cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of adrenal steroid mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors in long-term potentiation in the CA1 field of hippocampal slices

We previously demonstrated in the dentate gyrus (DG) of anesthetized and freely behaving rats that both acute as well as chronic administration of corticosterone produces a suppression in long-term potentiation (LTP). In subsequent studies we showed, again in the DG, that activation of the two types of adrenal steroid receptors (mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid (GR)) produce biphasic effects on synaptic plasticity; activation of MR produces an enhancement while activation of GR produces a suppression in LTP. In a separate study, we further demonstrated in rats administered the specific GR agonist RU 28362 that high-frequency stimulation, which normally produces LTP, instead produced long-term depression (LTD) in these animals. In the present study we investigated the effects of MR and GR activation by adrenal steroids on synaptic plasticity of the hippocampal CA1 field, but we studied this ex vivo, in a slice preparation. The results indicate that, as in our studies in the DG, adrenal steroids produce biphasic effects: in ADX rats, aldosterone (a specific MR agonist) enhanced while RU 28362 suppressed synaptic plasticity. Unlike the in vivo preparation, however, rarely was LTD observed in the animals receiving RU 28362. Also, ADX itself did not produce noticeable effects on synaptic plasticity. The present results are in agreement with previous studies showing that elevations in corticosterone or an acute episode of experimentally induced stress in vivo causes a suppression in LTP in the hippocampal CA1 field, in vitro.
Comment on the magnetic interaction in nuclei

Abstract The contributions of the relativistic electromagnetic corrections to the Coulomb energy shifts are examined carefully in this note. In previous calculations, some of the terms were neglected or their contributions were not evaluated properly. In this note, we consider the appropriate expressions of the electromagnetic interactions and discuss their contributions to Coulomb energy shifts.
Continuous infusion of methotrexate in children with acute leukemia.

Two methods of prolonged infusion of methotrexate are described. Amounts of drug many times larger than commonly used are given. Remissions were induced in patients who were resistant to this drug when it was given orally (2.5 mg) or twice a week intramuscularly (30 mg per m2). Infusions of methotrexate lasting 18 hours, or multiples of this duration, were used for the induction of remission. Massive multiple platelet transfusions were required to protect such patients from bleeding. These studies indicate that a lack of response to customary doses of methotrexate may be due to increased tolerance of leukemic cells to the drug rather than to absolute resistance to it. The induction of remission with the above treatments is of considerable theoretical interest but of little practical value. The toxic manifestations associated with extended periods of infusion of methotrexate (longer than 18 hours) and the need of massive supportive transfusions discourage the routine use of such methods. The lesser toxicity of large doses of methotrexate given in short infusions (4 hours) and at intervals of longer than 3 weeks suggests that improved ways of using methotrexate for the maintenance of remissions may become available.
Impact of anti-drug antibodies in preclinical pharmacokinetic assessment.

The administration of human biotherapeutics is often associated with a higher incidence of immunogenicity in preclinical species. The presence of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) in the test samples can affect the accurate measurement of therapeutic protein (TP) in bioanalytical methods designed to support pharmacokinetic (PK) and toxicokinetic (TK) assessments. The impact can vary depending on the bioanalytical method platform and study dosing design. The goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of ADA response on the bioanalytical methods in support of PK/TK and the associated study data interpretation. Sprague Dawley rats were administered with four weekly doses of 50 mg/kg TP, a humanized monoclonal antibody. The TP in serum samples was measured using three bioanalytical methods that quantified bound and/or unbound TP to ADA. The ADA response in the animals was classified into negative, low, medium, and high based on the magnitude of the response. The presence of ADA in samples led to discrepant TP measurements between the methods, especially at time points where the TP concentrations were low. This could be due to ADA interference to the accurate measurement of ADA-bound TP concentrations. The TP concentration at last time point (Clast) was reduced by 82.8%, 98.6%, and 99.8%, respectively, for samples containing low, medium, and high levels of ADA. The interfering effects of the ADA on bioanalytical methods and exposure were evident as early as 2 weeks post-dosing. This modeling approach can provide the better understanding of ADA impact on PK exposure in multiple doses.
A Rapid Method for Determining Cotton/Polyester Blend Levels

Methode rapide prenant seulement 45-60 mn pour l'analyse quantitative a base d'un solvant mixte phenol/tetrachloroethane
The Comparative Management Theory Jungle

The proliferation of different conceptual approaches to comparative management theory makes it opportune to review, analyze, evaluate, and classify the various orientations, to examine the roots of...
Suppression of neuroblastoma growth by dipeptidyl peptidase IV: relevance of chemokine regulation and caspase activation

Imbalanced protease expression and activities may contribute to the development of cancers, including neuroblastoma (NB). NB is a fatal childhood cancer of the sympathetic nervous system that frequently overexpresses mitogenic peptides, chemokines and their receptors. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV), a cell surface serine protease, inactivates or degrades some of these bioactive peptides and chemokines, thereby regulating cell proliferation and survival. Our studies show that DPPIV is expressed in normal neural crest-derived structures, including superior cervical and dorsal root ganglion cells, sciatic nerve, and in adrenal glands, but its expression is greatly decreased or lost in cells derived from NB, their malignant counterpart. Restoration of DPPIV expression in NB cells led to their differentiation in association with increased expression of the neural marker MAP2 and decreased expression of chemokines, including stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF1) and its receptor CXCR4. Furthermore, DPPIV promoted apoptosis, and inhibited SDF1-mediated in vitro cell migration and angiogenic potential. These changes were accompanied by caspase activation and decreased levels of phospho-Akt and MMP9 activity, which are downstream effectors of SDF1-CXCR4 signaling. Importantly, DPPIV suppressed the tumorigenic potential of NB cells in a xenotransplantation mouse model. These data support a potential role for DPPIV in inhibiting NB growth and progression.
THE HORMONAL INDUCTION OF MATING RESPONSES IN THE SPAYED-ADRENALECTOMIZED FEMALE RAT

THE CONSISTENT induction of mating behavior in the spayed females of severalspecies is dependent upon the injection of estrogen and progesterone in proper sequence (guinea pig, Dempsey, Hertz and Young, 1936; rat, Boling and Blandau, 1939; mouse, Ring, 1944). It is assumed that this is the estrus-mechanism operating in normal females, at least in these species, the progesterone being secreted by luteinizing granulosa cells in the preovulatory follicle. For a review of the literature in this connection see Young (1941). If the normal induction of estrus depends upon the synergistic action of follicular estrogen and progesterone, it is necessary to explain the mechanism by which heat (usually low grade) irregularly follows injections into spayed animals of relatively large amountsof estrogen alone. One possible interpretation is that injected estrogen stimulates the production and release of progesterone or a progesterone-like steroid from an extra-ovarian source.
Interpretation-based processing: a unified theory of semantic sentence comprehension

We present interpretation-based processing—a theory of sentence processing that builds a syntactic and a semantic representation for a sentence and assigns an interpretation to the sentence as soon as possible. That interpretation can further participate in comprehension and in lexical processing and is vital for relating the sentence to the prior discourse. Our theory offers a unified account of the processing of literal sentences, metaphoric sentences, and sentences containing semantic illusions. It also explains how text can prime lexical access. We show that word literality is a matter of degree and that the speed and quality of comprehension depend both on how similar words are to their antecedents in the preceding text and how salient the sentence is with respect to the preceding text. Interpretation-based processing also reconciles superficially contradictory findings about the difference in processing times for metaphors and literals. The theory has been implemented in ACT-R [Anderson and Lebiere, The Atomic Components of Thought, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers, Mahwah, NJ, 1998].
5-Bromo-2-(thio­phen-2-yl)-1-(thio­phen-2-ylmeth­yl)-1H-benzimidazole

There are two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C16H11BrN2S2. In the crystal, weak C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds and C—H⋯thio­phene ring inter­actions link the mol­ecules into chains along [100]. The structure exhibits disorder of the 2-thio­phen-2-yl substituent of one of the symmetry-unique mol­ecules with a major:minor component ratio of 0.914 (3):0.086 (3).
Heat-stable enterotoxin of Escherichia coli stimulates a non-CFTR-mediated duodenal bicarbonate secretory pathway.

The cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an important pathway for duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion. Duodenal biopsies from CF patients secrete bicarbonate in res...
Outcomes of Holmium Laser-Assisted Lithotripsy with Sialendoscopy in Treatment of Sialolithiasis.

ObjectivesThe purpose of the current study was to compare outcomes and complication rates of sialolithiasis treated with intracorporeal holmium laser lithotripsy in conjunction with salivary endosc...
Identity, Insecurity, and Great Power Politics:The Tragedy of German Naval Ambition Before the First World War

Why did Germany pursue naval expansion at the turn of the twentieth century? This question has long puzzled scholars of international security, who consider German naval ambition to be an instance of suboptimal arming—a decision that decreased Germany's overall security and risked the survival of the German state. This article argues that the social desire to be recognized as a world power guided Germany's decision to challenge British naval hegemony. From the beginning of its naval planning, Germany had one clear aim: a powerful fleet of battleships stationed in the North Sea would alter the political relationship with Britain in such a way that it could no longer ignore Germany's claim to world power status. Reconceptualizing Germany's naval ambition as a struggle for recognition elucidates the contradictions at the center of German naval strategy, explaining how the doomed policy could proceed despite its certain failure. The article concludes that the power-maximizing practices of great powers should ...
A Projector Augmented Wave (PAW) code for electronic structure calculations, Part II: Pwpaw for periodic solids in a plane wave basis

Abstract The pwpaw code is a plane wave implementation of the Projector Augmented Wave (PAW) method developed by Blochl for electronic structure calculations within the framework of density functional theory. In addition to the self-consistent calculation of the electronic structure of a periodic solid, the program has a number of other capabilities, including structural geometry optimization and molecular dynamics simulations within the Born–Oppenheimer approximation.
Field Testing Medical Decision-Aiding Systems

Two studies concerned with the valuation of computer-supplemented medical decision-aiding systems were used to derive and illustrate guidelines for designing, conducting, and analyzing field tests of medical systems. The guidelines are not exhaustive and are intended to supplement those commonly found in books dealing with research and evaluation.
Who Benefits From Economic Reform? Firms and Distributive Politics

While the distributional consequences of economic reform have captivated political scientists, few studies have investigated the ability of different firms to reap gains from policy change. Reforms indeed create winners and losers, but there is scant evidence on specifically which firms benefit and which firms lose out. We propose that the benefits from liberalizing reform accrue mostly to firms that are not vulnerable to extortion by the state and that have past experience with lobbying through a business association. This theory goes against the common intuition that liberalization reduces the importance of the state in the distribution of gains from economic activity. To test the theory, we examine how India’s national electricity reform in 2003 changed the quality of power supply for 1,094 manufacturing firms between 2002 and 2005. We find that liberalization produced highly skewed benefits and identify the politically salient characteristics that drive firm-level distributional inequality.
Quantitative design of robust multivariable control systems

By a systematic use of the theory of non-negative matrices, and the associated theory of M-matrices, it is possible to derive measures of robustness which overcome the undue conservatism inherent in the use of singular values as measures of robustness for particular types of structured perturbations. Using these ideas, it is shown that for nominal diagonal closed loop transfer matrices, the controller which maximises robustness is the one that minimises the Perron root (maximum eigenvalue) of a certain nonnegative matrix. From this, a simple criterion for robustness based on the maximum magnification (Mp) of the closed loop transmission functions, and the Perron root of the uncertainty matrix is derived. This is then used to give a design scheme for simultaneous stability and performance robustness. That is to say, the final control scheme guarantees satisfaction of given performance bounds in the time domain in the face of any given plant stable, but bounded uncertainty. This is in contrast to robust multivariable control where emphasis is on the satisfaction of frequency domain upper bounds on the error and disturbance response, respectively.
Democratic Participation in Small-Town Schools:

To study democratic participation in small-town schools, over 5 months the authors interviewed and observed local educators, policymakers, and students from 25 districts in 21 states. The article presents data on citizen involvement, administrator-teacher collaboration, teacher collegiality, student voice, and cooperative learning. The democracy that was found had little to do with academic life. The authors conclude with recommendations to enhance democratic participation about academic matters in small-town schools.
The successful treatment of gatifloxacin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus keratitis with Zymar (gatifloxacin 0.3%) in a NZW rabbit model.

Purpose To determine whether gatifloxacin-resistant S. aureus (Gat-R-Sa) keratitis could be successfully treated with topical Zymar ® (gatifloxacin 0.3%) in a rabbit model. Design Experimental animal study. Methods Two separate studies were performed each using two clinical isolates of Gat-R-Sa, with MICs of 12 and 64 μg/ml to gatifloxacin. Study 1 consisted of four treatment groups (Zymar ® , Quixin ® [levofloxacin 0.5%], Ciloxan ® [ciprofloxacin 0.3%], and saline).Study 2 consisted of Zymar ® , cefazolin 50 mg/ml, vancomycin 50 mg/ml, and saline. Rabbits were infected intrastromally with 2,000 cfu in both eyes. Topical therapy began after four hours, every 15 minutes for 5 hours. After therapy, the eyes were graded for clinical signs of infection (blepharitis, conjunctivitis, iritis, corneal edema, and corneal infiltrates), and the corneas were homogenized to determine viable bacterial counts. Results Study 1: for both isolates, Zymar ® -treated eyes demonstrated significantly lower clinical scores compared with Ciloxan ® and saline, and significantly decreased the number of viable bacteria recovered compared with all groups. Study 2: for both isolates, Zymar ® and cefazolin demonstrated significantly lower clinical scores compared with vancomycin and saline. Zymar ® , cefazolin, and vancomycin significantly decreased the number of viable bacteria recovered compared with the saline control. Conclusions We demonstrated the "Proof of Principle" that in vitro antibiotic resistance, based on CLSI standards, does not always correlate with in vivo treatment failure in the eye. An aggressive treatment regimen with Zymar ® appears to overcome in vitro resistance, resulting in the successful treatment of Gat-R-Sa infections in the NZW rabbit keratitis model.
DNA Repair in Drosophila: Insights from the Drosophila Genome Sequence

Both genetic and biochemical approaches have been used to study the molecular mechanisms by which damaged DNA is repaired in a number of species. The fundamental DNA repair pathways have been functionally conserved for the most part among prokaryotes, lower eukaryotes, and higher eukaryotes, and the
Update on geographic spread of invasive lionfishes (Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) and P. miles (Bennett, 1828)) in the Western North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico

The Indo-Pacific lionfishes (Pterois volitans [Linnaeus, 1758] and P. miles [Bennett, 1828]: Family Scorpaenidae) are the first nonnative marine fishes to establish in the Western North Atlantic/Caribbean region. The chronology of the invasion was reported last year (Schofield 2009) using records from the US Geological Survey’s Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. This article provides an update of lionfish geographic spread (as of October 2010) and predictions of future range.
Considerations for an Effective Quality Assurance Program for Proton Therapy

Treatment with protons requires a high level of quality control over the entire process from the initial simulation to the final treatment fraction. This chapter provides an overview of recommendations and actual processes for a comprehensive proton therapy (PT) quality assurance program. There are a large number of parameters and a limited amount of time, so programs must be wise in the development and analysis of a PT quality program.
Theory of electron spin coherence in differential transmission measurements on semiconductor quantum wells

We present a microscopic interpretation of recent differential transmission measurements of electron spin coherence in GaAs quantum wells. We show that certain unexpected features in the beat signal can reveal finer characteristics of excitonic correlations.
Biclonal Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is well characterized clinically and immunophenotypically. Demonstration of a monotypic CD19+, CD5+ B-cell population is central to the diagnosis. We report 2 cases of biclonal CLL. Two elderly men were encountered with an absolute lymphocytosis consisting of the typical CD5+, CD19+, CD23+ B-cell population seen in CLL; however, immunoglobulin light chain restriction by flow cytometry was not apparent as B cells expressed kappa or lambda light chains without a clear monotypic population. Molecular genetic analysis of flow cytometry-sorted cells (kappa and lambda populations) revealed in both cases 2 monoclonal B-cell populations. The characterization of these cases and a review of the issues surrounding biclonal CLL are presented.
Phosphatic Rocks and Manganese Crusts from Seamounts in the Eez of Kiribati and Tuvalu, Central Pacific Ocean

Phosphorite-manganese crusts were dredged from the flanks of seamounts of the Kiribati and Tuvalu EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) from water depths between 1450 and 2355 m. Samples from Kiribati consist of phosphatized algal laminations, coated grains, filamentous and unicellular cyanobacteria. Manganese oxide occurs in the phosphate matrix in the form of dendritic growths, as a coating on intraclasts, and as infillings in foraminifers and algal tissues. Weathered clasts derived from mafic igneous rocks are the dominant constituents in the samples from Tuvalu seamounts and phosphate occurs mainly as a cementing material for these clasts. Calcite and carbonate fluorapatite are the dominant minerals present in the matrix material of both areas.
Submicrometer-width TiO 2 waveguides

We fabricate submicrometer-width TiO 2 strip waveguides and measure optical losses at 633, 780, and 1550 nm. Losses of 30, 13, and 4 dB/cm (respectively) demonstrate that TiO 2 is suitable for visible-to-infrared on-chip microphotonic devices.
Determination of nonuniform diffusion length and electric field in semiconductors

A method is proposed that purports to measure the non-uniform diffusion length L(x) in the presence of an arbitrary electric field E_{x}(x) . A point source of carrier generation (as a model for an electron beam) scans across the sample in the thickness direction x while the induced currents are measured at two reverse-biased junctions sandwiching the sample. L(x) and (E_{x} \micro_{p} + D_{p})/D_{p} can be deduced from the currents. If only one collecting junction is present, one of the two functions may be deduced provided that the other is known; in addition, the surface recombination velocity at the other boundary may be determined in the presence of arbitrary L(x) and E_{x}(x) . With additional scanning in the y and z directions, quasi three-dimensional mapping is possible.
Hall-Petch Behavior in Nanocrystalline Metals

Several models that relate yield stress to grain size are reviewed, with an emphasis on their validity in the nanocrystalline regime. Data then are presented on Hall-Petch behavior in nanocrystalline Cu and Pd prepared by inert-gas condensation and consolidation. A continued increase in strength with decrease in grain size is observed down to the smallest grain sizes tested (although at a diminished rate of increase) if all the specimens are in the as-consolidated state. Use of annealed samples can lead to an apparent softening with grain refinement. Yield stress and hardness are significantly greater in nanocrystalline Cu and Pd than in the coarse-grain metals. However the measured strengths appear to be controlled by flaws and do not represent intrinsic mechanical behavior.
Thromboelastography and Rotational Thromboelastometry use in trauma

The appropriate resuscitation of patients in hemorrhagic shock is critical to improving survival. Current strategies for massive transfusions utilize fixed ratio protocols to rapidly deliver plasma and platelets to the patient. However, there is some concern that these larger volumes of transfusions can lead to untoward effects. Efforts are ongoing to provide patient-specific transfusion therapy in order to avoid excess transfusions. Thromboelastography (TEG) or Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) are two viscoelastic analyzers capable of providing Viscoelastic testing.
The repeatability of genome-wide mutation rate and spectrum estimates.

Over the last decade, mutation studies have grown in popularity due to the affordability and accessibility of whole genome sequencing. As the number of species in which spontaneous mutation has been directly estimated approaches 20 across two domains of life, questions arise over the repeatability of results in such experiments. Five species were identified in which duplicate mutation studies have been performed. Across these studies the difference in estimated spontaneous mutation rate is at most, weakly significant (p < 0.01). However, a highly significant (p < 10−5), threefold difference in the rate of insertions/deletions (indels) exists between two recent studies in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Upon investigation of the ancestral genome sequence for both studies, a possible anti-mutator allele was identified. The observed variation in indel rate may imply that the use of indel markers, such as microsatellites, for the investigation of genetic diversity within and among populations may be inappropriate because of the assumption of uniform mutation rate within a species.
Individual Nanoantennas Loaded with Three-Dimensional Optical Nanocircuits

Nanoantennas are key optical components that bridge nanometer-scale optical signals to far-field, free-space radiation. In analogy to radio frequency antennas where tuning and impedance-matching are accomplished with lumped circuit elements, one could envision nanoantenna properties controlled by nanoscale, optical frequency circuit elements in which circuit operations are based on photons rather than electrons. A recent investigation of the infrared nanocircuits has demonstrated the filtering functionality using dielectric gratings. However, these two-dimensional prototypes have limited applicability in real-life devices. Here we experimentally demonstrate the first optical nanoscale circuits with fully three-dimensional lumped elements, which we use to tune and impedance-match a single optical dimer nanoantenna. We control the antenna resonance and impedance bandwidth using suitably designed loads with combinations of basic circuit elements: nanoscale capacitors, inductors, and resistors. Our results pa...
How short is too short for the interactions of a water potential? Exploring the parameter space of a coarse-grained water model using uncertainty quantification.

Coarse-grained models are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to access time and length scales that are prohibitively expensive with atomistic models. However, as a result of decreasing the degrees of freedom, coarse-grained models often have diminished accuracy, representability, and transferability compared with their finer grained counterparts. Uncertainty quantification (UQ) can help alleviate this challenge by providing an efficient and accurate method to evaluate the effect of model parameters on the properties of the system. This method is useful in finding parameter sets that fit the model to several experimental properties simultaneously. In this work we use UQ as a tool for the evaluation and optimization of a coarse-grained model. We efficiently sample the five-dimensional parameter space of the coarse-grained monatomic water (mW) model to determine what parameter sets best reproduce experimental thermodynamic, structural and dynamical properties of water. Generalized polynomial ...
Influence of Breeding on Induction of Mammary Cancer with Methylcholanthrene in Strain Dba Female Mice.

SummaryMammary cancer appeared precociously in strain Dba female mice subjected to percutaneous applications of methylcholanthrene. The latent period was markedly shorter and the total incidence higher in breeding than in virgin animals.
Focus on "rapid entry of bitter and sweet tastants into liposomes and taste cells: implications for signal transduction".

the taste qualities of sweet and bitter have powerful influences on food selection for humans and other species. Generally speaking, sweet-tasting substances are innately appetitive, whereas those that are bitter tasting are aversive ([2][1], [10][2]). It is, therefore, not surprising that sweet-
418 OVEREXPRESSION OF ESTROGEN RECEPTOR BETA CONTRIBUTES TO EXOGENOUS TESTOSTERONE-INDUCED GERM CELL APOPTOSIS IN RATS.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of germ cell apoptosis is essential for male contraceptive development and infertility treatment. We have demonstrated that testosterone (T) implant (3 cm) increases germ cell apoptosis exclusively during stages VII-VIII of the seminiferous epithelium cycle. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of exogenous T-mediated apoptosis remains an interesting and underexplored question. The objective of this study was to examine the role of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) on exogenous T-induced germ cell apoptosis in rats. Groups of five young adult (60 days old) Sprague-Dawley rats were given either 3 cm T implant or empty Silastic capsule (control) for 4 weeks. Reproductive hormones were assayed by radioimmunoassay. Germ cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to examine ERβ expression and localization in the testis. We found that consistent with our previous observations, plasma FSH, LH, and intratesticular T levels were markedly suppressed in the T-treated group when compared to the controls. Suppression of intratesticular T was followed by an increase in germ cell apoptosis exclusively during the androgen-responsive stages VII-VIII. In control rats, ERβ immunostaining was observed in the Leydig cells, preleptotene and pachytene spermatocytes. After T treatment for 4 weeks, ERβ immunoexpression was increased in Leydig cells. Interestingly, we found ERβ immunoexpression was up-regulated in the apoptotic pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. In conclusion, the overexpression of ERβ in apoptotic germ cells suggests the involvement of ERβ in the induction of germ cell apoptosis induced by T implantation in rats. Studying ERβ-mediated cell death and survival, pathways may give rise to potential targets for male contraceptive development and infertility intervention.
TU-FG-202-03: Recent Technology Innovations in Prostate Brachytherapy

The greater use of magnetic resonance imaging (MR) in brachytherapy, for both image based planning and image guided procedures, presents a number of challenges for the physicist involved. MR is widely acknowledged as the imaging modality of choice to appreciate a patient's pelvic anatomy and is thus used more often for brachytherapy of gynecologic and prostate cancers. Incorporating MR in brachytherapy treatments requires changes throughout the clinical workflow from implantation through target definition, applicator digitization and post-implant evaluation. These presentations will review the some of the concerns encountered in image based brachytherapy environment, highlight the challenges to incorporating more information from MR, and discuss some of the technical developments underway to facilitate the further use of MR in brachytherapy. Learning Objectives: 1.To review the rationale for incorporating MR in image based brachytherapy for treatment of gynecologic and prostate cancers. 2.To review the technical challenges encountered when using brachytherapy devices in an MR environment. 3.To discuss some developments to facilitate MR based planning and guidance. J. Cunha, Phillips Healthcare
Graphite-Encapsulated Li-Metal Hybrid Anodes for High-Capacity Li Batteries

Summary The drive to achieve high-energy-density lithium (Li)-ion batteries has attracted a tremendous amount of effort in the design of new materials. Although new electrode materials may take years, if not decades, to mature before they can become compatible with other components of Li-ion battery technology, exploring new phenomena on the existing electrode materials could offer many practical avenues for improving the existing technology. In this study, we report a convenient method of overcoming the capacity limit of conventional graphite anodes by reversibly plating and stripping Li metal within the internal space of massive artificial graphite particles. With a controlled specific capacity (744 mAh g −1 ) twice that of the state-of-art for graphite, we obtained stable charge-discharge cycling with a high Coulombic efficiency of ∼98.4% over more than 50 cycles at 0.2 C (74.4 mA g −1 ) in a carbonate electrolyte.
Influence of Allele Level HLA Typing on Unrelated Donor (UD) Transplantation for High Risk Myeloid Leukemias.

Donor-recipient histocompatibility is a major determinant of outcome after UD HSCT, and matching pairs by high-resolution (Hi-res) HLA typing is likely to improve results. Methods: We studied 66 pts with myeloid leukemias in complete remission (CR) transplanted with UD bone marrow (n=58) or peripheral blood (n=8) from 01/02 to 12/04. Preparative regimens were ablative [Busulfan (Bu)/Cyclophosphamide (Cy)(n=13), Cy/TBI (n=2), Fludarabine (Flu)/Bu 130 mg/m 2 x4 doses (n=33)] and reduced intensity [Flu/Bu 130 mg/m 2 x2 doses+Gleevec (n=7), Flu/Melphalan 140mg/m 2 (n=11)]. ATG was given in 61 cases. GVHD prophylaxis was tacrolimus and mini-methotrexate, with additional pentostatin in 24 pts. Hi-res typing of HLA-A, B, DRB1 and DQB1 loci was done prospectively; HLA-DPB1 and C loci were typed prospectively in 50% of cases and retrospectively in 50%. Hi-res typing was sequencing-based for HLA-A, B, DRB1, SSP-based for DRB3/4/5, DQB1 and DPB1; and SBT/SSOP-based for HLA-C. A Cox’s proportional hazards regression model was used to study overall (S), event-free (EFS) and aGVHD-free survival. Variables with a p-value Results: Median age was 45yrs (21–72). Diagnoses were MDS (n=5), AML (n=39), and CML (n=22). 21 pts were in 1st CR, 23 pts in 2nd or 3rd CR, 22 pts in 2nd or greater chronic phase (CP) CML. 45 pts were 10/10 HLA match (HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DQB1), and 21 had one or more mismatches. All pts engrafted neutrophils at a median of 13 days; 32 pts (48%) had gd. II–IV aGVHD and 33 pts (57%) had cGVHD. With a median follow-up of 9 mo, 44 pts are alive; 11 pts have relapsed. There were no regimen-related deaths; 100-day mortality was 13% due to aGVHD (n=7), relapse (n=1) and infection (n=1). Median S and aGVHD-free survival in 10/10 pts have not been reached. Median EFS for 10/10 pts vs others is 34 vs.9.66 mos. MV for S: age ≥60yrs (P=0.02; HR 4.17 (95%CI 1.24–14), Flu-based regimen (P=0.0004; HR 0.14 (95%CI 0.05–0.41), use of pentostatin (P=0.02; HR 0.27 (95%CI 0.09–0.78) and grade II–IV aGVHD (P=0.02; HR 3.25 (95%CI 1.19–8.88). MV for EFS: age ≥60yrs (P=0.046; HR 3.06 (95%CI 1.02–9.18), Flu-based regimen (P=0.001; HR 0.21 (95%CI 0.08–0.54) and use of pentostatin (P=0.02; HR 0.34 (95%CI 0.13–0.85). MV for aGVHD-free survival: age ≥60yrs (P=0.039; HR 3.43 (95%CI 1.06–11.1), Flu-based regimen (P=0.0027; HR 0.09 (95%CI 0.02–0.43), use of pentostatin (P=0.003; HR 0.22 (95%CI 0.08–0.6) and CP CML (P=0.004; HR 0.06 (95%CI 0.01–0.41). S and EFS for 10/10 matched pts were improved with Flu-based regimen (p=0.01), and higher infused TNC dose (p=0.02). aGVHD-free survival was improved by using reduced intensity regimens (p=0.004) and worsened by presence of 2 DPB1 mismatches (1.18 mo vs not reached; HR=3.43; p=0.08). Conclusion: A combination of donor selection by high-resolution typing, less toxic preparative regimens and improved GVHD prophylaxis can optimize outcomes in this high-risk disease context.
Basic properties of solitary waves in granular crystals

Abstract We consider a chain of lightly contacting identical spherical elastic granules and provide explicit analytical expressions to fully characterize solitary waves (SWs) that may be generated in the chain by an impact or an applied shock force. These SWs consist of individual packages of linear momentum/energy transmitted across the granules through Hertzian contacts. They are nonlinear translational waves (involving no vibrations) that propagate through the granular chain without distortion, i.e., without any temporal evolution in shape or size. In particular, we focus on a fully-formed SW and provide analytical expressions for the associated peak value as well as the time variation of the granules’ displacement, velocity, acceleration, and compressive contact force acting across any two contacting granules. In addition, by considering a SW as an “effective particle”, we provide explicit analytical expressions for its linear momentum, total energy, equivalent (or effective) mass and effective velocity. All of the above mentioned results are shown to depend only on the peak value of the SW's contact force and the properties of the granules, i.e., their diameter, density, and elastic moduli. Then we provide a simple recipe to calculate the peak value of the SW's contact force in terms of a given shock force. Finally, we check by numerical simulations the accuracy of the analytical predictions.
Echocardiographic right ventricular function correlations with cardiac catheterisation data in biventricular congenital heart patients

Background Newer echocardiographic techniques may allow for more accurate assessment of right ventricular function. Adult studies have correlated these echocardiographic measurements with invasive data, but minimal data exist in the paediatric congenital heart population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate echocardiographic measurements that correlate best with right ventricular systolic and diastolic catheterisation parameters. Methods Patients with two-ventricle physiology who underwent simultaneous echocardiogram and cardiac catheterisation were included in this study. Right ventricular systolic echocardiographic data included fractional area change, displacement, tissue Doppler imaging s’ wave, global longitudinal strain, and strain rate s’ wave. Diastolic echocardiographic data included tricuspid E and A waves, tissue Doppler imaging e’ and a’ waves, and strain rate e’ and a’ waves. E/tissue Doppler imaging e’, tissue Doppler imaging e’/tissue Doppler imaging a’, E/strain rate e’, and strain rate e’/strain rate a’ ratios were also calculated. Catheterisation dP/dt was used as a marker for systolic function and right ventricular end-diastolic pressure for diastolic function. Results A total of 32 patients were included in this study. The median age at catheterisation was 3.1 years (0.3–17.6 years). The DP/dt was 493±327 mmHg/second, and the right ventricular end-diastolic pressure was 7.7±2.4 mmHg. There were no significant correlations between catheterisation dP/dt and systolic echocardiographic parameters. Right ventricular end-diastolic pressure correlated significantly with strain rate e’ (r=−0.4, p=0.02), strain rate a’ (r=−0.5, p=0.03), and E/tissue Doppler imaging e’ (r=0.4, p=0.04). Conclusion Catheterisation dP/dt did not correlate with echocardiographic measurements of right ventricular systolic function. Strain rate and tissue Doppler imaging analysis significantly correlated with right ventricular end-diastolic pressure. These values should be further studied to determine whether they may be used as an alternative method to estimate right ventricular end-diastolic pressure in this patient population.
100% Fruit juice and measures of glycemic control and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Fruit juices are nutrient dense foods providing a range of micronutrients and bioactive substances. Nutritional guidance, however, typically recommends limited consumption of fruit in the form of j...
Abstract 516: Intestinal Cell Gastrin Secretion is Regulated by a Sodium-Induced Increase in PPAR-A that is Mediated by Dopaminergic Stimulation

Recently a novel gastro-renal axis has been discovered for the regulation of renal sodium excretion at the moment of sodium ingestion. Cells in the digestive track secrete gastrin in response to so...
Lipid Membranes: From Self-assembly to Elasticity

In aqueous solution, lipid molecules spontaneously assemble into macroscopic bilayer membranes, which have highly interesting mechanical properties. In this chapter, we first discuss some basic aspects of this self-assembly process. In the second part, we then revisit and slightly expand a well-known continuum-level theory that describes the elastic properties pertaining to membrane geometry and lipid tilt. We then illustrate in part three several conceptually different strategies for how one of the emerging elastic parameters—the bending modulus—can be obtained in computer simulations.
William Campbell Steere

William Campbell Steere, born on November 4, 1907 in southern Michigan, comes from a long line of pioneering-naturalist Irish-Quaker ancestors. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Beal Steere, was a professor of zoology and paleontology at the University of Michigan. Bill’s maternal grandfather, William Aulls Campbell, was a faculty member of the medical school at the University of Michigan. Many of Bill’s other relatives, both of blood and by marriage, of past and present, have been or are involved in academic pursuits. However, it was his grandfather, Prof. J. B. Steere, who provided much of the inspiration for Bill’s entrance into botany. Professor Steere visited the Amazon basin, the Pacific coast of South America, the East Indies, China, and the Philippines, and was the first Westerner to visit the interior of Taiwan. His voluminous zoological collections formed the foundation of the University of Michigan’s Museum of Zoology.
A REVIEW OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL IN VITRO CELL STRETCH PLATFORMS

The focus of this paper is to describe the mechanism and behavior of two-dimensional in vitro cell stretch platforms, as well as discussing designs for the evaluation of mechanical properties of cells. It is extremely important to understand the cellular response to extrinsic mechanical forces as living biological system is constantly subjected to mechanical forces in vivo. In addition, this mechanistic understanding of cellular response will provide valuable information towards the design and fabrication of bioengineered tissues and organs, which are expected to replace and/or aid bodily functions. This paper will primarily focus on the development, advantages and limitations of two-dimensional cell stretch platforms.
CAN Authorization Using Message Priority Bit-Level Access Control

The controller area network (CAN) is widely used to interconnect electronic components of cyber-physical systems, such as automobiles. It was designed to suffice near-real-time requirements, which makes it an attractive choice for the transportation industry. However, CAN lacks means to authenticate transmitted messages and as such is vulnerable to a variety of attacks. In this paper, we consider a scenario in which one node is compromised and is sending illicit messages across the bus. We propose a solution that leverages the existing CAN specifications by employing the standards error handling and fault confinement properties to enforce authorization. The proposed solution limits the efficacy of an adversarial node on the network, without negatively affecting bit time during normal operations or compliance with the base standard. Our analysis shows that a malicious node can be identified and denied access to the bus after 37 consecutive messages. For even the slowest bus speeds of 10kbps, our solution reduces the downtime experienced from a denial of service attack to be less than one second.
Stabilization of Silty Clayey Dredged Material

AbstractThis paper compares experimental results on the stabilization of clayey dredged material (DM) using quicklime (QL), hydrated lime (HL), portland cement (PC), and Class F fly ash (FA). The D...
Moving Beyond Naïve Foreclosure Analysis

Over the past several decades, antitrust law has shifted from predation to exclusion as the predominant competitive risk associated with single-firm conduct. This shift is attributable to the rise of Raising Rivals’ Costs (“RRC”) as the modern economic paradigm for understanding the potential anticompetitive concerns associated with exclusionary contracts. Courts in exclusion cases have long analyzed the extent to which a defendant’s distribution contracts foreclose rivals from a critical input by calculating the percentage of the input market contractually committed to the defendant and therefore presumptively foreclosed from rival suppliers. I describe this measure as the “naive foreclosure” rate. RRC provided a more economically sophisticated approach to assessing the competitive risks associated with exclusion, while also embracing possible efficiencies of such arrangements. However, while RRC replaced the discredited foreclosure theories within economics, the naive foreclosure requirement embraced by the law has barely changed over the last half century. What is left is a mismatch between new economic theories and obsolete doctrine. The primary purpose of this Article is to highlight this conflict and its importance and to propose the beginnings of a solution consistent with the modern approach focusing upon identifying the direct competitive impact of the restraint rather than unreliable proxies detached from economic theory. This Article proposes abandonment of the naive foreclosure measure in favor of a “but-for foreclosure” approach that assesses the net impact of the restraint at issue and isolates out other factors influencing the availability of distribution to rivals.
Non-gadolinium Perfusion Technique (Arterial Spin Labeling)

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that allows a noninvasive quantitative measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF). In clinical applications, ASL has been demonstrated to provide reproducible and reliable CBF measurements of several neurological diseases. In comparison with conventional approaches that use radioactive tracers or paramagnetic contrast agents, ASL is completely noninvasive and, therefore, more cost efficient for the hospital and patients. Furthermore, the noninvasive nature of ASL makes it highly repeatable, suitable for routine clinical practice. The repeatability and high temporal resolution also make ASL an excellent candidate technique for functional studies in neuroscience. Although somewhat constrained by its inherent low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and limited spatial resolution, recent technical developments have made exceptional advancements in perfusion sensitivity and image resolution. The usage of ASL is expected to grow significantly in both clinical and research environments. In this chapter, the general principles of ASL and specific implementations, with advantages and pitfalls, are discussed.
11.30 – Environment/Drug-Induced Human Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune diseases comprise a broad spectrum of disorders that share the common basic mechanism of an uncontrolled response to ‘self.’ While there are some instances where there is a clear genetic predisposition to development of autoimmune disease in humans, for the most part the mechanisms and contributing factors are as complex as the diseases themselves. It seems likely that the greatest proportion of susceptibility to autoimmune disease is due to external, environmental agents, the focus of this chapter. Included in the discussion are environmental agents such as drugs, metals and inorganic compounds, organic compounds, foods, and occupational exposures.
Managing university rank and tenure decisions using a multi-criteria decision-making approach

Faculty evaluation in academia is a serious concern for higher-education administrators. This study develops a model for rank and tenure (R&T) decisions using an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach. Literature review suggests most R&T evaluations are rather subjective in many institutions. A case method approach is used for the development of a model and demonstration of its use. The proposed evaluation model provides objectivity, transparency and customisation for R&T committee decisions in higher-education institutions.