cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trade-off between Safety and Cost in Planning Construction Site Layouts

Planning construction site layouts involves identifying the positions of temporary facilities on site, and accordingly it has a significant impact on the safety and efficiency of construction operations. Although available models are capable of minimizing the travel cost of resources on site, they do not consider safety as an important and separate objective in the optimization of site layouts. This paper presents the development of an expanded site layout planning model that is capable of maximizing construction safety and minimizing the travel cost of resources on site, simultaneously. The model incorporates newly developed concepts and performance criteria that enable the quantification of construction safety and travel cost of resources on site. The present model is developed in three main phases: (1) formulating decision variables and optimization objectives in this site layout planning problem; (2) identifying and satisfying all practical constraints in this optimization problem; and (3) implementing the model as a multiobjective genetic algorithm. An application example is analyzed to illustrate the use of the model and demonstrate its capabilities in optimizing construction site layouts and generating optimal trade-offs between safety and travel cost of resources on site.
Learning the Ropes Alone: Socializing New Teachers

(1989). Learning the Ropes Alone: Socializing New Teachers. Action in Teacher Education: Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 21-29.
Protein-imprinted polysiloxane scaffolds

Molecular imprinting is a technique used to create specific recognition sites on the surface of materials. Although widely developed for chromatographic separation of small molecules, this approach has not been adequately investigated for biomaterial applications. Thus, the objective of these experiments was to explore the potential of molecular imprinting for creating biomaterials that preferentially bind specific proteins. Macroporous polysiloxane (silica) scaffolds were imprinted with either lysozyme or RNase A using sol-gel processing. The quantity of surface-accessible protein, which was related to the number of potential binding sites, was varied by changing the amount of protein loaded into the sol. Up to 62% of loaded protein was accessible. The amount of protein per unit surface area ranged from 0.3microgm(-2) for low loading of RNase to 152microgm(-2) for high loading of lysozyme. Protein-imprinted scaffolds were then evaluated for their ability to preferentially recognize the template biomolecule when incubated in mixtures containing both the imprinted protein and a competitor protein of comparable size (approximately 14kD). In solutions containing a single protein, up to 3.6 times more template bound compared with the competitor. Furthermore, in solutions containing equal amounts of both molecules, the porous scaffolds bound up to three times more template than the competitor protein, which is a level of preferential binding similar to values reported in the molecular imprinting literature for both organic and inorganic materials.
Drugs and dreams II: Imipramine and prochlorperazine

Summary A methodology for collecting and scoring the dreams of subjects taking drugs has been presented. The examination of the dreams of 10 volunteer subjects showed that imipramine significantly decreased the number of dreams per night and significantly increased the expression of hostility per word of the dreams. There was a tendency for prochlorperazine to increase the expression of heterosexuality and phenobarbital to increase the expression of homosexuality in dreams. Nonspecific drug effects noted for all three of the drugs were an increase in the appearance of dependency and anxiety in the dreams and a decrease in intimacy.
The Assessment of Sexual Practices Relevant to the Transmission of AIDS: A Global Perspective

Despite global similarities between the immunologic and pathogenic properties of HIV infection, there are substantial cultural and geographical variations in the transmission dynamics of HIV infection/AIDS. In the United States and Europe, for example, HIV infection/AIDS is predominantly evident among homosexual men and intravenous drug abusers. However, in Central Africa, the data indicate that HIV infections/AIDS is heterosexually acquired. Thus, the purpose of the present paper is to suggest some basic strategies and raise some critical issues for collecting data on sexual practices relevant to the transmission of HIV infection/AIDS throughout the world. Topics include assessment strategies, language and meta‐language, cross‐cultural and intra‐cultural comparability, general methodological issues, and constraints for the assessment of anal intercourse.
Supernova implications for the magnetic transition moment of majorana neutrinos

Abstract A large magnetic moment or transition moment of the neutrino have beem suggested as explanations for the solar neutrino puzzle. These scenarios have the attractive feature of incorporating an anticorrelation of the solar neutrino flux with sun spot activity. Recently it has been claimed that the 1987 supernova results put a severe bound on the neutrino magnetic moment, allowing only values that are too small to account for the solar neutrino flux depletion. Here we show that this bound does not apply to the transition magnetic moment of Majorana neutrinos. Other laboratory, astrophysical and cosmological bounds are also discussed.
Binding of fluorine-18 by the oral bacterium, Streptococcus mutans.

Abstract The binding of carrier-free fluorine-18 by resting cells of the cariogenic microorganism Streptococcus mutans GS-5 were assessed. A Ge(Li) γ-ray spectrometer attached to a 4096 channel pulse-height analyzer was used to measure the 18 F bound and to check the radiochemical purity of 18 F. The binding was dependent on time, pH, the amount of 18 F used, the cell status and the fluoride concentration. The adherence of 18 F to Strep. mutans did not require addition of an exogenous energy source, such as glucose, and proceeded equally well at 4–37 °C or at varying oxygen tensions. Under optimal conditions, resting cells of the strain bound approximately 10 9 atoms of 18 F and more than 10 13 atoms of total fluoride in the presence of 10 parts/10 6 NaF per mg dry weight of cells that were not removed by repeated washings.
Pressure natriuresis in rats during blockade of the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway.

The natriuretic response was studied in anesthetized rats during the intravenous infusion of L-arginine analogues to inhibit the production of endothelium-derived nitric oxide. In an initial experimental series, rats were administered saline vehicle or vehicle containing 300 mumol/kg body wt N omega-monomethyl-L-arginine, N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, N omega-monomethyl-D-arginine, or L-arginine. Infusion of the competitive inhibitors N omega-monomethyl-L-arginine and N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester significantly increased mean arterial pressure to 155 +/- 3 and 145 +/- 5 mm Hg, respectively, compared with a mean arterial pressure of 118 +/- 3 mm Hg determined in the vehicle control group. Sodium excretion averaged 3.27 +/- 1.08 and 2.52 +/- 0.78 mu eq/min in the N omega-monomethyl-L-arginine- and N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-treated rats, respectively, and each was significantly higher than the basal sodium excretion of 0.20 +/- 0.05 mu eq/min in the vehicle-treated control animals. Plasma renin activity was significantly lower in the N omega-monomethyl-L-arginine- and N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-treated groups than in the vehicle-treated group. Neither L-arginine nor N omega-monomethyl-D-arginine administration significantly altered any of the measured variables compared with vehicle alone. In a second experimental series, an adjustable snare was placed around the suprarenal aorta for the purpose of controlling renal perfusion pressure independently of increases in the systemic mean arterial pressure initiated by infusion of N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (75 mumol/kg i.v.).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Transformations for temperature flux in multiscale models of the tropics

How much of the observed planetary-scale heating in the tropics is due to eddy flux convergence? A mathematical framework to address this important practical issue is developed here. We describe a pair of velocity transformations that remove components of the upscale temperature flux in the multiscale intraseasonal, planetary, equatorial synoptic-scale dynamics (IPESD) framework derived by Majda and Klein [J. Atmos. Sci. 60: 393–408, (2003)]. Using examples from the models of the Madden-Julian Oscillation of Biello and Majda [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 101: 4736–4741, (2004); J. Atmos. Sci. 62: 1694–1721, (2005); Dyn. Oceans Atmos., in press] we demonstrate that the transformation for the meridional temperature flux convergence is possible with any restrictions on the heating profile, we show under which conditions the transformation for the vertical temperature flux convergence exists and, further, that the meridional transformation leads to a reinterpretation of lower troposphere Ekman dissipation as active heating plus zonal momentum drag. The meridional temperature flux transformation and induced meridional circulation is a new, tropical wave example of the transformed Eulerian mean theory in the case of strong vertical stratification of potential temperature. The asymptotic ordering of the flows means that the removal of the meridional temperature flux convergence has implications for how planetary-scale heating rates are inferred from velocity convergence measurements.
Improving the Aegis combat system with high speed networks

The authors investigate the possibility of replacing the current communication network for the Aegis real-time combat system aboard naval ships with a dual optical fiber ring. This network will then connect all sensors, weapons, electronic equipment, and computers into a single communication network, possessing a simple topology, higher data transfer capability, and security. It is expected that the communication network will also satisfy the needs of the next-generation surface combatant. The future system is expected to build upon the current Aegis combat system architecture, becoming more complex but remaining a well-integrated and easily operable combat system. The high-speed network based on FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) can satisfy the demand for more bandwidth, integrating both real-time and other communication services aboard a ship. It is argued that FDDI can not only successfully replace current communications in a ship's combat system, but can also provide much better service. >
Adaptive fault-tolerant control of linear time-invariant systems subject to actuator saturation

This paper studies the problem of designing adaptive fault-tolerant controllers for linear time-invariant systems with actuator saturation. New methods for designing indirect adaptive fault-tolerant controllers via state feedback are presented for actuator fault compensations. Based on the on-line estimation of eventual faults, the adaptive fault tolerant controller parameters are updating automatically to compensate the fault effects on systems. The designs are developed in the framework of linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach, which can enlarge the domain of asymptotic stability of closed-loop systems in the cases of actuator saturation and actuator failures. An example is given to illustrate the efficiency of the design method.
Transfer of surface‐active agents across a liquid‐liquid interface

Analytical solutions are obtained for the transfer of an adsorbing solute across a liquid-liquid interface taking into account the effects of molecular diffusion in both bulk phases, adsorptive accumulation at the interface, and energy barriers to adsorption and/or desorption. These solutions show that while adsorptive accumulation alone affects the transfer rate but little, the presence of an adsorption or desorption barrier can significantly affect the bulk concentration profiles and decrease the mass transfer rate. The presence of a desorption barrier is shown to cause the dynamic interfacial tension to pass through a minimum below the steady state value. For some systems it is conceivable that the interfacial tension minimum would be sufficiently low that a slight agitation would result in spontaneous emulsification. Dynamic interfacial tension data for oil-water systems with interface ages from 0.05 to 1.5 sec. are obtained using a laminar contracting liquid jet. The data indicate the presence of a small net desorption barrier to the transfer of normal and isobutyric acids from oil to water and large barriers to both the adsorption and desorption of 1,5 pentanediol.
Advocacy in the guise of scientific objectivity: An examination of Faust and Ziskin

Abstract Faust and Ziskin present their criticisms of clinical psychology and of computer-based clinical work as objective and scientific analyses. However, in content and function the criticisms fit more closely into the adversarial process of a cross-examination in a court of law. Viewed from this perspectives, the content of such criticisms are part of a priori conclusions about all clinical endeavors, and are not valid, clearly targeted, and empirically meaningful evaluations of clinical procedures.
Organizational Social Capital and Employment Practices

We introduce the construct of organizational social capital and develop a model of its components and consequences. Organizational social capital is defined as a resource reflecting the character of social relations within the organization. It is realized through members' levels of collective goal orientation and shared trust, which create value by facilitating successful collective action. We discuss employment practices as primary mechanisms by which social capital is fostered or discouraged within organizations.
Minimally invasive monitoring of cellulose degradation by desorption electrospray ionization and laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Minimally invasive desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) and laser ablation electrospray ionization-MS (LAESI-MS) were used to look for soluble cellulose degradation products produced by accelerated aging in unsized cotton paper. Soluble extracts from papers aged 144 to 26 856 hours were first analyzed in solution using traditional electrospray ionization-MS (ESI-MS). Results were compared to those from direct analysis of condensed phase degradation products extracted from the absorbent paper substrate using DESI-MS and LAESI-MS. ESI-MS results showed evidence of oligosaccharide degradation products ranging from cellobiose to cellononaose; using DESI-MS and LAESI-MS, products from cellobiose to cellodecaose and glucose to cellooctaose, respectively, were observed. As degradation proceeded, increased quantities of both low and high molecular weight oligosaccharides were observed. The analytical approaches developed in the control study were applied for the detection of degradation products in two naturally-aged books dating from the 19th century, both made from cotton and linen. Oligosaccharides ranging from glucose to cellopentaose were observed.
Septic Pulmonary Emboli and Bacteremia Associated with Deep Tissue Infections Caused by Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

We report four adult patients who presented with septic pulmonary emboli and community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia associated with deep tissue infections, such as pyomyositis, osteomyelitis, and prostatic abscess. The patients lacked evidence of right-sided endocarditis or thrombophlebitis. This association, previously described in children, may also be important in adults.
Compensating for torsion windup in steerable needles

Long, flexible, bevel-tip needles curve during insertion into tissue, and rotating the base reorients the tip to steer subsequent insertions. Friction between the tissue and the needle shaft, however, can cause a severe discrepancy between the needle base and tip angles. In this paper, I demonstrate an algorithm to properly align the entire length of the needle using torque measured at the base. My algorithm uses several intermediate base rotations to align the orientation of points along the shaft with the desired angle, with minimal remaining torque exerted by the base. I performed an experimental validation with four angle sensors attached to the needle throughout the tissue. My compensation algorithm decreased the lag throughout the needle by up to 88%.
The presence of γ’ chain impairs fibrin polymerization

Abstract Introduction A fraction of fibrinogen molecules contain an alternatively spliced variant chain called γ′. Plasma levels of this variant have been associated with both myocardial infarction and venous thrombosis. Because clot structure has been associated with cardiovascular risk, we examined the effect of γ′ chain on clot structure. Materials and Methods We expressed three fibrinogen variants in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells: γ/γ homodimer, γ/γ′ heterodimer, and γ′/γ′ homodimer. We observed thrombin-catalyzed fibrinopeptide release by HPLC, fibrin polymerization by turbidity, and clot structure by scanning electron microscopy. We characterized post-translational modifications by mass spectrometry. Results Fibrinopeptide A was released at the same rate for all three fibrinogens, while fibrinopeptide B was released faster from the γ′/γ′ homodimer. The rise in turbidity was slower and final absorbance was lower during polymerization of γ′-containing fibrinogens than for γ/γ fibrinogen. Micrographs showed that γ′/γ′ fibrin clots are composed of very thin fibers, while the diameter of γ/γ′ fibers is similar to γ/γ fibers. Further, the fiber networks formed from γ′-containing samples were non-uniform. Mass spectrometry showed heterogeneous addition of N-glycans and tyrosine sulfation in the γ′ chain. Conclusions The presence of γ′ chains slows lateral aggregation and alters fibrin structure. We suggest these changes are likely due to charge-charge repulsion, such that polymerization of the γ′/γ′ homodimer is more impaired than the heterodimer since these repulsions are partially offset by incorporation of γ chains in the γ/γ′ heterodimer.
Compatible discretizations of Maxwell equations

By applying basic tools of algebraic topology and a discrete analog of differential forms, discrete electromagnetic theory can be constructed from first principles on a general (irregular) primal/dual lattice (cell-complex) (Teixeira, F.L. and Chew, W.C., J. Math. Phys., vol.40, p.169-87, 1999). Using a compatible discretization based on differential forms and a discrete Hodge decomposition, we find that Euler's formula matches the algebraic properties of the discrete Helmholtz decomposition in an exact way. Furthermore, we show that the number of dynamic degrees of freedom (DoFs) for the electric field equals the number of dynamic DoFs for the magnetic field. We submit an identity that reflects an essential property of Maxwell equations on a lattice and can be thought as a design principle for any numerical scheme. Based on Galerkin duality and the discrete Hodge operators, we can construct two system matrices, [X/sub E/] (primal formulation) and [X/sub H/] (dual formulation) respectively. It can be shown that the primal formulation recovers the conventional (edge-element) FEM and suggests a geometric foundation for it. On the other hand, the dual formulation suggests a new (dual) type of FEM. Although both formulations give identical physical solutions, the dimension of the null spaces are different.
Early risk of stroke after transient ischemic attack: Back to the future

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) has long been recognized by stroke investigators as both an immediate and a long-term precursor of stroke. Fisher, writing in 1951 about a series of stroke patients, noted the presence of “transitory attacks before the major stroke … commonly occurring once or
Localization of the carbohydrate response element of the rat L-type pyruvate kinase gene.

Abstract Pyruvate kinase is a major regulatory enzyme of glycolysis. Transcription of the L-type pyruvate kinase (L-PK) gene in rat liver is induced by feeding a carbohydrate-rich diet. To investigate the regulatory DNA sequences required for this response, primary hepatocytes were transfected with plasmids containing the 5'-flanking sequence of the rat L-PK gene fused to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. Sequences from -4300 to +12 of the L-PK gene directed an increase in CAT activity when hepatocytes were switched from media containing 10 mM lactate to 25 mM glucose. Average induction was 17-fold (n = 13; S.E. = 2.9). Addition of fructose to the media also induced CAT activity. Carbohydrate regulation of the L-PK promoter was retained with 5'-deletions to -197, but constructs deleted to -96 were completely unresponsive. The 101-base pair fragment from -197 to -96 of the L-PK gene can confer carbohydrate regulation when fused in either orientation to the heterologous thymidine kinase promoter, thus defining a carbohydrate response element in this region. Expression of the transfected gene was regulated by insulin and glucagon in a pattern similar to that seen for the endogenous L-PK gene, suggesting that control of L-PK promoter activity was responsible for carbohydrate-mediated changes in L-PK mRNA production.
Grain Growth in Superplastically Deformed Zinc Sulfide/Diamond Composites

Grain growth in superplastically deformed ZnS/diamond composites was much greater than in undeformed specimens exposed to the same time and temperature. The extent of grain growth depended on the volume fraction of diamond particles. Grain growth was suppressed by the addition of 10 wt% diamond particles in superplastically deformed specimens. In static annealing, however, only 1 wt% diamond particles were enough to supress grain growth, which is a factor of 10 smaller than estimated by the Zener condition.
Analysis Of Different Materials Used In Ancient Egypt

This research is about FTIR and UV comparison study between samples of resin from the Egyptian mummy Fig. 1 and a horn Fig. 2, which may have been used for medical therapy. Both samples are from the Egyptian museum. The study discusses the similarity between the spectra of these two samples whose main component is Chios turpentine. Its medical uses and its uses in embalming are also discussed.
Rights-based Humanitarian Indicators in Post-earthquake Haiti

This chapter presents results of empirical research and critical analysis of the use of rights-based humanitarian indicators, using Haiti as a case study. The author argues that data collected through an online survey, site visits, and interviews with human rights experts suggest that humanitarians are using indicators and benchmarks to monitor projects and ensure effective, measurable results in Haiti. Such metrics also have unintended impacts: while humanitarians have managed to deliver impressive, life-saving services to camps in incredibly difficult conditions, the system has also failed to ensure predictable services to large swathes of the population. The author suggests that this is in part because issues of coverage and scope are not as visible via monitoring and assessment tools such as indicators as project quality and outcomes. Further, although some indicators include attention to issues of sustainability, by highlighting successes in improving outcomes they also inadvertently downplay the potential damage that humanitarian interventions can have on existing and nascent systems for delivering key services. Finally, the quest for data seems to become less pressing when protection issues arise: the humanitarian system appears reluctant to count rapes and evictions despite rising calls to monitor such abuses.
Restraint-induced gastric erosions. Role of acid back diffusion.

Disruption of the gastric mucosal barrier to back diffusion of hydrogen ions has been postulated as an etiologic factor in stress-induced acute gastric mucosal lesions. This hypothesis was tested in rats subjected to restraint stress for 0, 1, 4, and 24 hours. One hour prior to the cessation of restraint and sacrifice, the pylorus was ligated and a test solution instilled into the stomach. The test solution contained either H+ 100 mEq/liter or isotonic saline. In calculating the net flux of hydrogen ion in the acid test groups, hydrogen ion secretion was corrected for in one of two ways: 1) the volume distribution of sodium in the gastric contents (based on Hollander's two-component hypothesis) or 2) the mean secretion of hydrogen ion in similarly treated saline-instilled rats. With either method, all rats showed back diffusion, and there was no difference in the extent of back diffusion between control and stressed animals. Not even in the presence of multiple acute gastric mucosal lesions, in rats subjected to prolonged restraint, was there an increase in back diffusion as compared with control values. The presence of mucosal lesions was correlated with the presence of hydrogen ions and the length of restraint stress but not with any change in hydrogen ion back diffusion. In the restrained pylorus-ligated rats, there was a marked decrease in hydrogen ion secretion; this may represent a protective mechanism. No evidence was found to support the original hypothesis.
Abstract 3669: Chemoprevention of mammary and prostate cancer by phenethyl isothiocyanatein vivois associated with suppression of vimentin protein expression.

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a constituent of many edible cruciferous vegetables (eg, watercress), exhibits in vivo preventive efficacy against cancer in rodents induced by structurally diverse chemical carcinogens. We have also shown recently that dietary administration of PEITC (3 μmol PEITC/g diet) confers significant protection against breast and prostate cancer development in MMTV-neu and TRAMP model, respectively. Prevention of prostate cancer by PEITC administration in TRAMP mice was associated with induction of E-cadherin protein expression. Because suppression of E-cadherin protein level concomitant with induction of mesenchymal markers (eg, vimentin) is a biochemical hallmark of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a process implicated in cancer metastasis, we hypothesized that PEITC treatment was likely to suppress vimentin protein expression. Contrary to this prediction, exposure of cultured human breast (MDA-MB-231) and prostate cancer cells (PC-3 and DU145) to PEITC resulted in a dose-dependent increase in vimentin protein level, which was observed as early as 6 hours post-treatment and persisted for the duration of the experiment (24 hours). RNA interference of vimentin resulted in a modest augmentation of PEITC-mediated inhibition of MDA-MB-231 and PC-3 cell migration as well as cell viability. Furthermore, the PEITC-induced apoptosis was moderately increased upon siRNA knockdown of vimentin protein level in MDA-MB-231 and PC-3 cells. To our surprise, PEITC administration caused a marked decrease in vimentin protein expression in vivo in tumors of MMTV-neu (breast) and TRAMP mice (prostate). The results of the present study indicate that cancer chemoprevention by PEITC in vivo is associated with suppression of vimentin protein expression. The present study was supported by the grant CA101753-09 awarded by the National Cancer Institute. Citation Format: Kozue Sakao, Eun-Ryeong Hahm, Shivendra V. Singh. Chemoprevention of mammary and prostate cancer by phenethyl isothiocyanate in vivo is associated with suppression of vimentin protein expression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3669. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3669
In the image of God: Receiving children with special needs:

The Christian tradition holds that children are welcomed as gifts of God. The birth of a child with special needs, particularly one with profound intellectual disability, often provokes questions for families about what it means to receive such a child as “gift.” Likewise, the lives of these children invite deep theological reflection on how churches portray what it means to be human and to flourish as creatures in God’s image. This article considers the experience of families receiving a child with special needs and the theological questions raised by these lives, and offers some direction for how churches might begin to imagine ways in which the children and their families can be embraced into the life of the church.
FISH Analysis of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) hold promise for treating a multitude of diseases. These fascinating cells are unique in their ability to both self-renew and differentiate into cells from all three germ layers. However, PSCs, as well as other cultured cells, are prone to genetic instability. Given the possibility that these cells may one day be used clinically, identifying, and perhaps preventing, genetic instability is of particular concern for human PSC researchers. One type of genetic alteration that has been observed in PSCs is aneuploidy. Aneuploidy is defined as any divergence from the normal diploid number of chromosomes. So for human cells, any cell with more or less than 46 chromosomes would be considered aneuploid. Interestingly, there is a tendency for human PSCs, regardless of culture conditions, to gain specific chromosomes. In particular, gains of chromosomes 12, 17, 1, and X have been reported from labs all over the world. Since gains of these specific chromosomes are by far the most common aneuploidy seen in human PSCs, it is relatively easy and inexpensive to screen for these using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Here we will describe a cytogenetic method for screening human PSCs using FISH.
Periodic Rotational Crosses. II. Optimizing Breed and Heterosis Use

Choice of the optimal number and sequence of breeds in a periodic cross was determined by comparing the trade-off between increased utilization of breed differences and decreased utilization of heterosis. It was shown that the change in mean efficiency resulting from adding the next best breed to the best conventional n-breed rotation is always less than the change in efficiency predicted from the increase in heterosis. Periodic rotations were generally optimized by decreasing the proportion of poorer performing breeds in the rotation. However, efficiency of periodic rotations can exceed that of the better breed even when the difference in additive breed effects for efficiency is almost twice the effect of heterosis on efficiency. The periodic rotation that was optimal also tended to have the lowest inter-generational variance. It was suggested that inter-generational variances of component traits, which are not necessarily minimized when crosses are selected on a combined efficiency trait, can be considered by including inter-generational variance in an index or by introducing maximum thresholds.
Dopamine D2 receptors are involved in the regulation of Fyn and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 phosphorylation in the rat striatum in vivo.

Fyn, a major Src family kinase (SFK) member that is densely expressed in striatal neurons, is actively involved in the regulation of cellular and synaptic activities in local neurons. This SFK member is likely regulated by dopamine signaling through a receptor mechanism involving dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs). This study characterizes the D2R-dependent regulation of Fyn in the rat striatum in vivo. Moreover, we explore whether D2Rs regulate metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) in its tyrosine phosphorylation and whether the D2R–SFK pathway modulates trafficking of mGluR5. We found that blockade of D2Rs by systemic administration of a D2R antagonist, eticlopride, substantially increased SFK phosphorylation in the striatum. This increase was a transient and reversible event. The eticlopride-induced SFK phosphorylation occurred predominantly in immunopurified Fyn but not in another SFK member, Src. Eticlopride also elevated tyrosine phosphorylation of mGluR5. In parallel, eticlopride enhanced synaptic delivery of active Fyn and mGluR5. Pretreatment with an SFK inhibitor blocked the eticlopride-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and synaptic trafficking of mGluR5. These results indicate that D2Rs inhibit SFK (mainly Fyn) phosphorylation in the striatum. D2Rs also inhibit tyrosine phosphorylation and synaptic recruitment of mGluR5 through a signaling mechanism likely involving Fyn. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
SU-F-J-193: Efficient Dose Extinction Method for Water Equivalent Path Length (WEPL) of Real Tissue Samples for Validation of CT HU to Stopping Power Conversion

Purpose: For proton therapy, an accurate model of CT HU to relative stopping power (RSP) conversion is essential. In current practice, validation of these models relies solely on measurements of tissue substitutes with standard compositions. Validation based on real tissue samples would be much more direct and can address variations between patients. This study intends to develop an efficient and accurate system based on the concept of dose extinction to measure WEPL and retrieve RSP in biological tissue in large number of types. Methods: A broad AP proton beam delivering a spread out Bragg peak (SOBP) is used to irradiate the samples with a Matrixx detector positioned immediately below. A water tank was placed on top of the samples, with the water level controllable in sub-millimeter by a remotely controlled dosing pump. While gradually lowering the water level with beam on, the transmission dose was recorded at 1 frame/sec. The WEPL were determined as the difference between the known beam range of the delivered SOBP (80%) and the water level corresponding to 80% of measured dose profiles in time. A Gammex 467 phantom was used to test the system and various types of biological tissue was measured. Results: RSP for all Gammex inserts, expect the one made with lung-450 material (<2% error), were determined within ±0.5% error. Depends on the WEPL of investigated phantom, a measurement takes around 10 min, which can be accelerated by a faster pump. Conclusion: Based on the concept of dose extinction, a system was explored to measure WEPL efficiently and accurately for a large number of samples. This allows the validation of CT HU to stopping power conversions based on large number of samples and real tissues. It also allows the assessment of beam uncertainties due to variations over patients, which issue has never been sufficiently studied before.
P\mathop{ =}\limits^{?}NP

In 1950, John Nash sent a remarkable letter to the National Security Agency, in which—seeking to build theoretical foundations for cryptography—he all but formulated what today we call the \(\mathsf{P}\mathop{ =}\limits^{?}\mathsf{NP}\) problem, and consider one of the great open problems of science. Here I survey the status of this problem in 2016, for a broad audience of mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. I offer a personal perspective on what it’s about, why it’s important, why it’s reasonable to conjecture that P ≠ NP is both true and provable, why proving it is so hard, the landscape of related problems, and crucially, what progress has been made in the last half-century toward solving those problems. The discussion of progress includes diagonalization and circuit lower bounds; the relativization, algebrization, and natural proofs barriers; and the recent works of Ryan Williams and Ketan Mulmuley, which (in different ways) hint at a duality between impossibility proofs and algorithms.
Monitoring Intracranial Pressure

The cranium is uniquely intolerant to changes in volume. The classical thinking of the relationship between components of the cranium and the pressure created by their presence is defined by the Monroe Kellie Doctrine [1]. Under normal physiologic conditions tissue cells, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) maintain a consistent presence within the cranium and spinal cord areas. When any single component increases, the other two have a limited capacity to accommodate by shifting into accessory spaces so as to avoid a rise in intracranial pressure (ICP) and thus maintain stable cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP).
Taxing Zombies: Killing Zombie Mortgages with Differential Property Taxes

Zombie mortgages and abandoned properties are costly problems for cities and counties across the country. The term “zombie mortgage” is meant to, and hopefully does, evoke images of undead mortgages that are nearly impossible to eliminate. In the legal literature, the term is used to describe the circumstance when a lender or mortgagee has initiated foreclosure proceedings, the homeowner has quit the premises, and the lender later abandons the foreclosure process, often without notifying the owner of record. The mortgages, accompanying fees, and real estate taxes are “zombies” because the affected homeowner cannot escape them by abandoning the property, even after notice of eviction. Generally, the affected homeowner cannot shed these “zombies” through bankruptcy, either. This Article argues that a tax-based tool known as differential property taxes could alter the status quo in a way that incentivizes owners or lenders to improve or dispose of the vacant property much more quickly than in the past and, thus, combat “zombie mortgages.” This Article analyzes the legality of differential taxation as a tool for combating vacant property and highlights the legal impediments faced in certain jurisdictions. Strategic implementation of differential property taxes could be another effective tool to use in the ongoing battle against vacant and abandoned properties.
Design of high speed physical layer interconnects through system modeling, simulation and correlation

Hardware Design for electronic systems is progressively increasing in complexity due to shrinking sizes and increasing data rates. This does not affect the system performance at lower frequencies but as frequencies increase, the analog effects come to affect the digital characteristics of the signal. The PCB traces no longer acts as conducting wires, but as transmission lines. It becomes necessary that the design engineer consider and include these effects in their calculations and correlate it with actual measurements to make sure that system performs as per specifications. This paper outlines the design flow for one of the interfaces and follows up with the measurement correlation to validate the system model. The correlation level of the simulation indicates the confidence level for the system model. This confidence level can be used to normalize the results for the simulation for which a corresponding measurement cannot be obtained.
A Fuzzy Rule-Based Model of Human Problem Solving in Fault Diagnosis Tasks

Abstract This paper discusses a cohesive and widely applicable structure within which human problem solving can be represented. The model is rule-based and includes fuzzy sets of recalled, applicable, useful, simple, and choosable problem solving rules. Appropriate membership functions for each of these fuzzy sets are considerei and the resulting problem solving behavior of the model discussed.
Empirical Evidence from the Administration of Justice

We need to glance first, then, at some examples of what the administration of justice as practiced seems to indicate concerning the meaning of justice. These examples, we will discover, offer empirical evidence for a particular kind of definition.
Optical imaging of metabolic adaptability in metastatic and non-metastatic breast cancer

Accurate methods for determining metastatic risk from the primary tumor are crucial for patient survival. Cell metabolism could potentially be used as a marker of metastatic risk. Optical imaging of the endogenous fluorescent molecules nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) provides a non-destructive and label-free method for determining cell metabolism. The optical redox ratio (FAD/FAD+NADH) is sensitive to the balance between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). We have previously established that hypoxia-reoxygenation stress leads to metastatic potential-dependent changes in optical redox ratio. The objective of this study was to monitor the changes in optical redox ratio in breast cancer cells in response to different periods of hypoxic stress as well various levels of hypoxia to establish an optimal protocol. We measured the optical redox ratio of highly metastatic 4T1 murine breast cancer cells under normoxic conditions and after exposure to 30, 60, and 120 minutes of 0.5% O2. This was followed by an hour of reoxygenation. We found an increase in the optical redox ratio following reoxygenation from hypoxia for all durations. Statistically significant differences were observed at 60 and 120 minutes (p˂0.01) compared with normoxia, implying an ability to adapt to OXPHOS after reoxygenation. The switch to OXPHOS has been shown to be a key promoter of cell invasion. We will present our results from these investigations in human breast cancer cells as well as non-metastatic breast cancer cells exposed to various levels of hypoxia.
Comparison of Online Survey Recruitment Platforms for Hard-to-Reach Pregnant Smoking Populations: Feasibility Study

Background: Recruiting hard-to-reach populations for health research is challenging. Web-based platforms offer one way to recruit specific samples for research purposes, but little is known about the feasibility of online recruitment and the representativeness and comparability of samples recruited through different Web-based platforms. Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the feasibility of recruiting a hard-to-reach population (pregnant smokers) using 4 different Web-based platforms and to compare participants recruited through each platform. Methods: A screener and survey were distributed online through Qualtrics Panel, Soapbox Sample, Reddit, and Amazon Mechanical Turk (mTurk). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize results of each recruitment platform, including eligibility yield, quality yield, income, race, age, and gestational age. Results: Of the 3847 participants screened for eligibility across all 4 Web-based platforms, 535 were eligible and 308 completed the survey. Amazon mTurk yielded the fewest completed responses (n=9), 100% (9/9) of which passed several quality metrics verifying pregnancy and smoking status. Qualtrics Panel yielded 14 completed responses, 86% (12/14) of which passed the quality screening. Soapbox Sample produced 107 completed surveys, 67% (72/107) of which were found to be quality responses. Advertising through Reddit produced the highest completion rate (n=178), but only 29.2% (52/178) of those surveys passed the quality metrics. We found significant differences in eligibility yield, quality yield, age, number of previous pregnancies, age of smoking initiation, current smokers, race, education, and income (P<.001). Conclusions: Although each platform successfully recruited pregnant smokers, results varied in quality, cost, and percentage of complete responses. Moving forward, investigators should pay careful attention to the percentage yield and cost of online recruitment platforms to maximize internal and external validity.
From Economic Stabilization to Budget Stabilization

This chapter starts with an introduction to the concept of the economic cycle and how Mankind has been coping with economic fluctuations; then it traces the evolution of the stabilization function of government: How this function was started and theorized as a necessary addition to the allocation and distribution functions and why fiscal policy is always necessary besides monetary policy. Section 2.2 discusses economic stabilization at the central level. This role carries with it some inherent problems, in particular three types of lag – those in identifying recessions, in taking policy actions, and in obtaining the designed effects of the policies. What is the core of the debate about the efficacy of the stabilization function and why such policy has long been practiced despite the absence of consensus? Section 2.3 elaborates on why the stabilization function that had long been assumed to be exercised solely by the central government was extended to the subnational level and how state governments in the USA experimented with their fiscal practices. The chapter concludes that the stabilization function at the subnational level is best taken as budget stabilization for smooth provision of public services across the economic cycle.
Antiproliferative Effect of Vitamin D in Prostate Epithelial Cells

In the last decade, vitamin D and vitamin D analogs have emerged as potential chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of a variety of cancers. The anticancer activity of vitamin D-based regimens is due, in large part, to inhibition of cell growth and promotion of cellular differentiation. Consistent with these cellular actions, compelling population-based and epidemiologic studies support the protective effects of vitamin D against prostate and certain other cancers. Cell cycle regulation is central to vitamin D’s antiproliferative effects. This chapter focuses primarily on the mechanisms of this cell cycle inhibition in prostate cancer cells and, for illustrative purposes, also highlights vitamin D effects on gene expression and cell cycle in cells derived from other solid tumors. Understanding the fundamental principles of vitamin D synthesis, metabolism and action has led to novel vitamin D-based therapeutic strategies, which are illustrated here. Finally, the possible molecular basis for resistance to vitamin D-mediated growth inhibition is considered.
Effect of phase homogeneity and grain size on ferroelectric properties of 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BXT) lead-free ceramics

Abstract We used two different solid state synthesis routes in conjunction with Current Activated Pressure Assisted Densification (CAPAD) to produce lead-free 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (called BZT-BCT or BXT) ceramics. The materials are fully dense and have a wide range of grain sizes from nanocrystalline (90 nm) to more conventional micrometer size range (3 μm). We investigate the role of grain size and phase homogeneity on the dielectric and ferroelectric properties of BXT independent of porosity. One of the synthesis routes yields samples with comparably high switchable polarization, 2Pr at grain sizes ~7 times smaller (420 nm) than the former route.
Rapidly Progressing Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Presenting as a Stroke

Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is a rare, fatal human prion disease that is characterized by progressive dementia and neurologic degeneration. It can mimic multiple other neurological disorders, and a high index of clinical suspicion is necessary to make a diagnosis. A 74-year-old woman with a 3-month history of a stroke and progressive neurologic deterioration was found to have sCJD. She expired within a week of her diagnosis. Autopsy revealed spongiform encephalopathy consistent with prion disease, and genetic analysis revealed 129 polymorphism and no pathologic mutation, confirming the diagnosis of nonfamilial human prion disease. No pathologic evidence of a stroke was found. Awareness of the disease by clinicians is important not only at the time of initial presentation but also during the following months. Since there is no treatment, invasive medical procedures should be limited to only those that are required for either diagnosis or hospice care.
The Trauma and Suicide Potential Index-5: Psychometric Evaluation in College Samples.

We provide a brief description of the development of the Trauma and Suicide Potential Index–5 (TSPI-5) and report on the psychometric properties of scores from the new instrument. The TSPI-5 is des...