cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differences in the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine by human lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Abstract Long term human lymphoblastoid lines differ in their ability to grow in medium containing bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and to incorporate analog into their DNA. Eight Burkitts' lymphoma cell lines divided at least twice in BrdU-containing medium and made DNA in which over 90% of the thymidine residues were substituted with analog in both strands. Three infectious mononucleosis-derived lines and 24 lines transformed in vitro were inhibited by BrdU after one cell division and made only hybrid DNA in which one strand was substituted with analog. One out of eight normal individuals from whom long term lines were prepared gave cell lines which divided at least twice in BrdU and gave DNA in which both strands were substituted with analog. It would appear that intrinsic cellular factors regulate the response to BrdU and that Burkitt's tumor lines are characterized by their ability to make stable doubly substituted DNA containing a high proportion of halogenated analog.
Academic Psychologists and Animal Research in Zoos and Natural Settings: A Survey:

Academic psychologists and the extent to which they ate engaged in animal research in zoos and natural settings were surveyed by questionnaire. Of the 118 departments of psychology selected, 50 (42.37%) responded. Of these, 19 (38.00%) did not have faculty conducting zoo research, while 31 (62.00%) did. 928 full-time faculty members comprise the 31 departments, 46 (4.36%) are conducting research in zoos or natural settings.
Methodological concerns for non-Hispanic investigators conducting research with Hispanic Americans.

The fastest-growing ethnic population in the United States, Hispanic Americans are underrepresented in health care research because of an insufficient number of Hispanic American researchers, study teams without Spanish-speaking members, a lack of Spanish-language instruments, and investigator ignorance about cultural differences. Culturally insensitive research produces biased results that can inaccurately represent Hispanic Americans. The purpose of this article is to discuss methodological concerns when conducting research with Hispanic Americans including: instrument response format, translation issues, population-related extraneous variables, and response tendencies that can influence results.
IDENTIFICATION OF DESIRED SYSTEM FEATURES IN AN ADVANCED TRAVELER INFORMATION SYSTEM

This study evaluated consumer acceptance of variations of a currently available Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS). We also wanted to determine if video demonstration was sufficient for observers to grasp the fundamentals of ATIS devices. A total of 109 licensed drivers viewed two videotaped demonstrations of TravTek, and then completed questionnaires. Principal Factor Analyses resulted in patterns of desired features and other composite variables used in regression analyses. Basic map features (e.g., vehicle position/location, outline of route) and voice features were the two dominant feature patterns. Other composite variables included understanding of the system capabilities, trust, self-confidence, tolerance of system errors, demonstration fidelity and attention. Results of the regression analyses indicated that different variables were significant predictors of each pattern of desired features.
A Comparison of Exposure Control Procedures in CAT Systems Based on Different Measurement Models for Testlets

This study compared several exposure control procedures for CAT systems based on the three-parameter logistic testlet response theory model (Wang, Bradlow, & Wainer, 2002) and Masters’ (1982) partial credit model when applied to a pool consisting entirely of testlets. The exposure control procedures studied were the modified within .10 logits procedure (Davis & Dodd, 2003), the Sympson-Hetter procedure (Sympson & Hetter, 1985) with a maximum exposure rate restricted to 0.19, the Sympson-Hetter procedure (Sympson & Hetter, 1985) with a maximum exposure rate restricted to 0.29, and maximum information, a no exposure control condition, used as a baseline. The exposure control procedures were evaluated for measurement precision, utilization of the testlet pool, and testlet overlap across test administrations. For both measurement models, the modified within .10 logits procedure provided better pool utilization with little decrement in precision of measurement than either of the Sympson-Hetter procedures.
Structural Dynamics of Spin-Stabilized Solar Sails with Applications to UltraSail

The sail dynamics of spin-stabilized solar sail designs are examined in this paper. The nonlinear governing equations of motion are derived for four different and progressively more complex dynamical scenarios: pitch (one dimensional); pitch and sweepback (two dimensional); pitch and lead/lag (two dimensional); and pitch, sweepback, and lead/lag (three dimensional). These equations are applied to UltraSail, a novel solar sail design developed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which relies on small-tip satellites to provide tension in rectangular sails. Steady-state and time-dependent characteristics are numerically calculated and discussed. Properties such as the spacecraft acceleration are predicted, and transient sail responses to an applied perturbation are simulated. Results place UltraSail as a strong candidate for future solar sail missions with performance challenging previously proposed concepts.
Results of community deliberation about social impacts of ecological restoration: comparing public input of self-selected versus actively engaged community members

Participatory processes for obtaining residents’ input about community impacts of proposed environmental management actions have long raised concerns about who participates in public involvement efforts and whose interests they represent. This study explored methods of broad-based involvement and the role of deliberation in social impact assessment. Interactive community forums were conducted in 27 communities to solicit public input on proposed alternatives for recovering wild salmon in the Pacific Northwest US. Individuals identified by fellow residents as most active and involved in community affairs (“AE residents”) were invited to participate in deliberations about likely social impacts of proposed engineering and ecological actions such as dam removal. Judgments of these AE participants about community impacts were compared with the judgments of residents motivated to attend a forum out of personal interest, who were designated as self-selected (“SS”) participants. While the magnitude of impacts rated by SS participants across all communities differed significantly from AE participants’ ratings, in-depth analysis of results from two community case studies found that both AE and SS participants identified a large and diverse set of unique impacts, as well as many of the same kinds of impacts. Thus, inclusion of both kinds of residents resulted in a greater range of impacts for consideration in the environmental impact study. The case study results also found that the extent to which similar kinds of impacts are specified by AE and SS group members can differ by type of community. Study results caution against simplistic conclusions drawn from this approach to community-wide public participation. Nonetheless, the results affirm that deliberative methods for community-based impact assessment involving both AE and SS residents can provide a more complete picture of perceived impacts of proposed restoration activities.
The development of the mammalian nervous system. I. Malformations of the brain, especially the cerebral cortex, induced in rats by radiation. II. Some mechanisms of the malformations of the cortex.

Radiation can be used to induced series of developmentall malformations in the brains of rats The degree of reproducibility of the patterns has suggested their use in studies relating certain attributes of behavior with cerebral cortical structure. The patterns of brain malformiation induced by giving 150 to 200 r on each of the days of gestation. 12 to 20. are described and illustrated. Some of the histogenetic mechanisms that lead up to the cortical malformations are described. based on a study of different members of the same abnormal litter taken at successive stages of development.
Economics, democracy, and Spanish elections

The argument is advanced that economic conditions have played an important role in Spanish elections but, until recently, one secondary to the establishment of democracy itself. First, the Spanish economy's development at the time of these elections and the Spanish public's response to it are considered. Next, Spain's three national elections and significant economic policy activities and conditions are analyzed. Unemployment is then considered as the central economic influence on recent Spanish elections. Finally, Spain's politics of consensus is presented as an explanation for the initial lack of influence of economic conditions on elections.
Fatigue/Creep Interactions in Ni3Al-Base Alloys

Stress-controlled fatigue tests and fatigue crack growth rate tests respectively have been carried out on two Ni 3 Al Cr/Zr alloys, IC 218 at 600°C and 800°C, and IC 221 at 800°C, in vacuum, at various test frequencies. Decreasing the test frequency and/or increasing the temperature leads to a decrease in the number of cycles to failure, and a gradual disappearance of a fatigue fracture zone. In fatigue crack propagation tests, the crack growth rate only decreases at the lowest frequency and remains constant in the major part of the frequency range investigated. The fatigue propagation mode in all cases is intergranular. These trends are shown in both cases to be related to a true creep component but, under fatigue crack growth test conditions, crack blunting intervenes gradually as the frequency is decreased, leading therefore to a less severe frequency effect.
The Foundations of Causal Decision Theory

This book defends the view that any adequate account of rational decision making must take a decision maker's beliefs about causal relations into account. The early chapters of the book introduce the non-specialist to the rudiments of expected utility theory. The major technical advance offered by the book is a 'representation theorem' that shows that both causal decision theory and its main rival, Richard Jeffrey's logic of decision, are both instances of a more general conditional decision theory. The book solves a long-standing problem for Jeffrey's theory by showing for the first time how to obtain a unique utility and probability representation for preferences and judgements of comparative likelihood. The book also contains a major new discussion of what it means to suppose that some event occurs or that some proposition is true. The most complete and robust defence of causal decision theory available.
Lake Bonneville - Constraints on lithospheric thickness and upper mantle viscosity from isostatic warping of Bonneville, Provo, and Gilbert stage shorelines

Data collected from three deformed shorelines of Lake Bonneville (the Bonneville, Provo, and Gilbert shorelines) are used to constrain the effective elastic lithospheric thickness to 23 + or - 2 km, the mantle viscosity to (1.2 + or - 0.2) x 10 to the 20th Pa sec, and the depth to a significant viscosity increase to no less than 300 km. A modification of the earth model of Nakiboglu and Lambeck (1982, 1983) is used for the calculations, and the water load is computed at each time step from a digital terrain model and a specified lake elevation. Differences noted between the observed and computed shoreline elevations indicate a regional tilt down to the NE of about 6 x 10 to the -5th, which is suggested to be due to collapse of the peripheral bulge formed by the Laurentide ice sheet.
Validation study of D218O method for determination of CO2 output of the eastern chipmunk (Tamais striatus)

Abstract o 1. The doubly labeled water (D218O) method for measuring CO2 output has been tested in two eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) by comparing over a 5-day period the value calculated by this procedure with the value actually collected. 2. The error of the D218O method was 1 and 8 per cent for the two chipmunks studied. 3. The method appears to have the same applicability to this species as to the previously studied small mammals and birds.
Acceleration of 2-D Compressible Flow Solvers with Graphics Processing Unit Clusters

We demonstrate the first use of graphics processing unit clusters for engineering-level compressible flow computations with two separately developed solvers. Each solver adopts the finite-volume approach on multiblock, structured, nonuniform, quadrilateral meshes. We use a second-order accurate integration scheme, with a second-order accurate dual-time integration, using steady-flow acceleration techniques such as local time-stepping and nonlinear multigrid. The first solver is based on an existing multiblock Fortran code, MBFLO, which is augmented with graphics processing unit acceleration for the laminar and unsteady flow subroutines. The second solver is built from scratch for graphics processing unit acceleration, but is limited to the steady Euler solutions over simple geometries. The Euler solver is optimized by reducing the memory bandwidth, recomputing intermediate values, and combining functions to increase producer-consumer locality.These two approaches are used to highlight trade-offs between development effort and performance when accelerating an application with graphics processing units. On test cases with up to 6.4 million grid points, our graphics processing unit solvers outperform their central processing unit counterparts by up to 20×. In our graphics processing unit strong scalability test, 32 graphics processing units scale up to 22× over a single graphics processing unit, which is 16× faster than 32 central processing unit cores, or 500× faster than a single Central Processing Unit core. It is confirmed that graphics processing unit clusters are effective for engineering computational fluid dynamics applications if their order-of-magnitude increase in performance is paired with large problem sizes to amortize the cost of communication.
Human Lymphocyte-Specific pp52 Gene Is a Member of a Highly Conserved Dispersed Family

For a better understanding of genes that potentially function in B lymphocyte cell signaling, we isolated the human genomic counterpart of the murine pp52 or LSP1 gene. We unexpectedly found that the human pp52 gene is one of four closely related loci. Representative cosmids from each of the four family members were isolated and chromosomally localized by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Nucleotide sequence was obtained from an exon common to each locus and demonstrated very close similarity among all four loci. Two of the four loci harbored dysfunctional frameshift mutations or premature translation stop sites. The exon of one locus was flanked by an 80-bp perfect inverted repeat, suggesting that it may have originated through a looped intermediate DNA structure. Through a series of cDNA hybridization studies and nucleotide sequence analyses we were able to unambiguously link the lymphocyte-expressed gene to the locus mapped to chromosome 11p15.5. This same chromosomal band has been involved in tumor-related chromosomal translocations found in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Influence of prior exposure to xenobiotics on the metabolism and distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls and phenanthrene in winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of prior exposure and multiple-contaminant exposure on the ability of winter flounder to metabolize specific organic compounds. In addition to these pharmacokinetic studies, the intracellular binding patterns of phenanthrene metabolites to liver cytosolic constituents of winter flounder from the different treatments were investigated. In the first experiment, one group of winter flounder was fed by gavage a dose of 14C-labeled polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); a second group of fish received a dose of both PCB and cadmium. In a second experiment, winter flounder were exposed for four weeks in a flow-through system to a mixture of copper, cadmium, lead, and PCBs before they received either a dose of 14C-PCB or a dose of 14C-phenanthrene. Liver cytosols from the second experiment were chromatographed by aqueous gel permeation chromatography (AGPC) and the radioactivity associated with 1 ml fractions of the eluate determined by liquid scintillation counting. The results of these experiments suggest that both pre-exposure and/or multiple-contaminant exposures increase the rate at which winter flounder can metabolize both PCBs and phenanthrene. The results also suggest that phenanthrene metabolites were bound to enzymes. There were no apparent differences in the intracellular distribution of radioactivity or the UV and fluorescence chromatograms between liver cytosols from animals from the different treatments.
Maleic anhydride functionalization of polypropylene with suppressed molecular weight reduction via solid-state shear pulverization

Abstract Polypropylene (PP) is sometimes functionalized with polar molecules like maleic anhydride (MA) to improve interfacial adhesion and to allow for reactive compatibilization. The conventional method of synthesizing PP grafted with MA (PP-g-MA) is by post-polymerization reactive extrusion at high temperature (180–220 °C). Under these conditions, the extent of β-scission (a radical chemistry that results in cleavage of C–C backbone bonds) is significant; thus, the product of functionalization by reactive extrusion suffers dramatic molecular weight (MW) reduction and degradation of properties. We present a novel method of synthesizing PP-g-MA while strongly suppressing MW reduction using solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP). By taking advantage of the relatively low temperature conditions associated with SSSP and with the use of azobisisobutyronitrile as radical initiator, significant MA grafting levels are achieved while strongly suppressing β-scission. For a PP-g-MA sample with 0.5 wt% grafted MA, characterization of number-average MW (Mn) before and after functionalization reveals that the frequency of chain scission events per repeat unit is reduced by more than 90% when synthesis is done by SSSP as opposed to reactive extrusion. Consequently, relative to the neat PP from which it was made, the PP-g-MA sample (with 0.5 wt% grafted MA) synthesized via SSSP exhibits only 8 and 25–32% reductions in Mn and weight-average MW (Mw), respectively; this is greatly improved over the 51 and 71% reductions in Mn and Mw reported in the literature for PP-g-MA (with 0.5 wt% grafted MA) synthesized by reactive extrusion.
Processing of nanocrystalline ceramics

Methods of preparing non-agglomerated powders for three systems -- yttria, titania, and yttria-stabilized zirconia -- are reviewed. The non-agglomerated nature of these powders should make it possible to sinter them into dense ceramic bodies with nanocrystalline grain sizes. Experiments with yttria-stabilized zirconia have shown that this is indeed the case, with mean linear intercept grain sizes of 60 nm resulting from original powder particle diameters of 13 nm. This ultrafine-grained zirconia is shown, in turn, to have superplastic forming rates 34 times faster than a 0.3 {mu}m-grained commercial zirconia of the same composition. 7 refs., 9 figs.
SU-GG-T-44: Optimal Needling and Seed Implant Patterns in Prostate Brachytherapy for Multichannel Robotic System

Purpose: It is important to find optimal needling and seed delivery patterns that are commonly practiced in the clinics, for developing a multichannel roboticbrachytherapy system. In this study, different techniques and types of needling and seed implant patterns have been investigated and a robotic system has been designed. Method and Materials: A total of 135 prostate cancer patient cases of permanent seed implant have been investigated in this study. These cases are from three different university hospitals where the types of seeds (radio‐isotope, activity, construction), needles, surgical techniques, clinicians and patient population are different. Randomly selected 95 patients from hospital‐1 were treated with Pd‐103 isotope (2.02mCi/seed, free/loose configuration, automatic genetic algorithm optimization‐PIPER); 20 patients from hospital‐2 were treated with I‐125 isotope (0.64±0.06mCi/seed, linked seed, manual optimization, Varian‐VariSeed‐v7.1), and the remaining 20 cases from hospital‐3 were treated with I‐125 isotope (0.41mCi/seed, pre‐loaded needle, manual optimization, Varian‐VariSeed‐v7.1). Needle and seed distributions were statistically analyzed to determine optimal needle configurations. Results: Hospital‐1 (n=95): prostate volume= 32.4±12.3cc (range=15.1–59.8cc), needles=23.4±4.6 (range=11–40), seeds= 82.2±21.3 (range=26–164). Hospital‐2 (n=20): prostate volume= 36.5±14.6cc (range=18.2–60.1cc), needles= 14.9±2.5 (range=10–18), seeds= 51.1±10.8 (range=35–68). Hospital‐3 (n=20): prostate volume= 30.9±8.2cc (20.3–51.5), needles= 13.6±2.6 (range=10–22), seeds= 75.7±14.8 (range=56–115). The relationships between number of seeds and number of needles appeared to be more linear for cases with Pd‐103 (free seeds) and I‐125 (linked seeds), while more scattered distribution was found for I‐125 with pre‐loaded needles. However, in all cases needles were more or less peripherally distributed to avoid excessive dose to urethra. Conclusion: Results revealed that 16 or less number of needles arranged mainly peripherally can be sufficient to cover most of the prostate seed implant cases with I‐125 seeds; cases with Pd‐103 may require more needles. This information has been translated for designing a multichannel robotic system. Acknowledgement: Supported by DoD grant‐W81XWH‐06‐1‐0227.
A GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM MODEL OF THE TERM STRUCTURE OF INTEREST RATES UNDER REGIME-SWITCHING RISK

This paper develops a general equilibrium model of the term structure of interest rates in the presence of the systematic risk of regime shifts. The model elucidates the economic nature of the regime-shift risk premium and introduces a new source of time-variation in bond returns. A closed-form solution for the term structure of interest rates is obtained under an affine model using log-linear approximation. The model is estimated by Efficient Method of Moments. The regime-switching risk is found to be statistically significant and mostly affect the long-end of the yield curve.
Induction of light chain expression in a pre-B cell line by fusion to myeloma cells

Pre-B cells, the first cells in the B-lymphocyte differentiation pathway which express immunoglobulin, have recently been shown to express cytoplasmic mu heavy chain (H) but not light chain (L). If, as is believed, pre-B cells are the precursors of immature B lymphocytes, which express surface IgM, the differentiation of pre-B cells to immature B lymphocytes must be accompanied by the expression of light chains. In this case, it should be possible for the progeny of a single pre-B cell to express a variety of light chains in association with the same heavy chain. We have tested this hypothesis by hybridizing a pre-B cell line 18-81 expressing only cytoplasmic mu chains with variant myeloma cells which do not express light chains. Hybridization of B-lymphoma cells with myeloma cells usually produces a hybrid with the phenotype of the more differentiated parent. In this case, the fusion resulted in the induction of light chain expression from the 18-81 genes and we have been able to demonstrate that independent hybrids express different light chains, in accordance with the hypothesis that a pre-B cell committed to expression of a single mu heavy chain can generate progeny expressing different slight chains.
Anatomic evaluation of the subcoracoid pectoralis major transfer in human cadavers.

Subcoracoid transfer of the pectoralis major has recently been described as a reconstruction for subscapularis insufficiency. The purpose of this study was to examine the surgically relevant anatomy of this transfer. The importance of understanding this anatomy was recently highlighted to us following our encounter with musculocutaneous neuropraxia in 2 patients after transfer of the entire pectoralis major, one deep to the musculocutaneous nerve. Dissections were performed on 20 fresh, whole human cadavers in which the entire pectoralis major muscle, medial and lateral pectoral nerves, and musculocutaneous nerve were explored and quantified. The relationship between the pectoralis major and the conjoined tendon was studied in situ and after simulated transfers. The medial and lateral pectoral nerves were located far medial to the pectoralis major tendon insertion and appeared to be safe from injury as long as surgical dissection remained lateral to the pectoris minor and less than 8.5 cm from the humeral insertion. Transfer of the pectoralis major superficial to the musculocutaneous nerve created less tension than transfer deep to the musculocutaneous nerve. Because proximal innervation of the coracobrachialis and short head of the biceps is not an uncommon occurrence, a split pectoralis major transfer, release of the proximal musculocutaneous branches, or debulking of the pectoralis major muscle belly may be required in some instances to prevent tension on the nerve. Because of the variability and location of the musculocutaneous nerve, it should always be visualized operatively. Transfer of the pectoralis major tendon lateral to the biceps tendon appeared to best restore the muscle length-tension relationship. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2001;10:453-9.)
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sepsis presenting with septic pulmonary emboli.

Abstract Background: Septic pulmonary emboli are the result of infections that typically originate from an extrapulmonary source. Septic pulmonary embolus is a rare disorder that classically presents with fever, respiratory symptoms, and lung infiltrates. Objectives: Our objective is to share our experience of a rare diagnosis that was the result of a very common bacterium seen in the Emergency Department (ED). Case Report: We present a case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sepsis presenting as bilateral septic pulmonary emboli in a patient with undiagnosed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A 29-year-old Hispanic man presented to our ED with a history of abdominal pain and vomiting for 3 days and new onset of shortness of breath. The patient was seen 2 weeks prior for a simple abscess incision and drainage and was treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. On the day of admission, a helical computed tomography scan of the chest was obtained, which revealed bilateral septic pulmonary emboli. The patient was admitted for intravenous antibiotic therapy and was subsequently found to have MRSA sepsis. Conclusion: Septic pulmonary embolus is a rare finding that is most commonly seen in patients who are immunocompromised. The patient fully recovered after aggressive antibiotic therapy.
Nonperturbative electromagnetic lepton-pair production in peripheral relativistic heavy-ion collisions

We discuss a nonperturbative treatment of lepton-pair production caused by the strong and sharply pulsed electromagnetic fields generated in peripheral relativistic heavy-ion collisions with an emphasis on the capture process into the atomic {ital K} shell. We calculate, in a field-theoretical framework, impact-parameter-dependent probabilities and cross sections for such processes by solving the time-dependent Dirac equation on a three-dimensional Cartesian lattice using the basis-spline collocation method. We give a full discussion of the stationary states used in computing {ital S}-matrix elements. Use of the axial gauge for the electromagnetic potentials produces an interaction easier to implement on the lattice than the Lorentz gauge. Preliminary calculations are given for muon-pair production with capture into the {ital K} shell in collisions of {sup 197}Au+{sup 197}Au at collider energies per nucleon of 2 and 100 GeV.
Distortion of atomic states by time-dependent electric fields. II. Coupling to the continuum.

The previously derived approximation for an atom in time-dependent electric fields [P. Krsti\ifmmode \acute{c}\else \'{c}\fi{} and Y. Hahn, Phys. Rev. A 48, 4515 (1993)] is improved for electric pulses of both short and long duration. The transitions that involve a distorted continuum are studied in detail, and the phenomenon of momentum coherence is shown to greatly enhance the transition amplitudes. A detailed comparison with the recent experiment of Jones, You, and Bucksbaum [Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 1236 (1993)] is presented, where a half-cycle high-power laser pulse was used to ionize Rydberg atoms.
A LINEAR ESTIMATION PROCEDURE FOR THE PARAMETERS OF AUTOREGRESSIVE MOVING-AVERAGE PROCESSES

. A linear estimation procedure for the parameters of autoregressive moving-average processes is proposed. The basic idea is to write the spectrum for the moving-average part as a linear function of a properly selected set of parameters and to use Chiu's weighted least-squares procedure to reduce the problem to a weighted linear least-squares problem. The proposed procedure finds estimates by solving systems of linear equations and does not need optimization programs. An one-step estimate is also suggested. It is shown that the estimates are asymptotically equal to the commonly used ‘approximate’ maximum likelihood estimate described in the paper. For Gaussian processes, the estimates obtained by the proposed procedures are asymptotically efficient.
Clustering and neural networks to categorize cotton trash

Cotton is currently graded on its color, leaf, and preparation. Individual component measurements for color and trash are currently reported along with the cotton grades. The cotton industry now requires a method to identify all types of trash in a sample. An image processing system, a test of feature invariance, and two preliminary pattern classification methods used to identify the types of trash in cotton samples are presented. In one approach, the classical grouping performed uses divisive hierarchical clustering based on a normalizecj Euclidian distance metric. Clustering classified 568 trash objects in the training data set with 92% accuracy into bark, stick, and leaf/pepper categories. An area cutoff in the pepper-leaf continuum could handle a separation between leaf and pepper. In the second approach, neural networks minimize identification error in a training data set. Using 75% of a 562 object data set for training, neural networks classified the remaining 134 trash objects into bark versus nonbark categories with a 99.3% accuracy (one piece of bark misidentified). Another network further classifies the nonbark objects into either stick or a combined leaf/pepper category with 96.4% accuracy. Combining both networks gives an accuracy of 96.3%.
Supply chain outsourcing under exchange rate risk and competition

Abstract This paper studies the impacts of foreign exchange risk and competition intensity on supply chain companies who are involved in offshore-outsourcing activities. In particular, we develop a variational inequality model that considers firms' decision-making regarding pricing, offshore outsourcing, transportation, and in-house production under competition and foreign exchange uncertainty. We also use a series of simulation examples to answer questions regarding outsourcing and pricing strategies of supply chain firms with different risk attitudes, and explore numerically their associated profits and incurred risks.
A randomized comparative trial of the efficacy and safety of exercise during pregnancy: design and methods.

Abstract Use of an exercise intervention for high-risk and vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women at risk for gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, requires special consideration. A comparative trial testing the effects of two types of physical exercises – stretching (a comparator) and walking (a testing intervention) – for sedentary pregnant women at risk for preeclampsia — is presented in this paper. The study was designed to reduce post-randomization bias and dropout rates from both groups, and closely to monitor safety of subjects. The strengths of the study design and methods include use of a run-in phase; use of a stretching exercise as a comparator; multiple ways to measure daily physical activities and the exercise intervention; and tailored support to remove barriers to exercise for subjects. The intervention consists of 40 min of walking at moderate intensity (i.e., 55–69% of maximum heart rate and rating of perceived exhaustion 12–13) five times a week from 18 weeks gestation until birth. The comparator exercise consists of 40 min of stretching exercise without increasing heart rate to more than 10% of resting heart rate, five times a week from 18 weeks gestation until birth. The primary outcome is the incidence of preeclampsia. Secondary outcomes include the physiologic effects of the intervention and birth outcomes.
Neuregulin Mediates F-actin-driven Cell Migration through Inhibition of Protein Kinase D1 via Rac1 Protein

Neuregulin (NRG; heregulin) is overexpressed in ∼30% of breast cancers and mediates various processes involved in tumor progression, including tumor cell migration and invasion. Here, we show that NRG mediates its effects on tumor cell migration via PKD1. Downstream of RhoA, PKD1 can prevent directed cell migration through phosphorylation of its substrate SSH1L. NRG exerts its inhibitory effects on PKD1 through Rac1/NADPH oxidase, leading to decreased PKD1 activation loop phosphorylation and decreased activity toward SSH1L. The consequence of PKD1 inhibition by NRG is decreased binding of 14-3-3 to SSH1L, localization of SSH1L to F-actin at the leading edge, and increased cofilin activity, resulting in increased reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and cell motility. Our data provide a mechanism through which the Rho GTPase Rac1 cross-talks with PKD1 signaling pathways to facilitate directed cell migration.
Optical imaging techniques for point-of-care diagnostics

Improving access to effective and affordable healthcare has long been a global endeavor. In this quest, the development of cost-effective and easy-to-use medical testing equipment that enables rapid and accurate diagnosis is essential to reduce the time and costs associated with healthcare services. To this end, point-of-care (POC) diagnostics plays a crucial role in healthcare delivery in both developed and developing countries by bringing medical testing to patients, or to sites near patients. As the diagnosis of a wide range of diseases, including various types of cancers and many endemics, relies on optical techniques, numerous compact and cost-effective optical imaging platforms have been developed in recent years for use at the POC. Here, we review the state-of-the-art optical imaging techniques that can have a significant impact on global health by facilitating effective and affordable POC diagnostics.
Macrocyclization Overrides the Polymer Effect in the Stabilization of Liquid Crystalline (LC) Phases with a Novel Odd−Even Alternation. A Demonstration with LC Crown Ethers

The synthesis and characterization of a novel series of crown ethers based on triethylene glycol (3EO) and the conformationally flexible 1-(4-hydroxy-4‘-biphenylyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butane (TPB), i.e. TPB-(c)3EO(z) (where c stands for cyclic and z = 1−10 is the degree of polymerization (DP) of the cyclic compound), and of the corresponding linear polymer, TPB-(l)3EO (where l stands for linear), are described. The cyclic monomer, the cyclic trimer, the mixture of high molecular weight cyclics, and the linear polymer are amorphous. The cyclic tetramer to decamer display an enantiotropic nematic phase. The isotropization temperatures and the associated entropy and enthalpy changes of these cyclics increase in an odd−even dependence with DP. This unprecedented odd−even effect is determined by the anti and, respectively, gauche conformations of TPB in the supramolecular quasi-rigid rods obtained from collapsed macrocyclics in their nematic phase and contrasts with the continuous increase of the same paramete...
Volatile Substance Misuse: An Updated Review of Toxicity and Treatment

Educational campaigns and legislative actions may have led to an overall decrease in the prevalence of volatile substance misuse (VSM) in many countries; however, it is still a common practice throughout the world. Studies currently suggest that girls are misusing volatile substances more than before and at a prevalence rate equal to or exceeding that of boys in several countries. Products that may be misused are ubiquitous and relatively easy to acquire. The most commonly misused substances in recent studies are fuels such as butane or petrol and compressed gas dusters and deodorants that may contain fluorocarbons and/or butane. Detection of VSM is challenging, therefore physicians must maintain a high level of suspicion based on history and clinical presentation. Clues to misuse are often subtle and may include the patient's proximity to a volatile substance or paraphernalia when found intoxicated, dermal burns, blisters, pigments, or rashes, and chemical odors. The primary targets of toxicity are the brain and the heart. The leading cause of death from VSM is from ventricular dysrhythmias. Treatment of toxicity begins with support of airway, breathing, and circulation. Exogenous catecholamines should be avoided if possible due to the theoretical “sensitized” and irritable myocardium. In the case of ventricular dysrhythmias, direct current defibrillation and/or beta-adrenergic receptor antagonism should be used. New evidence demonstrates the addictive potential of VSM yet effective therapy remains uncertain. Further research is needed in developing methods for preventing, detecting, and treating the harmful effects of VSM.
APPLICATION OF THE FOLDY-LAX MULTIPLE SCATTERING METHOD TO THE ANALYSIS OF VIAS IN BALL GRID ARRAYS AND INTERIOR LAYERS OF PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS

The authors applied the method of Foldy-Lax multiple scattering equations to multiple vias in ball grid arrays and the interior layers of printed circuit boards. The method gives the scattering param- eters of the array. The results are verified with Ansoft's HFSS with very little difference between the Foldy-Lax approach and the HFSS results.
A revision of the neotropical beetle genus Isanopus Sharp, 1876 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini)

The xanthopygine staphylinid genus Isanopus Sharp, 1876 is revised. Three species are described as new, I. ashei sp. n. from Costa Rica and Panama, I. eptaskouros sp. n. from Peru, and I. hinojosai sp. n. from Costa Rica and Panama. A lectotype is designated for I. sahlbergi Bernhauer, 1917. Distribution maps, a key and illustrations of structural features are provided for the identification of species. Phylogenetic analysis of six ingroup and two outgroup taxa based on 19 characters produced a single most parsimonious tree (tree length = 24, CI = 1.0). The monophyly of Isanopus is supported by high bootstrap and Bremer support values.
A Phase Filter Applied to Spectral Phonocardiography

Spectral phonocardiography is the name applied to the process of analyzing heart sounds to provide a frequency-amplitude-time display. A segment of heart sound is recorded on a magnetic medium and then repeatedly analyzed by a heterodyne filter system. Because the bandwidth of a conventional filter determines both the frequency and the time resolution, a difficulty arises in that the selection of a wideband filter to obtain adequate time resolution leads to a poor frequency resolution and vice-versa. By using the fact that the phase-frequency characteristic of a filter is changing at resonance whereas its amplitude response is not, it is possible to obtain both good time and frequency resolution at the expense of amplitude information. This paper describes the application of this principle to the design of a phase filter and shows that it produces an analysis having some of the features of the sense of hearing. The design, construction, and operation of the phase filter for this application are described. Included are several sets of sonograms comparing results obtained with the conventional filter and with the phase filter. Suggested changes that could be incorporated in subsequent models are discussed.
Interaction among preschoolers with and without disabilities : Effects of across-the-day peer intervention

We examined the effects of a peer-mediated intervention package that taught typically developing children to be more aware of communicative attempts of classmates with disabilities, to use a small ...
Does hunger and satiety drive eating anymore? Increasing eating occasions and decreasing time between eating occasions in the United States

Background: The design of dietary, metabolic, and intervention studies should reflect the meal patterning of free-living individuals, but this design has not been systematically reviewed recently. Objective: Our objective was to examine meal-patterning trends [meals and snacks, termed eating occasions (EOs)] in a sample of US children and adults. Design: This was a nationally representative cross-sectional study of US data sets from 1977 to 1978, 1994 to 1998, and 2003 to 2006 in 28,404 children (2–18 y of age) and 36,846 adults (≥19 y of age). The main outcomes of interest included the number and size (energy/d) of meal and snack EOs, the composition (food or beverage) of each EO, and the time interval between each EO. Results: The number of EOs increased over the previous 30 y among all ages. For adults and children, the change in the number of EOs from 1977 to 2006 was greatest for those in the 75th and 90th percentiles, although the mean number increased across all percentiles. Energy intake, particularly from snacking, increased for both groups in all percentiles of the distribution. The time between EOs decreased by 1 h for adults and children (to 3.0 and 3.5 h in 2003–2006, respectively). Overwhelmingly, meals consisted of both food and beverages, but the percentage of snacking occasions that consisted of beverages only increased considerably among children. Conclusions: US children and adults are consuming foods more frequently throughout the day than they did 30 y ago. Researchers undertaking future clinical, preload, and related food studies need to consider these marked shifts as they attempt to design their research to fit the reality of the eating patterns of free-living individuals.
New adaptive IIR notch filter and its application to howling control in speakerphone system

A new second order IIR adaptive notch filter which has a faster convergence rate was developed to control howling in a speakerphone system. Simulation results obtained using real hybrid and acoustic transfer functions show an 8-14 dB howling margin enhancement with this new technique.
Cloud twin: native execution of android applications on the windows phone

To successfully compete in the software marketplace, modern mobile applications must run on multiple competing platforms, such as Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. Companies producing mobile applications spend substantial amounts of time, effort, and money to port applications across platforms. Creating individual program versions for different platforms further exacerbates the maintenance burden. This paper presents Cloud Twin, a novel approach to natively executing the functionality of a mobile application written for another platform. The functionality is accessed by means of dynamic cross-platform replay, in which the source application's execution in the cloud is mimicked natively on the target platform. The reference implementation of Cloud Twin natively emulates the behavior of Android applications on a Windows Phone. Specifically, Cloud Twin transmits, via web sockets, the UI actions performed on the Windows Phone to the cloud server, which then mimics the received actions on the Android emulator. The UI updates on the emulator are efficiently captured by means of Aspect Oriented Programming and sent back to be replayed on the Windows Phone. Our case studies with third-party applications indicate that the Cloud Twin approach can become a viable solution to the heterogeneity of the mobile application market.
Accuracy and sensitivity of residual DNA detection by QPCR is not predicted by target copy number

A major issue in the use of mammalian cell culture in biopharmaceutical manufacturing is the removal of process related impurities, such as residual host cell DNA, during the product purification process. To ensure that sufficient DNA removal is achieved during purification, it is essential to have an accurate and sensitive assay for host cell DNA. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) is widely used for this purpose; however, the extent to which the choice of QPCR gene target can have an impact on final results requires further understanding. In the present study, we examined the relationship between the genomic copy number of eight different Chinese Hamster ovary (CHO) gene targets and the sensitivity and accuracy afforded by those targets in a residual host cell DNA QPCR assay. We also evaluated the use of each gene target for accurate measurement of residual DNA clearance using in-process purification samples from two CHO production cell lines. Our results revealed a correlation between gene target abundance and the potential sensitivity for use in a QPCR assay. However, we found that higher copy number gene targets do not provide the highest measurement or reveal the largest clearance of residual host cell DNA from purification samples. These findings suggest that different DNA sequences may clear or degrade at differential rates and highlight unexpected considerations that must be made in the choice of QPCR gene target when designing QPCR assays.
Technological Considerations in Emergency Instrument Preparedness

The types of emergency instrumentation systems necessary to characterize the severity and extent of radiation accidents and to aid in the protection of operating personnel and personnel living near the plant are discussed. These include instruments for direct measurement of the airborne radioactive material within the facility, fixed instrumentation for ambient dose rate monitoring or area monitoring, and portable instruments for environmental monitoring. (WHK)
Substituent effects on rates of rhodium-catalyzed allene cyclopropanation

Abstract Rates of cyclopropanation for mono- and disubstituted allenes have been measured relative to standard substrates in reaction with aryldiazoacetate esters catalyzed by Rh2(S-DOSP)4. Phenylallene derivatives exhibited a linear correlation of rate with σ+ coefficients, indicating a resonance-based effect, though the magnitude of the effect for allenes is less than that reported for other cyclopropanations. Relative reaction rates for aliphatic allenes were found to be similar to those for aryl-substituted allenes, but silicon substitution was found to give a 5- to 14-fold rate increase. The rate enhancement effect for 1-silyl allenes can partially make up for loss of rate and regioselectivity, with 1-trimethylsilyl-1,2-butadiene exhibiting high levels of enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity in reaction with the chiral catalyst.