cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-E-J-14: A Comparison of a 2.5MV Imaging Beam to KV and 6MV Imaging Beams

Purpose: To compare image quality metrics and dose of TrueBeam V2.0’s 2.5MV imaging beam and kV and 6MV images. Methods: To evaluate the MV image quality, the Standard Imaging QC-3 and Varian Las Vegas (LV) phantoms were imaged using the ‘quality’ and ‘low dose’ modes and then processed using RIT113 V6.3. The LEEDS phantom was used to evaluate the kV image quality. The signal to noise ratio (SNR) was also evaluated in patient images using Matlab. In addition, dose per image was evaluated at a depth of 5cm using solid water for a 28.6 cm × 28.6 cm field size, which is representative of the largest jaw settings at an SID of 150cm. Results: The 2.5MV images had lower dose than the 6 MV images and a contrast to noise ratio (CNR) about 1.4 times higher, when evaluated using the QC-3. When energy was held constant but dose varied, the different modes, ‘low dose’ and ‘quality’, showed less than an 8% difference in CNR. The ‘quality’ modes demonstrated better spatial resolution than the ‘low dose’; however, even with the ‘low dose’ all line pairs were distinct except for the 0.75lp/mm on the 2.5MV. The LV phantom was used to measuremore » low contrast detectability and showed similar results to the QC-3. Several patient images all confirmed that SNR were highest in kV images followed by 2.5MV and then 6MV. Qualitatively, for anatomical areas with large variability in thickness, like lateral head and necks, 2.5MV images show more anatomy, such as shoulder position, than kV images. Conclusions: The kV images clearly provide the best image metrics per unit dose. The 2.5MV beam showed excellent contrast at a lower dose than 6MV and may be superior to kV for difficult to image areas that include large changes in anatomical thickness. P Balter: Varian, Sun Nuclear, Philips, CPRIT.« less
Multilateral Developing-Country Debt Rescheduling Negotiations: A Bargaining-Theoretic Framework

This paper employs a dynamic bargaining-theoretic framework to analyze multilateral sovereign debt rescheduling negotiations. The analysis illustrates how various factors, such as the debtor`s gains from trade and the level of world interest rates, affect the relative bargaining power of various parties to a rescheduling agreement. If creditor-country taxpayers have a vested interest in maintaining normal levels of trade with debtor countries, then they can sometimes be bargained into making sidepayments. The benefits from unanticipated creditor-country sidepayments accrue to both lenders and borrowers. But the benefits from perfectly anticipated sidepayments accrue entirely to borrowers.
Auditor Offices and the Comparability and Quality of Clients' Earnings

This study examines the role of the local auditor office in the comparability and quality of their clients' earnings. I construct of sample of firm-pairs in which each observation consists of two firms in the same industry-year. Accounting comparability is inferred by the closeness of total accruals between two firms in each firm-pair. I find that firm-pairs audited by the same local auditor office have more comparable earnings, on average, than firm-pairs audited by either the same Big 4 auditor but different local auditor offices or by different Big 4 auditors. This finding suggests that the application of a local auditor office style increases the comparability of client earnings. I also examine the association between comparability and average earnings quality in firm-pairs. Based on abnormal accruals, I find that firm-pairs with lower accounting comparability have lower average earnings quality. I also find that firm-pairs audited by the same local auditor office have greater average earnings quality. Overall, the results documented here provide further evidence of the role of the auditor as an economic agent promoting increased financial statement comparability in client earnings, as well as the benefits of increased comparability between firms as manifested in the quality of their earnings.
On the probability of a fuzzy event, with application to nonmonotonic reasoning

The idea of a probability measure for fuzzy events was first studied by Zadeh in 1968. The approach taken there was to adapt the conventional notion of an event as a member of a σ-field of subsets of a sample space Ω to the case where the subsets are fuzzy subsets of Ω. The present work takes a different perspective and employs the concept of a linguistic variable, where the latter was introduced by Zadeh in 1975. First the notion of a fuzzy event is defined. Then follows a definition of the notion of a probability for such an event. It is shown how these notions can be used to provide a semantics for a logic that expresses syllogistic arguments such as ‘Most Swedes are tall; Helge is a Swede; therefore it is likely that Helge is tall’, where tall is a fuzzy predicate. This entails providing a semantics also for fuzzy quantifiers (most, many, few, etc.) and fuzzy likelihood modifiers (likely, uncertain, unlikely, etc.). Finally, it is outlined how this can be applied to nonmonotonic default reasoning with exceptions.
The burning plasma experiment: changing fusion to an energy-oriented program

Summary form only given. The role of the burning plasma experiment (BPX) in the US fusion program is to provide a technical bridge between the present generation of experiments (i.e. TFTR, JET, DIII-D) and an Experimental Test Reactor (ETR) such as the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor. The primary span in this technical bridge is the understanding, development, and demonstration of the physics of self-heated (e.g. burning) plasmas. The development and demonstration of the physics of burning plasmas is an essential next step if the world fusion program is to effectively transition to an energy-oriented program. BPX is a national effort that involves most of the national fusion laboratories, many major universities, and an increasing number of industrial participants. As a major systems acquisition within the US Department of Energy, BPX is required to meet rigorous project control and procedural documentation standards. >
Google Book Search in the Gridlock Economy

Michael Heller’s The Gridlock Economy popularizes a concept that Heller has developed over nearly two decades of influential academic writing: the notion that, when it comes to property rights, too many rights-endowed cooks really can spoil the broth. I was asked in this conference to apply Heller’s insight to the Google Book Search project, and the request at first seemed natural. Heller himself suggested that Google Book Search might be an apt poster child for the gridlock phenomenon; Google likewise can often be heard to complain, in Heller-esque tones, that the only way to build a comprehensive search engine for books is to take the books without asking. This Essay, however, questions the example and offers a refinement on Heller’s theory. Gridlock, I argue, is not simply a catch-all for situations where a large number of permissions are in play. It is more narrowly a reference to situations where a large number of permissions are in play, and those permissions intertwine.
Saint Louis – By Jacques Le Goff

In 1981, Jacques Le Goff posed the question, “Did St. Louis actually exist?” He has spent the intervening twenty‐eight years attempting to resolve it. The question, as Le Goff's sprawling biography...
Seismically damaged regolith as self‐organized fragile geological feature

[1] The S-wave velocity in the shallow subsurface within seismically active regions self-organizes so that typical strong dynamic shear stresses marginally exceed the Coulomb elastic limit. The dynamic velocity from major strike-slip faults yields simple dimensional relations. The near-field velocity pulse is essentially a Love wave. The dynamic shear strain is the ratio of the measured particle velocity over the deep S-wave velocity. The shallow dynamic shear stress is this quantity times the local shear modulus. The dynamic shear traction on fault parallel vertical planes is finite at the free surface. Coulomb failure occurs on favorably oriented fractures and internally in intact rock. I obtain the equilibrium shear modulus by starting a sequence of earthquakes with intact stiff rock extending all the way to the surface. The imposed dynamic shear strain in stiff rock causes Coulomb failure at shallow depths and leaves cracks in it wake. Cracked rock is more compliant than the original intact rock. Cracked rock is also weaker in friction, but shear modulus changes have a larger effect. Each subsequent event causes additional shallow cracking until the rock becomes compliant enough that it just reaches Coulomb failure over a shallow depth range of tens to hundreds of meters. Further events maintain the material at the shear modulus as a function where it just fails. The formalism provided in the paper yields reasonable representation of the S-wave velocity in exhumed sediments near Cajon Pass and the San Fernando Valley of California. A general conclusion is that shallow rocks in seismically active areas just become nonlinear during typical shaking. This process causes transient changes in S-wave velocity, but not strong nonlinear attenuation of seismic waves. Wave amplitudes significantly larger than typical ones would strongly attenuate and strongly damage the rock.
CDIP, a novel pro‐apoptotic gene, regulates TNFα‐mediated apoptosis in a p53‐dependent manner

We have identified a novel pro-apoptotic p53 target gene named CDIP (Cell Death Involved p53-target). Inhibition of CDIP abrogates p53-mediated apoptotic responses, demonstrating that CDIP is an important p53 apoptotic effector. CDIP itself potently induces apoptosis that is associated with caspase-8 cleavage, implicating the extrinsic cell death pathway in apoptosis mediated by CDIP. siRNA-directed knockdown of caspase-8 results in a severe impairment of CDIP-dependent cell death. In investigating the potential involvement of extrinsic cell death pathway in CDIP-mediated apoptosis, we found that TNF-α expression tightly correlates with CDIP expression, and that inhibition of TNF-α signaling attenuates CDIP-dependent apoptosis. We also demonstrate that TNF-α is upregulated in response to p53 and p53 inducing genotoxic stress, in a CDIP-dependent manner. Consistently, knockdown of TNF-α impairs p53-mediated stress-induced apoptosis. Together, these findings support a novel p53 → CDIP → TNF-α apoptotic pathway that directs apoptosis after exposure of cells to genotoxic stress. Thus, CDIP provides a new link between p53-mediated intrinsic and death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic signaling, providing a novel target for cancer therapeutics aimed at maximizing the p53 apoptotic response of cancer cells to drug therapy.
Death and the Corpse: An Analysis of the Treatment of Death and Dead Bodies in Contemporary American Society

This paper analyzes perceptions of the corpse as intertwined with perspectives of death in contemporary American culture. America has combined concepts of theology, medicine, and commercialism to form a unique ideology. The corpse is the repository of these ideologies, which are riddled with fear. This paper will discuss differences among American ways of treating death, including specific attention to perceptions of the corpse. It will analyze the fear of death and corpses found in society, by reference to how many Americans view and deal with the body at death and thereafter.
The role of materiality in tangibles for young children's digital art drawings

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of materiality in tangible interaction design for children. We specifically target children aged 4 to 6 years old because of societal trend of early exposure to touch screen devices for children. This study compares three types of material (felt, wood, and plastic) for tangibles along with touch-based interaction and how the differences implicate child art creation on an iPad application. Through mixed-methods analysis of twenty-six participants' experiences, we use data sources of video recordings, drawings, and interview. The main finding looked at the hardness of materiality for physical and digital drawing tools and its influence to digital art drawings. The findings from this study may be applied to design tangible user interfaces for young children.
Preemptive Cardioprotective Strategies in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy agents have greatly improved outcomes and survival of patients with cancer but have also been associated with significant cardiotoxicity. The advent of cardiotoxicity is detrimental to patients both during cancer therapy, by limiting the extent of therapy and therefore chance of cure, and also during cancer survivorship, by causing devastating cardiac morbidity and mortality. In this article, we not only review the types of agents most often associated with cardiotoxicity, proposed mechanisms of cardiac injury, but more importantly, how to attenuate or prevent it all together. We review the available data and evidence for different strategies to prevent cardiac damage during chemotherpathy and propose our own protocols for risk stratification, monitoring, and prevention of cardiotoxicity.
Windowless Classrooms or a Virtual Window World: Does a Creative Classroom Environment Help or Hinder Attention?

This study examined the influence of virtual windows, used to simulate windows in a classroom, on attentional tasks. Forty undergraduates took the Trail Making Task (TMT) and Benton’s Controlled Or...
Selecting motors for robots using biomimetic trajectories: Optimum benchmarks, windings, and other considerations

Robotic actuators must frequently be designed to provide both substantial torque and acceleration in a lightweight package. Their ballistic trajectories require new optimization guidelines, in contrast to constant-speed or low-torque conventional motor design. A framework was derived in this study based on trajectories that incorporated the effect of velocity on torque and acceleration. This framework suggested that speed rate (or mechanical motor constant) was the best benchmark of robotic motor performance. Implications of this framework were evaluated using simulations of 37 optimized motor models. Simulation results confirmed the framework predictions, suggesting that speed rate was a better predictor of motor success than either motor constant or rated power. Optimum winding/gear ratio, supply voltage, and implications for design choices such as continuously variable transmissions are discussed in light of these findings.
Anisotropic conformal infinity

We generalize Penrose's notion of conformal infinity of spacetime, to situations with anisotropic scaling. This is relevant not only for Lifshitz-type aniso- tropic gravity models, but also in standard general relativity and string theory, for spacetimes exhibiting a natural asymptotic anisotropy. Examples include the Lifshitz and Schrodinger spaces (proposed as AdS/CFT duals of nonrelativistic field theories), warped Ad S3, and the near-horizon extreme Kerr geometry. The anisotropic confor- mal boundary appears crucial for resolving puzzles of holographic renormalization in such spacetimes.
Phosphorus removal by ponds receiving polluted water from non-point sources

Phosphorus discharged into the water column of lakes, streams, reservoirs, and ponds is either assimilated by algae or retained by the sediment. A laboratory study was conducted using intact sediment-water columns obtained from three ponds to measure their capacity to assimilate P. Phosphorus retention by these systems was determined at two P levels (2 and 10 mg PL−1 or equivalent to an area loading of 26 and 130 μg cm−2). The potential P removal rates were 20.4, 28.8 and 30.8 μg P CM−2 day−1 for PSF (pond adjacent to septic fields), PP(pond adjacent to a pasture), and PAF (pond adjacent to agricultural farm land), respectively. Longer residence time was needed for P removal at high P loading (10 mg PL−1) than at low P loading (2 mg P L−1). At high P loading, 76–82% of the floodwater P was removed within 10 days. All sediments showed a greater sorption capacity under reduced conditions than under oxidized conditions. At the P levels evaluated, pond sediments functioned as net sinks for water column P.
Effect of fungicides on the mycelial growth of soft fruit spoilage fungi

SUMMARY The in vitro activity of a range of fungicides was tested on strains of Botrytis cinerea, Mucor mucedo, Rhizopus stolonifer, and R. sexualis. Di-chlofluanid and dichloran were more active than the other fungicides against all of the strains of B. cinerea, while dichloran, dichlorophen and the dithiocarbamate fungicides were the most active against the Rhizopus species. Only dichlorophen and thiram markedly inhibited the growth of M. mucedo.
Microhardness anisotropy of single crystals of calcite, dolomite and magnesite on their cleavage planes

Abstract Knoop indentation microhardness measurements were made on the (1011)cleavage planes of three structurally related single crystals: calcite, dolomite and magnesite. The effective-resolved-shear-stress concept was applied to explain the observed microhardness profiles. The deformation mechanisms of calcite, which involved both twinning and dislocation slip, were considered. Finally, the indentation load/size effect on the microhardness was addressed by both forms of Meyer's Law.
A mutation in stratifin is responsible for the repeated epilation (Er) phenotype in mice

Stratifin (Sfn, also called 14-3-3σ) is highly expressed in differentiating epidermis and mediates cell cycle arrest. Sfn is repressed in cancer, but its function during development is uncharacterized. We identified an insertion mutation in the gene Sfn in repeated epilation (Er) mutant mice by positional cloning. Er/+ mice expressed a truncated Sfn protein, which probably contributes to the defects in Er/Er and Er/+ epidermis and to cancer development in Er/+ mice.
Persistence of elevated rabies prevention costs following post-epizootic declines in rates of rabies among raccoons (Procyon lotor).

Abstract Determining the benefits to cost relationships among different approaches to rabies control and prevention has been hindered by the inherent temporal variability in the dynamics of disease among wildlife reservoir hosts and a tangible and objective measure of the cost of rabies prevention. A major and unavoidable component of rabies prevention programs involves diagnostic testing of animals and the subsequent initiation of appropriate public health responses. The unit cost per negative and positive diagnostic test outcome can be reasonably estimated. This metric when linked to methodologies subdividing the epizootic process into distinct temporal stages provided the requisite detail to estimate benefits derived from rabies control strategies. Oral rabies vaccine (ORV), for prevention of the raccoon-associated variant of rabies, has been distributed in Ohio and adjoining states in an effort to develop an immune barrier to the westward spread of epizootic raccoon rabies. The costs of ORV delivery have been quantified. Herein, the cost structures required to assess the benefits accrued by prevention were developed. A regression model was developed effectively predicting (r2 = 0.70) the total number of rabies diagnostic tests performed by 53 counties in five northeastern (NE) states from 1992 to 2001. Five temporal stages sufficed to capture the range of variability in the raccoon rabies epizootic process. Unit costs, dollars per diagnostic test outcome, were calculated for negative and positive results from published reports. Ohio counties were matched to NE counties based on similar socioeconomic characters. A “pseudo-epizootic” of raccoon rabies was introduced into Ohio and the costs savings from ORV were derived as the excess costs imposed by epizootic spread throughout the state. At 46 km/year (range modeled, 30–60 km/year), the pseudo epizootic spread, and reached the enzootic stage, in all Ohio counties by year 13 (range modeled, 11–17 years). Cumulative excess costs for Ohio ranged between $11 and $21 million; counties of low socioeconomic status experienced the greatest relative excess costs. The costs for rabies prevention activities reached apices during the epizootic stage of raccoon rabies (2.7–10.8 times baseline) an unforeseen finding indicated elevated costs persisted (1.7–7.2 times baseline) into the enzootic stage.
Crystallization of polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene by density-functional methods

Molecular density‐functional theory is extended to address the crystallization of chemically realistic polymers. The polymer (RISM) reference interaction site model integral‐equation approach is employed to calculate the liquid‐state structural information required as ‘‘input’’ into our density‐functional theory. The single‐chain structure is described by the rotational isomeric state model, and the accuracy of both the theoretically calculated single‐chain and liquid structures have been verified by direct comparison with Monte Carlo simulation and x‐ray scattering, respectively. The driving forces for the crystallization of polymers are found to be completely different from those in monatomic systems and can be understood in terms of an effective ‘‘chain‐straightening force’’ (which results from chain packing) combined with a background attractive potential. Remarkably, the predicted melting temperatures for polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene at atmospheric pressure are within a few degrees of the...
Ambrisentan for the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Abstract Background: Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2007, ambrisentan is the second oral endothelin A-receptor antagonist available for the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with World Health Organization class II or III symptoms. Objective: This article examines the clinical pharmacology of ambrisentan, its efficacy and adverse effects, and future directions for research. Methods: Pertinent articles and abstracts were identified through searches of MEDLINE and Current Contents from 1966 to January 15, 2008, using the term ambrisentan . The reference lists of identified articles were searched for additional publications. Abstracts presented at professional meetings from 2005 through 2007 were also reviewed. Results: The literature review identified 3 studies of ambrisentan in PAH: 1 dose-ranging study; 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies; and 1 drug-conversion study. In the dose-ranging study, ambrisentan at doses of 1 to 10 mg was associated with significant improvements from baseline in the 6-minute walk distance at 12 weeks that ranged from 33.9 m with ambrisentan 1 mg ( P = 0.003) to 38.1 m with ambrisentan 5 mg ( P = 0.001). In the placebo-controlled studies, ambrisentan at doses of 2.5 to 10 mg/d was associated with significant improvements versus placebo in the 6-minute walk distance at 12 weeks that ranged from 22 m with ambrisentan 2.5 mg ( P = 0.022) to 59 m with ambrisentan 5 mg ( P ≤ 0.001). Improvements were sustained for up to 1 year. Patients who had elevations in serum aminotransferases during previous therapy with bosentan or sitaxsentan therapy were able to make a successful transition to ambrisentan without further abnormalities in liver function. Ambrisentan was generally well tolerated. The most common adverse effects associated with ambrisentan in clinical trials were peripheral edema (17%), nasal congestion (6%), palpitation (5%), constipation (4%), flushing (4%), abdominal pain (3%), nasopharyngitis (3%), and sinusitis (3%). In the placebo-controlled studies, the incidence of liver aminotransferase and bilirubin abnormalities at 12 weeks was lower with ambrisentan than with placebo (0.8% vs 2.3%, respectively). Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that ambrisentan is effective and well tolerated in the management of PAH. Areas for future research include the long-term safety of ambrisentan, its potential for drug interactions with other agents commonly used by patients with PAH, and its efficacy relative to other agents used to manage PAH.
Parallel SME filter for tracking multiple targets in three dimensions

In this paper, it is shown that multiple target tracking without having the ghosting problem can be achieved by implementing three SME filters in parallel, each of which is defined in terms of 2N functionals. The three SME filters are defined so that the first one tracks the (x,y) coordinate positions and velocities, the second one tracks the (y,z) coordinate positions and velocities and finally, the third filter tracks the (y,z) coordinate positions and velocities. A novel strategy is proposed for combining the outputs of the three SME filters to yield the estimates of the positions and velocities of the targets in 3D space. The performance of the resulting parallel SME filter is investigated via computer simulations.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Calcium Efflux From Bone Matrix in Response to Mechanical Loading

Bone is known for its ability to self-repair the microdamage and actively adapt to its mechanical environment, both of which are under the coordination of bone cells. Mechanical cues are sensed by cells and converted into cellular events in a process called mechanotransduction [1]. Most theories of mechanotransduction are based on direct stimulus of cell surface receptors by substrate deformation, fluid shear and/or hydrostatic pressure [2]. Yet, mechanical stimulus may come to affect cell response indirectly, via pathways which alter the pericellular niche. Such indirect pathways of mechanotransduction are not well-investigated for bone.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Leadership/followership Similarities between People in a Developed and a Developing Country: The Case of Dominicans in NYC and Dominicans on the Island

This article presents the descriptive findings of two small-scale surveys regarding four organizational-behavior dimensions conducted in the Dominican Republic (a developing country) and New York City (in a developed country) with subjects of Dominican origin. The four dimensions studied are: managerial styles, followership types, power bases at work, and delegation of authority. The comparison of the two groups showed that they share more similarities than differences in terms of the four organizational-behavior dimensions investigated. The study provided an opportunity to begin to explore how much the workplace values of the mother culture prevail and how much the values of the host country's culture influence organization behavior in the case of immigrants at work. The implications of this small-scale study for leadership development in the Dominican Republic and for managing workplace diversity in the U.S. are discussed.
The response of a compressible gas to extremely rapid transient, spatially resolved energy addition: an asymptotic formulation

An asymptotics-based analysis of the Navier–Stokes equations is used to study the response of an inert gas volume (the near-field) to localized, spatially distributed, transient energy deposition per unit mass, significantly larger than the ambient specific internal energy in the volume. The specified heat-addition time scale is chosen to be much less than the initial characteristic acoustic time of the affected volume. The evolutionary process in the near-field depends fundamentally on the ratio of energy deposition relative to the initial internal energy in the heated volume. A wide range of ratio values is found to be consistent with near-inertial confinement in the heated gas. The pressure rises directly with the very large temperature, the density is nearly constant and the internal Mach number of expansion is very small. The near-field response provides a piston-like source of compression waves in the surrounding cold environment (the far-field). When the energy ratio reaches an explicit, extreme value, inertial confinement fails, the gas dynamics are described by fully compressible flow equations, the temperature and pressure increases are extreme, density variations are modest and the internal and expansion Mach numbers are sonic. These near-field gas physics are shown to be compatible with the singular properties of far-field similarity solutions for strong blast waves, considered originally by von Neumann (The point source solution, NDRC, Div. B Report AM-9, 1941; revised in 1944; reprinted in von Neumann J (1963) In: Taub AH (ed) Collected works, vol VI. Pergamon Press, New York, pp. 219–237), Taylor (Proc Roy Soc Lond A 186:273–292, 1946), and Sedov (Prikl Mat Mekh 10:241–250, 1946). An asymptotic reformulation of the strong-blast-wave problem, using concepts similar to those in the near-field study, is used to rationalize and quantify ad hoc approximations by the aforementioned researchers.
Pathways of IL-8 release by adipose tissue

Abstract The release of inflammatory factors from adipose tissue has been suggested to be the culprit in obesity-related cardiac and diabetic disease. We have demonstrated IL-8 release in vitro by human visceral adipose tissue explants previously. Our purpose is to explore the possible pathways related to IL-8 release over short-term incubations from visceral adipose tissue. Freshly isolated visceral adipose tissue is removed during laparoscopic gastric bypass from patients with a BMI > 40 (n = 6). The tissue was immediately minced with scissors and incubated for 4 h in a shaking water bath. ELISA was utilized for IL-8 measurements. Four known pathways of IL-8 release were explored with their respective inhibitors: NF-κB pathway (NF-κB activation inhibitor), JNK pathway (JNK inhibitor II), p38 kinase pathway (SB 220025), and ERK kinase pathway with (UO126). Paired t-test was utilized for comparisons. The table displays that concurrent inhibition of the NF-κB pathway, the JNK pathway, the p38 pathway, and the ERK pathway resulted in almost complete inhibition of IL-8 release by explants of human adipose tissue over a 4-h incubation. IL-8 release was not completely inhibited by any one inhibitor. These data indicate that up regulation of IL-8 release observed in vitro of human visceral adipose tissue is due to at least three different known pathways that regulate IL-8 release. More importantly, IL-8 release is not activated by just one pathway. Further studies are needed to examine what activates these pathways in adipose tissue. Download : Download full-size image
Biomechanics of youth windmill softball pitching.

BackgroundLimited research attention has been paid to the potentially harmful windmill softball pitch. No information is available regarding lower extremity kinetics in softball pitching.HypothesisThe stresses on the throwing arm of youth windmill pitchers are clinically significant and similar to those found for college softball pitchers.Study DesignDescriptive laboratory study.MethodsThree-dimensional, high-speed (240-Hz) video and stride foot force plate (1200 Hz) data were collected on fastballs from 53 youth softball pitchers. Kinematic parameters related to pitching mechanics and resultant kinetics on the throwing-arm elbow and shoulder joints were calculated. Kinetic parameters were compared to those reported for baseball pitchers.ResultsElbow and shoulder joint loads were similar to those found for baseball pitchers and college softball pitchers. Shoulder distraction stress averaged 94% body weight for the youth pitchers. Stride foot ground reaction force patterns were not similar to those reporte...
Characterization of solution sets of convex programs

This paper gives several characterizations of the solution set of convex programs. No differentiability of the functions involved in the problem definition is assumed. The result is a generalization of the results given in [4]. Furthermore, the subgradients attaining the minimum principle are explicitly characterized, and this characterization is shown to be independent of any solution.
The role of magnetic field shear in solar flares

Observational results and their physical implications on magnetic field shear in relation to flares are presented. The observed character of magnetic shear and its involvement in the buildup and release of flare energy are reviewed. It is pointed out that the magnetic field in active regions can become sheared by several processes, including shear flow in the photosphere, flux emergence, magnetic reconnection, and flux submergence. Modeling studies of the buildup of stored magnetic energy by shearing are reported which show ample energy storage for flares. Observational evidence is presented that flares are triggered when the field shear reaches a critical degree, in qualitative agreement with some theoretical analyses of sheared force-free fields. Finally, a scenario is outlined for the class of flares resulting from large-scale magnetic shear; the overall instability driving the energy release results from positive feedback between reconnection and eruption of the sheared field.
Sex differences in moralism and punitiveness

University students read simulated newspaper stories in which a student was charged with one of two offenses: cheating on an examination or possession of marijuana. Male and female Ss rated male and female offenders on character, probable truthfulness of defense, and appropriate punishment. There were no differences between male and female S groups in character or credibility ratings of offenders of either sex in either situation. Both sexes prescribed similar punishment for males, but males were more lenient than females in prescribing punishment for females.
Replicon growth rates during DNA replication in developing frog embryos.

Abstract The rate of replicon growth during DNA replication was determined for unsynchronized and partially synchronized explants of developing frog embryos ( Rana pipiens ). The replicon growth rates for unsynchronized gastrulae, neurulae and tailbuds are 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10 μm/min, respectively. In partially synchronized embryos the replicon growth rates during the early and late S phase are 0.10 and 0.02 μm/min in neurulae and 0.11 and 0.09 μm/min in tailbud embryos, respectively. There were no differences in growth rate between the dorsal axial and belly regions of neurulae and tailbuds. From these results the size and number of replicons was calculated.
Application of nucleation theory to the rate dependence of incipient plasticity during nanoindentation

We propose a nucleation theory-based analysis for incipient plasticity during nanoindentation and predict the statistical distribution of rate-dependent pop-in events for many nominally identical indentations on the same surface. In the framework of stress-assisted, thermally activated defect nucleation, we quantitatively rationalize new nanoindentation measurements on 4H SiC and extract the activation volume of the nucleation events that mark the onset of plastic flow. We also illustrate how this statistical approach can differentiate between unique nucleation events for different indenter tip geometries.
Cell Cycle Regulation of a Novel DNA Binding Complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with E2F-like Properties

Using a biochemical approach, we have detected an activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract that displays the same DNA binding specificity as the mammalian E2F transcription factor and interacts with TTTCGCGC promoter elements. Additional studies revealed that this factor, termed SCELA (S. cerevisiae E2F-like activity), also binds to the closely related SCB promoter sequences. SCB sites (consensus: TTTCGTG) are involved in the cell cycle regulation of several S. cerevisiae cyclin genes and have been shown to interact with the heterodimeric yeast Swi4-Swi6 complex. However, genetic studies clearly demonstrate that SCELA is not related to Swi4 or Swi6. These experiments imply that SCB sites are able to interact with at least two activities: Swi4-Swi6 and SCELA. Because SCB sites are critical for the periodic activation of cell cycle genes, we asked whether SCELA is regulated during yeast cell cycle. Employing a temperature-sensitive strain, we were able to demonstrate that the DNA binding activity of SCELA oscillates during the cell cycle and reaches its maximum at the transition between the G1 and S phases. Preliminary studies suggest that this fluctuation is mediated by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation events. Further characterization of SCELA by UV cross-linking experiments indicate a molecular mass of 47 kDa for this activity. In addition, we present evidence strongly suggesting that SCELA is actually the DNA binding moiety of a large 300-kDa protein complex. Together, these studies firmly indicate that SCELA (as part of a larger complex) plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation of SCB-containing genes, such as CLN cyclins and HO endonuclease. This hypothesis is consistent with other studies that conclude that the SCB-mediated cell cycle oscillation of CLN cyclins and HO requires activities that are distinct from Swi4-Swi6. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the similarities between SCELA and E2F, which is a crucial component in mammalian cell cycle regulation, extend well beyond the DNA binding specificity. In analogy to E2F, SCELA oscillates during the cell cycle, interacts with other cellular activities, and binds to promoter elements that are known mediators of cell cycle control. We will discuss possible functions for SCELA in yeast cell cycle regulation and its relationship to E2F.
Rationality Validation of a Layered Decision Model for Network Defense

There are at least three key decision layers in cost-effective network defense to counter immediate threats: security policies, defense strategies, and real-time defense tactics. A layered decision model (LDM) has been developed to capture the essence of this decision process. The LDM helps decision-makers gain insight into the hierarchical relationships among interconnected entities and decision types that underlie defense goals, and supports the selection of cost-effective defense mechanisms to safeguard computer networks. To be effective as a business tool, it is necessary to validate the rationality of the model before applying it to real-world business cases. LDM rationality requires that a decision making process be consistent and free of blocked execution paths, and be able to produce cost-effective defense plans. This paper describes validation of LDM rationality.
Leading and managing: it takes two to tango

Purpose – To create a starting point for defining the processes of leading and managing in a way that enables both the separation and distinction of the concepts for study as well as the integration of the concepts for practical application.Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on research that describes specific behaviors involved in leading and in managing; and it proposed a model that might be used to think about the integration of the two processes – leading and managing. The paper further describes the specific competencies involved in both leading and in managing.Findings – The paper suggests that the current literature is particularly confusing as a result of the lack of agreement and specificity regarding the nature of the processes of leading and managing. The literature suffers from a proliferation of “spin off” forms of leadership – such as strategic leadership, entrepreneurial leadership, etc. – as well as from using the two terms as replacements for each other.Originality/value – This...
Solving nonlinear single-facility network location problems

We present a general approach to solving nonlinear single-facility network location problems. We assume that cost is any convex function of distances, and solve this class of problem by solving convex subproblems on "treelike segments" into which the network is decomposed. We show that only a fraction of treelike segments generally need be examined, and that our method results in a reasonably efficient general-purpose algorithm. The algorithm is particularly effective on real-world as opposed to random networks, and when the cost function is nondecreasing and "semiseparable," as are many popular cost functions. Finally, we describe theoretical complexity bounds and computational experience.
Design, manufacture and testing of a new hybrid column

Abstract Hybrid structures with concrete and fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) are regarded as efficient systems with pseudo-ductile characteristics and high stiffness and strength. This article presents the design, fabrication and testing of a new hybrid column made of concrete-filled FRP tube. The tube acts as formwork, protective jacket, confinement and shear and flexural reinforcement. Longitudinal and transverse stiffening ribs in the tube act as shear connectors and load distribution mechanism. Excellent shear performance was achieved in beam shear tests. Moreover, hybrid columns in compression control proved as strong in moment capacity as equivalent RC columns with over 5% rebars.
Confidence-based stratification of CAD recommendations with application to breast cancer detection

We present a risk stratification methodology for predictions made by computer-assisted detection (CAD) systems. For each positive CAD prediction, the proposed technique assigns an individualized confidence measure as a function of the actual CAD output, the case-specific uncertainty of the prediction estimated from the system's performance for similar cases and the value of the operating decision threshold. The study was performed using a mammographic database containing 1,337 regions of interest (ROIs) with known ground truth (681 with masses, 656 with normal parenchyma). Two types of decision models (1) a support vector machine (SVM) with a radial basis function kernel and (2) a back-propagation neural network (BPNN) were developed to detect masses based on 8 morphological features automatically extracted from each ROI. The study shows that as requirements on the minimum confidence value are being restricted, the positive predictive value (PPV) for qualifying cases steadily improves (from PPV = 0.73 to PPV = 0.97 for the SVM, from PPV = 0.67 to PPV = 0.95 for the BPNN). The proposed confidence metric was successfully applied for stratification of CAD recommendations into 3 categories of different expected reliability: HIGH (PPV = 0.90), LOW (PPV = 0.30) and MEDIUM (all remaining cases). Since radiologists often disregard accurate CAD cues, an individualized confidence measure should improve their ability to correctly process visual cues and thus reduce the interpretation error associated with the detection task. While keeping the clinically determined operating point satisfied, the proposed methodology draws the CAD users' attention to cases/regions of highest risk while helping them confidently eliminate cases with low risk.
Fullerenes, endohedral fullerenes, and the prediction of high boiling points

Extrapolation of the experimental vapor–pressure curves of the [60], [70], [76] and [84] fullerenes gives normal, estimated boiling or sublimation temperatures such that half of the boiling points predicted by an earlier semi-empirical theory, based primarily on the total molar refraction for all exposed atoms, of essentially all vaporizable non-metals, organic and inorganic, having limited polarities, differ from these estimated values by less than the calculated uncertainties. These data suggest that the theory is applicable up to ca. 1900 K, even though the original proposal made verified claims up to less than 900 K. This leads to: Tb,est([n]fullerene) ≈ Tb,pred([n]fullerene), supporting the claim that we can predict many boiling points over a wide range of temperatures. Here we also extend the predictions to include endohedral fullerenes.
Estimating animal densities in the aerosphere using weather radar: To Z or not to Z?

Weather radars provide near-continuous recording and extensive spatial coverage, which is a valuable resource for biologists, who wish to observe and study animal movements in the aerosphere over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. Powerful biological inferences can be garnered from radar data that have been processed primarily with the intention of understanding meteorology. However, when seeking to answer certain quantitative biological questions, e.g., those related to density of animals, assumptions made in processing radar data for meteorological purposes interfere with biological inference. In particular, values of the radar reflectivity factor (Z) reported by weather radars are not well suited for biological interpretation. The mathematical framework we present here allows researchers to interpret weather radar data originating from biological scatterers (bioscatterers) without relying on assumptions developed specifically for meteorological phenomena. The mathematical principles discussed are used to interpret received echo power as it relates to bioscatterers. We examine the relationships among measurement error and these bioscatter signals using a radar simulator. Our simulation results demonstrate that within 30-90 km from a radar, distances typical for observing aerial vertebrates such as birds and bats, measurement error associated with number densities of animals within the radar sampling volume are low enough to allow reasonable estimates of aerial densities for population monitoring. The framework presented for using radar echoes for quantifying biological populations observed by radar in their aerosphere habitats enhances use of radar remote-sensing for long-term population monitoring as well as a host of other ecological applications, such as studies on phenology, movement, and aerial behaviors.
Parent-Child Interactions with Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Patients

Interactions between parents and young children undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were investigated in a prospective, longitudinal study. The parents of six children ages 3 years, 9 months, to 6 years, 9 months, were assessed for patterns of coping and for parental responsiveness using the Family Interaction Q-Sort within a week before the transplant and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after the transplant. Preliminary results showed that parental responsiveness remained stable across time. When parental responsiveness was compared with the children's symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lower parental responsiveness was associated with fewer symptoms of PTSD and higher responsiveness was associated with more symptoms. The relation between low FTSD scores and less responsive parenting may be explained by lack of parental support, which contributed to the child's nonadaptive behavior toward BMT, resulting in underreporting of symptoms by the child. The mediators of parental responsiveness w...