cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Native Grasses as a Management Alternative on Vegetated Closure Caps

Capped waste sites often are vegetated with commercial turf grasses to increase evapotranspiration and prevent erosion and possible exposure of the barrier. Fertilizer, frequent watering, and mowing may be required to establish the turf grass and prevent invasion by trees and shrubs. Oldfield vegetation of grasses and forbs is a possible sustainable alternative to turf grass communities. To determine if oldfield vegetation can establish on caps, we (1) compared establishment of a dominant oldfield grass and a commercial turf grass under different combinations of new closure cap management: spring or summer planting and presence or absence of amendments to alleviate drought (watering, mulch) or increase soil fertility (fertilizer, lime, a nitrogen-fixing legume); (2) surveyed existing caps to determine if oldfield species establish naturally; and (3) performed a greenhouse experiment to compare growth of two native grasses under low and amended (added water, soil nutrients) conditions. Both the commercial grass and oldfield species established under new cap conditions; fertilizer, water, and mulch improved vegetation establishment in spring or summer, but legumes decreased grass cover. In the greenhouse, both native grasses grew best with amendments; however, substantial stem and root length were obtained with no fertilizer and only once-weekly watering. Existing vegetated caps supported planted grasses and naturally established oldfield species. Overall, the results indicate native grasses can establish on new caps and oldfields can serve as a management model; further work is needed to determine the management strategy to maintain herbaceous vegetation and slow woody species invasion.
Generalization of Back propagation to Recurrent and Higher Order Neural Networks

A general method for deriving backpropagation algorithms for networks with recurrent and higher order networks is introduced. The propagation of activation in these networks is determined by dissipative differential equations. The error signal is backpropagated by integrating an associated differential equation. The method is introduced by applying it to the recurrent generalization of the feedforward backpropagation network. The method is extended to the case of higher order networks and to a constrained dynamical system for training a content addressable memory. The essential feature of the adaptive algorithms is that adaptive equation has a simple outer product form. Preliminary experiments suggest that learning can occur very rapidly in networks with recurrent connections. The continuous formalism makes the new approach more suitable for implementation in VLSI.
EVALUATION OF COOKING METHODS ON VARIOUS BEEF STEAKS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate sensory attributes and physical differences among steaks from two different cooking methods. Beef steaks (n=516) were cooked either with a conventional electric broiler oven (EB) or a gas infrared oven broiler unit (IR). Three 1.27 cm diameter cores were removed from each steak for Warner-Bratzler shear determinations. Three 2.54 em cubes were removed for texture profile analysis. The remaining meat was evaluated by a trained sensory panel for scoring tenderness and juiciness. The average time required to cook the steaks with IR was 4 min 56 s less (P O.OS) affected.
The American archaeological record: authority to dig, power to interpret

Legal regulation of the archaeological record has played a subtle though instrumental role in the shaping of American anthropology. Most studies of connections between politics and archaeology in analogous contexts have, however, focused on nationalisms and the popular political orchestration of archaeology. This paper grounds an analysis of the American case in legal apparatuses, disciplinary changes in anthropology, and a shift in the expression of American nationalism between the Antiquities Act of 1906 and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990. The article argues that archaeology has attained broader social significance as archaeologists now consult native peoples in the practice of archaeology. Though archaeology remains a politicized science it has become a more broadly negotiated one and the historical and cultural issues it faces may yet find resolution through laws and responsive disciplinary practices that envision a society enhanced by cultural difference.
A Data-Driven Statistical Approach to Analyzing Process Variation in 65nm SOI Technology

This paper presents a simple yet effective method to analyze process variations using statistics on manufacturing in-line data without assuming any explicit underlying model for process variations. Our method is based on a variant of principal component analysis and is able to reveal systematic variation patterns existing on a die-to-die and wafer-to-wafer level individually. The separation of die variation from wafer variation can enhance the understanding of a nature of the process uncertainty. Our case study based on the proposed decomposition method shows that the dominating die-to-die variation and wafer-to-wafer variation represent 31% and 25% of the total variance of a large set of in-line parameters in 65nm SOI CMOS technology
Robust stabilization with slowly time-varying uncertain real parameters

In this paper we construct a new class of parameter-dependent Lyapunov functions to guarantee robust stability in the presence of time-varying rate-restricted plant uncertainty. These results are then used for controller synthesis to address the problem of robust stabilization in the presence of slowly time-varying real parameters.
Low level recognition of human motion (or how to get your man without finding his body parts)

The recognition of human movements such as walking, running or climbing has been approached previously by tracking a number of feature points and either classifying the trajectories directly or matching them with a high-level model of the movement. A major difficulty with these methods is acquiring and trading the requisite feature points, which are generally specific joints such as knees or angles. This requires previous recognition and/or part segmentation of the actor. We show that the recognition of walking or any repetitive motion activity can be accomplished on the basis of bottom up processing, which does not require the prior identification of specific parts, or classification of the actor. In particular, we demonstrate that repetitive motion is such a strong cue, that the moving actor can be segmented, normalized spatially and temporally, and recognized by matching against a spatiotemporal template of motion features. We have implemented a real-time system that can recognize and classify repetitive motion activities in normal gray-scale image sequences. >
BRST Quantization of the Type II Green-Schwarz String

By performing the BRST quantization for the Type II Green-Schwarz string with the truncated κ-symmetry recently proposed by Kallosh and Rahmanov, we confirm that the quadratic ghost interaction is indeed sufficient for the unitarity of the theory. The analysis of the cancellation of the conformal anomaly gives the correct critical dimension.
Controller Design for the F-14 Pitch Axis Control Problem using the Quantitative Feedback Theory Approach

In this paper, we examine the controller design of the F-14 pitch axis control problem. We modify the system block diagram by using two instead of the original four controllers. The quantitative feedback theory (QFT) is then used to design the robust controllers. Simulations show that the angle-of-attack and pitch rate step responses of the designed system under the linearized plant parameter variations satisfy the design specifications.
Finite element simulation of laser based optical generation of ultrasound

There is growing interest in microscopic 2D arrays for very high resolution imaging. One approach, based on using a scanned laser for both generation and detection of acoustic waves, has been proposed by the University of Michigan ultrasound group. Various design improvements have been advanced. These include: changing the thermoelastic source material (replacing Chromium with Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)) and eliminating the glass substrate (by replacing it with an all PDMS structure). In this paper we investigate the impact of these design changes and also consider the impact of laser spot size using PZFlex Finite Element Analysis (FEA). In particular, a thermoelastic coupling capability was introduced, and tested, in the FEA simulations.
An Amyloid-Notch Hypothesis for Alzheimer's Disease

For more than 20 years, the amyloid hypothesis has provided an important framework for Alzheimer's disease (AD) research, yet after 50,000 papers, the nonpathological function of beta-amyloid (Aβ) remains enigmatic. This mystery is compounded by an absence of gross abnormalities in amyloid precursor protein (APP)-deficient mice and zebrafish even though APP has been highly conserved throughout vertebrate evolution. Here, the author hypothesizes that vertebrate cells express APP and release Aβ as part of a mechanism to optimize blood vessel density with the metabolite removal needs of local tissue neighborhoods. High-gain feedback of Aβ production at the rate-limiting γ-secretase step reduces Aβ production and Notch activation. Notch inhibition causes endothelial cells to adopt a tip cell morphology that induces more highly branched blood vessels. In vivo, γ-secretase inhibitors block Notch signaling and induce dense capillary networks that are similar to those in the brains of AD patients and mice. Notch inhibition could also contribute to synapse loss by reducing EphB2 receptor expression. EphB receptors are critical for the maintenance of dendritic spine morphology, and deficiencies result in immature spines that lack synaptic activity. This revised amyloid-Notch hypothesis may also explain the disappointing results of recent clinical trials with γ-secretase inhibitors.
Compact Holographic Data Storage System

JPL, under current sponsorships from NASA Space Science and Earth Science Programs, is developing a high-density, nonvolatile and rad-hard advanced Compact Holographic Data Storage (CHDS) system to enable large-capacity, high-speed, low power consumption, and read/write of data for potential commercial and NASA space applications. This CHDS system consists of laser diodes, photorefractive crystal, spatial light modulator, photodetector array, and I/O electronic interface. In operation, pages of information would be recorded and retrieved with random access and high-speed. The non-volatile, rad-hard characteristics of the holographic memory will provide a revolutionary memory technology to enhance mission capabilities for all NASA's Earth Science Mission.
Low-noise embedded CAM with reduced slew-rate match-lines and asynchronous search-lines

An embedded content addressable memory (eCAM) uses reduced slew-rate match-line sensing and asynchronous search-line switching to decrease power supply noise while achieving high search speed and low power. When compared to a previous state-of-the-art eCAM, the new design reduces 44% of peak power-supply noise while performing 352M searches/second and consuming 260mW. This reduction in noise directly reduces the amount of decoupling capacitance and, with it, overall chip area. This paper also presents built-in self test patterns for testing search margin and susceptibility to power supply noise. The low-noise eCAM macro has been implemented in 90nm 1.2V CMOS process and is fully functional over a voltage range of 0.7V - 2.05V.
Effects of Electric Fields on Convection in Combustion Plasmas and Surrounding Gases

Large body forces can be applied to combustion plasmas by electric flelds. The knowledge of electric fleld lines, however, is insu‐cient for designing electrodes to control such systems. This research builds on previous work aimed at simulating microgravity combustion in an Earth-based laboratory using electric flelds to counteract buoyancy. A combined experimental and numerical investigation of the response of a ∞ame to applied electric flelds and the efiects on the surrounding neutral gases is performed. Photography and schlieren imaging are used to observe the motion of the ∞ame and to identify trends in the local convective fleld. Numerical simulations are used to deduce the ∞ow fleld of the surrounding gases using an ion current matching technique. These results are used to develop a physical description of the plasma/electric fleld coupling. The simplifled model presented can assist in the design of electrodes for ∞ame actuation.
Submicron Salt Particle Production in Bubble Bursting

Laboratory experiments of bubble bursting have shown that particle production increases with concentration for aqueous solutions of NaCl (Spiel 1998). Here, experiments with a submicron Na particle counter for three Na salts—NaCl, NaBr, and NaI—show comparable trends. Similarities in behavior are evident when the concentration for each salt is normalized to a threshold concentration (Lessard and Zieminski 1971). The number, size, and mass of particles produced increase with normalized solution concentration, suggesting that the same transition that controls ionic entropy and self-diffusion in aqueous solutions will govern the bubble bursting process. Further insight into the controlling forces is provided by the prediction of the number, size, and mass of particles produced from the Eotvos number, the ratio of buoyant to surface forces of the aqueous solution. The similarities among the parameterizations of particle properties to the Eotvos number for all three Na salts provide a strong indication that, f...
The Deductions of Freedom/Morality-as- Autonomy and the Categorical Imperative in Groundwork III and Their Problems

The first objective of this paper is to present an interpretation of Groundwork III which aims to establish two main points: first, that Kant offers there a theoretically-grounded deduction (in Kantian sense) of freedom/morality-as-autonomy; second, that Kant also offers a separate deduction of the categorical imperative. Thus, contrary to what several commentators have claimed, Groundwork III contains a theoretically-grounded double deduction. The second objective of the paper is to examine and criticize in detail one crucial step in these deductions, namely, Kant’s inference from the speculative spontaneity of reason to the noumenal existence of the subject as a free will. I show that Kant himself came to reject this inference in the B edition of the Critique of Pure Reason , and argue that this explains Kant’s rejection, in the Critique of Practical Reason , of the deduction of the moral law he previously offered. Thus, contrary to the “reconciliationist” reading, there is indeed a great reversal in the latter work.
The Growth of Transnational Corporate Networks: 1962-1998

This is a study of the growth of organizational power in the world-economy over the past forty years. It takes the position that transnational corporations (TNCs) are increasingly significant actors in the world-economy, independent of the nation-states within which they are located. The goal of this work is to identify the expansion, spatial distribution, and concentration of this global power over time, and to consider its impact on the global economy. The TNC networks are identified by locating the headquarters and foreign subsidiaries of the worlds 100 largest manufacturing corporations in 1962, 1971, 1983, 1991 and 1998. The distribution of ownership and location of these foreign subsidiaries are examined, both globally and bilaterally. I find high levels of concentration in ownership of these global networks that decrease over time, in contrast to a high degree of dispersion in the location of these linkages. U.S. corporations are clearly the dominant actors from 1962 to 1971 but decline dramatically through 1998, while Japanese and Western European TNC control over transnational networks grows significantly over this period. An empirical measure of economic dominance in the global economy is also presented.
Effects of metolazone in man: comparison with chlorothiazide

Effects of metolazone in man: Comparison with chlorothiazide.The new diuretic agent, metolazone, was investigated to evaluate its mode and sites of action in man.During sustained maximal water diuresis metolazone produced a mean increment in sodium excretion of 3.5% of filtered load, induced a phosphaturia without an accompanying bicarbonate diuresis, and was minimally kaliuretic or nonkaliuretic.Free water clearance decreased and osmolal clearance increased almost equivalently (average: 2.6 and 3.4 ml/min, respectively), and urine flow did not change appreciably.Metolazone did not interfere with the reabsorption of solute free water during hypertonic saline diuresis.Consistent alterations of glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow or blood pressure were not observed.These results indicate that metolazone exerts its major effect in the cortical diluting segment, but that it also possesses a proximal site of action.At the dosages utilized, its proximal effects do not appear to contribute significantly to its diuretic action. Chlorothiazide differed from metolazone in inhibiting carbonic anhydrase, in producing a significant kaliuresis and in demonstrating a greater proximal effect but a lesser inhibition of sodium transport at the cortical diluting site.Additionally, the effect of metolazone persisted at a time when that of chlorothiazide had peaked and was declining rapidly. Effet du metolazone chez l'homme: Comparaison avec le chlorothiazide.Un nouvel agent diuretique, le metolazone a ete etudie afin d'en preciser le mode et les sites d'action chez l'homme.Au cours d'une diurese aqueuse maximale prolongee, le metolazone provoque une augmentation moyenne de l'excretion du sodium d'environ 3.5% de la charge filtree, il produit egalement une phosphaturie sans diurese de bicarbonate associee.La kaliurese est minime ou absente. La diminution de la clearance de l'eau libre est comparable a l'augmentation de la clearance osmolaire (en moyenne, 2.6 et 3.4ml par minute respectivement) et le debit urinaire n'est pas change de facon appreciable.Le metolazone ne modifie pas la reabsorption de l'eau libre au cours de la diurese salee hypertonique.Aucune modification appreciable de la filtration glomerulaire, du debit sanguin renal ou de la pression arterielle n'a ete notee.Ces resultats demontrent que le metolazone agit principalement au niveau du segment de dilution cortical qu'il possede aussi un site d'action proximal.Aux doses employees, il ne semble pas que ses effets proximaux contribuent de facon significative a son action diuretique. Le chlorothiazide differe du metolazone en ce qu'il bloque l'anhydrase carbonique, produit une kaliurese significative de meme qu'un effet proximal plus grand et une inhibition moindre du transport du sodium par le segment de dilution cortical.De plus, l'effet du metolazone etait persiste alors que cella du chlorothiazide a atteint son maximum et diminue rapidement.
In-Plane Nonlinear Dynamics of Wind Turbine Blades

The partial differential equation that governs the in-plane motion of a wind turbine blade subject to gravitational loading and which accommodates for aerodynamic loading is developed using the extended Hamilton principle. This partial differential equation includes nonlinear terms due to nonlinear curvature and nonlinear foreshortening, as well as parametric and direct excitation at the frequency of rotation. The equation is reduced using an assumed cantilevered beam mode to produce a single second-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) as an approximation for the case of constant rotation rate. Embedded in this ODE are terms of a nonlinear forced Mathieu equation. The forced Mathieu equation is analyzed for resonances by using the method of multiple scales. Superharmonic and subharmonic resonances occur. The effect of various parameters on the response of the system is demonstrated using the amplitude-frequency curve. A superharmonic resonance persists for the linear system as well.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Dual biomarkers of anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation in historically contaminated groundwater.

This study reports that ongoing in situ anaerobic hydrocarbon biodegradation at a manufactured gas plant impacted site is occurring, 9 years after the initial investigation. Groundwater samples from the site monitoring wells (MW) were analyzed for biomarkers by GC-MS, end-point PCR, and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Metabolic biomarkers included specific intermediates of anaerobic naphthalene and/or 2-methylnaphthalene degradation: 2-naphthoic acid (2-NA); 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-NA (TH-2-NA); hexahydro-2-NA (HH-2-NA); and carboxylated-2-methylnaphthalene (MNA). The analogues of gene bssA, encoding alpha subunit of enzyme benzylsuccinate synthase, were used as a genetic biomarker. Results indicate 1−2 orders of magnitude higher abundance of total bacteria in the impacted wells than in the unimpacted wells. End-point PCR analysis of bssA gene, with degenerate primers, indicated the presence of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria within the plume. In qPCR analysis, using primers based on toluene-degrading denitrifying o...
NATURAL SELECTION FOR REPRODUCTIVE ISOLATION BETWEEN DROSOPHILA PSEUDOOBSCURA AND DROSOPHILA PERSIMILIS

One of the most imiportant problems in the study of speciation has been that of the origin of reproductive isolating mechanisms, for it is by the building up of intrinsic barriers which prevent gene exchange between poptilations that we pass from the racial or subspecific to the specific level. Two theories have been proposed to explain how reproductive isolation might arise. The first, favored by Muller (1939, 1942), holds that reproductive isolation is a by-product of genetic divergence. As two subspecies differentiate in geographical isolation, genes which hamper free interbreeding with the other subspecies are incorporated into the genotype in the course of building up adaptive gene complexes. The reproductive isolation may be a pleiotropic effect, or perhaps be a result of change in gene function. The other theory, advanced by Dobzhansky (1940), holds that provided the two subspecies have diverged from one another far enough so that hybrids between them are less well adapted for any available habitat than either parental type, natural selection will act to build up further reproductive isolation, thus preventing the formation of inadaptive hybrids with consequent wastage of reproductive potential and food resources. These two theories are by no mneans mutually exclusive, and indeed both mechanisms in all probability play an imnportant part, perhaps being of greatest importance at dif-
Characteristics of Transition Planning and Services for Students With High-Incidence Disabilities

Transition planning is conceptually and empirically linked to successful postschool outcomes for adolescents with disabilities and has been legally mandated for more than two decades. Unfortunately, young adults with high-incidence disabilities, including learning disabilities (LD), emotional disabilities (ED), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), continue to experience poor postschool outcomes. Using a secondary analysis of the second National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS2), this study examined both the quality and characteristics of transition plans for a nationally representative group of adolescents with high-incidence disabilities and the extent to which transition planning and services were similar across the three high-incidence disabilities. Findings indicate that a majority of students with high-incidence disabilities have transition plans and that key stakeholders participated in planning meetings. Findings also support the inclusion of adolescents with LD, ED, and ADHD in...
Investigational new drugs for brain cancer

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Despite substantial improvements in standards of care, the most common aggressive pediatric and adult high-grade gliomas (HGG) carry uniformly fatal diagnoses due to unique treatment limitations, high recurrence rates and the absence of effective treatments following recurrence. Recent advancements in our understanding of the pathophysiology, genetics and epigenetics as well as mechanisms of immune surveillance during gliomagenesis have created new knowledge to design more effective and target-directed therapies to improve patient outcomes.Areas covered: In this review, the authors discuss the critical genetic, epigenetic and immunologic aberrations found in gliomas that appear rational and promising for therapeutic developments in the presence and future. The current state of the latest therapeutic developments including tumor-specific targeted drug therapies, metabolic targeting, epigenetic modulation and immunotherapy are summarized and suggestions for future directions are offere...
Fall and Fracture Risk in Nursing Home Residents With Moderate-to-Severe Behavioral Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Initiating Antidepressants or Antipsychotics

Background Both antidepressants and antipsychotics are used in older adults with behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Despite the prevalent use of these agents, little is known about their comparative risks for falls and fractures. Methods Using 2007-2009 Medicare claims data linked to Minimum Data Set 2.0, we identified new users of antidepressants and antipsychotics among nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias who had moderate-to-severe behavioral symptoms. Separate discrete-time survival models were used to estimate risks of falls, fractures, and a composite of both among antidepressant group versus antipsychotic group. Results Compared to antipsychotic users, antidepressant users experienced significantly higher risk for fractures (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.35, 95% confidence interval = 1.10-1.66). The overall risk of falls or fractures remained significant in the antidepressant versus antipsychotic group (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.16, 95% confidence interval = 1.02-1.32). Conclusions Antidepressants are associated with higher fall and fracture risk compared to antipsychotics in the management of older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias who experience moderate-to-severe behavioral symptoms. Clinicians need to assess the ongoing risks/benefits of antidepressants for these symptoms especially in light of the increasingly prevalent use of these agents.
The Future: Stem Cells and Biological Approaches for Pulp Regeneration

Achieving long-lasting and complete pulp regeneration in teeth with deep caries or severe trauma remains a significant clinical challenge. In teeth with immature apices and exposed vital pulp tissue, partial or complete pulpotomy is typically indicated to preserve pulp function and allow for continued root development. In cases where injury caused loss of pulp vitality and arrested root development, teeth may remain with poor crown-to-root ratio, a root with very thin walls, and an open apex. The ideal treatment in such cases would be to regenerate a functional dentin–pulp complex that would enable the completion of root development and thickening of dentinal walls. Emerging evidence suggests that this can be achieved with the recruitment of apical stem cells toward the root canal and/or the transplantation of stem cells using a tissue engineering-based approach. In this chapter, we will discuss the evidence that provides the rationale for regenerative approaches for the treatment of pulp injury or pulp necrosis.
Morphometric analysis of the bone growth plate in sudden infant death syndrome

It has been proposed that maturational delay and suboptimal growth may increase the risk of sudden death in early life, however, estimates of the percentage of growth-retarded infants in the SIDS group have varied widely. While other growth parameters have been examined in detail, morphometric assessment of the growth plate has not been performed to any extent in these infants. In this study rib growth plates from 20 randomly chosen SIDS infants and 20 age-matched controls were decalcified, multiply sectioned and stained with acid-fuschin. Each section was analysed at ×20 objective magnification with a 10×10 eyepiece graticule aligned parallel to the growth plate interface. The volume fraction of cartilage and bone together with the number of cartilagenous and bone trabeculae per unit length of growth plate were measured to a depth of seven grid lengths from the starting point. Using this protocol the growth plate trabecular structure was sampled systematically at 0.18 mm intervals to a depth of approximately 4 mm. No differences were found between the SIDS group and the controls In cartilage/bone volume. However, numbers of cartilage/bone trabeculae per unit length were found to be significantly different in the hypertrophic zone of the growth plate (p
SU‐F‐T‐646: SBRT Lung: Moving Beyond the 3D Conformal Paradigm with An Elekta VersaHD Accelerator

Purpose: To develop a volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planning and delivery methodology for lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) that addresses the unique geometric challenges presented when using an Elekta VersaHD linear accelerator. Methods: The Elekta VersaHD imaging panels are fixed at 160cm SID when deployed, limiting the ability to perform non-coplanar treatments due to collisions with the treatment table. The panels can be folded in a stored position for non-coplanar treatments, but in this configuration, longitudinal table travel is restricted by the space required for the folded panels. To overcome these design features, a non-coplanar VMAT technique was designed and evaluated for 6 patients that uses a superiorly placed isocenter near the apex of the lung. A coplanar VMAT technique with isocenter placement within the target was also assessed for each patient. Non-coplanar plans included three arcs, totalling 340° of arc angle, while coplanar plans included two arcs, totalling 280° of arc angle. Each technique avoided the contralateral lung and major overlap on patient skin. Corresponding 3DCRT plans were used as a baseline for each patient in evaluating VMAT plans. Results: Coplanar and noncoplanar VMAT plans yielded a high dose conformity index (CI) improvement of 6% and low dose CI improvements of 9% and 11%, respectively, over corresponding 3DCRT plans. While both VMAT techniques provided greater skin sparing compared to 3DCRT, the non-coplanar technique offered an improvement of 20% over the coplanar approach. Treatment time with for VMAT was ∼2.5 minutes compared to ∼10 minutes for 3DCRT. Conclusion: Two VMAT techniques were developed for lung SBRT that account for machine design limitations and provide greater dose conformity and normal tissue sparing than 3DCRT plans. The non-coplanar VMAT plans showed a marginal improvement over coplanar VMAT plans and may not warrant the additional complexity.
The Refusal: Teachers Making Policy in NYC.

AbstractDrawing on empirical sources, I argue that teachers’ actions to remove district-mandated testing from their classrooms are a form of teacher policy-making. Analysis of interviews with teacher activists and records of teachers’ activism meetings show that teachers perceive belonging, trust, and community as critical to their efforts to provide equitable learning conditions for recent arrival immigrant, bilingual youth. Teachers explained that racialized neoliberalism, as it is instantiated through high-stakes testing, harms young people and creates problematic conditions for learning. Teachers opt out of testing action demonstrates what teachers believed was necessary to opt into, thus, I argue teachers’ policy-making sheds light on the constructs necessary to center in education policy.
51. Rapid and Long Term Protection to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using a Platform Vaccine Concept That Mediates Both Passive and Active Immunity

We have developed a platform technology against infectious agents that mediates both passive and active immunity, with rapid, passive protection through the genetic delivery of an anti-pathogen monoclonal antibody together with long term protective active immunity evoked through the presentation of a defined pathogen neutralizing epitope. Both strategies are incorporated into an E1 E3 adenovirus (Ad) vector through the coding of an antibody in the transgene and incorporation of a pathogen antigenic sequence into the hexon capsid protein, respectively. As a model to evaluate the vaccine, we have applied this to a public health-important infectious agent, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a gram-negative ubiquitous pathogen associated with persistent pulmonary infection in hosts with bronchiectasis, such as cystic fibrosis, compromised immune function or who have pulmonary clearance mechanisms disrupted by endotracheal tubes. Although P. aeruginosa is susceptible to antibiotic therapy, chronic colonization of the respiratory tract with frequent exacerbations is typical of high risk populations. Pathogenicity linked to P. aeruginosa infection results from the release of numerous virulence factors that can degrade tissues such as proteases and phospholipase and others that diminish cellular functions via exotoxins. The passive vaccine mediates expression of an antibody to an exotoxin secreting protein, PcrV, a known P. aeruginosa a neutralizing target. Antibody expression is mediated by the nonhuman C7 serotype Ad to avoid the highly prevalent preexisting immunity to serotype 5 Ad. In parallel, the Ad capsid hexon protein has a short epitope, Epi8, derived from the outer membrane protein F of P. aeruginosa, an established neutralizing epitope for long term active immune protection to P. aeruginosa. Western analysis confirmed the expression of the anti-PcrV antibody and ELISA assays of anti-Epi8 antibodies evoked from the hexon modified Ad confirmed the active response. In vivo challenge assays in mice used agar-encapsulated P103 strain of P. aeruginosa titered for lethality. The passive vaccine significantly reduced colonization of the lung of mice intranasally challenged with a lethal dose of P. aeruginosa at 3, 5 and 10 days after vaccination in comparison to mice vaccinated with a control Ad vector, whereas the active vaccine significantly reduced colonization at 5 wk post-vaccination. The combination of the active and passive vaccines therefore provides immediate and long term protection to exposure of P. aeruginosa. The concept of a combined passive and active vaccine to provide immediate protection with long-term immunity could be an important tool for public health, particularly for bioterror-related infectious agents.
Head and Neck Motion Correction in PET Imaging Using New Particle Tracking Techniques

1822 Objectives Motion of the head and neck during PET/CT imaging results in degraded image quality and reduced diagnostic confidence. The objective of this work is to present new technology based on positron emission particle tracking techniques (currently under internal patent review). These new methods require no electronic hardware or invasive camera systems, and offer high resolution tracking of motion that can automatically detect and correct patient movement during imaging. Methods All patients were imaged on a Biograph mCT Flow. Low activity sources were placed on the head of PET/CT patients. Sources were placed in asymmetrical locations to enable full 3D tracking. Patients were asked to move during their scan, simulating typical patient movements during imaging. PET data were acquired for 10 minutes in 64-bit listmode format. Our algorithms were used to track head motion during the scan. Data were corrected by calculating centroid locations for each source at time points when the patient was still. Events associated with transitional motion were discarded. The initial CT position was used as the reference position. Subsequent static positions were transformed to the reference frame by calculating transformation matrices from centroid locations calculated by our algorithms. All reoriented static positions were summed to create the final dataset. Results Analysis of images indicated that patient motion during the scan severely degraded the quality of the images. Key features of the brain are hardly discernible. Our algorithms succesfully tracked all 3 static positions during the scan. Following our correction, the images of the brain were crisp with no signs of motion, as shown in the figure. In addition, these methods enabled recovery of ~97% of data. Conclusions Our new tracking techniques for PET imaging enable a robust method for automatic motion correction in head and neck patients. Automatic correction of motion may prevent inaccurate radiological examinations and prevent burdening patients with repeat imaging procedures. Research Support Funding for this work is provided by departmental funds of the Molecular Imaging and Translational Research Program in the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Tennessee.
On the imbalance of international communications: an analysis, a review, and some solutions

International communication today is typified by the southern flow of information, from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere, dominated by the developed nations in information gathering and dissemination, and Intensified by technological advances in communication in the last two decades. The Incessant cries of ""cultural imperialism,"" "" cultural domination,"" and ""cultural invasion"" echoing from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America have precipitated a rigid control of communication in many developing countries. The imbalance of communication flow, castigated, and denounced by every developing country, is considered to be the source of all evils, ranging from the failure of politico-economical policies and erosion of social norms and values to street crimes and prostitution; nevertheless, the verdict is still not yet in. This study attempts to illustrate the fundamental problems, to explore the consequences of communication imbalance, and to examine communication dysfunctions In order to provide a set of solutions specifically addressed to the elimination or the reduction of the detrimental effects of communication dysfunctions. In the meantime, evidence is provided to substantiate the contention that communication imbalance can be eventually corrected, not by control but by allowing the free flow of all types of communications. Japan is a typical example: she absorbed the best and discarded the disharmonious features of Chinese and Western civilizations. Further attempts are also made to examine the inherent, natural immunity of cultures against alien concepts and practices. The conclusion is aimed at the battle cries of i?½cultural imperialism"": much ado about nothing.
Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence FY 2016 Data Analysis Annual Report

The National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD) has facilitated the installation of more than 3,500 radiation portal monitors (RPMs) at 606 sites in 56 countries worldwide. This collection of RPMs represents the world’s largest network of radiation detectors and provides one element in the defense-in-depth approach that supports the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture. These systems support NSDD’s mission to build partner country capability to deter, detect, and interdict the illicit transport of radiological and fissile material through strategic points of entry and exit at seaports, airports, and border crossings. NSDD works collaboratively with partner countries and international organizations to optimize the operation of these RPMs. The large amount of data provided by NSDD partner countries highlights the close cooperation and partnerships NSDD has built with 56 countries around the world. Thirty-seven of these countries shared at least some RPM-related data with NSDD in fiscal year 2016. This significant level of data sharing is a key element that distinguishes the NSDD office as unique among nuclear nonproliferation programs and initiatives: NSDD can provide specific, objective, data-driven decisions and support for sustaining the radiation detection systems it helped deploy. This data analysis report summarizes and aggregatesmore » the RPM data provided to the NSDD office for analysis and review in fiscal year 2016. The data can be used to describe RPM performance and characterize the wide diversity of NSDD deployment sites. For example, NSDD deploys detector systems across sites with natural background radiation levels that can vary by a factor of approximately six from site to site. Some lanes have few occupancies, whereas others have approximately 8,000 occupancies per day and the different types of cargo that travel through a site can result in site-wide alarm rates that range from near 0% at some sites to above 3% at others. Based on the data received, the global average uptime for NSDD RPMs was above 96% for fiscal year 2016. NSDD takes all of these factors into account in making recommendations to partner countries on how to most effectively manage and maintain site operations. NSDD utilizes reports and other information products created by data analysts to efficiently allocate the resources needed to detect and ultimately interdict illicit nuclear and radiological material.« less
Scalable privacy: poster

Given that the exact answer to a question is fixed, we ask is it possible to strengthen the privacy by increasing the crowd size that participates even though they do not contribute to the exact answer? In this paper, we introduce the notion of scalable privacy whereby data owners not at a particular location privatize their response such that they respond as if they are at a location (even when they are not). Immediately the question of utility is raised and we examine the tradeoffs to construct such a privacy mechanism so that it scales in both privacy and utility.
Global alteration of the drug-binding pocket of human P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) by substitution of fifteen conserved residues reveals a negative correlation between substrate size and transport efficiency

P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an ATP-dependent efflux pump, is linked to the development of multidrug resistance in cancer cells. However, the drug-binding sites and translocation pathways of this transporter are not yet well-characterized. We recently demonstrated the important role of tyrosine residues in regulating P-gp ATP hydrolysis via hydrogen bond formations with high affinity modulators. Since tyrosine is both a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor, and non-covalent interactions are key in drug transport, in this study we investigated the global effect of enrichment of tyrosine residues in the drug-binding pocket on the drug binding and transport function of P-gp. By employing computational analysis, 15 conserved residues in the drug-binding pocket of human P-gp that interact with substrates were identified and then substituted with tyrosine, including 11 phenylalanine (F72, F303, F314, F336, F732, F759, F770, F938, F942, F983, F994), two leucine (L339, L975), one isoleucine (I306), and one methionine (M949). Characterization of the tyrosine-rich P-gp mutant in HeLa cells demonstrated that this major alteration in the drug-binding pocket by introducing fifteen additional tyrosine residues is well tolerated and has no measurable effect on total or cell surface expression of this mutant. Although the tyrosine-enriched mutant P-gp could transport small to moderate size ( 1000 Daltons) substrates such as NBD-cyclosporine A, Bodipy-paclitaxel and Bodipy-vinblastine was significantly decreased. This was further supported by the physico-chemical characterization of seventeen tested substrates, which revealed a negative correlation between drug transport and molecular size for the tyrosine-enriched P-gp mutant.
Plasma Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances at Baseline and Associations with Glycemic Indicators and Diabetes Incidence among High-Risk Adults in the Diabetes Prevention Program Trial.

Background: Several per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous anthropogenic pollutants almost universally detected in humans. Experimental evidence indicates that PFAS alter glucose...
Arnold Schoenberg’s A Survivor from Warsaw in Postwar Europe

Searingly brief — under seven minutes — Arnold Schoenberg’s A Survivor from Warsaw (1947), for narrator, men’s chorus, and orchestra, conjures up a violent round up of Jews to be sent to the Nazi d...
Using workers’ compensation claims data to characterize occupational injuries in the biofuels industry

Abstract Biofuels production is a fast growing and emerging industry. Occupational injuries are a serious problem due to their human, financial and social costs, yet little research has been published on injuries in the biofuels industry. Learning from past injuries are essential for preventing future occurrences, but the lack of injury information hinders this effort in the biofuels industry. The present study addresses this knowledge gap by utilizing data from over 900 workers’ compensation claims reported from 2008 to 2016 by ethanol and biodiesel facilities in the U.S. to characterize injury costs and severity. The total amount paid for each claim was used as a measure of injury severity, and the effects of age, tenure, type of claim, body part injured, nature and, cause of injury on the cost of work-related injuries were investigated. Contingency tables were used to classify the variable pairs, chi-square test and chi-square residuals were employed to evaluate the relation between the variable pairs and identify the at-risk groups. Results showed age, tenure of employee, type of claim, body part injured, nature of injury and, cause of injury have a significant influence in determining the claim amount. Age group 46–50, tenure group 1–2 years, strain and fractures injuries, slips, falls, or trips and, injuries to lower extremities were some of the at-risk groups identified. The findings from the study will assist biofuel producers to develop precisely targeted safety interventions that are effective in preventing worker injuries and also mitigating the financial and social losses from occupational injuries.
Usability Evaluation for Drone Mission Planning in Virtual Reality

There has been a lot of research conducted on human-robot interaction (HRI) with drones as well as human-computer interaction (HCI) with virtual reality (VR). However, little work was done on VR as HRI, even less for VR and drones in particular. In this paper, we evaluate the usability of VR interfaces used to control drones through working with UC Berkeley’s Immersive Semi-Autonomous Aerial Command System (ISAACS) project, which experiments with new ways for humans to interact with drones in a VR environment. Our experiment setting focuses on the drone mission planning phase and on creating an onboarding experience for new users. We develop a usability evaluation framework for the ISAACS VR system, and use this framework to conduct two iterations of user testing and prototyping with a human-centered design process.
Interactions of Calcium Homeostasis, Acetylcholine Metabolism, Behavior and 3,4-Diaminopyridine during Aging

Normal aging is often associated with a reduction in mental abilities. However, the functions that are altered and the age when they begin to decline is controversial. For example, decreased performance on various aspects of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) occurs at different ages. The full scale WAIS is composed of a verbal scale (6 tests) and a performance scale (5 tests). Although some reductions in the full scale performance are apparent by age 40, the largest decline occurs after the age of 70. The performance tests show greater age-related deficits than the verbal tests (15, 62). The molecular mechanisms that lead to the decline in brain function with aging and their relation to the biochemical basis of the debilitating deficits of Alzheimer’s disease are unknown. The similarities between aging and Alzheimer’s disease are detailed elsewhere (18).