cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mode mixity effects on crack tip deformation in ductile single crystals

Crack tip deformation and stress fields in ductile single crystals, under mixed mode loading conditions, are examined within the framework of a geometrically rigorous formulation of crystalline plasticity. The theory accounts for finite deformations and finite lattice rotations, as well as for the full three-dimensional crystallographic geometry of the crystal. An experimentally based self-hardening rule exhibiting an initial stage of rapid hardening followed by a saturation stage is used in the analysis. For the orientation of an f.c.c. crystal considered in this study, the geometric nature of slip gives rise to competing deformation modes. Our studies reveal that mode mixity exerts a strong influence on which of these competing deformation modes prevail. It is found that the effects of mode mixity are more complex than those predicted by phenomenological flow theories of plasticity. Finite deformation and lattice rotation effects, as well as the details of the hardening law, strongly influence the structure of the solution.
Symmetric Disparity Estimation in Distributed Coding of Stereo Images

Disparity estimation has been widely studied in the literature of stereo matching and coding. However, how to shift disparity estimation from encoder to decoder to support distributed coding applications poses a new challenge. In this paper, we present a symmetric distributed coding protocol in which interlaced representations of stereo pair are finely and coarsely quantized as primary and secondary channels respectively. At the decoder, side information is generated from the primary channel by an expectation maximization (EM)-like algorithm and a novel dual exploitation of the secondary channel is proposed to simultaneously resolve intensity uncertainty and refine disparity estimation. Preliminary experimental results for synthetic images are reported to demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach.
Severe hyperchloremic acidosis of unusual etiology.

Summary The occurrence of severe hyperchloremic acidosis associated with depletion of potassium and with rickets in a child with an imperforate anus and a rectourethral fistula is reported. Data are presented suggesting that the primary cause of the acidosis was the loss of bicarbonate ions as the result of a change in the composition of the urine as it passed through the colon. Following reparative surgery, the ability of the patient to acidify the urine in response to ammonium chloride was normal. These considerations strongly suggest that the pathogenesis of the acidosis was entirely extrarenal.
Educating Children in Manufacturing and Mechanical Concepts

A multilevel, multifaceted learning environment has been designed at the NSF Engineering Research Center for Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems (ERC/RMS) to help young children (ages 5 to 10 years) understand the basic concepts of manufacturing industry and to appreciate why manufacturing is important to their lives. The design of this environment is grounded on observed interactions of children and technology, research literature on pupil’s understanding of mechanics and on the concepts of a rich learning environment. The components of this environment include stories, cartoon characters, puzzles, games, and solitary and group activities. The activities require easily available household objects and common toys. These materials are targeted for families with early-elementary and home-schooled children.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Victimization in Library School Closing Rhetoric: A Response to a "Library Quarterly" Symposium

Librarianship continues to witness the closing of its professional schools, including the recent elimination of two of its oldest and most prestigious graduate programs. The closures raise important questions about the profession and suggest that critical scrutiny is needed, not only of the processes of change that bring about the closings but also of librarianship's own rhetoric of response to the closings. This article is a critique of the July 1991 "Library Quarterly" symposium on graduate library school program elimination. It focuses on the rhetoric of three of the symposium articles.
Magnesium sulphate salts and the history of water on Mars.

Recent reports of ∼30 wt% of sulphate within saline sediments on Mars1,2—probably occurring in hydrated form3—suggest a role for sulphates in accounting for equatorial H2O observed in a global survey by the Odyssey spacecraft4. Among salt hydrates likely to be present3, those of the MgSO4·nH2O series have many hydration states. Here we report the exposure of several of these phases to varied temperature, pressure and humidity to constrain their possible H2O contents under martian surface conditions. We found that crystalline structure and H2O content are dependent on temperature–pressure history, that an amorphous hydrated phase with slow dehydration kinetics forms at <1% relative humidity, and that equilibrium calculations may not reflect the true H2O-bearing potential of martian soils. Mg sulphate salts can retain sufficient H2O to explain a portion of the Odyssey observations5. Because phases in the MgSO4·nH2O system are sensitive to temperature and humidity, they can reveal much about the history of water on Mars. However, their ease of transformation implies that salt hydrates collected on Mars will not be returned to Earth unmodified, and that accurate in situ analysis is imperative.
Reading difficulty of MMPI-2 subscales.

Average reading difficulty based upon the Lexile value was computed for the 567 items and 61 sub/special scales of the MMPI-2. The mean for all items was 600.02 (SD = 304.57), which roughly corresponds to a fifth-grade reading level. Approximately 90% of the items require less than a ninth-grade reading level; 3 items require a high-school education or more. The Amorality (Mal) subscale had an average reading level greater than eighth grade. Nine subscales had 25% or more items above an eighth-grade reading level. The Hypomania (Ma) subscales were the most demanding. For persons with low reading proficiency, interpretation of the nine subscales should be made cautiously.
Electron microscopy and spectroscopy of thinfilms for spectral storage

Rare earth doped thin-films have been produced using laser pulse vapor deposition technique. By changing the thin film growth environment inside the chamber, we were able to create several optical centers. Emission and absorption spectroscopy measurements performed on these structures confirm that that these thinfilms are suitable candidates to be used for ultra-high density spectral storage applications. Scanning electron microscopy studies of these thinfilms were conducted to study degradation in their optical quality upon long-term storage. Results on microscopy show that the deterioration is initiated by nano-gaps and cracks in the capping layer of zinc sulfide.
Detailed 3-D nuclear analysis of ITER blanket modules

Abstract In ITER, the blanket modules (BM) are arranged around the plasma to provide thermal and nuclear shielding for the vacuum vessel (VV), magnets, and other components. As a part of the BM design process, nuclear analysis is required to determine the level of nuclear heating, helium production, and radiation damage in the BM. Additionally, nuclear heating in the VV is also important for assessing the BM design. We used the CAD based DAG-MCNP5 transport code to analyze detailed models inserted into a 40-degree partially homogenized ITER global model. The regions analyzed include BM01, the neutral beam injection (NB) region, and the upper port region. For BM01, the results show that He production meets the limit necessary for re-welding, and the VV heating behind BM01 is acceptable. For the NBI region, the VV nuclear heating behind the NB region exceeds the design limit by a factor of two. For the upper port region, the nuclear heating of the VV exceeds the design limit by up to 20%. The results presented in this work are being used to modify the BM design in the cases where limits are exceeded.
Greater than the sum of its parts [outsourced manufacturing]

In the world of electronics manufacturing, numerous complex supply chains encompassing product specifiers and designers, manufacturers, material suppliers, transporters, packagers, and distributors are evident. Each link in the supply chain has its own cost base with a desire to keep costs down while increasing profit. To help companies calculate the best manufacturing strategy tailored to their needs, Flextronics has developed a global supply chain analysis tool called Simplex. This tool provides a complete cost analysis of the total supply chains, including the best source for raw material, turnaround time, logistics cost, cost of capital, and inventory.
Rapidly Convergent Representations for Periodic Green's Functions of a Linear Array in Layered Media

Green's function representations are presented to rapidly compute the fields resulting from a linear (1D) periodic array of dipole current sources on or near a planarly layered medium in 2D and 3D space. The representation is formulated as spectral integral, which accounts for the reflected continuous spectrum of fields, and a series that accounts for the discrete spectrum of guided modes. It is exponentially convergent for observation points on and near the array axis and surface, and for complex phase shifts between periodic unit cells. It can be defined on alternate Riemann sheets with respect to any of the diffraction modes characterizing the array. A complete dyadic Green's function is derived to fully account for the reflected fields for all source current orientations. This Green's function representation can greatly accelerate the simulation of printed 1D periodic structures in optics and microwave engineering.
Medical management of stone disease

Purpose of review Dietary manipulation still remains one of the most important strategies for therapy. A growing body of evidence, however, suggests that severe calcium restriction is inappropriate in patients with recurrent nephrolithiasis. Dietary recommendations based on recent evidence and the role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of calcium nephrolithiasis are discussed. Recent findings New evidence strongly supports the role of oxalate, salt and animal protein dietary restrictions in the prevention of calcium stone recurrence. Moderate calcium restriction is only effective in absorptive hypercalciuria. Calcium restriction is not effective in other etiologies of calcium stones and its implementation can lead to bone demineralization. New evidence has implicated the lack of intestinal bacteria to be responsible for the degradation of dietary oxalate, with its higher absorption resulting in an increased risk of calcium oxalate stone formation. The role of Oxalobacter formigenes is herein discussed. Summary Metabolic abnormalities responsible for stone recurrence are currently identified in 97% of evaluated patients and remission rates of medical prophylaxis in calcium stone formers are approaching 80%. Urinary calcium excretion in most renal stone formers is more dependent on the dietary acid load than on the dietary calcium intake itself. Reducing the acid-ash content of the diet has an impact on decreasing stone recurrence, while preventing bone loss. New evidence associates the decolonization of oxalate degrading intestinal flora with a higher risk of calcium oxalate stone formation, possibly opening the door for biological manipulation as a novel approach for the prevention of urinary stone formation.
A Surgical Approach to Penoscrotal Lymphedema

In North America idiopathic genital lymphedema is a debilitating but rare disorder that causes pain, disfigurement, and difficulties with urination and potency. We present a simple surgical option for correcting genital lymphedema with good cosmetic and functional results. CASE REPORT A 41-year-old man without significant medical, travel or exposure history presented to the emergency room with a 12-year history of progressive, chronic, massive penile and scrotal edema. The condition had been treated elsewhere with oral antimicrobial agents and observation. Computerized tomography failed to reveal any underlying pathological condition other than chronic infection with resultant scarring and lymphedema. The patient was unable to perform sexually, was required to sit to urinate and had chronic discomfort from the size and weight of the phallus (fig. 1). After 2 weeks of antimicrobial therapy that slightly decreased the lymphedema, surgery was performed via an initial incision on the caudal scrotum at the interface between grossly normal and abnormal tissue. The incision was extended laterally and superiorly until the affected region of skin was circumscribed. While dissecting on the scrotum, both testes and spermatic cords were identified and spared. At the infrapubic region dissection was carried onto the penis to the level of Buck’s fascia (fig. 21, and distally along this plane until a circumscribing incision made just proximal to the glans allowed excision of the lymphedematous tissue in its entirety. Normal caudal scrotal skin was reapproximated to complete 1-stage scrotoplasty. The glans penis was sewn to a Foley catheter to ensure complete elongation. A split thickness skin graft was harvested from the thigh. The graft was tubularized with the suture line positioned on the ventrum of the penis. The distal ends were sewn in place circumferentially using running and interrupted 6-zero polyglactin. Xeroform gauze was placed around the penis and a Styrofoam cup was used for protection. Prostaglandin El (10 pg.) was given intracavernously in the early postoperative period to maintain graft suppleness and prevent contracture. There were no complications other than slight distal contracture. Convalescence was uneventful. The patient is now able to urinate standing and he has no pain. He has erections, engages in intercourse without pharmacological aids and is satisfied with the cosmetic and functional results. DISCUSSION
Kinetics and mechanism of m-cresol hydrodeoxygenation on a Pt/SiO2 catalyst

Abstract The Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model was employed to investigate the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of m-cresol in the vapor phase over Pt/SiO 2 , at 300 °C. The model takes into account the competitive adsorption and secondary reactions of all possible reactants and products. Therefore, independent measurements of the conversion of the reaction intermediates 3-methyl-cyclohexanone and 3-methyl-cyclohexanol were done at various levels of conversion and incorporated in the kinetic fitting of the model. The kinetic analysis of these reactions over the Pt/SiO 2 catalyst confirms that hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions occur at faster rates than the hydrodeoxygenation steps. The hydrogenation/dehydration followed by dehydrogenation (HYD route) was shown to be a minor deoxygenation pathway. The actual hydrodeoxygenation path is proposed to proceed via a tautomerization route that starts with a fast and reversible tautomerization of m-cresol to an unstable ketone intermediate (3-methyl-3,5-cyclohexadienone) over the catalyst surface. In the case of the Pt/SiO 2 catalyst, the C C bonds of the unstable ketone intermediate are fully hydrogenated to the saturated ketone (3-methyl-cyclohexanone). Sequential hydrogenation of this ketone produces a saturated alcohol (3-methyl-cyclohexanol). In the absence of surface acidity, this path only leads to the two ring-saturated products. When the support is acidic enough, dehydration of the alcohol to 3-methyl-1-cyclohexene followed by dehydrogenation leads to toluene. The kinetic analysis conducted here shows that this path is very limited over Pt/SiO 2 . By contrast, the toluene selectivity can be dramatically enhanced when using TiO 2 and ZrO 2 as the catalyst supports. This enhancement is not through the hydrogenation/dehydration/dehydrogenation path, but rather through the direct dehydroxylation mentioned above, which is favored by the incorporation of oxophilic sites in the catalysts. The oxophilic sites increase the rate of chemoselective hydrogenation of the carbonyl group of the m-cresol tautomer (3-methyl-3,5-cyclohexadienone) to a very reactive unsaturated alcohol (3-methyl-3,5-cyclohexadienol), which can be easily dehydrated to toluene, even in the absence of any significant catalyst acidity.
Observational constraints on the masses of neutron stars

The present state of empirical knowledge about neutron-star masses is reviewed. It is shown how the mass function of a pulsar-containing binary system can be inferred from measurements of the pulsation period and the projected semimajor axis of the pulsar orbit plus independent information concerning the inclination of the orbital plane, the mass of the companion star, or both. Relevant observational properties, the type of information used to constrain the pulsar mass, and the range of allowable pulsar masses are summarized for the binary systems 3U 0900-40, Cen X-3, SMC X-1, Her X-1, and PSR 1913+16. It is found that as long as the general theory of relativity is correct, neutron-star masses should range from about 1.4 to 1.9 solar masses if the companion is a normal white dwarf or should be less than about 1.9 solar masses if the companion is some other object. It is concluded that these mass estimates are entirely consistent with the predictions of nuclear physics theory.
Infectivity of ribonucleic acid from mouse brains infected with Semliki forest virus.

EVIDENCE has been recently presented to show that the ribonucleic acids isolated by phenol extraction from tobacco mosaic virus1, from ascites tumour cells in mice infected with Mengo encephalitis virus2 and from mouse brains with Eastern equine encephalitis virus3 are infectious. In the present communication, the infectivity of the ribonucleic acid isolated from the brains of mice infected with Semliki Forest virus is reported. This virus can also multiply in mosquitoes4 but causes no known human disease.
Self-assembly and properties of diblock copolymers by coarse-grain molecular dynamics

Block-copolymer amphiphiles have been observed to assemble into vesicles and other morphologies long known for lipids but with remarkably different properties. Coarse-grain molecular dynamics (CG-MD) is used herein to elaborate the structures and properties of diblock copolymer assemblies in water. By varying the hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio of the copolymer in line with experiment, bilayer, cylindrical and spherical micelle morphologies spontaneously assemble. Varying the molecular weight (MW) with hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio appropriate to a bilayer yields a hydrophobic core thickness that scales for large MW as a random coil polymer, in agreement with experiment. The extent of hydrophobic-segment overlap in the core increases nonlinearly with MW, indicative of chain entanglements and consistent with the dramatic decrease reported for lateral mobility in polymer vesicles. Calculated trends with MW as well as hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio thus agree with experiment, demonstrating that CG-MD simulations provide a rational design tool for diblock copolymer assemblies.
Temporal experience and motor behavior among the aging.

This study was designed to provide comparative data among institutionalized and noninstitutionalized persons between 70 and 89 years of age. Several measures of temporal experience and body movement were used to compare the groups. One-half of the sample were nursing home residents, and the other half lived in their own or relatives' homes. Differences between the institutionalized and noninstitutionalized groups were observed. The institutionalized group was more past oriented and displayed more gross motor activity. Older persons projected further into the past than did the younger persons.
Aldehyde dehydrogenase heterogeneity in rat hepatic cells.

Abstract In normal rat liver, aldehyde dehydrogenase (Aldehyde: NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.2.1.3; ALDH) is found primarily in mitochondrial and microsomal fractions. During hepatocarcinogenesis, an additional tumor-associated aldehyde dehydrogenase (T-ALDH) is detectable in the cytosol of preneoplastic and neoplastic cells. We report here differences in the ALDH distribution pattern in different rat hepatoma cell lines compared to normal rat hepatocytes. Of the four basal ALDH enzymes, one mitochondrial ALDH and one microsomal ALDH account for 96% of total ALDH molecules detectable with our probes in normal hepatocytes. The other two mitochondrial and microsomal ALDH enzymes are only detectable in the appropriate subcellular fraction from large populations of cells. The tumor-associated ALDH is not detectable in normal hepatocytes. In addition to varying amounts of T-ALDH in the six different rat hepatoma cell lines examined, differences in the amounts of mitochondrial and microsomal ALDHs also occur in both high and low T-ALDH activity hepatoma cell lines. Each of five ALDH enzymes examined has a characteristic half-life varying from 45 min to 95 h.
Leaving our comfort zone: Integrating established practices with unique adaptations to conduct survey‐based strategy research in nontraditional contexts

Accepted practices for survey research in medium and large firms in developed economies are well established. However, as scholars explore fine-grained phenomena in nontraditional contexts, sampling, survey design, and administration tasks may need adjusting. Through three case studies and an analysis of a decade of published work, we find that sample frame creation and survey administration require the greatest degree of adaptation, while survey instrument creation most closely follows established practices. We recommend using context-specific sampling frames and administration techniques, though established survey instruments and scales may be used. The conclusions highlight the importance of overlaying unique adaptations onto established practices to achieve acceptable response rates, obtain accurate and robust data, and provide the basis for subsequent meaningful analysis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Separating classes in the exponential-time hierarchy from classes in PH

We are interested in separating classes in the exponential-time hierarchy, EXPH, from classes in the polynomial-time hierarchy, PH. In this paper we show that, for any fixed integer c, the class of sets accepted in deterministic polynomial time using at most O(nc) queries to an NP oracle, PNP[O(nc)], is a proper subset of NEXP. This improves a previous result by Fu et al. [7]. Further, we generalize this separation to related levels of PH and EXPH showing that, for any fixed integer c and i ⩾ 1, ΔiP[O(nc)] ⊊ ∑i − 1EXP. This improves the long standing separations which result from the relativization of the time hierarchy theorem [9, 6, 17, 3, 1].
REFLECTIONS ON REFLECTIVE TEACHING AND EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER EDUCATION

(2000). REFLECTIONS ON REFLECTIVE TEACHING AND EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER EDUCATION. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education: Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 365-371.
Radial distance determination in the rat vibrissal system and the effects of Weber's law

Rats rhythmically tap and brush their vibrissae (whiskers) against objects to tactually explore the environment. To extract a complex feature such as the contour of an object, the rat must at least implicitly estimate radial object distance, that is, the distance from the base of the vibrissa to the point of object contact. Radial object distance cannot be directly measured, however, because there are no mechanoreceptors along the vibrissa. Instead, the mechanical signals generated by the vibrissa's interaction with the environment must be transmitted to mechanoreceptors near the vibrissa base. The first part of this paper surveys the different mechanical methods by which the rat could determine radial object distance. Two novel methods are highlighted: one based on measurement of bending moment and axial force at the vibrissa base, and a second based on measurement of how far the vibrissa rotates beyond initial contact. The second part of the paper discusses the application of Weber's law to two methods for radial distance determination. In both cases, Weber's law predicts that the rat will have greatest sensing resolution close to the vibrissa tip. These predictions could be tested with behavioural experiments that measure the perceptual acuity of the rat.
Using emulation to understand and improve wireless networks and applications

Researchers have long faced a fundamental tension between the experimental realism of wireless testbeds on one hand, and the control and repeatability of simulation on the other hand. To overcome the stark tradeoff of these traditional alternatives, we are developing a wireless emulator that enables both realistic and repeatable experimentation by leveraging physical layer emulation.We discuss the design and implementation of a prototype wireless emulator, and show how this emulator can be leveraged to provide insight into wireless network and application behaviour. Our experience shows that, compared to simulation, our emulator-based approach provides us with a better understanding of real-world wireless network performance, and enables us to quickly deploy our research into an operational wireless network, while still allowing us to enjoy the benefits of a controlled experimental environment.
Numerical procedure for solving a minimization eigenvalue problem

A numerical procedure for solving the left eigenvalue problem $$\lambda + L(k) = \min _j [L(j) + K(j,k)],$$ and its right counterpart, is described;K is a (known) realn×n matrix. The first stage uses a modification of the Karp and von Golitschek procedure for finding the minimum cyclic average λ ofK along with a minimizing cycle. The second stage employs this information to generateL, by a very similar algorithm.
Demographic and risk analyses applied to management and conservation of the blue shark (Prionace glauca) in the North Atlantic Ocean

Management and conservation of the North Atlantic blue shark are handicapped by a fishery-data-limited stock-assessment process. The status of this stock is ambiguous at a time when catch appears to be on the rise and new trade and exploitation patterns are emerging. This research provides fishery-independent demographic and risk analysis results for use in conservation and management. An age-structured matrix population model in which the vital rates are stochastic was constructed. A mean finite rate of population increase (λ) of 1.23 year–1 and a mean population doubling time (t2) of 3.08 years suggests that the blue shark is one of the most productive shark species. However, this concept of high productivity could be misleading because an elasticity analysis shows a strong dependence of the population growth rate on the survival of juveniles (0–4 years). An analysis of the risk that the harvested population will decline to levels below an assumed threshold of 50% of pre-exploited levels was conducted. The risk analysis is proposed as a supplement to the data-limited stock assessment, to better evaluate the probability that a given management strategy will put the population at risk of decline.
Acceleration of Sinking Rates of Radionuclides in the Ocean

Zirconium-95--niobium-95 and Ce/sup 144/ were detected by gamma spectrometry in two samples of sea-cucumbers collected off the Oregon coast west of Newport in April 1963. Sea-cucumbers of the genus Paelopatides were found at 2800 m, 65 miles offshore; Stichopus californicus were taken in 200 m of water 25 miles off Newport. The gamma spectra of the two benthic sediment feeders were remarkably similar, except for a lower Zn/sup 65/ peak in the spectrum of Paelopatides sp. It is suggested that biological processes are responsible for the relative abundance of fission products in deep bottom feeders. It was concluded that fallout radionuclides can reach the ocean bottom quite rapidly under certain conditions, and it is proposed that the great numbers of herbivorous zooplankton in the upper layers of the ocean are largely responsible for this phenomenon. (P.C.H.)
Interleukin-1 stimulates catecholamine release from the hypothalamus☆☆☆

During a 60-min period, the in vitro release of norepinephrine (NE) from the hypothalami of male rats decreased by 28%. The presence of 50 or 100 ng of interleukin 1-beta (IL-1 beta) in the incubation medium prevented this decrease and raised the release by 17% or 45% respectively (P less than 0.05). The average release of dopamine (DA) decreased by 55% in the control group but 50 ng of IL-1 beta cut this decrease to 25%, and 100 ng of IL-1 beta not only completely prevented the decrease but raised the release by 44% (P less than 0.05). In a following 60-min period, when the hypothalami from the treatment groups were incubated without IL-1 beta, it resulted in sharp declines in the release of NE and DA, confirming that IL-1 beta was the stimulus for the increases in catecholamine release in the previous incubation period. It is concluded that IL-1 beta stimulates the release of catecholamines (and probably other neurotransmitters) in the brain which, in turn, mediate its central and neuroendocrine actions.
The effects of communication apprehension on nonverbal behavior

This paper summarizes recent research on communication apprehension indicating the breadth of the impact of this handicap in interpersonal communication. Drawing upon theoretical propositions generated from previous research, it provides suggestions for future research on the impact of communication apprehension on nonverbal elements in interpersonal communication.
Abnormalities on Chest Radiograph Reported in Subjects in a Cancer Screening Trial

Background Chest radiographs (CXRs) are commonly performed for diagnostic and other purposes. There is little literature either on the prevalence in the general population of various abnormalities seen on CXRs or on the risks associated with these abnormalities. Methods We followed up > 70,000 men and women who were enrolled in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Subjects received four annual posteroanterior CXRs for the early detection of lung cancer. Radiologists noted the presence of non-cancer-related abnormalities as well as nodules/masses that were suspicious for lung cancer. Subjects were followed up for mortality and cancer incidence. Results Abnormalities that were not suspicious for lung cancer were observed on 35% of examinations, compared to 8% of examinations with findings that were suspicious for cancer. The most commonly reported noncancer abnormalities were granuloma (10.7% of examinations), scarring/pulmonary fibrosis (8.2% of examinations), bone/soft tissue lesions (5.5% of examinations), cardiac abnormalities (4.4% of examinations), pleural fibrosis (3.6% of examinations), and COPD/emphysema (2.5% of examinations). Most noncancer abnormalities were more prevalent in men, older subjects, and smokers. Controlling for age, smoking, and other factors, scarring/pulmonary fibrosis was significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.0, while cardiac abnormalities (HR, 2.1), scarring/pulmonary fibrosis (HR, 1.4), COPD (HR, 1.7), and pleural fluid (HR, 2.3) were significantly associated with increased overall (ie, non-lung cancer) mortality. Conclusion Abnormalities that are not suspicious for lung cancer are common in a population undergoing screening. Some of these abnormalities are associated with an increased risk for lung cancer incidence and/or overall mortality.
Calculating pKa values in enzyme active sites

The ionization properties of the active-site residues in enzymes are of considerable interest in the study of the catalytic mechanisms of enzymes. Knowledge of these ionization constants (pKa values) often allows the researcher to identify the proton donor and the catalytic nucleophile in the reaction mechanism of the enzyme. Estimates of protein residue pKa values can be obtained by applying pKa calculation algorithms to protein X-ray structures. We show that pKa values accurate enough for identifying the proton donor in an enzyme active site can be calculated by considering in detail only the active-site residues and their immediate electrostatic interaction partners, thus allowing for a large decrease in calculation time. More specifically we omit the calculation of site-site interaction energies, and the calculation of desolvation and background interaction energies for a large number of pairs of titratable groups. The method presented here is well suited to be applied on a genomic scale, and can be implemented in most pKa calculation algorithms to give significant reductions in calculation time with little or no impact on the accuracy of the results. The work presented here has implications for the understanding of enzymes in general and for the design of novel biocatalysts.
a New Flux-Conserving Newton Scheme for the Navier-Stokes Equations

SUMMARY A new numerical method is developed for the two-dimensional, steady Navier-Stokes equations. Using local polynomial expansions to represent the discrete primitive variables on each cell, we construct a scheme which has the following properties: First, the local discrete primitive variables are functional solutions of both the integral and differential forms of the Navier-Stokes equations. Second, fluxes are balanced across cell interfaces using exact functional expressions (to the order of accuracy of the local expansions). No interpolation, flux models, or flux limiters are required. Third, local and global conservation of mass, momentum, and energy are explicitly provided for. Finally, the discrete primitive variables and their derivatives are treated in a unified and consistent manner. All are treated as unknowns to be solved together for simulating the local and global flux conservation. A general third-order formulation for the steady, compressible Navier-Stokes equations is presented. As a s...
A time-dependent analysis of intensive care unit pneumonia in trauma patients.

Background: Appropriate and timely antibiotic therapy to treat pneumonia in trauma patients is extremely important. We evaluated the incidence and microbiology of pneumonia stratified by days postadmission and risk factors. Methods: Prospective data were collected on 714 trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit over a 1-year period. Pneumonia was classified as community acquired (CAP) (≤ 3 days), early nosocomial (ENP) (4-6 days), or late nosocomial (LNP) (≥ 7 days). In addition, pneumonia was classified as CAP only, nosocomial only (NI), or combination (CAP and NI, or ENP and LNP) pneumonia. Strict institutional guidelines were followed for diagnosis. Results: One hundred eighty-two patients (25%) were diagnosed with 204 pneumonias over the study period. One hundred twenty-five (61%) of these pneumonias were ventilator associated. Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae were the most common pathogens isolated. Twenty-one percent of patients with CAP acquired an LNP (p < 0.025), in which Pseudomonas was the most common organism. Haemophilus caused LNP in 12% of patients. Cancer (p < 0.01), liver failure (p < 0.05), and age (p < 0.01) were predictive of nontypical pathogens in patients with CAP and ENP (p < 0.05). Obesity was most predictive of increased ventilator days (p < 0.001) and intensive care unit length of stay (p < 0.001). Increased age, alcohol abuse, and field airway were most predictive of mortality. Conclusion: Unanticipated pathogens were isolated in each class of pneumonia. The clinician must be aware of significant risk factors that may predispose patients to pathogens that are not ordinarily covered with standard antibiotic therapy.
Can Free and Total Prostate Specific Antigen and Prostatic Volume Distinguish Between Men With Negative and Positive Systematic Ultrasound Guided Prostate Biopsies

ABSTRACTPurpose: We evaluated the role of free and total serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and prostate volume in discriminating between men with negative and positive transrectal ultrasound guided biopsies.Materials and Methods: A total of 104 consecutive men with a positive biopsy and at least 3 mm. of prostate cancer was compared to 110 consecutive men with a negative biopsy. Prostate volume was determined by transrectal ultrasound. Total PSA was determined by the Tosoh AIA-600† †Tosoh Medics, Foster City, California. PSA assay and free PSA was measured by the PSA II Dianon‡ ‡Dianon Systems, Stratford, Connecticut. assay. We determined the free-to-total PSA ratio, free and total PSA densities, and the relationship of free PSA and free-to-total PSA ratio to prostate volume.Results: Using a 23% cutoff value of free-to-total PSA, only 22.7% of biopsies were preventable in patients with a negative biopsy but 9.6% of the cancers were missed. At a total PSA of 4 to 10 ng./ml. 44.4% of the biopsy negative...
Patterning during pupal commitment of the epidermis in the butterfly, Precis coenia: the role of intercellular communication.

Abstract The commitment of cells to pupal development in the larvae of holometabolous insects can be prevented by treatment with juvenile hormone (JH) or a JH mimic during a critical period early in the last larval instar. By treating larvae of different ages with a JH mimic, pupal commitment of the epidermis of the butterfly, Precis coenia, was found to occur in a strict temporal and spatial progression, which was serially homologous and occurred independently in each segment. The mechanism underlying this sequence of pupal commitment was examined by cauterizing regions of the epidermis to observe the effects of local ablation on the pattern of pupal commitment revealed by treatment with the JH mimic. Cautery of the segmental site of origin of pupal commitment, the dorsal midline, suppressed pupal commitment in the rest of the operated segment, indicating that the midline has a special effect on commitment of the rest of the segment. Cautery off the midline produced asymmetries in the pattern of pupal commitment, when placed close to the midline, such cauteries prevented pupal commitment in the region “downstream” of the cautery, suggesting that a signal (diffusible or transducible) emanates from the midline. Finally, cautery of a circle around the midline inhibited pupal commitment only outside the circle, showing that cautery could act as a barrier to the passage of a signal coming from the midline. These results suggest that inductive as well as hormonal signals are involved in the regulation of pupal commitment in the epidermis of the lepidopteran, P. coenia.
An educational game for tourism and hospitality education.

This paper presents an educational game where players act as travel agents to learn how a travel agency functions. They are provided with an uncertain environment in which they make strategic decisions aimed at maximizing their agency's wealth. Players are expected to make managerial decisions while experiencing how market structures and strategic decision-making can affect commerce within a simulated tourism and hospitality industry. The auction game offers students hands-on experience that assists them in understanding the functioning of markets in all aspects of business. Students are also given an opportunity to interact with team-players, to compete against other students, and to develop an appreciation of the pressures facing travel agencies.
Evaluation of batch and semi-batch reactor operation for enzymatic reactions with inhibitory kinetics

Two enzymatic reaction sequences in which one of the intermediate products is the desired one were examined under conditions of batch and semi-batch reactor operation. Semi-batch operation involves a non-instantaneous filling phase during which reaction also occurs. The kinetics were assumed to involve substrate inhibition. The effect of various operating parameters -feeding rate, reactant concentration in the feed-stream, and minimum to maximum volume of reactor contents- on the performance of semi-batch operation was examined. It was found that operating parameters can be optimally selected in order to maximize the yield of the desired product. Semi-batch operation under optimal conditions was found to be superior to batch operation on the basis of desired product yield. Implications of the results for waste minimization in pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals production are discussed.
Model atmospheres for M (sub)dwarf stars. 1: The base model grid

We have calculated a grid of more than 700 model atmospheres valid for a wide range of parameters encompassing the coolest known M dwarfs, M subdwarfs, and brown dwarf candidates: 1500 less than or equal to T(sub eff) less than or equal to 4000 K, 3.5 less than or equal to log g less than or equal to 5.5, and -4.0 less than or equal to (M/H) less than or equal to +0.5. Our equation of state includes 105 molecules and up to 27 ionization stages of 39 elements. In the calculations of the base grid of model atmospheres presented here, we include over 300 molecular bands of four molecules (TiO, VO, CaH, FeH) in the JOLA approximation, the water opacity of Ludwig (1971), collision-induced opacities, b-f and f-f atomic processes, as well as about 2 million spectral lines selected from a list with more than 42 million atomic and 24 million molecular (H2, CH, NH, OH, MgH, SiH, C2, CN, CO, SiO) lines. High-resolution synthetic spectra are obtained using an opacity sampling method. The model atmospheres and spectra are calculated with the generalized stellar atmosphere code PHOENIX, assuming LTE, plane-parallel geometry, energy (radiative plus convective) conservation, and hydrostatic equilibrium. The model spectra give close agreement with observations of M dwarfs across a wide spectral range from the blue to the near-IR, with one notable exception: the fit to the water bands. We discuss several practical applications of our model grid, e.g., broadband colors derived from the synthetic spectra. In light of current efforts to identify genuine brown dwarfs, we also show how low-resolution spectra of cool dwarfs vary with surface gravity, and how the high-regulation line profile of the Li I resonance doublet depends on the Li abundance.
Slack allocation for yield improvement in NoC-based MPSoCs

Yield losses due to a combination of random, systematic and parametric defects are rising as manufacturing processes scale to smaller features sizes. In embedded systems-on-chip, yield can be increased using slack—under-utilization in execution and storage resources—so that when components are defective, data and tasks can be re-mapped and re-scheduled. For any given system, the design space of possible slack allocations is both large and complex, consisting of every possible way to replace each component in the initial system with another from the component library. However, based on the observation that useful slack is often quantized, we have developed an approach that effectively and efficiently allocates execution and storage slack to jointly optimize system yield and cost. While exploring less than 1.62% of the slack allocation design space, our approach consistently outperforms alternative slack allocation techniques to find sets of designs within 4.27% of the yield-cost Pareto-optimal front.
The Effect of Unions on Productivity: U.S. Surface Mining of Coal

The purpose of this paper is to compare the abilities of two competing analytical techniques-mathematical programming and statistical regression-to shed light on the union/nonunion productivity differential in U.S. surface coal mining. The programming approach has the virtues of being nonparametric and thus extremely flexible and of being able to provide a decomposition of productivity differentials into three components-differences in technical efficiency, differences in scale efficiency, and differences in congestion. Identification of these three components provides an aid to management in its search for the sources of, and remedies for, productivity gaps. The econometric approach, on the other hand, is neither flexible nor does it provide such a decomposition; its chief virtue lies in the fact that, being stochastic, it allows for the presence of noise and measurement error that plagues most if not all empirical data. Thus, the two approaches have complementary virtues. The two techniques are used to investigate productivity in two samples of U.S. surface coal mines. The programming approach finds a large and significant positive union/nonunion productivity differential. This differential is due primarily to greater congestion occurring in the smaller nonunion mines in one sample, and to scale inefficiency in the smaller nonunion mines in the other sample. The econometric analysis finds nearly the same union/nonunion productivity differential, but sheds no light on the composition of, and thus the cure for, the differential.
The fatty acid composition of the ladybird beetle, Coleomegilla maculata (DeGEER) during hibernation

Abstract 1. 1. A natural population of ladybird beetles, Coleomegilla maculata , was sampled at eight intervals during hibernation. 2. 2. Oleic acid (18:1) accounted for more than 60 per cent of the total fatty acids of the beetles. 3. 3. The fatty acid composition of the beetles remained fairly constant throughout hibernation, except for a great increase in the proportion of arachidonic acid (20:4) toward the coldest part of the winter, and its subsequent decline toward spring.
HIV dynamics: Modeling, data analysis, and optimal treatment protocols

We present an overview of some concepts and methodologies we believe useful in modeling HIV pathogenesis. After a brief discussion of motivation for and previous efforts in the development of mathematical models for progression of HIV infection and treatment, we discuss mathematical and statistical ideas relevant to Structured Treatment Interruptions (STI). Among these are model development and validation procedures including parameter estimation, data reduction and representation, and optimal control relative to STI. Results from initial attempts in each of these areas by an interdisciplinary team of applied mathematicians, statisticians and clinicians are presented.
The pebble crurching model for load balancing in concurrent hypercube ensembles

The successful development of fifth generation systems require enormous computational capability and flexibility necessitating the ability to achieve operational responses in hard real-time through optimal resource utilization. This entails dynamically balancing the computational load among all the processing nodes in the system. We propose a graph-theoretic, receiver-initiated, distributed protocol for dynamic load balancing protocol in large-scale hypercube ensembles. Using attributed hypergraphs as the primary data structure for constraint modeling and dynamic optimization, we consider systems running precedence-constrained heterogeneous tasks. Fault Tolerance is ensured by incorporating an integrity check for the decision nodes and their subsequent reelection if needed. Simulation studies are used to evaluate the performance of the algorithm.