cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A phase I trial of α-interferon in combination with pentostatin in hematologic malignancies

Pentostatin, a novel inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, has shown activity in various lymphoid malignancies of both the T and B cell lineage. This agent has unique side effects and in general myelosuppression has been mild. Interferon has both antiviral and antineoplastic properties. This agent has shown activity in hairy cell leukemia, chronic granulocytic leukemia, low grade lymphoma, and myeloma. Side effects from interferon are in general dissimilar to those that have been seen with pentostatin and in particular myelosuppression has not been a major toxicity with low doses of interferon. This current trial explored the combination of pentostatin and interferon in hematologic malignancies. Fifteen patients were enrolled in this phase I trial at a fixed dose of pentostatin of 4 mg/m2 biweekly and interferon at doses of 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 million units/m2 of interferon. At the first three dose levels of interferon nausea and vomiting were the predominant toxicity and appeared to worsen with time on study. Fatigue also was seen at the lowest level of interferon and was severe enough to cause two individuals to discontinue the study medications. At higher dose levels of interferon, myelosuppression, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue were the predominant toxicities. One patient with hairy cell leukemia had a complete response and a second patient with T cell cutaneous lymphoma had a partial response which lasted for 6 to 7 weeks. The maximum tolerated dose of interferon with pentostatin in this patient population was four million units/m2.
Reduced atrial natriuretic factor after ligation of the left coronary artery in rats.

Abstract The diuretic-natriuretic responses of eight assay rats to extracts of atrial tissue obtained 3 months after left coronary ligation were less than the responses to extracts of tissue from sham-operated controls. The mean difference in diuresis (sham-operated response minus ligated response) was 370 (range 22 to 656) μl/20 minutes ( p p = 0.19). The differences in diuretic responses to these extracts was directly related to the severity of elevation of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in these rats ( r = −0.82, p = 0.01). These results in a model with varying degrees of left ventricular dysfunction suggest that myocardial damage is associated with a chronic decrease in atrial natriuretic factor. Reduced circulating atrial natriuretic factor therefore could contribute to the previously observed impaired ability of coronary ligated rats to excrete a saline load and to the sodium retention observed in clinical heart failure. Conclusive evidence will depend on the development of techniques to measure plasma levels of this hormone.
Arctic climate and its change revealed by surface and cloud properties and radiation fluxes based on the AVHRR Polar Pathfinder data set

The newly available Advanced Very High Resolution (AVHRR) Polar Pathfinder (APP) data set of 18 years from 1982 to 1999, subsampled to a 25 km scale, was used to retrieve cloud amount, cloud optical depth, cloud particle size, cloud temperature, cloud particle phase, surface temperature, surface broadband albedo, radiation fluxes and shortwave and longwave cloud forcing over the Arctic ocean and surrounding land areas. The spatial and temporay distributions of those retrieved Arctic climate parameters together with an analysis of the seasonal and interannual variability in those parameters, especially surface temperature, surface broadband albedo, cloud amount and precipitable water, are presented. Results show that the Arctic climate has indeed warmed up as indicated by surface temperature, cloud amount, cloud particle size and phase at confidence level of higher than 95% for Spring and Summer times, but cooled down in winter. The surface broadband albedo has decreased significantly in Autumn indicating the late onset of sea ice and snow, especially for the Arctic ocean area. The Arctic ocean surface temperature has decreased during the wintertime at confidence level of 97%, especially for the central and eastern Arctic oceans. The Arctic Oscillation(AO) has strong correlation relationship with the surface temperature and cloud amount for some Arctic areas at the confidence level of almost 100%. For different areas in the entire Arctic region, the correlation relationship is different. The surface temperature and cloud amount in Greenland have negative correlation with the AO simultaneously, while that correlation turns to be positive in the north Europe area, indicating the different Arctic areas have different effects and feedback on the global climate system or vice versa.
Modeling, design and cross-layer optimization of polysilicon solar cell based micro-scale energy harvesting systems

This paper presents modeling, design, and cross-layer optimization of polysilicon solar cell based micro-scale energy harvesting systems. The proposed design methodology is suitable for energy harvesting systems employed in low-cost applications, such as wireless sensor networks. Our approach is unique in achieving maximum output power by cross-layer optimization of poly-silicon solar cells (thickness, grain boundaries and cell configuration) and power converter circuits. Simulation results indicate that optimizing the solar cell along with the power converter improves the system output power by 16% compared to a baseline approach of optimizing the two components separately.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 180

Abstract The 1965 version of the Nuclear Data Sheets has been revised according to experimental data received prior to May 1974, including approximately 120 papers. Data are presented for nine nuclei (Lu, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, and Hg). Only alpha decay data are available for Hg and Pt. No excited states or gamma transitions are definitely assigned to Lu or Ir. A tentative decay scheme for Ir is presented. The decay schemes for Lu(5.7 m), Ta (>10 13 y and 8.1 h), and Re(2.43 m) are well established. The Os(22-m) decay scheme is still rather uncertain because of a lack of precision gamma-ray energies and intensities. The Hf level scheme includes 46 levels (23 J π -values), although only the ground-state rotational band has been established. Branching ratios for 179 Hf(n, γ ), 180m Hf(5.5-h) decay, and 180 Lu(5.7-m) decay have been compared, and several disagreements are noted. The W level scheme includes 32 levels (16 J π -values) with three proposed rotational bands, although several assignments are not well established. The Re level scheme includes 10 levels (3 J π -values), all due to Os decay. The Os level scheme includes 10 levels with J π -values available only for the ground-state band. The most important deficiency in the data is that very few charged-particle reaction data are available except for (d,p) to Hf and (p,t) to W. Suggested reactions are:
Efficient spectrum utilization via cross-layer optimization in distributed cognitive radio networks

In this paper, we propose a novel spectrum allocation approach for distributed cognitive radio networks. Cognitive radio systems are capable of sensing the prevailing environmental conditions and automatically adapting its operating parameters in order to enhance system and network performance. Using this technology, our proposed approach optimizes each individual wireless device and its single-hop communication links using the partial operating parameter and environmental information from adjacent devices within the wireless network. Assuming stationary wireless nodes, all wireless communication links employ non-contiguous orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (NC-OFDM) in order to enable dynamic spectrum access (DSA). The proposed approach will attempt to simultaneously minimize the bit error rate, minimize out-of-band (OOB) interference, and maximize overall throughput using a multi-objective fitness function. Without loss in generality, genetic algorithms are employed to perform the actual optimization. Several assisting processes have also been devised to make the approach more efficient and robust. Such procedure is able to reduce BER by an order of magnitude.
Calcium-channel blockers and breast cancer: a hypothesis revived.

were not markedly increased (RR for ductal cancer, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.7-2.2 and RR for lobular cancer, 1.3; 95%, CI 0.8-2.4). The RRs for former use (subjects who last used CCBs more than 6 months prior to diagnosis or reference date) were all compatible with 1.0, although there were too few former users to assess duration. The findings were consistent for estrogen receptor–positive and estrogen receptor–negative cancer, for dihydropyridine and non-dihydropyridine CCBs, and for longacting and short-acting CCBs (although there were too few users of the short-acting CCBs for analysis by duration). Given these results, should the use of CCBs be discontinued once a patient has taken them for 9.9 years? The answer is no, because these data are from an observational study, which cannot prove causality and by itself cannot make a case for change in clinical practice. Should the results be dismissed as random noise emanating from an observational
COMBINATION PERINEAL CRYOSURGERY AND EXTERNAL RADIATION THERAPY FOR ADENOCARCINOMA OF PROSTATE

Perineal cryosurgical destruction of the prostate has been practiced at the University of Iowa since 1969 for a select group of patients with primary adenocarcinoma of the prostate. We have reviewed this technique in the past and analyzed it with respect to both patient survival and elimination of the local lesion. In this report we have evaluated 14 patients who received combination cryosurgery and external radiation therapy for prostatic adenocarcinoma. Several clinical parameters were examined with emphasis placed on control of the local lesion and obviating the need for urinary diversion or transurethral resections to relieve obstructive symptoms.
So where's my medal?

In this essay, Dr. Perri Klass writes, “Here is the thing about family-and-career: it is not a problem, or an issue especially for women, or a knotty dilemma amenable to clever tips.”
BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA AND PALEOECOLOGY OF THE PLIOCENE YORKTOWN AND CHOWAN RIVER FORMATIONS, LEE CREEK MINE, NORTH CAROLINA, USA

Pliocene deposits assignable to the Yorktown Formation (Sunken Meadow, Rushmere, and Morgarts Beach Members) and Chowan River Formation (Edenhouse Member) yielded 129 species and subspecies of benthic foraminifera. Twenty-six taxa, selected on the basis of consistent occurrence (present in 50% or more of the samples) and relative abundance (3% or more of the benthic assemblage in at least one sample), account for 88% of the identifiable specimens. From among these 26, principal components analysis identified 14 species that account for nearly 90% of the faunal variation, and cluster analyses revealed distinct stratigraphic assemblages that in general conform to the lithologic subdivisions. The most dramatic faunal change corresponds to the boundary between the Sunken Meadow and Rushmere Members. Based upon the benthic foraminiferal faunas, the Sunken Meadow, Rushmere, and Morgarts Beach Members of the Yorktown Formation were deposited in middle to outer neritic, outer neritic, and middle neritic environments, respectively. The Edenhouse Member of the Chowan River Formation was deposited in an inner to middle neritic environment. Paleobathymetric interpretations based on benthic foraminifera are consistent with those based on other fossil groups. Paleotemperature implications of the benthic foraminiferal assemblages are not entirely consistent with previous studies. Whereas numerous studies have concluded that Pliocene temperatures at middle and high latitudes were significantly warmer than modern temperatures, the benthic foraminiferal faunas encountered in our study suggest paleotemperatures comparable to those of today. Evidence from benthic foraminifera at the Lee Creek Mine is not sufficient basis to question studies indicating warmer mid-latitude Pliocene seas. Rather, it is likely that localized conditions have overprinted the larger-scale climatic signal.
Theory of a generalized Helmholtz resonator

Based on the jet-flow model which is manifested in the nonlinearity of the orifice flow upon the passage of a high intensity wave, the theory of a generalized Helmholtz resonator has been developed. The results for some special devices, such as the conventional Helmholtz resonator and the quarter-wave tube, can be obtained through this general approach. The performance of the acoustic damper is characterized by a quantity known as the real part of the admittance coefficient. It is known that the conventional Helmholtz resonator has the lowest peak performance but the response is quite flat over a certain frequency range. On the other hand, a quarter-wave tube offers the largest peak in energy absorption with rather poor off-resonance behavior. Once the orifice length goes beyond the quarter-wave tube configuration, the performance of the so-called long damping device is even less attractive away from resonance.
Time- and space-resolved electron-impact excitation rates in an rf glow discharge

Abstract : Research on rf glow discharge plasmas was carried out to better understand the fundamental physics and chemistry of important aspects of plasma deposition and etching. A standard reference system for rf plasma processing research was utilized. Power, voltage and current waveforms were monitored and time and space resolved measurements were made using plasma induced emission (PIE). Nanosecond time resolution for PIE greatly expanded the utility of these plasma diagnostics over previous studies. Measurements were carried out with a prototype rf model discharge, atomic argon, concentrating on the important 4s levels 11.5eV above the ground state and the manifold of p levels coupled to these states by strong dipole transitions. Extensive analysis and computer modeling was carried out to reproduce the experimental data obtained and to test assumptions often used for this model system. Models of electron excitation waves were stringently tested and evaluated. The research concentrated on studying details of excitation waveforms as a function of pressure and rf power. Information on electron energy distribution functions were derived from the experimental results. New experimental techniques to enhance time and space resolution were developed.
The intersection of disability and healthcare disparities: A conceptual framework

AbstractPurpose: This article provides a conceptual framework for understanding healthcare disparities experienced by individuals with disabilities. While health disparities are the result of factors deeply rooted in culture, life style, socioeconomic status, and accessibility of resources, healthcare disparities are a subset of health disparities that reflect differences in access to and quality of healthcare and can be viewed as the inability of the healthcare system to adequately address the needs of specific population groups. Methods: This article uses a narrative method to identify and critique the main conceptual frameworks that have been used in analyzing disparities in healthcare access and quality, and evaluating those frameworks in the context of healthcare for individuals with disabilities. Specific models that are examined include the Aday and Anderson Model, the Grossman Utility Model, the Institute of Medicine (IOM)’s models of Access to Healthcare Services and Healthcare Disparities, and t...
Influence of the topology for a networked SSHI piezoelectric harvesting configuration

This paper focuses on the influence of the topology of a network of piezoelectric harvesters using the SSHI (Synchronized Switch Harvesting on Inductor) technology. Generally, an energy harvester is used as a localized and standalone system. In the case of large structure and for large harvested energies, it is usually not easy to increase the size of the piezoelectric patches. In order to harvest energy in the regions of maximum strain of the structure, a networked piezoelectric harvester including many separated piezoelectric patches must be set up with only one output. The main concern is how to connect the piezoelectric elements together and how to implement accurately the SSHI strategy for maximizing the total output power. This paper presents 5 different circuit topologies with or without SSHI enhancement. This work is based upon simulations of a structure with embedded piezoelectric harvesters, made in the Matlab/Simulink environment and using the Simscape library for defining and simulating the electric network. The simulations are done exclusively in pulse mode. For each circuit topology, the total output energy is computed and the optimal harvesting capacitance is defined. The results show the feasibility of grouping various harvesters within a network connected onto a common harvesting capacitance without affecting the extracted energy. The interest of SSHI for networked configuration is confirmed as well as the need for multiple switching units. The effect of the parasitic capacitances due to the bonding of the piezoelectric patches on a metallic structure is also investigated. This capacitance corresponds to the isolation layer between the structure and the bottom electrode of the piezoelectric patches. Results show that an optimal bonding layer thickness can be found that does not affect significantly the coupling coefficient of the piezoelectric patches and which induces parasitic capacitances that do not affect the network functionality.
Prediction of Transposable Element Derived Enhancers Using Chromatin Modification Profiles

Experimentally characterized enhancer regions have previously been shown to display specific patterns of enrichment for several different histone modifications. We modelled these enhancer chromatin profiles in the human genome and used them to guide the search for novel enhancers derived from transposable element (TE) sequences. To do this, a computational approach was taken to analyze the genome-wide histone modification landscape characterized by the ENCODE project in two human hematopoietic cell types, GM12878 and K562. We predicted the locations of 2,107 and 1,448 TE-derived enhancers in the GM12878 and K562 cell lines respectively. A vast majority of these putative enhancers are unique to each cell line; only 3.5% of the TE-derived enhancers are shared between the two. We evaluated the functional effect of TE-derived enhancers by associating them with the cell-type specific expression of nearby genes, and found that the number of TE-derived enhancers is strongly positively correlated with the expression of nearby genes in each cell line. Furthermore, genes that are differentially expressed between the two cell lines also possess a divergent number of TE-derived enhancers in their vicinity. As such, genes that are up-regulated in the GM12878 cell line and down-regulated in K562 have significantly more TE-derived enhancers in their vicinity in the GM12878 cell line and vice versa. These data indicate that human TE-derived sequences are likely to be involved in regulating cell-type specific gene expression on a broad scale and suggest that the enhancer activity of TE-derived sequences is mediated by epigenetic regulatory mechanisms.
Histologic changes in dental pulps of dogs and monkeys following application of pressure, drugs, and microorganisms on prepared cavities

Abstract Irritants were applied to prepared cavities in the teeth of dogs and monkeys, the animals were killed at intervals, and the dental pulps were examined for evidence of histologic change. The degree of damage to the pulp was judged by such criteria as nuclear and cytoplasmic changes in the odontoblasts, altered arrangements of the odontoblasts, disruption of the pulpodentinal membrane, vascular changes, changes in matrix formation and postoperative calcification, formation of granulation tissue, and necrosis. The deeper the cavity cut, the greater the change observed in the pulp. If the layer of dentine between the base of the cavity was thick, it shielded the effect of irritants applied to the cavity. Next to the trauma of cavity cutting itself, the greatest damage to the pulp was caused by application of pressure. Silver nitrate or phenol caused severe damage if applied to deep cavities or if used in combination with other irritants. Bacteria (Streptococcus faecalis) placed on the base of the cavity could penetrate the dentine and reach the deep pulp, particularly if pressure was exerted or if the dentinal tubules were opened wider by application of phenol. In the dog, only the reactions to the irritation of cavity cutting were apparent in pulps examined immediately after treatment, but the effects of the other irritants could be seen in specimens taken fourteen hours after treatment. By the end of one month, the pulps had recovered, to a limited degree, from the effects of all the irritants tested with the exception of phenol. Inflammatory responses seemed to occur sooner in the monkey than in the dog. Studies of the results obtained at two-, three-, and six-month intervals will be reported in a future article.
Pharmacological evidence for adrenergic activation of hyperthermic responses associated with psychosocial stimulation.

Abstract 1. Brief social encounters between strange voles living in adjacent compartments of a population cage lead to rapid increases of more than 1°C in their core temperatures. 2. Socially induced core temperature responses remain elevated for more than 1 hr following social contact, and are of greater amplitude and duration than can be elicited by handling, noise or exercise. 3. Pretreatment of opponents with adrenergic blockers reduces the amplitude and duration of hyperthermic response proportional to drug intake; both α and β blocking effects are completely reversed within 24 hr. 4. The dynamics of the hyperthermic response and effects of the drugs suggest that the rapid rise in core temperature is due to both vasoconstrictor (α) heat conservation and metabolic (β) heat generating mechanisms, and that the protracted elevation of core temperature is primarily due to (β) metabolic activation.
The carbon dioxide challenge facing aviation

Abstract This paper investigates the challenge that U.S. aviation would face in meeting future Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction goals to mitigate global climate change via technological options. This investigation is done within a framework that considers aviation GHG emissions as a function of aviation growth, aircraft efficiency, operational efficiency, and life cycle GHG emissions of aviation fuels. The concept of life cycle GHG intensity (LGI) with units of grams carbon dioxide equivalent per payload distance traveled is used for this purpose as it can be decomposed into components that quantify improvements in aircraft design, operations, and alternative fuels. For example, the life cycle GHG intensity of U.S. aviation in 2005 was 1.37 g CO 2 e/kg km. If U.S. aviation is to meet the IATA 2050 goal of a 50% reduction in CO 2 relative to a 2005 baseline while allowing for a 3.2% annual growth rate in payload–distance traveled, it will need to decrease to 0.22 g CO 2 e/kg km in 2050, an 84% reduction. The analysis framework that is developed in this manuscript was used to compare the improvements in life cycle GHG intensity that could accompany the use of advanced aircraft designs, operational improvements, and alternative fuels to those required on a fleet-wide basis to meet the future GHG reduction goals under varied aviation growth scenarios. The results indicate that the narrow body segment of the fleet could indeed meet ambitious goals of reducing GHG emissions by 50%, relative to 2005 levels, with a 3.2% annual growth rate; however, it would require relatively rapid adoption of innovative aircraft designs and the widespread use of alternative fuels with relatively low life cycle GHG emissions.
JAPANESE TRANSPLANTS AFTER THE HONEYMOON

TEAM-BASED WORK, ROLE OF THE UNION, JOB SECURITY, POSSIBLE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST BLACKS AND WOMEN, CULTURAL CONFLICTS, IMPACT ON U.S. BIG THREE MANUFACTURERS
Effects of relative hypoglycemia on LTP and NADH imaging in rat hippocampal slices

Cognitive and neuronal impairment in diabetes may be associated with iatrogenic hypoglycemia, particularly at low serum glucose levels (<3 mM). To evaluate cellular impairment, we assessed acute hippocampal slice functioning during decreased ambient glucose, by monitoring evoked field excitatory post-synaptic potentials (fEPSP), and slice nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) fluorescence. The effects of lowered glucose levels (60 min) were analyzed by examining the induction and maintenance of long-term potentiation (LTP), and NADH metabolic imaging in the CA1 region. The basal fEPSP response was reduced by lowered ambient glucose, an effect that was reversible in 2.5 mM glucose, partially reversible in 1.25 mM glucose and irreversible in 0 mM glucose, after 25 min recovery. LTP induction and maintenance declined during glucose restriction, demonstrating reversibly failed maintenance in 5 mM and 2.5 mM ambient glucose, and absent induction in 1.25 mM glucose. Peak NADH levels observed during train-induced biphasic transients were significantly reduced during 1.25 mM and 2.5 mM glucose. Significant functional compromise in our slice model occurred at 2.5 mM ambient glucose, equivalent to <1 mM tissue glucose in the slice center, due to diffusion limitations and active glucose utilization. This tissue glucose level correlates with human observations of a serum threshold of <3 mM for cognitive impairment, since brain tissue glucose is approximately one third of serum levels. The physiological effects of hypoglycemia in our slice model, assessed through fEPSP, LTP, and NADH responses, replicate closely the in vivo situation, confirming the usefulness of this model in assessing consequences of relative hypoglycemia.
Data mining: an industrial research perspective

Just what exactly is data mining? At a broad level, it is the process by which accurate and previously unknown information is extracted from large volumes of data. This information should be in a form that can be understood, acted upon, and used for improving decision processes. Obviously, with this definition, data mining encompasses a broad set of technologies, including data warehousing, database management, data analysis algorithms, and visualization. The crux of the appeal for this new technology lies in the data analysis algorithms, since they provide automated mechanisms for sifting through data and extracting useful information. The analysis capability of these algorithms, coupled with today's data warehousing and database management technology, make corporate and industrial data mining possible. The data representation model for such algorithms is quite straightforward. Data is considered to be a collection of records, where each record is a collection of fields. Using this tabular data model, data mining algorithms are designed to operate on the contents, under differing assumptions, and delivering results in differing formats. The data analysis algorithms (or data mining algorithms, as they are more popularly known nowadays) can be divided into three major categories based on the nature of their information extraction: predictive modeling (also called classification or supervised learning), clustering (also called segmentation or unsupervised learning), and frequent pattern extraction.
Management of gastroparesis

Gastroparesis presents with nausea, vomiting, early satiety and abdominal discomfort, as well as a range of nongastrointestinal manifestations in association with delays in gastric emptying. The disorder may be a consequence of systemic illnesses, such as diabetes mellitus, occur as a complication of gastroesophageal surgery or develop in an idiopathic fashion and may mimic other disorders with normal gastric emptying. Some cases of idiopathic gastroparesis present after a viral infection. Management relies primarily on therapies that accelerate gastric emptying or reduce vomiting, although endoscopic or surgical options are available for refractory cases. Current research is focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying development of delayed gastric emptying, as well as factors unrelated to motor dysfunction that may elicit some symptoms. Future pharmaceuticals will target the contractile and nonmotor defects via novel pathways. Novel electrical stimulation techniques will be employed either alone or in combination with medications.
The histone variant MacroH2A regulates Ca(2+) influx through TRPC3 and TRPC6 channels.

The histone variant macroH2A replaces canonical H2A in the designated region of chromatin where its incorporation has the potential to establish a functionally distinct chromatin domain. The transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are a family of Ca2+-permeable cationic channels controlling changes in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. The proper regulation of Trpc gene expression requires chromatin remodeling, but little is known about the nature of these regulatory processes. Here, we show that macroH2A1 represses two Trpc family genes, Trpc3 and Trpc6, and attenuates Ca2+-dependent proliferative responses in bladder cancer cells. MacroH2A1 recruits histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and HDAC2 to facilitate its persistent action, resulting in a compromise of histone acetylation across the Trpc3 and Trpc6 loci. Further, macroH2A1 depletion augments histone acetylation and Ca2+ influx, leading to increased cell growth and invasion. Our data provide new insights into TRPC3/TRPC6-mediated Ca2+ signaling and indicate a central role for macroH2A1 in regulating transcriptional competence of Trpc3 and Trpc6 genes.
The Value of Queueing Theory

Queueing theory is one of those subjects most frequently taught in beginning operations research/management science courses. However, practitioners of OR/MS may question the practicality of teaching queueing theory, given the sparsity of articles showing actual applications. While numerous articles on queueing developments have appeared in the literature, and a few articles showing “alleged” applications have surfaced, the number of articles showing true implementations with documented savings are few if not nonexistent. Why are there so few implementations of queueing theory? The following short case studies may provide an answer. Each of the studies is based upon true facts, although some studies are actually anthologies of several analytical efforts. What follows takes the form of a story involving a project that I assigned to a group of students: they were to apply one of the queueing models they studied to some real-world system. The following sections outline the experiences of each of these students and highlight a class review session that was designed to answer the students' questions arising from their experiences.
Distributed feedback control algorithm for dynamic truck loading scheduling problem

Abstract Distributed arrival time control (DATC) is a highly distributed feedback control algorithm for scheduling problems in heterarchical operation systems [V.V. Prabhu, Performance of real-time distributed arrival time control in heterarchical manufacturing systems, IIE Transactions 32 (2000) 323–331]. Although DATC has presented outstanding performance for the real-time scheduling problems in dynamic operational environment, little evidence exists for its effectiveness where earliness and tardiness of jobs are penalized at different rates. This study proposes an adapted DATC algorithm, called weighted multi-scale DATC (wms-DATC), to handle a dynamic truck loading scheduling problem where each truck has different earliness and tardiness penalties during a loading operation in a shipment yard. To validate the performance of wms-DATC in the dynamic truck loading scheduling problem, computational experiments are conducted. The computational results reveal that wms-DATC provides promising results and outperforms existing dispatching rules.
A prospective randomized trial comparing intraoperative 5-fluorouracil vs mitomycin C in primary trabeculectomy.

Abstract PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy of intraoperative 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or Intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC) in eyes undergoing primary trabeculectomy. DESIGN: Prospective double-masked randomized clinical trial. METHODS: One hundred fifteen eyes of 103 patients with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) despite maximally tolerated medical therapy or laser were prospectively randomized in a double-masked fashion to one of two treatment groups in a single institution setting. Subject's eyes underwent primary trabeculectomy with either topical 5-FU (50 mg/ml for 5 minutes) or topical MMC (0.2 mg/ml for 2 minutes). Primary outcome measures included the number of eyes achieving target pressures of 21, 18, 15, and 12 mm Hg at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures included IOP, best-corrected visual acuity, complications, and interventions. RESULTS: Of the 115 eyes, 57 received 5-FU while 58 received MMC. A target IOP of 21 mm Hg at 6 months was achieved in 53 of 56 (95%) eyes in the 5-FU group and 54 of 57 (95%) eyes in the MMC group ( P = 1.00). At 12 months, 45 of 48 (94%) eyes in the 5-FU group met a target IOP of 21 mm Hg while 48 of 54 (89%) eyes in the MMC group did ( P = .49). The most common complications in each group were persistent choroidal effusions and bleb leak. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that intraoperative topical 5-FU is at least as effective as intraoperative topical MMC in reducing IOP of eyes undergoing primary trabeculectomy.
Stressful Experiences of Children: Professional Judgments

To see whether professionals' assessments of the stressfulness of children's experiences correspond with those by the young, 39 clinicians (nurses, social workers, school psychologists, speech pathology, special education), 97 teachers, and 61 teachers-to-be rated 20 life events, first making professional judgments for children, and next, inferring judgments of children themselves. They also estimated the frequencies of these events. Within each group, there were close agreements not only between women and men, but also between the two kinds of judgments. Moreover, correlations among the three groups of adults, differing in specialty and experience, were all above .90. When compared with earlier responses by children themselves, however, the estimates by the professionals as a group correlated only .68 for scale values, .55 for Q values, .86 for frequencies. There were many instances of divergence, and adults' views did not approximate children's views too closely.
In vitro culture of Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba L. is an important landscape tree, is resistant to insect, fungi and other pests, and produces a number of chemicals that have pharmaceutical properties (termed ginkgolides). Studies were initiated to establish an in vitro culture protocol for Ginkgo. Explants (intact embryos, embryos with cotyledons removed, and cotyledon tissue) were removed from disinfested seeds and cultured on Murashige and Skoog minimal organics medium with various combinations of either 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and either kinetin or benzyladenine (BA). Cultures were incubated in the light and morphological development was recorded. Both embryo and cotyledon explants produced callus (cotyledon tissue produced the most callus). Ginkgolides A and B were detected in callus tissue extracts. Intact embryo cultures initiated on media with 2,4-D plus NAA for 5 wk produced shoots and roots when transferred to media with 4.5 µM 2,4-D alone for an additional 5 wk. Plants were transferred from the 2,4-D media to pots and maintained in the greenhouse.
Double differential cross sections for soft electron emission in ionization of hydrogen by bare carbon ions

The double differential cross sections (DDCS) for low energy electron emission can provide stringent tests of the theoretical models for ionization in ion-atom collisions. We have measured the DDCS (d2σ/dΩ d) of soft electron emission in the ionization of H2 bombarded by bare Carbon ions of energy 1.84 and 2.5 MeV/u. The measurements have been carried out for different emission angles (θ) and for electron energies () between 0.1 and 300eV. The angular distributions of the DDCS for electrons with fixed energies were found to peak around 70-75°. The data have been compared with CDW-EIS and FBA calculations.
Control of spin injection by direct current in lateral spin valves

The spin injection and accumulation in metallic lateral spin valves with transparent interfaces are studied using dc injection current. Unlike ac-based techniques, this allows the investigation of the effects of the direction and magnitude of the injected current. We find that the spin accumulation is reversed by changing the direction of the injected current, whereas its magnitude does not change. The injection mechanism for both current directions is thus perfectly symmetric, leading to the same spin injection efficiency for both spin types. This result is accounted for by a spin-dependent diffusion model. Joule heating increases considerably the local temperature in the spin valves when high-current densities are injected ($\ensuremath{\sim}80--105\text{ }\text{K}$ for $1--2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}\text{ }\text{A}\text{ }{\text{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$), strongly affecting the spin accumulation.
Hepatic abscess: Current concepts in diagnosis and treatment.

Liver abscess remains a disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Even with treatment, the average reported mortality rate for pyogenic abscesses is approximately 30% and ranges from 11% to 88% in different series. Without treatment, the disease is uniformly fatal. Traditionally, patients with liver abscesses have been treated with open surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy. This treatment was supported by the initial report by Ochsner and DeBakey on 185 cases of liver abscess. Their report from 1938 includes 139 cases of amoebic abscess and 47 cases of pyogenic abscess, in which all nonsurgical treatment resulted in mortality. At that time, before the availability of antibiotics and percutaneous drainage techniques, surgical management was the only therapy. Since Ochsner and DeBakey’s original report of liver abscess, changes in patient demographics and treatment have occurred. The patient population has changed from the fourth decade to the fifth decade. The most common source is no longer the intestinal tract as in Ochsner and DeBakey’s day, but it is now biliary disease. Over the past 60 years, a change to less invasive techniques has occurred. Currently, ultrasound or computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous drainage is the primary therapy in patients with pyogenic liver abscess. Laparotomy is reserved for patients with other indications for surgery or failure of less invasive approaches.
Analysis of Induction Motor Drives with a Nonsinusoidal Supply Voltage Using Fourier Analysis

A method of analysis of induction motor performance with nonsinusoidal supply is presented. It is based on the Fourier analysis of the impressed voltage waveform. Equivalent circuits for the various harmonics are derived, and the resultant harmonic currents are calculated. Experimental verification of the method is obtained by calculating the current waveform from the Fourier components and comparing it with oscillograms. Experimental data obtained from a cycloconverter and different types of inverters are used and show good agreement with calculated results. Evaluation of different schemes of power control and effects of a rapid variation of slip frequency are examined.
Exact Outage Probability Analysis for Selection Decode-and-Forward Cooperation Systems

In this paper, we present a selection decode-and- forward (S-DF) cooperation scheme where only the “best” relay, which is selected as the one who can decode correctly its received signal from source node and can achieve the highest instantaneous signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the destination, participates in relaying the source’s signal. We derive a novel exact closed-form expression of outage probability for the S-DF scheme over Rayleigh fading channels, based on which an asymptotic outage analysis is further presented in high SNR regime, showing that given M potential relays, M+1 diversity order is achieved by source node. Consequently, the proposed S-DF scheme with the best relay selection can achieve the full diversity at the expense of just two channels only regardless of the number of candidate relays.
A Multilevel Analysis of the Determinants of Forest Conservation Behavior Among Farmers in Haiti

We provide a behavioral analysis of farmers' decisions to participate in forest conservation programs. Using the theory of planned behavior as a conceptual framework, we examine the determinants of forest conservation at the farmer level and investigate whether the organizational, structural, and ecological characteristics of Foret des Pins Reserve villages affect forest conservation behavior. Analysis of data collected from 243 farmers in 15 villages inside the reserve shows that forest conservation behavior is influenced by farmers' attitudes. Results show that forest conservation behavior can be improved by providing villagers information about benefits from the forests, increasing annual income, improving education, strengthening organizational memberships, and increasing women's involvement. Conservation behavior is greatly influenced by organizational, structural, and environmental characteristics of the villages.
Genotype and toxicity relationships among Hyalella azteca: I. Acute exposure to metals or low pH

Comparative genotype and toxin interactions at three polymorphic enzyme loci were examined in a laboratory population of amphipods (Hyalella azteca) during acute exposure to cadmium, zinc, copper, lead, or low pH. Significant toxin-genotype interactions were observed using logistic regression to model mortality in ten of 15 analyses. Both stressor-specific and nonspecific modes of selection were observed. In general, low pH selected for different genotypes than those selected by metals, especially zinc. Different modes of selection were also observed when amphipods were exposed to different metals. These results suggest that exposure to low pH would significantly reduce the ability of H. azteca to survive subsequent contamination by metals; exposure to stressors in the reverse order would also compromise a population's chance of survival. A genetic distance analysis showed that the magnitude of genetic differentiation consistently increased among survivors compared with that of the initial populations. These increases in genetic divergence estimates suggest that acute exposure to metals or low pH may have an evolutionarily significant impact on the species. They also suggest that both genotype frequency and genetic distance measures (based on allozyme data) may be used as bioindicators for environmental monitoring programs. Validation of such bioindicators requires an understanding of the population's genetic background, genetic structure, and history.
Mitochondrial oxidative stress elicits chromosomal instability after exposure to isocyanates in human kidney epithelial cells

The role of oxidative stress is often attributed in environmental renal diseases. Isocyanates, a ubiquitous chemical group with diverse industrial applications, are known to undergo bio-transformation reactions upon accidental and occupational exposure. This study delineates the role of isocyanate-mediated mitochondrial oxidative stress in eliciting chromosomal instability in cultured human kidney epithelial cells. Cells treated with 0.005 microM concentration of methyl isocyanate displayed morphological transformation and stress-induced senescence. Along the time course, an increase in DCF fluorescence indicative of oxidative stress, depletion of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) and consistent accumulation of 8-oxo-dG were noticed. Thus, endogenous oxidative stress resulted in aberrant expression of p53, p21, cyclin E and CDK2 proteins, suggestive of deregulated cell cycle, chromosomal aberrations, centromeric amplification, aneuploidy and genomic instability.
Father bonding and blood pressure in young adults from intact and divorced families

Objective: The father–child relationship may uniquely affect offspring's physical and psychological health. Divorce may change the nature of the father–child bond and the long-term health consequences of paternal parenting behaviors. The current study investigated a possible biological pathway from father–child relationship quality to physical health outcomes in young adults. Methods: Cardiovascular stress reactivity to a lab-based challenge task and ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) were measured in young adults (mean age=20.1 years) from divorced (n=50) and intact, married (n=49) families. Participants completed self-report measures of paternal control and caring during childhood. Results: Higher perceived father control was associated with elevated BP reactivity to the task and higher ABP among participants from divorced families. Young adults from intact families who reported lower paternal caring demonstrated higher ABP. Conclusions: The family context may provide an important backdrop for evaluating the longterm physiological consequences of fathers' parenting behaviors. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Barpressing in the presence of free food as a function of food deprivation

Twenty-eight rats were divided into seven groups of four rats each. They were food deprived for 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 92 h after pressing a bar for food for six daily 1-h sessions. After deprivation times had elapsed, Ss were placed in operant chambers and confronted with a choice between barpressing and taking food from a dish containing 300 pellets. Results showed a significant linear trend. In general, the longer that rats were deprived of food, the more they preferred to press the bar for food over taking it freely from a dish.
Converse electrostriction in polymers and composites

Abstract The evaluation of electrostrictive properties of low permittivity dielectrics requires extremely sensitive instrumentation. In the present work, a modified compressometer capable of resolving fractional changes in capacitance of the order of 10 −6 is used. In the compressometric method, a high sensitivity capacitance bridge, GenRad 1615, is coupled with two lock-in amplifiers to detect attofarad (10 −18 F) level capacitance changes caused by in-phase cyclic uniaxial stresses on the samples. In studying low-permittivity polymers, we have obtained extensive electrostriction data, which along with widely accepted data on ferroelectric materials and soft polymers, verify the linear relationship between electrostriction coefficient ( Q ) and the ratio of elastic compliance and dielectric permittivity (s/ ϵ 0 ϵ r ). This leads to an effective way to predict the electrostriction coefficient in dielectric materials.