cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Model for Specifying Individual Integrity Constraints on Objects

This paper presents an approach for specifying individual integrity constraints on objects, which is based on a conceptual class-based model that emphasizes the individual structure for objects by allowing those belonging to a class to have structures not previously abstracted in that class.
Can Virtual Human Build Rapport and Promote Learning

Research show that teacher's nonverbal immediacy can have a positive impact on student's cognitive learning and affect [3]. This paper investigates the effectiveness of nonverbal immediacy using a virtual human. The virtual human attempts to use immediacy feedback to create rapport with the learner. Results show that the virtual human established rapport with learners but did not help them achieve better learning results. The results also suggest that creating rapport is related to higher self-efficacy, and self-efficacy is related to better learning results.
Neurobiology of Monarch Butterfly Migration

Studies of the migration of the eastern North American monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) have revealed mechanisms behind its navigation. The main orientation mechanism uses a time-compensated sun compass during both the migration south and the remigration north. Daylight cues, such as the sun itself and polarized light, are processed through both eyes and integrated through intricate circuitry in the brain's central complex, the presumed site of the sun compass. Monarch circadian clocks have a distinct molecular mechanism, and those that reside in the antennae provide time compensation. Recent evidence shows that migrants can also use a light-dependent inclination magnetic compass for orientation in the absence of directional daylight cues. The monarch genome has been sequenced, and genetic strategies using nuclease-based technologies have been developed to edit specific genes. The monarch butterfly has emerged as a model system to study the neural, molecular, and genetic basis of long-distance animal migration.
Rapid Presumptive “Fingerprinting” of Body Fluids and Materials by ATR FT-IR Spectroscopy

Human body fluids and materials were evaluated using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Purified proteins, cosmetics, and foodstuffs were also assayed with the method. The results of this study show that the sampled fluids and materials vary in the fingerprint region and locations of the amide I peaks because of the secondary structure of the composite proteins although the C = O stretch is always present. The distinct 1016 cm(-1) peak serves as a signature for semen. The lipid-containing materials (e.g., fingerprints, earwax, tears, and skin) can also be easily separated from the aqueous materials because of the strong CH(3) asymmetric stretch of the former. Blood-saliva and blood-urine mixtures were also successfully differentiated using combinations of peaks. Crime scene investigators employing rapid, portable, or handheld infrared spectroscopic instruments may be able to reduce their need for invasive, destructive, and consumptive presumptive test reagents in evaluating trace evidence.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Professor Lars Leksell first coupled an orthovoltage X-ray tube with his first-generation guiding device to focus radiation on the Gasserian ganglion to treat facial pain. He subsequently investigated cross-fired protons as well as X-rays from an early-generation linear accelerator (linac) for radiosurgery. In the 1960s, he became dissatisfied with the cumbersome nature of cross-fired proton beams and the poor reliability and wobble of then-existing linear accelerators. Leksell and Larsson finally selected cobalt-60 as the ideal photon radiation source and developed the Gamma Knife [1], [2]. They placed 179 60Co sources in a hemispherical array so that all gamma rays (radiation from the decay of 60Co) focused on a single point thereby creating cumulative radiation isocenters of variable volume depending on the beam diameter. The first Gamma Knife created a discoid-shaped lesion suitable for neurosurgical treatment of movement disorders and intractable pain management.
Organization of individual afferent axons in layer IV of striate cortex in a primate

Evidence from a number of anatomical and physiological studies shows that information is transmitted from the retina to visual cortex via physiologically and anatomically distinct populations of neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). In order to gain a better understanding of the functional roles of these parallel channels from the LGN to cortex in primates, individual afferent axons to layer IV of striate cortex of galagos were filled with HRP by bulk injection into the white matter underlying striate cortex. A total of 55 axons and their terminal arbors, from zones representing both the central and peripheral visual fields, were completely reconstructed through serial sections. Based upon the sublaminar distribution and the morphology of these axons, they have been categorized into 2 groups, designated type I and II axons. Evidence from both past work and the present study suggests that type I axons represent the projections from physiologically defined Y-like cells in the magnocellular layers of the LGN, while type II axons represent the projections from X-like cells in the parvocellular LGN layers. Our results show that type I (presumed Y- like) arbors occupy relatively more cortical space within their main terminal sublayer (IV alpha) than is the case for the type II (presumed X-like) arbors which ramify primarily in layer IV beta. In addition, type I arbors have larger parent axons, fewer boutons along a restricted length of axon, and a greater tendency to branch in layer VI than type II arbors. Finally, both axon types are larger in the area of cortex representing central vision than in the area representing peripheral vision. These morphological characteristics suggest that the physiological differences between magnocellular and parvocellular geniculate cells may be amplified in cortex by differences in the organization of their terminal arbors. Further, within each afferent population, the terminal organization of axons reflects their visuotopic relationships in striate cortex. Comparison of these findings with data from cats and monkeys supports the idea that the relationship between the size of the terminal arbors of LGN X-like or parvocellular cells and the size of the cortical spatial subunit varies with differences in visual acuity across species; for LGN Y-like (or magnocellular) cells this relationship remains constant.
Tactile retention: Reading with the skin

In four experiments, subjects were required to identify sequences of random digits, letters, or words drawn on the skin. The passive tactile digit span was determined to be three items when the digits were drawn with an interstimulus interval of 1 sec. Identification was significantly better for words than for random letter sequences. Slower rates of presentation produced better tactile retention. The deficiencies in passive retention were ascribed to two processes, the generation of aftersensations and a difficulty in the generation of a unitary percept. Perceptual activity may normally act to inhibit aftersensations and facilitate the construction of a unitary percept The results supported the notion that the tactile span of immediate memory is labile and may be limited by passivity.
The Oath and the Community

The Serek and the Damascus Document describe aspects of the procedures by which a person joined the community, and Josephus explains the entry procedures for aspiring Essenes. An oath is included in all of these descriptions, but, it has been claimed, it is placed at different points in them. A close examination of the texts shows that all of the sources probably locate the oath at the same point in the process of entry into the community; as a result, this aspect of the entry procedures constitutes another close parallel between the communal texts found at Qumran and Josephus's description of the Essenes.
Automatic Determination of Crystal Structure

Several crystallographic computer programs have been organized into one large automatic program for solving crystal structures. The emphasis of this organization has been to produce a noninteractive system, that is, to have all decisions made by the computer. Input data are the raw intensity data, cell constants, space group, chemical formula, and other miscellaneous items. The output is a stereo picture of the contents in a unit cell. The program, operating in a noninteractive mode, has successfully solved compounds of unknown structure; in addition, for a test compound of completely unknown composition, this program deduced the correct structure with an average error in bond distance of 0.05 angstrom and an average error in bond angle of 7°.
The Evolution of Security at Sims Memorial Library: A Case Study

Like many academic libraries, the Sims Memorial Library at Southeastern Louisiana University is facing new safety and security challenges. Library usage at Sims has increased over the past 4 years. There have been behavior problems with some students and non-affiliated users, including several outstanding incidents that have required police intervention. Prior to the temporary assignment of a police officer at the library, the staff embraced a new mindset concerning safety in and around the building. From this mindset evolved a new security ethos and a resolution to the library's current behavior problems.
Reaction kinetics and polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy investigations of CO oxidation over planar Pt-group model catalysts.

Microscopic and spectroscopic techniques at near-atmospheric pressures have been used in recent years to investigate CO oxidation over Pt-group metals. New insights have been obtained that allow broadening of the understanding of this reaction beyond the ultrahigh vacuum regime where it is well-understood. However, new issues also have arisen that need clarification. In this paper, we review recent work in our laboratory, using polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRAS) and reaction kinetics measurements from ultrahigh vacuum to near-atmospheric pressures. These studies reveal a continuity of this reaction with respect to pressure over Pt, Pd, and Rh; that is, Langmuir−Hinshelwood kinetics is exhibited over a wide pressure range with no apparent “pressure gap”. The difference between Ru(0001) and other noble metals is well-understood with respect to higher oxygen binding energies and reduced CO inhibition. It is concluded that for all Pt-group metals the most active phas...
A computer-controlled scintiscanning system and associated computer graphic techniques for study of regional distribution of blood flow.

Two methods whereby a digital computer may be used to regulate a scintiscanning process are discussed from the viewpoint of computer input-output software. The computer's function, in this case, is to govern the data acquisition and storage, and to display the results to the investigator in a meaningful manner, both during and subsequent to the scanning process. Several methods (such as three-dimensional maps, contour plots, and wall-reflection maps) have been developed by means of which the computer can graphically display the data on-line, for real-time monitoring purposes, during the scanning procedure and subsequently for detailed analysis of the data obtained. A computer-governed method for converting scintiscan data recorded over the dorsal or ventral surfaces of the thorax into fractions of pulmonary blood flow traversing the right and left lungs is presented.
Mass-Dependent and -Independent Fractionation of Hg Isotopes by Photoreduction in Aquatic Systems

Mercury (Hg) isotopes can be used as tracers of Hg biogeochemical pathways in the environment. The photochemical reduction of aqueous Hg species by natural sunlight leads to both mass-dependent fractionation (MDF) of Hg isotopes and mass-independent fractionation (MIF) of the odd-mass isotopes, with the relation between the MIF for the two odd isotopes being distinct for different photoreduction pathways. Large variations in MDF and MIF are observed in fish and provide new insights into the sources and bioaccumulation of Hg in food webs. MIF in fish can also be used to estimate the loss of methylmercury via photoreduction in aquatic ecosytems.
Optimizing Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Therapy in Women with Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a highly prevalent disease among women of reproductive age. While many treatments are available, one of the most widely utilized is treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. These agents work by producing a profound suppression of gonadotropin secretion by the pituitary, resulting in a hypoestrogenic state and subsequent diminution of endometriosis lesions. The GnRH agonists on the market have been shown to work quite well in reducing all pain symptoms associated with endometriosis, including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and noncyclic pelvic pain. However, there is no evidence to suggest that this treatment is of value in endometriosis-associated infertility. Conflicting data exist regarding the role of GnRH agonists in the treatment of endometriomas, but the bulk of the evidence suggests a low degree of efficacy. GnRH agonists are often initiated with the onset of menses, but a more rapid response is observed with mid-luteal administration. A limit of 6 months per treatment course is required due to loss of bone mineral density during therapy, but this can be extended via the addition of 'add-back' therapy. Such adjunctive regimens demonstrated to maintain efficacy and reduce adverse effects include progestogen alone or a low-dose combination of estrogen and progestogen. Retreatment with these drugs is supported by limited data. The use of GnRH agonists as surgical adjuncts has been studied by several investigators. Their use preoperatively has not been shown to be of value. Similarly, 3 months of postoperative administration has failed to enhance treatment. However, 6 months of postoperative GnRH agonists appear to improve the duration of relief of pain symptoms. Future studies will need to focus on the role of these agents when used for repeated courses, in young women, and in conjunction with assisted reproduction.
Design of Traffic Light Control Systems Using Statecharts

Statechart has been utilized as a visual formalism for the modeling of complex systems. It illuminates the features on describing properties of causality, concurrency and synchronization. This paper focuses on the use of statecharts to model an urban traffic lights control system. The applications of statecharts to eight-phase, six-phase and two-phase traffic lights are illustrated. The advantage of the proposed approach is the clear presentation of traffic lights' behaviors in terms of conditions and events that cause the phase alternations. Moreover, the paper also proposes a new modeling methodology, called concurrent state graphs, that allows us to present all the concurrent states in complex statecharts. The analysis of the control models is performed to demonstrate how the models enforce the lights' transitions by reachability tree method. And then the reachability and reversibility properties of the control statecharts will be obtained. Finally, an urban traffic lights' control system with nine intersections will be realized. To our knowledge, this is the first work that employs statecharts to obtain the models of the urban traffic light control system.
Concise Interactions and Effective Management of Shared Design Spaces: Moving Beyond Strategic Collaboration Towards Co-Design

Often, design problems are coupled and their concurrent resolution by interacting stakeholders is required. The ensuing interactions are characterized predominantly by degree of interdependence and level of cooperation. Since tradeoffs, made within and among sub-systems, inherently contribute to system level performance, bridging the associated gaps is crucial. With this in mind, effective collaboration, centered on continued communication, concise coordination, and non-biased achievement of system level objectives, is becoming increasingly important. Thus far, research in distributed and decentralized decision-making has focused primarily on conflict resolution. Game theoretic protocols and negotiation tactics have been used extensively as a means of making the required tradeoffs, often in a manner that emphasizes the maximization of stakeholder (personal) payoff over system level performance. More importantly, virtually all of the currently instantiated mechanisms are based upon the a priori assumption of the existence of solutions that are acceptable to all interacting parties. No explicit consideration has been given thus far to ensuring the convergence of stakeholder design activities leading up to the coupled decision and the associated determination of values for uncoupled and coupled design parameters. Consequently, unnecessary and costly iteration is likely to result from mismatched objectives. In this paper, we advocate moving beyond strategic collaboration towards co-design. We present an alternative coordination mechanism, centered on sharing key pieces of information throughout the process of determining a solution to a coupled system. Specifically, we focus on (1) establishing and assessing collaborative design spaces, (2) identifying and exploring regions of acceptable performance, and (3) preserving stakeholder dominion over design sub-system resolution throughout the duration of a given design process. The fundamental goal is to establish a consistent framework for goal-oriented collaboration that (1) more accurately represents the mechanics underlying product development and (2) facilitates interacting stakeholders in achieving their respective objectives in light of system level priorities. This is accomplished via improved utilization of shared resources and avoidance of unnecessary reductions in design freedom. Comparative performance of the proposed method is established using a simple example, involving the resolution of a tradeoff with respect to a system of non-linear equations.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Abnormal Anterior Pretectal Nucleus Activity Contributes to Central Pain Syndrome

Central pain syndrome (CPS) is a debilitating condition that affects a large number of patients with a primary lesion or dysfunction in the CNS, most commonly due to spinal cord injury, stroke, and multiple sclerosis lesions. The pathophysiological processes underlying the development and maintenance of CPS are poorly understood. We have recently shown, in an animal model of CPS, that neurons in the posterior thalamic nucleus (PO) have increased spontaneous and evoked activity. We also demonstrated that these changes are due to suppressed inhibitory inputs from the zona incerta (ZI). The anterior pretectal nucleus (APT) is a diencephalic nucleus that projects on both the PO and ZI, suggesting that it might be involved in the pathophysiology of CPS. Here we test the hypothesis that CPS is associated with abnormal APT activity by recording single units from APT in anesthetized rats with CPS resulting from spinal cord lesions. The firing rate of APT neurons was increased in spinal-lesioned animals, compared with sham-operated controls. This increase was due to a selective increase in firing of tonic neurons that project to and inhibit ZI and an increase in bursts in fast bursting and slow rhythmic neurons. We also show that, in normal animals, suppressing APT results in increased PO spontaneous activity and evoked responses in a subpopulation of PO neurons. Taken together, these findings suggest that APT regulates ZI inputs to PO and that enhanced APT activity during CPS contributes to the abnormally high activity of PO neurons in CPS.
Computed tomography of isolated osteoblastic colon metastases in the bony pelvis

Skeletal metastases from colorectal carcinoma are unusual and osteoblastic metastases are quite rare. Three cases are described in which an isolated recurrence of a previous colorectal carcinoma occurred within the pelvic bones, without evidence of skeletal metastases elsewhere so that local spread via portocaval anastomoses in the pelvis is postulated. In all three cases, proliferative calcification and new bone formation occurred within an expansile, destructive lesion, suggesting the occurrence of a synergistic effect between the underlying bone and a malignant neoplasm which has a propensity to calcify.
DELAYED FEEDBACK CONTROL OF A PACED EXCITABLE OSCILLATOR

A simple numerical experiment on Fitzhugh–Nagumo equations demonstrates that time-delay feedback methods can stabilize regular behavior in a paced, excitable oscillator without using large applied pulses. The method is robust against slow variations in the pacing rate and can be used to track an orbit into a parameter regime where it is unstable. Moreover, the method requires no information about the desired orbit other than period, which is determined directly by the observation of the pacing signal. Results are presented for feedback stabilization of a nonspiking orbit in the rapid pacing regime.
A qualitative analysis of code clones and object oriented runtime complexity based on method access points

In this paper, we present a new object oriented complexity metric based on runtime method access points. Software engineering metrics have traditionally indicated the level of quality present in a software system. However, the analysis and measurement of quality has long been captured at compile time, rendering useful results, although potentially incomplete, since all source code is considered in metric computation, versus the subset of code that actually executes. In this study, we examine the runtime behavior of our proposed metric on an open source software package, Rhino 1.7R4. We compute and validate our metric by correlating it with code clones and bug data. Code clones are considered to make software more complex and harder to maintain. When cloned, a code fragment with an error quickly transforms into two (or more) errors, both of which can affect the software system in unique ways. Thus a larger number of code clones is generally considered to indicate poorer software quality. For this reason, we consider that clones function as an external quality factor, in addition to bugs, for metric validation.
Test Method Development to Quantify the In Situ Elastic and Plastic Behavior of 62%Sn–36%Pb–2%Ag Solder Ball Arrays in Commercial Area Array Packages at −40°C, 23 °C, and 125 °C

The objective of this study is to describe and evaluate test methods developed to experimentally characterize the in situ mechanical behavior of solder ball arrays connecting printed wiring boards to area array packages under tensile, compressive, and shear loading at −40, 23, and 125 °C. The solder ball arrays tested were composed of 62%Sn–36%Pb–2%Ag solder alloy. Finite element modeling was performed. The results indicated that the test fixture should be geometrically equivalent to the projected shape of the ball grid array to achieve uniform loading. Tension, compression, and shear tests were conducted. For tensile loading the interfaces and the solder balls are loaded in series resulting in a large apparent strain (13%). Various interfacial failure modes are observed. Under compression and shear loading the effect of the interfaces are negligible and therefore a significant deformation and a remarkable yielding behavior of solder ball arrays can be observed. Furthermore, the specimens tested under shear loading showed different failure modes such as cohesive or adhesive failure modes depending on the test temperature. From the overall results, it has been determined that shear loading is the most representative test to measure the actual mechanical behavior of solder in ball grid arrays.
What is required to institutionalize Kant’s cosmopolitan ideal?

Although Kant argues that a world republic with coercive public law is the only rational way to secure a lawful cosmopolitan condition, he states that it is an unachievable ideal, and he proposes a voluntary, non-coercive federation of states as a substitute. While some scholars have criticized Kant for moving away from this ideal due merely to pragmatic considerations, I argue that his rejection of a coercive world republic is based on his conception of state sovereignty and what is required for a lawful condition. I consider how we can institutionalize a lawful condition between states without a coercive world republic in ways that go beyond Kant’s voluntary federation. I also consider how we can resolve this dilemma in Kant’s account to support a federal world republic.
Practicing neurology A delicate balance

As we near this end of the Decade of the Brain, we can all feel proud of the enormous neuroscientific advances and improved treatments for our patients that we, collectively, have developed. Yet isn’t it remarkable that we are increasingly preoccupied by the consequences of rising health care costs? The Academy, historically known for our outstanding scientific presentations and comprehensive educational offerings, has recognized that irony and that we must respond to these new demands. Several years ago, Academy President Kenneth Viste launched a strategic planning initiative to identify ways to assist our members in responding successfully to today’s fiscal imperative.1 I’m happy to report that we are well into meeting our strategic goals. Our Center for Outcomes Research is implementing a performance improvement plan that will help us demonstrate to the public the quality and accountability of the neurologic services we provide, and our Center for Health Policy has developed important coalitions to move our agenda forward in the political arena. We are also reexamining the training needs for neurologists, developing methods to expand the scope of neurologic practice, and creating a host of tools, some of which you can already find on our Web site (http://www.aan.com), to assist neurologists in practice. These initiatives must not allow us to become complacent, because we have a long way to go. We all face an enormous challenge to learn how to balance three key components of our professional lives: scientific advances, humanistic care, and financial constraints. When all is said and done, our success will be judged by the quality of life our patients with neurologic disorders can experience. That is why I’d like to begin by briefly telling you about two of my dearest patients who had neuromuscular diseases I’ve studied my entire academic career. Both died just before …
Fusion as an evolutionary principle of the vertebrate labyrinth.

Objectives:This study was undertaken to demonstrate changes in the innervation of vestibular and auditory sense organs with the evolutionary ascent of the vertebrate labyrinth.Methods:Dissected labyrinths and their nerve supply prepared by the Sudan black B technique of Rasmussen were examined and photographed with a Canon A100 camera interfaced with a Zeiss operating microscope.Results:In lizards and alligators, the utricular sense organ is represented by 2 small maculae, each with a separate nerve branching off the ampullary nerves to the anterior and lateral canal cristae. These 2 maculae fuse into a bilobed macula with ascent in frogs and pigeons, eventually becoming a single large macula with its nerve supply from the superior vestibular division in guinea pigs, cats, lions, monkeys, and humans. Along with these changes, there is a fusion of the lateral and anterior canal ampullary nerves and of the bifurcating branches of the vertical canal ampullary nerves. The saccular macula is single, but receiv...
Immunizations in children with chronic kidney disease

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk for vaccine-preventable diseases. These patients may have a reduced response to and/or reduced duration of antibody after immunization and therefore monitoring of antibody levels or titers is indicated for some vaccines. In addition, pediatric CKD patients require immunizations not routinely provided to healthy children. Unfortunately, studies in pediatric CKD patients, including those on dialysis and awaiting kidney transplantation, have demonstrated sub-optimal immunization rates. In order to minimize the risk for vaccine-preventable disease in pediatric CKD patients, it is imperative that all who care for these patients remain abreast of the recommended childhood immunization schedule, as well as alterations to this schedule required for children with CKD, including end-stage kidney disease. This article reviews recent changes to the recommended childhood immunization schedule and alterations and additions to this schedule recommended for children with CKD. Where available, data on antibody response to immunizations in children with CKD are presented.
Radiation Characteristics of Antennas Embedded in a Medium With a Two-Temperature Electron Population

It is well-known that low-frequency electromagnetic (EM) signals are heavily attenuated in a medium with dense electron population. All signals below the plasma frequency of the medium get cut off. If we create in this medium, a small population of relatively hot electrons the composite medium then supports low-frequency electrostatic oscillations known as electron acoustic waves (EAW) [e.g., Gary and Tokar, Phys. Fluids 28, 2439]. The dispersion relation of this composite medium shows that it supports EAW in the frequency band where EM signals are cut off. Thus, it is possible, in principle, to employ EAW to transmit signals across an overdense plasma medium. Our primary interest in this paper is to study the radiation characteristics of a source current distribution embedded in a half-space of our composite medium. To enable this, we derive the Green's functions for our problem and, hence, study the radiation characteristics of antennas. When the source signal frequency is below the plasma frequency, only EAW exist in the composite medium, while only EM waves can exist in the free space above. We find that the far-zone radiation fields of any current distribution consist only of θ-polarized waves. Explicit expressions for the radiated fields are obtained for horizontally- and vertically-polarized Hertzian dipoles embedded in our composite medium. We, hence, find that in both cases the radiation patterns are skewed towards the horizon. In particular, we find that the radiation pattern of a horizontal dipole has two lobes as opposed to one in the underdense case.
Using half-normal probability plot and regression analysis to differentiate complex traits: differentiating disease response of multigenic resistance and susceptibility in tomatoes to multiple pathogen isolates.

The need for a new analytical approach was encountered in the course of characterizing newly developed tomato lines resistant to late blight. Late blight resistant tomato lines were created in independent breeding programs using the accession Solanum pimpinellifolium L. (formerly Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium (L.) Miller) L3708 as the source of the resistance. However, initial field observation suggested that the late blight resistance in the lines produced by two independent breeding programs differed. Possible causes included a partial transfer of the late blight resistance derived from S. pimpinellifolium L3708 or the possibility of race specificity of this resistance. A crucial issue was determining the most appropriate and robust analytical method to use with data from laboratory analyses of the responses of nine tomato lines against five P. infestans isolates. Prior analysis by standard ANOVA revealed significant differences across tomato lines but could not determine whether the disease responses in the CLN-R lines were different from those of the heterozygous F1 hybrids, created by crossing susceptible tomatoes with the fixed CU-R lines. A different analytical method was needed. Therefore, sporangia numbers/leaflet and diseased area data were analyzed using a half-normal probability plot and regression analysis. The results of this analysis show its utility for genetic or pathology studies. Considering only populations of the uniform tomato lines, this method confirms the results obtained by using a standard ANOVA, but provides a clearer demonstration of the distributions of the individuals within the populations and how this distribution impacts variance and the difference among the populations. This method also allows a joint analysis of the uniform lines with an additional population that is less uniform, because it is segregating. Such an analysis would be invalid using a standard ANOVA. The results of this joint analysis determined that the additional population was divergent from the fixed CU-R lines, and, against some isolates, against the CLN-R lines as well. Half-normal probability plot analysis method would be applicable more broadly beyond analysis of disease resistance data. It could be useful for data from populations that are not normally distributed, for traits which are affected by epistatic gene action, and could be useful for selection of extremes.
Exact Solution for Rectangular Sandwich Plates with Embedded Piezoelectric Shear Actuators

Anexact solution isobtainedforthethree-dimensional deformationsofsimplysupported laminated rectangular thick plates with embedded shear mode piezoelectric actuators, subjected to mechanical and electrical loading on the upper and lower surfaces. Each layer of the laminate is made of either an orthotropic elastic material or a piezoelectric material whose poling direction lies in the plane of the plate, with perfect bonding between the adjoining layers. The exact displacements and stresses for a homogeneous piezoelectric plate for various lengthto-thickness ratios are compared with those obtained by the erst-order shear deformation theory. Results are also presented for asandwich plateconsistingofashearmodepiezoelectriccoresandwiched between twoelastic layers. A comparison of the stresses with those in the corresponding surface-mounted extension actuation cone guration shows that for the same transverse deeection of the plate centroid, the maximum longitudinal stress within the actuator is signie cantly smaller for the shear actuation mechanism. The exact results presented here can be used to assess the accuracy of different plate theories and/or for validating enite element codes.
Antiplatelet therapy in atrophie blanche and livedo vasculitis

Seven patients with atrophie blanche or livedo vasculitis of the lower extremities showed abnormal platelet functions in vitro. Six of seven showed hyperaggregation with epinephrine and/or collagen, three showed increased platelet adhesiveness, three showed increased platelet count, and one showed increased microemboli. After treatment with dipyridamole and aspirin, all showed return to normal platelet function. Clinical improvement occurred in all patients, with significant alleviation of pain and decrease in new lesion formation. Although enhanced healing of lesions seemed evident to physician and patient, it was incomplete. In two patients, pain returned when dipyridamole and aspirin were stopped, but the patients improved again when the medicines were restarted. These preliminary findings indicate a possible beneficial effect of antiplatelet therapy in atrophie blanche and livedo vasculitis. A double-blind study is being undertaken to further study this effect.
Integration of monotone functions of several variables

Abstract The approximation of integrals of monotone functions of d variables is studied. Algorithms using n function evaluations are considered. The minimal worst case error is Θ(n−1/d). The minimal error of randomized methods is Θ(n− 1 2 −1/d), and it is achieved by an adaptive (sequential) random method. The complexity of approximating integrals of monotone functions with error at most ϵ is Θ(ϵ−d) in the worst case, and Θ(ϵ−2/(1 +2/d)) in the randomized case.
Assessment of contrast flow modification in aneurysms treated with closed-cell self-deploying asymmetric vascular stents (SAVS)

The Asymmetric Vascular Stent (AVS) for intracranial aneurysm (IA) treatment is an experimental device, specially designed for intra-aneurysmal blood flow diversion and thrombosis promotion. The stent has a low-porous patch to cover only the aneurysm neck while the rest of the stent is very porous to avoid blockage of adjacent branches. The latest AVS design is similar to state-of-art, closed-cell, self-expanding, neurovascular stent. The stents were used to treat sixteen rabbit-elastase aneurysm models. The treatment effect was analyzed using normalized-time-density-curves (NTDC) measured by pixel-value integration over a region-of-interest containing the aneurysm. Normalization constant was the total bolus injection determined angiographically. Based on NTDC measurement, five quantities were derived to describe the contrast flow. Two are related to the amount of contrast entering the aneurysm: NTDC peak and NTDC input slope. The other three are related to contrast presence in the aneurysmal dome: time-to-peak (TTP), wash-out-time (WOT) and mean-transit-time (MTT). Flow modification descriptions using the contrast related quantities were expressed as a pre-/post-stented NTDC parameter ratio, while the time related quantities were expressed as a post-/pre-stented ratio, so that ratios smaller than one indicate a desired effect. Thirteen aneurysms were treated successfully and achieved significant aneurysm occlusion. For these cases, the resulting average parameters were: peak-ratio=0.17±0.21; input-slope-ratio=0.19±0.24, TTP-ratio=0.17±0.21, WOT-ratio=0.58±0.73 and MTT-ratio=0.65±0.97). All the quantities revealed decreased aneurysmal flow due to blood flow diversion using the new self-expanding asymmetrical vascular stent (SAVS). Treatment outcome results and angiographic analysis indicate that the new self-deploying stent design has great potential for clinical implementation.
Relationship of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci races to the rhizosphere of Wisconsin-grown tobacco

Isolates of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci, including 21 strains of the wildfire pathogen and 2 strains of the angular leafspot pathogen, were isolated from 143 rhizosphere and soil samples collected from 11 tobacco fields in Wisconsin. These pathogens were isolated by inoculating rhizosphere and soil washings into tobacco leaves and isolating the bacteria from wildfire or angular leafspot lesions that developed on the leaves. The wildfire isolates were from the rhizospheres of tobacco and Panicum capillare and from soil. While the majority of these were from wildfire-diseased fields, one isolate was from a field without disease symptoms; both angular leafspot isolates were from fields without angular leafspot symptoms. The majority of wildfire isolates were race 1, but three were race 0, and one was a new race. In three fields multiple races of wildfire were found. Both angular leafspot isolates were race 1. Two wildfire and one angular leafspot isolates were from fields where the cultivars were resistant to the races isolated.
Exclusive processes at Jefferson Lab

Mapping the transition from strongly interacting, non-perturbative quantum chromodynamics, where nucleon-meson degrees of freedom are effective to perturbative QCD of quark and gluon degrees of freedom, is one of the most fundamental, challenging tasks in nuclear and particle physics. Exclusive processes such as proton-proton elastic scattering, meson photoproduction, and deuteron photodisintegration have been pursued extensively at many laboratories over the years in the search for such a transition, particularly at Jefferson Lab in recent years, taking the advantage of the high luminosity capability of the CEBAF facility. In this talk, I review recent results from Jefferson Lab on deuteron photodisintegration and photopion production processes and the future 12 GeV program.
ORGANIZATION AND SCOPE OF THE SURVEY COURSE IN FRENCH LITERATURE1

THE Survey Course is too well established to require any apology. However, an examination of recent catalogs shows that in a few institutions where one would expect to find such a course, it is lacking. This seems a mistake. The survey is and ought to be the one unavoidable course for those who carry the study of French beyond the first two years of college or three or four of high school. The course must serve to give a wide view of the subject to those who go no further and also provide a foundation for those who go on with more advanced courses. These two purposes are so obvious and fundamental that they need no more elaborate consideration.
Stability constants for the complexation of various metals with a rhamnolipid biosurfactant

The presence of toxic metals in natural environments presents a potential health hazard for humans. Metal contaminants in these environments are usually tightly bound to colloidal particles and organic matter. This represents a major constraint to their removal using currently available in situ remediation technologies. One technique that has shown potential for facilitated metal removal from soil is treatment with an anionic microbial surfactant, rhamnolipid. Successful application of rhamnolipid in metal removal requires knowledge of the rhamnolipid-metal complexation reaction. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the biosurfactant complexation affinity for the most common natural soil and water cations and for various metal contaminants. The conditional stability constant (log K) for each of these metals was determined using an ion-exchange resin technique. Results show the measured stability constants follow the order (from strongest to weakest): Al3+ > Cu2+ > Pb2+ > Cd2+ > Zn2+ > Fe3+ > Hg2+ > Ca2+ > Co2+ > Ni2+ > Mn2+ > Mg2+ > K+. These data indicate that rhamnolipid will preferentially complex metal contaminants such as lead, cadmium, and mercury in the presence of common soil or water cations. The measured rhamnolipid-metal stability constants were found in most cases to be similar or higher than conditional stability constants reported in the literature for metal complexation with acetic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, and fulvic acids. These results help delineate the conditions under which rhamnolipid may be successfully applied as a remediation agent in the removal of metal contaminants from soil, as well as surface waters, ground water, and wastestreams.
Surface film technique for crack length measurement in nonconductive brittle materials: Calibration and evaluation

Abstract The use of conductive surface foils as part of an electrical potential system offers the possibility of precise crack length measurements in brittle solids. In this work, a carbon film deposit technique for the accurate measurement of crack length in non-conducting brittle solids is described. In this method, changes in crack length in a brittle solid are monitored by sputterdepositing a layer of carbon on a surface area which encompasses the region of fracture. The propagation of a crack in the brittle solids leads to a break in the carbon film which is atomically bonded to the surface of the solid. The carbon layer is connected to an electrical circuit where an increase in crack length is reflected as a change in the electrical resistance of the circuit. The high precision and reliability of the carbon deposit technique are demonstrated with the aid of experimental results obtained for three different ceramic materials: Y-TZP (Y2O3-tetragonal zirconia polycrystal), Mg-PSZ (MgO-partially stabilized zirconia) and polycrystalline Al2O3. A detailed finite element analysis has been carried out to obtain accurate calibrations of changes in crack length as a function of the thickness, size and resistivity of the carbon layer. The finite element calibrations are compared with experimental measurements obtained using laser interferometry as well as optical microscopy. The significance and limitations of this class of surface film methods are examined in detail in the light of available techniques for crack length measurements in brittle solids.
Investigation of the Dynamics of Microend Milling—Part II: Model Validation and Interpretation

In Part II of this paper, experimental and analytical methods have been developed to estimate the values of the process faults defined in Part I of this paper, The additional faults introduced by the microend mill design are shown to have a significant influence on the total net runout of the microend mill. The dynamic model has been validated through microend milling experiments. Using the dynamic model, the effects of minimum chip thickness and elastic recovery on microend milling stability have been studied over a range of feed rates for which the cutting mechanisms vary from ploughing-dominated to shearing-dominated. The minimum chip thickness effect is found to cause feed rate dependent instability at low feed rates, and the range of unstable feed rates depends on the axial depth of cut. The effects of process faults on microend mill vibrations have also been studied and the influence of the unbalance front the faults is found to be significant as spindle speed is Increased. The stability characteristics due to the regenerative effect have been studied. The results show that the stability lobes from the second mode of the microend mill, which are generally neglected in macroscale end milling, affect the microend mill stability significantly.
Functional Nanotube-based Textiles: Pathway to Next Generation Fabrics with Enhanced Sensing Capabilities:

With a surge in technological advancements and the needs of diverse communities such as consumers, military and navy, the textile industry is shifting its focus to fabrication of next-generation textiles that not only meet the basic conventional requirements, but also serve a host of other functions. In this pursuit of fabricating next-generation textiles, called here e-textiles (electronic textiles), a novel technique is presented to produce nanocomposite fabrics made from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with enhanced sensing capabilities. Catering to the ever increasing demand of improved sensors, this work discusses the electrospinning fabrication scheme that has been employed to develop novel CNT-based piezoelectric strain sensors. The resulting sensors have been characterized by performing structural vibration experiments to evaluate their strain-sensing performance. When these new CNT-based piezopolymer composites are electrospun into smart fabrics, the strain-sensing ability (as measured by voltage across ...
Demonstration of opsonic and protective activity of human cord sera against type III group B streptococcus that are independent of type-specific antibody

Demonstration of Opsonic and Protective Activity of Human Cord Sera against Type III Group B Streptococcus that Are Independent of Type-Specific Antibody
Studies on the developmental toxicity of ozone: Postnatal effects

Pregnant rats were exposed to either 0, 1.0, or 1.5 ppm ozone during either mid gestation (Days 9-12) or late gestation (Days 17-20). The dams were allowed to deliver and the early morphological and behavioral development of their pups was monitored. Both exposure regimens transiently reduced neonatal growth rates. The late gestation exposure regimen produced retardations in early reflex development and in open field behavior. Finally, several males from this exposure regimen remained permanently stunted in growth.
Hyphal growth of Phytophtora cinnamomi on pine callus tissue

A procedure was developed which demonstrates the expression of differential resistance in pine callus tissues to the fungal pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands. Callus tissues were maintained on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium with 10(-5)M 2,4-D and inoculated with hyphae of P. cinnamomi at 26°C in the dark. The number of intracellular hyphae was used as an index of resistance. Loblolly and loblolly × shortleaf pine hybrids were determined to be more resistant to infection and invasion by the fungus than were shortleaf and Virginia pine.