cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of Photovoltaic Response in Multilayer MoS2 Induced by Plasma Doping

Layered transition-metal dichalcogenides hold promise for making ultrathin-film photovoltaic devices with a combination of excellent photovoltaic performance, superior flexibility, long lifetime, and low manufacturing cost. Engineering the proper band structures of such layered materials is essential to realize such potential. Here, we present a plasma-assisted doping approach for significantly improving the photovoltaic response in multilayer MoS2. In this work, we fabricated and characterized photovoltaic devices with a vertically stacked indium tin oxide electrode/multilayer MoS2/metal electrode structure. Utilizing a plasma-induced p-doping approach, we are able to form p–n junctions in MoS2 layers that facilitate the collection of photogenerated carriers, enhance the photovoltages, and decrease reverse dark currents. Using plasma-assisted doping processes, we have demonstrated MoS2-based photovoltaic devices exhibiting very high short-circuit photocurrent density values up to 20.9 mA/cm2 and reasonab...
Victimization and Suicidality among Female College Students.

ABSTRACTObjective: To investigate the predictive role of victimization in suicidality among college women. Participants: Female respondents to the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment II (N = 258). Methods: Multivariate logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between victimization and suicidality. Results: Emotional victimization (odds ratio [OR] = 11.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.43, 57.19, p < .01), physical victimization (OR = 6.10, 95% CI = 1.49, 25.08, p < .05), and sexual victimization (OR = 7.53, 95% CI = 2.06, 27.50, p < .01) were all significantly associated with an increased odds of suicidality even after considering the role of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusions: Victimization is a significant and independent predictor of suicidality among college women. Controlling for relevant psychological health–related variables, college women who reported any of the 3 types of victimization had more than 8 times the odds of suicidality comp...
Dynamics of Student Activism

Student unrest was rampant on the Indian, campuses in the sixties and several studies have been published which probe into the socio-economic background of the student leaders, attitudes and value patterns among students, and leadership styles. Reviewing three works on this subject, Dr. Mehta stresses that student activism in developing countries stems from economic difficulties and that it indicates a desire to reform the educational system to bring it in line with socio-economic aspirations. 1. Ross, Aileen D., Student Unrest in India: A Comparative Approach (Montreal: McGill Queen's University Press, 1969). 2. Altbach, Philip G. (ed.), Turmoil and Transition: Higher Education and Student Politics in India (New York: Basic Books, 1968). 3. Shinde, A. B., Political Consciousness among College Students (Bombay: Thackers, 1972).
Advancing Women Through Collaborative Networking

In 2008, a team from North Carolina State University, a large, public research university in the U.S., applied for and received a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation-sponsored program ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers.
Parkinsonian gait improves with bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation during cognitive multi-tasking.

Abstract Background Gait impairment in Parkinson's disease reduces mobility and increases fall risk, particularly during cognitive multi-tasking. Studies suggest that bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation, a common surgical therapy, degrades motor performance under cognitive dual-task conditions, compared to unilateral stimulation. Objective To measure the impact of bilateral versus unilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation on walking kinematics with and without cognitive dual-tasking. Methods Gait kinematics of seventeen patients with advanced Parkinson's disease who had undergone bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation were examined off medication under three stimulation states (bilateral, unilateral left, unilateral right) with and without a cognitive challenge, using an instrumented walkway system. Results Consistent with earlier studies, gait performance declined for all six measured parameters under cognitive dual-task conditions, independent of stimulation state. However, bilateral stimulation produced greater improvements in step length and double-limb support time than unilateral stimulation, and achieved similar performance for other gait parameters. Conclusions Contrary to expectations from earlier studies of dual-task motor performance, bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation may assist in maintaining temporal and spatial gait performance under cognitive dual-task conditions.
Accelerated corrosion and oxide dissolution in 316L stainless steel irradiated in situ in high temperature water

Abstract 316L stainless steel samples were irradiated with a proton beam while simultaneously exposed to high temperature water with added hydrogen (320 °C, 3 wppm H2, neutral pH) to study the effect of radiation on stainless steel corrosion. Irradiated samples had thinner and more porous inner oxides with a lower chromium content when compared to unirradiated samples. Observations suggest that depletion of chromium from the inner oxide can be attributed to the dissolution of chromium-rich spinel oxides in irradiated water, leading to an accelerated rate of inner oxide dissolution. Sample areas which were not irradiated, but were exposed to the flow of irradiated water were also found to be porous and deficient in chromium, indicating that these phenomena can be attributed primarily to water radiolysis. A new empirical equation for oxide growth and dissolution is used to describe the observed changes in oxide thickness under irradiation. An experiment in which a stainless steel sample was exposed to high temperature water (320 °C, 3 wppm H2, neutral pH) without irradiation, and then exposed for a second time with irradiation was conducted to observe the effect of irradiation on a pre-formed protective film. After the irradiated exposure, the sample exhibited chromium loss in regions which were directly irradiated, but not on regions exposed only to irradiated water, suggesting that a pre-formed protective oxide may be effective in preventing chromium loss due to irradiated water. Additionally, this observation suggests that enhanced kinetics under irradiation may have accelerated dissolution of chromium from the inner oxide.
Notes: The Meaning of a Nonsignificant t

(1959). Notes: The Meaning of a Nonsignificant t. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 242-243.
PRIOR BARIATRIC SURGERY CORRELATES WITH IMPROVED IN-HOSPITAL MORTALITY AND DECREASED HOSPITALIZATION COST AND LENGTH OF STAY COMPARED TO MORBIDLY OBESE PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIUM INFARCTION: A NATIONWIDE ANALYSIS FROM 2006 TO 2014

Previous studies have shown morbidly obese patients have lower in-hospital mortality when hospitalized for myocardial infarction (MI). However, limited data is available regarding the effect of bariatric surgery on in-patient MI mortality. Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) is a validated database
Enhancing positive perceptions of aging by savoring life lessons.

Objectives: This study examined the effects of savoring valuable life lessons on perceptions of aging and on well-being among older adults.Method: A total of 303 adults (mean age = 68.12 years) wer...
A Multireader Exploratory Evaluation of Individual Pulse Sequence Cancer Detection on Prostate Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To determine independent contribution of each prostate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) sequence to cancer detection when read in isolation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Prostate mpMRI at 3-Tesla with endorectal coil from 45 patients (n = 30 prostatectomy cases, n = 15 controls with negative magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] or biopsy) were retrospectively interpreted. Sequences (T2-weighted [T2W] MRI, diffusion-weighted imaging [DWI], and dynamic contrast-enhanced [DCE] MRI; N = 135) were separately distributed to three radiologists at different institutions. Readers evaluated each sequence blinded to other mpMRI sequences. Findings were correlated to whole-mount pathology. Cancer detection sensitivity, positive predictive value for whole prostate (WP), transition zone, and peripheral zone were evaluated per sequence by reader, with reader concordance measured by index of specific agreement. Cancer detection rates (CDRs) were calculated for combinations of independently read sequences. RESULTS 44 patients were evaluable (cases median prostate-specific antigen 6.83 [ range 1.95-51.13] ng/mL, age 62 [45-71] years; controls prostate-specific antigen 6.85 [2.4-10.87] ng/mL, age 65.5 [47-71] years). Readers had highest sensitivity on DWI (59%) vs T2W MRI (48%) and DCE (23%) in WP. DWI-only positivity (DWI+/T2W-/DCE-) achieved highest CDR in WP (38%), compared to T2W-only (CDR 24%) and DCE-only (CDR 8%). DWI+/T2W+/DCE- achieved CDR 80%, an added benefit of 56.4% from T2W-only and of 42% from DWI-only (P < .0001). All three sequences interpreted independently positive gave highest CDR of 90%. Reader agreement was moderate (index of specific agreement: T2W = 54%, DWI = 58%, DCE = 33%). CONCLUSIONS When prostate mpMRI sequences are interpreted independently by multiple observers, DWI achieves highest sensitivity and CDR in transition zone and peripheral zone. T2W and DCE MRI both add value to detection; mpMRI achieves highest detection sensitivity when all three mpMRI sequences are positive.
Environmental Monitoring: Architecture of a Global Model

The concept of monitoring has different meanings ranging from a management overview function to the collection of data by a single sensor. This context-dependant uses of the term presents problems in applications such as the environment, safety, trade and arms control where measurements by single sensors or inspectors as well as oversight by management exist as part of the same monitoring system. For large scale processes monitoring systems may be complex, poorly-defined and costly. One of the reasons is that large scale processes consist of imbedded subprocesses with their own monitoring subsystems. Some of these subprocesses may be either disconnected or weakly linked. Thus, a monitoring system can be defined as a hierarchical structure consisting of multiple monitoring levels each optimized to measure a corresonding set of processes or, in the case of disconnected subprocesses, as a collection of independent systems. For complex processes there.is a need for a systematic approach to evaluating monitoring concepts and procedures. This paper discusses some of the reasons for such an approach and presents a conceptual framework for evaluating compliance with regulations and optimizing the design of complex monitoring systems.
Results and Discissions

In this chapter, we report the charge multiplicity asymmetry correlation results for Au + Au collisions at center of mass energy of \(\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200\) GeV. We also report the asymmetry correlations as function of transverse momentum (p T ), event-by-event anisotropies (v 2 obs ), wedge size and wedge axis location. We discuss the implication of the results and compare with previously published results.
Adult Congenital Heart Disease in General Echocardiography Practice

The spectrum of adult congenital heart defects seen in echocardiography practice varies according to institutional practice and expertise. Half a century ago, survival with severe congenital heart disease was less common. Today, nearly 80% of such patients in industrialized societies now survive into adulthood. Most are followed up in centers that specialize in adult congenital heart diseases (CHDs), but it is not uncommon for such adults to be seen in general echocardiography practice.
Europeanization in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Despite the European Union’s prior success promoting marketization and democracy in post-communist countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina may prove a unique challenge due to the incentives embedded in i...
A Low-Cost Real-World Planning Strategy for Deploying a Dedicated Short-Range Communications Roadside Unit on a Highway Off-Ramp:

The deployment of dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) roadside units (RSUs) allows a connected or automated vehicle to acquire information from the surrounding environment, such as a traffic light’s signal phase and timing, using vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. Several scholarly papers exist on planning strategies for DSRC RSU deployments using simulation without accounting for wireless communication constraints and environmental changes. This paper proposes an empirical-based planning strategy for a highway off-ramp in a real-world environment. The research goal focuses on developing a low-cost and structured deployment plan for DSRC RSUs with the following objectives: use free planning tools; apply the deployment strategy in a real-world environment; utilize publicly available DSRC RSU data measurements; and leverage existing intelligent transportation systems infrastructure when possible. The proposed planning strategy includes three steps: (1) conduct a virtual site survey, (2) gather...
Photoevaporative flows from exoplanet atmospheres: a 3D radiative hydrodynamic parameter study

The photoionization-driven evaporation of planetary atmospheres has emerged as a potentially fundamental process for planets on short period orbits. While 1-D studies have proven the effectiveness of stellar fluxes at altering the atmospheric mass and composition for sub-Jupiter mass planets, there remains much that is uncertain with regard to the larger-scale, multidimensional nature of such "planetary wind" flows. In this paper we use a new radiation-hydrodynamic platform to simulate atmospheric evaporative flows. Using the AstroBEAR AMR multiphysics code in a co-rotating frame centered on the planet, we model the transfer of ionizing photons into the atmosphere, the subsequent launch of the wind and the wind's large scale evolution subject to tidal and non-inertial forces. We run simulations for planets of 0.263 and 0.07 Jupiter masses and stellar fluxes of $2 \times 10^{13}$ and $2 \times 10^{14}$ photons/cm^2/s. Our results reveal new, potentially observable planetary wind flow patterns, including the development, in some cases, of an extended neutral tail lagging behind the planet in its orbit.
Cardiovascular Imaging Utilization: Boom or Bust?∗

Because the growth in utilization of cardiovascular (CV) imaging since the 1990s has been so well documented and the findings so consistent, there is a general assumption that imaging is overused. Quality improvement efforts in imaging have become nearly synonymous with efforts to reduce use,
Physical accessibility and employment among older adults in California

Older adults are delaying retirement and remaining in the paid workforce longer than in previous decades. There are many potential explanations for this trend. In this study, it is hypothesized tha...
Technical Factors in Telemedicine Adoption in Extreme Resource-Poor Countries

The decisions on whether to adopt telemedicine can be influenced by a variety of factors. These factors can vary based on the context in which the system is going to be used. In extreme resource-poor countries (ERP), views of the advantages of telemedicine can be shaped not only by social-political and cultural factors but by the technology itself. This chapter discusses technical/system factors that can influence telemedicine adoption based on experiences in Haiti. Factors such as resources and infrastructure, technical service quality, end user support, comprehensive ease of use, and information completeness will be discussed. Recommendations and considerations for those considering implementing telemedicine systems in ERP countries that can also apply to non-ERP countries are provided.
Abstract 612: Automated Analysis of Displacement From Intravital Multiphoton Microscopy in Mouse Ventricle

Background: Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) has enabled in vivo time-lapse imaging of the heart that shows motion of cells within the tissue with micrometer resolution. We developed automated analysis...
Demonstration of RNA interference by bacterial feeding in Stentor polymorphus

Abstract Stentor is a genus of large trumpet-shaped unicellular organisms in the ciliate phylum. Classically they have been used as models of cellular morphogenesis due to their large size and ability to regenerate, but some Stentor species have features that make them useful models for other types of studies as well. Stentor polymorphus is a widely distributed species that harbors green algal endosymbionts from the Chlorella genus. While interesting phenomenology in this species has been described, molecular tools have never been developed in this system. As technology has advanced, the use of emerging models like S. polymorphus has become more prevalent, and recently a set of transcriptomes for S. polymorphus was published. However, there are still technical hurdles to using S. polymorphus as an effective experimental system in the lab. Here I describe the identification and culture of a S. polymorphus population from North Carolina as well as the identification and cloning of homologs of α-tubulin and the morphogenesis gene mob-1. Additionally, I demonstrate that RNA interference (RNAi) by feeding is effective against both of these homologs in S. polymorphus. The phenotypes observed in S. polymorphus were similar to phenotypes previously validated in S. coeruleus, a related Stentor species. A direct comparison of feeding RNAi between the two species revealed that RNAi appeared to be less effective in S. polymorphus. The ability to perform RNAi in S. polymorphus strengthens its use as an emerging model for exploring mechanisms of unicellular morphogenesis and regeneration or host-symbiont interactions and suggests that RNAi by bacterial feeding might be more broadly effective across the Stentor genus.
Response and Survival Associated With First-line FOLFIRINOX vs Gemcitabine and nab-Paclitaxel Chemotherapy for Localized Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Importance Fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) and gemcitabine plus nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab)–paclitaxel (GA) are first-line chemotherapy regimens for pancreatic cancer. Their relative efficacy in the setting of localized disease is unknown. Objective To evaluate radiographic and serologic measures of responses associated with first-line chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX or GA, and to determine the association between these drug regimens, putative measures of response, and survival. Design, Setting, and Participants This case series assessed 485 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having previously untreated localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2017, and who received at least 3 cycles of first-line chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX or GA. The median (range) follow-up duration was 33 (2-28) months. Exposures Administration of FOLFIRINOX (285 patients [59%]) or GA (200 patients [41%]) as first-line chemotherapy. Main Outcomes and Measures Resection rate, radiographic metrics (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST], version 1.1, and change in tumor volume or anatomic staging), a serologic metric (serum cancer antigen 19-9 level), and overall survival after administration of first-line chemotherapy. Results In total, 485 patients (266 [55%] male) were included in the analysis. Patients treated with FOLFIRINOX were generally younger (median [range] age at diagnosis: 61 [30-81] vs 71 [36-89] years;P = .001) and had better performance status as indicated by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale (range 0-4, with lower numbers representing better performance) score of 2 or lower (274 patients [96%] vs 165 patients [82%]P = .001) but more invasive tumors than patients who received GA (91 [32%] vs 90 [45%] resectable tumors;P = .01). After propensity score matching to control for these biases, many objective serologic and radiographic metrics of response associated with administration of FOLFIRINOX or GA—including low rates of local tumor downstaging—did not differ. However, RECIST partial response was more common among patients treated with FOLFIRINOX (27 of 140 patients [19%]) than with GA (8 of 140 patients [6%];P = .001). Moreover, (chemo)radiation (50% vs 34%;P = .001) was more commonly administered to and pancreatectomy (27% vs 16%;P = .01) was subsequently performed more frequently for patients initially treated with FOLFIRINOX. The overall survival duration of patients treated with either regimen was similar (hazard ratio, 1.48; 95% CI, 0.97-2.26;P = .07). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort of patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma who received FOLFIRINOX or GA as their first line of therapy, FOLFIRINOX was associated with higher rates of RECIST partial response and subsequent pancreatectomy than GA, but the overall survival associated with these regimens was similar.
Comparative ruminal and total tract digestion of a finishing diet containing fresh vs air-dry steam-flaked corn.

Ten Holstein steers (465 +/- 6 kg) with cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a crossover design experiment to evaluate the influence of air-dry vs fresh steam-flaked corn on characteristics of ruminal and total tract digestion. The basal diet contained 77% steam-flaked corn (DM basis). Air-dry steam-flaked corn (SFC-AD) was obtained from a single batch that had been allowed to air-dry for 5 d before beginning the trial. Fresh steam-flaked corn (SFC-F) was produced daily Monday through Friday. Following production, the SFC-F was placed in air-tight polybags and stored at 4 degrees C until the time of feeding. There was little difference (P > .20) between SFC-AD and SFC-F with respect to site and extent of digestion of OM, starch, and fiber. Moreover, the two treatments did not differ (P > .20) in ruminal degradability of feed N. Apparent total tract N digestion was slightly greater (2.4%, P .20); however, VFA concentration of ruminal fluid tended to be greater (8.3%, P .20), but ruminal molar proportions of propionate tended to be greater (9.7%, P < .10) and molar proportions of butyrate tended to be less (10.0%, P < .10) for SFC-F than for SFC-AD. We conclude that the characteristics of digestion and the feeding value of steam-flaked corn is not altered by air drying before feeding.
User Experience as Participatory Health Communication Pedagogy

This experience report offers examples of how health communication educators can employ UX design principles and practices to enhance student learning. More specifically, this report proposes a participatory health communication pedagogy that can help teachers leverage UX principles to meaningfully incorporate students’ experiences into the classroom as both content creators and content users. Drawing from two health communication courses as case studies, we demonstrate how a participatory health communication pedagogy can help educators become innovative, UX practitioners who center students’ learning experiences as they design content for health and medical contexts.
Control Safety Margins for Telescoping-Boom Mechatronic Lifts

High-reach aerial lifts often use telescoping booms to lift workers, tools, and supplies to elevated positions. The personnel working on such machines are secured to the platform with lanyards to prevents falls; however, they are still subjected to the potentially deadly tip-over accident. In order to mitigate tip-over accidents, aerial lift manufacturers have developed countermeasures, such as widening the base of support of the machines with expanding wheel bases or outriggers, adding counterweights to offset the extended boom, using sensors and control algorithms to limit the configurations of the machine to within the stable envelope. The size of the stability margin that keeps the machine away from tip-over conditions is mandated by industrial standards that limit the rated load capacity to a percentage of the actual load capacity. Such load-based safety margins attempt to provide a butter against sensor errors, wind loads, ground undulations, payload movement, etc. This paper investigates new types of safety margins that better account for the types of uncertainties associated with aerial lifts. Rather than use a safety margin tied to the load weight, safety margins are also expressed in terms of the boom angle and boom extension lengths. The analysis indicates that the industry standard load limits give inconsistent margins, as well as relatively low safety margins for cases when the boom is extended a significant amount.
Evaluation of the temperature dependence of dissociation constants for the marine carbon system using pH and certified reference materials

Abstract Due to the uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, and the resulting ocean acidification, long term monitoring of the marine carbon cycle is of utmost importance and requires high precision and accuracy across many laboratories over several decades. Despite this, many uncertainties still remain in carbon system measurements and calculations. Calculations of the carbon system are facilitated by publicly available software, but the large number of options for various constants make data and study inter-comparability challenging. Here, the carbon system is evaluated using internal consistency calculations and spectrophotometric pH measurements on two batches of Certified Reference Material over the full oceanic range of temperatures (−1.7–40 °C). The choice of formulation for the bisulfate dissociation constant is insignificant over at least the salinity range of the CRM (S = 33.4–33.8). The choice of formulation of the hydrogen fluoride dissociation constant adds a small amount of uncertainty, but the best option is unclear. The total boron concentration significantly impacts the calculated pH, with the value of Lee et al. (2010) being more internally consistent and, thus, recommended. Of the 8 carbonic acid dissociation constant sets evaluated, nearly all remain internally consistent at near-surface open-ocean salinities (~31–36) within the accuracy of pH measurements. Nevertheless, the values of Mehrbach et al. (1973), as refit by Dickson and Millero (1987), and Lueker et al. (2000) were the most internally consistent and therefore are preferred for current surface ocean studies (S ≈ 31–36, T = −1.7–40 °C, fCO2
Cybercrime, Differential Association, and Self-Control: Knowledge Transmission Through Online Social Learning

In an increasingly digital world, our social interactions are increasingly moving online. Differential association and social learning theories suggest that we learn both moral definitions and the how-to of crime from those we associate with. In this paper we examine whether online or offline social learning leads to more self-disclosed forms of cyber-offending. Using a national online sample of 1,109 participants, we find both online and offline social learning are important correlates to cyber-offending. In addition, we predict that lower self-control will interact with social learning to further increase the likelihood of cyber-offending. Overall, we find that both social learning and self-control, individually and as an interaction, have a large effect-size in predicting cyber-offending.
Operational Rainfall and Flow Forecasting for the Panama Canal Watershed

An integrated hydrometeorological system was designed for the utilization of data from various sensors in the 3300 km2 Panama Canal Watershed for the purpose of producing real-time, spatially distributed, mean areal rainfall estimates, and rainfall and flow forecasts. These forecasts are used by the Panama Canal Authority for water management. The system ingests raw data from a 10 cm weather radar, automated rain gauges and surface meteorological stations, streamflow gauges, radiosonde upper air profilers, and analysis and forecast fields from the operational 80 km Eta numerical weather prediction model of the US National Weather Service State estimators utilize all available data for cloud, soil and channel model state updating and rainfall and flow forecast variance generation. Merged radar and rain gage fields are produced in real time and are used to compute mean areal precipitation for each sub-catchment in the watershed. Results of real time operation for the years 2000 and 2001 show useful system forecasts during severe storm periods.
Socially Engaged Buddhist Nuns: Activism in Taiwan and North America

The last decades of the twentieth century have been a time of new visibility and social activism for Buddhists in Taiwan and around the world. This paper compares the social engagement of nuns in the Chinese Buddhist tradition in Taiwan and North America. I would like to argue that whereas nuns in Taiwan have developed a variety of approaches to social involvement, their counterparts in the Chinese diaspora in North America have had to face a set of challenges specific to overseas Chinese communities in addition to Chinese Buddhist tradition. The article concludes with reflections on the prospects for nuns' social activism in Taiwan and North America in future years.
Proliferative rate in endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration of pancreatic endocrine tumors: correlation with clinical behavior.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in the preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) and to investigate whether the Ki-67 index determined on cytologic material could help predict their behavior. METHODS: The study included 10 men and 5 women (ratio of men to women, 2:1) with a mean age of 62.4 years (range, 40-79 years). Diff-Quik- and Papanicolaou-stained FNA samples were analyzed retrospectively, and immunocytochemical stains were performed for chromogranin A, synaptophysin, vimentin, α-1-antitrypsin, and Ki-67 on cell block sections. The Ki-67 index was evaluated by using digital image-analysis software and was correlated with follow-up (mean, 21.5 months; range, 2-43 months). RESULTS: The overall survival was rate 86.7% (13 of 15 patients). Seven of 15 patients (46.7%) patients developed lymph node and/or hematogenous metastases. The Ki-67 index in PETs with no metastases was lower (mean, 6.3%; range, 2%-13%) than in clinically aggressive (metastatic) tumors (mean, 7.7%; range, 3%-27%; P = .03). None of the tumors that had a Ki-67 index ≤2% were metastatic. Both patients who died of disease had a Ki-67 index of 4%. CONCLUSIONS: Although tumors with metastatic potential tended to exhibit a slightly higher Ki-67 index, there was a significant overlap with nonmetastatic tumors, and PETs that had a very low proliferative rate still could behave aggressively; therefore, the authors concluded that the Ki-67 index does not predict the risk of disease progression in patients with PETs. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Monte Carlo simulation of multilayer delta doped germanium THz laser

Numerical simulation of carrier dynamics and the amplification of THz radiation in selectively doped multi-layer germanium (Ge/p-Ge) structures has been performed by Monte Carlo technique. The laser design exploits the known widely tunable mechanism of THz amplification on inter-subband transitions in p-Ge, but with spatial separation of carrier accumulation and relaxation regions, which allows remarkable enhancement of the gain. Vertical electric field (/spl sim/ 1 - 2.5 kV/cm) and perpendicular magnetic field (/spl sim/ 1 - 2 T) provide population inversion on direct inter-subband light-to-heavy hole transitions. Heavy holes are found to transit the undoped layers quickly and to congregate mainly around the doped layers. Light holes, due to tighter magnetic confinement, are preferably accumulated within the undoped layers, whose reduced ionized impurity scattering rates allow higher total carrier concentrations, and therefore higher gain, in comparison to bulk p-Ge lasers. Preliminary results of the calculations show a possibility of laser operation at liquid nitrogen temperatures.
Trajectory Synthesis and Inverse Dynamics Formulation for Minimal Vibrational Excitation for Flexible Structures based on Trajectory Patterns

A new approach to trajectory synthesis and formulation of the inverse dynamics model of flexible structures for point to point motions with minimal high frequency component of the actuating torques (forces) is presented. Trajectories are synthesized such that the flexible structure comes to rest undeformed at the completion of motion. The developed method is based on the Trajectory Pattern Method [1-2]. In this approach, an appropriate trajectory pattern is selected and described in parametric form. The inverse dynamics model of the system is formulated in terms of the trajectory parameters. The trajectory patterns used are in terms of a number of basic sinusoidal time functions and their harmonics. The basic frequencies are selected such that the harmonics appearing in the actuating torques do not excite the natural modes of vibration of the system. For each motion, the trajectory parameters are determined for minimal amplitudes of the higher actuating torque harmonics, noting that from the vibration and control points of view, such trajectories are more desirable. The higher harmonics refers to the harmonics of the actuating torques with frequencies above the highest trajectory harmonic frequency. As an example, a flexible beam undergoing large displacements and rotations in a plane is considered. The effectiveness of the approach is illustrated by an example.
Effect of dietary trace mineral concentration and source (inorganic vs. chelated) on performance, mineral status, and fecal mineral excretion in pigs from weaning through finishing

Two hundred and sixteen weanling gilts (6.65 ± 0.08 kg) were used to determine the effects of decreasing supplemental concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn, and trace mineral source (inorganic vs. chelated) on growth performance, mineral status, and fecal mineral concentrations from weaning through de- velopment. The study was conducted over three trials with 72 pigs in each trial. Gilts were blocked by weight and randomly assigned to either 1) control, 2) reduced inorganic, or 3) reduced chelated trace minerals. The control diet was supplemented with 25, 150, 180, and 60 mg/kg of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn (in sulfate forms), respectively, during the nursery phase and 15, 100, 100, and 40 mg/kg of supplemental Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn, respectively, during the growing and gilt-developer phases. Reduced inorganic and reduced chelated treat- ments were supplemented during all phases with 5, 25, 25, and 10 mg/kg of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn, respectively. The reduced chelated treatment supplied 50% of the supplemental Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn in the form of metal proteinates, with the remainder from sulfate forms. Performance by control pigs did not differ from pigs fed the reduced trace mineral treatments during the nursery and grower-development periods. Gain:feed was lower (P < 0.05) for pigs fed the reduced inorganic compared with those fed the reduced chelated treat- ment during the nursery period. Trace mineral source did not affect performance during the growing or gilt- developer phase. Plasma Zn concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity were higher (P < 0.01) in control pigs than in those receiving reduced trace minerals during the nursery and growing phases. Plasma Cu concentration and ceruloplasmin activity were gener- ally not affected by treatment. Hemoglobin concentra- tions were lower (P < 0.05) for the reduced inorganic compared with the reduced chelated treatment in the nursery phase. Fecal concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Mn were lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed reduced trace minerals than in controls during all production phases. Fecal Zn concentration during the nursery and fecal Cu concen- trations during the growing and gilt-developer phases were lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the reduced chelated compared with the reduced inorganic treatment. Re- sults indicate that reducing the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe typically supplemented to pig diets will greatly decrease fecal mineral excretion without negatively affecting pig performance from weaning through development.
Meerkat: detecting website defacements through image-based object recognition

Website defacements and website vandalism can inflict significant harm on the website owner through the loss of sales, the loss in reputation, or because of legal ramifications. Prior work on website defacements detection focused on detecting unauthorized changes to the web server, e.g., via host-based intrusion detection systems or file-based integrity checks. However, most prior approaches lack the capabilities to detect the most prevailing defacement techniques used today: code and/or data injection attacks, and DNS hijacking. This is because these attacks do not actually modify the code or configuration of the website, but instead they introduce new content or redirect the user to a different website. In this paper, we approach the problem of defacement detection from a different angle: we use computer vision techniques to recognize if a website was defaced, similarly to how a human analyst decides if a website was defaced when viewing it in a web browser. We introduce MEERKAT, a defacement detection system that requires no prior knowledge about the website's content or its structure, but only its URL. Upon detection of a defacement, the system notifies the website operator that his website is defaced, who can then take appropriate action. To detect defacements, MEERKAT automatically learns high-level features from screenshots of defaced websites by combining recent advances in machine learning, like stacked autoencoders and deep neural networks, with techniques from computer vision. These features are then used to create models that allow for the detection of newly-defaced websites. We show the practicality of MEERKAT on the largest website defacement dataset to date, comprising of 10,053,772 defacements observed between January 1998 and May 2014, and 2,554,905 legitimate websites. Overall, MEERKAT achieves true positive rates between 97.422% and 98.816%, false positive rates between 0.547% and 1.528%, and Bayesian detection rates between 98.583% and 99.845%, thus significantly outperforming existing approaches.
Low temperature CVD garnet growth

Abstract Epitaxial garnet films of Er 3 Fe 5 O 12 , (Eu, Y) 3 Fe 5 O 12 and (Eu, Yb) 3 Fe 5 O 12 which exhibit submicron magnetic stripe domains have been chemically vapor deposited (CVD) on non-magnetic garnet substrates. The deposition process which uses metal organic source compounds was carried out at relatively low temperatures, 800–1000°C. Both stress induced and growth induced magnetic anisotropy have been produced in the films, the latter of which was observed for the first time in CVD garnet films.
Variable effect of angiotensin infusion on left ventricular function

The relation between left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and stroke work index was inconsistent during increases in afterload with intravenous angiotensin in six conscious dogs and on several determinations in individual dogs. Left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters increased and stroke excursion (EDD-ESD) decreased during angiotensin infusion.
Phenotypic recurrent selection in ideotype breeding of pinto beans

Plant growth habit (type) plays a major determining role in the acceptance of a dry bean cultivar by commercial growers. Under the threat of wet fall conditions in the midwestern U.S., growers show a preference for upright plant types-I and II over the more prostrate type-III growth habit of commercial pinto cultivars. The prostrate habit creates considerably more risk of harvest losses and potential of white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) development during a wet growing season. The breeding strategy being utilized to develop better adapted pinto bean cultivars for the humid midwest is based on the concept of ideotype breeding which has been successfully applied to small seeded navy and black beans. A system of phenotypic recurrent selection using S1 selection is being followed in order to recombine desirable traits from two diverse germplasm pools. One germplasm pool possesses the desirable architectural plant form and disease resistance traits of the small-seeded types while the medium-seeded germplasm source possesses the desirable seed size, shape and color characteristics of the pinto class. Since a repulsion phase linkage appears to exist between type-II architecture (architype) and medium seed size (40 g/100 seeds), recurrent selection is shown to be the most effective procedure for breaking up undesirable linkage groups and for increasing the frequency of desirable genes, thus enhancing the chance for the desirable genetic recombinations to occur.
Enhancement of tachykinin-induced contractions of guinea pig isolated bronchus by corticotropin-releasing factor

Abstract The effect of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on contractions of guinea pig isolated airways in response to electrical or chemical stimulation of tachykinergic nerve fibers was studied. CRF (1 μg/ml) caused a 70% enhancement of the peak magnitude of the response to electrical field stimulation (EFS). CRF had a similar effect on contractions of the isolated bronchus evoked by capsaicin. CRF also potentiated contractions evoked by exogenously applied substance P. This effect was selective, as CRF had no effect on contractions evoked by neurokinin A or the substance P analog ASMSP. The potentiation of the substance P-induced contractions of airway smooth muscle was blocked by the CRF receptor antagonist alpha helical (9–41) CRF. These data support the hypothesis that CRF enhances the airway smooth muscle response to stimulation of tachykinin-containing nerve fibers and that this effect is due to a post-junctional mechanism of action.
Endovascular treatment of carotid artery occlusion in progressive stroke syndromes: technical note

Objective and importance We describe two patients, with progressing neurological deficits, who showed improvement after revascularization of their carotid arteries using stents. Clinical presentation One patient presented clinically with the symptoms of a middle cerebral artery territory stroke. Angiography demonstrated total occlusion of the right internal carotid artery (ICA), with evidence of clot from the origin of the ICA to the middle cerebral artery trifurcation. The second patient presented with bilateral ICA occlusions and evidence of a progressing left hemispheric deficit; she was receiving therapeutic levels of heparin at the time of deterioration of her condition. Intervention Thrombolysis and stenting successfully recanalized the occluded vessels, and the deficits of the first patient were reversed. With the second patient, a dissected carotid loop was encountered. Straightening of the loop with a wire and stenting of the carotid artery using two stents allowed revascularization of the left hemisphere and resolution of most of the deficits of this patient. Conclusion This report demonstrates the technical feasibility of placing stents in high-risk patients with carotid artery occlusions from either dissection or atherosclerosis. Both patients sustained much smaller infarctions than would have been expected if the carotid artery territory had been infarcted. We report on the technical feasibility of reopening acutely closed ICAs by using endovascular methods.
Allelotype of human thyroid tumors: loss of chromosome 11q13 sequences in follicular neoplasms.

Two classes of genes are the targets of mutations involved in human tumorigenesis: oncogenes, the activation of which leads to growth stimulation, and tumor suppressor genes, which become tumorigenic through loss of function, often through allelic deletion. To obtain evidence for a role for tumor suppressor genes in thyroid tumorigenesis, we examined DNA from 80 thyroid neoplasms for loss of heterozygosity in multiple chromosomal loci using 19 polymorphic genomic probes. None of the informative thyroid tumors studied had allelic loss detected with probes for chromosome 2q (D2S44), 3p (D3F15S2, D3S32), 3q (D3S46), 4p (D4S125), 6p (D6S40), 8q (D8S39), 9q (D9S7), 12p (D12S14), 13q (D13S52), 17p (D17S30), or 18q (D18S10). One of eight of the follicular adenomas had a 10q deletion detected with marker D10S15, and one of 26 had a 10q deletion detected with D10S25. One of two of the follicular carcinomas had an 11p deletion in the H-ras locus. The most significant findings were on chromosome 11q13, the site cont...
Regulated unmasking of in vivo synthesized maternal mRNA at oocyte maturation: A role for the chaperone nucleoplasmin

We examine the translational regulation of histone H4 mRNA when Xenopus laevis oocytes are induced to mature with progesterone. Histone H4 mRNA synthesized from plasmid templates microinjected into oocyte nuclei is translationally silenced (masked). This masked mRNA becomes translationally active only after oocyte maturation. In contrast, histone H4 mRNA injected into the oocyte cytoplasm is translationally active both before and after oocyte maturation. Thus, transcription in vivo is required to mask histone H4 mRNA and to allow subsequent translational regulation. Protein association with histone H4 mRNA synthesized in vivo was determined before and after oocyte maturation. UV cross-linking of radiolabeled RNA to protein and immunoprecipitation of cross-linked proteins reveals an increased association of the chaperone nucleoplasmin with ribonucleoprotein particles dependent on the oocyte maturation process. The Y-box protein FRGY2 inhibits translation of histone H4 mRNA in vitro. Nucleoplasmin is able to partially relieve this repression. We discuss the potential role of nuleoplasmin in the remodeling of repressive ribonucleoprotein particles containing maternal mRNA to facilitate translational activation.
Advances in osseointegrated implants for dental and facial rehabilitation following major head and neck surgery

Osseointegrated implants can be used to facilitate retention stability and support for facial and intraoral prostheses used to restore head and neck defects. Preliminary studies indicate that in nonirradiated maxillectomy patients the success rates are about 75%. In the reconstructed mandible the results appear to be more favorable--over 90% for implants placed in free nonvascularized bone grafts and over 90% for free revascularized bone grafts. Similar high success rates have been observed for most sites used to support facial prostheses. Success rates for auricular sites exceed 95% and for floor of nose sites success rates exceed 90%. Success rates have been lower (77%) for implants placed in the frontal bone for retention of orbital prostheses. Success rates for irradiated bone sites have been lower and range from 60.4% in the maxilla to 68.6% in facial bone sites. Of greater concern is that most implants placed in irradiated sites are beginning to show signs of impending failure.
Drilling deeper into the core: an analysis of journal evaluation methodologies used to create the “Basic List of Veterinary Medical Serials,” third edition

Objective: The paper analyzes the journal evaluation criteria used to create the third edition of a core list of veterinary serials to determine the impact of each criterion on the final composition of the list in order to assess the value of using multiple criteria in creating a core list.
Dialing in to a Circle of Trust: A "Medium" Tech Experiment and Poetic Evaluation.

“Found poetry” illustrates how an experimental series of reflective audio teleconference retreats became a transforming experience.
Does treatment fidelity predict client outcomes in 12-Step Facilitation for stimulant abuse?

Objective This study examined the relationships between treatment fidelity and treatment outcomes in a community-based trial of a 12-Step Facilitation (TSF) intervention.