cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia, kidney agenesis and cardiac defects associated with Slit3-deficiency in mice

Slit3 along with Slit1 and Slit2 comprise the Slit family of proteins. The latter two proteins are known to be involved in axon guidance and cell migration during animal development. However, little is know about the functions of Slit3. We created a Slit3-deficient mouse model from an OmniBank ES cell line with a Slit3 allele trapped by insertional mutagenesis to analyze the in vivo functions of this protein. In this model, congenital diaphragmatic hernia is the most obvious phenotype. Herniation was found to be caused by a defective central tendon (CT) of the diaphragm that remained fused with the liver. Electron microscopic analyses of the defective CT revealed disorganized collagen fibrils that failed to form tight collagen bundles. The hearts of Slit3-deficient mice have an enlarged right ventricle. In addition, 20% of homozygous mice also showed a range of kidney defects that include unilateral or bilateral agenesis of the kidney and ureter, or varying degrees of renal hypoplasia. Thus, we concluded that Slit3 is involved in the development of multiple organ systems that include the diaphragm and the kidney. Slit3-deficient mice represent a genetic animal model for physiological and pathological studies of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
Tissue levels of retinoids in human embryos/fetuses

In nonhuman vertebrate embryos, two endogenous retinoids with significant morphogenic activities have been identified thus far: all-trans retinoic acid and 3, 4-didehydroretinoic acid. To date, no information is available concerning endogenous retinoid levels in developing human embryos or fetuses. The purpose of the present study was to provide data relating to normal levels of retinoids in various human embryonic and fetal tissues at various stages of gestation measurable with HPLC techniques. Our investigations show that all-trans-retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinoic acid, retinol, all-trans-retinoyl-beta-glucuronide, and one unidentified metabolite were all present and quantifiable in several human embryos and fetuses investigated. Tissue levels of retinol were consistently much higher than those of the other three detected metabolites; 4-oxo metabolites were below the levels of detection in all samples studied.
Recurrent appendicitis after initial conservative management of appendiceal abscess

Abstract Therapy for children with appendiceal abscess remains controversial. The authors present two such cases initially treated conservatively, without interval appendectomy, that later had recurrent appendicitis. An 8-year-old boy presented with fever, abdominal pain, and a right-lower-quadrant abscess (noted by ultrasonography). During laparotomy, the abscess was drained and the appendix was not found. He was lost to follow-up but returned 212 years later with perforated appendicitis. An appendectomy was performed, and image-guided drainage of a postoperative abscess was required. A 10-year-old girl presented with fever and right-lower-quadrant pain. Computed tomography showed a multiloculated mass. During laparotomy, the cecum was found to be densely adherent to the pelvic organs and bowel, so the surrounding abscess was drained. Interval appendectomy was refused. The patient returned 8 months later with recurrent acute appendicitis and an appendiceal abscess requiring appendectomy and drainage. Although initial drainage alone of appendiceal abscess is efficacious, the authors strongly advocate interval appendectomy as a critical component of the complete management of this entity.
Relaxation Matching Applied To Aerial Images

summary of the relaxation updating functions forthese methods.RESULTSThe various methods were tested on 3 different aerial views (1) a scene with 14 storagetanks, of 5 different sizes, (2) a high altitude view of the San Francisco area with 14 objectsidentified in the model (95 in the image), and (3) a view of the Stockton, CA. area with 20 modelobjects (24 or more valid matches possible, and more than 200 image elements). The results on these images allow us to make some generalcomments on the performance of the variousmethods.SPIE Vol. 281 Techniques and Applications of /mage Understanding (1981) / 207 Relaxation matching applied to aerial images K. E. PriceImage Processing Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90007INTRODUCTION We have developed a symbolic matching system which can be used for a variety of matching tasks in scene analysis. The system is designed to handle many of the problems encountered in the analysis of real scenes: noisy feature values, missing elements, extra pieces of objects, many features, many objects. At the heart of this system is a relaxation based matching scheme. A variety of relaxation procedures have been used with varying results.The basic matching procedure [1] and the various relaxation methods [2,3] are discussed elsewhere and will only be outlined here. This paper will concentrate on a discussion of the overall matching system and the performance of the various relaxation techniques.The input to the matching procedure is two relational structures-one for the model of the scene and the other for the input image. The structures are represented as graph structures with objects at the nodes (with associated feature values) and relations between objects as the arcs between the nodes.
The importance of gut motility in the metabolic control of propionic acidemia

We hypothesized that gut motility likely plays a critical role in the metabolic stability in propionic acidemia (PA). Therefore, 4 known patients with PA (aged 47 months to 185 months) were prospectively studied over 7 days in the Clinical Research Center at Children's Hospital, Boston. Determinations of ammonia, bicarbonate, and amino acids in blood; organic acids and propionylglycine in urine; and a lactulose breath test were conducted under two study conditions: on regular therapy (for 4 days) and on regular therapy plus Senekot (Purdue Frederick Company, Norwalk, Conn), an intestinal motility agent (for 3 days). The total gastrointestinal transit time was calculated using 20 nonabsorbable, inert, radio-opaque markers. The addition of an intestinal motility agent resulted in a significant decrease in blood ammonia, urinary excretion of propionylglycine, and a rise in the ratio of free to total carnitine over baseline. We concluded that enhancement of gut motility can improve metabolic stability in patients with PA.
The design and flight test of an engine inlet bulk acoustic liner

This paper summarizes the design, fabrication and flight evaluation of a Kevlar acoustic liner configuration for a JT15D turbofan engine. The liner was designed to suppress, by a measurable amount, a dominant (13,0) BPF tone. This tone or spinning mode was produced for research purposes by installing 41 circumferentially distributed small diameter rods upstream of the 28 fan blades. Duct liner attenuations calculated by a finite element procedure were compared to far field power (insertion) losses deduced from flight data. The finite element program modeled the variable geometry of the JT15D inlet and used a uniform flow with a boundary layer roll-off to model the inlet flow field. Calculated liner losses were generally conservative. That is, measured far field power losses were generally greater than attenuations calculated by the finite element computer program.
Perturbative four-anyon spectra

Abstract I obtain the second order perturbative four-anyon (relative motion) energies in closed form starting from the bosonic end configurations E0 = 5, J = ± 2 and E0 = 6, J = ± 3. The comparison with three-anyon perturbative results present in the literature leads to the individuation of regularities which can be expected to characterized the general N-anyon spectra.
Biomechanical analysis of partial flexor tendon lacerations in zone II of human cadavers.

Purpose The aims of this study were to examine nonrepaired 90% partial lacerations of human cadaver flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon after simulated active motion, and to assess the residual ultimate tensile strength. Methods Partial, transverse zone II flexor tendon lacerations were made in the volar 90% of the tendon substance in 10 FDP tendons from 5 fresh-frozen human cadaver hands. The tendons were cycled in the curvilinear fashion described by Greenwald 500 times to a tension 25% greater than the maximum in vivo active FDP flexion force measured by Schuind and colleagues. The tendons were then loaded to failure using the same curvilinear model. Results No tendons ruptured during cycling. Triggering occurred in 3 tendons. All 3 began triggering early in the cycling process, and continued to trigger throughout the remainder of the 500 cycles. The observed triggering mechanics in each case involved the interaction of the proximal face of the lacerated tendon with Camper's chiasm and the pulley edges during extension. The load to failure value of the 90% partially lacerated tendons averaged 141.7 ± 13 N (mean ± standard deviation). Tendon failure occurred by delamination of the intact collagen fibers from the distal, discontinuous 90% of the tendon. Conclusions Cadaveric transverse zone II partial flexor tendon lacerations have residual tensile strength greater than the force required for protected active mobilization.
The emergence of Latin America in the nineteenth century

1: Introduction 2: The Founding of a New Political System 3: The Economic and Social Dimensions 4: Mexico in Decline (1821-1850) 5: Andean South America to Midcentury: Consolidation of Independence 6: The Road to the Dictatorship in the Platine Area 7: The Rise of the Brazilian Monarchy (1850-1885) 8: Latin America at Midcentury: A Quickening Pace of Change 9: The Heyday of the Liberal Reform in Spanish America (1850-1880) I: Mexico and Columbia 10: The Heyday of Liberal Reform in Spanish America (1850-1880) II: Argentina, Chile, and Some Other Cases 11: The Flowering and the Decline of the Brazilian Empire (1850-1885) 12: The Caribbean Vortex in the Nineteenth Century: Cuba and Central America 13: The Liberal Legacy and the Quest for Development Notes Appendixes Chronology Further Reading Index
Remote assessment of countries’ nuclear, biological, and cyber capabilities: joint motivation and latent capability approach

Nuclear, biological, and cyber weapons are major components of national security policy. We currently rely on case studies of individual threats to understand the international distribution of latent capabilities of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)—and typically look exclusively at commercial activity, scientific activity, or policy activity, without considering how these activities relate to other capabilities. Part of the problem of relying on these case studies is that the most interesting cases tend to be the outliers—making it difficult to generalize policy. Many of these case studies also ignore the threat of multiple weapons of mass destruction—the analyses focus exclusively on nuclear issues, biological issues, or cyber issues. We adapt Friedkin’s socio-cultural model of influence and group dynamics to illustrate how countries are motivated to develop WMD using data on international hostilities, alliances, and expert opinion. We assess latent capabilities based on a country’s scientific, commercial, and policy activity. After applying this approach, we develop a risk threat score for the country’s nuclear, biological, and cyber capability, and use k-means to assess global trends and profiles in WMD development. By using this approach, we systematically consider all countries and do a joint analysis across the different technologies. We find that there are four broad profiles of countries: countries that invest heavily across all three technologies, countries that are invested in nuclear and cyber capability, countries that are solely invested in biological capability, and countries that are not invested in the three capabilities. These profiles provide a more holistic view of the threat landscape for policymakers.
What is new at CLEO

Abstract I will present results from CLEO on rare B decays, particularly those arising from hadronic penguin processes, a glueball candidate fJ(2220), and the hadronic cross section of the e+e− collision at the center-of-mass range around 10 GeV.
Theory adapters as discipline coordinators

A successful discipline of software engineering will, over time, incorporate within its own borders those theories and techniques from other disciplines which are relevant in and helpful to software development. Since both software engineering and its cognate disciplines will change over time, it must not only incorporate external theories and techniques, but establish active coordination with other disciplines. Having explicit models and plans for achieving this coordination is preferable to leaving it to chance. This paper outlines a model for coordinating software engineering and cognitive support research through theory transfer by applied theoreticians. Ongoing work on incorporating cognitive support theories into software engineering processes and education are cast as an example effort falling under this discipline coordination model. The model is conservative in that it does not suggest a radical transformation of software engineering, but our application to cognitive support does highlight a need for more directed theory application, and generates proposals for non-trivial additions to the accepted body of knowledge.
A multi-species model for rangeland plant communities

A plant growth model has been developed as a component of a general rangeland production and utilization model (SPUR). The carbon and nitrogen content of standing green, live roots, propagules, standing dead, litter, dead roots, soil organic matter and soil inorganic nitrogen are simulated. The model can simultaneously simulate up to seven plant species or species groups on a total of nine heterogeneous range sites. It incorporates processes which are common to C3 and C4 plants but does not consider plants with Crassulacean Acid Metabolism. When coupled with the other components of the SPUR model, the plant component allows testing of grazing management, environmental variation, and fertilizer application.
Age and Tectonic Significance of Volcanic Rocks, Death Valley Area, California

Potassium-argon dating of volcanic rocks referred to the Artist Drive Formation or “Older Volcanics” in the Death Valley region, yields ages between 6 and 9 m.y. Determinations on both younger and older units substantiate these values and compress the tentative chronology of the region outlined by previous authors. Upper and lower age limits are established for the Furnace Creek Formation, requiring a minimum depositional rate of 127 cm/1000 yr at the north end of the Black Mountains. A denudation rate in excess of 50 cm/1000 yr is suggested for at least part of the Death Valley area during the late Pliocene. Two temporally and structurally distinct episodes of deformation are postulated, which may be responsible for the diverse structural features referred to the Amargosa chaos or thrust complex. Tectonic implications include the synchroneity of normal faulting, strike-slip faulting, folding, and formation of at least part of the Amargosa chaos in the last 6 m.y.
Coal-fueled diesel engines: Analytical evaluations of ignition options

An engine cycle simulation was developed to investigate the ignition and combustion characteristics of coal-water slurry fuels in a reciprocating, internal combustion engine. The simulation includes models for fuel and air mixing, wall heat transfer, solid coal particle combustion, coal devolatilization, and liquid evaporation and combustion. These models together with a thermodynamic analysis of the cylinder gas yield instantaneous cylinder conditions and overall indicated engine performance. The engine parameters and operating conditions were selected to be representative of a locomotive engine operating at 1000 RPM. Engine and fuel parameters investigated include engine inlet conditions (temperature and pressure), coal particle sizes and size distributions, fuel additives, and coal properties. Increases in the initial (at BDC) gas temperature or pressure, or the addition of small amounts of diesel oil improved the ignition characteristics. Slurries with smaller particle sizes exhibited better ignition qualities and resulted in higher peak indicated thermal efficiencies than slurries with larger particle sizes. Results obtained using monosize sauter mean diameter particles agreed well with results obtained for the corresponding distribution. Finally, ignition was achieved at lower initial gas temperatures for higher reactivity coals.
From Core/Shell Structured FePt/Fe3O4/MgO to Ferromagnetic FePt Nanoparticles

This paper reports an improved synthesis of hard magnetic fct-FePt nanoparticles (NPs) from reductive annealing of fcc-FePt/Fe3O4/MgO NPs followed by MgO removal. The fcc-FePt/Fe3O4 NPs are made by a one-pot reaction of Pt(acac)2 with Fe(CO)5 in the presence of oleic acid and oleylamine and are coated with a layer of MgO via the thermal decomposition of Mg(acac)2. The MgO coating prevents FePt from sintering under high temperature reductive annealing conditions. The fct-FePt NPs obtained from the 650 °C annealing of the fcc-FePt/Fe3O4/MgO NPs show a coercivity value of 2 T at 300 K, suitable for various nanomagnetic applications.
The Making of Marriage in Medieval France

Georges Duby described medieval, Catholic marriage as the product of two competing groups of people, clergy and nobles, each with their own conflicting ideas of marriage. Clergy wanted indissoluble and monogamous marriage, while nobles wanted to divorce and remarry at will. This widely influential idea of marriage is extremely misleading. Clergy and nobles did not comprise distinct and competing camps, nor did they have opposing ideas of marriage. Instead, together, as members of the powerful families that dominated medieval Europe, these men and women created and implemented Christian marriage as monogamous and indissoluble. Using as a case study the scandalous marriage of a twelfth-century abbess, this article will demonstrate the flaws in Duby’s argument, and also we can learn about medieval marriage, and medieval society more broadly, by applying this new approach.
Epigenetics—The Link Between Infectious Diseases and Cancer

IN 1911, ROUS’S SEMINAL DISCOVERY 1 THAT CELL-FREE FILtrates from birds with sarcoma were able to cause tumors in healthy birds laid the foundations of a new field at the crossroads of microbiology and cancer biology. The idea that viruses are causally linked to cancer was viewed with skepticism at the time and fell into oblivion for decades but reemerged later, and 55 years after his groundbreaking discovery, Rous received the 1966 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. A century after this major finding, more than 20% of cancers have been causally linked to human pathogens. Why an infection is sometimes controlled and on other occasions progresses to malignant tumors is still a mystery, but epigenetic changes increasingly emerge as having a causative role.
Depletion of mouse spermatogonia following exposure to polonium-210.

LOCALIZATION of polonium-210 (210Po) in the interstitial spaces of the testes of rats has been demonstrated radio-autographically1 and a very slow rate of excretion of 210Po from rat testis has also been shown. 210Po is a naturally occurring alpha-emitting element of the uranium decay chain. A particle energy of 5.3 MeV allows a range for the 210Po alpha particle of about 37µ, in tissue. Since this distance is sufficient to penetrate from the interstitial spaces of the testis into the outer cell layers of the seminiferous tubules of the testis where spermatogenesis occurs, it seemed important to ascertain the effect of 210Po on spermatogenesis. The survival of resting primary spermatocytes in stage VII tubules of mouse testis was measured by methods described by Oakberg in studies of the response of the mouse testis to external radiation exposure3 and later used for the evaluation of tritiated thymidine toxicity4. Male Harvard Swiss Wistar mice 2–25 weeks of age were injected peritoneally with 0–2 nc. of 210Po, obtained from the Radiochemical Centre, Amersham, and constituted in 0.05–0.25 ml. of isotonic weakly acid solution prepared by dilution with normal saline. At intervals from 5 days to 10 months after injection, mice were killed by cervical dislocation and their testes removed and fixed in either Bouin's solution or 10 per cent neutral formalin. The tissues were embedded in paraffin and cut into 5µ sections. Prepared slides were stained with periodic acid–Schiff–haematoxylin stains and examined at 1,000 × magnification using an oil immersion objective. Only seminiferous tubules cut in cross-sections so that they appeared round were selected for scoring. Only those tubules in stage VII, as established by maturation of the acrosomes of the spermatids5, were counted. 15–30 tubules were counted from each slide. Serial adjacent sections were avoided. The results are plotted in Fig. 1.
100 Patient Years' Experience with the Broviac Silastic Catheter for Central Venous Nutrition

Use of the Broviac silastic catheter totaling 37,039 patient days' experience has been studied at UCLA Hospital. When combined with standardized protocol for performance of parenteral nutrition and line care, and consistently supervised, the Broviac catheter provided inpatient as well as home parenteral nutrition with minimal complications. Catheter-related sepsis occurred once every 1,058 catheter-use days; minor or major complications developed once every 330 days. The benefits of the Broviac catheter appear to stem from the reinforcement of the external portion of the catheter with an outer protective sheath of Teflon, the luer lock connecting apparatus at the end of the catheter, and the dacron cuff which served to anchor the catheter by stimulating adhesion formulation. The ability to repair the catheter by splicing avoided removal of 7% of all catheters. Particularly dramatic results were noted in infants younger than 2 yr; sepsis and dislodgement occurred only once every 1189 catheter-use days. On the basis of these observations, the Broviac silastic catheter should currently be considered the catheter of choice for central venous alimentation.
Mechanism of formation of 2-furaldehyde from d-xylose

The literature records two alternative hypotheses for the mechanism of dehydration of xylose to 2-furaldehyde (furfural), namely (1) a succession of reactions proceeding mainly via open-chain intermediates, and (2) an acid-catalyzed sequence proceeding through a 2,5-anhydride intermediate. The existing evidence for hypotheses (1) and (2) is reviewed and found to favor (2). The major products from xylose in water at 250° (with and without acid catalysis) have been investigated on a time-resolved basis. A kinetic model based on the second hypothesis is found to be consistent with the experimental data; whereas kinetic models based on the first hypothesis do not fit the data.
A Comparison of Two Surgical Approaches to the Scapulohumeral Joint in Dogs

Two scapulohumeral arthrotomy techniques were evaluated and compared in 10 normal, young adult greyhounds. A caudolateral approach with craniodorsal retraction of the teres minor muscle (no-tenotomy) and a craniolateral approach with tenotomy of the infraspinatus tendon were each performed unilaterally in 5 dogs. The dogs were evaluated using force plate gait analysis, lameness evaluation, radiography, and goniometry for 5 weeks and then euthanatized. Tenotomy sites and sections of the humeral articular cartilage were collected from shoulder joints that had been operated on and examined microscopically. The same surgical approach has then performed on the contralateral shoulder in the cadavers and exposure of the humeral articular cartilage was measured using planimetry. Peak vertical force applied to the operated limbs in the tenotomy group was significantly less than preoperative leads on day 3 and significantly less than the no-tenotomy group on days 21 and 28. The peak vertical force applied to the operated limbs in the no-tenotomy group was not significantly different from preoperative levels during the study. Scapulohumeral arthrotomy by tenotomy of the infraspinatus resulted in decreased range-of-motion and joint extension compared with joints operated on without tenotomies, but provided significantly greater exposure to the articular surface. Scapulohumeral arthrotomy with craniodorsal retraction of the teres minor muscle did not significantly alter goniometric measurements compared with unoperated joints. Both techniques resulted in similar subjective lameness scores and caused no gross microscopic or radiographic evidence of articular cartilage damage.
Modeling of wavelength multiplexing networks for storage area networking

Recently, there has been increased interest in the use of optical networks for disaster recovery of large computer systems by extending storage area networks (SANs) over hundreds of kilometers or more. These optical datacom networks, which incorporate wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), have several unique requirements. The purpose of this work has been to develop computer simulation tools for optical datacom networks. The models are capable of automatically designing a WDM network configuration based on minimal input; validating the design against any protocol-specific requirements; suggesting alternative configurations; and optimizing the design based on metrics including performance of the network (efficient use of bandwidth to support the attached computing devices), reliability (searching the proposed topology for single points of failure), scalability (based on user input of potential future upgrade paths), and cost of the associated networking equipment. The model incorporates typical computer performance data, which allows the prediction of system performance before the network is implemented. We present simulation results for a variety of MAN topologies, using currently available WDM networking equipment. These results have been validated by comparison with an enterprise optical networking testbed constructed for storage area networks.
Improving accuracy of Tay Sachs carrier screening of the non-Jewish population: analysis of 34 carriers and six late-onset patients with HEXA enzyme and DNA sequence analysis.

Improving Accuracy of Tay Sachs Carrier Screening of the Non-Jewish Population: Analysis of 34 Carriers and Six Late-Onset Patients With HEXA Enzyme and DNA Sequence Analysis
Spacecraft power source installation at launch complex

For certain space missions, an assembly must be integrated onto the spacecraft as late as possible in the launch vehicle processing flow.12 This late integration can be driven for a variety of reasons including thermal or hazardous materials constraints.
Women, Families and HIV/AIDS: A Sociological Perspective on the Epidemic in America

Carole Campbell examines the position of women in the AIDS epidemic (women living with HIV, and the growing number of women caring for HIV-infected family members) in a sociocultural context. The early male profile of the AIDS epidemic has given rise to education and prevention programs based upon the needs of males. Campbell draws a clear connection between women's risk of AIDS, gender roles (particularly adolescent gender role socialization), and male sexual behavior, demonstrating that no efforts to contain the spread of the disease to females can succeed without also targeting the male behavior that puts women at risk. This study concludes that compared with men, HIV-infected women face unequal access to care and unequal quality of care. Campbell makes a compelling case that social institutions such as health care and the media have created barriers for women by failing to take into account the differences between men and women in terms of social roles, status, and power. Informed by the moving personal accounts of eleven HIV-infected men and women, this book offers a rare, broad picture of the sociocultural causes and the impact on American society of AIDS among women.
Analysis of block random rocking

Abstract The stochastic rocking of a rigid block due to shaking of its foundation is examined. The foundation is flexible (Winkler) and its independent springs and dashpots separate from the block base when tension is incipient. Modulated white noise is used as a model of horizontal acceleration of the foundation. The statistics of the rocking response are found by an analytical procedure which involves a combination of static condensation and stochastic linearization. The analytical solution is computationally efficient and compares well with pertinent data obtained by numerical simulations.
Social Disorganizational Aspects of Professional Sports Careers

Social disorganization, approached as either structure or process, personal or institu tional, is discussed as it applies to the career of the professional team athlete. Conditions leading to socia...
Preschool peers as mutual generalization-facilitating agents

A preschool boy was taught by a peer-tutor to label five printed three-letter words. Recognition of these printed words was examined in a training setting, which was a small tutoring room and a generalization setting, which was a work area. After training began, both the student and his peer-tutor increased in percent-ages of correct word recognition in the training setting, but neither boy showed any reliable word recognition in the generalization setting. The peer-tutor's presence or absence during probes in the generalization setting then was manipulated to establish its function in controlling the student's and the peer-tutor's generalization. The student showed reliable and stable generalization when he was probed in the presence of his peer-tutor. The peer-tutor was always probed alone in the generalization setting. However, during those conditions in which he was present during the student's generalization probe, the peer-tutor showed greatly improved generalization.
Redesigning a Joint Replacement Program Using Lean Six Sigma in a Veterans Affairs Hospital

Importance In April 2009, an analysis of joint replacement surgical procedures at the Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, revealed that total hip and knee replacements incurred $1.4 million in non–Veterans Affairs (VA) care costs with an average length of stay of 6.1 days during fiscal year 2008. The Joint Replacement Program system redesign project was initiated following the Vision-Analysis-Team-Aim-Map-Measure-Change-Sustain (VA-TAMMCS) model to increase efficiency, decrease length of stay, and reduce non-VA care costs. Objective To determine the effectiveness of Lean Six Sigma process improvement methods applied in a VA hospital. Design, Setting, and Participants Perioperative processes for patients undergoing total joint replacement were redesigned following the VA-TAMMCS model—the VA’s official, branded method of Lean Six Sigma process improvement. A multidisciplinary team including the orthopedic surgeons, frontline staff, and executive management identified waste in the current processes and initiated changes to reduce waste and increase efficiency. Data collection included a 1-year baseline period and a 20-month sustainment period. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary endpoint was length of stay; a secondary analysis considered non-VA care cost reductions. Results Length of stay decreased 36% overall, decreasing from 5.3 days during the preproject period to 3.4 days during the 20-month sustainment period ( P Conclusions and Relevance The success of the Joint Replacement Program demonstrates that VA-TAMMCS is an effective tool for Lean and Six Sigma process improvement initiatives in a surgical practice, producing a 36% sustained reduction in length of stay and completely eliminating non-VA care for total hip and knee replacements while increasing total joint replacement volume at this medical center.
Influence of precipitation and solution strengthening on abrasive wear resistance

Abstract The influence of precipitation and solution strengthening on gouging abrasion resistance has been studied using a 6061 aluminium alloy heat treated to obtain four different microstructures. Single-event abrasive grooves were generated using a modified Charpy impact tester and the specific energy consumption in grooving was recorded and used as a measure of wear resistance. In addition, the mechanisms of chip formation and material removal were studied by metallographic analysis of “quick-stop” specimens. The results of the grooving tests show that for small grooves precipitation strengthening yields higher energy values than solution strengthening, the wear resistance increasing with decreasing precipitate size. The ranking of the different heat treatments with respect to specific grooving energy depends, however, on the considered damage depth and the opposite order of ranking is found at the largest groove depths. On the basis of the results of the grooving tests, a discussion on the influence of groove depth and microstructure on chip formation and specific grooving energy is presented. In particular, the inhomogeneous nature of the plastic deformation involved in chip formation is discussed, and the resulting importance of the thermal stability of the material in determining wear resistance is emphasized.
Addressing qualified personnel shortages for children who are deaf or hard of hearing with an interdisciplinary service learning program.

Purpose To describe the student training benefits for speech-language pathology graduate students involved in an interdisciplinary, community-based intervention program at a Midwestern university for families of preschool children who were deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and auditory-based spoken language users. Method The Auditory and Language Enriched Program was developed to provide graduate students with a clinically relevant service learning opportunity that also met some unique community needs of families in the community. Specifically, students learned to provide families with imaginative ways to expose their children who were DHH to language and literacy and nurture their natural curiosity and zest for learning. Results Statistically significant improvement was noted between pre- and postintervention questionnaires of knowledge and skill related to intervention for this population by a single group of students. Conclusions An interdisciplinary service learning approach to intervention might provide ...
Reliability of MgAI Semiconductor Interconnects

Data are presented comparing 1-percent MgAI wire with 1-percent SiAI wire for ultrasonically bonded interconnects on semiconductor devices. The effects of annealing time and temperature on the strength of the wire demonstrate the mechanical superiority of the 1-percent MgAI wire. The effects of ultrasonic power and time on wire deformation and bond pull strength demonstrate similar behavior for both the 1-percent MgAI wire and the 1-percent SiAI wire. It is also shown that there is a critical amount of wire deformation necessary for a strong bond, and that further deformation weakens the interconnection. Although there are very few data on the effects of Mg in Si, there have been fragmentary reports that 1-percent MgAI wire causes degradation of transistor characteristics. This investigation indicates that 1-percent MgAI wire is not the dominant degradation mechanism in any device studied.
Mind, rules, and the cognitive bin: Some implications for foreign language teaching

The cognitive model of language learning assumes that language is neither basically spoken nor written but that it pairs forms with concepts. The rules governing the ability to generate sentences are psychologically real, even if not articulated. The desire to express or extract meaning activates them. Language use draws from the native and experiential contents of mind, or the “cognitive bin.” These assumptions generate an instructional strategy which discards the sequencing of the audiolingual method. Instead, the ability to derive information from reading is developed first. Phonics then enables the student to read aloud what he can read silently. Aural comprehension is then derived from reading and phonics. Conversation is developed from a “cognitive bin” filled through reading and conversation. Writing develops from all three skills.
Facilitating web-based student team collaboration with MessageGrid

In this poster proposal, we describe a new tool in MessageGrid [1--6] that allows an instructor to create individual grids for student team collaboration. In previous applications of MessageGrid, the instructor of a course had the ability to create a portal to facilitate live in or out-of-class interactivity through a web-based interface available to any student enrolled in the course. All submissions by the instructor and students are available for later viewing through any web browser. Building on the current framework of MessageGrid, team grids allow instructors teaching project-based courses to increase the amount of student team interactivity that is traditionally conducted via e-mail or meetings. By creating a grid for collaboration, the instructor is able to gain a live insight into team dynamics, communication, and work progress.The remainder of this poster proposal is organized as follows. Section 1 introduces the background behind the origin for team grids in MessageGrid and current uses of team grids. Section 2 describes the live demo to be conducted at the poster presentation. Section 3 acknowledges all people and organizations that made MessageGrid team grids possible. Section 4 is a list of all references in this poster proposal.
Strategic brand venturing: an intersectional idea

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline a growth strategy and a conceptual model for large consumer packaged goods (CPG) firms that involves venturing with brand entrepreneurs to access innovative or disruptive new brands called “strategic brand venturing” (SBV). It aims to ground the model conceptually using the intersection of three domains: entrepreneurship, strategic management, and marketing.Design/methodology/approach – An emerging development among large CPG firms known for their branding and marketing prowess has been to create dedicated brand/consumer venturing units (e.g. Coca‐Cola, P&G, Nestle, Clorox, General Mills, Unilever) as a means of creating new growth horizons. The paper notes this recent development and opportunity. It offers a conceptual explanation of how to think about this using domain intersection literature and a practice‐based description of the dimensions involved in executing such a strategy.Findings – The paper is conceptual and practice‐oriented. No fieldwork was ...
Conformational stabilities of dicyclopropyl methane determined from variable temperature infrared spectra of rare gas solutions and ab initio calculations

Abstract The infrared (3500–40 cm −1 ) spectra of gaseous and solid dicyclopropyl methane, (c-C 3 H 5 ) 2 CH 2 , along with the Raman (3500–30 cm −1 ) spectra of the liquid and solid phases of this molecule have been recorded. Three of the four possible conformers have been identified in the fluid phases, and they are the gauche – gauche rotamer with C 2 symmetry, gauche – gauche rotamer with C s symmetry, and the gauche – cis rotamer with C 1 symmetry. Variable temperature (−55 to −145°C) studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon and krypton have been carried out. Utilizing six different combinations of pairs of bands from the C 2 and C s conformers, the average value of Δ H , the enthalpy difference between these two conformers, is 239±13 cm −1 (2.86±0.16 kJ/mol) from the xenon solution and 211±12 cm −1 (2.52±0.14 kJ/mol) from the krypton solution, with the C 2 form the more stable rotamer in both solvents. The enthalpy difference for the gauche – cis form was obtained from the temperature dependence of the relative intensities of three of the fundamentals of this conformer with three fundamentals of the C 2 form and two fundamentals of the C s form, from which a value of 479±84 cm −1 (5.73±1.00 kJ/mol) was obtained between the C 2 rotamer and this less stable C 1 form. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed for the C 2 conformer and most of the fundamentals have been assigned for the C s conformer, utilizing predictions of fundamental frequencies, infrared intensities, and Raman activities from MP2/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations. The structural parameters, dipole moments and conformational stabilities of the four possible conformers of dicyclopropyl methane have been obtained from RHF/6-31G(d), MP2/6-31G(d) and MP2/6-311+G(d,p) ab initio calculations, with the latter two incorporating full electron correlation. The predicted conformational stabilities are consistent with the experimental results. These experimental and theoretical results are compared to the corresponding quantities of some similar molecules.
Consumer perceptions of Internet retail service quality

The purpose of this manuscript is to explore consumers’ perceptions of Internet retail service quality. This is accomplished via two studies. Study 1 utilizes qualitative depth interviews to identify five dimensions important to consumers in their assessment of the quality of Internet retailers. These are termed performance (how well an online retailer does in terms of meeting expectations regarding order fulfillment), access (Internet retailer’s ability to provide a variety of products from anywhere in the world), security (relating to perceptions of trust in the online retailer’s integrity regarding financial and privacy issues), sensation (interactive features of the e‐retailer’s Web site) and information (quantity and credibility of information provider by the online retailer). Study 2 quantifies the five dimensions using multi‐item scales, and conducts a survey to assess the reliability and validity (convergent, discriminant, and nomological) of these dimensions. Theoretical and managerial implications of the results are also discussed.
A tribute to Thomas J.R. Hughes on the occasion of his 65th birthday

This special volume is dedicated to Thomas J. R. Hughes, a phenomenal leader in computational mechanics, on the occasion of his 65th birthday. A sequence of symposia organized at the Fifteenth International Conference on Finite Elements in Flow Problems, Tokyo, Japan, April 1–3, 2009, were dedicated to the celebration of this occasion. This special volume contains papers authored by friends, colleagues, collaborators and former students of Tom Hughes who gave presentations at these symposia. It is a tribute to the
Encouraging Initiative in the Engineering Student

Engineering education today is being examined from within as well as from without, with the object of adapting it to meet more adequately the changing demands of a profession broad and diverse although relatively young. With no precedent or past experience to serve as a guide, engineering education necessarily has developed by its own efforts through trial and experiment. This describes the educational methods adopted at Harvard Engineering School in an effort to the problem of training engineering graduates for the varied responsibilities that they may be called upon to assume.
Benzodiazepine receptor ligand actions on GABA responses. β-carbolines, purines

The effects of several beta-carboline and purine ligands for benzodiazepine receptors were studied upon GABA (4-aminobutyric acid) responses and upon diazepam enhancement of GABA responses, using mouse spinal cord neurons in dissociated cell culture. While the potent convulsant beta-carboline DMCM (methyl-6,7-dimethyoxy-4-ethyl-carboline-3-carboxylate), reduced GABA responses, methyl-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta CCMe) and the corresponding ethyl ester (beta CCEt) did not alter GABA responses. The propyl ester (beta CCPr) enhanced GABA responses in a concentration-dependent fashion, while both beta CCMe and beta CCPr blocked diazepam enhancement of GABA responses. beta CCPr may thus have partial agonist activity. Two purines with moderate benzodiazepine receptor affinity, 1-methylisoguanosine (MeIG) and 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP), weakly enhanced GABA responses. MeIG also significantly antagonized diazepam enhancement of GABA responses. Inosine and hypoxanthine had no apparent actions upon GABA responses or upon diazepam enhancement of such responses. The results with beta-carbolines are consistent with their behavioural profile in vivo and with neurochemical studies of their effects upon GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complexes. Furthermore, certain purines are also able to interact with these complexes.
Application of a variable criterion model to auditory reaction time as a function of the type of catch trial

A variable criterion model has been applied to data from an RT experiment by LaBerge in which catch trial stimuli varied in similarity to a single auditory RT signal. Estimates of a sensory recruitment function and the parameters of hypothetical criterion distributions were obtained by a scaling solution. Auditory recruitment was an exponential growth function, and the criterion distributions were normal. In combination, these estimates successfully predicted the empirical RT distributions.
Historical Land-Cover Changes and Hydrogeomorphic Adjustment in a Small Georgia Watershed

This study utilizes hydrologic modeling (HEC-1) for discrete episodes of land use in a Georgia watershed to portray the hydrologic adjustments that occur during a period of intensive land clearing and subsequent revegetation. It then compares these hydrologic shifts to field-based geomorphic adjustments such as gullying and valley aggradation. The Turner Creek watershed, settled in the mid-1830s, experienced a period of rapid land clearing with intensive cotton production (∼90 years) and then an extended period of reforestation (∼70 years), which generated hydrologic and geomorphic adjustments. Deep canyon formation in the poorly consolidated Coastal Plain lithologies occurred rapidly (∼30 years), causing upwards of 50 m of dissection. Results indicate that a new hydrologic regime has been established relative to both the prehistorical period (ca. 1800) and the period of maximum land clearing (ca. 1880), and that this hydrologic stability was achieved relatively quickly. Some geomorphic adjustments have c...