cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MO-D-213-06: Quantitative Image Quality Metrics Are for Physicists, Not Radiologists: How to Communicate to Your Radiologists Using Their Language

Purpose: A framework for explaining differences in image quality to non-technical audiences in medial imaging is needed. Currently, this task is something that is learned “on the job.” The lack of a formal methodology for communicating optimal acquisition parameters into the clinic effectively mitigates many technological advances. As a community, medical physicists need to be held responsible for not only advancing image science, but also for ensuring its proper use in the clinic. This work outlines a framework that bridges the gap between the results from quantitative image quality metrics like detectability, MTF, and NPS and their effect on specific anatomical structures present in diagnostic imaging tasks. Methods: Specific structures of clinical importance were identified for a body, an extremity, a chest, and a temporal bone protocol. Using these structures, quantitative metrics were used to identify the parameter space that should yield optimal image quality constrained within the confines of clinical logistics and dose considerations. The reading room workflow for presenting the proposed changes for imaging each of these structures is presented. The workflow consists of displaying images for physician review consisting of different combinations of acquisition parameters guided by quantitative metrics. Examples of using detectability index, MTF, NPS, noise and noise non-uniformity are provided. During review, the physician was forced to judge the image quality solely on those features they need for diagnosis, not on the overall “look” of the image. Results: We found that in many cases, use of this framework settled mis-agreements between physicians. Once forced to judge images on the ability to detect specific structures inter reader agreement was obtained. Conclusion: This framework will provide consulting, research/industrial, or in-house physicists with clinically relevant imaging tasks to guide reading room image review. This framework avoids use of the overall “look” or “feel” to dictate acquisition parameter selection. Equipment grants GE Healthcare
The effect of motivational lung age feedback on short-term quit rates in smokers seeking intensive group treatment: A randomized controlled pilot study

Background A brief “Lung Age” feedback intervention has shown promise for personalizing the health impact of smoking and promoting cessation in unselected smokers. Now that many healthcare organizations provide face-to-face cessation services, it is reasonable to ask whether such motivational feedback of lung function tests might improve treatment compliance and cessation rates in smokers wanting to quit. This study assessed effects of baseline motivational spirometry-based “Lung Age” feedback on treatment compliance and tobacco abstinence at 28-day follow-up.
A Practical Introduction to Methods for Analyzing Longitudinal Data in the Presence of Missing Data Using a Marijuana Price Survey

Purpose – In applied psychology research settings, such as criminal psychology, missing data are to be expected. Missing data can cause problems with both biased estimates and lack of statistical power. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Recently, sophisticated methods for appropriately dealing with missing data, so as to minimize bias and to maximize power have been developed. In this paper the authors use an artificial data set to demonstrate the problems that can arise with missing data, and make naive attempts to handle data sets where some data are missing. Findings – With the artificial data set, and a data set comprising of the results of a survey investigating prices paid for recreational and medical marijuana, the authors demonstrate the use of multiple imputation and maximum likelihood estimation for obtaining appropriate estimates and standard errors when data are missing. Originality/value – Missing data are ubiquitous in applied research. This paper demonstr...
Positive and negative regulation of ΔN-p63 promoter activity by p53 and ΔN-p63-α contributes to differential regulation of p53 target genes

Mammary epithelial regeneration implies the existence of cellular progenitors with retained replicative capacity, prolonged lifespan and developmental potency. Evidence exists that ΔN-p63 isoforms preserve these features by modulating p53 activity in basal epithelia. ΔN-p63 mRNA levels decline at the onset of differentiation suggesting that its transcriptional regulation may contribute to the initiation of differentiation. To study transcriptional regulation of ΔN-p63, a 10.3 kbp fragment containing the ΔN-p63 promoter was isolated. We report here that ΔN-p63 is a positive and negative transcriptional target of p53 and ΔN-p63-α, respectively. Disruption of p53 activity or expression abolishes the expression of ΔN-p63-α. This regulation is mediated by a p53-binding element sufficient to confer these activities to a heterologous promoter. Chromatin immune-precipitation indicates that, in asynchronously growing cells, p53 occupies this element. In response to DNA damage, ΔN-p63-α is recruited to this element as transcription of ΔN-p63 declines. Disruption of ΔN-p63-α expression had differential effects on the transcriptional regulation of several p53-target genes. These findings indicate that p53 contributes to the preservation of basal epithelia by driving the expression of ΔN-p63 isoforms. These studies also suggest that in response to genotoxic stress, ΔN-p63-α mediates the silencing of its own promoter thereby altering the pattern of p53-target gene expression.
A scaling technique for finding the weighted analytical center of a polytope

Let a bounded full dimensional polytope be defined by the systemAx źb whereA is anm × n matrix. Letai denote theith row of the matrixA, and define theweighted analytic center of the polytope to be the point that minimizes the strictly convex barrier function źźi=1mwi ln(aiTx źbi). The proper selection of weightswi can make any desired point in the interior of the polytope become the weighted analytic center. As a result, the weighted analytic center has applications in both linear and general convex programming. For simplicity we assume that the weights are positive integers. If some of thewi's are much larger than others, then Newton's method for minimizing the resulting barrier function is very unstable and can be very slow. Previous methods for finding the weighted analytic center relied upon a rather direct application of Newton's method potentially resulting in very slow global convergence. We present a method for finding the weighted analytic center that is based on the scaling technique of Edmonds and Karp and is an enhancement of Newton's method. The scaling algorithm runs in $$O(\sqrt m \log W)$$ iterations, wherem is the number of constraints defining the polytope andW is the largest weight given on any constraint. Each iteration involves taking a step in the Newton direction and its complexity is dominated by the time needed to solve a system of linear equations.
Coefficient rings for beta function classes of Markov chains

To each function we associate a period, a polytope, a group , and show these objects to be universal for the class of Markov chains with that beta function. One consequence is that polynomial matrices employed in coding problems of Markov chains can be chosen canonically.
Effects of Dimethyl Sulfoxide, Glycerol, and Ethylene Glycol on Secondary Structures of Cytochrome c and Lysozyme As Observed by Infrared Spectroscopy

Effects of 10–30% (v/v) of dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, and ethylene glycol on the H–O–H bending vibration of water and the amide I bands of horse heart cytochrome c and chicken egg white lysozyme in 25 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) were examined at 20°C by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The H–O–H bending mode of water was strongly affected by these cryoprotectant solvents. Increasing the concentration of cryosolvents from 0 to 30% shifts the water bending band maximum from 1645 to about 1650 cm−1. Second‐derivative analysis reveals significant changes in conformation‐sensitive amide I regions of lysozyme ascribed to α‐helix (1657 cm−1), turn (1674 cm−1), and unordered (1646 cm−1) structures; each cryosolvent increases the intensity of the 1657 cm−1 band at the expense of bands at 1674 and 1646 cm−1. No changes in spectra deemed significant were observed for cytochrome c under the same conditions. There is no spectral evidence of structural randomization of proteins due to the presence of these cryosolvents. Cryosolvent‐induced changes in secondary structure of proteins may result from changes in water structure which, in turn, perturb the structure of the protein and/or from direct interactions between cryosolvent and protein.
Small Solutions of the Legendre Equation

Holzer, using a deep theorem, proved that if the Legendre equationax2+by2−cz2=0 is in normal form and has a nonzero solution then there is a solution with|x|⩽bc, |y|⩽acand|z|⩽ab. The first elementary proof of this result was given by Mordell with a small gap filled by Williams. We give a new elementary proof of this theorem. We show in fact that the lattice of solutions of the congruenceax2+by2−cz2≡0 (mod abc) that is constructed in most textbook proofs of Legendre's theorem always contains such a solution.
Performance Study of Structure Improvement Design for Storage-Type Domestic Electrical Water-Heaters Based on the CFD Simulation

The 3D physical model with two different structure of the electrical water heater was built. The performance of water heater was studied by computer fluid dynamics simulation (CFD). The heater performance is characterized the discharge efficiency, extraction efficiency and fraction of heat recoverable. It was 73.7%, 45% and 49.8% respectively with conventional structure, and it was 81.1%, 54.1% and 59.6% respectively of improved structure with discharge rate was 5L/min when all initial hot water temperature was 90°C. The temperature distribution of different discharged stage was also disclosure. The water inner the water tank of improved structure has the better thermal stratification than traditional structure. It was also agreed with the water heat performance.
Cytokines directly induce degranulation and superoxide production from human eosinophils.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Cytokines are implicated in allergic diseases and can modulate effector functions of eosinophils stimulated by another agonist. However, little is known about the capacity of cytokines to directly trigger eosinophil degranulation. OBJECTIVES: We attempted to determine whether cytokines can directly induce degranulation and superoxide production from eosinophils. METHODS: Eosinophils from normal donors were incubated with various cytokines in albumin-coated tissue culture plates for 4 hours. To quantitate degranulation, the amounts of eosinophil-derived neurotoxin in supernatants were measured by radioimmunoassay. In addition, superoxide production was measured by superoxide dismutase–inhibitable reduction of cytochrome c. RESULTS: IL-5, IL-3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor-α, and RANTES all induced eosinophil degranulation. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor was the most potent and induced eosinophil-derived neurotoxin release comparable to that induced by secretory IgA beads, one of the most potent secretagogues for eosinophils. In addition, IL-5 and tumor necrosis factor-α were synergistic in their induction of eosinophil degranulation. In contrast, IL-1, IL-8, interferon-γ, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α did not induce degranulation. Finally, IL-5, IL-3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and tumor necrosis factor-α, but not RANTES, also induced superoxide production from eosinophils. CONCLUSIONS: Certain cytokines directly induce eosinophil degranulation and superoxide production in vitro. Therefore these cytokines may be important in the release of toxic granule proteins from eosinophils in allergic diseases. (J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL 1996;98:371-81.)
The evolution of AIDS economic research.

This paper reviews the progress made by economists in their research on the AIDS epidemic. Three main conclusions are drawn. First, the direct economic impact of AIDS in the U.S. (i.e. personal medical care costs and foregone earnings due to morbidity and premature mortality) is not likely to be large on a national level through the early 1990s, although its impact will be large in certain regions of the country. Second, the large direct impact in certain regions implies that the epidemic may have serious economic repercussions that extend beyond the health sector of the economy. This raises a number of important research issues, many of which economists have not yet begun to address. Third, all of the key ingredients for conducting effective research on several of these important new issues - theory, data, and empirical methods - are currently available. This last conclusion is illustrated by an analysis of the labor market impact of the AIDS epidemic.
Rising Stars and Perceived Projects: A Field Investigation of Peer Mentoring with Coworkers

Although mentoring research acknowledges that peers can assume an informal mentoring role, those peers face an interesting puzzle when engaging in such activities. Should they mentor rising stars w...
Nitrifiers and mycorrhizae in pristine and grazed pinyon‐juniper ecosystems

We compared soils from grazed and pristine pinyon‐juniper ecosystems for the numbers of chemoautotrophic nitrifying bacteria and determined the distribution of vesicular‐arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae (EM). Additionally, we report on the presence of allelopathic substances in organic horizons. Ammonium (NH4+)‐oxidizing bacteria were in greater numbers in the interspaces between the trees, ranging from 9.60 × 104 to 2.13 × 105 bacteria‐1 soil, than under canopies, 3.5 × 104 to 4.8 × 104 bacteria‐1 soil. Grazed interspace soils had over twice the number of NH4+oxidizing bacteria than any other location. There were no differences in the numbers of nitrite‐oxidizing bacteria between either vegetative covers or sites. The rate of nitrate production did not correlate with the number of nitrifiers. However, there was a significant correlation (r2 = 0.85) between mineralization coefficients of total nitrogen and the total number of nitrifiers. Fourteen known and ten unknown monoterpenes were foun...
Plant facilitation of a belowground predator.

Interest in facilitative predator-plant interactions has focused upon above- ground systems. Underground physical conditions are distinctive, however, and we provide evidence that bush lupine, Lupinus arboreus, facilitates the survival of the predatory nematode Heterorhabditis marelatus. Because H. marelatus is prone to desiccation and lupines maintain a zone of moist soil around their taproots even during dry periods, we hypothesized that dry- season nematode survival under lupines might be higher than in the surrounding grasslands. We performed field surveys and measured nematode survival in lupine and grassland rhizospheres under wet- and dry-season conditions. Nematodes survived the crucial summer period better under lupines than in grasslands; however, this advantage disappeared in wet, winter soils. Modeling the probability of nematode population extinction showed that, while even large nematode cohorts were likely to go extinct in grasslands, even small cohorts in lupine rhizospheres were likely to survive until the arrival of the next prey generation. Because this nematode predator has a strong top-down effect on lupine survival via its effect on root- boring larvae of the ghost moth Hepialus californicus, this facilitative interaction may enable a belowground trophic cascade. Similar cases of predator facilitation in seasonally stressful environments are probably common in nature.
Conducting-sheet model for natural convection through a density-stratified interface

Abstract A simple physical model is presented for prediction of heat transfer through the sharp density-stratified interface between two immiscible fluids, one lying atop the other and both in turbulent natural convection. The interface is treated as an infinitely thin, highly conductive, rigid membrane. The resulting prediction is tested against experimental data whose Rayleigh numbers for the individual layers range from 107 to 1010 and whose Prandtl numbers range from 3.3 to 920. The prediction agrees well with the data.
Chapter 4 Global distributional dynamics of Cambrian clades as revealed by Burgess Shale-type deposits

Abstract The Cambrian geographical and temporal distributions of many clades remain poorly understood, despite their importance for elucidating the palaeobiogeographical context of the Cambrian radiation. New species and genus level occurrence databases were developed to analyse temporal and geographical distributional patterns in taxa belonging to 14 clades from over 60 globally distributed early and Middle Cambrian Burgess Shale-type lagerstatten. Analyses demonstrate that clades with confirmed Precambrian origins were, on average, more widespread and temporally persistent than clades with first fossil occurrences in the Cambrian. Despite their dominance in diversity, arthropods were less widely distributed and temporally persistent than many other groups. Finally, a significant correlation between geographical range and temporal persistence is demonstrated, supporting the hypothesis that Cambrian taxa with wider geographical ranges were less likely to go extinct than those with narrower ranges. Supplementary material: Species and genus data tables are available at: http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18665
Indole and other aromatic compounds activate the yeast TRPY1 channel.

Abstract The yeast TRPY1 (Yvc1p) channel is activated by membrane stretch to release vacuolar Ca2+ into the cytoplasm upon osmotic upshock. Exogenously added indole greatly enhances the upshock-induced Ca2+ release in vivo. Indole also reversibly activates the channels under patch clamp. A minimum of 10−6 M Ca2+ is needed for membrane stretch force to open TPRY1, but indole activation appears to be Ca2+ independent. A deletion of 30 residues at the predicted cytoplasmic domain, 570–600Δ, renders TRPY1 insensitive to stretch force upto 10−3 M Ca2+. Nonetheless, indole readily activates this mutant channel. Several other aromatic compounds, e.g. the antimicrobial parabens, also activate TRPY1. These compounds likely alter the innate forces in the lipid bilayer received by the channel.
The Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics for Installing the Roof-Mounted Wind Turbine

Purdue University Calumet (PUC) was planning to install a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) on the roof of Student Union and Library (SUL) building, an academic building on campus, for teaching and research purposes. While several potential sites have been identified as feasible, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling and Virtual Reality (VR) visualization technology have been coupled to assist in assessing the optimal location for sitting the wind turbine. 3-D wind fields were constructed which take into account the neighboring building effects to the flow fields. Wind speeds, turbulent intensity, and aesthetic look are some of the factors used to make the final decision. After the installation, estimated power generation was calculated based on the wind turbine power output curve and statistical analysis of measured wind data.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A comparison of the spherical flame characteristics of sub-millimeter droplets of binary mixtures of n-heptane/iso-octane and n-heptane/toluene with a commercial unleaded gasoline

Abstract The droplet burning characteristics of binary blends of iso-octane, n -heptane and toluene were studied in an ambience that minimizes external convection and promotes spherical droplet flames. The results are compared to gasoline (87 octane rating). The initial droplet diameter was fixed at 0.51 ± 0.02 mm and the experiments were carried out in room temperature air. Measurements of the evolution of droplet diameter show that iso-octane, n -heptane and their mixtures have almost identical burning rates that are significantly higher than gasoline. The pure toluene burning rate matches the gasoline burning rate during the quasi-steady period of the combustion history while it is lower than gasoline in approximately the first quarter and last quarter of the burning history. A small dilution with heptane (heptane (0.05)/toluene (0.95)) raised the mixture burning rate in the last quarter of the history to provide the best overall agreement with gasoline from ignition to burnout. The results show that no combination of the hydrocarbons examined could replicate the flame or soot shell standoff ratios for gasoline. The sooting propensities inferred from observations of flame brightness and image intensities are in the order toluene > gasoline > n -heptane (0.05)/toluene (0.95) > heptane (0.5)/toluene (0.5) > iso-octane > n -heptane (0.5)/iso-octane (0.5) > n -heptane.
Influence of gender on outcomes after thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair.

Objective Previous studies have shown that female gender is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of gender on 30-day outcomes after thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (TEVAR) using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. Methods This was a review of the 2005 to 2011 ACS-NSQIP database to identify all patients who underwent TEVAR for nonruptured thoracic aortic aneurysms. Procedure and diagnosis codes were used to capture the study population. Patients were stratified according to gender. Baseline, operative, and outcomes data were compared in bivariate fashion. The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality, and a risk-adjusted generalized linear model with Poisson distribution was used to identify relative risk. Results During the study period, 649 patients, 279 women (43%) and 370 men (57%), underwent TEVAR. Baseline demographics according to gender were similar; however, women were less likely to drink alcohol (1% vs 5%; P = .001) and to have a history of cardiac surgery (14% vs 27%; P P P = .03), transfusion rates (30% vs 17%, P = .001), and hospital length of stay (7.7 ± 0.5 vs 7.6 ± 0.5 days; P = .009) were increased in women compared with men. Overall, postoperative complications were similar, but unadjusted mortality was significantly greater in women (6% vs 3%; P = .03). On multivariable analysis, female gender was no longer a significant predictor of mortality (relative risk [RR], 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99-5.34; P = .053). Independent predictors of 30-day mortality included increasing age (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.09; P = .02), emergency procedure (RR, 3.76; 95% CI, 1.79-7.87; P P Conclusions Thirty-day unadjusted mortality after TEVAR for nonruptured thoracic aortic aneurysms is increased in women compared with men, but this univariate finding did not persist after risk adjustment. Multivariable analysis showed need for iliac artery exposure, age, and emergency surgery were independently associated with higher mortality rates. These results suggest a need for decreased device delivery size and improvements in endovascular technology.
Hydrologic Characterization of Repository Sites in Fractured Rock

The history of the development of techniques for determining equivalent rock mass permeability from discrete fracture data is reviewed. These techniques began with conceptual models which considered all fractures to be infinitely long. Because fractures are in fact finite, the equivalent permeability tensor computed by this approximation may not be applicable. Recent studies of the definition of an equivalent permeability tensor for networks of fractures with finite lengths are reviewed, and field techniques which show promise for obtaining in situ measurements of fracture length are presented.
CHARACTERIZATION OF POLLEN ANTIGENS FROM AMBROSIA L. (COMPOSITAE) AND RELATED TAXA BY IMMUNOELECTROPHORESIS AND RADIAL IMMUNODIFFUSION

The pollen antigens of various Ambrosia and related species were studied to learn whether substances closely related to antigen E (the major allergen of Ambrosia artemisiifolia) were present. After conventional immunoelectrophoresis, pollen extracts from six Ambrosia species each produced at least one pronounced precipitin line with antiserum for purified antigen E. Electrophoretic mobility was the same for several species (A. artemisiifolia, A. bidentata, A. psilostachya, and A. trifida) but was relatively lower for A. acanthicarpa and A. ambrosioides. Precipitin rings were also produced when pollen extracts of the various Ambrosia species were subjected to radial immunodiffusion in agarose which contained antiserum for purified antigen E. There was great variation among the Ambrosia species with respect to precipitin ring diameters. The variation may be due to differences among species in content of the antigen E-like substances or to altered interaction with the immobilized antibody. Crossed (2-dimensional) immunoelectrophoresis was shown to be useful for characterizing Ambrosia pollen antigens. Pollen extracts from A. artemisiifolia produced eight pronounced precipitin bands and at least eight faint, relatively fast-moving bands after crossed immunoelectrophoresis with antiserum against a whole pollen extract from the same species. One of
CONFORMATIONS, UNFOLDING, AND REFOLDING OF APOMYOGLOBIN IN VACUUM : AN ACTIVATION BARRIER FOR GAS-PHASE PROTEIN FOLDING

Gas-phase ion mobility measurements have been used to characterize the conformations of the +4 to +22 charge states of apomyoglobin. For the +8 to +10 charge states, generated by electrospraying pH...
Scattering by periodic metal surfaces with sinusoidal height profiles--A theoretical approach

A theory of scattering by periodic metal surfaces is presented that utilizes the physical optics approximation to determine the current distribution in the metal surface to first order, but modifies this approximate distribution by multiplication with a Fourier series whose fundamental period is that of the surface profile (Floquet's theorem). The coefficients of the Fourier series are determined from the condition that the field radiated by the current distribution into the lower (shielded) half-space must cancel the primary plane wave in this space range. The theory reduces the scatter problem to the familiar task of solving a linear system. For certain basic types of surface profiles, including the sinusoidal profile considered here, the coefficients of the linear system are obtained as closed form expressions in well-known functions (Bessel functions for sinusoidal profiles and exponential functions for piecewise linear profiles). The theory is thus amenable to efficient computer evaluation. Comparison of numerical results based on this theory with data obtained by recent numerical schemes shows that for depths of surface grooves less than a wavelength and for unrestricted groove widths, reliable and comparable, if not more accurate, data is obtained, in many cases at considerably cheaper computational cost.
DEGREE OF THE GENERALIZED PLUCKER EMBEDDING OF A QUOT SCHEME AND QUANTUM COHOMOLOGY

We compute the degree of the generalized Plucker embedding $\kappa$ of a Quot scheme $X$ over $\PP^1$. The space $X$ can also be considered as a compactification of the space of algebraic maps of a fixed degree from $\PP^1$ to the Grassmanian $\rm{Grass}(m,n)$. Then the degree of the embedded variety $\kappa (X)$ can be interpreted as an intersection product of pullbacks of cohomology classes from $\rm{Grass}(m,n)$ through the map $\psi$ that evaluates a map from $\PP^1$ at a point $x\in \PP^1$. We show that our formula for the degree verifies the formula for these intersection products predicted by physicists through Quantum cohomology~\cite{va92}~\cite{in91}~\cite{wi94}. We arrive at the degree by proving a version of the classical Pieri's formula on the variety $X$, using a cell decomposition of a space that lies in between $X$ and $\kappa (X)$.
A solid-phase competitive radioimmunoassay for the insulin receptor

A radioimmunoassay for the insulin receptor has been developed. In this assay, unlabeled receptor competes with 125I-labeled receptor for binding to monoclonal anti-receptor antibodies immobilized on microtiter wells coated with affinity-purified anti-mouse immunoglobulin G. This assay was highly reproducible and could detect 7 ng (14 fmol) of insulin receptor. By utilizing monoclonal antibodies to various antigenic regions of the receptor, different parts of the receptor molecule could be examined. By utilizing antibodies to the cytoplasmic domain of the receptor, an assay was developed which was not influenced by the presence of insulin and could equally detect the insulin receptor from different species (rat and human) and different tissues (placenta and brain). By utilizing antibodies to an autophosphorylation site of the receptor, the assay was shown capable of detecting the extent of phosphorylation of the receptor. Finally, this assay was utilized to monitor the decrease in insulin receptors in lysates of insulin-treated human lymphocytes. This radioimmunoassay should be useful for monitoring both the number and status of the insulin receptor under a variety of physiological conditions.
Multiresolution-based motion estimation

The computation of optical flow can play an important role in background characterization and target detectability algorithms since motion is an important cue feature for target detection. A multiresolution gradient-based motion estimation algorithm is implemented based on Horn's approach, where the optical flow field is iteratively determined at each level of the multiresolution pyramid. Different masks and kernels are tested, and an adaptive error minimization approach is taken to deal with areas in the image that violate the optical flow constraint equation.
Approaching the large-N limit: A renormalization group approach to large-N field theories

Abstract A technique is developed for finding recursive solutions to field theories that take values in SU( N ). The approach can be used as a method of solving the large- N limit as well as calculating finite- N effects. This is illustrated with examples of the anharmonic oscillator, SU( N ) chiral model and two-dimensional lattice QCD.
Mechanisms of crack nucleation in ice

Abstract This paper reviews the literature on the mechanisms by which cracks are nucleated in polycrystalline ice. In the absence of preexisting cracks, crack nucleation is the first step in mechanical failure. A variety of mechanisms have been discussed, mostly involving the propagation of microcracks or precursors from initial sizes below the level of convenient detection to easily observable cracks. True crack nucleation without preexisting precursors requires that stresses be locally concentrated to levels matching the theoretical cleavage or cohesive strength. Candidate mechanisms for this concentration of stress include: dislocation glide (leading to pile-ups of dislocations on particular slip planes); grain-boundary-sliding (leading to stress concentrations at the triple junctions at the edge of grain-boundary facets); thermal expansion of extraneous inclusions (such as produced by progressive freezing of brine pockets upon cooling); and elastic anisotropy of the ice crystals. Both dislocation glide and boundary sliding are kinetic processes in which the stress redistribution occurs at a finite, temperature-dependent rate. These processes also contribute temperature-dependent internal friction and anelasticity and their operation can therefore be independently measured. Elastic anisotropy leads to stress concentrations in an athermal manner and therefore becomes more important at very low temperatures and high loading rates. It has been shown, however, that in the absence of stresses due to brine pockets, the inherent elastic anisotropy of ice is not sufficient to nucleate cracks in purely two-dimensional models, such as perfectly columnar grains in plane strain. Calculated nucleation energies are far beyond available thermal activation energies and some additional stress concentrating effects are required. Irregularities in the third dimension (e.g. jogs in column boundaries) have not been completely investigated. Although inclusions (e.g. brine pockets or particulate inclusions) may sometimes be important, we should not neglect the kinetic processes mentioned above. Various experiments on fresh-water ice have provided evidence that crack nucleation is usually associated with grain boundaries in a manner consistent with grain-boundary sliding and the associated stress concentration fields.
Recorder Evaluation Pattern For High-Speed Videography

RECORDER EVALUATION PATTERN FOR HIGH -SPEED VIDEOGRAPHYC. E. Miller, M. W. Bergin4 -405, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA 02139, USAAbstractGreat difficulty is typically encountered in evaluating the performance of recorders,particularly during playback, for use in high -speed videography systems. A field -sequentialunique pattern is described which may be implemented with digital circuitry, and whichquickly and without ambiguity permits this evaluation. The pattern generator also is usefulas a "pseudo camera" in development work on videography systems over a range of frame rates.IntroductionSince its inception, high -speed videography has relied almost exclusively upon recordingvideo images on magnetic media. This includes primarily the video tape recorder (VTR), andto some extent the video disc recorder (VDR). More recently the video cassette recorder(VCR) has been attractive because the consumer and industrial markets for these machineshave made them available in a variety of models at relatively low cost. The competitivenature of these markets dictates a rapid change in the features of available equipment, andsince the requirements for their effective use as videographic components differ from thoseof the consumer market, these new technology implementations must be understood and eval-uated as they appear.Anomalous behavior, particularly during playback, such as the "rolling noise bar ", splitfield, skipped field, or interlaced fields is normally difficult to detect and /or to ass-ess. A relatively simple pattern has been developed to assist in evaluating the performanceof video tape recorders specifically for HSV use. The pattern may be generated using digit-al integrated circuits. And as an additional benefit, the pattern generator is quite usefulin system development as a flexible, high- bandwidth substitute for an HSV camera. A numberof current production VCR's have been evaluated using this pattern. Results suggest thatalthough the necessary technology exists to do so, none of the present VCR's are suitablefor HSV use.Magnetic Recording HSV SignalsIn its simplest form, HSV may be thought of as a simple closed- circuit television system(CCTV), but with the provision for providing the camera sensor with a pulsed image ratherthan a continuously viewed image (Figure 1.). This pulsed image may be provided either byusing a rotating shutter with a fixed or adjustable slit between the lens and the sensor,or by the use of strobe light to eliminate subject motion blur. The camera sensors them-selves are selected for low lag (a tendency to produce multiple ghost images), for sensit-ivity, and often for special spectral responses. Utilizing otherwise conventional compon-ents, this system can record and play back images at the rate of 60 full pictures per sec-
Computer Input Devices — Race and Gender: Is there a mismatch between anthropometry and input device design

Studies have shown an association between intensive computer use and the onset and development of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. However, the evidence for possible health effects related to computer input device design and operator anthropometry is limited. The aim of this study was to systematically examine relationships between the current sizing of computer input devices and key anthropometric differences, based on gender and race, in adult computer users. Computer input devices appear to be designed based on anthropometric clearance issues to accommodate the largest users (95th percentile Western males). Based on this current design, less than 6.1% of the worldwide population would “fit” the current pointing device and keyboard design standards. Finger mass is a critical component for determining device activation forces When comparing male and female hand anthropometry, finger mass accounted for the largest anthropometric difference with the 50th percentile females' hand only 73% the mass...
Clinical methods in psychiatric genetics. I. Robustness of genetic marker investigative strategies.

Abstract— Population stratification, secondary effects of illness or treatment, biological heterogeneity of a clinical syndrome, or complex biology underlying a syndrome (where only one component is measured) are conditions which may obscure the association of a genetic risk factor with a clinical syndrome. We consider several investigative strategies under each of these conditions. Only segregation-based paradigms are robust to genetic heterogeneity and population stratification. But secondary effects on the risk factor produced by illness or treatment require other strategies for their detection.
Left ventricular cavity potentials in induced left bundle branch block studied with esophageal leads.

Abstract 1. 1. The alterations of the electrocardiographic pattern in the left ventricular cavity in induced left bundle branch block are described. 2. 2. The change from normal conduction to left bundle branch block was associated with a critical rate. 3. 3. In the left ventricular cavity the normal electrocardiographic pattern, which is QS in configuration, is replaced by an equiphasic RS pattern when left bundle branch block supervenes. 4. 4. The period of transition from normal conduction to left bundle branch block is characterized by the appearance and increasing height of an R wave in esophageal leads reflecting left ventricular cavity potentials during the progression of incomplete left bundle branch block.
Effect of a minimum lymph node policy in radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy on lymph node yields, lymph node positivity rates, lymph node density, and survivorship in patients with bladder cancer

BACKGROUND: Extended pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND) during radical cystectomy (RC) reportedly improves bladder cancer-specific survival. Lymph node counts are often a proxy for the extensiveness of a dissection. In the current study, the impact of an institutional policy requiring a minimum number of lymph nodes was assessed. METHODS: Patients undergoing RC and PLND for invasive bladder cancer between March 2000 and February 2008 were retrospectively reviewed at the study institution. Beginning March 1, 2004, a policy was established that at least 16 lymph nodes had to be examined. Specimens with <16 lymph nodes were resubmitted (including any fat) to detect additional lymph nodes. Lymph node yields, lymph node positivity, lymph node density (LND), and survivorship before and after policy implementation were compared. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients underwent surgery 4 years before policy implementation and 202 underwent surgery 4 years after. The median number of lymph nodes increased from 15 to 20. Percentage of cases with ≥16 lymph nodes increased from 42.9% to 69.3% (P <.01). The lymph node positivity rates did not change significantly, but the proportion of patients with LND <20% increased from 43.9% to 65.5% (P = .04). Overall survival increased from 41.5% to 72.3% (P <.01). Univariate and multivariate regression demonstrated that policy implementation, and subsequent increase in median lymph node yield, decreased mortality risk by 30% (hazards ratio [HR], 0.70; P = .04) and 48% (HR, 0.52; P = .01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Thorough evaluation of PLND specimens obtained at RC can be influenced by an institutional policy mandating a minimum number of lymph nodes. This could lead to greater confidence in pathologic staging and reliability of LND as a predictor of prognosis. Survival can improve due to increased awareness to perform a more thorough PLND. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Cosmic background explorer (COBE) mission

The Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite carries three instruments to measure the diffuse infrared and microwave background radiation from the early universe, along with more recent diffuse sources. It was developed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and launched by a Delta rocket on November 18, 1989. It has produced the first measurements of structure in the Big Bang and has shown that the primeval heat radiation has a blackbody spectrum to extraordinary accuracy. The three instruments include a Far Infrared Absolute Spectrophotometer (FIRAS) to cover the range from 100 micrometers to 1 cm wavelength with a 7 degree(s) resolution, a Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) to map the sky from 1 to 300 micrometers with a 0.7 degree(s) resolution in 10 broad bands, and a Differential Microwave Radiometer (DMR) to map the sky at 31.5, 53, and 90 GHz with a 7 degree(s) resolution. The designs of the instruments and spacecraft are described, and the primary results ar summarized.
The AACC Competencies and the PhD Completion Project: Practical Implications

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) has identified a set of six competencies essential to effective community college leadership. Studies have been conducted to test the validity and usefulness of these competencies in such ways as by surveying community college professionals and to examine the effectiveness of graduate programs in preparing students to become community colleges leaders by incorporating some or all of the competencies. The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) has conducted a seven-year project to address issues surrounding PhD completion and attrition, called the PhD completion project. This project found six institutional and program characteristics that are key factors in determining whether a particular student is likely to complete a PhD program. This paper seeks to review the AACC competencies for community college leaders and the PhD completion project and examine the practical implications of both studies.
The MIG-2/Integrin Interaction Strengthens Cell-Matrix Adhesion and Modulates Cell Motility

Integrin-mediated cell-matrix adhesion plays an important role in control of cell behavior. We report here that MIG-2, a widely expressed focal adhesion protein, interacts with beta1 and beta3 integrin cytoplasmic domains. Integrin binding is mediated by a single site within the MIG-2 FERM domain. Functionally, the MIG-2/integrin interaction recruits MIG-2 to focal adhesions. Furthermore, using alphaIIbbeta3 integrin-expressing Chinese hamster ovary cells, a well described model system for integrin activation, we show that MIG-2 promotes integrin activation and enhances cell-extracellular matrix adhesion. Although MIG-2 is expressed in many cell types, it is deficient in certain colon cancer cells. Expression of MIG-2, but not of an integrin binding-defective MIG-2 mutant, in MIG-2-null colon cancer cells strengthened cell-matrix adhesion, promoted focal adhesion formation, and reduced cell motility. These results suggest that the MIG-2/integrin interaction is an important element in the cellular control of integrin-mediated cell-matrix adhesion and that loss of this interaction likely contributes to high motility of colon cancer cells.
Pain Assessment in Preterm Neonates

Accurate pain assessment is a key and central issue that confronts clinicians at the bedside of preterm neonates or researchers who study nonverbal subjects.1 Although many validated methods for pain assessment are available,2 none of them are widely accepted or clearly superior to others. Consequently, no “gold standard” can be recommended for broad adoption in clinical practice because of 2 problems that are common to all assessment methods. First, these methods were developed from studies of neonates who underwent acute painful procedures (heel stick, venipuncture, circumcision). Physiologic or behavioral parameters chosen for inclusion in these methods were those that changed most acutely in response to tissue injury and subsided after painful stimulation was over. These responses were thought to be “specific” for neonatal pain. Subsequent research, however, noted that many infants do not produce “specific” responses when exposed to invasive, skin-breaking procedures.3 Preterm newborns who were more immature, asleep, or exposed to previous painful procedures were less likely to demonstrate specific responses to pain,3 whereas previous physical handling accentuated their responses to acute pain.4 Second, these behavioral and physiologic responses require the subjective evaluation of a clinical observer.5 Significant interobserver variability occurs6,7 and can be reduced but not eliminated by training or greater experience. The need for training creates a significant obstacle for the routine use of these methods. Because physicians or nurses who rotate temporarily through the unit are not trained, most neonates are not assessed for pain, which greatly reduces their likelihood of receiving analgesia.8,9 Most pain measures incorporate specific facial movements associated … Address correspondence to K.J.S. Anand, MBBS, DPhil, Arkansas Children's Hospital, 800 Marshall St, Little Rock, AR 72202. E-mail: anandsunny{at}uams.edu
Mitochondrial DNA variant for complex I reveals a role in diabetic cardiac remodeling.

Myocardial remodeling and dysfunction are serious complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Factors controlling their development are not well established. To specifically address the role of the mitochondrial genome, we developed novel conplastic rat strains, i.e. strains with the same nuclear genome but a different mitochondrial genome. The new animals were named T2DNmtFHH and T2DNmtWistar, where the acronym T2DN denotes their common nuclear genome (type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN) rats) and mtFHH or mtWistar the origin of their mitochondria, Fawn Hooded Hypertensive (FHH) or Wistar rats, respectively. The T2DNmtFHH and T2DNmtWistar showed a similar progression of diabetes as determined by HbA1c, cholesterol, and triglycerides with normal blood pressure, thus enabling investigation of the specific role of the mitochondrial genome in cardiac function without the confounding effects of obesity or hypertension found in other models of diabetes. Echocardiographic analysis of 12-week-old animals showed no abnormalities, but at 12 months of age the T2DNmtFHH showed left ventricular remodeling that was verified by histology. Decreased complex I and complex IV but not complex II activity within the electron transport chain was found only in T2DNmtFHH, which was not explained by differences in protein content. Decreased cardiac ATP levels in T2DNmtFHH were in agreement with a lower ATP synthetic capacity by isolated mitochondria. Together, our data provide experimental evidence that mtDNA sequence variations have an additional role in energetic heart deficiency. The mitochondrial DNA background may explain the increased susceptibility of certain T2DM patients to develop myocardial dysfunction.