cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new triad: quality leadership, the learning organization and systems engineering

This paper examines the relationships between three areas of quality management that have developed independently, namely, quality leadership. The learning organization and systems engineering. First, thirteen rank-ordered attributes of a quality leader are cited, including the critical attributes of empowering, having a vision, team building and renewing. Then the five disciplines of Senge's Learning Organization are recapitulated as: personal mastery, mental models, building shared visions, team learning and the "Fifth Discipline", systems thinking. A brief description of Eisner's thirty elements of systems engineering follows. It is demonstrated that these three areas are complementary and require mutual interaction and support in order to maximize the likelihood of achieving quality management. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations for implementation in an ever-changing corporate and management environment. >
Alteration in fluid mechanics in femoral arteries with atheroma development

The relationship between regional alterations in wall motion, normalized wall shear amplitude (NWSA), and atheromatic lesion composition was evaluated in the Yucatan miniswine model with developing atherosclerosis. We induced vascular lesions by endothelial cell denudation. The animals were fed a high cholesterol diet for 8 weeks to develop early atherosclerotic lesions. At the end of the 8 weeks, hemodynamic and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) image data were obtained in both the denuded and control femoral arteries. The vascular segment geometry was reconstructed from the imaging data and the CFD analysis performed in each segment incorporating the vascular wall motion data obtained from the images as a moving boundary condition. NWSA was correlated with vessel wall motion and lesion composition. Data from 6 control and 4 diseased arteries were analyzed. Results demonstrate that wall motion and NWSA increased in an arterial segment with atheroma compared to those in healthy regions, as determined from histology. However, the wall motion in the diseased segments demonstrated regional variability compared to relatively uniform distribution in the healthy segments. This study demonstrates the regional variability in the wall motion and NWSA in vascular segments in the presence of early atheroma compared to those in healthy segments.
Investigation of particle isolation in Li-ion battery electrodes using 7Li NMR spectroscopy

Li MAS NMR spectroscopy was used to study the failure mechanisms of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 electrodes in Li-ion cells. Three sets of electrodes with di!erent degrees of power fade (0%, 9% and 23%) were studied. The three electrodes were charged to various states of charge (0%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%) in pouch cells which were subsequently disassembled for NMR analysis. The lithium NMR shifts of the positive electrodes in the di!erent states of charge were investigated. The results indicate that NMR spectroscopy can be used to probe particle isolation in these electrodes. Particle isolation is responsible for the capacity and power fades since some of the active material particles are disconnected from the matrix. This study also clearly showed the loss of electrochemically active lithium as the power fade increased. ! 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Inter-Segment Coordination Variability Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

iv LIST OF TABLES x LIST OF FIGURES xii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem 7 1.3 Purpose of the Study 7 1.4 Significance of the Study 9 1.5 Summary 9 1.6 References 12 2: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 16 2.
Oxygen Delivery to Muscle Cells during Capillary Occlusion by Sickled Erythrocytes

Irreversibly sickled erythrocytes (ISC) flow at normal velocities in a muscle capillary system of the mouse, with no velocity change with intracapillary pO2 of < 40 mm; ISC caused obstruction to flow in regions of capillary bending, narrowing or bifurcation. Flow velocity of oxygenated reversibly sickleable erythrocytes (RSC) was normal at normal pO2, that for deoxygenated single RSC in the low normal range at capillary flow rates of <100 μm/s; single deoxygenated RSC were observed to cause spontaneous stasis at low flow rates. When large numbers of RSC were introduced into capillaries of this model system such that calculated capillary hematocrits were greater than 2%, deoxygenation caused progressive increase in flow resistance to values two to three times normal, with subsequent stasis without identifiable ISC to cause obstruction. No significant change in flow dynamics of ISC or RSC were observed at pH 8.0 and a trend toward decreased velocity at pH 6.5 occurred at normal pO2; at reduced pO2, the sickling effects obscured any possible pH related changes. The pO2 of cells adjacent to the venous capillary region was 13 ±7 mm Hg, lower than venular pO2. After capillary occlusion by ISC, RSC, or rigid glutaraldehyde-fixed cells, muscle cell pO2 values approached zero by 2 min, with recovery to control values by 10 s after restoration of flow. With occlusion, capillary pH decreased to the 6.5 to 6.8 range, values predicted to increase sickling.
A Spotlight on Affect: The Role of Affect and Affective Forecasting in Self-Regulation and Impulse Control

The authors propose an alternative conceptualization to the Strack,Werth, and Deutsch (2006) model. This alternative conceptualization considers howthe forecasting of emotional outcomes linked to controlling or failing to control impulses affects self-regulatory behavior. A set of future research questions is identified based on this conceptualization. The proposed model differs from that of Strack et al. (2006) by its focus on (a) affect, (b) impulse control (versus buying), and (c) deliberative processing linked to impulse control (or lack thereof).
Formation of Symmetrical Azo Derivatives of Monochlorotoluidines by Peroxidatic Catalysis

The action of horseradish peroxidase on a series of monochlorotoluidines was complex with numerous products being formed from each compound. Symmetrical azo derivatives were characterized in the reaction mixtures from 4-chloro- o -toluidine, 2-chloro- p -toluidine, and 3-chloro- p -toluidine.
The Liberal Republic and the Failure of Democracy

Although the study of the liberal republic (1870-1936) could shed considerable light on the overall pattern of political development, this period has remained one of the most under-studied and undervalued of the already under-researched history of Paraguay. In an attempt to fill that lacuna—albeit partially—this article reexamines the available data, discusses new evidence, and reinterprets the period with different theoretical categories. In this manner, it seeks to answer the question of why, in spite of a relatively favorable ideological environment, liberal democracy failed to consolidate and how this failure eventually opened the doors to the authoritarian regime of General Alfredo Stroessner.
Radiography of dental fractures. An experimental evaluation.

Abstract Dental radiographs of experimental fractures of the anterior teeth were evaluated for diagnostic information with regard to latitude of angulation of the x-ray tube to the fracture area and film density. Films of all specimens of optimal film density were diagnostic in a latitude of ± 15 to 20 degrees VTA in relation to the fracture plane. Two additional radiographs should be taken of the questionable area with a +15 degree VTA and a −15 degree VTA in relation to the original tube position. Fine fractures were not diagnostic on light-density film. Higher kilovoltages, as 90 kv./15 Ma., did not increase the angulation latitude. However, dark-density films increased the latitude of the diagnostic range. The extraoral Panorex method was diagnostic only for coarse fractures and only with films of optimal or dark density.
Gorbachevsky, Boris, Generalissimo Stalin: The Myth of Stalin as a Great Military Strategist

A few years ago, I reviewed another translated Russian-language history of the Second World War also published by Helion: Peter Mezhiritsky’s On the Precipice: Stalin, the Red Army Leadership and t...
Stripping voltammetry determination of Zinc in food

It was reported in this paper that in a buffer solution of HOAc-NaOAc(pH=4.8),Zn(Ⅱ)which was usually added as nutritive intensifying agents could be determined successively by stripping voltammetry in food.The proposed method was proved to be accurate,rapid,sensitive and also convenient to operate.
In Vitro and In Vivo Synergy of the Oxadiazole Class of Antibacterials with β-Lactams

ABSTRACT The oxadiazole antibacterials target the bacterial cell wall and are bactericidal. We investigated the synergism of ND-421 with the commonly used β-lactams and non-β-lactam antibiotics by the checkerboard method and by time-kill assays. ND-421 synergizes well with β-lactam antibiotics, and it also exhibits a long postantibiotic effect (4.7 h). We also evaluated the in vivo efficacy of ND-421 in a murine neutropenic thigh infection model alone and in combination with oxacillin. ND-421 has in vivo efficacy by itself in a clinically relevant infection model (1.49 log 10 bacterial reduction for ND-321 versus 0.36 log 10 for linezolid with NRS119) and acts synergistically with β-lactam antibiotics in vitro and in vivo , and the combination of ND-421 with oxacillin is efficacious in a mouse neutropenic thigh methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection model (1.60 log 10 bacterial reduction). The activity of oxacillin was potentiated in the presence of ND-421, as the strain would have been resistant to oxacillin otherwise.
Smoothness of the gradient of weak solutions of degenerate linear equations

Let Q(x) be a nonnegative definite, symmetric matrix such that \(\sqrt {Q\left( x \right)} \) is Lipschitz continuous. Given a real-valued function b(x) and a weak solution u(x) of div(Q∇u) = b, we find sufficient conditions in order that \(\sqrt Q \nabla u\) has some first order smoothness. Specifically, if Ω is a bounded open set in Rn, we study when the components of \(\sqrt Q \nabla u\) belong to the first order Sobolev space WQ1,2(Ω) defined by Sawyer and Wheeden. Alternately, we study when each of n first order Lipschitz vector field derivatives Xiu has some first order smoothness if u is a weak solution in Ω of Σi=1nXi′Xiu + b = 0. We do not assume that {Xi} is a Hormander collection of vector fields in Ω. The results signal ones for more general equations.
A Trial of Financial and Social Incentives to Increase Older Adults' Walking.

Introduction Despite evidence that regular physical activity confers health benefits, physical activity rates among older adults remain low. Both personal and social goals may enhance older adults' motivation to become active. This study tested the effects of financial incentives, donations to charity, and the combined effects of both interventions on older adults' uptake and retention of increased levels of walking. Study design RCT comparing three interventions to control. Data collection occurred from 2012 to 2013. Analyses were conducted in 2013–2016. Participants Ninety-four adults aged ≥65 years from Philadelphia-area retirement communities. Intervention All participants received digital pedometers, walking goals of a 50% increase in daily steps, and weekly feedback on goal attainment. Participants were randomized to one of four groups: (1) Control: received weekly feedback only; (2) Financial Incentives: received payment of $20 each week walking goals were met; (3) Social Goals: received donation of $20 to a charity of choice each week walking goals were met; and (4) Combined: received $20 each week walking goals were met that could be received by participant, donated to a charity of choice, or divided between the participant and charity. Main outcome measures Mean proportion of days walking goals were met during the 16-week intervention and 4-week follow-up period. Results After adjusting for baseline walking, the proportion of days step goals were met during the 16-week intervention period was higher in all intervention groups versus controls (relative risk, 3.71; 95% CI=1.37, 10.01). During the 4-week follow up period, the proportion of days step goals were met did not differ in intervention groups compared to control (relative risk, 2.91; 95% CI=0.62, 13.64). Conclusions Incentive schemes that use donations to a charity of choice, personal financial incentives, or a combination of the two can each increase older adults' initial uptake of increased levels of walking. Trial Registration This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT01643538.
Intermittent and lateral varying ULVZ structure at the northeastern margin of the Pacific LLSVP

Thin patches with ultra-low velocities have been proposed to exist at the core-mantle boundary (CMB). The detection and mapping of ultra-low velocity zones (ULVZs) are difficult, in part, because of limited source-receiver geometries of seismic phases used in ULVZ modeling. Here we develop a new approach that simultaneously utilizes ScS pre- and post-cursor energy to investigate the CMB region for ULVZ structure. We stacked source-deconvolved ScS waveforms within 1.5 degree geographic bins to extract ScS pre- and post-cursor energy, if present, with ScS effectively removed from waveforms. We investigate the CMB beneath the central Pacific Ocean, and evidence for ULVZs is clearly apparent. Geographic bin stacks possessing similar ScS precursor-plus-postcursor behavior are grouped using cluster analysis to produce more robust waveforms by enhancing the signal to noise ratios. Synthetic seismograms demonstrate the amplitude and timing of the ULVZ arrivals are sensitive to ULVZ thickness and internal velocities. To pursue local ULVZ properties we processed 13,850 1-D synthetic models with various ULVZ thicknesses and internal properties, using the identical ScS-stripping method as with the data. A best-fitting model was found for each geographical bin cluster using an amplitude sensitive cross-correlation algorithm. While limitations exist due to 1-D modeling, strong lateral variations are clearly apparent in ULVZ thickness and properties across the large low shear velocity province (LLSVP) margin in our study area. Inside hypothesized LLSVP edges, ULVZs appear to distribute unevenly, suggesting 3D variations of convection currents.
He 3 + He 4 → Be 7 astrophysical S factor

We present precision measurements of the $^{3}\mathrm{He}+^{4}\mathrm{He}$ $\ensuremath{\rightarrow}$ $^{7}\mathrm{Be}$ reaction in the range ${E}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}=0.33$ to 1.23 MeV using a small gas cell and detection of both prompt \ensuremath{\gamma} rays and $^{7}\mathrm{Be}$ activity. Our prompt and activity measurements are in good agreement within the experimental uncertainty of several percent. We find $S(0)=0.595\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.018$ keV b from fits of the Kajino theory to our data. We compare our results with published measurements, and we discuss the consequences for Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and for solar neutrino flux calculations.
Magnon-Phonon Coupling in Spin-1/2 Quasi 1D Antiferromagnets

Compounds possessing the CsNiC13 structure [1] have attracted considerable interest recently. The crystal structure (space group Pb3/mmc) comprises chains of face-sharing NiC1 6 4− octahedra lying along the c axis separated by the large Cs+ ions. For those compounds exhibiting magnetic ordering the exchange interaction between divalent transition-metal ions along the chain direction can be much larger than that between chains, resulting in pronounced one-dimensional (1D) magnetic behaviour [2]. The cobalt salts CsCoCl3, CsCoBr3 and RbCoCl3 have proved to be excellent examples of a spin−1/2 1D Ising-like antiferromagnet. All three salts exhibit three-dimensional (3D) magnetic ordering at low temperatures [3–5], and their respective Neel temperatures are listed in Table 1. At low temperatures, below T N II , the spin arrangements in CsCoC13 and CsCoBr3 comprise that of a triangular (ab plane) Ising lattice with interchain antiferromagnetic nearest-neighbour coupling, J’, very weak ferromagnetic next-nearest-neighbour interchain interactions and strong Ising coupling, J, along the chains. Thus the chains are ordered ferrimagnetically within the ab plane. For temperatures T N II < T < T N I one-third of the chains are disordered while the other two-thirds remain antiferromagnetically coupled in the basal plane. Above T N I all of the chains are disordered but they retain significant spin correlations along the c axis for temperatures beyond 2T N I .
Real Time Streaming Data Grid Applications

We review several aspects of building real-time streaming data Grid applications. Building on general purpose messaging system software (NaradaBrokering) and generalized collaboration services (GlobalMMCS), we are developing a diverse set of interoperable capabilities. These include dynamic information systems for managing short-lived collaborative service collections (“gaggles”), stream filters to support the integration of Geographical Information Systems services with data analysis applications, streaming video to support collaborative geospatial maps with time-dependent data, and video stream playback and annotation services to enable scientific collaboration.
Immunopathogenesis of Graves’ Disease

Graves’ disease (GD) was one of the first human autoimmune diseases to be characterized following the discovery of thyroid-stimulating antibodies in hyperthyroid patients in 1956 (1 ). GD is now known to be the most common cause of hyperthyroidism between the ages of 20 and 50 years. In females, the annual incidence ranges from 15 to 200 per 100,000 per year (2 ). The rates observed in males are about one tenth of those in females, and the disease is more common in iodine-sufficient regions (3 ). The hyperactivity of the thyroid gland is due to the presence of thyroid stimulating antibodies, and these are now known to recognize and activate the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR). These TSHR stimulating antibodies increase the growth and the function of the thyroid follicular cells, leading to the excessive production of thyroid hormones (both T3 and T4) and symptoms of tachycardia, anxiety, and weight loss among others. Pathologically, the disease is characterized by a heterogeneous lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid parenchyma as well as infiltration of retroorbital and dermal tissues (4–6 ) (see Chap. 31). Transplacental antibody transferred to the infants of affected mothers during pregnancy can induce symptoms similar to the mother by causing neonatal Graves’ disease (7, 8 ). Similarly, antibodies from patients with GD when injected into experimental animals and even humans can induce thyroid activation (9 ).
THE ROLE OF CYTOCHROME b 5 IN THE LIVER MICROSOMAL ELONGATION OF FATTY ACIDS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of cytochrome B5 in the liver microsomal elongation of fatty acids. Cytochrome b5, which is a component of one of the two electron transport systems in the liver endoplasmic reticulum, is necessary for the Δ9-desaturation of fatty acids. The chapter presents data that implicates the involvement of b5 in another liver microsomal biotransformation, fatty acid elongation, which does not involve the insertion of a double bond in the final product. Based on observation of an increase in the rate of reoxidation of b5 in the presence of malonyl CoA, a finding similar to the effect of stearoyl CoA that undergoes Δ9-desaturation catalyzed by cytochrome b5, the possible role of b5 in liver microsomal fatty acid elongation was investigated. Consistent with the hypothesis of cytochrome involvement in microsomal fatty acid elongation was the correlation between the rates of b5 reoxidation in the presence of malonyl CoA and the rate of malonyl CoA incorporation into fatty acids.
Switchability and Attractivity of Domain Flows

In this chapter, the switchability and attractivity of domain flows to edges of domains will be discussed. The classification and definition of edges will be presented, and the corresponding dynamical systems on domains, boundaries, edges, and vertexes will be defined. The coming, leaving and tangency of a domain flow to a specific edge will be discussed through the corresponding boundaries. The switchability and passability of a flow from an accessible domain to another accessible domain will be presented with a switching rule. The convex and concave edges are introduced for discontinuous dynamical systems. In addition, the mirror domains will also be introduced through the extension of boundaries at the convex edge. The transversally grazing passability of a flow to the concave edges will be presented. The equi-measuring surface will be introduced, and the attractivity of a domain flow to the boundary will be discussed. Further, an equi-measuring edge in domain will be presented, and the attractivity of a domain flow to a specific edge will be discussed. The bouncing domain flows to a specific edge will be discussed for multi-valued vector fields.
Development of an eco-geomorphic modeling framework to evaluate riparian ecosystem response to flow-regime changes

Abstract Tools that provide decision makers with an understanding of ecosystem response to changes in streamflow attributes are necessary to balance human and ecosystem water needs. Flow response curves provide one such approach for informing management based on modeled relationships between environmental control (e.g., flood magnitude) and response (e.g., plant recruitment) variables, although unidirectional relationships may fail to capture the complex interactions between ecological and physical processes in riparian ecosystems. We take advantage of the linkage between plant functional traits important for (a) determining a plant’s response to environmental conditions and (b) for predicting its impact on the flow of water and transport of sediment, to build a predictive model of riparian ecosystem dynamics. By using plant functional groups (i.e., guilds), our model accounts for process linkages among streamflow properties, physical processes, and plant community response. The model relies on a series of flow response curves built and tested with data collected along semiarid, canyon-bound rivers in Colorado. We built 2D hydrodynamic models and updated them with a flexible vegetation module to represent plant-hydraulic interactions for three study reaches. Plant guild distributions are well described by the model while predictions of the occurrence and direction of topographic change are less deterministic. Our work is among the first to develop response curves for both physical and ecological processes in the same framework. The shape of the resulting curves indicate that the functioning of riparian ecosystems is driven by nonlinear relationships and that clear, identifiable thresholds exist. As such, changes to the flow regime will have a differential impact on physical and ecological processes, depending on the nature of the shift. We discuss the strength and limitations of our model and make suggestions about its applicability to river management.
Poster: Experimental Evaluation of TCP Congestion Control over 60GHz WLAN

The multi-Gbps bandwidth offered by 60GHz millimeter-wave (mmWave) links has enabled a wide range of applications such as untethered virtual reality, fast file synchronization, and uncompressed video streaming. To provide these applications with high network utilization while preventing overload, TCP congestion control (CC) determines the data sending rate to achieve high throughput and/or low delay.CC over highly fluctuating 60GHz networks is extremely challenging -- the high directionality and small wavelength of mmWave make it vulnerable to mobility and blockage. Despite numerous studies on CC in WiFi/LTE, CC in 60GHz remains underexplored. To the best of our knowledge, the only related work on CC in mmWave is~\citezhang2016transport. However, it's simulation-based and focuses on 28GHz mmWave cellular. Also, it only looks at loss-based CC algorithms and limited scenarios. We close this gap with a first experimental study that comprehensively evaluates the CC performance over commercial 60GHz WLAN using COTS devices. Our study aims to characterize the behavior and performance of different CC algorithms over 60GHz in a wide range of real-world mobility and blockage scenarios. We believe this is a critical step towards designing mmWave-friendly CC algorithms.
A CyberGIS Approach to Spatiotemporally Explicit Uncertainty and Global Sensitivity Analysis for Agent-Based Modeling of Vector-Borne Disease Transmission

Although agent-based models (ABMs) provide an effective means for investigating complex interactions between heterogeneous agents and their environment, they might hinder an improved understanding ...
Relationships between Very Low-Density Lipoproteins-Ceramides, -Diacylglycerols, and -Triacylglycerols in Insulin-Resistant Men.

This short report describes the relationships between concentrations of ceramides (CER), diacylglycerols (DAG), triacylglycerols (TAG) in very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) particles, and hepatic lipid accumulation. VLDL particles were isolated from male subjects (n = 12, mean ± SD, age 42.1 ± 5.4 years, BMI 37.4 ± 4.1 kg/m2 , ALT 45 ± 21 U/L) and apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100), VLDL-TAG, -CER, and -DAG quantified. The contents of all three lipids were highly correlated with VLDL particle number (r ≥ 0.768, p ≤ 0.003). The molar quantity of VLDL-TAG was 3× that of DAG and 137× that of CER (14,053 ± 5714, 5004 ± 2714, and 105 ± 49 mol/mol apoB100, respectively). Reduced VLDL-CER concentrations were associated with both higher insulin levels (r = -0.645, p = 0.024) and intrahepatic-TAG (r = -0.670, p = 0.017). In fatty liver, the secretion of hepatic TAG, CER, and DAG may be suppressed and contribute to intrahepatic lipotoxicity. The mechanisms by which hepatic-CER and -DAG synthesis and assembly into VLDL is coordinately controlled with TAG will be important in understanding the emerging role of elevated CER contributing to cardiometabolic disease.
$$\hbox {G}_2$$ G 2 Manifolds with Nodal Singularities Along Circles

This paper finds matching building blocks for the construction of a compact manifold with $$\hbox {G}_2$$ holonomy and nodal singularities along circles using twisted connected sum method by solving the Calabi conjecture on certain asymptotically cylindrical manifolds with nodal singularities. However, by comparison to the untwisted connected sum case, it turns out that the obstruction space for the singular twisted connected sum construction is infinite dimensional. By analyzing the obstruction term, there are strong evidences that the obstruction may be resolved if a further gluing is performed in order to get a compact manifold with $$\hbox {G}_2$$ holonomy and isolated conical singularities with link $${\mathbb {S}}^3\times {\mathbb {S}}^3$$ .
The Role of Academic Self-Confidence on Thriving among International College Students in the U.S. and Canada

Set in the context of four-year colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, this study examined how the level of thriving differs for international students and their domestic peers, how the level of thriving differs across various subgroups within international students, and how academic self-confidence is associated with the level of thriving for international students. Using data from the 2017 Thriving Quotient, this study found that international students were less likely to thrive during their college years than their domestic peers and that Asian international students were less likely to thrive than their international peers of other racial groups. Findings also suggested that academic self-confidence was significantly and positively related to international students’ thriving during their college years.
Technologies Supporting Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Application Development

Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics have gone through three generations of development, from Turing test, logic theory machine, to expert system and self-driving car. In the third-generation today, AI and robotics have collaboratively been used in many areas in our society, including industry, business, manufacture, research, and education. There are many challenging problems in developing AI and robotics applications. We launch this new Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Technology to facilitate the exchange of the latest research and practice in AI and technologies. In this inaugural issue, we first introduce a few key technologies and platforms supporting the third-generation AI and robotics application development based on stacks of technologies and platforms. We present examples of such development environments created by both industry and academia. We also selected eight papers in the related areas to celebrate the foundation of this journal.
Tribute: Dean W. Edward Sell--Our Dedicated Law Review Advisor and Unwavering Supporter

Tribute to the late W. Edward Sell, former Dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Molecular Biomarker and Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Expression Testing in Patients With Advanced Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Across North Carolina Community Hospitals

Background Precision medicine in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) requires molecular biomarker testing in patients with nonsquamous and select patients with squamous histologies, and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) testing in both. Research Question What are rates of molecular and PD-L1 biomarker testing in patients with advanced NSCLC in community practices, and do rates vary by sociodemographic factors? What is the prevalence of molecular biomarker mutations and PD-L1 expression levels? Study Design and Methods From 389 stage IV NSCLC pathology reports obtained through the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Rapid Case Ascertainment Program from 38 community hospitals across North Carolina, we abstracted demographics, histology, molecular biomarker testing and results, and PD-L1 testing and expression. We geocoded patient and hospital addresses to determine travel time, distance to care, and census block level contextual variables. We compared molecular biomarker and PD-L1 testing rates, the prevalence of molecular biomarkers, and PD-L1 expression levels by race and sex, using χ2 tests. We determined predictors of testing, using multivariable logistic regression and report adjusted ORs and 95%CI. Results Among patients with nonsquamous NSCLC, 64.4% were tested for molecular biomarkers, and among all NSCLC patients 53.2% were tested for PD-L1 expression. Differences in biomarker testing rates by sociodemographic factors were not statistically significant in univariate or adjusted analyses. Adjusted analyses showed that patients living in areas with higher household internet access were more likely to undergo PD-L1 testing (adjusted OR = 1.66, 95% CI, 1.02-2.71). Sociodemographic differences in molecular biomarker prevalence and PD-L1 expression levels were not statistically significant, except for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) mutations, which occurred in 16.7% of males vs 0% in females, P = .05. Interpretation Biomarker testing remains underused in NSCLC. Future work should include larger populations and evaluate hospital-specific testing protocols to identify and address barriers to guideline-recommended testing.
A multiperiod competitive supply chain framework with environmental policies and investments in sustainable operations

Abstract In this paper, we develop a supply chain network model in which firms compete noncooperatively in an oligopolistic manner in discrete time periods over a finite planning horizon. Each firm makes a strategic decision regarding its target sustainability rating and tactical decisions of product flows, in the presence of consumer preferences for sustainability and a variety of environmental policies. Such policies include ecological taxes for different types of pollution, subsidies for pollution control, command-and-control policies, as well as hybrid approaches with different possible combinations of policy instruments. Furthermore, our model captures dynamic changes in not only the consumer purchasing behavior, but also the operational costs and environmental pollution, as well as government environmental policies. A series of numerical examples evaluate the impacts of consumer preferences for sustainability and environmental policies on firms’ profitability and their environmental footprint. The results indicate that firms will improve sustainable operations as long as it is financially valuable for them to do so, which mandates governments and firms to educate consumers about sustainability. Numerical examples also reveal under which environmental policies sustainability can be profitable.
Computer aided proofs for rate regions of independent distributed source coding problems

The rate regions of independent distributed source coding (IDSC) problems, a sub-class of the broader family of multi-source multi-sink networks, are investigated. An IDSC problem consists of multiple sources, multiple encoders, and multiple decoders, where each encoder has access to all sources, and each decoder has access to a certain subset of the encoders and demands a certain subset of the sources. Instead of manually deriving the rate region for a particular problem, computer tools are used to obtain the rate regions for hundreds of nonisomorphic (symmetry-removed) IDSC instances. A method for enumerating all non-isomorphic IDSC instances of a particular size is given. For each non-isomorphic IDSC instance, the Shannon outer bound, superposition coding inner bound, and several achievable inner bounds based on linear codes, are considered and calculated. For all of the hundreds of IDSC instances considered, vector binary inner bounds match the Shannon outer bound, and hence, exact rate regions are proven together with code constructions that achieve them.
Role of Scatter Factor and The c-met Protooncogene in the Pathogenesis of Aids-Associated Kaposi's Sarcoma

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the role of scatter factor and c- met protooncogene in the Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) pathogenesis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated KS. KS is a complex mesenchymal neoplasm of suspected vascular endothelial cell origin. KS was first brought to attention in 1872 as a rare cutaneous malignancy that developed predominantly in elderly Mediterranean or Eastern European Jewish and Italian men. The unusual prevalence of KS in men with sexually acquired AIDS has prompted much speculation regarding the possible role of environmental, genetic, or infectious cofactors unique to this patient population. Perhaps the most compelling data are those emerging from epidemiological studies that suggest a role for an infectious agent distinct from human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), but which is more readily transmitted during homosexual than heterosexual activity. The histopathological features of AIDS-associated KS are complex, ranging from early-stage lesions that resemble reactive granulation tissue to late-stage lesions that more closely resemble angiosarcomas and/or fibrosarcomas. The unique pattern of distribution of scatter factor (SF) and c- met in KS tumors and the transient morphological, functional, and immune phenotypic alteration that are induced in normal endothelial cells in response to SF/c- met reflect alterations that are central to the pathogenesis of AIDS-associated KS.
Temporal and spatial relationship of gene expression in the infarcted rat heart.

Background Gene interaction plays an important role in regulating the molecular and cellular actions in both the physiological and pathological circumstances. Following myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac repair/remodeling represented as cardiac inflammation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, fibrosis occur in the infarcted and noninfarcted myocardium. Local angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in the cardiac repair.
Transient Energy Margins and Sensitivity Models for Dynamic Security Assessment

Current approaches to dynamic security assessment include computing quantities such as maximum load supply capability (MLSC) or simultaneous interchange capability (SIC), subject to the system surviving the contigencies in a transiently stable manner with adequate transient energy margin. It appears that the latter approach is likely to lead to viable strategies in a preventive mode of operation. In this paper, a sensitivity-based approach to this problem is proposed. Current approaches to dynamic security assessment include computing quantities such as maximum load supply capability (MLSC) or simultaneous interchange capability (SIC), subject to the system surviving the contigencies in a transiently stable manner with adequate transient energy margin. It appears that the latter approach is likely to lead to viable strategies in a preventive mode of operation. Here, a sensitivity-based approach to this problem is proposed.
Optimal Flow Aggregation

Current IP routers are stateless: they forward individual packets based on the destination address contained in the packet header, but maintain no information about the application or flow to which a packet belongs. This stateless service model works well for best effort datagram delivery, but is grossly inadequate for applications that require quality of service guarantees, such as audio, video, or multimedia. Maintaining state for each flow is expensive because the number of concurrent flows at a router can be in the hundreds of thousands. Thus, stateful solutions such as Intserv (integrated services) have not been adopted for their lack of scalability. Motivated by this dilemma, we formulate and solve the flow aggregation problem, where we give an efficient algorithm for computing the smallest set of aggregated flows that encode the forwarding state of individual flows. Such aggregation of state information might increase the viability of Intserv-type protocols.
INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT IN MAIZE - GROUNDNUT SEQUENTIAL CROPPING SYSTEM - A REVIEW

Maize, groundnut and maize based sequential cropping systems consisted of wide range of weed flora of the groups viz., grasses, sedges and broad leaved weeds. Except Cyperus rotundus, Cynodon dactylon, majority of weed species differ widely due to soil type, season and cropping system. Both maize and groundnut should be free from weeds up to 60 days after sowing. Due to crop weed competition, yield loss ranging from 40 to 80 per cent in maize and 80 to 90 per cent in groundnut. Research on weed management practices followed in maize realize that integrated weed management practices offer not only good weed control but also higher net rebms and B:C ratio. Several reseach findings also indicate that atrazine or pendirnethaiin application at recommended doses in maize did not leave any residues to affect succeeding crops bite chickpea, cowpea, groundnut, Indian mustard, wheat, linseed and lentil.
Phosphorylation of phosphodiesterase-5 by cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase alters its catalytic and allosteric cGMP-binding activities.

In addition to its cGMP-selective catalytic site, cGMP-binding cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE5) contains two allosteric cGMP-binding sites and at least one phosphorylation site (Ser92) on each subunit [Thomas, M.K., Francis, S.H. & Corbin, J.D. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 14971-14978]. In the present study, prior incubation of recombinant bovine PDE5 with a phosphorylation reaction mixture [cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) or catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), MgATP, cGMP, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine], shown earlier to produce Ser92 phosphorylation, caused a 50-70% increase in enzyme activity and also increased the affinity of cGMP binding to the allosteric cGMP-binding sites. Both effects were associated with increases in its phosphate content up to 0.6 mol per PDE5 subunit. Omission of any one of the preincubation components caused loss of stimulation of catalytic activity. Addition of the phosphorylation reaction mixture to a crude bovine lung extract, which contains PDE5, also produced a significant increase in cGMP PDE catalytic activity. The increase in recombinant PDE5 catalytic activity brought about by phosphorylation was time-dependent and was obtained with 0.2-0.5 microM PKG subunit, which is approximately the cellular level of this enzyme in vascular smooth muscle. Significantly greater stimulation was observed using cGMP substrate concentrations below the Km value for PDE5, although stimulation was also seen at high cGMP concentrations. Considerably higher concentration of the catalytic subunit of PKA than of PKG was required for activation. There was no detectable difference between phosphorylated and unphosphorylated PDE5 in median inhibitory concentration for the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil, or zaprinast 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. Phosphorylation reduced the cGMP concentration required for half-maximum binding to the allosteric cGMP-binding sites from 0.13 to 0.03 microM. The mechanism by which phosphorylation of PDE5 by PKG could be involved in physiological negative-feedback regulation of cGMP levels is discussed.
Chemical Indicating Devices

Most people remember a chemical indicator from their high school chemistry. This kind of indicator is a material that changes color to signify the end point of a titration or to provide a relative indication of the acidity or alkalinity of a chemical substance. The use of indicators extends far beyond this. For example, food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and other chemical formulations undergo complex chemical, enzymatic, and microbial interactions when they are exposed to UV light or temperature fluctuations over time. Consequently, product quality may be degraded and may lead to additional safety concerns. The challenges facing the produce industry include successful implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), Total Quality Management (TQM) programs, and other regulations that demand compliance. To address these issues and increase consumer confidence in product quality, safety, and authenticity, many manufacturers incorporate inexpensive monitoring devices into their products during production, packaging, or storage. A large number of consumer-readable indicators are available commercially. Generally, chemical indicators may be defined as stimulus responsive materials that can provide useful information about changes in their environment. Organic dyes, hydrogels or “smart polymers,” shape-memory alloys, thermochromic or photochromic inks, and liquid crystals are some examples. They may function by forming structurally altered ionic or molecular complexes with species in their environment through chemical or physical interactions involving proton exchange, chelation, hydrogen bonding, dipole–dipole interactions, or van der Waal forces. The resulting characteristic biochemical, chemical, optical, magnetic, thermal, or mechanical changes can be tailored to provide the desired indication response. This article focuses on inexpensive disposable chemical indicating devices such as pH indicators, temperature indicators, time–temperature indicators (TTI), and tampering and counterfeit indicators. The temperature and TTIs are widely used in the food and pharmaceutical products where date coding on a package may sometimes be inadequate. Keywords: Smart chemical indicating devices; Classification; Indicator choice; Operating principles; pH indicators; Indicator materials; Temperature indicators; Time-temperature indicators; Food shelf life; Anticounterfeiting devices; Tamper indicator devices; Smart ink; Holographic technology
Jacobi Matrices: Eigenvalues and Spectral Gaps

This paper investigates the existence of spectral gaps, and eigenvalues within these spectral gaps, for Jacobi matrices obtained by specific types of oscillating perturbations of unbounded Jacobi matrices with smooth weights. Some results on absolute continuity for such operators are also presented.
Frequency detection capability of number theoretic transforms

A novel application of number theoretic transforms (NTTs) is presented. Examination of the NTTs of a certain class of sine waves indicates a simple relationship between waves of zero relative phase shift having frequencies of the general form 2/sup n/ for n an integer. This relationship is used to construct a finite field that is capable of detecting any or all components of a function composed of such sine waves. Examination of the relationships between components and filtered sine waves indicates a sensitivity to quantization error, in addition to the restrictions imposed above. >
The diamagnetic susceptibility of hydrocarbons

Abstract Simple formulas are proposed for calculating second moments of the charge distribution and the diamagnetic part of the diamagnetic susceptibility in hydrocarbons. The calculated values are favourably compared with ab initio results and experimental values. Analysis of the results shows clearly that these properties are, and why they are, insensitive to the type of wavefunction used to calculate them, even though such calculations have previously been widely used as a test of the quality of wavefunctions.
Immediate and long-term effects of hearing loss on the speech perception of children

The purpose of the present study was to examine the immediate and long-term effects of hearing loss on the speech perception of children. Hearing loss was simulated in normally-hearing children and their performance was compared to that of children with hearing loss (long-term effects) as well as to their own performance in quiet (immediate effects). Eleven children with normal hearing (7–10 years) were matched to five children with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss (8–10 years). Frequency-shaped broadband noise was used to elevate the hearing thresholds of the children with normal hearing to those of their matched hearing-impaired peer. Meaningful and nonsense sentences were presented at five levels and quantified using an audibility index (AI). Comparison of the AI functions calculated for each group and listening condition revealed a significant, immediate effect of elevated hearing thresholds in the children with normal hearing but no long-term effects of hearing loss. The results of this study suggest that hearing loss affects speech perception adversely and that amplification does not fully compensate for those effects. However, the data suggest that over the long term children may develop compensatory strategies to reduce the effects of hearing loss.
Some aspects of the history of Bayesian information processing

For many years, traditional Bayesian (TB) and information theoretic (IT) procedures for learning from data were viewed as distinctly different approaches. Derivations of the TB and IT learning models are reviewed and compared. Then the synthesis by Zellner in 1988 of the TB and IT learning models and generalizations of them are described along with descriptions of selected applications. Included are learning procedures that do not require use of likelihood functions and/or priors. Works by leading Bayesians and information theorists are cited and related to TB/IT issues.