that pretest annealing at temperatures up to 1700°C markedly improved the strength without decreasing the rupture ductility.
Safety of Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Review of Complications, Risk Factors, and Newer Technologies

Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) was approved for use in acute ischemic stroke in the United States in 1996. Approximately 2% to 5% of patients with acute ischemic stroke receive r-tPA. Complications related to intravenous r-tPA include symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, major systemic hemorrhage, and angioedema in approximately 6%, 2%, and 5% of patients, respectively. Risk factors for symptomatic hemorrhage include age, male gender, obesity, increased stroke severity, diabetes, hyperglycemia, uncontrolled hypertension, combination antiplatelet use, large areas of early ischemic change, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and leukoariosis. A risk factor for angioedema is the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Risk assessment scores, novel imaging strategies, and telemedicine may offer methods of optimizing the risk–benefit ratio.
Homogeneity computation: How interitem similarity in visual short-term memory alters recognition

Visual short-term recognition memory for multiple stimuli is strongly influenced by the study items’ similarity to one another—that is, by their homogeneity. However, the mechanism responsible for this homogeneity effect has remained unclear. We evaluated competing explanations of this effect, using controlled sets of Gabor patches as study items and probe stimuli. Our results, based on recognition memory for spatial frequency, rule out the possibility that the homogeneity effect arises because similar study items are encoded and/or maintained with higher fidelity in memory than dissimilar study items are. Instead, our results support the hypothesis that the homogeneity effect reflects trial-by-trial comparisons of study items, which generate a homogeneity signal. This homogeneity signal modulates recognition performance through an adjustment of the subject’s decision criterion. Additionally, it seems the homogeneity signal is computed prior to the presentation of the probe stimulus, by evaluating the familiarity of each new stimulus with respect to the items already in memory. This suggests that recognition-like processes operate not only on the probe stimulus, but on study items as well.
RpiR homologues may link Staphylococcus aureus RNAIII synthesis and pentose phosphate pathway regulation

Staphylococcus aureus is a medically important pathogen that synthesizes a wide range of virulence determinants. The synthesis of many staphylococcal virulence determinants is regulated in part by stress-induced changes in the activity of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. One metabolic change associated with TCA cycle stress is an increased concentration of ribose, leading us to hypothesize that a pentose phosphate pathway (PPP)-responsive regulator mediates some of the TCA cycle-dependent regulatory effects. Using bioinformatics, we identified three potential ribose-responsive regulators that belong to the RpiR family of transcriptional regulators. To determine whether these RpiR homologues affect PPP activity and virulence determinant synthesis, the rpiR homologues were inactivated, and the effects on PPP activity and virulence factor synthesis were assessed. Two of the three homologues (RpiRB and RpiRC) positively influence the transcription of the PPP genes rpiA and zwf, while the third homologue (RpiRA) is slightly antagonistic to the other homologues. In addition, inactivation of RpiRC altered the temporal transcription of RNAIII, the effector molecule of the agr quorum-sensing system. These data confirm the close linkage of central metabolism and virulence determinant synthesis, and they establish a metabolic override for quorum-sensing-dependent regulation of RNAIII transcription.
Regional Normal Lung Tissue Density Changes in Patients Treated With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Lung Tumors

Purpose To describe regional lung tissue density changes in normal lung tissue of patients with primary and metastatic lung tumors who received stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Methods and Materials A total of 179 post-SBRT follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans of 62 patients who received SBRT between 2003 and 2009 were studied. Median prescription dose was 54 Gy (range, 30-60 Gy) in 3 to 5 fractions. SBRT-induced lung density changes on post-SBRT follow-up CT were evaluated at approximately 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months after treatment. Dose-response curves (DRC) were generated for SBRT-induced lung damage by averaging CT number (HU) changes for regions of the lungs receiving the same dose at 5-Gy intervals. Results For all follow-up interval periods, CT numbers linearly increased with dose until 35 Gy and were constant thereafter. For 3, 18, 24, and 30 months, the rate of relative electron density increase with dose was approximately 0.24% per Gy. At 6 months, the rate was also similar below 20 Gy but then rose to 0.6% per Gy above this threshold. After 6 months, DRCs were mostly time-independent. When split between patients treated with 3 fractions of 12 to 20 Gy (median, 20 Gy; average tumor volume, 12 ± 16 cm 3 ) and with >3 fractions of 6 to 12.5 Gy (median, 9 Gy; average tumor volume, 30 ± 40 cm 3 ), DRCs differed significantly. In both cases, CT changes at 3, 18, 24, and 30 months were identical to those of the population DRC; however, patients who received >3 fractions showed 6-month CT changes that were more than twice those for the group that received 3 fractions. Conclusions This analysis of SBRT-induced normal lung density changes indicates that lung normal tissue has more pronounced self-limited acute effects than late effects. Differences in acute CT changes following treatments in 3 fractions were considerably less than for treatments in >3 fractions.
' PARIS EST LIBRE ' ENTRIES AS RECONCILIATIONS: FROM CHARLES VII TO CHARLES DE GAULLE

The numerous confl icts that have punctuated the history of France have repeatedly confronted political leaders with the challenge of bringing about national reconciliation. This article will dwell on four periods that have been the theatre of ' Franco-French ' rivalry, in order to show how they may be seen as acts of reconciliation: the end of the Hundred Years War; the Wars of Religion; the Revolutionary and the Napoleonic period; and the Second World War. It will examine the entries made into Paris by Charles VII on 20 November 1437, by Henri IV on 22 March 1594, by Louis XVIII on 3 May 1814 and by Charles de Gaulle on 26 August 1944. The article will also explain the differences between a reconciliatory entry and a normal entry, while at the same time throwing light on the perennial character of the rituals of reconciliation.
Combined Effect of Trace Elements and Fluoride on Caries: Changes Over Ten Years in Northwest Ohio (U.S.A.):

Dental caries examinations were carried out in an area of low caries prevalence, ascribed to a combined effect of fluoride and other trace elements. Repeat examinations in 1978 on lifelong resident children aged from 12 to 14 yr showed caries distribution patterns to be essentially the same as those found in a previous study in 1968. Some changes in DMFS scores had occurred, which were associated with changes in the strontium content of the drinking water; low caries levels were significantly associated with high strontium concentrations.
Cyclopentadienylbis(triphenylphosphine)cobalt(I)

[32993-07-0] C41H35CoP2 (MW 648.62) InChI = 1S/2C18H15P.C5H5.Co/c2*1-4-10-16(11-5-1)19(17-12-6-2-7-13-17)18-14-8-3-9-15-18;1-2-4-5-3-1;/h2*1-15H;1-5H; InChIKey = JVIPVGLRUSVWPL-UHFFFAOYSA-N (alkyne cyclotrimerization catalyst; co-cyclotrimerization catalyst for alkynes and nitriles, alkenes and heterocumulenes; reagent for synthesis of substituted thiophenes, selenophenes, and pyrroles) Physical Data: mp 140–143 °C (benzene adduct).2a Solubility: sol benzene, THF, toluene; insol hexane. Form Supplied in: dark red, air-sensitive crystalline solid. Analysis of Reagent Purity: 1HMR and IR.2a,2b Preparative Method: can be prepared by addition of NaCp to Chlorotris(triphenylphosphine)cobalt in THF.2c Purification: recrystallization from benzene/hexane.2c Handling, Storage, and Precautions: store under an inert atmosphere.
A Laboratory Model of Thermocline Depth and Exchange Fluxes across Circumpolar Fronts

A laboratory experiment has been constructed to investigate the possibility that the equilibrium depth of a circumpolar front is set by a balance between the rate at which potential energy is created by mechanical and buoyancy forcing and the rate at which it is released by eddies. In a rotating cylindrical tank, the combined action of mechanical and buoyancy forcing builds a stratification, creating a large-scale front. At equilibrium, the depth of penetration and strength of the current are then determined by the balance between eddy transport and sources and sinks associated with imposed patterns of Ekman pumping and buoyancy fluxes. It is found that the depth of penetration and transport of the front scale like L and weL2, respectively, where ˇ[( fw )/g9] e we is the Ekman pumping, g9 is the reduced gravity across the front, f is the Coriolis parameter, and L is the width scale of the front. Last, the implications of this study for understanding those processes that set the stratification and transport of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) are discussed. If the laboratory results scale up to the ACC, they suggest a maximum thermocline depth of approximately h 5 2 km, a zonal current velocity of 4.6 cm s 21, and a transport T 5 150 Sv (1 Sv [ 106 m3 s 21), not dissimilar to what is observed.
Cumulative stress and maternal prenatal corticotropin-releasing hormone in an urban U.S. cohort.

Summary Background To date, there have been conflicting reports of the association of psychosocial stressors with prenatal corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) levels. Methods We examined whether racial discrimination, community violence, interpersonal violence (IPV), negative life events, considered independently, and as a composite measure of cumulative stress, were associated with prenatal CRH levels in the Asthma Coalition on Community, Environment, and Social Stress (ACCESS) project, a multiethnic pre-birth cohort in urban Boston. Blood was collected between 20 and 37 weeks gestation (Mean = 28.1, SD = 4.6 weeks gestation). During pregnancy, women were administered the Conflict Tactics Scale survey to assess IPV, the Crisis in Family Systems-Revised survey to assess negative life events, the My Exposure to Violence survey to assess community violence, and the Experiences of Discrimination survey. A cumulative stress measure was derived from these instruments to characterize exposure to high levels of multiple stressors. Results None of the individual stressors or cumulative stress was associated with CRH in combined analyses including Whites ( n = 20), Blacks ( n = 46), and Hispanics ( n = 110). In separate analyses of Blacks and Hispanics, racial discrimination, community violence, and cumulative stress were associated with CRH in Blacks, but were not associated with CRH in Hispanics. Conclusions Though these results require replication, they suggest that the effects of stress on prenatal CRH levels may be mediated by factors that differ between racial/ethnic groups. Further studies in larger samples are warranted to clarify whether associations of chronic stressors and prenatal CRH levels differ by race/ethnicity and to better understand underlying mechanisms.
Assessing gaps in marine conservation in California

Implementation of marine conservation strategies lags far behind terrestrial conservation efforts. Quantifying what is protected and what is not, or “gap analysis”, helps to show just how much work there is to do; systematic conservation planning provides guidance on how to best fill those gaps. We conducted the first marine gap analysis for California by comparing distributions of major ecosystems and habitats with existing marine protected areas. Less than 0.3% of state and federal waters (to the bottom of the continental slope) are within no-take or limited-take marine protected areas (MPAs). With few exceptions, less than 5% of marine habitats are within no-take or limited-take MPAs that afford a high level of ecosystem protection. Efforts to create new MPAs to include representative habitats will help to fill some gaps, but additional conservation strategies, such as ocean zoning and ecosystem-based management of fisheries, are needed to balance protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity.
Cuttings of Impatiens, Pelargonium, and Petunia Propagated under Light-emitting Diodes and High-pressure Sodium Lamps Have Comparable Growth, Morphology, Gas Exchange, and Post-transplant Performance

Increasing photosynthetic daily light integral (DLI) by supplementing with high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps during propagation has been shown to enhance photosynthesis and biomass accumulation of cuttings. The development of high- intensity light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is a promising technology with potential as a greenhouse supplemental lighting source. Our objective was to quantify the impact of narrow spectra supplemental lighting from LEDs on growth, morphology, and gas exchange of cuttings compared with traditional HPS supplemental lighting. Cuttings of Impatiens hawkeri W. Bull 'Celebrette Frost', Pelargonium 3hortorum L.H. Bailey 'Designer Bright Red', and Petunia 3hybrida Vilm. 'Suncatcher Midnight Blue' were received from a commercial propagator and propagated in a glass-glazed greenhouse at 23 8C air and substrate temperature set points. After callusing (' 5m ol·m L2 ·d L1 for 7 days), cuttings were placed under 70 mmol·m L2 ·s L1 delivered from HPS lamps or LED arrays with varying proportions (%) of red:blue light (100:0, 85:15, or 70:30). After 14 days under supplemental lighting treatments, growth, morphology, and gas exchange of rooted cuttings were measured. There were no significant differences among Impatiens and Pelargonium cuttings grown under different supplemental light sources. However, compared with cuttings propagated under HPS lamps, stem length of Petunia cuttings grown under 100:0 red:blue LEDs was 11% shorter, whereas leaf dry mass, root dry mass, root mass ratios, and root:shoot ratio of cuttings grown under 70:30 red:blue LEDs were 15%, 36%, 17%, and 24% higher, respectively. Supple- mental light source had minimal impact on plants after transplant. Our data suggest that LEDs are suitable replacements for HPS lamps as supplemental light sources during cutting propagation.
Multiplexed Affinity-Based Separation of Proteins and Cells Using Inertial Microfluidics

Isolation of low abundance proteins or rare cells from complex mixtures, such as blood, is required for many diagnostic, therapeutic and research applications. Current affinity-based protein or cell separation methods use binary 'bind-elute' separations and are inefficient when applied to the isolation of multiple low-abundance proteins or cell types. We present a method for rapid and multiplexed, yet inexpensive, affinity-based isolation of both proteins and cells, using a size-coded mixture of multiple affinity-capture microbeads and an inertial microfluidic particle sorter device. In a single binding step, different targets-cells or proteins-bind to beads of different sizes, which are then sorted by flowing them through a spiral microfluidic channel. This technique performs continuous-flow, high throughput affinity-separation of milligram-scale protein samples or millions of cells in minutes after binding. We demonstrate the simultaneous isolation of multiple antibodies from serum and multiple cell types from peripheral blood mononuclear cells or whole blood. We use the technique to isolate low abundance antibodies specific to different HIV antigens and rare HIV-specific cells from blood obtained from HIV+ patients.