cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CONRO: Towards Deployable Robots with Inter-Robots Metamorphic Capabilities

Metamorphic robots are modular robots that can reconfigure their shape. Such capability is desirable in tasks such as earthquake search and rescue and battlefield surveillance and scouting, where robots must go through unexpected situations and obstacles and perform tasks that are difficult for fixed-shape robots. The capabilities of the robots are determined by the design specification of their modules. In this paper, we present the design specification of a CONRO module, a small, self-sufficient and relatively homogeneous module that can be connected to other modules to form complex robots. These robots have not only the capability of changing their shape (intra-robot metamorphing) but also can split into smaller robots or merge with other robots to create a single larger robot (inter-robot metamorphing), i.e., CONRO robots can alter their shape and their size. Thus, heterogeneous robot teams can be built with homogeneous components. Furthermore, the CONRO robots can separate the reconfiguration stage from the locomotion stage, allowing the selection of configuration-dependent gaits. The locomotion and automatic inter-module docking capabilities of such robots were tested using tethered prototypes that can be reconfigured manually. We conclude the paper discussing the future work needed to fully realize the construction of these robots.
Nonideal equilibrium dissolution of trichloroethene from a decane-based nonaqueous phase liquid mixture: Experimental and modeling investigation

[1] Batch equilibrium solubility studies were conducted to examine the solubilization behavior of a chlorinated solvent, trichloroethene (TCE), from a fuel-based nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) mixture. An alkane (n–decane) was used as a model compound because it is often a primary compound in jet fuel. The NAPL phase mole fractions of the chlorinated solvent in the mixture (XTCEN) that were investigated are typical of in situ values found at industrial and military waste sites (0.0001 ≥ XTCEN ≤ 0.1). The measured aqueous concentrations of TCE were essentially equal to the concentrations predicted with ideal dissolution theory (Raoult's law) at XTCEN values near 0.1. However, the ratio of the measured concentration to the ideal concentration, or the NAPL phase activity coefficient (γNTCE), increased nonlinearly as the XTCEN decreased. The γTCEN approached 6 at XTCEN = 0.0001. The UNIFAC method greatly underpredicts the γTCEN in this surrogate fuel. A NAPL-mixture equilibrium-dissolution model was developed that incorporates the observed nonideal dissolution. This model indicates that nonideal NAPL dissolution is 4 times faster than ideal dissolution for a hypothetical NAPL mixture with an initial XTCEN = 0.001. The magnitude of this effect becomes more important as the initial value of the XTCEN is decreased.
The Legibility of Literacy in Composition's Great Debate: Revisiting "Romantics on Writing" and the History of Composition

This essay revisits two proposals for the abolition of compulsory freshman English: Thomas Lounsbury’s “Compulsory Composition in Colleges” in 1911 and Oscar James Campbell’s “The Failure of Freshman English” in 1939. It demonstrates how the New Literacy Studies provides a generative theoretical perspective from which to make more visible the assumptions, definitions, and attitudes about literacy that perpetuate the compulsory composition debate.
Assessing Online Collaborative Discourse

Purpose This qualitative study using transcript analysis was undertaken to clarify the value of Harasim's Online Collaborative Learning Theory as a way to assess the collaborative process within nursing education. The theory incorporated three phases: (a) idea generating; (b) idea organizing; and (c) intellectual convergence. Method The transcripts of asynchronous discussions from a 2-week module about disaster nursing using a virtual community were analyzed and formed the data for this study. Findings This study supports the use of Online Collaborative Learning Theory as a framework for assessing online collaborative discourse. Individual or group outcomes were required for the students to move through all three phases of the theory. Discussion/Conclusion The phases of the Online Collaborative Learning Theory could be used to evaluate the student's ability to collaborate. It is recommended that group process skills, which have more to do with interpersonal skills, be evaluated separately from collaborative learning, which has more to do with cognitive skills. Both are required for practicing nurses. When evaluated separately, the student learning needs are more clearly delineated.
Estimation, prediction and the Stein phenomenon under divergence loss

We consider two problems: (1) estimate a normal mean under a general divergence loss introduced in [S. Amari, Differential geometry of curved exponential families - curvatures and information loss, Ann. Statist. 10 (1982) 357-387] and [N. Cressie, T.R.C. Read, Multinomial goodness-of-fit tests, J. Roy. Statist. Soc. Ser. B. 46 (1984) 440-464] and (2) find a predictive density of a new observation drawn independently of observations sampled from a normal distribution with the same mean but possibly with a different variance under the same loss. The general divergence loss includes as special cases both the Kullback-Leibler and Bhattacharyya-Hellinger losses. The sample mean, which is a Bayes estimator of the population mean under this loss and the improper uniform prior, is shown to be minimax in any arbitrary dimension. A counterpart of this result for predictive density is also proved in any arbitrary dimension. The admissibility of these rules holds in one dimension, and we conjecture that the result is true in two dimensions as well. However, the general Baranchick [A.J. Baranchick, a family of minimax estimators of the mean of a multivariate normal distribution, Ann. Math. Statist. 41 (1970) 642-645] class of estimators, which includes the James-Stein estimator and the Strawderman [W.E. Strawderman, Proper Bayes minimax estimators of the multivariate normal mean, Ann. Math. Statist. 42 (1971) 385-388] class of estimators, dominates the sample mean in three or higher dimensions for the estimation problem. An analogous class of predictive densities is defined and any member of this class is shown to dominate the predictive density corresponding to a uniform prior in three or higher dimensions. For the prediction problem, in the special case of Kullback-Leibler loss, our results complement to a certain extent some of the recent important work of Komaki [F. Komaki, A shrinkage predictive distribution for multivariate normal observations, Biometrika 88 (2001) 859-864] and George, Liang and Xu [E.I. George, F. Liang, X. Xu, Improved minimax predictive densities under Kullbak-Leibler loss, Ann. Statist. 34 (2006) 78-92]. While our proposed approach produces a general class of predictive densities (not necessarily Bayes, but not excluding Bayes predictors) dominating the predictive density under a uniform prior. We show also that various modifications of the James-Stein estimator continue to dominate the sample mean, and by the duality of estimation and predictive density results which we will show, similar results continue to hold for the prediction problem as well.
alpha6 integrin cleavage: sensitizing human prostate cancer to ionizing radiation.

Purpose: The goal was to determine if prostate tumor cells containing a mutant α6 integrin would be defective in tumor re-population following clinically relevant fractionated ionizing radiation (IR) treatments.Material and methods: Human prostate cancer cells derived from PC3N cells were used which conditionally expressed a cleavable, wild type form of α6 integrin (PC3N-α6-WT) or a mutated non-cleavable form of α6 integrin (PC3N-α6-RR). The resulting tumor growth before, during and after fractionated doses of IR (3 Gy×10 days) was analyzed using the endpoints of tumor growth inhibition (T/C), tumor growth delay (T-C), tumor doubling time (Td) and tumor cell kill (Log10 cell kill).Results: The T/C values were 36.1% and 39.5%, the T-C values were 20.5 days and 28.5 days and the Td values were 5.5 and 10.5 days for the irradiated PC3N-α6-WT and PC3N-α6-RR cells, respectively. The Log10 was 1.1 for the PC3N-α6-WT cells and 0.8 for the PC3N-α6-RR cells. The tumor response to IR was altered in tumors expressin...
Transurethral laser prostatectomy using a right-angle laser delivery system

Transurethal laser prostatectomy, using a 600-(mu) laser quartz fiber capable of directing the laser energy at 90 degree(s), a neodymium: YAG laser, and conventional cystoscopic equipment was satisfactorily performed in dogs. Urinary continence was preserved. Preliminary studies suggested an optimum power setting of 60 W delivered for 60 seconds at four quadrants (12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions). In these animals, the technique provided a simple and safe procedure and did not require catheter drainage.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Development of a multibed sorption trap, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography, and time-of-flight mass spectrometry system for the analysis of volatile organic compounds in human breath.

A method for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at subtrace levels in breath samples based on a multibed sorption trap for the collection and concentration of VOCs, a comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatograph (GC×GC) for the separation of complex mixtures, and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer detector is designed and developed. The good performance of the trap tube device developed for the concentration together with the high sensitivity and separation power of the GC×GC results in a powerful system. In the analysis of samples, more than 100 different compounds are detected of which between 65 and 85 are clearly identified. A total of ∼250 different compounds are observed in all the samples evaluated of which 142 are identified. A preliminary study to evaluate breath biomarkers for active smoking is performed. The levels of previously described biomarkers are found to be strongly time-dependent with amounts found ∼1 h after smoking returning to the levels found in nonsmoking v...
The structure of threshold graphs

Manca has derived an efficient matrix method for testing a given graph to see whether or not it is a threshold graph.
Sexual functioning of women with complete spinal cord injury: Nursing implications

The Human Sexual Response Cycle and the neurological alteration in physiological sexual functioning of women following complete spinal cord injury is discussed. Nursing implications regarding current theoretical knowledge, its foundation in research and practical considerations for patient education is reviewed. Specific suggestions are also provided for the sexual concerns of birth control, lubrication issues, elimination problems, loss of motor and sensory control and changes in orgasmic function.
Surgical resident bedside rescue successes.

Objective Attempts at improvements in emergent bedside care of hospitalized patients is an ongoing process in many institutions. Recently, the development and role of rapid response teams has been well described in the literature. However, the role of surgical residents, who are typically not part of these “medical” teams, in emergent bedside care of patients, has not been well described in the literature. Surgical residents have been responsible for many bedside emergent “rescue successes,” in teaching hospitals. We present 11 instances of surgical resident bedside rescues over a 1-year period at Monmouth Medical Center as a means of emphasizing their critical role in reducing adverse events and even mortalities. Design These cases were presented at our Morbidity and Mortality conferences and involved only surgical residents performing various technical maneuvers. Setting Monmouth Medical Center. Participants The 11 cases are representative and do not include multiple central lines and do include 2 of many chest tube-related cases. There was no “failure to rescue case” that involved only the surgical residents. Results Surgical bedside rescues included: an emergent reintubation, 2 openings of neck incisions for expanding hematomas, replacement of a dislodged tracheostomy tube, rigid sigmoidoscopy for rectal bleeding, bronchoscopy for hemoptysis, control of a permacatheter bleed, control of a ruptured femoral-femoral crossover bypass, control of a bleeding tracheoinominate fistula, and emergent placement of chest tubes. Conclusions Surgical residents possess bedside procedural skills beyond those of nonsurgical health care workers and rapid response members. These lifesaving skills are needed to reduce adverse events and even prevent mortalities in hospitalized patients. Bleeding complications and invasive procedures such as chest tube placement, venous cutdowns, and emergency endoscopy are situations where a surgical resident should be called first, in a teaching hospital.
Evidence for the production of extracellular herbivore deterrents by Anabaena flos‐aquae

SUMMARY. 1. Daphnia pulex grown in the cell-free filtrate of a log phase culture of Anabaena flos-aquae showed lower fitness as measured by filtering rate, survivorship and reproduction than did individuals in a control treatment. This suggests that the extracellular metabolites of some algae may have considerable adaptive value as a herbivore deterrent. 2. Heating of the cell-free filtrate neutralized the inhibitory effect on filtering rate, but increased the depression of reproduetive rate. This suggests the presence of a variety of bioactive compounds which may inhibit specific herbivore functions.
Targeted pre-operative autologous blood donation: a prospective study of two thousand and three hundred and fifty total hip arthroplasties.

Purpose Pre-operative donation of autologous blood has been widely used in elective joint replacement procedures to avoid the risks of allogeneic blood transfusions. However, the high percentage of wasted autologous blood questions the general efficacy of pre-operative autologous blood donation (PABD) for all patients undergoing hip replacement. This study prospectively investigates the impact of a targeted pre-operative autologous blood donation protocol for anaemic patients on allogeneic and overall transfusion rates in 2,350 unilateral primary total hip arthroplasty procedures.
Practical comparison of phase diversity to interferometry in measuring the aberrations in an adaptive optics system

Any adaptive optics system must be calibrated with respect to internal aberrations in order for it to properly correct the starlight before it enters the science camera. Typical internal calibration consists of using a point source stimulus at the input to the AO system and recording the wavefront at the output. Two methods for such calibration have been implemented on the adaptive optics system at Lick Observatory. The first technique, Phase Diversity, consists of taking out of focus images with the science camera and using an iterative algorithm to estimate the system wavefront. A second technique sues a newly installed instrument, the Phase-Shifting Diffraction Interferometer, which has the promise of providing very high accuracy wavefront measurements. During observing campaigns in 1998, both of these methods were used for initial calibrations. In this paper we present results and compare the two methods in regard to accuracy and their practical aspects.
The Entwined Spaces of ‘Race’, Sex and Gender

The following papers explore how the racial and the sexual are often experienced spatially. While geographers can be said to occupy themselves thoughtfully in consideration of places in space, the ...
Comanche (RAH-66) crew station display system

The current RAH-66 Comanche Scout/Attack Helicopter in development for the U.S. Army uses an advanced Controls and Displays architecture coupled to an all glass cockpit. Advanced Mission Computers (MCs) drive state of the art crew station displays. This combination provides unmatched targeting capability while reducing the pilot's and copilot's workload.
A model of self-motion estimation within primate extrastriate visual cortex.

Perrone [(1992) Journal of the Optical Society of America A, 9, 177–194) recently proposed a template-based model of self-motion estimation which uses direction- and speed-tuned input sensors similar to neurons in area MT of primate visual cortex. Such an approach would generally require an unrealistically large number of templates (five continuous dimensions). However, because primates, including humans, have a number of oculomotor mechanisms which stabilize gaze during locomotion, we can greatly reduce the number of templates required (two continuous dimensions and one compressed and bounded dimension). We therefore refined the model to deal with the gaze-stabilization case and extended it to extract heading and relative depth simultaneously. The new model is consistent with previous human psychophysics and has the emergent property that its output detectors have similar response properties to neurons in area MST.
An experimental study on the effect of temperature and melt composition on the partitioning of nickel between olivine and silicate melt

Abstract Experiments in the simple system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-Na2O-FeO were carried out to investigate the control of temperature and melt composition on the partitioning of nickel between olivine and silicate melt ( D oliv/liq Ni ). Eleven experiments determine the influence of changing forsterite (Fo) content on D oliv/liq Ni in this simple system. The equation of Hart and Davis (1978) that accounts for the variation of D oliv/liq Ni in terms of MgO content of the silicate liquid is tested using experimental data from ironbearing simple and natural systems and found to be inadequate to explain the observed variation of D oliv/liq Ni ( ±39% relative average error of prediction). Two different equations are formulated to describe the partitioning behavior of Ni between olivine and silicate melt. The first is similar to that of Hart and Davis (1978) and uses an expression for Ni-Mg exchange between olivine and silicate melt. The second uses an expression for the Ni-olivine formation reaction. The Ni-Mg exchange equation for D oliv/liq Ni depends on the forsterite content of the olivine and the mole fraction MgOliq, and predicts the experimentally determined values within ±13% relative average error. The Ni-olivine formation reaction equation for D oliv/liq Ni depends on temperature, mole fraction SiOliq2, and melt compositional terms that arise from a symmetric, binary, Margules formulation of the activity coefficients for NiOliq and SiOliq2. This equation predicts the experimentally determined values within ±9% relative average error.
Functional Characterization of the jadI Gene As a Cyclase Forming Angucyclinones

A gene designated jadI from the jadomycin B producer Streptomyces venezuelae has homology to the tetracenomycin pathway tcmI gene and encodes a putative cyclase for angucyclinone biosynthesis. Expression in Streptomyces lividans of a jadomycin (jad) gene cassette composed of the minimal polyketide synthase (PKS, jadABC), a cyclase (jadD), a ketoreductase (jadE), and jadI leads to production of several yellow compounds in liquid culture. Rabelomycin (1), a known angucyclinone, results from dehydration and oxidation of a new product, UWM6, isolated from the culture extracts. Characterization of UWM6 by UV, MS, and NMR analyses revealed a new angucyclinone structure, 4-hydroxy-12bH-12-deoxyrabelomycin. Production of these angucyclinones occurs only when jadI is present in the cassette, suggesting an essential cyclase phenotype for this gene. Engineered replacement of jadI in the jad cassette with the tcmI cyclase gene, and similar replacement of tcmI in a functional tcm PKS cassette with jadI, leads to the s...
Ultraviolet A-induced Modulation of Bcl-XL by p38 MAPK in Human Keratinocytes: POST-TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION THROUGH THE 3′-UNTRANSLATED REGION *

We examined the effect of inhibiting p38 MAPK on UVA-irradiated HaCaT cells, a spontaneously immortalized human keratinocyte cell line. Recent work from our laboratory has shown that UVA (250 kJ/m2) induces a rapid phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in the HaCaT cell line. Inhibition of p38 MAPK activity through the use of a specific inhibitor, SB202190, in combination with UVA treatment induced a rapid cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-8, and caspase-3, whereas UVA irradiation alone had no effect. Similarly, cleavage of the caspase substrate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase was observed in UVA-irradiated HaCaT cells treated with SB202190 or in cells expressing a dominant-negative p38 MAPK. No effect of p38 MAPK inhibition upon caspase cleavage was observed in mock-irradiated HaCaT cells. In addition, increases in apoptosis were observed in UVA-irradiated cells treated with SB202190 by morphological analysis with no significant apoptosis occurring from UVA irradiation alone. Similar results were obtained by using normal human epidermal keratinocytes. UVA induced expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member, Bcl-XL, with abrogation of expression by using the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190. Overexpression of Bcl-XL prevented poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage induced by the combination of UVA and p38 MAPK inhibition. UVA enhanced the stability of Bcl-XL mRNA through increases in p38 MAPK activity. We determined that increases in UVA-induced expression of Bcl-XL occur through a posttranscriptional mechanism mediated by the 3′-untranslated region (UTR). We used Bcl-XL 3′-UTR luciferase constructs to determine the mechanism by which UVA increased Bcl-XL mRNA stability. Additionally, RNA binding studies indicate that UVA increases the binding of RNA-binding proteins to Bcl-XL 3′-UTR mRNA, which can be decreased by using SB202190. In conclusion, p38 MAPK and Bcl-XL expression play critical roles in the survival of UVA-irradiated HaCaT cells.
Pressure pulsations on a flat plate normal to an underexpanded supersonic jet

An experiment was devised to study the interaction between an underexpanded supersonic gas jet and a flat plate, with the plate located in a region in which the interaction produces shock wave and flow fluctuations. Nitrogen gas at ambient stagnation temperature flowed through a convergent nozzle with exit diameter of 2.03 cm and impinged on a square metal plate normal to the jet. Results revealed local peak pressure fluctuations on the plate at nozzle pressure ratios of about 2 and 4.5, with the latter case producing fluctuations of the same order as the mean pressure on the plate; the frequency of the oscillations was as large as 20 kHz. For choked jet flow at ambient pressure higher than atmospheric, the pressure fluctuations would increase accordingly, and adjacent solid structures would therefore be subjected to proportionately higher normal stresses.
Ring-Opening Metathesis of a Cyclic Imine

Pyrroline, a five-membered cyclic imine, undergoes ring-opening metathesis with alkylidene complexes of the class Mo(CHR‘)(NAr)(OR)2 (Ar = 2,6 diisopropylphenyl; R = CMe3, CMe2(CF3), CMe(CF3)2; R‘ = CMe3, CPhMe2). An intermediate pyrroline-bound complex was isolated and characterized crystallographically for the R = CMe2(CF3) derivative. This adduct, Mo(CHBut)(NAr)[OCMe2(CF3)]2[pyrroline], transforms to the mixed bis(imide) product, Mo(NCH2CH2CH2CHCHBut)(NAr)[OMe2(CF3)]2, with a first-order rate constant of 1.4 × 10-2 min-1 at 55 °C. The reaction of the R = CMe3 derivative produces not only the ring-opened product but also a byproduct, Mo[CH(CMe2Ph)(C4H8N)](O)(NAr)(OBut).
Minimizing HEV fuel consumption using model predictive control

This paper studies the minimization of the fuel consumption of hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) using model predictive control (MPC) method. The presented MPC-based controller calculates an optimal sequence of control inputs to the vehicle plant over the receding prediction horizon based on the torque demand estimated from the desired vehicle speed and the desired state of charge (SOC) of the battery. The controller is implemented in Simulink using Matlab model predictive control toolbox. The effectiveness of the MPC-based controller is validated by the 2004 Toyota Prius, a power-split HEV. The simulation result presents sound transient response performance and the ability to remain the SOC within a reasonable range.
Freedom, Values and Sen: Towards a Morally Enriched Classical Economic Theory

Rationality is interpreted here, broadly, as the discipline of subjecting one's choices—of actions as well as of objectives, values and priorities—to reasoned scrutiny. Rather than defining rationa...
Nimodipine accelerates recovery from the hyperemotionality produced by septal lesions.

Rats with large electrolytic lesions of the septal area were given the calcium channel antagonist nimodipine (70 μg/kg, ip) or its vehicle on uhe day of surgery and for 3 subsequent days. They were tested for emotionality and compared to control rats for 10 days beginning on the third day after surgery. Forty days after surgery all animals were trained in a two-way active avoidance task for 120 trials. Nimodipine reduced the hyperemotionality found after septal lesions as early as the first test day, and increased the rate of recovery toward control levels on subsequent days. Both septal-lesion groups exhibited more avoidance responses than controls, even though the intertrial crossings were enhanced only in rats with septal lesions that did not receive nimodipine.
Does method of surgeon payment affect surgical care

Abstract The method of surgeon payment influences several important aspects of surgical care. The preoperative processes of laboratory tests and radiographic procedures were performed more frequently and less selectively by salaried surgeons without any corresponding improvement in outcome. Socioeconomic factors and difference in severity of disease accounted for most of the variations in outcome, but in appendicitis there was a trend for fee-for-service surgeons to undertake earlier operation resulting in fewer secondary complications. Although the patient-physician relationship was least developed by salaried surgeons, this was not reflected in any less knowledge of the procedure by the patient or dissatisfaction with surgical care. Operative workloads were highest for surgeons receiving salary plus percentage in fee-for-service group practice.
A POSITIVIST ROUTE FOR EXPLAINING HOW FACTS MAKE LAW

In “How Facts Make Law” and other recent work, Mark Greenberg argues that legal positivists cannot develop a viable constitutive account of law that meets what he calls the “the rational-relation requirement.” He argues that this gives us reason to reject positivism in favor of antipositivism. In this paper, I argue that Greenberg is wrong: positivists can in fact develop a viable constitutive account of law that meets the rational-relation requirement. I make this argument in two stages. First, I offer an account of the rational-relation requirement. Second, I put forward a viable positivist account of law that I argue meets this requirement. The account that I propose is a version of Scott Shapiro's Planning Theory of Law. The version of Shapiro's account that I propose combines (1) the account of concepts and conceptual analysis put forward by David Chalmers and Frank Jackson with (2) the account of the concept legal institution (and its conceptual connections to the concept legal norm) that we get from a certain reading of Shapiro's Planning Theory. In addition to providing a compelling response to Greenberg's argument in “How Facts Make Law,” I argue that the explanation for why my response to Greenberg works underscores one of the central problems facing legal antipositivism: namely, its lack of a convincing account of the nature of legal institutions.
Self-help dieting strategies in college males and females

The present study sought to determine the self-help dieting strategies used by college men and women. There were 204 adults (102 males, 102 females) asked (1) the degree of importance placed on achieving and maintaining their ideal weight, (2) the reasons (i. e., health, appearance, or psychological) for dieting, and (3) the specific types of food restriction and physical activity methods used. Results indicated that females were much more likely to have actively dieted during the past 6 months and were more likely to see a discrepancy between their real and ideal weight. Furthermore, females placed a much higher importance on the appearance benefits of maintaining an ideal weight. Females were much more likely to engage in physical activity strategies (both appropriate and inappropriate) primarily for weight reduction than males. Similarly, females were much more likely to engage in both dangerous and safe food restriction strategies than males. The results are discussed, and implications for future research are offered.
Inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis in granular cells by actinomycin-D and puromycin.

The effects of actinomycin-D and puromycin on RNA and protein synthesis were studied in newborn rat epidermis. These antibiotics inhibited RNA and protein synthesis and resulted in ultrastructural changes of keratohyalin granules and of other granular cell constituents: Actinomycin-D produced "Medusa bead-like" keratohyalin granules and puromycin prevented enlargement of keratohyalin granules by interfering with the insertion of tonofibrils and the addition of dense deposits. This work suggests that the dense deposits observed on keratohyalin granules may originate in the nucleus.
Consistency of credit evaluations at agricultural banks

Commercial banks are using more comprehensive and formal methods to evaluate agricultural producers. This study reports the characteristics and performance of 87 credit scoring models currently in use by lenders. True product—moment and rank correlations are used to measure consistency among the models. The results of this studs underscore the continuing lack of a uniform model or models for lenders to use in evaluating the creditworthiness of agricultural borrowers. The relatively high disparity among the systems now in place suggest informational deficiencies in this aspect of rural credit markets, and the need for further interchange among lenders, borrowers and analysts about the properties of credit scoring models. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Factor rotation in interactive BASIC

An interactive BASIC computer program is presented to accomplish the quartimax and normalized varimax rotation of a factor loading matrix. The program is designed for use with small computers, allowing easier access and less expensive operation than is usually associated with "batch" processing and large computers. A recent paper by Schmitt (1977) includes a BASIC computer program that quickly completes a factor analysis (centroid method) but is dependent on "canned" programs and large computers to rotate the resulting factor matrix to a more meaningful "simple structure." We needed a rotation program to take advantage of BASIC's easier access for laboratory use and to allow individuals with minimum computer expertise to utilize and explore this method of data analysis. The program follows the general logic of Kaiser (1959). The technique suggested by Harmon (1976) has been substituted for calculating the proper angle of rotation. Although normalized varimax and quartimax are presented in this paper, computational methods for all orthogonal rotations are similar, and the program can be modified with other methods not yet as popular, such as equimax and biquartimax. Input, Output, and Umitations. The program was written on a PDP-ll/45 Digital Equipment Corporation timeshare system and requires 15K of main memory with the present dimension statements. Adapting the program to run on other machines should not be a problem, since the only departure from common BASIC is the exclusion of "LET" in the assignment statements. Input to the program is a factor loading matrix; it is facilitated by a routine that allows the user to correct errors made during data entry, and it checks to make sure that all entries are less than one. In its present form, the program handles up to 70 variables and 30 factors, although it may be altered to meet specific needs, since the dimensions are interdependent. The convergence criterion is set at .001, and in the event of nonconvergence, the rotation of factors ceases after the 20th iteration. Output includes the rotated factor loadings, communalities, and the variance explained by each factor. Availability. A program listing and sample input and output can be obtained at no charge by writing William A. Frederickson, Department of Psychology, Central State University, 100 North University, Edmond, Oklahoma 73034.
Influence of Inherent Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus on the Cariostatic Properties of NaH2PO4 in the Rat

The addition of NaH 2PO4 to diets that contained 0.3 and 0.6% calcium and phosphorus resulted in a significant increase in weight gain and a significant cariostatic effect, regardless of the amount of inherent dietary Ca and P. The degree of efficacy increased with larger concentrations of inherent dietary Ca and P.
A model for non-linear viscoelastic axial response of an elastomeric bushing

An elastomeric bushing is a device used in automotive suspension systems to cushion the loads transmitted from the wheel to the frame of the vehicle. A bushing is essentially an elastomeric hollow cylinder which is bonded to a solid metal shaft at its inner surface and a metal sleeve at its outer surface. The shaft is connected to the suspension and the sleeve is connected to the frame. The elastomeric cylinder provides the cushion when it deforms due to relative motion between the shaft and the sleeve. The relation between the force or moment applied to the shaft or sleeve and the relative displacements or rotations is nonlinear and exhibits features of viscoelasticity.
Abstract B10: Overcoming resistance to B-Raf targeting agents using LPD nanotechnology

Constitutively active mutant V600EB-RAF is present in 50% to 60% of sporadic melanomas and vemurafenib is a selective inactivating inhibitory drug. While the compound is initially effective in 80% patients, most of the patients eventually developed more invasive resistant disease. Unraveling the mechanisms leading to the development of vemurafenib resistance is key to developing better treatment strategies that can overcome the process and provide patients with more effective treatment options. Here we show that vemurafenib inhibits ERK activity to negatively regulate tumor suppressor Sprouty4 expression to increase Akt3 activity, leading to the development of drug-resistant melanomas. Combining vemurafenib with sigma receptor targeted LPD nanoparticle technology containing Akt3 siRNA and suppressor Sprouty4 plasmid simultaneously inhibit MAPK and Akt3, preventing resistant tumor development in xenografted mice. Our studies have identified a novel mechanism leading to the development of resistant melanoma following vemurafenib treatment and development of a novel melanoma cell targeting nanotechnology-based therapeutic agent for combating the development of resistance.
Correlations between element concentrations in spruce foliage and forest soils

Abstract The relationships between foliage element concentrations in red spruce and soil chemical properties were studied to determine if standard soil measurements of individual elements in soils were well correlated with the concentrations of these elements in foliage. Significant positive correlations between O horizon and foliage concentrations existed only for K, Mn and P. Significant negative correlations between the concentrations of the major divalent cations (i.e. Ca, Mg, Mn) and K in the foliage were found suggesting a possible antagonism between the mono‐ and divalent cations for uptake from the soil. Trees with the highest foliage concentrations of Ca also were determined to be growing on soils which were producing the best growth rates. Foliage concentrations of P, and to a lesser extent K and Mg, were below values considered to be adequate for optimum growth in red spruce.
Influence of metals and metal speciation on the growth of filamentous bacteria

Abstract Calcium, copper, nickel and zinc were examined for their effect on the growth of axenic filamentous bacteria which included strains of Thiothrix , type 021N and type 1701. All organisms grew best at the upper range of calcium concentrations tested. Heavy metals were also less toxic to Thiothrix strain A1 at higher calcium concentrations. Copper was more inhibitory than either nickel or zinc and copper-nickel and copper-zinc mixtures appeared to act synergistically in suppressing the development of Thiothrix strain A1. In contrast, nickel toxicity could be reduced by the addition of zinc to the medium. Metal toxicity could also be diminished by the chelating agent, EDTA; therefore, free metal ions were most likely responsible for the observed toxic effects. A computer model, MINEQL, was used to predict metal speciation and to determine the potential for various media components to control speciation of the metals. The suitability of the computer model was determined by comparison of predicted and analyzed free metal ion concentrations.
Strategic activity and financial performance of U.S. rural hospitals: a national study, 1983 to 1988.

: This study examines the effect of 13 strategic management activities on the financial performance of a national sample of 797 U.S. rural hospitals during the period of 1983-1988. Controlled for environment-market, geographic-region, and hospital-related variables, the results show almost no measurable effect of strategic adoption on rural hospital profitability and liquidity. Where statistically significant relationships existed, they were more often negative than positive. These findings were not expected; it was hypothesized that positive effects across a broad range of strategies would emerge, other things being equal. Discussed are possible explanations for these findings as well as their implication for a rural health policy relying on individual rural hospital strategic adaptation to environmental change.
Optimization of UAV Heading for the Ground-to-Air Uplink

We consider a collection of single-antenna ground nodes communicating with a multi-antenna unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over a multiple-access ground-to-air communications link. The UAV uses beamforming to mitigate inter-user interference and achieve spatial division multiple access (SDMA). First, we consider a simple scenario with two static ground nodes and analytically investigate the effect of the UAV's heading on the system sum rate. We then study a more general setting with multiple mobile ground-based terminals, and develop an algorithm for dynamically adjusting the UAV heading to maximize the approximate ergodic sum rate of the uplink channel, using a prediction filter to track the positions of the mobile ground nodes. For the common scenario where a strong line-of-sight (LOS) channel exists between the ground nodes and UAV, we use an asymptotic analysis to find simplified versions of the algorithm for low and high SNR. We present simulation results that demonstrate the benefits of adapting the UAV heading in order to optimize the uplink communications performance. The simulation results also show that the simplified algorithms provide near-optimal performance.
Dosimetry of 24-MV x rays from a linear accelerator.

Dosimetric characteristics of a 24-MV photon beam produced by a Varian Clinac 2500 linear accelerator are presented. Particular attention is paid to measurements and applications relating to depth of maximum dose and scatter correction factors. New experimental methods were adopted to investigate scatter factors for field sizes ranging from 5 x 5 to 40 x 40 cm. For the largest field investigated, a 3% phantom scatter factor relative to a 10 x 10 cm field was determined. From the study, clinically useful scatter--phantom ratios were generated. The study also demonstrated that the estimated correction factors for scatter in a medium caused negligible changes (approx. =0.1%) on the percent depth-dose values derived from the measured tissue--phantom ratio (TPR) data. The paper also quantitatively compares results obtained for dosimetric parameters like scatter output, tissue--phantom ratio, and percent depth-dose with those obtained from similar machines used for radiotherapy. Measured data relating to these parameters are expressed by taking a reference depth of 8 g/cm/sup 2/ in a medium for normalization purposes and its importance discussed. Additional measurements presented in this work include beam quality and collimator effect on dose rate. Phantoms of various sizes and materials and a variety of detectors were usedmore » throughout the investigation.« less
NSF losing Earth sciences research funds

The Earth Sciences Division (EAR) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) faces a diminishing financial base from which to award grants for research, while the proposal pressure increases. Robin Brett, director of the division stated, ‘Now that the Ocean Drilling Division has become a separate entity [within the Foundation] the Division of Earth Sciences has no major facility, and with the exception of COCORP, at $2.8 million per year, we are a small science division, consisting of four programs—geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and petrology.’ Brett noted, however, that the field of earth sciences research, which the NSF attempts to support, has grown rapidly in the past decade. Growth (in terms of people employed in the field) is predicted to increase markedly, as the following quotation from Science and Engineering Education for the 1980s and Beyond (NSF publication, 1980) attests:
An Integrative Theoretical Model of Intimate Partner Violence, Coparenting After Separation, and Maternal and Child Well-Being

The quality of coparenting relationships after separation is known to affect mothers' and children's physical and mental health. It is well established that conflict is a common phenomenon among separating parents; however, studies rarely distinguish between relationships characterized by violence as opposed to conflict. Because violence creates a distinct separation and coparenting experience, we propose a theoretical model that integrates these disparate literatures. The integrated model provides a heuristic tool to guide future theory building, research, and practice.
Strategic responses to technological threats

Technological innovation can create new industries and transform or destroy existing ones. At any time, many businesses are confronted with a host of external technological threats. Managements of threatened firms realize that many threats may not materialize, at least in the short run. However, one or more of those potential threats may develop in ways that will have devastating impact. Providers of kerosene lamps, buggy whips, railroad passenger service, steam radiators, hardwood flooring, passenger liner service and motion pictures all have had to contend with such threats. Few environmental changes can have such important strategic implications. A typical sequence of events involving the traditional firm's responses to a technological threat begins with the origination of a technological innovation outside the industry, often pioneered by a new firm. Initially crude and expensive, it expands through successive submarkets, with overall growth following an
Characteristics of thunderstorm microbarograms

Each of 34 Friez microbarograph records of pressure variations associated with showers or thundershowers in the past five years near St. Louis has individuality, yet they indicate that there is an idealized thunderstorm microbarogram, which can be subdivided into five pressure stages. Each record exhibits at least one of the stages. Causes of the pressure changes are discussed.
Intralesional methotrexate treatment for keratoacanthoma tumors: a retrospective study and review of the literature.

Background Intralesional methotrexate (MTX) is an effective treatment for keratoacanthoma (KA). Objective We sought to systematically examine response rates and adverse events in KA treated with intralesional MTX. Methods All cases of KA treated with intralesional MTX at our institution from 1991 to 2006 were identified. A MEDLINE and PubMed search of cases of KA treated with intralesional MTX was also performed. Results In all, 38 cases of KA treated with intralesional MTX were identified: 18 from our institution and 20 from the literature. Intralesional MTX achieved resolution in 92%, requiring an average of 2.1 injections an average of 18 days apart. Adverse events were rare, with two reports of pancytopenia in patients with chronic renal failure. Limitations Use of single case reports, small series, and retrospective analysis are limitations. Conclusion Intralesional MTX is a useful nonsurgical therapy for the treatment of KA. Histologic diagnosis before initiation of treatment is preferred. A complete blood cell count at baseline and during treatment should be considered to monitor for potential cytopenia.
Benefits of modeling and simulation in implementing a shared component build strategy

The push for significantly more affordable Department of Defense programs in a limited budget environment has created a need to better understand the cost impacts of manufacturing decisions made during the early phases of system development. To reduce costs, Department of Defense programs are investigating the benefits of implementing a shared component build strategy. To implement this strategy, program managers need tools that will evaluate how their decision will affect the cost of the systems they are developing. This paper reports on the implementation of a shared component build strategy on two major missile system programs. A simulation model was developed to illustrate the impact of a shared build on the manufacturing system that would construct a component. The simulation models the production line of a common component for two major missile programs. The combination of the simulation and the corresponding user interface demonstrates the ease of experimenting with various manufacturing system architectures and highlights the benefits achieved by utilizing modeling and simulation. The results from this simulation showed that selecting an alternative manufacturing system architecture could result in a $3.04 million cost avoidance. These results support the theory that modeling and simulation is an invaluable decision-making tool that can support evaluation of a shared production build strategy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 6: 63–75, 2003
Factors affecting survival for floor-of-mouth carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES The treatment of extensive floor-of-mouth carcinoma has remained a challenging problem for head and neck surgeons. We have reviewed our experience in the surgical management of floor-of-mouth cancer in an attempt to identify factors influencing survival.METHODS A total of 144 patients with cancer involving the floor of the mouth were treated between March 1988 and November 1995. A retrospective chart review was conducted that captured information including clinical staging, therapeutic modalities, pathologic findings, and patient follow-up. Factors affecting survival were assessed by non-parametric analysis and analysis of variance.RESULTS There was no statistical significance for the effects of vascular invasion (P = 0.4019), lymphatic invasion (P = 0.3430), bone invasion (P = 0.1548), or positive margins (P = 0.1113) on survival. Extranodal extension and recurrent disease were strongly suggestive of influencing survival but were not statistically significant (P = 0.0650 and P = 0.0504, respec...