cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU‐C‐224‐03: Clinically Relevant Dose Determination Based on IMRT Delivery Measurements

Purpose: Recent studies have demonstrated that per‐beam, planar IMRT QA passing rates do not predict clinically relevant patient dose errors. This work is to evaluate the effect of dose variation induced by dynamic MLC at different gantry angles on clinically relevant metrics for IMRT delivery. Methods: Ten head and neck IMRT plans were randomly selected for this study. The conventional per‐beam IMRT QA using MapCHECK in an Isocentric Mount Fixture (IMF) was performed for each plan by 2 different Methods: (1) with gantry angle of 0 (gantry pointing downward) for all IMRT fields, (2) with gantry at specific angles as designed in the IMRT plan. For each patient, a batch analysis was done for each scenario and then imported to the 3DVH (Sun Nuclear Corp.) for processing. A “true DVH” was generated and compared to the DVH from the treatment plan. Their differences represented errors induced from the combination of treatment planning system (TPS) dose calculation algorithm and beam‐delivery. The dose metrics from the two scenarios were compared with the corresponding calculated doses from TPS, and then their differences were analyzed. Results: Although all per‐beam planar IMRT QA had high Gamma passing rates (92–100%) for “2%/3mm” criteria, there were significant errors in some of the calculated clinical dose metrics. For example, there were 5.5%,5.9%,7.6%,5.1%,9.8%,7.1%,6.9% in max cord dose, max brainstem dose, mean parotid dose, mean larynx dose, max retina dose, max chiasm dose, and mean PTV dose, respectively. The differences in errors for clinical metrics obtained between the two scenarios can also be significant: max cord dose (5.1% vs. 2.8%), Larynx mean dose (4.6% vs. 0.2%), mean parotid dose (7.4% vs. 2.9%), and PTV mean dose (4.8% vs. 3.1%). Conclusions: Per‐beam IMRT QA should be conducted at gantry angles as designed for the patient treatment in order to obtain true clinical dose metrics.
Immediate Feedback and Opportunity to Revise Answers Application of a Graded Response IRT Model

Recently, Attali and Powers investigated the usefulness of providing immediate feedback on the correctness of answers to constructed response questions and the opportunity to revise incorrect answe...
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of hybrid poplar suspension cultures and regeneration of transformed plants

A method for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of hybrid poplar (Populus alba x P. grandidentata cv. ‘Crandon’) suspension cultures and regeneration of transformed plants is described. Transformants were recovered when suspension cultures were inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens at a density of 107 colony-forming units ml-1, cocultivated for 48 h, and plated to cellulose acetate filters on Woody Plant Medium containing 4.5 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 250 mg l-1 cefotaxime. Levels of cefotaxime greater than 250 mg l-1 were unnecessary for control of residual bacteria and inhibited callus growth. Transgenic plants were regenerated by culturing the transformed callus on media containing 0.11 to 27 μM thidiazuron. In contrast to thidiazuron, N6-benzyladenine had a negative effect on shoot regeneration; the callus became necrotic when we attempted to induce shoots with concentrations of 1.1 to 8.9 μM, and growth was inhibited when concentrations of 0.11 or 0.22 μM were used to regenerate callus from suspension cultures. Following cocultivation of poplar suspension cultures, we recovered transgenic plants containing the maize transposon Ac, and callus containing an insect toxin gene from Bacillus thuringiensis.
Nonsimilar Normal Mode Vibrations of Nonlinear Systems Having Two Degrees of Freedom

When a nonlinear system having several masses vibrates in normal modes, the time histories of the motion of these masses are, in general, different in wave shape (although in certain special nonlinear systems they differ at most in amplitude, but not in shape). When the wave shapes differ, the normal mode vibration is called nonsimilar. In this paper, nonsimilar normal mode vibrations are analyzed with respect to wave shape and stability. The systems considered are those lying close to systems having similar normal mode vibrations. An example is worked out in detail, and a comparison with an experimental study is reported.
RB and Prognosis in Resected Lung Adenocarcinoma

The treatment of resected lung adenocarcinoma has ample room for improvement. Can genomic characterization aid us in deciding how and when to apply adjuvant therapy in the smallest resected tumors?
The Maintenance of Landscape Health in the Midst of Land Use Change

Land use design that recognizes the landscape attributes that characterize homeostatic health can emphasize them during land use change. The attributes of landscape health are the working mechanisms of all open systems, and can be observed in the homeostatic behavior of forests, deserts and floodplains. These attributes are openness, self-regulation, storage and diversity. The attributes of health comprise criteria for evaluating and guiding land use. To maintain landscape health, land use design can maintain and restore these mechanisms during change of moderate pace and scale.
Preparation of radiopharmaceuticals by Szilard-Chalmers labelling and radioprotection in an ice lattice

A new and simple method for the labelling of halogenated organic molecules and biomolecules is described. Dilute aqueous solutions of the halogenated molecule are irradiated with neutrons in the frozen state. The labelling yields are generally high for the 18 compounds investigated and constant over a large concentration range. The major observed labelled organic product is the radiohalogen labelled parent molecule with the halogen at its original site. Unlike neutron-irradiated liquid aqueous solutions of the same compounds no radiation damage to the molecules is observed for the irradiation times employed.
Hopping rim to rim through the Golgi

A novel approach based on tracking the fate of proteins that become ‘stapled’ to the walls of the Golgi yields insights into the long-sought mechanism of transport through this organelle.
An easily constructed device for removal of laser plume and bodily fluid leakage from the biopsy ports of endoscopes

endoscopes has broadened the spectrum of potential clinical use and extended it beyond that of choledocholithiasis alone. Currently, retrograde cholangioscopy has been found to be of value in the diagnosis and therapy of pancreaticobiliary lesions. ~ Both intrahepatic and more distal ductal calculi may be treated under direct vision by the passage of lithotripters (laser or electrohydraulic). 1°-12 Furthermore, cholangioscopy permits the visual assessment and sampling of suspicious intraluminal and mucosal-based lesions seen under fluoroscopy. 6 However, present fiberoptic-based systems are fragile and with time yield images of deteriorating quality. In recent years the development of the video chip for use in standard endoscopic equipment has largely overcome the problem of poor image quality. However, such technology has proved difficult to extend to endoscopes of small caliber. The XCHF-B200 prototype endoscope used in this study would seem to represent the next generation of cholangioscopes. However, a larger operating channel will be a prerequisite for therapeutic intervention.
Spatial light modulators using birefringence in multiple-quantum-well structures

Birefringence in multiple quantum well (MQW) layers is utilized in a novel way to realize high performance two-dimensional spatial light modulators (SLMs). The polarized light is coupled into MQW layers using a grating. The light is modulated by an externally applied electric field which changes the birefringence in each pixel. The modulated light is recovered using a turning mirror similar to those employed in surface-emitting laser configurations. The usage of birefringence is shown to result in significantly higher contrast ratios than obtained in devices (e.g., SEEDs) using only electroabsorption. Both electrically and optically addressed structures are described.
Sensitivity analysis for optimal and feedback controls applied to growth models

Implications of alternative numerical methods for computing optimal trajectories in aggregative economic growth models are analyzed with respect to (a) their sensitivity, (b) the convergence to the turnpike, and (c) the closeness to feedback controls econo-metrically estimated.
Multidimensional Finite-Element Particle Tracking Method for Solving Complex Transient Flow Problems

This paper proposes a particle tracking technique for applying the Eulerian–Lagrangian localized adjoint method or the Eulerian–Lagrangian method to solve transport equations in a rapidly changing unsteady flow. The proposed particle tracking technique uses a linear temporal interpolation of velocity to avoid the error introduced when using a stepwise temporal approximation of the velocity, which has been adopted in many existing particle tracking techniques. Numerical experiments were carried out on several example problems to demonstrate the superior accuracy and efficiency of the proposed particle tracking technique over Cheng’s and Pollock’s methods. The numerical results show that the use of a linear temporal interpolation of velocity can allow an increase in time step size without causing a significant decrease in accuracy, particularly under a complicated transient flow or a rapidly changing velocity field with time.
Effects of transdermal nicotine on prose memory and attention in smokers and nonsmokers

Previous research investigating cognitive effects of nicotine has produced mixed findings partly due to the use of abstaining smokers and cigarettes as a delivery system. The present study examined effects of nicotine delivered via a transdermal patch on prose memory and sustained attention in male smokers (n=25) and nonsmokers (n=22), who were randomly assigned to either a placebo or a nicotine condition. All groups were matched on their verbal ability and gross personality characteristics (state/trait anxiety levels, extroversion-introversion, and impulsivity level). In the nicotine condition, smokers were treated with a 21-mg transdermal patch, while nonsmokers received a 7-mg nicotine patch. Six hours following patch application, their performance was assessed on a computerized prose memory task and the Rapid Visual Information Processing task (RVIP) in a counterbalanced order and double-blind fashion. The results demonstrated that smokers in the placebo group recalled a significantly greater number of propositions than their counterparts in the nicotine group. Nonsmokers in the nicotine condition also remembered significantly more of the prose material than smokers in the same condition and showed a trend towards better recall of propositions of medium importance in the nicotine condition in comparison to the nonsmokers in the placebo group. No between-group differences were found on the RVIP task. A significant effect of time was found for systolic blood pressure and heart rate. The results cannot be interpreted using the arousal theory of nicotine effects on attention and are explained on the basis of a dose-dependent nicotinic action possibly recruiting cholinergic cortical projections.
China's telecommunication market for international investors: opportunities, challenges, and strategies

Abstract As a result of successful domestic economic reforms combined with a changing international market that is willing to assist developing countries, China's economy has grown approximately 10% per year over the past 18 years. This remarkable development has made China the second largest beneficiary of direct foreign investment, behind only the US. China has by far the largest developing economy—more than 30% larger than Brazil's. China's ranking in the world economy is expected to continue improving in the coming decades [Ercel B. Courting the dragon. Financial Executive 2000;16(2): 28–31] . Fueled by this favorable environment of increasing international trade, China's telecommunications industry is likewise experiencing the fastest growth in its history. Throughout the 1980s, the telecom industry achieved substantial double-digit growth, and by the end of 2002, China had the largest telecommunications market in the world. On November 15, 1999, US and Chinese officials reached a bilateral agreement on China's bid for membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Upon its admission to the WTO in 2001, China agreed to make several major reforms (including its strongest commitment to economic reform in generations) that will result in great opportunities for US investors. Much research has focused on the implications of China's membership in the WTO, but little has been written from the perspective of international investors, specifically the opportunities, challenges, and suitable strategies for US companies that are currently or will become involved in China's telecommunications market. This article attempts to fill this gap, offering suggestions to international investors who wish to participate in China's expanding telecommunications market.
Comparative Studies on Four Strains of Typhtodromus occidentatis. II. Laboratory Toxicity of Ten Compounds Common to Apple Pest Control

Four strains of Typhlodromus occidentalis Nesbitt from different geographical areas were exposed to 10 compounds which are common to the control of apple pests in the western United States. Predator strains from Washington and Utah demonstrated resistance to azinphosmethyl and Gardona® (2-chloro-1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)vinyl dimethyl phosphate) when compared with 2 susceptible strains from California. The Washington strain of T. occidentalis when contrasted with strains from Utah and California, exhibited tolerance differences for 4 compounds including carbaryl, clicofol, oxythioquinox and Omite® (2-(p-ten-butylphenoxy) cyclohexyl 2-propynyl sulfite). Predaccous mites from Oak Glen, near Yucaipa, California, were least susceptible to dinocap treatments. Carbaryl applications, when compared with reports of field evaluations in the published literature, were less toxic in our laboratory test than expected. Except when applied at extremely high dosages, parathion was uniformly nontoxic to all predator strains. Toxicity differences among-strains appeared to be due to selection arising from previous chemical treatments and to have resulted in cross tolerant, tolerant, and resistant strains of T. occidelltalis .
Selectin GMP-140 (CD62; PADGEM) binds to sialosyl-Lea and sialosyl-Lex, and sulfated glycans modulate this binding

Abstract GMP-140 (CD62; PADGEM) is a member of the selectin family expressed highly at the surface of platelets and endothelial cells by agonists such as thrombin or phorbol esters. Previous studies indicate that the lectin domain of GMP-140 recognizes sialosyl-Lex (SLex) and to a lesser extent Lex (Polley MJ, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 88:6224, 1991). We now report that GMP-140 binds to sialosyl Lea (SLea) and to SLex, and that degree of binding to SLea is greater than that to SLex under our experimental conditions. Binding of activated platelets to SLea or SLex was inhibited to various degrees in the presence of sulfated glycans, suggesting that sulfated glycans induce conformational change in the lectin domain of GMP-140 and modulates its binding affinity to SLea and SLex.
The Special Nature of Speech Perception

The perception of speech has been the subject of laboratory studies only about 30 years. Prior to that time, speech perception was not an important part of acoustical phonetics, nor was it prominent in studies on hearing. In these last 30 years, speech perception has become an important subject in acoustical phonetics, largely as a result of technological developments, but the theory and speculation about the speech-perception process has been too much separated from modern developments in psychophysics. In this paper, we shall review some of the bases for concepts like “categorical perception” and “listening in the speech mode”, and will show that a more parsimonious interpretation might be more generally auditory and psychophysical than “special” for speech. There do indeed appear to be special attributes of perception for speech, but they appear to be associated more with special circumstances of learning of speech sounds, as opposed to other sounds.
Soft ionization mass spectrometry of chromanols produces radical cation molecular ions.

Several chromanol drug substance candidates exhibit unconventional behavior under the soft ionization conditions of fast atom bombardment and electrospray ionization in the mass spectrometer. Under FAB, these compounds produce radical cation molecular ions rather than protonated molecular ions. Similarly, under acidic mobile phase conditions in an electrospray LC-MS experiment, they produce radial cation molecular ions. Upon changing to a neutral, ammonium acetate-containing mobile phase, the molecular ion species is an ammonium adduct. The two example compounds behave conventionally under negative ion detection, both being free carboxylic acids and forming abundant [M – H]−. Examination of structural analogs indicates that the chromanol, methoxyl and chroman compounds behave this way. Oxidation to a chromanone causes formation of a conventional [M + H]+. Oxidation to a chromene produces even more complex behavior—namely a mixture of [M – H]+, M+• and [M + H]+. We propose that, for these compounds, elimin...
The Effects of Case Libraries in Supporting Collaborative Problem-Solving in an Online Learning Environment

Various domains require practitioners to encounter and resolve ill-structured problems using collaborative problem-solving. As such, problem-solving is an essential skill that educators must emphasize to prepare learners for practice. One potential way to support problem-solving is through further investigation of instructional design methods that employ case-based reasoning. These learning environments consist of narratives of practitioners as they reason through related ill-structured problems. However, very little research exists about how case libraries impact learning, especially collaborative learning. For this study, 22 participants enrolled in a teacher education program were randomly assigned to two groups as they resolved an ill-structured problem. The results demonstrated that both groups had similar patterns of discussion, but the case library condition collaborated at a higher rate for each of the categories of the content analysis.
I. After-Effects of Repetitive Activity in a Nerve Ending

Repetitive mechanical stimulation causes depression of excitability in isolated Pacinian corpuscles: the mechanical threshold of the sense organ for producing nerve impulses increases progressively with time of repetitive stimulation. The effect is completely reversible; it can be elicited with repetitive stimuli of less than threshold strength. Within certain limits, the depression increases as a function of strength and frequency of the repetitive stimuli.
Race riot at East St. Louis, July 2, 1917

". . . a well-researched and thoughtful inquiry into the circumstances and social forces producing one of the most violent of twentieth-century American race riots." -- American Historical Review "His work fills a serious gap in the history of racial violence in the United States. Never before analyzed by sociologists in the way that the Chicago and Detroit riots were, the East St. Louis riot outranked both as measured by the number of deaths." -- American Journal of Sociology
CdSe)ZnS Quantum Dots and Organophosphorus Hydrolase Bioconjugate as Biosensors for Detection of Paraoxon

In this paper, we first report a novel biosensor for the detection of paraoxon based on (CdSe)ZnS core-shell quantum dots (QDs) and an organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) bioconjugate. The OPH was coupled to (CdSe)ZnS core-shell QDs through electrostatic interaction between negatively charged QDs surfaces and the positively charged protein side chain and ending groups (-NH2). Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy showed no significant change in the secondary structure of OPH after the bioconjugation, which indicates that the activity of OPH was preserved. Detectable secondary structure changes were observed by CD spectroscopy when the OPH/QDs bioconjugate was exposed to organophosphorus compounds such as paraoxon. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopic study showed that the PL intensity of the OPH/QDs bioconjugate was quenched in the presence of paraoxon. The overall quenching percentage as a function of paraoxon concentration matched very well with the Michaelis-Menten equation. This result indicated that the quenching of PL intensity was caused by the conformational change in the enzyme, which is confirmed by CD measurements. The detection limit of paraoxon concentration using OPH/QDs bioconjugate was about 10(-8) M. Although increasing the OPH molar ratio in the bioconjugates will slightly increase the sensitivity of biosensor, no further increase of sensitivity was achieved when the molar ratio of OPH to QDs was greater than 20 because the surface of QDs was saturated by OPH. These properties make the OPH/QDs bioconjugate a promising biosensor for the detection of organophosphorus compounds.
Gravitational wave tests of strong field general relativity with binary inspirals: Realistic injections and optimal model selection

We study generic tests of strong-field general relativity using gravitational waves emitted during the inspiral of compact binaries. Previous studies have considered simple extensions to the standard post-Newtonian waveforms that differ by a single term in the phase. Here we improve on these studies by (i) increasing the realism of injections and (ii) determining the optimal waveform families for detecting and characterizing such signals. We construct waveforms that deviate from those in general relativity through a series of post-Newtonian terms, and find that these higher-order terms can affect our ability to test general relativity, in some cases by making it easier to detect a deviation, and in some cases by making it more difficult. We find that simple single-phase post-Einsteinian waveforms are sufficient for detecting deviations from general relativity, and there is little to be gained from using more complicated models with multiple phase terms. The results found here will help guide future attempts to test general relativity with advanced ground-based detectors.
Extended motion adaptive signal integration technique for real-time image enhancement

Fast moving cameras often generate distorted and blurred images characterized by reduced sharpness (due to motion blur) and insufficient dynamic range. Reducing sensor integration times to minimize blur are often used but the light intensity and image Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) would be reduced as well. We propose a Motion Adaptive Signal Integration (MASI) algorithm that operates the sensor at a high frame rate, with real time alignment of individual image frames to form an enhanced quality video output. This technique enables signal integration in the digital domain, allowing both high SNR performance and low motion blur induced by the camera motion. We also show, in an Extended MASI (EMASI) algorithm, that high dynamic range can be achieved by combining high frame rate images of varying exposures. EMASI broadens the dynamic range of the sensor and extends the sensitivity to work in low light and noisy conditions. In a moving platform, it also reduces static noise in the sensor. This technology can be used in aerial surveillance, satellite imaging, border securities, wearable sensing, video conferencing and camera phone imaging applications.
Early research strategies in context: adobe photoshop lightroom

In January of 2006, Adobe Systems introduced the public beta of Lightroom, a digital imaging solution designed specifically for professional photographers and serious amateurs [1]. The appeal of Lightroom is that it offers a modular, task-based environment that flexibly supports a complete photography workflow. This paper describes two foundation-setting research strategies pursued during the early concept and definition phases of Lightroom. It discusses why certain research strategies were undertaken by the placing the decisions to pursue these strategies within a broader context, including the stage of Lightroom's development, the evolving assumptions of the Lightroom team, product positioning issues, time and resource constraints, and stakeholder engagement. To emphasize the context in which specific research approaches were crafted rather than simply executed, the term research strategies is used in favor of research methods.
Rapid changes in thyroid function tests upon treatment of tuberculosis

Summary Setting: Inpatient service and tuberculosis (TB) clinic of a public hospital. Objectives: (1) To test the hypothesis that an hepatic effect of antituberculosis drugs increases serum thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG); (2) to resolve conflicting reports on thyroid function in TB. Design: Measurement of serum thyroid hormones, thyroid hormone binding (T3RU) and binding proteins (TBG, transthyretin [TTR] and albumin) in 38 patients with active TB and in 29 healthy tuberculin-positive controls, before and about 10 days into therapy. Results: With therapy of TB (with isoniazid [INH], rifampin [RIF], ethambutol and/or pyrazinamide), TBG increased above control values and T3RU decreased ( P P P Conclusions: TB patients manifest the expected low T3 of non-thyroid illness, but, unlike most sick patients, usually have normal or increased serum binding of thyroid hormones. Chemotherapy further increases binding by increasing TBG, an effect probably due to RIF.
A Flushing Model of Onslow Bay, North Carolina, Based on Intrusion Volumes

Abstract Onslow Bay, North Carolina, is repeatedly flushed by intrusions of Gulf Stream water. An exponential dilution model based on intrusion models indicates 20–60 days are required for 50% dilution of Bay waters.
Walnut Extract Inhibits LPS-induced Activation of Bv-2 Microglia via Internalization of TLR4: Possible Involvement of Phospholipase D2

Walnuts are a rich source of essential fatty acids, including the polyunsaturated fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid. Essential fatty acids have been shown to modulate a number of cellular processes in the brain, including the activation state of microglia. Microglial activation can result in the generation of cytotoxic intermediates and is associated with a variety of age-related and neurodegenerative conditions. In vitro, microglial activation can be induced with the bacterial cell wall component lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In the present study, we generated a methanolic extract of English walnuts (Juglans regia) and examined the effects of walnut extract exposure on LPS-induced activation in BV-2 microglial cells. When cells were treated with walnut extract prior to LPS stimulation, production of nitric oxide and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase were attenuated. Walnut extract also induced a decrease in tumor necrosis-alpha (TNFα) production. We further found that walnut extract induced internalization of the LPS receptor, toll-like receptor 4, and that the anti-inflammatory effects of walnut were dependent on functional activation of phospholipase D2. These studies represent the first to describe the anti-inflammatory effects of walnuts in microglia, which could lead to nutritional interventions in the prevention and treatment of neurodegeneration.
Counterrotating galaxies and accretion disks.

: Theoretical interest in astrophysical disks with counterrotating components of stars and/or gas has been stimulated by recently discovered counterrotating spiral and S0 galaxies. A variety of physical processes can occur in counterrotating disks. We have shown that a strong two-stream instability can occur for one armed (m= 1) tightly-wrapped spiral waves between co and counterrotating stellar components and/or between a corotating stellar component and a counterrotating gaseous component. The instability of counterrotating stellar components has been clearly seen in computer simulations. The unstable two-stream spiral waves can provide an effective viscosity for the gas causing its rapid accretion. Accretion disks consisting of counterrotating gaseous components may exist with an intervening shear layer. Configurations of this type can arise from the accretion of newly supplied counterrotating gas onto an existing corotating gas disk. For example, the gas above the disk midplane can rotate with angular rate +Ω(r) while that well below has the same properties but rotates with rate −V(r). Using the Shakura-Sunyaev alpha turbulence model, we find self-similar solutions where a thin (relative to the full disk thickness) equatorial layer accretes very rapidly, essentially at free-fall speed. This type of accretion flow has now been observed in hydrodynamic simulations.
Random forests for genomic data analysis.

Random forests (RF) is a popular tree-based ensemble machine learning tool that is highly data adaptive, applies to “large p, small n” problems, and is able to account for correlation as well as interactions among features. This makes RF particularly appealing for high-dimensional genomic data analysis. In this article, we systematically review the applications and recent progresses of RF for genomic data, including prediction and classification, variable selection, pathway analysis, genetic association and epistasis detection, and unsupervised learning.
Long-term study of urban ultrafine particles and other pollutants

Abstract Continuous measurements of number size distributions of ultrafine particles (UFPs) and other pollutants (PM2.5, SO2, CO and O3) have been performed in Rochester, New York since late November 2001. The 2002–2009 average number concentrations of particles in three size ranges (10–50 nm, 50–100 nm and 100–500 nm) were 4730 cm−3, 1838 cm−3, and 1073 cm−3, respectively. The lowest annual average number concentrations of particles in 10–50 nm and 50–100 nm were observed during 2008–2009. The lowest monthly average number concentration of 10–50 nm particles was observed in July and the highest in February. The daily patterns of 10–50 nm particles had two peaks at early morning (7–8 AM) and early afternoon (2 PM). There was a distinct declining trend in the peak number concentrations from 2002–2005 to 2008–2009. Large reductions in SO2 concentrations associated with northerly winds between 2007 and 2009 were observed. The most significant annual decrease in the frequency of morning particle nucleation was observed from 2005 to 2007. The monthly variation in the morning nucleation events showed a close correlation with number concentrations of 10–50 nm particles (r = 0.89). The frequency of the local SO2-related nucleation events was much higher before 2006. All of these results suggest significant impacts of highway traffic and industrial sources. The decrease in particle number concentrations and particle nucleation events likely resulted from a combination of the U.S. EPA 2007 Heavy-Duty Highway Rule implemented on October 1, 2006, the closure of a large coal-fired power plant in May 2008, and the reduction of Eastman Kodak emissions.
A study of combined particle and blast wave loading of structures

In structural dynamics there are many instances where an appreciation of the combined effect of particulate and air blast loading are essential if an accurate prediction of structural response is to be attained. Examples include: the loading of structures via the detonation of cased munitions; the interaction of blast waves and secondary fragmentation with internal building components after an external contact explosion and the loading of vehicle bellies via the detonation of mines buried in soil. As an analytical simplification, engineers often incorporate the effect of particulate loading by applying a load factor to calculations of the blast component alone. In some cases the fragmentation, can indeed be considered as merely incidental but in others, analysis and experiments have indicated that the presence of inert matter within or in close proximity to a detonated explosive can alter the magnitude, spatial distribution and duration of loading applied to a structure. This paper describes a series of numerical simulations, conducted using the AUTODYN hydrocode, in which the effect of detonating an explosive within a matrix of particles, and the subsequent blast and particulate interaction with a target, was simulated. The total momentum transferred to a target and the spatial momentum distribution is evaluated for both mines buried under soil and confined air blasts. The momentum transferred is investigated as a function of the technique used to model particulation and detonation proximity. These comparisons offer an insight into the mechanisms by which buried blast mines load structures and lead to explanations of differences observed in thin plates deforming under simulated mine blast attacks.
Biodegradable Plasmon Resonant Nanoshells

Demonstration of biocompatible quantum dots ten years ago[1,2] spurred interest in various nanomaterials with fascinating optical, electronic and magnetic properties, and their potential for medical applications.[3] Plasmon resonance, an optical phenomenon associated with metal nanoparticles, is currently investigated for biomedical imaging and intervention at the cellular level (Table 1). However, requirements of complete elimination from the body may limit the clinical utility of nanoparticles of these sizes.[18] Here we report preparation and testing of biodegradable plasmon resonant nanoshells of 63 nm diameter. Rather than a continuous metallic shell, this composite nanostructure is formed as a shell-shaped array of gold clusters supported on a spherical biodegradable core. This fundamentally new class of materials maintains optical tunability characteristic of solid metallic shells, yet upon degradation yields individual clusters of 5.7 nm diameter, compatible with the requirements of renal clearance. Biodegradable metallic nanoparticles may enable clinical translation of many research-stage technologies.
Endothelial growth factor therapy improves preeclampsia-like manifestations in a murine model induced by overexpression of sVEGFR-1

This study examines the effects of VEGF-121 therapy in an animal model of preeclampsia induced by overexpression of soluble VEGF receptor 1 (sVEGFR-1). At day 8 of gestation, CD-1 mice were implant...
Dysferlin Mediates the Cytoprotective Effects of TRAF2 Following Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

Background We have demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2), a scaffolding protein common to TNF receptors 1 and 2, confers cytoprotection in the heart. However, the mechanisms for the cytoprotective effects of TRAF2 are not known. Methods/Results Mice with cardiac-restricted overexpression of low levels of TRAF2 (MHC-TRAF2LC) and a dominant negative TRAF2 (MHC-TRAF2DN) were subjected to ischemia (30-minute) reperfusion (60-minute) injury (I/R), using a Langendorff apparatus. MHC-TRAF2LC mice were protected against I/R injury as shown by a significant ≈27% greater left ventricular (LV) developed pressure after I/R, whereas mice with impaired TRAF2 signaling had a significantly ≈38% lower LV developed pressure, a ≈41% greater creatine kinase (CK) release, and ≈52% greater Evans blue dye uptake after I/R, compared to LM. Transcriptional profiling of MHC-TRAF2LC and MHC-TRAF2DN mice identified a calcium-triggered exocytotic membrane repair protein, dysferlin, as a potential cytoprotective gene responsible for the cytoprotective effects of TRAF2. Mice lacking dysferlin had a significant ≈39% lower LV developed pressure, a ≈20% greater CK release, and ≈29% greater Evans blue dye uptake after I/R, compared to wild-type mice, thus phenocopying the response to tissue injury in the MHC-TRAF2DN mice. Moreover, breeding MHC-TRAF2LC onto a dysferlin-null background significantly attenuated the cytoprotective effects of TRAF2 after I/R injury. Conclusion The study shows that dysferlin, a calcium-triggered exocytotic membrane repair protein, is required for the cytoprotective effects of TRAF2-mediated signaling after I/R injury.
Web services on demand: WSLA-driven automated management

In this paper we describe a framework for providing customers of Web services differentiated levels of service through the use of automated management and service level agreements (SLAs). The framework comprises the Web Service Level Agreement (WSLA) language, designed to specify SLAs in a flexible and individualized way, a system to provision resources based on service level objectives, a workload management system that prioritizes requests according to the associated SLAs, and a system to monitor compliance with the SLA. This framework was implemented as the utility computing services part of the IBM Emerging Technologies Tool Kit, which is publicly available on the IBM alphaWorksTM Web site.
Practical Guidance: The Use of Social Media In Oncology Practice

The penetration of social media into modern society has become a worldwide cultural phenomenon. Social media use widely accessible Web-based and mobile technologies to facilitate the creation and sharing of user-generated content in a collaborative and social manner. The uptake of social media in medicine provides new opportunities for health care professionals and institutions to interact with patients and other professionals. Oncologists may use social media as a platform for patient education and authoritative health messaging, for professional development and knowledge sharing, and for direct patient interaction, although this may be fraught with important legal and privacy concerns. In this article, a working group of the ASCO Integrated Media and Technology Committee explores how oncologists might responsibly use social media in their professional lives. Existing social media policies from hospitals, health systems, and pharmaceutical industries are examined to identify common concepts informing the development of future guidelines. Key principles identified include establishing institutional ownership of social media activities and safeguarding protected health information. Furthermore, oncologists must not confuse the roles of provider of information and provider of care, must understand regulations related to state licensure and medical records, and must recognize the importance of transparency and disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. social media may be particularly useful for raising the awareness of and recruitment to clinical trials, but compliance with federal and state regulations and areas under the purview of a local institutional review board must also be ensured. Examples of constructive use of social media in oncology with Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are provided.
Optimal Guidance of Hypersonic Vehicles Using B-Splines and Galerkin Projection

With the advances in the computational power and numerical algorithms, recent eorts for solving the reentry problem have focused on developing a guidance system which can perform the guidance and control autonomously during the ight and in real time. In this paper, we present an algorithm in the framework of optimal control theory to guide the reentry vehicle from its entry conditions to the vicinity of the landing site, while satisfying all the path inequality constraints on dynamic pressure, heating rates and normal acceleration. The algorithm is based on formulating a nonlinear programming problem using B-Spline parameterization of the states and control trajectories. Path constraints are imposed using Galerkin’s method. The problem is setup based on X-33 vehicle model in Earth’s atmosphere. The present algorithm performs well with respect to execution time, convergence and optimality. The nal results are veried for their feasibility and optimality.
Vascular access modifies the protective effect of obesity on survival in hemodialysis patients.

Background The protective effect of obesity on the survival of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), described as the obesity paradox, has been established previously. Survival benefits also have been ascribed to permanent modes of HD access (fistula/graft) compared with catheter at first HD. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of incident HD access type on the obesity paradox. Methods A retrospective study of all patients with ESRD in the US Renal Database System who initiated HD between 2006 and 2010 was carried out. Multivariate logistic, Cox regression, and propensity score matched analyses were used to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI), modes of HD access (fistula/graft vs catheter), and mortality. Results There were 501,920 dialysis initiates studied; 83% via catheter, 14% via fistula, and 3% via grafts. Mortality was lesser for patients initiating hemodialysis with permanent forms of access compared with catheter (adjusted odds ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.67–0.69, P Conclusion The highly popularized protective effect of increased BMI on survival in HD patients is significantly influenced by the method of hemodialysis access. There is greater use of permanent access among patients with high BMI compared with patients with normal BMI. There remains a critical need to increase permanent access utilization at incident hemodialysis so as to improve survival irrespective of BMI status.
A Computer Calorimetry Study of Segregation Free Energy: Cu in a Ni Grain Boundary

A computer calorimetry technique employing molecular dynamics simulation has been used to calculate formation free energies for a copper impurity atom in a perfect nickel crystal in which the atoms are interacting through embedded-atom potentials. The method has also been used to calculate segregation free energies for a copper impurity at different site of a Σ=5 (031)[100] symmetical tilt boundary in nickel. Comparison of energetic and entropic contributions to segregation free energies indicate that knowledge of the entropic contribution is essential for prediciton of impurity site selection at grain boundaries above room temperatures.
Normal force estimation using tactile imaging sensor

A tactile imaging sensor that quantifies and displays the mechanical properties of the touched objects, was developed. This tactile imaging sensor provides the applied force using the sum of the pixel values. A linear regression model was used to calibrate the sensor. A tissue phantom experiment was performed to validate the calibration. The estimation error was found to be 0.6 to 7.2%.
Time course of serum cytokines in patients receiving proton or combined photon/proton beam radiation for resectable but medically inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer

Abstract Purpose We prospectively measured the levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and procollagen III peptide (P III P) in serum from non–small-cell lung cancer patients treated with photons combined with protons or protons alone. These factors were quantified because they may be extremely important in the development of side effects, and the treated volume integral dose may be crucial in inducing them. Methods Of the 12 participating patients, 6 with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 3 with adenocarcinoma received combined photon/proton beam radiation, whereas 2 with SCC and 1 with large-cell carcinoma (LCC) received only proton radiation. Mean age was 73.6 years. There were 4 male and 8 female patients with a mean smoking history of 87.0 packyears. Nine patients had Stage I, 2 had Stage II, and 1 had stage IIIA lung cancer. Serum samples were obtained at baseline and on Days 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 after initiation of radiation therapy. Injury scores for pneumonitis and fibrosis based on computed tomography (CT) scans were assigned. Results The percentage of lung volume irradiated was significantly less for patients treated with protons alone compared with those receiving photon plus proton therapy ( p p = 0.039). When evaluated collectively, bFGF, TNF-α, and IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher in the photon/proton group ( p p p = 0.027) and time after treatment ( p = 0.019) had an impact. Conclusions Although significant changes occurred in some of the measured cytokines and P III P, it was the difference in the volume integral dose that occurred when protons were used alone vs. mixed photon/proton therapy that correlated with the incidence of pneumonitis and/or fibrosis. However, it cannot be ruled out that differences in cytokine levels before radiotherapy initiation may have contributed to the outcome.
PWQ: Feminist Empiricism in the New Millennium: Building on the Past for the Future

For the past year the new editorial board has been working quietly but in earnest to continue The Psychology of Women’s Quarterly’s (PWQ) tradition of publishing high quality feminist scholarship. I want to personally thank Nancy Felipe Russo, the outgoing editor, not only for her work on the present issue of PWQ, but also for all the guidance and support she has given me during the past transition year. She and the editors before her have set a standard of excellence for this journal that I and the new editorial board are committed to sustaining. Many thanks also go to Judy Worell who first invited me to join the PWQ team as a consulting editor. And a final thanks to Janet Hyde for her “sisterly nudges” encouraging me to submit my materials for consideration as PWQ editor.
Effectiveness of Particle Repositioning Maneuvers in the Treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Systematic Review

Background Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo. Purpose The purpose of this systematic review was to determine whether patients diagnosed with posterior canal (PC) BPPV, based on positional testing, and treated with a particle repositioning maneuver will show the resolution of benign paroxysmal positional nystagmus (BPPN) on the Dix-Hallpike Test performed 24 hours or more after treatment. Data Sources Data were obtained from an electronic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases from 1966 through September 2009. Study Selection The study topics were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs, the diagnosis of PC BPPV, treatment with the particle repositioning maneuver, and outcome measured with a positional test 24 hours or more after treatment. Data Extraction Data extracted were study descriptors and the information used to code for effect size. Data Synthesis In 2 double-blind RCTs, the odds in favor of the resolution of BPPN were 22 times (95% confidence interval=3.41–141.73) and 37 times (95% confidence interval=8.75–159.22) higher in people receiving the canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) than in people receiving a sham treatment. This finding was supported by the results reported in 8 nonmasked quasi-RCTs. Studies with limited methodological quality suggested that a liberatory maneuver (LM) was more effective than a control intervention; there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of the LM and the effectiveness of the CRP; the self-administered CRP was more effective than the self-administered LM; and the CRP administered together with the self-administered CRP was more effective than the CRP administered alone. The Brandt-Daroff exercises were the least effective self-administered treatments. Limitations The limitations included the methodological quality of the studies, the lack of quality-of-life measures, and confounding factors in reporting vertigo. Conclusions Randomized controlled trials provided strong evidence that the CRP resolves PC BPPN, and quasi-RCTs suggested that the CRP or the LM performed by a clinician or with proper instruction at home by the patient resolves PC BPPN. There were no data on the effects of the maneuvers on outcomes relevant to patients.