cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An example of error analysis in dynamic model validation

Determining the quality of a model is always troublesome for the model builder and/or user. Error analysis is a useful approach when modeling dynamic systems and when measurements or nominal trajectories are available from the physical system. Techniques of error analysis based upon measures of the error in both the time and frequency domains are discussed. Further, an approach to analyzing the propagation of errors based upon dynamic models of the error is presented. Time domain measures and error propagation analysis are demonstrated on a sixth-order river basin econometric model.
Simulation of mixing in the quick quench region of a rich burn-quick quench mix-lean burn combustor

A computer program was developed to study the mixing process in the quick quench region of a rich burn-quick quench mix-lean burn combustor. The computer program developed was based on the density-weighted, ensemble-averaged conservation equations of mass, momentum (full compressible Navier-Stokes), total energy, and species, closed by a k-epsilon turbulence model with wall functions. The combustion process was modeled by a two-step global reaction mechanism, and NO(x) formation was modeled by the Zeldovich mechanism. The formulation employed in the computer program and the essence of the numerical method of solution are described. Some results obtained for nonreacting and reacting flows with different main-flow to dilution-jet momentum flux ratios are also presented.
Documenting the Developmental Origins of Mild Mental Retardation

Evidence of the developmental origins (by age 18) of mild mental retardation (MMR) in adults is discussed. Multiple sources of evidence are reviewed and evaluated. The availability and uses of evidence from the developmental period are cited in the context of evaluations for Social Security income (SSI) eligibility and death penalty appeals due to MMR. The use of records from educational, social services, medical, and juvenile justice settings are cited in the context of specific cases. The convergent validity principle is described as a means to make decisions in the typical situation of ambiguous information.
Remote open-path sensing of nitrous oxide using chirped laser dispersion spectroscopy

A chirped laser dispersion spectroscopy system based on quantum cascade laser is presented. We demonstrate its application to remote open-path monitoring of atmospheric N 2 O.
Remembrance of weaning past: the seminal papers

The approach to ventilator weaning has changed considerably over the past 30 years. Change has resulted from research in three areas: pathophysiology, weaning-predictor testing, and weaning techniques. Physiology research illuminated the mechanisms of weaning failure. It also uncovered markers of weaning success. Through more reliable prediction, patients whose weaning would have been tedious in the 1970s are now weaned more rapidly. The weaning story offers several lessons in metascience: importance of creativity, the asking of heretical questions, serendipity, mental-set psychology, cross-fertilization, and the hazards of precocity. Weaning research also illustrates how Kuhnian normal (metoo) science dominates any field. Making the next quantum leap in weaning will depend on spending less time on normal science and more on the raising (and testing) of maverick ideas.
Researchers explore Arctic freshwater's role in ocean circulation

A critical, but insufficiently understood, component of global change is the influence of Arctic freshwater input on water mass exchange between the Arctic Ocean and Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Four of the Earth's 10 largest river systems, the Mackenzie, Ob,Yenisei, and Lena, contribute water to the Arctic shore (Figure 1) from a vast watershed that drains continental interiors. This river discharge flows into the world's largest contiguous continental shelf and supplies over 50% (1823 km3 ) of the riverine input to the Arctic Ocean.
Reproductive and developmental toxicity of inhaled 2,3-dichloro-1,3-butadiene in rats

Inhalation developmental and reproductive toxicity studies were conducted with 2,3-dichloro-1,3-butadiene (DCBD), a monomer used in the production of synthetic rubber. In the reproductive toxicity study, Crl:CD(SD)IGS BR rats (24/sex/group) were exposed whole body by inhalation to 0, 1, 5, or 50 ppm DCBD (6 h/day) for approximately 10-11 weeks total, through premating (8 weeks; 5 days/week), cohabitation of mating pairs (up to 2 weeks, 7 days/week), post-cohabitation for males (approximately 7 days) and from conception to implantation (gestation days 0-7 [GD 0-7]), followed by a recovery period (GD 8-21) for presumed pregnant females. Estrous cyclicity was evaluated during premating (last 3 weeks) and cohabitation. Reproductive organs and potential target organs, sperm parameters, and GD 21 fetuses (viability, weight, external alterations) were evaluated. In the developmental study, pregnant Crl:CD(SD)IGS BR rats (22/group) were exposed whole body by inhalation to 0, 1, 10, or 50 ppm DCBD (6 h/day) on GD 6-20; dams were necropsied on GD 21 (gross post-mortem only) and fetuses were evaluated (viability, weight, and external, visceral and skeletal exams). During the in-life portion of the studies, body weight, food consumption, and clinical observation data were collected. At 50 ppm, gasping and labored breathing occurred in both studies during the first few exposures; body weight and food consumption parameters were affected in parental animals from both studies, but were more severely affected in the developmental study. Fetal weight was decreased in the developmental study at 50 ppm. Degeneration of the nasal olfactory epithelium was observed in the reproduction study at 50 ppm. There were no effects on reproductive function, embryo-fetal viability, or increases in fetal structural alterations in either study. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for reproductive toxicity was 50 ppm. The NOAEL for systemic toxicity in the reproduction study was 5 ppm based on adverse effects on body weight and food consumption parameters and nasal olfactory epithelial toxicity at 50 ppm in parental rats. The NOAEL for maternal and developmental toxicity was 10 ppm based on reduced maternal weight gain and food consumption and reduced fetal weight at 50 ppm in the developmental toxicity study.
Methods for the study of leaf anatomy in palms.

Large size, hardness, combinations of thick-walled fibers and sclereids with thin-walled parenchyma cells, and the occurrence of silica, calcium oxalate, and tannins make anatomical preparations of palm leaves difficult. Samples for anatomical study should encompass one-half a pinna or a comparable portion from palmate and entire leaves including the midrib, all large ribs, and the margin. Similar pieces from herbarium specimens are reconstituted in glycerin alcohol, aerosol OT and distilled water (10:3:90). All samples are fixed in formol-acetic-alcohol (FAA) but stored in glycerin alcohol to minimize hardening. Transverse and longitudinal sections IS microns thick, epidermal macerations, and pieces for clearing and for scanning electron microscopy are prepared from the FAA fixed material. Samples for electroscanning are gradually changed to 100% acetone, critical point dried with CO2, and coated with 100–300 angstroms of gold. Leaf material for microtomy is treated with hydrofluoric acid, embedded in Pa...
Adaptive dose finding for phase I clinical trials of drugs used for chemotherapy of cancer.

Phase I clinical trials of cancer chemotherapy drugs are intended to determine the maximum tolerable dose (MTD). Thestandard method employed is a rule-based dose-escalation scheme in which escalation depends on the number of patients at a dose level that have dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). The MTD is thus defined in terms of the rules and a series of dose levels selected for sampling. For some trials it is desirable to have a more precise definition of the MTD, and to determine the MTD more accurately than possible with the rule-based schemes. Continuous reassessment methods (CRMs) define the MTD to be the dose at which a fixed fraction of patients experience DLT, and thus appear suited to these trials. It is shown, however, that these methods can have failure modes that in fact make them unattractive. An alternative data-driven dose-finding method is described that combines the robustness of the rule-based methods and with features of CRMs. The method has two stages. In the first stage, doses are escalated by a factor of 1.5. In the second stage, which begins at the first instance of DLT, a two-parameter logistic dose-response model estimates the MTD from the DLT experience of all patients. The model is initialized by setting the dose (d10) at which 10 per cent of patients would experience DLT to half the dose at which the first DLT was observed, and the dose (d90) at which 90 per cent would experience DLT to ten times d10. Weights are assigned such that the information at d10 and d90 is equivalent to that of one patient at each of the two doses. Cohorts of three patients are treated in both stages, and the dose for a new cohort in the second stage is the estimated MTD. The only prior information required to specify the design completely is the dose which will be given to the first cohort. Two stopping rules are investigated; among the requirements for these are that at least three (or four) DLTs be observed and at least nine patients be treated in the second stage. Simulations show that a coefficient of variation of approximately 0.4 on a target DLT probability of 0.3 is obtained over a wide variation in dose-response characteristics of the study drug. The performance of the new method is compared to that of rule-based methods.
A study of the system water-phenol. Part I.—Densities

In order to throw further light on the conditions existing in a system of two partially miscible liquids, it was deemed of interest to measure some physical property of the solutions on both sides of the solubility curve, over the whole range of concentration, at a series of temperatures up to and above the critical solution temperature. The classical example water-phenol was chosen for study, and the densities of solutions of “phenol in water” and of “water in phenol” have been deter­mined every 10° from 20° to 70°. The densities of the conjugate solutions have also been measured at more frequent intervals near the critical solution temperature.
Is alcohol use associated with cavitary disease in tuberculosis

Background Alcohol mediates detrimental alterations in the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The association between quantity and frequency of alcohol use and the prevalence of cavitary disease in tuberculosis (TB) has not been analyzed. To investigate the relationship of alcohol use and the prevalence of cavitary disease in a 6-year population-based data set of individuals with TB. Methods We assessed quantity and frequency of alcohol use (daily alcohol use, years of alcohol use, and lifetime alcohol use) with a standardized questionnaire. The study group consisted of 1,250 patients analyzed for cavitary disease (HIV sero-negative subjects that were 18 years or older). Significant covariates for cavitary disease were entered into multiple logistic regression models. Results Although daily alcohol use, years of alcohol use, and alcohol use 30 days or 6 months before symptom onset were significant predictors of cavitary disease in univariate analysis, no independent associations were found between alcohol use and cavitary disease in the multivariate analysis. Only diabetes mellitus was independently associated with cavitary disease at any level or frequency of alcohol use. Conclusion Alcohol use is not independently associated with increased prevalence of cavitary disease in adult patients with TB.
LITERARY DISCUSSION WITH OLDER ADULTS: AN EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Adults in later years of life continue to have educational needs and concomitant abilities to learn. Most diversionary programs do not fulfill those needs. The purpose of this study was to examine participation by older adults in a literary discussion group. The program was conducted with a small group (N = 9) of adults in a retirement center. Subjects indicated their motivations for attending were to learn, not be entertained. Further, evidence was presented that provided insight into the unobtrusive design of research in similar settings, and into the group dynamics and facilitation techniques of discussion groups with older adults.
Glycan microarrays of fluorescently-tagged natural glycans

This review discusses the challenges facing research in 'functional glycomics' and the novel technologies that are being developed to advance the field. The structural complexity of glycans and glycoconjugates makes studies of both their structures and recognition difficult. However, these intricate structures can be captured from their natural sources, isolated and fluorescently-tagged for detailed structural analysis and for presentation on glycan microarrays for functional recognition by glycan-binding proteins. These advances in glycan preparation and manipulation enable the streamlining of functional glycomics studies and will help to propel the field forward in studying natural, biologically relevant glycans.
Practical rendezvous through modified circumcenter algorithms

We present modified nonlinear circumcenter algorithms to achieve "practical" rendezvous when agents take noisy measurements of their neighbors' positions. Assuming a uniform probability distribution of the noise in a disk about the true position, we analyze the algorithms in 1D. In particular, we provide a characterization of the practical stability ball via deterministic and stochastic analysis tools. The higher dimensional cases are discussed in simulation and we propose modified "parallel" circumcenter algorithms that can be used with guaranteed performance.
Effect of passive transfer status and vaccination with Escherichia coli (J5) on mortality in comingled dairy calves.

The effect of vaccination with a commercially available R-mutant coliform mastitis vaccine on the survival of comingled dairy calves on a farm with endemic salmonellosis was examined. A total of 864 calves were randomly assigned to either vaccine (n= 435) or control (n= 429) groups. Passive transfer status of each calf was determined using refractometer determination of serum total protein concentration. Logistic models were developed to determine the effects of vaccine group and passive transfer status on calf survival to 100 days of age. In a model in which serum protein concentration was treated as a categorical variable, increasing serum total protein concentrations were associated with decreased mortality until these concentrations exceeded 6.0 g/dL. Calves with serum protein concentrations > 6.0 g/dL had increased risk for mortality compared with calves with serum protein concentrations >5.5 g/dL but ≤6.0 g/dL. This increased risk for mortality was supported by the results of a logistic model in which serum protein concentration was treated as a continuous variable. The increased risks associated with high serum protein concentration probably reflect the effect of dehydration in calves with occult disease. Neither model demonstrated any significant association between vaccination status and survival to 100 days of age. Based on these results, the routine immunization of calves cannot be recommended as a strategy to prevent mortality on farms with endemic salmonellosis. Key words: Failure of passive transfer; Salmonella dublin; Salmonellosis; Vaccines.
The synthesis of amorphous NiTi alloy powders by mechanical alloying

Crystalline powders of Ni and Ti were mechanically alloyed by high-energy ball milling in an inert atmosphere at T < 240 K. The alloyed NixTi1−x powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. For 0.28 < x < 0.72, the powder is amorphous. This composition range is in good agreement with that deduced from a free energy diagram for the crystalline terminal solutions and the amorphous phase. Outside this regime, the powder is a two-phase mixture of an amorphous phase and the crystalline terminal solution of the major element. After ball milling, the solubility limit of Ti in FCC Ni is approximately 28%, which is significantly larger than that in annealed Ni. Atomic pair distribution functions, G(r), were calculated from the X-ray patterns for x = 0.32, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.7. For x = 0.4, the G(r) of the mechanically alloyed powder is almost identical with that of rapidly quenched amorphous Ni40Ti60. For Ni33Ti67, the crystallization temperature, the crystallization enthalpy, and the apparent activation energy for crystallization are 712 K, 0.74 kcal/g at., and 65.8 kcal/g at., respectively. These values are within 10% of those measured by Buschow for rapidly quenched Ni32Ti68. The amorphization by mechanical alloying is attributed to mechanical mixing and to a solid state interdiffusion reaction taking at or near clean boundaries between polycrystalline Ni and Ti.
Effects of Tripolyphosphate Dips on the Quality of Thermally Processed Mullet (Mugil cephalus)

The feasibility of thermally processing fresh and frozen mullet was investigated. The average time to reach a 12D process at 121°C (15 psi) was 54 min. Various pre-can tripolyphosphate treatments were used to improve final product quality. Most changes in Hunter color difference values due to treatment or to storage period were insignificant. Pretreatment with sodium tripolyphosphate (0.07-0.19% P2O5) significantly improved texture (p<0.005) of the canned product as measured by an Instron Texture Analyzer equipped with Kramer Shear Cell. Sensory panel texture scores correlated well with Instron shear values. Panelists could distinguish between treatments and treatment levels.
Polymer Dynamics and Gelation

In this talk we will review some of the recent advances in the study of the sol-gel transition, and in the dynamics of the sol clusters. The primary emphasis will be on the experimental literature, but theory will be discussed where it is needed to interpret the data. The first part of this lecture will focus on the kinetics of growth of the sol beneath the gel point, and on a few purely static issues, such as the fractal structure of the sol and the observation of a spatial correlation length in undiluted gels.
Effect of fluid medium density on ball mill torque, energy distribution and grinding kinetics

Abstract Dolomite was ground in a batch ball mill filled completely with fluids having densities ranging from nearly zero to almost 3000 kg/m 3 . The measured power draft was in good agreement with the torque-arm model for tumbling mills, modified to account for buoyancy effects on the grinding charge. The results show that in the case of three liquid fluids the grinding path remains invariant even though the energy input is throttled significantly with increase in fluid density. Extrapolation to a hypothetical fluid of density equal to that of the grinding charge permits an approximate breakdown of the energy consumption pattern in the mill. There is a threshold power level below which hardly any grinding takes place. It further appears that the overall rate of grinding is a linear function of mill power rather than directly proportional to power.
Indicators of wetland acidification and their relevance to environmental impact assessment

Developments in most tropical coastlines are often hampered by acidification, which occurs when sedimentary pyrites are disturbed during construction activities. Acidification causes vegetation die back, fish mortality, heavy metal pollution, corrosion of concrete, steel and other metallic structures. The aim of this study is to develop tools for predicting the likelihood of acidification occurring in advance prior to project implementation. The study found that acidification indicators including land forms, acidophilic bacteria, soil and water properties, mangrove vegetation, and hydrology and sedimentation pattern are useful tools for predicting acidification. The study concludes by providing keys for the identification of problem soils and recommended the mainstreaming of acidification related issues into the overall EIA process.
Multifocal and Multicentric Glioblastoma with Leptomeningeal Gliomatosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Glioblastoma (GBM) rarely presents as an infratentorial tumor in adults. The authors present a case of concomitant supratentorial and infratentorial GBM in an adult. A 72-year-old man presented with headache, nausea, vomiting, and lightheadedness. Initial MR images revealed enhancing masses in the right cerebellum and right posterior periventricular region. The patient underwent a suboccipital craniotomy and resection of the cerebellar lesion. Final histopathology was consistent with glioblastoma. The patient went on to receive standard radiation treatment for GBM with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide. However, the patient experienced clinical deterioration within a few days after starting radiotherapy. He and his family decided to forego treatment and pursue palliative care. The patient expired three months after the initial diagnosis. Autopsy findings supported the diagnosis of GBM with leptomeningeal gliomatosis and involvement of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and spinal cord. The authors review the literature and propose that the pathogenesis of multiple and multicentric GBM may involve neural stem cells within the subventricular zone or could result from tumor dissemination along established CNS routes, such as white matter tracts and CSF pathways.
The roles of family members, health care workers, and others in decision-making processes about genetic testing among individuals at risk for Huntington disease.

Purpose To understand how individuals at risk for Huntington disease view the roles of others, e.g., family members and health care workers, in decision making about genetic testing. Methods Twenty-one individuals (eight mutation-positive, four mutation-negative, and nine not tested) were interviewed for approximately 2 hours each. Results Interviewees illuminated several key aspects of the roles of family members and health care workers (in genetics and other fields) in decision making about testing that have been underexplored. Family members often felt strongly about whether an individual should get tested. Health care workers provided information and assistance with decision making and mental health referrals that were often helpful. Yet health care workers varied in knowledge and sensitivity regarding testing issues, and the quality of counseling and testing experiences can range widely. At times, health care workers without specialized knowledge of Huntington disease offered opinions of whether to test. Input from families and health care workers could also conflict with each other and with an individual's own preferences. Larger institutional and geographic contexts shaped decisions as well. Conclusion Decision-making theories applied to Huntington disease testing have frequently drawn on psychological models, yet the current data highlight the importance of social contexts and relationships in testing decisions. This report, the first to our knowledge to explore individuals' perceptions of social factors (particularly family and health care worker involvement) in Huntington disease testing decisions, has critical implications for practice, education, research, and policy.
Double Lip:Report of Case

Redundant labial mucosa with increased salivary gland tissue in the stroma corrected surgically.
Husbands' perspective of living with wives' ovarian cancer

Objectives: The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experience of ovarian cancer from the husband's perspective. Methods: Participants were recruited through a large Midwestern hospital and a state ovarian cancer advocacy organization. A one-time telephone interview was conducted with each participant. The interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed and analyzed for themes. Results: Eleven husbands were interviewed. Themes included the emotional devastation of the initial diagnosis, the ovarian cancer being a whole new focus/priority, changes to the marital relationship, his response influenced by her response, others sharing the burden of providing support and relying on other family members. Conclusion: Ovarian cancer presents unique challenges for husbands. Both positive and negative effects can result and can linger well past the diagnosis and treatment period. Social support, particularly from family members, may be especially helpful to husbands of women with ovarian cancer. Husbands experience multiple emotional, psychological, social effects from their experience with ovarian cancer. Addressing these effects in practice and future research is imperative. Research based on multidimensional frameworks or family theory using standardized instruments may further elucidate consequences of ovarian cancer on spouses and could evaluate predictors or positive and negative effects. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Marketing the archivist: The history of the Society of American archivists' Task Force on Archives and Society

SUMMARY The Society of American Archivists hosted its remarkable Task Force on Archives and Society during David B. Gracy II's 1983-1984 presidency. Charging itself to confirm the importance of the archivist to society, raise public awareness of archives, and improve the archival image, the task force fostered an era of substantial productivity in outreach, one of the tenets of the archival profession. The results of the primary accomplishment, nicknamed “The Levy Report,” a project divided into a Study Track and an Action Track, surprised the membership-at-large but became a tour de force within the profession. The Task Force on Archives and Society accomplished its goals. Articles published in the past twenty years attest to its influence on the history of the archival enterprise.
IS50-mediated inverse transposition: specificity and precision

Abstract The IS50 elements, which are present as inverted repeats in the kanamycin-resistance transposon, Tn5, can move in unison carrying with them any interstitial DNA segment. In consequence, DNA molecules such as a λ :: Tn5 phage genome are composed of two overlapping transposons — the kan segment bracketed by IS50 elements (Tn5), and λ bracketed by IS50 elements. During direct transposition, mediated by IS50 “O” (outside) ends, the kan gene is moved and the λ vector is left behind. During inverse transposition, mediated by the “I” (inside) ends of the IS50 elements, the λ vector segment is moved and the kan gene is left behind. Direct transposition is several orders of magnitude more frequent than inverse transposition (Isberg and Syvanen, 1981; Sasakawa and Berg, 1982). We assessed the specificity and precision of the rare events mediated by pairs of I ends by mapping and sequencing independent inverse transpositions from a λ :: Tn5 phage into the amp and tet genes of plasmid pBR322. Using restriction analyses, 32 and 40 distinct sites of insertion were found among 46 and 72 independent inverse transpositions into the amp and tet genes, respectively. Eleven sites were used in two or more insertion events, and the two sites in tet used most frequently corresponded to major hotspots for the insertion of the Tn5 (by direct transposition). The sequences of 22 sites of inverse transposition (including each of the sites used more than once) were determined, in eleven cases by analyzing both pBR322-IS50 junctions, and in eleven others by sequencing one junction. The sequence of the “I” end of IS50 was preserved and 9-bp target sequence duplications were present in every case analyzed. GC pairs were found at each end of the target sequence duplication in ten of the eleven sites used more than once, and also in seven of the other eleven sites. Our data indicate that transposition mediated by pairs of “I” ends is similar in its specificity and precision to the more frequent transposition mediated by IS50 “O” ends.
Outer Membrane Monolayer Domains from Two-Dimensional Surface Scanning Resistance Measurements

Abstract Cellular plasma membranes have domains that are defined, in most cases, by cytoskeletal elements. The outer half of the bilayer may also contain domains that organize glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked proteins. To define outer membrane barriers, we measured the resistive force on membrane bound beads as they were scanned across the plasma membrane of HEPA-OVA cells with optical laser tweezers. Beads were bound by antibodies to fluorescein-phosphatidylethanolamine (Fl-PE) or to the class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC class I) Qa-2 (a GPI-anchored protein). Two-dimensional scans of resistive force showed both occasional, resistive barriers and a velocity-dependent, continuous resistance. At the lowest antibody concentration, which gave specific binding, the continuous friction coefficient of Qa-2 was consistent with that observed by single-particle tracking (SPT) of small gold particles. At high antibody concentrations, the friction coefficient was significantly higher but decreased with increasing temperature, addition of deoxycholic acid, or treatment with heparinase I. Barriers to lateral movement (>3 times the continuous resistance) were consistently observed. Elastic barriers (with elastic constants from 1 to 20pN/ μ m and sensitive to cytochalasin D) and small nonelastic barriers (
The hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting with eosinophilic mastitis.

• A case of the hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting with eosinophilic mastitis is described. The histopathology of the mastitis is illustrated and the patient's clinical course reported. ( Arch Intern Med 1985;145:564-565)
Adjuvant irradiation of gastrointestinal malignancies: impact on local control and tumor cure.

Abstract Radiation therapy has recently been used more frequently in the adjuvant treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies . A number of studies have shown a high local failure in patients with Stages B 2 and C rectal carcinomas and in Stages B 3 , C 2 and C 3 colon carcinomas . In rectal cancer, both randomized and non-randomized studies have demonstrated improved local control and survival with the use of adjuvant radiation. Randomized studies have not been performed in colon cancer, but preliminary data from MGH indicate improved local control and survival in some patient subsets with the use of local irradiation after resection. Both gastric and pancreatic cancer have a greater propensity to distant metastases. A review of failure patterns after resection has, nonetheless, shown a high incidence of local recurrence and small prospective randomized studies have recently demonstrated a survival advantage with the use of adjuvant irradiation.
Pushing the Limits of Dynamic Speckle Illumination Microscopy

Dynamic speckle illumination (DSI) microscopy is a widefield fluorescence imaging technique that provides depth discrimination even in scattering media. We discuss theoretical and practical results geared towards the optimization of this relatively new technique.
A method for reconstructing and locating atoms on the crystal lattice in three-dimensional atom probe data

Abstract The physical process of field evaporation introduces lateral aberrations in the ion trajectories toward an atom probe detector. In three-dimensional atom probes, these aberrations blur information describing the 3D atomic stacking in the material. This work reports progress that has been made using Fourier transform and pattern recognition techniques to reconstruct an original lattice structure from simulated atom probe data and to subsequently force atoms to the nearest lattice point. Usually Fourier transform techniques are used in image processing to separate image noise from periodic information not to actually shift features in the image. The present technique analyzes a 2D data set and determines the statistically best lattice parameters, lattice orientation, lattice position and site occupation with no free parameters in the analysis. A randomly oriented Gaussian blurring function is used to simulate trajectory aberrations. For 151 atoms originally on a square lattice, atom locating errors are less than 4% when the mean displacement is one quarter of the lattice parameter. The repositioning efficiency increases rapidly with increasing data set size and decreases rapidly with increasing aberration magnitude.
The structure of ribbon borides in a Ti-44Al-4Nb-4Zr-1B alloy

Abstract The structure of ribbon borides in an as-cast Ti–44Al–4Nb–4Zr–1B (at.%) alloy has been studied using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The ribbon borides have a laminar structure comprised of thin faceted flakes of borides interspersed with layers of ordered B2 matrix. The dominant phase in the boride flakes is TiB with the B f structure, containing a high density of planar faults on (010). Lattice images from these faults reveal that they correspond to nanoscale intergrowths with the C32 and D7 b structures. The B f flakes also contain thin embedded layers with the B27 structure lying on {110}B f . The orientation relationships between each of these phases have been identified. It is shown that these observations are consistent with the ribbon borides having formed as a sequence of eutectic phase mixtures in the liquid between primary β dendrites.
Assemblies of replication initiator protein on symmetric and asymmetric DNA sequences depend on multiple protein oligomerization surfaces.

The pi35.0 protein of plasmid R6K regulates transcription and replication by binding a DNA sequence motif (TGAGR) arranged either asymmetrically into 22 bp direct repeats (DRs) in the gamma origin, or symmetrically into inverted half-repeats (IRs) in the operator of its own gene, pir. The binding patterns of the two natural forms of the pi protein and their heterodimers revealed that the predominant species, pi35.0 (35.0 kDa), can bind to a single copy of the DR as either a monomer or a dimer while pi30.5 (30.5 kDa) binds only as a dimer. We demonstrate that only one subunit of a pi35.0 dimer makes specific contact with DNA. Electron microscopic (EM) analysis of the nucleoprotein complexes formed by pi35.0 and DNA fragments containing all seven DRs revealed coupled ("hand-cuffed") DNA molecules that are aligned in a parallel orientation. Antiparallel orientations of the DNA were not observed. Thus, hand-cuffing depends on a highly ordered oligomerization of pi35.0 in such structures. The pi protein (pi35.0, pi30.5) binds to an IR as a dimer or heterodimer but not as a monomer. Moreover, a single amino acid residue substitution, F200S (pir200), introduced into pi30.5 severely destabilizes dimers of this protein in solution and concomitantly prevents binding of this protein to the IR. This mutation also changes the stability of pi35.0 dimers but it does not change the ability of pi35.0 to bind IRs. To explain these observations we propose that the diverse interactions of pi variants with DNA are controlled by multiple surfaces for protein oligomerization.
INITIAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE TRANSURETHRAL SELF-DETACHABLE BALLOON SYSTEM FOR URINARY INCONTINENCE IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Purpose: A new endoscopic technique to treat urinary incontinence in children using a self-detachable balloon device was studied.Materials and Methods: The study includes 11 patients with a mean age of 14.6 years and all of whom had intrinsic sphincter deficiency due to myelomeningocele in 9, spinal artery bleed in 1 and cloacal exstrophy in 1. All patients were on clean intermittent catheterization preoperatively and postoperatively. Endoscopic balloon treatment was performed on an outpatient basis. A mean of 5 balloons (range 2 to 8) were placed per patient. All patients underwent formal urodynamic study preoperatively and at 6 weeks and 6 months following balloon placement.Results: Of the 9 patients without prior bladder neck surgery 7 had improvement in urodynamic parameters, including urethral pressure profile in all 7 and functional bladder capacity in 6, 4 were markedly improved clinically and 2 were dry. Two patients with prior bladder neck surgery were clinically unchanged following balloon place...
Effects of Aortic Regurgitation on Left Ventricular Performance Direct Determinations of Aortic Blood Flow Before and After Valve Replacement

The volume of regurgitant blood flow and its effects on the performance of the left ventricle were assessed at operation in 14 patients with varying degrees of aortic regurgitation. Instantaneous forward and regurgitant flows in the ascending aorta were measured with a sine-wave electromagnetic flowmeter simultaneously with left ventricular and aortic pressures. In eight patients who had aortic regurgitation without associated stenosis, 63 to 75% of the total forward stroke volume regurgitated during the succeeding diastole. The calculated regurgitant orifice areas ranged from 0.13 to 0.44 cm2/m2. After replacement of the aortic valve with a Starr-Edwards prosthesis, the absence of regurgitant flow was proved in every patient, and the records of aortic blood flow closely resembled those seen in patients with normal aortic valves. Net forward blood flow increased by an average of 60%, total left ventricular stroke volume fell 42%, and the mean aortic pressure rose 29%. The pressure work of the left ventric...
Cost and risk benefit in the management of clinical stage II nonseminomatous testicular tumors

Background. Two similarly effective treatment options exist for managing clinical low volume Stage II non-seminomatous germ cell testis tumors (NSGCT). Primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) (with immediate adjuvant chemotherapy or chemotherapy at relapse) and primary chemotherapy have resulted in similar survival rates in large series. Because the chance for cure is similar with either approach, the cost and morbidity of therapy should be considered important discriminating factors in deciding which option to pursue for an individual patient. The purpose of this study was to undertake a cost/benefit and risk/benefit analysis of these two options using data and costs from the Indiana University experience. Methods. The overall direct costs for 100 patients undergoing primary RPLND were compared with the total direct costs of 100 patients receiving primary chemotherapy for low volume Stage II disease, including the costs of adjuvant chemotherapy, salvage chemotherapy in relapsing patients, and routine follow-up for a 5-year period. In addition, the two treatment options were analyzed relative to survival, late relapse, acute and chronic toxicity, (including fertility), and perioperative morbidity. Results. In this analysis, the overall 5-year costs of RPLND were significantly less than the costs of primary chemotherapy. The two options did not differ significantly in terms of survival or quality of life. Patients receiving RPLND were found to have an advantage also in terms of fertility, toxicity, and late relapse. Conclusions. Treatment decisions for patients with clinical low volume Stage II NSGCT may be based on cost/benefit and risk/benefit considerations, including relative toxicity, long term cure rate, and individual patient preference. Patient compliance with follow-up, the specific expertise of the physicians, and the availability of specialized therapeutic care ultimately may influence such decisions.
A comparative analysis of agencies providing home health services.

This study analyzed hospital-based and community based home health care agencies by means of a small purposive comparative case analysis. The results revealed that hospital-based agencies were different from community-based agencies in terms of agency organization, management, personnel, revenues and expenditures. The voluntary community-based agencies examined were free-standing, single purpose agencies providing the lion's share of direct services to the home health care population. The hospital based agencies (and public community-based agencies) examined were components of larger organizational structures. Hospital-based agencies concentrate their activities on case finding, case management, and the coordination of patient services, as well as the direct provision of medical therapy and social services. The type of home health agency, community-based or hospital-based, of those examined has been found to define this agency's primary function. This also determined its personnel/staffing pattern and con...
Analysis of Detection Probability for the Acoustooptic Receiver

A numerical method is described for analyzing the performance of an acoustooptic receiver. The method provides output waveforms, probability density functions for samples of the output, and detection probabilities for output samples. The approach is general in that input pulse envelope shapes, pulse offset frequencies, and output rilter magnitude responses are arbitrary. The basic analysis is also independent of the shape of the optical beam and of the photodiode windows.
Portfolio optimization by minimizing conditional value-at-risk via nondifferentiable optimization

Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) is a portfolio evaluation function having appealing features such as sub-additivity and convexity. Although the CVaR function is nondifferentiable, scenario-based CVaR minimization problems can be reformulated as linear programs (LPs) that afford solutions via widely-used commercial softwares. However, finding solutions through LP formulations for problems having many financial instruments and a large number of price scenarios can be time-consuming as the dimension of the problem greatly increases. In this paper, we propose a two-phase approach that is suitable for solving CVaR minimization problems having a large number of price scenarios. In the first phase, conventional differentiable optimization techniques are used while circumventing nondifferentiable points, and in the second phase, we employ a theoretically convergent, variable target value nondifferentiable optimization technique. The resultant two-phase procedure guarantees infinite convergence to optimality. As an optional third phase, we additionally perform a switchover to a simplex solver starting with a crash basis obtained from the second phase when finite convergence to an exact optimum is desired. This three phase procedure substantially reduces the effort required in comparison with the direct use of a commercial stand-alone simplex solver (CPLEX 9.0). Moreover, the two-phase method provides highly-accurate near-optimal solutions with a significantly improved performance over the interior point barrier implementation of CPLEX 9.0 as well, especially when the number of scenarios is large. We also provide some benchmarking results on using an alternative popular proximal bundle nondifferentiable optimization technique.
Of Trophies and Pillars: Exploring the Terror Management Functions of Short-Term and Long-Term Relationship Partners

Prior terror management research shows that mortality salience (MS) motivates both self-esteem striving and worldview bolstering. The present research examined these processes in the context of dating preferences. It was hypothesized that in short-term romantic contexts, MS-induced self-esteem striving motivates interest in dating a physically attractive other, whereas in long-term romantic contexts, MS-induced motives for worldview validation heighten interest in dating a same-religion other. Study 1 showed that in a short-term dating context, MS increased preference for an attractive but religiously dissimilar person, whereas in a long-term dating context, MS increased preference for a religiously similar, less attractive person. Study 2 clarified that MS motivates preference for attractive short-term partners for their self-enhancing properties rather than their potential sexual availability. Study 3 supported the theorized processes, showing that under MS, self-esteem-relevant constructs became sponta...
Effect of Hamstring Flexibility on Hip and Lumbar Spine Joint Excursions During Forward-Reaching Tasks in Participants With and Without Low Back Pain

Abstract Johnson EN, Thomas JS. Effect of hamstring flexibility on hip and lumbar spine joint excursions during forward-reaching tasks in participants with and without low back pain. Objective To examine the correlation between hamstring flexibility and hip and lumbar spine joint excursions during standardized reaching and forward-bending tasks. Design Retrospective analysis of data obtained during 2 previous prospective studies that examined kinematics and kinetics during forward-reaching tasks in participants with and without low back pain (LBP). Setting The 2 previous studies were conducted in the Motor Control Lab at Ohio University and the Orthopaedic Ergonomics Laboratory at The Ohio State University. Participants Data from a total of 122 subjects from 2 previous studies: study 1: 86 subjects recovered from an episode of acute LBP (recovered) and study 2 (A.I. McCallum, unpublished data): 18 chronic LBP subjects and 18 healthy-matched controls (healthy). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Correlation values between hamstring flexibility as measured by straight leg raise (SLR) and amount of hip and lumbar spine joint excursions used during standardized reaching and forward-bending tasks. Results No significant correlation was found between hamstring flexibility and hip and lumbar joint excursions during forward-bending tasks in the LBP or recovered groups. The SLR had a significant negative correlation with lumbar spine excursions during reaching tasks to a low target in the healthy group (right SLR: P =.011, left SLR: P =.004). Conclusions Hamstring flexibility is not strongly related to the amount of lumbar flexion used to perform forward-reaching tasks in participants who have chronic LBP or who have recovered from LBP. More research needs to be conducted to examine the influence of hamstring flexibility on observed movement patterns to further evaluate the efficacy of flexibility training in the rehabilitation of patients with LBP.
High Humidity Storage of Some Vegetables

Abstract Storage tests at 0-1°C (32-34°F) with Brussels sprouts, celery, Chinese cabbage and leeks showed that at 98-100% relative humidity, decay in these commodities was generally less than at 90-95%. In addition, the markedly reduced moisture loss at the higher humidity level resulted in a crisper and greener product. Surface condensation at high relative humidity, where tested, did not increase decay, and further reduced weight loss and improved appearance. High humidity storage of celery in 3% oxygen with 5% carbon dioxide reduced decay and loss of color appreciably as compared to storage in air. Results showed that high humidity would increase storage life of these vegetables 1-2 weeks or longer.
Laser-guide-star systems for astronomical applications

With computational techniques developed in the investigation of high-energy laser-beam-control systems, a set of concise analytic models describing the essential properties of a laser-guide-star phase-conjugation system has been assembled. With the aid of these models an optimization strategy for mating adaptive optics to a 4-m-class optical telescope is evolved, and it is shown that such a system might be expected to improve the effective atmospheric seeing conditions by nearly a factor of 10 within the isoplanatic patch of the turbulence probe. For operation at visible wavelengths, a compensation system having ~300 actuators and a closed-loop bandwidth of 20 Hz is recommended. All the key hardware components have already been built and tested, with the exception of a suitable laser source for high-repetition-rate illumination of the Earth’s sodium layer.