cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feasibility study of in vivo MRI based dosimetric verification of proton end-of-range for liver cancer patients.

Abstract Purpose To investigate the feasibility of using MRI to verify proton beam distal range for liver tumor treatment in a retrospective study. Methods and materials Because the follow-up hepatocyte-specific functional MR imaging can detect the radiobiological change of liver tissue after radiation, we firstly registered the contrast-enhanced MR images to the planning CT images from 5 liver patients, then overlaid the prescribed dose distribution on the MR images. Since dose calculation is most accurate at the penumbra dose region, we correlated the MR signal intensity (SI) to the radiation dose at the superior/inferior penumbra region. This dose–SI correlation was finally employed on registered MR images to estimate the proton end-of-range. Results Statistically significant correlations between radiation dose and MR SI were observed in superior/inferior penumbra regions, with correlation coefficient ranging from 0.93 to 0.99. By applying the dose-SI correlation to the distal region of each proton beam, the mean difference between MR-estimated and the planned dose range was −2.18 ± 4.89 mm for anterior–posterior beams and −3.90 ± 5.87 mm for lateral beams. Conclusions This feasibility study proved the principle that proton dose range can be verified in vivo by follow-up MR images after proton liver treatment.
Hydrocortisone at stress-associated concentrations helps maintain human heart rate variability during subsequent endotoxin challenge.

Abstract Purpose We evaluated the differential impact of stress-associated vs high pharmacologic concentrations of hydrocortisone pretreatment on heart rate variability (HRV) during a subsequent systemic inflammatory stimulus. Materials and Methods Healthy volunteers were randomized to receive placebo (Control) and hydrocortisone at 1.5 μ g/kg per minute (STRESS) or at 3.0 μ g/kg per minute (PHARM) as a 6-hour infusion. The STRESS dose was chosen to replicate the condition of physiologic adrenal cortical output during acute systemic stress. The PHARM dose was chosen to induce a supraphysiologic concentration of cortisol. The next day, all subjects received 2 ng/kg Escherichia coli endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide). Heart rate variability was analyzed with the statistic approximate entropy (ApEn). A lower ApEn correlates with decreased HRV. Results At the 3-hour nadir, the decrease in ApEn in the STRESS group was significantly less compared to placebo ( P Conclusions Pretreatment with a stress dose of hydrocortisone but not a higher pharmacologic dose maintained a significantly higher ApEn after endotoxin exposure when compared to a placebo. In addition, decreases in ApEn preceded increases in heart rate.
Structure dimensionnelle des psychoses : relations avec les catégories diagnostiques et contribution à l’étude des endophénotypes

L’etude du tableau clinique des differentes psychoses a permis d’etablir les distinctions bien connues entre les principaux diagnostics psychiatriques depuis les auteurs classiques (Kraepelin, Leonhard...). Les subdivisions de ces diagnostics principaux ont ete realisees en fonction de caracteristiques symptomatologiques specifi ques. Par la suite, ces sous-groupes symptomatologiques ont ete etudies selon diverses dimensions associees : l’allure evolutive, les consequences fonctionnelles, les reponses aux traitements. Sur un plan etiologique, il est diffi cile de suggerer des liens specifi ques entre un facteur etiologique et un tableau clinique particulier si l’on considere la maladie comme une entite unique. En revanche, le demembrement des principales psychoses en sous-groupes mieux defi nis pourrait permettre de mieux attribuer a un symptome ou un groupe de symptomes donnes une etiologie specifi que. De nombreuses recherches visent ainsi a etablir de possibles correlations entre un phenotype et des mecanismes biologiques. En s’appuyant sur les phenotypes, il est de cette facon possible d’envisager des recherches etiologiques, en se penchant sur les liens entre symptomes et mode d’entree dans la maladie, evolution, co-morbidite... On peut egalement etudier les liens entre les phenotypes et la neurotransmission ou d’autres fonctions du systeme nerveux central : mesure des taux de neurotransmetteurs ou de leurs metabolites dans le sang, les urines, ou le LCR, etudes d’imagerie structurale ou fonctionnelle, de neurophysiologie, de neuropsychologie. Les etudes genetiques sont parmi les plus interessantes dans ce domaine : etude de l’heritabilite de sous-types cliniques ou de symptomes particuliers, association de ces differents sous-types ou symptomes avec des loci specifi ques. Enfi n, le phenotype peut etre etudie dans ses relations avec le traitement, avec la recherche de la specifi cite de certains traitements pour certains sous-types, et avec l’etude des mecanismes d’action specifi ques de ces medicaments.
Fracture toughness of foams with tetrakaidecahedral unit cells using finite element based micromechanics

Abstract Fracture toughness of open-cell foams consisting of tetrakaidecahedral unit cells is predicted by simulating crack propagation using a finite element (FE) based micromechanical model. The inputs to the model are the geometric parameters required to model the repeating unit cell and tensile strength of the foam ligament or strut. Cracks are created by removing certain number of cells pertaining to a crack length. The FE model consists of a local micro-scale region surrounding the crack tip. For an assumed stress intensity factor, the displacements along the boundary of the local model are calculated based on linear elastic fracture mechanics for orthotropic materials. The stresses in the ligaments ahead of the crack tip calculated from this micro-model in conjunction with the tensile strength of the strut material are used to predict fracture toughness. A parametric study with different micro-model sizes and different crack lengths is performed to check for convergence of predicted Mode-I, Mode-II and mixed mode fracture toughness values. The effect of applying rotations as additional boundary conditions along with translational displacement boundary conditions on the predicted fracture toughness values is also studied.
Calorimetric studies of 7000 series aluminum alloys: I. Matrix precipitate characterization of 7075

Both differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and hot stage transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the solid state reactions accompanying heating of the highest strength (T651) and overaged (T7351) tempers of 7075 aluminum alloy. Each of the observed endothermic or exothermic reactions that occurs over the 20 to 500°C temperature range has been ascribed to the dissolution or formation of a specific precipitate. The dissolution of each matrix phase,i.e., GP zones, ή and ή, can be characterized by a distinguishable dissolution temperature, dissolution enthalpy, activation energy, and activation entropy. The values of activation energy and activation entropy for the dissolution of the initial matrix precipitate of these phases indicate that the relative stability of the matrix precipitates is primarily influenced by the entropy rather than the energy term. This investigation provides a basis for the use of DSC analysis in the rapid, quantitative identification of the matrix microstructure of 7075 aluminum alloy as well as in the characterization of the matrix microstructure of other 7000 series aluminum alloys.
An infinite hierarchy of intersections of context-free languages

The class of languages expressible as the intersection ofk context-free languages is shown to be properly contained within the class of languages expressible as the intersection ofk + 1 context-free languages. Hence an infinite hierarchy of classes of languages is exhibited between the class of context-sensitive languages and the class of context-free languages.
Extended, strategic therapy for recalcitrant mind/body healing: an integrative model.

The development of the power therapies, behavioral medicine, and short term interventions have reported such success even with trauma cases that it is relevant to question the justification for lengthy psychotherapy. Yet some patients with complex mind/body conditions impervious to medical treatment/hypnosis may require extended, multi-modal, integrative therapy. This paper details a single complex case of paruresis as a prototype for illustrating a holographic treatment model for recalcitrant conditions: Component features of the proposed model presented include: 1) the sequential utilization of hypnobehavioral and analytic approaches; 2) uncovering work providing access to the somatic ego state associated with the illness condition; 3) the extended treatment time frame required for deep psycho-physiological change; and 4) the stages of counter-transference expectably evoked by such patients (e.g. urgency, exuberant optimism, frustration, discouragement), and the transformation of such reactions to achieve maximum therapeutic efficacy.
Compartmental analysis revisited.

Abstract This paper gives a precise definition of compartment and shows that even when a compartmental model is not exactly identifiable, a range of its pharmacokinetic parameters can be determined. It is thus better to know approximate values of clearly defined parameters than exact values of quantities with no physical or physiological content. 1999 Academic Press@p$hr
FeedMe: a collaborative alert filtering system

As the number of alerts generated by collaborative applications grows, users receive more unwanted alerts. FeedMe is a general alert management system based on XML feed protocols such as RSS and ATOM. In addition to traditional rule-based alert filtering, FeedMe uses techniques from machine-learning to infer alert preferences based on user feedback. In this paper, we present and evaluate a new collaborative naive Bayes filtering algorithm. Using FeedMe, we collected alert ratings from 33 users over 29 days. We used the data to design and verify the accuracy of the filtering algorithm and provide insights into alert prediction.
Buckling of Rectangular Plate with Nonlinearly Distributed Compressive Loading on Two Opposite Sides: Comparative Analysis and Results

ABSTRACT Buckling analysis of isotropic plates subjected to nonlinearly varying in-plane load in the x direction received lesser attention than the corresponding problem involving uniform or linearly varying in-plane load distributions. This problem was attempted by van der Neut and by Benoy. However, in their analyses, they considered an oversimplified in-plane solution by assuming the x-direction in-plane normal stress distribution to be the same at every plate section and the y-direction normal stress to be zero; that is, they completely ignored the “stress diffusion” phenomenon, which can be considerable in the case of moderate and high aspect ratios. In the present work, buckling analyses using the in-plane solutions as developed by Timoshenko and by Pickett, as well as a superposition method using a four-stress-function solution, and a numerical method were carried out and the results were compared.
Abstract 459: The function of FOXO1 in the late phases of the cell cycle is suppressed by PLK1-mediated phosphorylation

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) plays crucial roles in multiple stages of cell division. Our previous studies suggest that global transcriptional regulation by PLK1 may contribute to its multiple functions. PLK1 depletion is associated with a decrease in cell viability and the induction of apoptosis; however, the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Here, we report that forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) is a novel physiological substrate of PLK1. FOXO1 is at the interface of crucial cellular processes, orchestrating programs of gene expression that regulate apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and oxidative-stress resistance. PLK1 interacts with and phosphorylates FOXO1, mainly at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. PLK1-mediated phosphorylation leads to the impairment of FOXO19s transcriptional activity in an Akt-independent manner. By immunofluorescence staining and subcellular fractionation, we demonstrate that PLK1-induced FOXO1 phosphorylation causes its nuclear exclusion. Furthermore, PLK1-mediated phosphorylation of FOXO1 negatively regulates its pro-apoptotic function, and abrogates its ability to delay entry into and progression through G2/M transition. Therefore, our results suggest that PLK1 abrogates the inhibitory effects of FOXO1 on cell growth and survival to ensure timely cell cycle progression. This study not only reveals a novel and major regulatory mechanism of FOXO1 at the late phases of the cell cycle, but also provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms by which PLK1 inhibition leads to growth arrest and cell death. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Chengfu Yuan, Lei Wang, Liang Zhou, Zheng Fu. The function of FOXO1 in the late phases of the cell cycle is suppressed by PLK1-mediated phosphorylation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 459. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-459
Effect of glucose on the expression of type I collagen and transforming growth factor-β1 in cultured human peritoneal fibroblasts

Abstract Objective To determine the effect of high glucose levels on the expression of type I collagen, and whether this effect is regulated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in human peritoneal fibroblasts in culture. Design Prospective experimental study. Setting University medical center. Patient(s) Primary cultures of fibroblasts established from peritoneal tissues of five patients. Intervention(s) High glucose treatment of the primary cultured fibroblasts. Main outcome measure(s) Primary cultures of human peritoneal fibroblasts were incubated with varying amounts of glucose (1–5 g/L) for 24 hours. Total RNA was extracted from human peritoneal fibroblasts and converted to cDNA by reverse transcriptase. Multiplex reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (PCR) simultaneously co-amplifying β-actin with TGF-β1 or type I collagen mRNAs was used to quantitate type I collagen and TGF-β1 mRNA levels in response to increasing glucose concentrations with and without TGF-β1 antibody treatment. Result(s) There was a significant increase in the mRNA for type I collagen and TGF-β1 in response to increasing glucose concentrations in a dose response-dependent manner. The TGF-β1 antibody treatment resulted in an 83% and 68% decrease in type I collagen and TGF-β1 mRNA levels, respectively. Conclusion(s) Increasing glucose concentrations stimulated type I collagen expression in human peritoneal fibroblasts in culture. A potential mediator for this effect is TGF-β1. These results have implications not only for individuals with diabetes mellitus who may be predisposed to greater postoperative adhesion development, but also for individuals with surgical stress responses after surgery.
Growth-security investment strategy for long and short runs

It is well known that the investment policy maximizing the expected logarithm of wealth each period is a long-run optimal capital growth criterion. However, the growth-optimal strategy entails a considerable risk of losing a substantial portion of wealth for the investment in the short run. This paper extends the long-run capital growth criterion to a multiperiod investment policy which maximizes the capital growth and at the same time achieves a given probability of maintaining an accumulated risk-free return over any finite investment horizon.
FOOD PRODUCTS FROM CORN GERM: ENZYME ACTIVITY AND OIL STABILITY

SUMMARY Full-fat corn germ was cooked by heated rolls at roll temperatures ranging from 99–204°C. The resulting flakes were examined for peroxidase, lipase, lipoxygenase (formerly lipoxidase) and linoleic acid-hydroperoxide-isomerase activity. Stability of the oil in germ flakes was also investigated. The amount of enzyme activity found in corn germ before roll-cooking was dependent on the post-harvest history of the corn. After picker-sheller harvest, drying the grain in heated air significantly inactivated enzymes. Cooking the germ by heated rolls at temperatures of 124°C and above completed inactivation of all the enzymes studied except peroxidase. Residual amounts of peroxidase activity remained in almost all samples. The oil in heated germ was resistant to hydrolytic rancidity when stored under nitrogen at a relative humidity as high as 75%. If the germ was stored in air at 75% relative humidity, mold developed on many of the samples. Oxidative rancidity, as measured by the peroxide value of the extracted oil, increased to about 20–40 meq peroxide/kg oil after 170 days storage only in the samples heated at or above 124°C. Low peroxide values (1.5–6 meq peroxide/kg oil) of oil from relatively unprocessed germ were postulated to result from the action of linoleic acid-hydroperoxide-isomerase. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of hydroperoxide to products not measured by peroxide values.
Correlations between mechanical stress history and tissue differentiation in initial fracture healing

A general theory for the role of intermittently imposed stresses in the differentiation of mesenchymal tissue is presented and then applied to the process of fracture healing. Two-dimensional finite element models of a healing osteotomy in a long bone were generated and the stress distributions were calculated throughout the early callus tissue under various loading conditions. These calculations were used in formulating theoretical predictions of tissue differentiation that were consistent with the biochemical and morphological observations of previous investigators. The results suggest that intermittent hydrostatic (dilatational) stresses may play an important role in influencing revascularization and tissue differentiation and determining the morphological patterns of initial fracture healing.
On the moments of the 4-parameter lognormal distribution

This brief note supplements the original work by Johnson (1949) on moments of the 4-parameter lognormal distribution. Explicit expressions for the moments are shown suitable for programming, and an expanded table of calculated values for the mean, standard deviation, and coefficients of skewness and kurtosis are presented.
meso-arylporpholactones and their reduction products.

The rational syntheses of meso-tetraaryl-3-oxo-2-oxaporphyrins 5, known as porpholactones, via MnO4–-mediated oxidations of the corresponding meso-tetraaryl-2,3-dihydroxychlorins (7) is detailed. Since chlorin 7 is prepared from the parent porphyrin 1, this amounts to a 2-step replacement of a pyrrole moiety in 1 by an oxazolone moiety. The stepwise reduction of the porpholactone 5 results in the formation of chlorin analogues, meso-tetraaryl-3-hydroxy-2-oxachlorin (11) and meso-tetraaryl-2-oxachlorins (12). The reactivity of 11 with respect to nucleophilic substitution by O-, N-, and S-nucleophiles is described. The profound photophysical consequences of the formal replacement of a pyrrole with an oxazolone (porphyrin-like chromophore) or (substituted) oxazole moiety (chlorin-like chromophore with, for the parent oxazolochlorin 12, red-shifted Qx band with enhanced oscillator strengths) are detailed and rationalized on the basis of SAC–CI and MNDO-PSDCI molecular orbital theory calculations. The single c...
Short-Term Variations of the Tropopause Height over the Winter MONEX Area

Abstract An observational study of short-term (∼1 week) tropical tropopause height variations has been undertaken using measurements from the December 1978 Winter Monsoon Experiment (Winter MONEX). Sounding data from three Soviet ships in the southern South China Sea and conventional rawinsonde stations in the region of the Indonesian maritime continent am used in the analysis. During a one-week period (10-17 December), a ∼1.5 km reduction in the height of the tropopause and a warning of 5-8°C in the lower stratosphere were observed over the southern South China Sea. Outside this region a systematic lowering of the tropopause was not observed. In the region of tropopause descent there was a concurrent increase in the amount of deep convective activity. Within the time period of them events, two winter monsoon cold surges (on the l0th and 15th) and a weak tropical depression (on the 14th) affected the circulation over the South China Sea. During the period of tropopause lowering. tropospheric pressure heig...
Aspects of Intervalence Charge Transfer in Cyanide-Bridged Systems: Modulated Electric Field Assessment of Distances, Polarizability Changes, and Anticipated First Hyperpolarizability Characteristics

Electroabsorption studies of the systems (CN)5MII−CN−M‘III(NH3)51- (M = Fe, Ru, Os; M‘ = Ru, Os) reveal that the metal-to-metal or intervalence charge-transfer transitions are associated with a change in dipole moment, |Δμ|, ranging from 11 to 17 D. This change corresponds to a charge-transfer distance of ca. one-half to two-thirds of the geometric separation between the donor and acceptor metals. This result has consequences for electron transfer parameters, where electronic coupling energies are now upwardly revised to as high as 3000 cm-1. The result is also pertinent in the context of nonlinear optics, where Δμ can be utilized in a two level model to estimate wavelength-dependent molecular first hyperpolarizabilities. The change in polarizability (Δα) accompanying the optical intervalence transitions varies from −10 to +310 A3. Comparing the experimental results to a simple two state model suggests that the two state picture is seriously deficient for these systems and that a multitude of available ad...
Statistical Field Estimation for Complex Coastal Regions and Archipelagos

Abstract A fundamental requirement in realistic ocean simulations and dynamical studies is the optimal estimation of gridded fields from the spatially irregular and multivariate data sets that are collected by varied platforms. In this work, we derive and utilize new schemes for the mapping and dynamical inference of ocean fields in complex multiply-connected domains and study the computational properties of these schemes. Specifically, we extend a Bayesian-based multiscale Objective Analysis (OA) approach to complex coastal regions and archipelagos. Such OAs commonly require an estimate of the distances between data and model points, without going across complex landforms. New OA schemes that estimate the length of shortest sea paths using the Level Set Method (LSM) and Fast Marching Method (FMM) are thus derived, implemented and utilized in idealized and realistic ocean cases. An FMM-based methodology for the estimation of total velocity under geostrophic balance in complex domains is also presented. Comparisons with other OA approaches are provided, including those using stochastically forced partial differential equations (SPDEs). We find that the FMM-based OA scheme is the most efficient and accurate. The FMM-based field maps do not require postprocessing (smoothing). Mathematical and computational properties of our new OA schemes are studied in detail, using fundamental theorems and illustrations. We find that higher-order FMM’s schemes improve accuracy and that a multi-order scheme is efficient. We also provide solutions that ensure the use of positive-definite covariances, even in complex multiply-connected domains.
Aging: Decline of dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity inMytilus edulis (Bivalvia)

1. Aging is a multivariate process which results from a progressive accumulation alterations including, for example, biochemical and physiological changes, in an organism with time. These alterations occur in short- and long-lived organisms, in invertebrates and vertebrates. 2. The present study demonstrates that the maximum responsiveness and sensitivity of dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase diminish with age as determinedin vitro in pedal ganglion homogenates. The dopamine-blocking efficacy of chlorpromazine also decreased with age in 4-year-old organisms compared to 1- and 2-year-old organisms. However, adenylate cyclase activity does not diminish with age in response to the GTP stable analogue, Gpp(NH)p. 3. The results suggest that one aspect of aging inMytilus edulis specifically affects dopamine interaction with this receptor-mediated system.
Prototype Abstraction by Monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

The authors analyze the shape categorization of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and the role of prototype- and exemplar-based comparison processes in monkeys' category learning. Prototype and exemplar theories make contrasting predictions regarding performance on the Posner-Homa dot-distortion categorization task. Prototype theory--which presumes that participants refer to-be-categorized items to a representation near the category's center (the prototype)--predicts steep typicality gradients and large prototype-enhancement effects. Exemplar theory--which presumes that participants refer to-be-categorized items to memorized training exemplars-predicts flat typicality gradients and small prototype-enhancement effects. Across many categorization tasks that, for the first time, assayed monkeys' dot-distortion categorization, monkeys showed steep typicality gradients and large prototype-enhancement effects. These results suggest that monkeys--like humans--refer to-be-categorized items to a prototype-like representation near the category's center rather than to a set of memorized training exemplars.
Diversity in the Experience of Late-Life Widowhood

Abstract Widowhood is one of the most common relationship losses of older adults. Death of a marital partner represents both personal and interpersonal loss, requiring bereaved spouses to cope with resultant changes in everyday life and in their social relationships. We target this review of the literature not only to those wfw work in the field of aging but also to those in many other fields whose professional efforts and personal lives are likely to connect, at least tangentially, with the experiences of older people. We provide an overview of the diversity of responses to the widowhood loss with an emphasis on how characteristics of bereaved persons, their marital relationships, and their social support networks affect adjustment to widowhood.
Operations research in communications

Operations research can be of value to the communication engineer by enabling him to set up valid criteria by which to judge the relative advantages of communication systems in specified applications. While in many cases insufficient data are available for an exact analysis or optimization, this approach is superior to the classical method of choosing arbitrary evaluation parameters which may be meaningless in the proposed application. On the other hand care must be taken in the interpretation of the results of an operations research procedure. In the classical approach the system is designed to meet some given specifications and is not optimum in any particular sense. In an operations research approach criteria of performance and effort, plus constraints, are chosen, and the system is optimized with respect to these quantities. However, because of necessary simplifications in both the criteria and the constraints the results are only pseudo optimum with respect to the desired applications. In effect, the ambiguities involved in choosing the specifications of a classical approach may have been exchanged for the ambiguities involved in choosing the criteria and the constraints in an operations research approach. Nevertheless, an operations research approach is desirable because it helps prevent unintentional ambiguities from entering the problem by directly focusing attention on the application as well as the system.
Geometric image processing of stereo pairs

There are some interesting cases where image processing techniques applied independently to the left and right eye images can preserve some parallax within the accepted limits of vertical disparity. We investigate the application of simple geometric techniques to determine which ones alter stereo and to what extent they alter stereo. We consider the simple affine transformations such as translation, rotation, scale and shear and show that interesting results can be obtained in some cases by applying a transformation to one eye image and not the other. We show that any 2D transformation applied to one eye view of a stereo pair that preserves lines/planes must be a composition of x-shears, x-translations and x-scales.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
USE OF INTRAOPERATIVE ELECTRON BEAM RADIOTHERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RETROPERITONEAL SOFT TISSUE SARCOMAS

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the disease control, survival results, and tolerance of intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy (IOERT) as a component of treatment for retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas. Methods and Materials: Between March 1981 and September 1995, 87 patients with primary ( n = 43) or recurrent ( n = 44) retroperitoneal or intrapelvic sarcomas received IOERT as a component of treatment at the Mayo Clinic. The tumors were high grade in 54 patients (62%) and low grade in 33 (38%). The median tumor size was 10 cm (range 2–36). All patients underwent maximal surgical resection with IOERT; in 72 patients, only microscopic or no residual tumor remained. The IOERT doses ranged from 8.75 to 30 Gy (median 15). All primary tumors received external beam irradiation (EBRT) with a median dose of 48.6 Gy. Thirty-four of the 44 recurrent tumors received EBRT to a median dose of 45 Gy. All patients were followed prospectively for outcome and toxicity evaluation. Results: The median follow-up, based on 46 patients (53%) currently alive, was 3.5 years. The overall estimated 5-year survival was 47%. For patients with tumors ≥10 cm, the 5-year overall survival was significantly poorer (28%) than for those with smaller lesions (60%) ( p = 0.01). Neither primary vs. recurrent status nor tumor grade had a significant impact on survival. Patients with gross residual tumor had a marginally significantly poorer survival compared with patients with microscopic or no residual tumor, with a 5-year survival rate of 37% and 52%, respectively ( p = 0.08). A total of 49 patients (56%) experienced failure, including 20 local recurrences (23%). The median time to failure was 2.3 years. Four recurrences were within the IOERT field, 3 within the IOERT and EBRT field, and 13 within the EBRT field alone. The 3- and 5-year estimated local control rate was 77% and 59%, respectively. Local control was marginally significantly affected by the amount of residual tumor, with a 5-year local control rate of 41% for those with gross residual tumor, 60% for those with microscopic residual tumor, and 100% for those with no residual tumor ( p = 0.09). Gastrointestinal complications were recorded in 12 incidences (Grade 3 or higher toxicity). These complications were believed to be secondary to surgery and/or EBRT in 10 of the 12 cases. Seven patients had fistula formation, and 3 experienced severe proctitis. Grade 3 peripheral neurologic toxicities occurred in 9 patients (10%), but none had pain as a component of their neuropathy. Conclusion: Retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas can be treated with an aggressive combined approach of EBRT, surgery, and IOERT, with acceptable toxicity. Local control in primary disease appears to be improved in this retrospective series with this approach. Distant disease control and options for recurrent disease needs further definition.
Radiation Loss of Coupled-Resonator Waveguides can be Much Lower than for Single Resonators

We calculate the radiation loss rate of coupled-resonator optical waveguides in photonic-crystal slabs. In certain cases, the loss can be an order of magnitude lower than for a single resonator alone.
Experimental and Numerical Studies of Water Droplet Impact on a Porous Surface in the Film-Boiling Regime

An experimental and numerical study of the water droplet in collision with a porous surface in the film-boiling regime is reported. The porous substrate with a porosity of 34% and pore size of 76 n...
Hakim-theory transfer-function sensitivity

It is shown that, along with the pole-position sensitivity, the transfer-function sensitivity (and, similarly, the Q and wn sensitivities) can be arbitrarily assigned using the Hakim theory for 2nd-degree transfer functions.
Corruption and Political Decay: Evidence from Bolivia

This paper studies the impact of corruption victimization on anti-government protest. It is argued that two features of corruption victimization are relevant for understanding its impact: its intensity level and the clarity of responsibility of the ruling government. Drawing upon survey data from the 2004 Bolivia Democracy Audit , the paper finds that low levels of exposure to corruption generally do not induce a greater inclination to participate in anti-government protest behavior than no exposure at all, whereas high levels of exposure do exert a positive and substantively large impact on protest. Moreover, the paper shows that the institutional affiliations of the perpetrators of corruption are crucially important in understanding how citizens react to their victimization. When perpetrators are linked to the ruling government through patronage networks (i.e., clarity of responsibility is high), victimization is much more likely to produce anti-government protest than when no such link is present.
THE CRYSTALLIZATION AND PRELIMINARY X-RAY ANALYSIS OF ALLOSTERIC CHORISMATE MUTASE

Abstract An allosteric chorismate mutase, the Thr226→Ile mutant, from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been crystallized in space group P 61(P65) using the hanging drop vapour diffusion method at room temperature. The cell dimensions are a = b = 95·8 A, c = 157·9 A, α = β = 90°, γ = 120°. It contains a dimer in the crystallographic asymmetric unit. The crystal diffracts to 2·2 A resolution. A native data set has been collected to 82% completeness at this resolution.
Characteristics of Interconnected Power Systems As Affected by Transformer Ratio Control

Operating characteristics of interconnected systems in which voltage is maintained constant by varying field of the generators is compared with operating characteristics, when, in addition to the control of generator field, transformers equipped with ratio control are employed. The use of transformers with variable ratio introduces a flexibility in operation which permits the division of wattless currents between generating stations independent of voltage held at the generator busses. A comparison is made of the use of synchronous condensers for the purpose of improving regulation as compared with the use of transformers equipped with ratio control. The elementary conditions which govern the current distribution in a loop, L, are determined in terms of impedance characteristics of the net-work. The equipments necessary to control the current distribution and at the same time maintain good regulation in the loop are indicated.
Mean recombination time of diffusion controlled geminate reactions

A recently introduced method by Deutch for determining the mean passage time for diffusion controlled processes [J. Chem. Phys. 73, 4700 (1980)] has been further developed for application to the reactions of geminate pairs. First, a nonzero probability of escaping geminate recombination requires a normalized definition of mean recombination time which is done consistently. Second, only a finite dose results in a finite mean reaction time. Adopting a special outer boundary condition related to the dose, mean recombination times are calculated for ionic and neutral geminate reactions. For application in radiation‐ and photochemistry, fully and partially diffusion controlled conditions are applied to ionic and neutral cases, respectively.
Spatio-temporal expression of estrogen sulfotransferase within the hepatic lobule of male rats: implication of in situ estrogen inactivation in androgen action.

Estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) catalyzes transfer of the sulfate group from phosphoadenosine phosphosulfate to estrogenic steroids. Since estrogen sulfates do not bind to the estrogen receptor with high affinity, EST can control the intracellular level of the receptor-active estrogens. Androgen action in the rat liver, as indicated by the androgenic induction of alpha 2u-globulin, is inhibited by low levels of estrogens. Thus, in situ estrogen inactivation by EST is expected to increase hepatic androgen sensitivity. During the lifespan of the animal, rat liver undergoes three distinct phases of androgen sensitivity, i.e. prepubertal androgen insensitivity, androgen sensitivity after approximately 40 days of age, and androgen insensitivity during senescence (greater than 750 days). EST in the liver is expressed only after puberty, when the liver becomes androgen sensitive. Furthermore, localization of EST and its corresponding mRNA within the lobular unit of the liver demonstrates that only androgen-respo...
Photo-oxidatively self-cleaning transparent titanium dioxide films on soda lime glass: The deleterious effect of sodium contamination and its prevention

In the context of photocatalytically self-cleaning windows and windshields, clear, abrasion resistant, thin (60 ± 10 nm) photocatalytic films of TiO2 were formed by a sol-gel process on (a) soda lime glass, (b) the proton-exchanged surface of soda lime glass, and (c) fused silica. The hypothesis that diffusion of sodium oxide from the soda lime glass into the titanium dioxide layer during the calcination step causes the lower photoefficiency in films on glass was tested and proven. At high concentration sodium prevented formation of the photoactive anatase phase and, at low concentration, introduced surface and bulk recombination centers. Sodium transport was efficiently blocked by a thin layer at the interface of proton-exchanged (“hydrogen”) glass and nascent TiO2, formed at 400 °C of a poly(titanyl acetylacetonate) TiO2 precursor. The sodium transport blocking layer did not form and the highly photocatalytic film was not obtained when the TiO2-precursor film was applied to glass that was not proton exchanged. Furthermore, only a much less effective sodium transport blocking layer was formed on glass that was proton-exchanged, but was calcined at 400 °C prior to application of the TiO2 precursor layer, showing that the sodium depleted glass surface, by itself, was a less effective barrier against sodium transport than the interfacial product of hydrogen glass and the TiO2 precursor.
A thromboembolic model for the efficacy and safety evaluation of combined mechanical and pharmacologic revascularization strategies

Background and purpose Recanalization strategies mediated by intra-arterial fibrinolytic therapy in combination with mechanical clot disruption may be a more effective treatment approach than either therapy used alone. There are few preclinical animal models to evaluate these strategies. Here we report on a model to simultaneously evaluate both of these treatment approaches. Methods Allogeneic clot was injected through the 6 F guide catheter after creating >50% luminal stenosis of the common carotid arteries of New Zealand White rabbits. The stenosis was released after 1 h, allowing sufficient time for clot-vessel wall interaction. Occlusion was confirmed and each vessel was assigned to receive either balloon angioplasty alone, intra-arterial tissue plasminogen activator (tPA, Alteplase, Genentech, San Francisco, California, USA), tPA delivery through prototype balloon infusion wire (NIT Therapeutics, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA), partial stent deployment or partial stent deployment with locally delivered tPA. The negative control received no treatment. Results In vivo revascularization Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score revealed that the balloon infusion wire achieved a stable and higher revascularization score of TICI 2B, with a lower dose of tPA in comparison with other treatment strategies. All treatment strategies resulted in endothelial denudation and exposure of the internal elastic lamina. Conclusions The proposed animal model permits reliable and consistent thromboembolic occlusion of the target vasculature and allows for an assessment of both pharmacologic and mechanical revascularization strategies for acute ischemic stroke.
Would Other Countries Protect the Phelpses’ Funeral Picketing?

This essay makes four comparative observations regarding the issues raised in Snyder v. Phelps. These observations are derived from the author’s experience teaching comparative freedom of speech and privacy principles in summer study abroad programs. In particular, the four observations are as follows: (1) many countries recognize individual privacy as a right of co-equal stature with freedom of speech; (2) the courts of many countries explicitly balance competing privacy and free speech interests when there is a conflict between the two; (3) many countries provide greater protection of individual privacy and reputational interests than the Supreme Court recognizes under First Amendment doctrine; and (4) many countries regulate or even criminalize hateful speech.
Temperament, environment, and six-month cognitive-intellectual development: A test of the organismic specificity hypothesis.

The major question asked in the present study was whether temperamental differences mediated the infants' response to the early environment (organismic specificity). A corollary question involved the nature of the relationship between temperament and cognitive-intellectual development. Subjects were 100 six-month-old infants who were observed in their homes three times over a three-week period. Home observations were coded into social and physical environmental parameters. During this time period infant temperament and level of sensorimotor development were independently assessed. Canonical and univariate analyses revealed the following relationships: (1) Infants classified as temperamentally "easy" were more sensitive to environmental parameters than temperamentally "difficult" babies; when environmental influences were relevant for "difficult" infants, they tended to have a negative impact upon development. (2) Temperamental characteristics associated with difficultness were also associated with an inab...
Budgeting in Catholic parishes: an exploratory study

In this paper an aspect of accounting, namely budgeting, has been studied in an organizational context. According to Booth (1993) churches represent ‘extreme cases’ in which to study the impact of accounting. Following on from Laughlin (1988) Booth considered the sacred and secular divide to be a significant element in the use of accounting by church organizations. The parishes of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne form the context of this study in which evidence is sought for the sacred and secular divide by studying the role of budgeting in the parish. Questions were asked regarding participation in the budgetary process and the development and use of the budget. It was found that there was little consultation or participation in the budgetary process and that the use of the budget was restricted. These findings suggest that the sacred and secular divide operates at the parish level.
Performance improvement and limitations in extremum seeking control

We propose the inclusion of a dynamic compensator in the extremum seeking algorithm which improves the stability and performance properties of the method. This compensator is added to the integrator used for adaptation to improve the overall relative degree and phase response of the extremum seeking loop. The compensator is potentially more effective in accounting for the plant dynamics than the often used phase shifting of the demodulation signal. We present a detailed analysis of the extremum seeking system based on averaging. This analysis provides two linear models, one for tracking reference changes and the other for sensitivity to noise, which offer insight into how different parameters influence the performance. This analysis is less conservative than in previous cases and allows the use of faster adaptation for improved transients. We extend the extremum seeking method to problems of tracking changes in the set point which are more general than step functions.
Using Reflection to Explain and Enhance Type Theory

The five lectures at Marktoberdorf on which these notes are based were about the architecture of problem solving environments which use theorem provers. Experience with these systems over the past two decades has shown that the prover must be extensible, yet it must be kept safe. We examine a way to safely add new decision procedures to the Nuprl prover. It relies on a reflection mechanism and is applicable to any tactic-oriented prover with sufficient reflection. The lectures explain reflection in the setting of constructive type theory, the core logic of Nuprl.
Image-Enhanced Endoscopy with I-scan Technology for the Evaluation of Duodenal Villous Patterns

I-scan technology is the newly developed endoscopic tool that works in real time and utilizes a digital contrast method to enhance endoscopic image. We performed a feasibility study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of i-scan technology for the evaluation of duodenal villous patterns, having histology as the reference standard. In this prospective, single center, open study, patients undergoing upper endoscopy for an histological evaluation of duodenal mucosa were enrolled. All patients underwent upper endoscopy using high resolution view in association with i-scan technology. During endoscopy, duodenal villous patterns were evaluated and classified as normal, partial villous atrophy, or marked villous atrophy. Results were then compared with histology. One hundred fifteen subjects were recruited in this study. The endoscopist was able to find marked villous atrophy of the duodenum in 12 subjects, partial villous atrophy in 25, and normal villi in the remaining 78 individuals. The i-scan system was demonstrated to have great accuracy (100 %) in the detection of marked villous atrophy patterns. I-scan technology showed quite lower accuracy in determining partial villous atrophy or normal villous patterns (respectively, 90 % for both items). Image-enhancing endoscopic technology allows a clear visualization of villous patterns in the duodenum. By switching from the standard to the i-scan view, it is possible to optimize the accuracy of endoscopy in recognizing villous alteration in subjects undergoing endoscopic evaluation.
A rapid monoclonal immunofluorescence assay for Chlamydia psittaci in fecal smears from psittacine birds

One hundred two fecal specimens from psittacine birds submitted to Veterinary Laboratory Ser- vices of the California Department of Food and Agriculture at Petaluma were screened for Chlamydia psittaci by a direct immunofluorescence assay using a fluorescein-labeled monoclonal antibody conjugate specific for Chlamydia sp. Results were compared with those obtained by isolation of Chlamydia in cultures of McCoy mouse cells. The relative specificity of the direct fluorescent antibody test on fecal smears was 98.9% and the relative sensitivity was 62.5%. The results of this study suggested that the direct fluorescent antibody test was highly specific, and it proved to be a useful same-day antemortem diagnostic test for birds with symptomatic Chlamydia1 infection. The use of centrifugation in the cell culture assay was found to significantly enhance the level of Chlamydia1 infection in cell culture. With the growing popularity of pet birds, psittacosis has become a disease of increasing concern because of its economic effect on the pet bird industry and its zoonotic potential. 7,18 In 1975, there were 29 labora- tory-confirmed avian cases of psittacosis in California. 2 The number of cases of avian psittacosis peaked in 1981 at 676 cases, declined to 275 in 1982, and has since remained at approximately 200 cases per year. 2