cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Die Zahl Acht

Die Zahl 8 ist mit ganz verschiedenen Dingen verquickt: mit dem appetitlichen Pizzatheorem, dem vergnuglichen Spiel des Lebens, den schwindelnden Hohen der Gruppe E 8, dem perfekten Mischen von Karten und dem hubschen Sierpinski-Teppich. Viel Spas!
Fast Computable Recoverable Sets and Their Use for Aircraft Loss-of-Control Handling

The paper describes a framework for constrained flight control based on the use of recoverable sets that are chained together to guide constrained admissible transitions between trim points. The re...
Ensuring Trustworthy Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radio Networks

Cognitive Radio (CR) is a promising technology that can alleviate the spectrum shortage problem by enabling unlicensed users equipped with CRs to coexist with incumbent users in licensed spectrum bands without inducing interference to incumbent communications. Spectrum sensing is one of the essential mechanisms of CRs that has attracted great attention from researhers recently. Although the operational aspects of spectrum sensing are being investigated actively, its security aspects have garnered little attention. In this paper, we describe an attack that poses a great threat to spectrum sensing. In this attack, which is called the primary user emulation (PUE) attack, an adversary's CR transmits signals whose characteristics emulate those of incumbent signals. The highly flexible, software-based air interface of CRs makes such an attack possible. Our investigation shows that a PUE attack can severely interfere with the spectrum sensing process and significantly reduce the channel resources available to legitimate unlicensed users. As a way of countering this threat, we propose a transmitter verification procedure that can be integrated into the spectrum sensing mechanism. The transmitter verification procedure employs a location verification scheme to distinguish incumbent signals from unlicensed signals masquerading as incumbent signals. Two alternative techniques are proposed to realize location verification: Distance Ratio Test and Distance Difference Test. We provide simulation results of the two techniques as well as analyses of their security in the paper.
A full-vector paleomagnetic secular variation record (PSV) from Pyramid Lake (Nevada) from 47–17 ka: Evidence for the successive Mono Lake and Laschamp Excursions

Abstract We have carried out a paleomagnetic study of late-Pleistocene Pyramid Lake core PLC08-1 (1680 cm). Our goals were to develop a full-vector paleomagnetic secular variation (PSV) record for the core, establish a paleomagnetic chronostratigraphy for the lake based on correlation of the PSV record to other dated PSV records in the region, compare that chronostratigraphy with previously developed radiocarbon and ash chronologies, and search for evidence of the Mono Lake Excursion and Laschamp Excursion. We have recovered a full-vector PSV record (inclination, declination, relative paleointensity) for the interval 47 ka to 17 ka. Twenty radiocarbon dates and four dated ashes provided a chronostratigraphic framework for this record. We have also used the link between our PSV and other dated PSV records to develop an independent PSV chronostratigraphy for the core. The PSV chronostratigraphy is not significantly different from that estimated by the radiocarbon and ash chronologies. We note the existence of two intervals of anomalous paleomagnetic directions. The younger interval, centered at 34.1 ± 0.4 ka , has the characteristic vector component features of the Mono Lake Excursion. The older interval, centered at 40.9 ± 0.5 ka , has the characteristic paleomagnetic signature of the Laschamp Excursion. This is the first time both intervals of excursional behavior have been found in the same sediment record from the western USA. Our new PSV record also corroborates previous estimates of the Mono Lake Excursion directional field behavior ( Liddicoat and Coe, 1979 ) and age ( Benson et al., 2003 ).
Pose estimation of anime/manga characters: a case for synthetic data

2D articulated pose estimation is the task of locating the body joint positions of a human figure in an image. A pose estimator that works on anime/manga images could be an important component of an automatic system to create 3D animation from existing manga or anime, which could significantly the lower cost of media production. To create an accurate pose estimator, however, a sizable and high-quality dataset is needed, and such a dataset can be expensive to create.To alleviate data scarcity, we propose using a database of 3D character models and poses to generate synthetic training data for 2D pose estimators of anime/manga characters based on convolutional neural networks (CNN). We demonstrate that a high-performing estimator can be obtained by pretraining a network on a large synthetic dataset and then fine-tuning it on a small dataset of drawings. We also show that the approach yields a pose estimator competitive with many previous works when applied to a photograph-based dataset, establishing our synthetic data's usefulness beyond the intended domain.
Quantification of Gas-to-Particle Conversion Rates of Sulfur in the Terrestrial Atmosphere Using High-Sensitivity Measurements of Cosmogenic 35S

The productions of sulfuric acid and sulfate aerosol (SO42–) from the oxidation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) are fundamental chemical processes in nature and play important roles in the sulfur cycles and climates of Earth and extraterrestrial bodies, such as Venus and Europa. Numerous experimental and theoretical efforts have been made to understand kinetics and mechanisms of SO2 oxidation, but quantifying SO2-to-SO42– conversion rates in the terrestrial atmosphere remains a challenge as a result of varying sources for both SO2 and SO42–. Here, we use high-sensitivity measurements of cosmogenic 35S (half-life = 87 days), a radiogenic isotope exclusively produced by cosmic rays in the atmosphere, in both SO2 and SO42– collected from the ambient atmosphere to assist in such quantification. The monthly SO2-to-SO42– conversion rates in the boundary layer over coastal California and the Tibetan Plateau are calculated using a steady-state 35S box model. A distinct seasonal variation of SO2-to-SO42– conversion rates ...
Crustose coralline algae increased framework and diversity on ancient coral reefs

Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are key producers of carbonate sediment on reefs today. Despite their importance in modern reef ecosystems, the long-term relationship of CCA with reef development has not been quantitatively assessed in the fossil record. This study includes data from 128 Cenozoic coral reefs collected from the Paleobiology Database, the Paleoreefs Database, as well as the original literature and assesses the correlation of CCA abundance with taxonomic diversity (both corals and reef dwellers) and framework of fossil coral reefs. Chi-squared tests show reef type is significantly correlated with CCA abundance and post-hoc tests indicate higher involvement of CCA is associated with stronger reef structure. Additionally, general linear models show coral reefs with higher amounts of CCA had a higher diversity of reef-dwelling organisms. These data have important implications for paleoecology as they demonstrate that CCA increased building capacity, structural integrity, and diversity of ancient coral reefs. The analyses presented here demonstrate that the function of CCA on modern coral reefs is similar to their function on Cenozoic reefs; thus, studies of ancient coral reef collapse are even more meaningful as modern analogues.
When Stalin Lost His Head: World War II and Memory Wars in Contemporary Ukraine

In the last two decades Ukraine became a battleground of two post-Soviet historical narratives of World War II: the Communist narrative, based on the experiences of the veterans of the Soviet Army, and its nationalist alternative, based predominantly on the experiences of the fighters of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. There is also a third, liberal interpretation of the war that is slowly emerging in contemporary Ukraine. This chapter examines the role that the cult of Joseph Stalin plays in articulating these three approaches to the history of World War II. It takes as its point of departure the incident that took place in the city of Zaporizhia in Southern Ukraine in December 2010 when a statue to Joseph Stalin, installed a few months earlier by the members of the Communist party of Ukraine on the doorsteps of their regional headquarters was beheaded by Ukrainian nationalists.
Imputing trust network information in NMF-based collaborative filtering

We propose an NMF (Nonnegative Matrix Factorization)-based approach in collaborative filtering based recommendation systems to handle the cold-start users issue, especially for the New-Users who did not rate any items. The proposed approach utilizes the trust network information to impute missing ratings before NMF is applied. We do two cases of imputation: (1) when all users are imputed, and (2) when only New-Users are imputed. To study the impact of the imputation, we divide users into three groups and calculate their recommendation errors. Experiments on four different datasets are conducted to examine the proposed approach. The results show that our approach can handle the New-Users issue and reduce the recommendation errors for the whole dataset especially in the second imputation case.
A Critical Reason for Conducting Clinical Trials Is that Results with Humans Are Not Necessarily Predictable from Preclinical Studies

In the biomedical sciences, when developing any new therapy for all types of human diseases, the typical sequence pathway followed progresses from laboratory bench research (e.g., studies in a test tube or cell culture), to experiments in an animal model, and finally to human clinical trials. The most often considered and obvious reasons for the early-stage (phase I/II) clinical trials are to ensure adequate safety and efficacy before allowing widespread administration of the therapy. However, there is another, critically important reason, not often discussed, which is that results from human clinical trials often are not entirely predictable from the preceding preclinical studies. Herein, this important reason is addressed using examples from the developing field of gene therapy targeting three quite different clinical disorders: cystic fibrosis, severe combined immunodeficiency X1, and irradiation-induced salivary hypofunction.
''Sustainability Measurements in the Built Hospitality Environment: Asset Ownership & Operational Choices''

An exploratory study has been conducted to two sustainability measuresestablish reflecting consumption of resources at 984 sites in the U.S. hospitality industry over an 8 year period: first one is driven by operating factors (OPF), and the other is driven by consumer behaviorrelated factors (BEF). A comparative analysis of these factors based on local differences at these sites is offered: ownership m- anage self owned asset versus ire professional management company;h type of management structure - franchisee/chain versus third-party oversight; location - urban versus rural; type of ambient climate - hot versus cold; and the type of consumer – corporate groups vs. individuals served. Systematic differences are observed between the average OPF and BEF measurements based on these variegated local differences. These differences inform the development of a framework to assess the tensions between investments made by asset owners and the commitment by its operator to implement sustainable operating practices.
Alza Corporation: An Illustration of Form Over Substance

Before merging with Johnson & Johnson in 2001, ALZA Pharmaceuticals Corporation was on the cutting edge of both drug delivery systems and creative financial arrangements. This paper explains the creation of two spin-off corporations by ALZA for the purpose of funding research and development (R&D) activities to be carried out primarily by and for the benefit of ALZA. The agreements between ALZA and its two spin-offs are outlined, the financial statement impact for ALZA is examined, and the disclosures made regarding the arrangements are critiqued. Results show that existing GAAP was circumvented to enhance revenue and net income over a period of eight years. Finally, the paper discusses the potential efficacy of a principles-based accounting standard in preventing the overstatement and circumvention of GAAP and argues for the continuing need for detailed guidance in the standard-setting process.
Medical Complications of Immunosuppression

Transplantation effectively owes its existence to the development of immunosuppressive agents. Loss of allografts of all types to acute rejection has become less frequent as the potency and variety of immunosuppressive agents has continued to improve. Unfortunately, the medical complications of transplantation are also largely related to these agents. Each one has been associated with well-described side effects, all of which must be anticipated and managed by the physicians caring for these patients. There is a growing recognition that patient and graft survival may be highly influenced by the side effects of these agents. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in transplant patients, and its progression may be accelerated by various immunosuppressive agents. Likewise, graft loss is largely caused by chronic allograft rejection after the first two years. The influence of hyperlipidemia and other factors may play a major role in this process. Proper management of the medical complications after transplantation may offer an important opportunity to prevent premature death and graft loss.
Asymmetric Field Controlled Thyristors

Fig. 9.1 shows the structure and doping profile Baliga, 1980 of an asymmetric field controlled thyristor (AFCT). To enable this device to conduct current between the anode and cathode terminals, a small positive bias (<1V) is applied between the gate and cathode terminals. The device then behaves like a forward biased P+-i-N diode between the anode and cathode terminals. An AFCT can operate at large current densities with a relatively small forward voltage drop because of a large concentration of excess carriers injected into the N- (drift) region Baliga, 1987.
Structured Acoustic Models for Speech Recognition

In speech recognition we want to convert an acoustic signal to a sequence of words. A robust speech recognition system could significantly alter the way we interact with computers and enable a plethora of new applications. Speech recognition, however, is a very difficult task for many reasons. One of the main challenges is even though while each word has only one (or at most a few) valid orthographic and phonetic transcriptions, the acoustic characteristics of its utterance will vary greatly. Not only will different speakers pronounce the same word differently depending on dialect, gender, or age, but the same speaker might utter the same word differently depending on mood and context.
Stein-rule estimation in genetic carrier testing

In this paper, we apply the fully correlated random parameters logit (FCRPL) model to the genetic carrier testing data using shrinkage estimation. We show that shrinkage estimates with higher shrinkage constant improve the percentages of correct predicted choices by 2% and 10% respectively with Jewish and general population samples. The mean estimates of elasticity based on the shrinkage estimates are closer to those with the FCRPL model estimates and have smaller standard errors than the corresponding results based on the uncorrelated random parameters logit model estimates.
Activation Stoichiometry and Pore Architecture of TRPA1 Probed with Channel Concatemers

The nociceptor ion channel TRPA1 detects a wide range of hazardous chemicals, including reactive electrophiles such as cinnamaldehyde, which gate the channel allowing Na+ and Ca2+ entry. TRPA1 assembles as a tetramer, with a central pore within which an aspartate residue (D918) determines Ca2+ permeability. Here, we report that introduction of histidine at this position, D918H, makes TRPA1 channels sensitive to block by nanomolar concentration of Zn2+ and can be used to functionally tag subunits in concatemers. Concatemers with increasing numbers of D918H subunits display increasing sensitivity to Zn2+ inhibition, indicating that the four side chains at position 918 of the tetramer directly coordinate Zn2+ and other permeating divalent cations. In the published structure of TRPA1, this requires a rearrangement of the pore region which may represent the true open state of the channel. Concatemeric channels containing subunits mutated to be insensitive to reactive electrophiles (C622S) could be activated by cinnamaldehyde when as few as two subunits contained intact ligand binding sites. Activation upon liganding of just two of the four possible subunits may represent an optimal strategy to rapidly and reliably detect noxious chemicals.
Oral acetazolamide as a medical adjuvant to retinal surgery in optic disc pit maculopathy in a pediatric patient.

Abstract Purpose To describe a novel combination of surgical and medical management for the treatment of optic disc pit maculopathy. Observations A 12-year-old obese girl with bilateral optic disc pits presented with decreased vision in the left eye (20/400). On dilated fundus examination, she was found to have a macula-involving serous retinal detachment. Pars plana vitrectomy, posterior hyaloid peel, internal limiting membrane peel, fluid-air exchange, temporal juxtapapillary endolaser, and C3F8 tamponade were performed. Postoperatively, there was persistence of subretinal fluid, so oral acetazolamide and a weight loss regimen were started. After 3 months of medical treatment, the subretinal fluid decreased significantly and visual acuity improved to 20/60. Conclusion and Importance Currently, the mechanisms leading to optic disc pit maculopathy remain a topic of debate. As optic disc pits may provide a conduit between the subarachnoid and subretinal spaces, the reduction of intracranial pressure with the use of systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may play a role in decreasing the subretinal fluid associated with select cases of optic disc pit maculopathy.
Long-term safety and effectiveness of biosimilar insulin glargine in Japanese patients with diabetes mellitus in routine clinical practice: results of a post-marketing safety study.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of biosimilar insulin glargine (GLY) in real-world clinical practice.Methods: This prospective, non-interventional, multicenter, observ...
Trauma-Informed Practices in Rural Education

The overall wellness and well-being of today’s youth are of concern owing to high levels of stress, as well as other mental and physical health issues. Academic success can be negatively impacted because of the interconnectivity of these issues, along with traumatic childhood experiences and high numbers of adverse childhood experiences. In rural areas, these issues can be even more pronounced owing to issues related to socioeconomic status and high rates of poverty. Therefore, it is important to explore interventions in the educational setting that could mitigate the negative impact of these challenges. This pilot study examined the relationship between a trauma-informed approach incorporating yoga/mindfulness and academic, social, and emotional behaviors among fourth graders in a rural academic setting. Student and teacher pre- and postintervention survey data indicate the intervention had academic, social, and emotional benefits.
Are the self-employed more stressed? New evidence on an old question

Are the self-employed more stressed than the employed? Current research on entrepreneur stress are mixed. We utilize the age-adjusted telomere length to test the influence of human capital on self-...
An Examination of Corporate Image Advertising in the Oil and Gas Industry

Corporate image advertising is a subset of advertising that focuses on promoting the organization itself, instead of specific products or services. A company can use corporate image advertising as part of its overall effort to manage its corporate reputation. In recent times, the image of oil and gas companies has been negatively affected by various factors such as the highly politicized debate over climate change. While there is evidence of climate change, the extent of change caused by human activity is not clear. Whether caused by human activity or naturally occurring climate cycles, increasing evidence indicates that the impact of climate change will not be significant. This study provides a descriptive analysis of corporate image advertising by four of the largest publicly-held oil and gas firms. The ads featured five different corporate social responsibility themes: operational safety, economic impact, environmental responsibility, philanthropy, and sustainability initiatives. Whatever the conclusion of the climate change political debate, corporate image advertising, which publicizes efforts by oil and gas companies to protect the natural environment, will be helpful to the industry.
Risk of toxicity from pediatric topical salicylate ingestions.

Suspected pediatric ingestions of greater than or equal to one teaspoon topical salicylate analgesic are recommended by poison control centers to be managed at healthcare facilities. This cutoff is...
Recurrent Bell's Palsy During Takeoff on a Commercial Flight: A Case Report.

Author(s): Galletta, Gayle | Abstract: Introduction: Unilateral facial weakness is a concerning symptom, particularly in a resources poor setting. Distinguishing between peripheral and central causes is critical to the evaluation, treatment, and prognosis. Case report: An unusual case of recurrent, transient Bell’s palsy occurring during ascent in a commercial airplane is presented. Conclusion: Emergency physicians should be aware of the possibility of barotrauma to the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) during flights because accurately diagnosing this condition can prevent costly aircraft diversion, calm the passenger’s anxiety, and forgo an expensive medical workup.
The Military Techno-Thriller: A History

This paper attempts a comprehensive history of the "military techno-thriller" in English, from its nineteenth century emergence through its post-World War I decline; its evolution of such derivatives as the spy story, war-themed post-apocalyptic fiction and military science fiction; and its revival in the 1970s and 1980s. In doing so the history emphasizes the connections between developments in fiction and developments in political life, while also examining manifestations of the form in other media, most notably the multimedia efflorescence of the genre in film, television and video gaming from the 1980s on.
CP-Trie: Cumulative PopCount based Trie for IPv6 Routing Table Lookup in Software and ASIC

Routing table lookup is a key function of a router. It involves performing the longest prefix match (LPM) of an IP address. Poptrie, the state-of-the-art trie based routing table lookup, encodes nodes using population counting bitmap. Poptrie uses PopCount CPU instruction which can process only 64 bits at a time. This is why, Poptrie uses 6-bit stride (26 = 64). This paper presents an extension of Poptrie named CP-Trie (stands for Cumulative PopCount based Trie) where it stores cumulative PopCount along with population counting bitmap. This enables CP-Trie to process longer stride (e.g. 8–16 bits) at each step. This reduces the number of steps and the number of memory access needed for an IP lookup. The fewer number of steps results in faster lookup. It also results in less power consumption in ASIC. Fewer memory accesses indicate that it requires fewer SRAM blocks in ASIC which results in lower area. This is why, CP-Trie is a more practical solution for pipelined ASIC compared to Poptrie. Our experiments with routing tables from real core routers show that CP-Trie achieves upto 1.43× lookup throughput on a general purpose CPU, but consumes 1.36–1.47× memory compared to Poptrie. We also implemented Poptrie and CP-Trie in a 1 GHz pipelined ASIC. Our physical synthesis report shows that CP-Trie consumes 0.86× power and 0.79× area compared to Poptrie in ASIC.
Analysis of over-the-counter analgesics purported to contain mescaline from the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii: Cactaceae)

The purpose of this study was to investigate samples of commercial over-the-counter products purported to contain extracts from peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii), a vulnerable species. Samples were extracted with organic solvent and then washed to remove impurities. The extracts of these products were subjected to an analysis by real-time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) to determine the presence or absence of the alkaloid mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine mescaline concentrations in the samples and to provide quantitative evidence of the concentration—if any—of mescaline in the products. If a detectable level of mescaline—a stable and abundant alkaloid of L. williamsii—was found in a given extract, then it was inferred that L. williamsii was present in the corresponding topical product. The results of this investigation show that most consumers who purchase the products in question are being defrauded if they believe they are buying L. williamsii-based medicines. The lack of mescaline—implying the lack of peyote—in these products suggests that wild populations of the vulnerable cactus L. williamsii, though currently being decimated on a massive scale in Mexico and the U.S. for other purposes, are rarely harvested for use in topical analgesic products. This conclusion is based on the finding that less than 5% of the ostensible L. williamsii-containing topical analgesic products that were analyzed in this study actually contained mescaline.
Evaluating Deterioration of Tunnels Using Computational Machine Learning Algorithms

AbstractTunnels are an integrated part of the transportation infrastructure. Structural evaluation and inspection of tunnels are vital tasks to assess the deterioration of tunnels and maintain thei...
Machine learning to predict incident radiographic knee osteoarthritis over 8 Years using combined MR imaging features, demographics, and clinical factors: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Summary Objective To develop a machine learning-based prediction model for incident radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee over 8 years using MRI-based cartilage biochemical composition and knee joint structure, demographics, and clinical predictors including muscle strength and symptoms. Design Individuals (n=1044) with baseline Kellgren Lawrence (KL) grade 0-1 in the right knee from the Osteoarthritis Initiative database were analyzed. 3T MRI at baseline was used to quantify knee cartilage T2, and Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scores (WORMS) were obtained for cartilage, meniscus, and bone marrow. The outcome was set as true if a subject developed KL grade 2-4 OA in the right knee over 8 years (n=183) and false if the subject remained at KL 0-1 over 8 years (n=861). We developed and compared three models: Model 1: 112 predictors based on OA risk factors; Model 2: top ten predictors based on feature importance score from Model 1 and clinical relevance; Model 3: Model 2 without the imaging predictors. We compared the models using the area under the R OC curve derived from hold-out data. Results The 10-predictor model (Model 2, that includes cartilage and meniscus WORMS scores and cartilage T2) had a slightly lower AUC (0.772) compared to the model with 112 predictors (Model 1: AUC=0.792, p=0.739); and had a significantly higher AUC compared to the model without MR imaging predictors (Model 3, AUC=0.669, p=0.011). Conclusions A 10-predictor model including MRI parameters coupled with demographics, symptoms, muscle, and physical activity scores provides good prediction of incident radiographic OA over 8 years.
Rapid multilocus adaptation of clonal cabbage leaf curl virus populations to Arabidopsis thaliana

Cabbage leaf curl virus (CabLCV) has a bipartite single-stranded DNA genome and infects the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. CabLCV serves as a model for the genus Begomovirus, members of which cause tremendous crop losses worldwide. We have used CabLCV as a model for within-plant virus evolution by inoculating individual plants with infectious clones of both wild-type and mutagenized versions of the CabLCV genome. Consistent with previous reports, detrimental substitutions in the Replication-associated gene (Rep) were readily compensated for by direct reversion and/or alternative mutations. A surprising number of common mutations were detected elsewhere in both viral segments (DNA-A and DNA-B) indicating convergent evolution and suggesting that CabLCV may not be as well adapted to A. thaliana as commonly presumed. Consistent with this idea, a spontaneous coat protein variant consistently rose to higher allele frequency in a hypersusceptible A. thaliana accession (Sei-0) than in another susceptible accession (Col-0). Numerous high-frequency mutations were also detected in a candidate Rep binding site in DNA-B. Our results reinforce the fact that spontaneous mutation of this type of virus occurs rapidly and can change the majority consensus sequence of a within-plant virus population in weeks.
Sex differences and cerebral asymmetry in facial affect perception as a function of depressed mood

Twenty-four right-handed subjects (12 men and 12 women), half within each sex classified as with depressed mood and the other half as nondepressed, participated in a tachistoscopic study of the influence of depressive symptomatology on the hemispheric processing of emotional faces (happy, angry, and neutral). Slower emotional processing was found in women with depressed mood than was found in nondepressed women, whereas diametrically opposite effects were seen in men. Cerebral asymmetry was also found as a function of affective valence, with a right-hemisphere advantage for the identification of angry faces. Symmetry was found in the identification of happy faces. Additionally, women with depressed mood more often identified neutral faces as angry, whereas depressive symptomatology reduced the strong negative response bias in men, with increased ambivalence or uncertainty in neutral affect perception. These results are discussed in light of hypothesized differences in cerebral asymmetry with depression and according to sex.
SU-E-T-803: Verification of QUANTEC Lyman Kutcher Burman (LKB) Model for Grade>=2(2+) Late Rectal Complication Rates Using a Database of 79 Prostate Patients Treated with IMRT

Purpose: QUANTEC review of best parameters for the LKB NTCP model of rectal complications is based exclusively on datasets obtained with 3D conformal techniques. The report suggests that inherent differences in rectal dose distributions obtained with IMRT techniques could require modification of the parameters which provide the best fit to clinical data. Methods: We compiled a database of 79 prostate patients who were treated with an IMRT technique to a dose of 77.4 Gy, 1.8Gy/fx, with an integrated boost to 81–83Gy in a sub-volume of a prostate which was identified on a pre-treatment MRI study. Rectal toxicities were graded according to CTCAE v4 by a physician who retrospectively reviewed patient’s medical records. Late grade 2+ toxicities were defined as toxicities occurring later than 90 days following the end of treatment. We defined the model in terms of parameters, m,n and TD_50, as recommended in the Quantec report. We converted the dose to 2Gy equivalent dose using linear-quadratic model with alpha over beta of 3Gy. We applied QUANTEC model to our data and compared results to our own fit of LKB model using two sample t-test. Results: Grade 2+ late rectal toxicity occurred in 4% (3/79 patients). The best fit of LKB model to data was obtained for n = 0.26, m = 0.25, and TD_50 = 81.53Gy. The two sample t-test yielded p value of 0.67. Average NTCP predicted by our parametrization is 3.8% while average NTCP predicted by QUANTEC parametrization is 3.5%. Conclusion: Predictions of late rectal toxicities in IMRT patients using LKB model with parameters from QUANTEC report match observed toxicity rates. Independent fit of LKB model to IMRT data produces somewhat different parameter set, but two parametrizations are equivalent within statistical uncertainties.
WE-AB-204-08: Uncertainties in Kinetic Modeling of Shortened Dynamic 18F-FMISO PET Due to Image Noise

Purpose: To assess uncertainties in voxel-wise kinetic modeling (KM) of dynamic 18F-FMISO PET (dPET) due to image noise for different lengths of dPET acquisitions. Methods: 12 tumor time activity curves (TACs) deduced from 6 head and neck cancer patient dPET datasets (45min dPET + 10min frames at ∼95min and ∼160min respectively) were modeled using an irreversible two-tissue compartment model to estimate kinetic rate constants (KRCs) k3, vB, K1, and K1/k2 (reference standard). For each modeled TAC, 1000 noisy TACs were simulated by adding Gaussian noise with standard deviation equivalent to that observed on a voxel level in GE DSTE PET-CT. KM was conducted for each set of noisy TACs using (i) full dataset (170min), and repeated using (ii) 105min and (iii) 45min shortened subsets, with an input function that was image-derived from the dPET dataset of matching length. Absolute value of percent difference between KRCs from noisy TACs as estimated from either of 3 datasets and reference standard KRCs was used to represent bias. Results: For all KRCs, bias was higher for shortened datasets. For k3, bias was lower when actual k3 was higher: from 7%±5% (170min), 9%±7% (105min), and 14%±11% (45min) (actual k3=0.0098), to 32%±25% (170min), 45%±34% (95min), and 79%±48% (45min) (actual k3=0.0008). Similar relationship was observed for vB, with bias being between ∼7% (actual vB=0.28) and ∼26–34% (actual vB=0.08). For K1 [K1/k2], bias was ∼6–10% [∼2–3%] (dependence on actual value of K1 [K1/k2] was not observed). Conclusion: Uncertainties in voxel-wise KM of shortened 18F-FMISO dPET due to image noisy only are larger for shorter acquisitions and, for k3 [vB], the bias was found to be inversely correlated with the actual values of k3 [vB]. Using 45min subset, k3, vB, K1, and K1/k2 could be estimated to within ∼15–80%, ∼10–35%, ∼10%, and ∼3%, respectively.
Tunisia's Experience with Real Exchange Rate Targeting and the Transition to a Flexible Exchange Rate Regime

Over the past decade or so, Tunisia has experienced a strong economic performance while pursuing a constant real exchange rate rule (CRERR). The limitations of this rule are now beginning to emerge in the context of a more open economy, regional integration, a more market-based monetary policy, and the desire to relax capital controls. This paper explores how Tunisia avoided the pitfalls of real exchange rate targeting as predicted by the theoretical models. By estimating the equilibrium real exchange rate based on fundamental variables and assessing different measures of competitiveness, the paper finds no evidence of a misalignment in the current level of the exchange rate.
Hybrid Eulerian and Lagrangian Simulation of Steep and Breaking Waves and Surface Fluxes in High Winds

Abstract : This research aims at developing a numerical capability using a Lagrangian Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method and an Eulerian Level-Set Method (LSM) for the simulation of steep and breaking waves in high winds. The ultimate goal is to establish an advanced computational framework for the investigation of wind-wave breaking in air-sea interaction processes, including the airflow separation over steep and breaking waves, the wind wave momentum and energy transfer, the momentum and energy injection from breaking waves to the upper ocean, and the turbulence transport process. The scientific and technical objectives of this research are: (1) Develop an Eulerian and Lagrangian multi-fluids simulation capability by using the SPH and LSM with environmental input provided by coupled wind and wave simulations at far field; (2) Use the numerical method developed in (1) to simulate wind wave ocean interactions at small scales to elucidate flow structure; (3) Quantify and characterize wind wave momentum and energy transfer and the injection to the upper ocean by breaking waves; and (4) Simulate and identify key process in turbulence transport near steep and breaking waves.
ACAT inhibitors: the search for a novel and effective treatment of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.

Publisher Summary This chapter explores that many different clofibrate-type compounds soon appeared with some desirable features, and a unifying molecular mechanism now exists for these drugs, none of them are particularly efficacious with regard to cholesterol reduction, especially low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol). They have been most useful for triglyceride reduction and to some extent, elevation of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol). Thus, other drugs were sought, resulting in the emergence of compounds that inhibit specific steps in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. This emphasis led to the discovery of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, now the dominant class of drugs widely used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. The chapter describes the biology and pharmacology of another class of potential cholesterol-lowering agents—namely, inhibitors of the intracellular enzyme, acyl-CoA:cholesterol O-acyltransferase (ACAT). It discusses that ACAT catalyzes the conversion of unesterified (free) cholesterol to cholesteryl esters in virtually every tissue, especially liver, intestine, and the endocrine organs, and, thereby plays a major role in intracellular cholesterol homeostasis. The chapter focuses on lipoprotein-producing tissues, with an additional emphasis on specific cells within developing atherosclerotic lesions. The biology of ACAT is briefly discussed for these tissues, and comprehensive evaluation is done for ACAT inhibitors that have emerged.
Mechanisms involved in the antibody-mediated suppression of tuberculin-type delayed hypersensitivity. II. The sensitivity of tolerance induction to cyclophosphamide pretreatment and splenectomy, and the demonstration of active suppression.

Abstract The induction of tuberculin-type delayed hypersensitivity, as measured by skin test, can be specifically inhibited by administration of antibody during sensitization. The cellular mechanisms involved in this tolerance were investigated in CAP 1 mice, using chicken conalbumin as antigen. Tolerance was prevented when mice were treated with Cyclophosphamide 2 days before sensitization and suppression. However, it was not affected by splenectomy 7 or 21 days before sensitization. This tolerance could be transferred to normal CAF 1 mice with spleen cells, but not with thymocytes, when taken from donor mice 21 to 28 days after sensitization and tolerance induction. Production of these cells in the donors required both antibody and antigen. The cells responsible for the transfer were B cells, as shown by their sensitivity to rabbit anti-mouse-immunoglobulin serum and complement. In addition to B cells, serum from tolerant mice also could transfer suppression at 21 to 28 days. We conclude that sensitizing mice, and treating them with specific immunosuppressive antiserum, induces the recipients to make suppressor B cells and suppressive humoral factors, which are involved in arresting the induction of tuberculin-type delayed hypersensitivity.
A dynamic model of gene expression in monocytes reveals differences in immediate/early response genes between adult and neonatal cells

Neonatal monocytes display immaturity of numerous functions compared with adult cells. Gene expression arrays provide a promising tool for elucidating mechanisms underlying neonatal immune function. We used a well-established microarray to analyze differences between LPS-stimulated human cord blood and adult monocytes to create dynamic models for interactions to elucidate observed deficiencies in neonatal immune responses. We identified 168 genes that were differentially expressed between adult and cord monocytes after 45 min incubation with LPS. Of these genes, 95% (159 of 167) were over-expressed in adult relative to cord monocytes. Differentially expressed genes could be sorted into nine groups according to their kinetics of activation. Functional modelling suggested differences between adult and cord blood in the regulation of apoptosis, a finding confirmed using annexin binding assays. We conclude that kinetic studies of gene expression reveal potentially important differences in gene expression dynamics that may provide insight into neonatal innate immunity.
A Kantian Defense of Abortion Rights with Respect for Intrauterine Life

In this paper, I appeal to two aspects of Immanuel Kant’s philosophy – his metaphysics and ethics – in defense of abortion rights. Many Kantian pro-life philosophers argue that Kant’s second principle formulation of the categorical imperative, which proscribes treating persons as mere means, applies to human embryos and fetuses. Kant is clear, however, that he means his imperatives to apply to persons, individuals of a rational nature. It is important to determine, therefore, whether there is anything in Kant’s philosophy that permits regarding embryos and fetuses as persons, since they lack the capacity for sentience (at least until mid-gestation), let alone rational thought. In the first part of the paper, I will illustrate why there are difficulties maintaining, from a Kantian perspective, that conception marks the genesis of a new person. Even granting that embryos and fetuses are persons, however, this alone would not entail the moral impermissibility of abortion rights, mainly because prohibiting abortion, and compelling women to gestate, violates the formula of humanity against them. Developing this thesis encompasses the second part of my essay. Finally, although I argue that Kant’s philosophy lends strong support to abortion rights, this does not thereby entail that it allows for the complete dehumanization of the human fetus. By appealing to the writings of Kantian scholar Allen Wood, I will argue that a fetus’ status as a potential person does render it worthy of some degree of respect and moral value.
Indole Metabolism in Mental Illness

Abnormal indole metabolism, long implicated in mental illness, is well delineated in three diseases having mental symptoms: phenylketonuria, Hartnup (H or Hart's) disease, and pellagra. Recent research suggests that indole metabolism may be disturbed in schizophrenia. The evidence for this is evaluated in terms of: number and effectiveness of indolic psychotogens, effect of indoles on the brain, effect of psychotherapeutic drugs on model psychoses induced by indoles, excretion of urinary indoles before and after tryptophan load tests, animal toxicity tests, urinary glyoxylic acid test, and detection by paper chromatography of abnormal urinary indole production. The indoles reported in human urine are discussed critically with respect to excretion data, metabolic origin, and possible relationship to mental disease. Urinary excretion studies in mental illness must consider such factors as medication, dietary differences, excretion products from intestinal bacteria, eccentric bowel habits, age, muscle mass, sex, physical activity, and adequate normal controls. In various reports, these factors were not well controlled. In some carefully conducted studies, however, abnormal excretion was still detected in schizophrenics, particularly in studies dealing with the glyoxylic acid test and 6-hydroxyskatole sulfate excretion. Despite the controversial aspects, reports of abnormal indole metabolism in mental illness are sufficiently numerous to warrant further studies along the lines indicated above.
Luminescent immunodetection of Western-blotted proteins from Coomassie-stained polyacrylamide gel

Abstract Immunodetection with horseradish peroxidaselinked antibodies on Coomassie-stained nitrocellulose blots can be performed efficiently and rapidly with the peroxidase substrate luminol. The luminescence produced is detected with radioautographic film. This procedure allows a direct identification of immunodetected bands of stained nitrocellulose sheets without using radiolabeled secondary antibodies. Because of its convenience and sensitivity, this method could be particularly suitable for purification of immunodetected proteins.
ALTERNATIVE REINFORCEMENT INCREASES RESISTANCE TO CHANGE: PAVLOVIAN OR OPERANT CONTINGENCIES?

Two multiple-schedule experiments with pigeons examined the effect of adding food reinforcement from an alternative source on the resistance of the reinforced response (target response) to the decremental effects of satiation and extinction. In Experiment 1, key pecks were reinforced by food in two components according to variable-interval schedules and, in some conditions, food was delivered according to variable-time schedules in one of the components. The rate of key pecking in a component was negatively related to the proportion of reinforcers from the alternative (variable-time) source. Resistance to satiation and extinction, in contrast, was positively related to the overall rate of reinforcement in the component. Experiment 2 was conceptually similar except that the alternative reinforcers were contingent on a specific concurrent response. Again, the rate of the target response varied as a function of its relative reinforcement, but its resistance to satiation and extinction varied directly with the overall rate of reinforcement in the component stimulus regardless of its relative reinforcement. Together the results of the two experiments suggest that the relative reinforcement of a response (the operant contingency) determines its rate, whereas the stimulus-reinforcement contingency (a Pavlovian contingency) determines its resistance to change.
Considering human factors in the initial analysis and design of a medical computer system.

The primary objective of a medical computer system is (should be?) to support patients and the people who care for them. Successful human factors design in these systems depends primarily on successful identification and resolution of management-level issues during the systems' concept development stage. Traditional human factors issues (user, dialogue, terminal characteristics) that affect the man-machine interface are resolved based upon decisions made during concept development phase; inappropriate decisions “early on” result in poor human factors designs.
Release of progesterone from polyethylene devices in vitro and in experimental animals.

Abstract Low density polyethylene, homogeneously loaded with 2% progesterone and 12% barium sulfate, was tested as a matrix from which to fabricate biochemically active intrauterine devices. The effect of environment on hormone release from these devices was examined by measuring their progesterone content following various periods of residence in pig and rat uteri, in the peritoneal cavities of rats and in a continuous flow of synthetic tissue fluids. Results of a 4-week study showed that progesterone release rates, while initially high, attained a relatively constant value of 14 μg/day/cm 2 after the sixth day. The release pattern in utero was closely simulated by those in the continuous-flow system and in the rat peritoneal cavity. Both systems are thus inexpensive alternatives to large animals for the testing of progesterone release from future devices.