cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conformational changes in chromatin from density inhibited WI-38 fibroblasts stimulated to proliferate.

Quiescent confluent monolayers of WI-38 human diploid fibroblasts can be stimulated to proliferate by replacing the oldmedium with freshmedium plus 10 % serum. Circular dichroism spectra of chromatin from stimulated cells between 2 and 10 hrs after stimulation show an increase in positive ellipticitymaxima and a blue shift in the 250–300 nm region. These changes are reversed when the stimulated cells enter DNA synthesis (which, in the present conditions, begins to increase at 12–15 hrs and reaches a peak at 20 hrs). The circular dichroism changes occurring 3 hrs after stimulation have been studied in greater detail. They consist in a 35 % (average) increase in positive ellipticity and a blue shift in the 250–300 nm region. Changes in the λ<244 nm region are less consistent. The differences between chromatins of stimulated and unstimulated cells are abolished when both chromatins are washed with 0.25 M NaCl. This procedure removes 10–12 % of chromosomal proteins, which chromatograph with non-histone proteins. DNA, RNA and histones could not be detected in the 0.25 M NaCl extract. In gel electrophoretic profiles of radioactively labelled chromosomal proteins from stimulated and unstimulated WI-38 cells there were no detectable differences between histones. The non-histone proteins of stimulated cells showed one radioactive peak which was increased above the level of non-histone proteins from control cells. These results show that structural changes occur in the chromatin of WI-38 cells stimulated to proliferate several hrs before the onset of DNA synthesis. The fact that differences in the chromatins can be abolished by washing with 0.25 M NaCl could give a clue as to the mechanisms responsible for these structural changes.
Contributions of cytoplasmic factors to in vitro cellular senescence

Mass populations of normal human lung fibroblasts were enucleated by centrifugation at ≥25,000g in 4 µg/ml cytochalasin B. The 1% of cells that did not enucleate where rendered nonviable by treatment with mitomycin C. Whole cells were poisoned with a 99% lethal dose of the sulfhydryl reagent iodoacetate. The washed cells were then mixed with the anucleate cytoplasms, fused with inactivated Sendai virus, and planted in rotenone for 20 hours. Whereas normal cells are able to survive this rotenone treatment, the 1% surviving iodoacetate-treated cells cannot withstand this additional stress. However, iodoacetatetreated cells that fuse to untreated cytoplasms receive sufficient amounts of active enzymes to allow them to survive. Since this selective system does not rely on using enzymatic mutants, it should permit the selection of hybrids between anucleate cytoplasms and any type of whole cell. Cytoplasmic hybrids were cultured in order to determine their proliferative capacity. The life-spans of cytoplasmic hybrids between young and old cells were compared to those of young/young and old/old controls. Cytoplasmic factors do not appear to control in vitro cellular senescence.—Wright, W. E. and L. Hayflick. Contributions of cytoplasmic factors to in vitro cellular senescence. Federation Proc. 34: 76–79, 1975.
A V and I CCD Mosaic Survey of the Ursa Minor Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy

We discuss a Johnson-Cousins V- and I-band CCD mosaic survey of the Ursa Minor dwarf spheroidal galaxy (dSph) to V ~ 22. We covered UMi with 27 105 × 105 overlapping CCD frames, each frame consisting of two 300 s exposures in each of V and I. We also observed several regions ~3° from UMi to obtain an estimate of contamination by galaxies and Galactic stars. We report the first H-R diagram of an entire dSph. Separation of dwarf stars from foreground stars by color allows a robust estimation of the structural parameters of UMi. We examine earlier evidence of two lumps in the UMi stellar distribution. We detect a statistically significant asymmetry in the stellar distribution of UMi along the major axis. Structure in the stellar distribution of UMi might indicate a tidal origin for UMi's high observed mass-to-light ratio. We demonstrate a technique for obtaining the absolute magnitude of UMi from horizontal-branch star counts compared with M92; this method of luminosity estimation is independent of the distance to UMi. We obtain MV = -8.87 ± σ , where σ = 0.14 if M92 is a perfect calibrator and σ 0.35 is an upper bound on the error arising from differences in stellar populations. Our value for MV is consistent with earlier measurements and has a smaller uncertainty.
A Spanning Tree Invariant for Markov Shifts

We introduce a new type of invariant of block isomorphism for Markov shifts, defined by summing the weights of all spanning trees for a presentation of the Markov shift. We give two proofs of invariance. The first uses the Matrix-Tree Theorem to show that this invariant can be computed from a known invariant, the stochastic zeta function of the shift. The second uses directly the definition to show invariance under state splitting, from which all block isomorphisms can be built.
Daily Variations in the Formation of Gastric Ulcers Caused by Cervical Cord Transection in the Rat

Cervical spinal cord transection is used as a model of mammalian stress ulcerogenesis. Circadian variations in gastric ulceration have been demonstrated in other animal models. We investigated whether gastric ulceration changed after cervical cord transection throughout a 24-h period by subjecting different groups of rats to cord transection. Ulcers were quantitated using an index described by Szabo and colleagues. Ulcer formation showed significant variation as a function of time of lesioning, with least severe ulceration at 8 AM. We found that cord transection, like other models of gastric ulceration, is also influenced by the circadian system.
Recurrent ulcer after successful treatment with cimetidine or antacid

This study was designed to compare the rates of duodenal ulcer healing and recurrence after treatment with cimetidine or antacid. Patients with endoscopically documented duodenal ulcer received cimetidine, 1200 mg daily, or Mylanta II, 7 oz daily, in a randomized, double-blind trial. For the 69 patients in each group who completed the healing phase of the trial, endoscopic ulcer healing was almost identical. At 2, 4, and 6 wk, the cumulative percent healed on antacid was 33%, 64%, and 80%, and on cimetidine it was 25%, 62%, and 86%. The 114 patients with healed ulcer were observed on no therapy and underwent additional endoscopy to detect recurrences when symptomatic or at 3, 6, and 12 mo. There was no difference in the frequency of recurrences between treatments. At 3 and 6 mo, the cumulative percentages of patients with recurrence were 29% and 56% after antacid therapy and 36% and 55% after cimetidine therapy. Some patient variables were associated with delayed ulcer healing or ulcer recurrence. These included sex, pain frequency, smoking, disease duration, and acid secretion.
Identifying and developing measures of information technology ethical work climates

A model of information technology (IT) ethical work climates is presented. Using these ethical work climates and data collected from a national mail survey of Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) members, empirical measures were developed and evaluated. A mailing of 2446 questionnaires was sent to ACM members and 136 usable responses were returned (5.6%). Using these data, an exploratory factor analysis was performed using principle components analysis to identify the IT ethical work climates from the data. Six of these work climates were identified as predicted by the model. Two ethical work climates that were combinations of the proposed climates were also identified.
The cathodic reduction of carbon dioxide in acetonitrile: An electrochemical and infrared spectroelectrochemical study

Abstract Electrochemical reduction of CO 2 at Pt was investigated in acetonitrile (CH 3 CN) by means of IR spectroelectrochemistry. In situ FTIR reflectance spectra of the thin electrolyte layer between the cell window and electrode revealed quantitative formation of oxalate in at least two different solvation states when the electrode potential was switched from 0.4 V (vs. a Ag/AgNO 3 reference in CH 3 CN) to increasingly negative values. Readjusting the potential to 0.4 V resulted in complete reversal of the spectral features, corroborating the chemical reversibility of the CO 2 reduction process. The majority of IR bands could be assigned to CO 2 , oxalate (C 2 O 2− 4 ), and to electrolyte ions and solvent migrating due to the electric field. IR spectra obtained during oxidation of tetra-n-butylammonium oxalate, TBA 2 Ox, in CH 3 CN showed that TBA 2 Ox dissolves in CH 3 CN mainly as aggregates of ion pairs. The IR spectrum of TBA 2 Ox presented here probably represents the least coordinated form of oxalate species ever observed. The C 2 O 2− 4 bands of the CO 2 reduction product and TBA 2 Ox are compared to the IR spectra of other X 2 C 2 O 4 species (X = K, Na, Li, H).
Cellular and neurochemical remodeling of the spinal cord in bone cancer pain

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the cellular and neurochemical remodeling of the spinal cord in bone cancer pain. To determine the neurochemical mechanisms that give rise to cancer pain, a model of bone cancer pain that shares many similarities with human cancer bone pain is developed. Following development of the model, the chapter characterized the extent of cancer-induced bone destruction, the sensory innervation of the bone, and the animal behavior indicative of pain, and the neurochemical changes that occur in the spinal cord and primary afferent neurons that may be involved in the generation and maintenance of cancer pain. The unique neurochemical reorganization of the spinal cord in bone cancer is mirrored by the clinical experience that analgesics that are efficacious in the relief of inflammatory or neuropathic pain are frequently ineffective at relieving advanced bone cancer pain. Understanding the distinct neurochemical events that are involved in the generation and maintenance of different persistent pain states should provide a mechanistic approach for understanding and developing novel therapies for unique persistent pain states such as cancer pain.
International Cooperation in High Technology Ceramics

There is growing recognition of the importance of high-technology ceramics, and indeed, all high-technology materials, in a variety of applications and international trade. Given an interdependent business world that is fundamentally linked to world trade, it is particularly appropriate to draw special attention to some of the opportunities for international cooperation in the author’s field of specialization, ceramic materials, before this VIth World Round Table Conference (RTC) on Sintering.
Specific Inflammatory Stimuli Lead to Distinct Platelet Responses in Mice and Humans

Introduction Diverse and multi-factorial processes contribute to the progression of cardiovascular disease. These processes affect cells involved in the development of this disease in varying ways, ultimately leading to atherothrombosis. The goal of our study was to compare the differential effects of specific stimuli – two bacterial infections and a Western diet – on platelet responses in ApoE-/- mice, specifically examining inflammatory function and gene expression. Results from murine studies were verified using platelets from participants of the Framingham Heart Study (FHS; n = 1819 participants).
Differential Expression of Kir6.1 and SUR2B mRNAs in the Vasculature of Various Tissues in Rats

ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP) couple the intermediary metabolism to cellular excitability and play an important role in the cardio-protective effect of ischemic preconditioning and the activity-dependent autoregulation of cerebral circulation. Although previous studies using PCR and Northern blot suggest that the vascular isoform may consist of Kir6.1 and SUR2B, their expression and precise distribution in various vasculatures remain unknown. To illustrate their vascular expression, we performed this study using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Antisense riboprobes were synthesized by in vitro transcription and labeled with digoxigenin. Distributions of these mRNAs in the various blood vessels were revealed under a bright-field microscope. The expression of Kir6.1 and SUR2B mRNAs was observed in small and intermediate arteries as well as arterioles in several tissues, including basilar, vertebral, mesenteric, coronary and renal arteries. The transcripts were found in arterial smooth muscles. Also, we observed Kir6.1/SUR2B expression in capillary beds. The Kir6.1 and SUR2B expression pattern showed clear overlap, suggesting that they may form heteromeric KATP channels in these tissues. The Kir6.1 and SUR2B stains were detected in aorta and renal tubular cells although their expression level was extremely low. In contrast, the Kir6.1 and SUR2B mRNAs were not seen in vena cava, other small veins, myocardium and skeletal muscles. With their strong expression in small arteries and capillaries, it is very likely that the Kir6.1 and SUR2B form the vascular isoform of KATP channels in these vasculatures.
Hybrid voltage sensor imaging of electrical activity from neurons in hippocampal slices from transgenic mice.

Gene targeting with genetically encoded optical voltage sensors brings the methods of voltage imaging to genetically defined neurons and offers a method of studying circuit activity in these select...
Cognitive Radio Transmissions Exploiting Multi-User Diversity under Channel and Sensing Uncertainty

In this paper, a cognitive multiple access channel (MAC) in which the secondary transmitters opportunistically communicate with a secondary receiver (i.e., a secondary base station) is considered. It is assumed that the base station first determines the channel availability through channel sensing and then broadcasts a pilot symbol with energy depending on the channel sensing decision in order to facilitate the linear minimum mean-square estimation (LMMSE) of the channel fading coefficient between itself and each secondary user. The user with the largest estimated channel gain is selected opportunistically for data transmission during each frame. In this setting, achievable rates and energy efficiency are studied by exploiting the multi-user diversity in the presence of channel sensing and channel estimation errors. The interactions between number of users, channel sensing parameters and performance (e.g., detection and false-alarm probabilities), achievable rates, and energy efficiency are analyzed. Performance gains due to collaborative sensing and multi-user diversity are investigated.
VM/XA storage management

The VM/XA System Product manages the vast amounts of real and expanded storage available on the new Enterprise Systems Architecture/370™ processors for both guest use and support of internal operating system functions. The management algorithms are examined, and the rationale for their selection is presented.
Sympatric sexual signal divergence among North American Calopteryx damselflies is correlated with increased intra- and interspecific male-male aggression

Divergence of sexual signals in sympatry can arise as a consequence of (1) interspecific competition for resources, (2) selection against maladaptive hybridization, or (3) as a result of selection to reduce the cost of interspecific aggression; termed agonistic character displacement (ACD). Calopterygid damselflies have emerged as a model system for studying the evolution of divergent sexual signals due to the repeated evolution of sympatric species pairs with fully and partially melanized wings. Damselfly wing patterns function during both courtship and territory defense. However, the relative contributions of natural and sexual selection to phenotypic divergence and enhanced isolation in sympatry remain unclear in many cases. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that interference competition, in the form of increased interspecific male–male aggression, drives the evolution of character displacement in sympatry between two species of North American damselflies, Calopteryx aequabilis and Calopteryx maculata, that show no evidence of ecological divergence or ongoing hybridization. In paired behavioral trials, we found that interspecific male aggression related to territory defense varied between site, species, and as a function of the relative abundance of con- vs. hetero-specific males. Specifically, we found that large-spotted C. aequabilis males received increased intra- and interspecific aggression but that aggression against large-spotted males declined during the middle of the flight season when both species were equally abundant. Based on these results, we suggest that ACD leads to enhanced species recognition, and may be a common outcome of the antagonism between interspecific male–male competition and the countervailing force of intraspecific sexual selection favoring increased wing melanization among territorial damselfly species.
Host and Bacterial Proteins That Repress Recruitment of LC3 to Shigella Early during Infection

Shigella spp. are intracytosolic gram-negative pathogens that cause disease by invasion and spread through the colonic mucosa, utilizing host cytoskeletal components to form propulsive actin tails. We have previously identified the host factor Toca-1 as being recruited to intracellular S. flexneri and being required for efficient bacterial actin tail formation. We show that at early times during infection (40 min.), the type three-secreted effector protein IcsB recruits Toca-1 to intracellular bacteria and that recruitment of Toca-1 is associated with repression of recruitment of LC3, as well as with repression of recruitment of the autophagy marker NDP52, around these intracellular bacteria. LC3 is best characterized as a marker of autophagosomes, but also marks phagosomal membranes in the process LC3-associated phagocytosis. IcsB has previously been demonstrated to be required for S. flexneri evasion of autophagy at late times during infection (4–6 hr) by inhibiting binding of the autophagy protein Atg5 to the Shigella surface protein IcsA (VirG). Our results suggest that IcsB and Toca-1 modulation of LC3 recruitment restricts LC3-associated phagocytosis and/or LC3 recruitment to vacuolar membrane remnants. Together with published results, our findings suggest that IcsB inhibits innate immune responses in two distinct ways, first, by inhibiting LC3-associated phagocytosis and/or LC3 recruitment to vacuolar membrane remnants early during infection, and second, by inhibiting autophagy late during infection.
UGA: A third class of suppressible polar mutants

Abstract Using a UGA mutation in the Z gene of the Lac operon of Escherichia coli , a new suppressor strain was isolated that suppresses UGA. This new suppressor was used to show that the large class of previously non-suppressible polar mutants could be assigned the codon UGA.
Effects of Charge Transfer on the Microscopic Theory of Strain-Layer Epitaxy

Whenever an atom of As is substitutionally replaced by a P-atom in a compound such as GaAs, due to the difference in ionicity, local puckering is effected by charge transfer. This paper deals with a calculation of the total energy stored, Eex = E(strain) + E(interface) = Es + Eint. For thick epilayers of GaP on GaAs, Eex is dominated by Es. However, for severalatomic layers of GaP on GaAs, the dominant stored energy is actually represented by the electrical dipole-dipole energy at the interface. The creation of dislocations may release the strain energy, it cannot affect the interface dipoleterm. Only inter-diffusion can lower the interface energy.
The Aerospace Vehicle Interactive Design system

The aerospace vehicle interactive design (AVID) is a computer aided design that was developed for the conceptual and preliminary design of aerospace vehicles. The AVID system evolved from the application of several design approaches in an advanced concepts environment in which both mission requirements and vehicle configurations are continually changing. The basic AVID software facilitates the integration of independent analysis programs into a design system where the programs can be executed individually for analysis or executed in groups for design iterations and parametric studies. Programs integrated into an AVID system for launch vehicle design include geometry, aerodynamics, propulsion, flight performance, mass properties, and economics.
Contribution of transferable hydrogen to coal conversion

Abstract The contribution of transferable hydrogen in coal-derived solvents to coal conversion was investigated in a two-step process. Initially, the amount of transferable hydrogen in the coal-derived solvents was analysed by spectroscopic methods and by catalytic dehydrogenation. The spectroscopic methods included carbon magnetic resonance, proton magnetic resonance and a combination of the two. Three of the methods gave nearly equivalent quantities for the amount of transferable hydrogen present in the complex coal-derived liquids. Coal conversion determined in each of the coal-derived solvents was correlated to the amount of transferable hydrogen present. The contribution of transferable hydrogen is a significant factor in coal dissolution and the presence of saturates and hexane-insoluble compounds in these solvents may have a detrimental effect on coal dissolution.
Consistency, monotonicity, and the uniform rule

Abstract We consider the problem of fairly allocating an infinitely divisible commodity among a group of agents whose preferences are single-peaked. We show that the uniform rule is the only solution to satisfy consistency, monotonicity and individual rationality from equal division.
Intact right ventricle-pulmonary artery shunt after stage 2 palliation in hypoplastic left heart syndrome improves pulmonary artery growth.

For patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who have undergone the Norwood procedure with a right ventricle–pulmonary artery (RV-PA) shunt, the shunt can either be removed or left intact at the time of the stage 2 procedure. This study aimed to determine the effects of an intact shunt on pulmonary artery growth and clinical outcomes after the stage 2 procedure. A retrospective review of patients who underwent Norwood with an RV-PA shunt from 2005 to 2010 was performed. Catheterization data, echocardiographic data, postoperative outcome variables, and mortality data were collected. Pulmonary artery size was measured at pre-stage 2 and pre-Fontan catheterizations using the Nakata Index and the McGoon Ratio. Of the 68 patients included in the study, 48 had the shunt removed at the time of stage 2 (group 1), and 20 had the shunt left intact (group 2). The two groups did not differ in terms of pre-stage 2 hemodynamics or pulmonary artery size. After stage 2, group 2 had higher oxygen saturations. The two groups did not differ regarding duration of chest tube drainage, length of hospital stay, need for unplanned interventions, or mortality. Before Fontan, the group 2 patients had higher superior vena cava (SVC) pressures and more venovenous collaterals closed. There was increased pulmonary artery growth between the pre-stage 2 and pre-Fontan catheterizations in group 2 using both the Nakata Index (+148.5 vs −52.4 mm2/m2; p = 0.01) and the McGoon Ratio (+0.36 vs +0.01; p = 0.01). These findings indicate that patients with an intact RV-PA shunt after stage 2 have greater pulmonary artery growth than patients with the shunt removed, with no increased risk of complications.
Celebrity star power: Do age and gender effects influence box office performance?

Celebrity media exposure is an increasingly strong source of actor popularity and is a viable star power variable that focuses on the impact of celebrity, not acting talent. Using People to calculate an actor's popularity, we analyse how the gender and age of a movie's lead actors affect box office success using quantile regression. We find that male celebrity media exposure can positively impact the success of a movie, whereas female celebrity exposure tends to decrease box office revenues. The results also suggest that although it may be harder for older actresses to land a lead role, it is actually the older male actors who lack the ability to carry a movie. The results highlight that a linear regression may not be the optimal solution to assess the relationship between star power and box office revenues.
A method to compare processing speed and oculomotor function using a modified SDMT.

While a body of literature relating cognition and oculomotor performance exists, a better understanding of these processes would help facilitate the development of effective treatments for patients suffering various neurological disorders, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Huntington's Disease, or a traumatic brain injury. To examine the relationship between the two, we sought to measure cognition and oculomotor functioning simultaneously, through a modification of a commonly used neuropsychological test, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Measurement includes monitoring of eye movements in two dimensions with the aid of infrared tracking. This paper presents preliminary data and an overview of analytical methods to be performed in the future on patients with neurological disorders. Correlations between eye movements and the mSDMT were verified using signal characterization. Furthermore, saccadic velocity was shown to remain relatively constant in healthy controls.
Identification of risk factors for extrapulmonary tuberculosis

The proportion of extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases in the United States has increased from 16% of tuberculosis cases, in 1991, to 20%, in 2001. To determine associations between the demographic, clinical, and life style characteristics of patients with tuberculosis and the occurrence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, a retrospective case-control study was conducted. This study included 705 patients with tuberculosis, representing 98% of the culture-proven cases of tuberculosis in Arkansas from 1 January 1996 through 31 December 2000. A comparison between 85 patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis (case patients) and 620 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (control patients) showed women (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.25-3.13), non-Hispanic blacks (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.42-3.97), and HIV-positive persons (OR, 4.93; 95% CI, 1.95-12.46) to have a significantly higher risk for extrapulmonary tuberculosis than men, non-Hispanic whites, and HIV-negative persons. This study expands the knowledge base regarding the epidemiology of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and enhances our understanding of the relative contribution of host-related factors to the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.
A Study of Role Consensus Using the Gamma Statistic

THE IMPORTANCE of the concepts of role and consensus has been so well documented that it can now be treated as an assumption by sociologists.' Still, however, the measurement of role consensus is not without difficulty since the concept itself imposes a number of methodological problems. This paper represents a suggestion of an alternative measurement combining a number of innovations from our present body of sociological knowledge. In brief, this involves the merger of the following: (1) the problem of comparing intraposition with interposition consensus; 2 (2) the utilization of dyadic consensus;3 (3) the application of a correlational measure based on ordinal assumptions; 4 and (4) the possibility of furthering the concerns of both macroscopic and micro-
Stochastic analysis of time-delayed ecosystems.

The predator-prey-type ecosystem is investigated, taking into account the time-delay effect of the prey population on the predator population, as well as random variations in the birth rate of the preys and the death rate of the predators. The stochastic averaging procedure is applied to obtain the probability distributions of the predator and prey populations at the state of statistical stationarity. It is found that two system parameters, quantifying the effects of prey self-competition and the time delay, respectively, play the most important roles. Results are also obtained from Monte Carlo simulations to compare with the analytical results.
Yes! Statins can be given to liver patients

Statins are given to 10–20% of adults in developed countries. Statins increase alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations in 10% of patients without liver disease, and this increase can exceed more than three times the upper limit of normal in 1% of such patients. In contrast, we will note that this ALT escalation
Investigation of the Drug Like Molecule Binding to DNA Single Strand Breaks using Improved Hydroxyl Radical Cleavage Methodology

Cancer cells can have greater replication rate as well as defective DNA repair. The defective repair can lead to the accumulation of damaged DNA. One alternative approach to treat cancer cells is to hide the damaged cells from the repair machinery leading to fatal errors. The aim of this research is to discover drug-like molecules that could mask the DNA damaged sites. Various drug-like molecules have been tested for this purpose. The duplex DNA shown below is being used:3'-CCGTGGTCCAGCCGCTCGGAGTGAGACTGTTTTTTTTTTT −5' (A) 5'-GGCACCAGGTCGGCGAGCCTCACTCTGAC-3' (B) An improved hydroxyl radical cleavage protocol is used that includes the use of a dT tail attached with the 5' end, which allows the co-precipitating the cleavage products with poly(A). The last 5' end T of dT tail is covalently attached to the fluorescent label Oregon Green 514. The dye avoids the limitations due to the lifetime of a 32P label. Preliminary results will be presented.
Reducing 4D CT artifacts using optimized sorting based on anatomic similarity.

Purpose Four-dimensional (4D) computed tomography (CT) has been widely used as a tool to characterize respiratory motion in radiotherapy. The two most commonly used 4D CT algorithms sort images by the associated respiratory phase or displacement into a predefined number of bins, and are prone to image artifacts at transitions between bed positions. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate a method of reducing motion artifacts in 4D CT by incorporating anatomic similarity into phase or displacement based sorting protocols. Methods Ten patient datasets were retrospectively sorted using both the displacement and phase based sorting algorithms. Conventional sorting methods allow selection of only the nearest-neighbor image in time or displacement within each bin. In our method, for each bed position either the displacement or the phase defines the center of a bin range about which several candidate images are selected. The two dimensional correlation coefficients between slices bordering the interface between adjacent couch positions are then calculated for all candidate pairings. Two slices have a high correlation if they are anatomically similar. Candidates from each bin are then selected to maximize the slice correlation over the entire data set using the Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm. To assess the reduction of artifacts, two thoracic radiation oncologists independently compared the resorted 4D datasets pairwise with conventionally sorted datasets, blinded to the sorting method, to choose which had the least motion artifacts. Agreement between reviewers was evaluated using the weighted kappa score. Results Anatomically based image selection resulted in 4D CT datasets with significantly reduced motion artifacts with both displacement (P = 0.0063) and phase sorting (P = 0.00022). There was good agreement between the two reviewers, with complete agreement 34 times and complete disagreement 6 times. Conclusions Optimized sorting using anatomic similarity significantly reduces 4D CT motion artifacts compared to conventional phase or displacement based sorting. This improved sorting algorithm is a straightforward extension of the two most common 4D CT sorting algorithms.
SU-FF-I-36: Comparison of Vendor Estimated CTDIvol and Physicist Calculated CTDIvol

Purpose: To determine if CT unit's estimated CTDIvol is statistically similar to values obtained using conventional medical physicstesting and instrumentation. The ACR calculation spreadsheet was used to calculate the CTDIvol for each unit tested. Method and Materials: Exposure measurements were obtained from the center and 12 o'clock position for both a 32 cm diameter abdominal and 16 cm diameter acrylic head phantom. The measurements were made using axial scans for typical patient abdominal and head protocols. Five CT units were evaluated. Results: Examination of the results indicate good statistical agreement between the CT unit CTDIvol estimates and the ACR dose spreadsheet calculated CTDIvol. Conclusion: This work indicates that estimating patient dose (i.e., CTDIvol) using CT unit values may be an accepted alternative to performing traditional measurements using acrylic phantoms.
Anion size and the structural properties of (TMTSF) 2X salts: Intracolumnar effects

Abstract It is analytically demonstrated that dimerization of the donor column in (TMTSF) 2 X salts, as judged by the difference in the separation of molecular centers of mass, increases as the size of the counter ion X increases. Interestingly, one of the two independent center-of-mass separations appears to be constant across the series of salts, while the second is variable. This differing behavior is traceable to the different manner in which alternate donor pairs interact with the anion substructure. The general increase in the dimerization of the donor column parallels the increasing critical pressure necessary to achieve the superconducting ground state.
Nerve-sparing laparoscopic radical cystectomy: technique and initial outcomes.

Abstract Objectives To report the technique and early outcomes of nerve-sparing laparoscopic radical cystectomy with continent orthotopic ileal neobladder in selected male and female patients with bladder cancer. Methods Since 2000, 52 patients have undergone laparoscopic radical cystectomy at our institution, with nerve-sparing laparoscopic radical cystectomy performed in 5 patients. In the nerve-sparing technique, transection of the lateral vascular pedicle and the posterior dissection proceeds closer to the bladder, at some distance from the rectum. Hem-o-lock clips were used for hemostasis, avoiding the need for any energy source near the neurovascular bundle (NVB). In the male, the identification and complete release of the NVB before division of the urethra minimizes damage to the NVB along the prostatic apex. In the female, preservation of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and vagina, maintenance of the endopelvic fascia, and minimal mobilization distal to the urethra facilitates nerve sparing. Results The median operative time was 10 hours, blood loss was 400 mL, and the length of stay was 5 days. No patient required blood transfusion, and one had a postoperative complication. All patients were free of recurrence at a median follow-up of 30 months. At 12 months, nocturnal and daytime continence was preserved in 100% and 75% of patients, respectively. Sexual function was preserved in the female patient and 2 of the 4 male patients. Conclusions With careful attention to the anatomic location of the NVBs and a precise operative technique, nerve-sparing laparoscopic radical cystectomy can be performed in appropriately selected male and female patients with organ-confined bladder cancer.
Process-based reconstructive approach to model building

Abstract The role of derivational analogy approach in the model building domain is investigated. In particular, the paper focuses on enhancing decision support systems with model construction capabilities so that the prior modeling experience can be conveyed into new problem situations. The role of analogy in the model construction process is pointed out. This is followed by a discussion of the different approaches to analogical reasoning and the assessment of their suitability for model building decision support systems. The proposed approach, process analogies, is detailed as to required knowledge sources and representation schemes for problem and model description, and illustrated using examples. The reusable model pieces in the linear programming modeling domain are identified at various levels of abstraction and their impact on model base organization is pointed out. The alternative model base organization strategies are contrasted in terms of storage, search and reasoning tradeoffs.
Variation in the Timing and Frequency of Sucking and Swallowing over an Entire Feeding Session in the Infant Pig Sus scrofa

Feeding is a rhythmic behavior that consists of several component cycle types. How the timing of these cycles changes over a complete feeding sequence is not well known. To test the hypothesis that cycle frequency/duration changes as a function of time spent feeding, we examined complete feeding sequences in six infant pigs, using EMG of mylohyoid and thyrohyoid as cycle markers. We measured the instantaneous frequency of sucking and of swallowing cycles in 19 sequences. Each sequence contained three qualitatively distinctive phases of sucking frequency. Phase 1 started with cycles at a very high frequency and quickly dropped to a more constant level with low variation, which characterized phase 2. Phase 3 had a steady level of frequency but was interspersed with a number of high- or low-frequency cycles. Each phase differed from the others in patterns of within-phase variation and among-phase variation. Phase 2 had the least variation, and phase 3 had the largest range of frequencies. The number of sucks per swallow also differed among phases. These patterns, which characterize normative feeding, could indicate a physiologic basis in satiation. In human infant clinical studies, where data collection is often limited, these results indicated the utility of collecting data in different phases. Finally, these results can be used as a template or pattern with which to assess clinically compromised infants.
Autotransplantation of hepatic granulomas into the skin of mice with Schistosoma mansoni infection

Hepatic egg granulomas of mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni were transplanted into the skin of the same animal and changes occurring to macrophages, eosinophils, and mast cells over time were studied by light and electron microscopy and by autoradiographic techniques. Disappearance of cellular components about the egg granulomas occurred within 1week; the entire implant became encapsulated by inflammatory cells and stroma. By 3weeks monomuclear cells and macrophages reorganized the granulomas around the eggs and neutrophils disappeared. Activated macrophages contained both secretory rough endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomal-dense bodies. Granuloma size increased up to 5weeks after implantation and mast cells and cosinophils tended to migrate into the granulomas. The mast cell index always remained lower than in the original hepatic granulomas, while eosinophils were seen in large numbers. During 3 to 8weeks after implantation mononuclear cells undergoing DNA synthesis in the granulomas ranged from 2.9–4.8%. Some 3-week-old autotransplants were injected with 3 H-thymidine and biopsied from 1 to 21days later. Labeled mononuclear cells peaked in the granulomas by 10days (24%) and the numbers fell off sharply after that. These findings indicate that autologously implanted schistosome egg granulomas can be maintained successfully in the skin for prolonged periods with marked ingress of macrophages and eosinophils. The autoradiographic data suggest lesions are high turnover granulomas.
Decoding applied data in professional schools

Two faculty in business and public and environmental affairs find that students need to move between personal-based experience, data, and a higher level of analytical reasoning. Their teaching of marketing and statistics is shown to benefit from the structured analysis and detailed assessments of the Decoding the Disciplines model.
Comparison of hydrazone heterobifunctional cross-linking agents for reversible conjugation of thiol-containing chemistry.

Reversible covalent conjugation chemistries that allow site- and condition-specific coupling and uncoupling reactions are attractive components in nanotechnologies, bioconjugation methods, imaging, and drug delivery systems. Here, we compare three heterobifunctional cross-linkers, containing both thiol- and amine-reactive chemistries, to form pH-labile hydrazones with hydrazide derivatives of the known and often published water-soluble polymer, poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylamide)] (pHPMA), while subsequently coupling thiol-containing molecules to the cross-linker via maleimide addition. Two novel cross-linkers were prepared from the popular heterobifunctional cross-linking agent, succinimidyl-4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (SMCC), modified to contain either terminal aldehyde groups (i.e., 1-(N-3-propanal)-4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane carboxamide, PMCA) or methylketone groups (i.e., 1-(N-3-butanone)-4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane carboxamide, BMCA). A third cross-linking agent ...
A New Look at Logic Synthesis

Despite many attempts to generate hardware implementations automatically from functional specifications, the literature does not record any commercial success. Previous efforts have dealt primarily with technology-independent primitives and have emphasized circuit minimization. However, larger scales of integration have made other design requirements and technology restrictions as important as circuit count, and have increased the cost of making an engineering change. Thus it is becoming increasingly important to insure that initial chip designs are correct. This paper outlines an investigation into the feasibility of logic synthesis in this new context. A system is described which will produce a naive implementation automatically from a functional specification, and then will interact with the designer, allowing him to evaluate it with respect to these many factors, and to improve it incrementally by applying local transformations until it is acceptable for manufacture. The use of simple local transformations will insure correct implementations, will isolate technology-specific data, and will allow the total process to be applied to larger VLSI designs. This approach has been tested on the design of a single chip with encouraging results. A prototype synthesis system is now being used to perform further experiments.
Isotope targets prepared by vapor deposition

Abstract As the state of the art for producing thin films has developed, the parameters set by the experimenters have, in turn, become more stringent. Often these targets must be of high purity, extremely thin, self-supporting, and accurately determined thickness. In addition, the target material may be an expensive isotope which must be reduced to elemental form at the time of vapor deposition. Methods of producing some of these targets will be discussed with such examples as calcium, magnesium and boron.
Laser generated relativistic electrons – the key to fast ignition and hard x-ray sources

Laser plasma interactions in the relativistic regime produce uniquely intense fluxes of relativistic electrons, which enable important new scientific applications, notably fast ignition and intense hard x-ray sources. The challenging new physics and the status and prospects of the applications will be discussed.
Cardiovascular effects of α-adrenergic agents in the dorsal raphe nucleus of the rat

Abstract Local injection of norepinephrine (NE) or phenylephrine into the lateral aspect of the dorsal raphe nucleus results in an increase in blood pressure and heart rate in the urethane-anesthetized rat. The increases in blood pressure and heart rate are blocked by prior injection of phentolamine into the dorsal raphe nucleus and are significantly reduced by i.v. mecamylamine. Selective lesion of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus by 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine significantly reduces the pressor response to phenylephrine, but does not affect the increase in heart rate in response to phenylephrine. These data are consistent with a central α-adrenergic mechanism in the dorsal raphe that elevates blood pressure at least partly by an action on serotonergic neurons and elevates heart rate by a mechanism involving non-serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe area.
Vitiligo Improvement in a Hepatitis C Patient After Treatment With PEG-Interferon α-2A and Ribavirin : A Case Report

Hepatitis C . Vitiligo . Interferon . Ribavirin .Antiviral therapyWe describe the case of a 49-year-old man with a history ofend-stage liver disease secondary to hepatitis C, who devel-oped vitiligo prior to liver transplantation. The patient wasinitially diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1993 and is thought tohave acquired the disease during his early 20s as a result ofintravenous drug use. Approximately 1 year after diagnosis,the patient developed 2–3 small, localized areas of depig-mentation on the right maxillofacial area. Six years later, theareas enlarged and extended to include large areas of theface, arms, thorax, abdomen, and legs.Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in May,2002. Approximately 2 months posttransplant, the patientwas found to have elevated aminotransferases (AST, 56;ALT, 84) and a viral load of
Purification of the Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme of the Lung.

Abstract The angiotensin I-converting enzyme (peptidyl dipeptide hydrolase) was purified from hog lung. The molecular weight of the enzyme in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was established as 206 000. The pI in isoelectrofocusing was found to be 4.3. The purified enzyme cleaved Bz-Gly-Gly-Gly and bradykinin. It was inhibited by a high concentration of urea and by the nonapeptide SQ 20881. Both compounds inhibited reversibly as shown in studies done with the water-insoluble Sepharose-converting enzyme complex. After gel filtration on a Sephadex G-200 column two additional forms of converting enzyme were detected.
Durable capital inputs: Conditions for price ratios to be invariant to profit-rate changes

It has been shown that the simplicities of the nondurable Leontief-Sraffa model can for the most part be preserved so long as durability obeys the strict laws of exponential depreciation that is independent of a tool's age. But, as soon as the real world fails to obey the strict rules of this fairy tale, Sraffian Standard Comodities fail to exist and the conditions for price-ratio invariance at all profit rates become both complicated and restrictive. The complexities are in the nature of things, not a fabrication of the equilibrium analyst. Only the modern paradigm of general equilibrium — as begun by Smith and Ricardo and as improved by Walras, Fisher, Pareto, Dimitriev, von Bortkiewicz, von Neumann, Debreu, Arrow, Leontief, and Sraffa — can do justice to the realities of technology and arbitrage.
Using segmented regression models to fit soil nutrient and soybean grain yield changes due to liming

Frequently soil-plant relationships and responses are complex combinations of increases-level-decreases consisting of linear segments of differing slope. Segmented regression is very useful to express and quantify such relationships and responses. Fitting segmented regression models to such data, however, remains a challenge. The problem is in estimating the join points and coefficients. We use median functions to express segmented regression models, and estimate the join points by standard estimation routines such as Marquardt, Newton, and doesn’t use derivatives (DUD) methods that are available in statistical software such as SAS. Segmented straight-line models are fit to data reflecting soil Manganese (Mn), Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), and soybean yield changes under different soil pH conditions due to liming. A systematic comparison of the slopes and join points suggests that different mechanisms are limiting soybean yield at different intervals as soil pH increased.