cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The nth Polygonal Number.

MANY mathematics books include a unit on mathematical induction. Most of these units have examples and exercises involving the sum of the terms of an arithmetic sequence. Usually the reader is supplied with the first three or four terms together with the nth term. No indication is given as to how one might find this nth term or the expression for the sum if they had not been supplied. A related problem is that of finding the nth polygonal number, since each polyg onal number can be expressed as the sum of the terms of an arithmetic sequence. It is the purpose of this paper to show methods for determining the nth term of an arithmetic sequence, the sum of terms of an arithmetic sequence, the nth polyg onal number, and the sum of the pth powers of consecutive positive integers. In the process, we shall review some of the familiar properties of summation nota tion.
Nitrocellulose tissue prints: an innovative approach to preparing high quality DNA and RNA from prostate biopsies without compromising the cores for pathology diagnosis

Much of the research that has been done on prostate cancer tissue biomarkers has relied on radical prostatectomies for biospecimens. However, it is well recognized that important groups of patients are under-represented or missing entirely from biorepository collections of radical prostatectomy specimens. Using prostate biopsy tissues for molecular biomarker research significantly expands the range of available patients to include men whose biopsies show no cancer as well as men who are treated non-surgically or who choose active surveillance. However, one of the challenges of biopsy-based biomarker research is the limited amount of tissue that can be obtained from each core. To address this challenge, we have developed and fully implemented innovative biopsy tissue print technologies that allow us to obtain high quality RNA and DNA from each biopsy core without compromising the specimen for a pathologic diagnosis. Prostate biopsy tissue print samples have been successfully utilized for gene expression profiling, genotyping, DNA methylation and sequencing analyses. Emerging biopsy tissue print applications include studies using viable cells to study tumor metabolism and drug response.
On the Use of Entropy-Like Functions for Solving the Network Flow Problem with Application to Electric Power Systems

In this paper, we consider a variation of the minimum-cost network flow problem (NFP) with additional non-convex cycle constraints on nodal variables; this problem has relevance in the context of optimizing power flows in electric power networks. We propose one approach to tackle the NFP that relies on solving a convex approximation of the problem, obtained by augmenting the cost function with an entropy-like term to relax the non-convex constraints. We show that the approximation error, for which we give an upper bound, can be made small enough for practical use. An alternative approach is to solve the classical NFP, i.e., without the cycle constraints, and solve a separate optimization problem afterwards in order to recover the actual flows satisfying the cycle constraints; the solution of this separate problem maximizes the individual en- tropies of the cycles. Finally, we validate the practical usefulness of the theoretical results through a numerical example, where the IEEE 39-bus system is used as a test bed.
Authentic Representation and Author Identity: Exploring Mental Illness in The Hobbit Fanfiction

This paper addresses concerns with authenticity claims that surround mental illness and author identity in fanfiction. I will apply the critiques surrounding representation in media (see Mitchell and Snyder, 2001; Couser 2003, 2009) found in disability studies and fandom studies (see Jenkins 2012) to fanfiction. In this paper, I analyze two pieces of fanfiction which focus on Thorin II also known as Thorin Oakenshield, a character from J.R.R Tolkien’s The Hobbit novel and Peter Jackson’s film adaptations. I explore how in these texts the authors portray mental illness through their characterization of Thorin II. How the author’s actual or perceived personal mental health status may impact their writing, and readers’ responses to their writing, is explored through the lenses of identity politics (see Calhoun, 1994) and authenticity (Couser, 2009; van Dijk, 1989). In the context of disability and fandom studies, these fanfictions act as examples of a) combination fictional/ autobiographical writings which work to provide what the authors’ perceive as accurate portrayals of mental illness, and b) how the author’s mental health status impacts the perceived credibility of their work.
Determination of transfer of methicillin-resistant Stapylococcus aureus from retail pork products onto food contact surfaces and the potential for consumer exposure

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly referred to as MRSA, first emerged from Staphylococcus aureus in the 1960’s as an organism that was resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin. MRSA is able to colonize the skin, mouth and nares of both humans and animals without causing disease. However, if the bacteria gains entry via a cut or other skin abrasion, it can lead to more serious infections such as pneumonia, meningitis and septicemia. The three main types of MRSA infections currently recognized are hospital associated (HA), community associated (CA) and livestock associated (LA). Recently, MRSA has also been discovered in retail meat products in the United States and other countries throughout the world. This discovery has raised concerns about the possibility of food being a vehicle for MRSA transmission and infection. It has been reported that MRSA can be found in meat processing facilities at any stage of production. Many studies have determined that pork and swine production are the major MRSA reservoirs. The current understanding of how MRSA may be transmitted in the food chain is limited thus preventing proper risk assessment to identify potential hazards to food handlers as well as to consumers. The purpose of this research is to estimate the percent transfer of MRSA from retail pork products to food contact surfaces (cutting board or knife) and to estimate the risk of consumer exposure to MRSA via contact with contaminated products and contaminated food contact surfaces. In order to simulate how these events may occur; pork products were obtained from a local supplier and inoculated with a 4 strain MRSA mixed culture at levels of 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000 and 100,000 CFU/ ml. Products were then analyzed to obtain initial bacterial populations. All products were vacuumpackaged and stored at 5°C for 2 weeks to simulate normal packaging and distribution. After 2 weeks, products were aseptically removed from the vacuum package and exposed to the transfer surfaces via 2 methods: light exposure to assess the percent transfer of MRSA from product to surface and heavy exposure to assess human exposure from contaminated products and surfaces. In light exposure, samples were laid on the transfer surfaces at room temperature for 5 minutes without any additional weight on the product and allowed to sit at room temperature before analysis. In heavy exposure, samples were laid on the transfer surface and a 500g lead donut was placed on top of the product as it was moved across a defined area of the transfer surface. The transfer surfaces then sat for 5 minutes at room temperature before being analyzed. v
11 Countermarketing commercial formula: a potential effective strategy to address aggressive marketing of formula that leads to breastfeeding cessation and adverse health effects

Background Aggressive marketing of commercial formulas as substitutes for breast milk is associated with reduced rates and shorter duration of breastfeeding. When breastfeeding practice is suboptimal, it correlated with more than 800 000 annual deaths in young children and 20 000 annual deaths in women caused by breast cancer globally. Furthermore, the World Health Organization suggested that commercial formula marketing also contributes to obesity and non-communicable diseases, importantly; they create dependency on commercial formula. Objectives The objective of this presentation is to offer an approach to counter the marketing of commercial formula and other complementary foods that have adverse health effects for mothers and children and, in particular, on the rate and duration of breastfeeding. Methods This presentation discusses the following components: The potential for countermarketing commercial formula campaigns to reduce the demand and dependency of formula; and, Key elements of the commercial formula countermarketing approach, such as describing adverse health consequences for infants and young children, highlighting the baby food industry’s heavy use of unsubstantiated health and nutrition claims on the products, and using manipulation to evoke mothers’ anxiety about breastfeeding Results Countermarketing strategies have been shown to be effective in reducing smoking rates. Drawing on lessons learned from tobacco control, the same strategies could potentially be used to reduce the demand for commercial formula and lead to changes in the baby food industry’s marketing practices. More specifically, the use of the available scientific evidence in a countermarketing approach counters the practices that the baby food industry uses to sell products that compete breastfeeding. In this manner, the countermarketing approach provides hope in informing and influencing mothers’ decisions regarding infant and young child feeding that enhance health. Moreover, findings from a study in Indonesia also demonstrated that countermarketing commercial formula emerged as an evidence-based strategy in addressing the aggressive marketing of baby formula. Conclusion Based on the inclusion of countermarketing approach not previously brought to attention in addressing the unethical and aggressive marketing of formula, the approach may potentially be used as a strategy that helps to effectively support and protect breastfeeding and reduce the risks of illness in children and mothers that might be caused by commercial formula use.
Comparing South Korea and Italy's healthcare systems and initiatives to combat COVID-19

Italy and South Korea have two distinctly different healthcare systems, causing them to respond to public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic in markedly different ways. Differences exist in medical education for both countries, allowing South Korean medical graduates to have a more holistic education in comparison to their Italian counterparts, who specialize in medical education earlier on. Additionally, there are fewer South Korean physicians per 1000 people in South Korea compared to Italian physicians per 1000 people in Italy. However, both countries have a national healthcare system with universal healthcare coverage. Despite this underlying similarity, the two countries addressed COVID-19 in nearly opposite manners. South Korea employed technology and the holistic education of its physician community, despite having a smaller proportion of physicians in society, to its advantage by implementing efficacious drive-through centers that test suspected individuals rapidly and with little to no contact with healthcare staff, decreasing the possibility of transmission of COVID-19. Conversely, Italy is presently considered the epicenter of the outbreak in Europe and has recorded the highest death toll of any country outside of mainland China. This is partially due to the reactionary nature of Italy's public health measures compared to South Korea's proactive response. The different healthcare responses of South Korea and Italy can inform decisions made by public health bodies in other countries, especially in countries across the Americas, which can selectively adopt policies that have worked in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 and learn from mistakes made by both countries.
Pathways Between Alcohol Use and Internalizing Symptoms Across Emerging Adulthood: Examination of Gender Differences in Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Processes:

Pathways between alcohol use and internalizing symptoms, controlling for comorbid externalizing symptoms, within a sample of 593 ethnically diverse emerging adults (age 20–22; 49% female) collected...
Using the Past to Maximize the Success Probability of Future Anti-Viral Vaccines

Rapid obtaining of safe, effective, anti-viral vaccines has recently risen to the top of the international agenda. To maximize the success probability of future anti-viral vaccines, the anti-viral vaccines successful in the past are summarized here by virus type and vaccine type. The primary focus is on viruses with both single-stranded RNA genomes and a membrane envelope, given the pandemic past of influenza viruses and coronaviruses. The following conclusion is reached, assuming that success of future strategies is positively correlated with strategies successful in the past. The primary strategy, especially for emerging pandemic viruses, should be development of vaccine antigens that are live-attenuated viruses; the secondary strategy should be development of vaccine antigens that are inactivated virus particles. Support for this conclusion comes from the complexity of immune systems. These conclusions imply the need for a revision in current strategic planning.
Agreement Between the OptoGait and Instrumented Treadmill System for the Quantification of Spatiotemporal Treadmill Running Parameters.

The measurement of spatiotemporal gait parameters is commonly utilized to assess gait in healthy and injured individuals. The OptoGait system is a portable system and can be mounted to a treadmill to collect data in a clinical, training, or research setting. The purpose of this method comparison study was to examine the agreement of spatiotemporal gait parameters calculated by the OptoGait compared to an instrumented treadmill system during running. Thirty healthy runners ran on an instrumented treadmill with the OptoGait 1-m system mounted along the treadmill platform. Spatiotemporal running variables of step rate, step length, and contact time were calculated during the final minute of treadmill running. The level of agreement between the OptoGait and treadmill was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC (2,3)] for step rate, step length, and contact time. Step rate and step length demonstrated excellent agreement. Contact time demonstrated good agreement. Intraclass correlation coefficients for spatiotemporal parameters ranged from 0.83 to 0.99. The OptoGait demonstrated good to excellent agreement in the evaluation of running step rate, step length, and contact time and should be considered for use in clinical, training, or research settings.
A look at the global impact of SARS CoV-2 on orthopedic services.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted healthcare institutions worldwide. Particularly, orthopedic departments had to adapt their operational models. Purpose This review aimed to quantify the reduction in surgical and outpatient caseloads, identify other significant trends and ascertain the impact of these trends on orthopedic residency training programs. Methods Medline and Embase were searched for articles describing case load for surgeries, outpatient clinic attendance, or emergency department (ED) visits. Statistical analysis of quantitative data was performed after a Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. Results were pooled with random effects by DerSimonian and Laird model. When insufficient data was available, a systematic approach was used to present the results instead. Results A total of 23 studies were included in this study. The number of elective surgeries, trauma procedures and outpatient attendance decreased by 80% (2013/17400, 0.20, CI: 0.12 to 0.29), 47% (3887/17561, 0.53, CI: 0.37 to 0.69) and 63% (84174/123967, 0.37, CI: 0.24 to 0.51) respectively. During the pandemic, domestic injuries and polytrauma increased. Residency training was disrupted due to diminished clinical exposure and changing teaching methodologies. Additionally, residents had more duties which contributed to a lower quality of life. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has made an unprecedented impact on orthopedics departments worldwide. The slow return of orthopedic departments to normalcy and the compromised training of residents due to the pandemic points to an uncertain future for healthcare institutions worldwide, wherein the impact of this pandemic may yet still be felt far in the future.
Circadian photoperiod alters TREK‐1 channel function and expression in dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons via melatonin receptor 1 signaling

Seasonal day length has been linked to the prevalence of mood disorders, and however, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unknown. Previous work in our laboratory has shown that developmental exposure to seasonal photoperiods has enduring effects on the activity of mouse dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons, their intrinsic electrical properties, as well as on depression and anxiety-related behaviors. Here we focus on the possible ionic mechanisms that underlie the observed programming of the electrophysiological properties of serotonin neurons, focusing on the twin-pore K + channels TREK-1 and TASK-1 that set resting membrane potential and regulate excitability. Pharmacological inhibition of TREK-1 significantly increased spike frequency in Short and Equinox photoperiods, but did not further elevate the firing rate in slices from Long photoperiod mice, suggesting that TREK-1 function is reduced in Long photoperiods. In contrast, inhibition of TASK-1 resulted in increases in firing rates across all photoperiods, suggesting that it contributes to setting excitability, but is not regulated by photoperiod. We then quantified Kcnk2 mRNA levels specifically in dorsal raphe 5-HT neurons using triple-label RNAscope. We found that Long photoperiod significantly reduced levels of Kcnk2 in serotonin neurons co-expressing Tph2, and Pet-1. Photoperiodic effects on the function and expression of TREK-1 were blocked in melatonin 1 receptor knockout (MT-1KO) mice, consistent with previous findings that MT-1 signaling is necessary for photoperiodic programming of dorsal raphe 5-HT neurons. Taken together these results indicate that photoperiodic regulation of TREK-1 expression and function plays a key role in photoperiodic programming the excitability of dorsal raphe 5-HT neurons.
Constitutional Argument as Jeremiad

The "jeremiad" - a lamentation over how a community has fallen away from its religious values - is a particular form of sermon that can be traced back to preachers in 16th century Europe. The Puritans brought it to America in the 17th century. Intellectual historian Perry Miller has called the jeremiad America's first distinctive literary genre.Sacvan Bercovitch's book "The American Jeremiad" contends that the jeremiad as a mode of rhetoric has always played an important role in American political discourse. This paper extends that analysis to the jeremiad's role in American constitutional argument. Examining recent work by Jack Balkin and Jedediah Purdy through the lens of the jeremiad helps bring into focus some key concepts in the area of constitutional interpretation.
Utilization of post-consumer carpet calcium carbonate (PC4) from carpet recycling as a mineral resource in concrete

Abstract The short residence time of certain building materials, such as carpets, results in a notable waste stream that has the potential to be a resource for other material systems. In this work, we explore the utilization of post-consumer carpet calcium carbonate (PC4) consisting primarily of the material from carpet backing, which has thus far found few markets, as a potential mineral admixture in the production of concrete. The effects on mechanical and material properties are examined for concrete mixtures with PC4 used as 5 and 15% mass replacement of Portland cement, and PC4 used as 5 and 15% mass replacement of fine aggregates. The effects of PC4 on the slump, air content, unit weight, and setting times were assessed. Additionally, compressive strength, flexural strength, coefficient of thermal expansion, shrinkage, bulk density, void volume, and absorption were measured. Due to the known presence of antimony in PC4, leachate from cured specimens was examined. Additionally, greenhouse gas emissions to manufacture the mixtures were quantified. The results indicate that PC4 can increase air content in concrete by 3.5–10% and decrease the unit weight by up to 11% in fresh concrete. PC4 also led to a loss in compressive strength by up to 60%. Thus, the findings indicate that it is possible to form a less dense, more porous concrete by using PC4 as a mineral constituent in concrete, but with some loss in performance. Through appropriate selection of applications or through supplementary treatment of PC4, it may find a suitable market in the concrete industry.
The Effects of Ex Ante versus Ex Post Discretionary Contracts on Worker Performance, Trust, and Reciprocity

Managers can set explicit, binding targets to reward workers before observing their performance (ex ante contract), or decide whether to reward workers after observing their performance (ex post contract). We experimentally examine the effects of the two types of contracts on workers’ behaviors in the common setting where information asymmetry prevents managers from directly observing workers’ effort and ability. Our results indicate that workers’ performance, trust, and positive reciprocity toward their managers are lower under an ex ante contract than an ex post contract because managers often set ineffective ex ante targets that do not match workers’ ability. However, providing managers with up-to-date, peer performance benchmark information offsets the negative effects of an ex ante contract by increasing workers’ perceived fairness of the target-setting process, despite no change in the target levels. Our results highlight how uncertainty in incentive contracts and benchmarking can motivate workers and build trust within organizations.
Can We Address Orbital Debris With the International Laws We Already Have? An Examination of Treaty Interpretation and the Due Regard Principle

India’s controversial anti-satellite test in 2019 provides the United States an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in preventing future debris-generating events. However, new international space laws or norms are unlikely. Instead, the United States could look to the international space law already in place, particularly the due regard principle contained within Article IX of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty (Article IX). Ignored throughout its history, Article IX’s due regard principle has untapped potential. States, through their practice in the application of treaties, can shape the interpretation of treaty provisions in order to accommodate changing circumstances. The United States has experience in applying this approach to the space domain, having established practices to shape interpretations of the legal concepts of peaceful purposes and non-appropriation. If the United States seeks to lead an international effort to address the threat of orbital debris, then the due regard principle presents a possible tool well worth considering. This Article examines the potential of the due regard principle, the possibility of establishing a functional meaning, and some considerations involved in pursuing such a course of action.
Initiation into the mysteries of Augustus: the Liberalia and Forum Augustum

The paper uses the theoretical framework of cultural memory to explain Augustus’ construction of Forum Augustum. The construction of Forum Augustum was a central project in the princeps; programme as it presented his own version of Roman history giving a special place to his family and generals closest to this vision of the ideal Roman. At the same time, the evidence for Augustus’ religious reforms shows a decisive ruler who was very involved with the intricacies of Roman religion. Based on a passage of Dio we are able to see that Augustus also initiated a change in the festival of the Liberalia so that boys transitioning into manhood are inspired to great deeds by seeing his version of the great men of the past in his new Forum. The place had not only a commemorative function but also a prospective one as young men were expected to imitate the glory of their ancestors and hence a special role was given to Gaius and Lucius as principes iuventutis. Finally, the role of ancestors in initiation rites finds parallels in male initiations worldwide and shows Augustus’ clever manipulation of Roman tradition to his own personal ends.
Nanotubes Synthesis Using Alumina Template (a4)

Free standing carbon nanotubes about 300 nm in diameter and lengths 5-60 micrometers were obtained by pyrolyzing ethylene within alumina membranes.
Transfer learning between preclinical models and human tumors identifies a conserved NK cell activation signature in anti-CTLA-4 responsive tumors

Background Tumor response to therapy is affected by both the cell types and the cell states present in the tumor microenvironment. This is true for many cancer treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). While it is well-established that ICIs promote T cell activation, their broader impact on other intratumoral immune cells is unclear; this information is needed to identify new mechanisms of action and improve ICI efficacy. Many preclinical studies have begun using single-cell analysis to delineate therapeutic responses in individual immune cell types within tumors. One major limitation to this approach is that therapeutic mechanisms identified in preclinical models have failed to fully translate to human disease, restraining efforts to improve ICI efficacy in translational research. Method We previously developed a computational transfer learning approach called projectR to identify shared biology between independent high-throughput single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets. In the present study, we test this algorithm's ability to identify conserved and clinically relevant transcriptional changes in complex tumor scRNA-seq data and expand its application to the comparison of scRNA-seq datasets with additional data types such as bulk RNA-seq and mass cytometry. Results We found a conserved signature of NK cell activation in anti-CTLA-4 responsive mouse and human tumors. In human metastatic melanoma, we found that the NK cell activation signature associates with longer overall survival and is predictive of anti-CTLA-4 (ipilimumab) response. Additional molecular approaches to confirm the computational findings demonstrated that human NK cells express CTLA-4 and bind anti-CTLA-4 antibodies independent of the antibody binding receptor (FcR) and that similar to T cells, CTLA-4 expression by NK cells is modified by cytokine-mediated and target cell-mediated NK cell activation. Conclusions These data demonstrate a novel application of our transfer learning approach, which was able to identify cell state transitions conserved in preclinical models and human tumors. This approach can be adapted to explore many questions in cancer therapeutics, enhance translational research, and enable better understanding and treatment of disease.
A Systematic Review of Student-Mediated Math Interventions for Students with Emotional or Behavior Disorders

Students identified with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) display deficits across academic content areas, most notably in mathematics. We reviewed research on student-mediated math interventions for students with EBD. A total of 19 studies published between 1968 and 2019 met inclusion criteria, with 24 of 32 cases meeting the What Works Clearinghouse Pilot Single-Case Design Standards (version 4.0) with or without reservations. Participants included 51 students identified with EBD, ages 8 to 16 years old. Results from visual analysis revealed 0 cases demonstrated strong evidence, 11 cases demonstrated moderate evidence, and 21 cases demonstrated weak evidence of intervention effects. The omnibus Tau-U was 74.35% (CI95 = 64.2% to 84.4%), representing data from 17 studies including 46 students. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Coccidioidomycosis and Solid Organ Transplantation

This review discusses the epidemiology, microbiology and pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of coccidioidomycosis in solid organ transplant recipients. Coccidioidomycosis is associated with a high mortality in solid organ transplant recipients than in immunocompetent individuals. Within the endemic area, strategies to reduce the incidence and mortality among solid organ transplant recipients include pretransplantation screening and treatment of coccidioidomycosis among donors and recipients, use of universal azole prophylaxis after transplantation, and more aggressive treatment of asymptomatic or primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis after transplantation. Coccidioidomycosis is an endemic infection in the southwestern United States that is associated with high rates of dissemination and mortality among solid organ transplant recipients. Patients can acquire coccidioidomycosis after transplantation via primary infection after transplantation, reactivation of prior infection, or infection acquired from the transplanted organ. Although some solid organ transplant recipients with coccidioidomycosis may be asymptomatic, in general, solid organ transplant recipients have more severe disease and a higher mortality rate than immunocompetent persons. Various strategies have been used to reduce the incidence and mortality among solid organ transplant recipients. Fluconazole is commonly used as the first-line treatment of asymptomatic or primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, but other azole therapy may be useful in patients intolerant to fluconazole. In patients with rapidly progressive coccidioidomycosis, amphotericin B is often used first, followed by fluconazole.
It Helps to Know Genetic Basis: Williams Syndrome as an Example of Cognitive Disability

When an adequate knowledge base is present, an assessment and intervention approach that takes into account genetic disorder etiology can be particularly powerful for children with genetically based neurodevelopmental disorders (Dykens & Hodapp, 2001). To illustrate the importance of this etiological approach, this case depicts the tailoring of assessment and intervention suggestions to a particular intellectual disability syndrome, Williams syndrome.
A Study of the Pancreatic Response to Histamine in Dogs with Total Gastrectomies

Summary The action of histamine on pancreatic secretion was studied in 3 dogs in which total gastrectomies had been performed to insure complete exclusion of the HC1-secretin mechanism. The data demonstrate clearly that histamine is a direct and potent stimulus for pancreatic secretion, thus confirming the results previously obtained by drainage of gastric secretion via a gastrostomy. A study of the effect of atropine on this histamine-induced secretion gave further evidence of inhibitory action in this situation.
Computations in Galois field using multiple-valued logic

A unique encoding technique to perform arithmetic operations in Galois field using multiple-valued (MVL) is presented. The computations are done in a quaternary logic system that can replace the binary one. To show that both systems are equivalent, we illustrate computation examples of inversion and exponentiation in Galois field using AB/sup 2/ technique (where both A and B are elements in Galois field). Multi-level representation of signals lies between a hard decision binary system and fuzzy system whose value ranges from 0 to 1.
Wire array Z-pinch insights for high X-ray power generation

Comparisons of detailed measured implosion characteristics of annular wire array Z-pinches with those modeled and simulated give insight into pinch dynamics and X-ray power generation.
The value premium within and across GICS industry sectors in a pre-financial collapse sample

AbstractA portfolio manager employing a top-down/bottom-up method who seeks to capture the value premium long promised in academic literature would want to first determine whether the premium exists across industries and not just observed in firm-specific book-to-market (BE/ME) relationships. Next, the investor would want to know if BE/ME characteristics are stable across these defined homogeneous groups or whether there is considerable variation. Results show that certain industries appear to have a natural or structural tendency to reflect either a high or low BE/ME characteristic. Results also shows that growth-oriented industry BE/ME characteristics appear to be more stable than value-oriented industries over time. Moreover, stocks from growth-oriented industries tend to cluster at high rates in the lowest BE/ME quintile, while stocks from value-oriented industries appear more evenly distributed across middle BE/ME quintiles over time. Value stocks found in growth sectors outperform value stocks in va...
Combinatorial design of fault-tolerant communication structures, with applications to non-blocking switches

This thesis is an investigation into structures and strategies for fault-tolerant communication. We assume the existence of some set of nodes -- people, telephones, processors -- with a need to pass messages -- telephone calls, signals on a wire, data packet-- amongstthemselves. In Part I, our goal is to create a structure, that is, a pattern of interconnection, in which a designated source node can broadcast a message to (and through) a group of recipient nodes. We seek a structure in which every node has tightly limited fanout, but which is nonetheless able to function reliably even when challenged with significant numbers of node failures. The structures are described only in terms of their connectivity, and we therefore use the language of graph theory. Part 11 is based on the observation that certain transformations of the graphs in Part I produce graphs that look like previously studied structures called nonblocking switches. We show that these transformations, when applied to other graphs, yield new, easier approaches to, and proofs of, some known theorems. Part III is an independent body of work describing some investigations into possible extensions of the theory of Kolmogorov-Chaitin complexity into the foundations of pattern recognition. We prove the existence of an information theoretic metric on strings in which the distance between two strings is a measure of the amount of specification required for a universal computer to interconvert the strings. We also prove two topological theorems about this metric.
Impact of the surgeon of the week system in an academic pediatric surgery practice

Abstract Background A pilot rounding surgeon of the week (SOW) program was implemented in our institution on July 2013 to improve patient care through focused attending rounds. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the SOW. Methods We performed a descriptive retrospective study from a single, large-volume academic center. Data were collected from July to December 2013 (post-SOW) and compared to July to December 2012 (pre-SOW). Outcomes included patient safety (safety reports) and team productivity (billing data). We also evaluated nursing satisfaction through a 10-point Likert scale survey. Results The total number of patient safety complaints decreased after the SOW (37 pre-SOW versus 27 post-SOW). Work relative value units (wRVUs) increased by 8% while nonoperative billing increased by 15%. Twenty of the daytime nursing staff completed the survey and overall satisfaction with the SOW was 8.3. Twelve were employed prior to the SOW and, when analyzed independently, the proportion of employees satisfied with nursing to physician communication was higher after the SOW (55% pre-SOW vs. 83% post-SOW, p=0.13) as was perception of parental satisfaction (33% vs. 75%, p=0.04). Conclusions The SOW program appears to improve patient safety as evidenced by a decrease in patient safety events. Additionally, the SOW program led to higher ancillary staffing satisfaction and perceived parental satisfaction without decreasing revenue. This study suggests that the SOW may be a beneficial program that could be considered at other large-volume institutions.
Single rabbit stomach smooth muscle cell myosin heavy chain SMB expression and shortening velocity

Isolated single smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from different regions of the rabbit stomach were used to determine a possible correlation between unloaded shortening velocity and smooth muscle (SM) myo...
Genome Sequences of Mycobacteriophages Luchador and Nerujay.

ABSTRACT Luchador and Nerujay are two newly isolated mycobacteriophages recovered from soil samples using Mycobacterium smegmatis. Their genomes are 53,387 bp and 53,455 bp long and have 96 and 97 predicted open reading frames, respectively. Nerujay is related to subcluster A1 phages, and Luchador represents a new subcluster, A14.
The growth of hydroxyapatite crystals

Abstract The kinetics of growth of hydroxyapatite has been studied at 25 °C and at constant physiological pH by seeding stable supersaturated calcium phosphate solutions with crystals. The seed crystals were characterized by chemical analysis and by i.r. and X-ray powder diffraction methods. The pH was maintained constant by means of a pH-stat and the growth was followed by monitoring the alkali uptake and the solution calcium and phosphate concentration changes. During the first 60–90 min, growth proceeds through the formation of a precursor phase which has a calcium:phosphate ratio of 1.45 ± 0.05. The precursor phase undergoes slow interaction with the medium to attain the hydroxyapatite composition. The initial rates of growth are independent of the rate of stirring and dependent on the seed concentration and supersaturation. Attempts are made to describe the rate of growth in terms of the concentrations of free ionic species in the solutions.
A solvable hyperbolic free boundary problem modelling tumour regrowth

Recently, Tian and Friedman et al. developed a mathematical model on brain tumour recurrence after resection [J.P. Tian, A. Friedman, J. Wang and E.A. Chiocca, Modeling the effects of resection, radiation and chemotherapy in glioblastoma, J. Neuro-Oncol. 91(3) (2009), pp. 287–293]. The model is a free boundary problem with a hyperbolic system of nonlinear partial differential equations. In this article, we conduct a rigorous analysis on this hyperbolic system and prove the local and global existence and uniqueness of the solution. It is well known that most nonlinear free boundary problems are impossible to solve in terms of explicit analytical solutions. In contrast, the free boundary problem in this study is solvable, and the explicit solution is found using the backward characteristic curve method. This explicit solution is then validated by numerical simulation results. An interesting finding in this study is that the problem can be treated as a hyperbolic system defined on an infinite domain where th...
Determination of thermal diffusivity, conductivity, and energy release from the internal temperature profiles of energetic materials

Abstract A novel data processing technique has been developed to obtain thermal diffusivity, conductivity, and reaction heat release for energetic materials from Sandia Instrumented Thermal Ignition (SITI) experiments heated with a linear ramp temperature boundary condition. The method is based on the equivalence of the temperature responses of: (a) ramped temperature boundary condition with no internal heat generation and (b) uniform heat generation (that is, with a negative value) with constant temperature boundary conditions; which is true regardless of the spatial domain. For the specific case analyzed herein (the SITI apparatus), the midplane temperature profile is well represented by a quadratic expression in the radial coordinate for both ramped boundary temperature and uniform heat generation responses. Internal temperature data from temperature ramped SITI experiments with various pyrotechnics, propellants, and explosives were analyzed. Quadratic fits to the temperature profile data were made and the associated fitting coefficients were converted to yield thermal diffusivity directly. Thermal conductivity was then determined from thermal diffusivity, given knowledge of the material’s specific heat capacity and density. Finally, because of the equivalence of the cases (a) and (b) above, their individual contributions to a combined temperature profile can be easily separated, thereby yielding internal heat generation as well. This technique allows for measurements of properties for pressed and powdered materials over a range of densities and temperatures. The technique is demonstrated using pyrotechnic materials (KClO4 and Ti/KClO4), a composite solid propellant (herein referred to as “Propellant A”, a class 1.3 AP-HTPB-aluminum propellant) and an explosive (PBX 9502).
Mapping Bronchial Carcinoma In Situ Lung Cancer Lesions By Combined Imaging Fluorescence Bronchoscopy And Ratioing Fluorometer Probe

A two-component system of instrumentation and methods, IFB and RFP, when used in combination employing hematoporphyrin derivates, DHE, had highly satisfactory sensitivity (95%) and specificity (100%) for localizing carcinoma in situ lesions in the bronchi of individuals with early stage lung cancer, having a normal chest x-ray and detected by a positive sputum cytology test. The more detailed mapping of additional subjects may increase the specificity of RFP (Ratioing Fluorometer Probe) by itself to an adequate level. Digital computer subs traction of background antofluorescence may increase contrast to enhance the specificity of IFB (Imaging Fluorescence Bronchoscopy).
Influence of sulfobutyl ether β-cyclodextrin (Captisol®) on the dissolution properties of a poorly soluble drug from extrudates prepared by hot-melt extrusion

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of sulfobutyl ether beta-cyclodextrin (SBE(7)-beta-CD; Captisol on the dissolution properties of a poorly water-soluble drug from extrudates prepared by hot-melt extrusion. Ketoprofen was employed as a model drug. Extrudates containing the parent beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) were also produced for comparative evaluation to assess the benefits of SBE(7)-beta-CD. Hot-melt extrudates were produced at 100 degrees C, which was close to the melting point of ketoprofen. The physiochemical properties and the in vitro drug release properties of ketoprofen from extrudates were investigated and compared with samples prepared by physical mixing, co-grinding, freeze-drying and heat-treatment. The solubilizing effects and the interactions of ketoprofen with SBE(7)-beta-CD and beta-CD were investigated using phase solubility and NMR studies, respectively. The dissolution rate of ketoprofen from samples prepared by hot-melt extrusion with SBE(7)-beta-CD was significantly faster than both the physical mixture and the hot-melt extrudates prepared with the parent beta-CD. Moisture absorption studies revealed that the hygroscopic nature of SBE(7)-beta-CD led to particle aggregation and a corresponding decrease in drug release rate for all samples. However, the samples prepared by melt extrusion were least affected by exposure to elevated humidity.
Analysis and characterization of dimerization inhibition of a multi-drug-resistant Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 protease using a novel size-exclusion chromatographic approach

Active-site inhibitors of HIV-1 PR (protease) block viral replication by preventing viral maturation. However, HIV-1 often develops resistance to active-site inhibitors through multiple mutations in PR and therefore recent efforts have focused on inhibiting PR dimerization as an alternative approach. Dimerization inhibitors have been identified using kinetic analysis, but additional characterization of the effect of these inhibitors on PR by physical methods has been difficult. In the present study, we identified a PR(MDR) (multi-drug-resistant HIV-1 PR) that was highly resistant to autoproteolysis. Using this PR and a novel size-exclusion chromatographic approach that incorporated fluorescence and MS detection, we were able to demonstrate inhibition of dimerization using P27 (peptide 27), a peptide dimerization inhibitor of PR previously identified on the basis of kinetic analysis. Incubation of PR(MDR) with P27, or other dimerization inhibitors, led to a dose- and time-dependent formation of PR monomers based on the change in elution time by size exclusion and its similar elution time to engineered forms of monomeric PR, namely PR(T26A) and glutathionylated PR. In contrast, incubation of PR(MDR) with a potent active-site inhibitor did not change the elution time for the PR(MDR) dimer. The monomeric PR induced by P27 had fluorescent characteristics which were consistent with unfolded PR. Structure-activity studies identified the active regions of P27 and experiments were performed to examine the effect of other dimerization inhibitors on PR. The present study is the first characterization of dimerization inhibition of PR(MDR), a prime target for these inhibitors, using a novel size-exclusion chromatographic approach.
Prostatic adenoma of ductal origin

Abstract A case of prostatic adenoma believed to originate from the prostatic duct is described. There were morphologic similarities to basal cell adenomas of salivary glands, and it was concluded that the tumor is a benign counterpart of ″salivary gland″ carcinomas, rarely observed in the prostate.
Would cloned humans really be like sheep

The recent proof, by DNA-microsatellite analysis1 and DNA-fingerprinting techniques,2 that Dolly the sheep had indeed been cloned as Wilmut et al. claimed,3 and the report by Wakayama et al.4 of th...
The heat shock response and acquired thermotolerance in three strains of cyanobacteria

The heat shock response of three cyanobacterial strains,Anabaena sp. Strain PCC (paris Culture Collection) 7120,Plectonema boryanum Strain PCC 6306, andSynechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7942, was characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Anabaena produced 33 heat shock proteins,P. boryanum 35 proteins, andSynechoccus 19 proteins. The rapid response to heat shock was consistent for all three strains, although the number of time-dependent proteins varied. All strains developed thermotolerance when first pretreated with a sublethal heat shock and then challenged with a previously lethal temperature. A 30-min 30°C incubation was required between the heat shock and challenge forSynechococcus, but not forAnabaena andP. boryanum. Synechococcus cells required a higher challenge temperature (51° vs. 49°C) than the other two strains to destroy control cells that were not pretreated with a heat shock.
Student and faculty perspective toward the role and value of integration of natural product information into the pharmacy curriculum.

ABSTRACTBackground: Consumer use of natural products is a mainstay in our society and continues to grow in prevalence. As pharmacists are viewed as drug experts and are easily accessible to patients, it is important for them to have basic knowledge of natural products. Methods: Students and faculty members participating in a natural product elective were surveyed upon completion of the course about their perspectives regarding incorporation of covered information into the required curriculum. Results: The majority of students and faculty members agree with the necessity of natural product content in the pharmacy curriculum. Their ideas for ways of incorporating this information, however, differ. Conclusion: Healthcare students and faculty are beginning to recognize the need for incorporation of Natural Product information into the curriculum and healthcare programs in the country should begin to rise to the occasion.