cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
1416 VISCOSITY REGULATES CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW INDEPENDENTLY OF ARTERIAL OXYGEN CONTENT

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) falls as hematocrit (Hct) rises. Investigators have differed on the relative importance of the increases in arterial oxygen content (CaO2) and blood viscosity (η) in mediating the fall in CBF. In a previous abstract (Pediatr. Res. 18:377A, 1984) we reported preliminary work in newborn lambs and concluded that the increase in η as Hct rose from 20% to 40% accounted for 45% of the decrease in CBF. Subsequent studies have confirmed this finding. In 18 lambs we performed an isovolemic exchange transfusion with pure methemoglobin containing adult sheep red cells and raised Hct (19.8±0.3 vs 39.0±0.5%; X±SEM) and η (2.6±0.1 vs 4.3±0.2 centipoise: shear rate=230/sec) with minimal increase in CaO2 (9.3±0.2 vs 10.2±0.2 vol%). Other variables known to influence CBF (PaCO2, pH, P50, mean arterial blood pressure) did not change. Similarly, cerebral O2 consumption (CMRO2) was constant. The fall in CBF (microsphere technique: 141±8 vs 103±5 ml/100g/min) must be attributed to the increase in η alone. On the basis of 18 lambs we calculate that the increase in η accounts for 64% of the decrease in CBF as Hct rises from 20% to 40%. The effect of η varied widely among animals, but correlated closely (r = 0.81) with the baseline cerebral fractional O2 extraction E = [CMRO2/(CBFxCaO2)]. Animals with the most luxuriant oxygen supply (CBFxCaO2) relative to demand (CMRO2) had the greater decrements in CBF.
The role of tumor progression locus 2 protein kinase in glial inflammatory response

Tumor progression locus 2 (Tpl2)/cancer Osaka thyroid kinase is a newer member of MAP3K family that is now known for its essential role in tumor necrosis factor-aplha (TNFα) expression in macrophages, but its pro-inflammatory signaling, if any, in glia is unknown. When cultures of murine microglia and astrocytes were exposed to lipopolysaccharide, there was a rapid activation (i.e., phosphorylation) of Tpl2 in parallel to the activation of down-stream effector MAPKs, that is, extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), p38 MAPK and C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Pre-incubation of the cultures with a Tpl2 inhibitor selectively suppressed the activation of the primary down-stream target, that is, ERK relative to p38 MAPK and JNK. That Tpl2 activation was functionally involved in glial inflammatory response was indicated by a reduced release of the cytokines, i.e. TNFα and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the presence of the kinase inhibitor. Furthermore, over-expression of a wild-type Tpl2 construct in C-6 glia resulted in an enhanced transcriptional activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase, while transfection with a dominant negative form of Tpl-2 had the opposite effect. The findings assign an important pro-inflammatory signaling function for Tpl2 pathway in glial cells.
Trajectory generation for aircraft subject to dynamic weather uncertainty

Determining safe aircraft trajectories that avoid hazardous weather regions and other aircraft while efficiently using the available airspace is an important problem. Although tactical weather forecast maps have been available, their use in automated aircraft trajectory generation has not been fully explored or implemented. We consider aircraft trajectory generation using forecast data available from the Corridor Integrated Weather System product. The forecasts, updated at regular intervals, are used to design no-fly regions. We propose a receding horizon trajectory generation based on the dynamic nature of the forecast. Our method uses current environment information and incrementally updated forecast to update and optimize the trajectories. Simulations are shown based on forecast weather and indicate the advantage of taking into account time-varying forecasts in the planning horizon.
Quantitative analyses of interbreeding in populations of vannus-morphotype Euplotes, with special attention to the nominal species E. vannus and E. crassus

. Classical genetic techniques were applied to clonal cultures of the Euplotes vannus-crassus-minuta sibling species complex in an effort to provide some resolution to the species problem among these hypotrichs. Complex mating interactions were observed among clonal stock cultures derived from samples collected from sympatric and allopatric populations in a wide geographic survey. These results suggested that the classical model for the mating type inheritance and determination in these Euplotes is necessary but not sufficient to describe the mating mating interactions among populations of these ciliates. Successful conjugation between the nominal species E. crassus and E. vannus was observed routinely, and crosses between these two nominal species did not differ significantly from those among the other clonal stock cultures with respect to mating intensity and exconjugant survival. Data from backcrosses suggests that E. vannus and E. crassus can and do exchange genes. Based upon these data, we conclude that E. vannus and E. crassus comprise a single, highly polymorphic species with countless small populations, among which incomplete genetic exchange takes place.
Solution structure of duplex DNA containing a β-carba-Fapy-dG lesion.

The addition of hydroxyl radicals to the C8 position of guanine can lead to the formation of a 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamido-2′-deoxypyrimidine (Fapy-dG) lesion, whose endogenous levels in cellular DNA rival those of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine. Despite its prevalence, the structure of duplex DNA containing Fapy-dG is unknown. We have prepared an undecameric duplex containing a centrally located β-cFapy-dG residue paired to dC and determined its solution structure by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy and restrained molecular dynamic simulations. The damaged duplex adopts a right-handed helical structure with all residues in an anti conformation, forming Watson–Crick base pair alignments, and 2-deoxyribose conformations in the C2′-endo/C1′-exo range. The formamido group of Fapy rotates out of the pyrimidine plane and is present in the Z and E configurations that equilibrate with an approximate 2:1 population ratio. The two isomeric duplexes show similar lesion-induced deviations from a canonic...
H-NOX–mediated nitric oxide sensing modulates symbiotic colonization by Vibrio fischeri

The bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri initiates a specific, persistent symbiosis in the light organ of the squid Euprymna scolopes. During the early stages of colonization, V. fischeri is exposed to host-derived nitric oxide (NO). Although NO can be both an antimicrobial component of innate immunity and a key signaling molecule in eukaryotes, potential roles in beneficial host–microbe associations have not been described. V. fischeri hnoX encodes a heme NO/oxygen-binding (H-NOX) protein, a member of a family of bacterial NO- and/or O2-binding proteins of unknown function. We hypothesized that H-NOX acts as a NO sensor that is involved in regulating symbiosis-related genes early in colonization. Whole-genome expression studies identified 20 genes that were repressed in an NO- and H-NOX–dependent fashion. Ten of these, including hemin-utilization genes, have a promoter with a putative ferric-uptake regulator (Fur) binding site. As predicted, in the presence of NO, wild-type V. fischeri grew more slowly on hemin than a hnoX deletion mutant. Host-colonization studies showed that the hnoX mutant was also 10-fold more efficient in initially colonizing the squid host than the wild type; similarly, in mixed inoculations, it outcompeted the wild-type strain by an average of 16-fold after 24 h. However, the presence of excess hemin or iron reversed this dominance. The advantage of the mutant in colonizing the iron-limited light-organ tissues is caused, at least in part, by its greater ability to acquire host-derived hemin. Our data suggest that V. fischeri normally senses a host-generated NO signal through H-NOXVf and modulates the expression of its iron uptake capacity during the early stages of the light-organ symbiosis.
A Scalable Index Architecture for Supporting Multi-Dimensional Range Queries in Peer-to-Peer Networks

Distributed hash table based peer-to-peer systems are emerging as new paradigms for building large-scale distributed applications, due to their scalability, fault-tolerance and self-organization. However, most existing DHTs are designed for exact-key searching, and the support of multi-dimensional range queries in peer-to-peer networks is still a challenging problem. In this paper, we propose a distributed index architecture called Dak to support range queries on multi-dimensional data. Based on efficient space mapping and query routing mechanisms, Dak can provide a scalable platform to support any number of indexes with different dimensionalities. Significantly, this architecture does not need to generate or maintain any search trees. Instead, it exploits the embedded trees in the underlying distributed hash tables to refine and deliver queries. To deal with skewed data distribution, we also provide load-balancing mechanisms to ensure that no node in the system is unduly loaded.
Malonyl-CoA decarboxylase from Streptomyces erythreus: purification, properties, and possible role in the production of erythromycin.

Abstract Malonyl-CoA decarboxylase was purified (800-fold) from an erythromycin-producing strain of Streptomyces erythreus using DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-100, SP-Sephadex, and gel filtration with Sephadex G-75. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was 93,000 as determined by gel filtration and the subunit molecular weight was 45,000 as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis, suggesting an α2 subunit composition for the native enzyme. Evidence is presented that during the purification procedure and storage a proteolytic cleavage occurred resulting in the formation of 30- and 15-kDa peptides. The enzyme showed a pH optimum of about 5.0 whereas the vertebrate enzyme showed an optimum at alkaline pH. The enzyme decarboxylated malonyl-CoA with a Km of 143 μ m and V of 250 nmol min−1 mg−1. For the decarboxylation of methylmalonyl-CoA this enzyme showed the opposite stereospecificity to that shown by vertebrate enzyme; the (R) isomer was decarboxylated at 3% of the rate observed with malonyl-CoA while the (S) isomer was not a substrate. Neither avidin nor biotin affected the rate of malonyl-CoA decarboxylation, suggesting that biotin is not involved in catalysis. Acetyl-CoA and free CoA were found to be competitive inhibitors. Propionyl-CoA, butyryl-CoA, succinyl-CoA, and methylmalonyl-CoA showed little inhibition, and neither thiol-directed reagents nor chelating agents inhibited the enzyme. High ionic strength and sulfate ions caused reversible inhibition of the enzymatic activity. Under two different cultural conditions the time course of appearance of malonyl-CoA decarboxylase was determined by measuring the enzyme activity and the level of the enzyme protein by an immunological method using rabbit antibodies prepared against the enzyme. In both cases the increase and decrease in the decarboxylase correlated with the rate of production of erythromycin, suggesting a possible role for this enzyme in the antibiotic production.
The Role of Margin Status and Reexcision in Local Recurrence Following Breast Conservation Surgery

Breast conservation surgery (BCS) results in survival equal to mastectomy for early-stage breast cancer. Ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) after BCS is thought to be related to margin status. At our institution, reexcision is performed only if tumor is at inked margin or with extensive disease close to multiple margins. The purpose of this study was to determine rates of reexcision and recurrences among BCS patients using this policy. We performed an institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis of BCS patients who underwent surgery between January 2001 and June 2005. We identified patients who had a second breast excision within 8 weeks of the first, and those patients with an IBTR. Clinical and pathologic features of patients’ tumors were reviewed. We identified 543 patients who underwent BCS, 84 patients (15.5 %) underwent reexcision for margin status. The crude IBTR rate was 3.4 %, and the 5-year local recurrence-free survival of the reexcised group was 90.6 % compared with 97.4 % in the non-reexcised group (p = 0.0097). Of the 64 reexcision patients, 6 (9.4 %) had an IBTR versus 12 (2.6 %) of the 459 non-reexcised patients (p = 0.0151). Our reexcision rate is low compared with other reports. This results from a policy that defines “no tumor on ink” as an adequate margin for BCS, and the use of selective irradiation boosts based on margins assessed by our pathologists. Our local recurrence rate compares favorably with those seen in other studies while minimizing the need for additional operations. A higher IBTR rate after reexcision likely reflects tumor biology.
Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary Event: ABSTRACT

All pelagic JOIDES cores penetrating the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary exhibit a major unconformity between the Cretaceous and Tertiary. The gaps in these cores are greater than most marine shelf sections, although all are paleontologically unconformable. Furthermore, calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy indicates that the Cretaceous-Tertiary hiatus is nearly identical in magnitude for these shelf sections. In a nearly continuous Cretaceous-Tertiary sequence in Alabama, almost all Cretaceous species disappear within 3 m of the boundary, or in about 105 years, assuming a pelagic sedimentation rate of 20 m/m.y. Observed nondeposition and/or dissolution at the top of the Cretaceous could have resulted from low carbonate production when widespread tectonic quiesce ce would yield low phytoplankton nutrient supplies. Low carbonate production began to raise compensation depth because O2 production curtailment in the oceans caused by phytoplankton depletion led to CO2 buildup in atmosphere and ocean. Quantitative nannofossil biostratigraphy shows cyclic fluctuations within a continuous uppermost Maestrichtian section in Alabama. With the 20 m/m.y. sedimentation rate, these are similar in duration to climatic variations predicted by astronomical insolation variations or "Milankovitch curves." It is postulated that an astronomical cycle of low insolation coinciding with widespread nutrient and carbonate depletion led to carbonate undersaturation in the photic zone, producing mass extinctions of nannoplankton and dependent groups at the close of the Cretaceous. The observed magnitude of the Cretaceous-Tertiary unconformity, as indicated by calcareous fossils, is a function of paleobathymetry, with pelagic sections having been below compensation depth longer than shelf sections and consequently exhibiting greater hiatuses. End_of_Article - Last_Page 370------------
Further studies on the utility of sodium hypochlorite in organic synthesis. Selective oxidation of diols and direct conversion of aldehydes to esters

Abstract Sodium hypochlorite in acetic acid solution selectively oxidizes secondary alcohols to ketones in the presence of primary alcohols and converts aldehydes to methyl esters in the added presence of methanol.
Effects of Chronic Prolactin Administration on Renal Hemodynamics in the Rat

Experiments were performed to measure the systemic and renal hemodynamic effects of chronic PRL administration to female rats (in which pseudopregnancy was induced) and male rats. Studies were performed in rats of the Munich-Wistar and Sprague-Dawley strains. In micropuncture studies under anesthesia, no differences were seen in plasma volumes or whole kidney or glomerular hemodynamics in PRL-injected rats compared to those sham-injected controls regardless of sex. In separate studies, observations were made in conscious, chronically catheterized female rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain. Neither the glomerular filtration rate nor the renal plasma flow rate was different on day 9 of PRL-induced pseudopregnancy compared to values in the control state in the same animals. Thus, PRL-induced pseudopregnancy does not cause increases in glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow rate, or single nephron GFR or its determinants, whereas in previous studies on pseudopregnancy resulting from a sterile mating, inc...
Destruction of psychrophilic strains of Bacillus by chlorine.

Abstract Resistance of spores to chlorine was studied with four strains of Bacillus that grew at low temperatures, and the resistance of vegetative cells was determined for one strain, Bacillus cereus . D Values determined from the straight portions of survival curves for spores of Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus laterosporus , and culture DPL treated with 150ppm chlorine at 25C and pH 7.0 were .45, .75, and .85min, respectively. At lower pH or higher temperatures the sporicidal action of chlorine was greater. D Values for B. cereus treated with 150ppm chlorine at pH 5.2, 7.0, and 8.0 were .l0, .25, and 1.10min, respectively, in tests run at 25C, and .10 and .15min in tests run at 75 and 50C (pH 7.0). The influences of increased temperature and lowered pH were additive. At pH 5.2 and 75C, 25ppm chlorine reduced the viable count of spores four decimal reductions in 1min. and hipher concentrations of 0 chlorine were even more germicidal. Vegetative cells adjusted to pH 7.0 and treated at 25C were destroyed rapidly by 5 or 10ppm chlorine.
Isolation of Properdin From Human Plasma.

SummaryMethods have been presented for the preparation of properdin from resin-collected and from ACD plasma by the application of the zymosan adsorption technic of Pillemer et al. Preliminary data are presented suggesting the feasibility of the isolation of properdin from Cohn Fraction I without the use of zymosan.
A Teaching Attachment for Retinoscopy

A teaching attachment for a conventional streak retinoscope allows a second observer to view the retinoscopic reflex during retinoscopy. The device weighs 200 grams and is attached to the retinoscope by a semi-flexible, rotatable linkage. A beam splitter, one-power telescope, and erecting mirror form a displaced aerial image of the retinoscope peephole for the observer. With identical retinoscopic reflexes observed through the actual peephole and its aerial image, the device can be used to teach basic retinoscopy techniques to new refractionists, or to demonstrate subtle reflexes to more experienced observers.
Five grindelane diterpenoids from Grindelia acutifolia

Abstract Five new labdane diterpenoid acids, 6α-hydroxy-17-acetoxygrindelic acid, 6-oxo-17-acetoxygrindelic acid, 6α-hydroxy-17-isovaleroxygrindelic acid, 6α-hydroxy-17-(α-methylbutyroxy)grindelic acid and 6-oxo-17-isobutyroxygrindelic acid, were shown to be present in Grindelia acutifolia, mainly on the basis of comparisons of the spectra of their methyl ester derivatives with those of their 6-deoxy derivatives, several of which are major constituents of this plant species.
Radiochemical neutron activation analysis for certification of ion-implanted phosphorus in silicon.

A radiochemical neutron activation analysis procedure has been developed, critically evaluated, and shown to have the necessary sensitivity, chemical specificity, matrix independence, and precision to certify phosphorus at ion implantation levels in silicon. 32P, produced by neutron capture of 31P, is chemically separated from the sample matrix and measured using a β proportional counter. The method is used here to certify the amount of phosphorus in SRM 2133 (Phosphorus Implant in Silicon Depth Profile Standard) as (9.58 ± 0.16) × 1014 atoms·cm-2. A detailed evaluation of uncertainties is given.
Role of Hsp70 in regulation of stress‐kinase JNK: implications in apoptosis and aging

Cell protection from stresses by the major heat shock protein Hsp72 was previously attributed to its ability to prevent aggregation and to accelerate refolding of damaged proteins. This repair function of Hsp72 may play an important role in cell survival after extremely harsh protein damaging treatments leading to necrotic cell death. On the other hand, protein repair function of Hsp72 cannot explain how it protects cells from stresses which do not cause direct protein damage, e.g. some genotoxic agents. These stresses kill cells through activation of apoptosis, and Hsp72 increases cell survival by interfering with the apoptotic program. Recently it has been found that Hsp72 mediates suppression of a stress-activated protein kinase, JNK, an early component of stress-induced apoptotic signalling pathway. This finding provides the basis for the anti-apoptotic activity of Hsp72. These observations can explain increased stress sensitivity of aged cells in which compromised inducibility of Hsp72 leads to a loss of control of JNK activation by stresses and subsequently to a higher rate of apoptotic death.
Structure and regulation of Kit protein-tyrosine kinase—The stem cell factor receptor

Abstract Signaling by stem cell factor and Kit, its receptor, play important roles in gametogenesis, hematopoiesis, mast cell development and function, and melanogenesis. Moreover, human and mouse embryonic stem cells express Kit transcripts. Stem cell factor exists as both a soluble and a membrane-bound glycoprotein while Kit is a glycoprotein receptor protein-tyrosine kinase. The complete absence of stem cell factor or Kit is lethal. Gain-of-function mutations of Kit are associated with several human neoplasms including acute myelogenous leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, mastocytomas, and nasal T-cell lymphomas. Binding of stem cell factor to Kit results in receptor dimerization and activation of protein kinase activity. The activated receptor becomes autophosphorylated at tyrosine residues that serve as docking sites for signal transduction molecules containing SH2 domains. Kit activates Akt, Src family kinases, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, phospholipase Cγ, and Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinases. Kit exists in active and inactive conformations as determined by X-ray crystallography. Kit consists of an extracellular domain, a transmembrane segment, a juxtamembrane domain, and a protein kinase domain that contains an insert of about 80 amino acid residues. The juxtamembrane domain inhibits enzyme activity in cis by maintaining the control αC-helix and the activation loop in their inactive conformations. The juxtamembrane domain also inhibits receptor dimerization. STI-571, a clinically effective targeted protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, binds to an inactive conformation of Kit. The majority of human gastrointestinal stromal tumors have Kit gain-of-function mutations in the juxtamembrane domain, and most people with these tumors respond to STI-571. STI-571 binds to Kit and Bcr-Abl (the oncoprotein of chronic myelogenous leukemia) at their ATP-binding sites.
Standardizing the osteopathic practical

Abstract Part of the tasks of osteopathic educators is to evaluate students on their practical skill in performing osteopathic manipulative techniques (OMT) in a fair and standardized manner. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the process and components necessary to achieve these goals. Described in this manuscript is a summary of how this is implemented at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey: School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Polarization-encoded optical shadow-casting scheme: design of multioutput trinary combinational logic units

The input encoding algorithm of the polarization-encoded optical shadow-casting (POSC) scheme is modified to include the design of trinary combinational logic units. For illustration, the modified algorithm is deterministically employed in the design of trinary adders. Two design approaches are examined for identifying the constraints and flexibilities that are encountered depending on whether the zero-output conditions are considered. The more complicated POSC overlap equations are handled by incorporating LED source encoding to the input encoding process.
Protective effect of the specific thromboxane receptor antagonist, BM-13505, in reperfusion injury following acute myocardial ischemia in cats

The ability of BM-13505, 4-[2-(4-chlorobenzenesulfonylamino) ethyl]-benzene acetic acid), a specific thromboxane/endoperoxide receptor antagonist, to protect the myocardium against ischemia and reperfusion injury, was assessed in an anesthetized cat model. Cats were rendered ischemic by left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation for 1 1/2 hours followed by reperfusion for 4 1/2 hours. BM-13505 or its vehicle (i.e., Na2CO3) was administered intravenously 30 minutes before reperfusion at a rate of 1 mg/kg followed by 1 mg/kg/hr. BM-13505 significantly (p less than 0.001) reduced the area of ischemic tissue as a percent of total left ventricular mass and total area at risk, without altering basic hemodynamics (i.e., arterial blood pressure, heart rate, or their product) and thereby not influencing myocardial oxygen demand. The mechanism of the protective effect of the thromboxane receptor antagonist appears to be cytoprotective but may involve the prevention of neutrophil-induced cellular damage.
Self-catalyzed vapor–liquid–solid growth of InP1−xSbx nanostructures

Abstract We report the growth of InP 1− x Sb x nanowires, cones, and pillars via the vapor–liquid–solid process using metalorganic precursors and liquid indium as the catalyst. The as-grown nanostructure morphology, crystallinity, and composition were determined using electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. We obtained pure zinc blende structured InP 1− x Sb x wires at ∼360 °C, while cones and pillars with a mixture of zinc blende and wurtzite structures were formed at higher temperatures. The Sb content in the nanowires, estimated from the diffraction data, was 12 at%. This concentration and wurtzite phase fraction increased with increasing growth temperature.
Low level of self-reported physical activity in ambulatory patients new to dialysis

Physical inactivity contributes to the frailty and the decline in function that develops over time among patients with end-stage renal disease. We assessed physical activity among 1547 ambulatory patients new to dialysis in the United States Renal Data System Comprehensive Dialysis Study. We used a self-reporting Human Activity Profile that included Maximal and Adjusted Activity Scores and compared results to established norms by age and gender. Physical activity was found to be extremely low with scores for all age and gender categories below the 5th percentile of healthy individuals and 95% of patients had scores consonant with low fitness. Older age, female gender, diabetes, atherosclerotic disease, and a low level of education were associated with lower activity scores assessed by univariate and multivariable linear regression analysis. Higher serum albumin, creatinine, and lower body mass index, but not hemoglobin levels, were associated with greater physical activity. By multivariable analysis, patients on hemodialysis using a catheter reported lower levels of physical activity compared to those on peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis using an arteriovenous fistula, or with a graft. Lower Maximal and Adjusted Activity Scores were associated with poor physical function and mental health. Hence, physical activity is distressingly low among patients new to dialysis. Thus, strategies to enhance activity in these patients should be explored.
Unequal Error Protection Based on DVFS for JSCD in Low-Power Portable Multimedia Systems

This article presents a low-power decoder design for joint source-channel decoding (JSCD) based on a novel unequal error protection (UEP) scheme over additive white gaussian noise (AWGN) channels. Conventional JSCD schemes, adopting low-density parity check (LDPC) codes for multimedia devices, typically operate at a fixed-time decoding loop, regardless of the quality of data received. We present a JSCD scheme that achieves reduction in power through minimum energy decoding and dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS). Consequently, up to 39p power reduction is achieved in Foreman, Akiyo, and Mobile video streams without performance degradation in reconstructed video quality.
SU-E-T-499: Validation of the Varian Generic Phase Space Files for Monte Carlo Calculations of Dose Distributions for the TrueBeam Linac Head.

Purpose: To validate the generic phase space files for Varian TrueBeam linac head simulations. Methods: The generic phase space files include the simulation results of 6MV, 10MV, 6MV FFF, and 10MV FFF (flattening‐filter free) operating modes of TrueBeam for patient‐independent linac head components. Using the generic phase space files as the radiationsources, the BEAMnrc Monte Carlo codes are used to simulate the patient‐dependent parts of the TrueBeam linac and the resulting phase space files are generated at a plane just before entering a water phantom for 4 different field sizes (5×5, 10×10, 20×20, and 40×40 cm2). Dose distributions are calculated by DOSXYZnrc in the water phantom of size 50×50×40 cm3. The percentage‐depth‐dose (PDD) curves and lateral dose profiles at three different depths (dmax, 10cm, 20cm) are obtained. Comprehensive comparisons have been made for a total of 64 dose profiles (including PDDs) between the Monte Carlo calculations and the measured data. The gamma index analysis is performed for all the comparisons. Results: The matching of the calculated dose distributions to the measured ones is analyzed by the gamma index method with a criterion of 2% dose tolerance and 2 mm distance‐to‐agreement. Of the 64 comparisons, the minimum gamma index passing rate is at least 92%, after taking into account the statistical nature of the Monte Carlo calculated dose values. Despite the existence of latent variance of phase space files, the phantom dose calculation uncertainty can be less than 1% for field sizes as small as 5×5 cm2. The computing time saved by using phase space files could be a factor of 5–10. Conclusions: The Varian generic phase space files are accurate and efficient radiationsources for Monte Carlo calculations of radiation dose distributions for TrueBeam linac head. This work was supported in part by Varian Medical Systems and the NIH (1R01 CA104205 and 1R21 CA153587).
Familial diaphragmatic agenesis: An autosomal-recessive syndrome with a poor prognosis

Diaphragmatic agenesis is a severe form of congenital diaphragmatic hernia for which an autosomal recessive form of inheritance has been proposed. The authors report six families with 13 pregnancies with diaphragmatic agenesis in which inheritance followed an autosomal recessive pattern, including the first reported case of bilateral diaphragmatic agenesis in twins. None of the thirteen affected fetuses survived. Familial diaphragmatic agenesis appears to be a distinct clinical entity with a worse prognosis than posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia.
Forecasting municipal solid waste generation in a fast-growing urban region with system dynamics modeling

Both planning and design of municipal solid waste management systems require accurate prediction of solid waste generation. Yet achieving the anticipated prediction accuracy with regard to the generation trends facing many fast-growing regions is quite challenging. The lack of complete historical records of solid waste quantity and quality due to insufficient budget and unavailable management capacity has resulted in a situation that makes the long-term system planning and/or short-term expansion programs intangible. To effectively handle these problems based on limited data samples, a new analytical approach capable of addressing socioeconomic and environmental situations must be developed and applied for fulfilling the prediction analysis of solid waste generation with reasonable accuracy. This study presents a new approach--system dynamics modeling--for the prediction of solid waste generation in a fast-growing urban area based on a set of limited samples. To address the impact on sustainable development city wide, the practical implementation was assessed by a case study in the city of San Antonio, Texas (USA). This area is becoming one of the fastest-growing regions in North America due to the economic impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The analysis presents various trends of solid waste generation associated with five different solid waste generation models using a system dynamics simulation tool--Stella. Research findings clearly indicate that such a new forecasting approach may cover a variety of possible causative models and track inevitable uncertainties down when traditional statistical least-squares regression methods are unable to handle such issues.
A Comparison of Bronchodilator Therapy Delivered by Nebulization and Metered-Dose Inhaler in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Background The optimal method of delivering bronchodilators in mechanically ventilated patients is unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the pulmonary bioavailability of albuterol delivered by the nebulizer, the metered-dose inhaler (MDI) and spacer, and the right-angle MDI adaptor in ventilated patients using urinary analysis of drug levels. Methods Mechanically ventilated patients who had not received a bronchodilator in the previous 48 h and who had normal renal function were randomized to receive the following: (1) five puffs (450 μg) of albuterol delivered by the MDI with a small volume spacer; (2) five puffs of albuterol delivered by the MDI port on a right-angle adaptor; or (3) 2.5 mg albuterol delivered by a nebulizer. Urine was collected 6 h after the administration of the drug, and the amounts of albuterol and its sulfate conjugate were determined in the urine by a chromatographic assay. Results Thirty patients were studied, 10 in each group: their mean age and serum creatinine level were 62 years and 1.3 mg/dL, respectively. With the MDI and spacer, (mean ± SD) 169 ± 129 μg albuterol (38%) was recovered in the urine; with the nebulizer, 409 ± 515 μg albuterol (16%) was recovered in the urine; and with the MDI port on the right-angle adaptor, 41 ± 61 μg albuterol (9%) was recovered in the urine (p = 0.02 between groups). The level of albuterol in the urine was below the level of detection in four patients in whom the drug was delivered using the right-angle MDI adaptor. Conclusion The three delivery systems varied markedly in their efficiency of drug delivery to the lung. As previous studies have confirmed, this study has demonstrated that using an MDI and spacer is an efficient method for delivering inhaled bronchodilators to the lung. The pulmonary bioavailability was poor with the right-angle MDI port. This port should not be used to deliver bronchodilators in mechanically ventilated patients.
Fibronectin levels in male ejaculate and evidence for its role in unexplained infertility

Abstract Vasovasostomy has become a popular and highly successful method of restoring fertility to those who have undergone a vasectomy. However, there is a high correlaton between vasostomy and antisperm antibody production leading to spontaneous sperm agglutination and immobilization. There is still considerable disagreement on whether antibodies are the primary causative agent. Our study provides evidence that fibronectin, a ubiquitous glycoprotein whose major function is cell-to-cell adhesion, could be a “subfertility” factor and contribute to male “unexplained infertility.” Semen from control, random, and vasovasostomy populations was studied using a sophisticated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results show that fibronectin is significantly present in all groups. The mean concentrations (μg/mL) were 753.9 for control, 566.4 for random, followed by significantly higher 1267.3 for the vasovasostomy group (p
Radiative transfer in CO2-rich paleoatmospheres

[1] Calculations of radiative transfer in CO2-rich atmospheres are central to modeling the early climate of Earth and Mars. Line-by-line radiative transfer models are the most accurate means of carrying out such calculations and provide the basis for all other radiative transfer approaches. We examine the sensitivity of line-by-line results to three parameterizations of line and continuum absorption by CO2, all of which yield essentially identical radiation fluxes at low CO2 abundance. However, when applied to atmospheres containing 0.1–5 bars of CO2, appropriate for early Earth and Mars, the outgoing longwave radiation calculated with the three parameterizations differs by as much as 40 W m−2. In addition, the choice of parameters for CO2 absorption affects the sensitivity of the calculations to infrared absorption by trace gases other than CO2. Our findings imply that previous estimates of the amount of CO2 required to maintain relatively warm temperatures throughout Earth's early history and during episodes in the early history of Mars are highly uncertain. Despite these uncertainties, we conclude that early Mars probably required other infrared absorbers to reach super-freezing surface temperatures, while for the early Earth, this is not necessarily the case.
Modeling the relationships between land use and land cover on private lands in the Upper Midwest, USA

This paper presents an approach to modeling land-cover change as a function of land-use change. We argue that, in order to model the link between socio-economic change and changes in forest cover in a region that is experiencing residential and recreational development and agricultural abandonment, land-use and land-cover change need to be represented as separate processes. Forest-cover change is represented here using two transition probabilities that were calculated from Landsat imagery and that, taken together, describe a Markov transition matrix between forest and non-forest over a 10-year period. Using a three-date land-use data set, compiled and interpreted from digitized parcel boundaries, and scanned aerial photography for 136 sites (c. 2500 ha) sampled from the Upper Midwest, USA, we test functional relationships between forest-cover transition probabilities, standardized to represent changes over a decade, and land-use conditions and changes within sample sites. Regression models indicated that about 60% of the variation in the average forest-cover transition probabilities (i.e. from forest to non-forest and vice versa) can be predicted using three variables: amount of agricultural land use in a site; amount of developed land use; and the amount of area increasing in development. In further analysis, time lags were evaluated, showing that agricultural abandonment had a relatively strong time-lag effect but development did not. We demonstrate an approach to using forest-cover transition probabilities to develop spatially-constrained simulations of forest-cover change. Because the simulations are based on transition probabilities that are indexed to a particular time and place, the simulations are improved over previous applications of Markov transition models. This modeling approach can be used to predict forest-cover changes as a result of socio-economic change, by linking to models that predict land-use change on the basis of exogenous human-induced drivers.
Design Time Validation of Service Orientation Principles Using Design Diagrams

Design principles of Services ensure reliability, scalability and reusability of software components. Services that follow the design principles are robust to changes and are largely reusable in multiple scenarios but in similar domains. To-date there is no systematic approach to apply these design principles to Services design that will ensure Service quality. Errors in Service design stage often pass through multiple levels of amplification to subsequent stages of development and maintenance. Early detection of Service design faults reduces the cumulative effect on succeeding stages of service development. It is important to validate that the Services follows the principles at design time. In this paper, we present a formal rigorous approach to check the adherence of the Services designed for an enterprise solution to the Service orientation principles using design diagrams. We introduce a set of "mapping rules" by which relevant aspects of design diagrams can be used for validating the Services' adherence to design principles. We also present the results of an empirical study to assess the feasibility of our new approach.
Prevalence and Characterization of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Retired National Football League Players

It has been hypothesized that exposure to repetitive head trauma from contact sports over a long-playing career may eventuate in an increased risk of late-life cognitive impairment. There are currently two competing hypotheses about the possible mechanism underlying such impairment. One is the presence of a unique neurodegenerative disorder known as ‘‘chronic traumatic encephalopathy’’ (CTE). The other is diminished cerebral reserve leading to the earlier clinical expression of age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease(AD). The present study examined informant AD8 inventory data in a sample of 513 retired National Football League(NFL) players. These data were indicative of possible cognitive impairment in 35.1% of this relatively young sample. A comparison of neurocognitive profiles in a subsample of this group to a clinical sample of patients with a diagnosis of MCI due to AD revealed a highly similar profile of impairments. Overall, the data suggest that there may be an increased prevalence of late-life cognitive impairment in retired NFL players, which may reflect diminished cerebral reserve. The findings are considered preliminary, but emphasize the need for larger, controlled studies on this issue.
Rise and Fall of the Zulu Power

The Zulu kingdom is not extinct. It survives in the imaginations of many Bantu people, and remains latent in their social practices. Historically, it is as old as modern France, but it remained an independent state for a brief seven decades, its glory ending in the Zulu War of 1879. The period is spanned by the reigns of five monarchical figures: Dingiswayo (c. 1808–1818), who laid the foundations; Shaka (1816–1828), who established the kingdom and ruled at the zenith of Zulu power; Dingane (1828–1840), who continued the despotism as European settlers began to entrench upon the Zulu domain; Mpande (1840–1872), whose sovereignty was limited by accommodation first to Boer, then to British, power; Cetshwayo (1872–1884), who sought to break free but lost independence in a war against the British. Shaka stands out as the greatest of them all—both Romulus and Napoleon to the Zulu people—and his legend has captured the imaginations of both European and African writers, inspiring novels, biographies, and historical studies in several tongues. As a violent autocrat he is both admired and condemned: admired by those who love conquerors, condemned by those who hate despots. The internal transformations wrought by his regime were accompanied by enormous devastation and dislocation throughout South and Central Africa, disrupting a third of the continent. Some estimates of the slaughter in Shaka's total wars and in the mass migrations caused by them have placed the number of dead at close to two million. It is also estimated that by 1820 Shaka had deprived some three hundred tribes of their independence, had commanded a force of more than a hundred thousand warriors, and had brought half a million souls under his rule. Several of his generals fled with their armies to make empires of their own. Thus, even after his day had passed, Shaka's influence remained, for his model of military despotism was replicated in kingdoms such as the Matebele under Mzilikazi in Southern Rhodesia and the Gasa (Shangane) under Soshangane in Portuguese East Africa, and in several groups of Ngoni north of the Zambezi River. These kingdoms for some years preserved the Zulu pattern, coupling internal despotic power with external military terrorism.
SLIC-a simulator for linear integrated circuits

A computer program for the simulation of linear integrated circuits (SLIC) is described. The program formulates and solves nonlinear equations for d.c. node voltages and transistor operating points; generates linearized small-signal circuit models; and solves for the poles, zeros, frequency response, and noise response of specified transfer functions. Temperature variations and operating point dependence can be effectively simulated.
A New Form of Social Withdrawal in Japan: a Review of Hikikomori

The purpose of this article is to provide a clinical review of a unique, emerging form of severe social withdrawal that has been described in Japan. This paper begins with a case vignette, then reviews the case definition, epidemiology, psychopathology, differential diagnosis, and treatment and management of the condition. Called hikikomori, it is well known to both the psychiatric community and general public in Japan but it has never been reviewed in the English medical literature. Patients are mostly adolescent and young adult men who become recluses in their parents' homes for months or years. They withdraw from contact with family, rarely have friends, and do not attend school or hold a job. Never described before the late 1970s, hikikomori has become a silent epidemic with tens, perhaps hundreds, of thousands of cases now estimated in Japan. The differential diagnosis includes anxiety and personality disorders, but current nosology in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders may not adequately capture the concept of hikikomori. Treatment strategies are varied and lack a solid evidence base, but often include milieu, family, and exposure therapy. Much further research, including population-based and prospective studies, needs to be conducted to characterize and provide an evidence base for treatment of this condition.
Mycoplasma bovis induces apoptosis of bovine lymphocytes

We report Mycoplasma bovis induces apoptotic death of bovine lymphocytes. Using flow cytometry analyzed propidium iodide inclusion we observed a loss in viable lymphocytes upon incubation of freshly isolated bovine PBMCs with M. bovis. The use of annexin V staining as well as TUNEL assays corroborated these findings. In addition, these assays indicated that the M. bovis induced lymphocyte death is apoptotic in nature. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the prokaryotic protein production inhibitor chloramphenicol inhibited lymphocyte death induced by M. bovis, showing that M. bovis protein production is necessary for the induction of lymphocyte death, and that the death is not dependent upon the addition of apoptotic inducers as shown with other mycoplasmas. We also show that M. bovis is different from other bovine mycoplasmas (both pathogenic and non-pathogenic) with regards to this characteristic.
Effect of histone on plasma unesterified fatty acids.

SummaryHistone influenced lipid transport in the same manner as protamine. In nonlipemic dogs, it failed to influence unesterified or esterified fatty acids, reversed the action of heparin on clearing activity, and opposed the elevation of unesterified fatty acids. In lipemic dogs, histone increased lipemia without affecting the unesterified fatty acids. In similar animals after heparin, histone reversed the action of heparin, increasing lipemia and decreasing clearing activity of the plasma and unesterified fatty acids.