cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does Surgical Ablation Energy Source Affect Long-Term Success of the Concomitant Cox Maze Procedure?

Background The Cox maze (CM) procedure is routinely performed using surgical ablation technology. Reports are scarce on long-term outcomes of CM, especially for a large series of patients. This study examined the potential impact of surgical ablation energy source on safety and long-term efficacy of concomitant CM procedures. Methods The study sample consisted of 709 concomitant CM-treated patients operated on with cryothermal energy only (group 1; n = 386) or combination of cryothermal and bipolar radiofrequency (group 2; n = 323). Data were collected prospectively on perioperative outcomes, rhythm status, survival, and clinical events. Propensity score matching conducted by energy source resulted in 298 patients per group. Results Perioperative outcomes included stroke (n = 4), reoperation for bleeding (n = 23), renal failure requiring temporary dialysis (n = 18), readmissions before 30 days (n = 86), and operative death before 30 days (n = 16; ratio of observed to expected mortality [O/E ratio], 0.50). Independent predictors for 1-year and 5-year rhythm success were a shorter history of atrial fibrillation (1-year odds ratio [OR], 0.93, p = 0.001; 5-year OR, 0.93, p = 0.042) and cryothermia alone (1-year OR=1.77, p = 0.020; 5-year OR = 2.29, p = 0.009). After matching, group 1 had significantly higher sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic drugs at 6 months (79% vs 70%; p = 0.016), 36 months (81% vs 69%; p = 0.010), and 60 months (75% vs 57%; p = 0.008). Stroke incidence was lower for group 1 (0.7% vs 3%; p = 0.033), with no difference in major bleeding (10% vs 11%; p = 0.597). Groups had similar survival rates (log rank, 0.6; p = 0.452). Conclusions Concomitant CM procedures performed with cryothermal energy alone or combined with bipolar radiofrequency ablation are safe and exceedingly effective. The association of cryothermal energy alone with higher rates of sinus rhythm and stroke reduction should be investigated further.
The Duke of Newcastle and the Diplomatic Revolution, 1753–1757: A Historical Revision

ABSTRACTDrawing on a diverse array of archival and secondary sources, this analysis examines the role of Thomas Pelham Holles, First Duke of Newcastle, against the background of the famous Reversal of Alliances that ushered in the Seven Years War. Contrary to historical tradition, Newcastle showed an admirable grasp of finance, politics, and diplomacy—a precondition of the political stability that facilitated Britain’s successful pursuit of military operations during the war. Unlike most noble contemporaries, with a sound understanding of European/colonial developments, Newcastle was capable of pursuing coherent policies with intelligence and resolution. In a political system that relied heavily on social connexions and diplomatic ritual, Newcastle performed as well as any minister could hope; in an extremely dynamic international environment, contending with dubious allies, implacable enemies, and the vicissitudes of military fortune, he conceived, negotiated, and executed policies that raised necessary ...
Effects of Catholic School Attendance on Student Achievement: A Review and Extension of Research

This paper begins with a review of basic descriptive data on achievement differences between public and Catholic school students and the main theories intended to explain Catholic sector effects on student achievement. The main theories are cast in terms of competitive markets, the communities in which the schools are embedded, and the historically institutionalized purposes of the schools. The analytical research is then reviewed and extended with some original analyses from recently collected national survey data on high school students. The main points from the review and extension of empirical research are as follows: (a) Catholic high schools have positive effects on verbal and mathematics achievement, but no discernable effects on science; (b) Catholic school effects are greater for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, especially with respect to family structure and functioning; and (c) the main schooling mechanism accounting for the Catholic school effects is the greater concentration of academic coursetaking among Catholic school students. The most glaring gap in the research record is the lack of data to assess effects of Catholic elementary school attendance. Finally, further work is needed to sort out the larger theoretical issues and practical implications of markets, charters, and communities.
Distributed Onboard Sensor Network Based Navigation of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Reliable and accurate navigation of an UAV is crucial for most applications. Nav- igation of the UAV with a single IMU can be potentially dangerous and therefore, a multiple IMU based approach is proposed in which a consensus algorithm is employed to integrate the local information fusion lters in a distributed sensor network. Simulations demonstrate reliable performance of the consensus-based approach that estimates the attitude of the UAV.
Robots as a Potential Source of Particulate Contamination

The replacement of human clean room operators by robots provides an opportunity to reduce a major source of airborne particulate contamination. However, robotic manipulators also generate particulates, albeit at a reduced rate. The detrimental effects of robot-induced contamination on product yield will become increasingly important as the minimum feature size of integrated circuits continues to shrink. This paper reports the results of an investigation of the airborne submicron particulate contamination generated by an Intelledex 660 robotic arm. Particles generated by the joints of the manipulator under various operating modes are examined. In addition, a comparison of the particulate contamination generated by several custom end-effectors designed for handling integrated circuit photomasks is presented.
SELECTION EFFECTS, CORPORATE LAW AND FIRM VALUE

A significant amount of work has been done on corporate law choice and firm value (in terms of share prices, Tobin's Q, or variants), particularly in recent years. These empirical studies of the effect of corporate law on firm value have invariably used econometric methods that treat the decision to incorporate as a random event. Recent research from the U.S. and abroad has recently shown that this decision is far from random. It is quite possible that the magnitude, sign, and statistical significance of the effect of reincorporation on firm value are quite different when the selection effects are considered. Using a prior dataset that enables selection effects to be considered, I show that the accounting for selection effects using Heckman (1976, 1979) corrections is both economically and statistically significant in ascertaining the impact of corporate law on firm value.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ethics: Abibliography of recent books

Thirty-five recent books that consider ethical, social, legal, and policy issues in information and communication technology (ICT) are cited and annotated below. Each book has a publisher’s date of 1999 or later. The list of books identified in this issue of Ethics and Information Technology expands on the (nearly 100) books that were cited and annotated in the two bibliographies included in previous issues of this journal: one in Vol. 1, No. 1 (1999); and the other in Vol. 2, No. 1 (2000). Those bibliographies identified many important books on or related to ICT ethics that were published between 1997 and 1999. A comprehensive list of books and articles published before 1997 is included in my Computing, Ethics, and Social Responsibility: A Bibliography (CPSR Press, 1996). An updated version of that work is also available on-line at: http://cyberethics.cbi.msstate.edu/biblio/. For a select list of approximately 200 recent articles (published since 1998), see my annual “computer ethics bibliography updates” in the June 1999, June 2000, and June 2001 issues of Computers and Society.1
Philosophy, science and business ethics: Frederick's new normative synthesis

After examining Frederick's charge in his recently published Values, Nature, and Culture in the American Corporation that philosophers and others in the field of business ethics and business and society ignore nature and technology, the paper investigates Frederick's attempt to articulate and defend a New Normative Synthesis (NNS). Since the NNS is the result of a synthesis between Frederick's theory of business values and the body of principles in business ethics, I focus on the nature of each component, the nature of the synthesis, and the nature of the resulting NNS itself. Inquiry reveals serious questions about the explanatory value of the theory of business values as a descriptive theory, as well as serious questions about the defense of the theory as normative theory. The analysis also discloses several possible interpretations of the NNS.
Packaged gas supply chain planning with network-wide SKU rationalization

Abstract Effective SKU rationalization is advantageous when applied to businesses with a high variety of product offerings. Advantages may include lower production costs, inventory simplifications, and system-wide reductions in transportation costs. We apply SKU rationalization in the form of a variant of product substitution, towards an industrial packaged gas supply chain problem which includes production, allocation, and distribution decisions. An effective mixed-integer programming formulation is developed, capable of handling additional line investment, varying degrees of substitution, economies-of-scale in production, as well as network-wide planning decisions in the supply chain. A case study based on historical data is used for testing, followed by computational results and policy implications in the form of customer incentivization.
Targeted p21WAF1/CIP1 activation by RNAa inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

RNA activation (RNAa) is a mechanism of gene activation triggered by promoter-targeted small double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), also known as small activating RNA (saRNA). p21WAF1/CIP1 (p21) is a putative tumor suppressor gene due to its role as a key negative regulator of the cell cycle and cell proliferation. It is frequently downregulated in cancer including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but is rarely mutated or deleted, making it an ideal target for RNAa-based overexpression to restore its tumor suppressor function. In the present study, we investigated the antigrowth effects of p21 RNAa in HCC cells. Transfection of a p21 saRNA (dsP21-322) into HepG2 and Hep3B cells significantly induced the expression of p21 at both the mRNA and protein levels, and inhibited cell proliferation and survival. Further analysis of dsP21-322 transfected cells revealed that dsP21-322 arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase in HepG2 cells but at G2/M phase in Hep3B cells which lack functional p53 and Rb genes, and induced both early and late stage apoptosis by activating caspase 3 in both cell lines. These results demonstrated that RNAa of p21 has in vitro antigrowth effects on HCC cells via impeding cell cycle progression and inducing apoptotic cell death. This study suggests that targeted activation of p21 by RNAa may be explored as a novel therapy for the treatment of HCC.
Momentum Distributions of Liquid 4He in Aerogel Glass

The physics of liquid and solid 4He in restricted geometries has motivated a number of interesting experiments. Recent experiments include detailed measurements of the phase diagram for bulk liquid in vycor [1], showing a suppression of the superfluid transition and elevation of the melting pressure, and measurements of the superfluid fraction in vycor, aerogel, and xerogel glasses near the lambda point [2], in which critical exponents differ from the pure 4He values. Many striking features in several of the experiments on helium in restricted geometries are poorly understood.
Understanding the future of lithium: Part 2, temporally and spatially resolved life-cycle assessment modeling

An array of emerging technologies, from electric vehicles to renewable energy systems, relies on large‐format lithium ion batteries (LIBs). LIBs are a critical enabler of clean energy technologies commonly associated with air pollution and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies. However, LIBs require lithium, and expanding the supply of lithium requires new lithium production capacity, which, in turn, changes the environmental impacts associated with lithium production since different resource types and ore qualities will be exploited. A question of interest is whether this will lead to significant changes in the environmental impacts of primary lithium over time. Part one of this two‐part article series describes the development of a novel resource production model that predicts future lithium demand and production characteristics (e.g., timing, location, and ore type). In this article, part two, the forecast is coupled with anticipatory life‐cycle assessment (LCA) modeling to estimate the environmental impacts of producing battery‐grade lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) each year between 2018 and 2100. The result is a normalized life‐cycle impact intensity for LCE that reflects the changing resource type, quantity, and region of production. Sustained growth in lithium demands through 2100 necessitates extraction of lower grade resources and mineral deposits, especially after 2050. Despite the reliance on lower grade resources and differences in impact intensity for LCE production from each deposit, the LCA results show only small to modest increases in impact, for example, carbon intensity increases from 3.2 kg CO2e/kg LCE in 2020 to 3.3 kg CO2e/kg LCE in 2100.
High Flux Through the Oxidative Pentose Phosphate Pathway Lowers Efficiency in Developing Camelina Seeds

Many seeds are green during development, and light has been shown to play a role in the efficiency with which maternally supplied substrates are converted into storage compounds. However, the effects of light on the fluxes through central metabolism that determine this efficiency are poorly understood. Here, we used metabolic flux analysis to determine the effects of light on central metabolism in developing embryos of false flax (Camelina sativa). Metabolic efficiency in C. sativa is of interest because, despite its growing importance as a model oilseed and engineering target and its potential as a biofuel crop, its yields are lower than other major oilseed species. Culture conditions under which steady-state growth and composition of developing embryos match those in planta were used to quantify substrate uptake and respiration rates. The carbon conversion efficiency (CCE) was 21% ± 3% in the dark and 42% ± 4% under high light. Under physiological illumination, the CCE (32% ± 2%) was substantially lower than in green and nongreen oilseeds studied previously. 13C and 14C isotopic labeling experiments were used together with computer-aided modeling to map fluxes through central metabolism. Fluxes through the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP) were the principal source of CO2 production and strongly negatively correlated with CCE across light levels. OPPP fluxes were greatly in excess of demand for NAD(P)H for biosynthesis and larger than those measured in other systems. Excess reductant appears to be dissipated via cyanide-insensitive respiration. OPPP enzymes therefore represent a potential target for increasing efficiency and yield in C. sativa.
Long-distance trade in ancient India: Evidence from Kauṭilya’s Arthaśāstra:

Much of the significant data for long-distance and maritime trade across South Asia in the ancient period comes from archaeological sources. Nevertheless, textual sources too have some significant ...
Splenic Artery Embolization for Nonocclusive Hepatic Artery Hypoperfusion

Various minimally invasive, surgical, and laparoscopic interventions are performed for treatment and management of splenic artery steal syndrome in liver transplant and cirrhotic patients. Common approaches include splenic artery banding, ligation, stenting, and embolization to increase hepatic arterial flow. Splenic artery embolization has undergone further development to facilitate timely diagnosis, increase efficacy, decrease adverse outcomes, and improve patient selection. We review the current diagnostic modalities and technical advancements of splenic artery embolization to improve hepatic arterial perfusion in patients with splenic artery steal syndrome.
Sierpiński’s Topological Characterization of Q

In a 1920 paper, Sierpinski proved the following theorem characterizing the space Q of rational numbers considered with the standard topology: Any countable metric space 〈X,d〉 without isolated poin...
Correlation Decay and the Absence of Zeros Property of Partition Functions.

Absence of (complex) zeros property is at the heart of the interpolation method developed by Barvinok \cite{barvinok2017combinatorics} for designing deterministic approximation algorithms for various graph counting and computing partition functions problems. Earlier methods for solving the same problem include the one based on the correlation decay property. Remarkably, the classes of graphs for which the two methods apply sometimes coincide or nearly coincide. In this paper we show that this is more than just a coincidence. We establish that if the interpolation method is valid for a family of graphs satisfying the self-reducibility property, then this family exhibits a form of correlation decay property which is asymptotic Strong Spatial Mixing (SSM) at distances $\omega(\log n)$, where $n$ is the number of nodes of the graph. This applies in particular to amenable graphs, such as graphs which are finite subsets of lattices. Our proof is based on a certain graph polynomial representation of the associated partition function. This representation is at the heart of the design of the polynomial time algorithms underlying the interpolation method itself. We conjecture that our result holds for all, and not just amenable graphs.
Monopolistic Pricing Power for Transgenic Crops When Technology Adopters Face Irreversible Benefits and Costs

Pricing of biotechnology innovation under a patent grant is reconsidered in a model with uncertain returns and irreversible costs and benefits. Past results on restricted monopoly pricing in the presence of competing technologies showed that pricing power is reduced. The timing of adoption of an innovation is delayed and the pricing power of the restricted monopolist is further reduced when uncertainty and irreversibility is considered. The presence of irreversible benefits results in increased willingness-to-pay for the innovation, accelerating adoption, and increasing the innovator's restricted monopolist pricing power. Using Monte-Carlo simulation, the quantitative effects were approximated by a linear function through the hyper-plane.
An in vitro vascularized micro-tumor model of ovarian cancer

Objectives: Establish and validate a Vascularized Micro-Tumor model of ovarian cancer (ovarian-VMTm) using established cell lines, SKOV3, COV362.4, and A2780. Methods: VMTm is an in vitro vascularized microtissue platform in which a tissue is maintained in a 3D-extracellular matrix and depends on survival with nutrient delivery through living, perfused micro-vessels composed of human endothelial and stromal cells. Nutrients and drugs are delivered through micro-vessels in a manner that simulates their delivery in the human body. This addresses the shortcomings of current 2D models that do not accurately represent actual tumor progression by supporting the growth of tumors and vessels in the 3D-extracellular matrix. We have tested the cell lines with the standard doublet chemotherapy used for the treatment of ovarian cancer, carboplatin and paclitaxel. Download : Download high-res image (114KB) Download : Download full-size image Results: Drug response for all three cell lines has been evaluated in 2D to establish a baseline resulted as a half-maximal-inhibitory-concentration (IC50). The three cell lines consistently showed lower IC50 to paclitaxel, with A2780 at lowest IC50 at 1.5 indicating its responsiveness to paclitaxel. Optimal culture conditions and seeding conditions have been identified to establish two of the ovarian cancer cell lines, SKOV3 and COV362.4, in the ovarian-VMTm to examine tumor growth in the presence of a vascular network (Figure 1). Conclusions: Ovarian cancer cell lines have been established within the ovarian-VMTm to begin to assess tumor and angiogenic response to chemotherapy. Future plans are to compare drug IC50 results from 2D to those in the ovarian-VMTm and ultimately optimize the ovarian-VMTm for patient-derived ovarian cancer cell lines. Thus, allowing for the evaluation of patient-specific, tumor response to chemotherapy, as well as targeted agents. The ovarian-VMTm more accurately recapitulates tumor growth in vivo and can be an instrumental tool in the drug development process.
MEMS-based multiphoton endomicroscope for repetitive imaging of mouse colon

We demonstrate a handheld multiphoton endomicroscope with 3.4 mm distal diameter that can repetitively image mouse colon in vivo. A 2D resonant MEMS mirror was developed to perform beam scanning in a Lissajous pattern. The instrument has an effective numerical aperture of 0.63, lateral and axial resolution of 2.03 and 9.02 μm, respectively, working distance of 60 μm, and image field-of-view of 300 × 300 μm2. Hoechst was injected intravenously in mice to stain cell nuclei. We were able to collect histology-like images in vivo at 5 frames/sec, and distinguish between normal and pre-malignant colonic epithelium.
Communication Infrastructure in High-Performance Component-Based Scientific Computing

Component-based programming has been recognized as an effective technique to manage the increasing complexity of high performance scientific code. Yet the adoption of the component approach introduces new challenges that are unique to the parallel and distributed high performance scientific computing domain. The Common Component Architecture (CCA) is an ongoing effort to develop a component model targeted specifically to the needs of high-performance scientific computing, and to study the issues involved in developing, deploying, and using such an infrastructure in the HPC environment. In this paper, we present an overview of our investigation into incorporating message passing systems, namely MPI and PVM, into CCA component-based applications and frameworks. We discuss the architectural and performance issues of different design options, and their impact on developing new components as well as on the process of componentizing existing codes. These ideas are based on experiences and insights gained from developing a number of scientific simulations within the prototype parallel Ccaffeine framework.
Actuarial Research Clearing House (ARCH)

This article has no abstract. Keywords: ARCH; actuarial; research; publication; journal
Patient empowerment—A strategy for pain management in endodontics

In order to promote rapid resolution of symptoms associated with root canal treatment, a multifaceted program was implemented. One-visit endodontics was performed universally, antibiotics were prescribed when infection was detected within the root canal, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were widely used at the time of treatment. The centerpiece of the program was the integration of various behavioral strategies designed to strengthen the patient's inherent coping capacity. The combination of clinical, pharmacological, and psychological approaches was collectively called patient empowerment. Five hundred forty patients were asked to contact the office the day after treatment. Four hundred twenty (78%) called and 390 (93%) reported a reduction in symptoms. Twenty of the 30 (7%) who were not relieved within the first 24 h reported significant improvement 1 day later. No patients experienced a flare-up or a worsening of symptoms.
Nonlinear pharmacokinetics of L-NG-methyl-arginine in rats: characterization by an improved HPLC assay

L-N(G)-methyl-arginine (L-NMMA) is an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes. We have characterized the pharmacokinetics of L-NMMA in rats using HPLC. The HPLC assay requires pre-column derivatization, gradient elution and ultraviolet detection. The limit of sensitivity in plasma was 3.0 microM (0.75 microg mL(-1)). Using this assay, the pharmacokinetics of L-NMMA were characterized following iv bolus doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg kg(-1). Compartmental and noncompartmental data analysis suggest that L-NMMA pharmacokinetics are nonlinear at these doses. From the nonlinear compartmental analysis, we estimated the K(m) and V(max) parameters of L-NMMA elimination to be 70.2 microM and 4.59 microM min(-1), respectively. This estimated K(m) value of L-NMMA elimination is consistent with its nonlinear elimination characteristics in humans and its saturable metabolism by the N(G), N(G)-dimethylarginine dimethylamino-hydrolase enzyme in isolated rat tissue.
Universal cross sections for K-shell ionization by heavy charged particles. II. Intermediate particle velocities

Experimental K-shell ionization cross sections of /sub 13/Al and /sub 28/Ni are reported for ions of /sup 1//sub 1/H, /sup 2//sub 1/H, /sup 4//sub 2/He, /sup 6//sub 3/Li, and /sup 7//sub 3/Li with kinetic energies in the range from 2 to 36 MeV, and of /sub 28/Ni for ions of /sup 12//sub 6/C, /sup 16//sub 8/O, and /sup 19//sub 9/F in the range from 4 to 90 MeV. The theory of direct Coulomb K-shell ionization, as developed in an earlier paper (Phys. Rev. A 7, 983 (1973)) for projectiles of atomic number Z/sub 1/, small compared to the target atomic number Z/sub 2/, and of velocities v/sub 1/ small compared to the target K-shell electron velocity v/sub 2K/, i.e., v/sub 1/ very-much-less-than v/sub 2K/, is extended to intermediate velocities v/sub 1/ approx. = v/sub 2K/. New effects appear. They add to the Z/sup 2//sub 1/-proportional cross sections one derives from linear-response theories for direct ionizations. They are attributed to the polarization of the target K shell in the field of the projectile, and to electron capture by the projectile. Guided by the perturbed stationary-state theory of atomic collisions, the polarization effects are incorporated so that the theory retains the unifyingmore » aspects of the cross sections derived in the plane-wave Born approximation, but the variables now contain the nonlinear effects as scaling factors. Electron-capture cross sections are added. When v/sub 1/ >> v/sub 2K/, such contributions subside, and one retrieves the cross sections of the linear-response approximation. The theory predicts K-shell ionization cross sections for projectiles with Z/sub 1//Z/sub 2/ < 0.5 at all velocities in a comprehensive manner. It agrees with experimental data covering six orders of magnitude for collisions partners with Z/sub 1//Z/sub 2/ ranging from 0.03 to 0.3 and v/sub 1//v/sub 2K/ from 0.07 to 2.« less
Effects of radiation exposure on SRL 131 composition glass in a steam environment

Monoliths of SRL 131 borosilicate glass were irradiated in a saturated air-steam environment, at temperatures of 150°C, to examine the effects of radiation on nuclear waste glass behavior. Half of the tests used actinide and Tc-99 doped glass and were exposed to an extemal ionizing gamma source, while the remaining glass samples were doped only with uranium and were reacted without any external radiation exposure. The effects of radiation exposure on glass alteration and secondaryphase formation were determined by comparing the reaction rates and mineralparagenesis of the two sets of samples. All glass samples readily reacted with the water that condensed on their surfaces,producing two types of smectite clay within the first three days of testing. Additional crystallinephasesprecipitated on the altered glass surface with increasing reaction times, including zeolites, smectite, calcium and sodium silicates,phosphates, evaporitic salts, and uranyl silicates. Similarphases wereproduced on both the nonirradiated and irradiated samples; however, the quantity ofprecipitates was increased and the rate ofparagenetic sequence development was accelerated in the latter. After 56 days of testing, the composite smectite layer developed at an average rate of ~0.16 and 0.63pm/day for the nonirradiated and irradiated samples, respectively. These comparisons indicate that layer development is accelerated approximately four-fold due to the radiation exposure at high glass surface area/liquid volume (SA/V) conditions. This increase apparently occurs in response to the rapid concentration of radiolyticproducts, including nitric acid, in the thin films of water contacting the sample monoliths.
Patenting and licensing of university-based genetic inventions--a view from experience at Stanford University's Office of Technology Licensing.

University technology transfer offices license inventions created at universities to companies looking for tools, additions to their product pipelines, improvements or start-up opportunities. This paper will cover the motivations for conducting university technology transfer, an overview of Stanford’s Office of Technology Licensing and its patenting and licensing practices, models of royalty sharing at university technology transfer offices, and patenting and licensing genetic information inventions at Stanford University. The terms ‘invention’ and ‘technology’ are used interchangeably throughout the paper.
Electrostatic sample-tip interactions in the scanning tunneling microscope.

Local surface photovoltage (SPV) measurements were used to measure how the electric field of a scanning tunneling microscope tip perturbs the electronic band structure at Si(001), Si(111)-(7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7), and H-terminated Si(111) surfaces. The results demonstrate that tip-induced band bending is important under typical STM conditions even on surfaces whose surface Fermi levels are nominally ``pinned.'' Spatially resolved measurements of band bending as a function of sample bias show that atomic-scale contrast in SPV images can result from local variations in the ability of the surface states under the tip to screen external electric fields.
Independent set orderings for parallel matrix factorization by Gaussian elimination

Abstract Commonly used matrix ordering techniques are designed to minimize fill, i.e., they are designed to minimize the number of zero elements which become nonzero during matrix factorization by Gaussian elimination. If Gaussian elimination is to be implemented on a parallel machine, however, minimum fill orderings are not necessarily optimal. Rather, the primary concern is to order a matrix so as to minimize the time required to complete its factorization. An ordering heuristic which appears to perform well with respect to parallel factorization time is one based on finding independent sets of vertices in the matrix adjacency graph.
Role of the alternative oxidase in limiting superoxide production by plant mitochondria

Mitochondria isolated from the pericarp tissue of green bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit and purified on a Percoll gradient produced superoxide in buffers aerated with oxygen. ADP and uncouplers of the electron transport chain reduced superoxide production. Disulfiram, an inhibitor of the alternative oxidase, enhanced superoxide production. Inhibitors of complex III had little effect on superoxide production by mitochondria which were insensitive to cyanide. Less superoxide was produced when dithiothreitol was used to reduce the sulfhydryl groups of the alternative oxidase protein and the enzyme was activated with pyruvate than when the sulfhydryl groups were oxidized with diamide. A role for the alternative oxidase in limiting the level of reactive oxygen species produced in stressed and senescing plant tissues is suggested.
Investigation of furan on vicinal Pd(1 1 1) by scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract We have used scanning tunneling microscopy to image furan adsorbed on vicinal Pd(1 1 1) at temperatures below the onset of decomposition of the furan molecule. Studies conducted on two substrates with relatively narrow and wide terraces reveal strikingly different behaviors. Adsorbates on narrow vicinal planes are mobile at 225 K, while a scattered cluster distribution is observed on broader vicinal planes at comparable temperatures. Both surfaces exhibit upper step edges that are densely populated with furan molecules, which qualitatively match predicted STM images of furan generated from extended Huckel theory.
How Do Residents Learn? The Development of Practice Styles in a Residency Program

Purpose.—To determine if resident interactions that occur during rotations may influence resident learning and help explain practice styles in a residency program. Method.—We distributed clinical vignette surveys to all pediatric residents in a teaching hospital, eliciting practice styles for childhood fever without source and asthma, as well as resident demographics and learning styles. We measured residents' propensities to order tests for fever, empirically treat fever, diagnose asthma as serious, and aggressively treat asthma. For any 2 residents, we examined if similarity in propensities was associated with the number of months the residents had rotated together in the past year, controlling for demographics and learning styles. We also examined if the gender mix of each resident pair modified the association. Results.—Fifty-two of 62 residents (84%) responded. Practices varied across all vignettes and varied as much within as across training years. In adjusted regressions, 2 residents were 1.22 times (P = .03) and 1.30 times (P = .004) more likely to have similar propensities in fever testing and asthma diagnosis for each additional month they rotated together. By gender mix, associations were stronger for opposite-sex pairs than for same-sex pairs. Conclusions.—Practice variations emerged in a residency program within a single academic year. Practice styles were more similar among residents who worked together more frequently. However, the association was not uniform across gender combinations, suggesting the importance of interpersonal dynamics in learning. This finding may have major implications for practice variations, medical education, and quality improvement.
Nanometer optical fiber pH sensor

A thousandfold miniaturization of immobilized optical fiber sensors has been achieved by a near-field optical technique. This technology is based on nanofabricated optical fiber tips and near-field photoinitiated polymerization. Submicrometer pH sensors have been prepared by attaching a copolymer covalently to a silanized fiber tip surface. The sensors have demonstrated their high spatial resolving ability, excellent detection limit (zeptomoles), very fast response time (milliseconds) and good stability. The potential applications include concentration profile measurements of cytoplasms, the monitoring of fast chemical and biological reactions and other microscopic operations.
Controlling Protein Activity with Ligand-Regulated RNA Aptamers

Controlling the activity of a protein is necessary for defining its function in vivo. RNA aptamers are capable of inhibiting proteins with high affinity and specificity, but this effect is not readily reversible. We describe a general method for discovering aptamers that bind and inhibit their target protein, but addition of a specific small molecule disrupts the protein-RNA complex. A SELEX protocol was used to raise RNA aptamers to the DNA repair enzyme, formamidopyrimidine glycosylase (Fpg), and neomycin was employed in each round to dissociate Fpg-bound RNAs. We identified an RNA molecule able to completely inhibit Fpg at 100 nM concentration. Importantly, Fpg activity is recovered by the addition of neomycin. We envision these ligand-regulated aptamers (LIRAs) as valuable tools in the study of biological phenomena in which the timing of molecular events is critical.
Solar and lunar tidal effects on the low-latitude ionosphere. A review

After a brief review of neutral atmospheric tidal winds and the electrostatic field produced by them in the ionosphere, effects of those winds and fields on the ionosphere, particularly F2 and Es, are discussed. The present review is limited to recent studies made by many scientists since the previous equatorial symposium, and is coordinated with other papers in this special issue.
The Neutral Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Fiber, Crude Fiber, and Lignin Contents of Distillers’ Dried Grains with Solubles

Distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) were prepared from two cultivars of soft white winter wheat, a blend of red wheats and corn. DDGS made from the three whole wheat grains and corn contained, on a dry weight basis, 30–55% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 10–14% acid detergent fiber, 7–9% crude fiber, and 2–4% lignin, an increase of 3–4 times over that contained in the unconverted whole grains. The significantly higher concentration of DDGS NDF isolated without sodium sulfite (vs with sodium sulfite) in the detergent solution was not due entirely to increased levels of residual protein.
Numerical Solutions for Option Pricing Models Including Transaction Costs and Stochastic Volatility

The option pricing problem when the asset is driven by a stochastic volatility process and in the presence of transaction costs leads to solving a nonlinear partial differential equation. The nonlinear term in the PDE reflects the presence of transaction costs. Under a particular market completion assumption we derive the nonlinear PDE whose solution may be used to find the price of options. In this paper under suitable conditions, we give an algorithmic scheme to obtain the solution of the problem by an iterative method and provide numerical solutions using the finite difference method.
Thin-film reactions of Al with Co, Cr, Mo, Ta, Ti, and W

The thin-film interactions of Al with refractory metals (Co, Cr, Mo, Ta, Ti, and W) have been investigated. The composition and thickness of the reacted aluminide layers were determined by Rutherford backscattering and phase identification was made by x-ray diffraction. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the lateral uniformity. The initial aluminide phases to grow are the Al-rich phases: Co2Al9, Cr2Al13, MoAl12, TaAl3, TiAl3, and WAI12. These are the most Al-rich phases on the phase diagrams. The reaction temperatures varied between 350 and 525 °C.
Mesoporous graphene-like carbon sheet: high-power supercapacitor and outstanding catalyst support

Nowadays, continuous scientific endeavors are being directed toward low-cost, mild, scalable and reliable synthesis of graphene-based materials, in order to advance various graphene-related applications. So far, specific surface areas of current bulk graphene powders or graphene-like nanosheets are much lower than the theoretical value (2630 m2 g−1) of individual graphene, remaining a challenge for carbon chemists. Herein, mesoporous graphene-like carbon sheets with high specific surface area (up to 2607 m2 g−1) and high pore volume (up to 3.12 cm3 g−1) were synthesized by using polyimide chemistry in the molten salt “solvent.” In this process, abundant pyromellitic dianhydride and aromatic diamine undergo polycondensation together with further carbonization in molten KCl–ZnCl2, in which in situ formed linear aromatic polyimide with a sp2 hybridized carbon skeleton could be directly coupled and rearranged into a two-dimensional graphene-like nanosheet around the “salt scaffold”. Carbon nanosheets with well-defined mesopores (∼3.5 nm) could be easily obtained by washing salt melts in water, while the salts could be recovered and reused for the subsequent reaction. The nitrogen atoms in amine also afforded the resulting carbon with uniform foreign atoms (nitrogen content = ∼6%). Moreover, holey carbon sheets with well-dispersed and through-plane nanoholes (diameter: 5–10 nm) could be constructed by using different monomers. Being a potential electrode material in supercapacitors, the as-made carbon nanosheet possessed a significant specific capacitance (131.4–275.5 F g−1) even at a scan rate of 2000 mV s−1. Additionally, powerful nanohybrids of carbon sheet–Co3O4 were also prepared with good performance in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols and amines to aldehydes and imines, respectively.
A language for complex real-time systems

The new generation of real-time systems are characterized by multiple, conflicting non-functional desiderata on goals. Furthermore, the systems exhibit very large size and complexity-in both application structures and underlying software and hardware platforms. We argue that current high-level real-time languages do not meet the challenge of these complex real-time systems and introduce a new language-CRL-that we claim does. Relevant real-time features of CRL are discussed and a summary is provided vis-a-vis future features that would address non-functional goals other than timeliness. A current implementation status and how CRL fits into a rather ambitious environment for the construction of complex real-time systems (under construction in our Real-Time Computing Lab at NJIT) are briefly presented.
Changes in total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in men after coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract Hypercholesterolemia increases the risk of graft closure after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). 1 Thus, the perioperative period can be an important time to assess cholesterol levels. However, total cholesterol levels decline immediately after the use of extracorporeal circulation, making evaluation at this time of questionable utility. 2 Additionally, the effect of CABG on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and the total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio is unknown. 2 Accordingly, we studied changes in total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and their ratio after GABG to define the optimal time for evaluating lipid status in patients undergoing CABG.
Impurity Diffusion in Aluminum

The diffusion of $^{71}\mathrm{Ge}$, $^{72}\mathrm{Ga}$, $^{65}\mathrm{Zn}$, $^{64}\mathrm{Cu}$, $^{110}\mathrm{Ag}$, and $^{198}\mathrm{Au}$ in aluminum single crystals has been measured by the tracer-sectioning technique. The diffusion coefficients, in ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/sec, are given by: ${D}_{\mathrm{Ge}}=0.481\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}\frac{(28,980\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}210)}{\mathrm{RT}}]$, ${D}_{\mathrm{Ga}}=0.490\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}\frac{(29,240\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}141)}{\mathrm{RT}}]$, ${D}_{\mathrm{Zn}}=0.259\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}\frac{(28,860\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}134)}{\mathrm{RT}}]$, ${D}_{\mathrm{Cu}}=0.647\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}\frac{(32,270\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}270)}{\mathrm{RT}}]$, ${D}_{\mathrm{Ag}}=0.118\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}\frac{(27,830\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}142)}{\mathrm{RT}}]$, and ${D}_{\mathrm{Au}}=0.131\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}\frac{(27,790\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}240)}{\mathrm{RT}}]$. Less extensive measurements of the diffusion of $^{60}\mathrm{Co}$ and $^{51}\mathrm{Cr}$ in aluminum are also reported. The activation energies obtained in this study cannot be reconciled with the large impurity-vacancy binding energies deduced from quenching studies; the difference is explained in terms of clustering effects in the quenching experiments. The difference between the present data and the low values of ${D}_{0}$ and $Q$ for impurity diffusion in aluminum reported by Agarwala and co-workers can be explained by the effect of a surface oxide.
On suborderings of the α-recursively enumerable α-degrees

Let a be an admissible ordinal. Define an a-recursive function f: a ~ a via the Kleene-Kripke equation calculus [3], and call a set arecursiveiy enumerable (a-r.e.) if it is the range of an a-recursive fur, ction. One can define the notion of a-degree of an a-r.e, set, and as in ordinary recursion theory, the collection of such a-degrees forrr.~s an upper semilattice. We prove that any a-finite partially ordered set is order-isomorphic to a subset of the a-r.e, a-degrees. As a resu~lt, if one considers the elementary theory cya of the ordering of the c~-r.e, adegrees for 0~ = co or a an admissible ordinal, a Z l "entence is true if and only if it asserts a given finite set of order relationships between a finite number of elements, and these order relationships can be extended to a partial ordering of all these elements. Hence for each such a, 5r~ has the same 2; l (and hence 111 )sentences. In the course of proving this embedding theorem, we give a new proof of a priority iemma due to Sacks and Sim~son [61. That proof uses Z 1" substructures of La (the sets constn~ctible before a), and is very modeltheoretic in nature. The proof was motivated by intuition obtained from model theory, and leads us to believe that the model-theoretic way of * This research was partially supported by NSF contract GP-18728. The author is grateful to G.E. Sacks for his enthusiastic willingness to impa~t to the author much of his knowledge of recursion theory on the ordinals, his uncomplaining availabiKty to discuss recursion theory on the ordinals, an~ his inestimable helpfulness and encour~ement.
Clinical outcomes among stroke patients receiving tissue plasminogen activator therapy beyond the 3-hour time window.

Background Tissue plasminogen activator therapy (t-PA) is associated with improved neurologic outcomes and reduced disability from ischemic stroke. The current guidelines stipulate that patients receive t-PA within 3 hours of symptom onset. However, actual practice patterns vary, and little is known about patient outcomes when t-PA is received outside of the recommended time window. Methods We examined mean length of hospital stay, t-PA–related complications, and in-hospital death by time of t-PA administration in North Carolina Stroke Care Collaborative (NCSCC) patients. The NCSCC includes 53 hospitals that enroll patients presenting with stroke-like symptoms. Of 40,907 patients enrolled between January 2005 and February 2010, 1070 (2.6%) received t-PA. Of these, 88.2% received t-PA within 3 hours of symptom onset ("early") and 30.3% received t-PA between 3 and 6 hours after symptom onset ("late"). Results Unadjusted mean length of stay (days) was longer among early patients (5.0 days; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.7-5.3) than late patients (3.6 days; 95% CI, 3.1-4.2). t-PA–related complications were similar among early (7.0%; 55/781) and late patients (6.7%; 7/102; P = .89). The proportion of in-hospital deaths was similar among late (10.5%) and early patients (12.0%). We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for the associations between late t-PA status and patient outcomes. Conclusions In models controlling for age, race, sex, arrival mode, and ambulatory status on admission, late t-PA was not associated with increased odds of complications or in-hospital deaths (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.49-1.62). The risks and benefits of expansion of the t-PA time window in stroke patients merit further investigation.