Video conferencing made easy

Network video conferencing is advancing rapidly throughout the nation, and the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL), a Department of Energy (DOE) facility, is at the forefront of the development. Engineers at INEL/EG&G designed and installed a very unique DOE videoconferencing system, offering many outstanding features, that include true multipoint conferencing, user-friendly design and operation with no full-time operators required, and the potential for cost effective expansion of the system. One area where INEL/EG&G engineers made a significant contribution to video conferencing was in the development of effective, user-friendly, end station driven scheduling software. A PC at each user site is used to schedule conferences via a windows package. This software interface provides information to the users concerning conference availability, scheduling, initiation, and termination. The menus are 'mouse' controlled. Once a conference is scheduled, a workstation at the hubs monitors the network to initiate all scheduled conferences. No active operator participation is required once a user schedules a conference through the local PC; the workstation automatically initiates and terminates the conference as scheduled. As each conference is scheduled, hard copy notification is also printed at each participating site. Video conferencing is the wave of the future. The use of these user-friendly systems will save millions in lost productivity and travel cost throughout the nation. The ease of operation and conference scheduling will play a key role on the extent industry uses this new technology. The INEL/EG&G has developed a prototype scheduling system for both commercial and federal government use

Nanopatterning by block copolymer micelle nanolithography and bioinspired applications

This comprehensive overview of block copolymer micelle nanolithography (BCMN) will discuss the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticle arrays by means of micellar diblock copolymer approach and the resulting experimental control of individual structural parameters of the nanopattern, e.g., particle density and particle size. Furthermore, the authors will present a combinational approach of BCMN with conventional fabrication methods, namely, photolithography and electron beam lithography, which combines the advantages of high-resolution micronanopatterning with fast sample processing rates. In addition, the authors will demonstrate how these nanoparticle assemblies can be transferred to polymer substrates with a wide range of elasticity. In the second part of this report the authors will introduce some of the most intriguing applications of BCMN in biology and materials science: The authors will demonstrate how nanoparticle arrays may be used as anchor points to pattern functional proteins with single molecule resolution for studying cellular adhesion and present a technological roadmap to high-performance nanomaterials by highlighting recent applications for biomimetic optics and nanowires. nt]mis|These authors contributed equally to this work

Eaton Throat-Valve Element prototype concept. Phase 1

As part of an ongoing effort to improve techniques for simulating nuclear blasts, the US Army Research Laboratory has been studying the merits of computer-controlled valves. The valve studies have been aimed at providing the Department of Defense with the capacity to conduct nuclear blast and thermal survivability testing on full-scale tactical vehicles. This report documents the development and findings of a computer model that simulates the behavior of the Eaton-Throat Valve Element (ETVE) prototype, and describes a proposed modification concept for the ETVE. The computer model reveals three main findings: (1) the ETVE chatters during the open cycle, (2) the chatter is caused by the high gas forces on the sliding sleeve as the driver gas passes through its portholes, and (3) the chatter is aggravated because there is insufficient damping in the system. The INEL recommends opening the ETVE by sliding the sleeve toward the downstream end of the valve instead of toward the upstream end, as the ETVE is presently configured, and to provide additional damping to the system. However, neither of these configuration changes can be achieved easily, and a redesign and analysis f the ETVE must be completed prior to performing any work on the current ETVE prototype. The ETVE simulation model proved to be an extremely valuable tool in analyzing the qualitative nature of the valve`s operation. Further development of the model is recommended for quantitative analysis and design of the ETVE. This report explains the model and stress analysis findings, and proposes a redesign concept

Correlation of cytogenetic findings with clinical features in 18 patients with inv(3)(q21q26) or t(3;3)(q21;q26)

An inversion in the long arm of chromosome 3--inv(3)(q21q26)--or a translocation between both homologous chromosomes 3--t(3;3)(q21;q26)--is found specifically in myeloid neoplasias characterized by disturbances of thrombopoiesis and megakaryocyte development. Cytogenetic findings were correlated with clinical and hematological data in altogether 18 patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) and with inv(3) (13 patients) or t(3;3) (five patients), six of whom were male and 12 who were female. Chromosomal changes in addition to the 3q anomalies were demonstrated in 14 out of 18 patients, predominantly numerical and structural aberrations of chromosome 7 (12 cases) and/or abnormalities of 5q (five cases). Complex karyotype abnormalities were observed in six of 13 patients with inv(3), but in only one of five patients with t(3;3). In ten out of our 18 patients a preceding myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and/or exposure to mutagenic/carcinogenic agents had been established. In eight patients the morphology of ANLL blasts was immature (FAB subtype M1); in three patients ANLL-M4, and in two patients each ANLL-M5, M6, and M7 was diagnosed; in one patient with antecedent MDS the leukemic blasts were not classifiable according to the FAB criteria. A disturbed megakaryocyte development, characterized by an excess of micromegakaryocytes was observed in 14 patients, seven of them showed normal or elevated platelet counts as an unusual feature in patients with ANLL. The clinical course and outcome was extremely poor: 15 of 18 patients died within 10 months after the diagnosis of ANLL. Because of their missing response to conventional chemotherapy, patients with inv(3) or t(3;3) have to be estimated as at high risk. The characterization of genes affected by inv(3) or t(3;3) could help to elucidate molecular changes leading to impaired proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells, also of the megakaryocytic lineage. Based on molecular genetic findings new therapeutical approaches could be designed

Crops, caves, and bats: deforestation and mining threaten an endemic and endangered bat species (Lonchophylla: Phyllostomidae) in the Neotropical savannas

The Dekeyser's nectar bat (Lonchophylla dekeyseri) is a cave roosting bat endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado that is considered endangered according to the IUCN Red List. Even though it is likely highly threatened, there is no current assessment of its conservation status or the conservation of the caves within its distribution. Additionally, a change in the Brazilian law is causing increasing mining pressures to caves. In order to evaluate L. dekeyseri conservation status and the caves within its distribution, we made an extensive literature review looking for occurrence records within the Cerrado, which we used to generate species distribution model (SDM) to predict its potential distribution and understand the main environmental variables driving its occurrence. We also overlapped its potential distribution map and cave roosting sites with information on protected areas and mining pressures. We found that most of its potential distribution is located in the central portion of Cerrado, with a large proportion of this area already deforested (43.74%) or threatened due to mining (55.83%) between 2000 and 2019. Moreover, a large vegetation proportion around the caves within its potential distribution was already converted to pastures (67.50%) and soybean crops (22.03%). Our results revealed that only a small proportion of the species potential distribution (similar to 4%) and a small share of caves suitable for roosting (similar to 15%) are preserved within strictly protected areas. Thus, we call attention to the need of more strictly protected areas across suitable habitat locations in order to cover a larger proportion of the species potential distribution and the caves it might be using for roosting

Moderate Dose Escalation for Advanced Stage Hodgkin’s Disease Using the Bleomycin, Etoposide, Adriamycin, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Procarbazine, and Prednisone Scheme and Adjuvant Radiotherapy: A Study of the German Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Study Group

The BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone) regimen, a rearranged and accelerated version of the standard COPP/adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapy, has been shown to be effective and safe in a previous pilot study for advanced stage Hodgkin’s disease (HD). The present study aimed to determine a maximum practicable dose of three drugs, ie, etoposide, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide, for which acute toxicities were acceptable and to assess the feasibility of the escalated scheme. Sixty untreated patients with advanced stage HD were enrolled in this study. Radiotherapy was given in 44 patients (73%) after chemotherapy to initial bulk lesions and residual disease. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) was given from day 8 to prevent prolonged neutrocytopenia and severe infections. The intended doses of adriamycin, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide in the BEACOPP schedule could be substantially escalated: adriamycin from 25 to 35, cyclophosphamide from 650 to 1,200, and etoposide from 100 to 200 mg/m2. The major toxicities were leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia with considerable heterogeneity between individual patients. Of 60 patients, 56 (93%) achieved a complete remission (CR). At a median observation of 32 months, the rates of survival and freedom from treatment failure (FFTF) were estimated to be 91% (95% confidence interval 83% to 99%) and 90% (82% to 98%). These results show that a moderate dose escalation of adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide of the baseline BEACOPP regimen is feasible. The escalated BEACOPP regimen shows very encouraging results in advanced stage HD and is now being compared in a randomized phase III study with BEACOPP at baseline dose level.</jats:p