cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reinforcement Mechanism Design for Electric Vehicle Demand Response in Microgrid Charging Stations

Reinforcement learning has become an important scheduling solution with many successes in markets with dynamic pricing options, e.g., electric vehicle charging in a deregulated electricity market. However, the highly-uncertain requests and partially-unknown individual preferences remain major challenges to effective demand responses in the user-centric environment. For charging stations who aim to maximize the long-term revenue in this fast-growing market, an accurate estimate of user’s sensitivity, or acceptance, of the prices they offered to the potential customers is the key to the success of dynamic pricing. While most existing pricing schemes assume users will consistently follow stable patterns that are observable or inferrable by the charging service provider, it remains crucial to consider how users may be influenced by historic prices they have observed and react strategically to decide optimal charging demands that can maximize their utilities. To overcome this limitation, this paper presents a new framework based on reinforcement mechanism design to determine the optimal charging price in a mechanism design setting, which can optimize the long-term revenue of charging stations as well as the social welfare of users with private utility functions. Specifically, the strategic interaction between the station and users is modelled as a discrete finite Markov decision process, a Q-learning-based dynamic pricing mechanism is proposed to explore how price affects users’ demands over a sequence of time. The experiments demonstrate that our pricing mechanism outperforms the predetermined time-of-use pricing in maximizing the long-term revenue of the charging station.
Design of Insulation System in High-Frequency Auxiliary Power Supply for Medium Voltage Applications

The auxiliary power supply (APS) for medium voltage (MV) SiC based converter systems requires to achieve high insulation capability, low common-mode coupling capacitance (C cm ) in a very compact form-factor. However, these features are difficult to realize at the same time. To achieve a low C cm value and small size, a high frequency GaN based APS system with single-turn transformer operating at Megahertz is presented. Eight different insulation system designs with different electric-field (E-field) stress control methods are presented with either air or silicone as the insulation materials. 3D E-field shielding, as one important stress-control technique, is introduced. Each design approach is evaluated based on the insulation capability, manufacturability and C cm . Considering the fabrication process and overall performance, two designs using air and silicones as insulation materials are selected and evaluated by experiments. The partial-discharge inception voltage (PDIV) level for the air-insulation solution reach 6 kV AC with 1.2 pF coupling capacitance. The silicones-insulation solution reaches up to 16 kV PDIV level with 3.9 pF coupling capacitance.
Depth Map Restoration Method based on Improved Bilateral Filtering for Integral Imaging

In order to use a depth camera to simplify the acquisition process of integral imaging, this paper proposes a depth map restoration algorithm combining pixel filling and improved joint bilateral filtering(DIJBF). The depth image collected by the depth camera has the problems of background noise and holes in the foreground and background of the object. Firstly, the background filling method or the neighborhood value filling method is adopted to complete the preliminary restoration of the large edge void area according to the situation, and then combined with the improved joint bilateral filtering algorithm that adds the depth image depth value similarity factor to optimize the secondary restoration of the preliminary restoration depth map. After the depth image is restored and optimized, the contour of the three-dimensional object is clear and the edge is smooth. Combined with the color image, a high-quality elemental image array can be subsequently generated for the integral imaging display system.
Prospective estimation of the age of initiation of hookah use among youth: Findings from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study waves 1–4 (2013–2017)

Abstract Objective This study reports the prospectively estimated age of initiation of susceptibility to, ever, past 30-day, and fairly regular hookah use. Design Secondary data analyses of the first four waves (2013–2017) of the PATH study, a nationally representative longitudinal cohort study of US youth (ages 12–17). Methods Youth who were never hookah users at their first wave of participation were identified (n = 16,678; N = 31,136,834). Four outcomes were analyzed, age of first report of: (i) susceptibility to use, (ii) ever use, (iii) past 30-day use, and (iv) fairly regular hookah use. The age of hookah initiation of each outcome was estimated. Weighted interval censoring survival analyses and Cox regression models were conducted to estimate the age of initiation of each hookah use outcome, and to estimate differences in age of initiation by sex and by race, respectively. Results Around 11% of youth were classified as susceptible to hookah use by 13 years of age, 8% reported initiating ever hookah use by age 17, almost 10% reported initiating past 30-day hookah use by age 19, and 3% reported initiating fairly regular hookah use by age 20. Females and Hispanics were at higher risk of becoming susceptible to and ever hookah use at earlier ages compared to males and Non-Hispanic White youth. Conclusion Education, communication campaigns, and proven culturally targeted tobacco interventions that reach youth at ages before they first become susceptible or start using hookah use are needed to prevent the onset of hookah use among vulnerable youth.
Overview of IP Migration Models

Globalization, along with increased digitalization, often leads to the need for business restructurings of multinationals, in particular with regard to consolidation of the group’s intangibles for a number of reasons. Connected with this need, different questions arise from a business perspective as well as from a tax perspective. This chapter will outline the various aspects of an IP migration from different angles and highlight typical IP migration models seen in practice. Further, the history and recent developments on an international level with regard to the competition between tax systems for IP will be outlined as well as typical limitations and drawbacks.
Antimycin A, a piscicidal antibiotic.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses one of the oldest antifungal antibiotics, that is, Antimycin A. Antimycin is extremely and quite specifically toxic to fishes. Following laboratory studies, trials of antimycin were made in hard-, soft-, warm-, and cold-water lakes and streams. The results demonstrate that antimycin is effective in small quantities against fishes; irreversibly toxic to fishes once a dose-threshold is reached; nonrepellent to fishes; relatively harmless in fish-killing concentrations to other aquatic animals and to aquatic plants; nonpersistent in the aquatic environment; subject to natural degradation within hours to days in natural waters; and subject to detoxification by potassium permanganate. High pH and low temperature affect the performance of antimycin against fishes. Antimycin has been used operationally as a general piscicide by fishery managers in the United States and Canada with good results, and the use is increasing as advantages of the compound become more widely known.
Reform options for pay-as-you-go public pension systems

Public pension schemes in many countries are predominantly of a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) type, particularly in advanced and transition economies. This paper reviews the types of stresses that PAYG systems can experience and discusses a range of policy options to preserve the financial stability of public PAYG systems. Section 1 introduces the basic policy levers of a stylized PAYG system. Section 2 discusses the key short- and long-run financial challenges faced by PAYG systems. Section 3 covers parametric adjustments in the basic PAYG policy levers as well as administrative reforms. Section 4 describes broader reform strategies for maintaining financial equilibrium in a PAYG system including the option of partial funding.
Locally Computable Structures

We introduce the notion of a locally computable structure, a natural way of generalizing the notions of computable model theory to uncountable structures ${\mathcal{S}}$ by presenting the finitely generated substructures of $\S$ effectively. Our discussion emphasizes definitions and examples, but does prove two significant results. First, our notion of m-extensional local computability of ${\mathcal{S}}$ ensures that the Σ n -theory of ${\mathcal{S}}$ will be Σ n for all n≤ m+ 1. Second, our notion of perfect local computability is equivalent (for countable structures) to the classic definition of computable presentability.
Enhanced visibility of colonic neoplasms using formulaic ratio imaging of native fluorescence.

Background and Objectives Colonoscopy is the preferred method for colon cancer screening, but can miss polyps and flat neoplasms with low color contrast. The objective was to develop a new autofluorescence method that improves image contrast of colonic neoplasms.
Hilbert-Samuel polynomials for the contravariant extension functor

Let (R,m) be a local ring, and let M and N be finite R-modules. In this paper we give a formula for the degree of the polynomial giving the lengths of the modules Ext i R (M,N/m nN). A number of corollaries are given, and more general filtrations are also considered.
Longitudinal instability of an induction linac with acceleration

The question arises as to what effect acceleration, which so far has been ignored, has on the longitudinal instability of an induction linac. The answer is not much for the anticipated acceleration rate (1-2 MeV/m) and minimum e-folding distance for the instability (50-500 meters). However, the total unstable growth is significantly reduced over distances which are long enough for appreciable acceleration to occur. The purpose of this work is to give a calculation for the instability, including a constant acceleration rate. Some interesting features emerge-for example, the velocity of the head is a more convenient independent variable than axial position and for an initially sinusoidal perturbation of the velocity in time, the number of oscillations along the pulse is constant; as the pulse shortens in time the frequency increases. >
Parallel/Distributed Computing on Clusters of High Performance Risc Workstations

Shared—memory vector multiprocessors (VMP) and parallel extensions to FORTRAN offer the most common hardware/software solution to the problem of reducing the elapsed time in large scale computations on numerical grids. Topical kernels in such computations are nested DO—loops in which the outer iterations can be distributed to multiple processors while inner iterations can be dealt with by pipelined vector hardware. An additional level of parallelism can be introduced by grouping VMPs in clusters and by extending FORTRAN to allow a single application to exploit multiple (distributed memory) computers.
Optimization of the Antimicrobial Effect of Blue Light on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) In Vitro

Background and Objective In previous studies, we showed that irradiation with 405 nm or 470 nm light suppresses up to 92% methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) growth in vitro and that the remaining bacteria re-colonize. In this study, the aim was to develop a protocol that yields 100% MRSA growth suppression. Materials and Methods We cultured 3 × 106 and 5 × 106 CFU/ml USA300 strain of MRSA and then irradiated each plate with varying fluences of 1–60 J/cm2 of 405 nm or 470 nm light, either once or twice at 6 hours intervals. Next, we plated 7 × 106 CFU/ml and irradiated it with 45, 50, 55, or 60 J/cm2 fluence, once, twice, or thrice at the same 6 hours intervals. In a third experiment, the same culture density was irradiated with 0, 165, 180, 220, or 240 J/cm2, either once, twice, or thrice. Results Irradiation with either wavelength significantly reduced the bacterial colonies regardless of bacterial density (P < 0.05). At 3 × 106 CFU/ml density, nearly 40% and 50% growth of MRSA were suppressed with as little as 3 J/cm2 of 405 nm and 470 nm wavelengths, respectively. Moreover, 100% of the colonies were suppressed with a single exposure to 55 or 60 J/cm2 of 470 nm light or double treatment with 50, 55, or 60 J/cm2 of 405 nm wavelength. At 5 × 106 CFU/ml density, irradiating twice with 50, 55, or 60 J/cm2 of either wavelength suppressed bacterial growth completely, lower fluences did not. The denser 7 × 106 CFU/ml culture required higher doses to achieve 100% suppression, either one shot with 220 J/cm2 of 470 nm light or two shots of the same dose using 405 nm. Conclusion The bactericidal effect of blue light can be optimized to yield 100% bacterial growth suppression, but with relatively high fluences for dense bacterial cultures, such as 7 × 106 CFU/ml. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:266–272, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Releasing SU-8 structures using polystyrene as a sacrificial material

Abstract We have successfully developed a new method to release SU-8 structures with polystyrene as a sacrificial material. Toluene is initially used to dissolve solid polystyrene, and the resulting solution is employed to spin coat a sacrificial polystyrene layer onto a glass plate prior to SU-8 deposition. Toluene is used again at the end of the process to sacrificially etch the polystyrene layer to release the cured SU-8 structures. Toluene has no effect on the cured SU-8, even with significant over-etch times, and the dissolution and etch rates are relatively fast. Using this method, we have successfully released SU-8 membranes of an area of 50 cm 2 .
Teaching Desktop Publishing at a Business College Lessons from One Experience

Establishing a course in desktop publishing at the college level is an enterprise that requires important and sometimes difficult choices, such as selecting hardware and software, textbooks, and types of assignments. For faculty members who are involved in making those decisions, the need for information from people who have had experience in teaching desktop publishing is critical. Experience shows that a sound course in this area can be created with these elements: IBM-compatible computers, color monitors, mice, a scanner, one or two laser printers, Aldus PageMaker®, CorelDRAW™, Microsoft® Windows™, Harvard Graphics®, a couple of good textbooks, both practice and original projects, and an emphasis on principles of good design.
Improved WLP and GWP lower bounds based on exact integer programming

Abstract By using exact integer programming (IP) (integer programming in infinite precision) bounds on the word-length patterns (WLPs) and generalized word-length patterns (GWPs) for fractional factorial designs are improved. In the literature, bounds on WLPs are formulated as linear programming (LP) problems. Although the solutions to such problems must be integral, the optimization is performed without the integrality constraints. Two examples of this approach are bounds on the number of words of length four for resolution IV regular designs, and a lower bound for the GWP of two-level orthogonal arrays. We reformulate these optimization problems as IP problems with additional valid constraints in the literature and improve the bounds in many cases. We compare the improved bound to the enumeration results in the literature to find many cases for which our bounds are achieved. By using the constraints in our integer programs we prove that f ( 16 λ , 2 , 4 ) ⩽ 9 if λ is odd where f ( 2 t λ , 2 , t ) is the maximum n for which an OA ( N , n , 2 , t ) exists. We also present a theorem for constructing GMA OA ( N , N / 2 - u , 2 , 3 ) for u = 1 , … , 5 .
Radar imaging from a distorted array: The radio camera algorithm and experiments

High angular resolution radar imaging may be achieved with a large-aperture antenna even if the aperture is distorted, provided that adaptive signal processing compensates for the distortion. The radio camera is an instrument designed for this purpose. Its algorithm for imaging ground-based targets is described and experimental results are given for a 3 cm wavelength demonstration system using a distorted 27-m random sparse array. The measured beamwidth of 1 mrad conformed to theory, confirming the validity of the technique. Extension of the algorithm to accommodate isolated targets such as aircraft and ships also is discussed.
Digital Orientation for New Students: Hiding the Tech Behind the Fun...

An IT-attended move-in experience offers the opportunity not only to provide technical assistance, but also to introduce every new student to the services and resources provided by IT. Arming students with this knowledge lays the groundwork for a rich and positive academic computing experience. However, it is difficult to pique interest with talk of academic technology, device configuration and digital security. Applying game-based learning can make engaging with academic tools, setting up a computer, and learning the campus IT rules more interesting and maybe even fun. Moreover, existing tools can be used in new ways to efficiently accelerate IT outcomes. Examples include using a survey to gather statistics about incoming client devices, creating a virtual hunt for the Helpdesk in Google Maps Engine, and using a "what you and your roommate(s) are bringing to campus" Google Document to show the power of collaborative editing. Organized in an LMS like Moodle with badges and incentives, these disparate elements become a social organism that encourages participation, educates incoming students, and offsets the week one IT rush. With the ever growing technological needs of college campuses and the comparative shortage of IT time, perhaps drawing from learning paradigms like game theory can help up maximize what time we do have.
An algorithm to control chaotic behavior in one-dimensional maps☆

Abstract An algorithm is proposed whereby any chaotic transformation τ (i.e., one merely possessing a dense orbit) can be modified slightly to τ★ in order to attain a desired target probability density function f★. The algorithm can be used in practical examples such as controlling the long term population distribution of a species whose dynamics is described by a point transformation.
Packaging communication: attentional effects of product imagery

This article provides a theoretical framework for understanding the communicative effects of product imagery on attention to the brand, specifically, the attentional effects of incorporating a picture or illustration of the product on the packaging of the product. Empirical results from a virtual reality simulation show that package pictures increase shoppers’ attention to the brand. However this effect is contingent, occurring only for low familiarity brands (private‐label brands) within product categories that offer a relatively high level of experiential benefits. These results suggest that package pictures may be especially useful for private label brands and/or lesser tier national brands whose strategic objectives are to improve consumers’ perceptions of the brand and enter the consideration set.
Tyrosine nitration of PA700 links proteasome activation to endothelial dysfunction in mouse models with cardiovascular risk factors.

Oxidative stress is believed to cause endothelial dysfunction, an early event and a hallmark in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. However, the targets for oxidative stress-mediated endothelial dysfunction in CVD have not been completely elucidated. Here we report that 26S proteasome activation by peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is a common pathway for endothelial dysfunction in mouse models of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Endothelial function, assayed by acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation, was impaired in parallel with significantly increased 26S proteasome activity in aortic homogenates from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type I diabetic mice, angiotensin-infused hypertensive mice, and high fat-diets -fed LDL receptor knockout (LDLr−/−) mice. The elevated 26S proteasome activities were accompanied by ONOO−-mediated PA700/S10B nitration and increased 26S proteasome assembly and caused accelerated degradation of molecules (such as GTPCH I and thioredoxin) essential to endothelial homeostasis. Pharmacological (administration of MG132) or genetic inhibition (siRNA knockdown of PA700/S10B) of the 26S proteasome blocked the degradation of the vascular protective molecules and ablated endothelial dysfunction induced by diabetes, hypertension, and western diet feeding. Taken together, these results suggest that 26S proteasome activation by ONOO−-induced PA700/S10B tyrosine nitration is a common route for endothelial dysfunction seen in mouse models of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.
A new result on Chva´tal's conjecture

Abstract Let I be an ideal in 2[n] which is compressed with respect to a given element. We show that among the largest intersecting families of I there is always a star, as conjectured by Chvatal. As an easy corollary we obtain a result of Schonheim. We also show that if an ideal I has a basis B1,…, Bq such that the Bi can be partitioned into two 1-stars, then I satisfies Chvatal's conjecture.
Characterization of Boron-Doped Diamond Epitaxial Films

Boron-doped diamond epitaxial films were characterized on the dependence of boron concentration by an optical microscope, reflection high-energy electron diffraction, secondary ion mass spectrometry, Hall effect measurement and metal contacts. These films were grown on synthesized single-crystal diamonds(100) by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using H2, CH4 and B2H6 at a CH4 concentration of CH4/H2=6% and at doping gas ratios of B2H6/CH4=0.83 ppm, 8.3 ppm, and 167 ppm. They were all epitaxially grown and had smooth surfaces. Hall effect measurements were performed in the temperature range of 300 K to 773 K. They indicated that there existed acceptorlike centers other than boron in the films synthesized in the vapor phase. Fermi degeneracy was found to occur at a boron concentration of 3×1020 cm-3. Schottky diodes were fabricated using Al for Schottky contacts and Ti for ohmic contacts. Rectifying properties were degraded at high boron concentration.
Mesoscopic simulation of adsorption of peptides in a hydrophobic chromatography system.

Mesoscopic simulations using Langevin dipoles on a lattice for the solvent and calculated partial charges for the solute have been used to estimate free energies of adsorption from data on reversed-phase chromatography on nine protected peptides covering a wide range of structures. There is a single parameter, the effective solvent dipole moment, that is fit to data for one peptide and used to predict properties of the other eight peptides. Good agreement of adsorption chemical potentials, including order of chromatographic retention times, is found for calculations that are Boltzmann-averaged over a set of orientations. In addition, the results suggest that there are preferential orientations for each peptide at the model hydrophobic chromatographic surface. Estimation methods for adsorption based on molecular descriptors and hydrophobicity scales are shown to be unreliable for these systems. With refinements and extensions, this simulation method should be applicable to solvents containing salt, such as...
The testis-determining gene, SRY , exists in multiple copies in Old World rodents

SRY is a unique gene on the Y chromosome in most mammalian species including the laboratory mouse, Mus musculus, and the closely related European wild mouse species M. spicilegus, M. macedonicus, and M. spretus. In contrast, SRY is present in 2-6 copies in the more distantly related Asian mouse species M. caroli, M. cervicolor, and M. cookii and in 2-13 copies in the related murid species Pyromys saxicola, Coelomys pahari, Nannomys minutoides, Mastomys natalensis, and Rattus norvegicus. Copy numbers do not correlate with known phylogenetic relationships suggesting that SRY has undergone a rapid and complex evolution in these species. SRY was recently proposed as a molecular probe for phylogenetic inferences. The presence of multiple SRY genes in a wide range of murid species and genera, and at least one cricetid species, necessitates caution in the use of SRY for phylogenetic studies in the Rodentia unless it is ascertained that multiple SRY genes do not exist.
Isolation and characterization of granules from the kidney of the bivalveMercenaria mercenaria

Intracellular and extracellular granules are found in most bivalve kidneys. We examined the composition of kidney granules from the infaunal bivalveMercenaria mercenaria (L.) collected in 1985 from Cataumet Bay, Bourne, and Waquoit Bay, Falmouth, Massachusetts, USA. Small granules are numerically dominant, but large granules dominate the samples on the basis of weight. Large granules (estimated diam. >15 μm) are composed primarily of metals (28% by weight) with Mn (8%), Ca (8%), Zn (4%) and Fe (4%) as the major contributors. Non-metal elements (P, C, H, N, S) together constituted 21% of the granule dry weight, though organic content (0.02% protein, 0.3% carbohydrate and 0.5% lipid) was low. Small kidney granules (≤10 μm diam.) and digestive gland granules fromM. mercenaria had significantly higher C, H, and N contents than larger kidney granules. Our results, taken together with those from other bivalve species, suggest that kidney granule formation and subsequent increase in size is a continuous process of lysosomal maturation, residual body release and extracellular accumulation of predominately inorganic elements.
AFRO-CHRISTIAN SYNCRETISM IN THE KINGDOM OF KONGO

This article examines the way in which Christianity and Kongo religion merged to produce a syncretic result. After showing that the Kongo church grew up under the supervision and direction of Kongo authorities rather than missionaries, it will track how local educational systems and linguistic transformations accommodated the differences between the two religious traditions. In Kongo, many activities associated with the traditional religion were attacked as witchcraft without assigning any part of the traditional religion to this category. It also addresses how Kongo religious thinkers sidestepped questions of the fate of the dead and the virginity of Mary when harmonizing them would be too difficult.
N-person Nim andn-person Moore's Games

We present one way of definingn-person perfect information games so that there is a reasonable outcome for every game. In particular, the theory of Nim and Moore's games is generalized ton-person games.
Using two palpable measurements improves the subject-specific femoral modeling

Abstract Subject-specific musculoskeletal models are essential to biomedical research and clinical applications, such as customized joint replacement, computer-aided surgical planning, gait analysis and automated segmentation. Generating these models from CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is time and resource intensive, requiring special skills. Therefore, in many studies individual bone models are approximated by scaling a generic template. Thus, the primary goal of this study was to determine a set of clinically available parameters (palpable measures and demographic data) that could improve the prediction of femoral dimensions, as compared to predicting these variables using uniform scaling based on palpable length. Similar to previous non-homogenous anthropometric scaling methods, the non-homogenous scaling method proposed in this study improved the prediction over uniform scaling of five key femoral measures. Homogenous scaling forces all dimensions of an object to be scaled equally, whereas non-homogenous scaling allows the dimensions to be scaled independently. The largest improvement was in femoral depth, where the coefficient of determination ( r 2 ) improved from 0.22 (homogenous) to 0.60 (non-homogeneous). In general, the major advantage of this non-homogenous scaling method is its ability to support the accurate and rapid generation of subject-specific femoral models since all parameters can be collected clinically, without imaging or invasive methods.
Photodissociation and collision-induced dissociation of molecular ions from methylphenol and chloromethylphenol

The photodissociation of molecular ions from a series of methylphenols and chloromethylphenols was studied using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTMS). The photodissociation spectra contain both UV and visible absorption maxima. The positions of these bands correlate well with solution electronic absorption spectra and photoelectron spectra, respectively, suggesting that photodissociating populations of the molecular ions have not rearranged. The molecular ion of benzyl alcohol can be readily distinguished from the isomeric 2- and 4-methylphenol ions on the basis of the position and intensity of the photodissociation bands, and the identity of the photoproduct. The p-chlorophenol isomers, 4-chloro-2-methylphenol and 4-chloro-3-methylphenol, cannot be distinguished by their photodissociation spectra. Minor differences exist between these spectra and that of the o-chlorophenol isomer 2-chloro-5-methylphenol, suggesting that the relative positions of the chloro and hydroxy groups may have a greater effect on photodissociation than the position of the methyl group. For comparison, low-energy collision-induced dissociation using FTMS was also performed on the same ions.
Signals for death and survival: A two-step mechanism for cavitation in the vertebrate embryo

Conversion of a solid primordium to a hollow tube of cells is a morphogenetic process used frequently during vertebrate embryogenesis. In the early mouse embryo, this process of cavitation transforms the solid embryonic ectoderm into a columnar epithelium surrounding a cavity. Using both established cell lines and normal embryos, we provide evidence that cavitation in the early mouse embryo is the result of the interplay of two signals, one from an outer layer of endoderm cells that acts over short distances to create a cavity by inducing apoptosis of the inner ectodermal cells, and the other a rescue signal mediated by contact with the basement membrane that is required for the survival of the columnar cells that line the cavity. This simple model provides a paradigm for investigating tube morphogenesis in diverse developmental settings.
Facies and facies architecture of Paleogene floodplain deposits, Willwood Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, USA

Abstract Paleogene deposits of the Willwood Formation were analyzed in two areas of the Bighorn Basin to provide a better understanding of the facies and facies arrangement of floodplain deposits and the various processes that influence floodplain construction and facies variability. Despite similar facies and facies organization, floodplain deposits in the two areas differ in grain size, hydromorphy and maturity of the paleosols, and scale and organization of ribbon sandstones in the avulsion deposits. These differences appear to be controlled by basin position of the study areas and differences in avulsion between the areas. Two kinds of cumulative floodplain paleosols, red and purple paleosols, formed on overbank deposits. The red paleosols were better drained and formed on less clay-rich parent material. Intense mottling and iron-oxide nodules indicate that the purple paleosols, which formed on more clay-rich parent material, were poorly drained. The grain size differences reflect basin position, in particular, distance from a local sediment source. Avulsion deposits are volumetrically important, comprising about half of the floodplain deposits in both areas. The avulsion deposits resemble the Stage III splays described by Smith et al. (1989) [Smith, N.D., Cross, IA., Dufficy, J.P., Clough, S.R., 1989. Anatomy of an avulsion. Sedimentology 36, 1–24.] in terms of characteristics of their ribbon sandstones and the presence of thin, sheet sandstones or siltstones. Paleosols that formed on the fine-grained facies show morphologic differences interpreted as developmental differences and attributed to differing rates of avulsion in the two study areas. This study shows that avulsion-belt paleosols provide a key to understanding avulsion rate in the stratigraphic record. Other differences between the Willwood avulsion deposits in the two areas, and between these ancient deposits and the modern avulsion deposits described by Smith et al. may reflect: (1) problems in clearly recognizing ancient avulsion deposits in the field, and (2) sampling bias resulting from the areally restricted view provided by the stratigraphic record of an areally extensive modern depositional feature. At the same time, because exposures are three-dimensional, the Willwood strata reveal aspects of the facies and facies arrangement of avulsion belts not readily observed in the modern ones.
Acute treatment outcomes in patients with bipolar I disorder and co‐morbid borderline personality disorder receiving medication and psychotherapy

Objective: Patients suffering from both bipolar I disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD) pose unique treatment challenges. The purpose of this matched case–control study was to compare acute treatment outcomes of a sample of patients who met standardized diagnostic criteria for both bipolar I disorder and BPD (n = 12) to those who met criteria for bipolar I disorder only (n = 58). Method: Subjects meeting criteria for an acute affective episode were treated with a combination of algorithm-driven pharmacotherapy and weekly psychotherapy until stabilization (defined as four consecutive weeks with a calculated average of the 17-item version of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Bech-Rafaelsen Mania scale totaling ≤7). Results: Only three of 12 (25%) bipolar-BPD patients achieved stabilization, compared with 43 of 58 (74%) bipolar-only patients. Two of the three bipolar-BPD patients who did stabilize took over 95 weeks to do so, compared with a median time-to-stabilization of 35 weeks in the bipolar-only group. The bipolar-BPD group received significantly more atypical mood-stabilizing medications per year than the bipolar-only group (Z = 4.3, p < 0.0001). Dropout rates in the comorbid group were high. Conclusions: This quasi-experimental study suggests that treatment course may be longer in patients suffering from both bipolar I disorder and BPD. Some patients improved substantially with pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, suggesting that this approach is worthy of further investigation.
Production of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapeutics under Defined Xeno-free Conditions: Progress and Challenges

Recent advances on human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have brought us closer to the realization of their clinical potential. Nonetheless, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications will require the generation of hPSC products well beyond the laboratory scale. This also mandates the production of hPSC therapeutics in fully-defined, xeno-free systems and in a reproducible manner. Toward this goal, we summarize current developments in defined media free of animal-derived components for hPSC culture. Bioinspired and synthetic extracellular matrices for the attachment, growth and differentiation of hPSCs are also reviewed. Given that most progress in xeno-free medium and substrate development has been demonstrated in two-dimensional rather than three dimensional culture systems, translation from the former to the latter poses unique difficulties. These challenges are discussed in the context of cultivation platforms of hPSCs as aggregates, on microcarriers or after encapsulation in biocompatible scaffolds.
Hydroxyapatite motility implants in ocular prosthetics

For the past 5 years, an increasing number of ophthalmologists have been using hydroxyapatite (HA) motility implants after uncomplicated enucleation or evisceration of the eye. Unlike previous implant materials, HA promotes fibrovascular ingrowth and seemingly true integration of the motility implant to the residual ocular structures. As a result, a more stable defect and greater movement of the overlying prosthesis is produced. In addition, the problems of long-term orbital implant migration and the vexing postenucleation socket syndrome are thought to be minimized. This article briefly reviews the history and development of orbital implants and HA implant surgical and prosthetic procedures. It is concluded that HA implant rehabilitation is indicated after most uncomplicated enucleations or eviscerations where there is small likelihood of complication.
Method Development for the Determination of Diacetyl and Acetoin at a Microwave Popcorn Plant

Separate sampling and analytical methods for the determination of diacetyl and acetoin have been developed to assess workplace exposures at a popcorn processing facility have been described. Diacetyl (NMAM 2557) is efficiently recovered from an Anasorb CMS sampler tube when the composition of methanol in the desorption solvent is 1%, and acetoin (NMAM 2558) is efficiently recovered when the concentration of methanol is increased to 5%. Desorption efficiencies for diacetyl and acetoin were acceptable, 89.9% (RSD = 0.018) and 94.9% (RSD = 0.019), respectively. Recoveries for nonanone, methyl ethyl ketone, and ethyl acetate were not optimized because they were present in very low concentrations in the popcorn processing facility and not considered to be major occupational health hazards. Samples were collected on Anasorb CMS solid sorbent tubes. All analytes were separated using a 30-m Stabilwax-DA fused silica capillary column, followed by analysis using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. T...
Community issues in gastroesophageal reflux disease: what we know and what we do not know

GERD is one of the most common disorders seen by physicians. Despite its wide prevalence, the impact of this disorder on patients and the community remains unclear. A more precise understanding of the impact of GERD on the community will require vigorous studies to determine if aggressive diagnosis and therapy improve clinical outcomes and decrease the cost of the disease to the community. In addition, the issue of screening and surveillance endoscopy for patients with long-standing GERD or Barrett's esophagus must be evaluated in terms of the ability to decrease esophageal cancer mortality and costs. Comparisons with similar diseases, such as asthma and breast cancer, may provide clues to the answers to these questions but are not a substitute for rigorous clinical trials.
Point-of-Sale: A Review of Home Blood Glucose Meters:

Objective: To provide pharmacy technicians with a review of selected home blood glucose meters, enabling them to be more effective in aiding patients at the point-of-sale. Data Source: Primary literature and review articles were identified by searching MEDLINE (1950-September 2010) and Google Scholar, using the key terms glucometers, glucose meters, home glucose meters, blood glucose meters, blood glucose monitoring, and self-monitoring of blood glucose. Additional articles were identified from the bibliographies of obtained literature. User manuals were obtained from the manufacturers' Web sites to determine specific characteristics for each blood glucose meter. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Reviewed literature was restricted to English-language articles. Blood glucose meter reviews have mostly compared standard meter functions. Eleven meters were selected for review and identified as currently marketed by their manufacturers and commonly sold in community pharmacies. Data Synthesis: Eleven home blood glucose meters, by Abbott, Bayer, LifeScan, and Roche, were selected for review. The selected meters have a wide range of features. They are mostly differentiated by meter size and shape, blood sample size, second blood drop allowed, coding, memory capacity, and advanced features that allow patients to customize the settings. Conclusions: There is a variety of home blood glucose meters on the market. When aiding patients with blood glucose meter selection, the best meter should include all of the features that address their monitoring needs.
Pain-related laser-evoked potentials in awake monkeys: identification of components, behavioral correlates and drug effects

Abstract Cutaneous stimulation with CO 2 laser pulses activates small diameter sensory afferents and evokes a pain-related potential best recorded from the vertex (Cz) of humans. We report here the first successful recording of pain-related laser evoked potentials (LEPs) from awake monkeys. Laser pulses with stimulus intensities adjusted to the lowest level giving reproducible cerebral responses were delivered to the shaved tail of three awake African green monkeys. The proximal and distal tail were stimulated to calculate the conduction velocity of the activated fibers. The effects of subcutaneous injections of morphine and cocaine on the LEPs were evaluated. The results indicate that reproducible LEPs, with a morphology similar to those obtained from humans, can be recorded from the awake monkey. The calculated conduction velocity of the activated fibers averaged 8.7 m/s, which is in the range of A δ fibers. Following subcutaneous morphine injections, the LEPs disappeared and were quickly restored to their baseline amplitude following administration of naloxone. Cocaine administered subcutaneously led to a significant attenuation of LEP amplitudes without producing behavioral sedation. These findings suggest that the LEPs recorded from monkeys represent analgesic-sensitive, nociceptive-related potentials similar to those recorded from humans.
Shave Biopsy Is a Safe and Accurate Method for the Initial Evaluation of Melanoma

Background Shave biopsy of cutaneous lesions is simple, efficient, and commonly used clinically. However, this technique has been criticized for its potential to hamper accurate diagnosis and microstaging of melanoma, thereby complicating treatment decision-making. Study Design We retrospectively analyzed a consecutive series of patients referred to the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center or to the Moffitt Cancer Center for treatment of primary cutaneous melanoma, initially diagnosed on shave biopsy to have Breslow depth Results Six hundred patients undergoing shave biopsy were diagnosed with melanoma from extremity (42%), trunk (37%), and head or neck (21%). Mean (± SEM) Breslow thickness was 0.73 ± 0.02 mm; 6.2% of lesions were ulcerated. At the time of wide excision, residual melanoma was found in 133 (22%), resulting in T-stage upstaging for 18 patients (3%). Recommendations for additional wide excision or sentinel lymph node biopsy changed in 12 of 600 (2%) and 8 of 600 patients (1.3%), respectively. Locoregional recurrence occurred in 10 (1.7%) patients and distant recurrence in 4 (0.7%) patients. Conclusions These data challenge the surgical dogma that full-thickness excisional biopsy of suspicious cutaneous lesions is the only method that can lead to accurate diagnosis. Data obtained on shave biopsy of melanoma are reliable and accurate in the overwhelming majority of cases (97%). The use of shave biopsy does not complicate or compromise management of the overwhelming majority of patients with malignant melanoma.
Plasma Hypertensinase in Experimental Renal Hypertension

A lowered plasma hypertensinase cannot be implicated as an essential factor in either acute or chronic renal hypertension in the dog. No uniform or persistent change occurs in the enzyme. However, marked fluctuations out of the normal range do occur in many, but not all, animals. Prolonged decreases are most frequent in acute hypertension and elevations in chronic hypertension. A modification of Dexter's method for the determination of plasma hypertensinase is described.
Montmorillonite polymer concrete: zero-shrinkage and expanding polymer concrete with enhanced strength

Conventional polymer concrete (PC) suffers from setting stresses, generated during the cure of the resin binder, when polymerization shrinkage is hindered by the close packing of filler and aggregate particles. Setting stresses impair significantly the strength of the cured PC. Current zero-shrinkage and expanding PC formulations achieve these properties with a sacrifice in strength. Here we present a novel method for producing zero-shrinkage and expanding PC systems with concomitant enhancement in strength. This is achieved by dispersing small amounts of the mineral montmorillonite (MMT) into the resin. As the system cures, the resin interacts with the hydrated mineral: at temperatures above 100°C some of the hydration water is released, creating expansion forces, which counteract resin shrinkage. MMT contents of 0.2 percent or less give rise to zero-shrinkage polyester PC systems with flexural strength 30 percent greater than the corresponding conventional PC; higher MMT contents create PC systems that expand upon curing or generate hydrostatic pressure during constant-volume cure. We discuss the effects of MMT content and cure temperature on the volume change and strength of the resulting PC. We then propose a mechanism for the action of MMT as a highstrength expansion agent, based on differential scanning calorimetry and thermomechanical analysis of these systems.
Spinal cord compression in breast cancer

Myelography was performed on 78 patients with breast cancer who had signs or symptoms compatible with spinal cord compression. Of 42 patients (54%) with extradural defects, 21 (50%) had a complete block. All patients with positive myelograms (M+) had a positive bone scan and 41 of 42 (97%) had positive skeletal x-rays. Except for paraplegia, paraparesis, or a sensory level abnormality, signs and symptoms were usually not precise enough to accurately predict patients with cord lesions; however, back pain, paresthesias, and bladder or bowel dysfunction were significantly more common in M+ patients. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein was elevated in almost all M+ patients but also in approximately half of the M- group. Cytology and glucose analysis of CSF were not of value in predicting cord involvement. Response to treatment was better for patients with fewer sites of metastatic disease and a shorter time from diagnosis to treatment. There was no notable difference in survival between M+ and M- patients. Myelography remains the most precise tool for diagnosing spinal cord lesions. Unfortunately, the prognosis of patients with metastatic breast cancer is poor regardless of whether spinal cord compression is present.
Gender Harassment and Negative Mental Health: What Labor Unions Can Do To Help Union Women

Few studies on sexual harassment and mental health have examined the stress-buffering question for union women. Our study examined the moderating effect of two perceptual moderators—perceived union tolerance for sexual harassment and perceived union support—as they relate to harassment and mental health with the intent of identifying conditions under which the toxicity of harassment is reduced. Our conceptualization of social support as a coping resource in conjunction with interpersonal support as a preferred coping strategy was used to explain reduced toxicity under conditions of low perceived union tolerance for harassment and high perceived union support in a sample of 150 women from multiple unions. Implications for future research and union policy and practice on harassment are discussed.