cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photolysis of sulfur dioxide in the presence of foreign gases: VII. Acetylene

Abstract SO2 was photolyzed at 25°C and 3130 A in the presence of acetylene. The quantum yield of the sole gas-phase product, CO, was determined for a wide range of SO2 and C2H2 pressures, and in the presence of CO2, NO and H2O. The quantum yield, Φ{CO}, increases with the ratio [C2H2] [SO2] to an upper limiting value of 0.052. In the presence of excess CO2 or H2O vapor, Φ{CO}becomes independent of [SO2] and is reduced at low values of [C2H2] but remains unchanged or increases slightly at high values of [C2H2]. As NO is added at the higher C2H2 pressures it first increases Φ{CO} but then reduces it to zero. None of the CO comes from singlet states as shown by the strong quenching of CO production by NO. Both of the two non-emitting triplet states previously proposed to be important in the photochemistry of SO2, as well as the emitting triplet, are necessary to interpret the results of this study. A relatively complete mechanism is presented, all the pertinent rate coefficient ratios are obtained, and from these, values of Φ{CO} are computed. They agree well with the observed values.
Management of stable patients with coronary heart disease: Clinical implications of the Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation (COURAGE) trial

Early coronary revascularization has been shown to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndromes. In patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD), however, coronary revascularization does not reduce death or myocardial infarction compared to intensive medical therapy. The Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation (COURAGE) trial was the first to study whether coronary revascularization performed in addition to medical therapy, rather than as an alternative, would reduce death or myocardial infarction in patients with stable CHD. Between 1999 and 2004, 2287 patients were enrolled in 50 centers throughout Canada and the United States. After a median follow-up of 4.6 years, revascularization performed in addition to intensive medical therapy did not result in reduced mortality or myocardial infarction compared to medical therapy alone. At the end of follow-up, anginal control was similar in both groups, although patients receiving medical therapy only did require more antianginal medications, and one-third ultimately required revascularization. We review the strengths, limitations, and clinical relevance of the COURAGE trial in the context of the current literature on the benefits of medical management and coronary revascularization in patients with stable CHD.
Cooperative Learning as an Approach to Pedagogy

Lecture-based pedagogical approaches cannot adequately prepare students in professional and technical occupational therapy programs. Faculty members in other disciplines are turning to a well-known and well-researched teaching approach called cooperative learning, which is more carefully structured and defined than most other forms of small group learning. Cooperative learning includes several key principles: positive interdependence, individual responsibility, appropriate grouping, group maintenance, cooperative skills, and promotive (interaction) time. This article provides ideas for managing the classroom with cooperative learning activities and describes eight of them: Three-Step Interview, Roundtable, Think-Pair-Share, Structured Problem Solving, Send/Pass-a-Problem, Generic Question Stems, Double Entry Journal, and Dyadic Essay Confrontation. Each activity is applied to content embedded in professional and technical occupational therapy curricula. A cooperative learning approach to evaluating learning is also presented.
Rare gases from the undepleted mantle

If the concept of a depleted/undepleted mantle system is valid, rare gas isotopic composition and abundances should be different in continental and plume areas fed from the undepleted mantle than in oceanic glasses fed from a depleted mantle1. Ultramafic inclusions in basalt have been studied in attempts to find examples of undepleted mantle trapped gases2–6. In particular, Kaneoka and Takaoka measured the helium and argon isotopic abundances in olivine nodules and phenocrysts from Hawaiian basalt7. The nodules are characterized by midocean ridge basalt (MORB)-type 40Ar/36Ar and 3He/4He ratios, while the phenocryst data show lower 40Ar/36Ar and higher 3He/4He; these latter data were interpreted to indicate an undepleted mantle source relative to that for the nodules and oceanic tholeiites. I have measured 4He, 40Ar and 36Ar abundances in two Hawaiian ultramafic nodules, and find clear evidence of incomplete retention of mantle gases plus significant atmospheric contamination. Comparison with the previously measured phenocrysts indicates the prevalence of these complications in all such ultramafic samples. Conclusions concerning the nature of the rare gases in the undepleted mantle based on such samples are invalid.
Selected regulation of gastrointestinal acid–base secretion and tissue metabolism for the diamondback water snake and Burmese python

Snakes exhibit an apparent dichotomy in the regulation of gastrointestinal (GI) performance with feeding and fasting; frequently feeding species modestly regulate intestinal function whereas infrequently feeding species rapidly upregulate and downregulate intestinal function with the start and completion of each meal, respectively. The downregulatory response with fasting for infrequently feeding snakes is hypothesized to be a selective attribute that reduces energy expenditure between meals. To ascertain the links between feeding habit, whole-animal metabolism, and GI function and metabolism, we measured preprandial and postprandial metabolic rates and gastric and intestinal acid-base secretion, epithelial conductance and oxygen consumption for the frequently feeding diamondback water snake (Nerodia rhombifer) and the infrequently feeding Burmese python (Python molurus). Independent of body mass, Burmese pythons possess a significantly lower standard metabolic rate and respond to feeding with a much larger metabolic response compared with water snakes. While fasting, pythons cease gastric acid and intestinal base secretion, both of which are stimulated with feeding. In contrast, fasted water snakes secreted gastric acid and intestinal base at rates similar to those of digesting snakes. We observed no difference between fasted and fed individuals for either species in gastric or intestinal transepithelial potential and conductance, with the exception of a significantly greater gastric transepithelial potential for fed pythons at the start of titration. Water snakes experienced no significant change in gastric or intestinal metabolism with feeding. Fed pythons, in contrast, experienced a near-doubling of gastric metabolism and a tripling of intestinal metabolic rate. For fasted individuals, the metabolic rate of the stomach and small intestine was significantly lower for pythons than for water snakes. The fasting downregulation of digestive function for pythons is manifested in a depressed gastric and intestinal metabolism, which selectively serves to reduce basal metabolism and hence promote survival between infrequent meals. By maintaining elevated GI performance between meals, fasted water snakes incur the additional cost of tissue activity, which is expressed in a higher standard metabolic rate.
Evaluation of a multi-component group exercise program for adults with arthritis: Fitness and Exercise for People with Arthritis (FEPA).

Abstract Background Research supports the favorable effects of exercise on physical and psychosocial outcomes in those with arthritis. Few easily disseminated, multi-component, arthritis-specific programs have been evaluated using both physical function and psychosocial measures. Fitness and Exercise for People with Arthritis (FEPA) is a new community-based, 3-month, instructor supervised multi-component exercise program for individuals with arthritis designed to increase strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic conditioning, while emphasizing joint-protection and proper biomechanics. Purpose To conduct a preliminary evaluation of the effects of the FEPA program on physical function and arthritis-related outcomes in individuals with arthritis. Method Middle-aged ( n = 31, M age = 54.8 ± 7.2) and older ( n = 79, M age = 76.0 ± 6.6) adults with arthritis completed the instructor led FEPA program in community senior centers, churches, and adult education settings. Changes in physical function, measured using the arm curl, back-scratch test, 8-foot up-and-go, and 6 min walk and self-reported arthritis-related pain, perceived physical function, affect, and self-efficacy for symptom management were assessed using RM ANOVA. Results Significant improvements ( ps ps ps Conclusions FEPA shows promise for improving health-related outcomes in those with arthritis, and has potential for sustainability in community settings.
Processing and Analyzing Affymetrix SNP Chips with Bioconductor

We briefly review some principles of the Bioconductor project for statistical analysis of genome scale data and show in detail how these are deployed to analyze high-density genotyping arrays manufactured by Affymetrix, Inc. (Genome-wide SNP 6.0). Issues addressed include probe design and verification of probe address assertions, preprocessing of scanned intensities via SNPRMA, genotype calling via CRLMM, and downstream analysis of genotype-expression associations.
Natural products of marine algae: the interface of chemistry and biology

Abstract Marine algae have a well deserved reputation as a source of interesting and diversified natural products, which present many challenges to the structural and synthetic organic chemist. While many classes of compounds are known, more notable groups are the sesquiterpeniods and diterpeniods and the fatty acid derived hydrocarbons, with halogenation being a frequent feature. The marine environment has long been known to biologists as a Pandora's Box of organismic interactions, especially between algae and herbivorous invertebrates. These interactions are well documented, frequently involving specific genera or families. Typical examples are toxicity or protection, chemoreception or chemosensing, site recognition, and communication. The molecular and cellular bases for these interactions are very poorly understood. In the last 10 years numerous investigations have implicated many of the odd natural products as the responsible agent. A full understanding of, and solutions to, these problems requires close collaboration between biologists and chemists. Biologists must provide careful observations of the phenomena and chemists must recognize isolate and characterize presumptive causative agents. Biologists must then test the chemists' hypotheses by carefully controlled field and laboratory experiments. A number of examples will be considered to illustrate these points. 1. (A) Genus specific (e.g., Plocamium, Laurencia, Dictyota, Lyngbya) herbivory exhibited by Opisthobranch molluscs (sea hares) e.g., Aplysia, Dolabella, Stylocheilus and the production of their defensive mechanisms. 2. (B) Larval settling and site recognition of algae by molluscs (e.g., Haliotis, Aplysia). 3. (C) Production of anti-predator toxins by algae (e.g., Caulerpa). 4. (D) Chemotactic substances produced by sexual gametes of brown algae (e.g., Ectocarpus, Fucus, Cutleria). There are other examples that might prove to be profitable areas of investigation. All will serve to emphasize that the ocean is more than just an oversized reaction flask producing exotic chemicals and that it is far more than just an assemblage of organisms waiting for a mathematical analysis. It is where biology and chemistry come together at the organismic level.
Effects of Organizational Environment, Internal Structure, and Team Climate on the Effectiveness of Local Emergency Planning Committees1

This study proposed and tested a model of factors influencing the effectiveness of Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs). Data were collected from the chairs of Michigan LEPCs, who were asked to provide information about their LEPCs’staffing, activities, resources, and team climate, as well as information about community hazards and relationships with other organizations in their communities. The model was partially supported. As hypothesized, team climate substantially mediated the relationships between an LEPCs effectiveness and many of the attributes of its internal structure and external environment. In addition, three (emergency planning resources, community support and LEPC staffing and structure) out of four categories of variables hypothesized to influence team climate were, in fact directly related to it. There were two major inconsistencies with the model. First, two types of emergency planning resources were found to have a direct influence on LEPC effectiveness rather than an indirect effect mediated by team climate. In addition, hazard vulnerability was hypothesized to have a direct effect on team climate, but the data showed this relationship was mediated by community support and by LEPC staffing and structure. A revised model was proposed that suggests ways in which members can change the structure of an LEPC and strategies to enhance its effectiveness.
Correlating Permeability With Velocity Using Flow Zone Indicators

A good correlation exists between velocity and permeability in large data set containing seismic and porosity-permeability properties of various reservoir rocks. The correlation is an extension of the match between porosity and permeability within a hydraulic unit described by a Flow Zone Indicator (FZI). The measured velocity data can be modeled with the Biot model by using FZI to define the pore space parameters.
Development of a diaphragmatic motion-based elastography framework for assessment of liver stiffness

Evaluation of mechanical stiffness imaging biomarkers, through magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), has shown considerable promise for non-invasive assessment of liver stiffness to monitor hepatic fibrosis. MRE typically requires specialized externally-applied vibratory excitation and scanner-specific motion-sensitive pulse sequences. In this work, we have developed an elasticity imaging approach that utilizes natural diaphragmatic respiratory motion to induce deformation and eliminates the need for external deformation excitation hardware and specialized pulse sequences. Our approach uses clinically-available standard of care volumetric imaging acquisitions, combined with offline model-based post-processing to generate volumetric estimates of stiffness within the liver and surrounding tissue structures. We have previously developed a novel methodology for non-invasive elasticity imaging which utilizes a model-based elasticity reconstruction algorithm and MR image volumes acquired under different states of deformation. In prior work, deformation was external applied through inflation of an air bladder placed within the MR radiofrequency coil. In this work, we extend the methodology with the goal of determining the feasibility of assessing liver mechanical stiffness using diaphragmatic respiratory motion between end-inspiration and end-expiration breath-holds as a source of deformation. We present initial investigations towards applying this methodology to assess liver stiffness in healthy volunteers and cirrhotic patients. Our preliminary results suggest that this method is capable of non-invasive image-based assessment of liver stiffness using natural diaphragmatic respiratory motion and provides considerable enthusiasm for extension of our approach towards monitoring liver stiffness in cirrhotic patients with limited impact to standard-of-care clinical imaging acquisition workflow.
The Effect of L-Carnitine Supplementation on Lean Body Mass in Male Amateur Body Builders

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To assess the efficacy of L-carnitine supplementation on lean body mass in male body builders It has been hypothesized that since L-carnitine is involved in the transport of fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane, supplementation might enhance fatty acid oxidation and thereby improve endurance and performance allowing for a greater training effect. This study examined the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on lean body mass (LBM) in a 60-day trial of 12 male amateur body builders. Subjects were randomly chosen to receive either one gram of L-canitine daily or a placebo. Changes in percent LBM were assessed pre- and post-supplementation using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). No significant difference in the changes of the percentages of LBM between the two groups was evidenced. Several additional dependent variables were assessed. These included: changes in percent body fat, percent LBM minus extracellular fluid (ECF), percent LBM minus total body water, body mass index (BMI), lean to fat ratio, and LBM measured in pounds. None of these variables provided significant differences between the two groups. Thus, L-carnitine supplementation was not effective in increasing lean body mass in male bodybuilders. Additional research with a larger sample to include both male and female subjects, with increased dosage and/or with a longer duration is warranted to further explore the possible ergogenic effects of L-carnitine supplementation.
Microfluidic Control of Insect Locomotor Activity

This work describes the intimate fusion of microsystems and physiology though the partial implantation of a microfluidic device into living insects, Manduca Sexta moth. This effort is a critical component in our development of “Insect-Micro Air Vehicles (I-MAVs)” which aim to fuse nanodevice technology with living organism. The specific goal of this system is to provide “on-command” chemically induced immobilization and subsequent reanimation of the otherwise autonomous insect by implanting a low power electrokinetic drug delivery device. In this paper, we demonstrate the locomotor activity control by releasing neurotransmitters into wing muscles. We also provide results of our fully functioning adult survivability data for pupal stage implanted microdevices along with results from a comprehensive study of a low power electroactive drug delivery system.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The high-temperature autoignition of biodiesels and biodiesel components

Abstract Ignition delay time measurements are reported for two reference fatty-acid methyl ester biodiesel fuels, derived from methanol-based transesterification of soybean oil and animal fats, and four primary constituents of all methyl ester biodiesels: methyl palmitate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate, and methyl linoleate. Experiments were carried out behind reflected shock waves for gaseous fuel/air mixtures at temperatures ranging from 900 to 1350 K and at pressures around 10 and 20 atm. Ignition delay times were determined by monitoring pressure and ultraviolet chemiluminescence from electronically-excited OH radicals. The results show similarity in ignition delay times for all methyl ester fuels considered, irrespective of the variations in organic structure, at the high-temperature conditions studied and also similarity in high-temperature ignition delay times for methyl esters and n -alkanes. Comparisons with recent kinetic model efforts are encouraging, showing deviations of at most a factor of two and in many cases significantly less.
The rhetoric of “unconditional surrender” and the decision to drop the atomic bomb

Since 1945, scholars have become more critical in their assessment of the decision to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This essay analyzes the atomic attacks from a rhetorical purview, arguing that they were launched in large measure because of an American commitment to a particular rhetoric—the “rhetoric of unconditional surrender.” First articulated by President Roosevelt at the Casablanca Conference in 1943, the slogan metamorphosized by 1945 into a political shibboleth which operated to constrain policy makers. By August, 1945 the doctrine's calcifying effect on American decision‐making precluded an earlier end to hostilities in the Pacific and resulted in atomic devastation for the two Japanese cities.
Late spring nitrogen applications on wheat on a poorly drained soil

Abstract Many of the poorly drained clayey soils of the Mississippi River delta region in Arkansas are used for soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. Oftentimes, excessive rainfall occurs between the last N application and physiological maturity, resulting in soil conditions conducive to denitrification. Studies were conducted in 1989 and 1990 to evaluate late N applications on five wheat cultivars on a Sharkey silty clay (very fine, montmorillonitic, nonacid, thermic, Vertic Haplaquepts) at Keiser, AR. A linear‐move irrigation system was used to maintain excessive soil moisture conditions throughout the spring growing season to best insure denitrification conditions. After the recommended spring N was applied, N as urea was applied at rates of 0, 34, and 68 kg ha‐1 at growth stage (GS) 9 in 1989 and GS 10 in 1990. Ammonium nitrate was also evaluated at the 34 kg N ha‐1 rate. Grain yield, yield components, whole‐plant N concentration, grain N content, and whole‐plant N uptake were evalu...
A randomized controlled trial of 8-form Tai chi improves symptoms and functional mobility in fibromyalgia patients

Previous researchers have found that 10-form Tai chi yields symptomatic benefit in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). The purpose of this study was to further investigate earlier findings and add a focus on functional mobility. We conducted a parallel-group randomized controlled trial FM-modified 8-form Yang-style Tai chi program compared to an education control. Participants met in small groups twice weekly for 90 min over 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was symptom reduction and improvement in self-report physical function, as measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), from baseline to 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints included pain severity and interference (Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), sleep (Pittsburg sleep Inventory), self-efficacy, and functional mobility. Of the 101 randomly assigned subjects (mean age 54 years, 93 % female), those in the Tai chi condition compared with the education condition demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvements in FIQ scores (16.5 vs. 3.1, p = 0.0002), BPI pain severity (1.2 vs. 0.4, p = 0.0008), BPI pain interference (2.1 vs. 0.6, p = 0.0000), sleep (2.0 vs. −0.03, p = 0.0003), and self-efficacy for pain control (9.2 vs. −1.5, p = 0.0001). Functional mobility variables including timed get up and go (−.9 vs. −.3, p = 0.0001), static balance (7.5 vs. −0.3, p = 0.0001), and dynamic balance (1.6 vs. 0.3, p = 0.0001) were significantly improved with Tai chi compared with education control. No adverse events were noted. Twelve weeks of Tai chi, practice twice weekly, provided worthwhile improvement in common FM symptoms including pain and physical function including mobility. Tai chi appears to be a safe and an acceptable exercise modality that may be useful as adjunctive therapy in the management of FM patients. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT01311427)
Reflectometric spectroscopy of adsorbed molecular layers.

A normal-incidence technique is described for obtaining IR absorption spectra of molecular layers adsorbed on a dielectric thin-film surface. In the experiment described, a low-power CO2 laser beam is scanned across a molecular layer of 2-propanol adsorbed on a ZnSe film. Spectra for 1–5 monolayer coverages are compared with the liquid spectrum of the adsorbate.
Strut interlocking of titanium Greenfield vena cava filters and its effect on clot capturing: an in vitro study.

To determine the influence of filter leg-interlocking on filtering efficiency of titanium Greenfield inferior vena cava filters in anin vitro model. Titanium Greenfield filters (TGF) were placed in an inferior vena cava (IVC) flow phantom with no interlocking legs, or with one or two pairs of legs interlocked. Clot emboli of varying sizes were introduced into the stream of flow, and the frequency of successful captures by the deformed filters was recorded. Interlocking filter legs diminished the filtering efficiency of the TGF by up to 80% with the flow phantom in a horizontal position; no such compromise existed when the phantom was in a vertical position. When leg interlocking is verified radiographically, the filtering efficiency of the TGF is reduced, and placement of a second IVC filter may be indicated.
Co-synthesis of heterogeneous multiprocessor systems using arbitrated communication

We describe the first co-design technique aimed at heterogeneous systems employing arbitrated communication. Arbitrated system design is especially difficult because communication scheduling is directly tied to task allocation. The method provides a complete co-design-i.e. generation of a hardware configuration along with an allocation and schedule for the execution of hard real-time data-dependent tasks. By using an actual scheduling analysis in the inner co-design loop, the method is readily able to address realistic system effects including various communication models like arbitration, as in PCI-based systems.
Angular correlation functions of amplitudes scattered from a one-dimensional, perfectly conducting rough surface

We study theoretically the angular dependence of the correlation functions of the scattering amplitudes occurring in the interaction of a beam of polarized light with a one-dimensional, perfectly conducting rough surface. For an ensemble of surface-profile functions that are realizations of a stationary stochastic process, a necessary condition for the exact scattering amplitudes to be correlated is established: the projection on the mean surface of the difference between the incident wave vectors must equal that of the scattered wave vectors. The exact expressions for the amplitudes of the scattered plane waves constituting the far field are derived from Green’s second integral theorem. By numerical simulations, the dependence of these amplitude correlation functions on the angle of incidence and on the incident and the scattered polarization states is computed for Gaussian surfaces producing enhanced backscattering. Results are presented for the complex correlation functions of p- and s-polarized scattering amplitudes. However, it is argued that, for an incident field polarized at +45°, the single- and the multiple-scattering contributions to the amplitude correlation functions are clearly separated if the scattered field is resolved into −45° and +45° polarized plane waves. In this case the real part of the correlation function of the −45° scattering amplitudes displays two peaks of large angular width. The maxima occur for angles of incidence at which the correlation between the +45° polarized scattering amplitudes has sharp peaks of angular width approximately equal to λ/a, where the surface correlation length a may be interpreted as an estimate for the mean distance between successive scattering points on the surface. One of these maxima occurs when the correlated amplitudes are identical, and the other occurs when the role of the incoming and the outgoing directions is interchanged between the two scattering amplitudes, which are then related by the reciprocity condition. The coherent addition of the amplitudes arising from multiple-scattering processes and those of their time-reversed partners in directions close to the retroreflection direction is demonstrated in the calculations of the correlation functions.
Review essay / disgust, dignity, and a public intellectual

Martha C. Nussbaum, Hiding from Humanity: Disgust, Shame, and the Law. Princeton Nf: Princeton University Press, 2004, xv #;pl 413 pp.
Including graphics and visualization research in a master's-level course

Abstract This paper describes how a one-semester graduate-level course can be designed for students to conduct research in graphics and visualization. The course aims to produce papers that are acceptable at a peer-reviewed technical conference. I describe my experience teaching such a course in the spring semester of 1996. This report is intended to encourage others who wish to undertake a similar effort; it presents several tactics that can help such a course succeed.
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Validation of the Dynamics of a Single Bubble During Pool Boiling Under Constant and Time-Varying Reduced Gravity Conditions

The numerical simulation and experimental validations of the growth and departure of a single bubble on a horizontal heated surface during pool boiling under reduced gravity conditions have been performed here. A finite difference scheme is used to solve the equations governing mass, momentum and energy in the vapor liquid phases. The vapor-liquid interface is captured by level set method, which is modified to include the influence of phase change at the liquid-vapor interface. The effects of reduced gravity conditions, wall superheat and liquid subcooling and system pressure on the bubble diameter and growth period have been studied. The simulations are also carried out under both constant and time-varying gravity conditions to benchmark the solution with the actual experimental conditions that existed during the parabolic flights of KC-135 aircraft. In the experiments, a single vapor bubble was produced on an artificial cavity, 10 μm in diameter microfabricated on the polished silicon wafer, the wafer was heated electrically from the back with miniature strain gage type heating elements in order to control the nucleation superheat. The bubble growth period and the bubble diameter predicted from the numerical simulations have been found to compare well with the data from experiments.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
SU‐FF‐T‐83: An Image‐Guided Adaptive Treatment Planning Optimization for IMRT

We present an adaptive IMRTtreatment planning approach that is guided by 3D/4D images and that allows exploration of a wide range of beam angles for optimal treatment design. Computational advances to improve solution times are highlight, and robustness of the method and quality of the resulting plans are compared. We focus on column generation of adaptable and clinically acceptable plans. Binary (0/1)variables are used to capture “on”/“off” for each beam. Guided by the tumorimage, these candidate beams are generated dynamically throughout the solution process. The treatment model includes explicit clinical constraints, including constraints based on upper/lower/mean dose, approximate organs‐at‐risks dose‐volume relationships, and PTV homogeneity and coverage. During the solution process, at most k active beams are allowed in the branch‐and‐price framework(where k is input by clinicians and is patient/tumor‐specific). Compared to clinical plans, for prostate cases, PTV homogeneity improves by 8–11%, whereas mean‐dose to rectum and bladder reduce uniformly by over 50%. For head‐and‐neck cases, left‐parotid mean dose reduces uniformly by over 50%. In particular, all critical structures receive significantly less dose, as the adaptive approach focuses the radiation onto the tumor volume. The adaptive plans provide over 95% PTV coverage, as requested by the clinicians. The adaptive branch‐and‐price approach proves efficient to simultaneously optimize the beam orientations over the entire space of gantry angles and the fluence map. Two significant advances were made: 1) We efficiently and rapidly solved previously intractable large‐scale treatment instances with important clinical constraints to optimality. 2)We designed a rapid column‐generation approach where candidate beams are chosen adaptively and dynamically, and where the set of active beams are set to clinically acceptable values. These properties allow for generation of plans that are practical for actual delivery and guided in real‐time by tumorimages. Clinical experiments showed that our approach produces superior plans.
New developments in understanding phenytoin-induced gingival hyperplasia

In approximately half of the patients taking phenytoin, gingival fibroblasts proliferate, causing tissue overgrowth and gingival hyperplasia. Recent clinical and basic research is reviewed, describing the conditions associated with phenytoin therapy and gingival hyperplasia.
Identification of immediate early genes during TPA-induced human myeloblastic leukemia ML-1 cell differentiation.

Abstract Human myeloblastic ML-1 can be induced to differentiate into monocytes/macrophages by 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). In order to understand the molecular mechanism regulating ML-1 cell differentiation, we focused on the characterization of immediate early genes activated by TPA using the mRNA differentiation display polymerase chain reaction (DD-PCR) and Northern analyses. A modified procedure, the reverse dot slot, was developed to confirm upregulated genes during the early stages of TPA-induced ML-1 cell differentiation. DNA sequencing analyses of 10 subcloned cDNA fragments, selected on the basis of the outcome of the reverse dot slot procedure, revealed that eight were derived from distinct genes. Among these clones, one was a novel gene (G07-5), another (A02-1) was highly homologous to the sequence of a fetal brain cDNA fragment, and the remaining six corresponded to jun-D, rantes, ssat, CD 14, ferritin heavy chain (fhc) and transposons Tn10-like transcript, respectively. Although these genes were all upregulated by TPA, the peak time of mRNA expression varied. jun-D, ssat and A02-1 expressions were superinduced in the presence of cycloheximide, which indicates that they belong to the immediate early gene family. On the other hand, TPA-induced rantes expression was not superinduced by cycloheximide, suggesting a protein synthesis-dependent process. As there are no previous reports of expression of these genes in TPA-induced ML-1 cells, little or no information is available concerning their function in mediating myeloblastic cell differentiation. Thus, this study illuminates new avenues of research for elucidating the function of genes regulating terminal differentiation of myeloid progenitors.
Insensitivity for PS server farms with JSQ routing

Join-the-Shortest-Queue (JSQ) is a very old and popular routing policy for server farms. Figure 1 shows two examples of server farm architectures employing JSQ routing. In both cases, each incoming job is immediately dispatched, via a front-end router, to the queue with the fewest number of jobs, designated as the shortest queue (ties are broken at random). In Figure 1(a), jobs at a queue are served in First-Come-First-Served (FCFS) order. In Figure 1(b), jobs within a queue are served according to Processor-Sharing (PS), meaning that when there are n jobs at a queue, they share the processing capacity, each simultaneously receiving 1/nth of the service. We refer to Figure 1(a) as a JSQ/FCFS server farm and to Figure 1(b) as a JSQ/PS farm. If more detail is needed, we use the notation: M/G/K/JSQ/PS, denoting a Poisson arrival process, i.i.d. job sizes from a general distribution, K servers, JSQ routing; and PS scheduling at queues.
Multiscale Temporal Variability of Warm-Season Precipitation over North America: Statistical Analysis of Radar Measurements

Directionally averaged time series of precipitation rates for eight warm seasons (1996–2003) over the continental United States derived from Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) measurements are analyzed using spectral decomposition methods. For the latitudinally averaged data, in addition to previously identified diurnal and semidiurnal cycles, the temporal spectra show cross-scale self-similarity and periodicity. This property is revealed by a power-law scaling with an exponent of 4/3 for the frequency band higher than semidiurnal and 3/4 for the 1–3-day band. For the longitudinally averaged series the scaling exponent for the frequency band higher than semidiurnal changes from 4/3 to 5/3 revealing anisotropic properties. The dominant periods and propagation speeds display temporal variability on about 1/2, 1, 4, 11, and 25 days. Composite patterns describing periods of 5 days display the eastward propagation characteristic of classical mesoscale convective organization. The lower-frequency (5 days) patterns propagate westward suggesting the influence of large-scale waves, and both dominant periods and propagation speeds show marked interannual variability. The implied dependence between propagation and mean-flow for 5 days is consistent with the macrophysics of warm-season convective organization, and extends known dynamical mechanisms to a statistical framework.
Effect of antibiotics on implant failure and postoperative infection.

Medline and hand search of the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, Clinical Oral Investigations, Clinical Oral Implants Research, European Journal of Oral Implantology, Implant Dentistry, International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Journal of Clinical Periodontology, Journal of Oral Implantology, Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Journal of Periodontology Medicina Oral, Patologa Oral y Cirugia Bucal, and Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology and Endodontology. Search of the literature was made to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of antibiotics compared with a control group (not receiving antibiotics or receiving placebo. All articles selected from the electronic and manual searches were independently assessed by the first and second authors of this study, in accordance with the established inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently and in duplicate evaluated the quality of the included RCTs as part of the data extraction process. Four RCTs were included in the final review. These four RCTs grouped a total of 2063 implants and a total of 1002 patients. Antibiotic use significantly lowered the implant failure rate (P = 0.003), with an odds ratio of 0.331, implying that antibiotic treatment reduced the odds of failure by 66.9%. The number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one patient from having an implant failure was 48 (95% confidence interval 31-109). In contrast, antibiotic use did not significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative infection (P = 0.754). Based on the results of this meta-analysis, and pending further research in the field, it can be concluded that there is evidence in favour of systematic antibiotic use in patients receiving dental implants, since such treatment significantly reduces implant failure. In contrast, antibiotic use does not exert a significant preventive effect against postoperative infection.
Intravitreal foscarnet for recurring CMV retinitis in a congenitally infected premature infant

A girl born at 32 weeks' gestational age was diagnosed at birth with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection without ocular involvement. On day 19 of life, retinal examination requested for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) identified bilateral CMV retinitis and stage 1 ROP. Treatment of macular threatening CMV infection with intravitreal foscarnet injections and intravenous ganciclovir for 6 weeks led to quiescence of retinitis. Bilateral recurrence of CMV retinitis occurred on day 89 of life, requiring a second course of intravitreal foscarnet injections and intravenous ganciclovir. Both the initial presentation and reactivation of CMV retinitis were identified on examination for ROP and would have gone unrecognized had the infant not met ROP screening criteria. This case demonstrates delayed presentation of CMV retinitis after initial negative retinal examination in a premature infant with congenital infection and concurrent ROP.
On Fe Kα line emission by photo-ionized accretion disks

Abstract We discuss (1) the importance of ionization physics in the interpretation of X-ray reflection features seen in spectra of most AGN and GBHCs. We show that changes in the ionization structure of the reflector with changes in the X-ray flux or its spectral shape may be confused with changes in the geometry of the accretion flow when studied with simpler (incomplete) X-ray reflection models. (2) In addition, we point out that iron lines from time-dependent accretion disks in their “quiescent” states should be narrow even if the cold accretion disk extends to the last stable orbit.
Size- and Strain-Dependent Electronic Structures in H-Passivated Si [112] Nanowires

Using first-principles calculations within density functional theory, we have investigated the electronic properties of H-passivated Si nanowires (SiNWs) oriented along the 112 direction, with the atomic geometries retrieved via global search using genetic algorithm. We show that [112] SiNWs have an indirect band gap in the ultrathin diameter regime, whereas the energy difference between the direct and indirect fundamental band gaps progressively decreases as the wire size increases, indicating that larger [112] SiNWs could have a quasi-direct band gap. We further show that this quasi-direct gap feature can be enhanced when applying uniaxial compressive stress along the wire axis. Moreover, our calculated results also reveal that the electronic band structure is sensitive to the change of the aspect ratio of the cross sections.
Optical and intervalley scattering in quantized inversion layers in semiconductors

Abstract The momentum relaxation time for scattering of electrons in quantized levels of an inversion layer on a semiconductor surface is calculated for interactions via optical and intervalley phonons. A selection rule is found which prohibits transitions between subbands belonging to the same valley or set of valleys, at least in the zero order to which these scattering processes may occur. Relaxation times for the zero-order interaction and the first-order interaction are obtained for intervalley phonons. The results are applied to the case of a (100)-silicon surface, with electrons in the three lowest subbands (with energy levels E 0 , E 1 , E ' 0 ) of the two sets of valleys. Agreement with the experimental data of Fang and Fowler is good when the combined effects of intervalley and acoustic scattering are considered.
Use of real-time gene-specific polymerase chain reaction to measure RNA expression of three family members of rat cytochrome P450 4A.

Exposure of rats to peroxisome proliferators induces members of the cytochrome P450 4A (CYP4A) family. In rats, the CYP4A family consists of four related genes, CYP4A1, CYP4A2, CYP4A3, and CYP4A8. We are specifically interested in examining CYP4A1, CYP4A2, and CYP4A3, each of which is expressed in a tissue-dependent and sex-dependent manner. While CYP4A1 is sufficiently different from the other two members to enable relatively easy specific quantitation, the close similarity between CYP4A2 and CYP4A3 makes quantitative discrimination difficult. We have combined a fluorescent real-time PCR assay (TaqMan) with the sequence-specific mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA) to allow us to carry out specific quantitation of all three members of this family. The assay is designed such that a single fluorescent TaqMan(R) probe binds to all three gene products, while specificity is conferred by sequence-specific primers. This specific MAMA technique takes advantage of the ability of Taq polymerase to distinguish between the two cDNAs based on mismatches at the 3' end of a PCR primer. In the 84-base PCR product used for this assay, there is only a single-base difference between CYP4A2 and CYP4A3. Despite this similarity, there is at least a 1000-fold discrimination between the two sequences, using CYP4A2 or CYP4A3 specific standards. Analysis of rat liver RNA from both sexes demonstrates that this discrimination is also achieved in complex RNA mixtures. This technique should be broadly applicable to other areas of research such as allelic discrimination, detecting mutational hotspots in tumors, and discrimination among closely related members of other gene families.
Evaluating a sex-related ability: Comparison with same-, opposite-, and combined-sex norms

Abstract A study was conducted to replicate and extend Zanna, Goethals, and Hill's ( Zanna, M. P., Goethals, G. R., & Hill, J. F. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 1975 , 11, 86–93) experiment investigating social comparison choices for evaluating a sex-related ability. In a 2 × 3 design male and female undergraduates received ambiguous feedback about their performance on a test. The test was described as one in which either males typically excel or females typically excel, or no sex differences for performance were mentioned. Subjects were then given the opportunity to select normative comparison information in order to evaluate their performance. Information about same-sex, opposite-sex, and combined (male and female) norms was available. The results showed that interest in same-sex and combined information was high on both first and second choices. Opposite-sex comparisons were of low priority. Same-sex comparisons were of high priority even when sex differences were not made salient. Males and females differed to some extent in their comparison choices. The results suggest that while persons prefer to compare with similar (same-sex) others, they are also interested in making broader kinds of comparisons (with combined-sex norms). The results are discussed in terms of Wilson's ( Wilson, S. R. Sociometry, 1973 , 36, 600–607) two-process analysis of ability comparison and Goethals and Darley's ( Goethals, G., & Darley, J. In J. M. Suls & R. L. Miller (Eds.), Social comparison processes; Theoretical and empirical perspectives. Washington, D. C.: Hemisphere/Halsted/Wiley, 1977 ) related attribute hypothesis.
Proteomic Profiling of ClpXP Substrates after DNA Damage Reveals Extensive Instability within SOS Regulon

Summary ClpXP, a bacterial AAA+ protease, controls intracellular levels of many stress-response proteins. To investigate substrate profile changes caused by a specific environmental stress, quantitative mass spectrometry (SILAC) was used to analyze proteins trapped by ClpXP trap before and after DNA damage. The abundance of half of the trapped proteins changed more than 3-fold after damage. Overrepresented substrates included the DNA-repair proteins RecN and UvrA. Among SOS-response proteins, 25% were ClpXP substrates and, importantly, nearly all of the highly induced regulon members were rapidly degraded. Other proteins, including the stress regulator σ S , were underrepresented in ClpXP trap after DNA damage; overproduction experiments suggest that simple substrate competition does not account for this reduced recognition. We conclude that damage-response proteins are an unusually rapidly degraded family and that ClpXP has substantial capacity to process the influx of newly synthesized substrates while maintaining the ability to degrade its other substrates in an environmentally responsive manner.
Thickness Effect on Crack Tip Deformation at Fracture.

Abstract The crack tip deformation at the onset of surface crack growth for four single edge cracked specimens having four different thicknesses were studied. The specimens were made of the ductile and tough HY-80 steel. The thickness contraction in the crack tip region and the tensile strain in the direction of load were measured. The crack tip necking-in acts like a notch. The depths, the root radii, and the angle changes of the necking-in notches were measured. The results indicated that the near tip strain can be used as a fracture criterion of ductile and tough materials. It was also found that the fracture strengths of the cracked specimens can be correlated with the tensile ductilities measured with Clausing specimens.