cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional cluster formation and structure in heterogeneous dose distribution of intensity modulated radiation therapy.

Abstract Purpose To investigate three-dimensional cluster structure and its correlation to clinical endpoint in heterogeneous dose distributions from intensity modulated radiation therapy. Methods Twenty-five clinical plans from twenty-one head and neck (HN) patients were used for a phenomenological study of the cluster structure formed from the dose distributions of organs at risks (OARs) close to the planning target volumes (PTVs). Initially, OAR clusters were searched to examine the pattern consistence among ten HN patients and five clinically similar plans from another HN patient. Second, clusters of the esophagus from another ten HN patients were scrutinized to correlate their sizes to radiobiological parameters. Finally, an extensive Monte Carlo (MC) procedure was implemented to gain deeper insights into the behavioral properties of the cluster formation. Results Clinical studies showed that OAR clusters had drastic differences despite similar PTV coverage among different patients, and the radiobiological parameters failed to positively correlate with the cluster sizes. MC study demonstrated the inverse relationship between the cluster size and the cluster connectivity, and the nonlinear changes in cluster size with dose thresholds. In addition, the clusters were insensitive to the shape of OARs. Conclusion The results demonstrated that the cluster size could serve as an insightful index of normal tissue damage. The clinical outcome of the same dose–volume might be potentially different.
Hypomonē as “Enduring Resistance”: Finding Nonviolence in the Book of Revelation:

The Greek word hypomonē frequently has a more active quality than translations such as “patience” or “endurance” suggest. This is particularly the case in the book of Revelation, where some scholar...
Treatment modalities for the reuse of produced waste from oil and gas development.

Abstract Unconventional oil and gas development is achieved through a series of sub-processes, which utilize large amounts of water, proppant, and chemical additives to retrieve sequestered hydrocarbons from low permeability petroliferous strata. As a result, a large amount of wastewater is produced, which is traditionally disposed of via subsurface injection into non-productive stratum throughout the country. However, this method of waste management has been linked to the induction of seismic events in a number of regions across North America, calling into question the environmental stewardship and sustainability of subsurface waste disposal. Advancements in water treatment technologies have improved the efficacy and financial viability of produced water recycling for beneficial reuse in the oil and gas sector. This review will cover the various treatment options that are currently being utilized in shale energy basins to remove organic, inorganic, and biological constituents, as well as some emerging technologies that are designed to remove pertinent contaminants that would otherwise preclude the reuse of produced water for production well stimulation.
Diffusion and Reaction in Carbon Burning

ABSTRACT The combustion of a carbon particle in a fixed environment is described by a set of partial differential equations of the diffusion-reaction type with an associated set of non-linear boundary conditions. Certain stoichiometric and time-constant arguments allow the problem to be reformulated as an initial value problem at the boundary of a non-linear ordinary differential equation. The steady state structure of the numerical solution is presented and is shown to include multiple steady states. In particular, during the course of burn-off some states bifurcate while others become extinct. The temperature history of the particle is then subject to transitions and shifts between steady states, leading to behaviour that is best described as pathological in nature.
12 – Cerebral Microcirculation

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on cerebral microcirculation and discusses the pattern and possible regulatory mechanisms of blood flow in cortical capillaries as derived principally from observations with intravital microscopic techniques. Methods used to study the dynamics of flow through brain capillaries are direct and indirect; the latter is further subdivided into physiological and morphometric approaches. Indirect physiological techniques use intravascular indicators to determine transit time of red blood cells or plasma in the microcirculation, although not strictly in the capillary bed. Morphometric approaches detect steady-state differences in perfused capillary density. A novel technique that utilizes bolus injection of a plasma marker derives the distribution pattern of capillary plasma flow velocity from capillary filling in histological sections. Intravital microscopy provides the most direct assessment of flow in capillaries, although it is limited to a relatively shallow depth of cortical tissue. It is also possible to measure capillary flow velocity by tracking the movement of randomly occurring plasma gaps; however, this may introduce a bias into the measurement because plasma gaps are usually associated with the passage of slowly moving leukocytes.
The Role of the Physician When a Patient Discloses Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: A Literature Review

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent and has lasting impacts on the health and well-being of the entire family involved. Primary care physicians often interact with male patients who perpetrate IPV and are in a role potentially to intervene, but there is very little research and guidance about how to address perpetration of IPV in the health care setting. We reviewed the existing literature research related to physicians' interactions with male perpetrators of IPV and summarize the recommendations. If a male patient discloses IPV perpetration, physicians should assess for lethality, readiness to change, and comorbid medical conditions that could impact treatment, such as substance abuse and mental illness. Experts agree that referrals to a Batterer Intervention Program should be the primary intervention. If there are no locally available Batterer Intervention Programs or the patient is unwilling to go, then a physician should refer the abuser to a therapist who has been trained specifically to work with perpetrators of IPV. In addition, physicians should be prepared to offer education about the negative impact of IPV on the victim, on any children, and on the abuser himself. Physicians should address any untreated substance abuse or mental health issues. Referral to couples therapy should generally be avoided. Physicians should continue to have regular follow-up with their male patients to support them in changing their behavior. Further research is needed to assess the role the health care system can have in preventing IPV perpetration.
Noisegate 67 for metasaxophone: composition and performance considerations of a new computer music controller

Noisegate 67 was the first fully interactive composition written for the Computer Metasaxophone, a new computer controller interface for electroacoustic music. The Metasaxophone is an acoustic tenor saxophone retrofitted with an onboard computer microprocessor and an array of sensors that convert performance data into MIDI control messages. While maintaining full acoustic functionality the Metasaxophone is a versatile MIDI controller. This paper discusses the compositionally driven technical and aesthetic concerns that went into building the Metasaxophone, and the resulting aesthetic implementations in Noisegate 67. By juxtaposing the compositional approach to the saxophone before and after the electronic enhancements an attempt is made to expose working paradigms of composition for metainstruments.
The effects of aspartame versus sucrose on motivational ratings, taste preferences, and energy intakes in obese and lean women

This study examined the effects of four breakfast preloads of different sweetness and energy content on motivational ratings, taste preferences, and energy intakes of 12 obese and 12 lean women. The preloads consisted of creamy white cheese (fromage blanc) and were either plain, sweetened with sucrose or aspartame, or sweetened with aspartame and supplemented with maltodextrin. Their energy content was either 300 kcal (1,255 kJ) or 700 kcal (2,929 kJ). Motivational ratings of hunger and the desire to eat were obtained prior to and at 30 min intervals after breakfast. Taste preferences were measured prior to and 150 min after breakfast. The subjects ate buffet-style lunch, snack, and dinner meals in the laboratory. Obese women consumed significantly more energy at meals (2,596 kcal or 10,862 kJ) than did lean women (1,484 kcal or 6,209 kJ); derived a greater proportion of energy from fat (39.9% vs. 35.5%), and had lower dietary carbohydrate-to-fat ratios. Consumption of low-energy as opposed to high-energy breakfast preloads was associated with elevated motivational ratings by noon. However, energy intakes at lunch, snack, or dinner did not vary as a function of preload type, and no compensation was observed for the energy consumed at breakfast. Taste preferences were not affected by preload ingestion or by preload type. The study provided no evidence that aspartame promotes hunger or results in increased energy intakes in obese or in lean women.
Competency, Testamentary Capacity, and Fitness Assessments

Testamentary capacity has been alluded to previously in the text and will be detailed more thoroughly with respect to the legal standards to consider. We have introduced terminology like “psychological autopsy” and “competency” earlier, but here we will pay particular attention to where these concepts can become much more nuanced. It is oftentimes the meeting point of a legal and psychiatric proceeding whether or not our opinion will match what the attorney hiring us is hoping for, and it is of utmost importance to not let this become a conflict of interest as we prepare a report. Once the standards of competency and fitness for duty are established, we are sought to apply them directly to an individual case. As you begin to bolster your practice with these types of cases, you must pay meticulous attention to the criteria set forth by individual state or regional directives, as these are the governing bodies setting the legal criteria under which our clinical opinion is rendered, and they may differ from site to site, job to job, and, at times, individual to individual. We will see how assessments become quite personalized as our duty is to opine on the individual in question, who comes with a unique background, personality, core values and belief systems, defense mechanisms, and lifestyles. I detail some diagnostic features of disorders that can otherwise be difficult to discern but turn out to be an important feature of the report and conclusions reached.
Intrinsic-extrinsic size effect relationship for micromechanical tests

Abstract Miniaturized mechanical tests are commonly utilized to evaluate properties of materials, including thin films, nanostructured, and irradiated materials. However, the specimen size effect occurs when miniaturized sample geometries contain too few dislocation sources, resulting in elevated yield stresses. The size effect is controlled by extrinsic (specimen dimensions) and intrinsic (microstructure) factors. Here, we summarize extrinsic and intrinsic size effects from micro-compression pillar, micro-cantilever bend, and flexure studies reported in the archival literature. We find an approximately linear relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic size effects. Meaningful mechanical properties can be measured when extrinsic size dominates the intrinsic size.
Making the most of limited resources through relational climate: A study of primary care clinics

Primary care providers are increasingly under pressure to do more with fewer resources. We examined the role of workload and its effects on patient quality of care, measured through approximately 4...
Radiographic Patterns of Radiocarpal and Midcarpal Arthritis.

Introduction The purpose of this study was to determine the specific locations of radiocarpal and/or midcarpal joint osteoarthritis (RC/MC OA). Methods A total of 1,007 wrist radiographs were screened for the presence of RC/MC OA. The locations of the degenerative changes were identified. In addition, the observers then determined whether the observed patterns fell under the scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) pattern. Results The SLAC pattern did not represent the majority of observed degenerative changes. Almost one-third of the patients had degenerative changes present at the radiolunate or scaphocapitate articulations in the absence of radioscaphoid changes. Women have a lower risk of arthritis compared with men (odds ratio, 0.306; P < 0.05). Increasing age correlated with the presence of arthritis (odds ratio, 1.05; P < 0.05). Conclusion Contrary to the previous reports in the literature, our cohort demonstrated that <50% of wrist OA fell into the category of SLAC arthritis.
Geddankenexperiment for Quark Star Idea, Quantum Wavelength Limit, Minimum Time, and Early Universe Temperature, from First Principles

We initially look at a non singular universe representation as given by Rovelli and Vidotto, in terms of a quantum bounce, via quark stars, as a start of how to estimate of entropy and also of the number of operations of an expanding universe. The bench mark used is, to after considering a quark star, to look at the mass of a universe, estimated, and from there, we can obtain the entropy if we look at the Schwartzshield radii of a universe, and then the radii of the universe about 380,000 years after the big bang. In the latter, we show how to get the number of operations as akin to the reasoning used by Seth Lloyd , in 2001, and also from there close with a few comments as to the ‘naturalness’ of heavy Gravity from this formulation of entropy, which is based upon a start of considering what is a Planck star, as far as minimum quantum effects in Black hole physics, and by extension early universe cosmology.
Development and Validation of a HPLC-UV Method for Urea and Related Impurities

Urea is used in biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes for the purification of therapeutic proteins, for cleaning columns, and for refolding proteins after purification. The urea used for such purposes is typically USP grade material obtained from commercial sources and further characterization is required prior to use, such as determination of purity and identity. For this purpose, a robust analytical method is needed that can characterize the known organic impurities of urea. However, the existing methods show high assay variability and are not able to resolve all known organic impurities as desired for accurate quantification. In the present manuscript we developed a new high-performance liquid chromatography method with UV detection for the separation of urea and its impurities (biuret, cyanuric acid, and triuret). The method performance characteristics evaluated for urea and biuret were specificity, linearity, accuracy, identity, precision, and robustness and the newly developed method met all predefined performance acceptance criteria.
Hard and semi-hard magnetic materials based on cobalt and cobalt alloys

Abstract Cobalt (Co) is one of the most important 3d transition metal elements used in the development of magnetic materials, especially in hard magnetic materials, from the early Co-based steel magnets to the rare-earth permanent magnets based on the 3d-4f compounds. Like iron (Fe), Co possesses a high saturation magnetization (MS) and a high Curie temperature (TC). Unlike Fe, Co has high magnetocrystalline anisotropy due to its spin-orbit coupling. As a result, it can be used to achieve a high degree of magnetic hardening in its elemental, alloy or compound materials. For instance, Co-based magnetic recording media is based on its elemental material. On the other hand, nano-structuring of Co-based alloys gives important hard magnetic materials including Alnico magnets and Fe–Cr–Co magnets, which are probably the earliest nanostructured hard magnetic materials. Recent progress in the development of Co-containing nanoscale hard magnetic materials has been very encouraging and promising based on the outstanding magnetic properties we have seen in L10 CoPt, tetragonally distorted FeCo and Co-based intermetallics. Particularly, the morphology of the nanoparticles has also been modulated to develop high coercivity via utilizing shape anisotropy, leading to extraordinarily high coercivity in Co nanowire assemblies. This review presents an overview of the development of Co-based hard and semi-hard magnetic materials and their intrinsic and extrinsic magnetic properties in view of fundamental understanding and technological applications.
Metasurfaces for Radar Cross-Section Reduction

This work reviews the most recent advancements in the techniqbes utilized for the reduction of Radar Cross Section (RCS) incorporating metasurfaces. Fundamental theory is briefly reviewed then followed by well-known broadband RCS-reduction metasurface designs.
Vénus Noire: Black Women and Colonial Fantasies in Nineteenth-Century France: by Robin Mitchell, 2020. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 208pp., $34.95 (paperback) $99.95 (hardback). ISBN 9780830354316 (paperback) 9780830354323 (hardback)

‘These women were not supposed to be there. Yet they were’ (p.17). So declares Robin Mitchell in her introduction to Venus Noire: Black Women and Colonial Fantasies in Nineteenth-Century France. ‘T...
L’art del rebuig: notes sobre la poètica del no

Aquest assaig ofereix una aproximacio al variat tractament que la paraula no ha rebut en les arts visuals des que Marcel Duchamp realitzara el seu NON en 1959. La negacio explicita ha sigut explorada en diferents formats i amb variats sentits per creadors que van des de Boris Lurie fins a Santiago Sierra, Bahia Shehab i Maurizio Cattelan. El text analitza com les seues recreacions artistiques del no emfatitzen les dimensions politiques del rebuig, questionant realitats i concepcions que prevalen en l'art i en altres ambits de les nostres vides. Al mateix temps, aquests treballs creen nous llacos que es desenvolupen en diferents direccions, vinculant persones, idees, art i historia.
The Inflammasome Adaptor Protein ASC in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is characterized by memory loss in the absence of dementia and is considered the translational stage between normal aging and early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Patients with MCI have a greater risk of advancing to AD. Thus, identifying early markers of MCI has the potential to increase the therapeutic window to treat and manage the disease. Protein levels of the inflammasome signaling proteins apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and interleukin (IL)-18 were analyzed in the serum of patients with MCI, AD and healthy age-matched donors as possible biomarkers, as well as levels of soluble amyloid precursor proteins α/β (sAPP α/β) and neurofilament light (NfL). Cut-off points and positive and negative predictive values, as well as receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, likelihood ratios and accuracy were determined for these proteins. Although the levels of ASC were higher in MCI and AD than in age-matched controls, protein levels of ASC were higher in MCI than in AD cases. For control vs. MCI, the area under the curve (AUC) for ASC was 0.974, with a cut-off point of 264.9 pg/mL. These data were comparable to the AUC for sAPP α and β of 0.9687 and 0.9068, respectively, as well as 0.7734 for NfL. Moreover, similar results were obtained for control vs. AD and MCI vs. AD. These results indicate that ASC is a promising biomarker of MCI and AD.
Sparse gaussian processes for multi-task learning

Multi-task learning models using Gaussian processes (GP) have been recently developed and successfully applied in various applications. The main difficulty with this approach is the computational cost of inference using the union of examples from all tasks. The paper investigates this problem for the grouped mixed-effect GP model where each individual response is given by a fixed-effect, taken from one of a set of unknown groups, plus a random individual effect function that captures variations among individuals. Such models have been widely used in previous work but no sparse solutions have been developed. The paper presents the first sparse solution for such problems, showing how the sparse approximation can be obtained by maximizing a variational lower bound on the marginal likelihood, generalizing ideas from single-task Gaussian processes to handle the mixed-effect model as well as grouping. Experiments using artificial and real data validate the approach showing that it can recover the performance of inference with the full sample, that it outperforms baseline methods, and that it outperforms state of the art sparse solutions for other multi-task GP formulations.
Applications of sub-micron low-boiling point phase change contrast agents for ultrasound imaging and therapy

Abstract Phase change contrast agents (PCCAs) have been studied in the medical ultrasound field for nearly three decades. Their ability to convert from a liquid core droplet to an acoustically active microbubble has enhanced the possibilities of medical ultrasound, enabling new imaging approaches as well as therapeutic directions. However, traditional PCCAs are formulated with perfluorocarbons which are a liquid at standard temperature and pressure, requiring a high amount of energy to transition the encapsulated droplets to gas form, possibly resulting in undesired bioeffects. A new generation of low-boiling point PCCAs, which are formulated from gaseous perfluorocarbons in a metastable liquid state, seeks to overcome these limits. These super-heated liquid perfluorocarbon nanodroplets display longer circulation kinetics than microbubbles, their activation produces unique acoustic signatures, and their small particle size holds potential for extravascular applications. Low-boiling point nanodroplets can be phase-transitioned when activated with ultrasound at pressures and frequencies approved for diagnostic imaging. From the first publication almost 10 years ago, low-boiling point PCCA research has expanded rapidly, and recent advances in super-resolution imaging, drug delivery and neuromodulation made possible by these nanodroplets are just a few examples of this growing field of research. In this review, we discuss low-boiling point phase change contrast agents and their applications in ultrasound imaging and therapeutics.
Certain Harmful Health Misconceptions of Junior High School Students Attending Public Schools in Metropolitan Areas

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of certain harmful health misconceptions among junior high school students attending public schools in two distinct metropolitan areas of the United States. A health knowledge inventory in two separate forms was constructed, and either Form A or Form B was administered to 4,852 junior high school students from the two distinct metropolitan areas. On the basis of an analysis of the data obtained in this investigation, junior high school students subscribed to many harmful health misconceptions, regardless of metropolitan area, sex, grade level, or number of semesters of health instruction.
Dynamically-wiresized Elmore-based routing constructions

We analyze the impact of wiresizing on the performance of Elmore-based routing constructions. Whereas previous wiresizing schemes are static (i.e., they wiresize an existing topology), we introduce a new dynamic wiresizing technique, which uses wiresizing considerations to drive the routing construction itself. Simulations show that dynamic wiresizing affords superior performance over static wiresizing, and also avoids topological degeneracies. Moreover, dynamically-wiresized Elmore-based routing constructions significantly outperform all previous methods (including A-Trees) in term of maximum source-sink signal delay, affording to 73% average SPICE delay improvement over traditional Steiner routing. >
Application of Extended DLVO Theory: II. Stability of Silica Suspensions

Abstract The aqueous suspensions of Wako precipitated silica exhibit anomalous stability due to hydration forces not considered in the classical DLVO theory. The magnitudes of the hydration energies have been estimated using an extended DLVO theory, in which the hydration energy is expressed as a double-exponential function. The results show that the hydration force decreases with increasing NaCl concentration, suggesting that it is an inherent property of silica as opposed to the "secondary" hydration forces observed with rutile and mica. The extended DLVO theory developed in the present work is useful for predicting the stability of silica suspensions over a wide range of pH and NaCl concentrations.
LEARNING TO READ.

Reading begins with the child9s acquisition of spoken language. Later he learns to differentiate the graphic symbols from one another and to decode these to familiar speech sounds. As he learns the code, he must progressively utilize the structural constraints which are built into it in order to attain the skilled performance which is characterized by processing of higher-order units—the spelling and morphological patterns of the language.
The Tyrosine Hydroxylase Activity of Mammalian Tyrosinase

Abstract The tyrosine hydroxylase activity of tyrosinase from hamster melanoma has been studied by measurement of the release of tritium from tyrosine-3,5-3H. Experiments with mixtures of tyrosine-3,5-3H and tyrosine-14C show that there is little or no tritium rate effect in this reaction. Dopa is the most effective hydrogen donor and will eliminate the lag period when used in catalytic amounts. 2-Amino-4-hydroxy-6,7-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteridine eliminates the lag when it is at a concentration of 2.4 x 10-3 m and shortens the lag at lower concentrations. Substrate quantities of ascorbate, reduced tri- and diphosphopyridine nucleotide, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine do not abolish the lag. 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine at high concentration is an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylation, while tyrosine acts as a substrate inhibitor at concentrations above 8 x 10-4 m. The substrate inhibition can be partially reversed by increasing the concentration of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine from the catalytic level to 8 x 10-4 m. Ascorbate magnifies the inhibition by 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. Inhibition by cyanide, diethyldithiocarbamate, 5-hydroxyindole, and 5-hydroxy-dl-tryptophan is also reported.
Wind Profile, Surface Stress and Geostrophic Drag Coefficients in the Atmospheric Surface Layer

An important problem in meteorology is to establish relationships between the turbulence characteristics of the lower atmosphere and the large-scale synoptic parameters. A significant turbulence characteristic is the surface stress or ground drag which determines-together with the roughness length of the surface—the wind profile, the eddy diffusivity, and the local energy dissipation in the atmospheric surface layer. A significant large-scale synoptic parameter is the geostrophic speed as derived from the horizontal pressure gradient near the earth's surface. The geostrophic drag coefficient is defined which determines also the ratio of wind speed in the surface layer to the geostrophic speed. Its dependence on surface roughness (Surface Bossby Number) is investigated, and compared with similar drag relationships in fluid mechanics (duct flow). The effect of thermal stratification (Richardson number) on surface stress and wind profile structure is also discussed.
Abstract 1703: Nicotine-induced gemcitabine resistance is reversed by gamma-aminobutyric acid but enhanced by baclofen in pancreatic cancer xenografts and in pancreatic cancer cellsin vitro

Pancreatic cancer is frequently resistant to cancer therapeutics. Smoking and alcoholism are risk factors and pancreatic cancer patients often undergo nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and treatment for alcohol dependence. Based on our report that low dose nicotine within the range of NRT causes gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer, our current study has tested the hypothesis that GABA or the selective GABA-B-R agonist baclofen used to treat alcohol dependence reverse nicotine-induced gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer. Using pancreatic cancer cell lines BXPC-3 and PANC-1, our data show that GABA significantly reversed gemcitabine resistance induced by low dose nicotine in xenografts whereas baclofen did not. This effect of GABA was accompanied by decreases in cAMP, p-CREB, p-AKT, p-Src, p-ERK metalloproteinases-9 and -2 and EGR-1 and increases in cleaved caspase-3 in xenografts whereas baclofen had the opposite effects. In vitro exposure of cells to single doses or seven days of nicotine induced the protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and EGR-1 and these responses were blocked by GABA. Baclofen downregulated the protein expression of GABA-B-Rs in xenograft tissues and in cells exposed to baclofen for seven days in vitro. This response was accompanied by inversed baclofen effects from inhibition of cAMP formation after single dose exposures to stimulation of cAMP formation in cells pretreated for seven days. These findings suggest GABA as a promising agent to overcome nicotine-induced gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer whereas treatment of alcoholism by baclofen may increase gemcitabine resistance. Supported by grants RO1CA130888 and RO1CA042829 with the National Cancer Institute. Citation Format: Jheelam Banerjee, Hussein A. N Al-Wadei, Mohammed H. Al-Wadei, Koami Dagnon, Hildegard M. Schuller. Nicotine-induced gemcitabine resistance is reversed by gamma-aminobutyric acid but enhanced by baclofen in pancreatic cancer xenografts and in pancreatic cancer cells in vitro . [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1703. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1703
Lucretius on Irascibility and Anger: Lucr. 3.294–295

This note addresses an emendation in Lucr. 3.295 originally proposed by R. Bentley and endorsed most recently by E.J. Kenney. I argue that the meaning of this and the preceding line has not been fully appreciated even by those commentators who (rightly) retain the MSS reading. To help elucidate the passage, I point to parallels in Philodemus of Gadara's De ira.
A neural network approach to MAP in belief networks

We suggest a neural network approach to probabilistic inference in Bayesian belief networks (BBN). This is demonstrated by solving maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) problems, which are known to be NP-hard. In this approach, a belief network is treated as a neural network without any structural changes, and the node activation functions are derived based on the probabilistic calculus of the BBN. Three models are proposed and their convergence analyzed. Computer experiments with two non-trivial example BBN show that this approach may lead to effective approximation methods for MAP.
Information Theoretic Methods for Diffusion-Weighted MRI Analysis

Concepts from Information Theory have been used quite widely in Image Processing, Computer Vision and Medical Image Analysis for several decades now. Most widely used concepts are that of KL-divergence, minimum description length (MDL), etc. These concepts have been popularly employed for image registration, segmentation, classification etc. In this chapter we review several methods, mostly developed by our group at the Center for Vision, Graphics & Medical Imaging in the University of Florida, that glean concepts from Information Theory and apply them to achieve analysis of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance (DW-MRI) data. This relatively new MRI modality allows one to non-invasively infer axonal connectivity patterns in the central nervous system. The focus of this chapter is to review automated image analysis techniques that allow us to automatically segment the region of interest in the DWMRI image wherein one might want to track the axonal pathways and also methods to reconstruct complex local tissue geometries containing axonal fiber crossings. Implementation results illustrating the algorithm application to real DW-MRI data sets are depicted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the methods reviewed.
Inhibiting Multiple Mode Vibration in Controlled Flexible Systems

Space-borne and industrial robotic systems often utilize lightweight materials and configurations that give rise to vibration problems. Prior research has led to the development of input command pre-shapers that can significantly reduce residual vibration. These shapers exhibit marked insensitivity to errors in natural frequency estimates and can be used to minimize vibration at more than one frequency. This paper briefly outlines a method for the development of multiple mode input shapers, and examines the results of shaper performance tests conducted on linear and non-linear computer models of MACE, an MIT/NASA experimental flexible structure.
Feasible muscle activation ranges based on inverse dynamics analyses of human walking

Although it is possible to produce the same movement using an infinite number of different muscle activation patterns owing to musculoskeletal redundancy, the degree to which observed variations in muscle activity can deviate from optimal solutions computed from biomechanical models is not known. Here, we examined the range of biomechanically permitted activation levels in individual muscles during human walking using a detailed musculoskeletal model and experimentally-measured kinetics and kinematics. Feasible muscle activation ranges define the minimum and maximum possible level of each muscle's activation that satisfy inverse dynamics joint torques assuming that all other muscles can vary their activation as needed. During walking, 73% of the muscles had feasible muscle activation ranges that were greater than 95% of the total muscle activation range over more than 95% of the gait cycle, indicating that, individually, most muscles could be fully active or fully inactive while still satisfying inverse dynamics joint torques. Moreover, the shapes of the feasible muscle activation ranges did not resemble previously-reported muscle activation patterns nor optimal solutions, i.e. static optimization and computed muscle control, that are based on the same biomechanical constraints. Our results demonstrate that joint torque requirements from standard inverse dynamics calculations are insufficient to define the activation of individual muscles during walking in healthy individuals. Identifying feasible muscle activation ranges may be an effective way to evaluate the impact of additional biomechanical and/or neural constraints on possible versus actual muscle activity in both normal and impaired movements.
Downstream Value from Upstream Finance

We examine market value implications of managing liquidity via supplier financing. Results suggest a direct link between shareholder wealth and use of trade credit, and the relation exhibits significant cross-sectional variation. In particular, the market value of trade credit varies with the liquidity of goods sold and competition in product markets. Evidence also indicates the value-supplier financing association strengthens with financial constraint, which supports the financing motive for trade credit. Further findings are consistent with the transaction cost motive. Overall, we conclude that shareholders value the strategic benefits associated with supplier financing and that downstream firms’ characteristics influence this value.
Decreasing Mercury in Northern Wisconsin: Temporal Patterns in Bulk Precipitation and a Precipitation-Dominated Lake

Long-term monitoring of a precipitation-dominated lake in northern Wisconsin indicates decreasing mercury concentrations over the past decade. In the surface waters of Little Rock Lake, aqueous HgT has decreased at an average rate of 0.04 ng/L/yor roughly 40% from 1988 to 1999. The concentration of aqueous meHgT in Little Rock Lake has decreased tooat an average rate of 0.004 ng/L/y (roughly 50% since 1988). Atmospheric monitoring also indicates decreased mercury in bulk precipitation. For those years when we have a continuous data record (1994 through 1999), the annual Hg cycle in bulk precipitation has been damped and the average rate of bulk atmospheric Hg deposition decreased by roughly 50% (from 11.2 ug/m2/y to 5.5 ug/m2/y). These trends suggest that the lake waters have responded to decreased atmospheric Hg depositionperhaps driven by reduced anthropogenic emissions in the region. Ancillary data and mass balance modeling are used to more fully investigate recent changes in the aquatic mercury cycle.
GRAIN BOUNDARY STRUCTURE IN HCP METAL

A transmission electron microscope study of the structures of grain boundaries in zinc has been performed. Dislocation structures are observed in many high angle boundaries, and in most cases, the boundaries that exhibit such structure are close in misorientation to a coincidence site lattice (CSL) forming misorientation. In some cases, the CSL can be formed exactly, by a simple rotation, as in the familiar cubic crystal cases, but this can only occur for rotations about the [0001] axis. For all other cases there must also be a slight constraint of the c/a ratio to some ideal value. Grain boundary structures are found to be related to constrained CSLs just as they are for exact CSLs in the more familiar cases. A serious complication for the analysis, however, is that the distribution of CSLs in misorientation space is very inhomogeneous for the HCP materials, so there are many candidate CSL systems for the analysis of any experimentally observed boundary.
Chlamydia pneumoniae and atherosclerosis

Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) is a common respiratory pathogen. Many reports have documented the presence of C. pneumoniae in atheromatous coronary arteries, aorta, carotid arteries, and peripheral arteries using a variety of techniques. There is clear experimental evidence that C. pneumoniae can infect macrophages, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and induce the formation of foam cells. Evidence from basic research and epidemiologic studies suggest that C. pneumoniae can induce macrophage foam cell formation by dysregulating native LDL uptake or metabolism (or both). Relatively small, secondary prevention studies, have suggested that antibiotic therapy might reduce monocyte activation and C. pneumoniae antibody titers, reduce inflammatory markers and possibly reduce adverse cardiovascular events. It is possible that C. pneumoniae enhances atherogenesis by causing inflammation and eliciting immune responses and may be one of the factors contributing to this multifactorial disease process.
What, Where, and How? Special Education in the Climate of Full Inclusion

After the passage of PL 94-142 in 1975 guaranteeing a free, appropriate, public education to all students with disabilities, multiple reauthorizations of IDEA have refined, revised, and renewed the nation's moral and pedagogical commitment to providing well-planned, public, inclusive, and appropriate education to all students with disabilities. But conflicting views of where that education should take place, what that education should consist of, and how that education should be delivered have continued to plague the field of special education. In this article, we provide an historical perspective on the arguments over where, what and how. We open four “windows” on special education service delivery in four different settings in Pennsylvania to illustrate contemporary interpretations and contemporary public policy related to where, what, and how. In the end, we raise questions about whether current, fully inclusive special education practices fulfill the promise of PL-94-142 to provide a special and appro...
Ground Acceleration near St. Michael's Church During the 1886 Charleston, SC, Earthquake

Abstract The historic and continuing seismicity in the southeastern U.S. indicate the seismic threat to the population. However, little is known about the engineering characteristics of eastern U.S. earthquakes because there are no strong motion recordings of them. In particular, the peak ground acceleration, needed for structural design, is not available except through correlations with western U.S. earthquakes or MMI data of unknown uncertainty. This paper estimates the peak ground acceleration experienced by St. Michael's Church during the 1886 Charleston, SC, event based on conventional and probabilistic structural analysis. The 1886 event, rated as MMI X and magnitude 7, is the only historic strong motion event greater than mb = 5 that affected Charleston. The analysis concluded that the peak ground acceleration for the 1886 event was 0.33g. The coefficient of variation of this acceleration was 24%, remarkably small when considering the uncertainty in the input parameters.
Isolated effects of number of acquisition trials on extinction of rat conditioned approach behavior

Four conditioned approach experiments with rats assessed for effects of number of acquisition trials on extinction of conditioned responding, when number of acquisition sessions and total acquisition time were held constant. In Experiment 1, 32 trials per acquisition session led to more extinction responding than did 1 or 2 trials per session but less than did 4 trials per session. In Experiment 2, 2 trials per acquisition session led to more spontaneous recovery than did 32 trials per session. These latter findings are reminiscent of the overtraining extinction effect (OEE). Experiment 3 attempted to reduce the OEE with a preconditioning phase of partial reinforcement. Experiment 4 attempted to reduce the beneficial within-subject effects of increasing the number of acquisition trials on extinction observed by Gottlieb and Rescorla (2010) by extinguishing stimuli in different sessions. Overall, results suggest a procedural asymmetry: between-subject, increasing the number of trials between any pair of trials does not lead to greater persistence of responding during extinction; within-subject, it does. Results are discussed from an associative perspective, with a focus on explanations involving either frustration or comparator mechanisms, and from an information processing perspective, with a focus on Rate Estimation Theory.
Coarse Channelized Deposits and Other Indicators of Slope and Base-of-Slope Environments in Ancient Marine Basins: ABSTRACT

Submarine slopes are distinctive depositional environments because of their gradients and their position between sediment source locales at their upper level and areas more favorable for preservation on basin floors beyond. The model for slope sedimentation must incorporate such factors as gradient, dissection, type and rate of sediment input, and processes. Slopes are most often represented as inclined planes reflecting depositional instability, i.e., relatively temporary resting places for sediments during their passage to depositional sites in more distal environments. Sediments are, however, preserved in a multiple set of slope subenvironments, and there are criteria for recognizing most of these. Fine-grained pelagic deposits (some entirely reworked by benthonic organisms), hemipelagic materials influenced by bottom current activity, turbidites with mixed faunas and mineralogy, contorted slumped units, and allochthonous slabs which slid into deeper water generally are recognized as the dominant slope facies assemblage. However, the problem of distinguishing slope from basin-floor sediment remains because criteria for distinguishing facies are found in both environments, especially near their juncture. Marine geologic investigations have detailed the three-dimensional geometry, vertical-lateral relation, sedimentary properties, and have defined processes on modern slopes. These investigations and studies of paleoslope deposits in certain Tertiary flysch formations of the Alps a d Carpathians, bring to light methods that permit more precise paleogeographic interpretations. Channelized deposits, coarse units representing fills of submarine canyons and valleys and answering the description of fluxoturbidites, are important in this respect. They can be mapped regionally as shoestring bodies that migrate downslope and are incised in pelagic and bottom-current transported units and turbidite bundles. They are well developed on lower slopes, subsea fans, and rises, and can be traced well into basins; they are not necessarily proximal. Primary structures are generally indicative of traction processes. Their value in measuring primary dip and major slope trends, in pinpointing important source input along basin margins, and in serving as funnels in the transfer of sediments downslope can be demonstrated. In association with these channels, wedges of pebbly mudstone are common at the base of slopes and, where concentrated, indicate the position of an important break (decrease) in gradient. Large, commonly rounded blocks and boulders enrobed in contorted mud suggest conditions of rapid sedimentation as off river mouths or along rapidly eroded coastlines, where materials are periodically moved across narrow shelves and then, en masse, on relatively steep slopes, perhaps between canyons. End_of_Article - Last_Page 743------------
Generalization of Parenting Skills: An Early Intervention Program.

The direct and generalized effects of a short-term, parent-training program on maternal teaching responses, child play behaviors and mother-child interactional style were evaluated. Mothers of developmentally delayed infants, trained through verbal instruction, modeling, and feedback procedures, were shown how to use behavioral techniques in teaching their children a specific set of toy play behaviors. To facilitate generalization of parenting behavior to other play situations, mothers were instructed concerning the general utility of the teaching strategies and required to verbalize how these strategies would be employed in specific role-play situations. The results indicated that the training program was effective in improving maternal teaching behaviors and that generalization of such behavior can be programmed. In addition, there was evidence that positive changes in infant behavior as well as a more responsive and sensitive style of interaction between mother and child occurred as a result of the pro...
Will engineered T cells expressing CD20 scFv eradicate Melanoma

Melanomas account for ~4% of all dermatological cancers and for 80% of deaths from skin cancers.1 Although many primary melanomas can be cured through surgery, treatment of metastatic melanomas remains challenging.1 Melanoma patients undergoing chemotherapy or even targeted therapy with small-molecule inhibitors aimed at blocking the most frequently mutated oncogene (BRAFV600E) are known to develop drug resistance and tumor recurrence.1,2,3,4 Even though some of the molecular mechanisms underlying acquired drug resistance have recently been described,4,5,6,7 recurrence of initially responsive melanomas can also be due in part to the presence and potential enrichment of tumor subpopulations that are inherently resistant to therapy. Schmidt et al. recently reported that by targeting a small subset (~2%) or subpopulation of tumor cells expressing CD20, a cell surface marker typically associated with B cells,8 long-lasting tumor regression can be achieved in an experimental immunodeficient mouse tumor model,9 whereas targeting of other tumor subpopulations had only minimal effects on tumor regression.