cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Designing a Test Fixture with DFSS Methodology

This paper addresses the application of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology to the design of a marine riser joint hydraulic line test fixture. The original test fixture was evaluated using Value Steam Mapping (VSM) and appropriate Lean design tools such as 3D Modeling and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A new test fixture was developed which resulted in improving the process cycle efficiency for the test from 25% to 50% percent, leading to a 50% reduction in test cost. Handling of the new test fixture is greatly improved as compared to the original fixture.
Transition metal-substituted lead halide perovskite absorbers

Lead halide perovskites have proven to be a versatile class of visible light absorbers that allow rapid access to the long minority carrier lifetimes and diffusion lengths desirable for traditional single-junction photovoltaics. We explore the extent to which the attractive features of these semiconductors may be extended to include an intermediate density of states for future application in multi-level solar energy conversion systems capable of exceeding the Shockley–Queisser limit. We computationally and experimentally explore the substitution of transition metals on the Pb site of MAPbX3 (MA = methylammonium, X = Br or Cl) to achieve a tunable density of states within the parent gap. Computational screening identified both Fe- and Co-substituted MAPbBr3 as promising absorbers with a mid-gap density of states, and the later films were synthesized via conventional solution-based processing techniques. First-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations support the existence of mid-gap states upon Co incorporation and enhanced sub-gap absorption, which are consistent with UV-visible-NIR absorption spectroscopy. Strikingly, steady state and time-resolved PL studies reveal no sign of self-quenching for Co-substitution up to 25%, which suggest this class of materials to be a worthy candidate for future application in intermediate band photovoltaics.
Repeated Cell Therapy: A Paradigm Shift Whose Time Has Come.

Although treatment with stem/progenitor cells is a promising approach to heart disease, enthusiasm for cell therapy has been dampened by the inconsistent, modest, borderline, or undetectable benefits reported in clinical trials (all of which have used 1 dose of cells).1–4 As a result, clinical translation has not occurred (no cell-based therapy is close to being approved for heart disease), and a rising tide of skepticism has bedeviled the field,5,6 leading some critics even to question whether clinical studies should continue. Here, I propose that a major reason for the modest, borderline, or disappointing results is the administration of only 1 dose of cells, which causes the benefits of cell therapy to be underestimated. I argue that just as most pharmacological agents are ineffective when given once but can be highly effective when given repeatedly, so a cell product may be ineffective, or modestly effective, when given as a single treatment, but may turn out to be quite efficacious if given repeatedly. This concept constitutes a major paradigm shift (a “game changer”), with potentially vast implications for the entire field of reparative medicine . The efficacy of cell therapy is limited by the poor engraftment of the cells, which disappear rapidly after transplantation. For example, after administration of c-kitPOS cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) in mice, rats, and pigs, the number of cells remaining in the heart declines precipitously to very low values1,2,7,8; in the mouse heart, <8% of the CPCs present immediately after transplantation remain 1 week later, and after 35 days this number falls to <3%.8 Despite this, administration of CPCs improves left ventricular (LV) function, and the improvement is long lasting (at least 1 year).1,2,7,8 Rapid disappearance of transplanted cells …
Fine-Grained Location Extraction and Prediction with Little Known Data

Location information has become a key component of many applications in mobile and pervasive computing, and the ability to accurately predict the mobility of clients allows these applications to provide better service. However, existing location predictors rely heavily on a significant amount of empirical knowledge to function well. In this paper, we develop a novel framework to predict unknown locations when only little location information is available. Specifically, we first extract WiFi locations from WiFi scan results, then a mobility model is built based on the resulted WiFi location graph with connectivity information, finally, we make location predictions with little known location data with Gibbs sampling over the mobility model. Using a data set containing 31 fairly complete WiFi traces collected over three months as ground truth, we compare our proposed approach with other existing state-of-the-art location predictors. The experimental results show that our framework can achieve 83% location prediction accuracy with only three location samples each day, 15% better than Markov and Bayesian predictors which heavily rely on empirical knowledge.
A Nonparametric Graphical Model for Functional Data With Application to Brain Networks Based on fMRI

AbstractWe introduce a nonparametric graphical model whose observations on vertices are functions. Many modern applications, such as electroencephalogram and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), produce data are of this type. The model is based on Additive Conditional Independence (ACI), a statistical relation that captures the spirit of conditional independence without resorting to multi-dimensional kernels. The random functions are assumed to reside in a Hilbert space. No distributional assumption is imposed on the random functions: instead, their statistical relations are characterized nonparametrically by a second Hilbert space, which is a reproducing kernel Hilbert space whose kernel is determined by the inner product of the first Hilbert space. A precision operator is then constructed based on the second space, which characterizes ACI, and hence also the graph. The resulting estimator is relatively easy to compute, requiring no iterative optimization or inversion of large matrices. We estab...
RNA expression from a site-specific non-LTR retrotransposon microinjected into Xenopus oocytes

Tx1L is a site-specific non-LTR retrotransposon (NLR) that has been identified in the genome of Xenopus laevis. Using microinjection into Xenopus oocytes, several aspects of RNA expression by these elements were investigated. With constructs carrying various parts of the element we saw no evidence of promoter activity, unlike what has been shown for several other elements of this class. Tx1L transcription was induced by linking a whole element to a promoter that is active in oocytes. Among the RNAs produced, about half had 3′ ends located near the end of the element, suggesting that instructions for 3′ end formation are encoded in the element or its target. Deletion of the 3′ UTR of Tx1L and of surrounding target sequences indicated that these regions are not required for termination or processing of the RNA. PolyA or very A-rich sequences were added at these 3′ ends, despite the absence of canonical polyA addition signals. A significant proportion of non-A residues was found in the 3′ untemplated tails, and this is reminiscent of non-templated insertions often found at the 3′ junction of new genomic copies of some NLRs.
Efficient Õ(n/ϵ) spectral sketches for the laplacian and its pseudoinverse

In this paper we consider the problem of efficiently computing ϵ-sketches for the Laplacian and its pseudoinverse. Given a Laplacian and an error tolerance ϵ, we seek to construct a function f such that for any vector x (chosen obliviously from f), with high probability (1−ϵ)x┬ Ax≤f(x)≤(1+ϵ)x┬ Ax where A is either the Laplacian or its pseudoinverse. Our goal is to construct such a sketch f efficiently and to store it in the least space possible. We provide nearly-linear time algorithms that, when given a Laplacian matrix [EQUATION] ∈ Rn×n and an error tolerance ϵ, produce O(n/ϵ)-size sketches of both [EQUATION] and its pseudoinverse. Our algorithms improve upon the previous best sketch size of O(n/ϵ1.6) for sketching the Laplacian form by [1] and O(n/ϵ2) for sketching the Laplacian pseudoinverse by [2]. Furthermore we show how to compute all-pairs effective resistances from our O(n/ϵ) size sketch in O(n2/ϵ) time. This improves upon the previous best running time of O(n2/ϵ2) by [3].
Russian Mathematics Teachers, 1830–1880: Toward a Group Portrait

This paper is a study of the lives of Russian mathematics teachers during the middle of the nineteenth century. The study of the life of “ordinary” people—as opposed to only renowned ones—has long ago began to attract researchers. Nor have “ordinary teachers” been ignored. But such studies (at least in Russia) have usually concerned teachers in general, without distinguishing them by subject, and the periods studied were also later ones, about which more evidence has survived. Meanwhile, the teachers of different subjects had their own differences, and the period to which this study is devoted also had its important distinctive features. This paper studies various aspects of the lives of teachers: their origins, education, workload, involvement in methodological work, material circumstances, and so on. The present study relies mainly on materials from St. Petersburg archives and focuses mainly on St. Petersburg teachers.
Lagrange Multiplier Tests for Non-Linear Hypotheses Under Distributional and Local Parametric Misspecification

In this study, we give a general account to the asymptotic properties of Rao's score statistic for testing a non-linear hypothesis under both distributional and parametric misspecifications. The distributional misspecification arises if the parametric family of distribution functions that is used to formulate a quasi log-likelihood function does not include the data generating process (DGP). In the case of parametric misspecification, some of nuisance parameters, that are relevant for describing the DGP, are excluded from the model under the alternative hypothesis. We suggest a modified version of score statistic that is robust to both types of misspecifications for a general non-linear null hypothesis. We establish the asymptotic properties of the modified test statistic under both null and local alternative hypotheses. We illustrate the derivation of modified score statistics within the context of a spatially augmented Solow growth model. Finally, through a simulation study, we demonstrate that the modified score statistic has good finite sample properties both in terms of size and power.
Cyber-Physical System Optimization Techniques in Mechatronic Redundant Accelerometer Array Devices (RAAD)

A modeler's approach to optimization greatly improved the calibration of redundant accelerometer array devices (RAADs) for batch estimates of stochastic parameters for zero bias ( $V$ ) and sensitivity ( $V/g$ ). Each device under test (DUT) has an orientation relative to a shared rigid-body frame. The strategy offers cyber-physical systems a reference-free approach for geometry. A function minimizes estimation errors of intrinsic parameters across a gamut of DUTs in array. The algorithmic goal reduces the population average standard deviation $(\overline{\sigma _g})$ estimate of static gravity $(g)$ measurements across more than or equal to three static world poses. RAAD achieves 72 sensor placements in three poses. Comparisons are made to root-mean-square-error ( $\overline{\text{RMSE}}$ ) approaches in previous studies. The optimization model solves a nonlinear system with logical constraints using matlab 's $ {\rm fmincon}()$ function. Precision is achieved for 48 design variables. The RAAD empirical value for $\overline{\sigma _g}$ , initially $0.1042 g$ , improves to $0.0027 g$ and $\overline{\text{RMSE}}$ improves from $\text{0.0282}_{\text{RMSE}}$ to $\text{0.0002}_{\text{RMSE}}$ . The algorithm is tested in simulation with results yielding a high accuracy in estimates for zero bias, $\pm \text{0.35}\%,$ and sensitivity in the range $-0.68\%$ to $ \text{2.46}\%$ . Simulated orientation results are accurate in the range $-\text{0.17}\%$ to $\text{0.61}\%$ across a deterministic grid. Method comparisons indicate that the $\overline{\sigma _g}$ algorithm is superior to $\overline{\text{RMSE}}$ for the calibration of intrinsic parameters.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based method to quantify the association of small molecules with aggregated amyloid peptides.

This paper describes a simple enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) protocol for quantifying the binding of small molecules to aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides. Amyloid-targeting small molecules have attracted wide interest as potential agents for the treatment or diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The lack of general methods to evaluate small molecule–amyloid binding interactions, however, has significantly limited the number of amyloid-targeting molecules that have been studied to date. Here, we demonstrate a general method to quantify small molecule–amyloid binding interactions via a modified quantitative ELISA protocol. A key feature of this protocol is the treatment of commercial ELISA plates with an air plasma to help maintain the desired β-sheet content of the aggregated Aβ upon immobilization of these peptides on to the polystyrene surface. We developed an ELISA-based competition assay on these air plasma-treated plates and evaluated the binding of five pre...
Mice with Blood Cells Deficient in GPI-linked Proteins — The Generation of a Murine Model to Investigate the Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)

Clinical characteristics of PNH include anemia due to intravascular hemolysis and hemoglobinuria, complications caused by bone marrow failure, and recurrent thrombosis. Despite the cloning of the Piga gene and the recent insights into the molecular lesion that causes the loss of glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-(GPI) linked proteins, much of the pathophysiology of this disease remains unexplained. A murine model that mimics the human disease would thus be a very valuable tool to study the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of PNH. Mice with blood cells deficient in GPI-linked proteins have been generated by several different approaches. Targeted recombination of the murine homologue Piga in embryonic stem cells (ES cells) is complicated by a high embryonic lethality and the lack of germline transmission of the disrupted Piga gene. To target Piga gene inactivation specifically to hematopoietic cells we and other investigators have therefore used conditional Piga gene inactivation employing the Cre/loxP system. In this review we will discuss Cre/loxP mediated Piga gene inactivation, summarize and compare the approaches that have been chosen to produce mice with PIGA(-) blood cells, and discuss the insights gained so far by analyzing mice with PIGA(-) blood cells. Further investigation of hematopoiesis and immune response in these mice might help to explain the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of PNH, provide new insights into the functional role of GPI-linked proteins on blood cells, and possibly provide the experimental system for studying PNH therapy.
The Structures of DNA

The preceding chapters have briefly reviewed the history of chromatin research and provided a glimpse of modern ideas about the structure of this substance. In later chapters, that structure will be explored in depth, and current concepts of chromatin function will be presented. Before entering into these matters, it seems wise to describe in some detail the major constituent parts of chromatin: the eukaryotic DNA and the chromosomal proteins. This and the following chapters are dedicated to that purpose.
Assisted firewall policy repair using examples and history

Firewall policies can be extremely complex and difficult to maintain, especially on networks with more than a few hundred machines.The difficulty of configuring a firewall properly often leads to serious errors in the firewall configuration or discourage system administrators from implementing restrictive policies. In previous research, we developed a technique for modeling firewall policies using Multiway Decision Diagrams and performing logical queries against a decision diagram model. Using the query logic, the system administrator can detect errors in the policy and gain a deeper understanding of the behavior of the firewall. The technique is extremely efficient and can process policies with thousands of rules in just a few seconds. While queries are a significant improvement over manual inspection of the policy for detecting that errors exist, they provide only limited assistance in repairing a broken policy. In this paper we present two extensions to our work, examples and history, which enable the administrator to more easily repair a policy which contains errors. An example is a representative packet which illustrates that the firewall complies with or (more importantly) deviates from its expected behavior. History records the specific rules involved in the deviation. Examples and history provide guidance in finding and fixing faults in a firewall rule set. These contributions can be also be used with the equivalence class analysis to reduce the burden of designing a complicated set of assertions.
Ra-223 Treatment for Bone Metastases in Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Practical Management Issues for Patient Selection

Bone metastases are common in men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), occurring in 30% of patients within 2 years of castrate resistance and in >90% of patients over the disease course. There are 6 US Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies for mCRPC with demonstrated survival benefit. Of these, only radium-223 (Ra-223) specifically targets bone metastases, delays development of skeletal-related events, and improves survival. This review discusses key data from the ALSYMPCA trial, which contributed to the approval of Ra-223. Data from other trials are highlighted to provide further insight into which patients might benefit from Ra-223. Special patient populations are described, as well as other considerations for the administration of Ra-223. Finally, ongoing trials of Ra-223 combined with other therapies for mCRPC are discussed. These include combining Ra-223 with sipuleucel-T or immunooncology agents, to enhance immune responses, and trials in mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic patients. To date, the optimal timing, sequence, and combinations of Ra-223 with other agents are yet to be determined. The goals of this review are to provide insight into practical aspects of patient selection for Ra-223 treatment and to discuss key therapeutic strategies using the 6 approved mCRPC agents in patients with bone metastases. Results from ongoing trials should help guide the practitioner in using Ra-223 in patients with mCRPC.
Patient-related risk factors associated with symptomatic recurrence requiring reoperation in laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair.

Abstract Background Recurrent hiatal hernia remains a challenge. Methods For initial repairs at our center: patients with 1 repair were compared to those who required reoperation for symptomatic recurrence. Subsequently, patients who had 1 repair at our center were compared to all patients who required reoperation (including initial repair at another center). Results There were 401 repairs: 308 primary repairs at our center and 93 reoperations, 287/308 (93%) required 1 repair and 21/308 (7%) required reoperation. Comparing 1 repair versus 21 reoperations, risk factors were abdominoplasty odds ratio = 32.0 (4.1–250.6), P Conclusions Younger age, shorter stature, heavy lifting or vomiting after surgery, abdominoplasty and tubal ligation are risk factors associated with symptomatic recurrence requiring reoperation.
Investigation of unintentional Fe incorporation in (010) β-Ga2O3 films grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy

Transition metals, such as Fe, are commonly used in either layers or substrates to serve as deep intentional acceptors to realize semi-insulating substrates, regrowth interfaces, or buffer layers. The unintentional incorporation of the compensating acceptor in subsequent layers is a major concern in epitaxial growth. In this paper, we report on unintentional Fe incorporation for the homoepitaxial growth of (010) β-Ga2O3 by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy on (010) Fe-doped β-Ga2O3 substrates. Fe was found to incorporate heavily into films grown at 500 °C, while growth temperatures of 650 °C and higher showed a significantly longer tail of Fe in the films. This Fe tail was determined to be a result of surface riding during growth rather than diffusion. The total surface riding concentration of Fe was found to be approximately 3 × 1012 cm−2 from a typical Fe-doped (010) β-Ga2O3 substrate. Surface segregation coefficients of 0.982 and 0.993 were calculated for growth temperatures of 500 °C and 700 °C, respectively. Furthermore, growth temperatures of 500 °C–700 °C demonstrated high crystalline quality and smooth surface morphology.
Teaching NeuroImages: Thermal imaging in Horner syndrome.

A 50-year-old woman with a history of fibromuscular dysplasia presented to the emergency department with 1 day of right ear pain. Examination demonstrated 2 mm anisocoria, left pupil larger than right, with brisk pupillary light reactions bilaterally; 2.5 mm right ptosis; and anhidrosis of the right forehead, as determined by the spoon test. Thermal imaging was consistent with this finding (figure). She was diagnosed with acute, painful Horner syndrome. MRI/magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated right internal carotid artery dissection. Due to the risk of stroke immediately following internal carotid dissection,1 she was treated with heparin drip, then later transitioned to aspirin and clopidogrel therapy.2
Testing the association between blood type and COVID-19 infection, intubation, and death

The rapid global spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has strained healthcare and testing resources, making the identification and prioritization of individuals most at-risk a critical challenge. Recent evidence suggests blood type may affect risk of severe COVID-19. We used observational healthcare data on 14,112 individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2 with known blood type in the New York Presbyterian (NYP) hospital system to assess the association between ABO and Rh blood types and infection, intubation, and death. We found slightly increased infection prevalence among non-O types. Risk of intubation was decreased among A and increased among AB and B types, compared with type O, while risk of death was increased for type AB and decreased for types A and B. We estimated Rh-negative blood type to have a protective effect for all three outcomes. Our results add to the growing body of evidence suggesting blood type may play a role in COVID-19.
2 – Limitations and Expertise in Remediating Munitions Sites

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights the limitations that various official parties show in case of a cleanup action. State and local governments must realize at the outset that the military lacks experience in many aspects of environmental remediation and even in munitions clearance. Military environmental cleanup is heavily controlled by the accountants. This is partly due to the fact that the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) sounded like a permissive budgetary authorization instead of the extension of CERCLA. The Army's lack of experience in UXO is especially noteworthy at sites that may have been involved in experimental work, especially during World War I when record-keeping was at a minimum. The EPA often picks its project managers for military facilities from its federal facilities branch. Because the federal government is normally not involved in manufacturing, most civilian federal facilities are office buildings or, at worst, a print shop. Also, in recent years there has been a concerted effort in Washington to dramatically cut the EPA's budget. However, states should not rely on the EPA for having a taste for creating controversy by ordering a military base to spend $100 million for environmental restoration.
A Gap in Care? Postpartum Women Presenting to the Emergency Room and Getting Readmitted

Objective Emergent postpartum hospital encounters in the first 42 days after birth are estimated to complicate 5 to 12% of births. Approximately 2% of these visits result in admission. Data on emergent visits and admissions are critically needed to address the current maternal morbidity crisis. Our objective is to characterize trends in emergent postpartum hospital encounters and readmissions through chief complaints and admission diagnoses over a 4.5-year period. Study Design All postpartum hospital encounters within 42 days of delivery at our institution from 2015 to 2019 were included. We reviewed demographic information, antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care and postpartum hospital encounters. Trends in hospital presentation and admission over the study period were analyzed. Comparisons between women who were admitted to those managed outpatient were performed. Statistical analysis included Chi-square, student's t-test, and Mantel–Haenszel test for trend and ANOVA, as appropriate. A p-value Results Among 8,589 deliveries, 491 (5.7%) presented emergently to the hospital within 42 days of delivery, resulting in 576 hospital encounters. From 2015 to 2019, annual rates of presentation were stable, ranging from 5.0 to 6.4% (p = 0.09). Of the 576 hospital encounters, 224 (38.9%) resulted in an admission with increasing rates from 2.0% in 2015 to 3.4% in 2019 (p = 0.005). Primiparous women with higher body mass index, cesarean delivery, and blood loss ≥1, 000 mL during delivery were significantly more likely to be admitted to the hospital. Women with psychiatric illnesses increasingly utilized the emergency room in the postpartum period (6.7–17.2%, p = 0.03). The most common presenting complaints were fever, abdominal pain, headache, vaginal bleeding, wound concerns, and high blood pressure. Admitting diagnoses were predominantly hypertensive disorder (22.9%), wound complications (12.8%), endometritis (9.6%), headache (6.9%), and delayed postpartum hemorrhage (5.6%). Conclusion The average proportion of women presenting for an emergent hospital encounter in the immediate 42-day postpartum period is 5.7%. Nearly 40% of emergent hospital encounters resulted in admission and the rate increased from to 2.0 to 3.4% over the study period. The most common reasons for presentation were fever, abdominal pain, headache, vaginal bleeding, wound concerns, and hypertension. Hypertension, wound complications, and endometritis accounted for the top three admission diagnoses.
Bleeding and thrombosis outcomes in patients with acute leukemia.

e19501Background: Management of acute leukemia is often complicated by acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding. However, it is unknown which risk factors contribute to these VTE and bleedin...
Lyapunov Stability Analysis of an Orbit Determination Problem

Statistical orbit determination is an important part of tracking satellites and predicting their future location. This is accomplished by processing the raw observation data from ground stations tracking satellites in orbit and estimating the location of these satellites. Kalman filter theory is a popular statistical process but it is not commonly used for satellite orbit determination because it exhibits poor stability characteristics in this application. In particular, an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is needed for this application because the orbit determination problem is a nonlinear one. The EKF does not lend itself well to the traditional eigenvalue stability analysis, which is applicable for linear, time-invariant systems. If the stability characteristics of the EKF used for the orbit determination problem were better understood, it could become useful for these applications. A stability analysis concept which has received much attention is Lyapunov’s stability theory. The focus of this paper is to apply the second method of Lyapunov (or the direct method) to evaluate the stability characteristics of an EKF estimating a satellite’s orbit using simulated radar data from ground tracking stations at Mahe Island and Thule. Specifically, a Lyapunov function is used to analyze the stability characteristics of that EKF while selecting the weighting matrices of the filter for the satellite orbit determination problem.
Use of a Novel Electronic Auto-notification Process to Manage Transitions of Care in Rheumatic Patients on DMARD Therapy.

Objective To integrate an auto-notification system into clinical workflow, so timely communication of sentinel events (elective surgery, hospital admission, or ER visit) in immunosuppressed rheumatic disease patients happened by design. Methods We developed an algorithm that triggered auto-notification within the electronic medical record to rheumatology when a patient experienced a sentinel event. A telephone encounter was created that included event type, baseline therapy, and event date. This was forwarded to the rheumatologist, who recorded guideline-driven recommendations and returned it to nursing. Instructions were included to communicate recommendations to the patient, inpatient rheumatology team, or other clinician. This was studied over four months at a multi-specialty medical practice in Central Pennsylvania. Primary outcomes were percentage of total notifications, notifications by sentinel event type where a change in care plan was recommended, as well as percentage of time where rheumatologists were notified of sentinel events, compared to prior to the intervention. Secondary outcomes were staff work effort. Results 240 notifications were received - 57% for elective surgeries, 39% for ER visits, and 4% for admissions. The need for change in care plan was only 17% for ER visits but was 25% for hospital admissions and 44% for elective surgeries. The percentage of time rheumatologists were notified of events increased from 57.6% to 100%. The average number of messages received per week was 2.2, requiring a weekly average of 13 minutes of work per physician. Conclusion We developed an easy, well-received process that "hardwires" rheumatologist notification sentinel events to facilitate timely care.
Computing, Ethics and Social Responsibility: Developing Ethically Responsible Computer Users for the 21st Century

Computer technology has proven itself a double-edged gift, alternately improving and threatening our lives and environment. In the past year alone we encountered computer viruses, interruptions of power, invasions of privacy, cyber-pornography, and many thefts. Our obligation to students is to include in their education the means to understand the relationship between the most powerful current influence on our lives and the ethical values necessary to use that influence responsibly. This paper outlines educational topics and methodologies for helping both beginning and pre-professional students apply ethically responsible values to using computer technology in the 21st century.
Single Workstation Factory Models

Throughout the analyses given in this textbook, emphasis is on the development of steady-state system measures such as the expected number of jobs in the system (WIP) and their mean cycle times (CT). For these analyses, it is often useful to obtain the probability mass function (pmf) of the steady-state number of jobs in the system. From these pmf’s, the measures of system effectiveness can often be developed.
Kinds of Opacity and Their Representations

Examinations of referential opacity have almost invariably focused on propositional attitudes, and even more specifically, on belief sentences. This focus has obscured the fact that there are a number of other kinds of sentences in which the logic-linguistic phenomenon of referential opacity occurs. This paper distinguishes two main kinds of referential opacity and offers distinct representations of their logical forms.
Implications of acute left ventricular remodeling during squatting stress echocardiography.

Background: We previously demonstrated that squatting induces left ventricular (LV) wall motion abnormalities (WMA) in areas subtended by stenotic coronary arteries. In addition, it was observed that some subjects developed acute changes in LV shape (acute left ventricular remodeling [ALVRM]) during squatting. Objective: This study tested the hypothesis that patients with ALVRM during squatting echocardiography have higher incidences of severe coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Echocardiography was performed in all standard views during standing and squatting. End-systolic frames in the apical four-chamber view were analyzed. Results: The subjects were divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of 12 subjects who developed squatting-induced ALVRM with apical and distal posterior septal akinesis, dilation of the apex and marked LV shape change at end-systole. Group 2 consisted of 20 subjects with distal posterior septal and apical akinesis without ALVRM, during squatting. Group 3 consisted of 64 subjects who developed WMA in areas other than the apex (n = 49), or normal wall motion (n = 15) during squatting. Coronary angiography in group 1 revealed that 6 subjects had left main coronary artery stenosis (LMCAS ≥ 50%), two had severe three vessel disease (≥90% stenosis), and one had 100% left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion. Severe CAD was defined for purpose of this study as the presence of LMCAS, or severe three vessel disease (≥90% stenosis). Six subjects in group 2 had LMCAS and none had severe three vessel disease (P < 0.05 vs. group 1 for LMCAS and/or three vessel disease). In group 3, eight had LMCAS and none had severe three vessel disease (P < 0.0001 vs. group 1). Conclusion: Patients with ALVRM have severe CAD. Therefore, patients who develop ALVRM during squatting require urgent evaluation for revascularization therapy. (Echocardiography 2012;29:700-705)
Risk factors for early wound complications after orthopedic surgery for rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To identify risk factors for the occurrence of early wound complications following orthopedic surgery in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. We reviewed records of patients with RA undergoing joint surgery to identify predictors of the following early postoperative surgical outcomes : (1) prolonged drainage ; (2) wound cellulitis; (3) wound dehiscence ; (4) suture abscess ; and (5) superficial or deep wound infection. Results. During the study, 204 patients with RA underwent 119 total knee replacements, 105 total hip replacements and 143 procedures of other joints, for a total of 367 orthopedic surgeries. A total of 57 complications were observed (15.9%) of which 26 were considered major (7%). Of the 230 total arthroplasties of the hip, knee, shoulder or elbow, 3 were followed by early deep wound infections (1.3 %). In univariate analyses, factors significantly related to the occurrence of complications included Hispanic ethnicity [relative risk (RR) 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16 to 1.78], and preoperative use of azathioprine (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.04 to 4.37). Complications were less frequent among patients given methotrexate, but the difference was not significant. Operative blood loss was inversely related to the occurrence of complications. In the multivariate model, the only significant predictors of complications were Hispanic ethnicity (RR 2.86, 95% CI 1.43 to 5.56) and operative blood loss (RR 0.50/liter lost, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.86). Conclusions. We were unable to demonstrate an independent effect of antirheumatic therapy at the time of surgery on the occurrence of postoperative wound complications. Our study suggests that patients with RA of Hispanic ethnicity may be at increased risk of developing postoperative wound complications following orthopedic surgery. Further study is necessary to explain the mechanism of increased complications in this population.
The 802.11 MAC protocol leads to inefficient equilibria

Wireless local area networks (WLANs) based on the family of 802.11 technologies are becoming ubiquitous. These technologies support multiple data transmission rates. Transmitting at a lower data rate (by using a more resilient modulation scheme) increases the frame transmission time but reduces the hit error rate. In non-cooperative environments such as public hot-spots or WLANs operated by different enterprises that are physically close to each other, individual nodes attempt to maximize their achieved throughput by adjusting the data rate or frame size used, irrespective of the impact of this on overall system performance. In this paper, we show both analytically using a game theoretic model and through simulation that the existing 802.11 distributed MAC protocol, DCF (for distributed coordination function), as well as its enhanced version, which is being standardized at part of 802.11e, can lead non-cooperative nodes to undesirable Nash equilibriums, in which the wireless channel is inefficiently used. We show that by establishing independence between the allocation of the shared channel resource and the transmission strategies used by individual nodes, an ideal MAC protocol can lead rational nodes to arrive at equilibriums in which all competing nodes achieve higher throughputs tan with DCF.
HIGGS–ANTI-DE SITTER SPACETIME BUBBLES FROM SPONTANEOUS Z2-VIOLATION AT ELECTROWEAK SYMMETRY BREAKING SCALE

The Einstein–Gordon equations for Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) geometries in feedback reaction with the quartically self-interacting physical field, arisen from the spontaneous Z2-symmetry breaking, are explicitly formulated. The fixed point exact solutions to the "inner parity" non-invariant Einstein–Gordon system (mandatory) describe (k=-1)-FRW manifolds which actually are either Milne or anti-de Sitter Universes. Setting the Z2-invariance breaking scale at one of the electroweak symmetry, we speculate on the cosmological implications of the Higgs–anti-de Sitter bubbles and derive a set of closed-form solutions to the S2-cobordism with a spatially-flat FRW Universe.
The normal patched allele is expressed in medulloblastomas from mice with heterozygous germ-line mutation of patched.

Defects in a developmental signaling pathway involving mammalian homologues of the Drosophila segment polarity gene, patched ( ptc) and its ligand, sonic hedgehog ( shh ), contribute to tumor formation in several tissues. Recently, a subset of medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children, was found to contain somatic mutations in the human ptc gene. In addition, basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS), or Gorlin syndrome, which is characterized by developmental anomalies and a predisposition to skin and nervous system malignancies, is associated with germ-line mutation of ptc . Targeted disruption of both alleles of ptc in mice results in embryonic lethality. However, ptc +/− mice survive and develop spontaneous cerebellar brain tumors, suggesting that ptc may function as a tumor suppressor gene. Therefore, we investigated ptc +/− mice as a model for human medulloblastoma. We report that 14% of ptc +/− mice develop central nervous system tumors in the posterior fossa by 10 months of age, with peak tumor incidence occurring between 16 and 24 weeks of age. The tumors exhibited several characteristics of human medulloblastoma, including expression of intermediate filament proteins specific for neurons and glia. Full-length ptc mRNA was present in all tumors analyzed, indicating that there was no loss of heterozygosity at the ptc locus. Nucleotide sequence of ptc mRNA from four tumors failed to identify any mutations. However, a comparison of the normal ptc sequence from C57BL/6 and 129Sv mice did reveal several polymorphisms. High levels of gli1 mRNA and protein were detected in the tumors, suggesting that the shh/ptc pathway was activated despite the persistence of ptc expression. These data indicate that haploinsufficiency of ptc is sufficient to promote oncogenesis in the central nervous system.
Dissociation-recombination of intergenic sunflower alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes and relative isozyme activities.

Two unlinked genes, Adh1 and Adh2, control the production of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in seeds of the annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Each gene is polymorphic, having F and S alleles. Starch gel electrophoretic zymograms of the four possible double homozygotes have three bands, representing two homodimers and an intermediately migrating intergenic isozyme. Zymograms of double heterozygotes consist of nine bands produced by ten isozymes: six intragenics and four intergenics, two of which are coincident. Results of dissociation-recombination (D-R) experiments are reported which demonstrate the subunit composition of the intergenic isozymes, thus supporting the relationships suggested by genetic studies. Densitometric tracings of the zymogram of a cleared gel and measurements of activities of homodimer isozymes eluted from gels following D-R of an intergenic isozyme showed that the Adh2 isozymes were more than twice as active as those of Adh1. Measurements of activities of crude extracts from the four possible double homozygous genotypes indicated that the seeds of the genotype Adh1F/Adh1F, Adh2S/Adh2S produced more activity than the other three. This genotype is the most common one found in wild and cultivated stocks. Isozymes eluted following electrophoresis of the same extracts had averages of 19%, 70%, and 11% of total activity contributed by the Adh1, Adh2, and intergenic isozymes, respectively. A simple but efficient method of isozyme elution from starch gels is described which resulted in nearly full expected recovery (approximately 46%) of the ADH activity in the applied sample.
Distribution of conserved species in diffusion-reaction systems

A theorem is given which provides a bound on the departure, at any point in a spatially distributed reaction system, of the total concentration of a conserved moiety from the volume mean. An immediate consequence is that the total concentration of an enzyme in an open reaction system may be considered as (spatially) contant, wherever the diffusion coefficients of the enzyme and its complexes are sufficiently similar.
The control of pacemaker modulations for social communication in the weakly electric fish Sternopygus.

Nearly sinusoidal electric organ discharges (EODs) of the weakly electric fish Sternopygus, occur at a regular rate within a range from 50 to 200 Hz and are commanded by a medullary pacemaker nucleus (Pn). During courtship and aggression, the rate of EODs is modulated as smooth EOD-frequency rises or brief EOD-interruptions (Hopkins 1974b). The present study examines the control of such modulations. Rises were elicited by L-glutamate stimulation of the diencephalic prepacemaker nucleus, the only previously known source of input to the Pn. We demonstrate an additional input to the Pn, the sublemniscal prepacemaker nucleus (SPPn). L-glutamate stimulation of this area caused EOD-interruptions.
Statistical analysis of lateral migration of the Rio Grande, New Mexico

Abstract The lateral migration rates of alluvial rivers are affected by changes in water and sediment regimes. The Rio Grande downstream from Cochiti Dam exhibits spatial and temporal variability in lateral movement rates documented since 1918. A tremendous database exists that documents planform, bed material size, channel geometry, and water and sediment regimes. A statistical analysis reveals that migration rates primarily decreased with decreasing flow energy (R2 > 0.50, p 60%. The findings show that lateral movement increases with increasing flow energy and with degree of braiding.
States in 8Li from an R-matrix analysis of 7Li(n, n)7Li and 7Li(n, n′)7Li ∗ (0.478, 4.63) measurements☆

Abstract A comprehensive multilevel multichannel R -matrix analysis of 7 Li+n scattering data has been completed. All available neutron elastic scattering and inelastic scattering data to the first two excited states of 7 Li up to 8 MeV incident neutron energy were included in the analysis. Good over-all fits to all cross-section data throughout this energy range were obtained. In this study six previously unknown levels in 8 Li have been identified and spin and parity assignments for these and all previously identified levels in 7 Li except the very narrow one at E x = 6.53 MeV have been made. The present results are in excellent agreement with previous analyses and model calculations.
Relationship between CSF neurotransmitter metabolites and aggressive behavior in Alzheimer's disease

To assess neurochemical correlates of aggressive behavior in Alzheimer's disease (AD) we examined concentrations of homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 11 clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and 12 non-demented age-equivalent controls. There were no significant differences between AD patients and controls in CSF HVA concentrations. However, the CSF 5-HIAA content was significantly lower in AD patients compared to controls. Patients without aggressive behavior had significantly lower concentrations of HVA and 5-HIAA than those with aggression, in whom concentrations were preserved compared to non-demented controls.
Displacement reactions in the solid state

Simple displacement reactions in the solid state are considered with the purpose of predict-ing the morphologies and the reaction rates from a knowledge of pertinent thermodynamic and diffusion data. The theoretical predictions are substantiated by experimental observa-tions for four reaction couples [Ni/Cu2O, Co/Cu2O, Fe/Cu2O, and Fe/NiO] reacted at 1000°C. Displacement reactions are classified according to the product morphology; layered and ag-gregate arrangements of the product phases were observed, with two modifications (lamellar and interwoven) occurring within the aggregate morphological class. Parabolic kinetics for the growth of the product phases are observed for each couple. The magnitudes of the para-bolic rate constants for the couples which exhibit the layered arrangement are comparable with calculated values. A technique for controlling the product morphology is discussed, and a process for producing porous metal or oxide screens is introduced.
Risks and Opportunities of Crossing the Academy/Policy Divide

Editors' Note: The theme statement of the 2007 annual meeting of the International Studies Association challenged scholars to reflect on their responsibility to the policy world and the wider policy community. It asked whether those of us in the academy have a responsibility to seek political and social change by working for national governments and international organizations or whether such work results in unacceptable compromises with our political principles? Conversely, is the kind of theoretical work that is so highly respected and rewarded in the academy of any use to those who must deal with the pressing realities of everyday international politics? Is the kind of research we do in the university useful for policymakers? There is a concern that the kind of research on which policymakers rely is being generated in specialized think tanks rather than in universities. Many of us teach future decision makers and citizens. Are objectivity and political neutrality goals to which we aspire, or should aspire, in our teaching? The 2007 ISA annual meeting hosted a series of roundtables at which a variety of scholars, who have crossed the academy/policy line and worked for national governments or international organizations, discussed and debated these questions. They assessed the risks and opportunities involved as well as some of the ethical dilemmas that they faced. Seven of them have contributed to this forum; there are similarities and divergences in their views and we hope these observations will stimulate further discussion on this important issue. We begin with some observations by three scholars who have held a variety of positions in the US government. Joseph Nye, who served as deputy to the undersecretary for security assistance, science, and technology in the US Department of State in the Carter administration and later as Assistant Secretary of Defense in the 1990s, …