cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk factors, outcomes, and complications associated with combined ventral hernia and enterocutaneous fistula single-staged abdominal wall reconstruction.

To compare two cohorts of patients; those with isolated ventral hernias (VH) and those with VH and enterocutaneous fistulas (ECF). Risk factors for surgical complications (including recurrent ECF) and outcomes during single-stage VH with ECF surgical reconstruction were analyzed. A retrospective review was performed from 2008 to 2019. We compared two cohorts of patients with single-stage VH repairs: (1) ventral hernia repair alone (hernia alone), and (2) combined VH repair and ECF repair (hernia plus ECF). Inclusion criteria were patients ≥ 18 years of age with pre-operative VH either with or without an ECF, who underwent open hernia repair and ECF repair in a single-stage operation, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Patient risk factors, operative characteristics, outcomes and surgical-site complications were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses. We included 442 patients (hernia alone = 401; hernia plus ECF = 41) with a median follow-up of 22 months (12–96). Hernia plus ECF patients were more likely to have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)(OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.1–17.5, p = 0.037), a history of abdominal wound infections (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.5–7.9, p = 0.004), reoperations (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.6–15.4, p = 0.006), superficial soft tissue infections (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1–6.1, p = 0.044) and hematomas (OR 8.4, 95% CI 1.2–58.8, p = 0.031), compared to hernia alone patients. ECF recurrence was associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) (n = 8, 73% vs. n = 6, 20%; p = 0.003) and surgical-site complications (n = 10, 91% vs. n = 16, 53%; p = 0.048), compared to ECF resolution. Risk factors for developing ECF were IBD and history of abdominal wound infections. Single-staged combined ECF reconstruction was associated with reoperations, soft tissue infections and hematomas. DM and surgical-site complications were associated with ECF recurrence.
Quantifying Plastic Bottle Debris in Waterways Using Image Processing

Waterway debris can impact many aspects of marine environments including marine navigation and recreational fishing in bodies of water. Waterway plastic debris pollution is occurring at such a large scale globally that it is onerous to track and quantify the sheer quantity of misplaced plastics. Digital image processing is one effective way to monitor waterway debris, but the associated complex processes have inherent challenges. The variety of debris size and shape renders all plastics detection impractical without expert review. In this project, image processing algorithms are utilized to detect debris pieces, and estimate the total weight and volume of all plastic bottles in a scene based on known weight and volume of plastic water bottles. The typical weight and volume of plastic water bottles has been used as a reference to estimate the total weight and volume of plastic bottle debris as quantitative measures in digital waterway debris images. The results of estimated plastic bottle debris weight and volume from a variety of debris scenes are presented in this research.
Medium-Term Planning Models

This chapter describes a number of medium-term power system planning problems amenable to be expressed and solved using Adaptive Robust Optimization (ARO) models.
Feature Selection for Twitter Sentiment Analysis: An Experimental Study

Feature selection is an important problem for any pattern classification task. In this paper, we developed an ensemble of two Maximum Entropy classifiers for Twitter sentiment analysis: one for subjectivity and the other for polarity classification. Our ensemble employs surface-form, semantic and sentiment features. The classification complexity of this ensemble of linear models is linear with respect to the number of features. Our goal is to select a compact feature subset from the exhaustive list of extracted features in order to reduce the computational complexity without scarifying the classification accuracy. We evaluate the performance on two benchmark datasets, CrowdScale and SemEval. Our selected 20K features have shown very similar results in subjectivity classification to the NRC state-of-the-art system with 4 million features that has ranked first in 2013 SemEval competition. Also, our selected features have shown a relative performance gain in the ensemble classification over the baseline of uni-gram and bi-gram features of 9.9% on CrowdScale and 11.9% on SemEval.
Give the people what they want: research notes from the hunt for better electronic rulemaking

This research note highlights salient findings from a web survey conducted during 2004 as part of a multi-year effort to better understand the views of diverse stakeholders in the development of a government-wide electronic rulemaking system. We report both quantitative and qualitative results that indicate a rough consensus about the desired scope and nature of electronic rulemaking tools and systems, as well as some of attitudinal differences between those who completed the entire web survey and those who did not.
Constraints from b-->s gamma on the left-right symmetric model.

Recent results from the CLEO Collaboration on both inclusive and exclusive radiative B decays are used to constrain the parameter space of two versions of the left-right symmetric model. In the first scenario, when the left- and right-handed Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa mixing matrices are equal, ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{L}}$=${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{R}}$, the radiative B decay data are shown to lead to strong bounds on the ${\mathit{W}}_{\mathit{L}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$${\mathit{W}}_{\mathit{R}}$ mixing angle that are quite insensitive to either the top quark or ${\mathit{W}}_{\mathit{R}}$ mass. The second scenario examined is that of Gronau and Wakaizumi wherein b-quark decays proceed only via right-handed currents and ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{L}}$ and ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{R}}$ are quite distinct. For this model, the combined constraints from Fermilab Tevatron ${\mathit{W}}_{\mathit{R}}$ searches, the B lifetime, and radiative B decays lead to a very highly restricted allowed range for the ${\mathit{W}}_{\mathit{L}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$${\mathit{W}}_{\mathit{R}}$ mixing angle.
Children With Disabilities in the Context of Disaster: A Social Vulnerability Perspective

An estimated 200 million children worldwide experience various forms of disability. This critical review extrapolates from existing literature in 2 distinct areas of scholarship: one on individuals with disabilities in disaster, and the other on children in disaster. The extant literature suggests that various factors may contribute to the physical, psychological, and educational vulnerability of children with disabilities in disaster, including higher poverty rates, elevated risk exposure, greater vulnerability to traumatic loss or separation from caregivers, more strain on parents, and poor postdisaster outcomes, unless medical, familial, social, and educational protections are in place and vital social networks are quickly reestablished. Future research needs are outlined in the conclusion.
On the Clearing of Foreign Exchange Derivatives

This note discusses the case for exempting foreign exchange derivatives from recent regulatory requirements for over-the-counter derivatives, including clearing, trade competition, and minimum collateral requirements. My conclusion is that the arguments that have been made for such an exemption are not sufficient. I focus mainly on the question of clearing, which figures prominently in arguments favoring exemption.
A Criterion for Complete Decomposability and Butler Modules over Valuation Domains

Throughout this paper R will denote a valuation domain. P. Eklof and w x L. Fuchs 3 showed that an R-module M is free if and only M is a Baer 1 Ž . module, that is, Ext M, T s 0 for all torsion R-modules T. What can we R 1 Ž . say about R-modules M for which Bext M, T s 0 for all torsion modR ules T ? Here Bext is a subfunctor of Ext consisting of balanced R R extensions. Torsion-free R-modules M with the last property are called Butler modules. Is a Butler R-module M completely decomposable? L. w x Fuchs and E. Monari-Martinez 7 answered this in the affirmative when rank M F / . This paper attempts to investigate this question using the 1 w x recent work 11 on modules with balanced-projective dimension one. Ž . It is known that every torsion-free R-module M possesses a G / 9-family 0 Ž . C of pure submodules, namely, C satisfies the following conditions: 1 0, Ž . Ž . M g C , 2 C is closed under unions of chains, and 3 for any A g C and any countable subset X of M, there is a B g C such that A j X ; B and BrA has countable rank. For instance, we can take C to consist of all the Ž . pure submodules of M. If the condition 2 above is replaced by the Ž . condition 2 9 S N g C if N g C for each i g I, then we call C an ig I i i axiom-39 family. These are modifications of the original definition of an Ž w x. axiom-3 family by Paul Hill see, e.g., 1 and have also occurred with w x other variations under the name tight systems in 8 . Ž . Our main theorem Theorem 4.6 asserts that a Butler R-module B will be completely decomposable if and only if B has an axiom-39 family of pure submodules. We first show that the above condition on B is equiva-
Generating generalized cyclic designs with factorial balance

An algorithm for generating paired comparison factorially balanced generalized cyclic designs is described. The algorithm is based upon the 2 n − 1 class association scheme defined by Shah (1960) for n-factor experiments. The algorithm is highly successful in achieving its objective. Firstorder designs with block size greater than two can also be obtained using the algorithm.
Width of isovector monopole vibrations in charge exchange reactions

The widths of the isovector monopole excitations in /sup 90/Y and /sup 208/Tl have been calculated in a microscopic model including two-particle two-hole excitations. As a consistency check of the model we demonstrate that the isobaric analog states in /sup 90/Nb and /sup 208/Bi have negligible width.
Structural studies of a novel germination protease from spores of Bacillus megaterium.

The amino acid sequence-specific protease (termed GPR) in the bacterium Bacillus megaterium initiates the rapid degradation of small, acid-soluble spore proteins during the germination of spores of this organism. GPR is synthesized during spore formation as an inactive zymogen termed P46, which later autoprocesses to a smaller active form termed P41, which acts during spore germination. However, GPR exhibits no obvious mechanistic or amino acid sequence similarity to any of the known classes of proteases. To initiate the determination of the mechanisms of P46 to P41 conversion, P46 inactivity, and P41 catalysis, B. megaterium GPR has been overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity by anion-exchange and size exclusion chromatography, and crystals of both P46 and P41 have been obtained by the vapor diffusion method. P46 crystals diffracted x rays to 3.5 A but the crystals of P41 diffracted x rays to only 6.5 A. A native x-ray diffraction data set of P46 has been collected; the unit cell parameters are a = b = 76.8, c = 313.1 A, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees; the space group is tetragonal P41212 or P43212. The asymmetric unit contains two monomeric molecules with a crystal volume per unit protein mass of 2. 85 A3/Da and a solvent content of about 57%. An isomorphous heavy atom derivative data set has also been obtained for P46 crystals with potassium dicyanoaurate (I).
Redefinition of the Meramecian/Chesterian boundary (Mississippian)

The Meramecian/Chesterian (Mississippi) boundary in the type area is currently defined as the highest occurrence of the crinoid Platycrinites penicillus and the lowest occurrence of the crinoid genera Agassizocrinus and Talarocrinus. Because these taxa have not been reported outside eastern North America, attempts have been made to use conodonts and Foraminifera to extend the Meramecian/Chesterian boundary outside the type area. Unfortunately, changes in conodont and foraminiferal assemblages do not coincide with the currently defined Meramecian/Chesterian boundary, and use of these fossil groups does not allow exact placement of the boundary outside of eastern North America. The authors suggest that the Meramecian/Chesterian boundary be redefined as the boundary between Foraminiferal Zones 15 and 16i of the Mamet scheme, irrespective of the occurrence of Platycrinites penicillus. This change in definition places the Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Genevievian Stage) in the lowermost part of the Chesterian Series, with which it is biotically and sedimentologically more allied than with the underlying St. Louis Limestone. This change provides a sound biostratigraphic base for correlating the Meramecian/Chesterian boundary outside of the type area. Foraminifera, conodonts, brachiopods, and corals all show significant changes at or slightly below the St. Louis/Ste. Genevieve contact rather than at the Genevievian/Chesterian contact.more » 52 references.« less
Statistical optimality of locally monotonic regression

We derive the maximum likelihood (ML) estimators for estimating locally monotonic signals embedded in white additive noise, when the noise is assumed to have a density function that is a member of a family of generalized exponential densities with parameter p that includes the Laplacian (p = 1), Gaussian (p = 2) and, as a limiting case, the uniform (p = ∞) densities. The estimators are given by the so-called locally monotonic regression of the noisy signal, a tool of recent introduction in signal processing. The approach that is used in the paper results from a geometric interpretation of the likelihood function of the sample; it takes advantage of the fact that a term in the likelihood function is the p-distance between the vector formed by the data in the given signal (sample) and the vector formed by the elements in the desired signal (estimator). Isotonic regression is a technique used in statistical estimation theory when the data are assumed to obey certain order restrictions. Local monotonicity is a generalization of the concept of isotonicity which is useful for some problems in signal processing.
Abstract 179: Impact of diet-induced obesity on inflamatory pathways during prostate cancer progression in Hi-Myc mice.

We have previously reported that diet induced obesity (DIO) enhanced prostate cancer progression and associated inflammation in the ventral prostate of the Hi-Myc mice (Blando et al, CAPR, 2011). Here, we further investigated changes in inflammatory genes as well as cellular changes associated with DIO effects on prostate cancer progression in the Hi-myc mouse model. Initial studies were conducted to look at specific cell populations that are present in the ventral prostate (VP) of Hi-Myc mice on the 30% CR, overweight control (AIN76A) and DIO diets (60 Kcal% fat). Staining for perilipin revealed that adipocytes were restricted to the periphery of the VP of Hi-Myc mice on the 30% CR diet. In contrast, adipocytes could be seen infiltrating the VP of Hi-Myc mice on the overweight control diet and especially in mice on the DIO diet. In this regard, many of the glands in the VP were completely surrounded by adipocytes. Double IF staining was performed for both perilipin and CD3 (T-lymphocytes) or perilipin and RM0029-11H3 (macrophages). Few if any inflammatory cells were seen in VP of Hi-Myc mice on the 30% CR diet. In contrast, adipocytes and inflammatory cells (both T-cells and macrophages) were seen in close proximity to adipocytes that had infiltrated into the VP in the overweight control group and this was particularly prominent in the DIO diet group. Aditionally, staining for B-cells also showed an increased number in the DIO groups as compared to the control and CR diet groups. Sections of VP from Hi-Myc mice on the different diets were also stained for both the IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) and Cox-2. IL-23R expression was dramatically upregulated in the epithelial cells of the VP from Hi-Myc mice on the DIO compared to the other diet groups. Cox-2 expression was also dramatically upregulated in VP of Hi-Myc on the DIO diet. This finding is consistent with the high level of NFκB activation seen in prostate tissues for the same mice and diet group. The VP from mice on DIO diets also showed an increase in the staining of tissue specific cancer stem cell (CSC) markers (SCA-1 and CD49f) when compared to VP from mice on the overweight control and 30% CR diets. In summary, changes in the levels of IL-23R and COX-2 and the increased presence of inflammatory cells together with changes in the adipose tissue, suggest that the tumor microenvironment may play an important role in DIO effects on prostate cancer progression in Hi-Myc mice. Citation Format: Jorge M. Blando, Kaoru Kiguchi, Irina Fernandez, John DiGiovanni. Impact of diet-induced obesity on inflamatory pathways during prostate cancer progression in Hi-Myc mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 179. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-179
Critique and comment

The success of game theory in providing rigorous normative solutions to decision-making problems does not hide the fact that some realism has been sacrificed in the process. Proposed here is an interesting idea that an auxiliary concept—a common sense notion of commitment—can be used to bridge the gap between the normative formulation and typical behavioral processes in decision making. Perhaps several such concepts can be identified in the hope that a realistic and rounded framework for decision making can be developed without discarding the rigor and power of theoretical results already achieved. For other treatments of game theory in behavioral science, the reader is referred to the January, 1959 issue of Behavioral Science for an article by Anatol Rapoport entitled “Critiques of Game Theory,” and to an article by T. C. Schelling named “Bargaining, Communication, and Limited War” in the Journal of Conflict Resolution (March, 1957).
GAMMA SLED FOR SEAFLOOR LITHOLOGY SURVEY

The Gamma Isotope Mapping System (GIMS) has two main components. The first component is a stainless steel sled that is towed on the seafloor by a survey vessel. The second component is the shipboard electronics. The sled houses a gamma radiation detector and battery pack. As the sled is towed along the seafloor at approximately 3 knots, the detector measured the natural gamma radioactivity of the surface sediment. The signal from the detector is sent by armoured cable to the ship. The gamma signal is received and processed by a spectrometer mounted in the electronics package. The gamma radiation data, along with time, latitude, longitude, and water depth is logged automatically at 60 second intervals on a computer diskette. During the survey, two- and three-dimensional maps are created with the collected data. These maps show the differences in the sediment seafloor lithology. This data can be used in the location of surface mineral deposits on the seafloor or to track sediment distribution as a result of disposal activities during dredging operations from near-shore environments. Since the results are obtained during the survey, additional studies can proceed immediately after the GIMS survey allowing for a more economical merging of various studies.
The effect of an enzymatic bone processing method on short tandem repeat profiling of challenged bone specimens

Forensic analysis of DNA from bone can be important in investigating a variety of cases involving violent crimes and mass fatality cases. To remove the potential presence of co-mingled remains and to eliminate contaminants that interfere with forensic DNA analysis, the outer surface of the bone fragment must be cleaned. This study evaluated two methods for processing bone specimens prior to DNA isolation. Mechanical sanding and enzymatic trypsin methods were compared in this study. The effects of these methods on the yield of DNA isolated and the quality of DNA analysis were studied. It was revealed that comparable values of DNA yields between the two methods were observed. Additionally, to evaluate the capabilities of the cleaning effect of the bone processing methods, the presence of polymerase chain reaction inhibitors in the DNA extracts was monitored using the internal positive control. Similar Ct values of the internal positive control were observed as the DNA extracts of the trypsin method compared with that of the sanding method. The characterization of the effects of the trypsin treatment on the quality of DNA profiling was also carried out. To evaluate the integrity of the nuclear DNA isolated, the percentage of allele calls and the peak-height values of alleles of the short tandem repeat profiles were compared between the two methods. A paired-sample t-test revealed no significant difference between the two methods. Our data suggested that the trypsin method can be used as an alternative cleaning method to mechanical cleaning methods. This method can be used to process multiple samples simultaneously. This can be very important for achieving high-throughput DNA isolation through potential automation, which can be extremely valuable for situations such as the forensic DNA analysis of skeletal remains from mass fatality incidents.
Ceftriaxone restores glutamate homeostasis and prevents relapse to cocaine seeking.

Background The cystine-glutamate exchanger is downregulated after chronic cocaine, resulting in reduced extracellular levels of nucleus accumbens glutamate. The importance of cocaine-induced loss of glutamate homeostasis is revealed by N-acetylcysteine restoring cystine-glutamate exchange and attenuating reinstatement to cocaine seeking. Another regulator of extracellular glutamate is the glial glutamate transporter GLT-1. We hypothesized that cocaine self-administration reduces GLT-1 and that GLT-1 upregulation inhibits cocaine seeking. Methods We measured [ 3 H] glutamate uptake and protein expression of GLT-1 and xCT, the catalytic subunit of the cystine-glutamate exchanger, following cocaine self-administration and 3 weeks of extinction training. We also examined the affect of ceftriaxone (previously shown to increase GLT-1) and N-acetylcysteine treatment on the expression of GLT-1 and xCT. Ceftriaxone was also tested for the capacity to inhibit cue- and cocaine-induced relapse. Results Cocaine self-administration reduced glutamate uptake and the expression of both GLT-1 and xCT. Ceftriaxone restored GLT-1 and xCT levels and prevented cue- and cocaine-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. N-acetylcysteine also restored GLT-1 and xCT levels. Conclusions These results indicate that glutamate transport and cystine-glutamate exchange may be coregulated and provide further evidence that targeting glutamate homeostasis is a potential method for treating cocaine relapse.
Cerebral and pulmonary involvement in an immunocompromised host.

A 71-year-old man with newly diagnosed, untreated acute myeloid leukaemia presented with fever, cough and confusion. Complete blood count showed neutropenia (90 cells/mm3), lymphopenia (350 cells/mm3) and 90% circulating blast. Initial chest X-ray showed evidence of new right lower lobe infiltrates, which were absent on a chest X-ray 3 weeks ago (figure 1). A CT scan brain revealed multiple enhancing lesions in temporal and occipital area. An MRI …
Hypersensitivity of DNA in transcriptionally active chromatin to ionizing radiation.

Abstract We have examined the size distribution of single-strand fragments of total 3 H-labeled DNA and of DNA sequences complementary to specific probes in gamma-irradiated and unirradiated mouse L929 cells. Those DNA sequences which hybridize to rDNA or to poly(A+)RNA have lower number average molecular weights and sustain 5–6-times the number of single-strand breaks as do satellite DNA sequences or the bulk DNA. We therefore conclude that transcriptionally active DNA sequences are more susceptible to ionizing radiation-induced damage than are inactive sequences, and suggest that these differential susceptibilities are a likely consequence of differences in their chromatin organization.
Early Effects of Lipopolysaccharide on Cytokine Release, Hemodynamic and Renal Function in Newborn Piglets

Background: Gram-negative sepsis in newborns is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines released upon exposure to gram-negative sepsis a
Corticosteroids in the treatment of severe mycoplasma encephalitis in children.

Objective To report an unusual case of mycoplasma-associated encephalitis that responded to corticosteroid therapy and relapsed after cessation. Design Clinical case report. Setting Tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit. Patient A single patient admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. Interventions Intravenous corticosteroids and antibiotics. Measurements and main results Resolution of neurologic symptoms with initial steroid therapy, relapse after withdrawal of steroids, and resolution again with re-institution of steroid therapy. Conclusions Encephalitis is a well-recognized and potentially severe complication of mycoplasma infections. Treatment with corticosteroids has been proposed for this illness, but experience with this therapy is limited to case reports and small series; neither efficacy nor appropriate courses of treatment are well established. The relapsing course of this patient, along with a review of prior reported cases, suggests that corticosteroids may be beneficial for mycoplasma encephalitis, that moderate doses may be sufficient, and that consideration should be given to a prolonged tapering course when these medications are used for this illness.
High-voltage electron microscopy of extracellular fibrillogenesis.

High-voltage electron microscopy was employed to observe developing extracellular connective tissue elements in the cervical perinotochordal and perivertebral regions in the chick embryo from 2 through 15 days' incubation. During days 2 and 3, small (10 nm) and large (18–20 nm) microfibrils surrounded the notochord, becoming evident around fibroblast-like cells in day 4. Amorphous material, globular granules and microfibrillar bundles were present at this time. Microfibrillar length increased as did the total population of microfibrils. At four days microfibrils 3–5 nm in diameter arose in all directions from globular granules. During day 9 and thereafter to day 15, microfibrillar diameters increased. This growth formed unit collagenous fibrils 30 nm in diameter or greater. Axial periodicity became evident at day 14. Small microfibrils appear to be composed largely of glycoproteins and do not contain a significant amount of collagen. The globular granules and associated filaments are probably proteoglycans. The amorphous material is believed to provide molecular collagen to developing fibrils. Large microfibrils and unit collagenous fibrils contain significant amounts of molecular collagen.
Enabling Efficient and Scalable Hybrid Memories Using Fine-Granularity DRAM Cache Management

Hybrid main memories composed of DRAM as a cache to scalable non-volatile memories such as phase-change memory (PCM) can provide much larger storage capacity than traditional main memories. A key challenge for enabling high-performance and scalable hybrid memories, though, is efficiently managing the metadata (e.g., tags) for data cached in DRAM at a fine granularity. Based on the observation that storing metadata off-chip in the same row as their data exploits DRAM row buffer locality, this paper reduces the overhead of fine-granularity DRAM caches by only caching the metadata for recently accessed rows on-chip using a small buffer. Leveraging the flexibility and efficiency of such a fine-granularity DRAM cache, we also develop an adaptive policy to choose the best granularity when migrating data into DRAM. On a hybrid memory with a 512MB DRAM cache, our proposal using an 8KB on-chip buffer can achieve within 6% of the performance of, and 18% better energy efficiency than, a conventional 8MB SRAM metadata store, even when the energy overhead due to large SRAM metadata storage is not considered.
Horizon entropy in modified gravity

We present an observation about the proposal that four-dimensional modification of general relativity may explain the observed cosmic acceleration today. Assuming that the thermodynamical nature of gravity theory continues to hold in modified gravity theories, we derive the modified horizon entropy formula from the modified Friedmann equation. We argue that our results imply that there are conceptual problems in some models of four-dimensional modification of general relativity.
Measures of Structural Redundancy in Reinforced Concrete Buildings. I: Redundancy Indices

A method based on nonlinear pushover analysis is proposed to quantify the deterministic and probabilistic effects of redundancy on the strength of structural systems. Two indices, the redundancy strength index and the redundancy variation index, are introduced to measure these effects. Simplified expressions are developed and presented to calculate these indices. The redundancy strength and the redundancy variation indices are evaluated for plane reinforced concrete frames with different stories, a different number of vertical lines of resistance, and various beam ductility capacity ratios. How the member ductility capacity and the structural geometry affects the redundancy strength and the redundancy variation index is discussed.
Factors Influencing the Remineralization of Dental Calculus

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUAFACTORES DE INFLUENTIA IN LE REMINERALISATION DE CALCULO DENTAL.-Esseva studiate le signification de Ca, P, K, Na, μ, CO2, pH, temperatura (4,25 e 37,5 C) e pressura (760 e 190 mm de Hg) como factores de influentia in le remineralisation del matrice organic de calculo dental e in le formation possible de un "placa" precursori. Matrices dividite in medietates in un solution o sub conditiones de cognoscite reactivitate serviva como controlos.Le studios indicava que supra un Ca X P (mg %)2 de 35 remineralisation occurreva si o non CO2 esseva presente. Infra un Ca X P (mg %)2 de 35, le induction del remineralisation requireva le presentia de CO2. Na a un alte μ promoveva le remineralisation. Quando le pH esseva reducite, un temperatura de 37,5 esseva plus efficace que un temperatura de 25 C. A un pression de 756 mm de Hg, le remineralisation esseva nodular intra e super le matrice (Ca:P de 2,0). A 190 mm, remineralisation occurreva in omne partes del matrice.
Drinking and schooling

We employ the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth data to explore the effect of youthful drinking on years of schooling and on the likelihood of college graduation. Our instruments for youthful drinking include the state beer tax and the minimum purchase age. Reduced form equations are also estimated. Our results indicate that heavy drinking in high school reduces the average number of years of schooling completed following high school. Other things equal, students who spend their high school years in states with relatively high taxes and minimum age are more likely to graduate from college.
The kinetics of methyl viologen oxidation and reduction by the hydrogenase from Clostridium pasteurianium

Abstract A mechanism for the reduction and oxidadtion of methyl viologen by Clostridium pasteurianium hydrogenase (hydrogen:ferredoxin oxidoreductase, EC 1.12.7.1) is proposed. Double reciprocal plots for methyl viologen reduction and oxidation at pH values 7.0–9.85 are linear, and the plots for reduction and oxidation are intersecting. Such data are consistent with a mechanism in which the H2 and one methyl viologen bind (either in order or randomly) with subsequent reduction and release of the methyl viologen. A second methyl viologen then is bound, reduced and released. Comparison of the calculated K eq ′ with the Haldane expression in which both methyl viologens react at the same rate show a large difference. This difference indicates that the two methyl viologens react at different rates. Addition of oxidized electron carriers inhibits the hydrogen-deuterium exhcnage reaction (i.e., the exchange of protons between H2 and 2H2O). CO reversibly inhibits methyl viologen reduction and is competitive vs. H2. O2 acts as an irreversible inhibitor.
Robot work crews for planetary outposts: close cooperation and coordination of multiple mobile robots

We report on the development of cooperating multiple robots. This work builds from our earlier research on autonomous planetary rovers and robot arms.
Miss-distance indicator for tank main guns

Tank main gun systems must possess extremely high levels of accuracy to perform successfully in battle. Under some circumstances, the first round fired in an engagement may miss the intended target, and it becomes necessary to rapidly correct fire. A breadboard automatic miss-distance indicator system was previously developed to assist in this process. The system, which would be mounted on a 'wingman' tank, consists of a charged-coupled device (CCD) camera and computer-based image-processing system, coupled with a separate infrared sensor to detect muzzle flash. For the system to be successfully employed with current generation tanks, it must be reliable, be relatively low cost, and respond rapidly maintaining current firing rates. Recently, the original indicator system was developed further in an effort to assist in achieving these goals. Efforts have focused primarily upon enhanced image-processing algorithms, both to improve system reliability and to reduce processing requirements. Intelligent application of newly refined trajectory models has permitted examination of reduced areas of interest and enhanced rejection of false alarms, significantly improving system performance.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Charge transfer complexes of aluminum chloride

Abstract A study has been made of a number of solid charge transfer complex systems employing Aluminum chloride as an electron acceptor with a number of aromatic π-donors. It has been found that a linear relationship exists between the ionization potentials of the methylbenzenes and the energy of the apparent absorption maxima of the complexes. A similar relationship has been found for a number of polycyclic aromatic donors between the energy of the charge transfer band and an energy parameter for the highest occupied molecular orbital of the donor. Stoichiometric evidence is presented that indicates a dimeric aluminum chloride species forms the predominant complex with hexamethylbenzene.
Axisymmetric non-fourier temperatures in cylindrically bounded domains

Abstract Heat conduction solutions are presented for the case where the material obeys a non-Fourier conduction law. In contrast to the Fourier law which predicts an infinite speed of heat propagation, the non-Fourier theory implies that the speed of thermal signals are finite. Axisymmetric problems for regions interior and exterior to a circular cylinder are investigated by using methods of Laplace transformation and asymptotic analysis. Comparisons of the temperature profiles are made with Fourier theory for the case of step function temperature boundary conditions.
Silica depletion of the thermocline in the eastern North Pacific during glacial conditions: Clues from Ocean Drilling Program Site 893, Santa Barbara basin, California

Sedimentation of opaline skeletons (diatoms, radiolarians) is greatly reduced during the last glacial period in the Santa Barbara basin, compared with the Holocene. The overall pattern is similar to that of the accumulation of organic matter, but differs in detail. Apparently, both silicate and phosphate supply are reduced during glacial time within the basin, which derives its surface waters and thermocline waters from the California Current. The pattern of reduced glacial diatom productivity suggests a decrease in the estuarine aspects of the subarctic North Pacific, as a result of decrease in excess precipitation (which dominates the present situation). Variability is greater in silicate accumulation than in organic matter accumulation. We hypothesize that this difference is due to greater sensitivity of silicate to changes in nutrient enrichment and depletion in subsurface waters, as compared with phosphate.
Surgery for Obesity: A Review of the Current State of the Art and Future Directions

The number of patients undergoing surgery for the treatment of obesity, and the proportion of the health care budget dedicated to this health problem, is growing exponentially. There are several competing surgical approaches for the management of morbid obesity. We review the literature relating to four of these: gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion, gastric banding, and gastric pacing. Our review finds that while enhancing the malabsorptive activity of these procedures may induce an incremental increase in excess body weight loss, the proportion of patients who fail to lose more than 50% of their excess body weight is similar no matter how radical is the surgery performed. There is little guidance from the literature as to appropriate patient selection for the varying procedures, and anonymously reported registries have yet to show that patients who undergo bariatric surgery have enhanced longevity. To date, the bariatric surgical community has not conducted adequately powered randomized prospective trials to elucidate key elements of the surgical procedure such as optimal bypass length, to determine whether mixed operations are superior to those that offer intake restriction only, and to define what constitutes success after bariatric surgery. As a public health measure, bariatric surgery in the United States is being pursued in an irrational manner, being concentrated in areas where there are fewer morbidly obese patients, and used disproportionately among the population of white obese females.
Signal timing for fleeting multiple intersecting roadways

Increasing transportation efficiency by expanding roadway infrastructure is limited by maintenance costs, real estate, and lengthened commutes. An alternate solution has been optimizing traffic flow by fleeting traffic signals. A roadway is fleeted when its signal sequence allows a platoon of vehicles to travel its length without being stopped by a red light, which in turn reduces congestion. The advantages of fleeting could be increased by fleeting multiple intersecting roadways. Our research examines the conditions necessary to accomplish timing traffic signals in intersecting directions so that both directions can have platooned vehicles simultaneously. The traffic signals at the intersecting roadways must be synchronized to maintain the fleeting sequences for both roadways. Through our analysis, we conclude that the time to travel along the roadways between traffic signals that are timed for platooning in multiple directions must be equivalent. Since many roadway distances are already known (unless a new road is being constructed), the only variable affecting the time to travel along a roadway is the speed limit. If variable speed limits are used, traffic signals on intersecting roadways are able to be fleeted.
Improvement of bonding strength between biomimetic apatite coating and substrate

Bone-like apatite coatings were prepared using a biomimetic method in a modified simulated body fluid (m-SBF). The effect of the m-SBF volume on the apatite coating quality was studied. Three m-SBF volumes, 50, 100, and 200 mL, were employed to immerse titanium substrates in a sealed container so as to produce apatite coatings with different properties, namely types I, type II, and type III apatite coatings, respectively. The coatings were characterized using X-ray diffraction and environmental scanning electron microscope. The bonding between the coating and the Ti substrate was evaluated using an adhesive strength test. All three apatite coatings demonstrated a poorly crystallized structure, and the coatings formed exhibited a uniformed surface morphology. Further increasing the m-SBF volume, small globules of apatite started to form on the surface of the coating. The bonding strength for the three coating systems were 8.52 ± 2.41, 10.36 ± 2.78, and 17.23 ± 2.55 MPa for types I, II, and III apatite coatings, respectively. The failure analyses suggested that type III coating failed mostly at the interface between the coating and the substrate, while type I and II coatings failed mostly within the apatite coating. Our study revealed that a dense, thick, well-adhered apatite coating could be achieved by carefully controlling the volume of m-SBF. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Lamotrigine in childhood epilepsies

Lamotrigine (LTG) is one of the new generation of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that have been designed to perform specific physiological or pharmacological functions. Early laboratory testing revealed an AED profile auguring success in the management of generalized tonic-clonic seizures, partial seizures, and also absence, thus suggesting a broad spectrum of activity. The drug blocks voltage-sensitive sodium channels resulting in inhibition of excitatory neurotransmitter release. Randomized, controlled clinical trials confirmed effectiveness and the side effect profile was favorable. The use of LTG in childhood is based largely on anecdotal open-label derived information. To date it appears to have been successful in many of the most devastating childhood epilepsy syndromes but controlled trial information is needed to confirm that it may be not only successful as add-on in partial seizures but also in primary and secondarily generalized epilepsies as a primary agent.
Validation of a new prognostic index for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: The clinical course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is highly variable. A prognostic index based on widely available clinical and laboratory features was recently developed to predict survival among patients with previously untreated CLL. This index requires validation in an independent series of patients before widespread use can be recommended. METHODS: The Mayo Clinic CLL database was used to evaluate the validity and reproducibility of the new prognostic index. RESULTS: A total of 440 patients with newly diagnosed CLL who were seen at the Mayo Clinic within 12 months of diagnosis and for whom data were available with which to calculate index score were identified. Patients were classified as low, intermediate, or high risk using the prognostic index. The estimated median survival times were: not reached for low risk, 10.1 years for intermediate risk, and 7.2 years for high risk. The estimated median and 5-year survival by prognostic index risk category were similar to those originally reported. The prognostic index risk category added predictive value beyond that of Rai risk alone (P = .004). The prognostic index risk category remained a predictor of survival when analysis was limited to Rai stage 0 (P = .03) and nonreferred patients (P < .0001) and also predicted time to treatment (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study confirm the ability of a newly developed prognostic index to predict survival among patients with previously untreated CLL. The study also extended the utility of the index by demonstrating that it is useful at diagnosis, retains prognostic value when applied exclusively to Rai stage 0 patients, is effective in nonreferred patients, and predicts time to treatment. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Further Investigation of the Support System Effects and Wing Twist on the NASA Common Research Model

An experimental investigation of the NASA Common Research Model was conducted in the NASA Langley National Transonic Facility and NASA Ames 11-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel Facility for use in the Drag Prediction Workshop. As data from the experimental investigations was collected, a large difference in moment values was seen between the experiment and computational data from the 4th Drag Prediction Workshop. This difference led to a computational assessment to investigate model support system interference effects on the Common Research Model. The results from this investigation showed that the addition of the support system to the computational cases did increase the pitching moment so that it more closely matched the experimental results, but there was still a large discrepancy in pitching moment. This large discrepancy led to an investigation into the shape of the as-built model, which in turn led to a change in the computational grids and re-running of all the previous support system cases. The results of these cases are the focus of this paper.
Facilitating Symptom Reduction and Behavior Change in GAD: The Issue of Control

In this commentary we review the theoretical positions of Roemer and Orsillo and identify several key issues. First, the specificity of their arguments to generalized anxiety disorder (CAD) compared to the other anxiety disorders are explored. For example, the proposed distinctions between worry in CAD and worry associated with the other anxiety disorders are examined in light of available empirical evidence. Second, the proposed disjunctions between mental content and both actual experience and emotional/physiological responding are placed in the context of current theoretical and empirical work. Finally, possible therapeutic mechanisms of change for mindfulness/acceptance-based treatments and the roles of control and predictability in anxiety disorder treatment are discussed.
Some approximate methods for treating radiative transport in a non-grey gas with plane parallel geometry☆

Abstract An approximate method for handling the frequency dependence of radiative transport is clarified and it is shown that under most conditions the additional use of the Eddington Approximation should not appreciably reduce the accuracy in computed values for the flux and its divergence. Some slight modifications of the method which should lead to improvement in results are discussed.
Kinematic Dexterity of Robotic Mechanisms

In this article we develop a mathematical theory for optimizing the kinematic dexterity of robotic mechanisms and obtain a collection of analytical tools for robot design. The performance criteria we consider are workspace volume and dexterity; by the latter we mean the ability to move and apply forces in arbitrary directions as easily as possible. Clearly, dexterity and workspace volume are intrinsic to a mechanism, so that any mathematical formulation of these properties must necessarily be independent of the particular coordinate representation of the kinematics.By regarding the forward kinematics of a mechanism as defining a mapping between Riemannian manifolds, we apply the coordinate-free language of differential geometry to define natural measures of kinematic dexterity and workspace volume. This approach takes into account the geometric and topolog ical structures of the joint and workspaces. We show that the functional associated with harmonic mapping theory provides a natural measure of the kine...