cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perron eigenvectors and the symmetric transportation polytope

Abstract Let x and y be positive vectors in R n . The set of all n × n nonnegative matrices having x and y T as their right and left Perron eigenvectors is a polyhedral convex cone. A cross section of this cone is the polytope P (x,y) consisting of all n × n nonnegative matrices C such that Cx = x and y T C = y T . The set of doubly stochastic matrices is obtained as a special case when x = y =(1,1,…,1) T . Our purpose is to investigate the structure of P (x,y) and especially its extreme points. This is done by transforming the problem into a symmetric transportation polytope, which contains all n × n nonnegative matrices having the same vector z as their row and column sum vector. Using graph-theoretic methods, we investigate the number of extreme points of this polytope. In particular we study vectors z that yield the maximum number of extreme points.
Microstructural Refinement in Single-Phase Copper Solid Solutions by Machining

A study has been made of the effect of solute (Mn, Al, Ni) additions on microstructure refinement due to large strain deformation in single phase, copper solid solutions. The solutes were specifically selected for their influence on stacking fault energy (SFE) of copper, and the large strain deformation was imposed by chip formation in machining. The microstructure of Cu- 0.7at%Ni chip consists of elongated, sub-micrometer sized grains while Cu-7at%Al chip is made up of long, thin microbands with twins. The microstructure of the chip changes as the SFE of the material varies. With all of the solid solutions studied, the hardness of the chips is found to be significantly greater than that of the bulk material. Recrystallization temperature of solid solution chips is found to be higher than those of pure copper chips.
Percutaneous transcatheter embolization of lesions of the extremities

Abstract Our experience with nine patients in whom percutaneous transcatheter embolization was utilized in the extremities is presented. These include three patients with peripheral hemangiomas who were successfully embolized as the primary therapy; two patients who were embolized prior to surgery to minimize blood loss and shorten anesthesia time; two patients with neoplasm of an extremity as a means of palliation; and two patients with traumatic vascular lesions. Indications and potential complications are discussed, and the various embolic agents available are reviewed to define the options available to the angiographer and surgeons in planning therapy. (J VASC SURG 1984;1:710-7.)
Energy efficient collaborative beamforming in wireless sensor networks

Reducing energy consumption is critical for wireless sensor networks. The dominant factor is the energy for data transmission. Collaborative beamforming can save transmission energy by improving the directivity of electromagnetic waves so that the signal at the receiver is stronger. Compared with a single transmitter, collaborative beamforming spreads the long distance transmission energy over multiple transmitters. This balances the battery lifetime on individual nodes because each transmitter can use lower power. However, beamforming depends on proper coordination of phases among the participating sensor nodes. This requires communication among the sensor nodes and consumes energy. This paper investigates whether the transmission energy can be saved by using beamforming based on the number of nodes and the total size of data needed to transmit. We determine the minimum size of data to balance the communication overhead when given the total number of nodes.
Instrumental and Reactive Functions and Overt and Relational Forms of Aggression: Developmental Trajectories and Prospective Associations during Middle School.

This study examined the development of adolescent self-reported instrumental-overt, instrumental-relational, reactive-overt, and reactive-relational aggression during middle school (N = 384; 12–14 ...
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines: Established models and rationale for selection

Background. Head and neck squamous cell carci- noma (HNSCC) cell lines are important preclinical models in the search for novel and targeted therapies to treat head and neck cancer. Unlike many other cancer types, a wide variety of pri- mary and metastatic HNSCC cell lines are available. An easily accessible guide that organizes important characteristics of HNSCC cell lines would be valuable for the selection of appro- priate HNSCC cell lines for in vitro or in vivo studies. Methods. A literature search was performed. Results. Cell growth and culture parameters from HNSCC cell lines were catalogued into tables or lists of selected charac- teristics. Methods for establishing cancer cell lines and basic cell culture maintenance techniques were reviewed. Conclusions. A compendium of HNSCC cell line characteris- tics is useful for organizing the accumulating information regard- ing cell line characteristics to assist investigators with the devel-
Scanning Acoustic Microscopy - Application to Fault Detection

This paper describes the characteristics of a scanning acoustic microscope operated at 375 MHz in the pulsed reflection mode with a spatial resolution of about 1.3 pm, and discusses its demonstrated and potential application to the diagnostic study of integrated circuits and components. Direct comparisons are made with scanning electron microscope and optical microscope displays, and the technique is compared with a reported liquid-crystal technique. The scanning acoustic microscope demonstrates high resolution, high contrast, and large depth of field; is simple to operate; and does not charge the substrate or require a vacuum. High detection sensitivity should result from imDroved signal processing.
Story Generation to Accelerate Math Problem Authoring for Practice and Assessment

We present a novel authoring infrastructure for accelerating the rate of content creation for coached practice environments. In an initial authoring stage, the tool supports quick authoring of scaffolded problems, drawing upon principles established in prior intelligent tutoring authoring research. However, in contrast to earlier approaches, the result of this stage is a structured template than can be used to generate a multitude of variations on the same problem concept.
Speeding up the Parti-Game Algorithm

In this paper, we introduce an efficient replanning algorithm for nondeterministic domains, namely what we believe to be the first incremental heuristic minimax search algorithm. We apply it to the dynamic discretization of continuous domains, resulting in an efficient implementation of the parti-game reinforcement-learning algorithm for control in high-dimensional domains.
The FoxO Family in Cardiac Function and Dysfunction

The Forkhead family of transcription factors mediates many aspects of physiology, including stress response, metabolism, commitment to apoptosis, and development. The Forkhead box subfamily O (FoxO) proteins have garnered particular interest due to their involvement in the modulation of cardiovascular biology. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of FoxO regulation and outcomes of FoxO signaling under normal and pathological cardiovascular contexts.
Investigating the Role of Tbx4 in the Female Germline in Mice

Normal development of germ cells is essential for fertility and mammalian reproduction. Although abnormal development of oocytes or follicles may lead to primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), a disorder that causes infertility in 1% of women less than 40 yr of age, the genes and signaling pathways activated in POI are not as yet fully elucidated. Tbx4, a member of the T-box family of transcription factors, is expressed in embryonic germ cells and postnatal oocytes at all stages of folliculogenesis. To investigate the requirement for Tbx4 in the germline, we analyzed germ cell development in the absence of Tbx4. We show that primordial germ cells (PGCs) are reduced in Tbx4 homozygous null (Tbx4−/−) embryos at Embryonic Day (E) 10.0. Tbx4−/− embryos die by E10.5; to study later time points in vitro, a tamoxifen-inducible estrogen receptor Cre recombinase was used to delete Tbx4 conditional mutant alleles. In addition, Gdf9cre and Zp3cre, two oocyte-specific Cre recombinases, were used to delete Tbx4 from postnatal primordial and primary follicles, respectively. We show that in vitro differentiation of the gonad into morphologically distinct testes and ovaries occurs normally starting at E11.5 when Tbx4 is deleted. In Gdf9cre; Tbx4fl/− and Zp3cre; Tbx4fl/− adult females, primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles form, ovulation occurs, corpus luteum formation is normal, and the mice are fertile without any evidence of diminished ovarian reserve. Although postnatal deletion of Tbx4 in oocytes does not obviously impair fertility, it is possible that the reduction in PGCs observed in Tbx4 homozygous null mutant embryos could affect long-term fertility in adults.
Roots of "Whiteness"

BEHIND THE RECENT EMERGENCE of "whiteness" as a prevalent category of scholarly analysis lies the story of two intertwined intellectual traditions and their belated acceptance in the American academy. One of these traditions is antiracist Marxism; the other is the black antiracist tradition. Both have commented on white identity and white racism in ways that presage the insights of the explosion of whiteness studies that followed David Roediger's key text, The Wages of Whiteness} In this essay, I will provide a brief overview of the two aforementioned traditions before proceeding to evaluate the $os\-Wages scholarship. Hopefully, my discussion will contextualize the whiteness phenomenon by pointing to its roots. I also hope to demonstrate that although some of the whiteness scholarship is less than perspicacious, the work of Roediger et al. constitutes a meaningful intervention into the historiography of race in American history. Finally, my intent here is to build upon and respond to Eric Arnesen's helpful survey of the whiteness field. For their Fall 2001 issue, the editors at International Labor and Working-Class History asked Eric Arnesen to review the expansive whiteness literature; an assemblage of prominent scholars issued responses in the
Transverse and Short Oblique Phalangeal Fractures

Transverse phalangeal fractures result from direct blows to the digits or severe flexion-extension forces. Not infrequently, there is an open wound and an accompanying tendon injury. Transverse phalangeal shaft fractures may be completely displaced and accompanied by severe swelling, and closed reduction becomes difficult if not impossible. This situation is an indication for open reduction and internal fixation. Angulation is volar and may be quite deceptive and, therefore, easy to underestimate as the transverse fracture approaches the metacarpophalangeal joint. It is extremely important in such injuries to obtain a true lateral x-ray of the digit and to measure the actual angulation.
B-factory interaction region design

High luminosity B-factories are generally high current (1-3 A) e/sup +/e/sup -/ storage ring accelerators that operate at a center-of-mass energy equal to the mass of the Upsilon(4S) resonance (10.58 GeV). The high beam currents are achieved by storing a large number of bunches (several hundred to several thousand) into each beam. Two designs, the ones located at SLAC and KEK, also have asymmetric beam energies. This imparts a boost to the nearly stationary B mesons formed from the decay of the 4S resonance and allows precision vertex tracking detectors to look for a difference between the decay profiles of the matter and anti-matter B mesons, thereby observing a violation of CP.
Shadowing of random rough surfaces

To account for shadowing in investigations of scattering by rough surfaces, the area subtending the surface is multiplied by a shadowing function equal to the ratio of illuminated to total area. This is derived for a surface generated by a stationary process in general and a normal process in particular. The resulting height distribution of the surface, when only its illuminated parts are considered, is also derived; this is used to determine the effect of shadowing by a more rigorous method.
Relationships of the South African lizards assigned to Aporosaura, Meroles and Pedioplanis (Reptilia : Lacertidae)

Phylogenetic analyses, using parsimony and compatibility methods, were carried out on the South African lacertid lizards assigned in recent times to Aporosaura, Meroles and Pedioplanis. These were based on 80 primary and 102 binary morphological characters which were drawn from osteology, external features, muscles, kidneys and reproductive systems. Contrary to some previous interpretations, there are two well-defined clades: Meroles plus Aporosaura, and Pedioplanis; these form successive branches on the main stem of the phylogeny of advanced lacertids. The clades show considerable parallel development of derived features, presumably because they had very similar initial genetic potential. Relationships within the two groups are shown on p. 800 and p. 802. As Aporosaura anchietae is sister taxon to a clade consisting of three of the seven species of Meroles, it has been transferred to that genus. Relationships in Meroles-Aporosaura are very well substantiated, in contrast to the situation in Pedioplanis. ...
Transglutaminase-Mediated Cross-Linking of GerQ in the Coats of Bacillus subtilis Spores

The spores of Bacillus subtilis show remarkable resistance to many environmental stresses, due in part to the presence of an outer proteinaceous structure known as the spore coat. GerQ is a spore coat protein essential for the presence of CwlJ, an enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of the cortex during spore germination, in the spore coat. Here we show that GerQ is cross-linked into higher-molecular-mass forms due in large part to a transglutaminase. GerQ is the only substrate for this transglutaminase identified to date. In addition, we show that cross-linking of GerQ into high-molecular-mass forms occurs only very late in sporulation, after mother cell lysis. These findings, as well as studies of GerQ cross-linking in mutant strains where spore coat assembly is perturbed, lead us to suggest that coat proteins must assemble first and that their cross-linking follows as a final step in the spore coat formation pathway.
Implementing Controversial Policy: Results from a National Survey of Law Enforcement Department Activity on Hate Crime:

Local police are responsible for implementing a patchwork of federal, state, and local policies addressing crimes motivated by bias or hate toward particular groups. The research presented here exa...
Carbon Black for Electrically Conductive Plastics

Abstract The intrinsic semiconductive nature of furnace-type carbon blacks [1] has re- sulted in their use as additives which render normally resistive polymers elec- trically conductive. Various grades of conductive carbon black are produced to provide optimum cost/performance balances in a wide range of conductive applications.
Critical density thresholds for coverage in wireless sensor networks

Sensor networks are deployed to monitor the physical world and to provide relevant data to the users. An important question in such networks is to estimate the number of sensors required to achieve complete coverage of the desired region. The number of sensors required would depend upon the physical characteristics of the individual sensors as well as the nature of the target. In this paper, we address the problem of finding the critical density of sensors for complete coverage. We use an exposure-based model to find the number of sensors required to cover an area for given sensor and target characteristics. The accuracy of the results is established via simulations.
Studies of orthotopic allografts of oral mucosa and skin across a histocompatibility barrier in a model system

The mucosal allograft offers a reproducibile model for the characterization of the response of the oral mucosa to immunopathologic processes. Orthotopic allografts of oral mucosa or of skin were exchanged between pairs of unrelated rabbits known to be either matched or mismatched at the major histocompatibility locus (RLA). Rabbits with autografts of these tissues served as controls. The behavior of allografts of oral mucosa and of skin, although similar in many ways, showed marked differences in the morphology of the rejection reaction including more striking vascular damage and vascular occlusion in skin and in the longer persistence of granulocytes throughout the period of rejection in mucosal allografts. The rejection of matched allografts appeared morphologically similar to that of mismatched grafts but the time sequence was delayed. Morphological differences between the rejection reactions in allografts or oral mucosa and those of skin may result from differences in the expression of histocompatibility and tissue specific antigens in these tissues as well as other local factors such as the nature and distribution of mucosubstances of the connective tissue ground substance, the regional blood flow, and the absorption of salivary components including water in an oral wound.
The effect of structure in a long target RNA on ribozyme cleavage efficiency.

Inhibition of gene expression by catalytic RNA (ribozymes) requires that ribozymes efficiently cleave specific sites within large target RNAs. However, the cleavage of long target RNAs by ribozymes is much less efficient than cleavage of short oligonucleotide substrates because of higher order structure in the long target RNA. To further study the effects of long target RNA structure on ribozyme cleavage efficiency, we determined the accessibility of seven hammerhead ribozyme cleavage sites in a target RNA that contained human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vif - vpr . The base pairing-availability of individual nucleotides at each cleavage site was then assessed by chemical modification mapping. The ability of hammerhead ribozymes to cleave the long target RNA was most strongly correlated with the availability of nucleotides near the cleavage site for base pairing with the ribozyme. Moreover, the accessibility of the seven hammerhead ribozyme cleavage sites in the long target RNA varied by up to 400-fold but was directly determined by the availability of cleavage sites for base pairing with the ribozyme. It is therefore unlikely that steric interference affected hammerhead ribozyme cleavage. Chemical modification mapping of cleavage site structure may therefore provide a means to identify efficient hammerhead ribozyme cleavage sites in long target RNAs.
Effects of college students' learning styles and gender on their test preparation strategies

This study investigated the effects of approach to studying, gender and type of examination on test preparation strategies. Educational psychology students completed the Approaches to Studying Inventory (Entwistle and Ramsden, 1983) regarding their general learning characteristics, and thus were assigned to four approach groups. Students also answered questions about how they might study for either an essay or a multiple-choice examination. Factor analysis of those items yielded several study strategy subscales. When scores on the time-effort, integration, selection and cognitive monitoring subscales were used as dependent variables in a 4×2×2 (cluster × gender × type of test) MANCOVA, a significant three-way interaction suggested that male and female students using different approaches react differently to multiple-choice or essay tests, and the patterns differ by strategy.
Spatial correlation in ultrawideband channels

Correlated fading adversely affects the spatial multiplexing and diversity performance of multiple-antenna systems. This paper presents an empirical investigation of spatial correlation in ultrawideband (UWB) indoor channels in the FCC- allocated 3.1-10.6 GHz band. The impact of a number of system parameters on spatial correlation at the receiver is evaluated. It is found that the coherence distance falls with channel bandwidth in endfire arrays but not in broadside arrays. The complex correlation decays less rapidly with distance in broadside arrays than in endfire arrays, especially under line-of-sight, but the envelope correlation is circularly symmetric in space. Strong dependence of spatial correlation and coherence distance on the channel center frequency is observed. Furthermore, horizontally polarized links are found to exhibit less correlation than vertically polarized links. A discussion of the implications of these results for multiple-antenna UWB systems is provided.
New simulation methods for MOS VLSI timing and reliability

A novel approach to incorporating the channel length modulation in a direct-equation solving fast timing simulator is presented along with a mixed event-driven and waveform relaxation algorithm to handle MOS VLSI circuits with feedback. Simulation speedup of 3N over SPICE-like simulators has been observed, where N is the number of transistors. The simulator is able to simulate circuits as large as 235000 transistors in 10 min real time. Also presented is a novel approach to fast hot-carrier reliability simulation. These methods make it possible to achieve accurate and fast hot-carrier reliability simulation of MOS circuits each with as many as hundreds of thousands of MOS transistors in a workstation environment. >
Comprehensive Analysis of Drugs of Abuse in Urine Using Disposable Pipette Extraction

The extraction of basic, acidic, and neutral drugs of abuse from a low volume of urine (0.2 mL) using disposable pipette extraction (DPX) is described. DPX is a solid-phase extraction device that uses loosely contained sorbent inside a pipette tip fitted with a screen. This device provides faster extraction times because conditioning steps are not required. In this study, the DPX used a modified divinyl benzene sorbent containing both cation-exchange and reversed-phase mechanisms that facilitates the retention of basic and acidic/neutral drugs, respectively. With this device, a comprehensive method of analysis was developed for a diverse group of drugs and drug classes in urine including amphetamines, opiates, cocaine and its metabolites, tetrahydrocannabinol metabolite, tricyclic antidepressants, meperidine, methadone, and phencyclidine. Recoveries of the majority of drugs analyzed were 90% or greater with relative standard deviations of less than 10%. Additional validation involved the analysis of urine specimens previously analyzed by a local forensic toxicology laboratory.
Nelly Don’s 1916 pink gingham apron frock: an illustration of the middle-class American housewife’s shifting role from producer to consumer

Nelly Don created a stylish, practical, affordable pink gingham housedress in 1916, quickly selling out her first order of 216 dresses at Peck’s Dry Goods Company in Kansas City. This study investigated the reasons behind the success of her dress, and found that during the early 20th century, women’s roles shifted from that of producer to consumer, and that clothing was a visible reflection of this shift. Specific design attributes and social appeal contributed to the success of the housedress. Integrating trendy design elements into an affordable housedress along with the growing demand for a stylish, yet practical housedress induced by consumption culture in the early 20th century facilitated the success of Nelly Don’s pink gingham housedress. As such, Nelly Don’s 1916 housedress reflected social and cultural change in this transitional period, and exemplified the shifting role of the middle-class American housewife by offering an alternative to the traditional Mother Hubbard housedress as well as a lifestyle free of long hours spent sewing.
MicroRNA Involvement in Intestinal Tumorigenesis

Intestinal tumorigenesis is characterized by accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations that lead to enhanced malignant potential of epithelial cells. Recent evidence suggests that 18–22 nt small non-coding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in epigenetic regulation during carcinogenesis. Regulating hundreds of targets simultaneously, miRNAs can affect multiple signaling pathways and serve as a “hub” in gene regulatory network. A large part of oncogenes and tumor suppressors are controlled by miRNAs, and conversely, these genes regulate miRNA expression by transcriptional control and by interfering with the miRNA biogenesis process. In addition, somatic mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms in miRNA genes and in target messenger RNAs attenuate miRNA-mediated gene suppression efficiency. These complicated gene–miRNA interactions create aberrant gene expression profiles, which lead to disruption of cellular homeostasis and eventually to carcinogenesis. In this chapter, we summarize a variety of dysregulation mechanisms of miRNAs and present an overview of miRNA involvement in intestinal tumorigenesis, mainly in colorectal cancer.
Trust-Based Optimal Subtask Allocation and Model Predictive Control for Human-Robot Collaborative Assembly in Manufacturing

We develop a one human-one robot hybrid cell for collaborative assembly in manufacturing. The selected task is to assemble a few LEGO parts into a final assembled product following specified instructions and sequence in collaboration between the human and the robot. We develop a two-level feedforward optimization strategy that determines the optimal subtask allocation between the human and the robot for the selected assembly before the assembly starts. We derive dynamics models for human’s trust in the robot and the robot’s trust in the human for the assembly and estimate the trusts. The aim is to maintain satisfactory trust levels between the human and the robot through the application of the optimal subtask allocation. Again, subtask re-allocation is proposed to regain trusts if the trusts reduce to below the specified levels. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that fluctuations in human’s trust in the robot may cause fluctuations in human’s speeds and the human may appreciate if the robot adjusts its speeds with changes in human speeds. Hence, trust-based Model Predictive Control (MPC) is proposed to minimize the variations between human and robot speeds and to maximize the trusts. Experiment results prove the effectiveness of the hybrid cell, the feedforward optimal subtask allocation and of the trust-based MPC. The results also show that the overall assembly performance can be enhanced and the performance status can be monitored through a single dynamic parameter, i.e. the trust.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Initial experience with direct intrahepatic portocaval shunting (DIPS) in patients with anatomy not amenable to transjugular intrahepatic portovenous shunting (TIPS)

Purpose: To determine the rates of technical success and intermediate-term patency of DIPS (inferior vena cava to portal vein) in patients with hepatic vascular anatomy not amenable to TIPS (hepatic vein to portal vein). Materials and Methods: Fifteen DIPS procedures were performed between 10/2008 and 9/2013 using intravascular ultrasound-guidance. Hepatic vascular anatomy that was considered not amenable to TIPS included small portal veins (n1⁄42), portal venous thrombosis (n1⁄42), hepatic venous thrombosis (n1⁄41), Budd-Chiari syndrome (n1⁄42), prior hepatic venous stenting (n1⁄41), prior orthotopic liver transplantation (n1⁄41), and prior failed TIPS (n1⁄45). Indications for portal decompression were upper gastrointestinal bleeding (n1⁄45), intractable ascites (n1⁄45), portal or mesenteric venous thrombosis (n1⁄43), and Budd-Chiari syndrome (n1⁄42). Results: Portal venous access was established in 100% of cases after 3.3 2.3 needle passes. Needle passes required to establish portal venous access were not significantly different in patients who had a prior unsuccessful attempt at TIPS. Viatorrs endoprostheses were successfully placed in thirteen out of fifteen patients. Mean portosystemic gradients were reduced from 18 6.0 to 8.2 3.0 mm Hg after DIPS placement. Two patients expired in the periprocedural period, one from iatrogenic hemoperitoneum and one from aspiration pneumonitis. During the follow-up period with a maximum of 39 months, there was one stent-graft occlusion and two clinically-significant stenoses. Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, primary patency rate was 78% at 6 months and 67% at 12 months, while primary assisted patency rate was 89% at 6 months and 78% at 12 months. Conclusion: In patients with hepatic vascular anatomy not amenable to TIPS, intravascular ultrasound-guided DIPS is a feasible alternative with noninferior technical success rate that accomplishes portal decompression with comparable intermediate-term patency rates. For operators accustomed to TIPS, critical attention must be given to portions of the DIPS procedure between portal venous access and placement of the endoprosthesis because of a higher relative risk of hemoperitoneum. 8:36 AM Abstract No. 169
A general method of inference for two-parameter continuous distributions

AbstractThis article presents a general method of inference of the parameters of a continuous distribution with two unknown parameters. Except in a few distributions such as the normal distribution, the classical approach fails in this context to provide accurate inferences with small samples.Therefore, by taking the generalized approach to inference (cf. Weerahandi, 1995), in this article we present a general method of inference to tackle practically useful two-parameter distributions such as the gamma distribution as well as distributions of theoretical interest such as the two-parameter uniform distribution. The proposed methods are exact in the sense that they are based on exact probability statements and exact expected values. The advantage of taking the generalized approach over the classical approximate inferences is shown via simulation studies.This article has the potential to motivate much needed further research in non normal regressions, multiparameter problems, and multivariate problems for w...
Do Language Barriers Result in Aviation Maintenance Errors

The existence of maintenance and inspection personnel whose native language is not English suggests that language barriers may be causing performance errors. This project examines whether such errors exist, what patterns characterize these errors, what their contributing factors are and how effectively we can mitigate these errors. Any language errors would be communication errors by definition, so first we reviewed models of communication to search for characteristic error patterns. We identified two primary communication types relevant to aviation maintenance: synchronous communications (largely verbal and informal) and asynchronous communication (largely written and formal). We then analyzed several error databases (e.g. ASRS) and found that both the contributing factors and the use of recovery mechanisms were different for the two error types. Next, we analyzed survey data from 113 aircraft operators, covering their English speaking/reading abilities and use of mitigation strategies. There were signif...
Survey of the present status of 205 chronic filariasis patients

Objective Making a thorough investigation on the number of chronic filarion patients to care and cure them and to improve their life quality Methods Use clue-method to investigation:the clues revied and supplied by health cure doctors in basic villages were submited to be verified and diagnosed by the professional investigate groups Results By made a difinite diagnosis there exist now 205 chronic filariasis patients dispersed along 47 counties such as Haian Rugao Rudong Tongzhou etc Among them there are 178 case-time of the elephantiasis patients,31 case-time of patients with chyluria,106 case-time of lymphangitis and 15 case-time of hydrocele Conclusion Among 205 chronic filariasis patients now 86 8 percent of them are at their age of 55 or so,which accompanied with various syptoms and signs lots patients have been in their ten years illness,a few of them has suffered from it for more than 40 years For this reason aged chronic filariasis patients should be taken good cure and care of
M.A.S.T.E.R.Ing The Art of Music Integration

Integrating musical composition and performance into core classroom study is essential to maximize student learning and develop both musical and literary talent. With little or no musical training, teachers and students can use music to respond to and analyze texts; to think critically about specific components of stories, poems, or content area informational texts; and to create original, powerful responses to classroom content.
Severity of Sleep Disordered Breathing in Amnestic MCI and in the MCI Preceding Dementia with Lewy Bodies (P4.288)

Objective: To examine severity of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in amnestic MCI (aMCI) patients and those with the MCI that precedes dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB-MCI). Background: SDB is an important contributor to cognitive decline in patients with aMCI (Yaffe et al, 2011); little is known about SDB in those who have DLB-MCI. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of 11 aMCI and 5 DLB-MCI patients who were tested from 4/6/15 to 8/10/15. MCI was defined as memory loss without functional decline; MMSE scores ranged from 24-29/30. DLB-MCI patients had to have at least 2 of these 4 symptoms: hallucinations, parkinsonism, cognitive fluctuations, or REM sleep disorder. SDB severity was determined by percentage time asleep with SaO2 values 4[percnt] per hour of sleep. Group differences were assessed with the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: Patients ranged in age from 54 to 78 years, but the two groups did not differ significantly in age, sex, or NPI scores. Mean MMSE scores were significantly higher in the aMCI group, compared to the DLB-MCI group (28.64 vs 26.40; p<0.007). Eighty percent of DLB-MCI patients met AASM criteria for SDB, compared to 36.4[percnt] of aMCI patients. Total sleep time, number of arousals per hour, and SaO2<88[percnt] did not differ by group. DLB-MCI patients had significantly more desaturations per hour (13.86 vs 3.80; p<0.05), and there was a trend for the AHI to be higher in the DLB-MCI group (13.92 vs 4.99; p=0.15). Conclusions: We found sleep disordered breathing to be more severe in DLB-MCI patients, compared to those with aMCI . This may explain why the DLB-MCI patients in our sample had lower MMSE scores. It would also account for their more prevalent complaints of excessive daytime sleepiness. Disclosure: Dr. Hershey has received research support from Baxter. Dr. Carlson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jones has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wenger has nothing to disclose. Dr. Carlson has nothing to disclose.
Megachile sculpturalis , the Giant Resin Bee, overcomes the blossom structure of Sunn Hemp ( Crotalaria juncea ) that impedes pollination

Bee species that are effective pollinators of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.: Fabaceae: Crotalarieae) are few in number because of the large size and papilionaceous structure of the plant’s blossom. Seed for this potentially valuable cover crop is largely unavailable due to the paucity of pollinators and to the plant’s self-incompatibility. The introduced Megachile ( Callomegachile ) sculpturalis Smith (Megachilidae: Megachilinae), the giant resin bee, has the anatomy and behavior to be a most effective pollinator. While holding onto the upper vexillum petal of the blossom with her mandibles, this bee has the strength to depress the lower keel causing pollen to be expelled by the style through the small opening at the end. The bee is long enough for its metasoma to extend over the end of the keel, and, as a member of the family Megachilidae, has scopal hairs on the venter of the metasoma, which are thus in an optimal position to contact the pollen. Honey bees ( Apis mellifera L.: Apidae) are common visitors to sunn hemp flowers but are too small to be effective pollinators. A honey bee worker robs the pollen by inserting her proboscis into the end of the keel and extracting the adhering pollen. Possible problems could result from mutual enhancement of populations of an exotic bee and an exotic plant.
Sex and Regional Differences in Left Ventricular Action Potential Duration and Ca2+ Handling: Alterations with Exercise-training

Regular exercise-training is known to reduce the incidences and severity of ischemic heart disease, but the mechanistic nature is unknown. Here we test the hypothesis that one factor of importance ...
Corrections to “On the Groundwave Excited by a Vertical Hertzian Dipole Over a Planar Conductor: Second-Order Asymptotic Expansion With Applications to Plasmonics”

The surface electromagnetic fields radiated by a vertical electric dipole over a lossy conducting half-space are investigated. A simple derivation is presented of the second-order asymptotic groundwave expression, using a modified saddle-point method based on integration around vertical branch cuts. The method takes into account the influence of the Sommerfeld pole, which in the plasmonic case contributes a surface plasmon polariton. The proposed groundwave formulation is shown to be superior to the state-of-the-art Norton–Bannister theory for noble metals at optical wavelengths.
High Response Rate and Prolonged Survival in Patients with Primary Refractory Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Treated with Decitabine Salvage Therapy

Abstract Abstract 4280 The prognosis for patients with AML who fail front line cytarabine/anthracycline-based chemotherapy is poor. Fewer than 10% of patients are expected to respond to second line chemotherapy and survival averages a few months. Decitabine is currently being used as a front line agent for patients with AML who are unfit for intensive chemotherapy generally because of advanced age. However in published studies the complete response rate in this population is only 25% (Cashen et al, JCO 2010). We recently treated 9 patients with primary refractory AML who failed cytarabine/anthracycline based chemotherapy with decitabine 20 mg/m2 × 5 days every 4–5 weeks. The median age was 59 years (range 40–83). There were 5 men and 4 women. Prior AHDs and comorbid conditions included MDS in 2 patients (both were treated with azacytidine), HIV in one patient, polycythemia vera in one patient, and breast ca treated with chemotherapy and radiation in one patient. Cytogenetics were normal in 2 patients, other intermediate in 3 patients and poor risk in 4 patients. Initial therapy of AML was cytarabine 3 gm/m2 × 5 and mitoxantrone 80 mg/m2 × 1 in 4 patients, 3+7 in 4 patients, and CPX-351 in 1 patient. 2 patients additionally had 2 courses of gemtuzumab ozogamicin with no response after front line chemotherapy and before decitabine. The median initial blast percentage prior to decitabine was 22% (range 7–73%), and after decitabine 5% (range 1–44%). 5 patients (56%) had a CR, 2 patients (22%) had a PR and 2 patients (22%) had progressive disease, including one who was extensively pretreated with azacytidine for prior MDS. The median number of decitabine cycles was 6 (range 1–12). Median time to progression was 11 months (range 1–20 months, with 2 patients remaining in CR at 10 and 14 months). 3 patients underwent allogeneic stem cell transplant after response to decitabine. One remains in CR 10 months post initiation of decitabine, and 6 months post bmt done in PR. One patient died of complications of GVHD 20 months post initiation of decitabine and 12 months post BMT, and one patient died of relapsed disease 18 months post initiation of decitabine and 10 months post BMT. The median survival is 12 months (range 10–20 months). We saw a high response rate to decitabine in patients with primary refractory AML. Although this could have occurred by chance due to the small sample size, we propose that decitabine might be more effective in patients who have undergone cytoreduction with intensive chemotherapy than in patients who have not received such therapy. Alternatively, lack of response to cytarabine/anthracycline therapy could select out a group of patients more likely to respond to decitabine. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Use of decitabine in AML. Seiter: Eisai: Speakers Bureau.
Cytotoxic lymphocyte killing enters the ice age.

Apoptosis, a mode of cell death that culminates in early recognition (i.e. before membrane rupture) of dying cells by phagocytes, appears to have been highly conserved throughout evolution. Apoptosis can be triggered by a diverse array of both physiological and pathological stimuli all of which seem to engage the same cellular machinery that is responsible for the destruction of the cell from within. Thus, although the proximal signalling events that can result in apoptosis can vary from one stimulus to another, it is likely that these signals all converge at some point on a common set of effector molecules which we will call ‘the executioner’.
Intracranial Hemorrhage: Traumatic Fall versus Terminal Collapse:

When approaching a case in which a decedent's body is on the ground, death investigators collect circumstantial, historical, and clinical (radiographic) information to infer whether the person fell...
A Role for AnkyrinG in Maturation and Maintenance of the Nodes of Ranvier.

Rapid propagation of action potentials is essential for communication in neural circuits. In vertebrates, the speed of action potentials is increased by axonal myelination. To permit saltatory conduction of action potentials along the axon, the insulating myelin sheath is punctuated by unmyelinated
PADS: Design and Implementation of a Cloud-Based, Immersive Learning Environment for Distributed Systems Algorithms

As distributed systems become more complex, understanding the underlying algorithms that make these systems work becomes even harder. Traditional learning modalities based on didactic teaching and theoretical proofs alone are no longer sufficient for a holistic understanding of these algorithms. Instead, an environment that promotes an immersive, hands-on learning of distributed systems algorithms is needed to complement existing teaching modalities. Such an environment must be flexible to support the learning of a variety of algorithms. The environment should also support extensibility and reuse since many of these algorithms share several common traits with each other while differing only in some aspects. Finally, it must also allow students to experiment with large-scale deployments in a variety of operating environments. To address these concerns, we use the principles of software product lines and model-driven engineering, and adopt the cloud platform to design an immersive learning environment called the Playground of Algorithms for Distributed Systems (PADS). A prototype implementation of PADS is described to showcase use cases involving BitTorrent Peer-to-Peer file sharing, ZooKeeper-based coordination, and Paxos-based consensus, which show the benefits of rapid deployment of the distributed systems algorithms. Results from a preliminary user study are also presented.
Carnivory maintains cranial dimorphism between males and females: Evidence for niche divergence in extant Musteloidea

The evolution and maintenance of sexual dimorphism has long been attributed to sexual selection. Niche divergence, however, serves as an alternative but rarely tested selective pressure also hypothesized to drive phenotypic disparity between males and females. We reconstructed ancestral social systems and diet and used Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (OU) modeling approaches to test whether niche divergence is stronger than sexual selection in driving the evolution of sexual dimorphism in cranial size and bite force across extant Musteloidea. We found that multipeak OU models favored different dietary regimes over social behavior and that the greatest degree of cranial size and bite force dimorphism were found in terrestrial carnivores. Because competition for terrestrial vertebrate prey is greater than other dietary groups, increased cranial size and bite force dimorphism reduces dietary competition between the sexes. In contrast, neither dietary regime nor social system influenced the evolution of sexual dimorphism in cranial shape. Furthermore, we found that the evolution of sexual dimorphism in bite force is influenced by the evolution of sexual dimorphism in cranial size rather than cranial shape. Overall, our results highlight niche divergence as an important mechanism that maintains the evolution of sexual dimorphism in musteloids.
Intentional and unintentional elemental segregation to grain boundaries in a Ni-rich nanocrystalline alloy

Grain boundary segregation is an important phenomenon for nanocrystalline materials as it influences thermal stability and mechanical properties. While several studies have considered effects of single, intentional segregants, co-segregation of intentional and unintentional segregants to general grain boundaries is not commonly investigated using experimental techniques on the atomic scale. This study utilized aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography to evaluate the grain boundary structure and chemistry of an electroplated and annealed electrodeposited Ni–W alloy. Several phases were observed in the annealed microstructure including elongated nanoscale oxide particles and relatively large impurity carbide phases. Furthermore, grain boundaries regularly exhibited ordered structures, minimal elemental tungsten segregation (intended solute) and impurity carbon segregation (unintentional solute), but moderately high-impurity oxygen segregation (unintentional solute). The unintentional segregated impurities (oxygen and carbon) resulted in a total average grain boundary composition of ~ 10 at.%. The consequence of impurity segregation is discussed in terms of thermal stability and potential mechanical properties.
Equation for Describing Solute Transport in Field Soils with Preferential Flow Paths

Modeling the transport of chemicals is challenging due to the presence of preferential flow paths and the input data needed to describe these paths. We propose a simple equation that can predict the breakthrough of solutes without excessive data requirements under steady state flow conditions. In our generalized preferential flow model (GPFM), the soil is conceptually divided into a distribution zone and a conveyance zone. The distribution zone acts as a linear reservoir resulting in an exponential loss of solutes through preferential flow paths from this zone. In the conveyance zone, the transport of solutes is described with the convective-dispersive (CD) equation. Input data required are the apparent water content of the distribution zone, and solute velocities and dispersivities in the conveyance zone. The model is tested with chloride breakthrough curves (BTCs) resulting from three sets of experiments performed with steady state artificial acid rainfall at different intensities applied sequentially using duplicate columns filled with undisturbed soil or sand both exhibiting preferential flow. The model is able to describe the breakthrough of solutes with physically meaningful parameters through coarse sand with fingered flow and through undisturbed soil cores. In coarse sand, water and solutes flow only through the fingered flow paths in the conveyance zone. In undisturbed columns there is both flow through the matrix and preferential flow paths, and two velocities in the conveyance zone are needed to simulate the breakthrough curves.