cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
73 – Techniques to Study Microcirculation

Microcirculatory techniques provide a powerful tool to investigate regional blood flow and to assess microvascular reactivity, vascular permeability, and endothelial cell–leukocyte interactions. This is best accomplished using either in vivo videomicroscopy or the isolated vessel technique. The main disadvantages of these techniques are their difficulty and high cost. Various other less arduous techniques are available to assess regional and microcirculatory blood flow (laser doppler, microspheres, clearance techniques). In general, these are more straightforward and less demanding. Although they are excellent at assessing regional blood flow, they do not allow delineation of vascular reactivity comparable to the video microscopy techniques. It is also very difficult to separate changes in central hemodynamic responses from changes in organ-specific blood flow regulation using these indirect clearance techniques. However, they may be very useful adjuncts when combined with direct microcirculation studies
Sleep Deprivation and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

This chapter summarizes causes and consequences of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). The pathological causes of EDS include primary sleep disorders, general medical, psychiatric and neurologic diseases, and alcohol and drug abuse. Consequences of EDS are both short term and long term with increasing morbidity and mortality. An important cause of EDS is sleep deprivation (e.g., both physiologic related to lifestyle and pathological causes). Sleep deprivation (SD) experiments have been conducted to study effect of sleepiness. SD experiments, however, introduce the confounding factor of stress and, therefore, may not be an ideal way to study EDS resulting from pathological causes.
Abstract P150: Estrogen Protects Against and Reverses Adverse Ventricular Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertension-Induced Right Ventricular Failure

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) leads to right-ventricular failure (RVF). RVF is characterized by adverse RV remodeling including hypertrophy and changes in the cardiac Extracellular Matrix (ECM) such as fibrosis and re-expression of cardiac fetal genes. Among the potentially re-expressed genes are the novel ECM interacting proteins Osteopontin (OPN) and Osteocalcin (OCN). Gender differences found in experimental PH are attributed to protective effects of Estrogen (E2). We hypothesize that gender differences observed in experimental PH are partially due to the effects of E2 on the cardiac ECM, and that exogenous E2 may be able to reverse adverse RV remodeling. Male and female rats received single monocrotaline (MCT, 60mg/kg) injection. Some rats were given E2 (42.5μg/kg/day) from day 21–30. Saline treated rats were controls. Cardiopulmonary hemodynamics were serially monitored and RV pressures (RVP) were recorded terminally. RV fibrosis was assessed by trichrome staining. Gene expression was determined by RT PCR and plasma OPN by ELISA. All rats developed PH by day 21 and RVF by day 30. Male rats developed more severe PH-induced RVF than females (RVP=70 vs. 41.5±5 mmHg; RV/(LV+IVS)= 0.69±0.07 vs. 0.47±0.04; RVEF = 30.4±1.8 vs. 42.8±2% resp., all p<0.05). Males also revealed more severe RV fibrosis and greater re-expression of OPN (4.5 fold vs. females, p<0.05) and OCN (2-fold vs. females, p<0.05). Plasma OPN was also elevated in RVF males (1.00±0.11 in control to 1.47±0.18 pg/ml, p<0.05) but not RVF females (0.848±0.18 in control to 0.859±0.294 pg/ml, p=ns). Since females experienced less severe RV remodeling than males, MCT injected males were treated with exogenous E2 from day 21–30. Some E2 treated male rats were sacrificed at day 30, and some were kept an additional 12 days after E2-withdrawal (E2-W group). E2 reversed PH-induced RVF (RVP=38mmHg; RV/(LV+IVS) = 0.28±0.03; RVEF=61.5±0.8%, all p<0.05 vs. male RVF) and fibrosis. OPN and OCN were fully restored following E2 withdrawal by day 42. E2 therapy also restored circulating OPN levels (p<0.05 vs. RVF) showing that OPN has potential value as a plasma marker for PH-induced RV failure. These results suggest that E2 protects against adverse RV remodeling in females, and reverses adverse RV remodeling in males.
Poster Abstract: Quality of Experience Aware Collaborative Augment Reality system (Q-CARs)

Achieving high QoE for AR applications on a mobile device is challenging because the required advanced computer vision and machine learning algorithms are computationally intensive by nature. Hence, some task for AR applications must be offloaded to more powerful remote servers. Offloading for mobile applications remains an active area of research. In the context of mobile AR applications which requires continuous processing, offloading algorithms must be applied with care due to the high wireless network latencies. In fact, there are only a few mobile AR QoE frameworks to take wireless network conditions into consideration, and none of them studied the relationship between mobile AR QoE and wireless channel status that impacts each other along the time scale. In this project, we propose Q-CARS system, which will provide real test results that facilitate the design of the wireless network that enhances the support of QoE in AR systems.
The Creativity-in-Progress Rubric on Proving: Two Teaching Implementations and Students’ Reported Usage

AbstractA growing body of mathematics education research points to the importance of fostering students’ mathematical creativity in undergraduate mathematics courses. However, there are not many re...
Growth-Factor-Releasing Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films to Control the Cell Culture Environment

Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) are of great interest as cell culture surfaces because of their ability to modify topography and surface energy and release biologically relevant molecules such as growth factors. In this work, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) was adsorbed directly onto polystyrene, plasma-treated polystyrene, and glass surfaces with a poly(methacrylic acid) and poly-l-histidine PEM assembled above it. Up to 14 ng/cm2 of FGF2 could be released from plasma-treated polystyrene surfaces over the course of 7 days with an FGF2 solution concentration of 100 μg/mL applied during the adsorption process. This release rate could be modulated by adjusting the adsorption concentration, decreasing to as low as 2 ng/cm2 total release over 7 days using a 12.5 μg/mL FGF2 solution. The surface energy and roughness could also be regulated using the adsorbed PEM. These properties were found to be substrate- and first-layer-dependent, supporting current theories of PEM assembly. When released, FGF2 from the PEMs was found to significantly enhance fibroblast proliferation as compared to culture conditions without FGF2. The results showed that growth factor release profiles and surface properties are easily controllable through modification of the PEM assembly steps and that these strategies can be effectively applied to common cell culture surfaces to control the cell fate.
Validation of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Sleep Questions.

Study Objective:Sleep problems may constitute a risk for health problems, including cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, poor work performance, and motor vehicle accidents. The primary pur...
Targeting IDH1 and IDH2 Mutations in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Over the past decade, the pathogenic role of mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenases (IDH) 1 and 2, affecting approximately 20% of patients with AML, has been defined, allowing for the development of specific therapeutic strategies for IDH-mutant AML. In this review, the landscape and progress of targeted therapeutics aimed at IDH mutations in AML and related myeloid malignancies will be described. Since 2013, several mutant IDH-targeted inhibitors have been developed, and nearly a dozen clinical trials have opened specifically for IDH-mutant hematologic malignancies. Preliminary results for several of these investigations have shown evidence of safety, tolerability, and encouraging evidence of efficacy. Targeting IDH mutations in AML is a biologically informed and rational strategy to promote clinical responses, primarily through differentiation and maturation of the malignant clone. The use of IDH targeted therapy is expected to soon become part of a genomically defined and individualized AML treatment strategy.
The Semiotic Meanings of Names

Semiotics is the study of how signs are interpreted as references, and names are an obvious type of sign. Semiotics may therefore be considered a useful approach to all types of name study — whether personal names, place names, commercial names, or literary names. As described by C. S. Peirce, an act of reference consists of a sign (e.g., a word, word part, road sign, emblem, or simply a finger) and a referent (e.g., an object, conceptual model, or analytic definition). Furthermore, all acts of reference reflect one or more of three basic types of relationships: 1) similarity, 2) one-to-one corre¬spondence, and/or 3) arbitrary convention. If a sign is interpreted as similar to a referent, it functions iconically. If it is interpreted as a designation or as caused by the referent, it functions indexically. If it is interpreted as referring to two or more indexical referents, it evokes related qualities and there¬by functions symbolically. The primary interpretation of names is indexical. However, the purpose of this paper is to show how names, as signs, are also interpreted iconically and symbolically, even at the same time. Different types of names will be used to illustrate these semiotic functions.
Power Plays: Shakespeare's Lessons in Leadership and Management

(2001). Power Plays: Shakespeare's Lessons in Leadership and Management. Quality Management Journal: Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 71-73.
Non-Helicobacter pylori Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia in Children: A Series of Cases and Review of the Literature

In the pediatric population, Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia (GIM) is a finding with unknown frequency and, more importantly, unknown clinical implications. The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and GIM is well documented, as well as an association between duodenogastric reflux and GIM. We present two cases of pediatric patients with GIM along with a review of the literature. The diagnosis of GIM may have adverse clinical implications and should be made with caution in a child. The association of GIM and adenoma/dysplasia and carcinoma is rarely seen in children, primarily because the time required for these to develop takes the individual into adulthood. Treatment, long-term consequences, and surveillance protocols are not well established in the pediatric population. Studies to evaluate the long-term natural history, treatment, and surveillance protocols in children with GIM are needed.
Building a Movement to Recognize Food Security as a Human Right in the United States

Food insecurity in the United States is an ordinary facet of life for nearly 15 % of the population. Food assistance policy has been dominated by charitable and needs-based systems that are largely ameliorative, and do not address underlying conditions that create hunger and widespread food hardship. This chapter contrasts these approaches to food access in the United States with a “rights-based” framework to food security. After summarizing international standards on the right to food and outlining key features of US food assistance policy, the authors describe examples of community-based practice to ensure a right to food in the United States. The authors highlight the lack of knowledge among social workers about food security and international standards on the right to food and nutrition. Arguing for engagement by the social work profession in developing advocacy for food justice, this chapter is a call for action to create a rights-based approach to food security. The authors highlight the strengths of building a rights-based community practice approach that examines the conceptualization, implementation, and evaluation of food assistance programs at local and state levels.
Stored Outlines, SQL Profiles. Bedeutung, SQL Plan Baselines. Unterschiede, Zusammenhänge

Alle 3 Features aus dem obigen Titel gehoren zu den machtigen Methoden des Performance Tuning. 2 davon (Stored Outlines und SQL Plan Baselines) dienen dem Zweck der Plan-Stabilisierung, wobei das Dritte (SQL Profiles) zum automatischen SQL-Tuning gehort.
Bitbots: simple robots solving complex tasks

Sensing uncertainty is a central issue in robotics. Sensor limitations often prevent accurate state estimation, and robots find themselves confronted with a complicated infonnation (belief) space. In this paper we define and characterize the information spaces of very simple robots, called Bitbots, which have severe sensor limitations. While complete estimation of the robot's state is impossible, careful consideration and management of the uncertainty is presented as a search in the information space. We show that these simple robots can solve several challenging online problems, even though they can neither obtain a complete map of their environment nor exactly localize themselves. However, when placed in an unknown environment, Bitbots can build a topological representation of it and then perform pursuit-evasion (i.e., locate all moving targets inside this environment). This paper introduces Bitbots, and provides both theoretical analysis of their information spaces and simulation results.
Human neural crest induction by temporal modulation of WNT activation

The developmental biology of neural crest cells in humans remains unexplored due to technical and ethical challenges. The use of pluripotent stem cells to model human neural crest development has gained momentum. We recently introduced a rapid chemically defined approach to induce robust neural crest by WNT/β-CATENIN activation. Here we investigate the temporal requirements of ectopic WNT activation needed to induce neural crest cells. By altering the temporal activation of canonical WNT/β-CATENIN with a GSK3 inhibitor we find that a 2 Day pulse of WNT/β-CATENIN activation via GSK3 inhibition is optimal to generate bona fide neural crest cells, as shown by their capacity to differentiate to neural crest specific fates including peripheral neurons, glia, melanoblasts and ectomesenchymal osteocytes, chondrocytes and adipocytes. Although a 2 Day pulse can impart neural crest character when GSK3 is inhibited days after seeding, optimal results are obtained when WNT is activated from the beginning, and we find that the window of competence to induce NCs from non-neural ectodermal/placodal precursors closes by day 3 of culture. The reduced requirement for exogenous WNT activation offers an approach that is cost-effective, and we show that this adherent 2-dimensional approach is efficient in a broad range of culture platforms ranging from 96-well vessels to 10 cm dishes.
SkinSpecs: A Mobile Solution that Addresses an Unmet Need for Tracking Chronic Skin Diseases in the Office and at Home

Introduction: Currently there are no portable solutions to robustly document and longitudinally monitor dynamically changing chronic skin conditions. This study set out to engineer and test a mobile-based 3D imaging solution for chronic skin diseases to enhance clinical workflow and patient care.Methods: SkinSpecs uses smartphone-captured videos of patients’ skin disease and renders 3D true-to-life models that were evaluated by Stanford Health Care dermatologists.Results: We utilized video input to accurately reconstruct interactive 3D models of 16 different skin conditions from 31 patients. Assessment of SkinSpecs 3D reconstruction is faster (p<0.05) compared to descriptive exam, standard photographs or original videos. Dermatologists maintained highest accuracy, confidence and satisfaction with 3D reconstruction. Dermatologist preferred SkinSpecs for documentation over other capture modalities. SkinSpecs was favorably used by dermatologists, with high satisfaction with resolution, breadth of visual information, time and ability to pick up incidental findings.Conclusion: We identified a proof-of-concept solution to objectively and robustly capture skin disease, with an office and home workflow that is acceptable to providers and patients. This fast, scalable method is deployable on smartphones and could be utilized to augment clinical decision making in the clinic and to empower patients at home.
Axon length maintenance and synapse integrity are regulated by c-AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) during larval growth of the drosophila sensory neurons

Axonal extension and synaptic targeting are usually completed during early development, but the axonal length and synaptic integrity need to be actively maintained during later developmental stages and the adult life. Failure in the axonal length maintenance and the subsequent axonal degeneration have been associated with neurological disorders, but currently little is known about the genetic factors controlling this process. Here, we show that regulated intracellular levels of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) are critical for the axon maintenance during the transition from the early to the later larval stages in the Drosophila class IV dendritic arborization (da) sensory neurons. Our data indicate that when the intracellular levels of PKA are increased via genetic manipulations, these peripheral neurons initially form synapses with wild-type appearance, at their predicted ventral nerve cord (VNC) target sites (in the first and second instar larval stages), but that their synapses disintegrate, and the axons retract and become fragmented in the subsequent larval stages (third larval stage). The affected axonal endings at the disintegrated synaptic sites still express the characteristic presynaptic and cytoskeletal markers such as Bruchpilot and Fascin, indicating that the synapse had been initially properly formed, but that it later lost its integrity. Finally, the phenotype is significantly more prominent in the axons of the neurons whose cell bodies are located in the posterior body segments. We propose that the reason for this is the fact that during the larval development the posterior neurons face a much greater challenge while trying to keep up with the fast-paced growth of the larval body, and that PKA is critical for this process. Our data reveal PKA as a novel factor in the axonal length and synapse integrity maintenance in sensory neurons. These results could be of help in understanding neurological disorders characterized by destabilized synapses.
Reactive oxygen species as the long arm of bactericidal antibiotics

Stress tolerance in bacterial populations is the ability to restore homeostasis after protracted exposure to lethal agents. The longer a bacterial population can withstand a lethal agent, the more tolerant it is considered to be. In the last two decades, antibiotic tolerance was given special attention because of a possible link between the tolerance level of bacterial pathogens and infection outcome in the clinic (1). Much like the evolution of antibiotic resistance, bacterial pathogens can evolve into a state of high-level tolerance (2). Unlike the limited number of mutations that provide antibiotic resistance, a wide range of mutations can increase the bacterial level of tolerance. This observation distinguishes a fundamental difference between the mechanisms of tolerance and resistance. Whereas de novo acquisition of resistance is based on specific changes at the antibiotic binding site, numerous mutations that slow the growth rate or extend the lag time increase the bacterial tolerance level. In both slow-growth and extended-lag mutants, the antibiotic target is less abundant and, therefore, primary damage accumulates more slowly (3). However, for most antibiotics, it is not the primary damage per se that kills the bacterial cell, but rather a downstream cascade of events that ends in secondary damage types (4⇓–6). In theory, one would expect an additional evolutionary trajectory toward a high state of tolerance, driven by secondary damage attenuating mutations. However, the inherent difficulty of the study of secondary damage in isolation is the dearth of currently available research. Measuring tolerance is more difficult than it may initially seem. The common practice of quantifying bacterial survival at time intervals by removal of antibiotic and cell plating on recovery plates is inherently flawed. While it accurately quantifies the amount of cell regrowth on the plates, the quantification of bacterial survival does not accurately reveal the … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: evgeny.nudler{at}nyumc.org. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Challenges to the Cattell-Horn-Carroll Theory: Empirical, Clinical, and Policy Implications

The Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) taxonomy of cognitive abilities married John Horn and Raymond Cattell’s Extended Gf-Gc theory with John Carroll’s Three-Stratum Theory. While there are some similarit...
The Lagrangian Averaged Navier–Stokes equation with rough data in Sobolev spaces

Abstract The Lagrangian Averaged Navier–Stokes equation is a recently derived approximation to the Navier–Stokes equation. In this article we prove the existence of short time solutions to the incompressible, isotropic Lagrangian Averaged Navier–Stokes equation with low regularity initial data in Sobolev spaces W s , p ( R n ) for 1 p ∞ . For L 2 -based Sobolev spaces, we obtain global existence results. More specifically, we achieve local existence with initial data in the Sobolev space H n / 2 p , p ( R n ) . For initial data in H 3 / 4 , 2 ( R 3 ) , we obtain global existence, improving on previous global existence results, which required data in H 3 , 2 ( R 3 ) .
Student Use of Library-Provided Materials in EdD Dissertations

One of the tools collection managers can use to guide the selection and retention of books and journals is citation analysis. Although time-consuming to collect and analyze, citations by library users provide compelling evidence for keeping certain titles or growing collection support for specific subject areas, and may provide a good sense of which materials may be safely weeded. Citation analysis can also give an indication of how well the collection is meeting the needs of the students of the home institution. Research at East Carolina University confirms that the library provides substantial electronic journal coverage and somewhat less satisfactory monograph availability. Future research on the impact of open access is suggested, as well as an examination of the methods dissertation authors are using to access materials.
An optimal stocking problem to minimize the expected time to sellout

Abstract We consider an assortment planning problem where the objective is to minimize the expected time to sell all items in the assortment. We provide several structural results for the optimal assortment. We present a heuristic policy, which we prove is asymptotically optimal. We also show that there are alternate objective criteria under which the problem simplifies considerably.
Novel Honokiol-eluting PLGA-based scaffold effectively restricts the growth of renal cancer cells

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) often becomes resistant to targeted therapies, and in addition, dose-dependent toxicities limit the effectiveness of therapeutic agents. Therefore, identifying novel drug delivery approaches to achieve optimal dosing of therapeutic agents can be beneficial in managing toxicities and to attain optimal therapeutic effects. Previously, we have demonstrated that Honokiol, a natural compound with potent anti-tumorigenic and anti-inflammatory effects, can induce cancer cell apoptosis and inhibit the growth of renal tumors in vivo. In cancer treatment, implant-based drug delivery systems can be used for gradual and sustained delivery of therapeutic agents like Honokiol to minimize systemic toxicity. Electrospun polymeric fibrous scaffolds are ideal candidates to be used as drug implants due to their favorable morphological properties such as high surface to volume ratio, flexibility and ease of fabrication. In this study, we fabricated Honokiol-loaded Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) electrospun scaffolds; and evaluated their structural characterization and biological activity. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance data proved the existence of Honokiol in the drug loaded polymeric scaffolds. The release kinetics showed that only 24% of the loaded Honokiol were released in 24hr, suggesting that sustained delivery of Honokiol is feasible. We calculated the cumulative concentration of the Honokiol released from the scaffold in 24hr; and the extent of renal cancer cell apoptosis induced with the released Honokiol is similar to an equivalent concentration of direct application of Honokiol. Also, Honokiol-loaded scaffolds placed directly in renal cell culture inhibited renal cancer cell proliferation and migration. Together, we demonstrate that Honokiol delivered through electrospun PLGA-based scaffolds is effective in inhibiting the growth of renal cancer cells; and our data necessitates further in vivo studies to explore the potential of sustained release of therapeutic agents-loaded electrospun scaffolds in the treatment of RCC and other cancer types.
Dual-edge robotic gear chamfering with registration error compensation

Abstract This paper describes a novel method for robotic gear chamfering called dual-edge chamfering which can facilitate simultaneous chamfering of the two edges of adjacent gear teeth and overcome typical registration errors arising due to the placement of the workpiece in the robot workspace. Deviations of the robot end-effector trajectory when compared to the nominal trajectory due to registration errors are discussed first; such trajectory deviations caused by typical registration errors due to gear center translation and rotation are quantified. Dual-edge chamfering process is described and an efficient trajectory design strategy is developed by considering the kinematic constraints imposed by the profiles of the gear edge and the abrasive tool. The dual-edge chamfering robot trajectory is facilitated by a simple procedure for identifying the gear and gear root centers by employing the robot. To execute the dual-edge chamfering trajectory, an efficient motion/force control strategy that includes active compliance from the tool mounted on the robot is proposed. A number of real-time experiments are conducted to evaluate the proposed method by employing a commercial six degree-of-freedom robot. Two types of large cylindrical metal gears are utilized for testing, an external gear with teeth on the outside and an internal gear with teeth on the inside. In addition to these, two different robotic compliant tools with axial and radial compliance are tested. A representative sample of the experimental results are presented and discussed.
The lengths of spinal curvature stretch due to the angles of sitting on saddle chair to alleviate back pain: A statistical analysis.

Background By dividing the burden of one's weight between the shins and the buttocks in the sitting position on an office or saddle chair, a person can avoid back pain. In this 21st century, sitting on a chair for long hours in workplace on office chair is unavoidable necessity and hence, millions in different countries undergo a risk for backpain. Is there a right sitting position? Objective The aim of this article is to find out how much a correlation exists between the angle of sitting and the length of spinal curvature which is the source of backpain. An experiment can be designed and carried out to measure various angles in sitting and the changing length of the person's spinal cord curvature. Method The usual statistical methodology requires a pair of values namely x and y to quantify the correlation. The data on sitting angles and the length of spinal curvature do not have such pairing, and hence, the traditional approach to find the correlation between the sitting angle and length of spinal curvature is not applicable. Yet, an approach is necessary. This article constructs an innovative statistical approach to fulfil this need. Results Our approach yields a correlation of 0.998 for sitting on office chair and an increased correlation of 0.999 on saddle chair, according to the Truszczynska-Baszaka et al.'s data. Conclusions An adjustment is made in various angles of sitting on office chair to transform the comfortable sitting on a saddle chair. In consequence, the proportional effect on the spinal curvature is estimable with the data and it is phenomenal (that is significantly more than one). No wonder people prefer saddle chair over office chair when it comes to avoid back pain and this article proves the convenience statistically.
Finite-State Text Processing

Abstract Weighted finite-state transducers (WFSTs) are commonly used by engineers and computational linguists for processing and generating speech and text. This book first provides a detailed intr...
Inter-Ethnic Marriages, Survival of Women, and the Logics of Genocide in Rwanda

This article focuses on the gendered dimensions of the genocide in Rwanda. It seeks to explain why Tutsi women married to Hutu men appeared to have better chances of survival than Tutsi women married to Tutsi men or even Hutu women married to Tutsi men. Based on data from a field site in southwest Rwanda, the findings and insights offered here draw on the gendered, racial, and operational dynamics of the genocide as it unfolded between April and July 1994.
TH-EF-BRD-11: Clinical Skin Toxicity Comparison and Phantom Dose Measurements for Head and Neck Patients Treated with IMRT Vs. VMAT

Purpose: Observations in our clinic have suggested a trend towards increased skin-toxicity for head and neck (HN) patients treated with Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) compared with Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). Here, we report on these observations and quantify surface dose differences between VMAT and IMRT treatment plans for HN cancer patients. Methods: We retrospectively compared skin-toxicity scores gathered by the treating physician according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v4.0) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with IMRT (102) and VMAT (88) . A Cochran-Armitage test evaluated the relationship between treatment modality, chemotherapy and toxicity. Six patients with grade 3 skin-toxicities were selected from this cohort and the target/organ at risk volumes were transferred onto an anthropomorphic phantom using a deformable image registration based atlas (SmartSegmentation, Varian Medical). Two-arc VMAT and 9-field IMRT plans were optimized and delivered to the anthropomorphic phantom to produce similar, clinically-acceptable, dose distributions. Surface dose was measured using optically-stimulated luminescent dosimeters placed at 2 positions on the phantom’s neck which were identical between VMAT and IMRT deliveries. N-factor ANOVA was performed to identify statistically significant differences in surface dose. Results: Our retrospective study showed a marginally significant higher skin-toxicity (Grade≥ 2) for VMAT compared with IMRT (35%vs.20%, p=0.06) for patients treated with radiation alone. Phantom measurements showed a significant effect of treatment modality on surface dose (F=42.5,p<0.001) with VMAT delivering 8% higher surface doses on average. No interaction was found between use of a thermoplastic mask and treatment with VMAT (F=0.02,p=0.884). Conclusion: This work indicates that marginal increases in skin dose and subsequent toxicity may be expected from HN patients treated with VMAT compared with IMRT. Our results motivate the need for techniques to spare the skin during VMAT treatment planning and for the early assessment of skin-toxicity.
Consistency of spatial patterns of the daily precipitation field in the western United States and its application to precipitation disaggregation

[1] We investigate spatial patterns of daily precipitation field in the western United States, in order to improve assessment and disaggregation of climate model simulation. Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis reveals that the spatial pattern of daily precipitation has not changed saliently in the region over the period 1948–2008. Results show that, even at very fine spatial (.25° × .25°) and temporal (daily) resolutions, a small number (∼15) of leading EOFs can explain about 90% of the total variance of the timeseries of the entire precipitation field, having more than 6,000 grid cells. Moreover, the identified leading EOFs demonstrate consistency over time and across different spatial resolutions. Utilizing this consistency, an empirical method of disaggregating the precipitation output of climate models in this region is introduced. Illustrative results exhibit the feasibility and potency of this method. The advantages and limitations of this method are discussed as well.
Mechanisms of isoniazid-induced idiosyncratic liver injury: Emerging role of mitochondrial stress

Idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a significant adverse effect of antitubercular therapy with isoniazid (INH). Although the drug has been used for many decades, the underlying mode of action (both patient-specific and drug-specific mechanisms) leading to DILI are poorly understood. Among the patient-specific determinants of susceptibility to INH-associated DILI, the importance of HLA genetic variants has been increasingly recognized, whereas the role of polymorphisms of drug-metabolizing enzymes (NAT2 and CYP2E1) has become less important and remains controversial. However, these polymorphisms are merely correlative, and other molecular determinants of susceptibility have remained largely unknown. Regarding the drug-specific mechanisms underlying INH-induced liver injury, novel concepts have been emerging. Among these are covalent protein adduct formation via novel reactive intermediates, leading to hapten formation and a potential immune response, and interference with endogenous metabolism. Furthermore, INH and/or INH metabolites (e.g. hydrazine) can cause mitochondrial injury, which can lead to mitochondrial oxidant stress and impairment of energy homeostasis. Recent studies have revealed that underlying impairment of complex I function can trigger massive hepatocellular injury induced by otherwise nontoxic concentrations of INH superimposed on these mitochondrial deficiencies. This review discusses these emerging new paradigms of INH-induced DILI and highlights recent insights into the mechanisms, as well as points to the existing large gaps in our understanding of the pathogenesis.
Amodal brain activation and functional connectivity in response to high‐energy‐density food cues in obesity

Objective: The obesogenic environment is pervasive, yet only some people become obese. The aim was to investigate whether obese individuals show differential neural responses to visual and auditory food cues, independent of cue modality. Methods: Obese (BMI 29-41, n 510) and lean (BMI 20-24, n 510) females underwent fMRI scanning during presentation of auditory (spoken word) and visual (photograph) cues representing high energy-density [ED] and low-ED foods. The effect of obesity on whole-brain activation, and on functional connectivity with the midbrain/VTA, was examined. Results: Obese compared with lean women showed greater modality-independent activation of the midbrain/VTA and putamen in response to high-ED (vs. low-ED) cues, as well as relatively greater functional connectivity between the midbrain/VTA and cerebellum (P <0.05 corrected). Conclusions: Heightened modality-independent responses to food cues within the midbrain/VTA and putamen, and altered functional connectivity between the midbrain/VTA and cerebellum, could contribute to excessive food intake in obese individuals.
Measuring What Matters

The single most often cited metric describing our economy is Gross Domestic Product (GDP), though it is seriously flawed as a measure of economic well-being and an increasingly poor, even perverse, indicator of overall well-being. An international movement is underway to replace GDP as our basic economic indicator. Promising among the alternatives are the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) and Gross National Happiness (GNH), though both have strengths and limitations. A combination of the two that draws on the strengths of each (here called “GPI Plus”) would be a better approximation of the degree to which an economy achieves the end for which it must be intended, which is the augmentation of the sustainable well-being of human populations.
Varicella in children with cancer: impact of antiviral therapy and prophylaxis.

To estimate the impact of antiviral therapy and prophylaxis on the natural course of the infection, 288 cases of varicella in children with cancer were reviewed. Among 127 patients with untreated infections, the overall mortality rate was 7%. Varicella-zoster virus pneumonitis developed in 28% of the untreated patients and was associated with a 25% mortality rate. Pneumonitis was much more likely to develop in patients with acute leukemia than in those with other malignancies (32% v 19%). Similarly, deaths due to pneumonitis were restricted to patients with acute leukemia. Lymphopenia (absolute lymphocyte count less than 500/microL) was significantly associated with varicella-zoster virus pneumonitis and a higher fatality rate among patients with this complication. Both acyclovir and adenine arabinoside, administered to 18 and 28 patients, respectively, stopped the progression of skin lesions; however, pneumonitis developed in none of the acyclovir recipients after two days of treatment, compared with 29% of the adenine arabinoside recipients (P = .03). Passive immunization in 45 children who subsequently had varicella was associated with an 11% incidence of varicella-zoster virus pneumonitis. Despite passive immunization of approximately 150 children, the attack rate of varicella at our institution remains unchanged. Results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of antiviral therapy and passive immunization in patients with childhood cancer and varicella, but prevention of the infection will require a universal vaccine.
Spin-waves in Antiferromagnetic Single-crystal LiFePO4

Spin-wave dispersions in the antiferromagnetic state of single-crystal LiFePO4 were determined by inelastic neutron scattering measurements. The dispersion curves measured from the 0,1,0 reflection along both a * and b * reciprocal-space directions reflect the anisotropic coupling of the layered Fe 2+ S=2 spin system. The spin-wave dispersion curves were theoretically modeled using linear spin-wave theory by including in the spin Hamiltonian in-plane nearest- and next-nearest-neighbor interactions J1 and J2, inter-plane nearest-neighbor interactions J and a single-ion anisotropy D .Aw eak0,1,0 magnetic peak was observed in elastic neutron scattering studies of the same crystal indicating that the ground state of the staggered iron moments is not along the 0,1,0 direction, as previously reported from polycrystalline samples studies, but slightly rotated away from this axis.
Constant-Curvature Motion Planning Under Uncertainty with Applications in Image-Guided Medical Needle Steering

We consider a variant of nonholonomic motion planning for a Dubins car with no reversals, binary left/right steering, and uncertainty in motion direction. We develop a new motion planner and apply it to steerable needles, a new class of flexible bevel-tip medical needles that clinicians can steer through soft tissue to reach targets inaccessible to traditional stiff needles. Our method explicitly considers uncertainty in needle motion due to patient differences and the difficulty in predicting needle/tissue interaction: the planner computes optimal turning points to maximize the probability that the needle will reach the desired target. Given a medical image with segmented obstacles and target, our method formulates the planning problem as a Markov Decision Process (MDP) based on an efficient discretization of the state space, models motion uncertainty using probability distributions, and computes turning points to maximize the probability of successfully reaching the target using infinite horizon Dynamic Programming (DP). This approach has three features particularly beneficial for medical planning problems. First, the planning formulation only requires parameters that can be directly extracted from images. Second, we can compute the optimal needle insertion point by examining the DP look-up table of optimal controls for every needle state. Third, intra-operative medical imaging can be combined with the pre-computed DP look-up table to permit optimal control of the needle in the operating room without requiring time-consuming intra-operative re-planning. We apply the method to generate motion plans for steerable needles to reach targets inaccessible to stiff needles and illustrate the importance of considering uncertainty during motion plan optimization.
The Best Venture Capitalists

This paper is Chapter 5 of the textbook, "Venture Capital and the Finance of Innovation." The focal point of the chapter is a subjective listing of 15 “top-tier” VC firms, based upon historical investment performance and success in charging above market fees and carried interest. The list provides an opportunity to discuss the history, performance, and strategies of some top VC firms.
Connection development and in-plane response of glass fiber reinforced polymer sandwich panels with reinforced cores1

This paper presents the findings of an experimental research project that was conducted in two phases to study the behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) sandwich panels with reinforced ...
Plate margin deformation and active tectonics along the northern edge of the Yakutat Terrane in the Saint Elias Orogen, Alaska, and Yukon, Canada

The northwest directed motion of the Pacific plate is accompanied by migration and collision of the Yakutat terrane into the cusp of southern Alaska. The nature and magnitude of accretion and translation on upper crustal faults and folds is poorly constrained, however, due to pervasive glaciation. In this study we used high-resolution topography, geodetic imaging, seismic, and geologic data to advance understanding of the transition from strike-slip motion on the Fairweather fault to plate margin deformation on the Bagley fault, which cuts through the upper plate of the collisional suture above the subduction megathrust. The Fairweather fault terminates by oblique-extensional splay faulting within a structural syntaxis, allowing rapid tectonic upwelling of rocks driven by thrust faulting and crustal contraction. Plate motion is partly transferred from the Fairweather to the Bagley fault, which extends 125 km farther west as a dextral shear zone that is partly reactivated by reverse faulting. The Bagley fault dips steeply through the upper plate to intersect the subduction megathrust at depth, forming a narrow fault-bounded crustal sliver in the obliquely convergent plate margin. Since . 20 Ma the Bagley fault has accommodated more than 50 km of dextral shearing and several kilometers of reverse motion along its southern flank during terrane accretion. The fault is considered capable of generating earthquakes because it is linked to faults that generated large historic earthquakes, suitably oriented for reactivation in the contemporary stress field, and locally marked by seismicity. The fault may generate earthquakes of Mw <= 7.5.
A Fast Direct Solver for a Class of Elliptic Partial Differential Equations

We describe a fast and robust method for solving the large sparse linear systems that arise upon the discretization of elliptic partial differential equations such as Laplace's equation and the Helmholtz equation at low frequencies. While most existing fast schemes for this task rely on so called "iterative" solvers, the method described here solves the linear system directly (to within an arbitrary predefined accuracy). The method is described for the particular case of an operator defined on a square uniform grid, but can be generalized other geometries. For a grid containing N points, a single solve requires O(Nlog?2 N) arithmetic operations and $O(\sqrt{N}\log N)$ storage. Storing the information required to perform additional solves rapidly requires O(Nlog?N) storage. The scheme is particularly efficient in situations involving domains that are loaded on the boundary only and where the solution is sought only on the boundary. In this environment, subsequent solves (after the first) can be performed in $O(\sqrt{N}\log N)$ operations. The efficiency of the scheme is illustrated with numerical examples. For instance, a system of size 106×106 is directly solved to seven digits accuracy in four minutes on a 2.8 GHz P4 desktop PC.
Nuclear electric propulsion system utilization for earth orbit transfer of large spacecraft structures

The paper discusses a potential application of electric propulsion to perform orbit transfer of a large spacecraft structure to geosynchronous orbit (GEO) from LEO, utilizing a nuclear reactor space power source in the spacecraft on a shared basis. The discussions include spacecraft, thrust system, and nuclear reactor space power system concepts. Emphasis is placed on orbiter payload arrangements, spacecraft launch constraints, and spacecraft LEO assembly and deployment sequences.
Distribution of NG, NG-dimethylarginine in nuclear protein fractions

Abstract Nuclear proteins have been fractionated into five distinct classes according to their extractability from rat liver nuclei at different pH and salt concentrations. The fractions have been analyzed for their amino acid composition which shows the presence of N G , N G -dimethylarginine, in sizable amount, in non-histone nuclear proteins (NHNP). This modification is most prominent in proteins which are found associated with rapidly-labeled heterogeneous RNA (HnRNP proteins).
Object shape before boundary shape: Scale-space medial axes

Representing object shape in two or three dimensions has typically involved the description of the object boundary. This paper proposes a means for characterizing object structure and shape that avoids the need to find an explicit boundary. Rather, it operates directly from the imageintensity distribution in the object and its background, using operators that do indeed respond to “boundariness.” It produces a sort of medial-axis description that recognizes that both axis location and object width must be defined according to a tolerance proportional to the object width. This generalized axis is called themultiscale medial axis because it is defined as a curve or set of curves in scale space. It has all of the advantages of the traditional medial axis: representation of protrusions and indentations in the object, decomposition of object-curvature and object-width properties, identification of visually opposite points of the object, incorporation of size constancy and orientation independence, and association of boundary-shape properties with medial locations. It also has significant new advantages: it does not require a predetermination of exactly what locations are included in the object, it provides gross descriptions that are stable against image detail, and it can be used to identify subobjects and regions of boundary detail and to characterize their shape properties.
The Digital Signature Standard: Overview and current status

The persistent requirement to assign responsibility and liability by means of a singed piece of paper has long inhibited the advent of the paperless office. The Digital Signature Standard (DSS), recently promulgated by The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) promises to bring computer users one step closer to that goal. DSS has caused considerable controversy, however. An overview of the DSS algorithm, along with the issues surrounding the controversy and some unanswered questions about digital signatures in general are presented in this article.
A Review of Surface Segregation, Adhesion and Friction Studies Performed on Copper-Aluminum, Copper-Tin and Iron-Aluminum Alloys

Auger emission spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, sputtering studies, and adhesion and friction experiments on single crystals of Cu-Sn, Cu-Al, and Fe-Al alloys