cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance of a natural gas engine using variable air composition.

A comparative analysis of nitrogen and oxygen enriched combustion is presented in this paper. Nitrogen enrichment of intake air is proposed as an alternative to Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). NOx reduction by EGR is not very promising due to engine reliability concerns and increased maintenance costs. Air separation membrane, on the other hand, is a potential strategy for NOx reduction due to uncompromised reliability of engine performance. Oxygen-rich and nitrogen-rich streams are produced by passing air through a nonporous polymeric membrane. Nitrogen Enriched Air (NEA) reduces NOx formation by lowering in-cylinder combustion temperatures but with a compromise in Fuel Conversion Efficiency (FCE). However, advanced ignition timing improves FCE considerably. Oxygen Enriched Air (OEA), on the other hand, improves FCE due to the availability of extra oxygen for better combustion which results in higher bulk gas temperatures and NOx emissions. This behavior could be controlled by retarding the ignition timing. Experimental results of nitrogen and oxygen enriched combustion of a Kohler M12 generator (converted to operate with natural gas) is presented in this paper. A 68% reduction in NOx and a 0.8% drop in FCE were observed at −30 ATDC ignition timing (IT) with 2.1% N2 enrichment (40 slpm). A 9% O2 enrichment (40 slpm) at −30 ATDC IT improved FCE by 1% but with higher NOx emissions. The increase in NOx emissions was minimal with a 2% improvement in FCE at −10 ATDC IT and 9% O2 enrichment (40 slpm). Some of the drawbacks encountered were engine misfire at higher concentrations of nitrogen enriched air and retarded ignition timing resulting in poor FCE. This paper discusses both the approaches and highlights the benefits of nitrogen enrichment using an air separation membrane over its counterpart for NOx reduction.© 2005 ASME
Quantum dynamics of a two-state system in a dissipative environment

An analytical study of the dissipative Landau-Zener model is presented. The model where two energy levels at constant speed are brought to cross is a standard model used to describe a large variety of phenomena. In many cases of interest the presence of coupling of the two-state system to an environment is of importance, the accounting for which shall be done here from first principles. Analytical results for the excitation transition from the ground state of the two-state system at large negative times to the excited state at large positive times (as well as the opposite, decay, transition) are obtained in terms of the speed by which the two levels approach each other, the energy gap between the adiabatic energies, the coupling strength to the environment, and its temperature. For the excitation transition we find the following results: In the slow-passage limit of small sweeping speed it is shown that adiabaticity is limited to low temperatures and the quantitative adiabatic criterion is established. Particularly, at zero temperature there is no influence of the environment on the transition probability as a consequence of a compensation property shown to be peculiar to the linear-sweep model. The transition is at low temperatures due to quantum tunneling and, with an increase in temperature, an intermediate region appears where the transition is dominated by thermally assisted transitions across the energy gap before finally at high temperatures a saturated regime is reached with equal population of the levels. In contrast to the dependence on the temperature the dependence of the transition probability as a function of coupling strength is nonmonotonic with maximum influence at intermediate strength. In the fast-passage limit with rapid sweep speed there is no influence of the environment on the transition probability. For the decay transition the adiabatic limit does not exist for the linear-sweep model for physically relevant spectra of the environment and the decay transition is dominated by spontaneous emission, except in the fast-passage limit and the high-temperature limit where the decay transition probability equals the excitation probability.
The Effects of Party- and PAC-Sponsored Issue Advertising and the Potential of Inoculation to Combat its Impact on the Democratic Process

This study examined the effects of issue advertising on candidate preferences and the democratic process, comparing the impact of party-and PAC-sponsored advertising against candidate-sponsored positive and contrast ads. Results revealed that the influence of political advertising varies depending on party affiliation. For Republicans, candidate-sponsored contrast and party-sponsored ads are most influential, but with unaffiliated viewers, candidate-sponsored positive ads are most effective whereas party-sponsored ads are the least persuasive. Effects of political advertising on the democratic system were especially revealing. Results revealed that candidate advertising enhances viewer interest in campaigns and knowledge of candidates and their positions, but that other effects vary based on party affiliation. Finally, the study tested inoculation as an antidote to system-based consequences of issue advertising. Results revealed that inoculation was able to protect viewers against the consequences of part...
Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Appendectomy in Children: Critical Appraisal

Prophylactic antibiotics are widely used during surgery, above all for clean-contaminated or contaminated procedures. Because factors other than the degree of contamination play a critical role in regard to postoperative infectious complications, it is not evident that recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis for an adult population can be transferred to children. The aim of the study was to analyze the incidence of postoperative infections in children undergoing appendectomy for suspected appendicitis to evaluate critically the effectiveness of prophylaxis. The charts of all children undergoing appendectomy between 1988 and 1998 were analyzed. In general, appendectomies were performed without antimicrobial prophylaxis. If a perforated appendicitis was found at operation, antibiotics were given intraoperatively. Postoperative infectious complications were defined as wound infections, intraabdominal infections, or prolonged postoperative pyrexia. During the study period of 10 years, 954 patients underwent appendectomy. In 24% of cases the appendix was perforated. Patients received prophylactic antibiotics at the surgeon's discretion. These patients were excluded from further analysis. Among those with non-perforated appendicitis (n= 633), Infectious complications occurred in 19 (3%). Analyzing subgroups according to histologic diagnosis, the incidence was 4.2% (16/382) for gangrenous appendicitis and 1.2% (3/251) for simple appendicitis or normal appendix. These figures are clearly lower than those reported from an adult population, indicating that results from adults cannot a priori be transferred to children, and that general recommendations concerning antimicrobial prophylaxis must be considered carefully for this age group.
Negative Practice and Desensitization of Anxiety about Examinations

Summary.-30 test-anxious subjects were assigned to two treatment groups for 6 weekly sessions. One group experienced standard group-desensitization of test anxiety while the other group was instructed in negative practice of anxiety responses and satiation of anxiety-producing stimuli. There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups and a control group (N = 15) in grades for the semester preceding treatment. Both treatment groups had significantly higher grades than the control group following treatment. Given negative practice, one group obtained significantly higher grades than the desensitized group. Both treatment groups reported a significant decrease in test anxiety but no such difference was reported by a second control group. Ic is suggested that both negative practice and desensitization might be effective intervention strategies for test anxiety. Dunlap ( 1932) reported success in eliminating several fears through what he called negative practice or over-repetition of the response to be eliminated. More recently, various approaches to extinguishing fear responses have been reported under such rubrics as implosive therapy (Stampfl & Levis, 1967), flooding (Polin, 1959), reactive inhibition therapy (MaUeson, 1959), and paradoxical intention (Frankl, 1960). All of these approaches appear to be based on attempts to allow a fear-evoking stimulus to be over-experienced in the absence of any following aversive stimulus until extinction of the fear response is established. This is achieved by having subjects experience the feared stimulus either in vivo or through imagery on a massed practice schedule without allowing escape behavior. In the area of test anxiety, several studies have reported significant improvement through implosive therapy (Dawley & Wenrich, 1973; Smith & Nye, 1973), although it appears that generally implosive therapy is a less effective procedure than systematic desensitization (Morganstern, 1973; Smith & Nye, 1973). One possible explanation for the difficulties observed with both flooding and implosive therapy as techniques for producing extinction is that, as they are currently employed, their focus is on the satiation of the fear-producing stimulus rather than on extinction of the response of fear. In the present study, a group of test-anxious subjects experienced a regimen of negative practice
Anion Effects on Ionization Efficiency Using Gold Nanoparticles as Matrices for LDI-MS

The effects of NaX and NH4X (X = F, Cl, Br, and I) on 337 nm laser desorption ionization (LDI) ion yields of peptides from size-selected citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are investigated. The presence of NaF, NaCl, NaBr, and NH4X do not significantly affect analyte ion abundances, whereas addition of NaI strongly suppresses analyte ion yields. The LDI ion yields from AuNPs treated with β-mercaptoethanol, glutathione, or tiopronin are much less sensitive to the presence of NaI, suggesting that covalently bound ligands protect the NP from halide adsorption. In addition, peptide [M − H]− ion yields are significantly higher from AuNPs treated with oxyanions (NO3− and SO42−); however, thiolate-functionalized AuNPs do not show increased negative ion yields, suggesting that these ligands also protect the NP surface from oxyanion physisorption. These studies clearly illustrate the sensitivity of AuNPs to the presence of passivating impurities.
Welcome to Portland—Sitting on the Big One

Welcome Seismological Society of America meeting attendees to Portland, Oregon, my hometown! Home of clear blue skies (when it's not raining), the beautiful Willamette (Wil-LAM-ette) and Columbia rivers, creeks and lakes galore, majestic volcanic peaks (look to the north and east if it's a clear day), green trees, trees, and more trees, delicious pinot noirs, and of course, gigantic earthquakes. Not just big earthquakes but gigantic earthquakes, like magnitude ( M ) 9! Trouble is, hardly anyone knows about it. Well, that's not exactly true. A good number of Portlanders, Oregonians, and Pacific Northwesterners know that earthquakes can occur in this corner of the country, but unfortunately the majority of people rarely think about these lurking hazards and certainly have not prepared for them. The biggest and baddest earthquake sits on the doorstep of the Pacific Northwest, or more specifically beneath our beautiful coastline along the Cascadia subduction zone megathrust between the overlying North America plate and the down-going Juan de Fuca plate. The biggest and baddest earthquake sits on the doorstep of the Pacific Northwest, or more specifically beneath our beautiful coastline along the Cascadia subduction zone megathrust between the overlying North America plate and the down-going Juan de Fuca plate. Yet thousands of high-risk buildings such as unreinforced masonry (URM), tilt-up, preseismic code steel-frame, and vulnerable transportation structures still stand, ready to be damaged or to collapse when the next giant megathrust earthquake strikes. It's been more than three centuries since the last M 9 shook the Pacific Northwest in 1700. The event generated a tsunami that swept over the beaches of northern California, Oregon, Washington, southern British Colombia, and even Japan. A repeat of such an event could result in thousands of deaths, particularly along the coastline, with significant damage to infrastructure as far inland as the Willamette Valley …
Essential role of obscurin in cardiac myofibrillogenesis and hypertrophic response: evidence from small interfering RNA-mediated gene silencing

Obscurin is a recently identified giant multidomain muscle protein (∼800 kDa) whose structural and regulatory functions remain to be defined. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of obscurin gene silencing induced by RNA interference on the dynamics of myofibrillogenesis and hypertrophic response to phenylephrine in cultured rat cardiomyocytes. We found that that the adenoviral transfection of short interfering RNA (siRNA) constructs targeting the first coding exon of obscurin sequence resulted in progressive depletion of cellular obscurin. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that downregulation of obscurin expression led to the impaired assembly of new myofibrillar clusters and considerable aberrations of the normal structure of the contractile apparatus. While the establishment of the initial periodic pattern of α-actinin localization remained mainly unaffected in siRNA-transfected cells, obscurin depletion did cause the defective lateral alignment of myofibrillar bundles, leading to their abnormal bifurcation, dispersal and multiple branching. Bending of immature myofibrils, apparently associated with the loss of their rigidity, a modified titin pattern, the absence of well-formed A-bands in newly formed contractile structures as documented by a diffuse localization of sarcomeric myosin labeling, and an occasional irregular periodicity of sarcomere spacing were typical of obscurin siRNA-treated cells. These results suggest that obscurin is indispensable for spatial positioning of contractile proteins and for the structural integration and stabilization of myofibrils, especially at the stage of myosin filament incorporation and A-band assembly. This demonstrates a vital role for obscurin in myofibrillogenesis and hypertrophic growth.
Batf3-Dependent CD11blow/− Peripheral Dendritic Cells Are GM-CSF-Independent and Are Not Required for Th Cell Priming after Subcutaneous Immunization

Dendritic cells (DCs) subsets differ in precursor cell of origin, functional properties, requirements for growth factors, and dependence on transcription factors. Lymphoid-tissue resident CD8α+ conventional DCs (cDCs) and CD11blow/−CD103+ non-lymphoid DCs are developmentally related, each being dependent on FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L), and requiring the transcription factors Batf3, Irf8, and Id2 for development. It was recently suggested that granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was required for the development of dermal CD11blow/−Langerin+CD103+ DCs, and that this dermal DC subset was required for priming autoreactive T cells in experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE). Here, we compared development of peripheral tissue DCs and susceptibility to EAE in GM-CSF receptor deficient (Csf2rb−/−) and Batf3−/− mice. We find that Batf3-dependent dermal CD11blow/−Langerin+ DCs do develop in Csf2rb−/− mice, but that they express reduced, but not absent, levels of CD103. Further, Batf3−/− mice lacking all peripheral CD11blow/− DCs show robust Th cell priming after subcutaneous immunization and are susceptible to EAE. Our results suggest that defective T effector priming and resistance to EAE exhibited by Csf2rb−/− mice does not result from the absence of dermal CD11blow/−Langerin+CD103+ DCs.
Policy responses to external shocks in Sub-Saharan African countries

This paper analyzes the policy-experience of sub-Saharan African countries during the 1973-78 period of external shocks, with distinction made between oil-importing and oil-exporting and, within the first group, between middle-income and low-income, countries. Compared to less developed countries in other regions, the results show greater reliance on import substitution and lesser reliance on export promotion in the oil-importing countries of sub-Saharan Africa and, in particular, in the low-income countries of the region. At the same time, the study has reconfirmed earlier results as to the favorable effects of export promotion in economic growth. Some of the specific topics discussed in the paper include: the balance-of-payments effects of external shocks - terms of trade effects, export volume effects, terms of trade and export volume effects combined; balance-of-payments effects of policies applied - additional net external financing, export promotion, import substitution; import effects of changes in GNP growth rates; an evaluation of policy responses to external shocks - choice of adjustment policies, adjustment policies and economic growth, and factors affecting growth performance.
Identification of an Uptake Hydrogenase Required for Hydrogen-Dependent Reduction of Fe(III) and Other Electron Acceptors by Geobacter sulfurreducens

Geobacter sulfurreducens, a representative of the family Geobacteraceae that predominates in Fe(III)-reducing subsurface environments, can grow by coupling the oxidation of hydrogen to the reduction of a variety of electron acceptors, including Fe(III), fumarate, and quinones. An examination of the G. sulfurreducens genome revealed two operons, hya and hyb, which appeared to encode periplasmically oriented respiratory uptake hydrogenases. In order to assess the roles of these two enzymes in hydrogen-dependent growth, Hya- and Hyb-deficient mutants were generated by gene replacement. Hyb was found to be required for hydrogen-dependent reduction of Fe(III), anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate, and fumarate by resting cell suspensions and to be essential for growth with hydrogen and these three electron acceptors. Hya, in contrast, was not. These findings suggest that Hyb is an essential respiratory hydrogenase in G. sulfurreducens.
The non-radiative efficiency in hydrogenated amorphous silicon

Abstract The non-radiative efficiencyηnr has been directly measured in hydrogenated amorphous silicon using photo-pyroelectric spectroscopy, for photon energies ranging from 1·5 to 2·2 eV at room temperature. The non-radiative efficiency is fairly constant for above-bandgap illumination, but displays a sharp minimum for photon energies near the bandgap energy.ηnr increases with sub-bandgap illumination, saturating at a value roughly one half as large as its high-energy value.
Russia in 2012: From “Thaw” and “Reset” to “Freeze”

Russian history is replete with zig-zags between reform and reaction, ottepel’ (thaw) and moroz (freezing), turns to and from the East and West. The year 2012 marked another zig-zag as Putin returned to the presidency, replacing Medvedev. Medvedev’s presidency saw a “thaw” in Russian politics and improved relations with the West. Putin’s return has largely frozen the thaw and stalled the reset; he has refocused Russian foreign policy to the Asia-Pacific.
The American Worker: Disposable or Indispensable?

Layoffs have become a strategy of first not last resort in American business. Why and when did this occur? What are its consequences for workers, families, communities, and the economy? Can anything be done about it? These are questions Louis Uchitelle takes up in The Disposable American. I discuss his answers and my own views on how to move forward to address the growing pressures on workers and families.
Attack-resistant location estimation in sensor networks

Many sensor network applications require sensors' locations to function correctly. Despite the recent advances, location discovery for sensor networks in hostile environments has been mostly overlooked. Most of the existing localization protocols for sensor networks are vulnerable in hostile environments. The security of location discovery can certainly be enhanced by authentication. However, the possible node compromises and the fact that location determination uses certain physical features (e.g., received signal strength) of radio signals make authentication not as effective as in traditional security applications. This paper presents two methods to tolerate malicious attacks against beacon-based location discovery in sensor networks. The first method filters out malicious beacon signals on the basis of the "consistency" among multiple beacon signals, while the second method tolerates malicious beacon signals by adopting an it era lively refined voting scheme. Both methods can survive malicious attacks even if the attacks bypass authentication, provided that the benign beacon signals constitute the majority of the "consistent" beacon signals. This paper also presents the implementation of these techniques on MICA2 motes running TinyOS, and the evaluation through both simulation and field experiments. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed methods are promising for the current generation of sensor networks.
Method to characterize aquitards above leaky aquifers with water supply wells

Leaky aquifers provide protected drinking water since the aquifer is overlain by an aquitard, and this study develops a method to estimate hydraulic properties of the latter deposit. Steady pumping, supply well shutdowns, and slug tests generate data in adjacent monitoring well clusters that characterize the aquitard. An existing steady model estimates a site-averaged value of the aquitard permeability k if its thickness is known, and this site-averaged estimate may be compared with local k estimates from conventional and extended slug tests. A shutdown attenuation model estimates a local value of the consolidation coefficient CV, which combines with the local k value to specify the compressibility α of the aquitard. The method is illustrated for the Fowl Meadow Aquifer, a stratified drift deposit used as a drinking water supply in eastern Massachusetts (USA), with an overlying silt aquitard of 10 m thickness. Steady data and theory suggest a site-averaged k of 2.3 × 10–17 m2 for the aquitard, while the shutdown attenuation model generates local CV values that vary from 10–5 to 10–3 m2/s. The slug tests yield a local k variation (10–17–10–13 m2) that brackets the site-averaged value, and an α range of 10–9–10–7 Pa–1.
Comparative transport efficiencies of urea analogues through urea transporter UT-B.

Abstract Expression of urea transporter UT-B confers high urea permeability to mammalian erythrocytes. Erythrocyte membranes also permeate various urea analogues, suggesting common transport pathways for urea and structurally similar solutes. In this study, we examined UT-B-facilitated passage of urea analogues and other neutral small solutes by comparing transport properties of wildtype to UT-B-deficient mouse erythrocytes. Stopped-flow light-scattering measurements indicated high UT-B permeability to urea and chemical analogues formamide, acetamide, methylurea, methylformamide, ammonium carbamate, and acrylamide, each with Ps > 5.0 × 10− 6 cm/s at 10 °C. UT-B genetic knockout and phloretin treatment of wildtype erythrocytes similarly reduced urea analogue permeabilities. Strong temperature dependencies of formamide, acetamide, acrylamide and butyramide transport across UT-B-null membranes (Ea > 10 kcal/mol) suggested efficient diffusion of these amides across lipid bilayers. Urea analogues dimethylurea, acryalmide, methylurea, thiourea and methylformamide inhibited UT-B-mediated urea transport by > 60% in the absence of transmembrane analogue gradients, supporting a pore-blocking mechanism of UT-B inhibition. Differential transport efficiencies of urea and its analogues through UT-B provide insight into chemical interactions between neutral solutes and the UT-B pore.
Profiles of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: A person-centered approach to motivation and achievement in middle school

The present study was designed to identify and evaluate naturally-occurring combinations of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Cluster analysis revealed four distinct motivational profiles based on a sample of middle-school students (N = 343): those with high levels of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations (high quantity), low levels of both types of motivation (low quantity), high intrinsic coupled with low extrinsic motivation (good quality) and low intrinsic coupled with high extrinsic motivation (poor quality). Across two time points, students in the good quality cluster received higher grades than their peers in other clusters with poorer quality motivation, even if that motivation was present in high quantities. An examination of shifts in motivational profiles over the course of a school year revealed an intriguing balance of stability and change. Consistent with variable-centered research, movement tended to be away from the good quality and high quantity clusters and toward the poor quality and low quantity clusters.
Conjugation of proteinoid microspheres: a model of primordial communication.

A recent publication (1) showed the formation of specialized junctional structures following contact between proteinoid microspheres (Fig. 1). Small packets of proteinoid materials, called endoparticles, are formed within the microspheres either spontaneously or by appropriate treatment of the solutions. The endoparticles have been shown to pass through junctions connecting microspheres (Fig. 2). Experiments described be­low show the ability of endoparticles to meet across junctions and fuse through the communicative portals. The “recombinant” endoparticles are able to behave as condensation nuclei around which new proteinoid materials are deposited to form normal sized microspheres.
Pseudomonas acquisition in young patients with cystic fibrosis: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management.

Purpose of reviewTo summarize the pathophysiology of, risk factors for, and outcomes of early Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) infection in CF; to review the results of trials of early intervention and to describe treatment options for early Pa infection.Recent findingsChronic lower airway Pa infection i
Acute cranial neuropathies heralding neurosyphilis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient.

Patient: Male, 31 Final Diagnosis: Neurosyphilis Symptoms: Diplopia •facial droop • facial nerve palsy • headache Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Infectious Diseases Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: Symptomatic early neurosyphilis with isolated acute multiple cranial nerves palsy as initial manifestation of HIV infection is very rare. It is caused by direct invasion of the central nervous system by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. Case Report: A 31-year-old African-American homosexual man presented with bilateral hearing loss, constant vertigo, intermittent horizontal diplopia, and bilateral facial droop, which was associated with occipital headache without fever. Neurological examination revealed bilateral vestibulocochlear and facial nerve palsy. On brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after administration of gadolinium, he was found to have extensive isolated basilar meningeal enhancement involving the midbrain, pons along the seven and eight nerves complex bilaterally, consistent with basal meningoencephalitis. Conclusions: Neurosyphilis can present as initial manifestation of HIV infection with early involvement of basal meninges and cranial nerves. It is important to understand that neurosyphilis is still a significant disease with complex neurological presentation. Early diagnosis and treatment of neurosyphilis is crucial due to potential persistent disabilities that can be easily treated or even prevented.
Educating Lone Wolves: Pedagogical Implications of Human Capital Theory

There may be adult educators who wish to alleviate social inequalities but whose practices are wedded to human capital theory In this article, it is argued that educational practices based wholly or partly on human capital theory are unlikely to alleviate social inequities because the theory spawns pedagogical practices that are apolitical, adaptive, and individualistic. By alerting adult educators of the ominous pedagogical implications of human capital theory, it is hoped that they will distance themselves from it and embrace more socially responsible alternatives.
System interconnection of high-density multichip modules

Multi-chip modules (MOM) have recently received much attention because they facilitate high density and speed packaging of electronic systems. MOM''s tradeoffs are examined here for logic and memory subsystems using a newly developed package system simulation methodology. MOM''s are optimized for CMOS technologies using the simulated annealing algorithm. Parameters for optimum MOM designs are shown to separate clearly in the response space. Based on this guidelines for computer system integration with MOM''s are set up.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mechanotransduction: All Signals Point to Cytoskeleton, Matrix, and Integrins

Mechanical stresses modulate cell function by either activating or tuning signal transduction pathways. Mechanotransduction, the process by which cells convert mechanical stimuli into a chemical response, occurs both in cells specialized for sensing mechanical cues and in parenchymal cells whose primary function is not mechanosensory. However, common among the various responses to mechanical stress is the importance of direct or indirect connections between the internal cytoskeleton, the extracellular matrix (ECM), and traditional signal transducing molecules. In many instances, these elements converge at focal adhesions, sites of structural attachment between the cytoskeleton and ECM that are anchored by cell surface integrin receptors. Alenghat and Ingber discuss the accumulating evidence for the central role of cytoskeleton, ECM, and integrin-anchored focal adhesions in several mechanotransduction pathways.
Note-On MRP Lot Sizing

In this Note we present an alternative formulation to the MRP lot sizing model of Steinberg and Napier SN Steinberg, E., H. A. Napier. 1980. Optimal multi-level lot sizing for requirements planning systems. Management Sci.26 2 1258-1271.. The alternative is more parsimonious and the notation less cumbersome. We also point out several errors in the formulation of the SN model which are significant for future research.
Measuring environmental uncertainties in a study of the impact of information technology on organizational communication patterns

Uncertainty caused by the unpredictability of external environments has been shown to have a number of effects on the structure and communication patterns of organizations. However, uncertainty can also be a consequence of actions taken within the internal environment of a company. Additionally, the adoption of information technology (IT), with broad "reach" and "range", can similarly affect the functioning of an organization. This study attempts to measure and assess the impact of these three variables-environmental uncertainty both external and internal; intensity of lT usage; and organizational communication patterns. Five Korean companies as well as three American companies operating in Korea are used as research sites and significant results are obtained. >
Effects of Particle Concentration in CMP

This paper reports on characterization of the surface coverage of particles by in-situ lateral friction force measurement during chemical mechanical polishing. The lateral friction force apparatus was made to operate close to real CMP conditions. For these experiments a sapphire wafer of constant surface roughness was used. For both 2psi and 4psi down force we observed increase in lateral friction forces with increasing solid loading. The lateral friction forces have been found to be significantly dependent on the contact area at the wafer-pad-slurry interface, thus showing that in-situ dynamic friction force changes in the surface coverage of particles. From these results, we conclude that the enhancement of frictional force is due to increased contact area at the wafer-pad-slurry interfaces. The lateral friction force measurement can provide an understanding of wafer-pad-slurry interactions.
Differential gene expression in liposarcoma, lipoma, and adipose tissue.

Malignant transformation is thought to be associated with changes in the expression of a number of genes, and this alteration in gene expression is felt to be critical to the development of the mal...
Strategic Planning for Regulated Companies

SUMMARY The need for strategic planning by firms to achieve an alignment vvith their environment is widely recognized. Various studie.'^ have analysed the structures and strategic processes utilized b> t'lrms in their altetnpts to eslahlish domains and attain goals. Yet the problems faced by firms in regulated environments by and large have been ignored. This paper examines the c.-itical differences found in regulated environments that aflect strategic planning. Propositions which can serve as the hasis of future empirical research arc offered and a theoretical .'"ranfiework in which to view the regulated industry situation is developed.
Annual growth patterns in the inner shell layer of Mytilus edulis L.

INTRODUCTIONMolluscan age determination has long been the subject of both biological and paleonto-logical research (Mossop, 1922 a, b; Haskin, 1954; Merrill, Posgay & Nichy, 1965; Andrews, 1972). Several workers have listed difficulties associated with traditional methods of determining the age of an organism based upon surface shell morphology (Pannella & MacClintock, 1968; Farrow, 1971, 1972; Berry, 1971). Others, such as Craig & Hallum (1963) have attempted, with moderate success, to circumvent these problems statistically by using size-frequency relationships, but such methods are of little value in age analysis of isolated individuals. The principal difficulty encountered in shell surface analyses arises from an inability to distinguish spawning and disturbance lines from annual marks. Problems associated with this separation have been reduced over the past decade by the discovery of daily and tidal periodicity structures within the shells of numerous Recent and fossil species of pelecypods (Barker, 1964,1970; Pannella & MacClintock, 1968; Clark, 1968; House & Farrow, 1968; Farrow, 1971, 1972). The biological and paleontological significance of such growth increments have been discussed at length by Pannella & MacClintock (1968), Barker (1970), and Clark (1974). When present in continuous sequences, these periodicity structures facilitate an accurate age determination of individual specimens.
Abnormal control of ventilation in high-altitude pulmonary edema

We wished to determine the role of hypoxic chemosensitivity in high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) by studying persons when ill and upon recovery. We studied seven males with HAPE and seventeen co...
Stabilization of α-Helices by Dipole−Dipole Interactions within α-Helices

Including solvation effects (in the Poisson−Boltzmann continuum solvent approximation) we report ab initio quantum mechanical calculations (HF/6-31G**) on the conformational energies for adding alanine to the amino or carboxyl terminus of a polyalanine α-helix as a function of helix length N. We find that extending the length of an α-helix increasingly favors the α-helix conformation for adding an additional residue, even in hydrophobic environment. Thus, α-helix formation is a cooperative process. Using charges from the QM calculations, we find that the electrostatic energy dominates the QM results, showing that this increasing preference for α-helix formation results from dipole−dipole interaction within the α-helix. These results provide quantitative preferences and insight into the conformational preferences and kinetics of protein folding.
Organic Chemistry and the Native Plants of the Sonoran Desert: Conversion of Jojoba Oil to Biodiesel.

A new, general approach to the organic chemistry laboratory is introduced that is based on learning about organic chemistry techniques and research methods by exploring the natural products found in local native plants. As an example of this approach for the Sonoran desert region, the extraction of jojoba oil and its transesterification to biodiesel are presented. The oil of jojoba seeds contains a large quantity of wax esters that are smoothly converted to biodiesel using various methods. The biodiesel is isolated using preparative thin layer chromatography, and infrared and NMR spectroscopies are used to evaluate the product. Either traditional expository (“cookbook”) or guided inquiry approaches may be used.
Deficient CDKN2B Expression: A Double Hit for PAD.

In 2007, multiple independent groups, using genome-wide association studies, made a significant breakthrough in the field of cardiovascular genetics when they identified a coronary artery disease risk locus on chromosome 9p21. Subsequently, additional studies examining a wide variety of patient cohorts have linked single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within chromosome 9p21 to several cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, stroke, aneurysms, and peripheral artery disease (PAD).1 Importantly and perhaps unexpectedly, genetic variation at chromosome 9p21 has been shown to modify PAD risk independent of conventional atherosclerotic risk factors or pre-existent myocardial infarction.2,3 Although rates of coronary artery disease and first myocardial infarction may be decreasing,4 PAD is showing no evidence of a decline, and with roughly 1/5 of the population carrying 2 copies of the 9p21 risk allele,5 a role for this locus in PAD pathogenesis is intriguing. Article, see p 230 Enthusiasm over chromosome 9p21 was tempered by the reality that the roughly 58-kb haplotype block identified by the aforementioned genome-wide association studies lies within a region devoid of any protein-coding genes. The closest protein-coding genes lie a few kilobase proximal as part of the INK4/ARF locus.1 This locus contains the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKNs), CDKN2A and CDKN2B, as well as p14/ARF, a splice variant of CDKN2A. Could one of these genes be responsible for increased cardiovascular disease risk linked to the 9p21 locus? Previous studies investigating CDKN2B have been promising, as its expression has been shown to be reduced in atherosclerotic plaques in human carriers of the 9p21 risk allele.6 In extending this knowledge, studies by Deloukas et al6 and Leeper et al7 used CDKN2B−/− mice to demonstrate increased smooth muscle cell (SMC) apoptosis and decreased SMC phagocytic clearance in mouse models of aneurysm and atherosclerosis, respectively. In the study …
Radiomics: a new application from established techniques

ABSTRACTThe increasing use of biomarkers in cancer have led to the concept of personalized medicine for patients. Personalized medicine provides better diagnosis and treatment options available to clinicians. Radiological imaging techniques provide an opportunity to deliver unique data on different types of tissue. However, obtaining useful information from all radiological data is challenging in the era of ‘big data’. Recent advances in computational power and the use of genomics have generated a new area of research termed Radiomics. Radiomics is defined as the high throughput extraction of quantitative imaging features or texture (radiomics) from imaging to decode tissue pathology and creating a high dimensional data set for feature extraction. Radiomic features provide information about the gray-scale patterns, inter-pixel relationships. In addition, shape and spectral properties can be extracted within the same regions of interest on radiological images. Moreover, these features can be further used t...
Functionalization of Complexed N2O in Bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) Systems of Zirconium and Titanium.

Methyl triflate reacts with the metastable azoxymetallacyclopentene complex Cp*2Zr(N(O)NCPhCPh), generated in situ from nitrous oxide insertion into the Zr–C bond of Cp*2Zr(η2-PhCCPh) at −78 °C, to afford the salt [Cp*2Zr(N(O)N(Me)CPhCPh)][O3SCF3] (1) in 48% isolated yield. A single-crystal X-ray structure of 1 features a planar azoxymetallacycle with methyl alkylation taking place only at the β-nitrogen position of the former Zr(N(O)NCPhCPh) scaffold. In addition to 1, the methoxy-triflato complex Cp*2Zr(OMe)(O3SCF3) (2) was also isolated from the reaction mixture in 26% yield and fully characterized, including its independent synthesis from the alkylation of Cp*2Zr═O(NC5H5) with MeO3SCF3. Complex 2 could also be observed, spectroscopically, from the thermolysis of 1 (80 °C, 2 days). In contrast to Cp*2Zr(N(O)NPhCCPh), the more stable titanium N2O-inserted analogue, Cp*2Ti(N(O)NCPhCPh), reacts with MeO3SCF3 to afford a 1:1 mixture of regioisomeric salts, [Cp*2Ti(N(O)N(Me)CPhCPh)][O3SCF3] (3) and [Cp*2Ti(...
The Role of Phagocytosis in Natural and Acquired Immunity in Avian Malaria

The procedure of injecting various foreign materials into animals to determine the significance of phagocytosis and other macrophage functions in relation to resistance to infection has had many applications (see e.g., Gay'). In thework reported here a suitable technic of blockading the macrophages was found and applied in order to elucidate further the role of phagocytosis in bird malaria as first studied in relation to
A Short Proof of Marczewski's Separability Theorem

(1969). A Short Proof of Marczewski's Separability Theorem. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 76, No. 9, pp. 1041-1042.
Taeniothrips Gladioli M. & S., A New Pest of Gladiolus

This paper consists of a description of the injury to gladiolus caused by a recently described species of thrips, Taeniothrips gladioli M. & S. Information concerning its distribution, notes on the life history and habits of the several stages of this thrips, and suggestions for its control are given.
Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) for the Rapid Detectionof Malachite Green (MG) in Aquaculture and Aquatic Products

Based on the Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering(SERS) technology,portable Raman spectrometer was applied to rapid detection of malachite green(MG) contained in water samples from aquaculture and transportation of aquatic products.Employing the characteristic peaks located at 432～437 cm～(-1),1166～1170 cm～(-1) and their intensity,qualification and semi-quantification of MG can be accomplished with the detection limit of 5.0 μg/L.No interference with the detection of MG has been found among common nitrogen compounds(urea,sodium nitrite) and sea salt.Process for each sample,from sample preparation to result indication,can be finished within 3 minutes.
Research Progress of Grape Seed Proncyanidins Extract and Its Application in Chinese Health Foods

Grape seed proncyanidins extract (GSPE) has been used widely in the fields of foods, medicines and cosmetics because of its remarkable bioacitivities,such as antioxidant property, cardiovascular protective action, antimutagenic action, et al. In this view, the research progress in its structure, preparation, determination methods, biological acitivities and safety were summarized, and its application and problems in Chinese health foods were also analyzed.
Automated estimation of OCT confocal function parameters from two B-scans

We present a method for automatically determining the confocal function parameters of an OCT system for quantification of the attenuation coefficient in B-scans.
Efficacy of long-acting, injectable versus oral naltrexone for preventing admissions for alcohol use disorder.

Abstract Introduction: Approximately 17 million Americans and 300 000 veterans have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Both oral naltrexone (NTX) and long-acting, injectable naltrexone (LAI NTX) are FDA-approved to treat AUD. LAI NTX is often reserved for patients with adherence concerns due to considerable differences in drug cost and administration requirements. To date, there are no randomized trials comparing efficacy of LAI NTX to oral NTX. This retrospective cohort study compared clinical outcomes in veterans treated with LAI NTX or oral NTX. Methods: Health care utilization in veterans at 1 Veterans Affairs facility treated for AUD with oral NTX and LAI NTX was compared. The primary outcome was 90-day alcohol-related hospital admissions per patient (ARA90). Secondary outcomes included 90-day outpatient clinic and emergency department visits and 30-day alcohol-related admissions (ARA30). Inclusion criteria included first-time prescription of NTX for AUD from January 1, 2015, through December 1, 2015. Ve...
Automated problem list generation and physicians perspective from a pilot study.

Abstract Objective An accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date problem list can help clinicians provide patient-centered care. Unfortunately, problem lists created and maintained in electronic health records by providers tend to be inaccurate, duplicative and out of date. With advances in machine learning and natural language processing, it is possible to automatically generate a problem list from the data in the EHR and keep it current. In this paper, we describe an automated problem list generation method and report on insights from a pilot study of physicians’ assessment of the generated problem lists compared to existing providers-curated problem lists in an institution’s EHR system. Materials and methods The natural language processing and machine learning-based Watson 1 method models clinical thinking in identifying a patient’s problem list using clinical notes and structured data. This pilot study assessed the Watson method and included 15 randomly selected, de-identified patient records from a large healthcare system that were each planned to be reviewed by at least two internal medicine physicians. The physicians created their own problem lists, and then evaluated the overall usefulness of their own problem lists (P), Watson generated problem lists (W), and the existing EHR problem lists (E) on a 10-point scale. The primary outcome was pairwise comparisons of P, W, and E. Results Six out of the 10 invited physicians completed 27 assessments of P, W, and E, and in process evaluated 732 Watson generated problems and 444 problems in the EHR system. As expected, physicians rated their own lists, P, highest. However, W was rated higher than E. Among 89% of assessments, Watson identified at least one important problem that physicians missed. Conclusion Cognitive computing systems like this Watson system hold the potential for accurate, problem-list-centered summarization of patient records, potentially leading to increased efficiency, better clinical decision support, and improved quality of patient care.
Presence-Absence Discrimination Training on a Line-Length Dimension

3 pigeons were trained to discriminate the presence (S+) of a horizontal line with vertical lines on each end from its absence (S−). The only effect of discrimination training was to steepen post-discrimination generalizations gradients. 3 other birds were trained on the same discrimination except the S+ had no end lines. Post-discrimination generalization gradients for these birds become much flatter and indicated an area shift, if not a peak shift. The conclusion about the differences for groups on the generalization tests was that the total area of the figure created by the S+ with end lines was the stimulus dimension that acquired stimulus control, and not simply the line-length dimension.
Notes on a Critical Edition of Para las seis cuerdas by Jorge Luis Borges

Jorge Luis Borges orchestrated the canonization of his work, culminating in his Obras completas. The traces of this editorial endeavor are effaced in what Borges conceived as his complete works. The analysis of the various editions of Para las seis cuerdas demonstrates that the rationale behind the editorial changes is a conscious effort to present a collection of milongas with a coherent vision of a homeric Argentinian past. Only a critical edition of Borgian texts would provide the basis for the study of the complex creative process and fissures in the canonic text which the author concealed in his Obras completas.