cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU‐E‐T‐883: Clinical Application of Monte Carlo for SBRT: Mediastinal Lung

Purpose: Treatment planning systems have provided Monte Carlo dose calculations for several years but many physicians are still hesitant to use them clinically due to lack of data. Therefore we recalculated 200 Ray Tracing treatment plans using Monte Carlo with heterogeneity corrections and compared to SBRT dose tolerance limits. Methods: From among these 200 CyberKnife cases, 25 mediastinal lung cases are presented in this study. An extensive literature review obtained 105 published SBRT dose tolerance limits for the mediastinal critical structures aorta, bronchi, esophagus, heart, and trachea. These limits were partitioned into high‐risk and low‐risk categories. The DVH Evaluator software tool was used to generate DVH Risk Maps for these critical structures, which superimpose a) published dose tolerance limits b) unified high‐risk and low‐risk trends and c) published adverse event doses, onto Monte Carlo patient data to assess risk of adverse events. Results: Recalculated treatment plan data is within the expected range of published SBRT dose tolerance limits, providing optimism for clinical use. None of the patients experienced any Grade 3 or higher adverse events. The low‐risk dose tolerance limits were exceeded 22 times in these cases with no severe adverse event, thus helping to validate their safety. Conclusions: The range of doses calculated by Monte Carlo for our historical patient data is compatible with published SBRT dose tolerance limits. SBRT dose tolerance limits should be fine‐tuned by Monte Carlo dose calculations in long‐term statistical followup studies. Disclosure: The first author has developed the DVH Evaluator software.
The surface properties of asteroids

Abstract The physical characteristics of asteroid surfaces are best defined by direct measurements, few of which currently exist. Thus, inferences from indirect observations must be made. From the limited visible and radar imagery heavy cratering marks the asteroid surfaces and the surfaces are rough at all scales. For those asteroids with both a size and mass determination, only the largest bodies have bulk densities close to those expected from their meteoritic analogs. The smaller asteroids have large-scale porosities of 20% and greater; the objects with highest macroporosity are likely to be rubble piles while the denser ones may be heavily fractured coherent objects. The regoliths on the larger asteroids appear to be at least centimeters deep, while infrared measurements on the smaller objects argue for either a much thinner regolith or a bare surface; although direct imagery on the modest sized near-Earth asteroid 433 Eros indicates a regolith that is meters deep. Visual and infrared spectra clearly show that the silicates olivine and pyroxene are present on many asteroids and indicate the spectral signature of hydrated minerals in several low Albedo asteroids. Disk integrated photometry and radiometry provide clues as to the surface porosity and roughness and the fraction of surface covered by craters. Microwave, radio and radar measurements can penetrate the surface regolith, yielding information on the particle size distribution, and the nature of the underlying material. Modeling of the radiative transfer within the surface and deeper layers of an asteroid is required to accurately interpret these disk integrated measurements in terms of realistic physical parameters. Although the modeling has become sophisticated, additional components as well as more extensive and accurate measurements are required to derive an unambiguous picture of the asteroid surface layers from the indirect observations.
Mechanism, Energetics, and Pathways for Association and Binding of Anesthetics to Membranes and Membrane Channels

General anesthetics have, arguably, been one of the most important advances in medicine. Yet despite over a century of research, the mechanism of general anesthesia is still poorly understood. While it is well accepted that the biological targets of anesthetics are the ligand-gated ion channels of the Cys-loop superfamily, how anesthetics affect channel gating dynamics is unknown. Recently, bacterial homologues of these channels have been crystallized with anesthetics bound, making the problem more tractable to molecular dynamics. However, the lack of a widely available and reliable set of parameters for anesthetics has impeded progress. Utilizing a standard scheme, we parameterized four common modern anesthetics: desflurane, isoflurane, sevoflurane, and propofol. The quality of the generated parameters has been assessed against experimental bulk and solvation properties. In order to better understand how these anesthetics interact with membranes, we have also calculated the free energy profile for inserting each anesthetic into a POPC membrane utilizing the umbrella sampling method. All anesthetics show a distinct preference for the headgroup region of the membrane, with negligible free energy differences between bulk solution and the membrane core. Using the parameters developed, we simulated the interaction of desflurane and propofol with the bacterial ligand-gated ion channel, GLIC. In both cases, the anesthetic spontaneously releases from its binding site and exits the protein via the membrane. A triad of hydrophobic residues forms a gate securing the anesthetic in place and allowing the drug to exert its effects. Once these residues separate, the anesthetic quickly unbinds and exits the protein. Thus, we have observed a putative protein-binding pathway, which dictates that the anesthetic must first partition into the membrane before entering the protein in order to access the binding site and exert its effects.
High-temperature degradation of polyacrylic acid in aqueous solution

Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was decarboxylated in aqueous solution as a function of pH and ionic strength in the temperature range 100–350°C. Degradation kinetics were first order with respect to acid functionality. The rate of decarboxylation at high pH (Eα = 51.1 kcal/mol) was much slower than that at low pH (Eα = 20.3 kcal/mol). At intermediate pH, the reactivity was found to depend on the degree of dissociation of PAA as a functions of ionic strength, pH, and temperature. No monomer was observed in the reaction product. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Neuroleptic-induced striatal damage in rats: a study of antioxidant treatment using accelerometric and immunocytochemical methods.

Rationale: Investigators have postulated that neuroleptic medications may affect the motor system through the creation of free radicals. Also, structural brain changes related to oxidative damage may disrupt normal striatal function. Objective: The goals of this study were to examine whether an antioxidant diet reduced the abnormal movements caused by long-term neuroleptic exposure and to examine structural effects within specific striatal regions in rats. Methods: Rats were given a basal diet or a diet high in antioxidants for 4 months, and treated with 10 mg/kg fluphenazine decanoate or sesame seed oil IM every 2 weeks. At baseline and after treatment, head movements were quantified by accelerometry, and immunocytochemically stained cholinergic neurons in the ventrolateral, mediodorsal, and ventromedial regions of the striatum were quantified. Results: Rats treated with fluphenazine had significantly lower neuron densities than those that did not receive antioxidants. Rats exposed to a diet consisting of antioxidants had significantly higher neuron densities than those that did not receive antioxidants in each of the three regions tested. Rats treated with fluphenazine had a greater increase in the number of accelerometric peaks recorded per minute compared with untreated animals. The increase in the number of accelerometric peaks recorded per minute was lower for animals exposed to antioxidant diets compared with unexposed animals. Lastly, there was a significant correlation between the accelerometric peak change score and cholinergic neuron density in all three regions. Conclusions: Our results suggest that long-term neuroleptic treatment is associated with an increase in head movements and a reduction in ChAT-stained striatal cholinergic neurons and that these abnormalities are reduced by antioxidants.
Effect of Four Approaches to Oral Feeding Progression on Clinical Outcomes in Preterm Infants

Background. The purpose of this study of preterm infants was to test the effect of four approaches to the time of transition from gavage to full oral feedings, time to discharge, and weight gain during the transition. Methods. A randomized experimental design was used with four intervention groups: early start (32 weeks' postmenstrual age)/slow progressing experience (gradually increasing oral feedings offered per day); early start/maximum experience (oral feedings offered at every feeding opportunity); late start (34 weeks' postmenstrual age)/slow progressing experience; and late start/maximum experience. Results. The analysis included 86 preterm infants. Once oral feedings were initiated, infants in the late start/maximum experience group achieved full oral feeding and were discharged to home significantly sooner than infants in either early start group. Although not significantly different, these infants also achieved these outcomes sooner than infants in the late start/slow progressing experience group. There were no differences in weight gain across groups. Conclusions. Results suggest starting oral feedings later in preterm infants may result in more rapid transition to full oral feedings and discharge although not at early postnatal ages. Provision of a more consistent approach to oral feeding may support infant neurodevelopment and reduce length of hospitalization.
On a Boolean algebra of projections constructed by Dieudonné

Dieudonne ( 4 ) has constructed an example of a Banach space X and a complete Boolean algebra of projections on X such that has uniform multiplicity two, but for no choice of x 1 , x 2 in X and non-zero E in is EX the direct sum of the cyclic subspaces clm { Ex 1 : E ∈ } and clm { Ex 2 : E ∈ }. Tzafriri observed that it could be deduced from Corollary 4 (9, p. 221) that the commutant ′ of is equal to A ( ), the algebra of operators generated by in the uniform operator topology. A study of ( 3 ) suggested the direct proof of the second property given in this note. From this there follows a simple proof that has the first property.
Measurement of the p-C analyzing power between 100 and 750 MeV and the p-Be analyzing power at 780 MeV☆

Abstract The inclusive p-C analyzing power has been measured for laboratory scattering angles between 4° and 25°, for energies between 100 and 750 MeV. The inclusive p-Be analyzing power has been measured at 780 MeV between 4° and 28°. The experiment was performed at LAMPF using a large solid angle polarimeter. An energy dependent empirical fit to these data as well as to data from SIN and TRIUMF is presented. The data from all three facilities are in generally good agreement.
Lysine and Methionine Requirement of Chicks Fed Practical Diets

Abstract ALMQUIST and Mecchi (1942) found the l -lysine requirement of chickens on a synthetic diet composed largely of zein and cerelose to be approximately 0.9 percent. Their work was confirmed by Grau, Kratzer and Asmundson in 1946. Grau (1946) fed two-week-old chickens a diet composed largely of cottonseed meal and cerelose, devoid of any source of vitamin B12, for an eight-day period with supplementary amino acids. He determined that there was a critical need for at least 0.46 percent additional l -lysine in such a ration. On this basis, a lysine deficiency would be likely in a practical diet containing cottonseed meal as the only protein supplement. In 1931, Mussehl and Ackerson reported that cottonseed meal was a less satisfactory protein supplement than soybean meal for chick growth. Ringrose and Morgan (1938) reported that cottonseed meal could be fed successfully as three-fourths of the protein supplement in combination with meat scraps. Curtin . . .
Remestemcel-L for acute graft-versus-host disease therapy.

Introduction: Remestemcel-L (Prochymal®, Osiris) is an off-the-shelf adult mesenchymal stromal cell product that has been applied to acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) for its immunomodulatory properties. Areas covered: This article discusses preclinical and clinical studies supporting the use of remestemcel-L in aGvHD as well as the current regulatory status. This information was based upon a PubMed and Internet search. Expert opinion: Phase II studies suggest remestemcel-L may have clinical activity in aGvHD and confirm tolerability. However, these results must be interpreted cautiously with any use of remestemcel-L optimally occurring in the context of a clinical trial. Further clarity will be obtained when the results of a completed Phase III study are published. There is a small market for remestemcel-L in aGvHD. A possible future scenario is that a more prevalent indication is found and remestemcel-L is approved for that indication, but use continues for aGvHD.
Effect of common waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis) emergence date on growth and fecundity in soybean

Abstract Field experiments were conducted in central Iowa to determine the growth of common waterhemp emerging after postemergence herbicide applications in soybean. Common waterhemp survival declined as emergence was delayed in relation to soybean. Ninety percent of plants emerging at approximately the same time as soybean survived, whereas only 13% of plants emerging approximately 50 d after planting (DAP) survived to maturity. Biomass accumulation declined rapidly as emergence was delayed in relation to soybean. Delaying emergence from 14 to 28 DAP resulted in a 50 to 80% reduction in shoot biomass. Common waterhemp emerging 50 DAP produced only 1 to 10% of the biomass of plants emerging at the same time as soybean. Plants emerging with soybean produced approximately 300,000 to 2.3 million seeds plant−1 depending on the location. Fecundity of common waterhemp plants was closely related to biomass accumulation and declined rapidly with delayed emergence. Although common waterhemp emerging after the V4 s...
Association of the low-density lipoprotein receptor with caveolae in hamster and rat liver

The association of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor with detergent resistant hepatic membranes was investigated using discontinuous sucrose gradients. In liver homogenates from both hamsters and rats, the fractions with the highest concentrations of LDL receptor coincided with the location of caveolin-1, a marker of the cholesterol-rich caveolae. Feeding the animals diets enriched in cholesterol slightly shifted both LDL receptor and caveolin-1 to positions of lower density. The cholesterol content of the caveolae fractions was increased 2-fold in animals fed cholesterol-supplemented diets. In homogenates of CHO cells, fractionated in the same manner, the LDL receptor was absent from the caveolae fractions but was present in denser fractions near the bottom of the gradient. Addition of caveolin-1 antibody to solubilized caveolae from liver coimmunoprecipitated the LDL receptor. These observations suggest that in liver, the LDL receptor is mainly located in caveolae. This location contrasts with the clathrin-coated pit location observed in fibroblasts and CHO cells.
Quantum dots in molecular detection of disease

The unique photophysical properties of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have made them ideal for use as spectral labels and luminescent probes. In this review, applications are presented in which QDs function as active participants in nanoscale biosensor assemblies, where replacing traditional molecular fluorophores results in improved assay performance. Specific focus is on disease detection with applications including multiplexed target detection, mutation detection by coincidence analysis and QD-based FRET reporters for miRNA detection and DNA methylation analysis.
Longitudinal stability in genetic effects on children's conversational language productivity.

Purpose The authors examined the longitudinal stability of genetic and environmental influences on children's productive language sample measures during the early school-age years. Method Twin stud...
Experimental and theoretical studies of sodium cation interactions with D-arabinose, xylose, glucose, and galactose.

The binding of Na+ to arabinose (Ara), xylose (Xyl), glucose (Glc), and galactose (Gal) is examined in detail by studying the collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the four sodiated monosaccharide complexes with Xe using a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer (GIBMS). Analysis of the energy-dependent CID cross-sections provides 0 K sodium cation affinities for experimental complexes after accounting for unimolecular decay rates, internal energy of reactant ions, and multiple ion-neutral collisions. Quantum chemical calculations for a number of geometric conformations of each Na+(L) complex with a comprehensive analysis of the α and β anomeric forms are determined at the B3LYP/6−311+G(d,p) level with single-point energies calculated at MP2(full), B3LYP, and B3P86 levels using a 6−311+G(2d,2p) basis set. This coordinated examination of both experimental work and quantum chemical calculations allows for determination of the bond energy for both the α and β forms of each monosaccharide studied here. An ...
Ethical Issues in the Management of Geriatric Cardiac Patients

A 92-year-old patient dies less than a year after aortic valve replacement, pacemaker-AICD implantation, renal dialysis, and rehabilitation at a cost of over a half million dollars.
Phosphorylation of Spo0A by the Histidine Kinase KinD Requires the Lipoprotein Med in Bacillus subtilis

The response regulatory protein Spo0A of Bacillus subtilis is activated by phosphorylation by multiple histidine kinases via a multicomponent phosphorelay. Here we present evidence that the activity of one of the kinases, KinD, depends on the lipoprotein Med, a mutant of which has been known to cause a cannibalism phenotype. We show that the absence of Med impaired and the overproduction of Med stimulated the transcription of two operons (sdp and skf) involved in cannibalism whose transcription is known to depend on Spo0A in its phosphorylated state (Spo0A∼P). Further, these effects of Med were dependent on KinD but not on kinases KinA, KinB, and KinC. Additionally, we show that deletion or overproduction of Med impaired or enhanced, respectively, biofilm formation and that these effects, too, depended specifically on KinD. Finally, we report that overproduction of Med bypassed the dominant negative effect on transcription of sdp of a truncated KinD retaining the transmembrane segments but lacking the kinase domain. We propose that Med directly or indirectly interacts with KinD in the cytoplasmic membrane and that this interaction is required for KinD-dependent phosphorylation of Spo0A.
Biophysical attributes estimation from satellite images in arid regions

To efficiently manage limited rangeland resources, land managers and rangeland users require accurate and timely geospatial data products concerning the health, productivity and biomass of the rangeland area. Traditional approaches to deriving these products are limited in and and semi-arid regions due to several reasons. First, in and and semi-arid regions, vegetation is often very sparse and therefore signals from vegetation are often much smaller than those from soil backgrounds. Second, vegetation in and and semiarid regions is often in senescent form and therefore is unable to be related to traditional spectral vegetation indices that were specifically designed to be sensitive to green materials. In this study, we developed new techniques that circumvent these limitations by exploring the use of the shortwave infrared spectral bands of the Landsat images. These spectral bands are very sensitive to water content of pixel elements. The inclusion of SWIR spectral bands in spectral vegetation indices results in sensitive indices to both green and senescent vegetation. The products derived from this study include fractional green grass cover, fractional senescent grass cover, biomass or forage, and canopy height in and grass dominated rangelands in the Southwest from Landsat7 ETM+ imagery. Because the algorithms used are simple, they can be used operatically to produce these geospatial products to assist rangeland managers in making optimal management decisions.
Maintaining differentiated coverage in heterogeneous sensor networks

Most existing research considers homogeneous sensor networks, which suffer from performance bottleneck and poor scalability. In this paper, we adopt a heterogeneous sensor network model to overcome these problems. Sensing coverage is a fundamental problem in sensor networks and has been well studied over the past years. However, most coverage algorithms only consider the uniform coverage problem, that is, all the areas have the same coverage degree requirement. In many scenarios, some key areas need high coverage degree while other areas only need low coverage degree. We propose a differentiated coverage algorithm which can provide different coverage degrees for different areas. The algorithm is energy efficient since it only keeps minimum number of sensors to work. The performance of the differentiated coverage algorithm is evaluated through extensive simulation experiments. Our results show that the algorithm performs much better than any other differentiated coverage algorithm.
Zero Gradient Synchrotron Ring Vacuum System

The Zero Gradient Synchrotron is a weak focusing machine. This makes possible multiturn injection which results in a high intensity beam. Ideally, all of the space between the magnet pole faces and the magnet coil would be utilized for beam at injection. This need requires the vacuum chamber for the machine to have a large vertical aperture across a broad radial width. The chamber of the ring magnet vacuum system is a closed ringabout 560 ft in circumference (Fig. 1). Approximately three-fourths of this chamber length is within the eight magnet sections where the minimum cross-section exists (32 in. wide by 5-1/4in. high). The closed magnet design restricts the pumps to positions on the straight section boxes between magnets, thus spacing these pumping stations approximately 70ft apart. Space limitations, eddy currentproblems, and heat problems determined the design approach to the vacuum chamber within each of the eight ring magnets. The resulting design necessitates the need for both an inner and outer chamber, since the inner (high vacuum chamber) design cannot withstand a pressure differential of one atmosphere.
Gender and Hormonal Status Affect the Hypolipidemic Mechanisms of Dietary Soluble Fiber in Guinea Pigs

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of gender on the secondary mechanisms by which dietary soluble fiber lowers plasma LDL cholesterol. For that purpose, male, female and ovariectomized (to mimic menopause) guinea pigs (8-10 per group) were allocated to two dietary treatments. Diets were identical in composition except for the fiber source: the control diet contained 10 g/100 of cellulose and 2.5 g/100 g of guar gum, while the soluble fiber (SF) diet contained 5 g/100 of psyllium, 5 g/100 of pectin and 2.5 g/100 g of guar gum. SF intake resulted in 44% lower plasma LDL cholesterol, 64% lower apo B and 22% lower plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations (P < 0.01) compared to guinea pigs fed the control diet. However, ovariectomized guinea pigs had higher plasma cholesterol, apo B and TAG concentrations (P < 0.01) compared to males and females, even those fed SF. Plasma HDL-cholesterol was higher in females than in males (P < 0.05). LDL size, as measured by LDL composition and fast protein liquid chromatography, was larger in females than males. Guinea pigs fed SF had smaller LDL than controls. LDL susceptibility to oxidation was 80% lower in male and females fed the SF diet (P < 0.001) than in controls, while there was no effect of diet in ovariectomized guinea pigs. Hepatic free cholesterol and TAG were lower, and activities of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase were higher in guinea pigs fed SF (P < 0.05) than in controls. These results indicate that gender plays an important role in the metabolic responses to dietary soluble fiber and that estrogen deprivation leads to a detrimental lipoprotein profile.
Separation Standards and Aircraft Wander

The basic parameters leading to aircraft navigational error are combined statistically and are used to evaluate the uncorrected deviation (wander) to be expected in both subsonic and supersonic transport aircraft operating in a typical trans-oceanic environment. The size of the across-track and along-track wander before any form of corrective control is applied indicates the physical size of the A.T.C. block of airspace necessary to contain the aircraft. The variation of block size with the forward prediction period used by A.T.C. is presented graphically. The effect of improvement in the basic sources of error is demonstrated and it is seen that for the S.S.T. era attention must be turned to effecting improvements in aircraft heading and airspeed holding capabilities.
Cardiac catheterization within 24 hours of valve surgery is significantly associated with acute renal failure

Objective Acute renal failure after valve surgery carries significant morbidity and mortality. Preoperative cardiac catheterization is the standard of care. For convenience, catheterization just before surgery is simplest for patients. However, it is not known if this timing of radiocontrast administration significantly affects renal function. We hypothesized that preoperative cardiac catheterization within 24 hours of valve surgery is associated with the development of acute renal failure. Methods A retrospective case-control study was performed of all patients undergoing valve surgery between 2003 and 2008 at the University of Virginia. Patients with preoperative renal dysfunction were excluded. Patients with postoperative acute renal failure were matched to those without acute renal failure according to age, gender, year of surgery, New York Heart Association functional class, elective status, concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting, and type of valve procedure. A logistic regression model examined the effects of perioperative risk factors on the development of acute renal failure. Results Of 1287 patients undergoing valve surgery, 61 with acute renal failure were matched to 136 without acute renal failure. Cardiac catheterization within 24 hours of surgery was significantly greater in patients with acute renal failure (31.2% vs 8.8%, P = .013). The risk of acute renal failure was more than 5 times higher for patients undergoing catheterization within 24 hours of surgery (odds ratio, 5.3; P = .004). The number of postoperative vasopressors was significantly associated with acute renal failure (odds ratio, 1.7; P = .007). Conclusions Although catheterization is often performed for patient convenience, catheterization within 24 hours of valve surgery is significantly associated with the development of acute renal failure. Current practices should be adjusted to ensure that more than 24 hours have passed from the time of cardiac catheterization to valve surgery in elective settings.
Weaning from long-term mechanical ventilation

Although many investigators have attempted to identify weaning predictors and weaning modes for use in long-term mechanically ventilated patients, none has emerged as superior. Furthermore, few investigators have viewed the process of weaning as a dynamic continuum; thus, guidelines for care of these patients have yet to be developed. Facilitative methods and therapies to enhance weaning potential, although attractive, have little scientific basis for application. Care delivery systems, which focus on systematic, comprehensive and coordinated care, are promising because outcomes demonstrate that they are economical, safe, and effective. This article reviews the research on weaning adult, long-term mechanically ventilated patients, suggests future research directions, and highlights the scientific basis for practice guidelines.
Low-Power and Variation-Tolerant Application-Specific System Design

This chapter presents an overview of several representative techniques that can potentially have large impact on the design of low-power and variation-tolerant application-specific systems. Common characteristic of the presented approaches is that they exploit properties of digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms and combine circuit and architecture level techniques in order to provide intelligent trade-offs between circuit level metrics such as power and performance with system level metrics such as quality-of-results and tolerance to variations (yield). The techniques presented in this chapter target various types of designs that include logic and memory architectures and complete DSP systems.
NFV-VITAL: A framework for characterizing the performance of virtual network functions

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) brings a cloud service automation paradigm to demand-driven elastic flexing of infrastructure resources. Thus, it is essential to characterize the impact of hardware and virtualization options on the virtual network function (VNF) performance, and on the load on underlying infrastructure. In this paper, we present VNF characterization case studies with three sample open-source VNF platforms, the Clearwater IMS VNF and two intrusion detection system VNFs (Snort and Suricata). We demonstrate that VNF characterization is vital for optimizing VNF performance, as well as efficient utilization of infrastructure resources. We use the lessons learned from our case studies to design and implement a VNF characterization framework, NFV-VITAL, to characterize VNFs based on user preferences and available resources. We demonstrate how NFV-VITAL can automatically determine optimal configurations under different workloads with the three sample VNFs.
Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation

In this chapter, we begin to explore the wealth of research and theory on the implications of mindfulness for emotional experience by examining a variety of models of mindfulness and how they inform mindful emotion regulation. Then, we provide an empirical overview of the role of mindfulness in general emotional states, emotional reactions to stimuli and events, and emotions over time. Within this overview, we provide evidence for several distinct avenues through which mindfulness benefits emotion regulation, including increased willingness to experience negative emotions, reduced reactivity to emotional stimuli and situations, a decentered perspective, and increased emotional stability; we also highlight some research which suggests the neurological underpinnings of mindful emotion regulation. Finally, we link the impact of mindfulness on emotion regulation to behavioral change. Specifically, by highlighting research on smoking, alcohol use, and other addictive behaviors, we demonstrate that emotion regulation serves as a key mechanism in the relationship between mindfulness and some domains of behavioral regulation.
Imperfect mirror copies of the standard model

Inspired by the standard model of particle physics, we discuss a mechanism for constructing chiral, anomaly-free gauge theories. The gauge symmetries and particle content of such theories are identified using subgroups and complex representations of simple anomaly-free Lie groups, such as $SO(10)$ or ${E}_{6}$. We explore, using mostly $SO(10)$ and the $\mathbf{16}$ representation, several of these ``imperfect copies'' of the standard model, including $U(1{)}^{N}$ theories, $SU(5)\ensuremath{\bigotimes}U(1)$ theories, $SU(4)\ensuremath{\bigotimes}U(1{)}^{2}$ theories with 4-plets and 6-plets, and chiral $SU(3)\ensuremath{\bigotimes}SU(2)\ensuremath{\bigotimes}U(1)$. A few general properties of such theories are discussed, as is how they might shed light on nonzero neutrino masses, the dark matter puzzle, and other phenomenologically relevant questions.
Viewing the therapeutic community through Adlerian spectacles.

(1982). Viewing the Therapeutic Community Through Adlerian Spectacles. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy: Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 201-216.
The Binding of Cr51 to Hemoglobin I. In Vitro Studies

By a number of different technics, confirmatory evidence has been obtained that Cr51 activity of Hb A1 tagged with Na2Cr51O4 in a ratio of approximately 1 mole chromium to 1000 mole of hemoglobin is largely associated with the β polypeptide chains. No significant difference in the site or strength of chromium binding could be demonstrated in abnormal hemoglobins resulting from point amino acid substitutions (Hbs S and C). The results obtained with Hb F were very suggestive of γ chain binding, but an apparently weak Hb F-Cr51 bond or increased elution rate markedly hampered such studies. The propensity of Cr51 for preferential tagging of β chains was seen not only when hemoglobin was tagged intact, but also when isolated β chains were tagged. This may indicate that there is a specific locus or chemical configuration within the β chains where Cr51 tagging occurs. Knowledge of the exact total amino acid sequence of α, β, and γ chains should soon be available and may permit a precise identification of such a Cr51 binding site. Whether the results of this type of highly artificial manipulation of hemoglobin has significance in Cr51 red cell survival studies in clinical situations where large amounts of Hb F occur is uncertain. Conflicting results of red cell survival studies of the fetal red cells suggests that it may.27,28 Further investigation of this problem is currently in progress.
In Vivo Technique for Autofluorescent Lipopigments

The content of the lipofuscin granule IS widely understood as the accumulated undigested consequence of prior oxidatrve damage to lipids and proteins (1,2). Oxidative damage IS of particular concern m the eye, because the photoreceptors function m an environment of high tissue oxygen, photosensitlzers (rhodopsm), and sunlight. The photosensitrve outer segments of the photoreceptors are particularly vulnerable because they contain both the highest concentratron of photosensitizer in the body, and the highest concentration of the easily oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids. These highly fragile tissues are rapidly replaced; a new outer segment is generated approx every lo-12 d by addition of new material from the proxrmal side. The consequent constant elongation IS balanced by the daily removal of the distal tips by the RPE cells). These tips are ingested, rapidly digested, and cleared from the system. However, prior oxidative damage slows the digestive process, and undigested outer segment byproducts build up m the lysosomes of the RPE cells. These accumulations, called lipofuscm, increase over time; in an aging cell they may account for up to 25% of the cytoplasmic volume not occupied by mitochondrla or the nucleus (3).
F-18 Fluorothymidine (FLT) Imaging of the Bone Marrow Compartment in Rats Following Whole Body Irradiation, Stem Cell Transplantation and Spontaneous Recovery.

Abstract Abstract 3529 Poster Board III-466 Pet imaging using F-18 glucose (FDG) is increasingly being used for evaluation and staging of malignancy. However, staging in hematopoietic tissue using this agent has been hampered by poor specificity. F-18 flourothymidine (FLT) is currently being evaluated clinically as an imaging technique for tumor detection and staging. Secondary to its inclusion in DNA during the S phase, FLT is much more specific to proliferative tissue and less hampered by inflammatory background. As FLT uptake occurs in proliferating cell populations, we attempted to determine if imaging could provide useful information for evaluating global hematopoietic injury and recovery following radiation and transplantation. Three major groups of Wistar-Furth rats were studied. Group 1 consisted of rats receiving 950cGy of Whole Body Irradiation (TBI). Group 2 consisted of rats transplanted with syngeneic bone marrow 24-48 hrs following irradiation. Group 3 consisted of 6 rats exposed to a potentially sub-lethal dose of 500cGy and not transplanted. FLT imaging was performed before irradiation (n=4), 24-48 hrs. following irradiation, and on day 4-5 post transplantation. Subsequent imaging was carried out in 4 transplanted rats on days 8 and 14. Comparative FDG studies were also performed in selected animals. Table 1 summarizes the imaging studies performed in various subsets of rats. Table 1 . Imaging Subsets of Experimental Animals and Histologic Correlations Experimental rat subsets FLT # studies performed FDG # studies performed Histologic correlation Normal or baseline rat studies n=10 n=6 Normal cellular marrow 24-48hrs post 950 cGy TBI n=6 n=4 Marrow damage hypocellularity Day 7 post 950 cGy TBI n=4 not done Aplastic marrow Day 6-7 post 950cGy TBI (4-5 days post transplantation) n=4 n=4 Focal areas of cellular regeneration Day 10 post 950 cGy TBI (and transplantation) n=4 n=2 Cellular marrow Day 6-7 post 500cGy TBI (No transplantation) n=6 not done Moderate hypocellularity FLT imaging results were correlated with marrow histology and clinical survival in treated and control groups. Six of 6 irradiated control rats died with marrow aplasia during the second week following 950 cGy. Sub-lethally irradiated and transplanted rats animals showed clear evidence of definitive recovery as early as 6 days post irradiation or 4 days post transplantation respectively. FLT activity of all major marrow sites was easily identified and was superior to FDG images. Findings correlated with histologic evidence of early marrow repopulation and survival. Figure 1 illustrates FLT and FDG imaging performed in normal, post radiation and post transplanted rats. Download : Download high-res image (254KB) Download : Download full-size image We conclude that FLT imaging represents a practical noninvasive technique to evaluate marrow injury and early recovery following radiation and hematopoietic transplantation. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Ion Beam Assisted Deposition of Thin Films and Coatings

The bombardment of a growing film with energetic particles has been observed to produce beneficial modifications in a number of characteristics and properties critical to the performance of thin films and coatings such as improved adhesion, densification of films grown at low substrate temperatures, modification of residual stresses, control of texture (orientation), modification of grain size and morphology, modification of optical properties, and modification of hardness and ductility. The earliest systematic studies of these effects are found in the work of Mattox (1,2). Today a wide variety of deposition techniques such as biased sputtering, activated reactive evaporation, ion plating, cathodic arc deposition, and plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition utilize energetic particle bombardment of the growing film to modify the properties of the films (3,4).
Genetic and Manual Survey Methods Yield Different and Complementary Views of an Ecosystem

Given the rapid rise of environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys in ecology and environmental science, it is important to be able to compare the results of these surveys to traditional methods of measuring biodiversity. Here we compare samples from a traditional method (a manual tow-net) to companion eDNA samples sequenced at three different genetic loci. We find only partial taxonomic overlap among the resulting datasets, with each reflecting a portion of the larger suite of taxa present in the sampled nearshore marine environment. In the larger context of eDNA sequencing surveys, our results suggest that primer amplification bias drives much of the taxonomic bias in eDNA detection, and that the baseline probability of detecting any given taxon with a broad-spectrum primer set is likely to be low. Whether catching fish with different nets or using different PCR primer sets, multiple data types can provide complementary views of a common ecosystem. However, it remains difficult to cross-validate eDNA sequencing techniques in the field, either for presence/absence or for abundance, particularly for primer sets that target very wide taxonomic ranges. Finally, our results highlight the breadth of diversity in a single habitat, and although eDNA does capture a richer sample of the community than traditional methods of sampling, a large number of eDNA primer sets focusing on different subsets of the biota would be necessary to survey any ecological community in a reasonably comprehensive way.
Environmental Risk Factors for Development of Atopic Dermatitis: a Systematic Review

The purpose of this study was to systematically review studies conducted between April 2015 and April 2017 on the environmental risks for the development of AD. We sought to identify (1) environmental risks associated with AD, (2) the proportion of studies for each environmental risk, and (3) environmental risks that need further investigation. Recent studies have found genetic predisposition and environmental triggers are involved in the pathogenesis of AD. Genome-wide linkage and candidate gene association studies have led to the linkage of at least 11 different chromosomes and 46 genes. However, the discordance in expression of atopy among monozygotic twins suggests an environmental role. Our systematic review found significant risk of development of AD in genetically susceptible children with environmental risk factors of maternal atopy, environmental pollutants, food allergy, and early antibiotic exposure. We suggest future research should aim to better identify environmental pollutants that may increase the development of AD in neonates and children.
Metastability of Neuronal Dynamics during General Anesthesia: Time for a Change in Our Assumptions?

There is strong evidence that anesthetics have stereotypical effects on brain state, so that a given anesthetic appears to have a signature in the electroencephalogram, which may vary with dose. This can be usefully interpreted as the anesthetic determining an attractor in the phase space of the brain. How brain activity shifts between these attractors in time remains understudied, as most studies implicitly assume a one-to-one relationship between drug dose and attractor features by assuming stationarity over the analysis interval and analyzing data segments of several minutes in length. Yet data in rats anesthetized with isoflurane suggests that, at anesthetic levels consistent with surgical anesthesia, brain activity alternates between multiple attractors, often spending on the order of 10 minutes in one activity pattern before shifting to another. Moreover, the probability of these jumps between attractors changes with anesthetic concentration. This suggests the hypothesis that brain state is metastable during anesthesia: though it appears at equilibrium on short timescales (on the order of seconds to a few minutes), longer intervals show shifting behavior. Compelling evidence for metastability in rats anesthetized with isoflurane is reviewed, but so far only suggestive hints of metastability in brain states exist with other anesthetics or in other species. Explicit testing of metastability during anesthesia will require experiments with longer acquisition intervals and carefully designed analytic approaches; some of the implications of these constraints are reviewed for typical spectral analysis approaches. If metastability exists during anesthesia, it implies degeneracy in the relationship between brain state and effect site concentration, at there is not a one-to-one mapping between the two. This degeneracy could explain some of the reported difficulty in using brain activity monitors to titrate drug dose to prevent awareness during anesthesia and should force a rethinking of the notion of depth of anesthesia as a single dimension. Finally, explicit incorporation of knowledge of the dynamics of the brain during anesthesia could offer better depth of anesthesia monitoring.
Microfluidic Micro/Nano Droplets

Microfluidic droplet technology has evolved rapidly since the first microfluidic droplet generator was reported over a decade ago. It has subsequently branched out and emerged as a practical solution to enhance the capabilities of many other fields, including, but not limited to: high-throughput screening, biosensing, drug delivery and synthetic biology. In this chapter, we will report on recent advancements in droplet microfluidic technologies that have emerged since Teh et al.'s comprehensive 2007 review. We begin with a brief history of droplet microfluidics and introduce methods of droplet production, manipulation, and sensing methodologies. The remainder of the chapter is dedicated to design considerations for various droplet production configurations, concluding with a discussion on applications, trends and the general direction that the field is headed.
Influence of friction stir processing on the room temperature fatigue cracking mechanisms of A356 aluminum alloy

Abstract Failure by fatigue is a common problem associated with cast aluminum alloys due to defects like shrinkage porosities, non-metallic inclusions, etc. Friction stir processing (FSP) has recently emerged as an effective technique for local modification of microstructure. This study investigates the fatigue crack initiation and growth mechanisms in cast and FSPed A356 aluminum alloy. Two sets of parameters were used to friction stir the cast alloy resulting in the complete modification of the cast microstructure to a wrought microstructure. Both the FSPed microstructures exhibited severe abnormal grain growth (AGG) after heat treatment leading to a multimodal grain size distribution – the grain sizes ranging from a few microns to a few millimeters. One of the FSP conditions displayed an excellent improvement in fatigue life by an order of magnitude, while the other condition displayed an unexpectedly large scatter in fatigue lives. Detailed study of the fractured fatigue specimens by electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) revealed that both, fatigue crack initiation and propagation, were intimately tied to the grain size as well as the grain misorientations in the microstructure.
PARTICLE DEPOSITION IN THE LUNG

The deposition of aerosol in the lung is an important issue regardless of whether the aerosol results from airborne pollutants or aerosol therapy. The specific pattern of deposition of airborne pollutants is a determinant in the development of pulmonary diseases since this pattern determines the local doses in the airspaces and the subsequent redistribution and clearance of the deposited particles. Aerosol therapy allows drugs to be directly administered to injured lung tissues, where they can act more efficiently and rapidly than when administered by injection or ingestion. Deposition of inhaled aerosols can also be used as a diagnostic tool to noninvasively detect changes in the dimensions of airways and alveoli that are critically associated with the development of pulmonary pathologies such as emphysema, asthma, or bronchitis. The deposition of inhaled particles in the lung is primarily governed by the mechanisms of inertial impaction, gravitational sedimentation, Brownian diffusion, and, to a lesser extent, the mechanisms of electrostatic precipitation and interception. Deposition is minimal for particles in the size range 0.4–0.7 μm that have minimal intrinsic mobility. Deposition of larger particles results from significant gravitational and inertial transport, whereas deposition of smaller particles is mainly due to diffusive transport. Apart from particle size, several factors affect particle deposition, including particle characteristics, physiological and environmental factors, and lung anatomy.