cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vocational Rehabilitation Program Evaluation: Comparison Group Challenges and the Role of Unmeasured Return-to-Work Expectations

Purpose Despite the importance and cost of workers’ compensation (WC)-based vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs, outcome evaluations are rare, in part due to the scarcity of suitable comparison groups. The aims of this study were to assess (1) the adequacy of a commonly recommended internal comparison group, i.e., workers who were eligible for but did not receive services, and (2) return-to-work (RTW) expectations as a potential source of bias. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we used WC claims data and worker-reported RTW expectations to compare workers who received vocational retraining services to eligible workers who did not receive such services. Workers were surveyed after retraining eligibility determination, prior to the initiation of retraining activities. VR progress and RTW wage outcomes were followed for 3 years. The magnitude of confounding contributed by RTW expectations and other covariates was quantified. Results Workers who were somewhat or very certain they would RTW had significantly better outcomes. RTW expectations played a strong confounding role, reducing the retraining plan effect estimate by about 23 %, while education and physical capacity each changed the effect estimate by <5 %. Conclusions RTW expectations predicted long-term RTW outcomes and can play a strong confounding role if unmeasured. We found that the internal comparison group approach, commonly recommended for VR program evaluation, is inappropriate for WC-based VR evaluations. Ultimately, there is no simple solution to the challenge of identifying a comparison group; however, measurement of RTW expectations, an easily-measured multi-dimensional construct, may be a useful addition to the VR evaluation toolbox.
Magnitude and variability of Holocene sediment accumulation in Santa Monica Bay, California

Abstract The spatial variability of Holocene (past 10,000 years) sediment accumulation in Santa Monica Bay (California) was examined to identify controls sediment trapping in a bathymetrically complex coastal embayment and to provide geologic context for the post-industrial sedimentary record and associated pollution gradients. Sediment chronologies based on downcore AMS 14C dates were used to quantify long-term (millennia) accumulation rates in an effort to elucidate particle-transport pathways and sinks. Sediment accumulation rates for the full range of bayfloor environments (50–630 m water depths) range from 22 to 102 mg/cm2/year (15–88 mm/100 year), have an overall mean of 51±21 mg/cm2/year (1σ, n=11), and are comparable to rates reported for adjacent borderland basins. Maximal accumulation rates on the Malibu shelf and within a reentrant to Redondo canyon are interpreted to reflect (1) proximity to sediment sources and (2) localized oceanographic and topographic conditions conducive to sediment trapping and deposition. The 14C-derived accumulation rates are 2–10 times lower than rates determined through 210Pb geochronology for the same sites in a related study, revealing that Holocene sediment accumulation has been non-steady-state. Santa Monica Bay is an important sink for suspended matter; averaged over the past several millennia a mass of sediment equivalent to 10–80% of the modern annual river supply is sequestered yearly. Net influx of suspended matter derived from the adjacent Palos Verdes shelf is evinced by a concentration gradient of p,p′-DDE in bayfloor sediments, whereas the distribution of anthropogenic silver suggests transport from Santa Monica shelf to the southeastern boundary of the bay. The results of this study provide new insight to the long-term fates of particulate matter in Los Angeles coastal waters.
Parallel Greedy Genetic Algorithm for Job Scheduling in Cluster Enviornments

Recently, many scientific researchers and applications work on large amounts of data or use high performance computing resources. A high performance cluster is developed to handle massively parallel processes. To manage the resources for dynamic requests with optimal usage, we have to maximize the utilization rate of clusters. In this paper we provide a parallel genetic algorithm to schedule the jobs for different classes of clusters. The greedy approach is used to create an initial population for the genetic algorithm. We applied the master/slave method in parallelism to manage the schedulers and improve the performance of the main scheduler. Analyzing the complexity of the algorithm shows that it can be more efficient than similar algorithms.
Practical challenges and strategies for randomised control trials in agricultural extension and other development programmes.

Randomised control trials (RCTs) can yield information about the effectiveness of agricultural extension and other development programmes, facilitating cost–benefit analyses and policy decisions under resource constraints. However, even after RCT design questions have been settled, a number of other practical challenges to successful RCTs remain. As a guide to those interested in applying RCTs more extensively, we outline several ethical, organisational, design and field-based challenges for RCTs, along with potential strategies for mitigating the challenges. We provide illustrations from our experience of an RCT of the Community Knowledge Worker programme, a novel agricultural extension model in Uganda.
The future-orientation of memory: planning as a key component mediating the high levels of recall found with survival processing.

In a series of papers, Nairne and colleagues have demonstrated that tasks encouraging participants to judge words for relevance to survival led to better recall than did tasks lacking survival relevance. Klein, Robertson, and Delton (2010) presented data suggesting that the future-directed temporal orientation of the survival task (e.g., planning), rather than survival per se, accounts for the good recall found with the task. In the present studies we manipulated the amount of survival and planning processing encouraged by a set of encoding tasks. Participants performed tasks that encouraged processing stimuli for their relevance to (a) both survival and planning, (b) planning, but not survival, or (c) survival but not planning. We predicted, and found, that recall performance associated with tasks encouraging planning (i.e., survival with planning and planning without survival) should exceed tasks that encouraged survival but not planning (i.e., survival without planning). We draw several conclusions. First, planning is a necessary component of the superior recall found in the survival paradigm. Second, memory, from an evolutionary perspective, is inherently prospective—tailored by natural selection to support future decisions and judgements that cannot be known in advance with certainty.
Evaluation of nighttime imaging limits of visible near-infrared Earth observation platforms

A subset of the existing NASA and NOAA families of Earth observation imaging platforms currently on orbit (Landsat 7, Advanced Land Imager (ALI), and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Operational Line Scanner) have a primary mission of imaging the Earth's landforms during the daylight hours. All three systems are capable of nighttime imaging operations, however this capability of Landsat and ALI is not frequently utilized due to lack of utility in the resulting data products. Many researchers have published science results on focused problems such as volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and urban settlement mapping. In this work we present a first-principles based radiometric framework for quantifying the capability of such imaging platforms for detecting the presence of boats in open waters taking into consideration the interaction between the boat and water surfaces. The low-level radiometric modeling is performed using both the DIRSIG software tool and MODTRAN, in conjunction with freely available boat geometric models, incandescent lamp spectra, and a randomly rough sea surface geometry. The resulting performance metric represents the minimum wattage of one or more incandescent illuminants that might be detected above the system noise floor for a variety of imaging geometries. © (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The initial positive potential of the human scalp-recorded somatosensory evoked response

Abstract The distribution of the initial positive potential of the human scalp-recorded somatosensory evoked response to median nerve stimulation was investigated in fourteen normal adults using both referential and bipolar recording techniques. This potential was widely distributed over the scalp. In the central-coronal plane it was most prominent at midline and at parasaggital recording locations contralateral to the stimulated median nerve. The side of its potential maxima could be shifted from left to right by stimulating the right or left median nerve, respectively. In the anterior-posterior plane, its distribution was more variable, but in most subjects it was greatest at posterior frontal-parietal locations. The distribution of this potential does not suggest an extracranial origin as its primary source. Corneal-retinal potentials and extra-ocular muscle potentials would be expected to yield different distributions. Potentials associated with respiration or the electrocardiogram would not be expected to shift sides of maximal response over the scalp when the side of peripheral nerve stimulation is changed. Responses associated with startle reactions have longer latencies than this potential. The distribution and latency of the initial positive potential is different from that of scalp-recorded somatomotor responses. Its distribution favors an intracranial origin and, with its positive polarity and short latency, would be compatible with a response originating in subcortical regions. An evoked response to median nerve stimulation was also recorded over the neck. It consisted of a triphasic potential, initially positive, which increased progressively in latency at more rostral nuchal recording locations. This suggests that this response is generated in spinal cord afferent pathways and may be dorsal column in origin.
PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH THWARTED IN ANOXIC TURTLE BRAIN

![Figure][1] The brains of most vertebrates, mammals especially, are extremely sensitive to a lack of oxygen. Within a few minutes of oxygen deprivation induced by lack of blood flow (ischemia, stroke) mammalian neurons experience a massive loss of ATP, loss of mitochondrial integrity,
Methodological Considerations for Micro Studies of UNIA Divisions Some Notes Calling on an Ethno-Historical Analysis

This article explores various analytical and interpretive tools and historical methods and techniques of historical research and writing for conducting research on local Garveyism and the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL). The article suggests a new framework that could be used to ably describe, interpret, and evaluate a micro-level analysis of UNIA-ACL divisions of the 1920s and 30s. In an effort to increase knowledge about the role and impact of the Garvey Movement in the United States, the article suggests some methodological considerations.
Nonintrusive precision instrumentation of microcontroller software

Debugging, testing, and profiling microcontroller programs are notoriously difficult. The lack of supporting software such as an operating system, a narrow interface to the hardware chip, and delicately timed sequences of code present significant challenges which can be exacerbated by the presence of additional debugging or profiling code. In this paper we present a solution to the precision instrumentation problem for microcontroller code that is based upon our open, flexible simulator framework, Avrora. Our simulator preserves all timing and behavior of the instrumented program while allowing precision measurement of application-specific quantities.
Mild hypothermia protects the spinal cord from ischemic injury in a chronic porcine model.

Objectives: During thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, prolonged compromise of spinal cord blood supply can result in irreversible spinal cord injury. This study investigated the impact of mild hypothermia during aortic cross-clamping on postoperative paraplegia in a chronic porcine model. Methods: The thoracic aorta was exposed and cross-clamped in 30 juvenile pigs (20 – 22 kg) for different intervals at normothermia (36.5 8C), and during mild hypothermia (32.0 8C). Three pigs were evaluated at each time and temperature. Myogenic motorevoked potentials (MEPs) were monitored, and postoperative recovery evaluated using a modified Tarlov score. Results: There were no significant hemodynamic or metabolic differences between individual animals, and the groups had equivalent arterial pressures (mean 64.3 ^ 3.6 mmHg). Time to recovery of MEPs correlated with severity of injury; all animals with irreversible MEP loss suffered postoperative paraplegia. At normothermia, animals with 20 min of aortic cross-clamping emerged with normal motor function, but those cross-clamped for 30 min suffered paraplegia. With mild hypothermia, animals tolerated 50 min of aortic cross-clamping without evidence of neurologic injury, but were all paraplegic after 70 min of ischemia. Animals appeared to recover normal motor function after 60 min of aortic cross-clamping at hypothermia initially, but exhibited delayed-onset paraplegia 36 h postoperatively. Conclusions: Our observations indicate that mild hypothermia dramatically increases the tolerance of the spinal cord to ischemia in the pig, and therefore suggests that cooling to 32.0 8C should be encouraged during surgery which may compromise spinal cord blood supply. An ischemic insult of borderline severity may result in delayed paraplegia. q 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Up-regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 by apigenin leads to growth inhibition and apoptosis of 22Rv1 xenograft in athymic nude mice

Epidemiological studies suggest that increased intake of fruits and vegetables may be associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Apigenin (4', 5, 7,-trihydroxyflavone), a common dietary flavonoid abundantly present in fruits and vegetables, has shown remarkable anti-proliferative effects against various malignant cell lines. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be elucidated. We investigated the in vivo growth inhibitory effects of apigenin on androgen-sensitive human prostate carcinoma 22Rv1 tumor xenograft subcutaneously implanted in athymic male nude mice. Apigenin was administered to mice by gavage at doses of 20 and 50 mug/mouse/day in 0.2 ml of a vehicle containing 0.5% methyl cellulose and 0.025% Tween 20 in two different protocols. In the first protocol, apigenin was administered for 2 wk before inoculation of tumor and was continued for 8 wk, resulting in significant inhibition of tumor volume by 44 and 59% (P<0.002 and 0.0001), and wet weight of tumor by 41 and 53% (P<0.05), respectively. In the second protocol, administration of apigenin began 2 wk after tumor inoculation and continued for 8 wk; tumor volume and wet weights of tumor were reduced by 39 and 53% (P<0.01 and 0.002) and 31 and 42% (P<0.05), respectively. The tumor inhibitory effect of apigenin was more pronounced in the first protocol of extended treatment, which was associated with increased accumulation of human IGFBP-3 in mouse serum along with significant increase in IGFBP-3 mRNA and protein expression in tumor xenograft. Apigenin intake by these mice also resulted in simultaneous decrease in serum IGF-I levels and induction of apoptosis in tumor xenograft. Importantly, tumor growth inhibition, induction of apoptosis, and accumulation of IGFBP-3 correlated with increasing serum and tumor apigenin levels. In both studies, animals did not exhibit any signs of toxicity or reduced food consumption. In cell culture studies, apigenin treatment resulted in cell growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis, which correlated with increased accumulation of IGFBP-3 in culture medium and cell lysate. These effects were associated with significant reduction in IGF-I secretion; inhibition of IGF-I-induced cell cycle progression and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) tyrosine phosphorylation, along with an increase in sub-G1 peak by apigenin. Further, treatment of cells with IGFBP-3 antisense oligonucleotide reversed these effects and attenuated apigenin-mediated inhibition of IRS-1 phosphorylation conferring inhibitory effects of apigenin on IGF-signaling. This study presents the first evidence that the in vitro and in vivo growth inhibitory effects of apigenin involve modulation of IGF-axis signaling in prostate cancer.
Time course of the MAPK and PI3-kinase response within 24 h of skeletal muscle overload

Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms by which skeletal muscle hypertrophies in response to increased mechanical loading may lead to the discovery of novel treatment strategies for muscle wasting and frailty. To gain insight into potential early signaling mechanisms associated with skeletal muscle hypertrophy, the temporal pattern of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) activity during the first 24 h of muscle overload was determined in the rat slow-twitch soleus and fast-twitch plantaris muscles after ablation of the gastrocnemius muscle. p38alpha MAPK phosphorylation was elevated for the entire 24-h overload period in both muscles. In contrast, Erk 2 and p54 JNK phosphorylation were transiently increased by overload, returning to the levels of sham-operated controls by 24 h. PI3-kinase activity was increased by muscle overload only at 12 h of overload and only in the plantaris muscle. In summary, sustained elevation of p38alpha MAPK phosphorylation occurred early in response to muscle overload, identifying this pathway as a potential candidate for mediating early hypertrophic signals in response to skeletal muscle overload.
An effective reinduction regimen for first relapse of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Current salvage regimens achieve complete remission (CR) in about a third of adults with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and this represents a major barrier for performing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), the only potentially curative treatment. We conducted in adults with first relapse of ALL, a prospective clinical trial with intensive regimen derived from the pediatric Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster-85 protocol, with addition of a continuous infusional multi-agent chemotherapy in phase II induction followed by consolidation with alternating monthly cycles. Objectives of this study included CR rate, leukemia-free survival (LFS) and toxicity of the regimen in adults. We report the outcome of 19 patients (19–51 years of age) treated prospectively on the study, as well as a subsequent cohort of 31 patients (18–53 years of age) treated off the study. Thirteen of 19 (68 %) patients from the initial prospective study achieved CR, and the median overall survival (OS) of these 13 CR patients was 10.3 months. The median OS and LFS of all 19 patients were 5.6 and 4.3 months, respectively. The regimen was well tolerated, and no grade 4 non-hematological toxicity was observed. Of the 31 patients treated off the study and analyzed retrospectively, 16 (52 %) achieved CR. After including all 50 patients, the CR rate was 58 %. The regimen used in this trial appears to be feasible and effective salvage therapy option for adult patients younger than age 55 with relapsed ALL, produced a high CR rate and could facilitate subsequent allogeneic HSCT.
Changing Mallampati score during labour

We present the case of a changing Mallampati score during the course of labour in a healthy primigravida. On admission to hospital, the airway was assessed as Mallampati class I–II. At 5 cm cervical dilation, the woman began to bear down strenuously and continued this despite being advised of the inherent hazard. At 8 cm dilation, Caesarean delivery was contemplated because of fetal heart rate decelerations. Repeat airway evaluation revealed marked oedema of the lower pharynx giving rise to a Mallampati score of III–IV. Improvement of the fetal heart rate tracing permitted vaginal delivery under local infiltration. Postpartum, the Mallampati score was still III–IV However, 12 hr later it had returned to the admission classification of I–II. We recommend that, in addition to the usual airway evaluation on admission, the assessment be repeated in the obstetric patient before induction of general anaesthesia.
ERP implementation in rural health care

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems provide organizations with the opportunity to integrate individual, functionally‐oriented information systems. Although much of the focus in the popular press has been placed on ERP systems in large for‐profit organizations, small hospitals and clinics are candidates for ERP systems. Focusing information systems on critical success factors (CSFs) allows the organization to address a limited number of areas associated with performance. This limited number of factors can provide management with an insight into dimensions of information that must be addressed by a system. Focuses on CSFs for small health‐care organizations. In addition, also considers factors critical to the implementation of health‐care information systems. Presents two cases. The results indicate support for the continuing use of CSFs to help focus on the benefits of ERPs. Focusing on groups of tangible and intangible benefits can also assist the rural health‐care organization in the use of ERPs.
Targeting of androgen receptor in bone reveals a lack of androgen anabolic action and inhibition of osteogenesis: a model for compartment-specific androgen action in the skeleton.

Abstract Androgens are anabolic hormones that affect many tissues, including bone. However, an anabolic effect of androgen treatment on bone in eugonadal subjects has not been observed and clinical trials have been disappointing. The androgen receptor (AR) mediates biological responses to androgens. In bone tissue, both AR and the estrogen receptor (ER) are expressed. Since androgens can be converted into estrogen, the specific role of the AR in maintenance of skeletal homoeostasis remains controversial. The goal of this study was to use skeletally targeted overexpression of AR in differentiated osteoblasts as a means of elucidating the specific role(s) for AR transactivation in the mature bone compartment. Transgenic mice overexpressing AR under the control of the 2.3-kb α1(I)-collagen promoter fragment showed no difference in body composition, testosterone, or 17s-estradiol levels. However, transgenic males have reduced serum osteocalcin, CTx and TRAPC5b levels, and a bone phenotype was observed. In cortical bone, high-resolution micro-computed tomography revealed no difference in periosteal perimeter but a significant reduction in cortical bone area due to an enlarged marrow cavity. Endocortical bone formation rate was also significantly inhibited. Biomechanical analyses showed decreased whole bone strength and quality, with significant reductions in all parameters tested. Trabecular morphology was altered, with increased bone volume comprised of more trabeculae that were closer together but not thicker. Expression of genes involved in bone formation and bone resorption was significantly reduced. The consequences of androgen action are compartment-specific; anabolic effects are exhibited exclusively at periosteal surfaces, but in mature osteoblasts androgens inhibited osteogenesis with detrimental effects on matrix quality, bone fragility and whole bone strength. Thus, the present data demonstrate that enhanced androgen signaling targeted to bone results in low bone turnover and inhibition of bone formation by differentiated osteoblasts. These results indicate that direct androgen action in mature osteoblasts is not anabolic, and raise concerns regarding anabolic steroid abuse in the developing skeleton or high-dose treatment in eugonadal adults.
The Resourceful Believer: Generating Civic Skills in Church

We investigate the conditions under which members practice politically relevant civic skills in church, generating a base of resourceful citizens equipped for political activity. Previous research has considered congregations to be black boxes, with sometimes unspecified and almost always untested processes operating to encourage civic skill development. In contrast, we conceptualize churches as diverse organizations and find evidence that the social homogeneity of church-based small groups allows for greater individual skill development. Moreover, members direct their energies toward the church and skill development when they are socially isolated from their communities. We also test the efficacy of clergy to promote skill development, finding mixed evidence. Overall, we find considerable support justifying the decision to open the black box and investigate the varied ways in which churches promote the acquisition of civic skills.
Variability in the measurement of human ventricular refractoriness.

KADISH, A.H., ET AL.: Variability in the Measurement of Human Ventricular Refractoriness. The degree of variability in ventricular refractoriness and factors potentially affecting this variability were evaluated in 80 patients undergoing an electrophysiological study. Each of seven variables fstimulation current, coupling interval ofthe basic drive train to spontaneous rhythm, pause between determinations, bipolar pacing configuration, bipolar vs unipolar pacing, atrioventricular synchrony, and autonomic tone] was evaluated in a group of ten patients to determine its effects on the reproducibility of refractoriness. Measurements were repeated ten times in every patient under each of two conditions. Five variables had significant effects on the reproducibility of measurements. Pacing at 10 mA was associated with less variability in the determination of ventricular refractoriness than pacing at twice threshold (within-subject variance component 4.5 vs 10.1 msec; P < 0.001). The mean difference between the longest and shortest determinations of refractory periods (range] was 6.2 msec at 10 mA and 8.6 msec at twice threshold. The use of a conditioning period of pacing and continuous trains (eight beats with a 3-sec pause] rather than a variable pause between serial trials reduced the mean within-subject variance component from 16.5 to 3.3 (P < 0.001] and the mean range of refractory period determinations from 10.8 to 4.8. The use ofthe distal rather than the proximal pole as the cathode decreased the mean withinsubject variance component from 9.4 to 3.3 (P < 0.001] and the range of determinations from 6.4 to 5.8 msec. Unipolar pacing was associated with less variability than bipolar pacing (mean within-subject variance component 4.6 vs 6.4; P < 0.05, mean range 5.0 vs 7.6 msec]. In patients with ventriculoatrial dissociation, atrioventricular simultaneous pacing during the basic drive train decreased the withinsubject variance component from 21.2 to 5.7 (P < 0.001] and the mean range of refractory periods from 12.2 to 6.8 msec (P < 0.05]. In an eighth group of patients, the significant variables were set to create either the greatest or least variability in refractorines s in order to determine the effects of controlling these factors. Bipolar pacing was used in this group of patients. The within-subject variance component decreased from 31.7 to 3.5 (P < 0.01] and the mean range of refractory period determinations decreased from 15.8 to 4.4 msec (P < 0.01] when the variables found to affect the reproducibility of refractorines s were set in a fashion to decrease variability. In conclusion: (1] Conventional measurement of ventricular refractoriness often is associated with variability in the range of 10-15 msec (2] Pacing at 10 mA, unipolar rather than bipolar pacing, atrioventricular synchrony during basic drive trains, a large number of trains before refractoriness is reached, and bipolar distal cathodal pacing decrease this variability and provide greater reproducibility in the measurement of ventricular refractoriness. (PACE, Vol. 14, September 1991]
Fast image reconstruction with L2-regularization.

Purpose: We introduce L2-regularized reconstruction algorithms with closed-form solutions that achieve dramatic computational speed-up relative to state of the art L1- and L2-based iterative algorithms while maintaining similar image quality for various applications in MRI reconstruction. Materials and Methods: We compare fast L2-based methods to state of the art algorithms employing iterative L1- and L2-regularization in numerical phantom and in vivo data in three applications; (i) Fast Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM), (ii) Lipid artifact suppression in Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI), and (iii) Diffusion Spectrum Imaging (DSI). In all cases, proposed L2-based methods are compared with the state of the art algorithms, and two to three orders of magnitude speed up is demonstrated with similar reconstruction quality. Results: The closed-form solution developed for regularized QSM allows processing of a three-dimensional volume under 5 s, the proposed lipid suppression algorithm takes under 1 s to reconstruct single-slice MRSI data, while the PCA based DSI algorithm estimates diffusion propagators from undersampled q-space for a single slice under 30 s, all running in Matlab using a standard workstation. Conclusion: For the applications considered herein, closed-form L2-regularization can be a faster alternative to its iterative counterpart or L1-based iterative algorithms, without compromising image quality.
Cascaded mechanical alignment for assembling 3D MEMS

We have designed, modeled, and demonstrated a mechanically-driven alignment method that enables the precise positioning of planar (2D) structures at arbitrary orientations to form 3D structures for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The method is based on a cascaded set of alignment features patterned on the actuated segments. The technique was demonstrated by assembling a corner-cube retro reflector. The bottom and sides of the corner-cube were initially patterned flat, as three adjacent square plates. The side plates were then actuated simultaneously until the first pair of alignment features engaged. Further actuation of only one of the plates brought both of them to their desired final positions. Starting with an initial misalignment of +/-11deg, the plates were aligned to accuracy within 1deg.
Ramp-rate limits in unit commitment and economic dispatch incorporating rotor fatigue effect

In this study, a rigorous mathematical method is proposed for dealing with the ramp-rate limits in unit commitment and the rotor fatigue effect in economic dispatch. An iterative procedure is employed to coordinate the unit commitment and the power dispatch for obtaining an economical solution within a reasonable time. The Lagrangian relaxation method is used to generate the unit commitment schedule with relaxed power balance constraints. A network model is adopted to represent the dynamic process of operating a unit over the entire study time span, as the required unit commitment schedule can be achieved by searching for the shortest path in the network. In order to find the global optimal solution for the economic dispatch problem within personal computer resources, a piecewise linear model is used for thermal units. Furthermore, linear programming is used in optimizing the benefits of ramping the units, with low operating cost against the cost of shortening the service life of the turbine rotor. In this regard, linear programming is used to dispatch the power generation among committed units by considering a ramping penalty for the fatigue effect in rotor shafts, while preserving the operational constraints of the system as well as the generating units. >
Hoxa9 regulates Flt3 in lymphohematopoietic progenitors.

Early B cell factor (EBF) is a transcription factor essential for specification and commitment to the B cell fate. In this study, we show downregulation of a developmentally regulated cluster of hoxa genes, notably hoxa9, coincides with induction of EBF at the Pro-B cell stage of B cell differentiation. Analysis of the hematopoietic progenitor compartment in Hoxa9−/− mice revealed significantly reduced frequencies and expression levels of Flt3, a cytokine receptor important for lymphoid priming and the generation of B cell precursors (BCPs). We show that Hoxa9 directly regulates the flt3 gene. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed binding of Hoxa9 to the flt3 promoter in a lymphoid progenitor cell line. Knockdown of Hoxa9 significantly reduced Flt3 transcription and expression. Conversely, forced expression of Hoxa9 increased Flt3 transcription and expression in a Pro-B cell line that expressed low levels of Flt3. Hoxa9 inversely correlated with ebf1 in ex vivo-isolated bone marrow progenitors and BCPs, suggesting that EBF might function to silence a Hoxa9 transcriptional program. Restoration of EBF function in an EBF−/− cell line induced B lineage gene expression but did not directly suppress hoxa9 transcription, revealing alternate mechanisms of Hoxa9 regulation in BCPs. These data provide new insight into Hoxa9 function and regulation during lymphoid and B cell development. Furthermore, they suggest that failure to upregulate Flt3 provides a molecular basis for the lymphoid/early B cell deficiencies in Hoxa9−/− mice.
The Mi-9 Gene from Solanum arcanum Conferring Heat-Stable Resistance to Root-Knot Nematodes Is a Homolog of Mi-1

Resistance conferred by the Mi-1 gene from Solanum peruvianum is effective and widely used for limiting root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) yield loss in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), but the resistance is ineffective at soil temperatures above 28°C. Previously, we mapped the heat-stable resistance gene Mi-9 in Solanum arcanum accession LA2157 to the short arm of chromosome 6, in a genetic interval as Mi-1 and the Cladosporium fulvum resistance gene Cf2. We developed a fine map of the Mi-9 region by resistance and marker screening of an F2 population and derived F3 families from resistant LA2157 × susceptible LA392. Mi-1 intron 1 flanking primers were designed to amplify intron 1 and fingerprint Mi-1 homologs. Using these primers, we identified seven Mi-1 homologs in the mapping parents. Cf-2 and Mi-1 homologs were mapped on chromosome 6 using a subset of the F2. Cf-2 homologs did not segregate with Mi-9 resistance, but three Mi-1 homologs (RH1, RH2, and RH4) from LA2157 and one (SH1) from LA392 colocalized to the Mi-9 region. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that six Mi-1 homologs are expressed in LA2157 roots. We targeted transcripts of Mi-1 homologs for degradation with tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) rattle virus (TRV)-based virus-induced gene silencing using Agrobacterium infiltration with a TRV-Mi construct. In most LA2157 plants infiltrated with the TRV-Mi construct, Mi-9-meditated heat-stable root-knot nematode resistance was compromised at 32°C, indicating that the heat-stable resistance is mediated by a homolog of Mi-1.
Stealth Language Teaching: A Preschool Foreign Language Pilot Program

In 2003, I worked at the Deacon Park Preschool1, non-profit private preschool in Atlanta, Georgia, to create a foreign language-learning environment that used second language (L2) as a medium for the curriculum instead of as a separate subject matter. With a background in Montessori education, through first hand experience as a student as well as professional experience as a Montessori teacher, I was interested in the possibility of creating a Montessori inspired content-based environment where early learners (ages ranging from months to 5 years old) could be exposed to Spanish as a natural part of their day.
A New Handover Mechanism for IEEE 802.16e Wireless Networks

Supporting mobility is both promising and challenging feature of the emerging IEEE 802.16e wireless networks, commonly known as WiMAX. Although the IEEE has released an amendment to the original IEEE 802.16 standard in which mobility and handover are added as basic capabilities, the amended standard (IEEE 802.16e) defines only a frame work without providing specific methods or algorithm for handover that can be deployed in mobile stations to enable them to switch seamlessly from one base station to another. In this paper, we propose a new handover algorithm for deployment in 802.11e- capable stations. The algorithm takes into consideration the main important aspects of IEEE 802.16 operation such as ranging, authorization, and registration. A special capability built into the proposed algorithm is service-flows awareness, i.e. the algorithm tries to minimize the the time spent in handover based on the service flows running at the mobile station. Analysis of the proposed algorithm shows that handover time can be reduced by several folds by taking advantage of different capabilities provided by the standard.
STATCOM with energy storage for smoothing intermittent wind farm power

In this paper, STATCOM with battery energy storage system (BESS) is proposed for smoothing intermittent power output of a large wind farm. The main advantage of the system is that it can inject both real power (by charging/discharging the BESS) and the reactive power to the system. Simulations based on an actual wind farm data indicate that indeed with the proposed control strategy the power output of the wind farm can be smoothed to facilitate 1/2 h dispatching of the wind farm. Also, the reactive power compensation provided by the STATCOM helps to smooth out the fast voltage variations at the interconnecting bus.
Intraoral approach for imaging teeth using the transverse B1 field components of an occlusally oriented loop coil

Purpose The signal-to-noise ratio and resolution are two competing parameters for dental MRI and are highly dependent on the radiofrequency coil configuration and performance. The purpose of this work is to describe an intraoral approach for imaging teeth with the radiofrequency coil plane oriented orthogonally to the Zeeman field to use the transverse components of the B1 field for transmitting and receiving the NMR signal. Methods A single loop coil with shape and size fitted to the average adult maxillary arch was built and tested with a phantom and human subjects in vivo on a whole-body 4 T MRI scanner. Supporting Biot-Savart law simulations were performed with Matlab. Results In the occlusal position (in bite plane between the upper and lower teeth), the sensitive volume of the coil encompasses the most important dental structures, the teeth and their supporting structures, while uninteresting tissues containing much higher proton density (cheeks, lips, and tongue) are outside the sensitive volume. The presented images and simulated data show the advantages of using a coil in the orthogonal orientation for dental applications. Conclusion The transverse components of the B1 field of a surface coil can effectively be used for imaging of teeth and associated structures. Magn Reson Med 72:160–165, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Illuminating the MPH Health Educator Workforce: Results and Implications of an Employer Survey

The public health workforce has been studied, but not health educators specifically. The development of a Master of Public Health (MPH) in community health education inspired research to illuminate the San Francisco MPH health educator labor market. A time-series survey of an employer panel was conducted between 1995 and 1999 regarding the number of MPH health educators on staff, hiring projections, and importance of selected competencies. In the San Francisco Bay Area, there were 4 MPH health educators per 100,000 persons in 1999. The majority worked in local health departments and community-based organizations. Although hiring was largely replacement in the late 1990s, employers anticipated an increase in hiring from 2000 to 2004. Employers reported that educational preparation was adequate, although preparation in specific competencies, such as bilingual competence, was lacking. These results suggest a favorable labor market for MPH health educators in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Analysis of deep vein thrombosis in burn patients

Objective: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) represents a major cause of morbidity in surgical patients. Controversial reports exist on the incidence of DVT in burn patients. We report our experience over a 10-year period. Methods: Patients admitted to our Burn Unit over the period 1991–2001 and diagnosed with DVT were identified. Their records were retrospectively reviewed for demographic factors, extent and severity of burn injury and outcome. Results: A total of 4102 patients were admitted to the WPH Burn unit during the study period. All patients received routine subcutaneous heparin prophylaxis. Ten patients were diagnosed with DVT (0.25%). Compared to our total burn population, these patients were older (mean age 47±22.7 years versus 35±22 years P=0.14) and had more extensive burns (mean total body surface area (TBSA) 34.7±25.3% versus 12±15.7% P=0.02). Two patients developed non-fatal pulmonary embolism (PE). There were three deaths, none due to thromboembolic disease. There were no complications from the routine administration of subcutaneous heparin. Conclusion: The incidence of DVT in our study is much less than the incidence reported in other critically ill patients and less than that of most reports on burn patients. In our experience, routine heparin prophylaxis is effective for the prevention of DVT in burn patients.
Enhancement of the surface expression of G protein-coupled receptors

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate physiological responses to a diverse array of stimuli and are the molecular targets for numerous therapeutic drugs. GPCRs primarily signal from the plasma membrane, but when expressed in heterologous cells many GPCRs exhibit poor trafficking to the cell surface. Multiple approaches have been taken to enhance GPCR surface expression in heterologous cells, including addition/deletion of receptor sequences, co-expression with interacting proteins, and treatment with pharmacological chaperones. In addition to providing enhanced surface expression of certain GPCRs in heterologous cells, these approaches have also shed light on the control of GPCR trafficking in vivo and in some cases have led to new therapeutic approaches for treating human diseases that result from defects in GPCR trafficking.
Survey of spine surgeons on attitudes regarding osteoporosis and osteomalacia screening and treatment for fractures, fusion surgery, and pseudoarthrosis

Abstract Background context Osteoporosis and osteomalacia are significant risk factors for fracture and spine instrumentation failure. Low-energy fractures are becoming increasingly more common because of an increase in life expectancy and age of the population. Decreased bone density is an independent risk factor for instrumentation failure in spinal fusion operations. Purpose To assess the awareness and practice patterns of spine surgeons regarding metabolic bone disorders and osteoporosis with emphasis on fracture care and arthrodesis. Study design/setting Questionnaire study. Patient sample Spine surgeons attending the "Disorders of the Spine" conference (January 2007, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada). Outcome measures Respondent reported frequencies of diagnostics, screening, and treatment methods for patients with low-energy spine fractures, pseudoarthrosis, and those undergoing spinal arthrodesis. Methods A ten-question survey was administered to orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons who treated spine fractures and degenerative spine conditions in their practice. The survey was given to those who were attending a continuing medical education spinal disorders conference. The survey asked about treatment patterns with respect to osteoporosis and osteomalacia workup and treatment for patients with low-energy spine fractures, pseudoarthrosis, and those undergoing spinal arthrodesis. Results Of the 133 surgeons to whom the questionnaire was distributed at this meeting, 114 questionnaires were returned that corresponds to a response rate of 86%. Twenty-one surveys were excluded because of incomplete biographical information, resulting in a total of 93 completed questionnaires that were available for analysis. When treating patients with low-energy spine fractures, 60% checked dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and 39% checked metabolic laboratories (of those who did not order laboratories and DEXA about 63% refer for treatment). Before instrumented fusion, 44% of those queried checked DEXA and 12% checked metabolic laboratories (vitamin D, parathyroid hormone [PTH], and calcium [Ca]). Before noninstrumented fusion, 22% checked DEXA and 11% checked metabolic laboratories. Before addressing pseudoarthrosis, 19% checked DEXA and 20% checked metabolic laboratories. Conclusions Despite of the large number of elderly patients undergoing spine care and the high incidence of osteoporosis and/or osteomalacia in this population, a large portion of the spine surgeons who responded to the survey reported that they do not perform routine osteoporosis/osteomalacia workups. Of those who do perform workups, some commented that it will change their surgical plan or preoperative treatment. It appears that there is a need for increased awareness among spine specialists regarding osteoporosis screening and treatment. Osteoporosis practice patterns may also be affected with newly evolving government quality reporting regulations.
Language: Auditory Processes

The processes involved in recognizing the sounds of language, activating spoken words, and constructing intonational contours are reviewed, and the data from functional neuroimaging and lesion-deficit correlations that begin to identify the neural areas that support these processes are summarized. Acoustic–phonetic mapping and lexical access are thought to take place in superior temporal gyrus and sulcus, with more ventral areas in temporal lobe becoming involved in word recognition and comprehension and more dorsal areas in word repetition. Asymmetries in the roles of left and right hemispheres have been suggested, with the left hemisphere being responsible for conscious, controlled processing. The areas of the brain responsible for construction of intonational contours are less studied, but may involve different roles for left and right hemispheres in diifferent aspects of these processes.
Introduction to Protein Structure

Proteins (from the Greek word protos, meaning first) occur ubiquitously throughout all organisms, where they participate in a wide variety of biological functions. Proteins provide the structural rigidity and flexibility associated with external body parts such as skin, hair, and the exoskeletons of arthropods. By changing their structure they provide the basis for biological motions, such as muscle contraction. A large class of proteins, the enzymes, serve as biological catalysts, enhancing greatly the rates of chemical reactions that are vital to life (Copeland, 1992).