cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Framework for Generalized Benders' Decomposition and Its Application to Multilevel Optimization

We describe a framework for reformulating and solving optimization problems that generalizes the well-known framework originally introduced by Benders. We discuss details of the application of the procedures to several classes of optimization problems that fall under the umbrella of multilevel/multistage mixed integer linear optimization problems. The application of this abstract framework to this broad class of problems provides new insights and a broader interpretation of the core ideas, especially as they relate to duality and the value functions of optimization problems that arise in this context.
Antibiotic Duration After Urethroplasty: An Attempt at Improving Antibiotic Stewardship.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate if decreasing postop abx prophylaxis affects UTI and wound infection rates in patients following urethroplasty. Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent urethroplasty from 9/2017 - 3/2020 by a single surgeon was performed. All patients received urine culture specific perioperative IV abx prior to urethroplasty and kept a urethral catheter for 3 weeks postop. Patients undergoing a urethroplasty from 9/2017 to 12/2018 received extended postop abx prophylaxis for 3 weeks until catheter removal (Group 1). Patients from 12/2018 to 3/2020 received abx for 3 days around catheter removal (Group 2). UTIs, abx complications, and wound infections between groups were evaluated. UTIs were defined as a positive urine culture or reported lower urinary tract symptoms/fevers treated with empiric abx. Results 120 patients underwent urethroplasty. Group 1 consisted of 60 patients with mean age of 51.9 years and mean stricture length of 3.6 cm. Group 2 had 60 patients with mean age of 53.1 years and mean stricture length of 3.8 cm. 10 patients had UTIs after urethroplasty. There was no significant difference in UTI (6.7% vs 11.7%; P = 0.529) or wound infection rates (3.3% vs 1.7%;’ P = 1.000) between the two groups. Conclusion Extended postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis does not appear to significantly affect UTI or wound infection rates following urethroplasty. The retrospective nature of the study has limitations, however, this is the first comparison of two different antibiotic administration protocols to our knowledge.
Left versus right lobe liver donation.

The authors historically have been proponents of left hepatectomy (LH) and left lateral segmentectomy (LLS) donation for living donor liver transplantation, and here they retrospectively review 441 liver donors, reporting complications over 15 years (1). Donor complication rates decreased overall during the study period, which they attributed to the cumulative experiences resulting in mastery of both surgical technique and postoperative management. In addition, they describe the introduction of real-time C-arm cholangiography in Era II, allowing them to divide the bile duct under direct vision. With these changes they report that right hepatectomy (RH) complication rates decreased from 15% in Era I to 5% in Era III. This rate of complications for RH in Era III was not different from the rates for LH, and thiswas themajor finding of the paper.
Optimal H/sub 2//l/sub 1/ control: the SISO case

Considers the problem of minimizing the H/sub 2/-norm of the closed loop map while maintaining its l/sub 1/-norm at a prescribed level. The problem is analyzed in the case of discrete-time, SISO closed loop maps. Utilizing duality theory, it is shown that the optimal solution is unique and has a finite impulse response. A finite step procedure is given for the construction of the exact solution. This procedure consists of solving a finite number of quadratic programming problems which can be performed using standard methods. Finally, continuity properties of the optimal solution with respect to changes in the l/sub 1/-constraint are established. >
Ellipsoidal quantification of evolving phenomena

Studying the evolution of coherent objects over time-varying data sets is essential to understanding large scale simulation and experimentation. Identifying regions of interest and tracking them over time is an important part of the process. In this work, we present a method for systematic object identification by the fitting of generic shapes, like ellipsoids, to isolated regions. These concepts are applied to two- and three- dimensional data sets from fluid dynamical problems, and we show the advantages of using reduced representations of data to elucidate the kinematics and topology of evolving structures.
Hierarchical Logistic Regression: Accounting for Multilevel Data in DIF Detection

The purpose of this study was to examine the performance of differential item functioning (DIF) assessment in the presence of a multilevel structure that often underlies data from large-scale testing programs. Analyses were conducted using logistic regression (LR), a popular, flexible, and effective tool for DIF detection. Data were simulated using a hierarchical framework, such as might be seen when examinees are clustered in schools, for example. Both standard and hierarchical LR (accounting for multilevel data) approaches to DIF detection were employed. Results highlight the differences in DIF detection rates when the analytic strategy matches the data structure. Specifically, when the grouping variable was within clusters, LR and HLR performed similarly in terms of Type I error control and power. However, when the grouping variable was between clusters, LR failed to maintain the nominal Type I error rate of .05. HLR was able to maintain this rate. However, power for HLR tended to be low under many conditions in the between cluster variable case.
Computation of joint timing yield of sequential networks considering process variations

This paper presents a framework for estimating the timing yield of sequential networks in the presence of process variations. We present an accurate method for characterizing various parameters such as setup time, hold time, clock to output delay etc. of sequential elements in the network. Using these models and the models of interconnects gate delays, and clock skews, we perform statistical timing analysis of combinational blocks in the circuit. The result of the timing analysis is a set of constraints involving random process variables that the network has to satisfy together in order to work correctly. We compute the joint yield of all the constraints to estimate the yield of the entire network. The proposed method provides a speedup of up to 400× compared to 10000 Monte Carlo simulations with an average error of less than 1% and 5% in mean and standard deviation respectively.
Fusion Reactor Instrumentation

The sections in this article are 1 Measurements for Control of the Plasma 2 Plasma Measurement Techniques Currently in use 3 Development Issues to be Pursued 4 Summary 5 Acknowledgments
The developmental state in Brazil: Comparative and historical perspectives

The record of successful developmental states in East Asia and the partial successes of developmental states in Latin America suggest several common preconditions for effective state intervention including a Weberian bureaucracy, monitoring of implementation, reciprocity (subsidies in exchange for performance), and collaborative relations between government and business. Although Brazil failed to develop the high technology manufacturing industry and exports that have fueled sustained growth in East Asia, its developmental state had a number of important, and often neglected, successes, especially in steel, automobiles, mining, ethanol, and aircraft manufacturing. Where Brazil's developmental state was less successful was in promoting sectors like information technology and nuclear energy, as well as overall social and regional equality. In addition, some isolated initiatives by state governments were also effective in promoting particular local segments of industry and agriculture. Comparisons with East Asia, highlight the central role of state enterprises in Brazil that in effect internalized monitoring and reciprocity and bypassed collaboration between business and government (that was overall rarer in Brazil).
The fine structure of Ceratium tripos, a marine armored dinoflagellate. III. Thecal plate formation.

In this third paper of a series on the fine structure of Ceratium tripos, the formation of the thick thecal plates is examined. Cells were sectioned at various times during the formation of the plates. Examination of actively growing areas, especially the tips of differentiating horns, revealed a cell covering devoid of plates. Thecal plate formation began immediately below these regions with the plates becoming gradually thicker towards the main body of the cell. Deposition of plate precursor material occurs by to mechanisms. The first is most active early in development, and is accomplished by the deposition of elongate vesicles at the sutures. Several of these vesicles often originate close together and appear superficially similar to stacks of Golgi cisternae. The second mechanism occurs in areas not immediately active in cell shape development and results from deposition along the entire area at the base of a plate. Vesicles originating within the cytoplasm flatten out and fuse with one another resulting in the formation of membrane enclosed bands of precursor materials. The layer of microtubules beneath the plates disappears prior to the onset of the second process.
Role of Biomechanical Force in Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Cartilage Repair

The regeneration of damaged cartilage due to injuries and diseases is a major goal for the future. Cartilage has limited healing capacity. There have been a number of studies shown to induce cartilage regeneration both in vitro and in vivo. Yet we are far from obtaining regenerated cartilage that has the properties similar to the native cartilage. Chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be induced by biophysical and biochemical factors. This review article focuses on the recent studies and their findings on the role of mechanical loading on inducing chondrogenesis of MSCs. Previous studies have demonstrated promising results on mechanical stimulation of MSC chondrogenesis. More studies are needed to provide optimal conditions for mechanical stimulation of MSC chondrogenesis and a better understanding in mechanisms behind it. Therefore, it will help to develop new strategies for cartilage repair using MSC- based therapies such as cell transplantation and cartilage tissue engineering.
Laminar forced convection in a helicoidal pipe with finite pitch

Abstract This paper presents a numerical investigation of fully developed laminar convective heat transfer in a helicoidal pipe with a finite pitch coiled pipe. Three major parameters are identified to affect laminar convective heat transfer in a helicoidal pipe: the Dean number, torsion and the Prandtl number. The results indicate that torsion will increase the temperature gradient on one side of the pipe wall and decrease the temperature gradient on the other side. In the case of a small Prandtl number fluid, the Nusselt number declines slightly as torsion increases. However, in the case of a large Prandtl number fluid, the Nusselt number is significantly reduced as torsion increases. The predicted results for the limiting cases are also compared with other numerical and experimental results.
A Rank-Based Method for the Usability Comparison of Competing Products

This paper describes a method for a rank-based analysis of data for competitive usability evaluation. The technique works with data collected during scenario-based usability studies. In a scenario-based study, participants are asked to perform realistic tasks (scenarios) with products. Dependent measures commonly include such variables as time-on-task, successful task completion rates, and subjective ratings, reported at the scenario level. Scenario-based studies are sometimes used to set benchmarks or testable behavioral objectives for products. Multivariate statistics such as discriminant analysis can be used with raw data to determine if one product differs from another on the basis of patterns of dependent variables; however, multivariate statistics cannot be used to demonstrate that one product is more usable than another if the designs are based on different usability tradeoffs. Converting raw data to ranks allows the establishment of rank-weighting schemes that combine different dependent measures ...
Oxidative stress generated by intrinsic pollen NADPH oxidases is required for inducing allergic airway inflammation

Abstract Rationale We have recently discovered that pollen-derived allergenic extracts directly induce oxidative stress in the lungs independent of adaptive immunity. Our goal was to identify the enzyme that is involved in this phenomenon and to delineate its role in allergic inflammation in the airways. Methods To determine the biochemical properties of pro-oxidant activity of pollen allergenic extracts we used NBT reduction test, cytochrome c assay, and in situ NBT reduction assay in non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels. We investigated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by allergenic extracts in initiation of airway inflammation in murine asthma. Results We have discovered that all tested pollens important in allergic diseases contain NADPH oxidases. Upon exposure, these oxidases induce profound oxidative stress in the lungs independent of adaptive immunity. Avoidance or inhibition of this oxidative insult in experimental asthma significantly decreases pollen antigen-induced accumulation of eosinophils in the airways and peribronchial tissues, and formation of mucous cells in the airway epithelium. Conclusions We propose a two-signal hypothesis for initiation of pollen protein-induced allergic lung inflammation. In this model, oxidative stress induced by intrinsic pollen NADPH oxidases generates Signal 1, and presentation of pollen antigens to specific T-cells generates Signal 2. These signals act in concert to induce robust allergic airway inflammation.
Space and Time Efficient Virtual Quadtress

The quadtree has recently become a major data structure in image processing. This correspondence investigates ways in which quadtrees may be efficiently stored as a forest of quadtrees and as a new structure we call a compact quadtree. These new structures are called virtual quadtrees because the basic operations we expect to perform in moving about within a quadtree can also be performed on the new representations. Space and time efficiency are investigated and it is shown these new structures often given an improvement in both.
Algorithmic Problems for Amalgams of Finite Semigroups

Abstract We prove that there exists an amalgam of two finite 4-nilpotent semigroups such that the corresponding amalgamated product has an undecidable word problem. We also show that the problem of embeddability of finite semigroup amalgams in any semigroups and the problem of embeddability of finite semigroup amalgams into finite semigroups are undecidable. We use several versions of Minsky algorithms and Slobodskoj's result about undecidability of the universal theory of finite groups.
The families of origin of social workers

This paper deals with patterns of family experience that precede the social worker's entrance into the profession. The family role of good, parentified child is shown to have been commonly assigned or chosen, with some parallels in later professional functioning. The parentification/infantilization continuum serves as a useful dimension through which to explore overresponsibility and irresponsibility. Self-esteem, a sense of self-sufficiency/insufficiency, and dilemmas of personal/professional individuation are also included, with implications for professional education and professional identity. The role of good-enough social worker is defined and explored.
Mesencephalic trigeminal midline ridge formation in sharks, a proposed circumventricular organ: Developmental aspects

In scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination of 30 shark brains, a distinctive midline ridge formation on the ventricular surface of the optic tectum was found in all juveniles and adults of the three carcharhinid species (sandbar, dusky, and smooth hound) and the one lamnid species (mako) investigated. This formation is part of the mesencephalic trigeminal (Mes V) complex of these animals, and one of its remarkable features is a population of very large cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting and supraependymal Mes V neuronal somas. These cells, whose presence in the CSF compartment is heralded by distinct premonitory ependymal bulges, are not seen in contact with CSF until the sharks are well into their first postnatal year or later. Once established, the population of CSF-contacting and supraependymal Mes V neurons remains in substantial numbers over the life span of the animals into the period of sexual maturity. Age-related changes in patterns of ependymal ciliation of the midline ridge formation, tending toward a state of oligociliation, are also apparent in all species examined. Similarities between the midline ridge formation of the Mes V complex and known circumventricular organs (CVOs) are discussed and it is suggested that the formation be considered as a previously unrecognized CVO. It is hypothesized that the midline ridge formation with its contingent of CSF -immersed neurons, by monitoring one or more CSF factors, might serve to alter the excitability of the Mes V complex as a whole and, thus, regulate intensity of biting reflexes in sharks.
Magnetic Coupling in the Ni-Pd Alloy System

The magnetic coupling properties of the Ni-Pd alloy system are considered in terms of a molecular-field solution based on a Heisenberg type of interaction for spin \textonehalf{}. The unpaired electrons in Ni are assumed to be part of a band of mainly ${t}_{2g}$ character in which the totality of interactions leads to an interatomic ferromagnetic coupling. The unpaired electrons in pure Pd are assumed to be part of a narrow, weakly interacting band with more nearly ${e}_{g}$ symmetry. In the alloy, the Pd band structure becomes progressively more like that of Ni. The magnetic energy is then calculated in terms of the probability of finding unpaired electrons in the overlapping orbitals of the Ni and Pd atoms. The probability is determined from the average moment curve on the assumption of $3{d}^{9}$ and $3{d}^{10}$ states only. A fit to the data on the Curie temperature and average magnetic moment then gives the following relative values for the exchange constants (molecular-field coefficients); $A$ for Ni-Ni, $\ensuremath{\alpha}A$ for Ni-Pd, and ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}A$ for Pd-Pd, with $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\cong}0.8$.
Acid catalyzed aldol condensation in the gas phase

The gas phase reaction of acetaldehyde with a Bronsted acid in a chemical ionization source yields protonated crotonaldehyde, as shown by its collisional activation mass spectrum. This is thus analogous to the well known aldol condensation in solution, in which the initial aldol adduct loses water to yield crotonaldehyde. The possibility of a common mechanism for the gas phase and solution reactions is discussed.
Mobilising bodies: visceral identification in the Slow Food movement

This paper introduces a visceral take on the role of identity in social movement mobilisation. The authors emphasise how identity goes beyond cognitive labels to implicate the entire minded-body. It is suggested that political ideas, beliefs and self definitions require a bodily kind of resonance in order to activate various kinds of environmental and social activism. The authors refer to this bodily resonance as ‘visceral processes of identification’ and, through empirical investigation with the Slow Food (SF) movement, they reveal specific instances of such processes at work. Examining SF in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and Berkeley, California, USA, the authors ask how SF comes to feel in the bodies of members and non-members and they interrogate the role that feelings play in the development of activism(s). Bodies are shown to both align with movements’ socio-political aims and (re)create them. The account provides a means for shifting recent social theoretical attention to bodied/material life to a broad application in political geography, political ecology and social movement theory.
El "Somnium" de Lipsio y la rebelión de los personajes del refranero en el "Sueño de la muerte" de Quevedo

My study arises from the observation of the similarities between Lipsius’ Somnium and Quevedo’s Sueno de la Muerte (1621-1622). First I will discuss Satyra Menippaea. Somnium. Lusus in nostri aevi Criticos , written in Latin by the famous Dutch humanist Iustus Lipsius and published in Antwerp in 1581. This work reintroduces the Greco-Roman genre ofMenippean satire. Then I will provide plausible explanations of the textual and ideological influences that Lipsius’ text could have had on Quevedo’s final passage of Sueno de la muerte , in which a series of folkloric characters rise up and argue against the incorrect and malicious ways that the living make use of them. That passage is refered to here as «La rebelion de los personajes del refranero».
An approach to reoperative median sternotomy.

Cardiac reoperations using a previous median sternotomy incision are becoming more common as the population of patients who have had cardiac surgery increases. Repeat median sternotomy can be complicated by major hemorrhage and secondary myocardial ischemia. A standard approach to reoperative median sternotomy has been developed over the past several years at Georgetown University. Details of the method are presented. From January 1, 1980 through April 30, 1988, 179 patients underwent repeat median sternotomy. The technical approach to the operation became standard as of July 1, 1983. Two of 66 patients operated before this date sustained major hemorrhage requiring emergent institution of cardiopulmonary bypass. One mortality in the group was directly related to hemorrhage at the sternotomy. No episode of major hemorrhage and no mortality related to the sternotomy occurred in 113 patients who underwent repeat sternotomy after July 1, 1983. Reoperation for bleeding occurred in 8.4% of the patients. We believe the technical considerations presented increase the safety of reoperative cardiac surgery.
Polarization in proton-deuteron scattering at 50 MeV☆

Abstract The analyzing power for 50 MeV polarized proton scattering from deuterons has been measured for center-of-mass angles 10 to 160 degrees. Relative uncertainties are generally less than 0.01.
Solipsism and the Solitary Language User

The other minds skeptic supposes there may be no minds other than his. The external world skeptic thinks there could be no world external to him. Some philosophers think a person can refute the skeptic and prove that his world is not the solitary scenario the skeptic supposes his could be. In this paper I examine one argument some people think refutes solipsism. These people appeal to the Wittgenstein thesis that it is impossible for there to be a language only one person understands. I show people do not refute the skeptic with the Wittgensteinian, language-necessarily-is-shared principle.
High Resolution Linewidth Control In Optical Microlithography

Stringent process and equipment control becomes significant in high resolution submicrometer optical lithography. The system resolution, linewidth control, step coverage, and minimum feature size are not only dependent on the resist process but also dependent on such factors as equipment stability, system calibration, mask design and fabrication, and alignment marks design. When contact mask aligners (contact printers) or projection printers (5x or 10x wafer steppers) are used, attention to equipment control and utilization is essential to achieve submicrometer patterning and allow the process to achieve high yield at these small critical dimensions.
Forearm fracture plates: To remove or not to remove

Eighty dynamic compression plates used to fix fractures of the radius and/or ulna were removed from 51 of 98 adult patients. Thirty-seven patients had plates removed electively. Fourteen patients had plates removed for clinical reasons. The average time from insertion to removal was 13.6 months, with a range from 4.4 to 36 months. Only one refracture occurred through the unhealed both bone forearm fracture site in a patient whose plate was taken out 6 months after surgery. One refracture also occurred through the proximal screw hole of a still implanted ulna plate that had been inserted 3 years earlier. Leaving a plate in for the remaining life of a young patient cannot be considered a benign decision considering the persisting chance for refracture and the potential complications from prolonged exposure to metal corrosion complexes and metal ions.
Empirical bayes model to combine signals of adverse drug reactions

Data mining is a crucial tool for identifying risk signals of potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, mining of ADR signals is currently limited to leveraging a single data source at a time. It is widely believed that combining ADR evidence from multiple data sources will result in a more accurate risk identification system. We present a methodology based on empirical Bayes modeling to combine ADR signals mined from ~5 million adverse event reports collected by the FDA, and healthcare data corresponding to 46 million patients' the main two types of information sources currently employed for signal detection. Based on four sets of test cases (gold standard), we demonstrate that our method leads to a statistically significant and substantial improvement in signal detection accuracy, averaging 40% over the use of each source independently, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.87. We also compare the method with alternative supervised learning approaches, and argue that our approach is preferable as it does not require labeled (training) samples whose availability is currently limited. To our knowledge, this is the first effort to combine signals from these two complementary data sources, and to demonstrate the benefits of a computationally integrative strategy for drug safety surveillance.
Comparison of 4He ages and 14C ages in simple aquifer systems: implications for groundwater flow and chronologies

Abstract 4He concentrations in excess of the solubility equilibrium with the atmosphere by up to two to three orders of magnitude are observed in the Carrizo Aquifer in Texas, the Ojo Alamo and Nacimiento aquifers in the San Juan Basin, New Mexico, and the Auob Sandstone Aquifer in Namibia. A simple 4He accumulation model is applied to explain these excess 4He concentrations in terms of both in situ production and a crustal flux across the bottom layer of the aquifer. Results from the model simulations suggest variability in the 4He fluxes, ranging from 6×10−6 cm3 STP cm−2 yr−1 for the Auob Sandstone Aquifer to 3.6×10−7 cm3 STP cm−2 yr−1 for the Carrizo aquifer. For the Ojo Alamo and Nacimiento aquifers an intermediate value of 3×10−6 cm3 STP cm−2 yr−1 was estimated. The contribution of in-situ produced 4He to the measured concentrations was also estimated. This contribution is negligible for the Auob Sandstone Aquifer as compared with both the concentrations measured at the top and bottom of the aquifer for most of the pathway. In the Carrizo aquifer, in-situ produced 4He contributes 27.5% and 15.4%, to the total 4He observed at the top and bottom of the aquifer, respectively. For both aquifers of the San Juan Basin in-situ production almost entirely dominates the 4He concentrations at the top of the aquifer for most of the pathway. In contrast, the internal production is negligible as compared with the measured concentrations at the bottom of these aquifers, reaching, at most, 1.1%. The model simulations require an exponential decrease in the horizontal velocity of the water with increasing recharge distance to reproduce the distribution of 4He in these aquifers. For the Auob Sandstone Aquifer the highest range in the velocity values is obtained (25 to 0.4 m yr−1). The simulations for the Carrizo aquifer and both aquifers located in the San Juan Basin require velocities varying from 4 to 0.1 m yr−1, and from 2 to 0.3 m yr−1, respectively. For each aquifer, average permeability values were also estimated. They are generally in agreement with results obtained from pumping tests, hydrodynamic modeling and previous 14C measurements. On the basis of the results obtained by calibrating the model with the measured 4He concentrations, the mean water residence times were estimated. They agree reasonably well with 14C ages. When applied as chronologies for noble gas temperatures in the same aquifers, the calculated 4He ages allow the identification of three different climate periods similar to those previously identified using 14C ages: (1) the Holocene period (0–10 Ka BP), (2) the Last Glacial Maximum (≈18 Ka BP), and (3) the preceeding period (30–150 Ka BP).
Dengue Virus Induces and Requires Glycolysis for Optimal Replication

ABSTRACT Viruses rely on host cellular metabolism to provide the energy and biosynthetic building blocks required for their replication. Dengue virus (DENV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is one of the most important arthropod-borne human pathogens worldwide. We analyzed global intracellular metabolic changes associated with DENV infection of primary human cells. Our metabolic profiling data suggested that central carbon metabolism, particularly glycolysis, is strikingly altered during a time course of DENV infection. Glucose consumption is increased during DENV infection and depriving DENV-infected cells of exogenous glucose had a pronounced impact on viral replication. Furthermore, the expression of both glucose transporter 1 and hexokinase 2, the first enzyme of glycolysis, is upregulated in DENV-infected cells. Pharmacologically inhibiting the glycolytic pathway dramatically reduced DENV RNA synthesis and infectious virion production, revealing a requirement for glycolysis during DENV infection. Thus, these experiments suggest that DENV induces the glycolytic pathway to support efficient viral replication. This study raises the possibility that metabolic inhibitors, such as those that target glycolysis, could be used to treat DENV infection in the future. IMPORTANCE Approximately 400 million people are infected with dengue virus (DENV) annually, and more than one-third of the global population is at risk of infection. As there are currently no effective vaccines or specific antiviral therapies for DENV, we investigated the impact DENV has on the host cellular metabolome to identify metabolic pathways that are critical for the virus life cycle. We report an essential role for glycolysis during DENV infection. DENV activates the glycolytic pathway, and inhibition of glycolysis significantly blocks infectious DENV production. This study provides further evidence that viral metabolomic analyses can lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets to block the replication of medically important human pathogens.
Telephone pricing structures: The effects on universal service

We use 1987 data to study the household demand for access to the telephone system. Previous analyses find demand to be highly inelastic and, therefore, predict that local rate increases will have little impact on the goal of providing universal telephone service. We estimate that price has a considerably stronger effect on access demand, especially at low incomes, and argue that elasticities increased in the 1980s. But our evidence also suggests that the structure of telephone rates matter: where local measured service is available, changes in flat rate prices have no effect on access demand.
Development of a rapidly dispersing tablet of a poorly wettable compound—formulation DOE and mechanistic study of effect of formulation excipients on wetting of celecoxib

Celecoxib has extremely poor aqueous wettability and dispersibility. A dispersibility method was developed to study the effects of formulation excipients and processing methods on wetting of celecoxib. In this method, a tablet or powder was placed in water and the turbidity of the resulting "dynamic" suspension was measured. Higher turbidity values reflect better dispersibility. Results show that wet granulation facilitates better drug dispersion than does dry granulation or direct compression. Results from a screening formulation statistical design of experiments (DOE) show that sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), an anionic surfactant, gives higher celecoxib dispersibility than polysorbate 80, a neutral surfactant. Polyplasdone XL as a disintegrant results in better celecoxib dispersibility than sodium starch glycolate. The binder Kollidon 30 leads to better dispersibility, but slower disintegration than Kollidon 12. Jet-milling celecoxib with excipients not only improves dispersibility of the drug but also the ease of material handling. The method of microcrystalline cellulose addition does not significantly impact tablet properties. The effect of critical formulation variables on the wettability of celecoxib was further examined in prototype formulations. It is found that ionic surfactant resulted in better dispersibility than a neutral surfactant, probably due to charge dispersion. Kollidon 30 gives better drug dispersion than hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose. This may be explained through a surface energy calculation, where the spreading coefficients between Kollidon 30 and celecoxib indicate formation of open porous granules in which pores can facilitate water uptake. The mode of disintegrant addition also impacts dispersibility of the drug. Dense granules were formed when the disintegrant, Polyplasdone, was added intra-granularly. As the extra-granular portion of the disintegrant increases, the dispersibility of the drug increases as well. The drug initial dispersibility (turbidity at 5 min during the dispersibility test) increases as the tablet porosity increases. A 3-factor face-centered experimental design was conducted to optimize the levels of surfactant (SLS), binder (Kollidon 30) and disintegrant (Polyplasdone). Within the range that was studied, the dispersibility of micronized drug increases as the amount of SLS and Kollidon 30 increases. The level of Polyplasdone has no significant impact on the dispersibility of micronized drug; however, higher levels of Polyplasdone lead to significantly harder tablets.
Molecular-Sieving Capabilities of Mesoporous Carbon Membranes

The size-sieving properties of a mesoporous carbon membrane were studied via molecular permeation and cyclic voltammetry experiments. Two phenomena, simple diffusion and electrochemically aided diffusion, were investigated. Molecular diffusion through the membrane was caused by a concentration gradient across the membrane and was facilitated by electrosorption of ions under an externally applied electric field. The diffusion of molecules transported through the membrane was characterized by the values of permeability and apparent diffusion coefficient in the membrane. Because larger molecules are more restricted in terms of penetrating the pores, the size-based selectivity of the mesoporous carbon membrane could be readily observed. For example, in the two-component permeation experiment, a high selectivity ( R) 56.9) of anilinium over Rhodamine B was found. It is inferred that the diffusive transport of the larger Rhodamine B molecules with a more extensive retardation comes from the competitive mechanism between the two kinds of molecules in accessing the pore. A series of voltammetric experiments involving a mesoporous carbon membrane immersed in various electrolytes with ions of different sizes allowed the observation of ion-exclusion phenomena. It was found that the size effect is significant for electrochemically aided diffusion and electrosorption processes. The number of cations inside the pores of the membrane decreases with increasing cation size. This phenomenon is due to the size-exclusion effect, which could be demonstrated by the values of electrical double-layer capacitance for sodium, magnesium, and tetrahexylammonium cations, at potentials ranging from negative values to the point of zero charge, corresponding to 86.7, 73.1, and 50.0 F/g, respectively. The findings of this work manifest that the relationship between the pore size and the dimensions of the molecules determines the transport and sorption behavior of nanoporous carbon materials.
Methods to Assess the Economic Outcomes of Clinical Pharmacy Services

Studies that demonstrate the clinical and economic burden of drug misadventures have been published. The economic burden of drug misadventures likely exceeds $100 billion annually in the United States alone. Clinical pharmacy services (CPS) have been shown to reduce negative clinical outcomes and costs of drug therapy. Pharmacy practitioners and pharmacy managers need to demonstrate the impact of CPS at the local level and present the value to financial decision-makers to gain support for implementation, continuation, and/or expansion of those services. The basic model of an economic evaluation includes measurement of both costs and consequences of a service and of an alternative for comparison. Strategies for economic assessments include the generalization from previously published literature, use of modeling techniques, and measurement of actual costs and consequences of an existing service. Guidelines for conducting an economic assessment are widely available. Pharmacy practitioners and managers should use these methods of assessing economic outcomes of CPS and, at the same time, develop relationships and skills to effectively communicate the value of those services so as to ensure long-term success.
Compliance calibration of a family of short rod and short bar fracture toughness specimens

Abstract A family of short rod and short bar specimen geometries is defined for which the calibrations of all members of the family are equivalent. The family includes most of the short rod and short bar specimens now being used to test metallic materials. Experimental compliance vs crack length measurements were made for calibration purposes on members of the family and on specimens which purposely differed from the family in certain respects. The resulting calibrations are presented in a form which is readily usable in analyzing short rod/short bar fracture toughness tests. The calibrations of this study are used to correlate with previously published short rod calibrations. Very good agreement among compliance-derived calibrations was found, but the currently-used calibration based on comparison testing against ASTM E399 K Ic tests was found to be several percent lower than the compliance-based calibrations. Probable reasons for such a discrepancy are discussed, and recommendations are made concerning which calibration to use.
The social penalty of facial lesions: new evidence supporting high-quality reconstruction.

ImportanceTo date, there have been no studies attempting to measure the multidimensional impact of facial lesions, before and after reconstruction, on social conversation. ObjectiveTo measure the d...
Evolution of c-axis resistivity in Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ single crystals

We report on the systematic study of the evolution of the in-plane (ρab) and out-of-plane (ρc) resistivities of fully oxygenatedY1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ single crystals. ρc(x) exhibits a non-monotonic behavior: at low to moderatex, ρc(x) and the anisotropy ρc(x) increase, reaching a maximum at x≈0.42; for higherx,x, ρc and ρc/ρcab decrease, while ρab continues to increase monotonically. These results, along with the coexistence of metallic ρab(T) and semiconducting ρc(T), are consistent with the presence of a gap in the energy spectrum of the chains, leading to tunneling through both valence and conduction bands of theCuO chains.
Adrenocortical Function of the Domestic Fowl: Effects of Orchiectomy and Androgen Replacement

The effect of orchiectomy and androgen replacement on cockerel adrenocortical function was investigated. Orchiectomized cockerels (2 weeks old) were implanted with Silastic tubing containing various amounts of one of the following steroids: cholesterol, testosterone (T), androstenedione (A4), and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Birds were administered additional implants, containing doses of steroids equivalent to those of the initial implants, at 4 and 8 weeks of treatment (i.e., 6 and 10 weeks of age). Sham-operated cockerels administered empty implants served as intact controls for comparison of data. Animals were killed after 10 weeks of treatment (12 weeks old). Trunk plasma corticosterone (B) and plasma T, and B production by collagenase-isolated adrenocortical cells incubated briefly (2 hr) with or without steroidogenic agents were measured by radioimmunoassay. Orchiectomy with implantation of the inert sterol, cholesterol (hereafter referred to as orchiectomy), did not alter plasma B concentrations and did not affect basal cellular B production or cellular B production induced by a maximal steroidogenic concentration of ACTH or that maximally supported by 25-hydroxycholesterol. However, orchiectomy did lower maximal 8-bromo-cyclic AMP-induced B production by 30%. Low-implant doses of A4 (1-cm implant) and T (0.3-cm implant), that maintained comb growth, lowered plasma B concentrations by 24-42%, whereas a high-implant dose of T (3-cm implant) and all implant doses of DHT had no effect on plasma B concentrations. Thus, androgen replacement had different effects on plasma B depending on the type of androgen and the implant dose. In contrast, androgen replacement consistently suppressed basal and maximal ACTH-induced cellular B production regardless of the type of androgen. Furthermore, the degree of suppression was dose-dependent. These results suggest that the differential effect of androgen replacement on plasma B concentrations was due to differences in the clearance of circulating B and/or differences in blood volume. In addition, the present study suggests that in the absence of the testes, androgens are suppressants of adrenocortical cell function in the domestic fowl.
Separation of ectoderm and endoderm from sea urchin pluteus larvae and demonstration of germ layer-specific antigens.

A simple method is described for the separation of ectoderm from endoderm in sea urchin pluteus larvae. The separation, by sequential treatments with glycine—EDTA, permits an examination of the basement membrane beneath the ectoderm layer and of a fibrous layer beneath the basement membrane. In a serological study the two germ layers are shown to differ with respect to cell surface antigen composition. Further, the basement membrane is shown to contain ectoderm antigens.
Long-term outcome and determinants of quality of life after temporal lobe epilepsy surgery in adults.

Summary Aim of the study To find determinants of quality of life (QOL) in long-term follow-up after temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) surgery in adults. Methods The QOLIE-31 questionnaire was sent to 400 of 524 patients who were operated on for refractory TLE between 1991 and 2003 in the Bethel Epilepsy Centre fulfilling the inclusion criteria of this study. Mainly patients with severe cognitive deficits and patients with progressive brain disorders were excluded. There were 222/400 patients who replied to the QOLIE-31 questionnaire and 147/222 of these patients replied to an additional questionnaire. Results Univariate analyses showed that seizure freedom, presence of auras, intake of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), severity of AED side effects, and driving a car were significantly correlated with all subscales of QOLIE-31. Furthermore, employment status, psychiatric problems, tumors and hippocampus sclerosis pathology, the presence of a partner, age at reply, age at surgery and medical co-morbidities were significantly correlated with some subscales of the QOLIE-31. Multivariate analyses (stepwise regression analyses) revealed that especially the time since the last seizure and the severity of AED side effects had a strong impact on QOL. However, aura at last follow-up, psychiatric treatment and employment were seen in the multivariate analyses as significant predictors of some QOL subscales as well. Most subscales of QOL showed a steep, non-linear increase within the first years of seizure freedom and remained relatively stable except for cognitive function which showed continuous improvement parallel to seizure freedom. For patients who were seizure free since surgery, side effects of AED and/or psychiatric treatment were the strongest determinants of QOL. Conclusion Duration of seizure freedom and AED side effects have the strongest impact on QOL in the long-term follow-up. Therefore it is important not only to register intake of AEDs but also to assess side effects of AEDs. Persistence of auras also had an impact on different facets of QOL, but was significantly correlated with intake of AEDs. Apart from factors directly related to epilepsy QOL was dependent of psychosocial factors as employment status, psychiatric complications, and driving a car underlining the necessity of postoperative rehabilitation in this group.
A Numerical Method for Position Analysis of Compliant Mechanisms With More Degrees of Freedom Than Inputs

An under-actuated or underconstrained compliant mechanism may have a determined equilibrium position because its energy storage elements cause a position of local minimum potential energy. The minimization of potential energy (MinPE) method is a numerical approach to finding the equilibrium position of compliant mechanisms with more degrees of freedom (DOF) than inputs. Given the pseudo-rigid-body model of a compliant mechanism, the MinPE method finds the equilibrium position by solving a constrained optimization problem: minimize the potential energy stored in the mechanism, subject to the mechanism’s vector loop equation(s) being equal to zero. The MinPE method agrees with the method of virtual work for position and force determination for under-actuated 1-DOF and 2-DOF pseudo-rigid-body models. Experimental force-deflection data is presented for a fully compliant constant-force mechanism. Because the mechanism’s behavior is not adequately modeled using a 1-DOF pseudo-rigid-body model, a 13-DOF pseudo-rigid-body model is developed and solved using the MinPE method. The MinPE solution is shown to agree well with non-linear finite element analysis and experimental force-displacement data.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
High gain, wide dynamic range L-band externally modulated fibre optic link

An L-band externally modulated fibre-optic data link consisting of a semiconductor laser source, a LiNbO 3 E-O modulator, and an InGaAs detector with lossless impedance matching networks is operated at 900 MHz with 6.4 dB gain and a dynamic range of 70 dB MHz 2/3 over a 3 dB bandwidth of 50 MHz
A semi distributed task allocation strategy for large hypercube supercomputers

This paper presents a semi distributed approach for task scheduling in large parallel and distributed systems which is different from the conventional centralized and fully distributed approaches. The proposed strategy partitions the system into independent regions (spheres) centered at some control points. The central points called schedulers, optimally schedule tasks within their spheres and maintain state information with low overhead. We consider Hypercube systems for evaluation and using its algebraic characteristics, show that identification of spheres and their scheduling points is an NP-complete problem. An efficient solution for this problem is presented by making an exclusive use of a combinatorial structure known as Hadamard Matrix. Performance of the proposed strategy was evaluated and compared with an efficient fully distributed strategy, through simulation. In addition to yielding high performance in terms of response time, better resource utilization and throughput, the proposed strategy is shown to incur small overhead in terms of network traffic.