cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
All-Printed Inorganic Logic Elements Fabricated by Liquid Embossing

The liquid embossing process, devices made by this process, and their characteristics are presented. Structures fabricated and discussed here include: conductive lines with cross line resistance greater than 100 GΩ and resistivities 4 times that of the bulk material, multilayer structures with etched sacrificial materials, vias that conduct through an embossed insulating layer, photodetectors made with nanocrystal solutions of CdSe, and all printed inorganic field effect transistors.
Broadband Power Measurement of High-Voltage, Nanosecond Electric Pulses for Biomedical Applications

Experimental studies have shown that nanoelectropulses of sufficiently short rise time and duration can trigger cell apoptosis (programmed cell death). Specifically, pulses that last less than 20 ns have been shown to kill a wide variety of human cancer cells in vitro as well as induce tumor regression in vivo. To better understand the mechanisms by which nanopulses affect cancer cells, the electrical characteristics of the cells should be characterized so that it is clear how electrical energy is delivered. To achieve this end, a power measurement device that integrates into a nanopulse transmission line used for in vivo experiments has been designed, built, and calibrated. The device provides voltage and current measurements without disturbing the transmission of the pulse to the biological sample. The in vivo sample can be characterized either by a direct voltage/current measurement or by measuring the incident and reflected voltage pulse and using time domain reflectometry to calculate the impedance. The 3 dB bandwidth of both the microstrip line and the voltage attenuator has been measured to be 900 MHz and 1.25 GHz respectively.
Let There Be Dust

Most of the ordinary matter in the universe is hydrogen and helium. In galaxies such as ours, heavier elements make up only about 1% of the mass, and about half of this is tied up in small particles, termed dust grains, that range in size from a nanometer to a fraction of a micrometer. Interstellar dust contains an appreciable fraction of the carbon and most of the refractory elements, such as magnesium, silicon, and iron. Because these particles are comparable in size to the wavelength of light, they are very effective at absorbing it. As a result, the Milky Way is much fainter in the night sky than it would otherwise be. This absorbed light is reradiated, but because the dust in the interstellar medium is so cold—about 20° above absolute zero—it is radiated at very long wavelengths, at around 200 µm. Such radiation can be observed only from space, and the European Space Agency's Herschel Space Observatory was designed to do just that. On page 1258 of this issue, Matsuura et al. ( 1 ) present Herschel observations showing that substantial amounts of dust are created in the aftermath of a supernova, the titanic explosion that terminates the life of a massive star.
A contribution to the debate over the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on economic growth

The objective of this paper is to obtain estimates of the effect of HIV prevalence on the growth rate of real GDP per capita between 1990 and 2004, without the presence of reverse causality. Achieving this goal requires a set of instrumental variables that are correlated with changes in the prevalence of HIV but are otherwise unrelated to the error term of the growth equation. An instrument is a variable that does not itself belong in the regression, that is correlated with the suspect explanatory variable and that is uncorrelated with the error term. The instrumental variables employed in this paper are a set of social and epidemiological determinants of HIV infection, and indexes of macroeconomic performance.
On the trajectories of embers initially elevated or lofted by small scale ground fire plumes in high winds

Millions of acres and hundreds of structures are destroyed annually by wildfires. With many of these fires extending long distances due to spotting, detailed knowledge of ember transport by external and flame-generated winds is critical for fundamental understanding and prediction of the inception and evolution of such fires. This work presents a model that treats the burning and wind carrying of embers, and numerically compares their trajectories for spherical, cylindrical, and disk geometries. The embers may be launched at predetermined heights or lofted by a fire buoyant plume. Various terrain conditions and variable wind properties are considered. Results show that for embers of equal initial mass, disks propagate the farthest and have the highest remaining mass fraction upon impacting the ground. Spheres are carried the shortest distance, and cylinders have the smallest mass fraction upon impact. For disks in the range of diameters examined, initial diameter has no effect on the distance carried. Charring and extinction criteria are investigated for cylinders and spheres. Higher surface burning temperatures are found to lead to shorter propagation distances.
L. A. S. JOHNSON REVIEW No. 9. Construction and annotation of large phylogenetic trees

Broad availability of molecular sequence data allows construction of phylogenetic trees with 1000s or even 10 000s of taxa. This paper reviews methodological, technological and empirical issues raised in phylogenetic inference at this scale. Numerous algorithmic and computational challenges have been identified surrounding the core problem of reconstructing large trees accurately from sequence data, but many other obstacles, both upstream and downstream of this step, are less well understood. Before phylogenetic analysis, data must be generated de novo or extracted from existing databases, compiled into blocks of homologous data with controlled properties, aligned, examined for the presence of gene duplications or other kinds of complicating factors, and finally, combined with other evidence via supermatrix or supertree approaches. After phylogenetic analysis, confidence assessments are usually reported, along with other kinds of annotations, such as clade names, or annotations requiring additional inference procedures, such as trait evolution or divergence time estimates. Prospects for partial automation of large-tree construction are also discussed, as well as risks associated with ‘outsourcing’ phylogenetic inference beyond the systematics community.
Retinoic acid induced-1 (Rai1) regulates craniofacial and brain development in Xenopus.

Retinoic acid induced-1 (RAI1) is an important yet understudied histone code reader that when mutated in humans results in Smith–Magenis syndrome (SMS), a neurobehavioral disorder accompanied by signature craniofacial abnormalities. Despite previous studies in mouse and human cell models, very little is known about the function of RAI1 during embryonic development. In the present study, we have turned to the model vertebrates Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis to better understand the developmental roles of Rai1. First we demonstrate that the Rai1 protein sequence is conserved in frogs, especially in known functional domains. By in situ hybridization we revealed expression of rai1 in the developing craniofacial tissues and the nervous system. Knockdown of Rai1 using antisense morpholinos resulted in defects in the developing brain and face. In particular, Rai1 morphants display midface hypoplasia and malformed mouth shape analogous to defects in humans with SMS. These craniofacial defects were accompanied with aberrant neural crest migration and reduction in the size of facial cartilage elements. Rai1 morphants also had defects in axon patterns and decreased forebrain ventricle size. Such brain defects correlated with a decrease in the neurotrophic factor, bdnf, and increased forebrain apoptosis. Our results emphasize a critical role of Rai1 for normal neural and craniofacial development, and further the current understanding of potential mechanisms that cause SMS.
The Independent Donor Advocate and the Independent Donor Advocate Team

Critical shortages of deceased organ donors have resulted in the need for living donors to be utilized for solid organ transplant. Federal regulations require transplant programs to appoint an independent living donor advocate (ILDA) to ensure safe evaluation and care of live donors. Operationalizing the role of the ILDA varies across transplant programs. This includes debates regarding whether the ILDA should be an individual or a team of advocates (ILDT). If a team approach is implemented, discussions occur regarding what is the composition of the team, who appoints them, and at what part in the process do they interact with the donor. A team approach to donor advocacy has many benefits but some limitations as well. The ILDT’s involvement should not end with consent and donation but should continue through short- and long-term follow-up and management. Advocacy for the donor does not end with the appointed ILDT. Family, friends, and others may advocate for the donor throughout the donation process. Ultimately, it is the goal of this team of advocates to assist donors to advocate for themselves. Optimal outcomes begin with prepared, educated, uncoerced, and motivated donors, and it is the ILDT’s role to help donors achieve this.
Dietary acculturation and body composition predict American Mmong children's blood pressure

Objectives: Determine how dietary acculturation, anthropometric measures (height, weight, circumferences, and skinfolds), body mass index (BMI), and waist hip ratios (WHRs) are associated with blood pressure (BP) measures in Hmong children living in Minnesota. Methods: Acculturation was measured using responses to questions regarding language usage, social connections, and diet. Dietary assessment was completed using the multiple-pass 24-h dietary recall method on two different days. Anthropometric and BP measurement were taken using standard procedures, and BMI and WHR were calculated. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and stepwise regression analyses. Results: Using stepwise regression analysis, hip circumference (HC) predicted boys' systolic (S)BP (R2 = 0.55). For girls' SBP, mid-upper arm circumference, WHR, low calcium consumption, and height percentile jointly explained 41% of the total variation. Mid upper arm circumference (MAC) and carbohydrate consumption predicted 35% of the variance for boys' diastolic (D)BP, and HC, dairy consumption, and calcium intake predicted 31% of the total variance for girls' DBP. Responses to dietary acculturation questions revealed between group differences for breakfast with half of the younger Born-Thailand/Laos (Born-T/L) consuming mostly Hmong food, while at dinner Born-US consumed a mixed diet and Born-T/L were more likely to consume Hmong food. Conclusion: Dietary acculturation and body composition predict Hmong children's BP. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Longitudinal Influence of Coparenting Conflict on Parental Negativity and Adolescent Maladjustment.

This study addresses two limitations of coparenting research: first, little research on coparenting has been conducted with families of adolescents, and second, there is little understanding regarding the child and family contexts in which coparenting is most salient. The longitudinal relation of coparenting conflict to parenting and adolescent maladjustment across 3 years was investigated among 516 2-parent, 2-adolescent families. Coparenting conflict predicted as much or more unique variance in parenting and adolescent adjustment as did marital quality and disagreement together. After controlling for stability, coparenting conflict predicted mothers’ and fathers’ negativity and adolescent antisocial behavior (but not depression). Importantly, the influence of coparenting conflict in all cases varied as a function of family type, adolescent gender, or initial level of antisocial behavior, or all. The implications of these results for family processes in different relational and developmental contexts are discussed.
Chemoprevention of Pancreatic Cancer: Ready for the Clinic?

Advances in our molecular, clinical, and epidemiologic understanding of the risk and development of pancreatic cancer offer hope for preventing this disease, which is largely intractable once developed. This perspective on provocative, genetically engineered mouse model work reported by Mohammed et al. (beginning on page 1417 in this issue of the journal) examines the prospects for pancreatic cancer chemoprevention with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). Despite having limited value in advanced pancreatic cancer, EGFR TKIs show promise in the setting of early pancreatic carcinogenesis.
EFFECTS OF HARVESTING ON THE ANNUAL NET ABOVEGROUND PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY OF SELECTED GULF COAST MARSH PLANTS

A winter harvest was applied to three common Gulf Coast tidal salt marsh plants ( Juncus roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora in Alabama; S. cynosuroides and J. roemerianus in Mississippi). Aboveground living and dead plant material was manually clipped and removed (“harvested”) from study plots in winter 1977, and from the same plots (reharvest) and additional plots in winter 1978. Annual net aboveground primary productivity was determined by applying a predictive periodic model, corrected for loss of dead material, to monthly biomass samples. A single harvest resulted in an increase in annual aboveground net productivity of as much as 50% for the Mississippi J. roemerianus and 140% for S. cynosuroides. When the species were reharvested, net aboveground productivity increased up to 100% for Mississippi J. roemerianus , 45% for S. cynosuroides and 250% for S. alterniflora. Alabama J. roemerianus showed consistently lowered levels of productivity in harvested plots.
The non-homogeneous chromatographic column

Abstract The theoretical plate concept in chromatography has been extended to the treatment of the non-homogeneous chromatographic column where the exchange coefficient k is not the same for all the plates in the column. The treatment is subject to the two basic assumptions of the theory, namely that the column is equivalent to a certain number of theoretical plates and that the eluent passes continuously through these plates. General deposition and elution equations have been derived and formulas for some special cases of practical interest were deduced. A numerical example illustrates the use of the derived equations.
How does environmental information impact product purchase intent

This study explores the relationship between the perceptions formed by new, technology-based products’ customers, who are influenced by environmentally sustainable, publicly available information, including organisations’ marketing communications, and the new product purchase intentions of those customers. The major research question is how do customers’ perceptions of environmentally sustainable information relate to new, technology-based product purchase intentions? This research contributes to marketing theory and practice by suggesting how environmental sustainability information impacts potential customers’ purchase intention of innovative, technology-based products. This study’s sample consists of two groups of university students (MBA and undergraduate) from a public state university in the USA. This research found that 1 environmentally sustainable, publicly available information has a significant, positive impact on new product purchase intention 2 levels of perceived environmental sustainability behaviour information do not vary with gender or educational programme level. Recommendations for marketing and new product development managers are provided.
An Analysis Of The Differences Between Student Age And Social Networking Utilization Within A School Of Business

Social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are widely regarded as an exciting opportunity to communicate with friends, especially for college students. The overall response to social networking tends to be one of trust regarding a generation that, supposedly has many friends but little sense of privacy. Employers use social media sites to perform preliminary screenings of potential employees. The information students post on social media sites can be used in making employment decisions. This article examines the difference between student age, and career exploration/research and social networking usage. The researchers will discuss the implications for educators, administrators, and researchers. Findings, conclusions, and recommendations will be presented.
Response to the Comment by Hans-Martin Fussel

We are pleased that Fussel [2006] appreciates the reduced-form approach that we employed in our examination of the vulnerability of the Atlantic thermohaline circulation (the THC) to greenhouse-gas-induced increases in global-mean temperature and its sensitivity to a wide range of policy interventions in Yohe, et al. [2006], and we commend his careful and informed reading of our work. We hereby confirm his assumption that the underlying structure of the economic forcing and the characterization of the link between increased greenhouse-gas concentrations and changes in temperature is the same as the structure we employed in Yohe, et al. [2004]. We are, however, a little perplexed that he quibbles so vehemently about the quantitative results. The numbers that emerge from climate models, be they simple reduced-form representations of specific process like the one we used or complicated general circulation models of the sort Fussel sites as evidence, are never really to be taken as true representations of reality.
Hürthle cell carcinoma.

Patients with Hurthle cell carcinoma (HCC) of the thyroid often have aggressive tumors and generally have a worse prognosis than those with papillary or follicular thyroid carcinomas. A total thyroidectomy with ipsilateral central neck lymphadenectomy and a modified radical neck dissection, if central or lateral nodes are positive, are indicated for HCC. The completeness of this procedure should be assessed by radioiodine scan 3 to 4 months after surgery. Any thyroid remnant should be ablated with radiolabeled iodine 131 to eliminate all tissue at risk and to facilitate the use of serum thyroglobulin in surveillance for tumor recurrence. Fewer than 10% of these cancers take up radioiodine. Recurrent disease is treated surgically with good palliation and appreciable prolongation of life. Local excision and neck dissection for recurrent neck disease or pulmonary wedge resection for lung metastasis has been shown to be effective. All patients with HCC should be given thyroid hormone because most of these tumors have thyrotropin receptors. External beam radiation may be considered for patients with unresectable disease, but this is considered palliative.
Virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes to the western masked chafer Cyclocephala hirta (Coleoptera : Scarabaeidae)

Predictability is a key challenge in biological control of white grubs with entomopathogenic nematodes. Most field test failures have been attributed to the use of inappropriate nematode strains. We evaluated several species and strains of entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae) against chafer Cyclocephala hirta in a soil and pot bioassay at 25 degrees C. The NJ65 strain of Steinernema glaseri, isolated from New Jersey, outperformed all other steinernematid and heterorhabditid nematodes, resulting in a 76.5% larval mortality within 3 d of treatment at 125 nematodes per larva. After 6 days of treatment, 4 strains of S. glaseri (NJ21, NJ29, NJ42, and NJ65) achieved 100% larval mortality. Other strains that caused > 80% larval mortality after 6 d of treatment included NJ32, NJ40, and NJ41 of S. glaseri, and Chino Hill, Merced, and Nebraska strains of Heterorhabditis sp. Steinernema anomali (Ryazan), Steinernema kushidai (Hamakita), Heterorhabditis megidis (HO1), and H. bacteriophora (HP88) caused only 45, 55, 60, and 66.7% larval mortality, respectively. Steinernema feltiae (Argentina strain) caused only 16% larval mortality, and Steinernema carpocapsae (All and Mexican strains) and Steinernema scapterisci (Colon strain) were nonpathogenic to C. hirta. Steinernema riobravis caused no larval mortality at 25 degrees C, but inflicted 45-71% mortality at 30 degrees C. Our studies indicate that S. glaseri and Heterorhabditis spp. are most virulent among entomopathogenic nematodes toward C. hirta larvae and certain strains of S. glaseri are superior to Heterorhabditis spp.
Molts and plumages of gadwalls in winter

the western Canada Goose (B. c. moffitti) may differ greatly from that of other races of Canada Geese if the limit is proportional to the size of the bird. The proximity of duck nests to goose nests reported herein may not have been accidental, as some ducks may be inclined to nest close to nesting geese to benefit from the goose's superior ability to deter predators (Long 1970, Giroux 1981). Egg retrieval by geese can result in the destruction of duck clutches laid within a goose's retrieval limit, and, consequently, there may be selection for ducks to situate their nests at some optimal distance from goose nests. Information contained in this note was gathered with the support of an operating grant to D. A. Boag from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. I thank R. Cotter for assistance in the field and D. A. Boag for his helpful comments on the manuscript. R. M. Evans and an anonymous reviewer also provided helpful suggestions. LITERATURE CITED
Effect of Hysterectomy on Sexual Function

[Objective]To understand the effect of hysterectomy on sexual function.[Methods] Totally 116 cases undergoing hysterectomy,including 56 panhysterectomy cases and 60 intra-fascia hysterectomy cases,were selected. Their sexual function was comparatively analyzed 2 months and 6 months after operation. The contents of the survey included sex requirements (sexual desire,sexual aversion),sexual arousal,orgasm,dyspareunia.[Results]After 2 months,89.3% of panhysterectomy cases had above symptoms,as well as 58.4% of intra-fascia hysterectomy cases. After 6 months,there was no significant difference(P0.05).[Conclusion]The different operation way of hysterectomy has different and multiple effect on sexual function in a short time.
Stark Level Identification of the 2.8 μm Laser Transition in Er:YLF

In this paper we describe the results of an investigation of the laser and spectroscopic properties of the 4I11/2→4I13/2 transition of Er3+:LiYF4(YLF). This laser transition has previously been observed in CaF2 (1,2,3), GdAl03 (4), Y3Al5O12 (5), LUAl5O12 (6), Er3Al5O12 (6), YAlO3 (7), and Y0.8Gd0.2ScO3 (7). The best laser performance reported in previous studies was achieved in 30% Er:YAG(8).
Islam and the State Throughout Turkish History

To grasp both the significance of the life and teachings of Fethullah Gulen and the depth of the fears and accusations aimed at him by his critics, it is necessary to place him in the context of Turkish history, especially as it relates to the complicated issue of religion and politics. Throughout Turkish history there has never been a complete separation of Islam and the state. However, in the new republic created by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923 one of the six pillars of the state was secularism, based on the French model of state control of religion. In this chapter, I will outline the major shifts that occurred in Turkey over the past 100 years in defining the role of Islam in state politics.
Small-Area Variations in Rates of Hospitalization and Surgery Within Rhode Island

We analyzed variations in the usage rates and costs of 13 surgical procedures among 37 cities and towns in the state of Rhode Island. To compare different operations and years, we defined the deviation index, a percentage indicator similar to the coefficient of variation, but with chance variation removed. Tonsillectomy and disc excision were the procedures for which rates varied most around the state average; their deviation indexes for 1981 were 40.5 percent and 38.9 percent, respectively. In 14 areas, rates for one of these two procedures (standardized for age and sex) were significantly (p
Chapter 95 – All Malignancies of Young Adults

Among adults aged 15–49, breast cancer and thyroid cancer in women; testis cancer in men; and, in both sexes, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, malignant melanoma, brain malignancy, and colon cancer occur commonly. Kaposi sarcoma and those non-Hodgkin lymphomas related to AIDS are concentrated in men of this age. Malignancies of young adults as a group are slightly more common among women than men, and those of men are less common in Los Angeles County than in San Francisco. Among men, whites are at higher risk until about age 40, after which incidence is higher among African-Americans. Among women, whites are at slightly higher risk. No clear social class pattern is apparent among males, but among women slightly higher risk occurs among those residing in higher social class neighborhoods. Among men in Los Angeles County, malignancies increased in frequency until the introduction of effective antiretroviral therapy for AIDS. Incidence among men then declined, and that is especially evident among young men residing in high-risk census tracts. The pattern of all malignancies in young adult males reflects the disparities among the relatively frequent Kaposi sarcomas and non-Hodgkin lymphomas precipitated by the appearance of AIDS.
God’s Technicians: Religious Jurists and the Usury Ban in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

At the heart of the $2 trillion Islamic-finance industry is a ban on interest. But why is there only an Islamic ban on interest today? After all, for over a millennium, interest was also gravely sinful in Judaism and Christianity. While scholars have addressed the evolution of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic economic morality in isolation, very few since Weber have tackled the interest question directly and comparatively. I argue that the fate of the religious interest ban has always depended on the fate of religious jurists. When religious jurists are absent, no systematic interest ban emerges. When religious jurists emerge as technical experts, the interest ban appears and thrives. And when religious jurists come under attack or lose their traditional role in society, the interest ban withers and dies. To conclude, I call for a reconstruction of Weber’s theory of religion and economic morality that dissolves the tradition-modernity binary.
Abstract P046: Interplay of Intronic and Promoter Region Polymorphisms Up-regulate Human Angiotensinogen and Cause Hypertension in Transgenic Mice

Angiotensinogen (AGT) is the substrate for the RAS-cascade and polymorphisms leading to its overexpression are linked to hypertension. We have shown that SNPs in linkage disequilibrium with -6A of the hAGT gene cause increased AGT expression and hypertension. Recently, two genome wide association studies (GWAS) have linked SNP at the +1164 in intron-I with increased blood pressure. The +1164A allele has stronger homology with HNF-3 binding site as compared to +1164G. HNF3 belongs to the family of “pioneer” transcription factors, which enable chromatin access for other tissue-specific transcription factors. Thus, we propose that a haplotype, where multiple SNP-groups occur together, is a better model to predict and study disease correlation with genetic variations than individual SNPs alone. Intronic SNPs could increase chromatin access thus modulating promoter-transcription factor (TF) interactions. To study these possible interactions between the intronic SNPs in the promoter and intron I of the hAGT gene, we have divided this gene in two major haplotypes: haplotype-I (containing -6A & +1164A) and II (containing -6G & +1164G). Reporter construct containing haplotype-I has increased promoter activity as compared to haplotype-II on transient transfection in human liver cells, without (hap-1: 73±2 vs. hap-II: 23.64±3.21 A.U; p
At the Nexus of Observational and Experimental Research: Theory, Specification, and Analysis of Experiments with Heterogeneous Treatment Effects

Experimentalists are increasingly examining heterogeneous treatment effects, in which observed individual-level characteristics are hypothesized to moderate an experimental treatment effect. Such work places researchers at the nexus of experimental and observational approaches. In this paper, we discuss the theoretical and statistical issues that can arise in testing such hypotheses. We note that inclusion of an observed (as opposed to randomly-assigned) moderator introduces the possibility of confounds that are commonplace in observational data analysis but too-easily ignored in experimental data analysis. We simulate several different data generating processes that include heterogeneous treatment effects, and we discuss the implications of various statistical models. We aim to provide researchers who examine heterogeneous treatment effects with background and advice that enable them to identify where common issues may arise and to develop research designs and implement statistical tests that will mitigate them.
Percutaneous Cryoablation for the Treatment of Recurrent Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Safety, Early-Term Efficacy, and Predictors of Local Recurrence.

Abstract Purpose To determine safety and early-term efficacy of CT–guided cryoablation for treatment of recurrent mesothelioma and assess risk factors for local recurrence. Materials and Methods During the period 2008–2012, 24 patients underwent 110 cryoablations for recurrent mesothelioma tumors in 89 sessions. Median patient age was 69 years (range, 48–82 y). Median tumor size was 30 mm (range, 9–113 mm). Complications were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0 (CTCAE v4.0). Recurrence was diagnosed on CT or positron emission tomography/CT by increasing size, nodular enhancement, or hypermetabolic activity and analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine covariates associated with local tumor recurrence. Results Median duration of follow-up was 14.5 months. Complications occurred in 8 of 110 cryoablations (7.3%). All but 1 complication were graded CTCAE v4.0 1 or 2. No procedure-related deaths occurred. Freedom from local recurrence was observed in 100% of cases at 30 days, 92.5% at 6 months, 90.8% at 1 year, 87.3% at 2 years, and 73.7% at 3 years. Tumor recurrence was diagnosed 4.5–24.5 months after cryoablation (mean 5.7 months). Risk of tumor recurrence was associated with a smaller ablative margin from the edge of tumor to iceball ablation margin (multivariate hazard ratio 0.68, CI 0.48–0.95, P = .024). Conclusions CT-guided cryoablation is safe for local control of recurrent mesothelioma, with a low rate of complications and promising early-term efficacy. A smaller ablative margin may predispose to tumor recurrence.
Manganese and Mn/Ca ratios in soil and vegetation in forests across the northeastern US: Insights on spatial Mn enrichment

Abstract Manganese (Mn) cycling in the Critical Zone is important because of its role as an essential nutrient and potential toxicity to plants and organisms. Quantifying Mn enrichment in terrestrial environments has been limited since Mn is monoisotopic. However, elemental ratios of Mn/Ca ratios may be used to determine spatial Mn enrichment and in aboveground and belowground pools. The objectives of this study were to quantify the spatial variation in Mn concentrations and Mn/Ca ratios in foliage, bolewood, forest floor, and mineral soil horizons across the northeastern United States and compare Mn/Ca ratios to estimate enrichment. Forest floor and mineral soil samples were collected from 26 study sites across the northeastern United States and analyzed by strong acid digestion. Foliage and bolewood was collected from 12 of the 26 sites and analyzed for total Mn and Ca. Our results show forest floor and mineral soil horizon Mn concentrations and Mn/Ca ratios were higher at Pennsylvania and New York sites than New Hampshire and Vermont sites. Using a modified isotope equation, enrichment factors (EF) for Mn/Ca ratios were calculated to be ~ 3.6 in the forest floor, upper and lower mineral soil horizons at sites in New York and Pennsylvania compared to reference sites in New Hampshire and Vermont. Foliar and bolewood Mn concentrations also decreased from Pennsylvania towards New Hampshire. Moreover, foliar and bolewood Mn concentrations were strongly correlated to forest floor, upper, and lower mineral soil Mn concentrations. It was hypothesized that internal cycling (uptake, throughfall, and litterfall) of Mn controls retention of enriched Mn in forests. Geologic influences from a lithologic gradient and soil pH gradient could also influence Mn enrichment in addition to Mn pollution. Ratios of Mn/Ca and other elemental ratios hold promise as geochemical tracers but require further development.
Direct Laser Metal Deposition of Eutectic Al-Si Alloy for Automotive Applications

Various additive manufacturing techniques have been able to manufacture Al-Si hypo- and hyper-eutectic alloys but practical implementation of additive manufacturing of Al-Si alloys in automotive industry still remains a big challenge. This paper deals with the challenges of building tall wall and cuboid shapes eutectic Al-Si components by direct laser metal deposition technique for automotive applications. Microstructural investigation using optical and scanning electron microscopy revealed a 99.9% dense component with very fine hypoeutectic microstructure. Tensile test showed an impressive elongation of 9% with an ultimate tensile strength of 225 MPa. This investigation revealed that direct laser metal deposition could be successfully implemented on automotive shock tower hood without any distortion or bending. This paper also presents the effect of various laser deposition parameters like laser power, powder flow rate, and scanning speed on the microstructure and mechanical properties distribution from substrate to deposit.
Additives and Chemicals in Plastics

Global production of plastics is clearly on the increase and plastic products have become an inextricable part of our everyday life. Over a short span of about 75 years plastics have penetrated diverse application areas replacing conventional materials quite successfully. Continued growth in production is expected in the medium term but questions on the sustainability of plastics are being raised. A key aspect of sustainability of plastics and rubber materials is their potential environmental toxicity and in particular human toxicity. Plastic resins, however, are nontoxic materials, composed of macromolecules that are neither digestible nor absorbable in the gut. Toxicity of plastics often observed is attributed to the numerous additives mixed in with the resin during processing and fabrication of products, the residual monomers, or catalysts trapped in the resin and the chemicals picked up by the plastics from the environment. Of these, the additives are present at the highest concentrations in plastic products. Knowing and evaluating the additives commonly used, their potential toxicity, and their intake routes to human users are essential for the sustainability of plastics.
Impact of mobility on convergence rate in a wireless sensor network

Consensus building in wireless sensor networks (WSN's) has been studied extensively over a number of years. However, the role of mobile nodes in a network has not been fully explored. This paper shows that introducing mobility increases the rate of convergence in partially connected and disconnected WSN. It also shows that selection of mobile nodes influences the rate of convergence. The mobile node selection scheme presented here takes advantage of the fact that some nodes are more “central” and “critical” than others and selecting them as mobile nodes can help reach consensus faster. By representing WSN as an undirected graph and analyzing various properties of the nodes, including centrality and position, a simple and effective strategy to select mobile nodes has been presented. Simulation results verify that introducing mobility coupled with an appropriate selection of mobile nodes leads to faster convergence.
Horror Movies, Horror Bodies: Blurring the Freak Body in Cinema

This chapter examines the disabled body as a sight of spectacle and identification in film through a lengthy discussion of Tod Browning’s 1932 film Freaks. The discussion frames the chapter because Freaks serves as an example of how film has interpreted the freak show and the freak body and has provided a groundwork for both creating and understanding future melodramas and horror films. The chapter also examines horror staples Rosemary’s Baby and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre , as well as The Funhouse, and the melodrama The Elephant Man . Each discussion unpacks the human monsters who exist at the center of the films, how the monstrous body is portrayed, and how these films work either in or against the tradition of the freak show.
A prospective and longitudinal study of plasma phospholipid saturated fatty acid profile in relation to cardiometabolic biomarkers and the risk of gestational diabetes

Background Data on saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in relation to metabolic function and glucose homeostasis remain controversial. Such data are lacking among pregnant women. Objective We prospectively investigated objectively measured individual and subclasses of plasma phospholipid SFAs throughout pregnancy in relation to cardiometabolic markers and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk. Design Within the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Fetal Growth Studies-Singleton Cohort of 2802 singleton pregnancies, 107 GDM cases were ascertained via medical record review and matched to 214 non-GDM controls on age, race/ethnicity, and gestational week (GW) at blood collection. Individual plasma phospholipid SFA concentrations were repeatedly measured throughout pregnancy at GWs 10-14, 15-26, 23-31, and 33-39 and also grouped into subclasses of even- or odd-chain SFAs. Results From GW 10, even-chain SFA concentrations were significantly higher among women who later developed GDM, whereas odd-chain SFAs were significantly lower among GDM cases compared with controls. At GWs 10-14, the SFA palmitic acid (16:0) was positively associated with impaired insulin resistance and cardiometabolic markers and the risk of GDM [adjusted OR comparing the highest with the lowest quartile (aORQ4-Q1): 4.76; 95% CI: 1.72, 13.10; P-trend = 0.001]. In contrast, odd-chain SFAs were inversely related to the previously mentioned markers and GDM risk [aORQ4-Q1 for pentadecanoic acid (15:0): 0.32; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.92; P-trend = 0.025; for heptadecanoic acid (17:0): 0.20; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.58; P-trend = 0.003]. Women with high (median or greater) even-chain SFA concentrations and low (less than median) odd-chain SFAs had a 9.43-fold (95%: CI 3.26-, 27.30-fold) increased risk compared with women with low even-chain and high odd-chain SFA concentrations. Similar results were observed at GWs 15-26. Conclusions The study provided one of the first lines of evidence suggesting that circulating concentrations of SFAs varying by SFA chain length, as early as GWs 10-14, were significantly and differentially associated with subsequent risk of GDM. Our findings highlight the importance of assessing objectively measured, individual, and subclasses of SFAs to investigate their distinct biological and pathophysiologic roles in glucose homeostasis and cardiometabolic outcomes. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00912132.
In vivo PET imaging to track mesenchymal stem cells labelled with copper-64-pyruvaldehyde-bis (N4-methylthiosemicarbazone)

521 Objectives To date, with advancement of application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in biomedicine, in vivo tracking of MSCs in noninvasive, sensitive, quantitative, tomographic, and cell-nonhazardous ways is highly desired. Our study is to explore the advantages and disadvantages of tracking MSCs by uPET imaging using ex vivo 64Cu - pyruvaldehyde-bis (N4-methylthiosemicarbazone) (PTSM) cell labeling. Methods Murine bone marrow derived-MSCs were isolated and labeled with prepared 64Cu -PTSM. In vivo uPET imaging was conducted after injection of MSCs into Bab/c mice. Biodistribution of labeled MSCs at early and late time point were measured. Also, cell uptake and efflux assay were conducted. Finally, the impact of 64Cu -PTSM labeling on MSCs growth, differentiation were evaluated by cell counting and staining. Results 64Cu -PTSM labelling efficiency of MSCs was around 75%. Labeling has no impact on MSCs viability. In vivo uPET imaging of 64Cu -PTSM labeled MSCs demonstrated quick lung accumulation at early time point (4 h) after tail vein injection of MSCs and showed decreased lung signal with time. Cell uptake of 64Cu -PTSM by MSCs already reached plateau as early as 1 h (94.3%). Cell retention of 64Cu -PTSM decreased over time and the value were 94.4%, 82.7%, 66.2%, 19.2% and 18.7% respectively at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 20, 24 hr time point. Biodistribution result showed that lung uptake of 64Cu-PTSM was 70.7% at 4 h time point, which indicated that MSCs could be quantitatively assessed at early time point by uPET imaging based on uptake and efflux assay results, however, late time point uPET imaging cannot reflect real distribution of labeled MSCs due to quick efflux of 64Cu -PTSM . In addition, radiation of 64Cu -PTSM had no significant impact on MSCs growth and differentiation measured by cell counting and staining. Conclusions This is the first study to investigate the feasibility of tracking MSCs by uPET imaging using ex vivo 64Cu -PTSM cell labeling. This MSCs labeling strategy has potential for certain future preclinical and clinical applications
Interpolated Timing Recovery

Conventional timing recovery in magnetic recording channel detector is performed on a symbol-by-symbol basis using a second-order Phase-Locked Loop (PLL). At each sampling time, the sampling phase is adjusted by a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) (Figure 6.1). An analog VCO is potentially higher cost and lower yield than a comparable digital VCO. Also, semiconductor process spread and noise sensitivity make it difficult to model adequately the analog VCO in system simulations, leading to difficulties in use.
YES/MVS: a continuous real time expert system

YES/MVS (Yorktown Expert System for MVS operators) is a continuous, real time expert system that exerts interactive control over an operating system as an aid to computer operators. This paper discusses the YES/MVS system, its domain of application, and issues that arise in the design and development of an expert system that runs continuously in real time.
Low Prevalence of Suspected Barrett's Esophagus in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Without Alarm Symptoms.

Background & Aims Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is frequently used to evaluate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) without alarm symptoms, although the benefits are not clear. We aimed to determine the prevalence of uncomplicated GERD as an indication for EGD, the demographic characteristics of these patients, and the endoscopic outcomes of these procedures. Methods We collected endoscopy data from a large national database of 543,103 EGDs performed at 82 sites from 2003 through 2014. We identified patients with GERD without alarm symptoms (dysphagia, bleeding, vomiting, or weight loss). Endpoints included the prevalence of endoscopically suspected Barrett’s esophagus (sBE) and suspected long-segment BE (sLSBE), defined as ≥3 cm. Results We found that 73,535 EGDs (13.5%) were performed for a primary indication of GERD without alarm symptoms: only 4122 patients (5.6%) had sBE, and of these, 24.2% had sLSBE. Significant risk factors for sBE and sLSBE included male sex, age, and white race. Other findings included peptic ulcers in 1337 patients (1.8%) and suspected tumors (47 esophageal, 42 gastric, 13 duodenal tumors, 2 others) in 101 patients. Conclusions In an analysis of a large cohort of patients undergoing EGD, uncomplicated GERD accounted for almost 14% of EGDs; within this population, only 23.6% were white men older than 50 years, who have an increased risk of BE and esophageal adenocarcinoma. The prevalence of sBE is lower than in prior time periods—this raises questions about the utility of EGD to detect BE in patients with uncomplicated GERD. Guidelines for management of uncomplicated GERD should account for these observations.
Opportunities for augmentation cystoplasty revision without additional bowel harvest: "Hourglass" deformity or non-detubularized augment.

Introduction: We describe our experience performing bladder augmentation revision without additional bowel harvest for certain suboptimal cystoplasty configurations. Methods: We identified patients with prior bladder augmentation who underwent augmentation revision without additional bowel harvest at our institution. These patients were identified to have either “hourglass” deformity or non-detubularized augment previously. Revision was performed using an open technique by detaching the prior augment and performing detubularization and/ or completion cystotomy as needed. Baseline characteri0stics, perioperative courses, and followup information were reviewed. Preand postoperative cystography and urodynamics were assessed. Results: Seven patients underwent bladder augmentation revision without the use of additional bowel. Three patients were found to have a non-detubularized augment, while the other four had a narrow connection from the native bladder to augment. Cystography demonstrated correction of “hourglass” deformity for the four patients, and urodynamics revealed resolution of phasic contractions after detubularization. Six of seven patients reported significant improvements in symptoms, such as frequency, urgency, and incontinence. One patient ultimately required Indiana pouch urinary diversion. All patients are performing intermittent catheterization at last followup. Conclusions: Patients with a prior bladder augmentation with inadequate urine storage should have testing to identify the possibility of a non-detubularized augment or “hourglass” deformity. These patients can be safely offered a revision without the need for additional bowel harvest.
The Interdependence of Lymphocyte, Stromal Cell, and Follicular Dendritic Cell Maturation

If asked to pick a cell type as a biological metaphor for an independent free-spirited entity, many biologists might pick the lymphocyte. Unlike most other cell types in the body, lymphocytes can and must be able to move about the body, a dynamic circulating surveillance system. The fast-moving lymphocyte- on the go- has been an obvious center of attention for decades now; where lymphocytes go, what they do, what they need in order to live and function are major issues for immunologists. By contrast, attached, relatively sessile cells seem to have fewer options, be less dynamic, less flexible, less interesting. One widely held assumption has been that those cells coming in contact with lymphocytes, by-in-large play nurturing or minor roles, hence the term “accessory” cell, accessory being defined in one dictionary as “aiding or contributing in a secondary way”. They are viewed as “aides”, even valets or butlers, for “executive” lymphocytes such as CD4+ T cells which have the really important jobs.