cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular simulation-derived features for machine learning predictions of metal glass forming ability

Abstract We have developed models of metallic alloy glass forming ability based on newly computationally accessible features obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. Since the discovery of metallic glasses, there have been efforts to predict glass forming ability (GFA) for new alloys. Effective evaluations of GFA have been obtained but generally relied on knowledge of alloy characteristic temperatures like the glass transition, crystallization, and liquidus temperatures but are of limited utility because these features require synthesizing and characterizing the alloy of interest. More recently, machine learning approaches to predict GFA have employed more accessible model features such as the elemental properties of constituent elements. However, these more accessible features generally provide less predictive accuracy than their less accessible counterparts. In this work we showed that it is possible to increase the predictive value of GFA models by using input features obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. Such features require only relatively straightforward and scalable simulations, making them significantly easier and less expensive to obtain than experimental measurements. We generated a database of molecular dynamics critical cooling rates along with associated candidate features that are inspired from previous research on GFA. Out of the list of 9 proposed GFA features, we identify two as being the most important to performance through a LASSO model. Enthalpy of crystallization and icosahedral-like fraction at 100 K showed promise because they enable a significant improvement to model performance and because they are accessible to flexible ab initio quantum mechanical methods readily applicable to almost all systems. This advancement in computationally accessible features for machine learning predictions GFA will enable future models to more accurately predict new glass forming alloys.
Murine coronavirus RNA.

Coronaviruses are ubiquitous in nature and cause several diseases in infected hosts (Robb and Bond, 1979a). The genomic RNA of coronaviruses has been extensively studied in recent years (Lomneczi and Kennedy, 1977; Yogo et al., 1977; Lai and Stohlman, 1978; Wege et al., 1978; Macnaughton and Madge, 1978; Guy and Brian, 1979). These studies have shown that the coronavirus genome is a large, single stranded RNA which is polyadenylated and of positive polarity.
External Control of a Shift in Antibody Synthesis

Two types of differentiation of B cells involved in humoral immunologic responses were described: that which develops naturally with time (3,8) and that which is antigenically driven (17,24). With time, cells become immunoglobulin bearers in a definitive order: IgM cells appear first, followed by IgG and then IgA (3). In this case, antibodies of each class would be expected to emanate from the respective cell. On the other hand, when the immunological system is directed by antigen to differentiate on a short term basis, the result may be stepwise synthesis of IgM and IgG (12,18). Many observations attest to the fact that T cells are required to cooperate with B cells for IgG production (5,6,9,14,20,21). The switch from M to G could conceivably occur within a single cell or by stimulation of separate M and G producing cells. Of course, both mechanisms of antibody production may co-exist.
Optimum chemotherapy regimens for neoadjuvant therapy of hepatic colorectal metastases.

Resection of metastatic colorectal cancer hepatic lesions has gained support as surgical advances have made resections safer. Subsequently, the use of neoadjuvant therapy to cytoreduce tumors coupled with improved medical therapy has enhanced resection rates leading to improved outcomes. In “unresectable” disease, the addition of biologic therapies has further enhanced antitumor response, resulting in successful disease resection in certain patients. This review examines approaches to the neoadjuvant management of colorectal liver metastases with systemic therapies. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:946–954. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Arbitration of Autonomous Multimedia Objects with a Multi-Agent System

In interactive multimedia applications, the objects composing the scene are increasingly considered as autonomous agents. Although autonomy brings flexibility and realism in the animation, objects' autonomy needs to be controlled. In this purpose we must be able to specify the rights and duties of objects. In this paper, we present the MoiseInst meta-model aiming at specifying normative organisations of agents according to four points of view: structural, functional, contextual and normative. We show how this model is used within an application of interactive TV game show where avatars are based on agents
Intelligence: Success and Fitness

This chapter presents the consensus among psychometricians regarding the construct of general intelligence ('g') and its measurement. More than any other construct, g illustrates the scientific power of construct validation research. To date, g is carried by more assessment vehicles and saturates more aspects of life than any other dimension of human variation uncovered by psychological science. Phenomena most vital to the core of g's nomological network are reviewed (e.g. abstract learning, information processing, and dealing with novelty). This is followed by coverage of relevant but more peripheral phenomena (e.g. crime, health risk behaviour, and income). Because g constitutes such a ubiquitous aspect of the human condition, its omission in social science research often results in underdetermined causal modelling. Frequently, this constitutes a longstanding error in inductive logic, namely, the Fallacy of the Neglected Aspect. Attending to Carnap's Total Evidence Rule can help to forestall neglected aspects in scientific reasoning.
Engineering Problem Solving with Matlab

I. FUNDAMENTAL ENGINEERING COMPUTING. 1. Engineering Problem Solving. 2. MATLAB Environment. 3. MATLAB Functions. 4. Linear Algebra and Matrices. II. NUMERICAL TECHNIQUES. 5. Solutions to Systems of Linear Equations. 6. Interpolation and Curve Fitting. 7. Numerical Integration and Differentiation. 8. Ordinary Differential Equations. III. SPECIAL TOPICS. 9. Symbolic Mathematics. 10. Signal Processing. 11. Control Systems. Appendix A: MATLAB Function Summary. Complete Solutions to Practice! Problems. Index.
Shame, guilt, and suicide.

In this chapter, we’ve discussed the potential role of shame and guilt in both the causes and consequences of suicide. Theory and emerging empirical research indicates that feelings of shame are more prominent than guilt in the dynamics leading up to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Nonetheless, experiences of shame often go unnoticed by both client and therapist in the therapeutic session (Lewis, 1971). Treatment of suicidal clients may be enhanced to the extent that therapists and other mental health professionals develop a ‘third ear’ for subtle markers of hidden shame experiences. The importance of considering shame and guilt in connection with suicide extends to the ‘survivors’ of suicide, as well. Although often overlooked, friends and family members are also vulnerable to experiences d shame and/or guilt in the aftermath of a loved one’s suicide. Therapists, too, often experience similar emotional reactions that may be exacerbated by concerns Unique to their professional role as treatment providers.
The Future of Medicaid

Medicaid, the US federal-state financed program that assists people to gain access to health services when they cannot afford them, is in peril. Some of the recently defeated proposals to change financing of the program, the shift to managed care, and massive state deficits all threaten to limit optional and Home- and Community-Based Waiver Services to people with long-term care requirements. This policy research paper will explore some current myths about Medicaid, what states are doing to reduce Medicaid expenditures, and propose 10 principles and observations that should shape a response from the disability community to efforts to shrink Medicaid.
How do pregnancy intentions affect contraceptive choices when cost is not a factor? A study of privately insured women.

Abstract Objective The objective was to test the hypothesis that among privately insured women who have contraceptive coverage without cost-sharing, using prescription contraception is predicted primarily by pregnancy intentions. Study design Participants are 987 women ages 18–40 who wish to avoid pregnancy for at least the next 12 months and are enrolled in Highmark Health plans in Pennsylvania. Data are from the baseline survey of MyNewOptions, an ongoing randomized controlled trial testing an intervention to help insured women make optimum contraceptive choices. Primary type of contraception used [categorized as long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs), other prescription methods, nonprescription methods or no method] is modeled using multinomial logistic regression, with predictors representing the timing and strength of pregnancy intentions, pregnancy history, pregnancy risk exposure and sociodemographics. Results LARCs were used by 8.4% of the sample; other prescription methods (primarily oral contraceptives), 49.6%; nonprescription methods (primarily condoms), 30.4%; and no method, 11.5%. Pregnancy intentions predicted use of LARCs and other prescription methods compared with no method. The most consistent predictors of using all categories of contraception were pregnancy risk exposure measures (partnership type and frequency of sexual intercourse). Conclusions In the absence of cost-sharing for contraception, women’s choice of prescription contraception was a function primarily of pregnancy risk exposure rather than pregnancy intentions. Implications This study is among the first to examine privately insured women’s contraception choices in the context of contraceptive coverage without cost-sharing; it shows that use of prescription contraception is predicted by pregnancy risk exposure and pregnancy intentions.
Short-crack growth in corrosion fatigue for a high strength steel

Abstract Fatigue crack growth tests of HY130 steel were conducted under either constant-load-range or constant-stress-intensity-range conditions, by using four-point-bend and compact-tension specimens with a crack of length 0.4–41 mm. The tests were conducted in 3.5% NaCl solution under either the freely corroding condition or with the specimen coupled to a sacrificial zinc anode. Crack growth rates for the zinc-coupled case were higher than those for the freely corroding case, for either the long crack or short crack specimen. The growth rates of short cracks were faster than those of long cracks for the same environment. The maximum amount of crack growth acceleration due to crack size effect was about a factor of two for these alloy-environment combinations. With increasing crack length, the rate for short cracks converges to that for long cracks. Since there was no crack-size effect in air, the additional enhancement in the rate of crack growth for short cracks must be chemical in nature. The upper limit of chemically short cracks (as delineated by the point of convergence of rates) was shorter for the freely corroding case than for the zinc-coupled case, and was longer for the higher stress intensity range, for both the constant-load-range and the constant-stress-intensity-range tests. The observed effect of crack size on crack growth rates is discussed in terms of the hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms.
The XVC Framework for In-Vehicle User Interfaces

XVC (extensible viewer composition) is an in-vehicle user interface framework for telematics applications. It provides a document-oriented applications model that eliminates the requirement for application providers to provide custom clients for their applications. Application providers compose interactive user interfaces through compound documents that specify content for a set of viewers, each oriented to a particular content medium. A viewer's content may define actions on other viewers. This approach offers the additional benefit of offering a higher-level model to application developers, hence reducing application development costs. Our current set of viewers is oriented toward the domain of telematics applications, and includes viewers for map features, HTML-based messages, sound clips, and ticker messages. The framework is extensible to other application domains through the definition of new, domain-appropriate viewers
Entry in Monopoly Market

This paper develops new empirical models of market concentration from game-theoretic models of entry. We construct our models from inequality conditions that describe entrants' equilibrium strategies in simultaneous-move and sequential-move games, and use them to study the effects of entry in isolated monopoly markets for new automobiles. From estimates of the market size necessary to support one and two dealers, we conclude that monopoly dealers do not block the entry of a second dealer. We also find that entry does not cause price-cost margins to fall by much.
Crises and revolutions in information technology: lessons learned from Y2K

In an environment in which information technology has become a critical link between and among suppliers and customers, organizations were recently threatened by potential systems failures that could have erased the gains of the past decade. Although experts predicted that Y2K could lead to devastating results, those dire predictions turned out to be false. However, we suggest that a careful analysis of IS decision making during the Y2K crisis can provide insights into how and why IS managers make decisions. We argue that two schools of organizational theory provide cogent perspectives on this problem. In particular, the literatures of organizational ecology and institutional theory explain not only the difficulties firms had in recognizing and reacting to the Year 2000 problem, but also the pressures placed on them by constituents aware of this phenomenon. Such conclusions underscore the value of multiple theory bases in exploring what appear to be unprecedented managerial challenges brought on by the changing role of IT.
INHIBITION OF BETA -KETOACYL-ACYL CARRIER PROTEIN SYNTHASE III (FABH) BY ACYL-ACYL CARRIER PROTEIN IN ESCHERICHIA COLI

β-Ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase III (the fabH gene product) condenses acetyl-CoA with malonyl-ACP to initiate fatty acid biosynthesis in the dissociated, type II fatty acid synthase systems typified by Escherichia coli. The accumulation of malonyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) following the inhibition of a reconstituted fatty acid synthase system by acyl-ACP implicated synthase III (FabH) as a target for acyl-ACP regulation (Heath, R. J., and Rock, C. O.(1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 1833-1836); therefore, the FabH protein was purified and its biochemical and regulatory properties examined. FabH exhibited a Km of 40 μM for acetyl-CoA and 5 μM for malonyl-ACP. FabH also accepted other acyl-CoAs as primers with the rank order of activity being acetyl-CoA ≈ propionyl-CoA ≫ butyryl-CoA. FabH utilized neither hexanoyl-CoA nor octanoyl-CoA. Acyl-ACPs suppressed FabH activity, and their potency increased with increasing acyl chain length between 12 and 20 carbon atoms. Nonesterified ACP was not an inhibitor. Acyl-ACP inhibition kinetics were mixed with respect to acetyl-CoA, but were competitive with malonyl-ACP, indicating that acyl-ACPs decrease FabH activity by binding to either the free enzyme or the acyl-enzyme intermediate. These data support the concept that the inhibition of chain initiation at the β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase III step contributes to the attenuation of fatty acid biosynthesis by acyl-ACP.
Differential Actin-dependent Localization Modulates the Evolutionarily Conserved Activity of Shroom Family Proteins *

Shroom is an actin-associated determinant of cell morphology that is required for neural tube closure in both mice and frogs. Shroom regulates this process by causing apical constriction of epithelial cells via a pathway involving myosin II. Here we report on characterization of the Shroom-related proteins Apxl and KIAA1202 and their role in cell architecture. Shroom, Apxl, and KIAA1202 exhibit differing abilities to interact with the actin cytoskeleton. In fibroblasts, Shroom readily associates with actin stress fibers and induces bundling, Apxl is found on cortical actin, and KIAA1202 is localized to a cytoplasmic population of F-actin. In epithelial cells, Apxl and KIAA1202 do not induce apical constriction as Shroom does, but have the capacity to do so if targeted to the apical junctional complex. To determine whether the activity of Shroom-like proteins is conserved in invertebrates, we have tested the ability of the lone Shroomrelated protein in Drosophila, CG8603, to activate the constriction pathway. A chimeric protein consisting of the Shroom targeting domain and the Drosophila protein elicits constriction. Finally, we show that Apxl is involved in regulating the cytoskeletal organization and architecture of endothelial cells. We predict that the ability of Shroom-like proteins to regulate cellular morphology is conserved in evolution and is regulated in part by subcellular localization.
Influence of diet restriction on NMDA receptor subunits and learning during aging.

This study was designed to determine if changes related to aging and diet in the mRNA expression of subunits of the NMDA receptor were associated with changes in binding to NMDA receptors and learning ability in C57Bl/6 mice. Three age groups (3, 15, and 26–27 months old) and 2 diet groups (ad libitum-fed and diet restricted) were used. The old ad libitum-fed mice had significantly poorer performance in a spatial reference memory task than all other groups. Diet restriction slightly spared glutamate binding to NMDA sites and improved ζ1, but not ϵ2, mRNA expression. Significant correlations were found between NMDA-displaceable [3H]glutamate binding and both learning ability and ϵ2 and ϵ1 mRNA density in several brain regions. Learning ability in the old mice also correlated with the ratios of mRNA expression for ϵ1 and ϵ2 and/or ζ1 subunits in the parietal cortex and CA1 region of the hippocampus. This suggests that it is the relationship between subunit expression levels that is important for maintaining memory functions in older animals.
Neuroelectric measurement of cognition during aerobic exercise

The application of neuroimaging techniques to assess changes in brain and cognition during exercise has received little attention due to issues related to artifact associated with gross motor movement inherent in physical activity behaviors. Although many neuroimaging techniques have not yet progressed to a point where movement artifact may be controlled, event-related brain potentials (ERPs), which measure neuroelectric responses to specific events, can account for such issues in controlled environments. This paper discusses the deviations from standard neuroelectric recording procedures and signal processing that are necessary for the collection and analysis of ERPs during gross motor movement. Considerations include the properties of the exercise behavior, task instructions, and the position of materials in the stimulus environment, as well as issues related to electrode impedance, additional reduction techniques, and the plotting of single trials to identify movement artifacts. These techniques provide a means for collecting clean data from the neuroelectric system to provide further understanding of changes in brain and cognition that occur online during exercise behavior, and serves as a novel application of neuroimaging to the kinesiological sciences.
Enzymic radioassay for acetylcholine and choline in brain

Abstract This assay for acetylcholine (ACh) or choline in extracts of rat brain involves the isolation of the choline ester by high-voltage paper electrophoresis, alkaline hydrolysis of ACh to choline, and the quantitative enzymic conversion of choline to a radioactive derivative, P 32 -phosphorylcholine. The method is specific, is applicable to large numbers of tissue samples, and has a blank value of about 3 nanograms of choline.
Hypoxia and Hypercapnia Attenuate the Increase in Laryngeal Motor Nerve Activity Produced by Electrical Stimulation of the Superior Laryngeal Nerves.♦ 1636

In the unanesthetized, decerebrate piglet, electrical simulation of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN Stim) during mid inspiration results in phrenic apnea that persists beyond the end of the stimulus. We have previously shown that the phrenic apnea produced by SLN Stim is attenuated during hypoxia. To evaluate the effects of SLN Stim on laryngeal motor nerve activity, we studied 23 piglets (1-4 weeks of age; unanesthetized, decerebrate, vagotomized in the chest, paralyzed, ventilated) to determine the effects of SLN Stim on the activity of the phrenic nerve (PHR), and the thyroarytenoid (TA) and posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) branches of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during sequential, randomly ordered exposure to 100% and 10% O2, 9% CO2, and 1% CO, and after injecting NaCN into one carotid bifurcation (CB). Under all conditions, whereas PHR and PCA activity ceased in response to SLN Stim, TA activity increased dramatically (>200% of normal peak activity, P < 0.001). After a 3 sec SLN Stim during baseline hyperoxic conditions, TA activity remained tonically elevated for an additional 14.4 ± 3.6 seconds. The post-SLN Stim tonic elevation of TA activity was attenuated to 2.1 ± 0.3 sec, 2.9 ± 0.7 sec, 2.0 ± 0.4 sec, and 1.9± 0.2 sec during ventilation with 10% O2, 9% CO2, 1% CO, and after CB NaCN injection, respectively (P<0.05). In 4 additional animals, surgical denervation of the carotid bodies together with a mid cervical vagotomy appeared to decrease the attenuating effects of hypoxia on phrenic apnea produced by SLN Stim. In addition, on average, baseline TA activity remained elevated for several breaths after resumption of PHR, TA, and PCA cycling. These results support the hypothesis that SLN stim increases post-inspiratory neural activity, while largely inhibiting inspiratory activity. These alterations are attenuated by hypoxia and hypercapnia. The effects of hypoxia appear to be dependent on stimulation of peripheral chemoreceptors. Under natural conditions, the loss of diaphragm and laryngeal dilator activity with an increase in laryngeal constrictor activity might increase the probability of airway obstruction, particularly during recovery after laryngeal stimulation. We speculate that hypoxia and hypercapnia provide a“protective” function, attenuating the both the respiratory inhibitory and upper airway obstructive effects of laryngeal stimulation.
Ultrasonic C-Scan Imaging: Preliminary Evaluation for Corrosion and Void Detection in Posttensioned Tendons

Corrosion of the nation's transportation infrastructure is a widespread and costly problem. The most prevalent durability issue in reinforced concrete structures is chloride-induced corrosion of the reinforcing steel. A reliable method of determining grout voids and corrosion levels in posttensioned bridge structures is needed. Traditional techniques of corrosion monitoring (e.g., half-cell potential and corrosion rate measurement) are problematic when used in this type of structure, as are standard nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods, such as impact echo. C-scan imaging, an ultrasonic technique used primarily in the composites industry for detecting delamination, is examined as a method of evaluating grouted posttensioned tendons. This method exhibits many promising qualities: it can be used for internal or external tendons and on metal or plastic ducts; access to only one side of a specimen is required; strong imaging allows easy interpretation of results; the technique poses no risk to users or the...
Assessment of pulmonary wedge resection for the treatment of lung metastases

Abstract Wedge resection for pulmonary metastases was performed on 18 children suffering from a variety of malignant tumors. The overall survival rate was 39%. However, tumor recurred at or near the site of resection in half the patients. A more extensive resection, such as lobectomy, should be considered for most patients. Wedge resection should be reserved for tumor involving many lobes or for neoplasms having a demonstrated sensitivity to chemotherapy and irradiation.
Moment-Based Acceleration of Monte Carlo Solution for Multifrequency Thermal Radiative Transfer Problems

We have extended a Monte Carlo-based, moment-based acceleration algorithm to the solution of multifrequency thermal radiative transfer problems. This study focuses on two aspects. First, we consider stability/accuracy issues for a predictor-corrector time-stepping. It is demonstrated that with a consistent Planckian-weighted opacity the predictor-corrector algorithm can run stably with a larger time-step size compared to a fixed (or lagged) opacity case. With this advancement, consistency improves by about two orders of magnitude, while additional computational cost is kept minimal (< 10%).We also extend the “asymptotic assistance” concept to multifrequency problems. This technique replaces the multifrequency Monte Carlo solution with an asymptotic solution of the O(e) accurate solution of the equilibrium diffusion limit in optically thick regions. With this technique, the computational time is reduced about a factor of four in a one-dimensional problem. Furthermore, the solution with asymptotic assistanc...
Determination of trace elements in soft, hard, and saline waters by the inductively coupled plasma, multi-element atomic emission spectroscopic (ICP-MAES) technique

Abstract Analytical methods capable of determining natural and aberrant concentrations of the chemical elements in our nation's water resources are essential for maintenance of the water qualities required for public water supplies, for habitat of aquatic biota, and for industrial and agricultural use. Simultaneous determinations of 20 or more elements at trace concentration levels may be required in real time to provide adequate protection of water supplies and to detect discharge of noxious materials into various water systems. The ICP-MAES technique allows quantitative determinations, without preconcentration, of most elements at concentrations below EPA recommended criteria levels for public water supplies and for continuous use irrigation water. Stray light problems arising in the analyses of hard waters are discussed and the effect of stray light on the various analyte lines are quantitated.
Managing workload in human-robot interaction: A review of empirical studies

Working with artificial agents is a challenging endeavor, often imposing high levels of workload on human operators who work within these socio-technical systems. We seek to understand these workload demands through examining the literature in major content areas of human-robot interaction. As research on HRI continues to explore a host of issues with operator workload, there is a need to synthesize the extant literature to determine its current state and to guide future research. Within HRI socio-technical systems, we reviewed the empirical literature on operator information processing and action execution. Using multiple resource theory (MRT; Wickens, 2002) as a guiding framework, we organized this review by the operator perceptual and responding demands which are routinely manipulated in HRI studies. We also reviewed the utility of different interventions for reducing the strain on the perceptual system (e.g., multimodal displays) and responses (e.g., automation). Our synthesis of the literature demonstrates that much is known about how to decrease operator workload, but there are specific gaps in knowledge due to study operations and methodology. This work furthers our understanding of workload in complex environments such as those found when working with robots. Principles and propositions are provided for those interested in decreasing operator workload in applied settings and also for future research.
Effects of stress on lactation.

With the benefits of human milk well recognized, it is an opportune time to focus attention on how to optimize lactation for the benefit of newborns. Availability of mother's milk is conceivable only if lactation is sustained. To achieve this, mothers must be willing first to breastfeed or pump to initiate lactation, and their lactation must be reasonably adequate if they are to maintain an interest in breastfeeding or pumping. Therefore, to safeguard lactation, one must understand not only the physiology of lactation but also how to initiate and maintain maternal interest in breastfeeding or pumping, particularly in times of stress. Lactation insufficiency frequently is blamed on stresses, such as those imposed by preterm delivery, infant medical condition, or maternal lifestyle. To address these issues, information pertinent to the effect of stress on lactation, the mechanisms by which stress may hamper lactation, and the factors that may alter maternal willingness to breastfeed or pump are reviewed. The various interventions developed to help mothers with lactation difficulties also are presented. Proper glandular development of the breast may be presumed for mothers of full-term infants 69 ; however, the extent to which the degree of mammary development after a preterm delivery affects lactation performance is unclear. Nevertheless, the initiation and maintenance of lactation require appropriate hormonal changes and maternal behavior. Figure 1 outlines three major interplays between mother and infant that need to develop to preserve lactation. First, the primary function of lactation is to provide nutrition to the newborn. As such, lactation performance is a function of supply and demand, that is, the greater the infant's needs, the greater the milk production and the more prolonged the lactation. Second, lactation is affected by maternal interest in providing milk to infants. This can be reinforced positively or negatively depending on maternal perception of whether she meets her infant's nutritional needs. Third, maternal interest in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding or pumping also is a function of her relationship with her infant. A constructive interaction will influence positively her drive to provide milk for her child. A negative experience, on the other hand, quickly ends with the breakup of the nursing dyad and cessation of lactation.
TU‐G‐BRA‐01: Clinical Significance of RBE Variations in Proton and Carbon Ion Therapy (an Overview/introduction to the Problem)

The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) is defined as the ratio of the doses required by two radiations to cause the same level of effect. Thus, the RBE needs to be considered if dose constraints from photon therapy are to be adopted. Proton therapy has been based on the use of a generic RBE of 1.1, which is applied to all treatments independent of dose/fraction, position in the irradiated volume, beam energy or the tissue. Quantitative dependencies of the RBE on various physical and biological properties are disregarded. The variability of RBE in clinical situations is believed to be within 10%. Elevated RBE values might be expected particularly near the edges of the high‐dose volume because doses may be deposited by high‐LET particles. Furthermore, the increase in RBE as a function of depth in the patient results in an extension of the bio‐effective range of the beam, which is being considered in treatment planning. The magnitude of RBE values and their variations is significantly larger in Carbon ion therapy than in proton therapy. Heavy ions have a potential advantage compared to protons when it comes to their therapeutic ratio due to an elevated RBE in the tumor (based on the oxygen enhancement ratio and higher average LET values) compared to the surrounding tissue. However, there are considerable variations in RBE within the irradiated volume that have to be considered in treatment planning and delivery. At present there are still considerable uncertainties in RBE values and their dependencies on dose, LET, and alpha/beta ratio. This presentation will illustrate the magnitude of RBE variations in proton and Carbon beams. Furthermore, it will demonstrate the clinical significance for proton therapytreatments involving tissues with low alpha/beta ratio and show a method for biologically optimized treatment planning in proton therapy.
A controlled trial of bicalutamide versus castration in patients with advanced prostate cancer.

Abstract Objectives. Bicalutamide is a new, potent antiandrogen with potential efficacy in the treatment of men with advanced prostate cancer. Although no pure antiandrogen has been well-studied versus castration, potentially fewer adverse effects could occur, making such an agent a potentially useful alternative therapy. To date, three randomized controlled trials have been performed comparing these two treatments. In preliminary studies, a dose of 50 mg bicalutamide per day was selected for these trials. In two of the studies (0302, 0303), this drug was compared to either medical or surgical castration, the latter choice being made by the patient. In the third study (0301), bicalutamide was compared to bilateral orchiectomy. Methods. Using an intention-to-treat format, the outcomes assessed were time-to-treatment failure, time-to-objective disease progression, subjective response, and survival time in men with previously untreated metastatic disease. The incidence of breast tenderness, gynecomastia, and hot flushes was also determined in both treatment arms. A quality-of-life questionnaire was administered on multiple occasions after initiation of therapy. Results. Based on an analysis of >1000 patients, the objective and subjective results favored castration over bicalutamide (50 mg/day). The hazard ratios for time-to-treatment failure (1.59), time-to-disease progression (1.62), and median survival (1.44) were all significantly greater in the castration group ( P >0.001). Another difference noted at 3 months was a significantly lower median fall in prostate-specific antigen values in the bicalutamide group (86–88% versus 96–97%). Symptomatic patients receiving bicalutamide were only 0.43 times as likely to have subjective improvement as the patients treated by castration. A comparison of pharmacologic effects showed that only the incidence of hot flushes was lower in the bicalutamide group, whereas breast tenderness and gynecomastia were more common. This difference in hot flushes, however, translated into better quality of life during the first several months with regard to sexual relations and sexual functioning. Conclusions. Bicalutamide monotherapy at 50 mg/day appears inferior to castration in overall objective and subjective response rates. Whether higher doses of bicalutamide can compete more favorably will need to be tested in further clinical trials.
High pressure electrical conductivity studies of acid doped polybenzimidazole

Abstract Electrical conductivity studies of acid doped poplybenzimidazole (PBI) and 85% phosphoric acid have been carried out. The PBI contained about 600 mol% of 85% phosphoric acid and the electrical conductivity was deduced from complex impedance studies which were made at frequencies from 10 to 10 7 Hz. Measurements were made at pressures up to 0.25 GPa and temperatures of about 25, 50 and 75°C. Similar measurements were also carried out on 85% phosphoric acid. At room temperature the electrical conductivity decreases with increasing pressure for both acid doped PBI and 85% phosphoric acid. This behavior is expected for normal liquids and for ions in polymers where the viscosity increases with pressure. The resultant positive activation volume for the acid doped PBI has a magnitude similar to that for polymer electrolytes based on perfluorosulfonic acid containing relatively small amounts of water. Further, as temperature increases, the activation volume becomes smaller. Consequently, the acid doped PBI behaves like a polymer electrolyte where ion transport is mediated by segmental motions of the polymer. Consequently, the acid doped PBI behaves like a polymer electrolyte where ion transport is mediated by segmental motions of the polymer. On the other hand, the activation volume at room temperature for 85% phosphoric acid is much smaller than for acid doped PBI. In addition, at 75°C the electrical conductivity increases with increasing pressure which gives rise to a negative activation volume. Consequently, there is very little similarity between the electrical behavior of the 85% phosphoric acid and of the acid doped PBI which were studied in the present work.
Radiology Speech Recognition: Workflow, Integration, and Productivity Issues

Continuous voice recognition is now a reality, with at least 3 major vendors providing independent systems for radiology departments. However, to be truly useful, such systems must be integrated into the overall medical informatics architecture including order entry into the radiology information system, the ability to receive orders from the radiology information system, acceptance and transcription of dictation, and transmission of validated reports to the hospital information system (HIS)for billing capture. In addition, the system should permit sufficient flexibility to permit radiologists to operate in multiple modes: real-time recognition, batch processing, or spooling of audio files for later transcription by human agents, which is especially useful for very difficult accents. This article demonstrates the various modes of operation for 2 recognition systems that have been used in our center, describes the basics of their recognition models, examines the HL7 messages required for medical informatics integration, and finally illustrates the effect on report turnaround times.
Graves’ Disease presenting as localized myxedema in a thigh donor graft site

Abstract Pretibial myxedema, exophthalmus, and thyroid acropachy are the classic manifestations of Graves' Disease. However, myxedema in Graves' Disease can occur in locations other than the pretibial surfaces. Furthermore, with systemic symptoms, localized myxedema may occur at sites of trauma or scarring. We describe a patient with localized myxedema on the thigh at the site of a donor skin graft as the initial presentation of Graves' Disease. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;39:846-9.)
Collagen Unfolding Determines Fluid Transfer in the Interstitial Matrix

Local unfolding of collagen at physiologic temperatures is thought to facilitate interactions with enzymes and scaffold molecules during inflammation, tissue remodeling, and wound healing. Previous data showing high interstitial hydration potential (HP) in human and porcine dermis after collagen thermal unfolding and fibroblast death suggest that it also plays a role in local modulation of interstitial flows. To test this hypothesis, collagen was progressively unfolded in situ, and changes in HP and water influx-rate within the matrix were measured as a function of the extent of unfolding, which was quantified by differential scanning calorimetry in full-thickness dermal samples after timed heat-treatment at 60°C and equilibration at 4°C. HP was determined by osmotic stress techniques, and influx-rates from time-dependent gravimetric changes under 35mmHg osmotic counterpressure. Both increased linearly with the proportion of unfolded collagen: the HP by 1.08 ± 0.16 mmHg, and the influx-rate by 3.19 ± 0.39 μl/min /100g per each 1% of collagen unfolded (R2= 0.93 and 0. 95, respectively). The relative humidity and intensity of T2-weighed magnetic resonance images of the dermis also increased with the extent of collagen unfolding, confirming interfacial energy contributions to the HP - as predicted by the Kelvin relationship - and the expected hydrophobic nature of the newly formed protein/water interfaces, respectively. These results are fully consistent with the hypothesis and point to yet another potentially important function of local collagen unfolding in tissue homeostasis. As a plausible mechanism for HP and influx-rate increases with collagen unfolding, we propose that the surface tension of vapor/water interfaces under exposed hydrophobic clusters is higher than at hydrophilic interfaces; at nanometer scales, these differences generate local surface-tension gradients in the matrix that accelerate water influx and shift the HP.
Entamoeba histolytica associated with chronic glomerulonephritis: case report.

A case is presented of amebiasis associated with chronic glomerulonephritis in an elderly man. At autopsy, trophozoites (Entamoeba histolytica) were found in the kidneys, bladder, prostrate, colon and lungs. Whether the association of amebiasis and chronic glomerulonephritis was a cause-and-effect relationship or simply a fortuitous occurrence could not be determined.
Unexpected motor axons in the distal superficial radial and posterior interosseous nerves: a cadaver study.

The prevalence of motor variations in the nerves supplying muscles of the first web space was evaluated by a visual dissection and immunohistochemical analysis from 56 cadaver hands. By microscopic visualization, 30% of the superficial radial nerves (SRNs) sent branches into muscles of the first web space. Since these unexpected penetrating branches were expected to be sensory or proprioceptive, markers of sensory and motor axons were used for confirmation. Positive identifications of motor axons (as identified by positive immunostaining for choline acetyltransferase) were made in 30% of SRNs and in 28.5% of posterior interosseous nerves. Classical teachings that the SRNs and PINs are exclusively sensory have been brought into question. Our data are in agreement with the rare clinical finding that motor function occasionally persists following devastating injury to both the ulnar and median nerves. Anatomic prevalence for this variation appears much higher than previous descriptions have indicated. Clin. Anat. 20:790–794, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
'By Other Means': Tourism and Leisure as Politics in Pre-war Japan

Although leisure and tourism may seem at first blush to be anything but political, states generally create and maintain policies that deal with the recreation of citizens.The Japanese government's active post-war approach to leisure is unusual and distinctive, owing its shape to pre-war policy decisions privileging for strategic purposes American and European conceptions of proper recreation, leisure and travel.Tracing the evolution of Japan's pre-war tourism and leisure policies, this paper argues that Japanese efforts to use international tourism as an instrument for economic growth forced the government to confront the question of what constitutes proper recreation.These debates remained unsettled in the pre-war period, in part because of the turn toward militant nationalism in the 1930s, which mandated the valorization of an idealized Japanese culture.Yet the emphasis on Western styles of leisure and tourism found important policy homes in the pre-war era, laying the foundation for the post-war institutionalization of efforts to make Japanese leisure lives conform to those witnessed in North America and Western Europe. The idea of a 'politics of leisure' is somewhat counterintuitive. It challenges a general expectation that leisure is in some sense irreducibly private: that what we do in our leisure time reflects something about us personally, that it is not or ought not be determined by outside actors. This conception of leisure as not even public, let alone political, is one of the reasons why political economists, for
Denitrification potential of a salt marsh soil: Effect of temperature, pH and substrate concentration

Abstract Denitrification was studied using samples of salt marsh soils collected from the New Jersey coast. The pH, organic matter content, NO3− and NO2− concentrations were determined on samples from marshes with and without grasses. Denitrification was measured in laboratory studies over a temperature range from 4° to 60°C and a pH range from 5.0 to 9.0 by monitoring NO3− reduction, NO2− reduction and N2 evolution. Optimum conditions were controlled by a temperature-pH interaction which caused shifts in the pH optima relative to the change in temperature. No3− and NO2− were reduced over a broad range of No3− concentration; whereas, 0.2 mg NO2−-N ml−1 completely inhibited denitrification. The presence of NO3− reverses this inhibition. N2O was produced only at low pH values and low NO3− concentrations. It was concluded that the NO2− reducing system was the most easily disrupted of the three main processes of denitrification.
W-graph versions of tensoring with the $\mathcal{S}_{n}$ defining representation

We further develop the theory of inducing W-graphs worked out by Howlett and Yin (Math. Z. 244(2):415---431, 2003 and Manuscr. Math. 115(4):495---511, 2004), focusing on the case $W = \mathcal{S}_{n}$ . Our main application is to give two W-graph versions of tensoring with the $\mathcal{S}_{n}$ defining representation V, one being for the Hecke algebras of $\mathcal{S}_{n}, \mathcal{S}_{n-1}$ and the other , where is a subalgebra of the extended affine Hecke algebra and the subscript signifies taking the degree 1 part. We look at the corresponding W-graph versions of the projection V?V???S 2 V??. This does not send canonical basis elements to canonical basis elements, but we show that it approximates doing so as the Hecke algebra parameter u?0. We make this approximation combinatorially explicit by determining it on cells and relate this to RSK growth diagrams.
Advances in microscopy: Scanning tunneling and electron polarization microscopy

Abstract An overview is presented of two new techniques that can be used to study the physical, electronic, and/or magnetic microstructure of surfaces. The method of scanning tunneling microscopy has emerged as a powerful way of observing physical structure down to the atomic level and is being extended to give further insight into surface electronic structure over atomic dimensions as well. Scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis is being applied to the study of magnetic microstructures with sizes down to 10 nm and is capable of demonstrating the effect that physical microstructure has on magnetic domains. Discussions of both techniques will include descriptions of the method, the apparatus used and some examples of current applications.