cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Praise of Scripting: Real Programming Pragmatism

The academic programming language community continues to reject the change in programming practices brought about by scripting. We need a programming language pragmatics to go past the analysis of syntax and semantics in the same way that linguistics studies perlocution and illocution. Pragmatic questions are not the easiest for mathematically inclined computer scientists to address. They refer by nature to people and their habits, sociology, and the day's technological demands. An industrial psychology literature, apart from computing, has sometimes addressed questions of this kind. But this kind of study must become part of programming language theory within computing. It's the importance of just these kinds of questions that makes programmers choose scripting languages. The author recommends that scripting, not Java, be taught first, asserting that students should learn to love their own possibilities before they learn to loathe other people's restrictions.
Structured Dirty Paper Coding with Known Interference Structure at Receiver

The Tomlinson-Harashima precoding is well known for dirty paper coding implementation. Despite its simplicity, THP suffers from a significant performance loss in the low SNR region due to modulo operations. In this paper, we propose new dirty paper precoding scheme by taking advantage of the known modulation structure of interference (e.g., BPSK and QPSK signals). The new method, termed structured DPC (SDPC), outperforms the regular THP with modest changes to the transmitter and receiver. For BPSK and QPSK cases investigated, the SDPC only suffers power loss, which is up to 1.25 dB compared with non-interference case, while the regular THP-based scalar dirty paper coding has a typical 4-5 dB capacity loss in the same low SNR regions
An identification methodology for a class of hysteretic structures

This paper presents a method of identification for determining non-linear dynamic models for certain hysteretic structures. Particular attention is given to modelling and identifying the hysteretic behaviour of structures from strong-motion earthquake data. In this method, the response is separated into mode-like components which are analogous to those of a linear system. Based on modelling of the generalized restoring force of each mode-like component, both non-hysteretic and hysteretic non-linear models are incorporated into the general methodology. A non-hysteretic model provides an initial estimate for a final hysteretic model. The approach is applicable even when data are available from only a small number of locations in the structure. The structural model identified from this method provides a means to predict the response to future events and, ultimately, to examine the damage to a structure as a result of an earthquake.
Potential Use of HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors for Osteoporosis

OBJECTIVE:To review the current clinical data describing the effects of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors in bone formation and reduction of fracture incidence and their potential use for osteoporosis.DATA SOURCES:English-language articles and abstracts were identified from a MEDLINE database search (1966–May 2001) that used the key words osteoporosis, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, and treatment.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All the articles identified from the data sources were evaluated, and all information deemed relevant was included in this review.DATA SYNTHESIS:In the past, there has been considerable emphasis placed in the detection, prevention, and treatment of osteoporosis. New drug therapies have been introduced in the market aimed at decreasing bone loss and increasing bone formation, with the ultimate goal of decreasing fractures. Currently, there are a variety of agents available for the treatment of osteoporosis. A limited number of case—control studies ha...
Engineers and White-Collar Crime

Generally, engineers are held in high esteem for honesty and ethics. Even so, some engineers commit white-collar crimes. This paper provides a brief overview of white-collar crime. The fraud triangle is used as a framework to better understand why engineers would participate in white-collar crime. In addition, three case studies are presented where reputable engineers either participated in, or were pressured to participate in, white-collar crime. It is expected that this paper will be of interest to engineering educators who teach engineering ethics. It is also hoped that this paper will be of interest to practicing engineers who may feel pressure to commit white-collar crime.
A Large Deviation Analysis of Detection Over Multi-Access Channels with Random Number of Sensors

We consider the problem of distributed detection over a multi-access channel. Assuming a random number of sensors transmitting their observations using Type Based Multiple Access, we derive the detection performance using Large Deviations Principle as the mean number of sensors goes to infinity. We characterize the performance in terms of error exponents. We provide comparison with the case when the number of sensors is deterministic. We generalize this scheme to multiple collections, propose a Minimum Sum-Rate detector and characterize its error exponents.
Hypoplastic internal carotid artery mimicking a classic angiographic “string sign”: Case report

The authors report the case of a patient with transient ischemic attacks who was evaluated by duplex scanning, which demonstrated total carotid artery occlusion. Arteriography revealed what appeared to be a classic "string sign" in the cervical carotid artery, and a standard endarterectomy was planned. At surgery the internal carotid artery was found to be congenitally atretic, accounting for the string appearance of the arteriogram. The etiology, associated anomalies, differential diagnosis, and diagnostic evaluation of such lesions are discussed.
Applying automatically derived gene-groups to automatically predict and refine metabolic pathways

This paper describes an automated technique to predict integrated pathways and refine existing metabolic pathways using the information of automatically derived, functionally similar gene-groups and orthologs (functionally equivalent genes) derived by the comparison of complete microbial genomes archived in GenBank. The described method integrates automatically derived orthologous and homologous gene-groups (http://www.mcs.kent.edu//spl sim/arvind/orthos.html) with the biochemical pathway template available at the KEGG database (http://www.genome.ad.jp), the enzyme information derived from the SwissProt enzyme database (http:// expasys.hcuge.ch/), and the Ligand database (http://www.genome.ad.jp). The technique refines existing pathways (based upon the network of reactions of enzymes) by associating corresponding nonenzymatic and regulatory proteins to enzymes and operons and by identifying substituting homologs. The technique is suitable for building and refining integrated pathways using evolutionary diverse organisms. A methodology and the corresponding algorithm are presented. The technique is illustrated by comparing the genomes of E coli and B. subtilis with M. tuberculosis. The findings about integrated pathways are briefly discussed.
Diverse responses to UV light exposure in Acinetobacter include the capacity for DNA damage-induced mutagenesis in the opportunistic pathogens Acinetobacter baumannii and Acinetobacter ursingii

Error-prone and error-free DNA damage repair responses that are induced in most bacteria after exposure to various chemicals, antibiotics or radiation sources were surveyed across the genus Acinetobacter. The error-prone SOS mutagenesis response occurs when DNA damage induces a cell’s umuDC- or dinP-encoded error-prone polymerases. The model strain Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 possesses an unusual, regulatory umuD allele (umuDAb) with an extended 5′ region and only incomplete fragments of umuC. Diverse Acinetobacter species were investigated for the presence of umuDC and their ability to conduct UV-induced mutagenesis. Unlike ADP1, most Acinetobacter strains possessed multiple umuDC loci containing either umuDAb or a umuD allele resembling that of Escherichia coli. The nearly omnipresent umuDAb allele was the ancestral umuD in Acinetobacter, with horizontal gene transfer accounting for over half of the umuDC operons. Despite multiple umuD(Ab)C operons in many strains, only three species conducted UV-induced mutagenesis: Acinetobacter baumannii, Acinetobacter ursingii and Acinetobacter beijerinckii. The type of umuDC locus or mutagenesis phenotype a strain possessed was not correlated with its error-free response of survival after UV exposure, but similar diversity was apparent. The survival of 30 Acinetobacter strains after UV treatment ranged over five orders of magnitude, with the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus–A. baumannii (Acb) complex and haemolytic strains having lower survival than non-Acb or non-haemolytic strains. These observations demonstrate that a genus can possess a range of DNA damage response mechanisms, and suggest that DNA damage-induced mutation could be an important part of the evolution of the emerging pathogens A. baumannii and A. ursingii.
On-chip coils with integrated cores for remote inductive powering of integrated microsystems

This paper reports on integrated receiver coils and accompanying circuitry for wireless powering of integrated microsystems, emphasizing implantable biomedical applications. These planar spiral coils consist of an electroplated Cu winding and electroplated NiFe core, and they can be post processed directly on top of integrated circuitry. Ten turn, 20 mm/sup 2/ versions of these coils operating at 4 MHz have a Q of 6.6, and can supply loads of a few k/spl Omega/ with over 15 mW of DC power transmitted a distance of 3 cm. A receiver chip optimized to work with these coils has been fabricated and tested. Together with a coil, this circuit can supply over 3 mA DC at 4 V to an integrated microsystem. It also demodulates 50 kbps of ASK encoded data, and generates a 1 MHz system clock.
Macrophage TNF-α contributes to insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in diet-induced obesity

Obesity is commonly associated with development of insulin resistance and systemic evidence of inflammation. Macrophages contribute to inflammatory amplification in obesity and may contribute direc...
A Unified Approach for Localizing Non-deadlock Concurrency Bugs

This paper presents UNICORN, a new automated dynamic pattern-detection-based technique that finds and ranks problematic memory access patterns for non-deadlock concurrency bugs. UNICORN monitors pairs of memory accesses, combines the pairs into problematic patterns, and ranks the patterns by their suspiciousness scores. UNICORN detects significant classes of bug types, including order violations and both single-variable and multi-variable atomicity violations, which have been shown to be the most important classes of non-deadlock concurrency bugs. The paper also describes implementations of UNICORN in Java and C++, along with empirical evaluation using these implementations. The evaluation shows that UNICORN can effectively compute and rank the patterns that represent concurrency bugs, and perform computation and ranking with reasonable efficiency.
Cardiovascular reactivity during stressful speaking tasks in Mexican–American women: effects of language use and interaction partner ethnicity

Acculturating to the United States confers risk for cardiovascular disease, possibly through cardiovascular reactivity when communicating in a non-native language and interacting with individuals from a different ethnic background. Sixty-four women who immigrated to the United States from Mexico participated in the study. Cardiovascular responses were examined while participants communicated in both English and Spanish with a Caucasian or Mexican–American interaction partner presented via video-recording. Task-related emotional responses and perceptions of the interaction partner were also assessed. Speaking in English evoked greater increases in blood pressure and heart rate than communicating in Spanish, and larger increases in negative affect. English–speaking interaction partners were also viewed as less friendly and more dominant. Interaction partner ethnicity had no effect on cardiovascular reactivity. These findings suggest that health effects of acculturation for Mexican–Americans may involve the cardiovascular stress responses associated with communicating in a non-native language.
The Scope of WebCounseling: A Survey of Services and Compliance With NBCC Standards for the Ethical Practice of WebCounseling

A survey of 136 Web sites offering counseling through computer chat rooms and e-mail revealed a wide range of credentials of providers, fees for service, and low levels of compliance with the ethical standards for WebCounseling published by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Eight months after the first data collection point, more than a third of the WebCounseling sites were no longer in operation. Credentialed professionals provided significantly higher levels of compliance with NBCC standards than did noncredentialed providers. Implications of Web services for professional practice and public confidence in the profession in this medium are discussed.
Pregnancy affects appraisal of negative life events

Objective: It has been demonstrated that physiological responses to stress are diminished late in pregnancy. This study investigates whether emotional responding is diminished as well by measuring affective responses to specific life events during pregnancy. Methods: A total of 292 pregnant women reported the occurrence of and affective responses to a range of major life events during gestation. Two analyses were conducted (across events and within events) on these responses to determine whether life events occurring in the first trimester were rated as more stressful than those that occurred in the third trimester. Results: Both within-event and across-events analyses of responses to life events demonstrated that events occurring early in pregnancy were perceived as more stressful than events occurring later in pregnancy. Conclusion: Responses to stress and affective state are progressively altered in pregnant women, suggesting that timing of stress exposure during gestation may be critical in determining its impact.
Velocity-selected molecular beam study of rotational excitation in the reaction C + NO → CN + O

Abstract The reaction C( 3 P) + NO → CN(X 2 Σ − ) + O( 3 P) has been studied in a beam—cell configuration. CN(X 2 Σ + ) molecules are formed in the lowest vibrational ( v = 0–3) and rotational states ( K = 0–35). The vibrational populations decrease monotonically as v increases; non-Boltzmann and relaltively cold rotational distributions are observed. The reaction appears to proceed via a “direct” mode.
Interpreting the “hidden program” of a place: An example from dementia day care

Abstract This article explores the important connection between the concept of place and the dementia experience raised by Gubrium [Urban Life 7 (1) 1978 23] over two decades ago. The article suggests that the socially shared aspects of human experience-observable activity and socially shared understandings are integrally linked by the physical setting in which they occur and together may be conceptualized as places. Each place has a socially negotiated purpose(s) which is attempted to be ensured by the regulating mechanism of the place's socially shared yet largely implicit “hidden program.” Place rules is offered as an interpretive middle construct that constitutes the consensual expectations linking activity with the physical setting and informs the hidden program of a place. This conceptualization is explored in an interpretive, multimethod case study of an adult day center serving people experiencing dementia. The interpretation of this hidden program arises from the observation of patterns of activity within a given physical setting which give rise to the interpretation of place rules, which, when aggregated together in sets forwarding given purposes, give rise to the patterns that constitute the hidden program. This interpretation suggests that the day care under study coercively constrains the utilization of opportunities and the exercise of choice by participants who are only in the early stage of dementia, likely encouraging “excess disability.” As such, in this case and perhaps in many others, the hidden program and its place rules engender a milieu whose purposes largely contradict the therapeutic needs and intentions of those with dementia. The intrinsic potential of such inquiry lay in the felicity of utilizing place rules to inform meaningful transformational and integrated systemic change in such places.
Lister and Osler:: Comparisons, contrasts, and connections

Joseph Lister (Fig. 1), the English surgeon who described and perfected the technique of antisepsis, was one of the outstanding surgeons of all time. William Osler (Fig. 2) was the most admired and respected physician of his century. Salient features of the lives of these two giants of medicine are noted in Tables 1 and 2. There were contrasts in their appearance and personality: Lister, tall and stately, with long sideburns, was taciturn. Osler, relatively short, swarthy, with a droopy moustache, was quick and affable. But Lister and Osler had several things in common: both were accomplished microscopists as they entered their careers; each became involved in controversies relating to animal experimentation; and each married a woman who was a boon to his career. They differed in their attitudes toward organized religion. Although they traveled in different circles, there is evidence that they knew each other. This article compares and contrasts these aspects of their lives.
A controllability test and motion planning primitives for overconstrained vehicles

Conventional nonholonomic motion planning and control theories do not directly apply to "overconstrained vehicles", such as the Sojourner vehicle of the Mars Pathfinder mission. This paper discusses some basic issues of motion planning and control for this potentially important class of mobile robots. A power dissipation approach is used to model the governing equations of overconstrained vehicles that move quasi-statically. These equations are shown to be switched hybrid systems. Notions from standard geometric control, such as the Lie bracket, are extended to these switched systems. We then develop a controllability test for such systems. We explore motion planning primitives in the context of simplified examples.
Space for the Cures: Science Launches a New Journal Dedicated to Translational Research in Biomedicine

Science Translational Medicine , a new companion publication to Science , represents the crystallization of several undercurrents that have been rocking biological research over the past few years. First is the uneasy sense that our approaches to the transformation of 50 years’ worth of remarkable
Open source: a practical solution

A small group in the Amherst College IT Department was given responsibility for researching new ticket tracking software during the spring and summer of 2006. The help desk staff had been using purchased software for several years and had learned to live with the quirkiness of some of the modules, the costly maintenance fees, and more importantly, the resistance from other groups within IT about using it. Open source became our mantra for the cost-saving benefits, but we had to embrace the same programming conventions (Java, PHP, and Perl) and database infrastructure (SQL) we used for other systems. The wish list included finding a solution that would allow future API integration with a knowledge base and self-service module. We also knew it had to have a web-base interface, a relatively sophisticated search function, automated email notification system, and provide a queue-oriented navigation schema. Lastly, the software implementation had to coincide with the rollout of a new Content Management System scheduled for mid-January of 2007. This gave our team less than six months to research and recommend software options for testing, make a decision based on the criteria from our 'feature wish list', and have the software available for use by January. This presentation will provide insights into the realm of support for open source, the surprising collaboration between internal and external constituencies during the research and implementation process, and how this experience has affected our support initiatives.
Syntactic transfer in English-speaking Spanish learners*

Competition Model studies of second language learners have demonstrated that there is a gradual replacement of first language cues for thematic role assignment by second language cues. The current study introduced two methodological innovations in the investigation of this process. The first was the use of mouse-tracking methodology (Spivey, 2007) to assess the online process of thematic role assignment. The second was the inclusion of both a task with language-specific cues and a task with language-common cues. The results of the language-common cue task indicated that, as English-dominant learners become more balanced between English and Spanish, they rely increasingly on a coalition between the animacy cue and the subject–verb agreement cue. However, the results of the language-specific cue task reveal that learners also rely on the cue of prepositional case marking in Spanish and nominal case marking in English. These results provide evidence of forward transfer, backward transfer, and rapid acquisition of cue-based sentence interpretation strategies in second language learning.
Sexual orientation obsessions in obsessive–compulsive disorder: Prevalence and correlates

article i nfo Sexual obsessions are a common symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that may be particularly troubling to patients. However, little research has examined concerns surrounding sexual orientation, which includes obsessive doubt about one's sexual orientation, fears of becoming homosexual, or fears that others might think one is homosexual. The present study reports rates and related characteristics of individuals with sexual orientation obsessions in a clinical sample. Participants from the DSM-IV Field Trial (n=409; Foa et al., 1995) were assessed with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Symptom Checklist and Severity Scale (YBOCS). We found that 8% (n=33) reported current sexual orientation obsessions and 11.9% (n=49) endorsed lifetime symptoms. Patents with a history of sexual orientation obsessions were twice as likely to be male than female, with moderate OCD severity. Time, interference, and distress items from the YBOCS obsessions subscale were significantly and positively correlated with a history of obsessions about sexual orientation. Avoidance was positively correlated at a trend level (p=0.055). Obsessions about sexual orientation may be associated with increased distress, interference, and avoidance, which may have unique clinical implications. Considerations for diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
Origin and Elaboration of the Genetic Code

This chapter discusses that a sequence of deoxyribonucleotides in the DNA is selectively transcribed into a complementary sequence of ribonucleotides in a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which then serves as a template for polypeptide synthesis. The amino acids become linked to transfer RNAs (tRNAs) before they become linked to each other. The charged aminoacyl tRNAs bind to complementary sites on the mRNA. This interaction involves a sequence of three bases on the mRNA, the codon; and three bases on the tRNA, the anticodon. One of the first questions to arise is whether the code was always a triplet code or was, at one time, a singlet code or a doublet code. In a strict singlet code, each base in the reading frame of the message would represent an amino acid. Alternatively, one could imagine a relaxed singlet code, in which every third base was a coding base. Similarly, a strict doublet code would entail a sequence in which every two bases code for a particular amino acid. Then, as greater demands were made on the coding capacity of the translation system, many of the triplets took on essential meaning for all three bases. With respect to evolutionary origins, it is appropriate to ask whether there are any common chemical properties of amino acids that might lead to a preferential association with their respective codons.
Functional and pathologic consequences of a 52-week exposure to 0.5 PPM ozone followed by a clean air recovery period.

Male Fischer 344 rats were exposed to 0.5 ppm ozone for 20 hr/day, 7 days/week, for 52 weeks after which they were allowed to recover in clean filtered air for 12 weeks. Pulmonary function testing, which included measurements of lung volumes, expiratory air flows, and DLco, was performed before the initiation of exposure, after 26 and 52 weeks of exposure, and after the 12 week recovery. Control animals were tested at the same times but exposed only to clean filtered air. Another group, periodically sacrificed for histopathologic evaluation, was similarly exposed to ozone but allowed to recover in clean air for 24 weeks. The 52 weeks of ozone exposure produced small but statistically significant changes in several of the functional measurements when compared to clean air controls (FRC + 7.0%; RV + 11.2%; DLco - 7.3%). These measurements returned to control levels with 3 months of recovery. All other parameters showed no significantly different values between the 2 groups throughout the exposure and recovery periods. After both 6 and 12 months of ozone exposure, microscopic evaluation revealed a slight inflammatory response in the alveolar duct walls and septa of the immediately adjacent alveoli. This response included the accumulation of mononuclear cells and fibroblasts, thickening of alveolar septa, and a slight increase in macrophage population. With 6 months of recovery, the inflammation had all but disappeared. There remained only a slight dilation and thickening of an occasional alveolar duct and its adjacent alveoli. We conclude that the functional changes seen in the lungs in response to the ozone insult were the result of the observed inflammation in the distal areas of the lung, and the lesions produced were reversible to the extent that they could not be detected functionally after recovery.
Gas Permeation Measurements on Low Temperature Cofired Ceramics.

Commercial low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology is established in microelectronics and microsystems packaging, multichip and radio frequency (RF) modules, and sensors. The ability to combine structural considerations with embedded traces and components using laminated glass-ceramic tapes has created solutions to unconventional packaging requirements of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) devices. Many MEMS devices such as resonators are very sensitive to pressure and require packaging in a vacuum environment. Attaining and maintaining desirable pressure levels in sealed vacuum packages requires knowledge of the permeation characteristics of the vacuum envelope and the sealing materials. An experimental system to measure the time dependent gas permeation through LTCC at temperatures from room temperature to 500°C has been developed. This system utilizes a membrane technique in which a gas is allowed to permeate through a test sample, held at a constant temperature, into a high vacuum chamb...
PRIMARY PREVENTION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION WITH MITOCHONDRIAL UNCOUPLING

To date, there is no effective strategy for primary prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF). Mitochondrial uncoupling in moderation is cardio-protective and suppresses arrhythmia. We hypothesized that mitochondrial uncoupling may prevent the development of AF and related electro-anatomical remodeling
Effect of intracellular and extracellular acidosis on sodium current in ventricular myocytes

Conduction slowing is an essential element in the generation of ischemic ventricular arrhythmias and is determined in part by the inward Na+ current (INa). Because intracellular acidosis is an early consequence of ischemia, we hypothesized that lowering intracellular pH (pHi) would reduce or kinetically modulate INa and thus affect cardiac conduction. To test this hypothesis, the whole cell patch-clamp method was used to measure INa in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes exposed to varying extracellular pH (pHo 6.4–7.4), while perfusing the cells with acidic solutions (pHi 6.2–7.2). With simultaneous acidification of pHo and pHi there was a progressive increase in time to peak current, a 31% decrease in peak INa (298 +/- 18 to 206 +/- 16 pA/pF), and a complex slowing of inactivation kinetics. At the most extreme levels of acidification, there was a 5-mV hyperpolarizing shift in steady-state inactivation and a 6-mV depolarizing shift in activation. Independent changes of pHo and pHi indicate that the reduction of peak INa is a function of pHo. However, steady-state inactivation is modulated by pHi. The time course of activation and inactivation appears to depend on both pHo and pHi. We conclude that both intracellular and extracellular acidosis are significant but distinct modulators of INa amplitude and kinetics in cardiac myocytes.
Platelet-stimulated thrombin and PDGF are normalized by insulin and Ca2+ channel blockers.

Coronary artery disease is accelerated in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Because prostacyclin (PGI2) may retard atherogenesis through its inhibitory effects on platelet function, the role of PGI...
Cytomegalovirus infection in high-risk kidney transplant recipients receiving thymoglobulin induction-a single-center experience.

Background The burden of cytomegalovirus infection in CMV high-risk (donor positive to recipient negative) kidney transplant recipients getting thymoglobulin induction and six months of valganciclovir is not well characterized. Additionally, the role of post-prophylaxis surveillance remains unclear. Methods One-year observational study of forty-eight high-risk CMV kidney transplant recipients transplanted under thymoglobulin between January 2013 and July 2014. All received valganciclovir for six months, followed by monthly CMV PCR for three months. Results CMV infection defined as viremia with or without symptoms occurred in 40% (19/48). Of these, 47% (9/19) occurred during prophylaxis, 32% (6/19) during surveillance and 21% (4/19) during post-surveillance period (9–12 months). Among breakthrough infections, suboptimal valganciclovir dosing was present in 55% (5/9). With routine surveillance, there was a trend toward lower CMV-related hospitalization (17% vs 56% and 75% during prophylaxis and post-surveillance, respectively [P=.23]) and lower mean peak viral loads (19 432 copies/mL vs 97 925 copies/mL and 536 021 copies/mL during prophylaxis and post-surveillance, respectively [P=.07]). Conclusion CMV infection remains a significant problem with thymoglobulin induction despite six months of valganciclovir. Suboptimal valganciclovir dosing was common among breakthrough infections. Monthly surveillance post-prophylaxis appears to detect early CMV infection with lower degree of viremias requiring fewer hospitalizations.
SU‐G‐BRA‐08: Diaphragm Motion Tracking Based On KV CBCT Projections with a Constrained Linear Regression Optimization

Purpose: To develop a novel strategy to extract the respiratory motion of the thoracic diaphragm from kilovoltage cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) projections by a constrained linear regression optimization technique. Methods: A parabolic function was identified as the geometric model and was employed to fit the shape of the diaphragm on the CBCT projections. The search was initialized by five manually placed seeds on a pre-selected projection image. Temporal redundancies, the enabling phenomenology in video compression and encoding techniques, inherent in the dynamic properties of the diaphragm motion together with the geometrical shape of the diaphragm boundary and the associated algebraic constraint that significantly reduced the searching space of viable parabolic parameters was integrated, which can be effectively optimized by a constrained linear regression approach on the subsequent projections. The innovative algebraic constraints stipulating the kinetic range of the motion and the spatial constraint preventing any unphysical deviations was able to obtain the optimal contour of the diaphragm with minimal initialization. The algorithm was assessed by a fluoroscopic movie acquired at anteriorposterior fixed direction and kilovoltage CBCT projection image sets from four lung and two liver patients. The automatic tracing by the proposed algorithm and manual tracking by a human operator were compared in both space and frequency domains. Results: The error between the estimated and manual detections for the fluoroscopic movie was 0.54mm with standard deviation (SD) of 0.45mm, while the average error for the CBCT projections was 0.79mm with SD of 0.64mm for all enrolled patients. The submillimeter accuracy outcome exhibits the promise of the proposed constrained linear regression approach to track the diaphragm motion on rotational projection images. Conclusion: The new algorithm will provide a potential solution to rendering diaphragm motion and ultimately improving tumor motion management for radiation therapy of cancer patients.
The Diversity of Exchange

South Asian grain markets are an extravagant, changing display of commercial diversity. There is a great array of contracts, trader types, market configurations, transport modes, labor practices, processing technologies and forms of finance. Accounts of grain markets in Bangladesh (Farruk, 1972; Islam, et al., 1985) may provide maps of market circuits, glossaries of market vocabulary, and descriptions of the various market practices associated with the plethora of terms for traders, but few attempt to explain, or examine the implications of, this diversity. In fact, as we shall see, there are recurrent tendencies to minimize diversity.
Study of the Aggregation of Calcium Oxalate Crystals Using Shock Wave Lithotripsy

In this study shock wave lithotripsy was investigated as a tool to measure the relative strength of calcium oxalate aggregates. The technique of image analysis was studied for its ability to quantify the degree of calcium oxalate aggregation. Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) crystals with known morphology were synthesized from supersaturated solutions at 21°C. The COM was conditioned in suspension with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 ppm. Ten cc aliquots of the suspensions were exposed to either 250 shock waves (SW) or 500 SW from the lithotripter (Technomed Sonolith 2000). Shock wave lithotripsy was found to be useful as a relative measure of aggregate strength of calcium oxalate aggregates and that image analysis was satisfactory as a measure of aggregate size distribution. Preliminary data suggest that in the absence of flocculant (albumin or CS), COD forms stronger aggregates than COM. In addition the data suggest that there is a critical flocculation concentration for albumin and chondroitin sulfate.
Aminoguanidine and the effects of modified LDL on cultured retinal capillary cells.

PURPOSE Compared with normal low density lipoprotein (N-LDL), LDL minimally modified in vitro by glycation, minimal oxidation, or glycoxidation (G-, MO-, GO-LDL) decreases survival of cultured retinal capillary endothelial cells and pericytes. Similar modifications occurring in vivo in diabetes may contribute to retinopathy. The goal of this study was to determine whether low concentrations of aminoguanidine might prevent cytotoxic modification of LDL and/or protect retinal capillary cells from previously modified LDL. METHODS Minimal in vitro modification of LDL (3 days, 37 degrees C) was achieved with glucose (0, 50 mM), under antioxidant conditions (for N-LDL, G-LDL), or under mild oxidant conditions (for MO-, GO-LDL) in the presence/absence of aminoguanidine (0, 1, 10, 100 microM). Glucose and aminoguanidine were then removed by dialysis. Confluent bovine retinal capillary endothelial cells (n = 13) and pericytes (n = 14) were exposed to LDL (100 mg/l) for 3 days, with and without aminoguanidine (100 microM) in media. Cell counts were determined by hemocytometer. RESULTS A decrease in cell counts after exposure to modified compared with N-LDL was confirmed (P < 0.001) but was significantly mitigated if LDL had been modified in the presence of aminoguanidine (P < 0.001). Aminoguanidine was as effective at 1 microM as at the higher concentrations. Aminoguanidine (100 microM) present in culture media conferred no additional protection, and showed slight evidence of toxicity. Aminoguanidine present during LDL modification had no effect on measured glycation or oxidation products, or on LDL oxidizability. CONCLUSIONS Very low concentrations of aminoguanidine mitigate toxicity of LDL exposed to stresses that simulate the diabetic environment. This action may contribute to the beneficial effects of aminoguanidine observed in experimental diabetic retinopathy.
Studies of Mechanism in Thermal and Photochemical Alkane Functionalization Reactions Catalyzed by Oxidatively Resistant Metalloporphyrin Analogues (IMAs) and Isopolytungstates

Abstract Newly defined properties of oxidatively resistant inorganic metalloporphyrin analogue (IMA) catalysts for organic substrate oxygenation are discussed. The product distributions and the rate laws observed upon oxidation of alkanes by t -butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) catalyzed by one type of IMA, (Co II )W 11 PO 39 5- , 1-Co, are complex and indicative of multiple mechanisms. In unrelated chemistry, the rate behavior for photodehydrogenation of an exemplary alkane, cyclohexane, catalyzed by the isopolytungstate W 10 O 32 4- is examined. A compact rate law is derived [ϕ obs = ([HP 3 -]/[P 4- ] O )(ϕ H+ ) + ([P 4- ] O - [HP 3 -]/[P 4- ] O )(ϕ noH+ )] and the rate of alkane photooxidation and other key processes in these dehydrogenation reactions are established to be highly dependent on the protonation state of the catalyst. The protonated form is ∼10 times more reactive toward alkanes than the unprotonated form. A study of the temperature dependence of alkane photodehydrogenation by two representative polyoxometalates, α-H 3 PW 12 O 4O and α-H 3 PM O12 O 4O indicates that the photoredox processes are nearly activationless while subsequent thermal processes have substantial enthalpies of activation.
Pitch Control of Hexagonal Non-Close-Packed Nanosphere Arrays Using Isotropic Deformation of an Elastomer

Self-assembly of colloidal nanospheres combined with various nanofabrication techniques produces an ever-increasing range of two-dimensional (2D) ordered nanostructures, although the pattern periodicity is typically bound to the original interparticle spacing. Deformable soft lithography using controlled deformation of elastomeric substrates and subsequent contact printing transfer offer a versatile method to systematically control the lattice spacing and arrangements of the 2D nanosphere array. However, the anisotropic nature of uniaxial and biaxial stretching as well as the strain limit of solvent swelling makes it difficult to create well-separated, ordered 2D nanosphere arrays with large-area hexagonal arrangements. In this paper, we report a simple, facile approach to fabricate such arrays of polystyrene nanospheres using a custom-made radial stretching apparatus. The maximum stretchability and spatial uniformity of the poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) elastomeric substrate is systematically investigate...
CD74 associates with Fas and inhibits Fas-mediated apoptosis

819 Resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis manifested by hematopoietic cancers interferes with the efficacy of currently available chemotherapy. Our prior research on human herpesvirus 8 oncoprotein K1 showed that K1 binds to Fas and interferes with activation of Fas-mediated apoptotic signaling (Wang, W, et al , Blood 2007; 109:5455-62). Herpesvirus proteins often mimic host proteins or their functions, we thus searched for endogenous host proteins associated with inactive Fas in order to identify potential regulators of Fas signaling. Potential inhibitors of Fas were identified by immunodepletion of cell extracts from B-cell lymphoma-derived BJAB cells with activating anti-Fas antibody and by subsequent coimmunoprecipitation of proteins associated with nonactivated Fas. CD74, the invariant light chain of MHC II, was identifed in complex with inactive Fas by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy. Interestingly, overexpression of CD74 has been previously reported in hematopoietic cancers: in 43 of 66 cases of pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphomas (Miles, R.R., et al., Br J of Haematology. 2007; 138: 64-71), in 8 out of 14 multiple myeloma-derived cell lines and B-cell lymphoma cell lines Raji and Ramos (Burton, J.D., et al., Clin Cancer Res. 2004; 10: 6606-6611), in 11 of 16 cases of leukemia (Kaddu, S., et al., J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999; 40: 966-978), as well as in 9 out of 11 cases of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (Ioachim, H.L., Am J Surg Pathol. 1996; 20: 64-71). CD74 expression in cancers was thus suspicious. Through overexpression of CD74 in Fas-positive HEK 293 cells and suppression of CD74 expression in BJAB cell using siRNA technology we have determined that cells overexpressing CD74 are more resistant to agonistic antibody CH-11-induced Fas-mediated apoptosis then their relative controls. We have also mapped the domain of CD74 required for association with Fas to a membrane-proximal region of CD74. Transfection of mice with plasmid encoding full length CD74 protected mice from lethal challenge with agonistic anti-Fas antibody Jo2. All 5 of vector transfected mice died within 6 hours from challenge, while 4 out of 5 CD74 transfected mice survived (P
Critical Reading in Higher Education Academic Goals and Social Engagement (2015)

Critical reading is an expectation of students in all academic programs. A common concern and assumption of undergraduate faculty is students are not reading assigned preparatory materials prior to...
Preparation and applications of a thioacetal handle for solid-phase synthesis

Among the most critical facets of solid-phase organic synthesis (SPOS) is the capability to attach the starting material to the solid support, and to cleanly remove the target molecule from the support following synthesis. Many effective handles (sometimes called linkers) have been developed for this purpose, but few are stable to many of the conditions used in traditional organic synthesis. This deficiency warrants the development of more broadly stable handles, which can nevertheless be cleaved under relatively selective conditions. We report here the preparation and applications of a thioacetal handle for the anchoring of aldehydes and ketones. The handle is stable to a variety of harsh conditions, and in the case of aldehydes, the handle system may be used as an acyl anion equivalent for the synthesis of ketones.
Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) Models, Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models, Biologically Based Dose Response (BBDR) and Toxicity Pathways: Computational Tools for Public Health

Human health risk assessment is “the process to estimate the nature and probability of adverse health effects in humans who may be exposed to chemicals in contaminated environmental media, now or in the future.” Currently, most data required for human risk assessment are derived from toxicological studies conducted in laboratory animals. The “Toxicology in the 21st Century” initiative expands the toxicity testing tools to include the development of alternative toxicity testing methods that examine pathways of toxicity (on a large scale) and the employment of dose-response and extrapolation modeling tools. While the latter methodology is in its infancy, several methodologies for dose-response and extrapolation modeling are more mature. Over the last decade, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling has gained acceptance as a computational tool for use in public health assessments. In this chapter, we present examples of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models, and biologically based dose response (BBDR) models that have been developed for use in public health assessments and advancing knowledge gained through in silico examinations of biological systems.
The Effect of Diffusion Potentials on Facilitated CO2 Diffusion

Bicarbonate-facilitated CO2 transport is, as described elsewhere in this section, of long-standing biological and industrial interest. It can be said to date back at least half a century to A.V. Hill’s (1928) comment on August Krogh’s (1918–1919) measurements of tissue O2 and CO2 permeabilities: “It seems rather curious that the larger molecule should diffuse faster.”
Breakfast Rice Cereals and Baby Foods

Rice is one of the most important cereals in the world. Most people in Asia and tropical and subtropical countries use rice as a major staple food. Almost all cultivated rice plants belong to Oryza sativa L., which was originated in Asia, and which is divided roughly into two subspecies, Indica and Japonica. Between these two typical subspecies, rice is differentiated into many kinds of ecotypes according to local conditions. Each ecotype has a different response to day length, temperature, soil fertility, and water supply. Accordingly, different ecotypes of rice are cultivated in a manner corresponding to the soil properties of the paddy fields, growth seasons, climatic conditions, and methods of cultivation.
Fluorescence based detection of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water using hydrophobic interactions.

Despite increasing controls in their production and disposal, persistent organic pollutants in water, even at concentrations below parts per million, represent an ongoing environmental health risk. Despite this concern, the detection of these compounds in water sources rely upon expensive, time consuming approaches that do not permit frequent monitoring and evaluation. In this work, a new fluorescence-based technique is presented for the detection of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water. Benzopyrene (BaP) fluorescence was shown to increase with trace concentrations of aromatic organic pollutants. BaP forms a hydrophobic complex with PCBs, which has allowed for the successful detection of pollutants including PCB-126, PCB-153 and PCB-118. To determine the selectivity and robustness of this response, the impact of pH, ionic strength and humic acid to mimic surface water conditions is explored. While suppression of the signal was seen, these factors’ impact on the detection of PCBs was minor, suggesting that a potential sensing strategy can be developed through this interaction. It is seen that the number and location of chlorine atoms are important along with the geometric orientation of molecule's structure.
FARM BULK MILK HANDLING

This article is based largely on a paper presented by the author to the Orange County, New York, milk sanitarians and guest farmers. The purpose of the talk was to give a general picture of the bul...
Feedforward and Feedback Processing of Spatiotemporal Tubes for Efficient Object Localization

We introduce a new set of mechanisms for tracking entities through videos, at substantially less expense than required by standard methods. The approach combines inexpensive initial processing of individual frames together with integration of information across long time spans (multiple frames), resulting in the recognition and tracking of spatially and temporally contiguous entities, rather than focusing on the individual pixels that comprise those entities.