cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution of intimomedial tears in patients with type B aortic dissection

Objective Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is a promising means of treating patients with complicated type B aortic dissection by excluding the intimomedial tears. This study aims to characterize the location of tears and to propose a classification of type B aortic dissections based on these findings. Methods Advanced protocols in computed tomography scans of patients with type B aortic dissection were used to identify the size and location of intimomedial tears in relation to the origin of the left subclavian artery. Aortic imaging details in 72 un-operated patients were used as a reference standard. From 1999 to 2005, 44 patients underwent primary endovascular treatment for complications of type B aortic dissection. Results Each patient had an average of 2.8 ± 2.11 intimomedial tears. The median intimomedial tear surface area was 0.63 cm 2 . The presence of ≥3 or ≥5 intimomedial tears in the descending thoracic aorta did not correlate with aortic branch malperfusion ( P > .05). Thirteen of 26 (50%) patients with a tear >1.9 cm 2 had aortic branch malperfusion ( P = .032). Ten of 14 (71%) patients with a tear >4.86 cm 2 (mean plus one standard deviation) had aortic branch malperfusion ( P = .002). The location of tears ranged from -6 mm to +459.2 mm from the left subclavian artery orifice: 80.5% (n = 99) of these tears were above the reference origin of the celiac artery. Eight of 13 patients (62%) with a tear distal to 282 mm (the orifice of the celiac artery) had aortic branch malperfusion in ( P = .04). A classification for the location of intimomedial tears is proposed with potential clinical relevance to endovascular repair: type 1 has no identifiable tears; type 2 has one or more tears with no tears distal to the orifice of the celiac artery; type 3 has tears involving the branch vessels of the abdominal aorta; and type 4 has intimomedial tears distal to the aortic bifurcation. Conclusions Characterization and location of intimomedial tears using computed tomography (CT) imaging is feasible and represents an important step in the management of type B aortic dissection. The location and surface area of tears is associated with malperfusion. Based on the proposed classification and anatomic reference data, three out of every four patients may have a favorable constellation of intimomedial tears (type 1 or 2) that would be amenable to endovascular repair and reverse aortic remodeling. The clinical correlation will be established in upcoming studies.
Krein spaces of analytic functions

Abstract An invariant subspace theory for contractive transformations in Hilbert spaces which is due to L. de Branges and J. Rovnyak (in “Perturbation Theory and Its Applications in Quantum Mechanics,” pp. 295–391, Wiley, New York, 1966 ) is generalized. Observable, contractive, and conjugate-isometric linear systems are considered whose state spaces and coefficient spaces are Krein spaces. Such linear systems have canonical models with state spaces chosen as Krein spaces whose elements are vector-valued analytic functions. The properties of these spaces are related to the theory of square summable power series with coefficients in a Krein space. Generalizations of a celebrated theorem of A. Beurling (Acta Math.81 (1949) , 209–255) and P. D. Lax (Acta Math.101 (1959) , 163–178) are obtained in that context. An underlying theme is the relation between factorization and invariant subspaces for continuous and contractive transformations in Krein spaces. Known results for Hilbert spaces ( L. de Branges, J. Math. Anal. Appl.29 (1970) , 168–200) are generalized. Some of these results have previously been generalized to Pontryagin spaces by D. Alpay and H. Dym (in “Operator Theory: Advances and Applications,” Vol. 18, pp. 89–159, Birkhauser-Verlag, Basel, 1986 ).
Ultracentrifugation Method to Measure Water-Soluble Monomer Incorporation in Latex

Emulsion copolymerizations involving water-soluble functional monomers such as N-methylolacrylamide often result in the formation of water-soluble polymer that remains in the aqueous phase of the latex. A simple procedure is developed to determine the amount of water-soluble polymer in the aqueous phase of a high-solids latex using ultracentrifugation. Dilution of the latex with water is usually found necessary for good separation during ultracentrifugation. If the latex contains a surface-active species (surfactant) in amounts comparable to the amount of water-soluble polymer, calculation of the amount of water-soluble polymer in the serum of the original latex will require information about dilution dependent partitioning of the surfactant between the surface of the particles and the aqueous phase. This paper outlines a procedure that enables determination of the amount of water-soluble polymer in the aqueous phase of the original latex, by ultracentrifugation of the latex diluted to different concentrations. The procedure also gives the Henry’s constant for the adsorption of the surfactant on the surface of the polymer particles in the latex.
Highly extensible skeletal muscle in snakes

Many snakes swallow large prey whole, and this process requires large displacements of the unfused tips of the mandibles and passive stretching of the soft tissues connecting them. Under these conditions, the intermandibular muscles are highly stretched but subsequently recover normal function. In the highly stretched condition we observed in snakes, sarcomere length (SL) increased 210% its resting value (SL0), and actin and myosin filaments no longer overlapped. Myofibrils fell out of register and triad alignment was disrupted. Following passive recovery, SLs returned to 82% SL0, creating a region of double-overlapping actin filaments. Recovery required recoil of intracellular titin filaments, elastic cytoskeletal components for realigning myofibrils, and muscle activation. Stretch of whole muscles exceeded that of sarcomeres as a result of extension of folded terminal tendon fibrils, stretching of extracellular elastin and independent slippage of muscle fibers. Snake intermandibular muscles thus provide a unique model of how basic components of vertebrate skeletal muscle can be modified to permit extreme extensibility.
Estimation of the earth's radiation budget from narrowband NOAA satellite observations

Abstract Operational satellites provide global data from multispectral narrowband radiometric scanners such as the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and the High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) found on the polar-orbiting NOAA series of satellites. For many years, the narrowband channels have been utilized to estimate the components of the Earth's radiation budget (ERB). Broadband instruments specially designed for ERB measurements have been available only on experimental satellites. Unfortunately, these instruments have been very intermittent in their coverage, with large gap's in time occurring between the failure of an instrument and the launch of its successor. AVHRR instruments, on the other hand, have been present on every operational NOAA satellite since 1979, making it possible for continuous coverage. The evolution of the ERB products generated from the AVHRR over this period will be discussed, as well as the expectations and plans for the future. This will include a brief tutorial on the generation of the current products, a discussion on anticipated improvements to the algorithms, the use of the HIRS in estimating the outgoing longwave radiation flux, and the development of new products that will enhance our ability to monitor climate and global change.
Electron spin resonance of supported and unsupported molybdenum hydrotreating catalysts: I. Model system studies

Abstract A combination of different synthetic techniques, dibenzothiophene desulfurization activity studies, and electron spin resonance observations are used to explore the relation between defects and hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity for bulk molybdenum sulfides and supported, sulfided Mo γ Al 2 O 3 catalysts. A linear correlation is found between sulfur-coordinated Mo5+ defects and HDS activity for both unsupported and supported samples. Comparison with oxygen chemisorption and magnetic susceptibility data suggests that these defects are associated with a fraction of the edge sites of molybdenum sulfide crystallites.
Real solvability of the equation ∂ 2/z ω = ρg and the topology of isolated umbilics

The geometric form of a conjecture associated with the names of Loewner and Caratheodory states that near an isolated umbilic in a smooth surface in ℝ3, the principal line fields must have index ≤ 1. Real solutions of the differential equation ∂ 2/z ω = g, where the complex function g is given only up to multiplication by a positive function, are intimately related to umbilics. We determine necessary and sufficient conditions of an integral nature for real solvability of this equation, which is really a system of two wave equations. We then construct germs of line fields of every index j ∈ 1/2 ℤ on S2 that cannot be realized as the Gauss image of the principal line fields near an isolated umbilic of positive curvature on any smooth surface in ℝ3. These include the standard dipole line field of index two and controlled distortions of it.
Two Unpublished Letters: Walt Whitman to William James Linton, March 14 and April 11, 1872

Prints two previously unpublished Whitman letters to Linton, filling in details of the early relationship between Whitman and the engraver/writer/anthologist.
The rapid tail flattening component of MGF-mediated escape behavior in the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris

Abstract 1. 1. In intact and dissected earthworms ( Lumbricus terrestris L.), the medial giant fiber (MGF) mediates the rapid tail flattening component of escape behavior. 2. 2. At least two MGF spikes were necessary to evoke a tail flattening response, with the amplitude and onset latency of flattening depending on the number of and interval between MGF spikes, respectively. 3. 3. Histological investigation and transducer recordings showed that the septal musculature is the effector for tail flattening. 4. 4. MGF spikes were followed in a one-one manner by an apparent motor neuron spike which exited each segmental nerve 2–3 in the tail segments and propagated through the septal nerve and into the septal muscle. 5. 5. Twin-pulse activation of the motor neuron led to facilitating septal muscle potentials which resulted in a dorso-ventral twitch of the septal muscle. 6. 6. In intact animals, MGF-mediated tail flattening preceded (by several ms) MGF-mediated shortening in more anterior segments. 7. 7. This difference in timing may enable the animal to escape by anchoring its tail in its burrow before longitudinal withdrawal of anterior segments occurs.
The Effects of Dietary Restriction on Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Aginga

: Age-associated alterations in the mitochondrial electron transport system (ETS) may lead to free radical generation and contribute to aging. The complexes of the ETS were screened spectrophotometrically in gastrocnemius of young (10 month) as well as older (20 and 26 month) B6C3F1 female mice fed an ad libitum (AL) diet or a restricted (DR) in total calories diet (40% less food than AL mice). The activities of complexes I, III, and IV decreased significantly by 62%, 54%, and 74%, respectively, in old AL mice (AL20) compared to young AL mice (AL10). Complexes I, III, and IV from DR10 mice had activities that were significantly lower than those seen in AL10 mice (suggesting a lower total respiratory rate or improved efficiency). By contrast, complex II activity did not decrease with age (actually increased, but not significantly) in AL20 mice. Complex II was decreased across age in DR mice. Km for ubiquinol-2 of complex III was significantly increased in AL10 animals (0.33 mM vs. 0.26 mM in DR10 mice) and was further increased with aging (0.44 mM in AL20 vs. 0.17 mM in DR20 mice). This suggests obstruction of binding, inhibition of electron flow in aging, which could yield premature product release as a free radical. Total complex IV by Vmax was highest in AL10 mice, but the proportion of complex as high-affinity sites was lower (69%) than in either DR10 (80%) or DR20 (80%). The percentage of high-affinity sites decreased to only 45% in AL20 mice, and Vmax was reduced by 75 percent. In AL26 mice high-affinity sites decreased to 33 percent. At physiologic concentration of reduced cytochrome c, significant dysfunction of complex IV in AL20 or AL26 mice would be expected with obstruction of overall electron transport. The age-associated loss of activity and function of complexes I, III, and IV may contribute to increased free radical production. Lack of sufficient DNA repair in mitochondria and juxtaposition to the ETS adds to susceptibility and accumulation of mtDNA and other mitochondrial macromolecular damage. DR seems to retard this deterioration of mitochondrial respiratory function by preserving enzymatic activities and function.
Mineralogy of Particulate Matter Suspended in Sea Water

X-ray diffraction analysis of the particulate matter of water samples from the Caribbean Sea, one from the surface and one from a depth of 768 meters, shows that the material has a mineral composition comparable to that found in deep-sea sediments of the area. The minerals found in the water samples include illite, the most abundant clay; kaolinite; chlorite; talc; mixed-layer clay; quartz; feldspar; and amphibole. Kaolinite and chlorite are more abundant relative to illite in the sediments than in the suspended material.
Catalysis by polymers

For more than a decade we have been interested in the reactions of synthetic macromolecules with low molecular weight reagents.1,2 These systems are of interest because of the analogies which might be drawn with enzymatic processes, and also because of the obvious interest in the unusual reactivities of macromolecules as compared to their low-molecular weight analogs.
Is there a yen optimum currency area? Evidence from 18 Asian and Pacific economies

Abstract This paper examines the macroeconomic costs and benefits of adopting a common currency (the yen) for 18 Asian and Pacific countries. Economic theory suggests that the main benefit is enhanced price stability, while the main cost is higher business-cycle volatility if the adopting country’s output is not sufficiently correlated with that of Japan. Using data from 1960–2001, the paper finds that the estimated cost and benefit measures exhibit substantial variability across the countries and are often positively correlated: countries (such as Bangladesh or Nepal) that have a lot to gain from adopting the yen, also have a lot to lose from it; while other economies (such as Singapore, Thailand, or Taiwan) that have little to lose by adopting the yen, have also little to gain by it. The empirical results can be also used to compare net benefits for individual countries, showing, for example, that Korea is a more promising candidate for adopting the yen than Pakistan or Malaysia.
Metal organic chemical vapor deposition of indium phosphide nanoneedles on non-single crystal silicon surfaces

A new route to grow single crystal semiconductor nanostructures was proposed and demonstrated on non-single crystal substrates. Hydrogenated silicon surfaces, amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon, were used to provide atomic short-range order required for epitaxial growth of nanostructures. Indium phosphide was chosen as a platform for semiconductor nanostructures. Indium phosphide was deposited on the hydrogenated silicon surfaces by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition with a presence of colloidal gold nanoparticles. Under specific metal organic chemical vapor deposition growth conditions, the indium phosphide was found to grow into nanoneedles . Structural analysis reveals that the nanoneedles are single crystal and have either face-centered-cubic or hexagonal-closed-pack lattice when grown onto the hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon surfaces. Micro-photoluminescence measurements shows that the emission peak wavelength of an ensemble of the InP nanoneedles both on the hydrogenated amorphous silicon and hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon surfaces have a substantial blue-shift with respect to that of bulk indium phosphide. The unique shape of the emission spectra is attributed to different types of nanoneedles co-existing on the samples. The proposed route to grow semiconductor nanostructures on non-single crystal substrates would open new applications including photovoltaic, photo-detection, photo-emission and thermal energy-conversion, for which the usage of costly single crystal substrates is not preferred.
System optimization techniques

Optimization techniques have been successfully applied to the solution of electric utility system operating and planning problems, and significant system improvements have been achieved. The techniques described and illustrated will have analagous application to other problems in the field of large systems
Tetralogy of Fallot with Discrete Fibrous Subaortic Stenosis

This is the first reported case of discrete fibrous subaortic stenosis in tetralogy of Fallot Transaortic excision of the subaortic membrane was readily accomplished. To detect this and other forms of left ventricular outflow-tract obstruction in tetralogy of Fallot before surgery, routine selective left ventriculography is advocated.
Stratigraphy and tectonic setting of the upper part of the Cadwallader terrane, southwestern British Columbia

The Upper Triassic to Middle Jurassic Cadwallader terrane lies on the northeastern edge of the Coast Plutonic Complex in southwestern British Columbia. Previous work on the Cadwallader Group, the basal unit of the terrane, suggested it was an Upper Triassic (Carnian to middle Norian) volcanic arc and related clastic rocks. Volcanism ceased in early Norian time. A detailed study of the upper part of the Cadwallader terrane (Tyaughton Group and overlying Last Creek formation) shows that it is a sedimentary sequence deposited on the fringe of the inactive Cadwallader magmatic arc. The Upper Triassic (middle to upper Norian) Tyaughton Group consists of nonmarine to shallow-marine clastic rocks and limestones that show sudden changes in depositional setting. The Lower to Middle Jurassic Last Creek formation, a transgressive sequence of clastic rocks, disconformably overlies the Tyaughton Group. The clastic rocks in the two units were derived from a mixed volcanic and plutonic source region that also included a...
Visual and Quantitative Ictal EEG Predictors of Outcome After Temporal Lobectomy

Summary: Purpose: We investigated whether visual and quantitative ictal EEG analysis could predict surgical outcome after anteromesial temporal lobectomy (AMTL) in which mesial structures, basal, and temporal tip cortex were resected. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 282 presurgical scalp-recorded ictal EEGs (21- to 27-channel) from 75 patients who underwent AMTL. We examined the pattern of seizure onset (frequency, distribution, and evolution) and estimated the principal underlying cerebral generators by using a multiple fixed dipole model that decomposes temporal lobe activity into four sublobar sources (Focus 1.1). We correlated findings with a 2-year postoperative outcome. Results: Sixteen patients had seizures with a well-lateralized, regular 5 to 9-Hz rhythm at onset, that most often had a temporal or subtemporal distribution. All patients became seizure free after surgery. In 51 patients, seizure onset was remarkable for lateralized slow rhythms (>5 Hz), which sometimes appeared as periodic discharges, were often irregular and stable only for short periods (>5 s), and had a widespread lateral temporal distribution. Among these a favorable surgical outcome was encountered in patients with seizures having prominent anterior-tip sources (16 of 17 seizure free), whereas those with dominant lateral or oblique sources had a less favorable outcome (three of 14 and 13 of 18, respectively). Irregular, nonlateralized slowing characterized seizure onsets in eight patients. Three patients became seizure free after surgery. Conclusions: Both visual and quantitative sublobar source analysis of scalp ictal EEG can predict surgical outcome in most cases after AMTL and complement non-invasive presurgical evaluation.
The effects of landscape-level disturbance on the composition of Minnesota caddisfly (Insecta: Trichoptera) trophic functional groups: evidence for ecosystem homogenization

Over 300,000 caddisfly specimens representing 249 species were collected from nearly 250 sites throughout Minnesota during 2000 and 2001 to determine the effects of human disturbance on the composition of caddisfly trophic functional groups at the landscape level. Canonical correspondence analysis determined that stream width was the most important variable influencing functional group composition in regions of the state with relatively low disturbance, and that differences in the caddisfly fauna between sizes of streams generally followed trends predicted by the river continuum concept. In regions of the state with moderate disturbance, both stream width and the percentage of disturbed habitat upstream of a site were important variables influencing functional group composition. In highly disturbed regions, no variables corresponded to changes in the composition of caddisfly functional groups. Instead, ecosystems were homogeneous: fine-particle filtering collectors dominated in all sizes of streams. The observed aquatic ecosystem homogenization is attributed mostly to input of fine-particle organic and inorganic sediment from extensive agriculture.
Coulometric titration with electrogenerated +2 tin titration of +3 gold and +5 vanadium

Abstract Methods are described for the titration of +3 gold and +5 vanadium with electrogenerated +2 tin in an acidic bromide medium. Quantities of gold from 1 to 23 mg are titratable with an average error of ca. +0.3%, using either potentiometric or amperometric c.p. detection. Spectrophotometric detection can also be used but is somewhat less precise. Using potentiometric detection 0.5 to mg of +5 vanadium is titratable to the +4 state with an average error of ±0.2%.
Hematite nanoparticles in aquathermolysis: A desulfurization study of thiophene

Abstract The potential usage of hematite nanoparticles as heterogeneous catalysts in aquathermolysis was investigated in this work. The desulfurization of thiophene was studied to investigate the catalytic activity of hematite in the aquathermolysis of heavy oil. It was found that reaction conditions, e.g., reaction time and temperature, ratio between thiophene and water, hematite nanoparticle size, catalyst concentration, and the presence of hydrogen donors, influenced the ability of hematite nanoparticles to decompose thiophene. Experimental results showed that thiophene conversion was increased with reaction time, temperature and catalyst concentration but decreased with thiophene/water ratio and particle size. Further analysis showed that the activity of the hematite nanocatalyst was also reduced in the presence of hydrogen donors. This is because hydrogen donors occupy the catalyst surface and block the catalytic sites. Furthermore, FTIR and XRD analyses revealed that thiophene underwent oxidative desulfurization to produce maleic acid, SO 2 and CO 2 , whereas some areas of the hematite surface were transformed into magnetite. However, this magnetite was re-oxidized back into hematite in the presence of water as the source of active oxygen.
Taro (Colocasia esculenta) extrusion

Abstract Taro, containing 15% moisture, was extruded at 80, 100, 120 and 140°C. Resulting extrudate expansion ratio, breaking strength and water absorption properties were determined. Optimum properties were found to occur at an extrusion temperature of 120°C.
Therapeutic nipple-sparing mastectomy: trends based on a national cancer database

Abstract Background Current reports on nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) are limited to single-institution series. We use the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database to report on the national experience with NSM. Methods Population-level deidentified data were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. All female breast cancer patients treated with NSM from 2005 to 2009 were included. Case analysis was performed with respect to demographic and oncologic characteristics. Results Four hundred forty-nine patients underwent therapeutic NSM; this number increased from 66 patients in 2005 to 133 in 2009. Patients were distributed across 16 regions, although nearly 50% were from a region of California. Tumor diameter was Conclusions NSM use has been increasing over the past several years. A majority of patients have tumor size
Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms in LPA account for most of the increase in lipoprotein(a) level elevation in African Americans compared with European Americans

Background: The extent which universally common or population-specific alleles can explain between-population variations in phenotypes is unknown. The heritable coronary heart disease risk factor lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) level provides a useful case study of between-population variation, as the aetiology of twofold higher Lp(a) levels in African populations compared with non-African populations is unknown. Objective: To evaluate the association between LPA sequence variations and Lp(a) in European Americans and African Americans and to determine the extent to which LPA sequence variations can account for between-population variations in Lp(a). Methods: Serum Lp(a) and isoform measurements were examined in 534 European Americans and 249 African Americans from the Choices for Healthy Outcomes in Caring for End-Stage Renal Disease Study. In addition, 12 LPA variants were genotyped, including 8 previously reported LPA variants with a frequency of >2% in European Americans or African Americans, and four new variants. Results: Isoform-adjusted Lp(a) level was 2.23-fold higher among African Americans. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were independently associated with Lp(a) level (p Conclusions: Multiple low-prevalence alleles in LPA can account for the large between-population difference in serum Lp(a) levels between European Americans and African Americans.
Ambiguity aversion, games against nature, and dynamic consistency

Abstract Several papers, adopting an axiomatic approach to study decision making under ambiguity aversion, have produced conflicting predictions about how decision makers would behave in simple dynamic urn problems. We explore the concepts of ambiguity aversion and dynamic consistency, with examples of dynamic games against nature. Basically, a malevolent nature puts balls into the urn, and a fair nature draws them out. Depending on the game, various choices that seem inconsistent with static notions of ambiguity aversion or dynamic consistency are consistent with subgame perfection. In the dynamic 3-color Ellsberg urn problem with 30 red balls and 60 blue or green balls, the decision maker could strictly prefer to bet on blue–green at time 0, and to switch to red–green after learning that the ball is not green.
Vehicles and stations for installation and maintenance of sea-floor equipment

It is quite a blow to man's pride to admit that he will never be able to encounter the environment of more than half of this home planet's crust with anywhere near the intimacy with which he will some day experience outer space or even the crust of other planets. The oceanic abyss, lying from two to four miles below sea level, accounts for more than 50 per cent of the crustal area of the earth, and the hydrostatic pressure of up to 10 000 psi encountered at these depths creates a far more hostile environment than does the nearly perfect vacuum of outer space. Even if some day the hope generated by the wet lung experiments performed in the last few years on dogs gels into a capability that would permit man's body to be exposed directly to these extreme hydrostatic pressures, the seemingly mundane problem of maintaining body heat in the near-freezing deep ocean environment would be orders of magnitude more difficult than in the near absolute zero temperatures of outer space. At these high pressures, the efficient cellular insulation materials, which are available in a profusion of types, are ineffective, and the normally simple matter of interposing a thermal barrier between the human body and the surrounding water becomes a formidable problem.
On the Relation Between λ Lines and Phase Separations

Abstract It has often been assumed that the slope of the isotherm involving a pair of secondary variable vanishes along a λ line [for example, along a λ line in the pressure-volume plane ([unk]P/[unk]V)T vanishes], and therefore that the specific heat for constant extensive variable (e.g., CV) has the greatest possible value on the λ line and so obeys the Buckingham-Fairbank relation. It is shown here by a heuristic theoretical argument that in 3He-4He solutions ([unk]μ4/[unk]x3)T and ([unk]μ3/[unk]x3)T probably do not vanish and Cx3 does not have its maximum possible value, although it may become infinite when x3 → 0. (μ4 and μ3 are chemical potentials of 4He and 3He and x3 is the molefraction of 3He). Only at the tricritical point does ([unk]μ4/[unk]x3)T finally vanish and Cx3 have a value, which cannot be exceeded without the system's becoming unstable. In the case of the transition in solid NH4Cl the experimental facts seem to indicate that at the higher temperatures, where the transition is of higher order, ([unk]P/[unk]V)T does not become zero along the transition line. A statistical thermodynamic description of tricritical points is given, and shown to accord qualitatively with the experimental results for the 3He-4He solutions. There is evidence that any singular behavior at the tricritical point in 3He-4He is already present along the λ line. Finally, an analysis is made of the possible behavior of binary liquid solutions, and it is shown that a tendency of CV to exceed its maximum value can result in a flat top on the coexistence curve.
Potential clinical efficacy of intensity-modulated conformal therapy

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the potential benefit of using intensity-modulated conformal therapy for a variety of lesions currently treated with stereotactic radiosurgery or conventional radiotherapy. Methods and Materials: Intensity-modulated conformal treatment plans were generated for small intracranial lesions, as well as head and neck, lung, breast, and prostate cases, using the Peacock Plan® treatment-planning system (Nomos Corporation). For small intracranial lesions, intensity-modulated conformal treatment plans were compared with stereotactic radiosurgery treatment plans generated for patient treatment at the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center. For other sites (head and neck, lung, breast, and prostate), plans generated using the Peacock Plan® were compared with conventional treatment plans, as well as beam's-eye-view conformal treatment plans. Plan comparisons were accomplished through conventional qualitative review of two-dimensional (2D) dose distributions in conjunction with quantitative techniques, such as dose-volume histograms, dosimetric statistics, normal tissue complication probabilities, tumor control probabilities, and objective numerical scoring. Results: For small intracranial lesions, there is little difference between intensity-modulated conformal treatment planning and radiosurgery treatment planning in the conformation of high isodose lines with the target volume. However, stereotactic treatment planning provides a steeper dose gradient outside the target volume and, hence, a lower normal tissue toxicity index. For extracranial sites, objective numerical scores for beam's-eye-view and intensity-modulated conformal planning techniques are superior to scores for conventional treatment plans. The beam's-eye-view planning technique prevents geographic target misses and better excludes healthy tissues from the treatment portal. Compared with scores for the beam's-eye-view planning technique, scores for intensity-modulated conformal plans using the Peacock Plan® were significantly better for the lung and head and neck cases studied, equivalent for prostate cases, and inferior for breast cases. Conclusion: Using the entire 3D data set to construct radiotherapy plans through virtual simulation is always advantageous, whether done for stereotactic radiosurgery, beam's-eye-view conformal therapy, or intensity-modulated conformal treatment. Intensity modulation of the photon beam further enhances treatment planning under specific conditions. In general, the intensity-modulated technique is advantageous for large, irregular targets with critical structures in close proximity. Intensity-modulated treatment planning does not appear advantageous for stereotactic radiosurgery or treatment of the intact breast.
Chemiluminescence: A new method for detecting fluorescent compounds separated by thin-layer chromatography

Abstract Dansyl derivatives separated by thin-layer chromatography can be detected by successive spraying with solutions of bis-2,4,6-trichlorophenyloxalate (TCPO) and hydrogen peroxide in dioxane. The TCPO and peroxide react to produce a dioxetanedione intermediate which transfers its energy to the dansyl compound causing it to luminesce. This detection method is generally comparable to conventional fluorescence detection, offering as advantages that it does not require excitation radiation and can be used to uniformly excite the plate.
Most Egg Calmodulin Is a Follicle Cell Contribution to the Cytoplasm of the Blattella germanica Oocyte

A high concentration of calmodulin (CaM) appears in mid- to late vitellogenic cockroach follicles which composes 1.5% of total protein. CaM levels during oogenesis were estimated by densitometric analysis of immunoblots using anti-Blattella germanica egg CaM antibody as a probe. CaM accumulates in the follicle throughout the yolk deposition phase maintaining its highest level of accumulation during the later 6-fold increase in oocyte volume. Evidence suggests that this later accumulated CaM is synthesized by the follicle cells and deposited in the oocyte. In vitro experiments with [35S]-met showed that the highly abundant CaM accumulating in vitellogenic follicles may not all be synthesized by the oocyte. Isolated follicle cells incorporate 13-fold more [35S]-met into CaM than the oocytes themselves but do not accumulate the product. The follicle cells are capable of producing all the CaM observed in newly ovulated eggs. No CaM is detectable in transit in the hemolymph of the female. These facts argue that CaM produced by follicle cells is the most likely source of CaM in the vitellogenic oocyte. Indirect immunofluorescent staining with anti-egg CaM demonstrated that in early- and midvitellogenic follicles CaM is localized in the cytoplasm of follicle cells and the cytoplasmic compartment surrounding yolk granules of oocytes but is excluded from yolk granules. Immunofluorescence was most intense in the cortex of the oocyte and outside the membranes of yolk granules. Transport of CaM into the cytoplasmic compartment of the oocyte is possible without invoking traditional adsorptive endocytosis.
The wicked problem of chemicals policy: opportunities for innovation

Many environmental challenges facing society today, such as climate change and integrated water management, have been described as “wicked problems” due to their biological, physical, and social complexity. Wicked problems extend across media such as air, land, and water; across political jurisdictions and landscape boundaries; and across traditional policy arenas. Traditional policy approaches that are media-specific, rely on single agencies for implementation, and that do not effectively engage stakeholders and partners outside of government are generally ineffective in addressing these issues. The management of toxic chemicals is a classic “wicked problem.” Existing toxics policies often exacerbate the “wicked” nature of this issue by ignoring its inherent complexity and the need to bridge across agencies, jurisdictions, and constituencies to effectively manage these substances. Current US policies make it difficult to gather sufficient information to assess the environmental and health impacts of the thousands of chemicals in use. Lack of incentives for industry to invest in safer alternatives has also created a gap between the need for safer chemical alternatives and development of safer technologies, processes, or products. This article explores how policy strategies that foster cross-agency coordination, engage stakeholders in policy development and implementation, and represent a more systems-oriented, holistic approach may be more effective in addressing such complex wicked problems. While federal action is needed to avoid a regulatory “race to the bottom,” there are also opportunities for states to encourage the development and adoption of safer alternatives to chemicals of concern.
Second-order stochastic properties in queueing systems

The authors have developed and applied probabilistic tools to establish second-order stochastic properties such as convexity and concavity in the optimal design and control of queueing systems. Their approaches are based on constructing and comparing the dynamical sample paths of the stochastic processes under study. They present a tutorial on these notions and results in stochastic convexity/concavity. Many examples are discussed to illustrate the application of the results in parametric optimization of queues and queueing networks. >
WE‐E‐134‐04: Computerized Detection of Breast Cancer On Automated Breast Ultrasound for Women with Dense Breasts

Purpose. Develop a computer‐aided detection method and investigate its feasibility for detection of breast cancer in automated 3D ultrasound for women with dense breasts.Methods. The HIPAA‐compliant study involved a dataset of 3D automated breast ultrasound image volumes (views) acquired with a U‐Systems SomoV ABUS system for 185 asymptomatic women with dense breasts (BI‐RADS Composition/Density 3 or 4). For each patient, three 3D views per breast were acquired. A total of 52 patients had breast cancer (61 cancers) and 31 patients (32 cancers) had a screening‐mammogram, clinically‐assigned BI‐RADS Assessment Category 1 or 2, i.e., were mammographically negative. All software was developed in‐house and involved 3 steps: 1) detection of initial tumor candidates, 2) characterization of candidates, and 3) elimination of false‐positive detections. Performance was assessed through the cancer detection sensitivity as a function of the number of marks (detections) per view. Results. At a single mark per view, i.e., 6 marks per patient, the median detection sensitivity of our computerized method was 50.0% (16/32) for the patients with a screening mammogram assigned BI‐RADS category 1 or 2, similar to the 49.9% on average obtained for these by patients by 17 radiologists in a reader study. At 3 marks per view, the sensitivity was 69% (22/32)+/−5% for the BI‐RADS 1 and 2 patients, and 64% (39/61)+/−3% for all patients.Conclusion. Promising detection sensitivity was obtained for this 3D ultrasound dataset of women with dense breasts at a rate of false‐positive detections that may be feasible for clinical implementation. Conflict of interest statement: M.L.G. is a stockholder in R2 Technology/Hologic and receives royalties from Hologic, GE Medical Systems, MEDIAN Technologies, Riverain Medical, Mitsubishi and Toshiba. K.D. received royalties from Hologic. It is the University of Chicago Conflict of Interest Policy that investigators disclose publicly actual or potential significant financial interest that would reasonably appear to be directly and significantly affected by the research activities. Funding: This work was supported in part by NIH S10 RR021039 and P30 CA14599. and the Department of Radiology of the University of Chicago
Fabrication of miniaturized electrostatic deflectors using LIGA

We are currently investigating the fabrication of high precision, miniaturized, electrostatic deflectors for use in electron or ion beam micro-columns. These columns can be used in a broad array of applications including microscopy, spectroscopy and lithography. Typically, micro-columns consist of a field emitter tip, a set of micromachined miniaturized lenses and one or more electrostatic deflectors. Miniaturization of the column allows the use of simple electrostatic lenses to achieve very high performance in a package that is just a few millimeters in length. Presently, all reported microcolumns have included miniaturized but conventionally-machined octupole deflector plates. If micromachined plates are used instead, lower deflection voltage is required for deflection, and the system becomes more amenable to very high speed operation. In addition, some reduction in scan field distortion is expected. These improvements results directly from the higher degree of miniaturization, tighter dimensional control, better placement accuracy, and smoother facets offered by micromachining. Given the dimensions (100 micrometers - 1000 micrometers thick) and tolerances (1 - 10 micrometers ) required, LIGA is well suited to fabricate such miniature deflectors. This paper will describe the fabrication of the deflectors using LIGA. The Center for X-ray Optics has built an endstation at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Advanced Light Source suitable for LIGA X-ray exposures.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Melting of indium by temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry

The melting and crystallization of a sharply melting standard has been explored for the calibration of temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry, TMDSC. Modulated temperature and heat flow have been followed during melting and crystallization of indium. It is observed that indium does not supercool as long as crystal nuclei remain in the sample when analyzing quasi-isothermally with a small modulation amplitude. For standard differential scanning calorimetry, DSC, the melting and crystallization temperatures of indium are sufficiently different not to permit its use for calibration on cooling, unless special analysis modes are applied. For TMDSC with an underlying heating rate of 0.2 K min−1 and a modulation amplitude of 0.5–1.5 K at periods of 30–90 s, the extrapolated onsets of melting and freezing were within 0.1 K of the known melting temperature of indium. Further work is needed to separate the effects originating from loss of steady state between sample and sensor on the one hand and from supercooling on the other.
Theoretical and experimental development of label-free biosensors based on localized plasmon resonances on nanohole and nanopillar arrays

Development of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors for label-free biodetection draws considerable attention because of the potential of these sensors to provide simplified detection schemes, improved detection limits, and high-density multiplexed array configurations. In this paper, we present our recent results on the theoretical and experimental development of LSPR label-free biosensors based on nanohole and nanopillar arrays. First, we theoretically compare the analytical performance metrics of wavelength modulated SPR and LSPR platforms for biological recognition with surface-immobilized bioreceptors (e.g. antibodies and aptamers). Further, we discuss our results on the application of a focused ion beam (FIB) technique to fabricate arrays of nanoholes and nanopillars in Au films, investigate the origin and type of FIB-induced surface contamination, and demonstrate an efficient way for its elimination. Next, we evaluate the refractive index (RI) response sensitivity of FIB-fabricated arrays of nanoholes (443 - 513 nm/RIU) and nanopillars (423 nm/RIU) in Au films. Further, we demonstrate the opportunities that are available from the multivariate spectral analysis of plasmonic nanostructures for improvement of sensor system performance. Finally, we present typical simulation results of predicting RI sensitivity of plasmonic nanostructures using finite-difference time-domain technique (FDTD) and discuss the remaining challenges of simulation techniques for design of LSPR sensors.
Flexural Strength of Steel-Concrete Composite Beams

Tests on twelve single span and one two-span continuous, full scale composite beams are described, and the results evaluated. The investigation was concerned with determining the minimum number of shear connectors required for steel and concrete composite beams in buildings. A thorough examination of the ultimate strength of members was made. A criterion for the minimum shear connector requirement was derived based on the ultimate strength of the members. Relationships between the ultimate strengths of commonly used types of mechanical shear connectors and the ultimate strength of a composite beam are developed. The deflection of members is shown to be larger for beams with the minimum recommended shear connection as compared to theoretical bending deflections, and the magnitude of these deflections is discussed.
DIAGENESIS OF THORIUM ISOTOPES IN DEEP-SEA SEDIMENTS1

227Th, 230Th, and 232Th were extracted from Caribbean Sea sediment samples of known age using 8 n HNO3 or coned HCl. The yields were compared with the radionuclide content obtained by complete dissolution of the sample and with previously reported data on red clays in Pacific Ocean cores. These comparisons indicate that the internal consistency of dates and sedimentation rates is insufficient to prove the validity of leaching procedures. The nitric acid leaching yields of authigenic 230Th decrease with depth in the core, that is, with sample age; whereas leaching of 232Th is independent of depth. It is suggested that the initially soluble precipitate of 230Th is transformed in the sediment to a more acid-resistant state, the apparent half-life of this transformation being 24,000 years at 3C. Therefore, in the solution obtained by partial extraction, the decrease of the ratio 230TH : 232Th with depth in the core is clue not only to radioactive decay but also to the decreased solubility of authigenic 230Th. Thus, sedimentation rates calculated from (230Th : 232Th) solution may be too low by a factor of three.
Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Screen Time: Results From a Large, Nationally Representative US Study

Abstract Objective To test the hypotheses that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have higher screen time than other children on a US nationally representative sample and that children with ASD are overrepresented among children who exceed the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) screen time recommendation (2 hours or less a day). Methods The National Survey of Children's Health 2011–2012, a nationally representative survey, asked parents to report their child's (aged 6–17 years) average daily media usage. The ASD subpopulation (n = 1393) was compared to children without ASD (non-ASD, n = 64,163). Differences were compared by design-corrected F tests. Regression models were estimated for both groups separately. Adjusted Wald tests were used to rigorously test the hypotheses. Results More than half of US children exceed the AAP screen time recommendation. Compared to non-ASD, children with ASD had similar amounts of total screen time (3.21 hours per day vs 3.46 hours per day; P > .05), media (TV/video) time, and computer/mobile device leisure time. Children with ASD have a milder age gradient than the general population on computer/mobile device usage. Children with ASD were proportionally represented among high users (more than 2 hours per day). Data did not support hypotheses. Conclusions In a large, nationally representative US sample, there was no evidence that children with ASD differ in their screen time habits from other children. Both groups have high screen time use. Caution should be exercised before assuming that children with ASD are at higher risk of exceeding AAP screen time recommendations. Efforts to promote adherence to the recommendation are needed, but they should neither target nor exclude children with ASD.