cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Intersectional Experiences of Black Women in Computing

Efforts to broaden participation in computing have led to gender-focused interventions intended to increase the number of women in the field of computing. However, such efforts have failed to significantly increase the percentage of Black women in computing. For example, only 1% of the 28,884 bachelor\textquotesingle s degrees in computing were awarded to Black women in 2018. Moreover, too few empirical studies have intentionally explored the lived experiences of Black women, an often overlooked and understudied population in the computing ecosystem. In this paper, we introduce intersectionality - the complex overlap of socially constructed identities such as race, gender, class, sexuality, etc. - as a theoretical framework and springboard for exploring the lived experiences of Black women in computing. We interview 14 Black women in various stages of the computing ecosystem (undergraduate students, graduate students and early career professionals) to understand how intersectionality influences their ability to persist in computing. Preliminary findings from the analysis of the 14 interviews provides insights into how the interlocking systems of oppression (i.e., gendered racism) play out in computing education and negatively impact the recruitment and retention of Black women in the field of computing.
Embedded Enzyme Nanoclusters Depolymerize Polyesters via Chain-End Mediated Processive Degradation

Abstract Many bioactive elements, long perceived as non-viable for material development, are now emerging as viable building blocks to encode material lifecycle and to ensure our harmonious existence with nature. Yet, there is a significant knowledge gap on how bio-elements interface with synthetic counterparts and function outside of their native environments. Here, we show that when enzymes are dispersed as nanoclusters confined within macromolecular matrices, their reaction kinetics, pathway, and substrate selectivity can be modulated to achieve programmable polymer degradation down to repolymerizable small molecules. Specifically, when enzyme nanoclusters are dispersed in trace amount (~0.02 wt%) in polyesters, i.e. poly(caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA), chain-end mediated processive depolymerization can be realized, leading to scalable bioactive plastics for efficient sorting, such as recovery of precious metal filler from flexible electronics. Present studies demonstrate that when the enzyme is confined at dimensions similar to that of polymer chains, their behaviors are governed by the polymer conformation, segmental dynamic and thermal history, highlighting the importance to consider bioactive plastics differently from solution enzymology.
Scoring System to Triage Patients for Spine Surgery in the Setting of Limited Resources: Application to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic and Beyond.

Background As of May 4, 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected >3.5 million people and touched every inhabited continent. Accordingly, it has stressed health systems worldwide, leading to the cancellation of elective surgical cases and discussions regarding health care resource rationing. It is expected that rationing of surgical resources will continue even after the pandemic peak and may recur with future pandemics, creating a need for a means of triaging patients for emergent and elective spine surgery. Methods Using a modified Delphi technique, a cohort of 16 fellowship-trained spine surgeons from 10 academic medical centers constructed a scoring system for the triage and prioritization of emergent and elective spine surgeries. Three separate rounds of videoconferencing and written correspondence were used to reach a final scoring system. Sixteen test cases were used to optimize the scoring system so that it could categorize cases as requiring emergent, urgent, high-priority elective, or low-priority elective scheduling. Results The devised scoring system included 8 independent components: neurologic status, underlying spine stability, presentation of a high-risk postoperative complication, patient medical comorbidities, expected hospital course, expected discharge disposition, facility resource limitations, and local disease burden. The resultant calculator was deployed as a freely available Web-based calculator ( https://jhuspine3.shinyapps.io/SpineUrgencyCalculator/ ). Conclusions We present the first quantitative urgency scoring system for the triage and prioritizing of spine surgery cases in resource-limited settings. We believe that our scoring system, although not all encompassing, has potential value as a guide for triaging spine surgical cases during the COVID pandemic and post-COVID period.
Virtual image of a hand displaced in space influences action performance of the real hand.

The rubber hand illusion (RHI) demonstrates that under some circumstances a fake hand can be regarded as part of one’s body; the RHI and related phenomena have been used to explore the flexibility of the body schema. Recent work has shown that a sense of embodiment may be generated by virtual reality (VR). In a series of experiments, we used VR to assess the effects of the displacement of the virtual image of subjects’ hands on action. Specifically, we tested whether spatial and temporal parameters of action change when participants perform a reaching movement towards the location of their virtual hand, the position of which was distorted on some trials. In different experiments, participants were sometimes provided with incorrect visual feedback regarding the position of the to-be-touched hand (Experiment 1), were deprived of visual feedback regarding the position of the reaching hand when acting (Experiment 2) or reached with the hand, the apparent position of which had been manipulated (Experiment 3). The effect was greatest when participants reached towards (Experiment 1) or with (Experiment 3) the displaced hand when the hand was visible during the reaching, but not when the vision of the hand was removed during the action (Experiment 2). Taken together, these data suggest that visual images of one’s hand presented in VR influence the body schema and action performance.
Combining Hazards into a Single-Top Fault Tree

SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONSCommercial nuclear power plants use probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) models to gain insights into the risks associated with operating the plants. PRA models can be used to assess a variety of hazards such as internal events (transients and loss of coolant accidents), internal flooding, fire, seismic, and other hazards. Each model can provide risk insights, identify vulnerabilities, and identify significant equipment or operator actions. This information can be used to improve plant performance and safety via equipment or operational changes. It is often convenient, and for some risk-informed regulations it may be required, to combine all hazard PRA models into a single calculational model. This “one-top” model provides a single PRA fault tree that can be solved to generate the risk for all hazards. Combining these models can be a challenge, if they were built with different revisions to the internal events model at their core. The one-top model provides a convenient platform for assessing the risk from all of the modeled hazards in a single quantification. Certain software tools, such as the EPRI FRANX software, simplify the process of creating a one-top model. However, quantifying a one-top model has challenges, because each hazard model is built with different assumptions, data, biases, and uncertainty. Furthermore, when one hazard generates a risk value much larger than the risk value from another hazard, combining the results runs the risk of masking risk insights from the hazard with the smaller risk value. In addition to quantifying the one-top model for risk-informed applications that require or benefit from it, hazard models should still be quantified separately to get the risk insights the individual models provide.
Abstract 13321: Pattern of Recovery of the Impaired Left Ventricle Varies by Valve Lesion

Introduction: Aortic stenosis (AS) causes pressure overload of the left ventricle, while regurgitation (AR) causes volume overload. These pathologic insults result in biologically different forms o...
Gene Tracer: A smart, interactive, voice-controlled Alexa skill for gene information retrieval and browsing, mutation annotation, and network visualization.

MOTIVATION Traditionally, an individual can only query and retrieve information from a genome browser by using accessories such as a mouse and keyboard. However, technology has changed the way that people interact with their screens. We hypothesized that we could leverage technological advances to use voice recognition as an interactive input to query and visualize genomic information. RESULTS We developed an Amazon Alexa skill called Gene Tracer that allows users to use their voice to find disease-associated gene information, deleterious mutations, and gene networks, while simultaneously enjoy a genome browser-like visualization experience on their screen. As the voice can be well recognized and understood, Gene Tracer provides users with more flexibility to acquire knowledge and is broadly applicable to other scenarios. AVAILABILITY Alexa skill store (https://www.amazon.com/LT-Gene-tracer/dp/B08HCL1V68/) and a demonstration video (https://youtu.be/XbDbx7JDKmI). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Using Means-End of Recreation Scale (MERS) in outdoor recreation settings: Factorial and structural tenability

Outdoor recreation is 400-billion-dollar industry, and therefore, understanding the attributes, consequences and values for why individuals participate is a necessity. The purpose of this study was...
Adoption of single agent anticancer therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and impact of facility type, insurance status, and income on survival: Analysis of the national cancer database 2004-2014.

BACKGROUND This study analyzes the pattern of use of single agent anticancer therapy (SAACT) in the treatment and survival of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) before and after sorafenib was FDA approved in 2007. METHODS Adult patients diagnosed with HCC and treated with only ACT from 2004 - 2014 were identified in NCDB database. Patients were analyzed during three time frames: 2004-2006 (pre-sorafenib (PS)), 2007-2010 (early sorafenib (ES)) and 2011-2014 (late sorafenib (LS)). Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier method were used for analyses. RESULTS The NCDB contained 31,107 patients with HCC diagnosed from 2004-2014 and treated with ACT alone. Patients were generally men (78.0%), >50 years of age (92.5%). A significant increase in the rate of adaption of SAACT was observed over time: 6.2% PS, 15.2% ES, and 22.2% LS (p < 0.0001). During this later period, the highest proportion of SAACT is among academic and integrated network facilities (23.3%) as compared to community facilities (17.0%, p < 0.0001). The median overall survival of patients with aHCC treated only with SAACT improved significantly over time from 8.0 months (m) (95% CI: 7.4-8.8) to 10.7 m (10.4-11.2) to 15.6 m (15.2-16.0, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicates worse outcomes for patients treated at community cancer programs (HR 1.28, (5% CI: 1.23-1.32), patients without insurance (HR 1.11, 1.06-1.16) and estimated household income of <$63,000 (HR 1.09, 1.05-1.13). CONCLUSION aHCC patients treated only with ACT have experienced an overall improvement in survival, but significant differences exist between facility type, insurance status, and income.
The Role of Fear in Politics, Politicians, Government, and Society

This chapter explores the role of fear in politicians and presidents who led (and the politics of their time) amid some of the United States’ greatest crises. Further this chapter assesses political leaders and the concomitant systems of politics’ ability to move the masses, shift the thoughts of and influence constituents via the employment of fear (Ahmed, The politics of fear in the making of worlds. Int J Qual Stud Educ 16(3):377–398. https://doi.org/10.1080/0951839032000086745, 2003). Fear, whether it is quelled and/or stimulated, provides the capacity to both “control and manipulate a variety of social and political discourses” (Shirlow and Pain, The geographies and politics of fear. Cap Class 27(2):15–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/030981680308000103, 2003). Fear over time and with conditioning is inextricably linked with matters and topics that impact humans’ daily living – to the extent that fear becomes like the air we breathe, we cannot see it, but it is there and a part of our daily living (Altheide, Notes towards a politics of fear. J Crime Conflict Media 1(1):37–54, 2003).
"Uncontrolled" Hypertension Is Not an Independent Risk Factor for Adverse Short-Term Outcomes Following Total Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND Uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) is a risk factor for mortality following elective surgery and poor hemodynamic control during total joint arthroplasty (TJA). However, the relationship between uncontrolled HTN and TJA outcomes remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to better define HTN parameters that are predictive of adverse arthroplasty outcomes. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort analysis on patients who underwent primary TJA for osteoarthritis between 2017 and 2021 at a large orthopedic practice. Uncontrolled HTN was defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) > 140 mm Hg, or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > 90 mm Hg. Spearman's rank correlations were used to evaluate relationships among uncontrolled HTN and operative duration, hemoglobin drop, allogenic transfusions, length of stay, intraoperative/postoperative complications, and readmissions. RESULTS Four thousand three hundred forty-five patients met the selection criteria, of which 55.1% (N = 2394) presented with uncontrolled HTN. In total, 17.1% (N = 745) and 3.2% (N = 138) of patients had an SBP ≥ 160 and 180 mm Hg, respectively. In addition, 1.9% of patients (N = 84) presented with SBP ≥ 200 mm Hg (N = 13) and/or DBP ≥ 100 mm Hg (N = 71). Eight-four percent (N = 626) of patients who presented with SBP > 160 mm Hg had been preoperatively prescribed HTN control medications. Receiver operator curve analysis demonstrated poor predictive value of blood pressure for all aforementioned outcome variables. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that as defined, uncontrolled HTN is not an appropriate individual predictor of TJA outcomes and should not be used as a "hard stop" when determining eligibility for elective surgery. Further research utilizing a larger cohort is needed to define the relationship between HTN and TJA outcomes.
How might genetic mechanisms operate in autism

Twin and family studies provide strong evidence that autism has a largely genetic aetiology. The pattern of familial aggregation suggests that in individual families, a small number of genes act together to cause the phenotype. However, it is unlikely that the same genes act in all families. Thus, the total number of genes involved could be large. One key to finding genes for disorders with considerable locus heterogeneity is to detect genetically more homogeneous subsamples. There exist several traits in families who have a child with autism--biochemical, physical, or behavioural--that are likely to reflect underlying genetic heterogeneity and can thus be used to divide families into more homogeneous subsets. These traits (1) show variation in autism samples; (2) are found in non-autistic family members more often than controls; (3) aggregate in particular autism families; and (4) result in increased signals when used in linkage analysis to define 'affected'.
Biobanks and personalized medicine.

We provide a mini-review of how biobanks can support clinical genetics in the era of personalized medicine. We discuss types of biobanks, including disease specific and general biobanks not focused on one disease. We present considerations in setting up a biobank, including consenting and governance, biospecimens, risk factor and related data, informatics, and linkage to electronic health records for phenotyping. We also discuss the uses of biobanks and ongoing considerations, including genotype-driven recruitment, investigations of gene–environment associations, and the re-use of data generated from studies. Finally, we present a brief discussion of some of the unresolved issues, such as return of research results and sustaining biobanks over time. In summary, carefully designed biobanks can provide critical research and infrastructure support for clinical genetics in the era of personalized medicine.
Shakespeare’s Plays and Broadside Ballads

As projects in the digital humanities make early modern broadside ballads more accessible to modern readers, these cheap print songs and poems are becoming an increasingly important tool for literary and cultural criticism. How might our attention to “low” texts, like ballads, change the way that we read and think about Shakespeare’s plays? First, Shakespeare’s references to ballads in As You Like It and A Winter’s Tale show the author’s engagement with the growing sixteenth and seventeenth century ballad market. Second, ballad adaptations of Shakespeare plays like the The Taming of the Shrew and Titus Andronicus show the ways that ballad writers and sellers responded to and adapted the plays. In each of these cases, the street and the theater are closer than they might otherwise seem; Shakespeare’s plays respond to the growth of the Renaissance print market by making ballads a part of performance and script, while ballad street literature interprets theatrical plots through the genre of popular song.
A multi-user virtual laboratory environment for gear train design

This paper presents the development of a game-based virtual laboratory environment for gear train design. This virtual laboratory environment goes beyond static demonstrations or conventional computer simulations and provides the students with the flexibility to perform various experiments related to the fundamental law of gearing and the concepts of planetary gear motion. In this virtual laboratory environment, the students, the instructor and the teaching assistant are represented by and interact as virtual characters (avatars). The scripted scenario for the laboratory exercise was first piloted in a junior-level course for mechanical engineering majors. Assessment tools such as pre- and post-experiment tests are an integral part of the laboratory environment and form the basis for providing different levels of support to the students at every step of the laboratory exercises. Furthermore, the laboratory environment can be equipped with functionality for monitoring the students' progress and learning outcomes, thus enabling skill-based assessment.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 22:788–802, 2014; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21573
High-efficiency side-coupling of light into double-cladding fibers using imbedded v-grooves

Summary form only given. A highly efficient imbedded v-groove coupling (IVGC) technique for pumping double-cladding fibers is demonstrated. Multiple grooves and pump arrays will allow construction of compact, low cost, and high-power fiber amplifiers and lasers.
A multi-layer finite element model of the surface EMG signal

The influence of skin, adipose tissue and bone on the rate of decay of the surface EMG signal around the limb was explored using a new finite element model. Replacing the outer layer of a homogeneous muscle model with a layer of highly resistive tissue, such as skin or fat, results in an increase In the surface potential. This also causes an increase in the rate of decay of EMG amplitude with increasing source depth and with increasing angular displacement from the source. EMG signals are examined as a bone is positioned at different locations throughout the muscle. Depending on its location, the highly resistive bone can significantly affect the amplitude of the surface potential. In a model of the upper arm, cross-talk around the limb was examined as subcutaneous tissue thickness was varied. EMG cross-talk was observed to increase with subcutaneous fat thickness. This is due to the relative increase in distance between source and recording site, rather than the material properties of the adipose tissue. The results illustrate the importance of including multiple tissue layers and inhomogeneities such as bone, when exploring aspects of surface EMG amplitude such as cross-talk.
A prototype English-Japanese machine translation system for translating IBM computer manuals

This paper describes a prototype English-Japanese machine translation (MT) system developed at the Science Institute of IBM Japan, Ltd. This MT system currently aims at the translation of IBM computer manuals. It is based on a transfer approach in which the transfer phase is divided into two sub-phases: English transformation and English-Japanese conversion. An outline of the system and a detailed description of the English-Japanese transfer method are presented.
A new algorithm for the noncentral t distribution function

A simple recursive algorithm is provided for evaluating the noncentral tdistribution function. This algorithm basically reduces the problem to that of evaluating two central beta distribution functions. The algorithm is summarized in a step-by-step form. The present paper provides a complete development enabling one to readily produce a noncentral t distribution function program in any desired programming language, with understanding for each step. This new algorithm is simpler and appears to be as accurate as the standard algorithm given in Cooper (1985) and used in IMSL (1987).
Stereoselective formation of silylketene acetals from esters and trialkylsilyl perchlorates

Alkanoate esters react with triethylsilyl perchlorate and trialkylamines at low temperature to yield O-silylketene acetals. The Z isomer is obtained in excellent yield.
Effects of Rolling Temperature on Through-Thickness Deformation and Recrystallization Textures in Heavily Rolled Silicon Steel

The silicon steel was rolled to 95% reduction at 20°C, 400°C and 600°C, and subsequently annealed at different temperatures to obtain complete recrystallization microstructure without appreciable grain growth. The effects of rolling temperature on through-thickness deformation and recrystallization textures were investigated by ODF analysis. The deformation textures are all composed of α- and γ-fiber, whereas α-fiber and {111}﹤110﹥ decrease and {111}﹤112﹥ increases with the increasing rolling temperature. Through-thickness recrystallization texture varied significantly, a strong partial γ-fiber spreading from {111}﹤112﹥ or {554}﹤225﹥ to {111}﹤134﹥ and {114}﹤481﹥ are developed in steel sheet rolled at 20°C and 400°C, while a dominated η-fiber peaked at {310}﹤001﹥ is formed between surface and quarter thickness in steel sheet rolled at 600°C. The different recrystallization textures can be ascribed to the profuse shear band at 600°C compared with the microstructures at 20°C and 400°C.
Positioning of Inflammatory Biomarkers in the Heart Failure Landscape

The clinical syndrome of heart failure is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response that contributes to end organ damage in the heart and circulation and can thus lead to worsening heart failure. The ensemble of inflammatory mediators that have been detected in heart failure patients include pro-inflammatory cytokines and their cognate receptors, as well as molecules secreted/released by macrophages (galectin-3 and pentraxin-3). Inflammatory biomarkers correlate with disease severity and prognosis across the broad spectrum of heart failure syndromes. Given the proliferation of new biomarkers that predict disease severity and prognosis in heart failure, it is reasonable to ask whether there is a current role for measuring inflammatory mediators in heart failure. This review will attempt to address this question, as well as review several novel approaches that have utilized inflammatory biomarkers to enhance risk stratification and prognosis in heart failure patients.
EFFECTS OF EAR CANAL OCCLUSION AND MASKING ON THE PERCEPTION OF VOICE

This study examined the effect of ear canal occlusion and masking noise on four parameters of voice: (1) average fundamental frequency, (2) intensity in decibel (dB), (3) maximum fundamental frequency observed in a given sample (max), and (4) minimum fundamental frequency observed in a given sample (min). 12 normal hearing undergraduates produced the vowel /i/ ten times under conditions of unoccluded ear canal, ear canal occluded with a sound attenuating earplug, or masking noise. Other than a small (.73 dB) decrease in intensity, analysis showed no significant changes under the occluded condition; however, the masking condition showed statistically significant increases in the fundamental frequency, the intensity, and the maximum and minimum frequency as well as an increased range of frequencies.
Comparison of continuous and pulsed low dose rate brachytherapy: Biological equivalence in vivo☆

Abstract Purpose: Recent studies of human cell lines cultured in vitro and mathematical modeling of the response of acute and late responding tissues have predicted conditions for the equivalence in terms of cell killing of continuous and pulsed dose rate brachytherapy. The aim of this study was to test these predictions in vivo using an acutely responding normal tissue. Methods and Materials: The microcolony assay was used to quantify the survival of jejunal stem cells in vivo . Mice were exposed to graded doses of 60 Co delivered continuously or as 1- or 10-min pulses given once-per-hour at an average dose rate of 0.7 Gy/hr. In both cases the total dose-per-hour was 0.7 Gy. Overall exposure times ranged between about 30 and 60 h. Mice were sacrificed 3.5 days after exposure, the bowel removed for routine histological preparation, and number of surviving crypts quantified microscopically. Results: An average dose-per-hour of 0.7 Gy, a pulse width of 10 min, and a pulse frequency of 1 h resulted in biological equivalence of pulsed to continuous treatment. Delivering the pulse in a period of 1 min at a dose rate 10-fold higher resulted in a modest 3–4% shift in the survival curve to lower isoeffective doses. The slopes of the survival curves as described by D O values were similar for all treatment regimens tested. Conclusion: This in vivo study validates the prediction of biological equivalence between pulsed and continuous brachytherapy at a clinically relevant average dose rate and may generate further interest in this new treatment modality because of its advantages in radiation protection, dose optimization, and cost relative to standard low dose rate brachytherapy techniques.
Pseudohypopyon of orange pigment overlying a stable choroidal nevus

Abstract PURPOSE: To report an unusual case of orange pigment pseudohypopyon overlying a choroidal nevus. METHODS: Observational case report. A 45-year-old man presented with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/25 and metamorphopsia in the right eye secondary to localized subfoveal fluid. The detachment displayed a peculiar appearance of layered orange pigment, like a pseudohypopyon in its inferior aspect. Closer inspection revealed an underlying choroidal nevus and no choroidal neovascular membrane. RESULTS: After 31 months of follow-up without treatment, the size of the nevus and visual acuity remained stable and metamorphopsia continued to resolve as the orange pigment and the subretinal fluid disappeared completely. CONCLUSION: An otherwise stable choroidal nevus can display overlying clumps of orange pigment and rarely massive accumulation of orange pigment in the form of a pseudohypopyon. Orange pigment pseudohypopyon can spontaneously resolve with preserved visual acuity.
What do self‐administered joint counts tell us about patients with rheumatoid arthritis?

Objective. This report presents data from two sources showing that a self-administered joint count (SAJC) suitable for use in clinical settings provides information comparable with that of observerassessed joint counts. Methods. Patients were tested with a 1-page form containing a 40-joint mannequin on which they could mark their painful or swollen joints. The first sample of 110 patients was used to compare the SAJC with the tender or swollen joint counts (TJC or SJC) performed by a rheumatologist and to a battery of clinical and laboratory measurements. The second sample consisted of 240 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients enrolled in a cohort study of RA outcomes, in whom the relationship between the SAJC and health-related quality of life measures was examined. Results. Test-retest reliability of the SAJC was excellent (ri = 0.89), as was its agreement with the observer-assessed TJC (ri = 0.78). The SAJC was significantly correlated (P ≤ 0.01) to pain on a 10-point scale (r = 0.33), the McGill Pain Questionnaire (r = 0.27), the pain subscale of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS) (r = 0.32), the duration of morning stiffness (r = 0.27), and to the AIMS subscales of physical function (r = 0.20), impact (r = 0.31), and global health (r = 0.29). The SAJC was inversely related to formal education (r = −0.32), but did not correlate significantly with the modified Health Assessment Questionnaire, walking velocity, grip strength, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The responsiveness of the SAJC was comparable with that of other measures commonly employed to assess RA outcomes. Either the SAJC or the TJC could be included alternatively in multivariate models to explain 7 of the 8 subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Conclusion. The SAJC is a reliable and responsive measure that agrees highly with the observer-assessed TJC and is significantly associated to the health-related quality of life of patients with RA. Given its low cost and ease of administration, it is suggested that SAJC be included in future studies of RA outcome in routine clinical practice.
Influence of flexibilities on manufacturing cells for faster delivery using simulation

Purpose – The effects of cellular manufacturing (CM) on increased delivery speed and resource utilization along with its interaction with volume, mix, routing, and labor flexibilities are not clear for manufacturers and supply chain managers. Aims to focus on this.Design/methodology/approach – Based on real data from a US screen‐printing company, a simulation model is designed to determine the influence of volume, mix, routing and labor flexibilities in presence of volatile demand. Simulation of one and two cell configuration is compared with job shop to determine the shortest delivery and highest utilization.Findings – As volume flexibility increases, delivery is faster in presence of CM compared to job shop. Furthermore, added routing flexibility results in 70 percent shorter lead time with low volume flexibility, and 85 percent shorter lead time with high volume flexibility. Additionally, in the two‐cell design, assignment of fewer, but more multi‐skilled workers shared between cells results in higher ...
Listening to Raindrops from Underwater: An Acoustic Disdrometer

Abstract Different sized raindrops splashing on a water surface produce sound underwater that is distinctive and can be used to measure the drop size distribution in the rain. Five acoustically significant raindrop sizes are described. An inversion of the underwater sound to measure the drop size distribution in the rain is described and demonstrated. Limitations to the inversion include problems associated with the relative loudness of the largest drops (diameter over 3.5 mm), the relative quietness of the medium drops (diameter 1.2–2.0 mm), and the influence of wind to suppress the signal from the otherwise remarkably loud small drops (diameter 0.8–1.2 mm). Various measures of rainfall, including rainfall rate, equivalent radar reflectivity, median drop size, and other integrated moments of the drop size distribution are measured acoustically and used to examine rainfall research issues. The relationship between equivalent reflectivity and rainfall rate, the Z–R diagram, is partitioned acoustically show...
Somatic cell hybrids producing inhibitors of melanotic melanoma tyrosine hydroxylase

Splenic lymphocytes from BALB/c mice pre-immunized with purified tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were fused with murine myeloma N/1 cells. Supernatants of only 2 from large number of cloned cell hybrids contained an inhibitor of TH.
THE ENTREPRENEUR-INVESTOR CHARISMATIC RELATIONSHIP: A DRAMATURGICAL APPROACH

This paper presents a dramaturgical approach to understanding the entrepreneur-investor charismatic relationship in the context of the entrepreneur's business plan presentation to outside investors. This approach highlights how entrepreneurs can behave in the presence of investors and how impression management tools can be utilized to develop a successful business plan presentation. Business plan presentations by winners of the 2008 Moot Corp Competition are used to illustrate the charismatic relationship and the impression management techniques that can be used by entrepreneurs in their efforts to project charisma.
Low-temperature thermoluminescent characteristics of CaF2:Mn

Thermoluminescence (TL), phototransferred TL (PTTL), and photobleaching are investigated of CaF2:Mn (0.1%) from liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT) to room temperature (RT). The glow curve has peaks at 97, 145, 194, 230, and 265 K; the emission spectrum consists of two bands peaking at about 345 and 495 nm. The glow curve and the emission spectrum of a Ce-doped sample are also recorded for comparison. Photobleaching is observed to occur at different rates for different peaks. Phototransfer is seen to take place from above RT residual TL traps to the below RT TL traps except for those corresponding to the peaks at 97 and 145 K. Trap parameters are determined by the initial-rise and peak-shape methods. Results obtained are discussed in the light of existing models of the TL mechanism in CaF2: Mn. Es wird die Thermolumineszenz (TL), Phototransfer-TL (PTTL) und die Photobleichung von CaF2:Mn (0,1%) zwischen der Temperatur des flussigen Stickstoff (LNT) bis Zimmertemperatur (RT) untersucht. Die Glowkurven zeigen Maxima bei 97, 145, 194, 230 und 265 K; das Emissions-spektrum besteht aus zwei Banden, die bei etwa 345 und 495 nm liegen. Die Glowkurve und das Emissionsspektrum einer Ce-dotierten Probe werden zum Vergleich mit aufgezeichnet. Es wird beobachtet, das Photobleichen bei verschiedenen Raten fur unterschiedliche Maxima auftritt. Es wird gezeigt, das Phototransfer von oberhalb RT Rest-TL-Haftstellen zu den unterhalb RT TL-Haftstellen stattfindet, auser fur diejenigen, die den Maxima bei 97 und 145 K entsprechen. Die Haftstellenparameter werden durch Anfangsanstieg und Formanalyse bestimmt. Die erhaltenen Ergebnisse werden mit existierenden Modellen des TL-Mechanismus in CaF2:Mn diskutiert.
The influence of floods and precipitation on Tamarix establishment in Grand Canyon, Arizona: consequences for flow regime restoration

Decoupling of climate and hydrology combined with introduction of non-native species creates novel abiotic and biotic conditions along highly regulated rivers. Tamarix, a non-native shrub, dominates riparian assemblages along many waterways in the American Southwest, including the Colorado River through Grand Canyon. We conducted a tree-ring study to determine the relative influences of climate and hydrology on Tamarix establishment in Grand Canyon. Riparian vegetation was sparse and annually scoured by large floods until completion of Glen Canyon Dam, which allowed pioneer species, including Tamarix, to expand. Post-dam floods in the mid-1980s were associated with high Tamarix mortality but also initiated a large establishment event. Subsequent establishment has been low but continuous with some exceptions. From 1984 to 2006 establishment increased during years of high, late-summer flows followed by years of low precipitation. This combination provided moist surfaces for Tamarix establishment and may have caused reduced erosion of seedlings or reduced competition from native plants. Attempts to mimic pre-dam floods for ecosystem restoration through planned flood releases also have affected Tamarix establishment. Early (March 1996) and late (November 2004) restoration floods limited establishment, but a small restoration flood in May 2000 followed by steady summer flows permitted widespread establishment. Flood restoration is not expected to prevent Tamarix spread in this system because historic flood timing in May–July coincides with seed release. To decrease future Tamarix establishment, river managers should avoid floods during peak Tamarix seed release, which encompasses the historic spring and early summer flooding period. Tamarix dominance may be reduced by early spring floods that initiate asexual reproduction of clonal shrubs (e.g., Salix exigua, Pluchea sericea).
Compósitos de HDPE com resíduos de fibras têxteis. Parte I: caracterização mecânica

In this work, results of mechanical properties of new composites based on textile fiber residues from clothing industry and commodity polymers are discussed. Natural fibers offer some advantages over synthetic ones, regarding mechanical and thermal properties. The composites were produced by mixing high density polyethylene with the textile fibers (50% cotton /50% acrylic) in increasing contents, from 10 to 40% in a thermokinetic mixer, using Surlyn 2601, Polybond 3009 and Polybond 1009 as coupling agents. The tensile, flexural and impact samples were produced by cutting sheets obtained in a hydraulic press. The composites with coupling agents showed good results of tensile and flexural strength, mainly with 5% of Polybond 3009 and 20-40% of textile fiber residues.
On randomly interleaved memories

Memory address interleaving, where an address k generated by a processor is mapped into the memory bank k (mod m), is a basic technique for increasing memory bandwidth. However, the access conflicts that can occur in interleaved memories sometimes reduce the bandwidth gain significantly, especially in vector processors. Recently, a few random interleaving schemes have been proposed to reduce memory contention. We define a class of such methods, called LINEAR, that uses linear transformations of addresses for randomization and includes those used in the RP3 and Cydra 5 computers. After identifying a basic deficiency of LINEAR, we define a new class of random interleaving methods called RANDOM-H and, through comparative analysis, show that RANDOM-H performs better than LINEAR. To illustrate RANDOM-H, we describe MASH, which is a random interleaving technique based on multiplicative hashing. Our simulation results indicate that MASH generally performs better than typical linear methods.
Physical activity assessment in children and adolescents

This article provides a review of the techniques that have been developed for measurement of physical activity in children and adolescents. Physical activity has been measured in youngsters using three major approaches: direct observation, heart rate or motion monitors, and self-report measures. Each of these techniques has relative benefits and deficiencies. Direct observation is a valid procedure requiring little interference and can provide good information concerning contextual variables (i.e., physical and social environment). However, direct observation is costly in terms of investigator and observer time. Motion sensors and heart rate monitors overcome problems associated with subject recall of activity and are less costly than direct observation. However, these instruments can be prone to technical problems and they provide no information concerning specific activities or the context in which activities are performed. Self-report and proxy report (e.g., by parents or teachers) techniques are relatively inexpensive, but their validity is limited by the ability of the subject (or proxy) to recall and report activity behavior. A major limitation in this field has been the lack of a "gold standard" measure of energy expenditure. The lack of such a criterion measure has precluded validation of the aforementioned activity measures as indicators of energy expenditure in children and youth.
Genetic basis of ultraviolet-B effects on contact hypersensitivity.

The genetic basis of the effects of ultraviolet B(UVB) radiation on the induction of contact hypersensitivity (CH) to dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) has been explored in genetically defined mice. It was found that acute, low-dose UVB radiation produced profound depletion of epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) at UVB-treated sites in all strains of mice tested. However, when DNFB was applied to UVB radiation sites, unresponsiveness developed in some strains of mice, but vigorous contact hypersensitivity was induced in others. The UVB-susceptible phenotype proved dominant or codominant in F1 hybrids derived from parental strains of the susceptible and UVB-resistant phenotypes. Experiments conducted in one set of F1 hybrids derived from two UVB-susceptible parental strains displayed UVB resistance, suggesting gene complementation, and showed that more than one genetic locus was involved. Segregant backcross populations, analyzed for the capacity to develop CH after UVB treatment and skin painting with DNFB, revealed that at least two, and probably three, independent genetic loci participate in determining UVB resistance. Results of experiments with H-2 congenic and recombinant mice derived from the B10 background implicated class I genes of the major histocompatibility complex as relevant genetic factors. These results indicate that there is a dissociation between the effects of UVB radiation on epidermal Langerhans cells and the capacity of a cutaneous surface to support the induction of contact hypersensitivity. The data indicate that the induction of CH to haptens is dependent on normal numbers of functional LC at the skin painting site only in some strains of mice. The data imply that in the so-called UVB-resistant strains of mice, alternative (non-Langerhans cell-dependent) mechanisms allow for the induction of CH. Several independent genetic loci, one of which appears to be H-2, govern this UVB-related effect.
Advanced Processing of GaN for Electronic Devices

This review focuses on understanding and optimization of several key aspects of GaN device processing. A novel rapid thermal processing up to 1500°C, in conjunction with AlN encapsulation, has been developed. The activation processes of implanted Si or Group VI donors, and common acceptors in GaN by using this ultrahigh-temperature annealing, along with its effects on surface degradation, dopant redistribution, and damage removal have been examined. 1400 degrees has proven to be the optimum temperature to achieve high activation efficiency and to repair the ion-induced lattice defects. Ion implantation was also employed to create high-resistivity GaN. Damage-related isolation with sheet resistances of 1012 Ω/square in n-GaN and 1010 Ω/square in p-GaN has been achieved by implant of O and transition metal elements. The effects of surface cleanliness on characteristics of GaN Schottky contacts have been investigated, and the reduction in barrier height was correlated with removing the native oxide that form...
Long Time-Base Monitoring Of The Solar Spectrum-An Instrumental Challenge

The Fraunhofer spectrum appears to show subtle variability at the 0.1% level indicative of non-constant temperature and possibly mechanical wave flux in the solar atmosphere. Persistent or secular changes in these physical conditions on time scales of years has terrestrial climate implications. Spectrum line monitoring requires control of spectrometer scattered light, zero point, resolution, and linearity to high accuracy (< 0.05%). Inevitably system components such as filters, detectors, gratings, etc. will break or deteriorate and have to be replaced. The general problem of maintaining a time invariant instrument is discussed.
When Words Fail: William Pitt, Benjamin Franklin and the Imperial Crisis of 1766

Passage of an American stamp tax in 1765 produced a sharp political backlash before the year was out. That new tax was part of a larger programme of imperial reform championed by the Grenville ministry. Now out of power, Grenville and his supporters resisted the growing desire in both houses of parliament to end the imperial crisis by repealing the new tax. During debates that began in early 1766 there were those few, most notably William Pitt, who wanted to discuss constitutional ultimates as part of the move toward repeal. Pitt contended that parliament did not have the authority to tax the colonies directly. Grenville disagreed and warned that if parliament accepted any limit to its supremacy the colonists would eventually claim legislative autonomy. When debating the distinction � if indeed any such distinction existed � between taxation and legislation, and between internal and external taxes, Pitt, Grenville and their parliamentary contemporaries raised questions about authority and power that they could not answer. There were no words to describe perfectly the imperial relationship, a relationship that, as Benjamin Franklin hinted in his testimony to the Commons, was always subject to change anyway. Avoiding constitutional questions had not seemed to work; trying to answer them did not work any better, at least in the contentious atmosphere of that moment.
Spiculogenesis in the sea urchin embryo: Studies on the SM30 spicule matrix protein

When proteins isolated from spicules of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus embryos were examined by western blot analysis, a major protein of approximately 43 kDa was observed to react with the monoclonal antibody, mAb 1223. Previous studies have established that this antibody recognizes an asparagine-linked, anionic carbohydrate epitope on the cell surface glycoprotein, msp130. This protein has been shown to be specifically associated with the primary mesenchyme cells involved in assembly of the spicule. Moreover, several lines of evidence have implicated the carbohydrate epitope in Ca2+ deposition into the growing spicule. The 43 kDa, spicule matrix protein detected with mAb 1223 also reacted with a polyclonal antibody to a known spicule matrix protein, SM30. Further characterization experiments, including deglycosylation using PNGaseF, two-dimensional electrophoresis, and immunoprecipitation, verified that the 43 kDa spicule matrix protein had a pl of approximately 4.0, contained the carbohydrate epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody mAb 1223 and reacted with anti-SM30. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of proteins within the demineralized spicule that reacted with mAb 1223 and anti-SM30. We conclude that the spicule matrix protein, SM30, is a glycoprotein containing carbohydrate chains similar or identical to those on the primary mesenchyme cell membrane glycoprotein, msp130.
Applying Evidence-Based Practices to Community Corrections Supervision An Evaluation of Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for High-Risk Probationers

This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of residential substance abuse treatment in reducing recidivism among high-risk offenders. The study employed a quasi-experimental research design to match 82 probationers who participated in residential drug treatment program to 82 probationers with similar demographics and criminal history who did not attend treatment. The findings revealed that residential substance abuse treatment had no statistically significant effect on several dichotomous measures of recidivism but that treatment participation substantially reduced the amount of criminal activity in which offenders engaged in during the 18-month follow-up period. Furthermore, among those arrested, the treatment group was more likely to be charged with a probation violation, whereas controls were substantially more likely to be arrested for a new criminal offense. The results serve as the foundation for future examinations into the efficacy of residential drug treatment for high-risk offenders under community supervision.