This paper proposes a Multiple Leader Candidate (MLC) structure and a Competitive Position Allocation (CPA) algorithm which can be applicable for various applications including environmental sensing. Unlike previous formation structures such as virtual-leader and actual-leader structures with position allocation including a rigid allocation and an optimization based allocation, the formation em...

We analyze a multilayer leaky cladding (MLC) fibre using the finite element method and study the effect of the MLC on the bending loss and birefringence of two types of structures: i) a circular-core large-mode area structure and ii) an elliptical-small-core structure. In a large-mode-area structure, we verify that the multi-layer leaky cladding strongly discriminates against higher order modes...

The myosin-light-chain (MLC) phosphorylation accompanying catecholamine release in chromaffin cells was investigated with the objective of assessing the possible role of this contractile protein in catecholamine secretion. The electrophoretic characteristics of adrenomedullary MLC were determined by immunochemical techniques using two different specific antibodies. The identified 22 kDa phospho...

PURPOSE We aim to evaluate the effects of multileaf collimator (MLC) leaf width (5 mm vs. 2.5 mm) on the radiosurgery planning for the treatment of spine lesions according to the modulated techniques (intensity-modulated radiotherapy [IMRT] vs. volumetric-modulated arc therapy [VMAT]) and the complexity of the target shape. METHODS For this study, artificial spinal lesions were contoured and ...

The Ca2+-dependent, reversible phosphorylation of the 20 kDa regulatory myosin light chain (MLC) plays a primary role in regulating the contraction of smooth muscle. However, it is well known that the Ca2+ signal is not the only factor which regulates such contraction, however, the alteration of the Ca2+ sensitivity in the contractile apparatus is also known to play an important role. The degre...

The p21-activated protein kinases (PAKs) have been implicated in cytoskeletal rearrangements and modulation of non-muscle contractility. Little, however, is known about the role of the PAK family members in smooth muscle contraction. Therefore, we investigated the effect of the predominant isoform in vascular smooth muscle cells, PAK1, on contraction and phosphorylation of the regulatory light ...

Little is known about the signaling pathways involved in alpha 2-adrenergic receptor-mediated contraction of vascular smooth muscle. In the present study, we measured intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, and myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity during stimulation with the relatively selective alpha 2-agonist UK 14304. These effects were compared and contrasted with co...

Hyperosmotic stress initiates adaptive responses, including phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) and concomitant activation of Na+-K+-Cl- cotransporter (NKCC). Because the small GTPase Rho is a key regulator of MLC phosphorylation, we investigated 1) whether Rho is activated by hyperosmotic stress, and if so, what the triggering factors are, and 2) whether the Rho/Rho kinase (ROK) pathwa...

The purpose of this study was to experimentally quantify the change in response of an amorphous silicon (a-Si) electronic portal imaging device (EPID) to dynamic multileaf collimator (dMLC) beams with varying MLC-transmitted dose components and incorporate the response into a commercial treatment planning system (TPS) EPID prediction model. A combination of uniform intensity dMLC beams and stat...

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the mixed lymphocyte culture as a predictive assay of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We studied 153 patients who received a first bone marrow transplantation from human leukocyte antigen-identical siblings. Acute GVHD was observed in 26 of 128 (20.3%) patients evaluated and chronic GVHD occurred in 60 of 114 (52.6%). One-way ...