A spectroscopic analysis code for spatially resolved x-ray absorption data from the COAX platform.

Sophisticated tools such as computer vision techniques in combination with 1D lineout type analyses have been used in automating the analysis of spectral data for high energy density (HED) plasmas. Standardized automation can solve the problems posed by the complexity of HED spectra and the quantity of data. We present a spectroscopic code written for automated and streamlined analysis of spatially resolved x-ray absorption data from the COAX platform on Omega-60. COAX uses radiographs and spectroscopic diagnostics to provide shock position and density information. We also obtain the more novel spectral-derived spatial profile of the supersonic radiation flow into a low-density foam. Considerable effort has been spent modernizing our previous spectroscopic analysis method, including the development of new tools characterized by a faster runtime and minimal user input to reduce bias and a testing suite for verifying the accuracy of the various functions within the code. The new code analyzes our spectroscopic images in 1-2 min, with added uncertainty and confidence.

A compact linear accelerator based on a scalable microelectromechanical-system RF-structure.

A new approach for a compact radio-frequency (RF) accelerator structure is presented. The new accelerator architecture is based on the Multiple Electrostatic Quadrupole Array Linear Accelerator (MEQALAC) structure that was first developed in the 1980s. The MEQALAC utilized RF resonators producing the accelerating fields and providing for higher beam currents through parallel beamlets focused using arrays of electrostatic quadrupoles (ESQs). While the early work obtained ESQs with lateral dimensions on the order of a few centimeters, using a printed circuit board (PCB), we reduce the characteristic dimension to the millimeter regime, while massively scaling up the potential number of parallel beamlets. Using Microelectromechanical systems scalable fabrication approaches, we are working on further reducing the characteristic dimension to the sub-millimeter regime. The technology is based on RF-acceleration components and ESQs implemented in the PCB or silicon wafers where each beamlet passes through beam apertures in the wafer. The complete accelerator is then assembled by stacking these wafers. This approach has the potential for fast and inexpensive batch fabrication of the components and flexibility in system design for application specific beam energies and currents. For prototyping the accelerator architecture, the components have been fabricated using the PCB. In this paper, we present proof of concept results of the principal components using the PCB: RF acceleration and ESQ focusing. Ongoing developments on implementing components in silicon and scaling of the accelerator technology to high currents and beam energies are discussed.

Bevacizumab vs ranibizumab for age-related macular degeneration: 1-year outcomes of a prospective, double-masked randomised clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To report 1-year visual and anatomic outcomes of a prospective, double-masked randomised clinical trial comparing bevacizumab with ranibizumab for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Patients who met inclusion criteria were randomised 2 : 1 to bevacizumab or ranibizumab. All subjects and investigators (except for the pharmacist responsible for study assignments) were masked to treatment arms. Visual acuity was taken on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart. Patients were given either bevacizumab or ranibizumab every month for the first 3 months, followed by an optical coherence tomography-guided, variable-dosing treatment schedule. Main outcomes measured included visual acuity, foveal thickness, and total number of injections over the 1-year treatment period. RESULTS: In total, 15 patients received bevacizumab and 7 patients received ranibizumab. The average pre-operative visual acuity was 34.9 letters in the bevacizumab group, and 32.7 letters in the ranibizumab group. At 1-year follow-up, mean vision was 42.5 letters in the bevacizumab group, and 39.0 letters in the ranibizumab group. Two-tailed t-test failed to showed statistical significance between the two groups (P=0.5). Patients in the bevacizumab group underwent an average of eight injections, whereas patients in the ranibizumab group underwent a mean of four injections (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The 1-year outcomes of a prospective, double-masked, randomised clinical trial comparing bevacizumab with ranibizumab failed to show a difference in visual and anatomic outcomes between the two treatments for choroidal neovascularisation in AMD. Total injections given over the treatment period were significantly different between the two groups. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.

Systemic RNAi in Caenorhabditis elegans.

RNA interference (RNAi) in Caenorhabditis elegans induced by ingestion or injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) spreads throughout the organism and is even transmitted to the progeny. We have identified two proteins required for spreading of RNAi, SID-1 and SID-2, whose structure, subcellular localization, and expression pattern have been informative for how dsRNA can be transported into and between cells. SID-1 is a transmembrane protein that functions as a pore or channel that transports dsRNA into and out of cells. Proteins homologous to SID-1 are present in a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate animals but are absent from plants. SID-2 is a small transmembrane protein that is expressed in the gut and localizes strongly to the luminal membrane where it appears to act as a receptor for uptake of dsRNA from the environment. Characterization of SID-2 activity in a variety of Caenorhabditis nematodes indicates that C. elegans SID-2 may have a novel activity.

The relation of preschool child-care quality to children's cognitive and social developmental trajectories through second grade.

The cognitive and socioemotional development of 733 children was examined longitudinally from ages 4 to 8 years as a function of the quality of their preschool experiences in community child-care centers, after adjusting for family selection factors related to child-care quality and development. These results provide evidence that child-care quality has a modest long-term effect on children's patterns of cognitive and socioemotional development at least through kindergarten, and in some cases, through second grade. Differential effects on children's development were found for two aspects of child-care quality. Observed classroom practices were related to children's language and academic skills, whereas the closeness of the teacher-child relationship was related to both cognitive and social skills, with the strongest effects for the latter. Moderating influences of family characteristics were observed for some outcomes, indicating stronger positive effects of child-care quality for children from more at-risk backgrounds. These findings contribute further evidence of the long-term influences of the quality of child-care environments on children's cognitive and social skills through the elementary school years and are consistent with a bioecological model of development that considers the multiple environmental contexts that the child experiences.

Family income and crowd out among children enrolled in Massachusetts Children's Medical Security Plan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether participation in a state publicly financed health insurance program, Massachusetts Children's Medical Security Plan (CMSP) , which is open to children regardless of income, was associated with disenrollment from private insurance. DATA SOURCES/STUDY DESIGN: A survey of participants in CMSP who were enrolled as of April 1998 was used. We conducted analyses to detect differences in access to and uptake of private insurance between Medicaid-eligible and in eligible children, and between children eligible for the State Children's Health insurance Program (SCHIP) and in eligible children. DATA COLLECTION METHODS: A stratified sample of children was drawn from administrative files. the sampling strategy allowed us to examine crowd out among children based on in come and eligibility for publicly funded coverage: those who were Medicaid-eligible (income pound 133 percent of the federal poverty level [FPL]) , those who were SCHIP-eligible (134-200 percent of FPL) , and those with family in comes that exceed SCHIP eligibility criteria (> 200 percent of FPL). The majority of telephone interviews were conducted with the child's parent/guardian between November 1998 and March 1999. The overall response rate was 61.8 percent , yielding a sample of 996 children. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Of the children in our sample whose recent health coverage was employer-sponsored insurance (59 percent), 70 percent were no longer eligible. Few children who had employer-sponsored insurance at enrollment dropped this coverage to enroll in CM SP (1 percent, 4 percent, and 2 percent by income). Compared to Medicaid-eligible children, children with incomes > 133 percent of FPL were significantly more likely to be eligible for employer-sponsored insurance but they were no more likely to have purchased offered coverage. Access to employer-sponsored insurance was limited (19 percent), and uptake was low (13 percent). We found no significant difference between SCHIP-eligible children and those whose family incomes exceeded SCHIP guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The Massachusetts experience suggests that (1) coverage could be expanded to children with incomes up to 200 percent of FPL with little direct substitution of public coverage for private insurance, and (2) substitution among children with incomes > 200 percent of FPL, who paid a premium that may have restrained crowd out, did not differ from that among SCHIP-eligible children.

Ultraviolet radiation increases tropoelastin accumulation by a post-transcriptional mechanism in dermal fibroblasts.

Chronically sun-damaged human skin is characterized by dermal connective tissue damage that includes the massive accumulation of abnormal elastic fibers. The content of elastin, the major protein component of elastic fibers, is increased two- to sixfold in sun-damaged skin. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism responsible for the increase in elastin levels after ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Confluent cultures of normal dermal fibroblasts were irradiated with 4.5 mJ/cm2 of UVB; sham-treated cells served as the control group. The accumulation of tropoelastin was determined at 5 d after treatment by measuring the incorporation of 14C-proline into radiolabeled tropoelastin isolated from cell layers and media. UV irradiation increased radiolabeled tropoelastin accumulation approximately twofold without affecting DNA content, the total amount of radiolabeled protein, or tropoelastin secretion. Moreover, the steady-state levels of tropoelastin mRNA, as determined by slot blot hybridizations, were unaffected by UV treatment. However, the translation of tropoelastin mRNA was increased when total RNA from irradiated cells was used in cell-free translation experiments. These results suggest that altered translational efficiency may account for the increase in tropoelastin accumulation after UV irradiation. In support of this hypothesis, nucleotide sequences were derived from tropoelastin mRNA isolated from UV-irradiated and nonirradiated dermal fibroblasts. Almost a 12% substitution rate was observed in nucleotide sequences derived from the 3' untranslated region of tropoelastin mRNA from the UV-treated cells. In contrast, a coding domain of tropoelastin did not contain base-substitution mutations. These multiple base substitutions in a noncoding domain of tropoelastin mRNA may be responsible for the post-transcriptional increase in tropoelastin accumulation after UV irradiation.

X-linked pathologic myopia.

We examined a patient with decreased visual acuity and macular changes attributable to pathologic myopia. Thirteen additional family members were examined, and historic information was obtained on their relatives. A pedigree spanning six generations was constructed that demonstrated an X-linked mode of inheritance. This finding has important genetic and therapeutic implications for similarly affected patients.