cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
6.1.2 Using Cognitive Engineering to Improve Systems Engineering

Enterprise Systems Engineering (ESE) must go beyond the hardware and software of systems to address Human-Systems Integration (HSI). Towards that end, we propose that Cognitive Engineering techniques can and should play a key role in Systems Engineering efforts. In this paper we survey various methods in Cognitive Engineering, showing where these methods apply to specific problems in Systems Engineering from Concept Definition and Requirements Analysis, through Function Allocation and Performance Estimation, to Training Development and Performance Assurance. We also describe several uses of selected methods, including Cognitive Task Analysis, Computational Cognitive Modeling, and Critical Incident Analysis, to tackle specific problems in air traffic control. Taken together, these specific cases along with our general survey offer a roadmap for using Cognitive Engineering to improve Systems Engineering.
Treatment of sentence production deficits in aphasia: A linguistic-specific approach to wh-interrogative training and generalization

Abstract The present research examines the effects of a linguistic-specific treatment on acquisition and generalization of wh-interrogative structures in two aphasic subjects presenting with deficit patterns consistent with agrammatism. The underlying linguistic representation of sentence structures selected for treatment and generalization was considered based on aspects of Chomsky's (1981) Government Binding (GB) theory, and a linguistic-based, wh-movement treatment strategy was implemented. Using a single-subject multiple-baseline design across behaviours and subjects, the effects of treatment were explored by examining generalization patterns across wh question forms requiring wh-movement (movement of a direct object NP to COMP). Within question form generalization also was evaluated by examining formulation of untrained sentences of varied complexity—with complexity defined in terms of the number of phrasal nodes in the d-structure representation of sentences. Results indicated that for both subjects...
In vivo depletion of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine and S-adenosyl-L-methionine in guinea pig lung after chronic S-(-)-nicotine administration.

Guinea pig lung tissue is dramatically depleted of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) after chronic exposure (600 micrograms/h s.c. for 21 days) of animals to either R-(+)- or S-(-)-nicotine enantiomers; S-(-)-nicotine decreased lung SAH levels by 60-fold, while R-(+)-nicotine caused an 11-fold reduction of SAH, relative to control values. Lung S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) levels were also reduced (15-fold and 9-fold reductions with R-(+)- and S-(-)-isomers, respectively) in nicotine-treated animals, compared to controls. These depletions are more pronounced with the S-(-)-enantiomer. Liver tissue levels of SAH and SAM are less affected, in fact, a 4-fold increase in liver SAH levels was observed after exposure of animals to R-(+)-nicotine. These results indicate that chronic exposure to nicotine may perturb important endogenous methyltransferase reactions, which could be a contributory factor in the toxicological effects produced by cigarette smoking.
Quenching Phenomena in Water-Soluble CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots

Semiconductor nanocrystals are expected to play an important role in the development of novel electronic and optoelectronic devices, and have already shown promise in the area of biological reporters for medical screening and sensor applications. We have been involved in developing luminescent CdSe/ZnS core-shell nanocrystals (or quantum dots, QDs) for use in self-assembled structures and as fluorescent reporters in immunoassay-based biodetectors. As part of our efforts to bind semiconductor CdSe/ZnS quantum dots to antibody proteins for our immunoassay work, we functionalized the nanocrystal surfaces with a variety of organic acid salts to impart water solubility to the nanocrystals. During the course of working with these derivatized, water-soluble quantum dots, we observed significant differences in their chemical reactivities and physical characteristics compared to those of underivatized CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals. One of the most striking differences observed is the reactivity of the derivatized and underivatized nanocrystals with stainless steel surfaces. The fluorescence of aqueous mixtures of our water-soluble nanocrystals is immediately quenched upon exposure of the mixtures to stainless steel (SS) surfaces or to chromium oxide, whereas underivatized quantum dots exhibit little or no reactivity at all. As has been reported by several other laboratories, the water-soluble nanocrystals also exhibit significantly lower quantum yields compared to the underivatized nanocrystals. We discuss the unusual reactivity exhibited by these nanocrystals, and suggest possible explanations for their interesting chemical behavior. We also describe methods to prevent the quenching of water-soluble derivatized quantum dots by stainless steel and metal oxides.
The Power of Situations: Jonestown and the Fundamental Attribution Error

The fundamental attribution error (FAE) is the tendency to overestimate dispositional and underestimate situational causes for others' behavior (Ross, 1977). Undergraduate students (N = 155) explained the causes of a person's “bad day.” The experimental group completed responses after viewing a documentary on Jonestown and discussing situational factors in that environment; 3 other groups completed responses after a research methods lecture (control) or lectures on the FAE. Participants exposed to the film made significantly fewer dispositional and more situational attributions in explaining the target's bad day compared to control participants and more situational attributions compared to lecture participants. We discuss implications for teaching psychological principles using real-life events.
Adaptive dynamic programming for nonlinear nonaffine systems

This paper studies the optimal control problem for continuous-time nonaffine nonlinear dynamic systems with unknown dynamics. By using adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) method, a non-model based optimal control design is given. The convergence analysis for the designed control scheme is presented. Finally, a numerical example is adopted to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained algorithm.
Surface magnetization in inhomogeneous two-dimensional Ising lattices

A simple exact expression for the surface magnetization in the Hamiltonian limit is used to discuss the effects of slowly varying coupling constants.
Isolation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes: Modification of a double discontinuous density gradient of Ficoll-Hypaque

Incubation of whole blood with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and carbonyl iron prior to layering on a double discontinuous gradient of Ficoll-Hypaque selectively reduced the number of platelets and monocytes found at the upper lymphocyte interface after centrifugation. This modification in combination with a double discontinuous gradient results in a lymphocyte isolation method that is simple, rapid and reproducible.
Incremental solution of power grids using random walks

It is common for a designer to consider making several small changes to a power grid, corresponding to "what if" scenarios, in an attempt to improve its performance. To evaluate the effects of each incremental change, the circuit must go through incremental analysis. This paper presents a computationally efficient and accurate method for fast and accurate incremental analysis using random walks to identify a region of influence (RoI) of a change, so that this RoI can then be analyzed by any other solver. Our experimental results demonstrate the accuracy and computational efficiency of this method.
Novel Solvent System for Metal Ion Separation: Improved Solvent Extraction of Strontium(II) and Lead(II) as Dicyclohexano-18-Crown-6 Complexes

As a part of our study of hazardous metal ion separations, the extraction of Sr2+ and Pb2+ from solutions containing nitric acid and various nitrate salts has been investigated. High partition ratios (DSr > 100−10)) were observed using comparatively low (10–50 mM) concentrations of dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 in a group of nitrile solvents with relatively high dielectric constants (adiponitrile, glutaronitrile, succinonitrile, malononitrile; e = 30–60) which are able to participate in coalescence extraction. Equilibria in the solvent extraction system were characterized, with Sr(II) and Pb(II) occurring in the organic phase primarily as partially dissociated ion pairs. A dramatic increase of extraction efficiency over traditional systems is achieved because of the formation of solvated cationic complexes in the organic phase.
Response of a non-Hodgkin lymphoma to 60Co therapy monitored by 31P MRS in situ

Abstract High quality 31 P MR spectra (signal to noise ratio (SN) approximately 18,15 min acquisition for each spectrum) were consistently obtained with surface coils over a period of 6-week RT. Both transient and steady state alterations in metabolites in response to RT were found in this case. The transient changes occurred during the first 3 hr immediately after the 3rd fractionated RT, these changes include the transient elevation of the PCr resonance, a decrease in PDE and an increase in intracellular pH. The monitoring showed that the metabolites approached steady state approximately 2 hr after the fractionated radiation intervention, suggesting that in vivo MRS can be useful for studying the dynamics of tumor response to RT such as repair of potential lethal damage, growth delay, and reoxygenation etc. The steady-state MR spectra showed the net response to each intervention and can clinically be useful for predicting and measuring the result of the fractionated RT. In this case study, the PDE peak which contains the phospholipid metabolites GPC and GPE, is the most sensitive resonance in response to RT. After the 3rd RT, prior to tumor size reduction, the PDE to ATP ratio decreased 33% and intracellular pH increased to 7.34 ± 0.05 from 7.27 ± 0.05. In the subsequent RT interventions, both the tumor size and PDEATP ratio continually decreased whereas the pH values remained alkaline and fluctuated around 7.34 to 7.65. The data suggest that the phospholipid metabolite PDE may signal important alterations in membrane metabolism that eventually lead to cell death.
The relative contribution of nouns and verbs to sentence acceptability and comprehensibility

Twenty-four Ss rated the comprehensibility and acceptability of English sentences with either the subject noun or the main verb deleted. Twenty-four different Ss guessed the word missing from those sentences and rated their confidence in their guesses. The three different ratings resulted in comprehensibility, acceptability, and corrigibility scores for each sentence. Sentences with the verb deleted had lower acceptability scores and fewer word location errors than did sentences with the noun deleted, but were judged as comprehensible as sentences with the noun missing. Attempts to explain this latter finding were based on the observed significant correlation between sentence comprehensibility and corrigibility.
Enhanced Vulnerability to Cocaine Self-Administration Is Associated with Elevated Impulse Activity of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons

Individual differences in responding to a novel environment predict behavioral and neurochemical responses to psychostimulant drugs. Rats with a high locomotor response to a novel environment (HRs) exhibit enhanced self-administration (SA) behavior, sensitization, and basal or drug-induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens compared with rats with a low response to the novel context (LRs). In this study, we determined whether such differences in vulnerability to drug addiction might be related to differences in dopamine (DA) neuron activity. Rats were divided into HRs and LRs according to their response to a novel environment and then tested for acquisition of cocaine SA. HRs rapidly acquired cocaine SA (175 microg/kg per infusion), whereas LRs did not. Differences in cocaine SA were not caused by differences in exploratory behavior or sampling because these behaviors did not differ in HRs and LRs self-administering a saline solution. In a separate experiment, we used extracellular single-unit recordings and found that HRs exhibit higher basal firing rates and bursting activity of DA neurons in the ventral tegmental area and, to a lesser extent, in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The greater activity of midbrain DA cells in HRs was accompanied by reduced sensitivity to the inhibitory effects of a DA D2-class receptor agonist, indicating possible subsensitivity of impulse-regulating DA autoreceptors. These results demonstrate that differences in the basal activity of DA neurons may be critically involved in determining individual vulnerability to drugs of abuse.
Compatibility of unmanned aircraft control links in the 5030–5091 MHz band

This paper investigates the feasibility of operating future terrestrial air/ground control links for unmanned aircraft (UA) systems (UAS) in the 5030–5091 MHz band. Any new service proposed for this band must be compatible with the existing Microwave Landing System (MLS) and with the aeronautical-mobile satellite (route) service (AMS(R)S), which also has a spectral allocation in the band. No actual satellite communications (SATCOM) systems are currently using the AMS(R)S allocation, but one has been proposed to meet some of the future needs of satellite-based UAS control links. Our compatibility analysis demonstrates that it is feasible for terrestrial UAS control links to share the band with MLS and SATCOM UAS control links.
Analyzing the Scalability of Graph Algorithms on Eldorado

The Cray MTA-2 system provides exceptional performance on a variety of sparse graph algorithms. Unfortunately, it was an extremely expensive platform. Cray is preparing an Eldorado platform that leverages the Cray XT3 network and system infrastructure while integrating a new revision of the MTA-2 processors that is pin compatible with the AMD Opteron socket. Unlike the MTA-2, this platform will have a more constrained network bisection bandwidth and will pay a high penalty for random memory accesses. This work assesses the hardware level scalability of the Eldorado platform on several graph algorithms.
Video segmentation using stabilized inverse diffusion

A video segmentation scheme using stabilized inverse diffusion equations is proposed. The scheme is based on the non-linear scale-space analysis of video lattice. Non-linear diffusion and especially stabilized inverse diffusion is a very robust method for image segmentation. In this paper the two-dimensional diffusion process has been extended to three dimensions. The segmentation scheme is based on this extended process. Also, a progressive scale-space evolution of the image sequence is proposed that reduces the memory requirements as well as solves the region correspondence problem. Finally, segmentation results for two image sequences are shown.
Nasal strips do not affect pulmonary gas exchange, anaerobic metabolism, or EIPH in exercising Thoroughbreds.

The present study was carried out to examine whether nasal strip application would improve the exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia and hypercapnia, diminish anaerobic metabolism, and modify the inc...
Generalized algorithm-based fault tolerance: error correction via Kalman estimation

An extension to algorithm-based fault tolerance (ABFT) methodologies shows how parity values dictated by a real convolutional code can be employed by Kalman estimation techniques to perform real number correction for protecting linear processing systems. Intermittent failures appearing in the output samples are detected and corrected using only the syndromes normally generated in ABFT schemes. The algebraic structure of a real convolutional code provides separation needed by recursive Kalman state estimators to affect mean-square error correction. State and parity measurement equations model fault and computational noise in both the linear processing and parity generation subassemblies, and, in a departure from previous models, the noise sources are considered time-varying. The Kalman one-step estimator which makes decisions on all parity values up to the present point is determined, and it separates naturally into detection and correction operations permitting corrective action only when the detection levels exceed thresholds based on roundoff noise energy. The detector/corrector uses efficient multirate block processing techniques as determined by the real convolutional code. A smoothed fixed-lag Kalman estimator which uses parity values for a fixed amount beyond the point of interest is needed to complete the correction. It employs one-step estimator quantities and implementation simplifications are possible. Examples showing the correction behavior and mean-square error performance are presented, and the size of overhead calculations for detection and correction is estimated. A protected processing system is constructed by introducing additional subassemblies, mostly comparators, with the detection and correction parts already described. Under the usual assumptions of at most a single subassembly failure, no improperly detected or corrected data leave the overall protected configuration.
Organizational Demography and Turnover: An Examination of Multiform and Nonlinear Heterogeneity

This paper advances the study of organizational demography and turnover by testing propositions derived from Blau's theory of heterogeneity and social structure. In a sample of 398 U.S. community hospitals, voluntary nursing turnover was examined in relation to three demographic dimensions-educational preparation, tenure and employment status-among nurse staff. The form of relationships between turnover and heterogeneity was specified to test whether heterogeneity affects turnover in a linear fashion or, alternatively, in an inverted U-shaped pattern. Our results suggest that effects of heterogeneity on turnover differ by dimension and that such effects can obtain independently of other dimensions. Further, interactions between demographic dimensions show that demographic dimensions also interact with each other to affect nursing turnover. Our findings partially support Blau's conceptualization of heterogeneity in social structure and highlight the importance of multiform heterogeneity in the study of org...
Building energy efficiency and fire safety aspects of reflective coatings

Abstract Radiant energy exchange between the exterior surfaces of buildings and the environment has a significant impact on both the energy requirements for cooling and heating, and on fire safety. These issues of energy efficiency and fire safety are usually examined separately, but in this paper the interaction between these issues is discussed, with emphasis on reflective coatings. The important spectral ranges for radiant control are, in micrometers (μm), 0.3–2.5 (sunlight), 4–40 (300 K environmental thermal radiation) and 1–10 (fire). Benefits can be obtained from the development of improved coatings which reflect adverse energy flows and absorb (and emit) favorable energy flows. As a specific important example, white coatings with high solar reflectivity and high IR emissivity can significantly reduce energy use for cooling. Another benefit of high IR reflectivity in the 1–10 μm wavelength range is enhanced fire safety due to the reflection of IR radiation emitted by fire. Due to overlap of the fire spectrum with both the solar and 300 K thermal spectra, fire retardant coatings can either enhance or impair energy performance. From a research and development point of view there is considerable synergism between coatings for improved energy efficiency and fire safety. Technology developed for improved energy efficiency can be adapted (transferred) to coatings for reflecting fire radiation, and vice versa.
Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI Findings of Acute Pancreatitis in Ectopic Pancreatic Tissue: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Context Acute pancreatitis in ectopic pancreatic tissue is an uncommon cause of acute abdominal pain and can be difficult to diagnose on imaging. Our aim is to raise awareness and aid in the diagnosis of this entity by highlighting helpful dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI imaging findings. Case report We report a 51-year-old man with acute onset epigastric pain presented to ER. With the presence of elevated serum lipase, the clinical diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was made. Contrast enhanced CT demonstrated normal pancreas and a focal mass at the duodenojejunal flexure, mimicked a neoplasm. Subsequent dynamic contrast enhanced MR images demonstrated enhancement pattern of the lesion similar to the native pancreatic tissue enhancement, a finding raised the possibility of acute pancreatitis in ectopic pancreatic tissue, but tumor was not excluded. Finally, patient undergone surgical bowel resection including the suspected mass that was proved as an ectopic pancreatic tissue on microscopic examination. Conclusion We concluded that findings on dynamic contrast enhanced MR imaging can be characteristic and diagnostic of acute pancreatitis in ectopic pancreatic tissue in the appropriate clinical setting. Image: Low power view of the jejunal mass biopsy.
Micromagnetic analysis of bit decay in perpendicular recording media

The life time of stored data depends on the storage density as well as the physical properties and microstructure of the media. Perpendicular media for ultra-high density recording needs to have high anisotropy to withstand thermal instabilities over long time. In this study, we used a micromagnetic model based on a scaling method to numerically calculate the percentage of magnetic decay caused by thermal fluctuations after ten years. Realistic grain configurations for 1 Tbit/in/sup 2/ and 125 Gbit/in/sup 2/ recording were used to seek the critical grain magnetization and anisotropy field of magnetic media that are thermally stable for ten years. For less than 10% decay, an H/sub K/ of 20 kOe and M/sub S//sup grain/ of 600 emu/cm/sup 3/ is required. Alternatively, H/sub K/ can be reduced to 16 kOe if M/sub S//sup grain/ is 800 emu/cm/sup 3/.
Is the citrus-like plumage odorant of crested auklets ( Aethia cristatella ) a defense against lice?

Plumage odors may function as chemical defenses against ectoparasites in birds. We tested this hypothesis for crested auklets (Aethia cristatella), a species of colonial seabird that emits a very strong citrus-like odor from its plumage. This odorant contains known chemical repellents. We evaluated evidence for chemical defense in this species using two approaches. First, we exposed pigeon lice to the volatiles emitted by freshly plucked plumage and by whole specimens. Louse survivorship was compared between these treatments and two controls. Second, we compared louse abundance on crested auklets versus a closely related congener that nests in close association. Louse survivorship did not differ between crested auklet treatments and controls. Comparison of ectoparasite loads showed that crested auklets had significantly higher louse abundance than least auklets (A. pusilla), even after controlling for body size. Our results failed to support two expectations for chemical defense. Presence of the crested auklet plumage odorant in our experiments did not reduce louse life span. Presence of the aldehyde odorant in nature did not reduce louse abundance on crested auklets. Hence we conclude that the aldehyde odorant is not immediately lethal to lice at natural concentrations in plumage.
Optimal design of flywheels using an injection island genetic algorithm

This paper presents an approach to optimal design of elastic flywheels using an Injection Island Genetic Algorithm (iiGA), summarizing a sequence of results reported in earlier publications. An iiGA in combination with a structural finite element code is used to search for shape variations and material placement to optimize the Specific Energy Density (SED, rotational energy per unit weight) of elastic flywheels while controlling the failure angular velocity. iiGAs seek solutions simultaneously at different levels of refinement of the problem representation (and correspondingly different definitions of the fitness function) in separate subpopulations (islands). Solutions are sought first at low levels of refinement with an axi-symmetric plane stress finite element code for high-speed exploration of the coarse design space. Next, individuals are injected into populations with a higher level of resolution that use an axi-symmetric three-dimensional finite element code to “fine-tune” the structures. A greatly simplified design space (containing two million possible solutions) was enumerated for comparison with various approaches that include: simple GAs, threshold accepting (TA), iiGAs and hybrid iiGAs. For all approaches compared for this simplified problem, all variations of the iiGA were found to be the most efficient. This paper will summarize results obtained studying a constrained optimization problem with a huge design space approached with parallel GAs that had various topological structures and several different types of iiGA, to compare efficiency. For this problem, all variations of the iiGA were found to be extremely efficient in terms of computational time required to final solution of similar fitness when compared to the parallel GAs.
Stimulated Raman scattering in quantum dots and nanocomposites silicon based materials

In this paper, experimental investigations of stimulated Raman scattering in silicon quantum dots and nanocomposites based Si-materials are reported. Two Raman amplifiers are realized and amplifications due to stimulated Raman scattering are measured. For both of them, a significant enhancement of Raman gain and a significant reduction in threshold power are demonstrated. Our findings indicate that nanostructured materials show great promise for Si-based Raman lasers.
Costs and Benefits of Being Asked About Trauma History

How do participants feel about trauma history questions in research? We asked 528 undergraduate and community participants to answer three questions about their experience of completing the Brief Betrayal Trauma Survey (BBTS; Goldberg & Freyd, 2004), a self-report trauma measure. The questions tapped (1) participants' experience of whether the trauma history questions were more or less distressing than things encountered in day-to-day life, (2) how important participants be- lieve it is for psychologists to ask about these events, and (3) how good of an idea, according to participants, it is to include such a measure in psychology research. Participants indicated that, on average, questions about trauma are neutral compared to day-to-day experiences. Further, participants reported that research asking about stressful life events is more than "somewhat important," and that including such measures is
Failing to learn from experience about catastrophes: The case of hurricane preparedness

This paper explores the question of whether there are inherent limits to our ability to learn from experience about the value of protection against low-probability, high-consequence, events. Findings are reported from two controlled experiments in which participants have a monetary incentive to learn from experience making investments to protect against hurricane risks. A central finding is that investments display a short-term forgetting effect consistent with the use of reinforcement learning rules, where a significant driver of investments in a given period is whether storm losses were incurred in the precious period. Given the relative rarity of such losses, this reinforcement process produces a mean investment level below that which would be optimal for most storm threats. Investments are also found to be insensitive to the censoring effect of protection itself, implying that the size of experienced losses—rather than losses that are avoided—is the primary driver of investment decisions.
Microfracture techniques in the treatment of osteochondral injuries.

Although many methods currently are available to treat articular cartilage lesions in the knee, microfracture has many inherent advantages. No other technique has been studied in the athletic population, and, in fact, most other procedures have been studied in the arthritic knee or in a mixed population of patients. Blevins et al have shown microfracture to be an effective tool in the treatment of chondral defects in both recreational and high-level athletes with mean follow-up of 3.7 years. Furthermore, microfracture is minimally invasive because it is arthroscopic through standard portals in most cases. The subchondral plate is preserved, unlike in other techniques, improving load-bearing characteristics following healing. No heat necrosis or polishing is introduced into the subchondral bone and marrow with microfracture. The depth of penetration and location of puncture is controlled readily with the various awl angles. Surgical equipment and supply costs are minimal, without the need for expensive cell cultures or nonstandard equipment. No harvest site morbidity is present, unlike osteochondral, perichondral, periosteal, or chondral autograft procedures. Microfracture is not overly demanding technically, but emphasis must be placed on meticulous handling of the subchondral plate and surrounding healthy cartilage and adequate debridement of unhealthy cartilage. Finally, a good surgical technique is only as good as its rehabilitation. Strictly emphasizing the need for compliance with weightbearing restrictions and the use of CPM is essential to successful patient rehabilitation.
Utilization of Movement Prioritization for Whole-Body Humanoid Robot Trajectory Generation

This paper addresses the problem of whole-body trajectory generation in humanoid robot performing a manipulation task. The approach utilizes coordination of prioritized movements of the Center of Mass (CM), foot and hand. A Center of Mass trajectory is computed from the desired Zero Moment Point (ZMP) trajectory while stepping. The ability to maneuver horizontal CM is related to the ability to maintain balance. Generally, the vertical CM movement is left unspecified. In this paper, the horizontal CM manipulability is associated with the CM height through the shape of the CM manipulability ellipsoid. A posture with a larger horizontal CM manipulability ellipsoid is more stable in the sense that its CM can be easily maneuvered as required by the desired ZMP with less joint effort. Computer simulation was conducted to verify the performance and consistency of the proposed approach for generating balance stepping motion with a manipulation task.
Consensus publication guidelines: the next step in the science of quality improvement?

The time is ripe for a formal structured review of guidance on quality improvement reports Samuel Beckett wrote “ Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better .” Fiona Moss and I tried some time ago to produce a structure for publication of quality improvement reports on behalf of this journal that would facilitate and encourage their publication;1 the BMJ subsequently adopted the structure for their authors.2 Now, several years on from these first attempts, Davidoff and Batalden suggest new publication guidelines that build on this earlier version.3 These should be welcomed—in the spirit of improvement and intellectual evolution, it would be very surprising if the first attempt were to remain unchanged and unchallenged. Before commenting on their proposals, it is worth reflecting on the original purpose of the development of quality improvement reports. This was based on the demand, within an emerging science and practice of quality improvement, for shared learning and dissemination of good practice. Those in the field knew that there were many excellent examples of successful projects where real changes had been made with demonstrable impact upon patient care, but that these examples were rarely disseminated such that others could draw upon this experience. Why was this? As Davidoff and Batalden3 point out, one reason was the nature of the people responsible for quality improvement work—they are often highly committed people …
PROSPECTIVE COMPARISON OF DOWNWARD AND LATERAL PERITONEAL DIALYSIS CATHETER TUNNEL-TRACT AND EXIT-SITE DIRECTIONS

ObjectiveGuidelines for optimal peritoneal dialysis access support both downward and lateral exit-site directions. Numerous clinical reports support the superiority of downward exit sites but none ...
TERRITORIALITY, PROSPECTING, AND DISPERSAL IN COOPERATIVELY BREEDING MICRONESIAN KINGFISHERS (TODIRAMPHUS CINNAMOMINUS REICHENBACHII)

Abstract We investigated territoriality, prospecting, and dispersal behavior in cooperatively breeding Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers (Todiramphus cinnamominus reichenbachii) throughout the annual cycle using radiotelemetry and color-band resights. Mean home-range size was 6.3 ha and territories were 8.1 ha. Within territories, Micronesian Kingfishers shared 63% of their home-range space with coterritorial occupants, and 3% was shared with extraterritorial conspecifics. Birds on cooperative territories had larger home ranges that overlapped more with coterritory occupants' home ranges than birds in pair-held territories. Despite evidence suggesting that resources necessary for survival and reproduction occurred on each territory, Micronesian Kingfishers of all age and sex classes made extraterritorial prospecting movements. Prospecting was rare; it comprised only 4.3% of our observations. When birds departed on forays, they were gone for ∼1.9 h and returned to home territories before sunset. Prospecting ...
Fibromyalgia: Evaluation and Therapy of a Neuroimmune Disorder

Fibromyalgia (FM) is one of the commonest but most enigmatic rheumatologic conditions encountered by the practicing clinician. Difficulties in its diagnosis and successful treatment stem, in part, from the absence of a coherent pathophysiologically based approach to the disorder. Two cases of FM, found in association with connective tissue diseases, are presented, and a novel approach to their clinical evaluation is outlined. In both cases the clinician is encouraged to seek out historical and physical findings suggesting the presence of peripheral nerve lesions akin to those seen in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and small fiber neuropathy (SFN). The chapter outlines a logical approach to the laboratory evaluation of this situation utilizing electrodiagnostic testing (electromyography and nerve conduction velocities) and skin biopsy-generated epidermal nerve fiber density (ENFD) testing. The results of these evaluative strategies lend weight to the assertion that the patient outlined in Case 1 represents a member of a large subset of FM whose pain is likely to be due, in large part, to the neuroimmune lesion(s) seen in CIDP and SFN. In Case 2 the results of testing suggest that the patient is an example of “pseudofibromyalgia” and has pain originating, in large part, from a diffuse enthesopathy, as might be seen in forme fruste ankylosing spondylitis. The implications of these findings vis a vis these patients’ therapy, and our better understanding of FM in general, are discussed in detail.
The Disproportionate Impact Of Dementia On Family And Unpaid Caregiving To Older Adults

The number of US adults ages sixty-five and older who are living with dementia is substantial and expected to grow, raising concerns about the demands that will be placed on family members and other unpaid caregivers. We used data from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study and its companion study, the National Study of Caregiving, to investigate the role of dementia in caregiving. We found that among family and unpaid caregivers to older noninstitutionalized adults, one-third of caregivers, and 41 percent of the hours of help they provide, help people with dementia, who account for about 10 percent of older noninstitutionalized adults. Among older adults who receive help, the vast majority in both community and residential care settings other than nursing homes rely on family or unpaid caregivers (more than 90 percent and more than 80 percent, respectively), regardless of their dementia status. Caregiving is most intense, however, to older adults with dementia in community settings and from care...
A 1.0 V, 10–22 GHz, 4 mW LNA Utilizing Weakly Saturated SiGe HBTs for Single-Chip, Low-Power, Remote Sensing Applications

A 1 V supply voltage, 10-22 GHz wideband low-power low noise amplifier (LNA) is implemented in a 0.13 μm SiGe BiCMOS technology, targeting portable single-chip remote sensing radar application. This LNA exhibits a measured gain of 15.5 dB at 16 GHz and a -3 dB bandwidth of 12 GHz, while dissipating only 4 mA from a 1 V supply, with intentionally biasing the HBTs in weak saturation. The LNA has a measured noise figure (NF) of 3.4 dB at 16 GHz and less than 4.4 dB across the operating bandwidth of 10 to 22 GHz. In addition, the LNA design offers a reduced bandwidth operational mode of 10-16 GHz for interference reduction, bringing the power consumption further down to only 3 mW.
A Critical Review of Software Tools for Multidimensional Visualization and Related Applications

In this paper we define a set of attributes that are desirable in software tools for multidimensional visualization and related applications including optimization, knowledge management, and concept generation. This set of attributes is then implemented as metrics for evaluating a number of the software tools available in the field. Attributes considered include cost, installation time, and utility of features, among others. Decision tables are constructed to present and compare the results of the review, and recommendations are made concerning which tools performed best under the metrics.
Comparative Availability of Phytin and Inorganic Phosphorus to Rumen Microorganisms, in vitro.∗†:

SummaryResults of cellulose digestibility in a series of studies utilizing calcium and phosphorus depleted suspensions of rumen microorganisms confirm the calcium requirements of rumen microorganisms, and indicate phytin phosphorus utilization to be significantly more sensitive than inorganic phosphorus to calcium levels and ratios. Data suggest decreased phytin phosphorus utilization at the wider Ca/P ratios to be more directly related to a chemical effect than to enzyme inhibition, and provide basic evidence of the critical need for careful consideration of levels as well as ratios in the adjustment of calcium to phosphorus ratios for ruminant animals on high phytin rations.
Platelet-activating-factor-hydrolyzing phospholipase C in the salivary glands and saliva of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus

SUMMARY A phospholipase C activity specific for platelet-activating factor (PAF), named PAF phosphorylcholine hydrolase, was found in the salivary glands and saliva of the human-feeding mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus . The enzymatic activity was demonstrated by inhibition of PAF-induced platelet aggregation, and by identification of substrate consumption and production of diacyl glyceride by electrospray-ionisation mass spectrometry. The activity has a neutral optimal pH and an apparent molecular mass of 40–50 kDa. Two anthropophilic mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae , do not have this salivary activity. The results are interpreted within the evolutionary context of the genera Culex , Aedes and Anopheles.
Advance in catalyst and technology for propylene heterogeneous copolymerization

Propylene heterogeneous copolymerization is an important process to improve the performance of polypropylene.The recent progress of the catalysts for propylene heterogeneous copolymerization is reviewed in this paper.The main processes to produce propylene heterogeneous copolymer by in-situ technology are introduced.It is suggested that the effective combination of Ziegler-Natta catalyst and metallocene catalyst to produce propylene heterogeneous copolymer is the future trend of research and development.
Simulation-based Two-Stage Optimization for Roll Shifting Strategy in Cross Rolling Campaign of Hot Strip Mill

Work roll shifting technology is an effective way to achieve schedule free rolling,and shifting strategy significantly affects strip profile in cross rolling campaign of hot strip mill. Firstly,a simulation model for roll comprehensive contour was built. The effect of roll shifting strategy on comprehensive contour was investigated by numerical simulation,and two evaluation indexes including body smoothness and edge smoothness were presented. Secondly,based on alternate change of strip width,a simulationbased two-stage optimization model for roll shifting strategy was built. Shifting position of all strips was optimized in the first stage,and the one of wide strips was further optimized in the second stage,then the final Pareto-optimal solutions were obtained. Finally,industrial test confirms the validity of related model and shifting strategy,and it can improve strip profile and extend rolling miles of rolling campaign.
Application of Optimized Ant Colony Algorithm in the Planning of Xi'an Electric Power Distribution Network

The planning model and optimization of distribution system are set up in which the objective includes initial investment, power loss cost and power outage cost.An adaptive ant colony algorithm based on cloud model is presented.The parameters p and Q of ant colony algorithm are qualitatively controlled and dynamically,which are selected in cloud model.The proposed method is used in the optimal planning for Xi'an distribution network.Based on the research of 110 kV network,the thesis gives a proper suggestion of the planning in order to improve the ability of electricity supply,enhance the reliability,stability and reasonability of electric network.
Evaluation Method of Residual Strength for Oil and Gas Pipelines

The paper expatiates systematically the evaluation methods of residua l strength for oil and gas pipelines, compares these different evaluation metho ds for their strongpoints and shortcomings. The analysis shows that the finite e lement method is able to simulate numerically the strain-stress of defective oil or gas pipeline subjected to various loads, so it is an effective means for re sidual strength analysis.
Synthesis of (.+-.)-1-((1α,2α,3β,4α)-2,3-Dihydroxy-4-hydroxymethylcyc# lopentyl)-5-methyl-2,4-(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione, the Carbocyclic Analogue of Ara-T.

The amino(hydroxymethyl)cyclopentanediol (I), prepared from cyclopentadiene by known methods, is coupled with the acyl isocyanates (II) to produce the methoxymethacrylureas (III) which undergo base-induced ring closure, yielding the pyrimidinedione (IV).
Epidemiologic breast cancer research at the UW-Madison: a summary of past accomplishments and future directions.

284 Over the past 3 decades, trends in breast cancer incidence rates have changed dramatically. Breast cancer has been the most common cancer diagnosed among women during this entire time period, with more than 180,000 women in the United States diagnosed annually.1 Approximately 4000 women in Wisconsin are diagnosed each year.2 This report briefly summarizes the major changes in breast cancer incidence and mortality rates that have occurred since 1980 and the contributions that Wisconsin population science has made to our understanding of the reasons for these changes.
Atom-Probe and Field Ion Microscope Studies of the Atomic Structure and Composition of Overlayers on Metal Surfaces

The field ion microscope can give a two-dimensional view of the atomic structure of a solid surface. The composition of the top and deeper surface layers can be analyzed atomic layer by atomic layer with a time-of-flight atom probe If an adsorption layer structure is commensurate with the substrate, then its structure can be derived reliably from the field ion image. We have observed an adsorption layer superstructure, silicon on W(110), which can be directly correlated to the experimentally measured pair energies of silicon adatom-ad-atom interactions. The true atomic layer by atomic layer compositional analysis of surfaces can be best illustrated by a study of surface segregation of platinum base binary alloys, where the number of surface layers enriched with the segregants is found to vary from one system to another, ranging from 1 to 4 atomic layers. For some alloys, the second atomic layer is depleted with se gregants. This result is consistent with an oscillatory structure in the single-ion potential in the near surface layers.
What's missing in the treatment of obesity by behavior modification?

Should there be ethnic and/or racial considerations in choosing the therapeutic approach to use in treating obesity?
Quantifying Water Removal Rate of a Wicking Geotextile under Controlled Temperature and Relative Humidity

AbstractGlobal warming and climate change have increased the frequency of heavy precipitation. Heavy rainfall results in a large amount of water entering roadways within a short time period. Water remains in the pavement system for a certain time period, reduces strengths and moduli of granular bases and subgrades, and induces pavement distresses. Geotextiles are commonly used in roadways for drainage purposes, which require soil saturation. However, soil saturation does not always exist in roadways to enable gravity drainage of water by conventional geotextiles. Wicking geotextile, a new type of woven geotextile, was recently introduced to the market to remove moisture from unsaturated soils. The wicking geotextile includes special hydrophilic and hygroscopic 4 deep groove fibers with multichannel cross sections, which can induce high capillary force to wick water out of moist soil without saturation of soil. The ability and rate of this geotextile to remove water from moist soil depends on several facto...
O38-1 Comparison of individually observed exposures versus a job exposure matrix on associations between workplace physical factors and carpal tunnel syndrome

Background Job Exposure Matrices (JEM) are rarely used to estimate work-related physical exposures; few studies have compared JEM exposures to other methods. Using existing data from a prospective cohort study of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in the US, we compared associations between physical factors and incident CTS using different exposure estimates: individual level job observations, a JEM that pooled these observations at the job level, and a JEM based on O*NET, a publicly available US dataset describing the physical requirements of different occupations. Methods Workers were recruited from >50 US workplaces and followed from baseline examination for incident CTS. Direct observations and video analysis were used to estimate hand force and activity. We studied 4 observed exposures associated with incident CTS in previous publications from this cohort, and selected a priori from O*NET 5 exposures corresponding to these same domains. Cox proportional hazards models included age, gender, body mass index, and study site. Exposure variables were dichotomized at the median of their respective distributions. Results We analysed 2,393 workers, representing 3617 person years and 140 incident cases of CTS. Statistically significant HRs were found for the individually observed exposures of hand exertion, time in forceful hand exertion, and Hand Activity Level (HAL). Analysis using exposures derived from both JEMs demonstrated similar associations, although the confidence intervals were wider, and effect sizes using the O*NET data (HRs from 1.3 to 1.8) were somewhat smaller than those calculated using individually observed exposures (HRs from 1.5 to 1.9). Conclusions In a large population study of CTS, exposures assigned via a JEM derived from publicly available physical exposure data found similar though somewhat weaker associations than exposures assessed via direct observation of individual workers. Use of JEM allows studies that are otherwise infeasible, and is an appropriate study design for some studies of MSD.