cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Professional Development for Middle School Science Teachers: Does an Educative Curriculum Make a Difference?

Teacher professional development (PD) is central to the realization of the current reform efforts in science education. In this qualitative study, we investigated how educative curriculum materials...
Advanced Synthesis of Na4Si24

The recently discovered orthorhombic allotrope of silicon, Si24, is an exciting prospective material for the future of solar energy due to a quasi-direct bandgap near 1.3 eV, coupled with the abundance and environmental stability of silicon. Synthesized via precursor Na4Si24 at high temperature and pressure (~850 °C, 9 GPa), typical synthesis results have yielded polycrystalline samples with crystallites on the order of 20 μm. Several approaches to increase the crystal size have yielded success, including in-situ thermal spikes and refined selection of the starting materials. Microstructural analysis suggests that coherency exists between diamond silicon (d-Si) and Na4Si24. This hypothesis has led to the successful attempts at single crystal synthesis by selecting large crystals of d-Si along with metallic Na as the precursors rather than powdered and mixed precursor material. The new synthesis approach has yielded single crystals of Na4Si24 greater than 100 μm. These results represent a breakthrough in synthesis that enables further characterization and utility. The promise of Si24 for the future of solar energy generation and efficient electronics is strengthened through these advances in synthesis.
A model of motor and sensory axon activation in the median nerve using surface electrical stimulation

Surface electrical stimulation has the potential to be a powerful and non-invasive treatment for a variety of medical conditions but currently it is difficult to obtain consistent evoked responses. A viable clinical system must be able to adapt to variations in individuals to produce repeatable results. To more fully study the effect of these variations without performing exhaustive testing on human subjects, a system of computer models was created to predict motor and sensory axon activation in the median nerve due to surface electrical stimulation at the elbow. An anatomically-based finite element model of the arm was built to accurately predict voltages resulting from surface electrical stimulation. In addition, two axon models were developed based on previously published models to incorporate physiological differences between sensory and motor axons. This resulted in axon models that could reproduce experimental results for conduction velocity, strength-duration curves and activation threshold. Differences in experimentally obtained action potential shape between the motor and sensory axons were reflected in the models. The models predicted a lower threshold for sensory axons than motor axons of the same diameter, allowing a range of sensory axons to be activated before any motor axons. This system of models will be a useful tool for development of surface electrical stimulation as a method to target specific neural functions.
Classification of galactograms with ramification matrices: preliminary results.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The poor specificity of galactography, the imaging modality generally indicated in cases of nipple discharge, has led to a large number of biopsies with negative results. A quantitative scheme for classifying galactographic findings might help reduce the number of such biopsies in the future. As a first step toward that goal, the authors have studied one quantitative method for describing the branching of ducts by using ramification matrices (R matrices), and the correlation of the values of the matrix elements with clinical findings. Materials and Methods The ductal trees were manually segmented for 25 galactographic views from 15 patients, and corresponding R matrices were calculated. Patients were divided into two groups: those with no reported galactographic findings (NF) and those with reported findings (RF) of ductal ectasia, cysts, or papilloma. In a leave-one-out fashion, the authors evaluated a classification scheme that was based on R-matrix coefficients and used a Bayesian decision rule. The effects of segmentation were tested by successively removing each of the terminal ducts and computing the corresponding matrices of the pruned trees. Results With use of a single R-matrix element, 92% and 62% of NF and RF cases were correctly classified, respectively ( P = .007). With use of two elements, 83% and 77% of NF and RF cases were correctly classified, but this result was not statistically significant ( P = .108). In a test of robustness, an analysis of pruned trees yielded an average root-mean-square fractional difference of 9.7% between the elements of the original and the R matrix averaged over all pruned trees. Conclusion The preliminary analysis indicates that it may be possible to identify cases with reported galactographic findings by using R matrices.
Upper blepharoplasty: a novel approach to improving progressive myopathic blepharoptosis.

Abstract Objective To describe the results of upper blepharoplasty for the treatment of progressive myopathic upper eyelid blepharoptosis. Design Retrospective, noncomparative case series. Participants Six consecutive patients treated bilaterally. Intervention Upper blepharoplasty in 6 patients (12 eyelids) with progressive myopathic ptosis. Main outcome measures Subjective visual improvement, ocular comfort, preoperative and postoperative margin reflex distances, lagophthalmos, and degree of corneal keratopathy at last follow-up date. Results All patients had subjective visual improvement and denied ocular discomfort. Upper eyelid ptosis, measured by margin reflex distances, was improved. No worsening of lagophthalmos or corneal keratopathy was noted. Conclusions Upper blepharoplasty may be an excellent alternative for ptosis treatment in patients with progressive myopathies. Improvement in ptosis, margin reflex distance, without concomitant lagophthalmos, and corneal keratopathy can be achieved.
"Free Shipping" or "Dollar off"? the Moderating Effects of List Price and E-Shopping Experience on Consumer Preference for Online Discount

The use of online shopping has grown exponentially over the last decade. Although traditional and internet shopping behaviors are similar in some ways, there are some significant differences. To this end, this paper investigates the role of different types of pricing discounts in shaping consumer evaluations when shopping online. In particular, we examine the moderating effects of the list price value and online shopping experience on the consumer evaluation of “free shipping” and “dollar off” discounts. Past research suggests that the free shipping offer will be more attractive than the dollar-off offer when they are of the same economic value. This study contributes to our understanding of research by examining the moderating effects of changes in list price and the consumers’ online shopping experience. The results of the quasi-experimental design suggests that the free shipping offer works better than a dollar-off discount for lower-priced goods, but there is no difference between the two for higher-priced goods. Additionally, seasoned online shoppers are more receptive to both types of pricing discounts, no matter the list price, than are novice online shoppers. To cite this document: Shimi Naurin Ahmad and Michael Callow, " FREE SHIPPING” OR “DOLLAR OFF”? THE MODERATING EFFECTS OF LIST PRICE AND E-SHOPPING EXPERIENCE ON CONSUMER PREFERENCE FOR ONLINE DISCOUNT ", International Journal of Electronic Commerce Studies, Vol.9, No.1, pp.55-70, 2018. Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.7903/ijecs.1542
Central Airway Obstruction Due to Tracheal Glomus Tumor.

Background Tracheal glomus tumors are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that have the potential to cause malignant, central airway obstruction. They require a thoughtful approach to safely secure the airway and definitively resect the tumor. Case Description We report the clinical course of a 25-year-old man in severe respiratory distress secondary to tracheal glomus tumor and the subsequent surgical management. Conclusion Due to their hypervascular nature, greater familiarity with tracheal glomus tumors is needed to ensure appropriate preoperative planning and intervention.
Gastrectomy for Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a chronic disorder with a poorly understood pathophysiology. Dietary and lifestyle modification followed by medical treatment are first line treatment but often fail to control symptoms. Severe gastroparesis is an end-organ failure of the stomach which is often best treated with removal of the diseased organ. Roux-en-Y reconstruction with or without gastrectomy offers relief for patients when medical treatments fail. These patients often have many comorbidities which need to be optimized prior to surgery. Although gastrectomy offers significant improvement of symptoms, these patients have a higher rate of complication than other gastrectomy patients.
Clustering Validation for mmWave Multipath Components in Outdoor Transmissions

Radio channel propagation models for the mmWave spectrum are of paramount importance for the design and planning of future 5G wireless communications systems. Since transmitted radio signals are received as clusters of multipath rays, the problem arise about how to identify them, which is functional to extract better spatial and temporal characteristics of the mmWave channel. This paper deals with the validation of the results produced by the clustering process. Specifically, we estimate the effectiveness of the k-means clustering algorithm in predicting the number of clusters by using cluster validity indices (CVIs) and score fusion techniques. We consider directive transmissions in outdoor scenarios and we show the importance of the correct estimation of the number of clusters for the mmWave radio channel simulated with a software ray-tracer tool. Our investigation shows that clustering is no trivial task because the optimal number of clusters is not always given by one or by a combination of more CVIs. In fact, a few of the CVIs used in our study were not capable to determine correct partitioning. However, using score fusion methods and additional techniques we find two solutions for the number of clusters based on power and time of arrival of the multipath rays or based on their angle of arrival.
The relationship between DJ-1 and S100A8 in human primary alveolar type II cells in emphysema

Pulmonary emphysema is characterized by alveolar type II (ATII) cell death, destruction of alveolar wall septa, and irreversible airflow limitation. Cigarette smoke induces oxidative stress and is ...
Autism Spectrum Disorder

About 1 in 59 children has been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is reported to be 4 times more common among boys than girls. ASD affects all racial, ethical, and socioeconomic groups. The purpose of this journal article is to explain the history of Autism, different types of Autism, the characteristics, sign/symptoms, and medical conditions associated, the diagnosing process, genetic factors, environmental factors and more. The debate about the vaccinations and how some parents still believe that vaccines are making children Autistic are discussed throughout. Genetic testing is emphasized because the topic is of special interest. In the article are included charts from the organization showing gene list and charts that shows evidence of how individuals are placed on the spectrum, including how severe or mild. The goal of the article is to find out if this disorder originate from genetics or from the environment.
Pharmacology of Sedatives, Hypnotics, and Anxiolytics

This chapter is concerned with the pharmacology of agents that are used therapeutically for the treatment of a variety of disorders including anxiety, sleep, and psychosomatic disorders, and for sedation, skeletal muscle relaxation, and for the treatment of epilepsy. The distinct classification of these agents as sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics is clouded since they have overlapping pharmacologie activities. For example, some agents, particularly certain benzodiazepines, can be used therapeutically either to treat the aforementioned conditions or achieve the effects mentioned to one degree or another. The drugs that are discussed include the benzodiazepines (full and partial agonists, full and partial inverse agonists, and antagonists), buspirone, zolpidem, selected barbiturates, and other sedative-hypnotics of diverse chemical structures.
HLA Matching in Cardiac Transplantation - Impact on Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy, Rejection and Donor Specific Antibodies

Introduction HLA matching is not current practice in heart transplant (HT) donor allocation due to scarcity of donor organs and ischemic time. However HLA mismatch might adversely affect transplant outcomes. Even if HLA matching is not possible the degree of HLA mismatch might help inform clinicians on a patients risk for long term transplant complications. Hypothesis We hypothesize that the degree of HLA mismatch affects long-term complications in a stable HT cohort. Methods 65 clinically stable HT recipients (no cellular (ACR) or antibody mediated rejection (AMR) in the preceding 6 months) ≥ 2 years post transplant were enrolled. Serologic HLA typing was obtained for donor and recipients (D/R) pairs and the number of matches was analyzed combined for HLA class I and HLA II. Study endpoints were donor specific antibody (DSA) formation and significant cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Results HLA-A,-B,-C, -DR and-DQ (ABCDRQ) typing were available for 37 D/R pairs and were analyzed for matches. Additionally, 53 D/R pairs had HLA-A,-B, -DR (ABDR) typing. Meantime post HT was 8.5±5.4 years. A total of 28 patients had CAV and 9 patients had DSA. Among the ABCDRDQ cohort the number of matches was 1.54 ± 1.17 and 1.00 (0.00-1.00) in the ABDR cohort. There were no differences in the number of HLA matches for both cohorts among those with and without DSA and those with and without CAV (Table).However among the ABCDRDQ cohort there was a trend towards higher number of HLA matches in those without DSA 1.63 ± 1.19 versus 1.14 ± 1.07 in the DSA group (p 0.32), this was likely limited by the small sample size.There was no significant relationship between total HLA matches and number of ACR episodes (p 0.89). The incidence of AMR was too low for analysis. Conclusion In this highly selected cohort of clinically stable long time transplant survivors the degree of serological HLA matching was not associated with the development of CAV or ACR. However, there was a trend towards less DSA formation in those with more D/R HLA matches. Future longitudinal studies should evaluate the development of long-term complications as a function of HLA matching and potentially incorporate HLA mismatch as an indicator for the need of enhanced clinical surveillance.
River-bed armouring as a granular segregation phenomenon.

River bed-load transport is a kind of dense granular flow, and such flows are known to segregate grains. While gravel-river beds typically have an “armoured” layer of coarse grains on the surface, which acts to protect finer particles underneath from erosion, the contribution of granular physics to river-bed armouring has not yet been investigated. Here we examine these connections in a laboratory river with bimodal sediment size, by tracking the motion of particles from the surface to deep inside the bed, and find that armour develops by two distinct mechanisms. Bed-load transport in the near-surface layer drives rapid, shear rate-dependent advective segregation. Creeping grains beneath the bed-load layer give rise to slow but persistent diffusion-dominated segregation. We verify these findings with a continuum phenomenological model and discrete element method simulations. Our experiments suggest that some river-bed armouring may be due to granular segregation from below—rather than fluid-driven sorting from above—while also providing new insights on the mechanics of segregation that are relevant to a wide range of granular flows. River beds often exhibit armouring, in which formation of a coarse surface layer shields the finer underlying grains from erosion. Here, using experiments in a laboratory river and discrete and continuum models, the authors demonstrate that river-bed armouring is driven by vertical granular segregation.
Sport, Social Justice, and the Limits of Dissent After George Floyd: A Reply to Butterworth:

Michael Butterworth’s lead article in the August-October special issue of Communication & Sport raised important insights about unity within sport. This reply argues that those insights were encumb...
Measurement and Analysis on Contribution Rate of Input Factors in China's Cotton Yield Increase

Cotton is an important strategic material related to national interest and people's livelihood. Cotton yield is affected by many factors. Through analyzing various production factors' contribution to cotton yield increase,the basic factors promoting cotton output growth were found out to provide theoretical reliance and policy support for ensuring the supply of cotton market. Based on 4 major factors affecting the cotton yield increase,i. e. land investment, material and capital investment,labor input,disaster. Using production function,this paper calculated the various factors' production elasticity and rate of contribution on cotton yield increase. The results showed that technology advance played a vital role in cotton production,land investment was the first restriction factor affecting cotton yiel increase,labor force and dizaster were the negative factors for cotton output. Before ending,the paper puts forward some corresponding policy suggestions.
Emulation practices for software preservation in libraries, archives, and museums

Emulation practices are computational, technical processes that allow for one system to reproduce the functions and results of another. This article reports on findings from research following three small teams of information professionals as they implemented emulation practices into their digital preservation programs at a technology museum, a university research library, and a university research archive and technology lab. Results suggest that the distributed teams in this cohort of preservationists have developed different emulation practices for particular kinds of “emulation encounters” in supporting different types of access. I discuss the implications of these findings for digital preservation research and emulation initiatives providing access to software or software‐dependent objects, showing how implications of these findings have significance for those developing software preservation workflows and building emulation capacities. These findings suggest that different emulation practices for preservation, research access, and exhibition undertaken in libraries, archives, and museums result in different forms of access to preserved software—accessing information and experiential access. In examining particular types of access, this research calls into question software emulation as a single, static preservation strategy for information institutions and challenges researchers to examine new forms of access and descriptive representation emerging from these digital preservation strategies.
X-ray Radiation Effects on SWCNT/PMMA Thin Film Nanocomposites

This paper studies the response of a radiation sensor that was developed from single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposite thin films placed on an interdigitated electrode (IDE). We studied the effects of X-rays in real-time electrical resistance of the thin film nanocomposites. A 160 kV X-ray source irradiated the nanocomposite devices with ionizing X-ray radiation at different doses and dose rates, causing the decrease in resistance of thin film through the production of charge carriers. The embedded SWCNT network helped transport radiation-induced electrons to the electrodes. Pre-irradiation resistance can be obtained rapidly from heat treatment of irradiated nanocomposite devices. It is observed that the required heat treatment time for thin film device recovery increased almost linearly with applied radiation dose. The thin film devices were operated at dc voltage as low as 0.05 V for reliable measurement of the radiation-induced change in electrical resistance. The results of this study suggest that SWCNT/PMMA thin film devices could be used for sensing X-ray radiation, with significantly higher sensitivity than comparable devices made with multi-walled CNT (MWCNT) based nanocomposites in a previous study.
It Gets Worse Before it Gets Better: Victims' Duties to Resist Injustice

This short article is a review of Ashwini Vasanthakumar, Epistemic Privilege and Victims’ Duties to Resist their Oppression, J. Applied Phil. (forthcoming). The criminal justice system has sought to promote victims’ rights, to provide the victims of crime meaningful opportunities to participate in the prosecution of cases. But in promoting victims’ rights, the criminal justice system sometimes loses track of victim’s duties. In seeking to shield victims from further physical or psychological harm from the criminal injuries visited upon them, we sometimes fail to press victims to step forward to resist those who would wrong them.
A systems approach to aging, Alzheimer's disease, and spinal cord regeneration.

Publisher Summary This chapter proposes that: (1) a key organizing principle of adaptive function is the coupling of variability generation to functional demand; and (2) while cycling freely through all their operational modes, healthy living systems, from cell to society, use their functional capabilities to extents that are sufficient to ensure high probabilities of achieving solutions to the problems with which they are faced. The chapter aims to generate additional variability in outlooks and approaches among those whose activities might contribute to solutions of problems of aging, Alzheimer's disease, and spinal cord injury. Some potential therapeutic approaches have been suggested that might help restore and/or maintain effective communications within and between subsystems that are cybernetically subnormally effective or are completely ineffective in aging and injured neural tissue. With appropriate treatment, restoration of function might be achieved to the extent that there are sufficient numbers of potentially operational units remaining in rate limiting neural, glial, and endothelial systems.
On causal scheduling of multiclass traffic with deadlines

Causal scheduling-dropping policies for multiclass traffic with deadlines are considered. Packets with deadlines and class labels arrive in discrete time and are either scheduled by their deadlines or dropped on or possibly before their deadlines. Emphasis is on the case that there are two classes of traffic, and on causal policies which at any given time base decisions on arrivals up to that time. First the causal scheduling-dropping policies that maximize total throughput are identified. Then those scheduling dropping policies with the greatest throughput for the high priority class, subject to being causal and maximizing total throughput, are identified.
A 60-in.-Diameter, Levitated Super-Conducting Coil Thermally Shielded by Lead

As previously reported [1–3], a 60-in.-diameter superconducting coil is levitated in the FM-1 machine at the Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University. Based on the findings of previous studies [4, 5], a 60-in.-major-, 7.125-in.-minor diameter dewar thermally shielded by lead has been constructed. This dewar increases the isochoric operating time of the superconducting coil from 1.4 to 11.5 hr. The major physical data pertaining to this coil and dewar are shown in Table I.
16,16-Dimethyl prostaglandin E2 induces villus contraction in rats without affecting intestinal restitution

In a previous study we found that 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 protects the small intestine against chenodeoxycholic acid injury in the rat. One possible explanation for prostaglandin's protective action may be that prostaglandin-induced villus contraction accelerates mucosal restitution. This hypothesis was tested in rats by perfusing intestinal segments in vivo in a single-pass fashion with 0.125-0.5 micrograms/L of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2. These studies showed a dose-dependent, reversible contraction of intestinal villi and crypts. To test the effect of this contraction on mucosal restitution, standardized intestinal injury was produced in indomethacin-pretreated rats perfused in vivo with 5 mmol/L chenodeoxycholic acid. The rats were then perfused with bile acid-free buffer containing either 0.5 microgram/mL of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 or vehicle. This study showed that despite decreasing villus height after bile acid injury, 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 did not significantly affect the rate of morphologic (assessed by villus denudation) or functional (assessed by mannitol and water absorption) restitution of the injured intestinal mucosa. Thus, although 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 causes villus contraction, this effect does not result in more rapid restitution of the injured intestinal mucosa and is not a likely mechanism for prostaglandin-mediated protection of the intestinal mucosa.
MO‐F‐WAB‐10: Evaluation of Scan Time Required for Motion Tracking in Four‐Dimensional Cone Beam CT Using Patient Data Sets

Purpose: Applying four‐dimensional cone beam CT in a radiation treatment setting requires a tradeoff between image quality and scan time. The aim of this study is to assess the minimum scan time required to determine the motion of tumors immediately prior to radiation treatment. Methods: Long CBCT scans of approximately 10 minutes were taken from 11 patients with lung lesions. Shorter scan times (down to about 1 minute) for these patients were simulated by removing projections. Four dimensional images were created from each full and simulated scan time using a ROI based FDK reconstruction algorithm with 8 breathing phases. Tumor motion for each phase relative to the first phase was determined through deformable image registration in a region of interest. The ability to track motion was assessed by comparing the results of the image registration of the simulated scans to the results for the full data scan. Results: For each comparison between the full data set and a reduced data set, a root‐mean‐square error was calculated comparing the two motions on a phase by phase basis, with the summation being over the phases. As anticipated, the RMS error as well as the spread in the RMS error increased with decreasing scan time. Good tumor tracking was observed down to 2 minute scan times (RMS error = 1.9 ± 0.6 mm), while 1 minute scan times demonstrated a large spread in the error (RMS error = 2.4 ± 1.8 mm). Conclusion: This study suggests scan times down to two minutes are sufficient for the extraction of tumor motion trajectories from 4D CBCT images. Additionally, this study sets up the ability to compare other reconstruction methods to the traditional FDK method.
Isotopic composition measurement on sub-picogram amounts of plutonium

Abstract Thermal ionization mass spectrometry is a sensitive means of measuring plutonium isotopic composition. Spectral background and chemical interaction of the sample solution with the ionizing filament cause loss of sensitivity when the plutonium sample is in the picogram range. Techniques for background evaluation and reduction and for sample purification are presented. A method incorporating these developments is demonstrated to yield reliable isotopic composition measurements on sub-picogram amounts of plutonium.
Is atypical odontalgia a psychological problem

Several authors have asserted that psychological factors are the underlying cause of atypical odontalgia. However, objective evidence is lacking to support this claim. In this study, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory was used to assess psychological functioning of an atypical odontalgia population. Means of the standard scores for each Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory scale were within normal ranges. Standard scores for atypical odontalgia profiles compared with standard scores for a chronic headache group (matched for age, sex, and chronicity) were similar and scales for both groups were within normal ranges. These findings fail to support psychological dysfunction as a primary condition associated with patients suffering from atypical odontalgia.
Stable hydrogen isotopes in iron oxides: 111. Nonstoichiometric hydrogen in goethite

Abstract Hydrogen isotope exchange experiments between goethite and water vapor were performed at 22°C after vacuum “outgassing” at temperatures ranging from 100 to 140°C. The results for five natural and one synthetic goethite can be most simply interpreted in terms of two hydrogen reservoirs in the mineral. One reservoir is stoichiometric, structural hydroxyl hydrogen (FeOOH) which does not seem to exchange at 22°C on the timescales of these experiments. The other reservoir, as indicated by chemical analyses, appears to be nonstoichiometric hydrogen which persists in the sample even after outgassing at 100 to 140°C. This “high temperature” nonstoichiometric (HTN) hydrogen rapidly exchanges isotopes with water vapor at 22°C and seems to have reached, or closely approached, exchange equilibrium after only 15 to 17 hours. The isotopic fractionation factor (αe−v) between the HTN hydrogen and water vapor is estimated to be about 0.996 at 22°C. The exchange experiments indicate that the D/H ratio of stoichiometric hydrogen is not changed by the procedure for outgassing at 100 to 140°C. The amount of HTN hydrogen ranges from nearly zero to about 20% of the total hydrogen among these samples. When present in higher proportions, exchange experiments of the type described here may be necessary to determine the δD value of structural OH in goethite. However, outgassing at about 100°C in vacuum prior to dehydration at 850°C appears to be sufficient for measurement of δD values of structural OH in many natural goethites.
Centralized and distributed cooperative Receding Horizon control of autonomous vehicle missions

We consider a setting where multiple vehicles form a team cooperating to visit multiple target points and collect rewards associated with them. The team objective is to maximize the total reward accumulated over a given time interval. Complicating factors include uncertainties regarding the locations of target points and the effectiveness of collecting rewards, differences among vehicle capabilities, and the fact that rewards are time-varying. We present a Receding Horizon (RH) control scheme which dynamically determines vehicle trajectories by solving a sequence of optimization problems over a planning horizon and executing them over a shorter action horizon. A key property of this scheme is that the trajectories it generates are stationary, in the sense that they ultimately guide vehicles to target points, even though the controller is not designed to perform any discrete point assignments. The proposed scheme is centralized and it induces a cooperative behavior. We subsequently develop a distributed cooperative controller which does not require a vehicle to maintain perfect information on the entire team and whose computational cost is scalable and significantly lower than the centralized case, making it attractive for applications with real-time constraints. We include simulation-based comparisons between the centralized algorithm and the distributed version, which illustrate the effectiveness of the latter.
The fast discrete Radon transform

An explicit relationship between the continuous and discrete time Radon transforms is derived. A generalized least-squares solution to the inversion problem is proposed, and a new inverse counterpart to the fast Radon transform (FRT) algorithm (IFRT) is derived. The authors' interest in the FRT algorithm stems from its application to the seismic inversion problem. A method of seismic migration based upon the wave equation solution in the Radon transform domain is derived using the FRT and IFRT. A number of concurrent VLSI architectures that find favor from the viewpoint of efficient implementation are described. The FRT is extended to three dimensions. >
RECONSTITUTION OF B AND T LYMPHOCYTE FUNCTION IN SEVERE COMBINED IMMUNODEFICIENCY DISEASE AFTER TRANSPLANTATION WITH THYMIC EPITHELIUM

A patient with severe combined immunodeficiency has been given a transplant of thymic epithelium obtained from short-term culture of normal human thymus. 4 wk after transplantation immunoglobulin was detected and the patient now has normal levels of the three main classes. Functional antibodies of four specificities have been detected. An increase in reactivity to allogeneic cells and phytohaemagglutinin has been observed, with an increase in E rosettes; a positive delayed skin test to candida antigen is now present. The patient has shown reversal of wasting and has been free of infection for 7 months since receiving the transplant. It appears that under certain circumstances thymic epithelium reconstitutes both T and B cell functions.
Excursions of a Markov process induced by continuous additive functionals

Let\(\hat L\) be a continuous additive functional with supportC of a Hunt processX={Xt;t≧0}. LetS={St;t≧0} be the inverse of\(\hat L\) and put\(Y_t = X_{S_t } \). For each time of discontinuityu ofS, letZu be the corresponding excursion ofX outside ofC. The conditional structure of the excursion process {Zu;u≧0} given the paths ofY={Yt;t≧0} is studied. It is shown that conditionally, givenY, the excursion process is a Poisson random measure.
Phonon populations and electrical power dissipation in carbon nanotube transistors

Carbon nanotubes and graphene are candidate materials for nanoscale electronic devices. Both materials show weak acoustic phonon scattering and long mean free paths for low-energy charge carriers. However, high-energy carriers couple strongly to optical phonons, which leads to current saturation and the generation of hot phonons. A non-equilibrium phonon distribution has been invoked to explain the negative differential conductance observed in suspended metallic nanotubes, while Raman studies have shown the electrical generation of hot G-phonons in metallic nanotubes. Here, we present a complete picture of the phonon distribution in a functioning nanotube transistor including the G and the radial breathing modes, the Raman-inactive zone boundary K mode and the intermediate-frequency mode populated by anharmonic decay. The effective temperatures of the high- and intermediate-frequency phonons are considerably higher than those of acoustic phonons, indicating a phonon-decay bottleneck. Most importantly, inclusion of scattering by substrate polar phonons is needed to fully account for the observed electronic transport behaviour.
The Faciogenital Dysplasia Gene Product FGD1 Functions as a Cdc42Hs-specific Guanine-Nucleotide Exchange Factor

The Rho family of small GTP-binding proteins plays important roles in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton organization and cell growth. Activation of these GTPases involves the replacement of bound GDP with GTP, a process catalyzed by the Dbl-like guanine-nucleotide exchange factors, all of which seem to share a putative catalytic motif termed the Dbl homology (DH) domain, followed by a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Here we have examined the role of a Dbl-like molecule, the faciogenital dysplasia gene product (FGD1), which when mutated in its Dbl homology domain, cosegregates with the developmental disease Aarskog-Scott syndrome. We report that a polypeptide of FGD1 encompassing the DH and PH domains can bind specifically to the Rho family GTPase Cdc42Hs and stimulates the GDP-GTP exchange of the isoprenylated form of Cdc42Hs. Microinjection of this FGD1 polypeptide into Swiss 3T3 fibroblast cells induces the formation of peripheral actin microspikes, similar to that previously observed when cells were injected with a constitutively active form of Cdc42Hs. This effect of FGD1 on actin organization is readily inhibited by coinjection of a dominant-negative mutant of Cdc42Hs. Examination of NIH 3T3 cells expressing the FGD1 fragment revealed that similar to cells expressing Dbl, two independent elements downstream of Cdc42Hs, the Jun NH2-terminal kinase and the p70 S6 kinase, became activated. Hence, our results indicate that FGD1, through its DH and PH domains, acts as a Cdc42Hs-specific guanine-nucleotide exchange factor and suggest that the Cdc42Hs GTPase may have a role in mammalian development.
Using toluidine blue as an adjunct to oral visual cancer screening among high-risk individuals may lead to increased detection of oral submucous fibrosis.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information A community-based RCT for oral cancer screening with toluidine blue. Su WW, Yen AM, Chiu SY, Chen TH. J Dent Res 2010;89(9):933-7. Reviewer Mark D. Macek, DDS, DrPH Purpose/Question Does using toluidine blue as an adjunctive tool for oral visual cancer screening lead to higher detection rates of oral premalignant lesions among high-risk populations? Source of Funding Information not available Type of Study/Design Randomized controlled trial Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable
Gamow-Teller matrix elements from the 11B(p,n)11C reaction at Ep

New data are presented for the /sup 11/B(p,n)/sup 11/C reaction taken at 1 MeV intervals for proton bombarding energies in the E/sub p/ = 16--26 MeV range. In the experiment, final states in /sup 11/C up to E/sub x/approx. =10 MeV were clearly identified and differential cross sections were extracted for the first four levels in /sup 11/C. The E/sub p/ = 26 MeV data are examined in microscopic distorted-wave approximation calculations using the wave functions of Cohen and Kurath to describe the states in /sup 11/B and /sup 11/C and using the G matrix interaction of Bertsch et al. for the effective nucleon-nucleon interaction. Gamow-Teller matrix elements for transitions to excited states in /sup 11/C are extracted on the basis of these calculations, thus extending the information on Gamow-Teller matrix elements in the mass 11 systems beyond the ground state matrix element known from ..beta.. decay. Throughout, the results are contrasted with existing information from electromagnetic studies of /sup 11/B. It is concluded that the Cohen-Kurath model places too much Gamow-Teller strength in the low lying states of the mass 11 systems and not enough strength at higher excitation energies. In addition, this model underestimates the net contribution tomore » M1 matrix elements from the isoscalar spin and current and isovector current parts of the M1 operator.« less
Radiation signature in opposed-flow flame spread

A radiation calculation procedure is presented for opposed-flow solid fuel flame spread. The purpose is to aid selection of different approaches for infrared flame imaging during flame spread experiments in a quiescent microgravity environment. The RADCAL and TTNH models are compared for accuracy and computational cost. The TTNH model is shown to be sufficiently accurate to calculate radiative heat flux. The RADCAL calculations suggest the ratio of signals at two prominent bands is a good candidate to detect a radiation signature. A range of flow velocities, fuel thicknesses, and environmental conditions are considered to evaluate the strength of radiative losses compared to the heat released by combustion. The results confirm the importance of radiative heat transfer in the microgravity regime, where the opposed-flow velocity can be mild or even absent, and support the conclusion that a simplified model for radiation calculation produces sufficient accuracy when compared to detailed RADCAL calculations.
Control of histone synthesis in HeLa cells

Abstract The coupling between DNA replication and histone synthesis during the S-phase of HeLa cells has been studied using metabolic inhibitors in living cells and a protein synthesizing polysome system from treated cells. Blocking DNA synthesis in vivo with hydroxyurea leads to a transient accumulation of newly synthesized histones in the cytoplasm and the concomitant suppression of histone synthesis. Both the histone synthesizing activity of the isolated polysomes and the [3H]uridine-labeled histone mRNA of this fraction are lost in a parallel manner. This loss can be prevented by blocking protein synthesis in vivo with cycloheximide prior to blocking DNA synthesis with hydroxyurea. In this state the [3H]uridine-labeled histone mRNA continues to accumulate in the polysome fraction. The data support the conclusion that DNA replication opens template sites for transcription into histone mRNAs which are subsequently translated by cytoplasmic polysomes. It is proposed that following the blockade of DNA synthesis the accumulating histones act both cytoplasmically to limit translation and in the nucleus to repress the further synthesis of histone mRNA.
Troponin Levels after Cardiac Electrophysiology Procedures: Review of the Literature

Cardiac-specific Troponins (cTn) I and T have become markers of choice for myocardial injury. We reviewed the literature in order to understand the expected postprocedure cTn rise after electrophysiology procedures. A total of 34 studies and 1,608 patients were included. After external monophasic cardioversion, seven of 442 patients (1.6%) had minimal increase in cTnI (0.1-0.9 ng/mL), and only one of 368 (0.3%) had increase in cTnT (0.11 ng/mL). After internal cardioversion, 17 of 105 (16%) had increase in cTnI (0.7-2.4 ng/mL) but only three (2.9%) were above the cutoff for myocardial infarction (MI) (1.5 ng/mL). During implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) installation with a mean of 2-7 ICD shocks, 12 of 74 (16%) patients had cTnI >or=1.5 ng/mL (range 1.7-5.5 ng/mL) and 20 of 64 (32%) had cTnT >or=0.1 ng/mL (range 0.26-6.46 ng/mL) considered in the range of clinical MI. Radio frequency ablation (RFA) (n = 496) resulted in significant cTn elevation in 25-100% of patients with ventricular > atrial and linear > focal lesions. Average postprocedure peak cTnI ranged from 0.13 to 6 ng/mL (median: 2.36 ng/mL, max: 15 ng/mL) and cTnT 0.2 to 2.41 ng/mL (median: 0.44 ng/mL, max: 9 ng/mL). Early cTn peak at 2-8 hours was noted after RFA. External cardioversion should not cause a significant increase in cTn; RFA and ICD implantation with shocks often result in an increase in cTn. Interpretation of these markers can be difficult if acute coronary syndrome is suspected in the postprocedure period.
Textural Boundary Analysis

A procedure is demonstrated for locating textural boundaries in the digital image representation of a natural scene. The technique involves development of an edge operator capable of integrating multiple textural features into a single boundary determination. The process is designed to simulate actual perception of textural discontinuities. Success of the system is demonstrated on pictures with prominent perceived boundaries not detectable by methods based only on differences in average brightness.
Voltage-Regulating-Equipment Characteristics as a Guide to Application

In addition to being based on economic factors, the application of voltage regulating equipment to systems should take into account its characteristics and inherent limitations. These characteristics include operating speed, sensitivity, suitability for parallel operation and for frequent voltage-correcting action, how affected by the load power factor and by line constants, ability to compensate for supply-voltage variations, effect on wave form, etc. The majority of systems need both generator voltage regulators and suitable feeder regulators, if maximum ease, efficiency, and flexibility of system operation are desired. Proper choice and adjustment of the voltage responsive controlling elements of such regulating equipment will insure harmonious functioning of the regulators throughout the system, without hunting between regulators of different construction.
Potential of left ventricular assist devices as outpatient therapy while awaiting transplantation

Abstract Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) increasingly are being used as a bridge to transplantation. We studied changes in New York Heart Association class, mean arterial pressure, resting cardiac output, end-organ function, exercise oxygen consumption, and exercise cardiac output in 12 LVAD recipients. In addition, resting levels of neurohormonal factors were evaluated 4 to 16 weeks after implantation. Two of the 12 patients died of right heart failure and 1 of aspiration; all deaths occurred in the first 2 weeks after LVAD implantation. Of the other 9 patients, 8 improved to New York Heart Association class I and 1 to class II, all of whom were in class IV preoperatively. The 4 patients who underwent exercise testing achieved an exercise oxygen consumption of 15.0 ± 2.7 mL · kg −1 · min −1 , which was paralleled by an increase in resting cardiac output from 3.07 ± 0.9 L · min −1 preoperatively to 5.66 ± 1.1 L · min −1 at 2 months, and mean arterial pressure from 60 ± 8 to 91 ± 10 mm Hg at 2 months, a benefit that was maintained for up to 10 months. End-organ function revealed comparable improvement at 2 months for both creatinine (1.68 ± 0.7 to 1.0 ± 0.19 mg · dL −1 ) and total bilirubin (1.37 ± 1.17 to 0.54 ± 0.26 mg · dL −1 ) levels. Levels of neurohormones were within normal limits. Adverse clinical events after the perioperative period were minimal, and no thromboembolic complications occurred. These data indicate that functional and physiologic recovery occurs during LVAD support, that adverse clinical and mechanical events occurring after the perioperative period are few and should not preclude hospital discharge in selected patients, and thus that LVADs can provide reliable, long-term support and should be evaluated for future use as outpatient therapy.
Why do employees steal? Assessing differences in ethical and unethical employee behavior using ethical work climates

In a rare opportunity, the authors gathered data from two matched health care providers managed by an insurance company where auditors had discovered theft by employees in one of the matched organizations. Data were gathered about the organizations' ethical work climates (EWCs). Analysis revealed statistically significant differences in EWCs across the two organizations. As predicted, the organization with the morally preferred EWCs did not have theft. Both macro- and micro-organizational influences are explored to explain these differences, along with implications for practitioners and academic research. This is the first study to suggest that a priori EWCs can be useful in predicting observable behavior.
Electronic characterization of InSb quantum wells

Abstract We have fabricated InSb quantum-well structures with high electron mobilities that are limited by scattering due to crystalline defects and remote ionized Si dopants. The integer quantum Hall effect is observed in these structures and has an unusual temperature dependence. Interband exciton transitions in a parabolic quantum well are used to determine an InSb/Al0.09In0.91Sb conduction-band offset ratio of 57%±2%.