cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potential induced degradation of pre-stressed photovoltaic modules: Effect of glass surface conductivity disruption

Potential induced degradation (PID) due to high system voltages is considered as one of the possible degradation mechanisms of PV modules in the field. In the previous studies carried out at ASU-PRL, the surface conductivity of the entire glass was obtained using either conductive carbon layer (covering the entire glass surface and extending it to the frame) or humidity inside an environmental chamber. This study investigates the influence of disruption of glass surface conductivity on the PID. In this study, the conductive carbon layer was applied on the module's glass surface but without extending it to the frame and hence the surface conductivity was disrupted (no carbon layer) at 2 cm distance from the periphery of frame's inner edges. This study was carried out on the modules of different manufacturers under dry heat conditions at multiple stress temperatures and voltages. To replicate closeness to the field-aged modules, half of the selected modules for the PID investigation were pre-stressed under damp heat for 1000 hours and the other half under thermal cycling for 200 cycles. When the surface continuity was disrupted, the degradation was found to be absent or negligibly small even after 35 hours of negative bias at elevated temperatures. This preliminary study appears to indicate that the modules could become immune to PID losses if the continuity of the glass surface conductivity is disrupted at the inside boundary of the frame. The surface conductivity of the glass, due to water layer formation in a humid condition, close to the frame could be disrupted just by applying a transparent hydrophobic layer near the inner edges of the frame or by attaching the frameless laminate with the conductivity disrupting mounting methods such as glue-on rail on the backsheet.
Tumor morphological evolution: directed migration and gain and loss of the self-metastatic phenotype.

Aside from the stepwise genetic alterations known to underlie cancer cell creation, the microenvironment is known to profoundly influence subsequent tumor development, morphology and metastasis. Invasive cluster formation has been assumed to be dependent on directed migration and a heterogeneous environment - a conclusion derived from complex models of tumor-environment interaction. At the same time, these models have not included the prospect, now supported by a preponderance of evidence, that only a minority of cancer cells may have stem cell capacity. This proves to weigh heavily on the microenvironmental requirements for the display of characteristic tumor growth phenotypes. We show using agent-based modeling that some defining features of tumor growth ascribed to directed migration might also be realized under random migration, and discuss broader implications for cause-and-effect determination in general. Considering only the properties of random migration in tumors composed of stem cells and committed cells, we are able to recapitulate a characteristic clustering feature of invasive tumor growth, a property we attribute to "self-metastatic" growth. When the additional influence of directed migrations under chemotactic environments are considered, we find that tumor growth and invasive morphology are supported while the tumor is distant from the source, but are progressively discouraged as the tumor converges about that source. We show that invasive clustering can derive from basic kinetic assumptions often neglected in more complex models. While higher-order mechanisms, e.g. directed migration upon chemotactic stimuli, may result in clustering growth morphologies, exclusive attributions of this phenotype to this or other structured microenvironments would be inappropriate, in light of our finding these features are observable in a homogeneous environment. Furthermore, directed migration will result in loss of the invasive phenotype as the tumor approaches the attractor source. Reviewers: This article was reviewed by Mark Little and Glen Webb.
Micro-Analysis of Metals by Optical Emission Spectroscopy

The status of metallurgical micro-sampling and analysis is reviewed. Spectroscopic detectabilities for several metallic elements are found to be of the order of 1 × 10−9 gram when employing a quartz Littrow spectrograph together with arc excitation and Eastman 103-O emulsion. Techniques are described for the removal and identification of milli-microgram quantities of metallic constituents by means of drills as small as 6.3 microns diameter.
Psychoanalytic contributions to psychiatric nosology Forms of masochistic behavior

This paper summarizes the major strengths and weaknesses of current psychiatric nosology, and then discusses various forms of masochistic behavior as one illustration of how psychoanalysis can contribute to the continuing evolution of psychiatric nosology. Masochistic behavior is separated into behavior in which there is a predominantly conscious link between pleasure and pain, and behavior in which that link is predominantly unconscious. Both categories are further separated into normal and pathological forms. The current diagnostic category of dysthymic disorder is then discussed, with consideration given to the contribution that psychoanalysis can make toward the clarification and delineation of this heterogeneous diagnostic category.
Impact of Immunization with Glycoprotein D2/AS04 on Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Shedding into the Genital Tract in Guinea Pigs That Become Infected

In recent clinical trials, a vaccine that contained herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) glycoprotein D (gD2) and the adjuvant AS04 afforded HSV-seronegative women significant protection against HSV-2 genital disease and limited protection against infection. Similarly, in guinea pigs, immunization with the vaccine provided significant protection against genital HSV-2 disease but did not prevent mucosal infection. We explored the impact of immunization on the magnitude of latent virus infection and on the frequency and magnitude of virus reactivation as measured by both recurrent disease and viral shedding into the genital tract. Guinea pigs immunized with gD2/AS04 were shown by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis to have significantly less latent viral DNA in the ganglia than did naive control guinea pigs and to have a reduced incidence and frequency of recurrent disease. By contrast, all immunized guinea pigs shed virus into the genital tract with a frequency comparable to that seen in control guinea pigs. However, the amount of virus shed was significantly reduced, as measured by qPCR. These data suggest that immunization could affect transmission by altering viral shedding patterns.
A Culturally Appropriate School Wellness Initiative: Results of a 2-Year Pilot Intervention in 2 Jewish Schools.

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing number of school-based interventions designed to reduce childhood obesity or otherwise promote health, no models or materials were found for Jewish schools. The current study describes an effort within a Jewish school system in Chicago to create, implement, and evaluate a school-based intervention tailored to the unique characteristics of Jewish religion, culture, and school structures. METHODS: Two schools (with approximately 600 students) were selected for the 2-year pilot study. The schools were required to form a wellness council, write a wellness policy, and implement policy changes or activities in 5 target areas (health education, physical education, school environment, family involvement, and staff wellness). Objectives were measured using pre- and postintervention surveys for students, as well as the School Health Index and other tools. RESULTS: Findings showed several significant increases in student knowledge, as well as an increase in the percentage of older students regularly meeting physical activity guidelines. Few changes in attitudes, other behaviors, or environmental factors were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Due to a strong partnership between researchers, schools, and community organizations, meaningful changes were made within the pilot schools. These changes were reflected in a limited number of improvements in student knowledge and activity levels. Future work is needed to determine how to bring about behavioral changes, how to increase the sustainability of all of the changes, and how to disseminate the model and products of this intervention to other day schools.
Iron deposition in multiple sclerosis lesions measured by susceptibility-weighted imaging filtered phase: a case control study.

Purpose: To investigate phase lesions identified on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI)-filtered phase images in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and healthy controls (HC). To relate phase lesion characteristics to other clinical and MRI outcomes. Materials and Methods: 95 relapsing-remitting (RR), 40 secondary-progressive (SP) MS patients, as well as 19 CIS patients and 49 age- and sex-matched HC, were scanned on a 3T scanner. Phase-, T1-, and T2-lesion characteristics were determined. Overlap of T1- and T2-weigthed imaging (WI) lesions with phase lesions (T1P and T2P), as well as brain atrophy outcomes, was assessed. Results: MS patients showed significantly greater numbers and larger volume of phase lesions, compared with HC (P < 0.001). 23.6% of T2 lesions overlapped with phase lesions, whereas the same figure for T1 lesions was 37.3%. Conversely, 33.4% and 69.7% of phase lesions were not visible on T2- or T1-WI, respectively. Phase, T1P and T2P lesions were not related to clinical outcomes, but phase lesions were related to ventricular enlargement. Conclusion: Phase lesions were present in both MS and CIS patients, and showed partial overlap with lesions observed using conventional MRI. The role of phase lesions in clinical progression remains unclear and should be further explored. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:73–83. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ICU survival and the central to mixed venous oxygen difference

We read with interest the recent study on central venous saturation (ScvO2) and mixed venous saturation (SvO2) in 53 patients with severe sepsis [1]. For several reasons, however, we feel the authors' broadly stated conclusion that 'a positive (ScvO2 - SvO2) value is not associated with improved outcome' is unwarranted. First, in Figure 3 of their paper, graphing the number of measurements rather than the number of subjects is counterintuitive; your readers may find the latter a more clinically useful metric. The meaning of the columns is obscure because a single subject can contribute measurements to both columns (less than and greater than zero). Second, the total number of measurements depicted in each Figure 3 column is crucial information, but is not provided. After physically measuring the height of the columns, we estimate 278 total measurements, rather than 265 as noted in the text. Third, we question how the P-value (P = 0.13) for a total population can be numerically equal to the lowest P-value of two constituent groups of similar size. Finally, the authors should consider acknowledging the possibility of a type II error when stating their conclusion. Specifically, if the total number of measurements were doubled, keeping the proportions the same, the P-value would decrease to 0.08 (Chi square with Pearson's correlation). If tripled, then the P-value becomes P < 0.0001. We welcome new studies on survival and (ScvO2 - SvO2) difference, and do not believe the current study casts doubt on our finding [2] that a positive difference is strongly associated with survival.
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS AT LIQUID-LIQUID INTERFACES

The structural, dynamical, and electrical properties of the interface between two immiscible liquids are described. The adsorption of solute molecules and the processes of ion transfer across the interface and of electron transfer at the interface are discussed. The microscopic perspective is emphasized by focusing on selected recent experimental results and on results obtained from molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo computer simulations. The validity of some of the existing models of the interface is examined. A proper account of the molecular structure of the interface is important for understanding solvation and charge transfer processes at the interface.
Distribution of Immunoreactive Calcitonin in the Rat Pituitary Gland

Immunohistochemical (immunoperoxidase) studies were performed on 478 sections from 97 rat pituitary glands with rabbit antisera to unconjugated human synthetic calcitonin, β-endorphin, and/or ACTH-(17-39). Calcitonin-positive cells were present in a majority of the anterior lobes studied, whereas they were present in only a minority of the intermediate lobes. Calcitonin-positive cells were also present in chronically thyroidectomized animals. β-Endorphin-positive cells were uniformly present in the intermediate lobes as were the ACTHpositive cells. In the anterior pituitary lobes, β-endorphin-positive cells were more populous than the ACTH-positive cells, and in general, there was a dissociation of the cellular elements containing β-endorphin, ACTH, and calcitonin. Although it remains possible that there is calcitonin-like immunoreactivity within a precursor molecule that is differentially processed by pituitary cells, these studies are more consistent with the view that immunoreactive calcitonin is prese...
Coalitional Game Theory for Cooperative Micro-Grid Distribution Networks

Micro-grid distribution networks that use distributed energy sources are expected to lie at the heart of the emerging smart grid technology. While existing approaches have focused on control and communication aspects in micro-grids, this paper use coalitional game theory to study novel cooperative strategies between the micro-grids of a distribution network. For this purpose, a coalitional game is formulated between a number of micro-grids (e.g., solar panels, wind turbines, PHEVs, etc.) that are, each, servicing a group of consumers (or an area) and that are connected to a macro-grid substation. For forming coalitions, an algorithm is proposed to allow the micro-grids to autonomously cooperate and self-organize into a partition composed of disjoint micro-grid coalitions. Each formed coalition consists of micro-grids that have a surplus of power to transfer or sell and of micro-grids that need to buy or acquire additional power to meet their demand. Within every coalition, the micro-grids coordinate the power transfer among themselves as well as with the macro-grid station, in a way to optimize a utility function that captures the total losses over the distribution power lines. Also, the proposed algorithm allows the micro-grids, in a distributed manner, to self-adapt to environmental changes such as variations in the power needs of the micro-grids. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm yields a reduction in terms of the average power losses (over the distribution line) per micro-grid, reaching up to 31% improvement relative to the non-cooperative case.
The conditions of cultural and economic growth in the Bronze Age of central Italy

With one notable exception, the study of Italian prehistory has developed with little emphasis on the economic interpretation of cultures. The exception has been the so-called ‘Apennine’ Bronze Age of central and southern Italy, which has commonly been defined as a cultural phenomenon involving an economy of pastoralism and large-scale stock-keeping. In 1959 Professor S. M. Puglisi published his major examination of the Apennine Bronze Age, which has remained the principal statement of the ‘pastoralist’ hypothesis (Puglisi, 1959). In recent years the Swedish Institute in Rome has carried out an important series of excavations on the acropolis of Luni sul Mignone in northern Lazio (Ostenberg, 1967). The excavations discovered imposing house foundations cut into the soft volcanic tufo or tuff; from this architectural evidence, as well as the analysis of faunal and plant remains from Luni and other sites, Professor Ostenberg concluded that ‘the Apennine culture had a mixed economy with agriculture and stock-breeding as basic components … pastoral nomadism cannot therefore be looked upon as the primary characteristic feature of the Apennine culture’ (Ostenberg, 1967, 260). Puglisi based his argument upon both ethnographic and archaeological evidence.
Simulating airspace redesign for arrivals to Detroit-Wayne County Airport (DTW)

In 2001, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) opened a new runway parallel to three existing runways. While this increases DTW's runway capacity, the airport is served by an airspace (routes, procedures, and controller assignments) that was designed only for a three-runway airport. To increase the airport's effective capacity, the Detroit-area terminal radar approach control facility (D21 TRACON) and nearby air route traffic control centers (ARTCC) are redesigning their airspace. This paper describes the simulation modeling effort to estimate delay and cost benefits of the ARTCC redesign for arrival traffic. The model, written in the SLX simulation language, represents miles-in-trail (MIT) restrictions, as well as air traffic controllers' ability to direct flights to different paths dynamically, based on predicted demand downstream. The redesign work is part of the Federal Aviation Administration's Midwest airspace capacity enhancement (MACE) project.
Education Diplomacy in Action: Educational Diplomacy and Community Action: Defining Needs and Negotiating Action

After attending the Institute for Global Education Diplomacy in 2012, our graduate level special topics class was charged with creating community action projects that would utilize the concepts and...
γδ Intraepithelial Lymphocyte Migration Limits Transepithelial Pathogen Invasion and Systemic Disease in Mice

Background & Aims Intraepithelial lymphocytes that express the γδ T-cell receptor (γδ IELs) limit pathogen translocation across the intestinal epithelium by unknown mechanisms. We investigated whether γδ IEL migration and interaction with epithelial cells promote mucosal barrier maintenance during enteric infection. Methods Salmonella typhimurium or Toxoplasma gondii were administered to knockout (KO) mice lacking either the T cell receptor δ chain (Tcrd) or CD103, or control TcrdEGFP C57BL/6 reporter mice. Intravital microscopy was used to visualize migration of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged γδ T cells within the small intestinal mucosa of mice infected with DsRed-labeled S typhimurium . Mixed bone marrow chimeras were generated to assess the effects of γδ IEL migration on early pathogen invasion and chronic systemic infection. Results Morphometric analyses of intravital video microscopy data showed that γδ IELs rapidly localized to and remained near epithelial cells in direct contact with bacteria. Within 1 hour, greater numbers of T gondii or S typhimurium were present within mucosae of mice with migration-defective occludin KO γδ T cells, compared with controls. Pathogen invasion in Tcrd KO mice was quantitatively similar to that in mice with occludin-deficient γδ T cells, whereas invasion in CD103 KO mice, which have increased migration of γδ T cells into the lateral intercellular space, was reduced by 63%. Consistent with a role of γδ T-cell migration in early host defense, systemic salmonellosis developed more rapidly and with greater severity in mice with occludin-deficient γδ IELs, relative to those with wild-type or CD103 KO γδ IELs. Conclusions In mice, intraepithelial migration to epithelial cells in contact with pathogens is essential to γδ IEL surveillance and immediate host defense. γδ IEL occludin is required for early surveillance that limits systemic disease.
A W-band quasi-optical homodyne Doppler radar for detection of very slow-moving targets

A simple homodyne, quasi-optical W-band (99 GHz) Doppler radar utilizing free-space optics to reduce the number of expensive mm-wave components was designed, assembled, and characterized. The system exploited the low 1/f noise and high responsivity of a zero-bias Schottky diode detector. Target velocity as slow as 1.3 mm/sec was measured with a resolution of 94 μm/sec and an detection time of 16 seconds. A SNR greater than 20 dB was measured, off a target with a radar cross section of 11.3 cm2 at a 1 m range and a total source power of −10 dBm, and was also detected with a target power as low as −26 dBm. From our measurements, a 1/f noise-limited maximum range was found to be 3.6 m at a total power of −10 dBm.
Manipulating quantum information with spin torque

The use of spin torque as a substitute for magnetic fields is now well established for classical operations like the switching of a nanomagnet. What we are describing here could be viewed as an application of spin torque like effects to quantum processes involving single qubit rotations as well as two qubit entanglement. A key ingredient of this scheme is the use of a large number of itinerant electrons whose cumulative effect is to produce the desired qubit operations on static spins. Each interaction involves entanglement and collapse of wavefunctions so that the operation is only approximately unitary. However, we show that the non-unitary component of the operations can be kept below tolerable limits with proper design. As a capstone example, we present the implementation of a complete CNOT gate using the proposed spin potential based architecture, and show that the fidelity under ideal conditions can be made acceptably close to one.
Non-myopic negotiators see what's best

We consider revenue negotiation problems in iterative settings. In our model, a group of agents has some initial resources, used in order to generate revenue. Agents must agree on some way of dividing resources, but there's a twist. At every time-step, the revenue shares received at time t are agent resources at time t + 1, and the game is repeated. The key issue here is that the way resources are shared has a dramatic effect on long-term social welfare, so in order to maximize individual long-term revenue one must consider the welfare of others, a behavior not captured by other models of cooperation and bargaining. Our work focuses on homogeneous production functions. We identify conditions that ensure that the socially optimal outcome is an e-Nash equilibrium. We apply our results to some families of utility functions, and discuss their strategic implications.
Highly efficient, high-power pump diodes from 790 nm to 2 [micro sign]m (Abstract only)

One of the major limitations to scaling diode laser power is the waste heat in the semiconductor, which can be addressed by improvements in power conversion efficiency. Here we report on the rapid advancement of conversion efficiencies across all commercial pump wavelengths from near- to mid-infrared. The most critical improvements have been the reduction in the diode laser operating voltage through optimization of hetero-barriers, leading to 74% efficient 100 W bars for pumping ytterbium lasers between 915 and 975 nm. We review our efforts at extending high efficiencies to neodymium pump wavelengths at 880, 885 and 808 nm, in addition to shorter wavelengths where we are now achieving over 70% efficiency for pumping thulium lasers around 792 nm. Results will also be presented for high efficiency InP devices for pumping holmium at 1907 nm and erbium at 1470 nm up to 37 W and 100 W per bar, respectively.
Modelling study of prognostic indicators for patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer identifies variables that predict short-term survival in palliative care

Commentary on: B Gwilliam, V Keeley, C Todd, et al.. Development of prognosis in palliative care study (PiPS) predictor models to improve prognostication in advanced cancer: prospective cohort study.BMJ2011;343:d4920.
Surface water connectivity drives richness and composition of Arctic lake fish assemblages

Summary Surface water connectivity can influence the richness and composition of fish assemblages, particularly in harsh environments where colonisation factors and access to seasonal refugia are required for species persistence. Studies regarding influence of connectivity on Arctic fish distributions are limited and are rarely applied to whole assemblage patterns. To increase our understanding of how surface water connectivity and related hydrologic variables influence assemblage patterns, we investigated species richness and composition of Arctic lake fishes over a large region, 8500 km2, of the central Arctic Coastal Plain, Alaska. We collected fish presence/non-detection data from 102 lakes and used a hierarchical multispecies occupancy framework to derive species richness and inform species composition patterns. Our mean estimate of regional richness was 12.3 (SD 0.5) species. Presence of a permanent channel connection was an overriding factor affecting species richness (mean 3.6, 95% CI 3.1–4.9), presumably driving lake colonisation potential. In lakes without a permanent channel connection, data suggest richness (mean 2.0, 95% CI 1.7–3.3) increased with the availability of in-lake winter refugia and with the potential of ephemeral connections during spring floods. Fish species functional traits and environmental faunal filters contributed to patterns of richness and assemblage composition. Composition corresponded with richness in a coherent manner, where each successive level of richness contained several discrete assemblages that showed similar responses to the environment. Lakes with permanent channel connections contained both widespread and restricted species, while the species-poor lakes that lacked a connection contained mainly widespread species. This work provides useful baseline information on the processes that drive the relations between patch connectivity and fish species richness and assemblage composition. The environmental processes that organise fish assemblages in Arctic lakes are likely to change in a warming climate.
Analysis On 3 New Leprosy Cases Detected From 2008 To 2009 In Zongyang County

Objective To study the prevalence status and trend of leprosy in Zongyang county,and provide evidence for decision-making.Method The materials about the new leprosy cases detected from 2008 to 2009 were colleced and analyzed.Results There were 3 new cases detected from 2008 to 2009 in whole county,which included 2 males and 1 female by gender.According to leprosy type proposed by WHO,they included 2 cases of Multibacillary(MB) leprosy and 1 case of Paucibacillary(PB) leprosy.The new cases were all farmers,and their ages ranged from 55 to 68.3 cases were all detected by Anti-leprosy institutions,and 2 of them had been disabilities in Grade II when they were diagnosed,the average delay time in diagnosis of patients were 164 months.Conclusion In Zongyang county,incidence of Leprosy was in low prevalence state at present,but the situation of prevention and control was still stern.
Application of Electronic Compass Module in Robot Control System

Magnetic heading sensor V2X which senses magnet field with two Magneto-Inductive sensors, is connected to Intel-typed processor 80C196 in a robot control system for heading measurement. The relevant heading data accessing software structure in C196 code under RTOS μCOS-Ⅱ circumstance is provided simultaneously. Application shows that the design has high performance-cost ratio with precession of ±2°under a sampling frequency of 5 Hz.
The Spread of Regional Science into Japan, India, and Latin America

The August 1962 newsletter recorded the spread of deep interest in regional science in Latin America that had developed in previous years. It then announced the First Latin American Congress of the Regional Science Association, arranged through the good offices of the new Centro de Estudios del Desarrollo (CENDES), at the Universidad Central de Venezuela in Caracas, Venezuela. The Congress was to take place at CENDES on November 12–14, 1962, and on the following two days Walter Isard was scheduled to conduct a series of open seminars on regional development problems. The theme of the meetings was “Industrial and Regional Development.”
Issues in the Globalization of Electronic Commerce

This chapter presents globalization aspects of electronic commerce, describes the key issues in each area, and then analyzes approaches that could be Used to address these issues. "Globalization" is the marketing and selling of a product outside a company’s home country, and the most effective way to do that on the Internet is via localization of Web content. ‘Localization’ is the process and product of customizing Web content so that it is most understandable and usable to a person residing in a particular locale. That process involves several aspects including: Language, Culture, Laws/Regulations, Payment/Currency, Dates/ Units, and Logistics. In each of these areas there are a number of both business and technical issues that are illustrated and analyzed in this chapter. INTRODUCTION This chapter presents globalization aspects of electronic commerce. According to Computerworld: “Globalization is the marketing and selling of a product outside a company’s home country. To successfully do that on the Internet, a company needs to localize – make its Web site linguistically, culturally, and in all other ways accessible to customers outside its home territory (Brandon, 2001). The objectives of this chapter are to identify and describe the key issues in the globalization of electronic commerce and to present architectural and other solutions available. BACKGROUND “Ever since the end of the Cold War, the world has been rushing toward ever-higher levels of national convergence, with capital markets, business regulation, trade policies, and the like becoming similar (Moschella, 1999). The value of cross-border mergers grew sixfold from 1991 to 1998 from U.S. $85 billion to $558 billion. The world has not witnessed such a dramatic change in business since the Industrial Revolution (Korper, 2000). More than 95% This chapter appears in the book, Architectural Issues of Web-Enabled Electronic Business, edited by Shi Nan Si and V.K. Murthy. Copyright © 2003, Idea Group Inc. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of Idea Group Inc. is prohibited. 701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Hershey PA 17033-1240, USA Tel: 717/533-8845; Fax 717/533-8661; URL-http://www.idea-group.com ITB8690 IDEA GROUP PUBLISHING
How to Know Which Color Your Growth Strategy Should Be

Do the growth strategies identified by the Competing Values Framework (CVF) have anything to do with how the stock market looks at firms? This chapter describes research that shows that the dimensions of value creation identified by the CVF correlate quite highly with stock-market valuation. This enables an organization to link its growth strategy to the drivers of value creation. That is, the CVF can help the organization to determine where its biggest bang for the buck lies when it comes to its growth strategy.
Social franchising as an option for scale

This paper presents a review and synthesis of resources available to social entrepreneurs considering social franchising as an option for scale. We identified 20 publications produced by organizations supporting social franchising and four peer-reviewed journal manuscripts. Commonalities and differences between social and commercial franchising are discussed, with a focus on capacities and considerations needed to undertake social franchising. Based on our synthesis, we propose a seven-stage approach to guide social entrepreneurs in considering this option and to inform future research on social franchising as one potential mechanism for scaling impact.
Hepatitis C and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

With the significant burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) attributable to hepatitis C (HCV), prevention of HCC should first and foremost include treatment of hepatitis C. At the very least, any patient who is at risk for liver disease progression to advanced fibrosis should have HCV treated. This is potentially one of the single most important interventions that can be employed long-term to decrease the incidence of HCV-related HCC. Furthermore, efforts should be made in proactively treating HCV in patients listed for liver transplant with HCC and those HCC patients with limited tumor burden treated with curative intent. Studies exploring more specifically which patients with HCC receiving liver-directed therapy should also have HCV treated need to be performed. The overall cost effectiveness of treating those with significant HCC tumor burden needs to be better understood. With new direct acting antivirals for the treatment of HCV, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find reasons to leave virtually any patient with hepatitis C untreated who is at risk for HCC or with HCC. Although there are limited data directly linking the treatment of HCV with the incidence of HCC, this is a tremendous opportunity to change the epidemiology of HCC by utilizing treatment for hepatitis C.
Bariatric surgery reduces adipose inflammation and improves vascular function in type 2 diabetic mice

T recent development of a worldwide obesity and type 2 diabetes pandemic has gained wide recognition. In obese subjects, visceral white adipose tissue is enriched in lymphocytes and macrophages, which have been implicated in contributing to systemic low-grade inflammation and vascular complications. Bariatric surgery is emerging as a promising tool in the treatment of morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes by effectively controlling body weight and profoundly improving insulin sensitivity, however, little is known about the effects of surgery-induced weight loss on visceral adipose inflammatory cell infiltration and vascular dysfunction. Interferon-gamma (IFN) is the hallmark cytokine of Th1 cells. We hypothesize that bariatric surgery reduces IFNinduced adipose tissue inflammation and improves vascular function in type 2 diabetic mice. To test this hypothesis, heterozygote control mice (m Leprdb), and homozygote type 2 diabetic mice (Leprdb) will be used in the following 7 groups: m Leprdb+sham surgery, m Leprdb+ bariatric surgery, Leprdb+sham surgery, Leprdb+5, 10, 20 and 30 days after bariatric surgery. The results suggest that 1) bariatric surgery effectively reduced body weight and abdominal adiposity; 2) surgery inhibited IFN-induced adipose tissue inflammation; 3) surgery improved endothelial function. As the first use of bariatric surgery in type 2 diabetic mice, this study improved our understanding of the role of IFN-induced adipose inflammation in vascular dysfunction in morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes and the mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects of bariatric surgery on diabetes-related vascular dysfunction.
Associations among physical activity, screen time, and sleep in low socioeconomic status urban girls☆

Insufficient sleep is associated with higher risk of poor health outcomes in low socioeconomic status (SES) urban elementary age girls. Decreased physical activity (PA) and increased screen time may be associated with poor sleep. This study examined if PA and screen time are associated with sleep in girls from a low SES urban community. Baseline data from 7 to 12 year-old girls (n = 55) from two interventions conducted in Springfield, MA between 2012 and 2015 were used. PA was measured via accelerometry for seven days. Screen time and sleep were assessed via validated questionnaires. Sleep was also assessed via accelerometry in a subsample of girls (n = 24) for 7 days. Associations among PA, screen time, and sleep were analyzed using multiple linear regression. More minutes of screen time per day (p = 0.01, r2 = 0.35, r2 adjusted = 0.23) was associated with worse sleep quality (β = 0.50, p = 0.02). There were negative correlations between PA and the number of awakenings per night (r = - 0.45, p = 0.04) and between counts per minute and sleep fragmentation (r = - 0.65, p = 0.002) assessed by accelerometer. In this population, increased screen time was associated with worse sleep quality and decreased PA was correlated with more awakenings per night and higher sleep fragmentation. These findings suggest that screen time and PA may be modifiable risk factors for interventions seeking to improve sleep in this population.
Trends in Biodiversity: Freshwater

About 10% of known species inhabit freshwater habitats, even though freshwater comprises less than 1% of Earth's surface. Hundreds of new freshwater fish species are described each year, mostly from the tropics. Freshwater ecosystems and their species are stressed by multiple human impacts, including dams that alter flows and fragment habitat, fishing, pollution, and exotic species. Most of North America's freshwater mussel species are either threatened or extinct, and numerous freshwater crustacean and fish species are threatened. Dozens of freshwater fishes have gone extinct in North America, more than for all other continents. Amphibian diversity has declined globally, with climate change and disease being major factors. Climate change, especially shifting precipitation patterns, will affect freshwater biodiversity, inland fisheries, and other ecosystem services. Adaptation to climate change will require resiliency in both ecosystems and management systems.
Measurement of IgE antibodies by the radioallergosorbent test. II. Analyses of quantitative relationships in the test.

Abstract IgE antibodies have been measured by the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and the relative amounts present in serum determined by comparison with reference standards. In this study we analyzed the quantitative aspects of the binding of IgE antibody to solid-phase ragweed antigens. With the volumes of allergic serum usually tested, IgE antibodies are in excess in the first step of the RAST. The inability of solid-phase antigens to remove IgE antibody appeared to be due to an insufficient quantity of antigen on the particles rather than steric interference with binding of IgE antibody. Dose-response curves with serums from several ragweed-sensitive subjects were not parallel when plotted on a semilog scale. In contrast, log-log plots of dose-response curves with serums from ragweed-sensitive subjects were nearly parallel. Log-log plots of dose-response curves with serums from subjects with ragweed and grass sensitivity and tested with the appropriate solid-phase antigen also were nearly parallel. Because of the latter finding, RAST could be standardized using a reference serum in every assay and plotting the results on a log-log scale. Finally, because IgE antibody is in excess in the RAST as it is usually performed, the final result reflects both the quantity and the affinity of the IgE antibody.
OPEC and world oil security

Abstract On the margin, the effectiveness of policy to enhance the stability of world oil market oil conditions greatly depends on which countries supply what economists would call the “marginal barrels.” That is, the barrels whose production responds to changes in demand. If the countries dominating the production of the marginal barrels are relatively unstable, policies to reduce world oil consumption or boost oil production from stable suppliers will provide the additional benefit of reducing the contribution of unstable producers to the world oil market. If the countries dominating the marginal barrel are relatively stable, however, policies to reduce world oil consumption or boost oil production from stable suppliers will be less effective in promoting oil market stability. Typically, we think of the highest cost producers as supplying the marginal barrel of oil, but our assessment finds it quite likely that OPEC dominates production of the marginal barrel of world oil. Moreover, OPEC members have been among the more unstable producers on a historical basis. Hence, reducing world oil consumption and promoting oil production in stable non-OPEC countries will enhance world oil security. Policies to promote stability in OPEC countries also would enhance world oil security.
Three-dimensional tissue-engineered skeletal muscle for laryngeal reconstruction.

Objective There is an unmet need for tissue-engineered three-dimensional (3D) muscle constructs for laryngeal reconstruction. Functional engineered muscle could be used to repair postoncologic or traumatic defects or to medialize the vocal fold in cases of paresis/paralysis. Autologous, organized, engineered muscle that has adequate bulk integrates into host tissue and restores function currently does not exist. Methods Primary skeletal muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) were isolated from F344 rats. Three-dimensional muscle constructs were created by encapsulating MPCs via flow alignment in a customized collagen formulation and cultured under passive tension. Muscle-specific immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to evaluate muscle tissue differentiation. After 2 weeks of culture, muscle constructs were implanted into surgically created defects in the rat larynx. Postmortem function testing and histology was performed at 1 and 3 months. Results Immunohistochemistry with confocal microscopy demonstrated well-differentiated myotubes, which were well aligned and distributed throughout the engineered construct in vitro. There was evidence of restoration of normal laryngeal function at 1 month postoperative, as indicated by safe swallow (no aspiration events), weight gain, and excellent animal survival. Postmortem specimens demonstrated functional muscle contraction on ex vivo testing, and histology confirmed integration into host tissue. Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate that functional, 3D tissue-engineered skeletal muscle can be developed from primary MPCs and standardized oligomeric collagen. Collectively, these findings may have tremendous clinical implications for autologous laryngeal muscle repair and reconstruction. Level of Evidence NA. Laryngoscope, 2017
Technology Roadmap: A Roadmap for Tesla

By the increased use of fossil fuels on day-to-day life, there is a huge impact on the environment because of the carbon emissions emitted from these vehicles. Hence, there increased a need for alternate energy for vehicles. For the success of adopting the electric vehicle in the market, this report helps in enlightening the need for replacing the conventional vehicles by electric cars in the current world of technology and also extends it by constructing the roadmap for the pioneer of electric vehicles – Tesla motors. The competitors for Tesla are not just electric vehicles but they are bigger firms such as Audi, Mercedes, etc. which manufacture a higher range of comfort cars which run on conventional energy. One of the biggest hurdles faced by the electric vehicle market is the lack of running the EV vehicle for a long range on a single charge and replacement of conventional vehicles in the market by electric cars. The goal is to analyze the current situation of electric car adoption, to analyze the current status of the EV technology, and to prepare a roadmap on how they are going to reach their goal of successfully being a pioneer in automobile industry.
A case report of the clinical effect of chronic total occlusion recanalization on the instantaneous wave-free ratio in the donor artery

Introduction Coronary physiology is recommended for guiding percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Previous cases have demonstrated changes in fractional flow reserve in a donor collateral vessel after PCI to a chronic total occlusion (CTO). The behaviour of instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) in the context of CTO has not been described. Case presentation In this case, we share the first case of the effect of CTO recanalization on iFR in the donor artery, and show how iFR can reflect the amount of myocardium subtended by a stenosis. Discussion Instantaneous wave-free ratio is able to incorporate the amount of subtended myocardium in its quantification of coronary stenosis severity.
Cytomegalovirus mismatch still negatively affects patient and graft survival in the era of routine prophylactic and preemptive therapy: A paired kidney analysis.

The impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus on kidney transplant outcomes in an era when CMV prophylactic and preemptive strategies are used routinely is not clearly established. Using United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data, recipients with first deceased donor kidney transplant (≥18 years, 2010-2015) were stratified into 4 groups in the main cohort: CMV-seronegative donor (D-)/CMV-seronegative recipient (R-), CMV-seropositive donor (D+)/R-, D+/CMV-seropositive recipient (R+), and D-/R+. In a paired kidney cohort, we identified 2899 pairs of D- kidney transplant with discordance of recipient serostatus (D-/R- vs D-/R+) and 4567 pairs of D+ kidney transplant with discordance of recipient serostatus (D+/R- vs D+/R+). In the main cohort, D+/R- was associated with a higher risk of graft failure (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.17, P = .01), all-cause mortality (HR = 1.18, P < .001), and infection-related mortality (HR = 1.38, P = .03) compared with D-/R-. In the paired kidney analysis, D+/R- was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (HR = 1.21, P = .003) and infection-related mortality (HR = 1.47, P = .04) compared with D+/R+. No difference in graft loss between D+/R- and D+/R+. CMV mismatch is still an independent risk factor for graft loss and patient mortality. The negative impact of D+/R- serostatus on mortality persists after fully matching for donor factors.
Tunisia: From stability to revolution in the Maghreb

The first edition of Tunisia was released just nine months before the eruption of the Arab Spring. The most substantial period of political unrest felt by the Arab world in a half century originated in Tunisia, a fact that confounded expectations about Tunisian politics. This new edition builds upon the first edition’s overview of Tunisia’s political and economic development to examine how one of the region’s hardiest authoritarian orders was toppled by a loosely organised protest wave. Providing the most up-to-date introduction to Tunisia’s post-independence and post-Arab Spring politics, concisely written chapters cover topics such as: state formation domestic politics economic development foreign relations colonialism the Arab Spring; its factors and repercussions Key to this new edition is the examination of Tunisian history, politics and society alongside the subsequent upheaval following the outbreak of revolts in December 2010. It looks at how political and economic changes after 2001, including economic deterioration and rising inequality and corruption, had already begun to erode bases of Ben Ali’s government, and explores why Tunisia is the sole Arab Spring country to construct a democracy thus far, and the challenges that this new democracy still faces. An essential inclusion on courses on Middle Eastern politics, African politics, and political science in general, this accessible introduction to Tunisia will also be of interest to anyone wishing to learn more about this significant region.
Lessons Learned From a lncRNA Odyssey for Two Genes With Vascular Functions, DLL4 and TIE1

Pervasive transcription is a feature of the human genome that requires better understanding. Over the last decade or so, RNA species longer than 200 nucleotides-dubbed long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs)-had been found in sense or anti-sense orientation within or outside of genes that encode proteins. Importantly, lncRNA-mediated gene regulation and the elements that control lncRNA expression are a source of fascination among molecular biologists. In vascular biology, a dozen or so lncRNAs had been identified, and progress occurs each day. In this review, we highlighted our laboratories' contribution to the lncRNA field by discussing lessons learned from two lncRNAs in the tyrosine kinase containing immunoglobulin and epidermal growth factor homology1 (Tie1) and delta-like 4 (Dll4) loci. These genes are responsible for basic vascular patterning and pathophysiological remodeling in angiogenesis.