cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation-based multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling of semiconductor equipment installation and qualification

Ramping up a semiconductor wafer fabrication facility is a challenging endeavor. One of the key components of this process is to contract and schedule multiple types of resources in installing and qualifying the capital intensive and sophisticated manufacturing equipment. Due to the stochastic nature of the business environment, equipment shipment delays and activity duration increases are common. We first model the process as a deterministic multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling problem (MRCPSP) which is NP-hard in the strong sense. Then we extend the classical MRCPSP to handle special aspects of the semiconductor environment such as time-varying resource constraints and resource vacations, alternative resource modes, non-preemptive activity splitting, etc. In this research, a modified Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm combined with Monte Carlo simulation is proposed to evaluate and improve the execution of the Install/qual schedule with stochastic ready times and activity durations. A case study is provided to demonstrate the approach.
Untangling a Sticky Problem: The Tensile Properties of Natural Silks

In the context of materials engineering, the science (and art) of biomimicry presumes that nature can offer useful lessons regarding the chemistry, processing, structure and attainable properties of materials. If a natural material “does an excellent job” (and a better job than an existing synthetic counterpart), then mimicry of that material should be considered. However, if we are to copy nature’s structures and processes with a view to replicating properties, then we need confidence that we do in fact know accurate values for the properties of interest as exhibited by the native material. It might be possible to obtain samples and study their structure without at the same time altering that structure. But what if the methodology of collecting and preparing samples for property characterization causes a significant change in the numerical value of the property being characterized? Or what if the method of property characterization is inherently unable to deliver an accurate result, or if the property is intrinsically variable among samples of nominally the same material? We consider several possible sources of variability in the tensile properties exhibited by any given type of natural silk: (1) sample diameter, (2) sample volume, (3) sample source, preparation methods and testing conditions, (4) effects of degumming and reeling on sample microstructure and cross-section, and (5) a limitation of the offset yield criterion. Specifically, we focus on the thread that is reeled from the cocoon of the domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori.
DRF 2655: a unique molecule that reduces body weight and ameliorates metabolic abnormalities.

Objective: Preclinical evaluation of DRF 2655, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and PPARγ agonist, as a body-weight lowering, hypolipidemic and euglycemic agent. Research Methods and Procedures: DRF 2655 was studied in different genetic, normal, and hyperlipidemic animal models. HEK 293 cells were used to conduct the reporter-based transactivation of PPARα and PPARγ. To understand the biochemical mechanism of lipid-, body-weight-, and glucose-lowering effects, activities of key β-oxidation and lipid catabolism enzymes and gluconeogenic enzymes were studied in db/db mice treated with DRF 2655. 3T3L1 cells were used for adipogenesis study, and HepG2 cells were used to study the effect of DRF 2655 on total cholesterol and triglyceride synthesis using [14C]acetate and [3H]glycerol. Results: DRF 2655 showed concentration-dependent transactivation of PPARα and PPARγ. In the 3T3L1 cell-differentiation study, DRF 2655 and rosiglitazone showed 369% and 471% increases, respectively, in triglyceride accumulation. DRF 2655 showed body-weight lowering and euglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in various animal models. db/db mice treated with DRF 2655 showed 5- and 3.6-fold inhibition in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose 6-phosphatase activity and 651% and 77% increases in the β-oxidation enzymes carnitine palmitoyltransferase and carnitine acetyltransferase, respectively. HepG2 cells treated with DRF 2655 showed significant reduction in lipid synthesis. Discussion: DRF 2655 showed excellent euglycemic and hypolipidemic activities in different animal models. An exciting finding is its body-weight lowering effect in these models, which might be mediated by the induction of target enzymes involved in hepatic lipid catabolism through PPARα activation.
NITRATION OF ALKYLPHENOLS WITH DINITROGEN TETROXIDE

(1972). NITRATION OF ALKYLPHENOLS WITH DINITROGEN TETROXIDE. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 300-301.
Inhibition of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Enhances Cell Death and Improves Tumor Growth Delay in Irradiated Lung Cancer Models

Purpose: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is the founding member of a family of enzymes that catalyze the addition of ADP-ribose units to proteins that mediate DNA repair pathways. Ionizing radiation induces DNA strand breaks, suggesting that PARP-1 inhibition may sensitize tumor cells to radiation. Experimental Design: We investigated the combination of PARP-1 inhibition with radiation in lung cancer models. ABT-888, a novel potent PARP-1 inhibitor, was used to explore the effects of PARP-1 inhibition on irradiated tumors and tumor vasculature. Results: ABT-888 reduced clonogenic survival in H460 lung cancer cells, and inhibited DNA repair as shown by enhanced expression of DNA strand break marker histone γ-H2AX. Both apoptosis and autophagy contributed to the mechanism of increased cell death. Additionally, ABT-888 increased tumor growth delay at well-tolerated doses in murine models. For a 5-fold increase in tumor volume, tumor growth delay was 1 day for ABT-888 alone, 7 days for radiation alone, and 13.5 days for combination treatment. Immunohistochemical staining of tumor sections revealed an increase in terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase–mediated nick-end labeling apoptotic staining, and a decrease in Ki-67 proliferative staining after combination treatment. Matrigel assay showed a decrease in in vitro endothelial tubule formation with ABT-888/radiation combination treatment, and von Willebrand factor staining of tumor sections revealed decreased vessel formation in vivo , suggesting that this strategy may also target tumor angiogenesis. Conclusions: We conclude that PARP-1 inhibition shows promise as an effective means of enhancing tumor sensitivity to radiation, and future clinical studies are needed to determine the potential of ABT-888 as a radiation enhancer.
A Linear Systems Approach to Flow Control

The objective of this paper is to introduce the essential ingredients of linear systems and control theory to the fluid mechanics community, to discuss the relevance of this theory to important open problems in the optimization, control, and forecasting of practical flow systems of engineering interest, and to outline some of the key ideas that have been put forward to make this connection tractable. Although many significant advances have already been made, many new challenges lie ahead before the full potential of this synthesis of disciplines can be realized.
Ischemia-Induced Neurogenesis: Role of Growth Factors

The neurogenic response in ischemic brain to growth factors is the net result of cell division and cell survival in specific regions of the brain. To increase the cell number, these physiologic processes should be active. Hence, when growth factors are infused into the brain, they might stimulate survival, cell division, or both to enhance neurogenesis. The end result is the interplay of all the endogenous factors with the infused exogenous factors. It is essential to understand the growth factors and their regulators that are expressed after ischemia if one is to pharmacologically enhance neurogenesis. It seems that a combinational therapy of factors or their inhibitors may provide powerful therapeutic potential for enhancing stroke-induced neurogenesis and restoring the damaged tissue to function.
Analysis of the spatial characteristics of metabolic abnormalities in newly diagnosed glioma patients

Purpose To evaluate the role of 3D MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) as a tool for characterizing heterogeneity within a lesion in glioma patients. Materials and Methods Forty-nine patients with newly diagnosed glioma were studied with 3D water-suppressed proton (1-H) MRSI. Signal intensities from choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), N-acytel aspartate (NAA), and lactate/lipid (LL) were estimated from the spectra. Regions of interest (ROIs) corresponding to the metabolic abnormalities were defined and compared with the anatomic lesions. Results This study showed that the tumor burden measured with either the volumes of the metabolic abnormalities or the metabolic levels in the most abnormal voxels was correlated with the degree of malignancy of the tumor. The volumes of elevated Cho and decreased NAA were useful for distinguishing low-grade from high-grade lesions. The volume of abnormal LL was correlated with the existence of necrosis and with the volume of contrast-enhancing lesions in high-grade lesions. The differences in the volume of abnormal LL were also statistically significant between patients in each grade. Conclusion These 3D-MRSI data provide important additional information to conventional MRI for evaluating and characterizing gliomas. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2002;16:229–237. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The orientation-averaged aspiration efficiency of IOM-like personal aerosol samplers mounted on bluff bodies.

This paper describes two sets of experiments that were intended to characterize the orientation-averaged aspiration efficiencies of IOM samplers mounted on rotating bluff bodies. IOM samplers were mounted on simplified, three-dimensional rectangular bluff bodies that were rotated horizontally at a constant rate. Orientation-averaged aspiration efficiencies (A 360 ) were measured as a function of Stokes' number (St), velocity ratio (R) and dimension ratio (r). Aspiration efficiency (A) is the efficiency with which particles are transported from the ambient air into the body of a sampler, and A 360 is A averaged over all orientations to the wind. St is a dimensionless variable that represents particle inertia, R is the ratio of the air velocity in the freestream and that at the plane of the sampler's entry orifice, and r is the ratio of the sampler's orifice diameter and the bluff body's width. The first set of experiments were instrumental in establishing a hierarchy of effects on orientation-averaged A. It was clear that compared to r, St had a much larger influence on A. It was also clear, however, that the effects of St were overpowered by the effects of R in many cases. As concluded in previous studies, R and St were considered the most important factors in determining A, even for A 360 . The second set of experiments investigated A 360 of IOM samplers for a much wider range of r than examined in previous research. Two important observations were made from the experimental results. One was that the A 360 of IOM samplers, as a function of St, did not change for an r-range of 0.066-0.4. This meant that an IOM sampler mounted on a near life-size mannequin would measure the same aerosol concentration as one not mounted on anything. The second observation was that the aspiration efficiency curve of the IOM sampler was close to the inhalability curve. This gave further evidence that the bluff body did not play a major role in influencing A 360 , as the IOM samplers, in these experiments, were either mounted on miniature bluff bodies or on nothing at all. These observations all suggest that it is quite possible to design and test personal samplers with desired sampling characteristics using protocols that do not require full-size mannequins, which greatly simplifies the development of new samplers.
FAME: a firewall anomaly management environment

Firewalls are a widely deployed security mechanism to ensure the security of private networks in most businesses and institutions. The effectiveness of security protection provided by a firewall mainly depends on the quality of policy configured in the firewall. However, designing and managing firewall policies are often error-prone due to the complex nature of firewall configurations as well as the lack of systematic analysis mechanisms and tools. This paper represents an innovative anomaly management framework for firewalls, adopting a rule-based segmentation technique to identify policy anomalies and derive effective anomaly resolutions. In particular, we articulate a grid-based representation technique for providing an intuitive cognitive sense about policy anomaly and facilitating efficient policy anomaly management. In addition, we demonstrate the feasibility and applicability of our framework through a proof-of-concept prototype of a visualization-based firewall policy analysis tool called Firewall Anomaly Management Environment (FAME).
Attenuated Nesting Season of the Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) in Urban Forests

ABSTRACT. Resident or short-distance migrant birds that occupy urban habitats are known to breed earlier than nearby rural populations, but similar data on long-distance tropical migrants are lacking. To understand the relationship between urbanization and reproductive phenology of a tropical migratory bird species, we (1) described variation in patterns and consequences of breeding phenology across an urban-to-rural gradient and (2) assessed underlying reasons why phenology may be related to urbanization. We studied Acadian Flycatchers (Empidonax virescens) between 2001 and 2007 in 35 forests spanning an urban-to-rural gradient in central Ohio. The general pattern of breeding phenology was opposite of that described for most resident and short-distance migrant birds. At higher levels of urbanization, site arrival dates and clutch initiations were later and cessation of breeding was earlier than in forests of more rural landscapes. The phenological shifts reduced the length of the nesting season in urban ...
The Fernow Experimental Forest and Canaan Valley: A History of Research

The Fernow Experimental Forest (herein called the Fernow) in Tucker County, WV, was set aside in 1934 for “experimental and demonstration purposes under the direction of the Appalachian Forest Experiment Station” of the US Forest Service. Named after a famous German forester, Bernhard Fernow, the Fernow was initially developed with considerable assistance from the Civilian Conservation Corps. Shut down temporarily during World War II, the Fernow was reopened in 1948 as an outdoor laboratory and classroom with the purpose of conducting research that would be useful to the forest landowners and managers throughout the Central Appalachians. Early research focused on the silvicultural management of high-value hardwoods and the effects of various forest management schemes on water quantity and quality. Over time, additional research projects in wildlife, soil science, ecology, air quality, and other environmental topics were included. Today, the Fernow is involved in long-term silvicultural and hydrological research, as well as shorter-term, more topical research projects on the effects of air pollution on wilderness areas, developing management guidelines for threatened and endangered wildlife species, the uses of prescribed fire for managing hardwood stands, and the restoration of the Red Spruce—northern hardwood ecosystem. We include examples of the Fernow's significant findings and conclusions over the years, as well as anecdotes of contributions to West Virginia's quality of life.
Lifetime-Averaged Cross Sections for X-Ray Transport Calculations

The lifetime distribution for initially monoenergetic photons subject to relativistic Compton (Klein-Nishina) scattering is evaluated using an analog of neutron slowing-down theory. By using reason...
The phenotypes of podocytes and parietal epithelial cells may overlap in diabetic nephropathy

Reversal of diabetic nephropathy (DN) has been achieved in humans and mice, but only rarely and under special circumstances. As progression of DN is related to podocyte loss, reversal of DN requires restoration of podocytes. Here, we identified and quantified potential glomerular progenitor cells that could be a source for restored podocytes. DN was identified in 31 human renal biopsy cases and separated into morphologically early or advanced lesions. Markers of podocytes (WT-1, p57), parietal epithelial cells (PECs) (claudin-1), and cell proliferation (Ki-67) were identified by immunohistochemistry. Podocyte density was progressively reduced with DN. Cells marking as podocytes (p57) were present infrequently on Bowman's capsule in controls, but significantly increased in histologically early DN. Ki-67-expressing cells were identified on the glomerular tuft and Bowman's capsule in DN, but rarely in controls. Cells marking as PECs were present on the glomerular tuft, particularly in morphologically advanced DN. These findings show evidence of phenotypic plasticity in podocyte and PEC populations and are consistent with studies in the BTBR ob/ob murine model in which reversibility of DN occurs with podocytes potentially regenerating from PEC precursors. Thus, our findings support, but do not prove, that podocytes may regenerate from PEC progenitors in human DN. If so, progression of DN may represent a modifiable net balance between podocyte loss and regeneration.
Poster Abstract: A Data-Driven Demand Response Recommender System

Unprecedented amounts of information from millions of smart meters and thermostats installed in recent years has left the door open for systems engineers and data scientists to better understand, analyze and use the insights that raw data can provide, about the power consumption patterns of a building. The challenge now, with using data-driven approaches, is to close the loop for near real time control and decision making in large scale cyber physical energy systems. Furthermore, providing a technological solution alone is not enough, the solution must also be human centric. We present a method called DR-Advisor called DR-Advisor, which acts as a recommender system for the building's facilities manager and provides suitable control actions to meet the desired load curtailment while maintaining operations and maximizing the economic reward. We evaluate the performance of DR-Advisor for demand response using data from a real office building and a virtual test-bed.
Comprehensive analysis of compositional interface fluctuations in planar lipid bilayer membranes.

In this paper we present a comprehensive analysis of line tension-driven compositional interface fluctuations in planar lipid bilayer membranes. Our starting point is the advective Cahn-Hilliard equation for the local lipid composition in symmetric membranes, which explicitly incorporates both advective and diffusive lipid transport processes, and which is coupled to the continuum hydrodynamic equations governing the flow behavior of the membrane and surrounding solvent with finite subphase thickness. In order to extract the interface dynamics from the continuum phase-field formalism, we first derive the appropriate sharp-interface limit equations. We then carry out a linear perturbation analysis for the relaxational dynamics of small-amplitude sinusoidal interface fluctuations to yield the general dispersion relation ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{k}$ as a function of perturbation wave number $k$. The resulting expression incorporates the effects of diffusive and advective lipid transport processes within the membrane, viscous or viscoelastic membrane properties, coupling between membrane and solvent, and inertial effects within the membrane and solvent. It is shown that previously considered scenarios naturally emerge as limiting cases of the general result. Furthermore, we discuss two additional scenarios amenable to analysis, one in which the inertia of the solvent is relevant, and another one in which the membrane displays significant viscoelastic properties. Finally, we numerically evaluate the general dispersion relation for three representative model membrane systems.
Structure Analysis of Al-Modified TiO2 Nanocatalyst Supports

The structures of Al-modified anatase TiO2 supports were analyzed using traditional analysis techniques of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and N2 sorption as well as X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy, 27Al magic-angle spinning NMR, and low-temperature heat capacity. The combined results from these characterizations reveal that the Al dopant is incorporated either on the surface or in vacancies depending on the details of the synthetic method used. Alumina incorporated on the surface stabilizes TiO2 by lowering the surface energy of anatase and stabilizing planes with high surface energy that would otherwise join to achieve a reduced surface energy. On the other hand, Al incorporated in TiO2 vacancies stabilizes the structure through increasing lattice strain and limiting mass transport necessary for grain growth. The 22 mol % Al-modified TiO2 with Al on the surface had average crystallite diameter of 6 nm, surface area of 184 m2 g–1, pore volume of 0.34 cm3 g–1, and pore diamete...
A novel methodology for self-healing at the nanoscale in CNT/epoxy composites

Self-healing materials have the potential to repair induced damage and extend the service life of aerospace or civil components as well as prevent catastrophic failure. A novel technique to provide self-healing capabilities at the nanoscale in carbon nanotube/epoxy nanocomposites is presented in this paper. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalized with the healing agent (dicyclopentadiene) were used to fabricate self-healing CNT/epoxy nanocomposite films. The structure of CNTs was considered suitable for this application since they are nanosized, hollow, and provide a more consistent size distribution than polymeric nanocapsules. Specimens with different weight fractions of the functionalized CNTs were fabricated to explore the effect of weight fraction of functionalized CNTs on the extent of healing. Optical micrographs with different fluorescent filters showed partial or complete healing of damage approximately two to three weeks after damage was induced. Results indicate that by using CNTs to encapsulate a healing agent, crack growth in self-healing CNT/epoxy nanocomposites can be retarded, leading to safer materials that can autonomously repair itself.
Continuous-wave laser emission at 2.02 µm from diode-pymped Tm3+:YAG at room temperature

Continuous-wave laser emission at 2.02 µm has been generated at room temperature using a 12% Tm3+:YAG monolithic laser rod longitudinally pumped by a laser diode. This is the first report of a cw room-temperature 2-µm Tm3+ laser pumped by a laser diode. Previous researchers have pumped this transition at room temperature using other laser sources1 and achieved cw operation at 77 K.2 In addition, the present experiments demonstrate the generation of two (2-µm) laser photons for each absorbed (785-nm) pump photon. The threshold for laser emission is 17.2 mW, and the slope efficiency with laser diode pumping is 56 %. The high efficiency of this system Is due to a cross-relaxation process that has been previously studied in laser emission at 2.1 µm in Tm:Ho:YAQ.3
Psychosocial Assessment by Hospice Social Workers: A Content Review of Instruments From a National Sample.

Abstract Context Hospice social workers are charged with completing a psychosocial assessment for every new enrollee. This assessment is part of the patient's comprehensive assessment and serves to inform the plan of care and key quality indicators. Objectives To review the content of hospice social work assessments because little is known about what assessment topics are included or overlooked. Methods Using a cluster random sample from all 50 states, we contacted hospice agencies and requested a blank copy of the social work assessment completed at intake. We then systematically reviewed the content of these assessments to determine which domains were included and which were omitted. A total of 105 hospice agencies participated (response rate 42%). Among the assessments provided, 76 (72%) were unique assessments. Results Participating hospices were largely freestanding (65%), nonprofit (60%), and either medium (39%) or small (37%) in terms of average daily census. Over 60% of the sample, assessments included content on the following: financial resources; family structure; coping resources; bereavement risk; past losses; caregiver depression; religiosity/spirituality; patient anxiety, patient depression; and advance directives. However, most assessments did not include items evaluating the following: patient physical/functional status; preferences for treatment/care; awareness of diagnosis, prognosis, or disease progression; communication and literacy issues; changes in relationship intimacy/sexuality; and cultural values, beliefs, and customs. Conclusion Hospice social workers should consider modifying their assessment practices to include a comprehensive array of assessment topics pertinent to patients and families. An accurate, comprehensive assessment that contributes to a holistic, interdisciplinary approach will likely lead to better clinical outcomes.
Management of Acute and Recurrent Gout: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians

This clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians addresses the management of acute and recurrent gout in adults.
Metastable states in terminal orientation of hinged symmetric bodies in a flow

Abstract Symmetric bodies such as cylinders and spheroidal bodies, in their terminal stable states, are long known to have their long axis align themselves perpendicular to the direction of the flow. This property has been confirmed in primarily sedimentation based theoretical, experimental and numerical techniques and the transition to a terminal stable state is believed to coincide with the onset of significant inertial effects in the flow. However, the threshold at which this transition occurs is yet unknown. We conduct modified experiments with hinged bodies and a CFD study to examine the nature of the transition of prolate spheroids and cylinders of various aspect ratios, from initial to their terminal stable equilibrium. Our experiments and numerics, both reveal the presence of intermediate metastable states which are sensitive to the flow Reynolds number and physical attributes of the immersed body and gradually lead to the stable state.
Quantifying the delocalization of surface and bulk F-centers

Abstract Electrons trapped in ionic crystal defects form color centers (F-centers) important in surface science, catalysis, and optoelectronic devices. We apply the electron delocalization range function (EDR) to quantify the delocalization of surface and bulk F-centers. The EDR uses computed one-particle density matrices to quantify “delocalization lengths” capturing the characteristic size of orbital lobes. Ab initio cluster model calculations confirm that the delocalization lengths of bulk alkali halide F-centers scale with the size of the anion vacancy. Calculations on magnesium oxide surface Fs and F s + centers, as well as other anionic surface defects, show how the trapped electrons' delocalization depends on the defect morphology, defect occupancy, and the approximate treatment of electron correlation. Application to N2 activation by anionic surface defects illustrate how the trapped electron localizes into the adsorbed molecule's unoccupied orbitals. The results confirm that the EDR provides a useful tool for understanding the chemistry of surface- and bulk-trapped electrons.
Clinical Laboratory Investigation of a Patient with Extreme Hypercalcemia.

A critical value for total calcium was reported on a 68-year-old female patient who was admitted to the emergency department 15 h prior. The patient's laboratory results were significant for a serum total calcium of 16.8 (8.4–10.3) mg/dL, which was verified by replicate analysis, and her free calcium concentration of 2.25 (1.12–1.32) mmol/L. The patient's serum phosphate was low at 0.5 (2.7–4.5) mg/dL, and her parathyroid hormone (PTH)2 was also suppressed at 6 (15–65) pg/mL. A review of the patient's medical records revealed a past medical history significant for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Her medication list included aspirin (81 mg daily), pravastatin (80 mg daily), and verapamil (120 mg daily). Calcium exists in 3 states: approximately 50% ionized, 40% protein-bound (primarily albumin), and the remaining 10% complexed with anions, such as sulfate or phosphate. The concentration of calcium distributed among these forms is dependent on the total calcium, the albumin concentration, and the plasma pH. The biologically active form, the free ionized fraction, is tightly regulated by the calcium-regulating hormones: PTH and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1). PTH directly increases calcium reabsorption in the distal nephron of the kidney through TRPV5 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 5) and also increases the expression of various calcium transport proteins. In response to increased PTH, 1α-hydroxylase in the kidney begins to convert the major reservoir of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, to the biologically active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D then stimulates calcium absorption in the small intestines through the VDR-RXR (vitamin D receptor-retinoic acid x-receptor complex) to enhance the expression of the epithelial calcium channels. Further, it is also recognized by its receptor in osteoblasts, increasing the expression of the RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand), which then induces proosteoclasts to develop to mature osteoclasts and induce bone resorption. Once adequate …
An investigation of the relations between stress and prospective memory

ABSTRACTProspective memory (PM), or remembering to perform intentions in the future, has important implications for one’s daily functioning and quality of life. Another common human experience is s...
Hazard and Safety Analysis of the Integra™ UltraVS™ Neonate Valve

The purpose of the research was to perform a hazard and safety analysis on an Integra™ UltraVS™ Neonate Valve. This product is a key component used in a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to aid in the treatment of pediatric patients diagnosed with hydrocephalus. The main objective is to investigate the root cause of both valve and shunt failures and propose potential improvements that may reduce the risk of failure in order to decrease a number of surgeries for pediatrics with this diagnosis. A preliminary hazard analysis, failure mode and effects analysis, and fault tree analysis were used to detect any potential risks and hazards that may cause device failure.
Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Ectopic Malignancy versus Metastatic Disease.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma frequently metastasizes to regional lymph nodes. However, cervical lymph node metastasis as a sole manifestation of occult papillary thyroid carcinoma is rarely observed. Ectopic thyroid is an uncommon condition defined as the presence of thyroid tissue at a site other than pretracheal area. Approximately 1–3% of all ectopic thyroid tissue is located in the lateral neck. This entity may represent the only functional thyroid tissue in the body. Malignant transformation of ectopic thyroid is uncommon; but even rarer is the development of papillary carcinoma on it. We present a case of a 33-year-old man with an incidental lateral neck mass diagnosed after a motor vehicle accident. Total thyroidectomy and lymph node resection were completed without evidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Malignant transformation of heterotopic thyroid tissue was the final diagnosis. The possibility of an ectopic thyroid cancer should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a pathological mass in the neck. The uniqueness of this case strives in the rarity that the thyroid gland was free of malignancy, despite ectopic tissue being positive for thyroid carcinoma. Management strategies, including performance of total thyroidectomy, neck dissection, and treatment with radioiodine, should be based on individualized risk assessment.
Treatment selection in oropharyngeal cancer: a surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) patterns of care analysis.

Treatment for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) has changed over the past two decades under multiple influences. We provide a population-based description of the application of radiotherapy, surgery, and chemotherapy to OPC in 1997, 2004, and 2009. The National Cancer Institute’s Patterns of Care study for OPC included multiple variables not available in the public-use dataset. We identified factors correlating with selection of primary surgery versus radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy (RTC) and analyzed predictors of all-cause mortality. We estimated the frequency of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. RTC was more common in 2009 than in 1997, and was more commonly applied to Stage IV cases. However, RTC was not an independent risk factor for mortality compared with surgery. HPV status was known in 14% of patients in 2009. RTC is the most common treatment for OPC, but it may not provide the best outcomes. HPV testing was uncommon in 2009.
Mantle Cell Lymphoma in the Thyroid: A Rare Presentation

Background. While 2% of all extranodal Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas present in the thyroid, there exists insufficient data to describe the incidence of mantle cell lymphoma in the thyroid. A case series of 1400 patients revealed that <1% of thyroid lymphomas may be MCL; hence better understanding of the disease course is essential. Patient Findings. A 65-year-old female was referred for a multinodular goiter. Multiple fine needle aspirations from the dominant right nodule were consistent with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and flow cytometry was negative. Due to progressing dysphagia, she underwent total thyroidectomy. Summary. Pathology revealed MCL with mantle zone growth pattern in the right thyroid. Flow cytometry showed monoclonal B cells comprising 9% of total cells. The Ki-67 index was 10%. She was diagnosed as having stage IIE MCL and offered conservative management by medical oncology, given that she had no B symptoms. Conclusion. Though chemotherapy is the treatment of choice in MCL, a subset of patients with low-grade disease may be observed. As in our patient, mantle zone growth pattern and a Ki-67 index < 10% suggest a favorable prognosis. A diagnosis of primary MCL in the thyroid remains rare and staging modalities as well as treatment options continue to evolve.
Psychological Well-Being Among Women Who Experienced Intimate Partner Violence and Received Civil Legal Services:

Intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization is often associated with negative mental health outcomes; yet, little is known about the psychological well-being of women who experience IPV and recei...
Synthesis of tailor-made colloidal semiconductor heterostructures

The field of colloidal nanocrystal synthesis has progressed rapidly to the point where spherical colloids of diverse sizes and compositions are commercially available or can be synthesized with minimal synthetic training. As quantum dots work their way into a greater array of technologies, it has become increasingly important to maximize the uniformity of these nanoscale structures and the efficiency of associated photophysical processes. Anisotropic quantum nanocrystals and quantum confined heterostructures offer even greater customization and tunability of specific electronic and photonic properties compared to their spherical counterparts. However, synthetic access to these more advanced structures is less well understood, and existing synthetic approaches are often challenging to execute or replicate. This feature article provides an account of the various bottom-up and top-down methods that have been developed to prepare more complex quantum confined structures and highlights the progress that has been made in the preparation of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystal heterostructures. From this survey of existing methods, it becomes clear that seeded assembly of heterostructure architectures combines many of the advantages of both bottom-up and top-down approaches to enable the greatest potential control over a diversity of new, customizable heterostructures with added functionality.
New Methods for Discontinuity and Crack Modeling in EFG

A new method for modeling discontinuities, such as cracks, in the element free Galerkin method is presented. A jump function is used for the displacement discontinuity along the crack faces and the Westergard’s solution enrichment near the crack tip. These enrichments, being extrinsic, can be limited only to the nodes surrounding the crack. The method is coupled to a new vector level set method [1] so with this approach only nodal data are used to describe the crack, no geometrical entity is introduced for the crack trajectory, and no partial differential equations need be solved to update the level sets.
The Turn within the Pragmatic Turn

Richard Bernstein’s recent book The Pragmatic Turn is a first-rate scholarly work, an enduring contribution to the literature on the history of Pragmatism, and one that’s very difficult to find fault with. Since I’m a Dewey scholar and a democratic theorist, I’ll focus mainly on the book’s third chapter (“John Dewey’s Vision of Radical Democracy”) and its relation to Bernstein’s overall thesis: namely, that “during the past 150 years, philosophers working in different traditions have explored and refined themes that were prominent in the pragmatic movement” (x). While Bernstein criticizes several of Dewey’s intellectual opponents (e.g., Maine, Trotsky and Lippmann), he does not excuse Dewey and his democratic theory from similarly exacting scrutiny. Indeed, a recurring critique in the third chapter is that Dewey’s democratic theory is too light on particulars, saying very little about how to institutionalize the ideal he sets forth. Some philosophical historians draw attention to philosophy’s large-scale or macro-level turns, such as the so-called “pragmatic” and “linguistic” turns, but tend to ignore the small-scale or micro-level turns within those broader turns. Bernstein is not one of them. Democratic theory experienced a deliberative turn in the late twentieth-century, followed by a turn toward more practical issues, such as testing, applying and institutionalizing the deliberative democratic ideal. Likewise, we encounter a more recent turn within pragmatist studies, which manifests in the secondary literature on John Dewey’s pragmatism.
The Need for Differential Diagnosis in Treatment Planning

Samuel Pruzansky once said that craniofacial surgery is “an experiment on nature’s experiment.” This statement is certainly true. All facial skeletal surgery – in growing or nongrowing patients – can be regarded as an investigation of craniofacial growth, form, and function.
Compressible turbulent flame speeds of highly turbulent standing flames

Abstract In this paper we present the first measurement of turbulent burning velocities of a highly turbulent compressible standing flame induced by shock-driven turbulence in a Turbulent Shock Tube. High-speed schlieren, chemiluminescence, PIV, and dynamic pressure measurements are made to quantify flame–turbulence interaction for high levels of turbulence at elevated temperatures and pressure. Distributions of turbulent velocities, vorticity and turbulent strain are provided for regions ahead and behind the standing flame. The turbulent flame speed is directly measured for the high-Mach standing turbulent flame. From measurements of the flame turbulent speed and turbulent Mach number, transition into a non-linear compressibility regime at turbulent Mach numbers above 0.4 is confirmed, and a possible mechanism for flame generated turbulence and deflagration-to-detonation transition is established.
A Public Choice Analysis of James M. Buchanan’s Constitutional Project

Public choice uses economic methods to analyze government decision-making. Buchanan’s constitutional project has the normative goal of discovering constitutional rules and institutions that empower government to protect individual rights, but that constrain government from violating people’s rights. He relies heavily on hypothetical models of unanimous agreement as a benchmark for evaluating constitutional rules, but with a limited analysis of the political processes that might secure a consensus. A promising avenue for advancing Buchanan’s constitutional project is to more explicitly apply public choice analysis to it—that is, to apply economic analysis to the actual political processes that produce constitutional rules.
Bioarchaeological Practice and the Curation of Human Skeletal Remains in a Greek Context: The Phaleron Cemetery

Human skeletal remains constitute remarkably informative finds, both biologically and socioculturally. Their recovery, preservation, conservation, storage, and analysis are complex issues that need to be addressed within any given biocultural context. Given the country's geography and the long history of human occupation, Greek field archaeology is intense and ongoing, with both rescue and systematic excavations. Human burials are thus frequently encountered in excavations throughout Greece, resulting in the accumulation of osteological material. Some of the common challenges of bioarchaeological research in Greece consist of insufficient time, funding, and documentation in the field; unmet conservation needs and lack of storage space; as well as the long time-gap between excavation and analysis. Here, we give a brief overview of excavation, curation, and bioarchaeological practice within a Greek archaeological framework. We focus on the newly launched Phaleron Bioarchaeological Project on a vast necropolis from the wider Athens region in order to present our methodological approach. Finally, we consider the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in managing large-scale bioarchaeological projects and serving long-term heritage preservation goals.
Hospital and surgeon variation in positive circumferential resection margin among rectal cancer patients.

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to evaluate variation in positive CRM at the surgeon and hospital levels and assess impact on disease-specific survival. Methods Patients with stage I-III rectal cancer were identified in New York State. Bayesian hierarchical regressions estimated observed-to-expected (O/E) ratios for each surgeon/hospital. Competing-risks analyses estimated disease-specific survival among patients who were treated by surgeons/hospitals with O/E > 1 compared to those with O/E ratio ≤ 1. Results Among 1,251 patients, 208 (17%) had a positive CRM. Of the 345 surgeons and 118 hospitals in the study, 99 (29%) and 48 (40%) treated a higher number of patients with CRM than expected, respectively. Patients treated by surgeons with O/E > 1 (HR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.16, 1.67) and those treated at hospitals with O/E > 1 (HR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.85) had worse disease-specific survival. Discussion Surgeon and hospital performance in positive CRM is associated with worse prognosis suggesting opportunities to enhance referral patterns and standardize care.
Analysis of Output Data

This chapter describes the common statistical methods that are used to analyze the output data from computer models that are based on terminating and nonterminating systems. The statistical methods are essentially the same that are described in the common statistical textbooks. They include measuring the average, standard deviation, confidence interval from output data, some of the variable type and some of the proportion type. The methods described also pertain when the two or more variables are in review.
More efficacious drugs lead to harder selective sweeps in the evolution of drug resistance in HIV-1

In the early days of HIV treatment, drug resistance occurred rapidly and predictably in all patients, but under modern treatments, resistance arises slowly, if at all. The probability of resistance should be controlled by the rate of generation of resistant mutations. If many adaptive mutations arise simultaneously, then adaptation proceeds by soft selective sweeps in which multiple adaptive mutations spread concomitantly, but if adaptive mutations occur rarely in the population, then a single adaptive mutation should spread alone in a hard selective sweep. Here we use 6,717 HIV-1 consensus sequences from patients treated with first-line therapies between 1989 and 2013 to confirm that the transition from fast to slow evolution of drug resistance was indeed accompanied with the expected transition from soft to hard selective sweeps. This suggests more generally that evolution proceeds via hard sweeps if resistance is unlikely and via soft sweeps if it is likely.
Effect of bee venom on some blood and biochemical parameters in formaldehyde induced arthritis male rats in comparison with prednisolone drug

Background Bee venom(BV) has been used to treat and reduce chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis(RA), pain, skin diseases and to treat cancerous tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bee venom on some blood and biochemical parameters in male albino rats with Arthritis and compare it with prednisolone drug. Materials & methods: (42) mature male albino rats (135-150) gm, divided into (7) groups, (6) male rats for each group. The experiment was continued for (14) days and included: the first group (negative control) was injected by (0.1ml/animal) from physiological normal saline (0.9% Nacl),the second group(Arthritis group) was injected by (0.1ml/animal) formaldehyde, the third group (normal group) was injected by bee venom(i.p) (1mg / kg of B.W), the fourth group (normal group) was treated orally with prednisolone (5mg / kg of B.W), the fifth group (Arthritis group) was injected by bee venom(i.p) (1mg / kg of B.W), the sixth group (Arthritis group) was treated orally by prednisolone (5 mg / kg of B.W) and seventh group (Arthritis group) was injected by bee venom (1 mg/ kg of B.W) and treated orally with prednisolone (5mg / kg of B.W). Results: Our results showed that 2nd group (Arthritis) significantly increased (p≤ 0.05) in the number of WBCs and platelets compared with control group, while the 3rd and 4th groups showed a significant decrease in WBCs and PLT compared with 2nd group. The 5th, 6th and 7th groups showed a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in the number of WBCs and platelets compared with 2nd group. On the other hand, the present study demonstrated a significant decrease (p≤ 0.05) in RBCs, hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (HCT) in the 2nd group (Arthritis group) compared with control group, while the 3rd and 4th groups showed a significant increase in RBCs, Hb and HCT compared with 2nd group. The 5th, 6th and 7th groups showed increase (p≤ 0.05) in RBCs, Hb and HCT compared with 2nd group. The results showed also, a significant increase in levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and a significant decrease in HDL level in 2nd group compared with control group, while 3rd,4th, 5th, 6th and 7th groups showed a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and a significant increase in HDL level compared with 2nd group. Conclusion: We conclude from the present study that bee venom attenuates development of Arthritis by improving some Blood and Biochemical parameters.