cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unification of favourable intermediate-, unfavourable intermediate-, and very high-risk stratification criteria for prostate cancer.

Objective To improve on the existing risk-stratification systems. Patients and Methods This was a retrospective investigation including 2248 patients undergoing dose-escalated external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) at a single institution. We separated National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) intermediate-risk prostate cancer into favorable and unfavorable groups based on primary Gleason pattern, percentage of positive biopsy cores (PPBC), and number of NCCN intermediate-risk factors. Similarly, NCCN high-risk prostate cancer was stratified into standard and very high-risk groups based on primary Gleason pattern, PPBC, number of NCCN high-risk factors, and stage T3b-T4 disease. Patients with unfavorable intermediate risk (UIR) had significantly inferior prostate-specific antigen relapse-free survival (PSA-RFS, P<0.001), distant metastasis-free survival (P<0.001), prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM, P<0.001), and overall survival (OS, P<0.001) compared with favorable intermediate-risk (FIR) patients. Similarly, very-high-risk (VHR) patients had significantly worse PSA-RFS (P<0.001), distant metastasis (P<0.001), and PCSM (P=0.001) compared with standard high-risk (SHR) patients. Moreover, FIR and low-risk patients had similar outcomes, as did UIR and SHR patients. Results Therefore, we propose the following risk-stratification system: Group 1 (low risk and FIR), Group 2 (UIR and SHR), and Group 3 (VHR). These groups have markedly different outcomes, with 8-year distant metastasis rates of 3%, 9%, and 29% (P<0.001) for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and 8-year PCSM of 1%, 4%, and 13% (P<0.001) following radiotherapy. This modified stratification system was significantly more accurate than the three-tiered NCCN system currently in clinical use for all outcomes. Conclusion Modifying the NCCN risk-stratification system to group FIR with low-risk patients and UIR with SHR patients results in modestly improved prediction of outcomes, potentially allowing better personalization of therapeutic recommendations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Effect of classifier selection, reference sample size, reference class distribution and scene heterogeneity in per-pixel classification accuracy using 26 Landsat sites

Abstract A major issue in land cover mapping is classifier selection. Here we investigated classifier performance under different sample sizes, reference class distribution, and scene complexities. Twenty six 10 km × 10 km blocks with complete reference information across the continental US are used. Per-pixel classification took place using six spectral bands from Landsat imagery. The tested classifiers included Naive Bayes (NB), Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Bootstrap-aggregation ensemble of decision trees (BagTE), artificial neural network up to 2 hidden layers, and deep neural network (DNN) up to 3 hidden layers. For the entire block, our accuracy assessment indicated that all classifiers, with the exception of NB (a Maximum Likelihood variant), performed similarly. However, when we concentrated on edge pixels (pixels at the border of adjacent land cover classes), it was clear that the SVM and KNN offer considerable accuracy advantages, especially for larger reference datasets. Because of their relatively low execution times SVM and KNN would be recommended for classifications using Landsat's spectral inputs and Anderson's 11-level classification scheme. However, both SVM and KNN demonstrated substantial accuracy degradation during the parameter grid search. For this reason, an exhaustive parameter optimization process is suggested. While the ANN and DNN neural network variants did not perform as well, their performance may have been restricted by the lack of rich contextual information in our simple six band per-pixel input space. The effect of class distribution in the training dataset was also evident on the calculated accuracy metric. Gradual accuracy degradation as edge pixel presence increased was also observed. Future work could focus on data-rich classification problems such as change detection using Landsat stacks or expand in high spectral or spatial resolution sensors.
Feminist Ethnographies in Sport and Leisure

This chapter intends to provide the reader with an orientation to feminist ethnographies in sport and leisure by highlighting key similarities and some significant differences in the more current theoretical strands. Although ethnographies share similar techniques for gathering information such as interviews, observations and document analysis, this is not a chapter that discusses these types of practices. Instead, the focus is on the theoretical underpinnings that shape different feminist ethnographies. Researchers who claim a feminist perspective not only focus on gender relations, but also intend to challenge power dynamics to expand women’s choices and enhance their well-being. Thus, this chapter focuses on the different ontological assumptions these theories espouse about power, the self and social change. These different theoretical assumptions impact the nature of questions asked, how information is assessed and used to make knowledge claims, and strategies for social change.
Borrowing Together: Microfinance and Cultivating Social Ties

In Borrowing Together, Becky Hsu examines the social aspects of the most intriguing element of group-lending microfinance: social collateral. She investigates the details of the social relationships among fellow borrowers and between borrowers and lenders, finding that these relationships are the key that explains the outcomes in rural China. People access money through their social networks, but they also do the opposite: cultivate their social relationships by moving money. Hsu not only looks closely at what transpired in the course of a microfinance intervention, but also reverses the gaze to examine the expectations that brought the program to the site in the first place. Hsu explains why microfinance's 'articles of faith' failed to comprehend the influence of longstanding relationships and the component of morality, and how they raise doubts - not only about microfinance - but also about the larger goals of development research.
Why haven't we solved instructed SLA? A sociocognitive account

Translating current principles of language learning into effective classroom practice requires a nuanced understanding of the cognitive and social factors that shape how learners engage in instructional activity. In this paper, we identify four principles that represent a current theoretical consensus in the field, which we hope will guide practitioners as they assess their work: (1) All language use is purposeful, but not all language use is meaningful; (2) we learn by doing; (3) metalinguistic knowledge (still) matters; and (4) social contexts co-construct development. We then critique a common assumption that teachers can seamlessly implement pedagogical recommendations from available professional development opportunities and materials. Although the methods and techniques proposed through professional development may provide examples for implementation, only a deep personal understanding of principles can inform how they are most effectively realized in any local context. It is therefore the responsibility of teacher education and professional development providers to better articulate justifications for their recommendations and explore flexible adaptations in their application. It is also incumbent on researchers and theorists to better understand the realities of practitioners so that the principles they espouse will translate more readily into meaningful recommendations for practice.
Overview of Predictive Biomarkers and Integration of IHC into Molecular Pathology

With rapid advances in our understanding of molecular and genetic pathogenesis and a continuous push for personalized medicine, assessment of predictive and prognostic biomarkers by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in routine pathological diagnosis is evolving into a new trend. As a matter of fact, many such tests have been incorporated into the current diagnostic algorithm for common cancers arising in the breast, lung, colon, stomach and gastroesophageal junction, as well as hematopoietic malignancy and melanoma. Since all biomarkers are representations of unique molecular genetic events occurring in tumor cells during carcinogenesis, this trend has prefaced an exciting new era of IHC clinical application.
Animal Visitation to Wild Pig ( Sus scrofa) Wallows and Implications for Disease Transmission.

Knowledge of animal visitation to locations where species aggregate is valuable for evaluating potential pathways of inter- and intraspecific transmission of infectious diseases. There is no research evaluating the potential of wallows created by invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) as locations of transmission of infectious diseases. We monitored wild pig wallows by using trail cameras to determine the frequency with which wild pigs and native vertebrate species visited wallows and to characterize these interactions for their potential for disease transmission. We placed cameras from 20 June 2016 to 21 September 2016 at 16 individual wallows within 10 wallowing sites. Wild pigs of both sexes visited wallows frequently (115 total visits) for varying durations and exhibited wallowing and drinking behavior. We also observed 12 native mammalian and avian wildlife species using wallows at various frequencies (165 total visits). Of particular interest, nine of these species were observed drinking from wallows. Given the high frequency of wild pig visits to wallows and the drinking behavior they and native wildlife species exhibited, these locations might have an important role in transmission of diseases.
Kinetic and thermodynamic insights into sodium ion translocation through the μ-opioid receptor from molecular dynamics and machine learning analysis

The differential modulation of agonist and antagonist binding to opioid receptors (ORs) by sodium (Na+) has been known for decades. To shed light on the molecular determinants, thermodynamics, and kinetics of Na+ translocation through the μ-OR (MOR), we used a multi-ensemble Markov model framework combining equilibrium and non-equilibrium atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of Na+ binding to MOR active or inactive crystal structures embedded in an explicit lipid bilayer. We identify an energetically favorable, continuous ion pathway through the MOR active conformation only, and provide, for the first time: i) estimates of the energy differences and required timescales of Na+ translocation in inactive and active MORs, ii) estimates of Na+-induced changes to agonist binding validated by radioligand measurements, and iii) testable hypotheses of molecular determinants and correlated motions involved in this translocation, which are likely to play a key role in MOR signaling.
A comparison of accelerometry analysis methods for physical activity in older adult women and associations with health outcomes over time.

This study compared five different methods for analyzing accelerometer-measured physical activity (PA) in older adults and assessed the relationship between changes in PA and changes in physical fu...
Tolling for Constraint Satisfaction in Markov Decision Process Congestion Games

Markov Decision Process (MDP) congestion game is an extension of classic congestion games, where a continuous population of selfish agents each solves a Markov decision processes with congestion: the payoff of a strategy decreases as more population uses it. We draw parallels between key concepts from capacitated congestion games and MDPs. In particular, we show that the population mass constraints in MDP congestion games are equivalent to imposing tolls/incentives on the reward function, which can be utilized by a social planner to achieve auxiliary objectives. We demonstrate such methods on a simulated Seattle ride-share model, where tolls and incentives are enforced for two distinct objectives: to guarantee minimum driver density in downtown Seattle, and to shift the game equilibrium towards a maximum social output.
Current and future biomass carbon uptake in Boston's urban forest.

Abstract Ecosystem services provided by urban forests are increasingly included in municipal-level responses to climate change. However, the ecosystem functions that generate these services, such as biomass carbon (C) uptake, can differ substantially from nearby rural forest. In particular, the scaled effect of canopy spatial configuration on tree growth in cities is uncertain, as is the scope for medium-term policy intervention. This study integrates high spatial resolution data on tree canopy and biomass in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, with local measurements of tree growth rates to estimate the magnitude and distribution of annual biomass C uptake. We further project C uptake, biomass, and canopy cover change to 2040 under alternative policy scenarios affecting the planting and preservation of urban trees. Our analysis shows that 85% of tree canopy area was within 10 m of an edge, indicating essentially open growing conditions. Using growth models accounting for canopy edge effects and growth context, Boston's current biomass C uptake may be approximately double (median 10.9 GgC yr−1, 0.5 MgC ha−1 yr−1) the estimates based on rural forest growth, much of it occurring in high-density residential areas. Total annual C uptake to long-term biomass storage was equivalent to
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation is required for heparin receptor effects on vascular smooth muscle cells.

Published studies indicate that TMEM184A is a heparin receptor that interacts with and transduces stimulation from heparin in vascular cells. Previous studies have indicated that heparin increases ...
Healthy pancreatic parenchymal volume and its relationship to exocrine function.

Pancreatic atrophy as a finding of chronic pancreatitis has largely been a subjective finding. Cross-sectional imaging should provide a means to quantify pancreatic atrophy. The purposes of this study were to: (1) quantify pancreatic volume by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a cohort of children without pancreatic disease, (2) define predictors of pancreatic volume and (3) assess the relationship between pancreatic volume and pancreatic fluid secretion. This study involved further analysis of data collected as part of an institutional review board-approved prospective study of secreted fluid volume in response to secretin in 50 healthy children ages 6–16 years. The pancreas was manually segmented on axial MR images to calculate pancreatic volume. Pearson correlation or the Student’s t-test were used to define associations between pancreatic volume and patient characteristics and previously calculated secreted fluid volume. Quantile regression was used to define the 5th percentile for pancreatic volume based on body surface area (BSA) [1]. Mean pancreatic volume was 46.0±18.8 mL with no significant difference based on sex (boys: 42.4±19 mL, girls: 49.1±18.3 mL, P=0.21). Pancreatic volume was moderately correlated with age (r=0.51, P=0.002) and strongly correlated with BSA (r=0.75, P<0.0001), with the 5th percentile for pancreatic volume defined by: (24.66×BSA) – 4.97. Pancreatic volume was moderately correlated with volume of fluid secreted after secretin administration (r=0.51, P=0.0002). We report increasing pancreatic volumes by MRI during childhood in a cohort of children without pancreatic disease. We have also shown that pancreatic volume is associated with secreted fluid volume as measured by MRI.
Baseline Susceptibility Status of Florida Populations of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) and Aedes albopictus

Resistance to insecticides used to control mosquito vectors threatens the ability of mosquito-control organizations to protect public health. Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) are invasive species widely distributed throughout Florida and have been implicated in recent epidemics of Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses. Knowledge of the susceptibility status of these mosquito species to pyrethroid and organophosphate active ingredients (AIs) is needed to inform product selection and treatment decisions. The susceptibility of 37 Ae. aegypti and 42 Ae. albopictus populations from Florida was assessed in response to six pyrethroid and three organophosphate AIs using the CDC bottle bioassay method. Of all bioassays completed with a pyrethroid AI, 95% for Ae. aegypti and 30% for Ae. albopictus resulted in a resistant outcome. For organophosphate AIs, ~31% of assays conducted for both species were classified as resistant. The highest frequency of susceptibility for both species was observed in response to the organophosphate AI, naled. Lambda-cyhalothrin was the only pyrethroid to result in a susceptible status for Ae. aegypti and also had the highest frequency of susceptibility for Ae. albopictus. Resistance was detected to every AI tested for both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, but there was a pronounced trend of pyrethroid resistance in Florida populations of Ae. aegypti. The results of this work provide evidence for the need to decrease reliance on pyrethroids and to implement different methods of control of Ae. aegypti in Florida.
CHAPTER 4-4 – LONG-RANGE INTERPROTON COUPLING

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the probable mechanisms of long-range coupling in various structures. Long-range coupling in 1,3-butadienes may present a very complex picture because a number of paths, known to be favourable for effective long-range coupling, could be present in this group of compounds and could depend critically on conformation. There are considerable difficulties associated with the analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of lightly substituted 1,3-butadienes, and the number of studies that have so far appeared is limited. The chapter discusses the concept of Benzylic coupling. The coupling between protons attached to sp3-hybridized benzylic carbon atoms and ring protons in aromatic and heterocyclic rings is defined as benzylic coupling. In the case of a substituted benzene, one could distinguish benzylic coupling, which is sometimes referred to as side-chain coupling, to the ortho, meta, and para protons.
Using Team-Based Learning in Discussion and Writing Classes

Abstract Team-Based Learning is a structured active learning pedagogy with strong empirical backing and is seeing increased use in economics instruction. This paper describes and assesses the implementation of TBL in general education economics courses that are centered around writing and discussion. We hypothesize that the structure of TBL will improve student preparation, engagement, critical thinking and writing performance. The study includes nine courses with three instructors at a small liberal arts college; each instructor taught the same course three times, twice with TBL. Results indicate that TBL has an equalizing impact; students with lower SAT scores see more positive impacts from the pedagogy. Additionally, first year students may be negatively impacted by using this flipped classroom method, but students in subsequent courses who have previously used TBL see substantial positive effects. Overall, TBL used throughout a major program could have benefits in both equity and performance.
Security Analysis of Networked 3D Printers

Networked 3D printers are an emerging trend in manufacturing. However, many have poor security controls, allowing attackers to cause physical hazards, create defective safety-critical parts, steal proprietary data, and halt costly operations. Prior work has given limited attention to identifying if a network attacker is able to achieve these goals. In this work, we present C3PO, an open-source network security analysis tool that systematically identifies security threats to networked 3D printers. C3PO's design is guided by industry standards and best practices, identifying potential vulnerabilities in data transfer, the printing application, availability, and exposed network services. Furthermore, C3PO analyzes how a network deployment impacts a 3D printer's security, such as an attacker compromising an IoT camera in order to send malicious commands to a networked 3D printer. We use C3PO to analyze 13 networked 3D printers and 5 real-world manufacturing network deployments. We identified 8 types of network security vulnerabilities such as a susceptibility to low-rate denial of service attacks, the transmission of unencrypted data, and publicly accessible network deployments.
Investigation of interlayer shear failure of concrete bridge deck asphalt overlay utilizing shear strength envelopes

Abstract The failure of interlayer between concrete bridge deck and asphalt overlay caused crescent-shaped cracks in the wearing course, resulting in intrusion of moisture into bridge structures and significant decrease in level of service for asphalt wearing course. It is of importance to establish design procedure to select and evaluate the interlayer materials for use in asphalt pavement on concrete bridges. This paper aimed to investigate the shear failure potentials on concrete bridge asphalt overlay using Finite Element (FE) model. The investigation was conducted on a project where a premature shear failure of asphalt pavement on a concrete bridge occurred. Both global and local FE models were established to obtain responses of interlayer under traffic loads. Sensitive analysis was conducted to identify the influence of overlay thickness and modulus on shear failure potentials. The spatial distributions of shear stress and normal stress at interface between concrete deck and asphalt overlay with and without horizontal shear forces were identified. The shear strength envelopes for interlayer were then utilized to evaluate the potential shear failure at interface. Results indicated the increase of overlay thickness may reduce the potential shear failure at interface. The presence of horizontal shear forces on pavement surface significantly increased shear failure at interface. The normal stress influenced the shear strength and needed to be considered in the lab shear test for design of interlayer system. A procedure which associated the load responses at interface with shear strength envelopes was presented. It may be used for evaluating potential interlayer shear failure as well as optimizing interlayer design.
Assessing Dementia Prevalence in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study: Cohort Profile, Protocol, and Preliminary Findings.

BACKGROUND There is growing consensus that non-genetic determinants of dementia can be linked to various risk- and resiliency-enhancing factors accumulating throughout the lifespan, including socioeconomic conditions, early life experiences, educational attainment, lifestyle behaviors, and physical/mental health. Yet, the causal impact of these diverse factors on dementia risk remain poorly understood due to few longitudinal studies prospectively characterizing these influences across the lifespan. OBJECTIVE The Initial Lifespan's Impact on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia (ILIAD) study aims to characterize dementia prevalence in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS), a 60-year longitudinal study documenting life course trajectories of educational, family, occupational, psychological, cognitive, and health measures. METHODS Participants are surveyed using the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-m) to identify dementia risk. Those scoring below cutoff undergo home-based neuropsychological, physical/neurological, and functional assessments. Dementia diagnosis is determined by consensus panel and merged with existing WLS data for combined analysis. RESULTS Preliminary findings demonstrate the initial success of the ILIAD protocol in detecting dementia prevalence in the WLS. Increasing age, hearing issues, lower IQ, male sex, APOE4 positivity, and a steeper annualized rate of memory decline assessed in the prior two study waves, all increased likelihood of falling below the TICS-m cutoff for dementia risk. TICS-m scores significantly correlated with standard neuropsychological performance and functional outcomes. CONCLUSION We provide an overview of the WLS study, describe existing key lifespan variables relevant to studies of dementia and cognitive aging, detail the current WLS-ILIAD study protocol, and provide a first glimpse of preliminary study findings.
Comparison of risk of anticholinergic utilization for treatment of neurogenic bladder between in utero or postnatal myelomeningocele repair.

Summary Introduction In utero myelomeningocele (MMC) repair has resulted in significant decrease in need for shunt-dependent hydrocephalus, however its impact on bladder function remains less clear. Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) due to MMC can be addressed with combination of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and anticholinergic (AC) therapy to minimize its effect on bladder function and upper urinary tract. The aim of this study was to compare the risk of postnatal AC utilization for in patients that underwent either postnatal or in utero MMC repair related to neurogenic bladder (NGB) management. We hypothesized that postnatal MMC repair would be associated with increased risk of postnatal AC utilization compared to in utero MMC repair. Material and methods All newborns with MMC in our hospital undergo prospective surveillance radiographic and urodynamic testing as part of institutional MMC protocol. Those MMC patients born between 2013 and 2018 at our institution, who underwent in utero or postnatal MMC repair were retrospectively analyzed. We identified postnatal AC utilization from electronic medical records and recorded indications for AC therapy according to the urodynamic, radiographic and clinical findings related to NGB management. Results 97 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 56 patients underwent a postnatal and 41 an in utero repair. Median follow-up for the in utero and postnatal MMC repair groups was the same at 37 months (p = 0.53). More newborns from the postnatal group were discharged from birth hospital performing CIC (91.1% vs. 58.5%, p Discussion We observed no reduction in risk of AC utilization with in utero repair which refuted the hypothesis of our study. Indications for AC utilization were urodynamic abnormalities such as NDO (81.3% in utero vs. 81% postnatal) or impaired bladder compliance (53.1% in utero vs. 64.3% postnatal). Conclusions We found no difference in risk of postnatal AC utilization between in utero or postnatal MMC repair. CIC rates were higher at birth hospital discharge in the postnatal repair group, however at last follow up CIC rates did not differ between groups. Download : Download high-res image (167KB) Download : Download full-size image Summary figure . Time event for AC utilization in children with in utero vs. postnatal MMC closure.
Natural resource wealth and the informal economy

The ‘resource curse’ associated with natural resource abundance has long been a subject of study across multiple disciplines. Though much research has focused on possible effects of resource wealth...
On the obstacles to international policy coordination

Abstract Notwithstanding a handful of exceptions, examples of international macro policy coordination have been few. Why is this so? We argue that the most compelling reasons are asymmetries in country size; disagreement about the economic situation and cross-border transmission effects of policies; and often policymakers' failure to recognize that they face important trade-offs across various objectives. Coordination works by allowing countries to improve the policy trade-offs they face under autarky. Like most efficiency arguments, welfare gains will not be huge (they are, in fact, very similar to estimated gains from global trade liberalization) but certainly measurable and worth pursuing. Given that uncertainty and disagreements are genuine impediments to coordination, we suggest that a neutral assessor may play a useful role in helping to bridge the divergent views of national policymakers, and that some multilateral rules of the road are likely to be needed to limit negative spillovers when coordination proves impossible to achieve.
Estrous intensity and conception rates in Holsteins

During 34 mo, 732 inseminations were evaluated in Holstein cows and heifers of breeding age. Females were submitted for insemination after detection of either 1) standing estrus, 2) mounting activity, or 3) other subtle symptoms of estrus (clear mucus, general appearance of genitalia or tailhead, and excessive vocalization). Conception rates were similar following standing estrus and mounting activity (50 versus 46%). Although higher conception rates occurred following standing or mounting activity than after detection of subtle estrous symptoms, one of three inseminations resulted in conception after insemination in the latter group. Clear mucus in half of the females upon cervical manipulation at insemination was associated with higher conception. Service number, age, and maximum ambient temperature on day of insemination also affected conception rates. Methods of thawing semen, ease of cervix penetration at insemination, service sire, inseminator, and time of estrous detection and insemination had little effect on fertility. Acceptable conception rates were achieved with more liberal interpretation of estrous symptoms.
Effects of adsorbates on electron spin polarization in low energy electron diffraction from tungsten (001): III. Nitrogen overlayer

The electron spin polarization and intensity profiles of the (00) beam from a W(001) surface have been measured as a function of surface exposure to N2, which adsorbs dissociatively to form a c(2 × 2) overlayer. The effects of annealing the surface following N2 exposure were also investigated. At low surface coverages, θN ~ 0.2–0.25, where diffuse half order beams characteristic of island formation are evident, the intensity and polarization profiles are similar to those observed for a W(001) surface having an ordered c(2 × 2) CO overlayer. At higher surface coverages, θN ~ 0.4–0.45, characterized by sharp half order beams, the polarization profile is markedly different from that at low coverages. The implications of these data are discussed in terms of models for N2 adsorption on W(001). The polarization of the (1212) beam was also measured and the observation of polarizations as high as 20% illustrates that scattering from the tungsten substrate is important in the formation of this beam.
Cumulative hardware distortion effects on coded and uncoded performance via a satellite repeater

An analytical investigation is presented of the cumulative impact of numerous hardware-induced distortions on BPSK bit-error-rate performance. Attention is given to 16 user and eight transponder constraints, as well as to the effect of filter bandlimiting. Uncoded and coded performance is evaluated with respect to both NRZ and Manchester signaling formats, and tight upper bounds to coded and uncoded SNR degradation are determined. Computed results based on TDRSS (Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System) specifications are presented as an example.
Polarization effects in B→D∗eve

Abstract Determination of the weak mixing parameter Vcb relies on models for the semileptonic decay of B mesons. We discuss how the predictions of the nonrelativistic quark model for semileptonic B meson decay can be tested through a measurement of the D∗ polarization in the semileptonic decay B → D ∗ e v e .
Making Debtor Remedies More Effective

Commissioned for a conference on credit markets at Harvard Business School in February 2010, this paper explores functional system design and the role of lawyers and intermediaries in providing debtor remedies in a complex legal system. The thesis of this paper, which proceeds in the “law and society” tradition, is that the location of a remedial right within the debtor-creditor system substantially affects the costs and benefits of the remedy for debtors, creditors, the system, and society. In other words, merely adding specific substantive provisions does not directly translate into actual protection. Relatedly, policymakers must recognize that lawyers and other intermediaries tend to specialize in particular kinds of debtor remedies to the exclusion of others and profoundly affect the extent to which consumer debtors can actually obtain the relief that formal law offers. Thus, again, system structure and gatekeeper incentives may have a greater impact than the addition or subtraction of substantive remedies.
Cosmic microwave background lensing reconstruction on the full sky

Gravitational lensing of the microwave background by the intervening dark matter mainly arises from large-angle fluctuations in the projected gravitational potential and hence offers a unique opportunity to study the physics of the dark sector at large scales. Studies with surveys that cover greater than a percent of the sky will require techniques that incorporate the curvature of the sky. We lay the groundwork for these studies by deriving the full sky minimum variance quadratic estimators of the lensing potential from the CMB temperature and polarization fields. We also present a general technique for constructing these estimators, with harmonic space convolutions replaced by real space products, that is appropriate for both the full sky limit and the flat sky approximation. This also extends previous treatments to include estimators involving the temperature-polarization cross-correlation and should be useful for next generation experiments in which most of the additional information from polarization comes from this channel due to sensitivity limitations.
Inhibition of Rat Ovarian [3H]Thymidine Uptake by Luteinizing Hormone-releasing Hormone Agonists: A Possible Mechanism for Preventing Damage by Cytotoxic Agents

To investigate the mechanism involved in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists' protective effects against chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage, female rats were either implanted with 1-mg pellets of LHRH agonist Zoladex (LHRHz) or sham operated. All rats were implanted with osmotic minipumps loaded with [3H]thymidine 48 h before sacrifice in diestrus. Ovaries were combusted in a biological material oxidizer. Tritiated water was recovered in a special cocktail, and ovarian tritiated thymidine uptake (3HTU) was calculated. In five experiments, LHRHz significantly reduced ovarian 3HTU. This was observed 5 days after implanting LHRHz pellets. Ovarian 3HTU correlated significantly with serum estradiol, LH, and ovarian and uterine weights. Autoradiography showed that almost all ovarian 3HTU is by granulosa cells. These data suggest that LHRHz suppresses ovarian mitotic activity. Since cytotoxic agents preferentially destroy rapidly dividing cells, our findings may represent a mechanism for ovarian protection.
Oxygen reduction reaction catalyst on lithium/air battery discharge performance

Lithium/air batteries have the potential to substantially outperform the best battery system nowadays on the market. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode in an aprotic organic lithium electrolyte is well-known to limit the discharge rate and capacity of the lithium/air batteries. In this study, the discharge characteristics of Li/air cells with cathodes made of different carbon materials were examined. The results showed that the ORR kinetics in the lithium/air batteries can be drastically improved by using an effective catalyst, achieving higher discharge voltage and rate. The discharge capacity of the lithium/air battery was found to be correlated to the cathode pore volume, to which the mesopore volume of the carbon material has a large contribution. An ORR mechanistic model involving a reaction product deactivating the catalytic sites on the carbon surface is proposed to explain the experimental results.
Nicht Fisch, nicht Fleisch, und doch gesund

Bisher konnten nur Fische grose mehrfach ungesattigte Fettsauren synthetisieren. Jetzt gelang es, diese fur die menschliche Gesundheit notwendigen Fettsauren auch in Pflanzen zu produzieren. Dadurch konnte auf lange Sicht die Abhangigkeit von der schwindenden Ressource Fisch gemindert werden.
Environment-selective synergism using self-assembling cytotoxic and antimicrobial agents

Abstract Environment-selective synergistic toxicity using combinations of aldehydes and hydrazine derivatives was demonstrated in two different model systems in vitro. Combinations of 5-nitro-2-furaldehyde with semi-carbazide and of 2-hydrazinopyridine with pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde, which can react in situ to form antimicrobial hydrazones, demonstrated greater degrees of synergism against the intracellular pathogen, Salmonella typhimurium, at pH 5 relative to pH 7.4. Combinations are more selectively toxic at pH 5 (vs pH 7.4) than individual precursors and preformed hydrazone products because acid catalysis of hydrazone formation plays a role only for the combinations. A combination of decanal and N-amino, N-octylguanidine (AOG) exhibited more pronounced synergistic cytolytic activity against erythrocytes in 0% serum than in 1% serum. Serum protein binding of decanal inhibited the formation of the more cytotoxic hydrazone, N-decylidenimino, N'-1-octylguanidine (DIOG), from the less cytotoxic AOG and decanal, and serum protein binding of DIOG prevented this cytotoxin from reaching the cell membrane. Because decanal binding cannot play a role in the cytotoxicity of preformed DIOG, it was less selective for cells in 0% serum than the combination of AOG and decanal. The pH 5 and 0% serum environments represent very simple models for macrophage phagolysosomal compartments and poorly vascularized solid tumor interiors respectively. If environment-selective synergism can be used as a basis for target-selective synergism in other in vitro model systems and in vivo, self-assembling combinations could provide a basis for rational introduction of target-selective synergism into chemotherapeutic drug design.
Mechanical and thermal properties of carbon nanotubes

Abstract This chapter discusses some aspects of the mechanical and thermal properties of carbon nano-tubes. The tensile and bending stiffness constants of ideal multi-walled and single-walled carbon nano-tubes are derived in terms of the known elastic properties of graphite. Tensile strengths are estimated by scaling the 20 GPa tensile strength of Bacon's graphite whiskers. The natural resonance (fundamental vibrational frequency) of a cantilevered single-wall nanotube of length 1 micron is shown to be about 12 MHz. It is suggested that the thermal expansion of carbon nanotubes will be essentially isotropic, which can be contrasted with the strongly anisotropic expansion in “conventional” (large diameter) carbon fibers and in graphite. In contrast, the thermal conductivity may be highly anisotropic and (along the long axis) perhaps higher than any other material. A short discussion of topological constraints to surface chemistry in idealized multi-walled nanotubes is presented, and the importance of a strong interface between nano-tube and matrix for formation of high strength nanotube-reinforced composites is highlighted.
Revision tympanoplasty using scar tissue graft.

Objective To evaluate the success rate of subcutaneous postsurgical scar tissue as graft material for revision tympanoplasty operations. Study design Retrospective case review. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients Thirty-five patients who underwent revision tympanoplasty with or without mastoidectomy procedures and 36 patients undergoing primary operations who had all the data necessary for the study and a minimum follow-up of 6 months. The mean follow-up period was 12 months (range, 6-18 mo). Mean age, perforation size, cholesteatoma presence, time required for harvesting, and adjunctive mastoidectomies were similar between the two groups. Intervention The patients undergoing revision tympanoplasty had graft material harvested from the subcutaneous scar tissue. In the control group, temporalis fascia graft was used as graft tissue. Main outcome measures The rate of perforation closure and postoperative hearing change was measured. Results In the scar tissue tympanoplasty group, 32 of 35 patients (91%) had successful closure of the tympanic membrane perforation, whereas in the control group, the success rate was 92% (p > 0.05). Mean postoperative pure-tone average improvement was 21 dB in the scar tissue tympanoplasty group and 18 dB in the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusion Subcutaneous scar tissue is as successful in perforation closure and hearing improvement as temporalis fascia graft. The use of subcutaneous scar tissue graft is advantageous to other graft materials used in revision tympanoplasty operations in that it can be harvested through the same incision, does not add to the operative time, and does not carry the cost or risk of acellular dermis.
The Extent of Separation: A Universal Separation Index

Abstract A universal separation index, the extent of separation, is proposed and mathematically described. This index is easily calculated, normalized, invariant to a permutation in indices, and conceptually similar to the De Donder extent of reaction. It applies to any type of separation system, any initial or final level of component purity, any concentration profile (if one exists), any initial amount of components, multicomponent systems, and both separation and mixing processes. The index is employed to characterize one of the simplest of all separation systems—the single equilibrium stage.
Using the Survey of Academic Orientations to Predict Undergraduates' Stress Levels

characteristics Relative emphasis: theory, practice, research Many universities expend substantial financial and staff resources in attempts to help students overcome academic difficulties and to alleviate adjustment problems. In spite of these efforts, approximately one half of the students who matriculate at American universities never graduate, and others find colleges to be highly stressful and threatening environments. While success cannot be guaranteed, interventions by academic advisors, faculty members, counselors, and student support staff can increase the likelihood that undergraduates will have productive and fulfilling college careers. The large student-to-staff ratios that characterize most universities make difficult the identification of individuals in greatest need of advisement and support. Many students encountering adjustment problems never come to the attention of their advisors or only do so after a series of performance or social difficulties have seriously jeopardized their chances for a successful college career. A warning system is needed for the detection of at-risk undergraduates before a student’s problems become so severe that the chance for improvement is slim. We explore the potential of the Survey of Academic Orientations (SAO) (Davidson, Beck, & Silver, 1999) as a warning indicator that students are at risk. The SAO is a brief questionnaire used to assess undergraduates’ perceptions of key college-environment features. In this study, we sought to discover if SAO profiles reliably predict the degree of stress that undergraduates experience when interacting with the academic environment. If stress-environment relationships are found through the SAO, academic advisors may be able improve their effectiveness by concentrating their energies on those students most likely to benefit from their services. In addition, SAO scores might help clarify the reasons that reactions to similar academic stressors differ among college students, and to the extent that certain orientations exert causal force toward high stress experiences, they might indicate the type of intervention most likely to be successful in helping students overcome stressinduced challenges.
A Dynamic Model of the Physiological Development of Immature Stable Flies

A stochastic model for describing the development of immature stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), was based on 2 quantities, physiological age and physiological development. Physiological age was computed from a cumulative function of minimum development time, which was expressed as a function of temperature. Physiological development was defined as the minimum physiological age required for development to any specific stage transition. Physiological development for each stage transition, including instars, was measured and determined to be essentially constant regardless of temperature. The random variation in development of stable flies was described by a random function of physiological age and physiological development. The function permits the distribution of either variable to be determined for fixed values of the other variable. The effects of environmental factors other than temperature may be described by changing the parameters of the distribution.
Role of clustering in hydrogen transport in silicon.

The effects of H concentration and thermal history on H trapping in hydrogenated amorphous silicon have been investigated through analysis of deuterium diffusion profiles. Unexpected results indicate that the number of traps increases with H concentration while the trap depth increases upon annealing. H equilibrated within the film is associated with traps while rapidly introduced H is not. The results are consistent with a model of trapping and release from H clusters which nucleate and grow in response to added H. It is proposed that the effective diffusion coefficients for high concentrations of H in all forms of Si, amorphous, polycrystalline, and crystalline, are determined by these clusters
Change in aerobic fitness of patients with multiple sclerosis during a 6‐month training program

Twenty‐three individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) participated in a 6‐month exercise training program; 11 ambulatory (AMB) and 8 semi‐ambulatory (SEMI). Four persons with MS served as non‐exercising controls (C). A test of maximal aerobic power (VO2max) was administered at baseline to all subjects. AMB and SEMI subjects exercised on alternating days for 30 minutes, at 55‐60% VO2max using either a commercially available recumbent or upright combination leg/arm bicycle ergometer. At the end of 12 and 24 weeks, exercising subjects were re‐evaluated. The C group was only re‐evaluated at 24 weeks. The results show that the AMB and SEMI groups experienced a +20% and +5% improvement in VO2max, respectively. The C group averaged a 12% decline in VO2max during the 6 months. These data demonstrate the possibility that although exercise improves cardiovascular fitness of some persons with less severe MS, this beneficial response may not apply to the more severely impaired patient. Nevertheless, improved cardiova...