cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Security hardened remote terminal units for scada networks

Remote terminal units (RTUs) are perimeter supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) devices that measure and control actual physical devices. Cyber security was largely ignored in SCADA for many years, and the cyber security issues that now face SCADA and DCS, specifically RTU security, are investigated in this research. This dissertation presents a new role based access control model designed specifically for RTUs and process control. The model is developed around the process control specific data element called a point, and point operations. The model includes: assignment constraints that limit the RTU operations that a specific role can be assigned and activation constraints that allow a security administrator to specify conditions when specific RTU roles or RTU permissions cannot be used. RTU enforcement of the new access control model depends on, and is supported by, the protection provided by an RTU's operating system. This dissertation investigates two approaches for using minimal kernels to reduce potential vulnerabilities in RTU protection enforcement and create a security hardened RTU capable of supporting the new RTU access control model. The first approach is to reduce a commercial OS kernel to only those components needed by the RTU, removing any known or unknown vulnerabilities contained in the eliminated code and significantly reducing the size of the kernel. The second approach proposes using a microkernel that supports partitioning as the basis for an RTU specific operating system which isolates network related RTU software, the RTU attack surface, from critical RTU operational software such as control algorithms and analog and digital input and output. In experimental analysis of a prototype hardened RTU connected to real SCADA hardware, a reduction of over 50% was obtained in reducing a 2.4 Linux kernel to run on actual RTU hardware. Functional testing demonstrated that different users were able to carryout assigned tasks with the limited set of permissions provided by the security hardened RTU and a series of simulated insider attacks were prevented by the RTU role based access control system. Analysis of communication times indicated response times would be acceptable for many SCADA and DCS application areas. Investigation of a partitioning microkernel for an RTU identified the L4 microkernel as an excellent candidate. Experimental evaluation of L4 on real hardware found the IPC overhead for simulated critical RTU operations protected by L4 partitioning to be sufficiently small to warrant continued investigation of the approach.
Envisioning Science Teacher Preparation for Twenty-First-Century Classrooms for Diversity: Some Tensions

In his 1859 novel A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens begins his dialogue with the now oft cited quote: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” Ironically, today’s nations (“cities”) share in Dickens’ dilemma. Never before have Earth’s peoples been able to so easily share their diverse experiences, accomplishments, knowledge, and aspirations for the future. But, in part, this journey to get to the best of times may well be taking us to the “worst of times.” Through a pathway of exponential population growth and/or consumption, the unconscionable overuse of Earth’s limited resources – extinctions and environmentally dangerous by-products have become a part of our everyday global experience. We have entered a new geological era so distinct that it is aptly being called the Anthropocene. In order to better understand what our future might bring, paleoanthropologists are investigating what happened to our hominin ancestors in the context of past climatic events. Three phenomena provide a rich context to begin classroom conversations focused on the intersection of climate change, geological history, and hominin evolution. Scientists and science educators share a responsibility in guiding future science teachers’ understandings of this conceptual triad. More explicitly science teacher educators need to know how we can best meet the “unknown” needs of the twenty-first-century students. Given Dickens’ metaphoric tensions for the “best and worst of times,” we decided to explore what some of our pre-service secondary science teachers knew about climate change and hominin evolution as they designed, implemented, and reflected upon lessons for high-school students. In our chapter, we provide some perspectives on what they knew and expand our findings to include a starting point of our vision for what science teachers need to know in preparation for teaching in their twenty-first-century classrooms.
Regulation of mRNA Stability by AUF1

A+U-rich elements (AREs) are potent cis-acting determinants of rapid cytoplasmic mRNA turnover in mammalian cells. Regulation of mRNA decay rates by these sequences is mediated by interaction with cellular factors. Association of the protein AUF1 with an ARE-containing transcript targets the mRNA for decay, involving the assembly or recruitment of a multi-subunit trans-acting complex. In this chapter, recent evidence is described which indicates that recognition of ARE sequences by AUF1 induces dynamic protein oligomerization, which may serve as a scaffold for association of other cytoplasmic factors leading to catabolism of the RNA substrate. This mechanism of targeted trans-acting complex assembly may be regulated at several points, either involving differential expression of individual subunits or through the activity of selected signal transduction pathways. Finally, specific examples are described where alterations in the distribution of AUF1 isoforms lead to differential gene expression during development, and where accelerated mRNA turnover associated with enhanced AUF1 protein levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure.
MAPping the chiral inversion and structural transformation of a metal-tripeptide complex having ni-superoxide dismutase activity.

The metal abstraction peptide (MAP) tag is a tripeptide sequence capable of abstracting a metal ion from a chelator and binding it with extremely high affinity at neutral pH. Initial studies on the nickel-bound form of the complex demonstrate that the tripeptide asparagine-cysteine-cysteine (NCC) binds metal with 2N:2S, square planar geometry and behaves as both a structural and functional mimic of Ni superoxide dismutase (Ni-SOD). Electronic absorption, circular dichroism (CD), and magnetic CD (MCD) data collected for Ni-NCC are consistent with a diamagnetic NiII center. It is apparent from the CD signal of Ni-NCC that the optical activity of the complex changes over time. Mass spectrometry data show that the mass of the complex is unchanged. Combined with the CD data, this suggests that chiral rearrangement of the complex occurs. Following incubation of the nickel-containing peptide in D2O and back-exchange into H2O, incorporation of deuterium into non-exchangeable positions is observed, indicating chir...
Distributionally Robust Process Scheduling under Ambiguous Uncertainty

Ahstract- Distributionally robust optimization (DRO) is paving a new way to decision-making under ambiguous uncertainties. However, it remains challenging to approach the process scheduling problem from a distributionally robust perspective. We propose a novel DRO scheduling model under demand uncertainties, and develop the solution strategy. A data-driven approach is first proposed to construct ambiguity sets. To account for the sequential decision-making structure in process operations, two-stage DRO problems are developed and affine decision rules are adopted to derive an approximate, albeit conservative solution. Applications in industrial-scale batch process scheduling demonstrate that, the proposed approach can effectively leverage data information, better hedge against the inexactness of uncertainty distributions, and bring more profits.
Characterization and Modeling of Ceramic Capacitor Losses under Large Signal Operating Conditions

Ceramic capacitors offer reliable and dense energy storage in power conversion applications. However, in order to effectively incorporate these devices in a design, it is important to have an accurate model of losses for the conditions under which the devices will be used. Small signal loss parameters at low bias voltage are frequently provided by the manufacturer, but the correlation between these data and losses exhibited under realistic large signal excitation has not been explored in detail. This work aims to provide a method for measuring capacitor losses under realistic operating conditions, using a calorimetric approach to provide an accurate measurement of losses under large signal excitation.
Response to PARP inhibitor therapy in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients with BRCA1/2 versus ATM mutations.

154Background: Poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) are being studied as a treatment option for men with mCRPC and deficient homologous recombination DNA repair. While the FDA has granted ...
Evaluation of liner hanger seal assembly and cement sheath as a dual barrier system: Implications for industry standards

Abstract Liner hanger seal assembly and cement sheath are essential barrier elements for well drilling and completions. During installation, the liner hanger seal assembly is set up-stream to the cement column. This arrangement prevents the evaluation of both the liner hanger seal assembly and cement sheath independently. Currently, there are no testing procedures, industry standards, or regulatory guidelines for testing this type of dual barrier system independently. The primary objective of this study is to establish that cement sheath can act as a secondary barrier element in a dual barrier (elastomer seal and cement sheath) zonal isolation system, if the elastomer seal (primary barrier) is faulty. In the context of this study, the term "barrier" describes the use of cement sheath and elastomer sealing element in a liner hanger to prevent uncontrolled migration of formation fluid to a shallow formation or surface facilities. Another objective is to evaluate the effect of using an anti-gas migration additive on cement sealability. To achieve these objectives, experimental testing procedures were developed to evaluate the performance of a liner hanger seal assembly and cement sheath. Two experimental scenarios were considered in this study. The first scenario included testing faulty ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) elastomer with neat Class H cement and the second scenario included testing faulty EPDM elastomer and Class H cement mixed with a commercial gas migration control additive. The tests were conducted at different pressures and wait on cement (WOC) intervals. The results revealed that neat Class H cement cannot act as a secondary barrier and prevent gas migration in the case that the primary barrier (elastomeric element of the liner hanger) is faulty. The cement slurry with the commercial gas migration control additive can act as a secondary barrier in case the primary barrier is faulty. The results also showed that WOC time improves cement sheath sealability. In addition, pipe material and surface roughness play key roles in the cement slurry bonding process. The major addition to the literature from this study is that for cement sheath to be considered a secondary barrier element in a dual barrier zonal isolation system, it must contain a specific anti-gas migration additive in addition to other cement additives. This specification should be included as a standard regulatory practice and should be adopted for every well section.
Absolute Calibration of Dee Voltage by X-Ray Endpoint

We describe an X-ray technique for calibrating the rf voltmeters used to measure and stabilize the potentials of the dees in the M.S.U. cyclotron. The method is generally applicable and should be especially useful in cyclotrons which have multiple dees or which do not have separated turns.
Comparison of Two Insect-Collecting Devices for Trapping Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), including Euschistus spp., Chinavia hilaris (Say), and Nezara viridula (L.), are economic pests in most fruit, grain, vegetable, and row crops in the ...
Lost productivity and time in patients with metastatic breast cancer receiving treatment.

106Background: Costs for cancer patients are not all monetary. For patients with limited life expectancy, such as metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients, time spent in the hospital or clinic setti...
Pedagogy of the (Less) Oppressed

Article published in Teaching History by Butchart. First article which prompted response by John Anthony Scott and a reply by Butchart in his own defense.
Topological Simplification of Complex Knots Untied in Elongational Flows

We use Brownian dynamics simulations to study the topological simplification of knots that untie from chains in elongational flows. Focusing on the 81 knot, we track changes in conformational state...
Implementation science and periodontal practice: Translation of evidence into periodontology

The advent of evidence-based practice in the 1990s led to the development of processes and resources to support the use of high-quality research in the provision of health care. As the evidence-based approach to health care continues to evolve, it has become apparent that mere creation and access to scientific knowledge is not sufficient to facilitate its routine adoption in health care. Throughout any health care system, there are inherent barriers preventing the adoption and routine use of new evidence in patient care. These barriers include provider-level factors, such as knowledge and access to new evidence, as well as each provider's attitudes and beliefs around adopting and applying the evidence with their patients. Importantly, there are also health care system-level barriers that, even among willing providers, prevent the easy adoption of new evidence and routine application in patient care. In addition to barriers, there are facilitators that help promote adoption of evidence into practice. Understanding and addressing barriers and facilitators to promote adoption of evidence into practice has led to the growth of a new field known as implementation science. Successful application of implementation science in all areas of health care, including periodontology, will help bridge the gap between what are known from clinical research to be effective treatments and what treatments should be applied routinely in clinical practice. This article reviews key concepts in implementation science and how its application in periodontology can facilitate the translation of high-quality evidence into routine periodontal practice and improved patient outcomes.
Digital phenotyping for mental health of college students: a clinical review

Experiencing continued growth in demand for mental health services among students, colleges are seeking digital solutions to increase access to care as classes shift to remote virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using smartphones to capture real-time symptoms and behaviours related to mental illnesses, digital phenotyping offers a practical tool to help colleges remotely monitor and assess mental health and provide more customised and responsive care. This narrative review of 25 digital phenotyping studies with college students explored how this method has been deployed, studied and has impacted mental health outcomes. We found the average duration of studies to be 42 days and the average enrolled to be 81 participants. The most common sensor-based streams collected included location, accelerometer and social information and these were used to inform behaviours such as sleep, exercise and social interactions. 52% of the studies included also collected smartphone survey in some form and these were used to assess mood, anxiety and stress among many other outcomes. The collective focus on data that construct features related to sleep, activity and social interactions indicate that this field is already appropriately attentive to the primary drivers of mental health problems among college students. While the heterogeneity of the methods of these studies presents no reliable target for mobile devices to offer automated help-the feasibility across studies suggests the potential to use these data today towards personalising care. As more unified digital phenotyping research evolves and scales to larger sample sizes, student mental health centres may consider integrating these data into their clinical practice for college students.
KEPLER PHOTOMETRY OF FOUR RADIO-LOUD ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI IN 2010-2012

We have used Kepler photometry to characterize variability in four radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN; three quasars and one object tentatively identified as a Seyfert 1.5 galaxy) on timescales from minutes to months, comparable to the light crossing time of the accretion disk around the central supermassive black hole or the base of the relativistic jet. Kepler's almost continuous observations provide much better temporal coverage than is possible from ground-based observations. We report the first such data analyzed for quasars. We have constructed power spectral densities using eight Kepler quarters of long-cadence (30-minute) data for three AGN, six quarters for one AGN and two quarters of short-cadence (1-minute) data for all four AGN. On timescales longer than about 0.2-0.6?days, we find red noise with mean power-law slopes ranging from ?1.8 to ?1.2, consistent with the variability originating in turbulence either behind a shock or within an accretion disk. Each AGN has a range of red noise slopes which vary slightly by month and quarter of observation. No quasi-periodic oscillations of astrophysical origin were detected. We detected flares of several days long when brightness increased by 3%-7% in two objects. No flares on timescales of minutes to hours were detected. Our observations imply that the duty cycle for enhanced activity in these radio-loud AGN is small. These well-sampled AGN light curves provide an impetus to develop more detailed models of turbulence in jets and instabilities in accretion disks.
From the Editorial Desk

For this inaugural issue of the International Journal of Religion the editorial team sought to gather an array of papers that demonstrate substantive engagement with the questions of religious dissent as a political endeavor within and beyond religious frameworks. We solicited essays that would probe the following areas of study: historical and contemporary elasticities of religious traditions; internal tensions regarding the boundaries of acceptable belief and practice; the management and ethical treatment of dissent within particular religious traditions; whether religious faiths prescribe clear ways to manage dissent; religious reactions to dissent from feminist and queer activists; and reflections on the broader consequences of dissent in the political sphere. The papers assembled in this first issue have exceeded our expectations.
Von Willebrand Disease

This chapter discusses von Willebrand disease – the most common inherited bleeding disorder. It discusses the classification of the disease and diagnostic issues. Treatment by different subtypes and the use of desmopressin or the specific von Willebrand factor concentrates are also discussed.
INVESTIGATIONS ON TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND THE DEFORMATION MECHANISM OF A TWIP STEEL

The TWIP(twinning induced plasticity) steel is a new developed super toughness steel.In the TWIP steel,deformation twinning is the dominate mechanism controlled by stacking fault energy(SFE) in austenitic phase during plastic deformation.Since SFE depends on temperature,it has a major influence on mechanical properties of alloys.The evolution of deformation mode in Fe-Mn-C austenitic steels with temperature and SFE has been extensively reported in literatures.However,in Fe-Mn-Al-Si austenitic steels,the literatures only focused attention on the deformation structure and mechanical properties of Fe-28Mn-1Al-0.5Si and Fe-24Mn-3.5Al-0.4Si steels in compression under different temperatures.The relationship between deformation structure and temperature for Fe-Mn-Al -Si TWIP steel under tensile test has not yet been established.More importantly,a thorough investigation on dependence of deformation mechanism on deformation temperature and SFE is still lacking,which is one of the key factors in alloy design and new processing exploitation. In this paper,the mechanical properties of Fe-25Mn-3Si-3Al TWIP steel and the microstructure evolution with temperature have been investigated through tensile testing at 298,373,473 and 673 K. It was found that the strength and elongation decrease with deformation temperatures increasing. The SFE of the TWIP steel,(?),at different temperatures have been calculated.It was pointed out that when 21 mJ/m~2≤(?)≤34 mJ/m~2 in 298 K≤T≤373 K,the deformation twinning is a main deformation mechanism,while the slipping is a predominant deformation mode when(?)≥76 mJ/m~2 in T≥673 K.The SFE value was found to decrease with temperature decreasing,and lower values of SFE would promote deformation twin production and inhibit slip.Deformation twins formed in plastic deformation act as obstacles to dislocations,resulting in high strain hardening effect so that both high elongation and ultimate tensile strength can be obtained at relatively low temperatures.
The Cognitive Relevance of a Formal Pre-incision Time-out in Surgery

Surgical time-outs are designed to promote situation awareness, teamwork, and error prevention. The pre-incision time-out in particular aims to facilitate shared mental models prior to incision. Objective, unbiased measures to confirm its effectiveness are lacking. We hypothesized that providers’ mental workload would reveal team psychophysiological mirroring during a formal, well-executed pre-incision time-out. Heart rate variability was collected during cardiac surgery cases from the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and perfusionist. Data were analyzed for six cases from patient arrival until sternal closure. Annotation of surgical phases was completed according to previously developed standardized process models of aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass graft procedures, producing thirteen total surgical phases. Statistical analysis revealed significant main effects. Tukey HSD post hoc tests revealed significant differences across provider roles within various phases, including Anesthesia Induction, Heparinization, Initiation of Bypass, Aortic Clamp and Cardioplegia, Anastomoses or Aortotomy, Separation from Bypass, and Sternal Closure. Despite these observed differences between providers over various surgical phases, the Pre-incision Time-out phase revealed almost negligible differences across roles. This preliminary work supports the utility of the pre-incision safety checklist to focus the attention of surgical team members and promote shared team mental models, measured via psychophysiological mirroring, using an objective mental workload measure. Future studies should investigate the relationship between psychophysiological mirroring among surgical team members and the effectiveness of the pre-incision time-out checklist.
A Floral Checklist for Wheaton Regional Park, Montgomery County, Maryland

Wheaton Regional Park is a suburban 500-acre park in Montgomery County, Maryland, on the northern edge of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Early floristic surveys of the park, conducted between 1961–1964 when the park was founded, showed the park to be diverse, with 443 taxa of vascular plants. Our research team conducted a second round of floristic surveys between 2014–2019 to update the checklist of plants in the park. Here, we present a comprehensive checklist of all species collected in the park over the past 50 years, discuss recent plant introductions, and share a platform for a digital flora of the park through the Mid-Atlantic Megalopolis online portal. We documented 393 vascular plant species from the 1960s, as part of a comprehensive review of those collections. The 2010s collections recorded 293 vascular plant species, and an additional 16 species of bryophytes. In total, 554 species of plants (vascular and non-vascular) in 326 genera and 118 families have been recorded in Wheaton Regional Park over the past 50 years. We found that the surveys in the 2010s identified a substantial number of vascular plant species that were not recorded in the 1960s surveys. Additionally, we were able to recover less than half of the vascular plants recorded in the 1960s. The proportion of non-native vascular plant species increased from 22.1% in the 1960s to 34.5% in the 2010s. We offer recommendations for preserving the extant diversity of native plants in the park.
Resolving Space-Group-Choice Dilemma in Small-Molecule Crystallography for Chemistry Students Using Case-Based Learning Modules

Despite advances in software development, symmetry-related topics are among the most important yet confusing concepts in crystallography training for chemistry students who routinely use small-molecule crystallography in their scientific study. The case-based learning approach is very effective in stimulating students’ interests in self-exploring the course material and critically processing information to arrive at the most reasonable result. Learning modules such as applying concepts of the 17 two-dimensional space groups in Escher drawings and critically judging crystallography misconceptions can engage chemistry students and invoke their confidence in handling the crystal structures encountered in their research.
Commemorating the Fifty-Year Anniversary of Ball and Brown (1968): The Evolution of Capital Market Research over the Past Fifty Years

We commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ball and Brown [1968] by chronicling its impact on capital market research in accounting. We trace the evolution of various research paths that post-Ball and Brown [1968] researchers took as they sought to build on the foundation laid by Ball and Brown [1968] to create a body of research on the usefulness, timeliness, and other properties of accounting numbers. We discuss how those paths often link back to the groundwork laid and questions originally posed in Ball and Brown [1968].
Human calprotectin is an iron-sequestering host-defense protein

Human calprotectin (CP) is a metal-chelating antimicrobial protein of the innate immune response. The current working model states that CP sequesters manganese and zinc from pathogens. We report the discovery that CP chelates iron and deprives bacteria of this essential nutrient. Elemental analysis of CP-treated growth medium establishes that CP reduces the concentrations of manganese, iron and zinc. Microbial growth studies reveal that iron depletion by CP contributes to the growth inhibition of bacterial pathogens. Biochemical investigations demonstrate that CP coordinates Fe(II) at an unusual hexahistidine motif, and the Mossbauer spectrum of (57)Fe(II)-bound CP is consistent with coordination of high-spin Fe(II) at this site (δ = 1.20 mm/s, ΔEQ = 1.78 mm/s). In the presence of Ca(II), CP turns on its iron-sequestering function and exhibits subpicomolar affinity for Fe(II). Our findings expand the biological coordination chemistry of iron and support a previously unappreciated role for CP in mammalian iron homeostasis.
Examining the effects of writing on conceptual and procedural knowledge in calculus

It has been claimed that writing to learn mathematics (WTLM) may benefit students' conceptual understanding as well as their procedural ability. To investigate this claim, we collected data from students in two sections of an introductory calculus course. In one of the sections, students used WTLM activities and discussed the activities after completing the writing; in the other section, students used similar activities that did not involve writing but engaged them in thinking about the mathematical ideas and in discussing the activities. The errors from the in-class and final exams of both groups of students were categorized and analyzed for information about the students' conceptual and procedural understanding. We found no significant differences between the WTLM group and the non-writing group, which suggests that the real benefit from writing activities may not be in the actual activity of writing, but rather in the fact that such activities require students to struggle to understand mathematical ideas well enough to communicate their understanding to others.
Comparison of the requirements for cognate T cell help for IgG anti-double-stranded DNA antibody production in vitro: T helper-derived lymphokines replace T cell cloned lines for B cells from NZB.H-2bm12 but not B6.H-2bm12 mice.

We have isolated, from NZB.H-2bm12 mice, several autoreactive cloned T cell lines that provide help for anti-dsDNA IgG antibody production in vitro. The purpose of the work described herein was to examine the requirement for cognate help for the production of anti-DNA antibodies in vitro. Thus, the ability of cloned T cell lines or lymphokines derived from them to provide help for T-depleted spleen cells from both normal B6.H-2bm12 mice and SLE-prone NZB.H-2bm12 mice was examined. Two autoreactive cloned T cell lines were selected for detailed study. 410F T cells respond to APC from both I-Ab and I-Abm12 mice, whereas 410H T cells are restricted to I-Abm12. By using Percoll gradients, B cells from both low density and high density fractions were cultured with autoreactive cloned T cell lines or lymphokines secreted by such cloned T cell lines, and anti-DNA antibody production was determined. Lymphokines elicited IgM anti-ssDNA antibody production from cells in all Percoll fractions from both B6.H-2bm12 and NZB.H-2bm12 mice. Lymphokines did not elicit production of IgG anti-dsDNA antibody production by cells from 2-month-old B6.H-2bm12 mice. In contrast, substantial production of IgG anti-dsDNA antibody was observed for NZB.H-2bm12 cells in response to lymphokines alone. Thus, B cells from NZB.H-2bm12 mice, because of previous activation in vivo, can proceed to IgG anti-dsDNA antibody production in vitro without direct T cell interaction. When we examined direct T cell help for the IgG anti-dsDNA antibody response, we found that we could distinguish the actions of the two cloned T cell lines studied. 410F T cells provided help predominantly for cells from low density Percoll fractions whether the cells were derived from B6.H-2bm12 or NZB.H-2bm12 mice. 410H T cells were capable of providing help for cells from both the low and high density fractions, and this help accounted for more than half of the antibody production in vitro by cells from B6.H-2bm12 mice.
Modeling of the discharge plasma in a black lighted thyratron

The population of atomic levels in a back-lighted thyratron (BLT) plasma with electron density of 1-5*10/sup 15/ cm/sup -3/ and current density of about 10/sup 4/ A/cm/sup 2/ was calculated, and line intensity ratios were compared with spectroscopic measurements. Simple considerations lead to a very small cathode fall width during the conduction phase, and the resulting high electric field can create fast electrons with energies of some 100 eV. From a solution of a Fokker-Planck equation, it was found that fast electrons can penetrate the gap region, which consists of a Maxwellian plasma with electron density of 10/sup 15/ cm/sup -3/ and electron temperature of 1-2 eV. The BLT plasma was modeled assuming a monoenergetic electric beam with a strong anisotropic velocity distribution function, which penetrates a low electric field region of a bulk plasma at thermal equilibrium and neutrals. The numerical solution of the appropriate set of rate equations, which also takes radiative processes into account, yields information about the beam and bulk plasma properties. The principal analysis can also be applied to the similar pseudospark switch. >
Planning with stochastic petri-nets and neural nets

This talk presents a synergistic methodology based on generalized stochastic Petri-nets (SPN) and neural nets for efficiently developing planning strategies. The SPN planning method generates global plans based on the states of the elements of the Universe of Discourse. Each plan includes all the possible conflict free planning paths for achieving the desirable goals under certain constraints occurred at the problem to be solved. The a neural network is used for searching the vectors of markings generated by the SPN reachability graph for the appropriate selection of plans. The SPN model presents high complexity issues, but at the same time offers to the synergic important features, such as stochastic modeling, synchronization, parallelism, concurrency and timing of events, valuable for developing plans under uncertainty. The neural network does contribute to the high complexity, but it offers learning capability to the synergy for future use. An example for coordinating two robotic arms under the constraints of time, space, and placement of the objects will be presented.
To Differentiate or Not to Differentiate? Using Internet-Based Technology in the Classroom.

In the targeted school in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, teachers focus on differentiating instruction with technology-based software. Differentiated instruction is the chosen teaching strategy over direct instruction because students and teachers alike prefer to work in cooperative groups while using technology in the classroom. Compass Learning is an Internet-based software program that differentiates instruction, prescribes learning paths, allows students to work cooperatively, and increases overall student achievement in reading skills for the targeted students. As a whole, teachers' surveys suggested that teachers' knowledge of overall technology-based instruction increased because of using the Internet-based software package.
Validity, facts, and values sans closure : Reply to Messick, Reckase, Moss, and Zimmerman

L'A. s'efforce de repondre aux critiques adressees par Samuel Messick, Mark D. Reckase, Pamela A. Moss et Donald Zimmerman a l'encontre des theses qu'il a defendues dans l'article : Science, measurement, and validity: Is completion of Samuel Messick's synthesis possible? publie en 1998. Il montre que la notion de validite suppose un jugement, un cadre conceptuel et un cadre theorique. Il regrette que plusieurs de ses contradicteurs refusent, d'une part, de reconnaitre le caractere multidimensionnel d'un test de validation et, d'autre part, de reconnaitre le bien-fonde de la distinction entre faits et valeurs. Il considere que seules les inferences legitimees par des procedures de validation qui ont elles-memes fait l'objet d'une verification peuvent etre admises. Il souligne que la relation entre valeurs et validite doit etre etudiee attentivement.
AN INDIVIDUAL‐BASED MODEL FOR TRADITIONAL FORAGING BEHAVIOR: INVESTIGATING EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL FLUCTUATION

Abstract We present an individual-based model to simulate the evolution of traditional foraging strategies in a fluctuating environment. The parameters and procedures are based on observed behavior of barnacle geese, Branta leucopsis, during spring staging off the coast of Helgeland, Norway. Within a temporally and spatially heterogeneous environment, goose movement is modeled according to state-dependent site selection decisions that maximize food intake. The aim of each individual is to optimize fitness (survival and reproduction) by gaining enough food (energy reserves) during 3 weeks of foraging to meet a threshold of energy necessary for successful reproduction. The geese return to the same islands each year and on a daily basis choose unoccupied sites according to their rank in the population-structured dominance hierarchy, memories of previously visited sites (tradition), past reproductive success, inherited genetic influence towards site faithfulness and/or site quality, and knowledge of the available biomass density. It is assumed that with each subsequent return to a specific location, increased familiarity of the area will benefit an individual through greater food acquisition by more efficient foraging practices. In the event of variable environmental conditions, geese are faced with a critical decision to return to previously visited sites or abandon tradition to explore for something better. It is shown that habitat quality plays an integral role in population dynamics. Beyond the scope of this paper, the evolution of foraging strategies that directly affect reproductive potential is shown to inevitably determine the resilience of the population over time (Kanarek [2006]). Further experiments are required for detailed results and analysis of specific circumstances that provoke the adaptation of certain behaviors. In general, this modeling approach has the potential to reveal significant insight into the emergence of stable responses to environmental disturbance.
Scoliosis and Spine Imaging

Lois Lehman, R.T.(R)(CT), is assistant director of radiology at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas. Radiographers understand the importance of getting the most diagnostic information from as few radiographs as possible. And in the world of pediatric scoliosis imaging, pediatric orthopedic surgeons, radiologists and orthotists must obtain more than just spine data from each and every radiograph. Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) is a pediatric orthopedic hospital in Dallas, Texas. Upon diagnosis of scoliosis in a child, the hospital staff assures the patient and parents that, although scoliosis can be inherited, it is not uncommon, not contagious and usually not painful. TSRHC staff also help patients and parents understand that they did not cause the scoliosis and they could not have prevented its occurrence. With 7 pediatric orthopedic surgeons at TSRHC requesting more than 12 000 scoliosis films a year, our pediatric radiographers take the time needed to produce excellent radiographs, maximize radiation protection and support patients and parents. This article is a follow-up to the Directed Reading titled “Spinal Curves and Scoliosis,” by Susan M Anderson, MAEd, R.T.(R), in the September/ October issue of Radiologic Technology. I will expand on Anderson’s article by discussing the different protocols for imaging babies, children, preteens and teens.
Quantitative morphological analysis of the cerebellar nuclei in normal and lurcher mutant mice. I. Morphology and cell number

The present study indicates that the cerebellar nuclei of the mouse are essentially identical in structure with those described in the rat, and that the atrophic cerebellar nuclei in lurcher mutant mice exhibit a comparable anatomical organization. A quantitative estimate of the atrophy observed in the cerebellar nuclei of the adult lurcher mutant mouse reveals an overall 60% decrease in volume. Cell counts in the wild-type cerebellar nuclei reveal a total of 8,528 principal neurons and 10,203 small neurons. The ratio of small/principal neurons is 0.5 in the fastigial nucleus and between 1 and 1.5 in other subdivisions. In lurcher, the principal neurons are slightly reduced in number (-20%) in the nuclear complex, while the population of small neurons is reduced by 37% in the interposed and dentate nuclei, but is unchanged in the fastigial nucleus. These results suggest that the massive deafferentation of the cerebellar nuclei that occurs between 10 and 30 days of age in lurcher mutants has a relatively mild effect on the principal cerebellar nuclear neurons. In the population of small neurons, however, the effect of deafferentation may be exacerbated by a secondary retrograde transneuronal degeneration brought on by the severe degeneration of inferior olivary neurons and cerebellar cortex in this mutant.
Comparison of associative learning of host-related plant volatiles in two parasitoids with different degrees of host specificity, Cotesia marginiventris and Microplitis croceipes

The ability of parasitoids to learn a wide range of volatiles, including ecologically relevant and novel odors, and respond favorably to the learned stimuli has been documented for various species. Comparison of odor learning in closely related species can elucidate adaptive differences in species responses to infochemicals. The present study used a Y-tube olfactometer to compare odor learning and priming of behavioral responses of two parasitoids, Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson) and Microplitis croceipes (Cresson), to four selected host-related volatile compounds which have been previously shown to elicit behavioral response in both species; trans-2-hexanal, α-pinene, cis-3-hexenyl butyrate, and (E,E)-α-farnesene. The two parasitoid species differ in their degree of specialization at the host level with M. croceipes having a more specialized host range, but otherwise represent infochemical generalist parasitoid species at the plant level. Naive females as well as females that had been trained to associate sugar water with the test compounds were tested. Compared to naive females, trained females of C. marginiventris showed a significant increase in behavioral response to all four tested compounds. In contrast, trained females of M. croceipes showed a significant increase in behavioral response only to α-pinene, and (E,E)-α-farnesene. Overall, the species with a wider host range, C. marginiventris showed a greater learning-induced increase in response than the species with a relatively specialized host range, M. croceipes. The results imply that animals with different ecological constraints may show variations in learning. The adaptive significance of behavioral responses as related to dietary specializations of the parasitoids is discussed.
Kierkegaard's conception of God

Philosophers have often misunderstood Kierkegaard’s views on the nature and purposes of God due to a fascination with his earlier, pseudonymous works. We examine many of Kierkegaard’s later works with the aim of setting forth an accurate view on this matter. The portrait of God that emerges is a personal and fiercely loving God with whom humans can and should enter into relationship. Far from advocating a fideistic faith or a cognitively unrestrained leap in the dark, we argue that Kierkegaard connects this God-relationship to (a particular kind of) evidence and even knowledge. However, such evidence and knowledge – and hence God himself – may remain hidden from many individuals due to misconceptions of God and misuses of the human will.
Continuous-valued social choice

Abstract Let ngt; be any social choice correspondence satisfying a mild continuity condition in addition to independence of unfeasible alternatives (which requires the correspondence to select the same set of alternatives in two situations if the feasible sets are identical in the two situations and, for each individual, the restriction of the preference ordering to the feasible set is the same) and Arrow's choice axiom (which generalizes transitivity). If the society is finite or countably infinite, then ngt; is constant, or dictatorial, or inversely dictatorial, even if the agenda domain is restricted. (The outcome space is normal, connected, and first-countable.).
The effects of gossypol on nuclear protein in rat testes. II. The synthesis of histones and testis-specific proteins after gossypol treatment.

Abstract This communication is to report the effects of gossypol on the synthesis of chromosomal basic proteins in the spermiogenic cells. A double-labelling experiment has been performed. The control rats received 14 C-arginine, whereas the gossypol-treated rats received a 3 H-arginine injection. An equal volume of the tissues (from control and gossypol-treated) were combined, and the total nuclear basic proteins (TNBP) from round spermatids (RS) and elongating spermatids (ES) were extracted for electrophoretic separation. By studying the ratio of 3H14C, it was indicated that the synthesis of H 1 , H 3 , H 2 B plus H 2 A and TP 1 in the RS was reduced by gossypol. The amount of inhibition of these proteins were 48%, 19%, 27%, and 11%, respectively. In the ES, the synthesis of H 1 , H 3 , H 2 B plus H 2 A, H 4 plus TP 2 , TP 3 , and TP 1 was reduced by gossypol, the reduction was 33%, 22%, 26%, 14%, 33%, and 8%, respectively. The synthesis of S 1 protein was not inhibited by gossypol in both RS and ES.
Laser Atomic Cleaning And Initial Stages Of Epitaxial Growth Of Germanium Films On (100) Silicon During Laser Physical Vapor Deposition

Thin films of epitaxial germanium were deposited on (100) silicon substrates which were atomically cleaned using a pulsed excimer laser ( wavelength 308 nm, pulse duration 45 nanosecond, and energy density (0.75 - 1 J cm-2 ) in high vacuum ( 3.0 x 10-7 torr ). Thin films of germanium were then deposited in similar vacuum using the excimer laser at a higher energy density (3.5-6 J cm-2) to ablate germanium from a single crystal target. The substrate temperature during cleaning and deposition ranged from 300 to 500°C showing this to be a low temperature process. The films were analyzed using cross-section and plan-view transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. These films show the initial stages of epitaxial growth and Ge/Si interface with absence of an intermediate oxide layer. The significant reduction in substrate temperature for the formation of high quality epitaxial films opens up many new areas of applications requiring reduced thermal-budget processing.
Dynamical–Statistical Model Forecasts of Southern Hemisphere Tropical Cyclones

Abstract The Navy Nested Tropical Cyclone Model (NTCM) is evaluated for performance on Southern Hemisphere storms near Australia. East of 135°E the model exhibits mean forecast errors of 246, 467, and 694 km at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. West of 135°E the mean forecast errors are 214, 511, and 745 km at 24, 48, and 72 h. The NTCM tends to have a poleward directional bias in the predicted tracks. This bias may be attributed to the lack of current data, which causes the analysis scheme to revert to climatological values. Storm tracks near the Australian coast also were not forecast well by the NTCM, especially in the western cases, presumably due to lack of consideration of land/sea effects. In a homogeneous sample comparison with an operational analog prediction technique (TYAN78), and with persistence of the past 12 hours motion, the NTCM performed worse in terms of forecast error at early forecast times and better at late forecast times east of 135°E. To the west of 135°E, the model performance was ...
Synthesis and characterization of (Hg0.8Re0.2)Ba2CaCu2O6+δ thick films on Ag obtained by a two-step dip-coating/rolling method

Abstract (Hg 0.8 Re 0.2 )Ba 2 CaCu 2 O 6+ δ ((Hg,Re)1212) thick films were fabricated by a two-step method of dip coating and rolling Re 0.2 Ba 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 7+ δ precursor onto Ag. The precursor tapes are then reacted in Hg vapor to form the superconducting phase using CaHgO 2 as the Hg source. High phase purity (Hg,Re)1212 thick film with colonies of aligned dense grains has been achieved, characterized by an onset superconducting transition temperature of 118 K and the critical current of 1.6 A at 4.2 K in a self-field. The relationship between I c and film thickness was explored. Investigations of the microstructure of (Hg,Re)1212 close to the silver interface and the magnetization hysteresis loop widths indicate that the major contribution to I c originates from the thin layer close to the interface. Inhomogeneous film thickness makes J c difficult to determine accurately, however, the average value is ≈3×10 3 A/cm 2 and the maximum local J c is at least 2×10 4 A/cm 2 at 4.2 K, self-field.