cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Higher hospital volume predicts endoscopy but not the in-hospital mortality rate in patients with acute variceal hemorrhage.

Background Acute variceal hemorrhage (AVH) is an important complication of cirrhosis that carries a high mortality rate. Management of AVH requires early initiation of specialized care that may be more readily available at centers that deal with a high volume of AVH. Objective Our purpose was to examine the relationship between the annual hospitalization volume and the in-hospital mortality rate for AVH. Design Cross-sectional study from a national representative sample. Setting A 20% sample of all nonfederal short-term hospitals from 37 states participating in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2004. Patients A total of 28,817 discharges with AVH identified through appropriate International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes for bleeding esophageal varices. Hospitals were divided into low-, medium-, and high-volume hospitals if they had 1 to 15, 16 to 35, and 36 or more annual discharges related to AVH. Main Outcome Measurement In-hospital mortality rate. Results On multivariate analysis, there was no significant difference in the mortality rate either for medium- (odds ratio [OR] 0.84; 95% CI, 0.67-1.05) or high-volume hospitals (OR 1.06; 95% CI, 0.82-1.37). However, patients both at medium- (OR 1.27; 95% CI, 1.02-1.58) and high-volume hospitals (OR 1.40; 95% CI, 1.07-1.84) were more likely to undergo endoscopy for AVH. Endoscopic intervention for control of variceal hemorrhage was significantly more common in medium- (OR 1.20) and high- (OR 1.33) volume hospitals. Patients at medium- (OR 3.10; 95% CI, 2.09-4.60) and high-volume hospitals (OR 4.12; 95% CI, 2.52-6.75) were also more likely to undergo transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Conclusion Higher hospital volume is associated with greater rates of endoscopy, endoscopic intervention, and higher utilization of TIPS in the management of AVH.
A functional equation that arises in problems of scheduling with priorities and lateness/earliness penalties

We consider a functional equation that arises in problems of scheduling with priorities and earliness/lateness penalties. We solve the equation and note how it can be used to analyze the invariance of conclusions about optimality of a schedule if the scale used to measure priority is replaced by another acceptable scale.
Activity of oral agents against pediatric isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

An in vitro study of the activity of 10 oral agents against 153 pediatric isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae identified moxifloxacin and levofloxacin as the most active agents regardless of penicillin or macrolide susceptibility. Moxifloxacin inhibited all strains at 0.25 μg/ml and was 8- to 16-fold more potent than levofloxacin.
Function of the hypertensive kidney during calcium flux manipulation

Abstract Dihydropyridine calcium channel agonists and antagonists elicit exaggerated glomerular and circulatory responses from kidneys isolated from Dahl rats genetically programmed to develop NaCl-induced hypertension (Dahl S rats). These differential responses are further magnified by NaCl loading. In contrast, “chemical sympathectomy” with 6-hydroxydopamine enhances renal vascular responses to calcium channel agonists in a manner that depends on the antecedent dietary NaCl intake, and is independent of genetic predilection to develop NaCl-induced hypertension. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that aberrations of vascular and perhaps glomerular calcium entry modulation may be determinants of altered renal hemodynamics in NaCl-sensitive hypertension. The latter may be responsible for the enhanced responsiveness to calcium channel antagonists observed in NaCl-sensitive hypertension in humans.
Equivalent multilayer bandwidth and comparison between 13.4 nm and 14.4 nm for EUV throughput calculation

In the calculation of wafer throughput for EUV production tools, the multilayer mirrors are often approximated as a pass-band with a flat response equal to the highest reflectivity of the mirrors and a bandwidth equal to the FWHM of the reflectivity curve. However, the actual reflectivity response of the mirrors is an extended curve which peaks at wavelengths typically between 11-15 nm. With a broadband source, photons with wavelength outside the FWHM of the mirror are also reflected, contributing to the throughput of the multimirror optical system. We present calculations to compare this simple model with the actual reflectivity curve for Mo/Si mirrors, The result shows that the model is a good approximation for throughput calculations. In this paper, the optimal parameter values and center wavelengths for maximum throughput were also calculated for Mo/Si mirrors at different incidence angles and (sigma) values. The simulation results confirm that for near-normal incidence, the optimal center wavelength for maximum integrated reflectivity is around 14.4 nm, in agreement with the previous work by R. Stuik et. al. As the off-normal incidence angle ((phi) ) increases, the integrated reflectivity is reduced faster at longer wavelengths. The maximum integrated reflectivity centered at 13.4 nm is closer to that at the optimal center wavelengths for larger value of (phi) . The effect is more distinct for smaller (sigma) . For (phi) equal to 15 degree(s) (NA ~ 0.25) and peak reflectivity of 70%, the maximum integrated reflectivity of a 9-mirror optical system at 13.4 nm is only 2% less than that at 14.4 nm. If a 2-nm thick SiO2 capping layer with roughness of 0.2 nm is included in the simulation, the optimal wavelength is unaffected and only the integrated reflectivity is reduced.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Individual Differences in Children’s Occupational Aspirations as a Function of Parental Traditionality

The current study was designed to test the application of the social-cognitive theory of gender development in predicting the traditionality of children’s occupational aspirations (Bussey and Bandura 1999). Of primary interest was the influence of children’s efficacy for nontraditional tasks on their occupational aspirations. Participants were 150 children and their mothers from the southern United States. Mothers reported their gendered attitudes, their perception of their children’s skills, and their family’s division of paid and unpaid labor. Children reported their occupational aspirations and efficacy for traditional and nontraditional skills, occupations, and school topics. Mothers who reported nontraditional attitudes had children with nontraditional occupational aspirations. This association was mediated by children’s efficacy for nontraditional tasks, indicating some support for the social-cognitive theory.
EPIC 95°W Observations of the Eastern Pacific Atmospheric Boundary Layer from the Cold Tongue to the ITCZ

Abstract The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) along 95°W in the eastern equatorial Pacific during boreal autumn is described using data from the East Pacific Investigation of Climate (EPIC) 2001, with an emphasis on the evolution of the thermodynamic ABL properties from the cold tongue to the cold-advection region north of the sea surface temperature (SST) front. Surface sensible and latent heat fluxes and wind stresses between 1°S and 12°N are calculated from data from eight NCAR C-130 research aircraft flights and from Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) buoys. Reduced surface wind speed and a 10 m s−1 jet at a height of 500 m are found over the equatorial cold tongue, demonstrating the dependence of the surface wind speed on surface stability. The ABL exhibits a maximum in cloud cover on the north (downwind) side of the warm SST front, at 1°–3°N. Turbulent mixing driven by both surface buoyancy flux and radiative cooling at the cloud tops plays a significant role in maintaining the depth and structure of t...
Implementing a game design course as a multiplayer game

During the winter quarter at RIT a group of professors implemented the initial Game Design course using ideas from Lee Sheldon's book “The Multiplayer Classroom”. At the end of the course my students took a survey and provided direct feedback about how well they thought the course had gone. Overall, the students had a positive view of the experience, however they did provide some surprising observations on what needed to be changed and on what they felt were serious concerns. In addition, they also listed a number of good ideas for improving courses being done using this format. This paper will cover the main issues we encountered and a selection of the ideas students provided for improving this type of course format.
Balance Sheet Management: The Case of Short-Term Obligations Reclassified as Long-Term Debt

We investigate potential management of balance sheet ratios by a sample of firms that reclassify short-term obligations to long-term debt and subsequently declassify that debt (return it to the current liability section). Although aggregate measures of liabilities and equity remain unchanged when firms reclassify (declassify), the practice does increase (decrease) reported measures of liquidity, such as the current ratio, and long-term leverage. Our results suggest that firms reclassify and declassify to smooth reported liquidity and leverage, relative to the prior year and to industry benchmarks. Our evidence is also consistent with firms working around restrictive debt covenants.
A rate study of the hydrolysis of the hydroxypentafluoroarsenate(V) anion

Abstract The rate of hydrolysis of the hydroxypentafluoroarsenate(V) anion, AsF5(OH)−, has been studied as a function of proton concentration and temperature. Rates were determined using a fluoride ion specific electrode. With constant hydrogen ion concentration the rate of hydrolysis is first order with respect to complex and the dependence of the observed first order rate constant, for the region − log[H+] = −0·60 to 6·00, is kobs. = k1([H+]γ)0·85 + k2 + k3[OH−], where γ is the activity coefficient for hydrochloric acid. At 25°C, values for the rate constants are k1 = 1·0 × 10−4 M−1 sec−1, k2 = 4·8 × 10−5 sec−1, and k3 = 6·1 × 105 M−1 sec−1. Activation parameters for terms k2 are ΔH‡ = 18·6 ± 0·4 kcal/mole, ΔS‡ = −15·9 ± 1·4 eu and for k3 are ΔH‡ = 17·7 ± 0·4 kcal/mole, ΔS‡ = +27·3 ± 1·4 eu. Terms k1 and k3 are complex, and contain ionization constants for the protonation and deprotonation of hydroxypentafluoroarsenate. Hydrolysis occurs through SN1CA, SN1, and SN1CB mechanisms for paths k1, k2, and k3 respectively.
Pain in ambulatory AIDS patients. II: Impact of pain on psychological functioning and quality of life

The relationships among pain, psychological distress and other quality of life concerns were examined through a prospective cross-sectional survey of 438 ambulatory AIDS patients recruited from health care facilities in New York City. In this sample, 274 (62.6%) patients reported frequent or persistent pain during the prior 2 wks. Patients with and without pain completed a questionnaire packet that included measures of psychological symptom distress (Brief Symptom Inventory and the Psychological Distress Subscale of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale), depression (Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Hopelessness Scale), social support (Social Support Questionnaire), and overall quality of life (Functional Living Index - Cancer, modified for AIDS). Multivariate analyses (MANOVA, multiple regression) revealed significant associations between the presence and intensity of pain and scores on the measures of psychological distress, depression, hopelessness, and quality of life (P < 0.0001 for most analyses). Perceived adequacy of social support was also significantly associated with lower levels of psychological distress and depression, and better quality of life. These results demonstrate the significant relationships between pain, psychological well-being, and quality of life, and affirm the need to provide adequate treatment of pain in patients with AIDS.
Initial Beliefs and Attitudinal Latitudes as Factors in Persuasion

This study examined how persuasion relates to structural characteristics of attitudes, including the number and supportiveness of initial beliefs as well as the widths of latitudes of rejection. As predicted, the tendency for strong arguments to persuade more than weak arguments was more pronounced for message recipients who retrieved more beliefs relative to those who retrieved fewer beliefs. Also, when initial beliefs supported the proposal, high belief-retrieval subjects were more persuaded than low-belief retrieval subjects, but this relation also held when initial beliefs opposed the proposal. Also as predicted, wide latitudes of rejection produced resistance to persuasion when the message position was counter attitudinal but not when it was proattitudinal, and this pattern was pronounced when subjects had many beliefs. Other analyses suggested that the persuasive effects of belief retrieval are due not to differential actual knowledge but rather to an issue-specific motivational advantage.
Lefty at the Crossroads of “Stemness” and Differentiative Events

Stem cells are functionally defined by their ability to self-renew and generate a progeny capable of creation or reconstitution of various tissues. Microarray analysis has shown a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily, Lefty, to be the single most abundant inhibitor in stem cells and in maternal decidua that supports embryo implantation. Lefty is regulated by pathways such as Smad (Sma and Mad [mothers against decapentaplegic]) and WNT (wingless-type) and by the transcriptional factor Oct3/4 (octamer-binding transcription factor 3/4), which support "stemness." Lefty is also induced upon exit from the state of stemness, including forced in vitro differentiation, and leukemia inhibitory factor withdrawal. Lefty is a candidate in cell-fate decisions because of its unique ability to modulate the expression of TGF-beta family proteins such as Nodal and by blanket inhibition of the activity of members of this family which require EGF-CFC (epidermal growth factor-Cripto, Frl-1, and Cryptic) as a coreceptor.
CW strontium ion laser transitions in the infrared

Abstract CW laser oscillation on three SrII near infrared transitions was achieved in a hollow cathode discharge. The excitation mechanism of these lines is judged to be a charge transfer reaction between ground state krypton ions and ground state strontium atoms.
The Prediction of Perceptibility of Luminous-Transmittance and Dominant Wave-Length Differences Among Red Wines by Spectrophotometric Measurements

SUMMARY A method of prediction of perceptibility of luminous-transmittance and dominant wave-length differences by spectrophotometric measurements is given for a small area of the color continuum with a specific product. Graphs are presented from which the dominant wave-length or luminous-transmittance differences necessary for discrimination are read directly, at various probability levels of success, for any dominant wave length or transmittance over the range of red wines.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ARTHROSCOPIC EVIDENCE OF CARTILAGE DAMAGE AND RADIOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF JOINT SPACE NARROWING IN EARLY OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE

We examined the relationship between articular cartilage degeneration, as visualized arthroscopically, and joint space narrowing (JSN) in standing anteroposterior knee radiographs of 161 patients with chronic knee pain. The majority of these patients had radiographic findings of mild osteoarthritis. Twenty-five (33%) of the 76 patients in the series whose radiographs showed tibiofemoral JSN had grossly normal articular cartilage in both tibiofemoral compartments at arthroscopy (false-positive). The specificity of medial JSN for the presence of medial compartment articular cartilage degeneration was 0.61, i.e., only 61% of patients with normal (grade 0) medial compartment cartilage had a normal medial joint space. Of 22 patients with >50% medial JSN, 9 (41%) had normal articular cartilage in the medial compartment at arthroscopy. Of 6 patients with >50% lateral JSN, 3 (50%) had normal lateral compartment articular cartilage at arthroscopy. Among 36 patients with >25% JSN who had neither medial nor lateral compartemnt articular cartilage degeneration, JSN was associated with articular caartilage degeneration, JSN was associated with articular cartilage degeneration in the patellofemoral compartemnt in 8 (22%), with meniseus degeneration in 18 (50%), and with both in 8 (22%). Thus, in these patients with chronic knee pain, radiographic evidence of JSN in the tibiofemoral compartment did not permit confident prediction of the status of the articular cartilage.
Design of a Biologically-Inspired Chemical Sensor

Sensors are an integral part of many engineered products and systems. Biological inspiration has the potential to improve current sensor designs as well as inspire innovative ones. Mimicking nature offers more than just the observable aspects that conjure up engineering solutions performing similar functions, but also less obvious strategic and sustainable aspects. This paper presents the design of an innovative, biologically-inspired chemical sensor that performs “up-front” processing through mechanical filtering. Functional representation and abstraction were used to place the biological system information in an engineering context, and facilitate the bioinspired design process. Inspiration from the physiology (function) of the guard cell coupled with the morphology (form) and physiology of tropomyosin resulted in multiple concept variants for the chemical sensor. The chemical sensor conceptual designs are provided along with detailed descriptions. Applications of the sensor design include environmental monitoring of harmful gases, and a non-invasive approach to detect illnesses including diabetes, liver disease, and cancer on the breath.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Opening Angles and Material Properties of the Early Embryonic Chick Brain

Mechanical forces play an important role during brain development. In the early embryo, the anterior end of the neural tube enlarges and differentiates into the major brain subdivisions, including three expanding vesicles (forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain) separated by two constrictions. Once the anterior neuropore and the spinal neurocoel occlude, the brain tube undergoes further regional growth and expansion in response to increasing cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Although this is known to be a response to mechanical loads, the mechanical properties of the developing brain remain largely unknown. In this work, we measured regional opening angles (due to residual stress) and stiffness of the embryonic chick brain during Hamburger-Hamilton stages 11–13 (approximately 42–51 hr incubation). Opening angles resulting from a radial cut on transverse brain slices were about 40°–110° (depending on region and stage) and served as an indicator of circumferential residual stress. In addition, using a custom-made microindentation device and finite-element models, we determined regional indentation stiffnesses and material properties. The results indicate that the modulus is relatively independent of position and stage of development, with the average shear modulus being about 220 Pa for stages 11–13 chick brains. Information on the regional material properties of the early embryonic brain will help illuminate the process of early brain morphogenesis.
Changes in estrogen receptor levels during des-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in the syrian hamster fed α-naphthoflavone

A definite causal relationship exists between estrogens and liver tumors in women. At present there are no adequate estrogen inducible experimental liver tumor models available. The spontaneous liver tumor incidence in Syrian golden hamsters is negligible (<1%) and the incidence of hepatomas following continous DES (< 1 %) or other estrogens (< 30%), as in other rodents, has been reported to be low. Our present results indicate at least a 70% incidence in multifoci liver neoplasms in castrate male hamsters treated with DES for 8.0 months and fed a diet containing 0.2% α-naphthoflavone (a-NF); an inhibitor of mixed function oxygenases. There is a nearly 3-fold elevation in specific estrogen binding in the livers of animals treated with DES for 2–3 months compared to untreated hamsters and at least a 5-fold increase in liver estrogen receptor in hamsters treated with DES + α-NF. Sucrose gradient centrifugation analyses indicate 8S binder in liver cytosols derived from these animals based on competition at 250-fold excess radioinert DES concentrations (ka = 109M−1). Enhanced retention of estrogen receptor complex (4S) was observed in purified liver nuclei from hamsters treated with either DES or DES + α-NF compared to untreated controls. These findings may have an important role in liver tumorigenesis in the hamster.
Nicotine gum use in the first year of the lung health study

Of 3,923 special intervention participants in the Lung Health Study who were offered nicotine gum to help them quit smoking, 1,080 (28.9%) were using nicotine gum 12 months after entry into the study. This group is comprised of 33.6% sustained nonsmokers, 54.5% intermittent smokers, and 19.2% continuing smokers. The average use of gum at 12 months is 7.3 pieces per day. At 12 months, men were significantly more likely to be nonsmokers than women, but women were significantly more likely to use gum than men. Among the sustained nonsmokers, continuous gum users reported significantly more mild side effects than those who used gum intermittently, although there were no differences in moderate or severe side effects between the two groups. Overall, the rate of observed side effects was small. Factors associated with nicotine dependence were related to the use and amount of gum use at 12 months.
Empirical Bayes nonparametric kernel density estimation

We propose using empirical Bayes on estimated density values to exploit potential similarities among a set of unknown densities. The strengths are that it allows all types of kernel estimators and does not require specification as to the form of similarity.
Increased adhesion response of anaplastic glioma cells to nerve growth factor and the presence of specific receptors

A trypsin-degradable nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor associated with the phospholipid component of the surface membrane has been detected on F98 anaplastic glioma cells. NGF also bound to the nucleus of F98 cells. Bound NGF was not displaceable by insulin, cytochrome C, growth hormone, or bovine serum albumin. Specific binding of NGF occurred with a Kd of 8.79 x 10−12 M as determined by Scatchard analysis with approximately 34,000 receptors per cell. Specific NGF binding was also evident to C6 rat glioma cells and IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells, but not to 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. These observations coupled with previous findings suggest that the NGF receptor may be a marker found on cells of neural derivation. As little as 1 ng/ml NGF caused an increase in the adhesiveness of F98 cells to culture flasks. Increased adhesiveness could be observed in as little as 5 min and was apparent for at least 45 min. At 25 min in NGF-containing medium, 24 ± 3% of the cells adhered to the flasks compared to 13 ± 1% of control cells. The NGF-induced increase in adhesiveness was not duplicated by epidermal growth factor, insulin, cytochrome c, bovine serum albumin, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, or sodium butyrate. Oxidized NGF blocked the effect of native NGF, but had little or no adhesion-promoting activity itself. Pretreatment of the cells with NGF was also effective in promoting adhesion, even though nerve growth factor was not added to the binding medium. The effect of this pretreatment was reversible; when NGF-pretreated cells were grown in medium without supplemental NGF, the adhesiveness of the cells returned to control levels or lower.
An Analysis of the Approach to Management of Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome by Pediatric Nephrologists

The value of a renal biopsy for a child with frequently relapsing corticosteroid-responsive or corticosteroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome is unresolved. This was the subject of two independent surveys done by North American pediatric nephrologists. In one study, 59% of the respondents indicated that they would nearly always perform a biopsy prior to starting cytotoxic therapy, while 23% would do so rarely. Less experienced pediatric nephrologists were more inclined to recommend a biopsy ( P P
High‐temperature flow behavior of glass‐forming liquids: A free‐volume interpretation

High‐temperature viscous flow data are reported for three relatively simple organic liquids: o‐terphenyl, salol, and α‐phenyl‐o‐cresol. The results are combined with previous flow data on the same liquids to obtain viscosity‐temperature relations over some 15 orders of magnitude. For each liquid, as well as for tri‐α‐naphthylbenzene, the free‐volume theory of Turnbull and Cohen is found to provide a close representation of the data for viscosities between 10−2 P (the high‐temperature limit of the data) and about 104 P. Over this range, even the pre‐exponential factors derived from fitting the experimental results are in close agreement with those predicted by the theory. At lower temperatures, the free‐volume expression overestimates the difficulty of flow. For all four organic liquids, the fractional free volumes at the points of departure, TB, of the experimental data from the free volume predictions are close to 0.015. An empirical high‐temperature flow relation of the free‐volume form is suggested as ...
Use of Amino-Terminal Pro–B-Type Natriuretic Peptide to Guide Outpatient Therapy of Patients With Chronic Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate whether chronic heart failure (HF) therapy guided by concentrations of amino-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is superior to standard of care (SOC) management. Background It is unclear whether standard HF treatment plus a goal of reducing NT-proBNP concentrations improves outcomes compared with standard management alone. Methods In a prospective single-center trial, 151 subjects with HF due to left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction were randomized to receive either standard HF care plus a goal to reduce NT-proBNP concentrations ≤1,000 pg/ml or SOC management. The primary endpoint was total cardiovascular events between groups compared using generalized estimating equations. Secondary endpoints included effects of NT-proBNP–guided care on patient quality of life as well as cardiac structure and function, assessed with echocardiography. Results Through a mean follow-up period of 10 ± 3 months, a significant reduction in the primary endpoint of total cardiovascular events was seen in the NT-proBNP arm compared with SOC (58 events vs. 100 events, p = 0.009; logistic odds for events 0.44, p = 0.02); Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated significant differences in time to first event, favoring NT-proBNP–guided care (p = 0.03). No age interaction was found, with elderly patients benefitting similarly from NT-proBNP–guided care as younger subjects. Compared with SOC, NT-proBNP–guided patients had greater improvements in quality of life, demonstrated greater relative improvements in LV ejection fraction, and had more significant improvements in both LV end-systolic and -diastolic volume indexes. Conclusions In patients with HF due to LV systolic dysfunction, NT-proBNP–guided therapy was superior to SOC, with reduced event rates, improved quality of life, and favorable effects on cardiac remodeling. (Use of NT-proBNP Testing to Guide Heart Failure Therapy in the Outpatient Setting; NCT00351390 )
Creatine-Creatinine Excretion in Neuromuscular Diseases Treated With Alpha-tocopherol and With Testosterone.

ConclusionsNeither alpha-tocopherol nor testosterone-propionate in the doses given had any effect on the creatine-creatinine excretion in the cases of amyotonia congenita and progressive muscular dystrophy studied. This should not be interpreted as failure of these substances as therapeutic agents. It indicates, however, that alpha-tocopherol does not have the same inhibitory effect on creatinuria in neuro-muscular disturbances in human beings as in the nutritional muscular dystrophy in rabbits. This suggests a fundamental difference between nutritional muscular dystrophy in rabbits and progressive muscular dystrophy, amyotonia congenita and similar neuromuscular disturbances in human beings.
Stochastic unpaced line design: A reply

Executive Summary In the May 1985 issue of the Journal of Operations Management, we published a paper containing two major segments ( Smunt and Perkins (1985) ). The first segment provided a comprehensive review of previously published research on unpaced assembly lines. Two of the primary references in this review were path-breaking studies by Hillier and Boling (1966) and Hillier and Boling (1979) . These studies introduced the idea of the “bowl phenomenon,” which suggests that line output can be increased (compared to a balanced line) by unbalancing the line with high service times placed at the beginning and end of the line and low service times placed in the middle of the line. This pair of studies also verified the existence of the bowl phenomenon for exponential and Erlang service times with line lengths up to five stations and buffer capacities between stations from zero to four units. The second segment of our 1985 paper reported on a set of experiments to investigate the “robustness” of the bowl phenomenon under varying service time and buffer capacity assumptions. We tested and confirmed three primary hypotheses: 1. The use of the bowl distribution to unbalance an assembly line will not significantly increase the output rate as compared to a balanced configuration when normally-distributed work station service times are employed with less variance than the exponential distribution. 2. Minimal increases of buffer storage capacity will significantly reduce or will negate the benefit of using the bowl distribution. 3. Output rate is not highly sensitive to moderate variations from optimal task time allocation for stochastic unpaced lines. In other words, we found that the bowl distribution does not have advantages over a balanced line if either more realistic normally-distributed service times are used or larger buffer capacities are available. Thus the bowl phenomenon, while interesting, does not appear to exist in most real world unpaced lines. In the “Note” which immediately precedes this “Reply,” the authors take issue with our conclusions, based primarily on their view that our 1985 experiments were “flawed.” While the “Note” authors provide some valuable arguments and correctly point out a weakness concerning the number of simulation repetitions in our 1985 study, in general it is their arguments that are “flawed,” as we will establish in this paper. In responding to the preceding “Note,” we have conducted a very extensive simulation experiment—much larger than either our 1985 study or the small study conducted as part of the preceding paper. The results of this enhanced study provide strong support for the conclusions of our 1985 paper.
High Surface Area Electrode Materials by Derect Metallization of Porous Substrates

Recent advances in high surface area (HSA) electrode materials have played an important role in the development of high-performance batteries and fuel cells. HSA electrodes can significantly increase the power-density of batteries and fuel cells by enhancing the heterogeneous electrochemical reaction rate and concurrently reducing battery and fuel cell size and weight. The compactness of HSA electrodes can also reduce the ohmic potential drop, which has the clear advantage of reducing power losses. This paper reports results on utilizing direct metallization of porous substrates to prepare new HSA electrode materials. Specifically, Nickel HSA electrode materials, relevant to the Ni-Cd and metal-hydride rechargeable batteries, were prepared on porous carbon substrates by direct thermolysis of organometallic precursors and/or electroless Ni plating. SEM and XPS characterization results indicate a Ni metallic film was conformally coated over the porous carbon skeleton. The real electroactive areas were determined electrochemically in NaOH solution and results will be discussed in correlation with the metallization conditions.
Conflict management principles for groups and teams

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose research‐based principles of conflict management that are grounded in practical experience.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a review of literature on topics related to each of four proposed conflict management principles as well as practical advice on implementing the principles.Findings – The principles are as follows: take action early in the conflict cycle; use ground rules to encourage productive discussion of disagreements; discuss substantive conflict issues openly with the entire group; and discuss interpersonal conflict issues with the entire group only if doing so is concurrent with the purpose, time availability, and skill set of the group.Practical implications – The principles should be useful to anyone who works with or on teams.Originality/value – This paper provides a useful review of literature and proposes four conflict management principles that are based on research and grounded in practice.
A Diamond-Window Infrared Short Path Length Cell for Corrosive Liquids

Materials which are resistant to halogen fluoride solutions and transparent in the far infrared are limited. Of those we have tried, only diamond appears to be at all satisfactory. This note describes a cell in which diamond is used as the window material. With this cell, it is now possible to obtain ir spectra in the 200–900 cm−1 spectral region.
Photolithographic synthesis of polyaniline nanofibres

Thin films of polyaniline nanofibres were synthesized using ultraviolet irradiation of aqueous solutions of aniline, nitric acid, and ammonium peroxydisulfate. The parent solution was spin coated on a planar substrate, and allowed to polymerize in the dark for 4–5 min. The substrate was then exposed to ultraviolet light for 6–10 min. Irradiation was carried out either with a frequency-tripled Nd:YAG laser, or with a mercury vapour lamp. The polyaniline fibres and films were characterized with scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Fibres had typical diameters between 20 and 150 nm, and lengths of the order of microns. Bulk polyaniline formed in the unirradiated portion of the samples. Using a masking technique, alternating stripes of bulk polyaniline and polyaniline nanofibres were produced.
Compact microfluidic device for rapid concentration of PET tracers

HPLC purification and reformulation of positron emission tomography (PET) tracers can lead to significant dilution of the final product, making it difficult to produce a sufficiently high radioactivity concentration for some applications (e.g. small animal imaging, in vitro assays, and labelling of proteins with prosthetic groups). This is especially true for molecules with lengthy or low-yield syntheses. Starting the synthesis with more radioactivity increases the final radioactivity concentration but increases hazards and complexity of handling. An alternative is to concentrate the final product by a process such as rotary evaporation prior to downstream use. Because a rotovap requires significant space within a hot cell that could be put to more productive use, we developed a compact microfluidic system for concentration of PET tracers. This system also provides advantages in terms of repeatability, interfacing and potential for automation. We present here the design and performance characterization of the system, and demonstrate the concentration of several tracers in aqueous-based HPLC mobile phases.
Ability of Thyrocalcitonin to Protect Against Hypercalcemia in Adult Rats

The protective action of thyrocalcitonin (TC) against hypercalcemia, well established by others in young rats, was studied in adult nongrowing (“plateaued”) 4–7-month-old female rats in comparison with young, growing 6–7-week old female rats. Confirming previous work by others, injected TC produced much smaller decreases in serum calcium and phosphate in adults than in young rats. However, the hypocalcemic effect of TC in adult females was enhanced by concurrent injection of phosphate 83 μmoles/100 g body wt, just as it is in young rats. In the presence of the thyroid gland, the adult rats, like young rats, were protected against hypercalcemia after intragastric or iv calcium. The serum calcium was normal in sham-operated rats and elevated in thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats of both age groups at 1 and 2 hr after intragastric calcium (10 mg/100 g body wt). Two hr after iv calcium (2.75 mg/100 g body wt), serum calcium had returned almost to normal in sham-operated adult rats; it was still extremely h...
Biomass Fractionation for the Biorefinery: Heteronuclear Multiple Quantum Coherence–Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Investigation of Lignin Isolated from Solvent Fractionation of Switchgrass

Two-dimensional heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence and quantitative 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy are used to identify the structural features of lignin isolated from solvent fractionation of switchgrass at several different severities. The spectra are consistent with a progressive deconstruction of the lignin as the fractionation severity increases, with structural units involved in cross-linking and capping of the bulk lignin polymer removed first, followed by increasing levels of acid-catalyzed, solvolytic cleavage of the bulk lignin. The results show that solvent fractionation conditions between about 120 °C and 0.1 M H2SO4 and 160 °C and 0.025 M H2SO4 are optimal for separating biomass in the biorefinery to give process streams most suitable for biobased fuel and chemical production.
Calcified pulmonary nodules in chronic renal failure

The deposition of calcium salts in the lung parenchyma is a recognized complication of chronic renal failure. The process is usually microscopic [1 ], and only occasionally is recognized nadiognaphically [2-6]. On chest nadiognaphs, the process may be diffuse or localized and patchy. Calcification primarily involving the lung apices has also been reported [7, 8]. We report three patients with chronic renal failure who had large calcified nodules in the lung. This uncommon form has been described only once [9]. Because we were unfamiliar with it, two patients underwent lung biopsy.
Rethinking African culture and identity: the Afropolitan model

Since the end of the Cold War and, in particular, the demise of apartheid in South Africa, there has been a sustained debate about African identity. There seems to be a consensus among scholars of African culture that the conventional notion of African identity that was conceived in opposition to the West is anachronistic. But what then constitutes the new African? Scholars have suggested concepts such as contamination, cultural hybridity, cultural mutt, conviviality, and most recently Afropolitanism, as means to understand the complex modern African identity. This article takes a critical examination of Afropolitanism and argues that it is an enunciation of the ideas of contamination, hybridity, hyperculturality and other postmodernist terms that disrupt essentialist and oppositional notions of African culture and identity. I hope to achieve two things in this article: situate Afropolitanism within a larger philosophical tradition of cosmopolitanism and examine the moral implications of expanding the not...
Laterally Driven Stochastic Motions in the Tropics

Abstract A two-layer dry atmospheric model containing non-geostrophic effects and parametrized dissipation is used to investigate the large-scale tropical eddies as perturbations on a basic state which has empirical static stability and symmetric zonal current. The perturbed motion is treated as a stationary random process driven by stochastic forcing at ±30° latitude. The latter is inferred from observations at 30N. In the predicted internal statistics, 1) variance of horizontal velocity components is much larger at the upper level and decreases equatorward, 2) variances of horizontal divergence and of temperature decrease markedly equatorward, and 3) the eddies transport sensible heat and wave energy equatorward, and transport zonal momentum poleward. The eddies gain kinetic energy from pressure work on the boundaries and lose it by dissipation and conversions to zonal kinetic energy and eddy available potential energy, which is in turn depleted by radiative cooling and conversion to zonal available pot...
The structure of the TNFRSF13C promoter enables differential expression of BAFF-R during B cell ontogeny and terminal differentiation

The B cell-activating factor of the TNF family receptor (BAFF-R), encoded by the TNFRSF13C gene, is critically important for transitional B cell survival to maturity. Thus, ligation of BAFF-R by BAFF delivers a potent survival signal. Reports implicating the BAFF/BAFF-R signaling axis in the pathogenesis of autoimmune human diseases and B lineage malignancies have largely prompted studies focusing on BAFF expression; however, there is an equally critical need to better understand BAFF-R expression. Initial BAFF-R expression, although characterized in murine B cells, has not yet been reported in human B lymphopoiesis. In this study, we first demonstrate that BAFF-R expression is absent from early precursors and is acquired by bone marrow B cells newly expressing the BCR. We next focused on identifying the specific genomic region that controls BAFF-R expression in mature B cells (i.e., the TNFRSF13C promoter). To accomplish this, we used in silico tools examining interspecies genomic conservation in conjunction with reporter constructs transfected into malignant B and plasma cell lines. DNase protection assays using nuclear extracts from BAFF-R-expressing cells suggested potential regulatory sites, which allowed the generation of EMSA probes that bound NFs specific to BAFF-R-expressing cells. With a more stringent analysis of interspecies homology, these assays identified a site at which a single nucleotide substitution could distinctly impact promoter activity. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed the in vivo binding of the specific transcription factor c-Rel to the most proximal genomic region, and c-Rel small interfering RNA transfections in BAFF-R-expressing lines demonstrated a coincident knockdown of both c-Rel and BAFF-R mRNA.
The cake is a lie: privilege rings as a policy resource

Components of commodity OS kernels typically execute at the same privilege level. Consequently, the compromise of even a single component undermines the trustworthiness of the entire kernel and its ability to enforce separation between user-level processes. Reliably containing the extent of a compromised kernel component is a problem to which few practical solutions exist.While many approaches have been proposed to reduce the need to trust large portions of the kernel, most of these approaches represent exotic reorganizations of the hardware or OS kernel that are either not applicable to commodity systems or are relatively complex and difficult to debug in their own right (e.g., microkernels).We propose simple, natural modifications to commodity---x86---hardware that enable vertical isolation down through the kernel without the use of virtualization or major OS rewrites; specifically, extending and reinterpreting the x86 segmentation mechanism, extending the existing Current Privilege Level and Descriptor Privilege Level fields. We believe our proposal is a compelling alternative to traditional virtualization because the hardware virtualizes permissions, not I/O.
The facialQ-topology for compact convex sets

The structure of the set of closed two-sided ideals in aC*-algebraU with identity is described by means of a topology on the set ∂eK of extreme points of the state spaceK ofU. Recent results of Alfsen, Andersen, Combes, Perdrizet, Wils, and others have shown that such a topology can be defined on the set ∂eK of extreme points of an arbitrary compact convex subset of a locally convex Hausdorff topological vector space.
Dioxygen activation by a dinuclear nickel thiolate complex: structural characterization of the ligand oxidized product

A (μ-SR)2-nickel(II) dimer derived from a ligand with carboxamido nitrogen and thiolato sulfur donors reacts with O2 to afford an oxidized product in which phenyl groups of the ligand frames are oxidized to nickel-bound phenolates.
On the three-dimensional interaction of a rotor-tip vortex with a cylindrical surface

The collision of a strong vortex with a surface is an important problem because significant impulsive loads may be generated. Prediction of helicopter fatigue lifetime may be limited by an inability to predict these loads accurately. Experimental results for the impingement of a helicopter rotor-tip vortex on a cylindrical airframe show a suction peak on the top of the airframe that strengthens and then weakens within milliseconds. A simple line-vortex model can predict the experimental results if the vortex is at least two vortex-core radii away from the airframe. After this, the model predicts continually deepening rather than lessening suction as the vortex stretches. Experimental results suggest that axial flow within the core of a tip vortex has an impact on the airframe pressure distribution upon close approach. The mechanism for this is hypothesized to be the inviscid redistribution of the vorticity field within the vortex as the axial velocity stagnates. Two models of a tip vortex with axial flow are considered. First, a classical axisymmetric line vortex with a cutoff parameter is superimposed with vortex ringlets suitably placed to represent the helically wound vortex shed by the rotor tip. Thus, inclusion of axial flow is found to advect vortex core thinning away from the point of closest interaction as the vortex stretches around the cylindrical surface during the collision process. With less local thinning, vorticity in the cutoff parameter model significantly overlaps the solid cylinder in an unphysical manner, highlighting the fact that the vortex core must deform from its original cylindrical shape. A second model is then developed in which axial and azimuthal vorticity are confined within a rectangular-section vortex. Area and aspect ratio of this vortex can be varied independently to simulate deformation of the vortex core. Both axial velocity and core deformation are shown to be important to calculate the local induced pressure loads properly. The computational results are compared with experiments conducted at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Adoption of information and communication technologies: key policy issues, barriers and opportunities for people with disabilities

While wireless communication and other information linked technologies have rapidly achieved widespread levels of adoption, a significant array of stakeholder groups have been effectively excluded, not by as much by active intent as by inadvertent oversight and lack of awareness. Many of these technologies routinely used by the general population are frequently inaccessible to persons with disabilities. Barriers to the use of these technologies by people with varying disabilities may be subtle and unintentional, but never the less very real. This paper presents preliminary results of policy research designed to develop a framework for assessing the status quo, developing inclusive policy initiatives, and evaluating the efficacy of the research approach.