cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Operations Research as a Profession

This paper is concerned with the profession of operations research and specifically with the preparation for the profession. On a fairly general plain, the paper expresses a concern about the future of a profession which ought to be in the lead in the growing societal anxiety over poverty, pollution and privacy, but in fact plays virtually no significant role in these matters. In his autobiography, Memories, Dreams, Reflections, C. G. Jung argues for a fascinating way of telling the story of one's life. There are, he says, two stories. One story is the rational, a story of a man's struggles, frustrations and joys in seeking his life's goals. The other is the “irrational,” the primitive often unexpressed mythic elements of his life. At some risk of perverting the richness of Jung's suggestion, I'd like to tell two stories of a profession, operations research, but in the end I'll not be sure which is the rational. The reason for telling these two stories is to obtain a critical overview of the profession of operations research, primarily to assess its educational base, not just in colleges and universities, but in the overall program of learning: in meetings, journals and informal discussions.
Flow past a cylinder close to a free surface

Flow past a cylinder beneath a free surface gives rise to fundamental classes of nearwake structure that are distinctly different from the wake of a completely submerged cylinder. A central feature is the generation of a vorticity layer from the free surface due to: localized separation, in the form of small-scale breaking of a free-surface wave; or complete separation from the free surface. This vorticity layer appears adjacent to a layer from the surface of the cylinder, thereby forming a jet-like flow. It is shown that the instantaneous vorticity flux on either side of this jet is rapidly balanced immediately after the onset of separation from the free surface.
Characteristics of Women With Children Who Divorce in Midlife Compared to Those Who Remain Married

This study evaluated characteristics that distinguish women who end a first marriage in midlife from those who remain married. The sample consisted of 459 married and 180 divorced women who had participated in 3 waves of the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH). Discriminant analyses were used to assess differences that occurred between the two groups in financial and psychological well-being in the 10 years between NSFH Waves 2 and 3. The major finding was that midlife divorce appears to have long-term financial consequences for women, especially in regard to wealth accumulation. The findings provide some initial information about the long-term effects of midlife divorce that will be useful to professionals working with women who are considering divorce at this stage of life.
Theoretical vs. Practical Complexity: The Case of UML

Unified Modeling Language (UML) is the standard visual modeling language for Object Oriented (OO) systems development, but it has been criticized for its complexity, inconsistent semantics, and ambiguous constructs. A set of complexity indices for UML and the nine diagramming techniques in UML was compiled recently. The complexity analysis is formulated based on the number of constructs, associations, roles, and so forth, in a modeling method. We argue that this set of metrics provides an indication of the theoretical complexity of the modeling methods. On the other hand, the theoretical complexity of the modeling methods does not necessarily relate to the practical complexity. We hypothesize that UMLâ€™s complexity is not as daunting as the metrics imply, because not all the constructs are used all the time. Thus, in addition to theoretical complexity, a set of metrics for estimating practical complexity can be developed, based on the most commonly used constructs (instead of all constructs). In this research, we use secondary data to test our hypothesis that practical complexity is different from theoretical complexity.
Helping Families in Transition Due to Unemployment

ABSTRACT This article provides strategies for working with clients who are recently unemployed or who will become unemployed in the near future. How the individual and the family perceive the transition affects their ability to cope. Helping the family understand the feelings of grief and loss associated with the transition in conjunction with general and specific coping strategies are discussed.
Function and Regulation of the Bacterial Cytoskeleton

During the fast paced multiplication of bacteria, cell growth, DNA replication, DNA segregation and cell division must occur and these essential processes must be coordinated temporally and spatially to achieve homeostasis. How this is achieved is not well understood. In the Gram-negative bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, the assembly and cellular positioning of the cytokinetic ring made of the tubulin homolog FtsZ is coordinated with chromosome origin segregation through the parS/ParB/MipZ kinetochore complex. We found that the polarity factor TipN plays a major role in the segregation of the parS/ParB/MipZ complex by affecting the dynamics of the ParA cytoskeletal element. This in turn governs the timing and placement of FtsZ ring formation, which ultimately affects cell growth, division and the size of the progeny.
Obtaining trust in autonomous systems: tools for formal model synthesis and validation

An important and growing class of cyber physical systems are autonomous vehicles (AVs). While the U.S. Military has used AVs, such as unmanned air vehicles, for many years, civilian use of these vehicles, e.g., By the FBI, has been steadily increasing. Plans to equip AVs with cameras, scientific instruments, and weapons, such as tear gas and pepper spray, have led to growing mistrust of AVs and calls for greater human control and oversight. This paper describes two kinds of trust needed in systems involving AVs and how a formal model and model-based simulation can help obtain such trust. It introduces two new tools to be integrated into Formal Requirements Modeling and Analysis (FORMAL), an upgrade of NRL's Software Cost Reduction (SCR) toolset, the new tools support formal modeling and symbolic execution (via simulation) of cyber physical systems. The first tool synthesizes a formal model from scenarios. The synthesized model forms a basis for formal verification, and for model validation using simulation. The second tool, which combines the existing SCR simulator with the eBotworks 3D autonomy simulator, overcomes the SCR simulator's major limitations -- its support for only discrete computation and its inability to simulate continuous movement. To evaluate the new tools, the paper describes synthesis of a formal model of a Navy unmanned ground vehicle currently under development and simulation of its behavior.
A transgenic mouse model of the chronic hepatitis B surface antigen carrier state

In an attempt to establish a model of the healthy carrier state in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, transgenic mice expressing HBV genes were produced. Fertilized one-cell eggs were microinjected with subgenomic fragments of HBV DNA containing the coding regions for the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and pre-S and X antigens. Either the normal (HBV) or metallothionein promoters were used to obtain expression of the HBV genes. There was no evidence of viral replication or tissue pathology. The integrated HBV DNA sequences were inherited in a normal Mendelian fashion. Three of 16 transgenic mice expressed HBV-encoded gene products to which they were immunologically tolerant. Expression was not tissue specific and may be influenced by the genomic integration site and cellular factors. Both HBsAg and pre-S antigen were detectable within the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and renal tubular epithelial cells. High serum concentrations of HBsAg were detectable and the secreted product appeared authentic as judged by mean density, morphology, mean particle diameter, polypeptide composition, and antigenicity. The absence of tissue pathology in these immunologically tolerant animals supports the hypothesis that cellular injury under these conditions is not a direct consequence of expression of the pre-S or HBs regions of the HBV genome.
Taking the cue: The response to US human rights sanctions against third parties:

Although scholars have suggested that sanctions could have an international symbolic effect in which they inform third parties of sender preferences and resolve, studies have not examined whether a...
Probabilistic Assessment of Combustor Liner Design

A typical hot structural component within an engine such as composite combustor liner is computationally simulated and probabilistically evaluated in view of the numerous uncertainties associated with the structural, material, and thermo-mechanical load variables (primitive variables) that describe the combustor. The combustor is evaluated for buckling (eigenvalue) loads, vibration frequencies, and local stresses. Results show that the scatter in the combined stress is not uniform along the length of the combustor. Furthermore, coefficient of thermal expansion, hoop modulus of the liner material, and the thermal load profile dominate stresses near the support and the intermediate location of the combustor liner. However, the liner thickness, the liner material hoop modulus, and pressure load profile have significant impact on stresses near the free end of combustor.Copyright © 1995 by ASME
Neutron irradiation monitor for use with Ge(Li) detectors

Abstract A fission-track dosimeter is suggested as a method of monitoring the integrated fast neutron flux incident on a Ge(Li) detector in order to prevent overexposure and subsequent radiation damage.
A survey of language barriers from the perspective of pediatric oncologists, interpreters, and parents.

Background Oncologists in the US increasingly face the challenge of communicating with non-English speaking parents of children with cancer. This study explores this challenge from the perspectives of a sample of pediatric oncologists, interpreters, and Spanish-speaking parents of children with newly diagnosed leukemia. Procedure Thirty-seven oncologists and 17 professional language interpreters based at two non-profit pediatric hospitals in the US were surveyed on the topic of language barriers in pediatric care. Seventeen parents who communicated with their child's oncologist through an interpreter were also surveyed. Results All groups expressed considerable concern over the process of communicating across a language barrier. For oncologists, these concerns included the accuracy and completeness of interpretations, complexity of information, and loss of confidence and control over the communication process. For interpreters, they included complexity of information, information overload, and lack of clinician sensitivity toward the cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds of limited English proficiency (LEP) families. Parent concerns included difficulties comprehending information and anxiety over the possibility of missing out on important information. All groups provided multiple suggestions for improving communication across a language barrier. Conclusions Oncologists, interpreters, and parents expressed considerable concern over the process of communicating across a language barrier. Some of these concerns could be minimized through efforts to boost interpreter accuracy and completeness, including the use of more simple, easy to understand language. Other issues, such as differences in culture and socioeconomic background, warrant consideration of the intercultural knowledge and skills of interpreters. Pediatric Blood Cancer 2006;47:819–824. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Efficacy of chlorine and calcinated calcium treatment of alfalfa seeds and sprouts to eliminate Salmonella.

Abstract The efficacy of a 20,000 ppm calcium hypochlorite treatment of alfalfa seeds artificially contaminated with Salmonella was studied. Salmonella populations reached >7.0 log on sprouts grown from seeds artificially contaminated with Salmonella and then treated with 20,000 ppm Ca(OCl)2. The efficacy of spray application of chlorine (100 ppm) to eliminate Salmonella during germination and growth of alfalfa was assessed. Alfalfa seed artificially contaminated with Salmonella was treated at germination, on day 2 or day 4, or for the duration of the growth period. Spray application of 100 ppm chlorine at germination, day 2, or day 4 of growth was minimally effective resulting in approximately a 0.5-log decrease in population of Salmonella. Treatment on each of the 4 days of growth reduced populations of Salmonella by only 1.5 log. Combined treatment of seeds with 20,000 ppm Ca(OCl)2 and followed by 100 ppm chlorine or calcinated calcium during germination and sprout growth did not eliminate Salmonella.
Effect of an electric field on the superplasticity of 7475 Al

Mise en evidence de l'influence significative d'un champ electrique sur la superplasticite de l'alliage d'aluminium 7475. Determination des principaux mecanismes intervenant lors de la deformation plastique (glissement et montee des dislocations, glissement des joints de grain, fluage diffusion).
On synchronized multi-tape and multi-head automata

Motivated by applications to verification problems in string manipulating programs, we look at the problem of whether the heads in a multi-tape automaton are synchronized. Given an n-tape pushdown automaton M with a one-way read-only head per tape and a right end marker $ on each tape, and an integer k>=0, we say that M is k-synchronized if at any time during any computation of M on any input n-tuple (x"1,...,x"n) (whether or not it is accepted), no pair of input heads that are not on $ are more than k cells apart. This requirement is automatically satisfied if one of the heads has reached $. Note that an n-tuple (x"1,...,x"n) is accepted if M reaches the configuration where all n heads are on $ and M is in an accepting state. The automaton can be deterministic (DPDA) or nondeterministic (NPDA) and, in the special case, may not have a pushdown stack (DFA, NFA). We obtain decidability and undecidability results for these devices for both one-way and two-way versions. We also consider the notion of k-synchronized one-way and two-way multi-head automata and investigate similar problems.
Synthesis and Characterization of Esterified Poly[(aryloxy)phosphazene]s

Four new phosphazene polymers were synthesized using an esterification methodology. It was found that poly[bis(4-carboxylatophenoxy)phosphazene] reacts with neat alcohols and catalytic acid at refl...
Proposition 71 and CIRM—assessing the return on investment

Given that Californian voters authorized state coffers to sell $3 billion in bonds to fund the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) with the expectation of health and financial benefits, what benchmarks should be used to measure the initiative's success?
“KNOWLEDGE GAP” PHENOMENA Effect of Situation-Specific and Transsituational Factors

This article examines two rival explanations for knowledge gaps. One explanation relates to transsituational attributes that is, socioeconomic characteristics) while the second focuses upon situation-specific characteristics that is, policy-relevant personal motivations). Four measures of knowledge levels are employed—technical term familiarity, problem articulation, self-assessed level of informedness, and the ability to define key policy concepts. This study uses three SES measures (education, income, and occupational status) and five motivational measures (types of use of water, involvement in water politics, water policy satisfaction, water policy priority, and extremity of environmental attitudes). The results show that situation-specific factors are the more important influences on knowledge levels, casting doubt on theories suggesting that lower SES persons may be permanently relegated to a public affairs knowledge deficit.
Severity of depressive symptoms, hippocampal sclerosis, auditory memory, and side of seizure focus in temporal lobe epilepsy

The relationship between severity of depressive symptoms and performance on three Wechsler Memory Scale-III auditory memory and learning subtests was examined in 84 inpatients diagnosed with medically intractable seizures of left (n=46, LTLE) or right (n=38, RTLE) temporal lobe origin. Depressive symptom severity was associated with auditory recall test performance in individuals with LTLE, but not RTLE. Multiple regression analyses indicated that severity of depressive symptoms, hippocampal sclerosis, and naming ability were significant predictors of auditory memory test performance in LTLE; however, hippocampal sclerosis was the only significant predictor of auditory memory in RTLE. Results demonstrate the importance of hippocampal sclerosis, greater self-report of depressive symptoms, and poor naming ability as independent predictors of poor auditory memory and learning abilities. Results suggest that a complex relationship exists among multiple risk factors that combine to influence performance on auditory memory tests as a function of side of seizure focus.
Coherent States as a Tool for Obtaining Rigorous Bounds

This talk reviews some of the ways in which coherent states can be used to give rigorous bounds for quantities of physical interest and, in certain cases, can yield exact asymptotic formulas. Three main topics will be discussed.
White dwarfs and degenerate stars

Abstract The observational data now known about the white dwarfs have been reviewed and analysed with special emphasis on the relationship between colour—or spectral class—and luminosity. It is found that the white dwarfs occupy a broad band, roughly parallel to, but lying about ten magnitudes below the main sequence in the H-R diagram. The very sketchy observational knowledge of the red-shifts is discussed and it is suggested that perhaps many white dwarfs exist with masses much smaller than that of the Sun. In conclusion a plea is made for a return to more observations rather than to more theory on the white dwarfs, notably for more determinations of radial velocities and red-shifts, of accurate colours and parallaxes, and of orbital motions in binaries containing a white dwarf component.
Pulse pressure, arterial compliance and wave reflection under differential vasoactive and mechanical loading

Similar pulse pressure increases and flow reductions have been reported by many investigators, despite dissimilar forms of arterial loading applied. Increased vascular load is most commonly observed due to mechanical and vasoactive interventions. The present study intended to differentiate the hemodynamic contributions of these two forms of arterial loading at closely matched blood pressure levels. To accomplish this, proximal aortic characteristic impedance (Z o ), total arterial compliance (C), peripheral vascular resistance (R s ) and time-domain resolved forward (P f ) and reflected (P r ) waves were obtained in six anesthetized, thoracotomized and ventilated dogs. Acute loading was accomplished by brief descending thoracic aorta (DTA) occlusion or by intravenous bolus infusion of methoxamine (MTX:5 mg/ml) Systolic pressure increases were matched to a similar extent. Results showed that pulse pressures were drastically increased, reflecting large increases in wave reflections and decreases in arterial compliances. Changes in Z o , R s and C were quantitatively different between the two forms of loading. DTA occlusion primarily increased Z o and R s with a concurrently large reduction in C. MTX infusion significantly increased small vessel R s to the same extent as DTA occlusion, but with a slight decrease in C secondary to an increase in pressure, with Z o unchanged. Examination of dynamic loading showed similar increases in reflection coefficients, but P f and P r were qualitatively different. We conclude that vasoactive methoxamine infusion provides primarily an increased resistive load, while mechanical DTA occlusion provides an increased complex load to the left ventricle. These loads also occur earlier and variably during ventricular ejection.
Contribution of emotionally traumatic events and inheritance to the report of current physical health problems in 4042 Vietnam era veteran twin pairs.

OBJECTIVE To determine the contributions of psychological trauma (exposure to combat during the Vietnam War), genetic factors, childhood experiences shared by twin siblings, and unmeasured experiences not shared by twin siblings to the reporting of current physical health problems a mean of 19 years after military service. METHODS In 1987, a national sample of 2224 monozygotic and 1818 dizygotic male veteran members of the Vietnam Era Twin Registry participated in a survey of health. Genetic modeling was performed on cross-sectional physical health and combat exposure data derived from Registry twins. RESULTS Combat experiences explained a small proportion (0.7-8.4%) of the variance in the report of hypertension, respiratory conditions, persistent skin conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, joint disorders, and hearing problems. Childhood experiences shared by siblings are not clearly related to any health problem studied. By contrast, genetic factors explain 31 to 54% and noncombat experiences not shared by siblings explain 45 to 66% of the variance in current physical health status. CONCLUSIONS Greater than 90% of the variance in reported current physical health problems in Vietnam era veterans is attributable to inherited factors and unmeasured environmental experiences not shared by twin siblings. The traumatic experience of combat makes only a small contribution to the report of current physical health problems. These results do not preclude the possibility that combat influenced the prevalence of illness shortly after military service or that combat may influence the development of illness in the future.
A Program for Control of Repetitive Trauma Disorders Associated With Hand Tool Operations in a Telecommunications Manufacturing Facility

This paper summarizes efforts to control the incidence and severity of repetitive trauma disorders associated with hand tool operations in a telecommunications manufacturing facility with 6,600 employees. Repetitive trauma disorders–including strains, tendinitis, ganglions and carpal tunnel syndrome – were the leading cause of lost time and workers' compensation expenses at this plant in 1979. The plant-wide incidence rate of OSHA reportable repetitive trauma disorders was 2.2 cases per 200,000 workhours and resulted in 1,001 lost workdays. Incidence rates as high as 4.6 were reported in some areas, but were believed to be much higher among persons who actually perform repetitive work in these areas. In the spring of 1981, the plant safety and1 health committee undertook a control program that included creation of a task force, a training program, improvements in the design of workstations and tooling, and management of restricted workers. During 1982, the incidence rate of repetitive motion disorders has...
Multiple congenital contractures (MCC) and cleft palate induced in goats by ingestion of piperidine alkaloid-containing plants: reduction in fetal movement as the probable cause.

AbstractFetal movement, observed by ultrasound imaging, was significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.001) in pregnant goats gavaged with Conium seed and Nicotiana glauca and temporarily reduced with fresh Conium plant. Conium seed and Nicotiana glauca induced cleft palate and multiple congenital contractures in 100% of the kids born to pregnant goats gavaged with these plants. Multiple congenital contractures included torticollis, scoliosis, lordosis, arthrogryposis, rib cage anomalies, over extension, and flexure and rigidity of the joints. However, in goats gavaged with fresh Conium plant, fetal movement was inhibited for only about 5 hours after each individual dosage and gradually returned to control levels 12 hours after dosing. Fetal malformations in this group were limited from modest to moderate contractures of the front limbs, which resolved by 8-10 weeks post partum. No cleft palates were induced. Fetal movement was not inhibited in goats fed Lupinus caudatus and no cleft palates or multiple congenital cont...
The influence of surface layer salinity on wintertime convection in Wilkinson Basin, Gulf of Maine

Abstract Observations suggest that the interannual variability of wintertime convection in Wilkinson Basin (WB) during 1977–2005 is related to the variation in the surface layer salinity in the western Gulf of Maine (wGOM). When the winter convection is stronger (weaker), the resulting deep-layer temperatures in the wGOM are colder (warmer), and the likelihood of deep winter mixing is greater when the wGOM salinities are high. This hypothesis was tested using a one-dimensional mixed layer model to simulate the water column structure over the cooling period. Comparisons were made between the convection potential for the range of observed late-fall salinity values. Model results indicated that the mixed layer depth could deepen by as much as 50% when the surface layer salinities in the wGOM were high. Sensitivity tests revealed that the surface layer salinity variability, and its influence on the water column density structure, was a significant factor, along with local climate variability, in determining the observed time series trend in springtime bottom layer temperatures. Density distributions in the wGOM in high salinity years suggested that winter-cooled water from the adjacent shallow coastal areas could become sufficiently dense to cascade into the deeper layers of WB and enhanced the convective cooling. The interannual variation in wintertime convection and in the resulting density structure has important implications for biological processes. The associated variation in deeper layer temperatures has been shown to influence the spatial distribution, timing of spawning, and growth rates of many demersal and mid-water fishery populations.
Chemistry and transport of soluble humic substances in forested watersheds of the Adirondack Park, New York

Abstract Studies were conducted in conjunction with the Integrated Lake-Watershed Acidification Study (ILWAS) to examine the chemistry and leaching patterns of soluble humic substances in forested watersheds of the Adirondack region. During the summer growing season, mean dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in the ILWAS watersheds ranged from 21–32 mg C l−1 in O/A horizon leachates, from 5–7 mg C l−1 in B horizon leachates, from 2–4 mg C l−1 in groundwater solutions, from 6–8 mg C l−1 in first order streams, from 3–8 mg C l−1 in lake inlets, and from 2–7 mg C l−1 in lake outlets. During the winter, mean DOC concentrations dropped significantly in the upper soil profile. Soil solutions from mixed and coniferous stands contained as much as twice the DOC concentration of lysimeter samples from hardwood stands. Results of DOC fractionation analysis showed that hydrophobia and hydrophilic acids dominate the organic solute composition of natural waters in these watersheds. Charge balance and titration results indicated that the general acid-base characteristics of the dissolved humic mixture in these natural waters can be accounted for by a model organic acid having an averagepKa of 3.85, an average charge density of 4–5 μeq mg−1 C at ambient pH, and a total of 6–7 meq COOH per gram carbon.
On transversal infinitesimal automorphisms for harmonic foliations

In this paper we consider a harmonic Riemannian foliation ℱ, and study the transversal infinitesimal automorphisms of ℱ with certain additional properties like being transversal conformal or Killing (= metric). Such automorphisms (modulo Killing automorphisms) are related to the stability of ℱ. A special study is made for the case of a foliation with constant transversal scalar curvature, and more particularly with transversal Ricci curvature proportional to the transversal metric (Einstein foliation).
Carbocatalytic dehydration of xylose to furfural in water

Abstract Graphene, graphene oxide, sulfonated graphene, and sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO) have been prepared, characterized and tested for the dehydration of xylose to furfural in water. In particular, SGO was proven to be a rapid and water-tolerant solid acid catalyst even at very low catalyst loadings down to 0.5 wt.% vs xylose, maintaining its initial activity after 12 tested repetitions at 200 °C, with an average yield of 61% in comparison to 44% for the uncatalyzed system. Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, 13 C solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and surface area analysis suggested that the aryl sulfonic acid groups were the key active sites for high temperature production of furfural in water. They were more thermally stable under the reaction conditions and acidic than other functional groups attached to the graphene surface.
Diltiazem-like effect of thioridazine on the dihydropyridine binding site of the calcium channel of rat myocardial membranes

The phenothiazine thioridazine enhances the binding of [3H]-nitrendipine to cardiac membranes and antagonizes the inhibition of [3H]-nitrendipine binding by other classes of calcium channel blockers. These effects are similar to those of diltiazem. The increased binding of [3H]-nitrendipine in the presence of thioridazine or diltiazem is due to increased binding affinity rather than an increased number of binding sites. Increased affinity is due in part to a decrease in the dissociation rate of nitrendipine in the presence of either thioridazine or diltiazem. Thioridazine also reverses the blocking effect of tiapamil (a phenylalkylamine) on [3H]-nitrendipine binding to rat heart membranes, as does diltiazem, suggesting that thioridazine binds to the same site as diltiazem. Thioridazine may have calcium channel blocking effects in the high therapeutic and toxic dose ranges that could be responsible for some of its adverse cardiovascular effects.
A system for intercomparing standard solutions of beta-particle emitting radionuclides

Abstract A system for intercomparing standard solutions of pure beta-particle emitting radionuclides is described. The CIEMAT/NIST technique of beta-particle efficiency tracing is based on establishing a parameter in a simple calculational model, using a 3 H standard with comparable quenching. To produce a 3 H-in-scintillator standard which is reasonably stable over the period of the measurements, we first standardized 3 H-hexadecane solution by comparison with 3 H-water standardized by gas counting. In the second phase of the work, the 3 H-hexadecane solution was used to standardize 14 C-hexadecane and 99 Tc-tricaprylamine (TCA). Measurements were made under similar geometrical and quenching conditions for each radionuclide with a commercial scintillator and a conventional liquid-scintillation counter with two phototubes operating in coincidence. The technique was then tested at different sites in the area using a set of flame-sealed vials and state-of-the-art liquid-scintillation counters. Initial results for the 99 Tc-TCA and the 1981 99 Tc, Standard Reference Material (SRM) 4288 show an agreement to within 0.30%.
Involvement of calcium in interactions between gingival epithelial cells and Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontal pathogen, can invade primary cultures of gingival epithelial cells. This invasion was significantly inhibited (74–81%) by thapsigargin and 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA/AM), but not by EDTA or amiloride. Release of Ca2+ from an intracellular store and the subsequent increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] may, therefore, be involved in the invasion process, while Ca2+ influx is not. Moreover, cytosolic [Ca2+] was found to increase transiently in about 30% of gingival epithelial cells acutely exposed to P. gingivalis, but not in unexposed cells, or in cells exposed to noninvasive Escherichia coli. These findings indicate that P. gingivalis invasion of epithelial cells is correlated with activation of [Ca2+]-dependent host cell signaling systems.
Invited reaction: Learning on their own

Willis suggests the uniqueness of Clardy’s research study in seeking to develop a typology of self-directed learning with an emphasis on frontline employees. However, she raises issues about the methodology and the nature of the research on self-directed learning. She questions whether there needs to be greater convergence among the research related to workplace learning.
Is ZnO as a universal semiconductor material an oxymoron

The wide-bandgap semiconductor ZnO has gained major interest in research community for its unique properties and wide range of applications. In this review article, we present synthesis techniques and a few emerging applications for ZnO. Common techniques for growing ZnO films are discussed briefly, and a detailed discussion of MOCVD growth of ZnO is provided citing previous experimental reports on this technique by our group and others. A few important and distinctive uses of ZnO are discussed for various applications focusing on the current limitations of ZnO to realize its feasibility in these applications.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS: IMPELLA HEMODYNAMIC SUPPORT COMPARED WITH INTRA- AORTIC BALLOON PUMP IN HIGH RISK PATIENTS RECEIVING PCI

Clinical outcomes and cost–effectiveness of new technologies for hemodynamic support in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and complex anatomy have not been previously studied. PROTECT II studied patients with 3 vessel disease and LV ejection fraction ≤ 30p or with
Aflatoxin B1 effects on soil microorganisms

Abstract Corn contaminated with aflatoxin is unfit for consumption by animals and is most often disposed of by plowing it into the soil. The effect of aflatoxin B1 on the population and activity of soil microorganisms was determined at concentrations of 1, 100 and 10,000 ng ml−1 of agar media or g−1 of soil. Aflatoxin B1 at 10,000 ng ml−1 of medium reduced the number of viable fungi by 38% and the number of bacteria and actinomycetes by 34%. Soil amended to 10,000 ng aflatoxin B1 demonstrated a slight, yet significant reduction in the population of fungi and bacteria plus actinomycetes. At this rate the antagonistic effect on soil microorganisms began at 14 days after aflatoxin B1 was added and lasted nearly 6 weeks. Subsequently no significant differences were observed among any of the treatments. When the soil was amended with alfalfa to provide a substrate for microbial growth, the population showed a more significant reduction due to aflatoxin B1, but the duration of the effect was reduced. The evolution of CO2 from soil amended with aflatoxin B1 showed little if any diminution. Similarly, aflatoxin B1 failed to demonstrate a significant effect on nitrifying bacteria. Aflatoxin B1 was found to be slightly deleterious to Rhizobium japonicum, resulting in a 30% reduction in numbers at the highest treatment rate. Using auxotrophic cultures of R. japonicum, aflatoxin B1 was also shown to induce the formation of mutants.
Labels of origin for food, the new economy and opportunities for rural development in the US

This paper draws upon the events surrounding two small United States Department of Agriculture-funded projects in order to explore some preliminary ideas about the influence of corporations in US policy-making through federal advisory committees created by the 1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act. Following a synopsis of the political controversy created by the efforts of these projects to generate more discussion of geographical indications in the US, this paper outlines a path for further analysis of the relationships between members of advisory committees to the US Trade Representative and a newly established non-profit, the Consortium for Common Food Names. After a brief discussion of two worlds of geographic indications defined on the one hand by key principles of terroir and on the other hand those embodied in US Patent & Trademark Policy, the paper concludes with short discussions of two approaches for bringing geographic indications into federal and state policy discussions.
Scalar-field-guided adaptive shape deformation and animation

In this paper, we propose a novel scalar-field-guided adaptive shape deformation (SFD) technique founded on PDE-based flow constraints and scalar fields of implicit functions. Scalar fields are used as embedding spaces. Upon deformation of the scalar field, a corresponding displacement/velocity field will be generated accordingly, which results in a shape deformation of the embedded object. In our system, the scalar field creation, sketching, and manipulation are both natural and intuitive. The embedded model is further enhanced with self-optimization capability. During the deformation we can also enforce various constraints on embedded models. In addition, this technique can be used to ease the animation design. Our experiments demonstrate that the new SFD technique is powerful, efficient, versatile, and intuitive for shape modeling and animation.
Implemention of a divide and conquer cyclic reduction algorithm on the FPS T-20 hypercube

A simple variant of the odd-even cyclic reduction algorithm for solving tridiagonal linear systems is presented. The target architecture for this scheme is a parallel computer with nodes which are vector processors, such as the Floating Point Systems T-Series hypercube. Of particular interest is the case where the number of equations is much larger than the number of processors. The matrix system is partitioned into local subsystems, with the partitioning governed by a parameter which determines the amount of redundancy in computations. The algorithm proceeds after the distribution of local systems with independent computations, all-to-all broadcast of a small number of equations from each processor, solution of this subsystem, more independent computations, and output of the solution. Some redundancy in calculations between neighboring processors results in minimized communication costs. One feature of this approach is that computations are well balanced, as each processor executes an identical algebraic routine.A brief description of the standard cyclic reduction algorithm is given. Then the divide and conquer strategy is presented along with some estimates of speedup and efficiency. Finally, an Occam program for this algorithm which runs on the FPS T-20 computer is discussed along with experimental results.
Proposal to detect vortices above the superconducting transition temperature

We propose a simple experiment to determine whether vortices persist above the superconducting transition temperature ${T}_{c}$ in the pseudogap phase of high-temperature cuprate superconductors. This involves using a magnetic dot to stabilize a vortex in a thin cuprate film beneath the dot. We calculate the magnetic field profile as a function of distance from the dot if a vortex is present and discuss possible measurements that could be done to detect this. Finally, we comment on the temperature range where a stable vortex should be observable.
PET study of the distribution of [11C]fluoxetine in a monkey brain

Abstract No-carrier-added [ 11 C]fluoxetine ( 2 ) was synthesized by methylation of norfluoxetine ( 1 ) with [ 11 C]H 3 I in 20% radiochemical yield in a synthesis time of 40 min from EOB with a specific activity of 0.48 Ci/μM (EOB). In vivo study in mouse indicated that the uptake of 2 in mouse tissues was high and the radioactivity remained constant throughout the study. The uptake of 2 in mouse brain was 4%/g. PET study in a Rhesus monkey also showed that the uptakes of 2 in different brain regions were similar and the retention of radioactivity in these regions remained constant throughout the study (80 min). Analysis of arterial plasma by HPLC showed that only 20% of radioactivity in the plasma remained as 2 at 30 min post-injection. These results suggest that the uptake of fluoxetine in monkey brain is probably not receptor mediated. Rather, blood flow, lipophilicity or other transport mechanisms may play a role in its uptake.
Correlates of Improvement in Multidisciplinary Treatment of Chronic Pain

Although multidisciplinary pain programs have been demonstrated to be effective, the processes of improvement have yet to be clarified. Cognitive-behavioral models posit that improvement is due, in part, to changes in patient pain beliefs and coping strategies. To test the relationships between treatment outcome and changes in beliefs and coping strategies, 94 chronic pain patients completed measures of physical and psychological functioning, health care utilization, pain beliefs, and use of pain coping strategies at admission and 3 to 6 months after inpatient pain treatment. Improved functioning and decreased health care use were associated with changes in both beliefs and cognitive coping strategies. However, changes in some coping strategies, such as exercise and use of rest, were not associated with improvement.
Identification of NIH-shifted metabolites of 1,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the rat by NMR comparison with synthesized isomers

In the rat, 1,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin was oxidatively metabolized to the NIH-shifted products 2-hydroxy-1,4,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and 3-hydroxy-1,2,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. The chlorine substitution patterns were determined by comparison with 1H NMR spectra of six synthesized isomers in CDCl3, CD3OD, and acetone-d6. Glucuronide and glucuronide-sulfate conjugates of the monohydroxy dioxins were identified in the bile by FAB-MS. The dominance of the NIH-shift products in the metabolism of tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins indicates that the same isomers may be produced from differently substituted chlorinated dioxins.
Application of an Optimal Preview Control for Simulation of Closed-Loop Automobile Driving

An optimal preview control method is applied to the automobile path following problem. The technique is first used to examine the straight-line regulatory driving task and results compared with similar experimental measurements. The method is further demonstrated by closedloop simulation of an automobile driver/vehicle system during transient lane-change maneuvers. The computer simulation results are compared with equivalent vehicle test measurements.
A piece-wise non-linear elastic stress expression of human and pig coronary arteries tested in vitro

Eight human and nineteen pig unembalmed proximal left anterior descending and circumflex coronary arteries were subjected to linear volume changes (2 s ramp time) at three fixed axial extensions while immersed in a physiological saline bath at body temperature. Measured parameters included: lumen pressure, outside diameter, axial force, and axial extension. The deformations were measured using a video dimensional analyzer. The arteries were inflated to pressures well above the physiological range at each axial extension. A latex inner tube was placed inside of each specimen to prevent leakage, and its effects upon the measured stresses were corrected analytically. With this method, the average circumferential and axial stresses could be computed directly from the experimental data. In both directions the average stresses measured displayed two distinct regions: stresses occurring for small diameter changes (physiological pressures) and stresses occurring for large diameter changes (high pressures). The resulting average small strain and large strain stress components were curve-fit separately and, when reassembled, provided a piece-wise model of the stress response of coronary arteries over a wide range of inflation pressures and axial extensions.
Imaging the upper mantle transition zone with a generalized Radon transform of SS precursors

We demonstrate the feasibility of using inverse scattering for high-resolution imaging of discontinuities in the upper mantle beneath oceanic regions (far from sources and receivers) using broadband wavefield observations consisting of SS and its precursors. The generalized Radon transform (GRT) that we developed for this purpose detects (in the broadband data) signals due to scattering from elasticity contrasts in Earth’s mantle. Synthetic tests with realistic source–receiver distributions demonstrate that the GRT is able to detect and image deep mantle interfaces, even in the presence of noise, depth phases (‘ghosts’), phase conversions, and multiples generated by reverberation within the transition zone. As a proof of concept, we apply the GRT to ∼50,000 broadband seismograms to delineate interfaces in the depth range from 300 to 1000 km beneath the northwest Pacific. We account for smooth 3D mantle heterogeneity using first-order perturbation theory and independently obtained global tomography models. The preliminary results reveal laterally continuous (but undulating) scatter zones near 410 and 660 km depth and a weaker, broader, and more complex structure near 520 km depth. The images also suggest the presence of multiple, laterally intermittent interfaces near 350 km and between 800 and 1000 km depth, that is, above and below the transition zone sensu stricto. Filtering of the data (we consider four pass-bands: 20–50 s, 10–50 s, 5–50 s, and 2–50 s) reveals a prominent frequency dependence of the magnitude, width, and complexity of the interfaces, in particular of the scatter zone near 520 km depth; such dependencies may put important constraints on the mineralogy and phase chemistry of the transition zone.
Can “Severity-Intensity” Be the Conceptual Basis of an Alternative Payment Model for Therapy Services Provided Under Medicare?

In its landmark review of the causes and consequences of disability, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) confirmed the importance of rehabilitation in restoring and maintaining quality of life, especially among older adults.1 In an effort to meet the rehabilitation needs of this population, Medicare has covered outpatient therapy services since the enactment of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act in 1965. In 2006, 4.4 million individuals received outpatient therapy services (physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language pathology), representing 9.7% of the 45.5 million beneficiaries receiving Medicare Part B services.2 In its follow-up report, The Future of Disability in America ,3 the IOM further concluded that antiquated policies, which would include those policies undergirding current payment methodology for outpatient rehabilitation services, may delay or interfere with the individual's eventual functioning. In order to achieve payment policies for rehabilitation services that promote quality of life while prudently allocating resources, the concepts underlying these policies should receive the same level of reflection that is now routinely applied to the scientific concepts that support best clinical practice. The purpose of this article is to present and discuss a conceptual basis for an alternative payment system for outpatient therapy services based on the therapist's judgment of severity of the patient's condition and expected intensity of treatment for that condition. Medicare coverage and payment policies are based on the setting in which they are provided; therefore, policies among the various settings may differ significantly. Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient therapy, requires that the services be (1) provided by a skilled professional as defined in the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) qualified provider language, (2) medically necessary (ie, deemed appropriate and effective for the patient's condition), and (3) reasonable in terms of frequency and duration. Services provided to …