cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ENDOSONOGRAPHY GUIDED INJECTION THERAPY

The ability to image the gastrointestinal wall in addition to mediastinal, abdominal, retroperitoneal and pelvic organs with endosonography has permitted substantive advances in our diagnostic capabilities. Requisite to this evolution was the development of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) and trucut biopsy (TCB). These techniques permit pathologic confirmation of abnormalities heretofore only possible by surgical means. The next generation in this evolution is just emerging in the form of EUS-guided fine needle injection (FNI) therapy. Standard EUS-guided techniques for injection therapy include celiac plexus block/neurolysis, treatment of achalasia, and variceal sclerotherapy. However, this review will focus on the limited information available on EUS-FNI of anti-neoplastic agents for pancreatic cancer as well as EUS-FNI of alcohol for cystic pancreatic tumors. We will also discuss potential technical hurdles that must be overcome to allow for the safe proliferation of these techniques.
A comparative study of a-SiCxOyHz thin films grown via chemical vapor deposition for silicon photonics

We have previously demonstrated strong room-temperature luminescence at 1540 nm from erbium-doped amorphous silicon oxycarbide (a-SiC x O y H z :Er) materials. In this study, pertinent details are presented regarding the role of growth conditions and post-deposition thermal treatment in engineering the structural and optical characteristics of these novel Si-based materials for optimized luminescence performance. Three different classes of a-SiC x O y H z materials were synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition, as classified by their carbon and oxygen concentrations: SiC-like; Si-C-O; and SiO 2 -like. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nuclear reaction analysis, and spectroscopic ellipsometry were used to characterize the effects of thermal annealing, as performed at temperatures in the range of 500 - 1100° C , on the structural and optical properties of the resulting films. As the material evolves from the SiC-like, through the Si-C-O, to the SiO 2 -like matrix, the mass density and refractive index are found to decrease, whereas the optical band gap actually increases. Thermal annealing also resulted in hydrogen desorption from and densification of the a-SiC x O y H z films and in an accompanying decrease in optical gap and an increase in film refractive index. This work suggests that silicon oxycarbide could be a promising Si-based matrix for high-performance Er-doped waveguide amplifiers.
Fabrication of prototype large scale composite fiber nickel electrodes

An effort is under way to develop the composite nickel graphite fiber electrode technology to full-scale prototype stage. Preliminary studies have indicated that several fabrication routes for the Ni/graphite sintered fiber electrode may be feasible. The first deep cycle life tests on small electrodes fabricated by using a presintered fiber substrate, direct carbonyl nickel coating and chopped Ni plated fiber mat indicate that each has potential for eventual success. In the near term, however, to meet program goals, it has been decided to produce the large compression plaques by the earlier successful method. This consists in compression sintering electroless nickel plated graphite pitch mats in the H/sub 2/ atmosphere. To accomplish this most efficiently, a large platen and clamp assembly has been constructed and a high power induction furnace will be employed. >
Third-order generalized Van Vleck perturbation theory variant of multireference perturbation theory for electron correlation

A third-order approximation to the generalized Van Vleck perturbation theory (GVVPT3) variant of multireference perturbation theory treatment of dynamic electron correlation is described. The approximation builds upon some aspects of the increasingly widely used GVVPT2, which we introduced previously (Khait et al., J Chem Phys 2002, 117, 4133). In addition, using formal relations obtained in connection with GVVPT3, a more thorough understanding of GVVPT2 is obtained, including a key diagnostic that assesses suitability of GVVPT2 for specific tasks. Computational aspects of the implementation of GVVPT3, especially the use of a macroconfiguration description of the model space, are described. The obtained GVVPT3 method can use both complete and incomplete model spaces efficiently. We demonstrate the new method on a series of model problems that demonstrate the applicability of the suggested approach. Among other tests, we show that GVVPT3 is capable of reproducing MRCISD results to within 0.01 eV for the problematic barrier height of the metastable N. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Value-Based Partial Redundancy Elimination

Partial redundancy elimination (PRE) is a program transformation that identifies and eliminates expressions that are redundant on at least one (but not necessarily all) execution paths. Global value numbering (GVN) is a program analysis and transformation that identifies operations that compute the same value and eliminates operations that are redundant. A weakness of PRE is that it traditionally considers only expressions that are lexically equivalent. A weakness of GVN is that it traditionally considers only operations that are fully redundant. In this paper, we examine the work that has been done on PRE and GVN and present a hybrid algorithm that combines the strengths of each. The contributions of this work are a framework for thinking about expressions and values without source-level lexical constraints, a system of data-flow equations for determining insertion points, and a practical algorithm for extending a simple hash-based GVN for PRE. Our implementation subsumes GVN statically and, on most benchmarks, in terms of performance.
Numerical tests for assessing finite element model convergence

New requirements for finite element model convergence are defined. It is shown that the presence of constant strain states in an element is not sufficient to guarantee convergence. Numerical tests are proposed to assess convergence, direction of convergence, monotonicity of convergence, convergence rate and monotonicity of convergence rate. The proposed tests are mathematically stronger and more general than existing tests.
Epistatic Effects of Immunoglobulin GM and KM Allotypes on Outcome of Infection with Hepatitis C Virus

Immunoglobulin GM and KM allotypes—genetic markers of γ and κ chains, respectively—are associated with immune responsiveness to several infectious pathogens and with survival in certain viral epidemics. We hypothesized that GM and KM allotypes affect the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. To test this hypothesis, we serologically allotyped 100 persons with well-documented clearance of HCV infection and 198 matched persistently infected persons. None of the GM or KM phenotypes by itself was associated with the clearance or persistence of HCV infection. Particular combinations of these phenotypes, however, were significantly associated with the outcome of HCV infection. Subjects with GM 1,17 5,13 and KM 1,3 phenotypes were over three times (odds ratio [OR], 3.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44 to 8.87) as likely to clear the infection as the subjects who lacked these phenotypes. This GM phenotype had a similar association with clearance in the absence of KM 3 (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.21 to 6.23). The presence of GM 1,3,17 23 5,13 phenotype (in the absence of KM 3) was associated with persistence (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.77), while its absence (in the presence of KM 1,3) was associated with the clearance of infection (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.16 to 3.54). These results show epistatic interactions of genes on chromosomes 14 (GM) and 2 (KM) in influencing the outcome of an HCV infection. Further investigations involving candidate genes (GM, KM, HLA, and Fcγ receptors) and cellular and humoral immune responses to HCV epitopes are needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these associations.
MAKING APARTHEID WORK: AFRICAN TRADE UNIONS AND THE 1953 NATIVE LABOUR (SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES) ACT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Most analyses of apartheid labor policy focus on the regulation of the labor market rather than the industrial workplace. Instead, this article investigates the administration of South Africa's I953 Native Labour (Settlement of Disputes) Act to examine shop-floor control rather than influx control. The article argues that in response to the threat of African trade unionism, apartheid policy iuakers. in the Department of Labour addressed the problem of low African wages and expanded the use of 'works committees'. By shifting the debate about capitalism and apartheid away from influx control and migrant labor, and towards industrial legislation and shop-floor conflict, the article places working-class struggle at the center of an analysis of apartheid.
Dowry, bride-burning, and female power in India

Abstract An increasing number of bride-burnings or dowry murders have been reported from India. These are cases of married women being murdered, usually burned to death, by husbands or in-laws whose demands for more dowry from the bride's family remain unmet. Using published accounts of these incidents along with interview material from one woman who escaped burning, this article examines the problem in terms of recent changes in women's roles and sources of female power. It is tentatively suggested that bride-burnings not only reflect women's relative lack of economic power in modern India, but might also reflect a diminishing of the power Indian women traditionally exercised through their fertility.
Arabidopsis GUX Proteins Are Glucuronyltransferases Responsible for the Addition of Glucuronic Acid Side Chains onto Xylan

Xylan, the second most abundant cell wall polysaccharide, is composed of a linear backbone of β-(1,4)-linked xylosyl residues that are often substituted with sugar side chains, such as glucuronic acid (GlcA) and methylglucuronic acid (MeGlcA). It has recently been shown that mutations of two Arabidopsis family GT8 genes, GUX1 and GUX2, affect the addition of GlcA and MeGlcA to xylan, but it is not known whether they encode glucuronyltransferases (GlcATs) or indirectly regulate the GlcAT activity. In this study, we performed biochemical and genetic analyses of three Arabidopsis GUX genes to determine their roles in the GlcA substitution of xylan and secondary wall deposition. The GUX1/2/3 genes were found to be expressed in interfascicular fibers and xylem cells, the two major types of secondary wall-containing cells that have abundant xylan. When expressed in tobacco BY2 cells, the GUX1/2/3 proteins exhibited an activity capable of transferring GlcA residues from the UDP-GlcA donor onto xylooligomer acceptors, demonstrating that these GUX proteins possess xylan GlcAT activity. Analyses of the single, double and triple gux mutants revealed that simultaneous mutations of all three GUX genes led to a complete loss of GlcA and MeGlcA side chains on xylan, indicating that all three GUX proteins are involved in the GlcA substitution of xylan. Furthermore, a complete loss of GlcA and MeGlcA side chains in the gux1/2/3 triple mutant resulted in reduced secondary wall thickening, collapsed vessel morphology and reduced plant growth. Together, our results provide biochemical and genetic evidence that GUX1/2/3 are GlcATs responsible for the GlcA substitution of xylan, which is essential for normal secondary wall deposition and plant development.
Normal serum cholesterol in panic disorder.

In this report, we assessed serum cholesterol levels in 80 patients with panic disorder and 80 normal controls. Because cholesterol levels are age- and gender-dependent, the groups were matched for age and gender
Die Stacking (3D) Microarchitecture

3D die stacking is an exciting new technology that increases transistor density by vertically integrating two or more die with a dense, high-speed interface. The result of 3D die stacking is a significant reduction of interconnect both within a die and across dies in a system. For instance, blocks within a microprocessor can be placed vertically on multiple die to reduce block to block wire distance, latency, and power. Disparate Si technologies can also be combined in a 3D die stack, such as DRAM stacked on a CPU, resulting in lower power higher BW and lower latency interfaces, without concern for technology integration into a single process flow. 3D has the potential to change processor design constraints by providing substantial power and performance benefits. Despite the promising advantages of 3D, there is significant concern for thermal impact. In this research, we study the performance advantages and thermal challenges of two forms of die stacking: Stacking a large DRAM or SRAM cache on a microprocessor and dividing a traditional microarchitecture between two die in a stack Results: It is shown that a 32MB 3D stacked DRAM cache can reduce the cycles per memory access of a twothreaded RMS benchmark on average by 13% and as much as 55% while increasing the peak temperature by a negligible 0.08?C. Off-die BW and power are also reduced by 66% on average. It is also shown that a 3D floorplan of a high performance microprocessor can simultaneously reduce power 15% and increase performance 15% with a small 14?C increase in peak temperature. Voltage scaling can reach neutral thermals with a simultaneous 34% power reduction and 8% performance improvement.
Book Review: Statistical Physics: Including Applications to Condensed Matter

This is an interesting book, in part because it presents the subject from a French point of view. As we might expect, this implies an extremely logical approach to the subject and to its applications. It starts from an elementary discussion of statistical physics, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics and ends with applications to advanced topics such as electrostatic screening/magnetic susceptibility of a quasi-ID conductor, entropies of the HC1 molecule, quantum boxes and optoelectronics, and physical foundations of spintronics. These subjects are treated in exercises and problems and the solutions to those problems. En route there are chapters on the statistical description of large systems, general methods of treating the different statistical ensembles, thermodynamics and statistical physics, the ideal gas, indistinguishability, and the Pauli principle, general properties of quantum statistics, free Fermion properties, elements of bond theory, and bosons: Helium 4, photons, and thermal radiation. Some of the presentations are well done and the summaries and appendices of the chapters are useful. There are some places where the discussion has to be made more precise. A system is in an equilibrium state if the properties are time-independent, there are no fluxes, and the state can be reached by a variety of paths. There are places where there is confusion between the concepts of assembly and ensemble. An assembly is a collection of weakly interacting systems. An ensemble is a collection of isolated systems whether or not the ensemble is microcanonical, canonical, or grand canonical. The ergodic theorem is mentioned but there is no discussion about the conditions under which time and ensemble averages are the same. The discussions of the second and third laws of thermodynamics are confusing. There are a few misprints in the text, but the most egregious of these occurs on p. 90 where J. W. Gibbs is presented with the given name, John. 701
Response to Single and Divided Doses of Shiga Toxin-1 in a Primate Model of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Postdiarrheal hemolytic uremic syndrome is caused by Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli. It was shown previously that the baboon, like the human, has glycolipid receptors for Stx in the gut and the kidney and that a single 50- to 200-ng/kg intravenous dose of purified Stx-1 results in thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and renal thrombotic microangiopathy. For further characterization of factors that modulate disease expression, the baboon's response to the intravenous administration of 100 ng/kg Stx-1 given either rapidly as a single bolus or slowly as four 25-ng/kg doses at 12-h intervals was compared. Animals that received the Stx-1 as a single dose developed thrombocytopenia, schistocytosis, and acute renal failure. Urinary but not plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations rose significantly by 6 h and then declined rapidly. Urinary and plasma interleukin-6 concentrations rose later. Glomeruli showed reduced patency of capillary loops, fragmented red blood cells, fibrin and platelet microthrombi, necrosis and detachment of endothelial cells, and accumulation of flocculent material in subendothelial spaces. Damage to tubular epithelium and peritubular capillary endothelium also was seen. Animals that received four divided doses of Stx-1 developed no clinical or histologic features of hemolytic uremic syndrome. It is concluded that in the primate model, disease expression is modulated by the rate of Stx administration, and it is speculated that in the human, the rate of Stx absorption from the gut is one determinant of disease severity.
An Autonomic Reservoir Framework for the Stochastic Optimization of Well Placement

The adequate location of wells in oil and environmental applications has a significant economic impact on reservoir management. However, the determination of optimal well locations is both challenging and computationally expensive. The overall goal of this research is to use the emerging Grid infrastructure to realize an autonomic self-optimizing reservoir framework. In this paper, we present a policy-driven peer-to-peer Grid middleware substrate to enable the use of the Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation (SPSA) optimization algorithm, coupled with the Integrated Parallel Accurate Reservoir Simulator (IPARS) and an economic model to find the optimal solution for the well placement problem.
Performance Modeling of Business Processes Enabled by RFID and Web Services

The emergence of radio frequency identification (RFID) and web services technology enables the innovation in business and application integration, but it also generates the complexity in the business process. It raises several concerns such as reduced understandability, inflexibility, and increased exceptions leading to processes requiring more time to be developed, tested and maintained. There is a need to develop effective performance models that can serve as a means for comparing alternative processes at the design stage. In this work, we formulate an analytical model based on queuing theory to predict the service duration time within the web services environment. The implementation for this performance model provides the business processing time in spare parts supply chain. The result would aid in the estimation the business process service time of comparing processes.
Glial Cell Line-derived Neurotrophic Factor Signals through the RET Receptor and Activates Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a member of the transforming growth factor-β family of growth factors, was first identified by its ability to promote the survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in culture. We demonstrate that GDNF treatment of several neuroblastoma cell lines leads to dose-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of the RET receptor and that other transforming growth factor-β family members are not able to activate the RET receptor. GDNF treatment of neuroblastoma cells also results in increased transcription of an Elk luciferase reporter gene, suggesting that GDNF activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway.
Postmenopausal Bleeding: A Blessing in Disguise

This case report highlights the issue of a clinical need for screening older women beyond the age of 65 years for HPV screening. In view of the emerging evidence of a second peak of cervical cancer in the older population and the fact that there is a reported increase in the prevalence of HPV in this high-risk group, there is room for a consideration of HPV screening in post menopausal women beyond the age of 65 years. J Clin Gynecol Obstet. 2014;3(4):141-142 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jcgo286w
A Protocol for Measuring Pull-off Stress of Wound-Treatment Polymers

Skin wounds and burns compromise the body’s natural barrier tobacteria and other pathogens. While many forms of wound dress-ings are available, polymeric ﬁlms are advantageous for variousreasons, ranging from the ease of application to durability. Onecommon drawback of using polymeric ﬁlms for a wound bandageis that the ﬁlms tend to adhere to common inanimate objects.Patients spend hours in contact with soft and hard materialspressed against their skin, which, if the skin was dressed with apolymeric ﬁlm, would inﬂict further wound damage upon bodymovement. In this work, we present a novel technique that allowedfor measuring polymeric tackiness, after a long incubation period,with materials regularly encountered in a hospital or home set-ting, and soft fabrics. The polymers were exposed to an environ-ment intended to simulate daily conditions and the technique isdesigned to perform multiple experiments simultaneously withease. Four commercially available polymers (new-skin, no-stingskin-prep, skin shield, and Silesse) were tested as proof-of-conceptto gather preliminary data for an overall assessment of woundtreatment efﬁcacy, resulting in the estimation of pull-off stress ofthe polymers from a specimen of porcine skin. Silesse did notreveal a measurable tackiness, no-sting skin-prep had the highestmean tackiness (13.8kPa), while the mean tackiness between new-skin and skin shield was approximately equal (9.8 kPa vs.10.1kPa, respectively), p¼0.05. Future work on polymeric ﬂuidsfor wound dressing applications should include tensile stress anddynamic viscosity estimations. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4027412]Keywords: wound treatment, bioadhesion, polymeric ﬁlms,mechanical testing, tackiness
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin: promise and challenge in patients with acute myeloid leukemia

CD33 is a suitable target to guide delivery of a toxic moiety to most acute myeloid leukemia cells. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg) is a humanized antiCD33 monoclonal antibody covalently linked to a derivative of a cytotoxic antibiotic, calicheamicin. As a single agent, gemtuzumab ozogamicin has activity (complete remission rate of 15-20%) in patients with relapsed disease. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin-based combinations are being studied as induction, maintenance and relapse regimens. The chemical hepatotoxicity often observed with gemtuzumab ozogamicin therapy is of little clinical consequence. However, hepatic veno-occlusive disease is a relatively frequent and serious toxicity for which no clear risk factors, other than stem cell transplantation, have been defined. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin-based regimens may be particularly worthy of study in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin is approved as single-agent therapy for patients over the age of 60 years in first relapse who are not considered candidates for cytotoxic therapy. The administration of gemtuzumab ozogamicin should be carried out under a level of supervision commensurate with that afforded other intensely myelosuppressive agents. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin-based combinations should not be prescribed outside the research setting until further data is available.
The Fluctuation of the Quasi-Gaussian Likelihood

It has already been noted that use of the quasi-Gaussian likelihood in the case of a causal and invertible ARMA process leads to consistent and asymptotically normal estimates of the unknown parameters of the model. However, in the non-Gaussian context, even though and invertible (that is, minimum phase), the estimates are not efficient. In the nonminimum phase non-Gaussian case the estimates are not even consistent. However, because most estimation procedures use the quasi-Gaussian likelihood and maximize it in the minimum phase case to get estimates, it seems relevant to look at the likelihood as a surface in the parameters. There are good reasons to look at the likelihood surface rather than directly analyze the maximization. The approximation of the likelihood surface globally may yield an effective moderate sample representation that gives better insight than a direct large sample analysis of the estimate. The random fluctuation of the likelihood may lead to several local maxima that could lead a numerical optimization procedure away from the global maximum. In such a case, the quality of the estimate might depend to a great extent on the starting value obtained by an initial estimation procedure. This is especially the case if the local maxima due to random fluctuation occur in the case of likelihood functions that are relatively flat in a neighborhood of the true parameter values.
Some Turbulence Measurements in Water

The results of limited turbulence measurements in water in a free-surface flow are presented. A commercially available hot-wire anemometer of the constant-temperature type was used, and the recording and reduction of data were accomplished using an IBM 7094-7040 digital computing system and its peripheral analog-to-digital conversion equipment. The local temporal mean velocities, root mean squares of the turbulent velocity fluctuations, turbulent energy spectra, and auto-correlation curves were obtained directly from the digital computer. The relative turbulent intensities ranged from 4% to 5% near the water surface to 16% near the channel bottom for two cases having R of 66,200 and 91,100. Energy spectra showed that most of the turbulent energy was concentrated at frequencies less than 2 cps to 4.5 cps. The macro-scale of the turbulence in the flow direction was on the order of 80% of the depth and the turbulent microscale in that direction was approximately 10% of the depth for the experiment at the lower Reynolds number.
Three-dimensional quantitative phase imaging via tomographic deconvolution phase microscopy

The field of three-dimensional quantitative phase imaging (3D QPI) is expanding rapidly with applications in biological, medical, and industrial research, development, diagnostics, and metrology. Much of this research has centered on developing optical diffraction tomography (ODT) for biomedical applications. In addition to technical difficulties associated with coherent noise, ODT is not congruous with optical microscopy utilizing partially coherent light, which is used in most biomedical laboratories. Thus, ODT solutions have, for the most part, been limited to customized optomechanical systems which would be relatively expensive to implement on a wide scale. In the present work, a new phase reconstruction method, called tomographic deconvolution phase microscopy (TDPM), is described which makes use of commercial microscopy hardware in realizing 3D QPI. TDPM is analogous to methods used in deconvolution microscopy which improve spatial resolution and 3D-localization accuracy of fluorescence micrographs by combining multiple through-focal scans which are deconvolved by the system point spread function. TDPM is based on the 3D weak object transfer function theory which is shown here to be capable of imaging “nonweak” phase objects with large phase excursions. TDPM requires no phase unwrapping and recovers the entire object spectrum via object rotation, mitigating the need to fill in the “missing cone” of spatial frequencies algorithmically as in limited-angle ODT. In the present work, TDPM is demonstrated using optical fibers, including single-mode, polarization-maintaining, and photonic-crystal fibers as well as an azimuthally varying CO2-laser-induced long-period fiber grating period as test phase objects.
Walker's Species of Membracidae from United States and Canada

Francis Walker in his “List of Specimens of Homopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum” (Part II, 1851) and in his Supplement to that catalogue (1858) described twenty-nine species of Membracidae from America north of Mexico. Unfortunately, many of his descriptions are so inadequate that although the membracids of this region are now fairly well known, yet a large number of his species have never been certainly recognized and a few have been practically relegated to the limbo of “lost species.”
The Weather of Hell: A Look at the Meteorology of Dante's Inferno

One of the most vivid—and disturbing—descriptions of hell is the one revealed in the Inferno, which is the first part of Dante Alighieri's 14th-century epic poem Divine Comedy. In the Divine Comedy...
Biosocial Research in Social Work Journals: A Systematic Review

Background:Despite an emphasis on a biopsychosocial understanding of human behavior and the relevance of biosocial research to social work practice, it is unclear whether social work is contributing to biosocial research and knowledge.Methods:Systematic review procedures were employed to locate studies that included biological variables (e.g., genetic or physiological factors) related to behavior and were published in a social work journal between 2000 and 2015. Seventy-five social work journals were searched. Studies were screened and coded by two independent reviewers.Results:Eleven studies were eligible for this review; one was a behavior genetics study, two were molecular genetics studies, two were neurological studies, and six studies examined physiological factors such as skin conductance and salivary cortisol.Discussion:Findings suggest that social work as a discipline is not contributing new knowledge to advance the “bio” component of the biopsychosocial framework. Implications and recommendations...
Comparison of effects of diffetent drug-dluting stents on serum C-rection protein and interleukin-6 levels

Objective:To compare the effects of three different drug-dluting stents(DESs)(sirolimus-eluting stent,Cypher Select;paclitaxel-eluting stent,Yinyi;and biodegradable polymer-based sirolimus-eluting stent, Excel)on serum C-reactive protein(CRP)and interleukin-6(IL-6)levels after stents implation.Method:Consecutive 104 patients with unstable angina pectoris(UAP)with single-vessel disease demonstrated by angiography were involved and divided into Cypher group(n=33),Yinyi group(n=28)and Excel group(n=43)according to the stents implanted.The serum concentrations of CRP and IL-6were determined before and at 48h,7d,and 30 d after coronary intervention.Result:There was no difference in clinical and angiographic baseline characteristics and basic serum CRP and IL-6concentrations among the 3 groups.The serum CRP and IL-6 concentrations at 48h after stenting were significantly higher in each group compared with baseline(P0.01,respectively).In each group the levels of CRP and IL-6declined at 7d,and were significantly lower than levels on baseline(P0.05, respectively)at 30 dafter procedure.However when compared within 3 groups,there was no significant difference of the serum CRP and IL-6 levels at 48h,7d,and 30 dafter stenting.Conclusion:Each of the three different DESs could trigger an early inflammatory response and lead increases of levels of serum CRP and IL-6 after stents implation.However the impacts on serum CRP and IL-6 of the different DESs were similar.
Susceptibility to Shear Band Formation in Work Hardening Materials

The linearized equations that describe the evolution of small perturbations to a state of homogeneous shearing are described for a work hardening, thermo/viscoplastic material. Simple analysis of special cases shows that arbitrary initial conditions are followed by a temporal boundary layer, which reduces the initial degrees of freedom, and that scaling laws, which govern the timing of localization and the sensitivity to imperfections, can be found from the linearized equations alone.
Sustainable Stormwater Management: Examining the Role of Local Planning Capacity in Mitigating Peak Surface Runoff

The Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, is rich in natural resources. Its watershed has been impacted by excessive and degraded stormwater runoff from rapid urbanization. We used an empirical approach to investigate how local planning capacity in the Chesapeake Bay watershed affected stream flow. A multiple regression analysis was employed to examine to what extent that the planning factors and other contextual variables were associated with peak runoff. Counterintuitively, we found that sub-basins included in the sample jurisdictions with a relatively high plan quality score tend to generate higher volumes of peak runoff. Results further indicate that specific geographical, basin characteristic, and biophysical factors affected mean annual peak runoff significantly. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of local planning capacity and sustainable stormwater management concepts in mitigating excessive runoff.
The impact of legislation on the hazard of female genital mutilation/cutting: regression discontinuity evidence from Burkina Faso.

In 1996, Burkina Faso enacted legislation banning the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Much of the qualitative literature surrounding FGM/C discounts the impact of legal change on what is considered a social/cultural issue. We use data from the Demographic and Health Surveys DHS(VI) in Burkina Faso to test for a discontinuous change in the likelihood of being cut in the year the law was passed. We ﬁnd robust evidence for a substantial drop in hazard rates in 1996 and investigate the heterogeneous impact of the law by region, religion, and ethnicity. Overall, we roughly estimate that over a ten year period the law averted the genital mutilation/cutting of approximately 237,591 women and girls. We qualify our ﬁndings recognizing that Burkina Faso is a special case with a long history of bottom-up and top-down approaches to eliminating the practice.
Neuro-rejuvenation for neuronal function

Neurodegenerative eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cause irreversible vision loss in millions of patients worldwide, creating serious medical, economic and social issues. Like other mammalian central nervous system tracts, optic nerve intrinsically lacks the capacity for axonal growth and its surrounding environment is also non-permissive to regeneration. Any axonal damage also triggers a vicious cycle of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Exploring methods that can enhance RGCs survival and promote axonal regeneration will not only enable vision restoration for millions of patients, but also shed light on the treatment of other neurodegenerative diseases. In this review article, we will go through three current approaches to cure neurodegenerative eye diseases, including cell based therapy, neuro-regeneration and neuro-rejuvenation.
Predictors of treatment utilization among adolescents with social anxiety disorder

Abstract Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a highly prevalent, yet frequently undetected and untreated, psychological disorder. In adolescents, when untreated, SAD often follows a chronic course and is associated with social impairment, poor educational attainment, diminished quality of life, and high rates of comorbidity. Barriers to treatment include low socioeconomic status, minority status, difficulty in detecting internalizing symptomatology, and poor public awareness of the nature and signs of SAD. The present study aimed to identify the predictors of treatment utilization for SAD adolescents among a nationally representative sample of adolescents. A hierarchical logistic regression was performed with demographic variables entered in the first block, comorbid mood, anxiety, eating, and substance use disorders entered in the second block, and comorbid externalizing disorders entered in the final block. Results of this study indicate that lower rates of receiving treatment were predicted by Hispanic ethnicity and extreme poverty, while higher rates of receiving treatment were significantly predicted by the presence of comorbid diagnoses, including depression, another anxiety disorder, and an eating disorder in adolescents with SAD. The presence of comorbid ADHD was a significant predictor of service receipt over and above other comorbid disorders and sociodemographic variables. The results highlight priorities for expanded healthcare policy to improve recognition of and service use for SAD and identify key aspects of research to be further developed.
Abstract 4231: Combination of epigenetic, differentiation and DNA damaging agents induce tumor cell death and stem cell depletion in breast cancer

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA The histone deacetylase inhibitor, entinostat, is a new-generation epigenetic drug, which has recently demonstrated notable clinical efficacy when used in combination with standard therapy. Retinoids induce differentiation in various types of stem cells. However, its delivery to patients is challenging because of its rapid metabolism. Also, epigenetic changes in the retinoic acid receptors often render cancer cells retinoid-resistant. We have shown that a combination of entinostat, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and doxorubicin causes significant regression of xenografts of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and investigated the mechanism underlying the effectiveness of this combination therapy. Combinations of entinostat, retinoic acid and doxorubicin were optimal in causing tumor regression in triple negative breast cancer xenografts. Gene expression analysis of treated TNBC cells identified genes most effectively reprogrammed by entinostat and doxorubicin (ED) combination therapy. These genes are involved in cell cycle arrest, inflammation and differentiation, which are related to better survival outcome in patients. Entinostat sensitizes the cells to doxorubicin-induced growth arrest, resulting in increased apoptosis and necrosis. Adding ATRA to ED regulated interferon genes and members of the cancer/testis antigens (CTA) and tripartite motif (TRIM) family of proteins and induces inflammation in nude mice. Entinostat/ATRA/dox therapy was most effective to target breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) in limiting dilution assays of growth in mammary fat pads. The epithelium-specific ETS transcription factor-1 (ESE-1 or ELF3), known to regulate cellular proliferation and differentiation mediates the epigenetic differentiation effect. Patient-derived distant metastases responded to entinostat/ATRA/dox therapy in culture. Thus, the combination therapy may have significant effects in decreasing both local and metastatic growth in breast cancer, especially in decreasing recurrence by targeting breast cancer stem cells. Citation Format: Vanessa F. Merino, Nguyen Nguyen, Helen Sadik, Soonweng Cho, Leslie Cope, Xian C. Zhou, Zhe Zhang, Qian Chen, Duojia Pan, David L. Huso, Syed Ali, Christina Adams, Balazs Győrffy, Saraswati Sukumar. Combination of epigenetic, differentiation and DNA damaging agents induce tumor cell death and stem cell depletion in breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4231. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4231
Fully automated, comprehensive knowledge-based planning for stereotactic radiosurgery: Preclinical validation through blinded physician review

Abstract Purpose As knowledge-based planning (KBP) attempts to augment and potentially supplant manual treatment planning, it is imperative to ensure any implementation maintains or improves overall plan quality in any disease site. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the overall quality of KBP-driven automated stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment planning using blinded physician comparison and determine systematic factors predictive of physician plan preference to guide future KBP refinement. Methods and materials Automated noncoplanar volume modulated arc therapy KBP routines were developed for 199 plans across 3 clinical SRS scenarios: isolated lesions (isolated), lesions closely abutting ( Results For the isolated, involved, and multimet scenarios, the KBP plans were considered to be superior or equivalent to clinical plans 86.7% (91/105), 81.1% (43/53), and 78.1% (32/41) of the time, respectively. All investigated quality metrics were equivalent or indicated more sparing for all KBP plans. The only nondosimetric predictor was planning target volume in the isolated ( P = .02) and involved ( P = .05) groups. The dosimetric predictors for the isolated group were gradient measure and heterogeneity index (both P P = .01). Conclusions The fully automated KBP SRS plans were equivalent or superior to previously treated plans in 83.4% (166/199) of cases. In clinical implementation, geometric features found to be predictive of KBP performance can be used to identify plans where KBP results might benefit from further refinement, whereas dosimetric predictive features could be used to further refine KBP optimization priorities.
Anchored Transosseous-Equivalent Versus Anchorless Transosseous Rotator Cuff Repair: A Biomechanical Analysis in a Cadaveric Model.

Background The original approach for the repair of torn rotator cuffs involved an open technique with sutures passing through the greater tuberosity and tendon. The development of suture anchors allowed for an all-arthroscopic approach with anchor configurations attempting to re-create a transosseous fixation pattern. Presently, an arthroscopic approach can be combined with a transosseous suture configuration without using anchors. Purpose To evaluate cyclic loading, ultimate load to failure, and the failure mechanisms of transosseous-equivalent (TOE) repair with anchors and anchorless transosseous (AT) repair of rotator cuff tears. Study design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Supraspinatus tears (25 mm) were created in 20 fresh-frozen, human cadaveric shoulders, which were randomized to TOE or AT repair (10 in each group, paired experimental design). Biomechanical testing was performed with an initial preload, cyclic loading, and load to failure. Optical markers were used to monitor gap formation in 3 planes, and the failure mode was recorded. Paired t tests were used to make comparisons of biomechanical parameters between the groups. Multinomial logistic regression was used to compare failure modes between the groups. Significance was set to .05. Results The TOE group had a significantly higher mean (±SD) ultimate failure load (578.5 ± 123.8 N) than the AT group (468.7 ± 150.9 N) ( P = .034). The TOE group also had a significantly less mean first-cycle excursion (2.97 ± 1.97 mm) than the AT group (4.70 ± 2.04 mm) ( P = .046). There were no significant differences between the groups in cyclic elongation or linear stiffness during cyclic loading. Primary modes of failure were a type 2 tendon tear with medial tendon disruption in the TOE group (7/10) and a type 1 tendon tear with lateral tendon disruption in the AT group (6/10). Conclusion TOE repair resulted in a significantly higher mean failure load compared with AT repair in a cadaveric model. The most common modes of failure were a type 2 tendon tear in the TOE group and a type 1 tendon tear in the AT group. Clinical relevance A higher mean failure load in TOE versus AT constructs may come at the cost of a less favorable failure mode adjacent to medial anchors at the musculotendinous junction, potentially making revision difficult.
A DESIGN APPROACH FOR MULTIPLE PROCESSOR COMPUTERS

The advent of inexpensive computing power, i.e., microprocessors, has spurred a great deal of interest in coupling these devices in some coordinated fashion to create solutions to sophisticated problems. In this paper, a class of computer architectures is investigated having the property that the interconnection network of dedicated function processors, which make up a computer, is generated from a high level definition of desired system operation called a control grammar. The multiple processor architecture generated is not unique but rather allows the selection of a candidate machine architecture from a class of architectures satisfying the constraints of the control grammar by applying performance criteria. The control grammar concept is an application of push-down automata theory to the problem of defining control interaction within a network of concurrently operating processors. This concept allows the operation of a processor, upon receipt of a command, to be a function of an internal state as well as the received command. The transition graph of the control grammar maps directly into the set of possible multiple processor network architectures. Properties of the architectures developed in this manner, such as deadlock resolution and performance, are briefly discussed.
When public diplomacy faces trade barriers and diplomatic frictions: the case of the Korean Wave

South Korea’s cultural entertainment products such as popular music, TV dramas and films have recently enjoyed growing popularity in Asia-Pacific rim countries and the rest of the world. The cultural phenomenon called the Korean Wave or “Hallyu” has elevated South Korea’s national brands, increased their overseas exports, and promoted human exchanges. This study finds that the remarkable success of the Korean Wave is due to collaborative efforts by the Korean government and private cultural industries by utilizing Korea’s pop entertainment products as an effective tool for global public diplomacy. This study also discusses recent setbacks in the Korean Wave due to protective trade barriers in several Asian countries, as well as strained diplomatic relations and anti-Korean Wave sentiments in Japan and China.
Impact of climate change and climate anomalies on hydrologic and biogeochemical processes in an agricultural catchment of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA

Abstract Nutrient export from agricultural landscapes is a water quality concern and the cause of mitigation activities worldwide. Climate change impacts hydrology and nutrient cycling by changing soil moisture, stoichiometric nutrient ratios, and soil temperature, potentially complicating mitigation measures. This research quantifies the impact of climate change and climate anomalies on hydrology, nutrient cycling, and greenhouse gas emissions in an agricultural catchment of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We force a calibrated model with seven downscaled and bias-corrected regional climate models and derived climate anomalies to assess their impact on hydrology and the export of nitrate (NO3-), phosphorus (P), and sediment, and emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and di-nitrogen (N2). Model-average (±standard deviation) results indicate that climate change, through an increase in precipitation and temperature, will result in substantial increases in winter/spring flow (10.6 ± 12.3%), NO3- (17.3 ± 6.4%), dissolved P (32.3 ± 18.4%), total P (24.8 ± 16.9%), and sediment (25.2 ± 16.6%) export, and a slight increases in N2O (0.3 ± 4.8%) and N2 (0.2 ± 11.8%) emissions. Conversely, decreases in summer flow (−29.1 ± 24.6%) and the export of dissolved P (−15.5 ± 26.4%), total P (−16.3 ± 20.7%), sediment (−20.7 ± 18.3%), and NO3- (−29.1 ± 27.8%) are driven by greater evapotranspiration from increasing summer temperatures. Decreases in N2O (−26.9 ± 15.7%) and N2 (−36.6 ± 22.9%) are predicted in the summer and driven by drier soils. While the changes in flow are related directly to changes in precipitation and temperature, the changes in nutrient and sediment export are, to some extent, driven by changes in agricultural management that climate change induces, such as earlier spring tillage and altered nutrient application timing and by alterations to nutrient cycling in the soil.