cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Striving for more just allocation of liver allografts between patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma: successes and challenges.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recently the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) adopted new rules for the allocation of liver allografts for recipients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hopes of removing regional variation in HCC practice and regional differences in patient survival. Understanding how previous changes to HCC allocation have both succeeded and failed to match the pretransplant mortality of HCC and non-HCC patients on the waitlist will help us to better evaluate these changes and predict where we may again fail. RECENT FINDINGS Previous revisions of the HCC allocation rules were successful in more accurately matching the waitlist mortality of HCC and non-HCC patients. Efforts to select for less aggressive tumor biology have resulted in better disease free and patient survival. Several articles have also supported the practice of using locoregional therapies to downstage the patients to within Milan criteria. New rules seek to reduce the amount of geographic disparity in the allocation system. SUMMARY Over time UNOS has steady improved the liver allocation polices to attempt to match pretransplant mortality for patients with HCC and without HCC. The latest changes to the organ allocation rules succeed in implementing some of these best practices. However, one can also predict several ongoing challenges to fair allocation that may not have been addressed by recent changes.
Hypopharyngeal Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma in the MDM2 Era: A Case Report and Short Review

Pharyngeal liposarcomas are very rare; still more rare are dedifferentiated liposarcomas in the pharynx. An 82-year-old man presented with dysphagia, voice changes, weight loss, nasal regurgitation of liquids, and coughing spells. A 3.5 cm mass was identified in the hypopharynx. The mass was biopsied and diagnosed as a benign fibroepithelial polyp. Continued symptoms and airway obstruction prompted a pharyngectomy, and the mass was then diagnosed as dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Due to infrequency and subtle histological findings, liposarcomas of the head and neck can be misdiagnosed and recur.
Characteristics Associated with Improved Pulmonary Vascular Resistance Following LVAD Surgery

Purpose LVAD therapy improves pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in patients with heart failure, but the patient characteristics associated with PVR reduction are unknown. Methods Primary continuous-flow LVAD recipients in the INTERMACS registry with implant PVR ≥3 Wood units (WU) and at least one reported postoperative PVR were included. Post-implant PVR was modeled as a function of 29 covariates using multivariable linear mixed effects modeling. Results 3741 patients had pre- and post-implant PVR available, of which 1581 (42%) had implant PVR ≥3 WU. Median follow up time was 6 mo (range 1 wk to 102 mo). While median time to PVR Conclusion While LVAD therapy is associated with PVR reduction, about 1 in 6 LVAD recipients with high baseline PVR do not experience PVR normalization. Residual MR is associated with higher postoperative PVR, highlighting the need for prospective studies of concomitant surgical repair of preoperative MR. These data may help inform decision making regarding LVAD implant strategies for patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Benchmark of interfacial area concentration approaches for the two-fluid model in gas-dispersed condensing flow

Abstract Accurate predictions of interfacial area concentration (IAC) are required for closure of the condensation phase change term. The interfacial area transport equation (IATE) can dynamically predict interfacial area concentration and is increasingly being used in the benchmarking of phase change flows over static based correlations which require a flow regime map. For higher flow regimes, the two-group two-fluid IATE model can separately model the transport of spherical bubbles and cap/slug bubbles. A modified formulation of the one-group and two-group two-fluid model with interfacial area transport equation was recently proposed for gas-dispersed condensing flows. Three datasets have been used for validation consisting of condensing two-phase flow data in the unheated section of a vertical annulus with conditions spanning a range of pressures, inlet subcoolings and mass fluxes for benchmarking the various IAC approaches. For bubbly flows, the coupled void transport - IATE simulation results in good agreement in the predictions of the void fraction and the interfacial area concentration under nearly all sixty conditions. Considering the proposed two-group two-fluid IATE model formulation, the group-2 Nusselt number correlation is investigated to account for the appropriate heat transfer length scale for group-2 bubbles. Validation of the proposed two-group two-fluid model against the new dataset shows good agreement with experimental data with significant improvement over the one-group IATE model for conditions with substantial group-2 void fraction throughout the simulation domain.
Metastatic Small Cell Carcinoma Presenting as Acute Pancreatitis.

Small cell carcinoma is a malignant lung cancer with poor prognosis that occurs almost exclusively in heavy smokers. Small cell cancer typically arises from the central airways, with the most common presentation being a large hilar mass with bulky mediastinal adenopathy. Small cell lung cancer rarely metastasizes to pancreatic tissue and presents as acute pancreatitis. Here, we describe a case of metastatic small cell lung carcinoma initially presenting as acute pancreatitis. The patient underwent CT of the abdomen, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic ultrasound with biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis of small cell lung carcinoma. After positron emission tomography staging, the patient was subsequently treated with radiotherapy in tandem with multiple cycles of cisplatin and etoposide with positive treatment response.
Percutaneous image-guided biopsy in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

The decision to biopsy a peripheral nerve tumor is largely based on its presumed behavior and prognosis, determined by patient history, clinical exam, and radiologic characteristics. Percutaneous image-guided biopsy is not without risk in patients with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs); in particular, there may be concern regarding worsening neurologic function, increasing neuropathic pain, and incorrect or absent diagnosis. Following approval by our institutional review board, we reviewed records from 1990 to 2019 at our institution’s three main sites (“our institution”). Patients with pathology-proven MPNST were selected. Further inclusion criteria included image-guided percutaneous biopsy performed at our institution, pathology report available for review, and follow-up documentation to determine post-biopsy complications. Three hundred thirty-one patients with MPNST were reviewed. In total, 73 patients undergoing image-guided percutaneous biopsies were included. Twenty-two (30.1%) had biopsy-related complications. This included ten patients with misdiagnosis (13.7%) and six patients with non-diagnostic biopsies (8.2%). Six patients had new or worsened pain that resolved with time and neuropathic pain medication (8.2%), and one patient had subjectively worsened proximal weakness (1.3%) which resolved. We found nearly a third of patients undergoing biopsy had a biopsy-related complication. The single largest complication was the inability to obtain an accurate diagnosis (21.9%) with the first biopsy. This may lead to the need for repeat percutaneous or open biopsies, or a non-oncologic initial surgery with implications for disease-free and overall survival. Neurologic complications including exacerbation of pain or a deficit were rare and transient. It remains important that clinicians balance the potential risks and benefits based on individual patient characteristics when determining the necessity of an image-guided percutaneous biopsy.
Management of insomnia

Objective To review current issues in the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management of insomnia.
The Paradox of the Global University

No university of ambition officially claims to be local. Touting international reach and reputation is a nearly essential feature of university strategic planning worldwide. Yet being a global university is paradoxical. Academic institutions historically are servants of particular cities, regions, and nations, and one of their essential functions has been to connect particular places with world affairs. International rankings regimes, the search for tuition revenue among schools in a few large markets, and the remarkable consistency with which nations pursue status through higher education: all of these deepen the implication of universities in the fate and future of particular locales.
A 176-Stacked 512Gb 3b/Cell 3D-NAND Flash with 10.8Gb/mm 2 Density with a Peripheral Circuit Under Cell Array Architecture

With an explosive growth of data generated by various applications, one of the most important topics of the current era is to increase the storage capacity. The evolution from 2D planar NAND to 3D NAND enables the development of high-density storage by increasing the number of stacked word-lines (WLs) in a smaller footprint. The industry has moved beyond 96-stacked-WL and achieved a 128-stacked 3D NAND. A 128-stacked 3b/cell 3D NAND with a density of 7.8Gb/mm 2 was reported recently, based on a peripheral circuit under cell array (PUC) structure [1]. Nevertheless, due to the constant demand for increased density, 3D NAND faces the following challenges [2,3]: (1) a reduced PUC area due to an increasing WL stack, (2) increased load due to a higher number of stacks and a reduced spacing between WLs, (3) rising WL-channel capacitance due to an increasing number of strings, and (4) variation in the RC delay between WLs due to the non-uniformity of plug critical dimension (CD). Not only do these problems limit the density improvement of 3D NAND, but they also increase the WL rise time, which degrades read and write performance. This paper proposes the following techniques to overcome these challenges: (1) a 12-stage page buffer (PB) with one-to-one (1:1) PBUS(PB to cache connection bus), (2) a variable stage and frequency charge pump with a boosted local pump, (3) center X-decoder (XDEC) and half-plane activation, (4) an unselected string boosting scheme, and (5) adaptive WL overdrive (OVD). By applying these techniques, we achieved a density of 10.8Gb/mm 2 in a 176stacked 3D NAND using 3b/cell.
Computational methods for VCSEL array characterization and control

Coherent optical coupling in VCSEL arrays introduces novel and desirable behaviors that can manifest themselves in many ways. We explore some of these behaviors using common characterization techniques but using large datasets, and show how we use computational data analysis methods to analyze datasets in an automated and scalable manner.
Motor "freezing" with oxaliplatin.

IntroductionWe report the case of a patient who experienced severe neurological symptoms collectively characterized as being “frozen” following a second oxaliplatin infusion.Case reportA 52-year-ol...
The New AAA Supply Chain

Agility, adaptability, and alignment (AAA) have long been key factors in the success of worldclass supply chains. In recent years, changes in environments and natural forces pose new challenges. For those who wish to remain competitive, the author suggests that it is time to revisit these AAA capabilities to understand what they mean today.
Opinions About Abortion Among Reproductive-Age Women in Ohio

Most studies investigating abortion attitudes use nationally representative data, leaving a need for studies of variation within a state. This study investigates abortion opinion among women in Ohio, a state with restrictive abortion policies, as well as how individual-level characteristics are associated with abortion opinions. Data comes from the Ohio Survey of Women, which was administered from October 2018 to June 2019 to women aged 18–44 years in Ohio (n = 2529; analytic n = 2356). From six questions capturing abortion opinion, we developed a composite measure indicating whether respondents felt “supportive,” “unsupportive,” or “mixed” toward abortion. We examined correlates of abortion opinions using multinomial logistic regression, with “mixed” as the reference category. We applied survey weights in all analyses so that the results are representative of our population as a whole (Ohio women aged 18–44). Fifty-three percent of respondents were supportive of abortion, with 30% offering mixed views and 17% being unsupportive. Most sociodemographic variables were inconsistent in their significance. Independents (odds ratio [OR]: 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30–0.65) and Democrats (OR: 0.23, CI: 0.14–0.39) were significantly less likely to be unsupportive versus mixed than Republicans. Democrats (OR: 0.4.54, CI: 3.17–6.79) were more likely to be supportive than mixed compared to Republicans, as were those with some other political affiliation (OR: 3.38, CI: 1.89–6.04). Compared to those who never attend religious services, those who attend once per week or more were significantly more likely to be unsupportive than mixed (OR: 3.54, CI: 2.04–6.13), and less likely to be supportive than mixed (OR: 0.33, CI: 0.19–0.55). Additionally, Protestants (OR: 0.62, CI: 0.39–0.97), other Christians (OR: 0.33, CI: 0.39–0.57), and those of other denominations (OR: 0.47, CI: 0.24–0.93) were less likely than those unaffiliated with a religious denomination to be supportive than mixed. Knowing someone who had an abortion or having had one oneself increased odds of being supportive over mixed (OR: 2.16, CI: 1.64–2.84), while being from rural Appalachia decreased odds of being supportive (OR: 0.70, CI: 0.50–0.97). Black respondents were more likely to feel mixed compared to white respondents, having lower odds of being both unsupportive (OR: 0.23, CI: 0.10–0.55) and supportive (OR: 0.55, CI: 0.34–0.91) than mixed. Overall, a majority of women of reproductive age in Ohio were supportive of abortion, with political affiliation and religious service attendance correlating with abortion opinion. The relatively high amount of support for abortion in Ohio highlights an inconsistency between opinion and Ohio’s restrictive legislative landscape.
Psychosomatic Models of Development

An investigator’s conception of mind, body, and human behavior will determine his selection of problems and methods. Long before he finishes collecting data, the form of his explanations may be shaped by his philosophical viewpoint. This essay illustrates some aspects of the relationship between philosophical themes and empirical studies in child psychiatry.
Reversible folding of rhodanese. Presence of intermediate(s) at equilibrium.

Abstract For the first time completely reversible unfolding was achieved for guanidinium chloride-denatured rhodanese using a systematically defined protocol. These conditions included beta-mercaptoethanol, lauryl maltoside, and sodium thiosulfate. All components were required to get more than the previous best reactivation with lauryl maltoside of 17% (Tandon, S., and Horowitz, P. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 15615-15681). Non-coincidental transition curves were obtained by monitoring different parameters including: (i) variation in the activity, (ii) shifts of the fluorescence wavelength maximum, and (iii) variation in ellipticity at 220 nm. The transition followed by the fluorescence wavelength maximum was asymmetric and resolvable into two separate transitions. A thermodynamic analysis was used to define the energetics of the two processes. Studies with the fluorescent "apolar" probe 1,8ANS are consistent with the appearance of organized hydrophobic surfaces following the first transition. Near UV CD measurements indicated that the first transition is associated with a loss of dyssymmetry around at least some of the tryptophans. Thus, the unfolding of rhodanese is complex, and there are detectable intermediate(s) during the process. These results suggest that reversible unfolding occurs in two discrete stages: 1) loss of tertiary interactions and activity, with retention of secondary structure, and 2) loss of secondary structure. The available x-ray structure suggests that the first transition can be associated with changes in the domain interactions, which may modulate the effectiveness of helix dipoles in lowering the pKa of the active site sulfhydryl.
Identification and characterization of protein ligands to the WW domain by western ligand blotting

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the methods for the identification and the characterization of protein ligands to the WW domain by western ligand blotting. The WW domain appears in a variety of structural and signaling proteins, and similar to Src homology domains sometimes present in multiple copies. The Src homology domains SH2 and SH3 are defined in non-receptor-type protein tyrosine kinases, including those of the Src family, and are exert an effect on the kinase activity and on other components of the signaling pathway. The presence of a large negatively charged phosphate moiety on the tyrosine residue may disrupt the formation of hydrogen bonding between the PY motif and the WW domain, either through steric hindrance or charge repulsion. This combination of SH2 and SH3 domain characteristics represent a means of modulating the extent of protein–protein binding and the propagation of a signal in vivo .
Physical properties of KxNi2−ySe2 single crystals

We have synthesized K0.95(1)Ni1.86(2)Se2 single crystals. The single crystals contain K and Ni deficiencies not observed in KNi2Se2 polycrystals. Unlike KNi2Se2 polycrystals, the superconductivity is absent in single crystals. The detailed physical property study indicates that the K0.95Ni1.86Se2 single crystals exhibit heavy-fermion-like characteristics. The transition to a heavy fermion state below T ~ 30 K results in an enhancement of the electron-like carrier density whereas the magnetic susceptibility shows little anisotropy and suggests the presence of both itinerant and localized Ni orbitals.
Enhanced Detection of Australia Antigen in Serum Hepatitis Patients by Discontinuous Counter-Immunoelectrophoresis

The use of discontinuous counter-immunoelectrophoresis enhanced the reaction between Au/SH antigen and its antibody in agarose. The ionic strength of the Veronal buffer used in the agarose was 0.015 mu, whereas 0.075 mu Veronal (both pH 8.6) was used for anode and cathode buffers. Electroendosmosis is increased under such conditions. Au/SH antigen and antibody reacted to give sharp lines within 30 to 45 min as compared with conventional counter-immunoelectrophoresis which required 1 to 3 hr or longer.
Semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) packaging for scalable and gain-integrated silicon photonic switching platforms

We report on the design, fabrication, packaging and characterization of a 4-channel semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) flip-chip mounted on a photonic carrier. Significant loss occurs across high radix silicon photonic switching platforms due to multiple switching stages, waveguide crossings and I/O coupling elements. To overcome these losses, we propose the hybrid integration of a III–V SOA onto a photonic switch carrier to realize a gain neutral switch. Custom four channel cleaved facet SOA variants were designed with unique mounting structures for precise vertical alignment. A photonic carrier test site was designed with unique SiN waveguide coupling structures, vertical reference stops, a trench with metal lines and AuSn solder bumps for device bonding. Individual SOAs were attached to photonic carriers using a precision flip-chip bonder. All assemblies exhibited good bond strength and no line-line shorts were observed. The SOA and assembled test sites were characterized in the 1.5– 1.6 µm wavelength range. A net SOA/photonic carrier optical gain of greater than 10 dB was observed.
Upstairs, Downstairs, and In-Between: Louisa May Alcott on Domestic Service

TN the latter half of the nineteenth century, the "servant problem" was a hot topic in the United States. Servants, though, had little to say about the matter.' Some were illiterate or, if they were literate in their native tongues, could not read or write English. Many others, however, were silenced by fear. When Lucy Maynard Salmon, a professor of history at Vassar College, launched a study of domestic service in the i88os, she found many employers willing to complete her questionnaires but hardly any servants who chose to cooperate. "[O]nly very ig norant persons would ask such questions or expect to get them answered," one cautious yet indignant servant replied.2 Middle and upper-class women organized societies to discuss problems with hiring or training good servants-or, in some cases, to fix prices-but servants, unlike their working-class counterparts in other fields, rarely enjoyed any kind of sustained solidarity.3 Most were the sole paid staff person in the home in which they were employed, and they encountered only limited opportuni ties to share ideas about their working conditions. Despite these obstacles, a few servants-generally from middle-class backgrounds-did write about their experiences. Louisa May Alcott was among them.
A Clash Or Dialogue Of Civilizations? A Medieval Or Modern Mentality

A clash of civilizations has been perennial in human history, and today it is again taking the form of a more than thousand year old clash: The West and Islam. However, I want to argue that humanity now has the tools to transform that clash to cooperation, and not just occasionally, as in a few times and places in the past, dependent on the temporary benignity of a well-placed leader.
Correlates of care relationship mutuality among carers of people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

shim b., landerman l.r. & davis l.l. (2011) Correlates of care relationship mutuality among carers of people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Advanced Nursing 67(8), 1729–1738. Abstract Aim. This paper presents findings from secondary analysis of longitudinal data on correlates of care relationship mutuality collected from 91 carers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease in the control group of a randomized trial of home-care skill training. Background. Many family members and other informal carers are reported to suffer multiple adverse social, financial, psychological and physical caregiving outcomes. High levels of mutuality, the perception that the quality of the care relationship is positive, reportedly ameliorate these negative outcomes. Method. Multilevel models for change were used to explore whether care recipient functional ability, carer gender, depressive symptoms, kin relation to care recipient (spouse, non-spouse) and years of caregiving experience were related to carers’ perceptions of care relationship mutuality over a 12-month period. Data collection took place between 2003 and 2008. Results. Carers who reported lower mutuality: (1) were caring for care recipients with lower functional ability, (2) had less caregiving experience and (3) had more depressive symptoms. Conclusion. Informal carers who perceive little mutuality in their relationship with the care recipient may be more likely to terminate care early. Clinicians and researchers should explore the quality of the caregiving relationship as a critical factor in carer and care recipient outcomes. Home-care skill training may need to include relationship-building skills to offset adverse carer outcomes.
Gaussian error models for object recognition

The probability of false positives and negatives is derived as a function of the number of model features, image features, and occlusion, under the assumption of 2D Gaussian noise and a particular method of evidence accumulation. No assumptions are made about prior distributions on the model space, nor is even the presence of the model assumed. The results are presented in the form of ROC (receiver-operating characteristic) curves, from which several results can be extracted. They demonstrate that the 2D Gaussian error model has better performance than that of the bounded uniform model for the same level of occlusion and clutter. They also directly indicate the optimal performance that can be achieved for a given clutter and occlusion rate and how to choose the thresholds to achieve the desired rates. These ROC curves are verified in the domain of simulated images. >
Prospective study of the effect of resection of the rectum on male sexual function

A prospective study to evaluate sexual dysfunction following resection of the rectum was performed in 21 male patients. Following proctocolectomy for inflammatory bowel disease (9 patients), the incidence of sexual dysfunction was 11%, and it was always partial. Following abdominoperineal excision of the rectum for carcinoma (7 patients), the incidence of sexual dysfunction was 50%, and it was total in 16%. After anterior resection with low colorectal anastomosis (5 patients), the incidence of sexual dysfunction was 40%. The risk of dysfunction following operations on the rectum increased with the age of the patient and was minimal below the age of 50 years. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, careful dissection close to the rectum should avoid damage to the pelvic nerves, and the incidence of sexual dysfunction should be low.
Local quantum criticality at the nematic quantum phase transition

We discuss the finite temperature properties of the fermion correlation function near the fixed-point theory of the charge nematic quantum critical point (QCP) of a metallic Fermi system. We show that though the fixed-point theory is above its upper critical dimension, the equal-time fermion correlation function takes on a universal scaling form in the vicinity of the QCP. We find that in the quantum critical regime, this equal-time correlation function has an ultralocal behavior in space, while the low-frequency behavior of the equal-position autocorrelation function is that of a Fermi liquid up to subdominant terms. This behavior should also apply to other quantum phase transitions of metallic Fermi systems.
A practical testing framework for isolating hardware timing channels

This work identifies a new formal basis for hardware information flow security by providing a method to separate timing flows from other flows of information. By developing a framework for identifying these different classes of information flow at the gate-level, one can either confirm or rule out the existence of such flows in a provable manner. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our presented model, we discuss its usage on a practical example: a CPU cache in a MIPS processor written in Verilog HDL and simulated in a scenario which accurately models previous cache-timing attacks. We demonstrate how our framework can be used to isolate the timing channel used in these attacks.
A single autosomal gene defect severely limits IgG but not IgM responses in B lymphocyte‐deficient A/WySnJ mice

Antigen-stimulated B lymphocytes either differentiate into IgM-secreting plasma cells or into memory B cells that secrete other immunoglobulin isotypes upon antigen restimulation. The mechanisms that generate and maintain memory B cells are poorly understood. Previously, we described a severe B lymphocyte deficiency in adult strain A/WySnJ mice compared to subline A/J. Here we show that the single, autosomal co-dominant locus responsible for the deficiency also diminishes IgG-secreting B cell formation without interfering with IgM-secreting plasma cell differentiation. A/WySnJ secondary IgG1 responses to the protein antigens hemocyanin, bovine gamma-globulin, ovalbumin, lysozyme and beta-galactosidase were 6- to 50-fold lower than A/J responses. The defect also decreased secondary IgG2a and IgG3 responses, and primary IgG1 and IgG2a responses. The reduced A/WySnJ secondary IgG1 response was not due to differential response kinetics or dose responsiveness, and could not be augmented to A/J levels by repeated immunizations. Serum IgG1, IgG2a and IgG3 levels from nonimmune A/WySnJ mice were similarly reduced. The secondary IgG1 response and splenic B cell percentage showed significant positive correlation (r = 0.72) in F2 mice, suggesting that a single locus controlled both traits. In contrast, A/WySnJ mice made good primary IgM responses to hemocyanin, beta-galactosidase, and the thymus-independent antigen trinitrophenyl-Ficoll. The A/WySnJ splenic adherent cells were competent in antigen-presenting function, and A/WySnJ immune T cells proliferated in response to antigen and provided the requisite B cell stimulatory signals for an IgG1 response. Together, our results suggest that A/WySnJ mice have a genetic lesion that causes a selective IgG immune response dysfunction. The absence of IgG-secreting cell precursors or a defect in precursor activation or differentiation are two possible mechanisms which could precipitate a selective IgG response dysfunction. We propose that the defective A/WySnJ and normal A/J strain pair offer the opportunity to use a natural genetic variation as a tool to investigate B lymphocyte development and function.
Parents of Children with Asperger Syndrome: Relationships between Early Attachment Experiences and Parenting Behaviors

Research with parents of children with Asperger Syndrome was conducted to assess whether the level of positive parental attachment correlated positively with positive parenting behaviors and negatively with negative parenting behaviors. Participants were recruited from internet. The Parental Bonding Inventory measured parents`` perception of their bonding or attachment with three aspects of their own parents: warmth, control, and care. In the Parenting Behavior Inventory, parents reported recent interaction/reaction behaviors with their child, and results focused on two aspects of parenting, supportive/engaged and hostile/coercive behaviors: each identified as problematic to parenting and attributable to a variety of specific parenting behaviors. Analysis of demographic variables for correlations with positive parenting behaviors and negative parenting behaviors were carried out by Pearson correlations. Two separate standard multiple regressions, one for positive parenting behaviors and one for negative parenting behaviors, were conducted. Findings support the hypothesis that positive early attachment experience of parents has a significant impact upon their own positive parenting skills with their child with Asperger Syndrome. However, multiple regression of negative parenting behavior found no significant negative contribution by parental attachment. Demographic variables proved to be important.
An evaluation of experimental decadal predictions using CCSM4

This study assesses retrospective decadal prediction skill of sea surface temperature (SST) variability in initialized climate prediction experiments with the Community Climate System Model version 4 (CCSM4). Ensemble forecasts initialized with two different historical ocean and sea-ice states are evaluated and compared to an ensemble of uninitialized coupled simulations. Both experiments are subject to identical twentieth century historical radiative forcings. Each forecast consists of a 10-member ensemble integrated over a 10-year period. One set of historical ocean and sea-ice conditions used for initialization comes from a forced ocean-ice simulation driven by the Coordinated Ocean-ice Reference Experiments interannually varying atmospheric dataset. Following the Coordinated Model Intercomparison Project version 5 (CMIP5) protocol, these forecasts are initialized every 5 years from 1961 to 1996, and every year from 2000 to 2006. A second set of initial conditions comes from historical ocean state estimates obtained through the assimilation of in-situ temperature and salinity data into the CCSM4 ocean model. These forecasts are only available over a limited subset of the CMIP5 recommended start dates. Both methods result in retrospective SST prediction skill over broad regions of the Indian Ocean, western Pacific Ocean and North Atlantic Ocean that are significantly better than reference skill levels from a spatio-temporal auto-regressive statistical model of SST. However the subpolar gyre region of the North Atlantic stands out as the only region where the CCSM4 initialized predictions outperform uninitialized simulations. Some features of the ocean state estimates used for initialization and their impact on the forecasts are discussed.
Hypothermic, closed circuit pericardioperfusion: a potential cardioprotective technique in acute regional ischemia.

Abstract Objectives. This study sought to determine whether infarct size can be reduced by hypothermic pericardioperfusion. Background. We have shown that myocardial infarct size can be reduced by topical cooling of the heart. The present study tests whether myocardial cooling and protection can be produced by hypothermic pericardioperfusion using a catheter. Methods. The catheter was sutured into the pericardial space of anesthetized rabbits. Beginning 30 min before coronary artery occlusion, the space was perfused with either chilled (n = 10) or body temperature (n = 10) fluid. The artery was occluded for 30 min and reperfused for 3 h. Results. After 30 min of pericardioperfusion, myocardial temperature was reduced to 34.1 ± 0.9°C in chilled hearts compared with 38.9 ± 0.4°C in control hearts, p Conclusions. A significant reduction in myocardial temperature, without the development of cardiac tamponade, can be attained using a pericardial catheter to cool the pericardial space. This reduction in temperature causes a significant reduction in necrotic damage. This technique might be used to cool and protect the heart as an adjunct to thrombolysis or during minimally invasive cardiac surgery.
Hydrogen Fuel from Renewable Resources

This article presents the results of an assessment of hydrogen production technologies and an evaluation of the technical and economic feasibilities of producing and using hydrogen from renewable resources. Technologies evaluated include biomass gasification and electrolysis of water using electricity generated from a variety of renewable energy sources. It was found that biomass gasification is the most economical process for renewable hydrogen production with methanol generated from synthesis gas, a near-term variant useful as a ground transportation fuel. Electrolysis is the most attractive option for large-scale production of hydrogen, provided cost reductions for the basic expense associated with electricity can be realized. For the long term, photoconversion offers the greatest promise of providing inexpensive hydrogen.
On the Rédei zeta function

Abstract Let L be a locally finite lattice. An order function ν on L is a function defined on pairs of elements x, y (with x ≤ y) in L such that ν(x, y) = ν(x, z) ν(z, y). The Redei zeta function of L is given by ϱ(s; L) = Σx∈Lμ(O, x) ν(O, x)−s. It generalizes the following functions: the chromatic polynomial of a graph, the characteristic polynomial of a lattice, the inverse of the Dedekind zeta function of a number field, the inverse of the Weil zeta function for a variety over a finite field, Philip Hall's φ-function for a group and Redei's zeta function for an abelian group. Moreover, the paradigmatic problem in all these areas can be stated in terms of the location of the zeroes of the Redei zeta function.
Molecular dynamics simulation study of the structure of poly(ethylene oxide) brushes on nonpolar surfaces in aqueous solution.

The structure of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO, Mw = 526) brushes of various grafting density (σ) on nonpolar graphite and hydrophobic (oily) surfaces in aqueous solution has been studied using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Additionally, the influence of PEO−surface interactions on the brush structure was investigated by systematically reducing the strength of the (dispersion) attraction between PEO and the surfaces. PEO chains were found to adsorb strongly to the graphite surface due primarily to the relative strength of dispersion interactions between PEO and the atomically dense graphite compared to those between water and graphite. For the oily surface, PEO−surface and water−surface dispersion interactions are much weaker, greatly reducing the energetic driving force for PEO adsorption. This reduction is mediated to some extent by a hydrophobic driving force for PEO adsorption on the oily surface. Reduction in the strength of PEO−surface attraction results in reduced adsorption of PEO for both...
Protein Kinase C Regulation of a Na+, K+, Cl- Cotransporter in Fetal Human Pigmented Ciliary Epithelial Cells

Abstract The epithelium of the ciliary body is the site of aqueous humor secretion in the eye. We have begun to study ion transport in this tissue by investigating the mechanisms of K+-transport in fetal human pigmented ciliary epithelial (PE) cells using 86Rb+ as a tracer for K+. In PE three mechanisms were found: (1) ouabain-sensitive, bumetanide-insensitive 86Rb+ uptake (∼ 70% of total): (2) bumetanide-sensitive, ouabain-insensitive 86Rb+ uptake (∼ 15% of total): and (3) K+ channel blocker-sensitive 86 Rb+ uptake (∼ 15% of total). Evidence that the ouabain-insensitive component of 86Rb+ uptake includes a Na+, K+, Cl- cotransporter is the following: (1) bumetanide inhibited 86Rb+ uptake with an IC50 of 0·6 μM and (2) bumetanide-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake was substantially reduced in media lacking Na+ or Cl-, suggesting that both extracellular Na+ and Cl- are required for optimal 86Rb+ uptake via this mechanism. Treatment of cells for 15 min with phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of bumetanide-sensitive 86 Rb+ uptake. No other 86Rb+ uptake mechanism was affected. Efflux studies revealed that efflux via the bumetanide-sensitive mechanism was likewise inhibited by PMA. Treatment with other phorbol esters or an analog of diacylglycerol inhibited bumetanide-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake, while the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine blocked inhibition by phorbol esters. These data suggest that a Na+, K+, Cl- cotransporter in human PE cells is inhibited by activation of protein kinase C.
Medullomyoblastoma in an adult.

Medullomyoblastoma is a rare histologic variant of medulloblastoma. Of the 20 cases reported in the literature, 19 were in children ages 2.5 to 10.5 years and one was in a 26-year old woman. In the reported adult case the myogenic component of the tumor was leiomyosarcomatous. The authors report a case of medullomyoblastoma with a rhabdomyosarcomatous component in a 40-year-old man with light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings
CALCIUM INFLUX IS NOT REQUIRED FOR TRH TO ELEVATE FREE CYTOPLASMIC CALCIUM IN GH3 CELLS

TRH stimulation of prolactin secretion is thought to be mediated by an elevation of free cytoplasmic Ca2+. However, whether TRH-induced influx of extracellular Ca2+ is required to elevate cytoplasmic Ca2+ remains controversial. We measured cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration in GH3 cells with an intracellularly trapped fluorescent indicator, Quin 2. In unstimulated cells incubated in medium containing 1.5 mM Ca2+, cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration was 118 +/- 18 nM (mean +/- SD). TRH (1 microM) caused a rapid transient elevation of free cytoplasmic Ca2+ to a level estimated to be at least 500 nM. High extracellular K+, which induces extracellular Ca2+ influx, caused an elevation of free cytoplasmic Ca2+ which was greater and longer in duration that that caused by TRH. When cells were incubated in medium containing 3 mM EGTA, the K+ depolarization-induced increase in free cytoplasmic Ca2+ was abolished. By contrast, the TRH-induced increase was not affected by incubating cells in medium with 3 mM EGTA, or high K+, or both; incubation of cells in medium with EGTA and high K+ abolishes the electrochemical driving force for Ca2+ influx. These data demonstrate that Ca2+ influx is not required for TRH-induced elevation of free cytoplasmic Ca2+ in GH3 cells. We conclude that in GH3 cells TRH induces an elevation of free cytoplasmic Ca2+ leading to stimulated prolactin secretion by mobilizing cellular Ca2+.
Effects of feeding diets containing different fat supplements to swine on the visual properties and storage stability of low-fat sausage.

Sixty barrows and gilts were assigned to one of five dietary treatments consisting of a control diet of corn and soybean meal and four similar test diets that contained a 10% replacement of either animal fat, safflower oil, sunflower oil or canola oil, to determine the effects of high levels of oleic acid in the diet of swine on the storage stability of fresh pork sausage. Pork trim from each treatment was used to formulate sausage that contained two fat levels (25% and 35%), and two levels of added water (3% and 11%). Thiobarbituric acid values did not differ between the control, safflower oil or sunflower oil treatments and all treatments were acceptable after 10 weeks of storage. Microbial numbers increased with the level of added water and during time in storage (up to 3 weeks). Visual evaluation showed that the control was the most red and least discolored, while the canola oil treatment was the least red and the most discolored. Results from the present study suggest that a 105 replacement of a typical corn/soybean meal diet to swine with safflower or sunflower oil did not alter the storage-stability of fresh pork sausage.
Interactions among stratum corneum defensive functions

With the exception of vitamin D production, virtually all epidermal functions can be considered as protective, or more specifically, as defensive in nature. Yet, the term "barrier function" of the stratum corneum (SC) is often used synonymously with only one such defensive function, although arguably its most important, i.e., permeability barrier homeostasis. Regardless of their hierarchy of relative importance, these critical protective functions largely reside in the SC. In this short review, we explore the ways in which the multiple defensive functions of the SC are linked and interrelated, either by their shared localization or by common biochemical processes.
Online Support Vector Regression With Varying Parameters for Time-Dependent Data

Support vector regression (SVR) is a machine learning technique that continues to receive interest in several domains, including manufacturing, engineering, and medicine. In order to extend its application to problems in which data sets arrive constantly and in which batch processing of the data sets is infeasible or expensive, an accurate online SVR (AOSVR) technique was proposed. The AOSVR technique efficiently updates a trained SVR function whenever a sample is added to or removed from the training set without retraining the entire training data. However, the AOSVR technique assumes that the new samples and the training samples are of the same characteristics; hence, the same value of SVR parameters is used for training and prediction. This assumption is not applicable to data samples that are inherently noisy and nonstationary, such as sensor data. As a result, we propose AOSVR with varying parameters that uses varying SVR parameters rather than fixed SVR parameters and hence accounts for the variability that may exist in the samples. To accomplish this objective, we also propose a generalized weight function to automatically update the weights of SVR parameters in online monitoring applications. The proposed function allows for lower and upper bounds for SVR parameters. We tested our proposed approach and compared results with the conventional AOSVR approach using two benchmark time-series data and sensor data from a nuclear power plant. The results show that using varying SVR parameters is more applicable to time-dependent data.
U.S./India co-operative biomass conversion program

Abstract As part of an overall effort to reduce the dependence on imported oil, the Government of India and the U.S. Agency for International Development have recently initiated a collaborative program to develop and implement newer coal and biomass energy conversion technologies in India. The dispersed nature of biomass resources generally restricts their application to small to medium-scale energy conversion technologies. However, the mining, beneficiation, and transportation of coal is done economically to satisfy the demand of large centralized energy conversion technologies. Thus, the development and implementation of biomass conversion technologies are quite complementary to the development of large-scale coal conversion technologies. The successful development, testing, and wide-scale commercialization of biomass conversion technologies in India, in addition to facilitating the reduction in imported oil demand, will also indirectly help conserve the indigenous coal resources, thus enhancing the local coal supply for large, centralized, coal-based plants. This paper highlights the objectives of the biomass conversion component of the collaborative energy program and presents the status of biomass conversion technology development and implementation efforts in India.
Semisimilar Solutions to Unsteady Boundary-Layer Flows Including Separation

A study is made of a certain class of flows for which semisimilar solutions to the unsteady two-dimensional laminar boundary-layer equations may be obtained. It is shown that such solutions are possible when the velocity at the edge of the boundary layer, ud(x, f), is an arbitrary function of the variable £ where £ is either x/(l — Bt) or (x + Kt)/(l-Bt). If the constant K is choosen properly the latter case represents the same external flow as the former case but observed in a reference system moving with the unsteady separation point. It is possible, therefore, to study the unsteady separation phenomenon in this reference system where separation is most easily identified and analyzed. Numerical solutions have been obtained for an unsteady linearly retarded flow where ud(x, t) = U^ — A^. These solutions verify the Moore-Rott-Sears model for unsteady boundary-layer separation in which separation appears as a point of vanishing shear and velocity, within the boundary layer, in a reference system moving with separation. Solutions such as those presented here may also be used as test cases for the new numerical techniques where unsteady boundary layers are analyzed using three-dimensional finite difference techniques.
New directions in computer systems architecture

Abstract In spite of major technological developments over a thirty-year span, the architecture of computer systems has remained surprisingly stable under continued pressures for change. A number of limited architectural responses to such pressures (system improvements) are reviewed in support of this thesis. Recently, however, a maturing appreciation for the potential benefits of functional programming languages for use as a base for computer applications, juxtaposed with the VLSI opportunity, has resulted in several proposals for innovative architect area. In principle, these proposals offer attractive alternatives to conventional systems, and may well become practical alternatives as well. The relative advantages of functional languages and functional machine hosts are reviewed, and two of the more interesting proposals are singled out for extended discussion and comparison.
SimAPI—a common programming interface for simulation

This paper describes SimAPI, a common programming interface for cycle simulators, and how SimAPI was used to test the S/390® Parallel Enterprise Server Generation 4. SimAPI provides a rich set of functions useful for programs and test cases to drive and monitor a simulation model. Support exists for multithreading, event detection, checkpoint/restart, and accessing objects in the model. Most of the code which implements this interface is shared among all simulators, with only a small amount of simulator-specific code needed to connect a simulator to SimAPI. This makes it easy to run a new simulator with SimAPI.