cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adjuvant chemotherapy following trimodality therapy for esophageal carcinoma—Is the evidence sufficient?

The preferred management of localized esophageal carcinoma consists of multi-modality therapy (chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery). The ideal timing, treatment sequence, and dose of therapy remain active areas of investigation and controversy. Following publication of favorable outcomes for neoadjuvant chemoradiation prior to definitive resection, tri-modality therapy has become the standard approach in the United States for patients with local/regionally advanced disease (1-5). As the experience with trimodality therapy has grown, adjuvant treatment following completion of all planned therapy has become an area of interest. For those 15–30% of patients with a pathologic complete response (pathCR), the decision to reserve further therapy until the time of recurrence appears straightforward, with no clear evidence of significant clinical benefit for either adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation. However, even for patients with pathCR, recurrence rates remain high with approximately >33% of patients developing distant metastases. In patients with residual disease burden following trimodality therapy, the question of adjuvant chemotherapy becomes more relevant (6-8). This group of patients (pT+ and/or N+) remains at highrisk for both local and/or distant failure. The addition of adjuvant systemic therapy is hoped to provide superior outcomes compared to observation alone (9). Taken together, the evidence would suggest a potential role for adjuvant systemic therapy regardless of pathologic response; the challenge becomes identifying those patients in whom further systemic therapy, with its inherent risks, will offer a relevant clinical benefit.
Patient characteristics of smokers undergoing lumbar spine surgery: an analysis from the Quality Outcomes Database

OBJECTIVE In this analysis the authors compare the characteristics of smokers to nonsmokers using demographic, socioeconomic, and comorbidity variables. They also investigate which of these characteristics are most strongly associated with smoking status. Finally, the authors investigate whether the association between known patient risk factors and disability outcome is differentially modified by patient smoking status for those who have undergone surgery for lumbar degeneration. METHODS A total of 7547 patients undergoing degenerative lumbar surgery were entered into a prospective multicenter registry (Quality Outcomes Database [QOD]). A retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected data was conducted. Patients were dichotomized as smokers (current smokers) and nonsmokers. Multivariable logistic regression analysis fitted for patient smoking status and subsequent measurement of variable importance was performed to identify the strongest patient characteristics associated with smoking status. Multivariable linear regression models fitted for 12-month Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores in subsets of smokers and nonsmokers was performed to investigate whether differential effects of risk factors by smoking status might be present. RESULTS In total, 18% (n = 1365) of patients were smokers and 82% (n = 6182) were nonsmokers. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, the factors significantly associated with patients' smoking status were sex (p < 0.0001), age (p < 0.0001), body mass index (p < 0.0001), educational status (p < 0.0001), insurance status (p < 0.001), and employment/occupation (p = 0.0024). Patients with diabetes had lowers odds of being a smoker (p = 0.0008), while patients with coronary artery disease had greater odds of being a smoker (p = 0.044). Patients' propensity for smoking was also significantly associated with higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class (p < 0.0001), anterior-alone surgical approach (p = 0.018), greater number of levels (p = 0.0246), decompression only (p = 0.0001), and higher baseline ODI score (p < 0.0001). In a multivariable proportional odds logistic regression model, the adjusted odds ratio of risk factors and direction of improvement in 12-month ODI scores remained similar between the subsets of smokers and nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS Using a large, national, multiinstitutional registry, the authors described the profile of patients who undergo lumbar spine surgery and its association with their smoking status. Compared with nonsmokers, smokers were younger, male, nondiabetic, nonobese patients presenting with leg pain more so than back pain, with higher ASA classes, higher disability, less education, more likely to be unemployed, and with Medicaid/uninsured insurance status. Smoking status did not affect the association between these risk factors and 12-month ODI outcome, suggesting that interventions for modifiable risk factors are equally efficacious between smokers and nonsmokers.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Rare Cause of Pathological Fracture of the Femur.

The incidence rate of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in the United States is approximately 0.005%; men are at slightly higher risk than women. Bony involvement or pathological fracture rarely o...
Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors in Pulmonary Disease

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the role of chemokines and chemokine receptors in pulmonary disease. The chemokine family members play an important role in directing the movement and localization of immune and inflammatory cells. Chemokines are low‐molecular‐weight chemotactic cytokines that bind to seven‐transmembrane G‐protein‐coupled chemokine receptors. Chemokines control the directional migration of speciﬁc inflammatory‐cell populations across a concentration gradient, and thereby direct these cellular populations to the site of inflammation. Chemokines are secreted from a variety of cells and can bind heparin‐rich proteoglycans—a process that may serve as a solid phase for leukocyte chemotaxis. Chemokines can also be presented on the cell surface in coordination with carbohydrate moieties glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Chemokines have a critical role in immunoregulation and inflammatory‐cell activation using multiple mechanisms. Chemokine expression on the endothelial surface can stimulate the activation of cellular adhesion molecules on circulating leukocytes, and in so doing it can regulate leukocyte trafficking to the site of inflammation. Selective chemokine expression directs the preferential recruitment of specific leukocyte populations that express the corresponding chemokine receptors, resulting in a fine‐tuned immune response tailored to the speciﬁc inflammatory stimulus.
Digital Radiography Overview

Digital radiography has been used loosely to refer to an entire class of X-ray imaging systems, frequently without reference to the image detector used or the image processing functions applied. These systems have in common the acquisition of a two-dimensional projection image in digital format but include a variety of detectors, techniques, and applications. The key attributes of these systems are improvements in detector design and the ability to process the image (in some cases in real time) to greatly improve the capability for image information extraction. Several image processing functions have been developed which include image subtractions, image additions and averaging, contrast enhancement and windowing, point transformations, correction for detector nonlinear response, and others. The ability to process the image rapidly and in digital format has allowed time mode image subtraction to be carried out conveniently as well as permitting contrast enhancement of the subtracted image. Fairly comprehensive reviews of digital radiography can be found in recent publications by Price et al.,(1) Kruger and Riederer,(2) Brody,(3) and Arnold.(4, 5)
Some Probabilistic Aspects of Safety Assessment

Recent events at Three Mile Island have focused national attention on the task of assessing the safety of complex industrial facilities, see Lewis (1980). Prior to Three Mile Island a Reactor Safety Study (1975) was prepared. The purpose of the report is indicated by its subtitle “An Assessment of Accident Risks in U. S. Commercial Nuclear Power Plants.” This Reactor Safety Study (R.S.S.) is the state of the art of safety assessment, at least for energy related problems. Evaluating the risk of a technological innovation such as a nuclear power plant is a difficult interdisciplinary problem. A new discipline, risk analysis, is being developed to treat such questions. Risk analysis has significant probabilistic and statistical components but as yet there has been little input from professional statisticians, see Easterling (1980). In the case of the R.S.S., presumably this is because the problem was perceived as being in the domain of the nuclear engineer.
Fringe field effects on electrostatic deflection of electrons by a pair of charged plates

Abstract Electrostatic deflection of electrons by a pair of charged metal plates was studied over a range of electron kinetic energies. This was achieved using an electron gun in a cathode-ray tube assembly powered by a variable high-voltage controller. A deflection voltage was applied across charged symmetrical metal plates to deflect an electron beam vertically, and tracked on the phosphor screen of the cathode-ray tube. The deflection plates were shaped to allow maximum deflection: the beginning half of each was parallel, while the end portion was tapered. Our experimental results confirmed a universal scaling relationship between the electron deflection, as measured by the deflection tangent, and the voltage ratio of deflection versus acceleration, within 2% uncertainty over the range of accelerating voltage between 248 V and 527 V. A proper geometric ratio of plate length over its separation was 3.41 which by conventional analysis without considering the fringe field, served as a scaling factor for beam deflection versus the voltage ratio of deflection and accelerating biases. Our study demonstrated that fringe fields contribute considerably to the electron beam deflection, both prior to and after it going through the charged region. By considering the effects of the fringe fields, our model analysis revealed that fringe fields contribute up to 20% of the electron deflection, accounting for experimental results within 2%.
Estimation of Tropical Cyclone Intensity from the Satellite Infrared Images of Its Spiral Cloud Bands

The spiral signatures of infrared satellite images of the tropical cyclone Phanfone observed in the Northwest Pacific in August 2002 are analyzed using the hyperbolic-logarithmic model of a streamline in the Rankine vortex. Maximum wind speed Vmax and some other physical characteristics of the cyclone are estimated by identifying hyperbolic-logarithmic spirals (RLS) which “fit” into the geometric boundaries of the signatures. The comparison of temporal variations in Vmax with the data of meteorological services of the USA (JTWC) and Japan (RSMC) revealed satisfactory agreement of the time course of tropical cyclone intensity from the HLS estimates and JTWC data. The absolute estimates of intensity were within an interval between the corresponding JTWC and RSMC data. It seems that if the presented approach is enhanced, the HLS estimation may be a useful contribution to the empirical methods of tropical cyclone intensity determination by remote sensing means.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 and Klotho in AKI

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with many of the same mineral metabolite abnormalities that are observed in chronic kidney disease. These include increased circulating levels of the osteocyte-derived, vitamin D-regulating hormone, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), and decreased renal expression of klotho, the co-receptor for FGF23. Recent data have indicated that increased FGF23 and decreased klotho levels in the blood and urine could serve as novel predictive biomarkers of incident AKI, or as novel prognostic biomarkers of adverse outcomes in patients with established AKI. In addition, because FGF23 and klotho exert numerous classic as well as off-target effects on a variety of organ systems, targeting their dysregulation in AKI may represent a unique opportunity for therapeutic intervention. We review the pathophysiology, kinetics, and regulation of FGF23 and klotho in animal and human studies of AKI, and we discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in targeting FGF23 and klotho therapeutically.
Legacies And Lessons: A Final Conversation With Fitzhugh Mullan

The late academic, physician, policy maker, and writer discusses his career achievements, lessons for the future, and cancer.
The Development of Intersectional Social Prototypes.

Race and gender information overlap to shape adults’ representations of social categories. This overlap may contribute to the psychological “invisibility” of people whose race and gender identities...
Multi-Institutional Experience Comparing Outcomes of Adult Patients Undergoing Secondary versus Primary Robotic Pyeloplasty

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES To describe surgical techniques and peri-operative outcomes with secondary robotic pyeloplasty (RP), and compare them to those of primary RP. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed our multi-institutional, Collaborative of Reconstructive Robotic Ureteral Surgery (CORRUS) database for all consecutive patients who underwent RP between 04/2012-09/2019. Patients were grouped according to whether they underwent a primary or secondary pyeloplasty (performed for a recurrent stricture after previously failed pyeloplasty). Perioperative outcomes and surgical techniques were compared using nonparametric independent sample median tests and chi-square tests; p RESULTS Of 158 patients, 28 (17.7%) and 130 (82.3%) underwent secondary and primary RP, respectively. Secondary RP, compared to primary RP, was associated with a higher median estimated blood loss (100.0 versus 50.0 milliliters, respectively; p 2) complications (p=0.29). At a median follow-up of 21.1 (IQR: 11.8-34.7) months, there was no difference in success between secondary and primary RP groups (85.7% versus 92.3%, respectively; p=0.44). Buccal mucosa graft onlay ureteroplasty was performed more commonly (35.7% versus 0.0%, respectively, p CONCLUSIONS Although performing secondary RP is technically challenging, it is a safe and effective method for recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction after a previously failed pyeloplasty. Buccal mucosa graft onlay ureteroplasty and utilization of near-infrared fluorescence with indocyanine green may be particularly useful in the re-operative setting.
Partial Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta via the Tri-Lobe Balloon Catheter.

Abstract Background Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) provides a minimally invasive alternative to resuscitative thoracotomy. The high morbidity associated with prolonged aortic occlusion has given rise to the concept of partial REBOA (pREBOA). We evaluated the novel use of the GORE Tri-Lobe Balloon Catheter (GORE) as a functional pREBOA catheter and compared it with existing REBOA and pREBOA techniques in a porcine hemorrhagic shock model. Materials and methods Fifteen male Yorkshire swine were subjected to hemorrhagic shock with zone 1 aortic occlusion via standard REBOA techniques or a partial occlusion approach using a prototype pREBOA or GORE catheter. Continuous invasive monitoring was performed and laboratory values were analyzed every 30 min. Results One animal from the GORE cohort was excluded because of early demise from nonstudy factors. Survival to 120 mins was comparable between all study groups: REBOA resulting in 40% survival, pREBOA 60%, and Gore 50% (P = 0.685). No differences in lactate, base deficit, and pH between the cohorts were demonstrated at all measured time points; however, trends toward more physiologic values were appreciated in the GORE and pREBOA cohorts. Urine output was significantly improved during the course of the study in the GORE cohort (8.77 mL/kg) versus REBOA (5.46 mL/kg) and pREBOA (4.48 mL/kg) (P = 0.001). Conclusions The GORE Tri-Lobe Balloon Catheter represents a potentially viable and commercially available alternative device for pREBOA that may achieve survivable hemorrhage control while preventing lethal reperfusion injury. Further studies should be performed after instrument refinement with larger study populations to confirm this potential.
A general Life Cycle Assessment framework for sustainable bleaching: A case study of peracetic acid bleaching of wood pulp

Abstract Bleaching is an important industrial operation that has significant environmental impacts. Many new bleaching technologies have been developed; nonetheless, it is challenging to quantify their potential environmental impacts due to the lack of quantitative information and robust analysis methods across different bleaching agents. This study addresses this gap by developing a general Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework that integrates LCA with manufacturing process simulations and lab-scale bleaching experiments. The framework was applied to a case study of Peracetic Acid (PAA), a promising bleaching agent, used in the Total Chlorine-Free (TCF) technology for wood pulp production, compared with the traditional Elemental Chlorine-Free (ECF) using chlorine dioxide. Different PAA synthetic pathways (i.e., using acetic acid or triacetin) and bleaching charges were explored using scenario analysis. Results showed that PAA-based TCF achieves a brightness similar to the conventional ECF technology with lower life-cycle impacts in categories such as global warming and eutrophication. From a process perspective, PAA-based TCF reduces the consumption of energy, water, pulping chemicals, completely avoids the use of chlorinated compounds, and provides enhanced process safety. The source of PAA significantly affects the life-cycle environmental impacts of pulp bleaching. Using PAA synthesized from triacetin rather than acetic acid leads to higher environmental impacts; however, such impacts can be mitigated by reducing excessive use of triacetin (direction for future optimization) or using bio-based glycerin in the production of the triacetin feedstock for PAA production. Although this case study focuses on PAA bleaching for wood pulp, the framework has the potential to be used for other/same bleaching agents in different industrial sectors.
Harmonic maps with noncontact boundary values

Every rank one symmetric space M, of noncompact type, admits a compactification M by attaching a sphere SI at infinity. If M does not have constant sectional curvature, then M M admits a natural contact structure. This paper presents a number of harmonic maps h, from M to M, which extend continuously to M, and have noncontact boundary values. If the boundary values are assumed continuously differentiable, then the contact structure must be preserved.
Effects of prostaglandin F2α, oxytocin, and ethanol on the uterus of the pregnant baboon

Abstract The effects of oxytocin and prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ) on uterine contractions in the pregnant baboon were examined at term. Oxytocin at a threshold dose of 4 mU. per minute and above induced an increase of both frequency and amplitude of contractions without significant evidence of hypertonicity. The stimulatory effect of PGF 2α at the threshold of 20 μg per minute and higher had a rapid onset, with contractions of high frequency but low amplitude accompanied by occasional transient elevated uterine tonus; subsequently the tonus waned and contractions became rhythmic and regular. Similar findings have been reported in human beings. PGF 2α had a marked sustained stimulatory effect on the uterus. One hour after the discontinuance of PGF 2α the uterine activity had decreased by only 18 per cent, whereas the uterine activity at the same time after discontinuation of the oxytocin infusion had decreased by 50 per cent. Ethanol did not inhibit PGF 2α -induced uterine activity whether administered prior to or during PGF 2α infusion of 20 μg per minute or higher. The response to oxytocin at the threshold level of 4 mU. per minute was diminished by ethanol but ethanol did not diminish uterine response to the higher doses of 8 and 15 mU. of oxytocin per minute.
Formation of Methyl Sterols in Brain Cholesterol Biosynthesis: STEROL FORMATION IN VITRO AND IN VIVO IN ADULT RAT BRAIN

A detailed study was made of methyl sterols involved in cholesterol biosynthesis in adult brain following intracerebral injection of [2-14C]mevalonic acid and incubation of this cholesterol precursor with adult brain cell-free preparations. High specific activity lanosterol, 4,4-dimethyl-5α-cholesta-8(9)-24-dien-3β-ol, 4α-methyl-5α-cholesta-7, 24-dien-3β-ol, and 5α-cholesta-7, 24-dien-3β-ol were formed 1 hour after intracerebral injection of the 14C-labeled precursor. Labeled to a lesser extent were 4,4, 14α-trimethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol, 4α-methyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol, desmosterol, and cholesterol. Detected by mass only was 4α, 14α-dimethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol. Incubation of adult rat brain cell-free preparations with [2-14C]mevalonic acid yielded two highly labeled methyl sterols. Based on gas chromatographic retention data and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, these methyl sterols have tentatively been identified as 4,4-dimethyl-5α-cholesta-14(15), 24-dien-3β-ol and 4α-methyl-5α-cholesta-14(15), 24-dien-3β-ol. The results indicate that the primary pathway of sterol biosynthesis in adult brain is through diunsaturated sterols. The sterols formed in vitro suggest a partial disruption or alteration of the biosynthetic pathway as a result of maceration of the tissue.
The analysis of multigrid methods

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the analysis of multigrid methods. It explains briefly the classical iterative methods for linear systems. This includes the estimate for the rate of convergence of linear iterative methods, the derivation of the preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method, and an estimate for the rate of convergence of the PCG method as an iterative method. It considers a model finite element problem and discusses a two-level method. The model finite element equation serves as a background problem and the two-level method provides a motivation for the multigrid methods discussed briefly in the chapter. In addition, the chapter also details the construction of two classes of commonly used smoothing operators (smoothers): additive and multiplicative smoothers. It discusses the conditions under which the smoothers satisfy the smoothing conditions required in the abstract multilevel theory. Many examples of smoothers are provided and relevant smoothing conditions are verified in the chapter.
Application of three-phase unfolder in electric vehicle drivetrain

This paper investigates control of the three-phase unfolder and associated isolated bidirectional dc-dc converter modules in motor drive applications. The resulting system is well-suited in the electric vehicle drivetrain as a high-power integrated ac fast charger. Compared with other methods using the motor as an ac interface when charging, this approach removes limitations on the motor type and winding configuration while easily achieving galvanic isolation. The full system with proposed controller is validated in simulation for max-torque-per-amp operation on a permanent magnet synchronous motor. An experimental system is constructed and tested with both an inductive load and unloaded motor.
Changes in Food Consumption Pattern of Households in Romania in the Period 2004-2011

According to data from the Household Budget Survey, the average daily food consumption per person was about 2500 kcal in the last decade, with an increasing trend in the share of animal calories from 530 kcal in the early 2000 to over 600 kcal in the late years. The analysis of different caloric food groups highlights the fact that cereals and cereal products provide a significant part of population energy needs. Compared to 2004, the intake of meat and meat products increased, indicating the convergence to the model of developed countries. Average daily food consumption expressed in calories differs depending on household size, number of children and amount of revenue. Increasing household expenditure for food in 2011, accounting for 44.9% of total consumption expenditure, mark the end of a long period with gradual diminution in the share of food in household budget. The economic growth in the period 2004-2008, on the other hand, was reflected in income and consumption, leading to a relative decrease in food consumption expenditures, i.e. a diminution of the share of these expenditures, the evolution model of developed countries.
Quantifying Labial Strength and Function in Facial Paralysis: Effect of Targeted Lip Injection Augmentation

ImportanceFacial muscle weakness from paralysis or muscle dystrophy can significantly affect lip strength and function. Lip muscle weakness may result in articulation difficulties and spillage of f...
Cutting Edge: K63-Linked Polyubiquitination of NEMO Modulates TLR Signaling and Inflammation In Vivo

Transcription factor NF-κB controls the expression of multiple genes involved in immunity and inflammation. The initial activation and duration of NF-κB signaling is regulated by posttranslational modifications to IκB kinase, which earmarks inhibitors of NF-κB for degradation. Prior studies suggest that K63-linked ubiquitination of NEMO (NF-κB essential modulator), an IκB kinase regulatory subunit, is critical for NF-κB and MAPK signaling following engagement of Ag receptors. We now demonstrate that NF-κB and MAPK pathways are largely unaffected in primary cells from mice harboring a ubiquitination-defective form of NEMO, NEMO-KR. TLR- but not Ag receptor-induced cellular responses are impaired in NEMO-KR mice, which are more resistant to LPS-induced endotoxic shock than wild-type animals. Thus, one function of NEMO ubiquitination is to fine tune innate immune responses under TLR control.
Highly Efficient Synthesis of Covalently Cross‐Linked Peptide Helices by Ring‐Closing Metathesis

Olefin metathesis has been successfully applied to the synthesis of macrocyclic helical peptides [Eq. (a)]. Carbon–carbon bond tethers between amino acid side chains were introduced by ring‐closing metathesis. This macrocyclization protocol is a novel and mild procedure for introducing nonnative covalent cross‐links into peptide helices.
Two new electron cuprate superconductors, Pr1.85Th0.15CuO4−y and Eu1.85Ce0.15CuO4−y, and properties of Nd2−xCexO4−y

Abstract We report the first observation of superconductivity in the Pr 2− x Th x CuO 4− y and Eu 2− x Ce x CuO 4− y systems. Superconducting resistive onset temperatures of ∼ 23 K and ∼ 13 K were observed for Pr 1.85 Th 0.15 CuO 4− y and Eu 1.85 Ce 0.15 CuO 4− y , respectively; the corresponding transition midpoints are T 0.5 c = 19.5 and 8 K . Magnetic susceptibility data indicate that the superconductivity is a bulk property. Transition temperatures higher than previously reported for Pr 1.85 Ce 0.15 CuO 4− y and Sm 1.85 Ce 0.15 CuO 4− y were also observed. Oxygen content analysis reveals that the superconducting Ce-doped specimens have quite small oxygen deficiencies. Specific heat data for Nd 2 CuO 4− y ( y ≈0.07) and Nd 1.85 Ce 0.15 CuO 4− y ( y ≈0.02) display a large peak, presumably associated with magnetic ordering of Nd 3+ ions, Which decreases in magnitude with Ce doping. Pressure-dependent electrical resistivity measurements reveal an increase of T c with applied pressure for Nd 1.85 Ce 0.15 CuO 4− y ( y ≈0.02), at a rate of approximately d T c /d P ≈0.025 K/kbar.
High-pressure liquid chromatographic-reductive electrochemical detection analysis of serum trans-phylloquinone☆

Abstract A sensitive method for the determination of human serum trans-phylloquinone levels has been developed. Serum samples were extracted with hexane and subjected to preliminary separation on a silica semipreparative HPLC column with an 80% recovery as determined by the addition of [3H]phylloquinone. The portion of the eluate containing trans-phylloquinone was dried and injected into a μBondapak C-18 analytical HPLC column, and the concentration of the vitamin was determined by reductive electrochemical detection utilizing a glassy carbon electrode and and Ag AgCl reference electrode. The presumed vitamin peak was confirmed as trans-phylloquinone by rechromatography at different HPLC conditions, hydrodynamic voltamography, and photodegradation. As little as 300 pg/ml rans-phylloquinone could be detected, and normal human serum concentrations were found to be in the range of 1 ng/ml.
Multiplex Holography For Space-Variant Optical Computing

This paper reports recently obtained experimental results in the implementation of multiplexed holographic representations of space-variant optical systems. Phase-coded reference beams are used to suppress crosstalk between the multiplexed holograms. Results obtained using both ground glass and binary amplitude-coded diffusers for encoding the reference beams used in recording the multiplexed holograms are presented. A holographic representation of a particular 2-D space-variant optical processor is compared with the actual system's output.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Characteristics of CeCoIn5/Al/AlOx/Nb and CeCoIn5/Al/AlOx/Al tunnel junctions

Abstract We report characteristics of CeCoIn 5 /Al/AlO x /Nb and CeCoIn 5 /Al/AlO x /Al tunnel junctions fabricated on the (0 0 1) surface of CeCoIn 5 crystal platelets. The main result of this work is the observation of a low Josephson current (as compared with that expected from the Ambegaokar–Baratoff formula), which is consistent with idea that the order parameter in the heavy-fermion superconductor CeCoIn 5 has unconventional pairing symmetry.
SU-FF-T-206: Laser Rangefinder for Automatic SSD Measurement and Inter-Fraction Patient Movement Monitoring

Purpose:Source to Skin Surface Distance (SSD) is one of the most frequently used reference parameters for patient setup to verify the depth of treatment for external beam treatments in clinical radiotherapy. Modern machines use an Optical Distance Indicator (ODI) mounted inside the linear accelerator or a Front Pointer (FP) where the use of the ODI is precluded. In IMRT and IGRT, more precise tools are needed to monitor and record SSD, and provide information on patient movements during therapy. Additionally, automatic capture and recording of SSD data is preferential in busy clinical settings. We describe the use of a commercially available laser rangefinder to report SSD and inter‐fraction patient movement in real‐time. Method and Materials: The Acuity Research Model AR4000‐LV was evaluated as a tool to measure SSD and inter‐fraction movement. The device emits a visible laser spot (670 nm), and a time‐of‐flight measurement is obtained from the reflected beam from diffuse reflectance surfaces. Output data is provided either as a voltage or as a digital stream. The device was tested both on an optical bench (for absolute measurements) and on a phantom on the treatment couch. Tests were performed statically and during measured oscillations of the phantom. Results: Un‐calibrated accuracy was as described by the manufacturer; ±3.8 mm. However, precision was much better at ± 0.254 mm. Calibrated measurements improved accuracy to ± 1mm. Measurements on non‐planar and tilted surfaces were also tested, and were unchanged at angles up to 45°. Conclusion: We show the ability of off‐the‐shelf technology to improve the efficiency and repeatability of SSD measurements. Also, minor patient movement can be monitored in real‐time. We find the laser rangefinder to be precise, time efficient and very accurate for determining and verifying SSD. We will evaluate its use in clinical studies.
On T-chromatic uniqueness of graphs

Abstract We introduce the concept of T-chromatic uniqueness of graphs, obtain some basic properties about T-chromatic uniqueness and generalize a result obtained by Chia (1986). We also consider the T-chromatic uniqueness of the generalized θ-graphs.
Leadership for Recovering Spirit

Martin Luther King Jr. said “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” This book is about ending the silence in higher education. The silence about the extent to which, despite their avowed intentions, our institutions do not provide an environment in which students are encouraged to learn about their own purposes and values and to seek solutions to larger human and societal issues. The silence about the ways in which our institutions continue to maintain structures and reward systems that result in discontinuities and fragmentation between professional and personal lives. And the silence about our institutional restrictions on the exercise of innovative leadership and bold new directions in teaching, learning, and scholarship. In Chapter One we call upon institutions of higher education to once again direct the huge intellectual resources of our faculty and administrators to addressing the major social, economic, political and environmental crises of the 21st century. Par...
Visualization and analysis of eddies in a global ocean simulation

We present analysis and visualization of flow data from a high-resolution simulation of the dynamical behavior of the global ocean. Of particular scientific interest are coherent vortical features called mesoscale eddies. We first extract high-vorticity features using a metric from the oceanography community called the Okubo-Weiss parameter. We then use a new circularity criterion to differentiate eddies from other non-eddy features like meanders in strong background currents. From these data, we generate visualizations showing the three-dimensional structure and distribution of ocean eddies. Additionally, the characteristics of each eddy are recorded to form an eddy census that can be used to investigate correlations among variables such as eddy thickness, depth, and location. From these analyses, we gain insight into the role eddies play in large-scale ocean circulation.
On Children and Dual Nationality: Sabet and The Islamic Republic of Iran

The Iran-United States Claims Tribunal's recent decision in Sabet and The Islamic Republic of Iran sheds new light on difficult issues concerning the dual nationality of minors. In particular, the case was the first in which the Tribunal determined minor dual national claimants to have a dominant and effective nationality different from that of either of their parents. Further, the Tribunal broke new ground in its analysis of 'the caveat,' an equitable doctrine that can bar the claims of dual nationals. This article applauds the Tribunal's advances in its caveat jurisprudence and develops a new approach that would further those ad-
Semimicro chemical and x-ray fluorescence analysis of lunar samples

Major and selected minor elements were determined in seven whole rock fragments, five portions of pulverized lunar rock, and the lunar soil. Three different rock types were represented: vesicular, fine-grained basaltic rocks; medium to coarse-grained, vuggy gabbroic rocks; and breccia. The ranges (in percent) for the major constituents of the lunar samples are: SiO 2 , 38 to 42; Al 2 O 3 , 8 to 14; total iron as FeO, 15 to 20; MgO, 6 to 8; CaO, 10 to 12; Na 2 O, 0.5 to 1; K 2 0, 0.05 to 0.4; TiO 2 , 8 to 13; MnO, 0.2 to 0.3; and Cr 2 O 3 , 0.2 to 0.4. The high reducing capacity of the samples strongly suggests the presence of Ti(III).
Dynamic receptor team formation can explain the high signal transduction gain in Escherichia coli.

Evolution has provided many organisms with sophisticated sensory systems that enable them to respond to signals in their environment. The response frequently involves alteration in the pattern of movement, either by directed movement, a process called taxis, or by altering the speed or frequency of turning, which is called kinesis. Chemokinesis has been most thoroughly studied in the peritrichous bacterium Escherichia coli, which has four helical flagella distributed over the cell surface, and swims by rotating them. When rotated counterclockwise the flagella coalesce into a propulsive bundle, producing a relatively straight “run,” and when rotated clockwise they fly apart, resulting in a “tumble” which reorients the cell with little translocation. A stochastic process generates the runs and tumbles, and in a chemoeffector gradient, runs that carry the cell in a favorable direction are extended. The cell senses spatial gradients as temporal changes in receptor occupancy and changes the probability of counterclockwise rotation (the bias) on a fast timescale, but adaptation returns the bias to baseline on a slow timescale, enabling the cell to detect and respond to further concentration changes. The overall structure of the signal transduction pathways is well characterized in E. coli, but important details are still not understood. Only recently has a source of gain in the signal transduction network been identified experimentally, and here we present a mathematical model based on dynamic assembly of receptor teams that can explain this observation.
Generic constraints on the relativistic mean-field and Skyrme-Hartree-Fock models from the pure neutron matter equation of state

We study the nuclear symmetry energy $S(\ensuremath{\rho})$ and related quantities of nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics predicted generically by relativistic mean-field (RMF) and Skyrme-Hartree-Fock (SHF) models. We establish a simple prescription for preparing equivalent RMF and SHF parametrizations starting from a minimal set of empirical constraints on symmetric nuclear matter, nuclear binding energy, and charge radii, enforcing equivalence of their Lorenz effective masses, and then using the pure neutron matter (PNM) equation of state obtained from ab initio calculations to optimize the pure isovector parameters in the RMF and SHF models. We find that the resulting RMF and SHF parametrizations give broadly consistent predictions of the symmetry energy $J$ and its slope parameter $L$ at saturation density within a tight range of $\ensuremath{\lesssim}2$ and $\ensuremath{\lesssim}6$ MeV, respectively, but that clear model dependence shows up in the predictions of higher-order symmetry energy parameters, leading to important differences in (a) the slope of the correlation between $J$ and $L$ from the confidence ellipse, (b) the isospin-dependent part of the incompressibility of nuclear matter ${K}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$, (c) the symmetry energy at suprasaturation densities, and (d) the predicted neutron star radii. The model dependence can lead to about 1--2 km difference in predictions of the neutron star radius given identical predicted values of $J$ and $L$ and symmetric nuclear matter (SNM) saturation properties. Allowing the full freedom in the effective masses in both models leads to constraints of $30\ensuremath{\lesssim}J\ensuremath{\lesssim}31.5$ MeV, $35\ensuremath{\lesssim}L\ensuremath{\lesssim}60$ MeV, and $\ensuremath{-}330\ensuremath{\lesssim}{K}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}\ensuremath{\lesssim}\ensuremath{-}216$ MeV for the RMF model as a whole and $30\ensuremath{\lesssim}J\ensuremath{\lesssim}33$ MeV, $28\ensuremath{\lesssim}L\ensuremath{\lesssim}65$ MeV, and $\ensuremath{-}420\ensuremath{\lesssim}{K}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}\ensuremath{\lesssim}\ensuremath{-}325$ MeV for the SHF model as a whole. Notably, given PNM constraints, these results place RMF and SHF models as a whole at odds with some constraints on ${K}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ inferred from giant monopole resonance and neutron skin experimental results.
Transient and asymptotic behaviour of the binary breakage problem

The general binary breakage problem with power-law breakage functions and two families of symmetric and asymmetric breakage kernels is studied in this work. A useful transformation leads to an equation that predicts self-similar solutions in its asymptotic limit and offers explicit knowledge of the mean size and particle density at each point in dimensionless time. A novel moving boundary algorithm in the transformed coordinate system is developed, allowing the accurate prediction of the full transient behaviour of the system from the initial condition up to the point where self-similarity is achieved, and beyond if necessary. The numerical algorithm is very rapid and its results are in excellent agreement with known analytical solutions. In the case of the symmetric breakage kernels only unimodal, self-similar number density functions are obtained asymptotically for all parameter values and independent of the initial conditions, while in the case of asymmetric breakage kernels, bimodality appears for high degrees of asymmetry and sharp breakage functions. For symmetric and discrete breakage kernels, self-similarity is not achieved. The solution exhibits sustained oscillations with amplitude that depends on the initial condition and the sharpness of the breakage mechanism, while the period is always fixed and equal to ln 2 with respect to dimensionless time.
Reaction rate-surface area relationships during the early stages of weathering—I. Initial observations

It has commonly been assumed that the weathering rates of feldspars are proportional to their exposed surface areas. However, weathering does not affect the whole surface of a grain uniformily; preferential dissolution occurs at highly localized sites, which are determined by the location of crystalline defects. To examine the importance of reactions at these sites relative to those occurring on bulk surfaces, we compared the rates of dissolution of 5 different size fractions of an alkali feldspar, whose specific surface areas (m2/g) spanned a range of a factor of twenty. At any given pH value, the bulk dissolution rates (moles/g/h) for the five fractions varied by less than a factor of two. The results suggest that reactions at crystalline defects dominate weathering processes during the early stages of dissolution. Furthermore, the exposure of these defects is not simply or easily related to total surface area. These findings strongly suggest that care must be taken to distinguish between the surface reaction controlled mechanism and a surface area controlled model which is frequently—and incorrectly—assumed to be equivalent. The data presented here are consistent with the former mechanism but strongly dispute the latter.
Magnetism of Rocks and Volumetric Strain in Uniaxial Failure Tests

The relation between remanent magnetization and volumetric strain for gabbro samples stressed in uniaxial compression inside a near zero-field μ-metal shield has been examined. For samples with an induced IRM parallel to the axis of compression, remanent magnetization decreased linearly up to the onset of dilatancy. As increased stress produced additional dilatancy, the variation of remanent magnetization became nonlinear, and the stress dependence continually decreased until the rock failed. Stress cycling with the peak stress augmented for each cycle produced a continuous decrease in the zero stress value of the IRM although an appreciable amount of recovery was observed during unloading. When the sample was loaded in constant stress increments after the onset of dilatancy and held for several minutes at each level, time-dependent variations in remanent magnetization coincided with time-dependent increases in inelastic volumetric strain. In general as the inelastic creep rate increases, the rate of change in remanent magnetization increases. These results suggest that dilatancy related effects of the intensity of rock magnetization should be observed in magnetic rocks in epicentral regions prior to earthquakes and may serve as both long- and short-term precursors.
The inhibition of alkaline phosphatase by periodate and permanganate.

Abstract Periodate and permanganate strongly inhibit alkaline phosphatase in barbital buffer at concentrations as low as 10−7 M. Oxidation of the enzyme does not appear to be involved. Periodate is a reversible competitive inhibitor, whereas permanganate is an irreversible inhibitor. Enzyme inhibited by permanganate is completely restored with low concentrations of reducing agents. Periodate and phosphate bind simultaneously but antagonistically to the enzyme.
Aquatic toxicity test for enchytraeids

It is the purpose of this report to present a simple method for testing the toxicity of chemical substances by using enchytraeids in an aquatic environment. Up to eight different environmental chemicals were applied to various species, mainly of the genus Enchytraeus. The results were compared with those achieved for D. magna. Significant differences, however, between the LC50 values of the various enchytraeid species and the LC50 values for enchytraeids and daphnids could not be observed. For E. cf. buchholzi the toxicological sensitivity of discrete ontogenetic stages was tested. The Aquatic Enchytraeid Test results were compared with those obtained from the Terrestrial Enchytraeid Test. It was found that in soil a chemical could be 600 times less toxic than in water, although the same species (E. albidus) was used in both environments. Even more pronounced were the discrepancies between the terrestrial and aquatic toxicities when the LC50 values for earthworms and daphnids were compared.
Concern for self-presentation and self-congruence: Self-monitoring, Machiavellianism, and social conflicts

It was predicted that high self-monitors experience self-presentational conflicts whereas low self-monitors experience self-congruence conflicts. It was also predicted that low self-monitors who were Machiavellian would experience self-presentational conflicts like their high self-monitoring counterparts. Participants read 8 scenarios involving social conflicts in 4 different contexts and indicated which of 2 conflicts in each scenario they themselves would experience. Participants were then classified as high or low in self-monitoring and in Machiavellianism. Although there was an unexpected prevalence of self-congruence conflicts, the results were consistent with our hypotheses. Alternative explanations and future research directions are discussed.
Dialect Classification via Text-Independent Training and Testing for Arabic, Spanish, and Chinese

Automatic dialect classification has emerged as an important area in the speech research field. Effective dialect classification is useful in developing robust speech systems, such as speech recognition and speaker identification. In this paper, two novel algorithms are proposed to improve dialect classification for text-independent spontaneous speech in Arabic and Spanish languages, along with probe results for Chinese. The problem considers the case where no transcripts but dialect labels are available for training and test data, and speakers are speaking spontaneously, which is defined as text-independent dialect classification. The Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is used as the baseline system for text-independent dialect classification. The major motivation is to suppress confused/distractive regions from the dialect language space and emphasize discriminative/sensitive information of the available dialects. In the training phase, a symmetric version of the Kullback-Leibler divergence is used to find the most discriminative GMM mixtures (KLD-GMM), where the confused acoustic GMM region is suppressed. For testing, the more discriminative frames are detected and used via the location of where the frames are in the GMM mixture feature space, which is termed frame selection decoding (FSD-GMM). The first KLD-GMM and second FSD-GMM techniques, are shown to improve dialect classification performance for three-way dialect tasks. The two algorithms and their combination are evaluated on dialects of Arabic and Spanish corpora. Measurable improvement is achieved in both two cases, over a generalized maximum-likelihood estimation GMM baseline (MLE-GMM).