cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TH-A-19A-11: Validation of GPU-Based Monte Carlo Code (gPMC) Versus Fully Implemented Monte Carlo Code (TOPAS) for Proton Radiation Therapy: Clinical Cases Study

Purpose: For proton radiation therapy, Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) methods are recognized as the gold-standard dose calculation approach. Although previously unrealistic due to limitations in available computing power, GPU-based applications allow MCS of proton treatment fields to be performed in routine clinical use, on time scales comparable to that of conventional pencil-beam algorithms. This study focuses on validating the results of our GPU-based code (gPMC) versus fully implemented proton therapy based MCS code (TOPAS) for clinical patient cases. Methods: Two treatment sites were selected to provide clinical cases for this study: head-and-neck cases due to anatomical geometrical complexity (air cavities and density heterogeneities), making dose calculation very challenging, and prostate cases due to higher proton energies used and close proximity of the treatment target to sensitive organs at risk. Both gPMC and TOPAS methods were used to calculate 3-dimensional dose distributions for all patients in this study. Comparisons were performed based on target coverage indices (mean dose, V90 and D90) and gamma index distributions for 2% of the prescription dose and 2mm. Results: For seven out of eight studied cases, mean target dose, V90 and D90 differed less than 2% between TOPAS and gPMC dose distributions. Gamma index analysis formore » all prostate patients resulted in passing rate of more than 99% of voxels in the target. Four out of five head-neck-cases showed passing rate of gamma index for the target of more than 99%, the fifth having a gamma index passing rate of 93%. Conclusion: Our current work showed excellent agreement between our GPU-based MCS code and fully implemented proton therapy based MC code for a group of dosimetrically challenging patient cases.« less
Radiative corrections to neutrino-lepton scattering in the SU(2) L ⊗ U(1) theory

Abstract The radiative corrections of O(α) to the final electron spectrum and the total cross sections for the processes ν μ + e → ν μ + e , ν μ + e → ν e + e , ν e + e → ν e + e and ν e + e are studied in the framework of the SU(2)L ⊗ U(1) theory. The electroweak corrections to the fisrt two processes are presented in two equivalent schemes in terms of (Gμ, sin2θw) and (G μ , sin 2 θ w (m w )) . As a byproduct, the relationship to O(α) between the basic parameters sin 2 θ W ≡ 1 − m W 2 /m Z 2 and sin 2 θ W (m W ) (defined by modified minimal subtraction) is explicitly given. The QED corrections are evaluated in the extreme relativistic (ER) regime of the final electron (E′e ⪢ me) for the situation in which the bremsstrahlung photons are unobserved and unrestricted. The ER approximation allows us to obtain simple analytic expressions for the differential electron spectrum and the total cross sections. The relationship to O(GFα) between the spin-averaged differential cross sections for the above processes in the ER regime is derived.
Probabilistic construction of deterministic algorithms: Approximating packing integer programs

We consider the problem of approximating an integer program by first solving its relaxation linear program and "rounding" the resulting solution. For several packing problems, we prove probabilistically that there exists an integer solution close to the optimum of the relaxation solution. We then develop a methodology for converting such a probabilistic existence proof to a deterministic approximation algorithm. The methodology mimics the existence proof in a very strong sense.
A canonical form for matrices under consimilarity

Abstract Square complex matrices A , B are said to be consimilar if A=SB S −1 for some nonsingular matrix S . Consimilarity is an equivalence relation that is a natural matrix generalization of rotation of scalars in the complex plane. We survey the known forms to which a given complex matrix may be reduced by unitary consimilarity and describe a canonical form to which it may be reduced by a general consimilarity. We derive a useful criterion for two matrices to be consimilar and show that every matrix is consimilar to its own conjugate, transpose, and adjoint, to a real matrix, and to a Hermitian matrix.
Contact behavior evolution induced by damage growth in radio-frequency microelectromechanical system switches

This study provides a two-contact-event model to explain the evolution of the contact behavior of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches through their lifetime. The succession of two dynamic contact events is carefully considered during actuation inspired by experimental observations. The contact between the MEMS switch tip and the drain can be treated as an effective contact between an elastic hemisphere and a rigid plane. If the first contact event results in elastic deformation, the effective hemisphere will fully recover. Consequently, the subsequent contact event also produces elastic deformation. If, on the other hand, the first contact event induces elastoplastic or plastic deformation, a residual depth will be produced between the hemisphere and the rigid plane. The contact force of the subsequent contact event can be significantly reduced due to this additional residual depth. With the growth of residual depth during the switch cycling process, the modeling results show three possible situations of contact radius evolution: (1) The contact radius increases to a maximum value and then decreases to zero; (2) the contact radius increases to one local maximum value; then decreases to a local minimum value; subsequently increases again to another maximum value, and finally decreases to zero; and (3) the contact radius increases to one maximum value and then decreases to zero; after an intermittent response, the contact radius increases again to another maximum value and finally decreases to zero. Furthermore, the Maxwell spreading formula is applied to determine the contact resistance which is inversely proportional to the contact radius. Three situations of contact resistance evolution corresponding to the evolution of contact radius are obtained. All three situations are also observed and validated by the experimental results.
Military intelligence and the problem of legitimacy: Opening the model

This brief essay looks at some of the emerging dilemmas facing the Intelligence Community (IC), and suggests a model for action that is based on the growing importance of legitimization now evident in all phases of US military activity abroad. The challenge for the IC is to satisfy the needs of a demanding and highly varied set of consumers while maintaining a clear priority on missions of military concern. When the legitimization priorities of broadly varied mission tasks are disaggregated and linked with the intelligence cycle, we see that total war, limited war, and operations other than war (OOTW) have distinct and incompatible priorities. Rather than try to adapt the existing system to fish‐out‐of‐water applications, and in the process degrade the capabilities of the IC to conduct total warfare support operations effectively, it may be time to envision a new, parallel intelligence agency for the support of limited war and OOTW.
SU‐C‐18C‐05: Evaluation of Endovascular Procedures Using Precise Patient Specific Phantoms Created Using Additive Manufacturing

Purpose: The development of patient specific models for endovascular procedures using additive manufacturing. Methods: The work to be presented is composed of two parts: manufacturing and testing of patientspecific phantoms. Phantom manufacturing began with acquisition of 3D patient data and segmentation for the generation of a printable STL file. The models were printed using a Polyjet printer, Objet Eden260V. Once printed, the phantoms were cleaned of support material, and tested for geometric accuracy as compared to the original patient specific data. Imaging validation using x-ray angiography and qualitative evaluation of mechanical properties were also performed during an endovascular image-guided intervention. Several iterations of phantoms have been printed and tested, and optimal design parameters have been determined for a favorable manufactured output. Results: The most challenging aspect of phantom manufacturing, as experienced in both simple and complex phantoms, is the removal of support material. Cleaning support material from inside of vessels can be mechanically difficult due to tortuous designs, and must be performed delicately to prevent wall rupture. Phantoms required NaOH baths and high-pressure washing to eliminate all support materials. Phantom accuracy testing showed size variations of 120μm, a very good agreement with the original design. Interventionists experienced similar back pressure from phantoms when testing mechanical behavior in simulated clinical procedures. Conclusion: This process can serve as a viable tool for procedures and devices, and present unique learning opportunities for the endovascular field as a whole. Supported by NIH Grant: 2R01EB002873 and an equipment grant from Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
Separation of submicron pharmaceutic emulsions with centrifugal split‐flow thin (SPLITT) fractionation

This study illustrates the capability of split-flow thin (SPLITT) fractionation on narrowing the size distribution of submicron pharmaceutical emulsions. We separated two different types of submicron pharmaceutical emulsions, both potential substitutes for red blood cells with centrifugal SPLITT fractionation. The size distribution of the emulsions was measured with sedimentation field-flow fractionation using a power program for optimal speed and resolution. The theoretically predicted size distribution of the fractionated emulsions closely matched the experimental size distribution. Reinjection of fractionated emulsions further narrowed the emulsion size distributions. Continuous separation of centrifugal SPLITT fractionation had a throughput of 15 g/h in this study. Guidelines for scaling up of this technique were provided. Centrifugal SPLITT fractionation could become a valuable technique in the pharmaceutical industry because of its capability for continuous separation and to control the cutoff size of submicron-sized emulsions. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Micro Sep9: 205–211, 1997
Frequency-modulation radar for use in the mercantile marine

The principles of f.m. radar are outlined and a comparison is made between pulse and f.m. techniques, particularly with respect to the requirements of the merchant service. It is concluded that multi-gate f.m. radars are too complex for this application and methods are outlined for overcoming the inherently low scanning rate of single sweeping-gate systems. Equipment is described which has an aerial beamwidth of 1.7° and a rotation rate of 10 r.p.m. with a fractional range resolution of 1/30.The future of f.m. radar for mercantile marine use is critically examined, the conclusion being that it will be most useful where very-short-range high-resolution pictures are required. Before such equipment is economically available further developments in transmitting valves must take place.
Supporting Novice Development of Webpage Layouts for Multiple Display Devices

As the types of devices capable of accessing the web diversify, developers face the challenge of tailoring webpage layouts to accommodate their different display, interaction, and use characteristics. This challenge is particularly severe for novice web developers, who often have difficulty maintaining the separation of content from presentation and comprehending the flow-based visual formatting model. We propose an approach to developing webpage layouts for multiple display devices that addresses these and other barriers commonly faced by novices. In this paper, we describe findings from a study of web design students and discuss their implications for this approach.
Formylmethionyl-tRNA binding properties of Escherichia coli ribosomal protein S1.

Formylmethionyl-tRNA has been found to bind to Escherichia coli ribosomal protein S1. Complexes of S1 and methionine-labeled fMet-tRNAMetf were detected by binding to cellulose nitrate membranes. Complex formation was stimulated by incubation at low ionic strength, at 37°C and in the absence of Mg2+. Protein S1 also bound [3H]poly(rC) under the same conditions or in buffers of higher ionic strength, 10 mM in Mg2+, and during incubation at 0°C. Unlabeled poly(rC) was an effective inhibitor of the binding of labeled fMet-tRNA when both nucleotides were added simultaneously to the reaction mixtures; however, approximately 80% of previously bound f[35S]Met-tRNA remained bound after the subsequent addition of unlabeled poly(rC). Binding of f[35S]Met-tRNA, but not the binding of [3H]poly(rC), was inhibited by polyamines or aminoglycoside antibiotics. Protein S1 that had been reacted with N-ethylmaleimide failed to bind f[35S]Met-tRNA but was still capable of binding [3H]poly(rC). The data support the concept of two distinct RNA-binding sites on the S1 molecule. Initiator tRNA appears to occupy a site concerned with the RNA unwinding property of S1, whereas poly(rC) binds primarily at a separate site. During initiation on the ribosome, the poly(rC) site may interact with the 3′ end of 16-S ribosomal RNA, while the other site may interact with either mRNA or fMet-tRNA.
Managing the Second Stage of Labor: Using Evidence to Guide Practice

Objective: The primary objectives of this exploratory study were: (1) review the literature to identify evidence-based labor management interventions, (2) re-evaluate the “average” length of labor associated with good childbirth outcomes, and (3) determine if there is a consensus among labor and delivery nurse managers regarding the need to revise the Friedman's Labor Curve. Design: This pilot study utilized a comprehensive literature review and an anonymous cross-sectional survey design. Surveys were mailed to 500 maternity care agencies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico with a return rate of 17.8% (n = 89). Each participating agency was asked to submit five patient cases to be included in the analysis. Sample and Setting: The sample of patient cases (n = 419) was drawn from randomly selected maternity care agencies throughout North America representing all sizes of agencies and geographic locations. The cases submitted for analysis represented women 14 to 44 years of age with varying ethnicities who received no regional anesthesia or oxytocin augmentation or induction. Results: The average length of the second stage of labor for women today is similar to the length described by Friedman in 1954. However, a wider range of “normal” was found in the current study. A review of literature suggests non-directive pushing and a greater variety of birthing positions improves second-stage labor outcomes. Most (87.6%) nurse managers believed that Friedman's Labor Curve should be revised to meet the needs of current patient populations, technological advances, and nursing responsibilities. Conclusions: The parameters, assessments, and interventions currently employed during the second stage of labor need to be re-evaluated to incorporate the most recent evidence to support best practices.
Radiofrequency and microwave ablation of lung tumors

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Surgical resection remains the standard treatment for early stage, non-small cell lung cancer, and limited pulmonary metastases. However, many patients with resectable disease have significant co-morbidities which preclude surgical resection. Radiofrequency and microwave ablation are emerging modalities of treatment for these high-risk patients. Here, we review the principles, common devices in use, and treatment results of ablative therapy for lung tumors.
Role of sialic acid in exogenous protein accumulation and water retention by the egg jelly of the salamander Ambystoma macrodactylum

The jelly coat of eggs from the salamander Ambystoma macrodactylum is capable of binding and accumulating a high concentration of exogenous protein from a dilute incubation medium. This binding appears to be due to negatively charged moeities of the jelly structure. To examine whether sialic acid was responsible for the binding of exogenous protein as well as water retention, and thus the structural rigidity of the jelly, sialic acid was chemically removed from the jelly. There appeared to be a linear relationship between the sialic acid content of the jelly and the amounts of exogenous protein and water retained by the jelly. Furthermore, removal of about 90% of the sialic acid was associated with 89% and 70% decreases in accumulated hemoglobin and water content, respectively. The data are therefore consistent with the hypothesis that sialic acid is the exogenous protein binding site. The data are also consistent with the hypothesis that sialic acid is responsible for most of the water retention and thus the swollen state of the egg jelly.
Estrogen-replacement therapy after breast cancer. Risks versus benefits.

In the current aging society, more than 30 million women have an average postmenopausal life expectancy of 28 years. Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in older women, and osteoporosis results in an estimated 1.5 million fractures per year. Various studies have suggested that postmenopausal estrogen-replacement therapy could reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions. Based on the results of several «natural experiments,» it was proposed that estrogen-replacement therapy should be considered for menopausal women who have been treated successfully for breast cancer
The multidimensionality of crime: A comparison of techniques for scaling delinquent careers

The construction of typologies of criminal behavior can benefit from the use of multidimensional analytic methods. Yet while some studies have applied such techniques to crime data (e.g., Shortet al, 1963; Nutch and Bloombaum, 1968; Chaiken and Chaiken, 1982), few have examined the assumptions of these methods as they apply to arrest histories. We argue that arrest histories represent a special form of data that are not ideally suited to standard multidimensional analyses. An examination of the different theoretical assumptions of factor analysis, multidimensional scaling, and variance centroid scaling (a form of correspondence analysis) reveals marked difierences in what is being uncovered by the analysis. In general, these claims are supported by an application of each technique to the arrest histories of 767 chronic juvenile delinquents.
The phenomenology of the effective two-body forces for C12 and O16 in the particle-hole models

Abstract We have derived the maximum information which can be obtained concerning the characteristics of the effective two-body forces of shell-model calculations when relating the force parameters to the experimental spectra of C 12 and O 16 in the framework of the particle-hole models of nuclear excitations. Following a least-squares search, the regions of best agreement between theory and experiment in the force-parameter space were found to have the form of long and narrow valleys, exhibiting an approximately linear relationship between every pair of parameters. These regions have the following strong characteristics: a positive Heisenberg component, a Majorana component equal to or greater than the Wigner one, a singlet to triplet strength ratio of 0.4–0.7. We have found that when using the random phase approximation the region of best agreement for C 12 is identical to that for O 16 , but that the regions are markedly different when using the usual shell-model approximation, i.e., diagonalising the interaction in the subspace of one-particle-one-hole configurations.
Geometric causes of the methylcyclopentane ring opening selectivity over Pt/NaY catalysts

Abstract The hydrogenolytic ring opening of methylcyclopentane (MCP) is catalyzed by Pt and other transition metals. The relative rates of cleaving each of the five CC bonds depend on both chemical and geometric factors. Two preparations of Pt in NaY show different patterns of ring opening products, which are possibly related to the geometry of Pt particles inside the zeolite supercage. If the Pt particles are smaller than the cages, MCP molecules are adsorbed on the Pt particle, but rollover is sterically hindered. In this situation n -hexane formation is reduced. If the Pt particle is larger, 3-methylpentane is formed in larger-than-statistical quantities, which may be due to a preferred orientation of the impinging molecule. Ring opening is suppressed by benzene or cyclohexene, i.e., products of the simultaneous ring expansion in catalysts containing an acidic function besides platinum.
CCL25 increases thymopoiesis after androgen withdrawal

Although studies have demonstrated that androgen withdrawal increases thymic size, molecular mechanisms underlying this expansion remain largely unknown. We show that decreased androgen signaling leads to enhanced immigration of bone marrow T-cell precursors, as manifested by both an early increase of early thymic progenitors (ETP) and improved uptake of adoptively transferred quantified precursors into congenic castrated hosts. We provide evidence that the ETP niche is enhanced after androgen withdrawal by proliferation of UEA+ thymic epithelial cells (TEC) and increased TEC production of CCL25, a ligand critical for ETP entry. Moreover, the greatest increase in CCL25 production is by UEA+ TEC, linking function of this subset with the increase in ETP immigration. Furthermore, blockade of CCL25 abrogated the effects of castration by impairing ETP entry, retarding immature thymocyte development, limiting increase of thymic size, and impairing increase of thymopoiesis. Taken together, these findings describe a cohesive mechanism underlying increased thymic productivity after androgen withdrawal.
Scopolin: its isolation, characterization and relation to nicotine metabolism in harvested tobacco.

Abstract A blue fluorescent compound, which becomes radioactive during the post-harvest conversion of nicotine-methyl-C 14 to nornicotine in leaves from a strain of cigar tobacco, has been isolated in crystalline form and identified as scopolin. Upon demethylation, all of the carbon-14, within experimental error, was found in the methoxyl group of the scopolin. This finding further supports the hypothesis that the methyl carbon of nicotine, at least to a limited extent, can enter the one-carbon metabolic pool in tobacco and serve as a precursor of the methyl groups of various metabolites.
VAMO: towards a fully automated malware clustering validity analysis

Malware clustering is commonly applied by malware analysts to cope with the increasingly growing number of distinct malware variants collected every day from the Internet. While malware clustering systems can be useful for a variety of applications, assessing the quality of their results is intrinsically hard. In fact, clustering can be viewed as an unsupervised learning process over a dataset for which the complete ground truth is usually not available. Previous studies propose to evaluate malware clustering results by leveraging the labels assigned to the malware samples by multiple anti-virus scanners (AVs). However, the methods proposed thus far require a (semi-)manual adjustment and mapping between labels generated by different AVs, and are limited to selecting a reference sub-set of samples for which an agreement regarding their labels can be reached across a majority of AVs. This approach may bias the reference set towards "easy to cluster" malware samples, thus potentially resulting in an overoptimistic estimate of the accuracy of the malware clustering results.In this paper we propose VAMO, a system that provides a fully automated quantitative analysis of the validity of malware clustering results. Unlike previous work, VAMO does not seek a majority voting-based consensus across different AV labels, and does not discard the malware samples for which such a consensus cannot be reached. Rather, VAMO explicitly deals with the inconsistencies typical of multiple AV labels to build a more representative reference set, compared to majority voting-based approaches. Furthermore, VAMO avoids the need of a (semi-)manual mapping between AV labels from different scanners that was required in previous work. Through an extensive evaluation in a controlled setting and a real-world application, we show that VAMO outperforms majority voting-based approaches, and provides a better way for malware analysts to automatically assess the quality of their malware clustering results.
Marine Geology of Eastern Continental Margin of Canada: ABSTRACT

The outer continental shelf of eastern Canada, from Georges Bank to Ellesmere Island, is mainly smooth compared with most of the land on the west. This submerged "prairie" ranges from 10 to 300 mi wide. It is the northern extension of the coastal plain of the United States that is partly exposed on land as far north as Long Island. North of Long Island there are no documented marine fragments of plain sediments on land. The depth of water on the banks south of 48°N lat. is about 200 ft. In contrast, north of the 48° parallel, the average water depth is about 450 ft. The shelf is partly covered with Pleistocene ground moraine. Cenozoic and Mesozoic rocks crop out or are close to in-situ positions along some of the submerged valleys. It has been known for decades that most of the submerged coastal plain is underlain by fairly low-velocity sediments up to 25,000 or more ft thick. It can be speculated that these fairly soft strata (low velocity) are not older than Triassic because drifting and rifting probably started to make basins available to be filled at that time. The beds are mainly sandstone and shale. The source areas on the west are Precambrian and the folded Paleozoic rocks of the Appalachians. One speculation is that the Precambrian perhaps yielded a sandier section than the Paleozoic rocks because of the dominance of carbonates, volcanics, and shales in the Appalachian area. Drilling on the Grand Banks and Sable Island has shown that hydrocarbons are present. It is known that almost all the stages are present from Pleistocene to Upper Jurassic. Salt is present but its age is still only assigned to the Jurassic or earlier. It is tempting to speculate that the salt is Permian and a western segment of the North Sea salt. Salt dome structures are present as are "basement" features. This large frontier area is an attractive place to look for large petroleum reserves. End_of_Article - Last_Page 860------------
What kind of minimal instruction manual is the most effective

An empirical study examined the effectiveness of four different versions of a self-instruction manual for a word processing system: a Skeletal version that explicitly states only the essential information, an Inferential version that has the users infer some of the essential information, a Rehearsal version that is like the Skeletal manual, but adds opportunities to rehearse the explicitly stated information, and a Lengthy version that adds nonessential explanatory and descriptive information to the Skeletal version. The best learning performance was obtained with the inferential approach, particularly for more realistic tasks.
Graphene-layered steps and their fields visualized by 4D electron microscopy

Enhanced image contrast has been seen at graphene-layered steps a few nanometers in height by means of photon-induced near-field electron microscopy (PINEM) using synchronous femtosecond pulses of light and electrons. The observed steps are formed by the edges of graphene strips lying on the surface of a graphene substrate, where the strips are hundreds of nanometers in width and many micrometers in length. PINEM measurements reflect the interaction of imaging electrons and induced (near) electric fields at the steps, and this leads to a much higher contrast than that achieved in bright-field transmission electron microscopy imaging of the same strips. Theory and numerical simulations support the experimental PINEM findings and elucidate the nature of the electric field at the steps formed by the graphene layers. These results extend the range of applications of the experimental PINEM methodology, which has previously been demonstrated for spherical, cylindrical, and triangular nanostructures, to shapes of high aspect ratio (rectangular strips), as well as into the regime of atomic layer thicknesses.
Altering the Effects of Work and Family Conflict on Exhaustion: Telework During Traditional and Nontraditional Work Hours

The current study investigates the impact of time and strain-based work-to-family conflict (WFC) and family-to-work conflict (FWC) on exhaustion, by considering the moderating effect of telework conducted during traditional and non-traditional work hours. Data were obtained from professionals in a large computer company using survey methodology (N = 316). Results from this study suggest that time and strain-based WFC and FWC were associated with more exhaustion, and that exhaustion associated with high WFC was worse for individuals with more extensive telework during traditional and non-traditional work hours. This study provides managers with findings to more carefully design telework programs, showing evidence that the adverse impact of WFC/FWC on exhaustion may depend on the type of telework and level of conflict experienced. This suggests that managers may need to be more aware of the full range of characteristics which encapsulate the teleworker’s work practices before making decisions about how telework is implemented. By differentiating the timing of telework and its role on the WFC/FWC—exhaustion relationship, this study delves deeper into the contingent nature of telework and suggests that the extent of telework conducted during traditional and nontraditional work hours may play an influential role. In addition, these considerations are investigated in light of the bi-directional time-based and strain-based nature of WFC and FWC, helping to unravel some of telework’s complexities.
Modulations of P450 mRNA in liver and mammary gland and P450 activities and metabolism of estrogen in liver by treatment of rats with indole-3-carbinol.

Abstract Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), found in cruciferous vegetables, has been shown to suppress tumorigenesis at estrogen-responsive sites. This effect may be mediated through modification by I3C of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) complement and activities leading to estrogen detoxication. In this study, we examined the effects of 4- and 10-day treatments of female Sprague–Dawley rats with I3C at 5, 25, and 250 mg/kg body weight, administered by oral gavage, on CYP mRNA expression in the liver and mammary gland, CYP-dependent activities, and the metabolism of 17β-estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) by liver microsomes. The mRNA transcripts for hepatic CYP1A1, 1B1, and 2B1/2 and mammary CYP1A1 were up-regulated after treatment with I3C at 250 mg/kg. However, the level of expression of CYP1B1 in the liver was lower than that of other CYPs. In the mammary gland, CYP1B1 mRNA levels were unaltered by treatment and similar to those of I3C-induced CYP1A1. Hepatic P450 probe activities indicative of induction of CYP1A1, 1A2, and 2B1/2 were increased by I3C in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with I3C at 250 mg/kg increased the capacity of liver microsomes to metabolize E2 to 2-OH-E2, 2-OH-E1, 6α-OH-E2, 6β-OH-E2, estriol, and 15α-OH-E2, and E1 to 2-OH-E1, 2-OH-E2, 6(α+β)-OH-E1, and 6α-OH-E2. The magnitudes of increases of CYP-dependent activities and rates of estrogen metabolite formation achieved with I3C at 250 mg/kg were smaller after ten than four treatments. The increased rates of formation of 6α-OH-E2, 6β-OH-E2, and 15α-OH-E2 from E2 were also detected after treatment with I3C at 25 mg/kg, and, except for increased 6β-OH-E2 from E2, no other changes in E2 or E1 metabolism occurred after treatment with I3C at 5 mg/kg. The data indicate that alterations in the CYP complement and, thus, metabolite composition from E2 and E1 are I3C dose- and treatment duration-dependent, and suggest that potential biological activity of I3C administered at low doses to rats may not involve changes in estrogen metabolism.
Promise or political risk for Mexican tourism.

Abstract Mexico today is a major tourism power and its potential in resorts, ecotourism, touring, cruises, and other growing sectors of the industry is bright. But the country is threatened by mounting political, economic, and social problems which could undermine that promise. Mexico has become an increasingly unsafe place to visit. Street crime, drug trafficking, rebel activity, and government corruption have continued to grow. These threats to tourism can only be made worse by a political system in disarray. This paper examines the promise and the problems of Mexican tourism, especially problems exacerbated by political instability in this tourism dependent destination.
A new theory of phase-contrast x-ray imaging based on Wigner distributions.

There is a pressing need for a comprehensive theory for phase-contrast x-ray imaging to guide its development and clinical applications. This work presents such a theory as the foundation for deriving these guidelines. The new theory is based on the Wigner-distributions for the parabolic wave equations, and it is more general than the present theories based on the Fresnel–Kirchhoff diffraction theory. The new theory shows for the first time how the complex degree of coherence (CDC) of the incident x-ray beam determines the phase-contrast visibility in general, and how the reduced complex degree of coherence (RCDC) for an anode-source is equal to the system’s optical transfer function for geometric unsharpness in particular. The role of detector resolution in phase visibility has been clarified as well. Computer simulations based on the new theory were conducted and optimal design parameters were derived for phase-contrast mammography systems.
Radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the subglottic larynx

This study aims to summarize our institution’s experience in treating patients with primary subglottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with radiotherapy (RT) and to define the optimal treatment plan for these patients. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 18 patients with subglottic SCC curatively treated with RT between 1977 and 2009. T1 and T2 cancers were considered early disease; T3 and T4 lesions were considered advanced disease. Patients were stratified according to whether they received RT alone or RT and surgery. Patients treated surgically tended to have more advanced disease and required a total laryngectomy. Patients were excluded if they had distant metastasis at diagnosis or if their tumor was glottic in origin and extended inferiorly into the subglottis. Twelve patients (67 %) had advanced disease, and six patients (33 %) had early disease. Local control was achieved in 100 % of the patients with early disease, regardless of treatment group. Of the patients with advanced disease, local control was achieved in five of the seven patients (71 %) treated with RT alone and in four of the five (80 %) treated with surgery and RT. Ultimate local control was achieved in six of the seven patients (86 %) with advanced disease treated with RT alone. Overall local control was 83 % at 5 years, with a 5-year cause-specific survival of 66 % and a 5-year overall survival of 44 %. Local-regional control mirrored that of local control, with an overall local-regional control rate of 83 %. No patient suffered a severe acute or late complication or acute toxicity during the treatment process. Patients with SCC of the subglottic larynx have a high likelihood of local-regional control after undergoing RT along or combined with surgery. Those with T1–T2 and low volume T3–T4 cancers have high probability of local control with voice preservation after definitive RT.
Choosing to Encourage or Discourage: Perceived Effectiveness of Prescriptive Versus Proscriptive Messages

The estimated cost of repairing damage caused to recreational sites annually is in the hundreds of millions of dollars. These depreciative activities also reduce the quality of visitors' experiences in the damaged areas. Indirect methods, such as visitor education through brochures and signs, continue to be the least controversial management approaches to depreciative acts. Yet, the literature on studies examining the most effective message presentations remains sparse. A survey mailed to randomly selected National Association for Interpretation members assessed the perceived effectiveness of communications that encouraged positive conduct (prescriptive messages) versus those that discouraged negative conduct (proscriptive messages) in wildland and urban settings. Almost invariably, respondents viewed the encouragement-based prescriptive messages as more effective than the discouragement-based proscriptive messages. This finding stands in sharp contrast to an earlier study that discovered a preponderance of proscriptive versus prescriptive messages on signs in both wildland and urban recreational environments. Thus, although the great majority of interpreters see the encouragement of positive conduct as more effective, in practice, messages on signs are much more likely to discourage negative conduct. Reasons for this discrepancy are considered.
Regions of evolutionary conservation between the rat and human prohibitin-encoding genes

Abstract We have analyzed and compared the 5′ promoter region, the intron structure and the exon-intron flanking sequences in the rat and human prohibitin-encoding genes (PHB) . Comparative analysis of a 350-nt region immediately 5′ to and including the first exon identifies eight highly conserved regions, four of which correspond to binding sites for known transcriptional control proteins (CCAAT box, ‘SV40’ site and two Spl sites). The promoter lacks a TATA box. Four transcription start points ( tsp ) clustered within a 35-bp region were identified by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The exon-intron boundaries in rat and human are highly conserved, with identical positioning of splice junctions. PCR analysis with conserved exon primers was used to detect length variation between rat and human PHB , and length differences were observed in all of the introns.
A set intersection theorem and an application to a bipartite Ramsey theorem

In this note we prove a theorem about the existence of subfamilies of families of a finite set, with intersections of prescribed size. We then apply this to give a new proof of a Ramsey-type theorem for bipartite graphs.
Comparison of three turbulence models for simulation of melt convection in Czochralski crystal growth of silicon

Abstract Accurate simulation of heat transfer and oxygen segregation in large-scale Czochralski growth of silicon requires modeling of turbulent convection in the melt. We test three models for turbulent convection for the calculation of the flow, temperature field and oxygen transport in a prototypical model of the Czochralski melt. Each of the models is based on the k – e turbulence model, but differs in the form of model and the description of the flow near solid boundaries. The three formulations are: (I) a traditional k – e model using wall functions at solid boundaries, (II) a k – e model with a one-equation model for the flow near solid boundaries, and (III) a low-Reynolds number k – e model that does not require an independent description of the flow near the wall. Calculations using a finite-volume method with collocated grids shows large difference in the predictions of these models, especially for the highly separated flows driven by buoyancy. In the limit of week turbulence only the low-Reynolds number model gives solutions which are consistent with the laminar regime flow.
The Roots of Bioinformatics in ISMB

In 1988, Disney released Oliver & Company, their first animated movie to feature widespread use of computer-generated imagery (CGI). The use of CGI in films was entering the mainstream of Hollywood, and it marked one of the few places at the time that had a demand for artificial intelligence (AI) researchers and the large computing facilities to support them. Lawrence (Larry) Hunter had just graduated with a PhD in artificial intelligence from Yale, and was familiar with Hollywood, having grown up there. But rather than pursuing an AI career in cinema, Hunter went on to gather a small group of like-minded scientists, and together they established what has become the largest international conference in computational biology: Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB). Since its inception, ISMB has held meetings on four continents and published proceedings papers from researchers in 34 different countries. This year, ISMB celebrated its 20th annual international conference in Long Beach, California. Through interviews with many who played prominent roles in the formation of ISMB, we look back at the early days of the field from which ISMB was born. Their reflections provide insight into the early meetings, and the growth and maturation of both ISMB and the field it represents over the last two decades.
Phase equilibria for graphitic metapelite including solution of CO2 in melt and cordierite: implications for dehydration, partial melting and graphite precipitation

When graphite is present, carbon-bearing species dissolve in the C-O-H fluid and lower the activity of water (). Accordingly, metamorphic reactions that involve water, namely dehydration and partial melting reactions, adjust their P–T positions to accommodate the change of . In this modelling study, pseudosections are calculated for graphite-bearing systems that are either closed or that progressively lose fluid and/or melt. The diagrams incorporate a new model of CO2 solubility in felsic melts that we derived to be compatible with a recently published melt model. As the result of the lowered in the carbon-bearing systems, the temperature displacements of the solidus can be as large as 50 °C at low pressures in cordierite-bearing zones (<4 kbar), but are smaller than 15 °C at mid-pressure P–T conditions (4–9 kbar). In the supersolidus region, the phase relations among silicate minerals + melt are very close to those in carbon-free systems. The fluid CO2 content increases as temperature increases in the supersolidus assemblages. The CO2-rich fluid can be stable in granulite facies conditions in an oxidized system. In graphitic systems, melt and/or cordierite dominate the CO2 budget of high-grade rocks. During cooling, the fluid that exsolves from such crystalizing melt is CO2-rich. In addition to the phase relations, the pseudosections presented in this study enable researchers to quantitatively investigate the evolution of phase modes, including graphite, along specific metamorphic P–T paths. At low pressures in the cordierite stability field, graphite is predicted to precipitate as the pressure increases or temperature decreases in the subsolidus assemblages, or temperature increases in the region of melt + fluid coexistence. On the other hand, the graphite abundance remains nearly constant along the mid-pressure P–T series, but the graphite mode in the supersolidus region may increase due to residual enrichment if the melt is extracted. The modelling results show that metamorphic processes in closed systems lead to only small changes in graphite mode (a few tenths of a per cent). This strongly suggests that open-system behaviours are required for large amounts of graphite deposition, including fluid infiltration and mixing or residual enrichment processes in high-grade rocks. In addition to P–T pseudosections, P/T–XO diagrams (XO = O/(H + O) in the fluid) illustrate the thermodynamic features of internal buffering from another perspective, and explore the dependence of phase relations on the externally imposed redox state. If the system is equilibrated with CO2 or CH4-rich infiltrating fluid, the temperature displacements of metamorphic reactions can be larger than 50 °C, compared with carbon-free systems.
A Meta-Analysis of Self-Administered vs Directly Observed Therapy Effect on Microbiologic Failure, Relapse, and Acquired Drug Resistance in Tuberculosis Patients

Background. Preclinical studies and Monte Carlo simulations have suggested that there is a relatively limited role of adherence in acquired drug resistance (ADR) and that very high levels of nonadherence are needed for therapy failure. We evaluated the superiority of directly observed therapy (DOT) for tuberculosis patients vs selfadministered therapy (SAT) in decreasing ADR, microbiologic failure, and relapse in meta-analyses. Methods. Prospective studies performed between 1965 and 2012 in which adult patients with microbiologically proven pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis were separately assigned to either DOT or SAT as part of shortcourse chemotherapy were chosen. Endpoints were microbiologic failure, relapse, and ADR in patients on either DOT or SAT. Results. Ten studies, 5 randomized and 5 observational, met selection criteria: 8774 patients were allocated to DOT and 3708 were allocated to SAT. For DOT vs SAT, the pooled risk difference for microbiologic failure was .0 (95% confidence interval [CI], −.01 to .01), for relapse .01 (95% CI, −.03 to .06), and for ADR 0.0 (95% CI, −0.01 to 0.01). The incidence rates for DOT vs SAT were 1.5% (95% CI, 1.3%–1.8%) vs 1.7% (95% CI, 1.2%–2.2%) for microbiologic failure, 3.7% (95% CI, 0.7%–17.6%) vs 2.3% (95% CI, 0.7%–7.2%) for relapse, and 1.5% (95% CI, 0.2%–9.90%) vs 0.9% (95% CI, 0.4%–2.3%) for ADR, respectively. There was no evidence of publication bias. Conclusions. DOT was not significantly better than SAT in preventing microbiologic failure, relapse, or ADR, in evidence-based medicine. Resources should be shifted to identify other causes of poor microbiologic outcomes.
An innovative design for an Assistive Arm Orthosis for stroke and muscle dystrophy

Rehabilitation robotics specializes in designing machines, such as exoskeletons, which can be utilized to restore function in patients recovering from physical trauma. The proposed Assistive Rehabilitation Arm Orthosis (A.R.A.O.) is designed to restore function and rehabilitate patients suffering from muscular diseases as well as mild-stroke. Clinical studies have shown that task-based repetitive training can improve motor abilities and enhance functional performance in those recovering from stroke. The proposed design improves on the popular four bar linkage systems used in many modern orthoses by incorporating a dynamic feedback system that actuates elastic elements, allowing users to lift heavier objects, while still remaining portable. The dynamic feedback system incorporates force-sensing resistors in conjunction with a linear actuator to vary the tension in the tension bands. The device not only allows patients to perform day-to-day lifting tasks but also has the potential for use in rehabilitation.
Pride Adaptive Social Emotion or Seventh Sin

This experiment examined the ability of pride to serve as an adaptive emotion within the context of social interaction. After an in vivo induction of pride or a neutral state, participants engaged in a group problem-solving task. In contrast to a conventional view that pride is often associated with negative interpersonal outcomes, results confirmed that proud individuals not only took on a dominant role within the group problem-solving task, but also were perceived as the most likeable interaction partners. These findings suggest that pride, when representing an appropriate response to actual performance (as opposed to overgeneralized hubris), constitutes a functional social emotion with important implications for leadership and the building of social capital.
Service-Learning: Some Academic and Community Recommendations

Civic engagement, service-learning, and university-assisted community schools are strong forces in making universities, as anchor institutions, engaged and responsible within their spheres of influence. By helping solve social problems, universities engage in the highest form of learning, come to understand social issues and problems, and escape the problem of inert knowledge, knowledge that is valuable only in a classroom.