cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factor Structure and Criterion Validity of the Five Cs Model of Positive Youth Development in a Multi-University Sample of College Students

There is growing recognition that clinical and developmental outcomes will be optimized by interventions that harness strengths in addition to ameliorating deficits. Although empirically-supported methods for identifying strengths are available for children and adolescents, this framework has yet to be applied to emerging adulthood. This study evaluates the nature of the Five Cs model of Positive Youth Development (PYD) – character, confidence, competence, connection, and caring – in a sample of emerging adults from six universities (N = 4654; 70% female; 81% White). Historically, PYD has been modeled as either separate correlated factors or a second-order factor structure. More recently, the bifactor model has been recommended to determine the degree to which PYD is unidimensional versus multidimensional. The present study examined the multidimensionality of PYD by comparing the model fit of a one-factor, five-correlated factor model, and second-order factor structure with a bifactor model and found support for the bifactor model with evidence of invariance across sex. Criterion validity was also assessed using three criterion measures particularly relevant for adjustment during emerging adulthood: anxiety, depressive symptoms, and emotion regulation difficulties. PYD and the residual Cs tended to correlate negatively with indicators of maladaptive development. Future directions including applications of the PYD framework as a measure of thriving across emerging adulthood are discussed.
Association between spousal violence and the incidence of acute respiratory infection among children under five: random-effect modelling using data from Nigeria and Bangladesh.

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a major cause of mortality among children under the age of five in developing countries. This paper examines Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data on maternal recall of episodes of ARI in the contrasting settings of Bangladesh and Nigeria, where about 11.1% and 3.3% of under-5 children, respectively, are reported to have symptoms of ARI. The surveys found that about 25.6% of married Bangladeshi women and 15.4% of married Nigerian women reported experiencing spousal violence in the past year. To test the proposition that women’s experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with adversity in their children, the study examined the relationship between spousal violence in the past year and childhood ARI in the past 2 weeks among children under the age of five in Bangladesh and Nigeria. Data were taken from a nationally representative sample of mothers aged 15–49 years obtained from the 2007 Bangladesh DHS and 2008 Nigeria DHS. Random-effects multiple logistic regression models were estimated to assess the association of maternal exposure to IPV with the incidence of ARI in the past 2 weeks among under-5 children after controlling for the potentially confounding effects of maternal social and demographic characteristics. Results from Nigeria suggest that the odds of ARI incidence among children of mothers who were IPV victims were almost two times higher than among their counterparts whose mothers had not experienced IPV (OR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.45–2.19; p <0.001). Similarly, the odds for the children of Bangladeshi IPV victims were elevated one and half times (OR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.21–2.14; p <0.001). The findings suggest that under-5 children suffer indirect health consequences of gender-based violence.
Field Mark-Recapture of Calcein-Stained Larval Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in a Freshwater-Dominated Estuary

Knowledge of larval transport is important for restoration and management efforts; yet, there are no established methods to determine larval transport in situ. Calcein staining of oyster larvae may help fill this void, and a two-part study was conducted to determine its effectiveness at tracking larval oyster transport in the field. First, it was tested whether oysters could be successfully stained, survive, and grow at estuarine salinities (15, 20, 26), and at sufficiently large numbers (millions of oysters) to support field mark-recapture studies. Second, the field-based application was tested by releasing 22 million stained larvae twice (high and low salinity) into a major estuary, and two methods (fluorescent microscopy and FlowCam) were used to detect recaptured larvae. Results were compared with expected larval movement patterns simulated by an existing larval transport model. Calcein concentrations (100 mg L−1) did not affect larval growth or survival, but handling conditions (water salinity manipulations and tank size) did affect growth and survival during the post-staining period. Microscopy had double the detection capacity, but FlowCam was more practical and time efficient for the large-volume, high particulate load field samples. Larvae (n = 2) were recaptured during the second, higher salinity release, and model comparison showed a 1–2-day time-lag between field recapture and model predictions, suggesting need for model refinement. Calcein has potential to be a useful marker to track larval movement at large scales needed for field-based studies, providing critical information to aid in selection of restoration sites and management of commercially important shellfish species.
Etiology and Management of Upper-Extremity Catheter-Related Thrombosis in Cancer Patients

Central venous access devices are a critical instrument in the treatment and supportive care delivery for oncology patients. Catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) is a common complication of central venous access devices in oncology patients. Risk factors for CRT include patient-, device-, and treatment-related risk factors. Treatment of CRT is indicated to reduce symptoms, prevent catheter malfunction, prevent recurrent DVT or thromboembolic pulmonary embolism, and minimize the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome. Minimal prospective data exist on the prevention and treatment of catheter-related thromboses in cancer patients. As such recommendations largely are derived from data in the lower-extremity DVT and PE studies in cancer and non-cancer patients. Based on the available literature, primary pharmacologic prophylaxis against CRT is not recommended in cancer patients. Treatment options for CRT include catheter removal, anticoagulation, catheter-directed thrombolysis, or surgical thrombectomy. Current evidence-based guidelines recommend LMWH as the anticoagulant of choice. However, recent data showing efficacy and safety of DOACs in cancer-related VTE may be extrapolated to treatment of CRT in cancer patients. In patients with CRT, catheter removal should be pursued if continued vascular access is no longer needed, the catheter is dysfunctional, a catheter-associated infection is present, or if CRT symptoms do not resolve with anticoagulation alone. Catheter-directed thrombolysis is reserved for rare severe cases of CRT. Herein we discuss the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and general management of CRT in cancer patients.
POSSIBLE ROLE OF NUTRITION IN PREVENTION OF SARCOPENIA AND FALLS.

ABSTRACT Objective: In this review, we analyze the foundation of sarcopenia as a potentially modifiable risk factor for falls, and we try to formulate practical strategies for nutritional interventions aimed at reducing the risk for sarcopenia and falls in our elderly patients. Methods: An extensive literature search was performed using the PubMed and the Google Scholar databases. Results: Falls are a common and costly source of injury and death in elderly adults. A large proportion of injurious falls are due to a trip or slip, suggesting that muscular factors are major determinants of both fall risk and the risk for fall-related injury. Conclusion: An increasing body of evidence links sarcopenia, the loss of muscle strength and mass that occurs with advancing age, with an increased risk for falls. Nutritional factors, as well as exercise, can help with both prevention and treatment of sarcopenia and may reduce the risk of falls in the elderly. Abbreviations: 25-OHD = 25-hydroxyvitamin D; EAA = essential amino acid; IGF-1 = insulin-like growth factor 1; IU = international units; MPS = muscle protein synthesis; PUFA = polyunsaturated fatty acid
Aerosol Delivery During Continuous High Frequency Oscillation for Simulated Adults During Quiet and Distressed Spontaneous Breathing

BACKGROUND: Continuous high-frequency oscillation (CHFO) is a therapeutic mode for the mobilization of secretions. The Metaneb CHFO device also incorporates aerosol administration using an integrated jet nebulizer. However, the effectiveness of aerosol delivery and influential factors remain largely unreported. METHODS: A collecting filter was placed between an adult manikin with a representative upper airway and a breath simulator, set to simulate quiet and distressed patterns of spontaneous adult breathing. The Metaneb CHFO device was attached to the manikin via a mask. Two jet nebulizers were tested in 2 different positions: placement in the manifold and placement between manifold and mask. A vibrating mesh nebulizer was placed between the manifold and mask with and without extension tubing. Aerosol administration was compared during CHFO and during nebulization mode alone. Albuterol (2.5 mg in 3 mL) was nebulized for each condition. The drug was eluted from the filter and assayed with ultraviolet spectrophotometry (276 nm). RESULTS: During CHFO, inhaled doses with jet nebulizers were low (∼ 2%), regardless of nebulizer placement. Inhaled dose was improved with the vibrating mesh nebulizer placed between the manifold and mask (12.48 ± 2.24% vs 2.58 ± 0.48%, P = .004). Inhaled doses with the jet nebulizer in the manifold with nebulization mode alone was lower than with the jet nebulizer with an aerosol mask (4.03 ± 1.82% vs 10.39 ± 2.79%, P = .004). Inhaled dose was greater with distressed breathing than quiet breathing. The use of a vibrating mesh nebulizer (P CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled dose with a jet nebulizer via the Metaneb CHFO device was lower than with a jet nebulizer alone. Placement of a vibrating mesh nebulizer at the airway and distressed breathing increased inhaled dose.
Gender difference in emotional reactions and sexual coercion in casual sexual relations: An evolutionary perspective

Abstract This study tested four predictions derived from (evolutionary) sexual conflict theory. The central hypothesis was that men and women possess different emotional mechanisms that motivate and evaluate sexual activities. Women’s mechanisms are associated with their perception of partners’ ability and willingness to invest. For men these associations are weaker or inverse. Regression analyses of survey data from 194 college students revealed the following. As incidence of casual sexual relations increased (SOI Behavior), men reported less concern about partners’ intentions and less Worry–Vulnerability in response to casual sexual relations than women did; these gender interactions were significant. Regular sexual relations with partners with whom they did not desire emotional involvement showed the same pattern of gender differences. The Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) measured the incidence of sexual coercion in casual sexual relations. For women, but not for men, SOI Behavior was associated with all levels of sexual coercion. Limitations and implications are discussed.
Networking from the Cell to Quantum Mechanics as Consciousness

A prior series of peer-reviewed journal articles (Torday and Rehan 2007; Torday 2013, 2015a, b, 2018a, b) and monographs (Torday and Rehan 2012; Torday et al. 2017) have elucidated how cell–cell signaling for form and function during embryologic development can be exploited to determine the evolution of such processes. This is particularly true when the mechanisms of development are identified as the source of phylogenetic changes in physiologic traits such as the lung, kidney, skin, and bone (Torday and Rehan 2012, 2017).
Anthraquinone-Mediated Fuel Cell Anode with an Off-Electrode Heterogeneous Catalyst Accessing High Power Density when Paired with a Mediated Cathode.

The development of processes for electrochemical energy conversion and chemical production could benefit from new strategies to interface chemical redox reactions with electrodes. Here, we employ a...
Core–Shell Electrospun Fibers with an Improved Open Pore Structure for Size-Controlled Delivery of Nanoparticles

Electrospun fiber meshes with controlled drug delivery properties have great potential for applications such as wound dressings, tissue engineering, and cancer treatment. However, controlling the d...
Activating the Antitumor Immune Response in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Using Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas comprise a heterogenous group of disorders which differ in biology. Although response rates are high in some groups, relapsed disease can be difficult to treat, and newer approaches are needed for this patient population. It is increasingly apparent that the immune system plays a significant role in the propagation and survival of malignant cells. Immune checkpoint blocking agents augment cytotoxic activity of the adaptive and innate immune systems and enhance tumor cell killing. Anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies have been tested as both single agents and combination therapy. Although success rates with anti-PD-1 antibodies are high in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, the results are yet to be replicated in those with non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Some lymphoma histologies, such as primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma (PMBL), central nervous system, and testicular lymphomas and gray zone lymphoma, respond favorably to PD-1 blockade, but the response rates in most lymphoma subtypes are low. Other agents including those targeting the adaptive immune system such as TIM-3, TIGIT, and BTLA and innate immune system such as CD47 and KIR are therefore in trials to test alternative ways to activate the immune system. Patient selection based on tumor biology is likely to be a determining factor in treatment response in patients, and further research exploring optimal patient populations, newer targets, and combination therapy as well as identifying biomarkers is needed.
Attractive and repulsive dipolar interaction in bilayers of indirect excitons

A spatially indirect excitons (IX), also known as an interlayer exciton, is a bound pair of an electron and a hole confined in separated layers. IXs have permanent electric dipole moments that makes them a platform for exploring quantum gases with dipolar interaction. Here, the authors study attractive and repulsive dipolar interaction in bilayers of IXs. They find IX cloud spatial shift and monotonic IX energy reduction due to attractive dipolar correlations.
Global Attitude Control via Contraction on Manifolds with Reference Trajectory and Optimization

In this paper, we present a simple geometric attitude controller that is globally, exponentially stable. To overcome the topological restriction, the controller is designed to follow a reference trajectory that in turn converges to the desired equilibrium (making it discontinuous in the initial conditions, but continuous in time). The system and reference dynamics are studied as a single augmented system that can be analyzed and tuned simultaneously. The controller’s stability is proved using contraction analysis (on the manifold), and the bounds on the convergence rate can be found via a semi-definite program with linear matrix inequalities. Additionally, our approach allows the use of the Nelder-Mead algorithm to automatically select controller gains and reference trajectory parameters by optimizing the aforementioned bounds. The resulting controller is verified through simulations.
Coupling the probability of connectivity and RUSLE reveals pathways of sediment transport and soil loss rates for forest and reclaimed mine landscapes

Abstract Coupling erosion formulae with sediment connectivity methods is one promising approach to better represent structural and functional variability of sediment processes. To advance this goal, the probability of connectivity approach is coupled with the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) in a basin with forest and reclaimed mine landuses. Model evaluation showed unforeseen codependency between connectivity formulae and RUSLE. For example, the RUSLE P factor was codependent with the probability of downstream transport within the connectivity formula. Researchers should use feedback calibration schemes to resolve lack of model independence. Connectivity modelling advanced prediction of sediment processes because it simulated the unforeseen impact of legacy terracing on sediment connectivity and soil loss. Structural control dominates connectivity in this study, and soil loss and connectivity are self-similar. The structural control is contrary to recent suggestions that functional, dynamic processes control sediment connectivity in all landscapes. Self-similarity also remains an open topic because a number of studies show poor correlation between soil loss and connectivity. On average 12% of forested land and 47% of reclaimed mine land was connected for events studied. Predicted soil loss rates in the reclaimed mine were approximately 30 times greater than the forest land despite the fact that the reclamation is classified as phase 3. Spatially explicit results highlight pathways that should be targeted for remediation, and this study supports the idea of the Forestry Reclamation Approach for remediation of excess soil loss.
Characterization of murine subacromial bursal-derived cells.

Purpose/Aim: The purpose of this study is to identify a cell population within the murine subcromial bursal-derived cells with characteristics compatible to an accepted mesenchymal stem cell description given by the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT).Materials and Methods: Murine subacromial bursa was harvested using microsurgical technique. Subacromial bursal-derived cells were classified through colony-forming units, microscopic morphology, fluorescent-activated cell sorting, and differentiation into chondrogenic, adipogenic, and osteogenic lineages.Results: Subacromial bursal samples exhibited cell growth out of the tissue for an average of 115 ± 29 colony-forming units per 1 mL of complete media. Subacromial bursal-derived cells exhibited a long, spindle-shaped, fibroblast-like morphology. Subacromial bursal-derived cells positively expressed mesenchymal stem cell markers CD73, CD90, and CD105, and negatively expressed mesenchymal stem cell markers CD31 and CD45. Subacromial bursal-derived cells, examined by Image J analysis and quantitative gene expression, were found to differentiate into chondrogenic, adipogenic, and osteogenic lineages.Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility of harvesting murine subacromial bursal tissue and identified a cell population within the subacromial bursa with characteristics compatible to an accepted mesenchymal stem cell description. The results of this study suggest that the mouse subacromial bursal-derived cell population harbors mesenchymal stem cells. Murine subacromial bursal tissue is a potential source for obtaining cells with mesenchymal stem cell characteristics for future utilization in orthopedic research to look into treatment of rotator cuff pathology.
MAEDyS: multiagent evolution via dynamic skill selection

Evolving effective coordination strategies in tightly coupled multi-agent settings with sparse team fitness evaluations is challenging. It relies on multiple agents simultaneously stumbling upon the goal state to generate a learnable feedback signal. In such settings, estimating an agent's contribution to the overall team performance is extremely difficult, leading to a well-known structural credit assignment problem. This problem is further exacerbated when agents must complete sub-tasks with added spatial and temporal constraints, and different sub-tasks may require different local skills. We introduce MAEDyS, Multiagent Evolution via Dynamic Skill Selection, a hybrid bi-level optimization framework that augments evolutionary methods with policy gradient methods to generate effective coordination policies. MAEDyS learns to dynamically switch between multiple local skills towards optimizing the team fitness. It adopts fast policy gradients to learn several local skills using dense local rewards. It utilizes an evolutionary process to optimize the delayed team fitness by recruiting the most optimal skill at any given time. The ability to switch between various local skills during an episode eliminates the need for designing heuristic mixing functions. We evaluate MAEDyS in complex multiagent coordination environments with spatial and temporal constraints and show that it outperforms prior methods.
An Analysis of Heat Generation in a Lithium Ion Cell

Abstract The heat generation rate of a lithium ion cell was estimated using a reversible heat generation rate equation. Because the equation is based on the energy conservation law, the influence of kinetically slow processes should be considered. In this analysis, the influence of kinetically slow processes is present but it is small within the domain of the test measurements. This approximation can be of significant usefulness for modeling the thermal response of single cells and multi-cell batteries. Introduction In a recent review article, the thermal issues associated with lithium ion batteries were outlined [1]. One of the issues that received attention was the need for improved modeling of the heat generation rate. An attempt was made to address this issue by analyzing a set of data published in a recent paper [2]. In that paper, a method of heat generation measurement for a prismatic battery was presented. In addition, the heat generation rate of a 20 Ah prismatic A123 LiFePO4 was measured during the discharge of that cell. The discharges were conducted in an operating domain of 0.25C to 3C rates and an operating temperature ranging from −10° C to 40° C. The data was presented in a series of plots that was amenable to digitalization for further analysis.
Influence of flaw geometries on hole-crack stress intensities

The paper deals with a frozen-stress photoelastic study of a class of flaw shapes where the ratio of the hole diameter to plate thickness is approximately unity. The study was carried out by a technique developed for estimating stress intensity factor variations along the border of flaws in three-dimensional problems. The results show that for deep flaws, the flaw shapes are not simple and the flow growth is not self-similar. The implications of this effect are discussed.
Lessons Learned from Two Neighbors: How Educators Teach of United States Policies

This study provides an analysis of data collected from Chihuahua, Mexico, and Ontario, Canada, educators on how United States (U. S.) policies are taught and discussed in their classrooms. Teachers and administrators were interviewed with regard to their respective curricula and classroom discussions. The researcher sought to gain insight on how historical and current U. S. policies are addressed. Participants responded to questions regarding how much time was devoted to U. S. policies in classroom discussions, how much open discourse exists in classrooms, what ideological differences are evident, and why Americans should be informed of perspectives in another country’s social studies classrooms. The researcher uses border pedagogy and meliorism to analyze how educators present geographic, historic, socioeconomic, and political issues as they relate to U. S. classrooms. Addressed are implications for integrating perspectives in U. S. classroom discussions and, in turn, broadening the social studies curriculum in American schools. Moreover, this study seeks to provide additional insight for those who educate on common issues in U. S. classrooms.
Immunochemical Approaches to the Identification of the Ultraplankton: Assets and Limitations

During the past decade, it has become obvious that most photosynthetic cells are exceedingly small. We now realize that 50– 80% of the primary production in the open ocean takes place in cells capable of passing through a 3 μm polycarbonate filter (Platt et al., 1983; Li et al., 1983; Glover et al., 1986a). This size fraction is termed the ultraplankton.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY MIND: OR,CONJECTURAL SAVAGES, FICTIONAL HUMANS AND THE PERFORMANCE OF RIGHTS

In 2004, historian Lynn Hunt published an article entitled “The 18th Century Body and the Origins of Human Rights.” Therein she argues that humanist experiences of the body that emerge with the penal reform movement of eighteenth-century Europe represent the origins ofthe concept of human rights as we know it today.Hunt’s primary concern is the emergence of a “rights possessing body” that causes a major shift in thinking around mid-century. In outlining this shift, she first illustrates how the rise in the popularity of portraiture during the latter half of the eighteenth-century functioned to“encourage the view that each person was an individual, that is, single, separate, distinctive and original” (Hunt 43). Hunt suggests that such a proliferation of “individuated bodies” lays the groundwork for a new kind of emotional experience requisite for modern human rights—a feeling of sympathy for someone else whose own autonomous body has been violated.
Remote high temperature electro-optical sensing using YVO/sub 4/:Dy/sup 3+/ thermographic phosphors

The fluorescent properties of dysprosium-doped yttrium vanadate (YVO/sub 4/:Dy/sup 3+/) phosphors in powder form for potential use in remote high-temperature sensing applications are investigated. A fluorescence lifetime decay versus temperature calibration curve is presented and has been calibrated against US National Bureau of Standards temperature calibration instruments. The research shows that dysprosium-doped yttrium vanadate thermographic phosphors have a specified temperature sensing range from 325 degrees C to 400 degrees C. The technique used for making temperature measurements and for obtaining calibration curves of YVO/sub 4/:Dy/sup 3+/ is discussed. In addition, emphasis is placed on the application of thermographic phosphor measurements in the industrial domain and in laboratory research. >
Defining Error in Anatomic Pathology

Abstract Context.—Although much has been said and written about medical error and about error in pathology since the publication of the Institute of Medicine's report on medical error in 1999, prec...
Genetic Algorithms in Reliability

Genetic algorithms (GAs) have been effectively used to solve many difficult engineering problems and are particularly effective for solving combinatorial optimization problems with large, complex search spaces. The redundancy allocation problem (RAP) is perhaps one of the most common problems in design for reliability and it is known to be NP hard. Redundancy is used as a strategy to meet high reliability specifications in many system design engineering projects. In this material, we present an overview of some of the most relevant research that has been done on the use of GAs in the reliability optimization of redundant systems. Keywords: genetic algorithms; redundancy allocation; reliability optimization; system reliability; evolutionary algorithm
Variation in convective properties across the HR diagram

We perform 3D radiative hydrodynamic simulations to study convection in low-mass main-sequence stars with the aim of improving stellar models. Comparing models from a 0.90 M ⊙ evolutionary track with 3D simulations reveals distinct differences between simulations and mixing length theory. The simulations show obvious structural differences throughout the superadiabatic layer where convection is inefficient at transporting energy. The discrepancy between MLT and simulation changes as the star evolves and the dynamical effects of turbulence increase. Further, the simulations reveal a T-tau relation that is sensitive to the strength of the turbulence, which is in contrast to 1D stellar models that use the same T-tau relation across the HR diagram.
Tempering stable processes

Abstract A tempered stable Levy process combines both the α -stable and Gaussian trends. In a short time frame it is close to an α -stable process while in a long time frame it approximates a Brownian motion. In this paper we consider a general and robust class of multivariate tempered stable distributions and establish their identifiable parametrization. We prove short and long time behavior of tempered stable Levy processes and investigate their absolute continuity with respect to the underlying α -stable processes. We find probabilistic representations of tempered stable processes which specifically show how such processes are obtained by cutting (tempering) jumps of stable processes. These representations exhibit α -stable and Gaussian tendencies in tempered stable processes and thus give probabilistic intuition for their study. Such representations can also be used for simulation. We also develop the corresponding representations for Ornstein–Uhlenbeck-type processes.
Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics and Problem Behavior Among Disadvantaged Children

Using survey data from former Head Start children in the third grade from 15 sites across the nation (n = 576), this study examines the relationship between maternal subjective neighborhood attributions and their children's behavioral problems. Maternal perceptions of neighborhood characteristics were measured across five domains, including collective efficacy, barriers to services, negative neighbor affects, probability of child status attainment success, and overall neighborhood rating. Children's problem behaviors, measured with the Social Skills Rating System, includes externalizing and internalizing outcomes. Our results suggest that the worse the maternal assessments on each neighborhood construct, the greater the extent of children's problem behavior, holding constant child demographic factors and parental socioeconomic status. In addition, we find that family income effects on children's problem behavior are partially mediated by these perceived neighborhood domains. Taken together, these results suggest that neighborhood deprivation is related to problematic behavioral outcomes in children.
Six-Sigma and the Revival of TQM

Abstract This paper suggests that Total Quality Management (TQM) is undergoing a revival under a new name, six-sigma. Many organizations have discovered that such methodologies under appropriate leadership can be applied in such a way as to restore the strength of quality initiatives. Six-sigma provides a highly disciplined approach to quality improvement, assures follow-through using a five step process, and clearly assigns personnel responsibility. Specific customer oriented metrics are identified and tracked until a control system is in place to maintain the improved processes. All required features of TQM are found in the correct application of six-sigma.
Exact and approximate response of non-linear stochastic systems

ABSTRACT The method of finding the exact solution and a new approximation method for a class of non-linear stochastic systems is presented. In both methods a non-linear transformation of the original system is applied. The idea of this method is presented for a non-linear system with stochastic parametric excitations. If the transformed system is a linear one then one can find an exact solution, otherwise the cumulant neglect closure technique is applied to this new system. The resuts obtained are illustrated by a numerical example.
A STEM/X‐ray microanalytical study of the equilibrium segregation of bismuth in copper

SUMMARY Combined scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and X-ray microanalysis have been used to detect the equilibrium segregation of bismuth to grain boundaries in copper. Quantification of the X-ray data gives grain boundary bismuth concentrations close to those reported previously by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Samples tempered at low temperatures (773,873 K) had detectable bismuth concentrations at more boundaries than those samples tempered at high temperature (1073 K). There is evidence that the degree of segregation varies strongly from boundary to boundary.
Acoustic-phonetics based speech recognition

The objective of this project is to develop a robust and high-performance speech recognition system using a segment-based approach to phonetic recognition. The recognition system will eventually be integrated with natural language processing to achieve spoken language understanding.
Conformational studies of common protein templates in macromolecularly imprinted polymers

Unlike the molecular imprinting of small molecule templates, molecularly imprinted polymers specific to large templates (>1,500 Da), have achieved limited success to date. Conformational stability of these labile macromolecules is one of the main factors that prevent the direct extension of successful procedures from the small molecule regime. We continue our systematic investigation of the effect of common components in macromolecular MIPs on the conformation of protein templates. Circular dichroism was used to show that frequently employed monomers and crosslinkers induce significant changes in the secondary structures of lysozyme and bovine hemoglobin. The extent to which this change occurs, at ligand concentrations far below what are typically used reported work, is cause for concern and provides as rational explanation for the lack of success in this arena. This is because a change in the template structure prior to polymerization would lead to the binding sites formed during polymerization to be specific to this alternate conformation. Subsequent studies with the macromolecule in its native state and the crosslinked network would not be successful. Using this information as a guide, we offer suggestions as to where work in macromolecular imprinted polymers should focus going forward in order for these antibody mimics to reach their vast potential as a new class of biomedical diagnostic devices.
Surface Sterilization of Eggs of the Boll Weevil with Cupric Sulfate

In our 1st attempt to use frozen squares (cotton flower buds) for feeding and oviposition of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, during the winter, we had extreme difficulty with the growth of microorganisms when eggs treated with 0.01% mercuric chloride were placed on the artificial larval medium. Although the artificial diet of Earle et al. (1959) contains 0.1% sorbic acid and 0.1% methyl-para-hydroxybenzoate, and even though we tried several compounds for surface sterilization of the eggs, we were unable to control microbiological contamination. As a result we obtained very few weevils from contaminated petri dishes.
Lyso-phosphatidylcholine induces osteogenic gene expression and phenotype in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Abstract Objective Calcifying vascular cells in human atherosclerotic plaques actively contribute to ectopic vascular mineralization. Lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC), a product of oxidized phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis, is found at concentrations of 1–12μg/g tissue throughout the atheroma. The objective of this study was to determine if LPC induces an osteogenic phenotype in vascular smooth muscle cells. Methods and results Proliferating human aortic smooth muscle cells were treated with a wide-range of LPC concentrations (0.1nM to 100μM) over 14 days. Von Kossa, Alizarin Red S, and alkaline phosphatase staining were used to identify mineralizations. RT-PCR, ELISA, alkaline phosphatase activity, and 45 Ca incorporation assays were used to evaluate the osteo-inductive effect of LPC on smooth muscle phenotype. Histology and morphometry revealed that cells treated with as little as 10nM LPC produced calcium phosphate deposits in culture. LPC-treated vascular smooth muscle cells showed a significant increase in 45 Ca incorporation and alkaline phosphatase activity. Furthermore, LPC treatment induced a significant loss of Schnurri 3 protein, a key repressor of Runt-related transcription factor 2 stability. Genomic studies revealed that osteogenic gene expression was significantly up-regulated in LPC-treated cells, which is attributed to increased Runt-related transcription factor 2 expression and transcriptional activity. Conclusion LPC induces osteogenic morphology, physiology, gene expression, and phenotype in vascular smooth muscle cells. The present study suggests that localized concentrations of LPC in human atherosclerotic plaques may be a contributing factor to the generation of calcifying vascular cells.
Irreversible enzyme-shuttle immunoassay.

The concept of a competitive enzyme immunoassay that utilizes simultaneously the bound and the free analyte-enzyme conjugate (heterobifunctional conjugate) for signal generation in response to varying analyte concentrations in samples has been investigated. Two antigenic sites of the heterobifunctional conjugate are used in the assay for binding to immunoglobulins: the analyte derivative binds to an immobilized antibody, Ab1, and the enzyme component binds to a spatially separated immobilized antibody, Ab2. The analytical system is set up such that in the absence of analyte, the conjugate is predominantly bound in the compartment that contains Ab1. With increasing concentration of native analyte in samples, an increasing concentration of native analyte in samples, an increasing amount of conjugate migrates to the second compartment that contains Ab2. The enzyme bound in each compartment is used for signal generation. Mathematical models have been developed to determine the optimal conditions and to predict the performance of such dual-antibody systems. The theoretical predictions are supported by experimental results. The dual-antibody system has been compared with a conventional competitive enzyme immunoassay using the same reagents.
Doctors, psychiatrists and disease.

Abstract The paper's aim is to show how moral concerns may be kept segregated from strictly medical concerns. To do this, the doctor's speciality is characterized in terms of disease. Doctors may plausibly make special claims qua doctors when they are treating disease. Since mental diseases are sometimes thought to be more than immoral behavior, the concept of disease receives detailed treatment. So-called ‘antipsychiatric’ arguments against the existence of purely mental disease are restated. It is accepted that these arguments illustrate the need to insist that genuine diseases have, at least in principle, an underlying physical pathology. It is then argued that prevalent philosophical analyses which seek to do away with the physical pathology requirement do not adequately meet antipsychiatric arguments, and threaten to allow the annexation of morals by medicine. Finally, some conclusions are drawn as to what conclusion might reasonably be drawn concerning psychiatry if it is allowed that diseases must involve physical pathology.
Role and Control of Cell Membrane Curvature in Receptor Transport

The cell membrane is extremely complex, consisting of spatially and temporally dynamic two- and three-dimensional heterogeneities. This changing membrane topography is known to play an important regulatory role in physiological processes, such as cancer. Our primary interest is to understand the implications of membrane curvature in immune signaling by mast cells for which the rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cell line is used as model system. In tissue, mast cells can cause allergic responses as well as protect our body from parasitic infection. Mast cells have high affinity Fc receptors (Fc-epsilon-RI) specific for immunoglobulin E (IgE). To study the effect of membrane curvature gradients on Fc-epsilon-RI transmembrane signaling, we control membrane curvature with supported lipid bilayer coated three-dimensional glass substrates and observe fluorescently labeled immunoglobulin E loaded Fc-epsilon-RI receptor (IgE-R) motion by single-particle tracking. We show how the dynamics and distribution of IgE-R are affected by curvature-induced changes to the cell membrane thickness.
A novel platform for engineering blood-brain barrier-crossing bispecific biologics

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents the access of therapeutic antibodies to central nervous system (CNS) targets. The engineering of bispecific antibodies in which a therapeutic "arm" is combined with a BBB-transcytosing arm can significantly enhance their brain delivery. The BBB-permeable single-domain antibody FC5 was previously isolated by phenotypic panning of a naive llama single-domain antibody phage display library. In this study, FC5 was engineered as a mono- and bivalent fusion with the human Fc domain to optimize it as a modular brain delivery platform. In vitro studies demonstrated that the bivalent fusion of FC5 with Fc increased the rate of transcytosis (Papp) across brain endothelial monolayer by 25% compared with monovalent fusion. Up to a 30-fold enhanced apparent brain exposure (derived from serum and cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetic profiles) of FC5- compared with control domain antibody-Fc fusions after systemic dosing in rats was observed. Systemic pharmacological potency was evaluated in the Hargreaves model of inflammatory pain using the BBB-impermeable neuropeptides dalargin and neuropeptide Y chemically conjugated with FC5-Fc fusion proteins. Improved serum pharmacokinetics of Fc-fused FC5 contributed to a 60-fold increase in pharmacological potency compared with the single-domain version of FC5; bivalent and monovalent FC5 fusions with Fc exhibited similar systemic pharmacological potency. The study demonstrates that modular incorporation of FC5 as the BBB-carrier arm in bispecific antibodies or antibody-drug conjugates offers an avenue to develop pharmacologically active biotherapeutics for CNS indications.
Lipid Peroxidation In Vivo Induced by Reversible Global Ischemia in Rat Brain

It has been hypothesized that ischemia, followed by reperfusion, facilitates peroxidative free-radical chain processes in brain. To resolve this question, rats were subjected to reversible global ischemia. From coronal sections of brains frozen in situ, small (ca. 2 mg) amounts of tissue were sampled from neocortex, hippocampus, and thalamus of both cerebral hemispheres of four groups of rats exposed to 30 min cerebral ischemia followed by 0, 30, 60, and 240 min of reperfusion, and from a control group subjected to the same operative procedures, except for the induction of ischemia. Heptane-solubilized total lipid extracts from these samples were analyzed spectroscopically in the 190-330 nm range for content of isolated (nonconjugated) double bonds and of conjugated diene structures; the latter are formed from isolated double bonds during peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. Spectra derived from tissue regions of rats subjected to ischemia, or ischemia followed by reperfusion, were compared to averaged, region-specific control spectra and were normalized to the original content of isolated double bonds in the peroxidized samples. The resultant difference spectra were analyzed in terms of ratios of conjugated diene concentration to the concentration of isolated double bonds originally at risk in the specific tissue zones considered. The peak representing conjugated diene formation was centered at 238 +/- 1 nm and was usually well resolved when the molar ratio [conjugated diene]/[isolated double bonds], expressed as a percentage [( CD]/[IDB]), was greater than 0.25%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Interpretation bias modification for youth and their parents: a novel treatment for early adolescent social anxiety.

Social anxiety is the most prevalent anxiety disorder of late adolescence, yet current treatments reach only a minority of youth with the disorder. Effective and easy-to-disseminate treatments are needed. This study pilot tested the efficacy of a novel, online cognitive bias modification for interpretation (CBM-I) intervention for socially anxious youth and their parents. The CBM-I intervention targeted cognitive biases associated with early adolescents’ maladaptive beliefs regarding social situations, and with parents’ intrusive behavior, both of which have been theoretically linked with the maintenance of social anxiety in youth. To investigate the efficacy of intervening with parents and/or children, clinically diagnosed early adolescents (ages 10–15; N = 18) and their mothers were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: the first targeted early adolescents’ cognitive biases related to social anxiety (Child-only condition); the second targeted parents’ biases associated with intrusive behavior (Parent-only condition); and the third targeted both youth and parents’ biases in tandem (Combo condition). The use of a multiple baseline design allowed for the efficient assessment of causal links between the intervention and reduction in social anxiety symptoms in youth. Results provided converging evidence indicating modest support for the efficacy of CBM-I, with no reliable differences across conditions. Taken together, results suggest that online CBM-I with anxious youth and/or their parents holds promise as an effective and easily administered component of treatment for child social anxiety that deserves further evaluation in a larger trial.
Automatic face-region detection in MPEG video sequences

In this paper, we present a fast algorithm that automatically detects human face regions in MPEG video sequences. The algorithm takes the DCT coefficients of MPEG video frames as the input, and output the positions of the bounding rectangles of the detected face regions. The algorithm is divided into three stages, where chrominance, shape, and DCT frequency information are used respectively. By detecting faces directly in the DCT domain, there is no need to carry out the inverse DCT transform, so that the algorithm runs in real time. In our experiments, the algorithm detected 92 percent of the faces in one hundred MPEG I-frames with few false alarms. The algorithm can be applied to JPEG still images or motion JPEG videos as well.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparison of vibration and hot‐tool thermoplastic weld morphologies

Because of very different heating rates in hot-tool and vibration welding, and the higher weld pressures used in vibration welding inducing more squeeze flow, the weld zones in these two processes see very different flows and cooling rates, resulting in different morphologies. The weld morphologies of bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC) and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) for these two processes are discussed in relation to these differences. The thickness of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) in hot-tool welds increases with the melt time; this zone is thicker than in vibration welds. The HAZ thickness in hot-tool welds increases from the center toward the edges. The HAZ thickness is more uniform in vibration welds. Hot-tool welds of PC have large numbers of bubbles around the central plane; the bubble size increases from the center to the edges. PC vibration welds do not have bubbles except near the edges. Both hot-tool and vibration welds of PBT do not have bubbles. The morphology of the HAZ in PBT is very different in hot-tool and vibration welds. In hot-tool welds, the resolidified material consists of a sandwich structure in which two thin layers with very small crystallites surround a thicker central layer in which the spherulites are almost as large as in the original molded material. In vibration welds, the HAZ has large crystallinity gradients across the weld zone as well as squeeze-flow induced distortion of the small spherulites.