cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Local application of rhTGF-β2 enhances peri-implant bone volume and bone-implant contact in a rat model

Orthopedic and dental implant fixation depends upon bone regeneration. Growth factors such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) have been shown to enhance bone repair and strengthen the mechanical connection between implant and host skeleton in canine models. To provide a platform for studying molecular mechanisms of growth factor stimulated bone regeneration and implant fixation, the present study examined peri-implant bone volume as a response to TGF-beta treatment in a rodent model. The rat femoral ablation model in which an implant is placed in the medullary cavity of the femur was used to examine the dose response to TGF-beta2 applied to the implant (0, 0.1, 1.0, or 10 microg). The study included a total of 40 rats (10 per dose) examined at 28 days. Peri-implant bone volume and bone-implant contact were assessed through microcomputed tomography and implant fixation strength was determined by a mechanical pullout test. Treatment of the implant with 10 microg TGF-beta2 led to a 2-fold increase in bone volume (P<0.001) and a 1.5-fold increase in bone-implant contact (P<0.01) with a trend of increasing fixation strength (non-significant increase of 1.4-fold). TGF-beta2 treatment with 10 microg led to uniform peri-implant bone volume and bone-implant contact along the length of the implant, whereas the other groups had less bone at the mid-point compared to the proximal and distal aspects of the implant. About 50% of the variance in implant fixation strength was explained by a regression model involving both bone-implant contact and peri-implant bone volume.
Polarization of Inclusive $\Lambda_c$'s in a Hybrid Model

A hybrid model is presented for hyperon polarization that is based on perturbative QCD subprocesses and the recombination of polarized quarks with scalar diquarks. The updated hybrid model is applied to $p+p\to \Lambda +X$ and successfully reproduces the detailed kinematic dependence shown by the data. The hybrid model is extended to include pion beams and polarized $\Lambda_c$'s. The resulting polarization is found to be in fair agreement with recent experiments. Predictions for the polarization dependence on $x_F$ and $p_T$ is given.
Antimicrobial properties of umbelliferone derivatives

Abstract The inhibitory effects of umbelliferone and a number of its alkyl and acyl derivatives on the growth of a variety of bacteria, yeasts and molds have been examined. Herniarin and similar alkyl ethers are more effective antimicrobial agents than umbelliferone.
Adenovirus and protein kinase C have distinct molecular requirements for regulating epidermal growth factor receptor trafficking.

The ligand-activated tyrosine kinase receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF) is down-regulated by an integral membrane protein coded for by the E3 early transcription unit of group C adenoviruses. The E3 protein appears to block recycling of constitutively internalized receptors, causing them instead to traffic to lysosomes where they are degraded. Expression of functional EGF receptors is also regulated by protein kinase C (PKC), which directly phosphorylates the EGF receptor at Thr-654. The goal of this study was to determine potential interactions between PKC and the E3 protein, since membrane-bound PKC activity is elevated by the adenovirus E1A protein. Our results show that although tumor promoters which activate PKC cause a coordinate induction of E3 protein synthesis and EGF receptor degradation, the E3 protein-induced pathway for receptor down-regulation functions independently of PKC and other kinases that are inhibited by staurosporine. This suggests that in contrast to other mechanisms that modulate receptor expression (i.e., ligand and PKC), the E3 protein is not regulated by phosphorylation but is constitutively active. We also report that adenovirus-mediated degradation is the preferred pathway in infected cells stimulated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) to induce receptor recycling.
Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Promotes Invasiveness after Cellular Transformation with Activated Ras in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Abstract Invasion is a defining event in carcinoma progression. In general, invasive carcinoma is characterized by an epithelial–fibroblastoid conversion associated with loss of cell–cell adhesion receptors such as E-cadherin and β-catenin. We report here that TGF-β1 promotes the invasiveness by modulating the alterations of cellular plasticity including a loss of cell–cell contact in Ras-transformed epithelial cells. In order to examine the role of TGF-β1 in the Ras-induced responses, intestinal epithelial cells expressing a conditionally activated Ha-RasVal12 (RIE-iRas cells) were used in this study. Induced expression of activated Ha-RasVal12 caused morphologic transformation of the RIE-iRas cells with an increase in vimentin expression and a decrease of E-cadherin levels. There was also redistribution of β-catenin from the cytoplasm to the nucleus after the induction of Ras. TGF-β1 treatment enhanced both the decrease in E-cadherin levels and the redistribution of β-catenin. Interestingly, the activation of Ras markedly decreased the level of TGF-β receptor type II (TβRII) in RIE-iRas cells. However, the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, which is known to be transcriptionally induced by TGF-β1, was strongly induced by TGF-β1 despite the marked downregulation of TβRII. The induction of Ha-RasVal12 markedly increased the invasiveness in RIE-iRas cells, as evaluated by a collagen type I-coated Boyden-chamber assay, and the Ras-mediated invasiveness was significantly enhanced by TGF-β1 treatment. Expression of a dominant-negative form of TβRII in the RIE-iRas cells abrogated both growth-inhibitory and invasion responses to TGF-β1. Collectively, these results suggest that TGF-β1 and oncogenic Ras collaborate in promoting cellular invasiveness in intestinal epithelial cells. The enhancement of invasiveness was correlated with decreased E-cadherin levels and subcellular distribution of β-catenin. The enhancement of oncogenic Ras-mediated cell transformation by TGF-β1 occurs via TβRII.
The UCSC Kestrel Application-Unspecific Processor

The UCSC Kestrel parallel processor is part of an evolution from application-specific to specialized to application-unspecific processing. Kestrel combines an ALU, multiplier, and local memory, with systolic shared registers for seamless merging of communication and computation, and an innovative condition stack for rapid conditionals. The result has been a readily programmable and efficient co-processor for many applications. Experience with Kestrel indicates that programmable systolic processing, and its natural combination with the single instruction-multiple data (SIMD) parallel architecture, will be an effective design choice for years to come
Personal Business: Character and Commerce in Victorian Literature and Culture

Of the many examinations of Victorian business and culture that have responded to Mary Poovey's Genres of the Credit Economy since its publication in 2008, Aeron Hunt's Personal Business moves the ...
A Grammar-Based Approach to Sheet Metal Design

This paper involves the development, implementation and testing of a geometric representation scheme for building feasible sheet metal components. The approach taken here is based on prior shape grammar methods for engineering design. A series of seventeen grammar rules have been developed to represent a variety of cutting and bending operations that can be applied to sheet metal to construct feasible shapes. The implemented system has benefits as both a user interaction tool or as the basis for a computational design synthesis approach for designing sheet metal components. An example of a real component is shown as well as the method for invoking the sheet metal grammar to create this component.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Oxygen Delivery Through Nasal Cannulae to Preterm Infants: Can Practice Be Improved?

Objective. Oxygen delivery through nasal cannulae to convalescent preterm infants is a common but largely unstudied practice. To learn more about current nasal cannula oxygen delivery practices, we examined the variations in oxygen delivery through nasal cannulae among the centers of the Neonatal Research Network, the frequency of prescription of low levels of oxygen, and the success of weaning to room air. We hypothesized that some infants treated with oxygen through nasal cannulae were receiving oxygen levels equivalent to those of room air. Methods. This was a descriptive, nested, cohort study of nasal cannula oxygen prescription among 187 infants with birth weights of Results. Fifty-two infants (27.8%) were receiving oxygen concentrations and flow rates through nasal cannulae that delivered an effective Fio2 of Conclusions. Prescription of oxygen with combinations of flow rates and oxygen concentrations that delivered a low effective Fio2 was common. We speculate that some of this, including the inadvertent prescription of an effective Fio2 equivalent to that of room air, is related to lack of knowledge of the effective Fio2. Routine calculation of effective Fio2 values may prompt earlier trials of room air and thus reduce unnecessary days of oxygen therapy.
Implant success remains high despite grafting voids in the maxillary sinus

Objectives Given that the nature and presence of voids present within grafted sinuses following maxillary sinus elevation procedures were not known, nor was the contribution of these factors to implant success, the purpose of this study was to investigate these parameters and their relationship to implant success. Materials and Methods This study evaluated data from 25 subjects who had a lateral window maxillary sinus augmentation procedure. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed at baseline and 4 months after surgery. CBCT images were used to evaluate grafted sites prior to implant placement. Using CBCT images, three examiners independently measured bone-grafted areas (BG), void areas (V), and percentage of void areas (V%) from six different sections within grafted sites. The six sections were defined as a cross-sectional (CS) midpoint, CS mesial point, CS distal point, horizontal section (HS) low point, HS midpoint, and HS high point. Implant success was also determined. Results The calculated V% (V/BG) for the CS midpoint, CS mesial point, CS distal point, HS low point, HS midpoint, and HS high point were 5.30 ± 6.67%, 5.79 ± 8.51%, 6.67 ± 7.12%, 2.07 ± 2.56%, 5.30 ± 6.62%, and 4.92 ± 5.17% respectively. Implant success after 6 months of follow-up approximated 100%. Conclusions Although voids within grafts varied in terms of distribution and size, the V% within the HS low point were significantly smaller compared to those within the CS midpoint and CS distal point, which had the most intra-subject V%. Thus, more attention should be given to the distal aspect of the sinus when compacting graft materials in the lateral wall sinus augmentation procedure. Implant success was not influenced by the existence of voids as implant success remained high.
The impact of flow induced loads on snap-through behavior of acoustically excited, thermally buckled panels

Abstract The analysis, and ultimately the design, of air-breathing hypersonic cruise-type vehicles is hampered by the inability to accurately capture the coupled fluid–thermal–structure interactions. There are few laboratory experiments that have investigated the interactions of compliant surface panels and hypersonic flow. The vast majority of experimental studies are limited to replicating only parts of the physical mechanisms and couplings because of the difficulty in imposing the complete transient, hypersonic environment. Studies of hot-structures, thermal protection systems, or exotic material and structural configurations, typically neglect vibration induced fluctuating pressures, shock-boundary layer interaction, the effect of transition, and separated flow. Conversely, hypersonic wind-tunnel experiments purposely neglect the influence of non-rigid structure on the aforementioned high-speed flow effects in an effort to better understand the nature of the high-speed effects. The goal of this study is to implement a simple computational model that seeks to incorporate many of the fluid–thermal–structure interactions inherent in hypersonic flow. This is accomplished using simplified aerothermal and aerodynamic theories in conjunction with a simply supported von Karman panel in cylindrical bending. Comparisons are made between the inclusion and exclusion of self-induced and forced fluctuating pressures, as well as the fidelity required in computing the temperature distributions. Results indicate that self-induced pressure fluctuations, which arise from interactions of a vibrating structure with an ambient mean flow, significantly impact the response of panels to random acoustic loadings. Additionally, the inclusion of forced fluctuating pressure loadings can significantly reduce the onset time of panel flutter. It is surmised that experimental investigations must combine thermal loads, as well as both forced and self-induced fluctuating pressures.
Remote 3-D laser topographic mapping with dental application

In 1979 we first reported progress on a unique 3-D quantitative mapping structured light method to rapidly and remotely interrogate an unknown surface with an array of laser beams and to observe and measure the 3-D surfaces off-axis with one or more videocameras. -''2 Significant progress has occurred recently to make this method practical and cost-effective. The system consists of: 1) at least one passive sensor typically a 512 X 512 square pixel lowlight-level CID image intensified progressive scan videocamera operating at 30 Hz 2) an off-axis active structured laser projector using a 532nm doubled YAG solid state polarized laser beam formers and a prismatic optic to simultaneously generate a 128 X 128 square laser beamlet array 3) a spatially programmable light modulator to block or transmit selected sets of 128 rows (or 128 columns) of laser beams (corresponding to the generated array) at millisecond frame rates 4) optics to project the structured light sets onto the object 5) optics at the sensor end 6) positioning equipment to manipulate the object as required 7) suitable image processors array processors and computers for signal and image processing calculation of tables of X numerical data interactive display and archiving 8)interfaces to other CAD/CAM systems for the replication of surfaces or the reconstruction of multiple surfaces into geometric forms. .
Hospital complication rates with bariatric surgery in Michigan centers of excellence: the emperor's new clothes.

JAMA Hospital Complication Rates With Bariatric Surgery in Michigan Nancy J. O. Birkmeyer, PhD; Justin B. Dimick, MD, MPH; David Share, MD, MPH; Abdelkader Hawasli, MD; Wayne J. English, MD; Jeffrey Genaw, MD; Jonathan F. Finks, MD; Arthur M. Carlin, MD; John D. Birkmeyer, MD; for the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative Context: Despite the growing popularity of bariatric surgery, there remain concerns about perioperative safety and variation in outcomes across hospitals. Objective: To assess complication rates of different bariatric procedures and variability in rates of serious complications across hospitals and according to procedure volume and center of excellence (COE) status. Design, Setting, and Patients: Involving 25 hospitals and 62 surgeons statewide, the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative (MBSC) administers an externally audited, prospective clinical registry. We evaluated short-term morbidity in 15 275 Michigan patients undergoing 1 of 3 common bariatric procedures between 2006 and 2009. We used multilevel regression models to assess variation in risk-adjusted complication rates across hospitals and the effects of procedure volume and COE designation (by the American College of Surgeons or American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) status. Main Outcome Measure: Complications occurring within 30 days of surgery. Results: Overall, 7.3% of patients experienced perioperative complications, most of which were wound problems and other minor complications. Serious complications were most common after gastric bypass (3.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.2%-4.0%), followed by sleeve gastrectomy (2.2%; 95% CI, 1.2%-3.2%), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (0.9%; 95% CI, 0.6%-1.1%) procedures ( P P = .003) and surgeon level ( P = .001). Adjusted rates of serious complications were similar in COE and non-COE hospitals (COE, 2.7%; 95% CI, 2.5%-3.1%; non-COE, 2.0%; 95% CI, 1.5%-2.4%; P = .41). Conclusions: The frequency of serious complications among patients undergoing bariatric surgery in Michigan was relatively low. Rates of serious complications are inversely associated with hospital and surgeon procedure volume, but unrelated to COE accreditation by professional organizations.
Measurement of tissue oxygen saturation levels using portable near-infrared spectroscopy in clinically healthy dogs

Objective – To establish a reference interval for tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) levels measured by a portable near-infrared spectroscope and determine site(s) for reproducibly measuring StO2 levels in dogs. Design – Prospective experimental study. Setting – Veterinary teaching hospital. Animals – Seventy-eight healthy dogs. Measurements and Main Results – A portable device that quantitatively measures StO2 levels directly in muscle tissue using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was topically applied to shaved sites over 4 muscle bodies. Readings from the sartorius muscle were obtained 100% of the time. The digital extensors and biceps femoris muscles provided similar readings, but less consistently obtained StO2 values (70% and 67%, respectively). Mean StO2 levels measured over these 3 sites were not statistically different from one another. When readings from these 3 sites were combined, a mean ±1 SD of 92.9±7.4% was obtained. The epaxial muscles produced a significantly lower mean ±1 SD (68.5±22.4%), and readings were obtained only 60% of the time. Conclusions – In dogs, a mean ±1 SD of 92.9±7.4% can be used to investigate clinical applications of NIRS. The sartorius muscle most consistently allows for detection of StO2 levels (100%). The epaxial muscles are not consistent or reliable for obtaining StO2 readings and are not recommended for clinical application of near-infrared spectroscope. Sex does not significantly affect StO2 readings at any site. Body condition score only affects readings obtained from the sartorius muscle.
Synthesis of Bis-Stannylacetylenes from Calcium Carbide; Assisted by Ultrasound

Abstract Seven bis-stannylacetylenes have been prepared from the reaction of calcium carbide with a trisubstituted stannyl halide (R3SnX: R[dbnd]methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, phenyl, benzyl, cyclohexyl; X[dbnd]chloride, bromide) in dimethylformamide. The reactivity of the calcium carbide was enhanced using ultrasound generated from a cleaning bath. The products have been characterized by physical constants, elemental analysis, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. When allowed to react for similar time periods, stannyl chlorides and bromides, with identical organic substituents, gave similar yields, suggesting that the reaction does not proceed by an SN2 displacement of halide by carbide. Reactions with triethylgermyl chloride and triethylplumbyl chloride were also observed but the products were not isolated.
Raman study of vibrational properties in solid C60.

Raman scattering has been performed on pure polycrystalline ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ powder over a frequency range of 20--2500 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. The phonon Raman lines appearing only between 250 and 1600 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ can be assigned to all the Raman-active vibrational modes (2${\mathit{A}}_{\mathit{g}}$+8${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{g}}$) predicted for the isolated ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecules, which suggests only minor effects of intermolecular coupling on the properties of molecular vibrations. A comparison of the spectra taken at room temperature and low temperature (150 K) shows no significant change of the vibrational Raman modes after an orientational ordering transition.
Congestive heart failure in a newborn secondary to coronary artery-left ventricular fistula

Abstract Arteriovenous malformations causing congestive heart failure (CHF) in the newborn period are associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. We describe a neonate with a large fistula between the coronary artery and left ventricle in whom CHF developed on the first day of life and in whom successful surgical correction of the fistula was performed at age 6 days.
Sudden Cardiac Death After Myocardial Infarction

Recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms of sudden cardiac death have been paralleled by technical advances in diagnosis and treatment, involving ambulatory Holter monitoring and the use of implantable defibrillators. Risk factors predisposing toward sudden cardiac death in the postmyocardial infarction setting and in patients with congestive heart failure include the presence of ventricular ectopy [> 10 premature ventricular contractions (PVC) per hour], frequent episodes of ventricular pairs and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia on 24-hour Holter monitoring, and a depressed left ventricular ejection fraction. Additional risk factors for sudden cardiac death in coronary artery disease include arterial stenosis in coronary vessels supplying intact myocardium remote from the infarction site, the presence of late potentials on the signal averaged ECG, and attenuation of the normal variation in heart rate. The ability to induce sustained ventricular tachycardia (SVT) on electrophysiological testing is highly predictive of sudden cardiac death after myocardial infarction. Conversely, the ease of suppression of the induced tachycardia with antiarrhythmic agents is correlated with the risk of subsequent lethal ventricular arrhythmia. The detrimental effect of frequent ventricular ectopy (> 10 PVC/h) on survival in coronary artery disease is particularly pronounced in patients with moderately well preserved left ventricular function [ejection fraction (EF) > 30%], thereby suggesting that these patients may be better served by antiarrhythmic therapy than those with severely depressed left ventricular function. In light of the findings from the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST), that indicated an increased mortality rate associated with the use of the Class Ic antiarrhythmics encainide and flecainide in postmyocardial infarction patients, it is feasible that the use of Class III antiarrhythmics (which prolong cardiac repolarisation rather than conduction) may be more appropriate in this setting. A number of clinical studies are currently addressing the question of whether amiodarone reduces the incidence of sudden cardiac death in coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.
Detection of left ventricular functional reserve by supine exercise hemodynamics in patients with severe, chronic heart failure☆

Hemodynamic changes during exercise were evaluated in 20 patients with severe, chronic congestive heart failure. Two groups were identified by their stroke work response to maximal exercise. Group I (eight patients) showed an increase in stroke work index. This occurred because the stroke volume increased and the difference between mean systolic pressure and left ventricular filling pressure increased. Group II (12 patients) showed a decrease in stroke work index. This occurred because stroke volume decreased while the difference between mean systolic pressure and left ventricular filling pressure did not change. Despite hemodynamic differences, the groups could not be distinguished by the usual clinical criteria for heart failure including etiology, New York Heart Association functional class, heart size on chest X-ray film or duration of heart failure. Clinical criteria are relatively insensitive in predicting the exercise hemodynamics of any given patient with chronic severe heart failure. Determining the exercise hemodynamics may be helpful as a means of assessing left ventricular functional reserve in heart failure. Prognostic implications, drug therapy and prescription of activities may require adjustment based on this spectrum of hemodynamic response to exercise in patients with chronic heart failure.
The 1977 Three Kings Ridge earthquake (Ms = 6.7): broad-band aspect of the source rupture

Abstract The 1977 Three Kings Ridge earthquake ( M s = 6.7) is an isolated event which took place in the South Fiji Basin. The centroid moment tensor (CMT) solution by the Harvard group shows a left-lateral strike-slip motion with a dip angle of 55° while the P-wave first motions require a nearly vertical fault plane. The centroid depth 17.4 km is deeper than the bottom of ordinary oceanic crust. Using long-period P and SH waveforms from the Worldwide Standardized Seismograph Network, we model the entire source rupture process with three subevents which span a 42 s duration. The best-fit double-couple focal mechanism obtained from the tensorial sum of the subevents is primarily a strike-slip with a nearly vertical fault plane subparallel to the Cook Fracture zone. The total moment release is (2.2–2.3) × 10 26 dyn cm, which is about 40% lower than the CMT estimate. The subevents' depth distribution is similar to the centroid depth (17 km), which is deeper than a typical oceanic Moho. Precise modeling of the waveform is also incompatible with a standard oceanic crustal structure, lending support to previous interpretations of the Three Kings Ridge as a fossil island arc. The discrepancy between our body waveform moment tensor solution and the Harvard CMT solution is dominated by the tensor components M rθ and M rθ . In the case of a shallow source, these components are notoriously unresolvable because of their vanishing excitation of seismic waves in the low-frequency range ( T ⩾ 45 s). However, the low-pass filtered body waves can be better modeled with a dip angle similar to that of the CMT solution. This observation suggests that the source process may include some level of evolution of the rupture mechanism with time. We interpret the earthquake as expressing a moderate level of internal deformation of the Australian plate, in the context of significantly different spreading rates in the Lau and Havre Basins.
Experimental immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis in the nonhuman primate

Experimental immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis in the nonhuman primate. This study was undertaken to develop a model of immune complex (IC)-mediated glomerulonephritis (GN) in the nonhuman primate that could be used in subsequent studies to examine critically the role ofthe erythrocyte complement receptor (E-CR) in the pathogenesis of IC-mediated disease. Cynomolgus monkeys were chosen for study because they constituatively express E-CR levels that are either less than, equal to, or greater than that seen in normal man. After immunization with bovine gamma globulin (BGG), the GN induction protocol was begun in 10 cynomolgus by initiating daily i.v. administration of BGG in amounts sufficient to achieve or exceed antigen/antibody equivalence (assessed by the quantitative precipitin assay) for precipitating antibody present in the plasma volume. We found that within eight weeks of daily BGG administration all of the cynomolgus developed IC-mediated GN, irrespective ofthe initial E-CR level ofthe animals. However, the high E-CR cynomolgus tended to receive the higher BGG doses because of higher initial antibody levels to BGG. When the total number of glomerular deposits (determined by morpho-metric studies) per total BGG dose for each animal was plotted against the initial CR/E of that animal, there was a tendency for the animals with higher CR/E levels to have a lower number of glomerular deposits/ BGG dose (r = 0.62, P=0.06). Also, the total number of glomerular deposits correlated with the severity ofthe GN. During the early weeks of the GN induction protocol, the IC that formed in vivo (assessed by infusion of 125 I-BGG) bound in large amounts to the circulating erythrocytes ofthe cynomolgus with medium or high E-CR levels. However, when tested after the onset of heavy proteinuria, which occurred between weeks 5 and 8 of daily BGG administration, the IC that formed in the circulation bound only poorly to circulating erythrocytes. By this time the E-CR levels had declined to 43 ± 9% of initial values (P
MO-C-17A-06: Online Adaptive Re-Planning to Account for Independent Motions Between Multiple Targets During Radiotherapy of Lung Cancer

Purpose: To quantify interfractional independent motions between multiple targets in radiotherapy (RT) of lung cancer, and to study the dosimetric benefits of an online adaptive replanning method to account for these variations. Methods: Ninety five diagnostic-quality daily CTs acquired for 9 lung cancer patients treated with IGRT using an in-room CT (CTVision, Siemens) were analyzed. On each daily CT set, contours of the targets (GTV, CTV, or involved nodes) and organs at risk were generated by populating the planning contours using an auto-segmentation tool (ABAS, Elekta) with manual editing. For each patient, an IMRT plan was generated based on the planning CT with a prescription dose of 60 Gy in 2Gy fractions. Three plans were generated and compared for each daily CT set: an IGRT (repositioning) plan by copying the original plan with the required shifts, an online adaptive plan by rapidly modifying the aperture shapes and segment weights of the original plan to conform to the daily anatomy, and a new fully re-optimized plan based on the daily CT using a planning system (Panther, Prowess). Results: The daily deviations of the distance between centers of masses of the targets from the plans varied daily from -10 to 8 mm with an average −0.9±4.1 mm (one standard deviation). The average CTV V100 are 99.0±0.7%, 97.9±2.8%, 99.0±0.6%, and 99.1±0.6%, and the lung V20 Gy 928±332 cc, 944±315 cc, 917±300 cc, and 891±295 cc for the original, repositioning, adaptive, and re-optimized plans, respectively. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests show that the adaptive plans are statistically significantly better than the repositioning plans and comparable with the reoptimized plans. Conclusion: There exist unpredictable, interfractional, relative volume changes and independent motions between multiple targets during lung cancer RT which cannot be accounted for by the current IGRT repositioning but can be corrected by the online adaptive replanning method.
Characterization of Solids in Residual Wastes from Underground Storage Tanks at the Hanford Site, Washington, U.S.A.

Solid phase physical and chemical characterization methods have been used in an ongoing study of residual wastes from several single-shell underground waste tanks at the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site in southeastern Washington State. Because these wastes are highly-radioactive dispersible powders and are chemically-complex assemblages of crystalline and amorphous solids that contain contaminants as discrete phases and/or co-precipitated within oxide phases, their detailed characterization offers an extraordinary technical challenge. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) are the two principal methods used, along with a limited series of analyses by synchrotron-based methods, to characterize solid phases and their contaminant associations in these wastes. Depending on the specific tank, numerous solids (e.g., eejkaite; Na 2 U 2 O 7 ; clarkeite; gibbsite; bohmite; dawsonite; cancrinite; Fe oxides such as hematite, goethite, and maghemite; rhodochrosite; lindbergite; whewellite; nitratine; and several amorphous phases) have been identified in residual wastes studied to date. Because many contaminants of concern are heavy elements, SEM analysis using the backscattered electron (BSE) signal has proved invaluable in distinguishing phases containing elements, such as U and Hg, within the complex assemblage of particles that make up each waste. XRD, SEM/EDS, and synchrotron-based methods provide different, but complimentary characterization data about the morphologies, crystallinity, particle sizes, surface coatings, and compositions of phases in these wastes. The impact of these techniques is magnified when each is used in an iterative fashion to help interpret the results from the other analysis methods and identify additional, more focused analyses.
Toggles and Sails in the Ancient World: Rigging Elements Recovered from the Tantura B Shipwreck, Israel

Excavation of the 9th-century AD shipwreck B in Tantura Lagoon, Israel, yielded four toggles, numerous rope fragments, and three pierced wooden spatulate objects believed to be associated with the ship's rigging. In the first half of the article, the toggles are described and compared to a corpus of similar devices found on both land and shipwreck sites. The spatulate devices are tentatively identified as spill-toggles, pierced for attaching a trip-line. The second half of the article traces the textual and iconographical evidence for toggles and sail types––in particular, the lateen––in the ancient Mediterranean, and their possible association. © 2008 The Author
Conservation status of a threatened tree species: establishing a baseline for restoration of Juglans cinerea L

To mitigate the loss of native tree species threatened by non-native pathogens, managers need to better understand the conservation status of remaining populations and the conditions that favor successful regeneration. Populations of Juglans cinerea L. (butternut), a wide-ranging riparian species, have been devastated by butternut canker, a disease caused by a non-native fungal pathogen. We assessed J. cinerea within Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) to determine post-disease survivorship and health, recruitment history, environmental conditions associated with survival, and the extent of hybridization with a non-native congener. Monitoring records were used to locate and collect data for 207 J. cinerea trees in 19 watersheds. Tree cores were collected from a subset of individuals to assess recruitment history. We sampled vegetation plots within areas that contained J. cinerea to assess site conditions and overstory species composition of characteristic habitat. We collected leaf samples for genetic analysis to determine the frequency of hybridization. Our reassessment of monitoring records suggests that J. cinerea abundance in GSMNP has declined due to butternut canker and thirty years of poor regeneration. Populations displayed continuous recruitment following Park establishment (1934) until around 1980, after which regeneration declined drastically. Ordination analysis revealed that J. cinerea in the contemporary forest was associated with greater distance from homesites and reduced basal area of competing species. Hybrids comprised a small portion of sampled trees. The presence of healthy trees and low rate of hybridization suggest that these trees may contribute to the development of disease-resistant genotypes for future restoration efforts.
Reaction of UC with Nitrogen from 1475° to 1700°C

The reaction of nitrogen with arc-melted UC was studied from 1475° to 1700°C at an N2 pressure of about 400 torr. The reaction appeared to proceed toward equilibrium in distinct stages: (1) UC and N2 reacted to form UC2 and UC0.8N0.2; (2) UC2 reacted with N2 to produce more UC0.3N0.2 and free C; and (3) this U(C,N) reacted with N2 to produce more free C and the equilibrium product, a high-N U(C,N). These results are consistent with known thermodynamic and phase behavior in the U-C-N system.
Generating multivariate mixture of normal distributions using a modified Cholesky decomposition

Mixture of normals is a more general and flexible distribution for modeling of daily changes in market variables with fat tails and skewness. An efficient analytical Monte Carlo method was proposed by Wang and Taaffe for generating daily changes using a multivariate mixture of normal distributions with arbitrary covariance matrix. However the usual Cholesky Decomposition will fail if the covariance matrix is not positive definite. In practice, the covariance matrix is unknown and has to be estimated. The estimated covariance may be not positive definite. We propose a modified Cholesky decomposition for semi-definite matrices and also suggest an optimal semi-definite approximation for indefinite matrices.
The experimental SAW propagation characteristics of sputtered zirconium titanate on lithium niobate

The SAW propagation properties of sputtered zirconium titanate on lithium niobate have been characterized experimentally. Three thicknesses of amorphous ZrTiO/sub 4/ (105, 220 and 420 nm) were magnetron sputtered from a composite target onto Y-cut Z-propagating LiNbO/sub 3/. The films were analyzed by RBS to determine density values and element concentrations. The SAW propagation properties were carried out over a frequency range from 34 MHz to above 1.0 GHz with pairs of 100 nm aluminum-film interdigital-transducer electrodes. The SAW velocity dispersion characteristic was unique to each film and did not fit a consistent pattern as a function of film-thickness to acoustic-wavelength ratio. Elastic constants were estimated for each of the three films from the SAW velocity dispersion characteristics. The SAW propagation loss in dB/cm increased as the frequency squared. The loss also increased with increasing film thickness. The application of ZrTiO/sub 4/ amorphous films to increase the SAW coupling factor was also investigated.
Effects of user correlation on sample size requirements

Very little work has been done in determining the number of users needed to establish confidence intervals for an error rate of a biometric authentication system. The independence assumption between multiple acquisitions of an individual is too restrictive and is generally not valid. We relax this assumption and present a semi-parametric approach for estimating the within-user correlation using multivariate Gaussian copula models. We describe how to obtain confidence bands for the ROC and present the minimum requirements on the number of users needed to achieve a desired width for the ROC confidence band. Rules of thumb such as the Rule of 3 and the Rule of 30 grossly underestimate the number of users required. The underestimation becomes more severe when the correlation between any two acquisitions increases.
Toward effective NIC caching: a hierarchical data cache architecture for iSCSI storage servers

In this paper, we present a hierarchical data cache architecture called DCA to effectively slash local interconnect traffic and thus boost the storage server performance. DCA is composed of a read cache in NIC card called NIC cache and a read/write unify cache in host memory called Helper cache. NIC cache services most portion of read requests without fetching data via PCI bus, while Helper cache 1) supplies some portions of read requests given partial NIC cache hits; 2) directs cache placement for NIC cache and 3) absorbs most transient writes locally. We developed a novel State Locality Aware cache Placement algorithm called SLAP to improve NIC cache hit ratio for mixed read and write workloads. To demonstrate the effectiveness of DCA, we developed a DCA prototype system and evaluated it with open source iSCSI implementation under representative storage server workloads. Experimental results showed that DCA can boost iSCSI storage server throughput by up to 121% and slash the PCI traffic by up to 74% compared with an iSCSI target without DCA.
Freshwater Fish Gill Ion Transport: August Krogh to morpholinos and microprobes

August Krogh proposed that freshwater fishes (and other freshwater animals) maintain body NaCl homoeostasis by extracting these ions from the environment via separate Na(+) /NH(4)(+) and Cl(-) /HCO(3)(-) exchangers in the gill epithelium. Subsequent data from other laboratories suggested that Na(+) uptake was more probably coupled to H(+) secretion via a vesicular proton pump (V-ATPase) electrically coupled to a Na(+) channel. However, despite uncertainty about electrochemical gradients, evidence has accrued that epithelial Na(+) /H(+) exchange indeed may be an alternative pathway for Na(+) uptake. The specific pathways for Na(+) uptake may be species and environment specific. An apical Cl(-) /HCO(3)(-) exchanger is generally accepted for most species (some species do not extract Cl(-) from freshwater), but the relative roles of anion exchanger-like (SLC4A1) vs. pendrin-like (SLC26Z4) exchangers are unknown, and also may be species specific. Most recently, data have supported the presence of an apical Na(+) + Cl(-) cotransporter (NCC-type), despite thermodynamic uncertainty. Ammonia extrusion may be via NH(3) diffusing through the paracellular junctions or NH(4) (+) substitution on both basolateral and apical ionic exchangers (Na(+) + K(+) -ATPase; Na(+) + K(+) + Cl(-) - cotransporter; and Na(+) /H(+) exchanger), but recent evidence suggests that Rhesus-glycoproteins mediate both basolateral and apical movement of ammonia.
Utilizing Bio-Mechanical Characteristics For User-Independent Gesture Recognition

We propose a novel approach for recognizing hand gestures by analyzing the data streams generated by the sensors attached to the human hands. We utilize the concept of range of motion in the movement and exploit this characteristic to analyze the acquired data. We show that since the relative range of motion of each section of the hand involved in any gesture is a unique characteristic of that gesture, it provides a unique signature for that gesture across different users. Based on this observation, we propose our approach for hand gesture recognition which addresses two major challenges: user-dependency and devicedependency. Furthermore, we show that our approach neither requires calibration nor involves training.We apply our approach for recognizing ASL signs and show that we can recognize static ASL signs with no training. Our preliminary experiments demonstrate more than 75% accuracy in sign recognition for the ASL static signs.
Kinetics of B2, DO3, and B32 ordering: Results from pair approximation calculations and Monte Carlo simulations

A kinetic theory of ordering based on the path probability method was implemented in the pair (Bethe) approximation and used to study the kinetics of short- and long-range ordering in alloys with equilibrium states of B2, D0[sub 3], or B32 order. The theory was developed in a superposition approximation for a vacancy mechanism on a bcc lattice with first- (1[ital nn]) and second-nearest neighbor (2[ital nn]) pair interactions. Chained 1[ital nn] conditional probabilities were used to account for the entropy of 2[ital nn] pair configurations. Monte Carlo simulations of ordering were also performed and their results compared to predictions of the pair approximation. Comparisons are also made with predictions from an earlier kinetic theory implemented in the point (Bragg--Williams) approximation. For all three calculations (point, pair, and Monte Carlo), critical temperatures for B2 and D0[sub 3] ordering are reported for different 1[ital nn] and 2[ital nn] interaction strengths. The influence of annealing temperature on the kinetic paths through the space of B2, D0[sub 3], and B32 order parameters was found to be strong when the thermodynamic preferences for the ordered states were of similar strengths. Transient states of intermediate order were also studied. A transient formation of B32 order inmore » an AB[sub 3] alloy was found when 2[ital nn] interactions were strong, even when B32 order was neither a Richards-Allen-Cahn ground state nor a stable equilibrium state at that temperature. The formation of this transient B32 order can be argued consistently from a thermodynamic perspective. However, a second example of transient B2 order in an AB alloy with equilibrium B32 cannot be explained by the same thermodynamic argument, and we believe that its origin is primarily kinetic.« less
Myelin Abnormalities in the Optic and Sciatic Nerves in Mice With GM1-Gangliosidosis:

GM1-gangliosidosis is a glycosphingolipid lysosomal storage disease involving accumulation of GM1 and its asialo form (GA1) primarily in the brain. Thin-layer chromatography and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the lipid content/composition and the myelin structure of the optic and sciatic nerves from 7- and 10-month old β-galactosidase (β-gal) +/? and β-gal -/- mice, a model of GM1gangliosidosis. Optic nerve weight was lower in the β-gal -/- mice than in unaffected β-gal +/? mice, but no difference was seen in sciatic nerve weight. The levels of GM1 and GA1 were significantly increased in both the optic nerve and sciatic nerve of the β-gal -/- mice. The content of myelin-enriched cerebrosides, sulfatides, and plasmalogen ethanolamines was significantly lower in optic nerve of β-gal -/- mice than in β-gal +/? mice; however, cholesteryl esters were enriched in the β-gal -/- mice. No major abnormalities in these lipids were detected in the sciatic nerve of the β-gal -/- mice. The abnormalities in GM1 and myelin lipids in optic nerve of β-gal -/- mice correlated with a reduction in the relative amount of myelin and periodicity in fresh nerve. By contrast, the relative amount of myelin and periodicity in the sciatic nerves from control and β-gal -/- mice were indistinguishable, suggesting minimal pathological involvement in sciatic nerve. Our results indicate that the greater neurochemical pathology observed in the optic nerve than in the sciatic nerve of β-gal -/- mice is likely due to the greater glycolipid storage in optic nerve.
Male offspring production by asexual Potamopyrgus antipodarum, a New Zealand snail

As only females contribute directly to population growth, sexual females investing equally in sons and daughters experience a two-fold cost relative to asexuals producing only daughters. Typically, researchers have focused on benefits of sex that can counter this 'cost of males' and thus explain its predominance. Here, we instead ask whether asexuals might also pay a cost of males by quantifying the rate of son production in 45 experimental populations ('lineages') founded by obligately asexual female Potamopyrgus antipodarum. This New Zealand snail is a powerful model for studying sex because phenotypically similar sexual and asexual forms often coexist, allowing direct comparisons between sexuals and asexuals. After 2 years of culture, 23 of the 45 lineages had produced males, demonstrating that asexual P. antipodarum can make sons. We used maximum-likelihood analysis of a model of male production in which only some lineages can produce males to estimate that ~50% of lineages have the ability to produce males and that ~5% of the offspring of male-producing lineages are male. Lineages producing males in the first year of the experiment were more likely to make males in the second, suggesting that some asexual lineages might pay a cost of males relative to other asexual lineages. Finally, we used a simple deterministic model of population dynamics to evaluate how male production affects the rate of invasion of an asexual lineage into a sexual population, and found that the estimated rate of male production by asexual P. antipodarum is too low to influence invasion dynamics.