cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide in 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Trifluoromethanesulfonate and Water Mixtures

The catalytic activity of room-temperature ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([EMIM][OTf]) for carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction is reported on a polycrystalline silver electrode as a function of the water content and solution pH. The optimal aqueous dilution was determined to be ca. 10% (v/v), resulting in a reduction of the overpotential required to reduce CO2 in [EMIM][OTf] by 400 mV. The reduction process and products are largely insensitive to pH. CO2 reduction in [EMIM][OTf] with 10% 0.1 M NaHCO3 is achieved with high selectivity for CO with 93.0 ± 4.6% Faradaic efficiency. Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is suppressed in the range of neat [EMIM][OTf] (500 ppm water content) to a [EMIM][OTf]/H2O mixture of 10% water content. Conductivity and viscosity of the [EMIM][OTf]/H2O mixture suggest that the ionic liquid ion pair fully dissociates, analogous to dilute KCl solution, where each ion is completely hydrated by water molecules.
Bruno: Conversations with a Brazilian Drug Dealer. By Robert Gay. Durham

In this book, sociologist Robert Gay takes us into the world of “Bruno,” a Brazilian drug dealer. Gay’s two previous books, Lucia: Testimonies of a Brazilian Drug Dealer’s Woman (Philadelphia, PA: ...
Global or Local Identity? A theoretical analysis of the role of Viacom on identity formation among children in an international context

Children around the world are growing up in a globalized environment influenced by many factors such as the internet, cell phones, and pop culture. One significant influence is the internationalization of television programming and as children’s exposure to programs that originate in the United States increases it will undoubtedly impact how they understand themselves and their environment. The purpose of this essay is to explore the intersection among identity, globalization, and television. A case study into the internationalization of global media companies is Viacom Inc., which can be seen as a dominant source of global value orientation and a powerful contributor to the formation of an ambiguous identity among children and teenagers. We argue that new generations of children are developing a third identity – a fusion of local and global – an identity that transcends traditional ethnic and cultural boundaries.
Vector Cell Monolayers and Plant Viruses

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the techniques to culture cells of vector insects to achieve synchronous initiation of infection in many cells and to obtain a sensitive and accurate bioassay. Immunofluorescent staining has been indispensable for the detection of lesions in vector cell monolayers (VCM) caused by three propagative plant viruses. By means of VCM, large populations of cells from vectors of propagative plant viruses were inoculated simultaneously; therefore, synchronous cycles of virus development were studied and a valuable means of investigating the molecular biology and other features of such viruses were provided. The chapter discusses important aspects of different media and deficiencies in the knowledge about them that may lead to fruitful research and consequent improvement in the ability to establish and to grow leafhopper cells in vitro .
Firearm Ownership and Domestic Versus Nondomestic Homicide in the U.S.

Introduction Gun ownership is associated with firearm mortality, although this association differs across victim–offender relationships. This study examines the relationship between gun ownership and domestic versus nondomestic homicide rates by victim sex. Methods Several sources of state-level panel data from 1990 through 2016 were merged from each of the 50 states to model domestic (i.e., family and intimate partners) and nondomestic firearm homicide as a function of state-level household firearm ownership. Firearm ownership was examined using a validated proxy measure and homicide rates came from the Supplemental Homicide Reports of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reports. Negative binomial regression with fixed effects was used to model the outcomes and employed generalized estimating equations to account for clustering within states. Statistical analyses were completed in 2018. Results State-level firearm ownership was uniquely associated with domestic (incidence rate ratio=1.013, 95% CI=1.008, 1.018) but not nondomestic (incidence rate ratio=1.002, 95% CI=0.996, 1.008) firearm homicide rates, and this pattern held for both male and female victims. States in the top quartile of firearm ownership had a 64.6% (p Conclusions State-level firearm ownership rates are related to rates of domestic but not nondomestic firearm homicide.
Fungi and Atopy

Atopy and fungi have a long associative history. Fungal spores were among the first substances to which humans were noted to be sensitized. Humans contact fungal spores in the outdoor, indoor, and occupational environments. As organisms, fungi have their own kingdom and are found in all environmental niches on earth. Currently, fungal exposure in the indoor environment especially related to wet housing conditions is of particular concern. Sensitization rates to fungi typically exceed 5% of the general public with higher rates among the atopic population. Alternaria is the best studied of the allergic fungi; however, cross sensitization to multiple fungi is well documented. Recent advances in understanding mechanisms of the innate immune system are beginning to explain why the fungal atopy relationship is unique and why fungal sensitivity seems to extend to many non-atopic individuals. Evidence has been accumulated that indicates fungal allergen exposure can be via intact spores as well as spore and mycelial fragments. Germinating spores produce a different and often increased allergen picture. Much evidence has been developed through animal studies that extends the mechanisms surrounding long-term low-level fungal exposure. However, it should be emphasized that the presence of fungi in the air does not necessarily equate with illness. Indeed, in the absence of an atopic individual and/or a significant immune response against fungi, there is little evidence suggesting pathology. Allergists frequently deal with patients who have concerns about indoor fungal exposure and respiratory disease in those patients with an allergic response.
Generative Learning of Counterfactual for Synthetic Control Applications in Econometrics

A common statistical problem in econometrics is to estimate the impact of a treatment on a treated unit given a control sample with untreated outcomes. Here we develop a generative learning approach to this problem, learning the probability distribution of the data, which can be used for downstream tasks such as post-treatment counterfactual prediction and hypothesis testing. We use control samples to transform the data to a Gaussian and homoschedastic form and then perform Gaussian process analysis in Fourier space, evaluating the optimal Gaussian kernel via non-parametric power spectrum estimation. We combine this Gaussian prior with the data likelihood given by the pre-treatment data of the single unit, to obtain the synthetic prediction of the unit post-treatment, which minimizes the error variance of synthetic prediction. Given the generative model the minimum variance counterfactual is unique, and comes with an associated error covariance matrix. We extend this basic formalism to include correlations of primary variable with other covariates of interest. Given the probabilistic description of generative model we can compare synthetic data prediction with real data to address the question of whether the treatment had a statistically significant impact. For this purpose we develop a hypothesis testing approach and evaluate the Bayes factor. We apply the method to the well studied example of California (CA) tobacco sales tax of 1988. We also perform a placebo analysis using control states to validate our methodology. Our hypothesis testing method suggests 5.8:1 odds in favor of CA tobacco sales tax having an impact on the tobacco sales, a value that is at least three times higher than any of the 38 control states.
Towards Self-Driving Optical Networking with Reinforcement Learning and Knowledge Transferring

This paper presents a self-driving networking paradigm exploiting the state-of-the-art reinforcement learning and transfer learning algorithms for highly resource-efficient, scalable, and adaptive next-generation optical networks. The proposed design makes use of learning agents to constantly learn and optimize service provisioning policies through an observe-analyze-act cycle in dynamic operations. Case studies on routing and spectrum assignment tasks show significant advantages of the proposed design over traditional heuristic algorithms.
Does crowding influence emergency department treatment time and disposition

Objective The objective of this study was to determine whether crowding influences treatment times and disposition decisions for emergency department (ED) patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study at 2 hospitals from January 1, 2014, to July 1, 2014. Adult ED visits with dispositions of discharge, admission, or transfer were included. Treatment times were modeled by linear regression with log-transformation; disposition decisions (admission or transfer vs discharge) were modeled by logistic regression. Both models adjusted for chief complaint, Emergency Severity Index (ESI), and 4 crowding metrics in quartiles: waiting count, treatment count, boarding count, and National Emergency Department Overcrowding Scale. Results We included 21,382 visits at site A (12.9% excluded) and 29,193 at site B (15.0% excluded). Respective quartiles of treatment count increased treatment times by 7.1%, 10.5%, and 13.3% at site A (P < 0.001) and by 4.0%, 6.5%, and 10.2% at site B (P < 0.001). The fourth quartile of treatment count increased estimates of treatment time for patients with chest pain and ESI level 2 from 2.5 to 2.9 hours at site A (20 minutes) and from 3.0 to 3.3 hours at site B (18 minutes). Treatment times decreased with quartiles of waiting count by 5.6%, 7.2%, and 7.3% at site B (P < 0.001). Odds of admission or transfer increased with quartiles of waiting count by 8.7%, 9.6%, and 20.3% at site A (P = 0.011) and for the third (11.7%) and fourth quartiles (27.3%) at site B (P < 0.001). Conclusions Local crowding influenced ED treatment times and disposition decisions at 2 hospitals after adjusting for chief complaint and ESI.
Social Media in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery: What Is #Trending on Instagram?

ABSTRACT Study Objective Patients share and obtain healthcare-related information on social media platforms. We aim to evaluate the authorship and content of, as well as engagement with, gynecologic topics posted on Instagram. Design Qualitative and quantitative retrospective content analysis. Setting Instagram. Patients Not applicable. Interventions Not applicable. Measurements and Main Results A query of endometriosis, adenomyosis, myomas, and hysterectomy yielded 237 hashtags. The top 10 and most recent 20 posts, as determined by Instagram's internal algorithm, were evaluated for 10 hashtags with the most posts. The most popular topic was endometriosis. Of the 300 posts evaluated, 97.3% were by authored by nonhealthcare individuals. The most common content for nonhealthcare authored posts was personal experience (30.67%). Educational content accounted for 4.6% posts and had the greatest average engagement by number of “likes;” 0 educational posts were authored by a healthcare provider. Conclusion The majority of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery related Instagram posts are regarding endometriosis, are authored by patients, and discuss personal experience. Official healthcare presence was lacking.
The Ponseti Method Followed by Minimally Invasive Surgery as Method of Choice in Treatment of Congenital Talipes Equinovarus: Review Article

The objective of the study was to evaluate minimally invasive methods in treatment of congenital clubfoot. Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), or clubfoot, is the most common congenital foot deformity, occurring in 1 to 2 in 1000 live births. CTEV etiology is not yet completely clear. Essentially, the deformity is the result of an intrauterine dislocation of the joints between the talus, calcaneus, navicular and cuboid bone and it includes four components: cavus, adductus, varus and equinus (CAVE). The diagnosis is made by a clinical examination and foot radiography. The treatment is based on the repositioning of the dislocated joints. There are different treatment modalities available, from conservative to exclusively surgical CTEV treatment. The Ponseti method is a primarily conservative treatment method using corrective long-leg casts, sometimes associated with minimal surgi­cal intervention - Achilles tenotomy, followed by the use of an abduction brace. If needed, less invasive surgery (“a la carte”) might be used to correct uncorrected components of CTEV. Based on the reports published from 2010 to 2020, as retrieved from databases (PubMed, Medline, Scopus), pertaining mostly to conservative treatment methods and primarily to the Ponseti method and based on the comparison between the Ponseti method and surgical methods of treatment, as well as other conserva­tive methods of treatment, it can be concluded that the Ponseti method is the method of choice for the treatment of congenital CTEV in children today. Conclusion − The Ponseti treatment method, if used on time, fulfills all requirements that are expected from a contemporary medical procedure: simplicity in performance, minimally invasive, wide availability, cost effectiveness and successful treatment results.
Geographies of Trauma: Tierno Monenembo's Singular Path

This paper examines Tierno Monenembo's contribution to the Duty of Memory project, L'Aine des orphelins (2000), how it departed from the productions of other writers/participants such as Boubacar Boris Diop and VeroniqueTadjo, and the new directions in which Monenembo has gone since, with Peuls (2004), Le roi de Kahel (2008), and Le terroriste noir (2012).
HIV Protein Tat Induces Macrophage Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis Development in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Deficient Mice.

HIV infection is consistently associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. HIV protein Tat, a transcriptional activator of HIV, has been shown to activate NF-κB signaling and promote inflammation in vitro. However, the atherogenic effects of HIV Tat have not been investigated in vivo. Macrophages are one of the major cell types involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. We and others have previously revealed the important role of IκB kinase β (IKKβ), a central inflammatory coordinator through activating NF-κB, in the regulation of macrophage functions and atherogenesis. This study investigated the impact of HIV Tat exposure on macrophage functions and atherogenesis. To investigate the effects of Tat on macrophage IKKβ activation and atherosclerosis development in vivo, myeloid-specific IKKβ-deficient LDLR-deficient (IKKβΔMyeLDLR−/−) mice and their control littermates (IKKβF/FLDLR−/−) were exposed to recombinant HIV protein Tat. Exposure to Tat significantly increased atherosclerotic lesion size and plaque vulnerability in IKKβF/FLDLR−/− but not IKKβΔMyeLDLR−/− mice. Deficiency of myeloid IKKβ attenuated Tat-elicited macrophage inflammatory responses and atherosclerotic lesional inflammation in IKKβΔMyeLDLR−/− mice. Further, RNAseq analysis demonstrated that HIV protein Tat affects the expression of many atherosclerosis-related genes in vitro in an IKKβ-dependent manner. Our findings reveal atherogenic effects of HIV protein Tat in vivo and demonstrate a pivotal role of myeloid IKKβ in Tat-driven atherogenesis.
Should older adult pneumococcal vaccination recommendations change due to decreased vaccination in children during the pandemic? A cost-effectiveness analysis.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic is causing declines in childhood immunization rates. We examined potential COVID-19-related changes in pediatric 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) use, subsequent impact on childhood and adult pneumococcal disease rates, and how those changes might affect the favorability of PCV13 use in non-immunocompromised adults aged ≥65 years. Methods A Markov model estimated pediatric disease resulting from decreased PCV13 use in children aged Results One year of 10–50% absolute decreases in PCV13 use in 53% increase in pneumococcal disease was required to favor PCV13 use in non-immunocompromised seniors at a $200,000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained threshold, which corresponded to absolute decreases in pediatric PCV13 vaccination of >50% over a 2-year period. In sensitivity analyses, senior PCV13 vaccination was unfavorable if absolute decreases in pediatric PCV13 receipt were within plausible ranges, despite model assumptions favoring PCV13 use in seniors. Conclusion COVID-19-related decreases in pediatric PCV13 use would need to be both substantial and prolonged to make heightened PCV13 use in non-immunocompromised seniors economically favorable.
PHD Fingers as Histone Readers

The plant homeodomain (PHD) finger is found in proteins implicated in fundamental biological processes, including transcription, replication, DNA damage repair, cell differentiation and survival. This small double-zinc-finger domain functions as an epigenetic effector or reader that binds to posttranslationally modified and unmodified histone H3 tails and recruits transcription factors, catalytic writers and erasers, nucleosome-remodeling complexes, and other components of the epigenetic machinery to specific genomic sites. In this chapter, we review the chromatin-binding mechanisms and biological outcomes associated with binding of the PHD fingers to histone ligands and discuss the structural bases for selectivity of this reader toward histone PTMs.
Chapter 28. Transcription of Chromatin with Heterologous and Homologous RNA Polymerases

Publisher Summary This chapter lists some recipes used to synthesize RNA transcripts from chromatin templates in vitro . [3H]CTP is generally supplied (and should be stored) in 50% ethanol to minimize radiation damage to itself. The ethanol severely inhibits polymerase and can be removed by taking an appropriate amount of isotope nearly to dryness in vacuum desiccators. The polymerase should be purified free of RNase and polynucleotide phosphorylase activities. Reactions are terminated by adding sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to 0.5%, and a 10- μ l aliquot is pipetted onto a filter paper disk for the determination of acid insoluble radioactivity. In some cases addition of SDS causes the reaction to become so viscous that pipetting is difficult. This can be prevented by adding 0.1 volumes of 1 mg/ml RNase-free DNase before the SDS, continuing the incubation at 37°C for 1 minute, and then adding SDS and proceeding as usual. The reaction conditions described in the chapter are designed to yield a high-specific activity RNA product under conditions of low ionic strength that should minimize exchange of chromatin proteins.
Electroabsorption spectroscopy of single walled nanotubes

We have measured the electric field modulated absorption of a sample of single-walled nanotubes (SWNT) suspended in a solid polyvinyl alcohol matrix. The electroabsorption (EA) spectrum roughly follows the first derivative of the absorption with respect to photon energy, scales quadratically with the electric field strength, and shows a pronounced anisotropy of light polarization with respect to the applied electric field direction. These findings indicate a quadratic Stark effect caused by a change in the polarizability of the excited states, which is common to quasi-one dimensional (1D) excitons in organic semiconductors. The EA spectrum is well described by calculations involving electron-electron interaction in the model Hamiltonian of both zigzag and chiral nanotubes. We have calculated the EA spectra for both zigzag and chiral nanotubes within a model Hamiltonian that includes electron-electron interactions. The calculations reproduce the observed quadratic Stark shift of the lowest optical exciton, as well as the more complicated behavior of the EA spectrum in the energy region that corresponds to the next higher exciton. Our findings show that the low-lying absorption bands in semiconducting SWNT are excitonic in origin, in agreement with transient optical measurements that identify the primary photoexcitations in SWNT as quasi-1D excitons with a substantial binding energy.
NGA's Analysis of the Smith and Sandwell Bathymetry Model (topo_8.2) and Implications for Bathymetric Modeling

NGA reviews its analysis of the bathymetry model developed by Walter H. F. Smith, NOAA, and David T. Sandwell, Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The Smith and Sandwell file was computed from altimetry, soundings, and other sources. The analysis makes use of NGA's best soundings as truth data and their elevation/depth file computed without altimetry. The purpose of this analysis is to determine the status of bathymetric modeling using various sources, opportunities for improving bathymetric modeling, and the possibilities of incorporating other sources such as gravity anomalies and LIDAR data into the solution. NGA is considering the use of such multiple source bathymetry models as a means to provide a "cautionary" overlay to bathymetric charts to support route planning
Precautionary Savings and Partially Observed Income

I propose an intertemporal precautionary-saving model in which the agent's labor income is subject to both permanent and transitory shocks. However, he only observes his total income, not individual components. I show that partial observability of individual components of income gives rise to additional precautionary saving because of uncertainty in estimating individual components of income. This additional precautionary saving is higher, when there is greater uncertainty associated with estimating the individual components of income. Incomplete Information, Kalman Filter
The effectiveness of physiotherapeutic interventions in treatment of frozen shoulder/adhesive capsulitis: A systematic review

Background and objective Frozen shoulder is a common condition, yet its treatment remains challenging. In this review, the current best evidence for the use of physical therapy interventions (PTI) is evaluated. Method MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro, ProQuest, Science Direct, and Sport Discus were searched for studies published in English since 2000. Results 39 articles describing the PTI were analyzed using Sackett's levels of evidence and were examined for scientific rigor. The PTI were given grades of recommendation that ranged from A to C. Conclusions Therapeutic exercises and mobilization are strongly recommended for reducing pain, improving range of motion (ROM) and function in patients with stages 2 and 3 of frozen shoulder. Low-level laser therapy is strongly suggested for pain relief and moderately suggested for improving function but not recommended for improving ROM. Corticosteroid injections can be used for stage 1 frozen shoulder. Acupuncture with therapeutic exercises is moderately recommended for pain relief, improving ROM and function. Electro- therapy can help in providing short-term pain relief. Continuous passive motion is recommended for short-term pain relief but not for improving ROM or function. Deep heat can be used for pain relief and improving ROM. Ultrasound for pain relief, improving ROM or function is not recommended.
The potential applications of capsule endoscopy in pediatric patients compared with adult patients.

Capsule endoscopy (CE) avoids the ionizing radiation, deep sedation, and general anesthesia required by other imaging modalities, making it particularly valuable in the evaluation of gastrointestinal disease in pediatric patients. In examining the use of CE in pediatric and adult patients through a review of the literature, it was observed that CE is most frequently indicated for the evaluation of Crohn’s disease (CD) in pediatric patients and most frequently indicated for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) in adults, although OGIB is a more frequent indication than CD in pediatric patients younger than 8 years of age. Diagnostic accuracy has been good and comparable to that of magnetic resonance enterography, and capsule retention rates as well as other adverse events appear to be low in pediatric patients. Research is needed to explore broader indications and applications of CE in the diagnosis and monitoring of gastrointestinal disease.
Linkage of random amplified polymorphic DNA markers to downy mildew resistance in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Summary Marker assisted selection (MAS) may improve the efficiency of breeding downy mildew resistant cucumber cultivars. A study was conducted to identify random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to the downy mildew resistance gene (dm) which would be suitable for MAS. A total of 145 F3 families from two populations (55 from the WI 1983G Straight 8 population and 90 from the Zudm1 Straight 8 population) were evaluated over five locations in North America and Europe. Resistant and susceptible F 3 families were identified and mean family resistance ratings were used to type individual F2 plants. No evidence for race differences in the pathogen (Psuedoperonospora cubensis(Berk. & Curt.) Rostow) between North America and Europe was found. Phenotypic correlations between locations ranged from 0.3 to 0.7. Of the 135 polymorphic RAPD markers identified from 960 primers, five were linked to dm ‐G 14 800 ,X 15 1100 ,A S5 800, BC5191100, and BC5261000 .I n the WI 1983G Straight 8 population, G14800 was linked to dm at 16.5 cm, AS5800 at 32.8 cm, BC5191100 at 9.9 cm, and BC5261000 at 19.2 cm. In the Zudm1 Straight 8 population, G14800 was linked at 20.9 cm, X151100at 14.8 cm, AS5800 at 24.8 cm, and BC5261000 at 32.9 cm. Markers G14800 and BC5191100 were linked in repulsion to the dm allele, and X151100 ,A S5 800, and BC5261000 were linked in coupling phase. These genetic markers may be exploited to develop an efficient MAS strategy for breeding resistant cucumber cultivars.
Functional Behavioral Assessment-Based Interventions for Students with or at Risk for Emotional and/or Behavioral Disorders in School: A Hierarchical Linear Modeling Meta-Analysis.

Of the myriad practices currently utilized for students with disabilities, particularly students with or at risk for emotional and/or behavioral disorder (EBD), functional behavior assessment (FBA)...
Impact of Storage Integrated Solar Photovoltaics (PV) Power System on Utility Peak Loads

The promise of large-scale use of renewables such as wind and solar for supplying electrical power is tempered by the sources’ transient behavior and the impact this would have on the operation of the grid. One way of addressing this is through the use of supplemental energy storage. While the technology for the latter has not been proven on a large scale or to be economical at the present time, some assessments of what magnitude is required can be made. In performing this work we have used NREL’s Solar Advisor Model (SAM 2010) with TMY3 solar data to estimate the photovoltaic system power generation. Climatic conditions close to load centers were chosen for the simulations. Then the PV output for varying sizes of arrays were examined and the impact of varying amounts of storage investigated. The storage was characterized by maximum limiting energy and power capacities based on annual hourly peak load, as well as its charging and discharging efficiencies. The simulations were performed using hourly time steps with energy withdrawn from, or input to, storage only after considering base generation and the PV system output in serving the grid load. In this work, we examined the load matching capability of solar PV generation (orientated for maximum summer output) for a sample Southwestern US utility grid load of 2008. Specifically we evaluated the daily and seasonal peak load shifting with employing varying storage capacities. The annual average energy penetration based on the usable solar PV output is also examined under these conditions and at different levels of system flexibility.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
SU-FF-J-117: Inter and Intra-Fractional Patient Motion for a Set of Immobilization Devices

Purpose: We assessed the magnitude of inter‐ and intra‐fractional patient motion for a broad set of immobilization devices. Method and Materials: In our practice for protonradiotherapy, we verify patient setup prior to each treatment field by means of digital imaging. Deviations from the “expected” patient position (with 6 degrees of freedom on our patient positioner) are stored in a database and were retrospectively analyzed for patient setup accuracy. Data was analyzed for each ordinal direction and for the combined spatial displacement. Immobilization devices were separated into “rigid” and “non‐rigid” devices depending on their connection to the patient positioner. Results: Systematic offsets in intra‐fractional motion are small for all immobilization devices, and less than 0.2mm for translations and less than 0.1 degrees for any rotational axis. Although the mean translation per ordinal direction is often smaller than 1mm, the mean spatial displacement for intra‐fractional motion for rigid devices is 1.3mm compared to 1.9mm for non‐rigid devices. The modified Gill‐Thomas‐Cosman frame controlled intra‐fractional patient motion best, with a 95% probability (v95) of observing less than 1.8mm of motion. For the widely used IC‐mask, the v95 value is below 3mm. All other immobilization devices have a v95 greater than 3.0mm for intra‐fractional patient motion, while the mean spatial inter‐fractional displacement (rigid devices only) was at least 3mm with a v95 of at least 6mm. Conclusion: Intra‐fractional patient motion is generally smaller than inter‐fractional patient motion, which indicates that immobilization devices are better at maintaining a certain patient position than at reproducing this position between fractions. Immobilization devices that rigidly connect to the patient positioner ensure better immobility than those that do not. However, none of the immobilization devices achieved sub‐millimeter immobility. Patient position verification remains necessary to achieve high setup accuracy. Research supported in part by NCI grant 5_PO1‐CA21239‐24
Syntheses and biological activities of 3′-azido disaccharide analogues of daunorubicin against drug-resistant leukemia

Anthracyclines, such as daunorubicin (DNR) and doxorubicin (Dox), are widely used for cancer therapy but are limited by drug resistance and cardiotoxicity. To overcome drug resistance, we synthesized a novel class of disaccharide analogues of DNR against drug-resistant leukemia. In these disaccharide analogues (1−6) the first (inner) sugar in the carbohydrate chain is a 3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-l-lyxo-α-hexopyranose; the second (outer) sugars that are linked via α(1→4) to the first sugar are a series of uncommon sugars. Their cytotoxicities were examined in drug-sensitive leukemia cells K562 and doxorubicin-resistant K562/Dox cells by MTS assay. In drug-sensitive cells, compounds 1−6 were found to be active against leukemia K562 cells with IC50 in the nanomolar range (200−1100 nM), while compounds 2−5 with 2,6-dideoxy sugars showed better activity than compounds 1 and 6 with 2,3,6-trideoxy sugars. In doxorubicin-resistant K562/Dox cells, compounds 1, 3, and 5 exhibited much better activities (with IC50 betw...
Charge separation in functionalized tetrathiafulvalene derivatives

ABSTRACT The synthesis of a family of symmetrical derivatives of tetrathiafulvalene bearing long chain ether groups is discussed. A comparison will be made between this family of compounds and those obtained with symmetrically substituted zinc octakis(alkoxyethyl)porphyrins, which have been shownto exhibit unusual photoeffects when dispersed as liquid crystals in symmetrical cells consisting ofindium tin oxide electrodes as windows. 1. INTRODUCTION Our research group has recently reported the construction of a solid state photovoltaic device inwhich a zinc porphyrin symmetrically substituted with long chain alkyl groups is sandwiched betweenidentical conductive, optically-transparent indium tin oxide electrodes.1 Upon irradiation with visiblelight into either the Soret or Q-bands of the porphyrin, a photopotential develops. The highly orderedthin layer of absorber is prepared by exploiting the liquid crystallinity of the discotic phase of zincoctakis(f-octyloxyethyl)porphyrin to preserve order while being capillary-filled between the preciselyspaced optically transparent electrodes. In this cell, the illuminated electrode acts as a photoanode andthe direction of current flow inverts upon reversal of the direction of illumination. Photocurrents of up
Reactive desorption of barium oxide and scandium oxide from model thin film scandate cathodes

Model scandate cathodes made from sputter-deposited thin films of BaO on Sc 2 O 3 on W fail due to preferential desorption of both BaO and Sc 2 O 3 from areas of the cathode where both oxides were deposited.
Electronic Structure Critical Parameters From Finite-Size Scaling

We present finite-size scaling and phenomenological renormalization equations for calculations of the critical points of the electronic structure of atoms and molecules. Results show that the method is efficient and very accurate for estimating the critical screening length for one-electron screened Coulomb potentials and the critical nuclear charge for two-electron atoms. The method has potential applicability for many-body quantum systems. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
A cellulosic responsive "living" membrane

Bacterial cellulose has been demonstrated to be a remarkably versatile biomaterial and widely used in biomedical applications due to its unique physical properties. Here we reported for the first time a "living membrane" system based on recombinant Escherichia coli bacterial strains entrapped in cellulosic membranes produced by Gluconacetobacter xylinus. Biologically driven detection and identification of a range of target molecules presents unique challenges, and requires that detection methods are developed to be rapid, specific and sensitive. The compatibility of G. xylinus and recombinant E. coli strains was first investigated for co-cultivation, and the relationship between the number of entrapped E. coli and the level of inducible signal achieved was further explored by fluorescent signal observation in confocal microscopy. Finally to amplify the response to inducers for maximum fluorescent signal, a positive-feedback genetic amplifier was designed within recombinant E. coli strain entrapped in the living cellulosic membrane system, allowing for the detection mechanism to be extremely sensitive and resulting in a significant fluorescent signal from a single receptor binding event. The living membrane system proposed here will create devices of greater complexity in function for applications in biological and chemical detection.
Evidence-based radiology: requirements for electronic access.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the electronic requirements for supporting evidence-based radiology in today's medical environment. Materials and Methods A software engineering technique, use case modeling, was performed for several clinical settings to determine the use of imaging and its role in evidence-based practice, with particular attention to issues relating to data access and the usage of clinical information. From this basic understanding, the analysis was extended to encompass evidence-based radiologic research and teaching. Results The analysis showed that a system supporting evidence-based radiology must (a) provide a single point of access to multiple clinical data sources so that patient data can be readily used and incorporated into comprehensive radiologic consults and (b) provide quick access to external evidence in the way of similar patient cases and published medical literature, thus supporting evidence-based practice. Conclusion Information infrastructures that aim to support evidence-based radiology not only must address issues related to the integration of clinical data from heterogeneous databases, but must facilitate access and filtering of patient data in order to improve radiologic consultation.
Chemical properties of ω-3 fortified gels made of protein isolate recovered with isoelectric solubilisation/precipitation from whole fish

Abstract Protein isolate was recovered from whole gutted fish using isoelectric solubilisation/precipitation (ISP). The objective was to determine chemical properties of heat-set gels made of the ISP protein isolate fortified with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)-rich oils (flaxseed, fish, algae, krill, and blend). The extent of the PUFAs increase, ω-6/ω-3 FAs and unsaturated/saturated FAs ratios, and the indices of thrombogenicity and atherogenicity depended on specific ω-3 PUFAs-rich oil used to fortify protein isolate gels. Lipid oxidation in ω-3 PUFAs fortified gels was minimal, although greater (P
Abrasive wear-microstructure interactions in a Ni-Cr white iron

Abstract The low-stress and gouging wear behavior of a series of Ni-Cr white iron (Ni-Hard 4) samples has been characterized. The samples were processed to contain 5–85% retained austenite in their microstructures so that their Rockwell C hardness ranged from 63 to 47. The low-stress abrasion behavior was measured with loose SiO2 and Al2O3 abrasives in a rubber wheel test system. The gouging abrasion behavior was determined in a bonded Al2O3 wheel test system. Wear scars were characterized by scanning electron microscopy used in conjunction with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Both low-stress and gouging wear behavior were strong functions of test condition and microstructure, and weight losses passed through maxima or minima as the volume fraction retained austenite or abrasion condition varied. Carbides controlled wear behavior in the low-stress test against SiO2, and their attrition occurred by uniform scratching, preferential chipping at leading edges and cracking-spalling. In low-stress and gouging tests against Al2O3 carbides and matrix underwent attrition by uniform micromachining. The test results indicated that retained austenite content could be used to optimize wear resistance in a variety of abrasion situations.
The spectrum of podocytopathies : A unifying view of glomerular diseases

Glomerular diseases encompass a broad array of clinicopathologically defined syndromes which together account for 90% of end-stage kidney disease costing $20 billion per annum to treat in the United States alone. Recent insights have defined the central role of the podocyte as both the regulator of glomerular development as well as the determinant of progression to glomerulosclerosis. We can now place all glomerular diseases within this spectrum of podocytopathies with predictable outcomes based on podocyte biology impacted by temporal, genetic, and environmental cues. This simplified construct is particularly useful to rationalize clinical effort toward podocyte preservation and prevention of progression as well as to focus basic research effort on understanding podocyte biology and for clinical research toward development of practical monitoring strategies for podocyte injury, dysfunction, and loss.
Book Review: Plant Gene Expression

Whereas many important biological discoveries have been made using plants, subsequent progress in some areas of plant research has fallen behind that in other organisms for which funding and in vitro assays are more readily available. Gene expression is one such field in which importance continues to grow because many potential plant biotechnology–based solutions to global problems depend on regulating the expression of specific genes. Previous limitations to exploring gene expression in plants have been partially mitigated by recent advances in genomics, genetics, and transformation techniques. The book Regulation of Gene Expression in Plants: The Role of Transcript Structure and Processing , edited by Carole L. Bassett, summarizes our current understanding of plant gene expression, with an emphasis on transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation. The topics covered in six chapters include differences in messenger RNA (mRNA) structure caused by variations in transcription start and polyadenylation sites, alternative splicing, regulation by small RNAs, and mRNA transport and degradation. The chapters vary in depth, quality, and the degree to which the emphasis is placed on plants rather than eukaryotes in general. However, this slim volume is a useful review of gene expression in plants. The question of whether or not all differences in mRNA structure have functional importance remains open.
Development of a focal plane module for JWST/MIRI

We present the development of a Focal Plane Module (FPM) for the Mid-Infrared Instrument on JWST. MIRI will include three FPMs, two for the spectrometer channels and one for the imager channel. The FPMs are designed to support the detectors at an operating temperature of 6.7 K with high temperature stability and precision alignment while being capable of surviving the launch environment. The flight units will be built and will undergo a rigorous test program in the first half of 2008. This paper includes a description of the full test program and will present the results.
Long-term evolution of a high-latitude active region

The decay phase of one of the largest active regions of solar cycle 22 that developed by the end of June 1987 is studied. Migration of the magnetic fields northward, poleward, and equatorward is shown to lead to the apparent rotation of the magnetic axis of the region. The sunspot motions and pattern of evolution of the magnetic fields noted provide evidence for the existence of a large-scale velocity field within the active region.
Thermomechanics of the Shape Memory Effect in Polymers

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) have the capacity to store and recover relatively large strains when subjected to a unique thermomechanical cycle. In this study, the thermomechanics of strain storage and strain/stress recovery are investigated in a shape memory polymer deformed under uniaxial tension and compression. During heated recovery, three cases of constraint are examined: unconstrained (free) strain recovery, stress recovery under pre-strain constraint, and stress recovery under fixed-strain constraint. Based on the experimental results, a one-dimensional SMP constitutive model is developed, which is motivated by the shape memory mechanism of the polymer network. The foundation of the model is that the entropy change is gradually stored during cooling and released during reheating as free recovery strain or constrained recovery stress. When fit to free strain recovery data, the model can predict the trends of the stress evolution during shape fixation and constrained strain/stress recovery under various thermomechanical conditions.
Polynomial Convergence of Infeasible-Interior-Point Methods over Symmetric Cones

We establish polynomial-time convergence of infeasible-interior-point methods for conic programs over symmetric cones using a wide neighborhood of the central path. The convergence is shown for a commutative family of search directions used in Schmieta and Alizadeh [Math. Program., 96 (2003), pp. 409-438]. Monteiro and Zhang [Math. Program., 81 (1998), pp. 281-299] introduced this family of directions when analyzing semidefinite programs. These conic programs include linear and semidefinite programs. This extends the work of Rangarajan and Todd [Tech. rep. 1388, School of OR & IE, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 2003], which established convergence of infeasible-interior-point methods for self-scaled conic programs using the NT direction. Our work is built on earlier analyses by Faybusovich [J. Comput. Appl. Math., 86 (1997), pp. 149-175] and Schmieta and Alizadeh [Math. Program., 96 (2003), pp. 409-438]. Of independent interest, we provide a constructive proof of Lyapunov lemma in the Jordan algebraic se...
A Rapid Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry-Based Method for Single-Plasmid Tracking in an Outbreak of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae

ABSTRACT Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have spread globally and represent a serious and growing threat to public health. Rapid methods for tracking plasmids carrying carbapenemase genes could greatly benefit infection control efforts. Here, we demonstrate that real-time, direct tracking of a single plasmid in a bacterial strain responsible for an outbreak is possible using a commercial matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system. In this case, we retrospectively tracked the bla KPC carbapenemase gene-bearing pKpQIL plasmid responsible for a CRE outbreak that occurred at the NIH Clinical Center in 2011. An ∼11,109-Da MS peak corresponding to a gene product of the bla KPC pKpQIL plasmid was identified and characterized using a combination of proteomics and molecular techniques. This plasmid peak was present in spectra from retrospectively analyzed K. pneumoniae outbreak isolates, concordant with results from whole-genome sequencing, and absent from a diverse control set of bla KPC -negative clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates. Notably, the gene characterized here is located adjacent to the bla KPC Tn 4401 transposon on the pKpQIL plasmid. Sequence analysis demonstrates the presence of this gene in other bla KPC Tn 4401 -containing plasmids and suggests that this signature MS peak may be useful in tracking other plasmids conferring carbapenem resistance. Plasmid identification using this MALDI-TOF MS method was accomplished in as little as 10 min from isolated colonies and 30 min from positive (spiked) blood cultures, demonstrating the potential clinical utility for real-time plasmid tracking in an outbreak.
Pump-Probe Techniques Applied To Spectroscopic And Kinetic Studies Of Radicals

In response to recent interests in laser applications to monitoring the role of radical species in combustion and atmospheric chemistry several new techniques have been developed. In this paper we discuss a laser-pump laser-probe technique utilized in our lab to obtain spectroscopic data for such in situ or long range studies and kinetic data on mass transport, vibrational and rotational relaxation, and chemical decay. The work utilizes a pulsed photolysis (excimer, YAG, CO2) laser to generate the radical in a well defined spatial region and a second probe (tunable dye) laser delayed in time. Applications of this technique to relaxation processes in CF2 and to new spectroscopic data on OCH3 will be discussed.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.