cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Hardware-in-the-Loop to Hybrid Process Simulation: An Ontology for the Implementation Phase of a Manufacturing System

Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) is a widely used testing approach for embedded systems, where real components and/or controllers are tested in closed-loop with a simulation model. In this paper, we generalize HIL by combining multiple simulations and real components into a Hybrid Process Simulation (HPS). An HPS is a test setup that contains at least one simulated and one actual component, but may contain many of both. It is implemented such that each simulated component can be swapped out with its real counterpart without making changes to the existing system, and vice versa. In this paper, an ontology which provides a conceptual architecture is developed for an HPS, such that a general interpretation of a manufacturing system's implementation is made possible. A formalized application method is then devised for replacing simulations with real processes and vice versa. A conceptual architecture is put forth that separates the effect of a component from its spatial essence (volume or mass). This separation allows workpieces in a manufacturing process, for example, to go from the physical world into the virtual world (computer simulation) and back again repeatedly. The conceptual architecture is applied to a small manufacturing line in the following scenarios: replacing a real robot with a simulated robot, replacing a manufacturing cell with a simulated manufacturing cell, and adding a new simulated manufacturing cell to the existing system. These applications successfully demonstrate how an HPS can be used to test a manufacturing system setup with multiple regions of real and simulated components.
A new approach to filtering and adaptive control

A simple distribution-free method is proposed for directly estimating and updating a criterion function without recourse to prior state space specification, updated state probabilities, and Bayes' rule. Optimality properties and efficiency advantages of the method are illustrated in terms of a two-armed bandit problem. The relationship between direct criterion function estimation and Kalman-Bucy filtering is clarified.
Differential dose delivery using a nondocking applicator for intraoperative radiation therapy.

Abstract Purpose : Although treatment of a field within a field to deliver a boost dose is quite common with external photon beam radiation therapy, the same is not always true with electron beam radiation or in intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). The purpose of this work is to report the results and details of a new technique developed to treat a field within a field in intraoperative radiation therapy. Methods and Materials : This technique makes use of the nondocking IORT system currently used at our institution. Treatment is given in two segments: the large field is first treated by using standard circular lucite cones; the second dose segment is delivered using a new circular brass cone designed to fit concentrically within the large lucite cone. Results : Central axis depth dose, surface dose, output factors, and two-dimensional beam profiles have been measured for a 7 cm inner diameter (i.d.) flat lucite cone and 3.8 and 5 cm i.d. flat brass cones for electron beam energies ranging from 4–22 MeV. For different clinical target volumes, summed dose distributions differentially weighted in both energy and dose are presented. Conclusions : A simple technique for delivering differential dose in intraoperative radiation therapy is presented. The technique provides a method for escalating dose to higher values for a defined target volume.
SU‐FF‐I‐39: The Effects of Additional Scatter Media and Tube Current Modulation On MDCT Organ Doses

Purpose: To quantify the effect of scatter media surrounding the scanned volume in CT on organ dose. This information could prove valuable in using patient specific data with Monte Carlo simulations to determine clinical organ doses. The effects of beam width and automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) on organ doses in CT were also explored, as most current Monte Carlo simulations do not account for the ATCM systems incorporated in modern clinical scanners.Method and Materials: Average organ dose measurements were taken in an adult male anthropomorphic phantom using a fiber optic coupled dosimetry system during a routine clinical chest CT exam. The amount of scatter media was increased longitudinally from a normal 33 cm scan length to include the entire 176 cm length of the phantom. Both modulated and fixed tube current scans were performed using multiple beam widths (2.4 mm and 1.2 mm) to determine the effects of these parameters on organ doses. Results: Within experimental error, the presence of additional scatter media did not cause an increase in measured doses. A 2.4 mm beam produced an 11% dose reduction as compared to a 1.2 mm beam. ATCM was found to reduce average organ doses by approximately 24%, with individual organ dose reductions ranging from 36% in the breast to 10% in the lungs compared to fixed current scans. Conclusion:Monte Carlo simulations performed on patient scan data will not significantly underestimate organ doses due to scatter contribution from outside the scan volume for an average‐sized patient. A combination of ATCM and a wider beam was found to reduce average doses by 33% during a chest CT. It was found that a comparison of the ATCM tube current per slice is an accurate predictor of individual and average organ dose savings for ATCM compared to fixed current techniques.
Neothrombiidae (Acari: Trombidioroea) of the World: Systematic review with a phylogenetic analysis and descriptions of two new genera

Abstract World species of mites in the family Neothrombiidae (Acari: Trombidioidea) are reviewed. The larvae of seven genera are recognized in Neothrombiidae: Acritrombium Southcott (previously placed in Trombidiidae), Ceuthothrombium Robaux, Webb & Campbell, Dasitrombium Zhang, gen. nov., Nanotrombium Zhang, gen. nov., Neothrombium Oudemans (type genus), Paputrombidium Fain (previously placed in Trombidiidae), and Wondeclia Southcott (previously placed in Trombidiidae). The adults and deutonymphs of two genera in Neothrombiidae are recognized: Neothrombium and Falsivalgothrombium Zhang & Xin (previously placed in Trombidiidae). Synopses of the family and genera and keys to world genera and species of Neothrombiidae are proposed. Larvae of Dasitrombium arizonaicum, gen. et sp. nov. are described as ectoparasites of grasshoppers in Arizona, USA. Nanotrombium krantzi, gen. et sp. nov. is described from a larva collected in Lampang, Thailand. Larvae of Neothrombium medium Zhang, sp. nov. are described as ect...
Variation in Reaction to Fusarium spp. Identified in a Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Population Developed for Field-Based Resistance to Root Rot and Wilt

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli (FOP) and Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli (FSP) cause wilt and root rot symptoms in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and frequently cause a reduction in pod yield. The objectives of this study were to determine the degree of phenotypic variation for reaction to FOP and FSP present in an 'Eagle' x Puebla 152 (EP) recombinant inbred line (RIL) population and to determine if previously identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with resistance to Aphanomyces euteiches were consistent with those associated with resistance to FOP and FSP. Transgressive segregation was observed among the EP RILs for reaction to FOP. The narrow sense heritabilities for resistance to FOP based on foliar and root symptoms were 0.25 ± 0.07 and 0.29 ± 0.07, respectively. Similarly, the narrow sense heritability for resistance to FSP was 0.23 ± 0.12. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers W13.350 on linkage group B6 and AG13.600 on linkage group B8 were associated with QTLs for root and foliar response to FOP; an additional RAPD marker, U12.500 on linkage group B2, was associated with foliar response to FOP. Selection for QTLs associated with resistance to FOP should result in bean lines with reduced severity to both foliar and root symptoms caused by FOP. Two QTLs, AM2.400 and U20.1150 on linkage groups B3 and B8, respectively, were identified as associated with resistance to FSP. The QTLs associated with FOP, FSP, and A. euteiches are independent, indicating that it may be possible to use RAPD markers to pyramid resistance to all three soil borne pathogens.
Petrogenetic modeling of Hawaiian tholeiitic basalts: A geochemical approach

The abundances of 29 elements in 33 samples of tholeiitic basalts from five volcanoes in Hawaii are determined by neutron-activation analysis; the results are presented in tables and graphs with the data of Murali et al. (1977) for a sixth volcano and characterized in detail; and geochemical partial-melting models are constructed to explain the origin of these basalts. The models proposed are based on olivine crystallization from three distinct source compositions (determined from the REE and Sc partitioning) and correspond to the volcano groups Mauna Kea, Kohala, and Kilauea; Mauna Loa and Lanai; and Koolau.
Spontaneous Fission Yields of Cf 252

A radiochemical investigation has been made of the fission yield curve for the spontaneous fission of ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{252}$. One source of 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{6}$, another of 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{7}$, and a third of 7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{7}$ fissions per minute were used to obtain the data. Thirty-six radioactive nuclides between mass numbers 77 and 166 were separated, identified, and their fission yields calculated. Upper limits were set for nine other nuclides. The fission yield curve has maxima of 6.05% at masses 107 and 141, with a "full width at $\frac{1}{10}$ maximum" of each peak of approximately 27 mass units. There is a very narrow "trough" with a minimum value of \ensuremath{\leqq} 8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$% at mass number 124. In addition, while the curve as a whole is symmetrical about mass 124, each peak is not symmetrical about its own maximum, being significantly spread toward the most asymmetric fission modes. A small finestructure peak was observed at mass 113. No evidence was seen of activities that could be ascribed to ternary fission events, upper limits of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$% fission yield being set for individual nuclides between mass numbers 28 and 72.
A painless pigmented pinna lesion

A 15-year-old boy presented with a 2-month history of a painless lesion on the right earlobe and multiple neck lumps. He had emigrated from Pakistan 4 years earlier and had received the Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) vaccine at birth. He denied systemic or respiratory symptoms. On examination, a 14 mm soft painless pigmented lesion on the …
Correlations between dialogue acts and learning in spoken tutoring dialogues

We examine correlations between dialogue behaviors and learning in tutoring, using two corpora of spoken tutoring dialogues: a human-human corpus and a human-computer corpus. To formalize the notion of dialogue behavior, we manually annotate our data using a tagset of student and tutor dialogue acts relative to the tutoring domain. A unigram analysis of our annotated data shows that student learning correlates both with the tutor's dialogue acts and with the student's dialogue acts. A bigram analysis shows that student learning also correlates with joint patterns of tutor and student dialogue acts. In particular, our human-computer results show that the presence of student utterances that display reasoning (whether correct or incorrect), as well as the presence of reasoning questions asked by the computer tutor, both positively correlate with learning. Our human-human results show that student introductions of a new concept into the dialogue positively correlates with learning, but student attempts at deeper reasoning (particularly when incorrect), and the human tutor's attempts to direct the dialogue, both negatively correlate with learning. These results suggest that while the use of dialogue act n-grams is a promising method for examining correlations between dialogue behavior and learning, specific findings can differ in human versus computer tutoring, with the latter better motivating adaptive strategies for implementation.
Flexural plate wave devices for biosensor platform

Flexural plate wave (FPW) device is one of promising devices for biological sensor application, because its electronic circuit can be isolated from the medium being detected, and it shows low acoustic energy loss in liquid medium. Moreover, FPW device arrays on the silicon based substrate can be possible at low cost fabrication by micromachining technology, so that it offers batch processing for economic sensor fabrication. In this study, piezoelectric ZnO film was chosen as a material for a biological sensor platform, due to non-toxicity, and chemical and thermal stability. RF magnetron sputtering and chemical solution deposition (CSD) were investigated as film fabrication method. To launch and receive the acoustic wave through the piezoelectric material, it is required that the piezoelectric ZnO film have strong c-axis orientation in the device. For the magnetron RF sputtering, process parameters such as gas ratio, substrate types, and temperature, were varied, and heat treatment and substrate types for CSD. Results indicated that the preferred orientation and microstructure of ZnO films can be controlled by the variation of the process parameter, and that uniform and dense microstructures of ZnO films were obtained by both fabrication methods. CSD method showed, however, stronger dependence of the preferred orientation on substrate types while less dependence on the substrates for sputtering due to energetic sputtered species. Mechanism for ZnO thin film growth will be discussed. FPW devices have been successfully integrated onto 4 inch Si-wafer with 22 different interdigitated electrodes designs, and the device demonstrated the capability to detect biological quantity of 446.13 cm2/gram of sensitivity.
Enhancing the self-esteem of youth swimmers through coach training: gender and age effects.

Abstract Objectives Prior research has indicated that improving the behavior of youth sport coaches can enhance the self-esteem of boys age 12–14, particularly for those who begin the season with low self-esteem [Smoll, F. L., Smith, R. E., Barnett, N. P., & Everett, J. J. (1993). Enhancement of children's self-esteem through social support training for youth sport coaches. Journal of Applied Psychology , 78 , 602–610]. The purpose of the present study was to extend the literature by testing the efficacy of a psychosocial coach training intervention for enhancing the self-esteem of male and female swimmers aged 7–18 years. Methods Youth ( N =135) and coaches ( N =7) participated in a randomized efficacy trial comparing the effects of a psychosocial coach training intervention to an injury prevention intervention on changes in youth self-esteem over the course of a 7-week swim season. Three waves of data were collected: beginning-of-season (pre-intervention), mid-season, and end-of-season. Results Longitudinal growth modeling indicated significant variability in initial levels of self-esteem at beginning-of-season, but no significant mean level changes over time. Effects of the experimental intervention were moderated by age, initial level of self-esteem, and gender. Effects of psychosocial coach training were strongest for younger participants, and for girls who started the season with low levels of self-esteem. Conclusions Training coaches in psychosocial and behavioral principles is an effective way to alter coach behavior and enhance the athlete-coach relational context. Psychosocial coach training is also associated with gains in self-esteem for some, but not all, athletes and may be most important for youth who need it most. Implications for coach training programs are discussed.
Characterization of the systemic disease and ocular signs induced by experimental infection with Chlamydia psittaci in cats

In addition to the commonly reported ocular signs, Chlamydia psittaci infection of kittens resulted in fever, lethargy, lameness and reduction in weight gain following ocular instillation of virulent organisms. The appearance of these systemic signs was late with respect to the appearance of ocular symptoms and occurred simultaneously with increasing levels of chlamydia-specific IgG. Measurement of acute phase reactants and IL-6 in plasma indicated that both became elevated concurrent with or slightly after the appearance of fever and remained elevated after the fever began to resolve. Preliminary data also indicated that infectious C. psittaci was present in the blood stream during this time period. The results of ocular instillation of three different levels of C. psittaci (10(3.8), 10(2.8) and 10(1.5) TCID50) indicated that the frequency of infection and the severity of ocular signs were diminished in the group receiving the lowest dose. However, the magnitude of systemic disease was similar in all animals which exhibited clinical signs, irrespective of the dose administered. The immune response to infection included elementary body (EB)-specific lymphocyte proliferation as well as the development of EB-specific IgG and IgM antibodies. The predominant antibody response was to a 45 kDa protein, the major outer membrane protein (MOMP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a 58 kDa doublet and 32 and 16-19 kDa proteins.
MRI "road-map" of normal age-related bone marrow. I. Cranial bone and spine.

We retrospectively reviewed 733 cranial and 250 spinal T1-weighted MR images of patients younger than 24 years to evaluate the bone marrow changes. The signal intensity of the bone marrow on short-TR/TE images was compared with that of fat and normal muscles in the contiguous region and graded. The signal intensity of all anatomic segments was as low as that of muscle, or inferior, in all patients younger than 3 months because of hematopoietic tissue and probably greater amounts of trabecular bone. The first anatomic segments of cranial bone to become hyperintense were the zygomatic bone and mandibular symphysis, followed by the presphenoid bone, basisphenoid, basiocciput, calvaria, and the petrous apex. After 3 years of age, most patients demonstrated pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus. We describe the most interesting changes in the developing spien, which occur in the first 2 years of life. The morphology of the vertebral bodies was evaluated. The variability of the signal and the morphology of the disks were also evaluated. Regional patterns of bone marrow signal intensity and age-related differences should not be misinterpreted as a pathologic condition.
The Contextual Specificity of Human and Organizational Capital for Innovation

Across industries, there is considerable variation in organizations' ability to realize the benefits of their innovation efforts. The health care industry, in particular, has struggled as evidenced by the value erosion in the pharmaceutical sector, as well as by sluggish quality improvement in the delivery sector despite investment in quality-improving innovations. This struggle surprises considering the rigorous processes and unique evidentiary standards for innovating in health care. Prior research indicates that whether an organization realizes the benefits of an innovation depends on innovation process effectiveness (IPE), defined as the capacity to proficiently coordinate organizational resources for idea development and implementation. Thus, understanding IPE, and specifically its determinants, is critical to reaping the benefits of innovation. Drawing on the knowledge–based view of the firm and on the organizational learning literature, this paper examines whether the use of knowledge repositories ...
Role of surface integrals in the Hamiltonian formulation of general relativity

Abstract It is shown that if the phase space of general relativity is defined so as to contain the trajectories representing solutions of the equations of motion then, for asymptotically flat spaces, the Hamiltonian does not vanish but its value is given rather by a nonzero surface integral. If the deformations of the surface on which the state is defined are restricted so that the surface moves asymptotically parallel to itself in the time direction, then the surface integral gives directly the energy of the system, prior to fixing the coordinates or solving the constraints. Under more general conditions (when asymptotic Poincare transformations are allowed) the surface integrals giving the total momentum and angular momentum also contribute to the Hamiltonian. These quantities are also identified without reference to a particular fixation of the coordinates. When coordinate conditions are imposed the associated reduced Hamiltonian is unambiguously obtained by introducing the solutions of the constraints into the surface integral giving the numerical value of the unreduced Hamiltonian. In the present treatment there are therefore no divergences that cease to be divergences after coordinate conditions are imposed. The procedure of reduction of the Hamiltonian is explicity carried out for two cases: (a) Maximal slicing, (b) ADM coordinate conditions. A Hamiltonian formalism which is manifestly covariant under Poincare transformations at infinity is presented. In such a formalism the ten independent variables describing the asymptotic location of the surface are introduced, together with corresponding conjugate momenta, as new canonical variables in the same footing with the g ij , π ij . In this context one may fix the coordinates in the “interior” but still leave open the possibility of making asymptotic Poincare transformations. In that case all ten generators of the Poincare group are obtained by inserting the solution of the constraints into corresponding surface integrals.
Qualitative and quantitative differences in growth elicited by fusicoccin and gibberellic acid

Abstract The effects of fusicoccin (FC) and gibberellic acid (GA3) on the growth of lettuce hypocotyls were studied. FC promotes rapid elongation of excised hypocotyl sections with a lag time of 10 min. The initial rate of FC-induced elongation is 10–20 times higher than growth in H2O and 3–4 times higher than growth with GA3. FC-induced elongation declines exponentially with time, so that by 8 h of incubation, growth with FC is at the same rate as growth in H2O. Growth in FC is manifested by an increase in section width as well as section length. Growth in both width and length occurs in the top, middle and bottom regions of FC-treated sections, while after GA3-treatment sections grow only in length and predominantly in the upper region of the hypocotyl. Although FC promotes radial expansion it does not affect tubulin polymerization in vitro, suggesting that it might not affect the assembly of cytoplasmic microtubules. We propose that the mechanisms underlying GA3- and FC-induced growth are different.
Statistical thinking for engineers - what, why, and how?

Many leaders in the quality profession, Dr. Deming being the foremost among them, have emphasized the need for engineers to have the ability to think statistically in order to understand and solve problems occurring in populations with variability. This article explains what statistical thinking is, why it is needed, and how the ability for it can be acquired. A series of real-world case studies show how statistical thinking helps in framing a physical problem in terms of statistical models, understanding the cause and effect relationships, and then devising solutions. A sample test is presented to define the range of statistical knowledge needed to gain the ability for statistical thinking.
Preschoolers’ aggression and parent–child conflict: A multiinformant and multimethod study

This multiinformant and multimethod study (N=47) investigated the link between the parent-child relationship system and the display of physical and relational aggression with peers at school during early childhood. Children (mean age=43.54 months, SD=8.02) were observed (80min/child) during free play, and parents and teachers were asked to complete several standard measures. Intercorrelations between aggression subtypes revealed moderate to high levels of correlation for parents and teachers and no significant association for observations of physical and relational aggression. Interinformant agreement was examined, and teachers and parents were found to significantly agree for both physical and relational aggression, and teachers and observers also significantly agreed for both subtypes of aggression. Results of regression analyses suggest that parent-child conflict was uniquely associated with relational aggression among peers when controlling for physical aggression and gender. Ways in which these findings build on the extant literature are discussed.
Effects of protein and amino acid diets in chronically uremic and control rats

Effects of protein and amino acid diets in chronically uremic and control rats. Nutritional status and evidence for uremic toxicity were assessed in chronically uremic and sham-operated male Sprague-Dawley rats that were tube-fed isocaloric diets which contained one of the following sources of nitrogen: ty: a) 15% casein (15% CAS); b) a mixture of 7.8% essential and 6.6% nonessential amino acids (14.4% MAA); c) 14.7% essential amino acids (14.7% EAA) or d) 7.8% essential amino acids (7.8% EAA), which were estimated to provide 1.2 times the minimum requirement of essential amino acids for maximum growth in healthy rats. Animals in each group were tube-fed, three times daily, identical quantities of the four diets. Studies were conducted for 28 days. In the uremic rats, weight gain with 15% CAS and 14.4% MAA was greater than with 14.7% or 7.8% EAA (P Effets des regimes apportant des proteines et des amino-acides chez des rats atteints d'uremie chronique et des rats temoins. L'etat nutritionnel et des arguments en faveur d'une toxicite uremique ont ete etudie et recherches chez des rats Sprage-Dawley en etat d'uremie chronique ou ayant subi un simulacre d'intervention. Les rats ont ete nourris par tube gastrique avec des regimes isocaloriques qui contenaient l'une des sources suivantes d'azote: a) caseine a 15% (15% CAS); b) un melange de 7,8% et 6,6% d'acides amines respectivement essentiels et non essentiels (14,4% MAA); c) 14,7% d'acides amines essentiels (14,7% EAA); ou d) 7,8% d'acides amines essentiels (7,8% EAA) dont il a ete estime qu'ils apportent 1,2 fois le besoin minimum d'acides amines essentiels necessaire a une croissance maximale chez le rat intact. Les animaux de chaque groupe ont recu par tube gastrique trois fois par jour la meme quantite de chacun des quatre regimes. L'etude a dure 28 jours. Chez les rats uremiques la prise de poids avec 15% CAS et 14,4% MAA a ete plus grande qu'avec 14,7% ou 7,8% EAA (P 0.05 a P > 0,01). L'azote ureique du plasma a la fin de l'etude etait plus eleve avec 14,7% EAA par comparaison avec 7,8% EAA ou 14,4% MAA (P
Impact of Gender on Shoulder Torque and Manual Wheelchair Usage for Individuals with Paraplegia: A Preliminary Report.

Background: The prevalence of women with spinal cord injury is increasing, and their unique attributes, specifically shoulder strength and community wheelchair propulsion, merit attention. Results: Shoulder torques were 62%–96% greater in men than women, average daily distance traveled was greater for men, and average speeds were similar. Conclusions: Community wheelchair propulsion speed was similar between men and women but men were significantly stronger, therefore daily mobility requires a higher relative effort for women’s shoulder muscles. This demand may increase susceptibility to fatigue and development of shoulder pain in women.
Women On Australian Farms: A Conceptual Scheme

The diverse contributions of women on farms are largely unknown in the Australian agricultural industry. This paper suggests directions for more detailed research and raises problems associated with it. Alternate relationships possible between the types of units which own and operate farming enterprises and the status, or lack of it, of women within such units is highlighted: The question of what constitutes farm work and contributions made by women, and, importantly, their degree of participation in management and other forms of decision making is examined. Eight role-types of farm women that can be derived from a combination of the above variables which may be used to organise currently available data and, through longitudinal and case studies, collect other data to formulate working hypotheses is outlined.
Janus magnetic nanoparticles with a bicompartmental polymer brush prepared using electrostatic adsorption to facilitate toposelective surface-initiated ATRP.

Utilizing the inherent negative charge of mica surfaces, amine-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4/NH2) were electrostatically adsorbed onto the mica such that surface-initiated ATRP could be used to grow poly(n-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) from the exposed hemisphere. By reducing the solution pH, a positive charge generated on the mica was used to release the nanoparticles from the substrate. A second ATRP reaction was carried out to grow poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) from the initiated surfaces. As a result, the Fe3O4/NH2 core has a polymer shell with one hemisphere PMAA and the other hemisphere PNIPAM-b-PMAA resulting in the PMAA–Fe3O4–PNIPAM-b-PMAA bicompartmental polymer Janus nanoparticles. Elemental and functional group compositions were confirmed using ATR-FTIR, XPS, and EDS. Imaging with AFM, SEM, and TEM showed the evolution of the Janus nanoparticle morphology. This study demonstrates a facile and innovative scheme involving a noncovalent solid protection technique combined with seque...
Optimal supplier testing and tolerance strategies for genetically modified (GM) wheat

A stochastic optimization model was developed to determine optimal testing strategies, costs, and risks for dual marketing of genetically modified (GM) and non-GM wheat in an export supply chain. The optimal testing strategy is derived that minimizes disutility of additional system costs due to testing and quality loss. Cost components were estimated including those related to testing, quality loss, and a risk premium to induce shippers to undertake dual marketing as opposed to handling only non-GM crops. Uncertainties were incorporated for adventitious presence and commingling, variety declaration, and test accuracy. Sensitivities were performed for effects of variety risks and declaration, penalty differentials, buyer tolerances, risk aversion, and GM adoption. Results indicate testing and segregation can be performed at a relatively low cost and risk to buyers.
Attachment sites of parasitic lampreys: comparisons among species

Distribution of attachment sites varies with the species of lamprey being considered. Large anadromous species (Petromyzon marinus and Lampetra tridentata) tend to attach ventrally, especially near the pectoral fins, while smaller freshwater species in shallow habitats (Ichthyomyzon castaneus and I. unicuspis) and species that feed on muscle tissue (Lampetra ayresi) tend to attach dorsally. Catostomids tend to be attacked on the head and, by the Ichthyomyzon species, on the paired fins. Distribution of attachments by P. marinus in laboratory studies may be affected by tank size. Attachments to the head and pectoral regions are probably associated with greater host mortality rates and may be underrepresented in field samples. Attachments to the pectoral region appear to combine low costs, in terms of handling time prior to feeding, with greater rates of energy intake once feeding has been initiated. Dorsal attachments by species that inhabit relatively shallow rivers and streams may be a compromise to avoid abrasion against the bottom. A consequence of dorsal attachments may be a reduced impact on host populations through prolonged attachments to individual hosts and reduced attack rates.
The Development of the Intramural Research Program at the National Institutes of Health after World War II

This paper explores the rise of the National Institutes of Health after World War II from the perspective of intramural scientists working at the NIH's main campus in Bethesda. Several postwar social circumstances-the local research tradition, the wartime experience of civilian scientists, the doctor draft, and anti-nepotism rules in academia-affected the recruitment of research-oriented scientists into the NIH. These historically contingent factors were no less important than the larger political, legislative context for the development of the NIH intramural program as a prominent research institution.
Comparative dynamics of retrograde transport of nerve growth factor and horseradish peroxidase in rat lumbar dorsal root ganglia

The dynamics of the retrograde transport of [125I] nerve growth factor (NGF) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were studied in rats. After injection of [125I]NGF or HRP into crushed sciatic nerve, labelling was examined in spinal nerves, dorsal root ganglia, dorsal roots and spinal cord. Retrograde transport of either [125I]NGF or HRP was first observed in DRG neurons 6 h after injection: The maximal rate of transport (7mm h−1) was similar for both proteins. Significant differences in the sizes of DRG neurons labelled by [125I]NGF were observed and were dependent upon survival time. No such difference was seen in HRP-injected animals. At 6 h after injection, 60% of all the HRP-labelled cells had a diameter of more than 25 μm, whereas 90% of all the [125I]NGF-labelled neurons had a diameter of less than 25 μm. With increasing survival times there was a gradual shift in the size of [125I]NGF-labelled neurons towards larger diameters. Thus, 24h after the [125I]NGF injection, 83% of the labelled cells had a diameter greater than 25 μm. The data suggest that small diameter neurons retrogradely transport and turnover NGF faster than larger diameter neurons. There was a preferential accumulation of silver grains in small DRG neurons (mean diameter 25 μm) at early survival times (4 and 8 h); at the later survival time (24h) the reverse was observed, i.e. larger neurons (mean diameter 42 μm) were labelled. In contrast, the mean diameter of HRP-labelled neurons remained constant (30 μm) at all times after injection. The total number of neurons ultimately labelled (∼ 80–85%) appeared to be the same with both tracers. In addition, the lack of transganglionic transport of NGF into the spinal cord and the short time span of the observable accumulated radioactivity in DRG neurons suggest the rate of degradation of transported NGF seems to be faster than HRP. As a practical matter, these data indicate that observing cells within DRG which accumulate retrogradely transported [125I]NGF at any one time gives an inaccurate picture of the size properties of cells capable of transporting the ligand.
Everyday Observations Developing a Sociological Perspective through a Portfolio Term Project

We describe a semester-long active learning project in which students practice the skills of synthesis and analysis by developing portfolios organized around a topic of their own choosing (relevant to their substantive course). We build on prior contributions in four ways. First, we offer a project that is indicative of basic skills in the sociological toolkit and therefore of potential relevance to students’ lives and future careers. Second, we provide the first systematic assessment of the efficacy of course portfolios by using a controlled, pretest-posttest analysis conducted in seven sections of three separate sociology courses. Third, we illustrate the conceptual connections between active learning pedagogy and identity theory and provide evidence that portfolios influence the development of a sociological identity and thought among students. Fourth, we offer instructors an instructional tool that can be employed in any undergraduate sociology course.
Peripheral T-cell lymphoma: autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation as first-line therapy.

Purpose of review The peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas associated with an unfavorable prognosis compared with the B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The PTCLs are characterized by high remission rates after frontline therapy, but relapse inevitably occurs. The impact of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) as early consolidation therapy will be the focus of this review. Recent findings In several prospective trials, only PTCL patients with responsive disease after induction chemotherapy proceeded to AHCT. The progression-free survivals ranged from 30% to 40% with low toxicity. The outcomes in retrospective trials appear more favorable but such trials were affected by a selection bias because only chemosensitive patients actually proceeded to AHCT, whereas the prospective studies were intention-to-treat analyses. Most of the published trials demonstrated that prognostic models such as the International Prognostic Index and the Prognostic Index for T-cell lymphoma help predict outcome after AHCT. Summary Current data support the use of AHCT as early consolidation therapy for PTCL patients who are chemosensitive after induction chemotherapy. However, approximately one-third of patients are early induction failures and thus are not able to proceed to AHCT. Additionally, disease relapse remains the leading cause of treatment failure after AHCT, and thus more intensive treatment strategies or better noncross-resistant therapies are greatly needed early in the course of the disease.
Influence of hydrogen on the phase composition and physicomechanical properties of structural materials

The results of investigations of the influence of hydrogen on the processes of phase formation in structural materials are analyzed. On the basis of the study of self-diffusion, interdiffusion , and atomic ordering in hydrogenated nickel and alloys of the Fe–Ni, Ni–Mo, and Ni–Mo–Re systems, it is shown that hydrogen accelerates these processes by increasing the degree of atomic ordering and decreasing the critical temperatures of formation and decomposition of intermetallic phases. By analyzing these alloys and VKh-4A steel taken as an example, we demonstrate the possibilities of application the obtained results to the improvement of the physicomechanical properties of these materials.
SU-E-T-522: A Multi-Isocenter VMAT Technique for Cranio-Spinal Irradiation

Purpose: Develop a matching VMAT field technique and investigate planning feasibility for treating the entire central nervous system (CNS) using Cranio-Spinal Irradiation (CSI) . Methods: Two patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) presented with CNS involvement, received CSI, and were included in this study. The patients were treated with the traditional CSI technique: prone position, opposing lateral brain fields, two posterior fields (upper and lower spine), and 5mm junction shifts to improve dose uniformity. The patients were retrospectively re-planned using volumetric arc therapy (VMAT). The spine and brain were contoured to create the clinical target volume (CTV) as well as normal tissues including kidneys, lung and heart for optimization. Three isocenters were used for planning: brain, upper and lower spine. The beams were allowed to overlap by approximately 10cm. Entire 360 degree rotations were used for the brain fields and posterior 120 degree arcs were used for the spine fields. The dosimetric coverage of the target between the VMAT and traditional plans was compared, as well as the dose to normal tissues. Results: Both VMAT plans achieved improved dose uniformity in the CTV (standard deviation < 2%), and reduced hot spots (<110%). Dose to the heart was reduced, with the V10 being 12.7% and 28.2%, compared to 44.6% and 50.2%, respectively, for the traditional plan. Dose to the total lung V5 increased for the VMAT plans for both patients (21.6% and 27.8% compared to 12% and 13% respectively). The results for the kidneys were mixed with the mean dose increasing for one patient and decreasing for the other . Conclusion: The efficacy of planning CSI treatments using a matching VMAT technique was demonstrated. The developed technique has the potential to improve dose uniformity to the target while at the same time reduce the risk of under or over dosing the spine.
Of Declining Enrollments On the Curriculum_____________

________How did declining enrollments affect high schools in the North Central Association? The authors report the results of a recent study.
Cable EMI shielding measurements using a reverberation chamber

The design and manufacturing of data cables to be used in high performance applications presents a number of challenges as the application speeds increase. Previous work by these authors has shown the potentially large impact of differential delay skew in the generation of common mode noise and therefore electromagnetic interference. This paper examines various methods for measuring the shielding effectiveness of such cables and discussing practical considerations involved in building and characterizing a reverberation chamber for such measurements. The theoretical background behind chamber design is not covered here for lack of space; please see the references for those details.
Total and component densities of states in substitutional alloys

We consider the evaluation of the average electronic spectrum in a disordered binary alloy. The single-site approximation is reformulated in terms of restricted averages of the total scattering operator and equations relevant to the average-$t$-matrix (ATA) and coherent-potential (CPA) approximations are obtained. Specializing to the muffin-tin model of the alloy, we derive expressions for the average total and component densities of states. The results for the ATA are new and the implied numerical calculations appear to be tractable. We find that the Gyorffy-Stocks version of the muffin-tin CPA is equivalent to the earlier approach of Soven and also, that their mixed ATA-CPA scheme can be viewed as an approximation to just the average-$t$-matrix equations.
Advances and Perspectives in the Molecular Diagnosis of Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a debilitating and lethal disease. Despite significant advances in radiotherapy and surgical management, the 5-year survival rate for head and neck cancer has remained a dismal 50%. Advances in early detection have been made, but to improve patient outcomes better biomarkers and targeted therapeutic agents are needed. New biomarkers can improve early detection and provide data to optimize therapeutic strategy and patient survival, and could lead to potentially effective targeted therapies. To report the advances in the discovery of new biomarkers for HNSCC, and review the potential utility of biomarkers in the molecular diagnosis of HNSCC. A review of the English literature (PubMed) from 1980 to 2009. At present, the most widely accepted biomarker for HNSCC is high-risk HPV status. EGFR is another promising biomarker; however, further research is necessary to determine its prognostic benefit. A large number of promising biomarker candidates are now being ev...
Novel regulation of protein kinase C-η.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is the receptor for tumor promoting phorbol esters, which are potent activators of conventional and novel PKCs, but persistent treatment with phorbol esters leads to downregulation of these PKCs. However, PKCη, a novel PKC isozyme, resists downregulation by tumor-promoting phorbol esters, but little is known about how PKCη level is regulated. Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation play an important role in regulating activity and stability of PKCs. In the present study, we have investigated the molecular mechanism of PKCη regulation. Several PKC activators, including phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and indolactam V caused upregulation of PKCη, whereas the general PKC inhibitor Go 6983, but not the conventional PKC inhibitor Go 6976 led to the downregulation of PKCη. Upregulation of PKCη was associated with an increase in phosphorylation of PKCη. Silencing of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1, which phosphorylates PKCη at the activation loop, failed to prevent PKC activator-induced upregulation of PKCη. Knockdown of PKCe but not PKCα inhibited PKC activator-induced upregulation of PKCη. Thus, our results suggest that the regulation of PKCη is unique and PKCe is required for the PKC activator-induced upregulation of PKCη.
Digitized electrocardiograms recorded with bipolar right-infraclavicular leads compared to electrocardiograms recorded with unipolar chest V leads and bipolar lead II

This article presents a method for the evaluation of cardiac depolarizations in a relatively short time with a minimum number of electrodes. With the negative electrode attached to the right infraclavicular region, voltage variations on the chest surface exhibit larger excursions than do the usual unipolar leads. Peak voltages of the PQRST waveforms measured on 12 normal patients by both methods were similar in polarity but were statistically significantly higher in the right infraclavicular leads. Data are presented on 21 normal patients, which show that digitized signals allow for an expanded time-scale leading to higher resolution of rate of change and onset and offset times. The digitized signals also more clearly define notches that distort the QRS complex. In 55 cardiac patients, the 12-lead unipolar electrocardiograms were visually compared to digitized electrocardiograms recorded by using the bipolar right infraclavicular leads. The authors suggest that RIC leads would be most useful in the design of a pocket-sized digitizing bipolar-lead electrocardiograph.
Pulse oximetry as a fifth vital sign in emergency geriatric assessment.

. Objective: To determine the utility of pulse oximetry as a routine fifth vital sign in emergency geriatric assessment. Methods: Prospective study using pulse oximetry to measure O2 saturation in geriatric patients presenting to ED triage. Saturation values were disclosed to clinicians only after they had completed medical evaluations and were ready to release or admit each patient. The authors measured changes in medical management and diagnoses initiated after the disclosure of pulse oximetry values. The study included 1,963 consecutive adults aged ≤ 65 years presenting to triage at a university ED. Measurements included changes in select diagnostic tests: chest radiography, complete blood count (CBC), spirometry, arterial blood gases (ABGs), pulse oximetry, and ventilation-perfusion scans; treatments: antibiotics, β-agonists, and supplemental O2; and hospital admission and final diagnoses that occurred after complete ED evaluation when physicians were informed of triage pulse oximetry values. Results: 397 (20.2%) geriatric patients had triage pulse oximetry values <95%. Physicians ordered repeat oximetry for 51 patients, additional chest radiography for 23, CBC for 16, ABGs for 15, spirometry for 5, and ventilation-perfusion scans for none. Physicians ordered 49 new therapies for 44 patients, including antibiotics for 14, supplemental O2 for 29, and 3-agonists for 6. Nine patients initially scheduled for ED release were subsequently admitted to the hospital. Physicians changed or added diagnoses for 27 patients. Conclusions: Using pulse oximetry as a routine fifth vital sign resulted in important changes in the diagnoses and treatments of a small proportion of emergency geriatric patients.