cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TU-EE-A1-02: Validation of Treatment Planning and Delivery in Conventional Linear Accelerator Without Flattening Filter

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare planning and delivery accuracy of IMRT on a conventional linac with and without the flattening filter. Method and Materials: The 6 MV x‐ray beam of a Siemens Oncor linac was modified by removing the flattening filter, enabling dose rates of 1000 MU/min, and modeled within a commercial treatment planning system. IMRT treatment plans created with the flattening filter (F) were reoptimized with equivalent segments and computed for the beam model without the filter (NF) on 10 clinical head‐and‐neck cases. All plans (F and NF) were compared for equivalence and delivered to phantoms; treatment time and dose agreement with planning system were determined. Results: Dose distributions are similar between the two beam lines, and clinically reasonable plans were created despite the absence of the flattening filter. PTV hot spots were <0.5% hotter and cold spots were <0.5% colder for the (NF) plan. Similarly, all other ROIs investigated were within 1% for hot spots and cold spots. On average NF plans required 15% more MU, but delivered treatments were shorter (9 min vs 11 min). Dosimetric differences between computed and ion chamber measurements were similar (−1.7%+/−1.3% − F) and (1.7%+/−1.9% − NF). The number of pixels meeting gamma map criteria of 3%/3mm, 5%/5mm, and 7%/7mm were statistically equivalent (p = 0.6): [88.5%, 96.8%, and 97.8% (NF)], [87.8%, 96.6%, and 97.9% (F)]. Conclusion: The planning system was able to generate equivalent plans, and measured dose distributions in ion chamber and film show no difference between beam models with or without the flattening filter. At the higher dose rate, overall treatment times were reduced and could be applied to gating and hypofractionation. Conflict of Interest: Research supported by industrial grant from Siemens Medical Solutions.
Über den Insulinschock

1. Das Phanomen des Insulinschockes beruht auf einer akuten Storung im autonomen System, die sich an fast samtlichen Organen auswirkt. 2. Der Typ dieser Storung ist charakteristisch fur die Insulinvergiftung. Er bestellt in einem sympathischen Ubergewicht im Tonus der Gefase des Splanchnicus- (Leber-) Gebietes und in einem parasympathischen Ubergewicht im Gefastonus der Peripherie. Der Typ der Gefasstorung im Insulinschock ist das Spiegelbild des Types bei Schockzustanden nach Pepton und ahnlichen Korpern. 3. Die durch die Reaktion des autonomen Nervensystems bedingten lokalen Gefaserscheinungen sind die unmittelbare Ursache der einzelnen klinischen Symptome (Schweisausbruch, periphere Leukocytose, Temperaturerniedrigung und wahrscheinlich auch der krampfartigen Schmerzen im Abdomen und der peripherischen Blutungen). 4. Die fur Insulin typische Reaktion im Gefassystem nimmt hochstwahrscheinlich ihren Ausgang vom Splanchnicusgebiet und ist direkt verursacht durch eine auf Insulin zuruckzufuhrende Glykogenverarmung der Leber.
Civil Discovery: Lawyers' Views of Its Effectiveness, Its Principal Problems and Abuses

This article, the second in a three-part series based on interviews of 180 civil litigators in Chicago, describes lawyers’assessments of the health of the discovery system and their views about the relative severity of several major problems and abuses that burden the discovery process. The data present a disturbing picture of the way the discovery system functions, especially in larger cases. Big case litigators are much unhappier with the current state of affairs in discovery than are their smaller case counterparts, and apparently for good reason. Tactical jockeying, evasive and dilatory practices, and various forms of harassment play major and costly roles in a high percentage of large lawsuits. And in at least one of every two big cases the discovery system fails to distribute the relevant information to all the parties. Perhaps the most dramatic evidence of disaffection with the current state of affairs in major litigation, however, is the widespread support the lawyers expressed for more aggressive judicial involvement in the process and for more frequent, telling use of sanctions to punish its abusers. The third article in this series will report the lawyers’reform proposals and will explore some of the implications of the data described here.
Child pornography in peer-to-peer networks

Abstract Objective The presence of child pornography in peer-to-peer networks is not disputed, but there has been little effort done to quantify and analyze the distribution and nature of that content to-date. By performing an analysis of queries and query hits on the largest peer-to-peer network, we are able to both quantify and describe the nature of querying by child pornographers as well as the content they are sharing. Method Child pornography related content was identified and analyzed in 235,513 user queries and 194,444 query hits. Results The research confirmed a large amount of peer-to-peer traffic is dedicated to child pornography, but supply and demand must be separated for a better understanding. The most prevalent query and the top two most prevalent filenames returned as query hits were child pornography related. However, it would be inaccurate to state child pornography dominates peer-to-peer as 1% of all queries were related to child pornography and 1.45% of all query hits (unique filenames) were related to child pornography, consistent with a smaller study (Hughes et al., 2008). In addition to the above, research indicates that the median age searched for was 13 years old, and the majority of queries were gender-neutral, but of those with gender-related terms, 79% were female-oriented. Distribution-wise, the vast majority of content-specific searches are for movies at 99%, though images are still the most prevalent in availability. Conclusions There is no shortage of child pornography supply and demand on peer-to-peer networks and by analyzing how consumers seek and distributors advertise content we can better understand their motivations. Practice implications Understanding the behavior of child pornographers and how they search for content when contrasted with those sharing content provides a basis for finding and combating that behavior. For law enforcement, knowing the specific terms used allows more timely and accurate forensics and better identification of those seeking and distributing child pornography. For Internet researchers, better filtering and monitoring is possible. For mental health professionals, understanding the preferences and behaviors of those searching supports more effective treatment.
Prognostic significance of histologic host response in cancer of the larynx or hypopharynx.

A series of 84 patients with carcinoma of the larynx or hypopharynx was studied with regard to tumor host interaction. Prognostic evaluation of the “tumor” aspects of this interaction included preoperative staging (TNM), histologic grading of the primary tumor, and histologic examination for the presence of metastases confined to regional lymph nodes or extranodal spread. Morphological evidence of host resistance was judged by the presence and degree of lymphoid inflammatory infiltration around the primary tumor and factors suggestive of enhanced immune reactivity in lymph nodes, i.e., sinus histiocytosis, germinal center hyperplasia, plasmacytosis, and the presence of pyroninophilic blast cells. Of the factors evaluated, those which appeared to correlate best with 5-year survival were stage of disease, presence or absence of positive regional nodes, histologic grade of the primary tumor, lymphoid infiltration in the primary tumor, and extensive germinal center hyperpiasia in the regional nodes. The favorable prognosis attached to the presence of lymphoid infiltration or germinal center hyperpiasia, however, was not uniform for all patients. The presence of lymphoid infiltration was a favorable sign only in the group of patients with positive nodes or in those patients with well-differentiated (Grade I, II) tumors. The presence of extensive germinal center hyperpiasia was a favorable prognostic sign only in those patients with positive nodes or in those patients who had a poorly differentiated (Grade III, IV) tumor. None of the other morphological structures related to lymph node reactivity showed favorable prognostic significance. The relationship of morphology to host immune mechanisms was discussed.
Multiple hematopoietic growth factors signal through tyrosine phosphorylation.

AbstractThe role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the signal transduction of four hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors (IL-3, IL-4, G-CSF, and GM-CSF) in myeloid cells was investigated. In DA-3 cells, both IL-3 and GM-CSF stimulated, within 10 min, the tyrosine phosphorylation of similar proteins with molecular masses of 70, 56, 51, 42, and 38 kD, as well as two different 140-kD proteins, one being the IL-3 receptor. Both of these growth factors were able to increase the transcription, within 1 hr, of two IL-3-inducible genes–c-myc and the gamma chain of the T-cell receptor. In NFS-60 cells, tyrosine phosphorylation on a common 56-kD protein occurred within 10 min in response to either G-CSF or IL-3. In addition, IL-3 stimulation increased the phosphorylation of the 140-kD IL-3 receptor. Both growth factors were able to increase transcription of the c-myc gene within 1 hr. Finally, in NFS-107 cells, IL-3 and IL-4 stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation, within 10 min, of two different 140-kD proteins, o...
Conjugate Distributions for Incomplete Observations

Abstract Reliability data often include information that the failure event has not yet occurred for some items, while observations of complete lifetimes are available for other items. Bayesian analysis requires a conjugate posterior density function after any combination of complete and incomplete observations. This paper considers density functions having failure rate function consisting of a known function multiplied by an unknown scale factor. It is shown that a gamma family of priors is conjugate for both complete and incomplete experiments. A very flexible and convenient model results from the assumption of a piecewise constant failure rate function.
Decoding the cryptic active conformation of a protein by synthetic photoscanning: insulin inserts a detachable arm between receptor domains.

Proteins evolve in a fitness landscape encompassing a complex network of biological constraints. Because of the interrelation of folding, function, and regulation, the ground-state structure of a protein may be inactive. A model is provided by insulin, a vertebrate hormone central to the control of metabolism. Whereas native assembly mediates storage within pancreatic β-cells, the active conformation of insulin and its mode of receptor binding remain elusive. Here, functional surfaces of insulin were probed by photocross-linking of an extensive set of azido derivatives constructed by chemical synthesis. Contacts are circumferential, suggesting that insulin is encaged within its receptor. Mapping of photoproducts to the hormone-binding domains of the insulin receptor demonstrated alternating contacts by the B-chain β-strand (residues B24-B28). Whereas even-numbered probes (at positions B24 and B26) contact the N-terminal L1 domain of the α-subunit, odd-numbered probes (at positions B25 and B27) contact its C-terminal insert domain. This alternation corresponds to the canonical structure of aβ-strand (wherein successive residues project in opposite directions) and so suggests that the B-chain inserts between receptor domains. Detachment of a receptor-binding arm enables photo engagement of surfaces otherwise hidden in the free hormone. The arm and associated surfaces contain sites also required for nascent folding and self-assembly of storage hexamers. The marked compression of structural information within a short polypeptide sequence rationalizes the diversity of diabetes-associated mutations in the insulin gene. Our studies demonstrate that photoscanning mutagenesis can decode the active conformation of a protein and so illuminate cryptic constraints underlying its evolution.
Amine-induced cardiac phosphorylase A after reserpine-triiodothyronine pretreatment

Abstract Both reserpine and triiodothyronine pretreatment greatly enhanced the noradrenaline- and isoproterenol-induced activation of rat cardiac phosphorylase. When both pretreatment were combined the resulting potentiation was greater than that produced by either pretreatment alone indicating that different mechanisms of action are involved for each drug. Atropine pretreatment had no effect on the noradrenaline response in animals pretreated with reserpine, trilodothyronine or a combination of both drugs. Atropine pretreatment did increase the noradrenaline effect in hyperthyroid animals pretreated with propranolol thus indicating that part of the blocking action of propranolol in the hyperthyroid animals is due to an increase in vagal tone.
Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 and O2 with electropolymerized films of vinyl-terpyridine complexes of Fe, Ni and Co

Abstract We have prepared and characterized, by cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile and DMF (under N 2 or CO 2 ) for CO 2 reduction, and in aqueous media for O 2 reduction, iron, nickel and cobalt complexes of a terpyridine (tpy) and vinyl-terpyridine (v-tpy). These materials exhibit electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of CO 2 and the magnitude of the catalytic effect is a function of the metal center. In the case of electropolymerizable metal complexes (those incorporating v-tpy) electrodeposited films exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity than the corresponding tpy complexes in solution. In the case of electropolymerized films of [Fe(v-tpy) 2 ] 2+ , electrocatalysis for CO 2 reduction was observed at potentials below −1.0 V which represents a very significant diminution (of about 1 V) in the overpotential. In the case of oxygen, the electrocatalytic activity of the electropolymerized films as well as the predominant product (peroxide or water) was dependent on the surface coverage.
Inclusion of primary creep in the estimation of the Ct parameter

The problem of time-dependent fracture under transient creep conditions is investigated via finite element analyses of fracture specimens with stationary cracks. The constitutive models consist of linear elasticity with combinations of power-law secondary creep and two primary creep laws. Two proposed parameters are studied. One is a contour integral, C(t), which characterizes the crack tip singularity strength. The other one, Ct, is evaluated based on the load line deflection rate and has been used successfully in correlating experimental creep crack growth data.
So animal a human ..., or the moral relevance of being an omnivore

It is argued that the question of whether or not one is required to be or become a strict vegetarian depends, not upon a rule or ideal that endorses vegetarianism on moral grounds, but rather upon whether one's own physical, biological nature is adapted to maintaining health and well-being on a vegetarian diet. Even if we accept the view that animals have rights, we still have no duty to make ourselves substantially worse off for the sake of other rights-holders. Moreover, duties to others, such as fetuses and infants, may require one to consume meat or animal products. Seven classes of individuals who are not required to be or become vegetarians are identified and their examption is related to nutritional facts; these classes comprise most of the earth's population. The rule of vegetarianism defines a special or provisional duty rather than any general or universal rule, since its observance it based upon the biological capacities of individual humans whose genetic constitution and environment makes them suitably herbivorous. It is also argued that generalizing the vegetarian ideal as a social goal for all would be wrongful because it fails to consider the individual nutritional needs of humans at various stages of life, according to biological differences between the sexes, and because it would have the eugenic effect of limiting the adaptability of the human species. The appeal to the natural interests of omnivores will not justify any claim that humans may eat amounts of meat or animal products in excess of a reasonable safety margin since animals have rights-claims against us.
Oxygen consumption and thermoregulation in Apis mellifera workers and drones

Abstract 1. 1. The mean resting metabolic rates of honeybee workers (Apis mellifera) were inversely proportional to TA. The mean resting metabolic rates of drones did not exhibit this inverse relationship and were unstable at low TA′s. 2. 2. The mean thoracic temperatures of workers were relatively constant between 34 and 36°C at TA′s from 15 to 40°C. They dropped to 29.5 and 31°C at T>A′s of 5 and 10°C, respectively. 3. 3. The mean thoracic temperatures of drones were much more temperature dependent than those of the workers. A relatively constant TTH ranging from 32.5 to 33.5°C was observed only at TA′s of 25–35°C. 4. 4. Both workers and drones appeared to have a preferred body temperature of approximately 35°C.
The Bayesian and frequentist approaches to testing a one-sided hypothesis about a multivariate mean

This paper compares the Bayesian and frequentist approaches to testing a one-sided hypothesis about a multivariate mean. First, this paper proposes a simple way to assign a Bayesian posterior probability to one-sided hypotheses about a multivariate mean. The approach is to use (almost) the exact posterior probability under the assumption that the data has multivariate normal distribution, under either a conjugate prior in large samples or under a vague Jeffreys prior. This is also approximately the Bayesian posterior probability of the hypothesis based on a suitably flat Dirichlet process prior over an unknown distribution generating the data. Then, the Bayesian approach and a frequentist approach to testing the one-sided hypothesis are compared, with results that show a major difference between Bayesian reasoning and frequentist reasoning. The Bayesian posterior probability can be substantially smaller than the frequentist p-value. A class of example is given where the Bayesian posterior probability is basically 0, while the frequentist p-value is basically 1. The Bayesian posterior probability in these examples seems to be more reasonable. Other drawbacks of the frequentist p-value as a measure of whether the one-sided hypothesis is true are also discussed.
Inhibition of peroxisomal functions and production of excessive oxidative stress by psychosine in rat C6 glial cells

The primary defect of abnormality in the metabolism of psychosine in Krabbe disease results in the loss of oligodendrocytes, increased oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions and profound demyelination. To understand the basis of toxicity of psychosine in the CNS of Krabbe disease, we examined the effects of psychosine on the peroxisomal β-oxidation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA), plasmalogen biosynthesis and on the production of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. Rat C6 glial cells were treated with psychosine (2–10 mm) in absence and presence of cytokines (LPS + IFN-γ, or TNF-α + IL-1β) for 24 and 72 h. Psychosine inhibited peroxisomal b-oxidation of VLCFA (30–40% decrease compared to control) and induced the accumulation of VLCFA measured as levels of 26 : 0 (100% increase compared to control). Furthermore, psychosine treatment decreased the levels of plasmalogens (35–50% decrease compared to control). Plasmalogens levels were also drastically low in Krabbe brain than normal control brain. Psychosine also potentiated the known cytokine-induced inhibition of peroxisomal β-oxidation, accumulation of VLCFA and NO production. We also measured overall oxidative stress using dichlorofluorescin diacetate in psychosine-treated cells and found 1–2 fold increase in oxidative stress production. Both psychosine-mediated loss of peroxisomal functions as well as ROS production could be inhibited by antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine. Our results suggest that inhibition of peroxisomal functions and increased free radical production by psychosine may be responsible, at least in part, for the loss of oligodendrocytes and break down of myelin in Krabbe brain. Acknowledgements: Supported by NIH grants NS-40144, NS-40810, NS-22576, NS-34741 and NS-37766.
Kinematic invariants during cyclical arm movements

It has been observed that the motion of the arm end-point (the hand, fingertip or the tip of a pen) is characterized by a number of regularities (kinematic invariants). Trajectory is usually straight, and the velocity profile has a bell shape during point-to-point movements. During drawing movements, a two-thirds power law predicts the dependence of the end-point velocity on the trajectory curvature. Although various principles of movement organization have been discussed as possible origins of these kinematic invariants, the nature of these movement trajectory characteristics remains an open question. A kinematic model of cyclical arm movements derived in the present study analytically demonstrates that all three kinematic invariants can be predicted from a two-joint approximation of the kinematic structure of the arm and from sinusoidal joint motions. With this approach, explicit expressions for two kinematic invariants, the two-thirds power law during drawing movements and the velocity profile during point-to-point movements are obtained as functions of arm segment lengths and joint motion parameters. Additionally, less recognized kinematic invariants are also derived from the model. The obtained analytical expressions are further validated with experimental data. The high accuracy of the predictions confirms practical utility of the model, showing that the model is relevant to human performance over a wide range of movements. The results create a basis for the consolidation of various existing interpretations of kinematic invariants. In particular, optimal control is discussed as a plausible source of invariant characteristics of joint motions and movement trajectories.
Web-based technologies for health sciences reference and instruction

New web-based instructional technologies provide health sciences librarians with tools to enhance delivery of reference services, reinforce library instruction, and facilitate outreach activities. Of the many emerging, new web technologies recently available to health information professionals, 12 resources are presented in this article to explain the value these tools bring to informational and instructional settings to enhance demonstration, facilitate collaborative activities, encourage communication, and evaluate learning/understanding.
The Influence of Technology-Enabled Customer Relationship Management on Customers' Attitude Toward Service Quality and Loyalty

ABSTRACT The main objective of this study was to test empirically the Parasuraman and Grewal's quality-value-loyalty chain model (2000) in a restaurant context. The quality-value-loyalty chain model integrates the importance of relationships between technology and customers, employees, and the company. Survey participants were asked to evaluate scenarios describing a restaurant experience where customized services were provided through information technology and without customized services. The principal finding was that participants evaluated service quality in the customized service setting higher and the assurance factor had a positive linear relationship with attitude toward personal information utilization by a service provider.
Validity and Reliability of the Classroom Participation Questionnaire With Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Public Schools

The Classroom Participation Questionnaire (CPQ) was administered to 136 deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) students attending general education classrooms in Grades 4-10. The CPQ is a student-rated measure that yields scores for Understanding Teachers, Understanding Students, Positive Affect, and Negative Affect. Validity and reliability of a long (28-item) and a short (16-item) form are reported. We provide evidence of (a) internal structure validity through an examination of the relationships between the subscales and an analysis of interitem reliability within each scale, (b) reliability over time by examining the scores of students over a 3-year period, and (c) external structure validity through an examination of the relationships of the CPQ with measures of teacher-rated academic competence and Stanford achievement scores. The results suggest that both the long and short form of the CPQ can be used to assess participation of D/HH students in general education classrooms.
Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome: PHOX2B genotype determines risk for sudden death.

Summary. Objective: Children with Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS) have cardiovascular symptoms consistent with the autonomic nervous system dysregulation/ dysfunction (ANSD) phenotype. We hypothesized that children with CCHS would have a relationshipbetween PHOX2Bgenotypeand two clinicallyapplicable cardiovascular measures of ANSD: duration of longest r-r interval and longest corrected QT interval (QTc). Materials and Methods: We studied 501 days of Holter recordings from 39 individuals with PHOX2B mutationconfirmed CCHS, and analyzed longest r-r and QTc intervals with respect to PHOX2B genotype. Results: We determined that longest r-r interval varied by genotype (P ¼0.001), with a positive correlation between repeat number and longest r-r interval duration (P ¼0.0007). Number of children with a longest r-r interval value � 3 sec varied by genotype (P 450 msec, and percent of time with QTc >450 msec exceeded published values. The proportion of subjects who received a cardiac pacemaker due to prolonged r-r interval was greater for the children with the 20/27 genotype (67%) than the 20/25 (0%) or 20/26 genotype (25%) (P ¼0.01). Among three children who did not receive a cardiac pacemaker, but who had r-rintervals � 3sec,twodiedsuddenly.Conclusions:Theseresultsconfirmadisturbanceofcardiac autonomic regulation in CCHS, indicate that PHOX2B genotype is related to the severity of dysregulation, predict the need for cardiac pacemaker, and offer the clinician the potential to avert
An algebraic family of complex lattices for fading channels with application to space-time codes

A new approach is presented for the design of full modulation diversity (FMD) complex lattices for the Rayleigh-fading channel. The FMD lattice design problem essentially consists of maximizing a parameter called the normalized minimum product distance d/sub p//sup 2/ of the finite signal set carved out of the lattice. We approach the problem of maximizing d/sub p//sup 2/ by minimizing the average energy of the signal constellation obtained from a new family of FMD lattices. The unnormalized minimum product distance for every lattice in the proposed family is lower-bounded by a nonzero constant. Minimizing the average energy of the signal set translates to minimizing the Frobenius norm of the generator matrices within the proposed family. The two strategies proposed for the Frobenius norm reduction are based on the concepts of successive minima (SM) and basis reduction of an equivalent real lattice. The lattice constructions in this paper provide significantly larger normalized minimum product distances compared to the existing lattices in certain dimensions. The proposed construction is general and works for any dimension as long as a list of number fields of the same degree is available.
The Antebellum Money Market and the Economic Impact of the Bank War

This paper examines the impact of the Bank War on the economic events of the 1830's. An economic model of the antebellum money market is developed and tested. Specifications for money demand and supply are drawn from contemporary monetary literature and empirically estimated. Next, the historical hypotheses are tested by exploring the structural stability of the model. The results clearly indicate that: the Bank War affected the economy because it altered the pattern of financial behavior; wildcat banking was not characteristic of the post-Bank period; and finally, the Panic of 1837 was the result of a severe monetary contraction.
Neighborhood psychosocial environment, apolipoprotein E genotype, and cognitive function in older adults.

Context The social environment may influence cognitive function in aging. However, to our knowledge, no studies have investigated whether specific genes modify this association. Objective To examine whether the apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 allele modifies the association of neighborhood psychosocial hazards and cognitive function. Design A cross-sectional analysis. Setting The Baltimore Memory Study, a population-based sample of older urban residents. The 65 study neighborhoods in Baltimore, Maryland, were characterized using the Neighborhood Psychosocial Hazards Scale, designed to assess social disorganization, physical disorder, public safety, and economic deprivation. Participants One thousand one hundred forty urban residents aged 50 to 70 years at baseline. Main Outcome Measures Cognitive performance on 20 standard tests was measured and combined to form 7 summary domain scores (language, processing speed, eye-hand coordination, executive functioning, verbal memory and learning, visual memory, and visuoconstruction). Results In analyses fully adjusted for individual covariates, we found that high (ie, worse) neighborhood psychosocial hazards were not consistently associated with worse cognitive performance. However, the interaction of high neighborhood psychosocial hazards andAPOEe4 genotype was found to be associated with worse cognitive domain scores, with evidence of associations in the domains of processing speed (P = .02) and executive functioning (P Conclusion Living in a psychosocially hazardous neighborhood was associated with worse cognitive function in persons with theAPOEe4 allele, evidence of a novel gene × environment interaction.
Adaptive control of thermal processes in buildings

Application of a self-tuning controller to heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) processes is reported. Adaptive control techniques are attractive in HVAC applications because process characteristics change widely due to variations in weather and building occupancy. Successful implementation of adaptive control techniques is limited by current practices in building instrumentation. Control actuators exhibit significant nonlinearities, while sensing is inadequate to compensate for load disturbances. A self-tuning control system consisting of an autotuner, recursive least-squares estimator, and a performance monitor is flexible and easily configured.
Generating Random Vectors in (ℤ/pℤ) d via an Affine Random Process

This paper considers some random processes of the form X n+1=T X n +B n (mod p) where B n and X n are random variables over (ℤ/pℤ) d and T is a fixed d×d integer matrix which is invertible over the complex numbers. For a particular distribution for B n , this paper improves results of Asci to show that if T has no complex eigenvalues of length 1, then for integers p relatively prime to det (T), order (log p)2 steps suffice to make X n close to uniformly distributed where X 0 is the zero vector. This paper also shows that if T has a complex eigenvalue which is a root of unity, then order p b steps are needed for X n to get close to uniformly distributed for some positive value b≤2 which may depend on T and X 0 is the zero vector.
Taxonomy and natural history of the Crematogaster (Decacrema)-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Madagascar.

The taxonomy of the Malagasy Crematogaster (Decacrema) is revised and a total of six distinct species and one species-complex are recognized. Malagasy Decacrema are widespread ants in Madagascar that nest almost exclusively arboreally, either in carton nests or inside dead twigs or branches, and often tend Coccoidea. Four species are newly described here: Crematogaster mahery sp. nov., C. malala sp. nov., C. sabatra sp. nov. and C. sisa sp. nov.. The species status of Crematogaster grevei Forel 1891 is confirmed by the study, and one described subspecies, C. hova nosibeensis Forel 1891 is raised to species level (C. nosibeensis stat. nov.) and a neotype designated. Crematogaster hova latinoda Forel 1891 is synonymised under C. hova Forel 1887, and the taxonomic status of C. hova, C. ensifera Forel 1910 and C. schencki Forel 1891 is further investigated, but could not be resolved with methods employed here. The C. hova-complex, a species-complex consisting of five morphological forms, is hence defined and the three described species above are associated with these morphotypes. Full descriptions including natural history information are presented for all species and the species-complex, as well as images, distribution maps and a species-identification key to the workers of Malagasy Decacrema. A diagnosis of the Malagasy Decacrema and identification keys to the subgenera of the ant genus Crematogaster in the Malagasy region are also provided.
Observed Dispersion Relation of Yanai Waves and 17-Day Tropical Instability Waves in the Pacific Ocean

Using sea surface height (SSH) data derived from recent satellite observations, we present the observed dispersion relationship of mixed Rossby Gravity (Yanai) waves in the Pacific Ocean. A wavenumber-frequency spectral analysis of SSH fields shows prominent spectral peaks along the dispersion curves of first and second baroclinic mode oceanic Yanai waves. Also, salient features of tropical instability waves (TIWs) with a period of ~17 days can be effectively isolated based on a cross-correlation analysis of sea surface temperature (SST) and SSH time series that are filtered in wavenumber-frequency domain. These statistical repre sentations of oceanic Yanai waves and TIWs are important for the evaluation of numerical model simulations of these waves and for improving our understanding of the physics of 17-day TIWs.
A library of tunable poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(L-lysine) hydrogels to investigate the material cues that influence neural stem cell differentiation

Neural stem cells (NSCs) have the potential to replace the major cell types of the central nervous system (CNS) and may be important in therapies for injuries to and diseases of the CNS. However, for such treatments to be safe and successful, NSCs must survive and differentiate appropriately following transplantation. A number of polymer scaffolds have shown promise in improving the survival and promoting the differentiation of NSCs. To capitalize on the interaction between scaffolds and NSCs, we need to determine the fundamental material properties that influence NSC behavior. To investigate the role of material properties on NSCs, we synthesized a library of 52 hydrogels composed of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(L-lysine) (PLL). This library of hydrogels allows independent variation of chemical and mechanical properties across a wide range of values. By culturing NSCs on this library, we have identified a subset of gels that promotes NSC migration and a further subset that promotes NSC differentiation. By combining the material properties of these subsets with the cell behavior, we determined that mechanical properties play a critical role in NSC behavior with elastic moduli promoting NSC migration and neuronal differentiation. Amine concentration is less critical, but PLL molecular weight also plays a role in NSC differentiation.
Simulation and theoretical results on cluster management and directory management in dynamic hierarchical networks

A cluster management scheme for dynamic networks, the purpose of which is to maintain the cluster structure of the hierarchical network as a balanced-tree topology is presented. The theoretical time complexity bounds of the cluster management scheme for node birth and death are derived. The effects of the cluster management on gate-connected fixed-node networks under heavy intercluster traffic situations are discussed. In order to show that the scheme can handle realistic communication networks, routing tables and OD pair shortest path routing are used. The settle-down time, throughput, and end-to-end link delays of a network that uses cluster management and a network of the same topology that only uses flooding are compared. >
Efficient two-photon-induced fluorescence in a new organic crystal

Results are presented on the two-photon absorption and fluorescence properties of a new molecular crystal based on (E)-(E)-4-(p-N,N-dimethylaniline)-1-cyano-1-di(ethoxy)phosphinoylbuta-1,3-diene (DCP). This material shows a two-photon-induced fluorescence when excited in the infrared, in powder ∼6 times that obtained from a [2-[2-[4-dimethylaminophenyl]ethenyl]-6-methyl-4H-pyron-4-ylidene]propanedinitrile powder excited at 1.064 μm, and ∼50 times that of a 1-cm-long Rhodamine 640 solution (2 mM in methanol). Pulsed photoacoustic spectroscopy has been used to characterize the two-photon absorption band of the crystalline state. A high two-photon absorption coefficient, β=15 cm/GW, is reported, and an energy-conversion yield of 2.0% (incoherent fluorescence) was obtained in a DCP monocrystal in a single-pass beam configuration. Finally, a correlation is shown between the polarization of the excitation radiation and the crystalline structure of the material.
P2P grid: service oriented framework for distributed resource management

With the increasing number of computers on the Internet, there is a growing interest in harnessing the unused and inexpensive computational resources over the Internet. However, current approaches such as the grid computing paradigm are not sufficient. We present our preliminary work that uses extends peer-2-peer (P2P) computing with a framework that allows grid computing over the Internet.
A low noise, radiation tolerant CCD readout processor for the proposed SNAP satellite.

To simplify the system integration, thermal design and wiring of the SNAP satellite focal plane a custom IC has been developed that can digitize the four output channels of a CCD. This CCD readout IC is designed to operate at room temperature for test purposes and at 140 K, the operating temperature of the focal plane. The chip consists of four-channels of pre-amplifier, double correlated sampler and 14-bit pipeline AD converter. The chip incorporates an innovative circuitry that selects one of three gain levels on a per-pixel basis to achieve greater than 16-bit dynamic range. It has an on-chip voltage reference and programmable configuration registers. We have tested the performance both at room temperature and at 140 K, as well as the radiation tolerance. The ASIC, implemented in a standard 0.25 mum CMOS technology, has a measured readout noise of 6.2 muV rms at 100 kHz readout speed, a measured non-linearity of plusmn5 LSB and a power consumption of 121 mW.
Multi-range traversability indices for terrain-based navigation

Presents novel measures of terrain traversability at three different ranges, namely local, regional and global traversability indices. The local traversability index is related, by a set of linguistic rules, to local obstacles and surface softness within a local perception range, measured by on-board sensors mounted on a robot. The rule-based regional traversability index is computed from the terrain roughness and slope that are expected from video images of the terrain within a regional perception range obtained by on-board cameras. The global traversability index is obtained from a terrain topographic map, and is based on natural or man-made surface features, such as mountains and craters, within the global perception range. Each traversability index is represented by four fuzzy sets with linguistic labels {poor, low, moderate, high}, corresponding to surfaces that are unsafe, moderately unsafe, moderately safe or safe for traversal, respectively. These indices are used to develop a behavior-based navigation strategy for a mobile robot traversing a challenging terrain. The traversability indices form a basis of three navigation behaviors, namely local, regional and global traversal behaviors. These behaviors are integrated with a goal-seeking behavior to ensure that the mobile robot reaches the goal safely while avoiding obstacles and impassable terrain segments. The paper concludes with an illustrative graphical simulation study.
Enabling dynamic composition and coordination for autonomic Grid applications using the Rudder Agent framework

This paper introduces Rudder, a peer-to-peer agent framework for supporting autonomic applications in decentralized distributed environments. The framework provides agents to discover, select, and compose elements, and defines agent interaction and negotiation protocols to enable appropriate application behaviors to be negotiated and enacted dynamically. The implementations of these protocols as well as agent coordination and negotiation activities are supported by Comet, a scalable decentralized coordination substrate. The operation and experimental evaluation of Rudder is presented.
Induction of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase by a 90% Carbohydrate Diet and 8-Azaguanine Insensitive Induction of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Following a Transfer from the 90% Carbohydrate Diet to a 90% Protein Diet

A protein-free 90% sucrose diet was refed for several days to rats starved for 7 days. 8-Azaguanine was then injected intraperitoneally concomitant with a change to a 90% protein diet to determine if glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) mRNA was synthesized during the refeeding of an inadequate protein diet. The refeeding of the 90% sucrose diet alone resulted in an induction of G6PD to 2-3 times the prestarvation level. Glucose could be substituted for sucrose with equal effect on the induction of G6PD. After the change to the 90% protein diet a further increase in G6PD activity occurred which was insensitive to 8-azaguanine and thus presumably was independent of mRNA synthesis. This 8-azaguanine insensitive increase in G6PD was greater after a 4-day refeeding of the 90% sucrose diet than after only a 2-day refeeding of the 90% sucrose diet. This indicates that synthesis of G6PD mRNA occurred while refeeding the 90% sucrose diet. Reducing the starvation period to only 2 days resulted in no induction of G6PD by the 90% sucrose diet and the absence of an 8-azaguanine insensitive induction upon changing to the 90% protein diet. J. Nutr. 104; 12-17,
Making the Transition to Higher Education Opportunities for Student Empowerment

This article focuses on the transition process for high school students with learning disabilities as they move from secondary to postsecondary settings. The role of the student will be examined as it relates to the transition process, including participating in the transition planning team, selecting high school classes, searching for the best postsecondary option, and enrolling in either a 2- or 4-year college. By being actively involved in the transition process from the beginning, students can become informed consumers about their options and rights under law. Practical suggestions for high school service providers, teachers, and parents are included as they relate to supporting students in this process.
Assessment of acute iron poisoning by laboratory and clinical observations

A survey of medical records at a tertiary children's medical center was performed to determine whether selected laboratory and clinical observations and the serum iron concentration exceeding the total iron-binding capacity serve as indicators of acute iron poisoning. Patients were hospitalized for treatment of iron poisoning during January 1976 through June 1992. A total of 128 patients were identified; 92 met selection criteria and 65 had a serum iron concentration and total iron-binding capacity obtained simultaneously. The present study was unable to confirm that vomiting, diarrhea, leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, and radiopacities were associated with a serum iron concentration in excess of 300 micrograms/dL (54 mumol/L); only one observation, coma, was associated (P or = 93%). The ratio of serum iron concentration to the total iron-binding capacity was not associated with symptoms of systemic iron toxicity or presence of vin rose urine after parenteral deferoxamine administration. A serum iron concentration in excess of the total iron-binding capacity may not identify patients with serious iron poisoning.
Risk-Adjusted Pathologic Margin Positivity Rate As a Quality Indicator in Rectal Cancer Surgery

Purpose Margin positivity after rectal cancer resection is associated with poorer outcomes. We previously developed an instrument for calculating hospital risk-adjusted margin positivity rate (RAMP) that allows identification of performance-based outliers and may represent a rectal cancer surgery quality metric. Methods This was an observational cohort study of patients with rectal cancer within the National Cancer Data Base (2003 to 2005). Hospital performance was categorized as low outlier (better than expected), high outlier (worse than expected), or non-RAMP outlier using standard observed-to-expected methodology. The association between outlier status and overall risk of death at 5 years was evaluated using Cox shared frailty modeling. Results Among 32,354 patients with cancer (mean age, 63.8 ± 13.2 years; 56.7% male; 87.3% white) treated at 1,349 hospitals (4.9% high outlier, 0.7% low outlier), 5.6% of patients were treated at high outliers and 3.0% were treated at low outliers. Various structural (...
In Situ trans Ligands of CD22 Identified by Glycan-Protein Photocross-linking-enabled Proteomics

CD22, a regulator of B-cell signaling, is a siglec that recognizes the sequence NeuAcα2–6Gal on glycoprotein glycans as ligands. CD22 interactions with glycoproteins on the same cell (in cis) and apposing cells (in trans) modulate its activity in B-cell receptor signaling. Although CD22 predominantly recognizes neighboring CD22 molecules as cis ligands on B-cells, little is known about the trans ligands on apposing cells. We conducted a proteomics scale study to identify candidate trans ligands of CD22 on B-cells by UV photocross-linking CD22-Fc chimera bound to B-cell glycoproteins engineered to carry sialic acids with a 9-aryl azide moiety. Using mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics to analyze the cross-linked products, 27 glycoproteins were identified as candidate trans ligands. Next, CD22 expressed on the surface of one cell was photocross-linked to glycoproteins on apposing B-cells followed by immunochemical analysis of the products with antibodies to the candidate ligands. Of the many candidate ligands, only the B-cell receptor IgM was found to be a major in situ trans ligand of CD22 that is selectively redistributed to the site of cell contact upon interaction with CD22 on the apposing cell.
The Experiences of Black Females in Traditional and Nontraditional Professions

This study is an investigation of differences in the backgrounds, attitudes, and career-related expectations of black college females pursuing traditional (e.g. teaching, social work, and nursing) ...
Determination of Perspective Generating Parameters

A photogrammetric method for the determination of the generating parameters of a photograph is presented. The generating parameters are defined as six independent coordinates from which a photograph may be geometrically reproduced by considering a large number of points in the three-dimensional object space and transforming these to the two-dimensional space of the photograph. These parameters consist of the coordinates of the point where the camera is located, the symmetric equations of the line along the optical axis of the camera, and a linear scale factor associated with the photograph, enlarged to any magnification. The desired six parameters are iteratively determined by the method of least squares by considering five or more points in the object space whose rectangular coordinates are known or may be estimated with a high degree of accuracy. Good agreement with experimental results was obtained and an application is described.