cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of GIRK2wv on neurite growth, protein expression, and viability in the CNS-derived neuronal cell line, CATH.A-differentiated

Death occurs in the homozygous mutant mouse weaver among several classes of neuron in cerebellum and ventral midbrain, because these neurons carry a mutation in the G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium channel, Girk2. GIRK2 is expressed in all neuronal types killed by wv in cerebellum and midbrain as well as in neurons elsewhere that suffer lesser consequences. GIRK2(wv) affects neurons postnatally, after proliferation, at the time of final differentiation. To assess the impact of GIRK2(wv) on neuronal development and viability, we introduced cDNA encoding wild-type and mutant channels into a variant of a CNS derived catecholamine cell line (Cath.a) known as Cath.a-differentiated. When cultured in serum-free medium, Cath.a-differentiated cells cease proliferation and undergo morphological differentiation, growing long neurites. Cath.a-differentiated cells do not express endogenous Girk channels. Transfection of GIRK2(wv) resulted in the death of Cath.a-differentiated cells, in a cDNA-concentration dependent manner. The highest concentration of Girk2(wv) cDNA caused loss of about half the cells, the next highest concentration one-third, and the least had no effect on viability. However, even the lowest concentration resulted in disruption of neurite outgrowth and reduced the protein products of co-transfected genes. High concentrations of MK801, which prevent Na(+) influx through the mutant channel, prevented death induced by GIRK2(wv). Cell death and disruption of neurite outgrowth were counteracted in GIRK2(wv)-expressing cells by the presence of an unrelated inwardly rectifying potassium channel, Kir2.3. These results are consistent with wv being a gain-of-function mutation, causing disruption of cellular homeostasis by mechanisms such as increased Na(+) influx and chronic depolarization which may in turn result in an excessive metabolic burden on the cell.
The effect of ambient stratification and moisture on the motion of atmospheric undular bores

Abstract A numerical model is used to examine the effects of ambient stratification on the behavior of an atmospheric undular bore. It is shown that stratification reduces the amplitude of the disturbance at low levels by allowing energy to propagate upward. This reduction of amplitude can be inhibited by specifying winds opposing the wave motion in the middle and upper troposphere. Mean observations in the region where the Morning Glory is prevalent support this result. The effects of moisture are also examined. If condensation does not occur, moisture increases the disturbance amplitude by reducing, through virtual temperature effects, the stability of the atmosphere. However, if condensation occurs, the wave amplitude is decreased compared with a dry atmosphere with the same effective stability. Finally, it is shown that cloud formation increases the wavelength of the disturbance.
Endothelial cell 1-acyl-platelet-activating factor synthesis in response to anticardiolipin antibody-positive serum fractions

Abstract Enhanced endothelial cell 1-acyl platelet-activating factor (1-acyl-PAF) synthesis has been identified as a consequence of anticardiolipin-antibody-positive serum exposure. While this observation suggests that PAF analogues may play a role in antibody-mediated vasculopathy, it has not been determined whether the antibodies themselves are directly responsible for stimulating 1-acylPAF production. The objective of the current study was to determine whether extracted immunoglobulins or non-immunoglobulin serum constituents are responsible for the increased endothelial cell 1-acylPAF production previously observed. Sera from six ACA-positive, non-pregnant women were precipitated with ammonium sulfate and dialyzed to extract their respective immunoglobulin fractions. IgG, A and M concentrations were measured by nephelometry before and after precipitation and enzyme immunoassay was used to quantify anticardiolipin anti-body activity in both whole serum and immunoglobulin suspensions. Paired endothelial cell monolayers were incubated separately with 20% whole serum and the corresponding immunoglobulin fraction from each patient source. After ionophore A23187 stimulation, intra-cellular PAF production was measured by lipid extraction and radio-labeling. RadylPAF species were distinguished by zonal thin-layer chromatography. Mean radylPAF synthesis was compared between experimental conditions by paired T-test. Significantly more endothelial cell radylPAF synthesis was observed subsequent to whole serum exposure as compared to incubation with the corresponding immunoglobulin fractions (19154±1916 vs 11785±1778; dpm, mean±SE; p=0.007); the majority of recovered radylPAF was the sn -1-acyl derivative. Serum samples recovered after immunoglobulin extraction, retained similar stimulatory activity for radylPAF (23045±4175dpm) in comparison to intact whole serum (19635±1266 dpm; p=0.25). These findings suggest that in ACA-positive serum, non-immunoglobulin constituents provide greater stimulation of 1-acylPAF synthesis than the immunoglobulins themselves.
Hierarchical chiral symmetry breaking and quark mass matrices revisited

We demonstrate how the assumption of hierarchical chiral symmetry breaking can be systematically used to create phenomenologically satisfactory mass matrices. In place of postulating a particular set of mass matrices at the outset, we emphasize that once a particular basis for the first stage of chiral symmetry breaking is selected, the following steps are determined by the known information on quark masses and mixings. We illustrate this procedure for the basis originally chosen by Fritzsch and find a modified set of quark mass matrices, corresponding to equal final-stage nondiagonal radiative contributions, which fits the data much better in the minimal Higgs framework, providedm t ≅88 GeV and the mixing ratio |V ub |/|V cb |≅0.15.
Ratio of entropy to enthalpy in thermal transitions in biological tissues

Thermal transitions in biological tissues that have been reported in the literature are summarized in terms of the apparent molar entropy (DeltaS) and molar enthalpy (DeltaH) involved in the transition. A plot of DeltaS versus DeltaH for all the data yields a straight line, consistent with the definition of free energy, DeltaG=DeltaH+TDeltaS. Various bonds may be involved in cooperative bond breakage during thermal transitions; however, for the sake of description, the equivalent number of cooperative hydrogen bonds can be cited. Most of the tissue data behave as if 10 to 20 hydrogen bonds are cooperatively broken during coagulation, with one transition, the expression of heat shock protein, involving 90 cooperative hydrogen bonds. The data are consistent with DeltaS=a+bDeltaH, where a=-327.5 J(mol K) and b=31.47 x 10(-4) K(-1). If each additional hydrogen bond adds 19 x 10(3) Jmol to DeltaH, then each additional bond adds 59.8 J(mol K) to DeltaS. Hence, the dynamics of irreversible thermal transitions can be described in terms of one free parameter, the apparent number of cooperative hydrogen bonds broken during the transition.
Tuning ultra-low output impedance amplifiers for optimal power and decoupling in parallel transmit MRI

Higher strength main magnets and more demanding pulse sequences have driven interest in parallel excitation systems. Parallel transmit array coils need to be decoupled to be used effectively. Ultra-low output impedance power amplifiers have been proposed as a possible solution for this. They provide decoupling in a manner analogous to low input impedance preamplifiers. Chu et al suggest a tuning method that does not rely on direct measurements of the matching network. This does not result in an optimal tuning, sacrificing peak output power in favor of decoupling. We have developed an alternate tuning strategy that allows optimize for both power and decoupling. It also reveals a second tuning mode for the matching network that causes the amplifier to fail, but is difficult to detect. When tuned in the manner reported the amplifiers provide high output power and good decoupling when used with an eight channel head array.
Factors governing the development of the chick embryo thyroid. II. Chronology of the synthesis of iodinated compounds studied by chromatographic analysis.

THERE is an old saying that “what goes up must come down.” This expression could be paraphrased to read “what goes up might come down,” and applied to a graphic representation of the fascinating process of biologic differentiation as exemplified in embryonic development. Do some tissues “slip back down the embryonic stairway”? If so, does this fact play a significant role in neoplasia, either benign or malignant? Is there any way to induce such tissues to redifferentiate for a second, or many times? Is it possible even to hasten the normal embryonic process of differentiation? What role, if any, is played by so-called tissue organizers? Is the influence of such organizers limited to the embryonic era or could undifferentiated neoplastic cells perhaps be redifferentiated under such influence? Could, in fact, normal adult cells even be over-differentiated by such exposure? This communication does not answer any one of the foregoing questions. The results reported do, however, suggest that if modern techniqu...
World Politics as a Primitive Political System

Many primitive peoples have political systems which are very much like the international political system. If the characterization of world politics as mere “anarchy” is an exaggeration, surely anarchy moderated or inhibited by a balance of power is a fairly accurate description of the rivalry between sovereign nation-states. The Nuer, a primitive African people, have been described as living in an “ordered anarchy” which depends on a “balanced opposition of political segments.” It is commonplace to describe the international system as lacking a government, so that “might makes right.” “In Nuerland legislative, judicial and executive functions are not invested in any persons or councils”; hence, throughout the society, “the club and the spear are the sanctions of rights.”
Surface modification of fused deposition modeling ABS to enable rapid prototyping of biomedical microdevices

Abstract Fused deposition modeling (FDM) using poly (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) (ABS) has emerged as a powerful method in rapid prototyping. However, to date this technique has not been suitable for use in 3D printing of microdevices that interact with biological molecules and cells owing to its water permeability and biofouling nature. In this paper, a versatile method to modify surfaces of ABS fused deposition modeling rapid prototyped devices with microstructured features to render them water-impermeable, hydrophilic, and biocompatible is presented. An acetone-based sealing method is described that has a minimal effect on surface roughness and structural fidelity. Photo-induced graft polymerization of poly (ethylene glycol) functionalities onto the surface is used to increase the hydrophilicity of the ABS and increase resistance to non-specific protein adhesion. These surfaces have been characterized for their morphology, water contact angle and the adhesion of a model protein to demonstrate their improved biocompatibility. The proposed methods use cheap, safe, and widely available materials which should make the creation of biocompatible surfaces using FDM economical, fast, and expand the range of applications of this technique.
A field study on matching with network externalities

We study the effects of network externalities on a unique matching protocol for faculty in a large U.S. professional school to offices in a new building. We collected institutional, web, and survey data on faculty's attributes and choices. We first identify the different layers of the social network: institutional affiliation, coauthorships, and friendships. We demonstrate and quantify the effects of network externalities on choices and outcomes. Furthermore, we disentangle the different layers of the social network and quantify their relative impact. Finally, we assess the matching protocol from a welfare perspective. Our study suggests the importance and feasibility of accounting for network externalities in general assignment problems and evaluates a set of techniques that can be employed to this end.
An analytical model for freeboard and in-bed limestone sulfation in fluidized-bed coal combustors

Abstract A new model, which combines in-bed and freeboard sulfation, significantly improves the ability to predict sulfur capture by limestone sorbents in fluidized-bed coal combustors. In this model, the in-bed hydrodynamics are described in terms of a bubble phase and an emulsion phase while the freeboard region has only a diluted emulsion phase. The solids, which are in the emulsion phases, are considered to be completely back-mixed; the gaseous bubble phase travels in plug-flow but exchanges with the emulsion phase. The sulfation reaction occurs principally in the emulsion phase and the reaction rate is a direct function of the sulfur dioxide concentration, the extent of the calcium oxide conversion (as measured by a thermogravimetric analyzer), and the amount of limestone present in the bed and in the freeboard. The amount present, or holdup, in the free-board is calculated from empirical correlations for elutriation and from particle-time trajectories as predicted from equations of motion. The model indicates that a significant amount of sulfur capture can occur in the freeboard region, especially with high superficial gas velocities and small particle sizes, both of which lead to increased freeboard holdup. For an overall sulfur retention of 90%, approximately 9% of the sulfur is predicted to be captured within the freeboard above a combustor bed 1.8 m by 1.8 m by 1.2 m high of 1200 μm diameter limestone particles that are fluidized at 2.4 m/s. The model also predicts that the sulfur captured by the entrained particles is negligible. These predictions compare favorably with the actual sulfur retentions experienced in similar sized pilot-scale combustors.
A method for passing data between C and Opaque Fortran 90 pointers

This paper discusses a portable, standard conforming method for passing data arrays between C and Fortran 90.
TU‐C‐330A‐06: Evaluation of Internal Lung Motion Based On Extended Time Ultra‐Fast MRI Scan

Purpose: In order to develop radiation treatment planning based on a displacement probability function for lungtumors we developed a dynamic MRI protocol to image the internal human respiratory lung motion during a several minute period that simulates the duration of a radiation treatment, evaluated the long time displacement probability distribution function (PDF) of pulmonary vessels as surrogate tumors, and assessed its reproducibility with repeat imaging. Methods and Materials: TrueFISP (fast imaging with steady‐state precession) sequence was adapted to acquire real time MR images of human lungs during 5 minute scans in both sagittal and coronal planes. A total of 26 pulmonary vessels from different regions (upper, middle and lower) in 3 healthy subjects were examined. Motion profile and displacement PDF of each tracked pulmonary vessel were evaluated. Experiments were repeated after 2‐3 weeks to test the reproducibility. Results: Motion profiles and displacement PDF of the same subject showed similarity, but great variation between different subjects. Displacement PDFs varied tremendously but tended to stabilize during the 5‐minute scan, and were reproduced reasonably well to various degrees in the repeated experiments after a subject specific stabilizing time (270s, 120s, 200s for Subject 1, 2, 3 respectively). Conclusions: Experiments for the first time using ultra‐fast real time MRI in extended time scans produce stable and reproducible displacement PDF of internal pulmonary structures, weakly depending upon different individual breathing patterns. This methodology is being investigated in a clinical trial at our institution to determine in a larger scale whether the reproducibility of motion is statistically significant and whether patients with lungtumor exhibit similar predictable breathing characteristics.
Enhancing the trap of lady's slippers: a new technique for discovering pollinators yields new data from Cypripedium parviflorum (Orchidaceae).

Approximately one-third of orchid species offer no reward to their floral visitors and instead trick them into pollination. Typically, these deceptive systems have low visitation and fruiting rates because pollinators can learn to avoid non-rewarding species. Consequently, pollination ecology studies in these species often require long hours in the field to witness relatively few floral visitations relative to rewarding plants. Cypripedium parviflorum is a food-deceptive orchid with a pouch-like trap that temporarily imprisons pollinators. To escape, pollinators exert pressure on the stigma which facilitates pollination and widens the escape holes located near each anther. This study reports the use of a ribbon and clip to block the escape passageway of this species in order to retain and observe visiting insects. The device was tested in a large population and was shown to increase significantly the probability of observing floral visitors by nearly three-fold. Ten species of hymenopteran visitors in the families Andrenidae, Apidae, Halictidae and Megachilidae were observed, with two female Adrena tridens and one male Adrena perplexa successfully removing pollen. Insect visitation to the orchids occurred during the first half of the flowering period and was significantly associated with warm, clear days. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160, 1–10.
Nutritional supplements to increase muscle mass

Although nutritional supplements purported to increase muscle mass are widely available at health food stores, gyms, by mail order, and over the Internet, many of these supplements have little or no data to support their claims. This article reviews the theory and research behind popular nutritional supplements commonly marketed as muscle mass builders. Included are the minerals chromium, vanadyl sulfate, and boron, the steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), β-methyl-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB), creatine, protein supplements, and amino acids. Research has shown that chromium, vanadyl sulfate, and boron do not appear to be effective in increasing lean body mass. The few studies examining DHEA have not supported the claim of increased muscle gain. Preliminary work on HMB supports an anticatabolic effect, but only one human study is currently available. Many studies reported increased body mass and several have reported increased lean body mass following creatine ingestion. This weight gain is mos...
Partitioning the planes of AG2m(2) into 2-designs

A t-design S"@l(t, k, v) is an arrangement of v elements in blocks of k elements each such that every t element subset is contained in exactly @l blocks. A t-design S"@l(t, k, v) is called t'-resolvable if the blocks can be partitioned into families such that each family is the block system of a S"@l(t', k, v). It is shown that the S"1(3, 4, 2^2^m) design of planes on an even dimensional affine space over the field of two elements is 2-resolvable. Each S"1(2, 4, 2^2^m) given by the resolution is itself 1-resolvable. As a corollary it is shown that every odd dimensional projective space over the field of two elements admits a 1-packing of 1-spreads, i.e. a partition of its lines into families of mutually disjoint lines whose union covers the space. This 1-packing may be generated from any one of its spreads by repeated application of a fixed collineation.
Mean-field phase transitions for Gibbs random fields

The use of Gibbs random fields (GRF) to model images poses the important problem of the dependence of the patterns sampled from the Gibbs distribution on its parameters. Sudden changes in these patterns as the parameters are varied are known as phase transitions. In this paper, we concentrate on developing a general deterministic theory for the study of phase transitions when a single parameter, namely the temperature, is varied. This deterministic framework is based on a widely used technique in statistical physics known as the mean-field approximation. Our mean-field theory is general in that it is valid for any number of graylevels, any interaction potential, any neighborhood structure or size, and any set of constraints imposed on the desired images. The mean-field approximation is used to compute closed-form estimates for the critical temperatures at which phase transitions occur for two texture models widely used in the image modeling literature: the Potts model and the autobinomial model. The mean-field model allows us to predict the pattern structure in the neighborhood of these temperatures. These analytical results are verified by computer simulations using a novel mean-field descent algorithm.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Study of constant-pressure production characteristics of class 1 methane hydrate reservoirs

A three-dimensional, compositional, multiphase flow simulator for methane-hydrate reservoirs is developed in this study. It is used to study the production characteristics of class 1 methane-hydrate reservoirs. The effects of well-completion location, well spacing, and production schedule on gas production efficiency are also examined. All simulation studies in this work implement a constant bottom-hole pressure (at 14.7 psia) as a production scheme for exploring maximum production capacity from the reservoir. The simulation study shows that the presence of gas hydrate on top of a conventional gas reservoir can dramatically improve gas productivity. Unlike conventional gas reservoirs, the water production rate of gas-hydrate reservoirs increases with time (when a constant bottom-hole pressure is implemented as a production scheme). Moreover, it shows that moving well-completion location in free-gas zone (in relation to the movement of the interface between free-gas and hydrate zones) provides better production performance and the best completion location is in the middle of free gas zone. As expected, the results also show that smaller well spacing yields higher gas production. However, for a particular system used in this work, it does not show substantial improvement of production efficiency. For a multiple-well system, the simulation results indicate that production efficiency can be improved by putting the wells on production at different times.
Extinction of an Amnestic Memory in Rats: Evidence for the Malleability of "Inaccessible" Information

Abstract Three experiments were conducted using rats to determine if extinction exposure was capable of modifying memory made amnestic by hypothermia treatment. In Experiment 1 rats received either a 0, 300, or 450 s extinction exposure 24 h after hypothermia treatment. Subsequent extent of memory recovery through recooling diminished as a function of increased extinction duration. Since the extinction exposure itself did not reactivate memory (Experiment 2), these data suggest that inaccessible information remained susceptible to modification. Experiment 3 demonstrated that the 24-h interval between extinction exposure and memory recovery did not result in spontaneous recovery, and that the modifying effects of extinction exposure on amnestic memory were similar to its effects on "normal," available memory.
Multilocular renal cyst (cystic nephroma) with müllerian-like stroma.

Multilocular renal cyst is an uncommon lesion of controversial histogenesis. The authors report a case of renal multilocular cyst with mullerian (ovarian)-like stroma. We suggest that this finding would support a dysontogenetic origin for the lesion.
New and emerging imaging techniques for mapping brain circuitry

This article provides a survey of major methodological and analytic developments in the use of functional neuroimaging to study complex structural and functional brain activity and connectivity, including data analysis methods devised to distill network properties from high-dimensional and multimodal datasets. The goal of this survey is to provide those in the broader neuroscientific community with an understanding of these developments sufficient to facilitate an informed reading of the literature, and a thoughtful approach to their use in the investigation of questions in their own areas of interest. Practical methodological considerations for assessing and designing functional neuroimaging studies are provided, as are examples of the types of questions that can be addressed by various techniques.
Educational Methods and Best Practices in BME Laboratories 1

Biomedical engineering (BME) is a practical discipline and laboratory courses that teach the practice of this discipline are an integral component of an effective undergraduate curriculum. Laboratory courses provide students with the opportunity to observe how the physical world compares to the quantitative descriptions of that world taught in the classroom. They also should provide students with the skills necessary for enhancing our descriptions of the physical world, for developing the tools required to interact with that world on a variety of scales, for designing experiments to accomplish these goals and for effectively communicating the results of these experiments. The purpose of this document is to outline the critical components of an effective BME laboratory curriculum and teaching methodologies most appropriate for delivering the content of that curriculum. The content is based upon a white paper submitted in advance of the second Biomedical Engineering Education Summit (BEES II) sponsored by the Whitaker Foundation, and on the discussions that occurred at that summit. BME is a broad discipline that integrates knowledge from the physical, chemical, and engineering sciences for application to the study of biology and medicine. The challenge in developing an undergraduate BME curriculum is determining how to provide students with the breadth required to understand the interdependence of these disciplines as well as the depth necessary to apply the acquired knowledge throughout their careers. Laboratory courses can provide hands-on exposure to the practice of BME. However, because of limited time and resources, it is not possible to cover the tools and techniques spanning the entire field in any undergraduate curriculum. Hence, it is imperative that laboratory courses deliver a foundation to support the skills
Factors affecting spatial and temporal variability in material exchange between the Southern Everglades wetlands and Florida Bay (USA)

Abstract Physical and biological processes controlling spatial and temporal variations in material concentration and exchange between the Southern Everglades wetlands and Florida Bay were studied for 2.5 years in three of the five major creek systems draining the watershed. Daily total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) fluxes were measured for 2 years in Taylor River, and ten 10-day intensive studies were conducted in this creek to estimate the seasonal flux of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), total organic carbon (TOC), and suspended matter. Four 10-day studies were conducted simultaneously in Taylor, McCormick, and Trout Creeks to study the spatial variation in concentration and flux. The annual fluxes of TOC, TN, and TP from the Southern Everglades were estimated from regression equations. The Southern Everglades watershed, a 460-km 2 area that includes Taylor Slough and the area south of the C-111 canal, exported 7.1 g C m −2 , 0.46 g N m −2 , and 0.007 g P m −2 , annually. Everglades P flux is three to four orders of magnitude lower than published flux estimates from wetlands influenced by terrigenous sedimentary inputs. These low P flux values reflect both the inherently low P content of Everglades surface water and the efficiency of Everglades carbonate sediments and biota in conserving and recycling this limiting nutrient. The seasonal variation of freshwater input to the watershed was responsible for major temporal variations in N, P, and C export to Florida Bay; approximately 99% of the export occurred during the rainy season. Wind-driven forcing was most important during the later stages of the dry season when low freshwater head coincided with southerly winds, resulting in a net import of water and materials into the wetlands. We also observed an east to west decrease in TN:TP ratio from 212:1 to 127:1. Major spatial gradients in N:P ratios and nutrient concentration and flux among the creek were consistent with the westward decrease in surface water runoff from the P-limited Everglades and increased advection of relatively P-rich Gulf of Mexico (GOM) waters into Florida Bay. Comparison of measured nutrient flux from Everglades surface water inputs from this study with published estimates of other sources of nutrients to Florida Bay (i.e. atmospheric deposition, anthropogenic inputs from the Florida Keys, advection from the GOM) show that Everglades runoff represents only 2% of N inputs and 0.5% of P input to Florida Bay.
Microscale Temperature Measurements Near the Contact Line of an Evaporating Thin Film in a V-Groove

Thin-film evaporation of heptane in a V-groove geometry is experimentally investigated. The groove is made of fused quartz, and electrical heating of a thin layer of titanium coated on the backside of the quartz substrate provides a constant heat flux. The effects of liquid feeding rate on the temperature suppression in the thin-film region and on the meniscus shape are explored. High resolution (∼6.3 μm) infrared thermography is employed to investigate the temperature profile in the thin-film region, while a goniometer is used to image the meniscus shape. An approximate heat balance analysis is used to estimate the fraction of total meniscus heat transfer which takes place in the contact line region.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Revision des Atomgewichtes von Jod. (Zweite Mitteilung)

Die Ergebnisse dieser Untersuchung sind die folgenden: 1Das Atomgewicht des Jods wurde zu 126.985 (Ag = 107.930) gefunden, 1/100 Einheit hoher als der fruher erhaltene Wert. Wird Silber zu 107.920 angenommen und Sauerstoff zu 16.000, so wird das Atomgewicht von Jod 126.973. 2Die Beobachtung von KOTHNER und AEUER, dass unter gewissen Bedingungen Silbernitrat von Silberjodid eingeschlossen wird und dass das erstere durch Waschen nicht entfernt werden kann, wurde bestatigt. 3RICHARDS und WELLS wert fur das Atomgewicht des Chlors 35.473 hat eine neue Stutze erhalten.
Selective rearrangements of 4a,5-epoxides of 4,4-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,6,8a-hexahydronaphthalenes. ☆

Abstract Epoxidation selectivity of a number of 4,4-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,6,8a-hexahydronaphthalenes 4 were examined. Exposure of the isolated α-epoxides 7 provided excellent yields (79–92%) or rearranged fused indene-oxetanes 8 . Treatment of β-epoxides 5 with BF3·OEt 2 also yields oxetanes 8 and related alcohols 9 and 10 .
Synthetic discriminant functions for implementation on arbitrarily constrained devices

The conventional Synthetic Discriminant Function (SDF) filters are complex-valued and thus cannot be accommodated on spatial light modulators that can represent only a subset of all possible values in the complex plane. Here, we compare the performance of different SDF filters designed to satisfy certain device restrictions.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
SU‐FF‐T‐283: In‐Vivo Diode Dosimetry for IMRT Fields

Purpose: In‐vivo dosimetry can be a useful tool to verify overall patient treatment quality with respect to calculation, setup and delivery. We have conducted a study in our department using the Sun Nuclear QED diode detectors to verify the accuracy of dose delivery in patients undergoing IMRTtreatments. The expected diode reading calculation is based on an in‐house developed MU calculation program. Method and Materials: The diodes were placed on the surface of a 4 cm thick solid water phantom and the IMRT fields were delivered to the assigned SSD under treatment conditions. We compared the diode dose readings during the IMRTtreatment delivery with the calculated entrance dose in the Penn MU program. The results were also compared with the Dose/MU ratio between PennMU and Oncentra treatment planning system (OTP). Results: A large number of cases were selected and 73 IMRT fields were checked. The calculated values were in 8% agreement with the diode readings. The magnitude of error is dependent on the diode position in the delivered field, whether it is located in a high or low dose region. Shifting the diode position to a high dose region lead to improved accuracy. Conclusion: Penn MU calculation program and the diode measurements are within 8% agreement and we expect our MU calculation program to be clinically used as a reliable tool for verification, keeping in mind that the diode point of measurement should be in a high dose region to avoid large errors.
Left cardiac sympathetic denervation for the treatment of long QT syndrome and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia using video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Background Long QT syndrome (LQTS) and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) are two of the most common, potentially lethal, cardiac channelopathies. Treatment strategies for the primary and secondary prevention of life-threatening polymorphic ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation include pharmacotherapy with β-blockers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD). Objectives This study sought to report our institutional experience with LCSD using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Methods From November 2005 through November 2008, 20 patients (8 female, average age at surgery 9.1 ± 9.7 years, range 2 months to 42 years) underwent LCSD via either a traditional approach (N = 2) or VATS (N = 18). A total of 12 patients had genotype-positive LQTS (7 LQT1, 2 LQT2, 1 LQT3, 2 LQT1/LQT2), 2 had JLNS, 4 had genotype-negative LQTS, and 2 had CPVT1. Electronic medical records were reviewed for patient selection, perioperative complications, and short-term outcomes. Results LCSD was performed as a secondary prevention strategy in 11 patients (8 LQTS patients, average QTc 549 ms) and as primary prevention in 9 patients (average QTc 480 ms). There were no perioperative complications, including no intraoperative ectopy, no uncontrolled hemorrhage, and no VATS cases requiring conversion to a traditional approach. The average length of available follow-up was 16.6 ± 9.5 months (range 4 to 40 months). Among the 18 patients who underwent VATS-LCSD, the average time from operation to dismissal was 2.6 days (range 1 day to 15 days), the majority being next-day dismissals. Among those receiving LCSD as secondary prevention, there has been a marked reduction in cardiac events. Conclusions We present a series of 20 patients with LQTS and CPVT who underwent LCSD, 18 using VATS. The minimally invasive VATS surgical approach was associated with minimal perioperative complications, including no intraoperative ectopy and excellent immediate and short-term outcomes. Videoscopic denervation surgery, in addition to traditional LCSD, offers a safe and effective treatment option for the personalized medicine required for patients with LQTS/CPVT.
Staging the menopausal transition: data from the TREMIN Research Program on Women's Health.

The present study was conducted to test the assumptions of a staging system of reproductive aging that was proposed at the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW) in 2001. Using longitudinal data provided by 100 women over a period of 3–12 years, we asked whether midlife women move in a uniform progression from pre- to peri- to postmenopause, as refuted by earlier studies but proposed by the STRAW model, or whether they differ from this assumed pattern. Participants were recruited from the TREMIN Research Program on Women’s Health, the oldest ongoing study of menstruation and women’s health in the world. Eligibility criteria included reaching menopause during the course of the study and not using exogenous hormones. Participants provided annual self-reports of menopausal stage based on observations of their menstrual cycles (“regular,” “changing,” and “menopausal”). Findings revealed a lack of uniformity as women progressed toward menopause. From 8 to over 20 different perimenopausal stage patterns were observed, depending on the analysis. While the most common pattern was to progress from regular to changing to menopause, some women experienced menstrual bleeding after a year or more of amenorrhea, others flip-flopped between stages, and still others skipped directly from regular bleeding to menopause. We conclude that there is considerable variation in women’s movement across menopausal status categories and urge researchers to accommodate such findings in their model building.
A linear erosion/elevation measuring instrument (LEMI)

The Linear Erosion/Elevation Measuring Instrument (LEMI) offers an alternative to erosion pins for assessing changes in the ground surface that need not disturb the soil at the point of measurement. The device, fabricated from two carpenter's levels, is mounted on each of a series of support rods implanted along a hillslope profile. The vertical distance between the LEMI and the surface may be recorded to the nearest one-half millimetre. Testing indicates that the use of the LEMI sacrifices about one millimetre of measurement replicability while obtaining undisturbed site data.
Fabrication Of Binary Optics Using Electron Beam Lithography

Electron beam lithography is applicable to the fabrication of binary optics. Practical aspects of generating binary masks for zone plates and diffraction gratings using the Manu-facturing Electron Beam Exposure System (MEBES III) at Perkin-Elmer are discussed.
SU‐FF‐T‐376: Multi‐Variable Modeling of Radiotherapy Outcomes: Determining Optimal Model Size

Purpose: The probability of a specified radiotherapy outcome (e.g., a normal tissue complication or tumor eradication) is typically a complex, non‐linear, unknown function of dose distribution characteristics and clinical factors (such as chemotherapy, age, gender, diabetes, etc.). However, current outcome models are usually over‐simplified, and standard model fitting methods give little guidance as to how to best add choose from many complicated, alternative models. We discuss methods for building multivariable response models within the framework of logistic regression. We study in detail the issue of how to select model complexity to reach the goal of maximizing predictive power. Method and Materials:Analyses of esophagitis and xerostomia datasets are used as examples. We describe techniques for approximating the unknown dose‐volume‐responsefunction as a linear combination of multiple candidate dosimetric variables and clinical factors. In order to guard against under‐ and over‐fitting, we compare several methods for selecting optimal model size, including: fitting against bootstrap training and testing datasets, Akaike information criteria, and leave‐one‐out cross validation. Results: Leave‐one‐out cross validation produced the most unambiguous guidance for optimal model size. Optimal esophagitis model size was five variables (concurrent chemotherapy, A55, A30, A45, A85). Although the xerostomia model could be improved using clinical factors, the improvement over using the single dose‐volume model term was small, and therefore judged not worth the added complexity. Conclusions. Treatment response models, including dose‐volume effects, can be made more predictive by mixing clinical and multiple dose‐volume factors into a single model. Over‐simplified treatment response models are only justified in those cases where more complicated models cannot be supported by the data. Leave‐one‐out cross correlation model testing combined with Spearman's correlation coefficient often provided the least ambiguous method to study the tradeoff between prediction improvements and model size and to choose optimal model size.
Modeling the interaction of phonemic intelligibility and lexical structure in audiovisual word recognition

Studies of audiovisual perception of spoken language have mostly modeled phoneme identification in nonsense syllables, but it is doubtful that models or theories of phonetic processing can adequately account for audiovisual word recognition. The present study took a computational approach to examine how lexical structure may additionally constrain word recognition, given the phonetic information available under vocoded audio, visual and audiovisual stimulus conditions. Subjects made phonemic identification judgments on recordings of spoken nonsense syllables. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used first to select classes of perceptually equivalent phonemes for each of the stimulus conditions, and then a machine-readable phonemically transcribed lexicon was retranscribed in terms of these phonemic equivalence classes. Several statistics were computed for each of the transcriptions, including percent information extracted, percent words unique and expected class size. The findings suggest that superadditive levels of audiovisual enhancement are more likely for monosyllabic than for multisyllabic words. That is, impoverished phonetic information may be sufficient to recognize multisyllabic words, but the recognition of monosyllabic words seems to require additional phonetic information.
Chiral auxiliary-mediated enantioenrichment of (±)-ibuprofen, under steglich conditions, with secondary alcohols derived from (R)-carvone

The synthesis of a series of chiral secondary alcohols derived from (R)-carvone, and the stereochemical outcome of their reaction with (±)-ibuprofen, is reported. The racemic drug was transformed into the corresponding diastereomeric esters mediated by DCC/DMAP, affording up to 5.7:1 diastereomeric ratios of the esters derived from either (S)- or (R)-ibuprofen, depending on the type of chiral auxiliary employed.
Efficient numerical approach to the evaluation of Kramers–Kronig transforms

A method is presented to deal with the numerical evaluation of Kramers–Kronig transforms (the Hilbert transforms of even and odd functions on the positive real axis). The general Hilbert transform is also treated. The functions involved must be continuous on the integration interval with suitable asymptotic behavior for large values of the argument and must have an appropriate functional form in the vicinity of the singularity of the integrand of the transform. The approach is based on a specialized Gaussian quadrature technique that uses the weight function log x-1. This choice allows the region in the vicinity of the singularity to be swept into the quadrature weights and abscissa values. Application to the Lorentzian and Gaussian line profiles is discussed.
Treating chronic pain: the need for non-opioid options

Chronic pain is a prevalent problem that exacts a significant toll on society. The medical system has responded to this issue by implementing pain management services centered on opioid pharmacotherapy. However, for many chronic pain patients, the analgesic efficacy of long-term opioids is limited. Moreover, chronic exposure to opioids can result in opioid misuse, addiction, and risk of overdose. As such, non-opioid treatment options are needed. This article first provides a selective review of cognitive, affective, and psychophysiological mechanisms implicated in chronic pain to be targeted by novel non-opioid treatments. Next, it briefly details one such treatment approach, Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement, and describes evidence suggesting that this intervention can disrupt the risk chain linking chronic pain to prescription opioid misuse.
Vocal characteristics of congenital anterior glottic webs in children: A case report

This case report describes a 5-year-old girl with chronic dysphonia and high-pitched voice since birth. Vocal quality was noted to be harsh. Videostroboscopy revealed significant hyperfunction and a Type II congenital anterior glottic web. Endoscopic division of the anterior glottic web was performed with significant improvement in vocal quality and quality of life. This paper describes methods of analyzing, diagnosing, and treating anterior glottic web with a focus on quality of life. Also, unique acoustic and aerodynamic voice features are identified. No other descriptions of a voice characteristic for anterior glottic web currently exist in the literature.
Der mehr als Dreißigjährige Krieg - Theorie des Staatsbildungskrieges

Eine genuin geschichtswissenschaftliche Theorie des Krieges, die sich nicht in historischen Einzelkriegen und Binnenaspekten verliert, aber auch nicht fachfremd in vermeintlich immergultige Erklarungsansatze des Phanomens „Krieg“ verfallt, muss an der Epoche und an ihrem zeitspezifischen Konflikt- und Entwicklungspotenzial ansetzen. Die Epoche der Fruhen Neuzeit verfugt hier uber einen etwas makaberen Analyse vorteil: ein Mehr an Krieg nach Zahl, Intensitat und Umfang, das einer Erklarung bedarf. Zugleich wird von der klassischen Historiographie bis in die Gegenwart ein anderes zentrales Epochenphanomen diskutiert, das ganz offensichtlich etwas damit zu tun hat: die Herausbildung von Staaten und Staatensystem in Europa. Gegen die simple Gleichung „mehr Staat, also mehr Krieg“, die in einer politologischen Diskussion die staatliche Institution selbst als ein nachhaltiges Kainszeichen zu brandmarken drohte (Krippendorf 1985; dagegen Munkler 1987), konnte ich jedoch die These belegen, dass es nicht die Staatenorganisation an sich, sondern gerade ihre Unfertigkeit und Unvollkommenheit war, die in dem noch unabgeschlossenen Staats-bildungsprozess kriegstreibend wirkte (Burkhardt 1992: 20-28, 1997a).
Nucleus-specific expression of NMDA receptor-associated postsynaptic density proteins in primate thalamus

Abstract Thalamic afferents and efferents primarily use the neurotransmitter glutamate, which acts through a variety of ionotropic (NMDA, AMPA, kainate) and metabotropic receptors. The NMDAR is composed of multiple subunits, NR1 and NR2A-D. The obligatory NR1 subunit is expressed as one of eight isoforms, due to the alternative splicing of exons 5, 21, and 22. Each NR1 splice variant is functionally distinct. For instance, alternative splicing of exons 21 and 22 renders two C-terminal variants, which differentially associate with NR2 subunits and intracellular molecules such the PSD-95 family of proteins. These PSD proteins play a pivotal role in NMDAR function by linking NMDARs to the cytoskeleton and downstream signal-transducing enzymes that can directly modulate NMDAR function and/or promote NMDAR-associated intracellular events. Previous work reported that NR1 is by far the most abundant NMDAR subunit expressed in the primate thalamus. In the current study, we extend these findings first by determining which NR1 isoforms are predominantly expressed in the thalamus. Secondly, we characterize the expression of the NMDAR-associated PSD molecules, such as PSD-95, in the thalamus. Using in situ hybridization, we examined expression of the transcripts encoding NR1 isoforms containing exons 5, 21, or 22, and transcripts encoding a set of the most well-characterized NMDAR-associated PSD proteins (NF-L, PSD93, PSD95, SAP102, and Yotiao). NR1 exon 22-containing isoforms are the most abundant subunit transcripts, accounting for 40–50% of the NR1 isoforms expressed in most thalamic nuclei. We also found that NF-L is by far the most abundant PSD protein expressed in the thalamus, followed by PSD-95, which is moderately and heterogeneously expressed. SAP102 and PSD-93 were expressed at moderate to low levels, with negligible amounts of Yotiao transcript expression. The PSD-95 family of molecules are critical for NMDAR function in the cell, and this study is the first to provide a detailed description of the expression of these molecules in primate thalamus. Our results demonstrate that NR1 splice variants and associated PSD proteins are heterogeneously expressed across the thalamus, which is likely related to the intracellular events that occur in different thalamic nuclei.