cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MAPEAMENTO E PROCESSO DE TOMADA DE DECISÃO ATRAVÉS DO MÉTODO DE CRITERIZAÇÃO E IMATADOR PARA UMA IES PRIVADA

Em um mundo em que respostas rapidas ou ate mesmo imediatas se fazem necessarias, e preciso investir em metodos e tecnologias que assessorem na otimizacao destes sistemas visando eficiencia na entrega, desta forma o mesmo sera mais desejado pelos usuarios. Nos ultimos anos, a incorporacao de novas tecnologias por parte das empresas e o grande volume de dados gerados por elas tem motivado a incorporacao de ferramentas que permitam analises desses dados para a coleta e utilizacao de informacoes que possam vir a melhorar a gestao dessas organizacoes. Este novo cenario de grande quantidade de dados disponiveis, os quais potencialmente podem ser usados para melhorar a tomada de decisoes, alem de aperfeicoar processos nas empresas. A adaptacao das corporacoes para esse novo fenomeno e fundamental para a criacao de vantagens competitivas sobre seus concorrentes. A Humanidade nunca produziu tantos dados e, com uma quantidade cada vez maior de informacoes. O efeito do uso de TIC’s no processo de classificacao das demandas digitais, oriundos da troca de informacao entre emissor e receptor, aliada a tomada de decisao, eliminar custos desnecessarios e mitigar falhas, e principalmente agilizar e melhorar processos, utilizando a tecnologia de ponta para facilitar o processo decisorio, com a criacao do modelo de gestao tecnologica de comunicacao, sera possivel um melhor filtro de assuntos e necessidades, diminuindo tempo de resposta e aumentando a eficiencia de respostas, aperfeicoando a experiencia do aluno no sistema da universidade, fazendo com que o ambiente virtual seja mais utilizado do que e atualmente, bem como auxiliar no gerenciamento de dados mais criticos da instituicao com a utilizacao do metodo XYZ de criterizacao, na aplicacao de melhores praticas.
Optimization of sources of circulating cell-free DNA variability for downstream molecular analysis

Circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) is used increasingly as a cancer biomarker for prognostication, as a correlate for tumor volume, or as input for downstream molecular analysis. Determining optimal blood processing and ccfDNA quantification are crucial for ccfDNA to serve as an accurate biomarker as it moves into the clinical realm. Whole blood was collected from 50 subjects, processed to plasma, and used immediately or frozen at −80°C. Plasma ccfDNA was extracted and concentration was assessed by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), fluorimetry, and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). For the 24 plasma samples from metastatic pancreatic cancer patients, the variant allele fractions (VAF) of KRAS G12/13 pathogenic variants in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) were measured by ddPCR. Using a high-speed (16,000 × g) or slower-speed (4100 × g) second centrifugation step showed no difference in ccfDNA yield or ctDNA VAF. A two- versus three-spin centrifugation protocol also showed no difference in ccfDNA yield or ctDNA VAF. A higher yield was observed from fresh versus frozen plasma by qPCR and fluorimetry, whereas a higher yield was observed for frozen versus fresh plasma by ddPCR, however, no difference was observed in ctDNA VAF. Overall, our findings suggest factors to consider when implementing a ccfDNA extraction and quantification workflow in a research or clinical setting.
Biology of sexual orientation

Since the concept of sexual orientation emerged in Euro-American society in the late nineteenth century, Euro-American medicine has been interested in finding the biological underpinnings of homosexuality. Research on the origins of homosexuality in the areas of endocrinology, genetics, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and anthropometrics is briefly reviewed, with an emphasis on the prenatal hormonal hypothesis. Keywords: endocrinology; genetics; homosexuality; neuroanatomy; sexual orientation
Developmental studies in Drosophila: I. Acid phosphatases, esterases, and other proteins in organs and whole-fly homogenates during development of D. pseudoobscura

Abstract A simple microeletrophoretic technique was developed which makes possible the analysis of samples as small as single salivary glands or equivalent amounts of material. This technique was successfully used in a study of the developmental changes in acid phosphatases, unspecific esterases, and other proteins of salivary glands, hemolymph, fat body, and whole-fly homogenates of Drosophila pseudoobscura. Both quantitative and qualitative changes were observed. In some cases interesting correlations could be established between the protein (or enzyme) patterns and the known functions of the organs. Both developmental and tissue specificities were detected and discussed.
Evidence for association of GABAB receptors with Kir3 channels and regulators of G protein signalling (RGS4) proteins

Many neurotransmitters and hormones signal by stimulating G protein-coupled neurotransmitter receptors (GPCRs), which activate G proteins and their downstream effectors. Whether these signalling proteins diffuse freely within the plasma membrane is not well understood. Recent studies have suggested that direct protein–protein interactions exist between GPCRs, G proteins and G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK or Kir3) channels. Here, we used fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) combined with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to investigate whether proteins within this signalling pathway move within 100 A of each other in the plasma membrane of living cells. GABAB R1 and R2 receptors, Kir3 channels, Gαo subunits and regulators of G protein signalling (RGS4) proteins were each fused to cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) or yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and first assessed for functional expression in HEK293 cells. The presence of the fluorophore did not significantly alter the signalling properties of these proteins. Possible FRET was then investigated for different protein pair combinations. As a positive control, FRET was measured between tagged GABAB R1 and R2 subunits (∼12% FRET), which are known to form heterodimers. We measured significant FRET between tagged RGS4 and GABAB R1 or R2 subunits (∼13% FRET), and between Gαo and GABAB R1 or R2 subunits (∼10% FRET). Surprisingly, FRET also occurred between tagged Kir3.2a/Kir3.4 channels and GABAB R1 or R2 subunits (∼10% FRET). FRET was not detected between Kir3.2a and RGS4 nor between Kir3.2a and Gαo. These data are discussed in terms of a model in which GABAB receptors, G proteins, RGS4 proteins and Kir3 channels are closely associated in a signalling complex.
Canine X-linked muscular dystrophy: An animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Clinical studies

The progression of clinical disease and serum creatine kinase (CK) levels in canine X-linked muscular dystrophy (CXMD) was studied in 7 dogs from birth to 12-14 months and in 18 dogs at varying intervals from birth to 8 weeks. One affected male was studied from age 3.5 to 6 years, and all pups were descendants of this dog. A lethal neonatal form was recognized in some pups. In the more typical form, clinical signs of stunting, weakness and gait abnormalities were evident by 6-9 weeks and were progressive, leading to marked muscle atrophy, fibrosis and contractures by 6 months. Serum CK levels were markedly elevated, such that affected pups could be identified by 1 week. CK values increased until 6-8 weeks, then plateaued at approx. 100 times normal. Affected females and beagle-cross dogs were less severely affected than large breed-cross dogs. In the 2 adult dogs with cardiac insufficiency CK levels had decreased to 5-15 times normal. These studies show that CXMD and Duchenne muscular dystrophy have striking phenotypic as well as genotypic similarities. In addition, these studies of CXMD suggest that in females and in smaller dogs the same genetic defect results in a less severe clinical disease.
Measurement of Intercellular Conjugates by Flow Cytometry

Analysis of fluorescently labeled cellular aggregates can be accomplished quickly and accurately with the technique of flow cytometry. With a dual-laser flow cytometer, the excitation and emission spectra of fluorophores used to label cells are widely separated, and there is no spillover of emission from one fluorophore into the detector measuring emission from the other. Consequently, conjugates can be measured by a dual-laser instrument when the extent of labeling two cell types with fluorophores are very different. The more commonly available single-laser cytometers can also be used to measure multicellular conjugates, but due to overlaps in emission spectra, the extent of labeling cells with fluorophores must be controlled much more carefully when the single-laser machines are used. This unit describes the labeling of cells and analysis of conjugates with either dual-laser or single laser flow cytometers.
Quick Vis: A Web-Based Visualization Delivering Flexible Exploration of User-Driven Analytics

Web visualizations have become an integral tool for representing data in an accessible and intelligible format. This paper presents a new workflow, Quick Vis, which enables an analyst to inspect data sets and manipulate properties within any data set. This subsequently engages our analytic engine, saves each property set as a profile (discussed in Section 5), and allows comparisons between profiles for further findings. In addition to describing our proposed techniques, we provide a case study that demonstrates the usefulness of Quick Vis for real life problems.
The concept of failure to thrive.

One cannot overhear a pediatric hospital resident say that last night he "admitted two failures to thrive" (or was it "two failure to thrives"?) without momentary doubt whether description is clearly distinguished from diagnosis. A similar uneasiness may arise during the occasional grand rounds or postgraduate courses held under that title. If the concept of failure to thrive evokes a challenge to the student and house officer to proceed with a logical and orderly sorting out of the differential diagnoses, all is probably well. But if, as one sometimes suspects, failure to thrive is comfortably assumed to be a diagnosis in itself, or imply only one cause, or one group of causes, pediatric thinking may be blurred rather than clarified.
Refining the costs analyses of the Fort Bragg evaluation: the impact of cost offset and cost shifting.

A key aim of the evaluation of the Fort Bragg Demonstration was to determine whether delivering services through a continuum of care lowered expenditures on mental health services. The evaluation clearly showed that expenditures were actually higher in the Demonstration. Critics of the evaluation claimed that the evaluation's perspective on costs was too narrow—in particular, that the Demonstration produced cost shifting and cost offset that were not captured by the evaluation. New data allow us to include a broader array of costs: mental health services received outside the catchment areas, general medical services for the children themselves, and mental health services used by family members. Results showed that reductions in other costs do partially offset higher expenditures on mental health services for children at the Fort Bragg Demonstration. However, even when broader costs are included, total family expenditures are still substantially higher at the Demonstration.
Macroevolutionary Theory on Macroecological Patterns

In Macroevolutionary Theory on Macroecological Patterns, Peter Price establishes a completely new vision of the central themes in ecology. For the first time in book form, the study of distribution, abundance, and population size variation in animals is cast in an evolutionary framework. The book argues that evolved characters of organisms such as morphology, behavior, and life history influence strongly their ecological relationships, including the way that populations fluctuate through time and space. The central ideas in the book are supported by data gathered from over twenty years of research, primarily into plant and herbivore interactions, concentrating on insects. The huge diversity of insect herbivores provides the immense comparative power necessary for a strong evolutionary study of ecological principles. The book is intended as essential reading for all researchers and students of ecology, evolutionary biology, and behavior, and for entomologists working in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.
Resource estimation and task scheduling for multithreaded reconfigurable architectures

Reconfigurable computing is an emerging paradigm of research that offers cost-effective solutions for computationally intensive applications through hardware reuse. There is a growing need in this domain for techniques to exploit parallelism inherent in the target application and to schedule the parallelized application. This paper proposes a method to estimate the optimal number of resources through critical path analysis while keeping resource utilization near optimal. We also propose an algorithm to optimally schedule the parallel threads of execution in linear time. Our algorithm is based on the idea of enhanced partial critical path (ePCP) and handles memory latencies and reconfiguration overheads. Results obtained show the effectiveness of our approach over other critical path based methods.
"ALTERNATE-2" DISJUNCTION DOES NOT EXIST

John and Lewis (1965) proposed a model of disjunction of translocation heterozygotes that defined two types of alternate disjunction, alternate-1 and alternate-2, differing from the classic view of only one type. Endrizzi (1974), and subsequent workers citing him, claim to have observed two distinct alternate disjunction configurations, corresponding to John and Lewis's alternate–1 and alternate–2 types, in meiotic preparations of several species. These observations are based on a two-dimensional interpretation of the three-dimensional phenomenon of disjunction, and are erroneous. In each case the two supposed types are topologically identical. There is only one possible alternate disjunction configuration.
High strength binding of P815 mastocytoma cells is not necessary for their lysis by macrophages which have been primed and triggered in vitro.

We have examined the hypothesis that binding of P815 mastocytoma cells is a necessary step in lysis of these cells by macrophages which are both "primed" and "triggered" in vitro, Macrophages "primed" by conditioned media containing IFN-gamma, or by rIFN-gamma have an increased ability to bind P815. However, adding either heat-killed Listeria or endotoxin to trigger the primed macrophages has opposite effects on lysis and binding of P815. Lysis is increased. Binding is dramatically decreased. This is true when centrifugal forces of 200 x g, 400 x g, and 800 x g are used to disrupt P815-macrophage binding. Although 100% of P815 cells bound by cytotoxic macrophages are lysed, a large additional population of unbound P815 is also lysed. Detailed kinetic studies indicate that macrophages do not rapidly bind and lyse several cycles of P815. There is an initial lag period of 4 to 6 h before P815 lysis can be detected, and completion of lytic events then occurs within 12 to 14 h. Lysis of P815 bound to cytotoxic macrophages is slightly slower than lysis of the total population of bound and unbound P815. In contrast, D3.1, a cloned CD4+ T cell line, is tightly bound to macrophages but not lysed efficiently. When macrophages are simultaneously confronted with P815 and macrophage-bound D3.1, only the former are lysed. Altogether, the data indicate that P815-macrophage binding, as operationally defined by our assay, is not a necessary step for lysis. These results, by use of macrophages primed and triggered in vitro, are in contrast to previously reported experiments examining P815 binding and lysis by macrophages activated in vivo by infection with bacillus Calmette-Guerin.
A mouse chromosome 17 gene encodes a testes-specific transcript with unusual properties.

We have characterized a novel mouse gene (D17Si11) on chromosome 17 that expresses a major transcript observed uniquely in the testes. TheD17Si11 locus has been mapped to the central region of chromosome 17 betweenH-2 andC3. Sequence analysis demonstrates several unusual features of this locus and its transcript: first is the presence of complementary sets of alternating purine and pyrmidine residues within the 3′ region of the transcript that could form double-stranded, hairpin-like secondary structures with properties similar to that of Z-DNA; second is the existence of a hypothetical, long open reading frame in the nucleotide strand that is complementary to the testes transcripts. This complementary strand open reading frame is three times the size of the longest potential open reading frame present in the transcript itself. Although a function forD17Si11 has yet to be determined, the gene is relatively non-polymorphic in mice and appears conserved in mammals.
A Case of Bilateral Vocal Fold Mucosal Bridges, Bilateral Trans-Vocal Fold Type III Sulci Vocales, and an Intracordal Polyp

Summary Introduction We present a patient with a novel finding of bilateral mucosal bridges, bilateral type III trans-vocal fold sulci vocales, and a vocal fold polyp. Although sulci and mucosal bridges occur in the vocal folds, it is rare to find multiples of these lesions in a single patient, and it is even more uncommon when they occur in conjunction with a vocal fold polyp. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a vocal fold polyp in combination with multiple vocal fold bridges and multiple type III sulci vocales in a single patient. Objective To describe and visually present the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with an intracordal polyp, bilateral mucosal bridges, as well as bilateral type III trans-vocal fold sulci vocales. Methods Presentation of a set of high definition intraoperative photos displaying the extent of the vocal fold lesions and the resection of the intracordal polyp. Results This patient presented with only 6 months of significant dysphonia. It was felt that the recent change in voice was because of the polyp and not the bridges or sulci vocales. Considering the patient's presentation and the possible morbidity of resection of mucosal bridges and sulci, only the polyp was excised. Postoperatively, the patient's voice returned to his acceptable mild baseline dysphonia, and the benefit has persisted 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion The combination of bilateral mucosal bridges, bilateral type III sulcus vocalis, and an intracordal polyp in one patient is rare if not novel. Treatment of the polyp alone returned the patient's voice to his lifelong baseline of mild dysphonia.
Mutual forbearance as an extension of oligopoly theory

Abstract This paper extends a simple duopoly model to include the cross-market effects of mutual forbearance behavior. The model yields more familiar duopoly results as special cases. A more general m -firm, n -market oligopoly model is also considered. The results suggest that cross-market mutual forbearance effects can be viewed from the same theoretical perspective as are conventional assumptions about conjectural variations within markets.
Unsupervised discovery and extraction of semi-structured regions in text via self-information

We describe a general method for identifying and extracting information from semi-structured regions of text embedded within a natural language document. These regions encode information according to ad hoc schemas and visual cues, instead of using the grammatical and presentational conventions of normal sentential language. Examples include tables, key-value listings, or repeated enumerations of properties. Because of their generally non-sentential nature, these regions can present problems for standard information extraction algorithms. Unlike previous work in table extraction, which relies on a relatively noiseless two-dimensional layout, our aim is to accommodate a wide variety of structure types. Our approach for identifying semi-structured regions is an unsupervised one, based on scoring unusual regularity inside the document. As content in semi-structured regions are governed by a schema, the occurrence of features encompassing textual content and visual appearance would be unusual compared to those seen in sentential language. Regularity refers to repetition of these unusual features, as semi-structured regions commonly encode more than a single row or group of information. To score this, we present a measure based on expected self-information, derived from statistics over patterns of textual categories and visual layout. We describe the results of an initial study to assess the ability of these measures to detect semi-structured text in a corpus culled from the web, and show that this measure outperform baseline methods on an average precision measure. We present initial work that uses these significant patterns to generate extraction rules, and conclude with a discussion of future directions.
An Improved Algorithm for Testing the Planarity of a Graph

Hopcroft and Tarjan [2] have recently proposed an algorithm that runs in linear time for testing the planarity of a graph. The technique finds a representation of the graph as a sequence of paths and then iteratively imbeds these paths to find a mesh structure, rearranging the meshes as needed to accommodate each new path. Demoucron et al. [1] have shown that this rearrangement process is unnecessary if the paths are considered in the proper order. The present implementation is found to run in linear time for most ordinary cases, about twice as fast as Tarjan's Algol implementation. A graph of 3000 vertices and 8994 edges required about 18 s.
The use of experimental drugs during national crisis.

(2003). The Use of Experimental Drugs During National Crisis. Accountability in Research: Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 69-84.
Method madness: a usability testing pilot research case study

This case study was created to analyze the methodology and procedures used during a pilot study on mobile usability and preferences conducted at a small Midwestern state college. The pilot study set forth to test features of the pre-redesign University of Wisconsin-Stout website as seen through the screen of a mobile device and then ascertain what students wanted to see in a redesigned version of the mobile interface.The findings of the pilot study were less surprising to the researcher than the problems encountered during the research itself. Future researchers would be well advised to attend to passing trends in mobile technology, as well as avoiding limitations on sample size caused by choice of delivery method and choice of user pool.
Assessing Risk and Driving Risk Mitigation for First-of-a-Kind Advanced Reactors

Planning and decision making amidst programmatic and technological risks represent significant challenges for projects. This presentation addresses the four-step risk assessment process needed to determine a clear path forward to mature needed technology and design, license, and construct advanced first-of-a-kind nuclear power plants, including Small Modular Reactors. This four-step process has been carefully applied to the Next Generation Nuclear Plant.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Removal and inactivation of Cryptosporidium oocysts by activated sludge treatment and anaerobic digestion

To determine the fate of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts during wastewater treatment, a model of an activated sludge treatment plant was designed with a flow of 17 ml/min and a detention time of 6 hours. Samples of raw sewage were seeded with oocysts and primary and secondary effluents were analyzed for C. parvum using an immunofluorescent technique. To compare removal efficiencies of oocysts by various wastewater treatment processes, raw sewage, activated sludge, trickling filter and biodisc effluents were seeded with oocysts and settled for 2 hr and for the respective detention times. Sludge produced by a wastewater treatment plant and anaerobically digested at 37° C in a laboratory digester was also seeded with C. parvum oocysts. Oocyst inactivation was measured by excystation and direct counts. Removal of oocysts in primary and secondary sedimentation averaged 83.4% and 90.7% respectively. The total oocyst removal in sewage treatment averaged 98.6%. In comparison with other treatment processes, activated sludge had the maximum oocyst removal efficiency at 92%. The anaerobic digestion process inactivated 90% of the oocysts within four hours of exposure. 99.9% of the oocysts were eliminated by anaerobic digestion after 24 hours. This demonstrates that the activated sludge process and anaerobic digestion can be effective for the removal and inactivation of C. parvum oocysts.
An Examination of the Broaden-and-Build Model of Positive Emotions in Military Marriages: An Actor-Partner Analysis

How emotional and cognitive processes combined to produce resilience in military marriages post-combat deployments was examined using the “broaden-and-build model of positive emotions” with 40 military couples. The model suggests that positive emotions expand, and negative emotions impede cognitive processes. Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, the association between positive and negative emotions on insight-causation was examined. Actor and partner effects were found for service members’ positive emotions and spouses’ negative emotions but not for service members’ negative emotions and spouses’ positive emotions. Service members’ actor and partner effects were significantly stronger than those of their spouses. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
Akt1 protects against germ cell apoptosis in the postnatal mouse testis following lactational exposure to 6-N-propylthiouracil

Exposure to 6-propyl-2-thio-uracil (PTU), a neonatal goitrogen, leads to increased testis size and sperm production in rodents. Akt1, a gene involved in cell survival and proliferation is also phosphorylated by thyroxine (T4). Therefore, we examined the requirement for Akt1 in germ cell survival following PTU-induced hypothyroidism. Experiments were performed using Akt1+/+, Akt1+/−, and Akt1−/− mice. PTU was administered (0.01% w/v) via the drinking water of dams from birth to PND21. At PND15, T4 serum levels were similar in all control groups, and significantly lower in all exposed groups with a dramatic decrease in Akt1−/− mice. PTU-exposed Akt1−/− testes displayed smaller tubules, increased apoptosis, delayed lumen formation, and increased inhibin B and AMH mRNA. Relative adult testis weights were similar in all exposure groups; however, no increase in daily sperm production was observed in PTU-exposed Akt1−/− mice. In conclusion, Akt1 contributes to the effects of thyroid hormone on postnatal testis development.
Nonreciprocal magnetic photonic crystals

We study band dispersion relations omega(k-->) of a photonic crystal with at least one of the constitutive components being a magnetically ordered material. It is shown that by proper spatial arrangement of magnetic and dielectric components one can construct a magnetic photonic crystal with strong spectral asymmetry (nonreciprocity) omega(k-->) not equal omega(-k-->). The spectral asymmetry, in turn, results in a number of interesting phenomena, in particular, one-way transparency when the magnetic photonic crystal, being perfectly transparent for a Bloch wave of frequency omega, "freezes" the radiation of the same frequency omega propagating in the opposite direction. The frozen radiation corresponds to a Bloch wave with zero group velocity partial differential omega(k)/ partial differential k=0 and, in addition, with partial differential(2)omega(k)/ partial differential k(2)=0.
L-arginine regulates neuronal nitric oxide synthase production of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract Tetrahydrobiopterin (H4B) in the absence of l -arginine has been shown to be an important factor in promoting the direct formation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at the expense of superoxide (O2 −) by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1) [Rosen GM, Tsai P, Weaver J, Porasuphatana S, Roman LJ, Starkov AA, et al. Role of tetrahydrobiopterin in the regulation of neuronal nitric-oxide synthase-generated superoxide. J Biol Chem 2002;277:40275–80]. Based on these findings, it is hypothesized that l -arginine also shifts the equilibrium between O2 − and H2O2. Experiments were designed to test this theory. As the concentration of l -arginine and Nω-hydroxyl- l -arginine increases, the rate of NADPH consumption for H4B-bound NOS1 decreased resulting in lower rates of both O2 − and H2O2 generation, while increasing the rate of nitric oxide ( NO) production. At saturating concentrations of l -arginine or Nω-hydroxyl- l -arginine (50 μM), NOS1 still produced O2 − and H2O2. Both l -arginine and Nω-hydroxyl- l -arginine have greater impact on the rate of generation of O2 − than on H2O2.
Adaptive downhill skiing in children with cerebral palsy: effect on gross motor function.

Purpose:The study was designed to examine the effect of adaptive downhill skiing (ADS) on gross motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy.Methods:One girl and four boys participated (mean age = eight years, five months). All were ambulatory. Participants’ Gross Motor Function Measure (G
A contrast-detail comparison of computed mammotomography and digital mammography

We use a contrast-detail observer study to compare performance of a novel 3D computed mammotomography (CmT) system with a commercially developed full-field digital mammography (FFDM) system. A contrast-detail phantom comprised of uniform acrylic spheres of various diameters was developed and placed in a variety of mediums including uniform water (simulating low contrast lesions within a uniform background), water and acrylic yarn (simulating low contrast lesions with over/under-lying structure), oil only (simulating higher contrast lesions in a uniform background), and oil and acrylic yarn (simulating higher contrast lesions with over/under-lying structure). For CmT, the phantom was placed in a 14.6 cm diameter uncompressed breast phantom and projections acquired using a simple circular orbit, W-target tube, 60 kVp tube potential, 0.05 cm Ce filtration, 4 mAs per projection, and a CsI(Tl) digital x-ray detector. Reconstructions used an iterative OSTR algorithm. For FFDM, the phantom was placed in a 5.3-cm-thick compressed breast phantom. Single CC-view mammograms were acquired using a clinical W-target tube with 50 um Rh filtration, 28 kVp, photo-timed mAs per our clinical mammography operation, and a Selenium-based flat-panel detector (Mammomat Novation, Siemens). Six observers evaluated the images in terms of the number of detectable spheres. FFDM performed significantly better for the low contrast lesions in uniform water background (p<0.05). However, CmT performed significantly better for all other cases (p<0.05). Results indicate that CmT shows significant advantage in soft tissue detection over FFDM in otherwise low contrast dense breasts.
Modeling and simulation of a power conditioning system for the hybrid fuel-cell/turbine power plant

Power conditioning system is an interface between distributed generation and utility grid. This paper presents the model of a power conditioning system (PCS) for the hybrid direct fuel-cell/turbine (DFC/T) power plant. It regulates voltage, current and power transmitted from the hybrid DFC/T power plant to utility grid. The proposed system consists of DC/DC converters, a grid-connected SPWM DC/AC inverter, and an LCL filter. To regulate and stabilize the DC link voltage, DC/DC converter with PI controller is adopted. With the dual-loop PI based grid-connected SPWM inverter, both active and reactive power transmitted to utility grid from the hybrid DFC/T power plant can be controlled. The LCL filter can greatly reduce the current harmonic distortion (THD). Theoretical analysis, modeling methodologies and control schemes are presented. The whole model was developed in Matlab/Simulink environment with all the parameters given. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed PCS can follow a dynamic load with the error less than 1% and reduce the THD to 1.65%.
The Impact of Patents on Innovation, Technology Transfer and Health: A Pre- and Post-TRIPs Analysis of India's Pharmaceutical Industry

The debate surrounding the World Trade Organization's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) Agreement indicates that patents matter for development. Yet literature on the geography of knowledge transfer shows that knowledge is spatially sticky, suggesting that the impact of patents can be exaggerated. Using interview evidence, this paper explores how Indian pharmaceutical firms have responded to changes in patent law, including the introduction of more extensive patent protection in 2005 as a condition of TRIPs. A regime of limited patent protection for over three decades prior to TRIPs facilitated informal knowledge transfer and the emergence of a pharmaceutical industry with significant domestic capabilities. Contrary to some expectations, the Indian pharmaceutical industry has continued to grow post-TRIPs, with large domestic firms becoming involved in more formal technology transfer as part of an increasingly collaborative relationship with multinationals. This trend is also dr...
Shaping Polymer Particles by Carbon Nanotubes

We report the formation of poly(propylene) spherical and ellipsoidal particles templated by carbon nanotubes via solution crystallization. With an increase in nanotube loading, the particle shape changes from sphere to ellipsoid. In the intermediate concentration range, both spherical and ellipsoidal shapes coexist. The particle size decreases with an increase in nanotube loading.
763 THE CURRICULARIZATION OF McKUSICK: AN INNOVATION IN MEDICAL EDUCATION

Growing recognition of the urgent need for reform in medical education was underscored by a recent AAMC report which recommended the promotion of self education, problem solving and life long learning. We have implemented an instructional module in human genetics for first year medical students which achieved these and other desirable educational goals. During their second week in medical school each student was assigned a different entry from the 1983 edition of McKusick's Mendelian Inheritance in Man to revise and update in a semi-structured format. The resulting entries were discussed in small sections, reviewed and compiled to provide each student with a compendium of genetic disorders. Instructors found that nearly all of the important principles of Mendelian inheritance could be illustrated with the random sets of entities assigned to each discussion group. Students learned to use the library, gained an appreciation of the importance of genetic disease and were able to master clinical and experimental material with surprising ease. More than half the students spent 11-20 hours on the assignment and reviewed from 6-10 articles in detail. The caliber of the entries was significantly correlated with the time spent on the exercise, but not the number of papers reviewed, prior knowledge of the disease, the frequency with which a dictionary was used or undergraduate exposure to genetics. Student response to the exercise was favorable and raised the question of the extent to which this approach can be generalized to other disciplines.
Electrostatic and non-electrostatic free energy contributions to acid dissociation constants in cosolvent—water mixtures

Abstract Thermodynamic p K a values were determined for barbituric acid and several derivatives in solvents containing 0–50% ethanol in water. The data were analyzed using a model which accounts for electrostatic and non-electrostatic contributions to the p K a changes as a function of solvent composition. The Born equation was used to calculate p K a changes due to electrostatic effects and the difference between observed and calculated p K a changes was attributed to non-electrostatic effects. The non-electrostatic effect was not constant for a given solvent system as suggested by previous investigations. When compounds possessing a different acidic group are analyzed by this approach, it becomes apparent that the type of hydrophilic functional group has a large influence on the non-electrostatic effect. The original model was thus extended such that the non-electrostatic effect was divided into a lipophilic and hydrophilic component, where the hydrophilic component was determined from the p K a data of the parent compound of each series. The lipophilic non-electrostatic effect was found to correlate well with the hydrophobic surface area and log octanol-water partition coefficient of the solute. These results indicate that a linear free energy approach can be used to estimate p K a changes for weak organic electrolytes in cosolvent-water mixtures.
Comparison of open subxiphoid pericardial drainage with percutaneous catheter drainage for symptomatic pericardial effusion.

Abstract Background The optimal therapy for symptomatic pericardial effusions remains controversial. This paper compares outcomes after the two most commonly used techniques, percutaneous catheter drainage and operative subxiphoid pericardial drainage. Methods We performed a 5-year retrospective, single-institution study to analyze outcomes after either percutaneous catheter drainage or subxiphoid open pericardial drainage for symptomatic pericardial effusions. Results Symptomatic pericardial effusions in 246 patients were treated by open pericardiotomy and tube drainage (n = 150) or percutaneous catheter drainage (n = 96). Drainage duration, total drainage volume, and duration of follow-up (2.6 years) were similar in both groups. Effusions were classified malignant in 79 (32%) patients and benign in 167 (68%) patients. No direct procedural mortality occurred, but the hospital mortality was 16 patients (10.7%) in the open group and 22 (22.9%) in the percutaneous group ( p = 0.01) The 5-year survival rate was 51% in the open group versus 45% in the percutaneous group, despite a greater percentage of the open group having a preoperative malignant diagnosis (35% versus 28%). Symptomatic effusions recurred in 16.5% of the percutaneous group compared with 4.6% in the open group ( p = 0.002), and sclerosis did not appear to reduce recurrence rates (10.7% with sclerosis versus 15.6% without; p > 0.05). The diagnosis of malignancy was confirmed in 16 of 27 (59%) percutaneous procedures performed on patients with known malignancy. In the open group, cytologic and pathologic evaluation of the pericardial specimen revealed malignancy in 32 of 52 (62%) patients with known malignancy. Conclusions Subxiphoid and percutaneous pericardial drainage of symptomatic pericardial effusions can be performed safely; however, death occurs from underlying disease. Open subxiphoid pericardial drainage with pericardial biopsy appears to decrease recurrence but does not improve diagnostic accuracy of malignancy over cytology alone.
Effects of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-OOH-CP) and 4-hydroperoxydechlorocyclophosphamide (4-OOH-deCICP) on the cell cycle of post implantation rat embryos.

In this study, we used preactivated forms of cyclophosphamide (CP) and dechlorocyclophosphamide (deCICP) to examine the effects of phosphoramide mustard (PM) and acrolein, respectively, on the cell cycle of postimplantation rat embryos. The percentage distribution of cells in the G1/G0, S, and G2/M phases of the cell cycle was determined by flow-cytometric analysis. At embryotoxic concentrations, 4-OOH-CP (PM) induced major cell cycle perturbations whereas 4-OOH-deCICP (acrolein) caused no major perturbation of the cell cycle. These data support the hypothesis that the mechanism of the embryotoxic action of PM involves alkylation of DNA, whereas the mechanism of action of acrolein does not. The primary effect of PM on the cell cycle was an initial delay in the S phase followed by a G2/M arrest. At low embryotoxic concentrations of 4-OOH-CP, there was apparent reversal of the G2/M arrest; at higher embryotoxic concentrations there was little recovery from the G2/M arrest. The high level of cell death found at higher drug concentrations suggests that prolonged G2/M arrest leads to cell death. Using radiolabeled CP and cell sorting, it was determined that PM predominantly alkylated DNA in the S phase of the cell cycle. Overall, the data from this study support the hypothesis that DNA cross-links, induced by the alkylation of DNA by PM, induce cell cycle perturbations. Furthermore, these cell cycle alterations may be one of the early steps in the mechanism leading to the embryotoxicity of PM.
Polysulfone and poly(phenylene sulfide) blends: 3. Rubber toughening

Abstract Melt-blended polysulfone (PSF) and poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) are notch sensitive. A significant improvement in the notched Izod impact toughness occurs when at least 10 wt% of a shell-core rubber modifier is incorporated into the blend. At rubber modifier levels above 15 wt%, the notched Izod impact strength was essentially retained upon annealing at 160°C for 2 h, while below 15 wt% of rubber modifier, the notched Izod impact strength decreases after annealing under the same conditions. Izod impact fracture surface morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fracture surfaces without a rubber modifier exhibit cavitation around the dispersed phase, i.e. PPS. On the other hand, fracture surface morphology of the rubber toughened blends with the same PSF/PPS composition show no cavitation surrounding the dispersed phase. Blend morphology was also studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Predicting psychosocial consequences of homophobic victimization in middle school students

This investigation examined the extent to which homophobic victimization predicted multiple indicators of psychological and social distress for middle school students (n = 143) during a 1-year assessment period. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that homophobic victimization significantly predicted increased anxiety and depression, personal distress, and lower sense of school belonging in males and higher levels of withdrawal in females after controlling for previously reported levels of each variable. Results suggest that being the target of homophobic victimization has significant psychological and social consequences for students, although differentially for males and females. Although use of such content may occur within peer groups and appear to be harmless banter between friends, teachers and administrators should intervene during these occurrences, and school policies and programming should specifically address and seek to decrease this social problem.
Adaptation, Learning, and Optimization Over Networks

This work deals with the topic of information processing over graphs. The presentation is largely self-contained and covers results that relate to the analysis and design of multi-agent networks for the distributed solution of optimization, adaptation, and learning problems from streaming data through localized interactions among agents. The results derived in this work are useful in comparing network topologies against each other, and in comparing networked solutions against centralized or batch implementations. There are many good reasons for the peaked interest in distributed implementations, especially in this day and age when the word "network" has become commonplace whether one is referring to social networks, power networks, transportation networks, biological networks, or other types of networks. Some of these reasons have to do with the benefits of cooperation in terms of improved performance and improved resilience to failure. Other reasons deal with privacy and secrecy considerations where agents may not be comfortable sharing their data with remote fusion centers. In other situations, the data may already be available in dispersed locations, as happens with cloud computing. One may also be interested in learning through data mining from big data sets. Motivated by these considerations, this work examines the limits of performance of distributed solutions and discusses procedures that help bring forth their potential more fully. The presentation adopts a useful statistical framework and derives performance results that elucidate the mean-square stability, convergence, and steady-state behavior of the learning networks. At the same time, the work illustrates how distributed processing over graphs gives rise to some revealing phenomena due to the coupling effect among the agents. These phenomena are discussed in the context of adaptive networks, along with examples from a variety of areas including distributed sensing, intrusion detection, distributed estimation, online adaptation, network system theory, and machine learning.
Impact of EUS in the evaluation of pancreaticobiliary disorders in children

Background While the role of EUS in the evaluation of pancreaticobiliary (PB) disorders in adults is well established, its utility in children remains unproven. This prospective study evaluates the feasibility, the safety, and the impact of EUS in the evaluation of PB disorders in children. Methods All children ( Results Fourteen patients (mean age 13 years; range 5-17 years) underwent 15 EUS procedures over a 3-year period. Main indications were the following: acute or recurrent pancreatitis (6 patients), suspected biliary obstruction (5), and abdominal pain suggestive of PB origin (3). EUS diagnosed chronic pancreatitis (3 patients), idiopathic fibrosing pancreatitis (2), carcinoid tumor (1), pancreatic pseudocyst (1), pancreas divisum (1), choledocholithiasis (1), duodenal duplication cyst (1), and normal (4). Diagnosis of idiopathic fibrosing pancreatitis and carcinoid tumor was established by EUS-guided FNA. The procedure was successful in all patients, and no complications were encountered. EUS had an impact on patient management in 93% of cases: established new diagnosis (10), precluded need for ERCP (9), and provided additional information that facilitated focused endotherapy (4). A limitation was the small number of enrolled patients and absence of long-term clinical follow-up. Conclusions EUS and EUS-guided FNA are feasible, safe, and have significant impact that alters subsequent management in the majority of children with PB disorders. Further studies and dissemination of information is required to facilitate its increased application in children.
g Value in Alkali-Metal Conduction-Electron Spin Resonance

A method for examining the convergence of expansions of wave functions for nearly free electrons is presented. It is shown that Bardeen-type expansions of alkali-metal conduction-electron wave functions converge sufficiently slowly so that it is necessary, when calculating the value of a physical quantity to any given power of k, to include all terms of all orders in $u(\mathrm{k},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{r})$ which contribute to that power. Consequently, wave-function expansions to third order in k which include the effects of spin-orbit interaction to first order are derived, in the spherical approximation, for these metals. Using these wave functions in Yafet's equation, the $g$ shift, to second order in|k| is expressed in terms of radial wave functions. The radial functions are evaluated numerically using the quantum defect nethod under four different approximations: (i) With and without the so-called "polarization correction" and (ii) with and without a term in the potential corresponding to an approximate self-consistent Hartree field due to the presence of other conduction electrons within the Wigner-Seitz sphere. The best agreement with experiment is obtained when the "polarization correction" is neglected and the Hartree term included. In this approximation the effective mass ratio, $\frac{m}{{m,}^{*}}$ is considerably closer to unity in the heavier alkali metals than was predicted by earlier calculations. The "polarization correction" is examined in detail in an unsuccessful effort to determine why it leads to a considerable decrease in the agreement with experiment.