cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy and thermal performance evaluation of an automated snow and ice removal system at airports using numerical modeling and field measurements

Abstract Airports are moving toward utilizing clean energy technologies along with the implementation of practices that reduce local emissions. This includes replacing fossil fuel-based with electricity-based operations. These changes would significantly impact the energy demand profile of airports. Electrically-conductive concrete (ECON) is currently a focus of heated pavement design for replacing conventional snow removal practices. ECON heated pavement systems (HPSs) use electricity to heat the pavement surface. Since experimental studies are resource intensive and ECON HPS performance depends on weather conditions, developing a field data-validated numerical model enables its long term energy performance evaluation. In this research, a finite element (FE) model is developed and experimentally-validated using two proposed model-updating methods for full-scale ECON HPS test slabs constructed at Des Moines International Airport (DSM) in Iowa. The model predicts energy demands and average surface temperatures within 2% and 13% respectively. The estimated power demand ranges from 325 to 460 W/m2 for different weather conditions. The results of this study provide a validated tool that can be used to evaluate the energy demand of ECON HPS. Studying the energy demand of ECON HPS opens the way for developing control strategies to optimize its energy use which will contribute to developing sustainable communities.
In Vitro Methods for Assessing Nanoparticle Toxicity

As a consequence of their increase in annual production and widespread distribution in the environment, nanoparticles potentially pose a significant public health risk. The sought-after catalytic activity granted by their physiochemical properties doubles as a hazard to physiological processes following exposure through inhalation, oral, transdermal, subcutaneous, and intravenous uptake. Upon uptake into the body, their size, morphology, surface charge, coating, and chemical composition augment the response of biological systems to the materials and enhance their toxicity. Identification of each property is necessary to predict the harm imposed by foreign nanomaterials in the body. Assay methods ranging from endotoxin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) signaling to apoptosis and oxidative stress detection supply valuable techniques for exposing biomarkers of nanoparticle-induced cellular damage. Spectroscopic investigation of epithelial barrier permeation and distribution within living cells reveals the proclivity of nanoparticles to penetrate the body's natural defensive boundaries and deposit themselves in cytotoxic locations. Combination of the various characterization methodologies and assays is required for every new nanoparticulate system despite preexisting data for similar systems due to the lack of deterministic trends among investigated nanoparticles. The propensity of nanomaterials to denature proteins and oxidize substrates in their local environment generates significant concern for the applicability of several traditional in vitro assays, and the modification of susceptible approaches into novel methods suitable for the evaluation of nanoparticles comprises the focus of future work centered on nanoparticle toxicity analysis.
Computer Simulation and Maxillary All-on-Four Surgery

Maxillary all-on-four implant reconstruction requires training beyond normal dental implant training. It conjoins technical surgical acumen, anatomic and complex spatial relationship understanding, thorough awareness of dental prosthodontic principles, and excellent patient management skills. Acquisition of appropriate training to the level of competence in an era of greater patient expectations and increased vigilance for patient safety and overall quality of care is limited. Repeated purposeful practice in performing complex psychomotor tasks is of paramount importance in achieving competence. Surgical simulation may assist surgical learners to acquire familiarity with relevant anatomic variations, instrumentation, surgical techniques, and management of intraoperative and postoperative complications.
An Analysis of Deposits and Lending Behaviours of ICICI Bank

A sound and effective banking system is the backbone of an economy. ICICI Bank is India's second-largest bank with total assets of ` 4,062.34 billion (US$ 91 billion) at March 31, 2011 and profit after tax ` 51.51 billion (US$ 1,155 million) for the year ended March 31, 2011. The Bank has a network of 2,752 branches and 9,225 ATMs in India, and has a presence in 19 countries, including India. In order to compare and analyze various deposits of ICICI Bank over a period of time, percentage methods, co-efficient of variations, linear trend and compound growth rate have been used. The secondary data collected through internet, books, newspaper, journals records and brochures from 2008-09 to 2017-18. The study examines the growth of deposits of ICICI bank in head office and branches. The objectives of the present study are: To find out the trend and growth of deposits of ICICI bank in head office and branches during 2008-09 to 2017-18. To study the employee engagement of ICICI bank. To assess the product and services offered by ICICI bank. It is found that the trend co-efficient was found to be statistically significant for deposits of ICICI Bank in branch offices. It indicates, on an average, deposits of ICICI Bank in branches had increased by 0.1502 percent per annum. The value R2 indicates that the 85 to 81 percent variations in dependent variable explained by time variable. ICICI Bank achieved competitive advantage by enabling rapid roll out of new products, faster customer service and reduced time-to-market, to cater to the ever-growing needs of customers. Its open architecture and flexibility has enabled easy integration with multiple systems. ICICI Bank positioned itself as technology-savvy, customer-friendly bank. Thus, ICICI Bank accords utmost concern to customer satisfaction by offering innovative and need based financial products and services using state-of-the art technology. Thus it can be concluded that the perceptions and experiences of the customers on the technology deployment in ICICI Bank was in favour of up gradation of technology.
One Year Clinical Experience of the First Commercial Hybrid Closed-Loop System.

OBJECTIVE In September 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Medtronic 670G “hybrid” closed-loop system. In Auto Mode, this system automatically controls basal insulin delivery based on continuous glucose monitoring data but requires users to enter carbohydrates and blood glucose for boluses. To track real-world experience with this first commercial closed-loop device, we prospectively followed pediatric and adult patients starting the 670G system. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This was a 1-year prospective observational study of patients with type 1 diabetes starting the 670G system between May 2017 and May 2018 in clinic. RESULTS Of the total of 84 patients who received 670G and consented, 5 never returned for follow-up, with 79 (aged 9–61 years) providing data at 1 week and 3, 6, 9, and/or 12 months after Auto Mode initiation. For the 86% (68 out of 79) with 1-week data, 99% (67 out of 68) successfully started. By 3 months, at least 28% (22 out of 79) had stopped using Auto Mode; at 6 months, 34% (27 out of 79); at 9 months, 35% (28 out of 79); and by 12 months, 33% (26 out of 79). The primary reason for continuing Auto Mode was desire for increased time in range. Reasons for discontinuation included sensor issues in 62% (16 out of 26), problems obtaining supplies in 12% (3 out of 26), hypoglycemia fear in 12% (3 out of 26), multiple daily injection preference in 8% (2 out of 26), and sports in 8% (2 out of 26). At all visits, there was a significant correlation between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and Auto Mode utilization. CONCLUSIONS While Auto Mode utilization correlates with improved glycemic control, a focus on usability and human factors is necessary to ensure use of Auto Mode. Alarms and sensor calibration are a major patient concern, which future technology should alleviate.
Topological Insulator $$\hbox {Bi}_{2}\hbox {Se}_{3}$$Bi2Se3 Films on Silicon Substrates

We have employed atomic layer deposition to produce uniform films of $$\hbox {Bi}_{2}\hbox {Se}_{3}$$, which is a 3D topological insulator (TI), over 5 cm $$\times $$ 5 cm $$\hbox {SiO}_{2}$$-coated Si substrates. The crystalline properties of the films were characterized via Raman spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, cross-sectional transmission microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, which confirmed the high quality of the films. The TI properties were examined using Hall bridge structures and recording magnetoresistance at 1.9 K. A weak anti-localization effect was observed at low field, from which a phase coherent length of 242 nm and prefactor $$\alpha $$ value of 1 were determined, indicating desirable topological properties. This approach for film growth provides a path for integrating a 3D topological insulator with silicon integrated circuit technology.
San Juan single-well seismic data analysis and modeling study

The authors analyze single-well seismic data from the San Juan basin in Northwest New Mexico. The consistently observable events are tube-waves: direct, reflected and multiple tube-waves can be explained by the formation properties and survey geometry except for an anomalous zone with low velocity, high amplitude and horizontal polarization. To aid the data analysis, forward modeling using a variable-grid finite-difference parallel code is performed. The numerical result confirms the identified events in the field observations.
Targeted Muscle Reinnervation at the Time of Upper-Extremity Amputation for the Treatment of Pain Severity and Symptoms.

Purpose Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is a technique for the management of peripheral nerves in amputation. Phantom limb pain (PLP) and residual limb pain (RLP) trouble many patients after amputation, and TMR has been shown to reduce this pain when performed after the initial amputation. We hypothesize that TMR at the time of amputation may improve pain for patients after major upper-extremity amputation. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent major upper-extremity amputation with TMR performed at the time of the index amputation (early TMR). Phantom limb pain and RLP intensity and associated symptoms were assessed using the numeric rating scale (NRS), the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Intensity Short-Form 3a, the Pain Behavior Short-Form 7a, and the Pain Interference Short-Form 8a. The TMR cohort was compared with benchmarked data from a sample of upper-extremity amputees. Results Sixteen patients underwent early TMR and were compared with 55 benchmark patients. More than half of early TMR patients were without PLP (62%) compared with 24% of controls. Furthermore, half of all patients were free of RLP compared with 36% of controls. The median PROMIS PLP intensity score for the general sample was 47 versus 38 in the early TMR sample. Patients who underwent early TMR reported reduced pain behaviors and interference specific to PLP (50 vs 53 and 41 vs 50, respectively). The PROMIS RLP intensity score was lower in patients with early TMR (36 vs 47). Conclusions This study demonstrates that early TMR is a promising strategy for treating pain and improving the quality of life in the upper-extremity amputee. Early TMR may preclude the need for additional surgery and represents an important technique for peripheral nerve surgery. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Beach Nourishment as a Dynamic Capital Accumulation Problem

Beach nourishment is a common coastal management strategy used to combat erosion along sandy coastlines. It involves building out a beach with sand dredged from another location. This paper develops a positive model of beach nourishment and generates testable hypotheses about how the frequency of nourishment responds to property values, project costs, erosion rates, and discounting. By treating the decision to nourish as a dynamic capital accumulation problem, the model produces new insights about coupled economic geomorphological systems. In particular, determining whether the frequency of nourishment increases in response to physical and economic forces depends on whether the decay rate of nourishment sand exceeds the discount rate.
Gonadal Hormone Influences on Sex Differences in Binge Eating Across Development

Binge eating is a transdiagnostic symptom that disproportionately affects females. Sexually dimorphic gonadal hormones (e.g., estradiol, testosterone) substantially impact eating behavior and may contribute to sex differences in binge eating. We examine recent evidence for the role of gonadal hormones in binge eating risk across development. Both organizational (long-lasting impact on the central nervous system (CNS)) and activational (transient influences on the CNS) hormone effects may contribute to sex differences in binge eating. Gonadal hormones also impact within-sex variability in binge eating, with higher estradiol levels in females and higher testosterone levels in males protective across development. Emerging evidence suggests that the impact of gonadal hormones may be greatest for people with other risk factors, including genetic, temperamental (e.g., high negative affect), and psychosocial (e.g., exposure to weight-based teasing) risk. Gonadal hormones contribute to sex differences and within-sex variability in binge eating across development.
Preplanning the integration of women into the workforce

The number of females entering career areas previously stereotyped as “male only” is increasing in both the public and private sectors. Few would argue that females lack the intellectual capability or moral right to enter and succeed. However, it is rather well established that there are physical differences. These differences could mean that existing tools, equipment, and certain jobs are inadequate for women workers and could hamper their achievement of success. This paper is the end result of a conversation with a female Air Force electrician who indicated that she, as well as other females in the craft skills, were having some difficulty with the tools and equipment they were provided. The conversation led to the undertaking of a study of the adequacy of equipment used by female craft workers in the U. S. Air Force. This paper is a synthesis of the study and interviews I conducted; it is presented in the hope that it will aid human engineers and managers to preplan the integration of female workers in...
SU‐F‐207‐02: Use of Postmortem Subjects for Subjective Image Quality Assessment in Abdominal CT Protocols with Iterative Reconstruction

Purpose: New radiation dose reduction technologies are emerging constantly in the medical imaging field. The latest of these technologies, iterative reconstruction (IR) in CT, presents the ability to reduce dose significantly and hence provides great opportunity for CT protocol optimization. However, without effective analysis of image quality, the reduction in radiation exposure becomes irrelevant. This work explores the use of postmortem subjects as an image quality assessment medium for protocol optimizations in abdominal CT. Methods: Three female postmortem subjects were scanned using the Abdomen-Pelvis (AP) protocol at reduced minimum tube current and target noise index (SD) settings of 12.5, 17.5, 20.0, and 25.0. Images were reconstructed using two strengths of iterative reconstruction. Radiologists and radiology residents from several subspecialties were asked to evaluate 8 AP image sets including the current facility default scan protocol and 7 scans with the parameters varied as listed above. Images were viewed in the soft tissue window and scored on a 3-point scale as acceptable, borderline acceptable, and unacceptable for diagnosis. The facility default AP scan was identified to the reviewer while the 7 remaining AP scans were randomized and de-identified of acquisition and reconstruction details. The observers were also asked to comment on the subjective image quality criteria they used for scoring images. This included visibility of specific anatomical structures and tissue textures. Results: Radiologists scored images as acceptable or borderline acceptable for target noise index settings of up to 20. Due to the postmortem subjects’ close representation of living human anatomy, readers were able to evaluate images as they would those of actual patients. Conclusion: Postmortem subjects have already been proven useful for direct CT organ dose measurements. This work illustrates the validity of their use for the crucial evaluation of image quality during CT protocol optimization, especially when investigating the effects of new technologies.
Smart Electronic Materials: LIGHT ABSORPTION AND EMISSION

INTRODUCTION Light is an integral part of the human experience. Not only do we use light to find our way around this complex world, it also provides us a medium for art and fantasy. And, of course, it has been exploited for the important technology of communication, storage, and display. In contrast to other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, the human eye directly detects light, giving the spectral range of 0.3 μm to 1.0 μm a special status. In Fig. 5.1 we show the electromagnetic spectrum and the region over which the human eye responds. Of course, while the human eye response window is important for display technology, there is great interest in infrared and far infrared (communication, night visions, etc.) and ultraviolet regions (high-density memory, lithography printing, etc.). In Fig. 5.2 we show an overview of physical phenomenon governing devices that can detect and emit light. Three general categories are shown: (i) In conventional inorganic semiconductor devices, light particles or photons create electrons and holes through absorption. The electrons and holes create an electrical signal that can be used to detect the radiation. Conversely, electrons and holes can recombine to emit photons. In semiconductors it is also possible to use bandgap trap levels to alter the photon energy. In this case the semiconductor is intentionally doped with an impurity to create trap levels. In semiconductors, electron-hole pairs can also form excitons that can participate in optical processes. […]
AMPK Control of mTOR Signaling and Growth

Publisher Summary The AMP-activated serine/threonine protein kinase (AMPK) is a sensor of cellular energy status found in all eukaryotes—that is, activated under conditions of low-intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) following cellular stress. One of the major downstream signaling pathways regulated by AMPK is the mammalian target-of-rapamycin (mTOR pathway). Like AMPK, the mTOR serine/threonine kinase plays key roles in growth control and cell proliferation and also in metabolism. Across eukaryotes mTOR orthologs are found in two biochemically distinct complexes and only one of those complexes (mTORC1 in mammals) is acutely sensitive to rapamycin and regulated by nutrients and AMPK. AMPK directly phosphorylates at least two proteins to induce rapid inhibition of mTORC1 activity, the tuberous sclerosis protein 2 (TSC2) tumor suppressor and the mTOR binding partner raptor. The chapter explores the molecular connections between AMPK and mTOR signaling pathways and examines the physiological processes in which AMPK regulation of mTOR is critical for growth or metabolic control. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a heterotrimeric kinase complex composed of a catalytic (α) subunit and two regulatory (β and γ) subunits.
Of Politics and Particle Physics

A Hole in Texas A Novel. by Herman Wouk. Little, Brown, New York, 2004. 279 pp. $25, C$35. ISBN 0-316-52590-1. Wouk explores the interface between science and politics in this novel about the Higgs boson and the aftermath of the 1993 cancellation of the Superconducting Super Collider.
Influence of Serum and Soluble CD25 (sCD25) on Regulatory and Effector T‐cell Function in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Our previous studies showed that high levels of soluble CD25 (sCD25) in the serum of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) correlated with blunted effector T-cells (Teff) responses, tumour burden and poor survival. Understanding the interactions between Teff, CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) and soluble factors can identify novel therapeutic targets. In this study, we characterize the mechanisms by which HCC serum and sCD25 mediate suppression of Teff and evaluate the effect of sCD25 on the suppression assays with normal healthy control cells (NHC) at a 1:1 Treg to Teff cell ratio to determine whether sCD25 has any impact on Treg suppression. HCC serum and sCD25 suppressed Teff proliferation and downregulated CD25 expression on HCC Teff in a dose-dependent fashion with sCD25 doses above 3000 pg/ml. Treg from HCC and cirrhosis patients suppressed proliferation of target CD4+CD25- Teff in serum-free medium (SFM). HCC Treg showed a higher degree of suppression than cirrhosis-derived Treg. In contrast, Treg from NHC did not suppress target Teff in SFM. However, isolated Treg from all three study subjects (HCC, cirrhosis and NHC) suppressed CD4+CD25- Teff in serum conditions or in the presence of sCD25 in the range 6000-12,000 pg/ml. In conclusion, downregulation of CD25 cell surface expression on Teff is part of the overall suppressive mechanism of sCD25 and HCC serum on Teff responses. The observed sCD25 and HCC serum-mediated suppression is further influenced via novel immune-inhibitory interaction between CD4+CD25+ Treg and sCD25.
The Electrodeposition of Manganese from Aqueous Solutions III . A Survey of Several Electrolytes

A preliminary investigation has been made of the electrolysis of several manganese salts in aqueous solution. No metallic manganese was obtained from manganese perchlorate or manganese tannate solutions. Metallic manganese at the cathode was obtained upon electrolysis of aqueous solutions of manganese sodium citrate, manganese benzoate, manganese acetate, manganese fluoborate, and sodium citrate containing baths of manganese dithionate, tartrate, formate, fluosilicate, lactate, and acetate. The best quality of manganese plate was obtained (under the conditions investigated) from solutions of manganese benzoate, manganese sodium citrate, and mixtures of manganese lactate with sodium citrate. This investigation is being continued.
Insight into lithium–metal anodes in lithium–sulfur batteries with a fluorinated ether electrolyte

High energy density Li–S batteries are a promising green battery chemistry, but polysulfide shuttling and lithium anode degradation hinder the practical use of Li–S batteries. Tremendous efforts have been made including confining sulfur in a closed cathode porous matrix and stabilizing lithium–metal anodes with additives; however, satisfactory confinement is challenging to achieve and electrolyte additives could be electrochemically unstable, deteriorating the long-term cyclability of Li–S batteries. Here, we demonstrate the control of polysulfide shuttling and stabilization of the lithium–metal anode with a fluorinated ether electrolyte without either cathode confinement or additives, which can be beneficial for both the efficient use of electrolytes and safe operation of Li–S batteries. Moreover, a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer with a hierarchical chemical composition of LiF and sulfate/sulfite/sulfide was identified on lithium anodes, which suppresses parasitic reactions and helps preserve the anode quality.
Extracting fine-grained durations for verbs from Twitter

This paper presents recent work on a new method to automatically extract finegrained duration information for common verbs using a large corpus of Twitter tweets. Regular expressions were used to extract verbs and durations from each tweet in a corpus of more than 14 million tweets with 90.38% precision covering 486 verb lemmas. Descriptive statistics for each verb lemma were found as well as the most typical fine-grained duration measure. Mean durations were compared with previous work by Gusev et al. (2011) and it was found that there is a small positive correlation.
Rates of oxygen and hydrogen exchange as indicators of TPQ cofactor orientation in amine oxidases

This study presents the first detailed examination by resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy of the rates of solvent exchange for the C5 and C3 positions of the TPQ cofactor in several wild-type copper-containing amine oxidases and mutants of the amine oxidase from Hansenula polymorpha (HPAO). On the basis of crystal structure analysis and differing rates of C5O and C3−H exchange within the enzyme systems, but equally rapid rates of C5O and C3−H exchange in a TPQ model compound, it is proposed that these data can be used to determine the TPQ cofactor orientation within the active site of the resting enzyme. A rapid rate of C5O exchange (t1/2 < 30 min) and a slow (t1/2 = 6 h) to nonexistent rate of C3−H exchange was observed for wild-type HPAO, the amine oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis, pea seedling amine oxidase at pH 7.1, and the E406Q mutant of HPAO. This pattern is ascribed to a productive TPQ orientation, with the C5O near the substrate-binding site and the C3−H near the Cu. In contrast, a slow rate ...
Suggested Modifications to Ground Water Sampling Procedures Based on Observations from the Colloidal Borescope

Observations of colloidal movement under natural conditions and during pumping were conducted at several field sites. Results indicate that several modifications to present sampling protocols may improve the representativeness and cost effectiveness of obtaining ground water samples for assessing the total mobile contaminant load. These modifications include the installation of dedicated sampling devices, limited purging of the well prior to sampling, sampling at a flow rate of 100 mL/min, and no filtering of samples. This sampling approach can result in significant cost savings while providing the best possible water samples.
Reflectivity difference spectroscopy study of thin film ZnSe grown on GaAs by molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract ZnSe films were grown on GaAs substrates with various growth conditions by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The optical anisotropy of the films was determined by reflectivity difference spectroscopy (RDS) during and/or after growth. Comparison of the in situ RDS data with spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) data suggests that RDS could be utilized to determine film thickness, alloy composition and temperature during growth. The RDS spectra were also compared with results from transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray double-crystal rocking curve (DCRC) and Hall measurements. Comparison with the Hall effect showed that the magnitude of the optical anisotropy is generally larger for higher carrier concentrations. Comparison with TEM results and the full-width-at-half-maximum measurements by DCRC reveals that: (i) the E1 structure arising from the bulk spatial distribution (BSD) is correlated with film quality; (ii) the amplitude of the interference below E0 provides a measure of the ZnSe GaAs interface quality; and (iii) the large anisotropy above the band gap is correlated with surface roughness.
Stereochemical Analysis of Monodeuterated Isomers By GC/MS/MS

GC/MS/MS techniques to quantitate mixtures of acyclic stereoisomers are explored for a set of secondary n-alkyl phenyl ethers vicinally substituted with deuterium. Examination of a set of test compounds using a commercial quadrupole ion trap instrument (GC/QIT) reveals large differences between threo and erythro diastereomers when trapped molecular ions expel neutral alkene as a result of collisionally activated dissociation (CAD). All of the monodeuterated compounds give PhOH•+ (m/z 94) and PhOD•+ (m/z 95) as the principal fragments under GC/QIT/CAD conditions. The threo isomers give consistently larger values of the ion intensity ratio r = m/z 95/m/z 94 than do the corresponding erythro, with a ratio of ratios rt/re as high as 3. A nonlinear calibration curve shows that the threo decomposes to a lesser extent than the erythro in mixtures of the two stereoisomers; hence, the precision of quantitation is sensitive to experimental error. Sustained off-resonance irradiation experiments in an FT-ICR give vir...
An introduction to models

We survey the origins, development, and applications of models and modeling and discuss their dramatic usefulness and possible dangers. We go on to present a nontechnical introduction to some basic abstract models used in mathematics, statistics, and systems engineering. We strongly emphasize the difference between models and things modeled and touch on the role of modeling in play, art, operations analysis, and modern physics.
Inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone complicating neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

autosomal recessive genes. In order for bo th condi t ions to occur in the same individual on the basis of gene linkage, the two muta t ions would have to be in coupling, thus giving a "carr ier" f requency of only one in 500,000. R a n d o m mat ing be tween two unre la ted carriers would be extremely:urnlikely and consanguini ty would be the rule. Addi t ional affected families will be requi red to clarify this matter .
MR angiography of the peripheral vasculature

MR angiography (MRA) for the evaluation of peripheral arterial occlusive disease is a rapidly evolving technique. Recent prospective clinical trials have indicated that MRA may play an important role in the evaluation of patients with peripheral arterial disease. This article discusses the pertinent technical aspects and limitations of peripheral MRA as well as some of the clinical data available.
Diabetes and pancreatic cancer survival: a prospective cohort-based study.

Background: Diabetes is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer but its association with survival from pancreatic cancer is poorly understood. Our objective was to investigate the association of diabetes with survival among pancreatic cancer patients in a prospective cohort-based study where diabetes history was ascertained before pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Methods: We evaluated survival by baseline (1993–2001) self-reported diabetes history (n ¼62) among 504 participants that developed exocrine pancreatic cancer within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality were estimated using Cox proportional hazards model, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, race, smoking, and tumour stage (local, locally advanced, and metastatic). Results: The multivariable-adjusted HR for mortality comparing participants with diabetes to those without was 1.52 (95% CI ¼1.14–2.04, P-value o0.01). After excluding those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer within 3 years of study enrolment, HR for mortality among those with diabetes was 1.45 (95% CI ¼1.06–2.00, P-value ¼0.02). Conclusions: Using prospectively collected data, our findings indicate that diabetes is associated with worse survival among patients with pancreatic cancer.
Decreased proliferative capacity of aged dermal fibroblasts in a three dimensional matrix is associated with reduced IGF1R expression and activation

Skin aging results in increased susceptibility to injury and impaired wound healing. Proliferation of fibroblasts is reduced in aged dermis, which contributes to delays in wound closure. Age-associated differences are regulated, in part, by local or systemic factors such as the IGF-1/IGF1R system. The aim of this study was to determine if expression and activation of IGF1R in aged human dermal fibroblasts, when compared to young fibroblasts, is associated with altered proliferative capacity in a 3D collagen matrix that better simulates the dermal extracellular matrix in vivo. The proliferation of young and aged human dermal fibroblasts in 3D collagen and its association with baseline levels of IGF1R expression were measured. The effect of stimulation and inhibition of Erk phosphorylation on the proliferative capacity of fibroblasts in a 3D collagen matrix was defined. Our results show that proliferation and Erk phosphorylation is reduced in aged dermal fibroblasts relative to young fibroblasts. Activation of Erk phosphorylation in aged fibroblasts is associated with a significant increase in fibroblast proliferation in 3D collagen.
Towards a classification of modular compactifications of $\mathcal {M}_{g,n}$

The moduli space of smooth curves admits a beautiful compactification $\mathcal{M}_{g,n} \subset \overline{\mathcal{M}}_{g,n}$ by the moduli space of stable curves. In this paper, we undertake a systematic classification of alternate modular compactifications of $\mathcal{M}_{g,n}$ . Let $\mathcal{U}_{g,n}$ be the (non-separated) moduli stack of all n-pointed reduced, connected, complete, one-dimensional schemes of arithmetic genus g. When g=0, $\mathcal{U}_{0,n}$ is irreducible and we classify all open proper substacks of $\mathcal{U}_{0,n}$ . When g≥1, $\mathcal{U}_{g,n}$ may not be irreducible, but there is a unique irreducible component $\mathcal{V}_{g,n} \subset\mathcal{U}_{g,n}$ containing $\mathcal{M}_{g,n}$ . We classify open proper substacks of $\mathcal {V}_{g,n}$ satisfying a certain stability condition.
Rat liver NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase: cDNA expression and site-directed mutagenesis

Rat liver NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase cDNA was cloned and expressed in a eukaryotic cell expression plasmid containing a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Transient expression of enzyme activity and RNA transcription were measured in COS7 cells. The expressed quinone reductase has kinetic properties similar to the rat liver enzyme and is inhibited by dicourmarol, a known inhibitor of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments carried out using this expression system revealed possible regions involved in NAD(P)H binding.
Are synoptic questions illegitimate

Questions like ‘Why is there anything at all?’ ‘Why are things-in-general as they actually are?’ ‘Why is the law structure of the world as it is?’ cannot be answered within the standard causal framework. For causal explanations need inputs: they are essentially transformational (rather than formational pure and simple). They can address themselves to specific issues distributively and seriatim, but not collectively and holistically. If we persist in posing the sorts of global questions at issue, we cannot hope to resolve them in orthodox causal terms. Does this mean that such questions are improper?
The health enterprise in modern society.

Abstract Providing health care of high quality to a mass population is coming to be one of the great endeavors of modern society. Health care is a universally valued and immediately self-justifying human activity, yet it has many elusive and problematic features which invite critical attention. For purposes of analysis in this paper, we shall regard the institutions, roles and technology devoted to health care as constituting the health enterprise. We suggest by this term that the complex of resources devoted to health care combines a strong goal-direction with many fluid characteristics. The health enterprise is an integrally imbedded component of modern society but its path and prospects are not well-charted. The patent mission of the health enterprise is to work for health and against disease; in pursuing this mission, it maintains relationships with the larger society and generates effects which extend beyond health. Viewed as a production process, the health enterprise draws upon resources which, in an economic sense, might alternatively be devoted to other purposes. There is a cost to health production, and the benefits may be weighed against this cost. The health enterprise initiates changes which society accepts and absorbs. It generates new concepts of illness and incapacity, and it puts forth the claim of scientifically-trained professionals to deal expertly with human problems. The role of women as patients, procurers, and providers of health services is an important aspect of the massive change in the female role in society. In another direction, the health enterprise, because of its complexity and expensiveness, receives increasing coordination and financial support from government. Along with other forces in modern society, it is gradually reshaping earlier concepts of the public interest, and it provides new bases for the integration of the individual and disparate groups into the broader social fabric.
p-Chlorophenylalanine effects on shock-induced attack and pressing responses in rats

Abstract The literature concerning the effects of d,l-parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) upon shock-induced aggression (SIA) was examined and found to be inconsistent. PCPA, a known serotonin depletor, has behavioral effects in a variety of other procedures which collectively suggest that PCPA should produce SIA enhancement. The present study analyzed PCPA (300 mg/kg, IP) effects upon SIA in rats restrained spatially close to an inanimate target and panel operandum. The results showed marked increases in both aggressive biting and panel-pressing for several days following each PCPA treatment, for each subject tested. These data were interpreted to indicate that serotonin depletion by PCPA does indeed enhance SIA but that this effect is not selective for aggression. Potential controlling variables are suggested to account for reports of no effect on SIA after PCPA treatment. It is concluded that procedural variables may be the critical determinants of variation in reported PCPA-aggression effects across studies, rather that hypothesized differences in neurochemical mediators.
Beating the blues: Cognitive-behavioral treatment for depression in child-maltreating young mothers

Young mothers are at risk for depression. The article first reviews research on social and cognitive risk factors for depression and then considers the relationship between depression and child maltreatment. Cognitive-behavioral casework techniques that may improve social integration and self-management—mitigators of depression—are detailed. Finally, a case study demonstrates the use of these techniques with a depressed and maltreating mother.
Dorsal dartos flap for preventing fistula in the Snodgrass hypospadias repair.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the importance of urethral covering using vascularized dorsal subcutaneous tissue for preventing fistula in the Snodgrass hypospadias repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 67 children (aged 1-11 years) who had hypospadias repaired between April 1998 and May 2003, including 51 with distal and 16 with midshaft hypospadias. In all children, a standard tubularized incised-plate urethroplasty was followed by reconstruction of new surrounding urethral tissue. A longitudinal dartos flap was harvested from excessive dorsal preputial and penile hypospadiac skin, and transposed to the ventral side by a buttonhole manoeuvre; it was sutured to the glans wings around the neomeatus, and to the corpora cavernosa over the neourethra. Thus the neourethra was completely covered with well-vascularized subcutaneous tissue. RESULTS At a mean (range) follow-up of 21 (6-65) months, the result was successful, with no fistula or urethral stenosis, in all 67 children. CONCLUSION We suggest that urethral covering should be part of the Snodgrass procedure. A dorsal well-vascularized dartos flap, buttonholed ventrally, is a good choice for preventing fistula. Redundancy of the flap and its excellent vascularization depends on the harvesting technique.
Late age of Onset Schizophrenia: present but unaccounted for.

Abstract Late Age of Onset Schizophrenia (symptom onset after age 45) occurs far more often than is recognized. Age factors should not prevent correct diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, its recognition markedly increases (at least 5- to 10-fold) the calculated risk factors for first degree relatives. Schizophrenia must be carefully differentiated from a Delusional Disorder. Delusional Disorder is characterized strictly by delusions, without hallucinations or fragmentation of thought, and will not benefit from antipsychotics. The failure of the Late Paraphrenia diagnostic classification system to differentiate the two compromises its utility. Chemotherapeutic trials can be very helpful in diagnostic clarification as well as in treatment . Late Age of Onset schizophrenics will tend to be female; will usually have married; will often have a positive family history for Schizophrenia; other affected relatives may have a tendency for symptom expression at later ages as well; and will generally have a gratifying response to antipsychotic trials. They will usually respond (or not respond) to a specific antipsychotic in a similar manner to other affected relatives. Organic, affective, and schizophrenic syndromes may have many overlapping clinical symptoms on initial ( cross-sectional ) presentation which are non-specific in delineating the etiology of the psychosis. Thorough organic work-up, including EEG; a longitudinal history of the patient; a family psychiatric pedigree; plus highly specific clinical trials of antipsychotics, antidepressants, lithium, or anticonvulsants may all contribute to diagnostic clarification and ultimately leave few cases of psychosis in the elderly population unresolved.
Site and Planting Date Effects on Taro Growth

Taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott cv. Bun-long] is a tropical root crop with the potential to be grown commercially on former sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) lands in Hawaii. To determine the effects of varying environmental conditions on crop production and to validate an aroid simulation model developed earlier, taro was grown under rainfed conditions at two sites that differed in elevation (90 and 335 m) on Hawaii island and at four planting dates (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall) on 27 February, 28 May, 27 August, and 24 November 1992. Biomass harvests were conducted at bimonthly intervals. Using weather, soil, cultivar, and management practices in this field trial, the aroid crop simulation model predicted dry weight of plant components, leaf area index (LAI), and time to harvest maturity defined as leaf stage. Fresh and dry weights of corms increased linearly from 1 to 13 months after planting (MAP), indicating continuous partitioning to the storage organ. The increase in corm fresh weight was significantly greater for Spring + Summer plantings compared with Fall + Winter plantings, primarily due to lower incidence of corm rot. Due to its indeterminant growth, taro can be harvested between 6 and 13 MAP, depending on incidence of pests and soil and weather conditions that could cause early maturation. The aroid model simulated well the maximum LAI; however, it underestimated both potential dry corm yield and length of time to harvest maturity, indicating that further development of this aroid simulation model is needed.
Low cost L‐band mobile terminal antennas for helicopters

The feasibility of using a low-gain antenna (LGA) as a mobile terminal antenna for helicopers is described in this article. The objectives are (a) to select the lowest cost antenna system which can be easily mounted on a helicopter and capable of communicating with a satellite, and (b) to determine the best antenna position on the helicopter to mitigate the signal blockage due to rotor blades and the multipath effect from the ehlicopter's body. The omnidirectional low gain antenna (LGA) is selected because it is simple, reliable, and low cost. The helix antenna is selected among the many LGAs because it is the most economical and has the widest elevation beam-width. Both two- and four-arm helices are studied experimentally to determine the antenna's performance and the scattering effects from the helicopter's body. It is found that the LGA should be located near the tail section and at least 8 in. above the helicopter.
Simultaneous, quantitative measurement of local blood flow and glucose utilization in tissue samples in normal and injured feline brain.

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) were measured using radioactive microspheres and [14C]2-deoxyglucose, respectively, in 26 brain regions in control animals (n = 8) and in animals (n =4) sustaining low-level experimental brain injury. Examination of the initial (resting) CBF measurement in the uninjured cats revealed two subgroups with significantly (p<0-01) different CBF levels. In uninjured cats with normal CBF levels (33-4 ± 1-8 ml/100 g/min) there was a close linear relationship between CBF and LCGU (n = 0-71, P<0-01). In contrast, the remainder of the uninjured cats exhibited abnormally high levels of CBF (72-6 ±9-9 ml/100 g/min) and the absence of a close relationship between CBF and LCGU (r = 0-27). One hour following low-level (20 atm) fluid percussion brain injury, CBF was increased and LCGU was decreased, though not significantly. The relationship between CBF and LCGU remained intact (r = 0-66, p<0-01) in most brain regions. However, the relationship between...
A System for new event detection

We present a new method and system for performing the New Event Detection task, i.e., in one or multiple streams of news stories, all stories on a previously unseen (new) event are marked. The method is based on an incremental TF-IDF model. Our extensions include: generation of source-specific models, similarity score normalization based on document-specific averages, similarity score normalization based on source-pair specific averages, term reweighting based on inverse event frequencies, and segmentation of the documents. We also report on extensions that did not improve results. The system performs very well on TDT3 and TDT4 test data and scored second in the TDT-2002 evaluation.
Aerodynamic interactions of reaction control system jets on mars entry aeroshells

The uid interactions produced by a sonic reaction control system (RCS) thruster for a Mars-entry aeroshell are investigated using computational uid dynamics (CFD). The study uses a scaled Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) aeroshell at a 20 angle-of-attack in Mach 12 ow of I2-seeded N2 gas. The RCS jet is directed either parallel or transverse to the freestream ow in order to examine the e ects of the thruster orientation with respect to the center of gravity of the aeroshell. The results show that both the parallel and transverse RCS jets obstruct the ow around the aeroshell and impinge on the surface, which increase the overall pressure on the aftbody. As a result, the RCS jet decreases both the drag and lift forces, and the moment acting on the aeroshell, particularly at relatively large RCS thrust conditions. The results also indicate that the uid interactions produced by the parallel and transverse jets a ect the control e ectiveness of the RCS. The performance of the parallel RCS thruster is close to ideal due to relatively small aerodynamic interference induced by the jet. However, the relatively large aerodynamic interference produced by the transverse RCS jet causes a de cit of control authority. The physical accuracy of the computational method is assessed by comparing the numerical results with experimental visualizations.
High efficiency fuel sleds for polar traverses

Abstract We describe here the evolution of lightweight, high-efficiency fuel sleds for Polar over-snow traverses. These sleds consist of flexible bladders strapped to sheets of high molecular weight polyethylene. They cost 1/6th, weigh 1/10th and triple the fuel delivered per towing tractor compared with steel sleds. An eight-tractor fleet has conducted three 3400-km roundtrips to South Pole with each traverse delivering ∼320,000 kg of fuel while emitting