cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3304: CNS metastases in prostate cancer: an analysis of SEER database

Metastases to central nervous system (CNS) from various solid tumors, such as lung cancer (40-50%), breast cancer (15-25%) and melanoma (5-20%), are relatively common and confer a poor prognosis. CNS metastases from prostate cancer are uncommon. Due to the rarity of this disease and lack of studies, little is known about the clinical and pathological characteristics as well as outcome of these patients. CNS metastases also have therapeutic implications in terms of targeting hypothalamic-pituitary axis for androgen deprivation as well as CNS penetration of systemic chemotherapy agents. The objective of this study is to analyze clinicopathologic features and outcome of prostate cancer patients with CNS metastases in Survival, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) database. Between 2010 and 2015, a total of 23,776 patients with metastatic prostate were identified. Among them, 23,468 cases were adenocarcinoma and 308 cases were prostate cancer with neuroendocrine differentiation. A number of variables, including age, race, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, Gleason score, and prior radiotherapy, site of metastases were extracted. Primary outcome were overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS). CNS metastases were identified in 208 (0.89%) and 11 (3.57%) patients with adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumor, respectively. Majority of patients (56.2%) were 65 years or older. Median OS and DSS were 13 months and 14 months, respectively. In comparison to patients with lymph nodes metastases only (n=8,103), the median OS and DSS were 40 months and 58 months, respectively. In patients with bone dominant metastasis (n=14,407), the median OS and DSS were 27 months and 34 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified age was an adverse predictive factor in patients with CNS metastasis. Race, high Gleason score (≥9), high PSA level (≥98ng/ml) and prior radiotherapy were not associated with OS and DSS. In conclusion, CNS metastases are more common in neuroendocrine tumor than in adenocarcinoma of prostate, and it confers poor survival outcome irrespective of histological subtypes. OS and DSS were worse in patients with prostate cancer and CNS metastases compared to those with lymph node metastases only or bone-dominant metastases. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Lin Mei, Taha Al-Juhaishi, Andrew Poklepovic, Asit Paul. CNS metastases in prostate cancer: an analysis of SEER database [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3304.
Participatory Video: An Apparatus for Ethically Researching Literacy, Power and Embodiment

Abstract This article describes participatory video, a method originated in documentary filmmaking and global development, and suggests it can be used to ethically study literacy, technology and embodiment. By putting the camera in the hands of participants, participatory video makes knowledge-making collaborative and empowers participants to tell their literacy histories on their own terms. Drawing on findings from a longitudinal study that investigated university students’ literacies across contexts, this article describes how two women of color used the camera rhetorically to redress racist incidents from their literacy histories and to protect themselves from the gaze of white audiences by using digital avatars. The study also found that the camera exerts its own agency and shapes what reality emerges. When used ethically, participatory video keeps the researcher accountable for their positionality, power, and privilege in the process of creating knowledge about literacy and embodiment.
Toward Real-time Assessment of Workload: A Bayesian Inference Approach:

Workload management is of critical concern in teleoperation of unmanned vehicles, because high workload can lead to sub-optimal task performance and can harm human operators’ long-term well-being. ...
A Four-port Bidirectional DC-DC Converter for Renewable Energy-Battery-DC Microgrid System

This paper proposed a four-port bidirectional DC-DC converter for multiple energy sources and DC-microgrid application. The bidirectional power flow between the battery and the DC-microgrid makes it possible to participate the power management of the microgrid. Besides, the battery can be charged by both renewable energy sources and the DC-microgrid, which makes it suitable for the application where two renewable energy sources and battery are used. In this paper, a 1 kW prototype was built to interface a photovoltaic (PV) panel, a wind turbine generator (WTG), and battery to the DC-microgrid system. The simulation and experimental results not only validate the working principle of the converter, but shows that the bidirectional power flow can be achieved by shifting the phase angle of the primary and secondary switches.
Colocated Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics in Primary Care: Improved Outcome Across Settings.

Objective We developed a colocation "Rapid Developmental Evaluation" (RDE) model for Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) to evaluate young children for developmental concerns raised during routine developmental surveillance and screening in a pediatric primary care Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). In this low-income patient population, we anticipated that colocation would improve patient access to DBP and decrease time from referral to first developmental evaluation and therapeutic services. Methods Children were assessed at the FQHC by a DBP pediatrician, who made recommendations for therapeutic services and further diagnostic evaluations. A retrospective chart review over 27 months (N = 151) investigated dates of referral and visit, primary concern, diagnosis, and referral to tertiary DBP center and associated tertiary DBP center dates of service and diagnoses if appropriate. We surveyed primary care clinicians (PCCs) for satisfaction. Results The DBP pediatrician recommended that 51% of children be referred to the tertiary DBP center for further diagnostic evaluation or routine DBP follow-up. Average wait from referral to an RDE visit was 57 days compared with 137.3 days for the tertiary DBP center. Children referred from RDE to the tertiary DBP center completed visits at a higher rate (77%) than those referred from other sites (54%). RDE-recommended therapeutic services were initiated for 73% of children by the tertiary visit. Fidelity of diagnosis between RDE and the tertiary DBP center was high, as was PCC satisfaction. Conclusion Colocation of a DBP pediatrician in an FQHC primary care pediatrics program decreased time to first developmental assessment and referral for early intervention services for an at-risk, low-income patient population.
ARTICULAR CARTILAGE THICKNESS IN PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT KNEES DECREASES WITH AGE AND SKELETAL MATURITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR OSTEOCHONDRAL GRAFTING PROCEDURES:

Background:Quantifying native cartilage thickness in pediatric and adolescent knees can help match donor and recipient sites for articular cartilage restoration procedures such as osteochondral aut...
Acellular Dermal Matrix Tissues in Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery: A Review of the Literature and Case Discussions.

Abstract Introduction There have been major advancements in the field of urologic reconstruction and gender-affirming surgeries over the past 10 years. These operations have become increasingly complex involving multiple revisions, with limited healthy native tissue availability. Grafts are frequently needed when a patient's own tissue is expected to have poor wound-healing properties. To reduce the morbidity associated with autologous grafts and complications associated with synthetic grafts, acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) can be used as substitutes in genitourinary surgery as they demonstrate decreased immunogenicity and retaine structural integrity. Objectives The purpose of this review is to describe the importance and potential uses of ADMs by reviewing the literature and highlighting key examples of our institution's expanded application of ADM grafts in genitourinary reconstruction. Methods We performed a literature review for the use of ADMs in genitourinary surgery including the search terms acellular dermal matrix, alloderm, extracellular matrix, penis, penile reconstruction, intrapenile prosthesis, phalloplasty, neophallus, urethroplasty, artificial urinary sphincters, Peyronie's disease, and urology. We highlight 5 representative genitourinary reconstructive cases performed at this institution where ADMs contributed to surgical success. Genitourinary reconstructive surgeries that have used ADMs in the literature included neophallus construction for gender affirmation, phalloplasty for trauma, penile augmentation, and plaque excision and grafting for Peyronie's disease. Results Biomechanical studies across different graft types are limited in genitourinary applications. Initial studies using ADMs indicate benefits of limited inflammatory response, finite elasticity, and substantial tensile strength, acceptably mimicking properties of the native tissue. Conclusion Our experience and the current literature suggest that human ADM is a valuable option for tunica albuginea replacement, but its use to support free grafts should be cautioned secondary to graft take. Haney NM, Huang MM, Liu JL, et al. Acellular Dermal Matrix Tissues in Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery: A Review of the Literature and Case Discussions. Sex Med Rev 2020;XX;XXX–XXX.
The Role of Information Technology Mindfulness in the Postadoption Stage of Using Personal Health Devices: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study in Mobile Health.

Background: Although personal health devices (for example, smartwatches, fitness trackers and intelligent bracelets) offer great potential to monitor personal fitness and health parameters, many users discontinue using them after a few months. Thus, it is critical to study the postadoption behaviors of current users to enhance their engagement with personal health devices and use behaviors. However, there is little empirical research on the factors affecting users’ engagement in beneficial use behaviors. Mindfulness and identity are not new topics, but the applications of these concepts in the field of information systems are emerging themes. Information technology (IT) mindfulness has been conceptualized in previous studies; however, little is known about the antecedents and consequences of IT mindfulness in the mobile health (mHealth) context. Objective: The main aim of this study is to explore both IT identity and IT mindfulness to develop a new ground for research in the domain of mHealth postadoption. Thus, we aim to explain why users should be fully mindful of their engagement with PHDs and what could be the consequences and implications. Methods: This study proposes that IT mindfulness can play an important role in improving the use behaviors of users. Through a web-based survey with 450 current users of a personal health device, this paper tests the relationship between IT identity and IT mindfulness in the postadoption stage of using personal health devices. Results: We found that IT identity significantly shapes IT mindfulness associated with PHDs. Moreover, the IT identity–IT mindfulness relationship is negatively moderated by individuals’ perceived health status (P=.003). Finally, the results of this study show that IT mindfulness can significantly predict automatic use behaviors (eg, continued intention to use), active use behaviors (eg, feature use and enhanced use behaviors), and commitment behaviors in using personal health devices (eg, positive word-of-mouth intention). Conclusions: The findings of this study provide implications for both research and practice. This study can contribute to our current understanding of IT mindfulness by developing and empirically testing a research model that explains the determinants and outcomes of the IT mindfulness construct in the context of personal health devices. The results imply that IT mindfulness significantly helps individuals express their alertness, awareness, openness, and orientation in the present in their postadoption interactions with smart devices used for health care purposes. Finally, our findings may assist practitioners and IT developers in designing mindfulness-supporting PHDs. Owing to the impact of IT mindfulness on postadoption behaviors, its 4 dimensions could be used for developing PHD technologies. Moreover, PHD developers may need to direct their efforts toward increasing IT mindfulness by reinforcing IT identity to serve and retain a wide range of target users.
Characterization of interventional photoacoustic imaging (iPAI) capabilities in biological tissues

Background Interventional photoacoustic imaging (iPAI) could improve ultrasound-guided minimally invasive procedures by enabling high precision needle steering, target detection, and molecular and physiologic tissue assessment. However, iPAI capabilities including visualization field, imaging depth, and spatial resolution are not well understood in biological tissues commonly encountered in clinical practice. Therefore, the potential clinical utility of iPAI remains unclear. We aim to experimentally determine iPAI capabilities in a variety of biological tissues, to assess its potential for clinical translation. Methods We constructed an iPAI system capable of simultaneous real-time ultrasound (US) and photoacoustic imaging. This system delivers light directly into tissues using optical fiber integrated into a 16-gauge needle and detects photoacoustic signals with an external linear array ultrasound probe. iPAI's geometric visualization field, maximum imaging depth, and spatial resolution were experimentally determined in fat, muscle, kidney, and liver tissues by processing photoacoustic signal intensities of reference targets placed circumferentially around the fiber tip. The maximum detection depths of blood and indocyanine green (ICG), important common endogenous and exogenous contrast agents, respectively, were estimated in each tissue type by comparing their signal intensities with the reference target signal. Results iPAI could be performed in real-time concurrently with US and achieved a nearly spherical visualization field centering around the optical fiber tip in all tissues. Maximum imaging depths from the fiber tip were 54.1 ± 1.3, 50.0 ± 1.5, 32.7 ± 1.1, and 16.9 ± 1.3 mm in fat, muscle, kidney, and liver tissues, respectively. Calculated maximum detection depths for blood were 41.5 ± 3.0, 39.5 ± 2.1, 24.4 ± 4.0, and 8.6 ± 2.0 mm and detection depths for ICG at 0.05 mg/mL concentration were 46.6 ± 2.5, 42.6 ± 1.4, 28.2 ± 3.9, and 12.1 ± 1.5 mm in fat, muscle, kidney, and liver, respectively. Sub-100μ m axial resolution and submillimeter lateral resolution were achieved in all tissues, and resolution did not significantly vary with distance from the fiber tip. Conclusions Interventional photoacoustic imaging (iPAI) allows real-time visualization of a circumferential volume of tissue around an optical fiber tip, with submillimeter spatial resolution and tissue-dependent imaging depth. Our data strongly support further development of clinical iPAI systems as they could improve needle steering, target detection, and molecular and physiologic tissue assessment during minimally invasive procedures.
Image Super-Resolution via Iterative Refinement

We present SR3, an approach to image Super-Resolution via Repeated Refinement. SR3 adapts denoising diffusion probabilistic models to conditional image generation and performs super-resolution through a stochastic denoising process. Inference starts with pure Gaussian noise and iteratively refines the noisy output using a U-Net model trained on denoising at various noise levels. SR3 exhibits strong performance on super-resolution tasks at different magnification factors, on faces and natural images. We conduct human evaluation on a standard 8X face super-resolution task on CelebA-HQ, comparing with SOTA GAN methods. SR3 achieves a fool rate close to 50%, suggesting photo-realistic outputs, while GANs do not exceed a fool rate of 34%. We further show the effectiveness of SR3 in cascaded image generation, where generative models are chained with super-resolution models, yielding a competitive FID score of 11.3 on ImageNet.
Using Eating Disorder and Body Image Assessment Questionnaires with Boys/Men

The use of assessment questionnaires that demonstrate reliability and validity when used with particular groups of respondents is crucial for both research and clinical activities. Many traditional eating disorder questionnaires were developed based on theories and observations regarding the nature of symptoms as they typically present in girls/women (i.e., focused on attitudes and behaviors consistent with the drive for thinness, fear of weight gain, etc.). As such, some questionnaires may not adequately address the full spectrum of eating disorder symptoms that can manifest in boys and men, particularly those related to muscularity-oriented attitudes and behaviors. Other more recently created questionnaires have been more conceptually and methodologically inclusive of boys/men in the measurement development process. Importantly, all questionnaires have some advantages and disadvantages. As such, the process of selecting a questionnaire to assess eating disorder symptoms and related constructs (e.g., body image, pathological exercise) in boys/men should be guided by the specific context of use (e.g., research, clinical) and a variety of conceptual, methodological, and pragmatic considerations. Further empirical work is needed to evaluate existing questionnaires in clinical samples and in more diverse samples of boys/men (e.g., ethnic/racial minorities, sexual and gender minorities, youth and older men).
Quantifying vegetation biomass impacts on vehicle mobility

Abstract Soil impacts on vehicle mobility are well known; however, most data are for bare soil or the type and amount of vegetation is not documented. This study summarizes results from experiments to quantify the effect of above ground and below ground vegetation biomass on vehicle performance. Soil–vegetation combinations of three soils and three grasses were used. The vegetation was tested at various growth stages and was also subjected to stressors such as trafficking, burning, and cutting. Vegetation measurements included above ground (leaves and shoots) and below ground (root) biomass weights, lengths, diameters and surface area parameters. The soils were characterized for size distribution, moisture, density and terrain strength for each test condition. Vehicle traction and motion resistance were measured for each soil–grass combination using the CRREL Instrumented Vehicle. Results showed an increase in net traction biomass in sandy soils. For clay soils above ground biomass generally increased resistance while increased root diameter clearly decreased resistance. This study represents the first measurements quantifying the impacts of specific biomass parameters on vehicle mobility. The results will serve to guide new experimental methods, improve datasets, and develop physics-based models for years to come.
Triclinic Ni 2 AI phase in 63.1 atomic percent NiAl

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies on the 63.1 at pct NiAl specimens aged in the Ll0 phase indicate the presence of localized regions consisting of very high-density twins along with precipitates of Ni2Al stoichiometry. In regions representative of the 7R phase, it is observed that the ordered Ni2Al phase exists in lattice correspondence with the 7R phase. Based on the electron-diffraction results, the crystal structure of this Ni2Al phase is determined to be triclinic, belonging to the space group $$P\bar 1$$ . This new Ni2Al phase alternatively may be viewed as a periodically microtwinned monoclinic Ni2Al phase, existing in coherence with the matrix Ll0 phase that is also periodically microtwinned.
The Control of Adaptive Immune Responses by the Innate Immune System

The mammalian immune system comprises an adaptive and an innate component. The innate immune system employs a limited number of germ-line-encoded pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize invariant pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). In contrast, the adaptive immune system depends on the generation of a diverse repertoire of antigen receptors on T and B lymphocytes and subsequent activation and clonal expansion of cells carrying the appropriate antigen-specific receptors. Induction of adaptive immunity not only depends on direct antigen recognition by the antigen receptors but also relies on essential signals that are delivered by the innate immune system. In recent years, we have witnessed the discovery of a still expanding array of different PRR systems that govern the generation of adaptive immunity. Here, we review our current understanding of innate control of adaptive immunity. In particular, we discuss how PRRs initiate adaptive immune responses in general, discuss specific mechanisms that shape the ensuing T and B cell responses, and highlight open questions that are still awaiting answers.
Homogeneous Riemannian manifolds whose geodesics are orbits

Let M be a homogeneous Riemannian manifold and G the isometry group of M. Then M can be viewed as a coset space G/H with a left-invariant Riemannian metric. M is said to be a g. o. manifold if every geodesic in M is an orbit of a one-parameter subgroup of G. In [KV1], O. Kowalski and L. Vanhecke showed that every g. o. manifold is a D’Atri space; i. e. the local geodesic symmetries are volume preserving up to sign. (See the survey article by Kowalski, Prufer and Vanhecke in this volume for a discussion of D’Atri spaces and additional comments about g. o. manifolds.) The simplest Riemannian homogeneous spaces are the naturally reductive manifolds; these form a subclass of the g. o. manifolds. The definition of naturally reductive (see §1) involves a purely algebraic condition on the isometry group.
Defense Industry, Ethical Issues In The

In light of numerous scandals in the defense industry, the federal government responded in several ways: passing the amended False Claims Act of 1986 (which was further amended in the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009), proposing mandatory ethics programs, and creating a blue ribbon commission to investigate the scandals. Keywords: defense industry initiative; business ethics; whistle blowing; Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; conflict of interest; False Claims Act of 2986; blue ribbon commission; Packard Commission; industry self-regulation
Zonal Polynomials and Quantum Antisymmetric Matrices

We study the quantum symmetric spaces for quantum general lin- ear groups modulo symplectic groups. We first determine the structure of the quotient quantum group and completely determine the quantum invariants. We then derive the characteristic property for quantum Phaffian as well as its role in the quantum invariant sub-ring. The spherical functions, viewed as Mac- donald polynomials, are also studied as the quantum analog of zonal spherical polynomials.
Wymiar profesjonalny i osobowościowy współczesnego menedżera

The paper introduces two aspects of the suggested proﬁle of modern manager: in relation tohis/her profession and personality. Roles, functions and tasks of manager as well as theelements of his professional model and key management abilities (personal and interpersonal),typologies of managers and set of personal characteristics the manager needs in organization,were presented.
A rapidly rearranging retrotransposon within the miniexon gene locus of Crithidia fasciculata.

Abstract The tandemly arrayed miniexon genes of the trypanosomatid Crithidia fasciculata are interrupted at specific sites by multiple copies of an inserted element. The element, termed Crithidia retrotransposable element 1 (CRE1), is flanked by 29-base-pair target site duplications and contains a long 3'-terminal poly(dA) stretch. A single 1,140-codon reading frame is similar in sequence to the integrase and reverse transcriptase regions of retroviral pol polyproteins. Cloned lines derived from a stock of C. fasciculata have unique arrangements of CRE1s. In different cloned lines, CRE1s, in association with miniexon genes, are located on multiple chromosomes. By examining the arrangement of CRE1s in subclones, we estimate that the element rearranges at a rate of ca. 1% per generation. These results indicate that the C. fasciculata miniexon locus is the target for a novel retrotransposon.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun (Too): Complicating the Study of Femininity and Women's Leisure

Sociology is the study of society. However, not all aspects of society get the same scholarly attention by academics. Throughout my research program, I have highlighted some of the lesser-covered areas of society, like feminine leisure seen in activities such as quilting, knitting, and membership in the Red Hat Society. In this article, I discuss how the development of sociology as a discipline has focused on public matters in society like the economy, leaving non-economic or private activities with less attention. My research on women's feminine leisure from a third-wave feminism perspective importantly addresses a gap in the discipline.
Using a finite projective plane with a duality for decentralized consensus protocols

An efficient communication structure based on a finite projective plane with a duality is presented. The communication structure halves the number messages required in two rounds as compared to a communication structure based on a finite projective plane. It is shown that a finite projective plane with a duality can be constructed from a difference set, and that the communication structure presented has two kinds of symmetry. >
Land Exchanges and Public Lands Bills in Utah

Public land debates are some of the most divisive in Utah and throughout the American West, where vast portions of states are publicly owned. Disagreement often arises over whether to set land aside for recreational, scenic, and ecological purposes or open it to extractive development, such as for oil and gas. Different agencies with divergent mandates only cloud the situation. Among possible solutions, especially when dealing with school trust lands, which checker state maps, are land exchanges and county lands bills. By examining numerous studies, a wide range of perspectives, and past examples, this research seeks to weigh the merits of these approaches. Ultimately, the paper suggests land exchanges and county lands bills provide balance in conserving Utah’s land while providing for economic growth and public education funding. These methods should be used as important land management tools, providing more benefits than disadvantages to Utah’s land and people.
Circadian variation of integrated concentration of growth hormone in children and adults

A portable constant withdrawal pump was used to determine consecutive 30-min integrated concentrations of growth hormone (ICGH) for a 24-h period in 18 normal subjects, ages 5 to 28 yr. Seven prepubertal, 5 pubertal and 6 young adult subjects were studied under conditions of normal activity. Pubertal, prepubertal, and adult subjects had peaks during waking hours as well as during sleep, but peaks in the adults were usually lower than in the children. Using an analysis of variance, a significant (P smaller than 0.01) downward trend of ICGH was observed to occur during sleep. During waking hours a significant variation (P smaller than 0.01 by analysis of variance) was found with low levels in the first few hours after awakening and an upward trend as the evening approached. Food intake had no significant effect on ICGH nor did the introduction of the indwelling catheter. The mean apparent half-life values of growth hormone calculated on the basis of 87 episodes with 3 or more points on the downslope was 40.1 min. This is significantly higher than the known true half-life of the hormone, suggesting that complete secretory inactivity after a secretory episode is an infrequent event.
Relation between structure, co-operativity and spectra in a model of hemoglobin action☆

Abstract A quantitative understanding of co-operativity in hemoglobin must include a description of where and how the free energy of co-operation is stored in the molecule. Experiments to date have not succeeded in associating this energy with a particular bond. One extreme possibility is that the free energy is stored as small amounts of strain energy in many bonds, so that all bonds are almost normal. A linear distributed energy model can be constructed when the strain energies of bonds are sufficiently small. This model relates quantitatively small structural changes at the heme group, upon ligation, to the free energy of cooperation, although the energy of co-operation is not chiefly stored at the heme group in this model. It is in accord with the non-co-operativity of the oxidation of hemoglobin2+ → aquo-methemoglobin3+ at pH 6, and describes the magnitude of changes observed in the Soret band when the quaternary structure is changed. It accounts for the scale of the motions in the heme region due to changes in the quaternary structure, and provides a framework for discussion of spectral and structural changes for affinity affectors which are not located near the heme group. The general model should be of use for discussing other cases of the control of local chemical properties by proteins.
The Impact of a Three‐Tier Formulary on Demand Response for Prescription Drugs

A large number of health plans and employers have adopted three-tier prescription drug formularies in an effort to control rising prescription drug costs. We assessed the behavioral response to three-tier adoption by estimating econometric models of the probability of selecting drugs assigned to the third tier with the highest co-payment requirement and changes in expected out-of-pocket (OOP) spending. We concluded that implementation of the three-tier formulary resulted in some shifting of costs from the plan to enrollees and some bargaining power gained for the payer, with plan savings from manufacturer rebates a likely result.
Computer simulation of solute segregation to a Σ = 5 tilt boundary in Au, Cu and Ni

Abstract A Lattice Energy Function that combines a Mie type interatomic potential and a free electron gas volume dependence has been applied to the study of grain boundary energy and structure of a Σ = 5 tilt boundary in Au, Cu and Ni and of solute segregation to the same. Interatomic potentials and volume dependencies of the solvent and solute were adjusted to fit the relative partial molar enthalpy and volume at infinite dilution order to construct a AB type potential and volume dependence. This AB interaction is then applied to calculate the binding energies of solute to various grain boundary sites and the resulting change in grain boundary energy. A relationship between the binding energy and change in grain boundary is derived. The relative values of the grain boundary energy are in agreement with experimental values of the average grain boundary energies. The relative binding energies of the tested solvent-solute systems are in agreemnet with expectations that certain systems should have larger binding energies than others. The behavior of solute binding energies and local relaxations are in agreement with other studies of grain boundary segregation which use different Lattice Energy Functions and relaxation algorithms. The change in grain boundary energy is shown to be directly proportional to the binding energy.
Microbial community responses to atrazine exposure and nutrient availability: Linking degradation capacity to community structure

Repeated pesticide exposure may enhance biodegradation through selective enrichment of pesticide-metabolizing microorganisms, particularly when the compound is used as a C and energy source. The relationship between pesticide application history and degradation rate is unclear when the chemical is utilized as a nutrient source other than C. Atrazine, a poor source of C and energy, was chosen as a model compound because it can serve as an N source for some microorganisms. Soils with (H-soil) and without (NH-soil) prior s-triazine treatment history were repeatedly exposed to atrazine and a variety of C and N source amendments. Exposure to atrazine and inorganic-N availability were the dominant factors leading to the development of microbial communities with an enhanced capacity to degrade atrazine. The density of the atrazine-degrading microorganisms increased immediately, up to 1000-fold, with atrazine exposure in the H-soil, but comparable increases were not observed in the NH-soil until 12 weeks following laboratory acclimation, despite high rates of atrazine mineralization in these soils immediately following the acclimation period. Whole-soil fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis showed that the application of alternative C and N sources in addition to atrazine resulted in a microbial community composition that was distinctly different from that in either the atrazine-alone treatment or water controls for both the H- and NH-soils. These data suggest that the microbial communities in both soils were altered differently in response to the treatments but developed a similar enhanced capacity to mineralize atrazine.
Minimizing total completion time in two-machine flow shops with exact delay using genetic algorithm & ant colony algorithm

We study the problem of minimizing total completion time in a two-machine flow shop with exact delay. There are n jobs, one upstream machine M1 and one downstream machine M2. Each job has to be processed first on machine M1, then on machine M2, and has a delay between the machines called the "exact" delay time. The objective is to find a schedule that minimizes the total completion time of the jobs.It has been proven that there is no algorithm that can find the optimal schedule in polynomial time unless P=NP. In this paper, we developed two meta-heuristics based on Genetic Algorithms (GA) and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO).We study the performance of the GA and the ACO through experiments. After finding the right parameters and operators, we find that both the GA and the ACO are very efficient in terms of running time; however, in terms of quality of the solution, the GA outperforms the ACO.
Saucerization biopsy of pigmented lesions.

A variety of skin lesions can clinically resemble malignant melanoma, and bearlyQ melanoma often fails to demonstrate classic bABCDQ morphological features. Therefore, a definitive diagnosis of any pigmented lesion can only be made after histopathologic examination of an appropriate surgical specimen. If a physician is to bdo no harm,Q it is most important to maintain a high index of suspicion when viewing pigmented lesions and to sample enough lesions to encompass as many potentially lethal melanomas as possible without exposing patients to unnecessary surgery. Physicians should sacrifice some degree of diagnostic specificity to maintain a high degree of sensitivity. The decision to perform a biopsy vs a fullthickness excision of a pigmented lesion has a direct bearing on this issue and has been the topic of spirited debates. Biopsies of several types are commonly used because they are simpler to perform, quicker, less costly, and most often heal with excellent cosmetic results. Some physicians have, historically, worried that a biopsy may lead to hematogenous dissemination of melanoma or deeper implantation of tumor and suggest that all questionable lesions should be completely excised. 4 This approach is supported by those who caution that incisional biopsies may be more prone to sampling error that is avoided when a lesion is completely excised. In addition, complete removal of a lesion benefits patients who might be lost to follow-up. Finally, tangential excision specimens of suspicious pigmented lesions that
Rate constants for the abstraction reactions RO2 + C2H6; R = H, CH3, and C2H5

Abstract The thermal dissociation of hydroperoxides to form alkoxy and hydroxyl radicals is thought to play an important role in the low temperature oxidation of alkanes. One possible source of these species is the hydrogen abstraction from alkanes by alkylperoxy radicals. Motivated by a special interest in the oxidation chemistry of ethane, we performed transition state (TST) calculations with tunneling corrections of the rate constants for the reactions of HO 2 , CH 3 O 2 , and C 2 H 5 O 2 with C 2 H 6 . The required input data were obtained from CBS-QB3 ab initio calculations. Complementary to these calculations we obtained rate constants for the same reactions based on empirical estimation rules. The agreement between both sets of rate constants is within a factor of 2 for the ‘Negative Temperature Coefficient’ region. Based on the TST results, we recommend HO 2 + C 2 H 6 ⇌ H 2 O 2 + C 2 H 5 k 9 = 261 T 3.37 exp ( - 15.9 kcal / mol / RT ) cm 3 / mol / s CH 3 O 2 + C 2 H 6 ⇌ CH 3 OOH + C 2 H 5 k 10 = 19.4 T 3.64 exp ( - 17.1 kcal / mol / RT ) cm 3 / mol / s C 2 H 5 O 2 + C 2 H 6 ⇌ C 2 H 5 OOH + C 2 H 5 k 11 = 8.6 T 3.76 exp ( - 17.2 kcal / mol / RT ) cm 3 / mol / s By performing simulations of a 50:50 C 2 H 6 /O 2 mixture using a low temperature ethane oxidation mechanism with and without the C 2 H 5 O 2 + C 2 H 6 reaction included, we demonstrate that this reaction has a significant impact on predicted ignition times.
COLOR CONSTANCY IN THE NEARLY NATURAL IMAGE. 2. ACHROMATIC LOCI

Most empirical work on color constancy is based on simple laboratory models of natural viewing conditions. These typically consist of spots seen against uniform backgrounds or computer simulations of flat surfaces seen under spatially uniform illumination. In this study measurements were made under more natural viewing conditions. Observers used a projection colorimeter to adjust the appearance of a test patch until it appeared achromatic. Observers made such achromatic settings under a variety of illuminants and when the test surface was viewed against a number of different backgrounds. An analysis of the achromatic settings reveals that observers show good color constancy when the illumination is varied. Changing the background surface against which the test patch is seen, on the other hand, has a relatively small effect on the achromatic loci. The results thus indicate that constancy is not achieved by a simple comparison between the test surface and its local surround.
The influence of conserved aromatic residues in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase.

In order to evaluate the potential contribution of conserved aromatic residues to the hydrophobic active site of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase, site-directed mutagenesis was employed to produce Y130L, Y163L, F204L, Y225L, Y346L, and Y376L proteins. Each mutant protein was expressed at levels comparable with wild-type enzyme and was isolated in highly purified form. Initial kinetic characterization indicated that F204L exhibits a substantial (>300-fold) decrease in catalytic rate (k cat). Upon modification with the mechanism-based inhibitor, 3-chloropropionyl-CoA, or in formation of a stable binary complex with acetoacetyl-CoA, F204L exhibits binding stoichiometries comparable with wild-type enzyme, suggesting substantial retention of active site integrity. Y130L and Y376L exhibit inflated values (80- and 40-fold, respectively) for the K m for acetyl-CoA in the acetyl-CoA hydrolysis partial reaction; these mutants also exhibit an order of magnitude decrease in k cat. Formation of the acetyl-S-enzyme reaction intermediate by Y130L, F204L, and Y376L proceeds slowly in comparison with wild-type enzyme. However, solvent exchange into the thioester carbonyl oxygen of these acetyl-S-enzyme intermediates is not slow in comparison with previous observations for D159A and D203A mutants, which also exhibit slow acetyl-S-enzyme formation. The magnitude of the differential isotope shift upon exchange of H218O into [13C]acetyl-S-enzyme suggests a polarization of the thioester carbonyl and a reduction in bond order. Such an effect may substantially contribute to the upfield 13C NMR shift observed for [13C]acetyl-S-enzyme. The influence on acetyl-S-enzyme formation, as well as observed k cat (F204L) and K m (Y130L; Y376L) effects, implicate these invariant residues as part of the catalytic site. Substitution of phenylalanine (Y130F, Y376F) instead of leucine at residues 130 and 376 diminishes the effects on catalytic rate and substrate affinity observed for Y130L and Y376L, underscoring the influence of aromatic side chains near the active site.
Computer-video instruction in mathematics: Field test of an interactive approach.

Field tests were conducted to evaluate theory-based computer-video instructional modules designed to teach or review concepts and operations for factors, prime numbers, and fractions. Task analysis and demand specification procedures were used to sequence instructional objectives within and across topics. Cognitive social learning theory provided a framework for the incorporation of attentional, retentional, and motivational features into the video sequences. Field testing of the factors and prime numbers modules with ninth graders from five mathematics classes revealed statistically and practically significant effects on achievement and on the attribution of outcomes to effort. More limited testing of the fractions modules with a small group of high school students who had failed a basic skills competency test required for graduation also provided evidence supporting the efficacy of the approach.
Contrast masking in human vision

Contrast masking was studied psychophysically. A two-alternative forced-choice procedure was used to measure contrast thresholds for 2.0 cpd sine-wave gratings in the presence of masking sine-wave gratings. Thresholds were measured for 11 masker contrasts spanning three log units, and seven masker frequencies ranging +/- one octave from the signal frequency. Corresponding measurements were made for gratings with horizontal widths of 0.75 degrees (narrow fields) and 6.0 degrees (wide fields). For high contrast maskers at all frequencies, signal thresholds were related to masking contrast by power functions with exponents near 0.6. For a range of low masking contrasts, signal thresholds were reduced by the masker. For the wide fields, high contrast masking tuning functions peaked at the signal frequency, were slightly asymmetric, and had approximately invariant half-maximum frequencies that lie 3/4 octave below and 1 octave above the signal frequency. The corresponding low contrast tuning functions exhibited peak threshold reduction at the signal frequency, with half-minimum frequencies at roughly +/- 0.25 octaves. For the narrow fields, the masking tuning functions were much broader at both low and high masking contrasts. A masking model is presented that encompasses contrast detection, discrimination, and masking phenomena. Central constructs of the model include a linear spatial frequency filter, a nonlinear transducer, and a process of spatial pooling that acts at low contrasts only.
Auditing Training and Development.

There are many reasons for engaging in evaluating training and development (T&D). One reason would be to keep a complete, accurate, and detailed account of the satisfaction, learning, and performance resulting from every T&D programme. This is typically the view of the evaluation expert who sees evaluation as central to the T&D process. This view usually is expensive in terms of time and money.
Gamma-ray burst phenomenology, shock dynamo, and the first magnetic fields

A relativistic collisionless shock propagating into an unmagnetized medium leaves behind a strong large-scale magnetic field. This seems to follow from two assumptions: (1) Gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows are explained by synchrotron emission of a relativistic shock. (2) The magnetic field cannot exist on microscopic scales only; it would decay by phase-space mixing. Assumption 1 is generally accepted because of an apparent success of the shock synchrotron phenomenological model of GRB afterglows. Assumption 2 is confirmed in this work by a low-dimensional numerical simulation. One may hypothesize that relativistic shock velocities are not essential for the magnetic field generation and that all collisionless shocks propagating into an unmagnetized medium generate strong large-scale magnetic fields. If this hypothesis is true, the first cosmical magnetic fields could have been generated in shocks of the first virialized objects.
Evaluation and treatment of paranoid syndromes in the elderly: A review

Paranoid symptoms in the elderly patient may be a manifestation of medical, neurologic, psychiatric, or medication-induced illness. Because of the potential for multiple interacting factors between underlying organicity and psychiatric illness precise assessment of the etiology of the patient's psychotic behavior may be difficult. This article reviews the medical and neurologic illnesses often associated with paranoia in the elderly as well as the psychiatric differential diagnosis. Psychotic depression, late-onset schizophrenia, and delusional/paranoid disorders are examined, as are their treatments. Revisions in the nosology of late-onset psychosis as they are affected by revisions in DSM-III-R are also discussed.
High Resolution Tunable Laser Spectroscopy

A new generation of spectroscopic tools have emerged with such extremely high resolution capabilities that we are no longer limited by the so called "instrumental linewidth." In today's optical spectroscopy, the limit is more likely to be the natural or, in certain cases, the transit-time linewidth. To perform ultrahigh resolution spectroscopy one generally requires a tunable laser with a narrow spectral width, a means of reducing any mechanism that tends to broaden the spectral line under observation (e.g., Doppler and collisional broadening) and, finally, a precise method of calibrating the tuning range of the laser. This paper presents a brief review of the various techniques used to achieve high resolution spectroscopy with lasers.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Nonimaging optics: optical design at the thermodynamic limit

Th design mcthods of nonimaging optics for illumination by light sourccs which arc of• finite extcnt arc well cstablishcd1. Two classcs of algorithms havc b2cn found which work at or ncar th2 s2cond—law of thermodynamics limit of prformancc. Th2 first of thsc is the "string" or "cdgc—ray" mcthod. It may bc succinctly characterized as a gcncralization of Fcrmat's principle. While all of imaging optics can in principle be derived from: _1 ndl = constant along a ray, the string solutions can be similarly derived from: I ndl = constant along a string. The second class of algorithms places reflectors along the line of flow of a radiation field set up by a radiating source. In cases of high symmetry such as a sphere or disc, we obtain ideal solutions in both two and three dimensions.
Treatment of Mitomycin-Associated Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia With Vincristine

• A syndrome, including microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), thrombocytopenia, and renal insufficiency, has been recognized to occur as a complication of antineoplastic therapy with mitomycin. The clinical presentation can vary from a chronic course with mild anemia and slowly progressive renal dysfunction to a fulminant course with severe anemia, rapid deterioration of renal function, and death. The optimal treatment of the mitomycin-associated MAHA syndrome is unknown. Therapy with steroids, antiplatelet agents, and heparin sodium has failed to reverse the MAHA. Plasmapheresis has improved the MAHA in a few patients without reversing the renal failure. We treated two patients who had MAHA and renal dysfunction during chemotherapy that included mitomycin; the MAHA and hypertension both objectively improved after treatment that included vincristine sulfate. ( Arch Intern Med 1986;146:566-568)