cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping of Metastatic Level I Axillary Lymph Nodes in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer.

Purpose We examined the distribution of pretreatment nodal metastases to the level I axilla (Ax-L1) to assess the appropriateness of current breast atlases and provide guidelines in relationship to easily identifiable anatomic landmarks for accurate delineation of this lymph node (LN) basin. Methods and Materials Patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer and biopsy-proven metastatic Ax-L1 LNs were identified. We related the location of each LN to its most adjacent rib and its distance from the bottom of the humeral head, axillary vessels, and a line connecting the anterior aspects of the pectoralis and latissimus dorsi muscles (P-L line). LNs were mapped onto a representative planning computed tomography scan, and their distribution was used to validate the current Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, and Radiotherapy Comparative Effectiveness breast atlases. Furthermore, we examined metastases to a subregion encompassing the superolateral Ax-L1, irradiation of which correlates highly with lymphedema. Results We identified 106 eligible patients with 107 biopsied LNs. All LNs fell between the second and fifth ribs (mean, 3.8 ± 0.56). Mean distance from the inferior aspect of the humeral head was 4.3 ± 1.6 cm (range, 0.3-8.4). Mean distance from the inferior aspect of the axillary vessels was 2.9 ± 1.5 cm (range, –0.6 to 5.4). Mean distance from the P-L line was 0.01 ± 1.9 cm (range, –2.2 to 2.4); negative and positive values denote medial or lateral to the P-L line. A Radiation Therapy Oncology Group–compliant Ax-L1 consensus contour, created from contours by 4 attending breast radiation oncologists, partially or fully missed 45% of mapped LNs. European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology– and Radiotherapy Comparative Effectiveness–compliant Ax-L1 similarly missed 46% and 34% of mapped LNs, respectively. LNs were most frequently missed in the lateral direction. The superolateral Ax-L1 encompassed 9.3% of the mapped LNs. Conclusions A significant percentage of at-risk Ax-L1 tissue falls outside current contouring atlases. We propose expansion of the recommended Ax-L1 borders, most notably in the lateral direction.
Could Confounding the Allosteric Communication of Biotic Machinery Be an Alternative Path to Antibiotics

It is well known that society faces a conundrum of dealing with antibiotic drug resistance and future deadly bacteria and infections. These battles involve the rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (1, 2) in hospitals and the general treatment of infections in the population. The process of developing unique and new therapeutics is very active in pharma and research laboratories, and it requires both the identification of new targets and possibly taking a different approach, away from the conventional blockade of an active site. Numerous molecular machines, which have critical function in organisms, utilize allosteric activation as a key mechanistic step. While there have been attempts to target allosteric sites for inhibitor development (3, 4), successful interference with allosteric processes may involve a shift in the inherent dynamics within the machine rather than simply plugging an allosteric binding site (5, 6). In PNAS, Vahidi et al. (7) reveal, through an integrated biophysical, structural, and biochemical study, the role of allosteric communication and dynamics in the large, intact tetradecameric ClpP1P2 protease from Mycobacterium tuberculosis , which is essential for pathogenesis and virulence in tuberculosis. Hence, ClpP1P2 is among the viable antibiotic targets (8). The MtClpP1P2 machine has been studied extensively, but often in components representing a conventional divide-and-conquer strategy. Just as for G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) (9⇓–11), a more comprehensive, multifaceted approach is warranted. As a field of structural biology, we are emerging from a period of separate investigations by a single methodology such as NMR, or crystallography, or electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM), or molecular dynamics that may examine components of a machine to a regime where integrated examination of the system is the focus. Utilizing different methodologies, it is possible to overcome and see beyond limitations. For example, the predominant … [↵][1]1Email: byrdra{at}mail.nih.gov. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Manager–Employee Communication in the #MeToo Era: The Role of Gender Similarity and Context Ambiguity in Ethical Leadership

Sexual harassment is a widespread problem in the American workplace. Managers must understand how their employees perceive ethical leadership in this context. This includes current undergraduates—managers’ future employees. Undergraduates are entering the workforce in a climate of heightened awareness due to the #MeToo movement and federally required collegiate sexual violence training. Grounded in scholarship on ethical leadership and feminist standpoint theory, the experiment compares U.S. undergraduates’ perceptions of male and female managers across common workplace scenarios and examines their evaluations of managers’ traits and behaviors. Analysis reveals (a) what manager behavior is deemed ethical, (b) a general preference for female managers, and (c) that women evaluate female managers more positively than male managers. This study’s findings provide important implications for employee–manager communicative exchanges.
Ayahuasca and Arabidopsis: The Philosopher Plant and the Scientist’s Specimen

Moving among the laboratory, the Brazilian Amazon, and herbaria, this article cultivates a theoretical grafting of phytocommunicable strategies that stem from human interactions with ayahuasca and ...
Glucose, Insulin and Potential Strategies of Vascular Stiffening

Hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia which are independent risk factors for vascular stiffening and diabetic vasculopathy are present in most patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this review we discuss these factors which promote vascular stiffness. We also discuss the roles of renin- angiotensin II -aldosterone (RAAS) activation, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, features which often present in the CardioRenal metabolic syndrome. Here, we provide new insights in the pathogenesis of vascular stiffening induced by RAAS, including the dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells; inflammation, oxidation stress, as well as alterations in collagen and elastin. We also introduce a novel concept where both β1-integrin and α-smooth muscle actin are likely major players in the increased vascular stiffening as ascertained by atomic force microscopy technology. We explore therapies such as estrogens aimed at vascular de-stiffening which may improve vascular function in patients. This review highlights recent evidence supporting the role of RAAS and insulin resistance in the development of vascular stiffening in diabetic patients.
Risk of intracerebral haemorrhage from hypertension is greatest at an early age.

IntroductionThe risk of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) associated with hypertension (HTN) is well documented. While the prevalence of HTN increases with age, the greatest odds ratio (OR) for HTN a...
Why Trump Lost and How? A Rhetorical Explanation:

Discovering why the 2020 election turned out as it did will, given the complexities of American politics, take considerable time. Discovering how Trump lost and how Biden won will take longer. This...
Implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on school-based agricultural education teachers in South Carolina

Understanding a complete school-based agricultural education (SBAE) program and the many tasks at hand for the teacher are critical in determining the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on SBAE teachers. The human capital theory was used to undergird this study, focusing on the components impacting the effectiveness of SBAE teachers. The purpose of the study was to determine the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on SBAE teachers in South Carolina (SC). This non-experimental survey research study reached 46.5% of SBAE teachers in SC through the electronic distribution of a 27-item survey instrument implementing a then-now design. SBAE teachers in SC felt less prepared to deliver relevant classroom instruction, supervise supervised agricultural experiences - projects, advise FFA members, and train Career and Leadership Development Events teams now than they did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, while they feel more prepared to teach student virtually than ever before. The pandemic impacted the preparedness and self-efficacy of SBAE teachers, impacting both their career and personal life satisfaction. Moving forward SBAE teachers should evaluate their roles and responsibilities associated with their career and determine how to best bring balance into their lives. Additional research on the roles and responsibilities of SBAE teachers post-pandemic should also be considered.
Transient hypertriglyceridaemia associated with propranolol for treatment of infantile hemangioma.

We present a case of a one-month-old female patient with severe hypertriglyceridaemia as a side effect of treating an ulcerating infantile hemangioma with systemic propranolol. The remarkedly rapid increase in triglyceride returned to normal 96 hours after the discontinuation of the medication, and further follow-up revealed normalisation of the lipid profile. Further research is necessary to unveil the association of systemic propranolol with hypertriglyceridaemia.
Phosphorus and carbon solubilization strategies for wastewater sludge valorisation

Abstract Phosphorus and carbon solubilisation from wastewater sludges is a difficult task due to specific sludge characteristics and low biodegradability of sludges. This work evaluates operational strategies to solubilise phosphorus and/or carbon from different municipal sludges in a bioacidification reactor operated at low sludge retention time (SRT) compared to conventional digestors, with the objective of valorising sludge and recovering resources onsite of a water resource recovery facility (WRRF). The individual impact of three municipal sludges, three organic loading rates (OLR), two SRTs, two temperatures and thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment was assessed through a well-designed experimental methodology. Bioacidification provided a maximum 79% of PO43--P/Ptot and 29% of CODsol/CODtot solubilisation ratios, which was an increase of approximately 60% and 26%, respectively, compared to a non bioacidified sludge. Similar performance was achieved for the three different sludges and OLRs used in this study under SRT of 4 days and 35 °C. Kinetic tests elucidated that lower SRT (2 days) and temperature (20 °C) negatively impacted P release due to biological fermentation decrease. Iron and polyphosphate release was impacted by present microbial community, while calcium release was more dependent on pH. Organic phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon solubilisation was limited by low sludge hydrolysis and increased only after a thermal-alkaline sludge hydrolysis pre-treatment (pH 9, 80 °C for 1 h) was combined with the bioacidification. This study demonstrates the high potential of the bioacidification process to valorise sludge and provides recommendations for its implementation onsite based on the individual requirements of each WRRF.
Pharmacotherapy for unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer.

Unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has a poor prognosis. Emerging treatment paradigms have improved outcomes in selected unresectable mCRC cases. Recent therapeutic advancements are d...
Models for the study of cell-specific neuropeptide gene expression.

Publisher Summary Neuroendocrine cells have long been used as model systems for studying neurosecretion and have been recognized as models of peptide synthesizing neurons in general. This chapter describes various models for the study of cell-specific neuropeptide gene expression. The three models, transgenic mice, immortalized cell lines, and primary slice-explant cultures, each permit studies of the regulation of neuron-specific gene expression at a different level of integration. The advances in homologous recombination suggest that this technique may circumvent many of the integration position-dependent problems associated with current transgenic animals. However, as transient and/or stable transfection techniques become more applicable to primary neurons, much of the preliminary information on sequences necessary and sufficient for appropriate gene expression can be studied in vitro in appropriate cell types. The in vitro information can thereafter be applied to the development of mutant animal models in which further gene regulation, physiological and behavioral studies can be performed. For example, mutant models, such as the Brattleboro rat and hypogonadal mouse, which have been so useful but rare, and discovered by chance, can now be systematically genetically engineered.
Wave-angle control of delta evolution

[1] Wave-influenced deltas, with large-scale arcuate shapes and demarcated beach ridge complexes, often display an asymmetrical form about their river channel. Here, we use a numerical model to demonstrate that the angles from which waves approach a delta can have a first-order influence upon its plan-view morphologic evolution and sedimentary architecture. The directional spread of incoming waves plays a dominant role over fluvial sediment discharge in controlling the width of an active delta lobe, which in turn affects the characteristic rates of delta progradation. Oblique wave approach (and a consequent net alongshore sediment transport) can lead to the development of morphologic asymmetry about the river in a delta's plan-view form. This plan-form asymmetry can include the development of discrete breaks in shoreline orientation and the appearance of self-organized features arising from shoreline instability along the downdrift delta flank, such as spits and migrating shoreline sand waves—features observed on natural deltas. Somewhat surprisingly, waves approaching preferentially from one direction tend to increase sediment deposition updrift of the river. This ‘morphodynamic groin effect’ occurs when the delta's plan-form aspect ratio is sufficiently large such that the orientation of the shoreline on the downdrift flank is rotated past the angle of maximum alongshore sediment transport, resulting in preferential redirection of fluvial sediment updrift of the river mouth.
ROSA: an algebra for rough spatial objects in databases

A fundamental data modeling problem in geographical information systems and spatial database systems refers to an appropriate treatment of the vagueness or indeterminacy features of spatial objects. Geographical applications often have to deal with spatial objects that cannot be adequately described by the determinate, crisp concepts exclusively available in these systems since these objects have an intrinsically indeterminate and vague nature. The goal of this paper is to show that rough set theory can be leveraged in an elegant manner to seamlessly model this kind of spatial data. Our approach introduces novel rough spatial data types for rough points, rough lines, and rough regions that can be employed as attribute types in database schemas. These data types are part of a data model called ROSA (ROugh Spatial Algebra). Their formal framework is based on already existing, general, exact models of crisp spatial data types, which simplifies the definition of the rough spatial model. In addition, we obtain executable specifications for the operations on rough spatial objects; these can be immediately used as implementations. This paper gives a formal definition of the three rough spatial data types as well as some basic operations.
Vision: Form Perception

Human vision constructs the perceived two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes of visual objects and scenes from retinal images that are inherently ambiguous. In the process it consults a variety of sources of information, including motion, shading, texture, occlusion, binocular disparity, and image contours. Keywords: extrema of curvature; occluding contour; shading; subjective contour; surface orientation
Does the sunset of mental health parity really matter

The 1996 Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA), which became effective in January 1998, is scheduled to expire in September 2001. This article provides an overview of what the MHPA intended to do and what it actually has accomplished. We summarize state legislature actions through the end of 2000 and report on their effects on employer-sponsored mental health coverage using a national survey fielded in 1999–2000. We then discuss possible amendments to the MHPA and reforms beyond full parity that might be considered.
Computational support for play testing game sketches

Early-stage game prototypes need to be informative without requiring excessive commitments. Paper prototypes are frequently used as a way of trying out core mechanics while leaving them easy to change. Play testing on even these early-stage prototypes can give an idea of how the rules play out and whether the game is fun and engaging. Recently, researchers have proposed using automated analysis of games to discover additional properties of games, such as exploits and other gameplay issues. We propose a lightweight game-sketching approach to give designers access to insight derived from both human and machine play testing. Using our system, BIPED, a designer specifies a game's mechanics and maps them to a set of board-game-like primitives. Games created with BIPED can be played interactively on a computer as well as automatically analyzed, giving designers two complementary sources of design backtalk. In this paper, we describe the language designers may use to sketch games, how they might use our tool in the two modes of play testing, and how the prototypes are computationally realized. Additionally, we study using our system to prototype a game and examine it in human and machine play tests.
The ecological, chemical and histopathological evaluation of an oil spill site

Abstract In July 1971 when approximately 25% of the clams in Long Cove, Searsport, Maine, had been killed by the March 1971 oil spill, collections of surviving clams for histological examination were made. These studies were continued through 1974 and revealed a high incidence of gonadal tumours in clams contaminated by the oil. The area of highest oil impact correlated with the highest per cent of tumours. The tumours were found to be malignant neoplasms.
Investigating open source software and educational robotics

We investigate the role of open source software in the learning, teaching, utilization, and development of educational robotics and its corresponding core technologies. First, we present a survey of current open source solutions for the LEGO® MindStormsTM Robotics Invention SystemTM. Next, we discuss the role of open source software in the development of two undergraduate robotics projects.
Design Considerations for High-Security Interior Intrusion Detection Systems

Areas which require high security are usually those in which very valuable material, potentially dangerous material, or strategic information is stored. The primary purpose of the physical protection systems for such areas is to prevent theft or sabotage of the protected items. Intrusion detection is one of the essential elements of a physical protection system. It is essential that any new or to-be-improved intrusion detection system be carefully planned and analyzed to ensure that it will reliably perform its intended function in the specified environment and that the system's strengths and weaknesses be identified and understood. Included in the planning and analysis is the development of (a) a system philosophy, including techniques to reject nuisance alarms logically, (b) a preliminary system design, including site survey and characterization techniques, (c) on-site and off-site experiments and evaluation, including sensor test methods, (d) final system design, (e) construction and installation considerations, (f) a program schedule, (g) cost considerations, and (h) procurement. The pertinent aspects of these items for high-security interior intrusion detection systems are discussed.
Understanding the three-dimensional world from two-dimensional immunofluorescent adjacent sections

Visualizing tissue structures in three-dimensions (3D) is crucial to understanding normal and pathological phenomena. However, staining and imaging of thick sections and whole mount samples can be challenging. For decades, researchers have serially sectioned large tissues and painstakingly reconstructed the 3D volume. Advances in automation, from sectioning to alignment, now greatly accelerate the process. In addition, immunofluorescent staining methods allow multiple antigens to be simultaneously detected and analyzed volumetrically. The objective was to incorporate multi-channel immunofluorescent staining and automation in 3D reconstruction of serial sections for volumetric analysis. Paraffin-embedded samples were sectioned manually but were processed, stained, imaged and aligned in an automated fashion. Reconstructed stacks were quantitatively analyzed in 3D. By combining automated immunofluorescent staining and tried-and-true methods of reconstructing adjacent sections, we were able to visualize, in detail, not only the geometric structures of the sample but also the presence and interactions of multiple proteins and molecules of interest within their 3D environment. Advances in technology and software algorithms have significantly expedited the 3D reconstruction of serial sections. Automated, multi-antigen immunofluorescent staining will significantly broaden the range and complexity of scientific questions that can be answered with this methodology.
Reevaluation of T Cell Receptor Excision Circles as a Measure of Human Recent Thymic Emigrants

The human thymus exports newly generated T cells to the periphery. As no markers have been identified for these recent thymic emigrants (RTE), it is presently impossible to measure human thymic output. T cell receptor excision circles (TREC) have been recently used to assess thymic output during both health and disease. Using a mathematical model, we quantify age-dependent changes both in the number of RTE generated per day and in TREC concentration during an 80-year lifespan. Through analyses, we demonstrate that RTE and peripheral T cell division have the same potential to affect TREC concentration at any age in healthy people. T cell death also influences TREC concentration, but to a lesser extent. During aging, our results indicate that thymic involution primarily induces an age-dependent decline in TREC concentrations within both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell populations. We further apply this model for studying TREC concentration during HIV-1 infection. Our analyses reveal that a decrease in thymic output is the major contributor to the decline in TREC concentration within CD4(+) T cells, whereas both increased peripheral T cell division and decreased thymic output induce the decline in TREC concentration within CD8(+) T cells. Therefore, we suggest that T cell turnover should be examined together with TREC concentration as a measure of RTE. If peripheral T cell division remains relatively unchanged, then TREC concentration indeed reflects thymic output.
Towards a contingency theory of control in Information systems development projects

The main objective of this article is to provide a contingency theory of control for informing the project management of information systems development (ISD). Control is characterized by levels of formality. The theoretical framework provides a propositional inventory by bringing together the three central constructs of control, context and consequence. Six types of control mechanisms which can be used in various mixes are identified and classified under an informal/formal continuum. The context is hierarchically arranged into three levels and provides the various contingency factors which may affect the control of ISD projects. Finally, the consequences are further divided into three perspectives, each of which provides a new angle to study the outcome of ISD projects. The broad propositions linking the three constructs should provide the basis for future research on the management of ISD projects
Understanding the perimenopause.

The perimenopause is usually defined as the time between when a woman notices a change in her menstrual function and the time at which she is amenorrheic for a year, hence, menopausal [1]. The usual beginning of the perimenopause is in the mid-to-late forties, at an age when reproductive function has usually ended. It is a relatively rare event that a woman in her mid-forties will become pregnant with her own gametes even with medical assistance [2]. Starting in her thirties, fertility decreases as a woman ages. This decrease in fecundity is not accompanied by any physical alteration that a woman could recognize. While there is a slight but measurable fall in fecundity, starting from age 30 relative to younger ages, at age 38 a steeper fecundity decline begins [3]. This decline increases through the early forties. By age 45, naturally occurring pregnancy is a rare event. By the early-to-mid forties the spontaneous miscarriage rate increases to over 50% [4]. There is a concomitant increase in karyotypic abnormalities. To view the changes a different way, a couple in their twenties having regular coitus has a greater than 20% chance of pregnancy in a given cycle. At age 40, this chance decreases to less than 5%. The most common perimenopausal event that women notice is a change in menstrual cycle frequency, which includes somewhat shorter cycles or occasionally missed or longer cycles. The changes in cycle length are the defining events identifying the start of the perimenopause. There may also be a change in the character of the bleeding. In addition, many women specifically complain of breast discomfort or even enlargement during this time period. It is well known that a woman is born with all the oocytes she will ever have. From birth through menopause these eggs are gradually lost, mostly through atresia, until several years after
Plasma diagnostic applications on the TEXT tokamak using a high power, twin frequency optically pumped far-infrared laser

A high-power, twin-frequency, optically-pumped, far-infrared (FIR) laser has been developed at UCLA for diagnostic application on the TEXT tokamak. The source is operated at 245 GHz (λ=1.22 mm) for heterodyne scattering measurements and 694 GHz (λ=432 μm) for high resolution interferometry. Future plans include a 30 channel interferometer/polarimeter operating at 694 GHz to accurately determine current profiles.
Field water supply:yield relationships of grain sorghum grown in three USA Southern Great Plains soils

Abstract Field water supply (FWS) combines the three sources of water used by a crop for evapotranspiration (ET), and consists of available soil water at planting (ASWP), rainfall, and irrigation. Examining the grain yield and FWS relationship (Yg:FWS) may provide insight into the reported variability in crop water production functions such as water productivity (WP) and irrigation water productivity (IWP). Since water is most productive when entirely consumed in ET, diversion of FWS into non-ET losses such as drainage and excessive soil water evaporation results in declines in WP and IWP. The objective of this experiment was to examine the Yg:FWS and Yg:ET relationships of grain sorghum grown under a range of irrigation treatments (0, 25, 50, and 100% replacement of ET), beginning soil water contents, evaporative demands, in the Amarillo, Pullman, and Ulysses soils of the Great Plains. The purpose was to determine the amount of FWS beyond which declines in WP and IWP began to occur due to non-ET losses as indicated by a change in the slope and intercept of the Yg:FWS and Yg:ET relationships. Large amounts of non-ET irrigation application losses occurred in the finer-textured soils in the T-100 irrigation treatment. In both years, the T-100 irrigation application amounts and ASWP resulted in a FWS ranging from 750 to 870 mm which exceeded the maximum ET requirement of 530–630 mm and which reduced WP and IWP. Piecewise regression analysis of the Yg:FWS and Yg:ET relationships for the crops in the Pullman and Ulysses soils identified the knot point, or change in slope and intercept, in the FWS where both WP and IWP tended to be optimized. This was about 500 mm in both soils, and involved the utilization of about 250 mm in ASWP, irrigation applications averaging about 250 mm, and about 60–130 mm remaining in the soil at harvest. For the coarser-textured Amarillo soil, the yield response to increasing FWS was linear, because non-ET application losses such as drainage gradually increased with the irrigation application amount. The linear Yg response in the sandy Amarillo soil and the piecewise Yg responses in the clay and silt loams of the Pullman and Ulysses soils to FWS also reflected the difference in water-holding capacities of the soils that affected the amount of available water as irrigation increased. Irrigating without considering FWS resulted in non-ET irrigation application losses and declines in WP and IWP.
Clinical outcomes and nephrotoxicity associated with vancomycin trough concentrations during treatment of deep-seated infections

Objective: Higher vancomycin concentrations are thought necessary for treatment of deep-seated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, yet this may result in greater risk of nephrotoxicity. We evaluated the relationship of serum vancomycin trough concentration with clinical outcomes and nephrotoxicity for patients with deep-seated MRSA infection.Methods: A retrospective cohort study evaluated adults with MRSA pneumonia, endocarditis or osteomyelitis who received vancomycin for ≥ 5 days from June 2005 to June 2007. Patients were stratified by mean vancomycin trough level [low (< 15 mg/l), high (≥ 15 mg/l)]. Outcomes were clinical response, mortality, length of stay (LOS) and nephrotoxicity. Three definitions of nephrotoxicity were used: i) rise in serum creatinine (SCr) ≥ 0.5 mg/dl; ii) 50% increase in SCr; and iii) 25% decrease in estimated creatinine clearance.Results: Fifty-five patients experiencing MRSA pneumonia (n = 28), endocarditis (n = 9), osteomyelitis (n = 20) and multiple...
Investigation of tool path interpolation on the manufacturing of die and molds with HSC technology

Abstract The application of high speed machining of molds and dies with their high complex geometry makes the traditional methods of tool path interpolation normally used by CAM systems, i.e., linear and circular interpolations, the bottle neck of the whole process. These “old” interpolation methods increase the machining time, have a negative influence in the final quality of the surfaces and are a technological limitation for the full application of HSC. As a result the study of new methodologies to the tool path interpolation is becoming one of the main areas of research in manufacturing of molds by HSM. Among the different methodologies of tool path interpolation exist linear, circular and polynomial. The milling experiments were made using work pieces of Steel AISI SAE P20, the geometry from the NC Gesellschaft test part and a ROMI machining center with 10,000 min −1 spindle and 5000 mm/min of feedrate. The Unigraphics NX CAD/CAM system was used to generate the NC program with different values for the CAM tolerance to check its influence on the methods for the tool path interpolation.
Robots at the tipping point: the road to iRobot Roomba

Consumer robotics has achieved its first significant commercial success with the arrival of the iRobot Roomba Robotic Floorvac. Roomba has succeeded in the marketplace where other robots failed or feared to tread. Like many good products, Roomba has been rewarded for putting customer's interests first. Roomba accomplishes a task customers care about and does so at a price competitive with other methods. No breakthrough technologies were required, just familiar components used in new ways. A simple set of principles helped designers provide value to our customers by keeping the focus on the application, robot cost and functionality, and system complexity.
Plasmids required for utilization of molecular hydrogen by Alcaligenes eutrophus

Alcaligenes eutrophus and three other hydrogen bacteria exposed to plasmid-curing agents generated autotrophic-minus mutants at high frequency. These mutants were blocked in the metabolism of H2 as an energy source and had normal levels of enzymes involved in CO2 fixation. The loss of hydrogenase activity in A. eutrophus was accompanied by the loss or alteration of a plasmid that had molecular weight of approximately 200×106. Mobilization of this plasmid from wild-type A. eutrophus strains into cured hydrogenase-minus derivatives restored hydrogenase function. It is concluded that A. eutrophus contains a large plasmid required for hydrogen metabolism and thereby autotrophic growth.
Self-healing wireless networks under insider jamming attacks

As jamming is a very serious threat to the normal operation of wireless networks, recently much research has been done to deal with it. Different from most existing research, In this work, we tackle the jamming attack problem in a systematic way. Specifically, we design a protocol that is capable of self-healing wireless networks under jamming attacks. The protocol identifies and excludes an insider jammer and then restores normal data communications among benign nodes despite the presence of jamming by an initially unknown compromised node. Our scheme integrates key management, jammer identification and jammer isolation in one system. We evaluated the protocol with USRP devices and GNURadio in the context of jammer localization. The experiments show that our protocol can identify and isolate the insider jammer with high accuracy. Keywords—Self-healing; Insider Jamming Attacks; Jammer Identification; Wireless Networks; Node Revocation.
Lexical bundles in published and student disciplinary writing: Examples from history and biology

Abstract For more than a century, linguists have been interested in the study of frequent word combinations. The present study investigated a special type of word combination, lexical bundles, defined as a sequence of three or more words that co-occur frequently in a particular register [Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English, Longman, London, 1999]. The goal was to improve the understanding of the function of lexical bundles in academic prose by comparing the use of such bundles by published authors in history and biology and by students at three different levels in those disciplines. The first part of this study focused on a corpus of published writing from history and biology journals. The most frequent four-word lexical bundles in that corpus (called target bundles) were identified and classified structurally and functionally. The second part concentrated on students' use of those target bundles. The findings of this study indicated that students rarely used these target bundles in their writing. In addition, when students did use certain bundles, their use did not correspond to the uses of bundles employed by professional authors. Finally, some pedagogical implications of the findings, as well as suggested paths for future research, are introduced and discussed.
On the utilization of ionosonde data to analyze the latitudinal penetration of ionospheric storm effects

Upper atmosphere science is placing increased emphasis on global coupling between the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere systems, particularly with regard to the penetration of dynamic, chemical, and electrodynamic effects from high to low latitudes during magnetically disturbed periods. An emerging potential exists for latitudinal and longitudinal chains of ionosondes to contribute uniquely to this thrust in ways complementary to the capabilities and shortcomings of other ground-based sensors and satellites. Here we illustrate a methodology whereby the fullest potential of such ionosonde data can be realized. Data from a chain of stations close to the −165° magnetic meridian and separated by about 5° in magnetic latitude are used to study the relationships between magnetic activity, hmF2, foF2, and inferred meridional winds during 17-28 April, 1979. Hourly values are fit in latitude using Legendre polynomials, and variations from quiet-time values are displayed in latitude - U.T. coordinates using a color graphics method which provides an illuminating illustration of the penetration of ionospheric disturbances in latitude and their dependence on Kp, storm time, and local time. Observed effects are interpreted in terms of plausible electric field, neutral wind, and neutral composition changes during the storm period. For instance, net depletions in foF2 occur over the entire disturbed interval down to about 25°-30° latitude, apparently due to such increased N2 densities that the resulting enhanced plasma loss rates overcompensate any “positive” storm effects whereby southward winds elevate the F-layer peak to altitudes of reduced chemical loss. Positive storm effects are, however, observed at lower latitudes, and may also reflect the influence of electric fields as well as winds. Interestingly, besides reflecting the anticipated southward flows and equatorward extensions in conjunction with magnetically disturbed conditions, the 24-hour average meridional winds exhibit a northward return flow after the magnetic disturbance has relaxed; this is a new feature of thermosphere dynamics which should be further investigated using general circulation models and other means of inferring the wind field.
DSP array for real-time adaptive sidelobe cancellation

A programmable, reconfigurable DSP array has been designed in response to the need for a real-time adaptive sidelobe canceller to support wide bandwidth high frequency radar concepts. These concepts incorporate multiple (up to 128) mainbeams and many degrees of freedom using many auxiliary antenna elements, and employ frequency sub-banding to partition a 1 MHz instantaneous bandwidth. The real-time sidelobe canceller is based on the Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization procedure and uses concurrent block adaptation to derive an optimal solution for the available data. The sidelobe canceller implementation configures the modular DSP array into a two-dimensional Gram-Schmidt processor. A proof-of-concept sidelobe canceller implementation will provide the capability to perform sidelobe cancellation on two simultaneous mainbeams using eight auxiliary channels. The DSP array sidelobe canceller can be expanded to support more than 128 mainbeams using auxiliary channels. The array consists of TMS320C30 based processing nodes providing four independent data ports (two inputs and two outputs) connected via high speed serial data links supporting two megawords-per-second sustained throughput rates (8 megawords-per-second burst rates). These manually configured data connections are separated from the control structure, allowing a variety of interconnect strategies (one-dimensional, two-dimensional, etc.). A host processor is used to download application code and control the system. This programmable, reconfigurable array processor can also be used for a variety of other applications including the singular value decomposition, matrix-matrix multipliers, and FFTs.
On the initial value problem for a completely integrable shallow water wave equation

Abstract We present an algorithm for solving the initial value problem on the infinite line for a wave equation arising in the study of long waves at the free surface of water. The algorithm exploits the link between the hierarchy of the shallow water equation and that of the modified Korteweg–de Vries equation.
Design of space-multiplexed three-dimensional Omega networks and their optical implementation

A method is described for arrangement of channels from different stages of a three-dimensional shuffle/exchange network so that only a single set of optics is needed to perform the two-dimensional shuffles. This arrangement is based on our earlier one-copy algorithm. It requires a feedback system and is an example of a space-multiplexed optical multistage network. We discuss the design issues and experimental results.
Smoking and social justice.

Smoking is disproportionately common among the disadvantaged, both within many countries and globally; the burden associated with smoking is, therefore, borne to a great extent by the disadvantaged. In this paper, I argue that this should be regarded as a problem of social justice. Even though smokers do, in a sense, ‘choose’ to smoke, the extent to which these choices can legitimise the resulting inequalities is limited by the unequal circumstances in which they are made. An analysis of the empirical literature reveals a variety of factors—such as targeted advertising, unequal dissemination of information about the health risks of smoking and inequalities in smoking norms—that make the disadvantaged more likely to become smokers and less likely to quit successfully. The paper then considers a range of common tobacco control policies from the perspective of social justice. The social justice perspective developed here poses a challenge for policy-makers: on the one hand, social justice concerns strengthen the case for tobacco control policies because such policies disproportionately benefit the health of the disadvantaged. At the same time, however, we must be particularly sensitive to any harms associated with such policies because such burdens, too, will fall largely on the disadvantaged.
International Bias Detected in Judging Gymnastic Competition at the 1984 Olympic Games

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not a pattern of bias was shown by men's and women's gymnastics judges at the 1984 Olympic Games. To determine whether judges were biased in favor of gymnasts from their own countries and against gymnasts from countries in close competition with their own, the scores of each individual judge were compared to the mean of the other three judges on the panel Results of six sign test analyses revealed that both male and female judges were biased in their scoring of gymnasts (p<.001). Judges scored gymnasts from their countries higher than the remaining members of the panels. Judges also scored gymnasts on teams both immediately ahead and behind their own lower than other judges on their panels.
Effect of reactive oxygen species on endothelin-1 production by human mesangial cells

Effect of reactive oxygen species on endothelin-1 production by human mesangial cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is generated in abundance in renal ischemia/reperfusion with resultant decreases in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. To determine if ROS regulate ET-1 production, the effect of ROS donors or scavengers on ET-1 protein and mRNA levels in cultured human mesangial cells was examined. Incubation with xanthine/xanthine oxidase, glucose oxidase, or H 2 O 2 caused a dose-dependent rise in ET-1 release. Similarly, xanthine/xanthine oxidase or H 2 O 2 augmented ET-1 mRNA levels. In contrast, the ROS scavengers dimethylthiourea (DMTU), dimethylpyrroline N-oxide, or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate reduced basal ET-1 release, while DMTU lowered ET-1 mRNA levels. Deferoxamine, an iron chelator, also decreased basal ET-1 release. Superoxide dismutase potentiated the ET-1 stimulatory effect of xanthine/xanthine oxidase, while catalase abrogated the effect of xanthine/xanthine oxidase and H 2 O 2 . The effects of ROS were unrelated to changes in nitric oxide production or cytotoxicity. These data indicate that exogenously or endogenously-derived ROS can increase ET-1 production by human mesangial cells. While superoxide anion reduces ET-1 levels, H 2 O 2 leads to enhanced production of the peptide. ROS stimulation of mesangial cell ET-1 production may contribute to impaired glomerular hemodynamics in the setting of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Linkage studies in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)—XI The map position of “platinum eye” and “Spatulate”☆

Abstract (1) Data are presented to show that “platinum eye” (pte), a sex-linked recessive spontaneous mutation in T. castaneum, is located about 18 units from pygmy (py) and about 29 units from paddle (pd), and the order of these genes in the X chromosome is pte-py-pd. (2) Data are also given to establish the position of Spatulate (Spa) in the fourth linkage group of this flour beetle. Spa is an autosomal dominant with recessive lethal effects, and its interaction with Be produces a dominant synthetic lethal effect. It is located about 4 units, probably to the left of s, and the order of these genes appears to be Be-(s)-Spa-(s)-eju.
Some Speculation on the Future of the Book

SUMMARY The continuing debate over the future of the book is a highly charged one that is too frequently driven by prophecy rather than evidence. The introduction of technological change rarely completely displaces older technologies especially when the older technologies are as much a part of the fabric of the culture as the book. The major direction of the competing communication technology is seen as an evolving process where the electronic forms of materials will eventually find a form that realizes their potential among the functions traditionally associated only with the book.
Second-Class Citizens on Campus? Promoting an Ethic of Care for Undergraduates in Student-College Relationships

AbstractThe authors of this article discuss circumstances that have led in some ways to a decline in the commitment by colleges and universities to the well-being of undergraduates. They present reasons why an ethic of care is needed to promote student-college relationships that protect and nurture higher education’s youngest members.
Large Cell Transformation of Mycosis Fungoides on Fine Needle Aspiration: An Unusual Case Mimicking Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common type of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, undergoes large cell transformation in only a minority of cases that present in patch stage. We describe a 52-year-ol
Parallel/series dependency and equivalence in generalized Markov's chains

Abstract In this paper the analytical solutions to generalized Parallel and Series Markov's Chains are presented. The states dependencies are derived and the condition of equivalence is considered. The results are analyzed with respect to fault tolerant computing system applications.
Cost-effective reductions of non-CO2 greenhouse gases

Abstract To date, most of the focus on greenhouse gas emission reductions has been on energy-related CO 2 emissions. This is understandable since CO 2 emissions currently account for about 82 percent of the total US greenhouse gas emissions weighted by 100-year global warming potentials (EPA, www.epa.gov/globalwarming/publications/emissions, 2001a). 1 However, a number of analyses suggest that the non-CO 2 greenhouse gases included in the Kyoto Protocol—methane, nitrous oxide, and the high-GWP (global warming potential) gases (HFCs, PFCs, and SF 6 )—can make a significant contribution to cost-effective emission reductions for the US and other countries. Our current estimate for the US is a reduction in non-CO 2 emissions of 105 million metric tons of carbon equivalent (MMTCE) at $50/ton carbon equivalent in 2010. This paper provides a perspective on the current and projected emissions of greenhouse gas; outlines the potential methods for achieving emissions reductions for various sources; and summarizes several recent studies on the cost of reductions for the US and other countries. Although the paper does not specifically address the potential for reductions of these gases in individual countries outside the US and the European Union, its findings are generally applicable to many countries.
Transvaluationism: comments on Horgan

L'A. commente l'allocution «transvaluationnism» de Horgan et critique son idee que le vague est incoherent logiquement. Pour ce, il mine les raisons de son argumentation en faisant appel a la logique du vague et a un certain traitement du paradoxe sorite