cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Black Power and the Power of Protest: Re-Examining Approaches for Radical Economic Development

A look at movements organized and carried out in Philadelphia aimed at economically empowering African Americans could be useful in assessing degrees of success toward identified objectives and in evaluating gains toward addressing the critical question of economic self-sufficiency. The African American community in Philadelphia has a lengthy history of social activism and was successful in establishing early legislation protecting African American employment rights. This paper surveys demonstrations in Philadelphia geared toward improving African Americans’ collective economic reality. Next, it assesses the success of the demonstrations in Philadelphia toward their desired objectives. Then, it analyzes the significance of these movements toward addressing the central concern of economic stability. Lastly, it recommends necessary shifts in objectives to adequately address economic self-sufficiency.
Towards a high sensitivity small animal PET system based on CZT detectors (Conference Presentation)

Small animal positron emission tomography (PET) is a biological imaging technology that allows non-invasive interrogation of internal molecular and cellular processes and mechanisms of disease. New PET molecular probes with high specificity are under development to target, detect, visualize, and quantify subtle molecular and cellular processes associated with cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. However, the limited uptake of these targeted probes leads to significant reduction in signal. There is a need to advance the performance of small animal PET system technology to reach its full potential for molecular imaging. Our goal is to assemble a small animal PET system based on CZT detectors and to explore methods to enhance its photon sensitivity. In this work, we reconstruct an image from a phantom using a two-panel subsystem consisting of six CZT crystals in each panel. For image reconstruction, coincidence events with energy between 450 and 570 keV were included. We are developing an algorithm to improve sensitivity of the system by including multiple interaction events.
Optimal Surveillance Strategies After Surgery for Renal Cell Carcinoma

One in 5 patients who undergo surgical resection for clinically localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) develop local and/or distant recurrences which, when detected early, may be amenable to salvage local and systemic therapies. When considering that approximately half of these recurrences will occur during the first 2 years, a clear rationale exists for optimizing surveillance strategies after surgery. Although there is a notable dearth of high-quality data on this subject, clinical principles can guide clinicians as they attempt to balance the burden of surveillance strategies with potential clinical benefit. The objective of this review is to summarize the evidence regarding optimal surveillance protocols after surgery for RCC. We provide an overview of the rationale supporting surveillance after surgery, a summary of the American Urological Association and NCCN guidelines, reasons against routine long-term surveillance, surveillance costs, and ancillary issues, such as the utility of bone scan, PET/CT scan, and surveillance after thermoablation.
Cardioprotection by Mitochondrial KATP Channel in Both Early and Late Preconditioning

Activation of the mitochondrial KATP channel (mitoKATP) has been shown to confer an early and late phase of cardioprotection against ischemic injury via protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways. However, the exact relationship between PKC or its isoforms and mitoKATP channels has not yet been clarified in both early and late preconditioning (PC). The hypothesis of this study is that the translocation of PKC to mitochondria is important for early cardiac protection elicited by mitoKATP channels. PKC was down-regulated by treatment of PMA (4μg/kg) for 24-hours prior to subsequent experiments. Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were subjected to 40-min of ischemia followed by 30-min reperfusion. In late PC, nitric oxide was hypothesized to be trigger for the opening of mitoKATP channels to enable the heart to protect itself against ischemic damage. This was tested in iNOS knockout mouse hearts. Effects of PKC down-regulation or blockade of PKC activity by chelerythrine on the activation of mitoKATP channel and other interventions on hemodynamic, biochemical and pathological changes were assessed. Subcellular distribution of PKC isoforms by immunocy-tochemistry demonstrates that immunostaining of PKC-δ was observed in the mitochondria after diazoxide (DE, 80μmol/L) pretreatment, PKC-e was translocated to intercalated disc and PKC-β1 was translocated to the nucleus. In DE treated hearts, a significant improvement in cardiac function and attenuation of cell injury was observed. In the PKC down-regulated hearts or hearts pretreated with chelerythrine, the protection was abolished because mitoKATP channels could not be activated by DE. These data suggest that PKC activation is required for the opening of mitoKATP channels in the protection against ischemia and this effect is linked with isoform specific translocation of δ to mitochondria. NO is an important trigger for the opening of mitoKATP channels after 24 hours of initial preconditioning stimulus. DE was found to be totally ineffective in iNOS knockout mice. DE activated NF-kB via PKC signaling pathway and that lead to NOS up-regulation for further activation of the mitoKATP after 24 hours upon ischemic stimulus.
Wertschöpfung im Mobilfunkmarkt

In den letzten Jahren hat der Wettbewerbsdruck im Mobilfunkmarkt stark zugenommen. Neue Geschaftsmodelle und damit neue Akteure bestimmen zunehmend den Markt. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird die Rekonfiguration von Wertschopfungsstrukturen und -strategien im Mobilfunkmarkt untersucht. Dafur werden auf Basis einer weltweiten Erhebung des Diensteportfolios von Mobilfunknetzbetreibern sowie unter Berucksichtigung weiterer Marktteilnehmer und Einflussfaktoren die derzeitig und zukunftig relevanten Wertschopfungsaktivitaten identifiziert. Anhand dieser werden Rollen entwickelt, bezuglich ihrer Wertflusse zueinander in Beziehung gesetzt und so das Wertschopfungsnetz fur den Mobilfunkmarkt in Form eines Referenzmodells zusammengesetzt. Daran anschliesend werden eine Problem- und Umfeldanalyse vorgenommen und ein Kriterienkatalog fur die Entwicklung von Zukunftsszenarien entwickelt. Die Anwendung des Referenzmodells wird anhand eines Zukunftsszenarios beispielhaft gezeigt.
Parosteal osteosarcoma. A clinicopathological study

The records of 226 patients (sixty-seven who were managed at our institution and 159 who were identified from the consultation files) who had had a parosteal osteosarcoma were reviewed. The criteria for diagnosis were that, roentgenographically, the lesion had arisen from the surface of the bone and that, histologically, the tumor was well differentiated (Grade 1 or 2); it was characterized by well formed osteoid within a spindle-cell stroma; and, when there was medullary involvement, less than 25 per cent of the medullary cavity was affected. Dedifferentiation was more common (16 per cent of the patients) than previously reported and was associated with a poor prognosis. Cross-sectional imaging studies demonstrated medullary involvement in 22 per cent of the patients, an unmineralized soft-tissue mass peripheral to the mineral component in 51 per cent, and adjacent soft-tissue invasion in 46 per cent. In contrast to the findings in our previous studies, medullary involvement was not a poor prognostic factor. At an average of thirteen years (range, two to forty-one years), eleven of the sixty-seven patients who were managed at our institution died of the tumor; ten of these patients had a dedifferentiated tumor. Statistical analysis of the thirty-nine patients who had had the primary treatment at our institution revealed that incomplete resection was associated with an increased risk of local recurrence and that dedifferentiation markedly increased the risk of metastasis.
Preliminary Investigation into Aerosol Mobilization Resulting from Fusion Reactor Disruptions

An experimental system has been developed to study disruption-induced aerosol mobilization for fusion accident analysis. The SIRENS high heat flux facility at North Carolina State University has be...
Application of Stochastic Control Theory to Optimal Design of Dosage Regimens

Designing a dosage regimen for a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic system involves defining: i) a patient-dependent model, which includes structure, parameter, and measurement uncertainties; ii) the choice of controls, which can include dose amounts, dose times and /or sampling times; and iii) an appropriate performance index to evaluate achievement of a clinically chosen therapeutic goal. The control problem then is to choose the dosage regimen that optimizes the expected value of the performance index. This problem fits within the framework of stochastic control theory. Examples are given to illustrate the variety of this class of problems, including: optimal dose regimens for target level and target window cost; and optimal sampling schedules for maximal information. By varying the class of admissible controls, different strategies are generated. Control strategies to be discussed include: open loop, open loop feedback, separation principle, and iteration in policy space. Monte Carlo simulation studies of a terminal cost type problem are presented.
On the Development of Accident Sequences Involving Tokamak Impurity Control Systems

A set of initiating events are identified and the associated accident sequences are developed for impurity control systems in tokamak fusion reactors. The master logic diagram concept used in risk analysis is developed for a tokamak. The notion of the fusion island is used as the central power producing element in fusion power plants. Differences in the severity of initiating events and/or accident sequences that are associated with the two leading candidate impurity control concepts, the pump limiter and the poloidal divertor, are identified. They reflect both safety-related and/or financial consequences.
Strictures in the ileal portion of ileocecal conduits in children and young adults.

AbstractPatients with ileocecal conduits are at risk for development of late complications. We present 3 patients who had strictures in the ileal portion of the ileocecal conduit, leading to deterioration of the upper urinary tract. The pathogenesis of these strictures appears to result from chronic inflammation. Long-term periodic upper urinary tract screening with ultrasonography is important for early detection of this complication. When new or increasing hydronephrosis is found a loopogram or antegrade pyelogram (if the ileocecal valve is competent) should be performed to evaluate the ileal portion of the ileocecal conduit.
Influence of Internal Heat Generation on the Natural Convection of Non-Newtonian Fluids over a Vertical Plate in Porous Media with Thermal Radiation and Soret/Dufour Effects: Variable Wall Temperature/Concentration

The heat and mass transfer characteristics of the influence of internal heat generation on the natural convection of non-Newtonian fluids over a vertical plate in porous media with thermal radiation and Soret/Dufour effects are numerically analyzed. The surface of the vertical plate has a variable wall temperature and variable wall concentration (VWT/VWC). The similarity solution is obtained by assuming internal heat generation to be in exponential decaying form. The Rosseland diffusion approximation is employed to describe the radiative heat flux. Similar governing equations are solved by Keller box method. Comparisons showed excellent agreement with the numerical data of previous works. Numerical data for the dimensionless temperature profile, the dimensionless concentration profile, the local Nusselt number and the local Sherwood number are presented for the buoyancy ratio $$ N $$, the Lewis number $$ Le $$, the power-law index of the non-Newtonian fluid $$ n $$, the Soret parameter $$ S $$, the Dufour parameter $$ D $$, the exponent of VWT/VWC $$ \lambda $$, the internal heat generation coefficient $$ A^{*} $$ and the thermal radiation parameter $$ R_{d} $$. The physical aspects of the problem are discussed in detail.
Correlation between comprehensive molecular profiling and clinical outcomes in patients with colorectal liver metastases.

e15114Background: Genomic alterations in KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF have been associated with recurrence and survival for patients (pts) with liver metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We used a multi-ge...
Gardening on a psychiatric inpatient unit: Cultivating recovery

HighlightsGardening stimulated reflective process whereby participants used the garden symbolically to gain insight into their illnessExposure to nature and sensory stimulation provided calmness and a change of environment from the sterile hospital unitOften resulted in descriptions of improved mood
Scarless Wound Healing: From Experimental Target to Clinical Reality

Abstract Decades after the discovery of fetal scarless wound healing, therapeutic targets for reducing adult skin fibrosis remain few. Compounding the issue, the number of iatrogenic injuries and patients with multiple comorbidities is mounting, therefore increasing the likelihood of dysfunctional or pathologic wound healing. Also, there is overall growth in clinical expenditures on wound healing. Chapter 5 will contrast the adult and fetal wound healing mechanisms and review current therapeutic and experimental targets focused on reducing adult skin fibrosis and recapitulating the fetal wound healing environment. Through highlighting the differences between fetal and adult healing, scar reduction can be accomplished in the severely afflicted, such as those with contractures, keloids, or burns.
Increasing China’s Agricultural Labor Productivity: Comparison and Policy Implications from Major Agrarian Countries

China's low agricultural labor productivity has become the key weakness of its agricultural competitiveness and sustainable development, and strategies for improving China's agricultural labor productivity lack clear and consistent theory and empirical support. To address this issue, the current study uses the methods of convergence index, correlation coefficient, and nonparametric test, to analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of agricultural labor productivity among 32 major agrarian countries during 1961–2013. This analysis shows that the development gap among countries has been narrowing. The USA takes the leading position among all the countries, while some countries with scarce land like Japan have succeeded in achieving transcendence, and other countries like India have experienced relatively slow speed. The agricultural labor productivity is significantly driven by agricultural labor surplus, agricultural product processing, and agricultural industrial structure. The effects of land resource endowment, agricultural mechanization, and biochemical inputs have been declining and in some cases are no longer even significant. It is therefore necessary to shift attention to marketization, diversification, and high quality, instead of the former focus on agricultural intensification, concentration and large-scale operations, and this shift is probably more closely aligned with current practices. There are more people and less land in China, and the agricultural labor force in China still accounts for nearly 30% of the total population. Considering these national conditions, it is very important to simultaneously improve the efficiency of agricultural production of small farmers and promote the successful urbanization of the agricultural labor force. In the medium and long term, it is imperative to improve the competitiveness of Chinese agriculture by adopting related policy arrangements such as induced agricultural technological innovation, production factor substitution, and multifunctional agriculture development.
The genetic etiology of eosinophilic esophagitis.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic allergic disease associated with marked mucosal eosinophil accumulation. Multiple studies have reported a strong familial component to EoE, with the presence of EoE increasing the risk for other family members with EoE. Epidemiologic studies support an important role for environmental risk factors as modulators of genetic risk. In a small percentage of cases, including patients who have Mendelian diseases with co-occurrent EoE, rare genetic variation with large effect sizes could mediate EoE and explain multigenerational incidence in families. Common genetic risk variants mediate genetic risk for the majority of patients with EoE. Across the 31 reported independent EoE risk loci (P
Effects of near-field ground motions and soil-structure interaction on dynamic response of a cable-stayed bridge

Abstract Seismic response of cable-stayed bridges is investigated with the main focus pertaining to the effects of near-field ground motions and soil-structure interaction on the dynamic response of the bridges. A 1/60 scale model of a typical cable-stayed bridge was designed and fabricated for the laboratory investigations. Three different types of ground motion records from the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, namely far-field, non-pulse near-field, and pulse-type near-field were employed in the experiments and the numerical analysis of the bridge. Laboratory simulation of the soil-structure interaction was accomplished by a box-spring system with interchangeable springs as foundations for the bridge towers. A three-dimensional numerical model of the bridge was developed, and its response was verified by the experimental results. Results from the numerical and experimental investigations indicated that the effects of foundation soil stiffness on the response of the bridge was influenced by the type of input ground motions. The bridge response was amplified when their foundation was in softer soils.
The national health information technology human factors and ergonomics agenda.

Abstract Health information technology (IT) implementation has encompassed much of the United States health care system over the past decade, and user frustration with health IT has steadily increased. Human factors and ergonomics (HFE) methods and approaches can improve the design, implementation, and use of health IT for clinicians and consumers. To better understand the effect of federal HFE in health IT research funding, the authors conducted a review of several key, specific initiatives. The review focused on the goals and accomplishments of these initiatives. Findings to date show that HFE is improving the usefulness of health IT, but additional research and new methods are needed. Corresponding research funding and policy priorities are identified. New HFE work and innovative approaches are needed to capitalize on HFE knowledge, principles, and methods to improve the design, implementation, and use of health IT at a broader scale.
Demonstration of Accelerating and Decelerating Space-Time Optical Wave Packets in Free Space

We show that sculpting the spatio-temporal spectrum of optical wave packets enables the realization of large axial acceleration and deceleration. We experimentally demonstrate group velocity changes up to ∼ 1.2c over a propagation distance ∼ 30 mm.
Hemodynamic monitoring with the CardioMEMS HF System.

ABSTRACT Heart failure readmission rates continue to rise and cause economic burden in the US. Advancements in hemodynamic monitoring offer the ability to monitor intracardiac pressures at home and provide data that are used to optimize outpatient management of heart failure, resulting in reduced hospitalization and mortality associated with heart failure.
Directional Graph Networks with Hard Weight Assignments

Point cloud analysis is an important field for 3D scene understanding. It has applications in self driving cars and robotics (via LIDAR sensors), 3D graphics, and computer-aided design. Neural networks have recently achieved strong results on point cloud analysis problems such as classification and segmentation. Each point cloud network has the challenge of defining a convolution that can learn useful features on unstructured points. Some recent point cloud convolutions create separate weight matrices for separate directions like a CNN, but apply every weight matrix to every neighbor with soft assignments. This increases computational complexity and makes relatively small neighborhood aggregations expensive to compute. We propose Hard Directional Graph Networks (HDGN), a point cloud model that both learns directional weight matrices and assigns a single matrix to each neighbor, achieving directional convolutions at lower computational cost. HDGN's directional modeling achieves state-of-the-art results on multiple point cloud vision benchmarks.
Flexible High-field Far-IR Source for Driving Nonlinear Phononics

We report a high-field sub-picosecond far-infrared (8–21 μm) tunable source with flexible control of bandwidth and pulse duration that can be used to study nonlinear phononic coupling effects arising from resonant excitation of infrared-active phonons.
Facile one-pot synthesis and characterization of nickel supported on hierarchically porous carbon

Abstract Described is a novel, facile route for the synthesis of nickel supported on hierarchically porous carbon (Ni/HPC) using a one-pot co-gelation sol–gel method. Ni/HPC with varying nickel loadings (0.5, 1, 2.5 and 5 wt% Ni) were synthesized and the materials characterized by nitrogen physisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies. The results show a three-dimensional network of disordered carbon with fine nickel nanoparticles of sizes ranging from 8 nm to 13 nm at 0.5 wt% Ni loading which gradually increased with increase in the Ni loading. The carbon structure was retained at the macropore level, but not at the mesoscale where the ordered mesopores were lost on nickel addition. The nickel nanoparticles were observed to grow on the surface of the ligaments. This may make them particularly suitable for low pressure Ni-catalyzed organic transformations e.g., hydrogenations, C–C coupling, C-heteroatom coupling, etc.
Some Observations on Quantum Chromodynamics

It need not be repeated here why the theory referred to as “quantum chromodynamics” is considered to be the best candidate for a successful theory for the strong interactions.
The role of flow visualization in the study of afterbody and base flows

The role of the flow visualization in providing the necessary insight for the development of theoretical models of complex afterbody and base flows is described. Methods of calculating the turbulent base pressure for axisymmetric configurations are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the treatment of supersonic flows for cylindrical, boattail, and flare bodies as well as sharp and blunt cones and base flow nozzles. The guidance provided by flow visualization in the development of theoretical models for the transonic case is also discussed. The current interests in applying finite difference techniques to these-problems indicate that the extensive use of flow visualization data will continue.
Prostatic carcinosarcomas. Clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical data on two cases, with a review of the literature

Abstract Carcinosarcomas of the prostate gland are exceedingly rare, and previous reports exist on only seven of these neoplasms. The authors studied two such tumors, which occurred in 63- and 69-year-old patients. One of them had osseous metastases develop, which were treated unsuccessfully by irradiation and diethylstilbestrol therapy. The other patient is free of disease 15 months after radical prostatectomy. Both tumors contained an intimate mixture of carcinoma and sarcoma; patient 1 displayed foci of chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and leiomyosarcoma, whereas patient 2 exhibited areas of chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and angiosarcoma. The phenotypic nature of these tissues was confirmed by immunohistochemical studies, showing reactivity for vimentin, S-100 protein, desmin, actin, myoglobin, or Ulex europaeus I agglutinin. Conversely, the sarcomatous components lacked prostate-specific antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, and cytokeratin, whereas carcinomatous elements expressed these three markers. The authors' data support the existence of true carcinosarcomas of the prostate, that is, malignant neoplasms with conjoint epithelial and mesenchymal differentiation. The question of whether prostatic carcinosarcoma is an entity that is totally distinct from sarcomatoid or metaplastic carcinoma remains problematic.
A survey of methods for eliciting the knowledge of experts

A variety of methods have been used by expert system developers to elicit experts' knowledge and reasoning strategies. Additionally, a number of methods have been used by experimental psychologists to explore hypotheses about the nature of expertise. Methods can be placed into three broad categories: (1) Analyses of the tasks that experts perform, (2) Interview techniques, and (3) Special tasks. A comparison of knowledge elicitation methods yields recommendations about how expert system developers can deal with the "knowledge acquisition bottleneck."
Blue-blocking IOLs Decrease Photoreception Without Providing Significant Photoprotection

Violet and blue light are responsible for 45% of scotopic, 67% of melanopsin, 83% of human circadian (melatonin suppression) and 94% of S-cone photoreception in pseudophakic eyes (isoilluminance source). Yellow chromophores in blue-blocking intraocular lenses (IOLs) eliminate between 43 and 57% of violet and blue light between 400 and 500 nm, depending on their dioptric power. This restriction adversely affects pseudophakic photopic luminance contrast, photopic S-cone foveal threshold, mesopic contrast acuity, scotopic short-wavelength sensitivity and circadian photoreception. Yellow IOL chromophores provide no tangible clinical benefits in exchange for the photoreception losses they cause. They fail to decrease disability glare or improve contrast sensitivity. Most epidemiological evidence shows that environmental light exposure and cataract surgery are not significant risk factors for the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Thus, the use of blue-blocking IOLs is not evidence-based medicine. Most AMD occurs in phakic adults over 60 years of age, despite crystalline lens photoprotection far greater than that of blue-blocking IOLs. Therefore, if light does play some role in the pathogenesis of AMD, then 1) senescent crystalline lenses do not prevent it, so neither can blue-blocking IOLs that offer far less photoprotection, and 2) all pseudophakes should wear sunglasses in bright environments. Pseudophakes have the freedom to remove their sunglasses for optimal photoreception whenever they choose to do so, provided that they are not encumbered permanently by yellow IOL chromophores. In essence, yellow chromophores are placebos for prevention of AMD that permanently restrict a pseudophake's dim light and circadian photoreception at ages when they are needed most. If yellow IOLs had been the standard of care, then colorless UV-blocking IOLs could be advocated now as "premium" IOLs because they offer dim light and circadian photoreception roughly 15-20 years more youthful than blue-blocking IOLs.
Hybrid Ordered Particle Simulation (HOPS) code for plasma modelling on vector-serial, vector-parallel, and massively parallel computers

Abstract The Hybrid Ordered Particle Simulation (HOPS) code has been developed to provide a more efficient method for carrying out particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of plasma phenomena. Conventional PIC methods store the particle attributes in tables that tend to have a random spatial order, which was appropriate for older serial-scalar computers. Problems associated with excessive accessing of memory, indirect indexing, and with many-to-one mappings in the deposition phase can make these codes inefficient on vector-serial, vector-parallel, and massively parallel machines. In the HOPS code we employ a sorting scheme to keep the particles ordered with respect to their spatial positions. By doing so, we have reduced memory accesses, recovered substantial direct indexing, and most importantly removed the many-to-one mapping problem. A low overhead sorting and reordering scheme is presented which allows HOPS to be most efficient on vector-serial machines and which scales linearly to various kinds of parallel computers. This paper focuses on the Cray C-90 vector-parallel computer but also discusses aspects of a massively parallel implementation.
The Intellectuals in the Political Development of the New States

The gestation, birth, and continuing life of the new states of Asia and Africa, through all their vicissitudes, are in large measure the work of intellectuals. In no state-formations in all of human history have intellectuals played such a role as they have in these events of the present century.In the past, new states were founded by military conquest, by the secession of ethnic groups led by traditional tribal and warrior chiefs, by the gradual extension of the power of the prince through intermarriage, agreement, and conquest, or by separation through military rebellion. In antiquity, the demand that subjects acknowledge the divinity of the Emperor was no more than a requirement that the legitimacy of the existing order be recognized.
Simplex optimization-based dynamic wavefront control for mitigation of atmospheric distortions of the laser beam

Development of long-range laser communication devices capable of operating within Earth’s atmosphere is a challenging task. Turbulence effects cause changes of the refractive index along the propagation path that lead to phase distortions (aberrations), thus creating random optical energy redistribution in the spatial domain and imposing performance limitations on the laser systems. A common method of mitigating these effects suggests dynamic wavefront control. In this paper the proposed technique is based on correction of the distorted beam using an electrically addressed programmable spatial light modulator (SLM). The phase profile that we impose on the distorted laser beam is described by a general two-dimensional wavefront OPD function. The simplex algorithm facilitates dynamic optimization of the system performance metric J as a function of control parameters (the polynomial coefficients). The resultant polynomial is used for calculation of the corrective phase profiles to be loaded onto the programmable phase modulator. The proposed control algorithm is independent of the system model and offers the advantage of blind (“model-free”) optimization. The wavefront correction system is implemented in a simulation setup. Its performance is assessed in terms of convergence, speed, robustness and the ability to reduce the effects of wavefront distortions.
An Optimal Key Distribution Scheme for Secure Multicast Group Communication

Many IP multicast-based applications, such as multimedia conferencing, multiplayer games, require controlling the group memberships of senders and receivers. One common solution is to encrypt the data with a session key shared with all authorized senders/receivers. To efficiently update the session key in the event of member removal, many rooted-tree based group key distribution schemes have been proposed. However, most of the existing rooted-tree based schemes are not optimal. In other words, given the O(logN) storage overhead, the communication overhead is not minimized. On the other hand, although Flat Table scheme [1] achieves optimality [2], it is rather dismissed due to the vulnerability to collusion attacks. In this paper, we propose a key distribution scheme - EGK that attains the same optimality as Flat Table without collusion vulnerability. Additionally, EGK provides constant message size and requires O(logN) storage overhead at the group controller, which makes EGK suitable for applications containing a large number of multicasting group members. Moreover, adding members in EGK requires just one multicasting message. EGK is the first work with such features and out- performs all existing schemes.
Transformation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) following wounding with glass beads

A procedure was developed for transformation of Helianthus annuus (sunflower) using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Cotyledons were removed from young seedlings, and the remaining tissue was uniformly wounded by shaking with glass beads. The wounded tissue was then co-cultivated with a hypervirulent strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring the binary plasmid pCNL56. Minimal use of defined medium was required, and no callus was observed. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by DNA hybridization demonstrated the presence of gusA DNA from pCNL56 in total leaf DNA of 6 primary transformants and 2 progeny plants. No Agrobacterium DNA was detected in total DNA from transformed sunflower leaves that was amplified with primers specific to the miaA chromosomal gene of Agrobacterium. Foreign DNA was also detected in the next generation. β-Glucuronidase (GUS) activity was demonstrated for 5 of the T2 transgenic plants. Grafting was used to increase the number of seeds present on plants that had undergone tissue culture manipulations.
Patient flow in the emergency department: a classification and analysis of admission process policies.

Study objective We investigate the effect of admission process policies on patient flow in the emergency department (ED). Methods We surveyed an advisory panel group to determine approaches to admission process policies and classified them as admission decision is made by the team of providers (attending physicians, residents, physician extenders) (type 1) or attending physicians (type 2) on the admitting service, team of providers (type 3), or attending physicians (type 4) in the ED. We developed discrete-event simulation models of patient flow to evaluate the potential effect of the 4 basic policy types and 2 hybrid types, referred to as triage attending physician consultation and remote collaborative consultation on key performance measures. Results Compared with the current admission process policy (type 1), the alternatives were all effective in reducing the length of stay of admitted patients by 14% to 26%. In other words, patients may spend 1.4 to 2.5 hours fewer on average in the ED before being admitted to internal medicine under a new admission process policy. The improved flow of admitted patients decreased both the ED length of stay of discharged patients and the overall length of stay by up to 5% and 6.4%, respectively. These results are framed in context of teaching mission and physician experience. Conclusion An efficient admission process can reduce waiting times for both admitted and discharged ED patients. This study contributed to demonstrating the potential value of leveraging admission process policies and developing a framework for pursuing these policies.
Parameterized Model of Gramineous Crop Growth: II. Within-Season Simulation Calibration

The accuracy of parameterized crop growth models is dependent on obtaining the proper parameter values that control the response of the model to environmental conditions. In this study, a method is described for objectively evaluating model parameters based on observations of crop growth obtained during the growing season. An iterative numerical procedure is used to systematically manipulate the values of selected parameters and initial conditions until the model simulation matches the observations of growth. Examples involving a previously-developed growth model indicate that reasonably accurate simulations can be made for three gramineous crops (grain sorghum, corn, and spring wheat) by calibrating a set of parameters and initial conditions that affect leaf area appearance and senescence [...]
La fin des Antiquitez de Rome: Vision pessimiste ou espoir de renouveau?

In his collection of sonnets, The Antiquities of Rome, Joachim Du Bellay evokes at length the monumentality of ruins and the effects of time on human creation. He chooses to end his collection, however, by calling forth forces that triumph over time, through the enduring powers of poetic voice. This article considers to what extent Du Bellay's project to reaffirm French poetry, announced in The Defense and Illustration of the French Language, confers a restrained optimism on the final sonnets of the Antiquities. This hopeful vision can be seen to call into question the pessimistic interpretation of the Antiquities given by Thomas M. Greene in The Light in Troy, Imitation and Discovery in Renaissance Poetry.
Family Size and College Aspirations: A Note on Catholic-Protestant Differences

Data from a study of college aspirations among 40,000 Minnesota adolescents indicate that the relationship of family size to aspirations is somewhat higher among Protestants than Catholics. Overall aspirational differences between religious groups are minor. Further analysis suggests that these differences are probably not a function of financial capacities but rather of more basic socialization practices. The data are used to illustrate an alternative approach in analyzing the relevance of religion to contemporary society: examining processual differences between religious groups rather than concentrating only on outcomes–such as net differences in aspirations. The paper concludes by speculating that social process may be critical in distinguishing Protestants from Catholics but has generally been neglected in contemporary research on religion.
Psychological and social effects of orthodontic treatment

Adolescents with commonly occurring forms of malocclusion often are presumed to be at risk for negative self-esteem and social maladjustment. A randomized control group design was used to assess the psychosocial effects of orthodontic treatment for esthetic impairment. Ninety-three participants, 11 to 14 years old, with mild to moderate malocclusions, were randomly assigned to receive orthodontic treatment immediately or after serving as delayed controls. A battery of psychological and social measures was administered before treatment, during treatment, and three times after completion of treatment, the last occurring one year after termination. Repeated measures analyses of variance assessed group differences at the five time points. Parent-, peer-, and self-evaluations of dental-facial attractiveness significantly improved after treatment, but treatment did not affect parent- and self-reported social competency or social goals, nor subjects' self-esteem. In summary, dental-specific evaluations appear to be influenced by treatment, while more general psychosocial responses are not.
Exchange splitting and bias-dependent transport in EuO spin filter tunnel barriers

We report on transport measurements in EuO-based tunnel junctions, studying the characteristic features of spin filter tunneling in magnetic insulators. Current-voltage (I-V) curves show a unique voltage dependence that reveals the interplay between direct and spin-selective Fowler-Nordheim (FN) tunneling. Successive onsets of FN tunneling give direct evidence for a spin filtering effect, without relying on the use of external magnetic fields for spin detection. The variation of the effective tunnel barrier height below the Curie temperature was extracted from temperature-dependent I-V characteristics, and systematically correlates with the spontaneous magnetization of EuO. The magnitude of the exchange splitting was deduced and allows the evaluation of spin filter efficiency of EuO spin filter tunnel barriers by fully electrical means.
The NASA Lightning Nitrogen Oxides Model (LNOM): Application to air quality modeling

Abstract Recent improvements to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Lightning Nitrogen Oxides Model (LNOM) and its application to the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system are discussed. The LNOM analyzes Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) and National Lightning Detection Network™ (NLDN) data to estimate the raw (i.e., unmixed and otherwise environmentally unmodified) vertical profile of lightning NO x (= NO + NO 2 ) production. The latest LNOM estimates of mean lightning channel length, the lightning 10-m segment altitude distribution, and the vertical profile of lightning NO x production are obtained. The primary improvement to the LNOM is the inclusion of non-return stroke lightning NO x production due to: hot core stepped and dart leaders, stepped leader corona sheath, K-changes, continuing currents, and M-components. The impact of including LNOM-estimates of lightning NO x for an August 2006 run of CMAQ is discussed. An estimate of global annual lightning NO x production is also provided using the NASA satellite global lightning climatology.
Circadian rhythms in rats - Effects of random lighting.

Increase in body weight, spontaneous running activity, and adrenal cortical function have been studied in rats exposed to a random lighting schedule. In two separate experiments, grouped control animals were given 12 or 14 hours of light alternating with 12 or 10 hours of darkness, respectively, while coresponding grouped experimental animals were given the same total amounts of light and darkness per 24 hour period in a randomized pattern. Random light for periods of 17 to 40 days exerted no influence on growth rate, on weights of endocrine organs, or on adrenal response to adrenocorticotrophic hormone. However, the physiological fluctuation of group running activity and adrenal steroid secretion was abolished. Group desynchronization and the development of circadian rhythms having periods both shorter and longer than 24 hours appear to have replaced the synchronized group rhythmicity.
The Child Is Father of the Man, and Mother of the Woman

* Abbreviation: DOHaD — : Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Well before Wordsworth, it was recognized that early life experiences shaped adult personality and behavior. However, until much more recently, the dominant medical model posited virtually a complete disconnect between childhood and adult health. It was as though emerging from childhood without major disease or disability miraculously reset the “health-o-meter” to 0, only to rebegin registering its scores in midlife. A quarter century ago, David Barker and colleagues showed the biological implausibility of such a simplistic model.1 Since then, accumulating evidence has strengthened the “Barker hypothesis” and now “developmental origins of health and disease,” or DOHaD, is an increasingly accepted concept. Although acknowledgment that childhood, fetal, and even preconceptional events can influence later health is growing, skeptics remain, partly because the link is still largely based on association, not proven mechanisms of causation. Mechanistic research is urgently needed to convince naysayers and, more importantly, to devise treatments and preventions, for the many “adult-onset” conditions that actually are rooted in much earlier exposures and events. An example of such mechanistic research … Address correspondence to Alan E. Guttmacher, MD, 31 Center Dr, Rm 2A03, MSC 2425, Bethesda, MD 20892-2425. E-mail: guttmach{at}mail.nih.gov
Thermal analysis of bulk amorphous arsenic triselenide

Abstract Through the use of differential scanning calorimetry, the heat capacity and crystallization parameters of amorphous As 2 Se 3 have been studied. It is found that the heat capacity above the glass transition temperature ( T g ) exceeds, by a factor of 1.6, the Dulong-Petit limiting value found below T g . The crystallization process is found to obey first-order kinetics with an activation enthalpy of 1.24 eV and an enthalpy of crystallization of 0.36 eV · molecule −1 . The effect of sample age on the rate constant is also reported.
Significance of Atmospheric Dust and Ice Rafting for Arctic Ocean Sediment

Atmospheric dust fallout and ice-rafted glacial detritus are significant factors for the Arctic Ocean sediment budget. Atmospheric dust amounting to .09 mm/1,000 yrs is being delivered to the Canada Basin, Chukchi Plain and Alpha Cordillera areas today. This is 10 percent of the sedimentation rate for some parts of the Arctic Ocean during the past 2 to 3 m.y. Clay mineralogy of the modern atmospheric dust and of the Arctic Ocean sediment is approximately 40 percent illite with almost equal amounts of chlorite and kaolinite. Ice-rafted detritus is widespread on the Arctic Ocean floor today. In addition, erratics greater than 8 mm and less than 40 mm have been found in 44 of almost 100 cores studied to date. These erratics are carbonates and sandstones in large part; metamorphics and cherts are less abundant. No pattern of lithologic and vertical distribution correlation of erratics among the cores is present. The oldest erratic occurs in sediment approximately 3.5 m.y. old. In excess of 30 percent by weight of some Arctic sediment consists of greater than 62 μ material. This is largely ice-rafted material. Together with the atmospheric dust fallout, this is a significant part of the average 2 to 3 mm/1,000 yrs sedimentation rate determined from magnetic stratigraphy.
The effects of verbal reinforcement of intrinsic motivation for sex-linked tasks

Recent studies have demonstrated that positive verbal feedback enhances males' intrinsic motivation for a task, while decreasing that of females. This result has been attributed to differential socialization forces which make the controlling aspects of rewards more salient for females as opposed to males, for whom the informational aspects are prepotent. A weakness in this conclusion stems from the use of a masculine sex-linked task in prior experiments, producing a result which may be due to gender congruence/incongruence rather than to socialization differences. Two laboratory experiments were performed to examine the effects of verbal praise on intrinsic motivation, controlling for sex-typing of the experimental activity. Experiment I found that verbal praise increased females' and males' intrinsic motivation on both a feminine and masculine task, and intrinsic motivation was higher for sex-appropriate than sex-inappropriate tasks. The sexes did not show a differential pattern of response to praise. In Experiment 2, verbal praise also enhanced sex-role traditional females' intrinsic motivation on the same activity used in prior research. These results suggest that socialization content has changed sufficiently to make concerns about competence and self-determination equally salient for females and males.