cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Empirically evaluating the application of reinforcement learning to the induction of effective and adaptive pedagogical strategies

For many forms of e-learning environments, the system's behavior can be viewed as a sequential decision process wherein, at each discrete step, the system is responsible for selecting the next action to take. Pedagogical strategies are policies to decide the next system action when there are multiple ones available. In this project we present a Reinforcement Learning (RL) approach for inducing effective pedagogical strategies and empirical evaluations of the induced strategies. This paper addresses the technical challenges in applying RL to Cordillera, a Natural Language Tutoring System teaching students introductory college physics. The algorithm chosen for this project is a model-based RL approach, Policy Iteration, and the training corpus for the RL approach is an exploratory corpus, which was collected by letting the system make random decisions when interacting with real students. Overall, our results show that by using a rather small training corpus, the RL-induced strategies indeed measurably improved the effectiveness of Cordillera in that the RL-induced policies improved students' learning gains significantly.
On mind & Turing's machines

Turing's notion of human computability is exactly right not only for obtaining a negative solution of Hilbert's Entscheidungsproblem that is conclusive, but also for achieving a precise characterization of formal systems that is needed for the general formulation of the incompleteness theorems. The broad intellectual context reaches back to Leibniz and requires a focus on mechanical procedures; these procedures are to be carried out by human computers without invoking higher cognitive capacities. The question whether there are strictly broader notions of effectiveness has of course been asked for both cognitive and physical processes. I address this question not in any general way, but rather by focusing on aspects of mathematical reasoning that transcend mechanical procedures. Section 1 discusses Godel's perspective on mechanical computability as articulated in his [193?], where he drew a dramatic conclusion from the undecidability of certain Diophantine propositions, namely, that mathematicians cannot be replaced by machines. That theme is taken up in the Gibbs Lecture of 1951; Godel argues there in greater detail that the human mind infinitely surpasses the powers of any finite machine. An analysis of the argument is presented in Section 2 under the heading Beyond calculation. Section 3 is entitled Beyond discipline and gives Turing's view of intelligent machinery; it is devoted to the seemingly sharp conflict between Godel's and Turing's views on mind. Their deeper disagreement really concerns the nature of machines, and I'll end with some brief remarks on (supra-) mechanical devices in Section 4.
Genetic association tests for family data with missing parental genotypes: A comparison

We consider three tests for genetic association in data from nuclear families (the Family-Based Association Test (FBAT) test proposed by Rabinowitz and Laird ([2000] Hum. Hered. 50:211-223), a second test proposed by Rabinowitz ([2002] J. Am. Stat. Assoc. 97:742-758), and the Family Genotype Analysis Program (FGAP) nonfounder or partial score test proposed by Clayton ([1999] Am. J. Hum. Genet. 65:1170-1177) and Whittemore and Tu ([2000] Am. J. Hum. Genet. 66:1329-1340)). We show that each test statistic arises from the efficient score of the family data as the solution to a set of constraints on its null expectation. Moreover, the FBAT and Rabinowitz tests (but not the FGAP test) are locally the most powerful among all tests satisfying their constraints. We used simulations to examine how the three tests perform in situations when their assumptions are violated and the number of families is not huge. We found that the FBAT test tended to have less power than the other two tests, particularly when applied to families in whom all offspring were affected. The Rabinowitz and FGAP tests performed similarly, although the latter tended to extract more information from families containing one typed parent. While none of the tests showed good power to detect rare, recessively acting genes, the Rabinowitz test with a sample variance estimate performed particularly poorly in this case. However, the Rabinowitz test with a model-based variance had power comparable to that of the FGAP test, and more accurate type I error rates. We conclude that for the situations we considered, the Rabinowitz test with model-based variance has good power without forfeiting robustness against misspecification of parental genotype probabilities. However, its utility is limited by the lack of a simple algorithm to apply it to families with varying structures and phenotypes.
Effects of early auditory experience on the development of local song preference in female swamp sparrows

A growing number of studies show that learning about male mating signals can shape the way females discriminate among males and may influence the evolution of both female preferences and the male traits under selection. Female songbirds commonly prefer local songs over foreign songs from a different population. In some species, however, the extent of variation among songs sung by different males within a population is as great as the variation observed between populations, raising the question of how females are able to discriminate local from foreign songs. Here, we report that laboratory-reared female swamp sparrows (Melospiza georgiana) not only show a preference for the particular song types with which they were tutored as compared with both foreign songs and unfamiliar local songs but also show preference for unfamiliar local songs over unfamiliar foreign songs. An acoustic analysis comparing tutor songs and those presented as unfamiliar local and foreign songs suggests that female swamp sparrows might be attuned to the specifics of local note phonology when assessing the attractiveness of unfamiliar songs. Our results demonstrate that early auditory experience influences response to geographic song variation in female swamp sparrows, and suggest the possibility that female songbirds may generalize what they learn from songs early in life to novel songs heard in adulthood. Additional work is needed to evaluate the contribution of unlearned predispositions for local song.
Connecting Incoming Freshmen with Engineering through Hands-On Projects

Engineering programs suffer a high attrition rate, which causes the nation to graduate much less engineers. A survey of the literature reveals that the high attrition rate is due mainly to the fact that the first year of an engineering program is all fundamental theory and students don't see the connection to their future engineering careers. To address this problem, educators in the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering at Prairie View A&M University launched a five-week summer camp entitled “College of Engineering Enhancement Institute (CE 2 I)” aimed at improving the performance of incoming freshmen in mathematics by one level and a smoother transition between high school and college. Each department in the college participated by introducing their individual curriculum through hands-on projects designed by faculty members. Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Computer Engineering Technology programs implemented multimedia projects to tie the incoming freshman to their selected majors. Results show that the camp met the expectations and successfully points the directions for our future engineering education practices.
Ship-based liquid water path estimates in marine stratocumulus

[1] We examine liquid water paths (LWPs) derived from ship-based microwave radiometer brightness temperature (Tb) measurements collected within southeastern Pacific stratocumulus at 20°S, 85°W in October 2001. The boundary layer was typically well mixed and overcast. Three gaseous absorption models and two liquid dielectric models are evaluated. Total differences in retrieved LWP attributable to microwave absorption model differences are 10–25 g m−2, increasing with LWP. The most recent models produce the lowest LWPs. Most of the differences in the retrieved LWPs are caused by differences in the gaseous absorption models. Liquid dielectric model differences generate LWP differences of ∼6% of the total LWP. Radiosonde-calculated Tb using the most recent gaseous absorption model compare best to Tb measurements. The remaining LWP uncertainty due to model uncertainty is estimated at 6 g m−2. The pre-1995 gaseous and liquid absorption models in combination produce LWPs that exceed the calculated adiabatic values. For the 6-day best estimate LWP time series, the clouds attained LWPs close to the theoretical adiabatic limit for LWPs up to 150 g m−2, decreasing to ∼85% for LWPs of ∼250 g m−2. Such deductions also depend upon how the cloud boundaries, to which the adiabatic calculation is sensitive, are determined. Light drizzle, as inferred from cloud radar reflectivitiy measurements, is common even at low LWPs, but heavy drizzle (radar reflectivities >0 dBZ, equivalent to a cloud base drizzle rate of ∼2 mm d−1) is much less frequent, occurring <10% of the time even for LWPs of 200 g m−2.
Terahertz Sources Based on Intracavity Parametric Down-Conversion in Quasi-Phase-Matched Gallium Arsenide

We have efficiently generated tunable terahertz (THz) radiation using intracavity parametric down-conversion in gallium arsenide (GaAs). We used three types of microstructured GaAs to quasi-phase-match the interaction: optically contacted, orientation-patterned, and diffusion-bonded GaAs. The GaAs was placed in an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) cavity, and the THz wave was generated by difference-frequency mixing between the OPO signal and idler waves. The OPO used type-II phase-matched periodically poled lithium niobate as a gain medium and was synchronously pumped by a mode-locked laser at 1064 nm (7 ps and 200 nJ at 50 MHz). With center frequencies spanning 0.4-3.5 THz, 250-GHz bandwidth radiation was generated. We measured two orders of optical cascading generated by the mixing of optical and THz waves. In a doubly resonant oscillator (DRO) configuration, the efficiency increased by 21times over the singly resonant oscillator performance with an optical-to-THz efficiency of 10-4 and average THz power of 1 mW. The GaAs stabilized the DRO by a thermooptic feedback mechanism that created a quasi- continuous-wave train of THz pulses.
Fetal Renal Maturation: Studies on urinary beta 2 microglobulin the the neonate

Beta2 microglobulin [B2m] and creatinine [Cr] concentrations were measure in the urine of 27 newborn infants. At birth, urinary [B2m] and [B2m]/[Cr] ratios were significantly lower in infants born beyond 36 weeks' gestation. Serial measurements, postnatally, showed a progressive decrease in the urine [B2m]/[Cr] ratio of infants born prematurely. These findings suggest an increase in tubular uptake of B2m with increasing gestational and postnatal age. The current findings tend to support the hypothesis that the decrease in [B2m] observed in amniotic fluid beginning at approximately 36 weeks' gestation reflects maturation of fetal proximal renal tubular function.
FNAB cytology of chordoma masquerading as adenocarcinoma: case report.

We report a lesion of the mobile spine in a 77-yr-old white male who presented with lower back pain, radiating bilaterally to the legs, with numbness on walking and standing. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large mass within L3-L4 vertebral bodies; however, chordoma was not suspected or suggested. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the mass revealed mostly blood with isolated flat clusters of polygonal rounded epithelial-like cells in a myxoid background. Immunohistochemistry could not be performed on the FNAB specimen due to inadequate material for cell-block. A limited immunocytochemistry panel was performed on one cytology smear. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for cytokeratin. During primary and expert evaluation, these features were interpreted as metastatic adenocarcinoma. Prostate and thyroid were suggested as possible primary sites. An extensive clinical and radiological search did not reveal a primary lesion. Four years later, the patient underwent surgical decompression and stabilization of his lumbar spine to avoid a catastrophic collapse of spine with neurological deficit. Histomorphological features and immunohistochemical studies at this time confirmed the lesion as chordoma. This case highlights the significance of considering chordoma in the differential diagnosis of FNAB cytology of spinal column lesions suggestive of adenocarcinoma, especially when the clusters of low-grade epithelioid cells with vacuolated cytoplasm in a myxoid background do not show epithelial structures such as papillae, glands, or acini.
A simple continuous-time equalizer for use in magnetic storage read channels

A four-pole continuous-time equalizer has been developed to minimize the error rate in rigid-disk magnetic storage channels employing peak detection at high recording densities. The design process consisted of two parts. A nominal model of the disk drive characteristics in the time and frequency domains was obtained from digitized waveforms at the output of a read-head amplifier in a disk drive system. The relative performance of candidate equalizers was studied by subjecting them to the measured data waveforms and then either estimating or measuring the resulting bit error rate in a simulated peak detector, operating on the equalized waveforms. The equalizer outperforms more complex structures proposed for this task and is well suited for implementation as an analog CMOS active filter with low power dissipation. Its constellation of four poles and a zero appears to be useful for several types of magnetic media. >
A modeling pattern for layered system interfaces

Communications between systems is often initially represented at a single, high level of abstraction, a link between components. During design evolution it is usually necessary to elaborate the interface model, defining it from several different, related viewpoints and levels of abstraction. This paper presents a pattern to model such multi-layered interface architectures simply and efficiently, in a way that supports expression of technical complexity, interfaces and behavior, and analysis of complexity. Each viewpoint and layer of abstraction has its own properties and behaviors. System elements are logically connected both horizontally along the communication path, and vertically across the different layers of protocols. The performance of upper layers depends on the performance of lower layers, yet the implementation of lower layers is intentionally opaque to upper layers. Upper layers are hidden from lower layers except as sources and sinks of data. The system elements may not be linked directly at each horizontal layer but only via a communication path, and end-to-end communications may depend on intermediate components that are hidden from them, but may need to be shown in certain views and analyzed for certain purposes. This architectural model pattern uses methods described in ISO 42010, Recommended Practice for Architectural Description of Software-intensive Systems and CCSDS 311.0-M-1, Reference Architecture for Space Data Systems (RASDS). A set of useful viewpoints and views are presented, along with the associated modeling representations, stakeholders and concerns. These viewpoints, views, and concerns then inform the modeling pattern. This pattern permits viewing the system from several different perspectives and at different layers of abstraction. An external viewpoint treats the systems of interest as black boxes and focuses on the applications view, another view exposes the details of the connections and other components between the black boxes. An internal view focuses on the implementation within the systems of interest, either showing external interface bindings and specific standards that define the communication stack profile or at the level of internal behavior. Orthogonally, a horizontal view isolates a single layer and a vertical viewpoint shows all layers at a single interface point between the systems of interest. Each of these views can in turn be described from both behavioral and structural viewpoints.
Contamination Considerations For Perfluoroelastomer Seals Used In Deposition Processes

Deposition processes i.e., HDPCVD, PECVD, SACVD, ALD, etc., primarily operate at elevated temperatures and involve reactive gases and plasmas for both deposition and/or chamber cleaning. The trend towards larger semiconductor wafers, smaller feature sizes and decreasing thickness of deposited layers has placed increased emphasis on the need to minimize or eliminate unwanted sources of process contamination that could result in chip defects. Precise control of film composition and morphology is critical as deposition layers approach the atomic level. Furthermore, since surface integrity at the interface level is at least as relevant as the intrinsic bulk properties of the film, minimal perturbations of surface properties can result in integration problems at both the front- end and interconnect levels. Since purity is critical to high wafer yield, reducing potential contamination from particles, metallic contaminants and outgassing caused by premature seal deterioration are major goals of semiconductor fabricators. Perfluoroelastomer parts (e.g., Kalrezreg, etc.) are the preferred sealing material in deposition processes due to their extraordinary chemical resistance and thermal stability. Despite these qualities, perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) performance can vary widely depending upon chemical composition. Specially formulated FFKM products are designed to reduce contamination while maintaining sealing functionality in aggressive plasma environments.
Convergence analysis and tracking ability of reduced-dimension blind space-time RAKE receivers for DS-CDMA

We previously presented reduced dimension blind space-time RAKE receivers for classical DS-CDMA that cancel strong multi-user access interference while optimally combining the desired user's multipath. We show through theoretical analysis and supporting simulations that if the space and time compressing transformations are designed judiciously, reduced dimension 2D RAKE receivers offer faster convergence with respect to the output SINR as a function of the number of symbols received than that achieved with a full dimension space-time RAKE receiver, at the expense of only a slight loss in asymptotic SINR. Applications to the IS-95 uplink are presented along with supporting simulations. In addition, simulations involving a mobile moving 75 mph are presented demonstrating the tracking capabilities of the reduced dimension 2D RAKE receiver.
AutoMod™: providing simulation solutions for over 25 years

Decision making in industry continues to become more complicated. Customers are more demanding, competition is more fierce, and costs for labor and raw materials continue to rise. Managers need state-of-the-art tools to help in planning, design, and operations of their facilities. Simulation provides a virtual factory where ideas can be tested and performance improved. The AutoMod product suite from Applied Materials has been used on thousands of projects to help engineers and managers make the best decisions possible. AutoMod supports hierarchical model construction. This architecture allows users to reuse model components in other models, decreasing the time required to build a model. In addition, recent enhancements to AutoMod's material handling template systems have in-creased modeling accuracy and ease-of-use. These latest advances have helped make AutoMod one of the most widely used simulation software packages.
Clinical and aetiological aspects of epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy

The aims of this retrospective and population-based study were to describe the frequency and characteristics of epilepsy in 146 children (82 males and 64 females) with cerebral palsy (CP) born from 1987 to 1994 in the Goteborg area of Sweden. The frequency of epilepsy was found to be 38% (55 children). All children with tetraplegic CP and about one-third of the children with other CP types developed epilepsy. Age at onset of epilepsy varied with type of CP: children with tetraplegic CP tended to have an earlier onset of epilepsy than children with other CP types. Partial seizures were the most common seizure type; all children with hemiplegic CP had partial seizures. Children with cognitive impairment had a higher frequency of epilepsy than those without cognitive impairment. CP aetiology may predict the development and outcome of epilepsy, as children with CP caused by CNS malformation, CNS infection, and grey matter damage all showed a higher frequency of epilepsy than children with CP of other aetiology, and also had less chance of becoming seizure-free.
The Transformational Effect of Web 2.0 Technologies on Government

Web 2.0 technologies are now being deployed in government settings. For example, public agencies have used blogs to communicate information on public hearings, wikis and RSS feeds to coordinate work, and wikis to internally share expertise, and intelligence information. The potential for Web 2.0 tools create a public sector paradox. On the one hand, they have the potential to create real transformative opportunities related to key public sector issues of transparency, accountability, communication and collaboration, and to promote deeper levels of civic engagement. On the other hand, information flow within government, across government agencies and between government and the public is often highly restricted through regulations, specific reporting structures and therefore usually delayed through the filter of the bureaucratic constraints. What the emergent application and popularity of Web 2.0 tools show is that there is an apparent need within government to create, distribute and collect information outside the given hierarchical information flow. Clearly, these most recent Internet technologies are creating dramatic changes in the way people at a peer-to-peer production level communicate and collaborate over the Internet. And these have potentially transformative implications for the way public sector organizations do work and communicate with each other and with citizens. But they also create potential difficulties and challenges that have their roots in the institutional contexts these technologies are or will be deployed within. In other words, it is not the technology that hinders us from transformation and innovation – it is the organizational and institutional hurdles that need to be overcome. This paper provides an overview of the transformative organizational, technological and informational challenges ahead.
Blood pressure variability and reactivity in the natural environment

Laboratory studies have found that individuals with mild hypertension differ from normotensives in their degree of blood pressure variability and reactivity, defined as the change in blood pressure to specific stimuli. Based on the assumption that mild hypertension represents an intermediate stage in the development of established hypertension, these studies have led to the speculation that exaggerated blood pressure variability and/or reactivity plays an etiological role in the development of established hypertension [1–3]. These findings, however, have not been extended to blood pressure functioning under natural, day-to-day conditions. In the present study we examined blood pressure variability and reactivity over a 24-h period in three groups of individuals: a) normotensive control subjects, defined as a clinic blood pressure ≧ 120/80 mm Hg, b) mild hypertensive subjects, defined as a clinic blood pressure > 120/80 mm Hg 160/104 mm Hg. There are no generally accepted ways of measuring blood pressure variability and reactivity in the natural environment [4]; therefore, in this study we have chosen to define variability in three different ways: a) the blood pressure pattern based upon the location/activity in which the measurement was obtained; b) the overall variability of blood pressure; and c) the range in blood pressure. Reactivity was defined as a) blood pressure responses obtained during the performance of activities with either physical or b) psychological demands relative to blood pressure during relaxation, as well as c) the percentage of readings less than the individual’s own clinic reading.
Ventricular Esterases: Comparison of Their Distribution within the Larval Midgut of Four Species of Lepidoptera

The midgut tissue of 4 plant-feeding lepidopterous larvae, Diatraea grandiosella, Heliothis zea, Trichoplusia ni , and Pieris rapae , representing three families, was shown to be differentiated into regions which contain varying titers of esterases. Although the highest titer of most esterases was present in the anterior midgut, some esterases were present mainly in the posterior midgut. In the midgut of D. grandiosella 37% of the esterase activity was located in the anterior quarter, 22% in the 2nd quarter, 15% in the 3rd quarter and 26% in the posterior quarter. Corresponding values in H. zea were 27%, 39%, 22%, and 12%. Since the oligophagous D. grandiosella and P. rapae had fewer esterase bands (6-8) than the polyphagous H. zea and T. ni (10-12), the multiplicity of midgut esterases appears to correlate with host specificity.
Binding to COMP Reduces the BMP2 Dose for Spinal Fusion in a Rat Model.

Study design The aim of this study is to test the effect of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) on enhancing rhBMP-2 induced spinal fusion in a prospective 8-week interventional trial of spinal fusion in rats. Objective To determine whether the amount of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) required to achieve spinal fusion in a pre-clinical model can be reduced by the addition of COMP. Summary of background data BMPs are applied clinically at supraphysiological doses to promote spinal fusion by inducing osseous growth, but dose-related limitations include ectopic bone formation and local inflammatory reactions. COMP is a matricellular BMP-binding protein expressed during endochondral ossification and fracture healing. In vitro studies demonstrate enhanced activity of BMP bound to COMP. We hypothesized that BMP bound to COMP could achieve equivalent spinal fusion rates at lower doses and with fewer complications. Methods Posterolateral intertransverse process spinal fusion at L4 to L5 was performed in 36 Lewis rats. COMP (10 μg) was tested with or without "low-dose" rhBMP-2 (2 μg), and the results were compared with the "low-dose" (2 μg rhBMP-2) and "high-dose" (10 μg rhBMP-2) groups. All groups utilized insoluble collagen bone matrix carrier (ICBM). Fusion was evaluated by radiology, histology, and manual palpation. BMP release kinetics were evaluated in vitro. Results Fusion grading of microCT images demonstrated that the fusion rate with the COMP+LoBMP was statistically equivalent to HiBMP, and significantly better than LoBMP without COMP. These results were confirmed with radiographs and manual palpation. BMP release kinetics suggest that COMP increased local concentrations of BMP due to decreased growth factor retention on the scaffold. Conclusion COMP enhances BMP-induced bone formation, enabling lower doses of BMP to achieve the same level of spinal fusion. COMP may function by affecting the availability and biological presentation of BMP-2. A decrease of BMP-2 required for fusion may reduce dose-related adverse effects, surgical costs, and improve clinical outcomes. Level of evidence N/A.
An Enthalpy Approach for the Solidification of Metal Matrix Composites

In this paper, a numerical simulation of the solidification of metal matrix composite (MMC) is presented. The metal alloy used in the MMC is Al-4.5%Cu. The simulation is based on an axisymmetric model with enthalpy formulation of the energy equation coupled with the momentum equations. The simulation will facilitate an approximation to the experimental result when the real setup is carried out in the laboratory. This paper focuses on the importance of the sink heat used at the end of the fibers to extract heat from the liquid metal.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Identification of natural gas types and analysis on its distribution rules in Permian in Block No.5-8 of northwest margin of Jungar Basin

The genetic types and distribution rules of Permian natural gas in Block No.5-8 of northwest margin in Junggar Basin are determined by natural gas components and stable carbon isotopes with the use of various charts and discrimination criteria.The result shows that natural gas in Permian of studied area is organic gas and it is further classified into 3 types: high matured sapropelic gas coming from Fengcheng formation,humic gas coming from Jianuhe formation and mixed gas coming from both of the above.Vertically,sapropelic gas mainly accumulates in Upper Permian,while humic gas mainly distributes in Lower Permian.Horizontally,humic gas and mixed gas easily accumulates in the area where there are discordogenic faults and the area outside the pinch-out boundary of Fengcheng formation,whereas sapropelic gas are mainly near to the pinch-out boundary of Fengcheng formation.
Black start for power grid in Sudan

The black start scheme for Sudan power grid was researched.Some basic principles and factors worth considering in coming black start were summarized by analyzing weak links existed in Sudan power grid and contrasting lots scheme of black start,and some reliable suggestions were presented.
Multi-Factors Flowing,Industry Spatial Evolution and Multiple Economic Geography Equilibria

From the aspect of mobile multi-factors,based on modified footloose entrepreneur model of new economic geography,this paper discusses the mechanism of multiple economic geography equilibria of industry spatial evolution. New theoretical perspectives are as follow s: The steady state of industry spatial structure is not alw ays to be bang-bang equilibrium and the change of freeness of trade lead to any form of steady state of industry spatial structure; With the grow ing of firm increasing returns to scale,the grow th of expenditure share of industrial goods and the rise of freeness of trade w ould w eaken the stability of symmetrical structure,and disappearance of market crow ding effect. If the increasing returns to scale is prominent enough,or the expenditure share of industrial goods is high enough,no matter w hatever freeness of trade is,the market crow ding effect is out of existence,and the"black hole"status of modern industry emerges; The breakthrough point is less than the persistent point all the time and w hen the freeness of trade is betw een them,except core-periphery structure,any dissymmetric structure may be steady,so the fundamental force of pushing industry spatial evolution is material basis,not psychological basis.
Extrusion based additive manufacturing using Explicit Model Predictive Control

Freeze-form Extrusion Fabrication (FEF) is a recent additive manufacturing process that fabricates ceramics using ram-based paste extrusion in a freezing environment. Previously, controlling the flow of the paste in FEF processes was accomplished through ram velocity or extrusion force control. However it has been shown that using a combination of both can lead to faster and more consistent extrusion. In this paper, in order to systematically combine the benefits of extrusion force and ram velocity control, a hierarchical control structure is suggested with an Explicit Model Predictive Controller in the lower level and a supervisory algorithm in the higher level. To increase the robustness of the lower level to system variations such as changes in paste material and nozzle geometry, these variations are considered as a disturbance and an adaptive disturbance estimation technique was incorporated. In the higher level, a decision algorithm intelligently switches between full emphasis on extrusion force tracking and full emphasis on ram velocity tracking. Performance of the proposed controller was evaluated experimentally. It was shown that the proposed method is more robust to paste variations during the process compared to previous FEF control methods.
Methods for the interactive analysis and playback of large body simulations

Simulations, such as n-body or smoothed particle hydrodynamics, create large amounts of time variant data that can generally only be visualized non-interactively by rendering the resulting interaction into movies from a fixed viewpoint. This is due to the large amount of unstructured data that make these data incapable of either loading into graphics memory or streaming from disk. The presented approach aims to preserve the interactively navigable 3D structure of the underlying data by reordering and compressing the data in such a way as to optimize playback rates. Additionally, the presented method is able to detect and describe coherent group motion between frames which might be used for analysis.
Cycle Structures of Orthomorphisms Extending Partial Orthomorphisms of Boolean Groups

A partial orthomorphism of a group $G$ (with additive notation) is an injection $\pi:S \to G$ for some $S \subseteq G$ such that $\pi(x)-x \not= \pi(y)-y$ for all distinct $x,y \in S$. We refer to $|S|$ as the size of $\pi$, and if $S = G$, then $\pi$ is an orthomorphism . Despite receiving a fair amount of attention in the research literature, many basic questions remain concerning the number of orthomorphisms of a given group, and what cycle types these permutations have. It is known that conjugation by automorphisms of $G$ forms a group action on the set of orthomorphisms of $G$. In this paper, we consider the additive group of binary $n$-tuples, $\mathbb{Z}_2^n$, where we extend this result to include conjugation by translations in $\mathbb{Z}_2^n$ and related compositions. We apply these results to show that, for any integer $n >1$, the distribution of cycle types of orthomorphisms of the group $\mathbb{Z}_2^n$ that extend any given partial orthomorphism of size two is independent of the particular partial orthomorphism considered. A similar result holds for size one. We also prove that the corresponding result does not hold for orthomorphisms extending partial orthomorphisms of size three, and we give a bound on the number of cycle-type distributions for the case of size three. As a consequence of these results, we find that all partial orthomorphisms of $\mathbb{Z}_2^n$ of size two can be extended to complete orthomorphisms.
Good Work: When Excellence and Ethics Meet

(2003). Good Work: When Excellence and Ethics Meet. Public Integrity: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 86-87.
Asthma: an important disease to otolaryngologists--Part I: Suspecting and diagnosing asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lower respiratory tract which is triggered by exposure to allergens or other airway irritants. This inflammation results in airway hyperresponsiveness, bronchial muscle spasm, mucous gland hypersecretion and mucosal edema, which combine to create symptoms such as cough, wheezing and respiratory distress. Because the inflammatory process is highly variable, asthma is a disorder with many possible presentations. It may therefore proceed for years without clinical recognition, and may challenge the most astute diagnostician. It is important for otolaryngologists to be able to suspect, diagnose and treat asthma. This is so because asthma is a common disease in the otolaryngologic patient population, both as one of the options in the differential diagnosis of respiratory complaints, and as a comorbid condition which may complicate the treatment of other medical or surgical problems. Furthermore, both the understanding of asthma's pathophysiology, and its optimum treatment methods have undergone radical changes during the past decade. This three-part discussion reviews our modern understanding of asthma, and proposes diagnosis and treatment guidelines which can assist otolaryngologists in effectively managing their asthmatic patients. Part one summarizes current information on the pathophysiology and increasing prevalence of asthma, its clinical variability, the assessment of asthma sensitivity, and methods for diagnosis of asthma. Parts two and three cover the strategy for asthma management, and the use of both adjunctive and anti-inflammatory therapies for asthma control.
Local Zinc Chloride Release From a Calcium Sulfate Carrier Enhances Fracture Healing.

Background This study examined the efficacy of calcium sulfate (CaSO4) as a carrier for intramedullary delivery of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) to treat fracture healing in a BB Wistar rat model. A non-carrier-mediated injection of 3.0 mg/kg of ZnCl2 has previously been shown to enhance fracture healing. Methods A heterogeneous mixture of ZnCl2 and CaSO4 was administered into the intramedullary femoral canal and a mid-diaphyseal femur fracture was created unilaterally. Early and late parameters of fracture healing were assessed using biomechanical testing, radiographic scoring, quantitative histomorphometry (for percentage of new cartilage and bone within the fracture callus), and long-term histologic evaluation. Results Fractures treated with 1.0 mg/kg of ZnCl2/CaSO4 demonstrated a significantly higher maximum torque to failure compared with both CaSO4 (P = 0.048) and saline (P = 0.005) controls at 4 weeks postfracture (396.4 versus 251.3 versus 178.7 N mm, respectively). Statistically significant increases in torsional rigidity, effective shear modulus, and effective shear stress were also found, as well as a 3.5 times increase in radiographic score (based on bone union). Histologic examination of the fracture callus indicated enhanced chondrogenesis at day 14 postfracture, with increased percent cartilage for the ZnCl2/CaSO4 group compared with saline (P = 0.0004) and CaSO4 (P = 0.0453) controls. Long-term radiographic and histologic evaluation revealed no abnormal bone formation or infection up to 12 weeks postoperatively. Conclusions The effective dose of ZnCl2 augmentation for the enhancement of fracture healing in rats was reduced 3-fold in this study compared with previous findings. Furthermore, CaSO4 acted synergistically with ZnCl2 to increase the mechanical strength and stability at the fracture site.
KIR-LIGAND Mismatched Natural Killer Cells Effectively Kill Primary Myeloma and Myeloma Cell Lines.

Abstract Recent observations in haplo-identical, T-cell-depleted allogeneic transplantation have focused attention on the rapid and remarkable anti-tumor effect mediated by Killer Inhibitory Receptor (KIR) ligand mismatched natural killer (NK) cells. Most data are confined to the role of KIR-ligand mismatched NK cells for acute leukemia after allogeneic transplantation. In this study, we report both the ability of KIR mismatched NK cells to kill primary myeloma cells, and the effects of interleukin (IL)2 and IL15 on NK cells in vitro. NK cells were prepared from healthy donor PBMCs by depletion of T-lymphocytes using immunomagnetic beads conjugated to anti-CD3 followed by depletion of monocytes using a simple adherence step. After overnight incubation in cytokines (IL2/IL15 as indicated) standard chromium release assays determined the cytotoxicity of NK cells against target cells and 3H-thymidine incorporation assessed NK cell proliferation. KIR-ligand mismatched NK cells incubated overnight in 300 IU/ml IL2 killed primary MM cells from four individuals (76, 64,60,48% lysis) as well as MM lines U266, NCI H929, and the NK sensitive line K562 (95, 86, 76% lysis, respectively) at an E:T ratio of 20:1. NK cells were not cytotoxic towards autologous phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or allogeneic PHA-induced T-cell blasts. Increasing the IL2 concentration during overnight NK cell incubation from 300 to 1000 IU/ml did not significantly enhance the cytotoxicity against U266 myeloma cells or control K562 cells. IL15 was more potent than IL2 in inducing NK cell proliferation. The optimal IL15 concentration was 300 IU/ml (range tested: 0–3000 IU/ml). The use of both cytokines in concert was less effective than the use of IL15 alone, probably due to homology of the IL2 and IL15 b and g receptors. We conclude that T cell and monocyte depletion of PBMC results in a preparation significantly enriched for NK cells (±50%) that effectively kills KIR-ligand mismatched primary myeloma cells and myeloma cell lines. IL15 is the superior cytokine for enhancing NK cell proliferation. The exciting anti-leukemic effects mediated by KIR-ligand mismatched NK cells have thus far only been reported in the haplo-identical transplant setting. In view of our positive in vitro data in MM, we will evaluate in a phase II trial wheter the repeated transfusion of KIR-ligand-mismatched, T-cell depleted NK cells from haplo-identical donors after immunosuppressive treatment with fludarabine and dexamethasone (to avoid rejection of donor NK cells) and tumor reduction with melphalan followed by a delayed auto-transplant can improve outcome in patients who have high risk MM or who have relapsed after a previous auto-transplant. This will be the first clinical application of KIR-ligand-mismatched NK cells in autologous transplantation and the first such trial in myeloma. Download : Download high-res image (253KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure
Does a community cancer center one-day prostate cancer multidisciplinary clinic result in a change in treatment recommendation?

82Background: Multi-disciplinary clinics (MDCs) offer patients the opportunity to meet with multiple providers to discuss treatment options for recently diagnosed prostate cancer. Multiple academic...
Asymmetry effects of exchange rate changes on domestic production in Japan

Previous studies that assessed the effects of currency depreciation on the domestic production of Japan did not find any significant long-run effects. Using the linear ARDL approach we first confirm previous findings. We then argue and show that failure to find any significant link between the value of the yen and Japanese domestic production is due to assuming a linear adjustment mechanism or symmetric effects of exchange rate changes. Once we use the nonlinear ARDL approach we show that indeed exchange rate changes do have asymmetric effects on domestic production in Japan. Not only we observe adjustment asymmetry, but also short-run asymmetry that lasts into the long run. In the long run while strong yen seems to hurt domestic production in Japan, weak yen seems to have no effect.
Chapter 2 – Mucosal Microbiota

This chapter provides information on the microbial populations on normal mucosal surfaces in humans (the indigenous microbiota). It also evaluates some evidence on how such populations interact with immunologic functions. Microorganisms, principally bacteria, colonize the skin and mucosal surfaces in most areas of the adult human body. Gram-positive, aerobic bacteria predominate on the skin and the mucosa of the nasopharynx and oropharynx. Gram-positive and gram-negative facultative and anaerobic bacteria also colonize the mucosal surface and lumen of major portions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The anaerobic bacteria predominate in both the buccal cavity, the distal one-third of the small intestine, and large intestine. Functional anaerobes also predominate on vaginal surfaces. In aggregate, the microbial populations on all the mucosal surfaces exceed 100 trillion (1*10 14 ) cells. This population, over 99% of which is found in the large intestine, constitutes an indigenous microbiota. This biota establishes on the various mucosal surfaces after birth in patterns that can be recognized as ecologic successions. The indigenous microbiota functions in “colonization resistance” to inhibit the nonindigenous microorganisms and certain indigenous microbial pathogens from proliferating in the mucosal habitats.
Small Department Initiative: (Abstract Only)

Faculty members in a small department (5 FTE or less) face special challenges and strengths because of their size. This BOF is a time for faculty to meet and discuss ways to meet the shared challenges and take advantage of their strengths. The actual topics covered will be based on those attending. Topics include: sharing classes, increasing enrollment, general education, and specialized courses.
Error growth of target states utilizing a swarm of agents in GPS denied area

This paper studies the position error growth of a single target being estimated using a swarm of agents in a GPS denied environment. These results are motivated by two different applications: One being a swarm of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) agents and the other being a swarm of Sonobuoys. The first scenario studied shows the problem of a GPS denied environment and how a swarm of agents can enhance the target position estimate over time, yet still grow unbounded. The second scenario studies the enhancement a swarm of agents can make on a target position estimate in a GPS enable environment. The third scenario studies the target position error in a GPS environment that is denied after a specified time interval. The goal of this research is to understand the enhancements to the (1) target position estimate (2) target position error growth as a function of number of agents in the swarm N. The paper is organized as follows: Introduction and past research; creation of the simulation structure; creation of the truth models for the swarm of agents and target; creation of the estimation scheme (Kalman Filter); Analyzing the results of the simulation.
Effects of Marijuana on the Lung and Immune Defenses

Cannabis has been used as a drug for thousands of years, but marijuana smoking has become prevalent in Western society only during the last 40 years (1,2). An annual survey conducted in the United States from 1975 to 2002 documented that marijuana is now the second most commonly smoked substance after tobacco (1,2). Marijuana smoke, like tobacco smoke, is generated by the pyrolysis of dried plant leaves. As a result, it shares thousands of chemical features in common with tobacco smoke, including qualitatively similar amounts of carbon monoxide, cyanide, acrolein, benzene, vinyl chlorides, aldehydes, phenols, nitrosamines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (3,4). The primary distinction between marijuana and tobacco is the presence of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids in Cannabis vs the presence of nicotine in tobacco (3,4). Although the hazardous effects of tobacco smoking have been extensively documented and include emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and risk for developing several different types of cancer, studies on the health effects of marijuana smoking are less abundant. The common perception is that marijuana smoke is less toxic and that smoking a few marijuana joints per day has far fewer consequences than smoking a pack of tobacco cigarettes (5). However, the lack of filtering and differences in the smoking technique associated with marijuana use result in an approximately fourfold greater deposition of tar particulates in the lung than occurs from smoking similar amounts of tobacco (6). In addition, the concentration of pro-carcinogens such as benz-[α]-anthracene and benzo-[α]-pyrene are up to twofold higher in marijuana tar (3,7). The presence of irritants and pro-carcinogens in marijuana smoke and the enhanced deposition of these in the lung during smoking suggest that habitual smoking of marijuana might result in a spectrum of respiratory consequences similar to those described for tobacco smoking. Moreover, THC has recently been shown to exert potent biological effects on lung epithelial cells and on the immune system (8-10). Consequently, it is possible that regular exposure to marijuana smoke, a large proportion of which is THC, might predispose to lung injury, pulmonary infections, and/or tumor growth. This chapter reviews the current knowledge concerning the pulmonary and immune consequences of marijuana smoking and THC, as briefly outlined in Figure 1.