cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contrast Dispersal Patterns as a Predictor of Clinical Outcome With Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection for Lumbar Radiculopathy

Objective To assess the relationship between epidural contrast dispersal patterns from lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) and both immediate- and short-term pain reduction. We also investigated the effect of the grade of nerve root compression on contrast dispersal pattern and pain reduction. Design Retrospective review of data from a previous prospective study of outcomes after TFESI. Setting Academic spine and musculoskeletal clinic. Patient Sample Thirty-eight subjects who underwent single-level lumbar TFESI for unilateral lumbar radicular pain. Methods A retrospective assessment of a digital database of TFESIs for unilateral lumbar radicular pain. Type of contrast pattern was analyzed by 2 physiatrists as type I (tubular appearance); type II (nerve root visible as a filling defect); or type III (cloudlike appearance). Grade of nerve root compression on magnetic resonance also was analyzed by 2 physiatrists as grade I abutment, grade II displacement, or grade III entrapment. Outcome Measures Effect of type of contrast pattern and grade of nerve root compression on change in Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) at time of injection (T1), 2 weeks after (T2), and 2 months after (T3). Results Mean decrease in NPRS at all time points was statistically significant with both types I and III contrast dispersal patterns. Groups with grades II and III nerve root compression had statistically significant reductions in NPRS at all time points. Conclusions In this retrospective review we found that TFESIs can have an immediate beneficial effect on pain regardless of contrast pattern type or grade of nerve root compression. Subjects with higher grades of nerve root compression and a type I or III contrast pattern have significantly greater reductions in pain at 15 minutes, 2 weeks, and 2 months. Our findings are limited by methodological restrictions, and further confirmation with a prospective trial to review other possible associated factors is recommended.
Security enhancements for UDDI

The universal description, discovery, and integration (UDDI) OASIS standard, was designed for storing, publishing, and advertising information about XML web services. Commonly used in service oriented architecture (SOA) infrastructures, the security of UDDI is often overlooked. Embedded within the specification are “optional” security measures that are commonly not implemented or enforced. In this paper we describe the UDDI security model, potential security related concerns, and mitigation strategies. Preliminary performance evaluation results are presented to show the merits of our proposed scheme. Finally, an example of the registry with additional security constraints is analyzed and evaluated for performance. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of age on bladder cancer incidence, prognosis and therapy

Age is now widely accepted as the single greatest risk factor for developing urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). The aim of this article is to assess the incidence, prognosis and therapy of UCB in the elderly. Using MEDLINE, we performed a search of the literature between January 1966 and July 2009. The link between aging and cancer is more complex than the simple passage of time; certain genes may be activated while others may be suppressed with advancing age. Treatments for nonmuscle-invasive UCB are generally well-tolerated by the elderly. However, several studies have demonstrated a lower response rate to intravesical immunotherapy in the elderly. While elderly patients have a higher rate of perioperative complication and mortality after radical cystectomy, the difference is too small and insufficient to avoid radical cystectomy in these patients. Similarly, in certain selected cases, centers of excellence report similar complication rates in elderly patients, regardless of the type of urinary ...
Variational data assimilation and parameter estimation in an equatorial Pacific ocean model

Abstract A variational data assimilation and parameter estimation method for a reduced gravity model is developed. The method is applied to the equatorial Pacific Ocean. In the variational formalism a cost function measuring the “distance” between the model solution and the observations is minimized. The phase speed in the model is used as a control parameter and the optimal spatial structure giving the best fit of the model to the observations is determined. In the minimization algorithm a conjugate gradient descent direction is used. The method is computationally effective, and for the experiments considered convergence is achieved in ten iterations or less. Several experiments are performed using the model solutions as observations. It is shown that the assimilation algorithm is able to determine the large scale spatial structure of the phase speed, even if observations are available at only three stations. The estimated phase speed is not sensitive to errors in the observations, and the algorithm gives a unique solution to the problem. Real sea level observations from three stations are assimilated for two different periods. The year 1979 was chosen to represent a year without an El Nino, while 1982/83 was chosen to represent an El Nino year. For 1979 the assimilation gave a phase speed with higher values in the west and lower values in the east compared to the initial guess of a constant phase speed. Assimilation of observations in 1982/83 gave the opposite picture, with lower values in the west and higher values in the east. This result is consistent with observations. The phase speed is proportional to the depth of the thermocline, and during normal conditions the basic stratification consists of a deep thermocline in the west and a shallow thermocline in the east. During an El Nino the picture is reversed. Calculating the correlation coefficient between the model results and the observations shows that the correlation increased for all the stations during the assimilation, even at stations which were not a part of the assimilation.
Emerging Demographic Changes in an Ageing World: an Overview

. This overview reviews the presentations on demographic trends that were given at the IAG Congress in Adelaide and the pre-Congress satellite in Singapore. It provides a framework for the field of the demography of ageing, and suggests some promising future research directions. The presentations provided the main features of trends in the demography of population ageing occurring in the main regions of the world. Highlights include the diversity that is found between and within regions, which stem mainly from variations in the pace of the demographic transitions towards lower levels of fertility and mortality. Notable changes also are occurring in the demography of the aged population. These include the growth of the oldest-old, increasing proportions of females at the older ages, and important emergent cohort differences in those reaching the older ages. One thrust of future demographic activity will be to provide more realistic population projections of future trends, especially for countries that are showing super-ageing. A second direction will be more concerted attention to cohort developments, which are particularly crucial in determining social, economic and political responses to changing population structures. A third will be greater attention to changing family structures and behaviours. Finally, there is growing interest in the field of biodemography that draws social scientists, demographers and biologists to focus on interdisciplinary aspects of morbidity, disability and mortality dynamics.
Aging of Long‐Lived Proteins: Extracellular Matrix (Collagens, Elastins, Proteoglycans) and Lens Crystallins

The sections in this article are: 1 Collagens 1.1 Overview 1.2 Methodological Difficulties in the Assessment of Collagen Changes during Aging 1.3 Hypertension and Collagen Deposition in Relation to the Aging Process 1.4 Turnover of Collagen 1.5 Physical Properties of Aging Collagen 1.6 Measurement of the Physical Properties of Collagen as Potential Biomarkers of Aging 1.7 Chemical Properties of Aging Collagen 2 Elastin 2.1 Molecular Contrasts between Elastin and Collagen 2.2 Morphological Changes in Elastin with Aging 2.3 Quantitative Changes in Elastin with Aging 2.4 Conclusions 3 Proteoglycans 3.1 Biochemical Composition 3.2 Aggregating and Nonaggregating Populations of Proteoglycans 3.3 Age-Related Changes in Proteoglycans 3.4 Conclusions 4 Lens Crystallins 4.1 Overview 4.2 Age-Related Changes in Lens and Lens Crystallins 4.3 Changes in Enzyme Activity 4.4 Mechanisms of Crystallin Aging 4.5 Conclusions 5 Summation
Breast Anatomy for the Interventionalist

Normal breast anatomy can be seen on a variety of imaging modalities. Knowledge of normal breast anatomy on imaging examinations is important for an interventionalist, primarily to avoid mistaking normal anatomy for a pathologic disorder, so as not to harm a patient with an unnecessary intervention. Knowledge of breast anatomy is also critical in planning safe breast interventions and unwanted procedural complications. The key anatomical structures in the breast include skin, fat, fascial layers, Cooper ligaments, fibroglandular tissue, lymphatics, and neurovascular structures, all positioned over the chest wall. In men, the breast parenchyma is usually only composed of fat, with absence of fibroglandular tissue. In women, fibroglandular tissue volumes vary with age, with many women having a predominance of fat within the breasts after menopause. Embryologically, the breast develops under genetic and hormonal influence from skin precursor cells during the fourth through twelfth weeks of gestation, and the resulting breast bud continues to lengthen and branch throughout the remainder of gestation, forming a complex network of radially arranged breast ducts that connect the nipple with the mammary lobules. The key arterial blood supply to the breast arises from the internal thoracic artery, but additional arterial blood supply is seen from intercostal and lateral thoracic arteries. The venous anatomy and lymphatic drainage of the breast generally parallels the arterial anatomy, with presence of variation in communicating channels between deep and superficial venous and lymphatic channels. Tools that assess breast vascular structures (eg, contrast-enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging) and lymphatic structures (nuclear medicine lymphoscintigraphy) are routinely used to assess extent of breast disease and help guide breast interventions.
Pleural Fluid Analysis and Radiographic, Sonographic, and Echocardiographic Characteristics of Hepatic Hydrothorax

Background There are limited published data defining complete pleural fluid analysis, echocardiographic characteristics, or the presence or absence of ascites on sonographic or CT imaging in patients with hepatic hydrothorax. Methods We reviewed pleural fluid analysis and radiographic, sonographic, and echocardiographic findings in 41 consecutive patients with hepatic hydrothorax referred to the Pleural Procedure Service for thoracentesis. Results Ascites was detected on sonographic or CT imaging in 38 of 39 patients (97%). Diastolic dysfunction was found in 11 of 21 patients (52%). Contrast echocardiography with agitated saline demonstrated an intrapulmonary shunt in 18 of 23 cases (78%). Solitary hepatic hydrothorax had a median pleural fluid pH of 7.49 (fifth to 95th percentile, 7.40-7.57), total protein level of 1.5 g/dL (0.58-2.34), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level of 65 IU/L (36-138). The median pleural fluid/serum protein ratio and pleural LDH/upper limit of normal serum LDH ratio were 0.25 (0.10-0.43) and 0.27 (0.14-0.57), respectively. The median absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was 26 cells/μL (1-230). Only a single patient had a protein discordant exudate despite 83% of patients receiving diuretics. When comparing solitary hepatic hydrothorax and spontaneous bacterial pleuritis, there was no statistically significant difference among pleural fluid total protein (P = .99), LDH (P = .33), and serum albumin (P = .47). ANC was higher in patients with spontaneous bacterial pleuritis (P Conclusions Hepatic hydrothorax virtually always presents with ascites that is detectable on sonographic or CT imaging. The development of an "exudate" from diuretic therapy is a rare phenomenon in hepatic hydrothorax. In contrast, diastolic dysfunction and intrapulmonary shunting are common in patients with hepatic hydrothorax. There was no statistically significant change in pleural fluid parameters with spontaneous bacterial pleuritis, except an increased ANC.
Effects of carbachol and atropine on gastrin secretion and synthesis in rat antral organ culture

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of the cholinergic agent carbachol on gastrin synthesis and secretion by rat antral mucosa in organ culture. In addition, the effect of atropine on basal and carbachol-stimulated gastrin release was investigated. These in vitro studies demonstrate that carbachol stimulated both gastrin secretion and synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal stimulation of gastrin synthesis and release occurred at a concentration of 1 X 10(-5) M carbachol. The rate of gastrin release stimulated by carbachol (1 X10(-5) M) was 0.79 ng-hr-1-mg-1 which was significantly greater than the control value of 0.37 ng-hr-1 (P less than 0.001). Atropine, over the dose range from 10(-7) to 10(-3) M, had no effect on basal (unstimulated) gastrin release. However, carbachol-stimulated gastrin release was inhibited progressively by inclusion of increasing concentrations of atropine in the culture media. The results of these studies indicated that the acetylcholine analogue, carbachol, is capable of directly stimulating the antral gastrin cell to significantly increase the rate of synthesis and release of gastrin. Whereas atropine, under these in vitro conditions, does not alter basal gastrin release, the muscarinic antagonist does competively inhibit carbachol-stimulated gastrin secretion.
Stability of Partial Doses of Omeprazole-Sodium Bicarbonate Oral Suspension

Background:Omeprazole-sodium bicarbonate powder for oral suspension has recently been marketed. The manu facturer provides no information regarding the acceptability of using partial doses and recommends that the reconstituted suspension be administered immediately after preparation.Objectives:To determine the stability of the powder for oral suspension over 45 days, evaluate the stability of a partial dose (<20 mg) following exposure to Simulated Gastric Fluid USP (SGF) over 2 hours, and determine the feasibility of administering the suspension through neonatal and pediatric nasogastric feeding tubes compared with lansoprazole.Methods:Three identical samples of omeprazole–sodium bicarbonate suspension 2 mg/mL were stored in the refrigerator (3–5°C) and assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography immediately after preparation and at 7, 15, 30, and 45 days. Stability of a 1 mg/kg dose with an estimated volume of SGF for a simulated 12.7 kg pediatric patient was determined In triplicate over 2 hours a...
The impact of genetic restoration on cranial morphology of Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi)

The breeding population of the endangered Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) is confined to the southern portion of the Florida peninsula. During the 20th century, a combination of isolation and small population size resulted in increased inbreeding. This ultimately led to a genetic restoration program in 1995 to alleviate correlates of inbreeding depression and avert extinction of the Florida panther. Genetic restoration involved the release of 8 female Texas pumas into the wild Florida population, a management initiative that has significantly improved the outlook for recovery. It is unknown whether genetic restoration changed the distinctive cranial morphology of the Florida panther; and whether some metrics that were historically used to differentiate Florida panthers from other subspecies of P. concolor are still valid. We used a high-resolution digital imaging system to compare cranial morphology from several groupings of Florida panthers that were defined by genetic restoration to elucidate any morphological changes this event may have had on cranial profile. Our results indicated that cranial measurements of Florida panthers were not significantly altered by genetic restoration.
Combination Across Domains: An MEG Investigation into the Relationship between Mathematical, Pictorial, and Linguistic Processing

Debates surrounding the evolution of language often hinge upon its relationship to cognition more generally and many investigations have attempted to demark the boundary between the two. Though results from these studies suggest that language may recruit domain-general mechanisms during certain types of complex processing, the domain-generality of basic combinatorial mechanisms that lie at the core of linguistic processing is still unknown. Our previous work (Bemis & Pylkkanen, 2011, 2012) used magnetoencephalography to isolate neural activity associated with the simple composition of an adjective and a noun (‘red boat’) and found increased activity during this processing localized to the left anterior temporal lobe (lATL), ventro-medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), and left angular gyrus (lAG). The present study explores the domain-generality of these effects and their associated combinatorial mechanisms through two parallel non-linguistic combinatorial tasks designed to be as minimal and natural as the linguistic paradigm. In the first task, we used pictures of colored shapes to elicit combinatorial conceptual processing similar to that evoked by the linguistic expressions and find increased activity again localized to the vmPFC during combinatorial processing. This result suggests that a domain-general semantic combinatorial mechanism operates during basic linguistic composition, and that activity generated by its processing localizes to the vmPFC. In the second task, we recorded neural activity as subjects performed simple addition between two small numerals. Consistent with a wide array of recent results, we find no effects related to basic addition that coincide with our linguistic effects and instead find increased activity localized to the intraparietal sulcus. This result suggests that the scope of the previously identified linguistic effects is restricted to compositional operations and does not extend generally to all tasks that are merely similar in form.
A spline Laplacian ECG estimator in a realistic geometry volume conductor

We have developed a spline-based Laplacian estimator over an arbitrarily shaped surface of a volume conductor and tested its applicability to Laplacian electrocardiogram (ECG) mapping. In the newly developed algorithm, estimation of the parameters associated with the spline Laplacian is formulated by seeking the general inverse of a transfer matrix. Only one spline-parameter needs to be determined through regularization in order to estimate the realistic geometry surface Laplacian from the body surface potentials. It has been demonstrated that the rich knowledge on regularization in the inverse problems can be directly applied to estimate the spline Laplacian ECG (LECG), such as the discrepancy principle. Computer simulations have been conducted to validate the new approach in a spherical volume conductor and test the feasibility of mapping cardiac electrical sources in a realistic geometry heart-torso model. The present results demonstrate that the realistic geometry spline LECG can be estimated conveniently from the body surface potentials, is more robust against measurement noise and has better performance than the conventional five-point local Laplacian estimator.
Saddle-point optimality criteria of continuous time programming without differentiability

Abstract Saddle-point optimality criteria of Kuhn-Tucker and Fritz Johns are established in the case of continuous time programming problems. The functions involved are not assumed to be differentiable. In the process, an important theorem of the alternative is also proven.
Short and long loop manufacturing feedback using a multisensor assembly test chip

A family of silicon test chips for use in making diagnostic measurements during electronics assembly has been developed. These assembly test chips (ATCs) contain sensors that measure a number of variables associated with assembled IC degradation, including the degree of integrated circuit (IC) corrosion, handling damage, electrostatic discharge threat, moisture or humidity, mechanical stress, mobile ion density, bond pad cratering, and high-speed logic degradation. The chips in the ATC family are intended to give manufacturing feedback in four ways: direct feedback in evaluation of an assembly manufacturing line in an objective, nonintrusive way; before and after comparisons on an assembly production line when an individual process, material, or piece of equipment has been changed; resident lifetime monitor for system package aging and ongoing reliability projection; and thermal, mechanical, DC electrical, and high-frequency mock-up evaluation of packaging (including multichip) schemes. >
Comparative effects of cilostazol and other therapies for intermittent claudication

Many patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have intermittent claudication or problems with ambulation and mobility. Exercise and smoking cessation are primary therapies for claudication, but drug treatment may provide additional benefit. The data supporting use of pentoxifylline for claudication are weak, and pentoxifylline is not generally accepted as efficacious. Cilostazol is a new drug for the treatment of claudication. It appears to modestly benefit walking ability and it has other potentially useful effects, including inhibition of platelet aggregation and beneficial effects on serum lipids. In a randomized, prospective, double-blind trial examining walking ability in patients with PAD with moderate-to-severe claudication, cilostazol was superior to both placebo and pentoxifylline.
Tell me about it: Neural activity elicited by emotional pictures and preceding descriptions.

Emotional pictures elicit enhanced parietal positivities beginning around 300 ms following stimulus presentation. The magnitude of these responses, however, depends on both intrinsic (stimulus-driven) and extrinsic (context-driven) factors. In the present study, event-related potentials were recorded while participants viewed unpleasant and neutral pictures that were described either more neutrally or more negatively prior to presentation; temporospatial principal components analysis identified early and late positivities: Both emotional images and descriptions had independent and additive effects on early (334 ms) and midlatency (1,066 ms) positivities, whereas the latest positivity (1,688 ms) was sensitive only to description type. Results are discussed with regard to the time course of automatic and controlled processing of emotional stimuli.
VolturnUS 1:8: Conclusion of 18-Months of Operation of the First Grid-Connected Floating Wind Turbine Prototype in the Americas

This paper presents an overview of the successful conclusion of 18 months of testing the first grid-connected floating offshore wind turbine prototype in the Americas. The prototype, called VolturnUS 1:8, was installed off Castine, Maine, USA. The prototype is a 1:8 scale prototype and serves to de-risk the deployment of a full-scale 6MW turbine. VolturnUS utilizes innovations in materials, construction, and deployment technologies such as a concrete semi-submersible hull and an advanced composite tower to reduce the costs of offshore wind. The prototype unit was designed following the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) “Guide for Building and Classing Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Installations”. Froude scaling was used in designing the 1:8-scale VolturnUS prototype so that the motions of the prototype in the relatively protected site represent those of the full-scale unit in an open site farther offshore. During the past year, a comprehensive instrumentation package monitored key performance characteristics of the platform during operational, extreme, and survival storm conditions. Data collected include: wind speed, turbine power, rotor angular frequency, blade pitch, torque, acceleration; tower bending moment, 6 DOF accelerations at tower top and base, mooring line tensions, and wave elevation at the platform. During the past year the prototype has experienced many environments representative of scaled ABS design conditions including operational wind and sea-states, 50-year sea states and 500-year survival sea states.This large data set provides a unique view of a near full-scale floating wind turbine subjected to its prescribed environmental conditions. Inspections of the concrete hull following removal provided confirmation of material durability. Marine growth measurements provide data for future design efforts.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Conformational Analysis of Nonsteroidal Estrogens The Effect of Conformer Populations on the Binding Affinity of meso-and dl-Hexestrol to the Estrogen Receptor

The conformational preferences of three nonsteroidal estrogens, meso-hexestrol, dl-hexestrol, and 1,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)butane (isobutestrol), have been studied by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) and force field calculations (on model compounds), and have been used to rationalize the strikingly different binding affinities of these compounds for the uterine estrogen receptor. The chemical shifts for the methyl and methylene resonances in meso-hexestrol appear at field strengths 0.2 ppm higher than those of the related diastereomer dl-hexestrol. This shielding effect suggests that meso-hexestrol exists predominantly in the antiperiplanar conformation and dl-hexestrol predominantly in synclinal conformations. The lack of a shielding effect in isobutestrol suggests that it too prefers a synclinal conformation. Analysis of the vicinal coupling constants of the benzylic protons in two diastereomeric hexestrol analogues leads to similar predictions of conformer population and, together with the chemical shift data, suggests that the (-)-synclinal conformer may be the major contributor in dl-hexestrol. Force field calculations that were done on meso- and dl-3,4-diphenylhexane and 1,2-diphenylbutane have confirmed the conformational preferences suggested by 1HNMR: the two synclinal conformation of meso-3,4-diphenylhexane lie 1.29 Kcal/mole above the antiperiplanar conformer, and the (+)-synclinal and antiperiplanar conformers lie above the (-)-synclinal conformation of dl-3,4-diphenylhexane by 0.79 Kcal/mole and 3.01 Kcal/mole, respectively. The (+)-synclinal conformation is preferred for 1,2-diphenylbutane, with the antiperiplanar and (-)-synclinal being more energetic by 0.73 Kcal/ mole and 1.27 Kcal/mole, respectively. The binding affinities of the hexestrol diastereomers for the uterine estrogen receptor, measured relative to that for estradiol (100%), are 300% for the meso and 3.2% for the dl form. The ratio of receptor binding affinities for the two hexestrol diastereomers is comparable to the ratio of population of the antiperiplanar conformers of the diphenyl hexane diastereomers. This suggests a model in which the receptor binds only the antiperiplanar conformation of each diastereomer and does not distinguish between different configurations at the benzylic centers. The intermediate affinity of isobutestrol (25%) is thought to reflect both its lower lipophilicity and its intermediate preference for the antiperiplanar conformation.
If You Build It, Will They Come? Predictors of Teachers' Participation in and Satisfaction with the "Effective Classroom Interactions" Online Courses.

The Effective Classroom Interactions (ECI) online courses were designed to provide an engaging, effective and scalable approach to enhancing early childhood teachers’ use of classroom practices that impact children’s school readiness. The created courses included several versions aimed at testing whether or not certain design aspects could increase participation and subsequent learning outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which early childhood teachers accessed the courses and varied in their a) participation in the core course content and b) optional discussion board as a result of the course experience they were assigned to as well as individual characteristics that may be associated with participation. Findings indicated that early childhood teachers accessed the course often on nights and weekends and reported high levels of satisfaction with their experience. Both persistence in the ECI courses and overall completion of activities were higher than those reported in other studies of online learning. Whether or not the participant was in the course that had regular interactions with the instructor, comfort with technology and took the course for credit consistently predicted participation, but not always in expected ways. Implications for exploring online learning as a feasible option for early childhood educators are discussed.
Let’s ‘Meetup’ at the theme park

Many people enjoy theme park and other leisure experiences with their families; however, today a great number of single, geographically mobile individuals desire to partake in such experiences. ‘Me...
Respiration of Confused Flour Beetle Adults in CO2 or N2 and After Sublethal Fumigation

Thirty-minute exposure of adults of the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin duVal, to CO2 or N2 reduced O2 consumption to a very low level, where it remained for the rest of the 2-hour exposure to the gas. During recovery from CO2 or N2 anoxia, the respiration rate rose above normal. Peak O2 consumption occurred at ½ hour after N2 or 1 hour after CO2 exposure. In neither case was the O2 debt completely repaid. During N2 exposure, both O2 consumption and CO2 production declined. During CO2 exposure, CO2 production increased considerably for a short period. Sublethal fumigation with CCl4:CS2 (80:20 by volume) at the peak of O2 consumption after CO2 or N2 anoxia caused a prolonged respiratory depression. In beetles fumigated without previous exposure to CO2 or N2 respiration rate first increased, then declined below normal.
An Approach for Strategic Planning of Future Technology Portfolios

For the success of any organization, a solid strategic plan must guide the decision-making process for all spending ventures. “Strategic planning can be defined as a structured process through which an organization translates a vision and makes fundamental decisions that shape and guide what the organization is and what it does.” The strategic plan is then compiled into a decision package, in the form of a business case or project request, to justify capital project endeavors. A solid plan includes documentation and analysis that support the proposed investment opportunities, especially with regards to technology development programs. The Strategic Prioritization and Planning (SP2) process is an evolution of Quality Engineering Methods, including Quality Function Deployment and Design for Six Sigma, and incorporates various dynamic aspects to form a portable and powerful decision making environment. The SP2 approach has been extensively utilized in a recent Congressional study for an integrated five year research and technology plan for U.S. aeronautics. This process was also applied to the NASA Exploration Systems Architecture Study as well as to the NASA Vehicle Systems Program and the Office of Naval Research Science and Technology. This paper will highlight the process and provide some results of previous applications. In the absence of a quantitative physics-based approach, SP2 provides a structured, traceable, and transparent process for planning and technology prioritization. The process can be tailored to any desired level of detail to enhance the decision making process for investment strategies as more information becomes available. The end product allows for “what if” games to be played through a dynamic and interactive environment and the results of the process can be the foundation for detailed strategic road mapping and quantitative technology assessments and tracking. SP2 is a living process that should guide strategic planning and be continuously updated as a program evolves.
Measurement of γγ⁎→π0 transition form factor at Belle

We report a measurement of the exclusive π0 production in the process of e+e− scattering in kinematic region where the π0 and the final-state electron or positron are detected (i.e., tagged). We use 759 fb−1 data sample recorded with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e− collider to measure the γγ⁎→π0 transition form factor F(Q2) in the momentum transfer region 4 GeV2⩽Q2⩽40 GeV2. The reported values of Q2|F(Q2)| agree well with previous measurements at Q2⩽9 GeV2, are reasonably consistent with recent results reported by the BaBar experiment but do not support their hypothesis of the rapid increase of Q2|F(Q2)| at higher Q2 values.
The MSU Fenske Fellowship: Fresh Perspectives on Fish, Management, and Law

Professionals from diverse backgrounds must collaborate for the management of fisheries and aquatic ecosystems to be effective. These professionals include researchers, who provide needed science and data, which informs management decisions; managers, who protect and conserve fisheries and aquatic resources for our future use; and policymakers, who communicate important issues and impact change through policy and legislation. These groups of professionals represent some of the key participants in today’s fisheries and aquatic ecosystem management processes. However, an equally significant but often overlooked group of professionals is comprised of law enforcement officials, whose role in fisheries and aquatic resource management processes includes discovering, deterring, and decreasing illegal and environmentally harmful behavior. Law enforcement officials are the only professionals that possess the on-the-ground power to prevent behavior that harms fisheries resources and aquatic ecosystems, such as polluting, overharvesting, or transporting species from one location to another. Law enforcement officials commonly prevent these harmful behaviors by issuing warnings, citations, and fines, or by educating anglers and natural resource users about the importance of fisheries and aquatic resource protection and conservation. As a new doctoral student at Michigan State University (MSU), I recognized the significance of law enforcement in maintaining order in society from a criminological standpoint, but I did not fully understand its role in fisheries and aquatic ecosystem management and its ultimate influence on fisheries and aquatic resources sustainability. I was eager to better understand its role and influence and further to learn about its effectiveness in the protection and conservation of fisheries and aquatic resources. It was not until I became the 2014–2015 MSU Molly J. Good pictured with a Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha from Lake Michigan. Photo credit: Andrew Muir.
High Resolution Electron Microscopy (HREM) Study of Chemically Vapor Deposited Polycrystalline Si1-xGex Thin Films

The microstructure of polysilicon and Si0.69Ge0.31 thin films, grown by chemical-vapordeposition (CVD) on oxidized silicon wafers covered with a very thin polysilicon seed layer, was investigated using high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM). The plan-view HREM images showed that polysilicon films contained less substructure inside grains and had fewer multiple twins and more extended twin bands than Si0.69Ge0.31. On the other hand, only SiGe contained multiple twins with five-fold symmetry. The atomic model of the second-order symmetric twin boundary proposed for Si and based on the insertion of five-member and seven-membered rings was found to describe the atomic structures of second-order symmetric twin boundaries in Si0.69Ge0.31 as well. Within the accuracy of HREM, the repeat unit of the boundary was the same in Si0.69Ge0.31 and Si.
In-Situ Optical Emission Spectra of Ti, TiN and TiSi2 Plasma During Thin Film Growth by Pulsed Laser Evaporation

The first optical emission spectra of Ti, TiN and TiSi2 plasma during growth of thin films by pulsed laser evaporation has been reported. A KrF excimer laser (248nm) with pulsewidth of 45ns operating on 5Hz repitition rate was used for deposition of refractory metal thin films using varying laser fluence of 4J/cm2 to 15J/cm2. Most of the radiative species seen in plasma belongs to atomic neutrals and ionic species such as Ti I, Ti II, Si I, Si II and N 11. Emission spectra was mostly dominated by neutral and ionic emission from Titanium (Ti I and Ti II).
On Some Determinants of Saving in Developed and Under-Developed Countries

For the analysis of economic development, the principal question concerning savings is whether or not savings increase more than proportionately to income. In virtually all theories of growth, capital formation plays some part, and it is therefore important to know how it can be financed. The question is crucial for those theories — now somewhat discredited — which regard capital formation as the primary means of raising income levels, because suitable variations in the savings-income ratio are then needed to explain why some countries stay poor in the absence of foreign investment. Theories of the latter variety would be left hanging in mid-air if the savings-income ratio did not vary significantly among countries or in the long run.
An approach towards tailoring interfacial structures and properties of multiphase renewable thermoplastics from lignin–nitrile rubber

Lignin-derived thermoplastics and elastomers with both versatile performance and commercialization potential have been an elusive pursuit for the past several decades. Lignin content has been limited to about 30 wt%, often requiring chemical modification, solvent fractionation of lignin, or prohibitively expensive additives. Each of these factors is a deterrent to industrial adoption of lignin-based polymers, limiting the potential of this renewable resource. Herein we describe high-performance multiphase thermoplastics made with a blend of 41 wt% unmodified industrial lignin and low-cost additives in a matrix of general-purpose acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR). Hardwood soda lignin (HSL) and softwood Kraft lignin (SKL) were blended under high shear conditions with NBR, carbon black (CB), polyethylene oxide (PEO), boric acid (BA), and dicumyl peroxide (DCP). This combination with SKL lignin in the proper proportions resulted in a thermoplastic with a tensile strength and failure strain of 25.2 MPa and 9%, respectively; it exhibited an unexpected tensile yield, similar to that of ABS, a commodity thermoplastic. The analogous HSL lignin compositions are tough materials with tensile strengths of 7.3–16.7 MPa and failure strain of 80–140%. The contrasting ductility and yield stress behavior were analyzed based on the compositions’ morphology and interfacial structure arising from the chemical nature of each lignin studied. The roles of CB as a reinforcement in the rubbery phase, DCP and BA as cross-linkers to create multiphase networks, and PEO to promote the adhesion and compatibility of lignin in commercial-grade NBR are also discussed in detail.
The MEssaging for Diabetes (MED) intervention improves short-term medication adherence among low-income adults with type 2 diabetes

Adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and low socioeconomic status (SES) have high rates of medication nonadherence, and, in turn, suboptimal glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]). We tested the initial efficacy of a short message service (SMS) text messaging and interactive voice response (IVR) intervention to promote adherence among this high-risk group. Eighty low SES, diverse adults with T2DM used the MEssaging for Diabetes (MED) SMS/IVR intervention for 3 months. We used a pre-post single group design to explore adherence changes over 3 months, and a quasi-experimental design to test the impact of MED on HbA1c among the intervention group relative to a matched, archival control group. Compared to baseline, adherence improved at one (AOR 3.88, 95 % CI 1.79, 10.86) and at 2 months (AOR 3.76, 95 % CI 1.75, 17.44), but not at 3 months. HbA1c remained stable, with no differences at 3 months between the intervention group and the control group. MED had a positive, short-term impact on adherence, which did not translate to improvements in HbA1c. Future research should explore the longer-term impact of SMS/IVR interventions on the medication adherence of high risk adults with T2DM.
Activin expression by cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells

PURPOSE To determine whether human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells produce activin, a growth factor in the transforming growth factor beta family, and to characterize growth regulatory effects of activin on retinal pigment epithelium. METHODS mRNA expression was examined using polymerase chain reaction with primers specific for the beta A and beta B chains of activin and by slot blot analysis with a probe specific for the beta A chain. Protein localization was determined immunocytochemically using antibodies specific for the beta A chain of activin and intact activin A. The effect of activin A on DNA synthesis was studied by measuring (3H) thymidine incorporation after cells were exposed to recombinant human activin A (rhA). Growth regulatory effects of rhA on hRPE cells were examined with cell growth assays. RESULTS beta A mRNA was expressed constitutively in 8/8 cells lines tested. beta B mRNA was not expressed in any of the six cell lines tested but was expressed in human ovarian granulosa cell controls. Positive immunostaining was observed for both the beta A chain and intact activin A. (3H) thymidine incorporation was inhibited 44% (P < 0.025), 45% (P < 0.025), and 44% (P < 0.015) when RPE cells were exposed to 100 ng/ml rhA and grown in serum-free medium, medium with 0.5% serum, and 1% serum, respectively. Cell growth was inhibited 33.2% (P = 0.0001) after RPE cells were exposed to 100 ng/ml rhA for 8 days. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that activin A can act as an autocrine-paracrine growth regulator in RPE cells and may help control cellular growth in ocular development and proliferative eye disease.
The Influence of Social and Economic Conditions on Respiratory Health

Social and economic factors are major contributors to respiratory health disparities. Considering the two separately sometimes can help better understand the basis of disparities, although often it is their interrelationship that affects health outcomes most. Poorer people (compared within a country or between countries) have a greater prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of most respiratory diseases than richer people. The prevalence of smoking and lung cancer have historically prevailed in high-income countries, but this is changing with control of tobacco promotion, as the tobacco industry turns to low- and middle-income countries to maintain sales. Social factors, which underlie tobacco use, are also important risk factors for respiratory disease. Members of minority groups are often marginalized in society, leading to negative health outcomes. Both social and economic disadvantages can make it difficult for people to access health care; those factors interweave to amplify disparities in many respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and sleep apnea.
Input-sensitive performance testing

One goal of performance testing is to find specific test input data for exposing performance bottlenecks and identify the methods responsible for these performance bottlenecks. A big and important challenges of performance testing is how to deeply understand the performance behaviors of a nontrivial software system in terms of test input data to properly select the specific test input values for finding the problematic methods. Thus, we propose this research program to automatically analyze performance behaviors in software and link these behaviors with test input data for selecting the specific ones that can expose performance bottlenecks. In addition, this research further examines the corresponding execution traces of selected inputs for targeting the problematic methods.
The effects of response-dependent and independent reinforcement in extending stimulus control

In order to examine the effects of reinforcement on covert responding, auditory generalization gradients of response probability and latency were obtained from human Ss under three conditions. (a) discrimination training with 500-cps tones at 56 and 74 db (SPL), followed by generalization testing over the range 50 to 80 db; (b) an additional phase interpolated between discrimination training and generalization testing, in which stimuli adjacent to the training stimuli were presented and followed by reinforcement, without overt responding by the subject; (c) a treatment identical with that of (b), except that S emitted overt responses during the interpolated phase. Differences in the conditioning procedures failed in generalization testing to differentiate the control group, which received only the initial training phase and was then tested, from an experimental group which was presented with the additional stimuli of the interpolated phase and reinforced after each stimulus, without overt responding. The third group of Ss, who were given the additional stimuli of the interpolated phase and reinforced after each overt response, yielded a similar generalization gradient which was, however, shifted toward higher intensities. The shift was attributed to a response bias produced by the response-independent reinforcement during the interpolated phase.
The Effectiveness of an Interactive Warning in a Realistic Product-Use Situation:

Warning labels are widely used to convey information about the safe use of products. In an attempt to design better warnings, researchers are exploring factors that influence their effectiveness. O...
Measurement of temperature in a margin of Ice Stream B, Antarctica : implications for margin migration and lateral drag

Ice temperature was measured in and around the chaotically crevassed south margin of Ice Stream B, Antarctica, from 1992 to 1994. The temperatures at 30 m depth in the chaotic zone are about 12 K lower than in the adjacent uncrevassed ice, due to the ponding of cold winter air. At depths greater than 150 m, there is clear evidence of internal heating of the ice due to the large shear deformation rate in the marginal zone. Analysis of the depth of cooling below the crevasses and of the internal heating gives two pieces of information. First, over the last half century the lateral shear stress averaged 2.0 x 10 5 Pa in the top third of the margin and, second, the margin moved outward at an average rate of 7.3 m a These values do not involve any assumptions about the flow law of ice. The uncertainties are roughly 20%. The value of lateral shear stress indicates that the most of the drag on the ice stream is along its sides.
Light Charged Particles and Fission Elements from Californium-252 Fission

Light charged particles (LCP) and fission elements formed in ternary fission of /sup 252/Cf have been investigated. The energy spectra of light particles, alphas, and protons were studied using a ..delta.. E X (E + ..delta.. E) particle-identifying telescope apparatus. A coincidence circuit was used in such a way that the K x rays from the ternary fission fragments were electronically gated by a designated LCP and then stored in a multichannel analyzer. The K x rays were analyzed using a high-resolution lithium-drifted silicon spectrometer, permitting accurate identification of the elements in the charge distribution of fission fragments. Experimental results indicate the influence of the odd-even effect and also of shape deformation of alpha-accompanied ternary fission.