cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solid solution in plumbous potassium oxysilicate affected by interaction of a lone pair with bond pairs

During explorations of the chemical crystallography of lead silicates, the synthetic phase K2Pb4Si8O21 (here KPS), attracted our attention. Clear crystals when ground under acetone produced fine needles and fluffy aggregates which resembled chrysotile asbestos and had elicited some earlier interest1. Evidence indicated tetragonal symmetry and despite several attempts no report of a successful structure solution has appeared. Indeed, the structure analysis proved to be a challenge, and revealed ∞1[Si8O20] tubular columns and [Pb2OPb4O24] clusters, the latter consisting of six Pb2+ cations situated on the vertices of a compressed octahedron. A novel feature is the occurrence of disordered (Pb2+, K+) as a ‘solid solution’, the Pb–K = 0.59 A separation being a consequence of the 6s2 Pb2+ lone pair acting on circumjacent bond pairs. In our initial experience, best convergences yielded the reliability index R ∼0.20. Unit cell parameters, space group and other structure cell criteria in Table 1 show good agreement between the present study and an earlier report2 on KPS and isostructural Pb2Pb4Si6Al2O21.
Mobility of Water in Starch Powders Determined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Comparaison des donnees de la RMN de l'O17 et l'H2 pour la mesure de la mobilite et de l'activite de l'eau au sein d'amidon de mais
Self-organizing "harmonic dominance stripes" in a spiking network model of the auditory system

A model of the auditory system was developed which implements spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP) [1] in a biologically realistic network of spiking excitatory Izhikevich neurons [2]. The model self-organizes in response to periodic sound and exhibits “harmonic dominance stripes” (Figure 1A) in the STDP connectivity matrix between the two layers of the network. These “harmonic dominance stripes” are akin to the activity
Germinal choice technology and the human future

This paper examines the likely impacts of emerging technologies that will give prospective parents the potential to directly influence the genetics of their offspring. My primary focus is on advanced prenatal genetic diagnosis (PGD) for both disease and non-disease traits, since this is likely to emerge before such possibilities as direct germline engineering. I place these technologies within the larger context of today's revolution in the life sciences and consider the progress likely to occur in this realm in the next few generations. I take a common sense look at the types of screening choices people are likely to make once these possibilities become possible, their broad consequences for human society, and the advantages and disadvantages of plausible regulatory paths in this realm. I also reflect upon today's debate about cloning and other such issues in the life sciences, looking at the driving forces behind these discussions and the tensions likely to develop in the next few decades.
Insertional mutagenesis in zebrafish: genes for development, genes for disease

In order to rapidly identify a substantial fraction of the genes with a unique and essential role in vertebrate development, the laboratory of Nancy Hopkins at MIT has performed a large insertional mutagenesis screen in zebrafish using a pseudotyped retroviral vector as the mutagen. We have recovered mutations in about one-quarter of the embryonic essential genes in this organism, and have identified the mutated genes in nearly all of these (333). As the ease of gene identification allowed us to clone the mutated genes for nearly all of the mutants rather than prioritizing based upon the initially observed phenotypes, this has provided an unbiased view of the diversity of genes required for vertebrate development as well as a large collection of mutants to be screened for more specific phenotypes. In collaboration with other labs, we have screened the insertional mutant for the development of a variety of organs and cell types, as well as phenotypes that could represent disease models, such as cystic kidney and hepatomegaly. Furthermore, while all of these mutants are embryonic lethal in their homozygous state, we are investigating the heterozygous adults for additional phenotypes, such as cancer predisposition.
Enduring cognitive, neurobehavioral and histopathological changes persist for up to one year following severe experimental brain injury in rats

Clinical studies have demonstrated that patients sustain prolonged behavioral deficits following traumatic brain injury, in some cases culminating in the cognitive and histopathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. However, few studies have examined the long-term consequences of experimental traumatic brain injury. In the present study, anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 185) were subjected to severe lateral fluid-percussion brain injury (n = 115) or sham injury (n = 70) and evaluated up to one year post-injury for cognitive and neurological deficits and histopathological changes. Compared with sham-injured controls, brain-injured animals showed a spatial learning impairment that persisted up to one year post-injury. In addition, deficits in specific neurologic motor function tasks also persisted up to one year post-injury. Immunohistochemistry using multiple antibodies to the amyloid precursor protein and/or amyloid precursor protein-like proteins revealed novel axonal degeneration in the striatum, corpus callosum and injured cortex up to one year post-injury and in the thalamus up to six months post-injury. Histologic evaluation of injured brains demonstrated a progressive expansion of the cortical cavity, enlargement of the lateral ventricles, deformation of the hippocampus, and thalamic calcifications. Taken together, these findings indicate that experimental traumatic brain injury can cause long-term cognitive and neurologic motor dysfunction accompanied by continuing neurodegeneration.
Evaluation of chemical factor analysis model validation techniques for FTIR spectroscopy cancer data matrices

Fourier transform infrared fiberoptic evanescent wave (FTIR- FEW) spectra, in the middle infrared (MIR) region, of human normal skin tissue, and melanoma and benign tumors were analyzed using chemical factor analysis (CFA). The first step in CFA is to determine the rank of the factor space and in this study several model validation techniques were employed. In particular we compare results obtained from Complete Cross Validation (CCV), Binary Cross Validation (BCV), Fisher variance ratios (F-Tests), Malinowiski indicator function (IND) and significance level (%SL). All methods' results were in agreement expect for F-Tests which differed with the other methods for normal skin tissue and melanoma tumors' rank. Using the two highest ranking eigenvectors for normal skin tissue as a basis set for cluster analysis, normal skin and melanoma tumors' clusters were well separated and localized in the two dimensional factor space. The projection of benign tumors' spectral points in this factor space revealed that some of the benign tumors had already regressed into either cancerous and other abnormal skin states. Furthermore the angular disparity between normal skin tissue and melanoma tumors' eigenvectors was successfully used to discriminate between the two skin states.
Thyrotropin responses to TRH and MHPG excretion before and after an electroconvulsive therapeutic course in depressed patients.

Abstract Lykouras, Lefteris, Manolis Markianos, John Hatzimanolis, Dimitris Malliaras and Costas Stefanis: Thyrotropin Responses to TRH and MHPG Excretion Before and After an Electroconvulsive Therapeutic Course in Depressed Patients. Prog. Neuro-Psychophamiacol & Biol. Psychiatry. 1992, 16(4):495–500. 1. 1. TSH response to TRH, and urinary MHPG were investigated before and after an ECT course in 12 female patients with endogenous depression. 2. 2. The changes caused by ECT treatment on these parameters were not significant. 3. 3. A positive correlation (r=0.75, p=0.005) was found between the changes in TSH response and the changes in urinary MHPG excretion.
AUDITORY EVOKED RESPONSES DURING DIFFERENT STAGES OF SLEEP IN MAN.

Abstract Responses to auditory stimuli can be recorded from the scalp of man in all stages of sleep. At the vertex, the mean peak latency of the first positive deflection (P1) occurs at 50 msec after stimulation; N1, at 100 msec; P2, at 175 msec; N2, at 325 msec; and P3 at 800 msec. The amplitude and latency of the components of longer latency (N2 and P3) increase during stages 2 through 4 sleep. The amplitude of the summed auditory evoked responses during the REM stage is considerably smaller than in the other stages and generally is of similar configuration to that of the awake state. Our results support the concept that the auditory evoked response during sleep represents summed K complexes.
Ninety-five percent probability of paternity with HLA, ABO and haptoglobins

Using HLA tissue typing as the basic genetic test along with ABO and haptoglobin typing, it is generally possible either to exclude a putative father conclusively or, in nonexclusion cases, to assign a greater than 95% probability of paternity. In 22 of 53 nonexclusion cases, the putative father had a probability of paternity above 99% based on these genetic tests.
Measuring Control Delay Components Using Second-by-Second GPS Speed Data

High-resolution vehicle speed profiles obtained from sophisticated devices such as global positioning system (GPS) receivers provide an opportunity to accurately measure intersection delay, composed of deceleration delay, stopped delay, and acceleration delay. Although the delay components can be measured by manually examining the speed profiles or derived time–space diagrams, identifying when vehicles begin to decelerate or stop accelerating is not always a straightforward task. In addition, a manual identification process may be laborious and time consuming when handling a large network or numerous runs. More importantly, the results from a manual process may not be consistent between analysts or even for a single analyst over time. This paper proposes a new approach to identifying control delay components based on second-by-second vehicle speed profiles obtained from GPS devices. The proposed approach utilizes both denoised speed and acceleration profiles for capturing critical points associated with e...
The Blalock-Taussig Operation: The Procedure of Choice in the Hypoxic Infant with Tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract From 1971 to 1975, 17 consecutive patients aged 1 day to 4 years underwent Blalock-Taussig shunts for severe tetralogy of Fallot. Three infants were under 6 weeks of age and 7 (41%) under 1 year. There were no hospital deaths. Modification of the shunt technique adapts it to any size infant. The subclavian artery is divided at its major branches and the end spatulated to enlarge it. The artery is occluded while the shunt is constructed. No intraoperative complications were encountered; all patients have a shunt murmur with no early or late closure. No child has had heart failure or hypoxic spells. Flows measured at operation equaled one-quarter to one-half of the child's normal cardiac output. Ligation of the shunt at subsequent repair is uncomplicated. One child died three years later at correction from causes unrelated to the shunt. With appropriate modifications in technique, the Blalock-Taussig shunt is the operation of choice, at any age, for palliation of severe tetralogy of Fallot.
Steady Versus Pulsatile Flow Modeling for Hemodynamics Based Stratification of a Population of Intracranial Aneurysms

Hemodynamics is thought to play a role in the initiation and subsequent growth of intracranial aneurysms. Hemodynamics of an aneurysm is strongly related to its underlying morphology, specifically, the size and shape of the aneurysm sac and its contiguous vasculature [1]. Although the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations of transient blood flow seemingly provide in depth information of intra-aneurysmal hemodynamics, the simulations are often computationally expensive and demand additional measurements or assumptions such as the temporal variations in boundary conditions. When a population of aneurysms, with distinct sizes and shapes, are being studied in order to stratify them according to hemodynamics, it is conceivable that steady flow simulations are as effective as pulsatile flow simulations, especially when anatomical information is the only patient-specific information available. The objective of this study is to compare steady versus pulsatile flow simulations for a controlled hypothetical population of aneurysms with realistic variation in sac morphology and contiguous vasculature.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
KRAS mutation screening in colorectal cancer: From paper to practice.

The identification of KRAS mutation status as a predictive biomarker for the activity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors in metastatic colorectal cancer has marked a turning point in the use of these agents in the clinic. A wealth of data indicates that patients with wild-type KRAS derive meaningful clinical benefit from cetuximab in first- and second–line settings and beyond, both in combination and as a single agent, and from panitumumab as a single agent in the refractory setting. Patients with KRAS-mutant tumors do not benefit from EGFR inhibition and should not be treated with these agents. KRAS mutation testing should be part of routine standard practice, preferably at the time of diagnosis or early in the course of management. Immediate knowledge of the KRAS mutation status of a tumor allows for the optimal incorporation of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (MoAb) therapy where it may be most beneficial for the patient, such as in downstaging regimens outside of the refractory setting where anti-EGFR MoAb therapy is otherwise typically indicated. Available technologies make this test relatively easy to implement; archival paraffin-embedded samples from primary or metastatic sites can be used indistinctly without compromising reliability and without the need for repeated biopsies. Several diagnostic laboratories provide KRAS testing services. This powerful selection tool reduces unnecessary toxicities and costs and should be part of the standard diagnostic workup of any patient.
Achieving Formal Parallel Program Debugging by Incentivizing CS/HPC Collaborative Tool Development

Many disruptive changes are happening in the arena of parallel computing, including the use of multiple compute element types (CPUs and GPUs), memory and interconnect types, as well as multiple concurrency models. In the face of these changes, cybersoftware development and debugging will become increasingly hard, requiring principled (formal) debugging approaches that are focused on anticipated classes of bugs. Academic research groups must play a central role in the creation of formal debugging solutions that are to become part of the nation's cyberinfrastructure. These solutions must be scalable and prove effective for debugging the parallel and distributed systems being planned for the coming decade. However, at present, there isn't a critical mass of academic groups engaged in designing such debugging solutions for HPC. In this paper, we summarize some of our own experiences in creating verification tools based on formal principles, pointing out the few instances in which we managed to impact practice. Our key observation is that our successes went hand-in-hand with collaborative tool development with practitioners. Seeking creative ways to facilitate such collaborations should therefore be high priority in our cyberinfrastructure roadmap.
Analysis of prazosin in plasma by a sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatographic‐fluorescence method

A specific high-performance liquid chromatographic-fluorescence method for the quantitative analysis of prazosin in plasma at concentrations down to 0.2 ng/ml is described. The method involves the coextraction of drug and an internal standard from alkalinized plasma followed by a simple purification step prior to evaporation and high-performance liquid chromatographic-fluorescence analysis. The method is sufficiently sensitive to allow pharmacokinetic analyses of 1-mg doses through five half-lives, with a relative standard deviation of 12%.
Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the skeletally immature: an anatomical study utilizing 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging reconstructions.

Introduction Anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has proven to be a reliable method to restore knee stability. However, the risk of physeal arrest with transphyseal tunnel placement in skeletally immature patients has raised concern regarding this technique. Conservative nonoperative management also has its limitations resulting in meniscal and chondral damage that may lead to degenerative joint disease and poor return to sport. Researchers have used animal models to study the threshold of physeal damage producing growth deformity. The purpose of this study was to examine the distal femoral and proximal tibial physes and determine the damage produced by drilling transphyseal tunnels. In addition, we attempted to find a reproducible angle at which to drill the tibial tunnel for safe interference screw placement. To do this, we used a custom software module.
Immunomodulatory cytokines as therapeutic agents for melanoma

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer whose worldwide incidence is rising faster than any other cancer. Few treatment options are available to patients with metastatic disease, and standard chemotherapeutic agents are generally ineffective. Cytokines such as IFN-α or IL-2 can promote immune recognition of melanoma, occasionally inducing dramatic and durable clinical responses. Here, we discuss several immunomodulatory agents, the safety of which are being evaluated in clinical trials. Challenges include an incomplete understanding of signaling pathways, appropriate clinical dose and route, and systemic immunosuppression in advanced melanoma patients. We consider how targeted cytokine therapy will integrate into the clinical arena, as well as the low likelihood of success of single cytokine therapies. Evidence supports a synergy between cytokine immunotherapy and other therapeutic approaches in melanoma, and strengthening this area of research will improve our understanding of how to use cytokine therapy better.
On the Identity of Spencebatea Abyssicola (Cumacea), with Additional Observations on the Genera Allied to Procampylaspis

ABSTRACT In 1879 Norman described Spencebatea abyssicola, new genus, new species, on the basis of a single specimen from a deep-sea site off Ireland. The species was transferred to the genus Cumella by Stebbing in 1913, where it has remained. A reexamination of the specimen indicated that it belongs to the genus Procampylaspis, since it possesses the recurved, tooth-bearing dactyl on maxilliped 2 which characterizes the genus. Seven other genera also exhibit modified dactyls on maxilliped 2, and, in addition, have styliform mandible molars, thus forming a coherent group within the family Nannastacidae.
Magnetic reconnection from a multiscale instability cascade.

Magnetic reconnection, the process whereby magnetic field lines break and then reconnect to form a different topology, underlies critical dynamics of magnetically confined plasmas in both nature and the laboratory. Magnetic reconnection involves localized diffusion of the magnetic field across plasma, yet observed reconnection rates are typically much higher than can be accounted for using classical electrical resistivity. It is generally proposed that the field diffusion underlying fast reconnection results instead from some combination of non-magnetohydrodynamic processes that become important on the ‘microscopic’ scale of the ion Larmor radius or the ion skin depth. A recent laboratory experiment demonstrated a transition from slow to fast magnetic reconnection when a current channel narrowed to a microscopic scale, but did not address how a macroscopic magnetohydrodynamic system accesses the microscale. Recent theoretical models and numerical simulations suggest that a macroscopic, two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic current sheet might do this through a sequence of repetitive tearing and thinning into two-dimensional magnetized plasma structures having successively finer scales. Here we report observations demonstrating a cascade of instabilities from a distinct, macroscopic-scale magnetohydrodynamic instability to a distinct, microscopic-scale (ion skin depth) instability associated with fast magnetic reconnection. These observations resolve the full three-dimensional dynamics and give insight into the frequently impulsive nature of reconnection in space and laboratory plasmas.
Abstract 3404: Exploring the role of Twist1 in the pathogenesis of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Background: MPM is caused by lethal neoplastic growth of the pleura surrounding lungs. It is resistance to most standard anti-cancer treatment regimens and needs discovery of newer therapeutic approaches. MPM is characterized by massive loco-regional invasion of the malignant pleural cells into the lung parenchyma. Twist1 is a transcription factor, which promotes invasion and metastasis of tumor cells, increases chemotherapeutic resistance and is involved in the pathobiology of many cancers. Also recent studies have highlighted the potential of twist1 as a therapeutic target in cancer. But there is no report investigating its function in mesothelioma. Methods: We extracted total RNA from 53 frozen resected tumor tissue specimens, comprised of 39 epitheloid, 7 sarcomatoid and 7 biphasic histotypes, along with paired normal tissue. The RNA was labeled and hybridized to Affymetrix U133 plus 2.0 microarray to obtain transcriptomic profiles. Bioinformatic analysis of the microarray data using a 2 sample t-test was applied, on a probe-by-probe basis followed by Beta-uniform Mixture for multiple comparisons, to determine the differences between tumor vs normal specimens. The microarray results were validated by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using Taqman assays on the ABI 7300 platform. For all qRT-PCR experiments the twist1 transcript levels were determined relative to endogenous GAPDH as control using ΔΔCT calculation. We performed Western blot analysis on a panel of 16 mesothelioma cell lines including Met-5A (SV-40 immortalized) and HCT-4012 (telomerase immortalized) pleural mesothelial control cell lines. Results: The bioinformatic analysis of microarray data showed that twist1 transcript level was 8.7 fold higher in tumors (p = 1.1E-16) compared to paired normal specimens. Using qRT-PCR, we compared twist1 transcript levels in 12 pairs of tumor vs paired normal tissue specimens and found that twist1 was upregulated to more than 10 fold in MPM tumors (p < E-4). Western blot showed that 10 MPM cancer cell lines had higher expression of twist1 protein compared to Met-5A and HCT-4012 cell lines. The highest expression was seen in 2 of the sarcomatoid cell lines - RS5 and DM3, suggesting a correlation with metastatic phenotype since sarcomatoid tumors are highly metastatic in nature. Conclusion: Our preliminary findings suggest that twist1 is upregulated in MPM tumors and cell lines and may play a role in the development of MPM. Further studies are needed to investigate its role in the process of tumorigenesis and metastasis. Supported by Grants: DoD W81XWH-07-1-0306 (I.I.W and AST), Fleming Foundation, IASLC Young Investigator Award 2011-2013 (MS). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3404. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3404
Effectiveness of catalytic archipelagos—I Regular arrays of regular islands

Abstract The interplay of the adsorption and desorption of reactants onto a catalytically active surface and their diffusion in that surface is an important process in catalysis. A surface with regularly distributed circular or rectangular catalyst islands in a plane has been investigated here under the assumption that the adsorbed reactant diffuses to the boundaries of the islands and disappears there by a first-order reaction. With the aid of the finite element method, effectiveness factors of the model systems have been calculated in terms of two dimensionless parameters ψ and μ, one measuring the ratio of the adsorption and desorption rates to that of surface diffusion and the other the rate of reaction to the rate of surface diffusion. It is found that the effectiveness factor for arrays whose symmetry elements are not too elongate can be approximated closely by that of an equivalent annulus whose inner and outer radii are calculated in terms of the geometrical parameters of the various systems. The equivalent annulus approximation is fairly accurate for these arrays in the parameter range 0.01 ⩽ψ, μ⩽10. Furthermore, outside this parameter range, asymptotic formulas are given which are accurate for all systems considered.
Brain metastases from colon cancer.

Between 1977 and 1980 we evaluated 40 patients who developed brain metastases from colon cancer (4% of total patients with colon cancer). The brain metastasis was discovered in only one patient prior to cancer diagnosis; all others had known colon cancer for 2 to 48 months (median 24.5 months) prior to neurologic presentation. The colon tumor was left-sided in 32; 32 had regional lymph node metastases at neurological presentation; 37 patients had extensive systemic metastasis as well as the brain lesion. Median survival from onset of therapy for brain metastasis was 9 weeks in 32 radiation therapy (RT) treated patients (range, 2–57 weeks), 37 weeks in 7 surgically resected patients (2–84 weeks), and 4 weeks (3.5 weeks) in 2 chemotherapy patients. Follow-up CT scans were improved in 2 of 11 radiated patients. Five of 6 surgically treated patients with CT follow-up demonstrated recurrent tumor (median 4 months). The prognosis for patients with brain metastasis in colon cancer is poor, regardless of therapy.
Three Dimensional Display Technology for Aerospace and Visualization

The similarities and contrasts between scientific visualization, and the tasks imposed on the pilot and air traffic controller are highlighted. Relevant principles for 3 dimensional display design ...
Wellness of Minority Female Counselor Educators.

Minority female counselor educators are faced with numerous challenges. This qualitative study revealed that for female minority counselor educators, these challenges continue to negatively affect their professional and personal experiences. It is through operational wellness practices and optimal balance and functioning that minority female counselor educators have often prevailed. Implications for minority female counselor educators, university administrators, and counselor educators from the majority population are provided.
Structure and growth kinetics of Ni2Si on silicon

Abstract The phase Ni 2 Si has been found to form on reacting evaporated Ni films with Si single-crystal substrates at temperatures ranging from 200° to 325°C. Its microstructure, impurity content, depth compositional profile and thickening kinetics have been studied by Seemann-Bohlin X-ray diffraction, nuclear backscattering and Auger electron spectroscopy with in situ ion sputtering. The thickening of the Ni 2 Si layer, which develops fiber-type texture with grains averaging 600 A, was found to follow a parabolic relationship with time and to require an activation energy of 1.5±0.1 eV. During the growth of Ni 2 Si, the Ni has been shown by marker experiments to diffuse faster than the Si. Implanted Xe atoms were used as the diffusion marker, displacements of which were determined by backscattering. Combined measurement of layer thickness and marker displacement showed that the mass transport in Ni 2 Si was almost completely dominated by Ni atoms. If we assume diffusion occurs by exchange with lattice vacancies, diffusion of the Ni is favored from a consideration of the first nearest neighbor configurations in the crystal structure of Ni 2 Si and the Goldschmidt atomic radii of Ni and Si. The existence of excess vacancies in the Ni sublattice is not certain from the results of depth compositional profiling; it has shown, however, a pile-up of Si at the Ni free surface. The pile-up may be due to the short-circuit diffusion of Si atoms through the Ni and the Ni 2 Si layer.
A database approach towards flexible manufacturing: a conceptual framework

Abstract A conceptual framework for flexible manufacturing called flexible automation architecture (FAA), in a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) environment is proposed. The framework is based on the three-level database architecture for designing database systems. FAA partitions the manufacturing environment into database analogous logical levels of product requirements (external view), logical shops (conceptual view) and machine shops (internal view). The flexibility in FAA is achieved not by the traditional structuring of machines on the shop floor, but rather through a series of logical processes in the logical shop level. Each logical process is a generic (abstracted) process catering to multiple product processes at the product requirements level, and manufactured by a stable group of machines at the machine shop level. The framework is illustrated with a manufacturing case and a discussion of information system support in the form of expert systems.
Total skin electron therapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma using a modern dual-field rotational technique.

Purpose To report our experience with rotational total skin electron irradiation (RTSEI) in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), and to examine response by disease stage and race. Methods and Materials We reviewed our outcomes for 68 CTCL patients who received RTSEI (≥30 Gy) from 2000 to 2013. Primary outcomes were complete clinical response (CCR), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS). Using log–rank tests and Cox proportional hazards, OS and RFS were compared across tumor stages at time of RTSEI with further racial subgroup analysis. Results Median age at diagnosis and at time of radiation was 52 and 56 years, respectively. Median follow-up was 5.1 years, 49% were African American, and 49% were female. At time of treatment, 18, 37, and 13 patients were T stage 2, 3, and 4, respectively. At 6 weeks after RTSEI, overall CCR was 82% (88%, 83%, and 69% for T2, T3, and T4, respectively). Median RFS was 11 months for all patients and 14, 10, and 12 months for stage T2, T3, and T4, respectively. Tumor stage was not associated with RFS or CCR. Maintenance therapy after RTSEI was associated with improved RFS in both crude and multivariable analysis, controlling for T stage. Median OS was 76 months (91 and 59 months for T3 and T4, respectively). With the exception of improved OS in African Americans compared with whites at stage T2, race was not associated with CCR, RFS, or OS. Conclusions These results represent the largest RTSEI clinical outcomes study in the modern era using a dual-field rotational technique. Our observed response rates match or improve upon the standard set by previous outcome studies using conventional TSEI techniques, despite a large percentage of advanced CTCL lesions in our cohort. We found that clinical response after RTSEI did not seem to be affected by T stage or race.
Fuzzy prediction of maize breakage

Fuzzy sets theory allows uncertain phenomena to be treated mathematically. A fuzzy predictive model was developed to predict the breakage susceptibility of dried maize based on measurable process variables. The model is based on data acquired from nine experiments in a laboratory crossflow dryer with various initial maize moisture contents and drying temperatures. A 2-h verification experiment showed that 28 of the 36 predictions matched measured values of breakage susceptibility. The model can be used to predict maize breakage during drying.
Sliding mode control optimization and comparison between PI, Fuzzy and Fuzzy PI controllers photovoltaic current injected to grid

This paper presents a simulation of the operation of a chain of photovoltaic energy connected to a low voltage grid. Starting with the modeling phase of the components of the conversion system, where we modeled the photovoltaic cell (elementary of the solar panel) and the parallel converter DC-DC (Boost) that allows the variation of the value of the capacitor voltage placed to the output of the photovoltaic panel. Then we study the optimization phase with sliding mode control for tracking the maximum power point (VMPP) for extracting maximum power panel solar. In the end, we proceed with the injection of the power grid operated via the inverter, the inverter injects the electric active power operated by controlling the value of the DC bus voltage through a corrector “IP”. Because of the random waveform of the output current of the inverter we are studied the various current controller: PI, Fuzzy and Fuzzy PI the objective is to obtain current inverter output faithfully following a prescribed reference‥ The output current should be as sinusoidal as possible with low harmonic distortion as required by the standards of a system of network connection.
Spectral K-Ratio Spectrophotometry

Abstract A method called “Spectral K-ratio spectrophotometry” was proposed. The method takes the K-coefficient dual-wavelength spectrophotometric method as the mathematical model in order to resolve the different nth-derivative spectral data at one wavelength to determine certain two components systems that their zeroth- (absorption) and nth-derivative spectra were all interfered seriously. Examples of the application of the proposed method were given.
Reflection from a Dielectric-Coated Moving Mirror*

The effects of a dielectric coating on a moving mirror upon the characteristics of the reflected wave are investigated. Both polarizations of incident plane waves are considered. Two cases of the movement are assumed: (a) the coated mirror moves parallel to the interface; (b) the coated mirror moves perpendicular to the interface. Various interesting features concerning the variation of the reflection coefficient, angle of reflection, the phase shift and the frequency of the reflected wave, as a function of the velocity of the moving coated mirror, are discussed.
Laparoscopic insufflation of the abdomen depresses cardiopulmonary function

Recently we have used the laparoscope to remove the gallbladder in critically ill patients in order to spare them the operative trauma of laparotomy. However, increased intraperitoneal pressure may have deleterious cardiopulmonary effects. This was investigated in a dog model. Insufflation of the abdomen with carbon dioxide decreased the mean cardiac output to less than 80% of baseline (P<0.004). This was aggravated by the reverse Trendelenburg position and partially alleviated by the Trendelenburg position. Mean arterialPCO2 and mean peak airway pressure significantly rose. These effects are of doubtful clinical significance in the majority of patients. However, to extend the benefits of laparoscopy to patients with decreased cardiopulmonary reserve, hemodynamic and carbon dioxide monitoring should be used because measures to improve venous return, augment cardiac output, and counteract the increase inPCO2 and peak airway pressure may be required.
Calculational Aspects of the Assessment of Dielectric Response Function and Energy Loss in Materials: Applications To Ice and Polyacetylene

Understanding the effects of low doses of ionizing radi ation on living systems requires detailed information on electron transport in biomaterials. This, in turn, can be obtained from the wave-vector- and frequency-depen dent dielectric response function of the system, âq,I, via the energy-loss function, Im[-1/â q,I]. We describe two different possible approaches to obtaining these functions, one based on the semiempirical tight-binding approximation, the other using Hedin's many-body treatment of quasiparticle states in solids. These methods are exemplified with calculations for cubic ice as a model for cellular "structured" water and trans- polyacetylene. The availability of supercomputers makes the application of these techniques feasible.
Evaluation of piezoelectric PVDF polymers for use in space environments. II. Effects of atomic oxygen and vacuum UV exposure

The effects of atomic oxygen (AO) and vacuum UV radiation simulating low Earth orbit conditions on two commercially available piezoelectric polymer films, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) P(VDF-TrFE), have been studied. Surface erosion and pattern development are significant for both polymers. Erosion yields were determined as 2.8 x 10{sup -24} cm{sup 3}/atom for PVDF and 2.5 x 10{sup -24} cm{sup 3}/atom for P(VDF-TrFE). The piezoelectric properties of the residual material of both polymers were largely unchanged after exposure, although a slight shift in the Curie transition of the P(VDF-TrFE) was observed. A lightly cross-linked network was formed in the copolymer presumably because of penetrating vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation, while the homopolymer remained uncross-linked. These differences were attributed to varying degrees of crystallinity and potentially greater absorption, and hence damage, of VUV radiation in P(VDF-TrFE) compared with PVDF.
Microarray analysis of human monocytes infected with Francisella tularensis identifies new targets of host response subversion.

Francisella tularensis is a gram-negative facultative bacterium that causes the disease tularemia, even upon exposure to low numbers of bacteria. One critical characteristic of Francisella is its ability to dampen or subvert the host immune response. In order to help understand the mechanisms by which this occurs, we performed Affymetrix microarray analysis on transcripts from blood monocytes infected with the virulent Type A Schu S4 strain. Results showed that expression of several host response genes were reduced such as those associated with interferon signaling, Toll-like receptor signaling, autophagy and phagocytosis. When compared to microarrays from monocytes infected with the less virulent F. tularensis subsp. novicida, we found qualitative differences and also a general pattern of quantitatively reduced pro-inflammatory signaling pathway genes in the Schu S4 strain. Notably, the PI3K / Akt1 pathway appeared specifically down-regulated following Schu S4 infection and a concomitantly lower cytokine response was observed. This study identifies several new factors potentially important in host cell subversion by the virulent Type A F. tularensis that may serve as novel targets for drug discovery.
Competitive isomerization and dimerization in co-crystals of 1,1,6,6-tetraphenyl-2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol and sorbic acid: A new look at stereochemical requirements for [2+2] dimerization

Competitive [2+2] photodimerization and E→Z isomerization reactions occur in a co-crystal of 1,1,6,6-tetraphenyl-2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol upon irradiation with 325 nm light. At 90 K both reactions are observed, whereas at 280 K the dimerization reaction is very fast and inhibits isomerization as the nature of the chromophore is affected by the reaction. The temperature dependence of the stereospecificity of the dimerization reaction is related to the large sliding motion required to bring the reacting molecules into juxtaposition. The progress of the reactions has been monitored by photocrystallographic methods.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis as viewed through a computer

Mathematical models are emerging as important tools in the study of microbiology. As an illustrative example, we present results from several models each generated to study the interaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the immune system. Different mathematical models were formulated on the basis of assumptions regarding system–component interactions, enabling us to explore specific aspects at diverse biological scales (e.g. intracellular, cell–cell interactions, and cell population dynamics). In addition, we were able to examine both temporal and spatial aspects. At each scale, there were consistent themes that emerged as determinative in infection outcome. Factors we identified include both host and microbial characteristics. The use of the models lies in generating hypotheses that can then be tested experimentally. Here, we outline the primary host and bacterial factors that we have identified as key mechanisms that contribute to the success of M. tuberculosis as a human pathogen. Our goal is to stimulate experimentation and foster collaborations between theoretical and experimental scientists.
Prophylactic octreotide for pancreatoduodenectomy: more harm than good?

Background Most accrued evidence regarding prophylactic octreotide for a pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) predates the advent of the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF) classification system for a post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF), and its efficacy in the setting of high POPF risk is unknown. The Fistula Risk Score (FRS) predicts the risk and impact of a clinically relevant (CR)-POPF and can be useful in assessing the impact of octreotide in scenarios of risk.
Neomycin-induced hair cell death and rapid regeneration in the lateral line of zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Mechanoreceptive hair cells are extremely sensitive to aminoglycoside antibiotics, including neomycin. Hair cell survival was assessed in larval wild-type zebrafish lateral line neuromasts 4 h after initial exposure to a range of neomycin concentrations for 1 h. Each of the lateral line neuromasts was scored in live fish for the presence or absence of hair cells using the fluorescent vital dye DASPEI to selectively label hair cells. All neuromasts were devoid of DASPEI-labeled hair cells 4 h after 500 µM neomycin exposure. Vital DASPEI staining was proportional to the number of hair cells per neuromast identified in fixed larvae using immunocytochemistry for acetylated tubulin and phalloidin labeling. The time course of hair cell regeneration in the lateral line neuromasts was also analyzed following neomycin-induced damage. Regenerated hair cells were first observed using live DASPEI staining 12 and 24 h following neomycin treatment. The potential role of proliferation in regenerating hair cells was analyzed. A 1 h pulse-fix protocol using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation was used to identify S-phase cells in neuromasts. BrdU incorporation in neomycin-damaged neuromasts did not differ from control neuromasts 4 h after drug exposure but was dramatically upregulated after 12 h. The proliferative cells identified during a 1 h period at 12 h after neomycin treatment were able to give rise to new hair cells by 24–48 h after drug treatment. The results presented here provide a standardized preparation for studying and identifying genes that influence vertebrate hair cell death, survival, and regeneration following ototoxic insults.
Role played by P2X and P2Y receptors in evoking the muscle chemoreflex.

The role played by purinergic 2Y receptors in evoking the muscle chemoreflex is not well defined. To shed light on this issue, we compared the pressor responses with popliteal arterial injection of UTP (1 mg/kg), a selective P2Y agonist, with those to popliteal arterial injection of ATP (1 mg/kg), a P2X and P2Y agonist, and to α,β-methylene ATP (50 μg/kg), a selective P2X1 and P2X3 agonist, in decerebrate unanesthetized cats. We found that injection of ATP and α,β-methylene ATP increased mean arterial pressure by 19 ± 2 and 15 ± 4 mmHg, whereas UTP had no affect on arterial pressure. In addition, the pressor responses to injection of ATP and α,β-methylene ATP were abolished by section of the sciatic nerve, demonstrating that they were reflex in origin. We conclude that P2Y receptors on thin fiber muscle afferents play no role in evoking the muscle chemoreflex.
Do plasma biomarkers of coagulation and fibrinolysis differ between patients who have experienced an acute myocardial infarction versus stable exertional angina

Background Circulating concentrations of proteins associated with coagulation and fibrinolysis may differ between individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) who develop an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rather than stable exertional angina. Methods We compared plasma concentrations of fibrinogen, d-dimer, tissue-type plasminogen activator, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) between patients whose first clinical manifestation of CAD was an AMI (n = 198) rather than stable exertional angina (n = 199). We also compared plasma concentrations of these proteins between patients with symptomatic CAD (either AMI or stable angina; n = 397) and healthy, control subjects (n = 197) to confirm the sensitivity of these assays to detect epidemiologic associations. Results At a median of 15 weeks after presentation, patients with AMI had slightly higher d-dimer concentrations than patients with stable angina (P = .057), but were not significantly different in other markers. By contrast, fibrinogen, d-dimer, and tissue-type plasminogen activator were significantly higher (P Conclusion Selected plasma markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis did not distinguish patients presenting with AMI from those with stable exertional angina.
Cloning, sequence analysis, and overexpression of Escherichia coli folK, the gene coding for 7,8-dihydro-6-hydroxymethylpterin-pyrophosphokinase.

Abstract The gene coding for the Escherichia coli enzyme 7,8-dihydro-6-hydroxymethylpterin-pyrophosphokinase has been cloned and sequenced. This gene, designated folK, codes for a protein of 159 amino acids, including an amino-terminal methionine. The protein was overexpressed in E. coli MC4100 by cloning the gene behind the lacUV5 promoter in a high-copy-number plasmid. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity. Amino-terminal analysis of the purified protein showed that the amino-terminal methionine had been removed. The compositional molecular mass (17,945 Da) was identical to the molecular mass determined by mass spectrometry. The enzyme was observed to have a large number of proline residues and migrated anomalously in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, with an apparent molecular mass of 23,000 Da.
EUTROPHICATION DUE TO PHOSPHORUS RECYCLING IN RELATION TO LAKE MORPHOMETRY, TEMPERATURE, AND MACROPHYTES

Lakes may have alternative states due to excessive phosphorus (P) input: a clear-water state and turbid one with high chlorophyll concentrations. Because shifts between these states have large ecosystem effects, and restoration after the shifts is costly or sometimes impossible, precise evaluation of the possibility of alternative states is needed for lake management. Yet the shifts are quite variable and seem to depend on many factors, including lake morphometry, temperature, and dominance of macrophytes. Here we evaluated the role of these factors using an empirically based model that included more mechanistic detail than earlier models of regime shifts in trophic state. Mean depth and temperature strongly influenced the susceptibility of lakes to regime shifts and lake restoration. The macrophyte effect of preventing P recycling from sediments was critical to the susceptibility of shallow lakes to regime shift. With warmer temperatures, eutrophication was more likely and restoration was less successful due to increased internal P recycling from the sediment. Lakes with intermediate depths were most susceptible to regime shifts and were least restorable. These lakes were too deep to be protected by macrophytes in their littoral zones and were too shallow to mitigate P recycling through hypolimnetic dilution. Our results illustrated the interplay of multiple physical, chemical, and biotic mechanisms in regime shifts, a complex type of causality that may arise in regime shifts of other types of ecosystems.