cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of treatment log files in spot scanning proton therapy as part of patient-specific quality assurance

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to assess the monitor unit (MU) values and position accuracy of spot scanning proton beams as recorded by the daily treatment logs of the treatment control system, and furthermore establish the feasibility of using the delivered spot positions and MU values to calculate and evaluate delivered doses to patients. Methods: To validate the accuracy of the recorded spot positions, the authors generated and executed a test treatment plan containing nine spot positions, to which the authors delivered ten MU each. The spot positions were measured with radiographic films and Matrixx 2D ion-chambers array placed at the isocenter plane and compared for displacements from the planned and recorded positions. Treatment logs for 14 patients were then used to determine the spot MU values and position accuracy of the scanning proton beam delivery system. Univariate analysis was used to detect any systematic error or large variation between patients, treatment dates, proton energies, gantry angles, and planned spot positions. The recorded patient spot positions and MU values were then used to replace the spot positions and MU values in the plan, and the treatment planning system was used to calculate the delivered doses to patients. Themore » results were compared with the treatment plan. Results: Within a treatment session, spot positions were reproducible within {+-}0.2 mm. The spot positions measured by film agreed with the planned positions within {+-}1 mm and with the recorded positions within {+-}0.5 mm. The maximum day-to-day variation for any given spot position was within {+-}1 mm. For all 14 patients, with {approx}1 500 000 spots recorded, the total MU accuracy was within 0.1% of the planned MU values, the mean (x, y) spot displacement from the planned value was (-0.03 mm, -0.01 mm), the maximum (x, y) displacement was (1.68 mm, 2.27 mm), and the (x, y) standard deviation was (0.26 mm, 0.42 mm). The maximum dose difference between calculated dose to the patient based on the plan and recorded data was within 2%. Conclusions: The authors have shown that the treatment log file in a spot scanning proton beam delivery system is precise enough to serve as a quality assurance tool to monitor variation in spot position and MU value, as well as the delivered dose uncertainty from the treatment delivery system. The analysis tool developed here could be useful for assessing spot position uncertainty and thus dose uncertainty for any patient receiving spot scanning proton beam therapy.« less
Analysis of Catechin Content of Commercial Green Tea Products

Tea (Camellia sinensis) contains numerous polyphenolic flavonoid-derived compounds known as catechins, which have shown interesting protective activity against cancer and cardiovascular disease. Numerous products based on tea are commercially available, many of which claim to contain specific amounts of the bioactive catechins. The catechin content of seven commercial green tea products (encapsulated extracts or tea bags) was quantified by HPLC and, where possible, compared to that claimed on the label. Wide variability was observed in the catechin content between green tea products, even those that appear outwardly similar to consumers. Measured catechin content ranged from 9% to 48% of label claims; all values were significantly lower than those claims (P < 0.05). These results continue to demonstrate the problems that exist with quality control in the dietary supplement and herbal medicine industry and, there, for consumers of nutraceuticals.
Self-Reported Depression Is Taxonic

Using the Sample-specific simulation method proposed by J. Ruscio, A. M. Ruscio, and T. M. Keane (2004), the S. R. H. Beach and N. Amir (2003) data are re-analyzed. The results for the MAXEIG and MAMBAC procedures are compared across simulated dimensional, simulated taxonic, and original distributions. The comparison indicates that depression is taxonic in the S. R. H. Beach and N. Amir (2003) sample but has a lower base (.06) than previously reported. This result indicates the need to use a relatively high cut point on total Beck Depression Inventory (i.e., BDI>21; A. T. Beck, 1978) when creating groups using the BDI. That is, the data support the presence of a discontinuity between “depressed” and “nondepressed” undergraduates at a relatively high level of depressive symptomatology. At the same time, it is noted that researchers should remain cautious about the interpretation of taxometric procedures used with low base rate taxa until they have been further investigated using Monte Carlo simulations.
Temperature dependence of the elastic constants of single-crystal rutile between 4° and 583°K*

Abstract Measurements of all the six principal elastic constants of single-crystal rutile were made in the temperature range of 298–583°K. The temperature derivatives (in kb/deg) at 298°K are: dC11/dT = − 0·510, dC33/dT = − 0·900, dC44/dT = − 0·220, dC66dT = − 0·458, dC12/dT = − 0·580, and dC13/dT = − 0·330. Measurements of the four modes, C11, C′ = (C11 — C12)/2, C66, and C110L = (C11 + C12 + 2C66)/2, were extended to 4°K. Two features related to the temperature and volume dependences of the lattice vibrational frequencies are revealed: first, all the measured dClj/dT except dC′/dT become less negative with increasing temperature above 100°K. Second, dC′/dT is positive at all temperatures but decreases with increasing temperature at temperatures > 300°K. Indirectly shown is that (∂C′/∂P)T having a value of − 1·32 at 298°K, decreases with decreasing temperatures. The significance of this latter fact is discussed in light of the computation of Gruneisen mode γ's from the acoustic (∂Cij/∂P)T values, and the results are compared with the γ (αv) values obtained by Kirby from thermal expansion data. It is concluded that the large increase in γ(αv) at low temperatures cannot be ascribed to a large temperature dependence of (∂C′/∂P)T. Therefore, Kirby's explanation, that the large increase in γ(αv) is caused by the large volume dependence of the acoustical mode frequencies, is not substantiated.
On modeling cross-talk faults [VLSI circuits]

Circuit marginality failures in high performance VLSI circuits are projected to increase due to shrinking process geometries and high frequency design techniques. Capacitive cross coupling between interconnects is known to be a prime contributor to such failures. In this paper, we present novel techniques to model and prioritize capacitive cross-talk faults. Experimental results are provided to show effectiveness of the proposed modeling technique on industrial circuits.
Measuring Stroke Survivors' Functional Status Independence: Five Perspectives

An understandable measure to describe disabilities after stroke is important for clinical practice; practitioners often use multiple measures that contain different scoring systems and scales to rate activities of daily living (ADL) independence. We compared the construct of independence in five measures used with stroke survivors. The measures evaluated independence of the stroke survivors somewhat differently. The Rasch analysis Partial Credit Model converted items from these measures to a single metric, yielding an item difficulty hierarchy of all items from the measures. Data from the measures should be interpreted carefully because other concepts or constructs in addition to ADL independence are included in some of the measures. Rasch diagnostics regarding construct validity and reliability of the combined measures also indicated that these measures are not interchangeable. Although the items of the combined ADL measures were unidimensional, they measured independence from multiple perspectives, and the scale of the combined measures was not linear.
Iterative projection algorithms for removing the blocking artifacts of block-DCT compressed images

Iterative projection algorithms for reconstructing visually pleasing images from block discrete cosine transform (BDCT) compressed image data are presented. Two algorithms are proposed. The first is based on the theory of projections onto convex sets (POCS). The second is motivated by the theory of POCS. In order for the POCS approach to be effective, the convex sets must be as pertinent as possible to the required objective. For the deblocking of the DCT compressed images two types of constraint sets capture most of the information pertinent to this problem: the set that contains the information of the transmitted DCT coefficients and the sets that express the between-block smoothness properties of the desired image. The proposed iterative reconstruction algorithms have been tested thoroughly on different DCT-based compression approaches for a number of 256*256 and 512*512 images. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithms yield superior images to those obtained by direct reconstruction from the compressed data only. >
Sliding-mode estimators for a class of non-linear systems affected by bounded disturbances

The problem of state estimation for a class of non-linear systems with Lipschitz non-linearities is addressed using sliding-mode estimators. Stability conditions have been found to guarantee asymptotic convergence to zero of the estimation error in the absence of noise and non-divergence if the state perturbations and measurement noise are bounded. A method is proposed to find a suitable solution to the algebraic Riccati equation on which the design of the estimator is based. The performance of the resulting sliding-mode filter minimizes an upper bound on the asymptotic estimation error. Based on such an approach, a sliding-mode estimator may be designed so as to outperform the extended Kalman filter in practical applications with models affected by uncertainty and strong, possibly unknown non-linearities, as shown by means of simulations.
Environmental influences on the onset and clinical course of Crohn's disease-part 1: an overview of external risk factors.

The pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease (CD) involves host, genetic, and environmental factors. These factors result in disturbances in the innate and adaptive immune systems and composition of the intestinal microbiota. Epidemiologic and migration studies support an environmental component in the development of CD. Environmental risk factors include childhood hygiene, air pollution, breastfeeding, smoking, diet, stress, exercise, seasonal variation, and appendectomy. This review, part 1 of a 2-part series, provides an overview of these external contributors to the development or exacerbation of CD. Part 2, which will be published in a subsequent issue, will discuss the influences of infections, vaccinations, and medications (including antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and oral contraceptives) on CD.
Tissue culture studies of neurofibromatosis: Effects of axolemmal fragments and cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate analogues on proliferation of schwann-like and fibroblast-like neurofibroma cells

Six dermal neurofibromas obtained from 5 patients with neurofibromatosis were dissociated and the cells were plated on polylysine-coated glass. Two principal cell types were observed in the cultures: elongated and bipolar Schwann-like cells (SLCs), and polymorphic flattened fibroblast-like cells (FLCs). Indirect immunofluorescence demonstrated that SLCs expressed surface laminin but not surface fibronectin; FLCs expressed surface fibronectin but were only weakly positive for surface laminin. Tritiated thymidine autoradiography demonstrated that cultured SLCs proliferated slowly (labeling index, 0.7 to 4.0%), whereas FLCs divided more rapidly (labeling index, 7.5 to 26.4%). Axolemmal fragments prepared from human or rat central nervous system specimens adhered to SLCs derived from each of the 6 neurofibromas, but not to FLCs. Axolemmal fragments induced a marked proliferative response of SLCs from 2 of the 6 neurofibromas but had no effect on proliferation of SLCs from the other 4 neurofibromas or FLCs from any of the 6 neurofibromas. In one patient from whom 2 neurofibromas were obtained, SLCs from one neurofibroma responded to axolemmal fragments, while SLCs from the other did not. Treatment of the cultures with 0.1 mM cyclic adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cAMP) analogue, 8-bromo cAMP, caused marked inhibition of proliferation of both SLCs and FLCs derived from all 6 neurofibromas. The same concentration of another cAMP analogue, dibutyryl cAMP, inhibited proliferation of SLCs but not of FLCs.
Developmental changes in inhibitory effects of arsenic and heat shock on growth of pre-implantation bovine embryos.

Although sensitive to various disrupters, pre-implantation embryos possess some cellular cytoprotective mechanisms that allow continued survival in the face of a deleterious environment. For stresses such as heat shock, embryonic resistance increases as development proceeds. Present objectives were to determine whether (1) arsenic compromises development of pre-implantation bovine embryos, (2) developmental changes in embryonic resistance to arsenic mimic those seen for resistance to heat shock, and (3) developmental patterns in induction of apoptosis by arsenic are correlated with similar changes in resistance of embryos to inhibitory effects of arsenic on development. Bovine embryos produced by in vitro fertilization were exposed at the two-cell stage or at day 5 after insemination (embryos > or = 16-cells in number) to either sodium arsenite (0, 1, 5, or 10 microM) or heat shock (exposure to 41 degrees C for 0, 3, 4.5, 6, or 9 hr). Arsenic induced apoptosis and increased group 2 caspase activity for embryos at the > or = 16-cell stage, but not for embryos at the two-cell stage. In contrast to these developmental changes in apoptosis responses, exposure to arsenic reduced cell number 24 hr after exposure for both two-cell embryos and embryos > or = 16-cells. Similarly, the percentage of embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage at day 8 after fertilization was reduced by arsenic exposure at both stages of development. Heat shock, conversely, reduced development to the blastocyst stage when applied at the two-cell stage, but not when applied to embryos > or = 16-cells at day 5 after insemination. In conclusion, arsenic can compromise development of bovine pre-implantation embryos, the temporal window of sensitivity of embryos to arsenic is wider than for heat shock, and cellular cytoprotective responses that embryos acquire for thermal resistance are not sufficient to cause increased embryonic resistance to arsenic exposure. It is likely that despite common cellular pathologies caused by arsenic and heat shock, arsenic acts to reduce development in part through biochemical pathways not activated by heat shock. Moreover, the embryo does not acquire significant resistance to these perturbations within the time frame in development examined.
Thermophysical properties of azomethine ether main-chain liquid crystalline polymers at pressures to 200 MPa

This article reports on an experimental investigation of the equation of state and the transition behavior of main-chain thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers over a wide temperature range, and at pressures to 200 MPa. The materials studied were a series of azomethine ether polymers. A varying number n (= 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11) of methylene spacer units in the backbone provided systematic variation of the structure. Experimental techniques used included high-pressure dilatometry (PVT measurements) to 200 MPa, high-pressure differential thermal analysis, also to 200 MPa, and conventional (atmospheric-pressure) differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The equation of state of the materials can be well represented by the Tait equation in distinct regions, separated by a glass transition, Tg(P), a first-order transition to a nematic state, Tk-n(P), and a first-order transition to an isotropic melt state Tc(P). The atmospheric pressure values of Tk-n and Tc decreased with increasing number of spacer units and showed a clear odd-even effect. Tg and Tk-n both increased with pressure. The pressure dependence of Tc could not be observed due to the onset of degradation in the same temperature region. On isobaric cooling at 3°C/min, the crystallization from the nematic state occurred a few tens of degrees below Tk-n. This supercooling was independent of pressure for some materials, while for others it increased with increasing pressure. The values of the enthalpy and entropy associated with the first-order transition into the nematic state were lower than those of typical isotropic polymers at their melting transitions. The transition enthalpy did not have any systematic variation with increasing number of spacer units. Values of the transition enthalpy calculated from the Ciapeyron equation did not always agree with the values measured by DSC. This may be due to the two-phase nature of the low-temperature state. At the transition to the isotropic state, the transition enthalpy at P = 0 decreased with n and showed an odd-even effect. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Two-dimensional orthogonal filter banks with directional vanishing moments

We present two-dimensional filter banks with directional vanishing moments. The directional-vanishing-moment condition is crucial for the regularity of directional filter banks. However, it is a challenging task to design orthogonal filter banks with directional vanishing moments. Due to the lack of multidimensional factorization theorems, traditional one-dimensional methods cannot be extended to higher dimensional cases. Kovacevic and Vetterli investigated the design of two-dimensional orthogonal filter banks and proposed a set of closed-form solutions called the lattice structure, where the polyphase matrix of the filter bank is characterized with a set of rotation parameters. Orthogonal filter banks with lattice structures have simple implementation. We propose a method of designing orthogonal filter banks with directional vanishing moments based on this lattice structure. The constraint of directional vanishing moments is imposed on the rotation parameters. We find the solutions of rotation parameters have special structure. Based on this structure, we find the closed-form solution for orthogonal filter banks with directional vanishing moments.
Split-Cycle Offset Optimization Technique and Coordinated Actuated Traffic Control Evaluated through Microsimulation:

Traffic signal timings can be optimized with offline or online tools. Offline tools, such as Synchro, take a macroscopic approach, whereas genetic algorithm (GA) formulations rely on a close interaction with traffic microsimulators. Online tools, such as the Split-Cycle Offset Optimization Technique (SCOOT), optimize in real time. Offline optimization tools have the luxury of time for repetitive computation, whereas SCOOT must work quickly as it responds to traffic detected on the streets. A comparison of the best offline tools and adaptive signal control is presented. The signal timing plans are first derived from the Synchro macroscopic optimization tool. A genetic algorithm (GA)-based formulation, which is essentially stochastic, resides in the VISSIM traffic simulation software; the GA component is known as VISGAOST. The latest version of SCOOT (MC3) is modeled with upstream and stop line detectors to enable both phase skipping and overlaps. The test bed is closely modeled on a 14-intersection network...
MicroRNAs: regulating a change of heart

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs, ∼22 nt long, that direct proteins to repress expression of mRNAs with which they are partially complementary. miRNAs are one of several classes of small RNA guides that provide sequence specificity to RNA silencing pathways (Reviewed in Ref. 1). In many respects, miRNAs are the normal cellular counterparts to small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which guide RNA interference (RNAi), arguably the most famous RNA silencing pathway. With the exception of some ubiquitously expressed housekeeping genes, nearly every animal mRNA may, at some time in development and in one or more cell types, be repressed by one or more miRNAs. Thus, it is not surprising that miRNAs regulate key genetic programs in cardiovascular biology and are critical for cardiac development, endothelial function, lipid metabolism, ventricular hypertrophy, and post-infarction dysrhythmias. Here, we first review the key components of the RNA silencing pathway and then examine how RNA silencing regulates cardiovascular biology. Finally, we explore the opportunities miRNAs may provide for therapeutic intervention in human cardiac disease.
Spheromaks, solar prominences, and Alfvén instability of current sheets

Three related efforts underway at Caltech are discussed: experimental studies of spheromak formation, experimental simulation of solar prominences, and Alfven wave instability of current sheets. Spheromak formation has been studied by using a coaxial magnetized plasma gun to inject helicity-bearing plasma into a very large vacuum chamber. The spheromak is formed without a flux conserver and internal λ profiles have been measured. Spheromak-based technology has been used to make laboratory plasmas having the topology and dynamics of solar prominences. The physics of these structures is closely related to spheromaks (low β, force-free, relaxed state equilibrium) but the boundary conditions and symmetry are different. Like spheromaks, the equilibrium involves a balance between hoop forces, pinch forces, and magnetic tension. It is shown theoretically that if a current sheet becomes sufficiently thin (of the order of the ion skin depth or smaller), it becomes kinetically unstable with respect to the emission of Alfven waves and it is proposed that this wave emission is an important aspect of the dynamics of collisionless reconnection.
Historical Trajectories and Corporate Competences in Wind Energy

This working paper surveys the business history of the global wind energy turbine industry between the late nineteenth century and the present day. It examines the long-term prominence of firms headquartered in Denmark, the more fluctuating role of US-based firms, and the more recent growth of German, Spanish, Indian and Chinese firms. While natural resource endowment in wind has not been very significant in explaining the country of origin of leading firms, the existence of rural areas not supplied by grid electricity was an important motivation for early movers in both the US and Denmark. Public policy was the problem rather than the opportunity for wind entrepreneurs before 1980, but beginning with feed-in tariffs and other policy measures taken in California, policy mattered a great deal. However, Danish firms, building on inherited technological capabilities and benefiting from a small-scale and decentralized industrial structure, benefited more from Californian public policies. The more recent growth of German, Spanish and Chinese firms reflected both home country subsidies for wind energy and strong local content policies, whilst successful firms pursued successful strategies to acquire technologies and develop their own capabilities.
From Crisis to Community Definition: The Dynamics of Eighteenth-Century Parsi Philanthropy

India's Parsis as a group have long been noted for their entrepreneurial talent. Parsis have played an important role in the growth of Indian industry in the nineteenth century, pioneering cotton textile industries in western India. Parsis were first described by early European visitors like J. Ovington as the principal weavers of Gujarat who worked primarily in ‘silks and stuffs’. In the late seventeenth century, Parsis began to participate in trade as ‘a large number of Parsi merchants began to operate in Swally and some of them like Asa Vora bought pinnaces (small coastal ships) to transport their goods to Basra and other ports in the area.’
The Emergency Public Relations Protocol: How to Work Effectively on Controversial Projects in an Academic Health Setting

Certain research topics—including studies of sex- ual behavior, substance use, and HIV risk—are more likely to be scrutinized by the media and groups opposed to this area of research. When studying topics that others might deem controversial, it is critical that researchers anticipate potential negative media events prior to their occurrence. By developing an Emergency Public Relations Protocol at the genesis of a study, researchers can identify and plan for events that might result in higher scrutiny. For each identified risk, a good protocol details procedures to enact before, during, and after a media event. This manuscript offers recommendations for developing a protocol based on both Situational Crisis Communication Theory and our experience as an HIV prevention research group who recently experienced such an event. The need to have procedures in place to monitor and address social media is highlighted.
FPGA implementation of a factorization processor for soft-decision reed-solomon decoding

In this paper, we present a high-speed FPGA implementation for the factorization step of algebraic soft-decision Reed-Solomon (RS) decoding algorithms. The design is based on the root-order prediction architecture. Parallel processing is exploited to speed up the polynomial updating involved in the factorization. To resolve the data dependency issue in parallel polynomial updating, we propose an efficient coefficient storage and transfer scheme, which leads to smaller memory usage and low latency. Synthesis results show that the factorization processor for a (255, 239) RS code with maximum multiplicity four can achieve an average decoding speed of 226 Mbps on a Xilinx Virtex-II FPGA device when the frame error rate is less than 10-2.
An efficient resampling method for calibrating single and gene-based rare variant association analysis in case–control studies

For aggregation tests of genes or regions, the set of included variants often have small total minor allele counts (MACs), and this is particularly true when the most deleterious sets of variants are considered. When MAC is low, commonly used asymptotic tests are not well calibrated for binary phenotypes and can have conservative or anti-conservative results and potential power loss. Empirical p-values obtained via resampling methods are computationally costly for highly significant p-values and the results can be conservative due to the discrete nature of resampling tests. Based on the observation that only the individuals containing minor alleles contribute to the score statistics, we develop an efficient resampling method for single and multiple variant score-based tests that can adjust for covariates. Our method can improve computational efficiency >1000-fold over conventional resampling for low MAC variant sets. We ameliorate the conservativeness of results through the use of mid-p-values. Using the estimated minimum achievable p-value for each test, we calibrate QQ plots and provide an effective number of tests. In analysis of a case-control study with deep exome sequence, we demonstrate that our methods are both well calibrated and also reduce computation time significantly compared with resampling methods.
Homosexuality as a Discrete Class

Previous research on the latent structure of sexual orientation has returned conflicting results, with some studies finding a dimensional structure (i.e., ranging quantitatively along a spectrum) and others a taxonic structure (i.e., categories of individuals with distinct orientations). The current study used a sample (N = 33,525) from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). A series of taxometric analyses were conducted using three indicators of sexual orientation: identity, behavior, and attraction. These analyses, performed separately for women and men, revealed low-base-rate same-sex-oriented taxa for men (base rate = 3.0%) and women (base rate = 2.7%). Generally, taxon membership conferred an increased risk for psychiatric and substance-use disorders. Although taxa were present for men and women, women demonstrated greater sexual fluidity, such that any level of same-sex sexuality conferred taxon membership for men but not for women.
Spectroscopic Characteristics of Chromium-Doped Mullite Glass Ceramics

Cr3+ ion, because of its potentially very good electronic properties, is widely used as an optical activator in solid state, tunable laser materials [1]. The emitting state, in materials with appropriate crystal field strength, combines desirable properties of both quartet (4T2) and doublet (2E) states. For low field materials the emitting state is a quartet. Because of strong lattice coupling it gives broad emission band important for tunability. On the other hand, if the field is not too low, the storage effect due to the thermal interaction between the long living doublet and the short living quartet, leads to relatively long radiative lifetimes important for efficient flashlamp pumping. Long radiative lifetimes together with relatively low emission cross-sections increase the output energy of the laser.
Associations between mobility, cognition and callosal integrity in people with parkinsonism

Falls in people with parkinsonism are likely related to both motor and cognitive impairments. In addition to idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD), some older adults have lower body parkinsonism (a frontal gait disorder), characterized by impaired lower extremity balance and gait as well as cognition, but without tremor or rigidity. Neuroimaging during virtual gait suggests that interhemispheric, prefrontal cortex communication may be involved in locomotion, but contributions of neuroanatomy connecting these regions to objective measures of gait in people with parkinsonism remains unknown. Our objectives were to compare the integrity of fiber tracts connecting prefrontal and sensorimotor cortical regions via the corpus callosum in people with two types of parkinsonism and an age-matched control group and to relate integrity of these callosal fibers with clinical and objective measures of mobility and cognition. We recruited 10 patients with frontal gait disorders, 10 patients with idiopathic PD and 10 age-matched healthy control participants. Participants underwent cognitive and mobility testing as well as diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging to quantify white matter microstructural integrity of interhemispheric fiber tracts. People with frontal gait disorders displayed poorer cognitive performance and a slower, wider-based gait compared to subjects with PD and age-matched control subjects. Despite a widespread network of reduced white matter integrity in people with frontal gait disorders, gait and cognitive deficits were solely related to interhemispheric circuitry employing the genu of the corpus callosum. Current results highlight the importance of prefrontal interhemispheric communication for lower extremity control in neurological patients with cognitive dysfunction.
Women Still Want Marriage: Sex Differences in Lonely Hearts Advertisements

Personal advertisements from a metropolitan newspaper were analyzed for content and amount of self-disclosure. Men and women disclosed information at the same rate. They also stipulated physical attractiveness, athleticism, and the desire for companionship equally often. Women, however, stipulated a desire for the partner's financial security and for marriage significantly more frequently than men.
Assembly of CdSe/CdS Quantum Dots on Au Surfaces for Photoreception

CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots have been synthesized and assembled onto prefunctionalized gold surfaces by either hydrogen bonding or covalent bonds through different functional groups. Control of the conditions during the deposition process allows producing a high coverage of quantum dots via molecular linkages. The quantum-dot surface is highly photoactive and is used in a surface sensitized Schottky barrier photovoltaic structure as the photoreception component. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) are used to characterize and confirm the morphology and linkage of the assemblies on Au surfaces. The electron transfer from the quantum-dot layer to the Schottky barrier device is examined by measuring the current-voltage (IV) curve of such photovoltaic devices under simulated sun light.
Authoring virile bodies: self-cultivation and textual production in early China

ABSTRACTThe recently excavated Mawangdui and Zhangjiashan manuscripts have been instrumental in reconstructing early Chinese self-cultivation practices, such as meditation, calisthenics and sexual exercises, providing scholars with new information that was not preserved in the received literature. This article focuses on the production, dissemination, and use of these manuscripts and their role in promoting regimens of self-cultivation. Fusing two theoretical frameworks, the ‘religio-medical marketplace’ model and the ‘supply-side religious economy’ paradigm, with a close reading of excavated and received sources, I suggest that the production of these manuscripts can be seen as a component of a conscious strategy employed by ‘masters of techniques’ in their attempts to attract the patronage of elite customers in the religio-medical marketplace. This was done by employing a multifaceted approach: couching these manuscripts in familiar terminology and literary allusions, presenting the problems of their cl...
Macrophages phagocytose nonopsonized silica particles using a unique microtubule-dependent pathway

Silica inhalation leads to the development of the chronic lung disease silicosis. Macrophages are killed by uptake of nonopsonized silica particles, and this is believed to play a critical role in the etiology of silicosis. However, the mechanism of nonopsonized-particle uptake is not well understood. We compared the molecular events associated with nonopsonized- and opsonized-particle phagocytosis. Both Rac and RhoA GTPases are activated upon nonopsonized-particle exposure, whereas opsonized particles activate either Rac or RhoA. All types of particles quickly generate a PI(3,4,5)P3 and F-actin response at the particle attachment site. After formation of a phagosome, the events related to endolysosome-to-phagosome fusion do not significantly differ between the pathways. Inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, actin polymerization, and the phosphatidylinositol cascade prevent opsonized- and nonopsonized-particle uptake similarly. Inhibition of silica particle uptake prevents silica-induced cell death. Microtubule depolymerization abolished uptake of complement-opsonized and nonopsonized particles but not Ab-opsonized particles. Of interest, regrowth of microtubules allowed uptake of new nonopsonized particles but not ones bound to cells in the absence of microtubules. Although complement-mediated uptake requires macrophages to be PMA-primed, untreated cells phagocytose nonopsonized silica and latex. Thus it appears that nonopsonized-particle uptake is accomplished by a pathway with unique characteristics.
Failure analysis of mixed mode crack growth in heavy duty truck frame rail

A failure analysis investigation was performed on a fractured heavy duty truck frame rail obtained during endurance track testing. The fracture observed was on the frame web within the torque rod connection to the rear drive axle of the vehicle. This section of frame experiences multi-axial loading conditions including out-of-plane bending, twisting and shear under road loads. Metallographic examination revealed micro-cracks on the edges of an open hole located in an area of high stress concentration. This manufacturing defect acted as a stress raiser and resulted in fatigue crack initiation. Simulation of crack growth on frame rail using dynamic loads from a full vehicle model was completed. After careful analysis it was concluded that the failure occurred due to an aggressively drilled open hole which created small crack initiations in a high stress-state location of the frame. This resulted in extensive curvilinear crack growth under dynamic loads of the vehicle.
Concentration of Antistreptococcic and Antigonococcic Sera

Antistreptococcic sera and antigonococcic sera have been on the market for some time, but doubtful success, and in some instances, failure, have attended their use. The poor results may be due to several causes, among which low potency is possibly an important factor. We therefore concentrated these sera according to the methods used for the concentration of diphtheria antitoxin. It has been shown1 that a serum for Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be concentrated by precipitating the pseudoglobulin fraction and that the antibodies are united chiefly to this fraction. The antistreptococcus sera for this purpose were obtained from horses immunized with 36 strains of streptococci under the direction of Dr. D. J. Davis and Professor H. G. Wells, and the antigonococcus serum was obtained through the courtesy of Parke, Davis & Co., in Detroit, Mich.
SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF THERMOSTABLE FILTRATE LOSS REDUCER: PAX

A new style thermostable binary copolymer filtrate loss reducer-PAX, has been synthesized by 2-acryloyl-2-methyl-propylsulfonate (AMPS) and acryamide (AM) under a redox system. Results have been shown that PAX possesses good effect on reducing fluid loss under 220℃ and saturated brine media.
Adeleidae in Marsupials

This chapter distinguishes the Adeleorina coccidia from the Eimeriorina forms ( Eimeria, Isospora ) covered in previous chapters, and presents all the information known about the 11 Klossiella species (Klossiellidae) now known to infect the kidneys of marsupials in the Americas (1) and in Australia (10). We know very little about the morphology of their transmission stages, and even less about the biology of the life cycles for all of these apicomplexan parasites.
Privacy, Notice, and Design

Design configures our relationship with a space, whether offline or online. In particular, the design of built online environments can constrain our ability to understand and respond to websites’ data use practices or it can enhance agency by giving us control over information. Design, therefore, poses dangers and offers opportunity to protect privacy online. This Article is a comprehensive theoretical and empirical approach to the design of privacy policies.Privacy notices today do not convey information in a way understandable to most internet users. This is because they are designed without the needs of real people in mind. They are written by lawyers and for lawyers, and they ignore the way most of us make disclosure decisions online. They also ignore design. This Article argues that in addition to focusing on content, privacy regulators and technology companies must also consider the ways that privacy policy design — the artistic and structural choices that frame and present a company’s privacy terms to the public — can manipulate or coerce users into making risky privacy choices. I present empirical evidence of the designs currently employed by privacy policies and the effect of different designs on user choices. This research shows that supposedly “user-friendly” designs are not always boons to consumers; design strategies can manipulate users into making bad choices just as easily as they can enhance transparency. This suggests that recommending “user-friendly” design is not enough. Rather, privacy regulators, including the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general and legislators, must ensure that privacy policies, and the websites that display them, are designed in ways that enhance transparency. And corporations must institutionalize the importance of notice design throughout the organizations.
Motor simulation theories of musical beat perception

There is growing interest in whether the motor system plays an essential role in rhythm perception. The motor system is active during the perception of rhythms, but is such motor activity merely a sign of unexecuted motor planning, or does it play a causal role in shaping the perception of rhythm? We present evidence for a causal role of motor planning and simulation, and review theories of internal simulation for beat-based timing prediction. Brain stimulation studies have the potential to conclusively test if the motor system plays a causal role in beat perception and ground theories to their neural underpinnings.
Progress and challenges of the bioartificial pancreas

Pancreatic islet transplantation has been validated as a treatment for type 1 diabetes since it maintains consistent and sustained type 1 diabetes reversal. However, one of the major challenges in pancreatic islet transplantation is the body’s natural immune response to the implanted islets. Immunosuppressive drug treatment is the most popular immunomodulatory approach for islet graft survival. However, administration of immunosuppressive drugs gives rise to negative side effects, and long-term effects are not clearly understood. A bioartificial pancreas is a therapeutic approach to enable pancreatic islet transplantation without or with minimal immune suppression. The bioartificial pancreas encapsulates the pancreatic islets in a semi-permeable environment which protects islets from the body’s immune responses, while allowing the permeation of insulin, oxygen, nutrients, and waste. Many groups have developed various types of the bioartificial pancreas and tested their efficacy in animal models. However, the clinical application of the bioartificial pancreas still requires further investigation. In this review, we discuss several types of bioartificial pancreases and address their advantages and limitations. We also discuss recent advances in bioartificial pancreas applications with microfluidic or micropatterning technology.
Metallic 3D printed Ka-band pyramidal horn using binder jetting

Metallic RF-Microwave components fabricated using additive manufacturing are continually being demonstrated as viable solutions in terms of cost and performance when compared to components fabricated by traditional methods such as machining. In this work, binder jetting is used to fabricate a Ka-Band pyramidal horn antenna, as a test structure to evaluate the performance of this metal 3D printing technology. The measured parameters (S 11 and radiation pattern) have good agreement with the simulated ones. The measured return loss is >20 dB across the band. The simulated antenna gain is 8.43 dBi (at 26.5 GHz), and simulations show that the performance degradation due to the finite conductivity and surface roughness is less than 0.1 dBi.
Alternatives to Appendectomy for Acute Appendicitis

* Abbreviations: ED — : emergency department NOM — : nonoperative management The current standard of care for children with acute uncomplicated appendicitis is a 30-minute, minimally invasive operation that is frequently done on an outpatient basis. The risk of operative complications is small and it is unlikely that patients will develop long-term problems related to appendicitis. Therefore, the alternative approach, nonoperative management (NOM) of appendicitis faces an uphill battle to establish noninferiority when compared to surgical management. In this timely study, Bachur et al1 reviewed data from the Pediatric Health Information System database over nearly 7 years, identifying 4190 children who met the following criteria for NOM: an emergency department (ED) visit with the diagnostic code for uncomplicated acute appendicitis, treatment with antibiotics, no procedure codes for appendectomy during the index visit, and no history of a previous appendectomy or appendicitis in the past year. The comparison group of 61 522 children had a diagnostic code for uncomplicated acute appendicitis … Address correspondence to Charles L. Snyder, MD, Department of Surgery, Children’s Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108. E-mail: csnyder{at}cmh.edu
Offset optimization of signalized intersections via the Burer-Monteiro method

This paper tackles the offset optimization problem which seeks to coordinate traffic signals in a large traffic network. By assuming that all signals have a common cycle time and that the arrival/departure rates at each intersection can be approximated by sinusoids, the original non-convex offset optimization problem can be relaxed into a semidefinite program (SDP). SDP solvers unfortunately run out of memory for larger networks with thousands of intersections. The Burer-Monteiro (BM) method [1] for solving large SDPs avoids conic constraints and solves a lower dimensional problem but is non-convex. A synthetic New York City example with 1771 intersections showcases the scalability of the BM method. Another example involving 420 intersections in Los Angeles demonstrates that the BM method recovers optimal solutions of the SDP. Moreover, a detailed microsimulation of the Los Angeles network shows that the optimized offsets result in reduced delay time and smaller queues.
Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration: Successful Prospective Implementation of Strategies to Eliminate Unnecessary Biopsy in the Veteran Population.

Objective Thyroid nodules are prevalent in over half the general population. Several multidisciplinary societies have management recommendations. However, the majority of data to support these guidelines are derived from studies of predominantly younger and female populations. This study’s aim was to evaluate characteristics of thyroid nodules in a largely older and male Veteran population and apply these findings prospectively to reduce unnecessary thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA). Materials and Methods Over a 4-year period, all ultrasound-guided FNA of thyroid nodules performed in our department were reviewed. Sonographic features, patterns, and histopathology were evaluated. A prospective strategy of avoiding FNA in all lesions matching imaging patterns of benignity was implemented and positive predictive value (PPV) of malignancy was calculated and compared to the retrospective data. Results Retrospectively, FNA was performed on 351 successive thyroid nodules, 9 of which were malignant. Statistically significant malignant features include presence of microcalcifications, irregular or amorphous morphology, taller-than-wide shape, spiculated margins, vascularity, and lymphadenopathy. PPV of thyroid FNA was 2.6% in this period. Four sonographic patterns were 100% specific for benignity, including: “spongiform,” “cyst with a colloid clot,” “giraffe,” and “white knight” patterns. Over 23 months, prospective avoidance of FNA of lesions characterized as a benign pattern (159 nodules) was implemented and PPV was calculated as 7.2% resulting in a cost savings of $477,000. Conclusion Four sonographic patterns were 100% specific for benignity in the older and predominantly male Veteran population. Strict prospective application of avoiding biopsy in these benign patterns resulted in a decrease of unnecessary biopsies, decrease in patient morbidity, and improved allocation of health care resources.
Dosimetric analysis of distal esophageal adenocarcinoma patients treated by intensity-modulated proton therapy with small spot size.

159Background: Intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) with small spot size has the potential to reduce dose to normal tissues but also introduces new confounding factors such as setup uncertaint...
Dentistry in ancient mesopotamia.

Sumer, an empire in ancient Mesopotamia (southern Iraq), is well known as the cradle of our modern civilization and the home of biblical Abraham. An analysis of skeletal remains from cemeteries at the ancient cities of Ur and Kish (circa 2000 B.C.), show a genetically homogeneous, diseased, and short-lived population. These ancient Mesopotamians suffered severe dental attrition (95 percent), periodontal disease (42 percent), and caries (2 percent). Many oral congenital and neoplastic lesions were noted. During this period, the "local dentists" knew only a few modern dental techniques. Skeletal (dental) evidence indicates that the population suffered from chronic malnutrition. Malnutrition was probably caused by famine, which is substantiated in historic cuneiform and biblical writings, geologic strata samples, and analysis of skeletal and forensic dental pathology. These people had modern dentition but relatively poor dental health. The population's lack of malocclusions, caries, and TMJ problems appear to be due to flat plane occlusion.