cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ACCELERATED FAILURE TIME MODELS COMPARISON TO THE PROPORTIONAL HAZARD MODEL FOR TIME-DEPENDENT COVARIATES WITH RECURRING EVENTS

This paper presents an analysis of parametric survival models and compares their applications to time to event data used to validate the approximation for repeated events applying the Proportional Hazard Model (PHM) proposed in Mendes and Fard [Int. J. Reliab., Qual. Saf. Eng.19(6) (2012) 1240004.1–1240004.18]. The subjects studied do not show degrading failures, allowing the comparison between accelerated failure time models with the PHM. Results showed the applicability of the Weibull model and the versatility of the PHM not only to match the results of the parametric model, but also to allow the implementation of time-dependent covariates, resulting in superior model fit and more insightful interpretation for the covariate hazards. The paper contribution is to present the PHM as a simpler, more robust model to determine the acceleration factor for reliability testing when compared to the formidable task of fitting a parametric model for the distribution of failure. The Kaplan–Meier method may provide misleading guidance for covariate significance when time-dependent covariates are applied; however, relevant graphical screening is supplied. Notwithstanding, the PHM provides additional options to treat the repeated observations applying robust covariance correction for lack of heterogeneity in the fixed effects model or adopting the stratified model that absorbs the error using the stratification concept.
Transforming and Heparin-Binding Growth Factors: Cellular Receptors and Biological Responses in Icratinocytes and Melanocytes

AbstractThe transforming growth factors and heparin-binding/fibroblast growth factors are major classes of polypeptide growth factors that regulate cell growth and differentiation. Transforming growth factor type α (TGF-α) is a potent mitogen for human keratinocytes. The cellular receptor for TGF-α is the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. TGF-α is produced and secreted by cultured keratinocytes. Autoinduction of TGF-a expression by keratinocytes is one mechanism of regulation that may modulate autocrine/paracrine control of epidermal growth. Cultures of normal human melanocytes do not express EGF receptor, and TGF-a or EGF is not mitogenic for epidermal-derived pigment cells. Transforming growth factor type β (TGF-β) reversibly arrests growth of normal keratinocytes and melanocytes in vitro. Keratinocytes secrete a latent form of TGF-β. Following protein activation and binding to specific cellular receptors, TGF-β exerts multiple biological effects on epithelial and mesenchymal cells of skin.Fibrobl...
Palaeomagnetism of granitic intrusives from the Precambrian basement under eastern Kansas: orienting drill cores using secondary magnetization components

Summary. The Precambrian basement under east-central Kansas was drilled at two circular aeromagnetic positives, one at Osawattamie and one at Big Springs. The core retrieved from these sites is a coarse to medium grained granite which has been dated by U-Pb to be 1350 Ma old. The palaeomagnetism of these azimuthally unoriented cores was studied to see if a technique which uses low-coercivity, low-temperature magnetization components to orient the cores would allow an independent confirmation of the core's mid-Proterozoic age. Orthogonal projection plots of the alternating field (af) and thermal demagnetization data show that the magnetization of these cores is relatively simple, having only two components: a low-temperature, low-coercivity magnetization with steep positive inclinations and a shallow, negative inclination characteristic magnetization for the Osawattamie core or a positive, moderate inclination characteristic magnetization for the Big Springs core. If the declination of the low-temperature, low-coercivity component is aligned parallel to the present field declination, the characteristic directions may be azimuthally oriented. This allows the calculation of palaeomagnetic poles for the Big Springs core (lat. = 4.5°S, long. = 29.9°E) and the Osawattamie core (lat.= 20.2°N, long. = 39.3°E) which are consistent with Irving's apparent polar wander path for Laurentia at about 1300–1400 Ma. Comparison of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM), viscous remanent magnetization (VRM), and isothermal remanent magnetization af demagnetization curves with a natural remanent magnetization (NRM) demagnetization curve suggests that the Osawattamie core probably acquired a piezoremanent magnetization (PRM) parallel to the core axis during drilling.
FRET microscopy in 2010: The legacy of Theodor Förster on the 100th anniversary of his birth

Theodor Forster would have been 100 years old this year, and he would have been astounded to see the impact of his scientific achievement, which is still evolving. Combining his quantitative approach of (Forster) resonance energy transfer (FRET) with state-of-the-art digital imaging techniques allows scientists to breach the resolution limits of light (ca. 200 nm) in light microscopy. The ability to deduce molecular or particle distances within a range of 1-10 nm in real time and to prove or disprove interactions between two or more components is of vital interest to researchers in many branches of science. While Forster's groundbreaking theory was published in the 1940s, the availability of suitable fluorophores, instruments, and analytical tools spawned numerous experiments in the last 20 years, as demonstrated by the exponential increase in publications. These cover basic investigation of cellular processes and the ability to investigate them when they go awry in pathological states, the dynamics involved in genetics, and following events in environmental sciences and methods in drug screening. This review covers the essentials of Theodor Forster's theory, describes the elements for successful implementation of FRET microscopy, the challenges and how to overcome them, and a leading-edge example of how Forster's scientific impact is still evolving in many directions. While this review cannot possibly do justice to the burgeoning field of FRET microscopy, a few interesting applications such as threecolor FRET, which greatly expands the opportunities for investigating interactions of cellular components compared with the traditional two-color method, are described, and an extensive list of references is provided for the interested reader to access.
Superconductor Electronics and Power Applications [Point of View]

There are advantageous, unique applications of superconductivity that are already in use and others that will be realized in the coming years and decades. The quantum nature of superconductivity that fascinated many of us in the 1960s continues to lead to new inventions in electronics. And the remarkable current carrying properties of superconductors, including the high temperature materials, will continue to lead to new, more efficient power applications.
Nontarget Markets and Viewer Distinctiveness: The Impact of Target Marketing on Advertising Attitudes

This research examines the effect of target marketing on members of the advertiser's intended audience as well as members not in the target market: the nontarget market . The results of 3 experiments show that unfavorable nontarget market effects are stronger for members of nondistinctive groups (e.g., Caucasian individuals, heterosexual individuals) and favorable target market effects are stronger for members of distinctive groups (e.g., African American individuals, homosexual individuals). The results of Experiment 2 demonstrate that the psychological processes by which target and nontarget market effects occur differ by viewer group: Felt similarity with sources in an advertisement drives target market effects for distinctive viewers, whereas felt targetedness drives target market effects for nondistinctive viewers. Finally, Experiment 3 shows that these consumer feelings of similarity or targetedness are associated with underlying processes of identification and internalization. Theoretical implications regarding the impact of distinctiveness theory in consumer persuasion effects and potential social effects of target marketing are discussed.
Intraoperative Corticosteroid Injection at the Time of Knee Arthroscopy Is Associated With Increased Postoperative Infection Rates in a Large Medicare Population

Purpose To employ a national database of Medicare patients to evaluate the association of ipsilateral intra-articular knee corticosteroid injections at the time of knee arthroscopy with the incidence of postoperative infection. Methods A national Medicare insurance database was queried for patients who underwent ipsilateral intra-articular corticosteroid injection of the knee at the time of knee arthroscopy from 2005 to 2012. Patients who underwent arthroscopically assisted open procedures, those who underwent more complex arthroscopic procedures, and those for whom laterality were not coded were excluded. This study group was compared to a control cohort of patients without intraoperative steroid injections that was matched to the study group for age, gender, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and smoking status. Infection rates within 3 and 6 months postoperatively were assessed using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, and Current Procedural Terminology codes. Results The incidence of postoperative infection rates after knee arthroscopy was significantly higher at 3 months (0.66%; odds ratio [OR], 2.6; P P Conclusions The present study demonstrates a significant increase in postoperative infection in Medicare patients who underwent ipsilateral intra-articular knee corticosteroid injections at the time of knee arthroscopy compared with a matched control group without intraoperative injection. Level of Evidence Therapeutic Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Design and implementation of a Petri net based toolkit for Ada tasking analysis

The use of Petri nets for defining a general static analysis framework for Ada tasking is advocated. The framework has evolved into a collection of tools that have proven to be a very valuable platform for experimental research. The design and implementation of tools that make up the tasking-oriented toolkit for the Ada language (TOTAL) are defined and discussed. Modeling and query/analysis methods and tools are discussed. Example Ada tasking programs are used to demonstrate the utility of each tool individually as well as the way the tools integrate. TOTAL is divided into two major subsystems, the front-end translator subsystem (FETS) and the back-end information display subsystem (BIDS). Three component tools that make up FETS are defined. Examples demonstrate the way these tools integrate in order to perform the translation of Ada source to Petri-net format. The BIDS subsystem and, in particular, the use of tools and techniques to support user-directed, but transparent, searches of Ada-net reachability graphs are discussed. >
Coverage and energy tradeoff in density control on sensor networks

In dense wireless sensor networks, density control is an important technique for prolonging network's lifetime while providing sufficient sensing coverage. In this paper, we develop three new density control protocols by considering the tradeoff between energy usage and coverage. The first one, non-overlapping density control, aims at maximizing coverage while avoiding the overlap of sensing areas of active sensors. Under the ideal case, a set of optimality conditions are derived to select sensors such that the sensing space is covered systematically to maximize the usage of each sensors and the coverage gap is minimized. Based on the optimality conditions, we develop a distributed protocol that can be efficiently implemented in large sensor networks. Next, we present a protocol called non-overlapping density control based on distances that does not require location information of the nodes. This protocol is more flexible and easier to implement than existing location-based methods. Finally, we present a new range-adjustable protocol called non-overlapping density control for adjustable sensing ranges. It allows heterogenous sensing ranges for different sensors to save energy consumption. Extensive simulation shows promising results of the new protocols.
Local nasal immunotherapy: Efficacy of lowdose aqueous ragweed extract

In previous studies preseasonal local nasal immunotherapy (LNIT) with moderate doses of aqueous ragweed extract (mean total dose 59 μg of AgE and 139 μg of AgE) was an effictive treatment for ragweed hay fever; however, local adverse reactions during therapy were common. This study evaluated the clinical and immunologic responses to LNIT by use of lower doses of aqueous ragweed extract in order to minimize these adverse reactions. Patients were administered preseasonal LNIT for 7 wk and received a mean total dose of 4.7 μg of AgE. During the ragweed season, symptom/medication scores (SMS) of the treated patients were equivalent to SMS of untreated patients. Serum ragweed-specific IgE and nasal secretory ragweed-specific IgA rose slightly in the treated patients but not to the extent observed in previous studies. After the ragweed season treated and untreated patients had a substantial increase in serum ragweed IgE antibody titers. No correlation could be found between antibody responses and SMS. This study indicates that LNIT with lower doses of aqueous ragweed extract is clinically ineffective.
Separation of macro-quantities of actinide elements at Savannah River by high-pressure cation exchange

Abstract Large-scale separation of actinides from fission products and from each other by pressurized cation exchange chromatography at Savannah River is reviewed. Several kilograms of 244Cm have been separated, with each run containing as much as 150 g of 244Cm. Dowex® 50W-X8 (Dow Chemical Co.) cation resin, graded to 30–70 micron size range, is used, and separation is made by eluting with 0.05M diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) at a pH of 3. The effluent from the column is continuously monitored by a BF3 detector, a NaI detector, and a lithium-drifted germanium detector and gamma spectrometer to guide collection of product fractions. Operating the columns at 300 to 1000 psi pressure eliminates resin bed disruption caused by radiolytically produced gases, and operating at: increased flow rates decreases the radiolytic degradation of the resin per unit of product processed. A portion of the hot canyon of a production radiochemical separation plant was converted from a remote crane-operated facili...
Microneedle-array patches loaded with hypoxia-sensitive vesicles provide fast glucose-responsive insulin delivery

A glucose-responsive “closed-loop” insulin delivery system mimicking the function of pancreatic cells has tremendous potential to improve quality of life and health in diabetics. Here, we report a novel glucose-responsive insulin delivery device using a painless microneedle-array patch (“smart insulin patch”) containing glucose-responsive vesicles (GRVs; with an average diameter of 118 nm), which are loaded with insulin and glucose oxidase (GO x ) enzyme. The GRVs are self-assembled from hypoxia-sensitive hyaluronic acid (HS-HA) conjugated with 2-nitroimidazole (NI), a hydrophobic component that can be converted to hydrophilic 2-aminoimidazoles through bioreduction under hypoxic conditions. The local hypoxic microenvironment caused by the enzymatic oxidation of glucose in the hyperglycemic state promotes the reduction of HS-HA, which rapidly triggers the dissociation of vesicles and subsequent release of insulin. The smart insulin patch effectively regulated the blood glucose in a mouse model of chemically induced type 1 diabetes. The described work is the first demonstration, to our knowledge, of a synthetic glucose-responsive device using a hypoxia trigger for regulation of insulin release. The faster responsiveness of this approach holds promise in avoiding hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia if translated for human therapy.
Accelerating the Hyperbolic Display of Complex 2D Scenes Using the GPU

Hyperbolic geometry is a useful visualization technique for displaying a large quantity of two dimensional data simultaneously. What distinguishes this technique is that one particular area can be displayed in full detail with all other areas displayed in lesser detail. In this way, the entire scene is still on the screen so that the entire set of relationships, as well as emergency indicators, can always be seen. But, because the hyperbolic transformation equation is non-linear, it cannot be placed in the standard graphics hardware 4x4 homogeneous matrix. Thus, using the hyperbolic transformation prevents full use of the graphics pipeline hardware, and drastically reduces interactive speed. This paper discusses a way to recoup this display performance by encoding the hyperbolic transform into an OpenGL vertex shader that resides on the graphics GPU hardware. In this way, the hyperbolic transform can still be used interactively, even for very complex 2D scenes.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Fludrocortisone for the Treatment of Heparin-Induced Hyperkalemia

OBJECTIVE:To report the use of fludrocortisone for heparin-induced hyperkalemia and to briefly review the available literature relating to heparin-induced hyperkalemia.CASE SUMMARY:A 34-year-old African-American man was admitted to the hospital for pneumococcal pneumonia and sepsis. His hospital course was complicated by the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, severe sepsis, acute renal failure, placement of a tracheostomy, and recurrent nasopharyngeal bleeding. The patient also developed a subclavian vein thrombosis with extension to the cephalic and basilic veins secondary to placement of a pulmonary artery catheter; anticoagulation with heparin was required. On day 9 of heparin therapy, the patient developed symptomatic hyperkalemia refractory to conventional therapies. Oral fludrocortisone 0.1 mg/d was initiated with resolution of the hyperkalemia within 24 hours despite the continued administration of heparin.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE (1966–October 1999) search was performed to identify ...
Identification and characterization of p63 (CKAP4/ERGIC-63/CLIMP-63), a surfactant protein A binding protein, on type II pneumocytes

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) binds to alveolar type II cells through a specific high-affinity cell membrane receptor, although the molecular nature of this receptor is unclear. In the present study, we have identified and characterized an SP-A cell surface binding protein by utilizing two chemical cross-linkers: profound sulfo-SBED protein-protein interaction reagent and dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) (DSP). Sulfo-SBED-biotinylated SP-A was cross-linked to the plasma membranes isolated from rat type II cells, and the biotin label was transferred from SP-A to its receptor by reduction. The biotinylated SP-A-binding protein was identified on blots by using streptavidin-labeled horseradish peroxidase. By using DSP, we cross-linked SP-A to intact mouse type II cells and immunoprecipitated the SP-A-receptor complex using anti-SP-A antibody. Both of the cross-linking approaches showed a major band of 63 kDa under reduced conditions that was identified as the rat homolog of the human type II transmembrane protein p63 (CKAP4/ERGIC-63/CLIMP-63) by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization and nanoelectrospray tandem mass spectrometry of tryptic fragments. Thereafter, we confirmed the presence of p63 protein in the cross-linked SP-A-receptor complex by immunoprobing with p63 antibody. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments and functional assays confirmed specific interaction between SP-A and p63. Antibody to p63 could block SP-A-mediated inhibition of ATP-stimulated phospholipid secretion. Both intracellular and membrane localized pools of p63 were detected on type II cells by immunofluorescence and immunobloting. p63 colocalized with SP-A in early endosomes. Thus p63 closely interacts with SP-A and may play a role in the trafficking or the biological function of the surfactant protein.
Meta-BCS: a novel way to BCS ranking using generalized regression neural network and genetic algorithm

In this paper, we attempt to run vulnerability analysis on the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) ranking system. We used Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN) to create a model for each poll and then applied these models to simulate a random season. After this, a modified genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to evolve schedules that minimize the difference between the number 2 ranked team and the number 3 ranked team. By simulating the seasons, we aim to show that current BCS system in fact converges faster than the proposed meta-BCS system.
Tree-ring crossdates for a First Millennium AD advance of Tebenkof Glacier, southern Alaska.

Tree-ring crossdates from glacially killed logs show that Tebenkof Glacier advanced into a forefield forest in the AD 710s and 720s. Recession from this First Millennium AD (FMA) advance occurred before the 950s, after which the ice margin readvanced in the 1280s to 1320s at the start of the Little Ice Age (LIA). A more extensive LIA advance was underway from the 1640s to 1670s, and the terminus stayed at or near its LIA maximum until the 1890s. These are the first absolute tree-ring crossdates for a FMA glacier advance in North America and support growing evidence from northwestern North America and Europe for a significant cool interval in the centuries around AD 500.
Performance analysis of a method for high level prevention of traffic analysis

One of the stated goals of communications security is the prevention of traffic analysis. A model to prevent traffic analysis by rerouting and padding the traffic matrix, so that the apparent final traffic matrix is neutral, is analyzed. The objective of this analysis is to justify the claims of the model and to show that rerouting of traffic via intermediate nodes with minimum padding is indeed a cost effective method to prevent traffic analysis. Simulation results supporting the above claim are also presented. The requirement that final traffic matrix be neutral may be too restrictive in some cases, and various modifications to the model are suggested, while still ensuring prevention of traffic analysis. Prevention of traffic analysis in real time is addressed briefly. >
Photoimmunotherapy Targeting Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen: Are Antibody Fragments as Effective as Antibodies?

140 Objectives 18F-AV-1451 (aka 18F-T807) has been reported (Chien et al., J. Alzheimers Dis. 34, 457-468) to be a selective tracer for PET imaging of tau neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We are investigating the impact of a Partial Volume Correction (PVC) method, which compensates for blurring due to the limited spatial resolution of PET scanners, on cortical 18F-AV-1451 quantitation. Methods 133 subjects (48 OCN, 61 MCI, 24 AD) were scanned for 20 min, beginning 80 min after injection of ~10 mCi of 18F-AV-1451. Florbetapir amyloid (Aβ) PET scans and T1-weighted MRI images were also obtained for each subject. MRI images were parcellated into three tissue types (GM, WM, CSF) and registered to the PET data for incorporation into a region-based, voxel-wise PVC algorithm (Thomas et al., Eur. J. Nucl. Mol. Imaging 38, 1104-1119). For this implementation, a uniform PET point spread function of 6 mm FWHM was modeled. Images were spatially normalized to MNI space, and subject-specific GM-masked AAL VOIs were applied. SUVrs were obtained from weighted average combinations of these VOIs in the frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital lobes, using a sub-section of cerebellar GM as a reference region. Data were grouped based on clinical diagnosis and Aβ status for analysis. Results PVC significantly (p Conclusions Preliminary results suggest that PVC may amplify cortical SUVrs, leading to improved group discrimination particularly in subjects with high amyloid burden. These warrant further evaluation on cross-sectional and longitudinal data, to determine the role of PVC in enhancing our understanding of the severity and progression of AD.
Solar cell development on the surface of Moon from in-situ lunar resources

The use of the indigenous resources of the Moon can result in the development of a power system on the Moon based on the fabrication of solar cells by thin film growth technology in the vacuum environment of the Moon. This can be accomplished by the deployment of a moderately-sized (/spl sim/200kg) crawler/rover on the surface of the Moon with the capabilities of preparation of the lunar regolith for use as a substrate, evaporation of the appropriate semiconductor material for the solar cell structure, and deposition of metallic contacts and interconnects. This unique process will allow for the emplacement of a lunar electric power system that can reach a 1 MW capacity level in several years of crawler operation. This approach for the emplacement of an electric power system on the Moon would require the transportation of a much smaller mass of equipment to the Moon than would otherwise be required to install a complete electric power system brought to the Moon and emplaced there. It would also result in an electric power system that was repairable/replaceable through the simple fabrication of more solar cells.
Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Amprenavir (141W94), a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Type 1 Protease Inhibitor, following Oral Administration of Single Doses to HIV-Infected Adults

The clinical use of inhibitors of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1) protease enzyme represents a major advance in the treatment of HIV disease. HIV and AIDS surveillance efforts show that an overall, abrupt decline in opportunistic infections and deaths due to AIDS occurred in 1996 and that the decline resulted specifically from treatment advances (4). Protease inhibitors are now recommended as part of a combination of multiple antiretroviral agents for treatment of HIV infection: as initial therapy for recently infected individuals, as therapy for chronically infected individuals (symptomatic and asymptomatic), and as therapy for persons with AIDS (2, 3). Despite gains in the management of HIV-related disease, treatment failure remains a considerable problem. A number of factors can lead to treatment failure with the currently available protease inhibitors (1, 6, 7), including incomplete viral suppression and suboptimal drug exposure. Thus, new protease inhibitors that have potent antiviral activity and pharmacokinetic properties are urgently needed. The protease inhibitor amprenavir (141W94) is an N,N-disubstituted hydroxyethylamino sulfonamide that was originally synthesized by a structure-based drug design process (10). Amprenavir has a molecular mass of 506 Da and is relatively soluble in phosphate-buffered saline (0.19 mg/ml at pH 6.8) (10, 13). Amprenavir is 90% bound to plasma proteins, and as is the case with other protease inhibitors, the high-affinity plasma protein for amprenavir is α1-acid glycoprotein (11). In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that amprenavir is primarily metabolized by the 3A4 isozyme of the hepatic cytochrome P-450 system (CYP3A4) and that amprenavir inhibits CYP3A4 to a degree comparable to those exhibited by indinavir and nelfinavir (20). In a number of cell culture systems, amprenavir was shown to have a high level of antiviral activity (13, 14, 18). In cell culture systems with medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, the mean 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of amprenavir for the laboratory HIV-1IIIB strain in human peripheral blood lymphocytes is 0.08 μM (or 0.04 μg/ml), and the IC50 for clinical isolates of HIV is 0.012 μM (or 0.006 μg/ml) (18). Amprenavir showed good oral bioavailability in several animal species (13). We have studied and report here on the pharmacokinetics of single doses of amprenavir as a hard gelatin capsule formulation (Glaxo Wellcome protocol PROA1001) in HIV-infected subjects. Because this formulation was found to be unstable at room temperature and required refrigeration, a soft gelatin capsule formulation was developed. We therefore sought to establish the relative bioavailabilities of the two formulations and examine the effect of food on the absorption of amprenavir in the soft gelatin capsule (Glaxo Wellcome protocol PROA1004). Preliminary data from the dose-escalation and bioequivalence studies were reported previously (16, 19).
Wound healing potential of aqueous crude extract of Stevia rebaudiana in mice

The present study was carried out to evaluate the wound healing potential of crude aqueous extract of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni, Asteraceae, in experimental animals. All experiments were conducted following standard procedures. The crude extract was administered topically in graded doses of 150, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w. was used for evaluating the wound healing potential in excision wound model for fourteen days and orally in the incision wound model for ten days, respectively. Povidone iodine ointment was used as standard (5.0% w/w). Dose dependent activities resulted in both the wound models when compared to the standard (povidone iodine) and the control. Topical application of crude aqueous extract of S. rebaudiana (500 mg/kg b.w) in excision wound model decreased significantly the wound area by 15th day, i.e. 48.2±2.0 compared with control 94.1±1.2. Epithelization time was decreased from 17.3±0.21 to 12.0±0.10 and hydroxylproline content was increased from 32.2±0.11 to 67.6±0.10 when compared with control. In incision wound model breaking strength of wounds, wet and dry granulation of the tissue weight and hydroxyproline were increased significantly from control with AESR. In conclusion, AESR leaves accelerated wound healing activity in mice and thus supports its traditional use.
The impact of prolapse mesh on vaginal smooth muscle structure and function.

Objective To evaluate the impact of prolapse meshes on vaginal smooth muscle structure (VaSM) and function, and to evaluate these outcomes in the context of the mechanical and textile properties of the mesh. Design Three months following the implantation of three polypropylene prolapse meshes with distinct textile and mechanical properties, mesh tissue explants were evaluated for smooth muscle contraction, innervation, receptor function, and innervation density. Setting Magee-Womens Research Institute at the University of Pittsburgh. Population Thirty-four parous rhesus macaques of similar age, parity, and pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP–Q) scores. Methods Macaques were implanted with mesh via sacrocolpopexy. The impact of Gynemesh™ PS (Ethicon; n = 7), Restorelle® (Coloplast; n = 7), UltraPro™ parallel and UltraPro™ perpendicular (Ethicon; n = 6 and 7, respectively) were compared with sham-operated controls (n = 7). Outcomes were analysed by Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U–tests and multiple regression analysis (P < 0.05). Mean outcome measures Vaginal tissue explants were evaluated for the maximum contractile force generated following muscle, nerve, and receptor stimulation, and for peripheral nerve density. Results Muscle myofibre, nerve, and receptor-mediated contractions were negatively affected by mesh only in the grafted region (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.008, respectively), whereas cholinergic and adrenergic nerve densities were affected in the grafted (P = 0.090 and P = 0.008, respectively) and non-grafted (P = 0.009 and P = 0.005, respectively) regions. The impact varied by mesh property, as mesh stiffness was a significant predictor of the negative affect on muscle function and nerve density (P < 0.001 and P = 0.013, respectively), whereas mesh and weight was a predictor of receptor function (P < 0.001). Conclusions Mesh has an overall negative impact on VaSM, and the effects are a function of mesh properties, most notably, mesh stiffness. Tweetable abstract Prolapse mesh affects vaginal smooth muscle.
High spatial resolution dielectric constant uniformity measurements using microstrip resonant probes

Microstrip resonant probes have been developed which can measure dielectric constant uniformity with spatial resolution of 0.030 in.*0.010 in. and accuracy better than 2% at 10 GHz. The accuracy of the measurement can be improved to be better than 1% by using a closed-loop frequency discriminator to measure the frequency shift automatically. The measurement principle, microstrip resonator design and fabrication, microwave measurement setup, and dielectric constant uniformity measurement are discussed. >
Neighbourhood Change and the Federal Housing Administration: Some Theoretical and Empirical Issues

The Federal Housing Administration has been accused of playing a major role in neighbourhood change. This paper examines the empirical evidence from a comparison of FHA and conventional activity in Columbus, Ohio. Clear differences in areas and units served by the two loan types are found, but the lack of strong conceptual frameworks makes their interpretation unclear. The paper goes on to discuss these results in light of the theoretical issues involved in examining neighbourhood change. It concludes with a call for detailed empirical studies firmly grounded on improved theoretical constructs.
A Most Corrupt Election: Louisiana in 1876

Two lessons from the 2000 presidential election stand out in particular. The first is that rules affect results. Elections are highly organized mechanisms of citizen participation. Established rules specify who can vote, where and when they can vote, what ballot form registers their vote, and what outcome constitutes winning. Rules, moreover, determine which officials count the votes, certify the victor, and declare the election to be legitimate. The rules governing election contests are not neutral in their effects. Each variant generally tends to advantage some given set of claimants and interests; therefore, the choice among election rules is often controversial, especially when the outcome hangs in the balance. The second, related lesson is that votes intended do not necessarily equal votes cast, that votes cast do not necessarily equal votes recorded, and that votes recorded do not necessarily equal the official vote total. In each case, there is the matter of translation, part of which is technical and depends on the ballot apparatus and part of which is political and depends on the discretionary decisions of those responsible for managing the electoral process. Problems of translation do not ordinarily affect who wins, but they can – and have during certain controversial episodes of U.S. electoral history.
Analysis of Absorbing Sets and Fully Absorbing Sets of Array-Based LDPC Codes

The class of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes is attractive, since such codes can be decoded using practical message-passing algorithms, and their performance is known to approach the Shannon limits for suitably large block lengths. For the intermediate block lengths relevant in applications, however, many LDPC codes exhibit a so-called ?error floor,? corresponding to a significant flattening in the curve that relates signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to the bit-error rate (BER) level. Previous work has linked this behavior to combinatorial substructures within the Tanner graph associated with an LDPC code, known as (fully) absorbing sets. These fully absorbing sets correspond to a particular type of near-codewords or trapping sets that are stable under bit-flipping operations, and exert the dominant effect on the low BER behavior of structured LDPC codes. This paper provides a detailed theoretical analysis of these (fully) absorbing sets for the class of Cp, ? array-based LDPC codes, including the characterization of all minimal (fully) absorbing sets for the array-based LDPC codes for ? = 2,3,4, and moreover, it provides the development of techniques to enumerate them exactly. Theoretical results of this type provide a foundation for predicting and extrapolating the error floor behavior of LDPC codes.
Double-Diffusive Intrusions on a Finite-Width Thermohaline Front

Abstract A density-compensated thermohaline front with a finite width L∗ and total lateral salinity variation ΔS superimposed on a finger-favorable thermocline is studied by means of linear theory and nonlinear numerical calculations using parameterized finger fluxes. By retaining the relatively small molecular heat diffusion and the dependence of the finger Nusselt number Nu on the density ratio, it is shown that marginal stability with critical ΔS is possible. The lateral fluxes induce a mean vertical velocity w0(x), which can sharpen the front, but when ΔS exceeds a certain value the effect of the lateral fluxes exceeds that of w0(x) and the front weakens. Nonlinear 2D spectral calculations showed that the modification of the mean horizontal gradients is small and that the intrusions continue to grow exponentially even after they have produced overturns. By extrapolating the linear theory results beyond the overturning stage, the intrusion velocity was estimated to be proportional to the Brunt–Vaisala ...
Managing Internships: Experiential Learning That Can Benefit Business Students, Industry, And Academic Units

This study examines the practices and procedures of three internship programs, and communicates the findings of the programs concerning the benefits to students, businesses, and academic institutions. Although the internship programs examined in this study vary considerably, the common element is the early connection of students to employers and careers.
A control function approach to estimating switching regression models with endogenous explanatory variables and endogenous switching

We derive simple, multi-step estimation methods for a linear model with heterogeneous coefficients when there are both continuous and discrete endogenous explanatory variables. We consider both cross-sectional and panel data settings. When we extend our model to panel data, we use the Chamberlain–Mundlak device to allow heterogeneity to be correlated with time-varying explanatory variables. We apply the panel data methods we propose to estimation of a housing budget share equation where a homeownership dummy variable plays the role of the endogenous regime, and total expenditure plays the role of a continuous endogenous explanatory variable. We find that the constant coefficient model seems sufficient, and that the estimation methods we propose produce rather plausible estimates of the model parameters.
Avoiding, pretending, and querying: three combinatorial problems

A k-term quasi-progression of diameter d is a sequence {x1, ... , xk} for which there exists a positive integer l such that l ≤ xi–xi -1 ≤ l+d, for all i = 2, ... , k. Quasi-progressions may be thought of as arithmetic progressions with a certain amount of ‘wiggle-room’ allowed. Let Q(d, k) be the least positive integer such that every 2-coloring of {1, ... , Q(d, k)} contains a monochromatic k-term quasi-progression of diameter d. We prove a conjecture of Landman for certain values of k and d, provide counterexamples for some other cases, and determine that the conjecture always has the correct order of growth. Let A be the adjacency matrix of a nonempty graph. Is there always a nonzero {0, 1}-vector in the row space of A that is not a row of A? Akbari, Cameron, and Khosrovshahi have shown that an affirmative answer to this question would imply bounds on many graph parameters as a function of the rank of the adjacency matrix. We demonstrate the existence of such vectors for certain families of graphs, examine techniques to find and verify the existence of such vectors, and show that if you generalize the problem to allow asymmetry in the matrices then some {0, 1}-matrices do not have such vectors. In 1981, Andrew Yao asked “Should tables be sorted?”. When the table has n cells that are filled with entries taken from a key space of m possibilities, he showed that it is possible to decide whether any member of the key space is present in the table by inspecting (querying) only one cell of the table if and only if m ≤ 2n — 2. We make steps toward extending his result to the case where you are permitted two queries by considering several variations of the problem.
Fit TOB Regulated Lightly? Municipal Bond Regulation after the 2008 Financial Crisis

For years, municipal bonds were considered “safe” investments. The perception of safety combined with political considerations meant that municipal bonds have traditionally not been subject to heavy regulation. However, as a result of the 2008 financial crisis and some high-profile municipal bankruptcies, there has been renewed scrutiny on the municipal bond market. This Note analyzes three regulatory changes that have recently been announced, and their impact on the municipal bond market: The High-Quality Liquid Asset requirement under Basel III, the Volcker Rule, and the risk retention rule. This Note analyzes whether these initiatives are sensible, and offers recommendations on how to best regulate the municipal bond market.
Using teacher goal boards to promote healthy eating and physical activity among elementary students (LB471)

The purpose of this study was to understand the potential impact on elementary students’ perceptions of, and intentions related to, healthy eating and physical activity when their classroom teacher...
Note on Postmerger Integration

Approximately 65% to 85% of mergers fail. That’s a startling statistic. While there are myriad reasons why mergers are not successful, in many cases the reason is simple: a failure to develop and execute an appropriate postmerger integration (PMI) strategy. Clues to successful PMIs can be gleaned from the 15% to 35% of mergers that do succeed; this note contains some tips and best practices distilled from those successes. Because every company and every merger is different, this collection of practices is by no means exhaustive. Instead, its purpose is to serve as a starting point for the creation of a well-tailored strategy for a firm planning to undertake the assimilation of an acquisition into a new, combined entity.
A comparison of rumen microbial profiles in dairy cows as retrieved by 454 Roche and Ion Torrent (PGM) sequencing platforms

Next generation sequencing (NGS) technology is a widely accepted tool used by microbial ecologists to explore complex microbial communities in different ecosystems. As new NGS platforms continue to become available, it becomes imperative to compare data obtained from different platforms and analyze their effect on microbial community structure. In the present study, we compared sequencing data from both the 454 and Ion Torrent (PGM) platforms on the same DNA samples obtained from the rumen of dairy cows during their transition period. Despite the substantial difference in the number of reads, error rate and length of reads among both platforms, we identified similar community composition between the two data sets. Procrustes analysis revealed similar correlations (M (2) = 0.319; P = 0.001) in the microbial community composition between the two platforms. Both platforms revealed the abundance of the same bacterial phyla which were Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes; however, PGM recovered an additional four phyla. Comparisons made at the genus level by each platforms revealed differences in only a few genera such as Prevotella, Ruminococcus, Succiniclasticum and Treponema (p < 0.05; chi square test). Collectively, we conclude that the output generated from PGM and 454 yielded concurrent results, provided stringent bioinformatics pipelines are employed.
What is the Expected Volume of a Simplex Whose Vertices are Chosen at Random from a Given Convex Body

(1969). What is the Expected Volume of a Simplex Whose Vertices are Chosen at Random from a Given Convex Body? The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 76, No. 3, pp. 286-288.
ANALYSIS OF THE STRATIGRAPHIC FOUNDATION OF NEARSHORE SAND BODIES

This study is being conducted in order to add to the body of knowledge concerning sand bodies generated by the transgressive process. Knowledge of past sea level fluctuations is crucial in understanding current and future sea level changes which are major factors concerning coastal evolution. A total of thirty six sub-bottom profiles and fifteen vibracores were collected at Sebastian Inlet’s ebb shoal. Textural analysis and core descriptions were used to preliminarily interpret the environments of deposition of each layer. These data were combined with sub-bottom profiles to create a model of the past depositional environments at this location. These environments encompassed shallow marine, lagoon, reworked lagoon, transgressive lag and modern near shore sedimentation.
Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Interventions for Substance-Use Disorders: A Narrative Review

ABSTRACTThe review was conducted to explore psychosocial interventions for adults with substance-use disorders. A refined literature focus was placed on articles published by occupational therapists, or articles published by an allied health professional, that discussed occupational therapy performing the intervention. Ten articles met inclusion criteria, all focusing on aspects of life skills training. Study results support the professions’ ability to enhance functional independence and occupational performance for individuals recovering from substance use. Further, a more controlled investigation is warranted to further define occupational therapy’s scope within substance-use disorder treatment.
Diagnostic biomarkers in venous thromboembolic disease.

Objective Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common disease with serious, often fatal sequelae. The optimal strategy for diagnosis of VTE remains unclear, although considerable progress has been made in this area. Several new biomarkers have showed promise for diagnosis of VTE, and more are under active investigation. We reviewed the literature for studies evaluating these diagnostic biomarkers. Methods We reviewed the English literature between 1990 and 2015, searching for papers evaluating diagnostic performance of biomarkers in VTE. Results D-dimer, a fibrin degradation product, has been thoroughly investigated, and performs well in select populations, although it is best as a rule-out test because of its generally low specificity. Soluble P-selectin, a marker of endothelial activation, has shown good diagnostic performance in several studies but has not yet been adopted widely. Others, including cellular adhesion molecules, tissue factor, circulating microparticles, and C-reactive protein, are under investigation, with varying results in a few studies. Conclusions At this time, D-dimer and P-selectin remain the most clinically valuable. New biomarkers are needed for clinical use in VTE.
Bladder Calculi Complicating Intermittent Catheterization

AbstractBladder calculi occurred as a late complication in 4 male patients who performed satisfactorily clean, intermittent catheterization. The mechanism for stone formation in each case was a hair introduced into the bladder, which served as a nidus for incrustation. Patients on intermittent catheterization, particularly male subjects with impaired tactile discrimination, should be instructed to observe diligently for and avoid adherence of hairs to the catheter to prevent this complication.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Epidemiology, Genetics, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Manifestations

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin secretion, a generally rapid onset, and dependence on exogenous insulin at the time of diagnosis. These patients are also prone to ketosis.