cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy efficiency in continuous galvanizing lines

This paper aims at analyzing the process and system parameters in galvanizing lines using a decision support system. Real time galvanizing line data from the facilities of the participating companies were collected and entered into the decision support system called Galvanizing Energy Profiler and Decision Support System (GEPDSS) [1].The major process and system parameters which are of interest to the galvanizing industry were varied in the decision support model for insight into sensitivity of these parameters with respect to energy efficiency. The results and trends of the variables are analyzed with a particular focus on energy consumption during both production hours and downtime to better understand the productivity of production lines. A detailed analysis is undertaken to study potential energy and cost savings achievable if new pot hardware of increased life were adopted, downtime was decreased or other energy efficiency measures were implemented on a line. Finally a comparison between the amount of energy consumption by the participating lines reported by the decision support system and the actual energy bills of those lines was done to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of GEPDSS.
Hormonal and immunologic risk factors for the development of rheumatoid arthritis: an integrative physiopathogenetic perspective.

Adult onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and often progressive disease that is diagnosed primarily on the basis of typical clinical features, for example, symmetric inflammatory polyarthritis affectingmainly smaller extremity joints, and systemic involvements, clinically or serologically. Comparable disease may begin in juvenile patients. Various other forms of juvenile chronic arthritis also exist, and their classification is complex. 65 Neuroendocrine and immunologic relations to pediatric rheumatic diseases are discussed in an accompanying article in this issue 19 and are mentioned only briefly in this review. The severity of RA is highly variable at its onset, during its course, and in its outcome manifestations. 65 This disease is profoundly complex, and its specific causes have not yet been established. Available data support a multifactorial threshold model, that is, one in which genetic and environmental influences (and their interactions) must accumulate and operate in the individual for the disease to become manifest. 41 Implied in such a concept of causation is the proposition that a long dynamic preclinical interval phase exists. 77 At some time during this silent period, essential processes or core systems are believed to become altered to a point at which the clinical stage (i.e., threshold) is reached and its various overt manifestations become expressed. 68,69,74,77 Risk factors for RA are believed to induce the physiologic perturbations over the extended premorbid phase, that is, during its long incubation period. In susceptible persons, the premorbid phase eventually evolves into later clinical stages, presumably when homeostatic imbalances may no longer be physiologically controlled or reversible. At such later stages, the more advanced dysfunctional processes permit expression of clinical inflammatory and other pathologic manifestations, which are typically recognized during the course of overt disease. 77 Accordingly, the likelihood of disease expression would tend to accelerate and be exaggerated by either an increased genetic susceptibility load 43,86,87 or greater accumulations of multiple other somatic or behavioral risk 64,77 factors. An increased risk of RA may manifest as either an earlier onset age or an increased severity of disease. 43,54,59,64,78,86,87,101,104 Such a dynamic multifactorial concept of the causation of RA may be described as an integrated physiopathogenesis of the disease. 68,69,74,77 Multiple long-term risk factors for RA can be identified many years before the clinical onset in men and women. 64,77,78 Ultimately, if the major risk factors operating during the extended preclinical phase can be eliminated or reduced, the physiologic imbalances may be normalized. Such hope offers an objective of primary prevention or at least earlier amelioration of the disease activity in the foreseeable future. 77
Improvement of Ice Cloud Optical Models at Visible through Far-Infrared Wavelengths

Improvements are discussed regarding the development of ice cloud bulk scattering models based on a comprehensive set of microphysical in situ measurements and a set of modeled ice particles used for light scattering calculations.
The Moralization of Cigarette Smoking in the United States

Moralization refers to the conversion of a preference into a value, within a culture and in individual lives. It is hypothesized that values, because of associated moral meanings, are more likely to produce internalization than instrumental concerns such as health risks. Specifically, it is predicted that liking for and disgust toward a substance or activity will be more extreme if the substance or activity is treated as a value (is moralized). These ideas are tested by attitudes to cigarette smoking, an activity which is undergoing moralization in the United States. Results from questionnaires completed by 715 American participants of 3 generations (college students, their parents, and grandparents) support this hypothesis. Beliefs that smoking is immoral correlate more highly with disgust at and liking for smoking than do beliefs about the health effects of cigarettes. These relations hold across all 3 generations. Retrospective data from the parents and grandparents document decreased liking and increasing health and moral concerns and disgust over the last 20 or 40 years. On the other hand, the history of smoking and living in a society that did not disapprove of smoking seems to have left no residual effects in contemporary judgments of grandparents or parents; their current negative attitudes to smoking are about the same as those of their grandchildren and children. There is weak evidence suggesting that moral attitudes to cigarettes are transmitted more from parent to child than are health beliefs or preferences.
Autonomic Workload and Resources Management of Cloud Computing Services

The power consumption of data centers and cloud systems have increased almost three times between 2007 and 2012. Over-provisioning techniques are typically used for meeting the peak workloads. In this paper we present an autonomic power and performance management method for cloud systems in order to dynamically match the application requirements with "just-enough" system resources at runtime that lead to significant power reduction while meeting the quality of service requirements of the cloud applications. Our solution offers the following capabilities: 1) real-time monitoring of the cloud resources and workload behavior running on virtual machines (VMs), 2) determine the current operating point of both workloads and the VMs running these workloads, 3) characterize workload behavior and predict the next operating point for the VMs, 4) dynamically manage the VM resources (scaling up and down the number of cores, CPU frequency, and memory amount) at run time, and 5) assign available cloud resources that can guarantee optimal power consumption without sacrificing the QoS requirements of cloud workloads. We validate the performance of our approach using the RUB is benchmark, an auction model emulating eBay transactions that generates a wide range of workloads (such as browsing and bidding with different number of clients). Our experimental results show that our approach can lead to reduction in power consumption up to 87% when compared to the static resource allocation strategy, 72% compared to adaptive frequency scaling strategy and 66% compared to a similar multi-resource management strategy.
Chelation of intracellular Ca2+ inhibits murine keratinocyte differentiation in vitro

The role of intracellular Ca2+ in the regulation of Ca(2+)-induced terminal differentiation of mouse keratinocytes was investigated using the intracellular Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). A cell permeable acetoxymethyl (AM) ester derivative BAPTA (BAPTA/AM) was loaded into primary mouse keratinocytes in 0.05 mM Ca2+ medium, and then the cells were induced to differentiate by medium containing 0.12 or 0.5 mM Ca(2+) Intracellular BAPTA loaded by BAPTA/AM (15-30 microM) inhibited the expression of epidermal differentiation-specific proteins keratin 1 (K1), keratin 10 (K10), filaggrin and loricrin as detected by immunoblotting. The differentiation-associated redistribution of E-cadherin on the cell membrane was delayed but not inhibited as determined by immunofluorescence. BAPTA also inhibited the expression of K1, K10 and loricrin mRNA. Furthermore, BAPTA prevented the decrease in DNA synthesis induced by 0.12 and 0.5 mM Ca2+, indicating the drug was inhibiting differentiation but was not toxic to keratinocytes. To evaluate the influence of BAPTA on intracellular Ca2+, the concentration of intracellular free Ca2+ (Cai) in BAPTA-loaded keratinocytes was examined by digital image analysis using the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent probe fura-2, and Ca2+ influx was measured by 45Ca2+ uptake studies. Increase in extracellular Ca2+ (Cao) in the culture medium of keratinocytes caused a sustained increase in both Cai and Ca2+ localized to ionomycin-sensitive intracellular stores in keratinocytes. BAPTA lowered basal Cai concentration and prevented the Cai increase. After 12 hours of BAPTA treatment, the basal level of Cai returned to the control value, but the Ca2+ localized in intracellular stores was substantially decreased. 45Ca2+ uptake was initially (within 30 min) increased in BAPTA-loaded cells. However, the total 45Ca2+ accumulation over 24 hours in BAPTA-loaded cells remained unchanged from control values. These results indicate that keratinocytes can maintain Cai and total cellular Ca2+ content in the presence of increased amount of intracellular Ca2+ buffer (e.g., BAPTA) by depleting intracellular Ca2+ stores over a long period. The inhibition by BAPTA of keratinocyte differentiation marker expression may result from depletion of the Ca(2+)-stores since this is the major change in intracellular Ca2+ detected at the time keratinocytes express the differentiation markers. In contrast, the redistribution of E-cadherin on the cell membrane may be more directly associated with Cai change.
Mechanisms leading to process improvements in lignite liquefaction using CO and H2S

Abstract Optimum distillate yields from US lignites can be as high on a dry, ash-free basis as those obtained from bituminous coals, but only if the vacuum bottoms are recycled. Lignites are more readily liquefied if the reducing gas contains some carbon monoxide and water, which together with bottoms recycle has proven to yield the highest conversions and the best bench-unit operability. The recycle solvent in the reported tests consisted of unseparated product slurry, including coal mineral constituents. Variability in coal minerals among nine widely representative US low-rank coals did not appear to correlate with liquefaction behaviour. Addition of iron pyrite did, however, improve yields and product quality, as measured by hydrogen-to-carbon ratio. Future improvements in liquefaction processes for lignite must maintain high liquid yields at reduced levels of temperature, pressure, and reaction time whilst using less reductant, preferably in the form of synthesis gas ( CO + H 2 ) and water instead of the more expensive pure hydrogen. Understanding the process chemistry of carbon monoxide and sulphur (including H 2 S) during lignite liquefaction is a key factor in accomplishing these improvements. This Paper reviews proposed mechanisms for such reactions from the viewpoint of their relative importance in affecting process improvements. The alkali formate mechanism first proposed to explain the reduction by CO does not adequately explain its role in lignite liquefaction. Other possible mechanisms include an isoformate intermediate, a formic acid intermediate, a carbon monoxide radical anion, direct reaction with lignite, and the activation of CO by alkali and alkaline earth cations and by hydrogen sulphide. Hydrogen sulphide reacts with model compounds which represent key bond types in low-rank coal in the following ways: (1) hydrocracking; (2) hydrogen donor; (3) insertion reactions in aromatic rings; (4) hydrogen abstraction, with elemental sulphur as a reaction intermediate; and (5) catalysis of the water-gas shift reaction. It appears that all of these reaction pathways may be operative when catalytic amounts of H 2 S are added during liquefaction of lignite. In bench recycle tests, the addition of H 2 S as a homogeneous catalyst reduced reductant consumption as much as three-fold whilst maintaining high yield levels when the reaction temperature was reduced by 60°C. Attainment of the high distillate yield at 400°C was accompanied by a marked decrease in the production of hydrocarbon gases, which normally is a major cause of unproductive hydrogen consumption and solvent degradation via hydrocracking. Processing with synthesis gas and inherent coal moisture using bottoms recycle and H 2 S as a catalyst appears to be the most promising alternative combination of conditions for producing liquids from lignite at reduced cost.
Incumbency and The Presidential Vote in Senate Elections: Defining Parameters of Subpresidential Voting

Compared with the recent substantial strides in presidential election analysis, research on congressional elections has only begun. The majority of studies have been cast within the presidential-election context, with the relationship between the presidential and congressional vote the phenomenon to be explained. The present attention to presidential contests is understandable because of the inherent interest in such races in a presidential-centered political system and because reliable survey data have been limited to nationwide samples, severely restricting analysis on a state or district basis. And yet without some comparable advances at the congressional level, we cannot assess bases of electoral support nor the numerous assumptions of behavior in Congress as linked to this support, nor attempt a theory of voting behavior that does not consider voting at the subpresidential level. Put simply, the state of research is such that we have only begun to identify and measure the key variables affecting congressional voting outcomes. It is this basic task to which recent research in the field has been directed. Consider as the core phenomenon for explanation the sharp fluctuations over time in the partisan division of the vote for Senator and Representative. Since studies of voting behavior indicate the stability of party loyalties over time, evidence of sharp shifts in voting outcomes suggest factors other than party cues influencing the vote decision. Among the lines of inquiry opened, studies by Cummings, Press, and Hinckley, following the work of Key, have utilized aggregate election statistics to measure the substantial impact of the presidential vote on House election outcomes.
Does adjunctive midazolam reduce recovery agitation after ketamine sedation for pediatric procedures? A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial ☆

Abstract Study objective: Despite widespread use of adjunctive benzodiazepines during ketamine sedation, their efficacy in reducing recovery agitation in children has never been studied. We wished to characterize the nature and severity of recovery agitation after ketamine sedation in children treated in the emergency department and to determine whether the addition of adjunctive midazolam reduces the magnitude of such recovery agitation. Methods: The study was a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial of adjunctive midazolam versus placebo during ketamine sedation. We enrolled 104 children aged 12 months to 15 years (median age, 6 years) at a combined university medical center and children's hospital. Subjects received either intravenous midazolam (0.05 mg/kg up to 2 mg) or placebo after intravenous administration of a ketamine loading dose (1.5 mg/kg). Treating physicians and nurses independently noted the presence of crying, hallucinations, and nightmares during recovery and graded recovery agitation by using a 100-mm visual analog scale. Preprocedure agitation and external stimulation during recovery were also graded. The time from ketamine injection until each subject met the recovery criteria was recorded. Results: Fifty-three subjects received midazolam, and 51 received placebo. Potentially confounding variables were similar between the groups. Sedation efficacy, adverse effects, and recovery time were also similar between groups. Interobserver agreement between physician and nurse assessments was substantial. Median physician assessment of recovery agitation was 4 mm (interquartile range, 2 to 19) in the midazolam group and 5 mm (interquartile range, 3 to 14) in the placebo group (difference –1; 95% confidence interval –3 to 2; P =.705). Recovery agitation was moderately correlated with preprocedure agitation (ρ=0.486) but not with external stimulation during recovery (ρ=0.147). Conclusion: Recovery agitation is common but generally of very low magnitude after ketamine sedation in children in the ED. We observed a median physician rating of 5 mm on a 100-mm visual analog scale, a score that we believe to be clinically insignificant. The degree of recovery agitation after ketamine sedation is significantly related to the degree of preprocedure agitation. In this study, concurrent midazolam did not diminish such agitation and had no measurably beneficial effect. Use of adjunctive benzodiazepines in pediatric ketamine sedation appears unnecessary. [Sherwin TS, Green SM, Khan A, Chapman DS, Dannenberg B. Does adjunctive midazolam reduce recovery agitation after ketamine sedation for pediatric procedures? A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Emerg Med .March 2000;35:229-238.]
Whole-genome DNA/RNA sequencing identifies truncating mutations in RBCK1 in a novel Mendelian disease with neuromuscular and cardiac involvement

Background: Whole-exome sequencing has identified the causes of several Mendelian diseases by analyzing multiple unrelated cases, but it is more challenging to resolve the cause of extremely rare and suspected Mendelian diseases from individual families. We identified a family quartet with two children, both affected with a previously unreported disease, characterized by progressive muscular weakness and cardiomyopathy, with normal intelligence. During the course of the study, we identified one additional unrelated patient with a comparable phenotype. Methods: We performed whole-genome sequencing (Complete Genomics platform), whole-exome sequencing (Agilent SureSelect exon capture and Illumina Genome Analyzer II platform), SNP genotyping (Illumina HumanHap550 SNP array) and Sanger sequencing on blood samples, as well as RNA-Seq (Illumina HiSeq platform) on transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines. Results: From whole-genome sequence data, we identified RBCK1, a gene encoding an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, as the most likely candidate gene, with two protein-truncating mutations in probands in the first family. However, exome data failed to nominate RBCK1 as a candidate gene, due to poor regional coverage. Sanger sequencing identified a private homozygous splice variant in RBCK1 in the proband in the second family, yet SNP genotyping revealed a 1.2Mb copy-neutral region of homozygosity covering RBCK1. RNA-Seq confirmed aberrant splicing of RBCK1 transcripts, resulting in truncated protein products. Conclusions: While the exact mechanism by which these mutations cause disease is unknown, our study represents an example of how the combined use of whole-genome DNA and RNA sequencing can identify a disease-predisposing gene for a novel and extremely rare Mendelian disease.
Enabling Large-Scale Pervasive Logic Verification through Multi-Algorithmic Formal Reasoning

Pervasive Logic is a broad term applied to the variety of logic present in hardware designs, yet not a part of their primary functionality. Examples of pervasive logic include initialization and self-test logic. Because pervasive logic is intertwined with the functionality of chips, the verification of such logic tends to require very deep sequential analysis of very large slices of the design. For this reason, pervasive logic verification has hitherto been a task for which formal algorithms were not considered applicable. In this paper, we discuss several pervasive logic verification tasks for which we have found the proper combination of algorithms to enable formal analysis. We describe the nature of these verification tasks, and the testbenches used in the verification process. We furthermore discuss the types of algorithms needed to solve these verification tasks, and the type of tuning we performed on these algorithms to enable this analysis.
A k-nearest neighbor artificial neural network classifier

The authors propose an artificial neural network architecture to implement the k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) classifier. This architecture employs a k-maximum network which has some advantages over the 'winner-take-all' type of networks and other techniques used to select the maximum input. This k-maximum network has fewer interconnections than other networks, and is able to select exactly k maximum inputs as long as its (k-1)/sup th/ and k/sup th/ maximum inputs are distinct. The classification performance of the k-NN classifier is exactly the same as that of the traditional k-NN classifier. However, the parallelism of the network greatly reduces the computational requirement of the traditional k-NN classifier. Unlike the multilayer perceptrons which involve slowly converging back-propagation algorithms, the k-NN artificial neural network classifier does not need any training algorithm after the initial setting of the weights. >
Implications of rapid, dike-fed pluton growth for host-rock strain rates and emplacement mechanisms

Dikes must maintain a critical width and flow velocity in order to propagate several kilometers from source to sink without freezing; consequently, they must support a high volumetric magma flow rate. This in turn implies that plutons fed by dikes must fill rapidly. In an effort to predict host-rock strain rates required by dike-fed growth, we employ a three-dimensional geometric model consisting of concentric shells to track instantaneous strain rates in a homogeneously deforming aureole around spheroidal plutons with a range of aspect ratios. Using published values for magma and host-rock parameters appropriate for mid-crustal levels, we calculate, for example, a minimum instantaneous strain rate of approximately 10 210 s 21 in the deformation aureole of a 1 km radius spherical pluton. Aureole strain rates, which range upward to greater than 10 24 s 21 , are primarily a function of position in the aureole, pluton size, and filling rate; pluton shape plays only a secondary role. Although preservation of evidence for high strain rates may be rare, and although multiple mechanisms probably operate simultaneously, we expect that deformation this rapid in the middle crust would be accommodated primarily by brittle mechanisms. q 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Cytology of bone marrow

Cytologic examination of bone marrow aspirates can provide a wealth of diagnostic information. Practitioners should not hesitate to perform bone marrow aspirates when indicated. This article is designed to assist the practitioner in the evaluation of bone marrow aspiration biopsies. The indications for marrow evaluation, methods of sample collection, sample preparation, and cytologic examination of bone marrow are discussed. Cases are provided to demonstrate accurate interpretation of bone marrow aspirates.
Robust memory-efficient data level information fusion of multi-modal biometric images

This paper presents a novel multi-level wavelet based fusion algorithm that combines information from fingerprint, face, iris, and signature images of an individual into a single composite image. The proposed approach reduces the memory size, increases the recognition accuracy using multi-modal biometric features, and withstands common attacks such as smoothing, cropping, JPEG 2000, and filtering due to tampering. The fusion algorithm is validated using the verification algorithms we developed, existing algorithms, and commercial algorithm. In addition to our multi-modal database, experiments are also performed on other well known databases such as FERET face database and CASIA iris database. The effectiveness of the fusion algorithm is experimentally validated by computing the matching scores and the equal error rates before fusion, after reconstruction of biometric images, and when the composite fused image is subjected to both frequency and geometric attacks. The results show that the fusion process reduced the memory required for storing the multi-modal images by 75%. The integrity of biometric features and the recognition performance of the resulting composite fused image is not affected significantly. The complexity of the fusion and the reconstruction algorithms is O(nlogn) and is suitable for many real-time applications. We also propose a multi-modal biometric algorithm that further reduces the equal error rate compared to individual biometric images.
The Relationship of Body-Related Self-Discrepancy to Body Dissatisfaction, Apparel Involvement, Concerns With Fit and Size of Garments, and Purchase Intentions in Online Apparel Shopping

The purposes of this study was to examine the relationships among body-related self-discrepancy, body dissatisfaction, apparel involvement, concerns with fit and size of garments, and purchase inte...
Microtubule-active agents modify nitric oxide production in pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

The effects of specific microtubule-active agents on nitric oxide (NO) production were examined in pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC). PAEC were incubated with taxol, which stabilizes microt...
Breast cancer highlights: key findings from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: a U.S. perspective.

The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium has become one of the leading forums for communication of important discoveries in breast cancer research. Over the past couple of years, seminal, practice-changing results have been presented at this meeting. The aromatase inhibitors represent the most effective endocrine interventions for postmenopausal women with hormone receptorpositive breast cancer. Their introduction into the adjuvant therapy of primary breast cancer was prompted by evidence from the ATAC trial. Progress in adjuvant chemotherapy included the introduction to taxanes, and more recently, the demonstration that the dose-dense administration of paclitaxel in association with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide resulted in significant improvements in relapse-free and overall survival rates. Molecular targets have become accepted as rational targets, and targeted therapies are proceeding through clinical trials. The success of trastuzumab elicited much excitement, but a number of theoretical and practical hurdles must be overcome before other molecularly targeted agents are incorporated into standard therapy of primary and metastatic breast cancer. The Oncologist 2004;9:471-478
Central nervous system metastases from non-hodgkin's lymphoma: Treatment and prophylaxis

Central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma was identified in 96 patients treated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between 1975 and 1981. During the same period, 68 other patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma but no CNS disease received prophylactic CNS chemotherapy. In the 156 total patients, the lymphomas were diffuse in 96 percent, and 67 percent were stage IV at diagnosis. CNS involvement was present at initial diagnosis in 27 percent, at relapse in 26 percent, and during the course of progressive systemic disease in 47 percent. CNS involvement was asymptomatic in 10 percent. Cytologic study of the cerebrospinal fluid was the most sensitive and specific laboratory test, but often (22 percent) more than one lumbar puncture was required to identify malignant cells. CNS lymphoma was treated in 85 patients, 46 by intracerebroventricular cannulae; 81 percent improved. Although median survival after the diagnosis of CNS disease was four months, there were seven long-term disease-free survivors and the CNS disease contributed to death in only 14 percent. In 52 percent of treated patients, there was no CNS lymphoma at autopsy. CNS prophylaxis was with methotrexate or cytosine arabinoside, usually by lumbar puncture; an intraventricular cannula was used in seven patients. Although this group of high-risk patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma had a high systemic response rate and the median projected survival was greater than five years, CNS lymphoma developed in eight patients (12 percent). In five, CNS lymphoma occurred as an apparently isolated relapse site. The role of CNS chemoprophylaxis in high-risk patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is still uncertain.
The Long-Term Impact of Positive and Negative Information on Food Demand

We examine whether the effects of information about product labels change over time. The analysis is based on 110 adult (nonstudent) participants who participated in a two-stage economic experiment taking place three months apart. In the first stage of the experiment, willingness-to-pay (WTP) was elicited for items that were stated to contain bovine growth hormones, genetically modified ingredients, ingredients that have been exposed to antibiotics, and ingredients that were irradiated. Depending on the treatment, each first-stage auction was supplemented with positive or negative information about each of the labels. The second-stage experiments re-elicited WTP for the same group of participants and the same items accompanied with the original labels, but this time without any secondary information. Our results suggest that the adverse impact of negative information does not persist over time; whereas in the case of positive information, changes in WTP from the initial to the follow-up auctions are not statistically significant. This study enhances our understanding of how consumers retain information over a longer time period and suggests that previous studies that measure labeling impacts on WTP using isolated, single-shot experiments may overstate the longer term effects of labels and negative information. La presente etude vise a determiner si les effets de l'information concernant les etiquettes d'un produit changent ou non au fil du temps. Cent-dix sujets adultes (non etudiants) ont participe a une experience realisee en deux etapes espacees de trois mois. Lors de la premiere etape, nous avons recueilli le consentement a payer (CAP) des participants pour des produits dont on disait contenir des hormones de croissance bovines, des ingredients genetiquement modifies, ayant ete exposes a des antibiotiques et ayant ete irradies. Au cours de cette premiere etape, les participants ont recu de l'information supplementaire, positive ou negative, a propos de chaque etiquette. Lors de la deuxieme etape, nous avons recueilli de nouveau le CAP des participants pour les memes produits sur lesquels figuraient les etiquettes originales, sans toutefois fournir d'information supplementaire. Les resultats de notre etude montrent que l'effet defavorable de l'ajout d'information negative ne persiste pas avec le temps; dans le cas de l'ajout d'information positive, les changements quant au CAP entre les premieres encheres et les encheres suivantes ne sont pas statistiquement significatifs. Cette etude nous a permis de mieux comprendre de quelle facon les consommateurs retiennent l'information a long terme et autorise a penser que les etudes anterieures qui ont mesure les repercussions de l’etiquetage sur le CAP en realisant des experiences uniques et isolees ont peut-etre surestime les effets a long terme de l’etiquetage et de l'information negative.
Snow Crystal Habit Changes Explained by Layer Nucleation

Abstract Critical supersaturations have been measured for the vapor growth of ice crystals on both the basal and prism faces between −16° and −0.4°C. The values are low: approximately constant at 0.4% for the prism face, less for the basal face between −3° and −9°C, but greater at higher and lower temperatures. The transitions between tabular (platelike) and columnar growth habits that occur near −3° and −9°C are thus directly understandable in terms of layer nucleation as the growth mechanism, without explicitly considering the surface migration of water molecules or spiral steps. These low values of critical supersaturation are consistent with a disordered ice surface, but not with a surface melt layer, even at −1°C.
An Iterative Learning Control Approach to Multi-Agent Formations

This paper presents an iterative learning control (ILC) based method for trading off both individual and formation tracking for multiple agents with heterogeneous dynamics. The proposed framework provides precise trajectory tracking for systems involving repetitive, cooperative motion. The frequency domain based controller has the capability of being able to shift weighting between the desire for precise formations amongst the agents and precise trajectory tracking for each individual agent. Stability and convergence conditions are shown and the proposed controller is validated through simulations.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Surface morphology and phase stability of titanium foils irradiated with 136 MeV $^{136}$Xe

Abstract A stack of titanium foils was irradiated with 136 MeV 136 Xe to study microstructure damage and phase stability of titanium upon irradiation. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to study the resulting microstructure damage and phase stability of titanium. We observed the phase transformation of polycrystalline titanium from alpha-Ti (hexagonally closed packed (hcp)) to face centered cubic (fcc) after irradiation with 2.2 × 10 15 ions/cm 2 . Irradiation of Ti with 1.8 × 10 14 –2.2 × 10 15 ions/cm 2 resulted in the formation of voids, hillocks, dislocation loops, dislocation lines, as well as polygonal ridge networks.
Blood Coagulation and Coagulation Tests

The hemostatic mechanism has evolved to provide efficient protection from traumatic blood loss and yet maintain the blood in a fluid state in the circulation as a whole. Recent advances in biochemistry have provided both detailed understanding of hemostasis and clinically useful coagulation assays to exploit this understanding. Clinicians now have the means to delineate most of the hemostatic problems of clinical significance.
Swelling of plant chromosomes by exposure to high-intensity incandescent light

SUMMARYAlthough our previous studies indicated that exposure of animal chromosomes to high-intensity incandescent light produced distinct C-banding in some species, the method produced only faint C-banding in plant chromosomes. Exposure of plant chromosomes to high-intensity incandescent light for one hour at pH 6.8, however, produced a novel phenomenon which we refer to as «chromosome swelling», which was not seen in animal chromosomes. These findings are most likely due to structural differences between plant and animal chromosomes. The process of chromosome swelling may facilitate future studies of plant chromosome structure, as well as the analysis of plant chromosome aberrations and fragile sites.
The impact of FDG PET in the staging of breast cancer

530 Background: To evaluate the impact of whole-body fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in staging breast cancer beyond the breast and axilla. Methods: 200 wome...
Antimicrobial Practice Patterns for Urethroplasty: Opportunity for Improved Stewardship.

Objective To evaluate the current antimicrobial administration practice patterns for urethroplasty among genitourinary reconstruction experts. Improper use of antimicrobials is a global concern. The American Urological Association suggests that for perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis, a single dose of intravenous cephalosporin be administered for open surgery involving the urinary system. No specific guidelines exist for urethral reconstruction. Subjects and Methods A 27-question survey was designed to assess antimicrobial practice patterns and was administered to 40 international members of the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons who commonly perform urethroplasty. Results The response rate was 85% (n = 34). Preoperative: Seventy-one percent order a urine culture preoperatively despite urine analysis result, and 32% do so 1 week prior. Regardless of catheter status, 41.8% use a urine bacteria threshold of 10K colony-forming units/mL to initiate treatment and ideal duration was 7 days in 35%. Meanwhile, 58.8% would not postpone surgery if preferred duration was not met, and 35% would empirically treat with antimicrobials if a urine culture was not performed. Perioperative: The majority administer 2 antimicrobials intraoperatively with 42% preferring aminoglycoside + penicillin regardless of. Postoperative: Eighteen percent to 24% of respondents continue intravenous antimicrobials for longer than 24 hours. Sixty-one percent administer oral antimicrobials until postoperative catheter removal (2-4 weeks), and the majority give additional antimicrobials at catheter removal. Conclusion There is substantial variability and likely overuse of preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative antimicrobial administration for urethroplasty. Extended prophylactic duration is common postoperatively. Antimicrobial stewardship is our responsibility, and opportunity exists for improvement in antibiotic administration in urethral reconstruction. Prospective trials are requisite to establish guidelines for judicious yet effective regimens.
Predicting Higher Education Outcomes and Implications for a Postsecondary Institution Ratings System.

ABSTRACTThe accountability of colleges and universities is a high priority for those making policy decisions. The purpose of this study was to determine institutional characteristics predicting retention rates, graduation rates and transfer-out rates using publicly available data from the US Department of Education. Using regression analysis, it was determined there are 14 predictors of the full-time retention rate, 7 predictors of the part-time retention rate, 15 predictors of the graduation rate and 12 predictors of transfer-out rates. Institutions and policymakers could use the results of this analysis to determine the policies that would be beneficial to improving the analysed outcomes. All four analyses indicate good fit with R2 ranging from .273 to .828. Some possible policy implications include addressing selectivity if institutions want to improve retention rates and addressing affordability to improve retention and graduation rates.
Dynamic Melting Properties of Photoswitch-Modified DNA: Shearing versus Unzipping

We use dynamic force spectroscopy to study the melting properties of azobenzene-modified double-stranded DNA (azo-dsDNA) in both the shearing and unzipping geometries. By fitting the rupture force vs loading rate data with a Friddle–Noy–De Yoreo model, we extract the location of the barrier (xt), the equilibrium force for the bond/transducer system (Feq), and the dissociation rate of dsDNA (koff0). We find that the koff0 of azo-dsDNA increases after UV illumination (365 nm) in both the shearing and unzipping geometries. Notably, we find that koff0 of azo-dsDNA in the unzipping geometry is 5–7 orders of magnitude larger than that in the shearing geometry, a result that helps explain the dependence of koff0 on the azobenzene photoswitch position during shearing experiments. We also extract the difference of free energy (ΔGbu) between binding and unbinding states of azo-dsDNA with Feq and the system spring constant (kc). Our results provide important insights into the dynamic melting properties of azo-dsDNA ...
A constraint-based routing algorithm for cognitive ad-hoc networks

Routing algorithms for cognitive radio networks should consider various objectives and constraints. Constraint-based routing (CBR) algorithms select a route satisfying constraints that are either administrative-oriented (policy routing), or service-oriented (QoS routing). In cognitive radio networks, a primary user's interference constraint is the most important objective for the activities of secondary users. Beside the interference constraints, transmission delay is another important constraint for delay-sensitive services. In this paper, we propose a CBR algorithm that considers interference and delay constraints for a cognitive radio network. While these constraints address the QoS requirements for a cognitive radio network, to also consider the routing policy in the proposed CBR, we use the Pareto-optimal concept to allow the secondary users to transmit based on the network policy and resource constraints. The evaluation results of the proposed CBR scheme show that it can outperform other recently proposed CBR approaches.
Moyamoya and Inflammation.

Background More than 50 years have elapsed since moyamoya disease was initially described; however, the disease etiology remains unknown. Although certain genetic loci and immunologic characteristics are associated with moyamoya disease, this does not fully explain its pathophysiology. An association with inflammatory disease has been postulated but not rigorously explored. We sought to examine the epidemiologic association of moyamoya and inflammatory diseases by analyzing data from a large administrative database. Methods The National Inpatient Sample database for 2009–2012 was obtained. The diagnoses of moyamoya disease and inflammatory diseases were made using the International Classification of Disease, 9th revision . Sample prevalence, sex, age, and admission type were recorded. Patients were grouped into inflammatory disease clusters on the basis of the presence of diagnosis codes for atherosclerotic, adult-onset autoimmune, and juvenile-onset autoimmune diseases. Results There were 2633 total admissions for moyamoya disease. Atherosclerotic ( P P P Conclusion Moyamoya is associated with inflammatory disease clusters in both pediatric and adult populations. Further studies are warranted to investigate the pathophysiologic association between moyamoya disease and inflammatory disease processes.
Pd-Catalyzed Conversion of Aryl Iodides to Sulfonyl Fluorides Using SO2 Surrogate DABSO and Selectfluor

A one-pot Pd-catalyzed conversion of aryl iodide to aryl sulfonyl fluorides using DABSO and Selectfluor has been developed generating aryl sulfonyl fluorides in good to excellent yields. The reaction results in the generation of electronically and sterically diverse sulfonyl fluorides. Additionally, sulfonyl fluorides can be converted to aryl sulfonamides and sulfonic esters using Cs2CO3 under mild conditions.
Perivascular extracellular matrix hydrogels mimic native matrix microarchitecture and promote angiogenesis via basic fibroblast growth factor

Extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived bioscaffolds have been shown to elicit tissue repair through retention of bioactive signals. Given that the adventitia of large blood vessels is a richly vascularized microenvironment, we hypothesized that perivascular ECM contains bioactive signals that influence cells of blood vessel lineages. ECM bioscaffolds were derived from decellularized human and porcine aortic adventitia (hAdv and pAdv, respectively) and then shown have minimal DNA content and retain elastin and collagen proteins. Hydrogel formulations of hAdv and pAdv ECM bioscaffolds exhibited gelation kinetics similar to ECM hydrogels derived from porcine small intestinal submucosa (pSIS). hAdv and pAdv ECM hydrogels displayed thinner, less undulated, and fibrous microarchitecture reminiscent of native adventitia, with slight differences in ultrastructure visible in comparison to pSIS ECM hydrogels. Pepsin-digested pAdv and pSIS ECM bioscaffolds increased proliferation of human adventitia-derived endothelial cells and this effect was mediated in part by basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2). Human endothelial cells cultured on Matrigel substrates formed more numerous and longer tube-like structures when supplemented with pAdv ECM bioscaffolds, and FGF2 mediated this matrix signaling. ECM bioscaffolds derived from pAdv promoted FGF2-dependent in vivo angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane model. Using an angiogenesis-focused protein array, we detected 55 angiogenesis-related proteins, including FGF2 in hAdv, pAdv and pSIS ECMs. Interestingly, 19 of these factors were less abundant in ECMs bioscaffolds derived from aneurysmal specimens of human aorta when compared with non-aneurysmal (normal) specimens. This study reveals that Adv ECM hydrogels recapitulate matrix fiber microarchitecture of native adventitia, and retain angiogenesis-related actors and bioactive properties such as FGF2 signaling capable of influencing processes important for angiogenesis. This work supports the use of Adv ECM bioscaffolds for both discovery biology and potential translation towards microvascular regeneration in clinical applications.
First in Human Engraftment of Anti-HIV Lentiviral Vector Gene Modified CD34+ Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cells in the Treatment of AIDS Related Lymphoma (ARL).

Background: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has become an accepted treatment option for high risk or relapsed ARL. Treatment related mortality is similar to the HIV negative setting. However, ultimately further improvement in ASCT will depend on both effective anti lymphoma therapy and better control of the HIV infection. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can lower HIV viral loads to undetectable levels in the peripheral blood, but reservoirs of HIV are still present in the tissues and acquired resistance to HAART also remains a problem. A treatment strategy that would confer intrinsic resistance to HIV could circumvent theses issues. Herein we report on one such strategy using multiplexed RNA based anti-HIV gene transfer strategies to render autologous peripheral blood progenitor cells resistant to HIV. Patients with high risk ARL deemed candidates for ASCT were eligible. Seven subjects with NHL have been enrolled. (4PR, 2 REL, 1CR2), of whom 2 failed screening phase, 1 failed product release test, 2 are pending transplant, and 2 patients have undergone successful transplantation. Median age was 43 yrs at enrollment. Four pts to date were mobilized with chemotherapy plus GCSF and cells were collected for the clinical product (Fx1) and for CD34-selection (CliniMACSa, Miltenyi) and research treatment (Fx2). (see table ) Three days prior to the completion of CBV (cyclophosphamide 100mg/kg, BCNU 450mg/ m2, VP16 60mg/kg) conditioning, the Fx2 cells were thawed and transduced with a lentivirus vector (LV,rHIV7-ShI-TAR-CCR5Z) encoding 3 RNA elements including short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeted to HIV tat/rev, a nucleolar localizing TAR decoy sequence, and a ribozyme targeted to CCR5. Cell viability post transduction ranged between 52–64% in three pts. On day 0 Fx2 is given and Fx1 is given 24hrs later (day+1). UPN301 did not receive the transduced Fx2 cells due to a low cell dose. For UPN304 and 305 who received the gene modified Fx2 cells, WBC engraftment occurred at day +11, platelet engraftment at day+16, and there have been no serious adverse events. Results to date at 30 and 60 days post ASCT reveal peripheral blood marking consistent with the ratio of gene modified to unmodified cells infused. Q-PCR analysis demonstrated distribution of genetically modified cells in myeloid and lymphoid lineages, and RT-PCR evidence of shRNA in progeny cells provided further evidence of successful transduction and engraftment of progenitor cells. Follow-up data for these and subsequent patients will be presented at the meeting. Conclusion: Lentiviral vector transduction of autologous peripheral blood progenitor cells with multiplexed RNA is feasible, well tolerated, and led to successful engraftment following high dose chemotherapy for ARL.