cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct and indirect effects of environmental temperature on the evolution of reproductive strategies: an information-theoretic approach.

For ectotherms, environmental temperature affects the optimal size and number of offspring via multiple mechanisms. First, temperature influences the performance of offspring, which directly affects the optimal size of offspring. Second, temperature influences maternal body size, which indirectly affects the optimal size and/or number of offspring when larger females acquire more energetic resources or provide better parental care. Although traditional sta- tistical approaches might distinguish the relative importance of these effects, an information-theoretic approach enables one to estimate effects more accurately by identifying the best evolutionary model in a set of candidate models. Here, we use the Akaike Information Criterion to calculate the likelihoods of seven path models, each derived from one or more optimality models of reproduction. Var- iation in reproductive traits among populations of lizards (Sceloporus undulatus) was used to quantify support for the models. Our results overwhelmingly supported a model based on an indirect effect of temperature that is mediated by maternal size. Path coefficients of this model were consistent with the hypotheses that, first, larger females can acquire more energy for reproduction and, second, the survival of offspring depends on both their size and their density. Our analyses exemplify how information theory can identify evo- lutionary hypotheses that merit experimental testing.
Platelet activating factor inhibition reduces lung injury after cardiopulmonary bypass

Because cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) produces a diffuse inflammatory reaction that may injure multiple organs and complicate cardiac surgical procedures, we examined the use of a competitive inhibitor of platelet activating factor (SDZ HUL-412) in a porcine model of CPB as a means to ameliorate pulmonary injury after CPB. Thirteen pigs (35 to 40 kg) underwent CPB at 28°C for 2 hours, followed by 2 hours of observation. Group I (n = 6) received SDZ HUL-412 (a quinolinium compound) intravenously (3 mg/kg loading dose and 2 mg · kg −1 · h −1 continuous infusion) starting before sternotomy. Group II (n = 7) received a saline vehicle. Peak airway pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, left atrial pressure, and arterial blood gases were measured and flow cytometry evaluated surface expression of adhesion molecule subunit CD18 on circulating neutrophils. Pulmonary function was significantly improved in group I. Fifteen minutes after CPB, dynamic lung compliance in group I was 91% ± 12% of baseline versus 49% ± 5.2% in group II ( p = 0.06 by analysis of variance). After CPB, the arterial oxygen pressure was also significantly better in group I than in group II (425 ± 61 versus 234 ± 76 mm Hg) ( p p −5 ) than in group II (531 ± 177 to 884 ± 419 dynes · s · cm −5 ) at the end of the observation period. CD18 up-regulation increased similarly in the two groups during CPB. Histologic evaluation revealed normal pulmonary architecture in group I, but group II had marked intraalveolar hemorrhage, abundant neutrophils, and edema fluid. Significant edema was present in group I fields (41.0% ± 11.7%) versus group II fields (5.05% ± 1.5%) ( p
Effects of Light, Temperature, and Leaf Wetness Duration on Daylily Rust.

Experiments in controlled environments were completed to determine the influence of light intensity, temperature, and leaf wetness duration on daylily rust caused by Puccinia hemerocallidis. As light intensity increased, there was a significant decrease in urediniospore germination (R2 = 0.88 and Y = 96 - 0.6x). Urediniospores germinated in vitro between 7 and 34°C with an optimal temperature of 22 to 24°C. To test the effect of temperature on infection efficiency, plants were inoculated with urediniospores, incubated under high relative humidity at 4, 10, 22, 30, or 36°C, and then transferred to a greenhouse at 23°C for 15 days. Plants incubated at 22°C had an average of 13 lesions cm leaf-1. Incubation temperatures of 4, 10, 30, or 36°C resulted in less than 1.5 lesions cm leaf-1. Plants were inoculated, incubated at 22°C for 24 h, and then incubated at different temperatures for 15 days to test the effect of temperature on disease development. There were no significant differences in disease development at 22 and 30°C; however, there were significantly fewer lesions at 10°C and no lesions developed at 36°C within 15 days. Five to six h of leaf wetness were required for lesion development and as the duration of leaf wetness increased, there was a significant increase in the number of lesions that developed. These studies indicate that for disease development of P. hemerocallidis on daylily, temperatures around 22°C and 5 h of leaf wetness are required during infection. However, once a daylily is infected, disease development is not as sensitive to environmental conditions.
Industrial growth and anthropogenic pollutants in arid and hyper-arid environments

Industrial development is greatly increasing in arid environments, in particular Asia and the Middle East. This note addresses the development of the aluminum industry as a case study in the Middle East. Our current understanding of the environmental impact of emissions from the smelting process is derived largely from models based on the plant communities and climates of the temperate Americas and Europe. Ultimately, these models depend on rainfall for plant protection and, therefore, may not be applicable to the arid environments.
Impact of Treatment-Related Cardiac Toxicity on Lymphoma Survivors: An Institutional Approach for Risk Reduction and Management

Despite improvements in treatment and overall survival rates, survivors of lymphoma may have long-term and late effects. Given the immense risk for cardiac disease after treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, healthcare providers should focus on prevention of secondary adverse effects. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has been working to develop guidelines to address the cardiotoxicities that impact the lymphoma survivor population.
Trajectory Optimization Using the Reduced Eccentric Anomaly Low-Thrust Coefficients

A method to evaluate the trajectory dynamics of low-thrust spacecraft is refined and applied to targeting and optimal control problems. The original method uses averaged variational equations for the osculating orbital elements with 14 Fourier coefficients of the thrust acceleration vector to estimate a spacecraft trajectory over many spiral orbits. The accuracy of this method is improved by correction of any offset of the averaged trajectory from the true trajectory due to non-trivial periodic components. Spacecraft targeting problems are then solved using the corrected averaged variational equations and a general cost function represented as a Fourier series. A method for reducing the cost of a transfer by selection of acceleration Fourier coefficients beyond the 14 that appear in the averaged equations is described.
A Lesbian Older Adult Managing Identity Disclosure: A Case Study

The aim of this study was to explore the experience of an older lesbian in managing the disclosure of her sexual identity. Specifically, the team wanted to better understand the ways she managed her identity in an assisted living facility. Using a qualitative case study methodology, 2 in-depth interviews were conducted. The following 5 themes were identified in the data: keeping her own counsel, maintaining “family” connection, celebrating second chances, living outside the L box, and staying morally centered. Practice and research implications are offered and the case study is used to expand understanding of disclosure management and resiliency theory.
A review of 2–D implicit systems

Abstract The one-dimensional notion of causality has no counterpart in the two-dimensional plane, where at best partial orderings of (i, j) may be defined. Two-dimensional implicit systems, unlike the familiar state-space 2-D models, do not require any notion of causality or recursibility. Instead, they require the milder notion of regularity. Thus, the implicit models are more suited to the description of naturally occurring two-dimensional systems, such as are described by the hyperbolic equation and the heat equation, as well as for applications in image processing. This paper provides a brief summary of the current state of the theory of 2-D implicit systems.
Assessment of Left Ventricular Function by Cardiac Ultrasound

Our understanding of the physical underpinnings of the assessment of cardiac function is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Recent developments in cardiac ultrasound permit exploitation of many of these newer physical concepts with current echocardiographic machines. This review will first focus on the current approach to the assessment of cardiovascular hemodynamics by cardiac ultrasound. The next focus will be the assessment of global cardiac mechanics in systole and diastole. Finally, relationships between the cardiac structure and regional myocardial function, and the way regional function can be quantified by ultrasound, will be presented. This review also discusses the clinical impact of echocardiography and its future directions and developments.
Choledochoduodenal fistula and gall bladder perforation complicating Hodgkin's disease

A patient is presented with obstructive jaundice secondary to Hodgkin's Disease. This relatively uncommon occurrence is complicated by a choledochoduodenal fistula demonstrated radiographically. Terminal galllbladder perforation through areas of tumor occurred and perhaps was related to chemotherapy.
The Argonne tandem as injector to a superconducting linac

Abstract The Argonne tandem uses pelletron chains, NEC accelerator tubes, and a dual closed-corona system. Its main function is to be an injector for a superconducting linear accelerator. As long as the transverse and longitudinal emittances are within the acceptance of the linac, the output beam quality of the tandem-linac system is essentially determined by the tandem. The sensitivity of the linac to the longitudinal emittance ΔEΔt of the incident beam makes the output beam quality dependent on the negative-ion velocity distribution in the source, transit-time effects in the tandem, molecular-beam dissociation, and stripper-foil uniformity. In this paper we discuss these beam-degrading effects.
Role of p38 and JNK in liver ischemia and reperfusion

The signal transduction of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) has appeared to be an important mediator of ischemic-related events. Because of this, we analyzed the participation of p38 and JNK in liver ischemia and reperfusion, as two individual members of the MAPK family of proteins. All papers referred to in PubMed for the past 15 years were analyzed to determine how and when these MAPKs were considered to be an intricate part of the ischemic event. References were cross-studied to ascertain whether other papers could be found in the literature. The role of p38 and JNK in liver ischemia was confirmed in the literature. The activation of these mediators was associated with the induction of apoptosis and necrosis. Inhibitors of p38 and JNK reduced the liver ischemia and reperfusion damage, probably through the mechanisms mentioned before. The development of effective inhibitors of p38 and JNK protein mediators is important for minimizing the harmful effects associated with liver ischemia and reperfusion.
Programmed Strategies for Program Verification

Abstract Plover is an automated property-verifier for Haskell programs that has been under development for the past three years as a component of the Programatica project. In Programatica, predicate definitions and property assertions written in P-logic , a programming logic for Haskell, can be embedded in the text of a Haskell program module. Properties refine the type system of Haskell but cannot be verified by type-checking alone; a more powerful logical verifier is needed. Plover codes the proof rules of P-logic, and additionally, embeds strategies and decision procedures for their application and discharge. It integrates a reduction system that implements a rewriting semantics for Haskell terms with a congruence-closure algorithm that supports reasoning with equality. It employs strategies such as structure splitting and case analysis to explore alternative valuations of expressions of type Bool or other finite data types, but these strategies can lead to exponential growth of terms and must be employed cautiously. Plover itself is written in Stratego, which has proven to be a powerful language tool for implementating a verifier. We discuss the design and implementation of some strategies that enable Plover to comprehend Haskell and verify many valid property assertions.
Managing Information for Effective Business Partner Relationships

Abstract Partner Relationship Management (PRM) is an information strategy that employs a set of applications focused on directly impacting an enterprise and its business partners' sales and services. Web services employ a distributed computing architecture that consists of many different computers that communicate over the Internet to form one system. the communication standards and protocols used in Web services are universally accepted. These Web services can be requested by client applications: Web based, windows, or mobile devices. This article presents an overview of PRM and Web services, and discusses the potential for improving partner relationship processes through the use of Web services.
Empiricist word learning.

At first, Bloom's theory appears inimical to empiricism, since he credits very young children with highly sophisticated cognitive resources (e.g., a theory of mind and a belief that real kinds have essences), and he also attacks the empiricist's favoured learning theory, namely, associationism. We suggest that, on the contrary, the empiricist can embrace much of what Bloom says.
Unavoidable subgraphs of colored graphs

A natural generalization of graph Ramsey theory is the study of unavoidable sub-graphs in large colored graphs. In this paper, we find a minimal family of unavoidable graphs in two-edge-colored graphs. Namely, for a positive even integer k, let S"k be the family of two-edge-colored graphs on k vertices such that one of the colors forms either two disjoint K"k"/"2's or simply one K"k"/"2. Bollobas conjectured that for all k and @e>0, there exists an n(k,@e) such that if n>=n(k,@e) then every two-edge-coloring of K"n, in which the density of each color is at least @e, contains a member of this family. We solve this conjecture and present a series of results bounding n(k,@e) for different ranges of @e. In particular, if @e is sufficiently close to 12, the gap between our upper and lower bounds for n(k,@e) is smaller than those for the classical Ramsey number R(k,k).
Veterinary Drug Residues in Seafood Inspected by the European Union, United States, Canada, and Japan from 2000 to 2009

Veterinary drugs are used to treat or prevent a wide array of production-related diseases in aquaculture. Residues of these drugs in seafood products may pose risks to consumers, prompting governme...
OBSERVATIONS ON THE FINE STRUCTURE OF PHOTORECEPTOR CELLS IN THE PLANARIAN DUGESIA TIGRINA.

The bipolar photoreceptor cell of the planarian Dugesia tigrina was studied by electron microscopy. The photosensitive structure within the pigment-enclosed eyecup is attached to the free end of a cell process. This process, the dendritic fiber, contains large vesicles, mitochondria, and numerous neurotubules. It leads into an expanded cell body located lateral to and outside of the opening of the eyecup. The cell body contains a nucleus, nucleolus, mitochondria, several Golgi complexes, multivesicular bodies, vacuoles, free ribosomes, and ribosomes associated with an extensive endoplasmic reticulum longitudinally oriented in the cell. The axon, containing vesicles and few neurotubules, extends to the cerebral ganglion and ends in a terminal axonal enlargement which may contain mitochondria, numerous synaptic vesicles, and glycogen granules.
Convulxin forms a dimer in solution and can bind eight copies of glycoprotein VI: implications for platelet activation.

Convulxin (CVX) is a C-type lectin-like protein from the venom of the South American rattlesnake that functions as a potent agonist of the platelet collagen receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI). Although CVX is widely used as a platelet agonist, the molecular basis for its extremely high potency is not clear. In order to delineate possible mechanisms for CVX-induced GPVI activation, we used analytical ultracentrifugation to determine the assembly state of CVX in solution and surface plasmon resonance in order to understand the affinity, kinetics, and stoichiometry of GPVI binding to CVX. We show here that CVX exists in solution as a dimer of α4β4 rings, yielding eight potential binding sites for GPVI. Binding studies confirm that all eight sites are able to bind GPVI tightly, each with high picomolar or low nanomolar affinity. Reanalysis of previously determined crystal structures of CVX revealed the dimer in both structures. The dimeric nature of CVX and its ability to bind eight GPVI molecules suggest that i...
Preventing Alcohol-Impaired Driving: Evaluating Simple Behavioral Tests and Their Effects on Driving Decisions

It is essential that social hosts be able to identify guests who may have had too much to drink to drive safely. We explored the efficacy of four sobriety tests for use by individuals with little training (one-leg stand, horizontal gaze nystagmus, backward counting, and ruler drop). Tests predicted BAC with statistically significant accuracy, but prediction accuracy varied. Interobserver reliability was high for each except the nystagmus test. The ruler drop was found to affect self-reported driving decisions most.
Functions of fat in hibernators: Thermal aspects

Abstract 1. 1.|A numerical, distributed parameter model of heat exchange is used to evaluate the thermal significance of the presence and placement of subcutaneous fat in hibernating marmots. The model is most sensitive to changes in conductivity and metabolic rate of muscle tissue, parameters which are known to greater precision than are others in the model. 2. 2.|Alternative models are developed for animals with fat located dorsally and with no fat at all. 3. 3.|A comparison of these three models shown that there is no difference in the metabolic output required to maintain body temperature among the three alternatives. Therefore, neither the presence nor the location of fat serves an insulative role in hibernators.
TCOM, an innovative data structure for mining association rules among infrequent items

Association rule mining is one of the most important areas in data mining, which has received a great deal of attention. The purpose of association rule mining is the discovery of association relationships or correlations among a set of items. In this paper, we present an efficient way to find the valid association rules among the infrequent items, which is seldom mentioned and whose importance often get ignored by other researchers. We design a new data structure, called Transactional Co-Occurrence Matrix, in short TCOM, by two passing of the original transactional database. Then the occurrence count of the itemsets and valid association rules will be mined based on TCOM, which combines the advantages of both transactional oriented (horizontal) layout and item oriented (vertical) layout of the database. It turns out that any itemsets could be randomly accessed and counted without full scan of either the original database or the TCOM, which significantly improves the efficiency of the mining processes.
Controlling Charge States of Large Ions

The charge state of ions produced in electrospray ionization (ESI) was reduced in a controlled manner to yield predominantly singly charged species by exposure of the aerosol to a bipolar ionizing gas. Analysis of the resulting ions on an orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer yielded mass spectra greatly simplified compared with conventional ESI spectra. The decreased spectral complexity afforded by the charge reduction facilitates the analysis of mixtures by ESI mass spectrometry.
Creating New Partnerships: An Examination of Two Collaborative, Grant-Funded Digitization Projects

Agriculture Without Borders: Creating Knowledge and Partnerships Across Disciplines and Across the World, West Lafayette, Indiana, May 9-12, 2010
Effects of Key Issues On The Financial Performance of Hospitality Firms

The overall financial objective of publicly-held corporations can be flatly stated as “increasing the price of stock, thereby increasing the wealth of the shareholders.”Therefore as this statement reads, students of hospitality management should have vital and vested interest in the causes, situations, events, trends, and developments that will effect the price of stock. The students' concern would be directed toward those firms which have as its primary business, as the activity of selling food, beverage, lodging, service, or a combination of the above.As partial requirement for an undergraduate senior-level organizational behavior course, an 18 week longitudinal study was conducted to address this topic. The process of the study was to observe and chart weekly stock price activity, and seek events or issues which have shown to influence the “trading stock price” of selected multi-unit food service organizations.
Epithelial transport during septic acute kidney injury

A goal for scientists studying septic acute kidney injury (AKI) should be to formulate a conceptual model of disease that is able to coherently reconcile the molecular and inflammatory consequences of sepsis with impaired epithelial tubular function, diminished glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and ultimately kidney failure. Recent evidence has shed light on how sepsis modulates the tubular regulation of ion, glucose, urea and water transport and acid–base homeostasis in the kidney. The present review summarizes recent discoveries on changes in epithelial transport under septic and endotoxemic conditions as well as the mechanisms that link inflammation with impaired tubular membrane transport. This paper also proposes that the tubular dysfunction that is mediated by inflammation in sepsis ultimately leads to increased sodium and chloride delivery to the distal tubule and macula densa, contributing to tubuloglomerular feedback and impaired GFR. We feel that this conceptual model resolves many of the physiologic and clinical paradoxes that septic AKI presents to practicing researchers and clinicians.
Differences in Early Onset Alcohol Use and Heavy Drinking among Persons with Childhood and Adulthood Trauma

We examined predictors for age at onset of first alcohol use and onset of heaviest alcohol use among men (n ¼ 43) and women (n ¼ 46) with alcohol dependence and PTSD, PTSD only, alcohol dependence only, and controls, with a particular focus on individuals with child versus adult trauma. Using analysis of variance procedures, results showed differences in onset of first alcohol use and heaviest drinking between childhood and adulthood trauma victims. These preliminary results indicate that behavioral mechanisms associated with alcohol use patterns between individuals with childhood and adulthood trauma are dissimilar, suggesting greater psychopathological consequences for individuals with childhood trauma. (Am J Addict 2007;16:439–442)
Hepatoprotection by Dimethyl Sulfoxide. I. Protection When Given Twenty-Four Hours After Chloroform or Bromobenzene

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has previously been reported to protect against hepatotoxicity resulting from chloroform (CHCl3) or bromobenzene (BB) when given 10 hr after the toxicant. The object of these studies was to further demonstrate the latent protective ability of DMSO by administering it at a much later time (24 hr) following toxicant exposure. In addition, a more detailed evaluation of the lesions was performed to better characterize the lesion progression and resolution. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received a hepatotoxic oral dose of either CHCl3 (1.0 ml/kg) or BB (0.5 ml/kg) and then received 2 ml/kg DMSO intraperitoneally 24 hr later. With both toxicants, limited centrilobular lesions were already present by the time DMSO was administered. Without treatment, liver injury rapidly progressed so that by 48 hr it occupied 40-50% of the liver, with accompanying large increases in plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. Administration of DMSO greatly attenuated lesion development for both toxicant...
A Note on Solitary Waves along Potential Vorticity Fronts on an f-Plane

The effects of short waves on the propagration of velocity discontinuity along the interface of two uniform potential vorticity, zones on anf-plane is examined. It is shown, using a multiple scale analysis, that the dispersion introduced by the short waves can balance the nonlinear steepening effects predicted by the semigeostrophic theory. The time evolution of a shear disturbance along the front is governed by a Korteweg-de Vries equation. Numerical solutions of the solitary waves along the front are presented.
Efficient cost computation in cost map planning for non-circular robots

For a robot with a circular footprint, obstacles in a map can be inflated by the radius of the footprint, and planning can treat the robot as a point robot. Many robotic vehicles however have non-circular footprints. When operating in cluttered spaces it therefore becomes important to evaluate the footprint of these robots against a cost map. This evaluation is one of the major computational burdens in planning for robots whose footprints can not be assumed to be circular. In this paper, we propose an efficient method for evaluating a footprint of the robot against a cost map. Our method involves a transformation of the set of points covered by the footprint of the robot into two sets of points: points that should be evaluated against the cost map with inflated obstacles, and points that should be evaluated against the original cost map. The cumulative number of these points is much smaller than the number of points in the original footprint of the robot. Moreover, the method automatically reduces the robot to a single point when its footprint is circular. On the theoretical side, the paper proves the correctness of our method. On the experimental side, the paper shows that the method results in a significant speedup.
Arsenate uptake by calcite: Macroscopic and spectroscopic characterization of adsorption and incorporation mechanisms

Abstract Batch uptake experiments and X-ray element mapping and spectroscopic techniques were used to investigate As(V) (arsenate) uptake mechanisms by calcite, including adsorption and coprecipitation. Batch sorption experiments in calcite-equilibrated suspensions (pH 8.3; PCO2 = 10−3.5 atm) reveal rapid initial sorption to calcite, with sorption rate gradually decreasing with time as available sorption sites decrease. An As(V)–calcite sorption isotherm determined after 24 h equilibration exhibits Langmuir-like behavior up to As concentrations of 300 μM. Maximum distribution coefficient values (Kd), derived from a best fit to a Langmuir model, are ∼190 L kg−1. Calcite single crystals grown in the presence of As(V) show well-developed rhombohedral morphology with characteristic growth hillocks on ( 10 1 ¯ 4 ) surfaces at low As(V) concentrations (⩽5 μM), but habit modification is evident at As(V) concentrations ⩾30 μM in the form of macrostep development preferentially on the − vicinal surfaces of growth hillocks. Micro-X-ray fluorescence element mapping of ( 10 1 ¯ 4 ) surfaces shows preferential incorporation of As in the − vicinal faces relative to + vicinals. EXAFS fit results for both adsorption and coprecipitation samples confirm that As occurs in the 5+ oxidation state in tetrahedral coordination with oxygen, i.e., as arsenate. For adsorption samples, As(V) forms inner-sphere surface complexes via corner-sharing with Ca octahedra. As(V) coprecipitated with calcite substitutes in carbonate sites but with As off-centered, as indicated by two Ca shells, and with likely disruption of local structure. The results indicate that As(V) interacts strongly with the calcite surface, similar to often-cited analog phosphate, and uptake can occur via both adsorption and coprecipitation reactions. Therefore, calcite may be effective for partial removal of dissolved arsenate from aquatic and soil systems.
Constraint Logic: A Uniform Framework for Modeling Computation as Games

We introduce a simple game family, called constraint logic, where players reverse edges in a directed graph while satisfying vertex in-flow constraints. This game family can be interpreted in many different game-theoretic settings, ranging from zero-player automata to a more economic setting of team multiplayer games with hidden information. Each setting gives rise to a model of computation that we show corresponds to a classic complexity class. In this way we obtain a uniform framework for modeling various complexities of computation as games. Most surprising among our results is that a game with three players and a bounded amount of state can simulate any (infinite) Turing computation, making the game undecidable. Our framework also provides a more graphical, less formulaic viewpoint of computation. This graph model has been shown to be particularly appropriate for reducing to many existing combinatorial games and puzzles - such as Sokoban, rush hour, river crossing, tipover, the warehouseman's problem, pushing blocks, hinged-dissection reconfiguration, Amazons, and Konane (hawaiian checkers) - which have an intrinsically planar structure. Our framework makes it substantially easier to prove completeness of such games in their appropriate complexity classes.
On the reverse concatenated coded-modulation for ultra-high-speed optical transport

We propose reverse concatenated code with inner BCH code and outer LDPC code. BCH decoder is based on MAP-decoding that provides high-accuracy-reliabilities for suboptimum-LDPC-decoder, leading to performance comparable to long-girth-12-LDPC codes, but with lower decoder-complexity.
Stream-of-Variation (SoV)-Based Measurement Scheme Analysis in Multistation Machining Systems

Today, machining systems are complex multistation manufacturing systems that involve a large number of machining operations and several locating datum changes. Dimensional errors introduced at each machining operation get transformed and cause the occurrence of new errors as the workpiece propagates through the machining system. The appropriate choice of measurements in such a complex system is crucial for the subsequent successful identification of the root causes of machining errors hidden in dimensional measurements of the workpiece. In order to facilitate this measurement selection process, methods for quantitative characterization of measurement schemes must be developed. This problem of quantitative measurement characterization referred to as the measurement scheme analysis problem is dealt with in this paper. The measurement scheme analysis is accomplished through characterization of the maximal achievable accuracy of estimation of process-level parameters based on the measurements in a given measurement scheme. The stream of variation methodology is employed to establish a connection between the process-level parameters and measured product quality. Both the Bayesian and non-Bayesian assumptions in the estimation are considered and several analytical properties are derived. The properties of the newly derived measurement scheme analysis methods are demonstrated in measurement scheme characterization in the multistation machining system used for machining of an automotive cylinder head. Note to Practitioners-Techniques for the measurement scheme analysis presented in this paper enable one to formally and systematically evaluate the amount of information content a given combination of measurements carries about the process-level faults that cause quality problems in machining. Such techniques can be used to optimally select measurements that are the most informative about the machining process before a machining line is even built. Since the basis of the measurement scheme analysis methods presented in this paper is the model of the flow of machining errors referred to as the stream-of-variation (SoV) model, which can currently model only the influence of fixture and tool path parameter errors on the workpiece quality, the results presented in this paper only evaluate the amount of information about those error sources. However, as improvements to the SoV models are made in the future, the measurement scheme analysis methods and their properties demonstrated in this paper will remain valid as long as the newly obtained modes are in the linear state-space form possessed by the existing SoV models
Mechanical Relaxation Time Scales in a Zr–Ti–Ni–Cu–Be Bulk Metallic Glass

The relaxation time scales in a commercial-grade Zr41.25Ti13.75Ni10Cu12.5Be22.5 (at.%) bulk metallic glass were examined using transient and dynamic mechanical experiments. The viscoelastic and sub-Tg relaxations were well described by the Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts relaxation function. A large activation energy (4.0 eV) and small nonexponentiality parameter (approximately 0.5) were observed for viscoelastic relaxation above Tg consistent with the cooperative nature of atomic movements leading ultimately to viscous flow. Conversely, a small activation energy (0.1 eV) and large nonexponentiality parameter (approximately 0.9) were observed for the sub-Tg relaxation suggesting localized atomic adjustments which may involve different structural units or mechanisms. The glass transition was manifested as a decoupling of the sub-Tg and viscoelastic relaxation. The resulting transition temperature determined at a selected time scale was in agreement with the value obtained from calorimetric studies.
Performance of an integrated six-port reflectometer operated with pulsed signals

The authors investigated the performance of a microstrip integrated six-port reflectometer operated with pulsed signals, using diode detectors. The circuit configuration and the calibration and measurement procedures are presented. The performance of a reflectometer designed with a center frequency of 8 GHz was investigated for pulse durations down to 3 mu s and found to be excellent for frequencies from 4 GHz to 12 GHz and satisfactory up to 14 GHz. The pulsed measurements exhibit the same accuracy as the CW (continuous wave) measurements. The investigation shows that this type of network analyzer can be used to perform measurements on pulsed RF components. >
Intimate Partner Violence and Alcohol Problems in Interethnic and Intraethnic Couples

Despite the growing number of interethnic marriages in the United States, few studies have examined intimate partner violence (IPV) in interethnic couples. This article examined past-year occurrences of IPV across interethnic and intraethnic couples and tested correlates of IPV specifically in interethnic couples. Data were from a national survey of couples 18 years of age and older from the 48 contiguous states. Interethnic couples (n = 116) included partners from different ethnic backgrounds, including Black-White, Hispanic-White, and Black-Hispanic couples. White (n = 555), Black (n = 358), and Hispanic (n = 527) intraethnic couples included partners with the same ethnicity. Data analyses were prevalence rates and logistic regressions. The analysis showed that interethnic couples were comparatively younger and had shorter relationships than intraethnic White, Black, and Hispanic couples. Male partners in interethnic couples had higher rates of binge drinking and alcohol problems compared with male partners in intraethnic couples. Past-year prevalence rates for any occurrence of IPV and acts of severe IPV were higher for interethnic couples relative to intraethnic couples. Most occurrences of IPV for interethnic couples were mutual. Factors predicting IPV among interethnic couples included marital status, couples' age, male alcohol problems, and female impulsivity. Mounting evidence points to interethnic couples as a high-risk group for IPV. Interethnic couples may be at greater risk for IPV because of their younger age, binge drinking, and alcohol problems. Future research could build on this study by examining cohort effects and regional differences in IPV for interethnic couples and the risk for IPV across interethnic couples of different ethnic compositions.
Assessment of heavy trucks on Texas highways: An economic evaluation

Abstract This paper describes a study undertaken to assess the effects of projected truck traffic on the highway system of Texas. The study included the evaluation of the costs and benefits for a 20-yr planning horizon. The study was organized into three phrases: 1. (a) Current and future truck traffic distributions that will most likely occur on the state highway system were established for each of two scenarios. The first, assumes the present law of a gross weight of 80,000 lb and the second, a possible future legal weight increase to a gross vehicle weight 120,000 lb. 2. (b) A evaluation was made of the comparative costs required to perpetuate the state highway system in an acceptable condition under both scenarios. The basis for this evaluation was the general finding from the AASHO Road Test. 3. (c) An evaluation was made of the incremental benefits (associated with the scenarios) defined as increased payloads.
Digital background calibration for memory effects in pipelined analog-to-digital converters

Memory errors can occur in the stages of a pipelined analog-to-digital converter (ADC) due to several effects. These include capacitor dielectric absorption/relaxation, incomplete stage reset at high clock rates, and parasitic capacitance effects when opamps are shared between subsequent pipeline stages. This paper describes these sources of memory errors and the effect they have on overall ADC linearity. It is shown how these errors relate to and differ from interstage gain errors. Two new calibration algorithms are proposed that correct for memory errors by digital post-processing of the ADC output. Both algorithms operate in the background and so do not require conversion to be interrupted in order to track changes due to temperature and supply variations. The two algorithms are compared in terms of their system costs and their dependence on input signal statistics
Urolithiasis research: progress and trends.

The complexities of the field of urolithiasis have hampered advances in knowledge in this area until cross-disciplinary efforts began to evolve. The series of Urolithiasis Research meetings begun in Leeds, England in 1968, followed every four years by those in Madrid and in Davos, have led to increasingly effective communication among investigators in widely disparate fields. This overview of research draws heavily upon research efforts supported by the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism and Digestive Diseases (NIAMDD) and assumes that this research is representative of the broad field.
Techniques for facilitating the quantitative analysis of spatial vectorcardiograms.

Abstract The incorporation of a frame of reference into spatial vectorcardiograms allows one to make quantitative measurements which lend themselves readily to simple trigonometric and geometric analysis. This provides an easy way to make evaluations which take advantage of the three-dimensional character of the vectorcardiographic medium and extend the precision of several concepts developed by electrocardiography.
Racial disparity in the association between body mass index and self-reported asthma in children: a population-based study

AbstractObjective: To examine the racial disparity in the association between obesity and asthma in US children and adolescents. Methods: This study was based on a nationally representative, random-digit-dial sample of US households with children less than 18 years of age from the National Survey of Children’s Health in 2011/2012 and 2007. The study sample included 88,668 children ages 10–17 with data on body mass index (BMI), parental reporting of asthma diagnosis, and potential confounders. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratios stratified by child race/ethnicity. Results: The prevalence of overweight was 15.2% and obesity was 14.1%. Self-reported asthma diagnosis was 16.7% in our study sample. Obese children were 51% more likely to have asthma compared to normal weight children after controlling for child’s sex, child age, socioeconomic status, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), and neighborhood conditions. Our study also shows that the streng...
Millennials’ Attitudes toward Military Service

This chapter puts forth how the Millennial generation views the current armed services, future service, and national service in the United States. Explored specifically are the Millennials’ views of serving for and in the military, their own willingness to serve, and the factors associated with supporting military service and/or national service across gender lines. Millennial civilians possess a great respect for military service and concomitantly want no part of it. If a military-civilian divide exists, the datum suggests civilians are happy with it. The findings point to a modest gap of sorts that will likely continue to be a challenge and may impact military recruitment from nontraditional groups and sectors in American society.
Militant Catholicism, inter-confessional relations, and the Rookwood family of Stanningfield, Suffolk, C. 1689-1737*

Explanations of local interconfessional relations in post-revolutionary England tend to highlight the role of Catholic quiescence and compromise in allowing Protestants and Catholics to ‘get along’. By examining the interactions of a Catholic family who were far from quiescent in their religious and political practice, this article suggests that these explanations may overemphasize the compromise of religious minorities, obscuring the importance of the wider local context to the shape of interconfessional relations. The subjects of this study, the Rookwoods of Stanningfield, Suffolk, were active in expression of Catholic religion and its political implications. Contrary to patterns suggested elsewhere, the social and economic interactions of this family with their neighbours illustrate that such ardent Catholicism was not enough to prevent cordial relations with local Protestants. The social and economic importance of the Rookwoods within their community is used to make suggestions as to why they were accepted on the local level against a backdrop of wider anti-Catholic polemic. The example of the Rookwoods implies a need to explore the broader factors which shaped the underlying balance of power on a local level before it is possible to understand the nature of compromises that allowed for peaceful co-existence.
Reading Tea Leaves: What 1,331 Protest Placards Tell Us About the Tea Party Movement

We use protest signs to identify the main issue concerns, heroes, villains, and symbols of the American Tea Party, as well as to gain some insights into its demographics and its mobilizing frames. Based on a content analysis of 1,331 signs carried by Tea Party demonstrators at one rally in Washington, DC, on April 15, 2010, we conclude that the Tea Party movement is above all concerned with economic issues. It is far closer to a wing of the Republican Party than it is to an independent social movement with bipartisan appeal. Social issues are comparatively insignificant, as is race. The mobilizing frame is a restoration of America to a lost greatness via lower taxes and smaller government.
Evaluation of Insecticides for the Control of Pod-damaging Insects in Snap Beans in Virginia, 2014

The objective of this experiment was to assess the efficacy of insecticides for control of pod-damaging insects in snap beans in eastern Virginia. The experiment consisted of 15 treatments arranged in an RCB design with four replicates. “Hickok” snap beans were planted on 17 June 2014 at the Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Painter, VA. Plots were one row in width and 20 ft (6.1 m) in length with unplanted guard rows. Rows were planted on a 3-ft row center (0.9 m) in a four-tier field design, 6 ft (1.8 m) alleys between tiers. Insecticide treatments were applied on 27 July and 5 August. Each …
Iododeoxyuridine radiosensitization of human glioblastoma cells exposed to acute and chronic gamma irradiation: mechanistic implications and clinical relevance.

Purpose Iododeoxyuridine (IdUrd) is a recognized sensitizer of sparsely and some densely ionizing radiations. The mechanism of sensitization remains uncertain. Sensitization is likely to involve increased production of DNA damage and/or inhibition of DNA damage repair. To test these possibilities, we have characterized acute and chronic radiosensitization, and the sublethal damage repair capacity of two human glioblastoma cell lines, with or without clinically relevant concentrations of IdUrd. Materials and methods Exponentially growing human glioblastoma cell lines, G18 and U251, were irradiated with acute (1.4 Gy/min) and chronic (20, 40, and 80 cGy/hr) cobalt 60 exposures in the presence and absence of 0 to 10 microM IdUrd. Clonogenic survival was determined. Sensitizer enhancement ratios and global survival curve comparisons were determined with and without IdUrd. Repair half-times for chronic exposures with and without IdUrd were calculated. Split-dose recovery following acute fractions of 5 Gy separated by 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 hours was evaluated. Results Following acute exposure, a sensitizer enhancement ratio at 10% survival of 1.85 and 1.75 was observed at concentrations of 10 microM IdUrd for the G18 and U251 cell lines, respectively. A global comparison of the survival curves similarly revealed significant sensitization at 10 microM IdUrd. Sensitizer enhancement ratios and global comparisons of the chronic exposures showed significant sensitization in the presence of 2 microM IdUrd for both lines. No significant interaction between dose rate and IdUrd effect could be shown using a global comparison. Repair half-times for chronic exposures were similar in the presence or absence of IdUrd. Both cell lines demonstrate capacity for sublethal damage repair in the presence of 2 microM IdUrd in split-dose experiments. Conclusion The results of the chronic clonogenic and split-dose studies suggest that increased DNA damage production contributes to the mechanism of IdUrd radio-sensitization, perhaps more so than repair inhibition. A capacity for sublethal damage repair is not necessarily a prerequisite for sensitization. IdUrd remains an attractive sensitizer of ionizing irradiation delivered at high or low dose rates, particularly for actively growing tumors located in quiescent normal tissues.