cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sociodemographic index and global trends in prostate cancer: 1990-2017.

Background Considered globally, prostate cancer is a disease of the aging male that increases in prevalence with exposure to screening and diagnostic testing, and which requires a population with the health and longevity to encounter it. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) dataset is an aggregation of worldwide registries and health data systems that reports global and regional assessment of disease impact. Methods Using the GBD database, 1171 worldwide registries and health registration systems from 1990 to 2016 were aggregated for prostate cancer disease codes and outcomes. Disease-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) were calculated and segregated by sociodemographic index (SDI) quintile, and compared to other urologic diseases and tuberculosis (TB). Results Prostate cancer exerts a burden of disease that is vastly higher in the top quintile of SDI. The three lowest SDI quintiles represent the majority of global population but are currently less impacted by prostate cancer. Conversely, TB has its highest impact on the lowest SDI levels, although these rates are declining. Conclusions As a global disease, prostate cancer predominantly affects high SDI men who enjoy a longer life expectancy in which to suffer from this disease and a greater exposure to screening and diagnosis. As lower SDI men are elevated in health and income, reallocation of DALYs will occur, and a greater burden of prostate cancer can be expected. These epidemiologic trends have great implications for the allocation of resources, as the population of men affected by prostate cancer outpaces urologic workforce growth.
Exile and Journey in Seventeenth-Century Literature: Exile and the semantic education of Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan

After the restoration, and back in the favor of Charles II, Thomas Hobbes dedicated his optical treatise Seven Philosophical Problems (1661) to the king, his former mathematics student and fellow exile. In the closing periods of this dedication, Hobbes apologetically reflects on the reception of his political work, particularly Leviathan : There is therefore no ground for so great a calumny in my writing. There is no sign of it in my life; and for my religion, when I was at the point of death at St. Germain's, the Bishop of Durham can bear witness of it, if he be asked. Therefore I most humbly beseech your sacred Majesty not to believe so ill of me upon reports, that proceed often, and may do so now, from the displeasure which commonly ariseth from difference in opinion; nor to think the worse of me, if snatching up all the weapons to fight against your enemies, I lighted upon one that had a double edge. Hobbes, first of all, reminds the king that he also was in exile once, citing his particular troubles in France in the late 1640s, and using it as a sign of his supposed continuous loyalty to the Anglican and royalist cause. The final clause is delicately calibrated, wistful yet poised, apologetic yet uncompromising. The metaphor implicitly evokes the desperate and scattered existence of exile, while also admitting the diverse ways in which the works of royalist exiles could be used during the early 1650s.
Student Centered Curriculum: Elementary School

Student-centered learning has an important place in education because it fosters student engagement and allows the traditional micromanaging teacher to transform into a guide. The current education model emphasizes teacher control and curriculum based on standardized testing, which stunts students’ natural learning processes. This study investigates the positive outcomes of student-centered learning and how these practices can be included in mainstream, elementary classrooms. A review of the literature found that student-driven curriculum uses experiential knowledge and student choice to increase student responsibility and retention, while establishing effective techniques for self-regulation. It also exposes the difficulties in creating a studentcentered environment for contemporary teachers due to the many political, financial and creative factors that affect decisions about classroom organization and lesson planning. This study follows a mixed method design using qualitative and quantitative data. Participants include four, female teachers between the ages 20 to 40 from an elementary setting. In addition, a pilot study was conducted in a mock classroom using selected students to participate and provide feedback about direct-instructional approach versus a student-motivated lesson. Results indicated that students prefer having a choice in the classroom. It was also shown that there are multiple ways to integrate student choice into a mainstream classroom. Student Centered Curriculum: Elementary School 8 CHAPTER
Aging and the neurovascular unit

With the demonstration that acute recanalization of obstructed symptomatic cerebral arteries during ischemic stroke can result in substantial improvement in clinical outcome, the variability in clinical responses, and in hemorrhagic transformation, requires attention. This short review addresses the effect of aging and amyloid deposition disease on microvessel integrity, interactions within the neurovascular unit, cerebral tissue susceptibility to ischemic injury, and postischemic inflammation, and ultimately on the outcomes and safety of acute recanalization during ischemic stroke. Microvessels and neighboring neurons respond simultaneously to focal ischemia. The cellular components and matrix barriers of the neurovascular unit all respond to ischemia; however, their coordinate interactions are not understood. Furthermore, there is little known about the cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions within the unit, or about the effect of β-amyloid on microvessel responses during ischemia. These considerations indicate the need for a coordinated research effort to understand the origins of the variability in recanalization outcome.
Listen too closely and you may be confused

I’d like to shift views a little bit, and think about the problem that we usually focus on, which is building good defences, from the point of view of how to attack effectively. We tend to focus on the defending problem, for example, the confidentiality of my traffic, and in the mainstream and conservative approach to security that we all know and love we make very generous assumptions about the adversary: we are willing to assume that the adversary gets a copy of every packet we send, it can alter some of the bits in real time, and has unlimited computational power, etc. As a result of that conservative assumption, we ask to have solutions that assume that the network is unlimitedly hostile. And, if you want security, we must accept nothing less than end-to-end security, and if we don’t have to end-to-end security we simply assume that it is insecure, because it would be very silly to depend on anything less than this very reasonable conservative assumption.
Voltage-based wideband measurement of transmission characteristics using an integrated receiver IC

This paper presents wideband measurement of the transmission characteristics of a device-under-test (DUT) in the voltage domain using a receiver IC. Fabricated in 0.35μm 2P/4M RF CMOS, the receiver IC employs a broadband frequency response analysis methodology in order to measure the amplitude and phase of an RF excitation signal applied to the input port of the DUT and received at its output port. Utilizing three different test impedances as DUTs, the receiver IC can measure the transmission characteristics of each DUT, as quantified via its S 21 parameter, over a wide frequency range from 10MHz to 3GHz. The S 21 readings of the IC are also in excellent agreement with reference measurements conducted by a benchtop vector network analyzer (VNA). This work can ultimately enable the miniaturization of read-out electronics in sensing platforms that rely upon the measurement of transmission characteristics of a DUT.
Reconstruction of a Piston Transducer Beam Using Multi-Gaussian Beams (MGB) and Its Applications

The modeling of ultrasonic wave propagation has become very important in the field of nondestructive inspection. Any ultrasonic simulation requires computation of the ultrasonic field produced by a transducer, and such computational models have become an important part of any ultrasonic simulator. Furthermore, these simulators require increasingly faster models for computation of the ultrasonic field for a given probe.
Harmonic motion imaging for abdominal tumor detection and high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation monitoring: an in vivo feasibility study in a transgenic mouse model of pancreatic cancer

Harmonic motion imaging (HMI) is a radiationforce- based elasticity imaging technique that tracks oscillatory tissue displacements induced by sinusoidal ultrasonic radiation force to assess the resulting oscillatory displacement denoting the underlying tissue stiffness. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of HMI in pancreatic tumor detection and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment monitoring. The HMI system consisted of a focused ultrasound transducer, which generated sinusoidal radiation force to induce oscillatory tissue motion at 50 Hz, and a diagnostic ultrasound transducer, which detected the axial tissue displacements based on acquired radio-frequency signals using a 1-D cross-correlation algorithm. For pancreatic tumor detection, HMI images were generated for pancreatic tumors in transgenic mice and normal pancreases in wild-type mice. The obtained HMI images showed a high contrast between normal and malignant pancreases with an average peak-to-peak HMI displacement ratio of 3.2. Histological analysis showed that no tissue damage was associated with HMI when it was used for the sole purpose of elasticity imaging. For pancreatic tumor ablation monitoring, the focused ultrasound transducer was operated at a higher acoustic power and longer pulse length than that used in tumor detection to simultaneously induce HIFU thermal ablation and oscillatory tissue displacements, allowing HMI monitoring without interrupting tumor ablation. HMI monitoring of HIFU ablation found significant decreases in the peak-to-peak HMI displacements before and after HIFU ablation with a reduction rate ranging from 15.8% to 57.0%. The formation of thermal lesions after HIFU exposure was confirmed by histological analysis. This study demonstrated the feasibility of HMI in abdominal tumor detection and HIFU ablation monitoring.
Mechanisms of toughening of a natural rigid composite

Abstract A study of the structure and toughness of the spicules of the sponge Euplectella aspergillum ( Ea ) under tension and bending was performed, and the results were compared with those of a silica glass. Very different fracture morphologies were observed in the spicules that failed in bending and in tension, and toughness of the spicules in bending and the toughness in tension exceeded that of the glass fibers by a factor of 6–7. These results have been explained by the controlling role of thin organic layers in the failure processes. A significant feature of this study was the great effect that a minor organic constituent (2–3 vol.%) had on the toughness of the spicule glass/organic composite fibers.
The Simulation of an Oxidation-Reduction Titration Curve with Computer Algebra.

Although the simulation of an oxidation/reduction titration curve is an important exercise in an undergraduate course in quantitative analysis, that exercise is frequently simplified to accommodate computational limitations. With the use of readily available computer algebra systems, however, such curves for complicated systems can be generated from a single expression for the mixed potential of the solution. A single-expression approach broadens the scope of reactions that can be simulated, and it demonstrates the effects of the completeness of the titration near the equivalence point. The titration of Br1- with Ce(IV) is given as an example and compared to the classic method of simulating the titration curve.
On the Bäcklund-gauge transformation and homoclinic orbits of a coupled nonlinear Schrödinger system

Abstract The Backlund-gauge transformation for a system of coupled NLS (nonlinear Schrodinger) equations with a degenerate associated spectral operator is derived from an algebraic perspective, extending aspects of other results [M. Boiti, Tu. Guizhang, Il Nuovo Cimento 71B (1982) 253–264; D.H. Sattinger, V.D. Zurkowski, Physica D 26 (1–3) (1987) 225–250] that apply in the context of non-degenerate spectral operators. Moreover, we demonstrate how the Backlund-gauge transformation can be used to explicitly construct the entire unstable manifold (via superpositions of homoclinic orbits) of a plane wave solution with both self-phase instabilities and coupling instabilities. This work builds on the results of Ercolani et al. [N. Ercolani, M.G. Forest, D.W. McLaughlin, Physica D 18 (1986) 472–474; N. Ercolani, M.G. Forest, D.W. McLaughlin, Physica D 43 (2–3) (1990) 349–384] for the sine-Gordon equation, and Forest et al. [M.G. Forest, D.W. McLaughlin, D.J. Muraki, O.C. Wright, J. Nonlinear Sci., in press; M.G. Forest, S.P. Sheu, O.C. Wright, Phys. Lett. A, in press] for the integrable coupled NLS system.
Environmentally Induced Positive Affect: Its Impact on Self-Efficacy, Task Performance, Negotiation, and Conflict1

Male and female subjects performed several tasks either in the presence or absence of an environmental source of positive affect (pleasant artificial scents produced by two commercially manufactured air-fresheners). Consistent with the findings of previous research on the impact of positive affect, results indicated that several aspects of subjects' behavior were influenced by this variable. Participants exposed to pleasant scents set higher goals on a clerical coding task and were more likely to adopt an efficient strategy for performing this task than subjects not exposed to such conditions. In addition, males (but not females) reported higher self-efficacy in the presence of pleasant artificial scents than in their absence. Participants exposed to pleasant scents also set higher monetary goals and made more concessions during face-to-face negotiations with an accomplice. Finally, subjects exposed to pleasant scents reported weaker preferences for handling future conflicts with the accomplice through avoidance and competition. Analyses of covariance suggested that these differences stemmed largely from contrasting levels of positive affect among subjects in the neutral and pleasant scent conditions. Together, these results suggest that pleasant artificial scents may provide a potentially useful means for enhancing the environmental quality of work settings, and hence the performance and attitudes of persons in them.
Nitric oxide inhibits 3H-glutamate transport in synaptosomes

3H-glutamate (GLU) uptake was measured in hippocampal synaptosomes from rat brain. Addition of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (Sodium nitroferricyanide), a generator of nitric oxide (NO), produced a time-, temperature-, and dose-dependent inhibition of 3H-GLU uptake. The inhibition was due to changes in both Kd and Vmax of GLU uptake, and it was at least partially reversible upon washing. Addition of reduced hemoglobin (Hb), a substance that binds NO, prevented the SNP-induced depression of uptake. Potassium ferricyanide, a compound similar to SNP, did not cause a reduction in 3H-GLU uptake. Utilization of another generator of NO, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), produced similar results as did NO itself. Decreases in uptake were also observed in the striatum and cerebellum. Similar treatments did not consistently affect 3H-norepinephrine (NE) uptake, suggesting some selectivity in the NO effect. Thus, the observed inhibition of 3H-GLU uptake appears to be produced by NO, and it may represent a novel type of transynaptic retrograde regulation of transport. If found in vivo, inhibition of uptake activity could also be involved in the toxic effects of NO, the neurotoxicity of glutamate, and other potential neuronal changes associated with NO such as hippocampal long-term potentiation. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.1
Synthesis and Operational Planning of Utility Systems for Multiperiod Operation

Abstract A mixed-integer (MILP) formulation is presented for the synthesis and operational planning of utility systems for multiperiod operation with varying demands. The design of the utility system optimizes the configuration choice and equipment sizes from a superstructure of alternatives. The optimization problem takes into account the investment costs, operating costs of units for all periods, and the planning for scheduled maintenance of equipments. The multiperiod formulation includes binary variables for the choice of units for design, as well as binary variables for operational status of existing equipment during each period, producing a model that is computationally expensive to solve. A bilevel decomposition method is proposed that consists of solving a higher level design problem for choosing the design configuration in a reduced space that excludes the operational binary variables in each time period. For the choice of units obtained from the first level, the lower level planning problem consists of optimizing their operation and operational status (on or off) for each period. A new concept of design cuts is introduced to tighten the gap between solutions obtained from both levels. Numerical results are presented for several example problems.
‘Pockeling’ of Freshly Swept Surfaces of Solutions

WHEN the surface of a dilute solution of surface active material is freed from insoluble contamination by sweeping with a movable barrier of metal or paper and the surface examined by lightly dusting with talc, both procedures originated by Miss Pockels, we have noted upon the surface a striking effect which is readily recorded with a motion picture camera. Here and there, from time to time, the talc suddenly withdraws from circular patches which may be up to a centimetre or more in diameter. After we had examined this phenomenon for some months, we found that it likewise had been described by Miss Pockels in 19171. She explained it by the unlikely hypothesis that all substances that lower the surface tension of water exist to a certain extent in the form of colloidal particles or micelles, even in very dilute solution, and that when these chance to approach the surface the ” pockel” appears. Alternative possibilities are that the ” pockels” arise not from micelles but from local concentrations within the liquid due to the fluctuations of ordinary molecular movement, or to dust particles (or possibly talc particles) which have sorbed material within the liquid, or to convection currents within the liquid which is no longer homogeneous because the solute must reconcentrate in the surface to satisfy the theorem of Gibbs. All of these suggestions seem quantitatively inadequate. Pockeling ceases when the system has come completely into equilibrium.
Regulation of p53 tumor suppressor by Helicobacter pylori in gastric epithelial cells.

Background & Aims Infection with the gastric mucosal pathogen Helicobacter pylori is the strongest identified risk factor for distal gastric cancer. These bacteria colonize a significant part of the world's population. We investigated the molecular mechanisms of p53 regulation in H pylori –infected cells. Methods Mongolian gerbils were challenged with H pylori and their gastric tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting with p53 antibodies. Gastric epithelial cells were co-cultured with H pylori and the regulation of p53 was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and cell survival assays. Short hairpin RNA and dominant-negative mutants were used to inhibit activities of Human Double Minute 2 (HDM2) and AKT1 proteins. Results We found that in addition to previously reported up-regulation of p53, H pylori can also negatively regulate p53 by increasing ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation via activation of the serine/threonine kinase AKT1, which phosphorylates and activates the ubiquitin ligase HDM2. These effects were mediated by the bacterial virulence factor CagA; ectopic expression of CagA in gastric epithelial cells increased phosphorylation of HDM2 along with the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of p53. The decrease in p53 levels increased survival of gastric epithelial cells that had sustained DNA damage. Conclusions H pylori is able to inhibit the tumor suppressor p53. H pylori activates AKT1, resulting in phosphorylation and activation of HDM2 and subsequent degradation of p53 in gastric epithelial cells. H pylori –induced dysregulation of p53 is a potential mechanism by which the microorganism increases the risk of gastric cancer in infected individuals.
LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF RENAL FUNCTION IN UNI-NEPHRECTOMIZED RATS

Hypertension and proteinuria have been reported in some patients as a sequelae of kidney donation. In order to evaluate the long-term effects of a 50% reduction in nephron population, we designed a protocol using male Sprague-Dawley rats (weight 250±20 gms). Animals were subjected to either a sham operation (C) or unilateral nephrectomy (U), Post-surgery animals were maintained on standard lab chow and water ad lib. The protocol is designed to measure intra-arterial blood pressure (BP), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) at 4, 8, and 12 months post-surgery. GFR and RPF are measured by double radiolabelled technique using C14 labelled inulin and tritium labelled para-amino-hippurate respectively. GFR and RPF are expressed in ml/min/100 gm of body weight. Results at 4 months post-surgery are reported. No differences between body weight 526±39 for (C) and 505±31 for U were noted. No histological lesions were noted on light microscopy of U kidneys. Our study concludes that following a 50% reduction in nephron population, no deterioration of renal function occurs over a 4 month period, but the presence of hypertension may be an ominous sign for eventual renal damage.
Building knowledge for and about large‐scale organizational transformations

Contributes a collaboration approach for achieving the goals of helping an organization transform itself and expanding the body of knowledge. To support these goals, the collaboration must meet four knowledge objectives: create, assimilate, disseminate, and apply knowledge about organizational change and transformations. Four operating principles help achieve these outcomes. Enacting three functions (i.e. technical assistance, training/education, and research) accomplish the desired goals and objectives. Within this collaboration, an applied research strategy is described with five dimensions: paradigm (i.e. action research and case study), timing (i.e. initial, ongoing, post), data sources (i.e. internal, external, and literature), data collection method, and research stage (i.e. pre, central, follow‐up). Reflection on the implementation of the approach with ongoing projects at the Kennedy Space Center provides a description of the researcher’s role and lessons learned.
Effect of Evaporated Films on Energy Distribution in Grating Spectra

It is found that Wood anomalies of intensity distribution in grating spectra are frequently developed by coating the grating with an evaporated film of magnesium, silver or aluminum. It is observed that the effect is best exhibited by gratings with very narrow fine ruling. The typical band illustrating the phenomenon is a double band---a dark band in juxtaposition to, and on the red side of a bright band. The dark band is characterized by a sharp boundary on the blue side. The Rayleigh formula which predicts the position of these anomalies in the spectrum was found to hold for the measurements on this sharp boundary. An empirical relation of similar form is developed from measurements on the bright bands. Other general observations on the bands are recorded.
Canonical quantisation of a spherically symmetric, massless scalar field interacting with gravity in (2+1) dimensions

A spherically symmetric, massless scalar field is allowed to interact with gravity via Einstein's field equations in a three-dimensional spacetime. The imposition of spherical symmetry makes this a minisuperspace model. The model is quantised by splitting spacetime into space and time via the ADM procedure, and then imposing canonical communication relations. Since this is a minisuperspace model, a comparison is made of such models to models with no imposed symmetries in flat spacetime. This comparison is done to gain some insight into how the imposition of a symmetry at the classical level affects the resulting quantum theory. The two main points made about the model are as follows. One, the quantised model is found to violate the principle of microcausality. It is shown in this case that there is no resulting violation of causality. Two, the vacuum fluctuations of the metric are studied and it is found that these fluctuations become infinite even for a finite-sized smearing volume.
High spin spectroscopy with the projected shell model

Abstract We review recent applications of the projected shell model to the high spin spectroscopy. In particular, various high spin phenomena related to band crossing and signature dependence, for which the standard cranked shell model encounters difficulties, are extensively discussed.
Congruences via abelian groups

Abstract Given a group G acting on a set S, Mobius inversion over the lattice of subgroups can be used to obtain congruences relating the number of elements of S stabilized by each subgroup. By taking S to be a set of subsets, partitions, or permutations congruences for binomial and multinomial coefficients, Stirling numbers of both kinds, and various other combinatorial sequences are derived. Congruences for different moduli are obtained by varying the order of G.
Immersion Bonding of Steels by Boric Acid and Potassium Borate

This paper describes a study on immersion bonding which utilizes boric acid and potassium borate as the main salt composition and magnesium powder as a reducing agent. A favorable boride layer was obtained by using magnesium powder as a reducing agent and boric acid and potassium borate as the sources of boron supply. In this study, the best composition for the bonding salt was composed of 4Owt%H3BO3, 20wt%K2B4O7• 5H2O, 15wt%NaF, 15wt%K2CO3, and 10wt%Mg powder. The boride layer was formed on steels at above 750°C and no bonding was observed at 700°C. The preferable temperature for bonding of steels was 900°C. The composition of the boride layer was Fe2B. The thickness of the boride layer in carbon steels decreased slightly with increasin carbon content in the steels.
The Choice Number of Dense Random Graphs

We prove that if the edge probability p(n) satisfies n−1/4+e ≤ p(n) ≤ 3/4, where 0 < e < 1/4 is a constant, then the choice number and the chromatic number of the random graph G(n, p) are almost surely asymptotically equal.
Note: On coefficient of friction measurements

Abstract A number of experiments, wherein the coefficient of friction was measured, are discussed. Objections are raised as to definitions and assumptions used in these investigations, and the applicability of the experimental results to metal-forming operations is assessed.
Issues in water and environmental sciences

Emerging Issues in Water and Environmental Sciences was the theme of the 46th Annual Meeting of the Rocky Mountain Hydrologic Research Center (RMHRC), which includes the Rocky Mountain Hydraulics Laboratory. Fifty people participated in the meeting, which was held at the Wild Basin Lodge in Aliens Park, Colo., August 17, 1991. The meeting was organized by Robert Jarrett of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The purposes of the meeting were: 1) To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas among researchers, faculty and students, and practicing scientists and engineers with an emphasis on field-oriented research in the Front Range of Colorado; 2) to provide university faculty and students with an opportunity to interact with researchers on a broad spectrum of water and environmental science issues; and 3) to make researchers aware of the research center, to enhance cooperative research, and to encourage faculty, students, and others to conduct research at the center.
From math comes beauty: monkey curves, spirals, and saddles

This informal note presents computational recipes for producing visually interesting surfaces.
Comparison of the course to end-stage renal disease of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic nephropathy

Is the course leading to diabetic end-stage renal disease similar for Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus? We identified all diabetic end-stage renal disease patients starting renal replacement therapy from 1989 to 1991 in two urban counties in Texas. Three ethnic/racial groups were enrolled: Mexican Americans, non-Hispanic Whites, African Americans. Patients were interviewed and their medical records, both inpatient and out-patient, were abstracted for relevant diagnostic and therapeutic information. We attempted to obtain records as far back as the onset of diabetes or hypertension and from all physicians who had cared for the patient. An historical algorithm was used to determine diabetic type. Of the patients enrolled, 91 were Type 1 and 438 were Type 2 diabetic patients. Type 1 diabetic patients had higher mean glucose levels in the first 10 years of diabetes (16.3 vs 11.4 mmol/l) but lower systolic blood pressures (148 vs 157 mmHg). The duration of diabetes prior to end-stage renal disease was longer for Type 1 than Type 2 patients (22 vs 17 years). Type 1 diabetic patients were more likely to have other microvascular complications (retinopathy, neuropathy, gastroparesis), less likely to have coronary disease (myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure), and had similar rates of stroke and vascular surgery procedures (carotid endarterectomy, coronary artery bypass surgery, aortofemoral bypass). Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients were just as likely to have a first degree relative with hypertension (60.5 vs 65.5%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Integrated production scheduling in large-scale flexible electronic parts manufacturing

This study reports the development of a production scheduling system for the integrated management of production in large-scale, high-volume electronic assembly lines. The development of the system incorporates control and planning considerations by addressing the interaction of various subsystems. Stochastic and deterministic aspects of the problem environment are appropriately handled via relevant simulation and analytic models. By effecting a hierarchical breakdown of the problem environment, the system produces information used in practical decision making for production planning and scheduling. Procedures used encompass and address considerations for management of work-in-process, optimization of the various subsystems' performance, minimization of setup time effect, and inventory carrying costs.
The Boston Type I Keratoprosthesis : Improving Outcomes and Expanding Indications

Purpose To report the usefulness of the Boston type I keratoprosthesis (Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA) in the management of corneal opacification, corneal limbal stem cell failure, or both in a large single-surgeon series. Design Retrospective review of consecutive clinical case series. Participants All patients undergoing keratoprosthesis implantation by a single surgeon (AJA) between May 1, 2004, and May 31, 2008. Methods Data were collected regarding the preoperative characteristics of each eye undergoing keratoprosthesis implantation, the surgical procedure(s) performed, and the postoperative course. Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors influencing the incidence and severity of postoperative complications. Main Outcome Measures Interval visual acuities, keratoprosthesis retention, and significant postoperative complications. Results Fifty-seven keratoprosthesis procedures were performed in 50 eyes of 49 patients. The primary indication for surgery was repeat corneal transplantation failure (68%), although no prior corneal surgery had been performed in 16% of eyes. Preoperative visual acuity was 20/200 or worse in all eyes, with 88% of eyes having preoperative vision of counting fingers, hand movements, or light perception. The percentage of eyes with postoperative visual acuity of 20/100 or better was 67% at 6 months (n = 45), 75% at 1 year (n = 28), 69% at 2 years (n = 13), and 100% at 3 years (n = 7). In the 31% of patients in whom preoperative vision in the contralateral eye was 20/50 or better, the postoperative vision in the operative eye improved to 20/50 or better in 47% at the last follow-up (average, 18 months; range, 4–49 months). The overall keratoprosthesis retention rate was 84% at an average follow-up of 17 months (79 person-years of follow-up), with 100% retention in 8 eyes with no history of prior corneal transplantation (14.8 person-years of follow-up). The most common postoperative complications were retroprosthetic membrane formation (22 eyes) and persistent epithelial defects (19 eyes). No cases of infectious endophthalmitis were encountered, and only 1 patient with a history of glaucoma required additional glaucoma surgery during the postoperative period. Conclusions The Boston type I keratoprosthesis is an effective means of managing repeat corneal graft failure and corneal limbal stem cell failure with or without corneal opacification in patients with both unilateral and bilateral visual impairment. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Observations of wind turbine wakes and surface roughness effects on wind flow variability

Abstract Wind data collected at nine meteorological towers at the Goodnoe Hills MOD-2 wind turbine site were analyzed to characterize the wind flow over the site both in the absence and presence of wind turbine wakes. Free-flow characteristics examined were the variability of wind speed and turbulence intensity across the site as a function of wind direction and surface roughness. The nine towers' data revealed that scattered areas of trees upwind of the site caused pronounced variations in the wind flow over the site. At two towers that were frequently downwind of an extensive grove of trees, up to 30% reductions in wind speed and a factor of 2 to 3 increase in turbulence intensity were measured. A substantial increase in the magnitude of the wind gusts, as well as a considerable decrease in the mean wind speed, was observed when a tower was downwind of the trees. Wind turbine wake characteristics analyzed included the average velocity deficits, wake turbulence, wake width, wake trajectory, vertical profile of the wake, and the stratification of wake properties as a function of the ambient wind speed and turbulence intensity. The wind turbine rotor disk spanned a height of 15 m to 107 m. The nine towers' data permitted a detailed analysis of the wake behavior at a height of 32 m at various downwind distances from 2 to 10 rotor diameters (D). The relationship between velocity deficit and downwind distance was surprisingly linear, with average maximum deficits ranging from 34% at 2 D to 7% at 10 D. Largest deficits were at low wind speeds and low turbulence intensities. Average wake widths were 2.8 D at a downwind distance of 10 D. Implications for turbine spacing are that, for a wind farm with a 10-D row separation, array losses would be significantly greater for a 2-D than a 3-D spacing because of incremental effects caused by overlapping wakes. Other interesting wake properties observed were the wake turbulence (which was greatest along the flanks of the wake). the vertical variation of deficits (which were greater below hub height than above), and the trajectory of the wake (which was essentially straight).
Exon skipping restores dystrophin expression, but fails to prevent disease progression in later stage dystrophic dko mice

Antisense therapy with both chemistries of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) and 2'-O-methyl phosphorothioate has demonstrated the capability to induce dystrophin expression in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients in phase II-III clinical trials with benefit in muscle functions. However, potential of the therapy for DMD at different stages of the disease progression is not understood. In this study, we examined the effect of peptide-conjugated PMO (PPMO)-mediated exon skipping on disease progression of utrophin-dystrophin-deficient mice (dko) of four age groups (21-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50+ days), representing diseases from early stage to advanced stage with severe kyphosis. Biweekly intravenous (i.v.) administration of the PPMO restored the dystrophin expression in nearly 100% skeletal muscle fibers in all age groups. This was associated with the restoration of dystrophin-associated proteins including functional glycosylated dystroglycan and neuronal nitric synthase. However, therapeutic outcomes clearly depended on severity of the disease at the time the treatment started. The PPMO treatment alleviated the disease pathology and significantly prolonged the life span of the mice receiving treatment at younger age with mild phenotype. However, restoration of high levels of dystrophin expression failed to prevent disease progression to the mice receiving treatment when disease was already at advanced stage. The results could be critical for design of clinical trials with antisense therapy to DMD.
Modeling Airside Airport Operations Using General-Purpose, Activity-Based, Discrete-Event Simulation Tools

The application of activity-based simulation techniques to model runway operations at airports is described. The simulation tool used, STROBOSCOPE, is a discrete-event simulation system and programming language based on the three-phase activity scanning simulation paradigm. The model developed can be used as a tool to estimate runway capacity, delays, and double runway occupancy instances.
Removal of Sacrificial Fibers Enhances Long Term Cell and Matrix Distribution in Aligned Nanofibrous Scaffolds

Given their ability to dictate initial cell alignment and subsequent matrix organization, aligned electrospun scaffolds are a fitting means for engineering fiber-reinforced, anisotropic tissues such as tendon, ligament, the knee meniscus, and the annulus fibrosus [1–3]. However, one commonly observed limitation of such scaffolds is the relatively slow infiltration rates of surface-seeded cells, where the central thicknesses of constructs cultured for 10 weeks remain devoid of cells [2]. This limitation arises from the tight packing of fibers which yields small pore sizes, thereby hampering cell migration. Towards accelerating cell ingress, we have recently reported on two-polymer composite scaffolds containing both slow eroding poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers as well as water-soluble poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) fibers that serve as space holders during scaffold formation [4]. Removal of these PEO fibers prior to seeding resulted in improved cell infiltration after 3 weeks, but the long term maturation of such constructs has yet to be characterized. To assess the effect of sacrificial PEO fiber content on construct growth, a triple-jet electrospinning device was employed to generate PCL/PEO scaffolds with PEO fiber fractions ranging from 0 to 60%. After seeding with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), constructs were clamped in custom grips to maintain strip morphology. The mechanical and biochemical maturation of constructs was assessed over 9 weeks of free swelling culture in a chemically defined medium (CDM), along with cell infiltration and matrix distribution. We hypothesized that enhanced pore size in dual-fiber constructs would lead to not only a better distribution of cells, but also larger increases in stiffness resulting from enhanced matrix production and distribution.© 2009 ASME
Algebras which are nearly finite dimensional and their identities

Suppose that all the nonzero one-sided or two-sided ideals of an algebra have finite codimension. To what extent must the algebra be p.i. or primitive?
Heterochrony within the cassiduloid echinoids from the Castle Hayne Limestone of Southeastern North Carolina

We analyzed the morphological relationship between Echinolampas appendiculata, Rhyncholampas carolinensis and Eurhodia rugosa from the middle Eocene Castle Hayne Limestone in southeastern North Carolina. We also investigated the heterochronic relationship between R. carolinensis and E. rugosa. Specimens were analyzed quantitatively using a truss consisting of 18 distinct morphological measurements. Principle component analysis (PCA) of these data indicated that the three groups are morphologically distinct. The analysis also showed that the groups shared parallel growth trajectories. Together with the PCA analysis, bivariate analyses showed a strong heterochronic relationship between R. carolinensis and E. rugosa. Additionally, statistical analysis of the data indicated Echinolampas appendiculata exhibited the most morphological variability among the three groups. Extinct and extant members of the three genera were found to inhabit fairly distinct water depths and substrates, thus the groups may have divi...
Characteristics and predictors of social phobia course in a longitudinal study of primary-care patients.

Background: Social Phobia (SP) is a prevalent disorder in primary-care settings. To date, few researchers have examined the natural course of SP in primary care. We examined the natural course and predictors of recovery in a large sample of primary-care patients. Methods: Data are obtained from the Primary Care Anxiety Project, a naturalistic, longitudinal study of anxiety disorders in primary-care patients. This report pertains to 182 patients with SP at intake. We examined intake demographic and clinical variables as predictors of recovery within the 5 years of follow-up. Results: The probability of recovery from SP during the 5-year follow-up period was .40. At intake, a longer duration of SP episode, comorbid Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia, and lower psychosocial functioning predicted lower rates of recovery. Conclusions: These findings highlight the chronicity of SP, as well as factors that may affect its naturalistic course. It is imperative that primary-care physicians and mental health specialists assess for and treat SP in their practices. Future research is warranted to further examine the effect of medical and psychiatric comorbidity on SP course. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pituitary immunoreactive γ-melanotropins are glycosylated oligopeptides

Nakanishi et al.1 have recently characterised the complete sequence of the mRNA isolated from the intermediate lobe of bovine pituitary which codes for the 31,000 molecular weight (31 K) precursor protein of corticotropin/β-lipotropin (ACTH/β-LPH). The corresponding amino acid sequence translated from this mRNA revealed in the cryptic region of the precursor protein a fragment sharing a common amino acid sequence with the α- β-melanotropins (α-MSH, β-MSH) and thus named γ-MSH1. To study whether this γ-MSH fragment is also processed and released as a biologically active substance and to ascertain its location in the pituitary and possibly in the brain, we have raised antibodies to the synthetic replicate of γ3-MSH (ref. 2). We report here the detection of at least two γ-MSH-like peptides in the pituitary using these antibodies in a radioimmunoassay (RIA) and, furthermore, evidence that these two peptides are glycosylated.
Effects of six different functional groups and their position on the bacterial metabolism of monosubstituted phenols under anaerobic conditions

The biodegradability of phenol and all isomers of aminophenol (AP), chlorophenol (CP), hydroxybenzoate (HB), dihydroxybenzene (DHB), methylphenol (MP), and nitrophenol (NP) were examined under denitrifying and methanogenic conditions. All isomers of CP and NP inhibited denitrification, while each NP isomer was reduced to AP under methanogenic conditions. All CPs were stoichiometrically mineralized to CH4. All AP isomers were mineralized under denitrifying conditions, while only the 4-AP isomer was biodegraded under methanogenic conditions. Under denitrifying conditions, the 1,3-DHB and 1,4-DHB isomers were mineralized, while the 1,2-DHB was persistent. 1,2-DHB was reductively dehydroxylated to phenol under methanogenic conditions. All MPs were mineralized under both anaerobic conditions. 2-MP incubated under methanogenic conditions and the 4-MP incubated under denitrifying conditions underwent methyl group oxidation to 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol and 4-hydroxybenzoate, respectively. All HB isomers incubated u...
Characterization of large particles at a rural site in the eastern United States: Mass distribution and individual particle analysis

Abstract A unique combination of an effective sampler and analysis of individual particles has been used in studying large particles (> 5 μm) at a rural site in eastern United States. The sampler is a modified ‘high volume’ rotary inertial impactor, which consists of four collectors of different widths, rotating at high speed and collecting particles by impaction. The collector surfaces were Mylar films coated with apiezon to ensure retention. After sampling, the collection surfaces were weighted to obtain the mass-size distribution. A section of the Mylar sample was transferred to a scanning electron microscope to study in detail the morphology and elemental content of individual particles. Results from two case studies indicated the following conclusions could be made: 1. (a) Natural sources, minerals and biologicals, were the main contributors to large particles (> 5 μm), 2. (b) Contribution of anthropogenic sources, mainly coal-fired power plants emitting fly ash particles, was limited to a few percent of the 5–10 μm size range, 3. (c) Pollen and some of the minerals were enriched in sulfur, probably as accumulation of sulfate on the particle surface, 4. (d) At low wind speeds the anthropogenic contribution was enhanced, whereas at high wind speeds natural sources were almost the only contributors to the large particle mode. In both cases the mass distribution of the large particles peaked at around 15 μm.