cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Model-Based Vehicle State Estimation Using Previewed Road Geometry and Noisy Sensors

This paper proposes a method for using previewed road geometry from a high-fidelity map to improve estimates of planar vehicle states in the presence of unmodeled sensor bias errors. Using well-established, linear models for representing human driver behavior and for planar vehicle states, a causal link between previewed road geometry and vehicle states can be derived. Cast as an augmented, closed-loop linear system, the total driver-vehicle-road system’s states are estimated using a Kalman filter. Estimation results from this filter using simulated noisy measurements of vehicle states and map-based measurements of previewed road geometry are compared to standard Kalman filters with identical measurements of vehicle states alone. The effects of errors in driver modeling, vehicle nonlinearity, and measurement disturbances on the estimator’s fidelity are also examined and discussed.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Auto-exposure for 3D shape measurement using a DLP projector

Automatically adapting the camera exposure time is crucial for industrial applications where minimum human intervention is usually desirable. However, it is very challenging to realize such a capability for a conventional fringe projection system where only a finite increment of the exposure time is allowed due to its digital fringe generation nature. Our recent study on generating sinusoidal fringe patterns by properly defocusing binary ones permits the use of an arbitrary exposure time. This provides the potential to adapt the exposure time automatically. This paper will present the principle of an automatic exposure technique and show some experimental results.
Diagnostic cellular organization features extracted from autofluorescence images

Depth-resolved NADH autofluorescence images are shown to differentiate between normal and precancerous engineered tissues. An inverse power law behavior of the power spectral density (PSD) of these images is observed, indicating a self-affine organization of mitochondrial NADH at length scales 1-10 μm. Power exponents of the PSD functions vary significantly with tissue depth and precancerous state, giving insight into the morphological changes associated with precancerous lesions and providing substantial potential for noninvasive clinical diagnosis of squamous epithelial lesions and tumors.
Contexts and culture in psychological research.

Previous chapters in this volume outline a new methodology of achievement motivation, an approach that seeks to indentify the cultural and personal meanings of educational performance through methods that clarify its multiple contexts.
Mitochondria at the Synapse

Synapses are packed with mitochondria, complex organelles with roles in energy metabolism, cell signaling, and calcium homeostasis. However, the precise mechanisms by which mitochondria influence neurotrans mission remain undefined. In this review, the authors discuss pharmacological and genetic analyses of synaptic mitochondrial function, focusing on their role in Ca2+ buffering and ATP production. Additionally, they will summarize recent data that implicate synaptic mitochondria in the regulation of neurotransmitter release during intense neuronal activity and link these findings to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases that feature disrupted synaptic mitochondria, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and hereditary spastic paraplegia.
Energy Efficiency Initiatives at Upscale and Luxury U.S. Lodging Properties: Utilization, Awareness, and Concerns

Energy costs in the lodging industry have been a focus for at least forty years, but the development of energy management programs and the employment of energy management systems have been uneven, at best. A 2011 study of ninety-nine managers of upscale and luxury hotels found that the operators were reticent to implement energy management programs that were excessively costly or might impair guest comfort. Thus, in-room sensors were suspect, and a substantial group of respondents were hesitant to install an electrical demand controller (or load shedder) for fear of interfering with guest satisfaction. These hotels also tended to use a short-term analysis that addressed raw cost and payback periods when considering an investment in energy saving equipment. A simple payback period of three years or less was favored over longer payback periods, even when a calculation of overall return on investment would have been favorable over the long term.
Minimum-perimeter domain assignment

For certain classes of problems defined over two-dimensional domains with grid structure, optimization problems involving the assignment of grid cells to processors present a nonlinear network model for the problem of partitioning tasks among processors so as to minimize interprocessor communication. Minimizing interprocessor communication in this context is shown to be equivalent to tiling the domain so as to minimize total tile perimeter, where each tile corresponds to the collection of tasks assigned to some processor. A tight lower bound on the perimeter of a tile as a function of its area is developed. We then show how to generate minimum-perimeter tiles. By using assignments corresponding to near-rectangular minimum-perimeter tiles, closed form solutions are developed for certain classes of domains. We conclude with computational results with parallel high-level genetic algorithms that have produced good (and sometimes provably optimal) solutions for very large perimeter minimization problems.
Regulators of Human White Adipose Browning: Evidence for Sympathetic Control and Sexual Dimorphic Responses to Sprint Interval Training

The conversion of white adipose to the highly thermogenic beige adipose tissue has been proposed as a potential strategy to counter the unfavorable consequences of obesity. Three regulators of this conversion have recently emerged but information regarding their control is limited, and contradictory. We present two studies examining the control of these regulators. Study 1: In 10 young men, the plasma concentrations of irisin and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) were determined prior to and during activation of the sympathetic nervous system via hypoxic gas breathing (FIO2 = 0.11). The measurements were performed twice, once with and once without prior/concurrent sympathetic inhibition via transdermal clonidine administration. FGF21 was unaffected by basal sympathetic inhibition (338±113 vs. 295±80 pg/mL; P = 0.43; mean±SE), but was increased during hypoxia mediated sympathetic activation (368±135); this response was abrogated (P = 0.035) with clonidine (269±93). Irisin was unaffected by sympathetic inhibition and/or hypoxia (P>0.21). Study 2: The plasma concentration of irisin and FGF21, and the skeletal muscle protein content of fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5) was determined in 19 young adults prior to and following three weeks of sprint interval training (SIT). SIT decreased FGF21 (338±78 vs. 251±36; P = 0.046) but did not affect FNDC5 (P = 0.79). Irisin was decreased in males (127±18 vs. 90±23 ng/mL; P = 0.045) and increased in females (139±14 vs. 170±18). Collectively, these data suggest a potential regulatory role of acute sympathetic activation pertaining to the browning of white adipose; further, there appears to be a sexual dimorphic response of irisin to SIT.
Family ties, physical health, and psychological well-being.

Objectives: This study assesses the impact of number and quality of family ties on the health and well-being of elderly people. Method: Measures of the quantity and quality of family ties, adjusting for gender, education, and income, were correlated with the self-rating of health and well-being of a sample of 534 married parents between 68 and 73 years of age. Results: The quality of an individual's relationships with spouse, children, and other family members was associated with personal feelings of well-being, but the quantity of such associations had little impact on either physical or psychological health. Discussion: Researchers and those working with elderly people should not assume that the presence of family members necessarily implies that social support affecting physical health and well-being will be forthcoming.
Debugging object-oriented programs with behavior views

A complex software system may perform many program tasks during execution to provide the required functionalities. To detect and localize bugs related to the implementation of these tasks, the software developers must be able to monitor the progress of the tasks during execution and check whether the actions for these tasks have been performed correctly. This paper presents a debugger to facilitate this monitoring. The debugger introduces a new kind of abstraction, the behavior views, that can be used to specify how the actions for a program task are expected to occur in various scenarios. Enhanced with statements that can check properties at various steps during the progress of the task, a behavior view can be used to monitor whether the actions for the tasks have been performed at the right time, on the right set of data, and with the right effects on the program states. Our initial case study indicates that the debugger can be useful for localizing bugs.
Regulation of pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase by ADP-/Pi-dependent reversible phosphorylation in C3 and C4 plants

Abstract Pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK, E.C. 2.7.9.1) is a cardinal carbon-assimilating, stromal enzyme of the C 4 photosynthetic pathway. Like several other photosynthetic pathway enzymes, its activity is strictly and reversibly regulated by light. This regulation is conferred by the PPDK regulatory protein (RP), a bifunctional protein kinase/phosphatase that catalyzes the ADP-/Pi-dependent, reversible phosphorylation of an active-site threonine residue. In this minireview, we highlight how plastidic PPDK in leaves and developing seeds of C 3 plants is regulated in an identical manner as C 4 PPDK via a putative C 3 -RP isoform. Additionally, we also detail the progress in research concerning C 4 RP, since this highly unusual regulatory enzyme was last reviewed nearly two decades ago.
Backbone and nucleobase contacts to glucosamine-6-phosphate in the glmS ribozyme

The glmS ribozyme resides in the 5' untranslated region of glmS mRNA and functions as a catalytic riboswitch that regulates amino sugar metabolism in certain Gram-positive bacteria. The ribozyme catalyzes self-cleavage of the mRNA and ultimately inhibits gene expression in response to binding of glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN6P), the metabolic product of the GlmS protein. We have used nucleotide analog interference mapping (NAIM) and suppression (NAIS) to investigate backbone and nucleobase functional groups essential for ligand-dependent ribozyme function. NAIM using GlcN6P as ligand identified requisite structural features and potential sites of ligand and/or metal ion interaction, whereas NAIS using glucosamine as ligand analog revealed those sites that orchestrate recognition of ligand phosphate. These studies demonstrate that the ligand-binding site lies in close proximity to the cleavage site in an emerging model of ribozyme structure that supports a role for ligand within the catalytic core.
Time Enough to Work Employee motivation and entrainment in the workplace

This article frames an individual-level theoretical framework for the application of McGrath and Kelly's (1986) social entrainment model to employee task work from a motivation theory perspective. We review theoretical constructs and empirical research findings that may elucidate how social entrainment shapes the direction, level. and persistence of efforts of individuals at work. We present propositions to guide research on motivational factors in task entrainment, and present suggestions for future elaborations and extensions of our theoretical framework for the temporal features of task work at the group level of analysis. KEY WORDS· group context- motivation> social entrainment
Theoretical far-wing line shape and absorption for high-temperature CO2.

Theoretical results for the far-wing line shapes and corresponding absorption coefficients in the high-frequency wing of the ν3 fundamental band of self-broadened CO2 are presented for a number of temperatures between 218 and 751 K. These first-principles calculations are made assuming binary collisions within the framework of a quasi-static theory with a more accurate interaction potential than in previous calculations. The theoretical results are compared with existing laboratory data and are in good agreement for all the temperatures considered.
Hierarchical approach for production planning and scheduling under uncertainty

In this paper, the simultaneous solution of production planning and scheduling problem is addressed through a hierarchical framework. The planning problem aggregates orders in the planning period and considers uncertainty utilizing a multi-stage stochastic programming formulation where three stages are considered with increasing level of uncertainty. The planning model includes material balances and time horizon constraints which involve a sequence factor to reflect the recipe complexity. Using a rolling horizon strategy, the production for the current stage is provided to the scheduling problem, which is solved using a continuous-time formulation. An iterative framework is developed to converge the planning and scheduling results before solving for the next period. The proposed approach is illustrated with a planning case study.
Personality variables as predictors of attitudes toward science and religion.

114 13-yr.-old girls and 91 13-yr.-old boys, all from British public schools (public in the American sense, i.e., not private) were given Cattell's High School Personality Questionnaire (HSPQ), the Science Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ) and the Religious Attitude Scale (RAS). Regression analyses were performed to assess the degree of prediction of attitudes toward science and religion from personality variables. Results indicated that while the personality measures were relatively poor predictors of religious attitudes, they did account for a significant amount of variance in the attitude toward science scores. Specifically, “interest in science” scores were related to the personality variables Q2 (Self-sufficiency), C (Ego strength or emotional stability), and B (Intelligence). Personality variables which significantly predicted attitudes toward “social implications of science,” “learning activities,” “science teachers,” and “liking for school” are also reported.
Periodic precipitation (liesegang phenomenon) in solid silver—II. Modification of wagner's mathematical analysis

Abstract In the previous paper(1) an experimental study of Lieaegang precipitation in solid silver (Ag-H2O experiment) was described. Single crystals of silver were annealed at 800°C in some partial pressure of oxygen to saturation and were then annealed in a partial pressure of hydrogen. Hydrogen diffused into the silver and reacted with the dissolved oxygen to form water vapor bubbles which under certain conditions formed in bands obeying Jablczynski's relationship. Carl Wagner's mathematical analysis of periodic precipitation has been modified, and when the spacing coefficients calculated with this theory were compared with those found experimentally, the agreement was satisfactory with one exception. It was found that the variation of the spacing coefficient with the variation of the oxygen concentration predicted by theory was opposite to the variation observed. Some suggestions have been advanced for this discrepancy, and it has been shown how some previous results in other systems can be explained by the modified Wagner analysis.
Tunable near-infrared emission of binary nano- and mesoscale GUMBOS

Tuning the emission spectra of organic nanomaterials is of great interest due to possible use in sensing, optoelectronics, and light harvesting applications. Herein, we report the tunable emission of binary organic nanomaterials derived from a group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS). In these studies, the cations of cyanine-based GUMBOS are altered by increasing the number of alkyl groups on an attached methine chain. Mixtures of these GUMBOS are used to form binary nanomaterials, which are then characterized by use of UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Based on these studies, it is determined that these binary nanomaterials exhibit broad absorption spectra, as well as tunable emission spectra due to the presence of Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). This tunable emission of binary nanomaterials suggests potential applications as sensitizers in the visible to near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Furthermore, examination of electrochemical properties indicates possible utility for light harvesting and optoelectronic applications.
Contradictions in fiction: Structuralism versus Jacques Derrida and deconstruction

The phenomenon of contradiction has been highlighted in recent decades by both postmodern art and deconstructionist philosophy. Deconstructionists seem most interested in contradictions generated by language and hence pervading all human life; they expose contradictions and proclaim their inevitable and devastating impact on human beings’ epistemological efforts. Postmodern art, though sometimes expressing radical scepticism, seems less predictable and more versatile in its use of contradictions. This paper attempts to offer a structuralist study of contradiction in discourse in the context of fictional narratives. Three contemporary novels—The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro, Life of Pi by Yann Martel and House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski—have been selected for the study. The paper focuses on the uses of contradictions and, in particular, their contribution to the works’ meaning and the process of interpretation. It appears that contradictions in fiction perform various meaningful tasks and, with rare exceptions, do not preclude the possibility of a consistent reading of the text. The second section of the paper brings into consideration deconstructionists’ and Jacques Derrida’s views on contradiction. While the uses of contradictions in postmodern fiction might supply an argument with which to oppose the epistemic scepticism advocated by deconstructionists, Derrida’s original treatment of contradictions, related to his critique of logocentrism inscribed in language, might be impervious to this kind of argument. Indeed, Derrida’s critique of language might partly undermine structuralist studies of contradictions; one should, however, remember that this critique rests ultimately on Derrida’s own uncertain metaphysical assumptions.
High fidelity quantum entanglement and spin-spin dynamics using multiple phonon modes of several trapped ions

We demonstrate quantum entanglement and global spin dynamics between a few trapped ions, using lasers that couple to all modes of transverse motion in a way that could be scaled to large numbers of spins.
The equilibria of vesicles adhered to substrates by short-ranged potentials

In equilibrium, a vesicle that is adhered to a horizontal substrate by a long-range attractive, short-range repulsive force traps a thin layer of fluid beneath it. In the asymptotic limit that this layer is very thin, there are quasi-two-dimensional boundary-layer structures near the edges of the vesicle, where the membrane's shape is governed by a balance between bending and adhesive stresses. These boundary layers are analysed to obtain corrections to simpler models that instead represent the adhesive interaction by a contact potential, thereby resolving apparent discontinuities that arise when such models are used. Composite expansions of the shapes of two-dimensional vesicles are derived. When, in addition, the adhesive interaction is very strong, there is a nested boundary-layer structure for which the adhesive boundary layers match towards sharp corners where bending stresses remain important but adhesive stresses are negligible. Outside these corners, bending stresses are negligible and the vesicle's shape is given approximately by the arc of a circle. Simple composite expansions of the vesicle's shape are derived that account for the shape of the membrane inside these corners.
Wing flexibility enhances load-lifting capacity in bumblebees

The effect of wing flexibility on aerodynamic force production has emerged as a central question in insect flight research. However, physical and computational models have yielded conflicting results regarding whether wing deformations enhance or diminish flight forces. By experimentally stiffening the wings of live bumblebees, we demonstrate that wing flexibility affects aerodynamic force production in a natural behavioural context. Bumblebee wings were artificially stiffened in vivo by applying a micro-splint to a single flexible vein joint, and the bees were subjected to load-lifting tests. Bees with stiffened wings showed an 8.6 per cent reduction in maximum vertical aerodynamic force production, which cannot be accounted for by changes in gross wing kinematics, as stroke amplitude and flapping frequency were unchanged. Our results reveal that flexible wing design and the resulting passive deformations enhance vertical force production and load-lifting capacity in bumblebees, locomotory traits with important ecological implications.
Short and long-term lifestyle coaching approaches used to address diverse participant barriers to weight loss and physical activity adherence

Background: Individual barriers to weight loss and physical activity goals in the Diabetes Prevention Program, a randomized trial with 3.2 years average treatment duration, have not been previously reported. Evaluating barriers and the lifestyle coaching approaches used to improve adherence in a large, diverse participant cohort can inform dissemination efforts. Methods: Lifestyle coaches documented barriers and approaches after each session (mean session attendance = 50.3 ± 21.8). Subjects were 1076 intensive lifestyle participants (mean age = 50.6 years; mean BMI = 33.9 kg/m 2 ; 68% female, 48% non-Caucasian). Barriers and approaches used to improve adherence were ranked by the percentage of the cohort for whom they applied. Barrier groupings were also analyzed in relation to baseline demographic characteristics. Results: Top weight loss barriers reported were problems with self-monitoring (58%); social cues (58%); holidays (54%); low activity (48%); and internal cues (thought/mood) (44%). Top activity barriers were holidays (51%); time management (50%); internal cues (30%); illness (29%), and motivation (26%). The percentage of the cohort having any type of barrier increased over the long-term intervention period. A majority of the weight loss barriers were significantly associated with younger age, greater obesity, and non-Caucasian race/ethnicity (p-values vary). Physical activity barriers, particularly thought and mood cues, social cues and time management, physical injury or illness and access/weather, were most significantly associated with being female and obese (p 90% long term) and regularly reviewed self-monitoring skills. More costly approaches were used infrequently during the first 16 sessions (≤10%) but increased over 3.2 years. Conclusion: Behavioral problem solving approaches have short and long term dissemination potential for many kinds of participant barriers. Given minimal resources, increased attention to training lifestyle coaches in the consistent use of these approaches appears warranted.
Isostructurality among Five Solvates of Phenylbutazone

This work describes the crystal structures of phenylbutazone 2:1 solvates with benzene, cyclohexane, 1,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, tetrachloromethane, and chloroform. These solvates are isostructural, with the exception of the chloroform solvate. The solvent molecules are located in channels from which they can escape. Solvent incorporation causes an increase in volume of the unit cell to an extent that depends on the volume of the solvent molecule and the strength of the phenylbutazone-solvent interactions. The van der Waals interactions contribute most to the lattice energy in all these solvates. The volume available to the solvent correlates with the increase of the unit cell parameters. The quality of the crystallographic data of the chloroform solvate is poor as a result of twinning. Crystallographic differences of the chloroform solvate may result from hydrogen bonding between the chloroform molecules and the carbonyl oxygens of the phenylbutazone molecules.
Plasma cell disorders in HIV-infected patients: epidemiology and molecular mechanisms

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has significantly improved the outcome and survival of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Subsequently, long-term morbidities including cancer have become of major public health and clinical interest for this patient population. Plasma cell disorders occur at higher incidence in HIV-infected patients; however, the molecular mechanisms driving the plasma cell disease process and the optimal management for these patients remain to be defined. This article provides an up-to-date review of the characteristics and management of HIV-infected patients with plasma cell disorders. We first present 3 cases of plasma cell disorders in HIV-infected patients, ranging from polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia to symptomatic multiple myeloma. We then discuss the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and management of each of these plasma cell disorders, with an emphasis on the molecular events underlying the progression of plasma cell diseases from monoclonal gammopathy to symptomatic multiple myeloma. We propose a three-step hypothesis for the development of multiple myeloma. Finally, we discuss the use of high dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of HIV-infected patients with multiple myeloma. Our review includes the care of HIV-infected patients with plasma cell disorders in the current era of HAART and novel agents available for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
Dielectrophoretic separation and manipulation of live and heat-treated cells of Listeria on microfabricated devices with interdigitated electrodes

Abstract Dielectrophoresis, the movement of particles in non-uniform ac electric field, was used to separate live and heat-treated Listeria innocua cells with great efficiency on the micro-fabricated devices with interdigitated electrodes by utilizing the difference of dielectric properties between alive and dead cells. Both live and dead cells are found to be only able to collect either at the centers of the electrodes in negative dielectrophoresis or at the electrode edges in positive dielectrophoresis due to the dielectrophoretic force and electrohydrodynamic force. Cell viability was verified by a rapid method using epifluorescence staining. The dependency of the applied ac signal’s frequency on the dielectrophoretic properties of Listeria cells is studied and discussed. This on-electrode manipulation and separation of cells can prove to be useful in micro-scale sample preparation and diagnostic applications in biochips.
Rethinking the Idea of God

A travers l'idee de Dieu, l'A. souligne la necessite d'une conception humaniste et authentique de la personne et de la realite sociale. Entre intelligibilite et mystere, l'A. developpe une approche transcendante et normative de la nature physique, dont l'accomplissement depend de l'idee theorique de Dieu.
The potential of polymeric micelles in the context of glioblastoma therapy

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a type of malignant glioma, is the most common form of brain cancer found in adults. The current standard of care for GBM involves adjuvant temozolomide-based chemotherapy in conjunction with radiotherapy, yet patients still suffer from poor outcomes with a median survival of 14.6 months. Many novel therapeutic agents that are toxic to GBM cells in vitro cannot sufficiently accumulate at the site of an intracranial tumor after systemic administration. Thus, new delivery strategies must be developed to allow for adequate intratumoral accumulation of such therapeutic agents. Polymeric micelles offer the potential to improve delivery to brain tumors as they have demonstrated the capacity to be effective carriers of chemotherapy drugs, genes, and proteins in various preclinical GBM studies. In addition to this, targeting moieties and trigger-dependent release mechanisms incorporated into the design of these particles can promote more specific delivery of a therapeutic agent to a tumor site. Despite these advantages however, there are currently no micelle formulations targeting brain cancer in clinical trials. Here, we highlight key aspects of the design of polymeric micelles as therapeutic delivery systems with a review of their clinical applications in several non-brain tumor cancer types. We also discuss their potential to serve as nanocarriers targeting GBM, the major barriers preventing their clinical implementation in this disease context, as well as current approaches to overcome these limitations.
Forgetting Oblivion: The Demise of the Legislative Pardon

Since the post-Civil War cases arising out of conflicts over the proper location of the amnesty power, it has generally been thought that pardon and amnesty are synonymous and that the capacity to effect both is vested in the President under Article II. The history of the English version of amnesty – oblivion – within the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and the colonial and state oblivions that were legislatively enacted from 1650 through the period of the Second Continental Congress suggest otherwise. Oblivion was distinct from pardoning because it erased the underlying events rather than remitting punishment and often arose as a response to civil unrest. More than pardoning, oblivion served the function of settling property rights and restoring those included to full citizenship. In addition, acts of oblivion were passed by colonial legislatures even in some colonies whose charters explicitly granted the pardon power to the Lord Proprietor. Recovering the lost history of oblivion suggests that the decisions of the Supreme Court in the late nineteenth century were not entirely correct in assimilating pardon with amnesty. Instead, a strong argument can be made that the tradition of oblivion within England and the colonies supports a broad congressional power to grant amnesty. Remembering oblivion can also allow us to revive a different form of pardoning than that dominant today, a form associated with transitional justice and the restoration of a community riven by civil strife. Oblivion presents an alternative model for moving forward, suggesting that certain kinds of conflicts would be better forgotten than remembered for the continued health of the polity.
Need-Based Aid and College Persistence: The Effects of the Ohio College Opportunity Grant

This article exploits a natural experiment to estimate the effects of need-based aid policies on first-year college persistence rates. In fall 2006, Ohio abruptly adopted a new state financial aid policy that was significantly more generous than the previous plan. Using student-level data and very narrowly defined sets of students, I estimate a difference-in-differences model to identify the program effects. Students who benefited from the program received awards about US$800 higher than they would have received under the prior program. These students’ drop-out rates fell by 2% as a result of the program. The new program also increased the likelihood that students attend 4-year campuses and increased their first-year grade point averages. The program may not have been cost-effective given the combination of its generosity and inability to target the marginal students who would be most sensitive to financial aid.
Use of transputers for real time dose calculation and presentation for three-dimensional radiation treatment planning

Abstract Purpose : Real-time 3-dimensional dose calculation will allow display of isodose contours and other metrics for a planner to assess plan effectiveness during plan development, facilitating optimization. Methods and Materials : Parallel processing provides an effective means to calculate 3-dimensional dose distribution in real-time while plan parameters are being chosen and adjusted. An array of 20 transputers and a high performance graphics workstation have demonstrated the feasibility of real-time 3-dimensional beam parameter specification, dose calculation, and dose-distribution presentation for evaluation. A mesh connected set of processors using surface processors to generate and terminate rays, and ray processors to calculate ray attenuation and dose distribution has been developed to efficiently utilize large numbers of processors and provide good load sharing, even for small beams that intersect only a small part of the volume. Results : Our feasibility study has calculated dose distribution by the Effective Path Length method in about one second per beam for a treatment volume of 56,400 voxels. We expect to reduce the total time for computation, communication, and display, with even larger volumes, to less than one second. The number of processors can easily be increased for larger treatment volumes or more accurate and computation-intensive dose-calculation algorithms. Transputers provide an elegant and economical method for harnessing up to hundreds of powerful general-purpose processors for computational tasks including dose calculation and isodose contour generation. The same distributed-memory parallel-processing configuration is also suitable for calculation of isodose contours and dose-volume histograms for plan evaluation, automatic calculation of apertures and filters as beam parameters are manipulated, and more accurate dose calculation algorithms that incorporate the effects of scatter. Conclusion : Parallel processors can efficiently provide real-time calculation of the information necessary to evaluate treatment plans as they are developed allowing the planner to optimize the plan based on dose distribution and its effects on tumor control and complications.
The Conversion of Research Reactors to Low-Enriched Fuel and the Case of the FRM-II

The use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) as fuel in research reactors runs contrary to the concept of proliferation-resistant nuclear technologies. Consequently, for more than two decades, international activities have been undertaken to terminate the use of HEU in research reactors by supporting the conversion of these facilities to low-enriched uranium (LEU). Achievements, setbacks and perspectives of these efforts are discussed in this article. The German research reactor FRM-II, which will presumably begin operation in 2002, would be the world's first HEU-fueled reactor in more than 10 years. Among proponents and critics of HEU use in this reactor there is disagreement on the scientific impact of FRM-II conversion, which could be based on designs proposed by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). In order to support the decision-making process, independent computer simulations have been performed that provide detailed information on the scientific usability of the converted reactor. The most important res...
Neurosteroidogenesis: Insights from Studies of Songbirds

The long-held dogma that the brain is a target of steroids produced by peripheral organs has delayed the widespread acceptance of the functional importance of neurosteroidogenesis. Comparative studies have been vital for establishing the key actions of gonadal and adrenal hormones on brain and behaviour. No doubt, studies across diverse phyla will continue to be crucial for revealing the true significance of neurosteroidogenesis to proper function of the vertebrate brain. Here, we review work carried out in our laboratory, as well as in others, highlighting advances to our understanding of brain steroid synthesis and action using songbirds as animal models. These studies show that steroidogenic transporters and enzymes are present in the songbird brain and that their expression and/or activities are subject to developmental, seasonal or short-term regulation. Our work in a songbird points to synaptic synthesis of neuroactive steroids and fast, perisynaptic membrane actions. Combined with evidence for rapid steroidal control of behaviour, these studies firmly establish a neuromodulatory role for avian neurosteroids. We hope this work will join with that of other species to embolden the acceptance of neurosteroidal signalling as a core property of vertebrate neurobiology.
Sociology as a vocation: Moral commitment and scientific imagination

Public sociology and the sacrifices it entails, richly described in the case studies in this monograph, are driven by moral commitment. This is one element of sociology as a vocation. The other element is sociology as a science. The case studies are built on an embryonic sociology of commodification, understood in its historical dimensions and its global consequences. This sociology of commodification examines the disasters created by third-wave marketization and the bleak future for human existence, thereby, fueling the original moral commitment of public sociology.
“Will a global marketing strategy work? An energy conservation perspective”

To what extent, and under what conditions, a marketing strategy can and should be standardized across national boundaries is an issue still to be resolved in the marketing literature. Proponents of standardization point to economies of scale whereas opponents stand firm on segmentation. This study is an attempt to gain insight to the issue of standardization through cross-cultural research in four nations. The results of this study of energy conservation suggest that market segments, similar on attitudes and behavior, do exist across countries. Within such a specific segment, a global strategy may be appropriate, but a single global strategy, aimed at all segments and countries, would not be effective.
Interactive Point-Based Isosurface Extraction

We propose a novel point-based approach to view dependent iso-surface extraction. We introduce a fast visibility query system for the view dependent traversal, which exhibits moderate memory requirements. This technique allows for an interactive interrogation of the full visible woman dataset (1GB) at four to fifteen frames per second on a desktop computer. The point-based approach is built on an extraction scheme that classifies different sections of the iso-surface into four categories, depending on the size of the geometry when projected onto the screen. In particular, we use points to represent small and sub-pixel triangles, as well as larger sections of the isosurface whose projection has sub-pixel size. To assign consistent and robust normals to individual points representing such regions, we propose to compute them during post processing of the extracted isosurface and provide the corresponding hardware implementation.
COMPARISON OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC AND OPTICAL SYSTEM DURING DYNAMIC MOTION

Few studies have concurrently investigated the accuracy and repeatability of an optical and electromagnetic (EM) system during dynamic motion. The purposes of this study were to: (1) assess the accuracy of both an EM and optical system when compared to a gold standard and (2) to compare the intra- and inter-day repeatability during 3D kinematic motion of both systems. The gold standard used for accuracy assessment was a robot programmed to manipulate a carbonber beam through pre-dened motions within the capture volume of both systems at 30, 45 and 60� /s. A total of 12 healthy young adults were tested for intra- and inter-day repeatability of hip, knee and ankle joint angles during a sit-to-stand movement. Marker trajectories were captured using an 8-camera Motion Analysis system and a Polhemus Liberty system. Optical markers for both portions of the study were precisely marked to allow for digitization by the EM system, with collections taken at 120Hz. Accuracy and repeatability were assessed using the RMS error and coe±cient of multiple correlations (CMC), respectively. The optical system demonstrated a 1-2.5� lower RMS error in tracking the robot movements in the transverse and sagittal planes when compared to the EM system. However, it was possible that metal interference a®ected the accuracy of the EM system. High intra-day and inter-day repeatability was demonstrated by both systems during the sit-to-stand task. The optical system did dem- onstrate slightly higher CMC values for between day trials, though skin motion artifact might have a®ected the EM system to a greater extent. Overall, both systems demonstrated an adequate ability to track dynamic motion.
Equity Volatility Smile and Skew under a CEV-based Structural Leverage Model

The leverage effect is widely considered to be the major contributor to volatility skew in the stock option market. This s tudy concentrates on explicit modeling of corporate leverage. The asset-equity relation is modeled by a perpetual American option, and the asymmetry of the asset return distribution is addressed by introducing a Constant Elasticity of Variance (CEV) asset dynamic. The model retains closed-form representation of firm equity wit h respect to asset and liability. This provides a convenient simplification to equity option pricing, so that the model can be calibrated to stock prices and the entire volatility structure. This mode l demonstrates how the volatility smile, as well as skew, can be accommodated by the structural model, and also successfully explains why low-leverage stocks could still have a non-trivial volatility structure . A cross-sectional study shows that the calibrated parameters effectively outline the financial characteristics of the leveraged firms. The cre dit quality measure generated from this model is also more informative in terms of explaining Credit Default Swap (CDS) spread movements.
Palmitoylation controls DLK localization, interactions and activity to ensure effective axonal injury signaling

Dual leucine-zipper kinase (DLK) is critical for axon-to-soma retrograde signaling following nerve injury. However, it is unknown how DLK, a predicted soluble kinase, conveys long-distance signals and why homologous kinases cannot compensate for loss of DLK. Here, we report that DLK, but not homologous kinases, is palmitoylated at a conserved site adjacent to its kinase domain. Using short-hairpin RNA knockdown/rescue, we find that palmitoylation is critical for DLK-dependent retrograde signaling in sensory axons. This functional importance is because of three novel cellular and molecular roles of palmitoylation, which targets DLK to trafficking vesicles, is required to assemble DLK signaling complexes and, unexpectedly, is essential for DLK's kinase activity. By simultaneously controlling DLK localization, interactions, and activity, palmitoylation ensures that only vesicle-bound DLK is active in neurons. These findings explain how DLK specifically mediates nerve injury responses and reveal a novel cellular mechanism that ensures the specificity of neuronal kinase signaling.
Cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy with a ps-pulsed UV laser for sensitive, high-speed measurements in a shock tube.

We report the first application of cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS) with a ps-pulsed UV laser for sensitive and rapid gaseous species time-history measurements in a transient environment (in this study, a shock tube). The broadband nature of the ps pulses enabled instantaneous coupling of the laser beam into roughly a thousand cavity modes, which grants excellent immunity to laser-cavity coupling noise in environments with heavy vibrations, even with an on-axis alignment. In this proof-of-concept experiment, we demonstrated an absorption gain of 49, which improved the minimum detectable absorbance by ~20 compared to the conventional single-pass strategy at similar experimental conditions. For absorption measurements behind reflected shock waves, an effective time-resolution of ~2 μs was achieved, which enabled time-resolved observations of transient phenomena, such as the vibrational relaxation of O2 demonstrated here. The substantial improvement in detection sensitivity, together with microsecond measurement resolution implies excellent potential for studies of transient physical and chemical processes in nonequilibrium situations, particularly via measurements of weak absorptions of trace species in dilute reactive systems.
Fetal and maternal cardiac responses to physical activity and exercise during pregnancy

Since the 1970s, researchers have studied the influence of exercise during pregnancy on offspring heart development. With the knowledge and current evidence of fetal programming effects, research has demonstrated that exercise is safe and beneficial for mother, fetus, and neonate. Predominantly, research has focused on maternal and fetal cardiac adaptations related to aerobic exercise during pregnancy; less is known regarding the effects of resistance or combination (aerobic and resistance) training during pregnancy. Ongoing research is focusing on fetal responses to different intensity, duration and modes of maternal exercise throughout pregnancy. This article will summarize our current state of knowledge regarding the influence of exercise intensity, duration, and modes during pregnancy on maternal and fetal cardiac responses.
"Streght to My Matere": Rereading Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde

AbstractChaucer's Troilus and Criseyde suggests in closing that it was written "moost for wommen that bitraised be." The Freudian love of the gaze is helpful in reading for this difference, because the gaze, and the voyeurist and exhibitionist poles of scopophilic desire, have pervasive impact on Chaucer's epic. Oedipal codes are reinforced as the dominant, visual codes of written epic, framed around ambivalence toward women and language: The deception implicit in writing is likewise "built in" to women. Patriarchal society needs to control such tokens of exchange, but paradoxically, as tokens dominate exchange, their value and agentic power increases. Texts proliferate and disagree, allowing play for the agent. Often read beyond the conclusion, Criseyde (as agent) reads and writes herself as well. Thus when the poem's ending exaggerates both closure and open-endedness, leaving the audience in turmoil, it creates an open text "moost for wommen that bitraised be." (Literary criticism, psychological ap-proach; gender studies)
Ensuring Quality in Technical Vocational Education and Training in Nigeria

The importance of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the advancement of technology of any nation cannot be over emphasized. This is because TVET is widely recognized as a vital driving force for socio-economic growth and technical development of nations. The most important feature of TVET is the emphasis of its curriculum on the acquisition of employable skills with an orientation towards the world of work. Therefore, in order to achieve the goals and objectives of TVET in the Nigerian higher education system, the quality of the programme needs to be improved upon or enhanced.
Formation of Silver Tripolyphosphate Films on Silver Electrodes from Solutions Supersaturated with Silver Tripolyphosphate

Silver tripolyphosphate films were formed on slightly cathodically polarized silver electrodes in aqueous solutions containing Ag+ and tripolyphosphate ions. The solutions were kept supersaturated with silver tripolyphosphate during the film formation. The potential of the silver electrode, on which the silver tripolyphosphate film was formed at a very low current density, showed a linear relationship to the tripolyphosphate ion concentration between 10-4 M and 10-1 M.