cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Targeting services to reduce need after a child abuse investigation: Examining complex needs, matched services, and meaningful change

Abstract Background and purpose Matching needs and services following a child protective services (CPS) investigation is important for families with complex needs (i.e. mental health, substance use, and domestic violence) because several studies indicate that a service match is associated with important child welfare outcomes including decreased substance abuse, lowered rates of maltreatment, and increased family reunification. However, few of these studies have examined whether matching services reduces the different areas of need that service matching targets. In response, this study examined the change in need among families with complex needs that received matched services in a community-based prevention program following an initial CPS investigation. Methods The sample consisted of 836 families with complex needs related to mental health, substance use, and domestic violence that had an unfounded or inconclusive CPS investigation between July 2006 and December 2010. Eligible families had a child five or younger that remained at home after an initial CPS investigation and were at moderate to high risk of future maltreatment. The Family Assessment Form (FAF) was used to indicate need in three areas (concrete, clinical, and educational/parenting) and families received an array of services including concrete, educational/parenting, and/or clinical services. A match occurred if a caregiver had an aforementioned need and received a corresponding service. Reduced need was indicated by a change from a mean score of >3 (problematic functioning) on the FAF to a mean score of Findings Bivariate analyses revealed that matched concrete and educational/parenting services was significantly associated with reduced need in targeted areas. For matched clinical services, this pattern was found for mental health and substance use but not for domestic violence. Multivariate analyses indicated that receiving matched concrete services was associated with an increased likelihood of overall reduced need (OR = 3.46; 95% CI = 1.84, 6.52) as was a match for educational/parenting need related to caregiver–child interactions (OR = 2.16; 95% CI = 1.15, 4.04). For clinical need, receiving matched clinical services for mental health (OR = 4.11; 95% CI = 2.39, 7.09) was associated with an overall reduction in need but not for substance use or domestic violence. Conclusion and implications Matching needs and services for families with complex needs following a CPS investigation remains important considering the number of families with complex needs that come to the attention CPS. Findings from this study highlight that matching needs and services can reduce targeted areas of need, overall need, and may serve as a catalyst for change in multiple areas of need.
Reactions Leading to Fe 53 , Mn 57 , and Cr 55

An end point corresponding to an energy of 2.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 Mev has been determined for the ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{53}$ 8.9-minute positron activity. ($\ensuremath{\alpha},p$) and ($n,p$) reactions on enriched ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{54}$ and ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{57}$ respectively failed to produce any activity in ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{57}$. The previously reported 1.3- to 2.3-hour activity of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{55}$ was shown not to be produced by a ($d,p$) reaction on enriched ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{54}$ nor by an ($n,\ensuremath{\alpha}$) reaction on enriched ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{58}$. The 3.9-minute ${\mathrm{V}}^{52}$ activity is readily produced by a Cr ($d,\ensuremath{\alpha}$) reaction, using Cr enriched in isotope 54.
Sins of Omission and the Practice of Economics

This paper advances the proposition that economics, as a discipline, gives rewards that favor the "hard" and disfavor the "soft." Such bias leads economic research to ignore important topics and problems that are difficult to approach in a "hard" way—thereby resulting in "sins of omission." This paper argues for reexamination of current institutions for publication and promotion in economics—as it also argues for greatly increased tolerance in norms for publication and promotion as one way of alleviating narrow methodological biases.
Sappanchalcone, a flavonoid isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L., induces caspase-dependent and AIF-dependent apoptosis in human colon cancer cells

Abstract The present study examined the apoptotic effects and the underlying mechanism of sappanchalcone, a major bioactive compound isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L. on human colon cancer cells. To achieve this, we used two different colon cancer cell lines, namely HCT116 (as wild-type p53 cells) and SW480 (as p53-mutant cells) cells. Our results illustrated that sappanchalcone treatment decreased the proliferation and further promoted apoptosis in HCT116 cells compared with the findings in SW480 cells. Sappanchalcone triggered phosphorylation of p53, which is involved in the activation of caspases and increased expression of Bax in HCT116 cells. Conversely, sappanchalcone-treated SW480 cells displayed no change in p53 phosphorylation or caspase activation. In addition, sappanchalcone further increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) release in both HCT116 and SW480 cells. These data suggest that sappanchalcone induces apoptosis through caspase-dependent and caspases-independent mechanisms that were characterized by decreased Bcl-2 expression, mitochondrial targeting, and altered ROS production and AIF translocation to the nuclei.
Taxonomic identity of Alysicarpus pokleanus (Papilionoideae: Leguminosae)

The taxonomic identity of recently described Alysicarpus pokleanus is resolved here as synonym of A. hamosus. The image of type specimen of A. hamosus and A. pokleanus along with colour photographs of fresh collection of A. hamosus from the type locality are also provided. Further, the inconsistencies in the protologue of A. pokleanus are discussed in the present paper.
Intelligence Quotient Test for Smart Cities in the United States

Abstract A smart city plays an increasing role in citizens’ daily life. A smart city has six main components, namely smart mobility, smart economy, smart governance, smart living, smart environment...
Nikolai Karazin’s civilian project: local people in Turkestan

Chapter five, also dedicated to the “civilian project,” reinforces this message by presenting a similar dichotomy among the local people. They also vary from saintly to wildly cruel and treacherous, with their loyalty to the Russians being an important denominator of their overall worthiness. Men and women, sedentary and nomad, local aristocracy and commoners, they interact with the Russians in the newly created “contact zone” in a variety of modes which imply a certain balance of power. In spite of the author’s noticeable patronizing tone and occasional Saidian Orientalist stereotyping, the prevailing tone of presentation is one of empathy and humanity.
Regional Variation in Captures of Male Paralobesia viteana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Monitoring Traps in Michigan Is Not Due to Geographical Variation in Male Response to Pheromone.

Paralobesia viteana (Clemens), grape berry moth, is a major pest of grapes in Eastern North America. There is substantial regional variation in the response of male P. viteana to sex pheromone-baited monitoring traps in Michigan vineyards. Males are readily captured in traps in the southwest region, whereas in the northwest very few males are captured, despite larval infestation in grapes in both regions.Y-tube olfactometers and field experiments determined the response of male moths from northern and southern populations to the pheromone blend used in monitoring lures and to females from both regions. InY-tube choice tests, males responded similarly to the standard pheromone blend, and males did not preferentially choose females from either region. In field trials, traps baited with unmated females were deployed to test the preference of resident males for females from the two regions and for standard pheromone lures. In southwest Michigan vineyards, significantly more males were caught in traps with a 1.0-µg standard pheromone lure than in traps with captive females collected from vineyards in both regions or in traps with a blank lure control. A similar pattern of male captures among lure treatments was observed in northwest vineyards, although many fewer males were trapped and differences among treatments were not significant. We conclude that the observed regional differences in male response to pheromone traps are not caused by variation in pheromone-mediated behavioral responses, suggesting that other biotic and/or abiotic differences determine the regional variation in captures of this species.
Enhancing the Photophoretic Lift Force at Low Reynolds Numbers using Three-Dimensional Porous Structures

It is well documented that the lift force of hovering micro aerial vehicles can be enhanced by increasing their air-flow velocities. This is commonly accomplished using nozzles and other flow-manipulating geometries with Reynolds numbers above order 100. [1,2] However, the effects of nozzles and other geometries are not well characterized for lower Reynolds numbers within the Stokes’ regime. In general, controlled flight in low-Reynolds number conditions using conventional propulsion methods such as propellers is difficult. Instead, levitation at ultra-low Reynolds number conditions has been accomplished through other means, including photophoretically as demonstrated recently by Cortes et al. [3] and Azadi et al. [4]. These works levitated planar materials without macroscale geometric enhancements and relied strictly on the lift force created through a temperature or accommodation coefficient difference across the planar structure. In the current work, we numerically explored the feasibility of multi-scale structures operating at low-to-moderate Reynolds numbers that pair microscale photophoretic gas pumping with macroscale jet-inducing nozzles. We used ANSYS Fluent to simulate the lift forces in centimeter-scale porous membrane discs (no macroscale enhancements) and in conical nozzles created from porous membranes. Our results indicate that porous conical nozzles provide an order of magnitude lift enhancement relative to flat discs with inlet velocities as low as 10-6 m/s. In addition, we developed a semi-analytical flow model and found good agreement with the simulations. We are currently fabricating mylar structures analogous to the simulation geometries, laser machined to create porosity and adhered to lightweight frames to maintain their shape. The multi-scale structures we create will be of critical importance for exploring low-pressure environments such as Earth’s mesosphere and the Martian atmosphere. References: [1] Benedict, Moble, et al. "Experimental investigation of micro air vehicle scale helicopter rotor in hover." International Journal of Micro Air Vehicles3 (2015): 231-255. [2] Seddon, John M., and Simon Newman. Basic helicopter aerodynamics. Vol. 40. John Wiley & Sons, 2011. [3] Cortes, John, et al. "Photophoretic levitation of macroscopic nanocardboard plates." Advanced Materials16 (2020): 1906878. [4] Azadi, Mohsen, et al. "Controlled levitation of nanostructured thin films for sun-powered near-space flight." Science Advances7 (2021): eabe1127.
Combined Treatment of Trapeziometacarpal Joint Arthritis and Scapholunate Advanced Collapse Wrist.

Purpose The combined treatment of trapeziometacarpal joint arthritis and scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) wrist presents unique challenges. The consequences of the loss of radial column support caused by scaphoidectomy and trapeziectomy are not well known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the simultaneous and staged treatment of trapeziometacarpal joint arthritis and SLAC wrist. Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent surgery for both trapeziometacarpal joint arthritis and SLAC wrist was performed. The wrist and thumb range of motion; grip and pinch strength; pain; quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) scores; and radiographs were analyzed. Results Twenty-four patients who underwent both trapeziectomy and 1 of 3 procedures for SLAC wrist (4-corner fusion [n = 10]), proximal row carpectomy [n = 9], and total wrist arthroplasty [n = 5]) in a single stage (n = 10) or in 2 stages (n = 14) were included. The median age was 63 years. The median follow-up period was 35 months. Twelve (50%) patients underwent complete scaphoidectomy, and 12 (50%) patients underwent partial scaphoidectomy. All 3 procedures resulted in an improvement in pain at rest, pain during activity, and quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores. The final range of motion, grip and pinch strength, and complication rates were consistent with those reported in the literature for isolated procedures. Conclusions Trapeziometacarpal joint arthritis and SLAC wrist may be treated either simultaneously or in stages. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic V.
Design Parameters of Hand Surgery Screws: Measurement Discrepancies and Clinical Implications

Purpose The use of self-tapping cortical screws is indicated in patients with metacarpal and phalangeal fractures requiring formal stabilization. The aim of this study was to systematically compare and evaluate the design parameters of 4 commercially available self-tapping screw systems. Methods We measured various design parameters of self-tapping cortical screws of different lengths from several manufactures using scanning electron microscopy. Screws were obtained in 8, 12, 16, and 20 mm lengths. The measured parameters included screw length, head height, pitch, outer diameter, inner diameter, terminal thread diameter, terminal thread-to-tip distance, thread-to-tip distance of 1 full revolution, and crest width. Data were assessed statistically using 1- and 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests, and the significance level was set at a P value Results There was variability in advertised screw lengths compared with measured screw lengths with 2 manufacturers. There was a statistically significant difference between the thread-to-tip distance and head height between screws while controlling for diameter. Conclusions Screw sizes and dimensions are critical in order to avoid complications such as prominent hardware and postoperative stiffness. Knowledge of the design parameters presented for each of the different manufacturers may prove useful to hand surgeons when selecting screws for fixation of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures. Clinical relevance Specific design characteristics of commonly used screws in hand surgery vary slightly by manufacturer and may have clinically relevant implications in fixation of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures.
Understanding mechanisms of snow removal from photovoltaic modules

Abstract Snow accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) modules causes major economic losses by reducing/preventing solar energy production. To develop mitigation strategies for snow accumulation issues on the PV modules, it is crucial to understand various snow removal mechanisms from them. Here, natural snow accumulation and its removal from the PV modules were investigated over two years using a surface-mountable sensor that measures liquid water content (LWC) at the interface of snow and module’s surface real-time. It was found that the snow removal from the PV modules occurs under four distinct categories: melting, shedding (fast sliding), prolonged melting, and melting followed by shedding. During snow melting, the average LWC of snow and the module’s surface temperature increased gradually (13.45%/hr and 0.81 °C/hr), while during snow shedding the average LWC and surface temperature sharply increased (14.4%/hr and 1.46 °C/hr). During prolonged melting, the average LWC of snow slowly increased during the day (4 average LWC slopes were 5.88, 3.22, 6.18, and 7.92%/hr), and the module’s surface temperature reached 0 °C for a very short period of time, then decreased back to freezing temperatures at night. Lastly, the final snow removal mechanism is melting followed by shedding, during which the average LWC of snow increased gradually indication of snow melting (LWC of 11.25%/hr), followed by a very sharp increase in LWC with an average rate of ∼83.02%/hr, after which snow shedding occurred. These understanding provide means to develop a combined passive and active mitigation strategy for efficient snow removal from the photovoltaic modules.
The moral obligations of reasonable non-believers: A special problem for divine command metaethics

People who do not believe that there is a God constitute an obvious problem for divine command metaethics. They have moral obligations, and are often enough aware of having them. Yet it is not easy to think of such persons as “hearing” divine commands. This makes it hard to see how a divine command theory can offer a completely general account of the nature of moral obligation. The present paper takes a close look at this issue as it emerges in the context of the most recent version of Robert Adams’ modified divine command theory. I argue that, despite a valiant attempt to do so, Adams does not succeed in giving an adequate account of the moral obligations of non-believers. More generally, I claim that if divine commands are construed as genuine speech acts, theists are well advised not to adopt a divine command theory.
Abstract 20591: A Simple Novel Classification of Left Atrial Appendage Morphology Predicts Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: Prior Left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology classification (cauliflower, windsock, cactus and chicken wing) have been made based on resemblance to “poorly defined” structures and may be difficult to replicate. Hypothesis: A more structured, easily replicable classification of LAA morphology would predict the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent CT scan of the heart prior to AF ablation were included in this study. LAA morphology was classified into Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 based on number of primary curvatures/bends on LAA (0, 1 and ≥2 bends respectively) by 2 independent observers. Patient variables including CHADS2 score, history of stroke, TEE determined LAA variables were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 265 patients in whom CT was available with TEE findings were included in the current study. Mean age of the population was 60 ±9 years. Mean CHADS2 score was 1.18 ±0.9 and mean LA size was 4.3 ±0.6cm with a mean LVEF of 60 ±8. Twenty five (9.5%) patients had a history of stroke. Class 1, 2 and 3 groups comprised of 48 (18%), 95 (36%) and 122 (46%) patients respectively. The prevalence of stroke among these groups were 5.6%, 5.6% and 14% respectively. Class 3 LAA morphology (≥2 LAA bends) was much more likely to be associated with stroke when compared to the other 2 morphologies (14% vs 5.6%; p =0.021). This association was significant despite adjusting for baseline and TEE variables of LAA function. We also classified LAAs based on older classification. There was lesser inter-observer variability (6% vs 16%; p Conclusions: A novel classification of the LAA morphology is more reliable than the older classification. Patients with Class 3 LAA morphology (≥2 bends) are much more likely to have had a stroke compared to those with Class 1 or 2 morphology.
Hedgehog and wingless induce metameric pattern in the Drosophila visceral mesoderm.

The Drosophila visceral mesoderm (VM) is a favorite system for studying the regulation of target genes by Hox proteins. The VM is formed by cells from only the anterior subdivision of each mesodermal parasegment (PS). We show here that the VM itself acquires modular anterior-posterior subdivisions similar to those found in the ectoderm. As VM progenitors merge to form a continuous band running anterior to posterior along the embryo, expression of connectin (con) in 11 metameric patches within the VM reveals VM subdivisions analagous to ectodermal compartments. The VM subdivisions form in response to ectodermal production of secreted signals encoded by the segment polarity genes hedgehog (hh) and wingless (wg) and are independent of Hox gene activity. A cascade of induction from ectoderm to mesoderm to endoderm thus subdivides the gut tissues along the A-P axis. Induction of VM subdivisions may converge with Hox-mediated information to refine spatial patterning in the VM. Con patches align with ectodermal engrailed stripes, so the VM subdivisions correspond to PS 2-12 boundaries in the VM. The PS boundaries demarcated by Con in the VM can be used to map expression domains of Hox genes and their targets with high resolution. The resultant map suggests a model for the origins of VM-specific Hox expression in which Hox domains clonally inherited from blastoderm ancestors are modified by diffusible signals acting on VM-specific enhancers.
Vertical integration for robot assembly cells

Vertical integration of transformation of abstract assembly task descriptions into task execution commands is needed to overcome the fundamental factors which limit the widespread application of current robotic systems. These factors are the requirements for precise control of the robot task environment, custom-designed fixtures and end-effectors, and on-site robot control programming. These requirements arise because current robotic systems do not have an understanding of the robot cell environment. Further, these systems are not able to react rationally to non-deterministic events which occur during task execution. A research plan which is aimed at the systematic incorporation of limited amounts of machine intelligence into robot task planning and execution is outlined.
Nonagenarians undergoing cardiac surgery.

Background As life expectancy continues to rise and cardiac surgical outcomes improve, the number of nonagenarian (age > 90 years) patients undergoing cardiac operations is increasing. However, little has been reported on cardiac surgical outcomes in this select patient population. The purpose of this study was to examine current cardiac surgical outcomes for nonagenarian patients and determine the impact of extreme age on contemporary risk calculations. Study Design From 2002 to 20012, 61,303 patients underwent cardiac operations as reported in a statewide Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery database, including 108 nonagenarians. Patient and operative factors, including STS Predicted Risk of Mortality (PROM), were analyzed in order to compare to estimated risk measures. Results Nonagenarian patients (median age = 92 years) had a high prevalence of preoperative cerebrovascular disease (23.1% [25/108]) and arrhythmia (55.6% [60/108]). Isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (39.8% [43/108]) was the most common operation performed within this cohort, followed by aortic valve replacement (AVR: 35.2% [38/108], AVR + CABG 23.1% [25/108]) operations. Overall nonagenarian mortality was 13% [14/108] and was greatest for AVR. Among nonagenarians with calculated STS PROM, observed to expected (O:E) ratios for mortality ranged from 1.45 to 2.65 annually over the study period. Conclusions Nonagenarian patients represent a high-risk, elderly patient population with higher morbidity than predicted. Mortality is greatest following aortic valve operations. These results suggest that current risk calculations may underestimate the impact of extreme age on perioperative mortality. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12391 (J Card Surg 2014;29:600–604)
Influence of statins on postoperative wound complications after inguinal or ventral herniorrhaphy

The lipid-lowering agents, statins, are the most commonly prescribed class of drugs in the western world. Because of their widespread use, many patients undergo surgical procedures while on statins. Statins, in addition to cholesterol-lowering effects, also have anticoagulant, immunosuppressive, and antiproliferative properties that may affect the risk of local wound complications. This study investigated the relationship between statins and postoperative wound complications in a large cohort of patients undergoing inguinal or ventral hernia repair. Data mining was performed in the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN)16 Data Warehouse. This database contains clinical and demographic information about all veterans cared for at the ten VA Medical Centers that comprise the South Central VA Healthcare Network in the mid-south region of the US. Aggregate data (age, body mass index, smoking history, gender, race, history of diabetes, statin use, and postoperative wound complications) were obtained for all patients who underwent inguinal or ventral hernia repair during the period October 1, 1996-November 30, 2004. During the period of the query, 10,782 patients (10,676 male, 106 female), 1,242 (11.5%) of whom received statins, underwent herniorrhaphy. Statin use did not affect the risk of wound infection or delayed wound healing. Statin use was, however, associated with an increased rate of local postoperative bleeding complications (P=0.01). When the type of hernia, age, smoking, diabetes, and body mass index were included in a multivariate analysis, statins remained borderline significant as an independent predictor of wound hematoma/postoperative bleeding (P=0.04), odds ratio 1.6 (95% CI 1.03-2.44). Patients who undergo inguinal herniorrhaphy while on statins have an increased risk of postoperative wound hematoma/hemorrhage. Focus on additional factors that may affect the propensity to postoperative bleeding and on meticulous intraoperative hemostasis are particularly important in such patients.
Exciton Migration and Cathode Quenching in Organic Light Emitting Diodes

The quantum efficiency of organic light emitting devices depends on the exciton emission efficiency. Exciton quenching at the metal cathode can be responsible for lowering the device performance. We consider exciton quenching by the metal cathode, taking into account both exciton diffusion and radiationless energy transfer to the metal. The quenching effect in tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum is analyzed, and ways to improve the device efficiency by suppressing the interaction with the electrode are discussed.
Surface-state relaxation dynamics on Ag(110) probed by temperature-dependent resonantly enhanced second-harmonic generation

The temperature dependence of second-harmonic generation resonantly enhanced by a surface-state transition, at the fundamental light wavelength of 712 nm, on Ag(110), was measured for six wavelengths within the surface-state transition band. A model based on a quantum-mechanical treatment of the second-order susceptibility and incorporating the occupied-surface-state energy shift with temperature was used to describe quantitatively the temperature and wavelength dependences in the resonantly enhanced second-harmonic intensity. The interpretation of the experimental data by the model requires only one variable, the homogeneous linewidth of the surface-state transition, which is determined through the fittings of the data to be 38 meV at 100 K. This transition linewidth is dominated by the homogeneous width of the unoccupied surface state. The temperature-dependent contribution toward the total transition width can be identified as electron-phonon coupling, ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{e\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{ph}}=[(0.072\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.014)\mathrm{m}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathrm{K}]\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}T(\mathrm{K}),$ while the temperature-independent part is from scattering by defects and other carriers: ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{\mathrm{imp}}+{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{e\ensuremath{-}e}=31\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.0\mathrm{meV}.$ In addition, the electron-phonon mass-enhancement parameter, averaged over the Fermi surface, is deduced from the temperature-dependent linewidth to be $\ensuremath{\lambda}=0.13\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02.$
Extraction of laser rate equations parameters for representative simulations of metropolitan-area transmission systems and networks

Abstract In this paper we present procedures for the extraction of laser rate equation parameters. The parameters are extracted using fitting of static and dynamic measurements with simple theoretical expressions. In particular, chirp related parameters are extracted directly through measured chirp and power waveforms. The extracted parameters are used in a large-signal rate equation laser model to calculate the power and chirp waveforms. The simulations are compared with experiments and the agreement is excellent. The procedures have been applied to directly modulated lasers having different chirp characteristics and designed for either 2.5 or 10 Gb/s operation. Using the rate equation laser model with the extracted parameters, we performed a simulation study to identify the value of employing a negative dispersion fiber in metro-area networks. It is shown that dispersion shifted fibers with negative dispersion across the entire usable fiber bandwidth (1280–1620 nm) advances the performance of directly modulated lasers used in wavelength division multiplexed metropolitan-area transmission systems and networks. At 2.5 Gb/s transmission over 300 km of negative dispersion fibers is possible for directly modulated lasers across the erbium doped fiber amplifier bandwidth, while at 10 Gb/s an impressive distance of 100 km can be achieved.
FROM HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TO ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

It is nearly unanimous that HR can and should add more value to corporations. The best way to do this is by being a business partner—by directly improving the performance of the business. This can be accomplished by effective talent management, helping with change management, influencing strategy, and a host of other value-added activities that impact effectiveness. But HR does not seem able to position itself as a business partner in many cases. To analyze the problem HR has in transitioning to a new role, think of HR as a business and what products it should offer. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Engineering an artificial alveolar-capillary membrane: a novel continuously perfused model within microchannels.

Abstract Introduction Pulmonary hypoplasia is a condition of the newborn that is characterized by underdeveloped lungs and poor outcome. One strategy in the treatment of patients with hypoplasia is to augment underdeveloped lungs using biocompatible artificial lung tissue. However, one central challenge in current pulmonary tissue engineering efforts remains the development of a stable bio-mimetic alveolar-capillary membrane. Accordingly, we have built a series of bio-mimetic microfluidic devices that specifically model the alveolar-capillary membrane. Current designs include a single-layer microchip that exposes alveolar and endothelial cell types to controlled fluidic stimuli. A more advanced multi-layered device allows for alveolar cells to be cultured at an air interface while allowing constant media nourishment and waste removal, thus better mimicking the physiologic milieu of the alveolar-capillary interface. Both devices possess the benefit of parallel testing. Material and methods Microdevices were fabricated using soft lithography in a biocompatible transparent polymeric material, polydimethyl siloxane, sealed covalently to glass. The multistage microdevice also integrated a suspended polyethylene terephthalate membrane connected via microfluidic channels to constant media and air access. Pulmonary endothelial (HMEC-1) and alveolar epithelial (A549) cell lines, along with fetal pulmonary cells (FPC) harvested from Swiss Webster mice at day 18 gestational age, were studied under multiple hydrodynamic shear conditions and liquid-to-cell ratio regimes. Cultures were examined for cell viability, function and proliferation to confluent monolayers. A549 cells cultured at an air-interface in a microdevice was also tested for their ability to maintain cell phenotype and function. Results The single-layer differential flow microdevice allowed for a systematic determination of the optimal growth conditions of various lung-specific cell types in a microfluidic environment. Our device showed a greater surfactant based decrease in surface tension of the alveolar hypophase in A549 cultures exposed to air as compared to submerged cultures. Conclusions We have successfully developed biomimetic microfluidic devices that specifically allow stable alveolar cell growth at the air-liquid interface. This work serves prerequisite towards an implantable artificial alveolar membrane.
Tolerance of Seedling Bermudagrass to Postemergence Herbicides

The introduction of improved seeded cultivars of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] has generated significant interest from the turfgrass industry. An important component of successfully establishing these new cultivars will be to develop effective weed control strategies for the critical establishment period. A field study and a greenhouse study were conducted to evaluate the tolerance of several seeded bermudagrasses to commonly used postemergence herbicides at different periods of establishment. In a field study, 'Princess' bermudagrass was seeded at a rate of 48 kg ha -1 during the early summer of 2000 and 200L Postemergence herbicides were applied at either 1, 2, or 4 wk after emergence (WAE). Herbicide treatments included MSMA (monosodium salt of methylarsonic acid) at 1.12 kg ha -1 , metsulfuron (2[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2yl] amino] carboxyl] amino] sulfonyl]-2-benzoic acid) at 0.021 kg ha -1 , diclofop ((±)-2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenoxy]propanoic acid) at 1.12 kg ha -1 , clopyralid (3,6 dichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic add) at 0.56 kg ha -1 , dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) at 0.56 kg ha -1 , 2,4-D amine D [(2,4- dichlorophenoxy) acetic add at 0.56 kg ha -1 , and quinclorac (3, 7-dichloro-8-quinolinecarboxylic acid) at 0.842 kg ha -1 . Visual injury ratings were recorded at 3, 5, 7, 15, and 30 d after treatment (DAT) and percent turfgrass cover was recorded at 30 and 60 DAT. In the greenhouse study, the same herbicides and treatments were used with the cultivars Princess, Yukon, NuMex Sahara, Jackpot, and Mirage. In both the field and greenhouse studies, there was no dear effect of application timing on the tolerance of seedling bermudagrass to herbicides. Diclofop and metsulfuron caused the highest levels of injury in both years of the field study and in the greenhouse study. The other herbicides tested caused less injury. The bermudagrass recovered from all herbicide injury by 30 d after treatment. The results from this study indicate that seedling bermudagrass is relatively tolerant of many commonly used postemergence herbicides as soon as 1 WAE. These results will be useful to turfgrass managers who are considering use of improved cultivars in various turf situations.
Identifying Lane-Change Maneuvers with Probe Vehicle Data and an Observed Asymmetry in Driver Accommodation

AbstractThis paper uses an instrumented probe vehicle to monitor ambient traffic and overcome many challenges of observing traffic flow phenomena that occur over extended distances. One contribution of this paper is a general methodology to identify the probe vehicle’s lane of travel without a priori knowledge of where the lanes are. This knowledge is used to find the probe’s lane-change maneuvers (LCMs), to differentiate these LCMs from GPS errors, and, in conjunction with a ranging sensor, to identify which lanes the ambient vehicles are in to find their LCMs. The second contribution of this paper comes from the identified LCMS. The data are used to provide an independent validation of earlier studies, and thus yield further evidence of how LCMs contribute to the formation of disturbances within freeway queues. In particular, it is found that vehicles following an entering vehicle generally complete their response and return to steady state quicker than those following an exiting vehicle. As discussed h...
Is routine cholangiography useful in men with suspected primary biliary cirrhosis

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of cholangiography in men with chronic cholestasis and positive antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) titers who were suspected of having primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The authors reviewed retrospectively the records of men who had positive AMA titers over a 16-month period to determine the results of cholangiography. They also reviewed the records of 102 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) from 1989 to 1995 who had undergone cholangiography and testing for AMA. Of 35 men with positive tests for serum AMA, 12 of these patients were referred for cholangiography (11 endoscopic and 1 transhepatic). All completed cholangiograms were normal. A diagnosis of PBC was made in nine patients and atypical autoimmune hepatitis in one. Conversely, only two PSC patients had positive AMA titers (1:20 and 1:80). Both of these patients had coexisting inflammatory bowel disease and cholangiograms diagnostic of PSC. Cholangiography was negative in the male patients with positive AMA titers who were suspected of having PBC. In men with cholestatic liver biochemistries and strongly positive AMA titers, especially in the absence of associated inflammatory bowel disease, routine cholangiography does not add to the diagnostic evaluation.
Theory of the de Haas-van Alphen Effect in Dilute Alloys

Multiple-scattering theory is employed to determine the one-electron Green's function in the presence of a uniform external magnetic field and a dilute random arrangement of atomic potentials. The oscillatory part of the density of states is extracted and used to compute thermodynamic quantities. Explicit expressions for the frequency shifts and the amplitude diminution caused by inserting impurities into the free-electron gas are obtained.
An investigation of blade failures in combustion turbines

Abstract An examination of several cracked and uncracked second row blades of 50MW class combustion turbines has been conducted to identify the cause of failure. Results show that these failures have been caused by environment-assisted creep in a manner similar to stress corrosion. A window of grain boundary spikes, indicative of the corresponding stress variation was observed locally at the region of failure. A superimposition of the stress window and the corrosion window seems to create the conditions under which creep and grain boundary corrosion can occur concurrently in a synergistic fashion. Results show that when the machines are operated at different ratings, the types of corrosion found in the blades remain unchanged, but the magnitude and the location at which the different corrosion features are observed are changed systematically. The specific changes that occur with decreased operational rating are: (1) An increase in the distance above the platform at which the layer type corrosion transitions into non-layer type hot corrosion. (2) An increase in the distance at which the window of grain boundary spiking activity is observed. (3) A decrease in the density and depth of oxide spikes, with a corresponding increase in the density and depth of sulfide spikes. The observations regarding these changes are significant in as much as they provide a potential tool for estimating the temperature and stress profiles and the propensity for cracking at the trailing edge of the second row blades, based on corrosion observations alone.
Room Temperature Ultralow Threshold GaN Nanowire Polariton Laser

We report ultralow threshold polariton lasing from a single GaN nanowire strongly coupled to a large-area dielectric microcavity. The threshold carrier density is 3 orders of magnitude lower than that of photon lasing observed in the same device, and 2 orders of magnitude lower than any existing room-temperature polariton devices. Spectral, polarization, and coherence properties of the emission were measured to confirm polariton lasing.
Biological effects of menadione photochemistry: effects of menadione on biological systems may not involve classical oxidant production.

Because cell-mediated reduction of menadione leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), this quinone is widely used to investigate the effects of ROS on cellular functions. We report that A549 human lung epithelial cells exposed to menadione demonstrate a dose-dependent increase in both intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) and ROS formation. The concentrations of menadione required to initiate these two events are markedly different, with ROS detection requiring higher levels of menadione. Modulators of antioxidant defences (e.g. buthionine sulphoximine, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole) have little effect on the [Ca(2+)](i) response to menadione, suggesting that ROS formation does not account for menadione-dependent alterations in [Ca(2+)](i). Additional evidence suggests that menadione photochemistry may be responsible for the observed [Ca(2+)](i) effects. Specifically: (a) EPR studies with the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) show that light exposure (maximum effect at 340 nm) stimulates menadione-dependent formation of the DMPO/(.)OH spin adduct that was not sensitive to antioxidant interventions; (b) DMPO inhibits menadione and light-dependent increases in [Ca(2+)](i); and (c) light (maximum effect at 340 nm) augments the deleterious effects of menadione on cell viability as determined by (51)Cr release. These photo effects do not appear to involve formation of singlet oxygen by menadione, but rather are the result of the oxidizing chemistry initiated by menadione in the triplet state. This work demonstrates that menadione species generated by photo-irradiation can exert biological effects on cellular functions and points to the potential importance of photochemistry in studies of menadione-mediated cell damage.
A hydrogeologic framework for characterizing summer streamflow sensitivity to climate warming in the Pacific Northwest, USA

Summer streamflows in the Pacific Northwest are largely derived from melting snow and groundwater discharge. As the climate warms, diminishing snowpack and earlier snowmelt will cause reductions in summer streamflow. Most regional-scale assessments of climate change impacts on streamflow use downscaled temperature and precipitation projections from general circulation models (GCMs) coupled with large-scale hydrologic models. Here we develop and apply an analytical hydrogeologic framework for characterizing summer streamflow sensitivity to a change in the timing and magnitude of recharge in a spatially explicit fashion. In particular, we incorporate the role of deep groundwater, which large-scale hydrologic models generally fail to capture, into streamflow sensitivity assessments. We validate our analytical streamflow sensitivities against two empirical measures of sensitivity derived using historical observations of temperature, precipitation, and streamflow from 217 watersheds. In general, empirically and analytically derived streamflow sensitivity values correspond. Although the selected watersheds cover a range of hydrologic regimes (e.g., rain-dominated, mixture of rain and snow, and snow-dominated), sensitivity validation was primarily driven by the snow-dominated watersheds, which are subjected to a wider range of change in recharge timing and magnitude as a result of increased temperature. Overall, two patterns emerge from this analysis: first, areas with high streamflow sensitivity also have higher summer streamflows as compared to low-sensitivity areas. Second, the level of sensitivity and spatial extent of highly sensitive areas diminishes over time as the summer progresses. Results of this analysis point to a robust, practical, and scalable approach that can help assess risk at the landscape scale, complement the downscaling approach, be applied to any climate scenario of interest, and provide a framework to assist land and water managers in adapting to an uncertain and potentially challenging future.
Internalism and Different Kinds of Reasons

The purpose of the present chapter is to bring the requiring/justifying distinction to bear on a central controversy in contemporary ethical theory: the internalism/externalism debate. This debate concerns the nature of the relation between practical reasons and the desires of the agents who have those reasons. Crudely put, internalists hold that there is a very strong relation between the desires of a (rational) agent, and the reasons that such an agent has, while externalists hold that the reasons that an agent has are given by features of her situation in the world, and are independent of her attitudes towards those features. The nature of the relation between practical reasons and desire is of obvious relevance to a large number of central philosophical and practical questions, including the rational status of morally required behavior, and the reasonableness of punishing people who act in significantly immoral ways. Parties to the internalism/externalism debate have typically assumed that, with regard to practical reasons, either internalism or externalism is correct. And they have assumed that if, for example, internalism should turn out to be the correct account, then there will be a single correct interpretation of internalism that holds for all practical reasons. In bringing the requiring/justifying distinction to bear on the internalism/externalism debate, one major point of this chapter is that these assumptions are almost certainly false, and that a failure to see this has hamstrung the discussion from the beginning.
On the disjoint paths problem

Using flow and matching algorithms to solve the problem of finding disjoint paths through a given node, and with a technique of Chekuri and Khanna, we give an O(n) approximation for the edge-disjoint paths problem in undirected graphs, directed acyclic graphs and directed graphs with edge capacity at least 2.
Towards Small Robot Aided Victim Manipulation

Robotic manipulation of human victims is a problem typically avoided by the robotics community primarily for fear of injuring victims further, though large robotic human transportation is more prevalent. This paper presents the issues that would need to be addressed in order to have small man-portable robots aiding the transport of incapacitated victims. Focusing on the manipulation of victims in preparation for transport, the primary design specifications are the forces that a small robot would need to be capable of applying. Data and analysis is presented for human limb manipulation, in terms of limb pose statistics and the forces required for appropriate limb motions. Descriptions of a robotic solution include a wristlet mechanism that can be robotically deployed as well as a novel head protection and cervical spine immobilization method using rapidly expanding foam.
Combined effects of cardiorespiratory fitness, not smoking, and normal waist girth on morbidity and mortality in men.

Background Physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, and abdominal obesity are key modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). We investigated the combined effects of not having these risk factors on CHD events and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in men. Methods We followed up 23 657 men, aged 30 to 79 years, who completed a medical evaluation including a maximal treadmill exercise test and self-reported health habits. A low-risk profile was defined as not smoking, moderate or high fitness, and normal waist girth. There were 482 CHD events (nonfatal myocardial infarction or fatal CHD) and 1034 deaths (306 CVD, 387 cancers, and 341 others) during a mean 14.7 years of follow-up (348 811 man-years). Results After adjustment for age, examination year, and multiple baseline risk factors, there was an inverse association between a greater number of low-risk factors and CHD events, and CVD and all-cause mortality in men (Pvalue for trend, Conclusion Being physically fit, not smoking, and maintaining a normal waist girth is associated with lower risk of CHD events, and CVD and all-cause mortality in men.