cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Qur'an and the Academic Library: Circulation and Storage Issues with Holy Books

This article addresses concerns raised by members of the local Muslim community regarding copies of the Qur'an in the circulating collections at Milner Library, Illinois State University. The librarians conducted an analysis of the collection of holy books and investigated the rules and traditions of the Islamic faith that govern the care and handling of the faith's holy books. The findings include a discussion of the controversy presented to United Kingdom public libraries engaged in similar investigations, and a conceptual debate on the appropriate stewardship of holy books at academic libraries that must also avoid an entanglement of religion and state. Subsequently, the librarians developed culturally sensitive recommendations for the shelving, display, maintenance, and handling of the Qur'an in the light of the larger philosophical issue posed by maintaining holy books in the circulating collections of a secular institution.
Formalization and Automation of Time-Space Conflict Analysis

With increasing pressure for shorter delivery schedules, space is a critical resource at construction sites. Current industry practice lacks a formalized approach or tool to help project managers a...
Fundamental Fluxoid-Defect Interactions in Irradiated Superconductors.

Abstract Flux pinning experiments in irradiated superconductors which make it possible to independently vary the defect density ρ and elementary interaction force ƒ p between the defect and the fluxoid lattice are reviewed. A new measure of flux pinning, Q , the volume pinning force per defect, is introduced and is shown to be independent of defect density ρ for ρ 22 / m 3 . In Nb at B = 0.5 B c 2 and 4.2 K, Q = 5 × 10 −18 N for Frenkel defects, 3 × 10 −16 N for cascades, 2 × 10 −15 N for 100 A dislocation loops and 3 × 10 −14 N for 100 A voids. The Q 's for voids and loops increase strongly with void or loop diameter. Accurate estimates of ƒ p for voids and dislocation loops can be made and plotted versus Q . The results for the two defects overlap forming a single master curve that can be used as an experimental solution to the summation problem. Reasons why current summation models do not reproduce the master curve are discussed.
One or two parents? Half or step siblings? The effect of family structure on young children's achievement

Do children who live with both biological parents fare better than children in other types of family structures? Does the presence of step or half-siblings affect child well-being? This study examines the effect of family structure on young children's achievement addressing two sources of potential bias: (1) misclassification of blended families and (2) the omission of within-family and individual time-invariant unobserved characteristics. The results show that family structure, when defined using traditional classifications, has little effect on young children's achievement test scores. When the definition of family type is expanded, living in a blended family and living in some types of single mother families, appears to have a small, unfavorable relationship with children's achievement.
EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL STUDIES OF OPPOSED JET OXYGEN-ENHANCED METHANE DIFFUSION FLAMES

Planar oxygen-enhanced methane counterflow flames are investigated by optical diagnostics and numerical simulation. The major species concentrations and temperature measured from Raman scattering are compared to the detailed simulations of the flame formed between two opposed jets. The effect of stretch and the influence of oxygen concentration in the oxidizer on the flame structure are studied for nitrogen-diluted methane fuel (20% CH4 in N2). The oxygen concentration of reactants changes the flame temperature dramatically. Simulations with the GRI-3.0 and the San Diego chemical kinetic mechanisms show that model-data comparisons for reactants, products such as H2O, and temperature agree very well. The measured CO2 is in agreement at lower oxygen enrichment (≤40% O2) but deviates from prediction at high oxygen enrichment (60%, 100% O2). The effect of the fuel concentration in the nitrogen-diluted fuel is also studied for pure oxygen flames. When pure oxygen is the oxidizer, the measured extinction limit ...
Nicotine induces a conditioned place preference in male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

Abstract Visual stimuli may play an important role in the development and maintenance of addiction in humans. Research with a visually-oriented animal model such as Japanese quail ( Coturnix japonica ) may provide insight into how visual cues contribute to the addiction process. The aim of the current study was to investigate the rewarding properties of nicotine in male Japanese quail using a biased conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure. Adult male quail (N = 30) were allowed to freely explore the entire CPP apparatus during a place preference pre-test and time spent in each chamber was measured. During nicotine conditioning sessions, quail were administered nicotine (0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg) or saline and were then confined to their initially least preferred chamber. On alternating days, all quail received saline and were confined to their initially preferred chamber. Locomotor activity was assessed in both chambers. The conditioning chambers had yellow or green walls to enhance the visual salience of each context. Following 8 conditioning sessions (4 nicotine; 4 saline), quail were allowed to explore the entire apparatus during a CPP post-test and time spent in each chamber was measured. The results indicated that quail treated with 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg nicotine significantly increased the amount of time they spent in the nicotine-paired chamber compared to saline controls, suggesting that nicotine produced a CPP. Furthermore, quail treated with 0.5 mg/kg nicotine showed a significant increase in locomotor activity with repeated treatments. The current findings suggest that nicotine may have a rewarding effect in quail and may tentatively suggest that the neuropharmacological mechanisms that mediate CPP for nicotine are conserved in birds.
l(1)hopscotch, a larval-pupal zygotic lethal with a specific maternal effect on segmentation in Drosophila

The maternal and zygotic effect phenotypes of mutations at the l(1)hopscotch (l(1)hop) locus are described. l(1)hop is located in 10B6-8 on the salivary gland chromosome map and 17 alleles have been characterized. A complex complementation pattern is observed among the 17 alleles. The lethal phase of null alleles of l(1)hop occurs at the larval-pupal interface associated with a small disc phenotype. Embryos produced from homozygous l(1)hop germline clones show segment specific defects. The extent of these defects depends upon both the strength of the allele and the paternal contribution. In the most extreme case embryos exhibit defects associated with five segments T2, T3, A4, A5, and A8. In the less extreme phenotype defects are only associated with A5. Thus, activity of l(1)hop+ is required both for the maintenance and continued cell division of diploid imaginal precursors and for the establishment of the full array of segments.
Angle-resolved photoemission extended fine-structure study of the structure of p (2×2)K/Ni(111)

Angle-resolved photoemission extended fine structure (ARPEFS) from the potassium 1s core level was measured for the quantitative structural determination of the p(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)K/Ni(111) overlayer at 130 K. Our analysis of the ARPEFS \ensuremath{\chi}(k) curves detected along [111] and [771] showed that the potassium atoms are preferentially adsorbed on the atop sites, in agreement with a previous low-energy-electron-diffraction (LEED) study of the same system. The K-Ni bond length is 3.02\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 \AA{}, yielding an effective hard-sphere radius of 1.77 \AA{} for potassium. The first-to-second-layer spacing of nickel is 1.90\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04 \AA{}, a 6.5% contraction from the bulk spacing of 2.03 \AA{}. Furthermore, the first nickel layer shows neither lateral reconstruction (0.00\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.09 \AA{}) nor vertical corrugation (0.00\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 \AA{}). A comparison of the structural parameters with those determined from the LEED study is presented. The limitations of Fourier analysis for site determination and the importance of comparing ARPEFS experimental data with theoretical simulations in both k space and r space are also discussed.
Native lung volume reduction surgery relieves functional graft compression after single-lung transplantation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objective Single-lung transplantation is an accepted treatment for end-stage lung disease caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A complication unique to single-lung transplantation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is graft dysfunction due to compression caused by native lung hyperinflation. We hypothesized that patients with functional compromise from native lung hyperinflation would benefit from native lung volume reduction surgery. Methods The charts of all patients undergoing single-lung transplantation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were reviewed for lung volume reduction surgery of their native lung. Data regarding length of stay, surgical morbidity and mortality, overall survival, type of lung volume reduction surgery, and pulmonary function were recorded to evaluate the effect of lung volume reduction surgery. Results Between February 1992 and May 2007, 206 single-lung transplantations were performed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Ten (5%) patients had clinically significant graft compression from native lung hyperinflation. After excluding other causes for functional decline, these patients underwent a modified lung volume reduction surgery between 12 and 142 months after single-lung transplantation (mean, 50 months). Lung volume reduction surgery consisted of anatomic resection. Two (20%) of 10 patients died during their hospitalization. Of the remaining 8 patients, 7 (87.5%) have demonstrated functional improvement on the basis of forced expiratory volume in 1 second improving from 12% to 200% (mean improvement, 57%). Within 6 months of lung volume reduction surgery, mean 6-minute walk values improved significantly (866 to 1055 feet), whereas desaturation with exertion decreased significantly. Conclusions Lung volume reduction surgery by means of formal lobectomy in patients with native lung hyperinflation undergoing single-lung transplantation and significant graft compression appears feasible. Additionally, improvements in forced expiratory volume in 1 second can be accomplished in nearly all properly selected patients. Lung volume reduction surgery should be considered in patients with decreasing graft function caused by graft compression from native lung hyperinflation.
Advanced motion control of mechatronic systems via a high-speed DSP and a parallel processing transputer network

This paper presents a system for implementing advanced motion control using a floating-point digital signal processor (DSP) and a transputer-based parallel processing system. The discussion includes a brief look at the advantages of using DSPs in real-time control applications and the techniques of integrating DSPs with parallel processing transputer networks to enhance computing power. The main focus of this paper is the design of a system that combines the excellent real-time response of the Texas Instruments TMS320C30 DSP with the superior computational power of a parallel processing system based on Intel i860 RISC processors and Inmos transputers. The software of the system is hosted in the popular MATLAB environment to provide a simple user interface as well as many powerful mathematical tools. The system also includes a simulation package to allow rapid verification of the user's program and control algorithm. The system is ideal for implementing advanced motion control experiments requiring high speed floating point computations and fast sampling rates. A complex adaptive motor control experiment is presented in this paper to illustrate the use of the system. >
Development of a Direct Isolation Procedure for Free-Living Diazotrophs under Controlled Hypoxic Conditions

Free-living diazotrophs are diverse and ubiquitous in soil, contributing the nitrogen pool in natural ecosystems. The isolation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms has relied on semisolid nitrogen-free medium enrichment, followed by multiple subculturing steps. These procedures limit the diversity of recovered isolates. In the current study, we investigated three different isolation strategies for free-living diazotrophs using a soil sample from the Amazon forest. The methods were (i) direct plating on solid nitrogen-free medium under a 2% O2 concentration, (ii) enrichment in semisolid nitrogen-free medium before plating on solid nitrogen-free medium under 2% O2, and (iii) enrichment followed by subculturing in the semisolid nitrogen-free medium before plating on nitrogen containing medium under a 21% O2 concentration. A total of 794 isolates were differentiated by their genomic fingerprinting patterns, and strains with unique profiles were identified on the basis of sequencing of their 16S rRNA gene. Isolates belonged to four bacterial phyla: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteriodetes. The novel strategy of combining a solid N-free medium and hypoxic conditions showed an increase of 62.6% in the diversity of diazotrophs in comparison to that obtained by the conventional semisolid medium-based methods. All isolates grew on the nitrogen-free medium under a 2% O2 concentration, 78% of them showed the presence of the nifH gene, and 39% tested positive for acetylene reduction activity. Our results suggest that direct plating of soil dilutions on nitrogen-free solid medium under a 2% O2 concentration is a useful strategy for the isolation of the diverse diazotrophic communities.
Characterization of an 18-channel TIR modulator for printing applications

A multiple channel optical modulator provides a means of parallel information processing and enables fast laser printing. We have studied a multiple channel optical modulator utilizing total internal reflection (TIR) and the electro- optical properties of LiTaO3 crystals. We characterized the multichannel TIR modulator by illuminating it separately with a source of a single mode coherent radiation (a Ti:Sapphire laser), and with a source of multimode radiation (a laser diode). The best contrast ratio (on/off intensity ratio) is 100:1, and a contrast ratio of 20:1 is achieved at a driving voltage as low as 60 V. No significant cross-talk has been observed at a modulation frequency of 10 Hz. We found that the response of the modulator is very strongly influenced by the spatial coherence of the illumination source. We also found the presence of a photorefractive effect induced by the high power density of the impinging light beam. This photorefractive effect is not permanent, and can be recovered if the laser illumination is removed for a period of time.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of salinity on physiological responses and the photochemical reflectance index in two co-occurring coastal shrubs

The photochemical reflectance index (PRI) is correlated to photosynthetic efficiency and has been successfully applied at multiple scales for remote estimation of physiological functioning. However, interpretation of the PRI signal can be confounded by many different variables including declines in photochemical pigments. Our study was aimed at investigating PRI in response to salinity stress, and evaluating physiological and pigment responses of two co-occurring shrubs, Baccharis halimifolia and Myrica cerifera in laboratory studies. Photosynthesis, water relations, chlorophyll fluorescence, hyperspectral reflectance and leaf pigment contents were measured following salinity treatment. Physiological measurements indicated that both species exhibit adaptations which protect PSII during periods of stress. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were affected in both species, but indicated that other photochemical reactions (e.g. photorespiration) were important for energy dissipation in absence of chlorophyll changes. After many days of reduced photosynthesis, photochemical changes were detectable using PRI indicating chronic stress. Variations in PRI were not related to changes in pigments but strongly related to tissue chlorides indicating salinity effects on the PRI signal. Thus, PRI is an indicator of salinity stress in these coastal species and may be as an early signal for increasing salt exposure associated with rising sea-level and climate change.
Habituation and Dishabituation: Interactions between Peripheral and Central Nervous Systems in Aplysia

The withdrawal response of the isolated siphon of Aplysia habituates to a light stimulus and dishabituates to a tactile stimulus, and vice versa, with or without connections to the central nervous system. The peripheral nervous system can dishabituate or enhance the response mediated by the central nervous system and vice versa. Normally the adaptive siphon withdrawal response of the intact animal must be mediated by the integrated activity of the peripheral and central nervous systems.
Capillary zone electrophoresis of two synthetic neuropeptides: examination of detectability and resolution as a function of peptide concentration and buffer concentration

The capillary zone electrophoretic behavior of substance P and methionine enkephalin, when the amount of peptide was increased at a constant injection volume, was examined using a 50-microns I.D. capillary. Peak-shape distortion (asymmetry) increased when the concentration of these two peptides exceeded 1% of the buffer concentration. Increasing the buffer concentration increased the peak height and decreased the peak width, leading to higher detectability and resolution, respectively. Peak area versus analyte concentration remained linear, even under the overloading conditions that distorted the peak shape.
Modeling Of In-Vehicle Human Exposure to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter

Abstract A method for estimating in-vehicle PM 2.5 exposure as part of a scenario-based population simulation model is developed and assessed. In existing models, such as the Stochastic Exposure and Dose Simulation model for Particulate Matter (SHEDS-PM), in-vehicle exposure is estimated using linear regression based on area-wide ambient PM 2.5 concentration. An alternative modeling approach is explored based on estimation of near-road PM 2.5 concentration and an in-vehicle mass balance model. Near-road PM 2.5 concentration is estimated using a dispersion model and fixed site monitor (FSMs) data. In-vehicle concentration is estimated based on air exchange rate and filter efficiency. In-vehicle concentration varies with road type, traffic flow, windspeed, stability class, and ventilation. Average in-vehicle exposure is estimated to contribute 10–20 percent of average daily exposure. The contribution of in-vehicle exposure to total daily exposure can be higher for some individuals. Recommendations are made for updating exposure models and implementation of the alternative approach.
Deposition, Characterization, And Simulation Of Thin Films With Form Birefringence

Birefringence in optical thin films due to structure on a scale large compared to atoms but small compared to optical wavelengths, known as form birefringence (FB), was observed almost a century ago. More recently, studies of obliquely deposited metal films stimulated new interest in birefringent films. The link between structure, which is predominantly columnar in evaporated thin films, and birefringence has been conclusively demonstrated through ellipsometric measurement and modeling. Direct measurements of form birefringence are especially tedious in tilted films, since essentially four quantities must be derived: three indices of refraction and the film thickness. Clearly, four measurements are required; Horowitz' used an ellipsometric method to perform such measurements on a zirconium oxide (Zr0 2 ) film. Later, a 4.6-μm-thick film of Zr0 2 was obliquely deposited; spectrophotometric measurements revealed its utility as a half-wave plate. A parallel effort directed at understanding FB films through computer simulations has been undertaken by Sikkens and Liao. These simulations can be specialized to include defects, epitaxy, and anisotropic surface mobility. Applications of obliquely deposited FB films of familiar thin film materials can be anticipated if their structure and performance can be more thoroughly understood.
A Bayesian Analysis of Nonresponse in Dichotomous Processes

Abstract A Bayesian treatment is given of a two-phase sampling problem when sampling is from a double dichotomy, losses are quadratic, and sampling costs are linear. The motivating question is: how does one determine an optimal first phase sample from a dichotomous population given that an optimal follow-up sample of nonrespondents in the first phase is to be taken?
Understanding the Relationships of Quality, Value, Equity, Satisfaction, and Behavioral Intentions Among Golf Travelers

Abstract This study developed and tested an integrative model to examine the relationships between golf travelers' perceptions of quality, value, equity, and satisfaction and to investigate the impacts of the service evaluation variables (i.e., quality, value, and satisfaction) on their behavioral intentions (i.e., revisit a destination, word-of-mouth referrals, and search for alternative destinations). The model was tested using surveyed data from 309 golf travelers. The results indicated that although service quality did not have a significant influence on value or satisfaction, it did have a significant influence on equity. As hypothesized, equity had a significant and direct influence on both value and satisfaction, and value had a significant influence on satisfaction. Regarding the behavioral intention variables, service quality did not influence any of the behavioral intention variables, while value and satisfaction had no significant influence on the search for alternative variable. However, as hypothesized, both value and satisfaction had significant influences on the intention to revisit and word-of-mouth behavioral intention variables. Discussion and implications are provided based on the research results.
Chemosensory behavior of semi-restrained Caenorhabditis elegans.

A new behavioral assay is described for studying chemosensation in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. This assay presents three main characteristics: (1) the worm is restrained by gluing, preserving correlates of identifiable behaviors; (2) the amplitude and time course of the stimulus are controlled by the experimenter; and (3) the behavior is recorded quantitatively. We show that restrained C. elegans display behaviors comparable to those of freely moving worms. Moreover, the chemosensory response of wild-type glued animals to changes in salt concentration is similar to that of freely moving animals. This glued-worm assay was used to reveal new chemosensory deficits of the potassium channel mutant egl-2. We conclude that the glued worm assay can be used to study the chemosensory regulation of C. elegans behavior and how it is affected by neuronal or genetic manipulations. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2005
Type 2 diabetes and risk of cancer.

Strong evidence points to an association between diabetes and several major cancers Over the past 50 years, numerous studies have linked diabetes, in particular type 2 diabetes, to an increased risk of cancer. In 2010, a consensus report by the American Diabetes Association and American Cancer Society concluded that type 2 diabetes is convincingly associated with an increased risk for several cancers (colorectal, breast, endometrial, liver, pancreatic, and bladder), while the evidence is less conclusive for others (such as kidney cancer, leukemia, and esophageal cancer).1 In a linked article, Tsilidis and colleagues (doi:10.1136/bmj.g7607) present an umbrella review of 27 meta-analyses summarizing the associations between type 2 diabetes and cancer.2 This review represents one of the most comprehensive efforts to summarize an important, albeit complex, question in epidemiology. In their review, Tsilidis and colleagues confirmed robust associations between type 2 diabetes and the risk of breast, colorectal, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and endometrial cancer. For most other cancer sites, however, they concluded that the associations with type 2 diabetes were not convincing, despite clinically and statistically significant summary estimates from the meta-analyses. A main reason for this largely negative conclusion is the use of a number …
Effects of Cd2+, Pb2+ and CH3Hg+ on high voltage-activated calcium currents in pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells : potency, reversibility, interactions with extracellular Ca2+ and mechanisms of block

Effects of the neurotoxic heavy metals Cd2+, Pb2+ and CH3Hg+ on current carried by Ca2+ ions (I(Ca)) through high-voltage activated Ca2+ channels in nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells were examined to characterize possible differences in the mechanism of action of these metals on Ca2+ channel function. Specifically, the potency and reversibility of effect on I(Ca) by each metal was examined, as well as the relationship between extracellular [Ca2+] and potency of block of I(Ca) by Cd2+ and Pb2+. In addition, the effect of each of these metals on Ca2+ channels when applied to the intracellular side of the membrane was also examined. When extracellular solution contained 20, 10 or 5 mM Ca2+, the estimated IC50 values (total metal concentration) for block of I(Ca) were 15, 10, and 6.5 microM for Cd2+ and 7.5, 2.0 and 1.1 microM for Pb2+, respectively. CH3Hg+ (1-10 microM) blocked I(Ca) (20 mM Ca2+) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. When cells were washed with metal-free solutions, block of I(Ca) by Cd2+ was reversed rapidly, whereas block by Pb2+ was reversed only partially, and block of I(Ca) by CH3Hg+ was not reversed. When Pb2+ and CH3Hg+ treated cells were washed in metal-free solutions containing 50 microM D-penicillamine (DPEN), block of I(Ca) by 10 microM Pb2+ was rapidly and completely reversed, whereas, block of I(Ca) by 5 microM CH3Hg+ was not reversed. Higher concentrations (500 microM) of 2,3-dimercapto-1-propane sulfonic acid (DMPS) did reverse partially the block of I(Ca) by 5 and 10 microM CH3Hg+. When Cd2+, Pb2+ or CH3Hg+ was present in the intracellular solution, Ca2+ channel currents were significantly reduced. These results characterize effects of Cd2+ on Ca2+ channels and demonstrate that Cd2+, Pb2+ and CH3Hg+ differ in their actions on Ca2+ channels.
DOES INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT NEED A SEPARATE PERSPECTIVE

This essay argues that it is difficult to justify intellectually a separate subject of international operations management. Nevertheless, courses with titles like that abound and other professional activities are centered on international operations, at least in the United States. Of course, there are real differences in management activities in different parts of the world that must be contended with. A comparison of European and U.S. managers' exposure to international business suggests that there is a higher startup cost for U.S. managers to do so. Drawing an analogy between the management of operations and the solving of a huge mathematical programming problem implies that there are few new variables introduced by going international, but that the weights on existing variables can change substantially. Therefore, even though difficult to justify intellectually, continuing to treat international operations management separately may provide us some short-term advantages. By helping us focus our attention on the important variables that change, it may provide us the insights to help reduce the startup cost for U.S. managers entering international operations.
Simulation Training for Fiber-Optic Intubations

Abstract Background Fiberoptic intubations (FOIs) are one skill Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) must be able to perform. However, the high-risk, low-volume nature of this skill may affect a practitioner's ability to safely perform this skill. The purpose of this project was to implement a FOI simulation training program for CRNAs. Methods A pre-test/post-test design was used for competence using timed intubations before and after a training program. Results Mean time to conduct a FOI decreased 52.87 seconds after the simulation training, which was found to be significant (p=.01). Participants also reported high levels of satisfaction and self-confidence. Conclusion Simulation training can provide an opportunity to provide safe care when performing FOIs.
The Changing Role of Principals in School Partnerships

School administrators find themselves in new, more collaborative roles. Current and future school leaders must understand the collaboration process, and they must be able to involve all stakeholder groups in identifying problems, exploring options, building consensus, and developing innovative solutions to improve conditions for students and their families and to support educational excellence.
The reliving experience in Vietman veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract Among individuals who have been exposed to life-threatening trauma and subsequently develop a posttraumatic stress disorder, a considerable number have episodes in which they suddenly act or feel as if the traumatic event were reoccurring. A lack of well-studied case material has limited our understanding of the psychodynamics of this phenomenon. Work with large numbers of Vietnam combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder has provided us with an opportunity to study the reliving experience in greater depth. Case summaries are presented for three such veterans who have had repeated reliving experiences since returning from Vietnam. This material demonstrates how reliving experiences express in dramatic ways aspects of the veteran's combat experiences which, although usually not consciously recognized, continue to dominate them because they are unresolved. Also shown is the adaptive significance of this behavior. Understanding the origin of veterans' reliving experiences, the events that trigger them, and the adaptive functions they serve is seen as valuable in treating the posttraumatic stress disorder.
MO-A-137-08: Direct Leaf Trajectory Optimization for Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy with Sliding Window Delivery

Purpose: We present a new single‐step algorithm for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planning. The algorithm is inspired by the observation that IMRT plans with a large number of beams (e.g., N=20) yield near‐optimal treatment plans. However, an arc sequencing step to convert an IMRT plan into a deliverable VMAT plan compromises quality or delivery efficiency. To avoid this caveat, we devise a single‐step method to directly optimize the MLC leaf trajectories. Methods: In our approach, a full 360‐degree arc is divided into N arc segments in which the leaves move unidirectionally, i.e. an intensity‐modulated field is delivered over each arc segment using a sliding window technique. We formulate the VMAT optimization problem in terms of the leaf trajectories over each arc segment, including all machine and time constraints. Assuming constant dose‐influence matrices in each arc segment and constant gantry speed, this optimization problem is convex. Thus, we can reliably determine the optimal VMAT plan under these restrictions. An extension of this basic model is devised that accounts for a varying dose influence matrix within each arc segment. Results: The algorithm allows us to find highly conformal treatment plans, deliverable in a short time. Allowing for enough delivery time, the algorithm is guaranteed to match the ideal IMRT plan. For prostate cases, the plans are observed to closely approximate the ideal plan with 3–4 minutes delivery time. Head‐and‐neck results are similarly promising. Conclusion: The results indicate that high quality single‐arc treatments can be delivered with 20 arc segments if sufficient time is allowed for modulation in each segment. Our current implementation is customized towards finding optimal VMAT plans for constant gantry speed and dose rate, which is desirable in practice. In the future, the model can be extended to allow variable dose rate and more general leaf trajectories. Research supported by Philips Radiation Oncology Systems.
β-Clamp directs localization of mismatch repair in Bacillus subtilis

MutS homologs function in several cellular pathways including mismatch repair (MMR), the process by which mismatches introduced during DNA replication are corrected. We demonstrate that the C terminus of Bacillus subtilis MutS is necessary for an interaction with β clamp. This interaction is required for MutS-GFP focus formation in response to mismatches. Reciprocally, we show that a mutant of the β clamp causes elevated mutation frequencies and is reduced for MutS-GFP focus formation. MutS mutants defective for interaction with β clamp failed to support the next step of MMR, MutL-GFP focus formation. We conclude that the interaction between MutS and β is the major molecular interaction facilitating focus formation and that β clamp aids in the stabilization of MutS at a mismatch in vivo. The striking ability of the MutS C terminus to direct focus formation at replisomes by itself, suggests that it is mismatch recognition that licenses MutS's interaction with β clamp.
Regulation of type I collagen fibril assembly by link protein and proteoglycans.

Abstract Link protein, a glycoprotein, that is present both in cartilaginous and non-cartilaginous tissues, has previously been shown to bind to collagen and to proteoglycan. Here, we have examined the effects of link protein and proteoglycans, both alone and in combination, on the assembly of type I collagen fibrils in vitro . Link protein alone had no effect on the kinetics of fibril formation or on the size of the fibrils. Link protein, however, modulated the effects of various proteoglycans including those from bone, cartilage, cornea and sclera. Link protein had the most significant effect on fibril assembly in the presence of the low molecular weight bone proteoglycan. Although the bone proteoglycan alone had no effect on fibril formation, the fibrils were wider in the presence of link protein and proteoglycan. Cartilage proteoglycan alone increased the extent of fibril formation and the resultant fibrils were wider in diameter with a complement of incompletely assembled fibrils. In the presence of both link protein and cartilage proteoglycan, the fibrils were fully formed with the characteristic banding pattern. Further, corneal and scleral proteoglycans alone decreased the extent of fibril formation and the width of the fibrils was either unaltered or slightly decreased in the presence of the link protein. Our results indicate that both link protein and tissuespecific proteoglycans may regulate the organization of collagen fibrils in tissues.
Disassembly of products

With incoming recycling regulations, resource conservation needs and an increased awareness of the state of the environment by both the consumer and the producer, a fundamental reappraisal of the traditional manufacturing paradigm has been emerging. The manufacturers are under tremendous pressure to dispose of products in an environmentally responsible manner. To this end many companies are establishing disassembly plants and developing product designs which specifically facilitate disassembly. Once disassembled, the items can be reused, recycled or discarded. This paper provides an overview of the research in the area of disassembly of products.
Hepatocellular carcinoma missed on gadolinium enhanced MR imaging, discovered in liver explants: retrospective evaluation.

The main purpose of this study was to determine if hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) missed on prospective magnetic resonance (MR) study could be identified on retrospective MR analysis, and to determine the cause for misdiagnosis. Among 555 patients who underwent liver transplantation between 1993 and 2004, 279 were imaged with MR imaging and four of these revealed HCCs in explanted livers that were not reported on prospective MR reading. The main cause of missed lesions were suboptimal image quality due to inability of patients to suspend respiration; other causes were HCC misinterpreted as high-grade dysplastic nodule and isoenhancement of HCC on early phase images. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Problem with Reform from the Bottom up: Instructional practises and teacher beliefs of graduate teaching assistants following a reform‐minded university teacher certificate programme

Reform‐minded practices are widely encouraged during pre‐service science teacher education in concert with national reform documents. This contrasts to the nature of instruction within university science laboratories in which pre‐service teachers enrol, which are largely confirmatory in nature. Undergraduate science laboratories are taught predominantly by graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) with minimal teacher preparation. The purpose of this mixed‐methods study is to investigate the instructional practices and teacher beliefs of eight GTAs at a university with very high research activity who completed a reform‐minded Teacher Certificate Programme, asking: What are their beliefs about teaching? How are their practices described? Do their beliefs and practices differ from one another? Do their teaching beliefs correspond with their practices? Findings indicate that GTAs held moderately reform‐minded “transitional” beliefs of teaching following the programme, yet displayed fairly traditional instruction. ...
Optimal warranties, reliabilities and prices for durable goods in an oligopoly

This paper addresses the problem of durable goods manufacturers in an oligopoly seeking optimal values for three decision variables: product warranty, reliability and price. Each firm seeks a warranty-reliability-price combination that maximizes expected profit subject to quite general constraints on the firm's decision variables. Warranty serves as a signal of product reliability, which is not observable by consumers. We present a game-theoretic model of warranty-reliability-price competition in such a market and examine Nash equilibria for this game. We show that under fairly general assumptions each firm can optimally set its warranty and reliability independently of price and competitors' actions. In addition, we show that optimal warranties and reliabilities are complementary, and we explore the impact of different market factors on the optimal warranty and reliability. Finally, we show that optimal warranties are longer and products more reliable when consumers are risk averse.
Preferential incorporation of tubulin into the junctional region of ciliary outer doublet microtubules: A model for treadmilling by lattice dislocation

Even in the presence of colchicine or Taxol(R), sea urchin embryonic cilia undergo substantial steady-state turnover, with a rate of tubulin incorporation approaching half that seen in full regeneration [Stephens: Mol Biol Cell 8:2187-2198, 1997]. Preliminary experiments suggest that tubulin incorporates differentially into the most stable portion of the outer doublet, the junctional protofilaments [Stephens: Cell Struct Funct 24:413-418, 1999]. To explore this possibility further, embryos of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla, a ciliary length inducible system [Stephens: J Exp Zool 269:106-115, 1994a], were pulse labeled with (3)H leucine during steady-state turnover or induced elongation, followed by regeneration in the presence of unlabeled leucine. Cilia were isolated by hypertonic shock and fractionated into detergent-soluble membrane plus matrix, thermally-solubilized microtubule walls, and insoluble 9-fold symmetric remnants of A-B junctional protofilaments plus associated architectural elements. The fractions were resolved by SDS-PAGE and the specific activity of alpha-tubulin was determined. In cilia undergoing turnover or elongation during an isotope pulse, the specific activity of tubulin in the junctional region approximated that of precursor membrane plus matrix tubulin but surpassed that of the tubule wall by a factor of approximately 1.5. In cilia regenerated during an isotope chase, the specific activity of junctional tubulin exceeded that of both the membrane plus matrix and the tubule wall by a similar factor. These data indicate that tubulin is preferentially incorporated into junctional protofilaments during steady-state turnover, induced elongation and regeneration. A model for directional incorporation based on surface lattice discontinuities in the outer doublet is proposed.
On the Aromaticity of Annulenones

Abstract Application of our method of predicting aromaticity 1 shows that the behavior of the annulenones is intermediate between that of the fulvenes (a nonaromatic series) and the annulenes (a series with strong alternation between aromatic and antiaromatic).
Site of injury-directed induction of heme oxygenase-1 and -2 in experimental spinal cord injury: differential functions in neuronal defense mechanisms?

The heme oxygenase (HO) isozymes catalyze oxidation of the heme molecule to biliverdin and carbon monoxide (CO) with the release of chelated iron. Presently, we have defined, for the first time, propensity for site of injury-directed induction of isozymes – the stress-inducible isozyme, HO-1, responds distal (below) and the glucocorticoid (GC)-inducible HO-2 responds proximal (above) to the site of injury. We have also shown that reactive iron (Fe3+) and cGMP staining spatially resemble that of HO-1; which, in turn, colocalizes in motor neurons with transcription factors: Fas-associated protein containing death domain (FADD), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and p53. Spinal cord injury (SCI) was inflicted by clip compression for 30 min, and analyses were carried out after 4 h or 16 h. When compared with spinal cord segments proximal to the site of injury, northern blot analysis showed remarkably higher levels of HO-1 mRNA distal (below) to the site of injury at both time points. In contrast, HO-2 mRNA levels were elevated proximal (above) to the site of injury and more prominently at 16 h post SCI. Immunohistochemical analyses were carried out using 2 × 5 mm segments above and below the compression site. When compared with segments above the site of injury, the intensity of HO-1 immunostaining and the number of HO-1 positive neurons in the ventral horn motor neurons were prominently increased in segments below the injury. Western blot analysis confirmed the observations. HO-2 protein was mapped to the ventral horn motor neurons, oligodendrocytes, the Clarke's nucleus neurons and the ependymal cells. When compared with segments below the site of injury, neuronal HO-2 staining intensity was increased above the site of injury, and most notably at 16 h. These observations were also confirmed by western blotting and HO activity measurements. Tissue Fe3+ and cGMP staining were increased and prominently mapped below the site of injury, where cGMP colocalized with HO-1 in the nucleus of the motor neurons. Also, a site of injury-directed pattern of induction of FADD, TRAIL, and p53 immunoreactivity, and a widespread colocalization of the oncogenes with HO-1 protein, were found within motor neurons below the level of injury. We forward the hypothesis that HO-1 and HO-2 have different roles in the defense mechanisms of the injured nervous system. We hypothesize that HO-1 protects against further damage by contributing to controlled cell death through their intrinsic suicide program, while HO-2 is involved in suppression of inflammatory response by NO derived radicals.
Heuristic Optimization of Physical Data Bases: Using a Generic and Abstract Design Model

Designing efficient physical data bases is a complex activity, involving the consideration of a large number of factors. Mathematical programming-based optimization models for physical design make many simplifying assumptions; thus, their applicability is limited. In this article, we show that heuristic algorithms can be successfully used in the development of very good, physical data base designs. Two heuristic optimization algorithms are proposed in the contest of a genetic and abstract model for physical design. One algorithm is based on generic principles of heuristic optimization. The other is based on capturing and using problem-specific information in the heuristics. The goodness of the algorithms is demonstrated over a wide range of problems and factor values.
Impact of mode of delivery on outcomes in patients with perianal Crohn's disease.

Background Crohn's disease (CD) often affects women during the reproductive years. Although several studies have examined the impact of pregnancy on luminal disease, limited literature exists in those with perianal CD. Decision regarding mode of delivery is a unique challenge in such patients due to concerns regarding the effect of pelvic floor trauma during delivery on preexisting perianal involvement. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with CD with established perianal disease undergoing either vaginal delivery or caesarean section (C-section) at our institutions. We examined the occurrence of symptomatic perianal disease flares within 5 years after delivery in such women compared with nonpregnant CD controls. We also compared the occurrence of such flares between the 2 modes of delivery in women with established perianal CD. Results We identified 61 pregnant patients with CD with established perianal disease (11 vaginal delivery, 50 through C-section) and 61 nonpregnant CD controls with perianal disease. One-third of the C-sections were primarily for obstetric indications. Six of the vaginal deliveries were complicated. Approximately, 36% of cases had a symptomatic perianal flare within 1 year after delivery. This was similar across both modes of delivery (P = 0.53) and similar to nonpregnant patients with CD. There was no difference in the rates of perianal surgical intervention or luminal disease flares in our population based on mode of delivery or between pregnant patients with CD and nonpregnant CD controls. Conclusions We observed no difference in risk of symptomatic perianal flares in patients with established perianal CD delivering vaginally or through C-section.
A Mosaic of Creativity in Occupational Therapy

Martha Branson-Banks, OT, provided the cover art for the summer 2014 issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. The piece is titled “Garden with thanks to Klimt” and is one of several mosaic art pieces in her collection of works. She created the piece with art glass and resin on an abandoned door. Her use of a repurposed door represents her belief in the capacity for transformation and beauty within each individual she has treated and taught throughout her career. Martha’s work as an occupational therapist, educator, and artist reminds us of the foundational beliefs of the occupational therapy profession, including the benefits of engagement in meaningful and creative activities.
Biloma: aspiration for diagnosis and treatment

Post-traumatic and postsurgical collections of encysted bile (biloma) can be difficult to diagnose. Certain radiographic features may suggest the diagnosis, but puncture of the cystic lesion is essential. Moreover, the lesions may be treated by percutaneous insertion of a drainage catheter without need for surgical exploration. In the last 31/2 years we have encountered 3 patients with this condition, 2 of whom were successfully drained by percutaneous technique. In 1 patient the overall radiographic appearance was suggestive of delayed rupture of the spleen, and the biloma was drained by simple needle aspiration intraoperatively.