cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recording, plate-measuring system for the ultracentrifuge

Abstract We describe a system appropriate for measuring photographs from ultracentrifuge, free diffusion, or electrophoresis experiments recorded with schlieren or interference optics. The main parts are commercially available. Cartesian coordinates of significant features of the photographs are converted to digital form by means of decimal digital encoders attached to the two lead screws of a two-coordinate measuring microscope. The lead screw positions are continuously displayed on lampbank indicators. On command, the readings are automatically typed, punched into paper tape, or both. Identifying information and supplementary data for computation can be inserted as needed in the typed record or also in the tape. When coordinate readings are wanted at predetermined equal intervals, the abscissa (x) lead screw is advanced automatically to the successive positions at which measurements of the ordinate (y) are wanted. At present, for schlieren records, adjustment of the y lead screw and initial adjustment of the x lead screw are made manually with visual inspection of the projected image. This system increases the rate at which plates can be measured, completely avoids human error in writing down and transcribing measurements, and records measurements in forms convenient for evaluation either by electronic digital computation or by more usual methods.
Application of the factor-analysis receptor model to simulated urban- and regional-scale data sets

Abstract Factor analysis has been used extensively to model the sources of ambient aerosol. In this study, simple urban- and regional-scale simulations showed that factor analysis may not always produce reliable results. The accuracy of apportionments of total mass depended on the rotation scheme used to transform the factors. Varimax-rotated solutions were generally independent of the degree of random error in the data, but were sensitive to collinearities in profiles, correlations of source strengths, and magnitudes of source strengths. Target-transformation factor analysis was more successful than varimax rotation when targets were similar to true profiles. In simple regional simulations, midwestern and northeastern sources were resolved qualitatively by varimax-rotation and quantitatively by target-transformation factor analysis. Signatures determined from principal-component analysis of ambient data in the northeastern U.S. and the Arctic resembled those determined independently.
Latest Progress in High Power VECSELs

Vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers (VECSELs) have captured the interest of high-brightness semiconductor researchers, primarily due to their simplicity in design, power scalability, and "open cavity architecture," wherein it is simple to integrate nonlinear elements into the cavity. Through direct emission and indirect (frequency-converted) means, wavelengths from the UV through to the mid-wave infrared regimes have been demonstrated, increasing the suitability of the VECSEL platform for multiple applications. This presentation outlines recent progress in VECSELs, measurements, novel cavities, and potential applications for these lasers.
Reducing the influence of irrelevant information on experienced decision makers

Abstract In this study two training procedures designed to reduce the adverse influence of irrelevant information were tested for their efficacy. One training procedure involved a lecture (paralleling typical classroom experience), while the other involved interaction and practice (paralleling typical laboratory experience). In a pretest, irrelevant information was shown to influence the judgments of 12 experienced student soil judges. The judges were then given lecture training; this was found to be of minimal help in reducing the influence of irrelevance. Next, the judges received the interactive training and that had a significant impact. In addition to reducing the influence of irrelevance, the interactive training also improved the accuracy of the judgments. In a followup study, five of the soil judges were reevaluated over a year later; the training appeared to have continued impact. Implications and extensions of the training procedures to other areas are discussed.
Digital Processing of Remotely Sensed Imagery

Digital images can be acquired from various devices. Image scanners on personal computers can generate digital images of hard copy material. New digital cameras operate without film, recording a digital image of the scene in local solid state memory. Remote sensing instruments routinely return digital imagery to receiving stations for processing and display. Digital processing of remotely sensed imagery is a technology that is now over thirty years old. Earth orbitting and deep space exploration spacecraft have been returning digital imagery for many years. Earth-based systems, including biomedical imaging devices and other commercially available types of equipment, have also been producing digital imagery for many years. Each of these devices produce a digital version of an image as a two dimensional array of numbers. The values in the matrix represent the brightness of the scene at each individual sampled position in the image.
CLINICO-PATHOLOGIC CONFERENCE: 18-MONTH-OLD BOY WITH FEVER AND SEVERE RESPIRATORY INFECTION

An 18-month-old boy with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to an IL2-y-receptor defect had a successful engraftment following a related mismatched allogeneic bone transplant. He subsequently developed post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, with severe respiratory infection which resulted in death. The case presentation is followed by a discussion with differential diagnosis of the clinical findings, and then by a discussion of the pathology found and the implications of this diagnosis.
Improving Decision Making at the End of Life With Video Images

Background. Decision making at the end of life is frequently complex and often filled with uncertainty. We hypothesized that people with limited health literacy would have more uncertainty about en...
Effects of Shear Detachment on Biomass Growth and In Situ Bioremediation

The dispersed growth model incorporating Monod kinetics has often been applied to simulate enhanced in situ bioremediation of contaminants. The dispersed growth model might not adequately address the impacts of the growth of large bacterial populations that can often have the unwanted effect of clogging the porous media. Two mechanisms that could affect model predictions of biomass are biofouling and biomass detachment due to shear stress. A mathematical model was developed to evaluate the potential impact of shear detachment on biomass distribution and the prediction of contaminant biodegradation by comparing the impact of both shear detachment and biofouling together with that of biofouling alone. The results of this examination can aid in designing a system for in situ bioremediation using computer simulations and in evaluating a system's ability to meet remediation goals. The model simulations indicate that shear detachment of biomass can be an important process to include in model simulations used to predict the effectiveness of a bioremediation system and the time before significant clogging occurs.
The 3D structure of villin as an unusual F-Actin crosslinker.

Summary Villin is an F-actin nucleating, crosslinking, severing, and capping protein within the gelsolin superfamily. We have used electron tomography of 2D arrays of villin-crosslinked F-actin to generate 3D images revealing villin's crosslinking structure. In these polar arrays, neighboring filaments are spaced 125.9 ± 7.1 A apart, offset axially by 17 A, with one villin crosslink per actin crossover. More than 6500 subvolumes containing a single villin crosslink and the neighboring actin filaments were aligned and classified to produce 3D subvolume averages. Placement of a complete villin homology model into the average density reveals that full-length villin binds to different sites on F-actin from those used by other actin-binding proteins and villin's close homolog gelsolin.
Wishful Thinking Will Not Stop Genocide: Suggestions for a More Realistic Strategy

Good intentions may be necessary, but they are not suffic ient, to prevent genocide. Unfortunately, this renders the recent report of the Genocide Prevention Task Force, Preventing Genocide: A Blueprint for U.S. Policymakers (the Albright-Cohen Report), a recipe for failure.1 The c o-chairs, former US secretaries of state and defense Madeleine Albright and William Cohen, obviously have good intentions, and they do offe r several constructive reforms. Overall, however, the report ignores the most profound lessons of past failures, declines to make the hard choices on policy dilemmas, and neglects to call for the costly military reforms that could enable intervention to prevent future genocides. A more realistic assessment of these challenges gives rise to a very diffe rent set of recommendations than that found in the report.
Communication Network Analysis and Dysfunctional Organizational Coalition

Reviews theory on coalition formation and what it might mean to a manager in an organization. Defines coalition, for the purpose of the discussion, as a means‐oriented alliance among groups or individuals who differ in goals. Proposes that a theoretic understanding of coalitions, coupled with communications network analysis, would be a useful tool for discerning particular types of organizational coalitions and a guide to who might coalesce with whom for a detrimental result.
Boosted ranking models: a unifying framework for ranking predictions

Ranking is an important functionality in a diverse array of applications, including web search, similarity-based multimedia retrieval, nearest neighbor classification, and recommendation systems. In this paper, we propose a new method, called Boosted Ranking Model (BRM), for learning how to rank from training data. An important feature of the proposed method is that it is domain-independent and can thus be applied to a wide range of ranking domains. The main contribution of the new method is that it reduces the problem of learning how to rank to the much more simple, and well-studied problem of constructing an optimized binary classifier from simple, weak classifiers. Using that reduction, our method constructs an optimized ranking model using multiple simple, easy-to-define ranking models as building blocks. The new method is a unifying framework that includes, as special cases, specific methods that we have proposed in earlier publications for specific ranking applications, such as nearest neighbor retrieval and classification. In this paper, we reformulate those earlier methods as special cases of the proposed BRM method, and we also illustrate a novel application of BRM, on the problem of making movie recommendations to individual users.
cis-Retinol/androgen dehydrogenase, isozyme 3 (CRAD3): a short-chain dehydrogenase active in a reconstituted path of 9-cis-retinoic acid biosynthesis in intact cells.

9-cis-Retinoic acid activates retinoid X receptors, which serve as heterodimeric partners with other nuclear hormone receptors, yet the enzymology of its physiological generation remains unclear. Here, we report the identification and molecular/enzymatic characterization of a previously unknown member of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family, CRAD3 (cis-retinoid/androgen dehydrogenase, type 3), which catalyzes the first step in 9-cis-retinoic acid biosynthesis, the conversion of 9-cis-retinol into 9-cis-retinal. CRAD3 shares amino acid similarity with other retinoid/steroid short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases: CRAD1, CRAD2, and RDH4. Relative to CRADI, CRAD3 has greater 9-cis-retinol/ all-trans-retinol discrimination and lower efficiency as an androgen dehydrogenase. CRAD3 has apparent efficiency (V/K m ) for 9-cis-retinol about equivalent to that for CRAD1 and 3 orders of magnitude greater than that for RDH4. (CRAD2 does not recognize 9-cis-retinol as a substrate). CRAD3 contributes to 9-cis-retinoic acid production in intact cells, in conjunction with each of three retinal dehydrogenases that recognize 9-cis-retinal (RALDH1/AHD2, RALDH2, and ALDH12). Liver and kidney, two tissues reportedly with the highest concentrations of 9-cis-retinoids, show the most intense mRNA expression of CRAD3, but expression also occurs in testis, lung, small intestine, heart, and brain. These data are consistent with the participation of CRAD3 in the biogeneration of 9-cis-retinoic acid.
Impact of lower delivered Kt/V on the survival of overweight patients on hemodialysis

Impact of lower delivered Kt/V on the survival of overweight patients on hemodialysis. Background A recent study suggests that overweight (OW) patients on hemodialysis are more likely to receive inadequate doses of dialysis. Because underdialysis is associated with higher mortality, OW patients might be at risk for higher mortality. This is in contrast with our recent observation in which survival was better in OW patients on hemodialysis. The objective of this study was to verify whether being OW was associated with underdialysis and to determine the influence of underdialysis on the survival of OW patients. Method Kt/V measurements were obtained in 1151 patients on hemodialysis for two consecutive months, and their survival was prospectively followed for nine months. Body weights were defined by body mass index (BMI): OW if BMI was> 27.5, underweight (UW) if BMI was Results The Kt/V was inversely related to BMI ( r = -0.30, P Conclusion Our results verify that in the current practice of dialysis prescription, OW patients are less likely to receive adequate dialysis, and, to our knowledge for the first time, suggest that such underdialysis in OW patients might exert a negative influence on their survival. Prospective studies are required to test whether ensuring adequate delivery of dialysis in the OW patients might further improve their survival.
Finding the maximal membership in a fuzzy set of an element from another fuzzy set

The problem of finding the maximal membership grade in a fuzzy set of an element from another fuzzy set is an important class of optimisation problems manifested in the real world by situations in which we try to find what is the optimal financial satisfaction we can get from a socially responsible investment. Here, we provide a solution to this problem. We then look at the proposed solution for fuzzy sets with various types of membership grades, ordinal, interval value and intuitionistic.
Neural Control Systems Underlying Insect Feeding Behavior

The blowfly, Phormia regina , provides a model System for the study of neural control systems underlying the regulation of insect feeding behavior This animal regulates its daily food intake. The external chemoreceptors which drive feeding are well characterized and two sets of internal receptor which supply negative feedback to feeding behavior have recently been described. Both sets of internal receptors are stretch receptors activated by gut movements, hence there is no direct monitor for calorie value in the system. The properties of interneurons which integrate internal and external sensory input and command proboscis extension motoneurons must be inferred from behavioral data, however the wealth of behavioral data available suggests scveral interesting classes of interneuronal circuits, including some with a limited amount of plasticity. The neural machinery controlling feeding can be viewed as one component of the mechanism for metabolic homeostisis.
Energy transfer in random systems

Abstract Phonon assisted energy transport in disordered systems is calculated for all one- and two-phonon processes, including exchange and multipolar site couplings and radiative transfer. The time development of the emission profile after pulse excitation is calculated. Exact solutions in one dimension for arbitrary site coupling probability densities are reported.
Generational Experience and the Development of Freak Culture1

This paper explores the emergence of freak culture within the present generation of middle class youth at this point in time, and some of the implications of the freak value system and life style for societal change. An empirical description of freak culture is presented, based on ethnographic and survey data. The content of freak culture is related to distinctive generation-based experiences of middle class youth born after World War II, the first middle class generation which consumed on the open market long before it earned or produced. Those who as students established their own residences discovered that they could be “real persons” independently of their families, while not having an occupational identity—a critical and novel discovery for middle class males. Isolated from previous generations and ghettoized, some middle class members of this generation undertook a self-transformation, and in the process formulated and lived out new conceptions of society (especially with respect to work, consumption, and achievement) which were consistent with their own distinctive experiences.
Atomistic Modeling of Helium Interacting with Screw Dislocations in α-Fe

Abstract Formation energies, binding energies, and migration energies of interstitial He atoms in and near the core of an a /2〈1 1 1〉 screw dislocation in α-Fe are determined in atomistic simulations using molecular statics employing conjugate gradient relaxation and the dimer method for determining saddle point energies. The set of interatomic potentials employed is the same as used in many recent static and dynamic He–Fe simulations. Interstitial He atoms have a maximum positive binding energy of about 1 eV to the screw dislocation core relative to interstitial He atoms in the perfect crystal, which is about half that of binding energies of He to the edge dislocation. However, interstitial He atoms diffuse along the screw dislocation core with a migration energy of 0.4–0.5 eV, which is the same range as migration energies of interstitial He atoms along the edge dislocation.
Malpractice Misconceptions and Other Lessons about the Litigation System

AbstractThis article sketches a picture of the behavior of the medical malpractice litigation system as it has been brought into view by recent, and some classical, empirical research. This review will, in part, report on knowledge concerning the malpractice litigation system, sharpen our appreciation of what remains to be learned, and serve as a model for other areas of civil litigation, which generally are not yet as well researched as malpractice. This growing body of empirical knowledge has cast increasing doubt on familiar assumptions and their policy implications.
Solution methods for transient and dynamic stability

The transient stability study is used to examine the dynamic behavior of a power system following a disturbance. Transient stability programs have grown in the size of the power system under study, in the duration of the study, and in the magnitude of the disturbance. Each prime mover is represented by as few as two or as many as forty ordinary differential equations. These equations are coupled to a set of algebraic equations (two per node) which describe the network. Available programs frequently use explicit fixed step integration methods and the sequential solution of the differential and algebraic equations. Recent advances in solution methods have been directed toward implicit integration techniques and the simultaneous solution of the whole set of differential-algebraic equations. The transient stability problem, the unit models currently in use, and recent advances in solution methods are briefly reviewed. A dynamic stability program is described which incorporates comprehensive dynamic models of prime movers; the results of several experiments using this program are presented.
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF DENSITY OF POLYMER GELS 1. A PYCNOMETRY METHOD APPLIED TO POLY(N-ISOPROPYLACRYLAMIDE)-WATER SYSTEM

Polymer gels that are in equilibrium with excess solvent(s) are three-component systems consisting of cross-linked polymer networks, solvent(s) in gels, and solvent(s). We have developed a method for the determination of densities of the polymer and solvent components in gels by using a specifically designed pycnometer. The method was applied to the cross-linked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and water system from 3.0 to 50.0 °C. From the densities of the polymer and solvent components, we have evaluated the total volume of gel per unit mass of the cross-linked polymer (solid) [v(gel)/mp], the ratio of mass of polymer (or solvent) versus mass of gel [mp/m(gel) or ms/m(gel)], and the number of solvent molecules per polymeric residue at various temperatures. The determination revealed how contraction of the total volume of gels is related to temperature dependences of these quantities as follows: (1) The total volume at 3.0 °C [v(gel)/mp = 32.61 cm3/(1.0 g of mp)] continuously decreased to a value 10.59 cm3 a...
Toward a Theory of “Islamist Movements”

I differentiate conceptually between Islamist and other religious movements directed towards religious and political institutions and, for each of these, between movements that endeavor to transform (1) role relationships, (2) collectivity structures, (3) normative expectations, and (4) value orientations in these institutions. I construct a value-added theory that specifies the necessary and sufficient conditions generating each of these types of movements. Movements are directed at one of these components of social action dependent on the nature of strain present for actors within the system. Their direction is guided by the nature of the opportunity structure present in the social order under examination. Religious disorders, religious movements that violate institutionalized norms and attempt to reconstruct one or more aspects of an institutionalized religious structure, emerge when religious value-commitments and obligations are deflated and actors adopt a calculating orientation towards them. A parallel set of religious movements that do not violate institutionalized norms will emerge when all of the variables are present except a deflation of value-commitments.
Independent expression of the two mouse adult beta-globin genes.

Dot blot hybridization was used to determine the relative amounts of the β-major and β-minor globin RNAs present in reticulocytes of mice at 14.5 and 17.5 days of gestation, newborns, and adults of the Hba b /Hba b ;Hbb s2 /Hbb s2 globin genotype. RNAs isolated from embryonic yolk sac, fetal liver, and adult reticulocytes were hybridized with the following labeled DNA probes: α-1, β-minor specific, and β-major specific. The level of β-sminor RNA in reticulocytes at 14.5 and 17.5 days of gestation is nearly the same as in induced reticulocytes of adult mice. In contrast, the level of β-s2major RNA in reticulocytes at 14.5 days of gestation is 0.23× and at 17.5 days of gestation is 0.66× the amount found in reticulocytes of adult mice. These results correlate well with earlier observations that the β-sminor globin gene approaches its normal adult level of expression by 14.5 days of gestation, whereas the β-s2major globin gene expression increases between 14.5 days of gestation and 6 days postnatally. They indicate that the differential expression of β-sminor and β-s2major globins during development is regulated at the level of transcription. Expression of the β-minor globin gene in reticulocytes of adult normal mice is not maximal, however, because the levels of the β-minor globin and its RNA are increased further in reticulocytes of thalassemic mice.
Dynamic Perception of Computer Generated Visual Information in an Altitude Control Task

Investigations were conducted to determine what size (visual angle) of objects and where in the forward visual field objects should be placed to provide maximum effectiveness in a simple altitude control task. Two experiments placed between 7 and 9 degrees below the horizon enabled significantly better altitude control and induced the least tendency to drift in altitude. The two experiments investigated targets ranging from 2 to 20 degrees in horizontal visual angle. This variable did not prove to significantly affect altitude control or altitude drift. Subject variance was significant in both experiments.
Heavy quark contributions to deep inelastic scattering

Abstract We show that in an asymptotically free gauge theory, the contribution of heavy quarks to deep inelastic structure functions can be computed in terms of the contributions of light quarks. In the standard model with four quark multiplets and an SU(3) gauge group, we estimate that for 10 GeV 2 Q 2 2 the charmed quark contribution to structure functions will be several percent for x x
Collection, integration and analysis of cancer genomic profiles: from data to insight

The recent deluge of cancer genomics data provides a tremendous opportunity for the discovery of detailed mechanisms of tumorigenesis and the development of therapeutics. However, identifying the functionally relevant genomic alterations (‘drivers’) among the many non-oncogenic events (‘passengers’) presents a major challenge. Several new methods have been developed over the past few years that identify recurrently altered genes. Mapping the recurrent genomic alterations, such as somatic mutations and focal DNA copy-number alterations, onto individual tumor samples as tumor-specific event calls facilitates the identification of altered processes and pathways. The resulting reduction in complexity makes cancer genomics data more easily interpretable by cancer researchers and is now driving the development of powerful yet intuitive web-based analysis tools.
Cloning of yeast xylulokinase gene by complementation of E. coli and yeast mutations

The gene encoding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) xylulokinase has been isolated by complementation of E. coli xylulokinase mutations. Through subcloning, the gene has been localized on two HindIII fragments (1.2 and 2.4 kb). Within these HindIII fragments, there lies a 2.2-kb Xho fragment which contains the structural gene of yeast xylulokinase. Upon insertion of a selectable gene into the XhoI fragment, the resulting recombinant fragment has been used to construct a yeast xylulokinase mutant by the gene disruption technique. The cloned xylulokinase gene was found to be able to complement such a xylulokinase mutant.
Regulation of cell proliferation by interleukin-3-induced nuclear translocation of pyruvate kinase

Extracellular signaling molecules bound to cell surface receptors can regulate nuclear function with consequences for cell proliferation, differentiation, and function. To regulate nuclear function, signals must be transduced across the nuclear envelope to propagate the signal from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Therefore, many signaling responses induce the nuclear translocation of transcription factors, kinases, and others. By using inducible translocation trap, a reporter gene-based system to detect inducible nuclear translocation, we found that the M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase, a key enzyme in glycolysis, translocates into the nucleus by interleukin-3, but not by epidermal growth factor, stimulation. The C domain of the M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase was sufficient for interleukin-3-induced nuclear translocation. Interleukin-3-induced nuclear translocation of the M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase was dependent on the activation of Jak2. Overexpression of the M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase protein fused with a nuclear localization signal enhanced cell proliferation in the absence of interleukin-3, suggesting that the nuclear pyruvate kinase plays an important role in cell proliferation.
Learning to Predict Salient Regions from Disjoint and Skewed Training Sets

We present an ensemble learning approach that achieves accurate predictions from arbitrarily partitioned data. The partitions come from the distributed processing requirements of a large scale simulation where the volume of the data is such that classifiers can train only on data local to a given partition. As a result of the partition reflecting the need for efficient simulation analysis, rather than the needs of data mining, the class statistics vary across partitions; indeed some classes will likely be absent from some partitions. We combine a fast ensemble learning algorithm with majority voting to generate an accurate working model of the simulation. Results from several simulations show that regions of interest are successfully identified in spite of training set class imbalances. Accuracy is analyzed both at the level of nodes in the simulation data structure, and in terms of higher-level regions of interest. It is shown that over 98% of salient regions are found in independent test sets. Hence, this approach will be a significant time saver for simulation users and developers.
Adverse consequences of internal iliac artery occlusion during endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abstract Objective: Embolization of the internal iliac artery (IIA) may be performed during endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair if aneurysmal disease of the common iliac artery precludes graft placement proximal to the IIA orifice. The IIA may also be unintentionally occluded because of iliac trauma or coverage by the endograft. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, etiology, and consequences of IIA occlusion during endoluminal AAA repair. Methods: Over 2 years, 96 patients have undergone endoluminal AAA repair. The details of the operative procedure, reasons for IIA occlusion, perioperative complications, and clinical follow-up were recorded. Results: The IIA was intentionally occluded in 15 patients (16%) to treat 13 common iliac artery aneurysms, one IIA aneurysm, and one external iliac artery aneurysm. The IIA was unintentionally occluded in 9 patients (9%), resulting from traumatic iliac dissection in 5 patients and coverage of the IIA by the endograft in the remaining 4 patients. Three patients had colon ischemia. One patient with a unilateral IIA occlusion had sigmoid infarction necessitating resection. The other two patients underwent intentional occlusion of one IIA followed by unintentional occlusion of the contralateral IIA because of a traumatic iliac dissection. Both had postoperative abdominal pain and distention; rectosigmoid ischemia was revealed through colonoscopy. Conservative treatment with bowel rest and broad-spectrum antibiotics was successful in both cases. Nondisabling hip and buttock claudication occurred in seven patients (32%) at 1 month but resolved by 6 months in three of these patients. Conclusion: Embolization of the IIA for iliac aneurysmal disease and unintentional IIA occlusion due to trauma or graft coverage occurs in a considerable number of patients undergoing endoluminal AAA repair. Most patients with unilateral occlusion do not experience colon ischemia or disabling claudication. Therefore, unilateral embolization of the IIA is well tolerated and allows for the endoluminal treatment of patients with both an AAA and an iliac artery aneurysm, thereby expanding the number of patients who can be managed with an endovascular approach. Although acute, bilateral IIA occlusions should be avoided, significant consequences were not observed in our small series of patients. (J Vasc Surg 2000;32:676-83.)
Integration of magnetic resonance imaging into radiation therapy treatment planning: i. technical considerations☆

Abstract This paper presents the results of a feasibility study specifically addressing the technical and operational difficulties in making quantitative use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in radiation therapy treatment planning (RTTP). Selected radiotherapy patients have been studied with both CT and MRI as part of the treatment planning process. Both sets of images, along with mechanically-obtained external contour and simulator film data, are entered into the treatment planning system. All of the capabilities of the fully three dimensional planning system U-MPlan are available to both the CT and MRI images, in which any image can be used as the backdrop for interactive beam positioning, beam portal simulation, and dose distribution displays for external beam and brachy-therapy applications in both 2- and 3-dimensionally-oriented displays. The study has shown that to use MRI data for RTTP, one must (a) use careful patient positioning and marking, (b) transfer information from CT to MRI and vice versa, (c) determine the geometrical consistency between the CT and MR data sets, (d) investigate the unwarping of distorted MR images, and (e) have the ability to use non-axial images for determination of beam treatment technique, dose calculations, and plan evaluation.
The impact of feral cats and dogs on populations of the West Indian rock iguana, Cyclura carinata

Abstract A population of rock iguanas, Cyclura carinata, inhabiting Pine Cay in the Caicos Islands was nearly extirpated during the three years following construction of a hotel and tourist facility. The decline, from an estimated adult lizard population of nearly 5500, was due primarily to predation by domestic dogs and cats introduced to the island simultaneously with hotel construction. Population declines on other nearby islands were also attributed to predation by these feral mammals.
Radar Absorbing Applications of Metamaterials

Radar absorbing materials (RAM) is used to camouflage or shield highly reflective surfaces such metallic surfaces from incident electromagnetic (EM) waves. In this paper, we explore the applications of metamaterials as conformal RAM coatings for controlling the reflection of EM waves from metal surfaces. Metamaterials are engineered materials with specially designed metallic resonant structures that are much smaller than the wavelength of incident microwaves (MW) and effectively such materials may negative permittivity and/or permeability. For the first time, we also explore the experimental use of metamaterials as conformal Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSS). Using a specially designed free space focused microwave beam automated scanning system, the reflection reduction properties of metamaterials are demonstrated for oblique angles of incidence and for orthogonal polarizations.
COMBINATION TREATMENT WITH INTERFERON AND RIBAVIRIN FOR CHRONIC HEPATITIS C

Sustained biochemical responses (normalization of the serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] level) and virological responses (loss of detectable serum hepatitis C virus [HCV] RNA) are uncommon in patients with chronic hepatitis C who are treated with interferon (IFN) alone. Sustained virologic response rates range from 6% to 15% after a 6-month course of IFN to 13% to 25% after 12 months of therapy. 20,57,58,68,72 These relatively poor long-term response rates with IFN alone have motivated studies of different treatment regimens, including combination of IFN with other agents. This article reviews combination therapy with IFN and ribavirin.
A new technique for studying surface reactions: the reaction of hydrogen with high pressure oxygen on palladium

Abstract We present a new technique for studying the interaction of hydrogen with high pressure co-reactants on surfaces. The sample consists of a thin Nb layer covered with a layer containing the reactive surface (i.e. Pd). The Nb layer is charged with hydrogen, and both the film resistance and the hydrogen concentration (volumetric uptake measurements) are recorded. After loading the sample with hydrogen the sample is exposed to a high pressure of the reactant (
Neogene sea-level change and emergence, St. Croix, Virgin Islands: Evidence from basinal carbonate accumulations

Basinal carbonate accumulations on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, are composed of emergent open-basin biogenic deep-water facies of Tertiary age intercalated with coeval reefal and older terrigenous turbidite-slump deposits. Detailed biostratigraphic investigation using planktonic Foraminifera provided data for interpretation of the paleoecology, sedimentary relationships, and geologic history of the area. The massive and extensively leached hemipelagic deposits suggest that nutrient-rich conditions, characteristic of a sea-level high stand, prevailed for a substantial period of time. A dramatic increase in abundance of aberrant specimens and decrease in test size of the planktonic assemblage occurred approximately 5.7 to 5.4 m.y. B.P. and reflect the onset of an adverse environment; rapid eustatic fall of sea level began within 1.2 m.y. of the end of Miocene time. Micropaleontologic and sedimentologic evidence, as well as absence of sediments younger than early Pliocene, implies that emergence of the island probably occurred about 5 m.y. ago. These limestones form a hydrocarbon reservoir-rock model for study of subsurface oil- and gas-producing horizons of comparable age and origin elsewhere in the southern Caribbean.
Optimization of semiconductor lasers for UHF modulation

We present an overview of the design considerations for ultra high frequency (UHF) direct small signal modulation of semiconductor lasers. The influences of the optical guide design and cavity design are examined.
Risk of Acquiring Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella Species and Escherichia coli from Prior Room Occupants in the Intensive Care Unit

Infections due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–producing gram-negative bacteria are associated with considerable morbidity, mortality, and costs among hospitalized patients.1,2 Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are at increased risk of colonization and infection with ESBL-producing bacteria due to frequent contact with healthcare workers and increased exposure to broad spectrum antibiotic therapy.3,4 Previous studies have observed an association between persistent environmental contamination and acquisition of several antibiotic-resistant bacterial species, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), Clostridium difficile, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumanii.5–8 However, this relationship has not been observed for ESBL-producing bacteria.6,9,10 In addition, earlier studies that have examined the role of the environment in the acquisition of ESBL-producing bacteria have been conducted in outbreak settings and have not demonstrated an epidemiological link between environmental and clinical strains.9,10 Furthermore, a recent study that did assess acquisition of ESBL-producing bacteria from ESBL-positive previous occupants in a nonoutbreak setting was limited by a small sample size and did not include molecular typing for bacterial strain comparison.6 To address these limitations, we aimed to quantify the role of the environment in the transmission of ESBL-producing bacteria in a large sample of ICU patients in a nonoutbreak setting. In addition, we used molecular typing to compare bacterial strains to improve on earlier studies.
Multiple perceptual strategies used by macaque monkeys for face recognition

Successful integration of individuals in macaque societies suggests that monkeys use fast and efficient perceptual mechanisms to discriminate between conspecifics. Humans and great apes use primarily holistic and configural, but also feature-based, processing for face recognition. The relative contribution of these processes to face recognition in monkeys is not known. We measured face recognition in three monkeys performing a visual paired comparison task. Monkey and humans faces were (1) axially rotated, (2) inverted, (3) high-pass filtered, and (4) low-pass filtered to isolate different face processing strategies. The amount of time spent looking at the eyes, mouth, and other facial features was compared across monkey and human faces for each type of stimulus manipulation. For all monkeys, face recognition, expressed as novelty preference, was intact for monkey faces that were axially rotated or spatially filtered and was supported in general by preferential looking at the eyes, but was impaired for inverted faces in two of the three monkeys. Axially rotated, upright human faces with a full range of spatial frequencies were also recognized, however, the distribution of time spent exploring each facial feature was significantly different compared to monkey faces. No novelty preference, and hence no inferred recognition, was observed for inverted or low-pass filtered human faces. High-pass filtered human faces were recognized, however, the looking pattern on facial features deviated from the pattern observed for monkey faces. Taken together these results indicate large differences in recognition success and in perceptual strategies used by monkeys to recognize humans versus conspecifics. Monkeys use both second-order configural and feature-based processing to recognize the faces of conspecifics, but they use primarily feature-based strategies to recognize human faces.
Economically defensible access pricing, competition and preservation of socially desirable cross subsidy

Abstract The article describes and evaluates four principles that have been used or proposed to guide regulation of access to essential bottleneck facilities by competitors of the owner of those facilities: fully distributed cost, incremental cost, Ramsey pricing and parity pricing. It is shown that parity prices are the only prices that give no added competitive advantage to the owner of the bottleneck facilities or his rivals. Parity pricing is also shown to permit simultaneous achievement of two objectives previously thought incompatible: unrestricted competitive entry and preservation of cross subsidies that regulators consider socially desirable.
Large-scale plasmonic microarray: A new approach for label-free high-throughput biosensing and screening

We present a large-scale label-free microarray with over one million plasmonic nanohole array sensors on a microscope slide. A dual-color filter imaging method is invented to dramatically increase the sensor performance in a highly-multiplexed manner.
Algorithm 695: software for a new modified Cholesky factorization

This paper describes the software for a new modified Cholesky factorization recently proposed by the authors. Given a symmetric but not necessarily positive definite matrix A, the modified Cholesky factorization computes a Cholesky factorization of A + E, where E = O if A is safely positive definite, and E is a diagonal matrix chosen to make A + E positive definite otherwise. The modified Cholesky factorization was introduced by Gill and Murray and refined by Gall, Murray and Wright, and is commonly used in optimization algorithms. Our version, which 1s based upon new techniques, has a considerably smaller a priori upper bound on the size of E than the Gill, Murray and Wright factorization, and generally appears to produce a smaller E, and a well-conditioned A + E, in practice Its cost, like the Gill, Murray and Wright version, is only a small multiple of nz operations greater than the standard Cholesky factorization. Thus it may be useful in optimization algorithms We summarize our algorithm and describe the code and its use.
The Plio-Pleistocene hyaena Chasmaporthetes ossifragus from Florida

ABSTRACT Maxillary fragments, rami, and postcrania referred to the hyaenid Chasmaporthetes ossifragus are recorded from two Florida faunas, Santa Fe River (probably late Blancan) and Inglis IA (early Irvingtonian). C. ossifragus with its reduced premolars, deep mandible, and long blade-like carnassials probably filled the ecologic role of an active predator occupied today by the spotted hyaena, Crocuta. The fore and hind quarters of the hunting hyaena were heavily muscled and its elongate limbs and feet suggest that it was well adapted for cursorial life. Review of the phylogenetic history of the group suggests that Asian C. kani, European C. lunensis, and North American C. ossifragus and C. johnstoni are all closely related. C. ossifragus is recognized as the most derived taxon. The fossil record suggests immigration of this genus from Eurasia to North America prior to 3.5 mya. Chasmaporthetes became extinct in Eurasia during the late Villafranchian and survived in North America into the early Irvingtonian.
Interaction of Tetracycline with Aluminum and Iron Hydrous Oxides

The effect of solution chemistry (pH, sorbate-to-sorbent ratio, ionic strength (I)) and reaction time on the sorption of tetracycline to the hydrous oxides of Al (HAO) and Fe (HFO) was examined. Sorption to HAO increased with increasing pH up to pH 7 (no such trend for HFO) above which it decreased at higher pH values for both the hydrous oxides. Experimental results indicate that ligand-promoted dissolution is occurring during tetracycline sorption to these hydrous oxides. Ligand-promoted dissolution was more significant for HAO than HFO attributable to the difference in labile surface sites between these two sorbents. The ability of tetracycline to form strong complexes with Al and Fe will increase the solubility of these minerals. Sorption of tetracycline was quite rapid and equilibrium was achieved after 8 h. However, soluble metal (Me: Al or Fe) concentrations attained equilibrium only after 24 h. Ligand-promoted dissolution appears to be a two-step process; initially, 1:1 Me-tetracycline soluble co...
Effects of maternal smokeless tobacco use on selected pregnancy outcomes in Alaska Native women: a case–control study

Objective To examine the potential effects of prenatal smokeless tobacco use on selected birth outcomes. Design A population-based, case–control study using a retrospective medical record review. Population Singleton deliveries 1997–2005 to Alaska Native women residing in western Alaska. Methods Hospital discharge codes were used to identify potential case deliveries and a random control sample. Data on tobacco use and confirmation of pregnancy outcomes were abstracted from medical records for 1123 deliveries. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between tobacco use and pregnancy outcomes. Adjusted odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), and p-values were calculated. Main outcomes measures Preterm delivery, pregnancy-associated hypertension, and placental abruption. Results In unadjusted analysis, smokeless tobacco use was not significantly associated with preterm delivery (OR 1.44, 95% CI 0.97–2.15). After adjustment for parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and maternal age, the point estimate was attenuated and remained non-significant. No significant associations were observed between smokeless tobacco use and pregnancy-associated hypertension (adjusted OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.56–1.51) or placental abruption (adjusted OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.53–2.33). Conclusions Prenatal smokeless tobacco use does not appear to reduce risk of pregnancy-associated hypertension or to substantially increase risk of abruption. An association between smokeless tobacco and preterm delivery could not be ruled out. Components in tobacco other than nicotine likely play a major role in decreased pre-eclampsia risk in smokers. Nicotine adversely affects fetal neurodevelopment and our results should not be construed to mean that smokeless tobacco use is safe during pregnancy.