cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic Algorithm-based Adaptive Optimization for Target Tracking in Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we address the problem of genetic algorithm optimization for jointly selecting the best group of candidate sensors and optimizing the quantization for target tracking in wireless sensor networks. We focus on a more challenging problem of how to effectively utilize quantized sensor measurement for target tracking in sensor networks by considering best group of candidate sensors selection problem. The main objective of this paper is twofold. Firstly, the quantization level and the group of candidate sensors selection are to be optimized in order to provide the required data of the target and to balance the energy dissipation in the wireless sensor network. Secondly, the target position is to be estimated using quantized variational filtering (QVF) algorithm. The optimization of quantization and sensor selection are based on the Fast and Elitist Multi-objective Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II). The proposed multi-objective (MO) function defines the main parameters that may influence the relevance of the participation in cooperation for target tracking and the transmitting power between one sensor and the cluster head (CH). The proposed algorithm is designed to: i) avoid the problem lot of computing times and operation counts, and ii) reduce the communication cost and the estimation error, which leads to a significant reduction of energy consumption and an accurate target tracking. The computation of these criteria is based on the predictive information provided by the QVF algorithm. The simulation results show that the NSGA-II -based QVF algorithm outperforms the standard quantized variational filtering algorithm and the centralized quantized particle filter.
CASE--a natural language computer model.

Abstract The purpose of this project was to develop a computer-aided simulation of the clinical encounter (CASE) which offers a student the opportunity to assume the role of a practicing physician, actively engaging in the process of clinical decision-making and observing the consequences of those decisions. The most significant technical accomplishment of the project is a solution to the natural language problem which allows the student to interact with any CASE without being restricted in the use of his own language for inquiry. This paper describes the techniques designed into CASE to allow for the understanding and responding to free English inquiry.
Successive approximations procedures for a cellular manufacturing problem with machine loading constraints

Abstract The task of partitioning a collection of machines into autonomous production centers is well-known and the arrangement is denoted “cellular manufacturing”. The problem itself is one of discrete optimization, and a successive approximations method which has proven a good solution technique is reviewed. Individual machine loading constraints are then introduced and a variety of mathematical formulation alternatives, including quadratic integer programming and set covering, pursued for that more realistic and considerably more complicated problem. Solution procedures for the various formulations are discussed.
METABOLISM OF 2S-HYDROXY-3-METHYLCHOLANTHRENE BY RAT LIVER MICROSOMES

Products formed in the metabolism of 2S-hydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene (2S-OH-3MC) by liver microsomes prepared from phenobarbital-treated rats were isolated by sequential use of reversed-phase and normal-phase HPLC. Metabolites of 2S-OH-3MC were characterized by UV-visible absorption, mass and circular dichroic spectra, and chiral stationary phase HPLC analyses. The metabolites that had been identified were 2S-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethylcholanthrene (2S-OH-3-OHMC), 3MC-2-one, 3MC-2-one 9,10-dihydrodiol, 8-hydroxy-2S-OH-3MC, a pair of stereoisomers 3MC (trans)-1R,2R-diol and (cis)-1S,2R-diol in a ratio of approximately 11:89, a pair of diastereomers 2S-OH-3MC 9R,10R-dihydrodiol and 2S-OH-3MC 9S,10S-dihydrodiol in a ratio of approximately 9:1, and a pair of diastereomers 2S-OH-3MC 11R,12R-dihydrodiol and 2S-OH-3MC 11S,12S-dihydrodiol in a ratio of approximately 77:23. A few tentatively identified minor metabolites were 3-OHMC trans-1R,2R-diol, 10-hydroxy-2S-OH-3MC, a 9,10-dihydrodiol derived from 3MC cis-1S,2R-diol, and a 11,12-dihydrodiol and two diastereomeric 9,10-dihydrodiols derived from 2S-OH-3-OHMC. Since the racemic 2-OH-3MC is a known potent carcinogen and 2S-OH-3MC is the most abundant metabolite of 3MC, some of the 2S-OH-3MC metabolites identified in this study may be further converted to proximate and ultimate carcinogens which may contribute to the overall carcinogenicity exhibited by 3MC.
Direct evidence for organic cargoes in the Late Bronze Age

Abstract The excavation and recovery of plant remains from the Late Bronze Age shipwreck at Ulu Burun provides direct evidence of traded organic goods in the eastern Mediterranean. Archaeobotanical studies contribute to a better understanding of economic systems by identifying seaborne cargoes that leave few traces on land but are preserved on shipwreck sites.
Film Cooling Hole Shape Optimization Using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition

Film cooling is a very effective cooling method for protecting the turbine blades exposed to hot gas from the heat. Since its cooling effectiveness is highly dependent on the shape of the hole, a wide variety of concepts and design parameters regarding hole shapes have been researched. However, there are no well-defined ways to determine the optimum shape of a film cooling hole.The CFD is a powerful tool for film cooling hole optimization. But with the number of parameters that define the film cooling hole shapes being so numerous, analytical optimization with CFD often requires computational resources that are unrealistic for the average design environment. Accordingly, for CFD to be effective in the optimization process, it is necessary to reduce the number of computations or shorten the calculation time per computation.In order to solve this problem, this paper presents a novel approach of applying 3D-POD (3D-Proper Orthogonal Decomposition) to the optimization of film cooling holes. POD is one of the most important component analysis methods and has the potential to reduce the number of parameters.From the computation results, a solution group was made by the RSM (Response Surface Method) and assessment functions, i.e., film cooling effectiveness, heat transfer coefficient, mixing loss, concentration of stress and robustness were considered first. In the end, however, considering the sensitivity of each objective function, the optimal hole shapes were obtained with only the film effectiveness being evaluated.In the following sections, this method and its results are described in detail.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Commentary on perioperative variables and minimally invasive surgical techniques: are we asking the right questions?

COMMENTARY ON Singh K, Nandyala SV, Marquez-Lara A, et al. A perioperative cost analysis comparing single-level minimally invasive and open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Spine J 2014;14:1694–701 ( in this issue ).
Verification of quantization error formulas for ROM/ACC filters: Comment on "Low-noise realizations for narrow-band recursive digital filters"

Two formulas have been recently derived for predicting the mean-squared roundoff noise at the output of a multiplierless Peled-Liu type digital filter. The validity of these formulas may be questioned, since the associated derivation requires several assumptions and approximations. We present simulation results which show that the formulas are accurate and that the simpler formula is adequate.
Essential tongue tremor

Twenty patients with tongue tremor associated with essential tremor are reported. Patients were unaware of the tongue tremor, and voice disturbance was a complaint in only one patient. Three patients had an isolated tongue tremor. Hand tremor was present in 16 patients. Dystonia, myoclonus, and tremor of other body parts were present in some patients. Three patients had a mild-to-moderate dysarthria. The frequency of tongue tremor (4-8 Hz) was identical to hand tremor. The intravenous infusion of ethanol suppressed tongue tremor. Therapy with propranolol, primidone, or clonazepam also reduced tongue tremor amplitude. Tongue tremor is a common finding in some essential tremor patients but often there are no symptoms.
MEASURING SMOOTHNESS OF VIRGINIA'S ASPHALT OVERLAYS

In the summer of 1996 the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) initiated the pilot of a new special provision regarding the smoothness of asphalt pavement surfaces. This special provision is based on the international roughness index (IRI) and is administered with a laser-equipped South Dakota-style inertial road profiler. A critical assessment of the nontraditional equipment and methods used to administer the special provision is provided. Issues addressed in the critique include provision exemptions, the ability to identify and contend with construction variability, and peculiarities of the equipment that affect the ability of VDOT to administer a modern acceptance provision.
A web-based virtual system for turn-milling center

This paper presents a three-dimensional, web-based, interactive simulation system for turn-milling center. To overcome the disadvantages of transferring files over the Internet and depending on expensive computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) softwares, the system is developed by virtual reality modeling language (VRML)/JavaScript interaction. The system files produced by machining simulation have small size, and could be transmitted on the web easily. Firstly, a dynamic interactive technology based on VRML and JavaScript, which is essential to a web-based simulation system, has been presented in this paper. Secondly, the geometric and kinematic model is created for representing the turn-milling center motion. Then, the key technologies for machining simulation including material removal, NC codes compiling and collision detection are studied. Finally, to validate feasibility of the proposed system, the virtual machining process for a stepped shaft in the machine tool is carried out. Since the system realizes multiple dynamic demonstrations of virtual machine tool, users can comprehensively understand the product performance. The research for the web-based virtual system of turn-milling center has important research value and application prospect.
Characterization of Reaction Intermediates of Human Excision Repair Nuclease

Nucleotide excision repair in humans is a complex reaction involving 14 polypeptides in six repair factors for dual incisions on either sides of a DNA lesion. To identify the reaction intermediates that form by the human excision repair nuclease, we adopted three approaches: purification of functional DNA·protein complexes, permanganate footprinting, and the employment as substrate of presumptive DNA reaction intermediates containing unwound sequences 5′ to, 3′ to, or encompassing the DNA lesion. The first detectable reaction intermediate was formed by substrate binding of XPA, RPA, XPC·HHR23B plus TFIIH (preincision complex 1, PIC1). In this complex the DNA was unwound on either side of the lesion by no more than 10 bases. Independent of the XPG nuclease function, the XPG protein stabilized this complex, forming a long lived preincision complex 2 (PIC2). The XPF·ERCC1 complex bound to PIC2, forming PIC3, which led to dual incisions and the release of the excised oligomer. With partially unwound DNAs, thymine cyclobutane dimer was excised at a fast rate independent of XPC·HHR23B, indicating that a major function of this protein is to stabilize the unwound DNA or to aid lesion unwinding in preincision complexes.
Excitation spectrum of the one-dimensional Fermi gas with backward scattering

The energy spectrum of the one-dimensional electron gas, solved by Luther and Emery for a particular attractive interaction strength $U$ of the backward scattering across the Fermi surface, has been calculated for small deviations from this particular limit. The energy spectrum shows a gap at the Fermi energy, whose magnitude is very sensitive to the interaction $U$. The density of states shows a gap at zero temperature, which is smeared out by the quasiparticle lifetime for $T\ensuremath{\ne}0$.
Distribution and size of myofibers in quadriceps muscle of Syrian hamster

Formalin-fixed myosin adenosine triphosphatase preparations of Syrian hamster quadriceps muscle showed myofibers distributed as follows: (1) vastus intermedius--light and dark fibers; (2) vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and vastus lateralis--light, intermediate, and dark fibers in the deep portion; and intermediate fibers with scattered dark fibers in the superficial portion. Transverse diameters varied among fibers in different portions of the quadriceps. These findings must be considered in experiments of muscle or motor endplates in hamster quadriceps muscle.
Suburban Queer: Reading Grease

This article examines how nontraditional representations of gender can complicate received social norms, and it examines, in particular, how pre-adolescent suburban youth reconfigure social codes within popular film in order to identify positive queer aesthetics. While several studies have documented the function of classic and mainstream film in the tradition of queer reading, there has been comparatively less analysis devoted to the ways that filmic representations themselves might contribute to theoretical debates regarding sexual identity. As a case in point, this essay analyzes the 1978 musical Grease in order to suggest ways that critics might navigate between strict social constructionist and essentialist theories of sexual identity in order to identify avenues for queer identification within non-queer contexts.
Emergence of cluster structures and collectivity within a no-core shell-model framework

An innovative symmetry-guided concept, which capitalizes on partial as well as exact symmetries that underpin the structure of nuclei, is discussed. Within this framework, ab initio applications of the theory to light nuclei reveal the origin of collective modes and the emergence a simple orderly pattern from first principles. This provides a strategy for determining the nature of bound states of nuclei in terms of a relatively small fraction of the complete shell-model space, which, in turn, can be used to explore ultra-large model spaces for a description of alpha-cluster and highly deformed structures together with the associated rotations. We find that by using only a fraction of the model space extended far beyond current no-core shell-model limits and a long-range interaction that respects the symmetries in play, the outcome reproduces characteristic features of the low-lying 0+ states in 12 C (including the elusive Hoyle state and its 2+ excitation) and agrees with ab initio results in smaller spaces. This is achieved by selecting those particle configurations and components of the interaction found to be foremost responsible for the primary physics governing clustering phenomena and large spatial deformation in the ground-state and Hoyle-state rotational bands of 12 C. For these states, we offer a novel perspective emerging out of no-core shell-model considerations, including a discussion of associated nuclear deformation, matter radii, and density distribution. The framework we find is also extensible to negative-parity states (e.g., the 3−1 state in 12C) and beyond, namely, to the low-lying 0+ states of 8Be as well as the ground-state rotational band of Ne, Mg, and Si isotopes. The findings inform key features of the nuclear interaction and point to a new insight into the formation of highly-organized simple patterns in nuclear dynamics.
Stochastic dominance tests for ranking alternatives under ambiguity

Abstract Ambiguity in decision making is a condition associated with the existence of one-to-many, or more generally, many-to-many relations between outcomes and probabilities of outcomes. The current use of stochastic dominance tests to rank decision alternatives assumes that outcome probability distributions are unambiguous. This paper first establishes procedures to identify an envelope of the ambiguously-described probability-outcome mapping, then extends stochastic dominance theorems to provide tests that partition alternatives into dominated and non-dominated sets.
The effects of advance information on human information processing in a choice reaction task

A study was conducted to explore the human’s ability to take advantage of the advance information which significantly reduces the amount of uncertainty associated with the up-coming trial in a choice reaction task. Each of eight Ss performed under three experimental conditions: (1) a six-choice condition with 2.58 bits of average stimulus uncertainty, (2) a four-choice condition with only 0.99 bits of average stimulus uncertainty, and (3) a condition consisting of a randomized merge of the stimulus sequences used in the previous two conditions in which information regarding the uncertainty (i.e., 2.58 or 0.99 bits) associated with the up-coming trial was advanced.5, 1, or 2 sec before the presentation of the stimulus signal. It was found that the Ss could reliably take advantage of advance information to reduce their response time as long as the delay between the advance information and the stimulus signal was 1 sec or longer. In addition, it was found that advance information had little effect on first- and second-order sequential effects customarily found in choice reaction time data.
Environmental stress screening strategies for complex systems: A 3-level mixed distribution model

Abstract Environmental Stress Screening (ESS) is employed to reduce, if not eliminate, the occurrence of early field failures. In this paper, a three level ESS model is presented for a complex electronic system. Screening is performed at the component, board and system level. Components are screened for a specified duration before being assembled into printed circuit boards (PCBs). Defects introduced during the assembly of the PCBs are screened at the board level, while defects introduced during final assembly are screened at the system level. Components and connections are assumed to come from good and substandard populations and their times-to-failure distributions are modeled by mixed distributions. Mixed exponential distributions are used to model component timesto-failure and mixed Weibull distributions are used to model the times-to failure for board and system level connections. The mixed Weibull distributions are used to model wear-out characteristics at the board and system level. Optimal screen durations in the presence of wear-out are obtained by minimizing the systems life-cycle cost. ESS is shown to be a cost effective strategy when properly implemented. The optimal screening strategies are shown to be relatively robust to the system warranty period.
Evidence for linkage between HLA antigens and receptors for complement components C3b and C3d in human-mouse hybrids

A linkage between HLA-A and HLA-B antigens and receptors for complement components C3b and C3d has been demonstrated by means of human-mouse somatic cell hybridization. In 26 hybrid clones formed between the human lymphoblastoid cell lines RPMI 6410 and Raji and the murine fibroblast line 1T22, HLA-A and HLA-B antigens and receptors for C3b and C3d segregated conjointly. No segregation of the C3b and C3d receptors from each other or from HLA antigens was observed. The results suggest that the genes for the C3b and C3d receptors are located on the same chromosome that encodes the major histocompatibility complex of the human.
DNA Double-Strand Breakage as an Endpoint to Examine Metal and Radionuclide Exposure Effects to Water Snakes on a Nuclear Industrial Site

ABSTRACT This study examined metal levels (especially U and Ni) in the tail tissues of water snakes from contaminated (Tim's Branch) and reference areas on the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS). Home ranges of snakes were quantified to determine the ratio of the habitat that they use in relation to the contaminated areas to better estimate exposure Compared to conventional methods that do not. The exposure assessment indicated that water snakes in the contaminated areas could expect U exposure at 3–4 orders of magnitude greater than the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's Minimum Risk Level (MRL) from ingestion of amphibians and fish. Ni and U, in addition to Se, Mn, and Cu, were related to increased DNA double-strand breakage (DDSB) in water snakes. We report burdens for each metal individually, but the results of the DDSB indicated that these metals did not behave independently, but as a suite. If we did not have a secondary endpoint (DDSB), we might have assumed from the e...
Internal Reduction of an Iron-Doped Magnesium Aluminosilicate Melt

Optical and electron microscopies are used to analyze the mechanism and kinetics of internal reduction of an Fe 2+ -doped magnesium aluminosilicate melt. Melt samples are heated to temperatures in the range of 1300°-1400°C under a flowing gas mixture of CO/CO 2 , which corresponds to a p O2 range of 1 x 10 -13 -4 x 10 -13 atm. The melt experiences an internal reaction in which a dispersion of nanometer-scale iron-metal precipitates forms at an internal interface. The metal precipitates show no signs of coarsening within the samples; however, the crystals at the surface (which formed in the initial part of the reaction) do grow via vapor phase transport. The overall reaction is characterized by parabolic kinetics, which is indicative of chemical diffusion being the rate-limiting step. The diffusion of network-modifier divalent cations-particularly Mg 2+ cations-is demonstrated to be the rate-limiting factor, and its diffusion coefficient is calculated to be ∼1 x 10 -6 cm 2 /s within the temperature range of the experiments.
Heavy smokers perform more poorly than nonsmokers on a simulated task of gambling

The Gambling Task (GT) has demonstrated sensitivity to a type of decision-making that differentiates individuals manifesting substance use disorders from those without such disorders. However, studies have not yet compared the GT performance of "heavy smokers" to the performance of never-smokers. In the present study, the GT performance of "heavy smokers" (n = 39) and never-smokers (n = 32) recruited from the community was compared in an experimental design. Analysis of covariance showed that "heavy smokers" performance on the GT was significantly worse than that of never-smokers (p < .01). Implications, the study's limitations and future directions are discussed.
Bureaucrats and Babies: Government Regulation of the Supply of Genetic Material*

One might object to the sale of genetic material on the ground that it constitutes a trade in human beings. We argue that such exchange does not constitute a morally significant departure from current practice concerning the sale of other bodily property. Some utilitarians have argued that there is no justification for suppliers of genetic material receiving the competitive market-clearing price for their product. They maintain that utilitarian objectives would be better advanced by distributing genetic material through a government board. We contend that competitive market exchange of genetic material is preferable both because it does more to further individual liberty and because it is more efficient.
Susceptibility to affect: a comparison of three personality taxonomies.

This study had three major goals: to clarify the relationships between Eysenck’s, Gray’s, and Cloninger’s personality taxonomies, to show that traits from these taxonomies predict differential sensitivities to emotional states, and to explore the relationship between sensitivity to an emotional state and how much that state is actually experienced. A factor analysis of traits from Eysenck’s, Gray’s, and Cloninger’s personality taxonomies resulted in three factors that were named reward sensitivity, impulsivity-thrill seeking, and punishment sensitivity. These factors predicted a global measure of affect, emotional reactions to a laboratory mood induction, and self-reported affect in daily life. Generally, reward sensitivity predicted positive, but not negative emotions, whereas punishment sensitivity predicted negative, but not positive emotions. Impulsivity-thrill seeking predicted few emotions in either context. Coherence among the relationships found across methodological contexts suggests that the traits that predict emotion susceptibilities in the laboratory similarly predict emotional experience in ongoing daily life.
A Discrete-Time MIMO Repetitive Controller

A discete-time repetitive controller for tracking control of MIMO linear system subject to repetitive desired trajectories is presented. Within the framework of periodic functions, an explicit procedure for stably investing the plant dynamics is formulated. This procedure, which is also applicable to nonminimum phase plants, can be used to determine the exact feedforward input of the plant. A repetitive controller is then formated to automatically genrate this feedforward input without requiring a exact knowledge of the plant dynamics. The necessary and sufficient coditions for exponential stability of this repetitive controller is derived. This controller can also be applied for tracking control of a nonminimum phase plast. A simulation study of the application of the proposed controller for force control of a single axis positioning device is presented.
The Impact of Providing Symptom Management Assistance on Caregiver Reaction: Results of a Randomized Trial

This research evaluates the impact of a randomized clinical trial for lowering family members' reactions and increasing their involvement in assisting cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to better manage their symptoms. The cognitive behavioral intervention was directed toward both the patient and family caregivers. At 10 weeks, caregivers who received the experimental intervention had significantly lower total reactions to assisting with symptoms and assisted with significantly fewer symptoms (linked to patient improvement in symptom severity) than caregivers receiving conventional care alone. Female caregivers receiving the intervention reported significantly lower reaction per symptom where assistance was provided compared to female caregivers in the control group. Thus, the intervention did not increase caregiver involvement in symptom management, quite possibly due to reduced symptom severity among patients in the intervention group. This research offers a model for evaluating trials directed toward both members of a dyad.
Interpolation theory and λ-matrices

Abstract This paper shows how interpolation theory can be used in the structural analysis of λ-matrices, which often occur in the description of the dynamics of multivariable systems. Using scalar interpolatory polynomials for the linear λ-matrix case and interpolatory λ-matrices for the general case, a set of spectral projectors is derived. The fundamental properties of the interpolatory polynomials and λ-matrices are derived and used to develop a suitable form for the resolvent.
The impact of perceived child physical and sexual abuse history on Native American women's psychological well-being and AIDS risk.

The impact of perceived child abuse history on 160 adult, Native American women's emotional well-being (i.e., depressive mood and anger) and AIDS risk was examined. How sense of mastery and social support might lead to women's greater resiliency was also investigated. Child physical-emotional abuse was found to have greater impact on depressive mood and anger and AIDS risk than did child sexual abuse. This finding was independent of current stress in women's lives. Women who were physically-emotionally abused as children had 5.14 times greater odds of having a sexually transmitted disease in their lifetimes than did women who experienced only marginal or no physical-emotional abuse. Moreover, consistent with the communal culture of Native Americans, social support was found to contribute more to resilience than sense mastery did. Reasons for the greater predictive power of child physical-emotional abuse compared with child sexual abuse in a growing number of studies are discussed. Language: en
Stage-specific antibody-dependent eosinophil-mediated destruction of Trichinella spiralis.

THE nematode Trichinella spiralis provides a model in which host responses to helminth infection can be studied. In trichinosis, there are three phases against which host resistance might develop. First, resistance may be directed against adult worms in the gut, which develop there after inoculation of the host by infective larvae. Second, resistance may be directed against newborn larvae, which penetrate the gut mucosa and pass by way of the bloodstream to the skeletal muscles. Finally, it may be directed against larvae in the muscle cells, which mature in 2–3 weeks into infective third-stage larvae1. In the study reported here we investigated the ability of white cells to kill each of the three stages of the life cycle of the parasite, that is, adult worms, newborn larvae, and muscle larvae. We describe here an antibody-dependent eosinophil-mediated destruction mechanism specific for the newborn larval stage of T. spiralis.
Periparturient events in ovariectomized embryo transfer recipient mares

Ovariectomized mares treated with progesterone have established and maintained pregnancy after embryo transfer. This study evaluated the ability of ovariectomized embryo transfer recipients to successfully undergo parturition, raise a foal, and return to a useful reproductive status. Periparturient events in three ovariectomized embryo transfer recipient mares and three intact mares were compared. All mares foaled normally. Mammary scores were similar for both groups and all mares produced sufficient colostrum and milk to allow normal growth of healthy foals. Plasma progesterone levels decreased to < 5 ng/ml by Day 4 post partum in both groups. Progesterone concentrations continued to decrease and remained at <1 ng/ml in ovariectomized mares, but increased after the first postpartum ovulation (Day 9 to 15) in intact mares. Endometrial involution as determined by histological evaluation was complete in ovariectomized mares by Day 10 post partum and in intact mares by Day 11 post partum. As assessed by palpation per rectum and clearance of bacteria from the uterus, uterine involution was similar in all mares. The three ovariectomized mares subsequently received embryos by transcervical transfer and two of them established pregnancy. These results indicate that normal parturition, lactation, maternal behavior and uterine involution are independent of ovarian function.
Frontal sinus complications after frontal craniotomy.

Objectives: To review frontal sinus complications following frontal craniotomy and to describe management strategies. Study Design: Retrospective review. Methods: Retrospective review was made of six patients who had undergone frontal craniotomy and subsequently developed frontal sinus complications. Demographic data, indication for craniotomy, type of reconstruction, average time to development of complications, presenting symptoms, diagnosis, surgical management, follow-up, and outcomes were reported. Results: Complications included unilateral frontal sinus mucoceles in four patients, bilateral frontal sinus mucoceles in one patient, and bilateral frontal sinus mucopyoceles with upper-eyelid abscess in one patient. The average time to presentation of symptoms and development of complications following frontal craniotomy was 14.8 years (range, 1–39 y). Headaches were the most common presenting complaint. All patients underwent endoscopic mucocele marsupialization as part of their management. After an average follow-up period of 9 months, no recurrences were found and no complications occurred. Conclusion: A small number of patients develop otolaryngological complications, most commonly, frontal mucoceles, following frontal craniotomy. A high level of suspicion and long-term surveillance are needed to monitor for their occurrence. Endoscopic marsupialization may provide an effective, safe means for management.
QUESTION OF THE EXISTENCE OF A STRANGENESS 2 MESON

Previous reports on the existence of a strangeness 2 meson with a mass of about 720 Mev were analyzed. It is concluded that evidence for the existence of such a particle is lacking and certainly not provided by anomalous K/sup +/ decays which were used to explain its existence. (C.J.G.)
Meeting the service quality challenge: structural problems and solutions

Presents real‐life and day‐to‐day examples of service delivery problems which will be familiar to all readers. Then provides practical re‐engineering solutions to remedy the problems. The vignettes illustrating the problems are all real‐life cases based on the experiences of the authors, and the solutions they propose are also based on their encounters with service providers as educators and consultants, and talks to business audiences by both parties.
Measuring achievement of learning organizations in construction

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide an introduction to the LEONARDO diagnostic tool which assists organizations in determining their current level of achievement towards a learning culture.Design/methodology/approach – Using a combination of the analytical hierarchy process and the Delphi technique, the research obtained the critical questions for evaluating an organization's investment and progress towards achieving a learning culture. The questions are categorized based on five areas of a learning culture and three levels of learning within an organization. These questions are translated into a web‐based diagnostic that is validated and released for use by engineering and construction organizations.Findings – The paper provides an overview of the LEONARDO diagnostic tool including the mathematical weighting system employed for scoring organization progress and investment, the web‐based availability, and the evaluation report card provided to users. The paper also provides a summary of th...
CMV promoter is repressed by p53 and activated by JNK pathway.

Viral promoters are widely utilized in commercial and customized vectors to drive expression of genes of interest including reporter, effector and transfection control, because of their high transcription efficiency in a variety of primary and transformed cell lines. However, we observed altered rate of transcription for these promoters under conditions such as presence of an effector protein. These variations in viral promoter driven expressions can potentially lead to incorrect conclusion, especially in comparative and quantitative experiments. We found significantly reduced viral promoter activity in cells overexpressing tumor suppressor protein p53, whereas markedly induced transcription in cells overexpressing MAP/ERK kinase kinase 1 (Mekk 1). Using deletion constructs generated from the CMV promoter, we found the transcription reduction by p53 is possibly mediated through the TATA motif present in proximal CMV promoter. The activation of the CMV promoter by Mekk1, on the other hand, is attributed to the proximal CRE binding site in the promoter. These findings may be of interest to investigators who use CMV (or other viral) promoter driven vectors for either comparative or quantitative gene expression, or effect on promoter activity.
Plasmon-assisted radiolytic energy conversion in aqueous solutions

The field of conventional energy conversion using radioisotopes has almost exclusively focused on solid-state materials. Herein, we demonstrate that liquids can be an excellent media for effective energy conversion from radioisotopes. We also show that free radicals in liquid, which are continuously generated by beta radiation, can be utilized for electrical energy generation. Under beta radiation, surface plasmon obtained by the metallic nanoporous structures on TiO2 enhanced the radiolytic conversion via the efficient energy transfer between plasmons and free radicals. This work introduces a new route for the development of next-generation power sources.
Northridge, California, earthquake of 1994: density of red-tagged buildings versus peak horizontal velocity and intensity of shaking

The 1994 Northridge earthquake occurred underneath a densely populated metropolitan area, and was recorded by over 200 strong motion stations in the metropolitan area and vicinity. This rare coincidence made it an ideal case to study, in statistical sense, the correlation of damage to structures with the level of strong shaking, in particular with respect to (1) instrumental characteristics of shaking and (2) the reported site intensity scale. In this paper, statistics for the incidence of red-tagged building in 1 × 1 km2 blocks in San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles is presented and analyzed, as function of the observed peak ground velocity or the local intensity of shaking. The ‘observed’ peak velocity is estimated from contour maps based on the recorded strong motion. The intensity of shaking is estimated from the published intensity map and from our modification of this map to make it more consistent with observed high damage to buildings in some localized areas. Finally, empirical scaling equations are derived which predict the average density of red-tagged buildings (per km2) as a function of peak ground velocity or site intensity of shaking. These scaling equations are specific to the region studied, and apply to Wooden Frame Construction, typical of post World War II period, which is the prevailing building type in the sample studied. These can be used to predict the density of red-tagged buildings per km2 in San Fernando Valley and in Los Angeles for a scenario earthquake or for an ensemble of earthquakes during specified exposure, within the framework of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis. Such predictions will be useful to government officials for emergency planning, to the insurance industry for realistic assessment of insured losses, and to structural engineers for assessment of the overall performance of this type of buildings.
Biodegradation process development using a bacterial cytochrome in vivo

Pseudomonas putida PpG786 that contains the inducible enzyme system cytochrome P-450[sub cam] is considered for use as specialized biomass for detoxification of hazardous hydrocarbons. The test substrate 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) is used to assess the organohalide degradation activity of P. putida PpG786. Activity was found to be a strong function of intracellular heme content, variables which affect the culturing and processing of the cells, and oxygen tension in the degradation incubation medium. The lifetime for maintaining active biomass in chemostat washout operation, after inducing substrate was removed and then restarted, was also studied. These results indicate that initial activity of the P. putida biomass is high enough, and decays slowly enough, so that industrial wastewater treatment at the operating conditions of a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) could effectively remove hazardous compounds.
The metaphor machine: a database method for creativity support

Abstract This paper shows how a data base method can be applied to the automatic generation of metaphors. The utility of automatic metaphor generation is based on providing interactive support to creative human thinking processes. Such interactive support systems have been called Idea Processing systems, and are seen as special qualitative types of Decision Support Systems (DSS). They include functions to support metaphorical thinking as well as other modes of creative idea development. The paper presents brief backgrounds references on creativity and the relevance of metaphors, as well as to previous work in Idea Processing. It then presents a relational data base method for automatic metaphor generation. The method is described and illustrated, as well as shown in relational algebra and relational calculus notation. In conclusion, the paper indicates how the relational data base method presented can be operationalized through using existing data base software or by integration with a specialized interface for the particular application of metaphor generation.
Amylase variants in Drosophila melanogaster: linkage studies and characterization of enzyme extracts.

The amylases of D. melanogaster were characterized by several parameters. Starch-iodine and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid reduction methods were employed to determine activity. Conditions were defined under which activity, in crude aqueous extracts could be restricted to α-amylase(s) of fly origin. Biochemical properties of the α-amylases from eleven homozygous Amy strains were found to be very similar in temperature stability, pH optimum, substrate specificity and the effects of various activators and inhibitors. All were activated by chloride ions and showed a pH optimum of about 7.4. Relative efficiencies on several substrates were tested: soluble starch, amylopectin, β-limit dextrins, glycogen and amylose. EDTA completely inhibited all extracts, presumably by the removal of calcium required for activation. The specific α-amylase inhibitor from wheat grain also completely inhibited activity, as did reduced glutathione. PCMB had no discernible effects on activity. Eight of the 11 strains tested are known to produce different electrophoretic banding patterns for amylases. The total maximum activity of each strain may also be used to characterize it and, accordingly, three strains with amylases of the same electrophoretic mobility were distinguished by differences in their specific activities. Sexual dimorphism in amylase activity was defined, as well as activity in heterozygotes between strains. Aside from the distinctions between strains already noted, four strains differed in their relative susceptibility to heat and to α-amylase inhibitor. Linkage experiments indicated that the Amy region lies at 77.3 on the genetic map of the second chromosome and to the right, but near, section 52F on the salivary chromosome map.
Solitary Thyroid Nodules in 93 Children and Adolescents

Over a period of 35 years from 1963 to 1998, 93 patients under the age of 18 years, 74 girls and 19 boys, were seen for evaluation of a solitary nodule of the thyroid gland. All patients had preoperat
A Model of the Subthalamo-Pallidal Network Undergoing Extrinsic Stimulation

A model of the subthalamo-pallidal loop using integrate-and-fire neurons in conjunction with first order models of synaptic afferents, calcium and potassium currents, and a leaky sodium current exhibits activity similar to that recorded in the Subthalamic nucleus of Parkinson patients undergoing stereotactic neurosurgery and deep brain stimulation (DBS). In particular, by incorporating a negative feedback loop, the model produces inhibitory responses to individual DBS pulses and exhibits oscillations in the alpha and beta range (8-29 Hz). Moreover, an increase in either DBS stimulus energy or GPe spontaneous activity causes the oscillatory behavior to subside.
A system to place observers on a polyhedral terrain in polynomial time

Abstract The Art Gallery Problem deals with determining the number of observers necessary to cover an art gallery room such that every point is seen by at least one observer. This problem is well known and has a linear time solution for the 2D case, but little is known in the 3D case. In this paper we present a polynomial time solution for the 3D version of the Art Gallery Problem. Because the problem is NP-hard, the solution presented is an approximation, and we present the bounds to our solution. The solution uses techniques from: (i) computational geometry to first build a terrain hierarchy keeping the overall terrain's shape and to compute the visibility map for each observer; (ii) graph coloring to make a first placement of observers on the terrain; and (iii) set coverage to reduce the number of observers based on their visibility map. A complexity analysis is presented for each step and an analysis of the overall quality of the solution is given.
An investigation of research collaboration in the sciences through the philosophical transactions 1901–1991

A sample was selected fromThe Philosophical Transactions of Royal Society of London to examine the development of collaboration in scientific research from 1901–1991. The variables under study were: changes with time, as reflected in the 19 years sampled; the number of collaborative papers, which were subdivided by number of authors, type of collaboration, and the number of unique departmental subject titles; and the number of authors involved in producing collaborative papers, in which the proportion and the mean number of authors per paper were computed according to type of collaboration. It was found that, while the proportion of collaborative papers fluctuated over the years, the number corresponded to an exponential increase over time. The collaboration in the first half of the century was sporadic but grew rapidly in the second half, especially the collaboration involving many authors from different institutions and countries in the production of a publication. The trend toward interdisciplinarity has become pronounced since the 1960s. The phenomenon was found to be associated with the average number of authors per interdisciplinary paper and the type of collaboration. The limitations of the study are indicated and future studies are suggested.
Evidence for rapid speciation in African cichlid fishes

Extremely rapid divergence among 7 species of African cichlid fishes is suggested by high estimates of allozymic similarity. Significant differences in gene frequencies among sympatric populations support reproductive isolation of these taxa.
High resolution electron beam fabrication: a brief review of experimental studies that began at Cambridge University in 1962

SUMMARY Electron beam fabrication studies with the scanning electron microscope began at Cambridge University in 1962. Early experiments demonstrated that structures could be made that were smaller than could be made by other methods, but it was not until several years later at IBM Research that useful devices with these smaller dimensions were made. It was even later (1981) before the resolution limits of electron beam lithography with conventional resist were measured. It is now understood that with conventional resists, electron/resist interaction effects limit the minimum structure size to about 10 nm. Newer methods that involve the direct sublimation of materials such as NaCl and LiF allow structures down to about 1 nm to be made.
Students’ Group and Member Attachment to Their University: A Construct Validity Study of the University Attachment Scale

This study examined the psychometric properties of scores from the University Attachment Scale, a measure that operationalizes group and member attachment as two separate dimensions of attachment to a university. A two-factor model was championed over a one-factor model providing evidence of a distinction between university attachment and member attachment. Relationships with external criteria provided further support for this distinction and construct validity evidence. As predicted, ‘‘involved’’ students had practically and statistically significantly higher group attachment than ‘‘noninvolved’’ students. Furthermore, transfer students had practically and statistically significantly lower member attachment than nontransfer students. Additionally, there was a statistically significant positive relationship between students’ perceived cohesion to the university and both group and member attachment. Overall, the authors believe that this is a promising new measure of university attachment.