cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Chisel Edge Model for Arbitrary Drill Point Geometry

An oblique cutting model is developed to predict the thrust and torque created by the chisel edge of a drill with an arbitrary point geometry. The chisel edge geometry is modeled using a mathematical representation of the flank grinding parameters and the flute geometry. The varying cutting angles at the chisel edge are determined and used to calculate the force contribution of each element using a mechanistic modeling approach. The model is validated for three commercial point geometries-the conical, helical and Racon® drill points. Model simulations match experimental data well for the geometries tested and show a marked improvement over the orthogonal cutting model.
Analysis of ill-structured problem solving, mentoring functions, and perceptions of practicum teachers and mentors toward online mentoring in a field-based practicum

This article describes an exploratory study of question prompts and online mentoring (specifically a lateral or peer mentoring experience) in a field-based practicum that focused on teaching ill-structured problem solving of classroom discipline. Data were gathered on 26 in-service practicum teachers through online observations, online journal reports, questionnaires, and reflection logs. Results showed that the practicum teachers were successful in using the approach to plan and implement effective interventions for their students and that they perceived the online mentoring approach as being very beneficial in supporting their learning. A more detail analysis of seven practicum teachers and their mentors indicated that their mentors engaged in eight types of online mentoring functions; the most frequently used were asking practicum teachers to elaborate, and valuing the practicum teachers’ contributions. The influence of the mentoring functions on the seven practicum teachers’ ill-structured problem solving is also discussed. The study offers evidence that asynchronous online mentoring and question prompts can enhance the professional development of both practicum teachers and mentors by helping them learn about and apply intervention strategies in solving real-world teaching problems.
Effects of naloxone and pentazocine on continuous shock-postponement responding by the pigeon

The effects of pentazocine (3–30 mg/kg) and naloxone (3–100 mg/kg) were determined on the treadle-pressing behavior of pigeons under a schedule of shock postponement. Pentazocine increased the mean rate of responding at the 10 mg/kg dose, and greatly increased the mean shock rate at 30 mg/kg. Naloxone increased the mean response rate at all doses tested, without any increases in shock rates.
Global smoothings of degenerate Del Pezzo surfaces with normal crossings

Abstract Fujita classified one-parameter degenerations of Del Pezzo manifolds with smooth total spaces, which includes the complete classification of semi-stable degenerations of Del Pezzo surfaces. We prove the converse, namely, for a given semi-stable Del Pezzo surface of each type in the list of Fujita, there exists a smoothing of it with a smooth total space.
Assessing the relationship between rumination and cortisol: A review

article i nfo Objective and methods: For individuals who ruminate, or mentally rehearse past stressful events, the physio- logical effects of a stressor may be longer lasting. This is well-supported within the cardiovascular domain. In the context of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and cortisol, the results are inconsistent. This review summarizes key theoretical and methodological issues that contribute to these mixed findings among the 15 studies to date that have examined the association between rumination and cortisol. Results: State measures of rumination were consistently linked to increased cortisol concentrations. Stress- relatedruminationquestionnaireswereoftenpositivelyassociatedwithcortisol,whereasdepression-relatedru- mination scalespredictedlower cortisol concentrations orwereunrelatedtocortisol.Rumination manipulations in the laboratory (e.g., ruminative self-focused writing tasks compared to distraction writing tasks) influenced cortisol concentrations, but often did not increase cortisol relative to baseline values. Studies that utilized social-evaluative stressor tasks to examine the relationship between rumination and cortisol levels generally showedthatruminationpredictedgreatercortisolreactivityordelayedrecovery.Resultsfromstudiesexamining rumination and basal cortisol or the cortisol awakening response were inconsistent. Conclusion: The ways in which researchers conceptualize and assess rumination and the associated cortisol re- sponse influences the association between rumination and cortisol. Suggestions for future studies in this area of research are provided.
Externalities, pigouvian corrections, and risk attitudes

Abstract We examine the influence of risk attitudes on the provision of an externality and on the proper size of Pigouvian correction when the externality is a random variable whose distribution is affected by an observable externality-generating activity. An intervening technology relates changes in this observable activity to the probability distribution of the relevant externality. Unlike the now-standard result in the theory of the firm involving the influence of risk attitudes on output levels, we cannot conclude that increases in risk aversion will lead necessarily to a reduction in the level of the externality. Our results are applied to a wide range of market failures.
Graded ferroelectrics: A new class of steady-state thermal/electrical/mechanical energy interchange devices

Abstract The diffuse-phase-transition class of ferroelectric materials allows the fabrication of films graded in composition: the consequence of which is an attendant gradient in electric dipole moment density. Alternating electric-field excitation of these graded structures reveal an asymmetrical hysteresis characteristic, together with a static displacement of the hysteresis trace. This displacement bias is observed to be a function of excitation level and temperature, which leads to a giant effective pyroelectric coefficient. Said displacement, for example, provides a continuous open-circuit voltage, or short-circuit current, provided that the structure is held in an isothermal condition. All other combinations of heat, electrical and strain energies suggest a whole new class of devices, and invite ingenious concepts and/or contributions. Graded ferroelectrics, which operate on principles of asymmetrical bound-charge, are broadly the dielectric analogue of conductive asymmetrical free-charge devices. F...
Implementation of a volume holographic database system

We present the implementation of a volume holographic database system capable of storing records of binary data as pages and performing a series of database operations by searching the memory in either address-based or associative mode.
The dimensionality and choice of effective Hamiltonians for molecular collisions

The flexibility in choice of effective Hamiltonians is illustrated by considering various different dimensionality reducing procedures. Only a few members of the entire family of effective Hamiltonians have thus far been employed in actual computations. All the effective Hamiltonians are presented for two colliding molecules, and the reduced atom–molecule situation is also considered. The two‐molecule case in body‐fixed coordinates is treated in more detail since it has not been extensively examined before. Exactly analogous space‐fixed and body‐fixed dimensionality reductions are shown to be possible by appropriate selection and coupling of states. The available ranges of computing expense are discussed and the various methods related in these terms. Computing time and accuracy requirements are examined in regard to choosing an effective Hamiltonian. Further avenues of pursuit and calculations are suggested by these considerations.
Dietary Patterns, Calories, and Kidney Disease

Specific nutritional factors that mediate obesity or CKD remain very difficult to quantify in any population. That being said, several macronutrients, including protein intake, have been examined as risk factors for CKD progression. Given the correlation of micro- and macronutrients within a particular diet and the consistency of an individual's dietary habits over time for most individuals, dietary patterns may have a greater impact on CKD risk and progression. This review focuses on dietary patterns and their association with CKD. To date, studies examining dietary patterns and CKD risk remain very limited, and more studies are needed. However, the follow-up period may need to be fairly long to detect any association. Caloric intake itself may also affect CKD risk. This may be due to the influence of caloric intake on sirtuin1, which modulates adiponectin gene expression and nitric oxide bioavailability.
Late onset dementia with argyrophilic grains and subcortical tangles or atypical progressive supranuclear palsy

Most clinically demented elderly patients are found at autopsy to have Alzheimer's disease, multi-infarct dementia, Parkinson's disease, Pick's disease, or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. We studied 5 patients clinically characterized by late onset dementia whose brains showed no pathological evidence of Alzheimer's disease, or any other specific neuropathological diagnosis. We found argyrophilic grains, coiled bodies, abundant Alz-50-positive and thioflavine S-negative neurofibrillary tangles, and neuropil threads in the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, locus ceruleus, substantia nigra, subthalamic nucleus, and inferior olives. Ultrastructurally, the grains, threads, and tangles were composed of straight tubulofilamentous structures, 25 nm in diameter, similar to those found in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy but different from the paired helical filaments of patients with Alzheimer's disease. These findings suggest that the late onset dementia with argyrophilic grains syndrome is also characterized by the presence of tangles and threads with the topographical distribution of progressive supranuclear palsy.
The locus of sex differences in spatial ability

College men and women judged whether pairs of stimuli were identical or mirror images. One stimulus of a pair was presented upright; the other was rotated 0°–150° from the vertical. The stimuli were either alphanumeric symbols or unfamiliar letter-like characters of the type found on the Primary Mental Abilities Spatial Relations Test. For each individual, the linear function relating response latency to degree of rotation was computed. The slope of this function was steeper for women than for men. Further, the distribution of slopes was more variable among women, with approximately 30% falling outside the range of distribution for men. Women and men were quite similar in the accuracy of their judgments, the intercepts of the latency functions, and the precision with which the linear function characterized the latency data. It is suggested that the sex difference in the slope of the rotation function may reflect differences in strategies of mental rotation.
Preoperative cardiac risk stratification: ritual or requirement?

IS THERE ANY real benefit to doing preoperative cardiac evaluation and risk stratification tests in a stable patient? Most physicians would intuitively maintain that there is benefit in identifying the subset of patients at high risk of perioperative myocardial ischemia before surgery.1 Notably, patients with evidence of ongoing plaque rupture and thrombosis causing an acute unstable coronary syndrome should have cardiac intervention before noncardiac surgery. However, in all patients without evidence of an acute unstable coronary syndrome, several peer-reviewed publications advocate proceeding directly to surgery.2-5 Other authors state the decision to pursue perioperative cardiac risk stratification tests and possible coronary revascularization should be the same as in the nonoperative setting.6,7 The perioperative physician is placed in a unique position because noncardiac surgery itself may become a stimulus for the possible pursuit of further cardiac risk stratification tests. The physician who performs a preoperative evaluation is often asked to make a decision on the need for further cardiac evaluation. This decision may have a major impact on not only the short-term, but also the long-term survival and quality of life in patients with cardiac risk factors. The perioperative approach to preoperative cardiac evaluation depends on the physician’s conception of the purpose for preoperative cardiac evaluation. This article examines 2 different philosophic approaches to preoperative cardiac evaluation and how these divergent philosophic positions influence the need for preoperative cardiac risk stratification tests. The first approach states that the purpose of cardiac evaluation is only to improve perioperative outcome. The second approach states that the purpose is to improve long-term benefit and survival from noncardiac surgery. Both of these philosophic approaches are discussed in terms of the effect each approach has on the patient’s short-term and longterm outcome from noncardiac surgery. The authors also state their own approach, striking a balance between the 2 divergent approaches. PERIOPERATIVE OUTCOME
Personality and Substance Use Disorders: I. Effects of Gender and Alcoholism Subtype

The relationship between alcoholism and self-rated personality was explored in a community-ascertained sample of 303 male and 103 female alcoholics, and 304 male and 770 female nonalcoholics. Alcoholics met DSM-Ill-R lifetime criteria for alcohol dependence; personality was assessed using the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire. Compared with controls, alcoholics scored significantly higher on all indicators of negative emotionality, and consistently lower on all indicators of constraint. Individual effect sizes were moderate in both the male and female samples. A subsample of severe male alcoholics, identified by cluster analysis, was characterized by relatively early onset of problem drinking and relatively high antisociality and familial loading of problem drinking; they were also more extreme than moderate male alcoholics on negative emotionality and constraint. When taken in aggregate, personality risk appears to be associated with a continuum of alcoholic risk such that individuals extreme in both negative emotionality and behavioral disinhibition have especially high rates of alcoholism.
Sulfurization studies of the potential thin film solar absorber Cu 2 ZnSnS 4

A study of the sulfurization conditions for synthesizing a next generation solar absorber, Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 , is presented. As-deposited metal film stacks were either vacuum annealed or directly sulfurized under different sulfurization parameters, for comparison. SEM/EDS, XRD, and Raman characterization tools were used to investigate the sulfurized CZTS films. Single phase, relatively uniform CZTS solar absorber films were achieved via this study.
Juvenile Tillaux fracture simulating syndesmosis separation: a case report.

The juvenile Tillaux fracture is an avulsion fracture (Salter-Harris type-3) of the anterolateral corner of the distal tibial epiphysis. We present a case in which the severely displaced Tillaux fragment became incarcerated between the distal tibia and fibula, simulating a syndesmotic separation radiographically. To our knowledge, such a fracture pattern as not been previously described. Preoperative computerized tomography provided accurate imaging of the unusual fracture pattern. Open extrication of the fracture fragment was followed by spontaneous reduction of the syndesmosis. The Tillaux fracture healed following open reduction with pin fixation, and the patient had an excellent functional and radiographic result at 2-year follow-up.
Dating and Mate Selection Among Young Adults from Immigrant Families

In this article the authors examine dating and mate selection preferences and experiences from the perspective of young men and women from immigrant families. Through in-depth personal interviews with 35 second generation youth from diverse cultures, the authors explored: (1) parental influences and expectations of their children's mate choices; (2) the roles of gender, birth order, and length of residency in the United States in expectations for mate selection; and (3) immigrant youth's preferences for marriage partners. The findings showed that immigrant parents hold mostly endogamous views. Youth's dating experiences are influenced by their gender, their birth order, and their family's acculturation. Second generation immigrants generally seek bicultural partners like themselves. Narratives from the participants provide insight into the attitudes that guide mate selection of these young adults from immigrant families.
Senior centers in rural communities: Potentials for serving

Abstract Although senior centers are highly visible and used by more elderly people than any other service, there are gaps in the research on centers, particularly rural centers. This study used case studies of three centers in rural Minnesota to examine how centers meet the needs of local elderly and their role in the service delivery system. Senior centers play a potentially important role in the rural service delivery network because of the paucity of services available in rural communities yet they often do not develop into multipurpose centers which serve as focal points for the delivery of services. Two out of the three centers studied serve the elderly primarily as social and recreational centers and provide little or limited access to the broader service network. The centers studied illustrate the great variability found among rural organizations. In order to address the needs of local elderly, senior centers need to establish their place within the community and to determine their goals.
The effects of frontal cortex lesions on event-related potentials during auditory selective attention

We compared electrophysiological indices of auditory selective attention in control subjects and in patients with unilateral lesions of the dorsolateral frontal lobes. In control subjects, ERPs following attended tones showed an enhanced negativity from 80 to 500 msec post-stimulus which had a different topographic distribution than the N120. Lesions of the frontal lobes reduced the attention-related negativity and impaired behavioral performance. The ERP reductions were equivalent in recordings obtained from electrodes placed over the damaged and intact cortex. A difference was noted between left and right frontal groups as a function of ear of delivery of the stimuli. Patients with left frontal lesions showed reduced attention effects following tones presented to either ear. Patients with right frontal lesions showed intact attention effects to right ear tones, but no attention-related negativity to left ear tones. When the left and right frontal groups were considered together, tones in ignored channels produced larger responses when presented to the ear contralateral to damaged cortex. These results underline the important role of the frontal lobes in processes of selective attention. Although the endogenous negativity produced in selective attention tasks does not appear to originate in dorsolateral frontal cortex, the frontal lobes exhibit a modulating influence upon it. In addition, the endogenous attention related negativity and exogenous N120 components apparently arise from different neural generators.
Hydrogen induced magnetic ordering in Th6Mn23

Abstract The influence of absorbed hydrogen on the magnetic behavior of isostructural Y6Mn23 and Th6Mn23 has been investigated. The compound Y6Mn23 is a ferromagnet with Tc ≈ 500 K and a moment of 0.5μB/Mn. On hydrogen absorption it forms Y6Mn23H∼25 in which magnetic ordering is completely suppressed. In contrast Th6Mn23 is a Pauli paramagnet but Th6Mn23H∼30 exhibits ferromagnetic ordering with Tc ≈ 329 K and a moment of 0.8μB/Mn. This contrasting behavior of isostructural Y6Mn23 and Th6Mn23 seems to be unique so far and presumably arises because of the slightly different band structure of the two compounds, Y being trivalent while Th is quadrivalent.
Attaining Success for Beginning Special Education Teachers

Suggests that internships would decrease job turnover and increase productivity among beginning special education teachers
Test Line Experience with HVDC Overhead Transmission

Tests were conducted on a high-voltage overhead direct-current test line. Values of radio interference and corona loss were established for certain conductor configurations and pole spacings. Relations between radio interference and corona loss and some weather variables were evaluated. Insulator leakage currents and induced overhead ground wire currents were investigated.
Photo- and thermo-chemical vapor generation of mercury

Photochemical vapor generation of both inorganic and methylmercury species can be achieved with equal efficiency when a sample reaction medium containing 2–10% formic acid is irradiated by low power (0.3 mW) deep UV LED sources with output in the range 245–260 nm. Whereas pseudo first order kinetics is evident for reduction of methylmercury, inorganic mercury does not conform to either first or second order models and the overall reaction rate is proportional to the concentration of formic acid but independent of that of mercury. Noteworthy, is that at room temperature, no reduction of either mercury species is achieved when radiation from 360 nm LEDs is used. A thermal reduction system operating at nominally 85 °C can also be used to reduce both mercury species in a 2% formic acid medium with the initial stages of the reaction being dominated by a first order kinetic process that is approximately 7-fold slower for methylmercury. Despite this disparity in reaction rates, direct speciation is not possible. Using a 10 cm quartz tube cell for cold vapor AAS measurement, a limit of detection of 0.68 ng absolute was achieved for mercury using a 9 min irradiation time with the deep UV LED sources. Precision of replicate measurement was 2.4% RSD for a sampled volume of 480 μl of a 200 ng ml−1 solution of Hg2+ (96 ng absolute) in 2% formic acid. The efficacy of the low power deep UV LED photoreactor was demonstrated by quantitation of total mercury in certified reference materials PACS-2 (marine sediment) and DOLT-4 (fish liver tissue) using the method of additions to compensate for matrix interferences.
Effect of foot orthotics on quadriceps and gluteus medius electromyographic activity during selected exercises

Abstract Hertel J, Sloss BR, Earl JE. Effect of foot orthotics on quadriceps and gluteus medius electromyographic activity during selected exercises. Objective To compare electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and gluteus medius during functional activities in subjects with different foot types while wearing various off-the-shelf foot orthotics. Design Experimental, controlled; 3 foot-type groups (pes planus, pes cavus, pes rectus) each tested in 4 orthotic conditions while performing 3 different exercises. Setting Laboratory. Participants Thirty healthy young adults, 10 with each foot type. Interventions Four conditions: no orthotic, 7° medial rearfoot post, 4° lateral rearfoot post, and neutral rearfoot post. Main outcome measure Surface electromyographic activity for the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and gluteus medius during single-leg squatting, lateral stepdown, and maximum vertical jump exercises. Results Greater vastus medialis and gluteus medius activity was found with all 3 orthotic conditions, regardless of subject foot type, during the single-leg squat and lateral stepdown. Less vastus lateralis activity was found with the vertical jump with all orthotic conditions, again regardless of foot type. Conclusions During slow controlled exercises such as the single-leg squat and lateral stepdown, vastus medialis and gluteus medius activity may be enhanced with an off-the-shelf orthotic, regardless of posting or foot type. These same findings do not appear to carry over to a more explosive task such as the maximal vertical jump.
The relationship of normal and abnormal microstructural proliferation to the mitral valve closure sound.

Background: Many diseases that affect the mitral valve are accompanied by the proliferation or degradation of tissue microstructure. The early acoustic defection of these changes may lead to the better management of mitral valve disease. In this study, we examine the nonstationary acoustic effects of perturbing material parameters that characterize mitral valve tissue in terms of its microstructural components. Specifically, we examine the influence of the volume fraction, stiffness and splay of collagen fibers as well as the stiffness of the nonlinear matrix in which they are embedded. Methods and Results: To model the transient vibrations of the mitral valve apparatus bathed in a blood medium, we have constructed a dynamic nonlinear fluid-coupled finite element model of the valve leaflets and chordae tendinae. The material behavior for the leaflets is based on an experimentally derived structural constitutive equation. The gross movement and small-scale acoustic vibrations of the valvular structures result from the application of physiologic pressure loads. Material changes that preserved the anisotropy of the valve leaflets were found to preserve valvular function. By contrast, material changes that altered the anisotropy of the valve were found to profoundly alter valvular function. These changes were manifest in the acoustic signatures of the valve closure sounds. Abnormally, stiffened valves closed more slowly and were accompanied by lower peak frequencies. Conclusion. The relationship between stiffness and frequency, though never documented in a native mitral valve, has been an axiom of heart sounds research. We find that the relationship is more subtle and that increases in stiffness may lead to either increases or decreases in peak frequency depending on their relationship to valvular function.
Importance of unsteady contributions to force and heating for particles in compressible flows: Part 1: Modeling and analysis for shock–particle interaction

Abstract Shock–particle interaction is an important phenomenon. The interaction can be accurately resolved by direct numerical simulations. However, as the length scales of interest are much larger than the particle size in many applications, fully resolving the flow around the particle is impractical. Therefore, rigorous model for momentum and energy exchange in the interaction is very important. Shock–particle interaction is strongly time-dependent, so unsteady mechanisms play important roles in momentum and energy transfer. A model that includes unsteady contributions to force and heating is proposed. The model is used to investigate particle interactions with a planar shock wave and a spherical shock wave. The peak values and the net effects of unsteady contributions are used to measure their importance. The results show the peak values of unsteady contributions are much larger than the quasi-steady ones for a wide range of particle parameters. The net effects of unsteady contributions are important when the particle-to-gas density ratio is small. For the flow behind the spherical shock is unsteady and non-uniform, unsteady contributions have long-time influence on the particle evolution.
Oscillatory burning of solid propellants including gas phase time lag.

An analysis has been performed for oscillatory burning of solid propellants including gas phase time lag. The gaseous flame is assumed to be premixed and laminar with a one-step overall chemical reaction. The propellant is assumed to decompose according to the Arrenhius Law, with no condensed phase reaction. With this model, strong gas phase resonance has been found in certain cases at the characteristic gas-phase frequencies, but the peaking of the acoustic admittance is in the direction favoring the damping of pressure waves. At still higher frequencies, moderate wave-amplifying ability was found. The limit of low frequency response obtained previously by Denison and Baum was recovered, and the limitations of the quasi-steady theory were investigated.
Allelic heterogeneity in LINE-1 retrotransposition activity.

De novo LINE-1 (long interspersed element–1, or L1) retrotransposition events are responsible for ∼1/1,000 disease-causing mutations in humans. Previously, L1.2 was identified as the likely progenitor of a mutagenic insertion in the factor VIII gene in a patient with hemophilia A. It subsequently was shown to be one of a small number of active L1s in the human genome. Here, we demonstrate that L1.2 is present at an intermediate insertion allele frequency in worldwide human populations and that common alleles (L1.2A and L1.2B) exhibit an ∼16-fold difference in their ability to retrotranspose in cultured human HeLa cells. Chimera analysis revealed that two amino acid substitutions (S1259L and I1220M) downstream of the conserved cysteine-rich motif in L1 open reading frame 2 are largely responsible for the observed reduction in L1.2A retrotransposition efficiency. Thus, common L1 alleles can vary widely in their retrotransposition potential. We propose that such allelic heterogeneity can influence the potential L1 mutational load present in an individual genome.
The lateralization accuracy of inferior petrosal sinus sampling in 501 patients with Cushing's disease.

Context: It is often difficult to find an adenoma in patients with Cushing's disease (CD) whose preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is normal. Better localizing modalities are needed. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) in predicting adenoma lateralization. Design and Setting: We conducted a prospective observational study at a tertiary care clinical research center. Patients: A total of 501 consecutive patients (363 female) with confirmed ACTH adenomas and IPSS were included. Main Outcome Measure: We measured the accuracy of IPSS to predict the intrasellar location of an adenoma. Results: IPSS confirmed a pituitary source of ACTH secretion in 491 patients (98%). All 10 patients with false-negative results had peak IPSS ACTH concentrations (before or after CRH) of < 400 pg/ml. Interpetrosal (side-to-side) ratios were ≥ 1.4 in 491 patients (98%). This ratio correctly predicted lateralization in 273 of 396 patients (positive pre...
Clinical pharmacodynamics of antifungals

Application of pharmacodynamic principles to antifungal drugs has provided an understanding of the relationship between drug dosing and treatment outcomes similar to that observed in antibacterial pharmacodynamics. Initial observations with triazole pharmacodynamics have correlated with clinical trial results and proved useful for validation of in vitro susceptibility breakpoints. Pharmacodynamic studies have been invaluable for clinical trial dosing design for numerous antibacterial drugs in the development stage. More recently, pharmacodynamics has been used for the development of treatment guidelines. Although there remain many unanswered questions regarding antifungal pharmacodynamics, available data suggest usefulness in the application of pharmacodynamics to antifungal clinical development.
Totally unimodular stochastic programs

We consider totally unimodular (TU) stochastic programs, that is, two-stage stochastic programs whose extensive-form constraint matrix is TU. We generalize the notion of total unimodularity to apply to sets of matrices and provide properties of such sets. We provide several sufficient conditions on stochastic programs to be TU. When solving TU stochastic problems using the L-shaped method, it is not clear whether the integrality restrictions should be imposed on the master problem. Such restrictions will make each master problem more difficult to solve. On the other hand, solving the linear relaxation of the master typically means sending fractional (and unlikely optimal) solutions to the subproblems, perhaps leading to more iterations. Our computational results investigate this trade-off and provide insight into which strategy is preferable.
Controlling the complexity of software designs

Our research has focused on identifying techniquesto develop software that is amenable to refactoring andchange. The Law of Demeter (LoD) was one contributionin this effort. But it led to other problems. With thecurrent state of the art focused on Aspect-Oriented SoftwareDevelopment (AOSD), it is useful to revisit thegeneral objectives of the LoD and adapt it to the newideas. Hence we introduce the Law of Demeter for Concernsand discuss the important intersection of these approacheswith traversals. We explore the ramifications ofthe Laws of Demeter (LoD and LoDC) to achieve betterseparation of concerns through improved software processes.They are supported by language mechanisms thatare implemented using novel applications of automata theory.A revised version of this paper and the slides are availablefrom the Demeter website:http://www.ccs.neu.edu/research/demeterin the directory papers/icse-04-keynote/
Non-rigid calcium phosphate cement containing hydrogel microbeads and absorbable fibres seeded with umbilical cord stem cells for bone engineering.

The need for bone repair has increased as the population ages. Non-rigid calcium phosphate scaffolds could provide compliance for micro-motions within the tissues and yet have load-supporting strength. The objectives of this study were to: (a) develop a non-rigid calcium phosphate cement (CPC) with microbeads and fibre reinforcement; and (b) investigate human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUCMSC) proliferation, osteodifferentiation and mineralization on non-rigid CPC for the first time. Non-rigid CPC was fabricated by adding extra tetracalcium phosphate in the traditional CPC and by incorporating chitosan, absorbable fibres and hydrogel microbeads. The non-rigid CPC–microbead scaffold possessed a strain-at-failure of 10.7%, much higher than the traditional CPC's strain of 0.05% which is typical for brittle bioceramics. Flexural strength of non-rigid CPC–microbead was 4-fold that of rigid CPC–microbead scaffold, while work-of-fracture (toughness) was increased by 20-fold. The strength of non-rigid CPC–microbead–fibre scaffold matched that of cancellous bone. hUCMSCs on non-rigid CPC proliferated from 100 cells/mm2 at 1 day to 600 cells/mm2 at 8 days. Alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and collagen gene expressions of hUCMSCs were greatly increased, and the cells synthesized bone minerals. hUCMSCs on non-rigid CPC–microbead–fibre constructs had higher bone markers and more mineralization than those on rigid CPC controls. In conclusion, this study developed the first non-rigid, in situ-setting calcium phosphate–microbead–fibre scaffold with a strain-at-failure exceeding 10%. hUCMSCs showed excellent proliferation, osteodifferentiation and mineralization on non-rigid CPC scaffold. The novel non-rigid CPC-hUCMSC construct with good strength, high strain-at-failure and toughness, as well as superior stem cell proliferation, osteodifferentiation and mineralization, is promising for load-bearing bone regeneration applications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Seductive Allure of “Seductive Allure”

The idea of fMRI’s “seductive allure” is supported by two widely cited studies. Upon closer analysis of these studies, and in light of more recent research, we find little empirical support for the claim that brain images are inordinately influential.
SMART (Shrink Manufacturing Advanced Research Tools)

Leveraging the inherent heat-induced relaxation of pre-stressed thermoplastic sheets, we pattern in a variety of ways at the large scale and achieve micro and nanostructures by controlled shrinking down to 5% of the original patterns. Article not available.
Exchange of phospholipids between low and high density lipoproteins of squirrel monkeys

Ultracentrifugal analysis of the plasma of squirrel monkeys at various times after the injection of (Me-14C)choline revealed the specific activities of lecithin in both high (HDL) and low (LDL) density lipoproteins to be similar. This was also true for sphingomyelin. The exchange of phospholipids in vitro was studied by incubating unlabeled plasma with labeled LDL and HDL iso- lated 40 hr after the injection of (Me-14C)choline. Recentrifuga- tion of plasma immediately after the addition of either W- labeled LDL or HDL demonstrated that significant exchanges of both lecithin and sphingomyelin had occurred. In further studies, 14C-labeled LDL or HDL were incubated with plasma and the low density lipoproteins were rapidly isolated by precipitation with heparin-Mn2+. Complete equilibration of lecithin and sphingomyelin between LDL and HDL was attained after 4 and 5 hr, respectively. The fractional ex- change rates for lecithin and sphingomyelin of LDL to HDL were 0.60 hr-' and 0.45 hr-l. Corresponding values for HDL to LDL were 0.51 hr-l and 0.53 hr+. Inhibition of plasma lecithin : cholesterol acyltransferase reduced the exchange of sphingomyelin but had no effect on lecithin exchange. The rates of exchange of four lecithin subfractions of different unsaturation between LDL and HDL were the same. change of sphingomyelin and lysolecithin, expressed as a percentage of their initial specific activities, were some- what faster than those for lecithin. In quantitative terms, however, the exchange of lecithin was considerably greater. Similar studies have also revealed an analogous ex- change reaction between the phospholipids of plasma lipoproteins and those of isolated erythrocytes (6-9), mitochondria (10, ll), and microsomes (12), although in these cases both the relative and absolute exchange rates of lecithin exceeded those of sphingomyelin. The exchange of lecithin between plasma HDL and brain tissue has also been proposed (13) to explain the low linoleate content of this lipid in cerebrospinal fluid. In the present study, the in vivo turnover and in vitro rates of exchange of the lecithin and sphingomyelin constituents of plasma lipoproteins from squirrel monkeys have been examined. The influence of the plasma lecithin :cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) enzyme on the exchange of lipoprotein phospholipids in vitro was also studied. In view of the known heterogeneity of plasma lecithins (14, 15), the exchange rates of four principal lecithin species, differing in degree of un- saturation, between low and high density lipoproteins were also determined.
Effect of Origanum vulgare L. leaves on rumen fermentation, production, and milk fatty acid composition in lactating dairy cows

This experiment investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of Origanum vulgare L. leaf material (OR) on rumen fermentation, production, and milk fatty acid composition in dairy cows. The experimental design was a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square with 8 rumen-cannulated Holstein cows and 20-d experimental periods. Treatments were control (no OR supplementation), 250 g/cow per day OR (LOR), 500 g/d OR (MOR), and 750 g/d OR (HOR). Oregano supplementation had no effect on rumen pH, volatile fatty acid concentrations, and estimated microbial protein synthesis, but decreased ammonia concentration and linearly decreased methane production per unit of dry matter intake (DMI) compared with the unsupplemented control: 18.2, 16.5, 11.7, and 13.6g of methane/kg of DMI, respectively. Proportions of rumen bacterial, methanogen, and fungal populations were not affected by treatment. Treatment had no effect on total-tract apparent digestibility of dietary nutrients, except neutral detergent fiber digestibility was slightly decreased by all OR treatments compared with the control. Urinary N losses and manure odor were not affected by OR, except the proportion of urinary urea N in the total excreted urine N tended to be decreased compared with the control. Oregano linearly decreased DMI (28.3, 28.3, 27.5, and 26.7 kg/d for control, LOR, MOR, and HOR, respectively). Milk yield was not affected by treatment: 43.4, 45.2, 44.1, and 43.4 kg/d, respectively. Feed efficiency was linearly increased with OR supplementation and was greater than the control (1.46, 1.59, 1.60, and 1.63 kg/kg, respectively). Milk composition was unaffected by OR, except milk urea-N concentration was decreased. Milk fatty acid composition was not affected by treatment. In this short-term study, OR fed at 250 to 750 g/d decreased rumen methane production in dairy cows within 8h after feeding, but the effect over a 24-h feeding cycle has not been determined. Supplementation of the diet with OR linearly decreased DMI and increased feed efficiency. Oregano had no effects on milk fatty acid composition.
Utilizing combination therapy in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease may not yet be curable, but it is treatable. Two classes of drugs with differing mechanisms of action have received Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: the cholinesterase inhibitors and the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist memantine (Ebixa®, Lundbeck; Namenda®, Forest Laboratories). Alzheimer’s disease research directed at increasing the understanding of the underlying disease process has led to the identification of several other potential targets for drug development strategies. Due to the complexity of the disease, it is possible that combination therapy – concomitant use of agents with nonoverlapping or even synergistic mechanisms of action – may represent the best means available to enhance treatment effectiveness. This review evaluates the available data on combination therapy in Alzheimer’s disease and provides an expert opinion on the use and implementation of combination therapy in clinical practice.
Performance analysis of improved methodology for incorporation of spatial/spectral variability in synthetic hyperspectral imagery

Synthetic imagery has traditionally been used to support sensor design by enabling design engineers to pre-evaluate image products during the design and development stages. Increasingly exploitation analysts are looking to synthetic imagery as a way to develop and test exploitation algorithms before image data are available from new sensors. Even when sensors are available, synthetic imagery can significantly aid in algorithm development by providing a wide range of “ground truthed” images with varying illumination, atmospheric, viewing and scene conditions. One limitation of synthetic data is that the background variability is often too bland. It does not exhibit the spatial and spectral variability present in real data. In this work, four fundamentally different texture modeling algorithms will first be implemented as necessary into the Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) model environment. Two of the models to be tested are variants of a statistical Z-Score selection model, while the remaining two involve a texture synthesis and a spectral end-member fractional abundance map approach, respectively. A detailed comparative performance analysis of each model will then be carried out on several texturally significant regions of the resultant synthetic hyperspectral imagery. The quantitative assessment of each model will utilize a set of three peformance metrics that have been derived from spatial Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM) analysis, hyperspectral Signal-to-Clutter Ratio (SCR) measures, and a new concept termed the Spectral Co-Occurrence Matrix (SCM) metric which permits the simultaneous measurement of spatial and spectral texture. Previous research efforts on the validation and performance analysis of texture characterization models have been largely qualitative in nature based on conducting visual inspections of synthetic textures in order to judge the degree of similarity to the original sample texture imagery. The quantitative measures used in this study will in combination attempt to determine which texture characterization models best capture the correct statistical and radiometric attributes of the corresponding real image textures in both the spatial and spectral domains. The motivation for this work is to refine our understanding of the complexities of texture phenomena so that an optimal texture characterization model that can accurately account for these complexities can be eventually implemented into a synthetic image generation (SIG) model. Further, conclusions will be drawn regarding which of the candidate texture models are able to achieve realistic levels of spatial and spectral clutter, thereby permitting more effective and robust testing of hyperspectral algorithms in synthetic imagery.
Evidence for post-transcriptional stabilization of ribosomal precursor ribonucleic acid by phenobarbital.

The administration of phenobarbital (100 mg/kg) for either 16 hr or 4 days failed to increase the specific activity (disintegrations per minute per milligram) of rat hepatic nuclear 45 S RNA after a 20-min pulse of [3H]orotic acid or [14C]adenine. Prior treatment of rats with phenobarbital for 4 days increased the cellular content of nuclear 45 S RNA nearly 2-fold. Because no phenobarbital-induced elevations occurred in the labeling of nuclear 45 S RNA, an incubation system was devised to test for increased stability of 45 S RNA in phenobarbital-treated rats. Liver nuclei isolated from rats receiving 0.9% NaCl or phenobarbital for either 16 hr or 4 days were suspended in 0.25 M sucrose containing 5 mM MgCl2 and incubated at 37° 2 min. Planimetric analysis of sucrose gradient patterns of RNA extracted from these nuclei showed a 25% decrease in the optical density of the 45 S RNA from phenobarbital-treated rats, whereas the 45 S RNA from control rats was degraded by more than twice that amount. Increased metabolic stability of ribosomal precursor RNA, rather than enhanced synthesis, is associated with phenobarbital administration. Labeling of cytoplasmic microsomal 18 S and 28 S RNA increased approximately 50% within 16 hr after a single dose of phenobarbital but was not significantly altered by 4 days of treatment. These results suggest that different mechanisms may exist for the effects of single and multiple doses of phenobarbital on ribosomal RNA metabolism.
Comparison of Cefuroxime and Cefazolin: Prophylaxis Against Infection in Arterial Reconstructive Surgery

A prospective randomized study of 55 patients receiving prophylaxis with cefuroxime versus 55 patients receiving prophylaxis with cefazolin against post operative wound infection was conducted from August 1986, through January 1988. Two of the cefuroxime-treated patients and 8 of the cefazolin-treated patients developed postoperative wound infections (p<0.05). There were no graft infections. Cefuroxime represents an excellent alternative to the presently used cefazolin as prophylaxis against postoperative wound infections in arterial recon structive surgery.
Outcomes of Repeat Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background:As anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is performed increasingly in the United States, the rate of revision ACL reconstruction continues to rise. A paucity of literature exists with respect to repeat ACL revision surgery.Purpose:To evaluate the functional outcomes of patients who had undergone at least 2 revision ACL reconstructions.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:The records of all patients who had undergone repeat revision ACL reconstructions between 1998 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included patient demographics, operative findings, pre- and postoperative physical examination findings, radiographs, and Tegner, Lysholm, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective scores.Results:Fifteen patients had undergone repeat revision ACL reconstruction during the study period. Mean age was 27 years (range, 18-57 years). Mean follow-up was 5 years (range, 2-10 years). At the time of repeat revision surgery, new tunnels wer...
Transcatheter Valve Sizing and the Rigid Aortic Root: An Ongoing Dilemma to Avoid the Worst.

Annular rupture is a rare (1.1%), but fatal complication after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) [(1)][1]. Injury to the aortic annulus or root may occur during balloon valvuloplasty of the native aortic valve, during prosthesis deployment, or after redilation of the prosthesis due to