cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Forestdale Black-on-Red: A Type Description and Discussion

ABSTRACTForestdale Black-on-red was named as a ceramic type in 1953 by Wendorf on the basis of two vessels. Based on these vessels and an additional 11 bowls and three sherds in the Arizona State Museum, a formal description of the type is presented along with a discussion of its chronological position and relationships to other types. Forestdale Black-on-red may be the earliest locally made decorated pottery in the Forestdale area and represents another example of the close interrelationships among painted, plain ware, and redware pottery types within the Mogollon ceramic tradition.
Bridging the Gap: Connecting Internet-Based Spatial Decision Support Systems to the Field-Based Personnel with Real Time Wireless Mobile GIS Applications

Internet GIS provides a collaborative communication environment for sharing data, information, and knowledge. Mobile GIS can add both geospatial information and global positional systems (GPS) coordinates from remotely located field-based personnel to spatial decision support systems (SDSS). By adopting broadband wireless telecommunication technology for connecting Internet GIS and mobile GIS devices, decision makers can gather near real-time information from field personnel and, equally quickly, distribute updated information back to the field. This chapter introduces a collaborative GIS prototype that demonstrates an interoperable framework for combining Web-based GIS technologies and wireless mobile GIS applications. The integrated framework provides realBridging the Gap: Connecting Internet-based Spatial Support Systems 317 Copyright © 2006, Idea Group Inc. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of Idea Group Inc. is prohibited. time or near real-time GIS data update functions (such as adding new spatially located map features or GPS tracking locations) between mobile GIS devices and Internet GIS servers. Although these real-time GIS functions can be very important during time-urgent emergencies, they can be equally beneficial and highly cost effective during routine field activities.
Food-derived biopolymers for nutrient delivery

Abstract Although drug delivery technologies in biomedicine and pharmacy have received extensive attention for decades, the delivery of nutrients in the food industry is an emerging research area that has begun to attract increasing interests in recent years. Nanotechnology-based strategies for nutrient delivery are of particular interest for both food scientists and nutritionists. By utilizing nanotechnology to fabricate nutrient delivery systems, it brings many novel solutions to overcome traditional issues that conventional food processing technologies are unable to address. Considering applications in the food industry, natural biomaterials from food sources are the first choice to fabricate nanoscale nutrient delivery systems to avoid any side effects or toxicity and to maximize their efficacy to boost bioavailability of encapsulated nutrients. This chapter focuses on food-derived biomaterials, including polysaccharides and proteins, for their unique physicochemical properties and applications in nanoscale nutrient delivery systems. The nanotechnology-based fabrication techniques using these biomaterials are introduced in detail. How to apply nutrient delivery systems to enhance stability and improve bioavailability of poorly absorbed nutrients are also addressed. Finally, the current problems and future challenges of nanoscale nutrient delivery systems in the food industry are discussed.
Balancing the Evidence Base on Coronary Stents.

The development of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) transformed the treatment of obstructive coronary artery disease by creating a less invasive revascularization option to coronary-artery bypass grafting.1 In the first decade of PCI, clinical outcomes associated with the use of balloon catheters were limited by operator learning curves, early interventional equipment, inadequate antithrombotic therapy, acute vessel closure requiring emergency bypass surgery in 6% of patients, and target-lesion restenosis within 6 months in half the patients. In the second decade, bare-metal stents mostly solved the problem of acute closure by scaffolding the arterial wall and reduced restenosis rates to approximately 20% but . . .
Multi-kernel anticipatory approach to intelligent control with application to load management of electrical appliances

Anticipatory systems are systems whose change of state depends on present and future information about the system itself as well as its environment. Making control decisions based on prediction of the possible outcomes is an inherent feature of human decision making process. The advent of the big data era followed by technological advancements in machine intelligence has provoked us to revisit the role of intelligent control systems and their role in decision making. In this manuscript, a multi-kernel anticipatory system for intelligent control is proposed. In particular, multiple kernelmodeled Gaussian processes are integrated with fuzzy logic rules in order to make decisions. In the current paper, the architecture of the system is described and functionality of individual parts is explained. Finally, its application on load control in electrical appliances connected to smart power grid with data taken from GRIDLAB-d demonstrating the advantages of the proposed control system is shown.
Flow-aware channel assignment for multi-radio Wireless-Optical Broadband Access Network

Hybrid wireless-optical broadband access network (WOBAN) optimizes the cost and performance of an access network. A cost-effective way of increasing the capacity of the wireless part of a WOBAN is to assign multiple radios to the wireless nodes. An efficient channel assignment scheme is essential to reduce delay and contention in the wireless front-end of WOBAN. We study a channel assignment scheme that performs load balancing over the flows in WOBAN. We formulate this problem as an integer linear program (ILP) and solve it using a standard solver such as CPLEX. As expected, by assigning channels optimally, we lower the delay and balance the load across different channels.
Prevalence of Osteopenia and Osteoporosis in Patients with Noncystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis.

Objective The objective of our study was to define the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients with physician-diagnosed NCFB evaluated at Mayo Clinic Florida between January 1, 2011 and June 3, 2013. Results A total of 113 patients with physician-diagnosed NCFB and confirmatory findings on computed tomography scan were identified. The cohort was overwhelmingly women (90%) with a mean age of 72 ± 10.6 and a body mass index of 24.8 ± 6.8. The medical history indicated that 30% (34) had osteoporosis, 39% (44) had osteopenia, and 9% (10) had normal bone density. In 25 (22%) of the subjects, bone density was unknown or undocumented. Most were never smokers (55.7%) or past smokers (41.6%) and airflow obstruction was present in 58% of the 84 subjects who had undergone pulmonary function tests. In total, 57 patients (50.44%) and 45 patients (39.82%) had been prescribed proton pump inhibitors and inhaled corticosteroids, respectively. Bone mineral density testing was performed during the study period in 70 (62%) of the subjects. Decreased bone density consistent with osteoporosis was present in 19 (27%); 41 (59%) had osteopenia, and bone density was normal in 10 (14%) subjects. Diminished bone density was present in 82.8% (24/29) of patients younger than age 70, with 27.6% (8/29) having osteoporosis. There was a greater incidence of diminished bone density in those with reduced body mass index (100% vs 82%), but this difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.10). Forty-seven and 32% of patients with diminished bone density were using proton pump inhibitor therapy and inhaled corticosteroids, respectively. Conclusions This study suggested that diminished bone density is common in patients with bronchiectasis, with >85% of this cohort having osteoporosis or osteopenia confirmed by bone density testing. Although the prevalence of both bronchiectasis and diminished bone density increases with advancing age and female sex, these data suggest a greater prevalence than expected based on demographic risks. Medications that may predispose individuals to diminished bone density are not uncommonly prescribed in patients with bronchiectasis. Provider awareness of the substantial prevalence of diminished bone density in patients with bronchiectasis may improve patient care by prompting appropriate screening for and treatment of osteoporosis and osteopenia. In light of these observations, judicious use of medications that may predispose to diminished bone density is warranted.
Opportunistic Oral Infections

An opportunistic infection (OI) is a disease of microbial cause or pathogenesis generally thought to occur in hosts with weakened immunity. Oral OIs are associated with many risk factors and pathogens. Causative organisms for oral OIs have unique modes of transmission. The clinical presentation of oral OIs is heterogeneous and diagnosis can be challenging. Therefore, laboratory identification of causative pathogens is useful for definitive diagnosis and targeted therapeutics, and can be achieved by biological, serologic, histologic, and/or molecular methods. Clinical risk assessment and history with review of systems, and accurate diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, are essential.
The Effect of Acute Hyperglycemia on Muscular Strength, Power and Endurance

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the impact of acute hyperglycemia on skeletal muscle strength, power, and endurance. Ten male collegiate athletes (age 21.5 ± 1.5 years, height 186 ± 2.03 cm, body mass 108.8 ± 7.6 kg) participated in 2 testing sessions, separated by 7 days and randomized for either high glucose (HG) or control (C) treatment conditions. HG consumed a high glucose drink (2 g glucose/kg body weight) while controls consumed an isocaloric nutrition bar (40% protein, 30% fat, and 30% carbohydrate). Blood glucose (BC) levels for HG and C were tested at 0 (basal) and 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes (mins) post consumption. At 30 mins post consumption, HG and C muscular strength was assessed by a 1RM bench press (BP) test followed by lower body power at 60 mins via vertical jump test. Muscular endurance was examined with a 3-set-to-failure BP test at 90 mins. HG exhibited significantly greater BC values (p<0.05) at the 30, 60, 90, and 120 minute time points. HG glucose area under the curve was significantly greater (p<0.05) than C and was positively correlated with %body fat, a finding that trended towards significance, r = 0.587, n= 10, p = 0.074. There were no between group differences in maximal strength, power or muscular endurance. Although performance measures were unaffected by acute hyperglycemia, acute hyperglycemia can be induced and maintained in healthy, active and young subjects. Despite regular physical activity, excess body fat negatively impacts glucose metabolism.
Operational study of an occasional paper on the Kennedy-Nixon television debates

The paper proposes that discussions and symposia can be modelled along Q-method lines. The body of discussion, logically, is a set of innumerable hypotheses; these can be represented in a Q-sample of opinion-statements. Overall viewpoints under discussion are defined by Q-sorts. Applied to an occasional paper concerning the Kennedy-Nixon television debates of 1960, the evidence is strong as to the partisanship of political faiths amongst so-called ‘experts’ in political science as much as amongst ordinary members of the public.
An assessment of ground-level and free-tropospheric ozone over California and Nevada

Increasing free tropospheric ozone (O3), combined with the high elevation and often deep boundary layers at western US surface stations, poses challenges in attaining the more stringent 70 ppb O3 National Ambient Air Quality Standard. As such, use of observational data to identify sources and mechanisms that contribute to surface O3 is increasingly important. This work analyzes surface and vertical O3 observations over California and Nevada from 1995 to 2015. Over this period, the number of high O3 events (95th percentile) at US EPA CASTNET sites has decreased during summer, as a result of decreasing US emissions. In contrast, an increase in springtime 5th percentile O3 indicates a general increase of baseline O3. During 2012 there was a peak in exceedances and in the average spring-summer O3 mixing ratios at CASTNET sites. GEOS-Chem results show that the surface O3 attributable to transport from the upper troposphere and stratosphere were increased in 2013 compared to 2012, highlighting the importance of measurements aloft. Vertical O3 measurements from aircraft, ozonesondes and lidar show distinct seasonal trends, with a high percentage of elevated O3 laminae (O3 >70 ppb, 3-8 km) during spring and summer. Analysis of the timing of high O3 surface events and correlation between surface and vertical O3 data is used to discuss varying sources of western US surface O3.
Project- versus lecture-based courses: Assessing the role of course structure on perceived utility, anxiety, academic performance, and satisfaction in the undergraduate research methods course

ABSTRACTPrevious research suggests that undergraduate research methods students doubt the utility of course content and experience math and research anxiety. Research also suggests involving students in hands-on, applied research activities, although empirical data on the scope and nature of these activities are lacking. This study compared academic performance, research methods anxiety, perceived utility of research methods, and course satisfaction across students in a large lecture-based course and a smaller project-based course. Results show minimal differences in student outcomes between the courses. Limitations are discussed, as is the ideal scope of project-based learning in the undergraduate mass media research methods course.
Root Activity Related to Shallow and Deep Compaction

Wheel traffic of normal field operations is causing increasing concerns about soil compaction. Soil characteristics affecting root growth, and most easily modified by compaction, are mechanical resistance and pore size distribution. Machinery with axle loads not exceeding 5 Mg will generally cause compaction only in the surface 30 cm of the soil profile. However, a significant portion of the total root growth occurs in this surface layer. With maize, interrow wheel traffic decreased root length density in the surface 30 cm of soil by up to 90%, depending on tillage method. Total root length on a 90-cm deep profile was decreased 22% by wheel traffic under moldboard plowing, and increased 24% by wheel traffic under reduced tillage methods. Soybeans tended to show an opposite response, and also had greater compensatory root growth in the row in response to compaction between rows. Final grain yield for both maize and soybeans was positively related to the percentage of total root growth in the surface 30 cm directly under the row. Subsoil compaction from wheel traffic with axle loads greater than 9 Mg decreased rooting depth and yield of maize. Interrow tillage to a depth of 51 cm did not have any apparent effect on interrow root growth, but did increase root growth in the row.
Global Postmodernity, World Music and the Discourse of Authenticity: Insights from the Buena Vista Social Club

In this essay,[i] I engage with the complex set of sonic connections that goes by the label, “World Music.” The next section on “Framing World Music/The Global Postmodern/Authenticity” outlines some key elements in how World Music can be theoretically framed—as a specific kind of text, anchored in conditions of global postmodernity and characterized by a defining discourse—that of “authenticity.” This is followed by a biographical/textual accounting of an iconic World Music text, the Buena Vista Social Club (the music and documentary) and its leading star, Ibrahim Ferrer,with a focus on examining how his biographical/textual imprint illustrates the different ways in which the discourse of “authenticity” is mobilized in World Music/the global postmodern. Finally, the concluding section offers some broad reearch questions about the global postmodern/ authenticity to be examined in future studies.
Investigation of an optical amplification t echnique t o improve sensitivity of an optical property modulation-based radiation detection method for PET

The optical amplification effect achieved by adopting high quality factor (high-Q) optical resonant cavities has shown the ability to enable ultra-high sensitivity measurement for refractive index modulation. In this work, we investigate the usage of optical amplification effect for improving the detection sensitivity for optical modulation-based radiation detection method for positron emission tomography (PET), with the ultimate goal to achieve individual annihilation photon detection with significantly improved coincidence time resolution (CTR). We studied the detection sensitivity of etalon cavities made of 50%, 90% and 95% reflection cavity mirrors, and compared the sensitivity to our previous spatial interference setup. We also studied the influence of optical concentration on the detection sensitivity by using a focused probe laser beam aligned to intercept the interaction region of ionizing radiation photons with the detector crystal. A detection sensitivity boost of approximately two orders of magnitude has been observed using etalon cavity made of 95% reflection mirrors with 1mm diameter focused probe laser beam, compared to our previous spatial interference setup. The detection speed is not affected by using high-Q cavities. This proves the potential of using the optical amplification effect to dramatically improve the detection sensitivity for optical modulation-based radiation detection method for PET, with the ultimate goal to achieve individual 511keV photon detection with ultrafast CTR.
Information Extraction in Editorial Setting. A Tale of PDFs

In the last decade the Semantic Web initiative has promoted the construction of knowledge resources that are understandable by both humans and machines. Nonetheless considerable scientific and technical content is still locked behind proprietary formats, especially PDF files. While many solutions have been proposed to shift the publishing mechanism to more accessible formats, we believe that is paramount, especially in business scenarios, to be able to tap into this type of content and be able to extract machine readable semantic information from it.
Regulation of mitochondrial respiration in intact tissues: a mathematical model.

Adenosine triphosphate [ATP] synthesized by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is utilized in most of the biosynthetic pathways of the cell as well as for maintenance of the intracellular ion balance and for specialized functions such as muscle contraction and nerve transmission. This central role in cellular metabolism requires that mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (respiration) be subject to precise regulation by the cell. Understanding of this regulatory mechanism both qualitatively and quantitatively is essential to our knowledge of cytosolic-mitochondrial interrelationships and of overall cellular metabolism.
A hybrid categorial approach to question composition

This paper revisits two fundamental issues in question semantics—what does a question mean, and how is this meaning compositionally derived? Drawing on observations with the distribution of wh-words in questions and free relatives as well as quantificational variability effects in question-embeddings, I argue that the nominal meanings of short answers must be derivable from question denotations, which therefore calls for a categorial approach to defining questions, including embedded questions. I provide a novel hybrid categorial approach to compose questions. This approach overcomes the problems with traditional categorial approaches in defining bare wh-indefinites, composing multi-wh questions, and accounting for coordinations of questions.
Telehealth in urology after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to safely provide patient care meant that many health-care providers rapidly implemented and integrated telehealth into their practice. However, telehealth will continue to be an integral part of urology after the pandemic and our field should embrace telehealth and develop strategies to overcome associated challenges.
Neben dem Beruf erfolgreich studieren

Vorliegender Beitrag gibt Auskunft uber das Studieren im berufsbegleitenden Studiengang „Soziale Arbeit mit dem Schwerpunkt Jugendarbeit“ an der Hochschule Kempten. Der Fokus liegt insbesondere im Kontext des lebenslangen Lernens auf dem Studienerfolg beruflich qualifizierter Studierender. Insgesamt zeigen die aus der quantitativen Befragung aller Studierender im Studiengang gewonnenen Daten, dass analog zum Forschungsstand die beruflich qualifizierten Studierenden besonders motiviert und erfolgreich sind. Insbesondere trifft dies auf die intrinsische Motivation zu, die wiederum der starkste Pradiktor fur das Verbleiben im Studiengang ist.
Acute on chronic cervical myelopathy causing cervical segmental myoclonus in a high-level wheelchair athlete: a case report.

INTRODUCTION This is a 20-year-old wheelchair athlete with history of caudal regression syndrome and cervical canal stenosis who developed spinal segmental myoclonus following routine intubation for an elective procedure. CASE PRESENTATION This patient is a 20-year-old man with history of caudal regression syndrome and chronic cervical stenosis. He is a high-level wheelchair racer and paralympic hopeful. This patient initially presented 18 months prior with shoulder abduction weakness. He was found to have cervical stenosis at C4, C5 on MRI. Neurosurgical treatment was not needed at that time as symptoms resolved. On this encounter, he presented for an elective urologic surgical procedure. Glidescope intubation was performed with notable cervical extension. In the Post Anesthesia Care Unit, the patient began experiencing twitching movements in his pectoral muscles bilaterally as well as left deltoid and biceps. His findings were consistent with myoclonus due to his cervical myelopathy. He was initially started on levetiracetam, but experienced dizziness. His symptoms were finally controlled with clonazepam. Neurosurgery performed cord decompression and fusion with resolution of his symptoms. DISCUSSION There are few cases of myoclonus secondary to myelopathy documented in literature. The current recommended treatments, levetiracetam and/or benzodiazepines, were successful in managing the myoclonus in this patient. However, cord decompression is necessary to avoid progression of myelopathic symptoms. In conclusion, myoclonus can be a presenting symptom of myelopathy and warrants further investigation, especially in patients with known spinal cord or vertebral pathology.
Direct Observations of Uniform Bulk Heterojunctions and the Energy Level Alignments in Nonfullerene Organic Photovoltaic Active Layers.

State-of-the-art organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells rely on the engineering of the energy levels of the organic molecules as well as the bulk-heterojunction nanomorphology to achieve high performance...
Glycoinositol phospholipid anchor-defective K562 mutants with biochemical lesions distinct from those in Thy-1- murine lymphoma mutants.

Abstract Deficient expression of glycoinositol phospholipid (GPI)-anchored surface proteins has been linked to six different genetic defects in Thy-1- murine lymphoma mutants. In this study, human K562 cell mutants defective in GPI anchoring were derived by anti-decay-accelerating factor (CD55) based negative fluorescent cell sorting of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine pretreated cells. Homologous cell fusions of six clones that complemented a previously described K562 mutant corresponding to one of the Thy-1- mutant classes (Hirose, S., Mohney, R. P., Mutka, S. C., Ravi, L., Singleton, D. R., Perry, G., Tartakoff, A., and Medof, M. E. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 5272-5278) showed that they segregated into two complementation groups. In heterologous cell fusions, representative clones of each group complemented Thy-1 expression by all of the previously described GPI anchor pathway-defective Thy-1- murine lymphoma classes (A, B, C, E, F, and H) but not class(es) D (and I) defective in the Thy-1 structural gene. Analyses of putative GPI anchor precursors synthesized by the two lines revealed that one mutant exhibited a complete block in deacetylation of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-inositol phospholipid to glucosamine (GlcN)-inositol phospholipid, whereas the other mutant assembled GlcN-inositol phospholipid and subsequent mannose (Man)-containing intermediates but showed markedly increased amounts of the terminal ethanolamine (EthN)-phosphate (P)-substituted putative anchor precursors, EthN-P-6ManMan(EthN-P-->)ManGlcN- and EthN-P-6Man(EthN-P-6)Man(EthN- P-->)ManGlcN-acylinositol phospholipid (H7 and H8). We designate these new complementation classes J, harboring a defect in N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-inositol phospholipid deacetylation, and K, deficient in a step preliminary to or associated with protein transfer of assembled anchor precursors. The availability of these new mutant classes should aid in characterization of the GPI anchor pathway enzymes providing for these reactions.
Quality measurement in the shunt treatment of hydrocephalus: analysis and risk adjustment of the Revision Quotient

Object The Revision Quotient (RQ) has been defined as the ratio of the number of CSF shunt revisions to the number of new shunt insertions for a particular neurosurgical practice in a unit of time. The RQ has been proposed as a quality measure in the treatment of childhood hydrocephalus. The authors examined the construct validity of the RQ and explored the feasibility of risk stratification under this metric. Methods The Kids' Inpatient Database for 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2009 was queried for admissions with diagnostic codes for hydrocephalus and procedural codes for CSF shunt insertion or revision. Revision quotients were calculated for hospitals that performed 12 or more shunt insertions annually. The univariate associations of hospital RQs with a variety of institutional descriptors were analyzed, and a generalized linear model of the RQ was constructed. Results There were 12,244 admissions (34%) during which new shunts were inserted, and there were 23,349 admissions (66%) for shunt revision. Thr...
Economic Determinants of Audit Committee Composition and Activity

In this study, I examine possible reasons behind observed differences in audit committee composition and activity. Although 97.9% of all audit committees for large U.S. firms have at least one outside, independent director, more than one-half of the sampled firms also have at least one affiliated, interested director and nearly 5% have a member of the firm's upper management. These percentages fly in the face of the Treadway Report which advocates that audit committees be comprised solely of independent directors. In addition, contrary to the Treadway Commission's explicit recommendation, only 38.9% of audit committees meet four or more times per year. Two possible explanations for these observed variations are put forth and examined. The first is that boards with dominant CEOs are reluctant to have active, independent audit committees whose sole purpose is to act as a monitor on upper management's actions. The second explanation is that audit committees are constructed and act according to the economic needs of the firm. The evidence presented throughout this paper supports both points of views. The governance structures of audit committees appear to be sensitive in meeting the monitoring and litigation risk needs of the parent firm. However, there is also some evidence that boards with strong CEOs have a higher probability of placing insiders and interested directors than boards with relatively weaker CEOs. Audit committees of strong-CEO firms also tend to meet less frequently than their counterparts. These results suggest that there may be room for firms to better structure their audit committees to fulfill their needs. In this paper, I examine possible reasons behind observed differences in audit committee composition and activity. The governance structures of audit committees appear to be sensitive in meeting the monitoring and litigation risk needs of the parent firm. However, boards with stronger CEOs also have a higher probability of placing insiders and interested directors on their audit committees than boards with relatively weaker CEOs. Audit committees of strong-CEO firms also tend to meet less frequently than their counterparts.
Farm: A Scalable Environment for Multi-agent Development and Evaluation

In this paper we introduce Farm, a distributed simulation environment for simulating large-scale multi-agent systems. Farm uses a component-based architecture, allowing the simulation to be easily modified and augmented, as well as distributed to spread the computational load and improve running time. Technical details of Farm’s architecture are described, along with discussion of the rationale behind this design. Performance graphs are provided, along with a brief discussion of the environments currently being modeled with Farm.
Monetary Movements and Market Structure—Forces for Contraction in Fourteenth-and Fifteenth-Century England

That the Black Death of 1348–1349 disrupted the economies of Europe during the later middle ages is not open to doubt. That the economic effects of the plague varied from sector to sector is perhaps equally indubitable. The diversity of its impact upon various economic sectors reveals itself both in contemporary evidence and in the fiery controversies generated by modern economic historians, each basing his argument on conflicting statistics or inferences drawn, often without careful regard, from disparate sectors. It is thus not accidental that even the most cursory review of the literature concerning the period after the plague will unearth a surprising lack of agreement among the specialists.
Evaluation of all-parachute and hybrid /parachute-retrorocket/ recovery systems for a one-million-pound booster

Both an all-parachute recovery system and a hybrid parachute-retrorocket recovery system for a one-million-pound booster are evaluated in order to determine what parachute sizes and number in a cluster are required for an all-parachute system to provide impact velocities of less than 100 ft/sec and in order to determine whether the hybrid system permits a weight reduction over an all-parachute system. A minimum-weight hybrid decelerator system using Kevlar materials for a cluster of three parachutes with two stages of reefing is analyzed. Major conclusions are that for an impact velocity of less than 100 ft/sec the hybrid decelerator system is lighter in weight, and that the use of Kevlar rather than Nylon material results in hybrid decelerator system weight savings of over 40% for impact velocities in the range 60-30 ft/sec.
Effects of cytokines and heat shock on defensin levels of cultured keratinocytes

Burns have been associated with high levels of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines which promote systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), immunosuppression and sepsis for which no effective treatment is currently available. Defensins, a family of cationic naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides, are considered important components of the innate immune system and enhance adaptive immunity. This study examines the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), gamma-interferon (IFNgamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) on human beta-defensin-2 (HBD-2) levels in cultured keratinocytes. We also examined the effects of heat shock at 42 degrees C. The results demonstrate that only TNFalpha shows significant induction of HBD-2 but this induction was not sustained in the long-term. In addition, endogenous levels of defensin were significantly reduced by exposure to heat shock. The keratinocytes also responded to IL-1beta by becoming hypertrophic. These results indicate that stress-related, pro-inflammatory cytokines can induce keratinocytes to synthesize HBD-2, while heat shock appears to reduce its production. These experiments give us further insight into the role of natural antimicrobial peptides under conditions of stress.
A system for constructing configurable high-level protocols

New distributed computing applications are driving the development of more specialized protocols, as well as demanding greater control over the communication substrate. Here, a network subsystem that supports modular, fine-grained construction of high-level protocols such as atomic multicast and group RPC is described. The approach is based on extending the standard hierarchical model of the x-kernel with composite protocols in which micro-protocol objects are composed within a standard runtime framework. Each micro-protocol realizes a separate semantic property, leading to a highly modular and configurable implementation. In contrast with similar systems, this approach provides finer granularity and more flexible inter-object communication. The design and prototype implementation runing on Mach are described. Performance results are also given for a micro-protocol suite implementing variants of group RPC.
Membrane solubilization with and reconstitution from surfactant solutions: a comparison of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine interactions with octyl glucoside.

Most structural and functional studies of membrane proteins eventually require that the protein be solubilized from its original membrane, isolated and reconstituted into a membrane composed of native or specific phospholipids. The conditions comprising a successful reconstitution protocol often seem both arbitrary and elusive. The solubilization steps as the neutral surfactant octyl glucoside (OG) is added to the negatively charged lipid phosphatidylserine (PS) were followed by several optical techniques. Vesicle leakage, changes in resonance energy transfer between lipid probes and micelle formation were determined as a function of (PS) and temperature. The (OG) needed at these transitions was linear with (PS) so that average compositions and the free (OG) could be calculated for each point. More OG is needed to solubilize at 15 compared to 35° C reflecting the temperature dependence of pure OG solubility. Although similar, the average compositions of the mixed surfactant-lipid structure and their temperature dependence were not identical to similar points determined for egg phosphatidylcholine and OG.
Electroconvulsive therapy in the presence of deep brain stimulation implants: Electric field effects

The safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients who have deep brain stimulation (DBS) implants represents a significant clinical issue. A major safety concern is the presence of burr holes and electrode anchoring devices in the skull, which may alter the induced electric field distribution in the brain. We simulated the electric field using finite-element method in a five-shell spherical head model. Three DBS electrode anchoring techniques were modeled, including ring/cap, microplate, and burr-hole cover. ECT was modeled with bilateral (BL), right unilateral (RUL), and bifrontal (BF) electrode placements and with clinically-used stimulus current amplitude. We compared electric field strength and focality among the DBS implantation techniques and ECT electrode configurations. The simulation results show an increase in the electric field strength in the brain due to conduction through the burr holes, especially when the burr holes are not fitted with nonconductive caps. For typical burr hole placement for subthalamic nucleus DBS, the effect on the electric field strength and focality is strongest for BF ECT, which runs contrary to the belief that more anterior ECT electrode placements are safer in patients with DBS implants.
The Effects of Inspection Error on a Complete Inspection Plan

Abstract In a complete inspection plan, every incoming item is subject to variable inspection. If the inspection result indicates that an item fails to meet predetermined specification limits, the item is reworked so that its quality characteristic is exactly equal to the target value. The specification limits are determined by the tradeoff among the cost incurred by imperfect quality, cost of rework and cost of inspection. The economic and statistical effects of inspection error on the complete inspection plan are investigated. Two models with considerations of inspection error are developed under different rework schemes, then compared with the model without inspection error consideration.
Kinetic characteristics of warburg manometry

Abstract Kinetics inherent in the direct method of Warburg for measurement of respiration rates have been described in terms of transfer constants for CO2 and O2 across the various phase boundaries and the rate constants for the reaction CO2 ⇌ HCO3−. Methods for evaluation of the constants and typical measured values have been presented. The kinetic treatment allows specification of (a) the steady-state concentrations of CO2 and O2 available to the respiring tissue and (b) the time course of approach to the steady state.
Algal products as naturally occurring substrates for p-glycoprotein in Mytilus californianus

Mytiluscalifornianus is a filter feeder that removes seaweed particulates, phytoplankton, and their byproducts from the water. The gills of this animal express high multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) and multixenobiotic transport activity that is related to the mammalian p-glycoprotein (p-gp). The high p-gp observed in mussel gills may provide the mussel protection from natural toxins in the diet. To test this hypothesis, extracts of various seaweeds and phytoplankton found in and around the mussel habitat were examined for presence of p-gp substrates by competition assays with a fluorescent dye substrate, rhodamine B. Accumulation of rhodamine was increased whereas dye efflux was slowed in the presence of algal extracts, indicating that p-gp substrates are present in the seaweeds Macrocystispyrifera, Egregiamenziesii, and Phyllospadixscouleri and the phytoplankton Alexandriumcatanella and Pseudonitzchiaaustralis. Initial fractionation of E.menziesii extracts by HPLC showed several distinct peaks of moderate hydrophobicity with p-gp-modulating ability. Additionally, Egregia extract showed potential as a chemosensitizer in tests with mussel (Mytilusedulis) and sea urchin (Lytechinuspictus) embryos. These data indicate that marine algae contain compounds that are substrates and/or chemosensitizers for the p-gp transporter in marine bivalves, thus providing evidence that MXR may have evolved in response to dietary pressures.
Performance factors and gender-related differences in spatial ability : another assessment

To explore whether test-taking styles (performance factors) can contribute to explaining gender-related differences on tests of spatial ability, 15 spatial tests were administered to three samples of subjects. On each test, number-correct scores and ratio scores (number of items solved divided by the number of items attempted) were computed. In accordance with previous research findings, the use of ratio scores significantly reduced the magnitude of the gender-related differences on the Mental Rotations Test. For most of the remaining tests, however, the reduction of the gender-related score difference was small. It was concluded that the difference reduction for the Mental Rotations Test was specific to the format of this test. In common spatial tests, performance factors may account for a small portion of gender-related variance, but the bulk of this variance must be attributed to other factors.
Interpolation-Based Pathline Tracing in Particle-Based Flow Visualization

Particle tracing in time-varying flow fields is traditionally performed by numerical integration of the underlying vector field. This procedure can become computationally expensive, especially in scattered, particle-based flow fields, which complicate interpolation due to the lack of an explicit neighborhood structure. If such a particle-based flow field allows for the identification of consecutive particle positions, an alternative approach to particle tracing can be employed: we substitute repeated numerical integration of vector data by geometric interpolation in the highly dynamic particle system as defined by the particle-based simulation. To allow for efficient and accurate location and interpolation of changing particle neighborhoods, we develop a modified $k$ -d tree representation that is capable of creating a dynamic partitioning of even highly compressible data sets with strongly varying particle densities. With this representation we are able to efficiently perform pathline computation by identifying, tracking, and updating an enclosing, dynamic particle neighborhood as particles move over time. We investigate and evaluate the complexity, accuracy, and robustness of this interpolation-based alternative approach to trajectory generation in compressible and incompressible particle systems generated by simulation techniques such as Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH).
From step fluctuations to nanostructure energetics on Nb(011)

Using the spectroscopy of step edge fluctuations observed by low-energy electron microscopy, we measure the stiffness of surface steps on Nb(011) thin single crystal films as a function of step orientation θ. From this we determine also the step free energy (line tension) β(θ) ∼ 320 meV/nm. The results are supported by observed equilibrium shapes of islands on the surface. The measured β is employed to analyse configurations of nanostructures reported here for two significant examples. First, for the glide of a threading edge dislocation through a field of parallel steps we determine the maximum absolute ‘plucking’ force of ∼75 pN exerted on the step by the dislocation. Second, from the observed equilibrium of steps with facets we determine the free energy of 27 meV/nm with which step edges bind to the ⟨111⟩edges of {011} facets.
Factors associated with the decision for operative versus non-operative treatment of displaced proximal humerus fractures in the elderly.

Abstract Background In the management of displaced proximal humerus fractures in the elderly, wide variation has been documented. However, no prior study has investigated the factors that currently lead surgeons to treat patients with surgical fixation, arthroplasty or non-operative management. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with treatment selection in the management of displaced proximal humerus fractures in individuals over the age of 60 years. To this end, we conducted a retrospective review of all such injuries that presented to our two level-I trauma centres between 2006 and 2009. Patients and methods From our prospectively collected trauma database, we identified 229 displaced proximal humerus fractures that met all inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected on patient-, fracture- and surgeon-related characteristics that were plausibly related to the decision for treatment. The choice of management was recorded, and logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the decision for treatment. Results In the multivariate analysis, the predictors of operative intervention as opposed to non-operative treatment were younger patient age (p = 0.038), associated orthopaedic injuries requiring surgery (p = 0.012), higher Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen (AO) classification (p = 0.012), translation-type displacement (p = 0.0012) and associated glenohumeral dislocation (p = 0.0006). In addition, shoulder and upper extremity specialists were found to choose operative intervention significantly more frequently than orthopaedic trauma specialists (49.1% vs. 26.1%, adjusted relative risk (RR) 1.96, p = 0.012). Factors associated with the decision for arthroplasty as opposed to fixation were higher Charlson score (p = 0.045), higher Neer classification (p = 0.012), and higher AO classification (p = 0.0097). Conclusions In this study of displaced proximal humerus fractures in the elderly, the decision for surgery was influenced by the patient's age, the presence of associated orthopaedic injuries, the severity of the fracture and the presence of an associated glenohumeral dislocation. In addition, treatment by a shoulder or upper extremity specialist (as opposed to an orthopaedic trauma specialist) was associated with a higher likelihood of operative intervention. Further investigation into the resultant clinical outcomes is required to determine whether the use of these characteristics to select operative candidates is appropriate and beneficial for patients.
A retrospective study of the incidence and classification of bone marrow disorder in cats (1996–2004)

An 8-year retrospective study of bone marrow reports was conducted to evaluate the incidence and classification of feline bone marrow disorders. Bone marrow reports from 203 cats were reviewed. Blood smears, bone marrow aspiration smears, bone marrow core biopsy specimens, and case records were reviewed for all cats with the exception of those bone marrows reported to be nondiagnostic or cytologically normal. Bone marrows with nonneoplastic/nonmyelodysplastic pathologic changes (n=96) were subclassified into 16 categories. Frequently observed disorders included erythroid hyperplasia, nonregenerative immune-mediated anemia, pure red cell aplasia, aplastic anemia, bone marrow necrosis, myelofibrosis, and lymphocytosis. Dysmyelopoiesis (n=27) was subcategorized into myelodysplastic syndromes (n=20) and secondary (n=7) dysmyelopoiesis. Thirty-four cases of acute leukemia, 3 cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and 14 cases of other neoplasia were identified. These results indicate that a relatively small group of disorders account for the majority of the feline bone marrow disorders. Routine evaluation of blood and bone marrow aspiration smears and core biopsy specimens is needed for proper classification of bone marrow disorders. Ancillary testing, including flow cytometry and immunophenotyping, are useful in some circumstances.
DNA Polymerase β Conducts the Gap-filling Step in Uracil-initiated Base Excision Repair in a Bovine Testis Nuclear Extract (∗)

The G:U mismatch in genomic DNA mainly arises from deamination of cytosine residues and is repaired by the base excision repair pathway. We found that a bovine testis crude nuclear extract conducts uracil-initiated base excision repair in vitro. A 51-base pair synthetic DNA substrate containing a single G:U mismatch was used, and incorporation of dCMP during repair was exclusively to replace uracil. A neutralizing polyclonal antibody against DNA polymerase β (β-pol) inhibited the repair reaction. ddCTP also inhibited the repair reaction, whereas aphidicolin had no significant effect, suggesting that activity of β-pol was required. Next, the base excision repair system was reconstituted using partially purified components. Several of the enzymatic activities required were resolved, such that DNA ligase and the uracil-DNA glycosylase/apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease activities were separated from the DNA polymerase requirement. We found that purified β-pol could restore full DNA repair activity to the DNA polymerase-depleted fraction, whereas purified DNA polymerases α, δ , and e could not. These results with purified proteins corroborated results obtained with the crude extract and indicate that β-pol is responsible for the single-nucleotide gap filling reaction involved in this in vitro base excision repair system.