cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical probes of pristine and C60-doped silicon-bridged PT polymer: a novel highly luminescent low-bandgap polymer

Silicon bridged PT polymer (PTSi) is a new soluble polymer with a strong luminescence in the infrared band (0-0 transition at 1.6 eV). We have applied various spectroscopies such as absorption, electroabsorption (EA), photo induced absorption (PA), electromodulated PA (EPA), photoluminescence (PL) and photo induced absorption detected magnetic resonance (PADMR) to pristine and C 60 doped PTSi thin films in order to eluvidate the photoexcitation and electronic states this material. The absorption spectrum consists of three bands, one in the visible with a peak at 2 eV and the others in the UV at 4.5 eV and 6.2 eV respectively. The PL band at 1.6 eV contains also three pronounced phonon replica, each 150 meV apart. An electric field reduces the luminescence due to dissociation of excitons into polarons. The PA spectrum is dominated by a broad PA band peaked at 1.1 eV which is due to triplet-triplet transitions, with a shoulder at 1.7 eV due to polaron pairs; there is also a distinctive band at 0.3 eV due to both, polarons and polaron pairs. Upon doping with C 60 the 1.1 eV triplet band loses intensity, whereas the 0.3 eV feature dramatically increases and the typical signature of C 60 - HOMO to LUMO transition appears at 1.15 eV.
A facile route to synthesize nanogels doped with silver nanoparticles

In this work, we describe a simple method to prepare hybrid nanogels consisting of a biocompatible core-shell polymer host containing silver nanoparticles. First, the nanogels (NG, ~160 nm) containing a lysozyme rich core and a dextran rich shell, are prepared via Maillard and heat-gelation reactions. Second, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs, ~5nm) are synthesized in situ in the NG solution without requiring additional reducing agents. This approach leads to stable Ag NPs located in the NG. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the amount of Ag NPs in the NG can be tuned by varying silver precursor concentration. Hybrid nanogels with silver nanoparticles have potential in antimicrobial, optical and therapeutic applications.
SU‐E‐T‐383: 3D Dose Reconstruction From Tomotherapy Detector Response of the Pre‐Treatment QA

Purpose: To evaluate the reconstructed 3D dose from the Tomotherapy detector response as a pre‐treatment patient‐specific dose verification tool by comparing the reconstructed dose with the 3D dose from the Tomotherapy treatment planning system (TPS). Methods: A simple dry‐run of a patient plan was performed to capture the fluence sinogram with the detectors. Then, DosimetryCheck™ (DC) was used to calculate the 3D dose using the detector sinogram, CT images, and treatment delivery parameters. The couch attenuation was corrected mathematically. The reconstructed dose was compared with the Tomotherapy TPS 3D dose in the patient anatomy. Results: TPS dose and DC reconstructed dose were compared for 5 prostate plans, 1 head and neck plan, and 1 SRS plan. For the prostate plans, the average dose differences of the bladder, rectum, femur, and prostate were 3.0+−1.8%, 4.2+−1.1%, 3.0+−2.0%, and 0.1+−1.1% (+−S.D.). For the head and neck plan, the average differences of the spinal cord, parotid, mandible, and PTV were 6.9%, 8.6%, 1.2%, and 0.2%. For the SRS plan, the average differences of the brain stem, optical chiasm, left eye, and the PTV were −0.5%, 0.6%, 1.5%, and −3.4%. The overall gamma factor (3%, 3mm) passing rate was >90% for all the cases. Conclusion: It is feasible to perform patient specific QA without Tomotherapy phantom DQA. The QA is more meaningful beca use the dose difference is visualized over patient anatomy instead of over a phantom. The statistics with prostate plans show a consistent match between the measured and planning dose. The head and neck plan suggests that DC Pencil Beam algorithm may need improvement in accuracy for areas with dramatic electron density changes. The SRS plan indicates DC accuracy is independent of jaw width and pitch. All the differences between the Tomotherapy TPS and the reconstructed doses were within clinical tolerance.
Integrin-dependent signal transduction regulating cyclin D1 expression and G1 phase cell cycle progression.

Integrins and growth factor receptors coordinately regulate proliferation in nontransformed cells. Coordinate signaling from these receptors controls the activation of the G1 phase cyclin-dependent kinases, largely by regulating levels of cyclin D1 and p27kip1. Induction of cyclin D1 is one of the best understood examples of an integrin/growth factor receptor-regulated G1 phase target. This review focuses on the integrin-dependent signal transduction events that regulate the expression of cyclin D1 during G1 phase.
Characteristic adsorption of Ni(II) on MnO2

Abstract The adsorption of Ni(II) on MnO2 has been studied under different conditions of pH, concentration of Ni(II), and temperature. The amount of Ni(II) adsorbed increased and decreased as temperature increased and decreased, but not reversibly.
A phase cell approach to Yang-Mills theory. V. Analysis of a chunk

In the present formalism the Yang-Mills field is constructed as a “non-linear sum” of excitations, small field excitations, the modes, and large field excitations, the chunks. The chunk excitations, herein studied, are each described by a finite number of group element variables. The continuum field associated to the excitation in general has point gauge singularities (arising from the non-trivial π3(G)). We find estimates for plaquette assignments, edge assignments, and the smoothness of edge assignments, at all scales. The central conceptual motor in our constructions and estimates is a split up of the field at each length scale, locally, into a pure gauge field, and a deviation field. An example is presented establishing the general inevitability of gauge singularities, as a consequence of fall off requirements on the continuum field of an excitation.
DNA content of daughter nuclei from ouabain-induced nuclear divisions in central nervous system neurons.

Abstract Ouabain depolarization of culture-matured spinal cord neurons from chick embryos results in the induction of active DNA synthesis and subsequent nuclear division in a large fraction of the cells. Many of the activated neurons do not complete cytokinesis and consequently become binucleate cells. Since mitogenic activity is generally believed not to occur in central nervous system neurons after functional maturation, either in vivo or in vitro, the DNA content of daughter nuclei in binucleate neurons resulting from depolarization with ouabain has been determined by Feulgen cytophotometry and compared with that of the mononucleate “parent” cells for evidence that true mitogenesis is being induced. The depolarization was found consistently to result in a precise doubling of the parental neuron nuclear DNA, followed by a precise halving to form G1 daughter nuclei. Additionally, it was found by autoradiographic analysis that sister nuclei acquired thymidine label in equal amounts when the parental neurons were exposed to [3H]thymidine during the induction period. These results imply that normal mitogenic and mitotic processes are in fact activated by the depolarization treatment.
A method for determining regional marine manpower

Educators involved with developing, revising, and teaching career education programs usually need information about the employment opportunities for their program graduates. Marine technology career education programs, because they train for specialized careers with limited regional employment opportunities, particularly need such employment information. This report explains methods for determining regional marine-oriented employment statistics using Bureau of Labor Statistics data , state employment security data, and a mailed survey, Statistics are presented as a two-dimensional matrix with the advantage of one axis having seven special marine-oriented industry subfields or categories and the other axis having eight commonly used occupational categories. Matrix results show that accurately determining statistics for four industry subfields is difficult. Statistical results problems do not detract from the overall project usefulness. In addition to the employment statistics obtained, developing the seven marine-oriented industry subfields increased awareness of the variety of marine-oriented industries and compiling a file of about 900 survey addresses for Maryland showed the extent of the marine-oriented business activity in Maryland.
Religious behavior, health, and well-being among Israeli Jews: Findings from the European Social Survey.

This study investigates the relationship between religious behavior and health status and psychological well-being in a population sample of Israeli Jewish adults (N 1,849). Using data from the Israeli sample of the European Social Survey, measures of synagogue attendance and private prayer were examined in relation to single-item indicators of subjective and functional health, happiness, and life satisfaction and to a three-item scale tapping into the somatic dimension of well-being. Bivariately, the religious, health, and well-being measures are mostly related, and in a salutary direction, but multivariable analyses revealed that these associations are more nuanced. Specifically, after age-adjustment and controls for effects of various sociodemographic characteristics, including Israeli nativity, synagogue attendance is associated with greater happiness only, whereas prayer is associated with greater happiness and life satisfaction and higher scores on the well-being scale. Additionally, prayer is significantly associated with functional health, but in an inverse direction, suggesting its use as a coping resource in response to physical or functional challenges or impairments. These latter results are supported by supplemental analyses of the well-being indicators, which also adjust for possible exogenous or moderating effects of functional health. These findings contribute to current streams of empirical research on the putative influence of Jewish religious observance on physical and mental health and psychological well-being in Israel and the Jewish diaspora.
Cold signal transduction and its interplay with phytohormones during cold acclimation

Cold stress is a major environmental factor that affects plant growth, development, productivity and distribution. In higher plants, the known major cold signaling pathway is the C-repeat (CRT)-binding factor/dehydration-responsive element (DRE) binding factor (CBF/DREB)-mediated transcriptional regulatory cascade, which is essential for the induction of a set of cold responsive (COR) genes. Recent studies indicate that various plant hormones are also involved in responses to cold stress. This review summarizes recent progress in cold signaling and our understanding of phytohormone signaling in the regulation of plant responses to cold stress.
How artificial ontogenies can retard evolution

Recently there has been much interest in the role of indirect genetic encodings; as a means to achieve increased evolvability. From this perspective, artificial ontogenies have largely been seen as a vehicle to relate the indirect encodings to complex phenotypes. However, the introduction of a development phase does not come without other consequences. We show that the conjunction of the latent ontogenic structure and the common practice of only evaluating the final phenotype obtained from development can have a net retarding effect on evolution. Using a formal model of development, we show that this effect arises primarily due to the relation between the ontogenic structure to the fitness function, which in turn impacts the properties being evaluated and selected for during evolution. This effect is empirically demonstrated with a toy search problem using LOGO-turtle based embryogenic processes.
Studying seafloor bedforms using autonomous stationary imaging and profiling sonars

The Sediment Transport Group at the U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center uses downward looking sonars deployed on seafloor tripods to assess and measure the formation and migration of bedforms. The sonars have been used in three resolution-testing experiments, and deployed autonomously to observe changes in the seafloor for up to two months in seven field experiments since 2002. The sonar data are recorded concurrently with measurements of waves and currents to: a) relate bedform geometry to sediment and flow characteristics; b) assess hydrodynamic drag caused by bedforms; and c) estimate bedform sediment transport rates, all with the goal of evaluating and improving numerical models of these processes. Our hardware, data processing methods, and test and validation procedures have evolved since 2001. We now employ a standard sonar configuration that provides reliable data for correlating flow conditions with bedform morphology. Plans for the future are to sample more rapidly and improve the precision of our tripod orientation measurements.
Design and evaluation of an environment APE for automatic parallelization of programs

In this paper, we present the design and evaluation of a compiler system, called APE, for automatic parallelization of scientific and engineering applications on distributed memory computers. APE is built on top of SUIF compiler. It extends SUIF with capabilities in parallelizing loops with non-uniform cross-iteration dependencies, and in handling loops that have indirect access patterns. We have evaluated the effectiveness of SUIF with several CFD test codes, and found that SUIF handles uniform loops over dense and regular data structures very well. For non-uniform loops, an innovative and efficient parallelization approach based on convex theory have been proposed and is being implemented. We have also presented a class of scalable algorithms for parallel distribution and redistribution of unstructured data structures during parallelizing irregular loops.
Microchip-based purification of DNA from biological samples.

A microchip solid-phase extraction method for purification of DNA from biological samples, such as blood, is demonstrated. Silica beads were packed into glass microchips and the beads immobilized with sol−gel to provide a stable and reproducible solid phase onto which DNA could be adsorbed. Optimization of the DNA loading conditions established a higher DNA recovery at pH 6.1 than 7.6. This lower pH also allowed for the flow rate to be increased, resulting in a decrease in extraction time from 25 min to less than 15 min. Using this procedure, template genomic DNA from human whole blood was purified on the microchip platform with the only sample preparation being mixing of the blood with load buffer prior to loading on the microchip device. Comparison between the microchip SPE (μchipSPE) procedure and a commercial microcentrifuge method showed comparable amounts of PCR-amplifiable DNA could be isolated from cultures of Salmonella typhimurium. The greatest potential of the μchipSPE device was illustrated by...
Silencing of a plant gene by transcriptional interference

Integration of foreign DNA into eukaryotic genomes results frequently in a total or partial loss of gene function, caused by the interruption of indispensable structures of the gene itself. Using T-DNA insertions in Arabidopsis we screened for mutants with deregulated chlorophyll precursor accumulation in etiolated seedlings. A mutant designated rfd1 (red fluorescent in darkness) with increased protochlorophyllide accumulation showed a fluorescent phenotype that was associated with a lack of transcript initiation from the AtRibA1 promoter situated downstream of the integrated T-DNA. Complementation experiments confirmed rfd1 to be a knockout phenotype. Comparison with two SALK insertion lines bearing T-DNA integrations in the 5'UTR of AtRibA1 demonstrated that the insertion event in rfd1 itself does not explain the complete lack of transcript initiation. A 35S tetrameric enhancer sequence present on the rfd1 T-DNA causes the overaccumulation of a large polycistronic transcript originating inside the T-DNA. This 5.5-kb RNA runs over the downstream situated AtRibA1 promoter, which was shown by 5'RACE analyses to be consequently silenced. Hence, a transcription process that starts upstream and overlaps AtRibA1 blocks the initiation at the AtRibA1 promoter in rfd1. This regulatory mechanism has recently been introduced in yeast as transcriptional interference and is described here for the first time in a plant system.
Lunar architecture and technology analysis driven by lunar science scenarios

NASA's Vision for Space Exploration and the missions it comprises pose large-scale systems-engineering problems with concomitant large-budget investment decisions involving multiple disciplines (e.g., science, engineering, information technology), multiple constraints (e.g., time, mass, energy consumption), myriad uncertainties, and a hierarchical structure of problem decomposition with resolution of increasing fidelity. Navigation through this sea of complexity is greatly facilitated by an analytical system that includes optimization and analysis software tools. The interplay between program planning and decision-support tools is seen here in a case study of a hypothetical mission on the Moon. The architecture of one such tool, HURON, is discussed and its application is illustrated in a comparison of the relative productivity of employing two pressurized or two unpressurized robotic rovers with two pairs of astronauts to conduct a specified group of activities. For the mission scenarios studied, a pair of pressurized rovers is shown to be significantly more productive than a pair of unpressurized rovers when calculating work accomplished divided by marginal operational costs. The HURON decision-support system presented and successfully applied in this paper deals explicitly with combinatorial explosion of a huge design space in scheduling the activities of agents subject to constraints, deploys a productivity function as a measure of value, and automatically determines a ranked sensitivity list of important inputs. The approach is applicable to a wide class of large-scale systems-engineering applications. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng This is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Magnetic amorphous alloys: physics and technological applications

Magnetic amorphous alloys obtained by rapid quenching of the melt are excellent soft magnetic materials with a wide range of technological applications. They also represent a significant challenge to the scientific understanding of magnetic materials, since most of the existing theories of solids assume lattice periodicity. For these reasons, the magnetic and other properties of amorphous alloys have been very actively studied over the last decade. In recent years increasing attention has been directed to the fundamental understanding of the structural, thermal and magnetic properties of the amorphous alloys. It is not only scientifically but also technologically important to achieve such an understanding, since the amorphous alloys are, in many respects, so different from conventional crystalline magnetic materials. The author attempts to summarise recent progress in research on magnetic amorphous alloys and critically assesses the present level of understanding of this new class of magnetic materials, focusing mostly on the transition-metal-metalloid glasses. He starts with a review of early developments and a discussion on the nature of glasses and glass formation and proceeds to an extensive discussion of their atomic structure, both from the experimental and theoretical points of view.
Perceiving school performance as instrumental to future goal attainment: Effects on graded performance

Abstract Three studies examined the perception among college students that school performance is instrumental to future goal attainment. Study 1, an exploratory study involving free report goal assessments, indicated that perceived instrumentality (PI) is a subjectively salient aspect of college students’ achievement motivation. Study 2 provided evidence for the structural distinctiveness of PI from self-efficacy, task value, and the achievement goals, and also demonstrated that PI prospectively predicts unique variance in graded performance beyond that accounted for by these motivational variables. Study 3 demonstrated that PI prospectively predicts unique variance in graded performance independently of future time orientation. We argue that a comprehensive understanding of the purposes underlying classroom achievement behavior requires consideration of how school performance may be perceived as instrumental to the attainment of valued life goals.
A Proposed Transient Version of the ADC Charge-Collection Model Tested Against TCAD

The ADC model is a charge-collection model mathematically derived for simple p-n junction diodes under steady-state conditions. A transient version of the model is postulated, rather than derived, and tested for correctness by comparisons with TCAD simulation predictions.
Advances in Knowledge of Poultry Diseases Over the Past Fifty Years

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MOST of what we know about poultry diseases has been learned in the past fifty years. By now, the pertinent literature is voluminous. A review article of reasonable length, that is supposed to cover these fifty years of very productive research and learning, can do no more than touch upon the most significant advances, made in that period. BACTERIAL DISEASES Pullorum Disease. Advances of great scientific and economic importance were the discoveries of the cause (Rettger, 1900) and mode of transmission (Rettger and Stoneburn, 1909) of pullorum disease. This was the first time a bacterial disease had been proved to be egg-borne. The importance of the application of the macroscopic agglutination test to the detection of carriers of Salmonella pullorum (Jones, 1913b; Gage et al., 1914; Rettger et al., 1914) is well known to all concerned with poultry husbandry and control of disease. Important contributions toward the control and . . .
INTEGRATION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE METHODOLOGIES FRAMEWORK AND QUICK EXAMPLES

A framework that integrates qualitative and quantitative data analysis methodologies of trip-chaining behavior research was developed. The proposed qualitative methods include analysis of descriptive statistics and visual analysis of space-time prisms. The results of the qualitative analysis help in the quantitative modeling process. The proposed integrated qualitative and quantitative framework incorporates both logit models and hazard duration models as quantitative analysis tools. Qualitative examples, what was learned from them, and how the qualitative data affect the quantitative methodology are described. The qualitative examples show that aggregate and individual trip-chaining behaviors are not easy to model. Integration of the results from both qualitative and quantitative methods lead to a better understanding of how people make their trip-chaining and travel behavior decisions.
Acetylated Lysine 56 on Histone H3 Drives Chromatin Assembly after Repair and Signals for the Completion of Repair

DNA damage causes checkpoint activation leading to cell cycle arrest and repair, during which the chromatin structure is disrupted. The mechanisms whereby chromatin structure and cell cycle progression are restored after DNA repair are largely unknown. We show that chromatin reassembly following double-strand break (DSB) repair requires the histone chaperone Asf1 and that absence of Asf1 causes cell death, as cells are unable to recover from the DNA damage checkpoint. We find that Asf1 contributes toward chromatin assembly after DSB repair by promoting acetylation of free histone H3 on lysine 56 (K56) via the histone acetyl transferase Rtt109. Mimicking acetylation of K56 bypasses the requirement for Asf1 for chromatin reassembly and checkpoint recovery, whereas mutations that prevent K56 acetylation block chromatin reassembly after repair. These results indicate that restoration of the chromatin following DSB repair is driven by acetylated H3 K56 and that this is a signal for the completion of repair.
Critical personality traits in successful pair programming

Pair programming (PP) is a common practice in Extreme programming, in which two programmers work together using a single computer. The close interaction required by PP makes it difficult to apply. The hypothesis is that certain personality traits are crucial for the success of PP, and PP partners should be chosen based on these personality traits. In this research, we first survey the programmers in industry to identify the perceived important personality traits for PP, and then conduct experiments to determine the significance of these personality traits in successful PP.
Discovery of a functional retrotransposon of the murine phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase: chromosomal localization and tissue-specific expression pattern.

Abstract Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx), a selenoprotein capable of reducing toxic hydroperoxy ester lipids, has been implicated in antioxidative defense and spermatogenesis. Screening a murine genomic library, we isolated two recombinants (pseudogenes 1 and 2) containing retrotransposons for this enzyme. On comparison with the paralogous cDNA, pseudogene 1 contained only two silent nucleotide exchanges, and the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) carrying the functionally important selenocysteine insertion sequence was free of mutations. This retrotransposon was found in various mouse strains and could be mapped to the region B2–B3 of chromosome 10. In vitro studies indicated significant promoter activity in the 5′-flanking region of pseudogene 1, and we observed a tissuespecific expression of this retrotransposon. In the submandibular gland. Most PHGPx transcripts originated from pseudogene 1. In contrast, pseudogene 2, containing numerous mutations in all parts of the retrotransposon, was not expressed in any tissue. It was mapped to region E3–E4 of chromosome 17, and we did not detect any promoter activity in its 5′-flanking region. These data indicate the existence of two retrotransposed PHGPx pseudogenes, one of which encodes a functional enzyme. This retrotransposon belongs to the rare group of pseudogenes that are tissue-specifically expressed under the control of captured regulatory elements, and it constitutes an example of evolutionarily acquired redundancy in gene expression. The results are important for the design of future knockout strategies aimed at investigating the biological role of this enzyme.
Simple unified control for packet and circuit networks

OpenFlow is proposed as an architectural platform and a unified control plane for packet and circuit networks, with the main goal of simplifying network control and management while fostering innovative change in them.
Shape-based Matching of ECG Recordings

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is an important and commonly used diagnostic aid in cardiovascular disease diagnosis. Physicians routinely perform diagnosis by a simple visual examination of ECG waveform shapes. In this paper, we address the problem of shape-based retrieval of ECG recordings, both digital and scanned from paper, to infer similarity in diagnosed diseases. Specifically, we use the knowledge of ECG recording structure to segment and extract curves representing various recording channels from ECG images. We then present a method of capturing the perceptual shape similarity of ECG waveforms by combining shape matching with dynamic time warping. The shape similarity of each recording channel is combined to develop an overall shape similarity measure between ECG recordings. Results are presented that demonstrate the method on shape-based matching of various cardiovascular diseases.
To license or not: the case of a new information technology product

A firm with a new Information Technology (IT) product may consider licensing it to firms in the same industry or other industries. The impact of the new product on the operating costs of the firms is usually uncertain. The costs may increase or decrease as a result of the new product. Once the new IT product is used for some time, however, firms come to know the actual cost impact. WE develop a duopoly two-period model with one firm owning a new IT product. We consider two licensing options: (1) one-time licensing for both periods at the beginning of the first period, (2) period-by-period licensing. With the first option, no licensing occurs for very low and very high expected values of cost reduction; otherwise, licensing may occur. For high expected values of cost reduction, the licensor prefers period-by-period licensing to licensing only once at the beginning of the first period for both periods. For low expected values, the licensor is indifferent between the two options and for very low expected values, the licensor again uses the second option, i.e., it licenses at the beginning of each, period. >
Capuchin monkeys are not prosocial in an instrumental helping task

Comparative research can shed light on the evolutionary roots and cognitive underpinnings of prosocial behavior by revealing not only positive instances of prosocial motivations in other species, but also the boundary conditions of these motivations. To explore factors that may constrain prosocial behavior, we examined whether brown capuchins (Cebus apella), which demonstrate regard for the welfare of conspecifics in other contexts, would behave prosocially in a minimal-cost instrumental helping task. We observed that when given the opportunity to share tokens that allow a conspecific to obtain food from an apparatus, capuchins showed no regard for another individual’s welfare. Subjects transferred tokens to an adjacent chamber when the apparatus was present, but did so just as often when the chamber was empty as when there was a recipient present to obtain food. While capuchins are sensitive to others’ welfare in some contexts, the current results suggest that they do not spontaneously produce goal-specific helping actions on behalf of a conspecific. The lack of regard for others exhibited in this context provides insights into the factors that may constrain prosocial behavior in capuchins and other primate species.
Induction chemotherapy followed by radical local therapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Many patients who receive a diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have locally advanced disease at initial presentation. Historically, these patients were treated with primary thoracic radiation therapy and had poor long-term survival rates, secondary to both progression of local disease and development of distant metastases. With the goal of improving clinical outcomes, multiple concepts of combined-modality therapy for locally advanced NSCLC have been investigated. The rationale for using chemotherapy in the induction regimen is to eliminate subclinical metastatic disease while improving local control. The optimal treatment of locally advanced NSCLC continues to evolve, but combined-modality therapy has led to improved survival rates compared to treatment with radiation alone and has become the new standard of care. This report reviews the major trials that have investigated various combinations of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC.
Tillage, crop and climatic effects of runoff and tile drainage losses of nitrate and four herbicides

A four-year (1987–1990) field study in NW Ohio on a poorly drained, fine-textured soil (Mollic Ochraqualf) examined the effect of tillage (no-till versus fall moldboard plow) and crop type (maize, Zea mays, and soybean, Glycine max) on runoff and tile drainage losses of NO3-N and four commonly used herbicides (atrazine and alachlor on maize, metolachlor and metribuzin on soybeans). Weather was a significant variable with two years of drought (1978–1988) followed by very wet years (1989–1990). Runoff has previously averaged 17% of precipitation, but was 3% in 1987 and 1988 and 4.6% and 11% in 1988 and 1989, respectively. Tile drainage, which previously averaged 40% of precipitation, was virtually zero in 1987 and 1988 and was 28% and 31% of precipitation in 1989 and 1990, respectively. Tile flow losses of NO3-N (0.1–86 kg ha−1 year−1) were greater than those from runoff (0.01–2.3 kg ha−1 year−1), while herbicide loss was greatest in runoff and was only detected to any extent in tile drainage in the wettest year (1990). Flow weighted mean annual NO3-N concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 4.0 mg l−1 in runoff and from 0.1 to 17.8 mg l−1 in tile drainage. Ranges of losses in runoff/tile drainage for atrapine, alachlor, metolachlor, and metribuzin (g ha−1 year−1) were: 0.09–9.82/0.00–31.3; 0.01–2.91/0.00–0.14; 0.01–13.6/0.00–4.25 and 0.00–15.6/0.00–3.98, respectively. Corresponding concentration ranges (μg l−1) were: 0.3–52.3/0.1–59.2; 0.1–20.1/0.1–3.6; 0.3–164/0.1–84 and 0.1–91.9/0.1–40. There was significant carryover of nitrate in tile drainage from one year to the next, but of the herbicides monitored only atrazine exhibited any carryover behavior. Runoff and tile drainage flow weighted mean annual concentrations of the four herbicides were in the order: metolachlor > atrazine > metribuzin > alachlor, and this rank-order was correlated with half-life for these compounds but not with water solubility or soil organic matter-water partition coefficient. About half of the tile flow events in the study exceeded the US Maximum Concentration Limit (MCL) for drinking water NO3-N (10 mg l−1) regardless of crop type, while 20% and 50% of the runoff events exceeded the MCL for atrazine (3 μg l−1) for soybean and maize, respectively.
Education: Surgical Simulation in Acute Care Surgery

As a member of the Residency Review Committee, you are asked to consider mandating the incorporation of simulation training into the educational curriculum for all surgical programs, particularly acute care surgery training. Which of the following should likely guide your decision? (A) The transference effect of simulation training is well established in surgery (B) The high-tech simulators have been validated (C) Low-tech simulation training should be required for all programs (D) The utilization of simulation centers by residents is high (E) Mandatory scheduled simulation training on site does not count when calculating the 80-hour duty limitation for resident trainees
Natural language interface for multi-agent contracting system (MACS): Research Articles

Facing serious imbalances in the skills and experience of our highly talented and specialized civilian workforce, the Naval Postgraduate School has initiated the External Acquisition Research Program (EARP) to promote advances in basic and applied research as related to US defense acquisition. One of the projects funded under EARP over a 2 year period is the Multi-Agent Contracting System (MACS) project (Liebowitz et al., 2000. Journal of Knowledge-Based Systems 13: 241–250). MACS was designed to provide advice in the pre-award phase of a defense contract. The original version of MACS allowed users to query the system using a list of predetermined keywords from pull-down menus. An exact string of keywords had to be used to obtain an answer from MACS, forcing the users to memorize a list of keywords. This infexible user interface could have caused problems for those users who did not know the right keywords and, in turn, reduced the usability of MACS. The objective of this study is to extend the capability of MACS by allowing users to interface with the system using natural language. The natural language user interface will provide the users with more fexibility in formulating queries on the pre-award contracts, increasing the user friendliness of its interface. The paper presents the methods used to develop a natural language user interface for MACS. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chronic fluoxetine induces a gradual desensitization of 5-HT1A receptors: reductions in hypothalamic and midbrain Gi and G(o) proteins and in neuroendocrine responses to a 5-HT1A agonist.

The time course of fluoxetine-induced desensitization of hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptors was examined in rats. Daily injections of fluoxetine (10 mg/kg/day) for 0, 3, 7, 14 or 22 days gradually produced a shift to the right in the dose-response curve effects of 8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) on plasma adrenal corticotropic hormone, corticosterone and oxytocin. A partial reduction was observed for the adrenal corticotropic hormone and oxytocin responses to 8-OH-DPAT (50 micrograms/kg s.c.) after 3 days, and a maximum reduction of all hormone responses was observed after 14 days of fluoxetine injections, when the adrenal corticotropic hormone and oxytocin responses to the 50-micrograms/kg dose of 8-OH-DPAT were virtually blocked. To begin to examine the mechanism of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptor desensitization, we determined levels of Gi and G(o) proteins in the hypothalamus, midbrain and frontal cortex by using immunoblots. The hypothalamic levels of Gi1 and Gi3 proteins were significantly reduced after 7 and 14 days of fluoxetine injections. The levels of G(o) and Gi2 proteins in the midbrain were significantly decreased after 3 days and remained reduced for the duration of fluoxetine injections. Fluoxetine did not reduce the concentrations of Gi and G(o) proteins in the frontal cortex at any time. The similarity in time course between fluoxetine-induced reductions in hormone responses to 8-OH-DPAT and the reduction in hypothalamic levels of Gi1 and Gi3 proteins suggests that a reduction in hypothalamic levels of Gi3 and/or Gi1 proteins plays a role in the gradual desensitization of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptors induced by fluoxetine.
Investigation of the dipole formation and growth behavior at In2O3|TiO2 heterojunctions using photoemission spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy

This paper discusses the investigation of the dipole formation at In2O3|TiO2 heterojunctions depending on preparation conditions, i.e., cleaning methods. In2O3 films were deposited using atomic layer deposition (ALD) onto solvent and in situ cleaned anatase and rutile film substrates. The interface dipole strength and film thickness were evaluated by photoemission spectroscopy. Our results indicate the formation of a large intrinsic and film thickness dependent interface dipole that reaches its maximum strength at monolayer thick ALD films. In addition, it was observed that UV photoelectron spectroscopy measurements introduced UV induced surface hydroxylation, which resulted in dipole potentials of −0.70 eV and −0.50 eV on solvent cleaned anatase and rutile, respectively. The overlayers also introduced small amounts of band bending (∼0.10 eV) at the interfaces. Taking these effects into account, the total dipole strength at monolayer thick In2O3 films was determined to be −0.96 eV for solvent cleaned anat...
Experiments on the 2 P 3 state of helium. III. Measurement of the 2 P 0 3 − 2 P 1 3 fine-structure interval

The $2^{3}P_{0}\ensuremath{-}2^{3}P_{2}$ fine-structure interval ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{02}$ has been measured using the optical-microwave atomic beam magnetic resonance technique with the result ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{02}=31908.040$ (20) MHz (0.6 ppm). This is in excellent agreement with the sum of previous separate measurements of the $2^{3}P_{0}\ensuremath{-}2^{3}P_{1}$ and $2^{3}P_{1}\ensuremath{-}2^{3}P_{2}$ intervals, which gives ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{02}=31908.060$ (36) MHz, and establishes internal consistency for all the measurements. The most accurate comparison with theory is for ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{01}$, and we obtain the most accurate experimental value for this by subtracting the earlier measurement of ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{12}$ from the present result for ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{02}$. The result is ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{01}=29616.844\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.021$ MHz (0.7 ppm) (experiment) compared to ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{01}=29616.914\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.043$ MHz (1.5 ppm) (theory). Alternatively our experiment can be regarded as an independent measurement of the fine-structure constant with the result ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}=137.03612$ (11) (0.8 ppm) which is consistent with the more accurate currently accepted value ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}=137.035963$ (15) (0.11 ppm).
Oral desensitization in Rh disease

Four pregnancies managed with erythrocyte membrane oral therapy because of severe Rh disease are presented. Reduction in anti-(D) production was the goal of the study. A patient was classified as having severe Rh immunization if there was a history of fetal loss due to erythroblastosis fetalis prior to 26 weeks.
Composition-Independent Temperature and Pressure Measurements using Lineshape Scaling Information from Kr PLIF

Composition-independent temperature and pressure measurements using a variation of krypton planar laser-induced fluorescence (Kr-PLIF) techniques are being performed at North Carolina State University’s Turbulent Shear Flow Laboratory. The particular technique of interest will involve using excitation scan lineshape information. Closed-form relationships for the collisional broadening and shift have been determined in order to develop techniques that are independent of gas composition. Through vast experimentation of different gas compositions, proportionality relations have been developed to model the collisional shift and the collisional broadening characteristics based on material properties. The proposed temperature and pressure technique uses a combination of excitation scan properties, static wavelength signal ratios, and an iterative calculation process involving relationships for the collisional shift, collisional broadening, and theoretical signal ratios obtained from the overlap integral.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Treated With Stereotactic Radiosurgery: The Effect of Dose Escalation on Pain Control and Treatment Outcomes

Purpose To analyze the effect of dose escalation on treatment outcome in patients undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods and Materials A retrospective review was performed of 870 patients who underwent SRS for a diagnosis of TN from 2 institutions. Patients were typically treated using a single 4-mm isocenter placed at the trigeminal nerve dorsal root entry zone. Patients were divided into groups based on treatment doses: ≤82 Gy (352 patients), 83 to 86 Gy (85 patients), and ≥90 Gy (433 patients). Pain response was classified using a categorical scoring system, with fair or poor pain control representing treatment failure. Treatment-related facial numbness was classified using the Barrow Neurological Institute scale. Log-rank tests were performed to test differences in time to pain failure or development of facial numbness for patients treated with different doses. Results Median age at first pain onset was 63 years, median age at time of SRS was 71 years, and median follow-up was 36.5 months from the time of SRS. A majority of patients (827, 95%) were clinically diagnosed with typical TN. The 4-year rate of excellent to good pain relief was 87% (95% confidence interval 84%-90%). The 4-year rate of pain response was 79%, 82%, and 92% in patients treated to ≤82 Gy, 83 to 86 Gy, and ≥90 Gy, respectively. Patients treated to doses ≤82 Gy had an increased risk of pain failure after SRS, compared with patients treated to ≥90 Gy (hazard ratio 2.0, P =.0007). Rates of treatment-related facial numbness were similar among patients treated to doses ≥83 Gy. Nine patients (1%) were diagnosed with anesthesia dolorosa. Conclusions Dose escalation for TN to doses >82 Gy is associated with an improvement in response to treatment and duration of pain relief. Patients treated at these doses, however, should be counseled about the increased risk of treatment-related facial numbness.
A color image retrieval algorithm based on the integration of Zernike moment and Contourlet transform

Using the content-based image retrieval technology(Content-Based Image Retrieval,CBIR)can be more quickly find the user to query image from the vast network of image library,but a single visual features can not adequately describe the image content information and other issues,thus reducing the accuracy of the search results.In light of this,this paper presents a fusion of a variety of image retrieval algorithm,the method first construct a chromaticity distribution Zernike moments for color image feature extraction,and then use the Contourlet transform multi-directional image multiscale decomposition,and calculating the variance and entropy of each sub-band decomposition,as texture features of images,then these features and calculating normalized weights corresponding to each feature.Finally,calculate the similarity between the images of these features,the search result is returned and sorted.Simulation results show that this multi-feature fusion method can multi-level search algorithm describes the semantic information of the image,to some extent,improve the image retrieval precision and recall.
DNA image cytometric analysis of primary clear cell carcinoma of the liver.

Eleven cases of clear cell hepatocellular carcinoma were evaluated for DNA ploidy by means of image analysis of Feulgen-stained tissue sections. The tumors displayed a trabecular or solid pattern and contained between 40% and 90% clear cells. Five tumors (45.4%) were diploid and six tumors (54.5%) were nondiploid (four aneuploid, one tetraploid, and one multiploid). The diploid tumors had no significant pleomorphism or mitotic activity, whereas the nondiploid tumors displayed a moderate to severe degree of pleomorphism and high mitotic rate. In addition, the nuclear area of the aneuploid tumor cells (55.3 microns2 +/- 5.4%, mean +/- SD) was significantly larger than that of the control hepatocytes (43.3 microns2 +/- 6.8%) (P = .01) and that of the diploid tumor cells (39.5 microns2 +/- 5.5%) (P = .001). We conclude that clear cell carcinoma of the liver comprises two groups: one with bland morphologic features and diploid DNA content and the other with aggressive morphologic features and aneuploid DNA content. We suggest that this finding may explain the discrepant literature reports regarding the prognosis of this tumor.
Dehydration of transferrin receptor-positive sickle reticulocytes during continuous or cyclic deoxygenation: role of KCl cotransport and extracellular calcium

The K + efflux that mediates sickle-cell dehydration may occur through several pathways, including two with a high capacity for mediating rapid K + loss, KCl cotransport and the Ca 2+ -dependent K + channel [K(Ca 2+ )]. The rate and pathway of red blood cell (RBC) dehydration most likely depends on cell age and hemoglobin (Hb) composition, with the presence of HbF playing an important role. Oxygenated sickle RBCs have relatively stable cell volume during incubation in vitro, whereas deoxygenated cells become dehydrated, and therefore more dense, due to activation of one or more K + efflux pathways. In this investigation, sickle RBCs were deoxygenated either continuously or in 15-minute cycles for 4 hours, and the density increases of very young, transferrin receptor-positive (TfR + ) cells and the remaining TfR- cells were determined. The contribution of KCl cotransport was estimated by replacing Cl - with NO 3 - K(Ca 2+ ) was inhibited by removal of Ca 2+ or addition of charybdotoxin (ChTX). For both continuous and cyclic deoxygenation, TfR+ cells had a greater density increase when compared with TfR- cells. The lower percentage of HbF found in the TfR+ population may contribute to this difference. With continuous deoxygenation, the density shift was decreased by inhibition of K(Ca 2+ ), but not by inhibition of KCl cotransport. With cyclic deoxygenation, the density shift was decreased in an independent, additive manner by inhibition of both pathways. Thus, cyclic deoxygenation of sickle cells under these conditions appears to activate both K(Ca 2+ ) and the KCl cotransporter.