cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Classification of singular configurations for redundant manipulators

A general methodology is presented for the singularity analysis of kinematically redundant manipulators. The singular configurations are classified based on the possibility of reconfiguration into a nonsingular posture using self-motion. A procedure is presented to test for the possibility of self-motion at a singular configuration. Necessary and sufficient conditions for admissible tangent vectors at the singular configuration are presented, as well as a method to construct such vectors. Sufficient conditions are derived for instances when the singular system can be reconfigured into a nonsingular state by displacements along the admissible null vectors. >
Deligne categories and reduced Kronecker coefficients

The Kronecker coefficients are the structural constants for the tensor categories of representations of the symmetric groups, namely, given three partitions $${\lambda }, \mu , \tau $$ź,μ,ź of n, the multiplicity of $$\lambda $$ź in $$\mu \otimes \tau $$μźź is called the Kronecker coefficient $$g^{{\lambda }}_{\mu , \tau }$$gμ,źź. When the first part of each of the partitions is taken to be very large (the remaining parts being fixed), the values of the appropriate Kronecker coefficients stabilize; the stable value is called the reduced (or stable) Kronecker coefficient. These coefficients also generalize the Littlewood---Richardson coefficients and have been studied quite extensively. In this paper, we show that reduced Kronecker coefficients appear naturally as structure constants of Deligne categories $$\underline{Rep}(S_t)$$Repź(St). This allows us to interpret various properties of the reduced Kronecker coefficients as categorical properties of Deligne categories $$\underline{Rep}(S_t)$$Repź(St) and derive new combinatorial identities.
Mourning and progressive politics after 9/11

This article offers a fundamental revision and expansion of the Freudian model of object loss in order to develop conceptual tools for analyzing contemporary American militarism and its political alternatives. The Bush administration's so-called “war on terror” rests on the disavowal of losses suffered by Americans after the 9/11 bombings and on the displacement of anger that accompanied those losses. In response, progressive anti-war politics today should promote a process of social mourning. Such a process will require the cultivation of a culture in which more Americans can tolerate a realistic ambivalence towards a nation that is, in part, responsible for the violence it has suffered. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cryoablation of unresectable malignant liver tumors

Background Unresectable malignant liver tumors, particularly metastases of gastrointestinal origin, are rapidly lethal in a vast majority of patients, regardless of treatment. Patients and methods We evaluated 58 patients by laparoscopy and/or laparotomy. Thirty-nine were treated with cryoablation of liver tumors using a liquid-nitrogen cryoprobe delivering a tumoricidal temperature of 196 °C with intraoperative ultrasound monitoring. Histologic evaluation showed that 25 patients had colorectal metastases, 3 had gastric tumors, 4 hepatocellular carcinomas, 6 carcinoids, and 1 gastrinoma. Results All patients who received complete cryoablation are alive with a mean follow-up of 14 months. Five whose treatment could not be completed died between 3 and 9 months postoperatively. Thirteen patients (28%) have recurrent disease and 20 (51%) have no evidence of disease. There were no operative mortalities. Postoperative transient elevation of liver function tests and thrombocytopenia were noted. All patients received postoperative chemotherapy. Conclusion Cryoablation is an active and safe treatment for advanced liver malignancies.
Neutron scattering study of short-range order in copper formate tetrahydrate

Two-dimensional layers of water molecules in CFT undergo an orderdisorder phase transition at which individual water layers becomes ferroelectric. Above Tc the orientations of the water molecules are constrained by the “ice rules:” and are influenced by the other interactions that order the system at Tc. Allen has treated this system in terms of an interacting dimer model. We have studied the short range order above Tc by diffuse scattering of thermal neutrons. Peaks in the diffuse scattering occur away from the position of the superlattice peak; as Tc is approached from above, the intensity moves in towards the superlattice position. These results will be discussed in terms of the interacting dimer model.
Solvation and solvatochromism in CO2-expanded liquids. 2. Experiment-simulation comparisons of preferential solvation in three prototypical mixtures.

Electronic absorption and emission spectra of 10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene (PEA) and coumarin 153 (C153) are measured as functions of composition along the bubble-point curve at 25 °C in CO2-expanded cyclohexane (c-C6H12), acetonitrile (CH3CN), and methanol (CH3OH). The nonlinear dependence of the spectral frequencies on composition suggests substantial preferential solvation of both solutes by the liquid components of these mixtures. Estimates of enrichment factors (local mole fraction of a component divided by its bulk value) based on the assumption that spectral shifts are linearly related to local composition are quite large (∼10) in the cases of the C153/CH3CN + CO2 and C153/CH3OH + CO2 systems at high xCO2. Computer simulations of anthracene, the chromophore of PEA, and C153 in these three CO2-expanded liquids are used to clarify the relationship between local composition and spectral shift. A semiempirical model consisting of additive electrostatic and dispersive interactions is able to capture ...
Species Variation in the Genotoxicity of Batracylin

Batracylin (8-aminoisoindolo[1,2-b]quinazolin-12(10H)-one), an experimental chemotherapeutic agent, is a heterocyclic aryl amine. The presence of the free amino group suggests that this compound may be a carcinogen. Since many carcinogens or their product interact with DNA, the genotoxicity of batracylin was evaluated. The mutagenicity of batracylin was tested in Salmonella typhimurium (TA 98, TA 100, TA 102) with and without Aroclor-induced rat liver S9. Batracylin induced histidine revertants in all three strains with a higher number of mutants formed in the presence of S9. The maximum mutant incidence as well as the lowest concentration inducing a positive response was observed with TA 98 which detects frameshift mutations. Genotoxicity was further assessed by the induction of DNA repair in hepatocytes isolated from F-344 rats and two mouse strains differing in N-acetyltransferase activity. In hepatocytes from male F-344 rats, batracylin elicited DNA repair at concentrations of 5 x 10(-8) to 10(-6) M. Maximum repair was observed in both strains of mice at 5 x 10(-5) M batracylin, a concentration that was toxic to rat hepatocytes. Cells isolated from the rapid acetylator strain, C57BL/6J, tended to have higher net grain counts than observed with the slow acetylator (A/J) strain, although the differences were not statistically significant. These results demonstrate that batracylin is genotoxic in bacteria and mammalian cells. The species variation in the genotoxicity of batracylin is consistent with in vivo toxicity studies.
Silicon photonics packaging for highly scalable optical interconnects

Big Data and cloud-based applications drive the increasing amount of data traffic between and within data centers. Optical interconnect technology offers a larger bandwidth-distance product, interconnect density and power efficiency as copper based links. Integrated silicon photonics provides a tight integration between the optical functions with electronics on a single silicon die at the competitive cost-level of CMOS technology. All necessary silicon photonic building blocks operating at 1.3 µm and 1.55 µm have already been demonstrated. However, one of the remaining challenges is the system-level assembly, including a scalable connectorization scheme for very high optical I/O counts. To overcome this limitation, we demonstrate in this paper a silicon photonic packaging solution using polymer waveguides, which can be routed tightly to the silicon chip edge. As a first step towards this implementation, the optical coupling between a silicon photonics chip and the polymer waveguides is here discussed. The experimental results of the coupling loss and tolerance to misalignments between a silicon waveguide and a single-mode polymer waveguide processed on the chip are reported.
The ‘Shrinking Circle Illusion’ is a Shrinking Ellipse

Twenty-four subjects judged the size of the horizontal and vertical extents of the path traversed by a circularly rotating target. The target was rotated at velocities ranging from 0.18 to 1.13 cycles s−1, and observed with smooth pursuit eye movements or by fixating a point in the center of the path. It was found that underestimation of the target path increased with velocity, and was more pronounced for the horizontal than vertical component of the target path. These effects were quite strong during smooth pursuit, but weak during fixation. In previous research on the ‘shrinking circle illusion’ the vertical component of the path was not measured. The present findings indicate that the apparent shape of the path is elliptical, and that the eccentricity of this ellipse increases with velocity during smooth pursuit.
Doubly charged ion mass spectra: IV—chlorinated and brominated alkanes

Doubly charged ion mass spectra have been obtained for 42 chlorinated and brominated n-alkane (methyl through octyl) hydrocarbons. A double focusing Hitachi RMU-7L mass spectrometer, operated at 1.6kV accelerating voltage, has been used to measure the spectra. Molecular doubly charged ions have not been observed. Intense fragment ions have been produced from extensive H and halogen loss as well as CC bond rupture of the parent molecule. The most abundant ions in the doubly charged ion spectra observed in this investigation resulted from reactions of [Cl]2+˙, [Br]2+˙, [CCL2]2+, [C2H2Cl]2+˙, [C3H2]2+, [C3HCl]2+, [C3HBr]2+, [C4H3]2+˙, [C4H4]2+, [C4H6Br]2+˙, [C4H8Br]2+˙, [C5H2]2+, [C6H6]2+, [C6H8]2+ and [C7H8]2+. The prominent doubly charged fragment ions formed by electron impact of the smaller halogenated alkanes generally contained halogen, whereas ions of the type [CnHx]2+ were dominant in the spectra of higher molecular weight mono- and dihalogenated alkanes. Appearance energies of several ions have been measured. A geometry optimized quantum mechanical SCF treatment has been used to compute energies, charge densities and structures of doubly charged halogenated alkane ions.
Rapid heating effects on gelation of muscle proteins

: The hypothesis was tested that total thermal input (combined time and temperature), rather than merely heating rate, is the determining factor in heat-induced gel formation by muscle proteins. For comminuted pastes of pollock surimi and turkey breast, rapid heating plus a brief holding time at the endpoint temperature produced similar textural properties to gels, which were heated by a slower cook schedule and cooled immediately. These results suggest that the equivalent point method, a tool used to compare and communicate equivalent heat treatments for effecting bacterial reduction and/or enzyme inactivation, can be used to identify other heat processes having similar effects on gelation.
An ethical framework for nursing service administration

Nurses as administrators are responsible for creating an ethical work environment in which nurses' human welfare is promoted. Bureaucratic organizations can dehumanize people, wherein human welfare suffers in the midst of institutional constraints. Amid these conditions nurses' ethical competence cannot develop nor can nurses maintain a sense of personal integrity. Applying concepts from nursing and general ethics to administrative practice provides a basis for developing an ethical framework for management. The proposed framework involves ethical awareness, principled reasoning, moral commitment to the profession and to one another, and primary consideration for human welfare with strategies to promote it. Use of these components when making decisions in daily practice and on a policy level enhances the well-being of nurses working in organizations.
POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION: APPLICATIONS TO THE DIAGNOSIS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN WOMEN

Abstract Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular biologic technique that can detect a minute amount of specific genetic material. Because of its high sensitivity, PCR has been used for the diagnosis of infectious diseases caused by viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or other infectious agents. Infectious agents of interest to physicians caring for women for which PCR is available for clinical diagnosis include human immunodeficiency virus, Chlamydia trachomatis, cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasma gondii, human parvovirus B19, and hepatitis B and C. In some cases, PCR also may be useful in diagnosing congenital infection. Polymerase chain reaction can be used for research purposes, to study transmission of infectious agents, such as human papillomavirus, or to monitor response to antimicrobial therapy.
Structure of Au(110) determined with medium-energy-ion scattering.

Results of a study of the Au (110) reconstruction using medium-energy-ion scattering with channeling and blocking are reported. The data show clear and direct evidence for a missing-row model, unequivocally demonstrate that the first-layer spacing undergoes a large contraction, and show the presence of distortions in deeper layers. This model is similar to one derived from analysis of low-energy electron-diffraction data, but differs qualitatively with conclusions from x-ray scattering and transmission electron diffraction.
HR strategies for integrating individuals with disabilities into the work place

Abstract The premise of this article is that the social and political forces which were sufficient to promote the passage of the ADA are not likely to hold the solution to equal employment opportunities in work organizations for people with disabilities. Moreover, employment opportunities, employ-ability, employment decisions and employment discrimination in this area are ultimately under the control of not any one entity. That said, the leaders of progressive work organizations and the well-informed and motivated HR specialist working there can make a difference. This paper uses a multi-level/multi-stakeholder perspective to provide a “model of the problem”, that is to articulate the forces facing those individuals with disabilities who seek to gain, retain or advance their employment. More to the point, this article goes on to provide insights into a tentative, but plausible “model of the solution” as one that might be adopted or acted on by key stakeholders relevant to the phenomenon.
North Atlantic Storm-Track Sensitivity to Warming Increases with Model Resolution

AbstractMesoscale condensational heating can increase the sensitivity of modeled extratropical cyclogenesis to horizontal resolution. Here a pseudo global warming experiment is presented to investigate how this heating-enhanced sensitivity to resolution changes in a warmer and thus moister atmosphere. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model with 120- and 20-km grid spacing is used to simulate current and future climates. It is found that the North Atlantic storm-track response to global warming is amplified at the higher model resolution. The most dramatic changes occur over the northeastern Atlantic, where resolution typical of current general circulation models (GCMs) results in a smaller global warming response in comparison with that in the 20-km simulations. These results suggest that caution is warranted when interpreting projections from coarse-resolution GCMs of future cyclone activity over the northeastern Atlantic.
Photopolymerization Behavior of Thiol−Acrylate Monomers in Clay Nanocomposites

This study investigates the influence of organoclays modified with polymerizable dispersants on the photopolymerization and physical properties of a binary thiol−acrylate copolymer system. Real-time infrared spectroscopy (RTIR) was used to characterize polymerization behavior, while dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and photorheometry were utilized to investigate mechanical and shrinkage properties. Adding nonpolymerizable organically modified clays into thiol−acrylate system leads to no significant changes in photopolymerization rate as compared to the unfilled polymer. Lower thiol conversion but equivalent acrylate conversions as the neat formulation are observed when nonreactive organoclay is added. On the other hand, for organoclays with incorporated acrylate functionalities, higher photopolymerization rates are achieved. As the concentration of acrylated organoclays increase, higher thiol conversion also occurs. The higher polymerization rates are due to reduced termination rates resulting from lower...
Improved probability method for estimating signal in the presence of background

A suggestion is made for improving the Feldman-Cousins method of estimating signal counts in the presence of background. The method concentrates on finding essential information about the signal and ignoring extraneous information about background. An appropriate method is found which uses the condition that the number of background events obtained does not exceed the total number of events obtained. Several alternative approaches are explored.
Panel flutter suppression using adaptive material actuators

Piezoelectrics and shape memory alloys may be used as integrated actuators to control supersonic flutter of flat panels because panel strain and stiffness can be actively controlled. This article uses a Rayleigh Ritz panel flutter model to analyze the effectiveness of integrated segmented actuators to control panel bending deformation and in-plane forces, and increase the flutter speed of the panels. A non dimensional parameter for actuator effectiveness is presented to help evaluate the effectiveness of different materials and their placement in the panel
Controllable spatio-temporal smoothness constraints for EEG source localization

We present a new spatio-temporal regularization approach for EEG source localization. Using separable spatial and temporal smoothing constraints, we are able to construct a computationally feasible maximum a posteriori (MAP) solution. The smoothing is achieved using a Helmholtz-type functional which allows explicit control over the distance at which correlation between voxels is present. Temporal variation in signal to noise ratio is incorporated as a column-wise of the temporal regularization matrix. Using both simulated and experimental EEG data, we show that this approach allows for improvements in both the spatial and temporal accuracy of the resulting solutions.
Biochemical pharmacology of benzo(b)thiophene analogs of harmaline and harmine.

Abstract The benzo[b]thiophene analogs of harmine and harmaline have been tested as MAOI in vitro; harmine and S-harmine are similar in potency, while S-harmaline is 50 times more potent than harmaline. S-Harmaline has a higher lipid solubility, a shorter biological half-life, and less tissue binding than the nitrogen analog. When administered to mice, the S-harmaline produces a significant elevation in brain 5HT.
Using models and simulations to enhance military testing

The Modeling and Simulation (M&S) branch at Dugway Proving Ground provides high-fidelity simulation that support a variety of United States Army testing programs. Dugway Proving Ground's primary mission is to provide developmental and production testing to support the nation's chemical and biological (CB) defense programs. To enhance existing test programs, Dugway incorporates many capabilities that allow modeling simulated trials under conditions that could not otherwise be replicated due to environmental and safety regulations. Each M&S capability is subjected to formal verification and validation (V&V) processes that help ensure accurate simulation representation. Finally, all of the models and simulations can be performed locally, distributed to other test centers throughout the United States, or even to international locations using standard simulation architectures. This paper describes how the U.S. Army can use the M&S of entities such as CB threats and sensors, weather, and collective protection equipment to better serve military testing needs.
Building the FO infrastructure for wireless communications

The next generation of communication systems will provide consumers with a host of new and improved voice, video, and data services. Rapidly developing wireless radio systems are already contributing to the progress, giving consumers the luxury of tetherless access to telephone conversation, on-line computing, and cable-television. Indeed, wireless access to high quality information and entertainment is quickly becoming a key component of the information superhighway. In that context, optical fiber links, which have the bandwidth for providing users with the service of their choice, are an excellent connecting infrastructure for providing uniform radio coverage in wireless networks. Indeed, fast improving analog FO links will serve such networks well. In this article, we will analyze the requirements for such a system. >
Generalizability and Specificity of Interpretive Arguments: Observations Inspired by the Commentaries

I echo my co-author's and colleague's pleasure (Hill, this issue) at the thoughtfulness and far-ranging nature of the comments to our initial attempts at test validation for the MKT measures using ...
Screening tests for detection of bladder cancer

Eighty-one individuals had urine cytologic studies, urinary carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) determinations, and urinary immunoglobulin levels performed to evaluate various screening tests for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. Urinary cytologic studies detect the presence of bladder malignancy, and while false positive tests were troublesome, remain the primary screening test for bladder cancer. Urinary CEA was of little value in detecting vesical malignancy. Urinary immunoglobulins, particularly IGG and IGA, were significantly elevated in the presence of bladder cancer.
Suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages by aqueous extract of Clinopodium vulgare L. (Lamiaceae).

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance The wild basil Clinopodium vulgare L. is commonly used in Bulgarian folk medicine for treatment of irritated skin, mastitis- and prostatitis-related swelling, as well as for some disorders accompanied with significant degree of inflammation (e.g. gastric ulcers, diabetes, and cancer). Aim of study To determine the effect of aqueous extract of Clinopodium vulgare L. on LPS-induced inflammatory responses of murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. Materials and methods Cell cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Protein expression levels were monitored by Western blot analysis. Production of NO and PGE 2 was measured by the Griess colorimetric method and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. Activation of MMP-9 was visualized by gelatin zymography. Cytokine levels were determined by BioPlex assay. Intracellular ROS and free radical scavenging potential were measured by DCFH-DA and DPPH method, respectively. Xanthine oxidase activity was evaluated spectrophotometrically. Results The extract suppresses NF-κB activation by preventing Iκ-B phosphorylation and inhibits the phosphorylation of p38 and SAPK/JNK MAPKs. It down-regulates iNOS expression which manifests as a drastic decrease of NO production, inhibits MMP-9 activation, but does not affect COX-2 protein levels and reduces only slightly the released PGE 2 . Secretion of IL-1β and Il-10 is greatly reduced, whereas suppression of TNF-α and GM-CSF production is less dramatic. The extract has strong free radical scavenging properties and exerts inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase activity, which lowers the levels of intracellular ROS. Conclusion The study provides evidence for the anti-inflammatory potential of Clinopodium vulgare L. aqueous extract.
Google glass for public safety: leveraging Google Glass for automatic information retrieval and notification by public safety officers in the field

For the efficient performance of law enforcement, it is important that the officers have the upper hand when it comes to technology. Information is of the upmost importance in the Criminal Justice field, but it is also important to have data in a manner that can be easily accessible and does not interfere with the officer's activities. With the arrival of the Google Glass, it is possible to bring data closer to the officer in a convenient way. Taking advantage of the camera on the Glass, our software will use photographs taken by the officer in order to retrieve relevant data stored in a database. License information, registration, and facial identification are our main objectives for this project.
Changes on brief cognitive instruments over time in Parkinson's disease

Two hundred and twenty-one subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD) were examined using the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), with a subset of these (n = 98) examined on repeat testing up to 3 years. The MoCA was more sensitive in identifying cognitive deficit, specifically in the domains of visuospatial abilities, language, and memory. In longitudinal study, the MMSE changed significantly over time, particularly in patients with disease duration of >10 years. The MoCA, however, did not change significantly, even when subjects were stratified by age, MMSE score, and disease duration. This suggests that the MoCA may be more sensitive for detecting early cognitive change in PD, but that the MMSE, and not the MoCA, may be better for tracking cognitive decline.
Student-directed projects: An international case study for social work education

Student-directed projects are increasingly becoming a common phenomenon in schools of social work across the United States. Students acquire a great learning experience from these projects, which sharpen their skills in leadership, innovation, and practice. Social work practitioners who go through such a process emerge having acquired knowledge beyond what is offered in the classroom. In this article we present a case study of 5 African graduate students who engaged in innovative efforts to implement a social development intervention in Uganda. The discussion includes ways to support students who embark on student-directed projects in schools of social work.
Vascularization of Air Sinuses and Fat Bodies in the Head of the Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): Morphological Implications on Physiology

Cetaceans have long been considered capable of limiting diving-induced nitrogen absorption and subsequent decompression sickness through a series of behavioral, anatomical, and physiological adaptations. Recent studies however suggest that in some situations these adaptive mechanisms might be overcome, resulting in lethal and sublethal injuries. Perhaps most relevant to this discussion is the finding of intravascular gas and fat emboli in mass-stranded beaked whales. Although the source of the gas emboli has as yet to been ascertained, preliminary findings suggest nitrogen is the primary component. Since nitrogen gas embolus formation in divers is linked to nitrogen saturation, it seems premature to dismiss similar pathogenic mechanisms in breath-hold diving cetaceans. Due to the various anatomical adaptations in cetacean lungs, the pulmonary system is thought of as an unlikely site of significant nitrogen absorption. The accessory sinus system on the ventral head of odontocete cetaceans contains a sizeable volume of air that is exposed to the changing hydrostatic pressures during a dive, and is intimately associated with vasculature potentially capable of absorbing nitrogen through its walls. The source of the fat emboli has also remained elusive. Most mammalian fat deposits are considered poorly vascularized and therefore unlikely sites of intravascular introduction of lipid, although cetacean blubber may not be as poorly vascularized as previously thought. We present new data on the vasculature of air sinuses and acoustic fat bodies in the head of bottlenose dolphins and compare it to published accounts. We show that the mandibular fat bodies and accessory sinus system are associated with extensive venous plexuses and suggest potential physiological and pathological implications.
Community in Gay Male Experience and Moral Discourse

Abstract The three sociological conceptions of community are outlined: the imagined community, community as friendship, and community as local organizations or groups. The extent to which gay men in New York City experience a gay community in each of these ways is investigated by means of in-depth interviews. The type of moral discourse utilized by the gay men interviewed is also discussed. Finally, gay men in New York City are compared to the new Russian Jewish community in Brooklyn as to which is more “postmodern.”
Bilateral proximal pulmonary artery aneurysms simulating hilar adenopathy.

Proximal pulmonary artery aneurysms (PAAs) are rare. Most are associated with secondary pulmonary hypertension or a variety of rare systemic disorders. An asymptomatic adult patient presented with bilateral hilar enlargement on a routine chest roentgenogram. Computed tomography of the chest revealed 5 cm bilateral proximal PAAs with a normal pulmonary trunk. The clinician should consider proximal PAA in the differential diagnosis of hilar enlargement. (Chest 1992; 102:311–13)
The Impact of Nonidentical ABO Cadaveric Renal Transplantation on Waiting Times and Graft Survival

Blood type O recipients of cadaveric renal transplants have longer pretransplant waiting periods than blood type A, B, and AB recipients. To evaluate reasons for and consequences of this discrepancy, we studied both the frequency of various donor and recipient blood type combinations and their outcomes. Among 37,659 cadaveric renal transplants performed during 1983 through 1989, there were 2,625 transplants (7%) received by patients of compatible but nonidentical blood types. Of 18,575 type O donor organs, 16,784 were received by type 0 patients for a recipient to donor ratio of 0.9. The corresponding ratios were greater than 1.0 for all other blood types (1.02 for blood type A,1.14 for type B, and 2.18 for type AB). This causes blood type O patients to have a lower access to transplantation and to have significantly longer waiting times than patients of all other blood types. This inequality of access diminished significantly ( P P
Do Consumers Respond to Country-of-Origin Labelling?

Seafood was the first class of foods to fall under the 2002 US regulatory requirements for mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL). If this regulation created benefits for consumers, filling an information void by demanding information that the market did not, then there should have been an observable response in the demand for seafood. To gauge the impact, we examined markets most likely to respond. We estimated retail demand for shrimp, seafood that in the USA is largely sourced from Southeast Asia and has a history of raising food safety concerns. Our estimated demand systems included standard variables consistent with economic theory—price and expenditure changes, ongoing trends, and seasonality in consumption patterns. The demand systems also accounted for regulations that required country-of-origin labels for some, but not all, foods prior to COOL. Data came from a nationally representative panel of households that record retail food purchases, allowing us to construct relatively high-frequency market data suitable for testing for the presence of even short-lived impacts. Household demographic information allowed us to separately estimate demands by consumers most likely to respond to label information. The demand systems yielded reasonable price and expenditure elasticity estimates, but none of the variables related to COOL revealed evidence of an impact.
Evaluation of critical thinking skills in an associate degree nursing program

This study examined changes over time in critical thinking skills in students entering an associate degree nursing program in the fall of 2002 and graduating in the spring of 2004 at a small liberal arts university located in the southeastern United States. The purposes of this study were to examine changes over time in critical thinking skills in students enrolled in an associate degree nursing program and to explore the relationship between critical thinking scores and academic success.
Graphics for Serious Games: RIST: Radiological Immersive Survey Training for two simultaneous users

National Guard Civil Support Teams (CST) respond to a variety of situations involving dangerous materials. Many of these situations can be safely simulated for training purposes in the real world. Radiological threats, however, are difficult to simulate due to the lack of materials that can mimic radiation sources without the danger of the real radiation. To address the need for a system to train CSTs to respond to radiological threats, we have developed the Radiological Immersive Survey Training (RIST) system. RIST simulates radiological threats from multiple sources using a realistic real-time shielding model based on ray casting and allows users to practice surveying the threat using simulated representations of the world and equipment. We have developed an after action review tool to allow a trainer to show trainees a recording of their survey and how they can improve. We also created a scenario design tool to allow the trainer to create complex environments with radiological threats. We developed novel multi-user interaction techniques to enable simultaneous training for two CST members in an immersive virtual environment. We also introduced a novel multi-perspective rendering technique for two users based on each user's task rather than field of view. Finally, we conducted a preliminary user study with several pairs of expert users to measure user preferences and the effects of using this technique, in conjunction with how altering which user navigated, on user performance. CST survey teams from two states have now used the system for training.
Fixed dilated pupils in petit mal attacks

The pupillary size and light reflex were measured by photographic means during 1710 'absence' attacks induced by photic stimulation in six patients with epilepsy. Pupillary dilatation unreactive to light stimulation, facial pallor and perspiration were consistently recorded during all petit mal attacks simultaneously with three cycles per second (cps) spike and wave complexes. Miosis and facial flushing followed the attacks. This recording technique provides clinically useful evidence of seizure activity. The identification of mydriasis can clarify the ambiguity of ordinary clinical observations in 'absence' attacks.
Down regulation of a gene for cadherin, but not alkaline phosphatase, associated with Cry1Ab resistance in the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis, is a major target pest of transgenic corn expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins (i.e., Cry1Ab) in South America and the mid-southern region of the United States. Evolution of insecticide resistance in such target pests is a major threat to the durability of transgenic Bt crops. Understanding the pests' resistance mechanisms will facilitate development of effective strategies for delaying or countering resistance. Alterations in expression of cadherin- and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) have been associated with Bt resistance in several species of pest insects. In this study, neither the activity nor gene regulation of ALP was associated with Cry1Ab resistance in D. saccharalis. Total ALP enzymatic activity was similar between Cry1Ab-susceptible (Cry1Ab-SS) and -resistant (Cry1Ab-RR) strains of D. saccharalis. In addition, expression levels of three ALP genes were also similar between Cry1Ab-SS and -RR, and cDNA sequences did not differ between susceptible and resistant larvae. In contrast, altered expression of a midgut cadherin (DsCAD1) was associated with the Cry1Ab resistance. Whereas cDNA sequences of DsCAD1 were identical between the two strains, the transcript abundance of DsCAD1 was significantly lower in Cry1Ab-RR. To verify the involvement of DsCAD1 in susceptibility to Cry1Ab, RNA interference (RNAi) was employed to knock-down DsCAD1 expression in the susceptible larvae. Down-regulation of DsCAD1 expression by RNAi was functionally correlated with a decrease in Cry1Ab susceptibility. These results suggest that down-regulation of DsCAD1 is associated with resistance to Cry1Ab in D. saccharalis.
Analysis of Types of Crashes at Signalized Intersections by Using Complete Crash Data and Tree-Based Regression

Many studies have shown that intersections are among the most dangerous locations of a roadway network. Therefore, there is a need to understand the factors that contribute to traffic crashes at such locations. One approach is to classify intersections and quantify the effects that configuration, geometric characteristics, and traffic volume have on the number of crashes at signalized intersections. This paper addresses the different factors that affect crashes, by type of collision, at signalized intersections. It also looks into the quality and completeness of the crash data and the effect that incomplete data have on the final results. Data from multiple sources were cross-checked to ensure the completeness of all crashes, including minor crashes that were usually unreported or were not coded into crash databases. The tree-based regression methodology was adopted in this study to cope with multicollinearity between variables, missing observations, and the fact that the true model form was unknown. The results showed a significant discrepancy in the factors that were found to affect the different collision types and their influence in each model. The two most significant differences in comparison with the total crash model as a base case were found to be in the models of head-on and left-turn crashes. The results also showed that the important factors were relatively consistent for rear-end, right-turn, and sideswipe crashes when minor crashes were considered. However, angle and head-on crashes showed significant changes in the model structure when minor crashes were added to the data set because these types of crashes were less stable. Finally, different roadway characteristics were correlated with different types of crashes.
Hamiltonians for Protein Tertiary Structure Prediction Based on Three-dimensional Environment Principles

We describe a computational approach to protein tertiary structure prediction that combines ideas from the three-dimensional (3D) profile method of Bowie, Luthy and Eisenberg and the associative memory Hamiltonians of Friedrichs and Wolynes. The ultimate goal of our work is to extend and generalize the capabilities of these heuristics so as to be able to predict novel structures that might be found in nature or designed proteins. In our approach we approximate the interactions between residues through a pseudo-potential function similar to an associative memory Hamiltonian. This function is constructed based on 3D environment principles. Favorable inter-residue contacts for each residue in a target protein are inferred by using 3D environment propensities of the residues and a collection of 3D environment templates derived from a dataset of protein crystal structures. A Hamiltonian encoding this information is used to guide an optimization phase via molecular dynamics with annealing, which then leads to the folded structure. With our algorithm we can recover the structure of dataset proteins and have also succeeded in constructing the fold for a protein with little sequence similarity to any dataset protein.
The electron transfer reaction between anthraquinone sulfonate radicals and duroquinone in sodium dodecyl sulfate micellar solution: A reinvestigation

Abstract The electron transfer reaction between anthraquinone sulfonate radicals and duroquinone has been studied in aqueous and micellar (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) solution using the electron pulse radiolysis technique. The forward electron transfer rate constant decreased significantly with increasing SDS concentration while the back electron transfer rate constant was independent of the SDS concentration. From these results we conclude that electron transfer occurs in the aqueous phase only. There is no evidence for intramicellar electron transfer. The measured change in the forward rate constant, between aqueous and micellar solutions, is an apparent one, reflecting the decrease of the aqueous portion of duroquinone due to micellization.
Repetitive Learning Control for Precision Machining of Complex Profiles

A fast converging Repetitive learning control scheme is proposed to track non circular piston profiles with sharp discontinuities. Modern piston profiles have sudden jumps and discontinuities which introduce large transient errors in tracking. This is handled by the learning control scheme built on top of the inner loop PD control. Simulations show that the learning scheme results in monotonic error convergence. The control law has an adjustable scalar which determines the convergence rate. The scheme involves filtering the control and tracking error values from the previous cycle to generate the learning control for the current cycle. The learning control algorithm generated a modified reference for the inner loop stabilizing feedback. We also show that Feedforward schemes based on stable plant inversion can be brought under this scheme by choosing appropriate learning filters. We also derive sufficiency conditions for stability of the proposed scheme.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Video motion analysis of mitotic events in living cells of the fungus fusarium solani

An earlier, laser microbeam study produced evidence that, in Fusarium solani, extranuclear polar forces function at anaphase B of mitosis to pull apart the incipient daughter nuclei, whereas the central spindle functions primarily to limit the rate at which they separate. To elucidate further the various dynamics of mitotic anaphase, 8–14 mitoses in hyphae of F. solani were analyzed at 0.5–2.0-sec intervals using high-resolution, digitally processed, videotaped sequences. The spindle growth rate, although fluctuating frequently, averaged 0.6 μm/min during metaphase, increased to 3.6 μm/min during anaphase A and was maximal at 6.1 μm/min during anaphase B. Commonly, chromosomes migrated poleward during anaphase A at fluctuating rates, the average rate being an unprecedented 7.5 μm/min. During anaphase the mitotic apparatus migrated to and fro in the hyphae at rates of 3–15 μm/min, an apparent effect of opposing, fluctuating and typically unequal cytoplasmic forces applied to the two spindle poles. Thus, the molecular mechanisms underlying the various anaphase movements in F. solani do not operate entirely smoothly and uniformly. Accelerated growth of the central spindle is temporally associated with anaphase A and the development of asters. Thus, chromosome disjunction may allow the polar forces to increase the rate of spindle elongation. Microtubule dynamics and motor molecules appear to be adequate to account for the observed rates of mitotic movements.
PCDD and PCDF in breast milk as correlated with fish consumption in Southern California

Abstract PCDD and PCDF levels were monitored in human milk obtained through the Women, Infants and Children Program of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department. The milk samples were from three groups with different fresh fish consumption. Only 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD and PCDF isomers were detected in human milk at levels comparable to those previously reported in other regions of the world. PCDD and PCDF levels could not be used to distinguish the dietary groups. However, the Southern California and Swedish human milk analyzed by our methods could be distinguished form each other. The level of 2,3,4,7,8 PeCDF was 3 to 4 times lower in human milk from Southern California than in Swedish milk. Additionally, chlorinated naphthalenes were detected in both Swedish and California human milk at levels estimated to be 10 to 100 times that of the PCDD's and PCDF's.
A Bayesian approach to model selection in hierarchical mixtures-of-experts architectures

Abstract There does not exist a statistical model that shows good performance on all tasks. Consequently, the model selection problem is unavoidable; investigators must decide which model is best at summarizing the data for each task of interest. This article presents an approach to the model selection problem in hierarchical mixtures-of-experts architectures. These architectures combine aspects of generalized linear models with those of finite mixture models in order to perform tasks via a recursive “divide-and-conquer” strategy. Markov chain Monte Carlo methodology is used to estimate the distribution of the architectures' parameters. One part of our approach to model selection attempts to estimate the worth of each component of an architecture so that relatively unused components can be pruned from the architecture's structure. A second part of this approach uses a Bayesian hypothesis testing procedure in order to differentiate inputs that carry useful information from nuisance inputs. Simulation results suggest that the approach presented here adheres to the dictum of Occam's razor; simple architectures that are adequate for summarizing the data are favored over more complex structures. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Near-IR biosensor for evanescent wave immunoassays

Based upon a biosensor design which utilizes standard fluorescent dyes (FITC, TRITC), a new device has been developed which incorporates a laser diode light source to excite novel near infrared (NIR) dyes. The purpose of switching to the NIR regime is to decrease the background fluorescence of biological samples and to decrease the size and power requirements of the biosensor. New dyes which fluoresce in the NIR have been conjugated to protein antigen and immunoassays performed. Assay results using excitation at 780 nm are shown.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Lipid Intake and Lipid Knowledge of Free Living African American Elderly in Two Rural Black Belt Alabama Counties

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To assess the dietary lipid consumption and nutrition knowledge related to risks of cardiovascular disease based on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of socioeconomic and demographic factors on total energy nutrients, protein, lipids and dietary fiber of free-living rural African American elderly in two Black belt Alabama Counties together with the participant's nutrition knowledge as related to the risk of cardiovascular disease. Participants of the study consisted of an available sample of 120 African-Americans elderly of both genders (60 per county). All subjects were at least 60 years of age and participants in the Title III Congregate Meal Program for the Elderly. The survey instrument consisted of a questionnaire which solicited information in five different areas (socio-demographic characteristics, attitudinal characteristics, cardiovascular disease risk factor assessment, nutrition knowledge assessment and dietary intake). Dietary intake included a 24-hour recall and food records for two additional consecutive days (1 weekend day). Each participant was seen atleast twice to collect data. Descriptive, univariate and multivariate statistics were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that kilocalorie intake was consistent with recommendations but there was no significant co-relationship with income, age, gender and county of residence. A significant effect (p