cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Consistent Histograms With Distinct Value Counts

Self-tuning histograms have been proposed in the past as an attempt to leverage feedback from query execution. However, the focus thus far has been on histograms that only store cardinalities. In this paper, we study consistent histogram construction from query feedback that also takes distinct value counts into account. We ﬁrst show how the entropy maximization (EM) principle can be leveraged to identify a distribution that approximates the data given the execution feedback making the least additional assumptions. This EM model that takes both distinct value counts and cardinalities into account. However, we ﬁnd that it is computationally prohibitively expensive. We thus consider an alternative formulation for consistency – for a given query workload, the goal is to minimize the L2 distance between the true and estimated cardinalities. This approach also handles both cardinalities and distinct values counts. We propose an efﬁcient one-pass algorithm with several theoretical properties modeling this formulation. Our experiments show that this approach produces similar improvements in accuracy as the EM based approach while being computationally signiﬁcantly more efﬁcient.
Psychotherapy of the HIV-Positive Patient and Family

HIV infection is a catastrophic event for the individual and family members. The diagnosis of HIV infection can be regarded as a traumatic event. In addition to the awareness of being infected by an infectious virus, there is fear of loss of financial security and social status. Social isolation and the stigma of being HIV positive lead to feelings of alienation and despair. An integrated and comprehensive psychotherapy approach can address the multifaceted issues.
Analysis of Noncancer Health Risks Associated with Hazardous Air Pollutants

Regulatory decisions made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning hazardous air pollutants (HAP) have been based primarily on quantitative assessments of cancer risk. Recently, however, more attention has been focused on effects other than cancer. The EPA has developed new methods to analyze the noncancer health risks associated with exposure to HAP. This paper discusses a newly developed method of analyzing short-term exposure to HAP and evaluating the public health risks resulting from these exposures. In the past, acute noncancer health effects were primarily analyzed on a screening basis. These analyses focused on the worst-case predicted ambient concentrations in comparison with health effects thresholds. Often several worst-case assumptions were factored into such analyses. When these analyses revealed an exceedance of the threshold (as was often the case) the degree of uncertainty was an unacceptable basis for regulatory decision making. The method presented herein represents a substantial improvement in EPA’s ability to analyze the effects of short-term exposure to HAP. Based on the expected exceedance methodology developed for the criteria pollutant program, this method has been adapted to estimate health risks associated with exposure to HAP in terms of expected exceedances of specified health effects thresholds.
Political settlements, the mining industry and corporate social responsibility in developing countries

Abstract In this paper I take a ‘political settlements’ approach to examining the political effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in developing countries. The political settlements approach uses an integrated understanding of politics, power and institutional forms to explain how, given different political processes and incentives, the same institutional forms can produce different economic and developmental outcomes. I apply this lens to the CSR practices of large mining companies in developing countries, examining their impacts on local and national political settlements using the Zambian metals mining sector as a case study. Directly, CSR features little in the national debate on natural resource governance in Zambia but local CSR activity is considerable. I find that the CSR practices of large metals mining companies influence the governance of extraction and the possibility of inclusive development with notable consequences for institutions of traditional leadership. The resulting pattern of inclusion and development is argued to result from the interaction of two processes - elite bargaining and coalitions within exclusionary political settlements on the one hand, and CSR practices shaped by risk management on the other. I conclude by arguing that political settlements literature offers a rich seam for future research in the extractive sector if its limitations are addressed.
Unifying the Hydrogen Evolution and Oxidation Reactions Kinetics in Base by Identifying the Catalytic Roles of Hydroxyl-Water-Cation Adducts.

Despite the fundamental and practical significance of the hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions (HER/HOR), their kinetics in base remain unclear. Herein, we show that the alkaline HER/HOR kinetics can be unified by the catalytic roles of the adsorbed hydroxyl (OHad)-water-alkali metal cation (AM+) adducts, on the basis of the observations that enriching the OHad abundance via surface Ni benefits the HER/HOR; increasing the AM+ concentration only promotes the HER, while varying the identity of AM+ affects both HER/HOR. The presence of OHad-(H2O)x-AM+ in the double-layer region facilitates the OHad removal into the bulk, forming OH–-(H2O)x-AM+ as per the hard–soft acid–base theory, thereby selectively promoting the HER. It can be detrimental to the HOR as per the bifunctional mechanism, as the AM+ destabilizes the OHad, which is further supported by the CO oxidation results. This new notion may be important for alkaline electrochemistry.
Validation of a Next-Generation Sequencing Assay Targeting RNA for the Multiplexed Detection of Fusion Transcripts and Oncogenic Isoforms.

Context.— Next-generation sequencing is a high-throughput method for detecting genetic abnormalities and providing prognostic and therapeutic information for patients with cancer. Oncogenic fusion ...
3D Structure of IP3 Receptor

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the recent developments in the structure determination of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP 3 R) channel. IP 3 Rs are the members of the intracellular Ca 2+ release channel family that are essential to a wide array of cellular processes, relying on transient changes in cytoplasmic (CY) Ca 2+ concentration. Based on extensive biochemical, mutagenic, and functional studies of structure–function relationships within IP 3 Rs, three functional regions are established in the primary structure of these proteins: (1) an N-terminal region that binds IP 3 ; (2) a C-terminal, channel-forming region; and (3) a central modulatory region. Hydropathy analysis predicts six transmembrane (TM) helices in the C-terminal region of IP 3 R. The N- and C-termini of IP 3 R are both intracellular and form a soluble CY portion of the channel protein that includes ∼90% of the protein mass. Structural studies of Ca 2+ release channels are hampered by both their size and their interaction with membrane lipids in their native conformation. X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy are poorly suited methodologies to study massive integral membrane proteins because of this double complexity. Single-particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) thus emerges as the most feasible way to study not only this kind of protein complexes but also to choose conditions favoring a particular functional state of the subject protein.
NetLogo agent-based models as tools for understanding the self-organization of cell fate, morphogenesis and collective migration of the zebrafish posterior Lateral Line primordium

Interactions between primordium cells and their environment determines the self-organization of the zebrafish posterior Lateral Line primordium as it migrates under the skin from the ear to the tip of the tail forming and depositing neuromasts to spearhead formation of the posterior Lateral Line sensory system. In this review we describe how the NetLogo agent-based programming environment has been used in our lab to visualize and explore how self-generated chemokine gradients determine collective migration, how the dynamics of Wnt signaling can be used to predict patterns of neuromast deposition, and how previously defined interactions between Wnt and Fgf signaling systems have the potential to determine the periodic formation of center-biased Fgf signaling centers in the wake of a shrinking Wnt system. We also describe how NetLogo was used as a database for storing and visualizing the results of in toto lineage analysis of all cells in the migrating primordium. Together, the models illustrate how this programming environment can be used in diverse ways to integrate what has been learnt from biological experiments about the nature of interactions between cells and their environment, and explore how these interactions could potentially determine emergent patterns of cell fate specification, morphogenesis and collective migration of the zebrafish posterior Lateral Line primordium.
Are children oppressed? The timely importance of answering this question

Abstract Oppression is a politically-determined status with implications for policy, practice, and education. Oppressed groups are broadly considered to be vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination. As a result, additional legal, ethical, and service standards are established to ensure that this predictable mistreatment is avoided or addressed. Similar to populations that are currently recognized as oppressed, children do not fully experience the right to vote or access to resources. They have increased exposure to violence and are a minority group, which constrains equal opportunity. Recognition of children as an oppressed group could help expand their protections and opportunities. Actions that can begin to rectify the rights of children include: the addition of children in anti-oppression teaching and research, scholarship that focuses on children’s rights that may be infringed upon, guaranteeing funds specifically designed for children’s benefit, consideration of children’s capacity and opinions in decision-making, and the creation of government entities to regulate and promote mechanisms for prudently expanding the rights of children.
Chapter 1 – Mechanisms of Mutation

Mutation is a sudden, inheritable change in DNA sequence. Single nucleotide variation (SNV), insertion or deletion of a few nucleotides (indels), rearrangements, change in the number of copies of larger stretches of DNA (copy number variation, CNV), change in the structure or number of chromosomes, and insertion or movement of transposable elements are all mutations. Many of these changes occur as a result of replication and recombination. Others result from the alteration of DNA by exogenous agents (mutagens) followed by replication by polymerases of relaxed specificity. The mutation rate is the resultant of the interaction of error producing and repair processes that detect changes and restore DNA to the parental sequence. Studies of the cancer genome have identified new mechanisms for the production of multiple closely linked mutations. A portion of human genetic disease is the result of de novo mutation. However, it is still not possible to predict the precise phenotypic consequence of a particular mutation in a particular individual.
Do caring behaviors in the quality caring model promote the human emotion of feeling cared for in hospitalized stroke patients and their families

The aim of this study was to explore the discrete behaviors that comprise the human emotion of feeling cared for as described by hospitalized stroke patients and their families. Joanne Duffy's Quality Caring Model© (QCM) describes 8 caring behaviors supporting the experience of caring relationships exhibited during health care encounters. A secondary analysis of data from a guided interview was analyzed by 3 persons independently using general thematic content analysis and predetermined categories from the QCM, with final validation by the theorist. Percent agreement was 74.3% at first analysis, and 100% after secondary analysis. 82 of 100 phrases fit into at least one caring behavior, 17 phrases overlapped, and 18 phrases did not fit. Overlap between the caring behaviors is consistent with published quantitative reports. Patient experiences generating the emotion of "feeling cared for" may be formed from multiple caring behaviors enacted simultaneously by clinicians. Characteristics of clinicians, such as knowledge, may be as important as caring behaviors.
A decentralized, non-iterative smart protocol for workplace charging of battery electric vehicles

Abstract Battery electric vehicles can help reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, workplace charging can alleviate the curtailment of renewable resources, while providing charging opportunities to long-range commuters. In this work, a comprehensive smart-charging protocol for workplace charging is proposed. The protocol first uses an ordering strategy, based on each vehicle’s load shifting flexibility, to develop a queue. Next, a decentralized smart-charging strategy is used that allows battery electric vehicles to generate their own charging profile via linear programming. By using an appropriate cost signal, the proposed smart-charging strategy can generate a parking structure demand load with desirable characteristics. Finally, an assignment algorithm is proposed to assign battery electric vehicles to octopus chargers. Driving patterns from the National Household Travel Survey are used to simulate workplace charging for parking structures under various charging scenarios. The proposed ordering strategy resulted in improved peak reductions for all simulated charging scenarios, when compared with chronological ordering. Furthermore, monthly electricity costs and the number of required chargers were both reduced in all cases where smart charging was combined with the proposed ordering strategy, compared to uncontrolled charging. Thus, the proposed protocol can reduce electricity and charging infrastructure costs associated with workplace charging.
Risk-adjustment models in patients undergoing head and neck surgery with reconstruction.

Abstract Background With the current focus on value-based outcomes and reimbursement models, perioperative risk adjustment is essential. Specialty surgical outcomes are not well predicted by the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP); the Head and Neck-Reconstructive Surgery NSQIP was created as a specialty-specific platform for patients undergoing head and neck surgery with flap reconstruction. This study aims to investigate risk prediction models in these patients. Methods The Head and Neck-Reconstructive Surgery NSQIP collected data on patients undergoing head and neck surgery with flap reconstruction from August 1, 2012 to October 20, 2016. Multivariable logistic regression models were created for 9 outcomes (postoperative ventilator dependence, pneumonia, superficial recipient surgical site infection, presence of tracheostomy/nasoenteric (NE)/gastrostomy/gastrojejunostomy(G/GJ) tube 30 days postoperatively, conversion from NE to G/GJ tube, unplanned return to the operating room, length of stay > 7 days). External validation was completed with a more contemporary cohort. Results A total of 1095 patients were included in the modelling cohort and 407 in the validation cohort. Models performed well predicting tracheostomy, NE, G/GJ tube presence at 30 days postoperatively and conversion from NE to G/GJ tube (c-indices = 0.75–0.91). Models for postoperative pneumonia, superficial recipient surgical site infection, ventilator dependence > 48 h, and length of stay > 7 days were fair (concordance [c]-indices = 0.63–0.69). The predictive model for unplanned return to the operating room was poor (c-index = 0.58). Conclusions and relevance Reliable and discriminant risk prediction models were able to be created for postoperative outcomes using the specialty-specific Head and Neck-Reconstructive Surgery Specific NSQIP.
Optimal stopping made easy

Abstract This paper presents a simple discrete time model for valuing real options. A short and simple proof of optimal exercise rules for the standard problems in the real options theory is given in the binomial and trinomial models, and, more generally, when the underlying uncertainty is modelled as a random walk on a lattice. The method of the paper is based on the use of the expected present value operators. With straightforward modifications, the method works in discrete time-continuous space, continuous time-continuous space and continuous time-discrete space models.
Improving and Understanding the Hydrogen Evolving Activity of a Cobalt Dithiolene Metal-Organic Framework.

Despite the promising previous reports on the development of electrocatalytic dithiolene-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), these materials often display poor reproducibility of the HER performance because of their poor bulk properties upon integration with electrode materials. We demonstrate here an in-depth investigation of the electrocatalytic HER activity of a cobalt 2,3,6,7,10,11-triphenylenehexathiolate (CoTHT) MOF. To enhance the durability and charge transport properties of the constructed CoTHT/electrode architecture, CoTHT is deposited as an ink composite (1) composed of Nafion and carbon black. We leverage here the well-established use of catalyst inks in the literature to increase adhesion of the catalyst to the electrode surface and to improve the overall electrical conductivity of the integrated catalyst/electrode. The utilization of the composite 1 leads to a significant improvement in the overpotential (η) to reach a current density of 10 mA/cm2 (η = 143 mV) compared to prior reports, resulting in the most active MOF-based electrocatalyst for the HER that contains only earth-abundant elements. Extensive density functional theory (DFT) calculations were applied to understand the structure of CoTHT and the mechanistic pathways of the HER. The computational results suggest that an AB stacking geometry is energetically favorable, where one layer is slipped by 1.6 A relative to the neighboring one along the a and b vectors. Additionally, the DFT calculations indicate that the catalytic cycle likely involves a Volmer discharge step to generate a cobalt hydride, followed by a Heyrovsky step to form a cobalt-H2 intermediate, and finally the dissociation of H2.
Role of Processing in Microstructural Evolution in Inconel 625: A Comparison of Three Additive Manufacturing Techniques

Additive manufacturing (AM) processes have widely varying thermal environments, which dictate the solidification of alloys during solidification. Here, we use binder jet 3D printing (BJ3DP), electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3), and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) to fabricate samples of Inconel 625, displaying the significant differences in microstructure brought about purely by the thermal gradients produced in each manufacturing method. Dislocation density and elastic strain are measured using high-resolution electron backscatter diffraction and the spatial relationship between these features is analyzed with respect to the relative thermal environments of each AM technique, with DMLS exhibiting microstructure typical of high thermal gradients and rapid solidification. Increasing thermal gradient and solidification rate results in a stronger spatial dependence of microscale elastic strain on GND density. Our results also demonstrate the use of statistical techniques to quantify microstructural features in relation to processing, which has potential for informing frameworks which can predict microstructure and material properties of AM components.
Plant your street! A research game exploring tree selection and placement in an urban neighborhood

Abstract Tree canopy is critical to urban sustainability. At present, enhancing urban tree canopy in many cities is largely dependent upon plantings on residential and park areas. However, challenges surrounding public engagement in tree planting and stewardship remain. This project engaged visitors to public venues in the City of Los Angeles in a ‘plant your street’ research game. Participants (n = 184) used a gameboard depicting a neighborhood to choose from tree species grouped by a selected prominent ecosystem service - fruit bearing, flowering, climate adaptive, and carbon capture. Of particular interest were: (1) comparisons of selected tree types and species, (2) placement across neighborhood areas, and (3) the influence of messages emphasizing an ecosystem service on selections and placements. Certain tree types and species were selected overall, and, within different neighborhood areas, including one’s home lot, neighboring lots and a city park; for example, the majority of trees planted on the home lot were in the relatively understudied backyard. Themes underlying these decisions were: ‘perceived tree services’, ‘self-versus other,’ and ‘geography and personal connection.’ Findings provide an improved understanding of urban tree planting preferences and may help inform neighborhood and residential tree planting programs.
Implementation Resource Allocation for Collision-Avoidance Assistance Systems Considering Driver Capabilities

Various collision-avoidance assistance (CAA) systems, such as automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assistance (LKA), have been developed in the last decades to enhance the active safety of ground vehicles. Meanwhile, more electronic computing units (ECUs) have been embedded inside a vehicle to support the diversified CAA systems, which complicate the automotive electrical/electronic architecture and increase the cost. Instead of adding extra ECUs, we propose to allocate the existing implementation resources, i.e., the available processor time and memory space to the CAA systems, per individual driver's maneuver capabilities. As an illustrative example, we first show that two drivers can exhibit distinct maneuvers in a pre-crash situation on highway, according to which they can be classified as either steering-oriented or braking-oriented. Then, we design two CAA systems: an AEB and an LKA, based on the ultra-local model predictive control method. Furthermore, we show that by adjusting the prediction horizons of the two controllers, the implementation resources can be allocated to the two CAA systems in different fashions, which yields three control modes: standard mode, steering-enhanced mode, and braking-enhanced mode. Finally, by comparing the control performance of each driver-type/control-mode pair through both CarSim-Simulink joint simulations and driver-in-the-loop simulator experiments, we demonstrate that by allocating more resources to compensate for the weakness of a driver's maneuver, the CAA systems can provide enhanced driving safety by consuming the same overall amount of the implementation resources.
Interactive and Scalable Exploration of Big Spatial Data -- A Data Management Perspective

Recently, the volume of available spatial data increased tremendously. For instance, in November 2013 NASA announced the release of hundreds of Terabytes of its earth remote sensing dataset. Such data includes but not limited to: weather maps, socioeconomic data, vegetation indices, geological maps, and more. Making sense of such spatial data will be beneficial for several applications that may transform science and society -- For example: (1) Space Science: that allows astronomers to study and probably discover new features of both the earth and the outer space, (2) Socio-Economic Analysis: that includes for example climate change analysis, study of deforestation, population migration, and variation in sea levels, (3) Urban Planning: assisting government in city planning, road network design, and transportation engineering, (4) Disaster Planning: that helps in assessing the impact of natural disasters. The main aim of this paper is to investigate novel data management techniques that enable interactive and scalable exploration of big spatial data. The paper envisions novel system architectures that provide support for interactive and spatial data exploration, as follows: (1) The paper suggests extending data analytics frameworks, e.g., Apache Spark, to support spatial data types and operations at scale. The resulting framework will serve as a scalable backbone for processing spatial data exploration tasks. (2) It also sketches novel structures and algorithms that leverage modern hardware, e.g., SSDs, and in-memory data processing techniques to efficiently store and access spatial data. Second, the paper proposes extending spatial database systems to support an exploration-aware spatial query evaluation paradigm through three novel components: (1) Spatial Query Steering: that allows the user to slightly modify the query conditions online (zooming in/out) and retrieve the new results in very low latency. (2) Recommendation-Aware Spatial Querying: that injects the recommendation functionality inside classical spatial query executors to support spatial data recommendation. It leverages recommendation algorithms to predict what spatial objects/areas the user would like based on her past interactions with the system. (3) Spatial Query Approximation: That aims at achieving interactive performance by studying the tradeoff between approximate spatial data exploration and query response time.
Adenoma, Pars Intermedia, Anterior Pituitary, Rat

Adenomas of the pars intermedia of the pituitary gland (as defined by the WHO*/IARC international classification of rodent tumors) vary in size and may cause enlargement of the gland. The gross appearance is similar to the solid chromophobe adenoma of the pars distalis.
Biomechanics of a lumbar interspinous anchor with anterior lumbar interbody fusion

Object An interspinous anchor (ISA) provides fixation to the lumbar spine to facilitate fusion. The biomechanical stability provided by the Aspen ISA was studied in applications utilizing an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) construct. Methods Seven human cadaveric L3–S1 specimens were tested in the following states: 1) intact; 2) after placing an ISA at L4–5; 3) after ALIF with an ISA; 4) after ALIF with an ISA and anterior screw/plate fixation system; 5) after removing the ISA (ALIF with plate only); 6) after removing the plate (ALIF only); and 7) after applying bilateral pedicle screws and rods. Pure moments (7.5 Nm maximum) were applied in flexion and extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation while recording angular motion optoelectronically. Changes in angulation as well as foraminal height were also measured. Results All instrumentation variances except ALIF alone reduced angular range of motion (ROM) significantly from normal in all directions of loading. The ISA was most effective in li...
Confinement criterion for a finite sized bunched beam

Summary form only given. A confinement criterion for a finite sized azimuthally symmetric relativistic bunched electron beam propagating through a perfectly conducting cylindrical pipe with a slight off-axis displacement while in the presence of either a uniform or periodic solenoidal field is studied. We compute the center-of-mass force on each off-axis beam bunch due to the induced surface charges on the pipe using a Green's function technique. By analyzing the center-of-mass dynamics of each bunch due to magnetic focusing and its interaction with the pipe, a space-charge limit for beam confinement is derived. A comparison of the theory to high-current periodic permanent magnet (PPM) klystron experiments is established.
Laptop computers and the ultimate virtual enterprise-education

Education is, and always has been, the ultimate virtual enterprise. Students appear in class, but the work on which most of their learning depends takes place in their homes, residence halls, fraternities and sororities. Thus, there are parallels between the roles of the professor and the traditional manager in their respective virtual workplaces. This paper describes the virtual classroom process, list problems relating to it, and describes solutions to some in the context of the computing environment being built at Rose-Hulman. It then deals with unresolved issues facing both academia and industry.
Court of Justice: important findings on VAT grouping in the EU

(2013). Court of Justice: important findings on VAT grouping in the EU. World Journal of VAT/GST Law: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 234-242.
The Psychology of Executive Coaching: Theory and Application

With the first edition of this text, Peltier drew on his extensive experience in both the clinical and business worlds to create a comprehensive resource that brought psychological and coaching concepts together. It quickly became a practical and invaluable guide for both mental health practitioners looking to expand their practice into coaching and business professionals interested in improving their own coaching skills. In this updated edition, topics reflect the latest developments in the field of executive coaching. Peltier describes several important psychological theories and how to effectively translate them into coaching strategies; essential business lessons in leadership, marketing, and the corporate viewpoint along with vocabulary for the therapist; the challenges women face as managers and executives and effective coaching methods for working with them; and lessons from successful athletic coaches that can be integrated into consulting skills. This edition includes four new chapters, one describing psychopathology likely to be encountered by coaches. Another describes and evaluates emotional intelligence, a third summarizes adult developmental theory for coaches, and a fourth sorts out the popular and scientific literature on leadership and leader development.
Application of contraction mappings to the control of nonlinear systems.

The theoretical and applied aspects of successive approximation techniques are considered for the determination of controls for nonlinear dynamical systems. Particular emphasis is placed upon the methods of contraction mappings and modified contraction mappings. It is shown that application of the Pontryagin principle to the optimal nonlinear regulator problem results in necessary conditions for optimality in the form of a two point boundary value problem (TPBVP). The TPBVP is represented by an operator equation and functional analytic results on the iterative solution of operator equations are applied. The general convergence theorems are translated and applied to those operators arising from the optimal regulation of nonlinear systems. It is shown that simply structured matrices and similarity transformations may be used to facilitate the calculation of the matrix Green functions and the evaluation of the convergence criteria. A controllability theory based on the integral representation of TPBVP's, the implicit function theorem, and contraction mappings is developed for nonlinear dynamical systems. Contraction mappings are theoretically and practically applied to a nonlinear control problem with bounded input control and the Lipschitz norm is used to prove convergence for the nondifferentiable operator. A dynamic model representing community drug usage is developed and the contraction mappings method is used to study the optimal regulation of the nonlinear system.
SU-E-T-356: Efficient Segmentation of Flattening Filter Free Photon Beamsfor 3D-Conformal SBRT Treatment Planning

Purpose: It has been argued that a 3D-conformal technique (3DCRT) is suitable for SBRT due to its simplicity for non-coplanar planning and delivery. It has also been hypothesized that a high dose delivered in a short time can enhance indirect cell death due to vascular damage as well as limiting intrafraction motion. Flattening Filter Free (FFF) photon beams are ideal for high dose rate treatment but their conical profiles are not ideal for 3DCRT. The purpose of our work is to present a method to efficiently segment an FFF beam for standard 3DCRT planning. Methods: A 10×10 cm Varian True Beam 6X FFF beam profile was analyzed using segmentation theory to determine the optimum segmentation intensity required to create an 8 cm uniform dose profile. Two segments were automatically created in sequence with a Varian Eclipse treatment planning system by converting isodoses corresponding to the calculated segmentation intensity to contours and applying the “fit and shield” tool. All segments were then added to the FFF beam to create a single merged field. Field blocking can be incorporated but was not used for clarity. Results: Calculation of the segmentation intensity using an algorithm originally proposed by Xia and Verhey indicated that each segment should extend to the 92% isodose. The original FFF beam with 100% at the isocenter at a depth of 10 cm was reduced to 80% at 4cm from the isocenter; the segmented beam had +/−2.5 % uniformity up to 4.4cm from the isocenter. An additional benefit of our method is a 50% decrease in the 80%-20% penumbra of 0.6cm compared to 1.2cm in the original FFF beam. Conclusion: Creation of two optimum segments can flatten a FFF beam and also reduce its penumbra for clinical 3DCRT SBRT treatment.
INITIAL DYNAMICS, EQUILIBRIUM, AND HEATING OF TOROIDAL BELT PINCHES

This paper summarizes the various aspects of the numerical simulation effort at Columbia University on toroidal belt pinches. These results are directly used in our design and parameter selection for the Columbia Torus I high beta tokamak, initially to be run in the belt pinch mode without a toroidal bias field. Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of a belt pinch, showing the geometric parameters and coordinates.
2nd Amendment: The Right to Keep & Bear Arms -- Teaching D.C. v. Heller

The D.C. v. Heller case is an incredible vehicle to teach about the United States Constitution. The case revolves around the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and shines a spotlight on Originalism as a theory of Constitutional interpretation. These slides show how the case evolved from the District Court to the Supreme Court. They also teach the facts of the case and the different opinions on both sides of the debate. In the end, readers will learn a great deal about the Second Amendment and its application to federal and state/local gun control laws as well as about how the debate around gun control has evolved.
Change in serum prostate-specific antigen as a marker of response to cytotoxic therapy for hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

PURPOSEProstate-specific antigen (PSA) has been used as a marker of advanced prostate cancer but remains controversial. To evaluate PSA as a predictor of survival, we analyzed data from sequential phase II trials of estramustine and etoposide.METHODSA landmark analysis that used data from 62 men with PSA levels at baseline and 8 weeks was conducted. The best PSA measure (of six evaluated) was incorporated into a multiple regression model with performance status (PS); relative change in PSA level; and pretreatment PSA, alkaline phosphatase, and hemoglobin values.RESULTSA decrease in PSA of 50% or greater at 8 weeks was associated with a significantly increased survival (P=.0005, two-sided log-rank test). Median survival from the landmark was 91 weeks in patients with a 50% or greater decrease at 8 weeks versus 38 weeks in those without this decrease. Modeling showed that PS, pretreatment hemoglobin level, and relative change in PSA level were significant prognostic factors, with a significant interaction b...
Sinogram restoration from partially-known blur for tomographic reconstruction

The authors consider the problem of tomographic image reconstruction when the system response matrix (SRM) of the imaging process is not known exactly, a situation which arises almost universally in practice. The authors frame the problem in terms of pre-reconstruction restoration of the sinogram, and propose an iterative maximum a posteriori (MAP) algorithm for simultaneous sinogram-covariance estimation and restoration. Convergence analysis is performed to ascertain that the proposed covariance estimator converges to the optimal one in the MAP sense. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated in computer simulations, and compared with several other iterative restoration techniques. The results show the proposed method to be very robust to incorrect SRM information and noise, and to offer a significant computational advantage over other algorithms.
Analysis of Real-Time Systems by Data Flowgraphs

The concept of a data flowgraph is formalized as a bipartite directed graph. Each execution sequence of a computer program has a corresponding data flowgraph which describes functionally what happens to the data if that execution sequence is followed.
Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Latino families experiencing pediatric asthma

The purpose of the present study was to examine health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Latino children with asthma and their parents. Twenty-six parents completed the Pediatric Asthma Caregivers Quality of Life Questionnaire (PACQLQ), the Health Status and Activities Questionnaire for Children with Asthma (HSAQ) and four subscales from the Family Environment Scale. The results indicated that, overall, neither children with asthma nor their parents showed significant impairments in their HRQOL, though higher illness severity was associated with lower child quality of life and lower parent quality of life related to activity limitations. Other child and family variables, including dimensions of family functioning, did not correlate significantly with HRQOL. However, child and parent HRQOL were significantly associated with each other. This study provides additional context for understanding the experiences of Latino families dealing with pediatric asthma.
Diagnosis of Streptococcal Pharyngitis: Differentiation of Active Infection from the Carrier State in the Symptomatic Child

The finding of group A streptococci in patients with nasopharyngitis may be misleading as to the nature of the current illness. This is especially true in children, in whom carrier rates for this organism commonly reach high levels during the winter and spring [1]. Throat cultures that are carefully done are reasonably accurate in excluding streptococcal infection, but such cultures do not differentiate between streptococcal disease and infection due to some other agent in a person who is a chronic or transient carrier of streptococci. This differentiation is important, for it appears from previous studies that the risk of developing rheumatic fever may vary widely depending on whether circumstances favor a more rigorous or a less certain diagnosis of acute streptococcal sore throat [2, 3].
Drug dealing and negative reciprocity

This article explores the notion of negative reciprocity. It uses the experience of drug dealers who sell poor quality heroin to consider the problem conceptually. The article examines the disclaimers and accounts dealers make while attempting to balance negative reciprocity. Disclaimers warn customers before the sale that product quality may be sub‐par and that they may wish to pass. Accounts neutralize customer complaints after purchase and consumption and centrally involve two types: appeals to defeasibility and counter denunciations. Conditions under which dealers use either disclaimers or accounts—and sub‐types within these axial categories—are specified. The discussion uses dealers’ experience to expand and modify existing conceptualization on the norm of reciprocity. Data were drawn from interviews with 32 semi‐institutionalized heroin user‐dealers located in a large western city.
Some More Light on the Text: Watching HBO's Deadwood with and without the Apostle Paul

Abstract: Study of film and media may be a growth area for biblical scholars, but as far as the sub-field of Pauline scholarship is concerned, the direct use of Pauline materials by popular media is relatively rare. A notable exception occurs in Season One of the HBO television series Deadwood, in which recurring and explicit use of Paul’s letters is made. However, rather than finding new meaning in the selected passages, this paper argues that the specific Pauline texts serve as narrative devices deployed in the service of the television show’s plot development.
Stimulus location in egocentric space as a determinant of apparent visual size

Four separate groups of subjects were presented with vertically oriented visual stimuli which moved toward and away from them over a distance of 1-50 ft. There were two such stimuli, a tall one and a short one. The stimuli were viewed in well-articulated settings. Groups 1 and 2 observed them in an open field, and Groups 3 and 4 viewed them in a well-lit corridor. Both stimuli rested just above the ground plane. The tall one extended overhead, whereas the top of the short one was well below eye level. Groups 1 and 3 observed the moving targets from a standing position and reported on any changes in apparent size. Groups 2 and 4 viewed the short target only, both when standing and seated. When subjects were seated, the top of the small stimulus extended above them. It was found that, regardless of the setting (i.e., outdoors or in a corridor), an overhead stimulus was seen to shrink as it moved away from and grow as it approached the subject. Just the opposite occurred when the upper edge of the target was below eye level.
The Impact of Permissive Judicial Policies: The U.S. Supreme Court and the Right to Die:

Little research has examined the effects of permissive Supreme Court decisions that give lower courts, legislatures, and others very wide discretion in implementation. This research presents two main hypotheses that link the content of state policy before and after a permissive Supreme Court decision: (1) institutions whose previous policies exceed the scope of a new permissive Supreme Court decision will ignore the new policy and maintain their original course; (2) institutions whose previous policies lag a permissive Supreme Court ruling will innovate by altering their policies to meet but not exceed the new Supreme Court decision. A sub-hypothesis applicable to both of these hypotheses is: state political institutions that previously had no applicable policies, but adopt them following a permissive Supreme Court decision, will follow the main policy innovations chosen by their counterpart state institutions. Focusing on the right to die and the Supreme Court's Cruzan decision, the reserach confirms the...
Membrane flutter paradox - An explanation by singular-perturbation methods.

The paradox concerning aeroelastic stability of thin plates exposed to supersonic flow is resolved by the use of singular-perturbation methods. The form of the known solution for a membrane suggests a particular limit process, in which the plate thickness and certain other parameters approach zero, and also provides motivation for two methods of obtaining the desired asymptotic expansions. One procedure involves removal of an appropriate exponential factor from the solution and subsequent use of a boundary-layer approach because of the importance of bending stresses near the edges. The second method is based on a two-variable expansion in terms of the space coordinate. In each case, a Poincare type of distorted time coordinate is introduced. A flutter boundary is obtained for a range of the parameters which has not been studied previously, and the significance of the membrane solution is explained in relation to this result. The approximations used permit substantial simplification in the computations.
Systemic nitroglycerin induces Fos immunoreactivity in brainstem and forebrain structures of the rat

Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator which induces vascular relaxation by releasing nitric oxide in the wall of blood vessels. It has been suggested that the cardiovascular inhibitory responses which are induced by this drug are mediated by central structures. In this study, we evaluated the distribution and intensity of Fos immunoreactivity in rat brain nuclei following the systemic administration of nitroglycerin. In the medulla, a significant number of Fos-immunoreactive neurons were observed in the nucleus tractus solitarius, ventrolateral medulla, area postrema and spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis. A robust staining was seen in the parabrachial nucleus, locus coeruleus and ventrolateral periaqueductal grey. In the hypothalamus, Fos-positive cells were densely packed in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. Other areas where significant staining was observed include the central nucleus of the amygdala and the subfornical organ. These findings demonstrate that the systemic administration of nitroglycerin is capable of activating a spectrum of functionally diverse brain regions. This spectrum includes areas involved in reflex adjustments to nitroglycerin-induced hypotension, areas involved in sensory-nociceptive perception and areas associated with integrative regulation of autonomic, behavioral and neuroendocrine functions.
The Commission for Ecclesiastical Causes 1686–1688: A Reconsideration

The current orthodoxy on James II's Commission for Ecclesiastical Causes was established quite late, by David Ogg in I955.1 But although Ogg had read the Letters Patent setting up the Commission, which is more than most historians have, he gave a partial account of its powers, which according to him only extended to ecclesiastical persons; and even on them it could only impose the ecclesiastical penalties of suspension or deprivation. Moreover, he assumed that those dealt with by the Commission were 'the personages, often very exalted personages, for whom the visitatorial jurisdiction was designed'; later he defined them further as 'a certain class of person, usually a highly placed person'.2 He thus endorsed the concept (already extant) of the Commission as a kind of mighty judicial weapon, only wheeled out of its shed on state occasions, to deal with the likes of Bishop Compton, the vice chancellor of Cambridge University, or the fellows of Magdalen College, Oxford. On the other hand, Ogg argued that within its limits such a commission was perfectly legal; it depended not on clause I 8 of the Act of Supremacy of I 559, deleted by statute in I64I and again in i66i, but on clause I7, which according to him also established the crown's 'visitatorial power over the ecclesiastical state and persons', as well as the Act of I66I, which confirmed the king's general powers as Supreme Governor. Finally, Ogg argued very strongly that the Commission was never a court, on the rather strange grounds that it could not fine or imprison. The question seems to me of slight importance, but obviously not to Ogg and many others. However, a body which referred to its meetings, in its own minutes, as 'A court, held in the Council Chamber at Whitehall on ... [etc.]', a body chaired by the Lord Chancellor, who must always be of the quorum of three, a body which included the Chief Justice of King's Bench and in I 687 also the ChiefJustice of Common Pleas and one of the Barons of the Exchequer, a body which summoned men before it on complaint, which sub-poenaed witnesses and examined them on oath, which came to verdicts and dealt out punishments, whose proceedings were formally recorded by a Secretary, William Bridgeman surely this body can have been nothing other than a court? After all, the Oxford English Dictionary defines a court of judicature merely as, 'An assembly of judges or other persons legally appointed and acting as a tribunal to hear and determine any cause, ecclesiastical, military or naval'.