cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wide-Field Time Resolved Anisotropy for In-Situ Lipid Phase Dynamics

We have developed a new time-resolved fluorescence platform which enables us to follow the molecular orientation and dynamics of a lipid monolayer at the air - water interface. Confocal microscopy is limited in its ability to characterize dynamic orientation changes within cellular membranes. By implementing an all reflective Cassegrain objective we minimize dispersion while eliminating the restriction of collinear excitation. This enables us to unambiguously identify fluorescence probe orientation and dynamic freedom within our membrane model, with the highest available temporal resolution, and without the restriction imposed by a supporting substrate. We investigate miscibility transition of ternary lipid mixture, DPPC / DOPC/ Cholesterol, using a combination of fluorescence imaging and time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy. The technique affords unprecedented dynamic characterization for lipid orientation, self-assembly, and dynamic freedom as the monolayer is forced from the liquid to the gel phase. We demonstrate the novelty and applicability of this device by contrasting the time-resolved fluorescence signal of three different lipid probes: 1-palmitoyl-2-{6-[(7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)amino]hexanoyl}-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (NBD-PC), 5-butyl-4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-nonanoic acid (BIODIPY), and 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (Dil) which show dramatically different orientation and dynamic freedom when bound to the lipid layer, over a range of lipid phases. Using this technique we can resolve highly dynamic processes such as the insertion of peptide and proteins into the lipid membrane.
Low-Background Application Of Schottky-Barrier IR Sensors

Large staring PtSi Schottky-barrier focal plane array (FPA) sensors are fabricated using near-standard silicon technology and have represented a practical way to achieve outstanding thermal sensitivity with earth-background imagery. Their application potential could be extended significantly if background-limited operation can be maintained with low-level space backgrounds. This paper will discuss noise, dark current, and readout efficiency performance requirements and present low-noise test data obtained on 160x244-element, 5.5um-cutoff PtSi FPA's operated with exposures 10 times lower than those from typical earth backgrounds. In addition, test data will be presented on developmental IrSi detectors which have a 10um cutoff and have a quantum efficiency at 5um an order of magnitude higher than that of PtSi. This improvment in responsivity combined with low noise performance will permit design of high sensitivity sensors in both MWIR and LWIR bands.
Clinical Features of Five Pedigrees Genetically Linked to the Juvenile Glaucoma Locus on Chromosome 1q21-q31

Abstract Background: Primary juvenile glaucoma is a rare form of glaucoma that typically affects individuals between 3 and 20 years of ages and is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. One gene responsible for this condition has been localized to the 1q21-q31 region of chromosome 1. To investigate the clinical features of this form of glaucoma, the authors have examined the affected members of five pedigrees demonstrating genetic linkage to the 1q21-q31 locus. Methods: Clinical characterization of 23 affected patients was performed. Genetic linkage to the 1q21-q31 locus was confirmed by segregation of the disease trait in each pedigree with genetic markers located in the 1q21-q31 region. Results: The clinical features of affected members of the five pedigrees presented are generally homogeneous. The average age of diagnosis was 18.5 years (range, 5-30 years), and the average initial intraocular pressure was 38.5 mmHg (range, 30-53 mmHg). Eighty-seven percent of affected individuals were myopic and 83% of affected individuals required surgical treatment for glaucoma. There were no uniformly associated systemic or ocular conditions. One possible nonpenetrant carrier was identified and a difference in phenotypic expression of the presumed disease gene was observed in a pair of affected monozygotic twins. We also identified two pedigrees with juvenile glaucoma and three pedigrees affected by the pigment dispersion syndrome that are not genetically linked to the 1q21-q31 region. Conclusion: The form of juvenile glaucoma caused by a gene located in the q21-q31 region of chromosome 1 is generally phenotypically homogeneous. The severe elevation of intraocular pressure typically seen in affected patients suggests the product of the predisposing gene may participate in the outflow function of the eye.
TIME AND ETERNITY: HYMNIC, BIBLICAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND THEOLOGICAL VIEWS

. The book Time and Eternity, the English version of Zeit und Ewigkeit, by Antje Jackelen, contains scientific and theological treatments of these two topics, starting with the usage of such ideas in German, Swedish, and English hymns. This essay describes her work and explains how the scientific ideas provide a coherent framework for understanding the place of time.
Prenatal cocaine exposure and postnatal hypoxia independently decrease carotid body dopamine in neonatal rats

Abstract The effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on the levels of carotid body dopamine (DA) and its metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were investigated in 5-day-old rat pups exposed to normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were injected b.i.d. with either cocaine HCl (30 mg/kg) or isotonic saline (1 ml/kg) from gestational days 7–21. On the fifth postnatal day, pups were subjected to either 20 min of 0.21 or 0.08 fractional inspired oxygen (F[O2). Under a strictly timed protocol, both carotid bodies were removed from each pup, placed in an antioxidant solution to prevent DA breakdown, and subsequently analyzed via HPLC with electrochemical detection to determine carotid body DA and DOPAC content. Two-way ANOVA revealed decreases in DA in cocaine-exposed pups. No HVA was detectable in any of the samples. The 0.08 F1O2 condition decreased DA compared to 0.21 F1O2. The additive consequences of DA depletion resulting from the combination of prenatal cocaine and postnatal hypoxia decreased carotid body DA to 14% of control levels, with several animals exhibiting DA content below detection limits. Considering the role of the carotid body in the ventilatory response to hypoxia, these data suggest that prenatal cocaine exposure may adversely affect the normal chemoreceptive function of the carotid body.
Perceived Racial Discrimination in Clinical Encounters among African American Hypertensive Patients

Objectives. To examine African American patient perceptions of racial discrimination in clinical encounters. General barriers to hypertension management were also investigated. Methods. Six focus groups with 37 African American hypertensive patients were conducted and the transcribed sessions were analyzed for content. Results. Patients valued providers who shared information regarding self-care behaviors to manage hypertension and those who provided information regarding treatment options. Provider assumptions about patient inability to afford services, and provider apathy in reaching diagnoses were perceived as racially discriminatory. Patients discussed providers' avoidance of touch during physical exams as overtly discriminatory. Patients reacted to discriminatory experiences by not keeping appointments with providers perceived as racially discriminatory. Barriers to hypertension management were associated with family responsibilities and lifestyle factors, but were not attributed to provider racial biases. Conclusion. Perceiving racial discrimination in clinical encounters may be an important barrier to appointment attendance for African American hypertensive patients.
Nurses' Critical Role in Identifying Sepsis and Implementing Early Goal-Directed Therapy

Nurses play a critical role in detecting early sepsis-related manifestations and improving adherence to implementation of early goal-directed therapy. Educating staff about sepsis management through translation of best practices is critical to improving sepsis-related outcomes.
Interferons and Interferon Inducers: Development of Clinical Usefulness and Therapeutic Promise

Interferons are broadly antiviral, naturally occurring substances, whose exact mechanism of action on virus infections is unknown. Major limitations on the quantities of interferon available for clinical trials have inhibited its development as a therapeutic agent. The variable nature of virus infections in certain patient populations has also produced difficulties in designing adequate studies. The majority of interferon used in man has been produced from leucocytes (human interferon-α; HuIFN-α); however, interferon produced from fibroblasts (human interferon-β; HuIFN-β) has recently been employed in some studies. Some understanding of the pharmacokinetics of these materials has been developed and intramuscular administration has been the most commonly used method for producing sustained circulating levels. The side effects of interferon, which are mainly fever and alterations in the haematopoietic system, appear to be dose-related and occur in most patients treated with higher dosages. The adverse effects noted have been transient and have not produced any long term detrimental changes. Interferon has been applied topically in attempts to alter the course of acute herpes simplex keratitis and has been shown to have some efficacy; however, other antiviral agents are equally effective. Recurrent herpes simplex infections of the eye have not been affected by local interferon treatment. Interferon applied to the eye has also been shown to have some effect in epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. High dose, intranasal administration has been reported as preventing acquisition of rhinovirus administered in a challenge experiment. Systemic administration of interferon has been reported to limit the spread of herpes zoster infections in patients with underlying malignancy and may have some effect in varicella infections in children with malignancy. Herpes simplex reactivations have been inhibited in some surgical patients, and interferon appears to inhibit markers of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Systemic administration has also been reported to have some antitumour effects in uncontrolled trials, but the role of interferon as a cancer chemotherapeutic agent has not yet been established. Substances which induce interferon production in man have been reported to produce significant circulating levels, but have not as yet been shown to be efficacious in antiviral or antitumour applications. Significant toxicity of these preparations and a state of hyporesponsiveness to induction may limit their usefulness. The development of techniques for producing highly purified interferon from bacteria promises to supply large amounts of material for future trials which may allow a more complete evaluation of interferon as a therapeutic modality.
Functional model of biological neural networks

A functional model of biological neural networks, called temporal hierarchical probabilistic associative memory (THPAM), is proposed in this paper. THPAM comprises functional models of dendritic trees for encoding inputs to neurons, a first type of neuron for generating spike trains, a second type of neuron for generating graded signals to modulate neurons of the first type, supervised and unsupervised Hebbian learning mechanisms for easy learning and retrieving, an arrangement of dendritic trees for maximizing generalization, hardwiring for rotation-translation-scaling invariance, and feedback connections with different delay durations for neurons to make full use of present and past informations generated by neurons in the same and higher layers. These functional models and their processing operations have many functions of biological neural networks that have not been achieved by other models in the open literature and provide logically coherent answers to many long-standing neuroscientific questions. However, biological justifications of these functional models and their processing operations are required for THPAM to qualify as a macroscopic model (or low-order approximate) of biological neural networks.
Irreversibility and consumer durables expenditures

Abstract This paper examines the implications of resale market imperfection on consumer durables expenditures. The consumer optimization problem under resale market imperfection is formulated and solved numerically by dynamic programming algorithm. The obtained decision rules of consumers reveal the slow upward and downward adjustments of durables stock. The simulated aggregate durables expenditures with resale market imperfection exhibit substantial serial correlations similar to those found in actual durables expenditures time series. The substantial serial correlations are found to be related to the pattern of the decision rules under resale market imperfections.
A skeptic's view of PLR effects in the magnetosphere

A summary is provided of the current state of knowledge concerning the effects of man-made Power Line Harmonic Radiation (PLR) on the earth's magnetosphere and its energetic particle population. It is generally agreed that PLR is strongly attenuated as it propagates into the outer magnetosphere (outside the plasmasphere) and, other than rare cases where ducting occurs, the emissions either do not manage to propagate to the equatorial plane or are sufficiently reduced in amplitude to be below the sensitivity of currently orbiting plasma wave instrumentation. In either case PLR emissions are too weak to have a significant direct effect on scattering the trapped particle population; any possible effects must be indirect. It has, therefore, been postulated that PLR can act as an 'embryonic emission' for triggering intense whistler mode 'chorus', which then via cyclotron resonant interactions, cause particle pitch-angle scattering. Points of disagreement are related to the geographic distribution of chorus, the chorus starting frequency, the Sunday effect, and PLR effects within the plasmasphere.
Mental imagery as the adaptationist views it.

Abstract Mental images are one of the more obvious aspects of human conscious experience. Familiar idioms such as “the mind's eye” reflect the high status of the image in metacognition. Theoretically, a defining characteristic of mental images is that they can be analog representations. But this has led to an enduring puzzle in cognitive psychology: How do “mental pictures” fit into a general theory of cognition? Three empirical problems have constituted this puzzle: The incidence of mental images has been unpredictable, innumerable ordinary concepts cannot be depicted, and images typically do not resemble things well. I argue in this paper that theorists have begun to address these problems successfully. I argue further that the critical theoretical framework involves thinking of mental images as information within a cognitive system that is fundamentally adaptive. The main outline of the adaptationist framework was evident in the school of thought known as American Functionalism, but adaptationism has formed a consistent pattern of theorizing across many authors and decades. I briefly describe Functionalism and then present seven basic claims about imagery that were common in the years before the predominance of behaviorism. I then show how these claims have reappeared and been further articulated in modern cognitive psychology. I end with a brief integration of some of the basic elements of an adaptationist theory of imagery.
Extension of the Schwinger variational principle beyond the static-exchange approximation

We propose a new vairational principle for scattering theory which extends the Schwinger variational principle beyond the static-exchange approximation and to inelastic scattering. Application of this formulation to the scattering of electrons by hydrogen atoms at energies below k^2=0.64 demonstrates the rapid convergence of the phase shift with respect to the number of basis functions for both the open- and closed-channel orbitals. Furthermore, we show that the convergence of the phase shift with respect to the number of expansion functions (exact states or pseudostates) is also fast. In our theory, the resulting phase shifts can be more accurate than those of the close-coupling method even if the same expansion basis is used. The phase shifts in our 1s-2s―-2p― calculation are comparable to those of 1s-2s-2p-3p―-3d― calculation of Matese and Oberoi [Phys. Rev. A 4, 569 (1971)], which are very close to the exact values. Several aspects of the convergence characteristics are also discussed.
Nuclear relaxation during the formation of H2 from spin-polarized hydrogen.

We report an NMR study of solid H[sub 2] formed by the recombination of doubly polarized atomic hydrogen at a temperature of [similar to]0.3 K. The molecules are formed in a highly excited ortho state with [ital M][sub [ital I]]=[minus]1, thermalize through collisions with the [sup 4]He-coated walls of the containment chamber, and form a solid. The solid is essentially pure ortho H[sub 2] in the fcc phase, as expected. However, the nuclear polarization is close to zero, in contrast to the value of [minus]1 if there was no relaxation, and +0.034 if the spin temperature was in equilibrium with the surface of the cell. Possible mechanisms for depolarization are discussed, though no plausible explanation for the loss has yet been found.
A review of Jovian atmospheric dynamics

A brief review is presented of available knowledge of the fluid motions within Jupiter's atmosphere. Evidence is presented to support the contention that the observed cloud masses are probably not simply convected by the main zonal flows. It is likely that an understanding of wave motions within the atmosphere will be of great importance in interpreting data gathered both from the ground and from spacecraft.
Ameloblastomas in the horse: a critical review and report of an additional example

Previously published cases of ameloblastoma in the horse are reviewed in detail for their acceptability as examples of that tumor; an additional one is described. So far, this rare equine lesion has been shown to have two histologic patterns. The first consists of islands and sheets of epithelium that exhibit the basal cell characteristics of ameloblastoma; the central cells comprise stellate reticulum. The second exhibits these basal cell features less markedly and the central cells are spindle-shaped and closely packed. The biologic behavior of the equine ameloblastoma is thought to be the same as in human beings, a slowly growing, invasive lesion that does not metastasize. However, this conclusion requires confirmation.
Summated human EEG potentials with voluntary movement.

Abstract Electroencephalographic recordings obtained prior to and during voluntary muscular contractions of human subjects were analyzed by the summation method. A characteristic wave form called the “motor potential” (MP) was found to be associated with foot dorsiflexion and fist contraction. It consisted of 3 major components. Beginning as much as 1 sec prior to contraction, a slow negative shift developed. Frequently, central rhythm blockade occured at this time. The slow potential culminated in an abrupt negative wave having an amplitude of 10–15 μV. The onset of the abrupt negative component occurred 50–150 msec before the first signs of contraction and reached a peak with maximal muscle contraction. This was followed by a late positive deflection that tended to persist for the duration of the contraction. MPs developed concurrently in the two hemispheres with unimanual contraction but differed significantly. Both the abrupt negative wave and the subsequent positive deflection were larger in the hemisphere contralateral to the activated limb. The possibility that the slow negative shift reflected facilitatory events associated with preparation for movement is suggested. The abrupt negative wave is interpreted as a sign of synaptic potentials associated with corticospinal discharge, and the positive deflection may represent afferent, movement-produced feedback.
Strength of joints produced by transient liquid phase bonding in the Cu-Sn system

The paper focuses on the strength and toughness of joints produced by transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding in the Cu–Sn system. It is motivated by potential applications of TLP bonding in attachment of high-temperature wide bandgap devices to ceramic substrates. Model test specimens suitable for mechanical testing are developed, utilizing substrates of oxide dispersion strengthened copper. Three microstructural conditions are probed: a uniform layer of the d intermetallic phase (Cu41Sn11), a two-phase microstructure comprising the d-phase and a dispersion of ductile (Cu) particles, and a uniform Cu solid solution. Notched and unnotched bend tests are used to ascertain strength and toughness. The d-phase exhibits a reasonably high strength (300 MPa), but low toughness (� 5 MPa p m). Addition of (Cu) particles increases both the strength and the toughness by about 30% (400 MPa and 7 MPa p m, respectively). These property enhancements are rationalized on the basis of existing models of ductile phase toughening. The conversion of the intermetallic to Cu solid solution leads to a decrease in strength (to 200 MPa), but an increase in toughness (to 13 MPa p m). The latter trends appear to be a consequence of the reduction in the flow stress of the joint material. Additionally, the conversion to (Cu) is accompanied by the formation of voids, predominantly near the prior boundary between the d-phase and the adjoining Cu. The voids likely diminish the joint properties, relative to the intrinsic values associated with the defect-free copper solid solution. � 2005 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Photoemission spectra for gold for 15≤hv≤90 eV and the X-ray limit

Abstract Photoemission spectra for gold have been measured for photon energies 15≤hv≤90 eV using synchrotron radiation. We observe the transition from the ‘band structure’ regime (hv≲30 eV) where spectra are strongly modulated by matrix elements to the high energy regim (hv≳30 eV) where spectra reflect structure in the single-particle density of states.
Urban Economic Theory: Land Use and City Size

This book examines the economic reasons why people choose to live where they live and develops, through analysis of the bid rent function, a unified theory of urban land use and city size. The first part of the book explicates the basic theory of urban land use and optimal city size. Residential location behavior of households is examined in a microeconomic framework and equilibrium and optimal patterns of residential land use are discussed. The corresponding equilibrium and optimal city sizes are studied in a variety of contexts. Part Two extends the classical theories of von Thunen and Alonso with the addition of externality factors such as local public goods, crowding and congestion, and racial prejudice. The rigorous mathematical approach and theoretical treatment of the material make Urban Economic Theory of interest to researchers in urban economics, location theory, urban geography, and urban planning.
Energy Transfer and Tropical Cell Structure Over the Central Pacific

Abstract The meridional circulation over the equatorial central Pacific Ocean in April 1967 was found to consist of a shallow northern Hadley cell, an extensive equatorial cell centered south of the equator with maximum subsidence over the equator, and a strong southern Hadley cell. Part of the high-level outflow of the southern Hadley cell subsides across the equator and decreases the activity of the northern convergence zone. The divergence of the equatorial easterlies and the resulting subsidence is increased by a low value of the shearing stress which was observed over the cool upwelling equatorial waters. Transfer of energy by radiation, turbulence, precipitation and advection is determined from observations and calculation. Energy budgets are constructed for three regions between 13N and 13S to obtain as a residual the transport of energy by cumulus and cumulonimbus convection. The budget shows that the mid-tropospheric layer of the low energy is maintained by the efficient vertical transfer of ener...
Effect of 13-cis-retinoic acid on sebum production and Propionibacterium acnes in severe nodulocystic acne

Ten patients treated with 13-cis-retinoic acid demonstrated a 70% reduction in sebum excretion on the forehead and cheek. An average reduction of 66% occurred in the 1st month, slowly increased to 70% by the 3rd month, and then remained constant for the final 2 months of therapy. Concomitant with this sebum excretion reduction was a fall in the number of Propionibacterium acnes recovered from both sites. Pretreatment values of 104P. acnes per square centimeter (cm2) fell to 103 per cm2 after 1 month and 102 after 9 months of therapy. P. acnes was not recovered from six of the ten subjects in the following 3 months and only at levels of 102 per cm2 in three subjects. One subject's P. acnes level was reduced to only 104 per cm2. Following discontinuation of therapy, sebum levels and P. acnes counts showed a trend to recover to pretreatment levels within 2 months.
Possibility in Principle and Possibility in Fact: A Criticism of Bultmann's Distinction

HE starting-point of this article is a now-famous distinction made by Rudolf Bultmann: Man "in principle" always has the possibility of realizing his authentic existence, though "in fact" such authenticity is realizable only since and through the event of Jesus Christ, which event is re-presented ever anew in the kerygma of the church.' In Bultmann's understanding of the Christian message, faith itself demands to be freed from every kind of objectifying thinking. And yet he contends that one historical event is the eschatological event. There is no need to prove here that his theology suffers from this basic "inconsistency"; an adequate summary of his point of view can be found elsewhere.2 Rather I wish to ask whether the distinction Bultmann makes, be it termed an inconsistency or not, is legitimate according to the Christian message.
Well-Balanced Scheme for Modeling Open-Channel and Surcharged Flows in Steep-Slope Closed Conduit Systems

AbstractThe model presented in this paper preserves lake at rest conditions in sloped prismatic conduits. These schemes are based on the two-governing equation model in which open-channel flows are simulated using the Saint-Venant equations and pressurized flows using the compressible water hammer equations. The model in this paper preserves lake at rest conditions (horizontal still water) regardless of the conduit slope, resolves moving jump discontinuities over dry beds in sloped conduits, and resolves small perturbations from steady states, even when adjacent to dry regions. The preserving steady-state capability of this model is of particular importance in continuous long simulations when the conduits are relatively steep (|So|>∼0.5%. Two main contributions are presented in this paper, namely, (1) a new method for water stage reconstruction is presented that preserves lake at rest conditions regardless of the pipe slope, and (2) a horizontal system of coordinates, instead of the commonly used inclined...
Neuroendoscopy: review of recent papers

This article first reviews a paper about new approaches for the endoscopic treatment of arachnoid cysts. The second reviewed paper reports complications of neuroendoscopy and documents that the complication rate increases with the grade of complexity of the procedure as well as with the grade of eloquence of the region operated on. The combination of an endoscope and frameless stereotaxy is presented in the third reviewed paper.
Computing the primary decomposition of zero-dimensional ideals

Let K be an infinite perfect computable field and let I�Kx ] be a zero-dimensional ideal represented by a Gr�bner basis. We derive a new algorithm for computing the reduced primary decomposition of I using only standard linear algebra and univariate polynomial factorization techniques. In practice, the algorithm generally works in finite fields of large characteristic as well.
Pathologic-radiologic correlation in evaluation of retroareolar margin in nipple-sparing mastectomy

Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) has recently been increasing in popularity due to a better cosmetic outcome and quality-of-life benefit. The radiologic distance between the tumor and the nipple is independently predictive of nipple-areolar complex involvement and can assist in patient selection for NSM. However, concordance between the preoperative radiologic imaging and histologic evaluation would play a major role in making patient selection for NSM meaningful. We analyzed the pathologic-radiologic correlation for evaluation of retroareolar (RA) margin in NSM. A retrospective histologic and blinded radiologic review of 80 NSM (41 therapeutic and 39 prophylactic) performed on 45 patients was done. Histologically, the cases were divided into positive or close (invasive or in situ carcinoma within 5 mm of the RA margin) and negative (greater than 5 mm from the RA margin). Radiographically, positive cases were defined as suspicious enhancement and/or suspicious findings within 20 mm of the nipple on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or diagnostic mammography, respectively. Thirty five of 41 (85.4 %) therapeutic cases were concordant. Six cases were discordant, with 2/41 (4.9 %) discordant cases classified as positive at histology, but negative on imaging and 4/41 (9.75 %) discordant cases classified as negative at histology, but positive on imaging. Agreement between pathology and radiology was moderate [kappa coefficient 0.54 (p = 0.0003)].We conclude that there is a significant agreement between histologic and radiologic evaluation for assessment of RA margin and preoperative radiologic imaging; specifically, MRI provides valuable information and should be strongly recommended to help select patients for NSM.
A TRULY ELEMENTARY APPROACH TO THE BOUNDED CONVERGENCE THEOREM

(1986). A Truly Elementary Approach to the Bounded Convergence Theorem. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 93, No. 5, pp. 395-397.
TH‐C‐BRD‐05: Amplitude Gated Deep‐Inspiration‐Breath‐Hold Treatment for Heart Dose Reduction in Left Breast Cancer Patients: Residual Motion and Breath‐Hold Threshold

Purpose: Amplitude gated deep‐inspiration‐breath‐hold (DIBH) treatment technique may greatly reduce cardiac dose for left‐breast cancer patients compared to irradiation under free‐breathing. This study investigates the correlation between inter/intrafractional motion and the amplitude gated breath‐hold threshold. The outcome of this study can be used to guide setting the thresholds and margin determination for patients to be treated with this technique. Method and Materials: 12 left‐sided breast cancer patients were studied in this investigation. EPID device was used for cine image acquisition. Real‐time position management® (RPM) was used in accordance with amplitude gated DIBH technique for motion management. Megavoltage cine images taken during the treatments were used to determine chestwall motions. Image analysis of the DICOM cine images were performed using MATLAB® and Image J®. Threshold sizes were compared with maximum intrafractional chestwall motions in 282 sessions, separated into superior, middle, and inferior regions. Interfraction motion was measured by picking cine images acquired during different sessions at the top and bottom of the threshold for each patient. Results: Breath‐hold level was found to have large variations among various patients. The mean intrafractional motion as measured with cine EPIDimages was 0.68 mm, with a standard deviation of 0.54 mm. For each given mm increase in intrafraction chestwall motion, the threshold increased an average of 0.38, 0.39, and 0.14 mm for superior, middle, and inferior regions, respectively, for the 12 patients. Interfraction chestwall motion increased with increasing threshold size. Mean interfractional motion was 3.34 mm, with a standard deviation of 2.31 mm. A 1 mm increase in threshold size led to an average 0.88 mm increase in mean interfraction motion. Conclusions: A correlation exists between the breath‐hold level and intrafractional chestwall motion. Threshold correlations with intra/interfraction motion were also found. Increasing the threshold leads to both increased inter and intrafractional motion.
Electric Power Network Decision Effects

Electric power networks pose design decision complexities characteristic of other large engineered systems. A great number of decisions must be made by many decision-makers, some decisions are made in a sequential manner over very long time periods, objectives compete, a large number of feasible solutions exist, and one decision-maker's actions can impact others, whose reactions in turn can affect the original decision-maker. This article addresses these issues, with a focus on the problem of determining when and how to consider decisions as an individual decision-maker vs. as part of a networked system. An electric power network analysis is presented, where local plant managers must decide when to replace existing power generation equipment (coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, and hydropower) with an equivalent number of 12-megawatt natural gas–fueled microturbine generators. Competing objectives include cost, reliability, and environmental impact.
The categorization of prior antibiotic use: impact on the identification of risk factors for drug resistance in case control studies.

Background Analytic approaches to the identification of risk factors for the development of drug resistance vary and may affect study results. Using fluroquinolone-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (FQRPA) and imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa as models (IRPA), we aimed to examine the effect of different approaches to classification of prior antibiotic use (i.e., class versus spectrum) on the identification of risk factors for antibiotic resistance. Methods Case–control studies to identify risk factors for FQRPA and IRPA were performed. In each, two analytic models were utilized. In the first, prior antibiotic use was classified by class, and in the other, prior antibiotic use was classified by spectrum of activity. Risk factors identified by the two models were compared qualitatively for each resistant organism. Results 879 isolates of P. aeruginosa were included in the case–control studies. Risk factors for FQRPA and IRPA identified in multivariable analyses differed based on which method of classification of prior antibiotic use was utilized. Conclusions The identification risk factors for the development of drug-resistant organisms could depend on the method of classification of prior antibiotic use. In studies of risk factors for resistant infections, the approach to classification of prior antibiotic use should be clearly stated and justified.
InGaAsP DC-PBH semiconductor laser diode frequency response model

Presents a simple and accurate model for the frequency response of InGaAsP double-channel planar buried heterostructure (DC-PBH) semiconductor laser diodes intensity modulated in the microwave range. It is shown that the parasitic capacitance associated with the reverse-biased blocking junction can significantly reduce the 3-dB modulation bandwidth. The results obtained and alternatives to improve the high-frequency performance are discussed and compared to experiments. >
U.S. Latinas/os’ Ethnic Identity Context, Methodological Approaches, and Considerations Across the Life Span

Ethnic identity is theoretically linked to the psychological health of U.S. Latinas/os and has played a preeminent role in the limited literature focused on this group. However, research does not uniformly confirm a positive relationship between ethnic identity and psychological health among U.S. Latinas/os. Emerging work suggests that inconsistencies in the existing literature might be better understood if ethnic identity conceptualizations accounted for context and the developmental period under study. It also has been suggested that the narrow collection of methods and analytical tools used in ethnic identity research prevent a complete understanding of this construct. This article introduces the rationale for consideration of context, incorporation of a life span perspective, and expansion of methodological approaches in the study of U.S. Latina/o ethnic identity, describing the manner in which the four empirical studies in this major contribution illustrate these issues. The practice implications of ...
Optotype acuity and re-operation rate after unilateral cataract surgery during the first 6 months of life with or without IOL implantation.

Aims: To compare optotype acuities and re-operation rates in children corrected with a contact lens (CL) compared with an intraocular lens (IOL) following unilateral cataract extraction during infancy in a non-randomised, retrospective case series. Methods: 25 infants with a unilateral congenital cataract underwent cataract surgery with (IOL group, n = 12) or without (CL group, n = 13) IOL implantation when Results: The visual acuity results were similar in the two treatment groups (p = 0.99); however, two of the four (50%) children in the IOL group compared with two of the seven (28%) children in the CL group undergoing surgery during the first 6 weeks of life had 20/40 or better visual acuity. The children in the IOL group had more re-operations than the children in the CL group (mean 1.1 v 0.36). Most of the re-operations in the IOL group were membranectomies performed during the first year of life (median 8.0 months) whereas all of the re-operations in the CL group were the implantation of a secondary IOL later in childhood (mean 2.2 years). Conclusion: Optotype acuities were similar for the children corrected with a CL compared with IOL, while the children in the IOL group underwent more re-operations .
Isozymatic Characterization of Accessions of Arundinaria falcata (Nees)

Bamboos are arborescent grasses belonging to the family Poaceae. To study the genetics of bamboo specially, one has to face enormous difficulties such as rare flowering and we cannot make hybridizations as easily as like other plant taxa. Unlike other tropical bamboos, studies on hill bamboos are scarce. Arundinaria falcata, an important hill bamboo, acts as soil stabilizer in hilly terrain. This study assessed the genetic diversity of 10 accessions of A. falcata collected from different localities of Garhwal Himalayas (India) and established at Hill bamboo Germplasm at Khirsu (India), using isozyme marker with four enzyme system (peroxidase, esterase, malate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme). Isozymatic analyses were performed with polyacrylamide gels (one system), bands were scored as binary data. Cluster analyses were conducted, using Jaccard´s similarity coefficient and UPGMA method. Very high degree of similarity was reported i.e. 63- 94% among different accessions. Dendrogram revealed two major clusters with three (A8- A10) and seven (A1-A7) accessions respectively. The results obtained inferred low genetic diversity in the species and urgent need of the in situ conservation of the natural genetic resources of the A. falcata species.
Probabilistic suffix models for API sequence analysis of Windows XP applications

Given the pervasive nature of malicious mobile code (viruses, worms, etc.), developing statistical/structural models of code execution is of considerable importance. We investigate using probabilistic suffix trees (PSTs) and associated suffix automata (PSAs) to build models of benign application behavior with the goal of subsequently being able to detect malicious applications as anything that deviates therefrom. We describe these probabilistic suffix models and present new generic analysis and manipulation algorithms. The models and the algorithms are then used in the context of API (i.e., system call) sequences realized by Windows XP applications. The analysis algorithms, when applied to traces (i.e., sequences of API calls) of benign and malicious applications, aid in choosing an appropriate modeling strategy in terms of distance metrics and consequently provide classification measures in terms of sequence-to-model matching. We give experimental results based on classification of unobserved traces of benign and malicious applications against a suffix model trained solely from traces generated by a small set of benign applications.
Cleaved caspase-3 immunocytochemical staining for pancreatic islets and pancreatic endocrine tumors: A potential marker for biological malignancy.

Aims: Involvement of caspase (C)-3 has been implicated in β-cells from diabetic subjects. This study is aimed to immunocytochemically identify cleaved caspase-3 (CC-3) positive cells in pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) compared with control islets. Methods: Using commercially available rabbit anti-CC-3, immunocytochemical staining was performed in 42 cases of PETs compared with control islets. Results: Control islets revealed some CC-3 positive cells, ranging 3.6 to 7.3 % of total islet cells. Small islets in the pseudocapsule of PETs showed higher immunopositive cells at about 9 % for CC-3, suggesting an accelerated apoptosis in these compressed, elongated islets before proceeding to imminent cell death. Majority of primary PETs except 9 cases were negative for CC-3 immunostaining: five insulinomas, one somatostatinoma, one gastrinoma and one pancreatic peptidoma (PPoma) were positive for CC-3. Conclusions./Interpretation: Majority of primary PETs (28/37, 76 %) were negative for CC-3, suggesting that m...
Monitoring urban land cover change by updating the National Land Cover Database impervious surface products

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2001 is widely used as a baseline for national land cover and impervious conditions. To ensure timely and relevant data, it is important to update this base to a more recent time period. A prototype method was developed to update the land cover and impervious surface by individual Landsat path and row. This method updates NLCD 2001 to a nominal date of 2006 by using both Landsat imagery and data from NLCD 2001 as the baseline. Pairs of Landsat scenes in the same season from both 2001 and 2006 were acquired according to satellite paths and rows and normalized to allow calculation of change vectors between the two dates. Conservative thresholds based on Anderson Level I land cover classes were used to segregate the change vectors and determine areas of change and no-change. Once change areas had been identified, impervious surface was estimated for areas of change by sampling from NLCD 2001 in unchanged areas. Methods were developed and tested across five Landsat path/row study sites that contain a variety of metropolitan areas. Results from the five study areas show that the vast majority of impervious surface changes associated with urban developments were accurately captured and updated. The approach optimizes mapping efficiency and can provide users a flexible method to generate updated impervious surface at national and regional scales.
Self-lifting scheme: new approach for generating and factoring wavelet filter bank

The authors presents a new lifting scheme, the self-lifting scheme, and prove that self-lifted wavelets based on orthogonal or biorthogonal wavelets remain biorthogonal. In contrast to self-lifting, the existing lifting scheme can be called cross-lifting. Compared with cross-lifting, the self-lifting scheme provides new approaches for constructing biorthogonal wavelets, as well as factorising wavelet filter bank (WFB). For constructing wavelets, the self-lifting-based method updates one part of a wavelet filter by the other part of the same filter and obtains two updated filters in one pass, whereas the cross-lifting based method updates one filter by another filter and obtains one updated filter in one pass. To factorise WFB, self-lifting takes one part of a filter as the factor to decompose the other part of the same filter and obtains two factorised filters in one pass, whereas cross-lifting based one takes one part of a filter as the factor to decompose the corresponding part of the other filter and obtains one factorised filter in one pass. Several examples show how to use self-lifting scheme to produce new wavelets with desirable properties, how to factorise complex WFBs into simple lifting filter banks, how to implement self-lifting-based discrete wavelet transform (WT) in z-domain and in time domain and why lifting-based WT is superior to convolution-based one.
Multi-resolution backward video coding

Hierarchical decomposition of images and their relationship with motion fields continues to be a hotly pursued topic, and the role of backward motion information in coding is beginning to capture the interest of video coding community. This paper simultaneously addresses some of the fundamental issues in multi-resolution and backward motion systems. From a coding viewpoint, a multi-resolution motion hierarchy should be coupled with an estimation system that deals with a maximally subsampled wavelet decomposition of the frames, to avoid redundancy of representation. Given the known difficulties of band-to-band motion compensated estimation in a wavelet domain, we use an alternative approach for estimation of detail bands, using lowpass bands of the anchor frames at higher resolutions. The resulting estimation errors are coded through a zerotree quantizer. Simulations show that a prototype coder of this type is very competitive, with a performance better than conventional forward (block-based) coders.
The Unknowable Effects of Genetic Interventions on Future Generations (or, Who Guards the Genetic Engineers in Democratic Republics?)

Rather recent efforts to affect the human germ-line by means of gene therapy Suzuki and Knudtson describe as a transition from the study of “mortal soma” to “immortal germ plasm” (1989, p. 203; Heyd, 1992; Hubbard and Wald, 1993, pp. 113-116). Only mentioning this scientific process, I turn to the political philosophy and mechanisms that have proven efficacious when permitting and funding genetic engineers, who live and work in democratic republics, not only to acquire and possess but also to control the use of knowledge acquired by germ-line engineering that bears critically on the lives not only of temporally contiguous but of temporally distant unborn generations. I refer to Human Dignity and Genetic Heritage (a study paper published by the Law Reform Commission of Canada in 1991) observing that as an example of “bureaucratic bioethics” it does not adequately address the bearing of the results of genetic engineering on future generations. I then introduce the notion of accountability and argue for its importance in guiding decisionmakers in democracies which rely on approval by the people. I conclude that since there is neither a fixed human nature nor human genome, that geneticists be held accountable to others — who must exercise democratic safeguards — as these scientists conduct their research by adhering to the prevailing normative standards of scientific inquiry.