cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Historical perspectives on HgCdTe material and device development at Raytheon Vision Systems

This paper reviews the historical progress of HgCdTe material and device development at Raytheon Vision Systems starting with the initial work in 1965 at what was then the Santa Barbara Research Center, a subsidiary of the Hughes Aircraft Company and progressing up to the present time. Because of the long history, all the details cannot be presented in a single paper; instead, we focus only on a few major accomplishments. In HgCdTe material preparation these include: the early bulk single crystal growth methods; the advent of liquid phase epitaxial growth from Hg melts; and, the most recent molecular beam epitaxial methods. For IR photodetector devices, we started with just single element detectors operating either in photoconductive or photovoltaic mode, then progressed to multi-element linear arrays, then to 2-D arrays on Si read-out circuits and, finally to the very large focal plane (>2k × 2k), dual-band, and APD arrays of today. Some applications of these devices in IR systems will be presented. Technical issues will be discussed only to the extent necessary to support the historical narrative. Some interesting anecdotes will be included.
Rubella virus neutralization by plaque reduction.

SummaryThe hemadsorption-negative plaque assay technique has provided a means of quantitatively studying rubella virus neutralization. A 3-day assay for rubella antibodies has been developed which is sensitive and reproducible. The addition of fresh guinea pig serum enhanced rubella antibody titers up to 16 times those obtained in heated sera. The factor or factors responsible for the enhancement of antibody titers have the properties of complement.The authors gratefully acknowledge the able assistance provided by Miss Marian Moore and Mrs. Marjorie Burkhardt. The helpful advice and consultation of Dr. Gordon R. Dreesman is deeply appreciated.
The plastic surgeon as lecturer: speaking as well as we operate.

SUMMARY This article provides information for the surgeon-educator on techniques for delivering effective lectures. The article provides insights into adult learning and how to motivate and educate through lectures. Delivery style and preparation are emphasized, and specific techniques for creating visual aids that complement a lecture are discussed.
Ureteral injury during laparoscopically assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy

We report on a case of ureteral injury during laparoscopically radical hysterectomy to treat a patient with a stage IA2 carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The advantage of laparoscopically radical hysterectomy is the prevention of the identification and dissecting of the ureter from a vaginal approach, the main problem in the Schauta technique. However, ureteral injury may still occur while resecting the cardinal ligament without good visualization of the ureter during a vaginal procedure. Because the ureter was well identified and freed laparoscopically, a vaginal approach after uterine removal may be an option for treatment. Moreover, using the ureteral stent as a marker during a modified Schauta technique is helpful in the prevention of ureteral injury during laparoscopically assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy.
Mosquito vectors of ape malarias: Another piece of the puzzle

It is remarkable that the two Plasmodium species that infect millions of humans around the world today, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax , both originated in Africa from single common ancestors that infected wild-living apes. Plasmodium species of the subgenus Laverania , which include P. falciparum , exhibit strong host specificity, and no host transfers between humans, gorillas, and chimpanzees have been documented in nature. In contrast, host transfers take place frequently in nature for parasites of the subgenus Plasmodium that includes P. vivax and Plasmodium malariae (1⇓⇓–4). P. falciparum appears to have originated as a result of a single transfer of Plasmodium praefalciparum from gorillas to humans (1). The ability of gorilla parasites to invade the human erythrocytes appears to be a major barrier for interspecies transfer that P. praefalciparum had to overcome (5). However, although P. falciparum does not infect apes in nature, species transfers to bonobos and chimpanzees have been documented in sanctuaries where apes come in close contact with infected humans. Furthermore, experimental infections of chimpanzees with P. falciparum have been achieved multiple times under laboratory conditions (6). This evidence indicates that there is no strong biological barrier for P. falciparum to transfer back from humans to certain ape species. In PNAS, Makanga et al. (7) investigate the potential role of anopheline mosquito vectors as a barrier for interspecies transfer of Plasmodium parasites in an extensive longitudinal survey. Sylvatic anopheline species were collected in two forested wildlife reserves in Gabon (Central Africa) for a period of 15 mo., and 18 different anopheline mosquito species were identified based on morphology and molecular taxonomy. Mosquito whole body and salivary gland were screened for the presence of Plasmodium parasites by PCR amplification and sequencing of a … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: cbarillas{at}niaid.nih.gov. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Characteristics of persons who visited rabies immunization clinic post-exposure in Huairou,Beijing in 2008

Objective To understand post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies at immunization clinic of Huairou District Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2008 in order to provide better service for those by animal bites. Methods Data of rabies immunization registered at the clinic in 2008 were analyzed. Results In 3934 persons bit by animals and visited the clinic were registered,only six (all pet raisers) with pre-exposure rabies immunization and 3928 with post-exposure immunization,with a sex ratio of 1.37 and workers and farmers accounting for 59.14 percent of them. Among those injured,63.2 percent of animal (91.00% by dog) bites occurred in the second and third quarters of the year,and only 24.06 percent of the dogs that bit them were immunized before,and 51.4 percent of them were injured at their lower extremities and 78.16 percent judged as wound of class II. 16.14 percent of them visited clinic and treated there more than 24 hours after injury and wounds in 66.37 percent of them were not washed,cleaned and disinfected. And,5.78% of the injured persons also received rabies immune globulin or serum injection. Conclusions It is suggested that to strengthen publicity of knowledge of rabies prevention and control,and to improve pre-exposure immunization for those pet raisers achieving real immune. Governmental sectors should strengthen management and immunization for dogs to prevent rabies from its source. Adequate treatment for wounds by animal bites is very important,as well as application with active immunization and passive immunization of anti-rabies globulin or serum to block viral invading the nerve tissues and reduce incidence of human rabies.
Talking about EU Law Documentations of the X-ray Diagnostic Equipment as Medical Device

By content analysis in non-contact research,law documents relevant to X-ray Diagnostic Equipment were collected from EU Medical Devices Directive,Of which,the federal regulation was mainly analyzed.A set of comprehensive lawful system for X-ray Diagnostic Equipment has been established by EU,from which China should draw experience,to improve guidances,thus guarantee the safety and efficacy of device.
Characterization of an atomic hydrogen source for charge exchange experiments

We characterized the dissociation fraction of a thermal dissociation atomic hydrogen source by injecting the mixed atomic and molecular output of the source into an electron beam ion trap containing highly charged ions and recording the x-ray spectrum generated by charge exchange using a high-resolution x-ray calorimeter spectrometer. We exploit the fact that the charge exchange state-selective capture cross sections are very different for atomic and molecular hydrogen incident on the same ions, enabling a clear spectroscopic diagnostic of the neutral species.
Gender, Definitions of

Gender is a term, borrowed from grammar, to describe individuals' social identity (woman/girl, man/boy) and personality or behavioral tendencies (e.g., masculine, feminine, androgynous, transgender). Gender as a social identity is usually (but not necessarily) related to an individual's biological sex. Feminists and most behavioral science researchers prefer to use gender, rather than sex (male, female), to describe humans in order not to imply that any differences between the groups are directly, essentially, or solely related to biological influences. Keywords: biological determinism; gender; gender discourse; language; performance
The carbon and nitrogen ecophysiologies of two endemic tropical orchids mirrors those of their temperate relatives and the local environment

Orchids are one of the most widely distributed plant families. However, current research on the ecophysiology of terrestrial orchids is biased towards temperate species. Thus, it is currently unkno...
Risk factors for acute kidney injury associated with the treatment of bacterial endocarditis at a tertiary academic medical center.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of endocarditis.Objective: To determine risk factors for the development of AKI in patients treated for endocarditis.Methods: This single centre, retrospective univariate and multivariate analysis to determine risk factors for the development of AKI included patients diagnosed with endocarditis between January 2009 and October 2013.Results: Of 211 included patients, a total of 84 (39.8%) patients developed AKI. We identified multiple independent variables associated with the development of AKI, including: age ≥ 65 years, presence of hardware, chronic kidney disease, AKI on admission, infection with Staphylococcus spp, receipt of nafcillin or oxacillin or aminoglycoside and nafcillin or oxacillin or aminoglycoside and vancomycin, vancomycin trough level ≥ 20.0 mcg/ml, aminoglycoside total daily dose reduction, duration of vancomycin exceeding three days, receipt of loop diuretic or more than three concomitant nephrotoxins and duration of loop d...
Groups That Work: Student Achievement in Group Research Projects and Effects on Individual Learning.

Group research projects frequently are used to teach undergraduate research methods. This study uses multivariate analyses to examine the characteristics of higher-achieving groups (those that earn...
Wound Concerns and Healthcare Consumption of Resources after Colorectal Surgery: An Opportunity for Innovation?

Abstract Background: Significant portions of patients undergoing colorectal surgical procedures have minor incision disturbances, yet very few meet definitions for surgical site infection (SSI). We sought to investigate the natural history of incision disturbances with a focus on the patient experience and resource utilization. We hypothesize that patients who have an incision disturbance consume frequent healthcare resources in the post-operative period despite the fact that most never receive a diagnosis of SSI. Methods: A 24-month prospective observational study was undertaken at an academic institution. Patients undergoing elective colorectal operation by two board-certified colorectal surgeons were followed prospectively for 90 days. Incisions were photographed serially and clinically characterized beginning as early as post-operative day two and at follow-up visits. The primary outcome was patient concern for an incision disturbance. Three surgeons reviewed clinical data and photographs to determine...
Measuring Customer Satisfaction

OVERVIEW:Survey research on measuring customer satisfaction using an index, market share and a lead user confirms that satisfaction must be with the firm as an innovator well as with the innovative service or product. The customer is defined as not only the end user or consumer but as a downstream counterpart of R&D in the same company or in other parts of the distribution chain. For an overall indication of customer satisfaction, measure the firm's responsiveness, its technology (capabilities and products) and product quality/reliability.
Economic comparison of current electricity generating technologies and advanced nuclear options

Abstract This analysis compares the cost of various electric grid scenarios at the national level over a one-year period. Scenarios include high renewable, zero nuclear, zero carbon, and deployment of advanced nuclear. Additionally, several carbon tax scenarios are explored in the model to further assess the cost generation if the current nuclear fleet retired. The cheapest scenarios were those that involved less reliance on conventional nuclear reactors and more molten salt reactors, renewables, or natural gas.
US Food and Drug Administration Pooled Analysis to Assess the Impact of Bone-Only Metastatic Breast Cancer on Clinical Trial Outcomes and Radiographic Assessments

PurposeThe outcome and proportion of patients with bone-only (BO) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) has not been well described. We sought to describe the differential outcomes of patients with BO MBC in clinical trials and explore whether there was a discrepancy in radiographic reads between investigator and blinded independent central review.MethodsWe pooled and analyzed data on 10,521 patients from 13 prospective trials submitted for MBC treatment in initial or supplemental New Drug or Biologics License Applications from 2005. Three subsets were evaluated: BO, bone with other metastases (BWO), and no bone metastases (NBM). Early discordance rate and late discordance rate were calculated from 3,733 and 2,813 patients subject to a blinded independent central review, respectively.ResultsBone metastases were identified in 49% (range: 42% to 73%) of patients across trials. BO disease was present in 12.5% (range: 4% to 26%), dependent on subtype. Investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) and overall...
Role of progesterone concentrations during early follicular development in beef cattle: I. Characteristics of LH secretion and oocyte quality.

Abstract Objective was to investigate the effect of different progesterone (P4) concentrations during early follicular development on luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion and oocyte characteristics in beef cows. Primiparous cows (n = 24) were estrous pre-synchronized and follicular ablation was performed (d 0) 6 days following the time of ovulation. At the time of follicular ablation, cows were assigned to either: 1) high P4 treatment - HiP4; a new CIDR was inserted on d 0 to supplement P4 from the existing corpus luteum [CL], or 2) low P4 treatment - LoP4; a previously-used CIDR and two doses of PGF 8 to 12 h apart were given on d 0. Concentrations of P4 were greater (P 0.10) between treatments. In conclusion, lower P4 concentrations during early follicular development resulted in increased LH pulse frequency and E2 concentrations, but did not affect characteristics of oocyte developmental competence.
Performance of Direct-Sequence Code-Division Multiple-Access Using Trellis-Coded Orthogonal Signalling

This paper examines the performance of trellis-coded modulation with orthogonal signal sets. In a previous work, the author obtained efficient methods for the design and analysis of such codes. This work is mainly concerned with the application of these results to a Gaussian noise channel and a Rayleigh fading channel with non-coherent reception. A technique based on the Chernoff bound for bounding the two-codeword error probability in a form that is convenient for use with transfer function bounding is developed and tested for several different channels. It is found to give very good results. The motivation for wanting to use orthogonal (or other wideband) signal constellations is a DS-CDMA system where the signal set is already wideband. The results are then also applied to a multi-user (DS-CDMA) channel.
A Vindication of the Rights of Children

The title of this lecture is modified after the classic essay, “A Vindication of the Rights of Women” written in 1792 by Mary Wollstonecraft which set forth the plight of women in those days.
Bayesian Estimation for Censored Data: An Experiment in Sensitivity Analysis

We consider the problem of estimating an unknown distribution function F in the presence of censoring under the conditions that a parametric model is believed to hold approximately. We use a Bayesian approach, in which a mixture of Dirichlet priors is put on the unknown F. A hyperparameter of the prior dictates the extent to which this prior concentrates its mass around the parametric family. The output of a successive substitution sampling algorithm is used to estimate the posterior distributions of the parameters of interest. We develop an importance sampling scheme that enables us to use the output of the successive substitution sampling algorithm to very quickly recalculate the posterior when we change the prior. The calculations can be done sufficiently fast to enable the dynamic display of the changing posterior as the prior is varied.
StackDPPred: a stacking based prediction of DNA-binding protein from sequence

Motivation Identification of DNA-binding proteins from only sequence information is one of the most challenging problems in the field of genome annotation. DNA-binding proteins play an important role in various biological processes such as DNA replication, repair, transcription and splicing. Existing experimental techniques for identifying DNA-binding proteins are time-consuming and expensive. Thus, prediction of DNA-binding proteins from sequences alone using computational methods can be useful to quickly annotate and guide the experimental process. Most of the methods developed for predicting DNA-binding proteins use the information from the evolutionary profile, called the position-specific scoring matrix (PSSM) profile, alone and the accuracies of such methods have been limited. Here, we propose a method, called StackDPPred, which utilizes features extracted from PSSM and residue specific contact-energy to help train a stacking based machine learning method for the effective prediction of DNA-binding proteins. Results Based on benchmark sequences of 1063 (518 DNA-binding and 545 non DNA-binding) proteins and using jackknife validation, StackDPPred achieved an ACC of 89.96%, MCC of 0.799 and AUC of 94.50%. This outcome outperforms several state-of-the-art approaches. Furthermore, when tested on recently designed two independent test datasets, StackDPPred outperforms existing approaches consistently. The proposed StackDPPred can be used for effective prediction of DNA-binding proteins from sequence alone. Availability and implementation Online server is at http://bmll.cs.uno.edu/add and code-data is at http://cs.uno.edu/∼tamjid/Software/StackDPPred/code_data.zip. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Tradeoffs Between Specific Investment and Optimal Resource Allocation: A Comparison of Different Transfer Pricing Policies

This paper uses a principal-agent framework to analyze the tension between incentives for specific investment by the agent, and resource allocation that is optimal from the principal’s perspective. The analysis considers a decentralized firm in which central management can institute different transfer pricing policies to motivate divisional managers to undertake investment and production decisions. Some well-known properties of the methods are identified: a transfer price that uses a markup over and above actual costs can provide investment incentives but leads to sub-optimal resource allocation; negotiated transfer pricing suffers from the problem of under-investment even though its ex post performance is optimal; and standard cost-based transfer pricing entails over-reporting of standards, which results in inefficient levels of trade as well as low investment. The paper establishes a clear ranking amongst the three methods studied. It is shown that the overall performance of actual cost-based transfer pricing is superior if the buying division’s investments are important, while negotiated transfer pricing dominates if those of the selling division are important. The overall performance of standard cost-based method is inferior to that of the actual cost-based method, even though the latter has weaker investment incentives.
A stable version of Harbourne's Conjecture and the containment problem for space monomial curves

Abstract The symbolic powers I ( n ) of a radical ideal I in a polynomial ring consist of the functions that vanish up to order n in the variety defined by I. These do not necessarily coincide with the ordinary algebraic powers I n , but it is natural to compare the two notions. The containment problem consists of determining the values of n and m for which I ( n ) ⊆ I m holds. When I is an ideal of height 2 in a regular ring, I ( 3 ) ⊆ I 2 may fail, but we show that this containment does hold for the defining ideal of the space monomial curves ( t a , t b , t c ) . More generally, given a radical ideal I of big height h, while the containment I ( h n − h + 1 ) ⊆ I n conjectured by Harbourne does not necessarily hold for all n, we give sufficient conditions to guarantee I ( h n − h + 1 ) ⊆ I n for n ≫ 0 .
Measuring the economic value of water quality

The valuation of water quality has proved difficult for economists using hedonic methods. This study, by employing a sample of lakes and considering only land values, is able to overcome many methodological and empirical problems inherent in previous studies. One objective measure of water quality, secchi disc reading, is found to be significant for various alternative specifications of the hedonic model. As explained, however, the results suggest that economic value may be attached to a perceived, rather than actual, measure of water quality. This raises fundamental questions as to how economists and natural scientists can work together to formulate public policy regarding water quality.
New Macrocycles with Potent Antituberculosis Activity Accessed by One‐Pot Multicomponent Reactions.

Tylosin derivatives (III) and (VII) are synthesized by Gewald or Ugi three-component reaction, resp., and evaluated for their antituberculosis activities.
What quantitative methods should we teach to graduate students? A comment on Swann’s “Is precise econometrics an illusion?”

Our answer to Professor Swann’s question is “yes,” with a big, big amendment. It is not Swann’s conventional notion of “precision” that is the illusion—not the biggest one—but the notion embodied i...
Rational Design of an Iron‐Based Catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Couplings Involving Heteroaromatic Boronic Esters and Tertiary Alkyl Electrophiles

Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions between a variety of alkyl halides and unactivated aryl boronic esters using a rationally designed iron-based catalyst supported by β-diketiminate ligands are described. High catalyst activity resulted in a broad substrate scope that included tertiary alkyl halides and heteroaromatic boronic esters. Mechanistic experiments revealed that the iron-based catalyst benefited from the propensity for β-diketiminate ligands to support low-coordinate and highly reducing iron amide intermediates, which are very efficient for effecting the transmetalation step required for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction.
Discrete Convex Simulation Optimization

We propose new sequential simulation algorithms for general convex simulation optimization problems with high-dimensional discrete decision space. The performance of each discrete decision variable is evaluated via stochastic simulation replications. Our proposed simulation algorithms utilize the discrete convex structure and are guaranteed with high probability to find a solution that is close to the best within any given user-specified precision level. The proposed algorithms work for any general convex problem and the efficiency is demonstrated by proved upper bounds on simulation costs. The upper bounds demonstrate a polynomial dependence on the dimension and scale of the decision space. For some discrete simulation optimization problems, a gradient estimator may be available at low costs along with a single simulation replication. By integrating gradient estimators, which are possibly biased, we propose simulation algorithms to achieve optimality guarantees with a reduced dependence on the dimension under moderate assumptions on the bias.
The Elderly Offender

Although the correctional population is comprised primarily of young offenders, there is a somewhat distinct subpopulation of elderly offenders that are under institutional and community correctional supervision. In fact, the age of 30 is considered “old” in corrections. While this has been a historically small proportion of the population, the proportion of elderly offenders has risen largely due to changes in sentencing practices. While we have not experienced an increase in offending among the elderly, lengthier sentences have led offenders to spend more time under correctional supervision. Elderly offenders are generally those that have “aged out” of crime and pose little threat to society. Offenses among this population are generally low-level property, fraud, or substance abuse-related offenses. Despite their low level of offending, these individuals pose unique challenges in prisons and in communities, particularly the most elderly. Correctional workers should consider the institutional safety of elderly inmates and the very real realities of memory and hearing loss when counseling in community settings.
Learning about Extraordinary Beings: Native Stories and Real Birds

Oral traditions of Indigenous American peoples (as well as those of other Indigenous peoples) have long been discussed with regard to their reliability as metaphorical accounts based upon historical knowledge. I explore this debate using stories to discuss the importance of the role of Corvidae in Indigenous knowledge traditions and how these stories convey information about important socioecological relationships. Contemporary science reveals that Corvids important in cultural traditions were companions to humans and important components of the ecology of the places where these peoples lived. Ravens, Crows, Jays, and Magpies are identified as having special roles as cooperators, agents of change, trickster figures, and important teachers. Canada (or Gray) Jays serve as trickster/Creator of the Woodland Cree people, Wisakyjak. Magpies won the Great Race around the Black Hills to determine whether humans would eat bison or vice versa. I analyze these stories in terms of their ecological meaning, in an effort to illustrate how the stories employ dramatic settings to encourage respect and fix relationships in the sociocultural memory of the people.
DeepRange: Acoustic Ranging via Deep Learning

Acoustic ranging is a technique for estimating the distance between two objects using acoustic signals, which plays a critical role in many applications, such as motion tracking, gesture/activity recognition, and indoor localization. Although many ranging algorithms have been developed, their performance still degrades significantly under strong noise, interference and hardware limitations. To improve the robustness of the ranging system, in this paper we develop a Deep learning based Ranging system, called DeepRange. We first develop an effective mechanism to generate synthetic training data that captures noise, speaker/mic distortion, and interference in the signals and remove the need of collecting a large volume of training data. We then design a deep range neural network (DRNet) to estimate distance. Our design is inspired by signal processing that ultra-long convolution kernel sizes help to combat the noise and interference. We further apply an ensemble method to enhance the performance. Moreover, we analyze and visualize the network neurons and filters, and identify a few important findings that can be useful for improving the design of signal processing algorithms. Finally, we implement and evaluate DeepRangeusing 11 smartphones with different brands and models, 4 environments (i.e., a lab, a conference room, a corridor, and a cubic area), and 10 users. Our results show that DRNet significantly outperforms existing ranging algorithms.
The Impact of Behind-the-Meter Heterogeneous Distributed Energy Resources on Distribution Grids

The increasing integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) on the electric grid brings new challenges and opportunities for utility grid operations. With the rapid deployment of DERs, there is emerging interest in integrating these controllable devices with utility operations at all levels for monitoring and management. To understand the challenges with increasing behind-the-meter (BTM) DERs and to identify the needs in deploying advanced controls, a comprehensive grid impact study is indispensable. This paper presents the analysis which help visualize the DER impact on the grid, identify the challenges and provides an insight into the new distribution management and control needs to enable reliable and resilient grid operations.
Virtual Medical Instruments for Orthopedic Surgery Training: A Hip Arthroplasty Application

Surgical education for residents is provided through observership and participation with attending surgeons, cadaveric sessions and use of textbook illustrations. This paper describes the development of virtual medical instruments as a flexible, safe, and scalable learning option that can provide real-time feedback for the resident and increase entrustability by the attending surgeon when the resident is in the operating room. In orthopedic surgery, total hip arthroplasty (THA) is reproducible and hence was chosen as the simulated training surgery. The virtual medical instruments developed for this research is set in a fully immersive 3D virtual environment that can allow for innovative ways to train students and provide a new way of experiential education. With the goal of making the training anatomically accurate, users can interact with the virtual operating environment in real-time to ensure proper instrument usage. The virtual procedure also provides realistic visualization of the surrounding operating room and anatomical environment around the surgery site, marking important landmarks to the surgeon to enable effective surgical training.
Solar cell BRDF measurement and modeling with out-of-plane data.

In this work, a CCD-augmented complete angle scatter instrument (CASI) with a visible red laser source was used to measure the BRDF of a commercially available solar cell designed for small satellites, simultaneously capturing both in-plane and out-of-plane data with high angular resolution surrounding the specular direction. The measurements exhibited three distinct scatter features: a central specular peak, an offset specular peak, and a diffraction pattern. The two peaks were caused by different material surfaces with slightly different normal directions, and the diffraction pattern arose from periodically-spaced metal conducting bars running in one direction across the solar cell surface. The diffraction pattern measurements were verified in-plane with an original single-pixel CASI detector and then used to inform the creation of a single closed-form BRDF model capable of describing the out-of-plane features. Both specular peaks were modeled using a traditional microfacet formulation, but the offset peak model implemented a rotation of the incident and scatter directions to account for the difference in surface normal direction. The diffraction pattern–which is not typically described with microfacet models–was described based on Fraunhofer diffraction through two rectangular stripes, adjusted in terms of microfacet coordinates. Parameters for the model were chosen manually, based largely on physical material properties when possible, rather than using optimized fitting algorithms. Model results were compared to the measurements by using the same CCD pixel scatter coordinates. Qualitatively, the model successfully replicated the observed features, and quantitatively, the modeled peak values agree with the measurements within an order of magnitude.
Partial Differential Equations

Many problems drawn from applications can be formulated by appealing to some sort of conservation law. Most frequently it is the conservation of matter which is basic to the theory. This for example is the case for fluid flowing in a blood vessel or on a channel or river; for the description of particles in a suspension; or in an idealized form, even for cars moving down a highway. Additional conservation laws, such as conservation of momentum or energy may also be applicable. In this section we will develop some tools for formulating these principles in mathematical terms and in the process learn a little science.
Melanoma Cell Autonomous Growth: The Rb/E2F Pathway

Transformation of normal melanocytes to metastatic melanoma cells is characterized by loss of dependency on external growth factors required for the viability and proliferation of normal melanocytes. The molecular events that lead to melanoma cell autonomous growth are not well defined, but are likely to include sustained activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6) as a result of loss of CDK inhibitors (such as p16INK4a and possibly p27KIP1), and persistent upregulation of several cyclins (cyclin D1, cyclin A and cyclin E), the positive regulators of CDKs. CDKs phosphorylate, and consequently, inactivate the retinoblastoma family of tumor suppressor proteins (pRb, p107 and p130), termed pocket proteins. The inactivation of pocket proteins liberates E2F transcription factors from suppressive complexes ('free' E2F) that, in turn, induces the continuous expression of target genes whose products promote cell cycle progression. In normal melanocytes, external growth factors suppress the activity of all three pocket proteins, allowing E2F activity to accumulate and sustain transcription of target genes required for cell proliferation. In contrast, in melanoma cells from advanced lesions, all three pocket proteins are highly phosphorylated and inactive, even in the absence of environmental mitogens, and free E2F activity is constitutively high. Manipulations of normal mouse melanocytes in vitro, and in vivo in transgenic mouse expressing ectopic genes, further support the notion that growth rate, and release from dependency on external mitogens, positively correlate with inactivation of pocket proteins. The latter has been accomplished by sustained cell surface receptor stimulation, such as constitutive high expression of a growth factor, or by sequestration with dominantly acting viral proteins. Taken together, chronic hyperphosphorlyation/inactivation of pRb, p107 and p130 is probably one of the key events in converting growth-factor dependent normal melanocytes, to autonomously growing melanoma cells. Since all pocket proteins are regulated by CDKs activity, it is likely that agents that inhibit this class of enzymes will be effective in treating melanoma patients.
Atmospheric Pollution: URBAN AIR POLLUTION

Anthropogenic air pollution has affected the environment since the development of the first human communities. Today, pollution arises due to the burning of wood, vegetation, coal, natural gas, oil, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, liquid biofuels, waste, and chemicals. Two general types of urban-scale pollution were identified in the twentieth century: London-type smog and photochemical smog. The former results from the burning of coal and other raw materials in the presence of a fog or strong temperature inversion, and the latter results from the emission of hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen in the presence of sunlight. In most places, urban air pollution consists of a combination of the two. In this chapter, urban outdoor gas-phase air pollution is discussed in terms of its history, early regulation, and chemistry. History and Early Regulation of Outdoor Urban Air Pollution Before the twentieth century, air pollution was treated as a regulatory or legal problem rather than a scientific problem. Because regulations were often weak or not enforced and health effects of air pollution were not well understood, pollution problems were rarely mitigated. In this section, a brief history of air pollution and its regulation until the 1940s is discussed.
Instructional design tools based on knowledge objects

The ID2 Research Group is exploring the use of a knowledge-base consisting of specifically defined knowledge objects. In this architecture an instructional strategy represents various ways to show, or request the learner to provide, the elements of these knowledge objects. Because the elements (slots) of these knowledge objects are predefined, then an instructional strategy can be written once and reused to instruct a wide variety of subject matters, so long as the subject matter content can be partitioned into the slots of the knowledge objects.
NEONATAL LISTERIOSIS. SIX CASE REPORTS AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.

Six cases of neonatal infection with Listeria monocytogenes occurring in Seattle, Washington, a previously unreported and apparently unsuspected endemic area are reported. A review of the case reports in the United States and Canada are discussed and the manifestations of the disease in the pregnant mother and infant are characterized. An effort has been made to analyze mortality and its relation to specific antibiotic therapy and individual antibiotic disc sensitivities, as well as to the possible predisposing factors involved in the infection. The findings would suggest that the high mortality and morbidity in this disease might be lowered if a high index of suspicion is combined with adequate and prompt culturing techniques. Specific antibiotic therapy should be selected by sensitivity testing since it appears that standard therapy for unknown sepsis is not always adequate to significantly lower the mortality. Consideration should especially be given to the use of a tetracycline if Listeria is suspected in the very early neonatal period.
An analytical theory for tesseral gravitational harmonics

An analytical method has been developed for the treatment of tesseral harmonic perturbations. The procedure is an iterative Lie transformation technique which avoids the typical eccentricity expansions as well as the numerical singularities normally associated with resonance conditions. At each iteration, terms of the perturbing potential become multiplied by the ratio of the satellite's orbital period to the earth's rotational period. Following a suitable number of iterations, the potential is deemed to be sufficiently small that it may be ignored, with the tesseral effects captured in the transformation.
A genetic algorithm for the optimization of prostate implants

A genetic algorithm (GA) is presented for the optimization of template- and ultrasound-guided prostate implants. The end points for optimization are incorporated in an objective function of separable cardinal utility terms. As an application of the GA, the minimum 103Pd total source strength required to deliver a given dose was correlated with the average dimension for prostate implants carried out under the current template and seed spacing protocols. Significant improvements in quality were observed, in terms of both the minimum peripheral dose and tumor cell surviving fractions, when GA-optimized implants were compared to the corresponding unoptimized implants for given target volumes. In addition, numerical simulation of source displacements indicates that the dosimetric and radiobiologic advantages of GA optimization can tolerate a reasonable level of seed placement uncertainties observed clinically. In summary, the GA application provides an automated design strategy for prostate implant planning, and at the same time affords the potential for systematic optimization of a set of end points that can sustain practical variations.
Alfred C. Kinsey and the politics of sex research.

Abstract In view of the recent phase of political opposition to sex research and intense public interest in Alfred C. Kinsey, this paper considers the impact that Kinsey's research has had on the political process in the past 50 years. Initial reactions to Kinsey's research that remain relevant today include “normal” people don't participate in sex surveys, sex surveys are intended to promote homosexuality, and asking people about their sex lives in a nonjudgmental fashion promotes immorality. Episodes of political opposition are documented, and the long-running anti-Kinsey campaign and its impact on the political process are described and discussed. Reasons why people might still oppose sex research are considered, and conclusions are reached about how sex researchers might deal with this problem.
Uptake of Technetium 99m Hepatobiliary Imaging Agents by Cultured Rat Hepatocytes

Quantitation of initial uptake of the cholescintigraphy agents, 99mTc-Lidofenin, 99mTc-Disofenin, 99mTc-Mebrofenin, and 99mTc-Arclofenin, in short-term cultured rat hepatocytes revealed a marked reduction at 4°C as compared with 37°C. Depletion of adenosine triphosphate by preincubation of cells in sodium azide and 2-deoxyglucose reduced initial uptake of 99mTc-Disofenin at 37°C by 50% (p
Sequential imputation and multipoint linkage analysis

A novel Monte Carlo method for linkage analyses involving large pedigrees and many polymorphic loci is introduced. Issues related to the efficiency of the method are discussed
Effect of feeding on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system of the horse

The effect of feeding frequency and associated meal size on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in seven horses was examined. A daily maintenance ration of hay-grain pellets was provided either as a multiple feeding regimen (MF), in which the ration was divided into six equal portions fed at 4-h intervals, or as a single large feeding (SF) given from 9 A.M. until 11 A.M. Plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone (PAC), cortisol (PCC), protein concentration (TP), packed cell volume (PCV), and serum sodium and potassium were measured serially. To prevent significant RAAS stimulation due to strenuous exercise or by assuming orthostatism after a period of recumbency, the horses were trained to stand in 1 X 4-m tie stalls during the experiments. Changes in Na intake were prevented by disallowing nonration salt sources. A 12:12 light-dark interval was maintained. During the MF experiment, only serum Na changed diurnally, with concentrations lowest in early morning and highest before midday. In contrast, during the SF experiment, PRA was increased at 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 h and PAC was increased at 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0 h after onset of feeding (P less than 0.005). Increased TP and PCV suggested transient hypovolemia was responsible for renin release. Significant increases in Na and decreases in K occurred while eating; however, K increased postprandially to be coincident with aldosterone. Except for a transient increase during feeding in SF, PCC demonstrated a similar circadian rhythm in both experiments. It was concluded that 1) episodic feeding (SF) causes significant diurnal variation of the RAAS in the horse, and 2) spontaneous circadian activity of the RAAS cannot be demonstrated in this species during a steady-state feeding regimen (MF).
ETA-Electronic Teaching Assistant

The author discusses a computer program called ETA-Electronic Teaching Assistant. The aim of the program is to provide a collection of teaching aids for learning about basic circuits and electronics.
Green function for metric perturbations due to cosmological density fluctuations.

We study scalar perturbations to a Robertson-Walker cosmological metric in terms of a pseudo-Newtonian potential, which emerges naturally from the solution of the field equations. This potential is given in terms of a Green function for matter density fluctuations of arbitrary amplitude whose time and spatial dependence are assumed known. The results obtained span both the linearized and Newtonian limits, and do not explicitly depend on any kind of averaging procedure, but make the valid assumption that the global expansion rate is that of a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker model. In addition, we discuss the similarity to diffusive processes in the evolution of the potential, and possible applications
Control of xanthine dehydrogenase in the chick pancreas.

Abstract Fisher et al. (1967) have shown that pancreatic xanthine dehydrogenase in newly hatched chicks is induced by feeding whereas this enzyme in the liver, kidney, and duodenum is unaffected by the ingestion of food. This induction is due to some substance(s) in the feed and not to the nutritional balance of the diet. An extensive examination of the pancreatic system has shown that there is a 3000-fold increase in total activity between day 19 (2 days before hatching) and day 15 after hatching with chicks fed a normal diet. Unfed chicks exhibit an activity of 0.4% of maximum value and egg-fed chicks a level of 6.3%. Between the second and third weeks after hatching, specific activity in the pancreas decreases to about one-half the maximum level. When these older chicks are fasted or fed egg, activity falls and refeeding the normal diet causes a sharp increase in activity to a level double that of continuously fed chicks. These results indicate that some change occurs in pancreatic tissue slightly before hatching which allows enzyme production, and after this time activity is controlled by a dietary inducer and a “repressing effect” formed in response to the inducer.
Adaptive resampling-based particle filtering for tool life prediction

Abstract Trending analysis has been widely investigated for prediction of tool wear, which impacts not only tool life but also the quality of machined products. This paper presents a Bayesian approach to predicting the flank wear rate, linking vibration data measured during machining with the state of tool wear. Variations in the measured data are aggregated based on the Kullback–Leibler divergence, which provides a measure for the distance between the current and initial probability distributions of measurement, when no wear is present. Subsequently, state space estimation of the tool wear is realized by particle filtering (PF), a non-linear and non-Gaussian system estimation technique. To overcome the sample impoverishment problem in sequential importance resampling (SIR), a new resampling scheme is proposed, which has shown to more reliably quantify the confidence interval and improve the prediction accuracy of the remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of the tool as compared to standard SIR method. The developed method is experimentally evaluated using a set of benchmark data measured from a high speed CNC machine that performed milling operations. Good results are confirmed by the comparison between the predicted tool wear state and off-line tool wear measurement.