cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-E-J-126: Respiratory Gating Quality Assurance: A Simple Method to Achieve Millisecond Temporal Resolution

Purpose: Low temporal latency between a gating on/off signal and a linac beam on/off during respiratory gating is critical for patient safety. Although, a measurement of temporal lag is recommended by AAPM Task Group 142 for commissioning and annual quality assurance, there currently exists no published method. Here we describe a simple, inexpensive, and reliable method to precisely measure gating lag at millisecond resolutions. Methods: A Varian Real-time Position Management™ (RPM) gating simulator with rotating disk was modified with a resistive flex sensor (Spectra Symbol) attached to the gating box platform. A photon diode was placed at machine isocenter. Output signals of the flex sensor and diode were monitored with a multichannel oscilloscope (Tektronix™ DPO3014). Qualitative inspection of the gating window/beam on synchronicity were made by setting the linac to beam on/off at end-expiration, and the oscilloscope's temporal window to 100 ms to visually examine if the on/off timing was within the recommended 100-ms tolerance. Quantitative measurements were made by saving the signal traces and analyzing in MatLab™. The on and off of the beam signal were located and compared to the expected gating window (e.g. 40% to 60%). Four gating cycles were measured and compared. Results: On a Varianmore » TrueBeam™ STx linac with RPM gating software, the average difference in synchronicity at beam on and off for four cycles was 14 ms (3 to 30 ms) and 11 ms (2 to 32 ms), respectively. For a Varian Clinac™ 21EX the average difference at beam on and off was 127 ms (122 to 133 ms) and 46 ms (42 to 49 ms), respectively. The uncertainty in the synchrony difference was estimated at ±6 ms. Conclusion: This new gating QA method is easy to implement and allows for fast qualitative inspection and quantitative measurements for commissioning and TG-142 annual QA measurements.« less
The pineal organ of the newt; a developmental study

The normal development and cytology of the pineal organ in the newt, Taricha torosa has been described in detail. Particular emphasis has been placed on the origin of the initial pineal bud in the embryonic diencephalic roof, and the manner in which new pineal cells are proliferated in a zone surrounding the orifice of the developing pineal vesicle. These new cells apparently migrate into the walls of the enlarging vesicle and a certain number undergo progressive differentiation to become photoreceptor-like pineal sensory cells; the highest degree of this differentiation being obtained by cells whose processes protrude into the anterior, posterior, and lateral margins of the vesicle lumen.
Psychrotrophic Bacteria in Prerigor Ground Pork

The numbers of psychrotrophic bacteria in prerigor ground pork were slightly greater than in postrigor ground pork throughout an 11-day storage period at 2°C. Freezing both types of samples and subsequent thawing before storage at 2°C reduced the initial psychrotrophic counts but the freezing effects did not persist beyond 8 days of storage. Differences in psychrotrophic counts between prerigor and postrigor ground pork were not sufficiently great in any comparison to limit the use of prerigor grinding of pork.
Clinical efficacy of fine-needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules in males.

Background It has recently been suggested that the use of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of thyroid nodules in male patients is associated with an unacceptably high false-negative rate in the detection of thyroid malignancy. We hypothesize that FNA biopsy is an accurate preoperative tool for detecting thyroid cancer in men, and that false negative rates are significantly lower than recently reported. Materials and Methods A retrospective database analysis was performed on all male patients who underwent thyroid surgery from May 1994 through January 2007 at a single institution. The results of preoperative FNA biopsies were compared with final surgical pathologic results. FNA biopsy results were reported as benign, malignant, inconclusive (i.e., follicular neoplasm), or nondiagnostic; final surgical pathology was reported as benign or malignant. Results Of 1205 patients who underwent thyroidectomy, 273 (23%) were male. Preoperative FNA biopsy results were obtained in 60% of these male patients and were read as benign in 45/165 (27%) patients, malignant in 47/165 (28%) patients, inconclusive in 66/165 (40%) patients, and nondiagnostic in 7/165 (4%) patients. In male patients with cytology reported as benign, 3/45 (6.7%) FNAs were determined to be malignant on final pathology. Conclusions Our study determined that FNA biopsy of thyroid nodules in male patients has an acceptably low false-negative rate of 6.7% and is, therefore, an accurate and useful diagnostic tool. We recommend preoperative FNA biopsy for all male patients presenting with thyroid nodules as a standard of practice.
Detection of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype B at Sub Mouse LD50 Levels by a Sandwich Immunoassay and Its Application to Toxin Detection in Milk

Background Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), the causative agent of botulism, a serious neuroparylatic disease, is produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum and consists of a family of seven serotypes (A-H). We previously reported production of high-affinity monoclonal antibodies to BoNT serotype A.
New Open Access Option for the Journal of Photonics for Energy

Starting in January 2013, the Journal of Photonics for Energy (JPE) offers a new benefit for authors who volunteer to support the journal through payment of page charges. Research articles for which the voluntary page charges are paid will be available to the public free of charge. This open access will bring more visibility to your research activities and may result in more citations.
Phylogenetic precursors of psychiatric illness: A theoretical inquiry

Abstract A widely-held assumption in psychiatry is that an illness such as schizophrenia is found widely distributed among cultures of the world. Indeed, except for exponents of the viral etiology, most would probably hold that schizophrenia was prevalent in earlier recorded and unrecorded historical epochs. 1 If all human groups show and have shown instances of schizophrenia, it is appropriate to inquire if this prevalence extends into the evolutionary past of homo sapiens. Biologic psychiatrists have found useful the notion of animal models of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia (and also depression).2 Yet the possibility that schizophrenia may be found under natural field conditions in humanoid and infrahuman primates is infrequently considered in sociobiology and primatology. Many issues are raised when shifting from the laboratory where animal models are literally manufactured to field conditions where instances of disease and illness might conceivably occur “naturally”. In this paper, we discuss this general topic from a theoretical standpoint. We attempt to show that the possibility of infrahuman primates showing schizophrenia raises basic questions about brain-behavior relations and also related questions about the functioning of social cultural systems. The aim of the paper is to clarify the position of psychiatric inquiry in a general biologic frame of reference.
Spatial analysis of factors associated with household subscription to the National Health Insurance Scheme in rural Ghana

The use of health insurance schemes in financing healthcare delivery and to minimize the poverty gap is gaining considerable recognition among the least developed and resource challenged countries around the world. With the implementation of the socialized health insurance scheme, Ghana has taken the lead in Sub-Saharan Africa and now working out further strategies to gain universal coverage among her citizenry. The primary goal of this study is to explore the spatial relationship between the residential homes and demographic features of the people in the Barekese subdistrict in Ghana on the probability to enroll the entire household unit in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Household level data were gathered from 20 communities on the enrollment status into the NHIS alongside demographic and socioeconomic indicators and the spatial location of every household that participated in the study. Kulldorff's purely spatial scan statistic was used to detect geographic clusters of areas with participatory households that have either higher or lower enrollment patterns in the insurance program. Logistic regression models on selected demographic and socioeconomic indicators were built to predict the effect on the odds of enrolling an entire household membership in the NHIS. Three clusters significantly stood out to have either high or low enrollment patterns in the health insurance program taking into accounts the number of households in those sub-zones of the study region. Households in the Cluster 1 insurance group have very high travel expenses compared to their counterparts in the other idenfied clusters. Travel cost and time to the NHIS registration center to enroll in the program were both significant predictors to participation in the program when controlling for cluster effect. Residents in the High socioeconomic group have about 1.66 [95% CI: 1.27-2.17] times the odds to enroll complete households in the insurance program compared to their counterparts in the Low socioeconomic group. The study demonstrated the use of spatial analytical tools to identify clusters of household enrollment pattern in the NHIS among residents in rural Ghana. In the face of limited resources, policy makers can therefore use the findings as guideline to strategically channel interventions to areas of most need. Furthermore, these analyses can be repeated annually to assess progress on improving insurance coverage.
Direct Obtention of Pure Compounds from Crude Plant Extracts by Preparative Liquid Chromatography

It has been possible to submit the crude hexane extract of the barks of a medicinal plant directly to preparative liquid chromatography. A two step solvent elution gave 6 peaks, four of which readily afforded crystalline material. The entire process required 2–3 hours whereas conventional chromatography required ca. 2 weeks.
Bragg reflection from cholesteric liquid crystals.

In this paper we discuss the optical reflective properties of single and multidomain cholesteric liquid crystals both experimentally and theoretically. The multidomain system has been prepared by dispersing a low concentration of polymer in a cholesteric liquid crystal. This results in a (passive) bistable colorful reflective display. Here we discuss the role of the polymer in altering the reflective properties in regard to their spectra and viewing characteristics. Theoretically we offer an application of the well known Berreman method [J. Opt. Soc. Am. 62, 502 (1972)] suitable for systems composed of an ensemble of uncorrelated domains, each of which is composed of the same dielectric anisotropy, however with its own local orientation. Using this technique the reflective properties of a cholesteric liquid crystal possessing a distribution in the orientation of the helix axes are simulated. We furthermore illustrate how a small fluctuation in the pitch from one domain to another significantly reduces any interference fringes. From these simulations we will show how experimentally by using a polymer network one may control the extent to which the orientation of the helix axes are distributed.
Volatility and return spillovers in Canadian and U.S. industry ETFs

Abstract Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are now an important source of information dissemination in Canadian and U.S. equity markets, and we provide new evidence regarding price discovery and volatility spillovers in these securities. We find that price discovery flows consistently from the U.S. to Canada for these securities, while volatility spillovers are largely bi-directional. Information is impounded more rapidly into returns through trading in U.S securities, and the combination of negative U.S. return spillovers and asymmetric volatility creates bi-directional volatility feedback effects. The results are relevant to market participants and Canadian market regulators since Canadian circuit-breakers are tied to U.S. market conditions.
Mechanotransduction in endothelial cell migration

The migration of endothelial cells (ECs) plays an important role in vascular remodeling and regeneration. EC migration can be regulated by different mechanisms such as chemotaxis, haptotaxis, and mechanotaxis. This review will focus on fluid shear stress-induced mechanotransduction during EC migration. EC migration and mechanotransduction can be modulated by cytoskeleton, cell surface receptors such as integrins and proteoglycans, the chemical and physical properties of extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell-cell adhesions. The shear stress applied on the luminal surface of ECs can be sensed by cell membrane and associated receptor and transmitted throughout the cell to cell-ECM adhesions and cell-cell adhesions. As a result, shear stress induces directional migration of ECs by promoting lamellipodial protrusion and the formation of focal adhesions (FAs) at the front in the flow direction and the disassembly of FAs at the rear. Persistent EC migration in the flow direction can be driven by polarized activation of signaling molecules and the positive feedback loops constituted by Rho GTPases, cytoskeleton, and FAs at the leading edge. Furthermore, shear stress-induced EC migration can overcome the haptotaxis of ECs. Given the hemodynamic environment of the vascular system, mechanotransduction during EC migration has a significant impact on vascular development, angiogenesis, and vascular wound healing.
Rapid-reaction kinetic characterization of the pathway of streptokinase-plasmin catalytic complex formation.

Binding of the fibrinolytic proteinase plasmin (Pm) to streptokinase (SK) in a tight stoichiometric complex transforms Pm into a potent proteolytic activator of plasminogen. SK binding to the catalytic domain of Pm, with a dissociation constant of 12 pm, is assisted by SK Lys414 binding to a Pm kringle, which accounts for a 11-20-fold affinity decrease when Pm lysine binding sites are blocked by 6-aminohexanoic acid (6-AHA) or benzamidine. The pathway of SK·Pm catalytic complex formation was characterized by stopped-flow kinetics of SK and the Lys414 deletion mutant (SKΔK414) binding to Pm labeled at the active site with 5-fluorescein ([5F]FFR-Pm) and the reverse reactions by competitive displacement of [5F]FFR-Pm with active site-blocked Pm. The rate constants for the biexponential fluorescence quenching caused by SK and SKΔK414 binding to [5F]FFR-Pm were saturable as a function of SK concentration, reporting encounter complex affinities of 62-110 nm in the absence of lysine analogs and 4900-6500 and 1430-2200 nm in the presence of 6-AHA and benzamidine, respectively. The encounter complex with SKΔK414 was ∼10-fold weaker in the absence of lysine analogs but indistinguishable from that of native SK in the presence of 6-AHA and benzamidine. The studies delineate for the first time the sequence of molecular events in the formation of the SK·Pm catalytic complex and its regulation by kringle ligands. Analysis of the forward and reverse reactions supports a binding mechanism in which SK Lys414 binding to a Pm kringle accompanies near-diffusion-limited encounter complex formation followed by two slower, tightening conformational changes.
Engineering factors in single-cell protein production. II. Spray drying and cell viability

One important economical method for producing singlecell protein is to spray dry the cultured cells. This study presents some preliminary data on the effects of spray drying on cell viability. Under conditions similar to those for the production of spray-dried milk, 4–5 log cycles destruction occurred. The results indicate that, the activation energy for thermal destruction of yeast was reduced from the normal heat treatment value of 84 kcal/°K mole to about 38 kcal/°K mole.
The photoionization mechanism of LINERs: stellar and nonstellar

We present high quality spectroscopic observations of a sample of 14 low ionization nuclear emission-line regions (LINERs). Starlight removal is achieved by the subtraction of a suitable absorption-line “template” galaxy, allowing accurate measurements of emission lines. We use these line fluxes to examine the possible excitation mechanisms of LINERs. We suggest that LINERs with weak [O I] λ 6300 emission ([O I]/Hα < 1/6) may be H II regions photoionized by unusually hot O-type stars. LINERs with [O I]/Hα ≳ 1/6 may be powered by photoionization from a nonstellar continuum. This is supported by the detection of broad Ha emission, a correlation between line width and critical density, and point-like X-ray emission in several of these objects.
Scouts versus Stats: the impact of Moneyball on the Major League Baseball draft

Michael Lewis’ influential book Moneyball (2003) discusses several sources of inefficiency in the Major League Baseball (MLB) labour market; one of these being the failure of baseball scouts to place a draft premium on college players. We test this implication of the Moneyball thesis – the superiority of college players – by measuring the productivity of players who were drafted in the first round of five MLB drafts covering the years 1995–1999. Employing a variety of specifications, we find that the performance of college draft choices is no better than those of high school picks and argue that this is consistent with Hayek's (1944) work on the economics of information and his emphasis on the importance of localized knowledge. Additionally, we utilize data on the first three rounds of the MLB draft from 1965 to 2010 to test whether Lewis’ book had any impact on teams’ draft strategies. We find no significant structural change in the draft following the publication of Moneyball.
Voltage droop reduction using throttling controlled by timing margin feedback

An active processor throttling control loop using critical path timing measurements is enabled in the shipping POWER7™ based P775 supercomputer to prevent voltage droop induced failures. As a result, worst-case workload-induced voltage droop events are reduced by more than 50% compared to the system operating without the control loop. The reduction in operating voltage afforded by this technique translates to significant yield improvement, reduced failure rates, and improved power efficiency.
Static Analysis for Understanding Shared Objects in Open Concurrent Java Programs

Concurrent programming with shared memory in an object-oriented language such as Java is notoriously difficult. Therefore, it is important to study new program understanding techniques for concurrent object-oriented languages. This paper studies shared objects in open concurrent Java programs. First, it proposes a classification of shared objects into three categories: central, owned and distributed. Second, it presents a new static analysis that infers central, owned and distributed objects, as well as experiments with the analysis.
Islet cell antibodies and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies, but not the clinical phenotype, help to identify type 1(1/2) diabetes in patients presenting with type 2 diabetes.

This study was undertaken to determine which type 1 diabetes-associated autoantibodies and what clinical characteristics are most useful to identify patients with type 1(1/2) diabetes. We studied 125 patients, recently diagnosed clinically with type 2 diabetes for the presence of islet cell antibodies (ICA), insulin autoantibodies (IAA), antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase(GADAb), and IA-2a (IA-2Ab). Patients with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes who met all of the following criteria at diagnosis were studied: age > or = 30 years, no history of ketonuria or ketoacidosis, and not requiring insulin treatment. Thirty-six patients (29%) were positive for at least 1 antibody. Thirty-two (26%) were ICA positive and 20 (16%) GADAb positive. Insulin autoantibodies and IA-2Ab occurred less frequently in 2 (1.6%) and 8 (6.4%) patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in the ages at diagnosis between the Ab(+) and Ab(-) patients, age in years (range) 47.2 (32 to 64) versus 51.2 (31 to 77), respectively, P =.06. Body mass index (BMI) was different in the 2 groups, with Ab(+) patients being less obese, BMI (range) 28.3 kg/m(2) (17.6 to 54.9) versus 32.0 kg/m(2) (19.2 to 68.8), respectively, P =.01. Clinical presentation of diabetes was more commonly symptomatic with polyuria and polydipsia in Ab(+) patients, while in Ab(-) patients, diagnosis was more often incidental, P =.002. However, more than 95% of patients overlapped in both age and BMI irrespective of antibody status. Similarly, 42% of Ab(+) patients had their diabetes diagnosed incidentally, while 29% of Ab(-) patients presented with polyuria and polydipsia. We therefore conclude that screening with antibodies, mainly ICA and GAD, but not age, BMI, or clinical presentation should be used to identify type 1(1/2) diabetes.
Optimization of Potent and Selective Quinazolinediones: Inhibitors of Respiratory Syncytial Virus That Block RNA-Dependent RNA-Polymerase Complex Activity

A quinazolinedione-derived screening hit 2 was discovered with cellular antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (CPE EC50 = 2.1 μM), moderate efficacy in reducing viral progeny (4.2 log at 10 μM), and marginal cytotoxic liability (selectivity index, SI ∼ 24). Scaffold optimization delivered analogs with improved potency and selectivity profiles. Most notable were compounds 15 and 19 (EC50 = 300–500 nM, CC50 > 50 μM, SI > 100), which significantly reduced viral titer (>400,000-fold), and several analogs were shown to block the activity of the RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase complex of RSV.
Time-frequency characterization of random systems

We have previously presented a method to write equations for the Wigner distribution corresponding to the solution of a linear differential equation. We extend this method to arbitrary time-frequency distributions, the Short Time Fourier Transform, and the wavelet transform. Also, we apply the method to stochastic signals and address a number of applications including Brownian motion. We obtain the Wigner distribution for Brownian motion by solving the Langevin equation and also by using our method. We obtain exact solutions.
Significance and evaluation of calcifications associated with renal masses

Although there are numerous references in the medical literature suggesting that calification associated with renal masses is indicative of malignant disease, our recent experience with four cases emphasizes that it is not possible to predict the nature of these lesions. The significance and etiology of renal calcification are discussed as well as the indications for clinical evaluation.
Dichloroacetate inhibits peripheral efflux of pyruvate and alanine during hormonally simulated catabolic stress.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of peripheral metabolism of glucose, lactate, alanine, and muscle protein catabolism to pyruvate availability during stress. Peripheral catabolic stress was simulated by the infusion of epinephrine, cortisol, and glucagon into the femoral artery of 12 healthy volunteers, 6 of whom received prior treatment with dichloroacetate while 6 served as controls. The catabolic hormone infusion reproduced the peripheral stress response in which glucose consumption increased and the efflux of lactate, alanine, and total amino acid nitrogen (i.e., net muscle protein catabolism) from the leg increased. Dichloroacetate (DCA), which is known to increase pyruvate oxidation, reduced the hormonally stimulated efflux of pyruvate and alanine from the leg and decreased the rate of extremity glucose consumption. DCA had no effect on the rate of lactate efflux and except for alanine had no effect on the stimulated rate of total amino acid nitrogen loss. These results demonstrate the dependance of alanine efflux on pyruvate availability during stress and suggest that the rate of glycolysis within peripheral tissues is a major factor in regulating the quantity of alanine efflux. This study further illustrates that except for alanine, pyruvate kinetics are not salient in the regulation of muscle protein catabolism and elucidates the dichotomy between alanine kinetics and true muscle protein breakdown.
Effects of soil aggregates on debris-flow mobilization: Results from ring-shear experiments

Abstract Rates and styles of landslide motion are sensitive to pore-water pressure changes caused by changes in soil porosity accompanying shear deformation. Soil may either contract or dilate upon shearing, depending upon whether its initial porosity is greater or less, respectively, than a critical-state porosity attained after sufficiently high strain. We observed complications in this behavior, however, during rate-controlled (0.02 m s− 1) ring-shear experiments conducted on naturally aggregated dense loamy sand at low confining stresses (10.6 and 40 kPa). The aggregated soil first dilated and then contracted to porosities less than initial values, whereas the same soil with its aggregates destroyed monotonically dilated. We infer that aggregates persisted initially during shear and caused dilation before their eventual breakdown enabled net contraction. An implication of this contraction, demonstrated in experiments in which initial soil porosity was varied, is that the value of porosity distinguishing initially contractive from dilative behavior can be significantly larger than the critical-state porosity, which develops only after disaggregation ceases at high strains. In addition, post-dilative contraction may produce excess pore pressures, thereby reducing frictional strength and facilitating debris-flow mobilization. We infer that results of triaxial tests, which generally produce strains at least a factor of ∼ 4 smaller than those we observed at the inception of post-dilative contraction, do not allow soil contraction to be ruled out as a mechanism for debris-flow mobilization in dense soils containing aggregates.
Rural poverty in developing countries: an empirical analysis

This paper empirically analyzes the determinants of rural poverty in developing countries. Using data from a sample of 32 developing countries we are able to show that income redistribution in favor of the poorest 10 percent of the population, improving the productivity of agricultural workers, raising the economic and social status of women, especially of rural women, government policies aimed at reducing systemic discrimination against ethnic minorities, encouraging tourism where possible, and programs designed to assist the irrigation of croplands are called for in the quest for alleviating poverty in rural areas. As the extent of rural poverty is reduced, an added benefit is the deceleration of the rural‐urban migration process, which results in less pressure on government to provide additional spending on services such as sanitation, health, and education in urban areas as well as having to deal with a host of problems associated with overgrown cities such as a higher incidence of crime and of shanty towns on the outskirts of these cities.
Biochemical comparisons of the peritrophic membranes of the lepidopterans Orgyia pseudotsugata and Manduca sexta

Abstract 1. 1. The biochemical composition of the peritrophic membrane of both the tobacco hornworm ( Manduca sexta ) and Douglas fir tussock moth ( Orgyia pseudotsugata ) larvae has been studied. 2. 2. Although the total protein content of the membranes was the same, the amino acid compositions were distinctive for each larval peritrophic membrane. 3. 3. Major M. sexta peritrophic membrane proteins were detected with apparent molecular weights from 32,000 to 210,000 daltons. O. pseudotsugata peritrophic membrane proteins ranged in molecular weight from 20,000 to 220,000 daltons. 4. 4. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining indicated that both membranes contain glycoproteins. 5. 5. The peritrophic membrane of O. pseudotsugata contains approximately twice the amount of hexosamines as that of M. sexta . Both glucosamine and galactosamine are at higher levels in the O. pseudotsugata membrane than in that of M. sexta .
Estrogenic Activities of Some 3-Alkoxyestra-l,3,5(10)-trien-17β-ols

The estrogenic activities of some 3-alkoxyestra-l,3,5(10)-trien-17β-ols are described. In vivo “4-day” uterine weight and in vitro 3H-17β-estradiol uptake assays were performed. These compounds were found to have lower estrogenic potencies than 17β-estradiol and thus decreased intrinsic affinities at the receptor site. However, since results similar to the maximum responses with the natural hormone were obtained with increased doses of the compounds, it seemed likely that the analogs had similar intrinsic activities at the estrogen receptor site(s) in the mouse uterus. A second binding area in close proximity to the “A”-ring binding site of 17β-estradiol was indicated from this work. This was thought to be suitable for irreversible binding, but on testing this supposition with the corresponding amines of the analogs, results indicated that this second binding site was apparently not capable of alkylation. It may, however, be available for hydrogen binding. These compounds have furthered the investigation ...
Plasma wakefield acceleration experiments at FACET

FACET—Facilities for Accelerator science and Experimental Test beams at SLAC—will provide high-energy-density electron and positron beams with peak currents of roughly 20 kA that will be focused down to a 10 μm×10 μm transverse spot size at an energy of ~23 GeV. With FACET, the SLAC linac will support a unique program concentrating on second-generation research in plasma wakefield acceleration. Topics include high-gradient electron acceleration with a narrow energy spread and preserved emittance, beam loading and high-gradient positron acceleration. This paper describes the FACET facility, summarizes the state of the art for plasma wakefield accelerators and discusses the plasma wakefield accelerator program to be conducted at FACET over the next five years.
Microbial transformation of chlorinated benzoates

Chlorinated benzoates enter the environment through their use as herbicides or as metabolites of other halogenated compounds. Ample evidence is available indicating biodegradation of chlorinated benzoates to CO2 and chloride in the environment under aerobic as well as anaerobic conditions. Under aerobic conditions, lower chlorinated benzoates can serve as sole electron and carbon sources supporting growth of a large list of taxonomically diverse bacterial strains. These bacteria utilize a variety of pathways ranging from those involving an initial degradative attack by dioxygenases to those initiated by hydrolytic dehalogenases. In addition to monochlorinated benzoates, several bacterial strains have been isolated that can grow on dichloro-, and trichloro- isomers of chlorobenzoates. Some aerobic bacteria are capable of cometabolizing chlorinated benzoates with simple primary substrates such as benzoate. Under anaerobic conditions, chlorinated benzoates are subject to reductive dechlorination when suitable electron-donating substrates are available. Several halorespiring bacteria are known which can use chlorobenzoates as electron acceptors to support growth. For example, Desulfomonile tiedjei catalyzes the reductive dechlorination of 3-chlorobenzoate to benzoate. The benzoate skeleton is mineralized by other microorganisms in the anaerobic environment. Various dichloro- and trichlorobenzoates are also known to be dechlorinated in anaerobic sediments.
Halogenated compound response in an oxygen doped ion mobility detector for capillary gas chromatography

An ion mobility detector that has been specifically developed for interfacing with capillary gas chromatography is investigated in the negative ion mode. Like the electron capture detector, to which this instrument is closely related, the ion mobility detector shows an enhanced response to low molecular weight halogenated compounds when a small quantity of oxygen is doped into the make-up gas flow. Under O2 doping conditions, the device can operate in a reactant ion monitoring mode responding universally to compounds capable of capturing thermal electrons and in a tunable selective product ion mode providing increased selectivity over that achieved by the ECD. At an oxygen concentration of 0.5%, minimum detectable amounts as low as 600 femtograms have been realized for carbon tetrachloride. Selectivity of chloro- versus bromo- compounds is demonstrated using a mixture of p-dichlorobenzene and p-dibromobenzene.
Guest Editor’s Foreword: Algorithms, Combinatorics, & Geometry

Knowledge of mathematics and combinatorics is central to the design of combinatorial algorithms. In addition, applications-related concepts may also give rise to interesting mathematical problems, or may even be used to solve mathematical problems. The workshop on Algorithms, Combinatorics, and Geometry (ACG) was held during November 29–December 1, 2007, at the University of North Texas (UNT), Denton, Texas. The ACG workshop was intended to provide a deeper understanding of some important concepts which are fundamental to different disciplines, and to bring together researchers in different areas of discrete mathematics and computer science and provide an opportunity for them to interact. The ACG workshop did not have a proceedings, but an abstract for each talk was posted online. See acg.unt.edu for details. This special issue of Algorithmica presents a collection of 10 invited papers which are related to the main theme of the workshop. Preliminary versions of some of these papers may have been published in conferences. Nonetheless, all papers appearing in this issue have been thoroughly refereed and are revised so that they are in a suitable form for publication in Algorithmica. We have included papers that cover a broad range of important concepts which are of interest to researchers in graph theory and graph algorithms, combinatorial and computational geometry, computer security, graph drawing, and randomized algorithms. While the main results in some papers may appear purely structural, all results have computational consequences. Cabello and Mohar study the crossing number problem for those graphs that become planar after removal of one edge. They develop min-max formulas, and hence, efficiently computable lower and upper bounds that give rise to approximation algorithms that improve the best known previous results.
Music Libraries: Centralization versus Decentralization

Branch libraries, in general, and music libraries, in particular, have struggled with the decision concerning centralization for more than a hundred years. Decentralized collections, those located in the music school or department, are favored by some because of their proximity to the classroom and the private lesson studio. However, proponents of a centralized location (where the collection is held in the main library facility) point out that the collection can be cared for more effectively if it is located in the main library. For this study, the Association of Research Libraries was surveyed concerning the location of their music libraries. Possible motivations for choosing one location or the other were explored, including degrees offered, size of the music collection, and overall budget of the music library.
Robust nonlinear controller for turbocharged diesel engines

This paper addresses a problem of controlling diesel engines equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger and an exhaust gas recirculation valve. The presence of two actuators and nonlinear behavior of the system makes the problem difficult to handle using classical control designs. Instead, we employ a recently developed control Lyapunov function based design method that guarantees a robustness property interpretable as gain and phase margins. The controller has been tested in simulations and experimentally in the dynamometer test cell.
Metallic glass as a temperature sensor during ion plating

The temperature of the interface and/or a superficial layer of a substrate during ion plating was investigated using a metallic glass of the composition Fe67Co18B14Si1 as the substrate and as the temperature sensor. Transmission electron microscopy and diffraction studies determined the microstructure of the ion-plated gold film and the substrate. Results indicate that crystallization occurs not only in the film, but also in the substrate. The grain size of crystals formed during ion plating was 6 to 60 nm in the gold film and 8 to 100 nm in the substrate at a depth of 10 to 15 micrometers from the ion-plated interface. The temperature rise of the substrate during ion plating was approximately 500 C. Discontinuous changes in metallurgical microstructure, and physical, chemical, and mechanical properties during the amorphous to crystalline transition in metallic glasses make metallic glasses extremely useful materials for temperature sensor applications in coating processes.
Impact of pain on the outcomes of depression treatment: Results from the RESPECT trial

Abstarct Objective: Pain is prevalent in patients with depression. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of pain on depression treatment outcomes. Methods: Data was analyzed from a randomized controlled trial comparing a collaborative care intervention to usual care for the treatment of depression in 60 primary care practices. A total of 405 patients with either current major depressive disorder or dysthymia were enrolled, and assessed at baseline, 3, and 6 months. Main measures included the 20-item Hopkins Symptom Check List (HSCL-20) depression score, and the SF-36 pain interference score. Results: Pain severe enough to produce at least moderate interference with daily activities was present in 42% of depressed patients at baseline. Pain outcomes did not differ between intervention and control groups but improved similarly in both over time. However, pain was still at least moderately severe in 32% of patients at 6 months. Both baseline pain and the amount of pain improvement over time were associated with depression remission and response rates. In a multivariate model controlling for age, gender, and medical co-morbidity, depression severity increased with higher pain interference and decreased with the passage of time (p
Orbit polynomial graphs of prime order

Abstract We begin with a discussion of orbit polynomial graphs and their relationship with distance-transitive, distance-regular and distance polynomial graphs. After finding a simple classification of the orbit polynomial graphs with a prime number of vertices, we use this result to provide short proofs of the classification of symmetric and distance-transitive graphs of prime order.
Reproducibility of Traction Force in Traction Equipment

本研究の目的は4施設で使用されている7台の牽引装置の牽引力を測定し,その再現性と特性を検討することである。再現性についての測定は同一日に3回測定し,測定初日から7日と14日の間隔を置いて3回測定し,日内反復測定と日間反復測定をおこなった。牽引力の特性についてはその直線性を求め,また設定値と測定値との差を求めた。その結果,牽引力測定値の再現性は日内,日間ともに良好であったが,設定牽引力と牽引力測定値に差がある牽引装置があった。患者の安全確保のために定期的な保守点検の必要性が示唆された。
The First 800 Million Years of Earth's History

The Earth grew initially from hot planetesimals of reduced material, and began to differentiate early into a metal-rich core, a silicate-rich mantle and a volcanic surface. Accretion ended with volatile-rich oxidized material, which did not interact with the core because of a mantle barrier. Quenching of magmas at the surface and foundering of cool material was effective in cooling the Earth by 1600 J per gram of magma. Magmas transported radioactive elements and volatiles to the outer 50 km. The lower mantle became stranded below the critical adiabat for melting. The core may have been fully molten. Radiogenic and non-radiogenic heat sources produced a surface heat flow that decreased from ca . 1.3 x 10 14 W at 4.45 Ga B.P . to the present value of 4 x 10 13 W. In spite of uncertainties in the production and transport of heat, it seems safe to conclude that intense volcanism occurred throughout the pre-Archaean era before survival of crust. From phase-equilibrium data for peridotites and calc-alkaline rocks, it is deduced that a range of ultrabasic to basic magmas was produced from a peridotitic upper mantle, and that calc-alkaline magmas were produced during foundering of crust. An anorthositic crust was not formed. From observations of lunar basins, it is concluded that a minimum of ca . 500-1000 impact basins were formed on Earth in ca . 100—200 Ma before 3.95 Ga B.P. Plausible calculations suggest that ca . 20 times as many basins were formed in the preceding ca . 300 Ma. Impact debris would be cooled by water in wet crustal rocks and oceans. It is assumed that after 4.0 Ga B.P. impacts would have only temporary local effects on the crust, and emphasis is placed on upper-mantle convection as the main driving force for geochemical transport. Sedimentation and metamorphism were important factors during foundering of crust. ‘Oceanic9 and ‘continental9 regions developed above up-welling and down-welling segments of convection cells, and these regions resembled greenstone belts and high-grade regions of the Archaean era. As heat flow declined, polygonal tectonics was replaced by symmetrical linear tectonics during the Archaean era, and then by asymmetrical linear tectonics during the Proterozoic era.
Associations between perceptions of e-cigarette advertising and interest in product trial amongst US adult smokers and non-smokers: results from an internet-based pilot survey.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have risen in popularity in the U.S. While recent studies have described the prevalence and demographics of e-cigarette users, few studies have evaluated the impact of advertising on perceptions and interest in trial. This pilot study was conducted to assess whether exposure to ads for e-cigarettes or a comparison product (snus), elicited differences in interest to try e-cigarettes between smokers and non-smokers. A web-based survey was completed by 600 respondents, aged 18–65, recruited from an internet panel in the U.S. Respondents answered questions assessing tobacco use, and then viewed nine magazine ads for Blu e-cigarettes or Camel snus, a low-nitrosamine smokeless tobacco product, in random order. After viewing each ad, respondents were asked a series of questions about their perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and interest in trial. At the end, respondents were asked to choose a free sample product from the following options: an e-cigarette, smokeless tobacco (SLT), pack of cigarettes, or no product. Ad receptivity scores did not appear to be influenced by ad theme; differences existed between smokers and non-smokers. Participants exposed to e-cigarette ads more frequently reported favorable product attitudes compared to participants exposed to snus ads. Cigarette smokers in the e-cigarette condition were more likely to report interest in trying e-cigarettes compared to non-smokers in that condition (p-value < 0.001). Six percent of non-smokers exposed to e-cigarette ads reported interest in trying e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes were the most popular product selected to sample (34 %), followed by cigarettes (8 %) and SLT (3 %); 331 respondents (55 %) chose no product. Participants randomized to the e-cigarette ad group were significantly more likely to choose an e-cigarette at product selection (p-value = 0.014). Within the e-cigarette condition, 71 % of smokers selected an e-cigarette at product selection, compared to 25 % of non-smokers; smoking status was significantly associated with sample product selection (p-value <0.001). These findings suggest that exposure to e-cigarette ads may be associated with interest in e-cigarette trial, particularly among smokers. Continued exposure to advertising in magazines, on television, and at the point-of-sale may have an impact on willingness to receive promotional products or intention to try e-cigarettes.
CORRECTING NESTING-SUCCESS ESTIMATES FOR OBSERVER EFFECTS: MAXIMUM-LIKELIHOOD ESTIMATES OF DAILY SURVIVAL RATES WITH REDUCED BIAS

Abstract We develop a statistical method that simultaneously estimates daily survival rate and observer effect. We used Monte Carlo simulation to (1) evaluate the performance of the model, (2) compare model performance with models that ignore observer effects, and (3) evaluate methods of choosing between competing models of survival. When observer effects were absent, all models produced unbiased estimates of daily survival rate. In the presence of observer effects, however, models that ignore these effects underestimated daily survival rate. In such cases, estimates of nesting success were strongly affected even when observer effects were relatively small. In contrast, estimates of daily survival rate and nesting success produced by the model that considers observer effects consistently had little bias. However, estimates of daily survival rate from this model were less precise than those from the simpler model. Objective criteria for choosing between competing models did not perform well with sample siz...
Nutrition support and cancer.

In recent years, the concept of nutrition support of the cancer patient has expanded to include many aspects of care, ranging from the healthy patient interested in nutrition modulation to diminish the possibility of developing cancer, to the nutrition support of a cachectic patient with an incurable malignancy. As principles of management continue to evolve with regard to maintenance and improvement of the nutrition status of cancer patients, it has become apparent that the patient and all caregivers, including doctor, nurse, dietitian, and the patient’s family, determine and understand patient prognosis so that tailored, realistic therapeutic goals of cure, palliation, or prophylaxis can be set and ultimately realized.
Towards heterogeneous temporal clinical event pattern discovery: a convolutional approach

Large collections of electronic clinical records today provide us with a vast source of information on medical practice. However, the utilization of those data for exploratory analysis to support clinical decisions is still limited. Extracting useful patterns from such data is particularly challenging because it is longitudinal, sparse and heterogeneous. In this paper, we propose a Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF) based framework using a convolutional approach for open-ended temporal pattern discovery over large collections of clinical records. We call the method One-Sided Convolutional NMF (OSC-NMF). Our framework can mine common as well as individual shift-invariant temporal patterns from heterogeneous events over different patient groups, and handle sparsity as well as scalability problems well. Furthermore, we use an event matrix based representation that can encode quantitatively all key temporal concepts including order, concurrency and synchronicity. We derive efficient multiplicative update rules for OSC-NMF, and also prove theoretically its convergence. Finally, the experimental results on both synthetic and real world electronic patient data are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Age, comorbidity and functional status influence end-of-life decisions in critical illness, while nationality, ethnicity and clinician experience influence the agressiveness of medical care

Commentary on: DW Frost, DJ Cook, DK Heyland, et al.. Patient and healthcare professional factors influencing end-of-life decision-making during critical illness: a systematic review.Crit Care Med2011;39:1174–89.