cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blind Estimation of Sparse Broadband Massive MIMO Channels With Ideal and One-bit ADCs

We study the maximum likelihood problem for the blind estimation of massive mmWave MIMO channels while taking into account their underlying sparse structure, the temporal shifts across antennas in the broadband regime, and ultimately one-bit quantization at the receiver. The sparsity in the angular domain is exploited as a key property to enable the unambiguous blind separation between user's channels. The main advantage of this approach is the fact that the overhead due to pilot sequences can be dramatically reduced especially when operating at low SNR per antenna. In addition, as sparsity is the only assumption made about the channel, the proposed method is robust with respect to the statistical properties of the channel and data and allows the channel estimation and the separation of interfering users from adjacent base stations to be performed in rapidly time-varying scenarios. For the case of one-bit receivers, a blind channel estimation is proposed that relies on the expectation maximization algorithm. Additionally, performance limits are derived based on the Clairvoyant Cramer–Rao lower bound. Simulation results demonstrate that this maximum likelihood formulation yields superior estimation accuracy in the narrowband as well as the wideband regime with reasonable computational complexity and limited model assumptions.
Edge-biased distributions of insects. A review

Spatial ecology includes research into factors responsible for observed distribution patterns of organisms. Moreover, the spatial distribution of an animal at a given spatial scale and in a given landscape may provide valuable insight into its host preference, fitness, evolutionary adaptation potential, and response to resource limitations. In agro-ecology, in-depth understanding of spatial distributions of insects is of particular importance when the goals are to (1) promote establishment and persistence of certain food webs, (2) maximize performance of pollinators and natural enemies, and (3) develop precision-targeted monitoring and detection of emerging outbreaks of herbivorous pests. In this article, we review and discuss a spatial phenomenon that is widespread among insect species across agricultural systems and across spatial scales—they tend to show “edge-biased distributions” (spatial distribution patterns show distinct “edge effects”). In the conservation and biodiversity literature, this phenomenon has been studied and reviewed intensively in the context of how landscape fragmentation affects species diversity. However, possible explanations of, and also implications of, edge-biased distributions of insects in agricultural systems have not received the same attention. Our review suggests that (1) mathematical modeling approaches can partially explain edge-biased distributions and (2) abiotic factors, crop vegetation traits, and environmental parameters are factors that are likely responsible for this phenomenon. However, we argue that more research, especially experimental research, is needed to increase the current understanding of how and why edge-biased distributions of insects are so widespread. We argue that the fact that many insect pests show edge-biased distribution patterns may be used to optimize both pest monitoring practices and precision targeting of pesticide applications and releases of natural enemies.
Tool suite to support model based systems engineering-enabled system-of-systems analysis

The complexity of aerospace systems requirements, analysis, design, and architecture puts these systems among those that can benefit the most from a Model-Based Systems Engineering approach. However, though there has been progress in connecting domain-based model specifications and simulation experiments, there is still a gap between Model-Based Systems Engineering and the implementation and use of tools and metrics for modeling and analysis of complex aerospace systems. Here, we build upon our prior System-of-System research to illustrate how a System-of-Systems Analytic Work Bench can be used in combination with Model-Based Systems Engineering to enhance the analysis and design of systems architectures. The Analytic Work Bench is a suite of tools for analysis of the behavior of complex systems and for comparison and evaluation of systems architectures. The tools in the Analytic Work Bench adopt a representation of Systems-of-Systems architecture as a network of interdependent systems, which lends itself to connection with various Model-Based Systems Engineering representations, for example, Functional Block Diagrams and SysML activity and parametric diagrams. For each method in the Analytic Work Bench we illustrate appropriate linking to Model-Based Systems Engineering representations, explaining how the methods can acquire part of the required information for their models from traditional Model-Based Systems Engineering methodology. We then show how results from the tools in the Analytic Work Bench enhance Model-Based Systems Engineering with quantitative analysis of complex systems and architectures, including evaluation of performance, criticalities, robustness, resilience, and evolution of the systems at various levels of abstraction.
Morphological growth characteristics and hormone secretion of small cell carcinoma of the lung in vitro.

Since 1974 a group at Dartmouth Medical School has been actively engaged in in vitro studies of small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL), utilizing tumors which have been obtained from patients with a known diagnosis of this disease. Continuous cell lines have been established from biopsy or autopsy specimens from patients with a known pathologic or cytologic diagnosis of SCCL.
Analytic Geometry in Three Dimensions

Analytic geometry in three dimensions makes essential use of coordinate systems. To introduce a coordinate system, we consider triples (a,b, c) of real numbers, and we call the set of all such triples of real numbers the three-dimensional number space. We denote this space by R’. Each individual triple is a point in R 3 . The three elements in each number triple are called its coordinates. We now show how three-dimensional number space may be represented on a geometric or Euclidean three-dimensional space.
The Incompetent Defendant: Support Systems Help Avoid Future Legal Problems

Reducing crime and improving efficiency of our criminal justice system should be facilitated by identifying how to treat and manage mental health patients who are prone to committing criminal acts more effectively. A total of 142 competency evaluations were reviewed from cases evaluated by the Galveston County Forensic Psychiatrist from 1984 to 1990. Examination of data from these defendants allowed us to address the psychiatric needs of these defendants in terms of contact with the mental health system, particularly those who had more than one criminal justice system contact. The latter defendants lacked social support systems and consistent mental health system follow-up to provide stabilization of their condition. It was felt that this was a factor in their more frequent contact with the criminal justice system.
On the “End Problem” for Thick Rectangular Plates

Summary The state of stress near the boundary of a thick plate is studied by means of “end solutions” obtained from the shea ˙ deformation plate theory of Reissner. The complex eigenvalues which control the width of the edge zone vary with the thickness. Eigenvalues for simply supported and clamped edges are obtained for a range of thicknesses. The problem of a thick plate loaded over an interval at the center of an otherwise free edge is solved by a superposition of eigenmodes. Of particular interest is the rapid variation of stresses in a very narrow zone near the edges where the adjustment to three prescribed boundary conditions takes place.
Psychiatry at a crossroad: our role in primary care.

Objective : The shortage of primary care physicians is seen as an urgent health systems priority and is supported by a national consensus. Psychiatry is at a crossroad and must reevaluate the profession role in primary care. This article supports the position that psychiatrists need to be able to medically evaluate and to provide basic primary medical care for seriously mentally ill patients who do not have adequate access to general health care. Many of the seriously mentally ill are difficult to treat when they contact a medical care provider. Because of their psychiatric symptoms, they often are unlikely to receive adequate medical care. Psychiatrists frequently are the only physicians with whom they have consistent contact. Method : This article contains a proposal for a new initiative to broaden the role of public psychiatrists to include a primary care role. In addition, new opportunities for dual or triple board certification are reviewed. Results : A new curricular model for primary care training in general psychiatry programs is outlined. The new curriculum would include training for diagnostic and primary care skills to prepare psychiatrists to provide basic primary medical services for the chronically mentally ill. Conclusions : The new curricular proposal would create an elective psychiatry primary care track. This is possible within current accreditation requirements. Psychiatric residents could receive primary care training throughout their residency.
Ultra-high field MRSI (7T and Beyond)

Human magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) systems operating at 7 T are becoming quite common in major academic medical systems around the world, with more than 40 installations as of 2013. Advantages of MRS at higher fields include improved signal-to-noise ratios and spectral resolution, which translate into the ability to measure more compounds with better precision. Some of the greatest improvements are for overlapping, coupled spin systems such as glutamate and glutamine, which are hard to separate and measure accurately at lower field strengths. However, various technical challenges need to be overcome at higher field strengths in order to fully realize the expected improvements. This chapter reviews some of the problems associated with high-field MRS and their solutions, and also discusses some of the early studies of disease pathology using 7 T MRS. Since to date most 7 T MRS and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) studies have focused on technical issues, clinical applications of this methodology are still in the early stages of development.
VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock in the contemporary era of heart transplantation: Which patients should be urgently transplanted?

With the impending United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) heart allocation policy giving VA-ECMO supported heart transplant (HT) candidates highest priority status (Tier 1), identifying patients in cardiogenic shock (CS) with severe and irreversible heart failure (HF) appropriate for urgent HT is critically important. In a center where wait times currently preclude this approach, we retrospectively reviewed 119 patients (ages 18-72) with CS from 1/2014 to 12/2016 who required VA-ECMO for >24 hours. Underlying aetiologies included postcardiotomy shock (45), acute coronary syndromes (33), and acute-on-chronic HF (16). Eighty-four percent of patients (100) had ≥1 contraindication to HT with 61.3% (73) having preexisting contraindications (eg, multiorgan dysfunction and substance abuse), and 68.1% (81) experienced preclusive complications (eg, renal failure, coagulopathy, and infection). Potential HT candidates were significantly more likely to survive to discharge (potential HT candidates 84.2% vs preexisting contraindications 43.8% vs contraindications developing on VA-ECMO 33.3%, P = 0.001). Among potential HT candidates, 11 (68.8%) were discharged without advanced therapies and 4 received durable left ventricular assist device (25.0%). Importantly, 1-year survival was 100% for the 11 patients with follow-up. Thus, further work is critical to define appropriate candidates for HT from VA-ECMO while avoiding preemptive transplantation in those with otherwise favorable outcomes.
Modulating pH through lysine integrated dental adhesives.

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to explore the effect of lysine integration to dental adhesives with respect to the polymerization kinetics, neutralization capacities in the acidic microenvironment, dynamic mechanical properties, and thermal properties. Materials and method Lysine was incorporated into liquid resin formulations at 2.5 and 5.0 wt % with additional water/ethanol co-solvents. The co-monomer system contained 2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA) and Bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate (BisGMA) with a mass ratio of 45/55. The kinetics of photopolymerization, neutralization capacities, lysine-leaching, dynamic mechanical properties and thermal properties of the control and experimental adhesives were analyzed. Results The degree of conversion of the experimental adhesive was increased substantially at 2.5 wt% lysine as compared to the control. The experimental polymers provided acute neutralization of the acidic microenvironment. Approximately half of the lysine was released from the polymer network within one month. Under dry conditions and physiologic temperatures, the incorporation of lysine did not compromise the storage modulus. Comparison of the thermal properties suggests that the more compact structure of the control adhesive inhibits movement of the polymer chains resulting in increased Tg. Significance Incorporating lysine in the adhesive formulations led to promising results regarding modulating pH, which may serve as one aspect of a multi-spectrum approach for enhancing the durability of composite restorations. The results provide insight and lay a foundation for incorporating amino acids or peptides into adhesive formulations for pH modulation or desired bioactivity at the interfacial margin between the composite and tooth.
MILP-Based Unsupervised Clustering

In this letter, we discuss the problem of unsupervised clustering of sensor signals based on their information content. In the past, the problem has been formulated as a matrix factorization problem and has been solved with different variants of gradient descent. We reformulate the nonconvex cost function as a mixed integer linear programing problem with explicit clustering constraints and solve it with branch and bound, while introducing a scalable variant to reduce the computational time. The proposed method is applied to clustering problems in hyperspectral imaging and multiview image clustering and extensive results have been presented demonstrating the superiority of the novel framework over existing alternatives.
27 – MATTER AND HEAT FLOW

This chapter derives the expressions for the pivotal functions, the entropy production function, and the energy retention function, in a simultaneous flow of matter and of heat at constant volume, i.e., in thermal diffusion. This requires the introduction of two new vectors, the first expressing the heat flux, the second the mass-action flux. Then the phenomenological equations are established in simultaneous heat and matter flow and the Dufour and the Soret effects from the phenomenological cross coefficients are defined. Finally, heat flux to Fourier's law of heat conduction, and the mass-action flux to Fick's first law of diffusion are related.
Todo sobre Lucrecia

This new approach to characterization in the Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea is developed through a perception of what its authors surely planned for. The subject is Lucrecia, maid to Melibea, generally thought of as a secondary character inspiring little interest for readers. I believe, to the contrary, that as the constant companion to a libidinous Melibea and her illicit affair with Calisto, but deciding to withhold this information from her employers, Pleberio and Alisa, Lucrecia plays a key role in the resulting tragedies. One result of her role as witness to the passionate lovemaking of the protagonists, Lucrecia herself becomes vividly aware of her own sexuality.
Plasma pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrouridine (THU), a cytidine deaminase inhibitor, in mice

1557 Introduction: Cytidine analogues such ascytosine arabinoside, gemcitabine, decitabine, azacytidine, 5-fluoro-2’-deoxycytidine and 5-chloro-2’-deoxycytidine undergo rapid catabolism by CD. THU is a transition-state analogue of cytidine and a potent inhibitor of CD that has been applied as a modulator of the metabolism of cytidine analogues in preclinical and clinical studies. To date, the pharmacokinetics of THU have not been fully characterized, which has impaired its optimal preclinical evaluation and clinical use. We used a recently developed specific and sensitive analytical method, which was validated according to FDA guidelines, to characterize THU pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in mice. Methods: THU was administered to male CD2F1 mice iv (100 mg/kg) or po by gavage (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg). At specified times between 2 and 1440 min after dosing, 3 mice/time point were euthanized, and blood was collected in heparinized syringes. THU in plasma was quantitated, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using non-compartmental methods. In addition, we calculated THU urinary excretion and oral bioavailability. Results: THU has an oral bioavailability of 15-20%. The THU half-life (>1 h) is relatively long compared with that of other pyrimidines. Oral administration results in a relatively constant THU plasma concentration for ~3 h, explaining the spread in Tmax values. Results did not indicate non-linear pharmacokinetics after oral dosing. Furthermore, oral doses of 100 mg/kg achieved concentrations (~1 µg/mL) that have been shown to result in >95% inhibition of CD. Conclusions:These data suggest the feasibility of using THU to decrease elimination and first-pass metabolism by CD. Future investigations will focus on evaluating oral co-dosing of THU with cytidine analogues and evaluating THU pharmacokinetics in humans. Supported by contract N01-CM-52202 and P30-CA47904 from the NCI.
Genetic variation in EPHA contributes to sensitivity to paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Aims Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a treatment limiting toxicity of paclitaxel. We evaluated if EPHA genetic variation (EPHA4, EPHA5, EPHA6, and EPHA8) is associated with PN sensitivity by accounting for variability in systemic paclitaxel exposure (time above threshold). Methods Germline DNA from 60 patients with breast cancer was sequenced. PN was measured using the 8-item sensory subscale (CIPN8) of the patient-reported CIPN20. Associations for 3 genetic models were tested by incorporating genetics into previously published PN prediction models integrating measured paclitaxel exposure and cumulative treatment. Significant associations were then tested for association with PN-related treatment disruption. Results EPHA5 rs7349683 (minor allele frequency = 0.32) was associated with increased PN sensitivity (β-coefficient = 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.11-0.67, p = 0.007). Setting a maximum tolerable threshold of CIPN8 = 30, optimal paclitaxel exposure target is shorter for rs7349683 homozygous (11.6 h) than heterozygous (12.6 h) or wild-type (13.6 h) patients. Total number of missense variants (median = 0, range 0-2) was associated with decreased PN sensitivity (β-coefficient: -0.42, 95% confidence interval -0.72 to -0.12, P = .006). No association with treatment disruption was detected for the total number of missense variants or rs7349683. Conclusion Isolating toxicity sensitivity by accounting for exposure is a novel approach, and rs7349683 represents a promising marker for PN sensitivity that may be used to individualize paclitaxel treatment.
Photocytotoxicity of Oligothienyl-Functionalized Chelates That Sensitize Ln III Luminescence and Generate 1 O 2

Three new compounds containing a heptadentate lanthanide (LnIII ) ion chelator functionalized with oligothiophenes, nThept(COOH)4 (n=1, 2, or 3), were isolated. Their LnIII complexes not only display the characteristic metal-centered emission in the visible or near-infrared (NIR) but also generate singlet oxygen (1 O2 ). Luminescence efficiencies (ϕLn ) for [Eu1Thept(COO)4 ]- and [Eu2Thept(COO)4 ]- are ϕEu =3 % and 0.5 % in TRIS buffer and 33 % and 3 % in 95 % ethanol, respectively. 3Thept(COO)4 4- does not sensitize EuIII emission due to its low-lying triplet state. Near infra-red (NIR) luminescence is observed for all NIR-emitting LnIII and ligands with efficiencies of ϕYb =0.002 %, 0.005 % and 0.04 % for [YbnThept(COO)4 ]- (n=1, 2, or 3), and ϕNd =0.0007 %, 0.002 % and 0.02 % for [NdnThept(COO)4 ]- (n=1, 2, or 3) in TRIS buffer. In 95 % ethanol, quantum yields of NIR luminescence increase and are ϕYb =0.5 %, 0.31 % and 0.05 % for [YbnThept(COO)4 ]- (n=1, 2, or 3), and ϕNd =0.40 %, 0.45 % and 0.12 % for [NdnThept(COO)4 ]- (n=1, 2, or 3). All complexes are capable of generating 1 O2 in 95 % ethanol with ϕ1Ο2 efficiencies which range from 2 % to 29 %. These complexes are toxic to HeLa cells when irradiated with UV light (λexc =365 nm) for two minutes. IC50 values for the LnIII complexes are in the range 15.2-16.2 μm; the most potent compound is [Nd2Thept(COO)4 ]- . The cell death mechanisms are further explored using an Annexin V-propidium iodide assay which suggests that cell death occurs through both apoptosis and necrosis.
Inclusion of Telemedicine in Behavioral Health Quality Measures.

Objective:The authors evaluated available evidence to determine whether telemedicine services should be allowed in seven nationally reported behavioral health quality measures in the Healthcare Eff...
Sentiment Analysis on Conversations in Collaborative Active Learning as an Early Predictor of Performance

This full research paper studies affective states in students’ verbal conversations in an introductory Computer Science class (CS1) as they work in teams and discuss course content. Research on the cognitive process suggests that social constructs are an essential part of the learning process [1]. This highlights the importance of teamwork in engineering education. Besides cognitive and social constructs, performance evaluation methods are key components of successful team experience. However, measuring students’ individual performance in low-stake teams is a challenge since the main goal of these teams is social construction of knowledge rather than final artifact production. On the other hand, in low-stake teams the small contribution of teamwork to students’ grade might cause students not to collaborate as expected. We study affective metrics of sentiment and subjectivity in collaborative conversations in low-stake teams to identify the correlation between students’ affective states and their performance in CS1 course. The novelty of this research is its focus on students’ verbal conversations in class and how to identify and operationalize affect as a metric that is related to individual performance. We record students’ conversation during low-stake teamwork in multiple sessions throughout the semester. By applying Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms, sentiment classes and subjectivity scores are extracted from their speech. The result of this study shows a positive correlation between students’ performance and their positive sentiment as well as the level of subjectivity in speech. The outcome of this research has the potential to serve as a performance predictor in earlier stages of the semester to provide timely feedback to students and enables instructors to make interventions that can lead to student success.
Specialization vs. Generalization: Analyzing Skill Transferability for Predicting Career Trajectories in High-Tech

For decades, career transition counseling and research have focused on myopic insights on the next job versus understanding optimal career path. While the research mind-set was well placed to understand the evolution of skills to suggest possible terminal job outcomes, a lack of relevant data and computation resources posed challenges in developing valuable career transition insights. Furthermore, because of the data limitations, the extant research focused on the role of generalizable and specialized skills in highly heterogeneous career transitions. Technology, big data, and analytics have now enabled organization and management science research to investigate these questions. This paper analyzes 67,000 career profiles for entrepreneurs, executives, and senior managers from a popular social networking platform to predict career outcomes for these professionals. We built career trajectories as network graphs that provide insights on career paths of entrepreneurs, executives, and senior managers. In these graphs, each node is a job consisting of an industry-level and seniority-level classification. Focusing on the high-tech industry, we found that individuals with certain transferable skills—notably technical, management, mixed, or boundary-spanning experience—can successfully capitalize on these skills when transitioning across industries. During the process we determined common patterns in career trajectories for entrepreneurs, executives, and persons in senior-level roles within firms. Furthermore, we tested the validity of these insights by developing and refining a learning model for predicting individual career transitions of 10,000 individuals and achieved 48% accuracy for 204 job choices. Managerially, these insights can help in recruitment (candidate identification), career planning, and job search.
Longitudinal investigation of moral disengagement among undergraduate engineering students: findings from a mixed-methods study

The importance of ethics education for undergraduate engineering students has been emphasized due to the manifold impacts of engineering on society. However, little is known about moral disengageme...
Retailers and Energy Conservation- A Second Look

Retailers were surveyed to determine their attitudes about energy conservatlon. This paper describes the findings and compares them to results obtained in a previous study of retailers’ energy conservation attitudes which was reported at the Third Annual Conference of the Academy of Marketing Science.
Workplace Drug Abuse Prevention Initiatives: A Review

Likely key elements of effective prevention strategies emerging from the literature (and from discussions with experts) are summarized. These include: (1) program content based on proven prevention theory and research; (2) comprehensive approaches that address multiple risk and protective factors, and generalize across settings; (3) material that is relevant during important transitions in an employee's life and career (4) sensitivity to the culture of the workplace and community; (5) sufficient dosage and follow-up; (6) use of interactive teaching techniques; (7) training for prevention program providers; and (8) evaluation to know that the intervention had the desired effect on behavior. Evaluation of workplace substance abuse prevention has been limited; the need for future research is discussed. The paper concludes with a discussion of how to increase interest in substance abuse prevention by employers.
Modeling Visit Probabilities within Network‐Time Prisms Using Markov Techniques

The space-time prism is a key concept in time geography that captures both spatial and temporal constraints on an object's potential mobility. For mobility within transportation networks, network-time prisms (NTPs) delimit accessible locations with respect to time given scheduling constraints, movement constraints, and speed limits imposed by the network. The boundary of a NTP has been used as a measure of individuals' accessibility within a network. However, the interior structure has lacked quantitative characterization, including the distribution of visit probabilities at accessible locations. This article models visit probabilities within NTPs using two types of Markov techniques: (1) Brownian motion on undirected graphs for nonvehicular mobility (e.g., walking) and (2) continuous-time semi-Markov process for vehicular mobility (e.g., biking, driving). Based on these methods, we simulate nonvehicular and vehicular visit probabilities and visualize these distributions. For vehicular mobility, we compare the simulated visit probabilities with empirical probabilities derived from trajectories collected by Global Positioning System (GPS) in New York City, USA. The visit probabilities provide a quantitative description of individuals' potential mobility within a NTP and a foundation for developing the refined accessibility benefit and cost measures that go beyond the binary nature of classical NTPs.
Abstract IA21: Skin pigmentation pathways and melanoma risk

Melanoma risk is well known to be strongly linked to UV exposure. Yet despite this important linkage, melanoma incidence increases relentlessly, at one of the steepest rates of all human cancers. Prevention approaches that include education, sunscreen, avoidance of tanning beds, and sun-safe behavior messages are excellent in principal, but have not as yet produced sufficient decreases in melanoma incidence. Here we present studies which explore cutaneous responses to ultraviolet radiation exposure. These results indicate the presence of multiple cutaneous responses and pathways that are triggered by UV and which modulate not only skin signaling, but also systemic effects of this cutaneous UV exposure. These pathways include pigmentation or tanning. Other studies will describe a murine “redhair/lightskin” melanoma model of melanoma which identifies roles for pigmentation intermediates in melanoma formation. Finally, the MITF transcription factor plays central roles in both melanocyte and melanoma growth, survival, and differentiation. Studies will be described which characterize several MITF transcriptional targets, some of which may represent novel therapeutic opportunities. Citation Format: David E. Fisher. Skin pigmentation pathways and melanoma risk. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Melanoma: From Biology to Therapy; Sep 20-23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(14 Suppl):Abstract nr IA21.
Using instructional television (ITV) to help implement faculty technology proficiency certification

In 1998, the State of California adopted a technology standard for teachers and required teacher credential programs to write a plan on how they would meet it. A technology proficiency certification system is developed, which used portfolio assessment to allow teachers to demonstrate up to three levels of proficiency. CSUB has required its faculty members to attain levels I and II. Teacher educators and students have traditionally shown resistance to using educational technology due to several factors. CSUB has ITV facilities that serve remote areas in the service region. The independent study course is adapted as an ITV course offered weekly for two hours. Similarly, those instructors refer their students to the ITV course as additional support in completing portfolios. The course is designed to explain the certification system, provide information on current ways to attain certification, demonstrate portfolio exhibits and how to assemble a portfolio. According to the survey, it is very helpful for students to have access to this resource.
A Meta-Analysis of Carbon Nanotube Pulmonary Toxicity Studies—How Physical Dimensions and Impurities Affect the Toxicity of Carbon Nanotubes

This article presents a regression-tree-based meta-analysis of rodent pulmonary toxicity studies of uncoated, nonfunctionalized carbon nanotube (CNT) exposure. The resulting analysis provides quantitative estimates of the contribution of CNT attributes (impurities, physical dimensions, and aggregation) to pulmonary toxicity indicators in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid: neutrophil and macrophage count, and lactate dehydrogenase and total protein concentrations. The method employs classification and regression tree (CART) models, techniques that are relatively insensitive to data defects that impair other types of regression analysis: high dimensionality, nonlinearity, correlated variables, and significant quantities of missing values. Three types of analysis are presented: the RT, the random forest (RF), and a random-forest-based dose-response model. The RT shows the best single model supported by all the data and typically contains a small number of variables. The RF shows how much variance reduction is associated with every variable in the data set. The dose-response model is used to isolate the effects of CNT attributes from the CNT dose, showing the shift in the dose-response caused by the attribute across the measured range of CNT doses. It was found that the CNT attributes that contribute the most to pulmonary toxicity were metallic impurities (cobalt significantly increased observed toxicity, while other impurities had mixed effects), CNT length (negatively correlated with most toxicity indicators), CNT diameter (significantly positively associated with toxicity), and aggregate size (negatively correlated with cell damage indicators and positively correlated with immune response indicators). Increasing CNT N2 -BET-specific surface area decreased toxicity indicators.
Actinomycin D toxicity in the treatment of trophoblastic disease: A comparison of the five-day course to single-dose administration

Abstract Toxicity following actinomycin D delivered in divided doses over 5 days was compared to that following single-dose administration in 18 patients with nonmetastatic trophoblastic disease. Analysis revealed a predominance of hematologic effects following single-dose therapy, while hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity was evenly distributed after divided-dose administration. Although total toxicity was greater with single-dose administration, it was primarily due to mild adverse effects, while severe toxicity was similar in both groups. The toxicity of single-dose administration appears to be acceptable, but comparisons of efficacy must await further study.
Host‐associated differentiation in a highly polyphagous, sexually reproducing insect herbivore

Insect herbivores may undergo genetic divergence on their host plants through host-associated differentiation (HAD). Much of what we know about HAD involves insect species with narrow host ranges (i.e., specialists) that spend part or all their life cycle inside their hosts, and/or reproduce asexually (e.g., parthenogenetic insects), all of which are thought to facilitate HAD. However, sexually reproducing polyphagous insects can also exhibit HAD. Few sexually reproducing insects have been tested for HAD, and when they have insects from only a handful of potential host-plant populations have been tested, making it difficult to predict how common HAD is when one considers the entire species' host range. This question is particularly relevant when considering insect pests, as host-associated populations may differ in traits relevant to their control. Here, we tested for HAD in a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) pest, the cotton fleahopper (CFH) (Pseudatomoscelis seriatus), a sexually reproducing, highly polyphagous hemipteran insect. A previous study detected one incidence of HAD among three of its host plants. We used Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers to assess HAD in CFH collected from an expanded array of 13 host-plant species belonging to seven families. Overall, four genetically distinct populations were found. One genetically distinct genotype was exclusively associated with one of the host-plant species while the other three were observed across more than one host-plant species. The relatively low degree of HAD in CFH compared to the pea aphid, another hemipteran insect, stresses the likely importance of sexual recombination as a factor increasing the likelihood of HAD.
Effect of ion implantation on fretting fatigue in Ti-6Al-4V alloy

The effect of fretting on the fatigue life of titanium alloys is known to be severely deleterious. A preliminary study shows ion implantation to hold great promise for improving the fretting fatigue life in Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Carbon implanted at 75 keV to a dose of 2 × 10 1 7 atoms/cm 2 gives a peak concentration of 30 atomic percent at a depth of approximately 1700 A. Incoherent particles of titanium carbide averaging 100 A in size were found by transmission electron microscopy. Fatigue specimens were subjected to fretting on one surface at a normal stress of 20.7 MPa. A significant improvement in lifetime was found. No difference in the mode of failure was observed between the implanted and the unimplanted specimens.
MET Expression in Primary and Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Implications of Correlative Biomarker Assessment to MET Pathway Inhibitors

Aims. Inhibitors of the MET pathway hold promise in the treatment for metastatic kidney cancer. Assessment of predictive biomarkers may be necessary for appropriate patient selection. Understanding MET expression in metastases and the correlation to the primary site is important, as distant tissue is not always available. Methods and Results. MET immunofluorescence was performed using automated quantitative analysis and a tissue microarray containing matched nephrectomy and distant metastatic sites from 34 patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Correlations between MET expressions in matched primary and metastatic sites and the extent of heterogeneity were calculated. The mean expression of MET was not significantly different between primary tumors when compared to metastases (P = 0.1). MET expression weakly correlated between primary and matched metastatic sites (R = 0.5) and a number of cases exhibited very high levels of discordance between these tumors. Heterogeneity within nephrectomy specimens compared to the paired metastatic tissues was not significantly different (P = 0.39). Conclusions. We found that MET expression is not significantly different in primary tumors than metastatic sites and only weakly correlates between matched sites. Moderate concordance of MET expression and significant expression heterogeneity may be a barrier to the development of predictive biomarkers using MET targeting agents.
Standards of laboratory practice: cardiac drug monitoring

In this Standard of Laboratory Practice we recommend guidelines for therapeutic monitoring of cardiac drugs. Cardiac drugs are primarily used for treatment of angina, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure. Digoxin, used in congestive heart failure, is widely prescribed and therapeutically monitored. Monitoring and use of antiarrhythmics such as disopyramide and lidocaine have been steadily declining. Immunoassay techniques are currently the most popular methods for measuring cardiac drugs. Several reasons make measurement of cardiac drugs in serum important: their narrow therapeutic index, similarity in clinical complications and presentation of under- and overmedicated patients, need for dosage adjustments, and confirmation of patient compliance. Monitoring may also be necessary in other circumstances, such as assessment of acetylator phenotypes. We present recommendations for measuring digoxin, quinidine, procainamide (and N-acetylprocainamide), lidocaine, and flecainide. We discuss guidelines for measuring unbound digoxin in the presence of an antidote (Fab fragments), for characterizing the impact of digoxin-like immunoreactive factor (DLIF) and other cross-reactants on immunoassays, and for moni-toring the unbound (free fraction) of drugs that bind to alpha1-acid glycoprotein. We also discuss logistic, clinical, hospital, and laboratory practice guidelines needed for implementation of a successful therapeutic drug monitoring service for cardiac drugs.
Seasonal distribution of topsoil ammonium and nitrate under legume-grass and grass swards.

Losses of soil N through leaching and N2 fixation by legumes often are related to soil nitrate concentration. The seasonal distribution of soil ammonium and nitrate concentrations under ungrazed legume-grass and grass swards were evaluated on two experiments that were established in 1983 (Exp. 1) and in 1984 (Exp. 2). Treatments were white clover (Trifolium repens L.) (WC), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) (RC), and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) (BT), each grown with tall fescue (Festuca arundicacea Schreb.) (TF) at two legume proportions, and a pure stand of TF. The concentrations of both forms of N were measured in the top 20-cm layer during 2 years in Exp. 1 and for 1 year in Exp. 2. The concentrations of nitrate and ammonium were least in winter and spring, and greatest in summer. The concentration of nitrate for the mixtures decreased in the order WC-TF, RC-TF, and BT-TF in both summers of Exp. 1 but there were no mixture differences in Exp. 2. The concentration of soil ammonium was not affected by the treatments applied. We conclude that the concentration of soil nitrate usually was small for these swards but became greater and often dependent on species and legume proportion during summer. The concentration of soil ammonium also was greater in summer but was not affected by species or legume proportion.
Vibronic coupling in asymmetric bichromophores: Experimental investigation of diphenylmethane-d5

Vibrationally and rotationally resolved electronic spectra of diphenylmethane-d 5 (DPM-d 5) are reported in the isolated-molecule environment of a supersonic expansion. While small, the asymmetry induced by deuteration of one of the aromatic rings is sufficient to cause several important effects that change the principle mechanism of vibronic coupling between the close-lying S1 and S2 states, and spectroscopic signatures such coupling produces. The splitting between S1 and S2 origins is 186 cm−1, about 50% greater than its value in DPM-d 0 (123 cm−1), and an amount sufficient to bring the S2 zero-point level into near-resonance with the v = 1 level in the S1 state of a low-frequency phenyl flapping mode, νR = 191 cm−1. Dispersed fluorescence spectra bear clear evidence that Δv(R) = 1 Herzberg-Teller coupling dominates the near-resonant internal mixing between the S1 and S2 manifolds. The fluorescence into each pair of Franck-Condon active ring modes shows an asymmetry that suggests incorrectly that the S1 and S2 states may be electronically localized. From rotationally resolved studies, the S0 and S1 states have been well-fit to asymmetric rotor Hamiltonians while the S2 state is perturbed and not fit. The transition dipole moment (TDM) orientation of the S1 state is nearly perpendicular to the C2 symmetry axes with 66(2)%:3(1)%:34(2)% a:b:c hybrid-type character while that of the S2 origin contains 50(10)% a:c-type (S1) and 50(10)% b-type (S2) character. A model is put forward that explains qualitatively the TDM compositions and dispersed emission patterns without the need to invoke electronic localization. The experimental data discussed here serve as a foundation for a multi-mode vibronic coupling model capable of being applied to asymmetric bichromophores, as presented in the work of B. Nebgen and L. V. Slipchenko [“Vibronic coupling in asymmetric bichromophores: Theory and application to diphenylmethane-d 5,” J. Chem. Phys. (submitted)].
The exchange interaction effect on magnetism for itinerant electron system

Abstract The magnetism of itinerant electron system i.e. the Extended Hubbard Model system with exchange interaction is investigated at any arbitrary electron density by making use of the perturbational expansion in terms of the transfer integral upto second order. It turns out that the ferromagnetic coupling exists as well as the antiferromagnetic coupling, and the competition between ferro- and antiferromagnetism depends not only on the transfer integral and electron density, but also on the ratio of exchange interaction to the transfer parts. It showes out that the exchange interaction can not be neglected, especially in the study of its magnetism even though is small in value.
Acid hydrolases in developing oro-facial structures of the rat

Abstract The activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase, β-galactosidase, β-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase as well as DNA and protein concentrations were determined in the mandibular arches of 14-day foetal rats. These components were also measured in the palates and mandibles of rats at 16 days of gestation, at birth and 5 days post partum . During palatal development, the activities of all enzymes increased significantly between the 16th day of gestation and 5th day post partum . Palatal DNA and protein concentrations increased between the 16th day of gestation and birth, and decreased between birth and the 5th day post partum . The activities of mandibular acid hydrolases also changed during development; however, there was no uniform pattern to these changes.
Computations of multiwavelet transforms

The pyramid algorithm for computing single wavelet transform coefficients is well-known. The pyramid algorithm can be implemented by using tree-structured multirate filter banks. In this paper, we propose a general algorithm to compute multiwavelet transform coefficients, by adding proper pre multirate filter banks before the vector filter banks that generate multiwavelets. The proposed algorithm can be though of as a discrete vector-valued wavelet transform for certain discrete-time vector-valued signals. The proposed algorithm can be also though of as a discrete multiwavelet transform for discrete-time signals. We then present some numerical experiments to illustrate the performance of the algorithm, which indicates that the energy compaction for discrete multiwavelet transforms may be better than the one for conventional discrete wavelet transforms.
Threshold of Intelligence in Academic Achievement of Highly Creative Students

(1964). Threshold of Intelligence in Academic Achievement of Highly Creative Students. The Journal of Experimental Education: Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 401-405.
Cost-Effectiveness of a Program to Eliminate Disparities in Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates in Elderly Minority Populations: An Exploratory Analysis

Abstract Objective Invasive pneumococcal disease is a major cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States, particularly among the elderly (>65 years). There are large racial disparities in pneumococcal vaccination rates in this population. Here, we estimate the cost-effectiveness of a hypothetical national vaccination intervention program designed to eliminate racial disparities in pneumococcal vaccination in the elderly. Methods In an exploratory analysis, a Markov decision-analysis model was developed, taking a societal perspective and assuming a 1-year cycle length, 10-year vaccination program duration, and lifetime time horizon. In the base-case analysis, it was conservatively assumed that vaccination program promotion costs were $10 per targeted minority elder per year, regardless of prior vaccination status and resulted in the elderly African American and Hispanic pneumococcal vaccination rate matching the elderly Caucasian vaccination rate (65%) in year 10 of the program. Results The incremental cost-effectiveness of the vaccination program relative to no program was $45,161 per quality-adjusted life-year gained in the base-case analysis. In probabilistic sensitivity analyses, the likelihood of the vaccination program being cost-effective at willingness-to-pay thresholds of $50,000 and $100,000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained was 64% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions In a conservative analysis biased against the vaccination program, a national vaccination intervention program to ameliorate racial disparities in pneumococcal vaccination would be cost-effective.
Surface energies of liquid metal interfaces with carbon

Abstract The surface energies of a number of liquid metal interfaces with graphite and diamond have been estimated by combining experimental data for the surface energy of the molten metal and its contact angle on diamond and graphite with a reasonable estimate of the surface energies of graphite and diamond. The surface energy of the diamond to molten nickel interface is also estimated by use of homogeneous nucleation theory. A comparison of the results suggests that the nucleation of diamond takes place on heterogeneous surfaces.