cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Affinity Chromatography: A Historical Perspective

Affinity chromatography is one of the most selective and versatile forms of liquid chromatography for the separation or analysis of chemicals in complex mixtures. This method makes use of a biologically related agent as the stationary phase, which provides an affinity column with the ability to bind selectively and reversibly to a given target in a sample. This review examines the early work in this method and various developments that have lead to the current status of this technique. The general principles of affinity chromatography are briefly described as part of this discussion. Past and recent efforts in the generation of new binding agents, supports, and immobilization methods for this method are considered. Various applications of affinity chromatography are also summarized, as well as the influence this field has played in the creation of other affinity-based separation or analysis methods.
A novel imaging technique for measuring kinematics of light-weight flexible structures

A new imaging algorithm is proposed to capture the kinematics of flexible, thin, light structures including frequencies and motion amplitudes for real time analysis. The studied case is a thin flexible beam that is preset at different angles of attack in a wind tunnel. As the angle of attack is increased beyond a critical value, the beam was observed to undergo a static deflection that is ensued by limit cycle oscillations. Imaging analysis of the beam vibrations shows that the motion consists of a superposition of the bending and torsion modes. The proposed algorithm was able to capture the oscillation amplitudes as well as the frequencies of both bending and torsion modes. The analysis results are validated through comparison with measurements from a piezoelectric sensor that is attached to the beam at its root.
Sensitivity Analysis of Variational Inequalities by Normal-Map Techniques

This paper deals with the sensitivity analysis of solutions of variational inequalities by an implicit-function approach that makes use of so-called normal maps. Although some of the results can be extended to infinite-dimensional spaces, the treatment here is restricted to variational inequalities over polyhedral convex sets in finite-dimensional spaces, the case for which the strongest results can be established. Coverage includes transformation of the variational inequality to the equivalent form of a normal map, basic facts about normal maps, derivatives, conditions for nonsingularity, the implicit-function theorem, and applications to sensitivity analysis. Some examples are included to illustrate the techniques.
Low cost, power efficient, on-site coding receiver (OSCR) for ultra-wideband digital beamforming

We propose an experimental validation of a novel hardware-reduced digital beamformer. The novelty of this receiver is a coding technique so that a single analog-to-digital converter serves all antenna array elements. We present a two-channel component implementation (with COTS components) of this receiver using Walsh-Hadamard codes of length 8. The main purpose of this implementation is to establish a proof of concept and show that we can recover the input signal and beam direction. Measurements results show signal recovery with minimal SNR degradation.
Modeling real-world objects: Connecting SolidWorks to Toy Adaptation

Classroom activities that are based in the real-world are known to be impactful. Similarly, activities that relate to social good have been found to be engaging and meaningful for students especially to those from underrepresented groups. Many times, these activities tend to be design based projects, and while meaningful, activities of that nature may not be suitable for every class. In this innovative practice paper, we will describe an approach to modeling real-world objects in SolidWorks. The goal of the modeling is to test students' technical and spatial abilities while connecting the modeling to the greater good. The SolidWorks modeling takes place in a 4000-level (senior) SolidWorks elective course where students become certified at the SolidWorks Associates Level. Team members from the Toy Adaptation Program (TAP) at The Ohio State University came into the class to discuss the purpose of their program and their work, which includes adapting toys for children with special needs. This need served as the background for a semester-long modeling project. Through the partnership, students now model toys that are adapted by the TAP. This activity brings awareness to the need for adapted toys and allows the students to use their modeling skills to create real-world objects while satisfying course requirements.
Uncovering hierarchical data structure in single molecule transport

Interpretation of single molecule transport data is complicated by the fact that all such data are inherently highly stochastic in nature. Features are often broad, seemingly unstructured and distributed over more than an order of magnitude. However, the distribution contains information necessary for capturing the full variety of processes relevant in nanoscale transport, and a better understanding of its hierarchical structure is needed to gain deeper insight into the physics and chemistry of single molecule electronics. Here, we describe a novel data analysis approach based on hierarchical clustering to aid in the interpretation of single molecule conductance-displacement histograms. The primary purpose of statistically partitioning transport data is to provide avenues for unbiased hypothesis generation in single molecule break junction experiments by revealing otherwise potentially hidden aspects in the conductance data. Our approach is generalizable to the analysis of a wide variety of other single m...
Opportunities for Therapeutic Intervention During Machine Perfusion.

There is a vast discrepancy between the number of patients waiting for organ transplantation and the available donor organs. Ex situ machine perfusion (MP) has emerged in an effort to expand the donor pool, by improving organ preservation, providing diagnostic information, and more recently, acting as a platform for organ improvement. This article reviews the current status of MP with a focus on its role in organ pre-conditioning and therapeutic interventions prior to transplantation. MP has allowed longer organ preservation compared to conventional static cold storage and allowed the use of organs that might otherwise have been discarded. Moreover, experimental studies have investigated the role of MP in reducing ischemia reperfusion injury of lungs, kidneys, and livers by applying mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), anti-inflammatory agents, cytotopic anti-coagulants, and defatting cocktails. MP has opened a new era in the field of organ transplantation and tissue medication.
Intervention for elevated intracranial pressure improves success rate after repair of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

Objectives/Hypothesis Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and considered a manifestation of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Although postoperative acetazolamide and placement of CSF shunt systems are considered valuable interventions for elevated ICP, the impact on recurrence rate remains unclear. The objective of this study was to systematically review evidence from reported literature to evaluate whether postoperative ICP management reduces recurrence rates after primary endoscopic repair. Study Design Prospective case series and systematic review. Methods Demographics, defect location, success rates, and ICP management in spontaneous CSF leak patients were prospectively collected over 8 years. A search was also conducted in PubMed to identify studies reporting cases of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea. Results Fifty-six articles with nonduplicated data were identified and combined with a prospective series of 108 patients for a total of 679 patients treated for spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea. Average age was 50.4 years with 77% female. Average body mass index was 35.8 kg/m2. Defects were most commonly located in the sphenoid sinus (n = 334) followed by the ethmoid (n = 318) and the frontal sinus (n = 46). Successful primary repair was 92.82% in patient cohorts where ICP evaluation and intervention with acetazolamide or CSF shunt systems was performed, but was significantly decreased to 81.87% in series with no active management of elevated ICP (P < .001). Conclusions Evaluation and intervention for elevated ICP in spontaneous CSF leaks is associated with significantly improved success rates following primary endoscopic repair. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2017
Socially Responsible Investing and Expected Stock Returns

Using implied cost of capital derived from analysts' earnings estimates, I find that investors demand significantly higher expected returns on stocks excluded by environmental screens (such as hazardous chemical, substantial emissions and climate change concerns) widely used by socially responsible investors as compared to firms without these environmental concerns. I also document that firms with these environmental concerns have lower institutional ownership and are held by fewer institutional investors than firms without similar environmental concerns. These results suggest that exclusionary socially responsible investing and the consequent increase in the cost of capital is one channel through which environmental externalities can be internalized by the firm.
The Craig–Mayes Reduction: A Craig–Bampton Experimental Dynamic Substructure Using the Transmission Simulator Method

Experimental dynamic substructures in both modal and frequency response domains using the transmission simulator method have been developed for several systems since 2007. The standard methodology couples the stiffness, mass, and damping matrices of the experimental substructure to a finite element model of the remainder of the system through multi-point constraints. This can be somewhat awkward in the finite element code. It is desirable to have an experimental substructure in the Craig–Bampton form (referred to as the Craig–Mayes form) to ease the implementation process, since many codes such as Nastran, ABAQUS, ANSYS, and Sierra Structural Dynamics have Craig–Bampton as a substructure option. A square transformation matrix is derived that produces a modified Craig–Bampton form that still requires multi-point constraints to couple to the rest of the finite element model. Finally the multi-point constraints are imported to the modified Craig–Bampton matrices to produce substructure matrices that fit in the standard Craig–Bampton form. The physical boundary degrees of freedom of the experimental substructure matrices can be directly attached to physical degrees of freedom in the remainder of the finite element model. This chapter derives the Craig–Mayes experimental substructure that fits in the Craig–Bampton form, and presents results from an analytical and an industrial example utilizing the new form. In general, this is a powerful method to represent a real system accurately: models developed using the Craig–Mayes method have been observed to have maximum frequency error less than 2% and maximum damping error on the order of 25%.
The Minority Languages Dilemmas in Turkey: A Critical Approach to an Emerging Literature.

Turkey comprises many ethnic groups other than Turks including, but not limited to, Armenians, Assyrians, Alevi, Arabs, Circassians, Greeks, Kurds, Laz, and Zaza. These groups are ethnically different from Turks and were incorporated into the Ottoman Empire’s eastern provinces with de facto autonomy. The main objective of this study is to illustrate the need for a language curriculum and identify the obstacles that minority groups encountered in Turkey. This study examines three large communities: Arabs, Kurds, and Laz. The results indicate that minority people in Turkey who had poor Turkish language education were unable to learn their mother tongue within the formal educational settings from the foundation of the republic until 2012. Some of the ethnic groups’ languages, such as Laz, Kurdish, and Arabic, were started at schools as elective courses, but few, if any, textbooks written in these languages exist.
Identifying Gender Minority Patients' Health And Health Care Needs In Administrative Claims Data.

Health care utilization patterns for gender minority Medicare beneficiaries (those who are transgender or gender nonbinary people) are largely unknown. We identified gender minority beneficiaries using a diagnosis-code algorithm and compared them to a 5 percent random sample of non–gender minority beneficiaries from the period 2009–14 in terms of mental health and chronic diseases, use of preventive and mental health care, hospitalizations, and emergency department (ED) visits. Gender minority beneficiaries experienced more disability and mental illness. When we adjusted for age and mental health, we found that they used more mental health care. And when we adjusted for age and chronic conditions, we found that they were more likely to be hospitalized and to visit the ED. There were several small but significant differences in preventive care use. Findings were similar for disabled and older cohorts. These findings underscore the need to capture gender identity in health data to better address this popula...
Examining the Spatial Distribution of Marijuana Establishments in Colorado

Target Audience: High SchoolActivity: In this 25-question activity, students investigate the distribution of marijuana stores in Colorado using an interactive web map containing stores, centers, hi...
Mobile 3D Visualization for Construction

Until recently, visualization of 3D models required computational resources available only on desktop computers in office environments. With the advance of technology, it is now possible to visualize substantial 3D models on mobile handheld computers in the field. This paper discusses some of the current technology, discusses the use of the Virtual Reality Modeling Language on mobile handheld computers, shows several examples of 3D structural steelwork models visualized on a mobile handheld computer, and identifies some of the limitations imposed by current technology.
Making love in Yeltsin's Russia: A case of de-medicalization and de-normalization

The collapse of the Russian currency in August 1998 and the continuingdeterioration of the economy that has followed vindicates those scholarswho have held a negative view of post-Soviet changes.1They have argued for years thatthe collapse of the Soviet system is leading to the disintegration andcriminalization of Russian society. And the brief history of sexuality inpost-Soviet Russia perhaps illustrates that these scholars have a point whenthey argue that the collapse of the Soviet regime has triggered a destructiveprocess. The criminalization and related sexualization are part of a morebroad problem in post-Soviet society. The country has not been so muchas transforming into a Western style capitalist society as suffering a generalmeltdown.
PHARMACOLOGIC AND PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH ADD: COMPARATIVE AND COMBINED OUTCOMES

Keywords : Attention Deficit Disorder; Hyperactivity; Cognitive-behavioral intervention; Stimulant medication.
Experimental evidence for 2SG direct object pronoun preferences in Brazilian Portuguese

We examine the competition in Brazilian Portuguese 2SG direct object pronoun expression between clitic te and tonic voce (e.g. Eu te vi ~ Eu vi voce ). We offer data from an online forced-choice survey, analyzed using mixed-effects logistic regression, to show that dialectal subject pronoun preference ( tu/voce ) and contrast both play a significant role in conditioning this choice. Furthermore, we find that contrast, despite its traditional treatment as binary, shows gradient effects on pronoun choice- while te is the preferred DO pronoun overall, voce is the variant preferred in contrastive contexts, especially in cases of double contrast. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- EVIDENCIAS EXPERIMENTAIS POR PREFERENCIAS PRONOMINAIS DE OBJETOS DIRETOS DE 2SG EM PORTUGUES BRASILEIRO Examinamos a competicao no portugues brasileiro entre o pronome clitico te e o tonico voce para a expressao de objetos diretos de segunda pessoa singular ( Eu te vi ~ Eu vi voce ). Apresentamos dados recolhidos de um questionario, e analizados utilizando a regressao logistica de efeitos mistos, para mostrar que tanto a preferencia do pronome de sujeito ( voce/tu ) quanto o contraste tem um papel importante na escolha do pronome de objeto direto. Tambem, o contraste, apesar do tratamento tradicional como binario, mostra efeitos gradaveis na escolha de pronome- enquanto o te e preferido em termos globais, voce e preferido em contextos contrastivos, especialmente nos casos de duplo contraste. --- Original em ingles. --- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.31513/linguistica.2018.v14n2a17608 .
Urban Competitiveness and the Smart City: An Empirical Analysis in a Developing Country Context

This paper examines whether smart city programs, and information technology in general, contribute to urban competitiveness. Using regression analysis, it investigates the contribution of different metrics of the information economy, network society, online government and digital life to the competitiveness of cities. At a more general level, it seeks to measure the benefits of the application of information technology to the economic competitiveness, livability and environmental sustainability of cities. It concludes with guidance for urban development in developing countries.
Initial breast cancer consult: Improving satisfaction and impact on distress.

e18284Background: Goals of this performance improvement project were to: (1) determine the impact of initial breast cancer consultation on distress and number of reported problems as measured by th...
Fractional operators via analytic interpolation of integer powers

Although the study of functional calculus has already established necessary and sufficient conditions for operators to be fractionalized, this paper aims to use our well-conceived notion of integer powers of operators to construct non-integer powers of operators. In doing so, we not only provide a more intuitive understanding of fractional theories, but also provide a framework for producing new fractional theories. Such interpolations allow one to approximate fractional powers by finite sums of integer powers of operators, and thus may find much use in numerical analysis of fractional PDEs and the time-frequency analysis of the fractional Fourier transform. Further, these results provide an interpolation procedure for the Riemann zeta function.
Relative Efficacy of Nonoperative Treatment of Keratoacanthomas.

BackgroundKeratoacanthomas (KAs) are neoplasms of squamous epithelium which exhibit rapid growth and are often difficult to distinguish clinically from squamous cell carcinoma. Excision is the most...
Aqueous anion insertion into a hydrocarbon cathode via a water-in-salt electrolyte

Abstract We report coronene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), exhibits reversible oxidative anion insertion properties in a LiTFSI based water-in-salt electrolyte. The coronene electrode delivers a reversible capacity of ~65 mAh g−1 with the first-cycle Coulombic efficiency of ~73%. The results demonstrate that the high concentrations of LiTFSI lower the anion-insertion potential in coronene, which allows to reveal the capacity below the onset of oxygen evolution reaction. Furthermore, evidence points to the polymerization of the coronene cathode surface, which contributes to the reversible anion-storage in coronene as well. Ex situ XRD, FTIR, and SEM are carried out to reveal the structural evolution of the coronene electrode and storage mechanism of the TFSI– anions. FTIR studies reveal that upon anion insertion the interactions between the TFSI– ion and coronene molecules resemble that of covalent bonding.
Switchable Adhesion via Subsurface Pressure Modulation.

Materials and devices with tunable dry adhesion have many applications, including transfer printing, climbing robots, and gripping in pick-and-place processes. In this paper, a novel soft device to...
What Makes Customers Shop Online

Electronic commerce Customer Relationship Management (e-CRM) has emerged to be a fundamental research area as business-to-customer (B2C) e-commerce is growing at a phenomenal rate. Among the many issues e-CRM concerns, one question is often asked, “what makes customers shop online?” Rich understanding of this issue will help an electronic store to become more competitive. A good number of studies have been conducted to answer this question. These studies seem to take diverse perspectives and investigate various aspects of the phenomena. Yet few studies have drawn coherent pictures of the collective understanding of the dynamics. The objective of this paper is to draw such a picture. To fit the advances in MIS theme, we conduct an analytical review on the IS literature on B2C online shopping behavior at individual level. A classification of research variables and a framework are developed to provide an overview of the state-of-the art of this area and to point out limitations and directions for future research. The results show that one’s online shopping intention, behavior, and satisfaction are significantly associated with one’s beliefs about/ affective reactions to e-commerce/e-stores and attitudes toward online shopping behavior. In addition, external environment, demographics, personal characteristics, and e-store characteristics have significant impacts on customers’ shopping intention, behavior, and satisfaction. These impacts are either direct or mediated by beliefs, affect, and attitudes. For future research, common theoretical framework, widely-accepted instruments, and consistency in terminology are much needed to compare results across studies and to accumulate knowledge. We also call for more research effort in customer satisfaction and affective reactions since they have not been paid enough attention despite their fundamental roles in understanding customers’ online shopping phenomena.
Online Instruction during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Inclusivity, Accessibility, Challenges, and Opportunities

In the uniquely fraught 2020–2021 academic year, the Instruction Committee of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) hosted two online discussions for members regardi...
Maintaining and Enhancing Labor Statistics during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) continued to produce key employment statistics while reengineering operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In-person data collection moved to electronic, deadlines were adjusted, and flexibilities were implemented to get the job done, all while maintaining confidentiality and data quality. Opportunities arose, such as collection of new information from households and businesses on changes that resulted from the pandemic. This is a story that continues to unfold and will transform the way BLS moves forward. This paper focuses on changes in BLS operations and in the economy as reflected in BLS data.
Airbnb During the Pandemic: Stakeholder Capitalism Faces a Critical Test

As the covid pandemic spread in early 2020, global travel ground to a halt. For Airbnb, the San Francisco-based company providing accommodation rentals, the impact was both swift and severe as revenues plummeted by more than 70% year-over-year. Responding to the dramatic downturn was a challenge for CEO Brian Chesky and his leadership team because the firm had a adopted a stakeholder model with five key constituents: guests (renters), hosts (landlords), employees, communities and shareholders. While all five groups could benefit in the long-term if the firm succeeded, it was less clear how they should balance the potentially conflicting demands in the short-term particularly given the mounting losses. For example, in the face of travel restrictions, Airbnb could support guests by requiring hosts to refund deposits or could support hosts by allowing them to keep deposits. Similarly, should Airbnb use existing cash to maintain employment levels or downsize to protect capital providers? In the highly uncertain environment that existed in April 2020, Chesky and his team had to make many critical decisions with little precedent and limited information to guide them. As one of the first Silicon Valley "unicorns" to have adopted a stakeholder business model, the world would be watching to see what they did, how they did it, and why. This case has two pedagogical objectives. First, it explores one firm’s attempt to create and implement a stakeholder business model. As part of this effort, Airbnb created new board committees, new compensation schemes, and new operating principles, and promised to host a “Stakeholder Day (akin to the traditional investor or analyst days) to report on the status of its efforts. Were these steps sufficient or was more needed? Second, the case analyzes decision making during a crisis. Would the stakeholder model hinder operations at a critical time or would it provide an advantage that increased the probability of survival? Would the threat of failure force trade-offs between key stakeholders or was it possible (and advisable) to share the economic pain more equally? And if stakeholders had to suffer, as appeared inevitable, would how the company acted offset what it had to do to survive?
Introduction: Intersections of Genre, Gender, Performance, and Rhetoric

This chapter provides a brief introduction into the intersections of auto/biography studies, rhetorical genre studies, and feminist rhetorical studies. Responding to Shirley Geok-lin Lim’s notion of “wild feminism,” the introduction situates the work of auto/biographers as performative texts calling for action.
Implementation of a synoptic operative note for abdominal wall hernia repair: a statewide pilot evaluating completeness and communication of intraoperative details

Variable approaches to intraoperative communication impede our understanding of surgical decision-making and best practices. This is critical among hernia repairs, where improved outcomes are reliant on understanding the impact of different patient characteristics and surgical approaches. In this context, a hernia-specific synoptic operative note was piloted as part of an effort to create a statewide hernia registry. We aimed to understand the impact of the synoptic operative note on variable missingness and evaluate barriers and facilitators to improved intraoperative communication and note adoption. In January 2020, the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative (MSQC) registry was expanded to capture hernia-specific intraoperative variables. A synoptic operative note for hernia repair was piloted at 8 hospitals. The primary outcome was change in hernia variable communication, measured by missingness. Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, we performed semi-structured interviews with data abstractors (n = 4) and surgeons (n = 4) at 5 pilot sites to assess barriers and facilitators of implementation. Interviews were iteratively analyzed using content analysis with both deductive and inductive approaches. From January to June 2020, 870 hernia repairs were performed across 8 pilot and 53 control sites. Pilot sites had significantly less missingness for all hernia-specific variables. At pilot sites, 46% of notes were fully complete in regard to hernia variables, compared to 21% at control sites (p value < 0.001). While collection of intraoperative variables improved after synoptic note implementation, low note adoption was reported. Facilitators of improved variable collection were (1) communication with data abstractors and (2) stakeholder acknowledgment of widespread benefit, while barriers included (1) surgeon resistance to practice change, (2) EMR/technology, and (3) interruptions to communication and implementation. This mixed-methods evaluation of a synoptic operative note implementation suggests that sustained communication, particularly with abstractors, was the most impactful intervention. Future implementation efforts may have improved effectiveness with interventions supplementary to surgeon-level direction.
Pharmacological Application of Prostaglandins, Their Analogues, and Their Inhibitors in Obstetrics

The central role of eicosanoids, particularly prostaglandin (PG) E2 and PGF2α, in human parturition has been well documented in other chapters of this book. The following conclusions can be drawn: (1) prostaglandins reliably cause cervical ripening and uterine contractions, which result in pregnancy termination at any gestational age; the uterine sensitivity increases as term gestation is approached; (2) increasing concentration of arachidonic acid, precursor of prostaglandins, occurs in amniotic fluid of women in labor; (3) intraamniotic injection of arachidonic acid stimulates labor; and (4) inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis can diminish or prevent uterine contractions.1-2
Using Symbolic Knowledge in the UMLS to Disambiguate Words in Small Datasets with a Naïve Bayes Classifier.

Current approaches to word sense disambiguation use and combine various machine-learning techniques. Most refer to characteristics of the ambiguous word and surrounding words and are based on hundreds of examples. Unfortunately, developing large training sets is time-consuming. We investigate the use of symbolic knowledge to augment machine-learning techniques for small datasets. UMLS semantic types assigned to concepts found in the sentence and relationships between these semantic types form the knowledge base. A naive Bayes classifier was trained for 15 words with 100 examples for each. The most frequent sense of a word served as the baseline. The effect of increasingly accurate symbolic knowledge was evaluated in eight experimental conditions. Performance was measured by accuracy based on 10-fold cross-validation. The best condition used only the semantic types of the words in the sentence. Accuracy was then on average 10% higher than the baseline; however, it varied from 8% deterioration to 29% improvement. In a follow-up evaluation, we noted a trend that the best disambiguation was found for words that were the least troublesome to the human evaluators.
German Lieder in the Nineteenth Century

Preface Rufus Hallmark 1. The Literary Context: Goethe as Source and Catalyst Harry Seelig 2 Franz Schubert: The Prince of Song Susan Youens 3 Robert Schumann: The Poet Sings Rufus Hallmark 4 Johannes Brahms: Volkslied/Kunstlied Virginia Hancock 5 Crosscurrents in Song: Five Distinctive Voices: Carl Loewe, Fanny Hensel, Franz Liszt, Robert Franz, Peter Cornelius Jurgen Thym 6 Hugo Wolf: Subjectivity in the Fin-de-Siecle Lied Lawrence Kramer 7 Gustav Mahler: Romantic Culmination Christopher Lewis 8 Richard Strauss: A Lifetime of Lied Composition Barbara Petersen 9 The Song Cycle: Journeys Through a Romantic Landscape John Daverio 10 Performing Lieder: The Mysterious Mix Robert Spillman
Current Status of the Polyamine Research Field

This chapter provides an overview of the polyamine field and introduces the 32 other chapters that make up this volume. These chapters provide a wide range of methods, advice, and background relevant to studies of the function of polyamines, the regulation of their content, their role in disease, and the therapeutic potential of drugs targeting polyamine content and function. The methodology provided in this new volume will enable laboratories already working in this area to expand their experimental techniques and facilitate the entry of additional workers into this rapidly expanding field.
Stability properties of a cooperative Receding Horizon controller

We consider a setting where multiple vehicles form a team cooperating to visit multiple target points to collect rewards associated with them. The team objective is to maximize the total reward accumulated over a given time interval. Complicating factors include uncertainties regarding the locations of target points and the effectiveness of collecting rewards, differences among vehicle capabilities, and the fact that rewards are time-varying. We have proposed a Receding Horizon (RH) control scheme which dynamically determines vehicle trajectories by solving a sequence of optimization problems over a planning horizon and executing them over a shorter action horizon. A key property observed in the operation of this scheme is that the trajectories are stationary, in the sense that they ultimately assign vehicles to target points, even though the controller is not explicitly designed to perform such discrete point assignments. This paper makes use of the potential field method and establishes conditions under which this property holds and fully studies settings which are analytically tractable.
A Florida Fiddler: The Life and Times of Richard Seaman

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Gregory Hansen Year: 2007 Pages: 254 Publisher: University of Alabama Press ISBN: 978-0-8173-1553-5 (hard cover). Prices: $45.00 USD(hard cover).
A simulation study for fire extinguisher manufacturing process layout design

Abstract This article provides a case study for a fire extinguisher manufacturing company in North America that has been building a new facility in Mexico to benefit from North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and low production cost. The company utilized a value stream mapping to finalize its new facility’s manufacturing process design, and divided the process into several groups, some of which were being developed by contracted vendors. The powder fill operation was one of those vendor-developed systems. However its current layout design experienced the deadlock problem during the capacity test. To overcome this problem, the project team designed two other layouts - an express lane layout and an independent zone layout. The team used both an analytical approach and a simulation approach to evaluate all three alternatives including the current layout in terms of the number of pallets and capacity. The simulation study revealed that the independent zone layout (IZL) could satisfy the capacity requirem...
ARMA estimation using the general order two channel fast transversal filter (FTF) algorithm

The general order, multichannel FTF algorithm is a generalization of the multichannel FTF algorithm in which the orders of the input channels can be independently specified. The algorithm is applied to a special case of a two-input-channel, joint process estimator. One of the input channels is defined as the unit-delayed joint process signal; the configuration is an 'equation error' form for least squares (LS) pole-zero ARMA (autoregressive moving-average) system identification. This form is also used in decision-directed equalization and echo cancellation. For this special two-channel case, a computational savings of 2N+1 operations per recursive update is identified, where N is the total number of filter taps. The saving is proven using the concepts of projection onto a vector space. The reduction is available with any of the order-N 'fast' LS algorithms including the fast Kalman (FK) and FAEST algorithms; this had not been recognized for similar application of the FK algorithm to decision-directed equalization. A summary of the modified algorithm is given, with an operations count for each step. >
Human Cytomegalovirus Envelope Glycoproteins B and H Are Necessary for TLR2 Activation in Permissive Cells

Human CMV (HCMV) is a ubiquitous member of the Herpesviridae family and an opportunistic pathogen that poses significant health risks for immunocompromised patients. HCMV pathogenesis is intimately tied to the immune status of the host, thus characterization of the innate immune response to HCMV infection is critical for understanding disease progression. Previously, we identified TLR2 as a host factor that detects and initiates inflammatory cytokine secretion in response to HCMV independent of viral replication. In this study, we show that two entry-mediating envelope gp, gp B (gB) and gp H (gH), display determinants recognized by TLR2. Neutralizing Abs against TLR2, gB and gH inhibit inflammatory cytokine responses to HCMV infection, suggesting that inflammatory cytokine stimulation by HCMV is mediated by interactions between these envelope gp and TLR2. Furthermore, both gB and gH coimmunoprecipitate with TLR2 and TLR1, indicating that these envelope gp directly interact with TLR2 and that a TLR2/TLR1 heterodimer is a functional sensor for HCMV. Because our previous studies were conducted in model cell lines, we also show that TLR2 is expressed by HCMV permissive human fibroblast cell strains, and that TLR2 is a functional sensor in these cells. This study further elucidates the importance and potency of envelope gp as a class of molecules displaying pathogen-associated molecular patterns that are recognized with immediate kinetics by TLRs in permissive cells.
Referral for competency committee review for poor performance on the internal medicine clerkship is associated with poor performance in internship.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine how students who are referred to a competency committee for concern over performance, and ultimately judged not to require remediation, perform during internship. Methods: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences' students who graduated between 2007 and 2011 were included in this study. We compared the performance during internship of three groups: students who were referred to the internal medicine competency committee for review who met passing criterion, students who were reviewed by the internal medicine competency committee who were determined not to have passed the clerkship and were prescribed remediation, and students who were never reviewed by this competency committee. Program Director survey results and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 3 examination results were used as the outcomes of interest. Results: The overall survey response rate for this 5-year cohort was 81% (689/853). 102 students were referred to this competency commi...
Retinitis pigmentosa associated with a dominant mutation in codon 46 of the peripherin/RDS gene (arginine-46-stop).

Purpose We identified genetic mutations and characterized their associated phenotypes in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. Methods Patients with retinitis pigmentosa were prospectively examined and screened for genetic mutations. Results A 46-year-old man with retinitis pigmentosa was found to have a heterozygous mutation in the peripherin/RDS gene (arginine-46-stop). He had late onset of symptoms and demarcated peripheral retinal atrophy. All five first-degree relatives including his parents had no detectable mutations or retinitis pigmentosa. Genotypic data were consistent with reported family structure. Conclusions This study shows that new dominant mutations are a rare cause of isolated, or simplex, cases of retinitis pigmentosa. Identification of these mutations is helpful for genetic counseling.
Nature of short range interaction between deuterium atoms in Pd

Abstract The likelihood that two deuterium atoms in Pd could approach each other close enough to fuse under ambient conditions has been examined by calculating energy costs self-consistently as a function of separation distance, R , using both Hartree-Fock and local density approximations. A minimum in the potential energy curve exists at R ∼ 1.1 A along the (100) direction, which is larger than the covalent bond length of 0.7 A in the free molecule. For very short distances, R ≲ 0.2 A, the interaction between the deuterium atoms is virtually identical to that in free space, thus making conventional fusion unlikely.
Learning excellence: Southwest Airlines’ approach

In an era in which adapting to change means survival, it is important to study what successful organizations have done. While the airline industry in the USA has not made thriving financial headlines, one small company has been able to satisfy its customers completely and achieve a place among the Fortune 500 in a relatively short period of time. In three steps, this article examines what Southwest Airlines has done to reach this level of achievement and maintain its excellent employee and customer relations. First, the company is defined as “excellent” according to the criteria established by Peters and Waterman. Second, management‐employee relations, organizational training and strong leadership are identified as the sources of employee motivation. Third, loss of strong leadership and organizational structure are discussed as possible future problems influencing motivation and service. The article closes by pointing to Southwest Airline’s concept of service as the true source of motivation and excellence.
Long-term tillage and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil properties of an Alfisol under dryland corn/cotton production

Greater knowledge of the long-term effects of tillage and N fertilization on soil chemical and physical properties is needed in order to assess the contributions of these practices to sustainable land management, especially in warm, subhumid climates where organic matter is quickly oxidized. Soil properties were evaluated after 16 years of corn (Zea mays L.)/cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production under conventional-bedding (CT), moldboard (MB), chisel (CH), minimum tillage (MT), and no-tillage (NT) with low (45 N kg ha−1) and high (90 N kg ha−1) N fertilization on an Orelia sandy clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Ochraqualf) soil in south Texas (USA). Tillage systems significantly affected soil bulk density in the 0- to 200-mm soil depth. No-tillage bulk densities ranged from 5 to 19% higher than for the other tillage treatments while those from MB ranged from 7 to 21% lower. Conservation tillage treatments (NT and MT) resulted in a 30 to 135% increase in surface crop residues compared with other tillage treatments, while plots with the high N rate exhibited 8% more residue than with low N fertilization. In the 0- to 50-mm surface layer, organic C, total N, and extractable P were approximately 64, 78, and 110% higher with NT than with the average of the other tillage treatments. Higher N fertilization increased organic C, total N, and extractable P by 9, 7, and 19%, respectively, in the 200-mm depth. No-tillage decreased cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil pH as compared with MB, CH, and CT in the 0- to 50-mm soil layer. Residual NO3−-N to a depth of 1200 mm under NT and MT was consistently less than with the other tillage treatments. Higher levels of soil organic C, total N, and extractable P and lower concentrations of NO3− were directly related to surface accumulation of crop residues promoted by conservation tillage management. The long-term sustainability for crop production on this soil appeared to be enhanced with reduced tillage management.
Anion Fractionation and Reactivity at Air/Water:Methanol Interfaces. Implications for the Origin of Hofmeister Effects

Anions are selectively enriched in interfacial layers. This universal phenomenon, first identified in connection with protein precipitation 120 years ago, underlies fundamental processes. Its physical causes, however, remain conjectural. It has been speculated that the more polarizable anions should have larger affinities for air/liquid interfaces, and that their reactivities toward gaseous species would be affected by whether the liquid is capped by hydroxyl groups, as in water itself, or by hydrophobic layers of organic contaminants. These issues are particularly relevant to the composition and fate of atmospheric aerosols. Recently, we found that fractionation factors, fX−, of simple anions at the air/water interface increase exponentially with ion radius, aX−. In this paper, we report new experimental results on a set of anions that include the large PF6− and the highly polarizable IO3− species. A strict ln fX− ∝ aX− correlation is confirmed. Experiments performed in {xwH2O + (1 − xw)MeOH} mixtures sh...
Adaptive synaptogenesis constructs networks that maintain information and reduce statistical dependence

This report demonstrates the effectiveness of two processes in constructing simple feedforward networks which perform good transformations on their inputs. Good transformations are characterized by the minimization of two information measures: the information loss incurred with the transformation and the statistical dependency of the output. The two processes build appropriate synaptic connections in initially unconnected networks. The first process, synaptogenesis, creates new synaptic connections; the second process, associative synaptic modification, adjusts the connection strength of existing synapses. Synaptogenesis produces additional innervation for each output neuron until each output neuron achieves a firing rate of approximately 0.50. Associative modification of existing synaptic connections lends robustness to network construction by adjusting suboptimal choices of initial synaptic weights. Networks constructed using synaptogenesis and synaptic modification successfully preserve the information content of a variety of inputs. By recording a high-dimensional input into an output of much smaller dimension, these networks drastically reduce the statistical dependence of neuronal representations. Networks constructed with synaptogenesis and associative modification perform good transformations over a wide range of neuron firing thresholds.
Increased survival time of leukemic mice following treatment with phytohemagglutinin

Des souris ayant subi un traitement journalier au PHA, entrepris 4 jours avant l'implantation de cellules leucemiques L1210 on survecu plus longtemps que celles qui furent traitees au sel. Le traitement journalier entrepris 24 h apres l'inoculation de cellules leucemiques n'a pas eu d'effet sur la duree de survie. Par le traitement au PHA combine a la 6-mercaptopurine, la duree de vie fut plus longue que par celui que l'on obtint avec d'autres agents employes isolement. Un mecanisme propose pour l'effet antileucemique de PHA est discute.
Stresses in concentrated polymer solutions: Part I. Shear dependence of viscosity

A method is suggested for calculating stresses in sheared polymeric liquids. It synthesizes Kirkwood's correlation function techniques and Fixman's formulation for the stress tensor P. The dependence of P on powers of solute concentration, in the concentrated solution range, arises from a consideration of intermolecular forces. A non-Newtonian viscosity, characterized by only two parameters (low shear viscosity limit ηo and time constant λ), is derived from simple choices of functions which appear in the expression for P.
A Tight-binding Molecular Dynamics Study of the Dissociation of Boron Clusters in c-Si

Boron clusters with silicon self-interstitials have been implicated in the phenomenon of transient enhanced diffusion (TED) following ion implantation of boron and subsequent annealing steps. This paper explores possible dissolution mechanisms for boron-interstitial clusters during the simulation of a typical annealing process. Using tight-binding molecular dynamics (TBMD) and employing a Goodwin-Skinner-Pettifor sp-based TB model, we have been able to observe the complete dissolution of a B 4 I 4 cluster into the surrounding crystalline silicon matrix. Many unsuccessful attempts to observe dissolution are also presented, highlighting the effect of cluster stability, temperature and the role of vacancies in cluster dissolution. Though we can make no unambiguous statements on the definitive dissolution mechanism of boron-defect clusters based on one successful dissolution event, we can hint at key events that appear to be important, such as the diffusion of self-interstitials (presciently predicted by Pela...