The influence of toxicity constraints in models of chemotherapeutic protocol escalation

The prospect of exploiting mathematical and computational models to gain insight into the influence of scheduling on cancer chemotherapeutic effectiveness is increasingly being considered. However, the question of whether such models are robust to the inclusion of additional tumour biology is relatively unexplored. In this paper, we consider a common strategy for improving protocol scheduling that has foundations in mathematical modelling, namely the concept of dose densification, whereby rest phases between drug administrations are reduced. To maintain a manageable scope in our studies, we focus on a single cell cycle phase-specific agent with uncomplicated pharmacokinetics, as motivated by 5-Fluorouracil-based adjuvant treatments of liver micrometastases. In particular, we explore predictions of the effectiveness of dose densification and other escalations of the protocol scheduling when the influence of toxicity constraints, cell cycle phase specificity and the evolution of drug resistance are all represented within the modelling. For our specific focus, we observe that the cell cycle and toxicity should not simply be neglected in modelling studies. Our explorations also reveal the prediction that dose densification is often, but not universally, effective. Furthermore, adjustments in the duration of drug administrations are predicted to be important, especially when dose densification in isolation does not yield improvements in protocol outcomes

X-Y alphanumeric character generator for oscilloscopes

A method and apparatus is disclosed by which any general purpose external trigger laboratory oscilloscope can be utilized to display alphanumeric characters. Each character to be displayed is composed of a plurality of segments appearing at various segment positions in various segment rows to define a conventional matrix. In between character segments to be displayed, or when no display is desired, the trace is effectively blanked by a vertical clamping voltage so as to position the oscilloscope trace in an off-screen position. The clamping technique of the invention, i.e., biasing the oscilloscope trace to an off-screen position when no character segment is to be displayed; it eliminates the necessity of providing Z-axis modulation to effect blanking

Alphanumeric character generator for oscilloscope

Compact portable alphanumeric display device can be used with any general-purpose externally-triggered oscilloscope without need for Z-axis modulation. Factors limiting size of display are: output line capacitance, read-only memory speed, and persistence of cathode-ray-tube

Investigations of the Biological Consequences and Cultural Motivations of Artificial Cranial Modification Among Northern Chilean Populations

The purpose of this study is to build on existing normative models of craniofacial growth and previous craniofacial studies of artificial cranial modification (ACM) in order to deepen the cultural and biological understanding of the this practice. Areas of concentration include a study of the biological changes to cranial epigenetic traits and facial metrics related to ACM, an examination of the biological effects of ACM in order to assess their implications on morbidity and mortality, and an investigation into the cultural motivations for ACM. Three hypotheses were tested: 1) ACM did not affect epigenetic trait incidence or facial metrics; 2) ACM increased morbidity and mortality of modified individuals; and 3) ACM was a marker of either social status or ethnicity. These hypotheses were addressed using quantitative and qualitative analyses of the craniofacial skeleton of ancient northern Chilean groups, including cephalometrics, craniometrics, various statistical analyses, and survey of specific epigenetic traits, pathological conditions, and grave goods. As well, these hypotheses were also addressed using various ACM typologies placed within the context of a “nested typology”. It was concluded that when ACM styles are pooled the effects of ACM are not discernable, but the results did demonstrate that the various ACM styles do affect epigenetic traits and some facial metrics. ACM did minimally affect morbidity and mortality within these samples. As well, ACM was not practiced solely as a marker of social status or ethnicity, and it was ultimately determined that motivations for practicing ACM were multifactorial

Don Carlos Homestead Archaeological Excavation

The Don Carlos Homestead site is located in the northern part of Moniteau County and was occupied from 1828 to the 1950s by the Don Carlos family, whose heritage traces back to Spanish royalty. All that currently exists of the site includes remnants of the original cellar, a wagon, water pump, and cistern. The land the site occupies has been owned by only two families in its nearly 200 years of occupation, providing ideal circumstances to learn more about the original settler family. --From poste

Admission Guaranteed Program (AGP) at UMass Boston

Initiated in 1989, the Admission Guaranteed Program at the University of Massachusetts Boston guarantees admission to the university for students enrolled at partner high schools. Through AGP, students who take courses in the required subject areas and meet specific program criteria are assured admission to the university in the College of Liberal Arts or the College of Science and Mathematics

The Evolution of Computer-Aided Road Design Systems

In order to locate a path between two known locations on a ground surface, a large number of alternative paths should be evaluated considering physical, economical, and environmental factors. Optimization techniques can be used to search for a path that minimizes the total costs while satisfying the design and environmental constraints. These techniques can result in considerable time savings in forest road design. Initially, these optimization techniques have been applied to highway design and recently, they have been applied to forest road design. This paper describes the evolution of the optimal route location systems used in both highway and forest road design based on ten criteria. The paper concludes by describing some of the unsolved problems in forest road design

Miss Caroline / words by Thos. S. Allen

Cover: drawing of an African American male singing and playing a five string banjo, while an African American female makes eyes at him; description reads southern serenade song; Publisher: O. E. Story (Boston)https://egrove.olemiss.edu/sharris_c/1064/thumbnail.jp

Come ‘RAP’ With Us: Improving the Retention of Academically-Qualified Persons (RAP) with GPAs of 3.0 or Higher

Retention is an important area of concern for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). This project involves devising initiatives to identify and retain students with a high potential for academic success as outlined in the Strategic Plan for the Future of Virginia Commonwealth University, Phase II. It is theorized that by concentrating efforts on students (both in-state and out-of-state) with a cummulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, an improvement in the six-year graduation and freshmen retention rates can be realized. This would serve to enhance VCU’s status in the academic community (moving from Tier 3 to Tier 2 status) since twenty percent of the determining ranking of the U.S. News and World Report’s rankings are derived from the category of retention

When the Steamboats on the Swanee Whistle Rag-Time / music by Jam. Brennan; words by Jack Caddigan

Cover: drawing of well-dressed African Americans dancing to a banjo player; background scene of a steamboat; Publisher: O. E. Story (Boston)https://egrove.olemiss.edu/sharris_c/1054/thumbnail.jp