cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agility in manufacturing systems: an exploratory modeling framework and simulation

It has been widely recognized that agility enables manufacturing systems to respond to dynamic and unpredictable changes in today’s competitive environment. Develops a quantitative analysis framework and a simulation methodology to explore the value of agility in financial terms. Addresses the issues pertaining to the assessment of how an agile system performs in an environment of unanticipated changes, the comparison between two or more systems with different designs and hence different agility levels and the justification of investments in agility. Proposes an exploratory framework for a structured analysis of the various segments of the manufacturing system in which agility at different levels is built‐in through different pathways and links it to a set of aggregate performance measures. Then develops a simulation model that captures dynamic and unanticipated changes in the operating environment and facilitates performance appraisal and investment justification decisions using a quantitative financial metric.
A model for the transient magnetospheric response to sudden solar wind dynamic pressure variations

The evidence for transient variations in the solar wind dynamic pressure, their effect on magnetopause boundary motion, and the signatures they produce within the magnetosphere and at high-latitude auroral ground stations, are examined. A qualitative model for the magnetospheric response to such variations explaining a wide variety of transient magnetopause, magnetospheric and ground signatures is proposed, and its applicability is shown. The model is presented as an alternative explanation for many of the signatures previously interpreted as direct on site evidence of patchy, sporadic, magnetic field merging, namely the flux transfer events (FTEs).
Regulation of nitric oxide signalling by thrombospondin 1: implications for anti-angiogenic therapies

In addition to long-term regulation of angiogenesis, angiogenic growth factor signalling through nitric oxide (NO) acutely controls blood flow and haemostasis. Inhibition of this pathway may account for the hypertensive and pro-thrombotic side effects of the vascular endothelial growth factor antagonists that are currently used for cancer treatment. The first identified endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor, thrombospondin 1, also controls tissue perfusion, haemostasis and radiosensitivity by antagonizing NO signalling. We examine the role of these and other emerging activities of thrombospondin 1 in cancer. Clarifying how endogenous and therapeutic angiogenesis inhibitors regulate vascular NO signalling could facilitate development of more selective inhibitors.
Modeling and simulation of a six-legged walking robot power system

Reliable models and simulation enhance design and optimization capabilities considerably for complex systems. This study is concerned with such issues for a six-legged rough terrain walking vehicle power system that includes the associated control systems. The power system of the vehicle can be divided into three broad categories: leg systems, mechanical transmission system, and the primary power source and energy storage system. Modeling techniques, detailed analytical models, and a comprehensive nonlinear digital simulation are developed for precise performance predictions, interaction studies, parametric studies, and to aid in the mechanical and control design process. Validation of the models is provided by several experiments performed on a prototype leg and the vehicle. The models and simulatian predictions have resulted in a significant improvement in vehicle performance.
Sexual and relationship characteristics among an internet-based sample of U.S. men with and without erectile dysfunction.

Sexual and relationship characteristics of men in the general population, particularly those with erectile dysfunction (ED), are not well established. This Internet-based survey (N = 700) examined demographic, sexual, and relationship characteristics of two groups of men aged 40–70: those with no ED (n = 589) and those with probable ED (n = 111). Compared to men without ED, men in the ED sample were significantly older, had more medical conditions, and had significantly worse sexual, psychological, and relationship function. Sexual function and relationship and psychological characteristics were significant predictors of overall sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction.
Occurrence of an Ordered Phase in an As-Cast Titanium-Aluminium Alloy

PHASE equilibria in the titanium–rich region of the titanium–aluminium constitution diagram have not been elucidated despite many experimental investigations. The results of earlier work1 indicated an extensive region of hexagonal close-packed α solid solutions. At a temperature of 800° C. it was reported that 36.5 atomic per cent aluminium was soluble in the low-temperature modification of titanium. It was also concluded that the first intermediate phase on this side of the diagram was γ, which exists over a region of homogeneity and resulted from a pertectic reaction involving a β solid-solution and the melt. A study of the variation in lattice parameters as a function of composition in the proposed α phase region has been made2. Several papers have presented X-ray powder diffraction evidence for an intermediate phase in this same region of the diagram. This crystallographic species, the δ phase, has been observed in heat-treated specimens containing 25 and 33 atomic per cent aluminium3,4. Experiments performed with an electron microscope5 have demonstrated the epitaxial relationship of α and δ. A constitution diagram has been proposed6 in which two intermediate phases exist between the terminal α phase and γ.
Achieving higher SEI levels

Two years or more can pass between formal SEI (Software Engineering Institute) assessments using the Capability Maturity Model (CMM). An organization seeking to monitor its progress to a higher SEI level needs a method for internally conducting incremental assessments. The author provides one that has proven successful at Motorola. A method was developed for assessing progress to higher SEI levels that lets engineers and managers evaluate an organization's current status relative to the CMM and identify weak areas for immediate attention and improvement. This method serves as an effective means to ensure continuous process improvement as well as grassroots participation and support in achieving higher maturity levels. This progress-assessment process is not intended as a replacement for any formal assessment instruments developed by the SEI, but rather as an internal tool to help organizations prepare for a formal SEI assessment. Although the author provides examples in terms of CMM version 1.1, both the self-evaluation instrument and the progress-assessment process are generic enough for use with any (similar) later version of the SEI CMM by updating the worksheets and charts used. >
Alkali metal cation–cyclen complexes: Effects of alkali metal cation size on the structure and binding energy

Abstract Threshold collision-induced dissociation of alkali metal cation–cyclen complexes, M+(cyclen), with xenon is studied using guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry techniques. The alkali metal cations examined here include: Na+, K+, Rb+ and Cs+. In all cases, M+ is the only ionic product observed, corresponding to endothermic loss of the intact cyclen ligand. The cross section thresholds are analyzed to extract zero and 298 K M+–cyclen bond dissociation energies (BDEs) after properly accounting for the effects of multiple ion-neutral collisions, the kinetic and internal energy distributions of the reactants, and the lifetimes for dissociation. Density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/def2-TZVPPD and B3LYP/6-31+G* levels of theory are used to determine the structures of cyclen and the M+(cyclen) complexes. Theoretical BDEs are determined from single point energy calculations at the B3LYP/def2-TZVPPD and MP2(full)/def2-TZVPPD levels of theory using the B3LYP/def2-TZVPPD optimized geometries, and also at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,2p) and MP2(full)/6-311+G(2d,2p) levels of theory using the B3LYP/6-31+G*optimized geometries. The agreement between theory and experiment is reasonably good for all levels of theory examined, but is best for the calculations performed at the B3LYP/def2-TZVPPD level of theory. The M+–cyclen BDEs decrease as the size of the alkali metal cation increases, consistent with the electrostatic nature of the binding in these complexes. The M+(cyclen) structures and BDEs are compared to those previously reported for the analogous M+(12-crown-4) complexes to examine the effects of the donor atom (N versus O) on the structures and strength of binding.
Teacher Burnout in Black and White

Scholars define teacher burnout as a condition caused by depersonalization, exhaustion, and a diminished sense of accomplishment (Schwab et al., 1986). A psychological model of how stress leads to ...
Surface Effects on Metal Ion Transport across Porous Alumina Membranes. 2. Trivalent Cations: Am, Tb, Eu, and Fe

Transport behavior of trivalent solutes across mesoporous Anopore γ-alumina membranes was investigated as a function of pore diameter, pH, ionic strength, and nature of the salt in solution. Radiotracers, 55Fe, 152Eu, 157Tb, and 241Am, were present in the feed solutions at concentrations ranging from 10-8 to 10-10 M. Total salt concentrations in the feed ranged from 1.0 to 10-4 M. Order of magnitude differences between experimental and theoretical diffusion rates for the membranes can be explained in terms of electrostatic interactions between the cations and the positively charged membrane surface. The rates of Am3+ and Tb3+ transport across the alumina membranes were greatly increased by raising the ionic strength from 10-3 to 0.1 M in both the feed and permeate solutions; however, Eu3+ diffusion rates were only slightly affected in this range of ionic strength. Trivalent cation transport rates at total salt concentrations greater than 0.1 M were slower than divalent cations due to enhanced electrostati...
Synthesis and Phase Behavior of Block-Random Copolymers of Styrene and Hydrogenated Isoprene

“Block-random” copolymers—wherein one or more blocks is itself a random copolymer—present a useful and convenient variation on the typical block copolymer architecture, as the interblock interactions and physical properties can be tuned continuously through the random block’s composition. However, typical living or controlled polymerizations produce compositional gradients along the “random” block, which can in turn influence the phase behavior. Organolithium initiation in a cyclohexane/triethylamine mixture is shown herein to yield narrow-distribution copolymers of styrene and isoprene of any desired composition, with no measurable down-chain gradient. These random copolymers (SrI) are also successfully incorporated into well-defined symmetric block copolymers (I-SrI diblocks). Isoprene-selective hydrogenation yields thermally stable hI-SrhI diblocks, which self-assemble into well-defined lamellar morphologies with sharply defined order–disorder transitions, whose temperatures TODT scale predictably with...
Relationship of cell death in plant tissue treated with a homogeneous endopectate lyase to cell wall degradation

Abstract A homogeneous endopectate lyase (EC ef1 lyase) from Erwinia chrysanthemi solubilized the pectic fraction in isolated potato and tobacco pith cell walls. This enzyme rapidly released unsaturated uronide from intact plant tissue, and caused both tissue maceration and cell death. The ratio of the rate of electrolyte loss from tissue (cell injury) to the rate of uronide release from tissue (cell wall breakdown) was constant when lyase concentration, tissue (substrate) concentration or temperature was varied. Both cell injury and breakdown were greatly decreased upon removal of lyase from tissue at intervals prior to death of all the cells in treated tissue. Plasmolysis of tissue protected the protoplasts from injury by EC ef1 lyase although cell wall breakdown was not retarded. When EC ef1 lyase was removed from wall-degraded, plasmolyzed tissue and the tissue subjected to deplasmolysis, cell death occurred immediately; all electrolytes in the tissue were lost at a rate ofequal to the rate of depletion of electrolytes from free space. Mere contact of the plasmalemma with lyase-degraded cell walls did not result in membrane damage; damage to protoplasts in lyase-treated tissue occurred only when the protoplasts were subjected to osmotic stress. The results of this study support the hypothesis that injury to cells in plant tissue treated with pectic enzymes results from a loss in the ability of enzymatically degraded cell walls to support the limiting membrane (plasmalemma) of living cells.
Photophysics of ANS V. decay modes of ANS in proteins : The IFABP-ANS complex

Abstract The fluorescence properties of ANS as bound to proteins are treated. Several points of view concerning the origin of these properties are reviewed and synthesized into one framework. On proteins where the quantum yield (QY) is appreciable, as in organic solvents, the preferred conformation of ANS is often with the phenyl ring nearly (65°–85°) orthogonal to the naphthalene. The major consequence of this geometry is water exclusion from the critical zone of ANS at which the largest amount of solvent dipolar relaxation originates. This, in turn, leads to a depression of the rate of electron transfer to the surroundings, together with other effects, as noted in the literature and in our lab. Alternative quenching pathways for ANS on the protein vs in water are also elucidated.
Testing the abuse liability of anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs in humans

This paper represents a comprehensive review of laboratory studies investigating the abuse liability of anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs in humans. The subjective effects of these drugs, most of which are either barbiturates or benzodiazepines, have been measured using various self-report questionnaires and their reinforcing effects have been studied using self-administration and choice procedures. Studies using both subjective and reinforcing effects reveal orderly relations between the two main chemical classes of anxiolytic/hypnotics (e.g. barbiturates are associated with higher abuse liability than benzodiazepines), between different doses of the drugs (e.g. higher doses are usually associated with higher abuse liability) and among different compounds within a class. The subjective and reinforcing effects of barbiturates and benzodiazepines depend critically upon the subject populations that are tested and it is argued that individuals with histories of drug abuse provide a more sensitive indicator of abuse liability than healthy volunteers. Several principles of abuse liability testing are discussed, including the selection of an appropriate subject population, the use of blind drug administration procedures, the comparison of a test compound to an appropriate standard, the inclusion of a placebo and a wide range of doses of the test drug and the use of multiple measures of likelihood of abuse.
Second- and higher-order duality in nonlinear programming☆

Abstract A dual problem associated with a primal nonlinear programming problem is presented that involves second derivatives of the functions constituting the primal problem. Duality results are derived for this pair of problems. More general dual problems are also presented, and duality results for these problems are also given.
Constrained peptides and mimetics as probes of protein secondary structure

The critical binding surfaces of many proteins, particularly members of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily, are exposed on the surface as reverse turns or loops. Conformationally restricted peptides have been derived from the loops of these proteins in order to develop small, biologically active molecules. These analogs have been used to probe macro-molecular interactions and receptor biology. Further, a method for designing and synthesizing nonpeptidic analogs lacking many of the drawbacks inherent to peptides has also been developed. These nonpeptidic analogs also mimic the secondary structural elements and the function of defined protein domains and have therefore been named mimetics. The mimetic core is a restricted chain reversal designed to allow the introduction of amino acid side chains in a desired orientation. While the core determines the size and conformation of the mimetic, the side chains confer most of the specificity of binding. With these tools many biological features of receptors and ligands can be probed and resolved, with particular emphasis on applications in protein design and engineering. Peptidic analogs and mimetics are powerful tools in the study of molecular recognition because they can be designed to behave like antibodies, receptors, or ligands. Functionally, they mediate or interfere with biological effects and can contribute to the resolution of unknown biological features of proteins. Ultimately, this technology may also lead to the rational development of novel pharmaceutical agents with designed function.
An integrated computational approach to single-dimensional laser machining of magnesia

Magnesia (MgO) ceramic was machined using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. A mathematical model was developed to predict machined effects. The model took into account the physical phenomena taking place during machining of the ceramic such as multiple reflections influencing the absorbed laser energy, thermal effects in vaporizing the material, dissociation energy losses and effect of vapor pressure in producing a cavity through the ceramic. The laser fluence, machining time and number of pulses required for machining a certain depth of cavity and the efficiency of machining in terms of the specific machining depth were estimated and compared with the experimental data, thus making the model useful for advance energy predictions and enhancement of machining efficiency.
Coherence and large fluctuations of helicity in homogeneous turbulence

Abstract The build up of coherent large amplitude helicity fluctuations is detected in numerical experiments on 3-D homogeneous turbulence.
Early oral feeding after salvage laryngectomy.

Background. Our aim was to determine the feasibility and safety of initiating early oral feeding in patients who underwent salvage laryngectomy on postoperative day 5 and to review the rate of pharyngocutaneous fistula formation. Methods. A retrospective review of 29 patients who underwent salvage laryngectomy was completed. Patients included in the study had radiation therapy ± chemotherapy for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma with subsequent total laryngectomy. Patients were excluded from analysis if they were reliant on a gastrostomy tube preoperatively, had a concurrent complete glossectomy, or developed a fistula before beginning oral feedings. Early oral feeding was initiated on postoperative day 5. Results. Twenty patients met complete inclusion criteria. Pharyngocutaneous fistula occurred in 10% (2/20) of the patients. Patients without postoperative complications on an average remained in the hospital for 7 days. Conclusions. The risk of fistula formation is not increased and the duration of hospital stay may be shortened in patients who were given early postoperative feeds. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009
Synthesis of various(amino)diacetatoboranes

Abstract The halogen substituted bis-(amino)diacetatoboranes, [B(O2CCl3)2NH2]2, [B(O2CHCl3)2NH2]2, [B(O2CCH2Cl)2NH2]2, [B(O2CCBr3)2NH2]2, [B(O2CCH2Br)2NH2]2, [B(O2CCF3)2NH2]2, and [B(O2CCH2F)2NH2]2 have been prepared by the reaction of B-tricholoroborazine with the appropriate haloacetic acids. The shift of the carbonyl absorption in the infrared spectra and the shift of the NH2 absorption in the 1H-nmr spectrum are discussed in comparison to the parent compound, [B(O2CCH3)2NH2]2. Explanations are given for carbonyl singlets and doublets appearing in the infrared spectra.
Host Resistance Reflected in Differential Nematode Population Structures

Relative efficiency of host plants to support reproduction of the garlic race of Ditylenchus dipsaci can be partially explained by diflerential population structures. If axenic cultures of callus tissue from onion, white clover, red clover, and alfalfa are arranged in order of decreasing host suitability, the nematode populations are simultaneously arranged in order of increasing maleness.
Applications of a-Si:H radiation detectors

Abstract Detection of various kinds of radiation (charged particles, X-ray and γ ray) with hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) layers is discussed. Some applications of a-Si:H radiation detectors in high energy physics, medical imaging, materials and life sciences are described in this paper.
RUNX1a enhances hematopoietic lineage commitment from human embryonic stem cells and inducible pluripotent stem cells

Advancements in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) research have potential to revolutionize therapeutic transplantation. It has been demonstrated that transcription factors may play key roles in regulating maintenance, expansion, and differentiation of hPSCs. In addition to its regulatory functions in hematopoiesis and blood-related disorders, the transcription factor RUNX1 is also required for the formation of definitive blood stem cells. In this study, we demonstrated that expression of endogenous RUNX1a, an isoform of RUNX1, parallels with lineage commitment and hematopoietic emergence from hPSCs, including both human embryonic stem cells and inducible pluripotent stem cells. In a defined hematopoietic differentiation system, ectopic expression of RUNX1a facilitates emergence of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and positively regulates expression of mesoderm and hematopoietic differentiation-related factors, including Brachyury, KDR, SCL, GATA2, and PU.1. HPCs derived from RUNX1a hPSCs show enhanced expansion ability, and the ex vivo–expanded cells are capable of differentiating into multiple lineages. Expression of RUNX1a in embryoid bodies (EBs) promotes definitive hematopoiesis that generates erythrocytes with β-globin production. Moreover, HPCs generated from RUNX1a EBs possess ≥9-week repopulation ability and show multilineage hematopoietic reconstitution in vivo. Together, our results suggest that RUNX1a facilitates the process of producing therapeutic HPCs from hPSCs.
Relativistic magnetic loops in double radio sources

A simple model for superluminal double radio sources is presented. A relativistic electron-positron beam drives the expansion of an elongated magnetic loop configuration. This is treated using basic conservation laws. Relativistically expanding radio components on a scale of parsecs result for plausible physical parameters.
The Antinomian Language Controversy

Ever since the Boston Church cast out Anne Hutchinson in 1638, the fact of her having “made a Lye” has stood without question. But why she told “soe horrible an Untruth and falshood,” or what it meant to her to do so, has not always been so clear. Part of the problem is an irony so deeply imbedded in the lie itself that it almost escapes notice: when Mrs. Hutchinson denied that she had held the erroneous opinions which countless people had heard her openly proclaim, she was inadvertently saying something about the relationship between thinking and speaking—something about language itself. That “something,” though neither she nor her adversaries could fully grasp or articulate it, was felt to be so subversive that the mere presence of its perpetrator in the community was deemed utterly intolerable: a dishonor to Jesus Christ and a “sine agaynst God” (385).
Real-time 3D video moire inspection system with enhanced depth resolution

A variable resolution video machine vision systems has been built which generates twice the number of depth contours for a given grating spacing as a conventional moire system. This variable resolution system uses a Mach-Zender interferometer to project interference fringes onto a reference surface and onto a target surface. Video images of the two structurally illuminated surfaces are mixed in a video mixer with the resulting output being moire contours which are the intersections of the two surfaces. If the reference surface is a flat plate, we get equal depth contours of the target surface, and if the reference surface is a perfect target, we get error map contours of the 3D shape differences between the two targets. Theoretical analysis has shown that if the reference surface upon which the gratings are projected is the inside of the actual surface to be inspected, then the moire depth contours are twice as dense as would be observed with a flat reference surface. This surprising result is experimentally demonstrated both for a perfect target and for a target with 3D shape errors. Real time error maps of damaged targets made using this technique have many moire contours outside the area of interest, but this 'non-information' can be greatly reduced by video or computer subtraction of the perfect target images.
Curvilinear relationship between phonological working memory load and social-emotional modulation.

Accumulating evidence suggests that working memory load is an important factor for the interplay between cognitive and facial-affective processing. However, it is unclear how distraction caused by perception of faces interacts with load-related performance. We developed a modified version of the delayed match-to-sample task wherein task-irrelevant facial distracters were presented early in the rehearsal of pseudoword memoranda that varied incrementally in load size (1-syllable, 2-syllables, or 3-syllables). Facial distracters displayed happy, sad, or neutral expressions in Experiment 1 (N=60) and happy, fearful, or neutral expressions in Experiment 2 (N=29). Facial distracters significantly disrupted task performance in the intermediate load condition (2-syllable) but not in the low or high load conditions (1- and 3-syllables, respectively), an interaction replicated and generalised in Experiment 2. All facial distracters disrupted working memory in the intermediate load condition irrespective of valence,...
CAREER SATISFACTION AMONG DUAL-CAREER ADMINISTRATORS

This study, based on responses from 69 dual-career college and university administrators, examined the relationship between perceived career satisfaction and (a) career salience, (b) career demand, and (c) use of eight role-management strategies. Analysis showed that career salience, career demand, and use of the strategy of organization jointly explained 39% of the variance in career satisfaction.
How the Digital Video Recorder Changes Traditional Television Advertising

The Digital Video Recorder (DVR) is tilting the playing field in the television industry, empowering viewers at the expense of advertisers and networks. Available evidence suggests that DVR users will fast-forward through ads at the expense of other advertisement avoidance strategies. DVRs may increase commercial avoidance, but will also increase television viewing and facilitate the measurement of commercial avoidance. Advertisers will be able to use ad avoidance data to improve creative strategies, targeting, message rotation and scheduling, media buying, and ROI measurements. The net result will be more relevant, engaging, and efficient advertising, which will reduce viewers' motivation to avoid ads.
Religion and science

Abstract Employing data from a massive, international web-based survey, and from a variety of other sources, this essay explores three different models of the future: religion without science, religion with science, and science without religion. In so doing, it presents eight different scenarios for the future of religion that citizens of the world currently imagine: revival of conventional faith, proliferation of religious movements, the new age, fanaticism, religious conflict, the millennium, scientism, and secularization. Such social issues as population explosion or collapse and inter-denominational conflict render the future relationship between religion and science crucially important for the world.
Diagnostic Studies of Polyolefin Separators in High-Power Li-Ion Cells

The decrease of ionic conductivity of polymeric separators in high-power Li-ion cells, which were cycled or stored at elevated temperatures, was accompanied by dramatic changes in separator surface morphology. The source and nature of polymer separator degradation in high-power Li-ion batteries have been studied. We attributed the observed porosity loss to a deposit, which precipitated onto the separator surface from the electrolyte and clogged separator pores. This deposit resulted from a homogenous decomposition process of the LiPF 6 -ethylene carbonate-ethyl-methyl carbonate electrolyte, which was significantly accelerated at elevated temperatures. The electrolyte decomposition products consisted of lithium halophosphates and displayed very strong fluorescence. They contributed to the solid electrolyte interphase layers on both cathode and anode where they underwent further oxidation or reduction reactions, respectively.
Development of bean-leaf transhydrogenase in etiolated leaves.

Abstract Analysis of etiolated bean leaves for transhydrogenase showed that the enzyme was present at a low level. Brief irradiation with white or red light caused some increase in specific and total activity during subsequent growth in the dark, and this effect was reversible by far-red light. Much larger increases in enzyme activity occured if etiolated leaves were allowed to turn green by exposure to 10-h days.
Test vector generation for parametric path delay faults

Previous research in the field of path delay fault test generation has concentrated on finding tests which test paths regardless of component delay values. Coverage of such tests on benchmark circuits has been shown to be poor so we present a mechanism wherein path delay fault tests are found under the assumption of component delay variations resulting from fabrication process fluctuations. Component delay fault models are built which incorporate fabrication process effects represented in terms of basic process parameter variations. We use a sensitization approach based on signal stabilizing times to get conditions on primary inputs and path delays for which a delay fault is produced at the circuit outputs. A minimal test set is then extracted from these conditions. Results for the ISCAS'89 and Logic synthesis'91 benchmark circuits indicate the feasibility of this approach.
Forecasting United States mortality using cohort smoking histories

In this paper, we introduce a recently established relationship between cohort smoking patterns and adult mortality into mortality projections for the United States. In particular, we incorporate a variable representing the intensity of smoking within a cohort into the original Lee–Carter projection model. The introduction of this variable accounts for important anomalies in the recent age/sex pattern of mortality change and enables the use of a common temporal trend of mortality change for the 2 sexes. We project age-specific mortality rates for men and women at ages 50–84 between 2004 and 2034 in the United States. Because of reductions in smoking that have already occurred or can be reliably projected, mortality is projected to decline much faster when smoking is introduced into the model.
Infection of mammary prostheses: a survey and the question of prevention

Seventy-three plastic surgeons reported 60 early and late mammary implant infections among 54,661 implantations. Smooth, textured, and polyurethane-coated implants had similar infections rates (respectively, 0.06%, 0.16%, and 0.12% for augmentations and 0.6%, 0.4%, and 0.3% for reconstructions including revisions and expansions). Insertion routes and implant placements had no influence on infection rates. Causative bacteria included Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis, Streptococci A and B, enterobacteria, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and mycobacteria. Most surgeons followed a regimen of topical and/or systemic prophylaxis. Some (approximately 20%) used the Dolsky insertion sleeve. Whereas smoking, obesity, and diabetes did not significantly predispose to infection, the following did: skin atrophy and scarring, corticosteroids in subglandular augmentation, additional simultaneous surgery, pregnancy, preceding lactation, and vigorous exercising, massage, and trauma postsurgically. Few late implant infections were recorded resulting from bacterial milk duct invasion or hematogenously from antecedent infection foci. The need for and the possibilities of preventive measures are critically discussed.
Invasion by Exotic Forest Pests: A Threat to Forest Ecosystems

For millions of years the distribution of the world's biota has been restricted by oceans and other natural barriers. During the last 100 years, human activities, especially international travel and trade, have circumvented these barriers and species are invading new continents at an increasing rate. Biological invasions of insect, plants, and fungal pest species often cause substantial disturbance to forest ecosystems and as well as severe socioeconomic impacts. The invasion process is composed of three phases: arrival, establishment, and spread. Arrival occurs when a species is initially transported to the new area (e.g. transportation to a new continent). Establishment is essentially the opposite of extinction; it is the process by which a population becomes abundant enough to prevent extinction. Spread is the process by which a species expands its range into adjoining uninfested areas. Management of pest invasions focuses on preventing arrival, establishment, or spread. We present case histories that illustrate the invasion process via details of the arrival, spread, impact, and management of selected exotic forest pests. Biological invasions are probably the most significant environmental threat to the maintenance of natural forest ecosystems in North America and elsewhere. The magnitude of this problem necessitates increased efforts to reduce the incidence and impacts of pest invasions. FOR. SCI. MONOGR. 30:1-49. ADDITIONAL
A framework for understanding molecular ionization in strong laser fields

The aim of this paper is to examine the role of excited states and multi-electron interactions in molecular ionization by strong laser fields. We present new data on the ionization and dissociation of iodine molecules that reveal important aspects of the strong field-molecule interaction in the short pulse regime. Our data, along with previous studies, is inconsistent with the simplest and commonly accepted model of molecular ionization in a strong laser field and this has led us to examine closely the individual ionization steps. We have found that a molecule can ionize into several distinct configurations predominantly through multi-electron interactions and the abundance of such configurations is dependent on internuclear separation. The ionization appears to be dominated by pairs of states with gerade and ungerade symmetry, as they have a large dipole coupling and the transition is near resonant with the strong laser field. In a one-electron molecule, this pair consists of the ground and first excited state whereas in a two-electron molecule this corresponds to the lowest lying pair of ionic states. In this paper, we propose a framework for organizing the numerous ionization pathways based on the electronic configuration of the initial charge state.
A.S.P.E.N. clinical guidelines: nutrition support of adult patients with hyperglycemia.

Background: Hyperglycemia is a frequent occurrence in adult hospitalized patients who receive nutrition support. Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia (resulting from attempts to correct hyperglycemia) are associated with adverse outcomes in diabetic as well as nondiabetic patients. This American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Clinical Guideline summarizes the most current evidence and provides guidelines for the desired blood glucose goal range in hospitalized patients receiving nutrition support, the definition of hypoglycemia, and the rationale for use of diabetes-specific enteral formulas in hospitalized patients. Method: A systematic review of the best available evidence to answer a series of questions regarding glucose control in adults receiving parenteral or enteral nutrition was undertaken and evaluated using concepts adopted from the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation working group. A consensus process was used to develop the clinical guideline recommendations prior to external and internal review and approval by the A.S.P.E.N. Board of Directors. Results/Conclusions: 1. What is the desired blood glucose goal range in adult hospitalized patients receiving nutrition support? We recommend a target blood glucose goal range of 140-180 mg/dL (7.8-10 mmol/L). (Strong) 2. How is hypoglycemia defined in adult hospitalized patients receiving nutrition support? We recommend that hypoglycemia be defined as a blood glucose concentration of <70 mg/dL (<3.9 mmol/L). (Strong) 3. Should diabetes-specific enteral formulas be used for adult hospitalized patients with hyperglycemia? We cannot make a recommendation at this time. (Further research needed) (JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. XXXX;xx:xx-xx)
Discovery of Carbohydrate Sulfotransferase Inhibitors from a Kinase‐Directed Library

, compound 1 was not found to form a gel even at concentrations as high as 0.2m. As discussed in the text, we rationalize this in terms of 1, but not these other compounds, being present in a syn conformation. The observation that the less sterically hindered compound, (2’,3’,5’-tri-O-isobutyrylribofuranosidyl)-2-aminopurin-6one, which lacks an aryl substituent and which should be present mostly in anti conformation, forms a gel at concentrations as low as 0.02m is considered consistent with this theory.
On-chip sensing and actuation methods for integrated self-healing mm-wave CMOS power amplifier

This paper presents various low power, compact, low insertion-loss sensors with digitized ADC output and digitally controlled actuation methods for on-chip characterization and healing of a mm-Wave power amplifier. We demonstrate low insertion loss (0.4dB) RF sensors which measure true input and output power in presence of load variations and very low-headroom (10–30mV) DC sensors with built-in regulators and thermal sensors as methods for measuring PA efficiency. All sensor outputs are digitized by a SAR-based ADC for communication with a central digital core. The paper also presents digitally controlled combiner tuning and PA bias actuation. The circuits are implemented in 45 nm SOI CMOS and enable full on-chip digitally controlled characterization and actuation of the PA with a power overhead of less than 6%.
Evolutionary Radiation of Present-Day Nautilus and Allonautilus

Abstract: The extensive fossil record of coiled nautiloids indicates that they comprised a diverse assemblage of species in ancient oceans. Today they are represented by the genera Nautilus Linnaeus, 1758 and Allonautilus Ward and Saunders, 1997, inhabiting reef systems throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Some individual populations of Nautilus show subtle differences in shell morphologies, and these morphological differences may be used to diagnose different species. An alternative view is that these differences are simply geographically localized, morphological variants within the broadly distributed taxon generally referred to as Nautilus pompilius Linnaeus, 1758. Here we present a hypothesis for the phylogeny of present-day Nautilus and Allonautilus using molecular characters from two mitochondrial gene regions, 16S rDNA and Cytochrome Oxidase c subunit I. Populations of N. pompilius in Indonesia (Ambon Strait), the Philippines, Vanuatu (New Hebrides Islands), Papua New Guinea, Carter Reef and Osprey ...
Mapping of Meiotic Single-Stranded DNA Reveals Double-Strand-Break Hotspots near Centromeres and Telomeres

Summary Background Every chromosome requires at least one crossover to be faithfully segregated during meiosis. At least two levels of regulation govern crossover distribution: where the initiating DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) occur and whether those DSBs are repaired as crossovers. Results We mapped meiotic DSBs in budding yeast by identifying sites of DSB-associated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) accumulation. These analyses revealed substantial DSB activity in pericentrometric regions, in which crossover formation is largely absent. Our data suggest that centromeric suppression of recombination occurs at the level of break repair rather than DSB formation. Additionally, we found an enrichment of DSBs within a ∼100 kb region near the ends of all chromosomes. Introduction of new telomeres was sufficient for inducing large ectopic regions of increased DSB formation, thereby revealing a remarkable long-range effect of telomeres on DSB formation. The concentration of DSBs close to chromosome ends increases the relative DSB density on small chromosomes, providing an interference-independent mechanism that ensures that all chromosomes receive at least one crossover per homolog pair. Conclusions Together, our results indicate that selective DSB repair accounts for crossover suppression near centromeres and suggest a simple telomere-guided mechanism that ensures sufficient DSB activity on all chromosomes.
Hispanic women's health care provider control expectations: The influence of fatalism and acculturation

In order to understand how culture influences Hispanic women's views about their health care provider (HCP), we examined the relationship between acculturation and fatalism in the HCP control expectations of Hispanic women. (A HCP control expectation is the extent to which an individual believes that her HCP has control over her health.) We predicted that acculturation would be negatively associated with HCP control expectations, and fatalism would be positively associated with HCP control expectations. A group of 1,027 young Hispanic women (mean age 21.24 years; SD=2.46) who were University of Texas Medical Branch clinic patients completed a comprehensive survey. Structural equation modeling was employed and, as predicted, acculturation was negatively associated with HCP control expectations (p
A 10 GHz delay line frequency discriminator and PD/CP based CMOS phase noise measurement circuit with −138.6 dBc/Hz sensitivity at 1 MHz offset

This paper presents a delay line frequency discriminator (FD) and phase detector (PD)/charge pump (CP) based phase noise measurement (PNM) circuit to achieve wide bandwidth, great sensitivity and reliable integration at 10 GHz. PD/CP based phase noise detection makes it insensitive to environment and coupling noises. A delay-locked loop (DLL) is designed to align the PD input phases and a DC offset cancellation circuit is embedded to overcome circuit mismatches, which make the PNM self-calibrated. This PNM demonstrates −61/−81 dBc single tone sensitivity and −110.35/−138.60 dBc/Hz phase noise sensitivity at 100 kHz/1 MHz offset, respectively. The phase noise measurement bandwidth is 200 MHz, which is determined by the off-chip SAW filter bandwidth. This proof-of-concept design is fabricated in a 65 nm CMOS technology with the chip area of 1.5 mm × 1.3 mm. The core circuit consumes 15.2 mW power.
In Situ Photocatalytic Synthesis of Ag Nanoparticles (nAg) by Crumpled Graphene Oxide Composite Membranes for Filtration and Disinfection Applications

Graphene oxide (GO) materials have demonstrated considerable potential in next-generation water treatment membrane-based technologies, which include antimicrobial applications. GO antimicrobial properties can be further enhanced by preloading or chemically generating surface-associated nanoscale silver particles (nAg). However, for these systems, enhanced antimicrobial functionality decreases over time as a function of Ag mass loss via dissolution (as Ag+). In this work, we demonstrate facile photocatalytic in situ synthesis of nAg particles by crumpled GO–TiO2 (GOTI) nanocomposites as an approach to (re)generate, and thus maintain, enhanced antimicrobial activity over extended operation times. The described photocatalytic formation process is highly efficient and relatively fast, producing nAg particles over a size range of 40 to 120 nm and with active (111) planes. Additionally, we show in situ surface-based photocatalyzed synthesis of nAg particles at the surface of GOTI nanocomposite membrane assembli...
PREDATION BY PANTHERA CATS AND MEASURES OF HUMAN INFLUENCE IN HABITATS OF SOUTH ASIAN MONKEYS

Le taux de predation des singes par Panthera tigris et P. pardus est fonction de la perturbation de l'habitat des singes par l'homme
Identification of Sibling Species, Aedes Triseriatus and Ae. Hendersoni, by Electrophoresis

Field studies of adult Ae. triseriatus to detect La Crosse encephalitis virus are hampered by the presence of a closely related but nonvector mosquito, Aedes hendersoni . The technique herein developed unambiguously distinguishes the 2 species using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The possible extension of this technique to other mosquito groups is discussed.
Epididymal neoplasms: a case report and review.

Abstract We report a case of a painful epididymal nodule that proved to be metastasis and the first sign of pancreatic carcinoma.
Noncontact laser photothermal keratoplasty. III: Histological study in animal eyes.

BACKGROUND Laser photothermal keratoplasty has been studied as a potential refractive procedure. The purpose of this study is to investigate the histological response to various laser treatments including geometrical patterns, radiant exposure levels, and pulse numbers. MATERIALS AND METHODS A noncontact laser photothermal keratoplasty system was used in this study. Epithelial and endothelial response to the laser photothermal keratoplasty annulus treatment pattern were studied on an owl monkey model with a 5-millimeter annulus ring pattern, 8 J/cm2, 25 consecutive pulses at 1 Hz. Epithelial and endothelial response to the laser photothermal keratoplasty spot pattern were then studied and compared on cat and rabbit models for safety monitoring. One pulse and five consecutive pulses of eight different radiant exposures (5.00 J/cm2 to 18.01 J/cm2) were applied on each cornea. A cadaver eye model was used to study the collagen shrinkage induced by the laser spot treatment following the same protocol as the cat and rabbit model. Finally, the biological healing response to the laser photothermal keratoplasty treatment with the optimal laser parameters obtained in our experiment was studied on the cat model. Five cats were treated by the laser photothermal keratoplasty procedure with eight spots on a 3-millimeter ring, 15.6 J/cm2, and 1 pulse. RESULTS Epithelial and endothelial damage were observed after annulus treatment on an owl monkey's cornea at 8 J/cm2, 25 pulses, and after spot treatment on cat and rabbit corneas at 18.01 J/cm2, five pulses. No endothelial damage was observed on cat corneas for the single pulse treatment at 18.01 J/cm2. For the tissue shrinkage study, no laser photothermal keratoplasty lesion could be detected for a radiant exposure setting below 10.26 J/cm2. Histological cross-sections showed that the five-pulse treatment reached the endothelial layer at a radiant exposure of 13.4 J/cm2, while no single pulse treatment reached the endothelium for the radiant exposure range (5 J/cm2 to 18 J/cm2) studied. The cat model showed that the laser-induced mechanical octagonal stress-lines by collagen shrinkage were maintained after 3 months. The histological sections across the lesion showed a denser keratocyte population indicating scar formation. CONCLUSION The volume of collagen shrinkage, its location, and its geometrical shape can be accurately and precisely controlled by a 2.10-micrometer Ho:YAG laser coupled to an optical delivery system.