Digital Commons Network^™

A Real-Time Prostate Cancer Detection Technique Using Needle Insertion Force And Patient-Specific Criteria During Percutaneous Intervention, Kaiguo Yan, T. Podder, L. Li, J. Joseph, D. R. Rubens, E. M. Messing, L. Liao, Y. Yu

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

In this article, the authors present a novel real-time cancer detection technique by using needle insertion forces in conjunction with patient-specific criteria during percutaneous interventions. Needle insertion experiments and pathological analysis were performed for developing a computer-aided detection (CAD) model. Backward stepwise regression method was performed to identify the statistically significant patient-specific factors. A baseline force model was then developed using these significant factors. The threshold force model that estimated the lower bound of the cancerous tissue forces was formulated by adding an adjustable classifier to the baseline force model. Trade-off between sensitivity and specificity was obtained by varying the …

Hotline Press Newspaper- June 23,2009 Vol 27 No 2, Hotline Press Newspaper

Hotline Press Newspaper 2009

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Spatial And Temporal Heterogeneity On The Population Dynamics Of Four Animal Species In A Danish Landscape, Richard M. Sibly, Jacob Nabe-Nielsen, Mads C. Forchhammer, Valery E. Forbes, Christopher J. Topping

Valery Forbes Publications

Background: Variation in carrying capacity and population return rates is generally ignored in traditional studies of population dynamics. Variation is hard to study in the field because of difficulties controlling the environment in order to obtain statistical replicates, and because of the scale and expense of experimenting on populations. There may also be ethical issues. To circumvent these problems we used detailed simulations of the simultaneous behaviours of interacting animals in an accurate facsimile of a real Danish landscape. The models incorporate as much as possible of the behaviour and ecology of skylarks Alauda arvensis, voles Microtus agrestis, …

Opportunities For Nutrient Recovery From Post-Digestion Sludge Handling: Analysis And Feasibility Study Using Municipal Scale Aerobic And Anaerobic Digesters, David Starman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The wastewater treatment process has developed with the primary goals of protecting receiving water ecosystems and human health. Over time, there have been continuous innovations in process efficiencies, energy recovery, and nutrient removal. Wastewater offers opportunity for recovery of resources of various economic values, and recent research aims at process innovation to optimize resource recovery while still achieving the primary goals of the treatment process. The objective of this study is to assess the logistical and economic feasibility of recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus at two municipal treatment plants in the Tampa Bay area, one employing aerobic digestion and the …

Thyroid Hormone Regulation Of Cholesterol Metabolism, Lindsey R. Boone

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this study, we examined the effects of thyroid hormone on regulatory processes of cholesterol metabolism. Specifically, the pathways of cholesterol synthesis and cholesterol efflux were investigated. Hepatic HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) is the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. Hypothyroid rats exhibit decreased expression of this gene, which can be induced by subsequent treatment with thyroid hormone. The mechanism of this activation was previously unknown. Utilizing in vivo electroporation, we identified HMGR promoter elements necessary for the induction of HMGR by thyroid hormone. The -316/-321 element, the sterol response element, and nuclear factor-y site were all found to be necessary to …

Assessing The Impact Of Biodiversity On Tourism Flows: A Model For Tourist Behaviour And Its Policy Implications, Giulia Macagno, Maria Loureiro, Paulo A.L.D. Nunes, Richard Tol

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei Working Papers

This analysis provides an example of how biodiversity can be measured by means of different indicators, and how the latter can be used to assess the influence of the biodiversity profile of a region on the tourism flows towards it. Previous studies have considered environmental amenities as one of the determinants of tourism destination choice. The central hypothesis of this paper is that the destination’s biodiversity profile can be considered as a key component of environmental amenities. The main objective of this study is to propose a different perspective on this topic, considering the role of biodiversity on tourists’ choice …

Teaching Sustainability In Cal Poly Electrical And Computer Engineering Programs, David Braun, Art Maccarley, John Oliver

Electrical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 41 No. 54, June 22, 2009

Central Florida Future

Nutritionist offers healthy advice; Black, gold & pink; Business sluggish at Arena plaza; Grads consider alternative opportunities; Reading program benefits children.

Rational Design Of Improved Pharmabiotics, Roy D. Sleator, Colin Hill

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

Herein we review the most recent advances in probiotic research and applications with particular emphasis on the novel concept of patho-biotechnology: the application of pathogen-derived (ex vivo and in vivo) stress survival strategies for the design of more technologically robust and effective probiotic cultures with improved biotechnological and clinical applications.

Conservation Of The Glucan Phosphatase Laforin Is Linked To Rates Of Molecular Evolution And The Glucan Metabolism Of The Organism, Matthew S. Gentry, Rachel M. Pace

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Lafora disease (LD) is a fatal autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease. A hallmark of LD is cytoplasmic accumulation of insoluble glucans, called Lafora bodies (LBs). Mutations in the gene encoding the phosphatase laforin account for approximately 50% of LD cases, and this gene is conserved in all vertebrates. We recently demonstrated that laforin is the founding member of a unique class of phosphatases that dephosphorylate glucans.

RESULTS: Herein, we identify laforin orthologs in a protist and two invertebrate genomes, and report that laforin is absent in the vast majority of protozoan genomes and it is lacking in all other invertebrate …

St. Mark’S Catholic Community Of The Deaf, June 21, 2009

Saint Mark's Catholic Community of the Deaf

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in Edmonton, Canada

Saint Mark's Catholic Community of the Deaf Finding Aid

Jizi: A Bridge Between Chinese Traditional Art And The Present, Curtis Carter

Philosophy Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Greek Bronze: Holding A Mirror To Life, Expanded Reprint From The Irish Philosophical Yearbook 2006: In Memoriam John J. Cleary 1949-2009, Babette Babich

Articles and Chapters in Academic Book Collections

To explore the ethical and political role of life-sized bronzes in ancient Greece, as Pliny and others report between 3,000 and 73,000 such statues in a city like Rhodes, this article asks what these bronzes looked like. Using the resources of hermeneutic phenomenological reflection, as well as a review of the nature of bronze and casting techniques, it is argued that the ancient Greeks encountered such statues as images of themselves in agonistic tension in dynamic and political fashion. The Greek saw, and at the same time felt himself regarded by, the statue not as he believed the statue divine …

June 20, 2009 (Pages 3031-3154), Pennsylvania Legislative Reference Bureau

Volume 39 (2009)

No abstract provided.

The Murray Ledger And Times, June 20, 2009, The Murray Ledger And Times

The Murray Ledger & Times

No abstract provided.

Holy Cross Magazine, Vol. 43, No. 3, Summer 2009, College Of The Holy Cross

Holy Cross Magazine

A Valedictorian’s New Address
In 2003, Jon Favreau spoke to an audience of hundreds on Fitton Field. Today, as chief speechwriter in the White House, his words reach billions.
By John Marchese

How the Economic Crisis Affects Holy Cross
In this special report, we asked Holy Cross experts to shed light on the real-time impact of today’s financial challenges on admissions, financial aid, the endowment and operations.
By James O’Neil ’85

Syllabus: Abnormal Psychology
Amy Wolfson, professor, and Jumi Hayaki, assistant professor
By Pam Reponen

Flashback: Another Time, Another Commencement
An exalted visitor brought cheer to Worcester’s Irish Catholics during …

Program, Social Justice Pioneers Awards Gala, 2009, Studio At 620

Program Collection

No abstract provided.

Climate Protection In The People’S Republic Of China, Bartosz Rakoczy

Conference on China and Global Climate Change : Reconciling International Fairness and Protection of the Atmospheric Commons

Climate protection is one of the basic problems in the modern world. It is also a problem which should be solved in an all-world scale and not by each state separately. It does not mean, however, that individual states could not regulate issues concerning climate protection in their own legislation. Constitutional regulations play an important role in climate protection.

Climate protection in the constitution of the People’s Republic Of China is carried out on several plains. First, climate is protected as an environmental element to the use of which all citizens have the right. Public authorities ensure climate protection. Second, …

Public Initiatives And Local Practices In China’S Response To Climate Change, Lei Xie

Conference on China and Global Climate Change : Reconciling International Fairness and Protection of the Atmospheric Commons

China is facing increasing environmental pressure, among which climate change is the most serious one. As many areas are still under development, the country’s vulnerability to the adverse impacts of climate change lies not only in its ecological aspect but also its social aspect. In particular, the country’s increasing energy demand has posed serious problem, as the country strongly relies on fossil-fuels. Dilemmas exist between development and increasing level of pollution. Local government, to realize its political credibility often permits environmental pollution happen and has been ineffective in local environmental governance.

Chinese environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGO), led by journalists, scientists …

Climate Change, The Traditional Chinese Calendar And Modernity, Rey Tiquia

Conference on China and Global Climate Change : Reconciling International Fairness and Protection of the Atmospheric Commons

This era of unpredictable and at times colossal global climactic weather changes place tremendous pressure upon the human internal environment to adapt to these dire changes in the external environment. It places tremendous pressure upon our inner Guardian Qi wei qi as well as the air or atmosphere da qi (which the Chinese Martial artist Lu Ji Tang refers to metaphorically as similar to our inner Guardian Qi).

In premodern China, climate change is always contingent upon time and the seasons i.e. the twelve two-hour periods, lunar month, seventy two pentads, twenty four solar periods, the four seasons, the year …

Rural Livelihoods And Vulnerability To Climate Hazards In Ningxia, Northwest China, Yue Li, Yanjuan Wu, Declan Conway, F. Preston, Erda Lin, Jisheng Zhang, Taoming Wang, Yi Jia, Qingzhu Gao, Shifeng, Hui Ju

Conference on China and Global Climate Change : Reconciling International Fairness and Protection of the Atmospheric Commons

This study addresses how climate affects the livelihoods of people living in agricultural communities in Ningxia, one of the five autonomous regions in China. The analysis formed part of a vulnerability assessment to contribute to the development of an adaptation strategy for the region. Data were collected through questionnaires and focus group discussions in nine villages, three located in each of three different agro-ecosystems in the region. The survey results showed that drought has been a major hazard impacting rural livelihoods. Farmers in all three agro-ecosystems showed differing levels of vulnerability; susceptibility was higher, for instance, in the middle arid …

Are There Policy Tunnels For China To Follow?, Jan Kunnas, Timo Myllyntaus

Conference on China and Global Climate Change : Reconciling International Fairness and Protection of the Atmospheric Commons

According to the controversial “environmental Kuznets curve” –hypothesis (EKC), some pollution would follow an inverted U-curve related to incomes, increasing at low income levels and decreasing at high income levels. Mohan Munasinghe argues (in a gerschenkronian way): “that developing countries could learn from past experiences of the industrialized world by adopting measures which would permit them to ´tunnel´ through the EKC, providing a possibility to avoid the most serious damage to the environment by avoiding the peak before a downturn of the emissions...” In our presentation, which is based on a comparison of Denmark’s, Finland’s, Sweden’s and Switzerland’s carbon dioxide …

A Search For Unpredictable Relationships, Flemming Tvede Hansen

Experiential Knowledge (EKSIG) Conference Series

This paper explores how design research that includes experimental design practice, can utilize the researcher’s background as a practitioner, and make the practice central to the research. The aim of this paper is to make a case that practical experiment in a research context is a fruitful way to produce knowledge that supports the interplay between designer, material and technique in design practice. The research reported in the paper experimentally explores how a ceramist can utilize his approach to designing in the use of 3D digital media as a design tool, and what that use of digital media can add …

Disturbance, Dialogue And Metaphor: The Study Of Practices And Perspectives Through Design Enquiry, Sally Mclaughlin

Experiential Knowledge (EKSIG) Conference Series

Practice theory (Reckwitz, 2002) provides an alternative to three approaches that currently dominate the study of culture: culturalist mentalism, textualism, intersubjectivism. Practice theory looks to background practices as the basis of our shared understanding of the world. Practices are routine forms of behaviour consisting of interconnected forms of bodily activities, mental activities, ‘things’ in use, and background understanding in the form of know-how, moods, feelings and motivations. There is significant potential within practice theory to account for phenomena that design practitioners and researchers have long recognised as being central to understanding of design activity. These phenomena include tacit knowledge, insight …

Experiential Knowledge, Knowing And Thinking, Peter Storkerson

Experiential Knowledge (EKSIG) Conference Series

This is a theoretical paper that briefly presents research to illustrate how proposed theories can be put into practice. Its purpose is to show a more systematic frame for studying and integrating experiential knowledge and knowing into design practice and research. Design begins and ends in the domain of experience, which design changes. Thus, experiential knowledge, thinking and knowing are at the heart of design, but they are not as systemati- cally approached or understood as formal knowledge. Experiential knowledge and knowing are often deprecated as inferior to formal knowledge. Because they operate largely below consciousness, it is difficult to …

Looking Beyond : Changes For Climate Change, Changes For Development, Gerald Schmidt

Conference on China and Global Climate Change : Reconciling International Fairness and Protection of the Atmospheric Commons

In the climate debate, there is a stalemate when the discussion revolves around other's responsibility based on historical emissions and present (un)willingness to participate in international treaties justified by a necessary focus on development on the one side, and an unwillingness to act if the others do not also do so, based on concern about economic competitiveness, on the other side. The problem arises from a view that sees it as a basic necessity to first develop, get rich enough, and then clean up, as suggested in Kuznet's Curve, and about relative costs of alternative energy and production, respectively. Looking …

Economic Valuation Of Forest Ecosystem Services: Methodology And Monetary Estimates, Aline Chiabai , Chiara Travisi, H. Ding, Anil Markandya, Paulo A.L.D. Nunes

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei Working Papers

By using ad hoc value transfer protocols, this paper offers a methodological contribution and provides accurate per hectare estimates of the economic value of some selected ecosystem services for all forest biomes in the world, identified following the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment taxonomy MEA. The research also estimates potential total economic losses from policy inaction in year 2050. Final results show that total losses are significant. The total figure is €78 billion, the greatest losses coming from North America and Mexico, followed by Africa, Russia and some Asiatic countries. Most of this loss is attributable to provisioning services and carbon sequestration, …

Sbs General Campus Announcement 2009-06-19, Darren Johnson

Southampton Announcements and News

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Intensive Lower Limb Training On The Speech Of Patients With Parkinson's Disease, Lauren Fjeldsted Allen

Theses and Dissertations

Research has documented the positive effects of physical therapy as a treatment for limb motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies have shown that speech and voice measures can be reflective of overall cardiovascular health and fitness in young, middle-aged, and older adults. In healthy individuals, increased respiratory drive has been found to influence vocal function and speech articulation. The rationale for the present study was that improved lower limb function might lead to improvements in overall fitness, which then may influence speech in individuals with Parkinson's disease. To investigate this premise, 10 participants diagnosed with mild to …

Il-9 As A Mediator Of Th17-Driven Inflammatory Disease, Elizabeth C. Nowak, Casey T. Weaver, Henrietta Turner, Sakhina Begum-Haque, Burkhard Becher, Bettina Schreiner, Anthony J. Coyle, Lloyd H. Kasper, Randolph J. Noelle

Dartmouth Scholarship

We report that like other T cells cultured in the presence of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta, Th17 cells also produce interleukin (IL) 9. Th17 cells generated in vitro with IL-6 and TGF-beta as well as purified ex vivo Th17 cells both produced IL-9. To determine if IL-9 has functional consequences in Th17-mediated inflammatory disease, we evaluated the role of IL-9 in the development and progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. The data show that IL-9 neutralization and IL-9 receptor deficiency attenuates disease, and this correlates with decreases in Th17 cells and IL-6-producing macrophages in …