cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of handicap stroke location on best-ball golf scores

Abstract This paper studies the effect of handicap stroke location on the outcome of handicap best-ball play for two golfers. As in a previous paper where handicap match play was analyzed, a discrete control model is constructed and an algorithm for its solution is presented which gives the maximum and minimum possible best-balls for two players. Data collected from 10 golfers is used to compute the maximum and minimum possible best-balls. The results show that handicap stroke locationhas a very profound effect on the resultant best-ball scores.
The Effect of Alternative Return Measures on Restricted Mixed‐Asset Portfolios

A restricted portfolio is constructed which includes NYSE common stocks, corporate bonds, government bonds, small capitalization common stocks, residential real estate and farmland and returns for each of four different tax brackets (0%, 15%, 30%, 45%). Next, three alternative measures of rates of return for residential real estate and farmland are used. Finally, since some researchers believe that standard risk measures (variance and standard deviation) do not capture the total risk in real estate, the risk for the real estate returns is increased five times while the returns are held constant. The twenty–four optimal portfolios (four tax brackets with two measures of risk and three measure of return for residential real estate and farmland) are then derived. These results are then compared and contrasted to each other to ascertain the change in sensitivity of the optimal portfolios due to different tax rates, different rates–of–return estimates and different risk estimates.
Globoid cell leucodystrophy in a Basset hound

A purebred four-year-old male Basset hound was presented to the Auburn University Small Animal Clinic in a paraparetic condition. Ante-mortem examination and testing did not provide a definitive diagnosis. A diagnosis of globoid cell leucodystrophy was made pathologically.
Infection-induced apoptosis deletes bystander CD4+ T cells: a mechanism for suppression of autoimmunity during BCG infection.

Infection with Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) induces high levels of apoptosis among activated CD4+ T cells. We have investigated the specificity of this pro-apoptotic response and its influence on CD4+ T cell mediated autoimmunity. Apoptosis induced by BCG-infection is unrelated to antigenic specificity, as demonstrated by the increased apoptosis of activated TCR transgenic CD4+ T cells of unrelated specificity. Moreover, infection-induced apoptosis promoted the deletion of CD4+ T cells activated either by peptide or anti-CD3/anti-CD28 stimulation. Infection-induced apoptosis required IFN-gamma production by the infected host, and expression of the IFN-gamma receptor on donor CD4+ T cells. We used an adoptive transfer model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to assess the influence of infection-induced apoptosis on a CD4+ T cell-mediated response. A significantly higher level of apoptosis was seen among sorted encephalitogenic CD4+ T cells transferred to BCG-infected versus uninfected hosts. BCG-infected mice displayed a milder course of clinical disease than their uninfected counterparts and a decreased recovery of donor cells from the CNS. The data suggest that mycobacterial infection attenuates the severity of EAE, at least in part, by promoting the apoptotic elimination of autoreactive CD4+ T cells.
Modulation of electron transport protects cardiac mitochondria and decreases myocardial injury during ischemia and reperfusion

Mitochondria are increasingly recognized as lynchpins in the evolution of cardiac injury during ischemia and reperfusion. This review addresses the emerging concept that modulation of mitochondrial...
Management of Chronic Lower Back Pain

Most individuals suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives and approximately 2% to 10% of these individuals go on to experience chronicity of their pain. The incidence of lower back pain increases with age, and it is conceivable that one can live with back pain for decades. These individuals more often experience depression and a decrease in quality of life. In this column, we focus on measures that can be taken to prevent lower back pain. Management options, both pharmacological and nonpharmacological, are also explored.
Acrolein coupling on reduced TiO2(1 1 0): The effect of surface oxidation and the role of subsurface defects

Abstract Reactions of acrolein, water, and oxygen with the vacuum-reduced surface of TiO2(1 1 0) are reported in a temperature programmed reaction study of the interaction of an aldehydic pollutant with a reducible metal oxide. A total of 25% of the acrolein that binds to the surface is converted to products. Notably, carbon–carbon coupling occurs with 86% selectivity for formation of C6 products: C6H8, identified as 1,3-cyclohexadiene, in a peak at 500 K and benzene immediately thereafter at 530 K. Acrolein is evolved from the surface in three peaks: a peak independent of coverage at 495 K, attributed to decomposition of an intermediate that is partly converted to C6H8; a coverage-dependent peak that shifts from 370 K (low coverage) to 260 K (high coverage), which is attributed to adsorption at 5-fold coordinated Ti sites; and a multilayer state at 160 K. Water and acrolein compete for 5-fold coordinated titanium sites when dosed sequentially. The addition of water also opens a new reaction pathway, leading to the hydrogenation of acrolein to form propanal. Water has no effect on the yield of 1,3-cyclohexadiene. Exposure of the surface to oxygen prior to acrolein dosing quenches the evolution of acrolein at 495 K and concurrently eliminates the coupling. From these results, we propose that reduced subsurface defects such as titanium ion interstitials play a role in the reactions observed here. The notion that subsurface defects may contribute to the reactivity of organic molecules over reducible oxide substrates may prove to be general.
The UCONABC usage control model

In this paper, we introduce the family of UCONABC models for usage control (UCON), which integrate Authorizations (A), oBligations (B), and Conditions (C). We call these core models because they address the essence of UCON, leaving administration, delegation, and other important but second-order issues for later work. The term usage control is a generalization of access control to cover authorizations, obligations, conditions, continuity (ongoing controls), and mutability. Traditionally, access control has dealt only with authorization decisions on users' access to target resources. Obligations are requirements that have to be fulfilled by obligation subjects for allowing access. Conditions are subject and object independent environmental or system requirements that have to be satisfied for access. In today's highly dynamic, distributed environment, obligations and conditions are also crucial decision factors for richer and finer controls on usage of digital resources. Although they have been discussed occasionally in recent literature, most authors have been motivated from specific target problems and thereby limited in their approaches. The UCONABC model integrates these diverse concepts in a unified framework. Traditional authorization decisions are generally made at the time of requests but hardly recognize ongoing controls for relatively long-lived access or for immediate revocation. Moreover, mutability issues that deal with updates on related subject or object attributes as a consequence of access have not been systematically studied.Unlike other studies that have targeted on specific problems or issues, the UCONABC model seeks to enrich and refine the access control discipline in its definition and scope. UCONABC covers traditional access controls such as mandatory, discretionary, and role-based access control. Digital rights management and other modern access controls are also covered. UCONABC lays the foundation for next generation access controls that are required for today's real-world information and systems security. This paper articulates the core of this new area of UCON and develops several detailed models.
Renewal theory for single-molecule systems with multiple reaction channels

Some single-molecule systems share a common feature: the system performs different cycles returning after each cycle to the same state. In such systems we deal with renewal processes. Examples include (1) single-molecule enzymatic reactions, (2) membrane transport through single-occupancy channels, (3) single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, and (4) motion of molecular motors. The paper is focused on the analysis of such systems by means of the renewal theory. To be more specific, the theory of renewal processes is used to study multivariate distribution functions of the numbers of different events in a given observation time. Our main results are simple formulas derived for the Laplace transforms of the distribution functions. General results are illustrated by consideration of several examples.
Activation and partial characterization of prolyl hydroxylase from regenerating limbs of the adult newt Notophthalmus viridescens

Abstract 1. 1. Prolyl hydroxylase activity extracted from regenerating newt ( Notophthalmus viridescens ) limb tissues can be increased by brief preincubation with cofactors (ascorbate, α-ketoglutarate, Fe 2+ and O 2 ) prior to assay with [ 3 H]proline-labeled collagen substrate. 2. 2. Newt prolyl hydroxylase is optimally active at 30°C, but loses activity rapidly at 37°C. The presence of cofactors or substrate decreases enzyme heat lability. 3. 3. Detergents (Triton X-100 and octyl glucoside) do not aid enzyme extraction and inhibit enzyme activity. Activity solubilized during homogenization without detergent remains soluble following high speed centrifugations. 4. 4. Comparative studies are reported for enzyme extracted from chick embryo tissues.
Manufacturer incentives to improve retail service levels

In this paper we provide a solution to the problem of how a manufacturer can provide an incentive to a separately-owned retailer to raise its service level above the level it would choose on its own. We analyze the effects the manufacturer's incentive has on the individual profits of the retailer and manufacturer, as well as their joint profits. Our work is an application of game theory in which we tackle the problem posed by separate ownership of the two firms and the resulting conflict over the gains from cooperation. We utilize a plausible model of service-sensitive demand, one which is relatively free of ad hoc assumptions. Our approach has the strength that it proposes a credible solution to the problem of manufacturer-retailer cooperation when profits are sensitive to retail service levels. Our results indicate that the optimal level of incentive for the manufacturer and the resulting shares of the manufacturer and retailer in increased profits are particularly sensitive to the underlying variability of demand and to the relative variability of additional demand induced by higher service levels.
Radiation cross-linking in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene for orthopaedic applications

The motivation for radiation cross-linking of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is to increase its wear resistance to be used as bearing surfaces for total joint arthroplasty. However, radiation also leaves behind long-lived residual free radicals in this polymer, the reactions of which can detrimentally affect mechanical properties. In this review, we focus on the radiation cross-linking and oxidative stability of first and second generation highly cross-linked UHMWPEs developed in our laboratory.
High-Q Si microresonators formed by substrate transfer on silica waveguide wafers.

We report the first demonstration of Si microresonators (MRs) fabricated via substrate transfer on a silica waveguide (WG) wafer. Specifically, these Si microdisks were fabricated on a layer of Si (0.16-0.2 μm thick) that was directly-bonded on a silica waveguide wafer. We measured the throughput and drop spectrum of these microdisks when coupled to bonded silica waveguides, and observed loaded quality-factors (Qs) of ≥104. We modeled, in addition, the dispersion of whispering gallery modes in these microdisks to show phase-matched coupling with an incident silica waveguide or fiber-taper. Using the measured extinction ratio and loaded-Q, we evaluated, in addition, the coupling coefficient between the incident waveguide/taper and Si MR.
Efficient Multiphysics Coupling for Fast Burst Reactors in Slab Geometry

An efficient neutron transport-based multiphysics coupling algorithm is developed to model fast-burst reactor dynamics. It extends the previously developed tightly coupled implicit-explicit (IMEX) multiphysics algorithm based on neutron diffusion and linear mechanics to follow the dynamic time scale of the problem. The diffusion model is not expected to adequately represent the neutronic behavior of the system due its small size. The transport effects are incorporated using the moment-based acceleration concept. This concept enables us to isolate the angular flux from the coupled multiphysics system by using a consistently discretized lower-order system for the scalar flux in the coupling equations, thus helping to mitigate the increased numerical burden associated with a neutron transport model. Solution of a representative slab model demonstrates the difference between diffusion and transport models and also demonstrates second-order convergence in the coupled simulation with the combination of the mome...
Antipassive and ergativity in Tagalog

Abstract This paper argues for and develops an ergative analysis of Tagalog. Determining whether a language is ergative or accusative is the result of examining the case marking alignment in transitive and intransitive clause types. However, identifying transitive and intransitive clauses has traditionally not been a straightforward task in work on Tagalog, which has been argued to possess two basic transitive clause types. Specifically, there is a long-standing controversy in Austronesian linguistics over whether the so-called ‘actor focus’ clause type is transitive or an antipassive. In this paper, I show that ‘actor focus’ clauses do in fact pattern with antipassives in uncontroversially ergative languages. This allows for the conclusion that Tagalog is an ergative language. In the analysis I propose, transitive v in ergative clauses values structural absolutive case with the object DP and assigns inherent ergative case to the external argument in its specifier. In intransitive (including antipassive) clauses, v is intransitive and accordingly has no case features to assign or value. The highest DP in v P values absolutive case with T, and the object in an antipassive is dependent on the lexical verb for inherent case.
Hybrid Governance in an Adult Program: A Nuanced Relationship.

Eastern Mennonite University's adult program uses a hybrid governance structure. Functions separated from the traditional program include marketing, admissions, and student advising. Functions that remain connected to the traditional program include the registrar, financial aid, and student business accounts.
A comparative study of the K-means algorithm and the normal mixture model for clustering: Bivariate homoscedastic case

The K-means algorithm and the normal mixture model method are two common clustering methods. The K-means algorithm is a popular heuristic approach which gives reasonable clustering results if the component clusters are ball-shaped. Currently, there are no analytical results for this algorithm if the component distributions deviate from the ball-shape. This paper analytically studies how the K-means algorithm changes its classification rule as the normal component distributions become more elongated under the homoscedastic assumption and compares this rule with that of the Bayes rule from the mixture model method. We show that the classification rules of both methods are linear, but the slopes of the two classification lines change in the opposite direction as the component distributions become more elongated. The classification performance of the K-means algorithm is then compared to that of the mixture model method via simulation. The comparison, which is limited to two clusters, shows that the K-means algorithm provides poor classification performances consistently as the component distributions become more elongated while the mixture model method can potentially, but not necessarily, take advantage of this change and provide a much better classification performance.
Actinide Science with a Soft X-ray Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscope (STXM)

Soft x-ray scanning transmission x-ray microscope (STXM) spectromicroscopy has been developed and employed to investigate several aspects of actinide chemistry and materials science at the Advanced Light Source Molecular Environmental Science (ALS-MES) Beamline 11.0.2 STXM end station. The basic approach and fundamentals of STXM experiments for radioactive materials systems is discussed. Representative results from STXM spectromicroscopy investigations of a mixed phase uranium nitride, single crystals of Eu(III)[TREN(Me-3,2-HOPO)]3 2H2O and hydrated Pu2(III)(C2O4)3(6H2O) 3H2O complexes are presented. The STXM images and soft x-ray absorption spectra illustrate the capabilities and utility of soft x-ray STXM for providing information about actinide materials, especially the light element constituents. Lastly, new and future opportunities for actinide science utilizing soft x-ray STXM are discussed in light of the planned upgrades for the STXM end stations at the ALS.
Initiating molecular growth in the interstellar medium via dimeric complexes of observed ions and molecules

A feasible initiation step for particle growth in the interstellar medium (ISM) is simulated by means of ab quantum chemistry methods. The systems studied are dimer ions formed by pairing nitrogen containing small molecules known to exist in the ISM with ions of unsaturated hydrocarbons or vice versa. Complexation energies, structures of ensuing complexes and electronic excitation spectra of the encounter complexes are estimated using various quantum chemistry methods. Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2, Z-averaged perturbation theory (ZAP2), coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples corrections (CCSD(T)), and density functional theory (DFT) methods (B3LYP) were employed along with the correlation consistent cc-pVTZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. Two types of complexes are predicted. One type of complex has electrostatic binding with moderate (7-20 kcal per mol) binding energies, that are nonetheless significantly stronger than typical van der Waals interactions between molecules of this size. The other type of complex develops strong covalent bonds between the fragments. Cyclic isomers of the nitrogen containing complexes are produced very easily by ion-molecule reactions. Some of these complexes show intense ultraviolet visible spectra for electronic transitions with large oscillator strengths at the B3LYP, omegaB97, and equations of motion coupled cluster (EOM-CCSD) levels. The open shell nitrogen containing carbonaceous complexes especially exhibit a large oscillator strength electronic transition in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Gadolinium and Hafnium Alumino-Borosilicate Glasses: Gd and Hf Solubilities

The solubilities of Hf and Gd in sodium alumino-borosilicate glasses based on the target compositions were examined and confirmed by electron microprobe analysis. The measured compositions of essentially crystal-free glasses are generally homogeneous and close to the target compositions. Therefore, the solubilities of Gd and Hf in sodium alumino-borosilicate glasses based on the target glass compositions are valid. However, for glasses containing precipitates (crystals grown from the melt) and undissolved HfO2 with overgrowths, the chemical compositions are often heterogeneous and may be significantly different from the target compositions. Precipitated crystalline phases include a rare earth silicate with the apatite sructure (NaGd9(Si5.25B)O26) in a gadolinium sodium alumino-borosilicate glass and a HfO2 phase in hafnium sodium alumino-borosilicate glasses.
LPA2 receptor mediates mitogenic signals in human colon cancer cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a mediator of multiple cellular responses. LPA mediates its effects predominantly through the G protein-coupled receptors LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3. In the present work, w...
Codon-by-codon modulation of translational speed and accuracy via mRNA folding.

Rapid cell growth demands fast protein translational elongation to alleviate ribosome shortage. However, speedy elongation undermines translational accuracy because of a mechanistic tradeoff. Here we provide genomic evidence in budding yeast and mouse embryonic stem cells that the efficiency–accuracy conflict is alleviated by slowing down the elongation at structurally or functionally important residues to ensure their translational accuracies while sacrificing the accuracy for speed at other residues. Our computational analysis in yeast with codon resolution suggests that mRNA secondary structures serve as elongation brakes to control the speed and hence the fidelity of protein translation. The position-specific effect of mRNA folding on translational accuracy is further demonstrated experimentally by swapping synonymous codons in a yeast transgene. Our findings explain why highly expressed genes tend to have strong mRNA folding, slow translational elongation, and conserved protein sequences. The exquisite codon-by-codon translational modulation uncovered here is a testament to the power of natural selection in mitigating efficiency–accuracy conflicts, which are prevalent in biology.
Distinct Requirements for IL-7 in Development of TCRγδ Cells During Fetal and Adult Life

TCRgammadelta-transgenic IL-7(-/-) mice were generated to determine whether T cells containing productively rearranged TCRgammadelta genes have additional requirements for IL-7 within the thymus or peripheral lymphoid tissues. Differences in developmental requirements for IL-7 by TCRgammadelta cells were noted and were linked to derivation from fetal- vs adult-type precursors in the thymus. Although TCRgammadelta cells are absent from IL-7(-/-) mice, TCRgammadelta cells were restored to the thymus and periphery by expression of TCRgammadelta transgenes. Endogenous TCRgamma chains were expressed by IL-7(+/-) but not IL-7(-/-) TCRgammadelta-transgenic mice, providing direct support for findings that IL-7 is necessary for rearrangement and expression of TCRgamma genes. The number of TCRgammadelta thymocytes was 10-fold reduced in TCRgammadelta-transgenic IL-7(-/-) embryos; however, adult TCRgammadelta-transgenic IL-7(-/-) or IL-7(+/-) mice had similar numbers of fetal thymus-derived TCRgammadelta cells in their skin. Thus, fetal TCRgammadelta cells required IL-7 for TCR rearrangement, but not for proliferation or survival in the periphery. In contrast, the numbers of TCRgammadelta cells in other tissues of TCRgammadelta-transgenic IL-7(-/-) mice were not completely restored. Moreover, coincident with the transition from the first to second wave of T cell precursors maturing in neonatal thymus, thymus cellularity of TCRgammadelta-transgenic IL-7(-/-) mice dropped significantly. These data indicated that in addition to TCRVgamma gene rearrangement, TCRgammadelta cells differentiating from late fetal liver or adult bone marrow precursors have additional requirements for IL-7. BrdU incorporation studies indicated that although IL-7 was not required for TCRgammadelta cell proliferation, it was required to prolong the life span of mature TCRgammadelta cells.
Nonscience majors learning science: A theoretical model of motivation

A theoretical model of nonscience majors' motivation to learn science was tested by surveying 369 students in a large-enrollment college science course that satisfies a core curriculum requirement. Based on a social-cognitive framework, motivation to learn science was conceptualized as having both cognitive and affective influences that foster science achievement. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypothesized relationships among the variables. The students' motivation, as measured by the Science Motivation Questionnaire (SMQ), had a strong direct influence on their achievement, as measured by their science grade point average. The students' motivation was influenced by their belief in the relevance of science to their careers. This belief was slightly stronger in women than men. Essays by the students and interviews with them provided insight into their motivation. The model suggests that instructors should strategically connect science concepts to the careers of nonscience majors through such means as case studies to increase motivation and achievement. 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 1088-1107, 2007 Keywords: biology; attitudes; cognitive science; achievement
Exploiting scratch-pad memory using Presburger formulas

Effective utilization of on-chip storage space is important from both performance (execution cycles) and memory system energy consumptions perspectives. While on-chip cache memories have been widely used in the past, several factors, including lack of data access time predictability and limited effectiveness of compiler optimizations, indicate that they may not be the best candidate for portable/embedded devices. This paper presents a compiler-directed on-chip scratch-pad memory (software-managed on-chip memory) management strategy for data accesses. Our strategy is oriented towards minimizing the number of data transfers between off-chip memory and the scratch-pad memory, thereby exploiting reuse for the data residing in the scratch-pad memory. We report experimental data from our implementation showing the usefulness of our technique.
Hardware Supported Time Synchronization in Multi-core Architectures

We present a design for a hardware supported global synchronization unit that would be implemented on–chip and directly accessible by all processors in a multi–core architecture. This global synchronization unit will provide all processors with access to global state information from all other processors in just a few clock ticks, and can be used to perform highly efficient and scalable time synchronization for parallel simulations. Further, our design takes into account the possibility of transient messages, and allows for non–uniform look ahead between processors in conservative synchronization methods. Simulating this hardware in a system simulator, we demonstrate its ability to decrease the runtime of a low–look ahead network simulation by a factor of two over a shared–memory barrier synchronization.
The transmediated self Life between the digital and the analog

We are spending more and more of our lives online. Meanwhile, the combination of constant connectivity and ubiquitous computing is folding the material world itself into an expansive ‘Internet of things’. As a result the line between life online and life off-line has become blurred in an existential equivalence of the digital and the analog. In this networked ecosystem, the old Web 1.0 notion of an anonymous digital persona that is separate from off-line, analog self-identity is no longer applicable. A new paradigm for conceptualizing the dialectic of digital–analog self-identity is needed. To that end, I argue that in our age of networked connectivity, self-identity is being fashioned according to the aesthetics of transmedia production. I conclude that the transmedia paradigm, taken as a model for interpreting self-identity in the liminal space between the virtual and the real, reveals a transmediated self constituted as a browsable story-world that is integrated, dispersed, episodic, and interactive.
Waist-High and Knee-Deep: Humane Learning beyond Polemics and Precincts.

In this essay, Chris Higgins sets out to disentangle the tradition of humane learning from contemporary distinctions and debates. The first section demonstrates how a bloated and incoherent “humanism” now functions primarily as a talisman or a target, that is, as a prompt to choose sides. It closes with the image of Doris Salcedo's Shibboleth, suggesting that humanism is more like the uncertain footing of Salcedo's fissure than the footholds on either side. The second section suggests that this “alien humanism” is hiding in plain sight, requiring us only to read an inch beyond the poster-ready copy fueling the polemics. Even a cursory glance at the texts from which these epitomes are drawn — from Terence's “Nothing human is foreign to me,” through Shakespeare's “What a piece of work is a man,” to Arnold's “The best of what has been thought and said” — is enough to reconnect us with a tradition stranger and more dynamic than that portrayed by boosters and knockers alike. The third section explores the tensions between the research university and the tradition of humane letters it has come to house, arguing that it will not do to escape this rancor by hiding behind the functionalist, and ultimately circular, term “humanist,” defined as one who does research in the humanities. The final section shows that if this older tradition pulls away, to some extent, from the modern humanities, it simultaneously embraces scientific and professional fields, as demonstrated by the long tradition of the physician-humanist.
A Generalized Version of the Black's Model

I propose a conditional version of The Black CAPM, where the expected return of a portfolio can be represented as a combination between the expected benchmark interest rate and the expected return related to a portfolio of all marketable assets, both driven by time-varying uncertainty. The ﬁndings of the paper are many: (i) I show the dynamics of the conditional beta related to the 49 Fama-French industry portfolios; (ii) I propose a methodology for simulating at several horizons ahead and across scenarios, the Dynamics of the Conditional Beta (DCB); (iii) I evaluate the out-of-sample performance of the methodology, using metrics of accuracy.
Gender Effects of Graphics Presentation

AbstractThis study examined the effects of presentation format on performance on mathematical test items for 114 accounting students. The characteristic of gender was believed to have a moderating effect on performance on these test items. Students were assigned either a graphical or a tabular format on four sets of data. Results indicated that males performed better than females, and individuals receiving the tabular format outperformed those receiving the graphics format. Presentation format must be considered in determining appropriate mathematical testing to prevent bias due to individual differences.
Relevance of progesterone receptor immunohistochemical staining to Oncotype DX recurrence score

Abstract Objective/Background Progesterone-receptor negativity (PR−) is predictive of adverse outcomes in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. The Oncotype DX assay provides risk stratification for hormone receptor-positive (HR+) invasive breast cancer; however, the association of PR status and Oncotype DX recurrence scores (RSs) is less clear. Methods We designed an analysis to determine whether a significant difference exists in the RS for ER+/PR− tumors when compared with ER+/PR+ breast cancer. Three hundred and fifty patients with HR+ invasive breast cancer who underwent Oncotype DX testing at our institution from December 2006 to October 2013 were included. We also examined the concordance in the HR status reported by immunohistochemical (IHC) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance, F test, t test, and chi-square tests. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine significant predictors of Oncotype DX RS. Results A total of 301 patients had ER+/PR+ tumors and 47 patients had ER+/PR− tumors by IHC. PR− tumors had a significantly higher RS than PR+ tumors (24.7 ± 8.53 vs. 17.3 ± 7.38; p p Conclusion Our study shows that ER+/PR− breast cancer tumors are associated with a significantly higher Oncotype DX scores; this interprets into a higher risk of recurrence. Our data also show that the concordance between IHC and RT-PCR was 99.3% for ER and lower at 88.7% for PR.
A customizable MapReduce framework for complex data-intensive workflows on GPUs

The MapReduce programming model has been widely used in big data and cloud applications. Criticism on its inflexibility when being applied to complicated scientific applications recently emerges. Several techniques have been proposed to enhance its flexibility. However, some of them exert special requirements on applications, while others fail to support the increasingly popular coprocessors, such as Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). In this paper, we propose MR-Graph, a customizable and unified framework for GPU-based MapReduce, which aims to improve the flexibility and performance of MapReduce. MR-Graph addresses the limitations and restrictions of the traditional MapReduce execution paradigm. The three execution modes integrated in MR-Graph facilitates users to write their applications in a more flexible fashion by defining a Map and Reduce function call graph. MR-Graph efficiently explores the memory hierarchy in GPUs to reduce the data transfer overhead between execution stages and accommodate big data applications.We have implemented a prototype of MR-Graph and experimental results show the effectiveness of using MR-Graph for flexible and scalable GPU-based MapReduce computing.
Transvaginal drainage of pelvic collections using transabdominal ultrasound-guidance: technique and review of clinical outcomes

No. 421 Transvaginal drainage of pelvic collections using transabdominal ultrasound-guidance: technique and review of clinical outcomes K. Ching, J. Sumkin; Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Radiology, Magee Women0s Hospital of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA Purpose: Placement of transvaginal drainage catheters using transvaginal ultrasound is a well established technique. In a small subset of patients, transabdominal ultrasound guidance using the distended urinary bladder as a "sonographic window" is often the best approach for visualizing and placing the transvaginal drainage catheter. The aim of our study is to evaluate clinical outcomes, safety, and complications associated with transvaginal catheter placement using transabdominal ultrasound guidance. Materials and Methods: A retrospective single institution review was performed of all patients who underwent transvaginal catheter drainage of pelvic fluid collections utilizing transabdominal ultrasound guidance between July 2008 and July 2013. 24 consecutive patients were identified and 20 catheters were placed. The remaining 4 patients underwent aspiration only. Patient demographics, technical details, microbial analysis, complications, and clinical outcomes were reviewed. Results: All patients were women with a mean age of 48.1 years (range1⁄4 27-76). 88% of collections were postoperative (n1⁄4 21), 8% from pelvic inflammatory disease (n1⁄4 2), and 4% were idiopathic (n1⁄4 1). Catheter size ranged from 6-10 F with 8 F most common (n1⁄4 17, 85%). Bladder filling was performed through a Foley catheter in 58% of patients (n 1⁄4 14) to create a sonographic window. 83% of patients (n1⁄420) had previously undergone a hysterectomy and 1 patient (4%) was pregnant at the time of the procedure. The mean volume drained was 108 mL (range1⁄4 5 to 570). Catheters were left in place for an average of 4.3 days (range1⁄4 1-17). Microbial sampling was performed in all patients with 71% (n1⁄4 17) returning a positive culture. All collections were successfully managed percutaneously in 24/24 patients (100%). There were no technical complications. Inadvertent catheter dislodgement occurred in 2/20 patients (10%), however neither patient required further intervention. Conclusion: Transvaginal catheter drainage using transabdominal ultrasound guidance is a safe and clinically effective procedure. This technique should be considered for managing deep pelvic fluid collections not easily accessible using conventional approaches.
Properties of Highly Filled, Highly Plasticized, Semicrystalline Polymer Networks

On determine quantitativement l'origine de la grande deformation a la rupture d'un propergol solide plastifie a base de poly(caprolactone)
Notes on Toxicity and Pharmacology of Indium

Indium was discovered spectroscopically by Reich and Richter in Freiburg zincblende. Although widely distributed in minerals, it usually occurs only in very small quantities, and only recently West...
Using Nutrient Data and Dye Tracing to Infer Groundwater Flow Paths and Contaminant Transfer Time in Grayson-Gunnar Cave, Monticello, KY

The proliferation of Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) among karst terrains has been a highly controversial issue for past years. Although some studies have assessed the risk of contamination which may derive from the exposure of karst aquifers to animal wastes (Brahana et al. in Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014–5035:97–102, 2014), little study has been conducted on the impact of these operations on the quality of water in karst aquifers. We will be specifically looking at the potential loading of nutrients, including nitrogen species and reactive phosphate, during specific storm events at the Grayson-Gunnar Cave outlet in Southeastern Kentucky.
Design for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Inspection Ground Control Station and Transport and Logistic System of Power Transmission Lines

Aiming at requirement for unmanned aerial vehicle inspection,this paper designs UAV inspection ground control station and transport and logistic system which is to realize whole-process monitor on UAV inspection and safe and reliable transport of UAV.Therefore,it introduces general planning of the system which includes composition of system structure and hardware.In addition,it states basic requirements for design for the ground control station and transport and logistic system.The design considers aspects of model selection for equipments,space design,electromagnetic compatibility and security in order to satisfy special requirements for UAV inspection and ensure safety and reliability.
Gaze Patterns of Normals and Schizophrenics Retelling Happy, Sad, and Angry Experiences

Exline and his colleagues’ ingenious and pioneering studies of eye contact and gaze patterns in interpersonal interactions constituted a significant force in making nonverbal communication an important domain of research in contemporary psychology. Their work has always had the attraction of focusing on variables and conditions that easily translate into life outside the laboratory. The studies reported in this chapter represent three important innovations: (1) the introduction of a dynamic model that analyzes gaze directions in real-time sequences; (2) the study of relationships among different gaze directions in affectively different interactions; and (3) the application of the new model to a psychiatric (schizophrenic) group.
Supine Flexible Cystoscopy

We attempted cystoscopy with a flexible instrument and ureteral catheter insertion in 152 supine patients. Cystoscopy was successful in 147 patients (97 per cent) and ureteral catheters were inserted in 133 (91 per cent). Examinations with this instrument are tolerated better than those with rigid cystoscopes, which may improve patient compliance with followup examinations. The current drawbacks, namely a smaller field of view, lower visual acuity and, sometimes, inadequate irrigant flow rates, may be reduced or overcome with improvements in instrument design.
Thermal fault diagnostics in Lithium-ion batteries based on a distributed parameter thermal model

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery faults are potentially hazardous to battery health, safety and performance. Thermal fault mechanisms represent a critical subset of such failures. To ensure safety and reliability, battery management systems must have the capability of diagnosing these thermal failures. We present a Partial Differential Equation (PDE) model-based scheme for diagnosing thermal faults in Li-ion batteries. For this study, we adopt a distributed parameter one-dimensional thermal model for cylindrical battery cells. The diagnostic scheme objective is to detect and estimate the size of the thermal fault. The scheme consists of two PDE observers arranged in cascade. The first observer, denoted as Robust Observer, estimates the distributed temperature inside the cell under nominal (healthy) and faulty conditions. The second observer, denoted as Diagnostic Observer, receives this estimated temperature distribution, and in turn outputs a residual signal that provides the fault information. Lyapunov stability theory has been utilized to verify the analytical convergence of the observers under heathy and faulty conditions. Simulation studies are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the scheme.
Energy and moiré patterns in 2D bilayers in translation and rotation: A study using an efficient discrete–continuum interlayer potential

Abstract Layered 2D materials consist of a stack of 2D materials interacting weakly via van der Walls (vdW) forces. The vdW interactions are modeled using long-range interlayer potentials, such as Lennard-Jones (LJ) and Kolmogorov–Crespi (KC), that are expensive to compute in atomistic and multiscale simulations. We propose a discrete–continuum (DC) effective potential for LJ and KC that includes full atomistic resolution in the short range and a continuum integral approximation outside. This reduces the computational cost by two orders of magnitude while retaining excellent accuracy. With this method, we examine the relation between stacking states and interlayer energy of a graphene bilayer under relative in-plane translations and rotations. We compare the performance of LJ and KC and characterize the moire patterns under rotation. We find that the energy of an infinite graphene bilayer is constant with rotation (with discontinuities at special angles) and explain this in terms of the moire pattern supercell. We also find that the saddle point (SP) stacking configuration becomes the stable ground state (as opposed to AB stacking) when the bilayer is compressed.
Comparison of Composite Repair Performance on Drilled and Simulated Defects

Erosion is a common failure mechanism in pipework. Particulate-laden flows are common in many industries and these particulate can quickly deteriorate piping at bends, transitions, and, if conditions are correct, straight line sections. Repair of damaged piping and pressure vessels has traditionally been accomplishing using welded repairs. During the past two decades, the use of composite materials to repair damaged pipelines has experienced a considerable increase as these repairs have become more cost effective and efficient. These repairs are frequently installed on erosion, or corrosion, damage that is on the interior of the pipe and can become through-wall. Design qualification of repairs for through-wall defects are performed using simulated flaws manufactured by drilling through the pipe wall. This creates straight-sided flaws with significant remaining stiffness, very different from the diffuse, tapered flaws produced by erosion or corrosion. In this study we investigate the performance of through-wall composite repairs installed on flaws generated by an erosion process. Hydrostatic pressure testing of these eroded flaws is performed and compared to failure pressures of repairs installed on drilled flaws. Digital image correlation is performed to understand the development of strains in the repair and to provide a quantitative comparison between the two flaw types. Recommendations are made regarding the influence of flaw shape on overall repair performance.
Outcomes of Treatment for Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors: Different Clinical Features Associated with Neurofibromatosis Type 1

PURPOSE Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are a rare subtype of sarcoma that occur spontaneously or in association with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). This study aimed to clinically differentiate these types of MPNSTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study reviewed 95 patients diagnosed with and treated for MPNST at Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea over a 27-year period. The clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and treatment outcomes of sporadic MPNST (sMPNST) and NF-1 associated MPNST (NF-MPNST) cases were compared. RESULTS Patients with NF-MPNST had a significantly lower median age (32 years vs. 45 years for sMPNST, p=0.012), significantly larger median tumor size (8.2 cm vs. 5.0 cm for sMPNST, p < 0.001), and significantly larger numbers of imaging studies and surgeries (p=0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). The 10-year overall survival (OS) rate of the patients with MPNST was 52±6%. Among the patients with localized MPNST, patients with NF-MPNST had a significantly lower 10-year OS rate (45±11% vs. 60±8% for sMPNST, p=0.046). Univariate analysis revealed the resection margin, pathology grade, and metastasis to be significant factors affecting the OS (p=0.001, p=0.020, and p < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis of the patients with localized MPNST identified R2 resection and G1 as significant prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSION NF-MPNST has different clinical features from sMPNST and requires more careful management. Further study will be needed to develop specific management plans for NF-MPNST.
Improving the safety and quality of cancer care.

The cancer community is increasingly interested in improving its safety and quality. Improvement will be driven by the expansion of safety and quality research and by a commitment to publish studies that advance high-quality, safe cancer care.
Cardiovascular Function in Long-Term Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Survivors

Abstract Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), as measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), is a powerful independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in a broad range of populations. We assessed the safety and feasibility of CPET in aging long-term hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) survivors, a population at high risk for premature onset of CVD. Next, we examined how organ-specific impairments (eg, cardiac, pulmonary, hematologic) impact VO2peak after HCT. Twenty consecutive HCT survivors underwent a comprehensive assessment of cardiopulmonary health that included CPET, echocardiography with strain, pulmonary function testing, 6-minute walk test, and timed up and go. Median age at assessment was 67.4 years (range, 42 to 75), and median time from HCT was 9.8 years (range, 3 to 20). No adverse events were observed during CPET procedures, and 95% of studies were considered to be at "peak" effort (respiratory exchange ratio ≥ 1.10). VO2peak was on average 22% less than predicted, and allogeneic HCT survivors had markedly lower VO2peak when compared with autologous HCT survivors (18.2 mL/kg/min versus 22.2 mL/kg/min; P = .05). Six participants (30%) had VO2peak ≤ 16 mL/kg/min, a threshold associated with a 9-foldrisk of death in patients undergoing HCT. Despite the presence of normal (>50%) resting left ventricular ejection fraction in all participants, 25% had markedly abnormal left ventricular longitudinal strain, an advanced echocardiographic measure of myocardial dysfunction. These findings highlight the role of stress-based measures and advanced myocardial imaging to characterize CVD risk in HCT survivors, setting the stage for tailored interventions to prevent CVD with its attendant morbidity and mortality.
Trust and privacy in the context of user-generated health data

This study identifies and explores evolving concepts of trust and privacy in the context of user-generated health data. We define “user-generated health data” as data captured through devices or so...