cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Certificate-of-Need State Laws and Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Many states in the United States have certificate-of-need (CON) programs designed to restrain health care costs and prevent overutilization of health care resources. The goal of this study was to characterize the associations between CON regulations and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by comparing states with and without CON programs. Methods Publicly available data were used to classify states in to CON or non-CON categories. The 100% Medicare Standard Analytical Files from 2005 through 2014 were then used to compare primary TKA procedure volumes, charges, reimbursements, and distribution of procedures based on facility volumes between the groups. Adverse events such as infection and emergency room visits after TKA were also evaluated. Results Although CON status was associated with lower per capita utilization of TKA, the annual incidence of TKA appears to have increased over time more rapidly in states with CON laws compared with non-CON states (overall increase of 5.6% vs 2.3%, P Conclusion CON programs appear to have influenced the delivery of care for TKA. Although our data suggest that these laws are associated with lower per capita utilization of TKA and the use of higher-volume facilities, we were unable to detect any strong evidence that CON regulations have been associated with improved quality of care or have limited growth in the utilization of this procedure over time. Confounding population and geographic factors may influence these findings and further study is needed to determine whether or not these programs have served their purpose and should be retained.
Boosting School Readiness: Should Preschool Teachers Target Skills or the Whole Child?

Abstract We use experimental data to estimate impacts on school readiness of different kinds of preschool curricula – a largely neglected preschool input and measure of preschool quality. We find that the widely-used “whole-child” curricula found in most Head Start and pre-K classrooms produced higher classroom process quality than did locally-developed curricula, but failed to improve children's school readiness. A curriculum focused on building mathematics skills increased both classroom math activities and children's math achievement relative to the whole-child curricula. Similarly, curricula focused on literacy skills increased literacy achievement relative to whole-child curricula, despite failing to boost measured classroom process quality.
Transformer radiators in offshore installations: Building the case for galvanized radiators

This paper provides in-depth review and discussion on the optimum way to increase the reliability of transformer radiators installed on corrosive environment. The discussion was sparked based on an actual case of deteriorated sixteen transformer radiators and further went in-depth to evaluate the best coating systems option in terms of cost and durability. The analysis concluded that hot dip galvanized (HDG) radiators are the durable and cost effective option and recommend to standardize the use of hot dip galvanized radiators in offshore corrosive environment.
Amrtā: Women and indian technologies of immortality

Les femmes sont-elles partie prenante des debats de l'Inde ancienne sur l'immortalite? Si oui, quels roles leur assigne t-on? Sont-elles des agents ou des instruments dans les techniques de l'immortalite? L'A. limite son analyse sur un temps qui s'etend du vedique moyen au vedique tardif, c'est-a-dire entre 700 et 300 avant notre ere. Dans l'ideologie de la renaissance, les femmes peuvent choisir de l'opportunite du mariage, controler leur sexualite, vivre independamment de l'autorite masculine, poursuivre un desir individuel et meme faire partie de l'elite religieuse
Manufacturing Process Quality Optimization Studies

Manufacturing processes seldom run perfectly. In attempts at improvement, these processes are continually "adjusted' by the mechanic, supervisor, and engineer; or more formally, they are "studied" from manufacturing, quality control, or e..
Evolution of the Carnivorous Adaptive Zone in South America

The role assumed by an animal group in a community is best understood when the structure of the community is viewed in historical perspective (MacArthur, 1972; Pianka, 1974). In many environments it is not physiological and behavioral limitations which guide a group’s evolutionary strategy, but the opportunity to exploit available adaptive zones, which because of the nature of the fauna, were vacated (Hecht, 1975:248). It is often assumed or implied that a particular systematic group can, in its adaptive radiation, fill all the available niches within a particular adaptive zone (Hecht, 1975:247). The type of analysis of a “taxocene” (Whittaker, 1972:218) which promotes these views has obvious shortcomings. It is now evident that mammals, for example, were unable to equally exploit and partition available adaptive zones on every continent. The failure of mammals to do this to a complete degree in Australia (see Hecht, 1975:247) and in South America (see below) has some historical basis in the development of the stratification of the vertebrate fauna.
Rapid Wideband RF Subsampling and Disambiguation Using Dual Combs

Using two electro-optic combs with an offset in the repetition rate, we disambiguate RF signals over 20 Nyquist bands. The setup doesn't require a pulse compression stage and can be readily integrated using existing technology. © 2019 The Author(s)
A Case of Lower Extremity Weakness with Foot Drop Following Intramedullary Nailing of a Pathologic Femoral Fracture.

A 62-year-old woman presented with a pathologic femoral fracture. She underwent bilateral femoral intramedullary nailing (IMN) fixation, and her postoperative course was complicated by worsening lower extremity weakness and foot drop. Lumbar imaging identified vertebral compression fractures with foraminal encroachment. The patient was thereafter started on a radiotherapy regimen and discharged home. Pathologic fractures most commonly occur in the proximal femur. In some patients, contralateral weakness suggests an additional fracture, though it may represent spinal involvement. This case explores multiple current treatment options for pathologic fractures of the femur and spine and suggests that prophylactic endoprostheses may have greater selective benefit than IMN fixation.
Microelevational Differences Affect Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) Sensitivity to Tropical Cyclone Precipitation: A Case Study Using LiDAR

Latewood ring widths of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) growing on Carolina bay sand rims on the coastal plains of North Carolina are effective recorders of tropical cycone precipitation (TCP). Longleaf pine are hypothesized to be effective recorders of TCP because of their extensive lateral root structure that is exposed to enhanced soil moisture when TCP events raise the water table to root level, but this hypothesis has not been empirically tested. In this study, we used a combination of North Carolina Phase 1 LiDAR and high-precision georeferenced data to investigate the relationship between radial tree growth, TCP, and microelevation. Our findings suggest that the strength of correlations between latewood ring widths and TCP are positively correlated (p < 0.05) with tree elevation on Carolina bay sand rims, resulting in greater sensistivity of trees at higher elevations. These findings suggest that in some environments, microelevational differences (<1 m) may significantly affect climate/radial growth relationships and the use of high-resolution LiDAR technology may be an effective tool for better understanding the role of microtopography on radial growth patterns.
Penalty-Free Any-Order Weak Galerkin FEMs for Elliptic Problems on Quadrilateral Meshes

This paper presents a family of weak Galerkin finite element methods for elliptic boundary value problems on convex quadrilateral meshes. These new methods use degree $$k \ge 0$$ polynomials separately in element interiors and on edges for approximating the primal variable. The discrete weak gradients of these shape functions are established in the local Arbogast–Correa $$AC_k $$ spaces. These discrete weak gradients are then used to approximate the classical gradient in the variational formulation. These new methods do not use any nonphysical penalty factor but produce optimal-order approximation to the primal variable, flux, normal flux, and divergence of flux. Moreover, these new solvers are locally conservative and offer continuous normal fluxes. Numerical experiments are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of this family of new methods.
Modeling the System Acquisition Using Deep Reinforcement Learning

The process of acquiring large-scale complex systems is usually characterized by cost and schedule overruns. We develop and evaluate a model of the acquisition process that accounts for the strategic behavior of different parties. Specifically, we cast our model in terms of government-funded projects and assume the following steps. First, the government publishes a request for bids. Then, private firms offer their proposals in a bidding process and the winner bidder enters in a contract with the government. The contract describes the system requirements and the corresponding monetary transfers for meeting them. The winner firm devotes effort to deliver a system that fulfills the requirements. This can be assumed as a game that the government plays with the bidder firms. The objective of this paper is to study how different parameters in the acquisition procedure affect the bidders' behaviors and therefore, the utility of the government. Using reinforcement learning, we seek to learn the optimal policies of involved actors in this game. In particular, we study how the requirements, contract types such as cost-plus and incentive-based contracts, number of bidders, problem complexity, etc., affect the acquisition procedure. Furthermore, we study the bidding strategy of the private firms and how the contract types affect their strategic behavior. Also, we study the effects of different contract types on the winner's optimal effort level necessary to meet the system requirements. We run exhaustive numerical simulations, which show that cost-plus contracts are particularly prone to strategic misrepresentation. This analysis can be expanded to help the government select procedures that achieve specific goals, such us minimizing cost overruns.
Linking thermophysical and rheological properties to the selection of CO2 foaming conditions of rubbery elastomers using the relative rigidity reduction path

Abstract Changes in rigidity and depression of the melting transitions of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate-co-carbon monoxide) in CO2 have been determined with High-Pressure Torsional Braid Analysis (HP-TBA). The results show that the ambient pressure melting temperature was reduced from 56 °C to 40 °C at 73 bar, and to 30 °C at 99 bar CO2 pressure. Foaming experiments were carried out at 30 and 40 °C at different pressure conditions along the rigidity reduction path. Foam densities in the range 0.20 g/cm3 were achievable at foaming temperatures of 30 and 40 °C, respectively. The present study shows that linking the relative rigidity or the melt strength of the polymer and the depressed melting temperature to CO2 exposure pressure allows for rational assessments of the lower saturation pressures that would still permit foaming at a given temperature, and the upper saturation pressures beyond which foaming would not significantly lower the foam density.
Adjusting the Comparable-Company Method for Tax Differences When Valuing Privately Held

Participants in the private equity market often use the share prices of publicly traded regular (or C) corporations as bench marks for valuing pass-through entities, such as S corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs). This paper analyzes the tax-related valuation adjustments that are required to account for the different tax status of C corporations and pass-throughs, which are not subject to corporate income taxation. I show that a pass-through entity has the same value in a tax-free corporate acquisition as an otherwise identical C corporation, but that the pass-through entity is more valuable in a taxable acquisition because of the available step-up tax elections. I also show that tax factors cause a minority interest in a pass-through entity to generally be more valuable than the same minority interest in a C corporation. I quantify the pass-through's tax-related valuation premium and show how this premium is related to the tax regime and to the firm's dividend policy.
Evaluation of Metabolic Monitoring and Diabetes Incidence in the First Year for Veterans Newly Started on an Atypical Antipsychotic.

Purpose This retrospective chart review is an evaluation of patient and health care provider adherence to a metabolic monitoring protocol as well as progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the first year after atypical antipsychotic initiation. Methods Patient (N = 1,651) data from February 2014 to February 2019 were collected from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Corporate Data Warehouse for 8 VA medical centers within Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 21. Collected data included patient demographic, laboratory results, and medication history. Results In the final cohort, 6% of patients were found to have progressed to T2DM. Adherence to appropriate metabolic monitoring was found to be overall suboptimal. Conclusions The findings of this project demonstrate that patients in VISN 21 who were previously antipsychotic-naive and nondiabetic may be at increased risk of progression to T2DM when compared with the general population. To effectively manage patient risk, health care providers and patients should improve adherence to metabolic monitoring.
Global changes to HepG2 cell metabolism in response to galactose treatment

Tumor cell proliferation requires sufficient metabolic flux through the pentose phosphate pathway to meet the demand for biosynthetic precursors and to increase protection against oxidative stress which in turn requires an upregulation of substrate flow through glycolysis. This metabolic poise is often coupled with a shift in ATP production from mitochondrial OXPHOS to substrate-level phosphorylation. Despite major advances that were facilitated by using tumor-derived cell lines in research areas spanning from membrane to cytoskeletal biology, this distorted metabolic profile limits their impact as a model in physiology and toxicology. Substitution of glucose with galactose in the cell culture medium has been demonstrated to shift ATP production from substrate-level phosphorylation to mitochondrial OXPHOS. This increase in oxygen utilization is coupled to a global metabolic reorganization with potential impacts on macromolecule biosynthesis and cellular redox homeostasis, but a comprehensive analysis on the effects of sugar substitution in tumor-derived cells is still missing. To address this gap in knowledge we performed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells adapted to either glucose or galactose as the aldohexose source. We observed a shift toward oxidative metabolism in all primary metabolic pathways at both transcriptomic and metabolomic levels. We also observed a decrease in nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD(P)) levels and subcellular NAD+-to-NADH ratios in cells cultured with galactose compared with glucose control cells. Our results suggest that galactose reduces both glycolytic and biosynthetic flux and restores a metabolic poise in HepG2 cells that closely reflects the metabolic state observed in primary hepatocytes.
Decision Support for Potato Growers using a Pest Monitoring Network

Pest monitoring networks form the foundation of many integrated pest management programs in agroecosystems throughout the world. These monitoring networks tend to focus on widely dispersed and highly variable insect pest populations that can cause significant crop loss without intervention. By assessing the distribution and abundance of insects over growing seasons, pest monitoring networks help growers anticipate problems and use proactive rather than reactive management tactics; this promotes timely decision making that usually leads to more effective and cost-efficient pest management. There are several key considerations for developing and operating a successful pest monitoring network: (1) they can be costly and require a regular funding source; (2) the monitoring methods must be appropriate for the pest and adequately distributed (spatially and temporally) to locate infestations; (3) the monitoring data must be provided through timely communications that can be easily accessed by growers or other decision makers; (4) monitoring results should be explained so they can be easily interpreted; and (5) communications should include recommendations for next steps, such as guidance in identifying and scouting for the pest, cultural management approaches, and appropriate use of chemical controls. In this paper, we relate our experiences operating an insect pest monitoring network in potato crops grown in the Columbia Basin of Washington in the United States. We discuss our efforts to fund the program, operate more effectively, and continually improve the content of our communications.
A Photoionization Reflectron Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometric Study on the Detection of Ethynamine (HCCNH 2 ) and 2H‐Azirine (c‐H 2 CCHN)

Ices of acetylene (C2 H2 ) and ammonia (NH3 ) were irradiated with energetic electrons to simulate interstellar ices processed by galactic cosmic rays in order to investigate the formation of C2 H3 N isomers. Supported by quantum chemical calculations, experiments detected product molecules as they sublime from the ices using photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI-ReTOF-MS). Isotopically-labeled ices confirmed the C2 H3 N assignments while photon energies of 8.81 eV, 9.80 eV, and 10.49 eV were utilized to discriminate isomers based on their known ionization energies. Results indicate the formation of ethynamine (HCCNH2 ) and 2H-azirine (c-H2 CCHN) in the irradiated C2 H2 :NH3 ices, and the energetics of their formation mechanisms are discussed. These findings suggest that these two isomers can form in interstellar ices and, upon sublimation during the hot core phase, could be detected using radio astronomy.
Psychiatric and Psychologic Issues in NTOS

People with chronic pain are more likely than those without to have concomitant problems with depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. Such problems can add to the negative impact of NTOS on quality of life and greatly complicate the clinical picture. Many patients find themselves in a vicious cycle of chronic pain, emotional distress, and physical and social dysfunction. The optimal treatment approach for these patients should thus be carried out within the interdisciplinary model of chronic pain management with mental health professionals fully involved. Psychotherapeutic treatment approaches have been developed and empirically demonstrated to improve mood, function, and overall quality of life in patients with chronic pain.
Always Connected: Technology Use Increases Technostress Among Public Managers:

Despite the growing use and adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in government, few studies investigate how ICTs impact the well-being of public managers in the workplace. ...
On problems associated with grid convergence of functionals

The current use of functionals to evaluate order-of-convergence of a numerical scheme can lead to incorrect values. The problem comes about because of interplay between the errors from the evaluation of the functional, e.g. quadrature error, and from the numerical scheme discretization. Alternative procedures for deducing the order property of a scheme are presented. The problems are studied within the context of the inviscid supersonic flow over a blunt body; however, the problems and solutions presented are not unique to this example.
Multi-scale Models for Decomposing Uncertainties in Load and Wind Power

In this chapter, we develop data-driven statistical representation of uncertain wind and load power in Azores island.
An argumentation-based approach to handling trust in distributed decision making

Our work aims to support decision making in situations where the source of the information on which decisions are based is of varying trustworthiness. Our approach uses formal argumentation to capture the relationships between such information sources and conclusions drawn from them. This allows the decision maker to explore how information from particular sources impacts the decisions they have to make. We describe the formal system that underlies our work, and a prototype implementation of that system, applied to a problem from military decision making.
A mutational analysis of the polypyrimidine tract of introns: Effects of sequence differences in pyrimidine tracts on splicing

Abstract The polypyrimidine (py) tract of introns is required for efficient spliceosome assembly and splicing of pre-mRNAs. A detailed mutational analysis of the py tract of an adenovirus 2 intron was carried out. Utilizing a "precursor in pieces" vector system, it was possible to synthesize py tract mutant pre-mRNAs that were otherwise identical. The mutant pre-mRNAs that were otherwise identical. The mutant pre-mRNAs were analyzed for in vitro splicing, for formation of splicing complexes, and for binding to proteins in the HeLa nuclear extract. Chimeric pre-mRNAs that contained the yeast branch point consensus sequence (UAC-UAAC) and altered py tracts were also analyzed. Mutational analysis showed the following. First, any mutation in the py tract that affected splicing did so by interferring with complex A formation in spliceosome assembly. Second, introduction of purines into the py tract is detrimental only if the length of the tract is shortened and if there is a reduction in the number of consecutive uracil residues. Third, uracil and cytosine do not have equivalent functions in the py tract. Our results with chimeric pre-mRNAs also show that a strong py tract can partially replace a weak branch point sequence and a strong branch point sequence can partially replace a weak py tract. Finally, the one surprising finding obtained when examining protein binding was that a mutant pre-mRNA did not bind to heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C proteins and yet spliced close to wild type level.
Centrality-is proficiency alignment and workgroup performance

Virtually all of the extensive previous research investigating the effect of information systems proficiency on performance has been conducted at the individual level. Little research has investigated the relationship between IS proficiency and performance at the group level. In this paper, we argue that IS proficiency at the group level may be more than the simple sum or average of the IS proficiency of individual group members. Rather, effective group-level IS proficiency may also be a function of how a group's IS proficiency is distributed across its members. Relying on concepts associated with social network analysis (SNA), we introduce the concept of centrality--IS proficiency alignment. We argue that groups will perform better if their more proficient members are highly central in the group's communication and workflows network. Data from 468 employees in 32 workgroups show that centrality--IS proficiency alignment is significantly and positively related to performance across multiple systems examined individually and with the portfolio of systems examined as a whole. This approach effectively integrates the structural and resource perspectives of SNA, providing a roadmap so that others may follow a similar approach to address broader questions of group-level user--system interactions in the IS literature and more general questions of central resource alignment in the broader organizational literature.
Collective properties of the odd-mass I nuclei: /sup 117,119,121/I

The high-spin states of /sup 117,119,121/I have been investigated by in-beam ..gamma..-ray spectroscopy via the /sup A/Sn(/sup 6/Li,3n)/sup A/+3I reactions to study the collective properties of the odd-mass I isotopes. A similar study of /sup 123,125,127/I is reported in the preceding paper. Two collective features have been observed: ..delta..J = 1 bands built on low-lying (9/2)/sup +/ proton-hole states and ..delta..J = 2 bands built on (11/2)/sup -/, (7/2)/sup +/, and (5/2)/sup +/ quasiproton states. The ..delta..J = 2 energy spacings for the (11/2)/sup -/ bands decrease significantly relative to those for the ground-state bands of the Te core nuclei as A decreases, but not for the (7/2)/sup +/ and (5/2)/sup +/ ..delta..J = 2 bands. This unexpected decrease can be explained in a generalized seniority scheme. The systematic properties of the ..delta..J = 2 bands for all of the odd-mass I isotopes are summarized. These collective properties are examined in terms of both the microscopic and phenomenological approaches. Pulsed-beam-..gamma.. measurements yielded mean lifetimes of tau = 17.5 +- 1.0, 41.5 +- 1.5, and 13.5 +- 0.5 ns for the (9/2)/sup +/ proton-hole states in /sup 117,119,121/I, respectively. These values imply hindrances of approx.10/sup 4/ relative to M1 Weisskopf estimatesmore » for the transitions to the (7/2)/sup +/ quasiproton states. A spin rotation measurement yielded a g factor for the (9/2)/sup +/ isomer in /sup 119/I of g = 1.21 +- 0.08. Another isomer with a mean life of tau = 13 +- 2 ..mu..s was observed at 2377 keV in /sup 121/I.« less
Nickel toxicity in growing chicks

Two experiments have been conducted with chicks to determine the effects of high levels of dietary nickel on growth and nutrient utilization. Dietary nickel was supplied as either the acetate of sulfate salt at levels up to 1300 ppm in a basal diet calculated to be adequate in all known nutrients. Growth of chicks to 4 weeks of age was significantly depressed at 700 ppm nickel and above. Metabolizable energy determinations on the respective experimental diets suggested an impairment in energy metabolism at the higher levels of dietary nickel. Fat retentions were not affected by nickel, but a marked reduction in nitrogen retention was obtained with the higher dietary levels of nickel. In a second experiment, 1100 ppm nickel were incorporated into a basal diet and control diets pair-fed to delineate the effects associated with feed consumption and nickel toxicity per se. No significant differences in growth rate were obtained with either 1100 ppm nickel as the sulfate or acetate in comparison with the pair-fed controls. Nitrogen retention values were depressed in birds fed 1100 ppm nickel. 12 references, 5 tables.
Parallel Direct Methods for Sparse Linear Systems

We present an overview of parallel direct methods for solving sparse systems of linear equations, focusing on symmetric positive definite systems. We examine the performance implications of the important differences between dense and sparse systems. Our main emphasis is on parallel implementation of the numerically intensive factorization process, but we also briefly consider other major components of direct methods, including parallel ordering.
Technology and Gender: Fabrics of Power in Late Imperial China

Technology and Gender: Fabrics of Power in Late Imperial China, Francesca Bray. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1997. 419 pp.
Human immune system mice immunized with Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein induce protective human humoral immunity against malaria

In this study, we developed human immune system (HIS) mice that possess functional human CD4+ T cells and B cells, named HIS-CD4/B mice. HIS-CD4/B mice were generated by first introducing HLA class II genes, including DR1 and DR4, along with genes encoding various human cytokines and human B cell activation factor (BAFF) to NSG mice by adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vectors, followed by engrafting human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). HIS-CD4/B mice, in which the reconstitution of human CD4+ T and B cells resembles to that of humans, produced a significant level of human IgG against Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite (PfCS) protein upon immunization. CD4+ T cells in HIS-CD4/B mice, which possess central and effector memory phenotypes like those in humans, are functional, since PfCS protein-specific human CD4+ T cells secreting IFN-γ and IL-2 were detected in immunized HIS-CD4/B mice. Lastly, PfCS protein-immunized HIS-CD4/B mice were protected from in vivo challenge with transgenic P. berghei sporozoites expressing the PfCS protein. The immune sera collected from protected HIS-CD4/B mice reacted against transgenic P. berghei sporozoites expressing the PfCS protein and also inhibited the parasite invasion into hepatocytes in vitro. Taken together, these studies show that our HIS-CD4/B mice could mount protective human anti-malaria immunity, consisting of human IgG and human CD4+ T cell responses both specific for a human malaria antigen.
Income Smoothing and Sophisticated Investor Preferences

This paper investigates whether sophisticated market participants, namely institutional investors and financial analysts, value smoothness in earnings. In particular, I investigate whether these market participants value smoothness in earnings differently depending on the source of such smoothness, i.e., depending on whether the income streams are naturally smooth versus whether they have been manipulated by firms to appear smooth using real or artificial smoothing techniques ('managed' income smoothing). Further, I examine whether the smoothing decisions made by firms are consistent with the preferences of institutional investors and analysts. The evidence indicates that analyst following is positively associated with natural smoothness in income, and both analyst following and institutional investment are negatively associated with managed smoothness in income. The results also indicate that income smoothing is less prevalent in firms with higher analyst following and institutional investment. I interpret the above evidence as indicative of managers' tendencies to smooth income less using real and artificial techniques, given that such activities are penalized by sophisticated market participants. The evidence presented here also signifies the importance of capital market considerations in managers' reporting decisions.
A multilevel transaction problem for multilevel secure database systems and its solution for the replicated architecture

A definition of multilevel transaction for multilevel secure databases is proposed, and a notion of correctness that is consistent with the traditional idea of correctness of replicated systems is defined. To demonstrate the applicability of these ideas, an algorithm for correct transaction processing within this framework is presented for replicated architecture multilevel databases. >
Instability of higher-difference initial-value theories.

Temporal discretization is developed as a means of studying the nonperturbative stability of nonlocal actions such as those of string theory and third-quantized gravity. An algorithm is derived for constructing the classical canonical Hamiltonian which generates the natural interpolation of continuous time evolution for Lagrangian higher-difference theories. Using this quantity we prove the analog of Ostrogradski's result for continuum higher derivatives: namely, that every nondegenerate, deterministic higher-difference theory is unstable. This result is nonperturbative and survives quantization. An explicit construction is given for the energy of a general quadratic Lagrangian with arbitrarily high differences.
Game-based Learning for Systems Engineering Concepts☆

Abstract Game-based learning has the potential to improve the education and performance of engineers and decision makers in the systems engineering field. This paper reviews the arguments for the use of educational gaming, with particular attention to the aspects of game-based learning that are well suited to tackling the complex sociotechnical systems engineering problems that currently are trusted only to experts with years of experience. It also describes the development of an educational game, Space Tug Skirmish, designed to be used as a teaching and research tool for systems engineering core concepts.
The extracellular matrix is a novel attribute of endothelial progenitors and of hypoxic mature endothelial cells

Extracellular matrix (ECM) production is critical to preserve the function and integrity of mature blood vessels. Toward the engineering of blood vessels, studies have centered on ECM production by supporting cells, whereas few studies implicate endothelial cells (ECs) with ECM synthesis. Here, we elucidate variations between cultured human arterial, venous, and progenitor ECs with respect to ECM deposition assembly, composition, and response to biomolecular and physiological factors. Our studies reveal that progenitor ECs, endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), deposit collagen IV, fibronectin, and laminin that assemble to an organized weblike structure, as confirmed by decellularized cultures. Mature ECs only express these ECM proteins intracellularly. ECFC-derived ECM is abrogated in response to TGFβ signaling inhibition and actin cytoskeleton disruption. Hypoxic (1%) and physiological (5%) O(2) tension stimulate ECM deposition from mature ECs. Interestingly, deposition of collagen I is observed only under 5% O(2) tension. ECM production from all ECs is found to be regulated by hypoxia-inducible factors 1α and 2α but differentially in the different cell lines. Collectively, we suggest that ECM deposition and assembly by ECs is dependent on maturation stage and oxygen supply and that these findings can be harnessed to advance engineered vascular therapeutics.
Effects of fluid inertia and viscoelasticity on squeeze film bearing forces at large vibration amplitudes

Abstract An approximate analytical solution is presented for squeeze film damper forces, which accounts for the effects of fluid inertia and viscoelasticity, in the short bearing case. An earlier “exact” solution for infinitesimal oscillation amplitudes is extended to finite amplitudes using the Rivlin-Ericksen second-order fluid. The governing equations are linearized using an Oseen-type approximation and the resulting partial differential equation is solved by approximating variable coefficient terms to obtain a periodic solution. Although the method is applicable for arbitrary periodic shaft motion, results are computed for the non-cavitating (2π) bearing, in which the shaft performs circular centered orbits. Large discrepancies from lubrication theory are found, particularly with regard to phase-shifting (cross-coupling) behavior between the forces and the imposed motion. Results are presented in terms of the Reynolds and Deborah numbers over ranges which are applicable to many practical lubrication problems.
An analogue of the Erdo¨s-Ko-Rado theorem for the distance-regular graphs of bilinear forms

Abstract An analogue of the Erdos-Ko-Rado theorem is proved for the distance-regular graphs H q ( k , n ) with k × n matrices over GF( q ) as vertex set and two matrices A and B adjacent if the rank of A − B is 1, where n ⩾ k + 1 and ( n , q ) ≠ ( k + 1, 2). As an easy corollary, we prove that H q ( k , n ) has no perfect e -codes, e ⩾ 1.
Development of zygotes in cultured mouse oviducts. I. The effect of varying oviductal conditions.

Mouse zygotes developed to the blastocyst stage within the explanted ampullar region of the oviduct maintained on a chemically defined medium. No differences were found in the ability of the explanted ampullae to maintain development of native or transferred ova. Ampullae explanted from either mated or unmated mice, 20–24 hours after the injection of HCG, were equally successful in maintaining development of zygotes. The removal of the cumulus cells did not affect the subsequent development of the zygote within the explanted ampulla. No differeces were found between the development of zygotes with and without the zona pellucida. Only the explanted ampullar region of the oviduct was able to support development. Zygotes degenerated when cultured within the explanted isthmus or anterior portion of the uterine horn.
Parametric study on the pyrolysis of manure and wood shavings

Abstract In this work, a response surface methodology (RSM) was used to study the effects of temperature (A), feed rate (B) and gas flow rate (C) on the liquid yield, char yield and pH of the biocrude oil. Box–Behnken design was chosen and a total number of 15 experimental runs including 3 center runs were generated for the pyrolysis of a mixture of 50 wt.% layer manure and 50 wt.% loblolly pine wood shavings in a 50 mm bubbling fluidized bed reactor. The operational variables were as follows: temperature (400–550 °C), nitrogen gas flow rate (12–24 L/min), and feed rate (160–480 g/h). A second-order regression models were used to predict the responses. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed with Minitab 16 software and the significant effect of the factors and their interaction effects were tested at 95% confidence interval. The biocrude yield was significantly influenced by temperature, feed rate and gas flow rate. Temperature was the only significant factor that influenced the char yield. Maximum biocrude yield (51.1 wt.%) was achieved at 475 °C with a feed rate of 480 g/h and a gas rate of 12 L/min. The lowest char yield (22.6 wt.%) was achieved at 550 °C, 320 g/h and 12 L/min and the biocrude had the highest pH (4.85) at 475 °C, 160 g/h and 24 L/min. The predictive models proposed agreed with the experimental values.
The Impact of Gestational Length on Human Milk Selenium Concentration and Glutathione Peroxidase Activity

Longitudinal changes in selenium (Se) and protein concentrations and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of milk collected from healthy mothers of term (n = 12), preterm (n = 10), and very preterm (n = 12) infants were assessed. All infants were size appropriate for gestational age. Milk samples representative of colostrum (d 3), transitional (d 7), and mature milk (d 21 and 42) were assayed. The content of Se in the colostrum secreted by mothers of preterm infants was significantly greater than the Se content of milk secreted by the same mothers at d 21 and 42 of lactation. Mothers of term and very preterm infants, however, produced colostrum with significantly higher levels of Se than milk produced at d 7 (p less than 0.05), d 21 (p less than 0.01), or d 42 (p less than 0.001). Significant differences between the protein concentrations measured in early lactation and in late lactation were evident in all maternal groups. Protein content did not differ significantly among groups at anytime during lactation. An age-related difference was detected in milk GSH-Px activities of mature milk (d 21). Mature milk produced by mothers of very preterm infants on d 21 of lactation contained significantly greater enzyme activity (p less than 0.05) than milk produced by mothers of term infants at the same stage of lactation. Activity of GSH-Px in milk from mothers of very preterm and preterm infants paralleled previously noted changes in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid content in human milk with the progression of lactation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A finite-difference algorithm for an inverse Sturm-Liouville problem

We study a method for approximating a potential q(x) in −y″ + q(x)y = λy y(0) = y (π) = 0 from finite spectral data. When the potential is symmetric, the data are the first M Dirichlet eigenvalues. In the general case, the first M terminal velocities are also specified. A centred finite-difference scheme reduces the inverse Sturm-Liouville problem to a matrix inverse eigenvalue problem. Our approach is motivated by the work of Paine, de Hoog and Anderssen, who investigated the discrepancy between continuous and matrix eigenvalues under finite differences. Our modified Newton scheme is based on choosing the number of interior mesh points in the discretization to be 2M. The modified Newton scheme is shown to be convergent for both the case of a symmetric and general potential. Some numerical experiments are given
Analysis of advanced gas foil bearings with piecewise linear elastic supports

Gas foil bearings (GFBs) rely on their underlying elastic foundation to support radial loads at high rotor speeds. The bump foil strip compliance determines the maximum load capacity with large rotor excursions, well in excess of the bearing nominal clearance. GFBs must be designed properly to permit their reliable (predictable) usage in aircraft engines and other heavy load applications since a too soft elastic foundation results in a bearing with limited load capacity. Configurations in practical use include a second bump strip layer or stop pins underneath the original bumps which become active above a certain load threshold. In these last configurations, the overall stiffness of the support structure has piecewise load versus deflection characteristics. Presently, a simple physical model for GFBs with a double bump strip layer follows. The analysis couples the Reynolds equation for the thin film flow of an ideal gas to the elastic supports deflections. An exact flow advection model is adopted to solve the partial differential equations for the zeroth- and first-order pressure fields, thus rendering the GFB load capacity and frequency-dependent rotordynamic force coefficients. Predictions show that heavily loaded GFBs comprising two bump layers in series and including stop pins prevent too large bump deflections which may induce permanent plastic deformations. The structural damping in a GFB with a two bump strip layer enhances the bearing direct damping force coefficients.
Introduction to This UXO Special Issue of JEEG

How many of you remember Jefferson Proving Ground (JPG), Indiana? That is where it, more or less, all began with unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection and discrimination. In the early 1990’s, the U.S. Army Environmental Center (AEC), Aberdeen, Maryland, was tasked by Congress to conduct a program to demonstrate and evaluate systems and technologies to detect, identify and remediate buried UXO. AEC selected JPG as a test site and assigned the Naval Explosives Ordnance Technology Division, Indian Head, Maryland, as technical lead in the program. Between 1994 and 1999, four demonstration phases (Phases I through IV) using various UXO detection technologies were held at two controlled test sites (40- and 80‐acres) where inert ordnance and debris were emplaced. Scoring during the first two Phases was based on a comparison of the demonstrators’ data to known target data.
Character, Origin, and Significance of Late Silurian Barrier Island--Fuyk Sandstone Member of Rondout Formation, Hudson Valley, Eastern New York State: ABSTRACT

The Rondout Formation of New York State records two transgressive episodes, each represented by 20 ft of section, and each having occurred on a basin-wide scale as determined through correlation with equivalent units in Pennsylvania and central New York. The initial rate of each transgression was sufficiently rapid to allow the development of subtidal carbonate environments. As the rate of transgression slowed, the relative rate of sedimentation increased, allowing shoreline intertidal and supratidal environments to prograde into the line of section. The second transgressive episode was characterized by the development of a quartz sandstone barrier island-dolomite lagoon complex near shore and a coral-stromatoporoid biostromal environment offshore. Preservation of the bar ier was effected by the intertidal and supratidal sediments deposited during the progradational phase of sedimentation. Geometrically, the sand body attains a thickness of 20 ft, a width of 0.5 mi, and scattered exposures occur through a length of 4 mi. Internally, the sand body can be subdivided into a basal biosparite calcarenite, grading upward into a well churn-burrowed, fragmental fossiliferous quartz sandstone, a thin-bedded cross-stratified and burrowed quartz sandstone, and a medium-bedded, cross-stratified quartz sandstone. Grain size, bedding thickness, skeletal content, and structures change both laterally and vertically. Paleocurrent data and the character of the sand body suggest that it developed through the southward longshore transport of sediment derived from both terrigenous and offshore-marine sources. Recognition of the constructional and preservational history of the Fuyk Member has contributed to an understanding of the relation of this and other less well-preserved sandstone bodies (deposited during the same time interval in Pennsylvania and New York) to associated carbonate sediments and to the transgressions in general. End_of_Article - Last_Page 530------------
Implementing Cooperative Learning with Mildly Handicapped Students in Regular Classrooms.

THE LITERATURE on cooperative learning suggests it can benefit mildly handicapped and nonhandicapped students academically, socially, and emotionally. This article emphasizes the cooperative learning approaches of Johnson and Johnson, Slavin, and other closely related practitioners. It discusses salient research on cooperative learning, shows how it can help meet student needs in heterogeneous classes, addresses how to overcome potential problems, and offers implementation guidelines. It also provides a framework for initiating cooperative learning in ways that reduce or eliminate resistance.
MicroRNA-142 Reduces Monoamine Oxidase A Expression and Activity in Neuronal Cells by Downregulating SIRT1

Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRs) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders. In HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), miR-142 was found to be upregulated in neurons and myeloid cells in the brain. We investigated the downstream effects of chronic miR-142 upregulation in neuronal cells by comparing gene expression in stable clones of the human neuroblastoma cell line BE(2)M17 expressing miR-142 to controls. Microarray analysis revealed that miR-142 expression led to a reduction in monoamine oxidase (MAO) A mRNA, which was validated by qRT-PCR. In addition to the mRNA, the MAOA protein level and enzyme activity were also reduced. Examination of primary human neurons revealed that miR-142 expression indeed resulted in a downregulation of MAOA protein level. Although MAOA is not a direct target of miR-142, SIRT1, a key transcriptional upregulator of MAOA is, thus miR-142 downregulation of MAOA expression is indirect. MiR-142 induced decrease in MAOA expression and activity may contribute to the changes in dopaminergic neurotransmission reported in HAND.
Vocal cord abnormalities in Williams syndrome: a further manifestation of elastin deficiency.

Williams syndrome (WS) is due to a deletion in the WS critical region at 7q11.23 which includes the elastin gene (ELN). One of the most characteristic features of this disorder is a harsh, brassy, or hoarse voice but the etiology of the vocal characteristics are unknown. We report two patients with WS who had bilateral vocal cord abnormalities, bringing to four the number of children with WS in whom such defects have been documented. We suggest that vocal cord abnormalities may be a far more common feature of WS than has been previously suspected, and that mild vocal cord dysfunction caused by abnormal vocal cord elastin may be the cause of the hoarse voice in this condition.