cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A diagnostic evaluation model for complex research partnerships with community engagement: the partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention (NACP) model.

Abstract Complex community oriented health care prevention and intervention partnerships fail or only partially succeed at alarming rates. In light of the current rapid expansion of critically needed programs targeted at health disparities in minority populations, we have designed and are testing an “logic model plus” evaluation model that combines classic logic model and query based evaluation designs (CDC, NIH, Kellogg Foundation) with advances in community engaged designs derived from industry–university partnership models. These approaches support the application of a “near real time” feedback system (diagnosis and intervention) based on organizational theory, social network theory, and logic model metrics directed at partnership dynamics, combined with logic model metrics.
Biologically-related or emotionally-connected: who would be the better surrogate decision-maker?

As an incapacitated patient is unable to make decisions regarding their care, physicians turn to next-of-kin when appointing a surrogate decision-maker in the absence of an advanced directive. With the increasing complexity of modern families, physicians are facing new ethical dilemmas when choosing the individual to make end-of-life decisions for their patients. Legal definitions and hierarchies are no longer adhering to the purpose of a surrogate-decision maker, which is to maintain a patient’s autonomy. Moral criteria for surrogates, which emphasize the importance of making decisions that align with the patient’s desires and wishes and negate biological relationships over emotional connections, are becoming much more important. This paper explores a case study in which physicians must appoint a surrogate decision-maker for an incapacitated patient, forced to choose between a biological relationship and a strong emotional connection.
Ionizing Radiation Effects in N-Channel (Hg,Cd) Te MISFETs with Anodic Sulfide Passivation

The effect of ionizing radiation, up to a dose of 1.6x105 rad(ZnS)**, on n-channel (Hg,Cd)Te MISFETs, fabricated using anodic sulfide/ZnS insulators, has been investigated. Devices were irradiated under DC bias at 78K. Radiation induced threshold voltage shifts, degraded transconductance, and decreased subthreshold current-gate voltage slopes were observed. For all but the most negative biases during irradiations threshold voltage shifts (a maximum of -6.0 V at 1.6×105 rad(ZnS)) are associated with net hole trapping, with evidence for trapping near the interface for zero applied field during irradiation. Evidence of electron trapping was observed for large negative biases during irradiation. The radiation induced degradation in transconductance is attributed to surface mobility reduction (30% after 1.6×105 rad(ZnS)) associated with scattering from interface charge. The decreassd subthreshold slope (82 mV/decade at 50K after 1.0×105 rad(ZnS)) is attributed to modification of the pre-irradiation gate voltage-surface potential relationship by radiation induced interface traps.
On the nature of the blue solutions of sulfur

Abstract Deep blue solutions are formed by dissolving alkali tetrasulfides in aprotic, polar, organic solvents. Their spectra show three bands in the visible and the near UV - region at 16·2 × 103, 23·0 × 103, and 36·2 × 103 cm−1. The band at 16·2 × 103 cm−1. shows a weak, but well defined, vibrational fine structure at room temperature. The spacing between the subpeaks of 430 cm−1 is assigned to vibrations of the S2− ion formed by the homolytic dissociation of the S42− ion. The position of the S42− ⇄ 2S2− equilibrium has been studied in water-dimethylformamide mixtures as a function of the solvent composition and in pure DMF as a function of the ratio S:S2−. EPR investigations suggest the presence of two further sulfur radicals. It is proposed that the color of ultra-marine is also due to S2− ions.
Keynote Talk 1

Space is a rich and highly variable domain for the application of robotic & automated systems. The applications environment is often unstructured, unpredictable, fast changing, and poorly suited - in the sense of both system performance and risk - to use of heuristics to address the unexpected. These comments become more specific in the consideration of autonomous surface mobility (e.g. rovers for science exploration) and high dexterity remote robotic operations (e.g. tele-manipulation with human in-loop commanding and time delay). We overview the current art for these two application areas, discuss R&D examples developed to date toward more adaptive capabilities within, and outline some open research challenges to future learning and adaptive perception & control in space robotics.
Neutrino-antineutrino oscillations

We show that observable neutrino-antineutrino oscillations require not only the nonconservation of lepton number and fermion number and a nonzero mass for the neutrino but also the presence of some right-handed leptonic charged current, and we discuss, very briefly, the prospects for an experimental search.
Pineal effects on metabolism and glucose homeostasis: Evidence for lines of humoral mediation of pineal influences on tumor growth

Results from animal experiments support the hypothesis that pineal gland function can influence some aspects of tissue metabolism and glucose homeostasis. Evidence of pineal effects on particular endocrine and sympatheto-adrenal targets contributes to an understanding of indirect routes by which pineal activity can possibly affect the growth and activity of some kinds of tumors, in part through nutrient and metabolic effects in the tissue environment of the tumor cells.
Self-assembling systems: Mining a rich vein

This paper summarizes a few of the self-assembling systems investigated in the authors' laboratory over the years. These include systems that mimic an enzyme, solubilize drugs, release encapsulated guests, assemble via hydrophobic surfaces, exhibit hysteresis in films, link cancer cells to vesicles, and destroy toxic compounds. Although the amphiphilic molecules are all rather different, one overriding theme predominates: just as the properties of molecules are not simple extrapolations from atoms, properties of self-assemblies are not simple extrapolations from molecules. Groups of molecules, properly assembled, can accomplish much more than an equal number of molecules functioning separately.
Electronic parts presentation using vibratory bowl feeders

Abstract This paper presents the results of a series of experiments using custom tooled vibratory bowls for presenting non-standard electronic parts to a robot for insertion on printed circuit boards.
"The more support you have the better": partner support and dyadic HIV care across the continuum for gay and bisexual men.

Background Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men account for a disproportionate burden of HIV incidence in the United States, with one-third to two-thirds of these new HIV infections occurring within main partnerships. Early initiation and adherence to highly active antiretroviral treatment is a key factor in treating and preventing the transmission of HIV; however, the average rate of adherence in the United States is low. Social support has been examined as a source of improving health for people experiencing a variety of chronic health conditions. This study aims to understand perceptions of how dyadic HIV care could influence partner-specific support for same-sex male couples with a goal of improving adherence.
Topological indices derived from local invariants of some normal and iso-alkanes

In this paper is presented a method for obtaining the local invariants of chemical graphs characteristic of organic compounds (i. e. n-heptane isomers) by combining computational programs with specific mathematical methods. Was obtained an operational degeneration for 2, 3- and 3, 3-dimethylpentane, this obtaining very rarely in such situations.
Managing the unstable patient. The first 10 minutes often set the course.

PREVIEWIn an unstable patient, whose hemodynamic, respiratory, or neurologic status can deteriorate quickly, significant morbidity or even death is likely unless prompt action is taken. The entire course is often affected substantially by what happens during the first 10 minutes of an emergency situation. In this article, Dr Dacey explains how to handle such situations expeditiously and improve the chances of survival for these patients.
SU-GG-I-45: Mathematical Reduction of Artifacts in Limited Projection and Limited Angle Cone Beam CT

Purpose: Modern radiation therapydelivery and imaging systems include flat panel imagers and kV sources. These systems are used to generate projections for cone beam CT(CBCT)reconstructions using filtered backprojection (FBP) algorithms. FBP works best when a large number of projections are taken over 360 degrees; however, the resultant daily dose is of concern. Two methodologies for dose reduction are limited projection number and limited arc acquisition. In this study we examine reconstruction degradation from these two dose reduction methods and present initial solutions to reduce these artifacts. Method: Our initial dataset consisted of a 360 image 360 degree projection dataset acquired on the Nucletron Digital Integrated Brachytherapy Unit (IBU‐D) of a water‐filled Jaszczak Phantom containing spheres of varying contrast. FBP reconstructions were performed on the full dataset, a 16 image limited projection dataset, and a limited angle (60 projections over a 60 degree arc) dataset. Streaking and smearing artifacts from the dose reduction strategies were examined for both limited projection and limited angle. We developed separate techniques for artifact reduction for each scenario: a powered interpolation technique and a view‐by‐view weighting technique, respectively. Images were reconstructed using the new techniques and compared. Results: For the limited projection case, powered interpolation techniques reduce streak artifacts significantly. For the limited angle case, view‐by‐view weighting reduce the smearing artifact at the edges of the projection data arc, which are caused by limited sampling of the Fourier space. Conclusion: With dose reduction comes data reduction, which can lead to unavoidable artifacts in both the limited projection and limited angle CBCT cases due to incomplete data. The new powered interpolation method and weighted projection method can effectively reduce these artifacts and improve image quality. Research supported by Nucletron, BV.
Paninian accounts of the Vedic subjunctive : let krnvaite

To determine which Vedic texts Pāṇini knew requires a comprehensive approach that establishes a high correlation between the complete set of linguistic traits his treatise describes and the complete set of linguistic traits exhibited in each text in question. The examination of individual linguistic traits is inadequate to determine which texts he knew because neither the Vedic nor the grammatical tradition is uniform and static. Bronkhorst (Pāṇinian Studies: Professor S. D. Joshi Felicitation Volume, p. 75, 1991) calls into question the assumption that Vedic texts were known to Pāṇini in the form we have received them, while Cardona (Pāṇinian Studies: Professor S. D. Joshi Felicitation Volume, p. 130, 1991) shows that Pāṇini’s silence concerning certain Vedic forms may be due to deference to certain received exegetical traditions. The current paper considers a case where the Pāṇinian grammatical tradition entertains disagreement over the derivation of obscure forms. Doubt concerning the recurrence of the term pit (3.4.92) into 3.4.94 brings into question whether Pāṇini systematically accounts for stem strengthening in the present subjunctive. Kātyāyana, Patanjali, Jayāditya, and Jinendrabuddhi remain silent on the point. Rāmacandra, Śrīkriṣṇa, and Bhaṭṭojidīkṣita assert that pit recurs, thereby allowing stem strengthening. Haradatta, on the other hand, maintains that a rule of indeterminate variation, 3.4.117 chandasy ubhayathā, accounts for it. Nāgeśa points out that the latter procedure is more comprehensive in that it accounts for the lack of stem strengthening in exceptional forms, such as krṇvaite in the R,gveda. The implication is that the former procedure fails to account for the form, which, if Pāṇini’s knowledge of texts were to be established based upon the consideration of individual traits, would imply the absurdity that Pāṇini, as interpreted by Rāmacandra et al. did not know the R,gveda. On the contrary, however, the procedure of Rāmacandra et al. can employ another rule of indeterminate variation: 3.1.85 vyatyayo bahulam. This procedure, which provides a systematic explanation of the present subjunctive generally and requires a rule of indeterminate variation only to account for exceptional forms, is preferable to leaving the account of stem strengthening in the present subjunctive generally to a rule of indeterminate variation. Since both procedures rely on rules of indeterminate variation to account for the R,gvedic form, however, it is impossible to establish either Pāṇini’s knowledge or ignorance of the text on the basis of his account of the subjunctive. The controversy demonstrates that the depth and variety of the Indian grammatical tradition must be taken into account in determining which rules describe which linguistic facts and that it is inadequate to consider individual traits. A comprehensive approach is required.
Advancing (proton) radiation therapy.

In 2013, the number of radiation therapy patients treated with protons reached the milestone of 100,000. Even though this is only a small fraction of radiation therapy patients, proton therapy draws disproportional attention based on assessments of costeffectiveness. The controversy goes beyond attaching a price tag to improved patient care. It is questioned whether protons offer improved outcome at all. The future will see more randomized clinical trials, of which currently only a few are ongoing (eg, prostate and lung). Technological advances improving treatment accuracy or precision (eg, intensity modulated radiation therapy) were often not tested in clinical trials owing to equipoise (1). Further, technology assessments by clinical trials are often hampered by the fact that treatment techniques are constantly evolving. Proton therapy is currently in transition because of the deployment of in-room imaging techniques that are already standard in photon therapy and the move to beam scanning (including intensity modulated proton therapy [IMPT]). At the same time, the advent of lower-cost solutions will expand availability and further proliferate proton usage. Biophysics research contributes to the assessment of proton therapy and mainly focuses on understanding the clinical relevance and on proper utilization of proton beam characteristics. Three aspects are most prominent: (1) understanding doseeresponse relationships to predict treatment outcome; (2) reducing planning and delivery uncertainties; and (3) utilizing the clinical potential of IMPT.
The unkindest cut of all: are international medical school graduates subjected to discrimination by general surgery residency programs?

Abstract Purpose International medical school graduates (IMGs) have been part of the United States residency applicant pool for several years. There has been increasing discussion of an overproduction of doctors in the United States, and mention of limiting IMG quotas. The purpose of this study was to find out if measurable discrimination existed real or perceived, against IMGs. Methods A survey was performed to assess whether program directors of surgery residencies perceive the performance, dedication, and abilities of IMGs as being equal to United States medical school graduates (USMGs), and whether program directors believe that a preference toward USMGs exists. Surveys with 30 tailored questions were mailed to all members of the Association of Program Directors in Surgery. One hundred twenty-five surveys were returned out of 283 mailed, and 112 were included in the data analysis. Besides those relating to demographics, questions on the survey included two series of queries. One set was designed to assess whether the respondent reported that IMGs possessed similar skills and abilities as USMGs, whereas the other addressed whether respondents perceived a tendency in their programs to focus recruitment toward USMGs. Still others were inserted to confirm results of these series, and to assess whether program directors perceived discrimination toward IMGs in general. Results Survey results indicate the perception that IMGs are similar in skill and ability to USMGs, regardless of program size. However, a perception existed among program directors that USMGs were favored in the recruitment process, with more than 70% of respondents indicating that they believed IMGs were discriminated against. Furthermore, nearly 20% reported that they had been pressured to rank a less-qualified USMG higher than a more qualified IMG, and 22% reported that they had ranked a USMG higher than an IMG to avoid a reduced compliment of USMGs. Conclusions There is a significant belief and perception that IMGs are indeed discriminated against, despite program directors seeing no clear differences in surgical skills between IMGs and USMGs.
Learning Condition-Dependent Dynamical PPI Networks from Conflict-Sensitive Phosphorylation Dynamics

An important issue in protein-protein interaction network studies is the identification of interaction dynamics. Two factors contribute to the dynamics. One, not all proteins may be expressed in a given cell, and two, competition may exist among multiple proteins for a particular protein domain. Taking into account these two factors, we propose a novel approach to predict protein-protein interaction network dynamics by learning from conflict-sensitive phosphorylation dynamics. We built a training model from conflict-sensitive phosphorylation dynamics. In this model, each node is not an individual protein but a protein-protein pair and is labeled with terms representing conditions in which the interaction should be observed. We mapped the protein pairs in a vector space, built hyper-edges over the interaction nodes, and developed rank-like SVM with Laplacian regularizers for PPI network dynamics prediction. We also employed the standard F1 measure for evaluating the effectiveness of classification results.
Analysis of HVAC system oversizing in commercial buildings through field measurements

Abstract This study analyzes the oversizing issues of HVAC equipment in commercial buildings based on the data from long-time field measurements. Specifically, retail stores are selected as the typical commercial buildings to evaluate the status of equipment oversizing and its effect on energy consumption. Rooftop units (RTUs) in 12 retail stores located in different climatic regions are analyzed in terms of the oversizing status in both cooling and heating mode. The proposed method utilizes three parameters, namely cycling number ( N) , run time fraction ( RTF ), and maximum cycling number ( N max ) to jointly determine the performance of a RTU based on the annual design condition. The accuracy of the methodology is evaluated by self-validation in terms of uncertainty and compared with previous studies. The results can be used to evaluate the oversizing level of RTUs and quantify the average energy penalty of sample buildings. Designers can also use the findings as a reference to evaluate building load design. More importantly, the analytical process presented in this article can be automated and applied in the smart building management system for the advanced soft repair of an oversizing issue with RTUs.
Effects of major depressive disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder on the outcome of treatment for cocaine dependence

Co-occurring psychiatric disorders have been associated with poor prognosis among substance-dependent patients, but few studies have examined this association among patients with cocaine dependence (CD). We compared baseline characteristics and treatment outcome between cocaine-dependent patients with major depressive disorder (MDD; n = 66), those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; n = 53), and those with CD without comorbid disorders (CD alone; n = 48) who had been randomized to the placebo arms of clinical trials with venlafaxine, methylphenidate, and gabapentin, respectively. The three groups differed significantly in racial makeup, with more Caucasians and Hispanics among patients with MDD and those with ADHD but more African Americans among those with CD alone. The groups did not differ significantly in treatment retention, with retention rates ranging from 42% to 47%; neither did they differ in the rates of achieving 2 consecutive weeks of urinalysis-confirmed abstinence, with rates ranging from 40% to 50%. Using logistic regression for repeated measures with general estimating equations, modeling the likelihood of a cocaine-positive week over time in treatment, we found the diagnostic group to interact with the baseline level of cocaine use and time. Among cocaine-dependent patients who achieved abstinence at baseline, those with MDD and those with ADHD had better outcome over time as compared with patients with CD alone. However, among patients with cocaine-positive urine specimens at baseline, those with MDD and those with ADHD were associated with poor outcome as compared with patients with CD alone. The findings suggest that diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring disorders such as depression and ADHD may be important components of treatment planning for CD and that the baseline level of cocaine use should be included as a covariate in studies evaluating the impact of such treatment.
The characteristic impedance and phase velocity of a shielded helical transmission line

This paper presents the results of a theoretical and experimental investigation of the properties of a shielded helix when used as a transmission line. Since such a structure is dispersive and because of the presence of both TM and TE modes it cannot be said to have a characteristic impedance in the true sense. However, such an impedance is defined for low frequencies in terms of a distributed capacitance and inductance. These parameters, the capacitance and the inductance are determined in the case of infinite wave length for round wire helices. The equations are developed for a uniform dielectric inside the shield and for two dielectrics, one inside the helix and the other between the helix and the shield. The analytic results are then shown to agree very well with the experimental results obtained by the author.
Inability of bacteria to degrade low concentrations of toluene in water

Microbial utilization of low concentrations of toluene in water was investigated. When bacteria that were not actively degrading toluene were incubated in solutions containing 2.1 to 11 μg of toluene/L, the concentrations remaining in solution after 8 d ranged from 0.69 to 0.99 μg/L. However, when the initial concentration was ≥31 μg/L, the concentration remaining was <0.2 μg/L. When bacteria actively degrading toluene were inoculated into solutions containing 0.9 μg of toluene/L, the concentration remaining after 8 d was 79 ng/L. We propose that the inability of some bacteria to maintain or attain high metabolic activity on a compound present at low concentrations may prevent its rapid degradation in natural environments.
Role of somatosensory evoked potentials in predicting outcome during thoracoabdominal aortic repair.

Background Clinical utility of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) in descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair is debated. We reviewed our practical experience with SSEP in descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repairs. Methods Between January 2000 and April 2005, we used SSEP monitoring in 444 patients (270 thoracoabdominal aorta and 174 descending thoracic aorta). Median age was 68 years; 36% were female. Only changes of spinal origin were analyzed. Changes were classified as (1) no change, (2) transient changes that returned to baseline by the end of the procedure, or (3) persistent changes that did not return to baseline by the end of the procedure. Results Somatosensory evoked potential changes occurred in 87 (19.6%) patients; 22 (25%) of these did not return to baseline. Immediate neurologic deficit occurred in 8 of 444 patients (1.8%); five deficits (5 of 87; 5.8%) occurred in patients with SSEP changes, compared with three deficits (3 of 357; 0.8%) in patients without changes. Odds ratio for this comparison was 7.2 (p Conclusions Intraoperative SSEP monitoring was reliable in ruling out spinal injury in descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair, but had a low sensitivity. It did not predict delayed neurologic deficit. Spinal SSEP change was an independent predictor of mortality and correlated with low preoperative glomerular filtration rate.
arNOX activity of saliva as a non-invasive measure of coenzyme Q10 response in human trials.

arNOX is a coenzyme Q 10 -inhibited, aging-related ECTO-NOX protein of the cell surface also present in sera. It is capable of superoxide generation measured as superoxide dismutase-inhibited reduction of ferricytochrome c and is a potential contributor to atherogenic risk. Here, we report an arNOX activity of saliva of older individuals also inhibited by coenzyme Q 10 . The activity first appears after age 30 to a near maximum at about age 55. Those surviving beyond age 55 usually have reduced arNOX activities. Our studies demonstrate significant (25 to 30%) reduction of arNOX levels with coenzyme Q 10 supplementation of 60 mg (2 x 30 mg) per day for 28 days. Activity correlated with age. Response to coenzyme Q 10 increased with age being greatest between ages 60 and 65. Saliva arNOX levels varied in a regular pattern throughout the day so it was important that samples be collected at approximately the same time each day for comparative purposes. The coenzyme Q 10 response was reversible and within 12 h after the last intake of coenzyme Q 10 , the salivary arNOX levels returned to base line. The findings suggest that salivary arNOX provides a convenient and non-invasive method to monitor arNOX levels in clinical coenzyme Q 10 intervention trials with the response levels paralleling those seen with serum and cellular arNOX.
Is seat belt usage by front seat passengers related to seat belt usage by their drivers

Abstract Introduction Unrestrained drivers and passengers are involved in a significant amount of fatalities and injuries in motor-vehicle crashes in the United States. While the literature documents the effectiveness of seat belt usage in reducing crash outcomes, such as fatalities and the severity of injuries, there is a need to evaluate the impact of seat belt usage by drivers and passengers in their respective vehicles. These findings could help develop effective education and enforcement strategies to enhance occupant safety. Method This paper summarizes a study comparing seat belt usage rates of drivers and passengers based on whether or not the driver uses a seat belt. Observational data from 50 sites in the state of Nevada over 3 years are used for analyses. The data are stratified based on the gender of the driver and passengers in the front seat of the vehicle and are based on area type (rural or urban). Results A comparison of the rates of seat belt usage across for the aggregated data and for various types of disaggregation and statistical analyses to compare the rates of seat belt use among passengers based on the use of seat belts by drivers confirms that when drivers use seat belts, their respective passengers are much more likely to use seat belts. Further, if drivers do not use seat belts, their passengers are not likely to use seat belts. This observation is comparable for male drivers and female drivers, and also for male passengers and female passengers. Further, there are no differences for combinations of the genders of the drivers and passenger (i.e., both male or female, or one male and one female). Impact on industry These results suggest that education and enforcement strategies would benefit most by working toward increasing seat belt usage rates among drivers.
Enhanced learning classifier to locate data in cloud datacenters

Cloud subscribers would like to verify the location of outsourced data in the cloud datacenters to ensure that the availability of data satisfies the Service Level Agreement. Cloud users may not have access to their outsourced data in the event of operational failures in datacenters or occurrence of natural disasters and/or power outages. Recently, IP geolocation techniques have been proposed to locate data files in cloud datacenters. However these techniques exploit relationships between Internet delays and distance and are not extensible to incorporate different network measurements, which may be used along with Internet delay to improve accuracy. Also, most of the existing techniques have only been validated with one cloud provider (Amazon Web Services). In this paper, we propose an enhanced learning classifier IP geolocation algorithm, which incorporates multiple network measurements to improve the accuracy of geolocating data files in datacenters in four commercial cloud providers. To demonstrate the accuracy of our approach, we evaluate the performance on Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google App Engine and Rackspace. Our experimental results demonstrate that our approach is geolocating data files accurately, more closely to the true location and also detecting violation of location restrictions.
Methodology of True Pulmonary Blood Volume Determination

"True" pulmonary blood volume has been determined by three indicator-dilution methods in 96 subjects. In two methods a right or left ventricular mixing chamber is interposed between the injection and sampling sites while in the third such a mixing chamber is absent. The results strongly suggest that a ventricular mixing chamber is essential for valid determination of true pulmonary blood volume.
HiRes and TA spectrum measurements

The High Resolution Fly's Eye and Telescope Array experiment are separate experiments, although there is significant overlap in both equipment and personnel. Despite using different measurement techniques the two experiments provide nearly identical measurements of the UHECR cosmic ray spectrum, with agreement in overall flux level and the positions of the spectral features of the Ankle and the GZK Cutoff. This similarity arises despite using entirely different detector techniques. What unites the measurements from the two experiments is the experimental methodology of a thoroughgoing use of Monte Carlo detector simulations which are required to produce distributions of observables which are the same as those in the actual data. The detector simulation is then used to estimate exposures and acceptances which are not directly measurable. The procedure of verification through data/MC comparisons removes many of the systematic errors associate with model assumptions inherent in the MC simulation.
Technical change and scale economies given stochastic demand and production

Abstract This paper provides a formal attempt to separate the effects of changes in scale and technology for a relatively general class of queuing models. The paper makes a distinction between the output rate and capacity. While changes in technology affect the output rate and lead to larger, indivisible production units, this change in the output rate has often been confused in the literature as a change in scale. As a result, the importance of scale economies claimed has often been due more to the potential for technological change, not the potential for scale economies inherent to these queuing processes.
Temperature dependence of positron annihilation in tin

The Doppler broadening of the positron annihilation line in tin has been studied as a function of temperature in the range 295-640 K. The line shape was measured with an intrinsic germanium spectrometer and was analyzed in terms of a parameter $S$ which measures the peak-to-area ratio. A slow linear rise of $S$ with temperature $T$, $S=0.511(1+32\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}T)$ was observed up to $T=420\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10$ K followed by a steeper rise at higher temperatures. If this steeper rise is attributed to the onset of thermal vacancy effects, the monovacancy formation enthalpy ${H}_{1v}^{F}$ can be calculated using the semiempirical relationship ${H}_{1v}^{F}=14{k}_{B}{T}_{t}$ where ${k}_{B}$ is the Boltzmann constant and ${T}_{t}$ the threshold temperature for the appearance of thermal vacancies. A value ${H}_{1v}^{F}=0.51\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01$ eV is obtained. At the melting point, $S$ is found to increase abruptly and remain essentially constant thereafter. Cyclings of the sample temperature around the melting point revealed a large hysteresis effect, which is attributed to supercooling.
Career Assessment with Intellectually Gifted Students

Career counseling with the intellectually gifted poses unique challenges to counselors. Development of competent practices with this population requires the career counselor to be aware of several issues specific to the intellectually gifted in general, along with specific issues that may differentially affect gifted males, females, and minorities. Traditional career counseling is insufficient to meet the needs of this population. Therefore, the article reviews trends and improvements to counseling the intellectually gifted, controversies, and multicultural issues and suggests an expanded role for career counselors of the intellectually gifted.
Learning to merge: a new tool for interactive mapping

The task of turning raw imagery into semantically meaningful maps and overlays is a key area of remote sensing activity. Image analysts, in applications ranging from environmental monitoring to intelligence, use imagery to generate and update maps of terrain, vegetation, road networks, buildings and other relevant features. Often these tasks can be cast as a pixel labeling problem, and several interactive pixel labeling tools have been developed. These tools exploit training data, which is generated by analysts using simple and intuitive paint-program annotation tools, in order to tailor the labeling algorithm for the particular dataset and task. In other cases, the task is best cast as a pixel segmentation problem. Interactive pixel segmentation tools have also been developed, but these tools typically do not learn from training data like the pixel labeling tools do. In this paper we investigate tools for interactive pixel segmentation that also learn from user input. The input has the form of segment merging (or grouping). Merging examples are 1) easily obtained from analysts using vector annotation tools, and 2) more challenging to exploit than traditional labels. We outline the key issues in developing these interactive merging tools, and describe their application to remote sensing.
MRI diagnosis of trapped periosteum following incomplete closed reduction of distal tibial Salter-Harris II fracture

Irreducible fracture of the distal tibial physis due to interposed soft tissue including periosteum is well documented in the orthopedic literature but is uncommon. This condition has been associated with subsequent growth disturbance and requires open reduction. There are very few prior reports of MRI depiction of soft tissue interposition and none of periosteal interposition in the distal tibial physis. This is a relatively common location of physeal injury and related growth disturbance. We present a case of periosteum trapped in the distal tibial physis, diagnosed on MRI, in a Salter-Harris II fracture and its management implications.
Skip the alignment: degenerate, multiplex primer and probe design using K-mer matching instead of alignments.

PriMux is a new software package for selecting multiplex compatible, degenerate primers and probes to detect diverse targets such as viruses. It requires no multiple sequence alignment, instead applying k-mer algorithms, hence it scales well for large target sets and saves user effort from curating sequences into alignable groups. PriMux has the capability to predict degenerate primers as well as probes suitable for TaqMan or other primer/probe triplet assay formats, or simply probes for microarray or other single-oligo assay formats. PriMux employs suffix array methods for efficient calculations on oligos 10-∼100 nt in length. TaqMan® primers and probes for each segment of Rift Valley fever virus were designed using PriMux, and lab testing comparing signatures designed using PriMux versus those designed using traditional methods demonstrated equivalent or better sensitivity for the PriMux-designed signatures compared to traditional signatures. In addition, we used PriMux to design TaqMan® primers and probes for unalignable or poorly alignable groups of targets: that is, all segments of Rift Valley fever virus analyzed as a single target set of 198 sequences, or all 2863 Dengue virus genomes for all four serotypes available at the time of our analysis. The PriMux software is available as open source from http://sourceforge.net/projects/PriMux.
Characterization of biological structures with nonlinear chemical imaging nanomicroscopy

Techniques of coherent nonlinear spectroscopy (second harmonic generation and third harmonic generation) are combined with near-field scanning optical microscopy for imaging selected chemical and physical environments in biological matter on a nanoscopic scale. Resonant enhancement of nonlinear signals is utilized as a method of producing chemically selective contrast while the order of the process provides environmental selectivity. Systems studied incl ude natural killer cells and erythrocytes.
Lysophosphatidic Acid Modulates c-Met Redistribution and Hepatocyte Growth Factor / c-Met Signaling in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Through PKC δ and E-cadherin

Previously we demonstrated that ligation of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) to G protein-coupled LPA receptors induces transactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGF-Rbeta) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), in primary cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEpCs). Here we examined the role of LPA on c-Met redistribution and modulation of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met pathways in HBEpCs. Treatment of HBEpCs with LPA-induced c-Met serine phosphorylation and redistribution to plasma membrane, while treatment with HGF-induced c-Met internalization. Pretreatment with LPA reversed HGF-induced c-Met internalization. Overexpression of dominant negative (Dn)-PKC delta or pretreatment with Rottlerin or Pertussis toxin (PTx) attenuated LPA-induced c-Met serine phosphorylation and redistribution. Co-immnuoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry showed that E-cadherin interacted with c-Met in HBEpCs. LPA treatment induced E-cadherin and c-Met complex redistribution to plasma membranes. Overexpression of Dn-PKC delta attenuated LPA-induced E-cadherin redistribution and E-cadherin siRNA attenuated LPA-induced c-Met redistribution to plasma membrane. Furthermore, pretreatment of LPA attenuated HGF-induced c-Met tyrosine phosphorylation and downstream signaling, such as Akt kinase phosphorylation and cell motility. These results demonstrate that LPA regulates c-Met function through PKC delta and E-cadherin in HBEpCs, suggesting an alternate function of the cross-talk between G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and RTKs in HBEpCs.
Photochemical production of double-strand breaks in cellular DNA

In a recent publication we described a novel route for the introduction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) into cellular DNA. This involved the labelling of cellular DNA with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and exposure to UVA light in the presence of Hoechst dye No. 33258. Here, we report an extension of that work to the use of iododeoxyuridine (IdU); cells substituted with known levels of IdU were subjected to a similar photolysis treatment and analyzed for strand breaks by elution assays. Results indicate that both single-strand breaks (SSBs) and DSBs depend linearly on the level of IdU substitution and fluence of UVA light. The yields of SSBs and DSBs were found to be 3.5 x 10(-5) and 9.5 x 10(-7)/IdU moiety/kJm-2, respectively. These results indicate that approximately 15-fold less SSBs and 5-fold less DSBs are produced per IdU than per BrdU moiety.
Research subject enroller program: a key to successful emergency medicine research.

Objective: To describe the successful use and impact of individuals paid to enroll clinical research subjects in support of emergency medicine (EM) research. Program Description: Paramedics and college students were hired to identify/enroll subjects in EM research studies 14 hours/day, 7 days/week. Potential subjects were identified by monitoring emergency medical services radios, routine rounding in the ED, and communication with the ED attending and charge nurse. Enrollers were trained in phlebotomy, obtaining ECGs, obtaining consent in appropriate studies, and post-ED follow-up. They supported ED prospective studies and multicenter clinical trials, as well as departmental surveys and retrospective studies. Survey support included mailing list development, mailing completion, survey database design, and data entry. Program Outcomes: Over 18 months, 17 prospective studies and 8 surveys/retrospective studies were completed. 2,175 subjects were enrolled in prospective studies and 6,500 surveys/retrospective reviews were completed. In the year prior to enroller program initiation, <100 subjects were enrolled in 3 departmental studies. Conclusion: Use of paid, clinical research subject enrollers supports successful recruitment of study subjects and the completion of EM research studies.
The Senatorial Rejection of Leland Olds: A Case Study

One of the most important powers of the United States Senate—but one largely neglected in studies of Congress—is that of passing upon presidential appointments. At its regular session in 1950, the Senate granted its “advice and consent” to 25,590 nominations and rejected 4; in addition, 6 nominations were withdrawn by the President and 99 were not acted upon. The great bulk of these cases, some 23,056 of them, involved the promotions of military and naval officers, and were routinely approved. Another 1,197 nominations were of postmasters, now appointed after a civil service examination, whose approval by the Senate is pro forma . The remaining 1,446 nominations submitted by the President were for “other civilian” offices. It is with regard to this last group that the function of senatorial confirmation takes on importance. Even this number is much too great for the Senate as a body to consider, and during each session of Congress there are ordinarily less than a dozen contested confirmation cases which require consideration by the Senate itself. In general, no other function of the Senate is so completely delegated to its committees, which in turn act largely on the recommendations of individual Senators with regard to federal appointments within their states.
Switched-R tuning technique for G m -C filters

A new tuning technique is proposed for G m -C filters. The transconductance cells are tuned using switched resistors (SRs), which change the equivalent reference resistance of each cell. In the tuning circuit, the equivalent resistance of an SR branch is forced to equal that of a switched-capacitor (SC) branch by a feedback loop containing a continuous-time comparator. Thus, using the output of the loop all time constants of the G m -C filter can be tuned simultaneously. The simulation of a second-order Butterworth filter is described to verify the effectiveness and excellent linearity of the proposed tuning method.
A passively tunable acoustic metamaterial lens for damage detection applications

In this paper, we present an approach to the generation of steerable ultrasonic beams in structures for possible application to damage detection. The proposed approach is based on the design of embedded acoustic lenses that exploit fundamental principles of wave propagation in acoustic metamaterials. In particular, the lens design relies on the concept of acoustic drop-channel where multiple waveguides can be coupled and selectively activated by simply tuning the frequency of the excitation. Numerical analyses will show that this design allows generating highly directional excitation by using a single ultrasonic transducer. Plane Wave Expansion and Finite Difference Time Domain methods are used to evaluate the dispersion characteristics of the metamaterial lens as well as to simulate the transient response when the lens is embedded in a plate-like structure. The lens design is then experimentally validated on an aluminum plate where the lens is implemented by through the thickness notches. The overall performances are estimated by reconstructing the dynamic displacement field via Laser Vibrometry.
Enhancement of endocannabinoid signaling and the pharmacotherapy of depression

Cannabinoids are well known modulators of mood and emotional behavior. Current research supports a role for endocannabinoid signaling in the treatment of depression. Changes in levels of the cannabinoid CB(1) receptor or the endogenous CB(1) receptor ligands, anandamide and 2-AG, are observed both in humans suffering from depression and in animal models of depression, and experimental manipulation of CB(1) receptor signaling has also been shown to affect emotional reactivity in rodents. Importantly, inhibitors of anandamide inactivation have demonstrated efficacy in enhancing stress-coping and mood-related behavior. This article will review these areas of research, highlighting the potential of endocannabinoid metabolism modulators as therapeutics for the treatment of depression.