cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carotid artery stenting in octogenarians is associated with increased adverse outcomes

Background Carotid artery stenting is an increasingly common endovascular treatment of carotid artery stenosis advocated in high-risk patients despite reports of increased adverse periprocedural outcomes in patients aged >80 years. We sought to evaluate our single institution experience with octogenarians and whether they have an increased incidence of major complications with carotid artery stenting. Methods Three hundred eighty-six patients, including 260 patients from 10 regulatory trials, who underwent carotid artery stenting between June 1996 and March 2004 for symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis were reviewed from a prospectively maintained database. Periprocedural (≤30 days after carotid artery stenting) cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, and death outcomes were compared between 87 octogenarians and 295 nonoctogenarians. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed for confounding factors. Kaplan-Meier analysis of stroke and death outcomes was performed for a 1-year follow-up. Results All adverse outcomes were significantly higher in octogenarians compared with younger patients: 30-day stroke rate, 8.0% vs 2.7% ( P = .02); 30-day stroke, myocardial infarction, or death, 9.2% vs 3.4% ( P = .02). Cohorts were similar in terms of gender, comorbidities, antiplatelet medications, symptomatic status, and use of cerebral protection. Octogenarians had a greater incidence of contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion (26% vs 12%, P = .001), atrial fibrillation (21% vs 8%, P = .001), and congestive heart failure (28% vs 15%, P = .007), but a lower incidence of hypercholesterolemia (53% vs 72%, P = .001) and active smoking (8% vs 24%, P = .001). Multivariate analysis of 30-day major adverse outcomes demonstrated an association between age ≥80 and adverse outcome (odds ratio, 2.85; P = .043) as well as a protective effect of the preprocedural use of aspirin (odds ratio, 0.30, P = .027). At 1-year follow-up, only 75% of octogenarians and 87% of nonoctogenarians were free from stroke, myocardial infarction, or death ( P = 005, Kaplan-Meier analysis). Conclusions Octogenarians undergoing carotid artery stenting are at higher risk than nonoctogenarians for periprocedural complications, including neurologic events and death. Major event-free survival at 1 year is also significantly better in nonoctogenarians. These risks should be weighed when considering carotid stenting in elderly patients.
Data Management Procedures in the Asthma Clinical Research Network

Well-designed data management processes are essential in ensuring the quality of data collected in multicenter clinical trials. This paper describes the data management processes and systems that were developed by the data coordinating center of the Asthma Clinical Research Network. A combination of manual and electronic processes has been designed to process clinical trial data from the point of collection to statistical analysis. A distributed database management system consisting of modular applications for separate data processing activities was developed to enter, track, verify, validate, and edit collected data. In addition, processes for monitoring and reporting data quality are discussed.
Predicting and preventing root resorption: Part I. Diagnostic factors

The purpose of this study was to determine whether it would be possible to identify pretreatment factors that will allow the clinician to predict the incidence, location, and severity of root resorption before the commencement of orthodontic treatment. The records of 868 patients who were treated with full, fixed edgewise appliances were obtained from 6 private offices; full-mouth periapical radiographs were used to accurately assess apical root resorption from first molar to first molar in both arches. The results showed that resorption occurs primarily in the maxillary anterior teeth, averaging over 1.4 mm. The worst resorption was seen in maxillary lateral incisors and in teeth with abnormal root shape (pipette, pointed, or dilacerated). Adult patients experienced more resorption than children did in the mandibular anterior segment only. Asian patients were found to experience significantly less root resorption than white or Hispanic patients. Increased overjet, but not overbite, was significantly associated with greater root resorption. There was no difference in either the incidence or severity of root resorption between male and female patients.
Analysis of Positron-Emission Tomography Scintillation-Detectors with Wedge Faces and Inter-Crystal Septa

Various high-resolution scintillation detectors are analyzed for resolution and sensitivity. In particular, the effects of using a wedge face and inter-crystal tungsten-septa are studied for both BaF2 and BGO crystals. The results indicate that usage of septa alone causes an improvement in resolution in areas away from the center of the image, but also causes a degradation in sensitivity in those areas, and that usage of a wedge face alone causes no improvement in resolution, while usage of septa and a wedge face in combination causes a similar resolution improvement, but with a lesser degradation in sensitivity.
Sea grant — A new university-industry cooperative program for development of ocean technology

Companion papers by Drs. Horn and Doelling have described the objectives of the National Sea Grant College Program and the breadth of activities presently sponsored, ranging from research and education through information and technology transfer. Dr. Doelling in particular has dealt with the university-industry interface and a specific attempt at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop a mutually profitable dialog on current problems in ocean engineering and related university research. This paper deals with a planned program aimed at the development of new ocean technologies through university research in cooperation with industry.
Endosteal Marrow: A Rich Source of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Hematopoietic cells isolated from the endosteal bone surface, that is,the endosteal marrow cells, were found to consist mainly (60 to 80 percent) of lymphoid and late-stage normoblast-like cells. Unlike the cells they resemble, the endosteal marrow cells showed an affinity for Sudan black, demonstrable nucleoli (Feulgen reaction), and an absence of hemoglobin. Assays showed that over one-half of the endosteal marrow cell population may be the colony-forming units, the CFU-S of Till and McCulloch. Thus, high concentrations of stem cells could be obtained from the endosteal bone surface by means of the present isolation technique.
The CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein δ (C/EBP-δ) transcription factor is heat inducible in the cold-adapted antarctic fish Trematomus bernacchii

Notothenioids dominate the Antarctic ichthyofauna, which for millions of years has evolved in a thermally stable environment near the freezing point of seawater. These species are extreme stenotherms and at least some have lost the ability to up-regulate heat shock proteins during exposure to thermal stress. A recent cDNA microarray study revealed the capacity to mount a broad-scale genomic response to heat in the common notothenioid Trematomus bernacchii. Two of the heat-sensitive genes identified were of the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) family of transcription factors. One of these, C/EBP-δ, mediates inflammatory and pro-apoptotic processes, though it is best known for functioning as a brake on cell division. Because apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest are two understudied facets of the cellular stress response, we used western blotting to examine C/EBP-δ expression in T. bernacchii under normal and heat-stressed conditions. A highly tissue-specific pattern of constitutive levels of C/EBP-δ was detected in field-acclimated individuals. Highest levels were found in white muscle followed by spleen, brain, and gill. C/EBP-δ was not detected in heart or liver. Individuals acclimated for 1 month at 4.0 °C possessed more C/EBP-δ in their white muscle compared with field-acclimated fish. Acute heat stress of 2.0 or 4.0 °C caused a transient increase in white muscle C/EBP-δ after 6 h when compared with controls (−1.0 ± 0.5 °C). This up-regulation appears to be reversible upon return to non-stressful conditions. We posit that in unstressed T. bernacchii, C/EBP-δ performs housekeeping functions and that it mediates inflammation, apoptosis, and/or cell-cycle arrest in response to sub-lethal heat stress.
Effectiveness of polynomial wavelets in text and image segmentation

Wavelet transforms have been widely used as effective tools in texture segmentation in the past decade. Segmentation of document images, which usually contain three types of texture information: text, picture and background, can be regarded as a special case of texture segmentation. B-spline wavelets possess some desirable properties such as being well localized in time and frequency, and being compactly supported, which make them a good approach to texture analysis. In this paper, cubic B-spline wavelets are applied to document images; thereafter, each texture is featured by several regional and statistical characteristics estimated at the outputs of high frequency bands of spline wavelet transforms. Then three-means classification is applied for classifying pixels which have similar features. We also examine and evaluate the contributions of different factors to the segmentation results from the viewpoints of decomposition levels, frequency bands and feature selection, respectively.
Where do we go from here? a personal view on the future of molecular graphics

Abstract This review article examines the future of molecular graphics. In order to establish future patterns of development, it is necessary to appreciate both how molecular graphics has developed, and the current situation. So the article is in three parts covering past, present and future. The brief history of molecular graphics does not attempt to single out all of the major contributions and to reference every important paper. Instead it aims to look at the underlying trends and philosophies of previous programs and systems. The section that deals with the present discusses the use of molecular graphics in the scientific community. It also aims to give some idea of the level of software being used today. Finally, the section on the future of molecular graphics discusses developments that can be expected, some in the near future, others probably some way off. This section is entirely speculative and in the future it may be seen that it was some way off line. The very nature of innovation means that it can not be foreseen.
Comparative Ingestion Rates of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Susceptible and Resistant to Bacillus sphaericus

Larvae of laboratory and field-collected strains of Culex quinquefasciatus susceptible and resistant (37-and 31-fold, upon selection) to Bacillus sphaericus strain 2362 were studied for their ingestion rates of this pathogen and other particulate materials. Larvae of the resistant strains (laboratory and field-collected) ingested B. sphaericus preparation at significantly lower rates than did larvae of the susceptible strains. Larvae of the resistant strains also ingested B. sphaericus preparation at significantly lower rates than yeast (nutritious), while larvae of the susceptible strains ingested B. sphaericus preparation at the same or higher rates than yeast. The reduced ingestion rates on B. sphaericus in resistant strains could possibly serve as a behavioristic mechanism of resistance against this microbial larvicide.
Extracting feature points and feature lines from triangular surface models

In order to recognize an arbitrary 3D object, it is often required to extract feature points and feature lines from its surface model. The feature points and feature lines include peaks, pits, ridge lines, and valley lines. In this paper, we present an efficient technique for finding the features from the triangular surface model of an arbitrary 3D object. Given a set of surface data points, we find, using the local adjustment technique, the triangular patches that best fit the surface of the object. For the resulting triangle-based surface model, unit normal vectors and side lengths of the triangular patches are used systematically to locate the feature points and lines of the surface. We present experimental results on simple objects with feature points and feature lines.
Progress and problems in declassifying U.S. government records

Abstract For the first time ever, Executive Order 12958 signed in 1995 established a process to greatly reduce the huge number of classified federal records accumulated since world war II. Although some progress was made under it, subsequent orders and legislation significantly decreased its effectiveness. The U.S. government must take certain actions now to reverse this trend.
An ultrastructural study of silica deposition in the freshwater sponge Spongilla lacustris.

The secretion of siliceous spicules in Spongilla lacustris involves an axial filament and a unit type membrane, the silicalemma. There are no obvious connections between the plasma membrane and silicalemma. Ultrastructural studies of spicules grown in pond water and in germanium indicate that silica is deposited by the silicalemma; the axial filament may function primarily in establishing the overall geometry of the spicule. Cytoplasmic, membranous pockets and vesicles possibly form connections between the plasma membrane and the silicalemma. Germanium inhibits the formation of axial filaments and the silicalemma and prevents silica deposition even when filaments and the silicalemma have formed. In the presence of germanium, vesicles, membranous pockets, and vacuole-like expansions of the silicalemma are prevalent and possibly represent functionless stages in silica deposition. The silica of young spicules contains subunits which are interpreted as sectioning artifacts.
Catalytically active, recyclable zirconocene supported at cross-links within porous polymer disks.

Copolymerization of bis(4-vinylbenzylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride and styrene in a test tube, followed by extraction of the bulk polymer and slicing into “disks” 1 mm thick and 5 mm in diameter, gives a supported zirconocene species that exhibits both stoichiometric and catalytic chemical activity. The disks catalyze reaction of trimethylaluminum and phenylacetylene to give α-methylstyrene with modest turnover numbers and are active over at least six recyclings.
Direct synthesis of trifluoromethyl decorated diphenylphosphites. Unusual non-bonded structural features in bis-((2-trifluoromethyl)phenylphosphite: (2-(CF3)C6H4)2P(O)H)

A direct, Grignard reagent-based route for the syntheses of [2-(CF3)C6H4]2P(O)H (1) and [3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]2P(O)H (2) has been developed and the isolation and characterization of these crystalline reagents is described. The crystal structures for 1 and 2 were determined and the structure of 1 reveals unexpected close non-bonded interaction between F-atoms of one CF3 group and the back-side of the central phosphorus atom.
A mixed-signal EEG interface circuit for use in first year electronics courses

In their first electronics course, many students find operational amplifiers, analog filters and sensor interface circuitry perplexing and daunting. The purpose of this paper is to present a circuit that addresses these pitfalls. A simplified electroencephelogram (EEG) circuit that is interfaced to a digital backend is proposed. The completed circuit involves using instrumentation amplifiers and filters for the EEG interface. The digital backend helps analyze EEG data on the computer.
Development and clinical introduction of an inverse planning dose optimization by simulated annealing (IPSA) for high dose rate brachytherapy

High dose rate brachytherapy is a promising radiation treatment modality that uses temporarily implanted catheters to deliver the curative dose directly in the tumor. A programmable robotic device (the afterloader) moves a single tiny radioactive source (192Ir) along the catheters using a flexible cable attached to the source. With this flexible system, a wide variety of dose distributions can be generated from a given implant simply by adjusting the length of time (dwell time) that the source dwells at any location within the implanted catheters (dwell position). The challenge is to select the optimal sequence of dwell times related to the unique clinical situation of each patient. This treatment-planning problem can be formalized as a combinatorial optimization problem. The optimization algorithm presented in this thesis is conceived to perform this task. An inverse planning (IP) approach has been adopted to guide the optimization process. This means that the optimization is guided by clinical objectives described by means of dose constraints specified to each digitized anatomical structure. A simulated annealing (SA) optimization engine has been designed to solve this particular problem in a short time for clinical applications (about 30 s ). This inverse planning by simulated annealing (IPSA) algorithm has been successfully implanted in four institutions: UCSF(1), CHUQ(2), NIH(3), CAV(4). At the moment of writing this thesis, more than 300 patients have been treated at these institutions for a wide variety of anatomical sites. Clinical studies performed by clinicians using IPSA demonstrated that the algorithm produces superior treatment plans from a dosimetric point of view than the conventional method using geometrical optimization. IPSA improves the target dose coverage while minimizing the dose delivered to organs at risk and provides consistent results from one patient to another. Both dosimetric indices and overall procedure time were improved with the clinical introduction of IPSA.
A two-way, noncoherent method for precise Doppler tracking of spacecraft

Abstract This paper describes a method of obtaining precise Doppler measurements of the velocity of a spacecraft without the use of a coherent transponder. Transceiver systems in which the uplink and downlink carriers are not phase locked have the advantage of being simpler and offering a wider range of design and packaging options than transponder systems. The disadvantage of a simple transceiver approach is that the downlink carrier frequency observed by a ground station is dependent upon the spacecraft frequency reference as well as on the Doppler velocity. A method of removing the effects of drift in the spacecraft frequency reference from the Doppler measurement has been developed and successfully tested in the laboratory and at the NASA Deep Space Network Test Facility. This paper will describe the two-way, noncoherent navigation method, its advantages for future spacecraft design, and a simplified error analysis. Transponder-level Doppler precision of 0.1 mm/s over a 60-second interval is supported. The impact of such a system on the normal methods of sequential tone ranging and the application of the method for spin stabilized spacecraft are also described.
Simulations of aberration-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscope images for carbyne chains

Herein, the feasibility to observe isolated sp carbon chains by aberration-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) was demonstrated by image simulations. Furthermore, the simulations showed that an sp carbon chain with polyynic structure exhibits an escalloped dark line image, whereas an sp chain with polycumulenic structure forms a smooth dark line image. This image difference constitutes an effective method to identify the bonding structure of an sp carbon chain. Furthermore, a linear relationship between the bond length and the bond diameter of an sp carbon chain can allow one to estimate the bond length from its HRTEM images.
Lower airway obstruction is associated with increased morbidity in children with sickle cell disease

Rationale The association between pulmonary function and morbidity in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) has not been previously evaluated. Our objective was to study the relationship between abnormalities in pulmonary function and morbidity as represented by the rate of hospitalizations for pain or acute chest syndrome (ACS) in children with SCD. Methods Results of pulmonary function tests obtained for clinical indications in children ages 6–18 years were classified as lower airway obstruction (forced expiratory volume in 1 sec/forced volume capacity <95% confidence interval adjusted for age, gender, race, and height), restriction (total lung capacity <80% predicted adjusted for gender, age, race, and height), and normal lung function. Incidence rates of pain or ACS were compared between children with lower airway obstruction or restriction and children with normal lung function. Results A total of 102 children, mean age at evaluation 12.0 years with follow-up of 3.8 years, were included. Children with lower airway obstruction had twice the rate of morbidity compared to children with normal lung function (2.5 vs. 1.2 hospitalizations for pain or ACS per patient-year, P = 0.003) (Risk ratio: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.3–3.3). Children with restriction did not have different rates of future morbidity compared to children with normal lung function (1.4 vs. 1.2 hospitalizations for pain or ACS per patient-year, P = 0.68) (Rate ratio: 1.1; 95% CI: 0.6–2.1). Conclusions We conclude that children with SCD who have lower airway obstruction should have increased surveillance for future morbidity. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:290–296. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Postjunctional α2-adrenoceptors in blood vessels: effect of age

Abstract To investigate the impact of age on function of vascular postjunctional α2-adrenoceptors in tail arteries of F-344 rats aged 6 and 20 months, vasoconstrictor responses of isolated ring segments were studied. In both 6 and 20 month old animals, norepinephrine concentration response curves were significantly shifted to the right in the presence of the α2-adrenoceptor antagonists idazoxan (300 nM) or rauwolscine (50 nM). Furthermore, in both age groups α2-adrenoceptor agonists UK14304 (300 nM) or BHT920 (25 nM) produced significant enhancements in the vasoconstrictor response to the selective α1-adrenoceptor agonist, methoxamine. Concentration response curves for norepinephrine and methoxamine were not different with age. These data verify the existence of postjunctional α2-adrenoceptors and demonstrate that the function of these receptors does not change with age. This supports the proposition that overall vascular adrenergic function in blood vessels is maintained with advancing age.
Sleep disturbance in relation to health-related quality of life in adults: the fels longitudinal study.

Objective Sleep disturbances are prevalent problems in the general population. Symptoms of insomnia can impact various physical and mental conditions. Furthermore, sleep disturbances may worsen the quality of life independently of co-occurring medical conditions. In this study, we examined the relationships between self-reported sleep disturbance symptoms and health-related quality of life measures in the Fels Longitudinal Study.
How to select nonlinear crystals and model their performance using SNLO Software

SNLO is public domain software developed at Sandia National Laboratories. It is intended to assist in the selection of the best nonlinear crystal for a particular application, and in predicting its performance. This paper briefly describes its functions and how to use them.
Psychometric properties of quality of life and health-related quality of life assessments in people with multiple sclerosis

Purpose There is substantial interest in testing interventions for improving quality of life (QOL) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Yet, there is limited research on the psychometric properties of QOL [e.g., Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Leeds MS Quality of Life Scale (LMSQOL)] and HRQOL [e.g., Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12) and Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29)] measures in this population. Such research is important for designing and interpreting interventions. We examined the test–retest reliability, measurement error, and interpretability of QOL (i.e., SWLS and LMSQOL) and HRQOL (i.e., SF-12 and MSIS-29) measures over 6 months in people with MS.
Designing and Maintaining the Mature TCR Repertoire: the Continuum of Self-Peptide:Self-MHC Complex Recognition

Peripheral T cell maintenance requires a survival signal delivered upon T cell receptor (TCR)-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule interaction. Since self-peptides play a critical role in the intrathymic positive selection of the mature TCR repertoire, we hypothesized an equally important role in T cell persistence. We used mice with a normal expression of MHC class II molecules but a restricted self-peptide complexity (H-2M alpha-/-) to show that an MHC class II-restricted T cell specificity that displays a deficient positive selection in the H-2M alpha-/- thymus shows an impaired persistence after adoptive transfer in H-2M alpha-/- recipients. Finally, a wild-type CD4+ TCR repertoire is incompletely maintained in H-2M alpha-/- recipients. These observations suggest that, similar to intrathymic positive selection, the maintenance of the mature TCR repertoire relies on the recognition of self-peptide:self-MHC complexes.
Malpractice Claims Analysis Yields Widely Applicable Principles

We received 50 claims of medical negligence in pediatric cardiology. From the analysis, patterns were identified and recommendations for improvement were found that apply generally to healthcare. Less than half (38%) of the claims were found to be medically meritorious. The impression of substandard care was often (7/50) created by an erroneous attribution of cause of death at autopsy. Both structured learning for caregivers and education of the public will reduce the frequency of malpractice forms-both valid and frivolous. Caregivers should document more effectively. The current tort system neither deters nor compensates as it was intended. The assignment of blame to a single individual is usually not in concert with the reality of modern medicine. Good health care is not a passive behavior; active participation by the public is required.
Silver-coated Si nanograss as highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates

We created novel surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates by metalization (Ag) of Si nanograss prepared by a Bosch process which involves deep reactive ion etching of single crystalline silicon. No template or lithography was needed for making the Si nanograss, thus providing a simple and inexpensive method to achieve highly sensitive large-area SERS substrates. The dependence of the SERS effect on the thickness of the metal deposition and on the surface morphology and topology of the substrate prior to metal deposition was studied in order to optimize the SERS signals. We observed that the Ag-coated Si nanograss can achieve uniform SERS enhancement over large area (∼1 cm ×1 cm) with an average EF (enhancement factor) of 4.2×108 for 4-mercaptophenol probe molecules.
Effects of acute psychosocial stress on cigarette craving and smoking

Introduction: Stress is thought to influence use of drugs, including cigarette smoking, but the mechanisms by which it does so are not clear. In this study, we investigated the effects of acute psychosocial stress on cigarette craving, the subjective effects of smoking, and smoking behavior in daily smokers.
Correlation of Pt–Re surface properties with reaction pathways for the aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol

The surface properties of Pt–Re catalytic nanoparticles supported on carbon following exposure to a hydrogen reducing environment and subsequent hydrothermal conditions have been studied using in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). These properties have been correlated with the catalyst selectivity for the aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol. We show that Pt in reduced Pt–Re/C becomes electron deficient, and a fraction of the Re becomes oxidized when the catalyst is subsequently exposed to hydrothermal reaction conditions. Oxidation of Pt–Re generates surface acidity, which drastically affects the reaction pathways. The acid site concentration, but not acid site strength, increases with Re loading. This acidity increase with Re addition favors C–O over C–C cleavage, which results in higher selectivity to liquid products and alkanes at the expense of hydrogen selectivity. We propose a model for the Pt–Re active site and the origin of acidity enhanced by the addition of Re.
Structure and morphology of annealed gold films galvanically displaced on the Si(111) surface

The effects of thermal treatment in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) of gold films galvanically displaced on the Si(111) surface are studied with low-energy electron diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Annealing the galvanically displaced gold on Si substrates to 1100 K produces films with similar structure, composition, and morphology to annealed gold films evaporated on Si in UHV. The surface morphology is consistent with the Stranski−Krastanov growth mode. Compared to the unannealed film, an interfacial gold silicide layer forms upon annealing, although with limited improvement in adhesion. We report the formation of submicrometer Au/Si islands with narrow size dispersion, separated by deep trenches and with local order and shape dictated by the symmetry of the substrate. A mechanism for the formation of these islands is proposed.
Microinjected ribonuclease A as a probe for lysosomal pathways of intracellular protein degradation.

There are multiple pathways of intracellular protein degradation, and molecular determinants within proteins appear to target them for particular pathways of breakdown. We use red cell-mediated microinjection to introduce radiolabeled proteins into cultured human fibroblasts in order to follow their catabolism. A well-characterized protein, bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A), is localized initially in the cytosol of cells after microinjection, but it is subsequently taken up and degraded by lysosomes. This lysosomal pathway of proteolysis is subject to regulation in that RNase A is taken up and degraded by lysosomes at twice the rate when serum is omitted from the culture medium. Subtilisin cleaves RNase A between residues 20 and 21, and the separated fragments are termed RNase S-peptide (residues 1–20) and RNase S-protein (residues 21–124). Microinjected RNase S-protein is degraded in a serum-independent manner, while RNase S-peptide microinjected alone shows a twofold increase in degradation in response to serum withdrawal. Furthermore, covalent linkage of S-peptide to other proteins prior to microinjection causes degradation of the conjugate to become serum responsive. These results show that recognition of RNase A and certain other proteins for enhanced lysosomal degradation during serum withdrawal is based on some feature of the amino-terminal 20 amino acids. The entire S-peptide is not required for enhanced lysosomal degradation during serum withdrawal because degradation of certain fragments is also responsive to serum. We have identified the essential region to be within residues 7–11 of RNase S-peptide (Lys-Phe-Glu-Arg-Gln; KFERQ). To determine whether related peptides exist in cellular proteins, we raised antibodies to the pentapeptide. Affinity-purified antibodies to KFERQ specifically precipitate 25–35% of cellular proteins, and these proteins are preferentially degraded in response to serum withdrawal. Computer analyses of known protein sequences indicate that proteins degraded by lysosomes at an enhanced rate in response to serum withdrawal contain peptide regions related, but not identical, to KFERQ. We suggest two possible peptide motifs related to KFERQ and speculate about possible mechanisms of selective delivery of proteins to lysosomes based on such peptide regions.
Ratchet superconducting vortex cellular automata

We present a ratchet effect which provides a general means of performing clocked logic operations on discrete particles, such as single flux quanta or electrons. The states are propagated through the device by the use of an applied ac drive. We numerically demonstrate that a complete logic architecture is realizable using this ratchet. We consider specific nanostructured superconducting geometries using superconducting materials under an applied magnetic field, with the positions of the individual vortices in samples acting as the logic states. These devices can be used as the building blocks for an alternative microelectronic architecture. We give an analytic formula for the switching times of the vortices for specific materials and geometries.
A model for optimization and control of spatial compliant manipulators

This paper will present a kinetoelastic model appropriate for spatial compliant manipulators that will be used for size optimization and motion control of these devices. This model will be applicable to a class of compliant manipulators based on a parallel architecture that combines the characteristics of parallel manipulators with the low-cost, small-scale capabilities resulting from a compliant structure design. The model will address both the forward and inverse kinematic analysis of such devices, as well as form a design tool for dimensional synthesis in an optimal sense based on sensitivity to joint strain limits and manufacture, parameters that are critical in the performance of compliant manipulators. The model will then be applied to a specific compliant 3-degree-of-freedom manipulator topology to demonstrate its use in size optimization of the dimensional parameters of the selected compliant manipulator. The ability of the model to accurately solve the forward and inverse kinematics will also be evaluated through testing with the prototype. The authors provide a general discussion geared to the future implementation of this model in control of positioning compliant manipulators.
A HPLC Method for the Separation and Quantification of the Enantiomers of Hydroxychloroquine and Its Three Major Metabolites

Abstract A two step HPLC method for analysis of the enantiomers of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and its three major metabolites, Desethylhydroxychloroquine (DHCQ), Desethylchloroquine (DCQ) and Bisdesethylchloroquine (BDCQ), was developed. Fluorescence detection was used at λex=230nm and λem=385nm with a 370nm cut-off filter. This method has higher sensitivity and better resolution of the parent drug and its three metabolites when compared to published methods. In the first step, a cyano column was used to separate and collect fractions containing HCQ and its three metabolites. The mobile phase was 20% pH 6.0 (0.015M K2HPO4) buffer, 30% methanol and 50% acetonitrile at a flow rate of 2 ml/min and 50°C. This method was linear over the concentration ranges of 2–20, 20–300 and 200–2000 ng/ml of blood (r>0.99) and was used for quantitation. In a second step, chiral separation was performed on a chiral-AGP column using a mobile phase of 94% pH 7.0 (0.05M NH4H2PO4, 0.005M dihexylamine) buffer, 5% isopropanol and 1%...
Effects of Poly(ethylene glycol) tert-Octylphenyl Ether on Tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium(III)− Tripropylamine Electrochemiluminescence

The effects of the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 (poly(ethylene glycol) tert-octylphenyl ether) on the properties of tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium(III) (Ir(ppy)3, where ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, electrochemiluminescence (ECL) have been investigated. Anodic oxidation of Ir(ppy)3 produces ECL in the presence of tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) in aqueous surfactant solution. Increases in ECL efficiency (≥10-fold) and TPrA oxidation current (≥2.0-fold) have been observed in surfactant media. The data support adsorption of surfactant on the electrode surface, thus facilitating TPrA and Ir(ppy)3 oxidation and leading to higher ECL efficiencies.
Compile-Time Detection of False Sharing via Loop Cost Modeling

False sharing, which occurs when multiple threads access different data elements on the same cache line, and at least one of them updates the data, is a well known source of performance degradation on cache coherent parallel systems. The application developer is often unaware of this problem during program creation, and it can be hard to detect instances of its occurrence in a large code. In this paper, we present a compile-time cost model for estimating the performance impact of false sharing on parallel loops. Using this model, we are able to predict the amount of false sharing that could occur when the loop is executed, and can indicate the percentage of program execution time that is due to maintaining the coherence of data from false sharing. We evaluated our model by comparing its predictions obtained on several computational kernels using 2 to 48 threads against that from actual execution. The results showed that our model can accurately quantify the impact of false sharing on loop performance at compile-time.
Influence of Mating Sterile Male Boll Weevils to Overwintered Females

When overwintered females of Anthonamus grandis Boheman, collected from areas with low and high populations of weevils, were crossed with sterile males, egg hatch was reduced from ca. 90 to 10%. Percentage hatch was about the same for females from the 2 areas.
Injection of glycerol into porcine skin for optical skin clearing with needle-free injection gun and determination of agent distribution using OCT and fluorescence microscopy

The aim of this study is to investigate the feasability of using a needle-free injection gun to inject highly viscous glycerol into porcine skin for the purpose of optical skin clearing. In this study a needle-free injection device DERMO-JET by Robbins Instruments was used to inject glycerol in 100%, 50% and 25% concentration into freshly excised porcine skin. The injection sites were imaged using optical coherence tomography (OCT) amplitude data to determine injection depth. Similar experiments were conducted involving the same device for injection of 100%, 50% and 25% glycerol-water mixtures with trace amounts of rhodamine. Injected tissue was rapidly frozen and sectioned with a keratome to reveal the mixture dispersion with a fluorescence microscope.
Feedback strategies for visual search in airframe structural inspection.

Abstract Feedback of information has consistently shown positive results in human inspection, provided it is given in a timely and appropriate manner. Feedback serves as the basis of most training schemes; traditionally this has been performance feedback. Other forms of feedback which provide strategy information rather than performance information may have a role in improving inspection. This study compared performance feedback and cognitive feedback in a realistic simulation of an aircraft structural inspection task. Performance (time, errors) feedback showed the greatest improvements in performance measures. Cognitive feedback enhanced efficiency measures of search strategy. When cognitive feedback consisted of visual representations of the path and the coverage of the search sequence, subjects also were able to use this task information to improve their search performance. Relevance to industry The results of this study have direct implications on developing training strategies for improving industrial inspection performance. The results can be used to design superior training programs to improve airframe inspection and thus aviation safety. The results also can be extended to complex inspection tasks in other industries (printed circuit board inspection in the electronic industry, cloth inspection in the textile industry, inspection of food products in the agricultural industry and in-process inspection in manufacturing industry).
Structural Architecture of the Multi-Immunoglobulin-Like Domain Chain from Ligb

Surface proteins on pathogenic strains of Leptospira are involved in host adhesion interactions, an important step in bacterial infection. Lig (Leptospira immunoglobulin (Ig) -like) proteins can bind to human extracellular matrix proteins and have shown promise in typing leptospiral isolates for pathogenesis. Lig proteins are composed of twelve to thirteen Ig-like domain repeats that are anchored to the outer membrane at the N-terminus. Here, we combine experimental data from small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to develop a model of the overall architecture of the multi-Ig-like domain chain from LigB. SAXS scattering curves were obtained from constructs containing two to five tandem domains. An ensemble of low resolution envelopes was reconstructed and combined to create a low resolution model of the twelve domains from LigB. In addition, we solved the high resolution NMR structure of the twelfth Ig-like domain from LigB (LigB12). using LigB12-dervied homology models for the other eleven domains, LigB1-11, along with additional experimentally derived NMR constraints, we generated a high resolution model for the Ig-like domain region of LigB. The LigB Ig-like domain architecture should prove useful in understanding the Leptospira surface structure, Lig protein mediated host interactions, and Lig protein accessibility to antibodies.
When a feature detector becomes a feature generator

The neural network approach is reviewed in the context of studies in the animal and human visual systems. An attempt is made to explain perception, memory, and learning as a feedback loop similar to the one used in the ALOPEX optimization concept. Applications in pattern recognition and image processing are discussed. Experiments using visual evoked potentials in humans are described. >
Structural differences in d and l-monellin in the crystals of racemic mixture

The racemic mixture of synthetic d and l-monellin has been crystallized, and its structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography at 1.9 A resolution. The crystal structure consists of two d and two l-monellin molecules in the P1 unit cell with a pseudo-centrosymmetrical arrangement. The final structure reveals small but significant structural differences between d and l-monellin in the same crystal. Possible reasons for these differences and their implications are discussed.
Ionization and Coulomb explosion of small uranium oxide clusters

Femtosecond pulses are used to study the strong-field ionization and subsequent Coulomb explosion of small uranium oxide clusters. The resulting high atomic charge states are explored as a function of laser intensity and compared to ionization rates calculated using semi-classical tunneling theory with sequential ionization potential values. The gap in laser intensity between saturation intensity values for the 7s, 6d, and 5f orbitals are identified and quantified. Extreme charge states of oxygen up to O4+ are observed indicating multiple ionization enhancement processes occurring within the clusters. The peak splittings of the atomic charge states are explored and compared to previous results on transition metal oxide species. Participation of the 5f orbitals in bonding is clearly identified based on the saturation intensity dependence of oxygen to uranium metal.
Efficient, GPU-based 2D mesh smoothing

Efficient parallel approaches for three popular 2D mesh smoothing algorithms (useful for improving finite element meshes) are presented. The approaches operate on commodity, programmable GPUs and use a single thread per internal vertex of the mesh to reposition those vertices to more optimal locations, according to the smoothing algorithms. The approaches use a custom data structure called a neighbor list for all three algorithms. Following internal vertex detection, the approaches use the neighbor list representation in fast processing on the GPU. A memory-based performance consideration and sample results (suggesting 10 times speedup for two of the algorithms and 50 times speedup for the other) are also presented here.
Confined glassy properties of polymer nanoparticles

For nearly the past two decades, significant effort has been devoted to pursuing an understanding of the glass transition temperature and associated dynamics of polymers confined to the nanoscale. Without question, we know more about the glassy properties of confined polymers today than we knew two decades ago or even a decade ago. Much of our understanding has been obtained via studies on thin polymer films, as they are facile to process and are of substantial technological importance. Nevertheless, studies on polymers confined to other geometries are becoming increasingly more important as we pursue questions difficult to address using thin films and as technology demands the use of confined polymers beyond thin films. In this feature article, we highlight the impact of nanoscale confinement on the glassy properties of polymer nanoparticles. Although the emphasis is placed on contributions from our work, a discussion of the related literature is also presented. Our aim is to elucidate commonalities or fundamental differences in the deviations of glassy properties from the bulk for polymers confined to different geometries. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013
Divafication: The deification of modern female pop stars

(2001). Divafication: The deification of modern female pop stars. Popular Music and Society: Vol. 25, No. 3-4, pp. 1-10.
Ten reasons why dermoscopy is beneficial for the evaluation of skin lesions

The dermoscope is an imaging instrument equipped with a light source and a magnifying lens. It is used for the noninvasive evaluation of subsurface skin structures and studies have shown that its use by trained physicians can improve the diagnostic accuracy for skin lesions. Although widely used in Europe and Australia, in the USA and the UK, many physicians still remain skeptical about the clinical utility of this instrument. In this article we present ten reasons why dermoscopy is beneficial for the evaluation of skin lesions and why it should be routinely used by trained physicians for the differential diagnosis of skin tumors.
Structure and mechanical behavior relationship in nano-scaled multilayered materials

Multilayered foils with 10%Cu/90%Ni and different bi-layer thickness (100-1000 nm) have been fabricated by electrodeposition. TEM and x-ray diffraction analysis indicate discrete layer formation and a (100) textured structure. The maximum tensile strength (590 MPa) is obtained for foils with the smallest layer thickness. Preliminary results on high temperature deformation show a strong dependence of strength and plasticity on layer thickness.