cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preventive Dentistry: Fruit drinks |[mdash]| the continuing controversy!

Objectives To assess the acidogenic response in dental plaque after challenge with four fruit drinks, including two blackcurrant drinks newly formulated, with low levels of carbohydrate. Methods 24 adult volunteers rinsed, in randomised order, with each of two new formulations of a blackcurrant drink (7% juice with 0.49% and 10% juice with 0.65% carbohydrate concentration respectively), an apple and blackcurrant drink with no added sugar (0.8%), and a mixed citrus fruit drink with a higher carbohydrate concentration (4.5% w/v). Solutions of 10% sucrose and 10% sorbitol were used as controls. Plaque pH was assessed, in vivo, before and after the acidogenic challenge using the plaque-harvesting technique. Results Results showed that the minimum plaque pH after the subjects rinsed with the new blackcurrant drinks was higher as compared with all the other test products and significantly so compared with the mixed citrus drink (P = 0.0001). It was also found that with the 7% blackcurrant juice drink none of the subjects and with 10% blackcurrant juice drink only one subject recorded a pH drop below the pH of 5.7. Ten minutes after consumption, both the new formulation blackcurrant drinks produced significantly higher plaque pH than the mixed citrus drink. In addition, overall change in the hydrogen ion concentration over the study period (ΣΔcH) was significantly less with both new blackcurrant drinks compared with the mixed citrus drink. Conclusions It was concluded that the two new formulations with low levels of carbohydrate had a low acidogenic potential and did not depress the plaque pH below the critical level and their consumption could not be considered to pose a significant risk for enamel demineralisation.
Regulation of ambulance response times in California.

Objectives. To identify regulatory programs for ambulance response times used by California counties, to inventory their foci and application, and to identify differences around the state. By studying the variety of programs used in one state, this study establishes a framework for evaluation of state and local regulatory programs elsewhere. Methods. This study surveyed all California local EMS agencies (LEMSAs), California's equivalent of regional EMS organizations. The survey achieved a 100% response rate and all data involve population parameters obviating the need for inferential statistics. Results. Fifty-seven percent of California counties regulate response times. Large-population counties and those that operate their own LEMSAs are more likely to use response time regulations than are small counties and those that participate in multicounty EMS agencies. Most of the counties with response time standards measure from dispatch to arrival at the scene and most use a fractile measurement to determine ...
Consistent estimation of the order of autoregressive models

We consider the estimation of the unknown order of the autoregressive (AR) model obeyed by a finite time series of length N given only that it obeys a finite order AR model. We derive a family of consistent schemes for estimating the unknown order. We give explicit upperbounds for the probability of error of the decision rules.
Absence of arterial baroreflex modulation of skin sympathetic activity and sweat rate during whole-body heating in humans

1. Prior findings suggest that baroreflexes are capable of modulating skin blood flow, but the effects of baroreceptor loading/unloading on sweating are less clear. Therefore, this project tested the hypothesis that pharmacologically induced alterations in arterial blood pressure in heated humans would lead to baroreflex-mediated changes in both skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA) and sweat rate. 2. In seven subjects mean arterial blood pressure was lowered (approximately 8 mmHg) and then raised (approximately 13 mmHg) by bolus injections of sodium nitroprusside and phenylephrine, respectively. Moreover, in a separate protocol, arterial blood pressure was reduced via steady-state administration of sodium nitroprusside. In both normothermia and heat-stress conditions the following responses were monitored: sublingual and mean skin temperatures, heart rate, beat-by-beat blood pressure, skin blood flow (laser-Doppler flowmetry), local sweat rate and SSNA (microneurography from peroneal nerve). 3. Whole-body heating increased skin and sublingual temperatures, heart rate, cutaneous blood flow, sweat rate and SSNA, but did not change arterial blood pressure. Heart rate was significantly elevated (from 74 +/- 3 to 92 +/- 4 beats x min(-1); P < 0.001) during bolus sodium nitroprusside-induced reductions in blood pressure, and significantly reduced (from 92 +/- 4 to 68 +/- 4 beats x min(-1); P < 0.001) during bolus phenylephrine-induced elevations in blood pressure, thereby demonstrating normal baroreflex function in these subjects. 4. Neither SSNA nor sweat rate was altered by rapid (bolus infusion) or sustained (steady-state infusion) changes in blood pressure regardless of the thermal condition. 5. These data suggest that SSNA and sweat rate are not modulated by arterial baroreflexes in normothermic or moderately heated individuals.
Second species solutions with an 0(μ v ), 0<v<1, near-Moon passage

This paper uses Guillaume's extension of the Breakwell-Perko matching theory for the restricted three-body problem with small mass ratio μ>0 to establish the existence and asymptotic approximation of one-parameter families of second species periodic solutions with one near-moon passage of\(0(\mu ^v ),\tfrac{1}{3}< v< 1\), during a half-period. The deflection angle at such a near moon passage, β0(μ1−v), approaches zero as the mass ratio μ approaches zero.
In vivo determinations of lean body mass from K40 measurements and the relationship of these values to motor aptitude in preadolescent boys

Abstract The in vivo determination of lean body mass from measurements of K40 in a 2π liquid scintillation counter is described. Measurements were made on 81 boys, between 9 and 13 years of age, who were participating in a youth fitness program. The results, expressed in terms of lean body mass in kilograms and percentage of total body weight, were compared with 38 test items selected to measure motor aptitude. The factor—analysis technique was utilized to identify the factors which could explain the items measuring body composition and motor aptitude. Factor I, in which the percentage lean body mass is the most important item, was designated as the “Body Fitness Factor” and Factor II in which lean body mass is a very significant factor was designated as the “Growth and Maturity Factor”. The technique described for the determination of body composition is applicable to studies of the effect of physical fitness states, age, different levels of nutrition, drugs, disease, and other factors on potassium levels, lean body mass and body fat of large animals and human subjects.
Triggering Aggresome Formation DISSECTING AGGRESOME-TARGETING AND AGGREGATION SIGNALS IN SYNPHILIN 1

Abnormal polypeptides that escape proteasome-dependent degradation and aggregate in cytosol can be transported via microtubules to an aggresome, a recently discovered organelle where aggregated proteins are stored or degraded by autophagy. We used synphilin 1, a protein implicated in Parkinson disease, as a model to study mechanisms of aggresome formation. When expressed in naive HEK293 cells, synphilin 1 forms multiple small highly mobile aggregates. However, proteasome or Hsp90 inhibition rapidly triggered their translocation into the aggresome, and surprisingly, this response was independent on the expression level of synphilin 1. Therefore, aggresome formation, but not aggregation of synphilin 1, represents a special cellular response to a failure of the proteasome/chaperone machinery. Importantly, translocation to aggresomes required a special aggresome-targeting signal within the sequence of synphilin 1, an ankyrin-like repeat domain. On the other hand, formation of multiple small aggregates required an entirely different segment within synphilin 1, indicating that aggregation and aggresome formation determinants can be separated genetically. Furthermore, substitution of the ankyrin-like repeat in synphilin 1 with an aggresome-targeting signal from huntingtin was sufficient for aggresome formation upon inhibition of the proteasome. Analogously, attachment of the ankyrin-like repeat to a huntingtin fragment lacking its aggresome-targeting signal promoted its transport to aggresomes. These findings indicate the existence of transferable signals that target aggregation-prone polypeptides to aggresomes.
Comparison of the source locations and seasonal patterns for acidic species in precipitation and ambient particles in Southern Ontario, Canada

Abstract The Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) is a probability function based on the air parcel trajectory data coupled with information regarding the nature of the contaminants measured in that air parcel. The PSCF value is the ratio of the probability of a contaminated air parcel having traversed a 1° latitude by 1° longitude area to the probability that any air parcel traversed that area. Regions with high PSCF values thus have a higher probability of contributing pollutants to the measured concentrations at the receptor site. Previously, PSCF analysis has been used on precipitation chemistry data obtained from the Acidic Precipitation in Ontario Study (APIOS) to locate the sources of the acidic precipitation. In this present study, the methodology has been applied to both precipitation samples and particulate samples collected by the APIOS network. Analyses have been performed separately for the winter and summer seasons so that the comparison between particles and precipitation and/or winter and summer can be made. From these results it is possible to identify the possible source locations for the observed constituents and at the same time, derive information on atmospheric process by this study.
Risk perceptions, endogenous demand and regulation of agricultural biotechnology

Abstract This paper presents a dynamic model of optimal product regulation in which consumer acceptance and the rate of product innovation are included as endogenous variables. Insights derived from the model are used to critically evaluate recent policy controversies regarding regulation of agricultural biotechnology. The results of the analysis indicate that if regulatory policy significantly affects consumer risk perceptions, more stringent regulatory requirements than those based solely on scientific risk assessment may be economically efficient. When demand is endogenously affected by regulatory policies, industry may also benefit from stronger regulations even if this results in a significant increase in product development costs.
Pleiotrophin induces nitric oxide dependent migration of endothelial progenitor cells

Pleiotrophin (PTN) is produced under ischemic conditions and has been shown to induce angiogenesis in vivo. We studied whether or not PTN exerts chemotaxis of pro-angiogenic early endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), a population of circulating cells that have been reported to participate in and stimulate angiogenesis. Chemotaxis of EPCs, isolated from blood of healthy humans (n = 5), was measured in transwell assays. PTN at 10-500 ng/ml elicited dose-dependent chemotaxis of both EPCs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), but not of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMCs) and T98G glioblastoma cells that lack PTN receptors. The degree of chemotaxis was comparable to that induced by the angiogenic factors VEGF and SDF-1alpha. Chemotaxis to PTN was blocked by the NOS inhibitors L-NNA and L-NMMA, the NO scavenger PTIO, the phosphoinositide-3 kinase inhibitor wortmannin, and the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ, suggesting dependence of EPC chemotaxis on these pathways. PTN induced NOS-dependent production of NO to a similar degree as did VEGF, as indicated by the NO indicator DAF-2. PTN increased proliferation in EPCs and HUVECs to a similar extent as VEGF, but did not induce proliferation of CASMCs. While L-NNA abolished PTN-induced migration in EPCs and HUVECs, it did not inhibit PTN- and VEGF-enhanced proliferation and also caused proliferation by itself. These data suggest that PTN may mediate its pro-angiogenic effects by increasing the local number of not only endothelial cells but also early EPCs at angiogenic sites.
Extended trans-septal approach for mitral valve surgery—Our early experience

Extended trans septal (ETS) approach for mitral valve surgery often divides the artery to the Sino-Atrial node. The clinical implication of this is contentious. We analyzed our early results with ETS approach. Between June 1998 and September 2003 eleven patients underwent mitral valve surgery by ETS approach. Six were females. Age ranged from 19 years to 67 years (median 40 years). Six underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR). Four underwent aortic and mitral (double) valve replacement (DVR). One had mitral valve repair. Three had additional procedures (tricuspid valve repair=1, Coronary artery bypass=1, Aorto bifemoral graft=1). Cardiopulmonary bypass ranged from 64 minutes to 77 minutes (median 72 minutes) for MVR and 112 minutes to 178 minutes (median 140 minutes) for DVR. Aortic cross clamp times ranged from 39 minutes to 52 minutes (median 47 minutes) for MVR and 74 minutes to 120 minutes (median 95 minutes) for DVR. There was no mortality or morbidity attributed to the ETS approach. One early death in emergency DVR was due to heart failure. Three patients needed seqeuntial pacing in the immediate post-operative period. Nine out of ten survivors were back to their preoperative rhythms on hospital discharge (6 sinus rhythm; 3 atrial fibrillation). One patient with preoperative trifascicular block who underwent reoperation to fix a paravalvular mitral leak needed a permanent pacemaker (VVI). The follow-up ranged from 1 month to 64 months (median 6 months) and is 100% complete. There was no late death or new arrhythmia. Extended trans septal approach is safe. It gives excellent exposure of the mitral valve. division of the sinus node artery is not deleterious in the short to intermediate term.
Incremental algorithms for finding the offset distance and minimum passage width in a pocket machining toolpath using the Voronoi technique

Abstract Some practical areas of computer science, such as computer graphics, computer-aided design, robotics, and pattern recognition, give rise to geometrical problems. Voronoi diagrams are useful in those cases. Another popular application is in machining toolpath planning, using a contour-parallel strategy. When the contour-parallel strategy is applied to machining toolpath planning, geometric degeneracies can occur and require the performance of complicated and significantly time-consuming computations of offset curves. The best way to deal with geometric degeneracies is with the bisector on each end-point of the contour segment of the Voronoi diagrams. Furthermore, if islands are considered in the toolpath planning, it is essential to calculate the minimum passage width between the islands, or between the islands and contour segments. The best way to deal with the minimum passage width is with the offset curves. This paper presents the incremental algorithms of the Voronoi diagram technique to calculate the offset distance and minimum passage width for toolpath planning.
STOP using just GO: a multi-ontology hypothesis generation tool for high throughput experimentation

Background Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis remains one of the most common methods for hypothesis generation from high throughput datasets. However, we believe that researchers strive to test other hypotheses that fall outside of GO. Here, we developed and evaluated a tool for hypothesis generation from gene or protein lists using ontological concepts present in manually curated text that describes those genes and proteins.
Surgical repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after treatment for retinoblastoma

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the causes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in children with retinoblastoma and to assess the surgical approach and results of retinal reattachment surgery. Design The study design was a retrospective review of all children in whom a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment developed after treatment for retinoblastoma over a 20-year period. Participants Nine children, 5 to 33 months of age, participated. Main outcome measures Assessment of the treatment methods for retinoblastoma, apparent cause of the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, interval from the most recent retinoblastoma treatment until repair of the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, method of surgical repair, and long-term anatomic and visual results were measured. Results Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was diagnosed in nine eyes of nine children with treated retinoblastoma. Prior treatment of retinoblastoma included cryotherapy (n = 5), laser photocoagulation (n = 1), external beam radiation therapy (n = 7), and systemic chemotherapy (n = 4). An atrophic retinal hole was present at the most recent site of cryotherapy in three eyes and of laser photocoagulation in one eye. Extreme retinal thinning with a possible retinal break was noted in two eyes at a cryotherapy site. A dialysis was noted in one eye, and a retinal break could not be detected in two eyes. Treatment of retinoblastoma tumors was performed between 1 week and 15 years before retinal reattachment surgery. The retinal detachment was repaired externally with a scleral buckling procedure in seven eyes, with subretinal fluid drainage in five eyes, and without drainage in two eyes. Cytologic evaluation of subretinal fluid was performed in three eyes and showed no tumor cells. The retinal detachment was repaired by pars plana vitrectomy in one eye, and the vitrectomy specimen showed no tumor cells. In one child, the retinal detachment was not repaired. The retina remained attached after surgery in five eyes with follow-up ranging from 5 to 115 months. In three eyes, retinal redetachment associated with recurrent viable intraocular retinoblastoma was noted after surgery, necessitating enucleation. In no case was orbital or metastatic retinoblastoma detected at follow-up. Conclusions Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in children with treated retinoblastoma generally originates from an atrophic retinal hole at the site of prior cryotherapy or laser photocoagulation. If there appears to be complete regression of the intraocular tumor after treatment, surgical repair of the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment may be approached cautiously.
Distributed transmission protocol for lifetime maximization in sensor networks

This paper addresses the design of distributed transmission protocol for lifetime maximization in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). A dynamic protocol for lifetime maximization (DPLM) is proposed. This protocol exploits both the channel state information (CSI) and the residual energy information (REI) at each individual sensor. The principle of DPLM resembles the retirement planning strategy: be more opportunistic by prioritizing sensors with better channels for transmission when the network is young and more conservative by favoring sensors with more residual energy when the network is old. The asymptotic optimally of DPLM in terms of utilizing CSI is established analytically. The performance of DPLM is evaluated via simulations.
Aquadynia: Noradrenergic pain induced by bathing and responsive to clonidine

Abstract We describe two women in whom bathing was regularly followed by intense, widespread burning pain that lasted 15 to 45 minutes, which we term aquadynia. This water-induced pain was not caused by any skin or systemic diseases. We view it as a type of noradrenergic pain induced by contact with water, because it can be blocked with clonidine or propranolol. It appears to be an extension of the phenomenon of aquagenic pruritus, which we have also found to respond to clonidine or propranolol. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;38:357-8.)
Dendroclimatic analysis of red pine affected by Diplodia shoot blight in different latitudinal regions in Michigan

Drought and intraspecific competition in red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) stands in Michigan have been implicated as predisposing factors for increased shoot blight risk caused by Diplodia pinea Desm. The overall objective of this study is to examine the interactive effects of drought, other climatic factors, and biotic factors (intraspecific competition) on productivity and growth of red pine forests affected by Diplodia shoot blight. This study incorporates a dendroclimatic approach that allows the retrospective examination of past annual diameter growth in relation to historical climate and the assessment of the potential impacts of future climate change. A total of 20 red pine stands were sampled in two latitudinal regions (the Upper Peninsula (UP) and the Lower Peninsula (LP) regions) of Michigan across two levels of initial stand density (low vs. high) and two levels of forest health condition (healthy vs. D. pinea affected). The full dendroclimatic relationships revealed in this study indicated that ...
Practicing Psychologists' Knowledge of General Psychotherapy Research Findings: Implications for Science-Practice Relations

If you are a therapist, how knowledgeable are you and how knowledgeable do you need to be about psychotherapy research findings? In this study, the authors examined practicing psychologists’ knowledge of general psychotherapy research findings. Results revealed that some psychologists showed excellent familiarity with this body of outcome research, but many did not achieve this standard. Not infrequently, psychologists believed that research findings were less positive than is actually the case, perhaps explaining some of the negativity that practitioners sometimes express toward psychotherapy research. Research knowledge could not be predicted by years graduated, percentage of long-term clients, percentage of time conducting therapy, theoretical orientation, or perceived familiarity with research. The modest familiarity with research findings that therapists, in general, demonstrated may be understood, in part, through examination of the acquisition of research knowledge as a judgment task. The authors explore potential factors that may influence therapists’ judgments about the research. In addition, they examine possible relations between research knowledge and therapy outcome and their potential practice implications.
Risk stratification of CAD with SPECT-MPI in women with known estrogen status

Objective To compare exercise tolerance testing (ETT) with gated single photon emission computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) risk stratification in women with an intermediate to high CAD pretest risk and known estrogen status (ES).
Individual and Organizational Correlates of a Temporary System

Futurists predict increasing use of temporary systems and hypothesize concomitant stress, strain, and altered role relationships. This exploratory study considered individual and organizational correlates of a temporary system designed to effect change in 24 metropolitan schools. Findings, based on interview and questionnaire data from participating teachers, indicated that performance of a new, temporary role in a diversified role set was correlated with job-related tension. Turnover in the temporary system created a group of perpetual neophytes with accompanying liabilities of newness for the organization. Settings of high turnover were characterized by more role strain among participants and lower productivity.
Dimensional dependence of photomechanical response in carbon nanostructure composites: a case for carbon-based mixed-dimensional systems.

This paper reports dimensional dependence of the mechanical response in carbon nanostructure composites to near-infrared (NIR) light. Using polydimethylsiloxane, a common silicone elastomer, composites were fabricated with one-dimensional multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), two-dimensional single-layer graphene, two-and-a-half-dimensional graphene nanoplatelets and three-dimensional highly ordered pyrolytic graphite. An evaporative mixing technique was utilized to achieve homogeneous dispersions of carbon in the polymer composites, and their photomechanical responses to NIR illumination were studied. For a given carbon concentration, both steady-state photomechanical stress response and energy conversion efficiency were found to be directly related to the dimensional state of the carbon nanostructure additive. A maximum observed stress change of 60 kPa and 5 10 3 % efficiency were obtained with just 1 wt% MWNT loading. Actuation and relaxation kinetic responses were found to be related not to dimensionality, but to the percolation threshold of the carbon nanostructure additive in the polymer. Establishing a connective network of the carbon nanostructure additive allowed for energy transduction responsible for the photomechanical effect to activate carbon beyond the NIR illumination point, resulting in enhanced actuation. For samples greater than percolation threshold, photoconductivity of the nanocomposite structure as a function of applied pre-strain was measured. Photoconductive response was found to be inversely proportional to applied pre-strain, demonstrating mechanical coupling. Mechanical response dependence to the carbon nanostructure dimensional state could have significance in developing new types of carbon-based mixed-dimensional composites for sensor and actuator systems. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)
Milling Feature Recognition and Construction for Structural Parts Based on STEP

Based on the analysis of the geometry and machining characteristics of aircraft structural parts, and the feature geometry is described with a hierarchical structure. A machining feature recognition method based on neutral file is presented. Firstly, geometry and topology information of CAD model in UG software is obtained from STEP AP203 interface. Secondly, features are extracted from B-rep representation of the part, and then the features, as well as corresponding geo-metry and topology are mapped machining feature which is utilized as standard interface for CAM. Based on these studies, a feature recognition system was developed in visual C++, which discussed the data mapping methods from AP203 to C++ system, from AP203 to ORACLE sever. The lexical analysis process of the AP203 files, the establishment and operation process of the machining feature database was developed. And the feasibility was verified by an example of structural part.
Democratic Capitalism and Philanthropy in a Global Economy

When the market creates social problems, non-market solutions may alter or equalize them. The response to social problems in many countries has been through legislative, regulatory or other government action. In many countries in the developing world, state solutions are crippled by poor funding resources for social issues, lack of technical ability to achieve adequate solutions, and in some cases, lack of government legitimacy. Given this, the ideal solutions for social problems must come from non-market and non-state sources. We argue that philanthropy, a social innovation born in the United States, has great potential to work in other countries.
Random Fill Cache Architecture

Correctly functioning caches have been shown to leak critical secrets like encryption keys, through various types of cache side-channel attacks. This nullifies the security provided by strong encryption and allows confidentiality breaches, impersonation attacks and fake services. Hence, future cache designs must consider security, ideally without degrading performance and power efficiency. We introduce a new classification of cache side channel attacks: contention based attacks and reuse based attacks. Previous secure cache designs target only contention based attacks, and we show that they cannot defend against reuse based attacks. We show the surprising insight that the fundamental demand fetch policy of a cache is a security vulnerability that causes the success of reuse based attacks. We propose a novel random fill cache architecture that replaces demand fetch with random cache fill within a configurable neighborhood window. We show that our random fill cache does not degrade performance, and in fact, improves the performance for some types of applications. We also show that it provides information-theoretic security against reuse based attacks.
Shifting sands on Mars: insights from tropical intra-crater dunes

Evidence for sand motion is found in repeated observations of sand dunes at three sites in the Martian tropics by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. An eroding outcrop of layered sediments is identified as a possible source of the sand in Pasteur crater. Ancient layered sediments in Becquerel crater are actively being carved into flutes and yardangs by the blowing sands. Dunes in an un-named crater in Meridiani near the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity landing site advanced as much as 50 cm over an interval of one Martian year. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ewing sarcoma of the mandibular condyle: Multidisciplinary management optimizes outcome

Background. Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare, pri- mary malignancy of bone that occurs in childhood and early adolescence. Improved methods of diagnosis and treatment have dramatically increased survival over the last 20 years. Treatment mainstays are chemotherapy and surgical tumor resection. ES usually occurs in long bones of the axial skeleton; however, it may rarely arise in facial structures, particularly the mandible. In these cases, resection presents a challenging post- surgical reconstruction. Methods and Results. We present the clinical findings and management of a case of ES that developed in the left mandibu- lar condyle of a 15-year-old female. Chemotherapy and segmen- tal mandibulectomy were used to achieve local control. An inno- vative temporomandibular joint reconstruction was successfully accomplished using a microvascular fibular free flap and con- chal cartilage graft. Conclusion. Multidisciplinary management in diagnosis, treatment, and restoration of function produced an optimal result that eliminated disease and preserved aesthetics and quality of life. V C 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 30: 405-410,
Maximum Theoretical Efficiency Limit of Photovoltaic Devices: Effect of Band Structure on Excited State Entropy

The Shockley-Queisser analysis provides a theoretical limit for the maximum energy conversion efficiency of single junction photovoltaic cells. But besides the semiconductor bandgap no other semiconductor properties are considered in the analysis. Here, we show that the maximum conversion efficiency is limited further by the excited state entropy of the semiconductors. The entropy loss can be estimated with the modified Sackur-Tetrode equation as a function of the curvature of the bands, the degeneracy of states near the band edges, the illumination intensity, the temperature, and the band gap. The application of the second law of thermodynamics to semiconductors provides a simple explanation for the observed high performance of group IV, III-V, and II-VI materials with strong covalent bonding and for the lower efficiency of transition metal oxides containing weakly interacting metal d orbitals. The model also predicts efficient energy conversion with quantum confined and molecular structures in the presence of a light harvesting mechanism.
A Linear-Centric Simulation Framework for Parametric Fluctuations

The relative tolerances for interconnect and device parameter variations have not scaled with feature sizes which have brought about significant performance variability. As we scale toward 10 nm technologies, this problem will only worsen. New circuit families and design methodologies will emerge to facilitate construction of reliable systems from unreliable nanometer scale components. Such methodologies require new models of performance which accurately capture the manufacturing realities. Recently, one step toward this goal was made via a new variational reduced order interconnect model that efficiently captures large scale fluctuations in global parameter values. Using variational calculus the linear interconnect systems are represented by analytical models that include the global variational parameters explicitly. In this work we present a framework which extends the previous work to a linear-centric simulation methodology with accurate nonlinear device models and their fluctuations. The framework is applied to generate path delay distributions under nonlinear and linear parameter fluctuations.
Circulating mitochondrial biomarkers for drug-induced liver injury

Liver mitochondria affected by drugs can be released into circulation and serve as biomarkers for drug-induced liver injury (DILI). The tissue specificity of ALT was improved by differentiating cytosolic ALT1 and mitochondrial ALT2 isoforms released in circulation. Prior to ALT elevation, mitochondrial cytochrome c, OCT, GLDH, CPS1 and DNA were increased in circulation following DILI. The baseline expression of mt-Nd6 was predictive of individual DILI susceptibility in animals. As mitochondrial DILI biomarkers appeared to be drug or species dependent, they might have value in clinical scenarios when culprit drugs are established, but may not be ideal tools to assess DILI potentials of new drugs.
Modeling Seasonality in Commodity Price Dynamics

The industry standard model for commodity price dynamics implies constant correlation between returns of futures with different tenors. We extend the model by allowing its parameters to vary over time. This practice enables us to capture the seasonality effect embedded in the evolution of a commodity futures curve in addition to the seasonal patterns observed in the futures curve term structure. We use a storage valuation problem as an example to illustrate how to apply our model in practice.
Still a Protectionist Trade Remedy: The Case for Repealing Section 337

Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 gives the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) the power to exclude products from the United States that are imported pursuant to “unfair methods of competition.” The range of potential activities covered by the law is broad, but the most common claim brought before the ITC is patent infringement. In addition to filing a lawsuit in federal district court, U.S. patent holders can often use Section 337 to bring a second case over the same subject matter as long as the defendant imports the impugned product from abroad. This tactic has become increasingly popular because the ITC renders its decisions relatively quickly and has the authority to order a very powerful remedy — total exclusion of the product from the U.S. market. The availability of a second venue to pursue patent lawsuits poses serious systemic problems. Section 337 contravenes a foundational element of free trade known as national treatment and violates the commitments of the United States as a member of the World Trade Organization. The law negatively impacts the integrity and functionality of U.S. patent law by establishing a dual-track system for patent enforcement and retains its ability to serve as a purely protectionist trade remedy mechanism. Proposals for modest reform offer an incomplete solution, and attempts to coordinate litigation at the ITC and district court proceedings will not end the discrimination, because the mere existence of a separate law and agency to handle patent cases against importers violates trade obligations. Repealing Section 337 is the only way to ensure the integrity of the U.S. patent system, to bring the United States into compliance with trade obligations, and to prevent future abuse of this protectionist trade law.
House Sparrows: Evolution of Populations from the Great Plains and Colorado Rockies

This study of House Sparrows was undertaken to determine the nature and degree of differentiation in color and morphology along a 1000-mile transect of the Great Plains and montane Colorado, and to relate these patterns of variation to climatic gradients encountered along the transect. The study is based upon examination of 785 specimens collected at 12 different localities in Illinois, Kansas, and Colorado. The results confirm earlier reports that North American House Sparrows have undergone conspicuous adaptive differentiation in color and morphology. Interpopulational variation in tarsus length is clinal and conforms with Allen's ecogeographic rule. Wing length of House Sparrows varies geographically, but variation of this character is not a function of altitude or isophane. Interpopulational variation in bill length of House Sparrows is thought to reflect differences in wear consequent to differences in abrasive action of food at the respective localities. There seems to be no relation between bill length and annual precipitation or ambient temperature. Partitioning of the food niche has not occurred in North America. Color of cryptic plumages of adult and subadult male House Sparrows varies clinally in accord with Gloger's ecogeographic rule. Auricular display plumage of adult males also varies in color, but the clinal pattern is opposite to that which obtains in cryptic plumages. No such trend in coloration is apparent in auricular plumage of subadult males. Clinal variation in color in accord with Gloger's rule is manifest in adult female House Sparrows, but not in subadults. Local differentiation has occurred in no more than 90 years. Slow rates of evolution thought to obtain for birds cannot be attributed in every instance to rigid restraints upon the genetic system; in some cases barriers to dispersal or relative constancy of the environment over long periods of time must have dictated rates of differentiation.
Lattice Boltzmann Method for Steady Gas Flows in Microchannels With Imposed Slip Wall Boundary Condition

In this paper, we use a lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) for simulation of rarefied gas flows in microchannels at the slip flow regime. LBM uses D2Q9 lattice structure and BGK collision operator with single relaxation time. The solid wall boundary conditions used in this paper are based on the idea of bounceback of the non-equilibrium part of particle distribution in the normal direction to the boundary. The same idea is implemented at inlet and exit boundaries as well as at the wall surfaces. The distribution functions at the solid nodes are modified according to imposed density and slip velocity values at the wall boundaries. Simulation results are presented for microscale Couette and Poiseuille flows. The results are validated against analytical and/or experimental data for the slip velocity, nonlinear pressure drop and mass flow rate at various flow conditions. It was observed that the current application of LBM can accurately recover the physics of microscale flow phenomena in microchannels. The type of boundary treatment used in this study enables the implementation of coupled simulations where the flow properties at the regions near the wall can be obtained by other numerical methods such as the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method (DSMC).© 2007 ASME
Development of Romiplostim for Treatment of Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia From a Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Perspective

Romiplostim is a novel thrombopoiesis-stimulating peptibody consisting of a carrier Fc domain and a peptide domain that binds to the thrombopoietin receptor (TPOR) on platelets and platelet precursors. Similar to endogenous thrombopoietin, romiplostim activates the TPOR to stimulate the growth and maturation of megakaryocytes, resulting in increased production of platelets in the circulation. Binding of romiplostim to TPOR on the platelets and megakaryocytes presumably triggers subsequent internalization and degradation. Therefore, increased platelet counts following romiplostim treatment results in increased elimination of the drug. The TPOR target-mediated process is saturable, resulting in nonlinear volume of distribution and clearance of romiplostim. Therefore, target-mediated disposition plays a decreasing role in drug elimination with increasing romiplostim serum concentration. Conversely, nonspecific elimination processes such as renal clearance play an increasing role with increasing romiplostim serum concentration. Limited pharmacokinetics data demonstrated that the exposure to romiplostim was lower after multiple dose administrations than after the first dose, although large inter-subject variability was observed. Large inter- and intra-subject variability in the platelet response was also observed at a given dose. These findings suggest considerable heterogeneity of disease in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia and support the need for individual dose adjustments based on platelet counts.
On the Weak Global Dimension of Pseudovaluation Domains

In [7], Hedstrom and Houston introduce a type of quasilocal integral domain, therein dubbed a pseudo-valuation domain (for short, a PVD), which possesses many of the ideal-theoretic properties of valuation domains. For the reader′s convenience and reference purposes, Proposition 2.1 lists some of the ideal-theoretic characterizations of PVD′s given in [7]. As the terminology suggests, any valuation domain is a PVD. Since valuation domains may be characterized as the quasilocal domains of weak global dimension at most 1, a homological study of PVD's seems appropriate. This note initiates such a study by establishing (see Theorem 2.3) that the only possible weak global dimensions of a PVD are 0, 1, 2 and ∞. One upshot (Corollary 3.4) is that a coherent PVD cannot have weak global dimension 2: hence, none of the domains of weak global dimension 2 which appear in [10, Section 5.5] can be a PVD.
Comparison of characteristics and shock capturing methods with application to the space shuttle vehicle.

A critical appraisal is presented of a method-of-characteristics (MOC) and a shock-capturing technique (SCT) for calculating three-dimensional supersonic flow. Detailed comparisons are made for pointed and blunt-nosed bodies with a thick delta wing at angles of attack from 5 to 15 deg. The results show excellent agreement between the methods and with experiment. It is established that the SCT code yields accurate shock locations and jump conditions. The SCT code typically requires about three times as many mesh points as the MOC code in order to resolve the bow shock, but the total computation time is about the same. On a point for point basis, the SCT code is about four times faster than the MOC code.
The Materials Issues and Applications of Amorphous Silicon Thin Film Transistors

Recently considerable interest has been generated in the application of thin film transistor (TFT) technology in electronic input and output devices. Amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) has made a major impact in these applications because of the relative ease with which the material can be economically manufactured over large areas. This paper will review in particular the current status of a-Si:H TFTs in liquid crystal display and printer applications, in addition to sensor/TFT arrays for page width input scanner document readers. There are a number of materials issues which limit the performance of these devices. In addition, there are some technological issues which influence the yield of the processes used to fabricate these electronic devices over large areas. Some novel new devices have been recently developed which dramatically increase the operating voltage of a-Si:H TFTs. Other new structures have been proposed and demonstrated for increasing the current and speed of these devices.
Quantum Imaging and Lithography

Quantum imaging has demonstrated two peculiar features: (1) reproducing ghost images in a nonlocal manner, and (2) enhancing spatial resolution beyond diffraction limit. This talk will review the history and emphasize its non-classical nature.
Surveillance and analysis on diarrheal disease pathogen spectrum among children under 5 years old in Pudong New Area of Shanghai City

[Objective] To investigate the pathogen spectrum and characteristics of diarrheal diseases among children under five and to provide the basis for prevention and control measures. [Methods]From February 2012 to January 2013,a total of 619 cases from 2 sentinel hospitals were collected for case survey. From them were collected stool specimens for detection of enteric pathogenic bacteria and virus nucleic acids. [Results] The virus detection rate was norovirus( 11. 95%),rotavirus( 7. 27%),enteric adenovirus( 2. 91%),saporovirus( 1. 45%) and astrovirus( 0. 97%). The bacteria detection rate was E.coli( 5. 65%),nontyphoidal salmonella( 2. 42%),campylobacter( 0. 81%),aeromonas hydrophila( 0. 65%),shigella( 0. 48%) and yersinia enterocolitica( 0. 32%). The virus detection rate was 27. 70%from August to next March,which showed higher than that of other months( 18. 48%)(χ2= 7. 18,P 0. 05). The bacteria detection rate was 15. 34% from April to October,showing higher than the rate of other months( 3. 15%)(χ2= 31. 22,P 0. 05). [Conclusion] Norovirus is the main pathogen for viral diarrheal diseases in children under five and E. coli is the main pathogen of bacterial diarrheal diseases.All study results suggested that summer and autumn should be as the focus time in prevention and control of bacterial diarrhea,while those of viral diarrhea should cover the whole year.
Fellowship and Practice Composition Affect Surgical Decision Making in Patients with Adult Degenerative Scoliosis: Spinal Deformity versus Degenerative Spinal Surgeons.

Background For the Adult Degenerative Scoliosis (ADS) patient with radiculopathy, there is no clear data in the literature to guide the spine surgeon9s decision making in choosing between limited decompression alone, short segment fusion, or longer arthrodesis of the deformity. This study investigates the differences in operative planning, for patients with ADS and radiculopathy, between two groups of spine surgeons based on fellowship experience and practice composition. Methods Six Degenerative Spine surgeons (Group 1) and 6 Spinal Deformity surgeons (Group 2) were shown 7 cases of patients with ADS and radiculopathy. Surgeons completed a questionnaire detailing their planned operative intervention including the number of fusion levels, if any, approach, choice of bone graft, and interbody device. Pearson Correlation was used to investigate the association between fellowship training, practice composition, number of levels fused, and other variables. Intraclass correlation (ICC) analysis was used to investigate the internal consistency among the groups. Results There was a direct correlation between fellowship deformity experience and practice composition (r=0.75, p Conclusions Fellowship and practice composition influence the physician9s surgical planning in ADS. There is a lack of standardized treatment paradigms for the management of radiculopathy in patients with ADS.
Mediators of daily stress and perceived health status in adolescent girls.

A causal model based on the transactional cognitive theory of psychological stress and coping was tested in a middle adolescent female population to determine the effects of daily stress, introspectiveness, and coping efforts on perceived health status. Daily stress was hypothesized to affect perceived health status both directly and through the mediating variables of introspectiveness and coping efforts. A sample of 159 female adolescents completed the Hassles Scale, the Ways of Coping Checklist-Revised, the Introspectiveness Scale for Adolescents and the General Health Rating Index. The causal model was tested using the LISREL VI program. Findings indicated that the model fit the data, indicating a plausible representation of the relationships among the variables identified (x2 = 15.76, df = 12, p less than .203). Daily stress was significantly negatively related to perceived health status through the mediating variables of introspection and problem-focused coping but not emotion-focused coping. Introspectiveness had a significant direct effect on perceived health status. Problem-focused coping was found to have a direct positive effect on perceived health status.