cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Place, If Any, of Coding Techniques in Failure-Tolerant Digital Networks

The practicality of coding techniques for processing unreliable information depends upon whether or not the unreliable information is to be processed by reliable or unreliable circuits. When the information processing circuits have far greater reliability than their input signals, as for example in the decoding of redundant communications or in the decoding of redundant bits stored in magnetic tape or core memories, then coding can be practical and it has been used. This chapter discusses the practicality of using coding in computers when failures can occur in the digital logic. The qualitative aspects of using coding theory that appear to cause impracticality are clearly developed, but no quantitative treatment has been found. The topic of using coding theory in computers for component failure correction has had a long and somewhat troubled history. The complexity of the decoding operation is the crucial limitation on the usefulness of coding techniques in computers.
An evidence-based review of HR Analytics

AbstractWe conduct an evidence-based review using an integrative synthesis of published peer-reviewed literature on Human Resource analytics (HR Analytics). Our search of several publication databases identified 60 articles on this topic, however only 14 articles were in quality peer-reviewed journals. Our review of these articles addresses the following 5 questions: (1) What is HR Analytics (how has the concept definition evolved)? (2) How does HR Analytics work (what are the processes)? (3) Why does HR Analytics work (what theories explain cause-effect relationships, antecedents, and consequences)? (4) What does HR Analytics produce (what are the outcomes)? (5) What is required for HR Analytics to succeed (what are the moderators of the analytics-outcome relationships)? We conclude that despite evidence linking the adoption of HR Analytics to organizational performance that adoption of HR Analytics is very low and academic research, and therefore, evidence on this topic is sparse. We offer potential exp...
Li Jiao’s Songs: Commentary-Based Reading and the Reception of Tang Poetry in Heian Japan

The poet Li Jiao (ca. 646-715), now largely forgotten, enjoyed unusual success in Heian and Kamakura Japan. In the twentieth century, a lost commentary to Li’s poetry was rediscovered in several different manuscript lineages. This paper argues that the commentary spread to Japan early in the Heian period, and was instrumental in Li Jiao’s popularity there. Analysis of the role of imported commentaries helps to explain the shape of the Chinese canon in Japan, including the tremendous popularity of Bai Juyi. Literacy practices institutionalized in the Daigakuryō (State Academy) led to the success of certain poets over others, directing the local canon as well as local composition in literary Sinitic genres.
Pulling cells out of tumours

Tumours are highly complex and contain multiple cell types. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are now shown to have a critical role in directly leading cancer cell invasion. This intercellular interaction relies on a mechanically active cadherin-based junction, and CAF-led invasion is demonstrated to require E-cadherin in the cancer cell.
Commentary: Update of ACR Guidelines for Osteoarthritis: Role of the COX-2-Specific Inhibitors

In your opinion, are the recommendations for use of acetaminophen as first-line treatment for the pain of osteoarthritis (OA) based on well-established clinical trials? Dr. Weaver: This statement is probably more true than false. The tremendous impetus for establishment of the original OA guidelines in 1995 was based on the known side effects and costs associated with use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), not so much on the efficacy of acetaminophen. The recommendation in the original guidelines was largely based on two studies 1,2 that were somewhat underpowered and used subtherapeutic doses of either acetaminophen or NSAIDs. The NSAID doses used were not anti-inflammatory, but primarily analgesic. The results of these studies demonstrated that the analgesic efficacy of acetaminophen for the treatment of OA was comparable to that of ibuprofen or naproxen. In the past two years, several studies have been published that provide evidence that acetaminophen has better clinical efficacy than placebo but is statistically inferior to traditional NSAIDs and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-specific inhibitors. 3–6
The influence of low-energy helium plasma on bubble formation in micro-engineered tungsten

Abstract Four different types of micro-engineered tungsten surfaces were exposed to low energy helium plasma, with a planar surface as control. These samples include two surfaces covered with uniform W-coated rhenium micro-pillars; one with cylindrical pillars 1 μm in diameter and 25 μm in height, and one with dendritic conical pillars 4–10 μm in diameter and 20 μm in height. Additionally, two samples with reticulated open-cell foam geometry, one at 45 pores per inch (PPI), and the other at 80 PPI were fabricated with Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). The samples were exposed to helium plasma at 30–100 eV ion energy, 823–1123 K temperature, and 5 × 1025 - 2 × 1026 m−2 ion fluence. It is shown that the formation of nanometer-scale tendrils (fuzz) on micro-engineered W surfaces is greatly reduced as compared to planar surfaces. This is attributed to more significant ion backscattering and the increased effective surface area that intercept incident ions in micro-engineered W. A 20% decrease in the average ion incident angle on pillar type surfaces leads to ∼ 30% decrease in bubble size, down to 30 nm in diameter. W fuzz was found to be absent from pillar sides due to high ion backscattering rates from pillar sides. In foam samples, 28% higher PPI is observed to have 24.7%–36.7% taller fuzz, and 17.0%–25.0% larger subsurface bubbles. These are found to be an order of magnitude smaller than those found in planar surfaces of similar environment. The helium bubble density was found to increase with ion energy in pillars, roughly from 8.2% to 48.4%, and to increase with increasing PPI, from 36.4% to 116.2%, and with bubble concentrations up to 9.1 × 1021 m−3. Geometric shadowing effects in or near surface ligaments are observed in all foam samples, with near absence of helium bubbles or fuzz in deeper layers of the foam.
Comparing iPad® and Paper Assessments for Children With ASD: An Initial Study:

iPad® and paper versions of a receptive vocabulary assessment were administered to 4- to 6-year olds with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). No differences were found between scores on ...
Expanding Human Computer Interaction Methods to Understand User Needs in the Design Process of Personal Health Systems

Objectives: To review innovative human computer interaction methods researchers utilize to identify stakeholders' needs that inform the design of personal health systems outside of clinical environments. Methods: A selective review of recent literature. Results: Summaries of exemplar needs analysis papers showing how researchers utilize novel methods to surface the lived experiences of users. Conclusions: The medical informatics community is encouraged to ensure that we are designing health technology for all individuals - including underrepresented and underserved populations — by investigating the complex needs of target users. This paper summarizes the novel ways researchers have explored target populations via social media and engaged populations as part of the design team. Medical informaticians should continue investigating the soundness of these methods by comparing the design outcomes with currently utilized user-centered methods and to report on unintended consequences
Mortality among autoworkers manufacturing electronics in Huntsville, Alabama.

BACKGROUND Workers raised concerns over suspected excesses of mortality at automotive electronics manufacturing facilities in Huntsville, Alabama. METHODS A study of 4396 UAW members ever-employed at Huntsville facilities between 1972 and 1993 was conducted with mortality follow-up through 2016. Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) were estimated using U.S. and Alabama reference rates. RESULTS Relative to U.S. rates, there was a modest excess of all-cause mortality among White female workers (SMR 1.08, 95%CI: 0.99-1.18) and among all workers hired <1977 at the original plant building (SMR 1.10, 95%CI: 0.99-1.22). There was excess nervous system disorder (SMR 1.24, 95%CI: 0.91-1.65) and brain and nervous system cancer (SMR 1.31, 95%CI: 0.67-2.28) mortality. Estimates for several causes of interest were imprecise. CONCLUSIONS All-cause mortality estimates were greater than anticipated based on results from other UAW cohorts. The excess of nervous system disease mortality is consistent with other studies of electronics workers exposed to lead-solder and chlorinated solvents.
Localized giant pseudopolyposis. A complication of granulomatous colitis.

A case of localized, giant pseudopolyposis of the colon is presented. The clinical and pathologic features are described, and the reasons for interpreting them as “granulomatous” colitis are given. The question of proper management of this class of lesion is raised. It is pointed out that there is a zero reported incidence of carcinoma in inflammatory pseudopolyps. The conclusion is drawn that surgery may not be necessary in those cases in which the diagnosis can be established by x-rays and colonoscopic biopsy.
High Quality Silicon Photonics Optical Ring Resonator Biosensor Design

This paper presents a high quality biosensor based on silicon photonics optical ring resonator for breast cancer detection. The sensor function by detecting the changes in interaction between light circulating inside the sensor and matter, which is antibody used for breast cancer on the sensor surface. The performance of optical ring resonator is investigate from the sensing point of view by measuring the change in resonance wavelength of ring resonator due to the change in refractive index. We reciprocate the process of binding of breast cancer antibody with respective antigen by changing the radius of ring resonator in simulations.
A Mutual Information–Based Experimental Design Framework to Use High-Fidelity Nuclear Reactor Codes to Calibrate Low-Fidelity Codes

AbstractSimulation-based nuclear reactor design requires highly efficient codes that quantify the requisite physics while having the efficiency required for optimization-based design and uncertaint...
A review of Globalists: The End of Empire and the Birth of Neoliberalism. By Quinn Slobodain

Among academics who have not yet taken to ignoring, obscuring, or naturalizing neoliberalism, there remain three main analytical traditions for studying it. First there are the macrohistoric materi...
Assembly of a functional ribozyme from short oligomers by enhanced non-enzymatic ligation

Abstract The non-enzymatic replication of the primordial genetic material is thought to have enabled the evolution of the first ribozymes, leading to early forms of RNA-based life. However, the reported rate of chemical RNA ligation is extremely slow. Here we show that the rate of ligation can be greatly enhanced by employing a 3′-amino group at the 3′-end of each oligonucleotide, in combination with an N-alkyl imidazole organocatalyst. These modifications allow the rapid copying of long RNA templates by multi-step ligation of tetranucleotides, as well as the assembly of long oligonucleotides from short template splints. Our work shows that a functional RNA ligase ribozyme can be assembled from relatively short oligonucleotides, demonstrating a transition from non-enzymatic ligation to enzymatic ligation. We suggest that the genomes of primitive protocells could have consisted of relatively easily replicated oligonucleotides as short as 10 to 12 nucleotides in length.
Evaluation of a Stochastic Approach for Reliability Centered Maintenance Airframes

A reliability centered maintenance analysis (RCMA) method for metallic airframes is described, demonstrated and evaluated. This method is useful for evaluating aircraft structural maintenance and supportability requirements and options in terms of risk. It can be used to estimate the average maintenance manhour per flight hour (MMH/FH) and life-cycle-costs. The RCMA method, based on a stochastic crack growth approach, can be implemented using deterministic crack growth analysis (DCGA) results, an estimate of the crack growth life dispersion (e.g., material and service usage), σ z, allowable risk rate, Ra, limit and conditional probability of a class A mishap, Pa. The sensitivity of RCMA inspection predictions (initial and reinspection intervals) to variations in analysis variables is investigated using a cutout in an aluminum-lithium cheek frame. Results are presented in useful formats for evaluating options in terms of risk. For comparable percentage variations in the baseline RCMA variables, the stress level, followed by σ z, affects the RCMA inspection predictions more than either Ra or Pa.
Inheritance of a Delayed Lethal Mutant in Muskmelon

The mutant phenotype is conditioned by one recessive gene. The gene name «delayed lethal» and the gene symbol dl are proposed for the mutant
Intrasexually Competing Women Do Not Differentially Discount Future Appearance Enhancing Products

Men have been shown to discount future monetary rewards in several mating contexts, including intrasexual competition. Women, on the other hand, have not displayed differential discounting of future monetary rewards in intrasexual competition contexts. Here, we test the hypothesis that the failure to find delay discounting in women in intrasexual competition contexts may be due to the monetary nature of the reward. Women do not compete with other women for access to men based on monetary status; rather, women compete in other areas, including youthfulness and beauty. In a series of studies, we tested whether women will more steeply discount future appearance enhancing products following an intrasexual competition prime. Results indicated that the intrasexual competition prime did induce intrasexual competition, yet women did not show enhanced discounting a future gain for appearance enhancing products. We suggest that this failure to find enhanced discounting for a future gain may be due to the differential reproductive assurance for women, suggesting sensitivity to the different abundance of mating opportunities for women relative to men, as proposed by Bateman’s principle.
One complex variable from the several variables point of view

Abstract We discuss basic properties of holomorphic functions of one complex variable from the point of view of the theory of several complex variables.
Harris's Mirage: The Positive Service State

In 1942, Joseph Harris anticipated that the United States would develop a highly centralized and rationalized welfare state. The forecast was largely mistaken. The United States did develop an expansive national security apparatus that was relatively centralized and rationalized. By contrast, domestic policies were unevenly developed, and often highly decentralized in design. Harris’s forecast was unduly influenced by his own observations of trends immediately before World War II. He underestimated the powerful underlying forces that have historically checked centralization in the United States, and regained strength in the postwar period. Guest editors’ note: In 1942, the University of Chicago Press published a book edited by Leonard D. White titled The Future of Government in the United States. Each chapter in the book presents predictions concerning the future of U.S. public administration. In this article, Alasdair Roberts examines Joseph Harris’s predictions on the future of “administrative management” in that book, comments on whether Harris’ predictions were correct, and then looks to the future to examine public administration in 2020.
Agency, communion, and pubertal status: Separating between- and within-person associations to examine social goals development

Objectives Agentic (status/independence) and communal (acceptance/connectedness) social goals are thought to shape how adolescents transact with their social environments. Despite their theoretical importance, little work has focused on the development of these higher order personality dimensions. Informed by developmental neuroscience and evolutionary psychology theoretical frameworks, the current study examined associations between pubertal status, a person's level of pubertal development at a single point in time, and agentic and communal social goals across early to middle adolescence. Methods This longitudinal study consisted of 387 (55% female) adolescents (Wave 1 M age = 12.1) who were assessed annually across three waves. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine growth in pubertal status and agentic and communal goals and to distinguish between- and within-person associations between pubertal status and social goals. Results Within-person pubertal status was concurrently associated with higher levels of agentic and communal goals. In the cross-sectional and longitudinal models, between-person pubertal status was associated with higher levels of agentic social goals. No support was found for social goals prospectively predicting pubertal status. Conclusions These findings provide support for the hypothesis that puberty, in part, may drive developmental shifts in the value adolescents place on close peer relationships and obtaining status and independence.
Gist Inference Scores Predict Cloze Comprehension "In Your Own Words" for Native, Not ESL Readers.

Three patient education texts from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) were subjected to a Coh-Metrix analysis, then further analyzed to obtain Gist Inference Scores (GIS), a new measure of the lik...
Freedom, Legality, and the Rule of Law

There are numerous interactions between the rule of law and the concept of freedom, looking at Fuller’s eight principles of legality, the positive and negative theories of liberty, coercive and empowering laws, and the formal and substantive rules of law. Adherence to the rules of formal legality promote freedom by creating stability and predictability in the law, on which the people can then rely to plan their behaviors around the law – this is freedom under the law. Coercive laws can actually promote negative liberty up to pulling people out of a Hobbesian state of nature, and then thereafter can be seen to decrease negative liberty by restricting the behaviors that a person can perform without receiving a sanction. Empowering laws promote negative freedom by creating new legal abilities which the people can perform. Positive freedom can be enhanced by the law when it prohibits negative behaviors and promotes positive behaviors. Finally, the content of the law can be used to either promote or suppress individual freedom.
Morality at the Ballot: Direct Democracy and Political Engagement in the United States

Across the United States, there is wide variation in opportunities for citizens to craft legislation through the process of direct democracy. Previous studies suggest that an active role in policy making can spark political interest and engagement, encouraging individuals, who would otherwise abstain from voting, to turn out. Daniel R. Biggers challenges this contention, testing a new theoretical framework that details the exact circumstances under which any proposition might increase participation. Morality at the Ballot reveals that the ability of direct democracy to increase turnout is significantly more limited than currently thought, and that the propositions that do affect participation are restricted to a small subset of ballot issues that include morality policy. Biggers uses these morality propositions to demonstrate the conditions necessary for direct democracy to influence turnout, affect who votes, and shape electoral and policy outcomes. The investigation provides significant insights into the consequences of deciding policy via the ballot and expanding the role for citizens in the political process.
A Simple Model for Pricing Securities with Equity, Interest-Rate, and Default Risk

We develop a model for pricing derivative and hybrid securities whose value may depend on different sources of risk, namely, equity, interest-rate, and default risks. In addition to valuing such securities the framework is also useful for extracting probabilities of default (PD) functions from market data. Our model is not based on the stochastic process for the value of the firm [which is unobservable], but on the stochastic process for interest rates and the equity price, which are observable. The model comprises a risk-neutral setting in which the joint process of interest rates and equity are modeled together with the default conditions for security payoffs. The model is embedded on a recombining lattice which makes implementation of the pricing scheme feasible with polynomial complexity. We present a simple approach to calibration of the model to market observable data. The framework is shown to nest many familiar models as special cases. The model is extensible to handling correlated default risk and may be used to value distressed convertible bonds, debt-equity swaps, and credit portfolio products such as CDOs. We present several numerical and calibration examples to demonstrate the applicability and implementation of our approach.
Using Development and Mental Health Issues in Opposition to Juvenile Waivers into Adult Criminal Courts

Since 1992, more than three-quarters of the states have enacted legislation opening the door to prosecute juveniles in adult criminal courts. This presents complications for lawyers not familiar with mental health issues and how they differ between juveniles and adults. Lawyers involved will be presented with several legal objectives: (1) defeating the transfer to adult criminal court; (2) challenging the juvenile’s competency to stand trial; (3) challenging the juvenile’s waiver of rights which results in incriminating statement; and (4) ensuring that the record completely reflects the child’s developmental disabilities and mental health limitations.
Assessment Accommodations for Classroom Teachers of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students

With the increasing diversity in our nation's schools, teachers face the challenge of providing meaningful, appropriate education to students of various linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Assessm...
Abstract Interpretation from a Topological Perspective

We develop abstract interpretation from topological principles by relaxing the definitions of open set and continuity; key results still hold. We study families of closed and open sets and show they generate post- and pre-condition analyses, respectively. Giacobazzi's forwards- and backwards-complete functions are characterized by the topologically closed and continuous maps, respectively. Finally, we show that Smyth's upper and lower topologies for powersets induce the overapproximating and underapproximating transition functions used for abstract-model checking.
Non-invasive 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed McArdle disease in an asymptomatic child.

A Turkish couple suffering from McArdle disease (myophosphorylase deficiency) and their two sons aged 5 and 9 years, respectively, were studied using 31phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS). During exercise both sons showed the same pathological pattern as their parents. In contrast to healthy volunteers, intracellular pH (pH(i)) as measured by 31P MRS every 10 s during exercise, never fell below the lower 95% confidence limit (6.94) of pH(i) at rest (7.06), but tended to be raised. It is of special interest that the 5-year-old boy was completely asymptomatic, although the enzyme defect seems to be fully expressed at the cellular level.
Shareholder Rights, Insider Ownership and Earnings Management

This paper examines whether shareholder rights, which enable shareholders to replace managers, can constrain earnings management, and whether this effect is conditional on the level of insider ownership. Using the comprehensive shareholder rights measure constructed by Gompers et al. (2003), we find that firms with stronger shareholder rights are associated with fewer income-increasing discretionary accruals, suggesting that stronger shareholder rights deter managers from reporting aggressive earnings. Moreover, if insider ownership introduces managerial entrenchment, managers with higher ownership would be insulated from shareholder discipline. Consistent with this entrenchment theory, we find that the association between shareholder rights and earnings management becomes insignificant in the presence of higher levels of insider ownership. Shareholder rights are negatively associated with earnings management only when insider ownership is low. Our results indicate that the disciplinary effect of shareholder rights can be attenuated by high levels of insider ownership.
Generating initial models for reasoning.

Much of the knowledge that children and adults have about the world resides in intuitive models. Previous work shows that intuitive models allow for computation of specific outcomes given information about the system, but little is known about how such models are acquired. The current study tested three hypotheses about how children and adults construct intuitive models when they encounter a new property: (1) intuitive models are constructed by transferring principles from familiar properties; (2) with development, children shift from applying a default model to constructing specialized models; and (3) younger children's model construction is constrained by the domain, but becomes increasingly domain independent with development. Participants from three age groups (10, 13, and 19 years) made a series of judgments about two familiar properties and one novel property. Causal models showed that all age groups transferred principles from the familiar properties to the novel property. None of the age groups used a default model. There was developmental change in the effect of domain; younger, but not older, children's models were affected by domain. These findings suggest that the transfer process is developmentally invariant but that constraints on the process (i.e., domain dependence and understanding of base models) change with development.
Effect of previous nutrition on body composition and maintenance energy costs of growing lambs

1. Forty-eight intact male lambs (30 kg) were fed to gain 16 (H), 5 (M) or -6 (L) kg during a 42 d interval (period I). Lambs from each of the H and M groups were fed to gain either 16 (HH, MH), 5 (HM, MM) or -6 (HL, ML) kg and lambs from the L group were fed to gain 27 (LS), 16 (LH) or 5 (LM) kg during the ensuing 42 d (period 2). 2. Fasting heat production (FHP) of four lambs from each treatment was determined at the end of period 2. 3. Weights and compositions of the carcass, offal and digesta-free body as well as weights of major internal 4. Within groups of lambs of similar weight at the end of period 2, body composition was, in general, similar, 5. Within groups of lambs of similar weight, lambs that were fed at higher planes of nutrition during period 6. Neither weight of the liver, kidney, stomach, small intestine, large intestine nor daily fasting heat production 7. Regression analysis indicated that the feeding of lambs at higher planes of nutrition during period 1 resulted organs were determined for four lambs of each treatment at the end of periods 1 and 2. but FHP was greater in lambs that had been on higher planes of nutrition during period 2. 2 had greater weights or proportions of liver, small intestine, large intestine and stomach. were constant functions of body-weight. Relations of these traits to body-weight changed with rate of gain. in higher maintenance requirements of those lambs during period 2. The phenomenon of compensatory gain, in which a faster or more efficient rate of gain, or both, has been observed following a period of nutritional or environmental stress, has been studied for a number of years (for review, see Wilson & Osbourn, 1960). Webster (1979) reviewed some of the current literature and concluded that the compensatory-gain response was primarily a result of differences in the composition of body tissue gained during the period of realimentation. Information available in this area, however, is not
HB Osler [β145(HC2)TYRàASP] Results from Posttranslational Modification

We studied two members of an African American family with eryth-rocytosis. An abnormal hemoglobin variant with an electrophoretic pattern on cellulose acetate similar to Hb J was identified. The oxygen dissociation curve using whole blood was biphasic, dramatically left-shifted, and hyperbolic. Sequence analysis of DNA from the proband showed heterozygosity for a TaA change at the first position of codon 145 in the β-globin gene which results in the substitution of an asparagine residue for normal tyrosine. The second cycle of C-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of a mixture of a- and β-globin chains showed tyrosine, aspartic acid, and small amounts of asparagine. Collectively, these results indicate the existence of a mutation at codon 145 of the β-globin gene which encodes for asparagine instead of tyrosine, and that asparagine then undergoes a partial posttranslational deamidation to aspartic acid. This amino acid substitution corresponds to Hb Osler, which is a high oxygen affinity hemoglobin vari...
Isolation and purification of CD14-negative mucosal macrophages from normal human small intestine.

Mucosal macrophages play a fundamental role in the regulation of immunological events and inflammation in the small intestine. Because no information is available on normal small intestinal macrophages, we developed a technique for the isolation and purification of jejunal lamina propria macrophages in order to study their phenotype and activity. From sections of normal human jejunum, lamina propria mononuclear cells were isolated by neutral protease digestion and then subjected to counterflow centrifugal elutriation to purify the macrophages. The cells isolated by this procedure contained <1% CD3+ lymphocytes and displayed the size distribution, morphological features, ultrastructure and phagocytic activity of mononuclear phagocytes. In contrast to blood monocytes, however, mucosal macrophages from the jejunum did not exhibit adherence properties or express CD14, a receptor for the lipopolysaccharide-binding protein. The purification of large numbers of lamina propria macrophages by this procedure offers the opportunity to define the role of this cell in the physiological inflammation characteristic of normal intestinal mucosa and the pathological inflammation associated with small intestinal diseases.
Integration of Process Simulation in Machining Parameter Optimization

In recent years, simulation tools have proven valuable for the prediction of machining state variables over a wide range of operating parameters. Such simulation packages, however, are seldom an integral part of machining parameter optimization modules. This paper proposes a methodology for incorporating simulation feedback to fine-tune analytic models during the optimization process. Through a limited number of calls to the computationally expensive simulation tools, process parameters may be generated that satisfy the design constraints within the accuracy of the simulation predictions, while providing an efficient balance among parameters arising from the functional form of the optimization model. The following iterative algorithm is presented: (i) a non-linear programming (NLP) optimization technique is used to select process parameters based on closed-form analytical constraint equations relating to critical design requirements, (ii) the simulation is executed using these process parameters, providing predictions of the critical state variables. (iii) Constraint equation parameters are dynamically adapted using the feedback provided by the simulation predictions. This sequence is repeated until local convergence between the simulation and constraint equation predictions has been achieved. A case study in machining parameter optimization for peripheral finish milling operations is developed in which constraints on the allowable form error,Δ and the peripheral surface roughness, Ra , drive the process parameter selection for a cutting operation intended to maximize the material removal rate. Results from twenty machining scenarios are presented, including five workpiece/tool material combinations at four levels of precision. Achieving agreement (within a 5% deviation tolerance) between the simulation and constraint equation predictions required an average of 5 simulation execution cycles (maximum of 8), demonstrating promise that simulation tools can be efficiently incorporated into parameter optimization processes.
Poly-phosphoinositide-mediated messengers in focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion

The receptor-mediated poly-phosphoinositide (PI) signalling pathway is known to play an important role in maintaining intracellular calcium homeostasis, which in turn, is critical for mediating neuronal function. In this study, we examined the effects of focal cerebral ischemia induced in rats by temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and both common carotid arteries (CCAs) on this signal transduction pathway. Results indicate that several parts of the pathway are altered, both during the early phase of focal cerebral ischemic insult and after recirculation. Cerebral ischemia induced a decrease in levels of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) in the ischemic MCA cortex, due partly to stimulated poly-PI hydrolysis and partly to the depletion of ATP required for resynthesis of this substrate. ATP depletion during ischemia was also attributed to a sustained decrease in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) levels. On the other hand, the decline in IP3 3-kinase activity after 30 min of ischemic insult was not related to ATP depletion. During reperfusion upon prolonged ischemic insult, neither IP3 level nor IP3 3-kinase activity were able to show recovery after reperfusion, despite that ATP levels recovered by 80%. In situ hybridization studies indicated a decrease in mRNA expression of IP3 receptor but not IP3 3-kinase during the initial 4 h of reperfusion after a 45 min ischemic insult. Under this same condition, insulted cortical neurons started to show morphological changes between 4 and 8 h after reperfusion and extensive cell death could be observed by 16 h. Taken together, these results demonstrated early and delayed changes in the poly-PI signalling pathway due to focal cerebral ischemia. These effects are likely to cause impairment in neuronal function and underline the process of cerebral ischemic damage.
Dissolution rate behavior of solid cholesterol preparations in bile acid solutions

Recent work in these laboratories showed that different preparations of cholesterol monohydrate and anhydrous cholesterol had different dissolution rates under the same conditions. A method was developed by which both the thermodynamic contribution (Cs) and the interfacial kinetic contribution (P) to dissolution could be determined from experimental data. The rotating-disk dissolution method was used with the Levich theory to assess the data. Dissolution rates were determined in solutions partially saturated with cholesterol. Dynamic solubilities were determined by plotting dissolution rates (J/A) versus bulk concentration (Cb) and extrapolating to zero J/A. By using a best-fit analysis, it was possible to determine solubility as well as the interfacial transport constant independently. When this method was used to study differences in dissolution behavior of different solid preparations of cholesterol, the differences could be accounted for primarily by variations in the interfacial transport constant rather than by solubility variations.
The IOL horizon: accommodative intraocular lenses.

Background For more than half a century, intraocular lenses have been used effectively to correct vision after cataract extraction. New developments in intraocular lens design have led to the creation of lenses that may have a significant role in the restoration of accommodation as well. Purpose Accommodative lens technology is constantly evolving. Many different lens designs are currently under development. It is important for optometrists to be familiar with this technology and the various lenses being developed, as accommodative intraocular lenses stand to become the mainstay for cataract surgery, as well as for the surgical treatment of presbyopia. Method The literature is reviewed in order to summarize the developments in accommodative lens technology.
Receptor Cluster Size Affects Signaling in Breast Epithelial Cancer Cells

Our purpose is to study a potentially novel mechanical regulatory mechanism in the EphA2 signaling pathway. EphA2 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is known to be up-regulated in 40% of human breast cancers and plays an active role in metastasis. Activation of EphA2 occurs after binding to its ligand, presented on an opposing cell membrane. Monomer binding is followed by dimerization of the receptor-ligand complex and then oligomerization. Past research, through predominantly biochemical methods, have concluded that EphA2 signaling depends on the degrees of multimerization of the proteins and the topology of the ligand presentation. However, clustering mechanisms of EphA2 proteins are not well understood because these signaling molecules function in the cell membrane, which is an environment that is difficult to characterize and manipulate. Our hypothesis is that the multi-scale organization of EphA2 in the cell membrane regulates its biochemical function. To mimic the cell-cell junction, we use a supported lipid bilayer - cell membrane hybrid system. Breast cancer cells presenting EphA2 are cultured on a fluid lipid bilayer consisting of ligand fusion proteins, which can stably interact with a subset of capturing lipids within the bilayer. This interaction allows us to control the protein density, precisely image it, and maintain molecular mobility so ligand-induced receptor clustering can occur. Receptor cluster size is varied by changing the cluster size and degrees of oligomerization of its ligand. On the nanometer length scale, antibodies are used to cross link monomeric forms of ligand fusion proteins and thereby vary the degrees of oligomerization. On the micrometer scale, patterned chromium substrates are used to segregate ligands into corrals of variable cluster sizes. Our results suggest that the spatial organization of receptor plays a role in orchestrating the cascade of signaling switches.
Gamma intensities for 226Ra and daughters, and 235U

Abstract Absolute gamma intensities were measured for 235 U and the 226 Ra decay chains. Accuracy of the reported results was derived by applying the measurements to a well-known standard.
A Comparative Study of Rotational Temperatures in a Microwave Plasma: OH Radical versus N2+:

A rotational temperature comparative study of OH radical vs. N2+ was carried out on a low-power helium microwave-induced plasma. Under the prevailing conditions, N2+ was found to provide twice as many usable lines for temperature measurement than did hydroxyl radical. For the particular torch design used, both species exhibited slightly increasing rotational temperatures at lower flow rates. At fixed conditions, OH consistently indicated higher rotational temperatures than those of the molecular nitrogen ion. Positional studies revealed a slightly increasing temperature near the center of the plasma. This work suggests that N2+ may provide a number of advantages over OH radical as a thermometric probe species in the determination of plasma rotational temperature.
Questioning the Presumption of Naturalism in the Social Sciences: A Case Study

An important consensus has occurred across the social sciences: The best philosophy for guiding knowledge advancement omits any substantive reference to an active transcendent being. This philosophy of naturalism is so prevalent that social science disciplines renowned for examining research philosophies, such as anthropology, overlook naturalism. This article describes an anthropological case in point: E. E. Evans-Pritchard’s study of the Azande people. Evans-Pritchard is noted for his thoughtful and thorough cultural studies, and the Azande are noted for their unorthodox, non-naturalistic beliefs. We describe the interaction of this anthropologist and culture and find that he presumes a reified naturalism, which dramatically affects his understanding and treatment of this non-naturalistic culture. We then proffer several lessons and implications for pastoral psychology and psychotherapy that follow from our case study.
A CERTain Role for Ceramide in Taxane-Induced Cell Death

An unexpected benefit of functional genomic screens is that at times they answer questions that they were not designed to ask. A siRNA screen reported by Swanton et al. in this issue of Cancer Cell reveals that silencing of spindle assembly checkpoint genes facilitates mitotic slippage, resulting in escape from taxane-induced cell death, aneuploidy, and chromosomal instability, hallmarks of taxane resistance. Unexpectedly, the screen disclosed that the sphingolipid ceramide is a key regulator of the taxane-mediated spindle assembly checkpoint and taxane-induced cell death. Ceramide metabolism thus serves as a legitimate target for modulation of taxane effect on tumors.
Combining Operations Management and Information Systems Curricula: Assessing Alumni Preparations for the Workforce

The purpose of this study is to explore how well a curriculum that combines operations management and information systems uniquely prepares students for the workforce. To address our research questions, a Web-based survey was developed. We sent our survey to 203 alumni that graduated from the Department of Operations Management and Information Systems at Northern Illinois University. We assess alumni perceptions of how well our department prepared them in general and technical skills as well as how important these skills were in their current position. We investigate factors useful in predicting preparedness for both general business and technical skills. Overall, students felt prepared in most of the important skills we studied. We also found a significant positive relationship between alumni-perceived importance of general and technical skills and perceived preparedness for those skills. More recent graduates felt the most prepared for both general business and technical skills. Our findings highlight the importance of general skills for future advancement and caution educators against overemphasizing currently popular technical tools at the expense of teaching the more general business skills. Results presented here provide new knowledge for curriculum designers at the intended institution and lessons for other schools. This research also provides a methodology or process that can be repeated at other institutions that combine information systems with operations management, or with other functions such as decision sciences or accounting. An implication of the results is that schools redesigning their programs may want to consider a curriculum that combines operations management and information systems.
Management of atrial fibrillation: focus on the role of dronedarone.

BACKGROUND Dronedarone is an amiodarone derivative that was approved in the US in July 2009 to reduce the risk of cardiovascular hospitalization in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), who are in sinus rhythm (SR), or who will be cardioverted. OBJECTIVE This article reviews the pharmacology, adverse effects, and clinical evidence available to date on the use of dronedarone in the management of AF and its potential role in the emergency department setting. RESULTS In the EURIDIS and ADONIS studies evaluating the efficacy of dronedarone in maintaining SR, dronedarone significantly reduced the risk of recurrence of AF compared to placebo, by 22% and 27%, respectively. The ERATO study examined the ability of dronedarone to control ventricular rate in permanent AF. The DIONYSOS study demonstrated that recurrences of AF were more frequent with dronedarone. However, discontinuation of therapy due to intolerance was more frequent with amiodarone. Furthermore, the ATHENA study demonstrated that dronedarone reduced mortality and cardiovascular hospitalization by 24% (P < 0.05) in patients in SR but with other associated risks and a history of AF. However, the ANDROMEDA study, evaluating the use of dronedarone in patients with recent decompensated heart failure, and the PALLAS study, evaluating the use of dronedarone in patients with chronic AF, were both terminated prematurely due to a trend toward an increased risk of cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION Dronedarone has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing the incidence of AF recurrence. It appears to be less effective but better tolerated than amiodarone. Dronedarone appears to have a low proarrhythmic risk and is the first anti-arrhythmic that has been demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular hospitalization in clinically stable patients with other risk factors for recurrent AF. Therefore, dronedarone can be recommended as an anti-arrhythmic of choice in clinically stable patients for maintaining SR. If dronedarone is to be used in a patient with chronic stable heart failure, the patient must be monitored closely for any worsening of heart failure symptoms. The drug must be discontinued should the heart failure symptoms worsen.
Configuración del espacio folklórico argentino en las "Selecciones Folklóricas Codex" (1965-66)

During the 1960’s in Argentina, the impact of the folklore of the hinterlands in the capital, Buenos, Aires reached its peak, principally regarding music. The Selecciones Folkloricas, a peculiar and short-lived magazine, belong to this period. It was published in Buenos Aires from 1965 to 1966, and only 13 monthly issues appeared. The director was Augusto R. Cortazar, the most prominent scholar on Argentine folklore. The magazine was subtitled “A Readable, Documented and Visual Synthesis of the Traditional and Popular Argentina”, and it was conceived as a way of rescuing and promoting folkloric manifestations, fearing that progress would make them disappear. The Selecciones Folkloricas are an unique example of the way in which the metropolis defined and imagined the culture of the provinces.
Fracture instability of a layered conical composite resisting the aerodynamic load

Abstract The influence of the stacking sequence of material layers on the crack instability of the layered conical composite is studied in this work. With empahsis placed on the application to the aeronautical structures, the pressure field imposed on the structure is obtained from the aerodynamic flow field with a free steam Mach number being 2.05. The method of characteristics is used for determining the aerodynamic flow field and the strain energy density theory is used for characterizing the crack instability which varies significantly with the stacking sequence of the material layers. Due to large energy concentration at the vertex of the conical composite, J 2 flow rule is incorporated with the incremental theory of plasticity for the nonlinear stress analysis via the finite element method. It is found that the material layer with the softest stress and strain curve should be placed on the side of the inner cone tip such that the energy density established thereby can be absorbed to the most extent. The fracture instability of the three-layered conical composite is found to be geometry-dominant.
RF chirp extension via time division multiplexing

A novel method incorporating time division multiplexing technique with optical parabolic phase modulation has been introduced to overcome the limitations on optical generation of chirped RF signals. Extension of the frequency span and frequency sweep time of a RF chirp signal has been experimentally realized. A chirped RF signal with a center frequency of 100 MHz, frequency span of 20 MHz and sweep time of 200 ns has been generated via this novel method. This chirp signal agrees well with the chirp signal generated by conventional methods.