cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure of Human C8 Protein Provides Mechanistic Insight into Membrane Pore Formation by Complement

C8 is one of five complement proteins that assemble on bacterial membranes to form the lethal pore-like “membrane attack complex” (MAC) of complement. The MAC consists of one C5b, C6, C7, and C8 and 12–18 molecules of C9. C8 is composed of three genetically distinct subunits, C8α, C8β, and C8γ. The C6, C7, C8α, C8β, and C9 proteins are homologous and together comprise the MAC family of proteins. All contain N- and C-terminal modules and a central 40-kDa membrane attack complex perforin (MACPF) domain that has a key role in forming the MAC pore. Here, we report the 2.5 A resolution crystal structure of human C8 purified from blood. This is the first structure of a MAC family member and of a human MACPF-containing protein. The structure shows the modules in C8α and C8β are located on the periphery of C8 and not likely to interact with the target membrane. The C8γ subunit, a member of the lipocalin family of proteins that bind and transport small lipophilic molecules, shows no occupancy of its putative ligand-binding site. C8α and C8β are related by a rotation of ∼22° with only a small translational component along the rotation axis. Evolutionary arguments suggest the geometry of binding between these two subunits is similar to the arrangement of C9 molecules within the MAC pore. This leads to a model of the MAC that explains how C8-C9 and C9-C9 interactions could facilitate refolding and insertion of putative MACPF transmembrane β-hairpins to form a circular pore.
D-optimal design methods for robust estimation of multivariate location and scatter

Using ideas and techniques from related disciplines frequently proves productive and often yields new insights and methods. In this paper, a method from experimental design is applied to the robust estimation of multivariate location and scatter. In particular, the procedure of determining discrete D-optimal designs is applied to the problem of finding the robust estimator called the minimum volume ellipsoid (MVE). The objective of the D-optimal design problem is to select h points to include in the design from a set of n candidate points such that the determinant of the information matrix is maximized. To calculate the MVE, a subset of h points must be selected where the volume of the ellipsoid covering them is the minimum over all possible subsets of size h. We demonstrate the relationship of these optimization problems and propose a technique to select the subset of points for both applications. The subset selection method is applied to several regression data sets where the true MVE estimate is known.
Bmp signaling promotes intermediate mesoderm gene expression in a dose-dependent, cell-autonomous and translation-dependent manner

The intermediate mesoderm lies between the somites and the lateral plate and is the source of all kidney tissue in the developing vertebrate embryo. While bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) signaling is known to regulate mesodermal cell type determination along the medio-lateral axis, its role in intermediate mesoderm formation has not been well characterized. The current study finds that low and high levels of Bmp ligand are both necessary and sufficient to activate intermediate and lateral mesodermal gene expression, respectively, both in vivo and in vitro. Dose-dependent activation of intermediate and lateral mesodermal genes by Bmp signaling is cell-autonomous, as demonstrated by electroporation of the avian embryo with constitutively active Bmp receptors driven by promoters of varying strengths. In explant cultures, Bmp activation of Odd-skipped related 1 (Odd-1), the earliest known gene expressed in the intermediate mesoderm, is blocked by cyclohexamide, indicating that the activation of Odd-1 by Bmp signaling is translation-dependent. The data from this study are integrated with that of other studies to generate a model for the role of Bmp signaling in trunk mesodermal patterning in which low levels of Bmp activate intermediate mesoderm gene expression by inhibition of repressors present in medial mesoderm, whereas high levels of Bmp repress both medial and intermediate mesoderm gene expression and activate lateral plate genes.
Bacteremic skin and soft tissue infection caused by Prevotella loescheii

Anaerobes are a major component of gut flora. They play an important role in the pathogenesis of infections resulting from breaches in mucus membranes. Because of the difficulties in cultivating and identifying it, their role continues to be undermined. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of Prevotella loescheii bacteremic skin and soft tissue infection and review the literature. A 42-year-old Caucasian man was admitted for an elective bariatric surgery. A lengthy intensive care unit stay and buttocks decubitus ulcers complicated his post-operative course. After being transferred to a long-term care facility, the decubitus ulcer became secondarily infected with multiple bacteria including P. loescheii; an anaerobe that grew in blood and wound cultures. The patient was treated successfully with aggressive surgical debridement, antibiotics and subsequent wound care. P. loescheii colonizes the gut and plays an important role in periodontal infections. In rare occasions and under suitable circumstances, it can infect skin and soft tissues as well as joints. Given the difficulties in isolating anaerobes in the microbiology lab, considering this bacterium alongside other anaerobes in infections of devitalized tissue is indicated even if cultures were reported negative.
Degasification system selection for US longwall mines using an expert classification system

Methane emissions from the active face areas and from the fractured formations overlying the mined coalbed can affect safety and productivity in longwall mines. Since ventilation alone may not be sufficient to control the methane levels on a longwall operation, gob vent boreholes (GVB), horizontal and vertical drainage boreholes, and their combinations are drilled and used as supplementary methane control measures in many mines. However, in most cases, the types of degasification wellbores chosen are decided based on previous experiences without analyzing the different factors that may affect this decision. This study describes the development of an expert classification system used as a decision tool. It was built using a multilayer perceptron (MLP) type artificial neural network (ANN) structure. The ANN was trained using different geographical locations, longwall operation parameters, and coalbed characteristics as input and was tested to classify the output into four different selections, which are actual degasification designs that US longwall mines utilize. The ANN network selected no degasification, GVB, horizontal and GVB, and horizontal, vertical and GVB options with high accuracy. The results suggest that the model can be used as a decision tool for degasification system selection using site- and mine-specific conditions. Such a model can also be used as a screening tool to decide which degasification design should be investigated in detail with more complex numerical techniques.
Surgical Pathway Seeding of Clivo-Cervical Chordomas

Objective Clival chordomas are slow-growing aggressive tumors that originate from the extra-axial remnants of the notochord. Current management of these tumors use surgical resection combined with radiation therapy. Given the location and invasive nature of these tumors, complete resection is difficult. A variety of both open and endoscopic therapeutic approaches have evolved and combined with the improvements in proton therapy, long-term control of these tumors appears to be improving. However, in recent literature the relatively rare complication of surgical seeding or surgical pathway recurrence has been reported. We report a case of surgical seeding following primary resection and review the world literature regarding surgical pathway recurrence. Study Design Retrospective chart review and review of current literature. Methods We report a case of a patient with a large chordoma that required treatment with a staged endoscopic endonasal and external transcervical approach. The patient subsequently developed recurrent disease along the cervical skin incision due to surgical seeding. Literature review and case reports were identified by a comprehensive search of Medline for the years 1950 to 2012. Results The overall surgical pathway recurrence rate for clival chordoma resection based on analysis of the open nonendoscopic published case studies was 14 of 497 (2.8%). Conclusion Tumor seeding can occur anywhere along the operative route and is often outside the field of radiotherapy. Increased awareness of this rare occurrence is necessary. The use of novel techniques to minimize exposure to tumor including primary endoscopic resection and so-called clean oncologic technique may help limit tumor seeding. Level of evidence: 4.
Characterization of D-T cryogenic layer formation in a Beryllium capsule using X-ray phase contrast imaging

Copper-doped beryllium capsules filled with cryogenic deuterium and tritium (D-T) fuel layers offer many technical and manufacturing advantages for Inertial Confinement Fusion. However, characterizing the frozen fuel layer in such targets is challenging since traditional x-ray radiographic techniques, which rely on absorption for image contrast, cannot provide sufficient contrast to image the low-Z D-T fuel layer in these targets. In this research, we employ x-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI), which relies on gradients in the object's phase, to produce image contrast. We find that XPCI has sufficient sensitivity to characterize the D-T cryogenic layers in an ignition-scale Be(Cu) capsule. A Be(Cu) capsule is filled with liquid D-T via a small fill-tube, and is kept at a uniform temperature below the D-T triple point in a cryostat designed to produce spherical isotherms. A very uniform spherical D-T ice layer (< 1.5 μm RMS roughness) is formed within the capsule after a few hours due to heating by beta-decay of the tritium. Studies performed for D-T layer uniformity show an increase in surface roughness as the temperature is lowered. We discuss the source and detector characteristics necessary to obtain high quality XPCI images of the D-T layer, wave-propagation modeling of the image formation process, and image analysis.
Modification of chronic carbon tetrachloride hepatic injury by N,N′-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine

Abstract Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that the administration of a variety of lipid antioxidants by the intravenous, intraperitoneal, or oral routes could modify liver triglyceride accumulation, hepatic necrosis, lethality, and hepatic functional alterations induced by the administration of a single large dose of carbon tetrachloride. The present study was designed to evaluate the ability of the lipid antioxidant N,N′ -diphenyl- p -phenylenediamine (DPPD) to prevent or modify the classical hepatic structural and functional alterations induced by the chronic administration of CCl 4 . The lipid antioxidant DPPD was administered intraperitoneally prior to and at biweekly intervals during the experiment. Carbon tetrachloride was administered subcutaneously in corn oil as a 50% solution in the amount of 0.3 ml 100 gm 3 times a week. Control rats received corn oil alone. DPPD inhibited but did not prevent the profound elevation in hepatic triglyceride concentration observed in CCl 4 -treated rats at the 3-week period. At the later intervals studied, i.e., 2 and 3 months, DPPD had no effect on the CCl 4 -induced increment in hepatic triglyceride concentrations. The plasma concentration of BSP was significantly elevated in CCl 4 -treated rats at the 3 week and 3 month periods. In marked contrast, the DPPD 4 -treated rats which received CCl 4 manifested normal plasma BSP concentrations. Treatment of the CCl 4 -exposed group with DPPD significantly delayed the progressive cirrhotic alterations observed in untreated rats receiving CCl 4 . These findings further accent the potential therapeutic importance of antioxidants such as DPPD in the modification of chemical, structural, and functional cellular changes induced by certain hepatotoxic agents.
Common Congenital Anomalies of the Central Airways in Adults

The knowledge of airway anatomy is the most fundamental requirement of every bronchoscopist. There are numerous and frequent anatomic variations of the central airways making the examination unique for every individual. It is imperative for every bronchoscopist to be fully cognizant of the common congenital anomalies involving the central airways. Proper identification and reporting of these findings are a matter of the utmost importance, especially when surgical options in a patient with lung cancer or lung transplantation is under consideration. This article focuses on the congenital anomalies of central airway encountered among adults. Each of these anatomic variations has a characteristic appearance, yet requires bronchoscopic acumen for their identification. This review provides a comprehensive description of these anomalies and highlights their clinical implications.
A ubiquitous communication system consider

For improving the performance of processors, the most schemes are exploiting the parallelism in multiprocessors. In this paper, we proposed communication unit to implement high-speed data transmission for inter-processor with a hybrid technique, which is combination of the schemes of interrupt, queue-network, and non-blocking. In order to delicately describe the state transform, we also exploit the discrete event driven model, Petri net model, to illustrate the communication handshaking for the inter-processor communication network (IPCN). We evaluate the communication delay time when the desired data transmits among processors of IPCN with different kinds of schemes and with different request-queue and data-queue size of communication unit. We also compare the performance of this proposed communication unit to that of the crossbar-based network structure.
Expression and regulation of intergenic long noncoding RNAs during T cell development and differentiation

Intergenic long noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) regulate gene expression in various tissues. Zhao and colleagues identify 1,524 lincRNA clusters in thymocytes and mature T cell subsets and reveal dynamic and cell-specific patterns of lincRNA expression during T cell differentiation.
Demonstration of Escherichia coli 055 and 0111 antigens by means of hemagglutination test.

Summary(1) Boiled broth cultures and sterile Seitz filtrates thereof of Escherichia coli serogroups 055 and 0111 render red blood cells of man and rabbit specifically agglutinable by the homologous group-specific antisera. Unheated cultures, and nitrates are only slightly effective. Trypsinized red blood cells are somewhat better agglutinated than non-tryp-sinized cells. (2) The significance of the findings regarding the indirect bacterial hemagglutination test is discussed with particular reference to the phenomenon of bacterial inagglutinability.
The generation of two isochronous sequences in parallel

Subjects were presented with two parallel pulse trains through earphones, one to each ear. The pulse trains were isochronous, and the durations of the intervals associated with the right and left trains were systematically varied, so as to give rise to both simple rhythms and polyrhythms. The subjects were required to tap with the right hand in synchrony with the train delivered to the right ear, and to tap with the left hand in synchrony with the train delivered to the left ear. Accuracy of performance in polyrhythm contexts was substantially lower than in simple rhythm contexts, and decreased with an increase in the complexity of the associated polyrhythm. It was concluded that the performer develops a representation of the pattern as an integrated whole, and that performance accuracy is inversely related to pattern complexity.
Longitudinal Sound Velocity in Columns of Granular Ammonium Perchlorate of Low Loading Density

THE longitudinal sound velocity in columns of granular ammonium perchlorate at an average loading density of 0.93 ± 0.07 g/c.c. was measured. The particle size distribution of the salt is shown in Fig. 1. The 50 per cent point (by weight) was 14µ.
Study of random lasing in closely-packed resonant scatterers

We report experimental study of the average lasing threshold and its fluctuation in closely-packed monodisperse ZnO nanospheres. A drastic decrease at small particle size followed by a plateau at large particle size is observed for lasing threshold. The size dependence of threshold fluctuation is also reported for the first time.
Anaerobic glycolysis in rat ovarian tissues during pregnancy and lactation.

Several reports have been made from this laboratory on the changes in the activities of certain enzymes in ovarian tissues of the rat during different phases of the reproductive cycle. The adenosine triphosphatase activity of corpora lutea and the remaining ovarian tissues has been studied (Biddulph, Meyer and McShan, 1946a, 1946b) as well as the succinic dehydrogenase (Meyer, McShan and Erway, 1945; Meyer, Soukup, McShan and Biddulph, 1947), malic dehydrogenase (McShan, Erway and Meyer, 1948) and the acid and alkaline phosphatases (Stafford, McShan and Meyer, 1947). Recent advances in the manometric determination of anaerobic glycolysis of tissue homogenates (Racker and Krimsky, 1945; Utter, Reiner and Wood, 1945; and Novikoff, Potter and LePage, 1948) have made it feasible to determine the anaerobic glycolysis of ovarian tissues during pregnancy and lactation in the rat. The method used was essentially that of the latter workers.
Ascorbate protects against vascular leakage in cecal ligation and puncture-induced septic peritonitis

Vascular leakage in multiple organs is a characteristic pathological change in sepsis. Our recent study revealed that ascorbate protects endothelial barrier function in microvascular endothelial cell monolayers through inhibiting serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activation (Han M, Pendem S, Teh SL, Sukumaran DK, Wu F, Wilson JX. Free Radic Biol Med 48: 128–135, 2010). The present study addressed the mechanism of protection by ascorbate against vascular leakage in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic peritonitis in mice. CLP caused NADPH oxidase activation and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling to produce superoxide, increased NO production by inducible NOS (iNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) activity, and elevated 3-nitrotyrosine (a product of peroxynitrite) formation and PP2A activity in the hindlimb skeletal muscles at 12 h after CLP. The increase in PP2A activity was associated with decreased levels of phosphorylated serine and threonine in occludin, which was immunoprecipitated from freshly harvested endothelial cells of the septic skeletal muscles. Moreover, CLP increased the vascular permeability to fluorescent dextran and Evans blue dye in skeletal muscles. An intravenous bolus injection of ascorbate (200 mg/kg body wt), given 30 min prior to CLP, prevented eNOS uncoupling, attenuated the increases in iNOS and nNOS activity, decreased 3-nitrotyrosine formation and PP2A activity, preserved the phosphorylation state of occludin, and completely inhibited the vascular leakage of dextran and Evans blue. A delayed ascorbate injection, given 3 h after CLP, also prevented the vascular permeability increase. We conclude that ascorbate injection protects against vascular leakage in sepsis by sequentially inhibiting excessive production of NO and superoxide, formation of peroxynitrite, PP2A activation, and occludin dephosphorylation. Our study provides a scientific basis for injection of ascorbate as an adjunct treatment for vascular leakage in sepsis.
Kernel representation and properties of discrete-time input-output systems☆

Abstract Discrete-time systems in a formal input-output setting are considered. Weak linearity, weak shift invariance, and weak nonanticipation are defined. The often overlooked fact that linear systems may not have a kernel representation is pointed out. Necessary and sufficient conditions for kernel representation on lp spaces are given. It is shown that a linear system can have infinitely many kernel representations and that properties such as nonanticipation, shift invariance, and boundedness need not be reflected in the structure of a kernel representation. It is argued that a system is logically distinct from a parametric representation of itself.
Extracting advertising keywords from URL strings

Extracting advertising keywords from web-pages is important in keyword-based online advertising. Previous works have attempted to extract advertising keywords from the whole content of a web-page. However, in some scenarios, it is necessary to extract keywords from just the URL string itself. In this work, we propose an algorithm for extracting advertising keywords from the URL string alone. Our algorithm has applications in contextual and paid search advertising. We evaluate the effectiveness of our algorithm on publisher URLs and show that it produces very good quality keywords that are comparable with keywords produced by page based extractors.
Performance of high producing cows in early lactation fed protein of varying amounts, sources, and degradability.

Abstract Eighty-four multiparous Holstein cows were fed a standard ration from 0 to 21 days postpartum and treatment rations from 22 to 91 days. Treatments varied in amount and source of protein, and only cows averaging at least 26 kg milk daily from 8 to 21 days postpartum were used. Experimental variables included protein percent (11.3, 14.5, 17.5), ammoniated versus untreated corn silage, and heated (2.5 h at 140°C in forced draft oven) versus normal soybean meal. Treatments by protein percent and supplement types were: 1) 11%, untreated silage, normal soy; 2) 14%, ammonia silage, heated soy; 3) 14%, untreated silage, heated soy; 4) 14%, untreated silage, normal soy; 5) 17%, ammonia silage, heated soy; 6) 17%, untreated silage, heated soy; and 7) 17%, untreated silage, normal soy. Milk production and dry matter intakes increased with increased protein. Differences were greater between 11 and 14% than between 14 and 17%. At 14 and 17% protein, cows fed normal soy produced less than those fed heated soy, but silage treatments were not different. The 17% ration containing ammonia silage and heated soy resulted in greatest milk production and highest income over feed costs. A combination of heated soybean meal to limit rumen degradabihty and ammonia in corn silage to furnish nonprotein nitrogen was the most productive and profitable of several rations compared for cows early in lactation.
Waiting time distribution in (T, S) inventory systems

This paper provides a concise derivation of the customer waiting time distribution in (T, S) inventory systems with compound renewal demand processes and random leadtimes. The computation of the waiting time distribution is simplified when the demand process is compound Poisson and the leadtime is constant.
Efficient templated synthesis of donor-acceptor rotaxanes using click chemistry.

The mild reaction conditions, remarkable functional group compatibility, and complete regioselectivity of the Cu-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (“click chemistry”) between organic azides and terminal alkynes have led to a threading-followed-by-stoppering approach to the synthesis of donor–acceptor rotaxanes incorporating cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) (CBPQT4+) as the π-accepting ring component. Rotaxane formation is initiated by reacting azide-functionalized pseudorotaxanes containing π-donating 1,5-dioxynaphthalene (DNP) recognition units with appropriate alkyne-functionalized stoppers. The high yields obtained in this efficient, kinetically controlled post-assembly covalent modification, as well as the excellent convergence of the synthetic protocol, are demonstrated by the preparation of [2]-, [3]-, and [4]rotaxanes containing multiple DNP/CBPQT4+ donor–acceptor recognition motifs.
Preparation of some triethylammonium (organocyanoamino)chlorotriphenylstannates

Seven new anionic triphenytin complexes, triethylammonium (organocyanoamino)chlorotriphenylsannates, were prepared by the reaction of (triphenylstannyl) cyanamide with acid chlorides, alkyl chlorocarbonates, or benzenesulfonyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine. One of these complexes, triethylammonium (acethylcyanoamino)chlorotriphenylstannate, was also prepared by the reaction of triethylamine hydrochloride with N-(triphenylstannyl)-N-acetylcyanamide, which was obtained by following acetyl chloride to react with bis(triphenylstannyl)carbodiimide. The PMR and IR (4000-140 cm−1) spectrum of each complex was measured. The Mossbauer parameters of two of the complexes were obtained, the quadrupole splittings being consistent with trigonal bipyramidal structures. p-Nitrobenzoyl chloride and terephthalyl chloride failed to give complexes on reaction with (triphenylstannyl)cyanamide and triethylamine, but instead gave the triethylammonium salt of the corresponding acylcyanamide. The new anionic complex, triethylammonium dichlorotriphenylstannate, was prepared by the reaction of triphenyltin chloride with triethylamine hydrochloride.
Implications of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 for general hospital psychiatry inpatient units providing medical and psychiatric services

Since 1983, the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) of 1982 has determined payment for services in most psychiatry units located in general hospitals. This system provided reimbursement on a cost-per-discharge basis. In 1997, a Balanced Budget Act (BBA) was passed by Congress which has replaced the TEFRA system of 1982 (H.R 2015). As a result of this law, many general hospital psychiatry units, particularly those that address the needs of elderly patients with high levels of medical comorbidity, will experience a reduction in their reimbursement when compared with the old TEFRA system. This reduction will average 7.8% and affect up to 84% of health care organizations. Those with higher TEFRA target amounts, such as is found with most general hospital programs, will have proportionately greater reductions. This article summarizes legislation affecting Medicare reimbursement and suggests a service reorganization approach that would allow billing to both medical and psychiatric payers. Finally, it encourages active participation in psychiatric access and quality standards development and with legislation, such as The Medicare Psychiatric Hospital Prospective Payment System Act of 1999.
Social support and health: The role of affiliative need as a moderator

Abstract This study sought to demonstrate that different types of support (e.g., socioemotional vs material) have differential effects upon well-being as a function of affiliative need. Items on a measure of recent social support were categorized into the two types of support. Subsequently, each subscale was included separately in regression models, along with measures of affiliative need and negative life events, to predict physical and psychological impairment. As expected, material support buffered all individuals from the deleterious effects of negative life events, regardless of affiliative need. However, only low affiliative need individuals benefited from socioemotional support, also as predicted. The findings were explained in terms of the degree to which each type of support is perceived as an instrumental coping resource versus a form of intrinsic gratification. High affiliative need individuals presumably are influenced largely by the relationship aspects of socioemotional support, while low affiliative need individuals are influenced by its instrumental potential.
A unique downstream estrogen responsive unit mediates estrogen induction of proteinase inhibitor-9, a cellular inhibitor of IL-1-βconverting enzyme (caspase 1)

Recently, proteinase inhibitor 9 (PI-9) was identified as the first endogenous inhibitor of caspase 1 (IL-1beta-converting enzyme). The regulation of PI-9 expression, therefore, has great importance in the control of inflammatory processes. We reported that PI-9 mRNA and protein are rapidly and directly induced by estrogen in human liver cells. Using transient transfections to assay PI-9 promoter truncations and mutations, we demonstrate that this strong estrogen induction is mediated by a unique downstream estrogen responsive unit (ERU) approximately 200 nucleotides downstream of the transcription start site. Using primers flanking the ERU in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we demonstrate estrogen-dependent binding of ER to the cellular PI-9 promoter. The ERU consists of an imperfect estrogen response element (ERE) palindrome immediately adjacent to a direct repeat containing two consensus ERE half-sites separated by 13 nucleotides (DR13). In transient transfections, all four of the ERE half-sites in the imperfect ERE and in the DR13 were important for estrogen inducibility. Transfected chicken ovalbumin upstream transcription factor I and II down-regulated estrogen-mediated expression from the ERU. EMSAs using purified recombinant human ERalpha demonstrate high-affinity binding of two ER complexes to the ERU. Further EMSAs showed that one ER dimer binds to an isolated DR13, supporting the view that one ER dimer binds to the imperfect ERE and one ER dimer binds to DR13. Deoxyribonuclease I footprinting showed that purified ER protected all four of the half-sites in the ERU. Our finding that a direct repeat can function with an imperfect ERE palindrome to confer estrogen inducibility on a native gene extends the repertoire of DNA sequences able to function as EREs.
TU-A-18A-01: Basic Principles of PET/CT, Calibration Methods and Contrast Recovery Across Multiple Cameras

This continuing education session will discuss the physical principles of PET/CT imaging and characterization of contrast recovery using accreditation phantoms. A detailed overview will be given on the physical principles of PET including positron decay physics, 2D and 3D data acquisition, time-of-flight, scatter correction, CT attenuation correction, and image reconstruction. Instrument quality control and calibration procedures will be discussed. Technical challenges, common image artifacts and strategies to mitigate these issues will also be discussed. Data will be presented on acquisition techniques and reconstruction parameters affecting contrast recovery. The discussion will emphasize the minimization of reconstruction differences in quantification metrics such as SUV and contrast recovery coefficients for the NEMA and ACR clinical trial phantoms. Data from new and older generation scanners will be shown including comparison of contrast recovery measurements to their analytical solutions. The goal of this session is to update attendees on the quality control and calibration of PET/CT scanners, on methods to establish a common calibration for PET/CT scanners to control for instrument variance across multiple sites. Learning Objectives: Review the physical principles of PET/CT, quality control and calibration Gain further understanding on how to apply techniques for improving quantitative agreement across multiple cameras Describe the differencesmore » between measured and expected contrast recovery for the NEMA and ACR PET phantoms.« less
Indigo Carmine-Induced Hypotension in a Parturient With Idiopathic Pulmonary Artery Hypertension, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and LAD Myocardial Bridging.

NDIGO CARMINE is a blue dye administered intravenously to detect ureteral injury during surgery. A typical dose of 5 mL of indigo carmine is eliminated rapidly in the urine within 10 minutes of intravenous (IV) administration. Although indigo carmine is believed to have a safe profile without known drug or disease interactions, there have been several case reports of severe hemodynamic instability related to IV administration. 1–9 Hypertension following administration of the dye is well documented 1–3 and is likely related to indigo carmine’s molecular similarity to serotonin. On the other hand, hypotension following administration of indigo carmine is an uncommon event, documented in only a handful of cases. 4–9 The authors present a case of severe hypotension immediately following IV administration of indigo carmine in a parturient with idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and left anterior descending (LAD) artery myocardial bridging. They believe that these comorbidities, combined with the pharmacologic properties of indigo carmine, created an uncommon but severe episode of hypotension in a patient who was otherwise stable during a cesarean hysterectomy for placenta increta. They propose that the unanticipated drop in blood pressure in this case report was a consequence of a temporary decrease in cardiac output secondary to nitric oxide inhibition and/or serotonin-mediated ventricular inotropy.
Mental Health Problems and Help-Seeking Behavior Among College Students

Mental disorders are as prevalent among college students as same-aged non-students, and these disorders appear to be increasing in number and severity. The purpose of this report is to review the research literature on college student mental health, while also drawing comparisons to the parallel literature on the broader adolescent and young adult populations.
Argon 40 in Potassium Minerals

An investigation has been made of the isotopic composition of the argon from four potassium minerals. In each case a high ${\mathrm{A}}^{40}$/${\mathrm{A}}^{36}$ ratio compared to that of atmospheric argon is observed showing directly that ${\mathrm{K}}^{40}$ decays to both ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{40}$ and ${\mathrm{A}}^{40}$. From the absolute amounts of radiogenic ${\mathrm{A}}^{40}$ and ${\mathrm{K}}^{40}$ in the minerals a lower limit on the branching ratio $\frac{{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{K}}{{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}}$ can be made. If the half-life, 7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{8}$ yrs., is assumed for ${\mathrm{K}}^{40}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathrm{Ca}}^{40}$, $\frac{{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{K}}{{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}}$ must be at least 0.02. The possibility of using this method for measuring geological age is suggested.
Stereoselective peterson alkoxycarbonylmethylenation reaction of substituted cyclohexanones

In contrast to previous results the Peterson olefination reaction of substituted cyclohexanones with metallotrimethylsilylacetates (1) affords moderate to high stereoselectivity.
Evolutionary Perspectives on Romantic Attachment and Culture How Ecological Stressors Influence Dismissing Orientations Across Genders and Geographies

Cultural differences in adult romantic attachment were investigated as part of the International Sexuality Description Project—a survey study of 17,804 people from 56 nations. Evolutionary theories...
The stability of time-split numerical methods for the hydrostatic and the nonhydrostatic elastic equations

Abstract The mathematical equivalence of the linearized two-dimensional (2D) shallow-water system and the 2D acoustic-advection system strongly suggests that time-split schemes designed for the hydrostatic equations can be employed in nonhydrostatic models and vice versa. Stability analyses are presented for several time-split numerical methods for integrating the two systems. The primary interest is in the nonhydrostatic system and in explicit numerical schemes where no multidimensional elliptic equations arise; thus, a detailed analysis of the Klemp and Wilhelmson (KW) explicit technique for integrating the time-split nonhydrostatic system is undertaken. It is found that the interaction between propagating and advecting acoustic modes can introduce severe constraints on the maximum allowable time steps. Proper filtering can remove these constraints. Other explicit time-split schemes are analysed, and, of all the explicit schemes considered, it is believed that the KW time-split method offers the best co...
CCRC Here We Come! Reasons for Moving to a Continuing Care Retirement Community

Abstract To better understand why people move to CCRCs, we conducted qualitative interviews with 20 elders who were planning on moving into one such facility within six months of the interview. In this paper, we describe participants' reasons for moving and their perceptions of the trade-off or anticipated gains and losses inherent in the move. Push factors included desire to plan while still able to do so; optimal timing and being ready for a change; fear of burdening family; burden of home and yard maintenance; own or spouse's failing health; and environmental barriers. Pull factors included attachment to the community; joining friends and neighbors who were moving at the same time; proximity to family; amenities of the CCRC and the prospect of long-term care in the future. One of the unanticipated findings was that far from considering this as their last move, participants looked forward to anew and exciting phase of life.
Instability of periodic BGK waves

We investigate the stability of periodic Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal (BGK) waves. It is proved that any such wave is linearly unstable under some perturba- tion of twice the period. A new method is developed to find a growing mode.
Total Least Squares, Matrix Enhancement, and Signal Processing

Abstract The concept of least squares (LS) as applied to a system of generally inconsistent linear equations A x ≍ y plays a central role in algorithms used for solving a variety of important signal processing problems. In the standard LS approach, the smallest unconstrained Euclidean norm perturbation of vector y is sought so that the resultant perturbed system of linear equations A x = y + δ has a solution. Implicit in the LS problem formulation is the assumption that only y vector is subject to error. Depending on the nature of the application, however, system matrix A may also be subject to error. When both the system matrix and right side vector are imprecisely known, the use of a least-squares solution can lead to disappointingly poor results. To mitigate the effects of errors in both A and y the concept of total least squares (TLS) is invoked. In the standard TLS problem, the smallest unconstrained perturbation of the matrix-vector pair ( A , y ) is sought so that the perturbed system of equations [ A + Δ] x + = y + δ has a solution. In this paper, theoretical issues regarding TLS are first addressed in which a singular value decomposition approach is used to find the optimal unconstrained choices for the perturbations Δ and δ. The TLS concept is next extended to the case in which the perturbed matrix-vector pair ( A + Δ, y + δ ) identifying the perturbed linear equations is constrained to satisfy prescribed properties known (or hypothesized) to be possessed in the idealized case. These property constraints take on such disparate forms as requiring that the perturbed auxiliary matrix [ A + Δ − y − δ ] be positive definite Hermitian, block Toeplitz, or of a given nonfull rank. Property requirements of this nature characterize a variety of practical signal processing problems. Applications of these concepts to the problems of exponential data modeling and system identification are then made where improvements over more traditional solution procedures are realized. The notion of constrained data perturbations has also been successfully applied to the problems of synthesizing one-dimensional and higher dimensional linear systems, obtaining positive sequence approximations, and missing data interpolation.
The documentation and evaluation of team-oriented database projects

This paper focuses on documentation and evaluation techniques for monitoring and assessing team oriented database projects in a senior level database course in computer science. Instead of effecting documentation as the last phase in traditional software development, the documentation procedures are implemented as nine separate staggered deliverables during the project development. These deliverables are revised and organized into a final documentation binder. Evaluation techniques are monitored through four distinct phases: Project Plan, Ongoing Documentation, Progress Report, and Project Presentation (Demonstration).
Heisenbyte: Thwarting Memory Disclosure Attacks using Destructive Code Reads

Vulnerabilities that disclose executable memory pages enable a new class of powerful code reuse attacks that build the attack payload at runtime. In this work, we present Heisenbyte, a system to protect against memory disclosure attacks. Central to Heisenbyte is the concept of destructive code reads -- code is garbled right after it is read. Garbling the code after reading it takes away from the attacker her ability to leverage memory disclosure bugs in both static code and dynamically generated just-in-time code. By leveraging existing virtualization support, Heisenbyte's novel use of destructive code reads sidesteps the problem of incomplete binary disassembly in binaries, and extends protection to close-sourced COTS binaries, which are two major limitations of prior solutions against memory disclosure vulnerabilities. Our experiments demonstrate that Heisenbyte can tolerate some degree of imperfect static analysis in disassembled binaries, while effectively thwarting dynamic code reuse exploits in both static and JIT code, at a modest 1.8% average runtime overhead due to virtualization and 16.5% average overhead due to the destructive code reads.
Prediction of Drug Degradation Pathways leading to Structural Alerts for Potential Genotoxic Impurities

An in-depth analysis of the web-based CambridgeSoft Pharmaceutical Drug Degradation Database, Pharma D3, was conducted in two phases in an attempt to generate some general rules for the prediction of alerting structures for genotoxicity that may arise as a result of degradation. The first phase involved interrogation of the database to determine the nature and frequency of alerting structures present in the degradants. This analysis revealed five functional groups, which account for approximately 70% of the alerting structures found in the degradants within the database: (1) aldehydes; (2) α,β unsaturated carbonyls; (3) aromatic amines, hydroxylamine and its derived esters; (4) epoxides; and (5) polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The second phase of the analysis involved categorizing the major chemical reactions responsible for the generation of the five most prevalent alerting structures. This two-step approach led, in turn, to a proposal for the prediction of functional groups that may have a propensity to degr...
ONE-DIMENSIONAL MODEL FOR ANALYSIS OF CRC PAVEMENT GROWTH

A one‐dimensional model for predicting the structural response of continuously reinforced concrete (CRC) pavement due to increasing temperature and alkali‐silica reaction (ASR), considering slip between concrete and reinforcing bar and friction between concrete and subbase material, is presented in this paper. The slip‐stress function is modeled by a three‐part linear function. The subbase friction stress function is modeled by a two‐part linear function. The solution procedures of displacement functions for a semi‐infinite length slab are given. The unknown coefficients in the displacement functions are determined by finding the roots of the system of nonlinear equations. A simple no‐slip model is also used both for providing an initial guess and for verifying the numerical results. This model provides a more rational approximation of the structural response of CRC pavement.
Prognostic factors and long‐term outcomes of childhood nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The authors studied the survival and long-term morbidities of children with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: This was a retrospective review of children with NPC who were treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital between 1961 and 2004. Prognostic factors and long term effects of therapy were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients (median age, 14.1 years) were identified. Most were male (66.1%) and black (54.2%) and had lymphoepithelioma (93.2%). Thirty-five patients had stage IV disease (59.3%), 20 patients had stage III disease (33.9%), and 4 patients had stage II disease (6.8%). All patients received radiotherapy (RT) to the primary tumor, and most received cervical RT (98.3%) and chemotherapy (88.1%). The 15-year survival and event-free survival (EFS) rates were 67.2% ± 7.5% and 63.5% ± 7.8%, respectively. Five patients (8.5%) developed subsequent malignancies 8.6 to 27 years after NPC diagnosis. EFS was improved in patients who were diagnosed after 1980 (74.8% ± 10% vs 45.5% ± 10.1%; P = .031), in patients who had stage III disease compared with patients who had stage IV disease (79.3% ± 9.6% vs 56.2% ± 11.8%; P = .049), in patients who received cisplatin (81% ± 10.7% vs 45.8% ± 9.7%; P = .013), and in patients who received ≥50 grays of RT (71.4% ± 9.3% vs 43.8% ± 11.6%; P = .048). White patients had higher distant failure rates than black patients (41.7% ± 10.4% vs 15.6 ± 6.5%; P = .045). The 15-year cumulative incidence (CI) of any morbidity was 83.7% ± 5.4%, the CI of sensorineural hearing loss was 52.9% ± 6.7%, the CI of primary hypothyroidism was 42.7% ± 6.6%, and the CI of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) was 14.1% ± 4.7%. Dose-response relations were observed between the RT dose and primary hypothyroidism and GHD. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of children with NPC improved over the past 4 decades with the use of cisplatin-based chemotherapy and higher RT doses. However, many survivors had long-term treatment-related morbidities. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
The role of impulsivity and of self-perceived attractiveness in impulse buying in women

Abstract Impulse buying is a strong and unexpected urge to purchase an item with little thought for the consequences. While impulse buying has been studied in relationship to numerous variables, e.g. mood states, less attention has been paid to the role of trait impulsivity of the consumer. This study examined the role of impulsivity in three aspects of impulse buying in 232 college women. Impulse buying was measured with the Impulse Buying Tendency Scale (IBT), composed of two components (cognitive and affective), and a measure of recent buying. Impulsivity was measured with the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale that differentiates among five facets of impulsivity (positive urgency, negative urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, sensation seeking). Results showed that the affective aspect of IBT was predicted by negative, but not positive urgency, the cognitive aspect of IBT was predicted by lack of premeditation, and recent buying was predicted by lack of perseverance. Included in the study was a measure of self-perceived attractiveness, another largely unexplored potential influence on impulse buying. Self-perceived attractiveness was assessed by judgments about one’s attractiveness, relative to other women. High self-perceived attractiveness was related to the cognitive aspect of impulse buying, independent of level of impulsivity.