cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An epidemiological model applied to planning and evaluation of local health department services

Utilizing epidemiological methods in the planning process, the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, focuses on community-based and patient-based standards. These standards are identified and applied in the evaluation of local health department programs.
CYANOPHYTE AND CYANELLE DNA: A SEARCH FOR THE ORIGINS OF PLASTIDS1

Cyanophyte-like prokaryotes are widely presumed to be the progenitors of eukaryote plastids. A few rare protistan species bearing cyanophyte-like cyanelles may represent intermediate stages in the evolution of true organelles. Cyanophyte DNA disposition in the cell, so far as is known from electron microscopy, seems uniform within the group and distinctly different from the several known arrangements of DNA in plastids. Therefore a survey of representative cyanophytes and protistan cyanelles was undertaken to determine whether forms reminiscent of plastids could be found. DNA-specific fluorochromes were utilized, along with epifluorescent microscopy, to study the DNA arrangement in situ in whole cells. Only the endospore (baeocyte)-forming Cyanophyta contained more than one, centrally located DNA skein per cell, and then only for the period just preceding visible baeocyte formation. Such forms might, with modification, presage the “scattered nucleoid” DNA disposition found in plastids of several groups, including Rhodophytes, Cryptophytes, Chlorophytes and higher plants. The DNA arrangement in cyanelles of two protists, Cyanophora and Glaucocystis, appear different from each other and possibly related to, respectively, the cyanophytes Gloeobacter and Synechococcus. Cyanelles of the third protist, Glaucosphaera, like the cells of the unique prokaryote Prochloron, appear to have multiple sites of DNA, somewhat similar to those of the “scattered nucleoid” line of plastid evolution. No obvious precursor of the “ring nucleoid” or other types of plastid DNA conformation was found.
Semiparametric Bayesian inference for phage display data.

We discuss inference for a human phage display experiment with three stages. The data are tripeptide counts by tissue and stage. The primary aim of the experiment is to identify ligands that bind with high affinity to a given tissue. We formalize the research question as inference about the monotonicity of mean counts over stages. The inference goal is then to identify a list of peptide-tissue pairs with significant increase over stages. We use a semi-parametric Dirichlet process mixture of Poisson model. The posterior distribution under this model allows the desired inference about the monotonicity of mean counts. However, the desired inference summary as a list of peptide-tissue pairs with significant increase involves a massive multiplicity problem. We consider two alternative approaches to address this multiplicity issue. First we propose an approach based on the control of the posterior expected false discovery rate. We notice that the implied solution ignores the relative size of the increase. This motivates a second approach based on a utility function that includes explicit weights for the size of the increase.
TRANSCENDING A PATRIARCHAL PAST: TEACHING THE HISTORY OF WOMEN IN SOCIOLOGY

The lives and ideas of early female sociologists are rarely documented in textbooks, classrooms, or historical accounts of the profession. This patriarchal legacy is rejected by an increasing number of contemporary sociologists. These more egalitarian professionals soon discover, however, that they have few resources in their sociological stock of knowledge to guide them in this new enterprise. This paper is a guide for teachers in a variety of courses who want to start filling these deep gaps in knowledge. Specific guidance is provided on reference works, autobiographies, and biographies that provide information on 10 early female founders of American sociology. Given these references and our capacity to innovate and recreate our social world, we have a sufficient stock of knowledge to change our sociological practice in the classroom.
The Ansa Effect in Permethylmolybdenocene Chemistry: A [Me2Si] Ansa Bridge Promotes Intermolecular C−H and C−C Bond Activation

Access to the [Me2Si] ansa-bridged permethylmolybdenocene system is provided by the synthesis of [Me2Si(C5Me4)2]MoCl2 from the reaction of MoCl5 with a mixture of [Me2Si(C5Me4)2]Li2 and NaBH4, followed by treatment with CHCl3. Comparison with the chemistry of the non-ansa Cp*2MoX2 system indicates that incorporation of the [Me2Si] ansa bridge promotes intermolecular C−H and C−C bond activation reactions.
Fenestrations as topographic markers of cleaved membrane faces.

Abstract In freeze-cleaved replicas of plasma membrane, fenestrations appear as papillae on the E face and as craters on the P face. In replicas of intracellular membranes, the appearance of fenestrae is reversed. This can be used as a marker for identification of the two faces of the cleaved membrane particularly in isolated fenestrated membranes.
Cost savings and economic considerations using home intravenous antibiotic therapy for cystic fibrosis patients.

Our Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Center made an effort to utilize home intravenous antibiotic therapy (HIVAT) as an alternative to continued hospitalization during a 1-year study. After thorough individual clinical and financial evaluation, 27 of 41 CF patients admitted for treatment, including antibiotic therapy, were selected for HIVAT to complete a 14- to 21-day treatment course (mean 15.1 days). The 27 patients (6–28 years old, mean 16 years) incurred a total of $698,587 in hospital charges and physician fees during 96 admissions. The average charge for 974 inpatient days was $717/day ($7,280 per admission). After an average of 10.2 days of inpatient care, the 27 patients underwent 79 courses of HIVAT for an additional 8 days; 21 additional HIVAT courses in six of these patients were initiated on an outpatient basis between frequent readmissions. The 811 days of HIVAT resulted in $85,027 total charges by two home care companies. The charges per day of HIVAT by one company were almost twice that of the other. The average daily cost of HIVAT was $108/day. If the HIVAT patients had remained hospitalized to complete the course of intravenous antibiotic therapy, the projected inpatient costs would have been $589,271. Therefore, the 811 days of HIVAT over a 1-year period resulted in total estimated direct cost savings of $501,770. The average savings per course of HIVAT was $5,017, or $618/day. We concluded: 1) HIVAT was a safe, less expensive alternative to prolonged hospitalization with few complications; 2) the use of HIVAT at our center effected a 1-year estimated cost saving of $501,770; and 3) additional cost savings could have been realized by cost comparison between home health care companies offering comparable services.
Antigen binding of a mouse monoclonal IgG1 is inactivated by heating but not by freeze/thaw cycling.

Abstract A mouse monoclonal antibody in ascitic fluid or in purified form was subjected to heating or repeated freeze/thaw cycles. Heating the antibody at 80°C for 10 min completely destroyed its ability to bind to antigen. Unpurified antibody in ascitic fluid or purified antibody in buffer was frozen to -196°C in liquid nitrogen and then thawed at room temperature. Purified antibody was also slowly frozen at -4°C followed by thawing at room temperature. Regardless of the manner of freeze/thaw treatment or whether the antibody was purified or not, immunologic competence for its antigen was not lost. The results call into question the belief that freezing and thawing in all cases are necessarily deleterious to antibody structure and function.
Multistage classification and recognition that employs vector quantization coding and criteria extracted from nonorthogonal and preprocessed signal representations

Classification decision tree algorithms have recently been used in pattern-recognition problems. In this paper, we propose a self-designing system that uses the classification tree algorithms and that is capable of recognizing a large number of signals. Preprocessing techniques are used to make the recognition process more effective. A combination of the original, as well as the preprocessed, signals is projected into different transform domains. Enormous sets of criteria that characterize the signals can be developed from the signal representations in these domains. At each node of the classification tree, an appropriately selected criterion is optimized with respect to desirable performance features such as complexity and noise immunity. The criterion is then employed in conjunction with a vector quantizer to divide the signals presented at a particular node in that stage into two approximately equal groups. When the process is complete, each signal is represented by a unique composite binary word index, which corresponds to the signal path through the tree, from the input to one of the terminal nodes of the tree. Experimental results verify the excellent classification accuracy of this system. High performance is maintained for both noisy and corrupt data.
Non-negative solutions of ODEs

This paper discusses procedures for enforcing non-negativity in a range of codes for solving ordinary differential equations (ODEs). This codes implement both one-step and multistep methods, all of which use continuous extensions and have event finding capabilities. Examples are given.
Motivation and insight in wolf (Canis lupus) and Alaskan malamute (Canis familiaris): Visual discrimination learning

Hand-reared wolves performed better than Alaskan malamutes and maternally reared wolves on Wisconsin General Test Apparatus (WGTA) measures of oddity learning. Differences between the two groups of wolves are interpreted as motivational. Differences between the hand-reared wolves and the malamutes contradicted predictions that dogs should perform better than wolves on training tasks and suggested that the WGTA tasks are amenable to either trial-and-error (“associative”) solutions typical of training-task performance or complex cognitive (“insight”) solutions more typically observed in problem-solving performance. Accordingly, the hypotheses were tested that (1) insightful solutions produce more rapid acquisition than noninsightful (i.e., associative) solutions, and (2) wolf performance exhibits more insight than does malamute performance. Both hypotheses were confirmed.
Light, allelopathy, and post-mortem invasive impact on native forest understory species

Extended leaf phenology (early budbreak and/or delayed leaf drop) and allelopathy are potentially key invasion mechanisms in North American deciduous forests. Because extended phenology confers increased access to light energy and allelochemical production is energetically costly, these traits may interact synergistically to determine invader impact. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) exhibits both traits, and may also exploit high light in open habitats. We manipulated seasonal light availability to examine effects of light on garlic mustard’s growth, allelochemical production, and impact on native species. Invaded and not-invaded woodland microcosms were exposed to three light treatments: shading year-round (‘extended shade’), shading when the local tree canopy was closed (‘natural shade’), and ambient light year-round (‘no-shade’). Regardless of native presence, garlic mustard biomass was highest under natural shade and, due to apparent irradiation damage, lowest under no-shade. Similarly, growth and fruit production of garlic mustard monocultures were reduced in unshaded conditions. Consistent with these results, garlic mustard reduced the growth of native woodland forbs Blephilia hirsuta and Ageratina altissima most under natural shade, suggesting that extended leaf phenology mediates impact on these herbaceous species. However, garlic mustard growth did not predict reduction of whole-community biomass: invasion reduced native community growth most under no-shade, where invader biomass was lowest but allelochemical production was highest. This result may be driven by a ‘post-mortem’ pulse of allelochemicals from decaying garlic mustard tissue. We conclude that extended leaf phenology may mediate garlic mustard’s impact on some native species, and that light and allelopathy may interact to drive invasion.
An appraisal of groundwater quality in Seymour and Blaine aquifers in a major agro-ecological region in Texas, USA

Aquifer-based groundwater quality assessment offers critical insight into the major hydrochemical processes, and aids in making groundwater resources management decisions. The Texas Rolling Plains (TRP), spanning over 22 counties, is a major agro-ecological region in Texas from where highest groundwater nitrate (NO3 −) levels in the state have been reported. In this study, we present a comparative assessment of major hydrochemical facies pertaining to NO3 − contamination and a host of species such as sulfate (SO4 2−), chloride (Cl−), and total dissolved solids (TDS) in different water use classes in the Seymour and Blaine aquifers, underlying the TRP. Aquifer-stratified groundwater quality information from 1990 to 2010 was obtained from the Texas Water Development Board and aggregated over decadal scale. High groundwater salinization was found in the municipal water use class in the Blaine aquifer with about 100, 87 and 50 % of observations exceeding the secondary maximum contaminant level for TDS, SO4 2−, and Cl−, respectively in the 2000s (2000–2010). The NO3-contamination was more alarming in the Seymour aquifer with 82 and 61 % of observations, respectively, exceeding the maximum contaminant level (MCL) in the irrigation and municipal water use classes in the 2000s. Salinization was more influenced by SO4 2− and Cl− in the Blaine aquifer and by NO3 − in the Seymour aquifer. High NO3 − (>MCL) observations in the Seymour aquifer occurred in the Ca–HCO3 and Ca–Mg–HCO3 facies, the domains of fresh water recharge and anthropogenic influences (e.g., agricultural activities, waste disposal). High SO4 2−, Cl− and TDS observations in the Blaine aquifer dominated the Ca–Cl, Na–Cl, and mixed Ca(Mg)–SO4(Cl) facies indicating evaporite dissolution, mixing and solute exchange, and lack of fresh recharge.
Numerical modeling and uncertainty quantification of a bubbling fluidized bed with immersed horizontal tubes

Abstract Within the field of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), uncertainty quantification (UQ) is becoming increasingly important. Reporting simulation results without uncertainties can be misleading and potentially dangerous. In this paper we considered an isothermal, non-reacting bubbling fluidized bed with immersed horizontal tubes as a test problem for implementing a CFD UQ framework. While all CFD model input parameters have some inherent uncertainties associated with them, we focused only on those that have been demonstrated as important in previous studies and are difficult to quantify. These include coefficients of restitution, friction angles, packed bed void fractions, and drag models. Statistical UQ techniques, including sensitivity analysis and Bayesian calibration, were used to analyze the system. The sensitivity analysis results suggested that the friction angles for solid-solid interactions and drag models had significant effects on bubble frequency and phase fraction. From the calibration procedure, a statistical response surface model (emulator) was developed to explore the state-space of the model parameters. The resulting posterior distributions of the model parameters identified low friction angles for solid-solid interactions and the Wen-Yu correlation for the drag model as the optimal model input parameters and values (i.e., values that could have plausibly reproduced the experimental results). The remaining parameters were found to be non-influential. These results are currently being implemented in simulations of a bench-scale carbon capture system.
Surface preparation of Ti–3Al–2.5V alloy tubes for welding using a fiber laser

Abstract Ti–3Al–2.5V tubes are widely used in aircraft hydraulic systems. Meticulous surface preparation before welding is necessary to obtain a sound weld involving these alloy tubes. Conventionally this is done by cleaning with environmentally malign toxic chemicals, such as, hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid. This paper describes the laser-cleaning process of the surface of these tubes with a fiber laser as a preparation for pulsed gas tungsten arc welding and results obtained. A simple one-dimensional heat equation has been solved to evaluate the temperature profile of the irradiated surface. It is shown that surface preparation by laser cleaning can be an environmentally friendly alternative process by producing acceptable welds with laser-processed tubes.
Observation of an underlying relativistic effect in the valence bands of Pt

Abstract We have measured the photoelectron spin polarization emitted by unpolarized UV radiation from the valence-bands of the well ordered Pt(0 0 1)-(5 × 1) surface and the disordered surface destroyed by Ar ions bombardment. Almost identical spin polarizations have been observed in both cases. This observation suggests that the electron spin polarization in photoemission caused by unpolarized light is determined by a short-range order of atoms. This finding has an obvious implication that the electron spin polarization in photoemission caused by unpolarized light can be used to study the bulk electronic structure of the nonmagnetic materials.
Building design and operational choices that impact indoor exposures to outdoor particulate matter inside residences

Much of human exposure to particles of outdoor origin often occurs inside homes where we spend most of our time. This work (1) reviews existing literature on the important parameters governing the infiltration and persistence of particles of outdoor origin in residences, (2) re-analyzes portions of data from recent experimental investigations of submicron particle infiltration and central HVAC system operation in single-family homes, and (3) combines these data to highlight particularly stark differences in particle infiltration factors and human exposures to submicron particles of outdoor origin that are driven by building envelope design, filter choice, and HVAC system design and operation (with an additional focus on data from one low-energy home). Results reveal that envelope design and construction, HVAC filter selection, and HVAC system operation can lead to variations in infiltration factors for submicron particles ranging by a factor of 60 or more from the most protective homes to the least protec...
Breast cancer as a global health concern

Public health data indicate that the global burden of breast cancer in women, measured by incidence, mortality, and economic costs, is substantial and on the increase. Worldwide, it is estimated that more than one million women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and more than 410,000 will die from the disease. In low- and middle-income countries (LMCs), the infrastructure and resources for routine screening mammography are often unavailable. In such lower resource settings, breast cancers are commonly diagnosed at late stages, and women may receive inadequate treatment, pain relief, or palliative care. There have been an increasing number of global health initiatives to address breast cancer including efforts by Susan G. Komen for the Cure((c)), the Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and ongoing work by leading oncology societies in different parts of the world. To support such initiatives, and to provide a scientific evidence base for health policy and public health decision making, there is a need for further health services research and program evaluations. Cancer registries can be invaluable in ascertaining the magnitude of cancer disease burden and its distribution in these countries. Additional data are needed for various geographic areas to assess resources required, cost-effectiveness, and humane approaches for preventing or controlling breast cancer in low resource settings in developing countries.
Comparing portrayals of beauty in outdoor advertisements across six cultures: Bulgaria, Hong Kong, Japan, Poland, South Korea, and Turkey

This research expands scholarship on cross-cultural investigations by examining ideas of beauty through the lens of outdoor advertisements. Using a content analysis method, 293 images of women in outdoor advertisements from six different cultures, including Bulgaria, Hong Kong, Japan, Poland, South Korea, and Turkey, were reviewed through a framework of advertising and consumer culture, globalization, and theories of beauty. The findings revealed that differences across cultures exist and that beauty ideals are culture dependent.
The Photon Counting Histogram in Fluorescence Fluctuation Spectroscopy with Non-Ideal Photodetectors

Fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy utilizes the signal fluctuations of single molecules for studying biological processes. Information about the biological system is extracted from the raw data by statistical methods such as used in fluctuation correlation spectroscopy or photon counting histogram (PCH) analysis. Since detectors are never ideal, it is crucial to understand the influence of photodetectors on signal statistics to correctly interpret the experimental data. Here we focus on the effects of afterpulsing and detector dead-time on PCH statistics. We determine the dead-time and afterpulse probability for our detectors experimentally and show that afterpulsing can be neglected for most experiments. Dead-time effects on the PCH are concentration-dependent and become significant when more than one molecule is present in the excitation volume. We develop a new PCH theory that includes dead-time effects and verify it experimentally. Additionally, we derive a simple analytical expression that accurately predicts the effect of dead-time on the molecular brightness. Corrections for non-ideal detector effects extend the useful concentration range of PCH experiments and are crucial for the interpretation of titration and dilution experiments.
Beyond Renting and Owning: The Housing Accommodations of Low-Income Families

This mixed-methods study used structured, in-depth interviews to collect data that was analyzed quantitatively as well as qualitatively to explore the long-term housing patterns experienced by low-income families and the ways in which vouchers affect these patterns. Using a life-course theoretical framework and an event history approach, information on past housing, employment, and life circumstances was collected from 30 participants, 17 who had a voucher and 13 on the waiting list to receive one. The low-income families in the study moved frequently, through rental housing, homeless shelters, and living with family and friends. After receiving a voucher, families lived independently in rental housing and had greater housing stability. This research offers a framework for understanding the complex residential mobility patterns of low-income families, which includes the use of informal and formal housing assistance. The findings highlight the high level of housing insecurity experienced by low-income peop...
Expression and regulation of lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase in mouse embryo and uterus during the peri-implantation period.

Lanosterol 14α-demethylase (LDM) is expressed ubiquitously in all mammals and is important in cholesterol biosynthesis. However, whether LDM expression is involved in the interaction between uterus and embryo during implantation remains unknown. In the present study, the expression of LDM was investigated in mouse embryo and uterus during the peri-implantation period using confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry and western blot methods. Further, regulation of LDM expression was investigated in pseudopregnancy, delayed implantation, artificial decidualisation and ovariectomisation using 17β-oestradiol and progesterone treatment mouse models. The results showed that LDM was selectively expressed in preimplantation embryos and the uterine subluminal stroma surrounding the implanting blastocyst on Day 5 of pregnancy. No corresponding signal was detected in the uterus on Day 5 of pseudopregnancy. Most notably, once delayed implantation was terminated by oestrogen treatment and the embryo implanted, a high level of LDM expression was induced in the subluminal stroma surrounding the implanting blastocyst, whereas no corresponding signal was detected in the delayed implantation uterus. A high level of LDM expression was observed in the uterus decidua on Days 6–8 of pregnancy. Furthermore, LDM expression was induced in the uterine stroma under artificial decidualisation. Oestrogen, but not progesterone, treatment induced a high level of LDM expression in the uterus of ovariectomised mice. These results indicate that LDM is closely related to mouse embryo implantation and can be upregulated by oestrogen.
Steady state stresses induced in a transversely isotropic elastic solid by a moving dislocation

An unbounded, transversely isotropic, elastic solid, is subjected to a dislocation moving at constant speed. By means of an appropriate coordinate transformation, the transient version of this problem is used to obtain the steady state solution. The solution for the plane stress field is explicit and valid for dislocation speeds which are sub-, tran-, or super-sonic with respect to the material wave speeds. The previously discovered transonic speed at which the Mach head wave was annihilated for the transient problem, is found to be present in the steady state problem also.
Conditional CAPM using expected returns of Brazilian new market (corporate governance)

In the last decades, CAPM model has been of great interest in the scientific scene. Despite all the criticism, the improvement of the static CAPM, which has generated new dynamic models, provided investors with stronger guarantee through financial transactions. The CAPM and its static version were and are still very important in the financial scene. Nowadays, more sophisticated adaptations of the CAPM are found, which allow us to explain some matters in finance that had remained unqualified for a couple of times. Considering such discussion about the CAPM validity, this study aims to create a basis for reflection upon the conditional model, comparing it with the static one. In order to verify such facts, tests of conditional models are examined (with beta varying throughout the exercise), something uncommonly studied in the literature.
A continuous fluorimetric assay for tail-specific protease.

Abstract A continuous fluorimetric assay for tail-specific protease (Tsp) has been developed using a fluorescence donor/quencher system, in which 5-[(2-aminoethyl) amino]naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (EDANS) and 4-(4-dimethylaminophenylazo)benzoic acid (DABCYL) are attached to the N-terminus and the lysyl side chain of peptide AARAAK-(6-aminocaproyl) 2 -ENYALAA, respectively. Tsp-mediated cleavage of the Ala–Arg peptide bond separates the quencher, DABCYL, from the donor, EDANS, and results in a large increase in the fluorescent yield of EDANS (>50-fold). Using this sensitive assay, Escherichia coli tail-specific protease was shown to exhibit typical Michaelis–Menten kinetics with a k cat of 0.086 ± 0.002 s −1 , K M of 4.0 ± 0.3 μM, and k cat / K M of 2.2 × 10 4 M −1 s −1 . A control substrate, which only differs from the above substrate by having a charged residue (glutamate) at the C-terminus, showed drastically reduced activity to Tsp ( k cat / K M = 58 M −1 s −1 ). A peptide containing the C-terminal sequence of the substrate, GRGYALAA, was shown to be a competitive inhibitor of Tsp with a K I value of 31 μM. These results demonstrate the utility of this assay for the rapid assessment of Tsp activity.
Local cohesion and radical right support: The case of the Swiss People’s Party

Radical right parties have become effective electoral competitors in many parts of Western Europe yet failed to achieve success in others. Much recent scholarship seeks to understand variation in radical right support. Here, we argue that local social cohesion boosts these parties’ vote shares. We use Swiss census data at the municipal level to measure local cohesion, drawing on indicators of residents’ commuting patterns, linguistic similarities and home ownership. Regression analysis shows that social cohesion is a positive predictor of local level support for the Swiss People’s Party, but not for any other major party. Hierarchical logit models combining aggregate cohesion measures with survey data demonstrate this contextual effect on individuals’ vote choices.
Characterization of burn injuries using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

The accuracy rates of the clinical assessment techniques used in grading burn injuries remain significantly low for partial thickness burns. In this paper, we present experimental results from terahertz characterization of 2nd and 3rd degree burn wounds induced on a rat model. Reflection measurements were obtained from the surface of both burned and normal skin using pulsed terahertz spectroscopy. Signal processing techniques are described for interpretation of the acquired terahertz waveform and differentiation of burn wounds. Furthermore, the progression of burn injuries is shown by comparison between acute characterization and 72-hours survival studies. While the water content of healthy and desiccated skin has been considered as a source of terahertz signal contrast, it is demonstrated that other biological effects such as formation of post-burn interstitial edema as well as the density of the discrete scattering structures in the skin (such as hair follicles, sweat glands, etc.) play a significant role in the terahertz response of the burn wounds.
An Exploration of Buckling Modes and Deflection of a Fixed-Guided Beam

This paper explored the deflection and buckling of fixed-guided beams. It uses an analytical model for predicting the reaction forces, moments, and buckling modes of a fixed-guided beam undergoing large deflections. One of the strengths of the model is its ability to accurately predict buckling behavior and the buckled beam shape. The model for the bending behavior of the beam is found using elliptic integrals. A model for the axial deflection of the buckling beam is also developed based on the equations for stress and strain and the buckling profile of the beam calculated with the elliptic integral solution. These two models are combined to predict the performance of a beam undergoing large deflections including higher order buckling modes. The force vs. displacement predictions of the model are compared to the experimental force vs. deflection data of a bistable mechanism and a thermomechanical in-plane microactuator (TIM). The combined models show good agreement with the force vs. deflection data for each device. The paper’s main contributions include the addition of the axial buckling model to existing beam bending models, the exploration of the deflection domain of a fixed-guided beam, and the demonstration that nonlinear finite element models may incorrectly predict a beam’s buckling mode unless unrealistic constraints are placed on the beam.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Efficacy of reduced volume and reduced dose rate spray programmes in apple orchards

Abstract Four large-scale randomized block experiments in commercial apple orchards (cv. Cox) in Kent, Southern England, compared the efficacy of very-low-volume (VLV) spraying using Micron X1 spinning-disc nozzles at a volume rate of 50 l ha −1 with low-volume (LV) spraying using small-orifice hollow-cone hydraulic nozzles at a volume rate of 100 l ha −1 and conventional medium-volume (MV) spraying using standard hydraulic nozzles at a volume rate of 440–500 l ha −1 . A range of fungicides, insecticides and plant growth regulators and nutrients was used in a full season's spray programme in each experiment, the full and one-quarter of the manufacturer's recommended dose rate being investigated. Conventional MV spraying with full manufacturer's dose rates was the most liability effective merthod of applying the full range of crop protection chemicals, but VLV and LV spraying at the full dose rate were often as effective, or nearly as effective, and satisfactory for commercial purposes. Exceptions were control of blossoms wilt ( Sclerotinia laxa f. sp mali ) with sprays of vinclozolin, and extension growth cotrol with the plant growht regulator paclobutrazol where VLV spraying was significantly less effective than MV spraying. Reducing dose rate by 75% resulted in a significant, though small, reduction in efficacym and greatly reduced dose rates of calcium chloride application resulting from VLV (approximately one-tenth dose rate) and LV (approximately one-fifth dose rate) spraying at the same concentration as MV spraying were identified in raising the concentration of calcium in the fruits. Commercial success with greatly reduced dose and volume rates will require careful orchard monitoring for pests and diseases, coupled with a flexible management strategy of adjust choice of pesticide, frequency of application and dose and volume rate suit prevailing conditions.
Improvement of Power System Stability by Changes in the Network

Changes in the network such as connecting shunt- resistor brakes, disconnecting generators or load, and inserting series capacitors, each rapidly accomplished under suitable control, can counteract other sudden, undesired changes in the network (short circuits or accidental loss of loads or generators) which threaten the stability of interties. The countermeasures taken should match the disturbance with respect to location, amount, duration, and dependence on angular difference. Such measures can improve stability of interties more economically than can construction of additional circuits.
Glauber approximation for the excitation of hydrogenlike ions by structureless charged particles. I

A Glauber approximation to the scattering amplitude for the direct inelastic scattering of structureless charged particles by ion targets is derived and applied to inelastic scattering by hydrogenlike ions with arbitrary nuclear charge. The $1s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}nlm$ Glauber scattering amplitudes are evaluated in closed form as simple sums of Meijer $G$ functions. The asymptotic behavior of these amplitudes is examined for both large and small momentum transfers, and for the limit of infinitely large nuclear charge.
A quadratic time 2-approximation algorithm for block sorting

The block sorting problem is the problem of minimizing the number of steps to sort a list of distinct items, where a sublist of items which are already in sorted order, called a block, can be moved in one step. We give an approximation algorithm for the block sorting problem with an approximation ratio of 2 and run time O(n^2). The approximation algorithm is based on the related concept of block deletion. We show that finding an optimum block deletion sequence can be done in O(n^2) time, even though block sorting is known to be NP-hard. Block sorting has importance in connection with optical character recognition (OCR) and is related to transposition sorting in computational biology.
Surface roughness prediction in machining using Computational Intelligence

A study is presented to model surface roughness in turning using Genetic Programming (GP). The machining parameters, namely, the spindle speed, feed rate, depth of cut and the workpiece tool vibration amplitudes in three orthogonal directions have been used as inputs to model the workpiece surface roughness. The input parameters and the corresponding functional relationship are automatically selected using GP and maximising the modelling accuracy. The effects of different GP parameters on the prediction accuracy and training time are studied. The results of the GP-based approach are compared with other Computational Intelligence (CI) techniques like Artificial Neural Networks (ANN).
Effect of echocardiography-guided left ventricular lead placement for cardiac resynchronization therapy on mortality and risk of defibrillator therapy for ventricular arrhythmias in heart failure patients (from the Speckle Tracking Assisted Resynchronization Therapy for Electrode Region [STARTER] trial)

Echocardiography-guided left ventricular (LV) lead placement at the site of latest mechanical activation improves heart failure outcomes in patients receiving a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D). In this study, we test the hypothesis that a strategy of echocardiography-guided LV lead placement improves patient survival rate free from appropriate CRT-D therapy for ventricular arrhythmias. Patients enrolled in the prospective, randomized Speckle Tracking Assisted Resynchronization Therapy for Electrode Region trial and treated with a CRT-D device (108 with the echo-guided strategy and 75 with the routine strategy) were followed to the end point of death or first appropriate CRT-D therapy. Over a follow-up period of 3.7 ± 2.1 years, 62 patients (33%) died and 40 (22%) received appropriate CRT-D therapy. Compared with the routine group, patients in the echo-guided group had improved CRT-D therapy-free survival rate (hazard ratio = 0.64, 95% confidence interval = 0.42 to 0.98, p = 0.038). Patients randomized to the echo-guided LV lead placement were more likely to resynchronize their LV compared with the routine group (72% vs 48%, respectively, p = 0.006). Patients whose LV did resynchronize after CRT-D had improved therapy-free survival rate compared with those whose LV did not resynchronize (hazard ratio = 0.49, 95% confidence interval = 0.28 to 0.86, p = 0.012). In conclusion, a strategy of echo-guided LV lead placement improved the patient survival rate free from defibrillator therapy in CRT-D recipients.
Building keyboard accessible drag and drop

Drag and Drop (DnD) web design has been widely used by E-learning systems. However, it may take a lot of effort for web developers who have limited knowledge of web accessibility to build complex keyboard accessible DnD components. In this demo, we present our conceptual design of keyboard accessible DnD, and explain how web developers can leverage the design to implement their own pages. We further discuss how to extend this design to enable different DnD scenarios.
A comprehensive analysis of cardiac dose in balloon-based high-dose-rate brachytherapy for left-sided breast cancer.

Purpose: To investigate radiation dose to the heart in 60 patients with left-sided breast cancer who were treated with balloon-based high-dose-rate brachytherapy using MammoSite or Contura applicators. Methods and Materials: We studied 60 consecutive women with breast cancer who were treated with 34 Gy in 10 twice-daily fractions using MammoSite (n = 37) or Contura (n = 23) applicators. The whole heart and the left and right ventricles were retrospectively delineated, and dose–volume histograms were analyzed. Multiple dosimetrics were reported, such as mean dose (Dmean); relative volume receiving 1.7, 5, 10, and 20 Gy (V1.7, V5, V10, and V20, respectively); dose to 1 cc (D1cc); and maximum point dose (Dmax). Biologic metrics, biologically effective dose and generalized equivalent uniform dose were computed. The impact of lumpectomy cavity location on cardiac dose was investigated. Results: The average ± standard deviation of Dmean was 2.45 ± 0.94 Gy (range, 0.56–4.68) and 3.29 ± 1.28 Gy (range, 0.77–6.35) for the heart and the ventricles, respectively. The average whole heart V5 and V10 values were 10.2% and 1.3%, respectively, and the heart Dmax was >20 Gy in 7 of 60 (11.7%) patients and >25 Gy in 3 of 60 (5%) patients. No cardiac tissue received $30 Gy. The V1.7, V5, V10, V20, and Dmean values were all higher for the ventricles than for the whole heart. For balloons located in the upper inner quadrant of the breast, the average whole heart Dmean was highest. The Dmean, biologically effective dose, and generalized equivalent uniform dose values for heart and ventricles decreased with increasing minimal distance from the surface of the balloon. Conclusions: On the basis of these comprehensive cardiac dosimetric data, we recommend that cardiac dose be routinely reported and kept as low as possible in balloon-based high-dose-rate brachytherapy treatment planning for patients with left-sided breast cancer so the correlation with future cardiac toxicity data can be investigated. 2012 Elsevier Inc. Cardiac dose, Heart, High-dose-rate brachytherapy, Balloon, MammoSite, Contura.
Some effects of multiple OD interventions on burnout and work site features

An organization development effort using theory-driven interventions was undertaken with a human resources (HR) staff of 31 of a corporation, and this article notes how this effort reduced the HR staffs level of burnout and improved its group properties and turnover rates. Using an eight-phase model to estimate burnout level and 10 Work Environment Scales to describe the work setting, the authors gathered data over a two-year period, administering a survey five times. The level of burnout, initially high among the HR staff diminished and remained reduced for at least four months after the last planned intervention, although this improvement decayed somewhat following nine more months and a major reorganization. The improvements in group properties and the turnover rate, however, persisted and were even enhanced The authors find that personnel changes do not explain the improvements, and that the research design probably generated a conservative estimate of effects They caution, however, that this effort f...
Pain after breast surgery: a survey of 282 women

Breast surgery is a common procedure performed in women. Many women who undergo breast surgery suffer from ill-defined pain syndromes. Although there exists a few reports on the incidence of post mastectomy pain, there are no published reports on chronic pain after breast reconstruction. This investigation attempts to characterize the pain after four types of breast surgery: (1) mastectomy, (2) mastectomy with reconstruction, (3) cosmetic augmentation, and (4) breast reduction. A questionnaire was mailed to 479 women who underwent breast surgery at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center between January 1988 and December 1992. A second mailing was sent to women who did not respond to the first mailing. Women were divided into four groups; mastectomy, mastectomy with reconstruction, cosmetic augmentation, and breast reduction. In the mastectomy and mastectomy with reconstruction groups, only women who had a lumpectomy with axillary dissection, a modified radical mastectomy, or a radical mastectomy were used in the study. 59% of the women responded. The incidence of pain occurring at least one year after surgery in the mastectomy + reconstruction group (49%) was significantly higher than the mastectomy (31%) and breast reduction (22%) groups. Thirty-eight percent of the women with breast augmentation complained of pain. Women who had reconstruction using breast implants had a higher incidence of pain (53%) than those without (30%). The pain incidence in women who had reconstruction without implants was identical to women who had a mastectomy without reconstruction. There was no relationship between the use of silicone or saline implants and pain (22% and 33% respectively). However, the submuscular placement of the implants resulted in a significantly higher incidence of pain (50%) than the subglandular placement (21%). Of the women that reported pain, arm pain was significantly higher in the mastectomy and mastectomy + reconstruction group (56% and 42%, respectively) as compared to the breast reduction group (0%). Most patients reported intermittent pain in all groups. Of the women that reported pain, the mastectomy and mastectomy + reconstruction group had higher pain related to movement (41% and 42%, respectively) than the augmentation and breast reduction groups (15% and 9%, respectively). The peak pain intensity was significantly higher in the augmentation group as compared to the mastectomy group. Our incidence of post mastectomy pain is higher than most reports. The incidence of breast pain is highest in the mastectomy + reconstruction and augmentation groups which is assumed to be secondary to breast implants. Every effort should be made to achieve the best cosmetic result in breast reconstruction which in many cases justifies the use of breast implants. However, these women should be counseled on the possibility of developing chronic pain.
Two Proposed Holographic Numerical Optical Processors

Two numerical optical processor configurations are presented. Both systems are based on holographic recording (to form the processing element) and holographic reconstruction (to perform the numerical processing). In these systems, pairs or arrays of pairs of binary words are presented as the input. The output may be the addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or other operation on the pairs of words. There is one binary word answer for each pair of binary word inputs. Both numerical optical processor configurations use holographic wavefront addition and subtraction to construct Boolean logic operations. However, as contrasted with constructing arithmetic operations through multiple steps of combinational logic, a single-step truth-table look-up processor is devised. Numerical results are obtained with a single optical pass through the system. Both systems require only a limited part of the complete truth table to be recorded. The first system is based on the EXCLUSIVE OR operation performed holographically on binary arrays. The second system, more complex but more powerful, performs an operation that is equivalent to two levels of logic, a NAND and OR followed by another OR operation. For both the EXCLUSIVE OR numerical optical processor and the NAND-OR-OR numerical optical processor, the array sizes during recording and readout and the number of superposed recordings needed are presented and discussed.
Clothin as a Nonverbal Communicator of Social and Political Attitudes

This research analyzed the responses of 96 subjects on a questionnaire in which they indicated (1) their own attitudes toward social and political issues, (2) their perceptions of attitudes of probable wearers of clothing shown in stimulus photographs, and (3) their own responses to types of clothing shown in the photographs. The subjects represented two types of students attending a large midwestern university: “conservatives,” oriented to the established American culture, and “liberals,” oriented to a counterculture. Data from the two types of subjects were contrasted and compared with data from a random sample of all students. Findings indicated that clothing communicated social and political attitudes among both types of students, those oriented to the established culture and those oriented to the counterculture. In addition, all subjects tended to like and wear types of clothes that they perceived to be consistent with their own attitudes. However, subjects with attitudes oriented to the countercul ture indicated more liking for and more wearing of clothing that reflected their own attitudes than did subjects oriented to the established culture.