cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biology milestones of the IJROBP.

r E b m s m c g w R s i c t t h he International Journal of Radiation Oncology ● Biology ● hysics has received enormous benefit from the stature and ard work of its Senior Editors. We are pleased to welcome . Martin Brown, Ph.D., as our new Senior Editor for iology. Dr. Brown will continue the tradition of excellence mong those responsible for the increasing success of the ed Journal. He replaces Eric J. Hall, D.Phil, D.Sc., who as served as Senior Editor for six years and, indeed, has een a member of the Editorial Board since the inception of he Journal in 1975. Doctors Brown and Hall, good friends ho share outstanding recognition in their field, are gifted cientists, authors, and lecturers. Those who are privileged o know them personally appreciate their enjoyment of life n all its aspects. Eric Hall, a Gold Medalist of ASTRO, has served in an dmirable way to encourage submissions of manuscripts to he Journal in the areas of biology and biophysics. He has t the same time been a critical and demanding force for xcellence for everything published by the Journal. J. Martin Brown, like Dr. Hall a Gold Medalist of STRO, has agreed to take on the responsibility of enior Editor for biology with the enthusiastic endorse-
LOSSES IN AVAILABLE LYSINE DURING THERMAL PROCESSING OF SOY PROTEIN MODEL SYSTEMS

This study was conducted in order to develop a mathematical model for predicting lysine losses during processing of soy products. Model systems used in this study consisted of micro crystalline cellulose, glucose, sucrose, potato starch and soy protein. System composition, water activity, pH and time and temperature of heating were varied and available lysine was monitored by the fluoro-2,4-dinitro benzene method of Carpenter. In the first set of experiments, statistical analysis of the data obtained resulted in an equation which shows the effects of the variables used on available lysine retention: Fraction available lysine remaining = 0.58 + 0.047 pH - 0.093 glucose - 0.059 temperature —0.0068 time + 0.031 (water activity)2+ 0.025 aw sucrose + 0.033 sucrose starch. These data were collected at heating times well in excess of that required to destroy all reducing sugars present. Heating times were reduced in the second experiments such that kinetic data could be obtained. The average Ea was 28,500 calories/mole°K and the average reference reaction rate at 100°C (K100) was 0.036 mg lysine/min.
Intra-arterial Thrombolysis in Acute Basilar Artery Thromboembolism: The Initial Mayo Clinic Experience

Objective To investigate the feasibility of intraarterial thrombolysis in acute basilar artery thrombosis. Design We reviewed a consecutive series of patients in whom intra-arterial thrombolysis was performed during the period from 1994 to 1996. Material and Methods Intra-arterial thrombolysis with urokinase was done in an attempt to recanalize the basilar artery in a series of nine patients with basilar artery thrombosis admitted to the neurologic intensive-care unit. At the time of initial assessment, all nine patients had major neurologic deficits attributable to brain-stem ischemia, including two patients with locked-in syndrome. Results Recanalization of the basilar artery system was successful in seven of the nine patients (a range of 2 to 13 hours after the ictus). Failure to recanalize the basilar artery occurred in two patients, who died after progressing to coma. Complete recovery or only minimal neurologic deficits were demonstrated in five of the nine patients. Despite recanalization of the basilar artery, two patients had no major change in their neurologic function, and both ultimately had severe ataxia and were fully dependent on others. A cerebellar hemorrhage occurred in one patient but without clinical worsening. Two patients had a retroperitoneal hematoma. Conclusion Intra-arterial thrombolysis with urokinase in acute basilar artery occlusion resulted in recanalization in seven of the nine patients (78%). Five of the nine patients recovered fully, including two patients who had had locked-in syndrome. In light of the devastating natural course of acute basilar artery occlusion, these initial results are encouraging and indicate that intra-arterial thrombolysis may be a useful emergency treatment, even in patients with prolonged symptoms of ischemia (up to 12 hours).
Rates of Oxygen Exchange between the [HxNb6O19]8-x(aq) Lindqvist Ion and Aqueous Solutions

Oxygen-isotope-exchange rates were measured between sites in the Lindqvist-type [H(x)()Nb(6)O(19)](8)(-)(x)()((aq)) polyoxoanion and aqueous solution as a function of pH and temperature. The ion has a central mu(6)-O that is inert to exchange, 12 mu(2)-O(H), and 6 eta-O. The potassium salt of this ion is recrystallized in (17)O-enriched water to (17)O-label the anion, which is then redissolved into isotopically normal water so that the (17)O NMR signals from structural oxygens can be followed as a function of time. Because the central mu(6)-O retains its (17)O signal throughout the experiments, it is clear that the polyoxoanion remains intact during isotopic equilibration of the other structural oxygens. At pH conditions where the [HNb(6)O(19)](7)(-) ion predominates, the mu(2)-O(H) sites isotopically exchange with solution about an order of magnitude more rapidly than the eta-O sites. Yet, we observe that the terminal and bridging oxo sites react at nearly the same rates when the ion is coordinated to 2-3 protons and possibly when it is unprotonated. On the basis of molecular models and experimental kinetic data, we propose metastable polymorphs of the hexaniobate structure where four of the mu(2)-O(H) and eta-O sites are temporarily equivalent and bonded to a coordinatively unsaturated Nb(V). This hypothesized intermediate allows facile access to bulk water molecules for exchange but cannot fully explain the kinetic results and additional experiments on other Lindvist ions are required.
Real-time interferometric synthetic aperture microscopy

An interferometric synthetic aperture microscopy (ISAM) system design with real-time 2D cross-sectional processing is described in detail. The system can acquire, process, and display the ISAM reconstructed images at frame rates of 2.25 frames per second for 512×1024 pixel images. This system provides quantitatively meaningful structural information from previously indistinguishable scattering intensities and provides proof of feasibility for future real-time ISAM systems.
N-Terminal Basic Amino Acids of Alfalfa Mosaic Virus Coat Protein Involved in the Initiation of Infection

Abstract Alfalfa mosaic virus coat protein or its messenger RNA is required in the inoculum for virus infection. The N-terminus of the coat protein is required for activity; thus, changes were made in the amino acid sequence of this region. Six coat protein mutants were tested for activity in virus infection assays in protoplasts. A coat protein mutant in which N-terminal residues 3-19 were absent was inactive; whereas, a mutant in which residues 3-11 were absent (CPΔN9) still had 73% of wildtype activity. Substitution of alanine for the basic residues at positions 14, 17, and 15 in full-length coat protein and in CPΔN9 resulted in mutant proteins that were inactive in infection. Thus, one, two, or three of these basic residues in CP are required for activity.
Reduction of cigarette smoking through self-administered aversion conditioning: A new treatment model with implications for public health

This study presents a feasible method of therapeutically employing self-administered punishment to reduce or eliminate cigarette smoking. University students were randomly assigned to experimental groups. In one group the puniching stimulus (electric shock) was contingent upon actual inhaling of smoke, while in another group it was contingent upon imagined smoking. In a placebo group, shock intensity levels were maintained below the feeling threshold so that no pain was experienced by these students. A wait group and a minimal-contact group provided further controls. Self-administered shock intensity levels increased significantly (p <0·001) across the treatment sessions as a whole, and within individual sessions. Male Ss employed significantly (p < 0·05) higher levels of shock than did female Ss. With respect to smoking, the findings were inconclusive for females. For moderately-smoking males, the imagined-smoking and actual-smoking treatments were both effective, but not differentially so. With heavy-smoking males, the imagined-smoking treatment was the only effective approach. The implications for public health were discussed.
The Factorial Validity for the Ideal Child Checklist

Responses of 522 middle-class parents to Torrance's Ideal Child Checklist were factor analyzed. Four dimensions were found to underly the 66 items that originally comprised the scale, namely: Factor I, Confident, Aggressive, Well Adjusted; Factor II, Socially Virtuous; Factor III, Negativistic, Critical; and Factor IV, Creative-Intuitive. These dimensions exhibit little overlap and varying internal consistency.
Structure and dynamics of forsterite–scCO2/H2O interfaces as a function of water content

Abstract Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of forsterite surfaces in contact with supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) fluids of varying water content were performed to determine the partition of water between the scCO2 fluid and the mineral surface, the nature of CO2 and H2O bonding at the interface, and the regions of the interface that may be conducive to H x CO 3 ( 2 - x ) - formation. Calculations of the free energy of the associative adsorption of water onto the (0 1 0) forsterite surface from the scCO2 phase indicated that the formation of a water film up to three-monolayer thick can be exothermic even for water contents below the water saturation concentration of the scCO2 fluid. In MD simulations of scCO2/H2O mixtures in contact with the (0 1 0) forsterite surface, H2O was found to readily displace CO2 at the surface and, therefore, CO2 directly contacted the surface only for water coverages below two monolayers. For thicker water films, a two-monolayer hydration layer formed that CO2 could not penetrate. The MD simulations thus suggest that, in the presence of sufficient water, H x CO 3 ( 2 - x ) - formation occurs in the water films and not via direct reaction of CO2 with the forsterite surface. Simulations of the hydroxylated (0 1 0) surface and of the (0 1 1) surface suggested that this conclusion can be extended to forsterite surfaces with different surface structures and/or compositions. The density, diffusion, and degree of hydration of CO2 as well as the extent of CO2/H2O mixing at the interface were all predicted to depend strongly on the thickness of the water-rich film, i.e., on the water content of the scCO2 fluid.
Nonunions around the knee joint

Nonunions of the distal femur are relatively rare but can occur with or without previous surgery. Many surgical methods have been described for the treatment of these nonunions including external fixation, intramedullary nailing, arthroplasty, and fixed angle plating. While arthroplasty may have a limited role in the elderly patient with osteoporosis and severe communiution, most nonunions can be reliably treated with revision fixation using a fixed angled device, lag screws, and bone grafting as needed. Fixed-angle plating also has the advantage of stabilising a small distal segment where intramedullary nailing has proven to be less effective. Any surgical intervention must include restoration of the normal mechanical axis of the distal femur for a satisfactory clinical outcome. Proximal tibia nonunions are a similarly rare clinical entity due to the excellent blood supply in the metaphysis. Extra-articular proximal tibial nonunions are often due to malreduction during the index surgery resulting in poor bone contact and biomechanical stability. Soft tissue forces and improper use of intramedullary implants often predispose these fractures to malalignment. Revision surgery consisting of deformity correction and at least a lateral tension band plate with lag screws has led to predictable union and good clinical results. Tibial plateau nonunions are exceedingly uncommon but are difficult to treat because of small, often devascularised fragments, post-surgical scarring, and osteopenia. Revision surgery with meticulous soft tissue handling to restore the articular surface and mechanical axis with repair of meniscal pathology gives the patient the best chance of recovering knee function.
Fetal exposure to narcotics: neonatal sleep as a measure of nervous system disturbance

Newborn infants, chronically exposed in utero to low doses of methadone with or without concomitant heroin, display more rapid eye movement sleep and less quiet sleep than control infants, while babies fetally exposed to both opiates and nonopiates have less organization of sleep states. Other perinatal factors, such as birth weight and gestational age, are related more to the amount of fetal drug exposure than to the type.
RECIPROCAL TRANSFER OF NUTRIENTS BETWEEN ERICACEOUS PLANTS AND A CLAVARIA SP.

Summary A close physiological relationship between some ericaceous plants, Rhododendron sp. and Pieris japonica, and a member of the genus Clavaria is indicated by radioisotope translocation studies. [14C] photosynthate from host leaves was detected in Clavaria fruiting bodies and 25P applied to Clavaria fruiting bodies was detected in plant roots. Possible transfer mechanisms, including that of a mycorrhizal association, are discussed.
Uptake and phytotransformation of o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDT by axenically cultivated aquatic plants.

The uptake and phytotransformation of o,p‘-DDT and p,p‘-DDT were investigated in vitro using three axenically cultivated aquatic plants: parrot feather (Mariophyllum aquaticum), duckweed (Spirodela oligorrhiza), and elodea (Elodea canadensis). The decay profile of DDT from the aqueous culture medium followed first-order kinetics for all three plants. During the 6-day incubation period, almost all of the DDT was removed from the medium, and most of it accumulated in or was transformed by these plants. Duckweed demonstrated the greatest potential to transform both DDT isomers; 50−66% was degraded or bound in a nonextractable manner with the plant material after the 6-day incubation. Therefore, duckweed also incorporated less extractable DDT (32−49%) after 6 days than did the other plants. The capacity for phytotransformation/binding by elodea is between that of duckweed and parrot feather; ∼31−48% of the spiked DDT was degraded or bound to the elodea plant material. o,p‘-DDD and p,p‘-DDD are the major meta...
Impact of smoking on maternal serum markers and prenatal screening in the first and second trimesters.

Objectives To examine the effects of smoking on first and second trimester screening markers and to determine the overall impact of these effects on Down syndrome and trisomy 18 risks in first trimester combined, second trimester quadruple and integrated tests. Methods Examination of screening records at Women and Infants Hospital during 2006-2008. First trimester pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and nuchal translucency and second trimester alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), unconjugated estriol (uE3), hCG and inhibin A (inhA) multiple of the median (MoM) values were extracted from the database along with risk results, smoking status and relevant demographic information. Results Smoking led to significantly reduced median levels of first trimester PAPP-A (0.89 MoM) and hCG (0.80 MoM), reduced second trimester uE3 (0.96 MoM) and hCG (0.84 MoM), and increased AFP (1.03 MoM) and inhA (1.39 MoM). After accounting for the differences in age between groups, smokers had higher Down syndrome screen positive rates for the second trimester quadruple test, but not for first trimester combined or integrated tests. Screen positive rates for trisomy 18 were markedly increased in smokers relative to age-matched non-smokers when using first trimester combined or integrated tests. Conclusion Smoking leads to increased screen positive rates, especially for trisomy 18 using combined or integrated tests. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model lipid bilayer with facile diffusion of lipids and integral membrane proteins.

A model membrane system is formed by the rupture of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) onto a passivating layer comprising a PEG polymer cushion anchored in a lipid bilayer supported on glass. The novel use of pH-dependent electrostatic interactions between NeutrAvidin in the passivating layer and anionic lipids in the GUV drives vesicle rupture. The resulting “GUV pancakes” are single, planar lipid bilayer patches whose diameters vary from ∼20 to 50 μm. The pancakes have several potential advantages for the in vitro study of protein−lipid interactions and integral membrane protein function. All components are commercially available. The pancakes resist nonspecific binding of vesicles containing protein. Both lipids and integral membrane proteins exhibit good lateral mobility in the GUV pancakes, as evidenced by single-particle tracking (SPT) of the DiD double-tailed fluorescent probe and of the integral membrane protein syntaxin-1A, labeled with AlexaFluor 633 (AF633-Syx). At least 80% of both probes exhi...
Word length and memory requirements of the integer parts of some digital control parameters

It is shown that some of the parameters that result from identification and estimation algorithms of continuous time linear systems of order n , subjected to sampling and digital control, require about n binary bits to represent their integer part. The storage space required for the integer parts of all such parameters is about n^{2}/2\ln2 . The need for developing structured algorithms is emphasized, since it is shown that the number of bits for the integer part of these parameters could be reduced to just one bit and the storage space to about n binary locations, as a result of the structuring.
A Detailed Mechanism of the Surface-Mediated Formation of PCDD/F from the Oxidation of 2-Chlorophenol on a CuO/Silica Surface

The formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) via a Cu(II)O-mediated reaction of 2-chlorophenol (2-MCP) has been studied in a packed bed reactor over a temperature range of 200−500 °C. Under oxidative conditions, the principle PCDD/F products were 1-monochlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (MCDD) > 4,6-dichlorodibenzofuran (DCDF) > dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD). EPR studies indicated the presence of a carbon-centered phenoxyl radical on the surface, which is attributed to chemisorption of 2-MCP at a copper oxide site followed by electron transfer to Cu(II) to form Cu(I) and a phenoxyl radical. The presence of a surface bound phenoxyl radical and the formation of MCDD, DCDF, and DD, which were also observed as the principle products of the gas-phase oxidation of 2-MCP, strongly suggest a surface-mediated mechanism involving many of the same radical and molecular species involved in the gas-phase formation of PCDD/F from 2-MCP. Reaction orders of 0.5−1.0 were observed for MCDD and DD formation, in...
Estradiol receptors of two distinct populations of leydig cells

Abstract The optimal concentrations of molybdate (Mo) to prevent thermal inactivation of estrogen receptor (ER) were found to be 5–20 mM. Using metrizamide density centrifugation, interstitial cells of adult Sprague -Dawley rat testes (2–3 months of age) can be separated into 5 distinct bands. Band 2 (B2) and 3 (B3) cells represented functionally different Leydig cells. For measurement of cytosolic ER, purified Leydig cells (B2 and B3 cells) were homogenized in 10 mM Tris-EDTA buffer with 5 mM of Mo (pH 7.4) and centrifugea at 105, 000xg for 60 min. Cytosols were used immediately for ER determination. ER of B2 cells was 24.0 ± 3.1 fmol/mg protein ( x ± SE , n=7 ), which was significantly higher than that of B3 cells, 18.6 + 3.2 fmol/mg protein (n=7), p
Multiphase flow and wettability effects of surfactants in porous media

Abstract The concept of enhancing oil recovery from petroleum reservoirs, by reducing oil–water interfacial tension (IFT) using surfactants, is an old one. The main mechanism involved there is the alteration of oil–water relative permeability characteristics, due to reduction in interfacial tension between the two immiscible fluids competing to flow through the porous medium of reservoir rocks. In order for this mechanism to yield effective results, in terms of oil recovery enhancement, the surfactants used must be capable of lowering the oil–water interfacial tension by four to six orders of magnitude. This imposes such requirements of surfactant type, concentration and quantity that the process becomes uneconomical in practice. Another aspect of the use of surface-active agents that has received little attention is their ability to alter wetting preference of the rock surface in relatively dilute concentrations. Such wettability alterations could yield considerable shifts in oil–water distribution and flow characteristics in porous media resulting in far more beneficial effects than can be realized by reduction of interfacial tension alone. In this paper, we present the results of experiments involving flow through porous media using different rock–fluid systems, so chosen as to allow us to differentiate between the relative effects of interfacial tension reduction and wettability alteration on oil–water flow behavior and oil recovery. In addition to confirming and quantitating the beneficial effects of wettability alteration by surfactants on oil recovery, this study has identified an ability of some surfactants to render a unique type of fluid distribution in porous media that enables the preferential draining of the oil phase through formation of oil films on the rock surface.
A hybrid actor and blackboard approach to manufacturing cell control

Cell control forms one level of a hierarchical approach to the control of automated manufacturing systems. This paper describes the application of the artificial intelligence techniques of blackboard and actor-based systems for intelligent cell control in a framework termed Production Logistics and Timings Organizer (PLATO-Z). The blackboards required are described and the implementation is overviewed.
The lack of effect of β-carotene on restenosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Abstract The success of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is limited by restenosis in 30–50% of cases. Cellular production of reactive oxygen species at the site of injury has been implicated as a contributing factor in the process of restenosis. β-Carotene is a lipid-soluble antioxidant whose effects on this process have not been previously investigated. We attempted to elucidate whether β-carotene treatment was capable of reducing restenosis. Femoral artery stenoses were produced by nitrogen-desiccation in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet. The animals were randomized to receive either a parenteral bolus of β-carotene immediately prior to angioplasty, followed by 5 days of subcutaneous treatment (Acute Treatment); 5 days of subcutaneous pretreatment with β-carotene followed by a parenteral bolus immediately prior to angioplasty and then another 5 days of subcutaneous treatment (Pretreatment); or vehicle only (Control). Angiography was performed immediately before and after angioplasty, and 28 days after angioplasty. The animals were then sacrificed, and the femoral arteries were harvested for histopathology. By quantitative angiography, the late loss of luminal diameter between angioplasty and final angiography was not significantly different between the acute treatment group, the pretreatment group and the control group. By histopathology, the area of intimal hyperplasia and the percent cross-sectional area stenosis were also not significantly different. The late loss in luminal diameter after angioplasty correlated significantly with the acute gain in luminal diameter produced by angioplasty. The amount of intimal hyperplasia correlated significantly with the arterial injury score assessed by histopathology. In summary, in this animal model of restenosis, parenteral β-carotene failed to significantly reduce the amount of either intimal hyperplasia or late loss in luminal diameter after angioplasty.
Is There a Gold Standard for TKA Tibial Component Rotational Alignment

Background Joint function and durability after TKA depends on many factors, but component alignment is particularly important. Although the transepicondylar axis is regarded as the gold standard for rotationally aligning the femoral component, various techniques exist for tibial component rotational alignment. The impact of this variability on joint kinematics and stability is unknown.
Personal and indoor exposure to PM2.5 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the southern highlands of Tanzania: a pilot-scale study

Personal and indoor exposure to PM2.5 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in households in the Njombe district of Tanzania. Cooking is conducted indoors in this region due to its high elevation, cool climate, and heavy seasonal rainfall. Kitchens are often poorly ventilated, resulting in high exposures to combustion-related pollutants. Sampling sites were selected to represent typical cooking practices across regional socio-economic divisions. These include the use of open wood fires, charcoal, a mix of charcoal and kerosene, and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking fuels. PM2.5 average personal exposure was 14 μg/m3 (±3, n = 3) for LPG, 88 μg/m3 (±42, n = 3) for kerosene/charcoal mix, 588 μg/m3 (±347, n = 3) for charcoal alone, and 1574 μg/m3 (±287, n = 3) for open wood fires. Total PAH average personal exposures were less than 1 ng/m3 (±1, n = 3) for LPG, 57 ng/m3 (±16, n = 3) for kerosene/charcoal mix, 334 ng/m3 (±57, n = 3) for charcoal alone, and 5040 ng/m3 (±909, n = 3) for open wood fires. Benzo[a]pyrene equivalent exposures for US EPA’s priority PAH pollutants were 0 for LPG, 8 ng/m3 for kerosene/charcoal mix, 44 ng/m3 for charcoal, and 767 ng/m3 for open wood fire. Inhalable pollutants are present at unacceptably high levels, exceeding indoor air quality standards for all but LPG fuels. Relative results provide an exposure profile for rural East Africa and support the feasibility of conducting a larger scale smoke exposure campaign in the region. The use of “fuel efficient” wood stoves for the reduction of PM2.5 and PAH exposure was measured in a local secondary school. Proper use of “fuel efficient” wood stoves reduced personal and indoor exposure to measured pollutants by more than 90%, supporting further investigation into the applicability of this technology to significantly improve indoor air quality.
A Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Chloral Hydrate Versus Inhaled Anesthesia for Sedating Infants and Toddlers for Transthoracic Echocardiograms

Background Pediatric patients may need sedation for a transthoracic echocardiogram. Due to the unpredictability and safety concerns with chloral hydrate, we offered mask anesthesia as an alternate strategy. Methods A retrospective chart review of 507 pediatric patients sedated for transthoracic echocardiography was conducted to compare the use of oral chloral hydrate (n = 297) with the face mask administration of sevoflurane anesthesia (n = 210). Results Anesthesia had a shorter time from administration of sedation to hospital discharge (112 vs 155 minutes), largely because of a shorter, more predictable, and less variable time to achieve satisfactory study conditions. Using anesthesia, an average 43-minute difference would allow for an additional procedure using the same resources. Anesthesia was not associated with sedation failure (0% vs 6%), and the duration of examination was shorter (40 vs 46 minutes). There were no significant adverse events in either cohort. Conclusion Anesthesia, although more costly, is balanced by more the efficient use of hospital and parental resources, with greater family and staff satisfaction.
An Evaluation of Service Composition Technologies Applied to Network Management

Service composition is a technique that may help the development of management systems by aggregating smaller services to produce more sophisticated ones. Service composition can be realized by using traditional management technologies, although these technologies have not been conceived taking composition support as one of their main aspects. Current service-oriented architecture (SOA)-related efforts, however, define specific standards for Web services composition, such as the Web services business process execution language (WS-BPEL). Web services for network management have been investigated by the management community at least in the last four years, but up to today no research evaluating Web services composition applied to network management has been carried out. In this paper we present such an evaluation where compositions based on the IETF Script MIB, ad-hoc Java Web services, and WS- BPEL are compared against one another in a managed network where BGP routers are investigated in order to identify route advertisement anomalies.
Back-action in the measurement of macroscopic quantum superpositions' in microwave cavities

We analyze the back-action of nonlinear atomic homodyning measurements on steady-state “macroscopic superpositions” that can be generated in high-Q microwave cavities. We show that a full characterization of the state requires measurements such that the macroscopic superposition is irreversibly destroyed, that is, it cannot be reconstructed by using the scheme that was used to generate it in the first place.
The Role of Social, Economic, and Religious Factors in the Availability of Neuraxial Labor Analgesia Worldwide

The suffering of labor pain has been described for millennia. The first widely publicized use of labor analgesia was reported in medical journals in 1853, when Queen Victoria received chloroform as analgesia for her seventh labor and vaginal delivery at Buckingham Palace. In the 1930s, caudal techniques in the United States provided labor analgesia to thousands of laboring women, and favorable results were described in the Journal of American Medical Association. Presently, epidural labor analgesia is a mature technique, as appropriate doses, tools and protocols have been developed to minimize risk and optimize benefits to the patient and her fetus. However, the great majority of women, both in developed and less developed nations, are not offered this efficacious and safe labor analgesia choice. Recent literature has shown that epidural rates in labor are very high once the technique is available and laboring women are presented with the free choice to adopt it. It is important to develop a future strategy to offer labor epidural analgesia to a much larger group of women globally.
Fungus Cerebri (Brain Fungus): A Rare Complication of Mastoidectomy

Fungus cerebri is a relatively rare disease. The various reasons attributed to such pathology are, long standing mastoiditis, previous temporal lobe fracture, spontaneous herniation and most important common cause is post operative to mastoidectomy. The diagnosis is mainly clinical and supplemented by imaging studies. The commonly herniated part is the temporal lobe, but cerebellar herniation are also reported Different surgical modalities are used in managing this condition. Surgical approaches in the treatment of brain herniation into the mastoid or middle ear are, neurosurgical, otosurgical and combined. A case of fungus cerebri complicating mastoidectomy is presented and the pathogenesis is discussed
Heating and Cooling of Hot Accretion Flows by Nonlocal Radiation

We consider nonlocal effects that arise when radiation emitted at one radius of an accretion disk either heats or cools gas at other radii through Compton scattering. We discuss three situations: 1. Radiation from the inner regions of an advection-dominated flow Compton cooling gas at intermediate radii and Compton heating gas at large radii. 2. Soft radiation from an outer thin accretion disk Compton cooling a hot one- or two-temperature flow on the inside. 3. Soft radiation from an inner thin accretion disk Compton cooling hot gas in a surrounding one-temperature flow. We describe how previous results are modified by these nonlocal interactions. We find that Compton heating or cooling of the gas by the radiation emitted in the inner regions of a hot flow is not important. Likewise, Compton cooling by the soft photons from an outer thin disk is negligible when the transition from a cold to a hot flow occurs at a radius greater than some minimum Rtr,min. However, if the hot flow terminates at R < Rtr,min, nonlocal cooling is so strong that the hot gas is cooled to a thin disk configuration in a runaway process. In the case of a thin disk surrounded by a hot one-temperature flow, we find that Compton cooling by soft radiation dominates over local cooling in the hot gas for 10−3αEdd and R 104RSchw. As a result, the maximum accretion rate for which an advection-dominated one-temperature solution exists decreases by a factor of ~10 compared with the value computed under an assumption of local energy balance.
Canine Ichthyosis and Related Disorders of Cornification

The stratum corneum acts as a permability barrier to keep the body hydrated while preventing environmental damage and exposure to pathogens and noxious substances. Disorders of cornification (DOC) arise from an inability to form a normal stratum corneum. Most DOC arise secondary to skin allergies, ectoparasitism, endocrine and metabolic diseases. Primary DOC typically arise from single gene mutations. As there is no cure for primary DOC (ichthyoses), a stepwise diagnostic approach is fundamental to establishing a correct diagnosis. Treatment involves a regimen of topical therapy as well as medical scrutiny to address secondary bacterial and yeast infections.
Super-resolution detection of high-contrast embedded objects in structures using differential X-band sensor array

We describe a non-ionizing imaging technique to detect highly conductive embedded objects inside of a poorly conducting structural material. We have constructed an array with four differential dasiapixelspsila each consisting of a pair of tuned, cross-polarized resonant microwave probes. The probes were individually tuned using dielectric loading and spatial tuning screws. The probes interact with the embedded wires in the structure causing a secondary resonance to form as detected using a network analyzer. The orthogonal polarization of the probes was used to perform differential measurements and to eliminate the effect of probe stand-off variations and surface non-uniformities. The experimental results demonstrated sensitivity to different diameters of embedded wires (with a minimum detectable signal of 1 mum at 100 mum depth) in a rubber structure. Individual broken wires could also be distinguished from a background of unbroken ones.
Fiber optic diagnostics for Z-experiments

Summary form only given, as follows. Quartz optical fibers provides an inexpensive, compact, radiation resistant, electrical noise immune shock diagnostic for our experiments on the Sandia National Laboratories Z-machine. Z fires a 20 megampere pulse of current into a cylindrical 20 mm diameter array of 12 micron tungsten wires. The resulting J/spl times/B implosion stagnation generates a blackbody temperature of about 140 eV. This radiation pulse is coupled into our experiment packages and shocks the containment wall of the package and the fibers positioned along the outside of the wall. A shock pulse entering the fiber heats the fiber to luminescent conditions producing an intense light pulse with sub-nanosecond rise time. The visible pulse is transmitted via fiber to an optical streak camera and/or to an Avalanche PhotoDiode (APD) optical-to-electrical converter then to fast digitizers for recording. The diagnostic fiber bundle consists of multiple single strand 100-micron fibers (Polymicro #FVP-100-110-125) that are positioned in precision machined fixtures to accurately locate the polished fiber ends in intimate contact with the outside gold wall of our experiment packages. The fibers are enclosed in a flexible steel radiation shield from the experiment to a specially designed vacuum bulkhead fitting. Once outside the Z-machine vacuum vessel the fibers are terminated in a standard type ST connector. We present the design of our inexpensive fiber optic shock sensor and results from some of our Z-machine experiments.
Computational prognostic indicators for breast cancer

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Comprehensive genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics studies are emerging that offer an opportunity to model disease biology, prognosis, and response to specific therapies. Although many biomarkers have been identified through advances in data mining techniques, few have been applied broadly to make patient-specific decisions. Here, we review a selection of breast cancer prognostic indicators and their implications. Our goal is to provide clinicians with a general evaluation of emerging computational methodologies for outcome prediction.
Proton pump inhibitors do not induce change in bone mineral density in a long-term observational study

Commentary on: Targownik LE, Leslie WD, Davison KS, et al. the CaMos Research Group. The relationship between proton pump inhibitor use and longitudinal change in bone mineral density: a population-based from the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos). Am J Gastroenterol 2012; 107: 1361– 9.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3] Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most widely prescribed drug classes worldwide. However recent studies have raised concerns about side effects associated with their long-term use. One major concern related to their use is the development of hip and vertebral fractures, although the relationship remains highly controversial. The mechanism through which PPIs could increase fracture risk is not established, although the speculation is that osteoporosis could develop via PPI-induced alterations in calcium metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PPI use and decline in bone mineral density (BMD) over time. This study used data from the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos), which consisted of a population-based stratified random sample of the … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DThe%2BAmerican%2Bjournal%2Bof%2Bgastroenterology%26rft.stitle%253DAm%2BJ%2BGastroenterol%26rft.aulast%253DTargownik%26rft.auinit1%253DL.%2BE.%26rft.volume%253D107%26rft.issue%253D9%26rft.spage%253D1361%26rft.epage%253D1369%26rft.atitle%253DThe%2Brelationship%2Bbetween%2Bproton%2Bpump%2Binhibitor%2Buse%2Band%2Blongitudinal%2Bchange%2Bin%2Bbone%2Bmineral%2Bdensity%253A%2Ba%2Bpopulation-based%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2BCanadian%2BMulticentre%2BOsteoporosis%2BStudy%2B%2528CaMos%2529.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1038%252Fajg.2012.200%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F22777336%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1038/ajg.2012.200&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=22777336&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F18%2F5%2F192.atom
An Arizona bark scorpion ( Centruroides sculpturatus ) found consuming a venomous prey item nearly twice its length

Arizona bark scorpions (Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing) are commonly found throughout the Sonoran Desert in southwestern North America, and they are well known for being the most venomous scorpion in the United States. Despite their medical significance, C. sculpturatus remains ecologically understudied, and little is known regard- ing its natural foraging and feeding behaviors. Here, we present the first documented case of C. sculpturatus feeding on the Sonoran Desert centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha Wood) in the wild. RESUMEN.—Los Alacranes de Corteza de Arizona (Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing), por lo general, se encuentran en todo el Desierto de Sonora, en el sudoeste de Norteamerica, y se conocen por ser los alacranes mas venenosos de los Estados Unidos. A pesar de su importancia medicinal, C. sculpturatus no ha sido my estudiado desde el punto de vista ecologico, y se conoce muy poco sobre su comportamiento natural de forrajeo y alimentacion. A continuacion presenta- mos el primer caso documentado de un C. sculpturatus alimentandose de un ciempies (Scolopendra polymorpha Wood) en medio del desierto.
Managing channels of distribution in the age of electronic commerce

Abstract The emergence of electronic commerce (e-commerce) has created a new business paradigm, one that presents marketers with noteworthy opportunities and challenges. Perhaps the greatest impact is in the area of channel management. The top issue for many business-to-business (B2B) firms today is channel conflict. In this paper, we investigate the effect of introducing the Internet channel into an already complex, multichannel distribution system from the perspective of the supplier firm. We describe strategies for proactively managing conflict, both externally with channel partners and internally among the subunits responsible for managing the channels. Twelve propositions for research are developed; eight relate directly to the marketing mix and four focus on channel communication and coordination. All of the research propositions offered are mechanisms by which suppliers can influence the level of channel conflict they experience. Dedicated channel management groups, documentation of channel strategies, and superordinate goals are identified as strategies for minimizing unwanted conflict.
Three dimensional thinning of octree encoded objects

Describes an efficient thinning algorithm for octree encoded objects. The algorithm takes advantage of special features of the octree data structure to greatly reduce the magnitude of the thinning procedure. Fundamental, optimized, low-level octree processing operations provide fast access to the encoded object data. Preservation of the topological and geometrical properties of the object is insured by strict connectivity and topology preserving constraints. The selection of the octree as the 3-D representation method was based on its emergence as a well organized and highly compressed data structure for three-dimensional data. It has also demonstrated its accessibility to image and object processing algorithms, display techniques and numerical analysis methods. Basic operations, directly applied to the octree encoded data, form the foundation of complex analysis algorithms like thinning.
Cooperative Coding and Its Application to OFDM Systems

We study OFDM systems with cooperative coding over frequency selective Rayleigh fading channels. We derive the pairwise error probability for the block- fading OFDM channel model. We use the derived pairwise error probability to get an upper bound on the frame error probability for the coded cooperative OFDM system. This bound is then utilized in the study of the diversity and coding gains achievable through cooperative coding in OFDM systems for vari- ous inter-user channel qualities. We consider the design of cooperative convolu- tional codes based on the principle of overlays and provide simulation results for different cooperation scenarios. We observe significant gains over conventional non-cooperative OFDM systems.
Calibration of Weights in One-Pan Balances

Abstract A method is described for the relative calibration of the weights in one-pan balances. An absolute standard is not required.
A numerical solution for the electromagnetic scattering by a two-dimensional inhomogeneity

A numerical solution for electromagnetic scattering from a two‐dimensional earth model of arbitrary conductivity distribution has been developed and compared with analog model results. A frequency‐...
Interpretation of pressure recovery data from packer inflation

[1] A packer test conducted in porous or fractured medium includes a stage prior to the actual test in which packers are inflated. If the packers are inflated quickly, the pressure within the injection interval rises in a near-instantaneous fashion and decays with time as it comes into equilibrium with the surrounding formation. These pressure recovery data are commonly not collected and never analyzed. However, the pressure transient resulting from packer inflation is akin to a pressurized slug test conducted within a packed off interval. Here we interpret 18 records of such pressure recovery data obtained prior to a cross-hole pneumatic injection test conducted in unsaturated fractured tuff at the Apache Leap Research Site (ALRS) in central Arizona. We analyze these records by modifying the M. J. Hvorslev's method to account for airflow. Results from the analysis are compared against permeability (k) estimates obtained from a pneumatic slug test as well as several single- and cross-hole pneumatic injection tests at the ALRS. This comparison shows that the k determined from the pressure recovery compares well with the result from the pneumatic slug test, but the estimates are noticeably smaller than the values determined from single- and cross-hole tests, suggesting a k scale effect. In addition, the basic time lag (tB) obtained from the analysis of the pressure recovery data using M. J. Hvorslev's method is smaller than what was previously determined from the type curve interpretation of a cross-hole pneumatic injection test. These results collectively suggest that the pressure transients from single- and cross-hole tests conducted over a longer period at higher flow rates sample a much larger volume of the rock compared to the pressure recovery data from packer inflation at the ALRS.
Internet-Mediated Technologies and Mixed Methods Research: Problems and Prospects

This article provides an examination of a range of mixed methods research projects that employ Internet-mediated technologies (IMT) for data collection. Using a case study approach, this arti- cle allows for the uncovering of a process by which IMTare used as a data collection medium in mixed methods praxis. Under the theoretical position of medium theory, the impact of how going online and changing the ''mode'' of traditional research will be explored. Advantages, drawbacks, as well as ethical issues that emerge for mixed methods using the online medium are highlighted throughout the article. Finally, implications and directions for future research using IMTare discussed.
The communication characteristics of virtual teams: a case study

Organizations are encountering novel external environments requiring flexible structures. A number of organizations have used virtual teams to provide the customer responsiveness, human resource flexibility, and speed in project completion these environments demand. Virtual teams create significant communication challenges for its leaders and members. This research analyzed the communication technologies that the Customer Support Virtual Team (CST) of International Consulting Systems (ICS), the pseudonym for a Fortune 500 organization, uses to support team interaction, the degree to which ICS systems and culture supported CST, and finally, the CST members' mindset toward communication and the methods its leader used to create the trust required for effective team interaction. Interviews revealed that ICS mission, strategy, tasks, reward systems, and attitudes toward technology supported virtual team structure. CST members were provided a suite of robust technologies to facilitate interaction; however, they relied heavily on voice mail and a large number of team, project, and organizational databases supported by Lotus Notes to generate a common language that facilitated task completion.