cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A holistic approach to aesthetic enhancement of photographs

This article presents an interactive application that enables users to improve the visual aesthetics of their digital photographs using several novel spatial recompositing techniques. This work differs from earlier efforts in two important aspects: (1) it focuses on both photo quality assessment and improvement in an integrated fashion, (2) it enables the user to make informed decisions about improving the composition of a photograph. The tool facilitates interactive selection of one or more than one foreground objects present in a given composition, and the system presents recommendations for where it can be relocated in a manner that optimizes a learned aesthetic metric while obeying semantic constraints. For photographic compositions that lack a distinct foreground object, the tool provides the user with crop or expansion recommendations that improve the aesthetic appeal by equalizing the distribution of visual weights between semantically different regions. The recomposition techniques presented in the article emphasize learning support vector regression models that capture visual aesthetics from user data and seek to optimize this metric iteratively to increase the image appeal. The tool demonstrates promising aesthetic assessment and enhancement results on variety of images and provides insightful directions towards future research.
SUBJECTIVE VALUE OF TIME IN BUS TRANSIT TRAVEL

A psychological scaling technique, magnitude estimation, is used to rate time spent on various elements of bus transit trips. Relative values of time are found for in-vehicle portions of trips, walking, waiting and transferring. Because magnitude estimation produces a ratio scale, results can be directly incorporated into modal choice analyses, route planning and evaluation procedures where monetary values of time are not necessarily required.
Lidar observations of substantial sodium depletion in the summertime Arctic mesosphere

The chemistry and dynamics of the mesospheric sodium layer have been studied extensively with lidar (laser radar) techniques since the late 1960s. Meteoric ablation is generally regarded as the dominant source of all mesospheric alkali metals including sodium. The Na layer is typically confined to the region between 80 and 110 km with a peak near the mesopause at 90 km, where the density ranges from ∼103 to 104 cm−3. The Na column abundance at mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere varies from a summer minimum of ∼ 3x 109 cm−2 to a winter maximum of ∼1010 cm−2 in December and January1. The seasonal and geographical variations in Na abundance are now believed to be related to changes in the mesopause temperature that affect the reaction rates of the main chemical loss processes for Na. In addition to chemical activity, the dynamic effects of the tides, gravity waves and the mean winds have a significant influence on the vertical structure of the layer. In June, the University of Illinois (UIUC) sodium lidar system was installed at Nordlysstasjonen, Svalbard (78° 12' N, 15°50' E) on Spitsbergen Island and we conducted more than 27 h of observations during the period 10–15 July 1987. The average Na layer column abundance was ∼ 6 x 108 cm−2, a value that is almost five times lower than typical summertime Na abundances measured at mid-latitudes. Additional observations were conducted during the period 7–11 September 1987 and the measured Na abundances varied between ∼ 5 x l09 and 14 x 109 cm−2.
An Integrated View of the 1987 Australian Monsoon and Its Mesoscale Convective Systems. I: Horizontal Structure

The vertical structure of monsoon thermal forcing by precipitating convection is diagnosed in terms of horizontal divergence. Airborne Doppler-radar divergence profiles from nine diverse mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are presented. The MCSs consisted of multicellular convective elements which in time gave rise to areas of stratiform precipitation. Each of the three basic building blocks of the MCSs - convective, intermediary, and stratiform precipitation areas - has a consistent, characteristic divergence profile. Convective areas have low-level convergence, with its peak at 2-4 km altitude, and divergence above 6 km. Intermediary areas have convergence aloft, peaked near 10 km, feeding into mean ascent high in the upper troposphere. Stratiform areas have mid-level convergence, indicating a mesoscale downdraught below the melting level, and a mesoscale updraught aloft. Rawinsonde composite divergence profiles agree with the Doppler data in at least one important respect: the lower-tropospheric convergence into the MCSs peaks 2-4-km above the surface. Rawinsonde vorticity profiles show that monsoonal tropical cyclones spin-up at these elevated levels first, then later descend to the surface. Rawinsonde observations on a larger, continental scale demonstrate that at large horizontal scales only the 'gravest vertical mode' of MCS heating is felt, while the effects of shallower components of the heating (or divergence) profiles are trapped near the heating, as predicted by geostrophic adjustment theory.
Ligand distortion modes leading to increased chirality content of Katsuki‐Jacobsen catalysts

The “chirality content” of Katsuki-Jacobsen epoxidation catalysts are computed with the Avnir continuous chirality measure (CCM). An assessment of Mn(salen) molecules from the Cambridge Structural Database shows there exist some variation in CCM and the chirality content for several triplet state complexes of these catalysts purported in the literature to be the active species show even larger CCM values. Several deformation modes were analyzed to examine how chirality content changes as catalyst distortion is induced. The deformations studied include in-plane deformations, cup-shaped puckering, ligand twisting motions, and step-like deformations. Some distortions lead to increases of chirality while others lead to a decrease in chirality content. The most influential distortion modes that can be used for ligand design are twisting and step induction. Chirality 14:677–682, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Forced expression of the H11 heat shock protein can be regulated by DNA methylation and trigger apoptosis in human cells

H11, the eukaryotic homologue of a herpes simplex virus protein, has the crystallin motif of heat shock proteins (Hsp), but it differs from canonical family members in that mRNA and protein levels were reduced in various tumor tissues and cell lines (viz. melanoma, prostate cancer and sarcoma) relative to their normal counterparts. In these cells, expression was not restored by heat shock, but rather by the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (Aza-C). Forced H11 expression by Aza-C treatment, transient transfection with H11 expression vectors, or retrovirus-mediated delivery of H11 under the control of a tetracycline-sensitive promoter triggered apoptosis. This is evidenced by a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the percentage of cells positive for terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and for activation of caspase-3 and p38MAPK and by the co-localization of TUNEL+ nuclei with increased H11 levels. Apoptosis was partially inhibited by the pancaspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone or the p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580. It was abrogated by co-treatment with both inhibitors, suggesting that H11-triggered apoptosis is both caspase- and p38MAPK-dependent. A single site mutant (H11-W51C) had cytoprotective activity related to MEK/ERK activation, and it blocked H11-induced apoptosis in co-transfected and Aza-C-treated cells, indicating that it is a dominant negative mutant. This is the first report of a heat shock protein with proapoptotic activity.
Receipt management- transaction history based trust establishment

In a history-based trust-management system, users and service providers use information about past transactions to make trust-based decisions concerningcurrent transactions. One category of such systems is represented by the reputation systems. However, despite the growing body of experience in building reputation systems, there are several limitations on how they are typically implemented. They often rely on scores that are evaluated by service providers and are often not reliable or well understood. We believe that reputation hasto be based on objective and reliable information. In such context, transaction histories play an important role. In this paper, we present the VeryIDX systemthat implements an electronic receipt infrastructure and supports protocols to build and manage online transaction history of users. The receipt protocols are shown to have several essential security and privacy properties. We present a basic yet reasonably expressive language which provides service providers with a new way to establish trust based on users' transaction history. We alsodescribe the architecture and prototype implementation of VeryIDX, based on several important design considerations of a real-world e-commerce system infrastructure.
Skeletal and dental changes following functional regulator therapy on class II patients

Craniofacial growth in 100 patients treated with the functional regulator of Frankel for about 24 months was compared with craniofacial growth seen in a matched group of untreated persons with Class II malocclusion. Both conventional and geometric cephalometric analyses were used to evaluate the skeletal and dental adaptations. This study shows several clear effects of treatment in either of two age ranges considered. The principal skeletal effect was advancement of the mandible along the direction of the facial axis. This advancement resulted in increases in mandibular length and in vertical facial dimensions. There was little effect of treatment upon maxillary skeletal structures with the exception of point A, which moved slightly posteriorly. Dentoalveolar adaptations due to treatment included a decrease in the normal forward movement of the upper molar and an increase in the normal vertical movement of the lower molar. There was a 2-mm posterior movement of the tip of the upper incisor but minimal anterior tipping of the lower incisor.
High frequency source localization in a shallow ocean sound channel using frequency-difference matched field processing

Matched field processing (MFP) is an established technique for locating remote acoustic sources in known environments. Unfortunately, environment-to-propagation model mismatch prevents successful application of MFP in many circumstances, especially those involving high frequency signals. For beamforming applications, this problem was found to be mitigated through the use of a nonlinear array-signal-processing technique called frequency difference beamforming (Abadi et. al. 2012). Building on that work, this nonlinear technique was extended to Bartlett MFP, where ambiguity surfaces were calculated at frequencies two orders of magnitude lower than the propagated signal, where the detrimental effects of environmental mismatch are much reduced. Previous work determined that this technique has the ability to localize high-frequency broadband sources in a shallow ocean environment with a sparse vertical array, using both simulated and experimental propagation data. Using simulations, the performance of this technique with horizontal arrays and adaptive signal processing techniques was investigated. Results for signals with frequencies from 10 kHz to 30 kHz that propagated in a 100-m-deep shallow ocean sound channel with a downward refracting sound speed profile will be shown for source array ranges of one to several kilometers. [Sponsored by the Office of Naval Research.]
Effect of soil temperature on sorghum emergence

Soil temperature strongly influences both percentage germination and time of emergence of sorghum. Ten hybrids were hand planted in the field. Soil surface was irrigated frequently and emerging plants were counted daily. On three treatments, soil temperature was monitored every hour at five depths. Treatments were designed to achieve a range in surface soil temperature. Results of the study indicated an optimum germination temperature of about 23°C and a heat requirement of 67 degree days. The maturity classifications of the hybrids did not show a consistent trend in their heat requirement for emergence.
Mechanism of interlayer exchange in magnetic multilayers

Abstract The spin-current method is used to calculate the oscillatory exchange energy that couples two semi-infinite ferromagnets with exchange-split parabolic bands which are joined by a nonmagnetic metallic spacer. A closed asymptotic formula extends the previous RKKY-type formula to the case in which the ferromagnets and spacer have different Fermi vectors. The predicted amplitude of oscillatory coupling increases steeply with Fermi vector or electron density in the spacer, as do the experimental trends reported by Parkin. Numerical computations relevant to iron support this closed formula and show that the amplitude of the biquadratic (J2 cos2θ) and higher-order corrections to the conventional -J1 cos θ form of energy is less than 2%.
Treatment of chest pain in patients with noncardiac, nonreflux, nonachalasia spastic esophageal motor disorders using botulinum toxin injection into the gastroesophageal junction.

Treatment of chest pain in patients with noncardiac, nonreflux, nonachalasia spastic esophageal motor disorders using botulinum toxin injection into the gastroesophageal junction
Whose Brother's Keeper? International Trusteeship and the Search for Peace in the Palestinian Territories

International trusteeship of post-conflict territories by multilateral institutions or foreign states received renewed attention in the wake of its application in Kosovo and East Timor during the 1990s. Subsequently, interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq have contributed to the intensity of critical discussion over post-Westphalian sovereignty approaches and competing norms regarding human rights, nationalism, and security. This article seeks to establish normative and practical criteria for the application of the trusteeship model to weak, fragile, or post-conflict societies. In particular, I propose that consent of the local population, multilateral international approval and participation, and absence of local institutional capacity for effective governance form the key dimensions of the legitimacy and feasibility of a potential international trusteeship. Building on the literatures on quasi-states, state building, liberal institutionalism, and critiques of international intervention, the article tests the utility of these criteria through illustrations of international trusteeships in East Timor, Kosovo, and through a more extensive analysis of the Palestinian territories. It concludes that, despite frustrations over the Israel-Palestinian peace process in the absence of intensive external intervention, the Palestinian territories do not meet the proposed criteria for the effective and legitimate application of an international trusteeship.
Allorecognition in biological systems

Abstract Colonial marine organisms of several phyla show the capacity for allogeneic recognition and response. In the colonial tunicate Botryllus , colony fusibility characteristics are determined by a single Mendelian locus with multiple co-dominant alleles. Since this genetic region may also control certain differentiation steps and sperm-egg recognitions at fertilization, it is possible that the physical and functional association of the T and H-2 complexes in the mouse may reflect an ancient association between the primitive precursors to these genes. The presence of histocompatibility systems in both solitary and colonial marine organisms suggests that genes governing histocompatibility may already be employed at these levels in recognition and response to parasitic bacteria and viruses.
Contact effects in graphene nanoribbon transistors.

The effects of the various contact types and shapes on the performance of Schottky barrier graphene nanoribbon field-effect-transistors (GNRFETs) have been investigated using a real-space quantum transport simulator based on the NEGF approach self-consistently coupled to a three-dimensional Poisson solver for treating the electrostatics. The device channel considered is a double gate semiconducting armchair nanoribbon. The types of contacts considered are (a) a semi-infinite normal metal, (b) a semi-infinite graphene sheet, (c) finite size rectangular shape armchair graphene contacts, (d) finite size wedge shape graphene contacts, and (e) zigzag graphene nanoribbon contacts. Among these different contact types, the semi-infinite graphene sheet contacts show the worst performance because of their very low density of states around the Dirac point resulting in low transmission possibility through the Schottky barrier, both at ON and OFF states. Although all other types of contacts can have significant enhanc...
Interleukin-6 activates phosphoinositol-3′ kinase in multiple myeloma tumor cells by signaling through RAS-dependent and, separately, through p85-dependent pathways

The IL-6-induced activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3' kinase (PI3-K)/AKT cascade in multiple myeloma (MM) cells is critical for tumor cell proliferation and viability. Since the IL-6 receptor does not contain binding sites for the p85 regulatory portion of PI3-K, intermediate molecules must play a role. Coimmunoprecipitation studies in MM cell lines demonstrated the IL-6-induced formation of two independent PI3-K-containing complexes: one containing p21 RAS but not STAT-3 and a second containing STAT-3 but not RAS. Both complexes demonstrated IL-6-induced lipid kinase activity. IL-6 also generated kinase activity in a mutant p110 molecule that could not bind p85. Use of dominant-negative (DN) constructs confirmed the presence of two independent pathways of activation: a DN RAS prevented the IL-6-induced generation of lipid kinase activity in the mutant p110 molecule but had no effect on activity generated in the STAT-3-containing complex. In contrast, a DN p85 prevented the generation of kinase activity in the STAT-3-containing complex but had no effect on activity generated in the p110 molecule. Both DN constructs significantly prevented the IL-6-induced activation of AKT. MM cells expressing activating RAS mutations demonstrated enhanced IL-6-independent growth and constitutive PI3-K activity. These data indicate two potential independent pathways of PI3-K/AKT activation in MM cells: one mediated via signaling through RAS which is independent of p85 and a second mediated via p85 and due to a STAT-3-containing complex.
Treatment of acute stroke

Recent advances in technology have improved stroke diagnosis, reduced the risks and increased the frequency of studies of stroke mechanism. Computer-assisted stroke data bank projects have provided new insights into the frequencies of stroke subtypes and the risks for progression and recurrence. A high frequency of strokes due to infarction remain unexplained despite thorough laboratory investigation. These infarcts of undetermined cause suffer recurrence rates almost as high as cardiogenic embolism, forcing a therapeutic decision even in the absence of a demonstrated cause. Stroke from atherosclerosis is far less common than formerly believed but carries the highest risk of worsening and early recurrence, prompting early treatment to attempt to avoid progression. Duplex and transcranial doppler methods of imaging blood vessels and insonating flow have now made it possible non-invasively to follow the course of atheromatous stenosis, embolism and recanalization, development of collateral flow, and vasospasm in ruptured aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations. Extracranial atheromatous disease may progress rapidly from mild to severe stenosis, stabilize at any point; intracranial collateral is not predicted by the degree of extracranial stenosis. Recanalization of cerebral embolism occurs early. Vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage is common and often severe. Where available, magnetic resonance imaging is preferred to CT scanning for the diagnosis of every form of stroke including hemorrhage.
Silica Precipitation in Acidic Solutions: Mechanism, pH Effect, and Salt Effect

This study is the first to show that silica precipitation under very acidic conditions ([HCl] = 2-8 M) proceeds through two distinct steps. First, the monomeric form of silica is quickly depleted from solution as it polymerizes to form primary particles approximately 5 nm in diameter. Second, the primary particles formed then flocculate. A modified Smoluchowski equation that incorporates a geometric population balance accurately describes the exponential growth of silica flocs. Variation of the HCl concentration between 2 and 8 M further showed that polymerization to form primary particles and subsequent particle flocculation become exponentially faster with increasing acid concentration. The effect of salt was also studied by adding 1 M chloride salts to the solutions; it was found that salts accelerated both particle formation and growth rates in the order: AlCl(3) > CaCl(2) > MgCl(2) > NaCl > CsCl > no salt. It was also found that ionic strength, over cation identity, determines silica polymerization and particle flocculation rates. This research reveals that precipitation of silica products from acid dissolution of minerals can be studied apart from the mineral dissolution process. Thus, silica product precipitation from mineral acidization follows a two-step process--formation of 5 nm primary particles followed by particle flocculation--which becomes exponentially faster with increasing HCl concentration and with salts accelerating the process in the above order. This result has implications for any study of acid dissolution of aluminosilicate or silicate material. In particular, the findings are applicable to the process of acidizing oil-containing rock formations, a common practice of the petroleum industry where silica dissolution products encounter a low-pH, salty environment within the oil well.
Behavior-based network traffic synthesis

Modern network security research has demonstrated a clear necessity for open sharing of traffic datasets between organizations - a need that has so far been superseded by the challenges of removing sensitive content from the data beforehand. Network Data Anonymization is an emerging field dedicated to solving this problem, with a main focus on removal of identifiable artifacts that might pierce privacy, such as usernames and IP addresses. However, recent research has demonstrated that more subtle statistical artifacts may yield fingerprints that are just as differen-tiable as the former. This result highlights certain shortcomings in current anonymization frameworks; particularly, ignoring the behavioral idiosyncrasies of network protocols, applications, and users. Network traffic synthesis (or simulation) is a closely related complimentary approach which, while more difficult to execute accurately, has the potential for far greater flexibility. This paper leverages the statistical-idiosyncrasies of network behavior to augment anonymization and traffic-synthesis techniques through machine-learning models specifically designed to capture host-level behavior. We present the design of a system that can automatically learn models for network host behavior across time, then use these models to replicate the original behavior, to interpolate across gaps in the original traffic, and demonstrate how to generate new diverse behaviors. Further, we measure the similarity of the synthesized data to the original, providing us with a quantifiable estimate of data fidelity.
Preparation of low loss Mn-Zn ferrite with complex oxalates

The complex oxalates for preparing Mn-Zn ferrite were made up by the reaction of ammonium oxalate to a sulfate solution derived from electrolytic Mn and industrial Fe and Zn as the raw materials. Control of composition was achieved by proper choice of the ratio of C 2 O 4 -2to SO 4 -2. The obvious advantage over conventional technique is its easy wash, simple processing, good reproducibility and low cost. Powder prepared with this method exhibited improved homogeneity, purity, reactivity and agglomeration. Samples without heat treatment possess superior quality of \mu_{i}=1800, \tan\delta/\mu_{i}=1.0\times10^{-6} (100KHz), D.F.=5×10-6, αμ/μ/°C=1.0×10-6(-10 ∼+55°C. Effect of heat treatment on μ-T curves is briefly described.
Long-term follow-up of patients receiving injection therapy for erectile dysfunction

Abstract Objectives. During the last decade, vasoactive intracavernosal pharmacotherapy (VIP) has been used extensively for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, there is concern about high discontinuation rates and the possibility of long-term complications. Because of few long-term studies on VIP, we investigated efficacy, side effects, satisfaction index, and drop-out rate for injection therapy in patients who started treatment more than 5 years ago. Methods. Questionnaires were mailed to 108 patients who were started on VIP more than 5 years ago, between November 1984 and July 1989. The hospital records and data from the 100 responders (93%) were reviewed. Results. Only 32% of the patients continue to use VIP. Most (56%) of those who discontinued did so during the first year. The patients cited one or more of the following reasons for discontinuation: desire for a permanent modality of therapy (29%), lack of a suitable partner (26%), fear of needles (23%), poor response (23%), fear of complications (22%), and lack of sexual spontaneity (21%). This study, which has one of the longest follow-up periods in the literature, has significant new findings in three areas: discontinuation rates fall after 2 years, long-term complications are relatively minor, and patients who discontinue therapy are significantly older or have a poor initial impression of VIP. Paradoxically, discontinuing VIP was apparently unrelated to side effects or etiology of erectile dysfunction, and 82% of patients would still recommend VIP to a friend. Conclusions. This study conclusively shows that because of high initial satisfaction and relatively minor side effects, VIP should remain as one of the initial options for long-term treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, despite seemingly doing well, patients often discontinue therapy, and therefore should be followed closely so that alternative therapy can be offered.
High frequency oscillations of the pulmonary valve leaflet in double‐chamber right ventricl

The abnormal pulmonary valve echocardiographic tracing in a patient with a double-chambered right ventricle is presented. Preoperatively, the posterior pulmonary valve leaflet demonstrated a partial closure in systole, followed by coarse fluttering of the leaflet. The postoperative echocardiographic tracing of the pulmonary valve was normal. It is suggested that an obstructive process proximal to either semilunar valve which converts laminar flow to turbulent flow is capable of producing a similar pattern in the leaflets during ventricular ejection.
Expression and pharmacological characterization of the human M1 muscarinic receptor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract The yeast S. cerevisiae has been examined as a heterologous host for the expression of mammalian neurotransmitter receptors which couple to guanine nucleotide regulatory (G) proteins. A cloned gene encoding the M1 subtype of human muscarinic receptor (HM1) was transformed into S. cerevisiae on a high copy plasmid under the control of the promoter for the yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) gene. Northern blotting demonstrated the presence of HM1 transcripts in transformants, and crude membranes prepared from these cells showed saturable binding of the muscatrinic antagonist [ 3 H] N -methyl scopolamine with a K d of 179 pM and B max of 20 fmol/mg protein. Competition binding studies revealed pharmacological properties for these sites which were comparable to those reported for the M1 site in mammalian tissues. Yeast expressing HM1 did not exhibit high affinity agonist binding or cell-cycle arrest in the presence of muscarinic agonists, indicating that the mammalian receptor did not couple to the endogenous yeast G protein.
Cold Tolerance among Composting Earthworm Species to Evaluate Invasion Potential

Abstract Exotic earthworm species that have traditionally been used for composting are purportedly intolerant of low temperatures, which may explain why they are rarely found outside of compost bins in temperate zones of North America. In contrast, numerous exotic European earthworm species have invaded previously earthworm-free temperate forests of North America where they impact native forest communities and ecosystem processes. A European species, Dendrobaena veneta, has recently become prevalent in the vermicomposting and bait industries, and its European origins and anecdotal reports of cold tolerance suggest that this species has the potential to become established in northern climates outside of its native range. Here we compare the survivorship of traditionally used composting species (Eisenia fetida and Perionyx excavatus) to D. veneta, and to a well established invasive European earthworm species (Lumbricus rubellus) at a low temperature (1.5 C) and room temperature (18 C), as a means of assessi...
MO-D-211-01: Medical Physics Practice Guidelines - The Minimum Level of Medical Physics Support in Clinical Practice Settings.

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) has long advocated a consistent level of medical physics practice, and has published many guidelines and position statements toward that goal, such as Science Council Task Group reports related to calibration and quality assurance,Education Council and Professional Council Task Group reports related to education, training, and peer review, and Board‐approved Position Statements related to the Scope of Practice, physicist qualifications, and other aspects of medical physicspractice. Despite these concerted and enduring efforts, the profession does not have a clear and concise statement of the acceptable practice guidelines for routine clinical medical physics. As accreditation of clinical practices becomes more common, Medical Physics Practice Guidelines (MPPGs) will be crucial to ensuring a consistent benchmark for accreditation programs. The AAPM will lead the development of MPPGs in collaboration with other professional societies. The MPPGs will be freely available to the general public. Accrediting organizations, regulatory agencies and legislators will be encouraged to reference these MPPGs when defining their respective requirements. MPPGs are intended to provide the medical community with a clear description of the minimum level of medical physics support that the AAPM would consider to be prudent in all clinical practice settings. Support includes but is not limited to staffing, equipment, machine access, and training. These MPPGs are not designed to replace extensive Task Group reports or review articles, but rather to describe the recommended minimum level of medical physics support for specific clinical services. This course will describe the purpose and scope of MPPGs, the procedure for the development of a MPPG, as well as the progress of Therapy MPPG TG #1 on “Evaluation and quality assurance of x‐ray based image guided radiotherapy systems” and Diagnostic MPPG TG #2 on “CT Protocol management and review”. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the concept and scope of MPPG from the AAPM 2. Understand the benefits and process of the development of MPPG by the AAPM 3. Understand the goals and methodology of the Therapy MPPG Task Group #14. 4. Understand the strategic plans from Professional Council towards the AAPM initiatives
Cytokine mRNA repertoire of articular chondrocytes from arthritic patients, infants, and neonatal mice.

Articular chondrocytes from nine arthritic patients, five infants, and Balb/c neonatal mice were analyzed for the presence of various cytokine mRNAs by a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Four cytokine mRNAs, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-11, and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), were detected in all human chondrocytes, regardless of source. IL-10, IL-12p35, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) transcripts were found in at least 12 of the 14 human samples. IL-13, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMCSF), and TNF-βmRNAs were found more predominantly in infant samples and in samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with samples from patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Another group of cytokine mRNAs, IL-1 (α, β), IL-4, IL-5, and IL-7, were only weakly expressed in some human samples. The cytokine transcripts that were not found were IL-2, IL-3, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ. Because of the large array of cytokine transcripts detected, human chondrocyte preparations were further purified by reacting them with a monoclonal antibody specific to chondrocyte differentiation antigen and subjecting them to fluorescent-activated cell sorting. A similar array of cytokines was found between the sorted and unsorted chondrocytes, although TNF-α, G-CSF, and GM-CSF transcripts appeared to be upregulated during the sorting process. Human chondrocytes that dedifferentiated into fibroblasts (a 40-day and a 77-day culture) no longer expressed mRNAs for IL-1, G-CSF, GM-CSF, and TNF-α, but all other cytokine mRNAs remained detectable. Although certain phenotypic characteristics were lost:, including reactivity to chondrocyte-specific monoclonal antibodies and morphological features, chondrocytes in long-term culture still expressed cytokine mRNAs. As expected, more consistent results were obtained when seven preparations of chondrocytes from neonatal Balb/c mice were examined using available cytokine primers. They contained IL-1, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12, GM-CSF, M-CSF, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), TNF-α, and TNF-β mRNAs but lacked IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ mRNAs. Future experiments to define conditions by which these cytokine protein products are expressed are needed to help assess their roles in chondrocyte biology and in disease states.
Chemical exchange during hydrothermal alteration of basalt by seawater—II. Experimental results for Fe, Mn, and sulfur species

Abstract Fresh mid-ocean ridge basalts of varying crystallinity and an andesite were reacted with seawater and with a Na-K-Ca-Cl solution at 200–500°C and 500–1000 bar in sealed gold capsules. Water rock mass ratios of one to three were used and durations ranged from two to twenty months. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, and reduced and oxidized sulfur species in solution reached steady state in most of the experiments at 400–500°C, but not in those at 200–300°. The concentrations of Fe and Mn were a few ppm at 200–300° and increased greatly with temperature between 300 and 500°. The low values at 200–300° are probably related to the uptake of Fe and Mn by smectite at the in situ pH, which was slightly acid at 200° and slightly alkaline at 300°. The quench pH values decreased with increasing temperature above 300°. The only reliable data for the concentration of Zn in solution were obtained at 400°, where values 1–2 ppm were found. Copper was extensively leached from basalt and andesite and was deposited as part of a Cu-Au alloy in the capsule walls or, in some experiments, as chalcopyrite. Reduced sulfur was readily leached from basalt into solution, and was also produced by the reduction of seawater sulfate by ferrous iron derived from the basalts. The proportion of seawater sulfate which was reduced in the experiments with a water rock ratio of one varied from 5–10% at 300°C to > 95% at 500°. The rate of sulfate reduction depended on the run temperature, on the crystallinity and initial sulfur content of the rocks used as starting materials, and on the water rock ratio. The final concentration of reduced sulfur in solution increased greatly with temperature, and generally exceeded that of Fe on a molal basis. The oxide-sulfide assemblages produced in the experiments resemble those in the basalt-seawater geothermal system at Reykjanes, Iceland, and in hydrothermally altered basalts and gabbros from the oceanic crust; they include pyrite, pyrrhotite. chalcopyrite, hematite, and probably magnetite. The particular assemblage varied systematically with the temperature, rock type, and crystallinity of each run. Anhydrite precipitated in all experiments with seawater, at all temperatures from 200–500°C. However, its persistence to the end of the runs was apparently metastable, as it should have reacted with the final solutions to produce pyrite or pyrrhotite.
Spin, Quadrupole Moment, and Mass of Selenium-75

The microwave spectrum of OC${\mathrm{Se}}^{75}$ has been observed and from it the spin, quadrupole moment, and mass of ${\mathrm{Se}}^{75}$ were measured. Frequencies of the six observed lines of the $J=2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3$ rotational transition give a nuclear spin of $\frac{5}{2}$, a quadrupole coupling constant $eqQ=946.0$ Mc/sec, and a rotational constant ${B}_{0}=4081.926$ Mc/sec. From these and other known properties of the OCSe molecule, one obtains the quadrupole moment of ${\mathrm{Se}}^{75}$ as $Q=1.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}20 percent, and the mass ratio $\frac{({M}_{{\mathrm{Se}}^{75}}\ensuremath{-}{M}_{{\mathrm{Se}}^{76}})}{({M}_{{\mathrm{Se}}^{75}}\ensuremath{-}{M}_{{\mathrm{Se}}^{80}})}=0.199566\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.000030$. The odd-even mass difference for ${\mathrm{Se}}^{75}$ is 1.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 mMU. The observed spin disagrees with that expected from the shell model which predicts a spin of \textonehalf{} or $\frac{9}{2}$. Three possible nuclear configurations which agree with the observed spin and also indicate a positive quadrupole moment are ${[{p}_{\frac{1}{2}}{({g}_{\frac{9}{2}})}^{2}]}_{\frac{5}{2}}$, ${{({g}_{\frac{9}{2}})}^{3}}_{\frac{5}{2}}$, and ${{({f}_{\frac{5}{2}})}^{5}}_{\frac{5}{2}}$. Magnetic moment measurements are needed to clearly distinguish between configurations. The sample material was obtained by bombarding arsenic with deuterons. Approximately 1\textonehalf{} micrograms of sample material were produced but only 0.07 microgram could be used in each spectroscopic run because of difficulties in synthesizing OCSe.
Trends in Contact Lens-Associated Corneal Ulcers

Charts of 320 patients with corneal ulcers seen on the Cornea Service of Wills Eye Hospital from July 1, 1992, to June 30, 1995, were reviewed retrospectively. Of these cases, 96 (30%) were associated with contact lens use. Ulcers in contact lens users accounted for 36% of cases in the last 6 months of 1992 and all of 1993, 20% of cases in 1994, and 29% in the first 6 months of 1995. The contact lenses most commonly associated with ulcers were disposable extended-wear lenses. They were used in 33% of contact lens-associated ulcers in 1992, 27% in 1993, 39% in 1994, and 44% in 1995. Pseudomonas was the predominant organism prior to 1993 (1-4). From 1993 to 1995, however, the number of Pseudomonas ulcers steadily decreased. Two or three Acanthamoeba infections continue to be treated each year. There has been a significant decrease in the number of contact lens-related ulcers treated at our institution compared with previous years (p < 0.01) (3, 4).
De la evidencia al desempeño: cómo fijar prioridades y tomar buenas decisiones

En esta epoca de respeto por la ciencia medica y por la responsabilidad gerencial, las organizaciones de salud deben rendir cuentas por sus acciones con creciente frecuencia. La epoca en que se determinaban las prioridades y se tomaban las decisiones sobre bases politicas o acatando el consejo intuitivo de asesores respetados y bien intencionados ha dado paso gradualmente a una era que valora la demostracion de efectividad y eficiencia. Las decisiones relativas a las prioridades y a los programas deben basarse firmemente en conocimientos comprobados y someterse a evaluacion continua. Esta transicion requiere promover el pensamiento critico en todos los ambitos. Surge entonces la siguiente pregunta: ?Como podemos promover el razonamiento critico en los servicios de salud para fijar prioridades, adoptar decisiones acertadas y poner en practica iniciativas efectivas? En otras palabras, ?como podemos pasar de la evidencia al desempeno? Una pregunta aun mas basica es ?por que debemos fijar prioridades?
Kenneth K. Keown, MD: Pioneer of cardiac anesthesiology

In 1948, just 2 years out of his anesthesiology residency at Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Kenneth K. Keown, MD, was chosen as the anesthesiologist for the procedure that launched the era of intracardiac surgery--a mitral valves commissurotomy. Although surgery on stenotic mitral valves had met with some success as early as the 1920s, its application had lain dormant for some 25 years. In effect, Keown and Hahnemann's Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Charles P. Bailey, MD, who performed the daring operation, launched the acceptance of intracardiac procedures, showing that the heart could be invaded with a successful outcome. Keown and Bailey continued as a team through many innovative cardiac procedures, during which Keown wrote the first monograph on cardiac anesthesia in 1956. Keown was also an early innovator in perfecting methods of inducing hypothermia in cardiac surgery and is also renowned for his pioneering work in cardiac arrhythmias, using lidocaine to counteract fibrillation during cardiac surgery. In 1957, Keown returned to his home state of Missouri to build a department of anesthesiology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. He advocated allowing only physicians trained in the specialty to administer anesthesia, and he believed firmly that anesthesiology should be a freestanding specialty separate from surgery. He also maintained a vigorous resident recruitment service. Keown held leadership positions in many medical organizations and, during a sabbatical from Missouri, served on the hospital ship Hope in Tunisia. He was Professor and Chief, and later Chairman, Section of Anesthesiology, at the University of Missouri Medical Center, and from 1969 until his death in 1985, he also served as the Center's Medical Director.
Accretion Disk and Boundary Layer Models Incorporating Opal Opacities

According to standard analytical models, the continuum spectrum of an accretion disk is independent of the opacity. To test this result more generally, we have constructed vertically averaged, optically thick models for accretion disks and boundary layers in cataclysmic variables. We compare models constructed using a constant electron scattering opacity to those computed with the OPAL tabulated Rosseland mean opacity. We verify that the continuum spectrum emitted from the disk is independent of the opacity, and we find that the continuum spectrum emitted from the boundary layer shows a small dependence on the opacity. This results in an increase in the boundary layer luminosity for the OPAL model of approximately a factor of 2.5. However, the central temperature and disk width are also quite different, implying that models with different opacities have different thermal timescales and perhaps different oscillation properties.
Bound homocysteine, cysteine, and cysteinylglycine distribution between albumin and globulins.

Background: Major portions of homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine (Cys), cysteinylglycine (CysGly), and glutathione in serum are covalently bound to proteins via disulfides. Albumin has been considered the dominant binding protein. Methods: Pooled serum and plasma from healthy adults were fractionated into albumin and globulins by affinity columns. Content of Hcy, Cys, CysGly, and glutathione was determined for serum and plasma fractions and purified proteins by an HPLC method before and after incubation with excess CysGly, Hcy, or glutathione Results: Of protein-bound amino acids in pooled serum, 12% of Hcy, 21% of Cys, and 33% of CysGly were bound to globulins, with the remainder bound to albumin. Slightly higher proportions were bound to globulins in pooled plasma. Globulins had ∼16% of total exchangeable disulfide and thiol groups in serum based on results of loading with CysGly. These results agree with expected abundance of unpaired Cys residues in globulins relative to albumin. Significant amounts of disulfide-linked amino acids were detected for HDL and α1-acid glycoprotein but not for transferrin. Exchange of disulfide-linked amino acids on exposure to excess Hcy or glutathione was much faster for albumin than for α1-acid glycoprotein. Conclusions: Approximately 10%–30%, of protein-bound Hcy, Cys, and CysGly are disulfide-linked to globulins. Amino acids disulfide-linked to albumin are rapidly exchangeable, while exchange of disulfide-linked amino acids from globulins, such as α1-acid glycoprotein, is much slower. Consequently, the pools of Hcy, Cys, and CysGly bound to albumin and globulin may represent kinetically and functionally distinct pools. Plasma concentrations of total Hcy and Cys, which are dominated by albumin-bound pools, may not reflect the abundance of functionally significant modifications of globulins.
Reply to Böning

to the editor: We thank Dr. Boning for his comments ([1][1]) on our recent paper ([2][2]). Our blood-interstitial model predicts that fluid contraction of these fluids by any cause, exercise, heat stress, hemorrhage, etc., would cause an alkalosis as shown experimentally. A muscle (cell)
Changing patterns of postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis drug use in an academic anesthesia practice.

Abstract Study Objective To characterize the evolution of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prophylactic drug use. Design Retrospective data extraction and analysis of electronic anesthesia records. Setting Anesthesia department of an urban academic medical center. Measurements 144,134 anesthetics given by 57 attending anesthesiologists were studied. Administered doses of droperidol, ondansetron, dexamethasone, and metoclopramide were tabulated for each year for each practitioner. Main Results Ondansetron use in the periods before and after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning concerning droperidol was 8% and 35%, respectively. Use of PONV prophylaxis increased for all included patient and anesthetic factors. Among those who used droperidol before the revised FDA warning, 61% stopped using it altogether. Afterwards, 75% (27-100%) of droperidol use was in combination with another agent. Conclusions We found a significant and sustained decrease in droperidol use after the FDA-mandated labeling revision. We also found a significant increase in ondansetron use—an increase that exceeded the amount needed to substitute for the decreased droperidol use. The changes may be related to multiple factors, including the FDA warning, a trend toward more PONV prophylaxis, and the increasing predominance of serotonin antagonists for this indication.