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The gain of microchannel plates operated with low bias voltages in the analog mode has been measured for Arq+ ions (3⩽q⩽16) with energies in the range from 1.5 to 154 keV/q. The results show that the gain, most likely due to the varying number of secondary electrons emitted upon impact of the detected ions, depends substantially on the charge as well as the energy of the ions. The measured gain is shown as a function of the charge state for five different ion energies per charge to assist in the interpretation of the results from the ion sources. The measured gain is also shown as a function of ion impact velocity for all measured charge states, which indicates a rather complex dependence on the ion impact velocity. The interpolated gain is also shown as a function of charge states for four different ion impact velocities. For the lowest ion impact velocity, the gain seems to increase linearly with the ions’s potential energy with the gain measured for Ar16+ being roughly twice as large as the gain measur...

In spatially heterogeneous environments, natural selection for maintenance of adaptation to habitats that contribute little to the population's reproduction is weak. In this paper we model a mechanism that can result in loss of fitness in such marginal habitats, and thus lead to specialisation on the main habitat. It involves accumulation of mutations that are deleterious in the marginal habitat but neutral or nearly so in the main habitat (mutations deleterious in the main habitat and neutral in the marginal habitat have a negligible influence). If the contribution of the marginal habitat to total reproduction in the absence of the mutations is less than a threshold value, selection is too weak to counter accumulation of such mutations. A positive feedback then results in loss of fitness in the marginal habitat. This mechanism does not require antagonistic pleiotropy in adaptation to different habitats, although antagonistic pleiotropy facilitates the mutational collapse of fitness in the marginal habitat. We suggest that deleterious mutations with habitat-specific expression may play a role in the evolution of ecological specialisation and promote evolutionary conservatism of ecological niches.

Rooting characteristics of 'Midlawn' bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy], 'Prairie' buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.], 'Meyer' zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.), and 'Mustang' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) are not well documented, but likely contribute to drought avoidance. Experiments were conducted between 1993 and 1995 to determine (i) vertical rooting patterns in the greenhouse and field and (ii) relationships among rooting parameters, soil water depletion (SWD), and turfgrass wilting in the field. Tall fescue was mowed once weekly at 6.5 cm, whereas warm-season grasses were mowed twice weekly at 4.5 cm. In the greenhouse, total root length (TRL) of tall fescue between 0 and 120 cm was 180 to 270% greater, and its maximum root extension (MRE) was 33 to 60% deeper than warm-season grasses. Tall fescue also had a shoot/root ratio (SRR) 29 to 63% lower than ratios of warm-season grasses. When sampled to a 90-cm depth in a silt loam soil (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Aquic Arquidolls) in the field, tall fescue exhibited 39 and 140% greater TRL than warm-season grasses in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Zoysiagrass had the lowest root length density (RLD) at 30 to 60 and 60 to 90 cm of any grass studied in the field. Soil water depletion during five 7- or 12-d precipitation-free periods in the field indicated that tall fescue extracted over 50% more water than bermudagrass and zoysiagrass at 90 cm. Buffalograss extracted 66% more water than zoysiagrass at 90 cm during one of these periods. Wilting of warm-season grasses at the end of dry down in the field was correlated with RLD at 30 to 60 (r = 0.74) and 60 to 90 cm (r = 0.66). Deep and extensive rooting of Mustang tall fescue and intermediate rooting of Prairie buffalograss and Midlawn bermudagrass were important components of leaf wilt resistance during drought. Shallow rooting resulted in poor drought avoidance in Meyer zoysiagrass.

The riometer (relative ionospheric opacity meter) technique for measuring changes in the electron density of the atmosphere is useful for investigating the effects of precipitating electron fluxes, as well as those of solar photoionization and solar and galactic cosmic rays. The efficacy of extending the riometer method to the Martian ionosphere is examined, and it is found that characteristics of the Martian atmosphere make it more sensitive than the terrestrial atmosphere to riometer absorption by several orders of magnitude for the same incident electron spectrum. The increased sensitivity is due both to the lower altitudes that energetic electrons can attain in the thinner Martian atmosphere, as well as to the enhanced effects of electron-neutral collisions with Martian carbon dioxide molecules versus terrestrial nitrogen molecules (these gases are the major atmospheric constituents at altitudes sensitive to riometer measurements in the respective atmospheres). Even though the Martian environment does not have magnetospheric regions capable of trapping and accelerating solar wind electrons, this enhanced sensitivity may make it possible to examine effects of the solar wind on the atmosphere that can only be examined on Earth within the narrow boundaries of the auroral oval and geomagnetic cusp/cleft regions.

The drum-buffer-rope (DBR) planning and control system is relatively new in the published literature. As such, many issues relating to various operating policies have yet to be resolved. In this paper, we look at three such policies. First we study selected order review/release (ORR) methodologies that have appeared in the published literature to be used as the rope component in DBR. Secondly, we study the impact of lot splitting by breaking process batches into numerous transfer batches. Lastly, the impact of capacity balance between the bottleneck resource and non-bottleneck resources are modelled. A simulation model of an existing V plant that manufactures pliers is constructed. Results indicate that the appropriate choiceof each operating policy is a function of the shop performance criteria felt to be important by management. No previous paper has studied the feasibility of using the various ORR methodologies in a DBR environment. We show that the performance of each is dependent on other conditions ...

Greenhouse studies were conducted on three warm-season turfgrasses, `Midlawn' bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy], `Prairie' buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.], and `Meyer' zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.), and a cool-season turfgrass, `Mustang' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) to determine 1) water relations and drought tolerance characteristics by subjecting container-grown grasses to drought and 2) potential relationships between osmotic adjustment (OA) and turf recovery after severe drought. Tall fescue was clipped at 6.3 cm once weekly, whereas warm-season grasses were clipped at 4.5 cm twice weekly. The threshold volumetric soil water content (SWC) at which a sharp decline in leaf water potential (ψL) occurred was higher for tall fescue than for warm-season grasses. Buffalograss exhibited the lowest and tall fescue exhibited the highest reduction in leaf pressure potential (ψP) per unit decline in ψL during dry down. Ranking of grasses for magnitude of OA was buffalograss (0.84 MPa) = zoysiagrass (0.77 MPa) > bermudagrass (0.60 MPa) > tall fescue (0.34 MPa). Grass coverage 2 weeks after irrigation was resumed was correlated positively with magnitude of OA (r = 0.66, P < 0.05).

The KSU CRYEBIS is a CRY ogenic Electron Beam Ion Source located on a high voltage platform, dedicated to the exploration of the physics of the highly-charged, low-energy ions. This paper summarizes the research accomplished by our users over the last three years. It discusses the experiences encountered in the operation and production over the last three years. The major improvements accomplished over the last three years and the present capabilities are also described. The paper ends with a discussion of the user facility, the available techniques and equipment.

How viable is the resolution of nuclear non-proliferation disputes through the International Court of Justice and international arbitration? James Fry examines the compromissory clauses in the IAEA Statute, IAEA Safeguards Agreements and the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material that give jurisdiction to these fora and analyses recent jurisprudence to demonstrate how legal resolution can handle such politically sensitive disputes. In sum, legal resolution of nuclear non-proliferation disputes represents an option that States and commentators have all too often ignored. The impartiality and procedural safeguards of legal resolution should make it an acceptable option for target States and the international community, especially vis-à-vis the procedural shortcomings and general heavy-handedness of Security Council involvement under UN Charter Chapter VII.

The care of elderly patients with colorectal problems introduces significant complexity even to basic management. Preoperative assessment of this patient is essential to optimizing treatment, and you should consider their physiologic, not chronologic age. Identification of risk factors should guide surgical planning. Issues related to postoperative function and surgical technique are often different in the elderly compared to younger patients. Other matters regarding informed consent are also often complex and must take into consideration patient competence and family issues. Screening recommendations for modalities such as colonoscopy may apply differently to the elderly patient and current guidelines provide a rationale for appropriate selection. Optimizing surgical outcomes in the elderly patient requires a holistic, judicious, and compassionate approach.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between female college students' perceptions of the motivational climate in their aerobics classes to their adaptive exercise responses. Data were collected from university group exercise classes in spring 2008. The participants (N = 213) responded to a questionnaire measuring perceptions of the climate (i.e., caring, task-, and ego-involving), correlates of intrinsic motivation (i.e., interest/enjoyment, perceived competence, effort/importance, and tension/pressure), commitment to exercise, and reasons for exercising. Canonical correlation analyses revealed that participants who perceived a predominately caring, task-involving climate reported higher interest/enjoyment, perceived competence, effort/importance, and commitment to exercise, as well as lower tension/pressure. Further, those who perceived a high caring, task-involving, and low ego-involving climate were also more likely to report more health-related reasons for exercise versus appearance-focused reasons. Results suggested that important motivational benefits might exist when women perceive caring, task-involving climates in their aerobics class settings. Aerobics class instructors who intentionally create caring, task-involving climates may promote more adaptive motivational responses among their female participants.

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that is widely used for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adults. Its similarity to other psychostimulants suggests that, at certain doses, the drug may generate lasting neuroadaptations that can be detrimental to the recipient. Some investigators have found that, in rats, the residual effects of the drug (i.e., following a 10-14 day washout period) can interfere with memory for objects when the retention interval is 3h or more. The present experiment replicated this result and demonstrated the critical importance of the washout period. Long-Evans male rats treated with MPH (5.0mg/kg po b.i.d.) on 21 days (during a post-natal period ranging from Day 29 to Day 57) and then twice-assessed for their performance in an object recognition task were able to recognize a familiar object on Day 1 after the last dose of the drug had been administered, behaving the same as the untreated control group. However, on Day 15 post-drug, the same MPH group failed to distinguish between a familiar and a novel object, exploring both nearly equally, while the control group continued to investigate the novel object to a greater extent than the familiar one. This suggests that, if a test for object recognition is conducted too early after the MPH treatment period ceases, a memory impairment may not be detected. In general, this finding has implications for studies of other behavioral or neurophysiological consequences of MPH that may appear following a drug-free withdrawal period.

Lrig1 is the founding member of the Lrig family of transmembrane leucine-rich repeat proteins, which also includes Lrig2 and Lrig3. Lrig1 is a negative regulator of oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases, including ErbB and Met receptors, and promotes receptor degradation. Lrig1 has recently emerged as both a tumor suppressor and a key regulator of epidermal and epithelial stem cell quiescence. Despite this, little is known of the mechanisms by which Lrig1 is regulated. Lrig3 was recently reported to increase ErbB receptor expression suggesting that it may function in a manner opposite to Lrig1. In this study, we explore the interaction between Lrig1 and Lrig3 and demonstrate that Lrig1 and Lrig3 functionally oppose one another. Lrig3 opposes Lrig1 negative regulatory activity and stabilizes ErbB receptors. Conversely, Lrig1 destabilizes Lrig3, limiting Lrig3's positive effects on receptors and identifying Lrig3 as a new target of Lrig1. These studies provide new insight into the regulation of Lrig1 and uncover a complex cross-talk between Lrig1 and Lrig3.

The unusually long-extended solar minimum between cycles 23 and 24 (from 2007 to 2008) yielded a number of anomalies with regard to solar/heliospheric phenomena wherein the solar wind magnetic field is 36% weaker than that for the previous solar cycle minimum (from 1996 to 1997) at 1 AU, the solar wind dynamic pressure is the lowest observed since the beginning of the space age, the unusually high tilted angle of the solar dipole, and the absence of a classical quiescent equatorial streamer belt. To understand the cause of the anomalies, we perform numerical simulation of a realistic inner heliosphere using a global three-dimensional, time-dependent, numerical model with observed solar inputs. It is suggested that these solar extremes are associated with (1) an inflated heliospheric current/plasma sheet (HCS/HPS) and (2) a decrease in the integrated fluxes of mass and magnetic field ejected from the Sun, which was manipulated by some unknown internal solar dynamics.

The idea that traits that adapt a population to one habitat or host are deleterious in other habitats or on other hosts is central to most theories for the evolution of ecological specialization. The trade-off concept has played an especially prominent role in discussions of the evolution of host specialization in phytophagous insects. The evidence for genetically based trade-offs in phytophagous insect populations is ambiguous, however. Cross-host genetic corre- lations for fitness traits are seldom negative, but this does not preclude the existence of trade-offs at a subset of loci controlling the fitness variation. One clear result is that cross-host genetic correlations for fitness traits are often less than one, which implies that genotypes have different fitness rankings on different hosts (i.e., that reaction norms for fitness cross). Using verbal arguments and a mathematical model, I show that crossing of reaction norms for fitness is a sufficient condition for selection to favor specialized host choice, in the absence of search costs and other disadvantages of specialization. In other words, selection will favor specialization if alleles that are positively selected on one host are less strongly positively selected, or neutral, on other hosts; it is not necessary for the alleles to be deleterious on the other hosts. Search costs and other factors may oppose the evolution of specialization, but introducing trade-offs into a model does not result in a quantum jump in the strength of selection favoring, specializa- tion, and thus in the likelihood of specialization evolving, compared to the situation in which alleles that affect fitness on one host are neutral on others. There is therefore no justification for focusing on the qualitative presence or absence of trade-offs as the critical issue in predicting or explaining the evolution of specialization. Furthermore, the quantitative genetic data, rather than give little information on why specialization evolves, indicate that the potential for selection to favor specialization exists in many phytophagous populations.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to document the effect of pudendal nerve function on anal incontinence after repair of rectal prolapse. METHODS: Patients with full rectal prolapse (n=24) were prospectively evaluated by anal manometry and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) before and after surgical correction of rectal prolapse (low anterior resection (LAR; n=13) and retrorectal sacral fixation (RSF; n=11)). RESULTS: Prolapse was corrected in all patients; there were no recurrences during a mean 25-month follow-up. Postoperative PNTML was prolonged bilaterally (>2.2 ms) in six patients (3 LAR; 3 RSF); five patients were incontinent (83 percent). PNTML was prolonged unilaterally in eight patients (4 LAR; 4 RSF); three patients were incontinent (38 percent). PNTML was normal in five patients (3 LAR; 2 RSF); one was incontinent (20 percent). Postoperative squeeze pressures were significantly higher for patients with normal PNTML than for those with bilateral abnormal PNTML (145vs.66.5 mmHg;P=0.0151). Patients with unilateral abnormal PNTML had higher postoperative squeeze pressures than those with bilateral abnormal PNTML, but the difference was not significant (94.8vs.66.5 mmHg; P=0.3182). The surgical procedure did not affect postoperative sphincter function or PNTML. CONCLUSION: Injury to the pudendal nerve contributes to postoperative incontinence after repair of rectal prolapse. Status of anal continence after surgical correction of rectal prolapse can be predicted by postoperative measurement of PNTML.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative radiation therapy can markedly improve local control of rectal carcinoma. However, some tumors do not respond well to moderate doses of preoperative radiation and would be better served by more aggressive preoperative treatment (e.g., chemoradiotherapy). Cellular predictors of responsiveness to radiation can help to select lesions for more aggressive treatment. In addition, there is a need for cellular predictors of metastatic potential. This is particularly important in the setting of preoperative radiation—downstaging by preoperative treatment can obscure the true pathologic stage of a tumor and confound the usual selection criteria for postoperative chemotherapy. PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine if proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), p53, DNA ploidy, and S-phase fraction are associated with response to radiation and/or risk for distant metastatic disease and to determine if these cellular markers are best evaluated from preradiation biopsy specimen or the larger (but possibly altered) final surgical specimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Archival specimens from 23 cases of ultrasound T3 or T4 rectal carcinoma treated preoperatively with radiation therapy were reviewed. Eligible lesions had preradiation biopsy specimens of sufficient size for flow cytometric review of archival tissue. Factors considered included PCNA positivity, presence of mutant nuclear p53, more than 30 percent tumor cells in S-phase, and presence of aneuploidy. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of three years, overall freedom from relapse was 83 percent, with all but one failure being extrapelvic. PCNA positivity in the preradiation specimen was significantly (P=0.025) associated with a greater risk of tumor recurrence. In addition, there was a trend to greater likelihood of “probable downstaging” (defined as surgical T stage less than preradiation ultrasound T stage) for lesions that were PCNA-negative or lesions with normal p53. Biomarkers measured in the postradiation surgical specimen were not associated with either freedom from relapse or response to radiation. Radiation treatment appeared to produce false-negatives in the final specimen. Thus, there were significantly more specimens converting from PCNA-positive to PCNA-negative after preoperative radiation than would be expected solely on the basis of sampling errors (P=0.004). Similar results were found for abnormal p53 findings (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Prospective studies of biomarkers should be based on pretreatment specimens if preoperative radiation is given. For carcinoma of the rectum, PCNA and p53 may be useful predictors of both metastatic potential and responsiveness to radiation.

Final-charge-state distributions of argon ions, scattered grazingly from a smooth highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surface, have been measured as a function of initial charge state ({ital q}=4{endash}17) and impact velocity ({ital v}=0.15{endash}0.62 a.u.) The final-charge-state distribution changes strongly with the impact velocity, but is almost independent of the initial charge state. The neutralization during grazing-angle scattering is compared to the charge-state equilibration experienced by ions passing through a solid (carbon foil), and these two processes seem to have common properties. A {ital K} x-ray spectrum from the {ital K}-shell vacancy decay of 51-KeV Ar{sup 17+} projectiles was obtained as a function of the angle between the ion beam and the surface. Measurements of x-ray spectra in coincidence with grazingly scattered ions are reported. A simple model for argon neutralization near and below the surface is proposed. The model assumes a direct side feeding into the Ar {ital M} shell followed by Auger and radiative {ital L}- and {ital K}-shell filling. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

`Meyer' zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) was established on a silt loam soil in 27-cm-diameter × 92-cm-deep containers in a greenhouse to investigate the influence of irrigation frequency on turfgrass rooting and drought tolerance. Turf was irrigated daily or at the onset of leaf rolling with a water volume equal to the cumulative evapotranspiration of well-watered turf in small weighing lysimeters. After >90 days of irrigation treatments, a dry-down was imposed during which no additional water was applied for 55 days. A recovery period followed during which time turf was watered to maintain soil matric potential at greater than –30 kPa. Compared to turf irrigated daily, that watered at the onset of leaf rolling exhibited 1) 32% to 36% lower leaf water potential and 14% to 22% lower osmotic potential before the onset of drought; 2) 13% higher leaf water potential ≈40 days into dry-down; 3) more extensive rooting at 55- and 75-cm soil depths as indicated by 11% to 19% lower volumetric soil moisture content at the end of dry-down; 4) 25% to 40% lower shoot growth rate during irrigation and 13% to 33% higher shoot growth rate during dry-down; and 5) higher quality ratings during dry-down and recovery. Thus, deep, infrequent irrigation better prepares zoysiagrass for an oncoming drought than light, frequent irrigation.

This paper presents a solution procedure to minimize the Mean Absolute Lateness single machine scheduling problem. A Branch and Bound methodology is utilized in conjunction with a one-pass linear program to find an optimal solution. In order to fathom branches, several theorems are developed to establish dominance between adjacent job pairs and in some cases between three adjacent jobs. In addition, several theorems are presented to establish lower bounds on the solution to further limit the enumeration. A simple decomposition procedure is shown to reduce problem size in many cases. Solution results indicate that problem characteristics, in addition to size, have a major impact on solution requirements. As the tightness of due dates increases, a corresponding increase in solution requirements is evident. For example, for problems of size N = 25, the solution requirements when tightness was 0.1 is an average 0.035 CPU seconds while 3234.0 CPU seconds were required to solve problems with a tightness of 0.9. Conversely, as the due date coefficient of variation (CV) increases, solution requirements lessen. For problems of size N = 20 and a CV of 0.2, CPU time required to find an optimal solution was 16.8 compared to 0.01 seconds for a CV of 0.6. Solution times for certain problems up to N = 30 were reported.

A well developed manufacturing strategy is becoming increasingly important to many manufacturing organizations. A major feature of such a strategy is the definition of a manufacturing infrastructure that is consistent with how products and services compete in the selected market. The managerial accounting system is a key component of this infrastructure. Reports the results of a survey of 85 manufacturing companies. Finds that many companies use an accounting system that appears to be inappropriate. The systems are often ill suited to their marketplace and inconsistent with an appropriate manufacturing strategy. Discusses recommendations for change for companies currently developing a manufacturing strategy.

Worker flexibility is an attractive option for enhancing manufacturing performance, since it provides several strategic advantages, and also allows the firm to buffer against uncertainty. In this paper, we investigate issues related to acquiring a flexible work-force in those dual resource constrained (DRC) job-shops that have high learning costs and the presence of worker attrition. Our results show that significant improvement in traditional shop related measures can be attained at even very high attrition rates by incrementally training each worker in one additional department. However, this improvement comes at the expense of productivity losses which shop managers may not be willing to accept. The nature of the tradeoffs that exist in acquiring this incremental worker flexibility are addressed. Two strategies for improving shop performance, based on incrementally training workers or reducing attrition rates, are also recommended for the DRC shop modelled in our study. Conditions under which either of...

Today's manufacturing environment demands processes capable of delivering high quality products in rapid fashion. In response to these demands, many US manufacturers are emphasizing reductions in inventory as the vehicle to improve quality and delivery. Unfortunately, most US manufacturers use a management accounting system which discourages inventory reductions and even rewards inventory increases. In this paper, the relationship between the US stock market, financial and managerial accounting, and manufacturing is discussed. Lastly,. three alternatives are suggested for changing the accounting systems without affecting investor interests, which will encourage and reward manufacturing managers to improve their competitive position.

To review predictors of outcome, including sequencing of modalities and pretreatment findings for adjuvantly treated rectal cancer.From 1975 through 1990, 307 patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum underwent adjuvant radiation therapy. In 251 cases the radiation therapy was administered preoperatively, either 40-50 Gy (median dose 45 Gy) followed in 6-7 weeks by surgery (210 cases), or 20 Gy in five fractions immediately prior to surgery (41 cases). In 56 cases, patients were referred postoperatively for radiation (median dose 50 Gy). Adjuvant chemotherapy was never given concurrently with the preoperative radiation (RT), although 43 of the cases (including 14 of the preoperative RT cases) received postoperative chemotherapy.Multivariate analysis (Cox model) indicated that significant predictors of better overall freedom from disease were preoperative rather than postoperative RT (p0.001), low surgical stage (p0.0001), specialist surgeon (p = 0.007), low or moderate histologic grade (p = 0.026), and proximal lesion (p = 0.033). The significant predictors for better local control included use of preoperative RT (p0.001), low or moderate grade (p = 0.001), and low surgical stage (p = 0.015). The 5-year local control and freedom from disease for the preoperative RT patients were 90% +/- 2% and 73% +/- 3%, respectively. The selected cases that received the short course of 20 Gy preoperatively did well. Although 24 out of 41 patients proved to have Astler Coller B2 or C disease, local control at last follow-up was 39 out of 41 (95%). A second multivariate analysis of pretreatment factors was performed on the preoperative RT cases. The significant factors for both local control and overall freedom from disease were noncircumferential vs. circumferential tumor, proximal vs. distal lesion, and background of the surgeon. Additional negative factors on univariate analysis (although not achieving independent significance on multivariate analysis) included the finding of near-obstructing lesions and elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Gradeor = 3 sequelae occurred in 8% of cases (including 3% bowel obstruction). The only significant factor for complications was background of the surgeon (4% for colorectal specialists vs. 12% for nonspecialists, p = 0.015).Significant factors for better tumor control included preoperative as opposed to postoperative RT and the experience of the surgeon. In selected cases, excellent results can be obtained with a short course of preoperative radiation. Concurrent chemotherapy need not be given routinely with preoperative radiation. Subgroups of preoperative RT cases at risk for distant metastases (who might benefit from postoperative chemotherapy), and at high risk for local failure (for whom concurrent preoperative chemotherapy and radiation might be considered), are identified.

The success of the Japanese in the global economy has elicited much interest from both practitioners and academicians. Popular theories suggest that the Japanese do not suffer from the short-term financial focus that plagues many U.S. manufacturers but tend to view decisions based on their long-term consequences. As a result, authors have suggested that the criteria used to assess employee performance in Japan tend to reflect this view. This paper reports the results from eight plants in Japan of five Japanese companies regarding the criteria used to assess employee performance. The types of criteria used at various levels in the management hierarchy as well as the specific criteria used are discussed. Previous studies reported that top level managers were most concerned with non-financial criteria while lower level managers were evaluated by physical type measurements. The results from this study partly contradict these findings in that top-level Japanese managers reported profitability as their...

Factors responsible for selection response for abdominal bristle number and correlated responses in sternopleural bristle number were mapped to the X and third chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. Lines divergent for high and low abdominal bristle number were created by 25 generations of artificial selection from a large base population, with an intensity of 25 individuals of each sex selected from 100 individuals of each sex scored per generation. Isogenic chromosome substitution lines in which the high (H) X or third chromosome were placed in an isogenic low (L) background were derived from the selection lines and from the 93 recombinant isogenic (RI) HL X and 67 RI chromosome 3 lines constructed from them. Highly polymorphic neutral roo transposable elements were hybridized in situ to the polytene chromosomes of the RI lines to create a set of cytogenetic markers. These techniques yielded a dense map with an average spacing of 4 cM between informative markers. Factors affecting bristle number, and relative viability of the chromosome 3 RI lines, were mapped using a multiple regression interval mapping approach, conditioning on all markers > or = 10 cM from the tested interval. Two factors with large effects on abdominal bristle number were mapped on the X chromosome and five factors on the third chromosome. One factor with a large effect on sternopleural bristle number was mapped to the X and two were mapped to the third chromosome; all factors with sternopleural effects corresponded to those with effects on abdominal bristle number. Two of the chromosome 3 factors with large effects on abdominal bristle number were also associated with reduced viability. Significant sex-specific effects and epistatic interactions between mapped factors of the same order of magnitude as the additive effects were observed. All factors mapped to the approximate positions of likely candidate loci (ASC, bb, emc, h, mab, Dl and E(spl), previously characterized by mutations with large effects on bristle number.

From 1975 to 1990 65 patients with carcinoma of the anal canal received radiation therapy alone or in conjunction with other modalities. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 171 months (mean: 59 months; median: 44 months). Actuarial disease-free survival (including salvage surgery) for T1-3 N0 lesions was 88% +/- 7% at 10 years. This was independent of T stage (91% for T1, 88% for T2, and 100% for T3). Disease-free survival was significantly worse for T1-3 N+ lesions (52% +/- 23% disease-free at 10 years, P = .025) and T4 lesions (0/8 disease free by 21 months, P < .001). Of the 57 patients with T1-3 lesions, 46 received low to moderate doses of radiation (< or = 5,000 cGy) in conjunction with infusional 5FU based chemotherapy. These were reviewed for treatment related factors. Among patients treated with low to moderate dose chemoradiotherapy the local control (including salvage surgery) was excellent: 100% for T1 lesions and 88% +/- 6% for T2, 3 lesions. There was a suggestion that increasing the dose of radiation to the tumor may reduce the need for surgery for T2, 3 lesions. For T2, 3 lesions the local control excluding surgery was 63% +/- 12% with 3,000 cGy plus chemotherapy, as opposed to 77% +/- 11% with 4,000-5,000 Gy (mean 4,600 cGy) plus chemotherapy. The most important factor for posttreatment toxicity was the addition of pelvic surgery to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Eighteen patients who received chemoradiotherapy either had a history of prior pelvic surgery (five cases) or underwent APR following chemotherapy (13 cases). There were a total of nine grade 3 or 4 complications (including all five cases of small bowel obstruction) in this group. There was a significantly lower (P = .04) incidence of complications in the remaining patients: 2/47 (4%). It should be noted that no patient required a colostomy for management of treatment sequelae, the interventions taken were all successful in managing complications, and no complication was fatal. Nonetheless these results suggest that, for some T3 and T2 lesions, measures which reduce the need for salvage surgery might improve overall quality of life by reducing complications, although it may prove difficult to demonstrate an improvement in the excellent disease-free survival. In addition, measures should be taken to reduce the volume of irradiated bowel if a patient has a history of prior pelvic surgery.

The association between sternopleural and abdominal bristle number and fitness in Drosophila melanogaster was determined for sublines of an initially highly inbred strain that were maintained by divergent artificial selection for 150 generations or by random mating for 180 generations. Replicate selection lines had more extreme bristle numbers than those that were maintained without artificial selection at the same census size for approximately the same number of generations. The average fitness, estimated by a single generation of competition against a compound autosome strain, was 0.17 for lines selected for high and low abdominal bristle numbers and 0.19 for lines selected for high and low sternopleural bristle number. The average fitness of unselected lines, 0.46, was significantly higher than that of the selection lines. The fitnesses and the relationships of bristle number to fitness in progeny of all possible crosses of high x high (H x H), high x low (H x L) and low x low (L x L) selection lines were examined to determine whether the observed intermediate optima were caused by direct stabilizing selection on bristle number or by apparent stabilizing selection mediated through deleterious pleiotropic fitness effects of mutations affecting bristle number. Although bristle number was nearly additive for progeny of H x H, H x L and L x L crosses among sternopleural bristle selection lines, their mean fitnesses were not significantly different from each other, or from the mean fitness of the unselected lines, suggesting partly or completely recessive pleiotropic fitness effects cause apparent stabilizing selection. The average fitness of the progeny of H x H abdominal bristle selection lines was not significantly different from the fitness of unselected lines, but the mean fitness of the progeny of L x L crosses was not significantly different from that of the pure low lines. This is consistent with direct selection against low but not high abdominal bristle number, but the interpretation is confounded by variation in average degree of dominance for fitness (on average recessive in the high abdominal bristle selection lines and additive in the low abdominal bristle selection lines). Neither direct stabilizing selection nor pleiotropy, therefore, can account for all the observations.

This paper explores the impact of better cost estimation accuracy for a firm that bids on projects. Specifically, we investigate the effect of cost estimation accuracy on firms’ ability to submit lower bids amounts and their likelihood of winning in a bidding environment. We analyze highway construction bidding data between year 2001 and 2009 from a state department of transportation. Our results suggest that firms with more accurate cost estimation are more likely to lower their bids amounts and thus are more likely to win more bids than firms that have less cost estimation accuracy. The findings help us better understand the process and effect of cost estimation accuracy in the bidding environment and provide practical implications.

This work reports on the demonstration of a Microcontroller Compensated MEMS Oscillator based on a UHF ovenized AlN CMR, which shows temperature stability, short-term stability, and acceleration sensitivity comparable to SAW-based oscillators. Over the temperature range -25 ÷ 85°C, the demonstrated 586 MHz oscillator exhibits a temperature stability of 1.7 ppm, stable phase noise values better than -91 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz, and -160 dBc/Hz at 40 MHz offsets, and acceleration sensitivity values better than 30 ppb/g. The design of the integrated heater all-around the top RF electrodes and the new digital temperature controller allowed to simplify the fabrication process compared to our previous demonstration, and to virtually compensate frequency shifts of any origin, i.e. from both the MEMS and the electronic circuitry.

[1] We have used radio occultation data obtained from Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) at high latitudes (65.3°–65.6°N, 69.3°–69.6°N and 76.4°–77.5°N) to study the effects of X-ray flares and CMEs on Total Electron Content (TEC) in the E region of the Martian ionosphere in response to solar events that occurred on 29 and 31 May 2003 and on 17 January and 13 May 2005. Modeling of flare induced solar X-ray fluxes, ion production rates, electron densities and TEC are carried out, in each case based on GOES data. The estimated TEC values are compared with the in situ MGS observations. It is found that solar flare caused enhancements in the TEC of Mars by a factor of ∼5. Also, a 3D kinetic solar wind model (Hakamada-Akasofu-Fry Version 2/HAFv.2) is used to predict the arrivals of CME shocks at Mars associated with the flare event of May 2005. These predicted shock arrivals were associated with in situ enhancements in TEC by a factor of ∼2.

There were nineteen flare associated coronal mass ejection (CME) events that were reported during the Halloween 2003 epoch from 19 October to 20 November [1]. Ten of these CMEs were associated with class X flares, 8 CMEs were associated with class M flares, and one CME was associated with a class C flare. Using a well-developed hybrid code, HAFv2+3DMHD, the evolution and interactions of 16 out of 19 interplanetary CMEs from 21 October to 17 November 2003 were simulated and investigated. The HAFv2+3DMHD model combines two physical base simulation codes: the Hakamada-Akasofu-Fry code (HAFv2) and a fully three-dimensional, time-dependent magnetohydrodynamic code. We compared simulated solar wind velocity, number density, temperature, and magnetic fields with those observed by the ACE spacecraft. We have demonstrated that our global three-dimensional (3-D) simulation model is capable of simulating the evolution and interaction of multiple CMEs in a realistic and continually changing complicated solar wind structure during uniquely severe space weather conditions at Earth. This study clearly demonstrates that the HAFv2+3DMHD model can be a useful tool for space weather operations.

Recreational golf events differ from professional events in that the primary goal is not simply to identify the best golfer, but rather for all golfers to enjoy and participate meaningfully in the competition. For this reason, it can be beneficial in recreational events to employ “handicapping” systems which enable players of varying skill levels to compete on a level playing field. In this paper we use a stochastic model of the most common recreational event format, the scramble competition, to develop a formula for handicapping scramble tournaments. The formula involves only simple arithmetic, enabling its implementation by tournament organizers in a spreadsheet or other user-friendly platform. In theory, the proposed handicapping system provides all scramble teams with an equal expectation of winning the tournament. Data from actual scramble tournaments are used to assess how well this objective is met, using a scramble handicapping system recommended by the USGA as a basis for comparison. We show that the handicap developed in this paper achieves its goal of providing a more equitable tournament.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine whether advancing age affects outcome after anal sphincter reconstruction. METHOD: Anal sphincter reconstruction, performed on patients 55 years of age and older, was reviewed to determine if functional outcome was adversely affected by advancing age. A subgroup of patients was studied with anal manometry before and after repair and with pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) before surgery. Results were compared with a younger group of patients. RESULTS: Between July 1986 and July 1991, 14 patients, ages ranging from 55 to 81, underwent anal sphincter reconstruction using an overlapping muscle repair. Ten patients were incontinent of solid stool and four of liquid stool. Improvement was seen in 13 of 14 patients: 7 (50 percent) complete control, 3 (21 percent) incontinent to flatus, and 4 (29 percent) incontinent to liquid stools (including the patient who failed to improve). Ten patients were studied with a continuous pull-out manometric technique and PNTML: one was not improved. There was minimum change in mean maximum resting pressure (35.0–37.9 mmHg). Mean maximum squeezing pressure increased from 66 to 75 mmHg overall. Patients with complete control had a mean maximum squeezing pressure of 81 mmHg compared with 60 mmHg in patients with residual incontinence. Mean anterior anal sphincter length increased from 2.92 cm to 331 cm. PNTML was normal (2.0±0.2) on one or both sides in all nine patients who improved (average, 2.1). The patient who failed to improve had abnormal nerve function bilaterally (2.4, 2.7). CONCLUSION: Anal sphincter reconstruction can be performed in elderly patients with improvements in the majority of patients. Total control can be achieved by restoring maximum squeezing pressure in a patient with normal pudendal nerve function.

Introduces the concept of a manufacturing strategy based on a service orientation. Traditional manufacturing strategies have often been driven by cost minimization decisions and have encouraged the over‐reliance by managers on inventories to satisfy demand. In today′s business environment, a reliance on inventory is often not feasible. Suggests a reliance on capacity available to meet demand, as used by the service industry. Such a strategy is in direct conflict with most cost‐accounting systems because of the absorption of overhead costs based on direct labour. Proposes two alternatives for changing the accounting system, to enhance the move towards the service‐based strategy. Lastly, presents a case study of a US plant to illustrate the results that a company adopting this approach should expect.

Replicated divergent artificial selection for abdominal and sternopleural bristle number from a highly inbred strain of Drosophila melanogaster resulted in an average divergence after 125 generations of selection of 12.0 abdominal and 8.2 sternopleural bristles from the accumulation of new mutations affecting bristle number. Responses to selection were highly asymmetrical, with greater responses for low abdominal and high sternopleural bristle numbers. Estimates of VM, the mutational variance arising per generation, based on the infinitesimal model and averaged over the responses to the first 25 generations of selection, were 4.32 x 10(-3) VE for abdominal bristle number and 3.66 x 10(-3) VE for sternopleural bristle number, where VE is the environmental variance. Based on 10 generations of divergent selection within lines from generation 93, VM for abdominal bristle number was 6.75 x 10(-3) VE and for sternopleural bristle number was 5.31 x 10(-3) VE. However, estimates of VM using the entire 125 generations of response to selection were lower and generally did not fit the infinitesimal model largely because the observed decelerating responses were not compatible with the predicted increasing genetic variance over time. These decelerating responses, periods of response in the opposite direction to artificial selection, and rapid responses to reverse selection all suggest new mutations affecting bristle number on average have deleterious effects on fitness. Commonly observed periods of accelerated responses followed by long periods of stasis suggest a leptokurtic distribution of mutational effects for bristles.

Field studies were conducted in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma in 1996 to evaluate the influence of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) applied alone or in combination on the establishment rate of buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] from seed. `Cody' buffalograss burrs were planted at 98 kg·ha-1. Nitrogen was applied at 0 or 49 kg·ha-1 at planting and at 49 kg·ha-1 weekly or every other week for 5 weeks after seeding (WAS). The total N amounts applied were 0, 49, 147, or 294 kg·ha-1. Phosphorus and K were applied at rates of 0 or 49 kg·ha-1 at planting only. Percent buffalograss coverage ratings were taken weekly for up to 11 WAS. Buffalograss coverage was enhanced by N rates up to 147 kg·ha-1. Application of P improved buffalograss establishment at the Nebraska and Oklahoma sites but had no effect at the Kansas site. Potassium application had no influence on establishment at any site. Chemical names used: methyl 2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-amino]carbonyl]amino] sulfonyl]benzoate (metsulfuron methyl); 6-chloro-N,Ń-diethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (simazine)

[1] Several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed during 1–4 August 2010. At ∼17:12 UT on 3 August 2010, the Wind spacecraft detected an interplanetary shock followed by two magnetic cloud-like (MCL) structures that induced geomagnetic activity. The geomagnetic index, Dst, dropped to −65 nT while one of the MCLs passed through the magnetosphere. A global, three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical model and a kinematic model (HAFv.2), with inputs based on actual solar observations, were used to simulate the response of the three-dimensional heliosphere. HAFv.2 and MHD models were used to simulate regions from 2.5 to 18 solar radii (Rs) and 18 to 285 Rs, respectively. A velocity pulse was used to simulate the major CME on 1 August 2010. The solar disturbances were injected into the lower boundary at 2.5 Rs. It is found that the background solar wind plays an important role in the evolution of this CME on its way to Earth. We compared the derived solar wind parameters (density, velocity, magnetic field, and temperature) with in situ observations from Wind near Earth. The simulation demonstrates a useful tool to link the general case of ICME at 1 AU to their solar sources. Simulation results also show that adiabatic value of γ = 5/3 seems to be appropriate for ideal MHD simulation studies of solar wind at 1 AU.

Lrig1 is the founding member of the Lrig family and has been implicated in the negative regulation of several oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases including ErbB2. Lrig1 is expressed at low levels in several cancer types but is overexpressed in some prostate and colorectal tumors. Given this heterogeneity, whether Lrig1 functions to suppress or promote tumor growth remains a critical question. Previously, we found that Lrig1 was poorly expressed in ErbB2-positive breast cancer, suggesting that Lrig1 has a growth-inhibitory role in this tumor type. However, breast cancer is a complex disease, with ErbB2-positive tumors accounting for just 25% of all breast cancers. To gain a better understanding of the role of Lrig1 in breast cancer, we examined its expression in estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive disease which accounts for the majority of breast cancers. We find that Lrig1 is expressed at significantly higher levels in ERα-positive disease than in ERα-negative disease. Our study provides a molecular rationale for Lrig1 enrichment in ERα-positive disease by showing that Lrig1 is a target of ERα. Estrogen stimulates Lrig1 accumulation and disruption of this induction enhances estrogen-dependent tumor cell growth, suggesting that Lrig1 functions as an estrogen-regulated growth suppressor. In addition, we find that Lrig1 expression correlates with prolonged relapse-free survival in ERα-positive breast cancer, identifying Lrig1 as a new prognostic marker in this setting. Finally, we show that ErbB2 activation antagonizes ERα-driven Lrig1 expression, providing a mechanistic explanation for Lrig1 loss in ErbB2-positive breast cancer. This work provides strong evidence for a growth-inhibitory role for Lrig1 in breast cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 9(10); 1406–17. ©2011 AACR.

Risk to astronauts due to ionizing radiation exposure is a primary concern for missions beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and will drive mission architecture requirements, mission timelines, and operational practices. For short missions, radiation risk is dominated by the possibility of a large Solar Particle Event (SPE). Longer duration missions have both SPE and Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) risks. SPE exposure can contribute significantly toward cancer induction in combination with GCR. As mission duration increases, mitigation strategies must address the combined risks from SPE and GCR exposure. In this paper, full mission exposure assessments were performed for the proposed long duration lunar surface mission scenarios. In order to accomplish these assessments, previously developed radiation shielding models for a proposed lunar habitat and rover were utilized. End-to-End mission exposure assessments were performed by first calculating exposure rates for locations in the habitat, rover, and during Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVA). Subsequently, total mission exposures were evaluated for the proposed timelines. Mission exposure results, assessed in terms of effective dose, are presented for the proposed timelines and recommendations are made for improved astronaut shielding and safer operational practices.