cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The mass-to-charge ratio scale

Increases in the capacity for accurately measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of specific gas-phase ions justify the reconsideration and standard definition of the gas-phase mass-to-charge ratio scale and the clearly denned connection of that scale to condensed phases. We propose that the chemical mass standard for solids and the gas phase be based upon the mass of carbon-12 buckminsterfulierene ((12)C60). The mass-to-charge ratio scale in the gas phase would be based upon the mass of gas-phase (12)C60, the mass of the electron, and the electron charge in atomic units. As mass measurement accuracy improves, corrections to this mass-to-charge ratio standard are anticipated for the vaporization energy of the 12C60 molecule and its ionization potential or electron affinity. We propose that the positive ion scale be set by the mass-to-charge ratio of (12)C 60 (+) as (+)719.9994514±0.0000004 u per electron charge. We propose that the negative ion mass scale be set by the mass-to-charge ratio of (12)C 60 (-) as (-)720.0005484±0.0000004 u per electron charge.
Forecasting for the Small Retail Business

Often small business owners/managers feel they haveinadequate time for formal forecasting and/or that they lack the expertise to do so. Since forecasting is an important decision‐aiding tool, managers in small retail establishments can benefit by implementing a simple forecasting process. Doing so will enable them to better anticipate the firms future level of sales and lead to more successful operations. We suggest the use of relatively simple quantitative methods that have proven to work well in a wide variety of situations. Exponential smoothing, basic regression methods, and time series decomposition can be employed with relative ease in the context of a small retail business. Inexpensive computers and forecasting software make it possible for small retailers to utilize these forecasting methods in a cost effective and timely fashion.
Interview with Geneva Smitherman

The following interview was conducted over email by H. Samy Alim in July 2012. The text reflects our style-shifting between multiple ways of speaking and writing. Some editing of the original exchanges was done in preparing the interview for publication. The quotations from Barack Obama’s speeches represent our own transcription of the original speeches. Geneva Smitherman dedicates this interview to revolutionary linguist, the late Dr. Neville Alexander, her long-time friend and comrade in the struggle for language rights.
Mathematical Foundations for Modeling and Simulation

A tractable scientific basis is needed for M&S modeling, specification, abstraction, refinement, composition, and decomposition. While the component composition, abstraction, and refinement work of others will provide valuable insights, M&S fundamentals for physical systems must be applicable to the lowest level of knowledge about those systems. Starting with objects, components, or systems (such as the approaches from the software engineering and systems engineering literature) is too high a level. In addition, none of the published theory addresses the situational requirements issues of M&S in conjunction with the fundamental composition, abstraction, and refinement issues. As a result, M&S development, integration, and evolution are often ad hoc, based on ambiguous specifications. Additional theoretical and practical work is needed to support M&S. This paper provides an overview description of several fundamental M&S issues and outlines a recommended M&S foundations research agenda to address these issues.
Systemic but Not Local Infections Elicit Immunosuppressive IL-10 Production by Natural Killer Cells

Surviving infection represents a balance between the proinflammatory responses needed to eliminate the pathogen, and anti-inflammatory signals limiting damage to the host. IL-10 is a potent immunosuppressive cytokine whose impact is determined by the timing and localization of release. We show that NK cells rapidly express IL-10 during acute infection with diverse rapidly disseminating pathogens. The proinflammatory cytokine IL-12 was necessary and sufficient for NK cell induction of IL-10. NK cells from mice with systemic parasitic infection inhibited dendritic cell release of IL-12 in an IL-10-dependent manner, and NK cell depletion resulted in elevated serum IL-12. These data suggest an innate, negative feedback loop in which IL-12 limits its own production by eliciting IL-10 from NK cells. In contrast to disseminating pathogens, locally restricted infections did not elicit NK cell IL-10. Thus systemic infections uniquely engage NK cells in an IL-10-mediated immunoregulatory circuit that functions to alleviate inflammation.
Anatomical Investigations of the Pallidotegmental Pathway in Monkey and Man

The targets of internal pallidal efferents have attracted considerable attention given the central role proposed for the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi) in models of normal and pathological movement.1–3 The previous emphasis of these models on basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuitry, has left pathways between the GPi and the midbrain tegmentum largely unexplored. In the primate, the size and functional import of pallidofugal projections upon the mesopontine tegmentum are nonetheless likely to be significant. A majority of neurons in the primate GPi contribute to this pathway via collateralization from pallidothalamic fibers,4–6 and its terminl zone has been described as “extensive”7. Experimental and pathophysiological observations implicate the mesopontine tegmental region in receipt of basal ganglia output as important in modulating normal and pathological movement. Electrical stimulation and micro infusions of substance-P or NMDA8 into the mesopontine tegmentum in decerebrate subprimate preparations elicit treadmill locomotion, while GABAergic pathways play an inhibitory role8, 9 (i. e. the “mesencephalic locomotor region” (MLR).10–12 In awake behaving subprimates, cytotoxic lesions including, but not restricted to, midbrain tegmental/basal ganglia circuitry produce incomplete hindlimb extension, bradykinesia and dyscoordination.13 Depending on the locus and the electrical or pharamacological stimulus parameters applied, motor effects ranging from decreased “postural support” to increased spontaneous motor activity have also been reported.14–21 Enhanced utilization of 2-deoxyglucose in the mesopontine tegmentum in primate models of Parkinsons disease (PD)22 suggests that excessive pallidotegmental inhibition might contribute to hypokinesia, while decreased utilization in a model of hemiballismus23 suggests that disinhibition of the mesopontine tegmentum might contribute to hyperkinetic disorders.
Gastrointestinal growth factors and neoplasia

Gastrointestinal (GI) hormones are chemical messengers that have been recognized for over a century as regulatory factors for normal physiologic functions in the GI tract and pancreas, including absorption, secretion, motility, and digestion. These hormones traditionally act in a true endocrine fashion with release from a distant site to regulate physiologic functions of specific target organs. In general, GI hormones bind to their G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to produce their endocrine effects. In addition to effects on physiologic functions of the GI tract and pancreas, selected GI hormones can act in an endocrine, paracrine, and/or autocrine fashion to stimulate the proliferation of normal and neoplastic GI tissues as well as non-GI tissues. This review will focus on effects of GI hormones on neoplastic tissues concentrating on the hormones that have been best characterized for these effects.
Occupational Complexity and Cognitive Reserve in a Middle-Aged Cohort at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

Higher occupational attainment has previously been associated with increased Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology when individuals are matched for cognitive function, indicating occupation could provide cognitive reserve. We examined whether occupational complexity (OCC) associates with decreased hippocampal volume and increased whole-brain atrophy given comparable cognitive function in middle-aged adults at risk for AD. Participants (n = 323) underwent structural MRI, cognitive evaluation, and work history assessment. Three complexity ratings (work with data, people, and things) were obtained, averaged across up to 3 reported jobs, weighted by years per job, and summed to create a composite OCC rating. Greater OCC was associated with decreased hippocampal volume and increased whole-brain atrophy when matched for cognitive function; results remained substantively unchanged after adjusting for several demographic, AD risk, vascular, mental health, and socioeconomic characteristics. These findings suggest that, in people at risk for AD, OCC may confer resilience to the adverse effects of neuropathology on cognition.
Inventory Record Inaccuracy: An Empirical Analysis

Traditional inventory models, with a few exceptions, do not account for the existence of inventory record inaccuracy (IRI), and those that do treat IRI as random. This study explores IRI observed both within and across product categories and retail stores. Examining nearly 370,000 inventory records from 37 stores of one retailer, we find 65% to be inaccurate. We characterize the distribution of IRI and show, using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), that 26.4% of the total variance in IRI lies between product categories and that 2.7% lies between stores. We identify several factors that mitigate record inaccuracy, such as inventory auditing practices, and several factors that exacerbate record inaccuracy, such as the complexity of the store environment and the distribution structure. Collectively, these covariates explain 67.6% and 69.0% of the variance in IRI across stores and product categories, respectively. Our findings underscore the need to design processes to reduce the occurrence of IRI and highlight factors that can be incorporated into inventory planning tools developed to account for its presence.
Multiscale modeling of matrix cracking coupled with interfacial debonding in random glass fiber composites based on volume elements

A multiscale numerical approach is established to model damage in random glass fiber composites. A representative volume element of a random glass fiber composite is employed to analyze microscale damage mechanisms, such as matrix cracking and fiber-matrix interfacial debonding, while the associated damage variables are defined and applied in a mesoscale stiffness reduction law. The macroscopic response of the homogenized mesoscale damage model is investigated using finite element analysis and validated through experiments. A case study of a random glass fiber composite plate containing a central hole subjected to tensile loading is performed to illustrate the applicability of the multiscale damage model.
Estrategias de resistencia indígena frente al desarrollo minero. La comunidad de Likantatay ante un posible traslado forzoso

This article reviews the complex scenario confronted by the indigenous community of Likantatay in the face of the consequences of a mining development project and the potential forced resettlement that this project would imply for the community. The article provides an analysis of the strategies of indigenous resistance that are present or potentially present among the community and the discourses and ideological strategies elaborated by the mining corporation to advance the interests of capital. The latter analysis is framed in a theoretical discussion which identifies two underlying ethical systems which confront each other: the corporation’s ethics (utilitarian) vs. the community’s ethics (deontological).
Recent strategies for the treatment of multi-drug resistance in cancer cells

The multi-drug resistance (MDR) phenotype is defined as a cross-resistance to a wide range of structurally and mechanistically diverse anticancer agents. The emergence of the MDR phenotype in tumours seriously affects the outcome of cancer chemotherapy, and thus the development of strategies to overcome MDR in cancer cells becomes essential and of current demand. This review focuses on patents published in 1996 - 1997 detailing MDR modulators and alternative approaches to the treatment of MDR tumours.
Challenges and Opportunities to Identifying and Controlling the International Spread of Salmonella

Foodborne illnesses result from dynamic interactions among agents, hosts, and the environments in which these interactions take place. In our quest to understand the biology behind these interactions and the ultimate outcome manifesting as disease, we dissect the genomes of these agents to identify the determinants of virulence and antimicrobial resistance. In addition, because agents such as Salmonella are living creatures that adapt to challenges in their environment, we use changes in their genomes to map the evolution and dissemination of clonal groups from within a broader population. When favorable environmental conditions and the availability of hosts align, the spread of a novel or particularly pathogenic clonal group may be recognized through public health surveillance. When recognized repeatedly over time or across multiple surveillance systems, this adapted agent may be defined as an emerging pathogen, leading to public health interventions to attempt to control its further spread. In the current issue of the Journal, Weill and colleagues have examined national Salmonella surveillance systems from France, England and Wales, Denmark, and the United States to document just such an emergence of a pathogenic, multidrug-resistant clonal group of Salmonella Kentucky that displays a high-level resistance to ciprofloxacin [1]. Their analysis of the epidemiology of reported cases and the molecular biology of the isolated strains allows them to make a compelling argument that this clone originated in Egypt during the 1990s and subsequently spread across
What Is Improvement Science? Do We Need It in Education?

The theory and tools of “improvement science” have produced performance improvements in many organizational sectors. This essay describes improvement science and explores its potential and challenges within education. Potential contributions include attention to the knowledge-building and motivational systems within schools, strategies for learning from variations in practice, and focus on improvement (rather than on program adoption). Two examples of improvement science in education are examined: the Community College Pathways Networked Improvement Community and lesson study in Japan. To support improvement science use, we need to recognize the different affordances of experimental and improvement science, the varied types of knowledge that can be generalized, the value of practical measurement, and the feasibility of learning across boundaries.
Improving students’ self-evaluation of learning for key concepts in textbook materials

Why do students have difficulties judging the correctness of information they recall (e.g., definitions of key concepts in textbooks), and how can students improve their judgement accuracy? To answer these questions, we had college students read six expository passages, each including four key terms with definitions. After reading a text, each key term was presented, and participants (a) attempted to recall the corresponding definition and (b) self-scored the correctness of the response (incorrect, partially correct, or entirely correct). Participants were overconfident, with inflated judgements for responses that were objectively incorrect. When participants could inspect correct definitions while judging their responses, judgement accuracy improved. Counterintuitively, however, some overconfidence remained. We discuss implications of these results for theory, education, and the two questions posed above.
A STUDY OF PRIORITY COGNIZANCE IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION FOR FIRM REAL TIME DATABASE SYSTEMS

Real-Time Database Systems (RTDBSs)must meet time constraints in addition to the integrity constraints present in most other database systems. From the late 1980s a significant amount of research work has been performed on the design and performance evaluation of Concurrency Control Mechanisms (CCMs) for RTDBSs [5, 4,7, 8, 11]. Given the spate of papers on (firm) real-time CCMs of the late 80s and early 90s, there appears to have been a reduction in the number of papers in recent years. More recent works (e.g., [6]) study non-traditional real-time scenarios. We have not been able to discover papers reporting significant performance gains from CC strategies designed for traditional firm RTDBS in the past few years. One plausible explanation is that performance gains are harder to achieve. One way in which higher performances can potentially be reached is by utilizing priority information in conflict-resolution. Indeed, the authors of [5] ask the question “How can the priorities be used to improve the performance of the optimistic algorithm?”.
Development of intestinal mucin 2, IgA, and polymeric Ig receptor expressions in broiler chickens and Pekin ducks

Intestinal mucin 2 (MUC2), a major gel-forming mucin, represents a primary barrier component of mucus layers and a target site for secretory IgA. Polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR) expressed on the basolateral surface of epithelium is used to transport polymeric IgA from the lamina propria into luminal mucins to establish the first lines of intestinal defense. To determine the spatio-temporal expression of MUC2, IgA, and pIgR in broiler chickens and Pekin ducks, intestinal tissues (n=6/age) were dissected from late embryonic days up to 21 d posthatch. In the intestinal tissues, MUC2 was expressed with a rapid increase at hatching, followed by steady expression through 21 d posthatch both in chickens and ducks. IgA expression was low during the first week following hatching for both species. From the second week posthatch, IgA was rapidly expressed in the chickens, arriving at steady expression in the third week after hatching. However, in ducks, IgA expression during the 2 to 3 wk posthatch period was relatively slow. The expression of pIgR was greatly increased after hatching for both species, but its expression in ducks was relatively delayed. In addition, intestinal pIgR expression was highly correlated with MUC2 and IgA expressions in chickens but just moderately correlated in ducks. The relatively slow and late expression of IgA and pIgR as well as their moderate correlation may or may not account for the susceptibility of ducklings to mucosal pathogens at a young age.
Disulfide bond-stabilized factor VIII has prolonged factor VIIIa activity and improved potency in whole blood clotting assays.

Summary. Background: Genetically engineered disulfide bonds in B-domain-deleted factor (F) VIII variants (C662-C1828 FVIII and C664-C1826 FVIII) improve FVIIIa stability by blocking A2 domain dissociation because the new disulfide covalently links the A2 and A3 domains in FVIIIa. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the hypothesis that these variants have physiologically relevant properties because of prolonged thrombin generation and improved clot formation in whole blood. Methods: Clot-formation properties in whole blood were measured in thromboelastogram assays. The thrombin generation capabilities of the wild-type (WT) FVIII and FVIII variants were determined, and half-lives of FVIIIa variants were determined in fresh whole blood serum. Results: Thromboelastogram assays were performed with fresh, severe hemophilia whole blood reconstituted with variant and WT FVIII. The two disulfide bond-stabilized FVIII variants and WT FVIII had comparable clotting times at all studied concentrations. However, when compared with WT FVIII at low concentrations, the two FVIII variants required only 10% as much FVIII to achieve comparable clot-formation rates, clot-formation times and clot firmness values. The differences between WT and FVIII variants were quite pronounced at low FVIII concentrations. Measurement of the endogenous thrombin potential in FVIII-deficient plasma supplemented with these FVIII variants confirmed that the disulfide bond-stabilized variants supported high levels of thrombin generation at lower concentrations than did WT FVIII. During the course of clot generation in whole blood, the disulfide bond-stabilized FVIIIa variants had approximately 5-fold increased half-lives relative to WT FVIIIa. Conclusion: C662-C1828 FVIII and C664-C1826 FVIII have physiologically relevant superior clot-forming properties in a whole blood environment, most likely due to the increased half-life of these FVIIIa variants in whole blood.
Evolution of Thermal Dosimetry for Application of Hyperthermia to Treat Cancer

Abstract The use of heat to treat cancer has been extensively studied in preclinical models and in human clinical trials. When combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, hyperthermia can yield synergistic interactions that increase likelihood that tumors will be controlled locally. Some evidence also exists that improvement in local tumor control can lead to survival advantages. The achievement of therapeutic success with thermal therapies, however, requires a robust thermal dosimetry. This paper provides an overview of the evolution of thermometry and thermal dosimetry for both traditional hyperthermia and thermal ablation. Following the thermal dosimetry discussion, a brief review of key clinical trial results is discussed.
Surgical Management of Facial Nerve Injuries

Facial expressions provide unique insight into an individual’s emotions, and distinct, universal facial expressions have been identified for a multitude of emotions [23]. The anatomy involved with facial expression has been the interest of many investigators over the years. Ekman and Friesen [25] defined 46 action units that correspond to independent facial movements. Darwin, a student of Charles Bell, sought to anatomically describe the musculature involved in specific facial expressions [24]. Rubin (1974) studied the active, dominant facial musculature and its vector of pull during smiling and described the three main smile types. This anatomical interest in facial expression holds particular importance to the reconstructive surgeon treating facial nerve injuries. Subtle recreation of native anatomy is the ultimate goal, one that is most challenging for dynamic expression.
On Energy Cascades in the Forced 3D Navier–Stokes Equations

We show—in the framework of physical scales and $$(K_1,K_2)$$ -averages—that Kolmogorov’s dissipation law combined with the smallness condition on a Taylor length scale is sufficient to guarantee energy cascades in the forced Navier–Stokes equations. Moreover, in the periodic case we establish restrictive scaling laws—in terms of Grashof number—for kinetic energy, energy flux, and energy dissipation rate. These are used to improve our sufficient condition for forced cascades in physical scales.
Cytomegalovirus infection and disease after liver transplantation. An overview.

Cytomegalovirus is the single most important pathogen in clinical transplantation. Although much progress has been made in our understanding of the molecular biology and epidemiology of CMV infection and in our ability to diagnosis and treat CMV disease, it remains a major cause of morbidity but is no longer a major cause of mortality after liver transplantation. Risk factors for CMV disease after liver transplantation include donor and recipient serologic status, the use of antilymphocyte therapy, and retransplantation. CMV disease occurs early after transplantation, and the most frequent site of disease is the hepatic allograft. We have treated 79 patients with intravenous ganciclovir, with ultimate control of disease achieved in 69 patients (87.3%). Preliminary results using intravenous immunoglobulin and oral acyclovir for CMV prophylaxis in high-risk patients have been encouraging. In addition to producing clinical syndromes, CMV may have direct immunologic effects and is a marker of the net state of immunosuppression.
Peccatorum Communio: Intercession in Bonhoeffer’s Use of Hegel

This essay challenges the portrayal of philosophical idealism as sinful ‘confinement in the self’, arguing that this obscures a relationship between Hegel and Bonhoeffer characterised by variation rather than contradiction. I first trace a limited congeniality between their respective critiques of the ‘beautiful soul’ and the ‘privately virtuous’, showing how both thinkers resist moral isolation through the call to confession. Second, I follow their attempts to overcome an oppositional logic between such social exchange and divine agency, rooted in the syntax of Hegel’s phrase ‘God existing as community’. This provides sharper focus to Bonhoeffer’s variations, changing the subject from God to Christ and the attendant act from reciprocal confession to intercessory prayer. Rather than merely defensive revision, I argue that this reveals an agile Christology which can sustain an ethical posture of ‘being for others’ through the withheld confession and broken trust typical of a communion of sinners.
A metabolic study of hydrocortisone in rats.

Summary1. Employing the analytical procedure of Nelson and Samuels for plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, it has been shown that the intravenous injection of hydrocortisone in rats produces high concentrations of hormone, followed by a swift return to very low levels. 2. The rapid disappearance of exogenous hydrocortisone from the circulation is prevented by hepatectomy, but nephrectomy and splenectomy exert no appreciable effect.
Two Bulgarioid Genera: Galiella and Plectania

(1957). Two Bulgarioid Genera: Galiella and Plectania. Mycologia: Vol. 49, No. 1, pp. 107-111.
Aerodynamic Drag and Drag Reduction

An assessment of the role of fluid dynamic resistance and/or aerodynamic drag and the relationship to energy use in the United States is presented. Existing data indicates that up to 25% of the total energy consumed in the United States is used to overcome aerodynamic drag, 27% of the total energy used in the United States is consumed by transportation systems, and 60% of the transportation energy or 16% of the total energy consumed in the United States is used to overcome aerodynamic drag in transportation systems. Drag reduction goals of 50% are proposed and discussed which if realized would produce a 7.85% total energy savings. This energy savings correlates to a yearly cost savings in the $30Billion dollar range.
Expanding Technical Assistance for Urban Agriculture: Best Practices for Extension Services in California and Beyond

Past studies have suggested the expansion of extension programs for urban agriculture (UA). With the growing interest in UA, the case for such programs is even stronger. In order to develop effective extension programs, it is important to begin with an understanding of the diversity of UA activities and the types of assistance that may be useful to operators. It is also important to explore whether extension staff are interested in expanding their programs in urban areas. This study sought to address these questions. It examined characteristics of UA in the study area, Alameda County, California; operators' challenges and assistance needs; and Extension staff members' interest in expanding programming for urban agriculture. Data was collected through the University of California Small Farm Program from 2006 to 2009, and consisted of on-site interviews with 52 urban farmers and gardeners as well as surveys of Extension staff members and participant observation, which took place throughout the study.
Lessons learned from a SIRT2-selective inhibitor

Developing targeted cancer therapies typically starts with the identification of oncoproteins that are mutated or over-activated in tumors, followed by the development of small molecules that target the oncoproteins. A paradigm example is the development of Gleevec targeting the BCR-ABL oncoprotein in chronic myeloid leukemia. Many other targeted therapies follow this logic, such as compounds that target RAS mutants or overexpressed Myc (reviewed in [1]). We recently developed a potent and selective SIRT2 inhibitor, TM, which exhibits broad anticancer activity partly by decreasing the protein level of Myc (Figure ​(Figure1)1) [2]. Here we summarize several lessons we learned from this study with the intention that they may help other researchers developing targeted cancer therapies.
Keeping A Cool Head about the Management and Development Boom of Yongding River in Beijing

The municipal and district levels of government and the community attach great importance to the management and development boom of Yongding river in Beijing by the five districts in southwest.It is undoubtedly a great thing for the economic development.But,in terms of watershed management and development of the general rules and the actual situation from the current administration and development of the Yongding River,clod thoughts about it are very necessary.The paper proposes questions about water resources,overall situation,stage and level of planning,the building of regulations,setting of management and supervisory bodies,district level co-ordination and co-ordination between the organizations,the construction of new investment and financing system,the optimization of space layout,the construction of information exchange platform,the participation of academic and mass organizations,and participation of urban and rural residents.
Analysis of re-construction and planning schemes for town distribution network

The primary mission of re-construction and planning for distribution network is making feasible planning of power grid on the basis of power quality and operation condition.This includes analyzing power grid situation,electric load forecasting,network planning,planning of distribution network automation.The re-construction and planning for town distribution network is based on analyzing power grid,forecasting the long term and short term load of the town by using gross prediction method and space prediction method,determining substation location and capacity,proposing re-construction and planning schemes for substation's mid-voltage transmission line,carrying out the electrical calculation and the summary of quantity,and finally estimating the investment and analysis of the economic benefits.
Clinical experiences of breast reconstruction using different methods

Objective To investigate the indications, surgical methods and effects of full-size implant, expandable implant and pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous(TRAM) flap for breast reconstruction following mastectomy. Methods Immediate breast reconstructions were carried out using full-size implants following skin-sparing mastectomy in 14 breast cancer patients and expandable implants were used in 6 patients for immediate breast reconstruction after modified mastectomy.Unilateral pedicled TRAM flaps were used for immediate breast reconstruction in 2 patients and delayed breast reconstruction in other 2 patients. Results Satisfactory results were achieved.Minor complications were recorded in 2 patients,one with local skin necrosis,and another with partial necrosis of nipple-areola complex. Conclusion Full-size implant is ideal for a slender,small-breast women with minimal ptosis who wish to avoid additional scarring and short time for convalescence.If the patients have large breast or modified mastectomy will be performed,expandable implants can be used for breast reconstruction, which combine the merits of full-size implant implantation methods and tissue expansion methods.TRAM flap breast reconstruction is a useful procedure with advantages of autologous tissue and excellent results.
The Research on the Impact of New Rural Social Pension Insurance on Farmers' Consumption in China:Empirical Study Based on SEM

New rural social pension insurance is one of the most important section of the social security field in China which started launching the pilot project in the end of 2009. This article explores effects of the new rural insurance on consumption by using SEM,which leads to the conclusion that there are two opposite effects,and it has different effects in different economic periods. The new rural pension insurance enhances farmers' sense of security and promotes their consumption,but its role in social protection needs to be strengthened. From the long term,the construction of the social security system will produce a long and significant impact on increasing farmers' consumption.
Smooth Muscle Tumors of the Testicular Adnexa

AbstractOne of 3 patients with leiomyosarcomas of the epididymis and spermatic cord treated by inguinal orchiectomy was cured, 1 died 18 months after diagnosis and 1 was living but had a pulmonary metastasis 4 years after excision of the primary tumor. All 3 patients with leiomyoma of the testicular adnexa were cured. The literature concerning smooth muscle tumors of the adnexa is reviewed.
Disposition and metabolism of oligodeoxynucleoside methylphosphonate following a single i.v. injection in mice.

We describe the plasma apparent half-life, distribution profile, and identification of a metabolite of a sequence-specific oligodeoxynucleoside methylphosphonate, 12-mer (a family of nonionic nucleic acid analogues used as antisense agent with potent antiviral activities), in the mouse.
Remote Detection of Debonding in FRP-strengthened Concrete Structures Using Acoustic-Laser Technique

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) strengthening and retrofitting of concrete elements, such as beams, columns, slabs, and bridge decks, have become increa­singly popular. Nonetheless, rapid and reliable nondestructive testing techniques (NDT) that are capable of remotely assessing in-situintegrity of retrofitted systems are needed. Development of a robust NDT method that provides an accurate and remote assessment of damage and flaws underneath the FRP plates/sheets is required. In this study, a NDT based on an acoustic-laser system is proposed for remote detection of debonding in FRP-strengthened concrete structures. This technique utilizes the difference in dynamic response of the intact and the debonded regions in a FRP-strengthened concrete structure to an acoustic excitation, which is then measured using laser vibrometry. Feasibility and accuracy of the technique were investigated through a series of measurements on laboratory-sized plain, reinforced, and FRP-strengthened concrete specimens. It was shown that the difference in dynamic response could be captured by the acoustic-laser system and is in good agreement with simple calculations.
Categorification and Group Extensions

We review several known categorification procedures, and introduce a functorial categorification of group extensions (Section 4.1) with applications to non-Abelian group cohomology (Section 4.2). The obstruction to the existence of group extensions (Section 4.2.4, Equation (9)) is interpreted as a “coboundary” condition (Proposition 4.5).
Some Philosophical Questions about Telepathy and Clairvoyance

The founder of Psychical Research, though he has not yet received the honour due to him, seems to have been King Croesus of Lydia, who reigned from 560 to 546 B.C. He carried out an interesting experiment, recorded in detail by Herodotus,1 to test the clairvoyant powers of a number of oracles. He sent embassies to seven oracles, six Greek and one Egyptian. They all started on the same day. On the hundredth day each embassy was instructed to ask its oracle, ‘What is King Croesus, the son of Alyattes, now doing?’ The answer was to be written down and brought back. The oracle of Delphi replied as follows, in hexameters, as its custom was: ‘I know the number of the sands and the measures of the sea. I understand the dumb, and I hear him who does not speak.’ Then it went on: ‘There comes to my mind the smell of a strong-shelled tortoise, which is being cooked along with lamb’s flesh in a brazen vessel; brass is spread beneath it, and with brass it is covered.’ As a matter of fact, this answer was perfectly correct. Herodotus tells us that ‘having considered what would be the most difficult thing to discover and to imagine’, Croesus ‘cut up a tortoise and a lamb, and himself boiled them together in a brazen pot’. What happened afterwards illustrates the difficulties of this sort of investigation, difficulties which still perplex us to this day.
PulmonaReality: transforming pediatric pulmonary function experience using virtual reality

This paper presents PulmonaReality, an interactive virtual reality game aimed at young patients to help immerse them into a world that makes pulmonary function tests more enjoyable for the user while providing more reliable results for the examiner. Computer games designed to work with medical tests have been shown to have potential. While there are existing games out there, they are beginning to show their age in comparison to many games played by modern-day patients. The design of our project focuses on usability and enjoyment for young children. In our preliminary user studies, children reported that the system was easy to use with minimal instruction and evoked a sense of wonder when they experienced our different interactive 3D environments.
New Ultrasonic Scanning Techniques to Display the Left Upper Quadrant

Ultrasonic evaluation of the left upper quadrant to demonstrate normal anatomy or pathological masses is difficult with conventional scanning techniques. Longitudinal and transverse scans of the upper abdomen display only a small part of the information needed to evaluate the left upper quadrant. In particular, detection of masses such as the normal spleen, a left subphrenic abscess, suprarenal and upper pole renal masses require modified scanning techniques to circumvent the barrier of air in the stomach and colon.
Differential dissolution and toxicity of surface functionalized silver nanoparticles in small-scale microcosms: impacts of community complexity

Surface functionalization can minimize nanoparticle agglomeration and expand their applications; however, these modifications can also alter particle stability, dissolution, bioavailability and toxicity. Here we investigated how silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with different surface chemistries affect community health, and how increased trophic complexity affects the interactions between organisms and nanomaterials. We compared AgNP exposures in simple microcosms comprised of algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) and bacteria (Escherichia coli) to increasingly complex microcosms containing predatory invertebrates (Daphnia magna) and developing vertebrates (Danio rerio). Each microcosm was exposed to one of three 70 nm AgNPs [polyethylene glycol (PEG–AgNP), silica (Si–AgNP), or aminated silica-coated AgNP (Ami-Si–AgNP)] at 0, 0.1, 1, and 5 mg L−1 to investigate the relative influence of surface charge, composition and dissolution on organismal uptake and toxicity. All three AgNPs released more dissolved Ag into solution when organisms were present than was measured in the same media without organisms. PEG–AgNPs had the highest overall toxicity in all scenarios, followed by Si–AgNPs, and lastly Ami-Si–AgNPs. Toxicity correlated with the amount of Ag measured in the exposure media and the amount taken up by the organisms. Our findings indicate that surface functionalization plays an important role in determining dissolution, uptake and toxicity of AgNPs. Increasing trophic complexity decreased organismal susceptibility under the same AgNP concentration exposures, likely due to the change in bioavailable Ag that each organism experienced. This implies that tests using individual species provide conservative estimates of environmental impacts, while exposure may be mitigated in more realistic multi-species scenarios like those found in nature.
Using Markov Switching Model for solar irradiance forecasting in remote microgrids

In recent years, there has been rapid growth of Photovoltaic (PV) system integration into diesel-based remote microgrids to reduce the diesel fuel consumption. However, due to low correlation of PV power availability with the load as well as uncertainty and variability of the PV power, the benefits of the integration have not been achieved properly. A large energy reserve is required to compensate the fluctuation and improve reliability, which leads to increased operational cost. Solar irradiance forecasting helps to reduce the reserve requirement and improve the PV energy utilization. In this paper, a novel solar irradiance forecasting using Markov Switching Model is proposed for remote microgrids. This forecasting method uses locally available historical irradiance data of the microgrid location to predict day-ahead irradiance. The case study for validating this method for Brookings, SD resulted in Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 99.6 W/m2 for 2008 and 106.8 W/m2 for 2011.
Do you have to let it linger? – Political membership that remains after territorial exit

In this paper, I argue that one permissible solution to the problem of brain drain from less developed countries is to level a tax on the money skilled emigrant workers earn within more developed c...
Preservice teachers’ use of contrasting cases in mathematics instruction

Drawing comparisons between students’ alternative solution strategies to a single mathematics problem is a powerful yet challenging instructional practice. We examined 80 preservice teachers’ when asked to design a short lesson when given a problem and two student solutions—one correct and one incorrect. These micro-teaching events were videotaped and coded, revealing that fewer than half of participants (43%) made any explicit comparison or contrasts between the two solution strategies. Those who did were still not likely to use additional support strategies to draw students’ attention to key elements of the comparison. Further, correlations suggest that participants’ mathematical content knowledge may be related to whether participants’ showed contrasting cases but not to whether they used specific pedagogical cues to support those comparisons. While these micro-teaching events differ from the interactive constraints of a classroom, they reveal that participants did not immediately orient toward differing student solutions as a discussion opportunity, and that future instruction on contrasting cases must highlight the utility of this practice.
A COST-EFFECTIVE ANALYSIS OF SHORT DURATION DUAL ANTI-PLATELET THERAPY (DAPT) WITH A BIOABSORBABLE POLYMER STENT PLATFORM VERSUS LONGER DURATION DAPT WITH A DURABLE POLYMER DRUG-ELUTING STENT IN A PATIENT POPULATION UNDERGOING ELECTIVE PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

Background: Guidelines recommend 6 months of dual antiplatelet therapy after PCI with drug-eluting stents (DES) in stable coronary disease (CAD). Whether treatment with bioabsorbable polymer (BP) DES followed by a shorter duration of dual antiplatelet therapy is cost-effective is unknown. Methods:
Multicentric Castleman disease: consensus at last?

In this issue of Blood, Fajgenbaum et al propose much needed consensus criteria for the diagnosis of idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD).1
Aging and Memory in Humans

Memory involves the recall or recognition of information encoded in the recent or distant past. Even in the absence of age-related neurodegenerative conditions, such as dementia, there is significant decline in memory with normal aging. Memory is not a uniform construct; it can be divided hierarchically in taxonomic modules. This article discusses the differential impact of age on different types of long- and short-term memory, including semantic memory, episodic memory, source memory, procedural memory, priming, and working memory. The article concludes with a brief discussion about how cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive reserve may modulate the effect of normal aging on memory systems.
Myelination of axons emerging from neural progenitor grafts after spinal cord injury

Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) grafted to sites of spinal cord injury (SCI) extend numerous axons over long distances and form new synaptic connections with host neurons. In the present study we examined the myelination of axons emerging from NPC grafts. Rat embryonic day 14 (E14) multipotent NPCs constitutively expressing GFP were grafted into adult C5 spinal cord hemisection lesions; 3months later we examined graft-derived axonal diameter and myelination using transmission electron microscopy. 104 graft-derived axons were characterized. Axon diameter ranged from 0.15 to 1.70μm, and 24% of graft-derived axons were myelinated by host oligodendrocytes caudal to the lesion. The average diameter of myelinated axons (0.72±0.3μm) was significantly larger than that of non-myelinated axons (0.61±0.2μm, p<0.05). Notably, the G-ratio of myelinated graft-derived axons (0.77±0.01) was virtually identical to that of the normal, intact spinal cord described in published reports. These findings indicate that axons emerging from early stage neural grafts into the injured spinal cord recapitulate both the small/medium size range and myelin thickness of intact spinal cord axons.
Sex-specific impact of aging on the blood pressure response to exercise.

An exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise has been linked to cardiovascular disease; however, little is known about how age and sex impact this response in healthy individuals. During dyna...
Simplifying Arterial Coupling in Microsurgery-A Preclinical Assessment of an Everter Device to Aid with Arterial Anastomosis.

Background A novel arterial everter device was engineered to simplify microvascular coupling of arteries by reliably securing the stiff, muscular wall of arteries over coupler pins. We compare microvascular coupling with the everter device to manual suturing for arterial anastomoses in a live large animal model. Materials and Methods In this preliminary study, bilateral external femoral arteries of five male swine were exposed and sharply divided. Arteries were anastomosed using either interrupted sutures (n = 5) or the everter device and Synovis Coupler (n = 5). The efficiency in engaging coupler pins, the time taken to perform the anastomosis, and vessel patency immediately post-op and at 1-week postanastomosis were evaluated. Vessel wall injury and luminal stenosis were compared between groups using histomorphometric analyses. Results On an average, 80% of coupler pins engaged the vessel walls after a single pass of the everter. The average time to perform the anastomosis was significantly less when using the everter/coupler compared with manual suturing (6:35 minutes versus 25:09 minutes, p Conclusions Successful arterial anastomoses using the everter device with the Synovis Coupler was easier and significantly more efficient when compared with a standard hand-sewn technique. Both techniques had acceptable patency rates and similar effects on the vessel wall and intima.
Fatigue crack resistance characterisation of fully supported plain concrete beams

A framework for characterising the static and fatigue crack resistance of a fully supported beam on an elastic foundation is presented. The crack resistance is given as a function of the resisting ...