cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
OmniView: A mobile collaborative system for assisting drivers with a map of surrounding traffic

To assist drivers and prevent collisions, we propose a system called OmniView that extends driver's vision in all directions, using cameras of multiple collaborating smartphones in the surrounding vehicles. OmniView provides a driver with a traffic map about the relative positions of surrounding vehicles. Under OmniView, each vehicle detects other vehicles in its view, estimates their relative positions, and broadcasts its local map. Upon reception of a map from another vehicle, a vehicle updates its own map by fusing it with the received map. A key issue faced by OmniView is, how does a vehicle address another vehicle in its map? We propose that a vehicle's image itself could be treated as its address. However, if we include images in each map message, the communication overhead will be high. Towards that end, OmniView resolves a vehicle's image to a small unique ID. With this approach, we demonstrate that it is feasible to develop the OmniView system that produces a traffic map in real-time. Besides, through computer vision techniques and the collaboration between vehicles, OmniView could show the positions of surrounding vehicles with reasonable accuracy on the map. Such a traffic map, even without being displayed to the drivers, can act as the common substrate based on which various alerts can be triggered to avoid accidents.
Can TOC and ABC coexist? [semiconductor manufacturing]

Arguably over the last 10 years Activity Based Costing (ABC) and the Theory of Constraints (TOC) have become two of the hottest trends in manufacturing. Companies are spending millions of dollars to start up state of the art ABC systems. Spurred on by TOC, manufacturing organizations are reevaluating how they run the factory and think of capacity. The conflict between TOC and ABC stems from the writings of Dr. E.M. Goldratt, the author of The Goal (1992). Clearly, Goldratt portrays cost accounting (ABC based or otherwise) as the villain preventing companies from obtaining their 'goal' to make more money. This paper addresses how Harris Semiconductor (HSS) is reconciling the apparent conflicts between ABC and TOC. HSS has had a state of the art ABC system for three years, but in the last year the manufacturing organization has begun using the concepts of TOC. The question HSS has had to answer is, can and should ABC and TOC coexist. HSS is redefining ABC's role within the context of its TOC manufacturing environment and believes they can coexist. TOC's focus is clear by emphasizing Throughput (T) and Inventory (I) while de-emphasizing Operating Expense (OE). Upper management struggles with TOC's de-emphasis on OE and its lack of a cost control alternative. To address this concern, operations management is turning to ABC as a tool to effectively control OE. HSS's perspective is unique in the TOC environment, which questions the value of ABC in manufacturing.
Individualized Breast Cancer Screening versus Population-based Mammography Screening Programs

by the European Menopause and Andropause Society ( ). This is not a new statement since EMAS this was under discussion now and then because many investigators believe that population-based screening programs cause overdiagnosis. For example, a new estimates of over-diagnosis of breast cancer due to population-based mammography screening in South Australia after adjustment for lead time effects showed that there were 8% overdiagnosis for invasive breast cancer and 12% inclusive of ductal carcinoma in-situ due to mammography screening among women aged 4084. However, the statement was received consider2
Collaborative Filtering Is Not Enough? Experiments with a Mixed-Model Recommender for Leisure Activities

Collaborative filtering (CF) is at the heart of most successful recommender systems nowadays. While this technique often provides useful recommendations, conventional systems also ignore data that could potentially be used to refine and adjust recommendations based on a user's context and preferences. The problem is particularly acute with mobile systems where information delivery often needs to be contextualized. Past research has also shown that combining CF with other techniques often improves the quality of recommendations. In this paper, we present results from an experiment assessing user satisfaction with recommendations for leisure activities that are obtained from different combinations of these techniques. We show that the most effective mix is highly dependent on a user's familiarity with a geographical area and discuss the implications of our findings for future research.
Comparative genomic hybridization

The notion of obtaining a cytogenetic result without actually looking at the patients' chromosomes would have been considered ridiculous more than 12 years ago. The development, in 1992, of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) has allowed this to become a reality. CGH is a powerful technique that can scan the entire genome in a single step for imbalances in chromosomal material. It can be used as a tool to uncover novel critical cancer causing genes such as tumor suppressors and oncogenes in a variety of solid tumor specimens. CGH can also be used to identify unbalanced chromosomal aberrations of unknown origin in clinical specimens as well as to screen for total aneuploidy in clinical specimens not amenable to analysis by conventional cytogenetic methods. This chapter discusses the technique of CGH and describes its use as both a cancer research tool and a diagnostic technique in clinical cytogenetics. Keywords: comparative genomic hybridization; aneuploidy; DNA copy number; chromosomal gains/losses; molecular cytogenetics; whole genome scan; clinical cytogenetics; cancer; molecular cytogenetics; duplications; deletions; amplification
The transient server approach to scheduling time-critical recovery operations

A scheduling approach is given for servicing the nondeterministic workload demands of time-critical recovery operations triggered by the detection of errors in periodic real-time workloads. This approach, referred to as the transient server, has been developed within the context of fixed-priority preemptive systems. For these systems, it is proved that deadline monotonic scheduling is optimal in maximizing the service opportunities for recovery requests. A scheduling-theoretic framework for integrating time-invariant deadline- and criticalness-based priorities is developed, motivated by the need to guarantee that the real-time workload experiences a graceful degradation during recovery. >
Semi-supervised document clustering with simultaneous text representation and categorization

In order to derive high quality information from text, the field of text mining has advanced swiftly from simple document clustering to co-clustering with words and categories. However, document co-clustering without any prior knowledge or background information is a challenging problem. In this paper, we propose a Semi-Supervised Non-negative Matrix Factorization (SS-NMF) framework for document co-clustering. Our method computes new word-document and document-category matrices by incorporating user provided constraints through simultaneous distance metric learning and modality selection. Using an iterative algorithm, we perform tri-factorization of the new matrices to infer the document, category and word clusters. Theoretically, we show the convergence and correctness of SS-NMF co-clustering and the advantages of SS-NMF co-clustering over existing approaches. Through extensive experiments conducted on publicly available data sets, we demonstrate the superior performance of SS-NMF for document co-clustering.
Creating opportunities to influence self-efficacy through modeling instruction

In this paper we present an initial analysis connecting key elements of Modeling Instruction (MI) to self-efficacy experience opportunities. Previously, we demonstrated that MI has positive effects on self-efficacy when compared with traditional Lecture instruction [1]. We also found a particularly strong positive effect on the social persuasion source of self-efficacy for women in the MI class. Our current study seeks to understand through what mechanisms MI influences self-efficacy. We demonstrate this connection through an in-depth analysis of video chosen to exemplify Modeling techniques used in a problem-solving episode by three female participants enrolled in a MI introductory physics class. We provide a rich and descriptive analysis of the self-efficacy experiences opportunities within this context and discuss how these opportunities provide a potential explanation of how MI influences self-efficacy.
Aluminum toxicity in corn at near neutral soil pH levels

Abstract Aluminum toxicity to plants is often responsible for yield reductions under acid soil conditions. Despite the fact that Al becomes insoluble in the slightly acid to neutral pH range, there are indications that it can still be taken up and become toxic to plants. Corn plants were grown in the greenhouse on three highly weathered soils (Oxisol and Ultisols) containing substantial quantities of exchangeable Al. The soils were limed at various rates up to pH values near or above neutrality. On all soils a positive yield response to lime occurred at low pH values while on two of the soils, yields decreased significantly as the pH approached neutrality. Yield and Al content of the tissue were exponentially related irrespective of the level of phosphate applied (r2 = 0.34 and 0.71). The mechanism by which Al becomes increasingly available to the plant as the pH approaches neutrality is not clear and needs further investigation. Strong Al‐Mg and Al‐P antagonisms occur at the high and low pH values. The e...
Computer defense using artificial intelligence

As library-based techniques of virus and intrusion detection prove insufficient to be means of protection for computer systems and networks, alternate methods must be incorporated into computer defense. This paper surveys a variety of Artificial Intelligence methods aimed at improving the effectiveness of modern computer security in the face of more prevalent, sophisticated, and ever-changing threats. Specifically, Artificial Immune Systems, Genetic Algorithms, Genetic Programming, and Neural Networks are discussed primarily within the auspices of threat analysis and system testing. Several implemented solutions are discussed and analyzed. Additionally, the paper provides suggestions for the synthesis of varying methods with traditional security in order to create a stronger, more robust security system.
Co-bedding multiples

Abstract The practice of co-bedding twins and higher order multiples (HOM) is becoming a standard of practice in many neonatal intensive care units (NICU) around the world. This report describes the practice of co-bedding and discusses the findings of a clinical study of cobedding in a NICU. These findings suggest co-bedding supports synchrony in caregiving and feeding of twins and HOM, and may facilitate mutuality in their circadian rhythms and sleep/wake patterns. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Pattern‐Based Detection of Toxic Metals in Surface Water with DNA Polyfluorophores

Heavy metal contamination of water can be toxic to humans and wildlife; thus the development of methods to detect this contamination is of high importance. Here we describe the design and application of DNA-based fluorescent chemosensors on microbeads to differentiate eight toxic metal ions in water. We developed and synthesized four fluorescent 2′-deoxyribosides of metal-binding ligands. A tetramer-length oligodeoxy-fluoroside (ODF) library of 6561 members was constructed and screened for sequences responsive to metal ions, of which seven sequences were selected. Statistical analysis of the response patterns showed successful differentiation of the analytes at concentrations as low as 100 nm. Sensors were able to classify water samples from 13 varied sites and quantify metal contamination in unknown specimens. The results demonstrate the practical potential of bead-based ODF chemosensors to analyze heavy metal contamination in water samples by a simple and inexpensive optical method.
A study of kindergarten children’s spatial representation in a mapping project

This phenomenological study examined kindergarten children’s development of spatial representation in a year long mapping project. Findings and discussion relative to how children conceptualised and represented physical space are presented in light of theoretical notions advanced by Piaget, van Hiele, and cognitive science researchers Battista and Clements. Analyses of the processes the children used and their finished products indicate that children can negotiate meaning for complex systems of geometric concepts when given opportunities to debate, negotiate, reflect, evaluate and seek meaning for representing space. The complexity and “holistic” nature of spatial representation of young children emerged in this study.
Motivational dilemmas in collaborative learning activities: The case of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)

Complex social and environmental problems—such as climate change, rural poverty, and over-fishing—defy simple policy solutions. An increasing number of scholars, practitioners, and policy makers now agree that coming to grips with such problems requires more collaborative and adaptive forms of learning and decision-making. Such approaches seek to involve a variety of stakeholders to learn about system-level effects of past human decisions and adapt future management decisions to the lessons learned. While there are plenty of success stories at the local level, the collaborative learning approach has turned out to be difficult to implement at broader scales—in large public organizations and in society at large. This article provides an explanation for such shortcomings, arguing that the creation of collaborative learning systems is plagued by several motivational dilemmas. By systematically mapping out the institutional incentives of the potential participants in collaborative learning activities, it is argued that one can gain a better understanding of the likelihood that adaptive systems will actually work. These ideas are tested on the case of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). It is found that most Sida staff face conflicting incentives to engage in collaborative learning, but there are opportunities for management to strengthen such incentives. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solar neutrinos: Theory versus observation

The current state of the solar neutrino problem is described. The predictions of solar models (standard and nonstandard) are reviewed. The neutrino absorption cross sections for all detectors of current interest are reviewed with special emphasis on the uncertainties that exist in the calculations for each target. A long-term program for neutrino spectroscopy of the solar interior is outlined. It is shown, in addition, that stellar collapses can be detected within the galaxy by the proposed solar neutrino detectors.
Proton-Proton P -Wave Phase Shifts at Low Energies

The question of whether linear combinations ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{C}$, ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{T}$, and ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{LS}}$ of the three proton-proton triplet $P$-wave phase shifts contain direct information about the central, tensor, and spin-orbit potentials, as would be the case if the Born approximation were valid, is studied using two potential models. It is found that significant correlations exist between the potentials and the $\ensuremath{\Delta}$'s for the tensor and spin-orbit pieces, but that ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{C}$ bears no direct relation to ${V}_{C}$. The reliability of Noyes's restriction on $\frac{{\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{LS}}}{{\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{T}}$ is discussed.
Symmetry Analysis in Mechanistic Studies of Nucleophilic Substitution and β-Elimination Reactions

A mechanistic study of the bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN2) reaction for halomethane CH3X (X = Cl, Br, or I) is approached by using symmetry principles and molecular orbital theory. The electrophilicity of the functionalized sp3–carbon is attributable to a 2p-orbital-based antibonding MO along the C–X bond. This antibonding MO, upon accepting an electron pair from a nucleophile, gives rise to dissociation of the C–X bond and formation of a new Nuc–C bond. Correlations are made between the molecular orbitals of reactants (Nuc- and CH3X) and products (NucCH3 and X-). Similar symmetry analysis has been applied to mechanistic study of the bimolecular b-elimination (E2) reactions of haloalkanes. It well explains the necessity of an anti-coplanar arrangement of the Cα–X and Cβ–H bonds for an E2 reaction (anti-elimination). Having this structural arrangement, the bonding Cα–X (σC-X) and antibonding Cβ–H (σC-H*) orbitals become symmetry–match. They can partially overlap resulting in increase in electron density in σC-H*, which weakens and polarizes the Cβ–H bond making the β-H acidic. An E2 reaction can readily take place in the presence of a base. The applications of symmetry analysis to the SN2 and E2 reactions represent a new approach to studying organic mechanisms.
Effect of Added Glucose on Rate of Appearance of Free Sugar in Liver Brei

Summary and ConclusionsIt is concluded that the inhibition of the rate of appearance of free sugar in glycogenolyzing liver brei, probably depends upon an inhibition of the first step in glyco-genolysis, namely, the phosphorylosis of glycogen to glucose-1-mono-phosphate. These results confirm the previously postulated intrinsic hepatic homeostatic mechanism which contributes to blood sugar regulation by determining the rate of sugar output by the liver. Since it occurs in vitro, the non-essential nature of extra insulin secretion for this regulatory activity is confirmed.3 The actual relationship of insulin and other hormones to this mechanism has already been indicated.
The stability of numerical approximations to nonlinear hyperbolic equations

Abstract The performance of several numerical methods for hyperbolic equations is investigated. The various methods are tested on a system of quasilinear hyperbolic equations subject to nonperiodic boundary conditions: the one-dimensional approximation of the time-dependent viscoelastic fiber spinning problem.
Two-Component Histidine Phosphotransfer Protein Ypd1 Is Not Essential for Viability in Candida albicans

Prokaryotes and lower eukaryotes, such as yeasts, utilize two-component signal transduction pathways to adapt cells to environmental stress and to regulate the expression of genes associated with virulence. One of the central proteins in this type of signaling mechanism is the phosphohistidine intermediate protein Ypd1. Ypd1 is reported to be essential for viability in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We present data here showing that this is not the case for Candida albicans. Disruption of YPD1 causes cells to flocculate and filament constitutively under conditions that favor growth in yeast form. To determine the function of Ypd1 in the Hog1 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, we measured phosphorylation of Hog1 MAPK in ypd1Δ/Δ and wild-type strains of C. albicans. Constitutive phosphorylation of Hog1 was observed in the ypd1Δ/Δ strain compared to the wild-type strain. Furthermore, fluorescence microscopy revealed that green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Ypd1 is localized to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The subcellular segregation of GFP-tagged Ypd1 hints at an important role(s) of Ypd1 in regulation of Ssk1 (cytosolic) and Skn7 (nuclear) response regulator proteins via phosphorylation in C. albicans. Overall, our findings have profound implications for a mechanistic understanding of two-component signaling pathways in C. albicans, and perhaps in other pathogenic fungi.
Concept Analysis of Fear

The nursing diagnosis fear is clarified through the technique of concept analysis. Uses of the concept of fear in prominent theories of human behavior and in nursing are reviewed. Five critical attributes occurring in all cases of fear are identified--a model case, a related case, a contrary case, and an illegitimate case are presented. Antecedents to fear are derived. Consequences of fear are discussed and are related to nursing interventions. Empirical referents that demonstrate occurrence of the concept of fear are determined, classified, and related to critical attributes. This concept analysis provides an essential conceptual base for instrument development and clinical research on fear.
Weakly singular stress-BEM for 2D elastostatics

A weakly singular stress-BEM is presented in which the linear state regularizing field is extended over the entire surface. The algorithm employs standard conforming C0 elements with Lagrangian interpolations and exclusively uses Gaussian integration without any transformation of the integrands other than the usual mapping into the intrinsic space. The linear state stress-BIE on which the algorithm is based has no free term so that the BEM treatment of external corners requires no special consideration other than to admit traction discontinuities. The self-regularizing nature of the Somigliana stress identity is demonstrated to produce a very simple and effective method for computing stresses which gives excellent numerical results for all points in the body including boundary points and interior points which may be arbitrarily close to a boundary. A key observation is the relation between BIE density functions and successful interpolation orders. Numerical results for two dimensions show that the use of quartic interpolations is required for algorithms employing regularization over an entire surface to show comparable accuracy to algorithms using local regularization and quadratic interpolations. Additionally, the numerical results show that there is no general correlation between discontinuities in elemental displacement gradients and solution accuracy either in terms of unknown boundary data or interior solutions near element junctions. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High-performance capabilities for 1-hop containment of network attacks

Capabilities-based networks present a fundamental shift in the security design of network architectures. Instead of permitting the transmission of packets from any source to any destination, routers deny forwarding by default. For a successful transmission, packets need to positively identify themselves and their permissions to the router. A major challenge for a high-performance implementation of such a network is an efficient design of the credentials that are carried in the packet and the verification procedure on the router. We present a capabilities system that uses packet credentials based on Bloom filters. The credentials are of fixed length (independent of the number of routers that are traversed by the packet) and can be verified by routers with a few simple operations. This high-performance design of capabilities makes it feasible that traffic is verified on every router in the network, and most attack traffic can be contained within a single hop. We present an analysis of our design and a practical protocol implementation that can effectively limit unauthorized traffic with only a small per-packet overhead.
Effects of boundary inclination and boundary type on shear-driven grain boundary migration

A series of molecular dynamics simulations was performed on a bicrystal to which a fixed shear rate was applied parallel to the boundary plane. Under some conditions, grain boundary motion is coupled to the relative tangential motion of the two grains. In order to investigate the generality of this type of coupled shear/boundary motion, simulations were performed for both special (low Σ) and general (non-Σ) [010] tilt boundaries over a wide range of grain boundary inclinations. The data point to the existence of two critical stresses: one for coupled shear/boundary motion and the other for grain boundary sliding. For the non-Σ boundaries, the critical stress for coupled shear/boundary motion is typically smaller than that for sliding; coupled shear/boundary motion occurs for all inclinations. For Σ5 boundaries, for which the critical stress is smaller and depends on boundary inclination, coupled shear/boundary motion occurs for some, but not all inclinations.
Using genetic recombination to optimize neural networks

Summary form only given, as follows. The authors have successfully optimized neural nets using a genetic algorithm that differs in fundamental ways from standard genetic algorithms. This algorithm uses one-at-a-time reproduction and allocates reproductive opportunities according to rank to achieve the desired selective pressure. The authors refer to this as the GENITOR algorithm. A key advantage of genetic search is its global optimization capabilities; they show that the genetic algorithm easily optimizes a problem which backpropagation fails to solve due to local minima. The theoretical foundations of genetic search are presented as well as a thorough discussion of numerous experiments with four different neural network optimization problems. Other potential applications of genetic algorithms to problems of neural nets are also discussed. >
Electromigration-induced failures in interconnects with bimodal grain size distributions

Interconnects containing bimodal grain size distributions are known to have lower me-dian times to electromigration-induced failure (MTTF). However, the deviation in the time to failure (DTTF) in such lines has not been well characterized. We find that Al-2%Cu-0.3%Cr interconnects with bimodally distributed grain sizes have MTTF’s which are more than an order of magnitude lower than lines with monomodally distributed small grain sizes. However, the DTTF’s for both types of lines are similar, and in fact slightly lower for lines with bimodal structures. An activation energy of 0.85 eV was obtained both for lines with monomodal large grain structures and bimodal grain struc-tures, suggesting that grain boundary diffusion is the controlling mechanism in both cases. A model based simply on microstructural characteristics,e.g. the distribution of the number of grain boundaries, can explain the lower MTTF’s and DTTF’s for lines with bimodal structures. The implications of bimodal grain size distributions on the reliability of large numbers of lines are discussed. Also, a new, convenient graphical tool for illustrating the failure rate of interconnects with lognormally distributed failure times is presented.
Quota sampling for multinomial via Dirichlet

Abstract For a sequence of independent multinomial trials with known cell probabilities, an inverse-sampling procedure is studied that is based on stopping when any one of several cell quotas is satisfied; each quota is associated with a different cell and we are dealing with the ‘soonest’ problem for these quotas. Certain cells have frequency quotas (i.e., based on the total frequency accumulated in that cell); other cells disjoint from these have run quotas (i.e., based on the length of the current run in that cell), and we may have at most one ‘slack’ cell without any quota. If there are α cells with frequency quotas, β cells with run quotas and one slack cell, we call it Case (α,β,1). The goal is to find the expected waiting time as well as the variance of the waiting time needed to reach any stopping point. Extensive explicit formulas are given for the Case (1, 1, 0) and other cases are illustrated in the text. The Case (0,β,0) and Case (0,β,1) are related to some work of W. Feller; the present paper can be regarded as a generalization of some of his work both in the direction of combining frequency quotas and run quotas in the same problem, and in adding more cells.
An artificial neural network module for simulation of the energy storage system of a hybrid electric vehicle

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a complex system integrating interactive subsystems of disparate degrees of complexity. The simulation of an HEV thus poses a challenge. An accurate simulation requires highly accurate models of each subsystem. Without these, the system has a poor overall performance. Typically, modelling problems are not amenable to physical solutions without simplifying assumptions that impair their accuracy. Conventional empirical models, on the other hand, are time consuming and data intensive and falter where extensive non-linearity is encountered. An artificial neural network (ANN) approach to simulation of an HEV is presented in this paper. An ANN model of the energy storage system (ESS) of an HEV was deployed in the ADVISOR simulation software developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL) of the US Department of Energy. The ANN model mapped the state of charge (SOC) and the power requirement of the vehicle to the voltage and current at the ESS output. An ANN model was able accurately to capture the complex, non-linear phenomena underlying the ESS. A novel performance-enhancing technique for design of ANN training data, Smart Select, is described here. It resulted in a model of 0.9978 correlation (R 2 error) with data. ANNs can be data hungry. The issue of knowledge sharing between ANN models to save development time and effort is also addressed in this paper. The model transfer technique presents a way of levering the expertise of one ANN into the development of another for a similar modelling task. Lastly, integration of the ANN model of the ESS into the ADVISOR software, on the MATLAB software platform, is described.
Glucocorticoid effects on phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) in explants of embryonic rat medulla oblongata.

Abstract Although glucocorticoid hormones have important roles in the development of neurotransmitter systems in cells derived from the neural crest, it is not known whether they have parallel effects on neuronal development in the brain. To address this tissue, we have established an in vitro system of fetal medulla oblongata (MO) to follow development of the epinephrine-synthesizing enzyme, phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT). Embryonic MO was explanted from E13 or E18 embryos and maintained for up to 3 weeks. Successful culture of adrenergic neurons was possible only in explants taken from young embryos, since E18 explants failed to develop. In E13 explants, immunoreactivity to both PNMT and tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis, was observed. PNMT catalytic activity which was barely detectable at the time of explanation increased markedly during the first week in vitro. To study the effects of glucocorticoids on PNMT development in central neurons, MO explants were grown in glucocorticoid deficient medium in which rat serum from adrenalectomized rats was substituted for human placental serum. Addition of natural glucocorticoids, cortisol or corticosterone, or the mineralcorticoid, deoxycorticosterone, during the third culture week had no effect on PNMT activity. Dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid, also had no effect on PNMT during the first or second weeks in culture. However, addition of DEX during the third culture week resulted in a doubling of PNMT activity. However, attempts to block the DEX effect during the third week or to block the increase in PNMT activity during the first week in control cultures with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, dexamethasone 21-mesylate, were unsuccessful. These results suggest that PNMT in central neurons does not require glucocorticoids for ontogeny during the embryonic period. This is in contrast to PNMT in adrenal medulla which requires glucocorticoids for normal development during both the embryonic and postnatal periods. More generally, these studies suggest that development of the same neurotransmitter phenotype in brain and periphery may be differentially regulated.
Revisiting the Lowrie-Fuller test: alternating field demagnetization characteristics of single-domain through multidomain glass-ceramic magnetite

Abstract This paper reports the alternating field demagnetization characteristics of glass–ceramic magnetite assemblages carrying weak-field thermoremanent magnetization (TRM), weak-field anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM), and saturation remanence ( J rs ). Average grain sizes vary from less than 0.1 μm to approximately 100 μm, and hysteresis parameters indicate that these assemblages encompass single-domain (SD) through truly multidomain (MD) behavior. In all assemblages, weak-field TRM and weak-field ARM are more stable to alternating field demagnetization than is ( J rs ). This response is especially remarkable in the 100 μm assemblage, which otherwise displays truly MD behavior. Although the SD samples pass the Lowrie–Fuller test for SD behavior, calculations presented here show that populations of noninteracting, uniaxial SD grains should behave in just the opposite sense to that reported originally by Lowrie and Fuller. This discrepancy could indicate that SD, glass–ceramic magnetite populations are more affected by magnetic interactions than would be expected for magnetite crystals that nucleated individually from a silicate matrix. This interpretation is supported by the SD assemblages failing the `Cisowski' test: that is, the curves for acquisition and AF demagnetization of ( J rs ) intersect well below the 50% mark. However, a second and intriguing explanation of the SD-like results obtained from all samples is that alternating field demagnetization characteristics reflect a strong dependence of local energy minimum domain state, and its associated stability, on the state of magnetization.
Hierarchy of nutritional knowledge that relates to the consumption of a functional food.

Abstract Objective We assessed how consumption of a functional food relates to different combinations of nutritional knowledge. Methods American and Canadian subjects were asked by mail survey about their level of knowledge about soy and were assigned to one of four groups based on whether they had 1) no knowledge of soy, 2) attribute-related knowledge of soy, 3) consequence-related knowledge of consuming soy, or 4) both types of knowledge. Content analysis and analysis of variance were performed. Results The level of nutritional knowledge about soy did not necessarily influence how much people liked soy but was related to how much people consumed soy. In particular, consumers who were able to link attribute-related knowledge about soy to consequence-related knowledge about consuming soy were much more likely to consume soy than were those who only had one type of knowledge (average P Conclusions Nutritional knowledge most likely correlates with consumption when people have attribute-related knowledge of the food and consequence-related knowledge of how it will benefit them. It is not the amount but the type of knowledge that matters. Educational strategies based only on attribute-related knowledge of functional foods and healthy products (“passing the nutrition quiz”) may not effectively encourage the actual consumption of the food. Health care professionals and dietitians must link food attributes with personal health consequences when communicating to their patients.
A Multi-Orbit Recirculation System for a Superconducting Linear Accelerator - The Recyclotron

The energy available from a superconducting linear electron accelerator (SCA) may be increased many times by means of an economical multi-orbit recirculation system, which preserves the most desirable characteristics of the SCA: good energy resolution (~10-4), high current and unity duty cycle. Furthermore, these properties of the SCA and its excellent emittance considerably simplify the design of the transport system and minimize aperture requirements. In order to maintain energy resolution each orbit of the recirculation system must be isochronous with respect to all phase space variables and beams must be reinjected into the linac precisely at the correct phase. These conditions have been achieved in a compact separated orbit design which uses multi-channel uniform field bending magnets. It is suggested that such a device be called a recyclotron. At HEPL a prototype 4 orbit recirculation system is being planned as part of the SCA program. Cost estimates for machines of this type have been made and show considerable advantage over other types of accelerator, especially at very high energies. The configuration also shows promise as an intermediate energy, high current accelerator, which could provide a source for a medical pion therapy facility.
Density and biomass of earthworms in forest and herbaceous microecosystems in central New York, North America

Abstract We have determined and assessed the earthworm population community structure under different selected microecosystems (i.e. forest ecosystem and herbaceous ecosystem). Samples of earthworms and soil were studied from four sites in Lafayette Forest Experimental Station, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry. These sites are the Northern Hardwood forest, Tamarack plantation, Norway spruce and Old Field Herbaceous. They represent temperate woody (forest) vegetation cover and herbaceous ecosystems. Samples were collected from summer 1984 through early summer of 1985. The comparative study of temperate earthworm populations under these sites showed that the optimal physico-chemical soil environment for earthworms includes a 20–35% soil water content, a soil pH of 5.8–6.2 and soil E h of 510–640 mV. Application of diversity and similarity indices showed that diversity of earthworm populations increases with increased species numbers. At the same time, there is a negative correlation between diversity and population density (ind./species) in CSD (Community Structure Diversity) scale that explains the sensitivity of CSD index toward the rare species. Similarity indices showed that earthworm populations of similar vegetative cover are very similar. Earthworm communities exhibit the lowest similarity between the coldest and hottest seasons in all habitats studied. Also, there is a similarity between consecutive seasons in the different habitats. It was found also that spring and summer seasons are the most important seasons for the increase in Aporrectodea earthworm species in central New York. Aporrectodea tuberculata and Octalasion tyrtaeum are the numerically dominant species, while the dominant genus of juvenile earthworms is Lumbricus spp. (J) based upon the ISA index (Roberts and Hsi, 1979). There was a significant association between anecique and epigeic species and between epigeic and endogetic species. This shows that earthworms depend on the type of dominant vegetative cover in the site. Finally, the litter composition is the factor that affects earthworm abundance and biomass on the sites.
Improving the usability of intravenous medication labels to support safe medication delivery

Medication label design is frequently a contributing factor to medication errors. Design regulations and recommendations have been predominantly aimed at manufacturers' product labels. Pharmacy-generated labels have received less scrutiny despite being an integral artifact throughout the medication use process. This article is an account of our efforts to improve the design of a hospital's intravenous (IV) medication labels. Our analysis revealed a set of interrelated processes and stakeholders that restrict the range of feasible label designs. The technological and system constraints likely vary among hospitals and represent significant barriers to developing and implementing specific design standards. We propose both an ideal IV label design and one that adheres to the current constraints of the hospital under study.
Perspectives of crystal engineering

“Is Materials Science going soft?” This question is raised by George Marsh in the first issue of Materials Today and certainly deserves further consideration. Crystal Engineering, one of these ‘soft’ areas in materials science, has recently been emerging as a major cross-disciplinary field of basic and applied inquiry.
The Effect of an Active Travelling Wave Wall Motion on the Structure of a Turbulent Boundary Layer

The topic of drag reduction (DR) in wall-bounded turbulent flows has received great attention over the past thirty years. This effort is motivated by the notion that the internal near wall structure of a turbulent flow can be substantially affected if a force is exerted on the fluid by a traveling wave propagating transversely on an active compliant surface. The work presented here supports this notion by demonstrating that the active skin results in organizing the structures that populate the near wall flow. For the first time, this mechanism is shown to significantly reduce the contribution of the Reynolds stresses to the viscous drag. The modification of the turbulent near wall flow as a function of actuation frequency is investigated and the persistence of the flow control is explored. In addition, the performance of the mechanical active skin actuator is characterized and a first order estimate of its energetics is achieved.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Mathematical Programming Procedures for Mixed Discrete-Continuous Design Problems,

Abstract : Two mathematical programming procedures for treating nonlinear problems involving mixed variables are presented. One involves a relatively simple concept. First an optimum is located treating all variables as continuous. Adjacent discrete points are then evaluated in order of increasing distance from the all-continuous optimum, each evaluation requiring an optimization of the continuous variables, if any, until a satisfactory design is found. The other method utilizes an optimal discrete search to locate the optimum. These procedures are applied to the minimum weight design of stiffened, cylindrical shells where they prove to be effective. (Author)
Years of potential life lost caused by prostate cancer deaths in the United States-Projection from 2004 through 2050.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study is to estimate and project the number of years of potential life lost (YPLL) among males who die of prostate cancer in the United States from 2004 through 2050 and compare the projections by race/ethnicity and age, accounting for demographic changes and population growth. Methods We applied the life expectancy method to estimate YPLL caused by deaths of prostate cancer and all cancers in men by using 1999–2004 national mortality data, 2008 census population demographic projections, and 2004 U.S. life tables. We performed sensitivity analyses by varying death rate and population projections, and examined increase in YPLL from population growth, changes in demographics, and death rates. Results The number of YPLL caused by prostate cancer deaths was projected to increase by 226.1%, from 291,853 in 2004 to 951,753 in 2050. Hispanics were projected to have the fastest growth in YPLL (977.1% from 2004 to 2050) caused by prostate cancer, followed by non-Hispanic blacks (543.1%), and non-Hispanic others (269.7%). People aged 75 or older was projected to account for 62.0% of YPLL from prostate cancer in 2050 compared with 50.8% in 2004. Of the projected increase in YPLL caused by prostate cancer deaths by 2050, 9.8% were due to changes in demographic composition, 26.8% because of mortality change, and 63.4% because of population growth. Conclusions YPLL due to prostate cancer deaths are projected to increase dramatically, and become a greater burden in the future. The projections highlight the importance of comprehensive cancer control and research on cancers including prostate cancer and racial/ethnic-specific estimates.
Mid-term Results of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Adolescent Patients

The prevalence and severity of obesity in children and adolescents has been increasing in recent years at an unprecedented rate. Morbidly obese children will almost certainly develop severe comorbidities as they progress to adulthood, and bariatric surgery may provide the only alternative for achieving a healthy weight. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes and safety of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) as new treatment modalities for morbidly obese adolescents. We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of all adolescent patients who underwent LSG and RYGB under IRB protocol at the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute in Cleveland Clinic Florida between 2002 and 2011. Patients were also contacted by phone, adhering to HIPAA regulations, and were asked to answer a survey. Eighteen adolescents had a bariatric procedure performed at this institution. The mean age was 17.5 years, the average weight was 293.1 lbs, and the average BMI was 47.2 kg/m2. The mean follow-up period consisted of 55.2 months. The postoperative weight at 55 months follow-up was 188.4 lbs and average BMI was 30.1 kg/m2. Fifteen of the patients were available for follow-up. Thirteen out of 16 (81%) comorbidities in patients available for follow-up were in remission following rapid weight loss. The long-term follow-up and perioperative morbidity shown in this study suggest that LSG and LRYGB appear to be safe and effective operations in morbidly obese adolescents.
Observations on American administrative reform

This article discusses four types of administrative reform: those connected to fundamental political change, structural reforms, process reforms, and cultural change. It analyses some aspects of the National Performance Review and the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. It concludes by suggesting that reformers should use a diagnostic model.
Physiological relevance and functional potential of central nervous system-derived cell lines.

Central nervous system (CNS)-derived neural cell lines have proven to be extremely useful for delineating mechanisms controlling such diverse phenomena as cell lineage choice and differentiation, synaptic maturation, neurotransmitter synthesis and release, and growth factor signalling. In addition, there has been hope that such lines might play pivotal roles in CNS gene therapy and repair. The ability of some neural cell lines to integrate normally into the CNS following transplantation and to express foreign, often corrective gene productsin situ might offer potential therapeutic approaches to certain neurodegenerative diseases. Five general strategies have evolved to develop neural cell lines: isolation and cloning of spontaneous or mutagenically induced malignancies, targeted oncogenesis in transgenic mice, somatic cell fusion, growth factor mediated expansion of CNS progenitor or stem cells, and retroviral transduction of neuroepithelial precursors. In this article, we detail recent progress in these areas, focusing on those cell lines that have enabled novel insight into the mechanisms controlling neuronal cell lineage choice and differentiation, both in vitro and in vivo.
It is hazardous to treat HIV patients with interferon-α

Abstract Interferon-α is shown to play a key role in the progressing immunodysfunction that characterizes HIV infection. In particular, interferon-α is responsible for the development of an autoimmune state that is prone to serious complications. Therefore, treatment of HIV patients with IFN-α is hazardous. There are results suggesting that anti-interferon-α immunization might be a method for prophylaxis and treatment of the autoimmune state in HIV patients. This treatment may prevent complications of HIV infection and the transition to AIDS.