cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Text-Based Approaches for the Categorization of Images

The rapid expansion of multimedia digital collections brings to the fore the need for classifying not only text documents but their embedded non-textual parts as well. We propose a model for basing classification of multimedia on broad, non-topical features, and show how information on targeted nearby pieces of text can be used to effectively classify photographs on a first such feature, distinguishing between indoor and outdoor images. We examine several variations to a TF*IDF-based approach for this task, empirically analyze their effects, and evaluate our system on a large collection of images from current news newsgroups. In addition, we investigate alternative classification and evaluation methods, and the effect that a secondary feature can have on indoor/outdoor classification. We obtain a classification accuracy of 82%, a number that clearly outperforms baseline estimates and competing image-based approaches and nears the accuracy of humans who perform the same task with access to comparable information.
Relative performance of tracking versus fixed tilt photovoltaic systems in the USA

Tracking systems can increase the amount of electricity generated by photovoltaic (PV) modules, by actively orienting each module to intercept more solar energy. We find that horizontal one-axis tracking systems can increase PV generation by 12–25% relative to south-facing fixed mount PV systems with 25° tilts in the contiguous USA, and two-axis tracking systems can increase PV generation by 30–45% relative to fixed mount systems. Tracking systems increase PV generation more significantly in arid regions such as the southwest USA than in humid regions with persistent cloud cover such as the Pacific Northwest and coastal Atlantic states. We find that fixed and tracking PV systems have similar interannual variability in their generation profiles, and this variability is primarily driven by project location. Tracking PV projects cost more than fixed tilt systems, per unit capacity, and we explore how much more tracking projects could cost while generating similar levelized costs of energy as fixed tilt systems. We define this as the breakeven additional cost of tracking and find that it is primarily driven by three factors: (i) regional tracking performance, (ii) fixed tilt system costs that tracking projects compete against, and (iii) additional tracking operation and maintenance costs. Using this framework, we explore the relative competitiveness of tracking systems for a range of fixed and tracking PV prices and evaluate how tracking competitiveness varies by region. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Normally occurring intraluminal projections in the arterial system of the mouse

The arterial system of 27 ICR/Albino mice was studied by: (1) examining 8 μ thick serial histological sections, (2) observing under the dissecting microscope the interior of arterial segments split longitudinally, (3) making reconstruction models, 100 times magnified from serial sections and (4) applying various histological and histochemical stains to determine morphological details. Almost regularly at each point of origin of an arterial branch, a structure forming a specific anatomical entity was observed and referred to as an intraluminal projection. A typical projection consists: (1) of an elevation or cushion located at the proximal edge of the orifice, (2) of two collateral ridges running distally at the sides of the orifice and becoming gradually thinner and taller, and (3) of a union of collateral ridges into a semilunar, flap-like, movable structure guarding the distal edge of the orifice. Imperfectly developed intraluminal projections were occasionally encountered at the origin of large arteries from the abdominal aorta. Histologically a projection is entirely luminal to the internal elastic membrane, has an endothelial covering of thickened endothelial cells and consists of a stroma containing polygonal elongated cells which have oval nuclei and resemble smooth muscle fibers. They are surrounded by a network of elastic and reticular fibers. The intraluminal projections may regulate the volume and pressure of blood entering the branch by sphincteric and valvular mechanisms.
Variation in concentrations of RNAs and proteins involved in gene expression of Escherichia coli.

Abstract A growing cell is not a steady-state situation. At some point in the cell cycle each gene doubles its concentration, which may result in a doubling of the production rate of its mRNA. The variations in concentration of mRNAs and proteins in an individual exponentially growing cell are studied for a gene which is constitutive, autorepressed, or autoactivated. Analysis of the mathematical model for a constitutive gene shows a fixed variation in concentration of a stable RNA between its minimum and maximum concentration of approximately 6%, independent of cell cycle time or gene location. The variation in the concentrations of the mRNA and protein for a constitutive gene are studied as gene position, molecular stability, and cell cycle time are varied. One result shows that doubling the growth rate can more than double the percentage of product from a gene near the origin of replication compared to one near the terminus. Results from these theoretical studies compare favorably to experimental results for rRNAs and the fully induced lac gene. Additional studies were performed to determine the effects of autorepression and autoactivation on the variation of concentration of mRNAs and proteins. The studies show that RNA and protein products of an autorepressed gene have almost the same variation in concentration as products of a constitutively expressed gene though the absolute concentrations are decreased. It is shown that the stability of an mRNA or protein affects variation in its concentration throughout the cell cycle, much more than the type of genetic control. The strength of repression has no effect on the variation in concentration of RNA and protein gene products through a cell cycle. Studies of an autoactivated gene show that it is significantly more responsive to a shift up or down, such as those caused by nutritional changes. An example is provided where the autoactivated gene is not expressed at one growth rate, but turns on at a higher growth rate. Furthermore, it is shown that gene position may determine whether or not the autoactivated gene is expressed.
Moesin functions antagonistically to the Rho pathway to maintain epithelial integrity

Two prominent characteristics of epithelial cells, apical-basal polarity and a highly ordered cytoskeleton, depend on the existence of precisely localized protein complexes associated with the apical plasma membrane, and on a separate machinery that regulates the spatial order of actin assembly. ERM (ezrin, radixin, moesin) proteins have been proposed to link transmembrane proteins to the actin cytoskeleton in the apical domain, suggesting a structural role in epithelial cells, and they have been implicated in signalling pathways. Here, we show that the sole Drosophila ERM protein Moesin functions to promote cortical actin assembly and apical-basal polarity. As a result, cells lacking Moesin lose epithelial characteristics and adopt invasive migratory behaviour. Our data demonstrate that Moesin facilitates epithelial morphology not by providing an essential structural function, but rather by antagonizing activity of the small GTPase Rho. Thus, Moesin functions in maintaining epithelial integrity by regulating cell-signalling events that affect actin organization and polarity. Furthermore, our results show that there is negative feedback between ERM activation and activity of the Rho pathway.
Medicine in long duration space exploration: the role of virtual reality and broad bandwidth telecommunications networks.

Safety of astronauts during long-term space exploration is a priority for NASA. This paper describes efforts to produce Earth-based models for providing expert medical advice when unforeseen medical emergencies occur on spacecraft. These models are Virtual Collaborative Clinics that reach into remote sites using telecommunications and emerging stereo-imaging and sensor technologies.
44-Gb/s/λ, upstream OFDMA-PON transmission with polarization-insensitive source-free ONUs

For the first time, we demonstrate colorless 44-Gb/s/λ, upstream OFDMA-PON transmission with polarization-insensitive, source-free ONUs. Superior performance is reported over 20 km SSMF plus 1:32 split, featuring OLT-side coherent detection and no ONU-side temperature control.
Morphological evidence for the release of chylomicra from intestinal absorptive cells.

Abstract Increased transport of chylomicra from the intestinal absorptive cell to the intercellular space was noted during a study of abrupt termination of micellar lipid absorption. Careful investigation of the area of the lateral plasma membrane revealed Golgi vacuoles containing lipid in various stages of fusion with this membrane. This finding, coupled with experimental evidence derived from studies of the normal absorptive process, supported the view that chylomicra are released from the absorptive cell by exocytosis of Golgi vacuoles.
Heterogenous effects of Ca2+ entry blockers on biphasic constriction of the rabbit ear artery

In the rabbit ear artery, nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem and bepridil were found to be more potent in inhibiting the tonic than the phasic response to norepinephrine, while KB-944 and W-7 blocked these two responses equally. Since in the ear artery norepinephrine utilizes intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ for its phasic and tonic responses, respectively, the non-selective inhibitory effect of KB-944 suggests that Ca2+ entry blockade may not account solely for its vasodilator effect.
Notch signaling expands a pre-malignant pool of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia clones without affecting leukemia-propagating cell frequency

NOTCH1 pathway activation contributes to the pathogenesis of over 60% of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). While Notch is thought to exert the majority of its effects through transcriptional activation of Myc, it also likely has independent roles in T-ALL malignancy. Here, we utilized a zebrafish transgenic model of T-ALL, where Notch does not induce Myc transcription, to identify a novel Notch gene expression signature that is also found in human T-ALL and is regulated independently of Myc. Cross-species microarray comparisons between zebrafish and mammalian disease identified a common T-ALL gene signature, suggesting that conserved genetic pathways underlie T-ALL development. Functionally, Notch expression induced a significant expansion of pre-leukemic clones; however, a majority of these clones were not fully transformed and could not induce leukemia when transplanted into recipient animals. Limiting-dilution cell transplantation revealed that Notch signaling does not increase the overall frequency of leukemia-propagating cells (LPCs), either alone or in collaboration with Myc. Taken together, these data indicate that a primary role of Notch signaling in T-ALL is to expand a population of pre-malignant thymocytes, of which a subset acquire the necessary mutations to become fully transformed LPCs.
ACQUISITION IN INTERLANGUAGE PRAGMATICS: LEARNING HOW TO DO THINGS WITH WORDS IN A STUDY ABROAD CONTEXT

ACQUISITION IN INTERLANGUAGE PRAGMATICS: LEARNING HOW TO DO THINGS WITH WORDS IN A STUDY ABROAD CONTEXT. Anne Barron . Amsterdam: Benjamins, 2003. Pp. xviii + 403. $115.00 cloth. As its title indicates, this book should be of interest to researchers in interlanguage pragmatics (ILP) or in the effect of study abroad on SLA. With respect to ILP, Barron investigates which aspects of discourse structure, pragmatic routines, and internal modification are easily and not so easily acquired by Irish English learners of German in three speech acts—requests, offers, and refusals of offers—as well as the role of transfer and the stages of acquisition in each case. More generally, her data advance our theoretical knowledge with respect to cognitive theories of SLA ( Bialystok, 1993 ; Schmidt, 1993 ). With respect to study abroad, this book is one of the first published studies (and to my knowledge the first book) that deals specifically with the effects of a study abroad experience on the acquisition and development of pragmatic competence.
Atrial natriuretic factor attenuates sympathetic neuroeffector responses in hindlimb vasculature of rabbits.

To determine whether atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) affects vasoconstrictor responses to electrical stimulation of sympathetic nerves or intra-arterial norepinephrine (NE), changes in perfusion pressure were measured during lumbar sympathetic nerve stimulation (LSNS, 1–8 Hz), or administration of NE (50–200 ng), in an isolated constant flow-perfused hindlimb of chloralose-anesthetized rabbit before and after intra-arterial infusion of ANF (0.5 ng∙mL−1∙min−1). ANF significantly attenuated responses to LSNS (relative potency, RP = 0.65) and to NE (RP = 0.47). We conclude that ANF attenuates vasoconstrictor responses to both LSNS and NE. Thus ANF alters sympathetic nervous system mediated changes in vascular resistance possibly at the neuroeffector site.Key words: atrial natriuretic factor, sympathetic nerve stimulation, vasculature.
Ultra-thin film nanostructured gallium arsenide solar cells

State-of-the-art III-V cells have reached the highest energy conversion efficiency among all types of solar cells. However, these cells are not applicable to widespread terrestrial solar energy system yet due to the high cost of epitaxial growth. Ultra-thin film absorbers with advanced light management is one of the most promising solutions to drive down the cost. In this paper, we present an ultra-thin film nano-window gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cell design. This ultrathin cell consists of a nano-structured Al 0.8 Ga 0.2 As window layer on the front side to reduce the reflection and to trap the light, and a metal reflector on the back side to further increase the light path. The 300 nm thick GaAs cell with Al 0.8 Ga 0.2 As nano-window shows a broad band absorption enhancement from visible to near infrared (NIR), achieving a spectrally averaged absorption of 94% under normal incidence. In addition, this cell shows excellent angular absorption properties, achieving over 85% spectral averaged absorption at up to 60 degree off normal incidence. Meanwhile, this structure with planar junction and nano-window has solved the issue of low fill factor and low open-circuit voltage in nano-structured GaAs solar cell. A nano-window cell with a 3 μm thick GaAs junction demonstrated an open circuit voltage of 0.9V.
The meaning of risk to first degree relatives of women with breast cancer.

Breast cancer represents a serious health concern for women. It is estimated that hereditary breast cancer accounts for approximately 5-10% of all breast cancer cases and as many as 25% of early-onset cases. We conducted a qualitative study of 26 first degree relatives of women with breast cancer (FDRs) in order to gain a deeper understanding of the effect of risk perception on their screening adherence. The method relied upon semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews with first degree relatives of women with breast cancer. We characterized FDRs by their response to a single query about their perceived risk. "Risk adopters" (N = 13) were defined as those who expressed a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 50% or more, and "normalizers" (N = 13) were those who indicated a lifetime risk of 49% or less. We conducted content analysis on the responses to the open-ended queries concerning perceived risk for breast cancer, searching for consistent themes among the responses. Surveillance behaviors were high among these FDRs relative to population-based comparisons. The difference between perceived and objective risk for breast cancer was significantly greater among risk adopters than normalizers (p < .0001). Three themes, derived from a content analysis of the FDR's natural language, further distinguish the two groups of women from one another: (1) causal attributions; (2) acceptance of labeling by the physician or other health care provider; and (3) current or remembered surveillance reminders from salient members of the social support network. We suggest different health care provider approaches to FDRs who are normalizers and those who are risk adopters, as well as additional studies of the impact of risk status (as manifest in the FDR's natural language) and surveillance behaviors, over time, among more diverse subgroups.
U.S. experience with 749 laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands: intermediate outcomes.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) has consistently been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for morbid obesity, especially in Europe and Australia. Data from the U.S. regarding the LAGB has been insufficient. This study reveals our experience with 749 primary LAGB over a 3-year period in a U.S. university teaching hospital. All data was prospectively collected and entered into an electronic registry. Characteristics evaluated for this study include preoperative age, BMI, gender, race, conversion rate, operative time, hospital stay, percent excess weight loss (%EWL) and postoperative complications. Annual esophagrams were performed From July 2001 through September 2004, 749 patients (531 females, 218 males) underwent LAGB for the treatment of morbid obesity. There were 630 Caucasians, 61 African-Americans, and 49 Latin Americans, with a mean age of 42.3 (range 18, 72 years) and mean BMI of 46.0 ± 7.0 (range 35, 91.5 kg/m2). There was one conversion to open (0.1%). Median operative time and hospital stay were 60 minutes and 23 hours, respectively. The mean %EWL at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years was 44.4 (±17.8), 51.8 (±20.9), and 52.0 (±19.6), respectively. There were no mortalities. Postoperative complications occurred in 12.8% of patients: 1.5% acute postoperative band obstruction, 0.9% wound infection, 2.9% gastric prolapse (“slip”), 2.0% concentric pouch dilatation (without slip), 0.8% aspiration pneumonia, 2.4% port/tubing problems, 0.3% severe esophageal dilatation/dysmotility (reversible), and 1.5% overall band removal. These American results substantiate the data from abroad that LAGB is a safe and effective treatment for morbid obesity.
Characterization of species in ethylaluminum dichloride molten salts by 27Al NMR

Abstract A new room temperature melt containing 1-ethyl-3-methyl- imidazolium chloride (MEICI) and ethylaluminum dichloride (EtAlCl 2 ) contains EtAlCl 2 dimers and EtAlCl 3 − as determined by 27 Al NMR of neat EtAlCl 2 and a saturated LiClEtAlCl 2 solution at 60 °C. The 27 Al NMR peaks in the MEIClEtAlCl 2 melt at 129 and 102 ppm are assigned to the dimers ( cis and trans ) of EtAlCl 2 (129 ppm) and EtAlCl 3 − (102 ppm), respectively. Semi-empirical calculations support the formation of EtAlCl 3 − over EtAlCl 2 dimer formation from Cl − and EtAlCl 2 .
Cell Cycle Programs of Gene Expression Control Morphogenetic Protein Localization

Genomic studies in yeast have revealed that one eighth of genes are cell cycle regulated in their expression. Almost without exception, the significance of cell cycle periodic gene expression has not been tested. Given that many such genes are critical to cellular morphogenesis, we wanted to examine the importance of periodic gene expression to this process. The expression profiles of two genes required for the axial pattern of cell division, BUD3 and BUD10/AXL2/SRO4, are strongly cell cycle regulated. BUD3 is expressed close to the onset of mitosis. BUD10 is expressed in late G1. Through promotor-swap experiments, the expression profile of each gene was altered and the consequences examined. We found that an S/G2 pulse of BUD3 expression controls the timing of Bud3p localization, but that this timing is not critical to Bud3p function. In contrast, a G1 pulse of BUD10 expression plays a direct role in Bud10p localization and function. Bud10p, a membrane protein, relies on the polarized secretory machinery specific to G1 to be delivered to its proper location. Such a secretion-based targeting mechanism for membrane proteins provides cells with flexibility in remodeling their architecture or evolving new forms.
Photoemission study of a solid-state reaction at the Cu/Hf interface

Abstract Photoemission measurements indicate that limited interdiffusion and reaction occurs between Cu and Hf at the Cu/Hf interface. Additional amounts of Hf can be introduced into the Cu overlayer by heat treatment. Examination of our data suggests that at least 3–5 Cu layers are involved in forming the extended Cu/Hf interface. This result is in excellent agreement with EXAFS data recently reported for Cu/Hf multilayers.
Kiwanis Family Safety Day: A Bicycle Safety Program for Your Hometown

W HEN THE KIWANIS Pediatric Trauma Institute began in 1981, its focus was the provision of tertiary care for seriously injured children. As time went by we learned about the anatomy of accidents from our patients and their families. One pattern recognized was that collisions involving cyclists and motor vehicles often resulted in severe head trauma, usually out of proportion to the kinetic energy of the impact. In 1989 we received a grant from the Milliken Family Trust Foundation to develop a bicycle safety program for school children. This foundation is a charitable endeavor of a family whose 16-year-old daughter was killed in a bicycle accident in 1974. We used the funds to visit schools in Massachusetts and to learn how to teach bicycle safety. The most fertile ground seemed to be in grades 1 through 4, and the most promising approach was to involve older children as instructors. This experience led to development of curriculum materials for classroom teachers and take-home bicycle safety cards, which were distributed to Massachusetts schools. A year later, we were asked to suggest a child safety project to the Key Club, the high school arm of Kiwanis. We described to them our initial success in the schools and after discussion the New England District of Key Clubs,
Immunohistochemical evidence for neural mediation of VIP activity in the dogfish rectal gland

Abstract Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has been shown to increase chloride secretion from the rectal gland of the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize the distribution of immunoreactive VIP (iVIP). Rectal glands were perfused with either buffered acrolein or paraformaldehyde/glutaraldehyde, sectioned (20 μm) and processed by either avidin-biotin complex (ABC) or peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP) methods. At the light microscopic level, iVIP was observed in thick fibers which traversed the fibromembranous capsule of the rectal gland. In the parenchyma, smaller iVIP-containing fibers were noted within connective tissue and in close approximation to tubule cells. At the ultrastructural level, iVIP axons in the fibromembranous capsule were unmyelinated. Immunoreactive fibers within the parenchyma frequently terminated on the basal side of tubule cells. Within the glands, iVIP bouton terminals were observed and contained vesicles of different sizes, with reaction product in dense core vesicles (60–120 nm). We conclude that iVIP is distributed in nerve fibers throughout the dogfish rectal gland. The anatomic distribution suggests that VIP may act as a neurotransmitter in this model of chloride ion transport.
Stochasticity of freeway operational capacity and chance-constrained ramp metering

Abstract The notion of capacity is essential to the planning, design, and operations of freeway systems. However, in the practice freeway capacity is commonly referred as a theoretical/design value without consideration of operational characteristics of freeways. This is evident from the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 2000 in that no influence from downstream traffic is considered in the definition of freeway capacity. In contrast to this definition, in this paper, we consider the impact of downstream traffic and define freeway operational capacity as the maximum hourly rate at which vehicles can be expected to traverse a point or a uniform section of a roadway under prevailing traffic flow conditions. Therefore freeway operational capacity is not a single value with theoretical notion. Rather, it changes under different traffic flow conditions. Specifically, this concept addresses the capacity loss during congested traffic conditions. We further study the stochasticity of freeway operational capacity by examining loop detector data at three specifically selected detector stations in the Twin Cities’ area. It is found that values of freeway operational capacity under different traffic flow conditions generally fit normal distributions. In recognition of the stochastic nature of freeway capacity, we propose a new chance-constrained ramp metering strategy, in which, constant capacity value is replaced by a probabilistic one that changes dynamically depending on real-time traffic conditions and acceptable probability of risk determined by traffic engineers. We then improve the Minnesota ZONE metering algorithm by applying the stochastic chance constraints and test the improved algorithm through microscopic traffic simulation. The evaluation results demonstrate varying degrees of system improvement depending on the acceptable level of risk defined.
The Evolution of the Diet Model in Managing Food Systems

The electronic revolution in food-systems management began in the '60s with the formulation of the least-cost-meals mathematical programming model. This model served as the basis for the CAMP Computer Assisted Menu Planning software developed for mainframe computers. Over the next two decades, researchers introduced techniques for incorporating food preferences into menu planning. Mini-and micro-computer software emerged. Since the early '60s, managers have used mathematical programming to enhance cost and nutrition control and to increase consumer satisfaction.
Health monitoring of flexible structures using modal filter concepts

This paper develops an approach for the health monitoring of a smart structures with multiple embedded sensing and actuation capability. For such a structure the consideration of failure consequences is an important component of any real application. The approach developed here is an integrated control and monitoring procedure whereby the sensors, which are assumed to be distributed spatially across the structure, are processed by a set of spatial modal filters which automatically track the modal coordinates of desired, specified modes, and similarly track changes in modal characteristics such as modal frequency, damping, and mode shape. The adaptive modal filter is formulated and applied to tr:a.ck the time varying behavior of specified modes, thereby indicating in some general sense, the health of the structural system. The adaptive modal filter is insensitive to failures or calibration shifts in individual sensors and will automatically ignore failed sensors. It can also be used to detect disturbances entering the system as well as to identify failed actuator locations. A modal controller based on these estimates is then able to adapt to a changing structure and in addition is insensitive to failures in the sensors and actuators. Both the tl1eory and experimental results from a test structure is discussed.
A variable voltage converter with direct bypass for traction drive inverters

In this work, an innovative and feasible solution is proposed for a Variable Voltage Converter (VVC) with direct bypass for traction drive inverters in HEVs. With the proposed method, the VVC capability is significantly increased and power loss is dramatically reduced. The advantages associated with this method include 1) Mitigation of VVC oscillation issues occurring during fast power flow transients, since the VVC output minimum voltage is directly clamped to the HV battery voltage anytime the output side voltage is lower than that of the HV battery voltage. 2) A significant increase in VVC pass-through operation capability; as a result, both vehicle EV drive maximum speed and duration are increased, 3) significantly reduced VVC power loss and noticeably increased vehicle fuel economy. This solution has been proved to be very useful and feasible especially for Plug-in HEV applications.
Observation of Internal Transitions of Confined Excitons in GaAs/AlGaAs Quantum Wells.

Internal transitions of confined hydrogenic excitons in type-I multiple-quantum-well structures have been observed and studied as a function of magnetic field (0‐ 15 T ) and quantum well width (80 ‐ 200 A). A highly sensitive technique that combines visible and far infrared methods, optically detected resonance spectroscopy, was employed, and revealed several internal excitonic transitions, with the 1s ! 2p1 transition dominant. The energies of the 1s ! 2p1 transition vs magnetic field are in very good agreement with variational calculations for the 80 and 125 A wells. The strength of the intraexcitonic features was observed to be much weaker in the 200 A well-width samples. [S0031-9007(96)00768-5] PACS numbers: 71.35.Cc, 71.35.Ji, 71.55.Eq
Introducing a new intervention: an overview of research phases and common challenges.

This article examines the challenges in and progress of behavioral intervention research, the trajectory followed for introducing new interventions, and key considerations in protocol development. Developing and testing health-related behavioral interventions involve an incremental and iterative process to build a robust body of evidence that initially supports feasibility and safety, then proves efficacy and effectiveness, and subsequently involves translation, implementation, and sustainability in a real-world context. This process occurs over close to two decades and yields less than 14% of the evidence being integrated into practice. New hybrid models that blend test phases and involve stakeholders and end users up front in developing and testing interventions may shorten this time frame and enhance adoption of a proven intervention. Knowledge of setting exigencies and implementation challenges may also inform intervention protocol development and facilitate rapid and efficient translation into practice. Although interventions needed to improve the public’s health are complex and funding lags behind, introducing new interventions remains a critical and most worthy pursuit
Non-resective ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: effectiveness measured by intention-to-treat and dropout from liver transplant waiting list.

: Background: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is widely accepted, and the usefulness of local ablation techniques as a bridge for liver transplantation is still under investigation. Methods: From December 1997 to February 2003, patients with cirrhosis and T0-T1-T2-T3 stage HCC received multi-modality ablative therapy (MMT) for the treatment of their HCC and were evaluated for OLT; listed, and transplanted when an allograft became available. MMT included radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and/or Trans-Arterial Chemo-Embolization (TACE), and alcohol (EtOH) ablation, followed by Trans-Arterial Chemo-Infusion (TACI), with repeated treatments based on follow up hepatic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during the waiting period for OLT. Results: A total of 135 HCC patients were seen at our center within this time frame. The intention-to-treat group included 33 (24.4%) patients with T0, T1, T2, T3 HCC and cirrhosis. There were 31 men and two women. The mean age was 53.6 ± 7.2 yr. All patients received MMT with a mean of 2.90 ± 1.5 procedures per patient. Tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages at time of listing were: T0 in one patient, T1 in nine patients, T2 in 17 patients, and T3 in six patients. Twenty-eight (85%) patients have received OLT. Five (12.19%) patients were listed and removed (dropout) from the transplant waiting list after waiting 5, 5, 5, 8, and 14 months respectively. The waiting time of the HCC listed group was 9.1 ± 14.8 months with a mean follow up of 32 months. OLT patient survival and cancer-free survival are 92.9% and 95.24%, respectively; the overall survival of intention-to-treat group was 79% at 32 months follow up. Predictors of dropout included an α-fetoprotein (AFP, >400 ng/mL) and T3 HCC stage. Conclusion: Aggressive ablation therapy with a short transplant waiting time optimizes the use of OLT for curative intent in selective cirrhotic HCC patients.
The Classification of Solvents by Combining Classical QSPR Methodology with Principal Component Analysis

The results of a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) analysis of 127 different solvent scales and 774 solvents using the CODESSA PRO program are presented. QSPR models for each scale were constructed using only theoretical descriptors. The high quality of the models is reflected by the squared multiple correlation coefficients that range from 0.726 to 0.999; only 18 models have R2< 0.800. This enables direct theoretical calculation of predicted values for any scale and/or for any organic solvent, including those previously unmeasured. The molecular descriptors involved in the models are classified and discussed according to (i) the origin of their calculation (i.e., constitutional, geometric, charge-related, etc.) and (ii) the commonly accepted classification of physical interactions between the solute and solvent molecules in liquid (condensed) media. A reduced matrix 774 (solvents) x 100 (solvent scales) was selected for the principal component analysis (PCA) by taking into account only the solvent scales with more than 20 experimental data points. The first 5 principal components account for 75% of the total variance. The robustness of the PCA model obtained was validated by the comparison models development for restricted submatrices of data and with the results obtained for the full data set. The total variance accounted for by the first three PCs, for the submatrices with the same number of solvent scales but different numbers of solvents, varies from 68.2% to 59.0%. This demonstrates that the total variance described by the first 3 components is essentially stable as the number of solvents involved varies from 100 to 774. Subsequently, a matrix with 703 diverse solvents and 100 solvent scales was selected for the general classification of the solvents and scales according to the scores and loadings obtained from the PCA treatment. Classification of the theoretical molecular descriptors, derived from the chemical structure alone, according to their relevance to specific types of intermolecular interaction (cavity formation, electrostatic polarization, dispersion, and hydrogen bonding) in liquid media enables a more easily comprehensible physical interpretation of the QSPR of molecular properties in liquids and solutions. The reported QSPR models for solvent scales with theoretical molecular descriptors and the results of the PCA analysis are potentially of great practical importance, as they extend the applicability of correlations with empirical solvent scales to many previously unmeasured systems.
Following Navigation Instructions Presented Verbally or Spatially: Effects on Training, Retention and Transfer

Two experiments investigated participants' ability to follow navigation instructions in a situation simulating communication between air traffic controllers and aircrews. A verbal condition, in which instructions were given orally, was compared with a spatial condition, in which commands were shown on a computer display as simulated movements, with the presentation times in the two conditions equated. Retention and transfer were studied a week later when participants performed in either the same or the other condition. In both sessions, participants' initial proportion correct was much higher in the spatial than in the verbal condition, but after three blocks, accuracy in the two conditions was equivalent. Retention was perfect when training and test conditions matched. Training in the verbal condition transferred to the spatial condition but not vice versa. Thus, there is evidence that participants' representations of the movements in the verbal and spatial conditions were not equivalent. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Language: en
Clinical implementation of intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

The clinical implementation of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a complex process because of the introduction of new treatment planning algorithms and beam delivery systems compared to conventional 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) and the lack of established national perfor- mance protocols. IMRT uses an inverse-planning algorithm to create nonuniform fields that are only deliverable through a newly designed beam-modulating delivery system. The intent of this paper is to describe our experience and to elucidate the new clinical procedures that must be executed to have a successful IMRT program. Patients who undergo IMRT at our institution are immobilized and simulated before proceeding to computed tomogra- phy scan for patient data acquisition. Treatment planning involves the use of different prescription dose formats and different planning techniques compared to 3D-CRT. The desired dose goals for the target and sensitive structures must be specified before initiating the planning process, which is computer intensive. After the plan is completed, the delivery instructions are transferred to the delivery system via either a floppy disk for MIMiC-based IMRT or through the network for MLC-based IMRT. Target localizations are carried out using orthogonal radiographs. Ultrasound imaging system (BAT) is used to localize the prostate. Dose validation is performed using films, ion chambers or dose-calculation-based techniques. © 2002 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists.
Spinal Deformity in Children With Achondroplasia

Achondroplasia is the most common inherited bone dysplasia. Involvement of the spine can be divided into 3 different abnormalities that present in 3 different age groups. Cervicomedullary stenosis may present in the newborn and infantile periods with sleep apnea and feeding difficulty. Although indications for decompression remain controversial, surgery is necessary in severely involved babies with abnormal cord signal on magnetic resonance imaging. Thoracolumbar kyphosis becomes noticeable in the older infant, and typically resolves shortly after the child becomes ambulatory. Bracing may be helpful in some children, and surgery is required in refractory cases. Abnormalities in growth lead to significant narrowing of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spinal canal. Although lumbar stenosis usually presents in adulthood, it may present in later childhood or adolescence with back and leg pain or urologic symptoms. Treatment of symptomatic stenosis consists of wide decompression with concomitant fusion.
A Microfluidic Platform for the Culture & Analysis of Single Cells

In modern biology, it is often assumed that populations of cells are composed primarily of average cells; cells that do not deviate significantly from an observational mean. This assumption is empirically convenient and until recently was necessary due to technological limitations. However, it is possible that ignorance of cellular individuality may lead one to draw incorrect conclusions, especially when the population under study is heterogeneous. Cells that exhibit significant deviation from the mean behavior can reveal important information which would be normally obscured by ensemble averaging techniques.We have developed an array of microfluidic analytical techniques capable of studying the biochemistry of single cells [1,2,3]. Our current effort focuses on the development of a microfluidic device capable of sustaining a cell culture of a unicellular microorganism, Synechococcus, which can be resolved at the single-cell level. In our microchip, cells are captured hydrodynamically via a pressure-driven cross-flow of nutrient media. With efficient manipulation of the cellular microenvironment, the individuality of the cells' adaptive responses to stress conditions such as nutrient deprivation can be studied quantitatively using fluorescence microscopy. The design of imaging system with controlled illumination source as well as the use of different pumping mechanisms is described.1. Wheeler, A.R., Throndset, W.R., Zare, R.N. et al. Anal Chem 75, 3581-3586 (2003).2. Wu, H., Wheeler, A. & Zare, R.N. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 101, 12809-12813 (2004).3. Huang, B., Wu, H., Zare, R.N. et al. Science 315, 81-84 (2007).
THE EFFECT OF NUTRIENT LIMITATION AND ITS INTERACTION WITH LIGHT UPON THE PRODUCTS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN MERISMOPEDIA TENUISSIMA (CYANOPHYCEAE)1

The metabolic fate of photosynthetically-fixed CO2 was determined by labeling samples of Merismopedia tenuissima Lemmerman for 30 min with NaH14CO3 and analyzing its incorporation into low molecular weight compounds, polysaccharide and protein. In N- and P-sufficient cultures, relative incorporation into protein increased as the irradiance used during the labeling period was decreased to 20 μE · m-2 s-1. This pattern was found for cells grown at irradiances of either 20 or 180 μE · m-2· s-1, although incorporation into protein was greater in cultures grown at the higher irradiance. In N-limited continuous cultures, relative incorporation into protein was low, independent of growth rate, and the same for samples tested at 20 or 180 μE · m-2· s-1 irradiance. In contrast, 14C incorporation into protein by P-limited cultures increased as growth rate increased, and at relative growth rates greater than 0.25, the incorporation was greater at 20 than at 180 μE · m-2· s-1. However, the total RNA content and maximum photosynthetic rate of the cultures was the same at all growth rates tested. The interaction between nutrient concentration and light intensity was studied by growing-limited continuous cultures at the same dilution rate, but different irradiances. Relative incorporation into protein was highest in cultures grown at 20 μE · m-2· s-1, in which the relative growth rate was 0.4. These results suggest that photosynthetic carbon metabolism may respond to relative growth rate μ/μmax rather than to growth rate directly.
Curie temperature impulse response of thin films of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene)

Abstract Our current interest focuses on random copolymers of vinylidene fluoride (VF2) and trifluoroethylene (TrFE). These copolymers have been the subject of an extensive study since the addition of trifluoroethylene produces a trans structure similar to the β-phase of PVF2 and exhibits greater piezoelectric activity.1 In these materials a Curie phase transition is observed in which the planar trans ferroelectric phase containing ordered dipoles undergoes a solid-solid phase transition to a paraelectric phase with conformational disorder and loss of dipole orientation.2–4 The application of a high electric field is known to raise the Curie temperature4,5 and is frequently employed to increase peizoelectric activity.
Characterization of a MEMS tribogauge

Abstract A MEMS tribogauge was used for on-chip and in-situ characterization of nano-tribological phenomena (stiction, friction, and wear). The measurements were made on the sidewall surfaces on the tribogauge at the third structural polysilicon layer in the device. The device consists of two orthogonally oriented comb-drive mechanisms that are used for both actuation and sensing functions. One actuator applies a normal load (F n ) to a contacting surface, while the other actuator induces a tangential load (F T ). A LabVIEW controlled AD7747 capacitance sensor is used to measure the position of the interacting surfaces. This data is converted into adhesive force information. The spatial resolution of the characterization apparatus is ± 10 nm. Experiments were conducted with tribogauges with and without a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) coating. The SAM coatings being explored have a fluorocarbon tail group. The tribogauge with no SAM coating is UV/Ozone cleaned to remove organic contaminants. The tribogauge characterization includes: measurement of baseline stiction force F baseline FOTS , static (F S ) and dynamic (F D ) coefficient of friction, and induced stiction force F induced FOTS . The UV/Ozone treated tribogauge was used to measure the baseline stiction force. Additional experiments showed that the induced stiction force increases in proportion to the increase in the number of load cycles, indicating degradation of the SAM coating and inducing surface topographical changes to the interacting surfaces.
Contagion Risk in the International Banking System and Implications for London as a Global Financial Center

In this paper, we use the extreme value theory (EVT) framework to analyze contagion risk across the international banking system. We test for the likelihood that an extreme shock affecting a major, systemic U.K. bank would also affect another large local or foreign counterpart, and vice-versa. Our results reveal several key trends among major global banks: contagion risk among banks exhibits "home bias" individual banks are affected differently by idiosyncratic shocks to their major counterparts; and banks are affected differently by common shocks to the real economy or financial markets. In general, bank soundness appears more susceptible to common (macro and market) shocks when the global environment is turbulent; this may have important implications for London as a major financial services and capital markets hub.
Factorization and Transverse Momentum in SIDIS at Jlab

Data for pion electroproduction from both hydrogen and deuterium targets satisfy factorization tests in the kinematic region Q 2 > 1 GeV 2 , 0.15 x 0.45 , W > 2 GeV , M x > 1.5 GeV , and 0.3 z 0.6 , for both spin-averaged and spin-dependent scattering. The π + / π − ratio of polarized SIDIS is found to exhibit a surprisingly large p t dependence.
Canopy-Based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index Sensors for Monitoring Cotton Nitrogen Status

Crop reflectance using ground-based sensors has the potential to provide information on crop N status in real-time. However, the unique physiological and structural characteristics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, L.) complicate normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)-based inferences on cotton N status. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (i) determine the sensitivity of selected sensors and resulting NDVI measurements to different levels of fertilizer N; (ii) determine relationships between sensors and biophysical measurements; and (iii) compare absolute NDVI readings reported by each sensor. Field trials were conducted during crop years conducted from 2008 through 2010 at Mississippi State, MS. Fertilizer N rates of 0, 45, 90, and 135 kg N ha -1 were applied and replicated four times to establish N-induced growth differences. Sensors used included the Yara N Sensor (Yara International ASA, Oslo, Norway), GreenSeeker (GS) Model 505 Optical Sensor Unit (NTech Industries, Inc., Ukiah, CA) and Crop Circle (CC) Model ACS-210 (Holland Scientific, Inc., Lincoln, NE). Sensor readings failed to consistently predict cotton leaf N status before early flowering; however, plant height relationships with NDVIs were strong. Comparison of sensor response curves to fertilizer N resulted in no significant differences in slope values, although consistent, significant differences in y intercepts were noted beginning at early flowering and continuing through peak flowering. Greater accuracy in the detection of cotton leaf N status may require the utilization of an index which is less responsive to changes in plant height or canopy architecture. Furthermore, the magnitude of canopy reflectance-based NDVI values differed across sensors.