cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MO-D-108-08: Fast Monte Carlo Electron-Photon Transport Code Using Hardware Accelerators: Preliminary Results for Brachytherapy and Radionuclide Therapy Cases

Purpose: Although Monte Carlo methods provide the most accurate radiation dose calculation for medical physics applications, long simulation time remains an impediment for its routine utilization. An electron‐photon coupled Monte Carlo code ARCHER ‐ Accelerated Radiation‐transport Computations in Heterogeneous EnviRonments ‐ is being developed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a software testbed for emerging heterogeneous high performance computers that utilize accelerators such as GPUs. This paper describes the development of ARCHER and demonstrates its preliminary applications involving brachytherapy and radionuclide therapy. Methods: In ARCHER code electron transport was modeled by mixed condensed history method. Photon transport was simulated in analog. The energy range handled was from 10 keV to 30 MeV. The hardware platform involved a desktop with Intel Xeon X5660 CPU and six NVIDIA Tesla™ M2090 GPUs. ARCHER was benchmarked against MCNPX and EGSnrc on slab geometry. In addition, we used ARCHER to calculate Ir‐192 brachytherapy dose distribution and to evaluate Y‐90 beta SAF in radionuclide therapy. Results: The depth dose and lateral dose at different depth were tallied and compared with results from MCNPX and EGSnrc. For 99.1% of all tested voxels, the dose difference between ARCHER and EGSnrc was within 2% of the dose maximum. In the brachytherapy calculation, all the major organ doses from ARCHER matched those from MCNPX within statistical error. In the Y‐90 internal source case, ARCHER gave similar SAF value with MCNPX. Meanwhile the simulation speed was 2∼3 orders faster than MCNPX and EGS using single GPU. With multiple GPUs, the simulation time can be decreased almost linearly. Conclusion: We developed an electron photon coupled Monte Carlo code ARCHER. Preliminary testing showed good agreement with prevailing general purpose codes, while its speed was hundreds even thousands times faster. We are working on applying ARCHER to Brachytherapy and radionuclide therapy and have encouraging preparatory Result.
Estimating Housing Mortality with Standard Loss Curves

Tests of fit using one set of data on mobile homes and another on conventional housing indicate that standard loss curves, such as the Pearl-Reed and Weibull curves, can be used to approximate housing survivorship functions. This finding opens up the possibility of analytical work using standard curves and the application of time-to-failure statistical models that are based on such curves. Tests of fit of standard curves to the two housing survivorship functions using truncated data are also encouraging, suggesting means of estimating housing mortality and computing life tables with incomplete cohort survival data.
Mechanism for the hydrolysis of organophosphates by the bacterial phosphotriesterase.

Phosphotriesterase (PTE) from Pseudomonas diminuta is a zinc metalloenzyme that hydrolyzes a variety of organophosphorus compounds. The kinetic parameters of Zn/Zn PTE, Cd/Cd PTE, and a mixed-metal Zn/Cd hybrid PTE were obtained with a variety of substrates to determine the role of each metal ion in binding and catalysis. pH-rate profiles for the hydrolysis of diethyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate (I) and diethyl p-chlorophenyl phosphate (II) demonstrated that the ionization of a single group in the pH range of 5−10 was critical for substrate turnover. The pKa values determined from the kinetic assays were dependent on the identity of the metal ion that occupied the α site within the binuclear metal center. These results suggest that the hydrolytic nucleophile is activated as a hydroxide via the ionization of a water molecule attached to the α-metal ion. The kinetic constants for the hydrolysis of II and diethyl p-chlorophenyl thiophosphate (IV) were determined for the metal substituted forms of PTE. The kineti...
Acute ethanol intoxication increases the risk of infection following penetrating abdominal trauma

Acute alcohol (ETOH) intoxication as a risk factor for infection in trauma victims to our knowledge has not been previously reported. To determine if ETOH intoxication increases infection risk we examined data from 365 patients with penetrating abdominal trauma who were enrolled in a multi-center antibiotic study. Ninety-four patients sustained an injury to a hollow viscus. To separate acute from chronic ETOH effects, infections were divided into two categories: (1) trauma related; infections caused by bacterial contamination at the time of injury, while blood alcohol level (BAL) was elevated. (2) nosocomial; infections caused by bacteria acquired during hospital stay, after BAL had normalized. A BAL > or = 200 mg/dL was associated with a 2.6-fold increase in trauma-related infections. There was no association between BAL and subsequent nosocomial infection. Since infection rates for intoxicated patients were not higher after BAL had normalized, acute rather than chronic effects of ETOH appear to be responsible.
The high resolution mass spectrum of 2-acetamido-1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranose

2-Acetamido-1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranose (I), and its analogs specifically mono (trideuterioacetylated) at O-1 (III), at N-2 (II), at O-4 (IV) and at O-6 (V), have been examined by high-resolution mass spectrometry. From the elemental compositions of the fragment ions, the mass-number shifts resulting from deuterium incorporation and analysis of metastable transitions, it has been possible to specify in detail the fragmentation pathways undergone by this molecule. The principal degradations of I proceed by initial rapid decomposition of the molecular ion (whose intensity is insignificant) by three routes: (i) by loss of the C-1 acetoxyl group as a radical to give the glycosyl cation (a), (ii) by loss of the 1-acetyl group as a radical to give an acyclic ion m/e 346 (b) and (iii) by loss of a C-6 fragment and acetic acid derived from the 3-acetate group to give m/e 241 (c).
Influence of age on the relation between waist circumference and cardiometabolic risk markers

Abstract Background and aims To determine whether the relation between waist circumference (WC) and cardiometabolic risk markers is attenuated with advancing age. Methods and results The study population consisted of 5222 adults from the 1999 to 2004 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative cross-sectional study. Study variables were assessed in a clinical exam. Subjects were grouped into low, moderate, and high sex-specific WC tertiles. The cardiometabolic risk markers examined consisted of insulin resistance (HOMA method), high C-reactive protein, hypertension, and high LDL-cholesterol. Logistic regression was used to determine and compare the association between WC categories with high-risk cardiometabolic risk marker values within young (20–39 years), middle-aged (40–59 years), and older (60+ year) adults. With few exceptions, within each of the three age categories, individuals with a moderate and high WC were significantly more likely to have elevated cardiometabolic risk markers than individuals with a low WC. There was a significant interaction between age and WC indicating that the relation between WC with insulin resistance, high CRP, and hypertension was attenuated in older adults. For example, the odds ratio for hypertension in those with a high relative to low WC was 11.07 (95% CI: 6.13–20.00) in young adults, 3.67 (2.47–5.46) in middle-aged adults, and 2.68 (2.00–3.59) in older adults. Similar observations were made for BMI to those reported for WC. Conclusions A high WC was associated with elevated cardiometabolic risk markers irrespective of age. However, the association between WC and cardiometabolic risk markers was greatly attenuated with advancing age.
Simultaneous determination of the size and surface charge of individual nanoparticles using a carbon nanotube-based Coulter counter.

A resistive-pulse Coulter counter based on a membrane containing a single multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) channel was used to simultaneously determine the size and surface charge of carboxy-terminated polystyrene nanoparticles. The membrane was prepared from an epoxy section containing a MWNT channel mounted on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) support structure. The PDMS support reduced the background noise level by a factor of >20 compared to the Si/Si3N4 support structure used in our previous study. The lower noise level makes it possible to accurately measure the height and width of resistive-pulse signals resulting from transport of individual particles through the MWNT channel. Particle sizes, calculated from current pulse heights, were comparable to those determined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The width of the current pulses is a measure of the nanoparticle transport time, and it permits calculation of the electrokinetic surface charge. Different types of polystyrene nanoparticles hav...
Designers wanted: participation and the user experience in open source software development

We present design concepts and related mockups that support the user experience for projects hosted on CodePlex, an open source project hosting website. Rationale for the design concepts is grounded in the open source literature and a thirteen-week study with the CodePlex team. We propose that fostering ways to build trust, providing opportunities for merit, supporting crossover of work activities, and supporting user experience (UX) best practices in CodePlex will help dismantle the social and technological barriers for UX and encourage UX designer participation. We address UX designer motivation as a challenge for participation and conclude that the mockups presented are a first step in furthering the user experience in open source software development.
Circuit model based optimization of ultra-wideband arrays

Circuit models are proposed as an optimization tool for designing ultra-wideband tightly coupled arrays. Past approaches have provided rudimentary equivalent circuits for the current sheet array (CSA) by modeling the capacitively coupled dipoles using simple lumped elements. In this paper, we extend the model to include higher order circuits (lumped and distributed) around the wideband antenna feed. The optimized antenna is shown to deliver as much as 5.7∶1 impedance bandwidth, achieved by adding a series inductor and a shunt capacitor to the feed of the coupled dipole array. Corresponding impedance curves obtained via the full wave simulation are in good agreement with the equivalent circuit.
Developmental expression of a mucinlike glycoprotein (MUCLIN) in pancreas and small intestine of CF mice

The mucinlike glycoprotein MUCLIN, one of two protein products of theCRP-ductin gene, was used to study changes in the expression of sulfated glycoconjugates during the pathogenesis of cystic fibro...
Theory of Large Dimensional Random Matrices for Engineers

In the last few years, the asymptotic distribution of the singular values of certain random matrices has emerged as a key tool in the analysis and design of wireless communication channels. These channels are characterized by random matrices that admit various statistical descriptions depending on the actual application. The goal of this paper is the investigation and application of random matrix theory with particular emphasis on the asymptotic theorems on the distribution of the squared singular values under various assumption on the joint distribution of the random matrix entries.
Peak Deviation from Prediction in Atomic Clocks

Results from a preliminary study of two GPS clocks tested on the ground show that the distribution of peak deviations from prediction cannot be assumed to be Gaussian. The standards are identical to models on board GPS block IIR satellites. The data were taken at the Naval Research Laboratory in the U.S. during life tests. We propose here two statistics that could be used to characterize peak deviation from prediction, preliminarily named PDIS and PTIE.
Summary of Convective Storm Initiation and Evolution during IHOP: Observational and Modeling Perspective

Abstract The data-rich International H2O Project (IHOP_2002) experiment is used to study convective storm initiation and subsequent evolution for all days of the experiment. Initiation episodes were almost evenly divided between those triggered along surface-based convergence lines and elevated initiation episodes that showed no associated surface convergence. The elevated episodes occurred mostly at night, and the surface-based episodes occurred during the afternoon and evening. Surface-based initiations were mostly associated with synoptic fronts and gust fronts and less so with drylines and bores. Elevated initiations were frequently associated with observable convergent or confluent features in the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) wind analysis fields between 900 and 600 hPa. The RUC10 3-h forecast of the precipitation initiation episodes were correct 44% of the time, allowing a tolerance of 250 km in space and for the forecast being early by one period. However, the accuracy was closely tied to the scale of ...
Cigarettes, Respiratory Rate, and the Relaxation Paradox

Recent research indicates that individuals differ in their physiological reactions to nicotine, some showing strong increases in heart rate within 1 min of beginning to smoke and others showing little or no heart rate change with smoking. In the present research, monitoring of the respiratory rates of these two types of smokers before, during, and after smoking revealed that the former show an increase in respiratory rate while smoking, whereas the latter show a decrease. It is suggested that these changes in respiratory rate, a relatively easily monitored bodily function, may provide the cues used by smokers for inferring the effect that smoking has on them, that is, stimulating versus relaxing.
Effect of paired row planting of radish ( Raphanus sativus L.) intercropped with vegetable amaranthus ( Amaranthus tricolor L.) on yield components of radish in sandy regosol

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of paired row planting of radish ( Raphanus sativus L.) intercropped with vegetable amaranthus ( Amaranthus tricolor L.) on yield components of radish in sandy regosol at Agronomy farm, Eastern University, Sri Lanka in Yala 2007. This experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates and six treatments. Base crop (T1) and intercrop (T2) were grown in pure stands and other treatments were 20/50 cm paired row planting of radish with three (T3) or four (T4) rows of vegetable amaranthus in between paired rows of radish and 25/40 cm paired row planting of radish with three (T5) or two (T6) rows of vegetable amaranthus in between paired rows of radish. Growth parameters were recorded at regular intervals. The results showed that land equivalent ratio was superior in all tested intercropping treatments. In T3, radish yield was high (37.8 tons/ha) and most of the yield components exhibited high average values as compared with other intercropping treatments. The present study revealed that 20/50 cm paired row planting of radish with three rows of vegetable amaranthus in between paired rows of radish (T3) would be the most suitable planting system in sandy regosol. Key words: Base crop; inter crop; land equivalent ratio; paired row planting; yield. DOI: 10.4038/jas.v4i1.1642 The Journal of Agricultural Sciences , 2009, vol. 4, no. 1 pp.19-28
Understanding the Influence of Gambling Opportunities: Expanding Exposure Models to Include Adaptation

Many regions are considering expanding the various forms of gambling that are available to residents. The expansion of legalized gambling frequently is the topic of heated debate because of possible harmful ramifications on individuals' mental and physical health as well as the public's health in general. Conventional wisdom holds that the expansion of gambling relates to increases in gambling-related problems among the population (i.e., the exposure effect). A review of empirical evidence provides an opportunity to verify the accuracy of this wisdom. An evaluation of available research studies provides some support for the exposure effect, but also raises questions about the durability of that phenomenon across settings and time points. Some exposure studies indicate specific patterns of gambling activity and consequences that are inconsistent with the exposure effect. These studies suggest that some people and some places might have adapted to the risks and hazards of gambling (i.e., the adaptation effect). This evaluation suggests that social context is an important moderator of exposure processes.
Fault tolerant message routing on large parallel systems

The problem of designing massively fault-tolerant message routing schemes for large parallel systems is considered. The notion of faults is extremely flexible and applies to all situations where a component is unavailable to participate in message communications. Attention is focused on the performance of schemes which use only local information to make local decisions. A framework for the analysis of fault-tolerant routing schemes is presented and used to analyze the efficacy of minimal path routing methods. Fault-tolerant routing schemes are derived by application of a technique called sidetracking. Viewed as making local decisions, a sidetracking scheme attempts to decrease the distance to the destination: if this is not possible, then the packet is routed randomly so as to increase the distance as little as possible. For single-message routing on a hypercube, it is shown that the performance of a sidetracking scheme is near optimal, successfully routing with high probability and low average excess delay. Applications of the sidetracking technique to single-message routing on a two-dimensional mesh and to multiple-message permutation routing on a hypercube are presented. >
Optical rotatory properties of L-cystine conformational isomers. Theoretical analysis

The near ultraviolet chiroptical properties of L-cystine conformational isomers are examined on a static, “one-electron” model in which the disulfide moiety is the chromophoric group and the atoms of the L-alanyl fragments are treated as perturbers. The zeroth order chromophoric wave functions are calculated on a semiempirical molecular orbital model in which excited states are constructed in the virtual orbital-configuration interaction approximation. The perturbing environment is represented by point charges located at the atomic centers of the L-alanyl fragments. Chromophore–perturber interactions are expressed as charge–multipole moments with only the charge–dipole and charged–quadrupole terms being retained in the calculations. Vicinal contributions to the rotatory strengths of the five lowest energy disulfide transitions are computed for 30 conformational isomers of the L-cystine dizwitterion. The results provide support for the view that vicinal or peripheral effects can account entirely for the observed near ultraviolet (λ > 230 nm) chiroptical properties of L-cystine and its derivatives and that these properties are diagnostic of conformational features external to the disulfide moiety.
Effects of the shape of fuzzy membership functions on fuzzy inference

The paper investigates the effect of the shapes of membership functions on a fuzzy inference system to detect a signal in a noisy waveform. The detector, which uses values of features derived from the waveform, can classify the waveform as signal or noise, or it can be uncertain, that is, it can decide that no conclusion regarding presence or absence of a signal can be drawn. Piecewise linear membership functions were used, and analytical expressions for the dependence of classification on the membership function parameters were obtained. These results were verified in a simulation, using sensory evoked potential signals and simulated noise. The performance of the system was compared to a Bayesian maximum likelihood detector. By varying membership function parameters, the fuzzy detector can be made comparable to the Bayesian detector or it can almost completely eliminate errors, at the cost of a large number of uncertain classifications.
The Development Complex, rural economy and urban-spatial and economic development in Juba, South Sudan:

Juba, the capital of South Sudan, is the fastest growing city in Africa, exhibiting the most rapid urban expansion and growth ever to take place in the region. Despite its explosive demographic and infrastructural expansion, the urban explosion has received virtually no attention from urban scholars. A grey literature on the city and its context is emerging but no assessment of this knowledge base has been undertaken. This article synthesizes reports from international governmental and non-governmental organizations, aerial and satellite images, and firsthand experiences in the city to develop an understanding of the interaction between the internationally-driven Development Complex (international organizations, foreign investment) in South Sudan as a whole, local development opportunities and the spatial organization of Juba. Our contribution takes stock of the interactions between international and local political forces in the boomtown, and discusses ways forward for urban planning, the international d...
Safety and Cost-Effectiveness of Approach Guardrail for Bridges on Low-Volume Roads

The bridge approach guardrail is a commonly used safety feature designed to prevent collisions with bridge components and other types of runoff-the-road crashes occurring on the approach or departure to bridges. The average daily traffic (ADT) threshold at which an installation of bridge approach guardrail on low-volume roads is cost-effective was determined on the basis of reductions in crash severity. Logistic regression and chi-squared tests were used to analyze characteristics of 96 run-offthe-road crashes that occurred on the approach or departure to 68 county state-aid highway bridges in 10 Minnesota counties over a 15-year period. Crashes that occurred at bridges with approach guardrail were found to be significantly less severe than crashes that occurred at bridges without guardrails. None of the 33 crashes with approach guardrail resulted in a fatality or severe injury, whereas roughly one-quarter of the 63 crashes with a roadside or bridge rail end resulted in a fatality or severe injury. Crashe...
Effect of injection barrier thickness and doping on transport and gain in a λ = 8.2 μ quantum cascade laser

We demonstrate the effects of varying the injection barrier thickness and injector doping level on current transport and gain bandwidth in a lambda ~ 8.2 mum quantum cascade laser.
Calibrated processing of image color

We describe the design philosophy and image representation of a calibrated color image processing system. The design emphasizes the representation of the spectral functions necessary for device-independent acquisition and display of color data. These basic design principles can be incorporated into a new generation of image processing software that integrates both spatial and spectral image processing.
Phylogenetic Relationships among Populations of Northern Swordtails (Xiphophorus) as Inferred from Allozyme Data

Abstract Twenty-nine populations of Xiphophorus fishes representing nine species of northern swordtails, one southern swordtail and a platyfish were assayed electrophoretically for allozyme variation. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using parsimony and likelihood analysis of gene frequency characters, as well as Fitch-Margoliash, minimum evolution and neighbor-joining analyses of genetic distances. The phylogenetic relationships among species that were well supported in all analyses included (1) monophyly of the northern swordtails, (2) the pygmaeus clade of Xiphophorus nigrensis, X. multilineatus, and X. pygmaeus, and (3) the clade of X. nigrensis and X. multilineatus. Of those species represented by more than one population, all analyses supported monophyly of X. montezumae and weakly supported monophyly of X. nezahualcoyotl and X. birchmanni. Only the distance analyses supported monophyly of X. cortezi, and the support was weak. Finally, all analyses supported a clade including X. nezahualcoyo...
RF recording techniques to resolve wireless channel interference problems

User environments for wireless devices are complex and include many sources of interference. As RF power is spread over wider bandwidths to increase data rates, wireless devices encounter increased interference. As designers look to create robust solutions that perform in these environments, it is essential to recreate those conditions in the lab. This article describes the problems associated with RF interference in modern wireless devices and techniques that can be used to analyze these interference issues.
Economic Stability and Antitrust Policy

T HE proponent of a largely competitive, free-market, free-enterprise system is plagued incessantly, and often discredited in debate, by the claim that such an institutional system is, and has been, inherently and intolerably unstable. The wide fluctuations of employment, income, and production of the past are commonly attributed to competition and to decentralization of control. The facts of instability in the past are commonplace. It is likewise undeniable that industries (or better, enterprises) not characterized by effective competition have fared better in the face of general instability than have the more competitive areas of the economy (e.g., agriculture)-or, at any rate, better than they would have fared with more competition or more decentralization of control. From such evidence, the layman readily (too readily) concludes that competitive conditions mean instability, and that the remedy lies in removing competition in favor of some other instrumentality of control. The plausibility of this conclusion, moreover, has been assiduously exploited by special pleaders and apologists for innumerable producer groups. Such vulgar economic analysis is the main stock-in-trade, not only of our radicals and revolutionaries on the left but of monopolists and cartelizers on the extreme right as well-not to mention the more ingenuous advocates of "planned economy." The answer of the radical-conservative or traditional economist liberal is that general and acute instability is, on any soundly reasoned analysis, primarily attributable to faulty monetary institutions and, in the broadest sense, to unfortunate fiscal policy. Indeed he may go further and insist that monopolistic control of prices and wage-rates has, in fact, served to aggravate monetary instability and substantially to counteract or to frustrate such soundly remedial monetary and fiscal measures as have been employed. This, in any case, is not the place (if, indeed, there is any proper place) for examining controversial questions of business-cycle theory. For present purposes, we may concede that rigidity of monopolistic prices and wages does set limits politically, if not economically, to fluctuations of general prices (if not of output and employment). Moreover, and more important, we may concede that, failing deliberate measures of fiscal
Quantum Gates Using Motional States in an Optical Lattice

We study an implementation of a two-qubit universal quantum gate with neutral 87Rb atoms trapped in a far-detuned two-color optical lattice. The qubit states |O〉 and |1〉 represent the ground and first excited motional states of an atom in a laser induced potential well. By varying the ratio of the laser intensities of the two colors, the barrier between two neighboring atoms is lowered, creating two-particle entanglement. We predict the duration of operation of a conditional π-phase gate with a time-dependent configuration interaction model.
Weed Species Hosting Viruliferous Green Peach Aphids, Vector of Beet Western Yellows Virus

Weed species present on the floor of three commercial peach orchards and in deep irrigation drainage ditches in the Yakima Valley of Washington were screened in the springs of 1978 and 1979 to determine which species hosted viruliferous green peach aphid (GPA), Myzus persicae (Sulzer), a vector of beet western yellows virus (BWYV). Twenty-three weed species (>2,700 individual plants) were found to host GPA. Disease readings of indicator plants after feeding by field-collected GPA from 15 weed species showed that infestation rates of GPA ranged from 1.4 to 33%, equivalent to 523,957 BWYV vectors per ha in the peach orchards. Peach trees were determined to be nonhosts of BWYV.
Functional status versus quality of life: where does the evidence lead us?

The interchangeable use of functional status with quality of life has lead to various interpretations when discussing outcomes related to functional status. The literature revealed gaps in the measurement and blurred conceptualization of functional status. Given the prognostic importance of functional status measures, the results highlight the importance of developing a reliable and efficient means of obtaining a measure of functional status resulting in the advancement of nursing science. Having a clear and concise measure of functional status will enable clinicians to implement effect treatment plans that would lead to a faster recovery, higher level of functional status, and a greater well-being. Key words: cardiovascular disease, functional status, measurement, quality of life
Approximate models for resist processing effects

Process windows are frequently generated from simulated aerial image profiles by use of a threshold model for the resist process, an assumption which is not accurate for many processes. In this paper, we present new computationally efficient methods for incorporating the effects of resist processing into simulated images. The First Order Model of development leads to the simple result that the resist linewidth W is smaller than the threshold linewidth Wthresh by an amount (Delta) W approximately equals 2 [ln(D(gamma) s)-1]/((gamma) s), where D is the resist thickness, (gamma) is the resist process non-linearity and s is the log-slope of the image. A Second Order Model based on a segmented development path is also presented. These models allow the prediction of resist linewidths based on calculated image profiles for any wet developed process: optical, X-ray or e-beam lithography, both positive and negative resists. The predictions of these models show good agreement with full PROLITH/2 resist profile simulations. We have also incorporated a Fickian diffusion of the intensity profile into our model, to account for acid diffusion, stepper vibration, lens aberrations, and other effects which reduce process resolution. Experimental process windows are well matched by such models, and are significantly different than threshold model predictions.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A MODEL FOR THE EVOLUTION OF PINNIPED POLYGYNY.

Most persons who study the breeding behavior of seals and sea lions yield to the temptation to theorize about the evolution of the remarkable polygyny and impressive sexual dimorphism shown by these animals. I recently participated (Peterson and Bartholomew, 1967) in this long-standing and highly inferential tradition by helping to outline a verbal model based on ideas first suggested by Nutting (1891) and extended by Bertram (1940) and by Bartholomew (1952). The present paper undertakes to elaborate this model and to place it more firmly in a documentable behavioral context.1 The model has some general properties but in its present form it is applicable only to pinnipeds. Patterns of polygyny are too diverse to have a single evolutionary explanation. For example, sexual dimorphism is central to our pinniped model, but it has been apparent for many years (Huxley, 1938) that the functional role of sexual dimorphism varies markedly between different taxa.
Prehistoric Osseous Rods from North America: Arguments on Function

Bi-beveled bone rods are sometimes found in association with fluted bifaces. It has previously been proposed that these rods served variously as foreshafts for spears or lances, pressure-flaking tools, butchering tools, sled shoes, composite parts of a longer shaft or rod, and as hafting wedges. The most recent proposal is that they served in pairs as a composite clothes pin foreshaft—a proposal based on their uniquely shaped cross sections and the fact that the angles of the two bevels on each specimen vary. Evaluation of the evidence mustered in support of this proposed model of function indicates the critical data variously 1) do not exist, 2) contradict the model, and 3) are not accounted for by the model.
Bifunctional Muscles in the Thorax of Grasshoppers

1. Recording electrical activity of certain dorso-ventral muscles in the thorax of grasshoppers has shown that the same muscles and (in at least one muscle) the same motor units may be used to move either the wings or the legs. 2. The anatomical connexions are such that muscles which are antagonists with respect to the wings are synergists with respect to the legs, and vice versa. 3. These muscles, which operate in a nearly perfectly repeating, fixed pattern during flight, show complete independence during manœuvres involving the legs and it is concluded that the flight pattern is not due to a fixed set of connexions between the motor neurons.
Testing and analysis on the performance characteristics of medical electronic linear accelerators in Beijing

Objective To understand the performance characteristics condition of medical electronic linear accelerators in Beijing,so as to boost the quality control testing for accelerators and enhance their radiotherapy quality. Methods 16 accelerators were chosen as research objects. The performance indicators of devices were determined according to the implementation plan of special scientific research in health field which released in 2011. National Standards and International Eletrotechnical Commission Standards were also enrolled in the testing and analysis. Results The qualified rate of the devices was 75% in initial testing and reached 100% after recalibration. Main unqualified indicators due to the X-ray performance of accelerators included the flatness and symmetry of X-ray radiation and the deviation value of X-ray radiation doses. The results of the study showed the quality control condition of the medical electronic linear accelerators in Beijing. Conclusion Quality control of medical accelerators should be enhanced by allocating corresponding QC devices. Meanwhile,the device performance characteristics condition should be tested regularly to ensure the precision of radiation therapy.
An Accident of Acute Occupational Poisoning Caused by Dimethyl formamide

Objective To analyze an acute accident of occupational poisoning caused by dimethylformamide( DMF) and thus to prevent the reoccurrence of similar accidents. Methods Field investigation was conducted in a manufacturing enterprise and the data of physical examination were statistically analyzed. Results Thirteen workers were poisoned through respiratory tract and cutaneous absorption,four of which were diagnosed as sub-acute occupational poisoning. Conclusion Due to poor condition of working environment in the leather and apparel manufacturing enterprises,ineffective protection facilities,long time of exposure and lacking of rest,DMF poisoning is apt to happen,and thus prevention work targeting the aforementioned aspects should be strengthened.
RETROFIT OF AIR COWLS ON AIR DISTRIBUTING PLATE IN CFB BOILERS

Directing against the problems existing in air cowls,such as abrasion and slag leakage,on the air-distributing plate in CFB boilers,through additionally installing throttle ring at entrance of the air cowls,decreasing the number of air cowls,and modifying the structure of air cowls etc.,it is known from cold-state test and calculation that the above-mentioned problems have been basically solved.After retrofitting,the pressure drop of air-distributing plate has been somewhat increased,the structure of air cowls being more reasonable,laying a good foundation for long-term economic operation of the unit.
Suppression of interleukin-2 by the putative endogenous cannabinoid 2-arachidonyl-glycerol is mediated through down-regulation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells.

2-Arachidonyl-glycerol (2-Ara-Gl) recently was identified as a putative endogenous ligand for cannabinoid receptor types CB1 and CB2 by competitive binding. More recent immune function assays demonstrated that 2-Ara-Gl possessed immunomodulatory activity. Because several plant-derived cannabinoids inhibit interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression, 2-Ara-Gl was investigated for its ability to modulate this cytokine. The direct addition of 2-Ara-Gl to mouse splenocyte cultures suppressed phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate plus ionomycin-induced IL-2 secretion and steady state mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. 2-Ara-Gl also produced a marked inhibition of IL-2 promotor activity as determined by transient transfection of EL4.IL-2 cells with a pIL-2-CAT construct. 2-Ara-Gl at 5, 10, 20, and 50 μm suppressed phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate plus ionomycin-induced IL-2 promotor activity by 18%, 28%, 39%, and 54%, respectively. To further characterize the mechanism for the transcriptional regulation of IL-2 by 2-Ara-Gl, the DNA-binding activity of transcription factors, nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT), nuclear factor for immunoglobulin κ chain in B cells (NF-κB/Rel), activator protein-1(AP-1), octamer, and cAMP-response element binding protein was evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay in mouse splenocytes. In addition, a reporter gene expression system for p(NF-κB)3-CAT, p(NF-AT)3-CAT, and p(AP-1)3-CAT was used in transiently transfected EL4.IL-2 cells to determine the effect of 2-Ara-Gl on promoter activity for each of the specific transcription factors. 2-Ara-Gl reduced both the NF-AT-binding and promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner and, to a lesser degree, NF-κB/Rel-binding and promoter activity. No significant effect was observed on octamer- and cAMP-response element-binding activity. AP-1 DNA-binding activity was not inhibited by 2-Ara-Gl, but a modest inhibition of promoter activity was observed.
Neonatal jaundice and biliary atresia.

This article reviews the differential diagnosis of jaundice in the newborn and operative treatment of biliary atresia, for which hepatic portoenterostomy has been advocated to enhance its curability.
Extreme lateral lumbar interbody fusion: Do the cons outweigh the pros?

Background Major factors prompted the development of minimally invasive (MIS) extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF; NuVasive Inc., San Diego, CA, USE) for the thoracic/lumbar spine. These include providing interbody stabilization and indirect neural decompression while avoiding major visceral/vessel injury as seen with anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), and to avert trauma to paraspinal muscles/facet joints found with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), and posterior-lateral fusion techniques (PLF). Although anticipated pros of MIS XLIF included reduced blood loss, operative time, and length of stay (LOS), they also included, higher fusion, and lower infection rates. Unanticipated cons, however, included increased morbidity/mortality rates. Methods We assessed the pros and cons (e.g., risks, complications, comparable value/superiority/inferiority, morbidity/mortality) of MIS XLIF vs. ALIF, TLIF, PLIF, and PLF. Results Pros of XLIF included various biomechanical and technical surgical advantages, along with multiple cons vs. ALIF, TLIF, PLIF, and PLF. For example, XLIF correlated with a considerably higher frequency of major neurological deficits vs. other constructs; plexus injuries 13.28%, sensory deficits 0-75% (permanent in 62.5%), motor deficits 0.7-33.6%, and anterior thigh pain 12.5-25%. XLIF also disproportionately contributed to other major morbidity/mortality; sympathectomy, major vascular injuries (some life-ending others life-threatening), bowel perforations, and seromas. Furthermore, multiple studies documented no superiority, and the potential inferiority of XLIF vs. ALIF, TLIF, PLIF, and PLF. Conclusion Reviewing the pros of XLIF (e.g. radiographic, technical, biomechanical) vs. the cons (inferiority, increased morbidity/mortality) vs. ALIF, TLIF, PLIF, and PLF, we question whether XLIF should remain part of the lumbar spinal surgical armamentarium.
Integrated RF-ICs for Mobile TV Applications

This paper surveys conventional to modern TV tuner architectures and discuss the system level and circuit level designs of silicon tuners for mobile TV applications. It will then focus on recently developed techniques that break the trade-off between power consumption and performance (linearity or noise figure) of the silicon tuners.
Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: continued refinement of outcomes beyond the initial learning curve.

Objectives To evaluate trends in peri-operative outcomes of 250 consecutive cases beyond the initial learning curve (LC) of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) among multiple surgeons. Patients and Methods A multi-institutional database was used to evaluate trends in patient demographics (e.g. age, gender, comorbidities), tumour characteristics (e.g. size, complexity) and peri-operative outcomes (e.g. warm ischaemia time [WIT], operating time, complications, estimated blood loss [EBL], trifecta achievement) in consecutive cases 50–300 (n = 960) from 2008 to 2016 among four experienced surgeons. Trends in outcomes were assessed using multivariable regression models adjusted for demographic and tumour-specific variables. Outcomes for cases 50–99 were compared with those for cases 250–300. Results In the study period RAPN was increasingly performed in patients with larger tumours (β = 0.001, P = 0.048), hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 1.003; P = 0.008) diabetes (OR 1.003; P = 0.025) and previous abdominal surgery (OR 1.003; P = 0.006). Surgeon experience was associated with more trifecta achievement (OR 1.006; P < 0.001), shorter WIT (β = −0.036, P < 0.001), less EBL (β = −0.154, P = 0.009), fewer blood transfusions (OR 0.989, P = 0.024) and a reduced length of hospital stay (β = −0.002, P = 0.002), but not with operating time (P = 0.243), complications (P = 0.587) or surgical margin status (P = 0.102). Tumour size and WIT in cases 50–99 vs 250–300 were 2.7 vs 3.2 cm (P = 0.001) and 21.4 vs 16.2 min (P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion Refinement of RAPN outcomes, concomitant with the treatment of a patient population with larger tumours and more comorbidities, occurs after the initial LC is reached. Although RAPN can consistently be performed safely with acceptable outcomes after a small number of cases, improvement in trifecta achievement, WIT, EBL, blood transfusions and a shorter hospitalization continues to occur up to 300 procedures.
Interactive analysis of Long-read RNA isoforms with Iso-Seq Browser

Background: Long-read RNA sequencing, such as Pacific Biosciences Iso-Seq method, enables generation of sequencing reads that are 10 kilobases or even longer. These reads are ideal for discovering splice junctions and resolving full-length gene transcripts without time-consuming and error-prone techniques such as transcript assembly and junction inference. Results: Iso-Seq Browser is a Web-based visual analytics tool for long-read RNA sequencing data produced by Pacific Biosciences isoform sequencing (Iso-Seq) techniques. Key features of the Iso-Seq Browser are: 1) an exon-only web-based interface with zooming and exon highlighting for exploring reference gene transcripts and novel gene isoforms, 2) automated grouping of transcripts and isoforms by similarity, 3) many customization features for data exploration and creating publication ready figures, and 4) exporting selected isoforms into fasta files for further analysis. Iso-Seq Browser is written in Python using several scientific libraries. The application and analyses described in this paper are freely available to both academic and commercial users at https://github.com/goeckslab/isoseq-browser Conclusions: Iso-Seq Browser enables interactive genome-wide visual analysis of long RNA sequence reads. Through visualization, highlighting, clustering, and filtering of gene isoforms, ISB makes it simple to identify novel isoforms and novel isoform features such as exons, introns and untranslated regions.
One-Year Swallowing Outcomes in Patients Treated with Prophylactic Gabapentin During Radiation-Based Treatment for Oropharyngeal Cancer

Recent investigations by our study team have demonstrated patients using gabapentin for pain management during chemoradiotherapy (CRT) do well maintaining swallowing during treatment with less need for narcotic pain medication, PEG dependence, weight loss, and short-term swallowing morbidity. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the long-term swallowing function of these patients 1-year following treatment. Sequential patients receiving CRT for oropharyngeal cancer and concurrent gabapentin were evaluated 1-year following treatment for swallowing outcomes. Functional Oral Intake Scores (FOIS) were utilized to assess diet level. The MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) was chosen to evaluate patient perception of swallowing function. Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies were completed approximately 1 year after treatment to assess physiologic outcomes as well as Penetration Aspiration Scores (PAS). Data from 26 consecutive participants were available for analysis. The majority of patients had advanced stage disease (Stage 3–4). No patients had a PEG tube 1-year following treatment, and the mean FOIS score was 6.83. Pharyngeal deficits were infrequent with reduced pharyngeal constriction and prominence/early closure of cricopharyngeus predominating. Mean PAS score was 1.5, indicating that the majority of patients had either no laryngeal penetration/aspiration, or transient penetration that was fully cleared. Mean MDADI score was 85.52, indicating that, in general, patients perceived their swallowing to be minimally impaired. Patients receiving gabapentin pain management as part of a comprehensive dysphagia prevention protocol during CRT have excellent long-term swallowing outcomes as reflected in diet levels, physiologic functioning, and patient-perceived quality of life.
A longitudinal evaluation of oral mucositis in patients receiving radiation therapy (IMRT) with/without chemotherapy (CTX)

e20572 Background: Oral mucositis is a major side effect of RT ± CTX to the head and neck. A variety of instruments and techniques have been used to quantify oral cavity changes during treatment. Few studies have reported on the evaluation of oral mucositis using both subjective and objective methods. A secondary aim in our study testing an innovative mouthwash is to increase our understanding of using subjective and objective methods for measuring oral mucositis, functional status, and weight changes over time. Methods: Patients reported functional status, pain and investigators measured oral mucositis and weight at four times (beginning of RT [T1], onset of mucositis [T2], end of RT [T3], and healing of mucositis [T4]) over a 10 - 15 week period, using the Karnofsky Performance Status [KPS]) and the Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS). The OMAS measures researcher-evaluated ulceration/pseudomembrane formation and erythema in specific sites in the mouth, and self-report by patients, rating severity of...