cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Older drivers’ experience with automated vehicle technology

Abstract (236 words) Introduction Adults 65 years of age and older make up a fifth of the US population, prefer driving as their primary mode of transportation, and may derive health and safety benefits from using automated vehicles (AVs), assuming they accept and adopt these technologies. Methods This study used a repeated measures crossover design, with random allocation of 104 older drivers who were exposed to an automated shuttle and a driving simulator in automated mode (Level 4, Society of Automotive Engineers). Participants completed pre- and post-exposure surveys, to report their perceptions via the Automated Vehicle User Perception Survey. Researchers utilized a two-way mixed ANOVA to analyze time effect, group effect, and time by group interaction effects. Results No group effects were evident, but older drivers’ perceptions of safety, trust and perceived usefulness of AV technology increased after being exposed to the AV technology. The group by time interaction effects indicated significant perceptions pertaining to intention to use, trust, perceived usefulness, control/driving efficacy, and safety. Conclusions This study contributes to the body of knowledge regarding the determinants of older adult AV technology acceptance practices. Yet, it is recommended that future studies build on this work to identify the role of different regulatory systems, levels of technology, geographical contexts, and policies–that may influence older drivers’ perceptions of AV technology, before targeted policy and/or practice recommendations can be made.
Economic Analysis of Pruning and Low-Density Management Compared to Traditional Management of Loblolly Pine Plantations in East Texas

Economic analyses were conducted to compare traditional loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) timber management to low-density management combined with pruning in East Texas. Soil expectation values were used to determine the financially optimal thinning and final harvesting schedules (including rotation length, and the timing, frequency and intensity of thinning). Two stumpage price assumptions were made: market price and premium price for pruned, clear sawlogs. Five site indices (50 to 90) and six real alternative rates of return (ARR) (2.5 to 15.0%) were employed. Results indicate that if the market price of sawtimber is $450/mbf, traditional management is more profitable for most landowners. However, if a premium price of $550/mbf is paid for pruned logs, low-density management is more profitable for most landowners. For low-density management, a $100/mbf price increase for sawtimber does not affect the optimal thinning and harvesting schedules in any recognizable pattern. South. J. Appl. For. 28(1):12–20.
Determination of distinction odortypes by mutation of class I and class II MHC genes.

Genetic polymorphism in the H-2:Qa:Tla region of chromosome 17 is associated with constitutive variation of bodily odor phenotypes which permit individual olfactory recognition among mice (Boyse et al.1987). We previously found that differences in the MHC genes affect the mating choices of mice (Yamazaki et al. 1976, 1978, 1988; Andrews and Boyse, 1978; Yamaguchi et al., 1978), and that mice can be trained to distinguish arms of a Y-maze scented by odors from mice differing only in this genetic region (Yamazaki et al.,1979, 1982; Yamaguchi et al.,1981). We also showed a raised incidence of blockage of pregnancy or pseudopregnancy in mated females exposed to the scent of alien males whose MHC type differs from that of the mate (Yamazaki et al., 1983). As no known gene complex exhibits such vast diversity as the MHC, its potential as a major source for genetically based signals of individual identity is great.
Gynecologic cancer outcomes in the elderly poor: A population-based study

BACKGROUND Adults aged ≥65 years who are dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid are an at-risk group in health care. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the outcomes of women with gynecologic cancers in this population are unknown. METHODS The current study was a population-based cohort study of North Carolina state cancer registry cases of uterine, ovarian, cervical, and vulvar/vaginal cancers (2003-2009), with linked enrollment in Medicare and state Medicaid. Outcomes of all-cause mortality and stage of disease at the time of diagnosis were analyzed as a function of enrollment status using multivariate analysis and survival curves. RESULTS Of 4522 women aged ≥65 years (3702 of whom were enrolled in Medicare [82%] and 820 of whom were dually enrolled [18%]), there were 2286 cases of uterine (51%), 1587 cases of ovarian (35%), 302 cases of cervical (7%), and 347 cases of vulvar/vaginal (8%) cancers. Dual enrollees had increased all-cause mortality overall (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.34; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.19-1.49), and within each cancer site (uterine: aHR, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.02-1.47]; ovarian: aHR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.05-1.49]; cervical: aHR, 1.34 [95% CI, 0.96-1.87]; and vulvar/vaginal: aHR, 1.93 [95% CI, 1.36-2.72]). Increased odds of advanced-stage disease at the time of diagnosis among dual enrollees was only present in patients with uterine cancer (adjusted odds ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.06-1.79). Stratified survival curves demonstrated the strongest disparities among women with early-stage uterine and early-stage vulvar/vaginal cancers. CONCLUSIONS Women aged ≥65 years who were dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid were found to have an overall 34% increase in all-cause mortality after diagnosis with a gynecologic cancer compared with the non-dually enrolled Medicare population. Women with early-stage uterine and vulvar/vaginal cancers appeared to have the most disparate outcomes. Because these malignancies are generally curable, they have the most potential for benefit from targeted interventions. Cancer 2015;121:3591–3599. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Protein Function Prediction via Analysis of Interactomes

Genome sequencing efforts have resulted in an explosion of organisms whose entire protein complements have been determined. Nevertheless, for many proteins, little is known beyond their sequences, and for the typical proteome, between one-third and one-half of its proteins remain uncharacterized. As a result, a major challenge in modern biology is to develop methods for determining protein function at the genomic scale. Computational methods to assign protein function have traditionally relied on identifying sequence similarity to proteins of known function. In recent years, however, other computational methods for predicting protein function have been developed (review, [33]). Many of these nonhomology based methods still utilize sequence information, but can predict that two proteins share a function even when they have no sequence similarity. For example, in gene fusion methods [29,51], two proteins are believed to be related functionally if they appear as parts of a single protein in some other organism. Phylogenetic profiles [32,55] predict proteins to be functionally related if they have similar patterns of occurrences across multiple genomes. Genomic context methods [22, 54] predict functional coupling between proteins if they tend to be contiguous in several genomes. Increasingly, computational techniques for predicting protein function have analyzed data resulting from new high-throughput technologies. While there is a fascinating array of new functional genomics technologies that have enabled prediction of protein function, in this chapter we examine a family of methods that are based on analyzing large-scale protein-protein interaction data. Currently, several types of protein interactions have been determined via high-throughput experimental technologies. These include interactions between proteins that interact physically, that participate
Rapid fabrication of 3D elastomeric structures via laser-machining and vacuum deformation

This paper presents a fabrication technique for creating three-dimensional soft elastomeric structures via a vacuum-assisted auto-shaping process. The structures are fabricated by a planar layer-by-layer fashion using laser machining to define channels and chambers in selected layers. Upon placing in a vacuum, the chambers are evacuated and Parylene is subsequently deposited. When exposed to atmosphere, the structures deform into a pre-determined 3D shape, which is locked in place by the Parylene-C. Curvatures of up to up to 0.04 mm−1 are achieved using 1.17 mm-thick devices. The structures retain 58% of their curvature for up to 1 h, suffiencient for use as temporary soft robotic manipulation tools or pressure-deformable actuators.
Parallel implementation of external sort and join operations on a multi-core network-optimized system on a chip

In a commercial Relational Database Management System (RDBMS), sort and join are the most demanding operations, and it is quite beneficial to improve the performance of external sort and external join algorithms that handle large input data sizes. This paper proposes parallel implementations of multithreaded external sort and external hash join algorithms to accelerate IBM DB2, one of leading RDBMSs, using an IBM Power Edge of Network (IBM PowerEN™) Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) card as an accelerator. The preliminary results show that the proposed parallel implementation of the algorithms on PowerEN™ PCIe card can speed up the DB2 sort and join performance about two times.
Beyond Theoretical Reduction and Layer-Cake Antireduction: How DNA Retooled Genetics and Transformed Biological Practice

Watson and Crick’s discovery of the structure of DNA led to developments that transformed many biological sciences. But what were the relevant developments and how did they transform biology? Much of the philosophical discussion concerning this question can be organized around two opposing views: theoretical reductionism and layer-cake antireductionism. Theoretical reductionist and their anti-reductionist foes hold two assumptions in common. First, both hold that biological knowledge is structured like a layer cake, with some biological sciences, such as molecular biology cast at lower levels of organization, and others, such as classical genetics, cast at higher levels. Second, both assume that scientific knowledge is structured by theory and that the productivity of scientific research depends on whether the underlying theory identifies the fundamentals upon which the phenomena to be explained and investigated depend. In the first part of this paper, I challenge these assumptions. In the second part, I show how recasting the basic theory of classical genetics made it possible to retool the methodologies of genetics. It was the investigative power of these retooled methodologies, and not the explanatory power of a gene-based theory, that transformed biology.
Emissions of Anaerobically Produced Methane by Trees

[1] Recent studies indicate that plants may be a previously overlooked but significant source of atmospheric CH4, though there is considerable disagreement on the mechanism of production. Our work sought to verify that woody deciduous trees grown under inundated conditions had the capacity for transporting CH4 from an anaerobic subsurface to the atmosphere and to consider if such a source could be important globally. Here, we report results from a greenhouse mesocosm study that indicate significant emissions of anaerobically produced CH4 transmitted to the atmosphere through broadleaf riparian tree species grown under flooded conditions. Using a leaf area normalized mean emission rate (0.7 ± 0.3 μg cm−2 hr−1), results were scaled globally for flooded forest regions and estimated to be 60 ± 20 Tg year−1, ∼10% of the global CH4 source. The carbon isotopic composition of CH4 emitted was found to be significantly enriched compared with expectations (δ13C ∼ −54‰) and provided an important isotopic constraint on the global source which coincides with the mean of the globally scaled greenhouse-based estimate.
Prenatal β-Endorphin as an Early Predictor of Postpartum Depressive Symptoms in Euthymic Women

Background After delivery, many women experience symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD), and early identification of women at risk is therefore important. The opioid peptide β-endorphin has been implicated in non-puerperal depression but its role in the development of PPD is unknown.
The Southwest in American Literature and Art: The Rise of a Desert Aesthetic

Is there a way to appreciate the desert without destroying it, a way to enjoy it without consuming it and to love it without killing it? Moreover, how can literature about the southwestern landscape affect ways in which it is either exploited or preserved? When and how did the desert change dramatically in the eyes of Anglo Americans from barren wilderness to national treasure? By focusing on cultures that lived in the Southwest and by analyzing ways in which they described the land, David Teague persuasively argues against the destructive approach that Americans currently take to the region. Included are Native American legends and Spanish and Hispanic literature. However, the bulk of the study concentrates on Anglo American views of the Southwest, which have been generally at odds with the ecology of the deserts. Ranging from oral traditions of the Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi Indians to travel journals, fiction, and visual art, Teague examines the work of nearly thirty writers, artists, and explorers, including Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, Mary Austin, John Wesley Powell, and Frederic Remington. As he traces ideas about the desert over time, the author shows how American literature and art have come to represent the Southwest as a landscape to be sustained rather than transformed. Bound to gain a prominent place in ecological criticism and in literature of the Southwest, this book offers important insights for scholars and students of literature, environmental studies, history, anthropology, and Native American studies. Its originality and vigor will also appeal to general readers with an interest in the landscape-and the future-of the American Southwest.
Rat prothrombin: Purification, characterization, and activation☆

Abstract Prothrombin has been purified from rat plasma and its properties compared to prothrombin isolated from other species. The molecular weight, amino acid composition, and amino-terminal sequence of rat prothrombin are similar to human and bovine prothrombin. Rat prothrombin binds to phospholipid in the presence of calcium ions, and calcium-binding measurements indicate that it may bind somewhat more calcium than does bovine prothrombin. The proteolytic cleavage of purified rat prothrombin by Factor X a or thrombin yields the same peptides that are formed from similar proteolysis of bovine prothrombin. Factor V and phospholipid were shown to enhance the rate of Factor X a and calcium ion generation of thrombin from rat prothrombin.
Insulin-glucagon substrate interrelations in the fetal sheep.

Extract: Twenty-four studies were conducted in 14 sheep fetuses to investigate the pancreatic islet α and β cell responses to substrate infusions. The studies were conducted between 100 days gestation and near term, using indwelling vascular catheters for infusions and blood sampling. Constant glucose infusions (6 mg/kg/min) produced a significant rise in the mean concentration of insulin in plasma by 105 min, but no change in glucagon in plasma was observed. Near term (>135 days) the mean plasma insulin increment with constant glucose infusion was significantly greater and occurred sooner than in fetuses early in gestation (<110 days), but again no plasma glucagon response was observed. The mean steady state glucose concentration in response to the 6 mg/kg/min glucose infusion was similar early and late in gestation, even though the steady state plasma level of insulin in plasma was higher in the late gestation fetuses. Alanine infused into the fetus did not alter concentrations of glucose, insulin, or glucagon in plasma. These data suggest that changes in plasma concentrations of insulin and glucagon are not important in the regulation of substrate metabolism during fetal life. Moreover, the pancreatic islet β cell secretion response seems to mature earlier than the α cell response. Speculation: The failure of glucagon to respond to alanine stimulation during fetal life suggests immaturity of glucagon control of gluconeogenesis from amino acids. The low levels of activity of key glucagon-dependent gluconeogenic enzymes reported in liver of the newborn rat (7, 8) supports this view. These observations suggest the possibility that gluconeogenesis from amino acids may not represent a major metabolic pathway in the sheep fetus.
Comment on the Direct-Matrix Solution of a Singular Lippmann—Schwinger Equation

A discussion of the numerical performance of singular integrals appearing in the Fredholm series leads to a procedure for obtaining the Fredholm determinant over a continuous range of energies using a single fixed quadrature mesh. The same analysis shows that the singular momentum-space Lippmann---Schwinger equation may be inverted by direct-matrix methods with no error arising from the singularity.
Making distance presence: The compositional voice in online learning

Abstract This article enacts a dialogue between my experience as a full-time, online course designer and my background in composition and English studies. It proposes and theorizes a more conscious and extensive use of a compositional or third voice in online classes as an alternative to the combination of instructional and conversational voices typically available to students and teachers. This article argues that teaching and learning in online classes need to be recognized and articulated as aesthetic, linguistic, and performative processes, for which the literary methodologies and compositional pedagogies of English provide critical tools.
Can experienced designers learn from new tools? A case study of idea generation in a professional engineering team

Generating novel ideas is a challenging part of engineering design, especially when the design task has been undertaken for an extended period of time. How can experienced designers develop new ideas for familiar problems? A tool called Design Heuristics provides strategies that support engineers in considering more, and more different, concepts during idea generation. Design Heuristics have been shown to help novice engineers create a set of more diverse and creative candidate concepts. In this case study, we extended this approach to a group of professional engineers who had worked on a specific product line for many years. In a workshop format, a small group of engineers worked with the heuristics in two separate sessions and generated ideas collaboratively. Video recordings were analyzed to reveal how the heuristics were used to stimulate new designs for their product line. We found that Design Heuristics bring order in ideas and elaboration on ideas, perhaps through coordinating effort on idea evalua...
Spin destruction in rubidium-rubidium and potassium-potassium collisions

The spin-destruction rates due to rubidium-rubidium and potassium-potassium collisions involving the ${S}_{1/2}$ ground states were measured. These spin-destruction cross sections decrease about an order of magnitude for the next lighter alkali-metal atom when comparing cesium, rubidium, and potassium.
Screen-film combinations used for cephalometric radiography.

Abstract A survey of forty-seven dental schools showed few schools using rare earth screens and many schools using grids.
Ion requirements for taurocholate transport by ileal brush border membrane vesicles.

Abstract The ion requirements for intestinal taurocholate transport were studied using vesicles prepared from the brush borders of guinea pig small intestines. For each experimental electrolyte, parallel uptake experiments were performed with vesicles from jejunal and ileal brush border membranes to differentiate between uptake by passive fluxes and non-specific binding and uptake by the ileal bile salt active transport system. Uptake of taurocholate prior to the addition of electrolyte was the same for vesicles prepared from jejunal and ileal tissue. During the presence of a sodium gradient (extravesicular concentration greater than intravesicular), only ileal vesicles displayed the enhanced uptake which is characteristic of the overshoot phenomenon. When NaCl was replaced by KCl or LiCl, the overshoot was not observed. Replacement of NaCl with NaCNS, Na 2 SO 4 , or NaSO 3 C 2 H 4 OH, however, resulted in no significant difference in the initial uptake values observed in either the jejunal or ileal vesicles. This pattern of taurocholate transport independence of relative anion permeability differs from the pattern observed by others for the Na + dependent transport of D-glucose by intestinal brush border membrane vesicles. This difference may be attributed in part to the fact that, unlike the situation with glucose, the binding of a taurocholate anion and a sodium cation by the hypothetical carrier would result in an electroneutral addition.
Ventral tegmental area disruption selectively affects CA1/CA2 but not CA3 place fields during a differential reward working memory task

Hippocampus (HPC) receives dopaminergic (DA) projections from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra. These inputs appear to provide a modulatory signal that influences HPC dependent behaviors and place fields. We examined how efferent projections from VTA to HPC influence spatial working memory and place fields when the reward context changes. CA1 and CA3 process environmental context changes differently and VTA preferentially innervates CA1. Given these anatomical data and electrophysiological evidence that implicate DA in reward processing, we predicted that CA1 place fields would respond more strongly to both VTA disruption and changes in the reward context than CA3 place fields. Rats (N = 9) were implanted with infusion cannula targeting VTA and recording tetrodes aimed at HPC. Then they were tested on a differential reward, win-shift working memory task. One recording session consisted of 5 baseline and 5 manipulation trials during which place cells in CA1/CA2 (N = 167) and CA3 (N = 94) were recorded. Prior to manipulation trials rats were infused with either baclofen or saline and then subjected to control or reward conditions during which the learned locations of large and small reward quantities were reversed. VTA disruption resulted in an increase in errors, and in CA1/CA2 place field reorganization. There were no changes in any measures of CA3 place field stability during VTA disruption. Reward manipulations did not affect performance or place field stability in CA1/CA2 or CA3; however, changes in the reward locations "rescued" performance and place field stability in CA1/CA2 when VTA activity was compromised, perhaps by trigging compensatory mechanisms. These data support the hypothesis that VTA contributes to spatial working memory performance perhaps by maintaining place field stability selectively in CA1/CA2.
OPC and PSM design using inverse lithography: a nonlinear optimization approach

We propose a novel method for the fast synthesis of low complexity model-based optical proximity correction (OPC) and phase shift masks (PSM) to improve the resolution and pattern fidelity of optical microlithography. We use the pixel-based mask representation, a continuous function formulation, and gradient based iterative optimization techniques to solve the above inverse problem. The continuous function formulation allows analytic calculation of the gradient. Pixel-based parametrization provides tremendous liberty in terms of the features possible in the synthesized masks, but also suffers the inherent disadvantage that the masks are very complex and difficult to manufacture. We therefore introduce the regularization framework; a useful tool which provides the flexibility to promote certain desirable properties in the solution. We employ the above framework to ensure that the estimated masks have only two or three (allowable) transmission values and are also comparatively simple and easy to manufacture. The results demonstrate that we are able to bring the CD on target using OPC masks. Furthermore, we were also able to boost the contrast of the aerial image using attenuated, strong, and 100% transmission phase shift masks. Our algorithm automatically (and optimally) adds assist-bars, dog-ears, serifs, anti-serifs, and other custom structures best suited for printing the desired pattern.
The Microbiome and Graft Versus Host Disease

Allogeneic hematopoietic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is an established and curative treatment for many aggressive hematological malignancies. However, the success of allogeneic BMT is limited by graft versus host disease (GVHD) due to the attack of recipient organs. There is growing evidence that the commensal microbiota is dysregulated following allogeneic BMT. Recent studies have made significant strides in examining the role of the host and donor microbiome on GVHD severity and pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the complex roles of the microbiome on GVHD, as well as the role of the metabolome through which it confers its effects.
Transventricular aortic cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass in newborn infants

Abstract Total cardiopulmonary bypass for open-heart procedures in newborn infants can be quite demanding technically. This work presents a technique for aortic cannulation without arteriotomy. The cannula for arterial perfusion is passed through the left ventricular apex and the aortic valve annulus, and into the aorta. This rapid and simple technique keeps the arterial line in sight in the field, obviates the need for subsequent arterial repair, and perfusion is not influenced by cardiac manipulations during open heart repair. Perfusion flows of 100 cc/kg are easily handled via catheters that do not functionally obstruct the left ventricular outflow tract or the aortic valve. Coronary perfusion has been adequate in all cases. Eight puppies ranging in weight from 1.2 to 3.8 kg survived 1–2-hr normothermic perfusions and assumed complete takeover of their circulation after perfusion. One animal was perfused for 2 hr under sterile conditions, and had an uneventful recovery. The hemodynamic influence of transventricular aortic cannulation is presented.
Nets and their codes

A finitek-net of ordern is an incidence structure ofnk lines andn2 points, with any two lines either meeting once or being parallel, havingk parallel classes ofn lines each, and havingn points on each line. Finite nets are important to the study of finite planes and Latin squares.
Nitric Acid and Nitric Oxide in the Lower Stratosphere

DURING a balloon flight on December 7, 1967, the infrared solar spectrum in the region from 6.2 µm to 10.0 µm was monitored from 30 km as the Sun set. The spectra obtained during this period revealed the strong enhancement of a previously unidentified absorption feature at 1,325.7 cm−1, and examination indicated that this feature was the Q branch of a polyatomic molecule. The P and R branches were also present but the instrument resolution (0.2 cm−1) was not sufficient to resolve the rotational structure.
Temperature dependence of the Raman scattering in HgBa2CuO4+δ

Abstract The temperature dependence of the high frequency Raman mode in HgBa 2 CuO 4+ δ belonging to the vibrations of the apical oxygen has been studied in the temperature range of 300–10 K in samples with different values of δ . The frequency, linewidth, and lineshape of this mode are found to exhibit a non-monotonic variation with temperature. The trends in the temperature dependent variation are found to be qualitatively the same in over-, under-, and optimally oxygen doped samples, although there are quantitative sample dependent differences. We show that the maximum change in the frequency and the asymmetry of this peak are linear in the excess oxygen content, δ .
Chemistry of superoxide ion-radical (O2−) in seawater. I. (HOO) and uncatalyzed dismutation kinetics studied by pulse radiolysis

Superoxide, the one-electron reduction product of O2 and an important transient in photochemical and possibly other redox processes in natural waters, decays by autoredox dismutation: 2 O2− + 2 H+ → H2O2 + O2 The optical, acid-base, and self-decay properties of O2− in seawater were studied by electron pulse radiolysis-kinetic spectrophotometry, using added chelators to suppress transition metal catalysis. We find that (1)pKa∗ (HO2)=4.60±0.15, (2)[O2−] decay above pH 6 is strictly second order and pH dependent:−[O2−]/dt=kdis[O2−]OOH]≈2k2[O2−]2[H2] (3)k2sw=5±1x1012[H+] (S=30−36000,assuming γH+=1). The pKa rate law, and rate constant are extremely similar to those in pure water; theoretically predicted 3–5-fold slower rates in seawater were not confirmed. In noncoastal high-salinity surface waters additional pseudo first-order O2− decay terms were undetectable (< 1.5 s−1); estuarine water samples exhibited pseudo first-order O2− decay terms of 1–5 s−1. These additional paths could compete significantly with uncatalyzed dismutation in surface seawater even upon 1000-fold dilution, which suggests that oceanic O2− decay may be controlled by unknown processes in addition to second-order dismutation.
Zone-plan and the optimal allocation of office/lab facilities

Abstract ZONE-PLAN is an interactive planning tool and one of the products created for the Facility Planning Office (FPO) of NASA's Lewis Research Center in a study conducted from August 1989 through March 1990. This project, titled “DEVELOPMENT OF AN OFFICE/LAB SPACE ALLOCATION PLAN”, addressed the problems of office/laboratory space utilization and of appropriate distribution of the limited space in the 100 plus facilities, to nearly 4500 employees of NASA's Lewis Research Center (LeRC), in Cleveland Ohio. This paper illustrates how Industrial Engineering principles coupled with special purpose microcomputer programming can be employed to develop a unique intermediate and operational level planning system for the distribution of scarce resources.
TRANSPORTATION NEEDS, LOCATION CHOICE, AND PERCEIVED ACCESSIBILITY FOR BUSINESSES

Results from a survey of businesses were analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to investigate how the businesses used the transportation system and how access could affect site location decisions. Most of today's businesses rely heavily on automobiles for all facets of business activities. The only exception is the central business district, where rail transit is heavily used for employee commutes. In addition, more than 90% of the businesses enjoy at least a somewhat convenient level of overall access. The perceived level of overall access of a site is statistically correlated with the automobile access and parking but not with the transit access. Analyses indicate that the locational advantage of the sites that are situated close to transportation facilities is minimal. Based on the complex and changing nature of transportation needs uncovered by the survey and on market research, an approach is recommended for inclusion in the transportation planning process.
SU‐E‐T‐405: Robustness of Volumetric‐Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) Plans to Systematic MLC Positional Errors

Purpose: To evaluate the dosimetric impact of systematic MLC positional errors (PEs) on the quality of volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans. Methods: Five patients with head-and-neck cancer (HN) and five patients with prostate cancer were randomly chosen for this study. The clinically approved VMAT plans were designed with 2–4 coplanar arc beams with none-zero collimator angles in the Pinnacle planning system. The systematic MLC PEs of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mm on both MLC banks were introduced into the original VMAT plans using an in-house program, and recalculated with the same planned Monitor Units in the Pinnacle system. For each patient, the original VMAT plans and plans with MLC PEs were evaluated according to the dose-volume histogram information and Gamma index analysis. Results: For one primary target, the ratio of V100 in the plans with 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mm MLC PEs to those in the clinical plans was 98.8 ± 2.2%, 97.9 ± 2.1%, 90.1 ± 9.0% for HN cases and 99.5 ± 3.2%, 98.9 ± 1.0%, 97.0 ± 2.5% for prostate cases. For all OARs, the relative difference of Dmean in all plans was less than 1.5%. With 2mm/2% criteria for Gamma analysis, the passing rates were 99.0 ± 1.5% for HN cases and 99.7 ± 0.3% for prostate cases between the planar doses from the original plans and the plans with 1.0 mm MLC errors. The corresponding Gamma passing rates dropped to 88.9 ± 5.3% for HN cases and 83.4 ± 3.2% for prostate cases when comparing planar doses from the original plans and the plans with 2.0 mm MLC errors. Conclusion: For VMAT plans, systematic MLC PEs up to 1.0 mm did not affect the plan quality in term of target coverage, OAR sparing, and Gamma analysis with 2mm/2% criteria.
Some Characteristics of an Ebert Spectrograph

Some of the characteristics of an Ebert 3.4 m plane grating spectrograph have been examined in order to ascertain the optimum conditions for its use in quantitative spectrographic analysis. Of special interest were the higher order; not conveniently reached by many spectrographs produced for general analytical work. A limitation on the use of high dispersions when the dc arc or ac spark is employed as the excitation source is discussed.
UV-induced photoproducts of 5-methylcytosine in a DNA sequence context

In order to detect possible m5C photoproducts, highly purified rat liver DNA-cytosine methyltransferase was used to specifically generate m5C with a radioactive methyl group. When these DNAs were subjected to a large dose (10 kJ/m2) of 254 nm or 302 nm ultraviolet light (UVB) to enhance the yield, two labeled photoproducts were detected and isolated by reverse phase HPLC after formic acid hydrolysis. Further studies using acetone as a triplet state sensitizer and UVB irradiation suggested that photoproduct II was activated via a triplet state while the more polar photoproduct I was not. Photoreversion of the purified photoproducts with 10 kJ/m2 254 nm light demonstrated the following reactions: Photoproduct I regenerated m5C, while photoproduct II is split and regenerated m5C and photoproduct I. These results suggest that photoproduct I is monomeric while photoproduct II dimeric, and from the latter's elution position possibly a cyclobutyl type dimer arising from a reaction with an adjacent cytosine. Using d[TTG] and d[Cm5CG] as models of typical sequences, irradiation with 10 kJ/m2 254 nm or 302 nm, respectively, gave rise to a small component having altered mobility in sequencing gels. The altered mobility trinucleotides were resistant to degradation by PI and micrococcal nucleases as expected from photodimerization of the pyrimidine bases. Furthermore, oligonucleotide substrates containing m5C were synthesized and shown to be susceptible to T4 endonuclease v action at locations consistent with d[Cm5C] photodimer formation when irradiated in the UVB range.
Structure of the acidic extracellular gelling polysaccharide produced by Pseudomonas elodea

Abstract The gelling polysaccharide secreted by the bacterium Pseudomonas elodea contains l -rhamnose, d -glucose, and d -glucuronic acid in the molar ratios 1:2:1. Methylation analysis of native and carboxyl-reduced polysaccharide indicated (1→4)-Rha p , (1→3)-Glc p , (1→4)-Glc p , and (1→4)-Glc p A to be present in the ratios 1:1:1:1. Graded acid hydrolysis gave a series of acidic oligosaccharides that were isolated by ion-exchange chromatography and fractionated by gel-filtration. The purified oligosaccharides were analysed and characterised as their methylated alditol derivatives by e.i.-m.s. and c.i.-m.s., and also examined by fast-atom-bombardment (f.a.b.)-m.s. The tetrasaccharide repeating-unit 1 , excluding acetyl groups, is proposed.
Clostridium septicum Aortitis With Associated Sigmoid Colon Adenocarcinoma

We report an unusual case of Clostridium septicum aortitis with associated adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon. An 87-year-old man with multiple medical comorbidities presented with a 1-week history of severe abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant of his abdomen. Abdominal computed tomography showed, in addition to a mass in the sigmoid colon, a gas density within the wall of the abdominal aorta with extensive periaortic fat stranding and some additional gas densities in the proximal left common iliac artery. The patient refused surgery, and was treated with intravenous antibiotics. He died 5 weeks later. The development of Clostridiumsepticum aortitis, an extremely rare but life-threatening infection, is highly associated with an underlying colonic malignancy and demands immediate surgical intervention.
Formylation of methionyl transfer RNA in a mammalian system.

Abstract 1. 1. tRNA isolated from Ehrlich ascites cells was charged with [3H]methionine in the presence of a formyl-group donor and an enzyme extract prepared from an homologous source. Among the deacylation products of the charged tRNA, one component has the same RF value as N- formylmethionine . The radioactivity in the N- formylmethionine region is 5–6% of that in the methionine region. 2. 2. The identity of this compound as an N-substituted derivative of methionine is further supported by the following experiments: (a) at pH 1 it behaves as a neutral molecule and can be more readily extracted with ethyl acetate than methionine, and (b) when attached by an ester linkage to tRNA, it is more resistant to Cu2+-catalyzed hydrolysis than methionyl-tRNA. 3. 3. When the tRNA was charged with unlabeled methionine, the tRNA preparation could be labeled with [3H]formaldehyde but not with [14C]acetyl-CoA, indicating that the N-substituted methionine is probably N- formylmethionine .
The WHIMs of leukocytes

WHIM, a dominant immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the chemokine receptor CXCR4, leads to myeloid and lymphoid retention in tissues producing its cognate ligand, CXCL12 (SDF-1), by virtue of an exaggerated chemotactic and adhesion response to ligand. Gulino and colleagues (page [444][1]) have
The LBL 55-meter spherical grating monochromator at SSRL

Abstract A 55 meter spherical grating monochromator has been completed at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL). The monochromator includes a unique capability for water cooled gratings, and is presently operating with a fused silica grating from 180 to 820 eV. A resolution of 60 meV has been achieved at 400 eV, inferred from the linewidths of the nitrogen 1s-π∗ resonance. A photon flux of 4 × 10 10 photon/s has been observed at 440 eV and 40 mA ring current (and with 0.5 eV resolution). It is expected that this flux value will improve by a factor of approximately 10–30 when a full-performance condensing system is installed later this year. The optical and mechanical systems design of the Rowland Circle monochromator with moving entrance and exit slits is reviewed. The details of the laser interferometer encoded wavelength drive, the mounting of the water cooled gratings, and the mechanical design features which improve the stability and accuracy of the system are described. The alignment of the gratings, grating chamber, and slits is discussed.
Eradication of Helicobacter Pylori

Abstract Since the discovery of Helicobacter pylori just over 15 years ago, the treatment of peptic ulcer disease has been revolutionized. H. pylori is an important causative factor for the development of duodenal and gastric ulcers. Because H. pylori can be eradicated with very low rates of ulcer recurrence, antibiotic therapy is now recommended by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American College of Gastroenterology for all H. pylori-positive ulcer patients. Bismuth subsalicylate, antibiotics (amoxicillin, tetracycline, metronidazole, and clarithromycin), proton pump inhibitors, and H2 blockers are the standards for treatment. They are combined in dual, triple, and quadruple therapy regimens to produce H. pylori eradication. All of the phamacologic agents currently prescribed for H. pylori eradication are associated with bothersome adverse effects and numerous documented and potential drug interactions. Because no gold standard for H. pylori eradication exists, the treatment decision must be on the basis of efficacy, cost, compliance, tolerability, antimicrobial resistance, and potential drug interactions.
Neurovascular mechanisms and blood–brain barrier disorder in Alzheimer’s disease

Vascular dysfunction has a critical role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent data from brain imaging studies in humans and animal models suggest that cerebrovascular dysfunction may precede cognitive decline and onset of neurodegenerative changes in AD and AD models. Cerebral hypoperfusion and impaired amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) clearance across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) may contribute to the onset and progression of dementia AD type. Decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF) negatively affects the synthesis of proteins required for memory and learning, and may eventually lead to neuritic injury and neuronal death. Impaired clearance of Aβ from the brain by the cells of the neurovascular unit may lead to its accumulation on blood vessels and in brain parenchyma. The accumulation of Aβ on the cerebral blood vessels, known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), is associated with cognitive decline and is one of the hallmarks of AD pathology. CAA can severely disrupt the integrity of the blood vessel wall resulting in micro or macro intracerebral bleedings that exacerbates neurodegenerative process and inflammatory response and may lead to hemorrhagic stroke, respectively. Here, we review the role of the neurovascular unit and molecular mechanisms in vascular cells behind AD and CAA pathogenesis. First, we discuss apparent vascular changes, including the cerebral hypoperfusion and vascular degeneration that contribute to different stages of the disease process in AD individuals. We next discuss the role of the low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein-1 (LRP), a key Aβ clearance receptor at the BBB and along the cerebrovascular system, whose expression is suppressed early in AD. We also discuss how brain-derived apolipoprotein E isoforms may influence Aβ clearance across the BBB. We then review the role of two interacting transcription factors, myocardin and serum response factor, in cerebral vascular cells in controlling CBF responses and LRP-mediated Aβ clearance. Finally, we discuss the role of microglia and perivascular macrophages in Aβ clearance from the brain. The data reviewed here support an essential role of neurovascular and BBB mechanisms in contributing to both, onset and progression of AD.
Impact of skin-subcutaneous fat layer thickness on electrical impedance myography measurements: An initial assessment

Objective To determine the impact of skin-subcutaneous fat layer thickness on electrical impedance myography (EIM) measurements.
Thermal Effects During Hollow Polymer Fiber Drawing

Cylindrical hollow polymer fibers are drawn in an environment in which the heat transfer is approximately half radiative and half convective. A preform is introduced into the drawing furnace through an iris, travels vertically downward through the furnace, and fiber of reduced diameter exits through a bottom iris. For photonic crystal and biomedical applications one or more circular channels are drilled longitudinally in the preform. Challenges arise in the manufacture of hollow polymer fibers because the hole to outer diameter (aspect) ratio of the preform can change as the material is heated and drawn into fiber. Experiments to quantify the trends in aspect ratio changes have been performed. The results indicate that further study of the drawing process for hollow fiber is needed. Experiments with thick walled hollow fibers show poor repeatability even at stable drawing conditions, and the trends were not captured well by existing models. A simple 1-D model is presented and compared to the experimental results.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Application of the Onlay Island Flap Urethroplasty to Penile Hypospadias with Severe Chordee

Summary The onlay island flap urethroplasty was originally used to repair anterior hypospadias without chordee and was later used to repair penile hypospadias with a well developed urethral plate exhibiting little or no chordee after release of skin tethering. It is possible to treat all cases of penile hypospadias even with severe chordee by releasing the chordee without dividing the urethral plate and by reconstructing the urethra with an onlay island flap.
In-situ surface stress and magnetic property of CoCrX(X = Pt, Ta)/CrTi bilayer during sputter-deposition

Abstract The measurement of the force per width of CoCrX(X = Pt, Ta)/CrTi bilayer showed that both the surface structure state and surface stress of CoCrX magnetic layer can be controlled by regulating the average film stress of CrTi underlayer through a variation of deposition conditions such as deposition rate and temperature as well as underlayer thickness. As the tensile surface stress of CoCrX magnetic layer was more, its coercivity was also more. This was because not a dynamic phase decomposition with a compressive ledge due to high adatoms mobility but an epitaxial film growth with a tensile ledge due to low adatoms mobility. Thus, the development of the crystallographic texture of CoCrX alloy can largely improved its coercivity. It is believed that the principal mechanism determining the coercivity of CoCrX/CrTi film is the optimized development of the crystallographic texture through an evolution of the surface stress of CrTi underlayer.
On aging of plastics in structural applications

Expanding interst in using plastics for structural pruposes immediately focuses attention on their poermanence. This desired quality is broadly defined as the persistence of a specific set of properties of a given asembly or manufactured product, in its appropriate environment, for an economically justified duration. Analysis of existing test methods, primarily those standardized by ASTM, shows no really applicable techniques for measuring permanence. By contrast, more advanced thinking presented by recent ASTM stmposia indicates two general routes to the porediction of performances. Whether a rigorous “micromechanistic” technique is used, or the empirical “macroanalytical” approach, or some combination of the two, is considered irrelevant. What is important is that experimental programs be started to provide better measures of permanence.
Clinical utility of electrocardiographic ST-segment area for predicting unsatisfactory outcomes following thrombolytic therapy

Background The bedside surface 12-lead electrocardiogram is a mainstay in the early diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction. The presence of ST-segment elevation exceeding 1.0 mm in two or more anatomically associated leads is a reliable marker of myocardial injury and, when considered along with concomitant ST-segment depression, reflects the extent of myocardial injury. Mounting evidence also suggests that prolonged repolarization is a marker of injury and predicts the likelihood of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. We questioned whether a measure of both ST-segment duration and deviation (ST-deviation area) would offer additional prognostic information.