cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electromagnetic Lens Design

In this paper we consider the design of transition regions (EM transient lenses) which serve to transmit waves, ideally with no reflection or distortion, from one transmission line to another. The design is accomplished by specifying the shape and medium of the lens region. The physical properties of these lenses, given by the permeability and permittivity, may vary from point to point, but we assume zero conductivity and frequency independence of the media parameters. The distortionless requirement dictates that wavelengths, at the high frequencies of interest, be small compared to the cross section dimensions. Since we may wish to change the direction of propagation of a wave being transmitted from one region to another, allowance must be made for distortion introduced at bends. Examples of EM transition regions include converging, diverging, and bending lens linking cylindrical and conical geometries. Solutions to design problems, which may be exact or approximate, are usually obtained by one of two general methods. One method is differential-impedance matching and transit-time conservation, while the other method is a differential geometric approach. An approach through approximations can also be employed. These transient lens have applications in the design of IRAs (Impulse Radiating Antennas).
Recovering the reserved transmission time slots in an ad hoc network with scheduled channel access

In mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) where there is no centralized control, distributed channel-access transmission scheduling protocols are of interest. Many scheduling-based MAC protocols have been proposed that provide contention free transmissions and can guarantee certain levels of performance. One of the major drawbacks of these protocols is that once slots are assigned to a particular node, if the node does not have a packet to transmit, then these slots are not utilized. In our proposed protocol these un-utilized assigned slots are recovered by other nodes, which results in an increase in the capacity of the network.
Gender disparities in gastroenterology fellowship director positions in the United States.

Background and Aims Despite a paucity of women occupying leadership positions in academic medicine, studies have shown a higher ratio of female representation in the program director position compared with division chief in multiple specialties. This study aims to determine whether this trend exists in 3-year gastroenterology fellowships in the United States and to evaluate for any factors that may affect these differences. Methods In 2015, data were collected for the 163 U.S. gastroenterology fellowship programs including program director, associate program director, division chief, gender distribution, program size, academic center affiliation, and geographic region. Results A higher percentage of men than women held the role of program director (82% vs 18%), associate program director (72% vs 28%), and division chief (93% vs 7%). Women in program leadership held lower academic rank than their male counterparts ( P P = .03). Programs with a higher number of trainees tended to be led by a female program director ( P = .06). Conclusions A gender disparity exists in all gastroenterology leadership roles, although the magnitude is smaller for program director and associate program director than the role of division chief. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of this disparity on promotion and academic productivity.
Diskitis, Osteomyelitis, Spinal Epidural Abscess, Meningitis, and Endocarditis Following Sacroiliac Joint Injection for the Treatment of Low-Back Pain in a Patient on Therapy for Hepatitis C Virus

Objective Sacroiliac joint injections are frequently performed procedures in the management of acute and chronic low-back pain, including patients with various immunocompromised states. Infectious complications following these procedures along with other spinal injections are rarely reported, but the true incidence is unknown. The purpose of this report is to highlight the devastating neurologic sequela that can occur, and to discuss potential future management strategies. Case Report We present a patient who developed diskitis, osteomyelitis, spinal epidural abscess, meningitis, and endocarditis from Staphylococcus aureus, all of which developed shortly after a sacroiliac joint injection. The patient was on treatment for hepatitis C virus, and the resulting immunocompromised state likely contributed to the outcome. Conclusions Immunocompromised patients should be identified prior to treatment, and the small possibility of devastating complications should be thoughtfully weighed against the potential benefit of the procedure. Conservative management should be maximized initially, and if a procedure is done, strict asepsis must be maintained. Prophylaxis for S. aureus should be considered for immunocompromised patients undergoing interventional spine procedures.
Ultrafast photonics time-frequency signal processing

Methods allowing transformation of mode-locked laser pulses into nearly arbitrarily shaped, user defined waveforms were introduced more than two decades ago. Commonly termed pulse shaping1, 2, these methods rely on spectral dispersion to spatially separate — and subsequently recombine — the frequency components making up a broadband input pulse. While separated, the phase and amplitude (and sometimes the polarization) of the dispersed optical frequency components can be manipulated in parallel using various spatial light modulator technologies. The result is Fourier synthesis: after the frequencies are put back together, the output waveform is determined by the inverse Fourier transform of the spatial pattern transferred onto the complex optical spectrum (Fig. 1). Pulse shaping has found wide spread applications both in technology and ultrafast optical science.
Factors Associated with Vaccination Status of Children Aged 12-48 Months in India, 2012-2013.

Objectives India has more unvaccinated children than any other country despite provision of free vaccines through the government's Universal Immunization Program. In this study, we calculated the proportion of children aged 12-48 months who were fully vaccinated, under-vaccinated, or who had not received any vaccines. Childhood, household, and sociocultural factors associated with under-vaccination and non-vaccination were evaluated. Methods Using data from India's 4th District-level Health and Facility Survey, 2012-2013 (DLHS-4) and the 2012-2013 Annual Health Survey (AHS), we calculated the proportion of children who were non-vaccinated, under-vaccinated, or fully vaccinated with 1 dose of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, 3 doses of oral polio vaccine, 3 doses of diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus, and 1 dose of measles-containing vaccine. The odds of full vaccination compared to non-vaccination and under-vaccination relative to various factors was assessed using a multivariable, multinomial logistic regression which accounted for survey design. Results Of 1,929,580 children aged 12-48 months, 59% were fully vaccinated, 34% were under-vaccinated, and 7% were non-vaccinated. Compared to children born in government institutions, children delivered in non-institutional settings with a skilled birth attendant present had higher odds of non-vaccination (OR 1.66) and those without a skilled attendant present had still greater odds of non-vaccination (OR 2.39) and under-vaccination (OR 1.11). Conclusions for Practice India's vaccination rates among children aged 12-48 months remains unacceptably low. The Indian government should encourage institutional delivery or birthing with a skilled attendant to ensure women receive adequate health education through antenatal care that includes the importance of childhood vaccination.
Cognitive Biases at Bedside Resulting in Diagnostic Error of Myasthenia Gravis (P6.448)

Objective: The objective was to identify the types of cognitive biases at bedside that resulted in diagnostic error of myasthenia gravis and clinical factors which led to the cognitive error. Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disorder requiring chronic immunosuppression. We defined diagnostic error of MG as either diagnosing patients with MG (and treating them) when they did not have MG or when diagnosing patients with a different condition when they actually had MG. Design/Methods: Retrospective study of 269 patient charts (from 2011–2017) with ICD-9 code of 358.00/358.01. Those patients who met our definition of ‘misdiagnosis’ were included and chart reviewed for the cause of misdiagnosis. Results: 20 patients, mean age 60 (SD=+/−17), 13 women and 7 men were included. 17 were misdiagnosed as MG (different eventual diagnosis). 20% of those had no clear diagnosis. 25% neuropathy and rest were somatoform disorder, stroke, ALS, nutritional deficiencies. 9 were due to framing effect (relying solely on subtle exam clues such as mild fatigable ptosis, questionable improvement of ptosis with ice pack test, despite extensive negative testing including single fiber EMG); 5 blind obedience (relying on incorrectly reported repetitive nerve stimulation); 4 were anchoring heuristic (relying only on patient reported improvement in fatigue to pyridostigmine with rest of the test being negative) and 2 availability heuristics (ptosis diagnosed as MG in the neurology resident clinic). 3 cases were diagnosed with MG after a different initial diagnosis (2 stroke and 1 GBS) and were due to availability heuristic (stroke and GBS commonly seen as acute presentation in an emergency room setting). Conclusions: Relying only on subtle exam findings, incorrectly interpreted repetitive nerve stimulation and patient reported benefit with pyridostigmine are causes of MG diagnostic error. Failure to consider MG as a differential in the acute setting can also lead to diagnostic error. Disclosure: Dr. Kukulka has nothing to disclose. Dr. Seehra has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gummi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bollu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zhang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Govindarajan has nothing to disclose.
Why We Need Neurosociology as Well as Social Neuroscience: Or—Why Role-Taking and Theory of Mind Are Different Concepts

In Chap. 3, David Franks demonstrates why neurosociology and social neuroscience can be seen as complimentary to each other. Once again, neurosociology diverges from time-honored academic traditions, in this case shedding what T. D. Kemper referred to as our fortress mentality. Ironically to some, this complimentarity can only be achieved efficiently by being very clear about the units of analysis that distinguish the disciplines. This would be an interactional unit of analysis in sociology and an individual one in psychology. G. H. Mead’s role-taking and his four-staged theory of the act exemplifies the more voluntaristic sociological unit of analysis while learning theory, applicable to all mammals, distinguishes the psychological one. Suggestions are made to what kind of cross-disciplinary research could be conducted that would contribute to both fields.
Notation and Logic for Sequential Programming

In order to reason about concurrent programs, one must first be able to reason about their component sequential programs. In this chapter, we describe a sequential programming notation and a logic for reasoning about programs written in the notation. The logic is obtained by extending Predicate Logic with a new type of formula, the proof outline. We also present a calculus to aid in deriving a proof outline along with a program.
Optimal Design in Longitudinal Data Models

We discuss expected utility optimization in the context of population models. This class of models covers a variety of important models, including pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models, growth curve models, and repeated measurement models. The discussion will be focused on a specific application. We consider optimal design of apheresis schedules to collect blood stem cells from cancer patients. Blood stem cells are collected prior to the patient undergoing high-dose chemoradiotherapy and are returned after this treatment to enable reconstitution of the white blood cell components. Maximizing the number of cells collected in as few aphereses as possible is desirable.
Embodiment can combat catastrophic forgetting

We use an evolutionary robotics approach to demonstrate how the choice of robot morphology can affect one specific aspect of neural networks: their ability to resist catastrophic forgetting.
Definition of the Cusp

The history of the dayside or polar cusp is reviewed briefly, beginning with the work of Chapman and Ferraro, Axford and Hines, and Dungey. Solar wind plasma comes down the cusp to low altitudes; the remarkably broad area over which this penetration occurs prompted the use of the term cleft, apparently at the foot of the entry layer inside the magnetopause. The consensus of discussion at the workshop was that cusp should refer mainly to the narrow feature in the magnetic profile. Cleft would refer to the broader region defined by the solar wind plasma (perhaps somewhat modified by acceleration or retardation processes); distinctive features observable in the ionosphere or on the ground are photo-emission, enhanced plasma density and temperature, plasma convection, electromagnetic waves, and turbulence.
Meta-analysis of non-reactive phosphorus in water, wastewater, and sludge, and strategies to convert it for enhanced phosphorus removal and recovery.

Current and future trends indicate that mining of natural phosphorus (P) reserves is occurring faster than natural geologic replenishment. This mobilization has not only led to P supply concerns, but has also polluted many of the world's freshwater bodies and oceans. Recovery and reuse of this nuisance P offers a long-term solution simultaneously addressing mineral P accessibility and P-based pollution. Available physical, chemical, and biological P removal/recovery processes can achieve low total P (TP) concentrations (≤100 μg/L) and some processes can also recover P for direct reuse as fertilizers (e.g., struvite). However, as shown by our meta-analysis of over 20,000 data points on P quantity and P form, the P in water matrices is not always present in the reactive P (RP) form that is most amenable to recovery for direct reuse. Thus, strategies for removing and recovering other P fractions in water/wastewater are essential to provide environmental protection via P removal and also advance the circular P economy via P recovery. Specifically, conversion of non-reactive P (NRP) to the more readily removable/recoverable RP form may offer a feasible approach; however, extremely limited data on such applications currently exist. This review investigates the role of NRP in various water matrices; identifies NRP conversion mechanisms; and evaluates biological, physical, thermal, and chemical processes with potential to enhance P removal and recovery by converting the NRP to RP. This information provides critical insights into future research needs and technology advancements to enhance P removal and recovery.
Building a Business on Open Source Software

For many years, free and open source software was exclusively associated with the research community, in contrast to the closed source products developed by commercial software vendors. Over the past decade, there has been a vast increase in the availability of open source software, growing from such projects as Linux and Apache. Open source software is being widely adopted in industry, which has led to numerous business opportunities for entrepreneurs and vendors. This activity is having a disruptive effect on the software industry that has affected even the largest software vendors. This paper describes the emergence of open source business, the growing commercialization of open source, and some business models that can be used to build a successful business based on open source software.
Acquired partial lipodystrophy treated with poly-L-lactic acid and hyaluronic acid fillers: a case report

ABSTRACTAcquired partial lipodystrophy (APL), also known as Barraquer-Simons syndrome, is a rare disorder characterized by progressive fat loss in the upper body. Use of poly-L-lactic acid and hyal...
A Functional Understanding of the ROTAC Using the Cavity Green's Function

The cavity Green's function expressed using the Ewald summation is used to explain the perturbations of analytic cavity modes when many antennas are placed within an over-moded resonant cavity. Simulation results demonstrate that away from the antennas, the fields can be expressed in terms of the analytical modes, which has implications for efficiently characterizing the fields in reconfigurable over-the-air chambers used for wireless device performance testing.
Highly Efficient Ni-Doped Iron Catalyst for Ammonia Synthesis from Quantum-Mechanics-Based Hierarchical High-Throughput Catalyst Screening

To discover more efficient industrial catalysts for ammonia synthesis via the Haber–Bosch (HB) process, we employed quantum mechanics (QM)-based hierarchical high-throughput catalyst screening (HHT...
Patterns of polysubstance use and simultaneous co-use in high risk young adults.

Abstract Background Polysubstance use (PSU) is associated with worse prognosis and poorer physical and mental health compared to single substance use. The current study provides information about PSU patterns by examining a diverse range of alcohol/substance use behaviors ranging from low-level experimentation to indicators of severe abuse. In addition, the current study, for the first time, examines how simultaneous co-use of multiple substances cluster with other more commonly studied PSU behaviors. Methods Latent Class Analysis was used to identify patterns of substance use, in a sample of young-adults (n = 2098), using 25 items from the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA-II) including: items assessing severity of problems with alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, opiates, and sedatives; items assessing # of lifetime uses; items assessing simultaneous co-use of all combinations of substances. Then the association of class membership and age, antisocial and impulsive personality, experience seeking, anxiety, and neuroticism was examined using Multinomial Regression. Results Fit indices (i.e. AIC, SSABIC, and entropy) and interpretability of classes supported a five-class solution: “Low Problems” (32% of sample), “Alcohol Primary” (11%), “Alcohol and Cannabis” (25%), “Moderate PSU” (23%), and “Severe PSU” (9%). Simultaneous co-use behaviors discriminated between lower and higher severity groups. Externalizing personality constructs robustly predicted membership in the “Moderate” and “Severe” PSU classes compared to the “Alcohol Primary” class. Conclusions PSU patterns followed an additive pattern of use with lower severity classes using alcohol/cannabis and more severe classes using other illicit substances in addition. Co-use items provided valuable information about PSU severity.
An Analysis of Chaplains' Narrative Chart Notes Describing Spiritual Care Visits with Gender Affirmation Surgical Patients

Purpose: The benefit of spiritual care for patients is well described, but little is known about the role of spiritual care in transgender and nonbinary patients recovering from gender affirming su...
Grey-box modeling and application for building energy simulations - A critical review

Abstract Grey-box modeling, as one of the three fundamental modeling techniques for building energy models, has many advantages compared with black-box modeling and white-box modeling. It has been widely applied to solve problems of building technologies, such as building load estimation, control and optimization, and building-grid integration. However, a thorough review of grey-box modeling is not available. This review study systematically investigated various aspects of grey-box modeling for buildings. First, the fundamental aspects of grey-box modeling are presented, including the theoretical background, modeling of building elements, modeling order, modeling diagram, and order reduction. Second, the detailed modeling approaches are discussed. Third, multiple applications of grey-box modeling are investigated for building energy domain, which are categorized into the following groups: heat dynamics analysis, thermal load estimation, building control and optimization, district/urban scale energy modeling, and building-grid integration. Finally, the available software packages for grey-box modeling are compared. Overall, the challenges of using grey-box modeling can be summarized as follows: (1) the theoretical limitations and assumptions of grey-box modeling are unclear; (2) grey-box model naming convention and structure are confusing; (3) grey-box model creation is vague; (4) suitable applications of grey-box models are unknown; and (5) grey-box models lack unified software solutions for wider adoption.
Analysis of nasal air conditioning in subjects with unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity.

Abstract This study evaluated the impact of unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity (uCLND) on the ability of the nasal passages to warm and humidify inspired environmental air using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. Nasal air conditioning was simulated at resting inspiration in ten individuals with uCLND and seven individuals with normal anatomy. The overall heat and water transfer through nasal mucosa was significantly greater (p = 0.02 for both heat and moisture fluxes) on the non-cleft side than on the cleft side. Unilateral median and interquartile range (IQR) for heat flux (W/m2) was 190.3 (IQR 59.9) on the non-cleft side, 160.9 (IQR 105.0) on the cleft side, and 170.7 (IQR 87.8) for normal subjects. For moisture flux (mg/(s·m2), they were 357.4 (IQR 112.9), 298.7 (IQR 200.3) and 320.8 (IQR 173.0), respectively. Significant differences of SAHF50 between cleft side of uCLND and normal existed except for anterior region. Nevertheless, air conditioning ability in subjects with uCLND was generally comparable to that of normal subjects.
A Longitudinal Study of Cognitive and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Disablement Among the Oldest Mexican Americans

ObjectivesMexican Americans live longer on average than other ethnic groups, but often with protracted cognitive and physical disability. Little is known, however, about the role of cognitive decli...
Next Generation Data Link for IRSP Systems

The video links used in current IRSP systems add unnecessary overhead and complexity that is hindering the widespread adoption of PDP. This paper will provide an overview of an alternative serial data transfer method over fiber optic cables.
Expression Profiles of GILZ and SGK-1 in Potentially Malignant and Malignant Human Oral Lesions

The glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) and the serum-glucocorticoid-regulated kinase-1 (SGK-1) are major glucocorticoid-inducible proteins. Recent studies indicate local production of cortisol in oral mucosa which can impact tissue generation of GILZ and SGK-1. Further, GILZ and SGK-1 play pathogenic roles in a variety of cancers but their status in potentially malignant (e.g., epithelial dysplasia) or malignant oral lesions remains unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that expression profiles of GILZ and SGK-1, along with the phosphorylated (active) form of SGK-1 (pSGK-1), are different in epithelial dysplasia than squamous cell carcinoma. Accordingly, archived paraffin-embedded biopsy samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry to establish tissue localization and profile of proteins of interest while hematoxylin-eosin stained tissues were used for histopathological assessment. Based on histopathological examinations, tissue specimens were categorized as displaying mild-moderate or severe epithelial dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma; benign keratosis specimens served as controls. All tissue specimens showed staining for SGK-1 and pSGK-1; however, while SGK-1 staining was primarily cytoplasmic, pSGK-1 was mainly confined to the cell membrane. On the other hand, all tissue specimens displayed primarily nuclear staining for GILZ. Semi-quantitative analysis of immunohistochemistry staining indicates increased GILZ expression in epithelial dysplasia but reversal in squamous cell carcinoma to level seen for benign keratosis. On the other hand, SGK-1 and pSGK-1 expressions decreased for squamous cell carcinoma specimens compared to benign keratosis or dysplastic specimens. Collectively, in this cross-sectional study, immunostaining patterns for proteins of interest do not seemingly differentiate epithelial dysplasia from squamous cell carcinoma. However, subcellular localization and expression profiles for GILZ, SGK-1 and pSGK-1 are suggestive of differential functional roles in dysplastic or malignant oral lesions compared to benign keratosis.
Comparison of different treatments for children with radial neck fracture and analysis of prognostic factors.

The aim of this was to analyze the effect of different treatment options on radial neck fractures in children and to explore the factors affecting the prognosis of fractures. The clinical data of 131 children with radial neck fractures admitted to our hospital from 2010 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into 6 groups according to treatment methods [manual reduction with Kirschner wires (K-wires) for internal fixation (group A); manual reduction with elastic stable intramedullary nails (ESINs) for internal fixation (group B); leverage reduction with K-wires for internal fixation (group C); leverage reduction with ESINs for internal fixation (group D); manual and leverage reduction with K-wires/ESINs for internal fixation (group E); and open reduction with K-wires/ESINs for internal fixation (group F)]. Postoperative elbow function and complications were analyzed. Among the 131 patients with fractures, the median age was 8 years, the median preoperative angulation was 52°, the follow-up rate was 86.3% (113/131), the average follow-up time was 58.3 months, and the postoperative complication rate was 17.7% (20/113). The comparison among the different treatment groups showed that group B had the best recovery of elbow function, postoperatively, and the lowest postoperative complication rate. Age, duration of hospitalization, and preoperative angulation were independent factors affecting postoperative complications. Older age, longer duration of hospitalization, and higher angulation increase the postoperative complications. Different treatment options have different efficacies for radial neck fractures in children, of which manipulative reduction with internal fixation using ESINs can achieve good efficacy and a low postoperative complication rate. Age, duration of hospitalization, and preoperative angulation are independent factors for postoperative complications.
Pion and Kaon Distribution Amplitudes up to twist-3 in the QCD Instanton Vacuum.

We discuss the pion and kaon distribution amplitudes up to twist-3 in the context of the random instanton vacuum (RIV). We construct explicitly the pertinent quasi-pion and quasi-kaon distributions in the RIV, and analyze them in leading order in the diluteness factor, at a resolution fixed by the inverse instanton size. The distribution amplitudes (DA) follow from the large momentum limit. The results at higher resolution are discussed using QCD evolution, and compared to their asymptotic limits and some lattice results.
Associations between Paid Paternity Leave and Parental Mental Health Across the Transition to Parenthood: Evidence from a Repeated-Measure Study of First-Time Parents in California

Paid family leave may mitigate stress and health challenges across the transition to parenthood. The current study examined whether paid paternity leave is associated with first-time parents’ trajectories of depression, stress, and sleep from the prenatal to postpartum periods. Expectant parents (72 couples) reported on their depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and daytime fatigue during mid-to-late pregnancy and then again at six months postpartum. At one year postpartum, fathers reported on any paid or unpaid leave taken following their child’s birth. We used a repeated-measures design to compare couples in which the father either did or did not access paid paternity leave. When fathers took paid paternity leave, their partners’ stress and depressive symptoms showed smaller prenatal to postpartum increases than mothers whose partners did not take paid leave. Similarly, fathers who took paid paternity leave, compared to those who did not, reported smaller prenatal to postpartum increases in stress and daytime fatigue. These results remained largely unchanged when controlling for the length of fathers’ leave. The study’s longitudinal, within-subject design allows us to examine parents’ mental health relative to their own prenatal baseline, helping to account for some of the pre-existing differences between fathers who did and did not take paid paternity leave. The results suggest that paid paternity leave may be associated with greater well-being across the transition to parenthood for both fathers and mothers.
Case 53: Defibrillator. Watch Out

You have been the only anesthesiologist in a rural hospital in Benin for 2 months. To your dismay, you discovered when you arrive that the hospital did not have a defibrillator. You wrote to your home country and today a relatively new defibrillator has arrived. You test it out and much to your delight it works.
New Directions in Research on Aging

Biology of aging is an active and rapidly expanding area of biomedical research. Over the years, focus of work in this field has been gradually shifting from studying the effects and symptoms of aging to searching for mechanisms of the aging process. Progress of this work led to an additional shift from looking for "the mechanism" of aging and formulating the corresponding "theories of aging" to appreciation that aging represents a net result of multiple physiological changes and their intricate interactions. It was also shown that mechanisms of aging include nutrient-dependent signaling pathways which have been remarkably conserved in the course of the evolution. Another important development in this field is increased emphasis on searching for pharmacological and environmental interventions that can extend healthspan or influence other aspects of aging. Progress in understanding the key role of aging as a risk factor for chronic disease provides impetus for these studies. Data from the recent pandemic provided additional evidence for the impact of age on resilience. Progress of work in this area also was influenced by major analytical and technological advances, including greatly improved methods for the study of gene expression, protein, lipids, and metabolites profiles, enhanced ability to produce various genetic modifications and novel approaches to assessment of biological age. Progress in research on the biology of aging provides reasons for optimism about the chances that safe and widely applicable anti-aging interventions with significant benefits for both individual and public health will be developed in the not too distant future.
Thermodynamics of the Liquid Two-Phase Regions in Binary Mixtures of Mesogenic Materials

The phase behavior of liquid crystalline mixtures has been studied for a variety of reasons, but for the purposes of the discussions here, two are predominant: (1) use of binary mixtures for miscibility studies to identify mesophases, (2) use of eutectic mixtures to enhance the temperature range of mesomorphic stability, typically the nematic phase. While many phase diagrams have been reported, only very few have been discussed in a quantitative manner, that is, calculated using thermodynamic relationships.1–4 Further, very few calculations have been reported for phase diagrams with maxima or minima, azeotrope-like behavior in the liquid phase regions of the diagram.5–6 The occurrence of such maxima or minima cannot be described thermodynamically in terms of ideal solution behavior. However, regular solution theory can and does allow convenient calculation of such azeotrope-like behavior increasingly exhibited in reported phase diagrams of liquid crystalline mixtures. We will introduce here the method of calculation and demonstrate its usefulness by summarizing the results obtained for the calculation of the phase diagrams for a homologous series of symmetric azoxybenzenes and for three mixtures of cholesterol esters with a common reference Schiff base. Also, we will comment on some procedures for estimating the parameters required by the regular solution theory.
Discourses of Industry in Postwar Britain and Germany

Deindustrialization is regularly invoked in studies of advanced capitalism, yet a consideration of both its historical causes and its differential impacts on political outcomes in countries over time remains elusive. Adopting a historical institutional approach, this paper seeks to link the origins and effects of deindustrialization in Britain and Germany since the 1960s. These two countries are widely seen as reflecting different political approaches towards deindustrialization, with the former embracing and even accelerating the shift to a more service-oriented economy and the latter seeking to minimize the impact of such changes. The paper argues that variation in the British and German outcomes has been crucially shaped in the past half-century by the countries’ respective political economic institutions and their contrasting national policy discourses on economic competitiveness.
Changes in Viability, Cell Composition, and Enzyme Levels During Starvation of Continuously Cultured (Ammonia-Limited) Selenomonas ruminantium

Under nitrogen (ammonia)-limited continuous culture conditions, the ruminal anaerobe Selenomonas ruminantium was grown at various dilution rates (D). The proportion of the population that was viable increased with D, being 91% at D = 0.5 h−1. Washed cell suspensions were subjected to long-term nutrient starvation at 39°C. All populations exhibited logarithmic linear declines in viability that were related to the growth rate. Cells grown at D = 0.05, 0.20, and 0.50 lost about 50% viability after 8.1, 4.6, and 3.6 h, respectively. The linear rates of decline in total cell numbers were dramatically less and constant regardless of dilution rate. All major cell constituents declined during starvation, with the rates of decline being greatest with RNA, followed by DNA, carbohydrate, cell dry weight, and protein. The rates of RNA loss increased with cells grown at higher D values, whereas the opposite was observed for rates of carbohydrate losses. The majority of the degraded RNA was not catabolized but was excreted into the suspending buffer. At all D values, S. ruminantium produced mainly lactate and lesser amounts of acetate, propionate, and succinate during growth. With starvation, only small amounts of acetate were produced. Addition of glucose, vitamins, or both to the suspending buffer or starvation in the spent culture medium resulted in greater losses of viability than in buffer alone. Examination of extracts made from starving cells indicated that fructose diphosphate aldolase and lactate dehydrogenase activities remained relatively constant. Both urease and glutamate dehydrogenase activities declined gradually during starvation, whereas glutamine synthetase activity increased slightly. The data indicate that nitrogen (ammonia)-limited S. ruminantium cells have limited survival capacity, but this capacity is greater than that found previously with energy (glucose)-limited cells. Apparently no one cellular constituent serves as a catabolic substrate for endogenous metabolism. Relative to losses in viability, cellular enzymes are stable, indicating that nonviable cells maintain potential metabolic activity and that generalized, nonspecific enzyme degradation is not a major factor contributing to viability loss.
Studies on the methylation of soluble ribonucleic acid. I. Failure of the direct incorporation of 6-methylaminopurine.

Abstract The source of the methylated bases in the soluble RNA fraction of Escherichia coli was studied. Adenine served as the precursor of both the adenine and 6-methylaminopurine bases of the soluble RNA of E. coli B. Exogenous 6-methylaminopurine was not incorporated directly, but appeared in the RNA only after demethylamination and conversion to both adenine and guanine. These results suggest that the methylated bases are formed by methylation after formation of the polynucleotide chain. Several other less likely possibilities are discussed.
Realization of pseudomorphic and superlattice bipolar resonant tunneling transistors

A resonant transistor was fabricated in which electrical contact is made directly to the quantum well of a double-barrier resonant tunneling structure. The quantum well is doped p-type, and electrical connection is achieved by ion implantation. On either side of the double-barrier structure, the emitter and collector contact layers are n-type with bandgap wider than the quantum-well bandgap. Two functioning embodiments of this device, referred to as the bipolar quantum resonant tunneling transistor (BiQuaRTT), have been realized. One is a superlattice and the other a pseudomorphic device. Room-temperature common-emitter transistor characteristics for the superlattice BiQuaRTT typically show current gain greater than 20. The pseudomorphic BiQuaRTT structure shows a current gain greater than 5. >
Physical Processes in the Solar Corona

Since the early 1970s, it has become evident that the entire range of solar surface activity is governed by the interaction between the surface magnetic fields of the Sun and the ambient plasma: the rich phenomenology discussed by others in this work indicates that magnetic fields play a central role in the energetics of both transient events (including flares and magnetic flux emergence associated with solar active regions), as well as in the far more quiescent ‘quiet’ Sun. Thus, solar magnetic fields not only organize the spatial structure of photospheric, chromospheric, and coronal plasma, but also largely govern the physical processes which control local conditions — heat conduction, viscous and joule heating, particle acceleration, radiative emission. These various processes involve the complications of microscopic plasma effects well known to laboratory and space plasma physicists, albeit under vastly different conditions; and, most crucially from the astrophysical point of view, these processes probably also play a central role in the physics of other astrophysical systems, such as other stars, the interstellar medium, supernova remnants, and accretion disks.
Optical Devices in Ophthalmology and Optometry: Technology, Design Principles and Clinical Applications

Optical Devices in Ophthalmology and Optometry is a highly recommended textbook that explains the physical principles of optics, photonics, metrology, and lasers, and proceeds with the design principles and instrument construction of medical devices that are most often used in diagnosis and treatment. The textbook is based on the lectures that two of the authors taught to graduate students with backgrounds in physics, electrical, and mechanical engineering. The author’s aim in their courses is to bridge the physics and engineering with the development of medical devices for ophthalmology and optometry. But this textbook’s intended audience consists of engineers and physicists who work in academic or industrial research. Together the authors built upon their expertise in optics, medical technology, laser development and laser applications in medicine, and medical devices to produce a comprehensive textbook that is physically rigorous, clearly written, well illustrated with clear, colored figures, and enhanced by extensive footnotes, problem sets, critical references, a summary of all the used mathematical variables and abbreviations, and an index.
Robust and exible planning of power system generation capacity

x 1. OVERVIEW 1 1.1 Motivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.1.1 Description of the problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1.2 Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1.3 Thesis organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 8 2.1 Sensitivity Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2.2 Stochastic Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2.3 Robust Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2.3.1 Box Uncertainty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 2.3.2 Ellipsoidal Uncertainty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 2.3.3 Manhattan Uncertainty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 2.3.4 Polyhedral uncertainty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 2.3.5 Random bounded data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 2.4 Adjustable Robust Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 2.5 Chance-constrained optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Rapid abiotic transformation of nitrate in an acid forest soil

Nitrate immobilization into organic matter is thought to require catalysis by the enzymes of soil microorganisms. However, recent studies suggest that nitrate added to soil is immobilized rapidly and this process may include abiotic pathways. We amended living and sterilized soil with 15 N-labeled nitrate and nitrite to investigate biotic and abiotic immobiliz- ation. We report rapid transformation of nitrate in incubations of the O layer of forest soils that have been sterilized to prevent microbial activity and to denature microbial enzymes. Approximately 30, 40, and 60% of the 15 N-labeled nitrate added to live, irradiated, or auto- claved organic horizon soil disappeared from the extractable inorganic-N pool in less than 15 minutes. About 5% or less of the nitrate was recovered as insoluble organic N in live and sterilized soil, and the remainder was determined to be soluble organic N. Added 15 N- nitrite, however, was either lost to gaseous N or incorporated into an insoluble organic N form in both live and sterile organic soils. Hence, the fate and pathway of apparent abiotic nitrate immobilization differs from the better-known mechanisms of nitrite reactions with soil organic matter. Nitrate and nitrite added to live A-horizon soil was largely recovered in the form added, suggesting that rapid conversion of nitrate to soluble organic-N may be limited to C-rich organic horizons. The processes by which this temperate forest soil transforms added nitrate to soluble organic-N cannot be explained by established mechanisms, but appears to be due to abiotic processes in the organic horizon.
Sex Differences in Children's Conversation.

Sex differences in children's conversation are explored to determine if they exist and, if so, when they emerge. Forty preschool children were randomly assigned to groups (female-female, female-mal...
HIGH-TEMPERATURE OPERATION OF OXYGEN ELECTRODE GIVING FAST RESPONSE FOR RESPIRATORY GAS SAMPLING.

The 98% response time of the membrane-covered Clark-type polarographic oxygen electrode may be reduced to 0.4 sec. by heating the electrode and the gas sample flowing past it to 80° when the electrode is covered with 0.25-mil (6 µ) Teflon membrane. The design of the microcathode electrode has been modified slightly to prevent drying out of the electrolyte and pressure changes within the electrolyte cavity. The relationship of output current to temperature approaches a plateau at this temperature which suggests that for reasonably accurate operation, temperature regulation may not be as crucial as it is at body temperature.
Atrazine and Bromide Movement through a Silt Loam Soil

The movement of agrochemicals through soil to groundwater is affected by soil properties, soil management, timing of leaching events, and kinetics of the transformation processes. This study was conducted to determine the pattern(s) of movement of Br and atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) through a field soil as affected by plow- and conservation-till corn (Zea mays L.), under severe leaching conditions. The soil surface inside double-ring infiltrometers was sprayed with chemicals, 1 wk later 10 cm of solution was applied under ponded flow conditions, and soll cores removed the next day for chemical analysis. The distribution patterns of Br and atrazine with soil depth were quite similar, with the largest proportion of the chemicals observed in the surface horizon, yet all cores showed some movement of chemicals to the deepest sampling depth (90 cm). However, on average <50% of the applied water, Br, and atrazine could be found. Two quite different processes seem to be involved in the movement of these chemicals through this soil: one-dimensional movement through the soil matrix and rapid downward movement through macropores—bypassing most of the soil matrix. These and other findings have major implications regarding the potential for contamination of groundwater by agrochemicals.
Cost of Abrasive Cutting in Decommissioning Operations in the Gulf of Mexico

Mechanisms that inject cutting materials into a water jet and abrasively wear away steel/concrete are called abrasive cutters. The purpose of this paper is to model the cost of abrasive cutting operations associated with decommissioning offshore structures in the Gulf of Mexico. The elements of a standard abrasive cutting contract are presented and the total cost of a job is derived based on the parameters of the contract. The total cost to perform a severance operation is aggregated according to job type and normalized according to the number, size, and length of cut performed. Descriptive statistics are provided based on data collected over a three-year period from 2000-2002, and relations are derived that estimate the time and cost of a cutting operation based on various descriptor variables. A major conclusion of the analysis is that abrasive cutting is a structure-independent operation, or in other words, the total cost of performing the service does not depend on the characteristics of the structure and can only be predicted after the job is finished and the on-site time of the cutting crew is known. This is in sharp contrast to explosive cutting, where structural characteristics are very good indicators of job cost.
TH‐B‐218‐01: Iterative Reconstruction Methods in Computed Tomography

Sophisticated iterative reconstruction methods for computed tomography have seen more widespread adoption with the availability of increased computational power and the desire for improved dose utilization. While improved image quality and dose reduction are possible with iterative approaches, there is a (sometimes confusing) diversity of algorithm choices. This presentation will introduce the basic concepts behind iterative reconstruction and statistical methods, including how such approaches are formed and illustrating different classes of reconstruction algorithm. Differences between iterative approaches and traditional reconstructions will be discussed ‐ both in terms of how data is processed as well as the differing image properties that arise from each type of algorithm. The lecture will highlight advantages and limitations of iterative reconstructions and provide listeners with a basic introduction of the inner workings of the iterative methodology. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the fundamentals of how iterative methods are formed and how to identify particular classes of iterative methods. 2. Gain intuition into the flexibility of iterative methods and why these approaches can have an advantage over other techniques. 3. Learn about the nature of iteratively reconstructed images and how images produced by these methods can have significantly different image properties from those produced by traditional analytic approaches. This talk may contain research sponsored by Siemens, Varian Medical Systems, and/or Carestream Health.