cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ACLE: A Communication Environment for Asynchronous Collaborative Learning

The popularity of distributed learning and the continued growth in the number of colleges and universities offering courses delivered entirely via asynchronous learning networks (ALN) are unquestioned. There is little agreement on what constitutes the online environment. The ALN environment is quite immature and many of its components have evolved ad hoc in the form of attempts to mirror the traditional, face-to-face setting. The problems associated with the lack of analysis, planning, and design in developing the infrastructure for an ALN are evident in the tools to support student-to-student communication in collaborative learning activities. This study addresses this rather poorly directed developmental process by answering the following research questions: 1) What criteria are applicable for a communication system to support asynchronous collaborative? 2) How can those criteria be developed and validated? 3) How can those criteria be met in a product? 4) How can that product be evaluated?
Formal verification of arbiters using property strengthening and underapproximations

Arbiters are commonly used components in electronic systems to control access to shared resources. In this paper, we describe a novel method to check starvation in random priority-based arbiters. Typical implementations of random priority-based arbiters use pseudo-random number generators such as linear feedback shift registers (LFSRs) which makes them sequentially deep precluding a direct analysis of the design. The proposed technique checks a stronger bounded-starvation property; if the stronger property fails, we use the counter-example to construct an underapproximation abstraction. We next check the original property on the abstraction to check for its validity. We have found the approach to be a very effective bug hunting technique to reveal starvation issues in LFSR-based arbiters. We describe its successful application on formal verification of arbiters on a commercial processor design.
Stochastic Theory of Early Viral Infection: Continuous versus Burst Production of Virions

Viral production from infected cells can occur continuously or in a burst that generally kills the cell. For HIV infection, both modes of production have been suggested. Standard viral dynamic models formulated as sets of ordinary differential equations can not distinguish between these two modes of viral production, as the predicted dynamics is identical as long as infected cells produce the same total number of virions over their lifespan. Here we show that in stochastic models of viral infection the two modes of viral production yield different early term dynamics. Further, we analytically determine the probability that infections initiated with any number of virions and infected cells reach extinction, the state when both the population of virions and infected cells vanish, and show this too has different solutions for continuous and burst production. We also compute the distributions of times to establish infection as well as the distribution of times to extinction starting from both a single virion as well as from a single infected cell for both modes of virion production.
Langage et Mythe ou temps À Trois Dimensions Chez Heidegger

Marcel Proust dit dans son grand roman — A la recherche du temps perdu — que si le mystere est trop imperieux il faut se taire. Ce serait tout de meme une erreur de pretendre que le silence est synonyme de l'inactivite et du repos; au contraire, on ne se tait que pour mieux vivre, vivre plus intensement le mystere. Mais pour savoir ce que c'est que le mystere, il faut rompre le silence. Pour ce faire, il faut regarder en arriere — tout comme l'aventurier de la Nausee. Ainsi nous constatons que quelque chose nous a forces de nous taire — et c'etait justement le mystere. Nous ne partons pas pour une aventure, mais nous en revenons. Alors, c'est seulement quand la parole cede la place a ce qui s'exprime en allemand par le mot Erlebnis (experience vecue, eprouvee) que cet Erlebnis acquiert le caractere du mystere.
Can Sub-penny Pricing Reduce Trading Costs?

We examine the effect of tick size on quotation behavior in a naturally-controlled experimental setting. Of the top six Electronic Communications Networks (ECNs), three allow sub-penny quotes (group S) and three do not (group P). For a sample of stocks that trade on all six of these ECNs, we find that group S ECNs have narrower spreads than group P ECNs, especially for low-price stocks. Even after correcting for left-truncation and price discreteness, we find that spreads for the same stocks are tighter on group S ECNs, suggesting that a smaller tick size fosters greater price competition. We find that the one penny tick is frequently a binding constraint on the inside spread and that the relaxation of the binding constraint would result in a 0.7 cent (16%) reduction in the inside spread.
Renormalization group analysis of the QCD quark potential to order v 2

A one-loop renormalization group analysis of the order ${v}^{2}$ relativistic corrections to the static QCD potential is presented. The velocity renormalization group is used to simultaneously sum $\mathrm{ln}(m/mv)$ and $\mathrm{ln}{(m/mv}^{2})$ terms. The results are compared to previous calculations in the literature.
Zonation of shrubs in western Atlantic salt marshes

We explored the generality of the processes mediating shrub zonation in western Atlantic salt marshes by comparing the results of our experiments in Georgia, USA with previous studies from Rhode Island, USA. The shrub Borrichia frutescens dominates the terrestrial border of many Georgia salt marshes. Within the shrub zone, physical stress increased at lower elevations, shrubs at lower elevations were stunted, and experimentally reducing physical stress reduced shrub stunting. Below the shrub zone, physical stress increased further, and the grass Spartina alterniflora dominated. Transplant and neighbor-removal experiments indicated that the lower border of the shrub zone was set more by physical stress than by competition, but that the upper border of the grass zone was set primarily by competition with shrubs. Laboratory experiments indicated that S. alterniflora seedlings survived best and shrub seedlings worst in the flooded, salty treatment that mimicked low-marsh conditions. These processes are similar to those maintaining zonation patterns between the shrub Iva frutescens and the rush Juncus gerardi in Rhode Island salt marshes. However, markedly different processes appear to occur further to the north, where woody shrubs are absent from coastal marshes, and further to the south, where woody plants (mangroves) dominate coastal wetlands.
Effect of Exercising While Fasting on Eating Behaviors and Food Intake

Alternate day fasting combined with exercise is effective for weight loss. The aim of this study was to examine the behavioral adaptations that occur when ADF is combined with exercise, and to determine how these changes affect weight loss. Obese subjects (n = 64) were randomized to 1 of 4 groups: 1) combination (ADF + endurance exercise), 2) ADF, 3) exercise, or 4) control, for 12 weeks. Body weight decreased (P < 0.05) in the combination group (6 ± 4 kg), ADF (3 ± 1 kg), exercise group (1 ± 0 kg), with no change in the control group (0 ± 0 kg). When given the choice, subjects chose to exercise the same amount (P = 0.790) on the fast days (48 ± 2%) as feed days (52 ± 2%). Percent of exercise sessions performed on fast day mornings (20 ± 6%) did not differ (P = 0.453) from fast day afternoons (28 ± 5%). Likeliness to cheat on the fast day was not higher if the subject exercised in the afternoon (17 ± 7%) versus the morning (10 ± 5%). Hunger decreased (P < 0.05) while satisfaction and fullness increased (P < 0.05) post-treatment in the ADF group only. Restrained eating increased (P < 0.05) and uncontrolled eating decreased (P < 0.05) in the combination and ADF groups. These findings suggest that endurance exercise is an excellent adjunct therapy to ADF, as it leads to positive behavioral changes that may contribute to long-term steady weight loss.
A new epoprostenol formulation for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Purpose The pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of a novel formulation of epoprostenol for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are reviewed, with guidance on addressing a number of important safety considerations. Summary Epoprostenol is a direct vasodilator of the pulmonary and systemic vasculature indicated for improving exercise capacity in patients with PAH. Veletri, a recently approved formulation of epoprostenol for continuous i.v. infusion, offers increased stability relative to other available epoprostenol products. Therefore, the use of Veletri can lessen the therapy burden associated with the other available formulation of the drug by allowing for the advance preparation of infusion pump cassettes (at certain concentrations) and administration at room temperature without the need for cooling with ice packs. Sterility, however, is of concern with outpatient preparation of epoprostenol-containing cassettes stored for the maximum duration according to stability guidelines. All epoprostenol infusions are classified as high-risk therapies due to complex dosing, the drug’s short half-life, and the potential for life-threatening rebound PAH with abrupt discontinuation. Adverse effects reported in ≥10% of participants in clinical trials of Veletri included flushing (58%), headache (49%), nausea or vomiting (32%), hypotension (16%), chest pain (11%), and anxiety, nervousness, or agitation (11%). As with other epoprostenol formulations, the use of Veletri requires an evaluation of health-system medication-use practices to ensure patient safety. Conclusion Veletri provides an epoprostenol therapy option that reduces some of the inconveniences of the other formulation. Drug stability is dependent on cassette concentrations, which may be limited by sterility concerns with outpatient preparation. Use of this new agent within the health system requires an evaluation of practices to ensure patient safety.
Robust stabilizing compensators for flexible structures with collocated controls

For flexible structures with collocated rate and attitude sensors/actuators, we characterize compensator transfer functions which guarantee modal stability even when stiffness/inertia parameters are uncertain. While the compensators are finite-dimensional, the structure models are allowed to be infinite-dimensional (continuum models), with attendant complexity of the notion of stability; thus exponential stability is not possible and the best we can obtain is strong stability. Robustness is interpreted essentially as maintaining stability in the worst case. The conditions require that the compensator transfer functions be positive real and use is made of the Kalman-Yakubovic lemma to characterize them further. The concept of positive realness is shown to be equivalent to dissipativity in infinite dimensions. In particular we show that for a subclass of compensators it is possible to make the system strongly stable as well as dissipative in an appropriate energy norm.
No Association Between Plasma Lipoprotein(a) Concentrations and the Presence or Absence of Coronary Atherosclerosis in African-Americans

Elevated plasma concentrations of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] are associated with coronary atherosclerosis in Caucasians. Although African-Americans have a higher median plasma Lp(a) concentration than Caucasians, they do not have a greater incidence of coronary atherosclerosis. This study was performed to determine whether the plasma concentration of Lp(a) is associated with coronary atherosclerosis in African-Americans. The fasting plasma concentrations of Lp(a) and lipoproteins were measured in 140 African-American subjects (62 men, 78 women, aged 31 to 80 years) 18 +/- 16 months (mean +/- SD) after they underwent coronary angiography: 72 had angiographically normal coronary arteries and 68 had > 70% luminal diameter narrowing of one or more major epicardial coronary arteries. The groups were similar in age, sex, and other risk factors for atherosclerosis. The subjects with coronary artery disease had higher plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and VLDL and LDL cholesterol (P = .04) and lower concentrations of HDL cholesterol (P = .0001) than subjects without coronary artery disease, but there was no significant difference in the plasma concentration of Lp(a). The distribution of apolipoprotein(a) alleles by size was also not significantly different between the two groups. These results suggest that the plasma concentration of Lp(a) is not an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease in African-Americans.
Color correction in the infrared using gradient-index materials

The ability of gradient index (GRIN) materials to correct color in the infrared is explored. An overview of GRIN materials is provided, includ- ing a review of the most common index profiles (axial, radial, and spheri- cal). Due to the high potential for color correction, a design study is carried out to compare a single ZnS/ZnSe GRIN element's imaging performance to that of homogeneous singlets and doublets. A radial GRIN element is able to correct axial color and provide superior performance over an aspheric homogeneous singlet and offer a reduction in weight when com- pared to a homogeneous doublet. The ZnS/ZnSe GRIN is also shown to be superior to other infrared GRIN materials between 3 and 5 μm. © 2013
Identification with the Human Species: A Challenge for the Twenty-First Century

The unanticipated proliferation of ethnic conflicts, after the collapse of the Soviet Union and Eastern European satellites, poses a perplexing question: Can human beings develop an identification with more inclusive social units than ethnic/racial groupings and nation-states? A concentric circle model is presented of multiple identities, from the self to the human species. Achieving an identification with the human species-a substantial challenge for the twenty-first century-would have profound implications for the incidence and resolution of interethnic and international conflicts.
Diabetic impairments in NO-mediated endothelial progenitor cell mobilization and homing are reversed by hyperoxia and SDF-1α

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are essential in vasculogenesis and wound healing, but their circulating and wound level numbers are decreased in diabetes. This study aimed to determine mechanisms responsible for the diabetic defect in circulating and wound EPCs. Since mobilization of BM EPCs occurs via eNOS activation, we hypothesized that eNOS activation is impaired in diabetes, which results in reduced EPC mobilization. Since hyperoxia activates NOS in other tissues, we investigated whether hyperoxia restores EPC mobilization in diabetic mice through BM NOS activation. Additionally, we studied the hypothesis that impaired EPC homing in diabetes is due to decreased wound level stromal cell–derived factor–1α (SDF-1α), a chemokine that mediates EPC recruitment in ischemia. Diabetic mice showed impaired phosphorylation of BM eNOS, decreased circulating EPCs, and diminished SDF-1α expression in cutaneous wounds. Hyperoxia increased BM NO and circulating EPCs, effects inhibited by the NOS inhibitor N-nitro- l-arginine-methyl ester. Administration of SDF-1α into wounds reversed the EPC homing impairment and, with hyperoxia, synergistically enhanced EPC mobilization, homing, and wound healing. Thus, hyperoxia reversed the diabetic defect in EPC mobilization, and SDF-1α reversed the diabetic defect in EPC homing. The targets identified, which we believe to be novel, can significantly advance the field of diabetic wound healing.
A Defense of Organic Unities

In this essay, I defend the Moorean position on organic unities. I will present some plausible examples of organic unites and consider some objections to them. In particular, I will consider an objection from evaluative inadequacy and an objection from Holism or Conditionalism. I will also examine one line of criticism that claims the Moorean position is incoherent.
Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors in Brain Microvessels

A pathological decrease in local or general cerebral blood flow may have many causes, several of which can act at the same time. In recent years, a significant addition has been made to the number of ways by which the flow may be increased. This addition is the result of a new discovery concerning the importance of endothelial cells in some forms of vasodilation. The new understanding began with the discovery that acetylcholine (ACh) produces dilation in many blood vessels, not by activating muscarinic receptors in vascular smooth muscle, but by activating such receptors in the endothelium. The endothelium in turn produces and releases a relaxing factor that penetrates the muscle and produces relaxation. This substance has become known as endothelium-dependent relaxing factor (EDRF). This entire area has been extensively reviewed [1–4], and the evidence for multiple EDRFs has been supported by additional publications [5–7].
ReCAP: Impact of the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program on Clinical Trial and Related Activities at a Community Cancer Center in Rural Nebraska

QUESTION ASKED:What is the impact of participating in the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) on the number of clinical trials available, number of patients enrolled in trials, and trial-related services provided to patients at a rural community-based cancer program?SUMMARY ANSWER:Significant increases in the number and percentage of patients enrolled in clinical trials, in the number of available treatment and non-treatment (eg, prevention, biospecimen, cancer control) trials, in clinical trial staffing, and in the number of tissue samples collected and/or stored were observed during the 5-year period of NCCCP. Biospecimen trials helped promote standardization of collection and storage processes in our community cancer program. Employment and utilization of a genetic counselor, smoking cessation counselor, outreach project coordinator, and two nurse navigators enabled delivery of improved cancer care continuum services to our rural patient population.METHODS:SFCTC clinical ...
Reply to Almécija: A new direction for reconstructing our last common ancestor with chimpanzees.

We welcome Almecija’s critique (1), but his claims of “bias” in our conclusions are unfounded. All available evidence continues to support an African ape-like shoulder and pattern of forelimb use in our last common ancestor (LCA) with chimpanzees and bonobos ( Pan ). First, controlling for within-group size variation is uncontroversial (2), and neither biases our results nor obscures their biological meaning. Gorilla and Pan shape differences may still be size-related. Specifically, Gorilla ’s expansive supraspinous fossa is plausibly associated with increased body mass and functional demands to stabilize the joint during knuckle-walking (3). Second, although we note that a “ Pan -like” LCA may be … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: nathan.m.young{at}gmail.com. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Intentional control of visual processing benefits from referential objects

Arguments have been made that enhanced visual processing occurs in the area of the palms of the hands due to greater density of bimodal neurons. An alternative is that the hands serve as reference objects relative to which attentional resources are allocated. Two experiments were conducted to determine whether the palms are unique in speeding responses in an Eriksen flanker-type task compared with other parts of the hands and objects used as barriers. In Experiment 1, the hands were crossed and positioned so that the palms faced outward toward letters located in the outer positions. Trial blocks differed in whether the centrally located letter or outer letters were designated as the target for responding. Results yielded reductions in flanker interference much as obtained when the palms face inward. This reduction occurred regardless of whether the center or outer positions of the letters were designated as the target. Experiment 2 replicated these results using as reference objects wooden blocks that mimicked the hands' physical contours, positioned with a curve-edge facing outwards. The results lend support to the referential coding account of the reduction of flanker interference.
Design and Manufacture of a Museum-Grade Children's Indoor Trebuchet by Mechanical Engineering Students:

The trebuchet, a medieval siege weapon, can play an important role in stimulating and maintaining interest in engineering and the physical sciences. We discuss our experience with use of a specialty trebuchet design project in engineering education and service learning. In particular, mechanical engineering juniors in a machine design and synthesis course designed and manufactured (based on formal specifications) trebuchets for use by children 5–12 years of age in an indoor museum environment. The entire process entailed brainstorming of ideas, concept selection, dynamic analysis, design for assembly (DFA) analysis, along with manufacture and testing. Throughout the process, feedback was solicited from the community partner, a local technology discovery center, or museum (‘The Works’). In the end, a total of six children's indoor trebuchets were manufactured and installed in the local technology center. The results presented are reproducible for use by other interested instructors.
Central Inhibitory Effects of Carbon Dioxide. III. Man

SummaryEighteen patients were ventilated with various concentrations of carbon dioxide-oxygen for varying lengths of time and then were stimulated with super-threshold shocking current. Concentrations of carbon dioxide from 15-30% routinely prevented electrically induced seizures; with 30% carbon dioxide, 30 seconds of inhalation sufficed; with 15-20% mixtures, slightly longer periods of time were required.
Contemporary management and outcomes of blunt thoracic aortic injury: a multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUNDBlunt thoracic aortic injuries (BTAIs) are composed of a spectrum of lesions ranging from intimal tear to rupture, yet optimal management and ultimate outcome have not been clearly established.METHODSThis is a retrospective multicenter study of BTAIs from January 2008 to December 2013. Dem
Genetics and outcome after cardiac surgery.

Well before the completion of the enormous task to characterize the human genome (1), it was long thought that one’s genetic makeup had the ability to influence patterns of both health and disease. Although each of us contains roughly the identical 30,000 or so genes that were identified in the human genome project (surprisingly fewer genes than was initially predicted and also making us different from lesser species by only a few thousand genes), it is the subtle differences within these 30,000 genes that can dramatically influence both the susceptibility and response to various disease states. No better an example of these subtle differences and the ability of one to respond to injury is in the setting of cardiac surgery where already several genetic influences have been demonstrated to effect changes in both intermediate endpoints (such as measured cytokines of the inflammatory response) (2,3) as well as functional outcome [such as bleeding (4) and stroke (5)].
The Biological Basis of Cancer: The stem cell basis of cancer treatment: concepts and clinical outcomes

Introduction Notwithstanding physical removal of malignant tumors by surgery and regional control of malignant tumors by radiation, the concept of cancer as a disease of abnormal stem cell biology leads to three philosophies for treating the disseminated, metastatic disease that most patients will face. Only one of these philosophies has become clinically useful, whereas the others are developing or remain at the conceptual level. Therapies remaining at the conceptual level One treatment to attack this caricature of normal renewing biological tissue is conversion, or perhaps reversion, of the malignant phenotype to a benign state. As studies of the fate of micro-injected cancer cells in the embryo have revealed (detailed in Section 1.15, Chapter 1), it is possible for malignant cells to lose their malignant potential without losing their proliferative potential, such that they contribute to normal formation of chimeric organs in the developing embryo. The development of chimeras containing some functional tissue derived from the implanted malignant cells indicates that the cancer cells reacquire the capacity to properly respond to biological controls on tissue renewal even into adulthood after the embryonic environment disappears. The concept is that once converted back to normalcy by these embryonic control mechanisms, wherein the malignant phenotype is removed or suppressed, cancer-derived normal cells in the adult chimera can no longer cause disease. Therapeutic strategies harnessing this biological control might not be toxic in the adult patient, because they would target malignant, embryonic-like stem cells, converting them into normally functioning adult stem cells.
Strengthening collaboration for successful field experiences

AbstractBecause a majority of teachers come from public universities, universities play an important role in examining and strengthening their teacher preparation programs to ensure they are graduating quality teachers. Student teaching is typically the culminating experience of the teacher preparation program and is considered to be the most crucial and beneficial learning experience. This article presents research from a study of 205 public universities across the United States with teacher education programs on the involvement of faculty in the student teaching experience as well as a follow-up study with 28 methods students and their perceptions about their supervision experience. The findings could foster discussions in order to strengthen university teacher preparation programs.
The Impact of an Educational Program on Patient Practices for Safe Use, Storage, and Disposal of Opioids at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

BACKGROUND Improper use, storage, and disposal of prescribed opioids can lead to diversion or accidental poisoning. Our previous study showed a large proportion of cancer patients have unsafe opioid practices. Our objective was to determine whether an improvement occurred in the patterns of use, storage, and disposal of opioids among cancer outpatients after the implementation of a patient educational program. PATIENTS AND METHODS Our palliative care (PC) clinic provides every patient with educational material (EM) on safe opioid use, storage, and disposal every time they receive an opioid prescription. We prospectively assessed 300 adult cancer outpatients receiving opioids in our PC clinic, who had received the EM, and compared them with 300 patients who had not received the EM. The previously used surveys pertaining to opioid use, storage, and disposal were administered, and demographic information was collected. Sharing or losing their opioids was defined as unsafe use. RESULTS Patients who received EM were more aware of the proper opioid disposal methods (76% vs. 28%; p ≤ .0001), less likely to share their opioids with someone else (3% vs. 8%; p = .0311), less likely to practice unsafe use of opioids (18% vs. 25%; p = .0344), and more likely to be aware the danger of their opioids when taken by others (p = .0099). Patients who received the EM were less likely to have unused medication at home (38% vs. 47%; p = .0497) and more likely to keep their medications in a safe place (hidden, 75% vs. 70%; locked, 14% vs. 10%; p = .0025). CONCLUSION The use of EM on opioid safety for patients with advanced cancer was associated with improved patient-reported safe opioid use, storage, and disposal. The Oncologist 2017;22:115-121Implications for Practice: Prescription opioid abuse is a fast-growing epidemic that has become more prominent recently, even in the cancer pain population. A previous study reported that 26% of cancer outpatients seen in the supportive care center either lose their pain medications or share their pain medications with someone else. This study demonstrates that the implementation of an opioid educational program and distribution of educational material on opioid safety brings about an improvement in opioid storage, use, and disposal practices in patients being prescribed opioids for cancer-related pain. Our study highlights the importance of consistent and thorough opioid education at every instance in which opioids are prescribed.
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo is Associated With Poorer Study Skills, More Executive Functioning Deficits, and Greater Impairment in College Students.

Objectives Few studies have examined sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) in college students even though extant research suggests a higher prevalence rate of SCT symptoms in this population compared to general adult or youth samples. The current study examined SCT symptoms in relation to two domains related to college student's academic success, study skills and daily life executive functioning (EF), as well as specific domains of functional impairment. Method 158 undergraduate students (Mage = 19.05 years; 64% female) completed measures of psychopathology symptoms, study skills, daily life EF, and functional impairment. Results After controlling for demographics and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression, SCT remained significantly associated with poorer study skills, greater daily life EF deficits, and global impairment and with greater functional impairment in the specific domains of educational activities, work, money/finances, managing chores and household tasks, community activities, and social situations with strangers and friends. In many instances, ADHD inattentive symptoms were no longer significantly associated with study skills or impairment after SCT symptoms were added to the model. Conclusion SCT is associated with poorer college student functioning. Findings highlight the need for increased specificity in studies examining the relation between SCT and adjustment.
Pathologic fracture in childhood and adolescent osteosarcoma: A single‐institution experience

Purpose Pathologic fractures occur in 5–10% of pediatric osteosarcoma (OS) cases and have historically been considered a contraindication to limb salvage. Our purpose was to describe the radiographic features of pathologic fracture and examine its impact on local recurrence rates, functional outcomes, and overall survival. Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients at our institution from 1990 to 2015 with pathologic fracture at diagnosis or during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We selected a control group of 50 OS patients of similar age and gender without pathologic fracture from 1990 to 2015. Functional outcomes were scored using Musculoskeletal Tumor Society criteria. Chi-square test was used for comparative analysis of groups. Results Thirty-six patients with 37 pathologic fractures form the study cohort. Of patients who received surgery, 18 of 34 patients with fracture underwent amputation compared to 8 of 48 patients in the nonfracture group (P = 0.007). Indications for amputation in fracture patients were tumor size (n = 7), neurovascular involvement (n = 6), and tumor progression during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 5). Only one patient (2.9%) in the fracture group who underwent limb salvage suffered local recurrence. Of patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 25 of 34 fracture patients showed poor histological response compared to 24 of 47 nonfracture patients (P = 0.044). There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival (P = 0.96). Functional outcomes were significantly lower in fracture patients (median = 17.5) than nonfracture patients (median = 24) (P = 0.023). Conclusions Radiographic features of pathologic fractures were highly variable in this population. Limb salvage surgery can be performed without increased risk of local recurrence. Patients with pathologic fracture suffer worse functional outcomes but no decrease in overall survival.
The optimal capacity configuration of an independent Wind/PV hybrid power supply system based on improved PSO algorithm

With the rapid development of renewable energy technique, Wind/PV hybrid power system is more economical and reliable than a single PV or wind turbine for their complementary both in time and geography. Therefore, Wind/PV hybrid power system is widely used in many area in recent years. However, with the increase of installation capacity of the Wind/PV hybrid power system, traditional capacity design by experience can not meet the accuracy and the optimization in design and operation. To deal with the problem, a comprehensive objective function model is presented which not only include the investment cost, but also the reliability and optimal operation of the system. The objective function consists of the investment of wind turbine, PV solar, storage cell and the cost of loss of power energy in the system which can be calculated by reliability. The reliability can be evaluated by the system model which made up of wind turbine model, PV solar model and storage cell model built in this paper. In these energy sources model, it is not only including the photovoltaic cells and the number of batteries, but also adding the type and number of Wind turbine as well as the inclination of photovoltaic cells, making the results of a more accurate. By transforming the investment cost and reliability into comprehensive cost, the presented multi - optimization problem transformed a single optimization problem. The solution for hybrid power system capacity optimal configuration is a classical nonlinear hybrid integer optimization problem. An improved particle swarm optimization algorithm is presented to deal with this problem. On the basis of analyzing the standard PSO algorithm, two improved strategy are applied. Firstly, a convergence factor is adopted to enhance its search efficiency; secondly, a migration operation is used to improve the algorithm's global optimal searching ability. Furthermore the improved particle swarm algorithm also integrates the standard particle swarm optimization and genetic algorithm with the advantages of higher capacity and faster global convergence of the search efficiency. The proposed algorithm is tested on one island power system and the results analysis show its feasibility and effectiveness. (7 pages)
Direct Measurement of the Effect of Cholesterol and 6-Ketocholestanol on the Membrane Dipole Electric Field Using Vibrational Stark Effect Spectroscopy Coupled with Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Biological membranes are heterogeneous structures with complex electrostatic profiles arising from lipids, sterols, membrane proteins, and water molecules. We investigated the effect of cholesterol and its derivative 6-ketocholestanol (6-kc) on membrane electrostatics by directly measuring the dipole electric field (Fd) within lipid bilayers containing cholesterol or 6-kc at concentrations of 0–40 mol% through the vibrational Stark effect (VSE). We found that adding low concentrations of cholesterol, up to ∼10 mol %, increases Fd, while adding more cholesterol up to 40 mol% lowers Fd. In contrast, we measured a monotonic increase in Fd as 6-kc concentration increased. We propose that this membrane electric field is affected by multiple factors: the polarity of the sterol molecules, the reorientation of the phospholipid dipole due to sterol, and the impact of the sterol on hydrogen bonding with surface water. We used molecular dynamics simulations to examine the distribution of phospholipids, sterol, a...
Understanding dominant factors for precipitation over the Great Lakes Region

Statistical modeling of local precipitation involves understanding local, regional and global factors informative of precipitation variability in a region. Modern machine learning methods for feature selection can potentially be explored for identifying statistically significant features from pool of potential predictors of precipitation. In this work, we consider sparse regression, which simultaneously performs feature selection and regression, followed by random permutation tests for selecting dominant factors. We consider average winter precipitation over Great Lakes Region in order to identify its dominant influencing factors. Experiments show that global climate indices, computed at different temporal lags, offer predictive information for winter precipitation. Further, among the dominant factors identified using randomized permutation tests, multiple climate indices indicate the influence of geopotential height patterns on winter precipitation. Using composite analysis, we illustrate that certain patterns are indeed typical in high and low precipitation years, and offer plausible scientific reasons for variations in precipitation. Thus, feature selection methods can be useful in identifying influential climate processes and variables, and thereby provide useful hypotheses over physical mechanisms affecting local precipitation.
A phase I dose-escalation and pharmacokinetic study of hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) carboplatin at the time of primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal carcinomas.

TPS5615 Background: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) administered at the time of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for ovarian cancer has the potential to permit immediate regional thera...
Defining Different Types of Interval Training: Do we need to use more specific terminology?

Interval training began gaining popularity in modern society throughout the mid 1900’s when track and field athletes started to incorporate them regularly into training programs. Soon after, Christensen, et al. published a study with a sample size of two concluding that “Research on intermittent work may open up a new field in work physiology”1 and in 1968 The Science of Swimming written by James Counsilman strongly advocated the use of sprints in training to optimize performance.2 This new found interest had peaked the curiosity of exercise physiologists and as a result a number of studies in the 1970’s utilized higher intensity intervals as training protocols. The consensus was that training intensity was a powerful tool to induce significant positive adaptations.3-6
Biostratigraphy and Paleobiogeography of Eocene Comatulid Crinoids From Florida

Fossil comatulid crinoids are reported herein from two localities and stratigraphic units in Florida. This paper is an interpretation of their paleobiogeographic implications and a description of their biostrati graphic distribution. The crinoid Hinierometra bassleri Gislen is present in the Lower Ocala Limestone (Eocene) in west central Florida and a second, unidentified species has been found in the Upper Ocala Limestone (Eocene) of northwestern Florida. The specimens of H. bassleri represent an addition to the geographic distribution of this genus already known from the Eocene of Louisiana and South Carolina in the Gulf and Atlantic Coastal Plains of the United States. Skeletal elements of H. bassleri examined for this study consist of centrodorsals and their associated basal rays and radial plates. The unidentified comatulid specimens from the Upper Ocala Limestone are limited to a singe centrodorsal and several brachia! plate·. Himerometra bassleri occurs with other fossils known to have Tethyan affinities, such as the mollusks Velntes at.cl Nayadina. This association, as well as thP geographic locations of other fossil and modern species of Hinierornetra, supports an interpretation that the distribution of the crinoids is related to circulation patterns of the Tethys Seaway. A paleob;ogeographic shift westward, enabled by the circum-equatorial circulation, resulted in fossil taxa preserved in Atlantic margin areas during the Paleogene; modern taxa, in contrast, have been isolated to the west in the Indo-Pacific region after closure of the Tethys Seaway.
Embodiment of Our National Commitment to Protect Human Rights or Damp Squib? An Assessment of Corporate Accountability Under the UK Government's National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights

This article examines the United Kingdom Government’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and assesses it against the yardstick of corporate accountability. Despite containing statements such as that companies should treat gross human rights violations as a ‘legal compliance issue’, the UK NAP provides few sanctions for non-compliance with human rights principles, focussing instead on soft law standards and voluntary initiatives. Having examined the content of the UK NAP, the article puts forward suggestions for how it might be improved to increase corporate accountability for human rights impacts, which it comes to be re-visited in 2015.
Circulating Thyroxine: A Major New Risk Marker for Atherosclerosis?

Thyroid dysfunction has long been known to affect certain cardiovascular conditions. Measuring thyroid function to discover occult hyperthyroidism is recommended to evaluate causal factors for new-onset atrial fibrillation.1 Similarly, thyroid function testing is advocated to exclude hypothyroidism as a secondary cause of dyslipidemia before initiating lipid-lowering therapy.2 However, the effect of thyroid hormone on atherothrombosis, the major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, remains controversial, with various studies showing no effect on cardiovascular risk,3,4 increased risk associated with low thyroid function,5,6 and greater risk associated with high thyroid function,7–9 in some cases within the reference range. Thus, whether variations in thyroid function both without and within the normal reference range can impact atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk is unresolved. Article, see p 1392 In this issue of Circulation Research , Bano et al10 examine the relationship of 3 metrics of thyroid function to 3 measures of atherosclerosis, spanning its spectrum from preclinical disease (defined by coronary artery calcification), to clinical ASCVD events, to ASCVD-related mortality. To examine this association, they turned to the well-known prospective population-based Rotterdam Cohort Study—an ongoing investigation of the determinants of chronic disease occurrence and progression in middle-aged and older adults. The Rotterdam Study enrolled its first cohort in 1989 and added a second cohort in 2000 and a third in 2006, with clinical follow-up for health outcomes every 3 to 5 years. The present study included 9420 subjects, including those seen at the third visit for cohort 1 and the first visits for cohorts 2 and 3, who had complete baseline thyroid function measurements for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and who also had complete information on ASCVD. Over a mean follow-up of 8.8 …
Alice Waters and the Edible Schoolyard: Rethinking School Lunch as Public Education

In this chapter I reframe Alice Waters’ Edible Schoolyard (ESY) Project at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California, as an innovative work not simply of commercial/school partnership, but of educational thought. Explicitly inspired by Waters’ work as a Montessori teacher and as a restaurant owner prominent in the international Slow Food Movement, ESY is constructing a new paradigm for school lunch in the present climate change era. This new paradigm renovates school lunch’s conceptual continuity with once-canonical thought about children’s schooling, in which deeply gendered foodways have been figured significantly. This theoretical inquiry on ESY concludes with a caution to those who would simply claim school gardening as a new best practice without also providing a social-ethical critique of current school lunch practices.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Baquacil® Against Salmonella sp. in the Aquatic Habitat of the Red-Eared Slider, Trachemys scripta elegans

ABSTRACT Turtle-associated salmonellosis (TAS) in humans has been a concern of public health officials since the 1960's. The rising incidence of TAS in young children during the late 1960's and early 1970's eventually led to the implementation of inter- and intrastate regulations on the sale of chelonians less than 10.2-cm in total length in the United States of America. Although attempts to eliminate Salmonella spp. in chelonians using antibiotics have been made, they have not been successful in reducing prevalence to levels that would reverse current regulations. Baquacil® is a commercial algistat and microbicide. Fifty-five red-eared slider turtles, Trachemys scripta elegans, were used to evaluate the efficacy of Baquacil® as a method to suppress Salmonella sp. in the sliders habitat. The sliders were maintained individually in plastic containers that contained either chlorinated tap water, dechlorinated tap water and 25 ppm Baquacil®, or dechlorinated tap water and 50 ppm Baquacil®. Water samples were...
Definitions and Distinctions

In this chapter, I will make an attempt to sensitise the reader to the study of subjective aspects of quality of life by making references to the concepts of happiness, positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, subjective well being, and perceived quality of life. In Chapter 2, I will use the term subjective well being to mean subjective aspects of quality of life (happiness, life satisfaction, and perceived quality of life). I will highlight certain distinctions as discussed in the literature. In Chapter 3, I will present the reader with examples of common measures of subjective well being. This coverage should provide the reader with sufficient background to follow the logic of the concepts, principles, and strategies designed to enhance subjective well being starting from Chapter 3. Readers who are only interested in understanding how those strategies may be applied to enhance subjective well being may skip chapters 1–3 and jump right into Chapter 4.
Elementary topology of E n

In this chapter we explore various ramifications of the topological notions introduced in Section 1.4. We begin with some basic properties of functions, limits, and continuity. Then we turn in Sections 2.3 and 2.4 to some properties of E n that depend essentially on the least upper bound axiom for real numbers. Among these properties are the convergence of Cauchy sequences (Theorem 2.2) and the Bolzano-Weierstrass theorem. In Section 2.6 a very general concept is introduced, that of topological space. In particular, any set S ⊂ E n becomes a topological space with the relative topology which S inherits from E n . The concepts of connected set and compact set are introduced in Sections 2.7 and 2.8. It turns out that these properties are preserved by continuous functions (Theorems 2.8 and 2.10). At the end of the chapter, the concept of metric space is introduced, and some interesting special cases are considered. Uniform convergence of a sequence of functions is studied as convergence in a certain metric on a space of bounded functions.
Critique of the Citizen Participation Movement in Education

The demand for community participation in education has resulted in many school systems adopting some form of decentralization. In many cases, this “participation” has been illusory. The decentrali...