cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrating Quality as a Measure of Performance in Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problems

A survey conducted in the United States in 1994 (Icmeli-Tukel and Rom 1998), revealed that the issues Project Managers (PMs) face today are more complicated than those studied in the project scheduling literature. The study indicates that for over 90% of PMs the objective is to maximize the quality of projects and their outcomes. They usually measure quality by the degree to which a project’s outcome conforms to the customer’s requirements and the degree to which the project completes within budget and on schedule. In order to achieve these goals, PMs are trying to eliminate the rework associated with non-conforming activities. A job is considered to be non-conforming when it fails to meet customer/design requirements and therefore needs some rework (Ireland 1991). Non-conformities usually result in increased project implementation time and cost. In the traditional Resource Constrained Project Scheduling Problem (RCPSP) formulations, however, the general assumption is that work will be done as scheduled and that rework will not be required. This assumption clearly makes the RCPSP models more amenable to solution yet less realistic. PMs report (Icmeli-Tukel and Rom 1998) that most of the projects they implement have at least one non-conforming activity which needs to be reworked before the project moves to the next stage. Because of these reworks, they have a difficult time anticipating delays and cost overruns when using traditional techniques. If an activity is (partially) reworked to satisfy customer requirements, then the start time of all immediately succeeding activities are delayed, which, in turn might delay the project completion time. This in turn contributes to the consistently poor record of project performance (Cooper 1994).
Time-saving tips for problem solving with incomplete information

Problem solving with incomplete information is usually very costly, since multiple alternatives must be taken into account in the planning process. In this paper, we present some pruning rules that lead to substantial cost savings. The rules are all based on the simple idea that, if goal achievement is the sole criterion for performance, a planner need not consider one "branch" in its search space when there is another "branch" characterized by equal or greater information. The idea is worked out for the cases of sequential planning, conditional planning, and interleaved planning and execution. The rules are of special value in this last case, as they provide a way for the problem solver to terminate its search without planning all the way to the goal and yet be assured that no important alternatives are overlooked.
Synthesis of Biologically Active Vitamin K-Dependent Coagulation Factors

Several of the vitamin K-dependent proteins of blood coagulation have elicited interest as potential therapeutic agents for disorders of hemostasis or thrombosis. In particular, there has been interest in producing recombinant factor IX for treatment of hemophilia B, factor VII for treatment of hemophilia A patients with inhibitors and recombinant protein C for treatment of thrombotic disorders. Since these proteins undergo a unique posttranslational modification, the vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of specific glutamic acid residues in their amino termini to γ-carboxyglutamic acid, their expression in recombinant systems has been more difficult than that of proteins that undergo less extensive processing. A great deal of experience has been accrued on optimal expression systems and methods of growth for the vitamin K-dependent proteins. While some of these proteins are now produced on a scale that makes consideration of therapeutic use feasible, obstacles still remain to the practical production of others. For example, it remains difficult to produce fully carboxylated factor IX at high levels of expression in recombinant systems. Some of these obstacles may be surmountable with an increased understanding of the basic biological processes involved in the synthesis of the vitamin K-dependent proteins. Considerable interest has been focused on two fundamental problems: what are the factors that control the efficient γ-carboxylation of a vitamin K-dependent protein and, what effects efficient cleavage of the propeptide of a vitamin K-dependent protein? Our current understanding of the former, the process of γ-carboxylation, is the subject of this review.
Condensation and Decomposition of Nucleotides in Simulated Hydrothermal Fields

This chapter describes recent studies in which nucleic acid oligomers are synthesized in simulated hydrothermal field conditions using cycles of dehydration and rehydration to promote ester bond synthesis. Such conditions involve elevated temperatures and acidic pH ranges that are also conducive to depurination of nucleotides. For this reason it is important to establish the extent to which depurination occurs and whether this limits yields of oligomers. Here we review condensation reactions that occur in mixtures of AMP and UMP undergoing multiple dehydration cycles in acidic conditions, and report new results related to depurination under the same conditions. Although depurination could be detected, the reaction was inhibited by the presence of a phospholipid. Furthermore, a fraction of the original AMP remains in subsequent cycles, suggesting that depurination does not proceed to completion. We conclude that even though decomposition of mononucleotides occurs in hydrothermal cycling, purine nucleotides will continue to be available to participate in polymerization.
Abstract 3837: Bumped kinase inhibitor 1553 selectively inhibits androgen receptor positive prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer in men and one of the leading causes of cancer death. Resistance to current PCa therapies, including androgen deprivation, occurs in almost all patients leading to development of castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Resistance is associated with expression of splice variants of the androgen receptor (AR-Vs) that are constitutively active. The intrinsically disordered N-terminus of the AR/AR-Vs makes targeting the AR-Vs difficult. Thus, therapies that indirectly target the AR by inhibiting factors important in regulating AR levels and activity may be the most successful against inhibiting the constitutively active AR variants. Kinases have been shown to be important in regulating the AR, thus kinase inhibitors have the potential to inhibit androgen receptor signaling and function. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that our lead kinase inhibitor targets and inhibits AR positive CRPC. RESULTS: Bumped kinase inhibitors designed at the University of Washington are based on a pyrazolopyrimidine backbone, with R1 and R2 groups that confer a “bump” thereby preventing the BKIs from binding to most human kinase ATP binding pockets. While the majority of BKIs do not have activity against CRPC, a subset have activity against AR+ PCa lines, including CRPC lines expressing AR-Vs, but with no activity against AR negative PCa lines or a broad range of other human cell lines. We next examined the effects of our lead BKI compound (1553) on AR expression, phosphorylation, and function. BKI-1553 blocked transactivation activity of AR as judged by the reporter assays using an ARE-luciferase construct. Expression of canonical AR target genes was downregulated in LNCaP cells treated with BKI-1553. Westerns demonstrated a decrease in total AR 4 and 24 hours after treatment with BKI-1553. Levels of phospho-Serine81on the AR, which is critical for AR activity, were decreased even further than total AR by 4 hours after treatment. Thus, AR signaling appears to constitute BKI-sensitive components. We then decided to examine the effect of BKI-1553 on in vivo tumor growth. Toxicity studies demonstrated that it was non-toxic in mice at oral doses that achieved therapeutic levels. In vivo treatment with BKI-1553 significantly decreased growth of a castrate-sensitive patient-derived PCa xenograft and a castration-resistant PCa cell line (LuCaP35, p Citation Format: Takuma Uo, Shihua Sun, Kathleen Haugk, Kathryn Soriano Epilepsia, Mamatha Damodarasamy, Matthew Hulverson, Wesley VanVoorhis, Kayode K. Ojo, RamaSubbaRao Vidadala, Dustin Maly, Stephen Plymate, Cynthia C. Sprenger. Bumped kinase inhibitor 1553 selectively inhibits androgen receptor positive prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3837.
Prey Selection by an Ambush Predator, Sceloporus undulatus

Abstract Foraging theories evaluate how animals make choices in prey. Some important factors in prey selection are size of prey and distance to pursuit, which can be affected by prey availability, ...
Stroke and Peripheral Vascular Disease

This chapter discussed the acute and long-term management of stroke plus work-up for younger patients with strokes. The treatment of peripheral vascular disease is also discussed. Cerebrovascular disease may be caused by atherosclerosis, embolism, or unusual causes such as vasculitis. Most strokes are due to either atherosclerosis or embolism, and discussion here will focus on these causes. However, the clinician must be alert to more unusual causes of stroke in selected cases.
Similarities and differences for atomic and diatomic molecule adsorption on the B-5 type sites of the HCP(101̅6) surfaces of Co, Os, and Ru from DFT calculations.

Abstract The differences in relative adsorption energies for mono-atomic and diatomic prototype species (C,N,O,S,H,CO,NO,SO,CH,NH,H2,O2) relevant to catalytic processes such as Fischer-Tropsch and Ammonia Synthesis chemistry are investigated on the previously un-studied ( 10 1 ¯ 6 ) surface(s) of Co, Os, and Ru. Recent work in the literature has confirmed that catalytically relevant nanoparticles of HCP elements such as Co, Os, and Ru typically possess highly active ‘B5’ sites; unfortunately many early and extant theory and model-ing treatments of "stepped HCP surfaces" use ad-hoc created steps via manual deletion of atoms from an ideal HCP(0001) slab model. To date the differences in adsorption energies at various B5 step edge types, and any possible trends across the same type of B5 sites on various HCP catalyst species has not been thoroughly characterized. Our work in this manuscript uses the low energy ( 10 1 ¯ 6 ) Miller Index surface of Co, Os, and Ru which exposes 2 distinct and strongly adsorbing step edge sites, the B5B and B5A step edge which have been reported as relevant in the literature for Cobalt nanoparticle catalysis applications. Results from this study should be used to help further understand atomistic processes on the stepped surfaces of catalytically active HCP elements.
Some Practical Issues

In earlier chapters it may have seemed that wavelets and multiresolution analysis were treated more as a collection of interesting mathematical ideas than as a powerful method for solving practical problems. In fact, much of the beauty of wavelet analysis lies in its widespread applications. This chapter will discuss important issues that arise in moving wavelets from theory to practice.
Cleft Care of Internationally Adopted Children from China

Purpose: International adoption from China has been common as a result of government-imposed birth restrictions and a large population of abandoned children. The availability of healthy Chinese infants has significantly decreased in the last several years with lessening of restrictions on family size and increasing domestic adoptions in China. The smaller pool of healthy children available for international adoption has increased the rate of “special needs” adoptions. Relaxed adoption protocols encourage adoption of children with medical conditions including many children with congenital cleft …
Implementation of an Integrated Critical Care Computer

The most important system requirement is to provide as comprehensive a set of patient data as is technically and practically possible on a single computer system. Reports generated from the data base are used as a legal chart and no redundant charting is therefore necessary.
Use of disease modifying agents in patients with multiple sclerosis: Analysis of ten years of national data.

Abstract Background Disease modifying agents (DMAs) are used to reduce relapses and decrease disability progression in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. However, limited national level data exists regarding the prescribing patterns for MS, especially after the introduction of oral DMAs. Objective This study examined the prescribing patterns and trends of DMAs using national level data and determined the factors associated with prescribing DMAs among MS patients in the United States. Methods This cross-sectional study utilized 2006–2015 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) data to examine office-based visits involving MS (ICD-9-CM code 340). Descriptive weighted analyses were performed to assess the prescribing patterns of DMAs. Multivariable logistic regression model within the conceptual framework of Andersen Behavioral Model was used to determine the factors associated with prescribing of DMAs among MS patients. Results An estimated 8.5 million (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 7.01–10.09 million) MS patient visits were identified from 2006 to 2015. During the ten-year study period, 3.84 million (45%) MS visits involved prescribing of DMAs. The majority of DMA prescriptions were injectables (78%), followed by infusions (11%) and orals (11%). Oral DMAs use increased (from 11% in 2010–2011 to 40% in 2014–2015), whereas the use of injectable DMAs decreased (from 96% in 2006–2007 to 52% in 2014–2015) during the study period. Multivariable analyses revealed that predisposing (age and region) and enabling (physician specialty) factors were significantly associated with prescribing of DMAs among MS patients. Visits to neurologists (Odds Ratio [OR] 6.61, 95% CI 3.66–11.93) were associated with higher odds of being prescribed with DMAs. Conclusion During the ten-year study period, increasing use of oral DMAs and declining use of injectable DMAs was observed. Both predisposing and enabling factors influenced the prescribing of DMAs. With increasing availability of oral DMAs, the DMAs use is likely to increase among MS patients.
Usability Study of Voice-Activated Smart Home Technology

One of the most recent and popular forms of technology in the consumer market is the virtual voice assistant (i.e., smart speaker) made by well-known companies such as Amazon Echo and Google Home. These devices allow users to perform voice interaction to perform a variety of tasks that can be beneficial to consumer groups such as high school students, college students, rural consumers, families, senior citizens, and disabled consumers. Thus, this study investigated the key elements of different consumer groups related to voice-activated smart home technology in order to understand how to educate and promote this technology to individual groups. In the study, there were 71 participants from six consumer groups including high school students, college students, rural consumers, consumers with disabilities, seniors, and families. Each group was surveyed prior and after a demonstrative smart home workshop to evaluate their knowledge, perceived usefulness, and preferential use of smart home technology. The results of the study showed that while the utilization of voice-activated smart home technology was not significantly different between consumer groups, the top-three benefits of using this technology were security, safety, and assurance. The major barriers that prevented consumer groups from implementing the technology was the cost of the system and concerns with user privacy.
Diverse Defenses: A Perspective Comparing Dipteran Piwi-piRNA Pathways

Animals face the dual threat of virus infections hijacking cellular function and transposons proliferating in germline genomes. For insects, the deeply conserved RNA interference (RNAi) pathways and other chromatin regulators provide an important line of defense against both viruses and transposons. For example, this innate immune system displays adaptiveness to new invasions by generating cognate small RNAs for targeting gene silencing measures against the viral and genomic intruders. However, within the Dipteran clade of insects, Drosophilid fruit flies and Culicids mosquitoes have evolved several unique mechanistic aspects of their RNAi defenses to combat invading transposons and viruses, with the Piwi-piRNA arm of the RNAi pathways showing the greatest degree of novel evolution. Whereas central features of Piwi-piRNA pathways are conserved between Drosophilids and Culicids, multiple lineage-specific innovations have arisen that may reflect distinct genome composition differences and specific ecological and physiological features dividing these two branches of Dipterans. This perspective review focuses on the most recent findings illuminating the Piwi/piRNA pathway distinctions between fruit flies and mosquitoes, and raises open questions that need to be addressed in order to ameliorate human diseases caused by pathogenic viruses that mosquitoes transmit as vectors.
On the Ethics of Inaction

Terminology to the contrary notwithstanding, wrongdoing does not require doing but can result from inaction as well. The immobile bystander who lets wickedness go its unhampered way, or the indifferent passer-by who rejects the role of Good Samaritan, both fully deserve reprehension. Or again, a brutal parent is beating his child. You stand by and do nothing. An inebriated friend is about to take his car on the road. You let things take their course. A careless camper is striking matches to light his cigarette in a rain-starved forest. You ignore the proceedings. Your colleague nurse is in the process of administering the wrong medication to a patient. You do nothing about it. Here, those indifferent to preventable evils are no less wrongdoers than those who actively transgress. That nonagent bears no causally productive responsibility—his failure (such as it is) is one of inaction. But this nonetheless opens the door to reprehension. We bear moral responsibility not just for what we do, but also for what we fail to do—not just for our actions but also for the inactions and omissions that we let happen when we remain inert and passively “let things run their course” without any effort to intervene in the course of events.
Communication: Slow relaxation, spatial mobility gradients, and vitrification in confined films

Two decades of experimental research indicate that spatial confinement of glass-forming molecular and polymeric liquids results in major changes of their slow dynamics beginning at large confinement distances. A fundamental understanding remains elusive given the generic complexity of activated relaxation in supercooled liquids and the major complications of geometric confinement, interfacial effects, and spatial inhomogeneity. We construct a predictive, quantitative, force-level theory of relaxation in free-standing films for the central question of the nature of the spatial mobility gradient. The key new idea is that vapor interfaces speed up barrier hopping in two distinct, but coupled, ways by reducing near surface local caging constraints and spatially long range collective elastic distortion. Effective vitrification temperatures, dynamic length scales, and mobile layer thicknesses naturally follow. Our results provide a unified basis for central observations of dynamic and pseudo-thermodynamic measurements.
Separating Winners from Losers among LowBook-to-Market Stocks using Financial Statement Analysis

This paper combines traditional fundamentals, such as earnings and cash flows, with measures tailored for growth firms, such as earnings stability, growth stability and intensity of R&D, capital expenditure and advertising, to create an index – GSCORE. A long–short strategy based on GSCORE earns significant excess returns, though most of the returns come from the short side. Results are robust in partitions of size, analyst following and liquidity and persist after controlling for momentum, book-to-market, accruals and size. High GSCORE firms have greater market reaction and analyst forecast surprises with respect to future earnings announcements. Further, the results are inconsistent with a risk-based explanation as returns are positive in most years, and firms with lower risk earn higher returns. Finally, a contextual approach towards fundamental analysis works best, with traditional analysis appropriate for high BM stocks and growth oriented fundamental analysis appropriate for low BM stocks.
Executive Function Brain Network Activation Predicts Driving Hazard Detection in ADHD.

Drivers with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk of experiencing driving difficulties. An important aspect of driving safety and skill involves hazard detection. This functional magnetic resonance imaging study examined the neural responses associated with driving hazard detection in drivers with ASD, ADHD, and typically developing (TD) drivers. Forty participants (12 ASD, 15 ADHD, 13 TD) ages 16-30 years completed a driving simulator task in which they encountered social and nonsocial hazards; reaction time (RT) for responding to hazards was measured. Participants then completed a similar hazard detection task in the MRI scanner so that neural response to hazards could be measured. Activation of regions of interest considered part of the executive function (EF) and theory of mind (ToM) networks were examined and related to driving simulator behavior. Results showed that stronger activation of the EF network during social hazard processing, including the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior parietal cortex, was associated with faster RT to social hazards among drivers with ADHD, but not among drivers with ASD. This provides the first evidence of a relationship between EF network brain activation and driving skills in ADHD and suggests that alterations in this network may underlie driving behavior. In comparison, the current study did not observe a relationship between ToM network activation and RT to social hazards in any group. This study lays the groundwork for relating neural activation to driving behavior among individuals with NDDs.
Robotic Surgery in Urogynecology

The da Vinci© robotic surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunny Vale, CA) was approved for use in gynecologic procedures in the United States in 2005, although procedures had been performed prior to this time. There is a growing body of literature evaluating the feasibility of robotic assistance for laparoscopic urogynecologic and gynecologic procedures. Procedures performed robotically cover the whole spectrum of gynecology and urogynecology and include benign and radical hysterectomy, lymphadenectomy, myomectomy, and sacrocolpopexy.
Negative impact of myeloid-derived suppressor cells on CD8 effector T cell trafficking within the tumor microenvironment (TUM4P.924)

The success of immunotherapy and, unexpectedly, chemotherapy and radiation hinges on cytotoxic T cells gaining access to tumor targets. These observations have prompted interest in developing strategies to improve T cell trafficking in tumors. Here, we report that the ability of tumor vessels to respond to IL-6-dependent preconditioning regimens that boost CD8 effector T cell homing is temporally and inversely related to the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) within the tumor microenvironment. Using real-time intravital imaging and immunofluorescence histology, IL-6 therapies were shown to convert vessels from T cell-low to -high recruitment sites in murine tumors with minimal MDSC infiltration (i.e., CT26 colorectal, B16 melanoma, EMT6 mammary tumors). This conversion requires induction of the ICAM-1 trafficking molecule on tumor vessels. Conversely, mammary (4T1, AT-3 and PyMT-MMTV) and pancreatic (Pan02) tumors with high MDSC burdens were refractory to IL-6 therapies, but became responsive after acute MDSC depletion. To further investigate contributions of MDSC to poor trafficking, IL-6-responsive tumors were admixed at a ratio of 2:1 with MDSC from tumor-bearing mice. Sustained elevation of MDSC in admixed tumors resulted in failure to support increased T cell trafficking in response to IL-6-dependent therapy. Taken together, these findings identify a novel role for MDSC in immune evasion by limiting T cell trafficking at tumor vascular loci.
Influence of uncommon histology on breast conservation therapy for breast cancer-biology dictates technique?†‡

Introduction Although trends and variations in the use of breast conservation therapy (BCT) for ductal carcinoma have been studied, little is known about uncommon breast cancer histologies. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was used to identify 338,682 patients with T1 or T2 (≤5 cm) ductal, lobular, tubular, mucinous, medullary, or papillary carcinoma of the breast from 1998 to 2008. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of BCT. Results The majority of patients underwent BCT (60%). The rate of BCT remained relatively constant from 1998 to 2008 overall but varied from 50% for lobular to 79% for tubular. The highest rate of mastectomy was seen in lobular (49%). Nodal positivity following surgical staging was lowest for tubular (6%) and mucinous (8%). Adjuvant radiation was given to 72% overall and was lowest for papillary (58%). Predictors of BCT included tubular (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.7–1.9) and medullary (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.8–2.2) subtypes (vs. ductal). Conclusions Patients with uncommon breast cancer histologies show wide variation in the application of BCT depending on the primary tumor. This suggests that an individualized approach in the use of BCT depending on histology should be used. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:586–590. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Proceedings of the 2003 ACM SIGPLAN international workshop on Types in languages design and implementation

This volume contains the papers presented at TLDI'03, the ACM SIGPLAN Workshop on Types in Language Design and Implementation (formerly called TIC, the International Workshop on Types in Compilation). TLDI is a new name for the already well-established TIC workshop on the role of types in all aspects of language design, compiler construction, and software development. In recent years, type systems and type analyses have led to new concepts in compilation techniques for modern programming languages, verification of safety and security properties of programs, code optimization, and many other areas. In recognition of the expanding role of types, TLDI expands on the previous Workshops on Types in Compilation to bring together researchers to share new ideas and results in this area.In response to the call for papers, researchers from the U.S., Europe, and Japan submitted a total of 26 extended abstracts. Each submission was assigned for review to at least three program-committee members. Some submissions were reviewed by more than three members of the committee. In addition, a number of additional experts outside the program committee assisted in reviewing the submissions. The program committee conducted its deliberations via email and the World-Wide Web, during an intensive six day period. As usual, technical excellence, novelty, relevance, and quality were the principal criteria, with special focus on papers that broadened the theme of the previous TIC workshops.While the modest number of submissions made it possible to give each paper an unusually thorough review, The program committee found them to be of extremely high quality. Hence, while the selection process ran exceptionally smoothly, it was actually quite difficult to narrow down the field to a manageable number of papers. Ultimately, the program committee decided to drop its initial plans for an invited speaker so that more papers could be invited for presentation at the workshop. Even so, only 11 papers could be accepted, which meant that several very good abstracts could not be accommodated.
Blood gas and pH changes during glucose infusion in the fetal sheep.

Abstract Constant glucose infusions to the sheep fetus in utero with the use of the chronic catheterized preparation produced a significant improvement in fetal blood gases and pH (pH, 7.37 ± 0.02 vs. 7.42 ± 0.01; Po 2 , 14 ± 1.4 vs. 19 ± 1.5 mm. Hg; and Pco 2 , 58 ± 1.5 vs. 44 ± 1.7 mm. Hg; mean ± S.E.M. of pre- and postinfusion values.) Similar changes were not observed after an acute intravenous-bolus injection of glucose. These results may be explained on the basis of improved circulatory and perfusion status of the fetal-placental unit when a sustained increase in fetal blood glucose level was achieved by constant glucose infusion.
Transmit B1+ field inhomogeneity and T1 estimation errors in breast DCE-MRI at 3 tesla.

Purpose To quantify variation across the breasts and to evaluate the accuracy of precontrast T1 estimation with and without variation in breast MRI patients at 3 Tesla (T). Materials and Methods and variable flip angle (VFA) T1 mapping were included in our dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) breast imaging protocol to study a total of 25 patients on a 3.0T GE MR 750 system. We computed precontrast T1 relaxation in fat, which we assumed to be consistent across a cohort of breast imaging subjects, with and without compensation for variation. The mean and standard deviation of and T1 values were calculated for statistical data analysis. Results Our measurements showed a consistent field difference between the left and right breasts. The left breast has an average 15.4% higher flip angle than the prescribed flip angle, and the right breast has an average 17.6% lower flip angle than the prescribed flip angle. This average 33% flip angle difference, which can be vendor and model specific, creates a 52% T1 estimation bias in fat between breasts using the VFA T1 mapping technique. The T1 variation is reduced to 7% by including correction. Conclusion We have shown that severe variation over the breasts can cause a substantial error in T1 estimation between the breasts, in VFA T1 maps at 3T, but that compensating for these variations can considerably improve accuracy of T1 measurements, which can directly benefit quantitative breast DCE-MRI at 3T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:454–459. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A ph mesh refinement method for optimal control

Summary A mesh refinement method is described for solving a continuous-time optimal control problem using collocation at Legendre–Gauss–Radau points. The method allows for changes in both the number of mesh intervals and the degree of the approximating polynomial within a mesh interval. First, a relative error estimate is derived based on the difference between the Lagrange polynomial approximation of the state and a Legendre–Gauss–Radau quadrature integration of the dynamics within a mesh interval. The derived relative error estimate is then used to decide if the degree of the approximating polynomial within a mesh should be increased or if the mesh interval should be divided into subintervals. The degree of the approximating polynomial within a mesh interval is increased if the polynomial degree estimated by the method remains below a maximum allowable degree. Otherwise, the mesh interval is divided into subintervals. The process of refining the mesh is repeated until a specified relative error tolerance is met. Three examples highlight various features of the method and show that the approach is more computationally efficient and produces significantly smaller mesh sizes for a given accuracy tolerance when compared with fixed-order methods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using cross-correlation for automated stitching of two-dimensional multi-tile electron backscatter diffraction data

Summary A method for automatically aligning consecutive data sets of large, two-dimensional multi-tile electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) scans with high accuracy was developed. The method involved first locating grain and phase boundaries within search regions containing overlapping data in adjacent scan tiles, and subsequently using cross-correlation algorithms to determine the relative position of the individual scan tiles which maximizes the fraction of overlapping boundaries. Savitzky-Golay filtering in two dimensions was used to estimate the background, which was then subtracted from the cross-correlation to enhance the peak signal in samples with a high density of interfaces. The technique was demonstrated on data sets with a range of interface densities. The equations were implemented as enhancements to a recently published open source code for stitching of multi-tile EBSD data sets.
Heat Loss and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Because of the devastating consequences of thermal imbalance, it is imperative that nurses understand these concepts and apply them to the daily care of their patients. Heat loss, heat conservation, and heat generation interplay to maintain the narrow range that is considered optimal for human cellular function. These concepts factor into patients who are critically ill but are especially important for patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy. Many of these types of dialysis expose the individual patient's blood to room temperature dialysate via an extracorporeal circuit 24-hours a day, sometimes for several weeks at a time. Critical care and advanced practice nurses must understand the interplay of the processes of heat loss, conservation, and heat generation to ensure patients undergoing this therapy achieve maximum benefit with the fewest complications possible.
No-carrier-added radiosynthesis of [123I]HIPDM: N,N,N′-trimethyl-N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-[123I]iodobenzyl)-1,3-propanediamine

The multi-millicurie production of the SPECT radiopharmaceutical N,N,N'-trimethyl-N'-(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-[123I] iodobenzyl)-1,3-propanediamine [( 123I]HIPDM) in high specific activity is described. Using no-carrier-added electrophilic iododeprotonation reactions and HPLC purification, [123I]HIPDM can be isolated in 70-76% radiochemical yield and specific activity greater than 2000 Ci/mmol within an overal preparation time of 75 min. This methodology is readily adapted to the clinical setting, and eliminates the need for co-injection of macroscopic HIPDM in SPECT imaging procedures.
Effects of Serving as APGA President

The 23 living past American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA) presidents were queried concerning their involvement in professional organizations and the impact of the APGA presidency on their lives and careers. Results are discussed in terms of implications for members and future leaders.
Synthesis and characterization of Mo-doped SrFeO3−δ as cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract This paper demonstrates the potential application of Mo-doped SrFeO 3− δ perovskites as new cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). SrFe 1− x Mo x O 3− δ ( x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.25) perovskite materials have been synthesized by a microwave-assisted combustion method. By doping with Mo, the electrical conductivity of the doped SrFeO 3− δ in air is reduced with increasing amounts of Mo. At 800 °C, the conductivity drops from about 62 to 22 S cm −1 when the doping level is increased to 25%. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) results, a decrease in the concentration of charge carrier Fe 4+ ions may account for the decrease in electrical conductivity. In contrast, the resistance to sintering and tolerance to reduction of SrFeO 3− δ are improved by Mo-doping. Additionally, the thermal expansion coefficient at 800 °C drops from 40.8 × 10 −6 K −1 for SrFeO 3− δ to 25.7 × 10 −6 K −1 for SrFe 0.8 Mo 0.2 O 3− δ and 20.9 × 10 −6 K −1 for SrFe 0.75 Mo 0.25 O 3− δ . This significant decrease in the thermal expansion coefficient makes Mo-doped SrFeO 3− δ materials attractive as cathode candidates for SOFCs. Finally, a relatively low polarization resistance of 0.074 Ω cm 2 is obtained for SrFe 0.8 Mo 0.2 O 3− δ at 800 °C in air.
Characterization of the solvation and transport of the hydrated proton in the perfluorosulfonic acid membrane nafion.

The solvation and transport properties of the sulfonate−hydronium ion pair have been studied in hydrated Nafion through molecular dynamics simulation. Explicit proton and charge delocalization of the excess proton transport, via the Grotthuss hopping mechanism, were treated using the self-consistent multistate empirical valence bond (SCI-MS-EVB) method. The nature of the sulfonate−hydronium ion pair was characterized through analysis of free-energy profiles. It was found that, in general, the excess proton is solvated between two water molecules of a Zundel moiety while in the contact ion pair position, but then it transitions to an Eigen-like configuration in the solvent-separated pair position. Furthermore, the positive charge associated with the excess proton passes between the contact and solvent-separated ion pair positions through the Grotthuss mechanism rather than simple vehicular diffusion. The total proton diffusion was decomposed into vehicular and Grotthuss components and were found to be of t...
Reovirus Type 3 Infection in a Suckling Mouse: the Effects on Pancreatic Structure and Enzyme Content

Summary: Alterations in pancreatic function and structure were examined in suckling mice infected intraperitoneally with reovirus type 3. The results were compared to pancreatic zymogen enzyme activities and histology in adult mice infected with the same virus. No effect of the reovirus type 3 on the adult mice could be elicited. In contrast, the suckling mice infected by the reovirus type 3 revealed a definite change in pancreatic zymogen enzymes. However, the zymogen enzymes were affected in a nonparallel fashion and three groups of enzymes with different responses were noted. Amylase and lipase activities were significantly diminished (P < 0.001) at 6 days of viral infection. The endopeptidases, trypsin (P < 0.025) and chymotrypsin (P < 0.001) activities were increased significantly in the infected group. The exopeptidases, carboxypeptidase A and B in the infected animals were not changed significantly compared to the control. It seems reasonable that the reovirus type 3 infection in the suckling mouse causes diminished lipase and amylase activities that might contribute to the pathogenesis of viral enteritis. Speculation: Studies on viral enteritis in infants and young animals have primarily implicated changes in the small intestine as the cause of diarrhea. The viral invasion of the intestinal mucosa causes villous cell destruction and as a consequence, the mucosa generated is immature and incapable of handling normal salt and water absorption. In addition, changes in pancreatic function as a result of an extension of the viral infection to the pancreatic parenchyma might contribute to the pathophysiologic mechanisms operating in viral enteritis. In the infected suckling mice, only amylase and lipase activities are diminished to a large extent, while trypsin and chymotrypsin activities are elevated and carboxypeptidase A and B activities remain unaffected. The nonparallel change in pancreatic enzymes toward a viral insult can be explained by a separate effect of the virus on the biosynthesis of each of the zymogen pancreatic enzymes. It is conceivable that amylase and lipase while in a developing stage, are more affected by the virus than the other pancreatic enzymes which are already developed to a certain extent. Another explanation is that lipase and amylase activities are intrinsically more prone to be decreased in response to different disease states affecting the pancreas. Diminished lipolytic and amylolytic activities due to viral gastroenteritis is a possible contributing factor of the diarrhea in infants and children.
An investigation of the SH1-SH2 and SH1-ATPase distances in myosin subfragment-1 by resonance energy transfer using nanosecond fluorimetry.

The separation between the two reactive thiols SH ! (Cys-704) and SH 2 (Cys-694) and that between SH t and the active site of myosin subfragment-1 were further investigated by F6rster energy transfer techniques. The SHI-SH 2 distance was determined with the probe 5-[[2-[(iodoacetyl)amino]ethyl]amino]naphthalene-1sulfonic acid (AEDANS) attached to SH 1 as the energy donor and 5-(iodoacetamido)fluorescein (IAF) attached to SH z as energy acceptor. The results derived from measurements of donor lifetimes yielded a donor-acceptor separation in the range 26-52 A, with the distance R(2/3) based on rapid and isotropic probe motions being 40 A. These parameters were not sensitive to added MgADP, in agreement with previous results obtained by using the steady-state method. The SH I-SH 2 distance was also determined with AEDANS attached to SH ! and N-(4-dimethylamino-3,5-dinitrophenyl)maleimide (DDPM) attached to SH 2. The range in R for the AEDANS/DDPM pair was 12-36 ~,, with R(2/3) equal to 27 A. The transfer efficiency between these two probes increased by an average of 38% upon addition of MgADP. These results are in agreement with those previously reported (Dalbey, R.E.,Weiei, J. and Yount, R.G. (1983) Biochemistry 22, 4696-4706), but the uncertainty in choosing an appropriate value of the orientation factor to describe the AEDANS-DDPM separation does not allow a unique interpretation of the observed increase in energy transfer because it could reflect either an increase in the average orientation factor or a decrease in the donor-acceptor separation. Nevertheless, the results are consistent with the notion that nucleotide binding induces structural perturbations that can be sensed by SH t and SH 2. The distance between SH 1 and the ATPase site was determined with AEDANS linked to SI-I~ 1 and the nucleotide analogue 2'(3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyi)adenosine 5'-diphosphate (TNP-ADP) noncovalently bound to the active site as energy acceptor. The bound TNP-ADP was highly immobilized, with a depolarization factor approaching unity. The separation between AEDANS at SH t and TNP-ADP at the active site was in the range 15-44 A. The actual minimal separation between SH t and the active site is probably less than 15 A, which suggests that direct interaction between the two sites cannot be ruled out from energy transfer results. Abbreviations: S-1, chymotryptic subfragrnent-1 of myosin; AEDANS, 5-[[2-[(iodoacetyl)amino]ethyl]aminolnaphthalene1-sulfonic acid; IAF, 5-(iodoacetamido)fluoresi:ein; DDPM, N-(4-dimethylamino-3,5-dinitrophenyl)maleimide; TNP-ADP, 2'(3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)adenosine 5'-diphosphate; DTNB, 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid); Tes, 2-[[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyllamino]ethanesulfonic acid; Mes, 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid; SDS, sodium dodecyl sulfate; IAA, iodoacetamide; ~-I(ADEANS, SH2), subfragment-1 modified with AEDANS at SH~ and with SH 2 unmodified; S-1(AEDANS, IAF), subfragment-1 modified with AEDANS at SH 1 and with IAF at SH2; S-I(AEDANS,DDPM),
Planar Flexible Hinges With Curvilinear-Axis Segments for Mechanisms of In-Plane and Out-of-Plane Operation

The new design class and related analytic compliance-matrix model of planar flexible hinges with curvilinear longitudinal axes is presented here. The proposed approach enhances and generalizes the existing design and modeling variants dedicated to straight-axis and circular-axis hinge configurations. In-plane and out-of-plane small-displacement compliances are derived for standalone curvilinear-axis hinges as well as for hinges that are formed by serially connecting several curvilinear- and straight-axis segments. The general algorithm is further utilized to derive the compliance model of symmetric hinges, which utilizes a reduced number of compliances defining half the hinge. To illustrate the modeling/design procedure, a new flexible hinge is introduced and studied whose half portion comprises a constant-thickness parabolic-axis segment and a straight-axis segment of elliptically varying thickness. The resulting analytical compliances are validated by finite element simulation (FEA). Two compliant mechanisms that incorporate the new hinge design are studied in terms of specific performance qualifiers.
Moderate-resolution imaging spectrometer-tilt baseline concept

There will be several state-of-the-art spectrometers in operation on the NASA Polar Orbiting Platform (NPOP-1) as part of the Earth observing system (Eos). The moderate resolution imaging spectrometer (MODIS) will consist of two imaging spectroradiometric instruments, one nadir viewing (MODIS-N) and the other tiltable (MODIS-T), for ocean observation and land bidirectional reflectance studies. The moderate resolution imaging spectrometer-tilt (MODIS-T) instrument is presently being constructed for flight on the EOS. It is an imaging spectrometer utilizing a grating type, reflecting Schmidt optical design that must provide a 1.1 km cross-track swath and a +/- 50 deg forward and aft tilt capability. The instrument is required to cover the wavelength range from 400 to 880 nm in approximately 15 nm steps with less than 2.3 instrument induced polarization. The absolute radiometric accuracy must be at least 5 over the full dynamic range of the instrument.
Some comments on the absence of buckling of the ligamentous human spine in the sagittal plane

Abstract The human spine has an elaborate system of muscles and ligaments which serve to actuate this complex biomechanical system. In this paper, the buckling instabilities of the ligamentous spine are explored using a model based on Euler's elastica. The model features the intrinsic curvature and self-weight of the spine. With the help of nonlinear stability criteria, the stability of the spine and its buckled states are analyzed. Our main novel results demonstrate that the ligamentous spine in the sagittal plane remains stable under its self-weight and a terminal vertical load, and, following a pitchfork bifurcation, an unstable configuration of the spine is possible which is close to the unloaded spine.
ADHERENCE AND BLOOD-PRESSURE RESPONSE TO HYPERTENSION TREATMENT

Abstract 2 years of experience in the first phase of a large cooperative national hypertension programme yielded data indicating that a good level of patient adherence can be achieved and that satisfactory blood-pressure control can be maintained long term. For 116 participants, all employed persons, dropout in the first year was 20% but only 3% dropped out in the second year. At the second annual examination, 82% of those still in the programme had diastolic pressures under 90 mm Hg, with an average reduction of 18 mm Hg. Thus, nearly two-thirds (64%) of all patients originally enrolled were both active and with normal levels of blood-pressure after two years. Only 18% of active programme-treated patients had diastolic pressure 90 mm Hg or higher at the second anniversary in contrast with 33% of patients referred to their own doctors. In programme-treated patients, standard medication was used; diuretics effectively lowered blood-pressure in a third of patients, and diuretics plus reserpine were effective for another 20%. Special features of the programme included assisance to physicians by health counsellor therapists. Methods for achieving a high adherence-rate and satisfactory blood-pressure control probably have wider applicability.
Glutamate transport inhibitors as targets for treating psychosis

Agents targeting the dopamine system have been the mainstay of antipsychotic drug therapy for decades. Recent attention has focused on the role of glutamate in schizophrenia and many components of the glutamate synapse represent evolving molecular targets. Among the proteins regulating glutamate availability in the synapse, the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) and in particular EAAT3, a neuronal subtype expressed throughout the central nervous system, might offer an approach to manipulating the glutamate synapse as a strategy for antipsychotic drug development.