cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Palliative Care and Social Justice

A fundamental contradiction within our health care system is that medical services are defined by vertically distinct, even diagnosisspecific specialties, whereas patients do not generally experience their illnesses or symptoms in terms of such silo-like distinctions. The structure of this system is remarkably rigid, durable, and reinforced in our systems of education, resource allocation, financing, and insurance. This rigidity of structure, which often translates into a rigidity of thinking, can have adverse consequences both on a patient and system level. It is critical for palliative care clinicians, educators, and policy makers to examine the ways in which our discipline has both arisen within this larger system of rigid subspecialization, and may run the risk of contributing to further fragmentation and undesirable outcomes, unless some of these underlying contradictions are challenged and overcome. The article by Krakauer in this issue makes an important statement, which is both simple and profounddit is unethical, unjust, and unacceptable to promote or condone a global system, which in effect offers disease-modifying therapy to the rich and palliative care to the poor. This potential division has been
Laser applications for multisensor systems

Lasers were first integrated into fire control systems in the 1960s and continue to show up as a requirement for many new systems as well as in upgrades to existing systems. In many cases the laser is a critical factor in the performance of the primary mission of the platform. In certain applications, the laser is integrated with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) detection system and tracker, which provides the means to sight and hold the laser on target. In order for both the laser and the FLIR to operate at peak performance, it is important to understand the specific needs of the two devices and how they may interplay, and address their integration as early as possible in the design process. Both Nd:YAG lasers, used for target designation and rangefinding, and CO2 lasers, used primarily for rangefinding, are currently integrated into fire control systems. FLIR system designers must understand these different laser types and their specific capabilities as they relate to FLIR performance. New weapon system requirements have placed additional utilization demands on the laser-sensor combination to produce an active/passive sensor fusion. For example, chemical warfare point- to-point detection is being addressed through a combined FLIR and differential LIDAR. Likewise, low level navigational hazards are identified via wire sensors for helicopters. Target detection is further complemented with laser-based vibration sensors. Sensor fusion is rapidly emerging to solve future air-to-ground, ground-to-air, and ground-to-ground mission requirements.
NMR Study of Amphetamines Using Europium Shift Reagents

Abstract Amphetamine and certain of its methoxylated derivatives show a high degree of interaction with NMR shift reagents of the type tris(1,1,1,2,2,3,3‐heptafluoro‐7,7‐dimethyl‐4,6‐octanedione)europium(III). The shifts are not accompanied by appreciable line broadening, and both the aliphatic and aromatic protons can be resolved. The strong interaction between amine and shift reagent diminishes rapidly as the amine function is alkylated. For derivatives containing ortho ‐methoxyl groups, a weaker interaction with this functionality also becomes evident as the amine is alkylated. The stereospecificity of the shifting process was investigated by employing tris[3‐(trifluoroacetyl)‐ d ‐camphorato]europium(III), a chiral shift reagent, with stereochemically pure enantiomers and known enantiomeric mixtures. Although certain ( R )‐enantiomers showed greater downfield C‐methyl group shifts, these shift differences from the corresponding ( S )‐enantiomers were small and not well resolved.
A comparative study of plasma expansion events in the polar wind

(Received 8 December 1987) Abstract-The temporal characteristics of the polar wind were studied with both a full set of hydrodynamic equations and a simplified set of collisionless equations. The hydrodynamic set contained continuity, momentum and energy equations for H +, O+ and electrons, including collisional conductivities and variable, but isotropic, ion and electron temperatures. The collisionless model included the same species and was able to take account of constant anisotropic ion temperatures. The two polar wind models were solved with different numerical techniques and the results were compared for similar expansion scenarios. In particular, the temporal evolution of the polar wind was modelled for initial, extended density depletions of factors of 3, 10 and 100 starting at several altitudes. Also, the two models were used to study the temporal response of the polar wind to varying electron temperature conditions. From this comparative study, we found the following : (1) qualitatively, the two models predict the same temporal characteristics for the polar wind densities, flow velocities, and escape fluxes; (2) the propagation velocities of the disturbances vary markedly with the level of the depletion, with greater depletions producing greater disturbance velocities ; (3) for small depletions the H+ disturbance does not steepen into a shock ; (4) the rapidly moving H+ disturbances do not significantly affect the O+ distribution, but the slower moving O+ shocks generate secondary H+ disturbances that propagate with the heavy ion shock waves ; (5) for a lOO- fold depletion, the rapid acceleration of the minor H+ ions through the O+ shock acts to enhance the H+ density at higher altitudes to such an extent that H+ becomes the dominant ion over a limited altitude range ahead of the 0+ shock; (6) the adiabatic cooling associated with the upward propagation of the disturbances leads to a significant reduction in the O+ temperature, and a less dramatic reduction in the H+ temperature ; and (7) the polar wind expansion characteristics are strongly modulated when the electron temperature variations are of the order of five minutes. The density distribution becomes highly structured, and regions of upward and downward ion flows follow the temporal variations of T.. Such a situation can occur when the interplanetary magnetic field is northward and the magnetospheric convection pattern is turbulent.
An intentional framework improves memory for a robot's actions

Although a number of recent studies have explored people's concepts about robots, almost no research has tested the degree to which these concepts affect people's capacity to understand and remember a robot's actions. In this study, we tested whether a narrative describing a robot performing basic intentional acts would be easier to remember than a narrative that described similar non-intentional actions. Participants read one of two stories about a robot in which it was either described as having intentional or non-intentional mental representations. Participants who read about the intentional robot were more likely to recall information about the robotic agent, but there was no difference between the two groups in accuracy for questions unrelated to the agent. Additionally, participants who read about the intentional robot were marginally more likely to falsely recall a non-present object that was similar to the objects that the robot did interact with. We conclude that beliefs about a robot affect encoding and recall of its actions, possibly due to a focus on the type of information the agent is believed to "mentally" represent.
Antioxidant-based therapies for angiotensin II-associated cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and heart failure, are associated with activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and increased circulating and tissue levels of ANG II, a primary effector peptide of the RAS. Through its actions on various cell types and organ systems, ANG II contributes to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases by inducing cardiac and vascular hypertrophy, vasoconstriction, sodium and water reabsorption in kidneys, sympathoexcitation, and activation of the immune system. Cardiovascular research over the past 15–20 years has clearly implicated an important role for elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mediating these pathophysiological actions of ANG II. As such, the use of antioxidants, to reduce the elevated levels of ROS, as potential therapies for various ANG II-associated cardiovascular diseases has been intensely investigated. Although some antioxidant-based therapies have shown therapeutic impact in animal models of cardiovascular disease and in human patients, others have failed. In this review, we discuss the benefits and limitations of recent strategies, including gene therapy, dietary sources, low-molecular-weight free radical scavengers, polyethylene glycol conjugation, and nanomedicine-based technologies, which are designed to deliver antioxidants for the improved treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Although much work has been completed, additional research focusing on developing specific antioxidant molecules or proteins and identifying the ideal in vivo delivery system for such antioxidants is necessary before the use of antioxidant-based therapies for cardiovascular diseases become a clinical reality.
Eutectic Bonding of Copper to Ceramics

Eutectic bonding of copper to ceramics makes use of a liquid eutectic between copper and oxygen at 1065°C which wets oxide ceramics very well. Upon solidification of the eutectic melt a very strong bond is established which has a strength of about 5×107N/m2. The excellent bond strength gives this technique important applications in electronic packaging and mechanical engineering.
An empirical study of malware evolution

The diversity, sophistication and availability of malicious software (malcode/malware) pose enormous challenges for securing networks and end hosts from attacks. In this paper, we analyze a large corpus of malcode meta data compiled over a period of 19 years. Our aim is to understand how malcode has evolved over the years, and in particular, how different instances of malcode relate to one another. We develop a novel graph pruning technique to establish the inheritance relationships between different instances of malcode based on temporal information and key common phrases identified in the malcode descriptions. Our algorithm enables a range of possible inheritance structures. We study the resulting “likely” malcode families, which we identify through extensive manual investigation. We present an evaluation of gross characteristics of malcode evolution and also drill down on the details of the most interesting and potentially dangerous malcode families.
Fluorescence depolarization studies of the phase transition in multilamellar phospholipid vesicles exposed to 1.0-GHz microwave radiation

The phase transition in multilamellar dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles was studied during exposure to continuous wave 1.0-GHz microwave radiation. Fluorescence depolarization measurements using a lipid-seeking molecular probe, diphenylhexatriene (DPH), were performed as a function of temperature. Semilog plots of microviscosity versus temperature illustrate the phase transition which shows a 5 degree C shift when the vesicles are treated with chloroform as a positive control. No shift of the phase transition was found during exposure to microwave radiation at specific absorption rates between 1 and 30 W/kg. Samples were exposed in a rectangular transmission line (TEM cell), and specific absorption rates were calculated from electrical measurements of incident, reflected, and transmitted power. Samples were exposed to increasing intensities of radiation, while the temperature was maintained at either 23.5 or 25.5 degree C; these temperatures represented the two ends of the phase transition region for these vesicles. No statistically significant difference was found between exposed and control samples. These results are in contrast to those of others using laser Raman spectroscopy to measure the phase transition in similar multilamellar vesicles exposed to microwave radiation.
A method for measuring and reporting manual data extraction reliability

As health care costs have risen dramatically, the use of clinical data to analyze the quality of health care provided has increased. Central to this analysis is the means by which the clinical data itself is obtained. The reliability and validity of the data must be established in order to insure credible use of the data. The Wisconsin Ambulatory Review Project (WARP) is a three-year study of the nature of care in the ambulatory setting based on clinical data extracted retrospectively from written medical charts. This paper focuses on the method used to measure and report the reliability of the extraction process in the WARP study. The implementation of this methodology as a custom C program is described in detail.
Trastorno depresivo, ansiedad social y su prevalencia en trastornos de la conducta alimentaria

Antecedentes: Existe considerable evidencia sobre la comorbilidad entre trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, depresion y fobia social. Objetivo: Comparar la presencia de ansiedad social y depresion y sus prevalencias, en mujeres con y sin patologias alimentarias. Sujetos y Metodos: Se administro una entrevista clinica estructurada, el Test de Actitudes Alimentarias (EAT-40), el Inventario de Desordenes Alimentarios (EDI), la Escala de Ansiedad Social de Liebowitz (LSAS) y la Escala de Hamilton para Depresion (HDRS) a 54 pacientes que satisficieron los criterios diagnosticos segun el DSM-IVpara trastornos de la conducta alimentaria y a 54 estudiantes sin problemas alimentarios. Resultados: Los puntajes de todos los indicadores, incluidas las escalas de comorbilidad, fueron mas altos en las pacientes (p < 0,001). La prevalencia de ansiedad social fue significativamente mayor en las pacientes alimentarias (40,7% versus 3,7%) (p < 0,001), particularmente en las anorecticas (66,6%) (p < 0,001) y el 14,8% de las pacientes con patologias alimentarias obtuvo puntajes en los rangos severo o muy severo (p < 0,001). El riesgo de presentar ansiedad social moderada a muy severa en las pacientes alimentarias fue 5,5 veces mayor. La prevalencia de sintomas depresivos fue significativamente mayor en las pacientes alimentarias (18,5% versus 0%) (p < 0,001), especialmente en las anorecticas (66,6%) (p < 0,001) y 18,5% de las pacientes con trastornos alimentarios obtuvo puntajes en el rango severo (p < 0,001). El riesgo de presentar depresion moderada a muy severa en las pacientes alimentarias fue 23,7 veces mayor. Conclusiones: Se confirma la presencia y la prevalencia de trastornos depresivos y de ansiedad social en los desordenes alimentarios segun la evidencia, principalmente en las pacientes portadoras de anorexia nerviosa
The Existence of a Zero-Cross-Polarization Mode Through Rain

In this paper, it is shown that there exists a zero-cross-polarization mode through rain in which no cross polarization will be induced when orthogonally polarized signals are transmitted. This mode is derived based on a matrix model of the rain-induced depolarization effect for the linear case suggested by Chu [12]. It is also assumed that when the canting angles O of the raindrops are treated as a random variable, the received signal will have an amplitude equal to its expectation value weighted by the probability density of ?, f (). The zero-cross-polarization mode through rain will then be two orthogonal linear polarizations at an angle ?away from the conventional vertical and horizontal directions. The magnitude of ?can be determined if the statistical distribution of the canting angles is partially known. In fact, ?is determined by only two parameters, ?and ?eff, which can be obtained from measured data. It is also shown that whenf (?) is sysmetric about its mean value, the magnitude of ?will be exactly that mean value. Some data reported by Chu [12] for ?and ?eff provide an example. The results are also extended to the cases of circular polarizations and satellite communications.
The growth of GaAs on Si by MBE

Abstract The growth mechanisms occuring during the heteroepitaxy of GaAs/Si have been studied using a number of characterization techniques. In situ monitoring of the growth by reflection high energy electron diffraction shows that three-dimensional growth occurs initially, but the GaAs islands eventually coalesce to form a continuous layer with a 2 × 4 surface reconstruction. Transmission electron microscopy of a 30 nm film shows that the boundaries between the merged islands are disordered. In addition, regions of amorphous or misoriented single crystal material at the GaAs/Si interface are apparent. We also discuss the implications of using the two-stage growth scheme that is typically followed for GaAs/Si growth. Ion channeling indicates that the material is compressively strained in the plane of the film during the initial low temperature growth, but the lattice relaxes upon heating to 575°C for the second step of the growth. Comparisons were made among films whose growths were initiated a different temperatures and then terminated with an overlayer grown at 575°C. Although the surface morphology degrades with increasing temperature, the photoluminescence intensity rises.
Numerical simulations of 3D tool geometry effects on deposition residual stresses in diamond coated cutting tools

Deposition residual stresses in diamond-coated cutting tools significantly impact the coating adhesion and machining performance. In this study, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software was used to create the solid model of coated tools, and further exported to Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software for 3D simulations of residual stresses generated. Design of experiments approach was employed to systematically investigate the tool geometry effects. Major results are summarised as follows. • the cutting edge radius is the most significant factor • for a 5 µm edge radius, the radial and circumferential normal stresses (�1 r and �1 �� ) are about 1.5 GPa in tension and 3.7 GPa in compression, respectively.
Detecting market crashes by analysing long-memory effects using high-frequency data

It is well known that returns for financial data sampled with high frequency exhibit memory effects, in contrast to the behavior of the much celebrated log-normal model. Herein, we analyse minute data for several stocks over a seven-day period which we know is relevant for market crash behavior in the US market, March 10–18, 2008. We look at the relationship between the Levy parameter α characterizing the data and the resulting H parameter characterizing the self-similar property. We give an estimate of how close this model is to a self-similar model.
Customer engagement, word-of-mouth and box office: the case of movie tweets

Scholars have established mixed results concerning the relationships between word-of-mouth WOM and movie box office performance. Additionally, the effect of customer engagement in relation to box office performance is rarely examined. Using social media measures from Twitter and movie box office data from boxofficemojo.com the present study found not only that WOM volume does have a direct positive effect on box office outcomes but also that customer engagement or marketer-generated content MGC from movie studios plays a role indirectly relating to box office outcomes. The more a movie studio is willing to engage with its followers via social media the more likely it is to have a higher WOM volume. This subsequently increases the likelihood of having a higher opening-weekend box office performance.
Simple models for the omega phase transformation

In the late sixties, it was recognized that the omega phase transformation occurring in bcc Ti, Zr, and Hf alloys was a displacive transition which could be described, at least qualitatively, by simple models. Since the displacive wave responsible for the transition to perfect omega was a Brillouin zone boundary wave, displacements and volume changes were rather small, in contrast to the classical martensite case. The nonideal, or modulated omega phase requires further consideration, and calls for soliton models, for example. Recent first principles electronic structure calculations, briefly reported upon here, have also shed light on the athermal omega transformation.
Screening method for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil using hollow fiber membrane solvent microextraction.

A fast, inexpensive screening method for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil has been developed. Using hollow fiber membrane solvent microextraction, 8 μl of octane extraction solvent was placed inside a porous, polypropylene fiber. Following an 8 min analyte preconcentration step, 4 μl of extract was injected into a gas chromatograph. Separation was achieved in less than 10 min with a detection limit of 0.13 mg/kg for 2-methylnaphthalene. Results of both spiked and real soil samples are presented.
The spreading of liquids on low energy surfaces. I. polytetrafluoroethylene

1. 1. Methods of preparing surfaces of polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) are described which permit obtaining reproducible and reliable measurements of contact angles with liquids. Polytetrafluoroethylene is found to be an ideal low energy surface for the study of the wetting relations of a solid with a wide variety of organic and inorganic liquids. 2. 2. It is shown that all but the lowest-boiling liquids studied do not adsorb on TFE sufficiently from the vapor to produce a significant spreading pressure. Hence the πE term in the expression for the work of adhesion (WA) is negligible and WA = γLV(1 + cos θ). The calculated values of WA are found to be consistent and reasonable. 3. 3. It is found that for each homologous series of liquids cos θ is a linear function of γLV. The constants of the resulting relations are given. From this WA − Wc can be expressed as a function of γLV alone. 4. 4. The observations show that there is a critical surface tension (17.5–20.5 dynes/cm.) below which liquids wet TFE. 5. 5. It is concluded that the corrected Young-Dupre relation coupled with the spreading coefficient permits a rational description of the results. The Doss and Rao relation for the surface condensation leads to such high values for high-boiling liquids as to make it unlikely that the theory is correct.
Self-regulating academic learning and achievement: The emergence of a social cognitive perspective

For three decades, social cognitive researchers have studied children's development of self-regulation as an achievement of socialization processes. I recount historically the emergence of a social cognitive perspective on self-regulation and identify its unique features. Two essential characteristics of students' self-regulated academic learning have been identified — their use of strategies and perceptions of self-efficacy. A social cognitive model of academic self-regulated learning is proposed that integrates triadic determinants of self-regulated learning (personal, behavioral, and environmental) on the basis of a strategic control loop. When students monitor their responding and attribute outcomes to their strategies, their learning becomes self-regulated, and they display increased self-efficacy, greater intrinsic motivation, and higher academic achievement.
SU‐FF‐T‐337: Multiobjective Inverse Planning Optimization: Adjustment of Dose Homogeneity and Urethra Protection in HDR‐Brachytherapy of the Prostate

Purpose: Multiobjective optimizations are performed to evaluate the inverse planning (IP) ability to adjust the dose homogeneity and the urethra protection in HDR brachytherapy of the prostate. Materials and Methods: An IP is an anatomy‐based optimization guided by dose objectives specified for each organ extracted from medical imaging. It selects automatically the active dwell positions and optimizes the dwell times to fulfill the dose objectives. It is setup to maximize the prostate dose coverage while taking into account other clinical objectives like the dose homogeneity and the organs at risk protection. Multiobjective optimizations are performed using the IP for one small (23cc), one intermediate (35cc) and one large (80cc) prostate. 10 inverse plans were generated with different compromises between dose coverage and dose homogeneity. This was performed first with the prostate alone and then with all the organs at risk. In addition, 10 inverse plans were generated with different compromises between dose coverage and urethra protection. 90 DVH were generated and analyzed. Results: When only the prostate is included, the prostate V100 varies from 100% to 97% and the homogeneity index (HI) from 0.06 to 0.68. When all the organs at risk are included, the prostate V100 varies from 97% to 91% and the HI from 0.52 to 0.72. When the urethra protection is increased, the prostate V100 varies from 100% to 89%, the urethra V100 from 100% to 89%, the urethra V120 from 87% to 0% and the urethra V150 from 3% to 0%. Conclusion: For simple cases where only a target is defined, the dose homogeneity is adjustable with the IP. For complex cases where organs at risk are added, this anatomy‐based optimization automatically adjusts the dose homogeneity to protect the urethra. Additional organ protection can be achieved with specific penalty. This research was supported by Nucletron Corporation.
Sparse Tangential Network (SPARTAN): Motion planning for micro aerial vehicles

Micro aerial vehicles operating outdoors must be able to maneuver through both dense vegetation and across empty fields. Existing approaches do not exploit the nature of such an environment. We have designed an algorithm which plans rapidly through free space and is efficiently guided around obstacles. In this paper we present SPARTAN (Sparse Tangential Network) as an approach to create a sparsely connected graph across a tangential surface around obstacles. We find that SPARTAN can navigate a vehicle autonomously through an outdoor environment producing plans 172 times faster than the state of the art (RRT*). As a result SPARTAN can reliably deliver safe plans, with low latency, using the limited computational resources of a lightweight aerial vehicle.
On the (m+1)-terminal resistive-network problem

It is shown that any (m+1)-terminal positive resistive network forms an mth order metric space Sm, whose characteristic is completely defined by the main theorem stated in this work. A metric transformation transforms Sm into the mth-order distance space Dm, which is congruently imbeddable in m-dimensional Euclidean space Em. As a consequence, any (m+1)-terminal positive resistive network may be considered to form an mth-order simplex or geometrical figure Pm in Em. This figure was shown to have all its first- and higher-order angles acute and was called hyperacute-angled. As a consequence, problems on resistive networks, particularly on resistive n-ports, are equivalent to geometric problems on acute-angled simplexes imbeddable in multidimensional Euclidean space. All the arsenal of knowledge, acquired over many years, which we posses on Euclidean spaces may therefore be utilised in the solution of the resistive n-port problem.
Embedding unfrozen lake sediments for thin section preparation

A method for subsampling and embedding unfrozen sediments is described. The method requires commonly available equipment and can be implemented efficiently and cost-effectively. Thin sections prepared from the embedded unfrozen sediments preserve very fine structural detail, without interruption due to ice-crystal casts. The method provides a viable alternative to subsampling methods requiring either frozen sediments or specialized equipment.
Shared and Unique Proteins in Human, Mouse and Rat Saliva Proteomes: Footprints of Functional Adaptation

The overall goal of our study was to compare the proteins found in the saliva proteomes of three mammals: human, mouse and rat. Our first objective was to compare two human proteomes with very different analysis depths. The 89 shared proteins in this comparison apparently represent a core of highly-expressed human salivary proteins. Of the proteins unique to each proteome, one-half to 2/3 lack signal peptides and probably are contaminants instead of less highly-represented salivary proteins. We recently published the first rodent saliva proteomes with salivas collected from the genome mouse (C57BL/6) and the genome rat (BN/SsNHsd/Mcwi). Our second objective was to compare the proteins in the human proteome with those we identified in the genome mouse and rat to determine those common to all three mammals as well as the specialized rodent subset. We also identified proteins unique to each of the three mammals because differences in the secreted protein constitutions can provide clues to differences in the evolutionary adaptation of the secretions in the three different mammals.
Modeling and Simulation of Normal and Damage Vibration Signatures of Idealized Gears

A physics-based first principles approach is adopted in this study to simulate vibration signatures from an idealized gear such as a thin spur gear under plane dynamic stresses induced by an impulsive rotation. The governing equations of velocity—stress are solved using a finite-difference formulation in generalized curvilinear coordinates and a fully characteristic set of boundary conditions based on the theory of hyperbolic systems. The vibration signatures are thus directly obtained in the time domain. A second-order accurate in time and space, time-staggered leapfrog scheme, is used to integrate the time-dependent partial differential equations. Normal as well as damage signatures are obtained and compared; normal signatures correspond to uniform material properties of the gear, and damage signatures correspond to one of the gear teeth being made less rigid in a certain fashion so as to mimic a damage such as due to impact-induced pitting, deformation or incipient crack formation. It is observed that ...
SU‐FF‐T‐650: Dosimetric Benefit of a Combination of Respiratory‐Gating, Image‐Guidance and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Introduction: In order to account for internal tumor motion and setup uncertainty, 3D‐conformal treatment (3D‐CRT) for upper gastrointestinal malignancies requires the placement of margins around the clinical target volume (CTV). These larger margins can result in excessive dose to normal tissue. To spare critical structures while elevating the dose to the tumor, we have investigated the dosimetric benefits of combinations of respiratory‐gating, image‐guidance and intensity modulated radiation therapy (gated‐IG‐IMRT) for pancreatic cancertreatment.Materials and Methods: Both 4D‐CT and 3D‐CT were acquired for each of the cases under study. For respiratory‐gated treatment, contours for the gross tumor volume (GTV) and critical structures on the end‐of‐exhale 4D‐CT were generated from the original contours on 3D‐CT using the MIMvista deformable registration algorithm. A reduced setup margin for image‐guided plans was used to create the planning target volume (PTV). IMRT plans were optimized based on dose volume histograms and published normal tissue constraints. Six plans for each patient were created and the PTV coverage and the dose distributions in critical structures were compared. Results: The six combinations of treatment modalities provide clinically acceptable PTV coverage and normal tissuedoses that meet all dose constraints for organs at risk. IMRT and image‐guided plans provided equivalent or lower mean doses to normal tissues than 3D‐CRT and non‐image‐guided plans, respectively. Respiratory‐gated treatment plans provided slightly lower doses to liver, stomach, right kidney, spinal cord, and spleen, but significantly reduced dose (60–70%) to left kidney when compared with non‐gated plans. Conclusions: By combining technologies and decreasing the margin, dose escalation will be possible in the treatment of pancreatic cancer without compromising the dose to normal tissue. This work was partially supported by Technology and Innovation Grant at Dana‐Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center.
816 TRACHEAL ASPIRATION AND ITS CLINICAL CORRELATES IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF CONGENITAL PNEUMONIA

Since the lungs of neonates should be sterile after birth, we investigated the ability of tracheal aspiration to provide early diagnosis of congenital pneumonias. Forty infants presenting with respiratory symptoms and positive chest radiographs by eight hours of age were assigned to control or suspect groups based on the presence of bacteria after sputum analysis. These groups showed no difference in maternal age, parity, duration of membrane rupture or labor, Apgar scores, or birth weight and gestational age. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNS) were found in 7 of 20 control and 16 of 20 suspect infants. Positive blood cultures were obtained in 1 of 20 control and 14 of 20 infants suspect for pneumonia. Tracheal isolates included Group B streptococci (11), Hemophilus influenzae (2), Escherichia coli (2), Listeria monocytogenes (2), alpha hemolytic streptococci (2), and Staphylococcus aureus (1) in the suspect neonates, and Group B streptococcus from the single control infant. At the time of tracheal aspiration, no statistical differences could be ascertained between the groups regarding pulse, respirations, blood pressure, rectal temperature, pH and base deficit, and corrected absolute numbers of segmented and immature PMNS. The presence of bacteria on histologic analysis of sputum obtained by tracheal aspirate, and the subsequent isolation of a similar bacterium in blood and sputum, provides a valuable tool in the diagnosis of congenital pneumonia when compared to other clinical variables.
Characterization of genes which are deactivated upon the onset of development in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Abstract We have identified and begun characterizations of the differential expression of 15 genes whose corresponding mRNA levels decrease during the preaggregative period of the developmental program of Dictyostelium discoideum . Upon the onset of development, the mRNAs decrease from 5- to 1000-fold over the first 8 hr. The rates of loss of each mRNA were similar to one another but distinct, and the decreases were dependent on progress through the developmental program. One exception to this dependency was observed, and the decrease in this mRNA was dependent on the absolute time after initiation of development instead of progress through development. With two exceptions, the decreases in mRNA levels were dependent on developmental conditions and were not seen when cells were shaken in starvation buffer. When the polysomal distributions of each species were examined, three classes were found: most showed no significant shifts off of polysomes upon initiation of development, two were characterized by a 20% shift to nonpolysomal RNA fractions upon development, and two gave a 40–50% shift. Collectively, these characterizations reveal differences in behavior which suggest that deactivation of genes upon initiation of development in Dictyostelium involves more than one regulatory pathway.
Isolated intraorbital intravascular large B-cell lymphoma: a case report

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma is a rare B-cell lymphoma subtype characterized by tumor cells found exclusively within vascular lumina. We report the case of an 88-year-old woman who initially presented with pain, swelling, and loss of vision in her left eye. A left orbital mass was revealed by computed tomography, and a biopsy was performed. On histologic examination, large atypical lymphoid cells were present in blood vessel lumina of the intraorbital adipose tissue. No tumor cells were seen in the surrounding tissue. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were positive for CD20, BCL-2, Bcl-6, and CD5; they were negative for CD10 and cyclin D1. Ki-67 revealed a proliferation rate of approximately 80–90%, and CD31 highlighted the vascular endothelium. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma. Results of bone marrow and cerebrospinal fluid examinations were negative for involvement, and there was no radiographic evidence of systemic disease. The patient received systemic treatment with etoposide, doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, prednisone, and rituximab in addition to intrathecal methotrexate. The patient had resolution of her intraorbital mass. While it is understood that this disease can involve any organ, only very rarely does intravascular large B-cell lymphoma present with primary ophthalmologic symptoms. Additionally, this patient’s disease initially appeared to be isolated, with no skin manifestations or other systemic involvement. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in which this disease manifested as an isolated intraorbital mass without detectable involvement of any other organ.
Zeolite synthesis using degradable structure-directing agents and pore-filling agents.

Zeolites and molecular sieves are synthesized using organic structure-directing agents (SDAs) that have the potential to be degraded into fragments within the pore space so that they can be readily extracted at mild conditions. The zeolites and molecular sieves, VPI-8, ZSM-12, and ZSM-5, are synthesized using the ketal-containing SDA, 8,8-dimethyl-1,4-dioxa-8-azoniaspiro[4,5]decane (SDA-1). As expected, solids with unidimensional pore systems (VPI-8, ZSM-12) are much more difficult to process by this methodology than solids containing multidimensional pore systems (ZSM-5). Pore-filling agents (PFAs) such as isobutylamine and cyclopentylamine are used together with the ketal-containing SDA-1 to prepare ZSM-5. Extraction of the PFA is shown to be feasible, and its removal provides space for components to enter the zeolite micropores where they react with and cleave SDA-1. Removal of the cleavage fragments from SDA-1 gives ZSM-5 that has the appropriate pore volume, framework aluminum (measured by ^(27)Al NMR), and catalytic behavior. Reasons for desiring this new type of zeolite synthesis method are enumerated.
The accuracy of needle biopsy in the characterization of prostate cancer with the use of gleason and gaeta systems

Histological material of prostatic carcinoma of 73 patients was reviewed for the purposes of assessing the accuracy and correlation of the initial needle biopsy with the total prostatectomy specimen. Utilizing two prevalent grading systems (Gleason and Gaeta), there was an accuracy of 90% when the two samples graded a well-differentiated carcinoma and an agreement of 70% in the assessment of moderately-differentiated lesions. The use of either system also correlated with the pathological stage of the disease in this group of patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. It is concluded that the prostate needle biopsy is highly representative of the histology of the whole tumor and it has considerable significance in the clinical evaluation of tumor volume in patients with prostate cancer.
Preparation of dental alloy by splat cooling

Splat cooling has been used for the preparation of dental alloy in the form of ribbons of 5–25 μm in thickness. The powdered alloy was produced by shaking the ribbons with a dental pestle in a mechanical amalgamator. One minute shaking produced a powder all of which passed a standard 400 mesh sieve. Only phases expected at room temperature have been produced thus far.
Side chain mobility and ligand interactions of the G strand of tear lipocalins by site-directed spin labeling.

Side chain mobility, accessibility, and backbone motion were studied by site-directed spin labeling of sequential cysteine mutants of the G strand in tear lipocalins (TL). A nitroxide scan between residues 98 and 105 revealed the alternating periodicity of mobility and accessibility to NiEDDA and oxygen, characteristic of a β-strand. Residue 99 was the most inaccessible to NiEDDA and oxygen. EPR spectra with the fast relaxing agent, K3Fe(CN)6, exhibited two nitroxide populations for most residues. The motionally constrained population was relatively less accessible to K3Fe(CN)6 because of dynamic tertiary contact, probably with side chain residues of adjacent strands. With increasing concentrations of sucrose, the spectral contribution of the immobile component was greater, indicating a larger population with tertiary contact. Increased concentrations of sucrose also resulted in a restriction of mobility of spin-labeled fatty acids which were bound within the TL cavity. The data suggest that sucrose enhan...
Src homology 3 domain-dependent interaction of Nck-2 with insulin receptor substrate-1

Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) is a multi-domain protein that mediates signal transduction from receptors for insulin and other growth factors to a variety of downstream molecules through both tyrosine-phosphorylation-dependent and -independent interactions. While the tyrosine-phosphorylation-dependent interactions mediated by IRS-1 have been well characterized, the molecular basis underlying the tyrosine-phosphorylation-independent IRS-1 interactions is largely unknown. We previously detected, in an in vitro binding assay, interactions of Nck-2 Src homology (SH) 3 domains with IRS-1. We show here that IRS-1 associates with Nck-2 in vivo. Additionally, we have investigated the molecular basis underlying the IRS-1-Nck-2 complex formation. We have found that (i) mutations at the highly conserved tryptophan within the Nck-2 SH3 domains markedly reduced the association with IRS-1, (ii) interactions mediated by multiple SH3 domains enhance the complex formation of Nck-2 with IRS-1, (iii) deletion of either the phosphotyrosine-binding/Shc and IRS-1 NPXY-binding (PTB/SAIN) domains or the Pre-C-terminal domain of IRS-1, but not the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, reduced the Nck-2 binding, (iv) PTB/SAIN domains or the Pre-C-terminal domain alone is capable of interacting with Nck-2, and (v) the IRS-1-Nck-2 interaction occurs in the absence of other proteins and therefore is direct. These results establish that IRS-1 is a bona fide target of the Nck-2 SH3 domains and reveal that IRS-1 forms a complex with Nck-2 via direct interactions mediated by multiple domains from both binding partners.
Primary transcriptomes of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis reveal proprietary pathways in tissue and macrophages

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) persistently infects intestines and mesenteric lymph nodes leading to a prolonged subclinical disease. The MAP genome sequence was published in 2005, yet its transcriptional organization in natural infection is unknown. While prior research analyzed regulated gene sets utilizing defined, in vitro stress related or advanced surgical methods with various animal species, we investigated the intracellular lifestyle of MAP in the intestines and lymph nodes to understand the MAP pathways that function to govern this persistence. Our transcriptional analysis shows that 21%, 8% and 3% of the entire MAP genome was represented either inside tissues, macrophages or both, respectively. Transcripts belonging to latency and cell envelope biogenesis were upregulated in the intestinal tissues whereas those belonging to intracellular trafficking and secretion were upregulated inside the macrophages. Transcriptomes of natural infection and in vitro macrophage infection shared genes involved in transcription and inorganic ion transport and metabolism. MAP specific genes within large sequence polymorphisms of ancestral M. avium complex were downregulated exclusively in natural infection. We have unveiled common and unique MAP pathways associated with persistence, cell wall biogenesis and virulence in naturally infected cow intestines, lymph nodes and in vitro infected macrophages. This dichotomy also suggests that in vitro macrophage models may be insufficient in providing accurate information on the events that transpire during natural infection. This is the first report to examine the primary transcriptome of MAP at the local infection site (i.e. intestinal tissue). Regulatory pathways that govern the lifecycle of MAP appear to be specified by tissue and cell type. While tissues show a "shut-down" of major MAP metabolic genes, infected macrophages upregulate several MAP specific genes along with a putative pathogenicity island responsible for iron acquisition. Many of these regulatory pathways rely on the advanced interplay of host and pathogen and in order to decipher their message, an interactome must be established using a systems biology approach. Identified MAP pathways place current research into direct alignment in meeting the future challenge of creating a MAP-host interactome.
Plotting the differences between data and expectation

This article proposes a way to improve the presentation of histograms where data are compared to expectation. Sometimes, it is difficult to judge by eye whether the difference between the bin content and the theoretical expectation (provided by either a fitting function or another histogram) is just due to statistical fluctuations. More importantly, there could be statistically significant deviations which are completely invisible in the plot. We propose to add a small inset at the bottom of the plot, in which the statistical significance of the deviation observed in each bin is shown. Even though the numerical routines which we developed have only illustration purposes, it comes out that they are based on formulae which could be used to perform statistical inference in a proper way.
Teaching Children How and When to Make Emergency Telephone Calls.

The present study examined a behavioral procedure which was designed to teach young children how and when to make emergency phone calls. Experiment 1 compared the effectiveness of three conditions — behavioral training, teacherdevised training and no training — in teaching children how to make emergency calls. The conditions were administered to six classes in two different preschool programs. The behavioral training program resulted in significantly greater improvements in emergency dialing skills relative to teacher-devised and no-training conditions. Experiment 2 examined a discrimination training procedure with selected subjects from Experiment 1 to ensure that the children not only knew how to make the emergency phone calls but also knew when to make them, i.e., in what situations. In a multiple baseline design across children, the discrimination training procedure was shown to improve performance in identifying when to apply the emergency dialing skills.
Threshold-based policy for LSP and lightpath setup in GMPLS networks

In this paper, a new policy is introduced to determine and adapt the generalized multiprotocol label switching (GMPLS) network topology based on the current traffic load. The objective of the new policy is to minimize the costs involving bandwidth, switching and signaling. The new policy is based on a threshold criterion. The policy is split into two levels, the first deals with the MPLS network and the second with the lightpath level. The two thresholds depends on the cost coefficients and the number of the intermediate hops. Our policy also performs a filtering control to avoid oscillations which occur due to highly variable traffic. The proposed policy has been evaluated by simulation and numerical results, which show its effectiveness and the achieved performance improvement.