cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extended Missing Data Imputation via GANs for Ranking Applications.

We propose Conditional Imputation GAN, an extended missing data imputation method based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). The motivating use case is learning-to-rank, the cornerstone of modern search, recommendation system, and information retrieval applications. Empirical ranking datasets do not always follow standard Gaussian distributions or Missing Completely At Random (MCAR) mechanism, which are standard assumptions of classic missing data imputation methods. Our methodology provides a simple solution that offers compatible imputation guarantees while relaxing assumptions for missing mechanisms and sidesteps approximating intractable distributions to improve imputation quality. We prove that the optimal GAN imputation is achieved for Extended Missing At Random (EMAR) and Extended Always Missing At Random (EAMAR) mechanisms, beyond the naive MCAR. Our method demonstrates the highest imputation quality on the open-source Microsoft Research Ranking (MSR) Dataset and a synthetic ranking dataset compared to state-of-the-art benchmarks and across various feature distributions. Using a proprietary Amazon Search ranking dataset, we also demonstrate comparable ranking quality metrics for ranking models trained on GAN-imputed data compared to ground-truth data.
Cervical Vascular Injuries

The complex anatomical relationships within a small area make the diagnosis and management of both penetrating neck vascular injuries (PNVI) and blunt neck vascular injuries (BNVI) challenging. Radiographic evaluation continues to evolve, with a shift from invasive to noninvasive diagnostics. The epidemiology of penetrating and blunt vascular injuries to the neck is distinctly different. Among penetrating injuries, firearms are responsible for about 43 %, stab wounds for about 40 %, shotguns for about 4 %, and other weapons for about 12 %. Overall, about 35 % of all gunshot wounds (GSWs) and 20 % of stab wounds (SWs) to the neck cause significant injuries, but only 16 % of GSWs and 10 % SWs require surgical therapy. Even though transcervical GSWs cause significant injuries in 73 % of victims, only 21 % require surgery. Although BNVI is common, when cervical spine injuries are excluded, injuries to the remaining structures are rare. Though uncommon, blunt cerebrovascular injuries can be lethal. With increased appreciation and availability of noninvasive diagnostics, the rates of these injuries are now between 1.0 % and 2.0 %.
Chapter 1 – Chemistry of iron and copper in radical reactions

Iron and copper catalyze the formation of oxyradicals. This chapter discusses the chemistry of iron and copper in radical reactions and emphasizes on the quantitative aspects of metal-catalyzed oxyradical reactions. The structures of metal complexes, rate constants, and reduction potentials are also discussed. Under physiologically relevant conditions iron is, and copper is likely to be, bound to ligands other than water. The ligands influence rate constants and chelating agents that allow access to the metal react faster with hydrogen peroxide. For a catalyst to be effective, it should not be inactivated by the products formed. For the Fenton reaction, this means that the hydroxyl radical should not react with the ligand, and that the other product, the hydroxide anion, should not be able to displace the multidentate ligand from the iron(III) ion. Ligands also determine reduction potentials, and this can be used to generate conditions to prevent the Fenton reaction.
Vitamin A Deficiency — Ongoing Programs: Private Agencies

The term “private agencies”, as used in this paper, will refer to “non-profit organizations established to fill a public ‘charitable’ purpose”. In fact, many of the private or voluntary agencies are recipients of public funds, but they maintain independent governing bodies and operational integrity. Private agencies may be local agencies working within their national boundaries; they may be international voluntary organizations; or they may be national agencies operating at the international level. Most of the agencies to be discussed here fall within this latter category.
BOBBY BETWEEN DELEUZE AND LEVINAS, OR ETHICS BECOMING-ANIMAL

Emmanuel Levinas's cryptic but heartfelt essay “The Name of a Dog, or Natural Rights” has perplexed critics seeking to integrate it within his humanist philosophy. While most critics focus on Levinas's anthropocentric limitations, this paper proposes a reading of Levinas's encounter with a dog, Bobby, as a moment of becoming-animal. Reading “The Name of a Dog” through Deleuze and Guattari's concept generates a complex set of questions for assessing the continuing importance of Levinasian ethics and the current state of animal studies as it confronts biopolitical violence.
VLSI design of a quaternary carry ripple adder

The design of a CMOS quaternary carry ripple adder is presented. The adder uses a single 5-V power supply. Layout and simulations for 4-, 8-, and 16-stage adders were done with MCNC (Microelectric Center of North Carolina) tools for VLSI design. The simulation results are compared with results for equivalent binary adders in terms of speed, chip area, power dissipation, number of transistors, and noise margin. The study indicates a speed advantage for the quaternary adder as the number of stages are increased. >
Dietary factors and the risk of squamous cell esophageal cancer among black and white men in the United States.

Objectives: To investigate dietary factors for squamous cell esophageal cancer and whether these factors may contribute to the five-fold higher incidence of this cancer in the black versus white population of the United States. Methods: Data from a food frequency questionnaire were analyzed for 114 white men and 219 black men with squamous cell esophageal cancer, and 681 white and 557 black male controls from three areas of the United States who participated in a population-based case-control study of esophageal cancer. Results: Protective effects were associated with intake of raw fruits and vegetables (odds ratio for high versus low consumers=0.3 in both white and black men) and use of vitamin supplements (especially vitamin C; odds ratio for high versus low consumers=0.4 in both races), with the frequency of consumption of raw fruits and vegetables and vitamin supplements being greater for white than black controls. In addition, elevated risks were associated with high versus low intake of red meat (OR=2.7 for blacks and 1.5 for whites) and processed meat (OR=1.6 for blacks and 1.7 for whites), with the levels of consumption being greater for black than white controls. Conclusions: In the United States, these dietary factors may contribute in part to the much higher incidence of squamous cell esophageal cancer among black compared to white men.
Factors associated with preventive dental care-seeking behavior among people living with HIV.

Objectives: This study examined factors associated with preventive dental care-seeking behavior among HIV-positive adults who participated in a federally funded demonstration project to expand access to oral health care. Methods: Two thousand one hundred eighty-seven adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States were enrolled in free dental care and were interviewed about their reasons for seeking care, their oral health, and overall health status. Multivariate analysis using Generalized Estimating Equations to control for clustering by site was conducted to identify factors associated with preventive care-seeking behavior. Results: Forty-one percent of participants reported the only reason they sought dental care was for preventive care, to receive a checkup or cleaning. Factors associated with preventive care-seeking behavior in multivariate analysis included no unmet need for dental care since testing HIV positive, no dental insurance, taking HIV medications and better overall oral health. Conclusions: Many HIV-positive adults may seek preventive care when it is offered at no cost. Interventions that address unmet needs and target individuals who are not taking HIV medications or have poorer oral health may improve preventive practices.
An age-structured population model with state-dependent delay: Dynamics

Abstract We consider an age-structured population model with distinct immature and adult stages, wherein the populations at each stage consume different limited food sources. This gives rise to a model composed of the McKendrick-Von Forster partial differential equation, a nonlinear boundary condition describing the birth rate, and a threshold condition that yields a state-dependent delay. The state-dependence re?ects the changing age of maturity stemming from an intuitive accounting of the maturation time due to competition for resources within the immature population. Properties of solutions to this model are derived and the dynamics are compared to the corresponding constant delay case when state-dependence is ignored. As a parameter involved in birth rate is increased, we numerically observe a bifurcation from an extinction steady state to an endemic steady state, and observe both monotonic and oscillatory approaches to equilibrium.
Versatile vacuum packaging for experimental study of resonant MEMS

This paper presents a versatile sub-mTorr vacuum packaging approach ideally suited for R&D of high performance dynamic MEMS. The procedure takes advantage of processing steps and materials used throughout the MEMS industry while providing maximum flexibility for changes in die size and layout. Prototypes of a new tuning fork gyroscope concept optimized to minimize substrate energy dissipation were packaged using the presented techniques and experimentally characterized to determine the sealed vacuum level. The combination of high-Q mechanical design with the packaging process resulted in a stable quality factor of greater than 91,000.
Serpentinization at Burro Mountain, California

The Burro Mountain ultramafic complex, Monterey County, California, consists of dunites and peridotites which are partially or wholly serpentinized. Primary minerals in both rock types are olivine, enstatite, diopside, and picotite which upon alteration yield chrysotile, lizardite, brucite, magnetite, talc, tremolite, and carbonate. Electron microprobe analyses show that enstatite, En85.8 to En90.8, alters to “bastite” composed only of lizardite (5.0–12.0 weight percent FeO), whereas olivine, Fo90.8 to Fo91.6, forms lizardite+chrysotile+brucite with or without magnetite. The chrysotile ranges from 3.0 to 5.0 weight percent FeO, the brucite from 16.0 to 43.0 weight percent FeO. As Serpentinization proceeds, the alteration products are enriched in FeO relative to MgO. Serpentinization probably originates in a changing $$P_{O_2 }$$ -T environment by two different reactions: The presence of Fe (OH)2 in brucite indicates that temperatures of Serpentinization may be lower than temperature heretofore inferred. This is suggested by thermodynamic calculations, assuming ideal solid solution, and relating the substitution of Fe+2 for Mg+2 in brucite to the stability field of brucite.
The development of air contaminant emission tables for nonprocess emissions

In New York State, the calculation of air contaminant emissions from a variety of sources is an essential part of comprehensive air pollution studies. The tables used to calculate emissions were obtained from an extensive literature search and modified to apply to New York State conditions. For example, sulfur dioxide emission factors for coal were selected to reflect the average sulfur content of the coal sold in New York State. Since the literature contains a wide array of emission factors, it was necessary to evaluate the factors and select those which would be most appropriate for the techniques used in conducting the comprehensive studies in New York State. This paper does not present the emission tables themselves but does outline the development of such tables for use in nonprocess calculations, i.e., combustion for heat and power of bituminous and anthracite coal, distillate and residual oil, natural and bottled gas; combustion of gasoline and diesel in internal combustion engines; burning of refu...
The vascular bed of red bone marrow.

The vascular bed of mammalian red bone marrow has been studied. The walls of sinusoids are morphologically simple structures consisting of flattened reticular cells which make simple contacts with the processes of neighboring cells. Often gaps in the wall are visible. No basement membrane underlies the reticular cells, and there is hardly any stromal support. These features are presumed to allow sinusoids a functional flexibility absent in most other blood vessels. Colloidal thorium dioxide particles introduced into the blood stream become dispersed throughout the marrow parenchyma within 10 minutes, indicating the functional patency of the sinusoidal walls. The extent and speed of this scattering indicates that the parenchymal cells are actively in motion at all times. “Intersinusoidal capillaries” are not to be found in red marrow, even after experimentally indroducing an aplastic anemia.
995 A COMPARISON OF TRANSCUTANEOUS OXYGEN (TcPO 2 ) MONITORING AND CONVENTIONAL TECHNIQUES FOR DETECTING HYPEROXEMIA AND HYPEROXEMIA

Non-invasive, continuous TcPO2 monitoring has revealed that neonatal arterial O2 tension is very labile and is inadequately monitored by periodic arterial oxygen sampling and apnea monitoring with impedance pneumography. “Intensive care” results in multiple diagnostic, therapeutic and nursing procedures, many of which cause hypoxemia unsuspected and undetected by present techniques. Our hypothesis is that continuous TcPO2 monitoring will minimize “iatrogenic” hypoxemia and hyperoxemia. To date we have studied 15 conventionally monitored infants (780-2280 grams,. 28-36 weeks) and 15 TcPO2 monitored infants (1030-2380 grams, 29-36 weeks). We have found that infants in our nursery are handled 50-52 times in a 20-hour period, 10% of these handlings result in a drop of TcPO2 of greater than 20 torr and recovery takes 4.4 minutes per episode. A mean time of 40 min. per 20 hours was spent in an “undesirable” range (TcPO2 less than 40 torr or greater than 100). Fifty-two per cent of this “undesirable time” was associated with iatrogenic disturbances. Blood gases and apnea monitors detected less than 5% of this undesirable time. Our present study is being extended to determine if this “undesirable time” can be reduced or eliminated by using continuous TcPO2 monitoring to indicate where the timing and number of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures can be beneficially modified.
Study of swelling in two new ion exchange membranes

The synthesis of two new ion-exchange membranes is presented. These are a partially sulfonated polystyrenesulfonic acid resin and an interpolymer system composed of sulfonated polystyrene–divinylbenzene polymerized within a poly(vinylidene fluoride) matrix. Each of these systems allows control of ion exchange capacity and physical properties over a wide range. The second is especially useful, in that ion-exchange capacity and swelling characteristics may be controlled independently. It also has the distinct advantage of giving a clear, flexible film even with high crosslinking. On the basis of certain simplifying assumptions an equation is derived which permits approximate calculation from equilibrium water uptake data of an elastic constant which measures the resistance of the membrane to swelling forces. Equilibrium water content data for the two membrane systems are treated with this equation and analyzed in terms of internal structure.
Hyperchloremic, normal anion-gap, metabolic acidosis due to topiramate

Purpose. A rare adverse effect observed after dose escalation of topiramate therapy is discussed. A review of published cases, monitoring recommendations, and important counseling information for patients who are prescribed topiramate are described. Summary. A 37-year-old man hospitalized for mental status changes and possible seizure developed hyperchloremic, normal anion-gap, metabolic acidosis. His medical history was significant for AIDS, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a cerebrovascular accident, a seizure disorder for the past three years, and a pulmonary embolism five months before being admitted to the hospital. The patient was also taking topiramate for two months before being hospitalized for his seizure disorder. His dosage was increased after admission, but no changes were made to his other medications. The only new medication initiated was cefotaxime for 14 days to treat pneumonia. During the following 8 days, the patient continued to receive increased dosages of topiramate. His serum chloride concentration increased daily and his serum bicarbonate decreased. Topiramate was identified as the cause and was discontinued the next day. Six other cases of metabolic acidosis in adults are reviewed, as well as risk factors for metabolic acidosis. Conclusion. After receiving increased dosages of topiramate, a 37-year-old man developed hyperchloremic, normal anion-gap, metabolic acidosis, which resolved after discontinuation of the drug.
Trouble ahead: Propositional attitudes and metadata

We argue that the natural pressure to develop increasingly expressive metadata systems will soon present new and very difficult problems to the metadata community. In particular we draw attention to propositional attitudes, which will be important for a wide variety of metadata applications, including representations of trust in ecommerce, and representations of provenance, expert assessments, and social context in the management of cultural objects. However propositional attitudes are extremely difficult to represent in a way that supports automated inferencing. Both the web and the museum informatics community have recognized this problem and stipulate limitations to their systems. But eventually this problem will require more functional resolution. We believe that intentionality-related problems, like the representation of propositional attitudes will soon be more important to metadata and knowledge representation research than traditional modeling problems, such as the expressiveness vs. efficiency tradeoff.
The Great Indo-Pacific Communicator

A complex ocean current system weaves its way through a network of passages, shallow seas, and deep basins between the Indonesian islands ( 1 ). Every second, this Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) carries ∼15 million m3 of warm, relatively low-salinity water from the tropical Pacific to the Indian Ocean ( 1 – 3 ). The ITF eventually makes its way to the Atlantic Ocean (see the figure), thus contributing to global ocean circulation ( 1 ). Through complex but poorly understood feedbacks, including heat and water exchange with the atmosphere, the ITF is influenced by and modulates climate in the Indo-Pacific region ( 1 – 4 ). A shift in the climate regimes of the tropical Pacific and Indian oceans in the mid-1970s—perhaps in response to global warming ( 5 )—highlights the possible importance of the ITF and its connection to climate phenomena such as the monsoons, the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD).
Actions of interleukin-4 on prostaglandin biosynthesis by human amnion cells

The effects of interleukin-4 (IL-4) on amnion prostaglandin (PG) production have been determined. Human amnion cells from term placentae were grown to confluence and incubated with IL-4 either alone or with various concentrations of epidermal growth factor (EGF) of ionomycin. PGE2 production was determined using a specific radioimmunoassay. IL-4 alone stimulated PGE2 production in amnion cells in a concentration-related manner. IL-4 significantly enhanced the stimulatory actions of ionomycin and EGF on amnion cell PGE2 production. Ionomycin and IL-4 acted synergistically in their effects on PGE2 production by amnion cells whereas EGF and IL-4 acted more additively in this respect. We suggest that IL-4 production by immune effector cells in gestational tissues may contribute to the mechanisms of labor at term and preterm.
Fine motor control in rats is disrupted by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

Evidence has suggested that cannabinoids such as THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, cause deficits in motor control and the production of movement. However, the specific components of motor control that are affected by cannabinoids have yet to be identified. The present study used an operant beam-press paradigm with a force criterion to determine the effects of THC on different parts of the force–time trajectory. Seven rats were trained to press a beam with at least 50 g of force to receive a sugar solution. THC was injected, as was apomorphine (APO), a selective dopamine D2/D1 receptor agonist that acts as an antagonist at low doses. Low doses of APO, which have been found to cause deficits in motor execution, were used as a control for the effects of THC. Average peak force of a given press, as well as rate of rise of force, were significantly lowered by THC, as well as by apomorphine. Past research suggests that deficits in the rate of rise of force that can be attributed to depletions of dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway, as in the case of low doses of APO, reflect failures of motor unit recruitment rather than of motor memory. Similarities in the motor effects of THC and APO suggest that THC plays a role in recruitment and synchronization of motor neurons appropriate for a given task.
Generalized chromatic polynomials

Abstract There are several polynomials used in the study of combinatorics including Birkhoff's chromatic polynomial for graphs, Stanley's order polynomial for partially ordered sets, and Tutte's dichromatic polynomial for graphs. We develop a common basis for these polynomials which depends on a sequence of standard reference objects in the category under consideration, the sequence being called a chromatic complex. The values of the polynomial then indicate the number of morphisms in the category from the object in question to the objects in the chromatic complex.
The photochemical reduction and the autoreduction of neptunium(VI)

Abstract It was found that exposure of Np(VI) perchlorate solutions at 25° to 2537 A light results in the formation of Np(V) with an apparent quantum yield of 0·032 ± 0·011. In addition the rate constant for the autoreduction of Np(VI) → Np(V), due to the radiolysis caused by the α-decay of 237 Np, was measured as k = 3·1 ± 0·2 × 10 −9 sec −1 . This result is discussed in comparison with the autoreduction rate constants of Pu(VI) and Am(VI).
Abstract IA3: PI3K inhibitors in ER+ breast cancer: Next steps

Gain and loss of function mutations in the PI3 kinase pathway are extremely common in breast cancer and can be seen in all five intrinsic subtypes (Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2+, Basal-like and Claudin Low). However there is a subtype-selective spectrum of activation events including gain of kinase mutations/amplifications (e.g. PIK3CA, HER2 and AKT1) and loss of negative regulators (e.g.PTEN, INPP4B and PIK3R 1). These lesions must be matched to a large number of agents in development that target PI3K, AKT and mTOR. These agents have variable specificities, toxicities, pharmacokinetics and administration routes which affect the development of combinations with standard therapies and also with each other. In keeping with very broad clinical opportunities, positive findings in preclinical models in both luminal and basal-like breast cancer will be presented. Ongoing clinical trial designs will also be discussed and biomarker approaches for patient selection and stratification will be considered.
Effects of in vivo estradiol and progesterone on tritiated flunitrazepam binding in rat spinal cord.

Abstract Tritiated flunitrazepam binding was measured in autoradiograms of lumbar spinal cord from control ovariectomized female rats and from ovariectomized females treated with either estradiol-silastic implants or one subcutaneous injection of 500μg progesterone 4.5 h before being killed or both estradiol and progesterone. Four areas of spinal cord were analyzed: the substantia gelatinosa, the region leading to and around the central canal, the remainder of the dorsal horn and the ventral horn. Specific flunitrazepam binding was greatest in the substantia gelatinosa and in the region around the central canal and was weakest in the ventral horn. Estradiol had no effect on flunitrazepam binding in the spinal cord despite estradiol concentrating cells in the substantia gelatinosa and around the central canal. In vivo progesterone enhanced flunitrazepam binding in the substantia gelatinosa while 10 −8 M progesterone in vitro was without effect. One day after spinal transection flunitrazepam binding in endocrine controls and estradiol-treated animals was unchanged but a progesterone injection 4.5 h before being killed had no effect on binding in the substantia gelatinosa.
Automated noninvasive measurement of cyclophosphamide-induced changes in murine voiding frequency and volume.

Purpose: We developed an automated noninvasive method for studying bladder function in mice. Changes in voided volume and frequency accompanying cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis were measured using computerized digital balances.Materials and Methods: Eight CRL CD-1 mice were given a solution of glucose and saccharin to increase urine output and studied during the dark cycle, when most voiding occurs. Urine fell directly onto electronic balance pans. The time and weight of each void was recorded. Computer programs adjusted for evaporative loss analyzed voiding data within and across sessions. After establishing stable voiding patterns 300 mg./kg. cyclophosphamide were administered intraperitoneally. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was done to compare median voided volumes, frequency and gm. per hour of urine produced before and after cyclophosphamide.Results: We implemented an automated method for voiding studies in mice. After cyclophosphamide administration the number of voids per hour increased and voide...
Steady-state concentration boundary profile for the injection of a single-component feed in counter-current chromatography

In counter-current chromatography, the concentration profile of a single component feed has a steady diffuse boundary located at the opposite side of the shock layer from the feed point. The properties of this feature, unusual in chromatography, are discussed. An analytical solution for the profile of this boundary is derived. It is valid in the case of fast mass transfer kinetics. It explains clearly the formation and stability of this steady-state concentration profile and the influence on its width of axial dispersion and the mass transfer kinetics. Numerical calculations of this steady-state profile were also carried out for the sake of comparison. The results of this study suggest that a similar phenomenon may take place in simulated moving bed operation. They improve our understanding of the counter-current moving bed and simulated moving bed processes in chromatography.
A new turbulence closure model for boundary layer flows with strong adverse pressure gradients and separation

A new turbulence closure model designed specifically to treat two-dimensional, turbulent boundary layers with strong adverse pressure gradients and attendant separation, is presented. The influence of history effects are modeled by using an ordinary differential equation (ODE) derived from the turbulence kinetic-energy equation, to describe the streamwise development of the maximum Reynolds shear stress in conjunction with an assumed eddy-viscosity distribution which has as its velocity scale the maximum Reynolds shear stress. In the outer part of the boundary layer, the eddy viscosity is treated as a free parameter which is adjusted in order to satisfy the ODE for the maximum shear stress. Because of this, the model s not simply an eddy-viscosity model, but contains features of a Reynolds-stress model. Comparisons with experiments are presented which clearly show the proposed model to be superior to the Cebeci-Smith model in treating strongly retarded and separated flows. In contrast to two-equation, eddy-viscosity models, it requires only slightly more computational effort than simple models like the Cebeci-Smith model.
Perceived vs measured forces of interarch elastics.

Introduction Orthodontists depend on perceptions derived from education and clinical experience to judge the optimal forces in patient treatment. The purpose of this study was to survey practicing orthodontists to determine the interarch latex elastic forces they prescribe in different malocclusion scenarios. Methods Thirty orthodontists were presented with 4 clinical scenarios on study models, including Class II and Class III malocclusions in edgewise and light wires. These orthodontists described the size and location of the elastics they would use. The forces produced by the prescribed elastics were measured and compared with actual dry forces measured on a testing machine. Results The orthodontists’ force recommendations were a mean of 277 ± 89 g and a median of 256 g (range, 132-464 g) for a Class II malocclusion with edgewise wires; a mean of 183 ± 59 g and a median of 177 g (range, 59-284 g) for a Class II malocclusion with light wires; a mean of 290 ± 83 g and a median of 305 g (range, 151-562 g) for a Class III malocclusion with edgewise wires; and a mean of 216 ± 66 g and a median of 209 g (range, 119-344 g) for a Class III malocclusion with light wires. The force levels for light wires were statistically significantly lower than for edgewise wires. Conclusions There were considerable variations in the forces selected for all cases. “Expert” recommendations fell within 1 SD of the mean of the orthodontists’ recommendations except for the light-wire Class III scenario. Since latex elastic force decays significantly during a patient’s use, elastics should be selected with initially higher forces than desired.
SU-FF-T-100: Characterization of the Elekta Stereotactic Body Frame (SBF) for Use in SBRT Planning

Purpose: To measure the attenuation of the Elekta Stereotactic Body Frame (SBF) for use in stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT) and compare the values to those predicted by the Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS). Depending on the angles of delivery, treatment beams transverse varying thicknesses and densities of the frame. This leads to differential attenuation depending on beam angles. Method and Materials: The frame was first tested by measuring attenuation of a 6MV beam delivered over various gantry angles. An ion chamber was positioned in the center of the frame at isocenter. The dose was measured for various gantry angles, which were compared to the anterior beam (gantry 0°). In order to test the ability of Eclipse TPS to properly account for the frame, a solid homogeneous phantom was placed in the frame and then imaged with a CT scanner. Two plans were generated; one with the frame included in the external “Body” contour and one without. The plans were adjusted to deliver the same MUs. The phantom was then treated and the dose was measured at the isocenter. The measured doses were then compared to the two calculated plans. Results: The attenuation of the frame was found to be a function of the beam entry point and ranged from 4 to 9%. When the frame and phantom were contoured in Eclipse, the calculated MUs for each field agreed to within 2% of the measured dose.Conclusion: The Elekta SBF attenuates the radiation beam and must be accounted for in planning. This can be accomplished in the Eclipse TPS by including the frame in the “Body” contouring. If the frame is not taken into account, it will result in an underdose of approximately 5% for each lateral and posterior field, ranging from 4 to 9%.
Ultralong photonic nanojet formed by a two-layer dielectric microsphere

A photonic nanojet is a highly focused optical beam with a subwavelength waist on the shadow side of the sphere. Successful far-field applications require long nanojets that extend afar. Using the exact Mie theory, we show that ultralong nanojets can be generated using a simple two-layer microsphere structure, using conventional optical materials that are readily available. In particular, we show that for a glass-based two-layer microsphere, the nanojet has an extension of 22 wavelengths. We also show that long nanojets can be formed using semiconductors at infrared frequencies in free space.
Trace ferric ion in lunar and meteoritic titanaugites.

Evidence for presence of Fe(3+) in lunar rocks is furnished by heating them in air to 200-225 C for two hours. This causes a large decrease in the same charge transfer bands attributed to Fe(3+) that can be enhanced by heating the same rocks in air at 500 C. This is interpreted as evidence that the Fe(3+) was not in equilibrium in the melt but was produced by cosmic radiation subsequent to the rock formation. Possible tetrahedrally coordinated Fe(3+) is present in the meteoritic and lunar augites as suggested by comparison of their spectra to that of terrestrial augite high in Fe(3+). This would have been present in the original melt and is distinct from radiation produced Fe(3+) in the M-sites. The polarized absorption spectra of single crystal pigeonite and augite from rock 12021 before heating, and augite from 12018 after heating are compared to that of meteoritic titanaugite in the Angra dos Reis meteorite and terrestrial titanaugite from Maui, Hawaii. The absorption spectrum of meteoritic hypersthene (Tatahouine) is also included for comparison to the pigeonite.
Motivational deficit in depression: People's expectations × outcomes' impacts

Concludes that depression consists of low reward motivation and high punisher motivation. The argument is as follows: Clinical observation and research agree that depression is primarily a motivational deficit. Learning theories agree that motivation consists of both the organism's expectations and the outcome's impact (value or aversiveness), i.e., motivation = expectation X impact. Popular theories and research agree that depressed people's expectations and their impacts differ from those of nondepressed people. Depressed people often expect few rewards and many punishers, and the impact of rewards is low while that of punishers is high. By substituting known expectancies and impacts into the motivation equation, it becomes clear that depressed people suffer a motivational deficit. A specific deduction is that depressed people exhibit their most severe motivational deficits in ambiguous social situations. This deduction generates the hypothesis that in ambiguous social situations, depressed people should engage in few instrumental, operant behaviors, but many escape and avoidance behaviors.
Radiation pattern of fluorescence from molecules embedded in small particles: general case

A method is presented for calculating and analyzing the angular distribution of fluorescent emission from randomly oriented anisotropic molecules embedded in small dielectric particles with the nonzero reorientation angle between absorption and emission moments suggested by physical considerations now taken into account. Calculations performed on the basis of this method are compared with some of the available experimental data for fluorescent dye molecules embedded in microspheres, and good quantitative agreement is found. It is shown how fitting the computed results to experimental data determines an effective reorientation angle between absorption and emission transition moments. A more definitive test to which the model could be subjected is described.
STUDIES IN SICKLE CELL ANEMIA (SCA): PRELIMINARY OBSERVATION ON GASTROINTESTINAL DIGESTION AND ABSORPITON

STUDIES IN SICKLE CELL ANEMIA (SCA): PRELIMINARY OBSERVATION ON GASTROINTESTINAL DIGESTION AND ABSORPITON
A Common Breakpoint on 11q23 in Carriers of the Constitutional t(11;22) Translocation

Structural chromosomal rearrangements occur commonly in the general population. Individuals that carry a balanced translocation are at risk of having unbalanced offspring; therefore, the frequency of translocations in couples with recurrent spontaneous abortions is higher than that in the general population. The constitutional t(11;22) translocation is the most common recurrent non-Robertsonian translocation in humans and may serve as a model to determine the mechanism that causes recurrent meiotic translocations. We previously localized the t(11;22) translocation breakpoint to a region on 22q11 within a low-copy repeat, termed “LCR22.” To define the breakpoint on 11q23 and to ascertain whether this region shares homology with LCR22 sequences, we performed haplotype analysis on patients with der(22) syndrome. We found that the breakpoint on 11q23 occurred between two genetic markers, D11S1340 and APOC3-tetra, both being present within a single bacterial-artificial-chromosome clone. To determine whether the breakpoint occurred within the same region among a larger set of carriers, we performed FISH mapping studies. The breakpoints were all within the same clone, suggesting that this region may harbor sequences that are prone to breakage. We narrowed the breakpoint interval, in both derivative chromosomes from two unrelated carriers, to a 190-bp, AT-rich repeat, which indicates that this repeat may mediate recombination events on chromosome 11. Interestingly, the LCR22s harbor AT-rich repeats, suggesting that this sequence motif may mediate recombination events in nonhomologous chromosomes during meiosis.
Surface features of the adaxial epidermis in the conduplicate‐leaved Cypripedioideae (Orchidaceae)

Epidermal cells from adaxial leaf surfaces of 42 species of Paphiopedilum and 6 species of Phragmipedium were surveyed with the SEM. The surfaces of the cells are flat to papillose and often have various sculpturing patterns. To designate two orders of papilla size the terms ‘macropapilla’ and ‘micropapilla’ are proposed. Species exhibiting unornamented flat to macropapillose epidermal cells appear to be correlated with high light environments, whereas those species exhibiting micoropapillae and various degrees of sculpturing appear to be correlated with low light environments. Sculpturing features are often characteristic of a single species, but they may vary considerably between species. Epidermal characters are of some utility in identifying sterile plants which are otherwise indistinguishable.
Paramagnetic Resonance Absorption in Salts of the Iron Group

When a paramagnetic salt is placed in a high frequency alternating magnetic field which is perpendicular to a static magnetic field, energy may be absorbed by the salt in a resonant fashion for a range of values of the steady field. These paramagnetic losses have been investigated for three manganous, two cupric, and one chromic salt at a frequency of 9375 mc/sec. Well-defined absorption maxima were obtained in all cases, and absolute values of ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}$, the imaginary part of the high frequency magnetic susceptibility, are presented.
Effect of thyroid hormones on human mononuclear leukocyte lysosomal acid lipase activity.

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL), the enzyme which hydrolyzes lipoprotein cholesteryl esters, is under thyroid hormone regulation in experimental animals. To evaluate whether human LAL is also under thyroid regulation, we measured mononuclear leukocyte LAL activity in 31 hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, and euthyroid children under treatment. LAL activity was positively correlated with serum T3 and serum T4 levels, and was significantly higher in hyperthyroid children than in those who were hypothyroid. In another study, 5 adult euthyroid males were given 50 μg L-T3 every 8 h for 4 days. Their LAL activities increased significantly after treatment. The data suggest that LAL activity in man, as in experimental animals, is influenced by thyroid hormone status. Hormonal control of LAL activity may be important in the regulation of human cholesterol metabolism.
Power Relations, Technical Writing Theory, and Workplace Writing:

Technical writing theory and research about communication in large organizations mostly ignore from-the-top control of rhetoric. The usual emphasis on an individual writer negotiating with a known audience and generally free to decide on matters of style, organization, and so on can hide the ways that power relations often silently control internal rhetoric. Conclusions are based on two case studies: In the later Middle Ages, professional letters had to conform to a rhetorical format that necessarily foregrounded unequal power relations. In a contemporary nuclear power station, similar power relations purposely obscure writer and audience while procedures dictate format and content.
Gene flow among San Joaquin kit fox populations in a severely changed ecosystem.

The San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) was once ubiquitous throughout California’s San Joaquin Valley and its surrounds. However, most of its habitat has been lost to irrigated agriculture, urban development, and oil fields. The remaining foxes are concentrated in six areas, although there are several small pockets of foxes throughout the Valley. To help conserve kit foxes, we sought an ecological understanding of the level of genetic variation remaining in these locations and the extent of gene flow among them. We collected tissue from 317 kit foxes from 8 sites and estimated genetic variability in and gene flow among sites using data from 8 polymorphic, microsatellite markers. We found no differences in both observed and expected heterozygosity between locations using Bonferonni corrected paired t-tests. We found differences in mean number of alleles per locus, even after we used Monte Carlo simulations to adjust for sample size differences. Population subdivision was low among sites (F st=0.043), yet a matrix of pairwise F st values was correlated with a matrix of pairwise geographic distances. An assignment test classified only 45% of the individuals to the site where they were captured. Overall, these data suggest that kit fox dispersal between locations may still maintain genetic variation throughout most of the areas we sampled.
Acrylic block copolymer analysis by adsorption chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection

Block copolymers of methyl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate are characterized using silica adsorption chromatography with a toluene-2-butanone solvent gradient. Evaporative light scattering is the detection method for these otherwise hard to detect acrylic polymers. The homopolymer contamination in the diblock materials are well resolved from the diblock in the separation. The major separation mechanism is composition controlled, but the results also indicate a block length dependency on the separation mechanism.
Saline vs Tissue Plasminogen Activator Irrigations after Drain Placement for Appendicitis-Associated Abscess: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Background Emerging data suggest instillation of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is safe and potentially efficacious in the treatment of intra-abdominal abscess. To date, prospective comparative data are lacking in children. Therefore, we conducted a randomized trial comparing abscess irrigation with tPA and irrigation with saline alone. Study Design After IRB approval, children with an abscess secondary to perforated appendicitis who had a percutaneous drain placed for treatment were randomized to twice-daily instillation of 13 mL 10% tPA or 13 mL normal saline. All patients were treated with once-daily dosing of ceftriaxone and metronidazole throughout their course. The primary end point variable was duration of hospitalization after drain placement. Using a power of 0.8 and an α of 0.05, a sample size of 62 patients was calculated. Results Sixty-two patients were enrolled between January 2009 and February 2013. There were no differences in demographics, abscess size, abscess number, admission WBC, or duration of symptoms. Duration of hospitalization after drainage was considerably longer with the use of tPA. There was no difference in total duration of hospitalization, days of drainage, or days of antibiotics. However, medication charges were higher with tPA. Conclusions There are no advantages to routine tPA flushes in the treatment of abdominal abscess secondary to perforated appendicitis in children.
A cross-inhibition of basic amino acid transport by neutral amino acids.

Abstract 1. 1. At a concentration of 12.5 mM the neutral amino acids inhibited the transport of 1 mM lysine by everted intestinal sacs from the rat in a manner related to their affinity for the neutral amino acid carrier. Leucine and methinine induced a large net flux of lysine from the tissue to the mucosal medium at the lysine steady state while sugars did not, indicating an interaction of the amino acids at the carrier level rather than one due to energy limitations. Leucine and methionine produced a large competitive stimulation of lysine transport, while arginine under the same conditions was inhibitory. This result implies independent carrier systems for the neutral and basic acids. Valine was found to be a partial competitive inhibitor of lysine transport in contrast to arginine which produced total inhibition. The 10–15% inhibition of valine transport produced by lysine at concentrations between 25 and 100 mM was not found to be competitive. The findings that valine and lysine have the same distribution of transport activity along the intestine and that valine produced a constant inhibition of lysine transport as a function of intestinal location suggests that valine and lysine are not transported by different carrier systems and is consistent with transport by spatially related carrier systems. 2. 2. These results are best explained by an allosteric modification of the basic amino acid site caused by the binding of a neutral amino acid to a structurally specific but closely associated site on a single or polyfunctional carrier.
The Discrete Analogue of a Class of Entire Functions

This paper is concerned with complex functions defined at the nodes of a square mesh -Ah that lies in the complex plane and is depicted in Fig. 1.1. The theory of these functions was initiated by R. Isaacs [l-3], J. Ferrand [4], and A. Terracini [5, 61, and has been further developed by R. J. Duffin [7], C. S. Duris [S, 91, E. L. Peterson [lo], A. Washburn [ 111, and J. Rohrer [ 12, 131. The functions investigated are said to be “discrete analytic” and are discrete analogues of analytic functions of a continuous complex variable. A complex function f is discrete analytic on a square S belonging to dh if the difference quotient off across one diagonal of S is equal to the difference quotient off across the other diagonal of S. G. J. Kurowski [14-171 has defined and investigated a class of complex functions that have domain consisting of parallel lines in the complex plane. Functions in this class are said to be “semi-discrete analytic” and are semidiscrete analogues of analytic functions of a continuous complex variable. Semi-discrete analytic functions have many properties in common with discrete analytic functions, but they will not be considered in this paper.