cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NIR Fluorescent Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy with a Novel Theranostic Phospholipid Probe for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

New exogenous probes are needed for both imaging diagnostics and therapeutics. Here, we introduce a novel nanocomposite near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging probe and test its potency as a photosensitizing agent for photodynamic therapy (PDT) against triple-negative breast cancer cells. The active component in the nanocomposite is a small molecule, pyropheophorbide a-phosphatidylethanolamine-QSY21 (Pyro-PtdEtn-QSY), which is imbedded into lipid nanoparticles for transport in the body. The probe targets abnormal choline metabolism in cancer cells; specifically, the overexpression of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) in breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers. Pyro-PtdEtn-QSY consists of a NIR fluorophore and a quencher, attached to a PtdEtn moiety. It is selectively activated by PC-PLC resulting in enhanced fluorescence in cancer cells compared to normal cells. In our in vitro investigation, four breast cancer cell lines showed higher probe activation levels than noncancerous control cells, immortalized human mammary gland cells, and normal human T cells. Moreover, the ability of this nanocomposite to function as a sensitizer in PDT experiments on MDA-MB-231 cells suggests that the probe is promising as a theranostic agent.
Autograft Versus Allograft for Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

Background:Patients with recurrent lateral patellar dislocations are often treated with reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL).Purpose:To perform a systematic review to evaluat...
General Solution of the Reactor Kinetic Equations

The reactor kinetic equations are reduced to an integral form convenient for explicit numerical solution, involving no approximations beyond the usual space-independent assumption. Numerical evaluation is performed by the RTS (Reactor Transient Solution) code, written in FORTRAN II for the IBM-704 computer. The characteristic roots and residues which arise in this method of solution were computed and are tabulated for each of the main fissile species. Analvtic or point-function reactivity variation may be introduced, together with constant or time-varying reactivity compensation, and the resulting power response, total energy release, and compensated reactivity computed precisely as functions of time. The code solves the general non-equilibrium kinetics problem with extraneous sources, the customary equilibrium solution being a special case of the general solution. Practical use of the method is demonstrated through computed response curves for representative reactivity-addition functions in various types of chainreacting systems. (auth)
Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agroecosystems of India

Soils of agroecosystems of India are degraded, depleted and severely devoid of the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool which is often <1 g kg−1 or barely 10 to 15 Mg C ha−1 to 40 cm depth. Thus, crop yields are low, water and air resources are polluted, and the overall environment is degraded. Indeed, environmental sustainability in India remains a major issue to be addressed. Concentration of SOC is a strong determinant of soil quality. Furthermore, quality of soil also impacts those of plants and animals, and thus, health of human population. Restoration of SOC pool to above the threshold level of 10 to 15 g kg−1 in the root zone is essential to advancing food and nutritional security, achieving climate change adaptation and mitigation, improving water quality and renewability, increasing biodiversity, and alleviating poverty by increasing productivity. Among causes of the severe depletion of SOC pool are extractive farming practices of residue removal, indiscriminate plowing, excessive irrigation by flooding, none or unbalanced application of fertilizers, and use of dung as a household fuel rather than manure. Uncontrolled grazing and shifting cultivation also contribute to soil degradation. The extent and severity of degradation are exacerbated by accelerated erosion by water and wind, salinization, acidification, elemental imbalance, and anerobiosis. Thus, soil degradation trends must be reversed by improving SOC concentration through creation of a positive soil/ecosystem C budget. Among best management practices (BMPs) are afforestation and reforestation of hill slopes and agriculturally marginal lands. Establishment of plantations and agroforestry systems is another option. Some BMPs for cropland, essential to improving SOC pool and advancing food security, are conservation agriculture, integrated nutrient management, and crop diversification especially of the rice-wheat system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Policy interventions are needed to promote the adoption of BMPs through payments for ecosystems services. Improved governance and strong political will power are essential to revolutionizing the stagnating Indian agriculture.
Prepubertal Testicular Teratomas and Epidermoid Cysts: Comparison of Clinical and Sonographic Features.

Objectives To evaluate clinical and sonographic features of testicular teratomas and epidermoid cysts in children and to assess differential points of immature teratomas from benign counterparts. Methods We retrospectively reviewed testicular teratomas and epidermoid cysts in children. Age at surgery, α-fetoprotein (AFP) level, and sonographic findings, including components (mainly cystic, mainly solid, or mixed), presence of calcification, and size, were reviewed. Results Nineteen cases were included, with 10 mature teratomas, 3 immature teratomas, and 6 epidermoid cysts. On sonography, most of the teratomas (n = 9) had mixed components, with 2 mainly cystic and 2 mainly solid lesions. The 2 mainly cystic teratomas underwent follow-up sonography and showed component changes to mainly solid. Compared to epidermoid cysts, teratomas were larger (P = .029) with less cystic components (P = .046). All 3 immature teratomas showed mixed components with calcification. In differentiating immature from benign teratomas, immature teratomas were larger (P= .047) in younger children (P= .008) with higher AFP levels (P= .023). The optimal cutoff values for diagnosing immature teratomas were 8 months of age, 23 ng/mL in AFP level, and 2.5 cm in size, with 100% sensitivity and 89.5% accuracy rates. However, sonographic features, including tumor components and presence of calcification, were not helpful for differentiating immature teratomas. Conclusions Testicular masses in children younger than 8 months with AFP levels higher than 23 ng/mL and size larger than 2.5 cm need to be considered for orchiectomy rather than testis-sparing tumorectomy because of the increased frequency of immature teratomas versus mature teratomas or epidermoid cysts.
Purpose as a moral virtue for flourishing

Positive psychology has significantly influenced studies in the fields of moral philosophy, psychology and education, and scholars in those fields have attempted to apply its ideas and methods to moral education. Among various theoretical frameworks, virtue ethics is most likely to connect positive psychology to moral educational studies because it pursues eudaimonia (flourishing). However, some virtue ethicists have been concerned about whether the current mainstream concept of positive psychology can apply directly to moral education because it focuses on subjective aspects of happiness, but not its objective and moral aspects. Thus, I will consider whether the concept of purpose, which was investigated recently by a group of psychologists and emphasizes both subjective and objective aspects of happiness, can address this issue. I will examine whether purpose is a moral virtue contributing to flourishing, consider if its nature is possibly a second-order virtue and whether it is distinguishable from oth...
The Twenty-First Amendment, Granholm and the Future of the Three-Tier System

Given the importance of wine today and the questions left unanswered in Granholm, it is all too likely that the Court will once again be called upon to decide the future of the wine industry. This paper examines the historical, legal, and corporate structure of the wine industry in the United States, arguing that, post-Granholm, courts will continue to invalidate state alcohol statutes that discriminate against out-of-state businesses. This paper also discusses how states will likely respond to Granholm's application on various other alcohol regulations concerning wineries, retailers and distributors. Furthermore, this paper argues that the potential invalidation of state statutes prohibiting retailers from purchasing wine from out-of-state distributors will fundamentally alter the balance of power within the wine industry resulting in the demise of many wineries, a reduction in consumer choice and the permanent alteration of the business fundamentals of the wine industry.
FOBS: A lightweight communication protocol for grid computing

In this paper, we discuss our work on developing an efficient, lightweight application-level communication protocol for the high-bandwidth, high-delay network environments typical of computational grids. The goal of this research is to provide congestion-control algorithms that allow the protocol to obtain a large percentage of the underlying bandwidth when it is available, and to be responsive (and eventually proactive) to developing contention for system resources. Towards this end, we develop and evaluate two application-level congestion-control algorithms, one of which incorporates historical knowledge and one that only uses current information. We compare the performance of these two algorithms with respect to each other and with respect to TCP.
A parallel neural network computing for the maximum clique problem

A novel computational model for large-scale maximum clique problems is proposed and tested. The maximum clique problem is first formulated as an unconstrained quadratic zero-one programming and it is solved by minimizing the weight summation over the same partition in a newly constructed graph. The proposed maximum neural network has the following advantages: (1) coefficient-parameter tuning in the motion equation is not required in the maximum neural network while the conventional neural networks suffer from it; (2) the equilibrium state of the maximum neural network is clearly defined in order to terminate the algorithm, while the existing neural networks do not have the clear definition; and (3) the maximum neural network always allows the state of the system to converge to the feasible solution, while the existing neural networks cannot guarantee it. The proposed parallel algorithm for large-size problems outperforms the best known algorithms in terms of computation time with much the same solution quality where the conventional branch-and-bound method cannot be used due to the exponentially increasing computation time. >
The Effect of Insomnia Definitions, Terminology, and Classifications on Clinical Practice

There is a need for newer, more clinically useful classifications for insomnia. Identification of specific subtypes of insomnia helps anchor research, allows for prediction of prognosis/course of the condition, and may allow for individualization of treatment. Existing classifications differ, and many terms remain inadequately defined, which leads to diagnostic confusion. Historically, insomnia has been classified according to symptom type, symptom duration, and underlying cause, but these classifications have not been based on evidence of their utility, and newer research suggests the need for change. Symptoms may include difficulty falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, and not feeling restored by sleep, although it has not been clear that it is possible to identify distinct subtypes of patients by symptom or that distinguishing symptom type affects the course of clinical treatment. Classification of insomnia by duration most commonly involves three categories: transient (no more than a few days), short-term (up to 3 weeks), and long-term (more than 3 weeks). This categorization is of uncertain utility and has been primarily based on nonempiric concerns about treatment with sedative-hypnotic medications for periods longer than several weeks. The subtyping of insomnia in terms of whether there is an identifiable underlying cause such as a psychiatric or medical illness was based on an unproven assumption that in most instances other disorders caused insomnia. Recent studies suggest the need to revisit these classification strategies. Evidence that symptom types typically overlap and change over time complicates the categorization of subjects by whether they have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep or have nonrestorative sleep. New studies of the treatment of chronic insomnia change the perspective on duration of treatment and, as a result, classification of duration of disease. Two studies of nightly pharmacotherapy for insomnia including more than 800 insomnia patients have not identified any increase in the risks after 3 to 4 weeks of treatment. In addition, nonpharmacological treatments demonstrate long-lasting efficacy in patients with chronic insomnia, and the development of abbreviated cognitive-behavioral therapies, which are particularly well suited to primary care practice, have improved their applicability. Newer studies of the relationships between insomnia and associated medical and psychiatric conditions undermine the notion that insomnia is always a symptom and caused by an underlying condition. They suggest that, although it is important to identify and treat these conditions, this may not be sufficient to alleviate the insomnia, which may adversely affect the course of the associated disorder. As a result, treatment targeted specifically to the insomnia should be considered. All of these developments point to an increasing ability to tailor therapy to the particular needs of patients and to optimize the clinical management of insomnia.
On Takeover Law and Regulatory Competition

This article defends, and further develops, our earlier work on regulatory competition and takeover law. We have argued that competition for corporate charters provides incentives to states to protect incumbent managers from hostile takeovers, and that the empirical evidence is consistent with this account. To improve the performance of regulatory competition, we have put forward the possibility of choice-enhancing federal intervention; such intervention would expand shareholder choice, and encourage states to become more attentive to shareholder interests, without imposing any mandatory arrangements. Replying to Jonathan Macey's response to our work in this issue of the Business Lawyer, we show that none of his claims weakens our analysis.The earlier work which we defend and develop in this paper is "A New Approach to Takeover Law and Regulatory Competition," 87 Virginia Law Review 111-164 (2001). In a related piece ("Federal Intervention to Enhance Shareholder Choice," 87 Virginia Law Review 993-1006 (2001)), we reply to a critique of our work by Steve Choi and Andrew Guzman.
Relativistic effects and angular dependence in the reaction p ¯ p → π − π +

We present a fit to the low energy antiproton ring at CERN data on $\overline{p}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ differential cross sections and analyzing powers motivated by relativistic considerations. Within a quark model describing this annihilation, we argue, since the pions are highly energetic, that relativistic effects cannot be neglected. The intrinsic pion wave functions are Lorentz transformed to the center-of-mass frame. This change in quark geometry gives rise to additional angular dependence in the transition operators and results in a relative enhancement of higher $J\ensuremath{\geqslant}2$ partial wave amplitudes. The fit to the data is improved significantly.
How Hispanic Patients Address Ambiguous versus Unambiguous Bias in the Doctor's Office.

A great deal of research in psychology has examined the effectiveness of strategies aimed at reducing stereotyping and prejudice, but very little of this work has examined which strategies targets of prejudice choose to use to decrease others’ biases. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which stigmatized targets can effectively address and attenuate stereotyping and prejudice, it is necessary to first understand when stigmatized targets are likely to implement specific bias reduction strategies. The present work extends research on bias reduction by exploring the strategies that minority group members choose to implement during interactions with out-group members who either have or have not demonstrated explicit stereotyping of their group. This research explores Hispanic individuals’ preferences for using bias reduction strategies in one domain where racial and ethnic minorities are particularly likely to face disparate treatment compared with Whites—the healthcare system. Hispanics often report feeling that their healthcare providers are prejudiced (Casagrande, Gary, LaVeist, Gaskin, & Cooper, 2007; Livingston, Minushkin, & Cohn, 2008), and they are typically less satisfied than are Whites with the healthcare they receive (Ku & Waidmann, 2003). Further, research suggests that doctors and other healthcare providers behave differently during interactions with Hispanic patients compared with White patients. For example, providers often neglect to address important information about behaviors crucial to long-term health, such as smoking cessation (Lopez-Quintero, Crum, & Neumark, 2006; National Healthcare Disparities Report, 2008), regular cancer screening (Mead, Cartwright-Smith, Jones, Ramos, Woods, & Siegel, 2006), and weight loss (National Healthcare Disparities Report, 2008). In order to reduce racial disparities in health outcomes, it is crucial to document the behaviors that both healthcare professionals and minority patients can implement to lessen the effects of bias on providers’ decision making. Although minority patients should not be burdened by having to reduce the biases of healthcare providers, they are often in the best position to observe bias directed at them and their group in a healthcare setting. The present work explores the strategies that Hispanic individuals wish to use during first-time interactions with a doctor who either has or has not indicated that he holds negative stereotypes about Hispanic patients.
Commensal Bacteria Lipoteichoic Acid Increases Skin Mast Cell Antimicrobial Activity against Vaccinia Viruses

Mast cells (MCs) are considered sentinels in the skin and mucosa. Their ability to release antimicrobial peptides, such as cathelicidin, protects against bacterial infections when the epithelial barrier is breached. We recently described that MCs defend against bacterial and viral infections through the release of cathelicidin during degranulation. In this study, we hypothesize that cathelicidin expression is induced in MCs by the activation of TLR2 from bacterial products (lipoteichoic acid) produced by commensal bacteria at the epithelial surface. Our research shows that signaling through TLR2 increases the production and expression of cathelicidin in mast cells, thereby enhancing their capacity to fight vaccinia virus. MCs deficient in cathelicidin were less efficient in killing vaccinia virus after lipoteichoic acid stimulation than wild-type cells. Moreover, the activation of TLR2 increases the MC recruitment at the skin barrier interface. Taken together, our findings reveal that the expression and control of antimicrobial peptides and TLR signaling on MCs are key in fighting viral infection. Our findings also provide new insights into the pathogenesis of skin infections and suggest potential roles for MCs and TLR2 ligands in antiviral therapy.
Work stress and musculoskeletal disorder etiology: The relative roles of psychosocial and physical risk factors

The intense battles preceding the recent promulgation of OSHA's Ergonomics Program Standard serve as a case study demonstrating the growing understanding that MSD causation, development, and exacerbation are the result of the combined contribution of (and possibly interaction between) a wide range of biomechanical and psychosocial stressors. The best designed studies, those that adequately measure both biomechanical and psychosocial exposures, strongly support this hypothesis. Work stress is one of the results of this stressor combination and is part of the physiological pathway to MSDs and a wide range of other occupational diseases. Prevention efforts geared to a single or single class of exposure may be only partly effective, ineffective, or even counter productive. The most effective control strategies are rooted in on-going, participatory ergonomics programs, incorporating a joint labor/management ergonomic team; this blueprint for intervention necessarily addresses the roots of both physical and psychosocial work stress experienced by workers.
Does formal authority still matter in the age of wisdom of crowds?: perceived credibility, peer and professor endorsement in relation to college students' Wikipedia use for academic purposes

This study explores whether or not formal authority still matters for college students using Wikipedia by examining the variables of individual perceived credibility, peer endorsement and professor endorsement in relation to students' academic use of Wikipedia. A web survey was used to collected data in fall 2011. A total of 142 students participated in the study, of which a total of 123 surveys were useable for this study. The findings show that the more professors approved of Wikipedia, the more students used it for academic purposes. In addition, the more students perceived Wikipedia as credible, the more they used it for academic purposes. The results indicate that formal authority still influences students' use of user-generated content (UGC) in their formal domain, academic work. The results can be applicable to other UGC, which calls attention to educators' active intervention to appropriate academic use of UGC. Professors' guidelines for UGC would benefit students.
Hydrogen production using fusion energy and thermochemical cycles

Abstract Thermochemical cycles for the production of synthetic fuels would be especially suited for operation in conjunction with controlled thermonuclear fusion reactors because of very high temperature energy which such reactors could supply. Furthermore, fusion energy when developed is considered to be an inexhaustible supply of energy. Several high-temperature, two step thermochemical cycles for the production of hydrogen are examined. A thermodynamic analysis of the Fe 3 O 4 -FeO, CrCl 3 -CrCl 2 , and UCl 4 -UCl 3 pairs reveals the feasibility of the processes. A more detailed process analysis is given for the Fe 3 O 4 -FeO system using steam as the heat transfer medium for decomposing the higher valent metal oxide for oxygen production, and hydrolyzing the lower oxide for hydrogen production. The steam could be heated to high temperatures by refractory materials absorbing the 14 MeV neutrons in the blanket region of a fusion reactor. Process heat transfer and recovery could be accomplished by regenerative reactors. Proposed operating conditions, the energy balance, and the energy efficiency of water decomposition process are presented. With a fusion blanket temperature of 2500 K, thermal efficiencies for hydrogen production (HHV) of 74.4% may be obtained.
Preparation, characterization, and X-ray crystal structures of helical and syndiotactic zinc-based coordination polymers.

The reactions of (facac)2Zn·2H2O (facac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate) with 2,5-bis(4-ethynylpyridyl)furan (1) and 1,2-bis(4-ethynylpyridyl)benzene (2) yield, upon crystallization, coordination polymers. The former polymer, {(facac)2Zn·1}n, has an isotactic, helical structure in the solid state [monoclinic space group P21/n; a = 11.0374(3) A, b = 24.2179(10) A, c = 14.3970(4) A, β = 92.880(2)°; Z = 4]. The latter polymer, {(facac)2Zn·2}n, adopts a syndiotactic structure in the solid state [monoclinic space group P21/n; a = 9.1344(1) A, b = 21.7985(5) A, c = 16.0322(4) A, β = 99.6680(11)°; Z = 4]. The solution structures of the corresponding oligomers have been studied by low-temperature 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopy. Chiral polymers were prepared using the fragment [(+)-tfc]2Zn ((+)-tfc = 3-((trifluoromethyl)hydroxymethylene)-(+)-camphorate). A linear, zigzag structure was found for {[(+)-tfc]2Zn·1}n [triclinic space group P1; a = 7.4833(2) A, b = 14.1563(5) A, c = 21.21230(5) A, α = 78.4440(15)°,...
Defect Interactions of ${\hbox{H}}_{2}$ in ${\hbox{SiO}}_{2}$ : Implications for ELDRS and Latent Interface Trap Buildup

The energetics of the interactions between molecular hydrogen and common defects in SiO2 that are typically associated with O deficiency have been obtained using atomic-scale quantum mechanical calculations. H2 does not easily crack at neutral vacancies, but it will crack efficiently at O vacancy sites that have captured a hole and relaxed into the puckered configuration of an Eγ' defect, releasing a proton into the oxide. Isolated Si dangling bonds also can play a role in cracking H2, depending on their concentration in the oxides. These results provide significant insight into the underlying causes of latent interface trap buildup in MOS devices and enhanced low-dose-rate sensitivity in linear bipolar devices.
Bis-aryldiazo complexes of manganese

The first bis-aryldiazo complexes containing manganese of the type MnX(N2Ph)2(PPh3)2 and Mn(CO)(N2Ph)2(PPh3)2+PF6− have been prepared from Mn(CO)2(N2Ph)(PPh3)2 (X  Cl, Br, NCO). In addition, the mixed aryldiazonitrosyl analogues and the dinitrosyl analogues have been prepared in order to compare their spectroscopic properties with the bis-aryldiazo complexes. The preparation of the rhenium complex Re(CO)2(N2Ph)(PPh3)2 is also reported.
Complexes of Groups

Complexes of groups are higher-dimensional analogues of graphs of groups. Triangles of groups are a special class of 2-complexes of groups. Results of Bass-Serre and Gersten-Stallings are generalized to complexes of groups
The function of invariant chain in class II-restricted antigen presentation

The role of invariant chain (Ii) in antigen presentation has been studied using two independent approaches. The first was to reconstitute cell lines with class II molecules and various forms of the Ii; the second has been to generate mice that lack functional expression of the Ii gene (Ii.). Both types of studies show that Ii facilitates assembly of class II molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), chaperones or retains properly folded class II complexes through endosomal compartments, and finally, serves as a T-cell ligand. How Ii facilitates assembly of antigenic class II-peptide complexes is less clear and seems to depend on a number of factors reviewed here: the antigen and epitope studied; the route and dose by which antigen is administered; the form of Ii present; and the responding T cell used in the experiment. During assembly of the class II-peptide complex, Ii may facilitate this process in a number of ways: specifically, by increasing the amount of class II available in endosomal vesicles; changing access or retention of class II molecules in the endosomal pathway; facilitating peptide exchange during CLIP dissociation, or finally, by modulating the antigen processing environment in the cell. In summary, we propose that instead of playing just one role in assembling the class II-peptide complex, Ii may perform all of the above described activities, functioning in different capacities along the pathway of antigen presentation.
Low-coverage polyomino adsorption isotherm

Abstract A new low-coverage (up to 10% of monolayer) adsorption isotherm is developed from a statistical thermodynamic derivation. This low-coverage polyomino (LCP) isotherm is similar to the two-dimensional van der Waals (VDW) isotherm. However, in the VDW isotherm the lateral interaction term has a linear dependence on the surface coverage, θ; whereas, in the LCP isotherm higher order terms are present. The effect of these additional θ terms on the isotherm is shown. The LCP model takes into account the structure and distribution of random adatom clusters formed on the surface. The LCP isotherm is based on separating the canonical partition function for the lattice gas into molecular partition functions which are classified according to the number of nearest neighbors surrounding an adatom. This partition scheme depends on information obtained from percolation theory on the sizes and shapes of adatom clusters (polyominoes) as a function of surface coverage on a triangular lattice.
Planning and coordination of production and distribution facilities for multiple commodities

Abstract We study an integrated logistics model for locating production and distribution facilities in a multi-echelon environment. Designing such logistics systems requires two essential decisions, one strategic (e.g., where to locate plants and warehouses) and the other operational (distribution strategy from plants to customer outlets through warehouses). The distribution strategy is influenced by the product mix at each plant, the shipments of raw material from vendors to manufacturing plants and the distribution of finished products from the plants to the different customer zones through a set of warehouses. First we provide a mixed integer programming formulation to the integrated model. Then, we present an efficient heuristic solution procedure that utilizes the solution generated from a Lagrangian relaxation of the problem. We use this heuristic procedure to evaluate the performance of the model with respect to solution quality and algorithm performance. Results of extensive tests on the solution procedure indicate that the solution method is both efficient and effective. Finally a `real-world' example is solved to explore the implications of the model.
Current and past roles of the statistician in space applications

The paper contains a brief and informal history of space science topics which led to statistical consulting. The past and current roles of the statistician in space science is discussed and this special issue is prefaced by describing generally the contents of the issue. Several statistical problems associated with the space scientists’ efforts to develop instrumentation and space vehicles for both manned and unmanned space missions are discussed as well as those problems associated with developing a space laboratory. The current tasks of developing remote sensors to make earth observations for monitoring earth resources and the associated statistical problems are also discussed. These latter activities are those that have motivated this special issue.
Growth and Growth Hormone Treatment in Children with Chronic Diseases

Growth hormone has been available for treatment of various conditions for over 50 years. There have been a number of chronic disease states in which it has been used, such as chronic kidney disease, which became a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved indication in 1993. For other chronic disease states there have been clinical studies supporting its use, but they have not yet been approved as a indications by the FDA. Examples of such diseases are cystic fibrosis, chronic arthritis, short bowel syndrome, burn trauma, and hypophosphatemic rickets.
Extreme big data processing in large-scale graph analytics and billion-scale social simulation

This paper introduces some of the example applications handling extremely big data with supercomputers such as large-scale network analysis, X10-based large-scale graph analytics library, Graph500 benchmark, and billion-scale social simulation.
Intraoperative T staging in radical retropubic prostatectomy: is it reliable?

Abstract Objectives. During radical prostatectomy, wide local excision of the lateral prostatic fascia and neurovascular bundle on the ipsilateral side of the tumor is advocated if nerve sparing is likely to result in a positive surgical margin. Our intent was to validate whether intraoperative T staging can predict the presence of positive surgical margins and aid in the decision of whether to perform nerve-sparing prostatectomy. Methods. One surgeon performed 100 consecutive radical prostatectomies, and one pathologist interpreted the pathologic findings. Topographic distribution of tumor within the specimen was assessed intraoperatively by palpation. The margin status was similarly assessed. This tactile clinical impression was compared with the final pathologic findings. Results. The surgical margins were positive in 39 (39%) of 100 cases. The intraoperative assessment of the margin status had a high false-negative rate and a sensitivity of only 7%. However, the specificity was 96%, because few margins were falsely positive. The overall accuracy was 62%, with a negative predictive value of 62%. The sensitivity of the intraoperative assessment of tumor location was 73%, and the positive predictive value was 65%. Conclusions. The results of our study indicate that the intraoperative assessment of the margin status is not accurate and thus cannot help determine which patients require excision of the neurovascular bundle. We believe the decision to preserve the neurovascular bundle should be based on the preoperative prognostic factors and the presence of an intact capsule covering the region of the gland adjacent to this structure.
Exact repair problems with multiple sources

We consider a new variant of the exact repair distributed storage problem, the multi-source exact repair problem, wherein the reconstruction decoders are each only required to provide a subset of the source variables. To best illustrate the idea, we generalize the (n, k, d) = (3, 2, 2) exact repair distributed storage problem to the multisource case. When every decoder demands all source variables, the rate region of the (3, 2, 2) exact repair problem is known to be same as that of the (3, 2, 2) functional repair problem, while the rate region for (3, 2, 2) case with multiple sources is unknown. We find achievable rate regions for vector binary and scalar binary codes via an automated approach.
Root resorption following periodontal flap procedures in monkeys

The effect of a periodontal flap procedure, that included citric acid root conditioning and closure of the wounds by suturing of coronally elongated flaps, was studied in mandibular premolars and molars in monkeys. Three months in advance, to prepare for this regenerative procedure, every other tooth in the mandibular posterior segments was extracted and the alveolar bone level reduced to a level approximately 5 mm apical to the cemento-enamel junction around the remaining teeth. Histologic observations of biopsies removed 6 months after the regenerative surgery disclosed resorption of the treated root surfaces in the majority of specimens. Citric acid treatment of the root surfaces cannot have been primarily responsible for the resorption, as control surfaces, on which acid was not used, also displayed resorption. Resorption occurred most commonly on surfaces in which the junctional epithelium showed limited apical migration and was located 2 mm or more coronal to the apical extent of root planing.
The permanent income hypothesis and the real interest rate

Abstract A test of the permanent income hypothesis that allows a variable and uncertain real interest rate is derived. Using quarterly post-war U.S. data, the permanent income hypothesis is rejected.
Low temperature chemical vapor deposition of TaB2

Abstract Crystalline TaB 2 was deposited using the chemical vapor deposition reaction of TaCl 5 and B 2 H 6 in the temperature range 773–1200 K. Thermodynamic calculations were made which compared the use of both B 2 H 6 and BCl 3 as boron source gases. The deposits obtained with B 2 H 6 had an extremely small crystal size and contained amorphous boron when the deposition temperature was below approximately 873 K but were substoichiometric in boron above this temperature. Carbon analysis indicated that carbon may be substituting for boron and thereby stabilizing the diboride structure at high deposition temperatures. The microhardness of the coatings decreased with increasing atomic ratio of boron to tantalum and decreasing crystal size.
Redefining web browser principals with a Configurable Origin Policy

With the advent of Web 2.0, web developers have designed multiple additions to break SOP boundary, such as splitting and combining traditional web browser protection boundaries (security principals). However, these newly generated principals lack a new label to represent its security property. To address the inconsistent label problem, this paper proposes a new way to define a security principal and its labels in the browser. In particular, we propose a Configurable Origin Policy (COP), in which a browser's security principal is defined by a configurable ID rather than a fixed triple . The server-side and client-side code of a web application can create, join, and destroy its own principals. We perform a formal security analysis on COP to ensure session integrity. Then we also show that COP is compatible with legacy web sites, and those sites utilizing COP are also compatible with legacy browsers.
On Scope Relations between Quantifiers and Epistemic Modals

This article presents and discusses a range of counterexamples to the common view that quantifiers cannot take scope over epistemic modals. Some of the counterexamples raise problems for ‘force modifier’ theories of epistemic modals. Some of the counterexamples raise problems for Robert Stalnaker's theory of counterfactuals, according to which a special kind of epistemic modal must be able to scope over a whole counterfactual. Finally, some of the counterexamples suggest that David Lewis must countenance ‘would’ counterfactuals in which a covert ‘would’ scopes over the whole consequent of the counterfactual, including an overt ‘might’.
Thermodynamic Study of the Overall Performance of an Air-Turbine Steam-Turbine Combined-Cycle Power Plant Based on First-Law as Well as Second-Law Analysis

The overall performance of an air-turbine steam-turbine combined-cycle power plant that is similar to a recent invention has been studied based on first-law as well as second-law analysis. It has been shown that the prerequisite for such a power plant to achieve a high overall performance is an air-turbine air-heater system having a high second-law efficiency which is not sensitive to the compressor compression ratio of the air-turbine cycle. For optimum performance, a moderate cycle pressure ratio (say 8 to 14) may be used for TIT of 1700°F (926.7°C).Copyright © 1991 by ASME
Surface-charge induced failures observed on MOS integrated circuits

Abstract Surface-charge induced failures have been observed on p-channel MOS devices with either n+ channel stops or thick field oxide, where these failures would not normally be expected to occur. This paper describes the tests that were performed to determine the characteristics of the failure, to locate the failure within the active channel region of the device, and finally to identify the cause of the failure. It is shown that the surface-charge induced failures are caused by small open areas in the gate aluminum.
(2 + 1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization studies of the CH D 2Π (ν=2) state

Abstract (2 + 1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization studies are performed on the D 2 Π(ν=2) state of CH. Anomalous line intensities are shown to be due to an accidental near resonance with the C 2 Σ + state at the one-photon level. The sudden onset of predissociation for N ⩾ 12 of this level is investigated and is attributed to complex interactions among three 2 Π states in this energy region.
Centrifugal casting of ceramics and the properties of the castings

It was established that the circumferential velocity maintained during the centrifugal casting process has a significant effect on the porosity of the castings. The effect of the rheological behavior of the original HCBS is also significant.
Wound ballistics: Recognizing wound potential. Part 1: Characteristics of missiles and weapons

In the United States the number of firearm-related deaths in 1989 was almost equal to the number of motor vehicle-related deaths. Trauma nurses could not imagine themselves caring for motor vehicle crash victims without any understanding of speed, vehicle damage, or collision angles. Gunshot wounds are becoming nearly as frequent as motor vehicle crashes, but the mechanism of injury for a gunshot wound is not as widely understood. This article explains the basics of wound ballistics, emergent care of the gunshot wound victim, and medicolegal concerns for the trauma nurse.
Limitations in circularly polarized planar arrays from individual element cross polarization levels

Impact of the cross-polarization of a large circularly polarized (CP) square scanning array arising from the cross polarization performance of a CP microstrip antenna element is investigated. Techniques and limitations of rotational layout and sequential phase feeds for cross-polarization reductions are presented for uniformly aligned and staggered square arrays.
Parity-violating effects in the 6Li(α, γ)10B capture reaction via the 5.1 MeV doublet resonance

Abstract Strengths and mixing ratios of γ-transitions from the parity-mixed 5.112 and 5.166 MeV levels in 10 B following α-capture resonances at E α = 1.085 and 1.175 MeV have been measured using a Ge(Li) detector. The E2/M2 admixture to M1/E1 has been found to be small for most of the strong transitions. Estimations of the magnitude of longitudinal vector analyzing power A γ 2 and circular polarization P γ for some strong radiative transitions have been made using the Kurath and Teeters' value of the parity-mixing matrix element for the 6 Li(α, γ) 10 B capture resonance, predicted on the basis of the Weinberg-Salam model. A strong effect on P γ ( θ ) arising from the interference of partial waves of opposite parity in the capture channel has been located for some strong transitions.
Randomized study of intravenous/oral ciprofloxacin versus ceftazidime in the treatment of hospital and nursing home patients with lower respiratory tract infections.

Abstract This study determined the efficacy of intravenous ciprofloxacin in the treatment of institutionalized patients with lower respiratory tract infections. Hospitalized adults with hospital/nursing home-acquired pneumonia were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous ciprofloxacin or ceftazidime. When deemed feasible, therapy was changed to oral ciprofloxacin for patients who received ciprofloxacin intravenously or to any alternative oral therapy for patients who received ceftazidime. All 23 patients who received ciprofloxacin had a favorable response versus 15 of 21 patients who received ceftazidime (p
Abstract 1080: Effect of IGF2 overexpression on the tumorigenicity of human ovarian carcinoma cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Introduction High Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) tumor expression correlates with reduced disease-free survival in epithelial ovarian tumors. IGF2 mRNA is also upregulated after Taxol treatment of ovarian cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of IGF2 overexpression on the tumorigenicity of human ovarian cancer cells. Methods HEY cells were stably transfected using lentiviral particles with IGF2 or no insert (EV) constructs. qPCR and ELISA were performed to measure the IGF2 mRNA and secreted protein expression levels, respectively. Signaling pathways were probed by immunoblotting. Tumorigenicity was evaluated in athymic nude mice by subcutaneous injection of serial cell dilutions with matrigel, followed by monitoring of in vivo tumor growth by caliper measurements. qPCR for IGF2 mRNA and immunohistochemistry for Ki67 were performed on the excised tumors. Results The IGF2 mRNA level was 4679 ±176 fold-change higher in HEY-IGF2 cells relative to HEY-EV cells (P<0.0001). The amount of IGF2 protein secreted in 48 h was 5159 ng/100,000 HEY-IGF2 cells (51.6 pg/cell), and undetectable in the media of HEY-EV cells. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the IGF1-receptor was increased 13-fold in HEY-IGF2 cells. In vitro, dependency on the IGF1-receptor signaling was unaltered, as IGF2 overexpressing cells responded similarly to the IGF1-receptor inhibitor NVP-AEW541 compared to HEY-EV cells. Following an injection of one million cells with matrigel, the mean tumor volume of xenografts after 4 weeks was 1608 ±330 mm3 versus 705 ±95 mm3 for HEY-IGF2 and HEY-EV xenografts, respectively (P=0.04, N=6 per group). Immunohistochemistry for Ki67 showed a significantly higher percentage of stained nuclei in HEY-IGF2 tumors than in HEY-EV tumors (P=0.04, N=3 per group). Discussion Stable overexpression of IGF2 in HEY ovarian cancer cells resulted in an increased xenograft growth rate. Further evaluation is underway to fully characterize the mechanisms by which IGF2 overexpression promotes tumor growth. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1080. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1080
Visual and Cognitive Predictors of Visual Enhancement in Noisy Listening Conditions

Researchers have demonstrated that visual and auditory cues interact, improving speech intelligibility under noisy listening conditions. For instance, recent findings demonstrated that simulated cataracts hinder the ability of listeners to utilize visual cues to understand (i.e., speechread) televised speech sentences. The purpose of this study was to determine which measures of visual, auditory, and cognitive performance predicted participants’ ability to speechread televised spoken messages in the presence of background babble. Specifically, 30 young adults with normal visual acuity and hearing sensitivity completed a battery of visual, auditory, and cognitive assessments. Speech intelligibility was tested under two conditions: auditory-only with no visual input and auditory-visual with normal viewing. Speech intelligibility scores were used to calculate average visual enhancement, or the average benefit participants gained from viewing visual information in addition to auditory information. Regression ...
The cosmos of the Paris apartment: working-class family life in the nineteenth century.

Drawing on Bachelard’s notion of “cosmicity” this article investigates the living conditions of Parisian working-class families in the second half of the nineteenth century. Nineteenth-century social critics claimed that the lack of privacy in urban apartments made decent family life impossible. However, evidence from judicial dossiers concerning attentat a la pudeur (intimate assault against children) illuminates the lived experience of children and their families in Paris apartments. Rather than a sharp divide between public and private, children experienced their apartment homes as the core of a social and spatial world under the surveillance of parents, neighbors, and other children.