cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transparent electrode designs based on optimal nano-patterning of metallic films

Transparent conductive electrodes are critical to the operation of optoelectronic devices, such as photovoltaic cells and light emitting diodes. Effective electrodes need to combine excellent electrical and optical properties. Metal oxides, such as indium tin oxide, are commonly used. There is substantial interest in replacing them, however, motivated by practical problems and recent discoveries regarding the optics of nano-patterned metals. When designing nano-patterned metallic films for use as electrodes, one needs to account for both optical and electrical properties. In general, it is insufficient to optimize nano-structured films based upon optical properties alone, since structural variations will also affect the electrical properties. In this work, we investigate the need for simultaneous optical and electrical performance by analyzing the optical properties of a class of nano-patterned metallic electrodes that is obtained by a constant-sheet-resistance transformation. Within such a class the electrical and optical properties can be separated, i.e., the sheet resistance can be kept constant and the transmittance can be optimized independently. For simple one-dimensional periodic patterns with constant sheet-resistance, we find a transmission maximum (polarization-averaged) when the metal sections are narrow ( 100 nm). Our design carries over to more complex two-dimensional (2D) patterns. This is significant as there are no previous reports regarding numerical studies on the optical and electrical properties of 2D nano-patterns in the context of electrode design.
A tetO Toolkit To Alter Expression of Genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Strategies to optimize a metabolic pathway often involve building a large collection of strains, each containing different versions of sequences that regulate the expression of pathway genes. Here, we develop reagents and methods to carry out this process at high efficiency in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We identify variants of the Escherichia coli tet operator (tetO) sequence that bind a TetR–VP16 activator with differential affinity and therefore result in different TetR–VP16 activator-driven expression. By recombining these variants upstream of the genes of a pathway, we generate unique combinations of expression levels. Here, we built a tetO toolkit, which includes the I-OnuI homing endonuclease to create double-strand breaks, which increases homologous recombination by 105; a plasmid carrying six variant tetO sequences flanked by I-OnuI sites, uncoupling transformation and recombination steps; an S. cerevisiae-optimized TetR–VP16 activator; and a vector to integrate constructs into the yeast ...
Strategic Planning and Financial Management.

An effective strategic planner needs strong financial management skills to implement the plan over time. This chapter discusses how to enhance the effectiveness of a strategic plan through an examination of the purposes and phases of budgeting.
Toward establishing a realistic benchmark for airframe noise research: issues and challenges

The availability of realistic benchmark configurations is essential to enable the validation of current Computational Aeroacoustic (CAA) methodologies and to further the development of new ideas and concepts that will foster the technologies of the next generation of CAA tools. The selection of a real-world configuration, the subsequent design and fabrication of an appropriate model for testing, and the acquisition of the necessarily comprehensive aeroacoustic data base are critical steps that demand great care and attention. In this paper, a brief account of the nose landing-gear configuration, being proposed jointly by NASA and the Gulfstream Aerospace Company as an airframe noise benchmark, is provided. The underlying thought processes and the resulting building block steps that were taken during the development of this benchmark case are given. Resolution of critical, yet conflicting issues is discussed - the desire to maintain geometric fidelity versus model modifications required to accommodate instrumentation; balancing model scale size versus Reynolds number effects; and time, cost, and facility availability versus important parameters like surface finish and installation effects. The decisions taken during the experimental phase of a study can significantly affect the ability of a CAA calculation to reproduce the prevalent flow conditions and associated measurements. For the nose landing gear, the most critical of such issues are highlighted and the compromises made to resolve them are discussed. The results of these compromises will be summarized by examining the positive attributes and shortcomings of this particular benchmark case.
Experience with a hybrid, minimally invasive gastrostomy for children with abnormal epigastric anatomy.

Abstract Purpose This communication is an analysis of the experience with a new type of gastrostomy. It was developed for patients with pronounced epigastric anatomical abnormalities, such as dense adhesions, in whom the conventional “open” gastrostomy could prove difficult and the percutaneous endoscopic, the imaging-guided, and the laparoscopically assisted methods would be unsafe. Method A large, soft rubber catheter is inserted in the child's mouth and advanced into the stomach. A small epigastric incision is made. With the help of the catheter, the anterior gastric wall is identified and the stoma site chosen. One of the curved needles of a double-armed monofilament suture is passed through the gastric wall and through the catheter. The needle is then cut off. The other needle is passed through the abdominal wall, from the inside out at the most suitable skin stoma site. When the catheter (with the embedded suture) is withdrawn from the mouth, a tract is established. The suture is replaced by a guide wire, which allows a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy–type catheter to be placed by the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy “pull” technique. Results This approach was used in 15 patients (14 children—ages 1 month to 7 years and one 19 years old) with: status post (s/p) necrotizing enterocolitis and bowel loss (n = 4); s/p gastroschisis and short-gut syndrome (n = 3); cerebral palsy, s/p ventriculo-peritoneal shunt infections (n = 2); s/p complex omphalocele; dwarfism; morphologic abnormalities; repaired prune-belly syndrome; s/p duodenal atresia with malrotation; severe scoliosis with s/p multiple shunt infections (one each). There were no complications. The technique also proved useful in several other children in whom a laparotomy incision for unrelated conditions was remote from the gastrostomy site. Conclusion Using a very small incision, this hybrid method permits safe and precise gastric and abdominal wall site selection and gastrostomy catheter placement. Gastrotomy as well as purse-string and peritoneal fixation sutures are not needed, and the danger of accidental catheter dislodgement is minimized.
The hospitalist: a new medical specialty?

Economic forces have stimulated a growing role for physician hospitalists in caring for patients hospitalized by other physicians, and the question of whether hospital care constitutes a new medical specialty has been raised. Three recently recognized specialties-emergency medicine, family practice, and critical care-originated from trends in medical practice. All three fulfill the major criteria for a medical specialty: scientific legitimacy, the development of new training pathways, and the existence of academic departments. The hospitalist movement is currently underdeveloped in each of these areas. By training, most hospitalists are internists who are well prepared to care for inpatients. Internal medicine must determine how this new movement fits into the traditional framework of general internal medicine and medical subspecialties. Until it does, the future of inpatient medicine as a recognized specialty will remain uncertain.
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-induced translocation of protein kinase C to the nucleus in rat cerebellar slices.

Abstract Rat cerebellar slices were incubated in absence and presence of N- methyl- d -aspartate and then used to prepare a purified nuclear fraction. The purity of the nuclear fraction was assessed by electron microscopy and measurements of Na + , K + -ATPase activity. The presence of protein kinase C in nuclear fractions was measured by [ 3 H]phorbol dibutyrate binding. Treatment of cerebellar slices with N- methyl- d -aspartate caused a significant, two-fold increase in the density of nuclear [ 3 H]phorbol dibutyrate binding sites, indicating the translocation of protein kinase C to the nuclear fraction. The effect of N- methyl- d -aspartate was prevented by the presence of the N- methyl- d -aspartate receptor antagonist (+)5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzocyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate (MK-801). These results suggest a possible role for protein kinase C in mediating N- methyl- d -aspartate-induced nuclear events.
Cognitive performance in a placebo-controlled pharmacotherapy trial for youth with marijuana dependence.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent marijuana use is associated with neurocognitive impairment, but further work is needed to assess the relationship between treatment-associated abstinence and cognitive performance. METHODS: This secondary analysis, conducted in the context of a marijuana cessation pharmacotherapy trial in adolescents, examined cognitive performance at baseline and at two time points during treatment using the CNS Vital Signs assessment battery. RESULTS: Abstinence from marijuana, relative to continued use, as assessed via urine cannabinoid testing, was associated with significant improvement in composite memory (pCONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that some domains of cognitive performance improve significantly even in the early stages of treatment-associated abstinence. Language: en
A Basis for the Cycle Space of a 2-connected Graph

Let G be a 2-connected graph with minimum degree d I. Hartman proved that the cycles of length at least d + 1 generate the cycle space of G , unless d is odd and G ≅ K d +1 . We give a new and simpler proof of this theorem.
Apparatus for ultrasound tissue characterization of excised specimens.

Apparatus is described for measurement of sound speed and ultrasound attenuation coefficients by the substitution technique in the frequency range 3 to 8 MHz. Phase-cancellation artifacts leading to overestimation of attenuation coefficients are avoided by use of an acoustoelectric transducer. Specimens confined by polystyrene windows can be interrogated by focused ultrasound beams at selected locations spaced on a grid of 3 × 3 mm voxels. Pulse time of flight is measured with an accuracy of 30 ns, yielding sound speeds accurate to ±6.7 m/s, for samples 10 mm thick. Uncertainties in measured insertion losses range from 0.1 dB in low-loss (10 dB) specimens to 0.5 dB in high-loss (25 dB) specimens.
A Man Lost in the Gray Zone

The Rudolf Kastner trial was one of the three great scandals that rocked Israeli party politics in the 1950s (the others were the negotiations with Germany for Holocaust reparations and the so-called “Lavon affair”). Although Leora Bilsky describes it as an “almost forgotten trial,” it has not been forgotten by subsequent writers: it makes an important cameo appearance in Arendt's Eichmann in Jerusalem; it features prominently in Tom Segev's The Seventh Million (1991); Yehuda Bauer's Jews for Sale? (1994) takes pains to refute the charges against Kastner; and it inspired two novels—Amos Elon's Timetable (1980) and Neil Gordon's cerebral thriller The Sacrifice of Isaac (1995). But the legal opinions have never until now attracted the thought or analysis they warrant, and Bilsky deserves gratitude for remedying this omission. With admirable insight and ingenuity, Bilsky focuses on the construction of the legal opinions as a form of literature. Her reading of Judge Halevi's and Justice Agranat's opinions centers on the way in which law is driven by metaphor—in Halevi's case, the metaphor of contract; in Agranat's, the metaphor of administrative decision making. Her article is a major contribution to our understanding of the Kastner case and to the way that, in a situation of intense moral ambiguity, legal analysis can be predetermined by a choice of metaphors.
High-Throughput Expression of C. elegans Proteins

Proteome-scale studies of protein three-dimensional structures should provide valuable information for both investigating basic biology and developing therapeutics. Critical for these endeavors is the expression of recombinant proteins. We selected Caenorhabditis elegans as our model organism in a structural proteomics initiative because of the high quality of its genome sequence and the availability of its ORFeome, protein-encoding open reading frames (ORFs), in a flexible recombinational cloning format. We developed a robotic pipeline for recombinant protein expression, applying the Gateway cloning/expression technology and utilizing a stepwise automation strategy on an integrated robotic platform. Using the pipeline, we have carried out heterologous protein expression experiments on 10,167 ORFs of C. elegans. With one expression vector and one Escherichia coli strain, protein expression was observed for 4854 ORFs, and 1536 were soluble. Bioinformatics analysis of the data indicates that protein hydrophobicity is a key determining factor for an ORF to yield a soluble expression product. This protein expression effort has investigated the largest number of genes in any organism to date. The pipeline described here is applicable to high-throughput expression of recombinant proteins for other species, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, provided that ORFeome resources become available.
Quality Evaluation in Flexible Machining Systems: A Flexible Fixture Case Study

Most of the studies in flexible manufacturing systems address the issues of flexibility, productivity, cost, etc. The impact of flexible lines on product quality is less studied. This paper presents a quantitative model based on Markov chain analysis to evaluate quality performance of a flexible machining system. A case study of flexible fixture is provided to illustrate the applicability of the method.
Variation of radon levels in U.S. homes correlated with house characteristics, location, and socioeconomic factors

Data are analyzed on measurements of Rn levels in numerous U.S. homes, accompanied by responses to questionnaires. Substantial (but far from complete) bias reduction was accomplished using questionnaire responses, leaving 37,000 measurements in living areas and 33,000 in basements for the analysis. Variables studied included: level with respect to ground where measurement was made, room type, age of house, recent weatherization actions, draftiness, location (urban, suburban, rural), air pollution, market value of house, annual household income, educational attainment of head of household, cigarette smoking, whether the house is rented or owner occupied, and geographic section of U.S. Geometric mean Rn levels were determined for each response to questionnaire items (correlations) and for each pair of responses (cross correlations). Many interesting correlations and cross correlations were found, and their explanation and consequences are discussed.
Young maternal age and depressive symptoms: Results from the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to provide population-based estimates of the prevalence of depressive symptoms among primiparous US adolescent mothers. METHODS: Data from the live-birth component of the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms varied by age and race, from 14% among White adult mothers to 48% among Black mothers 15 to 17 years old. After control for income and marital status, the increased prevalence of depressive symptoms associated with adolescent motherhood was greatly diminished (for 15- to 17-year-old Black women and 18- to 19-year-old White women) or eliminated (for 18- to 19-year-old Black women and 15- to 17-year-old White women). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent mothers experience high rates of depressive symptoms relative to adult mothers, and mental health and other interventions that alleviate the exacerbating influence of poverty and unmarried status are warranted.
Sovereignty between Effectiveness and Legitimacy: Dimensions and Actual Relevance of Sovereignty in Bodin, Hobbes and Rousseau

According to a widespread understanding, the idea and the reality of state-sovereignty are in crisis, and may even have come to an end. The state is becoming a “cooperative” state which is no longer capable of imposing its will, and is thus but one social actor among others. This diagnosis relies on a concept of sovereignty which is basically defined by the capacity of the state to organize and rule society. The present article inquires into the conceptual basis of this kind of description, analysis and critique. Are we dealing with an appropriate analysis of current developments? Are the dimensions of state sovereignty, associated in historical and systematic perspective, adequately described? In order to answer these questions the article goes back to the foundations of modern sovereignty, its practical dimensions and its concomitant problems as outlined in Bodin, Hobbes and Rousseau.
Radiation-Induced Tumorigenesis in Preneoplastic Mouse Mammary Glands In Vivo: Significance of p53 Status and Apoptosis

In mouse mammary tumorigenesis, p53 mutations facilitate tumorigenesis in concert with other oncogenic alterations. Ionizing radiation enhances tumorigenesis in preneoplastic mammary outgrowth lines and induces p53-dependent apoptosis. We asked if normal p53 function modulates radiation-induced tumorigenesis in preneoplastic mammary lesions by affecting the apoptotic pathway of cell deletion. Three different hyperplastic outgrowth lines were compared. Outgrowth line D1 overexpressed wild-type p53 and responded to irradiation with enhanced tumorigenicity but no induction of apoptosis. Outgrowth line TM12 exhibited normal wild-type p53 expression and responded to irradiation with no alteration in tumorigenicity but with a marked increase in apoptosis. Outgrowth line TM2L also exhibited normal wild-type p53 expression and responded to irradiation with a marked enhancement in both tumorigenicity and apoptosis. These results indicate that the two radiation-induced responses, apoptosis and tumorigenesis, are dissociable events in the mammary gland. Furthermore, radiation-induced tumorigenicity was not abrogated by either enhanced wild-type p53 expression or a robust apoptotic response. The radiation dose of 5 Gy most likely induces multiple genetic alterations in surviving cells, including genomic instability, and this may account for the tumorigenicity. Future experiments will examine lower doses of irradiation that still induce a significant apoptotic response but significantly less genomic instability. Mol. Carcinog. 22:199–207, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A scalable method for predicting network performance in heterogeneous clusters

An important requirement for the effective scheduling of parallel applications on large heterogeneous clusters is a current view of system resource availability. Maintaining such a view is a time consuming problem, potentially O(N/sup 2/). Although CPU availability is relatively easy to monitor, interconnecting network bandwidth varies not only with network topology, but also with message size and even with respect to the load of the communicating nodes. This paper describes a method for predicting a cluster's network performance for the purpose of scheduling parallel applications. The method generates a cluster-specific network model which can predict the latency of communications between any pair of nodes in linear time and under any computational and/or communication load conditions. The paper also presents the models generated for the Centurion cluster at the University of Virginia and the Orange Grove cluster at Syracuse University. A study of the prediction accuracy of the method under various load conditions by comparison to experimental measurements indicates an average prediction error of approximately 5% with the maximum encountered prediction error of less than 9%.
Comparison of information processing technologies.

Objective: To examine the type of information obtainable from scientific papers, using three different methods for the extraction, organization, and preparation of literature reviews. Design: A set of three review papers was identified, and the ideas represented by the authors of those papers were extracted. The 161 articles referenced in those three reviews were then analyzed using 1) a formalized data extraction approach, which uses a protocol-driven manual process to extract the variables, values, and statistical significance of the stated relationships; and 2) a computerized approach known as “Idea Analysis,” which uses the abstracts of the original articles and processes them through a computer software program that reads the abstracts and organizes the ideas presented by the authors. The results were then compared. The literature focused on the human papillomavirus and its relationship to cervical cancer. Results: Idea Analysis was able to identify 68.9 percent of the ideas considered by the authors of the three review papers to be of importance in describing the association between human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. The formalized data extraction identified 27 percent of the authors' ideas. The combination of the two approaches identified 74.3 percent of the ideas considered important in the relationship between human papillomavirus and cervical cancer, as reported by the authors of the three review articles. Conclusion: This research demonstrated that both a technically derived and a computer derived collection, categorization, and summarization of original articles and abstracts could provide a reliable, valid, and reproducible source of ideas duplicating, to a major degree, the ideas presented by subject specialists in review articles. As such, these tools may be useful to experts preparing literature reviews by eliminating many of the clerical-mechanical features associated with present-day scientific text processing.
Social Stress Enhances Allergen-Induced Airway Inflammation in Mice and Inhibits Corticosteroid Responsiveness of Cytokine Production

Chronic psychosocial stress exacerbates asthma, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that psychosocial stress aggravates allergic airway inflammation by altering innate immune cell function. The effects of stress on airway inflammation, lung function, and glucocorticoid responsiveness were studied in a novel in vivo murine model of combined social disruption stress and allergic sensitization. The effects of corticosterone were assessed on cytokine profile and glucocorticoid receptor activation in LPS-stimulated spleen cell cultures in vitro. Airway inflammation resolved 48 h after a single allergen provocation in sensitized control mice, but not in animals that were repeatedly exposed to stress before allergen challenge. The enhanced eosinophilic airway inflammation 48 h after allergen challenge in these mice was associated with increased levels of IL-5, GM-CSF, IgG1, thymus-activated and regulatory chemokine, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the airways and a diminished inhibition of these mediators by corticosterone in LPS-stimulated splenocyte cultures in vitro. Stress-induced reduction of the corticosteroid effects paralleled increased p65 expression and a decreased DNA-binding capability of the glucocorticoid receptor in vitro. Furthermore, glucocorticoid receptor mRNA and protein expression in the lungs of mice exposed to both stress and allergen was markedly reduced in comparison with that in either condition alone or in naive mice. Thus, exposure to repeated social stress before allergen inhalation enhances and prolongs airway inflammation and alters corticosterone responsiveness. We speculate that these effects were mediated at least in part by impaired glucocorticoid receptor expression and function.
High-Transmission-Efficiency and Side-Viewing Micro OIDRS Probe for Fast and Minimally Invasive Tumor Margin Detection

The determination of a cancer free margin I organ is a difficult and time consuming process, with an unmet need for rapid determination of tumor margin at surgery. In this paper, we report the design, fabrication, and testing of a novel miniaturized optical sensor probe with “side-viewing” capability. Its unprecedented small size, unique “side-viewing” capability, and high optical transmission efficiency enable the agile maneuvering and efficient data collection even in the narrow cavities inside the human body. The sensor probe consists of four micromachined substrates with optical fibers for oblique light incidence and collection of spatially resolved diffuse reflectance from the contacted tissues. The optical sensor probe has been used to conduct the oblique incidence diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (OIDRS) on a human pancreatic specimen. Based on the measurement results, the margin of the malignant tumor has been successfully determined optically, which matches well with the histological results.
Innovative practices session 9C: Implications of power delivery network for validation and testing

Silicon bring-up aims to achieve validation across a desired spread of power and performance for an integrated circuit product such as a microprocessor, and manufacturing test aims to screen out defects and classify parts into a range of performance bins. Both these steps are increasingly becoming complex due to shrinking device dimensions causing circuit performance to become highly sensitive to voltage variations such as high/low frequency voltage droops and IR drop. During bring-up, the sensitivity of performance to voltage behavior is also not consistent and correlated across different validation platforms such as a system (board) or a tester, or across different test methodologies such as functional testing or scan testing. This voltage sensitivity coupled with lack of sufficient silicon observability of voltage behavior in a cycle-by-cycle manner adversely impacts silicon debug efficiency during bring-up both on the system and on the tester. This can lead to sub-optimal fixes in each silicon iteration and increased iterations. This can increase time-to-market, and also significantly reduce yield during manufacturing test. The downward pressure on product cost necessitates that test cost scales proportionally. The high cost of functional test development to achieve a desired coverage, the relatively high functional tester costs vis-a-vis the costs of structural testers, and increased complexity of low-yield analysis and failure analysis (FA) with functional tests due to large number of cycles that need to be simulated to reason about failures, all conspire to render production testing with functional tests increasingly infeasible. To address the need for adequate defect coverage at a desired operating frequency using scan-based tests that is at par with that provided by functional tests, at-speed application of scan tests becomes necessary. Recently published literature has indicated increased voltage sensitivity to at-speed scan test application and increased power dissipation during at-speed test. To avoid yield loss and test escapes due to these issues, it becomes necessary to match or correlate the dynamic voltage and current profiles of scan tests to those of functional tests which have been accepted so far as a de facto standard (though not golden). However, for scan-based testing to replace functional tests effectively, it is imperative that voltage/power profiles during functional tests be characterized adequately. Scan test application schemes and scan test content that can provide voltage/power profiles that match those of functional tests can then be developed to reduce product test cost without compromising quality. This session explores characterization of power delivery network on a silicon die, its impact on silicon bring-up, and on effectiveness of functional and at-speed scan-based manufacturing test.
Application of Robust Optimization Approach for Agricultural Water Resource Management under Uncertainty

AbstractOptimization models are widely used in agricultural water resources management programs. However, optimization models in most applications use data that is subject to uncertainty. Recently, robust optimization has been used as an optimization model that incorporates uncertainty. This paper proposes a linear programming model with the objective of maximizing the total gross margin for the delivery of water to agricultural areas that cover an irrigation network over a planning horizon. The writers apply uncertain data in this system in the form of a robust optimization approach. The writers also consider analysis of the sensitivity of the total gross margin in accordance with the variations of the degree of conservatism (reliability), irrigation efficiency, and price of irrigation water. The results of changes to these parameters in a wide range of variations caused large changes in the optimal total gross margin of the planning horizon. Application of the proposed model to the case study of the Nek...
A Hybrid View in a Laparoscopic Surgery Training System

In this paper, a hybrid view application is proposed - a subsystem of a computerized laparoscopic surgery training system. To minimize the potential hazards of laparoscopic surgery, an assistive training system is being developed. A digital camera and magnetic position sensors are used to detect laparoscopic instruments in the system. The hybrid view is a component of this system which overlays the positions of organs and objects with the path history of the instruments. This method could help confirm erroneous movements made by surgeons and provide more useful information than separate sensors. This may minimize the cognitive overload on the surgeons. Initial experimental results are presented to show the feasibility of the proposed method
Relationship between affective determinants and achievement in science for seventeen-year-olds

Data collected in the 1976-1977 NAEP survey of seventeen-year-olds was used to reanalyze the hypothesis that there are affective determinates of science achievement. Factor and item analysis procedures were used to examine affective and cognitive items from Booklet 4. Eight affective scales and one cognitive achievement scale were identified. Using stepwise multiple regression procedures, the four affective scales of Motivation, Anxiety, Student Choice, and Teacher Support were found to account for the majority of the correlation between the affective determinants and achievement.
Nutritive Quality of Highbush Blackberry (Rubus argutus) Exposed to Tropospheric Ozone

Numerous studies have examined the impacts of ground level O3 on plants that are important for human consumption, but native species that are important for wildlife have received less scrutiny. During May–August 2004 we examined the effects of O3 on biomass production and nutritive quality of highbush blackberry (Rubus argutus Link), an important forage for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman) and other herbivorous mammals. Plants were fumigated in open-top chambers with three levels of O3 in a randomized-block experiment with three replicates of each treatment. Our three experimental treatments were carbon-filtered air, characteristic of clean air quality; nonfiltered air, representative of air quality in Auburn, AL; and air with double (2×) the ambient concentration of O3. Although biomass production was not influenced by O3 exposure, nutritive quality of plants was associated negatively with O3 concentration. Specifically, neutral detergent fiber was greater and relative feed value was less in plants exposed to elevated levels of O3. Similarly, in vitro dry matter digestibility tended to be less in plants exposed to elevated O3. Nutritive quality of regrowth vegetation followed a similar pattern, where neutral detergent fiber was greater and relative feed value was less in plants exposed to elevated levels of O3. These data suggest that elevated levels of ground level O3 could have implications for diet selection of herbivorous mammals.
Evaluating the presence versus absence of the reinforcer during extinction

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of extinction when the reinforcer was present versus absent. These effects were examined with 2 human operant procedures (i.e., a computer program and a mechanical apparatus) with college students as participants. Discriminable properties of the apparatus appeared to influence responding during extinction. In general, responding during extinction was less likely with the mechanical apparatus when the reinforcer was absent and more likely with the computer program.
A New Hierarchical Waveband Assignment Algorithm for Multi-Granular Optical Networks

In the wavelength routing networks (WRNs), one of the major challenges is the dramatic increase of node size and complexity. As an alternative solution, waveband switching (WBS) is introduced to group multiple wavelengths together as a band or fiber and switch them using a single port whenever possible. The WBS efficiency is defined as the ratio between the ports required under the WBS networks and the WRNs. In this paper, we illustrate that the WBS efficiency can be influenced by factors such as bypass-traffic, node-degree, and the overlapping between routing paths. We then propose a new Hierarchical Waveband Assignment (HWA) scheme while taking these factors into consideration to efficiently group the traffic in multi-granular optical networks. Our simulation shows that HWA provides a significant improvement over an existing WBS algorithm which offers near-optimal performance in terms of port number.
Evaluation of Occlusal Splint Therapy and Relaxation Procedures in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders

Although two common therapies for TM disorders are demonstrably effective, one poses difficulties in clinical application.
Hull detection based on largest empty sector angle with application to analysis of realtime MR images

We present a novel view of the hull detection problem in two dimensions. Our proposed method is based on the principle offindingPareto optimalboundariesandextendsit to the generalproblemoffindinga hull fora givenset of points. We first computethe largestempty sector angle (LESA)score for each point. The desired hull can then be obtained as a super-level set of this score. We show how the proposed representation is related to a convex hull and demonstrate the flexibility it provides in choosing the geometry of the hull. As a target application we also present a head movement correction technique for real-time MR images of the dynamic vocal tract.
Accurate Assessment of Packaging Stress Effects on MEMS Sensors by Measurement and Sensor–Package Interaction Simulations

In this paper, packaging-induced stress effects are assessed for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors. A packaged MEMS sensor may experience output signal shift (offset) due to the thermomechanical stresses induced by the plastic packaging assembly processes and external loads applied during subsequent use in the field. Modeling and simulation to minimize the stress-induced offset shift are essential for high-precision accelerometers, gyroscopes, and many other MEMS devices. Improvement of plastic package modeling accuracy is accomplished by correlating finite-element analysis package models using measured material properties and package warpage. Using a refined reduced-order MEMS sensor and package interaction model, device offset is simulated, optimized, and compared with data collected from a unique three-axis accelerometer, which uses a single mass for all three axes sensing. As a result, this accelerometer has achieved very low offset in all axes over device operation temperature range of to . Device offset performance was improved by at least five times after the MEMS design optimization as compared with the one prior to the optimization.
Three phase active harmonic rectifier (AHR) to improve utility input current THD in telecommunication power distribution system

Modern telecommunication power supply systems have several parallel connected switch mode rectifiers to provide -48 V DC. Typical switch mode rectifier configuration includes a three phase diode rectifier followed by a DC-DC converter. Such a system draws significant harmonic currents for the utility resulting in poor input power factor and high total harmonic distortion (THD). In this paper, a three phase active harmonic rectifier (AHR) scheme is proposed. In AHR scheme, a diode rectifier module is replaced by 6-IGBT PWM rectifier to supply load harmonics as well as its own active power. Each DC-DC converter module is connected to a shared 48 V dc-link. The AHR module together with parallel connected switch mode rectifiers is controlled to achieve clean input power characteristics. The VA ratings of AHR scheme is compared with an active power filter (APF) approach. The control design is based on the synchronous reference frame approach. Analysis, simulation and experimental results show that AHR offers several advantages such as lower VA rating, better current control response, efficient use of AHR dc-link, small size, and stable dc-link voltage control.
Subclavian steal syndrome: A review

The incidence of subclavian steal syndrome is poorly documented in recent literature; however, there is general agreement that it is a relatively uncommon diagnosis. The actual occurrence of a subclavian steal is more common than the associated syndrome. Symptoms of arm ischemia and vertebral-basilar insufficiency secondary to a subclavian steal can become quite disabling in some patients. Through astute observation and assessment, nurses may be the first to identify a patient with subclavian steal syndrome. Subclavian steal may be identified by nurses during routine history and physical examination. All patients initially seen with discrepant arm blood pressures or a diminished or weakened radial pulse unilaterally should have the diagnosis of subclavian steal considered during their evaluation. In addition, patients with vertebral-basilar symptoms or arm ischemia should have the diagnosis of subclavian steal ruled out. This article presents a review of the history, pathogenesis, current treatment modalities, and nursing care of patients with a subclavian steal.
A randomised controlled trial of kinematically and mechanically aligned total knee replacements

We have previously reported the short-term radiological results of a randomised controlled trial comparing kinematically aligned total knee replacement (TKR) and mechanically aligned TKR, along with early pain and function scores. In this study we report the two-year clinical results from this trial. A total of 88 patients (88 knees) were randomly allocated to undergo either kinematically aligned TKR using patient-specific guides, or mechanically aligned TKR using conventional instruments. They were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The patients and the clinical evaluator were blinded to the method of alignment. At a minimum of two years, all outcomes were better for the kinematically aligned group, as determined by the mean Oxford knee score (40 (15 to 48) versus 33 (13 to 48); p = 0.005), the mean Western Ontario McMaster Universities Arthritis index (WOMAC) (15 (0 to 63) versus 26 (0 to 73); p = 0.005), mean combined Knee Society score (160 (93 to 200) versus 137 (64 to 200); p= 0.005) and mean flexion of 121° (100 to 150) versus 113° (80 to 130) (p = 0.002). The odds ratio of having a pain-free knee at two years with the kinematically aligned technique (Oxford and WOMAC pain scores) was 3.2 (p = 0.020) and 4.9 (p = 0.001), respectively, compared with the mechanically aligned technique. Patients in the kinematically aligned group walked a mean of 50 feet further in hospital prior to discharge compared with the mechanically aligned group (p = 0.044). In this study, the use of a kinematic alignment technique performed with patient-specific guides provided better pain relief and restored better function and range of movement than the mechanical alignment technique performed with conventional instruments. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:907–13.
Economic Evaluation Alongside a Clinical Trial of Telephone Versus In-Person Genetic Counseling for BRCA1/2 Mutations in Geographically Underserved Areas.

QUESTION ASKED:Many individuals at risk for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations do not have access to trained genetic counselors. This study conducted an economic evaluation alongside a clinical trial of approaches to extending the reach of genetic testing services to geographically underserved populations.SUMMARY ANSWER:Telephone genetic counseling was less expensive than in-person services delivered in the community per individual counseled, individual tested, or mutation detected. For example, it cost an average of $120 (range, $80 to $200) per person counseled in the telephone counseling arm compared with $270 (range, $180 to $400) for in-person counseling. One-way sensitivity analyses showed that the average cost per participant remained consistently lower in the telephone counseling arm than in the in-person counseling arm across the range values for each cost parameter and for each study outcome.METHODS:Microcosting was used to enumerate resources for counseling delivered at 14 primary care clinics (nine geog...
Effective Residue Persistence-A Useful Criterion in Ascertaining Potential Control by Acaricides

Laboratory and field-laboratory methods are described for measuring the rate that residues from spray applications of acaricides become unavailable or nontoxic to the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor). The relative duration of effective persistence found by use of these methods was correlated with the field control of this mile achieved from spray applications in 3–5 orchards. A closer correlation was noted between duration of effective persistence and the control by field application than between degree of toxicity and field control. It was concluded that persistence evaluations are a valuable addition to laboratory toxicity studies in selecting potential acaricides, but the combined toxicity and persistence evaluations do not always serve as reliable indicators of acarotidal effectiveness.
A Course in the Application of Linear Programming to Production Problems

Discusses a course in the application of linear programming to business problems. Elements of the course plan; Nature of the projects undertaken; Evaluation of the results of the course.
Influence of Thermal Aging Time on Electrical Tree Initiation of Silicone Rubber

Power cable operating at high temperature over a long period would influence the electrical performance of silicone rubber(SIR) in the new types of extra-high voltage prefabricated cable accessories. Through tests, we revealed the relationship between thermal aging time(0~1 000 h) at 90 ℃ and the characteristics of electrical tree aging: the electrical tree initiation voltage increases and then decreases with time; the thermal aging time greatly affects the characteristics of electrical trees, for instance, as the thermal aging develops, the proportion of pine-like trees firstly decreases and then increases, the proportion of bush-like trees firstly increases and then decreases, while the proportion of branch-like tree keeps low; the maximum discharge capacity firstly decreases and then increases with aging time. Further analysis combined with experiments of differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and equilibrium swelling, it is concluded that the breakdown of cross-linking network in SIR causes all the changes mentioned above. Hence we should pay more attention to the thermal aging of SIR in operation.
Study on important medical faunae and control measures in Taonan area

Objective To investigate the important medical faunae from Taonan city in Jinlin province,and work out control measures.Methods Rats were caught by the method of arch splint and the trap;blood-sucking diptera insects were collected by bed-curtain,light trap and insect ned.Results 3 899 important medical faunae belonging to 11 family 19 genera 28 species were recorded from Taonan city;it was recorded for 10 species,9 genera and 5 family of rodents,5 species and 2 genera of Culicidae,6 species and a genus of Ceratopogonidae,4 species and 4 genera of gamasid mites,3 species 3 genera and 3 family of Siphonaptera.The dominant species were Cricetulus barabensis(39.8%),Citellus dauricus(29.0%);Aedes dorsalis(60.0%),Aedes vexans(37.8%);Culicoides homotomus(80.2%);Eulaelaps cricetuli(63.4%),Haemolaelaps glasgowi(32.7%);Citellophils tesquorum sungaris(40.0%),Ophthalmopsylla kukuschkini(37.0%).The species composition of important medical faunae varied with habitats place.Conclusion It provides scientific basis for control measures and species composition study of important medical faunae in Taonan city of Jilin province.
Privacy Policy Analysis of Popular Web Platforms

Privacy is a primary concern of Internet users today, but still many users do not seem to understand just how much of their personal information is publicly available. This could be explained in part by the complexity of privacy policies of most online web platforms.
Sepsis after Bartholin's duct abscess marsupialization in a gravida.

Background Little information exists regarding sepsis following marsupialization of a Bartholin's duct abscess. We report a gravida who became septic after marsupialization. Case A 30-year-old primigravida at 32 weeks' gestation underwent marsupialization of a Bartholin's gland abscess. Postoperatively, she developed fever with maternal and fetal tachycardia. She was admitted to the hospital and started on broad-spectrum antibiotics. Her temperature increased to 39 degrees C, and she became hypotensive. Blood work demonstrated evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. The patient was stabilized with aggressive fluid resuscitation, antibiotics, transfusion of blood products and oxygen therapy. Within 24 hours, the fever and coagulopathy resolved. She was discharged on postoperative day 5 and gave birth without complications at 38 weeks' gestation. Conclusion Pregnant women undergoing marsupialization of a Bartholin's gland abscess should be considered at high risk and managed accordingly.
Cadmium attenuates the macrophage response to LPS through inhibition of the NF-κB pathway

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the U.S. is primarily caused by cigarette smoking. COPD patients are highly susceptible to respiratory infections in part due to alveolar macrophage dysfunction despite a substantial increase in macrophages in the lung. Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal that is concentrated within tobacco and accumulates in the lung of smokers. We hypothesized that Cd uptake into macrophages alters immune function thereby impairing the macrophage response to invading pathogens. Our hypothesis was tested by comparing primary human monocytes and macrophages, primary mouse bronchoalveolar lavage myeloid cells, and related cell lines. Strikingly, Cd exposure followed by LPS stimulation resulted in a dose-dependent, significant decrease in nuclear p65 activity in macrophages that was not observed in monocytes. This corresponded with Cd-mediated inhibition of IKKβ and an impaired ability to transcribe and release cytokines in response to LPS challenge in vivo. These findings provide novel evidence that Cd has the capacity to disrupt macrophage immune function compared with monocytes. Importantly, Cd results in immune dysfunction in macrophages through inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Based on these findings, we provide new evidence that Cd contributes to immune dysfunction in the lung of COPD subjects and may increase susceptibility to infection.