cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The production and loss of char fines during fluidized bed combustion of a high volatile bituminous coal

A substantial fraction of the fixed carbon feed appears as char fines entrained in the flue gas from bubbling atmospheric pressure fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) of bituminous coal. Incomplete conversion of these fines usually represents the most significant combustibles loss from such a system. The production of the fines is thought to be a consequence of the removal of material, loss of integrity, and fragmentation associated with combustion of larger char particles. Both experimental and theoretical results suggest that there is a particular value of the porosity at which fragmentation occurs. The available data on bituminous coal char indicate that only about 30 to 50% burnout is needed to reach this critical porosity. The balance of the char goes to fine particles, which may be elutriated from a fluidized bed. The division of fixed carbon between burned char and fines is influenced by bed temperature, excess air, and superficial velocity only to the extent that the initial porosity and porosity at fragmentation depend upon these conditions. This concept was used as the basis of a model for carbon conversion in AFBC. The model was tested by comparson with bed carbon loads measured during combustion of Kentucky No. 9 coal in a 0.6×0.6 m bed. Comparison of predictions based on alternative approximations indicated there was relatively little combustion of char fines in the bed; most were carried unburned into the freeboard region. Total carbon conversion (fixed plus volatile) at the top of the bed was estimated to have been only 56±9%. Low carbon conversion is seen to be the consequence of char fines production by fragmentation during combustion of larger particles, the relatively short residence time of char fines in the bed, and low temperature. Combustion of fines in the freeboard must account for a significant fraction of the overall carbon conversion in an efficient unit. More attention should be given to freeboard residence time and temperature in designing for improved combustion efficiency.
Peritoneal wash contents used to predict mortality in a murine sepsis model.

Abstract Background Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) is considered the gold standard for inducing abdominal sepsis in mice. However, the model lacks source control, a component of sepsis management in humans. Using a CLP-excision model, we characterized peritoneal cytokines and cells and hypothesized these analyses would allow us to predict survival. Methods Fifty-eight mice were first subjected to CLP. Twenty hours later, the necrotic cecums were debrided, abdominal cavity lavaged, and intraperitoneal antibiotics administered. Peritoneal cytokines and leukocytes collected from the peritoneal lavage were analyzed. These immune parameters were used to generate receiver operator characteristic curves. In separate experiments, the accuracy of the model was verified with a survival cohort. Finally, we collected the peritoneal lavage and analyzed both serum and peritoneal cytokines, bacterial load, and leukocyte functionality. Results Peritoneal interleukin (IL)-6 levels and neutrophil CD11b intensity were observed to be significantly different in mice that lived versus those who died. In separate experiments, mice predicted to live (P-LIVE) had decreased bacterial loads, systemic IL-10, and neutrophil oxidative burst and increased peritoneal inflammatory monocyte numbers and phagocytosis. Conclusions This study couples a clinically relevant sepsis model with methodology to limit pathogen spread. Using surgical waste, stratification of the mice into groups P-LIVE and predicted to die was possible with a high degree of accuracy and specificity. In mice P-LIVE, increased inflammatory monocyte recruitment and phagocytosis were associated with decreased systemic IL-10 and bacterial loads.
Assessment of Objective Ambulation in Lower Extremity Sarcoma Patients with a Continuous Activity Monitor: Rationale and Validation

In addition to patient reported outcome measures, accelerometers may provide useful information on the outcome of sarcoma patients treated with limb salvage. The StepWatch (SW) Activity Monitor (SAM) is a two-dimensional accelerometer worn on the ankle that records an objective measure of walking performance. The purpose of this study was to validate the SW in a cross-sectional population of adult patients with lower extremity sarcoma treated with limb salvage. The main outcome was correlation of total steps with the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). In a sample of 29 patients, a mean of 12 days of SW data was collected per patient (range 6–16), with 2767 average total steps (S.D. 1867; range 406–7437). There was a moderate positive correlation between total steps and TESS . Patients with osseous tumors walked significantly less than those with soft tissue sarcoma (1882 versus 3715, ). This study supports the validity of the SAM as an activity monitor for the objective assessment of real world physical function in sarcoma patients.
Comment on estimating school efficiency

Abstract In a recent paper, Bifulco and Bretschneider [Econ. Edu. Rev. 20 (2001) 417] analyzed the performance of data envelopment analysis (DEA) and corrected ordinary least squares (COLS) using simulated data. The results were discouraging as both methods performed poorly even in cases when measurement error was assumed away. The authors concluded that current methods of evaluating school district performance are inadequate for performance-based school reform. As will be shown in this comment, the simulation performed was faulty due to inconsistency of the data generating process and the methods employed. After correcting for this inconsistency and re-estimating efficiency, the results are more consistent with the literature and more favorable to both approaches.
Multiple breakdown phenomena and modeling for non-uniform dielectric systems

We report a wide range of experimental observations of multiple breakdown (BD) phenomena in BEOL/FEOL/MOL dielectric systems with large variability (non-uniformity). Newly developed successive breakdown theory of time-dependent clustering model can well capture these multiple BD events with and without correlation. The understanding of these effects can potentially lead to much improved and realistic projection for future technology nodes.
The foster care system simulation: Evaluation of a training innovation

Although foster care is often spoken of as a system with many interactive facets, foster care personnel often carry out their specific roles with little understanding or consideration of the ultimate impact of that system. A simulation of public foster care service delivery designed to sensitize participants to these interactions is described. Evaluation of the simulation's accuracy in portrayal of actual service delivery and a study of the kinds of learning demonstrated by participants at three points (pretest, posttest, and follow-up) are reported. Participants found the simulation an attractive training method, indicated a greater appreciation of system-wide foster care problems, and reported changes in foster care thinking and work, but other indicators of learning were inconsistent.
Reaction of organolithium reagents with α-chlorovinyltrimethylsilanes

Abstract The reaction of (CH3)3SiC(Cl)=CRR′ (R = R′ = H; R = H, R′ = CH3; R = R′ = CH3; R = R′ = C6H5) with organolithium, reagents was examined. Alkenylsilanes of structure (CH3)3SiCHCH-alkyl were obtained from (CH3)3SiC(Cl)CH2 and alkyllithium reagents. Substrates with R or R′ ≠ H inhibited addition of the organolithium species to the double bond and led to products derived from chlorinelithium exchange (R = R′ = C6H5) or proton abstraction from an allylic methyl site (R = H, R′ = CH3; R = R′ = CH3).
Abiotic controls of potentially harmful algal blooms in Santa Monica Bay, California

Abstract Despite the increasing occurrence of harmful phytoplankton blooms along the North American west coast, records of phytoplankton populations and related environmental conditions are uncommon. In this study, twice monthly measurements in the upper 50 m are used to assess physico-chemical conditions contributing to the growth of potentially harmful bloom taxa over two annual cycles (2004–2005) in the Santa Monica Bay, California. Results were compared to the predictions of the Intaglio model [Smayda, T.J., Reynolds, C.S., 2001. Community assembly in marine phytoplankton: application of recent models to harmful dinoflagellate blooms. Journal of Plankton Research 23, 447–461.] of phytoplankton community assembly. Potentially harmful taxa were present in every surface sample and were numerically dominant during the largest observed blooms, contributing up to 92% of the total phytoplankton abundance >5 μm. Large interannual variation was observed in the dominant taxa and bloom seasonality; Pseudo-nitzschia sp. dominated blooms in early 2004 (February and April), whereas Prorocentrum micans and Lingulodinium polyedrum blooms occurred in May and September of 2005, respectively. The Pseudo-nitzschia sp. blooms were associated with elevated nitrate, dissolved silicon and phosphate concentrations throughout the euphotic zone; the first bloom followed a strong upwelling and the second occurred during the onset of seasonal stratification. In contrast, the blooms of P. micans were associated with highly stratified, low nutrient waters. Multivariate analysis supports the roles of temperature, mixed-layer depth and nutrient concentrations as primary controls of bloom growth, following the conceptual Intaglio model. The strong presence of potentially harmful bloom species in the Santa Monica Bay during this study appears unusual in comparison to limited studies over the last several decades.
Shallow Salinity Minima in the North Pacific

Abstract CTD/STD data from 24 cruises in the North Pacific are studied for their vertical salinity structure and compared to bottle observations. A triple-salinity minimum is found in two separated regions in the eastern North Pacific. In the first region, bounded by the northern edge of the subarctic frontal zone and the 34°N front between 160° and 150°W, a middle salinity minimum is found below the permanent pycnocline in the density range of 26.0 and 26.5 σθ. This middle minimum underlies Reid's shallow salinity minimum and overlies the North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW). In the second region, southeast of the first, a seasonal salinity minimum appears above the shallow salinity minimum at densities lower than 25.1 σθ. The shallow salinity minimum and the NPIW can be found throughout year, while the seasonal minimum only appears in summer and fall. The middle and shallow salinity minima, as well as the seasonal minimum, originate at the sea surface in the northeast Pacific. The properties at the m...
Exaptation and Flash Flood Escape in the Giant Water Bugs

Although behaviors may remain highly conserved through evolutionary time, the ecological functions they serve can undergo surprising transformations. We used phylogenetic, correlational, and experimental evidence to show how a >150-million year-old behavior, which originally evolved to facilitate migration, has been co-opted for flash flood escape in two distantly related giant water bug species (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae). Using behavioral experiments with simulated rainfall, we showed that species from flash-flooding as well as non-flash-flooding environments are capable of rainfall response behavior (RRB), the ability to use rainfall as a cue to abandon an aquatic habitat. The results suggest that, in addition to allowing individuals to escape flash floods, RRB is the proximate mechanism generating a well-established ecological pattern: The correlation between rainfall and migration to seasonal breeding habitats that has been documented in 13 species throughout the family. Placing RRB in phylogenetic context reveals that for several taxa the behavior is an exaptation (a trait evolved for one function but later co-opted for another) for escaping flash floods. For Lethocerus medius, rainfall response behavior is an addition exaptation because the behavior is used to initiate migration to seasonal rain pools (ancestral function) as well as for flash flood escape (co-opted function). In the distantly related Abedus herberti, rainfall response behavior is a transfer exaptation because it has been co-opted exclusively for flash flood escape and the ancestral function has been lost. These findings emphasize that a phylogenetic framework is needed to fully understand the origins and ecological significance of behaviors.
SU-FF-T-302: Investigation of the Effects of Approximations in Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery Planning

Purpose: GammaPlan, the planning software for Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, approximates many parameters to increase calculation speeds. These approximations can introduce dosimetric errors. We investigate the magnitude of these errors. Method and Materials: A planning algorithm was written to avoid the use of approximations. Skull scaling is accomplished through a simple edge detection algorithm on the imported images. Dose calculations are accomplished through the use of TMR measurements and beam profiles taken at various depths, and of all collimators. To measure the TMR of one beamlet, 200 of the 201 sources were plugged. A tungsten sphere was designed to provide additional attenuation of unwanted beamlets when taking film and ion chamber measurements in its center. Ion chamber measurements are obtained for various amounts of water‐equivalent ABS plastic for the 14 and 18 mm collimator. Additionally, Gafchromic film is placed between the pieces of plastic to obtain both PDD and TMR measurements of all collimators. The Gamma Knife calibration sphere was then modeled in both GammaPlan and our algorithm, and treatment times for isocenters placed throughout the sphere were calculated using both algorithms. Results: The 18 mm collimator TMR showed small deviations past 40 mm from the 0×0 curve used by GammaPlan, and differences up to 2% are seen at shallow depths. The 14 mm collimator showed similar behavior. Discrepancies of 3.8% on average (maximum 8.9%) were calculated for shots placed in various locations throughout the calibration sphere. Differences increased with the distance from the middle of the sphere and increasing gamma angle. Conclusion: We developed a robust Gamma Knife planning software, effectively reducing errors due to approximations. Our results agree with GammaPlan's calculated times. Skull scaling differences are the major source of the discrepancies between the two calculations.
Adapting Habitat Equivalency Analysis (HEA) to assess environmental loss and compensatory restoration following severe forest fires

Abstract Over the past few decades, there has been a substantial increase in the number of large, high-severity forest fires in the western United States. The habitat loss caused by these fires can have broad ecological and economic consequences. Federal courts have acknowledged the legitimacy of damages claims based on state laws and regulations for habitat and ecological service losses resulting from high-severity fires, with some claims placing higher economic value on ecosystem services than traditional forest products (e.g., timber). This has created a need to adapt or develop new tools for quantifying the value of lost ecosystem services in the absence of well-defined regulatory or other generally accepted guidance. Habitat Equivalency Analysis (HEA), borrowed from a common Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) approach for quantifying environmental harm and restoration, is a tool that has been used to quantify forest fire habitat damages. HEA involves determining a baseline for habitat services that would have occurred in the absence of the fire, and determining the lost services from the time of the incident until ecosystem functions have been recovered to baseline conditions. Depending on the habitat being evaluated, recovery may take a century or more for old growth forests. This paper reviews and identifies critical issues that may affect the estimate of lost services following high- severity fires, including potential approaches for dealing with uncertainty. Some items discussed can be addressed in the short-term while others represent research and tool development opportunities.
Evolution of airplane stability and control - A designer's viewpoint

IZZ Kn Nomenclature C, D, E = polynomial coefficients = wing span, ft = lift coefficient = variation of rolling moment coefficient with yaw rate, 1/rad = variation of rolling moment coefficient with sideslip angle, 1/rad = pitching moment coefficient = variation of pitching moment coefficient with angle of attack, 1/rad = variation of pitching moment coefficient with pitch rate, 1/rad = variation of pitching moment coefficient with elevator angle, 1/rad = variation of yawing moment coefficient with yaw rate, 1/rad = variation of yawing moment coefficient with sideslip angle, 1/rad = variation of side force coefficient with roll rate, 1/rad = variation of side force coefficient with sideslip angle, 1/rad = mean geometric chord, ft = aileron wheel force (cockpit), Ib = acceleration of gravity, ft/s = pitching moment of inertia, slug ft = yawing moment of inertia, slug ft = pitch rate feedback gain, rad/rad/s = roll angular acceleration per unit roll rate, rad/s/rad/s = roll angular acceleration per unit yaw rate, rad/s/rad/s = roll angular acceleration per unit sideslip angle, rad/s/rad = pitch angular acceleration per unit angle of attack, rad/s/rad Mq = pitch angular acceleration per unit pitch rate, « Cmqq,S?/2IyyU^\/i m = airplane mass, slugs Np yaw angular acceleration per unit sideslip angle, rad/s/rad P, p = roll rate (X axis), rad/s Q, q = pitch rate (Y axis), rad/s ql = dynamic pressure, Ib/ft R, r = yaw rate (Z axis), rad/s S =wing area, ft T = time constant, s £/, u = speed component along X axis, ft/s V, v = speed component along Y axis, ft/s v = side acceleration, ft/s W, w = speed component along Z axis, ft/s xac = aerodynamic center location as a fraction of mean geometric chord Yp = side acceleration per unit roll rate, ft/sVrad/s Yr = side acceleration per unit yaw rate, ft/s/rad/s •Yp =side acceleration per unit sideslip angle, ft/s/rad a = angle of attack, rad j8 = angle of sideslip, rad A = incremental value for what follows f = damping ratio 0, 6 = pitch attitude angle, rad 5 = control surface deflection, rad , = bank angle, rad ¥, = heading angle* rad ojn = undamped natural frequency, 1/s
Ecology of the family as a context for human development: research perspectives

This review collates and examines critically a theoretically convergent but widely dispersed body of research on the influence of external environments on the functioning of families as contexts of human development. Investigations falling within this expanding domain include studies of the interaction of genetics and environment in family processes; transitions and linkages between the family and other major settings influencing development, such as hospitals, day care, peer groups, school, social networks, the world of work (both for parents and children), and neighborhoods and communities; and public policies affecting families and children. A second major focus is on the patterning of environmental events and transitions over the life course as these affect and are affected by intrafamilial processes. Special emphasis is given to critical research gaps in knowledge and priorities for future investigation. The purpose of this article is to document and delineate promising lines of research on external influences that affect the capacity of families to foster the healthy development of their children. The focus differs from that of most studies of the family as a context of human development, because the majority have concentrated on intrafamilial processes of parent-child interaction, a fact that is reflected in Maccoby and Martin's (1983) recent authoritative review of research on family influences on development. By contrast, the focus of the present analysis can be described as "once removed." The research question becomes: How are intrafamilial processes affected by extrafamilial conditions? Paradigm Parameters In tracing the evolution of research models in developmental science, Bronfenbrenner and Crouter (1983) distinguished a series of progressively more sophisticated scientific paradigms for investigating the impact of environment on development. These paradigms provide a useful framework for ordering and analyzing studies bearing on the topic of this review. At the most general level, the research models vary simultaneously along two dimensions. As applied to the subject at hand, the first pertains
Evidence for recent coastal uplift near Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Geologic mapping along the Persian Gulf coast about 15 km north of Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, reveals a series of elevated beach deposits up to 2.8 m above sea level. Carbon-14 age-dating of shell materials from those beach deposits at an elevation of +2.8 m gives an age of 3812 ± 145 years B.P. Archeological evidence about 15 km south of Al Jubail shows that about 5000–6000 years ago relative sea level was about 4 m higher than present sea level. Uplift of the coast near Al Jubail of 5.0 m in the last 3812 ± 145 years and 9.3 m in the last 5000–6000 years is indicated considering Holocene sea-level data from Flint (1971). Considering the higher Holocene sea level of Clark (1977) uplift is estimated to have been at least 0.8 m in the last 3812 ± 145 years and 1.5 m in the last 5000–6000 years. The mechanism for uplift may be the uplift and warping along the extension of a NW-trending anticline near Bahrein that Kassler (1973) suggests has been rising in the last few thousand years.
Spin-dependent valence-band density of states of 3d ferromagnets

Abstract Spin-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (SRXPS) and high resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HRXPS) studies of the valence bands of ferromagnetic Fe, Co, Co66Fe4Ni1B14Si15 and Ni are reported. The SRXPS and HRXPS spectra are compared with theoretical densities of states (DOS) that are corrected for photoelectric cross section variations within the valence band. Agreement between theory and experiment is very good for ferromagnetic Fe and Co66Fe4Ni1B14Si15. For Co metal, experiment agrees poorly with theory incorporating a 1.5 eV exchange splitting. Agreement is improved if a reduced Co exchange splitting of 1.2 eV is adopted theoretically. The reduced exchange splitting is attributed to valence electron correlation in Co metal. Ferromagnetic Ni shows poor agreement between experiment and theory. The SRXPS Ni spectra demonstrate that most of the disagreement concerns the ↑-spin channel.
Utilizing the USDA PLANTS database to predict exotic woody plant invasiveness in New Hampshire

Disturbance and land transformation seem to enhance the ability of exotic species to invade, possibly due to increased resource levels and greater immigration potential from surrounding disturbed areas. To investigate the role disturbance may play in enhancing exotic species invasion, we used retrospective analysis to discriminate the characters associated with naturalized and non-naturalized exotic woody plants in New Hampshire utilizing the biological information contained in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) PLANTS database and selected other sources. Exotic plants were partitioned into two groups: those known to have self-sustaining populations and those that did not display self-sustaining populations. To predict membership into these groups, we used stepwise logistic regression. Variables were screened for correlation coefficients higher than 0.5. Model development was constrained using Akaike’s information criteria with the correction factor for sample size. The 11th model step containing 11 characters was selected and it differed significantly from the constant-only model (χ2=66.383, P<0.001). Exotic species were correctly classified into the known non-naturalized or naturalized categories in 90% of the cases. The resulting model could be used to reliably screen novel woody plant introductions. Additionally, we provide a framework for preliminarily assessing the importance of different factors in encouraging woody plant invasion in the northeastern US.
MENSTRUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION IN WOMEN WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES.

ABSTRACT Objective: Menstrual irregularities, reproductive abnormalities, and androgen excess are reported to be more prevalent in women with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of menstrual irregularities, reproductive abnormalities, and androgen excess among women with T1D and their age-matched controls. Methods: A survey requesting information regarding menstrual and reproductive histories was administered to all participants. Results were stratified according to age (18 to 40, 40 to 50, and >50 years). Results: There were no significant differences between women with and without diabetes in age at menarche, cycle length, or androgen excess in any group. Women who self-reported difficulty with glycemic control were more likely to report irregular menses than controls (P = .04). Among women who reported ever being pregnant, there were fewer pregnancies (P = .02) and live births (P = .002) in women with T1D. Women with T1D reported a lower frequency of oral contraceptive use (P = .003), despite being less likely to smoke (P = .016). Conclusion: Menstrual and reproductive abnormalities were not observed more frequently in women with T1D in this study. Subtle but measurable differences in menstrual and reproductive function were confined to the subgroup of women who perceived poor control of their diabetes. Additional prospective studies of T1D and menstrual and reproductive function would be useful. Abbreviations: BMI = body mass index CVD = cardiovascular disease DCCT = Diabetes Control and Complications Trial FAD = Familial Autoimmune and Diabetes HbA1c = glycated hemoglobin HC = hormonal contraception T1D = type 1 diabetes
The angular distribution of recoil products from some simple reactions of 400 MeV protons with 58Ni and 197Au

Abstract The angular distribution of the recoil products from the (p, pn) and (p, p2n) reactions of 58Ni and the (p, pn) and (p, p3n) reactions on 197Au were measured at 400 MeV in order to study the mechanisms of these reactions. The 58Ni(p, pn)57Ni reaction appears to proceed completely via a clean knock-out mechanism while the (p, pn) reaction on 197Au is only about 50 % clean knock-out. The apparent change in the (p, pn) reaction mechanism with target mass is studied and is correlated with the total (p, pn) reaction cross section. The isomeric ratio of the 196Au is constant with respect to recoil angle. The mechanisms of the more complex (p, p2n) and (p, p3n) reactions are also discussed.
A graphic analysis of aqueous humor dynamics.

At various times evidence has been pre­ sented for at least four mechanisms of bulk aqueous flow through the eye. These include pressure-dependent inflow and outflow and pressure-independent inflow and outflow. A graphic presentation of the relationship of these modes of aqueous formation and elimination to intraocular pressure is offered. The graphs are drawn on ordinary cartesian coordinates, pressure, P, on the horizontal axis and rate of flow, F, on the vertical axis. Flow is seen from a point in­ side the eye so that inflow and outflow are in opposite directions and are given opposite signs, outflow a positive sign ( + ) and inflow a negative ( —) sign. I t is important to remember this convention. For example, secretion into the eye, S, is a negative quantity according to the sign convention, and a secretory rate of 2.0 / t l /minute would appear on the graph below the zero flow line at —2.0. Steady state of the eye when inflow and outflow are of equal absolute value appears as F i n + F o u t = 0, or as F o u t = — Fi n . Liberal use of subscripts modifies the basic sym­ bols to indicate specific values, for in­ stance the rate of outflow of aqueous through the trabecular mesh at the intra­ ocular pressure Pi is written FtrabPi. The symbols used are: F = rate of flow Pi = intraocular pressure P e = ciliary body arterial pressure Pe = episcleral venous pressure
Ovarian cancer: not a borderline issue!

Commentary to:Sequence Mutations and Amplification of PIK3CA and AKT2 Genes in Purified Ovarian Serous NeoplasmsKentaro Nakayama, Naomi Nakayama, Robert J. Kurman, Leslie Cope, Gudrun Pohl, Yardena Samuels, Victor E. Velculescu, Tian-Li Wan and Ie-Ming Shih
Accuracy and efficiency of multivariant finite elements for three‐dimensional simulation of viscous incompressible flows

The performance of the univariant finite element Q1P0 and the multivariant finite elements QP0 and RP0 are compared for simulation of three-dimensional incompressible viscous flows. Incompressible flow vortices for the RP0 element are presented. For the two flows simulated, the RP0 element is found to be not only the most accurate but also computationally the most efficient of the three types of finite element used. For one of the two flows simulated, the pressure distribution obtained by using the Q1P0 element is found to be afflicted with the checker-board spurious pressure mode. For the uniform finite-element mesh used, the checker-board pressure mode is eliminated by taking a weighted average of the pressure over the neighbouring Q1P0 elements.
Robotic prostatectomy: the rise of the machines or judgment day.

Utilization of robotic prostatectomy has increased since its introduction in 2000 [1]. Trinh et al provide a national snapshot of the current trends in surgical treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) [2]. Although the enthusiasm for robotic prostatectomy is driven by surgeons, consumers, and the robotmanufacturer, the size of the shift is presented clearly in this manuscript. In 2008 and 2009, >60% of all prostatectomies were performed using robotics, with substantial growth from 2003 (9.3%) to 2007 (43%) [3]. The trend toward robot-assisted surgery for PCa is obvious, but the benefits for patients are not as clear cut. One of themajor issues in PCa today is the potential harm associated with the diagnosis and treatment of men who may not benefit from that treatment. In 2010, 217 000 men in the United States were diagnosed with PCa [4]; however, with PCa-specific mortality ranging from 3% to 10% [5], not all men diagnosed with PCa will benefit from surgery. With the proliferation of robotic surgery, are we any closer to decreasing PCa-specific mortality by removing aggressive cancers? Unfortunately, it is difficult to answer this question by analyzing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), as Trinh et al did [2], because it does not provide information on grade and stage of cancers treated. The proportion of these men who would be candidates for active surveillance cannot be assessed. Trinh and colleagues confirm that the introduction and proliferation of robotics has hastened the centralization of delivery of PCa surgery [2]. Robotic surgery was more likely to occur in urban hospitals (98%) and teaching hospitals (72%), with a median hospital caseload of 159 procedures a year—more than double of the median caseload of the hospitals where patients who received open prostatectomy (64 cases) were treated. Simply by purchasing a robot, a hospital increases its prostatectomy volume by 12 cases per year [6]. The introduction of robotics resulted in the
Bioacoustics and neurobiology of communication in the tettigoniid Neoconocephalus robustus

Abstract The production and reception of biologically significant sounds was examined in Neoconocephalus robustus males and females in order to better understand their mechanisms of communication. Wave form and spectral analyses were made on the stridulatory signal by using a computer-based digital signal processing system, MITSYN. The results revealed a narrow band of carrier frequencies with a peak energy level at 8 kHz, which derives mainly from the rate of scraper-file contact on the wings. The call signal remains unmodulated in frequency and amplitude, and uninterrupted for periods of up to 28 min. The sound pressure level of the call signal ranges from 104 to 121 dB at 1 to 10 cm. Estimates of the amount of metabolic energy expended during stridulation suggest that N. robustus males are highly efficient organisms which are capable of converting a significant portion of this energy to sound power. Auditory sensitivity of male and females was studied by electro-physiological recordings from the tympanic nerves and cervical connectives anterior to the prothoracic ganglion. The results revealed a high frequency audiogram, showing greatest sensitivity in the range of the carrier band and heighten sensitivity from about 6 to 25 kHz.
Media and Mayhem in Corrections: The Role of the Media in Prison Riots

Three of the most infamous prison riots in the United States took place in Attica, New York; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Lucasville, Ohio in 1971, 1980, and 1993, respectively. Although an examinatio...
The use of ion beam techniques to characterize lead diffusion in minerals

The characterization of diffusion of lead and other trace elements in certain mineral phases has great significance in reconstructing the thermal history of the earth's crust. Such studies permit better interpretation of ages'' obtained from isotopic dating. This study uses ion implantation to introduce lead into the minerals apatite and zircon. Diffusion profiles are obtained using Rutherford backscattering (RBS) and the results fit with a model to determine D. Results for apatite over the temperature range 600--900{degree}C show agreement with earlier results obtained traditional geologic techniques. This suggests that radiation damage induced by ion implantation has little effect on diffusion in this case. This approach is both simple and useful in studying diffusion over a temperature range of geologic interest without inordinate annealing times. 17 refs., 5 figs.
Partial lacrimal carunculectomy: a simple procedure for epiphora.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of partial surgical excision of enlarged lacrimal caruncles, termed megalocaruncles , in patients with epiphora from functional lacrimal drainage obstruction. Design Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Participants From May 1995 through December 1999, 88 patients (46 women and 42 men; mean age, 68 years) with epiphora, patent lacrimal drainage system on irrigation, and a megalocaruncle underwent a partial lacrimal carunculectomy procedure. In 26 patients, a bilateral partial lacrimal carunculectomy was performed. Intervention Lacrimal caruncular tissue, with its overlying mucosa, was partially excised, and the wound was closed with interrupted sutures. Main outcome measures Symptomatology and patient satisfaction. Results After a partial lacrimal carunculectomy procedure, epiphora was subjectively improved in 77% of the patients, ranging from complete relief in 33% to significant improvement in 44% of the patients. Twenty-three percent of the patients had no change in symptoms. The mean follow-up was 12.7 months. Conclusions Megalocaruncles can be the cause of epiphora in patients with functional lacrimal drainage obstruction, for whom a partial lacrimal carunculectomy is an effective surgical procedure in 77% of the cases.
Visualising FRELIMO’s liberated zones in Mozambique, 1962–1974

Headquartered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) engaged the Portuguese army from 1962 to 1974 in a ground war over Mozambique’s independence. At the centre of this military struggle were the geographical regions of the liberated zones, areas in northern Mozambique that FRELIMO designated as under its control. In order to make an exile movement present and real for illiterate populations, FRELIMO trained a group of its soldiers as photographers, who travelled across Mozambique to photograph the war. This act of photographing and distributing images had its political advantages for drawing international aid, but these image-making processes also risked disrupting the ethnically diverse coalitions that made up FRELIMO’s military and popular support. In an effort to address scholarship on liberation movements in Africa, which has overlooked the importance of photography, this article considers the technical, technological, and structural mechanisms FRELIMO instit...
Productive and Social Engagement Following Driving Cessation A Couple-Based Analysis

Drawing on interdependence theory, this study examined the cross-spouse impact of driving cessation on productive (work, formal volunteering, and informal volunteering) and social engagement of old...
A longitudinal study of climates

The construct of climate and its relationship to various work outcomes over time was examined. Based on perceptual agreement of various work setting characteristics, collective climates were formed. Climates were traced longitudinally 10 understand the bases of perceptual agreement. Collective climates were shown to (1) vary in stability over time and (2) affect employees' job satisfactions, how they described their leader's behaviour, and intentions to leave. A basis for understanding membership in climates was developed.
The Imitation-innovation Trade-off Does “Borrowing Dull the Edge of Husbandry”?

This article examines the proposition that there is a trade-off between imitation and innovation when state elites try to “borrow” institutional designs from other polities. After synthesizing theoretical propositions both for and against a trade-off, the article develops evidence from case studies of two periods in which such institutional borrowing was widely practiced: the post-World War II American occupation of Germany and German reunification after 1989. It concludes that imitation sparked innovation in both periods, although for two very different reasons. The article emphasizes the relation of the research findings to theories of institutional creation and change.
Nuclear Fusion in Collapsing Bubbles—Is It There? An Attempt to Repeat the Observation of Nuclear Emissions from Sonoluminescence

The discriminator threshold for the sonoluminescence light detector was set up as specified in Ref. [6]. Our neutron detector threshold, set by a fast discriminator, was calibrated by comparison with the pulse-height spectrum from a Pu-Be source available during the experiment. The relative response to a Pu-Be source and a 60 Co source was checked prior to the experiment. The 60 Co Compton edge (equivalent to a 1-MeV electron) was found to be at a fraction 0.29 of the Pu-Be edge. The threshold used in the experiment was at an equivalent electron energy of 270 keV. Using published [8] curves of light output, we estimate our threshold to have been at an equivalent neutron energy of 1.2 MeV, well below the threshold for 2.5-MeV neutron detection. Approximating the geometry of our detector as a slab of area 285 cm 2 and average thickness 10 cm, we obtain a rough estimate of its intrinsic
Abstract 4955: Role of Angiotensin II in prostate cancer metastasis

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Introduction: At the initial stages prostate cancer development depends on a crucial level of androgenic stimulation but at later stages when it becomes androgen independent the perturbation from androgen receptor axis leads to the development of more aggressive phenotypes with greater metastatic potential. At this stage the growth and progression of prostate cancer is regulated by various local growth factors and neuro-hormones which are altered in prostate cancer microenvironment. Therefore, identifying these factors which are aberrantly expressed in the tumor microenvironment and understanding how these factors are involved in regulating the tumor progression are essential for developing better targeted therapeutic strategy for the treatment of advanced stages of prostate cancer. Objective: As emerging reports suggest the importance of tissue based renin angiotensin system (RAS) in pathophysiology of the prostate and as studies indicate a lower incidence of cancer and cancer related deaths in patients taking angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (as medication for hypertension), we intend to study the role played by this system in the progression of prostate cancer. Methods and Results: Our results show that there is limited expression of RAS components, Angiotensin II (AT II), the main bioactive effector peptide of RAS and its receptors, and its receptor Angiotensin receptor type 1( AT1R) and Angiotensin receptor type 2 (AT2R) , in mouse prostate tissues. However, RAS becomes activated in prostate cancer. The expressions of ATII and AT1R are significantly higher in androgen independent orthotopic PC3 prostate tumor tissues. The expression of AT2R remains unaltered during the development of tumor. Therefore to evaluate the role of ATII in prostate cancer progression, in vitro experiments using two androgen independent orthotopic cell lines, PC3 and C4-2 were performed. Both these cell lines express AT1R. Our results indicate that ATII acting through AT1R promotes metastatic behavior such as invasion and migration of prostate cancer cells and inhibition of ATII by blocking AT1R receptor abrogates this action of ATII. Conclusions: This study identifies a new role of local RAS in the metastatic progression of prostate cancer and will eventually help to develop newer and effective therapeutic strategies in treatment of androgen independent prostate cancer by targeting ATII or AT1R. This strategy can be used either alone or in combination with existing therapeutic strategies in treatment of the disease. Citation Format: Debanjan Chakroborty, Chandrani Sarkar. Role of Angiotensin II in prostate cancer metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4955. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4955
Ultra-wideband Microwave Ablation Therapy (UMAT)

Despite many advantages, there are major problems associated with the current microwave ablation systems. These problems are mainly due to the narrowband nature of the antennas used in these systems. Our data show that although at the start of the ablation procedure more than 90% of the power is transmitted into the tissue due to good antenna-to-tissue impedance matching, as the temperature increases in the tissue, power transmission efficiency drops down to as low as 20%. Such degradation in power delivery creates three major problems: (1) Most of the power is reflected back to the device causing extreme heating and creating unwanted ablation zones beyond the region of interest. Currently, this problem is addressed by cooling the antenna shaft which complicates the probe design and increases the cost. We discuss this issue in detail and provide references in the “background and significance” section. (2) More power from the generator is needed to create the desired ablation zone. Currently, the power levels are as high as 100Watts (W). Our preliminary data suggest that even 20W is enough to create the desired ablation zones with UMAT. (3) Unnecessary increase in ablation time. Total ablation time suffers because of the inefficient power delivery into the tissue.
Effects of low level x-radiation on the mitotic index of hamster basal epithelial cells in vivo.

Chinese hamster cheek pouches were exposed to low doses of X radiation and to two doses of a metaphase arrester, vinblastine sulfate, in separate experiments. There was no significant decrease in the mitotic indexes of the irradiated animals. The higher vinblastine dose proved to be significantly more effective in causing metaphase arrest.
Common mechanism of action of biochemically "specific" antidepressants.

Abstract 1. NE turnover in depressed patients treated with three drugs which have specifically different primary biochemical effects is compared before and after treatment. 2. Turnover is quantitated as the sum of NE and its major metabolites excreted in the urine using a new mass spectrometric assay. 3. Clorgyline, a MAOI specific for Type A; desipramine, a selective NE uptake inhibitor; and zimelidine, a selective 5HT uptake inhibitor, were used. 4. All three antidepressants, including zimelidine, reduced NE turnover although producing very different effects on the metabolic profile of NE. It remains likely that effects on NE are related to therapeutic effect.
Chronology of late Wisconsin ice retreat from the western Ross Sea, Antarctica

Lithologic data from marine sedimentary cores and accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) radiocarbon dates indicate that grounded ice did not advance to the western Ross Sea continental shelf edge during the last glacial maximum (LGM). A chronology of the timing of ice retreat was provided by 26 AMS dates, obtained from 12 cores. Dates ranging from 20 to 29 ka suggest that the outer continental shelf (beyond ca. lat 74°S) was not covered by grounded glacial ice prior to and during the early stages of the LGM. 14C dates just above transitions from subglacial diamictons to marine muds indicate that the area around the Drygalski ice tongue was deglaciated by at least 11.5 ka. The Ross Ice Shelf reached its present-day position near Ross Island by about 7 ka. A hiatus of about 15 ka is apparent in radiocarbon dates in cores from the outer continental shelf. The hiatus is interpreted to represent an absence of sedimentation caused by the presence of an ice shelf.
A NEW AGELACRINITID EDRIOASTEROID ATTACHED TO A LARGE HARDGROUND CLAST FROM THE MCKENZIE MEMBER OF THE MIFFLINTOWN MEMBER (SILURIAN) OF PENNSYLVANIA

A new agelacrinitid edrioasteroid, Multiplexidiscus mckenziensis n. gen., n. sp. is described from the middle Silurian upper McKenzie Shale Member of the Mifflintown Formation of Pennsylvania. These edrioasteroids were attached to a large hardground clast that was reworked and flipped during a storm event. The occurrence of edrioasteroids in a near shore, perhaps in sub-normal salinity, is unusual for echinoderms. The edrioasteroids show a dispersed spatial distribution and weak thecal orientation. Multiplexidiscus differs from other agelacrinid edrioasteroids in the presence of a complex pattern of ambulacral cover plates combined with nearly straight paedomorphic ambulacra.
Primary Realignment of Pelvic Fracture Urethral Injuries

This article reviews the history, indications, technique, complications, and outcomes of primary urethral realignment of pelvic fracture urethral injuries. In clinically stable patients, an attempt at endoscopic urethral realignment is appropriate and may result in long-term urethral patency. However, long term follow up is necessary due to elevated rates of delayed stricture formation requiring endoscopic or surgical repair.
Single cell micromanipulation using magnetic beads: a computational model

A computational finite element model (FEM) model is developed for cell micromanipulation by magnetocytometry. The model provides a robust tool for analysis of detailed strain/stress fields induced in the cell monolayer. Correlation of the computational model and experimental findings promises to shed light on the mechanical properties of the cell and their variation under different mechanical/biological stimulations.