cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-E-T-481: Dosimetric Comparison of Acuros XB and Anisotropic Analytic Algorithm with Commercial Monte Carlo Based Dose Calculation Algorithm for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy of Lung Cancer

Purpose: To evaluate performance of three commercially available treatment planning systems for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) of lung cancer using the following algorithms: Boltzmann transport equation based algorithm (AcurosXB AXB), convolution based algorithm Anisotropic Analytic Algorithm (AAA); and Monte Carlo based algorithm (XVMC). Methods: A total of 10 patients with early stage non-small cell peripheral lung cancer were included. The initial clinical plans were generated using the XVMC based treatment planning system with a prescription of 54Gy in 3 fractions following RTOG0613 protocol. The plans were recalculated with the same beam parameters and monitor units using AAA and AXB algorithms. A calculation grid size of 2mm was used for all algorithms. The dose distribution, conformity, and dosimetric parameters for the targets and organs at risk (OAR) are compared between the algorithms. Results: The average PTV volume was 19.6mL (range 4.2–47.2mL). The volume of PTV covered by the prescribed dose (PTV-V100) were 93.97±2.00%, 95.07±2.07% and 95.10±2.97% for XVMC, AXB and AAA algorithms, respectively. There was no significant difference in high dose conformity index; however, XVMC predicted slightly higher values (p=0.04) for the ratio of 50% prescription isodose volume to PTV (R50%). The percentage volume of total lungs receiving dose >20Gymore » (LungV20Gy) were 4.03±2.26%, 3.86±2.22% and 3.85±2.21% for XVMC, AXB and AAA algorithms. Examination of dose volume histograms (DVH) revealed small differences in targets and OARs for most patients. However, the AAA algorithm was found to predict considerable higher PTV coverage compared with AXB and XVMC algorithms in two cases. The dose difference was found to be primarily located at the periphery region of the target. Conclusion: For clinical SBRT lung treatment planning, the dosimetric differences between three commercially available algorithms are generally small except at target periphery. XVMC and AXB algorithms are recommended for accurate dose estimation at tissue boundaries.« less
In Situ Stress and Nanogravimetric Measurements During Underpotential Deposition of Pb on (111)-Textured Au

The surface stress associated with the underpotential deposition (upd) of lead on (111)-textured Au is examined, using the wafer curvature method, in acidic perchlorate supporting electrolyte. The surface stress is correlated to 0, the fractional Pb coverage, by independent nanogravimetric measurements using an electrochemical quartz crystal nanobalance (EQNB). The gravimetric results are similar to the data found in the literature, showing an electrosorption valency of 2 and the formation of a hexagonal close-packed monolayer of Pb. The complete Pb monolayer causes an overall compressive surface stress change of about -1.2 N m -1 . The stress-coverage curve can be divided into two linear regions separated by a plateau. The region at low to intermediate coverage is caused by the formation of Au-Pb bonds which decrease the charge density and reduce the tensile surface stress inherent to the clean Au surface. In the second linear region at high coverage, the Pb adlayer compresses and behaves as a free-standing elastic film with a biaxial modulus close to that for Pb (111) in the bulk. The plateau that separates these two linear regions corresponds to the stress relaxation "hump" that appears in the stress-potential curve. This stress relaxation is attributed to island coalescence.
A perspective on MALDI alternatives—total solvent-free analysis and electron transfer dissociation of highly charged ions by laserspray ionization

Progress in research is hindered by analytical limitations, especially in biological areas in which sensitivity and dynamic range are critical to success. Inherent difficulties of characterization associated with complexity arising from heterogeneity of various materials including topologies (isomeric composition) and insolubility also limit progress. For this reason, we are developing methods for total solvent-free analysis by mass spectrometry consisting of solvent-free ionization followed by solvent-free gas-phase separation. We also recently constructed a novel matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) source that provides a simple, practical and sensitive way of producing highly charged ions by laserspray ionization (LSI) or singly charged ions commonly observed with MALDI by choice of matrix or matrix preparation. This is the first ionization source with such freedom—an extremely powerful analytical ‘switch’. Multiply charged LSI ions allow molecules exceeding the mass-to-charge range of the instrument to be observed and permit for the first time electron transfer dissociation fragment ion analysis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two oceanographic releases

Abstract A high-reliability, dual-mode release has been used on untethered, mid-water vehicles successfully since 1970. This device is operated by electrical signal or by hydrostatic pressure. A second release which is self-contained and includes a relocation pinger has been designed for precisely timed release at minimum cost. The release function in this device occurs after the preset time by electrical corrosion of a wire link. This release has been used to recover sedimen trap arrays.
The Effects of Death Education on Death Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis:

This study used meta-analytic procedures to examine sixty-two outcome research investigations of the effects of death education on death anxiety. An overall mean effect size of .287 suggests that p...
Refinement based techniques for mapping nested loop algorithms onto linear systolic arrays

Abstract All the linear transformation techniques that can be used for mapping nested FOR loops onto systolic arrays have the “curse of dimensionality”, that is, larger the number of nestings, higher the mapping complexity. We propose a new approach for determining these mappings that involve finding first coarse-grained mappings that are easier to determine and then refining these mappings through some simple transformations, to obtain efficient fine-grained mappings. The grain size refers to the size of the computational ‘chunks’ performed by a processor between two synchronization points. In the simplest case, a coarse-grained mapping maps the individual iterations of a nested loop algorithm assuming they are executed asynchronously. A fine-grained mapping, on the other hand, maps the individual operations of an iteration assuming the processors to be synchronized at the end of execution of each operation. In this paper, we propose some refinement techniques that can derive efficient fine-grained mappings for linear systolic arrays. We demonstrate how these techniques can be used to derive easily efficient mappings for all-pair shortest path and matrix multiplication algorithms. In the case of matrix multiplication algorithm, we obtain a piecewise linear mapping whose performance is comparable to some of the well-known mappings for linear arrays.
Protease inhibitor regulation of B-cell differentiation.

Abstract Trasylol (aprotinin), also referred to as kallikrein inactivator, is known to bind and inactivate a variety of proteases, such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, cathepsin, etc., and was used in the present study as a probe for studying protease regulation of lymphoid differentiation. At concentrations of 100 to 2000 kallikrein inactivating units (KIU) per culture, this inhibitor suppressed both the primary and secondary plaque-forming cell (PFC) response of mouse spleen cells to SRBC in vitro . This suppression was not antigen specific and blocked T-independent responses as well. Suppression by Trasylol was not due to depletion effect on the antigen and its inhibitory capacity was reversible. The degree of suppression was dependent on the time of addition of Trasylol to the cultures; i.e., Trasylol added to antigen-stimulated cultures up to 48 hr after initiation of cultures was immunosuppressive whereas at 72 hr after initiation or later it did not suppress. Pretreatment of spleen cells with this inhibitor for approximately 6 hr before exposure to the antigen did not affect the immune response. When preincubated with trypsin, the suppressive activity of Trasylol was abrogated. Trasylol did not affect T helper cells or adherent cells, but it selectively suppressed the B-cell differentiation. These results suggest that protease inhibitors play an important role in immunoregulation.
The Uses of the Uniting for Peace Resolution since 1950

The Uniting for Peace Resolution—or the Acheson Plan, as it was once popularly called—was adopted by the UN General Assembly on November 3, 1950. It is commonly conceded that its procedures were designed to help surmount an apparently major obstacle to the operation of the UN: the Soviet veto or its alleged abuse, and the concomitant stagnation of the Security Council. Its particulars were the product, at least in part, of both the accidents and the demands of the Korean War—for example, that the Security Council could and did adopt resolutions of substance pertaining to Korea up until the time (August 1, 1950) the Soviet delegate returned, after which it adopted no other; or that there was a UN commission already stationed in Korea which could and did report to the Security Council immediately upon the outbreak of hostilities in June of 1950. The resolution belonged to a longer evolutionary history, too: the general shift in emphasis away from the Security Council was manifested even before the Korean War by the creation in 1947 of an “Interim Committee” of the General Assembly. The Uniting for Peace Resolution was more or less a reflection of the immediate environment of the Korean crisis, but it was also part of the main stream of basic institutional change to which it at the same time contributed.
An experimentally based approach for predicting skin permeability of chemicals and drugs using a membrane-coated fiber array

A membrane-coated fiber (MCF) array approach is proposed for predicting the percutaneous absorption of chemicals and drugs from chemical or biological mixtures. Multiple MCFs were used to determine the partition coefficients of compounds (logK(MCF)). We hypothesized that one MCF will characterize one pattern of molecular interactions and therefore the skin absorption process can be simulated by a multiple MCF array having diverse patterns of molecular interactions. Three MCFs, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyacrylate (PA) and CarboWax (Wax), were used to determine the logK(MCF) values for a set of calibration compounds. The skin permeability log(kp) of the compounds was measured by diffusion experiments using porcine skin. The feasibility of the MCF array approach for predicting skin permeability was demonstrated with the three MCFs. A mathematical model was established by multiple linear regression analysis of the log(kp) and logK(MCF) data set: log(kp)=-2.34-0.124 logK(pdms)+1.91 logK(pa)-1.17 logK(wax) (n=25, R(2)=0.93). The MCF array approach is an alternative animal model for skin permeability measurement. It is an experimentally based, high throughput approach that provides high prediction confidence and does not require literature data nor molecular structure information in contrast to the existing predictive models.
Growth and Metabolism of Normal and Genetically Dystrophic Chick Embryo Cells on a Phosphate Buffered Medium.

SummaryA phosphate buffered physiological saline useful in formulation of tissue culture media and solutions is described. Data concerning the growth of cells from the pectoral region of 14-day-old normal and genetically dystrophic chick embryos on medium using the phosphate buffered saline are presented. The rate of protein synthesis of the cultures was log-linear but slower than the rate of cell division. Cells tended to form lipid globules during growth without losing their capacity to divide. No differences were found between the free amino acids, the division rates, the peak populations and the protein synthesis rates of cells from normal and dystrophic lines.
Some Critical Observations on Criminal Types and Criminal Careers

This article deals with offender typologies, which have been of interest to several generations of criminologists. A number of these efforts are reviewed, but major emphasis is placed on the author...
Source estimation for wave equations with uncertain parameters

Source estimation is a fundamental ingredient of Full Waveform Inversion (FWI). In such seismic inversion methods wavelet intensity and phase spectra are usually estimated statistically although for the FWI formulation as a nonlinear least-squares optimization problem it can naturally be incorporated to the workflow. Modern approaches for source estimation consider robust misfit functions leading to the well known robust FWI method. The present work uses synthetic data generated from a high order spectral element forward solver to produce observed data which in turn are used to estimate the intensity and the location of the point seismic source term of the original elastic wave PDE. A min-max filter approach is used to convert the original source estimation problem into a state problem conditioned to the observations and a non-standard uncertainty description. The resulting numerical scheme uses an implicit midpoint method to solve, in parallel, the chosen 2D and 3D numerical examples running on an IBM Blue Gene/Q using a grid defined by approximately sixteen thousand 5th order elements, resulting in a total of approximately 6.5 million degrees of freedom.
A structural comparison between state and trait self‐regulation models

State and trait-regulation models were compared in 315 eleventh-graders using simultaneous confirmatory factor analysis. Each of the first-, second-, and third-order factor models was found to describe the data from both state and trait measures well. In both state and trait self-regulation models, the third-order factor, self-regulation, is composed of metacognition and effort, and the second-order factor, metacognition, is composed of awareness, cognitive strategy, planning, and self-checking. Findings of invariant factor loadings and factor correlations across state and trait measures indicate that the state and trait self-regulatory factor structures are similar. Unlike the state-trait distinctions found in affective personality domain, clear state-trait distinction was not found in this cognitive domain. In both measures, students who engaged more frequently in metacognitive activities and effort use in their mathematical problem solving performed better than those who did not.
Automating the presentation of information

The problem of creating effective computer displays of data contained in large information systems is addressed. The authors describe SAGE, an intelligent system which assumes presentation responsibilities for other systems by automatically creating graphical displays which express the results they generate. They describe SAGE's architecture and the methods by which it creates presentations. Implementing SAGE required identifying and representing a larger set of task and data characteristics than had been explored previously. The authors also describe several prototypical decision support and management systems which use SAGE in different ways to support the presentation needs of end users and system developers. >
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SPECTROSCOPIC PROPERTIES OF A TETRAHYDROCHRYSENE SYSTEM CONTAINING A RIGIDIFIED HYDROXYNITROSTILBENE CHROMOPHORE: AN INHERENTLY FLUORESCENT LIGAND DESIGNED FOR THE ESTROGEN RECEPTOR

A tetrahydrochrysene system that embodies a hydroxy- and nitro-substituted stilbene chromophore held rigidly near planarity by the tetracyclic nature of the compound was prepared as a fluorescent ligand for the estrogen receptor. It shows strong solvent-dependent fluorescence at long wavelengths. The solvent polarity dependence suggests that the fluorescence arises from an excited state with much n pi * character in cyclohexane; stronger emission comes from an intramolecular charge transfer state that has lower energy in more polar solvents, and finally progressive quenching of the charge transfer state occurs in solvents of higher polarity. The quenching effect is particularly evident in protic solvents. In water, however, the compound shows fluorescence of unusually high energy for an intramolecular charge transfer state, which suggests that photochemistry may be occurring. In solutions of gamma-cyclodextrin, emission from the nitrotetrahydrochrysene is red shifted and intensified relative to water. Photobleaching occurs in H2O but not in ethanol or gamma-cyclodextrin solution. The change in dipole moment between the ground and excited states for the nitrochrysene is 12.9 D, similar to our previous measurements for related nitrostilbenes. The compound displays red-shifted emission in triethylamine, perhaps due to an excited state hydrogen-bonded complex. The absorption and emission properties of the corresponding nitrophenolate were also studied. The nitrophenolate exhibits reverse solvatochromism in its absorption spectra. In conclusion, the high sensitivity of the emission energy and quantum yield of the title compound make it of potential utility as a fluorescent probe.
A reusable, distributed repository for configuration management policy programming

Although the number and variety of available configuration management (CM) systems has grown rapidly in the past few years, the need to construct new CM systems remains. The desire to manage different kinds of artifacts other than source code, situations demanding highly specialized solutions, and the exploration of new research questions all may require the construction of a novel CM system. Unfortunately, in the face of today's move towards distributed projects, this is becoming an increasingly daunting task for which existing CM technology provides little to no support. This dissertation contributes a novel reusable testbed that supports the rapid development of—potentially distributed—prototype CM systems. The testbed separates CM repositories from CM policies by providing a generic model of a distributed repository and an associated programmatic interface. Together, the repository model and programmatic interface stipulate a precisely defined abstraction layer upon which specific CM policies are built. In particular, CM policies are programmed as unique extensions to the interface, while the underlying distributed repository is reused across different policies. Within the abstraction layer, distribution is isolated. Low-level details of distributed programming are placed within the implementation of the repository model whereas distribution aspects that are controlled at the policy programming level are placed in a separate, orthogonal functional category within the programmatic interface. Two tangible benefits result from the use of the reusable testbed. First, the effort required in constructing prototype CM systems is reduced significantly because the generic repository is reused and the CM policy is easily implemented. Second, the rapid exploration of new CM policies is enabled, leading to the creation of unique CM policies that are tailored to specific situations. The testbed is evaluated abstractly, by mapping ten CM policies onto the repository model and programmatic interface. Additionally, it is evaluated concretely through the use of a prototype, called NUCM, upon which three novel CM policies are implemented. Demonstrating the expressiveness, feasibility, utility, and validity of the testbed, these policies are characterized by their rapid development, ease of change, incremental evolution, and seamless distributed operation.
SELECTION OF PAVEMENT JOINT SEALANT MATERIAL

A review of literature shows joint sealant selection should be based on the design, construction and environmental variables. Satisfactory performance for one set of conditions does not imply the same results for another set of conditions. Based on studies of climatological conditions, material properties and expected transverse joint movement, a joint width and sealant depth should be recommended for preformed and liquid type sealants. Guidelines for preparing specifications for specific site conditions to maximize sealant material, the criteria to be considered include skill, experience and difficulty in installing the material, sealant properties such as adhesion, cohesion, and tensile strength, environmental condition, and joint properties such as movement and faulting. Procedures are presented to compute the joint sealant shape factor based on the expected movement and the material properties.
Transductive optimal component analysis

We propose a new transductive learning algorithm for learning optimal linear representations that utilizes unlabeled data. We pose the problem of learning linear representations as an optimization one on the underlying nonlinear manifold. An additional term is used to prefer representations with large ldquomarginsrdquo when classifying unlabeled data in the nearest classifier sense, a generalization of transductive support vector machines to learning representations. Experimental results of the proposed algorithm on face recognition data sets show the potential significant improvement for classification accuracy on test sets.
Development of nanolaminate thin-shell mirrors

The space science community has identified a need for ultra-light weight, large aperture optical systems that are capable of producing high-resolution images of low contrast. Current mirror technologies are limited due either to not being scalable to larger sizes at reasonable masses, or to lack of surface finish, dimensional stability in a space environment or long fabrication times. This paper will discuss the development of thin-shell, nano-laminate mirror substrates that are capable of being electro-actively figured. This technology has the potential to substantially reduce the cost of space based optics by allowing replication of ultra-lightweight primary mirrors from a master precision tool. Precision master tools have been shown to be used multiple times with repeatable surface quality results with less than one week fabrication times for the primary optical mirror substrate. Current development has developed a series of 0.25 and 0.5 meter spherical nanolaminate mirrors that are less than 0.5 kg/m 2 areal density before electroactive components are mounted, and a target of less than 2.0 kg/m with control elements. This paper will provide an overview of nanolaminate materials for optical mirrors, modeling of their behavior under figure control and experiments conducted to validate precision control.
Intraluminal Palmaz stent implantation for treatment of recurrent carotid artery occlusive disease: a plan for the future.

While carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been used commonly and with great effectiveness for de novo carotid occlusive lesions, its success in cases of recurrent disease has been attenuated by a higher incidence of complications and lower durability. Although interventional techniques have been introduced cautiously into the cerebrovascular system, balloon dilation for both primacy and recurrent carotid atherosclerotic disease has been successful in establishing an adequate lumen without an increase in embolic complications over surgery. Because the likelihood exists that postdilation restenosis may be as common in the carotid arteries as it is in other vascular segments, the use of intraluminal stenting may mitigate this long-term complication, a benefit that has been demonstrated in other high flow vessels such as the aorta and iliac arteries. To begin an investigation of this hypothesis, we treated a 69-year-old symptomatic man who required a third intervention for recurrent carotid disease. A > 90% stenosis of the distal third of his right common carotid artery was successsfully dilated, and a Palmaz stent was deployed without incident. The patient experienced no complicatons to the percutaneous procedure, and at 15 months posttreatment, he is well and asymptomatic. Although greater clinical experience must be accumulated with this new approach, intraluminal stenting following balloon dilation for recurrent carotid disease may surpass redo CEA in long-term patency and may entail fewer procedural complications. (J Interven Cardiol 1995; 8:213–218)
Lymph nodes in colorectal carcinoma. The Poisson probability paradigm.

This article introduces use of the Poisson probability density function and Bayes probability rule to understand and analyze lymph nodal metastases in colorectal carcinoma. We applied these models to 370 patients who underwent resection of their tumors. In 213 cases with negative lymph nodes, we found that the Bayes-estimated probability of missed metastases was related significantly to subsequent survival ( P = .0006). In 157 cases with lymph nodal metastases, we found that the estimated value of the Poisson parameter α was associated more closely with subsequent survival than pN stage ( P = 9 × 10–6). Consequently, we believe that the Poisson model provides insight and useful results in colorectal carcinoma.
Effectiveness of Rinse Water during In-Place Cleaning of Stainless Steel Pipe Lines

UNLABELLED The 1st step of any Clean-In-Place (CIP) operation is a prerinse with water. The purpose of this step is to remove the bulk of food material remaining in the processing lines after production period has ended. It is known that this prerinse step can be a very water intensive process. The objective of this investigation was to measure the influence of CIP parameters (flow characteristics, water temperature, and contact time) on the effectiveness of prerinse water in removing dairy-based deposits from stainless steel pipe surfaces and to compare the rinse effectiveness of unused to reused rinse water. A pilot-scale CIP system was operated to rinse 304 stainless steel pipe sections of 3 different pipe diameters. The velocity of the rinse water was varied from 0.72 to 2.26 m/s. The rinse water temperatures were 22 °C, 45 °C, and 67 °C. The contact times between rinse water and deposited film were 20 and 60 s. Rinse effectiveness was expressed as the ratio of the amount of protein residue removed from the pipe surface during rinsing, as compared to the magnitude of the initial protein deposit. The rinse effectiveness varied from 73.1% to 94.9% for the range of the CIP parameters investigated. High velocities of rinse water provided a higher level of rinse effectiveness. Increasing the rinse water temperature from 23 °C to 45 °C improved rinse effectiveness significantly (P < 0.05). This impact was not significant when the water temperature was increased from 45 °C to 67 °C and at higher rinse water velocities. Similarly, longer contact time provided less improvement in rinse effectiveness at higher temperatures and velocities as compared to lower temperatures and velocities. There were no significant differences in rinse effectiveness when comparing reused and unused water (normal tap water) within the range of velocities evaluated. PRACTICAL APPLICATION The rinse steps are important components of the CIP operation and have direct impact on the amounts of water and energy used for the entire processing operation. The efficiency of rinse water can be improved significantly by the selection of appropriate combinations of operating parameters. For example, higher velocities of rinse water (2.26 m/s) provide significant improvements on rinse effectiveness when compared to current commercial practice (1.52 m/s). The careful selection of rinse water temperature and velocity can result in overall reductions in water and energy used for cleaning operations. The reuse of water for a 2nd or 3rd pass provides additional opportunities for reducing water requirements without influencing effectiveness.
Novel rotational characteristics of radiation patterns of chirostrip dipole antennas

We present certain novel characteristics of the radiation pattern of a chirostrip dipole antenna which consists of a short horizontal dipole antenna on a grounded chiral substrate. Chiral materials are characterized by constitutive relations D = ϵeE + iϵcB and H = B/μc + iϵeE. In our theoretical analysis we show that the radiation pattern of a simple chirostrip horizontal dipole undergoes a rotation around the axis normal to the substrate and that this rotation depends on the value of the chirality iϵe. Applications of this novel antenna are mentioned.
A spectrally-based signal subspace approach for speech enhancement

The signal subspace approach for enhancing speech signals degraded by uncorrelated additive noise is studied. The underlying principle is to decompose the vector space of the noisy signal into a signal plus noise subspace and a noise subspace. Enhancement is performed by removing the noise subspace and estimating the clean signal from the remaining signal subspace. The decomposition can theoretically be performed by applying the Karhunen-Loeve transform to the noisy signal. Linear estimation of the clean signal is performed using a perceptually meaningful estimation criterion. The estimator is designed by minimizing signal distortion for a fixed desired spectrum of the residual noise. This criterion enables masking of the residual noise by the speech signal. The filter is implemented as a gain function which modifies the KLT components corresponding to the signal subspace. The gain function is solely dependent on the desired spectrum of the residual noise. Listening tests indicate that 14 out of 16 listeners strongly preferred the proposed approach over the spectral subtraction approach.
User Interface and application development experience on handheld devices

Today, handheld devices play an important role in human's life. Pocket PCs, Palms and Mobile devices are good examples of handhelds; one of the main concerns when we use these devices is how the interface in these devices works and what characteristics are important in creating a good User Interface. This paper describes a brief study on needs for a User Interface in handheld devices and then we will compare and explores the needs for creating the most efficient User Interface in these devices. Different factors such as application, platform and device in the context of .NET Compact Framework and J2ME were described for developing a good interface in this paper. .NET Compact Framework and J2ME are platforms for development of applications for smart devices. Here we overview these two leading platforms for smart device development. We discuss and do a comparative analysis of these two technologies by means of developing a 'Math Tutoring Game' in both the environments.
Melatonin action and signal transduction in the rat suprachiasmatic circadian clock : Activation of protein kinase C at dusk and dawn

Nocturnal synthesis of the pineal hormone melatonin (MEL) is regulated by the circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. We examined the hypothesis that MEL can feed back to regulate the SCN using a brain slice preparation from rat. We monitored the SCN ensemble firing rate and found that MEL advanced the time of peak firing rate by more than 3 h at restricted circadian times (CTs) near subjective dusk [CT 10-14 (10-14 h after lights on)] and dawn (CT 23-0) on days 2 and 3 after treatment. The effect of MEL at CT 10 was blocked by pertussis toxin. The protein kinase C (PKC) activator, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, reset the SCN firing rate rhythm with a profile of temporal sensitivity congruent with that of MEL. Two specific PKC inhibitors, calphostin C and chelerythrine chloride, independently blocked MEL-induced phase advances at each sensitive period. Furthermore, MEL administration increased PKC phosphotransferase activity transiently to 200% at CT 10 and CT 23, but not at CT 6. These data demonstrate that 1) MEL can directly modulate the circadian timing of the SCN within two windows of sensitivity corresponding to dusk and dawn; and 2) MEL alters SCN cellular function via a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein pathway that activates PKC.
Robust and efficient identification of biomarkers by classifying features on graphs

Motivation: A central problem in biomarker discovery from large-scale gene expression or single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data is the computational challenge of taking into account the dependence among all the features. Methods that ignore the dependence usually identify non-reproducible biomarkers across independent datasets. We introduce a new graph-based semi-supervised feature classification algorithm to identify discriminative disease markers by learning on bipartite graphs. Our algorithm directly classifies the feature nodes in a bipartite graph as positive, negative or neutral with network propagation to capture the dependence among both samples and features (clinical and genetic variables) by exploring bi-cluster structures in a graph. Two features of our algorithm are: (1) our algorithm can find a global optimal labeling to capture the dependence among all the features and thus, generates highly reproducible results across independent microarray or other high-thoughput datasets, (2) our algorithm is capable of handling hundreds of thousands of features and thus, is particularly useful for biomarker identification from high-throughput gene expression and SNP data. In addition, although designed for classifying features, our algorithm can also simultaneously classify test samples for disease prognosis/diagnosis. Results: We applied the network propagation algorithm to study three large-scale breast cancer datasets. Our algorithm achieved competitive classification performance compared with SVMs and other baseline methods, and identified several markers with clinical or biological relevance with the disease. More importantly, our algorithm also identified highly reproducible marker genes and enriched functions from the independent datasets. Availability: Supplementary results and source code are available at http://compbio.cs.umn.edu/Feature_Class. Contact: kuang@cs.umn.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Changes in Adrenal Polysomes Following ACTH Administration1

The changes in rat adrenal ribosomes induced by ACTH have been further characterized in the present investigation by centrifugal analyses of ribosomal particles. Following ACTH administration the increase in adrenal ribosomes has been found to be due to increases in the number of both single ribosomes and polysomes (or ribosome clusters), and the percentage increase in polysomes is apparently greater than that of the total ribosomes. The increase in polysomes would by definition indicate that there is an increased availability of messenger RNA and/or an increased ability of ribosomes to combine with messenger RNA following ACTH administration. Since control ribosomes can combine with and utilize exogenous messenger RNA (polyU) as well as ribosomes from ACTH-stimulated adrenals, it would appear that the changes in adrenal polysomes following ACTH are directly correlated with changes in availability of messenger RNA. The present findings also suggest that the increase in amino acid-incorporating activity of...
Children achieve adult-like sensory integration during stance at 12-years-old.

This study examined balance control in children to determine at what age the integration of sensory information in unperturbed stance is comparable to that of adults. In addition, it examined whether overall performance was related to age, gender and specific physical characteristics, such as height, weight and body mass index (BMI). Seventy-four female and 80 male children between the ages of 6 and 12 years participated in the study, as well as 20 adults, aged 20-22 years. The Sensory Organization Test (SOT), a component of computerized dynamic posturography, was used to assess overall balance as well as the use of specific sensory information in maintaining stability. Analyses of variance revealed significant differences between equilibrium scores of 7- and 8-year-old and 11- and 12-year-old (p .15). Multiple regression analysis revealed that while physical characteristics accounted for approximately 20% of the variability in the composite equilibrium score, age alone accounted for the largest single contribution to the variance (16%). These results support recent findings suggesting that children do not demonstrate adult-like use of sensory information prior to age 12 years.
Assessing and Treating Patients With Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a significant source of suffering, disability, and impairment, as well as an enormous cost to society. Historically, pharmacologic treatment has been limited to drugs approved for other conditions, including anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antiarrhythmics, and opioids, but in the past 2 decades several drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for NP. Understanding the underlying pathophysiology and clinical presentation of the various causes of NP states facilitates a rational selection of pharmacologic, interventional, rehabilitative, and psychological options for reducing pain and maximizing function.
Colorectal Cancer Screening in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's colitis are at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Given that most cases of CRC are thought to arise from dysplasia, previous guidelines have recommended endoscopic surveillance with random biopsies obtained from all segments of the colon involved by endoscopic or microscopic inflammation. However, recent evidence has suggested that the majority of dysplastic lesions in patients with inflammatory disease (IBD) are visible, and data have been supportive of chromoendoscopy with targeted biopsies of visible lesions versus traditional random biopsies. This review article will discuss the risk of colon cancer in patients with IBD, as well as current recommendations for CRC screening and surveillance in patients with UC or Crohn's colitis.
Model for initiation and development of electric break down in liquids and stability analysis

Summary form only given as follows. The understanding of initiation and development of the streamers plays an essential role in the electric breakdown process in water. It was shown that bush-like streamers are propagating low-density gaseous plasma phases that can appear within nanoseconds after the application of an electric field. In this paper a semi-numerical model is presented for the development of electric breakdown in liquids based on nanosecond time scale. In this model, breakdown starts in the pre-existed bubble at the tip of the electrode. Formation of plasma immediately makes the surface of the bubble charged to the potential of the electrode, and the imbalance between the electrostatic force and surface tension makes the bubble elongate at high speed. Numerical estimations made using this model are in good agreement with published experimental data. Linear analysis also shows that the instability of the Rayleigh-Taylor type develops in the plasma-gaseous channel surface points with high curvature.
Large Non-Ambiguity Range and Precise Absolute Distance Measurement with Dual Mode-Locked Fiber Lasers

We employed a gold coated glass cover plate to fabricate dual compact free running fiber laser combs based LIDAR (light detection and ranging) system with tunable difference of repetition rates. Our study shows that the ranging precision is 0.4 μm and the non-ambiguity range is 2.1 m with averaging time of 0.4 s for the distance of 1.09 m by the time-of-flight method. The system with 1 kHz-high update rate and the large non-ambiguity range is potentially useful for manufacturing or machining application applied in absolute distance measurement.
Decreased dopachrome oxidoreductase activity in yellow mice

Dopachrome oxidoreductase (DCOR) is a newly characterized enzyme in the melanin synthetic pathway, active in the conversion of dopachrome to 5,6-dihydroxyindole. DCOR and tyrosinase activity were measured in skin anagen hairbulbs from lethal yellow (Ay/a), sienna yellow (Asy/a) and recessive yellow (e/e) mice with and without treatment with melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH). DCOR activity was low (Asy/a) or absent (Ay/a, e/e) in yellow mice without MSH treatment, and increased dramatically in the lethal and sienna yellow mice with MSH. There was no increase in DCOR activity in recessive yellow mice with MSH. Corresponding tyrosinase activity was reduced in lethal yellow and sienna yellow mice without MSH, and increased with MSH. Tyrosinase activity was normal in recessive yellow mice without MSH and did not change with MSH. We conclude that DCOR is an MSH-sensitive enzyme and that DCOR activity is absent in recessive yellow melanocytes. The latter finding suggests that the extension locus may be the DCOR locus.
Economic analysis on energy saving technologies for complex manufacturing building

Abstract Energy saving strategies are vital for long term viability and commercial success of buildings. Buildings in the US today consume 41% of the total primary energy. Complex buildings consume significantly higher energy than typical office buildings and present challenges to energy savings due to their operational requirements. This paper presents an economic analysis on energy saving technologies implemented in a complex manufacturing building. The return on investment is determined by using the payback analysis and life cycle cost analysis. The results indicate that energy saving technologies achieved a total energy cost savings of 14%. The savings were achieved by using high efficiency HVAC equipment and advanced fluorescent lighting systems. When applied to similar types of buildings, energy saving strategies considered will increase economic and environmental benefits to owners.
The Latin Versions of Acts Known to the Venerable Bede

That Bede knew and used several Latin versions of Acts is abundantly clear from his own statements. Moreover, his special interest in this book of the New Testament is suggested by the fact that he composed two separate commentaries on it and may have proceeded, in part at least, from the comparative neglect of Acts by earlier commentators. Neither Bede's Commentary on Acts nor his Retractation can be dated precisely, but this much can be regarded as certain, that the former is an early work, while the latter was composed towards the end of his life. Thus twenty years or more may have elapsed before Bede, following the example of the eximius doctor Augustinus, revised errors that he had committed in the Commentary, defended himself against the attack of critics, and added much new material that was the fruit of his ripest scholarship.
Osiris of Bread and Beer

RESUMEOsiris de pain et de biereDepuis peut-etre l'epoque neolithique en egypte ancienne, la biere a ete associee avec Osiris. En tant que premier dieu-roi d'Egypte, il a enseigne l'agriculture, l'architecture, l'art du brassage de la biere, et la civilisation de leur peuples. D'abord en tant que dieu de la fertilite, et plus tard comme le dieu de l'au-dela, son association avec la biere etait plutot positive/benigne: la biere, comme le pain, servait de soutien a la vie. Au temps de Empire Moyen, la biere devient associee a Hathor, en particulier en tant que Sekhmet. Cela a une signification plus sinistre , car Sekhmet etait un destructeur impitoyable aussi bien qu'un guerisseur. Peut-etre, avec une efficience accrue de la technologie de fabrication de la biere, celle-ci a ete comprise comme une substance hallucinogene mais egalement une source de nutrition. Cette double nature de la biere comme soutien de la vie ainsi que substance hallucinogene associee avec toute sorte de problemes sociaux, pourrait ex...
Cholesterol, fat, and protein in dairy products.

These authors offer not only new analyzed compositional data on popular dairy products, but also a rule of thumb for estimating cholesterol in such products when only the fat content is known.
Lessons from Energy Balance Models

A summary of results from energy balance model studies is presented ranging from the simplest zero-dimensional model for mean annual global climate to two-dimensional models including the seasonal cycle. The stability and sensitivity of solutions which have incorporated the effects of ice-albedo feedback is considered, as well as applications to past climates including the Milankovitch problem and the problem of climate change accompanying continental drift.
Jihadist Failure, Resilience, and Never-Ending Warfare

Petter Nesser. Islamist Terrorism in Europe: A History. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2015. 288 pp., $29.95 hardcover. ISBN: 978019024024.Phil Gurski. The Threat from Within: Recognizing Al ...
Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) Is a Novel Negative Regulator of Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cell Trafficking

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous free radical molecule involved in several biological processes related to inflammation, tissue damage, and infections. Based on reports that NO inhibits migration of granulocytes and monocytes, we became interested in the role of inducible NO synthetase (iNOS) in pharmacological mobilization of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) from bone marrow (BM) into peripheral blood (PB). To address the role of NO in HSPC trafficking, we upregulated or downregulated iNOS expression in hematopoietic cell lines. Next, we performed mobilization studies in iNOS-/- mice and evaluated engraftment of iNOS-/- HSPCs in wild type (control) animals. Our results indicate that iNOS is a novel negative regulator of hematopoietic cell migration and prevents egress of HSPCs into PB during mobilization. At the molecular level, downregulation of iNOS resulted in downregulation of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and, conversely, upregulation of iNOS enhanced HO-1 activity. Since HO-1 is a negative regulator of cell migration, the inhibitory effects of iNOS identified by us can be at least partially explained by its enhancing the HO-1 level in BM cells.
Decent Work: The Moral Status of Labor in Human Resource Management

In this paper, I aim to critically examine a set of assumptions that pervades human resource management and HR practices. I shall argue that they experience a remarkable ethics deficit, explain why this is so, and explore how the UN Global Compact labor principles may help taking ethics seriously in HRM. This paper contributes to the understanding and critical examination of the undisclosed beliefs underlying theory and practice in human resource management and to the examination of how the UN Global Compact’s ideal of “decent work” may offer some promising avenues for the development of ethics in HRM.
Individual difference predictors of ICT use in older adulthood: A study of 17 candidate characteristics

Abstract Given the benefits of information and communication technology (ICT) use in older adulthood, a natural question is which individual difference characteristics predict ICT use and adoption. Research has provided mixed findings drawn from studies that generally focus on a narrow set of ICTs, a narrow set of individual difference constructs, and younger adults. Using data from the 2012 wave of the Health and Retirement Study, we examined 17 individual difference predictors of ICT use among older adults. Need for cognition, perceived mastery, and optimism positively predicted ICT use after controlling for all the constructs simultaneously; cynical hostility also emerged as a negative predictor of ICT use. Further, viewing more benefits of ICT use explained why those high in need for cognition used more ICTs. Directions for future research include examining the processes that link individual differences to ICT use and its subsequent benefits during the second half of life.