cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface energy anisotropy of iridium

Abstract Field-ion microscopy was used to study the faceting behavior and surface energy anisotropy of iridium in vacuum and in hydrogen. In vacuum below approximately 1300 K the order of faceting and the activation energy for growth of {111} facets agreed with previously published results of FIM studies. The unexpected faceting behavior of {210} planes was examined in terms of the geometry of field evaporated specimens. The observed anisotropy at temperatures above 1300 K was in qualitative agreement with Morse and Mie potential calculations and in nearly quantitative agreement with the pairwise bonding model using σ 2 = 0.4, σ 3 = 0.2. The observed maximum anisotropy of 8.8% for iridium at 1360 K fell within the range of extrapolated values for other metals at one-half the absolute melting temperature. Hydrogen appeared to lower the surface energy of each plane by only about 0.1%. An anisotropic effect of hydrogen on the faceting behavior, however, was observed and suggested that surface diffusion rates in {110} and {311} regions were preferentially increased in the presence of hydrogen.
Risk Factors for Prevalent Vertebral Fractures in Black and White Female Densitometry Patients

Abstract This cross-sectional study compared risk factors for prevalent vertebral fractures (diagnosed using densitometric spine image Vertebral Fracture Assessment [VFA]) in 176 black and 345 white women recruited during their clinical bone mineral density (BMD) testing at the University of Chicago Hospitals. We used logistic regression to assess the association of prevalent vertebral fractures and risk factors (age, height loss, history of nonvertebral fractures, BMD, and use of corticosteroids). The prevalence of vertebral fractures was 21% for both races. All risk factors of interest were significantly associated with vertebral fractures in white women. Among black women, only age and corticosteroid use were found to be significant predictors of presence of vertebral fracture(s). In women without history of corticosteroid use, the probability of having vertebral fracture(s) given age was lower ( p =0.02) in black subjects. In 77 patients with a history of corticosteroid use, the probability of having vertebral fracture(s) was higher in black than in white women after adjustment for age ( p =0.045), BMD ( p =0.045), or cumulative corticosteroid dose ( p =0.08). Fewer black women were prescribed pharmacologic therapy for osteoporosis, regardless of their BMD level and corticosteroid use. We conclude that use of corticosteroids may be associated with relatively greater vertebral fracture risk in blacks than in whites.
Hydrodynamical expansion with frame-independence symmetry in high-energy multiparticle production

We describe the space-time development of the hardronic system formed immediately after the high-energy hadron collision with the following picture. Initially the system is highly compressed along the longitudinal direction. The sudden relaxation of this compression leads to a violent acceleration along this direction and perhaps a weak acceleration along the transverse direction. When these accelerations cease, we propose that the system acquires certain frame-independence symmetry with its further expansion governed by the hydrodynamic equation of motion. Within our scheme, this symmetry provides a natural mechanism which eventually leads to a flat inclusive longitudinal rapidity distribution and it also admits a sharp cutoff in the inclusive transverse momentum distribution. These features differ from those of Landau's model.
Phase separation in impacting wyes and tees

Abstract An experimental and analytical study of phase separation for impacting two-phase flows in branching conduits has been performed. The resulting analytical model is applicable to impacting flows in wyes and tees for various inlet flow regimes. This model is based on a dividing-streamline concept, and it assumes that there is a “zone of influence” for each of the two phases which is bounded by the conduit wall and the dividing streamlines. Good agreement was obtained between model predictions and the experimental results from this study and others.
Mechanics of high speed cutting with curvilinear edge tools

Abstract High speed cutting is advantageous due to the reduced forces and power, increased energy savings, and overall improved productivity for discrete-part metal manufacturing. However, tool edge geometry and combined cutting conditions highly affects the performance of high speed cutting. In this study, mechanics of cutting with curvilinear (round and oval-like) edge preparation tools in the presence of dead metal zone has been presented to investigate the effects of edge geometry and cutting conditions on the friction and resultant tool temperatures. An analytical slip-line field model is utilized to study the cutting mechanics and friction at the tool-chip and tool–workpiece interfaces in the presence of the dead metal zone in machining with negative rake curvilinear PCBN tools. Inserts with six different edge designs, including a chamfered edge, are tested with a set of orthogonal cutting experiments on AISI 4340 steel. Friction conditions in each different edge design are identified by utilizing the forces and chip geometries measured. Finite-element simulations are conducted using the friction conditions identified and process predictions are compared with experiments. Analyses of temperature, strain, and stress fields are utilized in understanding the mechanics of machining with curvilinear tools.
Program transformations to fix C buffer overflows

This paper describes two program transformations to fix buffer overflows originating from unsafe library functions and bad pointer operations. Together, these transformations fixed all buffer overflows featured in 4,505 programs of NIST’s SAMATE reference dataset, making the changes automatically on over 2.3 million lines of C code.
A gain-of-function mutation in the sodium channel gene Scn2a results in seizures and behavioral abnormalities.

The GAL879-881QQQ mutation in the cytoplasmic S4-S5 linker of domain 2 of the rat brain IIA sodium channel (Nav1.2) results in slowed inactivation and increased persistent current when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The neuron-specific enolase promoter was used to direct in vivo expression of the mutated channel in transgenic mice. Three transgenic lines exhibited seizures, and line Q54 was characterized in detail. The seizures in these mice began at two months of age and were accompanied by behavioral arrest and stereotyped repetitive behaviors. Continuous electroencephalogram monitoring detected focal seizure activity in the hippocampus, which in some instances generalized to involve the cortex. Hippocampal CA1 neurons isolated from presymptomatic Q54 mice exhibited increased persistent sodium current which may underlie hyperexcitability in the hippocampus. During the progression of the disorder there was extensive cell loss and gliosis within the hippocampus in areas CA1, CA2, CA3 and the hilus. The lifespan of Q54 mice was shortened and only 25% of the mice survived beyond six months of age. Four independent transgenic lines expressing the wild-type sodium channel were examined and did not exhibit any abnormalities. The transgenic Q54 mice provide a genetic model that will be useful for testing the effect of pharmacological intervention on progression of seizures caused by sodium channel dysfunction. The human ortholog, SCN2A, is a candidate gene for seizure disorders mapped to chromosome 2q22-24. q 2001 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Ca2+-Binding Protein-1 Facilitates and Forms a Postsynaptic Complex with Cav1.2 (L-Type) Ca2+ Channels

Ca2+-binding protein-1 (CaBP1) is a Ca2+-binding protein that is closely related to calmodulin (CaM) and localized in somatodendritic regions of principal neurons throughout the brain, but how CaBP1 participates in postsynaptic Ca2+ signaling is not known. Here, we describe a novel role for CaBP1 in the regulation of Ca2+ influx through Cav1.2 (L-type) Ca2+ channels. CaBP1 interacts directly with the α1 subunit of Cav1.2 at sites that also bind CaM. CaBP1 binding to one of these sites, the IQ domain, is Ca2+ dependent and competitive with CaM binding. The physiological significance of this interaction is supported by the association of Cav1.2 and CaBP1 in postsynaptic density fractions purified from rat brain. Moreover, in double-label immunofluorescence experiments, CaBP1 and Cav1.2 colocalize in numerous cell bodies and dendrites of neurons, particularly in pyramidal cells in the CA3 region of the hippocampus and in the dorsal cortex. In electrophysiological recordings of cells transfected with Cav1.2, CaBP1 greatly prolonged Ca2+ currents, prevented Ca2+-dependent inactivation, and caused Ca2+-dependent facilitation of currents evoked by step depolarizations and repetitive stimuli. These effects contrast with those of CaM, which promoted strong Ca2+-dependent inactivation of Cav1.2 with these same voltage protocols. Our findings reveal how Ca2+-binding proteins, such as CaM and CaBP1, differentially adjust Ca2+ influx through Cav1.2 channels, which may specify diverse modes of Ca2+ signaling in neurons.
Rethinking surveillance - Toward an interactive security model

Surveillance has come to be a multi-billion dollar industry designed to protect both persons and belongings, yet very little attention has been given to the improvement of both its public perception and functionality. The anachronous model of ‘an observer’ watching ‘the observed’ has been the quintessence of such surveillance systems since their conception. Video Surveillance specifically is currently used primarily to convey live images to a moderator, which has the unintended effect of removing privacy, promoting stereotypes and instilling an element of helplessness in those who are being observed. In addition to the aforementioned concerns, these methods are vastly outdated; the act of looking at a set of spatially connected areas, being the core of surveillance, is centuries old. As the complexities of society and in turn security increase, the question of what else surveillance systems can be attains more significance. Answering this question requires an interdisciplinary approach that faculty at the University of Minnesota undertook in four consecutive semesters through the class “ECE 4951: Senior Design Project.” This paper builds on calls to re-think the power dynamics inherent in surveillance systems through a paradigm shift in which surveillance is used to connect people to people and people to the environment. The discussion elaborates on the students' design approaches as well as the challenges that such an interdisciplinary pedagogical undertaking involves.
In search of a consistent and conservative mass flux for the GWCE

Two methods for computing local mass flux for a continuous Galerkin finite element formulation of the Generalized Wave Continuity Equation (GWCE) are derived and a third method is discussed in light of the first two. The GWCE is shown to not conserve mass locally, while it can be shown to conserve a certain quantity locally. The two derived methods are demonstrated for a realistic tidal flow problem in the Bight of Abaco, Bahamas.
An Analytical Design and Analysis Method for a High-Power Circular to Rectangular Waveguide Mode Converter and Its Applications

An analytical method to estimate the scattering of RF power into multiple modes inside a nonuniform waveguide using perturbation techniques is presented. This method is quite general, much faster than numerical methods, and may be applied to a wide variety of nonuniform waveguides. We have used this method to design and analyze a three-section mode transformer that converts a TE01 circular waveguide mode to a TE20 rectangular waveguide mode. This mode converter is specially suitable for use in ultra-high-power applications. Due to the complexity of the problem, we have used the symbolic solver Mathematica to produce most of our analytical results. The results match within reasonable accuracy with High Frequency Structure Simulator field solver simulations. We also present the application of this mode converter to variety of ultra-high-power microwave components and experimentally show the performance of these devices.
Mycobacterium-Induced Potentiation of Type 1 Immune Responses and Protection against Malaria Are Host Specific

Malaria and tuberculosis are endemic in many regions of the world, and coinfection with the two pathogens is common. In this study, we examined the effects of long- and short-term infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis on the course of a lethal form of murine malaria in resistant (C57BL/6) and susceptible (BALB/c) mice. C57BL/6 mice coinfected with M. tuberculosis CDC1551 and Plasmodium yoelii 17XL had a lower peak parasitemia and increased survival compared to mice infected with P. yoelii 17XL alone. Splenic microarray analysis demonstrated potentiation of type 1 immune responses in coinfected C57BL/6 mice, which was especially prominent 5 days after infection with P. yoelii 17XL. Splenocytes from coinfected C57BL/6 mice produced higher levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha than splenocytes from mice infected with either pathogen alone. Interestingly, mycobacterium-induced protection against lethal P. yoelii is mouse strain specific. BALB/c mice were significantly more susceptible than C57BL/6 mice to infection with P. yoelii 17XL and were not protected against lethal malaria by coinfection with M. tuberculosis. In addition, M. tuberculosis did not augment IFN-γ responses in BALB/c mice subsequently infected with P. yoelii 17XL. These data indicate that M. tuberculosis-induced potentiation of type 1 immune responses is associated with protection against lethal murine malaria.
A data mining based genetic algorithm

Genetic algorithms (GAs) are considered as a global search approach for optimization problems. Through the proper evaluation strategy, the best "chromosome" can be found from the numerous genetic combinations. Although the GA operations do provide the opportunity to find the optimum solution, they may fail in some cases, especially when the length of a chromosome is very long. In this paper, a data mining-based GA is presented to efficiently improve the traditional GA (TGA). By analyzing support and confidence parameters, the important genes, called DNA, can be obtained. By adopting DNA extraction, it is possible that TGA will avoid stranding on a local optimum solution. Furthermore, the new GA operation, DNA implantation, was developed for providing potentially high quality genetic combinations to improve the performance of TGA. Experimental results in the area of digital watermarking show that our data mining-based GA successfully reduces the number of evolutionary iterations needed to find a solution.
Myasthenic syndrome (Eaton-Lambert syndrome) associated with pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

A case of a 57-year-old man who presented with the clinical features of. Eaton-Lambert syndrome preceding the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma at autopsy by 7 years, is reported. Although myasthenic syndrome is intimately associated with pulmonary small cell carcinoma, which connotes a grave prognosis, a small percentage of the tumor can be squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma, which may be resectable. Therefore, a continued search for evidence of intrathoracic neoplasm must be pursued following manifestations of myasthenic syndrome.
Epitaxial Co/NiAl Thin Film Growth on Si Substrates

Quad-crystal Co/NiAI/Ag thin films were epitaxially grown on hydrofluoric acid etched Si(111) single crystal substrates by sputter deposition. The orientation relationship was studied by x-ray θ;/2θ; diffraction and pole figure Φ-scan, and it was determined to be Co(image1) 11 NiAI(1 10) 11 Ag(111) 11 Si(1 11). The Ag layer contains two twin-related orientations of grains. NiAI grows with three variants of grains on the Ag(1 11) layer. Since Co(image1) contains grains with four possible easy axis directions when grown on each NiAl variant, the quad-crystal media consist of grains with twelve easy axis directions and exhibit nearly isotropic in-plane magnetic properties. Meanwhile, uni-crystal Co(image2)/NiAl(1 12) films were also epitaxially grown on Ag(110)/HF-Si(110) templates. The orientation relationships determined from these epitaxial films were very useful in understanding the texture evolution of the Co alloys on NiAl. It indicates that the Co (image2) texture evolution on the (110) texture of NiAl on amorphous substrates, such as NiP/A1Mg or glass, is due to a difficult to observe NiA1 (112) texture on the top of the (110) texture.
Sensitization of human α1‐ and α2‐adrenergic venous responses by guanadrel sulfate

The alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic venoconstriction in dorsal hand veins of normal subjects was determined by infusion of phenylephrine or clonidine. Oral administration of prazosin reduced the constriction response to phenylephrine but not to clonidine. Subjects were treated for 3 weeks in a randomized crossover design with placebo or guanadrel sulfate. Guanadrel reduced sympathetic tone (i.e., plasma norepinephrine and norepinephrine release rate), whereas venous responses to phenylephrine and clonidine were both augmented during guanadrel treatment. The effect on phenylephrine responses was primarily attributable to a decrease in the median effective concentration with a small increase in maximum response. Clonidine showed a markedly increased maximum response with a small increase in the median effective concentration. Platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptors increased slightly but there was no change in the amount of platelet pertussis toxin substrate during guanadrel treatment. Thus reduction in sympathetic tone in normal young men results in increased venous responses to both alpha 1- and alpha 2-agonists.
The number of morphological synapses between neurons does not predict the strength of their physiological synaptic interactions: a study of dendrites in the nematode Ascaris suum.

Previous electrophysiological and anatomical studies of Ascaris suum motor neurons demonstrated a strong correlation between functional interactions and the presence of anatomically defined synapses. However, one example of a physiologically robust synaptic connection was encountered for which no anatomical evidence of direct chemical synapses was found. This involved synaptic transmission from an identified excitatory motor neuron to its inhibitory partner. In this study, pressure injection of horseradish peroxidase or nickel lysine into inhibitory motor neurons revealed numerous spines projecting from the main neuronal process toward the neuromuscular surface that then branched and extended fine, longitudinal processes up to 130 mm in length. Subsequent examination of nickel lysineinjected spines by electron microscopy revealed numerous chemical synapses, including for the first time direct inputs from the excitatory neuron. However, the numbers of synapses from this motor neuron were very small relative to inputs from other identified cells. Thus, direct synapses are unlikely to explain the robust nature of this physiological interaction. J. Comp. Neurol. 432:512‐527, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Indexing terms: Caenorhabditis elegans; neurobiology; synaptic transmission
Effect of supplemental feeding of plum juice concentrateon fecal microbial shedding in growing-finishing Yorkshirepigs

ABSTRACT Yorkshire pigs(n = 32) were used to determinethe effect of supplementing grower-finisher diets with plum juiceconcentrate (PJC) on microbial shedding in pig feces. Pigs were sortedby weight and sex (n = 16 barrows,n = 16 gilts) and assigned to penswith 2 pigs per pen. Pens were randomly allotted to 1 of the 4 diets:0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, or 3.0% PJC. Fecal samples were collected fromone pig per pen on d 0, 1, 7, 14, 28, and 56 and the last day on feed(group 1 = d 84; group2 = d 98). The ham of each pig wasswabbed at slaughter. Fecal and ham swab samples were plated andenumerated for anaerobic and aerobic bacteria, Salmonella spp., andEscherichia coli. On d 28, the diet supplemented with 1.0% PJC reduced(P
Analysis of the conoscopic measurement for uniaxial liquid-crystal tilt angles

Conoscopy as an optical method for accurate measurement of crystal tilt angles from interference figures is analyzed for the special case of uniaxial crystals. The displacement of interference figures is related to the crystal tilt angle in an explicit, noniterative manner that is accurate to within ∼2%. The analysis applies to uniaxial nematic liquid-crystal monodomains and homogeneous crystals when a symmetrical center of the conoscopic interference figure is visible. The equations developed are also used to derive other previously reported expressions that are approximations with a limited range of applicability.
Evanescent coupling from optical fiber tapers to photonic crystal waveguides and resonators

Using a coupled mode theory and finite-difference time-domain calculations nearly complete evanescent power transfer between a fiber taper and a photonic crystal defect waveguide which is ideal for probing high-Q cavities is predicted.
A Synechococcus serotype is found preferentially in surface marine waters

In marine ecosystems, gradients of light, temperature, and nutrients occur horizontally (coastal to offshore) and vertically. The extent to which microorganisms acclimate or speciate in response to these gradients is under active investigation. Strain isolation data (e.g., site or depth), environmental DNA clone libraries, and preliminary physiology experiments have indicated that marine Synechococcus strain CC9605 might be adapted to the surface oligotrophic ocean. In the present work, we used an immunofluorescent approach to detect the CC9605 serotype in the California Current during September 1998. At two offshore stations, samples were collected along vertical profiles. The relative abundance of the CC9605 serotype was significantly higher in shallow depths within the mixed layer than in deeper depths at the two stations, with maximum values (6 standard deviation) of 10.3% 6 6.4 and 28.7% 6 9.5. Surface samples along an offshore‐inshore transect showed higher abundance in the most oligotrophic site (8% 6 3), compared with almost 1% inshore, but one coastal site also had high relative abundance of the CC9605 serotype (7% 6 0.5). These data indicate that Synechococcus strains are not uniformly distributed and that some strains, such as CC9605, are more abundant in the mixed layer of the euphotic zone than below the mixed layer. In marine ecosystems, environmental clines exist in temperature, light intensity, spectral composition, and nutrient availability. One striking example of these clines and how they affect marine organisms can be observed in comparing the coastal, highly productive regions with the oligotrophic open ocean. In a transect away from the California coast, for example, in situ surface chlorophyll a concentrations have been observed to begin at 2.39 m gL 21 and decrease to values of 0.13 m gL 21 , an 18-fold difference (Scripps Institution of Oceanography 1999) that is likely driven by nutrient availability. Vertical gradients are also significant. In depth profiles at oligotrophic sites off the coast of California, temperature drops by ;58C between the surface and the bottom of the euphotic zone at 150 m. Silicate and phosphate increase almost fourfold, whereas nitrate and nitrite are undetectable at the surface and reach concentrations of 8 and 0.02 mmol L 21 , respectively, at 150 m (Scripps Institution of Oceanography 1999). Light intensity was also shown to decrease
Regulation and mechanisms of mammalian double-strand break repair

The double-strand break (DSB) is believed to be one of the most severe types of DNA damage, and if left unrepaired is lethal to the cell. Several different types of repair act on the DSB. The most important in mammalian cells are nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination repair (HRR). NHEJ is the predominant type of DSB repair in mammalian cells, as opposed to lower eucaryotes, but HRR has recently been implicated in critical cell signaling and regulatory functions that are essential for cell viability. Whereas NHEJ repair appears constitutive, HRR is regulated by the cell cycle and inducible signal transduction pathways. More is known about the molecular details of NHEJ than HRR in mammalian cells. This review focuses on the mechanisms and regulation of DSB repair in mammalian cells, the signaling pathways that regulate these processes and the potential crosstalk between NHEJ and HRR, and between repair and other stress-induced pathways with emphasis on the regulatory circuitry associated with the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein.
Is the Age of Human Rights Over

70 years after the UDHR -- and the launch of the human rights movement -- there are signs that the Age of Human Rights is over. This piece interrogates the deficits and normative gaps of the human rights text, and concludes that the golden age of human rights is over. Human rights no longer have the power to provoke deep-seated moral and legal outrage. The consequence is that untold human catastrophes barely register global action, let alone condemnation. While human rights have been a phenomenal success -- perhaps more than any other moral language of our time -- they have lost the ability to coalesce action. Unfortunately, no new discourses have emerged to take the place of human rights. What is needed is a new moral language to fill the vacuum left by human rights.
Assessment oxidative stress biomarkers and metal bioaccumulation in macroalgae from coastal areas with mining activities in Chile

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on seaweeds Scytosiphon lomentaria and Ulva rigida of coastal waters of sites with mining activity, using oxidative stress biomarkers and heavy metal determination both in water and in tissue. The greatest bioaccumulation factors in S. lomentaria and U. rigida were founded for iron and arsenic in Quintay. Bioaccumulation factor in S. lomentaria in descending order was Fe> Cu> Zn> Cd> Cr> As> Mo and in U. rigida, in descending order, was Fe> Cu> Cd> Zn> Cr> Mo> As. Both species had higher antioxidant activity levels in areas with high mining activities. The concentration of metals in waters such as copper and arsenic in S. lomentaria, and iron, arsenic, and cadmium in U. rigida were related with oxidative stress biomarkers measured in both species. The use of both species is proposed to monitor the bioavailability and oxidative damage in coastal areas with mining activity. This work will generate a significant knowledge about the impact of mining wastes on macroalgal community in the area of north-central Chile.
Multi-document Topic Segmentation Using Bayesian Estimation

This paper proposes the use of lexical similarity across different documents in order to improve a topic segmentation task. Given a set of topically related documents, the segmentation process is carried out using a Bayesian framework. By using similar sentences from different documents more accurate segment likelihood estimations are obtained. The proposed approach was tested in an educational domain where a set of learning materials from different media sources needed to be segmented so that students could browse through them more efficiently. Initial results show that the proposed method does afford better segmentation compared to one of the present state of the art algorithms, a Bayesian baseline approach that segments the documents individually.
Abstract 717: Aldo-keto reductase family 1B10 (AKR1B10): Novel biomarker and molecular target of hepatocellular carcinoma

Aldo -keto reductase family 1B10 (AKR1B10) is a member of aldo-keto reducase (AKR) superfamily with biologic functions involved in osmolytic regulation, carbonyl detoxification, and carcinogenesis. Overexpression of AKR1B10 is identified in tumors of liver, lung, cervix and pancreas. However, the functional role of AKR1B10 in cancer remains unclear. In the present studies, we determined the expression and function of AKR1B10 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using ex vivo HCC tissues and HCC cell lines. Thirty nine of HCC surgical resected specimens have been analyzed for the expression of AKR1B10 using immunohistochemistry method and revealed that 92.3% (36/39) of HCC expressed AKR1B10, including 100% (10/10) well differentiated, 95.2% (20/21) moderate differentiated, and 75% (6/8) poor differentiated HCC. No expression was observed in the adjacent morphologically normal liver. Expression of AKR1B10 in HCC confined to the cytoplasm. In order to investigate the oncogenic role of AKR1B10 in HCC, silence or inhibition of AKR1B10 in HCC cells (Huh 7) was approached using lentivirus mediated shRNA method or AKR1B10 inhibitor epalrestat. The results showed that the expression of AKR1B10 protein was significantly decreased in the AKR1B10 silenced cell lines with three different shRNA sequences using western blot approach. Knockdown AKR1B10 resulted in a significant inhibition of Huh 7 cell proliferation/tumorigenesis by colony formation assay and showed the average clone number was 174±25 of pGIPZ vector control Huh7 cell, and 86±32 of the AKR1B10 shRNA silencing cells (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 717. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-717
Electrical Characterization of Impurities in and Contacts on Mercuric Iodide

Mercuric iodide (HgI 2 ) is a semiconductor that has shown great promise for use in roomtemperature high-resolution x-ray and gamma-ray spectrometers. Its widespread usage has been limited, however, by low yield and long-term reliability problems. The processing of this material is still in its infancy compared to silicon, so research efforts continue to pursue the root causes of device failures. Two likely sources of performance limitations are impurities and poor contacts. Significant efforts have been expended in developing and using various purification schemes. However, quantitative chemical analyses have shown that several metallic impurities still exist at the high ppb level. In addition, it has not yet been definitively determined which impurities are most problematic and at what level they have a detrimental effect. Leakage currents and currentvoltage measurements have been used to study the movement of mobile impurity-related defect centers in the bulk mercuric iodide. In particular, this method has been used to quantify the drift of metallic impurities, such as Ag and Cu, which are known to or believed to degrade HgI 2 detectors. Four-point-probe sheet resistance measurements have been used to study the stability of contacts and the formation of reaction layers. In particular, such measurements have revealed that the Pd contacts currently used for the highest quality detectors are not as stable as previously thought, as the films of Pd react with the HgI 2 to form the amalgam PdHg.
Upgrading Nature’s Tools: Expression Enhancement and Preparative Utility of the Halogenase RebH

Enzymes often excel at performing green, selective chemical reactions, and thus offer key advantages over many chemocatalytic processes. We recently reported the enhanced expression of a regioselective halogenase, RebH, in E. coli, as well as its use in the preparative halogenation of a range of substrates. These improvements have made it possible to begin directed evolution to improve further the activity and substrate scope of RebH. Chemistry is in need of a regioselective halogenation catalyst, and this work illustrates the potential and recent gains made towards using enzymes for this goal.
Marxism Philosophical Response To The Existential Problems In Digital Era

Digital era has already come.In the critical time of social transformation,what we are faced with is how to grasp the profound connotation and understanding and transcending the existential problems in digital era.The real path to a harmonious digital existence is to coordinate the rapid development of productive forces in digital era with the refining of human nature,the highlighting of human nature and the liberation of human with a thoroughly understanding of human nature and the goal of human development,in the guidance of Marx's praxis materialism and historical materialism.
Low yield of routine duodenal biopsies for evaluation of abdominal pain

AIM: To determine the yield of biopsying normal duodenal mucosa for investigation of abdominal pain. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of consecutive patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with duodenal biopsies of normal appearing duodenal mucosa for an indication that included abdominal pain. All the patients in this study were identified from an electronic endoscopy database at a single academic medical center and had an EGD with duodenal biopsies performed over a 4-year period. New diagnoses that were made as a direct result of duodenal biopsies were identified. All duodenal pathology reports and endoscopy records were reviewed for indications to perform the examination as well as the findings; all the medical records were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included age less than 18 years, duodenal mass, nodule, or polyp, endoscopic duodenitis, duodenal scalloping, known celiac disease, positive celiac serology, Crohns disease, or history of bone marrow transplant. Information was collected in a de-identified database with pertinent demographic information including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, and descriptive statistics were performed. RESULTS: About 300 patients underwent EGD with biopsies of benign appearing or normal appearing duodenal mucosa. The mean age of patients was 44.1 ± 16.8 years; 189 of 300 (63%) were female. A mean of 4.3 duodenal biopsies were performed in each patient. In the subgroup of patients with abdominal pain without anemia, diarrhea, or weight loss the mean age was 43.4 ± 16.3 years. Duodenal biopsies performed for an indication that included abdominal pain resulting in 4 new diagnoses (3 celiac disease and 1 giardiasis) for an overall yield of 1.3%. 183 patients with abdominal pain without anemia, diarrhea, or weight loss (out of the total 300 patients) underwent duodenal biopsy of duodenal mucosa resulting in three new diagnoses (two cases of celiac disease and one giardiasis) for a yield of 1.6%. Duodenal biopsies of 19 HIV patients presenting for evaluation of abdominal pain did not reveal any new diagnoses. Information pertaining to new diagnoses is provided. CONCLUSION: Routine biopsy of normal appearing duodena in patients with abdominal pain should be reserved for those with a high pre-test probability given its low diagnostic yield.
Changes in concentrations of hormones, metabolites, and amino acids in plasma of adult horses relative to overnight feed deprivation followed by a pellet-hay meal fed at noon.

Experiment 1 was conducted to characterize the concentrations of prolactin, growth hormone (GH), cortisol, insulin, glucagon, glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), urea N, and 10 indispensable amino acids in the plasma of mares (n = 8) and stallions (n = 8) during the last 4 h of a 19-h period of feed deprivation and for 8 h after a noon meal. Experiment 2 was similar to Exp. 1 except that only stallions (n = 8) were used, and they were either fed (n = 4) or not fed (n = 4) at noon in a 2 x 2 Latin square design conducted over two sampling days 7 d apart. In Exp. 1, increases (P .1). Plasma urea N concentrations were higher (P .1), indicating that there was no inherent diurnal or feeding schedule-associated fluctuations in their concentrations. Cortisol concentrations varied (P .1) between fed and nonfed stallions. Again, GH concentrations were episodic but did not differ (P > .1) between fed and nonfed stallions. The lack of feeding effects on GH secretion in horses is similar to the response in pigs but differs from that in ruminants, in which GH concentrations generally decline after feeding.
Engineering an Anti-Arrhythmic Calmodulin

The cardiac ryanodine receptor (RYR2) is a critical Ca²+ handling protein. Several post-translational modifications, mutations, and altered interactions between RYR2 and its regulatory proteins can all increase the RYR2 open probability (P0), disrupting normal Ca²+ handling, leading to arrhythmia. There is a great need for therapeutic strategies that decrease RYR2 P0. Normally, calmodulin (CaM) decreases RYR2 P0, decreasing Ca²+ sparks and waves. Naturally occurring mutations in CaM have recently been identified that instead increase RYR2 P0 and cause arrhythmia. Using these CaM mutations as tools, we have discovered that the N-terminal rate of Ca²+ dissociation from the CaM-RYR2 complex is an important factor that modulates RYR2 inhibition by CaM. That is, the longer Ca²+ remains bound to the CaM-RYR2 complex the longer RYR2 remains refractory, ultimately influencing the frequency of cardiac myocyte sparks and waves. We hypothesize that slowing the N-terminal Ca²+ dissociation rate from CaM bound to RYR2 will decrease RYR2 P0 and prevent arrhythmias. Using both rational engineering (GSH M37Q CaM) and nature's design principles (soybean CaM4) to sensitize CaM to Ca²+, we are attempting to create therapeutic CaMs against defective RYR2 regulation. Excitingly, our therapeutic GSH M37Q CaM decreases the arrhythmogenic potential of myocytes isolated from the pro-arrhythmic calsequestrin knockout mouse. Thus, tuning CaM's regulation of RYR2 through Ca²+ dissociation is a viable therapeutic strategy to prevent arrhythmia.
TH-CD-209-04: Fuzzy Robust Optimization in Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy Planning to Account for Range and Patient Setup Uncertainties

Purpose: We propose to apply a robust optimization model based on fuzzy-logic constraints in the intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) planning subject to range and patient setup uncertainties. The purpose is to ensure the plan robustness under uncertainty and obtain the best trade-off between tumor dose coverage and organ-at-risk(OAR) sparing. Methods: Two IMPT plans were generated for 3 head-and-neck cancer patients: one used the planning target volume(PTV) method; the other used the fuzzy robust optimization method. In the latter method, nine dose distributions were computed - the nominal one and one each for ±3mm setup uncertainties along three cardinal axes and for ±3.5% range uncertainty. For tumors, these nine dose distributions were explicitly controlled by adding hard constraints with adjustable parameters. For OARs, fuzzy constraints that allow the dose to vary within a certain range were used so that the tumor dose distribution was guaranteed by minimum compromise of that of OARs. We rendered this model tractable by converting the fuzzy constraints to linear constraints. The plan quality was evaluated using dose-volume histogram(DVH) indices such as tumor dose coverage(D95%), homogeneity(D5%-D95%), plan robustness(DVH band at D95%), and OAR sparing like D1% of brain and D1% of brainstem. Results: Our model could yield clinically acceptable plans. The fuzzy-logic robust optimization method produced IMPT plans with comparable target dose coverage and homogeneity compared to the PTV method(unit: Gy[RBE]; average[min, max])(CTV D95%: 59 [52.7, 63.5] vs 53.5[46.4, 60.1], CTV D5% - D95%: 11.1[5.3, 18.6] vs 14.4[9.2, 21.5]). It also generated more robust plans(CTV DVH band at D95%: 3.8[1.2, 5.6] vs 11.5[6.2, 16.7]). The parameters of tumor constraints could be adjusted to control the tradeoff between tumor coverage and OAR sparing. Conclusion: The fuzzy-logic robust optimization generates superior IMPT with minimum compromise of OAR sparing. This research was supported by the National Cancer Institute Career Developmental Award K25CA168984, by the Fraternal Order of Eagles Cancer Research Fund Career Development Award, by The Lawrence W. and Marilyn W. Matteson Fund for Cancer Research, by Mayo Arizona State University Seed Grant, and by The Kemper Marley Foundation. eRA Person ID(s) for the Principal Investigator: 11017970 (Research Supported by National Institutes of Health)
Blind Spots: Small Rural Communities and High Turnover in the Superintendency.

This article examines high superintendency turnover through rural community members’ perceptions of such attrition in their districts. Findings indicate that community members perceived high turnov...
Waving Not Drowning: Rare Books in a Digital Age

Had I titled this paper a few days after I committed to the one above, I might have taken the title from a review in the Time Literary Supplement of a recent book about Joseph Kennedy, the ruthless tycoon who fathered John, Bobby, and Teddy. 2 The first sentences of the review read: “On the golf-course one day, Joseph P. Kennedy showed his teeth to another player who waved at him across the green. ‘You know,’ he remarked to his partner, ‘that guy thinks I’m smiling.’” Sharks seem to look that way, too; which fits, in its own way, with my . . .
Schwannoma of the trochlear nerve—an illustrated case series and a systematic review of management

Schwannomas of cranial nerves in the absence of systemic neurofibromatosis are relatively rare. Among these, schwannomas of the trochlear nerve are even less common. They can be found incidentally or when they cause diplopia or other significant neurological deficits. Treatment options include observation only, neuro-ophthalmological intervention, and/or neurosurgical management via resection or sterotactic radiosurgery (SRS). In recent years, the latter has become an attractive therapeutic tool for a number of benign skull base neoplasm including a small number of reports on its successful use for trochlear Schwannomas. However, no treatment algorithm for the management of these tumors has been proposed so far. The goal of this manuscript is to illustrate a case series of this rare entity and to suggest a rational treatment algorithm for trochlear schwannomas, based on our institutional experience of recent cases, and a pertinent review of the literature. Including our series of 5 cases, a total of 85 cases reporting on the management of trochlear schwannomas have been published. Of those reported, less than half (40 %) of patients underwent surgical resection, whereas the remainder were managed conservatively or with SRS. Seventy-six percent (65/85) of the entire cohort presented with diplopia, which was the solitary symptom in over half of the cases (n = 39). All patients who presented with symptoms other than diplopia or headaches as solitary symptoms underwent surgical resection. Patients in the non-surgical group were mostly male (M/F = 3.5:1), presented at an older age and had shorter mean diameter (4.6 vs. 30.4 mm, p < 0.0001) when compared to the surgical group. Twelve patients in the entire cohort were treated with SRS, none of whom had undergone surgical resection before or after radiation treatment. Trochlear schwannoma patients without systemic neurofibromatosis are rare and infrequently reported in the literature. Of those, patients harboring symptomatic trochlear Schwannomas do not form a single homogenous group, but fall into two rather distinct subgroups regarding demographics and clinical characteristics. Among those patients in need of intervention, open microsurgical resection as well as less invasive treatment options exist, which all aim at safe relief of symptoms and prevention of progression. Both open microsurgical removal as well as SRS can achieve good long-term local control. Consequently, a tailored multidisciplinary treatment algorithm, based on the individual presentation and tumor configuration, is proposed.
Noninvasive markers for staging fibrosis in chronic delta hepatitis.

SummaryBackground Serum fibrosis markers are useful in staging chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) virus but have not been evaluated in chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV). Aim To evaluate the utility of serum fibrosis markers [fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, aspartate aminotransferase ratio (AAR), age-platelet index (API), AST-to-platelet-ratio-index (APRI) and Hui score] in HDV infection. Methods Clinical and histologic laboratory data from HBV, HCV and HDV patients were evaluated and serum fibrosis markers were calculated. The ability of fibrosis markers to detect advanced fibrosis (Ishak ≥4) and cirrhosis (Ishak = 6) were evaluated and compared between viral infections. Results A total of 1003 subjects (HCV = 701, HBV = 240 and HDV = 62) with mean age of 46 ± 11 and 66% male were evaluated. HDV subjects had higher ALT and AST than HCV and lower platelets than both HBV and HCV. Histologically, HDV had the greatest percentage of Ishak ≥4 and necroinflammation. FIB-4 performed best in detecting advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in all viral cohorts. In HDV, area under the receiver operator curve (AUROC) 95% confidence intervals for detecting advanced fibrosis were: FIB-4 = 0.70 (0.55–0.84), API = 0.69 (0.55–0.82), APRI = 0.68 (0.54–0.82), Hui score = 0.63 (0.49–0.78), AAR = 0.63 (0.48–0.77). The AUROC for detecting cirrhosis in HDV were: FIB-4 = 0.83 (0.69–0.97), API = 0.80 (0.66–0.95), APRI = 0.75 (0.61–0.89), Hui score = 0.70 (0.49–0.91) and AAR = 0.70 (0.48–0.93). Adjustment of published cut-offs led to marginal improvements in FIB4 for advanced fibrosis and of APRI for cirrhosis in HDV. Conclusions Serum fibrosis markers have lower performance accuracy in chronic HDV infected patients compared to HBV and HCV patients. Other noninvasive fibrosis markers should be explored to assist in the management of these patients.
Ion-exchange chromatography of proteins: the inside story

Abstract Despite its inherent inefficiencies, chromatography remains the workhorse for protein purification in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, with ion exchange the most widely used mode. Many aspects of a chromatographic process are still optimized empirically, but modeling is increasingly used to aid in scale-up and optimization. An overview is presented here of the needs that remain for greater insights that can inform truly predictive modeling of preparative protein separations by ion-exchange chromatography as well as guiding rational design considerations and effective heuristics. These needs can be addressed by a more complete mechanistic understanding of the relation between adsorbent and protein structure and the values of key functional parameters describing adsorption and transport. A principal focus is on specialized experimental and modeling approaches to obtain such insights; these include molecular-level models, various modes of microscopy, and chromatographic and other methods for inferring intracolumn and intraparticle behavior. The principal findings revolve around the critical role for fundamental principles of classical chemical engineering, albeit specialized for the peculiar physicochemical properties of protein solutions.
Using Graph Complexity Connectivity Method to Predict Information from Design Representations: A Comparative Study

The objective of this research is to compare the value of information in a design representation used in product development. Two representations are explored in this study: assembly models and function structures. These representations are used to predict assembly time and market value for electromechanical products. This works builds on previous work on using complexity connectivity method to predict assembly time. The precision error is used as a metric to understand how valuable a representation is in answering a specific question. By measuring the value of a representation, designers can select between different representations and monitor the information accumulation in the design project.