cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expansion method for the throughput analysis of open finite manufacturing/queueing networks with N-policy

Abstract In this paper we consider arbitrary topology manufacturing (queueing) systems with finite buffers and N -policy. N -policy involves a queueing system in which the machine (server) is assigned to alternative jobs when it becomes idle and becomes available only after the queue builds up to a predetermined level of N jobs. We use the decomposition, isolation and expansion methodologies to calculate the throughput of the system. The methodology is tested rigorously by using orthogonal arrays to design the experiments in order to cover a large experimental region. The results of the methodology are compared with simulation results. To this end, we also develop a simulation model (which in itself is quite challenging). The differences in the two results are investigated using t -tests. Based on the results, the methodology proves to be remarkably accurate and robust over a broad range of parameters. Scope and purpose Manufacturing systems these days are complex networks of service stations with finite capacities. In order to model such networks, researchers usually resort to simulation modeling just to capture the finite capacity restriction. However, a recently reported approximation technique, called the expansion methodology , has proven to be extremely robust. In this paper, an additional complication is introduced to the manufacturing system. In order to increase the utilization of machines (or minimize machine idle time), the work at a station is actually accumulated while the machine at that station is assigned to alternative jobs as soon as it becomes idle. The machine keeps processing these alternative jobs till the accumulated work at the station reaches a predetermined level of N jobs. In order to capture all these complications, this paper uses decomposition, isolation and expansion methodologies to develop an analytical (approximation) technique to model such a system. System throughput is used as the overall measure of performance. The technique is thoroughly tested and is found to be reliable, easy to program and robust.
A comparison between degenerate paramagnetic oscillators and two-photon correlated-spontaneous-emission lasers

Abstract The degenerate parametric oscillator (DPO) is analyzed with the nonlinear material treated quantum mechanically. The source of squeezing in the DPO is the same as in the two-photon correlated-spontaneous-emission laser (CEL) — the level coherence. In this sense, they are similar. The amount of squeezing in DPO is the same as in the two-photon CEL at two-photon resonance, but the gain in DPO is usually much smaller than that in the two-photon CEL at two-photon resonance.
Combined Analysis of Accelerated Fixed Stress Lab and Varying Stress Field Data

This article performs a combined analysis of lab and field data. The lab data are obtained by testing the specimens at high but fixed temperatures. The specimens in the field are subjected to a varying temperature profile.
An examination of the impact of equity carve-outs on stockholder and bondholder wealth

Abstract This study provides a comprehensive initial evaluation of the wealth transfer hypothesis as applied to the carve-out announcement and partial IPO on stockholders and bondholders from 1983 to 2002. Using daily security prices we show that such combinations have multi-faceted wealth transfers and wealth creation. Consistent with existing theory, we observe a wealth increase for stockholders and bondholders in the carve-out announcement period. In the carve-out period, we report a wealth loss for parent stockholders and bondholders, but a gain for subsidiary stockholders.
Fermi surface measurements in actinide metals and compounds

The various techniques of measuring Fermi Surface parameters are briefly discussed in terms f application to actinide systems. Particular emphasis is given the dHvA effect. Some general results found in the dHvA studies of actinide compounds are given. The dHvA effect has been measured in ..cap alpha..-U and is presented in detail. None of the observed frequencies corresponds to closed surfaces. Results are compared to the calculations of Freeman, Koelling and Watson-Yang where qualitative agreement is observed.
Cross-Sectional TEM Studies of DIGM in Irradiated Au-Cu Bilayers

Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy was used to study diffusion-induced grain boundary migration (DIGM) in irradiated and annealed Au/Cu bilayers. Using this technique, in combination with small probe X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, DIGM alloyed zones in Au were identified in an irradiated sample.
Learning the Critical Infrastructure Interdependencies through an Ontology-Based Information System:

A critical infrastructure (CI) is an array of assets and systems that, if disrupted, would threaten national security, economy, public health and safety, and way of life. Essential to the practice of critical infrastructure planning and drills are two pieces of knowledge. One concerns the interactions within a CI system (intradomain interdependencies), and the other concerns the interactions among the CI systems (cross-domain interdependencies). A thorough understanding of these two interwoven CI interdependencies is crucial to such tasks as vulnerability assessment, scenario composition, and homeland security drills. In this paper we present a new approach that facilitates the learning of the interdependencies. Employing a loosely coupled system of GIS and an ontology-based object modeling system developed in this study, it represents and visualizes the intradomain and cross-domain CI interdependencies both diagrammatically and geographically. The system and its knowledge representation methodology were ...
Organic anion transporter 3 (Oat3/Slc22a8) knockout mice exhibit altered clearance and distribution of penicillin G

The interaction of renal basolateral organic anion transporter 3 (Oat3) with commonly used pharmacotherapeutics (e.g., NSAIDs, β-lactams, and methotrexate) has been studied extensively in vitro. Ho...
Congenital dilatation of the pulmonary lymphatics.

A case of congenital dilation of the pulmonary lymphatics is described, the infant being still alive at the age of 9 months. The distinctive clinical features dating from the age of 3 days were marked distension of the thoracic cage, dyspnea with inspiratory recession, prolonged expiration without adventitious sounds, and the absence of cough. X-rays of the chest showed voluminous lungs which altered little on expiration. At thoracotomy, the lungs were found to have a peculiar sponge rubber consistency, deflating tardily to compression and leaving visible finger imprints. There were no cysts large enough to be seen with the naked eye. Biopsies of the lungs taken at an interval of 6 months showed persistent and unaltered gross dilatation of the subpleural, perivascular, and septal lymphatics. No other pathology was present in the lungs. Later the infant became subject to spontaneous attacks of wheezing, associated with cough. Despite the troubled course, the patient gained weight reasonably. The cushioning of the lungs by the dilated lymphatics is the probable factor responsible for the restricted movement and all other associated respiratory signs. Infection and cor pulmonale are the complications most to be feared.
A WH/GSMT based full-wave analysis of multilayered printed transmission lines

A full-wave analysis using the Wiener-Hopf procedure and the generalized scattering matrix technique, referred to as WH/GSMT, is presented. A canonical problem where the scattering of an obliquely incident plane wave by a perfect electric conducting half plane embedded in multilayer dielectric slabs is solved by way of the Wiener-Hopf formulation. The GSMT is used to build the transverse resonance relation in a self-consistent manner. Since all the scattering matrix elements are written in closed form, the method presented is very efficient in terms of both CPU time and storage space. Also, since no basis functions have to be assumed prior to the analysis, the results are quite reliable. Another important feature of this method is that it can provide good physical insight into the problems being considered because the result gives the complex amplitudes of individual parallel plate waveguide modes in each region. This method is especially suitable for transmission lines of intermediate width, with finite lateral ground planes or coupled strip line and slotline. >
Measuring perceptions of shared governance in clinical practice: psychometric testing of the RN-focused Index of Professional Governance (IPNG)

Shared governance is considered an innovative management process model that includes shared decision-making between all members of the healthcare workforce and focuses on nurses’ control over their practice and accountability of care. One specific tool that measures shared governance perceptions of nurses is the RN-focused Index of Professional Governance (IPNG). The objective of this study was to assess reliability and add to the validity of the IPNG by further establishing the construct validity and correlating the scale scores to measures of satisfaction obtained from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (or NDNQI) survey. There were 76 respondents representing six units in one hospital. We reported high reliability for each one of the six subscale scores as well as for the total score (Cronbach alphas of 0.94 and higher). Construct validity was supported by the invariance of the scores across age groups along with schooling and experience levels. Concurrent validity was supported by a c...
Review of current aided/automatic target acquisition technology for military target acquisition tasks

Aided and automatic target recognition (Ai/ATR) capability is a critical technology needed by the military services for modern combat. However, the current level of performance that is available is largely deficient compared to the requirements. This is largely due to the difficulty of acquiring targets in realistic environments but has also been due to the difficulty in getting new concepts from, for example, the academic community, due to limitations for distribution of classified data. The difficulty of the performance required has limited the fulfillment of the promise that is so anticipated by the war fighter. We review the metrics, imagery data bases, and sensors associated with Ai/ATR performance and suggest possible technical approaches that could enable new advancements in military-relevant performance.
Toward a Postsecular Economy: John Ruskin's Unto This Last

Political Economy is neither an art nor a science; but a system of conduct and legislature, founded on the sciences, directing the arts, and impossible, except under certain conditions of moral lif...
Routes to EMC compliance: a manufacturer has choices

The European Union EMC compliance process is more complex than it may first appear. This paper helps the manufacturer understand product standards and the available routes to compliance that support the EMC Directive. In addition, a cradle-to-grave process is reviewed that has proven to be effective in assuring manufacturer's product compliance goals are achieved.
Analysis of the Effects of Applying Federal Diagnosis-Related Grouping (DRG) Guidelines to a Population of High-Risk Newborn Infants

Length of stay data collected for high-risk newborn infants admitted to a tertiary care children9s hospital neonatal unit over a 6-year period were compared with mean and outlier lengths of stay published in the Federal Register as part of a proposed system for prospective payment of hospital cost by diagnosis-related groupings (DRGs). We found that the classification system for newborns markedly underestimated the number of days required for the treatment of these infants. The use of the geometric mean instead of the arithmetic mean as the measure of central tendency was a significant contributor to the discrepancy, especially in those sub-groups with bimodal frequency distributions of lengths of stay. Another contributor to the discrepancy was the lack of inborn patients in the children9s hospital cohort. The system of prospective payments, as outlined, does not take into account several factors that have a strong influence on length of stay such as birth weight (which requires more than three divisions to serve as an effective predictor), surgery, outborn status, and ventilation. Implementation of the system described in the Federal Register would severely discourage tertiary care referral hospitals from providing neonatal intensive care.
Desire Satisfactionism and Time

In this article, I aim to clarify how Actual Desire Satisfactionism should accommodate the ways in which desire and time are connected. In particular, I argue that Weak Concurrentism represents the most promising way for the Desire Satisfactionist to capture the temporal nature of desire. I consider the Desire Satisfactionist's other main options, but argue that none succeeds. This leaves Weak Concurrentism looking attractive. However, Weak Concurrentism might also be thought to have some implausible consequences of its own. Nonetheless, I argue that, on closer inspection, these consequences are not implausible at all-at least by the lights of the Desire Satisfactionist. I do not offer a full-blown defence of Weak Concurrentism, but rather aim to defend only a conditional conclusion: in so far as one is committed to Actual Desire Satisfactionism, Weak Concurrentism represents the best way to tackle the problems raised by the temporal nature of desires.
The Dark Side of Experiential Learning Activities

While educators have been sensitized to ways students act dishonestly in traditional classroom settings, academic dishonesty in business simulations and other experiential learning activities has received little attention. This article identifies how students might act dishonestly in experiential activities and discusses methods to prevent and detect academic dishonesty.
Truncation artifact and boundary artifact reduction in breast tomosynthesis reconstruction

Digital Tomosynthesis Mammography (DTM) is an emerging technique that has the potential to improve breast cancer detection. DTM acquires low-dose mammograms at a number of projection angles over a limited angular range and reconstructs the 3D breast volume. Due to the limited number of projections within a limited angular range and the finite size of the detector, DTM reconstruction contains boundary and truncation artifacts that degrade the image quality of the tomosynthesized slices, especially that of the boundary and truncated regions. In this work, we developed artifact reduction methods that make use of both 2D and 3D breast boundary information and local intensity-equalization and tissue-compensation techniques. A breast phantom containing test objects and a selected DTM patient case were used to evaluate the effects of artifact reduction. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), the normalized profiles of test objects, and a non-uniformity error index were used as performance measures. A GE prototype DTM system was used to acquire 21 PVs in 3° increments over a ±30° angular range. The Simultaneous Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (SART) was used for DTM reconstruction. Our results demonstrated that the proposed methods can improve the image quality both qualitatively and quantitatively, resulting in increased CNR value, background uniformity and an overall reconstruction quality comparable to that without truncation. For the selected DTM patient case, the obscured breast structural information near the truncated regions was essentially recovered. In addition, restricting SART reconstruction to be performed within the estimated 3D breast volume increased the computation efficiency.
The effects of linguistic experience on the perception of phonation

Abstract This study investigates the role linguistic experience has on the perception of phonation and acoustic properties that correlate with this perception. Listeners from Gujarati (contrasts breathy versus modal vowels), Spanish (no breathiness) and English (allophonic breathiness) participated in: (1) a similarity-rating task, indicating the similarity of modal and/or breathy Mazatec vowels and (2) a free-sort task, sorting breathy and modal stimuli from many languages. Results showed that Gujaratis did better at distinguishing phonation in other languages/dialects and were more consistent. English listeners did no better than Spanish listeners, despite the allophonic breathiness in English. In terms of acoustic dimensions, results showed that Gujaratis relied on H1−H2 (amplitude of the first harmonic minus amplitude of the second harmonic), English listeners relied weakly on H1−H2 and cepstral peak prominence and Spanish listeners relied on H1−A1 (amplitude of first formant peak) and H1−H2. While it is not clear why Spanish listeners used H1−A1, we can speculate as to why all three groups of listeners used H1−H2. Cross-linguistically, H1−H2, which is correlated with the open quotient ( Holmberg, Hillman, Perkell, Guiod, & Goldman, 1995 ), is the most successful measure of phonation. Perhaps the reason is a perceptual one; open quotient differences might be more salient to listeners.
Environmental Health Research in the Post-Genome Era: New Fields, New Challenges, and New Opportunities

The human genome sequence provides researchers with a genetic framework to eventually understand the relationships of gene-environment interactions. This wealth of information has led to the birth of several related areas of research, including proteomics, functional genomics, pharmacogenomics, and toxicogenomics. Developing techniques such as DNA/protein microarrays, small-interfering RNA (siRNA) applications, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry in conjunction with advanced analysis software and the availability of Internet databases offers a powerful set of tools to investigate an individual's response to specific stimuli. This review summarizes these emerging scientific fields and techniques focusing specifically on their applications to the complexities of gene-environment interactions and their potential role in environ-mental biosecurity.
Brain abnormalities in Gulf War syndrome: Evaluation with 1H MR spectroscopy

PURPOSE: To test for neuronal brain damage in the basal ganglia and brainstem in Gulf War veterans by using magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two Gulf War veterans with one of three factor analysis–derived syndromes (case patients); 18 well veterans matched for age, sex, and education level (control subjects); and six Gulf War veterans with syndrome 2 from a different population (replication sample) underwent long echo time (272 msec) proton (hydrogen 1) MR spectroscopy on a 4 × 2 × 2-cm voxel in the basal ganglia bilaterally and a 2 × 2 × 2-cm voxel in the pons. Syndromes 1–3 are described as “impaired cognition,” “confusion-ataxia,” and “central pain,” respectively. RESULTS: The N-acetylaspartate–to-creatine (NAA/Cr) ratio, which reflects functional neuronal mass, was significantly lower in the basal ganglia and brainstem of Gulf War veterans with the three syndromes than in those structures of the control subjects (P = .007). The finding was corroborated in the replica...
Effect of Heating on Nutritional Quality of Conventional and Kunitz Trypsin Inhibitor-Free Soybeans

Five 10-day chick growth experiments and an amino acid digestibility assay were conducted to assess the effect of steam heating on in vivo protein quality of raw, full-fat Kunitz trypsin inhibitor-free soybeans (KFSB) compared with raw, conventional full-fat soybeans (CSB). Protein solubility in .2% KOH was also evaluated as an in vitro test of in vivo protein quality for underprocessed CSB. The CSB and KFSB were autoclaved for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, or 21 min at 121 C and 124 kPa. The soybeans were then fed to 8- or 9-day-old chicks as the sole source of protein in dextrose and soybean diets containing 23% protein. Growth performance of chicks fed raw KFSB was superior to that of chicks fed raw CSB. Growth performance of chicks fed autoclaved KFSB or CSB increased and pancreas weight (percentage of body weight) decreased as autoclaving time increased. Slightly less autoclaving time was consistently required to achieve maximum chick performance for KFSB compared with CSB. Less autoclaving time was also required to obtain maximum digestibility of amino acids in KFSB compared with CSB. Urease activity of the soybeans decreased as autoclaving time increased, whereas protein solubility in .2% KOH for CSB did not change consistently in response to heating time. The results of the present study indicate that raw KFSB must be heated to obtain maximum protein quality for chicks and that protein solubility in KOH is not a sensitive indicator of underprocessing of CSB soybeans.
Recursive backstepping control of chaotic Duffing oscillators

In this paper, the dynamics of a forced Duffing oscillator are studied by means of modern nonlinear, bifurcation and chaos theories to show that the system is ultimately experiencing chaos. The main objective is to characterize and control this chaotic behavior. A nonlinear recursive backstepping controller is proposed and the transient performance is investigated. Systematic following of a reference model is introduced. Robustness problems as well as ways to tune the controller parameters are examined. Simulation results are submitted for the uncontrolled and controlled cases, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed controller. Finally a discussion and conclusions are given with possible future extensions.
Updating Properties of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems with Uncertain Input

A spectral density approach for the identification of linear systems is extended to nonlinear dynamical systems using only incomplete noisy response measurements. A stochastic model is used for the uncertain input and a Bayesian probabilistic approach is used to quantify the uncertainties in the model parameters. The proposed spectral-based approach utilizes important statistical properties of the Fast Fourier Transform and their robustness with respect to the probability distribution of the response signal in order to calculate the updated probability density function for the parameters of a nonlinear model conditional on the measured response. This probabilistic approach is well suited for the identification of nonlinear systems and does not require huge amounts of dynamic data. The formulation is first presented for single-degree-of-freedom systems and then for multiple-degree-of freedom systems. Examples using simulated data for a Duffing oscillator, an elastoplastic system and a four-story inelastic structure are presented to illustrate the proposed approach.
Non-coding RNA as mediators in microenvironment–breast cancer cell communication

The tumor microenvironment has a critical role in the survival and decision of the cancer cells. These include support by enhanced angiogenesis, and metastasis or adaptation of dormancy. This article discusses methods by which the microenvironment sustains the tumor. This process is important as it will identify avenues of drug targets. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are evolving as key mediators in the interaction between the cancer cells and the microenvironment. Thus, the question is how to develop methods to effectively block the effects of the ncRNA and/or to introduce them to prevent metastasis, dormancy or to reverse dormancy. We focused on the advantages of using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for RNA delivery. MSCs can be available as "off-the-shelf" cells. Thus far, MSCs are shown to be safe when transplanted across allogeneic barriers. We discussed the various methods by which MSCs can interact with cancer cells to deliver ncRNA or antagomirs. We also include the advances and possible confounds of using these methods. Overall, this review article provides a potential method by which MSCs can be used for effective delivery of nucleic acid to treat cancer.
Human-autonomy sensor fusion for rapid object detection

Human-autonomy sensor fusion is an emerging technology with a wide range of applications, including object detection/recognition, surveillance, collaborative control, and prosthetics. For object detection, humans and computer-vision-based systems employ different strategies to locate targets, likely providing complementary information. However, little effort has been made in combining the outputs of multiple autonomous detectors and multiple human-generated responses. This paper presents a method for integrating several sources of human- and autonomy-generated information for rapid object detection tasks. Human electroencephalography (EEG) and button-press responses from rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) experiments are fused with outputs from trained object detection algorithms. Three fusion methods—Bayesian, Dempster-Shafer, and Dynamic Dempster-Shafer—are implemented for comparison. Results demonstrate that fusion of these human classifiers with computer-vision-based detectors improves object detection accuracy over purely computer-vision-based detection (5% relative increase in mean average precision) and the best individual computer vision algorithm (28% relative increase in mean average precision). Computer vision fused with button press response and/or the XDAWN + Bayesian Linear Discriminant Analysis neural classifier provides considerable improvement, while computer vision fused with other neural classifiers provides little or no improvement. Of the three fusion methods, Dynamic Dempster-Shafer Theory (DDST) Fusion exhibits the greatest performance in this application.
Reconfiguration-Aware Task Graph Scheduling

Due to increasing demand for reconfigurability in embedded systems, real-time task scheduling is challenged by non-negligible reconfiguration overheads. We introduce the problem of real-time task scheduling under reconfiguration overhead on heterogeneous reconfigurable systems while considering the data dependencies and data communication overhead. We introduce a novel graph representation which captures the delay overhead due to data dependencies and reconfiguration. We formulate the problem as a network flow problem and provide a mixed integer linear programming solution to minimize the completion time so called makespan. Results show that our proposed scheduling improves the makespan by 24.20% (on average) in comparison with maximum-transition-overhead scheduling.
SURVEY MEASURES OF FAMILY DECISION PROCESSES FOR ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF SCHOOLING DECISIONS

In this article, we consider the collection of novel subjective data on family processes of schooling decisions. In particular, we review recent progress on survey measurement of expectations, information, and locus of decision of American families within the context of secondary schooling, and we discuss possible future developments by providing concrete examples from recent exploratory efforts. We argue that collection of data on adolescents' and parents' perceptions of the available school options and the application-and-admission rules, their subjective expectations about short- and long-term consequences of alternative choices, and their assessments of the locus of decision making within families could greatly enhance economic modeling and contribute to effective econometric analysis of schooling decisions. (JEL C83, D19, D79, D83, D84, I21, I26, J24)
Performance evaluation of SiC based bidirectional dc-dc buck-boost converter operating in CCM using temperature-dependent L3 spice model

Wide-band gap devices are gaining popularity in high-power, high-temperature applications such as hybrid/full electric vehicles. A 27 kW synchronous bidirectional pulse-width modulated (PWM) dc-dc buck-boost converter operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM) is designed. The designed converter is tested using Silicon Carbon (SiC) and Silicon (Si) devices at different temperatures using LTSpice simulations. Steady-state as well as switching transition performances are evaluated and compared for converters using SiC and Si devices.
The Death Penalty Attitudes of Social Work Students: Current and Future Opportunities

Although much is known about the death penalty attitudes of U.S. adults, the attitudes of social workers are less clear. The current study assesses the death penalty attitudes of 406 social work students at a southern university. Support was measured in isolation, in conjunction with alternative sentencing structures, and using vignettes to provide mitigating factors about the defendant and the crime. Social work students reported low levels of death penalty support (32%), which decreased when alternative sentences were provided (11%). Death penalty support was lowest on case vignettes (range: 0–16%). Implications for social work and future research directions are discussed.
Impact of Pretreatment Imaging on Survival of Esophagectomy After Induction Therapy for Esophageal Cancer: Who Should be Given the Benefit of the Doubt?: Esophagectomy Outcomes of Patients with Suspicious Metastatic Lesions

Purpose We examined survival of patients who underwent esophagectomy for locally advanced esophageal cancer with foci that were suspicious for metastatic disease on initial imaging but whose disease did not progress after induction chemoradiation treatment (CRT).
Evaluation of Coal Mine Spoil Pile Instability in the Interior Alaska

Large-scale spoil pile failures have occurred in the Poker Flats mining area in central Alaska. Sensitivity analysis of the strength properties of the spoil material and the underlying rock formations revealed that the foot-wall clay immediately below the mined-out No. 3 coal seam, might have initiated a 1980 spoil movement due to ground-water infiltration saturating the clay. Sliding of spoil along the interface separating the spoil and the natural ground is also likely when the cohesion and friction angle of the contact zone are reduced to zero and below 15°, respectively. Proper drainage of the ground water in the spoil should improve the critical condition to a factor of safety of 1.3.
Antiviral substances in plants of the mint family (labiatae). I. Tannin of Melissa officinalis.

SummaryTannin-containing fractions from aqueous extracts of Melissa officinalis were prepared by gelatin precipitation, hide-powder adsorption, and lead acetate precipitation and it was found that the tannin recovered from these preparations was the hemagglutination inhibitor for Newcastle disease virus. Tannin prepared by gelatin precipitation showed antiviral activity in tests in eggs and in plaque-inhibition tests with Newcastle disease virus and hemagglutination tests with mumps virus. Aqueous extracts of the melissa plant blocked hemadsorption by parainfluenza viruses 1, 2, and 3. The tannin of this plant appears to have an affinity for myxoviruses of subgroup 2 but has no effect on influenza A and B viruses in hemagglutination and hemadsorption tests. The tannin is not primarily virucidal for Newcastle disease virus; its effect is a neutralization which can be reversed by dilution or by addition of gelatin.
A Numerical Model to Analyze the Thermal Behavior of a Propellant Increment

The purpose of this study is to develop a numerical model of the thermal behavior of a propellant increment exposed to a variety of thermal environments and packaging conditions and predict the temperature distribution throughout the increment. The temperature distribution and bulk temperature of the propellant within the increment directly influence the burn rate and resulting pressure profile. The burn rate and pressure profile directly impact the range and stability of the munition which can result in a safety hazard if not properly accounted for.This study has two parts; first a numerical model is developed and second an experiment is designed and carried out to validate the numerical model. The experiment involves instrumenting a propellant increment with a series of thermocouples and heating it in a controlled laboratory environment. Temperature data is collected with a dedicated data collector and retained for analysis and validation of the numerical model. The numerical model accounts for variable thermal solar loading, various packaging configurations, and orientation.Initial results indicate that while there are points in the interior of the increment that come within 10 percent of the actual bulk temperature of the entire increment, the surface of the increment is not a good basis for prediction of the bulk temperature or temperature distribution within the increment. Additional analysis must be conducted to provide a viable estimate of the temperature distribution and bulk temperature of the increment based on the surface temperature in conjunction with knowledge of the exposure conditions.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
The Relationship Between Rostral Retraction of the Pannus and Outcomes at Cesarean Section

Objective Maternal obesity presents several challenges at cesarean section. In an effort to routinely employ a transverse suprapubic skin incision, we often retract the pannus in a rostral direction using adhesive tape placed after induction of anesthesia and before surgical preparation of the skin. We sought to understand the association between taping and neonatal cord blood gases, Apgar scores, and time from skin incision to delivery of the neonate. Study Design This is a retrospective study, performed using prospectively collected anesthesiology records with data supplemented from the patients' medical records. Singleton pregnancies with morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 40 kg/m2) between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation who delivered via nonurgent, scheduled cesarean delivery under regional (spinal, combined spinal–epidural, or epidural) anesthesia between March 2007 and March 2013 were identified. Maternal demographics including BMI, comorbidities, type of anesthesia, time intervals during the surgery, cord gas results, and Apgar scores were collected. The relationship between taping and blood acid–base status, Apgar scores, and interval from skin incision to delivery was investigated using appropriate statistical tests. Results There were 2,525 (27.5%) cesarean deliveries out of 9,189 total deliveries. Applying the described inclusion/exclusion criteria, 141 patients were identified (33 taped and 108 nontaped). There was no significant difference in BMI between the taped (51.9 kg/m2) and nontaped groups (47.4 kg/m2), p > 0.05. There was no difference in type of anesthesia (p > 0.05). The only significant difference between the taped and not-taped groups was the presence of chronic hypertension in the taped group (p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in cord blood gas values, Apgar scores, or skin incision to delivery interval (p > 0.05 for all outcomes). Conclusions Taping of the pannus at cesarean section is a safe intervention that is not associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. Furthermore, over a set of parturients with BMI > 40 kg/m2, it does not hasten skin incision to delivery time.
Acute Thoracic Aortic Dissection After Chiropractic Intervention: A Case Report.

Chiropractors make up the largest group of alternative medicine practitioners in the United States; 6% to 12% of the population utilize their services1,2. However, the scientific validity of the core chiropractic concepts of spinal manipulation and subluxation has been questioned, and concerns have been raised as to whether unnecessary manipulation can present a risk to patients3. There have been many case reports and small case series in the literature reporting the adverse effects of chiropractic care, with a particular focus on manipulation of the cervical spine4-9. However, there is a paucity of reports of adverse events following manipulation of the thoracic and lumbar spine. We present a case of a fatal thoracic aortic dissection following thoracic chiropractic manipulation. The patient’s family was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and they provided consent. A sixty-four-year-old woman with a history of midthoracic and lumbar back pain was in her usual state of health when she went to her regular chiropractor for a thoracic spine manipulation, which she had done on previous occasions. Immediately after treatment, she noted the acute onset of mid and low back pain associated with bilateral lower-extremity weakness and paresthesias. She was able to walk to her car from the chiropractic office, but the symptoms continued to worsen and she called emergency services from the vehicle. She was taken to an outside emergency room where she was noted to have profound bilateral symmetric lower-extremity weakness with subjectively diminished sensation. An emergency …
Epidemiological Analysis of Rabies during 2005～2009

Objective Through analysis of the Epidemiological data in the 5 years,to having a discussion for factors affecting and Countermeasure of the county rabies.Methods To analyze the rabies cases in the county from"Information system for disease surveillance report"with the method of descriptive epidemiology.Combined with the situation of Case Study and Clinical hospital.Results Reported a total of 9 cases of rabies,100% mortality.The oldest 87 years old,minimum 13-year-old;Sex ratio of male∶female was 1∶3.5;It is mainly incidence of farmers.By the Animal of dog to spread.Conclusion Epidemic spread from west to south trend,the focus of prevention and control of rabies in rural areas,the elderly risk of a higher number because of increased dog,dog immunization rate,a weak awareness of rabies prevention,injury did not go after the vaccination clinics treating wounds,not injected with rabies vaccine and anti-rabies serum/anti-rabies immune globulin,is the main cause of disease and death.Government attaches importance to strengthen publicity and education,strengthen monitoring and vaccine-preventable disease,it is the key of prevention and control to improve human rabies post-exposure medical treatment affordability.
[Follow-up of chronic filariasis patients in Jinshan District, Shanghai from 2009 to 2011].

OBJECTIVE To understand the prognosis of chronic filariasis patients who were nursed with the care methods recommended by WHO in Jinshan District, Shanghai. METHODS The chronic filariasis patients who were nursed with the care methods recommended by WHO were followed up in Jinshan District from 2009 to 2011. The patients of Level 1 were followed up once a year; the patients of Level 2 and Level 3 were followed up twice a year. All the results were recorded into the standard questionnaires and analyzed statistically. RESULTS By the end of 2011, there were 264 chronic filariasis patients, including 106 males and 158 females. There were 201 patients aged between 70 and 85 years old, accounting for 76.14% of the patients. Lymphedema was the most common symptom in the patients and 76.51% of the patients had it. From 2009 to 2011, the conducting rates of sanitary cleaning the limbs, elevation of the limbs, and exercises were 89.02%, 83.71% and 72.08%, respectively. The improvement rates were 6.54%, 10.95% and 14.77% each year, which had a statistically significant difference (chi2 = 18.359, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The care methods of chronic filariasis patients recommend by WHO really benefit the relief of lymphedema, and should be popularized.
Co-transcriptional R-loops are the main cause of estrogen-induced DNA damage

The hormone estrogen (E2) binds the estrogen receptor to promote transcription of E2-responsive genes in the breast and other tissues. E2 also has links to genomic instability, and elevated E2 levels are tied to breast cancer. Here, we show that E2 stimulation causes a rapid, global increase in the formation of R-loops, co-transcriptional RNA-DNA products, which in some instances have been linked to DNA damage. We show that E2-dependent R-loop formation and breast cancer rearrangements are highly enriched at E2-responsive genomic loci and that E2 induces DNA replication-dependent double-strand breaks (DSBs). Strikingly, many DSBs that accumulate in response to E2 are R-loop dependent. Thus, R-loops resulting from the E2 transcriptional response are a significant source of DNA damage. This work reveals a novel mechanism by which E2 stimulation leads to genomic instability and highlights how transcriptional programs play an important role in shaping the genomic landscape of DNA damage susceptibility.
‘Grow the Scorched Ground Green’: Values and Ethics in the Transition Movement

The Transition Movement is based on the premise that the dual threats of Peak Oil and anthropogenic climate change require humans to re-think and re-design how they live, with the focus becoming the creation of resilient, sustainable communities. The first Transition Town was created in Totnes, UK in 2005, and there are now Transition Towns worldwide. Using qualitative research methods, we explore the understudied affective, normative, and religio-ethical motivations of those engaged in the Transition Movement located in Totnes. Our research suggests that the Movement is guided by norms and ethics that are ecocentric, where nature is seen to be sacred and worthy of reverent care, and members can be classified as being part of a larger, emergent terrapolitan citizenry. We also briefly explore how the values and ethics of those in the Transition Movement trigger lifestyle changes which are more ecologically responsible than those offered by contemporary industrial societies.
Alternative ventilation strategies in U.S. offices: Saving energy while enhancing work performance, reducing absenteeism, and considering outdoor pollutant exposure tradeoffs

Abstract Mechanical ventilation can improve occupant productivity, use or save energy, and increase outdoor-to-indoor pollutant transport. This work explores those impacts for eight ventilation strategies, relative to a baseline constant mechanical ventilation rate (VR) of 9.4 L/s/occ, in two representative offices. Strategies were unique combinations of airside economizing, demand-controlled ventilation, and supply air temperature reset, along with doubling the baseline VR. These were evaluated within a Monte Carlo analysis that varied climate and outdoor pollution, along with 19 building parameters. Energy modeling, empirical correlations, and indoor air quality (IAQ) modeling were used to quantify outcomes of: ( i ) energy use; ( ii ) profitable IAQ impacts, e.g. work performance; and ( iii ) negative IAQ health impacts due to indoor particle and ozone exposure. ‘Win-win’ strategies were defined as those that saved energy and increased work performance, and these always included an economizer. Relative to the baseline, the win-win strategies: increased annual geometric mean VRs by 5–10 L/s/occ; reduced mechanical system energy consumption by 12–27% (saving $1–1.75/m 2 /year); increased work performance by 0.5%; eliminated 5 h of absenteeism per year; and increased indoor PM 2.5 by 0.5 μg/m 3 and ozone by 3 ppb. A sensitivity analysis identified infiltration and climate as the largest outcome drivers. Median annual benefits for small-to-medium-large offices in the U.S. (∼75% of office floorspace) were $28 billion for implementing the win-win strategy with the greatest energy savings, and $55 billion for implementing the win-win strategy with the greatest work performance increase. Particle exposure tradeoffs were mitigated by use of efficient filters.
Behavioral Leads in Evolution: Exaptations, Human Evolution, Lamarck, the Cuvier-Geoffroy Debate, and Form Versus Function

For the purpose of this book, particularly this section, and for the form-versus-function debate, it is crucial to further discuss examples such as the emblematic one described by Osborn and shown in Fig. 4.1.
A generic framework for description logics with uncertainty

We propose an extension to Description Logics (DLs) with uncertainty which unifies and/or generalizes a number of existing frameworks for DLs with uncertainty. To this end, we first give a classification of these frameworks and identify the essential features as well as properties of the various combination functions allowed in the underlying uncertainty formalisms they model. This also allows us express the semantics of the DL elements in a flexible manner. We illustrate how various DLs with uncertainty can be expressed in our generic framework.
AlPO4-Ti02 Catalysts IV. The Alkylation of Phenol with Methanol

Abstract The gas-phase microcatalytic alkylation of phenol (PhOH) with methanol (MeOH) [MeOH/PhOH molar ratio = 4], at temperatures ranging from 523 to 673 K, has been studied over AlPO 4 -TiO 2 (AlPO 4 /TiO 2 = 3 wt%) differently prepared. A mixture of 0- and C-alkylated products (C-afkylation taking place preferentially at the ortho- position) were obtained, with anisole as the main reaction product. The influence of the reaction temperature and the preparation method of the AlPO 4 -TiO 2 catalyst upon the conversion and selectivity of phenol methylation were investigated. The activities and selectivities of various catalysts were discussed in connection with their acid-base properties. Catalyst deactivation by organic bases (pyridine and cyclohexylamine) was also examined. From the distribution of methylated products and their OPE curves, an outline of the mechanism of alkylation was presented.
Parts assembly planning under uncertainty with simulation-aided physical reasoning

Parts assembly, in a broad sense, is to make multiple objects to be in specific relative poses in contact with each other. One of the major reasons that make it difficult is uncertainty. Because parts assembly involves physical contact between objects, it requires higher precision than other manipulation tasks like collision avoidance. The key idea of this paper is to use simulation-aided physical reasoning while planning with the goal of finding a robust motion plan for parts assembly. Specifically, in the proposed approach, a) uncertainty between object poses is represented as a distribution of particles, b) the motion planner estimates the transition of particles for unit actions (motion primitives) through physics-based simulation, and c) the performance of the planner is sped up using Multi-Heuristic A∗ (MHA∗) search that utilizes multiple inadmissible heuristics that lead to fast uncertainty reduction. To demonstrate the benefits of our framework, motion planning and physical robot experiments for several parts assembly tasks are provided.
Environmental Knowledge, Technology, and Values: Reconstructing Max Scheler’s Phenomenological Environmental Sociology

In light of research showing that climate change policy opinions and perceptions of climate change are conditioned by pre-held values, Max Scheler’s axiology, conception of ethos, and sociology of knowledge are revisited. Scheler provides a critical analysis of the values surrounding modern technology’s relation to nature, especially in his assessment of the subordination of life to utility, or, the “ethos of industrialism”. The ethos of industrialism is said to influence the modern understanding of the environment as a machine to be controlled for human aims. Scheler’s phenomenological proto-environmental sociology can contribute to the environmental social sciences in three ways: (1) articulating the axiological basis of human knowledge of the environment; (2) offering new values to consider in future research on the social dimensions of human-nature relations; and (3) a framework for connecting socio-ecological analysis with evaluation, specifically for evaluating different types of technologies based on their relation to the environment.
Evaluating the Roles of Technology in the Global Read Aloud Project

Computer applications readily available to many of today's teachers and students offer new possibilities for teaching and learning. One example of this can be found in the Global Read Aloud (GRA) p...