cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicle Wildfire Boundary Estimation Using a Semantic Segmentation Neural Network

This paper presents a system to command and control a team of fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to sense dynamic wildfire boundaries. UAV team task and trajectory planning strategies enabl...
CBEx: A Hybrid Approach for Cancer Biomarker Extraction

This paper presents a novel hybrid approach for extracting cancer biomarkers from pathology reports and a prototype system, CBEx (Cancer Biomarker Extractor). It integrates a Long Short-Time Memory Neural Network that identifies biomarker-containing sentences and a dictionary-based method to extract biomarker mentions from those sentences. Preliminary results show that CBEx outperforms existing methods.
The Current perspectives on drug and chemical residue problems from FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine

There is considerable focus on increasing the cooperation and communication between agencies at the Federal, State and local levels. As this becomes more of a reality it will become increasingly difficult for individuals with a history of producing animals, milk or eggs with violative residues to find markets that will accept them. Paper presented at the 22nd AABP Convention, Kansas City, MO., Nov. 14-17, 1989
"Nothing About Us Without Us": The Case for User Warrant in the ICD-11

The 11th edition of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (henceforth known as the ICD-11) will come into effect January 1st, 2022 and includes major revisions to the language used to describe gender identity. The classification uses scientific and literary warrants for revisions, but noticeably does not involve the transgender (used interchangeably with trans) community in order to gather their recommendations on what would be considered proper terminology and narratives. This paper uses transgender medicine as a case study for the use of user warrant within medical classification and knowledge organization.
CRIMES AND OFFENSES Crimes Against the Person: Amend Punishment for Any Person Who Commits the Offense of Simple Battery or Battery Against a Sports Official of an Amateur Contest

The Act changes two sections of the Georgia Code to impose more severe penalties on individuals convicted of battery against a sports official. The Act makes battery of an amateur sports official a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.
A Productive Decade of Andragogy's History and Philosophy 2000-2009

With the foundation ofandragogy having been laid, there was a serious attempt at investigating its value. Some felt that a broad scope was established in the practice to support growth in learners, with any mention ofadult learning needing to include andragogy. Others perceived that andragogy produced unproductive debates along a binary path, with its being too caught up in individualization, the politics of exclusion, conformity, and de-contextualizing adult learning. However, some research revealed numerous dimensions ofandragogy. The connection with distance learning became very strong and solid. New applications ofandragogy were spawned into foreign language learning, internet learning, validation ofthe adult instructor's perspective, the public school, emotional intelligence, and an interlinking with brain research. The long range projection ofandragogy saw a strong resurgence in numerous research papers being put forward through conferences and publications with the world-wide foundation being established by thorough documentation ofthe materials. Savicevic looks far into the future and credits Knowles with a meritorious place in the advancement of andragogy. Many new applications over an extensive period oftime were increasing.
Oriented Immobilization of Fab Fragments by Site-Specific Biotinylation at the Conserved Nucleotide Binding Site for Enhanced Antigen Detection.

Oriented immobilization of antibodies and antibody fragments has become increasingly important as a result of the efforts to reduce the size of diagnostic and sensor devices to miniaturized dimensions for improved accessibility to the end-user. Reduced dimensions of sensor devices necessitate the immobilized antibodies to conserve their antigen binding activity for proper operation. Fab fragments are becoming more commonly used in small-scaled diagnostic devices due to their small size and ease of manufacture. In this study, we used the previously described UV-NBS(Biotin) method to functionalize Fab fragments with IBA-EG11-Biotin linker utilizing UV energy to initiate a photo-cross-linking reaction between the nucleotide binding site (NBS) on the Fab fragment and IBA-Biotin molecule. Our results demonstrate that immobilization of biotinylated Fab fragments via UV-NBS(Biotin) method generated the highest level of immobilized Fab on surfaces when compared to other typical immobilization methods while preserving antigen binding activity. UV-NBS(Biotin) method provided 432-fold, 114-fold, and 29-fold improved antigen detection sensitivity than physical adsorption, NHS-Biotin, and e-NH3(+), methods, respectively. Additionally, the limit of detection (LOD) for PSA utilizing Fab fragments immobilized via UV-NBS(Biotin) method was significantly lower than that of the other immobilization methods, with an LOD of 0.4 pM PSA. In summary, site-specific biotinylation of Fab fragments without structural damage or loss in antigen binding activity provides a wide range of application potential for UV-NBS immobilization technique across numerous diagnostic devices and nanotechnologies.
Traffic stress and bicycling to elementary and junior high school: Evidence from Davis, California

Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of stress stemming from proximity to automobile traffic on bicycling to elementary and junior high school. A growing body of evidence shows that students who walk or bike to school have higher levels of overall physical activity. Turning around the decline in active travel to school in the U.S. could thus produce improvements in the health and wellbeing of students. Despite considerable research on the influence of the urban environment on walking to school, a better understanding of the factors specific to bicycling to school is needed. We conducted a study of bicycling to school in Davis, California using data from repeated observations of bike rack counts at 11 neighborhood schools. We adopt the bicycle level of traffic stress (BLTS) methodology for estimating traffic stress from roadway characteristics as an inverse measure of bicycling comfort. We use Bayesian binomial multi-level regression models to analyze the influence of traffic stress and other covariates on bike rack counts. Results suggest that changing the street environment to reduce traffic stress (according to BLTS categorization) along routes to school in concert with encouraging shorter travel distances to school will increase the number of students bicycling and thereby increase student health.
Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia, type II: report of two cases and a review of the literature.

Two children with congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type II, are described and contrasted. This recently recognized disorder of unknown pathogenesis is characterized by variable degrees of anemia, splenomegaly, and jaundice. Diagnosis was established by the demonstration of erythroid hyperplasia and erythroblastic multinuclearity in the bone marrow, and a positive acidified serum test. Erythrokinetic studies revealed a significant degree of ineffective erythropoiesis. One of the patients demonstrated Gaucher cells in the marrow as a presumed consequence of the increased rate of red blood cell destruction. Means of distinguishing this autosomal recessive disorder from other refractory anemias is discussed.
The Humbugs of the Anti-Regulatory Movement

Lisa Heinzerlingtt & Frank AckermantttIt is so hard to get beyond cynicism these days. Even a sympo-sium devoted to this goal has, as reflected in the articles by ProfessorsCynthia Farina, Jeffrey Rachlinski, and Mark Seidenfeld, succeededprimarily in suggesting that regulators are not so much selfish as theyare obtuse, stubborn, and sometimes downright dumb. Undoubtedlythis is true some of the time. But Farina, Rachlinski, and Seidenfeldwant to convince us that it is true enough of the time to warrant quitelarge-scale solutions. In this Comment, we take issue with this pessi-mistic assessment of regulatory behavior by discrediting the mostprominent empirical demonstrations of this gloomy account.These empirical studies have focused in particular on environ-mental regulation. Critics of environmental regulation frequently in-voke a body of research purporting to show that such regulation coststoo much and achieves too little, and that either the same benefitcould be achieved at a far lower cost or that a much higher benefitcould be achieved at the same cost. This body of research consists ofthree basic kinds of studies: first, some studies have concluded thatcurrent regulatory strategies cost a huge amount of money for everylife they save; second, some studies have used the findings of the firstset of studies in order to demonstrate how a reordering of our regula-tory priorities could save either many lives or a lot of money; and fi-nally, several studies have purported to find that above a certain levelof regulatory expenditures, lives will be lost due to the expendituresalone.The numbers served up by these studies cannot help but perplexand disturb you, even if (maybe especially if) you are in favor of pro-tecting human health and the environment. We spend, we are told,$72 billion to save a single person from dying from exposure to for-maldehyde.
The utility of a combined endoscopic and transoral resection of maxillary ameloblastoma

Background This report describes the role of endoscopic resection of maxillary ameloblastoma. Case Report A 43-year-old female presented with a maxillary ameloblastoma filling the left maxillary sinus and extending into the left nasal cavity and nasopharynx. The sinonasal portion of the tumor was resected endoscopically. A limited transoral resection was then performed to resect the involved teeth and surrounding margin allowing for primary closure without any tumor recurrence or oronasal fistulas on follow-up. Conclusion Transnasal endoscopic surgery for odontogenic maxillary tumors is less invasive and can reduce the morbidity associated with traditional maxillectomy.
Improved Colorimetric Determination of Cell Wall Chitin in Wood Decay Fungi

The Svennerholm modification of the Elson-Morgan method for glucosamine analysis was evaluated for its applicability to the rapid determination of chitin in wood decay fungi. The evaluation included extent of chromogen interference, sensitivity, color stability, and hydrolysis conditions for maximum release of glucosamine from fungal cell walls. With our further modification, the Svennerholm method was shown to be suitable for rapid quantitative determination of fungal chitin without chromatographic separation of hydrolysate chromogens.
An evaluation of the use of the URET prototype tool at Indianapolis and Memphis air route traffic control centers, using benefit metrics

The user request evaluation tool (URET) conflict probe is a software tool developed to alert air traffic controllers to potential strategic conflicts between controlled flights. URET builds four-dimensional trajectories of flights and notifies a controller when two flights are predicted to come within separation tolerances. URET also allows controllers to build trial plans to find a conflict-free and efficient resolution. These capabilities have created benefits for the flying community. A prototype of URET was installed at the Indianapolis and Memphis ARTCCs early in 1997. Metrics to determine the benefits from using URET at these centers, under normal operational conditions, have been analyzed since January 1999. (These metrics were selected for study in the free flight phase 1 metrics plan (Federal Aviation Administration, Aug. 1999)). This paper presents the mechanisms for calculating the metrics and describes the results, particularly noting the trends in the metric values over time.
Route Optimization in IP Networks

The performance and reliability of the Internet depend, in large part, on the operation of the underlying routing protocols. Today’s IP routing protocols compute paths based on the network topology and configuration parameters, without regard to the current traffic load on the routers and links. The responsibility for adapting the paths to the prevailing traffic falls to the network operators and management systems. This chapter discusses the modeling and computational challenges of optimizing the tunable parameters, starting with conventional intradomain routing protocols that compute shortest paths as the sum of configurable link weights. Then, we consider the problem of optimizing the interdomain routing policies that control the flow of traffic from one network to another. Optimization based on local search has proven quite effective in grappling with the complexity of the routing protocols and the diversity of the performance objectives, and tools based on local search are in wide use in today’s large IP networks.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery/Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Recurrent Lung Neoplasm: An Analysis of Outcomes in 100 Patients.

Background A significant number of patients have recurrent or persistent lung cancer despite complete resection or treatment with definitive chemoradiation. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)/stereotactic body radiation therapy is emerging as an important modality for the treatment of early-stage lung neoplasm; SRS may also offer an alternative treatment option for patients with recurrent lung disease. We evaluated outcomes after treatment with SRS for recurrent lung neoplasm in a large series of patients. Methods Selected patients with limited recurrent, persistent, or progressive disease after one or more prior treatments for lung cancer were offered SRS. Thoracic surgeons evaluated all patients, placed fiducials when needed, and planned treatment in close collaboration with radiation oncologists and medical physicists. In our early experience, a single fraction of 20 Gy radiation was prescribed and was subsequently increased to 45 to 60 Gy in three to five fractions. The primary endpoint evaluated was overall survival. Results We treated 100 patients with recurrent lung cancer (median age 72 years) with SRS. The postprocedure 30-day mortality rate was 0%; median follow-up was 51 months (range, 5 to 123). The median overall survival for the entire group was 23 months (95% confidence interval: 19 to 41). The probability of 2-year and 5-year overall survival was 49% (95% confidence interval: 40% to 60%) and 31% (95% confidence interval: 23% to 43%), respectively. Conclusions Our experience indicates that SRS is safe, and offers an alternative modality for selected patients with recurrent oligometastatic or persistent lung cancer. Thoracic surgeons should actively participate in SRS and continue to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment strategy.
A comparison of dynamic fitness schedules for evolutionary design of amplifiers

High-level analog circuit design is a complex problem domain in which evolutionary search has recently produced encouraging results. However, little is known about how to best structure evolution far these tasks. The choices of circuit representation, fitness evaluation technique, and genetic operators clearly have a profound effect on the search process. In this paper, we examine fitness evaluation by comparing the effectiveness of four fitness schedules. Three fitness schedules are dynamic-the evaluation function changes over the course of the run, and one is static. Coevolutionary search is included, and we present a method of evaluating the problem population that is conducive to multiobjective optimization. Twenty-five runs of an analog amplifier design task using each fitness schedule are presented. The results indicate that solution quality is highest with static and coevolving fitness schedules as compared to the other two dynamic schedules. We discuss these results and offer two possible explanations for the observed behavior: retention of useful information, and alignment of problem difficulty with circuit proficiency.
Gas-Phase Oxidation Reactions of Neptunium and Plutonium Ions Investigated via Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry

The first gas-phase ion chemistry studies of the transuranium actinides Np and Pu by Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FTICR-MS) have been performed. Reactions of An+ and AnO+ (An = Th, U, Np, and Pu) with N2O, C2H4O (ethylene oxide), H2O, O2, CO2, NO, and CH2O have been studied, with a focus on the oxidation of transuranium ions. All the An+ ions formed AnO+ with all the oxidants studied, with the exception of Pu+ with CH2O, in accord with the known bond dissociation energies, BDE(An+−O). The reaction efficiencies appear to correlate with the magnitude of the promotion energies from the ground states to reactive-state configurations of the An+ ions. Only N2O and C2H4O oxidized all AnO+ to AnO2+; CO2 and NO oxidized only UO+; H2O and O2 oxidized UO+, NpO+, and PuO+; and CH2O was unreactive with all the AnO+ ions. The observed formation of PuO2+ from the oxidants weaker than N2O is in conflict with the literature values for BDE(OPu+−O), which we conclude are significantly too low...
Routing for minimum length schedule in multi-channel TDMA based wireless mesh networks

In TDMA based wireless mesh networks, routing and scheduling algorithms are essential to provide QoS support for mesh clients. In order to maximize the network throughput and minimize session delay, the routing and scheduling algorithms should produce a minimum length schedule. A linear programming formulation enables an optimal solution, however has very high computational cost. In this paper, we consider network scenarios where multiple orthogonal channels are available. With a channel assignment algorithm to eliminate secondary interference, we are able to use a scheduling algorithm that yields the minimum length schedule given a specific routing tree. We then propose a heuristic routing algorithm that aims to build the routing tree that results in the minimum length schedule. Our routing algorithm performs significantly better than simple routing algorithms, which are based on Breadth First Search or Dijkstra algorithms.
Histidinemia in a Negro child.

Histidinemia was detected in a Negro girl through a multiple screening process which selected out families having more than one child with learning disorders. Studies of 18 randomly selected asymptomatic Negro children failed to demonstrate a significant racial variation in blood histidine levels; the mean for the group studied was 0.92 mg/100 ml compared to a range of 0.49 to 1.66 mg/100 ml previously recorded among populations of mixed racial origin.
Multicentric angiomyolipoma: Renal and lymph node involvement

Abstract A retrospective review of 6 patients with renal angiomyolipoma treated surgically revealed regional lymph node involvement in 2-an incidence of 33 per cent. The clinical behavior in these patients suggests that nodal involvement is an expression of multicentricity rather than metastatic disease.
Clothes Shopping in Imperial Russia: The Development of a Consumer Culture

The buying and selling of goods has taken on increased importance with the rise of modem industrial capitalism. While humans have always traded goods, the development of advertising, the mass production of consumer goods and the need for continually expanding markets under capitalism has given a prominent role to the consumer. Yet, despite the enormous emphasis placed on economic activity in imperial Russia by both Western and Soviet scholars, the study of Russian consumerism has been ignored. Much has been written about the debates over capitalism and socialism in Russia, but one of the fundamental features of daily life, the buying and selling of goods, has gone virtually unstudied.1 The purpose of this article is to begin a preliminary exploration of Russian consumer culture by analyzing the cultural meanings attributed to the commercial activity of clothes shopping. With the development and proliferation of dressmaking shops, arcade shopping centers and department stores in Russia's cities came the need to define clothes shopping both socially and culturally, to institutionalize the "values and forms of relationships based upon the purchase and acquisition" of clothing.2 In Russia as elsewhere the discourse on production and consumption was constructed along gender lines: men produced and women consumed.3 But in addition, those individuals who wrote about clothes shopping tried to use it as a way of defining Russian national identity by claiming that there existed a "Western" and a "Russian" style of shopping. And, at the same time, there was an attempt to counterpoise the new urban world of the Western stores with the traditional trading of the Russian markets. All of these oppositionsmale/female, Western/Russian and urban/rural-played a critical role in the discussion of clothes shopping and the creation of Russian consumer culture.
From B. F. Skinner to Spiderman to Martha Stewart: The Past, Present and Future of Electronic Monitoring of Offenders.

ABSTRACT Electronic monitoring was originally designed as a system to facilitate the rehabilitation of young adult offenders. The concept was not well-received, and the first judicially sanctioned program was not initiated until 20 years later. Adoption of the technology then spread rapidly. The primary use of monitoring has evolved from being an adjunct for rehabilitation of low-risk probationers to a surveillance system for enforcing curfew and house arrest requirements. There are no replicated, well-designed studies showing that monitoring alone reduces recidivism after monitoring is terminated. The authors suggest that the goal of long-term public safety will be most likely achieved if the unique technical capabilities of electronic monitoring are used in conjunction with interventions based on social learning theory.
Surface properties of irreversibly sickled cells differ from those of the bulk of sickle cells Studies by partitioning in aqueous phase systems

Counter-current distribution (CCD) of red blood cells (RBC) from individuals with homozygous sickle cell (HbSS) disease in a charge-sensitive aqueous dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) phase system, which fractionates cells on the basis of surface properties, indicates that the percentage of irreversibly sickled cells (ISC) increases and the percentage of reticulocytes decreases with increasing cell partition ratios. The high partition ratios of ISC correspond to those of older RBC when RBC from normal individuals are subjected to CCD. Our results thus indicate that ISC differ in surface properties from those of the bulk of sickle RBC (including reticulocytes) in the population and that the difference is, most likely, charge-related. While the question as to whether ISC are indeed old cells has not yet been unequivocally answered, this view finds support in the fact that the independent parameters of ISC surface properties, as reflected by partition ratios, and densities correlate as they do in older RBC from normal individuals.
Solving linear hard-optimization problems

In this paper, we address the linear hard optimization problems with the emphasis on two- point boundary value conditions which is referred to as two-point boundary value problem (TPBVP). We propose two different neural networks for solving a class of linear TPBVPs. We show that the proposed networks can solve linear TPBVPs. We also provide experimental results.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Myoglobinuric acute renal failure in phencyclidine overdose: Report of observations in eight cases

Eight cases of myoglobinuric acute renal failure that developed following exposure to phencyclidine were seen in the emergency department of the Martin Luther King Jr. General Hospital during a period of 36 months. All eight survived with complete recovery of renal function. Dialysis was necessary in three patients. Acute renal failure is an uncommon complication of phencyclidine abuse.
Reflexive Ovulation in the Rat, Induced by Caesarian Section, Is Blocked by Pelvic and/or Hypogastric Nerve Transection

Reflexive ovulation in the rat, induced by caesarean section performed on day 22 of pregnancy, was blocked by prior bilateral transection of the pelvic and/or hypogastric nerves, which convey afferent activity from the reproductive tract. Tubal ova and hemorrhagic ovarian follicles were counted 24 h after bilateral nerve transections or sham neurectomy. Whereas the median numbers of ova and hemorrhagic follicles in the sham neurectomy group were 4.5 and 3.5, respectively, these values in each of the neurectomy groups were 0. The present findings indicate that caesarean section activates the pelvic and hypogastric nerves to trigger ovulation. This suggests that normally the rat is a spontaneous ovulator during the estrous cycle (nonpregnancy) phase of its reproductive cycle, and may become a reflexive ovulator at the parturient phase of its reproductive cycle.
Amount and distribution of 5-methylcytosine in human DNA from different types of tissues or cells

Analysis of the total base composition of DNA from seven different normal human tissues and eight different types of homogeneous human cell populations revealed considerable tissue-specific and cell-specific differences in the extent of methylation of cytosine residues. The two most highly methylated DNAs were from thymus and brain with 1.00 and 0.98 mole percent 5-methylcytosine (m5C), respectively. The two least methylated DNAs from in vivo sources were placental DNA and sperm DNA, which had 0.76 and 0.84 mole percent m5C, respectively. The differences between these two groups of samples were significant with p less than 0.01. The m5C content of DNA from six human cell lines or strains ranged from 0.57 to 0.85 mole percent. The major and minor base composition of DNA fractionated by reassociation kinetics was also determined. The distribution of m5C among these fractions showed little or no variation with tissue or cell type with the possible exception of sperm DNA. In each case, nonrepetitive DNA sequences were hypomethylated compared to unfractionated DNA.
The acid doping behavior of polybenzimidazole membranes in phosphoric acid for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

The acid doping behavior of poly(2,2′-(m-phenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole) (PBI) membranes in aqueous phosphoric acid was studied at room temperature. It was found that doping phosphoric acid in the membrane obeyed a multimolecular layer absorption mechanism proposed in this work. Equation, i.e., 1/[LT]B=(1 − C0/17.5)/2.1, was presented to describe the relationship of the acid doping level of membranes and the concentration of the doping acid in a range of 2–14 mol L−1. The acid doping kinetics as well as the influence of the doped acids on the conductivity and mechanical strength of the PBI membranes was investigated.
Testing a LiSK BRDF Model with in Situ Bidirectional Reflectance Factor Measurements over Semiarid Grasslands

Abstract The non-Lambertian nature of the terrestrial surface is a major source of unexplained variability in wide-swath satellite sensor data acquired in the solar reflective wavelengths, hindering quantitative analysis in the spectral, temporal, and locational domains. The interactions of light with the surface are governed by the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF), and modeling this is one of the most promising methods for describing and explaining this variability. Here the Roujean linear semiempirical kernel-driven (LiSK) model was tested against two independent bidirectional reflectance factor datasets that were acquired close to ground level over seminatural semiarid grasslands in Xilingol, Inner Mongolia (People's Republic of China) and in Arizona (United States). The objectives were to determine how well the model is able to describe and explain observed bidirectional reflectance factor distributions in the red and near-infrared wavelengths, to explore its utility in correcting such data for angular variations, and the likely impact of such corrections on cover-type discrimination. The sensitivity of the model to reductions in the number and angular distribution of the bidirectional reflectance observations with which it is inverted was also evaluated. The results show that the model is able to describe the observed multiangular BRFs with good accuracy and with low sensitivity to the number of angular inputs, with observations in the forward-scattering direction shown to be important in constraining inversions. The behavior of retrieved parameters indicates that one or more of the simplifying assumptions made in the model derivation is likely to be too severe for explaining BRDF in the near-infrared region; non-negligible anisotropic multiple scattering and the assumption of an optically thick medium mean that a physical interpretation of parameters is unlikely to be valid. However, the model is shown to provide an effective means of correcting for BRDF effects, allowing greater precision and consistency than hitherto possible in the retrieval of surface spectral reflectance over semiarid grasslands and concrete improvements in cover-type discrimination.
Electromagnetic delay line readout for proportional wire chambers

Abstract We describe the use of electromagnetic delay lines to read out the position of ionizing events in multi-wire proportional chambers. The delay line used is a ceramic core (non-magnetic) type with a delay of 80 nsec/cm. The readout accuracy achieved depends on the wire plane which is read out: for the positive plane which forms the electron avalanche, the accuracy is ±1 m (half the wire spacing). For the negative plane, which records the induced signal produced on a number of adjacent wires by the positive ions, the interpolation property of the delay line permits an accuracy of ±0.15 mm.
Fiber Optic Components: Three New Designs

Three new fiber-optic components are described: an in-line filter, an optical switch, and an in-line attenuator. The in-line filter inserts an optical filter into any fiber line containing a connector while imposing very little additional power loss. The optical switch allows a single out-put fiber to transmit input from either of two fibers and permits switching back and forth between the input fibers as needed. The in-line attenuator attenuates signals in fiber lines over a range of about -30 dB with infinite variability. All three components are rugged, reliable, accurate, and inexpensive. They were developed for the prompt diagnostics used on underground nuclear tests and have successfully performed in this harsh. demanding environment.
Intersection collision avoidance system using infrastructure communication

Nearly one third of all documented vehicle collisions are reported at urban and rural intersections, and this number continues to rise in spite of technological innovations for vehicle safety. Most collision avoidance systems currently under investigation are based on road-vehicle or inter-vehicle communication. However, reliability remains an issue, as high mobility often leads to message collisions and link breakage. In this paper reliable, real-time intersection collision avoidance (ICA) system based solely on infrastructure communication is proposed. ICA utilizes telematics and wireless sensor networks (WSN) to monitor approaching traffic, detect possible collision, and then transfer information to drivers, warning them of high collision probability.
Dynamics of α-globin locus chromatin structure and gene expression during erythroid differentiation of human CD34+ cells in culture

Objective The aim of the present study has been to establish serum-free culture conditions for ex vivo expansion and differentiation of human CD34 + cells into erythroid lineage and to study the chromatin structure, gene expression, and transcription factor recruitment at the α-globin locus in the developing erythron. Materials and Methods A basal Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium cell culture medium with 1% bovine serum albumin as a serum replacement and a combination of cytokines and growth factors was used for expansion and differentiation of the CD34 + cells. Expression patterns of the α- and β-like genes at various stages of erythropoiesis was studied by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, profile of key erythroid transcription factors was investigated by Western blotting, and the chromatin structure and transcription factor recruitment at the α-globin locus was investigated by chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results Human CD34 + cells in the serum-free medium undergo near synchronous erythroid differentiation to yield large amount of cells at different differentiation stages. We observe distinct patterns of the histone modifications and transcription factor binding at the α-globin locus during erythroid differentiation of CD34 + cells. Nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2 (NF-E2) was present at upstream activator sites even before addition of erythropoietin (EPO), while bound GATA-1 was only detectable after EPO treatment. After 7 days of EPO treatment, H3K4Me2 modification uniformly increases throughout the α-globin locus. Acetylation at H3K9 and binding of Pol II, NF-E2, and GATA-1 were restricted to certain hypersensitive sites of the enhancer and θ gene, and were conspicuously low at the α-like globin promoters. Rearrangement of the insulator binding factor CTCF took place at and around the α-globin locus as CD34 + cells differentiated into erythroid pathway. Conclusion Our results indicate that remodeling of the upstream elements may be the primary event in activation of α-globin gene expression. Activation of α-globin genes upon EPO treatment involves initial binding of Pol II, downregulation of pre-existing factors like NF-E2, removal of CTCF from the locus, then rebinding of CTCF in an altered pattern, and concurrent or subsequent binding of transcription factors like GATA-1.
Comparison of three different assays for the assessment of ciguatoxin in fish tissues: Radioimmunoassay, mouse bioassay and In vitro guinea pig atrium assay

Moderate correlation was shown between the following tests: RIA: mouse bioassay (r = 0.58); RIA: guinea pig atrium assay (r = 0.62); guinea pig atrium assay: mouse bioassay (r = 0.62). All three assay procedures showed good correlation when ciguatoxin was present in tissues in high concentrations. The results also suggest that more than one structurally related toxin may be present in the fish tissues.
Progesterone attenuates the inhibition of adrenocorticotropin responses by cortisol in nonpregnant ewes.

This study was designed to test whether increases in plasma progesterone (P) reduce the efficacy of plasma cortisol (F) in inhibition of ACTH responses to stimuli. Five nonpregnant ewes were each infused with ethanol-saline vehicle, F (4 μg/kg-min), P (0.5 or 2.0 μg/kg-min), or P and F for 60 min. One hour after the end of the vehicle or steroid infusions, nitroprusside (20 μg/kg-min) was infused for 10 min to induce hypotension-stimulated ACTH secretion. Nitroprusside produced similar decreases in arterial blood pressure in all groups. Infusion of F alone inhibited plasma ACTH responses to hypotension. Whereas infusion of P without F did not significantly change plasma ACTH responses to hypotension, infusion of P with F caused greater ACTH responses to hypotension than did infusion of F alone. The results indicate that P can interfere with the delayed feedback effect of F in vivo. (Endocrinology 123: 647–651, 1988)
Advanced practice nursing in radiation oncology.

Objectives To discuss the roles of advance practice nurses in radiation oncology. Data Sources Published articles and textbooks, personal communications, and authors’ experience. Conclusion Radiation oncology advance practice nurses (NP and CNS) are becoming essential members of the multidisciplinary team, with distinct roles and responsibilities. Providing direct patient care, involvement in specialized procedures, and conducting initial and/or follow-up visits allows advance practitioners to become more involved with patients undergoing radiation therapy. Implications for Nursing Practice As more combined modalities are being offered to patients undergoing oncology treatments and the complexity of patients are becoming more difficult, advance practice nurses can add value to the workload, quality patient care, and make a difference in patient’s lives.
The Giles County, Virginia, Seismic Zone

A well-defined seismic zone recently detected in Virginia has an orientation that is not related to the surrounding geologic structures. The orientation of the zone appears to be related to features below the Appalachian overthrust belt. A damaging earthquake that is important in evaluating seismic hazard in the southeastern United States may have occurred in the zone in 1897.
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis of diadenosine 5′,5‴‐polyphosphates

Abstract Certain diadenosine 5′,5‴-polyphosphates are potent inhibitors of ADP stimulated platelet aggregation, acting possibly via competitive ADP-receptor binding. 1H NMR studies of a series of such compounds where the number of phosphate groups between adenosine groups was varied from 2 to 6 were performed to analyze possible preferred solution conformations and to define structure-activity relations. Relative to mononucleotides ADP and ATP, chemical shifts of adenosine proton resonances in diadenosine polyphosphate analogs are upfield shifted suggesting base stacking. This effect is greatest for AP2A and AP3A. Coupling constants of ribose ring proton resonances support the idea of an anti-base-ribose ring conformation, and 3JH5'-P values suggest a preferred gauche H-C-O-P structure. In all cases, NMR parameters for AP2A are near-limiting values for a static base stacked conformation. Increasing the number of phosphate groups between adenosine moieties tends to weaken this interaction.
Combinatorial insulin secretion dynamics of recombinant hepatic and enteroendocrine cells.

One of the more promising cell-based therapies for combating insulin-dependent diabetes entails the use of genetically engineered non-β cells that secrete insulin in response to physiologic stimuli. A normal pancreatic β cell secretes insulin in a biphasic manner in response to glucose. The first phase is characterized by a transient stimulation of insulin to rapidly lower the blood glucose levels, which is followed by a second phase of insulin secretion to sustain the lowered blood glucose levels over a longer period of time. Previous studies have demonstrated hepatic and enteroendocrine cells to be appropriate hosts for recombinant insulin expression. Due to different insulin secretion kinetics from these cells, we hypothesized that a combination of the two cell types would mimic the biphasic insulin secretion of normal β cells with higher fidelity than either cell type alone. In this study, insulin secretion experiments were conducted with two hepatic cell lines (HepG2 and H4IIE) transduced with one of three adenoviruses expressing the insulin transgene and with a stably transfected recombinant intestinal cell line (GLUTag-INS). Insulin secretion was stimulated by exposing the cells to glucose only (hepatic cells), meat hydrolysate only (GLUTag-INS), or to a cocktail of the two secretagogues. It was found experimentally that the recombinant hepatic cells secreted insulin in a more sustained manner, whereas the recombinant intestinal cell line exhibited rapid insulin secretion kinetics upon stimulation. The insulin secretion profiles were computationally combined at different cell ratios to arrive at the combinatorial kinetics. Results indicate that combinations of these two cell types allow for tuning the first and second phase of insulin secretion better than either cell type alone. This work provides the basic framework in understanding the secretion kinetics of the combined system and advances it towards pre-clinical studies.
The role of orientation pinning in statically recrystallized oxygen-free high-conductivity copper wire

The role of orientation pinning by neighboring grains on migrating boundaries in a statically recrystallized oxygen-free high-conductivity (OFHC) copper was investigated. Two specimens of heavily drawn OFHC copper wires deformed to true strains of 2.31 and 3.56 were annealed at 170 °C and local orientations were mapped by means of the automated electron backscattered diffraction technique. Inverse pole figures, misorientation distribution functions, and grain boundary misorientations were calculated from local orientation data. In spite of annealing, the microstructure of the low-strain specimen was characterized by elongated grains, similar to the as-deformed structure, whereas the microstructure of the high-strain specimen showed a high fraction of well-defined recrystallized grains. The recrystallized grains consisted of type A grains, which mostly grew laterally with {hkl}〈100〉 orientations, and type B grains, which generally grew axially with {hkl}〈111〉 orientations. Type A grains were larger and of higher frequency than type B grains. The large size of Type A grains was attributed to the high frequency of the mobile boundaries with misorientations in the 40 to 50 deg range. Boundaries that were misoriented at 60 deg 〈111〉 (Σ3) were found to exert the greatest pinning effect on the growing grains. This caused recrystallized grains to grow either laterally or axially, and sometime led to “branching.” A detailed analysis of the influence of the next neighbor misorientations in the perimeter of the recrystallized grains is presented.
Elemental C, H and N microanalysis of crushed rock and soil samples

A sensitive and reproducible method for elemental analysis of rock and soil samples has been developed using a modified Hewlett-Packard 185 CHN analyzer. Samples are combusted in an inert He atmosphere (with and without catalyst) with a carefully controlled combustion time and temperature. Absolute mass calibration is available on samples of from 1–500 µg total CHN content. Analysis of chromatograms is made by both manual and computer techniques. Finely crushed rock (or dust) samples of from 50–100 mg may be analyzed for most forms of carbon content and for N and H with a high degree of technical reproducibility. Step-wise calcination at 150 C and 550 C allows evaluation of adsorbed CO2, potential organic and amorphous carbon content. Although carbide carbon is partially recovered, essentially quantitative recovery of finely divided graphitic (and diamond) as well as amorphous, carbonate and all organic carbon may be obtained.
NASA Computational Case Study: The Flight of Friendship 7

In this case study, we study a method for computing the position of an Earth-orbiting spacecraft as a function of time. As an exercise, we compute the position of John Glenn's Mercury spacecraft Friendship 7 as it orbited the Earth during the third flight of NASA's Mercury program.
A consistent discrete elements technique for thinwalled assemblages

Abstract A consistent matrix formulation for the discrete element technique for linear and eigenvalue problems of structures assembled from thinwalled segments with open cross section is presented. Using the solutions of homogeneous differential equations governing the static problem as deformation modes the stiffness, load, stability and mass matrix are derived. The procedure is exemplified on few appropriate examples of bending coupled with torsion, stability and vibrations. Obtained results are exact for linear static problems and an extremely close upper bound for eigenvalue problems. Through a limiting process, it is shown that the presented technique is an extension of the procedure used for solid beam structures.
Generalization of the Nyquist robust stability margin and its application to systems with real affine parametric uncertainties

SUMMARY The critical direction theory for analysing the robust stability of uncertain feedback systems is generalized to include the case of non-convex critical value sets, hence making the approach applicable for a much larger class of relevant systems. A redefinition of the critical perturbation radius is introduced, leading to the formulation of a Nyquist robust stability measure that preserves all the properties of the previous theory. The generalized theory is applied to the case of rational systems with an affine uncertainty structure where the uncertain parameters belong to a real rectangular polytope. Necessary and sufficient conditions for robust stability are developed in terms of the feasibility of a tractable linear-equality problem subject to a set of linear inequalities, leading ultimately to a computable Nyquist robust stability margin. A systematic and numerically tractable algorithm is proposed for computing the critical perturbation radius needed for the calculation of the stability margin, and the approach is illustrated via examples. Copyright # 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pustular psoriasis elicited by streptococcal antigen and localized to the sweat pore.

A woman, aged 39 years, presented with a localized, painful, pustular eruption of the neck, scalp, and finger of five years' duration. A diagnosis of pustular psoriasis was made clinically and histologically. It was possible to reproduce the disease by the intradermal injection of killed Group A streptococcal organisms. The induced pustules, as well as those appearing clinically, were intraepidermal and indistinguishable from the Kogoj spongiform abscess, and on serial sectioning showed a distinctive localization to the acryosyringium. Immunosuppressant as well as antistreptoccocal therapy in the form of cyclophosphamide and clindamycin was of help. The process is classified as a nonvasculitic pustular bacterid, and as a prototype for antigen localization of lesions to the occluded epidermal sweat duct unit.
Bioimaging: Sensed at the gut level

Naphthalocyanine nanoparticles offer intense photoacoustic signals for mapping the gastrointestinal tract.
On the fundamental theorem of algebra for polynomial equations over real composition algebras

A topological proof is given that real compositions algebras of finite dimension greater than one are algebraically closed under polynomial equations with a tame tail.
Heart rate variability: An autonomic correlate of reaction time performance

Resting level heart rate variablity was measured and correlated with subsequent reaction time performance in male college students. The Ss were required to respond as rapidly as possible following an extended visual warning signal of either fixed or variable duration. Resting level heart rate variability was related to reaction time only in the variable-foreperiod condition. The data are interpreted as illustrating the sensitivity of the relationship between heart rate variability and reaction time to slight changes in task demands.
Simplicial K(G,1)'s

We describe a subcomplex S* (G) of a K(G,1) which depends on a given presentation of the group G. We prove that under a certain condition S* (G) is a K(G,1). Complexes of the type S* (G) arise in the homotopy theory of the classifying space for foliations.