Rider University

About: Rider University is a education organization based out in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Dosimetry & Creativity. The organization has 881 authors who have published 1934 publications receiving 50752 citations.

Spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) do not respond to thymus-independent type 2 antigens.

Abstract: Analysis of the immune system of spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) has been limited. Originally grouped with Mus, Acomys has recently been placed closer to Meriones (gerbils). This study compared immunity in Acomys, Mus, and Meriones. Lymphocytes from all rodents examined proliferated in response to mitogen and superantigen stimulation. Only Mus T cells responded to anti-CD3 stimulation. Acomys, like Meriones, and Mus that express xid, did not respond to thymus-independent type 2 antigens. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that T cell-specific MAbs did not bind Acomys or Meriones lymphocytes. The B cell-specific anti-CD45R (B220) MAb detected all rodent B cells and revealed the absence of a CD45Rlo subset in the peritoneal cavity of Acomys and Meriones. Bone marrow from Acomys and Meriones failed to reconstitute B cell function in SCID mice. Thus, in terms of immunity, Acomys appears to be more similar to Meriones than Mus.

Breath Management: Gender-Based Differences in Classical Singers

Abstract: Fifty-five subjects (38 female, 17 male), consisting of professional operatic singers, singing teachers and advanced classical voice students, were surveyed to explore gender-based differences in breath management strategies for singing. Respondents evaluated extent and significance of thoracic and abdominal movement for inhalation and for control of singing extended phrases. Females were found to concentrate breath efforts lower in the body than did men (hypogastric vs. epigastric regions). Both groups relied heavily on low thoracic activity to provide an antagonistic mechanism for control. Results corroborated a review of standard pedagogical literature, which showed variations in recommended breathing methods that strongly correlate to the gender of the author.

Effects of maternal depression on couple relationship status

Abstract: We exploit the occurrence of postpartum depression (PPD), which has a random component according to the medical community, to estimate causal effects of a salient form of mental illness on couples’ relationship status. We estimate single-equation models as well as bivariate probit models that address the potential endogeneity of PPD. We find that this relatively prevalent mental illness reduces the probability the couples are married (by 22–24 %) as well the probability that they are living together (married or cohabiting) (by 24–26 %) 3 years after the birth of the child. Models stratified by relationship status at the time of the birth indicate that PPD makes it more likely that unions dissolve (particularly among baseline cohabitors) and less likely that unions are formed (particularly among baseline non-cohabitors). The findings contribute to the literature on the effects of mental illness on relationships, to the broader literature on socioeconomic status and health, and to the more specific scientific and policy literatures on the effects of PPD on families.

On the feasibility of polyurethane based 3D dosimeters with optical CT for dosimetric verification of low energy photon brachytherapy seeds.

Abstract: Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of and challenges yet to be addressed to measure dose from low energy (effective energy <50 keV) brachytherapy sources (Pd-103, Cs-131, and I-125) using polyurethane based 3D dosimeters with optical CT. Methods: The authors' evaluation used the following sources: models 200 (Pd-103), CS-1 Rev2 (Cs-131), and 6711 (I-125). The authors used the Monte Carlo radiation transport code MCNP5, simulations with the ScanSim optical tomography simulation software, and experimental measurements with PRESAGE® dosimeters/optical CT to investigate the following: (1) the water equivalency of conventional (density = 1.065 g/cm3) and deformable (density = 1.02 g/cm3) formulations of polyurethane dosimeters, (2) the scatter conditions necessary to achieve accurate dosimetry for low energy photon seeds, (3) the change in photon energy spectrum within the dosimeter as a function of distance from the source in order to determine potential energy sensitivity effects, (4) the optimal delivered dose to balance optical transmission (per projection) with signal to noise ratio in the reconstructed dose distribution, and (5) the magnitude and characteristics of artifacts due to the presence of a channel in the dosimeter. Monte Carlo simulations were performed using both conventional and deformable dosimeter formulations. For verification, 2.8 Gy at 1 cm was delivered in 92 h using an I-125 source to a PRESAGE® dosimeter with conventional formulation and a central channel with 0.0425 cm radius for source placement. The dose distribution was reconstructed with 0.02 and 0.04 cm3 voxel size using the Duke midsized optical CT scanner (DMOS). Results: While the conventional formulation overattenuates dose from all three sources compared to water, the current deformable formulation has nearly water equivalent attenuation properties for Cs-131 and I-125, while underattenuating for Pd-103. The energy spectrum of each source is relatively stable within the first 5 cm especially for I-125. The inherent assumption of radial symmetry in the TG43 geometry leads to a linear increase in sample points within the 3D dosimeter as a function of distance away from the source, which partially offsets the decreasing signal. Simulations of dose reconstruction using optical CT showed the feasibility of reconstructing dose out to a radius of 10 cm without saturating projection images using an optimal dose and high dynamic range scanning; the simulations also predicted that reconstruction artifacts at the channel surface due to a small discrepancy in refractive index should be negligible. Agreement of the measured with calculated radial dose function for I-125 was within 5% between 0.3 and 2.5 cm from the source, and the median difference of measured from calculated anisotropy function was within 5% between 0.3 and 2.0 cm from the source. Conclusions: 3D dosimetry using polyurethane dosimeters with optical CT looks to be a promising application to verify dosimetric distributions surrounding low energy brachytherapy sources.

Oxides: Solid‐State Chemistry

Abstract: This article is an overview of the solid-state chemistry of oxides. It starts with a brief description of the periodic trends associated with compounds of oxygen and is followed by a discussion of the principle of the closest packing of spheres that can be used to describe ionic structures. An in depth description of several structure types, important in solid-state oxide chemistry, follows, and covers the important binary structures as well as several ternary structures including the Perovskite, Spinel, Garnet, Pyrochlore, and Scheelite structures. Selected special topics in solid-state oxide chemistry include a discussion of crystallographic shear structures, defect oxides, and tungsten and molybdenum bronzes, intergrowth structures of which the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7 is an example. The importance of structure-property relations in oxides is illustrated by a discussion of metal–metal bonds in oxides, electronic conduction in a variety of oxides, and the catalytic properties of defect scheelites. A lengthy discussion is devoted to the various means used by solid-state chemists to synthesize oxides not only as bulk polycrystalline phases but as single crystals and thin films as well that are so important to electronic applications. The article concludes with a discussion of several important practical applications of oxides including magnetic oxides, oxide sensors, luminescent materials, ferroelectrics, CMR oxides, optical materials, ceramics, and refractory materials as well as a brief overview of other important uses. Because this is a survey article, in depth discussion of many properties of oxides is not possible. However, many of these topics are covered in depth in other parts of the Encyclopedia and the reader will find the cross references helpful. A substantial list of references also provides a gateway to the solid-state literature. Keywords: oxides; crystal structure; properties; uses; electronic properties; applications; synthesis; solids; materials