cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental evidence for strong UV transition contribution in the resonant nonlinearity of doped fibers

We report a new theoretical interpretation of the strong resonantly-enhanced third-order nonlinearity observed in fibers doped with Nd/sup 3+/, Er/sup 3+/, or Yb/sup 3+/. For each fiber, the absolute contributions of the near resonance (IR-visible) and far from resonance (UV) transitions to the nonlinearity are calculated and compared to experimental values. We show that in all cases, a large fraction of the measured nonlinearity is due to strong UV transitions. The consequences of this observation on the bandwidth, switching power and response time of switches based on this effect are discussed.
Meniscal tissue regeneration using a collagenous biomaterial derived from porcine small intestine submucosa.

Abstract Purpose: The present investigation is a preliminary study designed to evaluate the use of a collagen-based biomaterial, chemically unaltered porcine small intestine submucosa (SIS), as a scaffold for meniscal tissue regeneration. Type of Study: Basic research. Methods: Surgical defects were created in the lateral menisci of 12 mature New Zealand white rabbits. The defects were repaired with a similarly shaped and sized wedge of a new collagenous biomaterial (SIS) and sutured in place. The opposite knees served as controls by creating a defect in the lateral meniscus without filling with SIS graft. Full cage activity was allowed until the animals were killed at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Results: At 4 weeks, the graft material retained its physical position and grossly appeared soft and translucent. Histologically, cellular elements had infiltrated between the laminates of the graft. At 12 weeks, the graft grossly appeared more solid and opaque. Histologically, the host meniscal fibrochondrocytes were seen streaming into the peripheral margin of the graft. Early repopulation of the graft with apparently differentiated meniscal tissue was observed. At 24 weeks, the meniscus defect was grossly healed across and looked virtually normal: the normal meniscal shape, contour, consistency, and color had been replicated. Histologically, the healing tissue showed infiltration of what appeared to be meniscal fibrochondrocytes and connective tissue resembling the host meniscal tissue. The graft was nearly totally replaced by host tissue. Conclusions: This pilot animal study demonstrates that the multilaminated collagenous graft is conducive for cellular repopulation with host meniscal elements, and, by 24 weeks, is capable of supporting complete healing of a large meniscal defect. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 2 (February), 2001: pp 151–159
Thyroid-stimulating hormone pituitary adenomas and hyperthyroidism

Six cases of hyperthyroidism secondary to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-hypersecreting pituitary adenomas are presented (five females and one male). Hyperthyroidism presenting with diffuse goiter was associated with hyperprolactinemia in three cases. Elevation of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) plasma levels was associated with TSH levels ranging between 2 and 2,000 microU/mL. Polytomography and computed tomography scanning with coronal views revealed four invasive and two enclosed tumors. Two patients underwent transfrontal operations, four underwent transsphenoidal operations, and one underwent both. Two cases of enclosed adenoma were cured primarily by a transsphenoidal approach without additional pituitary deficit. In four cases of invasive adenomas, operations and radiation therapy resulted in three failures and one cure. In cases presenting with hyperthyroidism and detectable TSH, early neuroradiological studies are indicated, as biological cure can be achieved by the transsphenoidal approach. Early treatment is also advocated because of the tendency for these tumors to become invasive (four out of six tumors).
The ultrastructure of the thyrotropic cell during thyrotropin rebound in the adenohypophysis of the rat.

Adenohypophyses of rats were studied ultrastructurally to ascertain the morphologic changes that occur in thyrotropic cells during the pituitary TSH Rebound Phenomenon. Rats were maintained on propylthiouracil (PTU) for 43–147 days and their adenohypophyses studied three to nine days after discontinuance of goitrogen treatment. TSH rebound was also induced in chronically hypothyroid rats by single intravenous injections of 0.8, 4, 20 and 200 μg of thyroxine. Pituitaries were studied from animals sacrificed 6–24 hours after thyroxine injection. Thyrotrophs of euthyroid rats were characterized ultrastructurally by the presence of numerous peripherally-located, small secretory granules (storage phase) and by highly dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (secretory phase). The thyrotropic cells in PTU-treated rats were sparsely granulated, displayed enlarged mitochondria with much loss of cristae and contained extensively dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and expanded Golgi membranes. Marked repletion of granules, both intracisternal and cytoplasmic, was seen during TSH rebound in the pituitary. It was observed in some thyrotrophs as early as three days after goitrogen withdrawal and was enhanced further at the 6- and 9-day intervals. Granule repletion increased progressively with doses of thyroxine up to 20 μg and assayable thyrotropin in pituitary glands increased 500–700% over normal. Effects with the 20 μg dose could be detected as early as six hours. With higher doses of thyroxine, granule repletion in thyrotrophs was inhibited and mitcohondrial hypertrophy was largely reversed. The electron microscopic findings reveal close correlation with previously published data on thyrotropin assays of the rat pituitary. They support the concept that the degree of cytoplasmic granulation in thyrotropic cells is quantitatively related to assayable stores of thyrotropin in the anterior pituitary gland.
Energy Deposition and Shielding Requirements for All Concepts of the Blanket Comparison and Selection Study

The Blanket Comparison and Selection Study (BCSS) carried out 16 blanket concepts (7 tokamaks and 9 tandem mirror reactors (TMRs)) for the final evaluation process. This process requires all the blanket design parameters, including the energy multiplication factors, the atomic displacement rate in the first wall, and the shielding definition for the reactor. A shielding assessment is performed to determine shielding materials, compositions, arrangements, and thicknesses for each concept. Two shielding criteria are adopted for this assessment: (a) workers are permitted in the reactor hall 1 day after shutdown, and (b) superconductor coils are required to function for a 150 MW x yr/m/sup 2/ deuterium-tritium neutron exposure at the first wall without a change in their performances. For the design purpose, the occupational exposure is 0.5 mrem/h, based on working 8 h/day and 40 h/week. This dose level is used to concur with current practice in the nuclear industry and the exposure policy of the U.S. Department of Energy, which limits the on-site personnel exposure level to less than onefifth of the maximum permissible dose equivalent limits. The personnel exposure criterion is used to size the outboard bulk shield for tokamak reactors and the shield thickness between the central cellmore » coils for TMRs. In the fusion power environment the insulator materials are the most sensitive components in the superconductor coils from the radiation damage point of view. A maximum insulator dose of 10/sup 10/ rad in the thermal insulator is used to size the bulk shield in the inboard section of the tokamak reactors and the central cell sections under the coils for TMRs. As a result of this criterion, all other nuclear responses do not exceed any design limit for the superconductor materials or the copper stabilizer.« less
Generalized ensembles serve to improve the convergence of free energy simulations

A novel method for the calculation of the free energy difference between two states of a molecular system is presented. The method, an extension of thermodynamic integration, treats the coupling parameter λ as a variable in an extended Hamiltonian formulation and propagates it with the physical coordinates. In the resulting generalized ensemble, the crossing of barriers in the physical space is enhanced. The free energy difference is determined by integrating the reversible work required to move λ from zero (corresponding to the initial state) to one (corresponding to the final state). Examples are presented to illustrate the method.
On the Modelling of a Synthetic Jet as a Spherical Jet

The properties of a flow field of a synthetic jet are studied using hot wire anemometry. The experimental results are compared with an analytical model of a continuous jet derived in spherical coordinates. The radial velocity profiles at various radial distances from the synthetic jet orifice, when scaled appropriately collapse into a single self similar profile. The time averaged flow field can be modeled as an axially symmetric jet, with the replacement of empirical constants obtained from the measurement of the synthetic jet. It is shown that the synthetic jet has a higher spreading rate, and effective viscosity than that of an equivalent turbulent jet with constant mass flow rate. The analytical model in spherical coordinates is shown in this case, to better represent the experimental data than a model derived in cylindrical coordinates.© 2007 ASME
Global stability of utility-based congestion control with delays

In this paper, we make use of the distributed utility-based congestion controller to study the stabilization problem under a general network topology. The network allows multiple users to simultaneously share the limited availability of network resources and to control their transmission rates by delayed feedback signals. We establish a sufficient condition for global stability for the controlled network with delays in both data paths and control paths. This condition for testing global stability is very simple and does not need the assumptions that the congestion marking function is differentiable and converges to an equilibrium point.
Alternative Models of Dynamics in Binary Time-Series-Cross-Section Models: The Example of State Failure 1

This paper investigates a variety of dynamic probit models for time-series– cross-section data in the context of explaining state failure. It shows that ordinary probit, which ignores dynamics, is misleading. Alternatives that seem to produce sensible results are the transition model and a model which includes a lagged latent dependent variable. It is argued that the use of a lagged latent variable is often superior to the use of a lagged realized dependent variable. It is also shown that the latter is a special case of the transition model. The relationship between the transition model and event history methods is also considered: the transition model estimates an event history model for both values of the dependent variable, yielding estimates that are identical to those produced by the two event history models. Furthermore, one can incorporate the insights gleaned from the event history models into the transition analysis, so that researchers do not have to assume duration independence. The conclusion notes that investigations of the various models have been limited to data sets which contain long sequences of zeros; models may perform differently in data sets with shorter bursts of zeros and ones.
No effect of menstrual cycle phase on glucose kinetics and fuel oxidation during moderate-intensity exercise.

Resting and exercise fuel metabolism was assessed in three different phases of the menstrual cycle, characterized by different levels of estrogen relative to progesterone: early follicular (EF, low...
The logic of dependency theory revisited

Since James Caporaso' felt obliged to take me to task in the Autumn 1980 edition of this journal for what he believes to be my failure to appreciate the true strengths of dependency theory, I shall comment in turn on his unequivocally enthusiastic reception of this approach to the study of change in the Third World, whose limitations Mr. Caporaso fails altogether to perceive. The vehicle for discussion is the recent publication of two books Mr. Caporaso reviewed-Dependency and Development in Latin America, by Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Enzo Faletto,2 and Dependent Development: The
An exercise in formally based circuit synthesis from a behavioural specification in interval temporal logic

Interval Temporal Logic (ITL) has been proposed as a vehicle for high level behavioural specification of digital circuits. This paper considers, by means of an example, how a circuit definition might be synthesised based on detailed analysis of a specification expressed in ITL, and compares the result with that generated by an automated synthesis tool. >
The answer to stimulating lectures is the question

Surgical teaching faculty at an urban teaching hospital were studied in terms of the numbers of questions asked of third-year medical students in the classroom. Forty lectures were studied. The number of questions addressed to students by the teachers were counted, Following the lectures, students were asked to record their opinion. Student achievement on multiple-choice questions on topics of faculty who asked many versus no questions were compared in a post hoe analysis of the surgery final examination. The number of questions asked per lecture ranged from 0 to 72 (mean = 20, SD = 21). Ten faculty (26%) did not ask questions. Students rated faculty who asked questions to be more stimulating than those who did not. No significant differences in achievement were found on test items of faculty who asked a high frequency of questions when compared with those who did not question. Our data suggest that faculty who involved students in their lectures through the use of questions were perceived more favourably...
Spatiotemporal distribution of the hemlock woolly adelgid predator Laricobius nigrinus after release in eastern hemlock forests

1 Post-release distributions of Laricobius nigrinus, a biological control predator of hemlock woolly adelgid Adelges tsugae Annand, were evaluated at eight hemlock forests in the eastern U.S.A. 2 Vertical dispersal of F1 and F2L. nigrinus were assessed from within three crown strata ( 15 m) at four release sites. 3 Horizontal distributions of L. nigrinus within the forest surrounding central release areas were observed in two separate studies, which included (i) release and monitor to capture parent and F1 movement by sampling the immature life stages of the offspring, and (ii) assessment of F3 to F6 generations where beetles were previously determined to be established. 4 Laricobius nigrinus, released on lower crown branches, oviposited within the upper crown stratum and were slow to disperse from release trees. Monitoring L. nigrinus only from the lower crown would likely underestimate its presence because 86% of the F2 generation were detected above 15 m. 5 By the fifth generation, the frequency distributions of larvae increased at increasing distance from release areas; larvae were recovered at a maximum distance of approximately 400 m and the spread rate was approximately 39 m/year. 6 Slow dispersal of L. nigrinus and uninterrupted recovery of six generations in the presence of fluctuating prey density support its continued release as part of the A. tsugae biological control programme. These data contribute toward improved release strategies and monitoring for this biological control agent.
Brief announcement: Stateless distributed algorithms for generalized packing linear programs

We develop a framework of distributed and stateless solutions for implicitly given packing linear programs, which are solved by multiple agents operating in a cooperative but uncoordinated manner. This is motivated by multi-commodity flow problems where flows can be split along possibly exponentially many paths.Compared to explicitly given packing LPs, the main challenge here lies in the exponentially (or even infinitely) many variables handled by a single agent. An efficient algorithm thus must identify a few "good" variables to update. Using a notion similar to the shortest-path-first-flow-decomposition, our algorithm discovers polynomially many variables to update in each iteration. We prove that after polynomially many rounds, the discovered variables support a near-optimal solution to the given packing LP.
Raleigh-Cary: Best Metro For Women Entrepreneurs?

This paper is an account of an undergraduate student’s research attempt to verify best place claims for women starting a business. It includes obstacles and challenges faced in developing a strategy for completing the research work. Willingness to change paths led to selecting and interviewing 22 women entrepreneurs and demonstrates how being flexible in decision-making can lead to successful outcomes. Findings show consistency with important location factors identified by other studies and also indentified factors that were not found in supporting literature. Conclusions provide explanations for the top criteria identified by the interviewees.
1-(Ethoxymethyl)-6-(phenylselenenyl)pyrimidines with activity against human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2

The reaction of chloromethyl ethyl ether with bis(trimethylsilyl)uracil derivatives yield 1-(ethoxymethyl)pyrimidines 1 a-d in good yield. Lithiation of 1 a-d with lithium diisopropylamide at -78°C, followed by reaction with diphenyl diselenide as an electrophile, gave 1-(ethoxymethyl)-6-(phenylselenenyl)uracils 2a-d in 70-80% yield. The 6-phenylselenenyl acyclic pyrimidines 2b and 2d exhibited selective in vitro activity against HIV-1 and HIV-2 in primary human lymphocytes
Liver glycogen in potassium-deficient rats following carbohydrate and alanine administration, with and without potassium.

SummaryChanges in liver glycogen, water and potassium were compared in normal and potassium-deficient rats following administration of glucose, fructose and alpha-alanine, with and without potassium. Potassium-deficient rats deposited liver glycogen equally as well as normal rats. The simultaneous increases in liver water and potassium were likewise similar in the 2 groups of animals. No significant differences in changes in liver glycogen, water or potassium were noted with simultaneous administration of potassium.
Alpha-blockers and congestive heart failure: Early termination of an arm of the ALLHAT trial

The Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT) is a large, randomized double-blind study comparing four antihypertensive agents (chlorthalidone, doxazosin, amlodipine, and lisinopril) in hypertensive patients older than 55 years. The doxazosin arm was terminated early, when the trial's safety and monitoring board noted a twofold higher incidence of congestive heart failure in patients receiving doxazosin than in those receiving chlorthalidone (8.13% vs 4.45% at 4 years, P < .001).
Research on the Evaluation Index System of Effective Teaching of Physical Education

The effective physical education refers to the teaching conducted by the teaching according to the rules of teaching process to successfully arouse,stimulate,maintain and facilitate the learning of the students so as to achieve the desired teaching effect.It is of great implication to set up the evaluation index system of effective physical education in the middle school.After analyzing the basic connotation and idea of the effective physical education,this research established the evaluation index system of effective physical education including 4 one class index,14 two index and 44 three index by applying the Delphi method and going through 3 rounds of questionnaire survey for experts,and determined the weights for the effective physical education evaluation index system by adopting the hierarchy analysis method.After the above,the concrete meaning of each index and the way of obtaining information was illustrated.
The aging skin.

In the past, sun exposure has been an integral part of the American life style. Along with increased leisure time, outdoor recreational sports, and sun bathing has come greater exposure to the sun. The cumulative effects of unprotected sun exposure coupled with the changes in the ozone layer have resulted in a large photodamaged population and an epidemic of the most dangerous skin cancer, malignant melanoma. Photodamage begins early, with a child's first unprotected sun exposure. Clinical studies show that 50% of an individual's ultraviolet light exposure occurs before the age of 18 years. This damage from acute and chronic ultraviolet light exposure has produced the explosion of skin cancers. Over the next 4 years, it is expected that skin cancer will become the most common type of cancer, and malignant melanoma will become the leading cause of death from skin cancer. This growing hazard to the public has profound medical and psychological ramifications. This paper will focus on prevention, identification, evaluation and treatment of photodamage to skin, as well as skin cancer. Special emphasis will be given to the National Skin Cancer Prevention Education Program.
Adaptive Clustering for Internet of Battery-Less Things

Enabled by energy harvesting technology, Internet of Battery-less Things (IoBTs) have been attracting increasing attention, as lifetime and battery capacity throttle the performance of Internet of Things (IoTs). Due to the dynamism of ambient energy generation, it is non-trivial for IoBT nodes to work collaboratively and deliver information in high throughput. In this paper, we propose a novel adaptive clustering framework for IoBT systems, combining optimal Cluster Head (CH) selection and Lexicographic Rate Assignment. Using the remaining energy level of each IoBT node as the energy budget, the proposed framework assigns a lexicographic optimal rate vector that enables each node to fully utilize the scavenged energy and achieve high transmission rate. For each possible CH candidate, the proposed clustering framework evaluates the throughput it can provide, and then select the one with the highest rate as the CH node to optimize the performance of the cluster. Real world energy harvesting profile is used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed framework achieves higher throughput when compared with the existing strategies and is robust to the varying ambient energy.
A Paradigm Shift in Healthcare: An Open Door for Organizational Behavior Management

ABSTRACTThe United States spends more money on healthcare each year than any other country in the world (OECD, 2015). Despite high costs, the quality of healthcare is below average, resulting in a society that is far from “getting what it pays for.” High costs and poor quality have resulted in a recent paradigm shift from traditional fee-for-service systems where hospitals and providers were paid by volume of patients to value-based care, to where they are now paid by quality of care (Andel, Davidow, Hollander, & Moreno, 2012). This shift has pressured organizations to improve quality of care at a rapid pace. This paper seeks to assess how Organizational Behavior Management has helped address the quality of healthcare thus far and discuss avenues for future research and practice.
Defect classification of laser metal deposition using logistic regression and artificial neural networks for pattern recognition

Detecting laser metal deposition (LMD) defects is a key element of evaluating the probability of failure of the produced part. Acoustic emission (AE) is an effective technique in LMD defect detection. This work presents a systematic experimental investigation of using AE technique for detecting and classifying different defects in LMD. The defects generated during LMD simulate AE sources on deposited material while the AE sensor was mounted on the substrate to capture AE signals. An experiment was conducted to investigate the ability of AE to detect and identify defects generated during LMD using a logistic regression (LM) model and an artificial neural network (ANN). AE features, such as peak amplitude, rise time, duration, energy, and number of counts along with statistical features were extracted and analyzed. Additionally, frequency analysis using fast Fourier transformation was conducted on the AE signal. The results show that AE has considerable potential in LMD monitoring for assessing the overall deposition quality and identifying defects that can significantly reduce the strength and reliability of deposited material, and consequently, increase the risk of a component’s failure.
Is there a connection between campaign contributions and legislative commitment? An empirical analysis on the cosponsorship activity of the 2007 Tree Act

Abstract In this paper, we study whether interest groups use campaign contributions to influence legislative voting behavior in terms of bill cosponsorship. In particular, we look into the signature on the TREE (Timber Revitalization and Economic Enhancement) Act of 2007, which is the only major forestry act in the 2007–2008 Congress. We find evidence that suggests interest groups are using campaign contribution to influence bill cosponsorship as well as election results. Further, forestry interest groups do pay key committee (the Ways and Means Committee) members up front.
Initial Value Problems

This chapter discusses the basic problems for solutions of initial value problems: existence and uniqueness, continuation, and dependence on parameters and initial conditions.
Serum albumin at 1 year predicts long-term renal outcome in lupus nephritis.

Objectives The study aimed to determine if serum albumin at 12 months predicts long-term renal outcome at 48 months. Data from the NYU SAMPLE (Specimen and Matched Phenotype Linked Evaluation) Lupus Registry were used to compare the performance of albumin, anti-double-stranded DNA, C3/C4, proteinuria and haematuria. Methods 82 patients with SLE with data at time of renal biopsy, at 12 months and at a second visit, and up to 48 months were included. The significance of each biomarker as a predictor of an adverse renal outcome (ARO), defined as doubling of serum creatinine, as creatinine >4 mg/dL if initial >2.5 mg/dL or ESRD, was evaluated in univariate and exploratory multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Hazard ratios (HRs) for ARO with 95% CIs were generated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves at 48 months were used to identify the optimal cut-off point for albumin and proteinuria to predict ARO. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for albumin and proteinuria. Results Serum albumin and proteinuria had statistically significant HRs for ARO (0.140 and 1.459, respectively). The model with both albumin and proteinuria indicated no additional independent contribution of proteinuria to albumin alone. The ROC curves identified cut-offs of 3.7 g/dL for albumin and 0.964 urine protein to creatinine ratio for proteinuria. Albumin had a sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 87%, PPV of 64% and NPV of 98%. Conclusions This study demonstrates serum albumin >3.7 g/dL is a predictor of a favourable long-term renal outcome. These results support the inclusion of albumin as an outcome in lupus nephritis trials and treat-to-target guidelines.
The Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator: A Case Study Illustrating Physical Therapy Implications and Management in the Inpatient Setting

Background and Purpose Sudden cardiac death causes an estimated 200,000 to 450,000 deaths per year in the USA. Although permanent implantation of an internal cardiac defibrillator offers a preventive intervention, the required assessment period for determining need creates vulnerability for patients who will benefit from this protection. The use of a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) for interim protection is rapidly increasing. There are no rehabilitation guidelines for patients wearing a WCD. This article reviews the WCD's purpose, considers implications and current challenges for use during rehabilitation, and illustrates this with a case report. Case Description A 51-year-old male with coronary artery disease following prolonged hospitalization was fitted with a WCD during evaluation for an internal cardiac defibrillator. During inpatient rehabilitation, the therapy plan required unique considerations because of the presence of the WCD. Outcomes Recapitulating the patient's rehabilitation course illustrates the WCD's challenges, the benefits to exercise progression, and the safety measures used. The patient gained functional independence, with uninterrupted care, in the presence of the WCD. Discussion Knowledgeable clinicians, attention to safety, and sufficient patient/caregiver education are essential for uninterrupted and successful rehabilitative care for WCD-wearing patients. Because of increasing clinical prevalence of WCDs in rehabilitation, it is critically important to share clinical experience and eventually conduct a systematic assessment.
Assessment of Risk of Xerostomia After Whole-Brain Radiation Therapy and Association With Parotid Dose.

Importance Whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) delivers a substantial radiation dose to the parotid glands, but the parotid glands are not delineated for avoidance and xerostomia has never been reported as an adverse effect. Minimizing the toxic effects in patients receiving palliative treatments, such as WBRT, is crucial. Objective To assess whether xerostomia is a toxic effect of WBRT. Design, Setting, and Participants This observational cohort study enrolled patients from November 2, 2015, to March 20, 2018, at 1 academic center (University of North Carolina Hospitals) and 2 affiliated community hospitals (High Point Regional Hospital and University of North Carolina Rex Hospital). Adult patients (n = 100) receiving WBRT for the treatment or prophylaxis of brain metastases were enrolled. Patients who had substantial baseline xerostomia or did not complete WBRT or at least 1 postbaseline questionnaire were prospectively excluded from analysis and follow-up. Patients received 3-dimensional WBRT using opposed lateral fields covering the skull and the C1 or C2 vertebra. Per standard practice, the parotid glands were not prospectively delineated. Main Outcomes and Measures Patients completed the University of Michigan Xerostomia Questionnaire and a 4-point bother score at baseline, immediately after WBRT, at 1 month, at 3 months, and at 6 months. The primary end point was the 1-month xerostomia score, with a hypothesized worsening score of 10 points from baseline. Results Of the 100 patients enrolled, 73 (73%) were eligible for analysis and 55 (55%) were evaluable at 1 month. The 73 patients included 43 women (59%) and 30 men (41%) with a median (range) age of 61 (23-88) years. The median volume of parotid receiving at least 20 Gy (V20Gy) was 47%. The mean xerostomia score was 7 points at baseline and was statistically significantly higher at each assessment period, including 21 points immediately after WBRT (95% CI, 16-26;P Conclusions and Relevance Clinically significant xerostomia occurred by the end of WBRT, appeared to be persistent, and appeared to be associated with parotid dose. The findings from this study suggest that the parotid glands should be delineated for avoidance to minimize these toxic effects in patients who undergo WBRT and often do not survive long enough for salivary recovery.
Automated Activation of Multiple Targets in RTL Models using Concolic Testing

Simulation is widely used for validation of Register-Transfer-Level (RTL) models. While simulating with millions of random (or constrained-random) tests can cover majority of the targets (functional scenarios), the number of remaining targets can still be huge (hundreds or thousands) in case of today’s industrial designs. Prior work on directed test generation using concolic testing can cover only one target at a time. A naive extension of prior work to activate the remaining targets would be infeasible due to wasted effort in multiple overlapping searches. In this paper, we propose an automated test generation technique for activating multiple targets in RTL models using concolic testing. This paper makes three important contributions. First, it efficiently prunes the targets that can be covered by the tests generated for activating the other targets. Next, it minimizes the overlapping searches while trying to generate tests for activating multiple targets. Finally, our approach effectively utilizes clustering of related targets as well as common path sharing between the targets in the same cluster to drastically reduce the test generation time. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach significantly outperforms the existing methods in terms of overall coverage (up to 5X, 1.2X on average) as well as test generation time (up to 146X, 80X on average).
Raman spectra of atmospheric particles measured in Maryland, USA over 22.5 h using an automated aerosol Raman spectrometer

Abstract Raman spectroscopy can be used to determine the vibrational frequencies of materials and from these the chemical compositions. Raman microspectroscopy (RMS) can help in understanding the chemistry of atmospheric and other aerosols. This paper describes the use of an automated Aerosol Raman Spectrometer (ARS) from Battelle to collect approximately 100,000 RS in 15-min intervals over 22.5 h in Maryland, USA. Approximately 9000 of these RS have intensities exceeding the thresholds used in this analysis. This paper describes and illustrates processing techniques used for the RS, including detection and removal of RS exhibiting charring, and estimation and removal of fluorescence and other broad features. RS exhibiting the D and G bands of soots and other black carbons (labeled DG Carbon or DGC), are especially common in the data, probably because the particles are charged to increase the collection efficiency of small particles; the Raman cross sections of DGC are large; and the sampling location is near major roads. RS consistent with calcium oxalate hydrates (C2O4)Ca·(1 + x)H2O where x = 0 (whewellite) and x = 1 (weddellite) are observed. RS with the ν(C O) frequency intermediate between the x = 0 and 1 extremes are also observed, possibly suggesting calcium oxalates with x between 0 and 1, or mixed oxalates including other metals, e.g., Fe or Mg. Other materials consistent with the measured RS are calcite, dolomite, gypsum, anhydrite, quartz, orthoclase, jadeite or muscovite, biological materials, and iron oxides. The measured RS data set and code to process these are provided.
Magnesium isotope analysis of olivine and pyroxene by SIMS: Evaluation of matrix effects

Abstract The performance of multi-collector secondary ion mass spectrometry (MC-SIMS) for Mg isotope ratio analysis was evaluated using 17 olivine and 5 pyroxene reference materials (RMs). The Mg isotope composition of these RMs was accurately and precisely determined by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), and these measured isotope ratios were used to evaluate SIMS instrumental mass bias as a function of the forsterite (Fo) content of olivine. The magnitude of the Mg isotope matrix effects were ~3‰ in δ25Mg, and are a complex function of olivine Fo content, that ranged from Fo59.3 to Fo100. In addition to these Mg isotope matrix effects, Si+ ion yields and Mg+/Si+ ion ratios varied as a complex function of the Fo content of the olivine RMs. For example, Si+ ion yields varied by ~33%. Based on the observations, we propose instrumental bias correction procedures for SIMS Mg isotope analysis of olivine using a combination of Mg+/Si+ ratios and Fo content of olivine. Using this correction method, the accuracy of δ25Mg analyses is 0.3‰, except for analysis of olivine with Fo86–88 where instrumental biases and Mg+/Si+ ratios change dramatically with Fo content, making it more difficult to assess the accuracy of Mg isotope ratio measurements by SIMS over this narrow range of Fo content. Five pyroxene RMs (3 orthopyroxenes and 2 clinopyroxenes) show smaller ranges of instrumental bias (~1.4‰ in δ25Mg) as compared to the olivine RMs. The instrumental bias for the 3 orthopyroxene RMs do not define a linear relationship with respect to enstatite (En) content, that ranged from En85.5–96.3. The clinopyroxene RMs have similar En and wollastonite (Wo) contents but have δ25Mg values that differ by 0.5‰ relative to their δ25Mg values determined by MC-ICP-MS. These results indicate that additional factors (e.g., minor element abundances) likely contribute to SIMS instrumental mass fractionation. In order to better correct for these SIMS matrix effects, additional pyroxene RMs with various chemical compositions and known Mg isotope ratios are needed.
Growth Accelerations and Reversals in Emerging Market and Developing Economies: External Conditions and Domestic Amplifiers

We investigate how country-specific external demand, external financial conditions, and terms of trade affect medium-term growth in emerging market and developing economies and the occurrence of growth accelerations and reversals. We find that the importance of country-specific external conditions for medium-term growth has increased over time, with external financial conditions accounting for one-third of the increase in average income per capita growth between 1995 and 2004 and 2005–14. Stronger external demand and financial conditions significantly increase the probability of growth accelerations, while a strengthening of any of the three conditions significantly decreases the probability of reversals. Certain domestic policies and structural attributes, including exchange rate flexibility, trade integration, and strong institutional frameworks, can significantly amplify or mitigate the effect that shifts in those external conditions have on growth patterns in emerging market and developing economies.
Improving data accessibility: New strategies towards implementation of a genomic data portal.

159Background: It is now standard practice to utilize genomic profiling as a mechanism to navigate cancer patients to more effective therapies and clinical trials. Despite routine use, there is no ...
Using QALYs versus DALYs to measure cost-effectiveness: How much does it matter?

OBJECTIVES Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) are commonly used in cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) to measure health benefits. We sought to quantify and explain differences between QALY- and DALY-based cost-effectiveness ratios, and explore whether using one versus the other would materially affect conclusions about an intervention's cost-effectiveness. METHODS We identified CEAs using both QALYs and DALYs from the Tufts Medical Center CEA Registry and Global Health CEA Registry, with a supplemental search to ensure comprehensive literature coverage. We calculated absolute and relative differences between the QALY- and DALY-based ratios, and compared ratios to common benchmarks (e.g., 1× gross domestic product per capita). We converted reported costs into US dollars. RESULTS Among eleven published CEAs reporting both QALYs and DALYs, seven focused on pharmaceuticals and infectious disease, and five were conducted in high-income countries. Four studies concluded that the intervention was "dominant" (cost-saving). Among the QALY- and DALY-based ratios reported from the remaining seven studies, absolute differences ranged from approximately $2 to $15,000 per unit of benefit, and relative differences from 6-120 percent, but most differences were modest in comparison with the ratio value itself. The values assigned to utility and disability weights explained most observed differences. In comparison with cost-effectiveness thresholds, conclusions were consistent regardless of the ratio type in ten of eleven cases. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that although QALY- and DALY-based ratios for the same intervention can differ, differences tend to be modest and do not materially affect comparisons to common cost-effectiveness thresholds.
The set of nonsquares in a number field is diophantine

Fix a number field $k$. We prove that $k^\times - k^{\times 2}$ is diophantine over $k$. This is deduced from a theorem that for a nonconstant separable polynomial $P(x) \in k[x]$, there are at most finitely many $a \in k^\times$ modulo squares such that there is a Brauer-Manin obstruction to the Hasse principle for the conic bundle $X$ given by $y^2 - az^2 = P(x)$.
Metaanalysis Reveals Genetic Correlates of Osteoporosis Pathogenesis.

Objective Osteoporosis is a growing healthcare burden. By identifying osteoporosis-promoting genetic variations, we can spotlight targets for new pharmacologic therapies that will improve patient outcomes. In this metaanalysis, we analyzed mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) biomarkers in patients with osteoporosis. Methods We employed our Search Tag Analyze Resource for the Gene Expression Omnibus (STARGEO) platform to conduct a metaanalysis to define osteoporosis pathogenesis. We compared 15 osteoporotic and 14 healthy control MSC samples. We then analyzed the genetic signature in Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Results The top canonical pathways identified that were statistically significant included the serine peptidase inhibitor kazal type 1 pancreatic cancer pathway, calcium signaling, pancreatic adenocarcinoma signaling, axonal guidance signaling, and glutamate receptor signaling. Upstream regulators involved in this disease process included ESR1, dexamethasone, CTNNβ1, CREB1, and ERBB2. Conclusion Although there has been extensive research looking at the genetic basis for inflammatory arthritis, very little literature currently exists that has identified genetic pathways contributing to osteoporosis. Our study has identified several important genes involved in osteoporosis pathogenesis including ESR1, CTNNβ1, CREB1, and ERBB2. ESR1 has been shown to have numerous polymorphisms, which may play a prominent role in osteoporosis. The Wnt pathway, which includes the CTNNβ1 gene identified in our study, plays a prominent role in bone mass regulation. Wnt pathway polymorphisms can increase susceptibility to osteoporosis. Our analysis also suggests a potential mechanism for ERBB2 in osteoporosis through Semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D). Our metaanalysis identifies several genes and pathways that can be targeted to develop new anabolic drugs for osteoporosis treatment.
Is Thermography a Possible New Method to Evaluate Body Temperature in Fresh Cows

The period comprising one month postpartum represents the highest risk of disease occurrence in dairy cows. In freestall systems in general, cows are housed in post-fresh pens after calving where intense health surveillance has been recognized as a major determinant of cow performance during the subsequent lactation. Rectal body temperature (RT) and appetite are the most important indicators of health status, but their assessment is sometimes neglected due to time constraints, yielding poor compliance with health surveillance protocols. Thermography has largely shown the capability to accurately and quickly evaluate body temperature in other species such as humans, and widespread usage of this technology has made affordable and manageable thermographic units more available. With the advantage of a rapid measurement, the objective of the study is to evaluate whether thermography can be comparable to RT as a diagnostic test to identify cows over an established RT threshold.
Performance analysis of FDDI

A simulation model using CSIM has been developed to study the performance of the fiber distributed data interface (FDDI). The MAC (medium access control) protocol simulated conforms to the proposed ANSI standard (ASC X3T9.5). The model is used to assess the influence of operating target token rotation time on the FDDI ring performance and the performance of varying ring configurations. The simulation results are presented. >
IMPLEMENTASI PROGRAM KOMPUTASI ALGORITMA KESEIMBANGAN LINTASAN PERAKITAN

Assembly line balancing problem (ALBP) is well known to perform an optimize line balance efficiency as a result of assigning a series of work elements under certain restrictions. Work elements, cycle time, process time for each work element, and number of predecessors are some of important inputs needed to generate the problem. In a real system, these data can always be changed. In some case, these data can also be extensive. Manual computation is not recommended to solve the problem. In addition to the length of time required, manual computation is often inaccurate. This paper implements special computing programs to solve simple line balancing problem (SLBP) faster and more accurate. Three common used of line balancing algorithms such as Computer Method for Sequencing Operations for Assembly Lines (COMSOAL), task with Least Number of Predecessors (TLNP), and Largest Candidate (LC) are programmed using three different tools, VBA Excel 2007, Visual Basic (VB) database 6.0, and Visual Studio 2008 C++. The programs will be able to read a maximum of 50 work elements and a maximum of 5 predecessors for each work element inputted by users. The results will be the optimum number of work stations, work elements assigned for each station, and line balance efficiency.
Multipion Bound States and a σ Meson

The possible existence of multipion nonrelativistic bound states is examined with variational principles. It is found that of two likely candidates (the $\ensuremath{\eta}$ meson, and a possible $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ meson with $I=J=0$ and even parity), only the $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ can be a bound state of 4 pions. If the $\ensuremath{\eta}$ were bound, there would unavoidably be a three-pion bound state with the quantum numbers of the $\ensuremath{\omega}$ and mass $l3{m}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}$. The four-pion channel couples to the two-pion channel, which turns the $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ into a resonance. The multichannel problem is investigated with an $\frac{N}{D}$ method, which yields an estimate of the width of the $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ resonance. A theorem of Blankenbecler is used to dispose of the difficulties of anomalous thresholds. Crude calculations show that the physical $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ should lie above the four-pion threshold.
Interactional Competence and the Development of Alignment Activity

Based on qualitative analysis of conversational interactions collected over the course of a Spanish language learner's academic year abroad, this article explores the development of interactional resources related to alignment activity in the learner's conversational participation. Alignment activity refers to the means interlocutors use to demonstrate their intersubjectivity. Alignment moves such as assessments, collaborative contributions, and collaborative completions index shared understanding, the ability to adopt the other's point of view, and the ability to speak in the other's voice. Analysis of the learner's alignment activity over the course of the year abroad reveals changes in participation that allowed the learner to play a more active role in the co-construction of communication as her time abroad progressed. The findings in this study contribute to the operationalization of the concept of interactional competence (IC) and to our understanding of its development over time. This study proposes the inclusion of alignment activity as another important grouping of interactional resources relevant to models of IC (He & Young, ; Young, , ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]