cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Full 3-D Imaging of Vertical Structures via Ground-Penetrating Radar

Ground-penetrating radar inspection of vertical structures, such as columns or pillars, is relevant in several applicative contexts. Unlike conventional subsurface prospecting, where the medium is accessible only from one side, the columns can be probed from various sides with measurement domains possibly encircling the structure. This makes it possible to retrieve more information about the scene, thanks to an increased view and data collection diversity. This article proposes an imaging approach for structures probed all around via vertical scans. The approach faces the imaging as a full 3-D electromagnetic inverse scattering problem and accounts for the vectorial nature of the scattering phenomenon. Moreover, the imaging approach is based on an approximate model of scattering and the inversion is regularized by means of the truncated singular value decomposition to produce stable and accurate results. The reconstruction capabilities of the proposed imaging approach are evaluated in terms of the achievable spatial resolution. To this end, a numerical analysis exploiting synthetic data allows investigating how the imaging quality depends on the number of vertical scans. Reconstruction results referred to data gathered in controlled conditions provide an experimental assessment of the achievable imaging capabilities.
Finding Related Tables in Data Lakes for Interactive Data Science

Many modern data science applications build on data lakes, schema-agnostic repositories of data files and data products that offer limited organization and management capabilities. There is a need to build data lake search capabilities into data science environments, so scientists and analysts can find tables, schemas, workflows, and datasets useful to their task at hand. We develop search and management solutions for the Jupyter Notebook data science platform, to enable scientists to augment training data, find potential features to extract, clean data, and find joinable or linkable tables. Our core methods also generalize to other settings where computational tasks involve execution of programs or scripts.
Impact of amine additives on the mechanical properties of hydrogen bonding π-conjugated polymers

Abstract Reversibly interacting π-conjugated polymers of lower modulus are needed to generate intrinsically healable materials for bioelectronics applications. However, strong interchain interactions between π-conjugated polymers increases modulus and reduces flexibility of networks as well as self-healing capability. Herein, to understand the impact of amine additives on the thin film moduli of hydrogen bonding π-conjugated polymer, poly[3-(6-carboxyhexyl)thiophene-2,5-diyl] (PTCOOH) was complexed with a lean (Di-2oMe) and bulky (Di-2onBu) 1,6-difunctional secondary amines. The amines interact with the PTCOOH via weak ionic interactions and/or hydrogen bonding interactions. Amine complexed PTCOOH polymer samples and PTCOOH are characterized using DSC and PXRD to correlate the assembly structure with the observed modulus. The amines acted as plasticizers and reduced the modulus of PTCOOH. Moreover, the polymer modulus decreased with increasing amine group size, indicating the importance of the amine group size. Also, the difunctional amines acted as a better plasticizer than the monofunctional amines. PXRD analysis indicates that the interchain hydrogen bonding interactions between the polymer chains play a key role in determining the moduli of thin films.
On the role of increased CO2 concentrations in enhancing the temporal clustering of heavy precipitation events across Europe

This study examines the response of the clustering behavior in heavy precipitation events across Europe to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. We focus on four large-scale climate modes [Arctic Oscillation (AO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), East Atlantic (EA) pattern, and Scandinavia pattern (SCAND)] that have been found to play a significant role in controlling the occurrence of these events. We use a peak over threshold (POT) method to define daily heavy precipitation events and Cox regression as the modeling framework. We consider three experiments from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5): (1) pre-industrial control run experiments (PI-control); (2) a 1%/year increase in CO2 from the CO2 concentration in PI control to quadrupling (1pctCO2); and (3) an instantaneous quadrupling of CO2, then holding it fixed (abrupt4 × CO2). We measure the effects of CO2 by examining whether the Cox regression coefficients in the CO2 experiments are significantly different from those in the PI control. We find that (1) the increases in CO2 are unlikely to lead to changes in the spatial patterns of relationships between climate modes and heavy precipitation; (2) the increases in CO2 are likely to lead to a strengthening of the relationship between the AO/SCAND and the occurrence of heavy precipitation events, while increases in CO2 have weaker effects on the role of NAO and EA; (3) the response to an abrupt increase in CO2 is generally stronger compared to a more gradual one; (4) the responses of the integrated vapor transport and 500-mb geopotential height to increasing CO2 provide a physical mechanism to explain the enhanced relationship between climate modes and clustering of heavy precipitation events.
Health-System Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience as an online course in the United States: Innovation in curriculum development

Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs) provide early experiential education in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) curriculum in the United States (US). In response to Oregon's ‘Stay Home, Save Lives’ executive order issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, an online health-system IPPE course was developed to simulate the practice experiences that have historically been conducted in person. This case study describes experience from the online health-system IPPE course offered for incoming second-year student pharmacists enrolled in a three-year Pharm.D. programme at Pacific University in Oregon, US. The goals of the course were: 1) to expose students to pharmacy practice common in health-system settings in the US; and 2) for students to earn 50 experiential clock hours through simulation activities.
Impact of Systemic Therapy Type and Timing on Intracranial Tumor Control in Patients with Brain Metastasis from Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

Objective Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) can effectively control brain metastasis (BRM) from non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although intracranial recurrence from untreated micrometastatic tumor deposits is common without whole-brain radiotherapy. Our goal was to determine if immunotherapy improves distant intracranial progression-free survival (DI-PFS) compared with other systemic therapies in patients treated with SRS. Methods All patients from 2011 to 2019 treated with SRS without previous whole-brain radiotherapy for NSCLC BRM were reviewed. DI-PFS for the entire cohort, and subgroups of patients, was estimated and compared using the Kaplan-Meier/log-rank method. Results One hundred and thirty-six SRS sessions used to treat 99 patients were reviewed; 98 (72%) for previously untreated BRM and 38 (28%) for recurrent BRM. 35% received immunotherapy (77% concurrent with SRS), 46% received chemotherapy (75% concurrent), and 18% received epidermal growth factor receptor/anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) targeted therapy (85% concurrent). At median follow-up of 13.7 months, 49% developed distant intracranial recurrence. One-year DI-PFS was improved with any use of immunotherapy (58% vs. 39%; P = 0.03) and concurrent immunotherapy versus chemotherapy or targeted therapy (67% vs. 37% vs. 39%, respectively; P = 0.01). In the immunotherapy cohort, 1-year DI-PFS was improved for programmed death-ligand 1 expression ≥50% versus 1%–49% versus 0% (80% vs. 49% vs. 19%, respectively; P Conclusions Immunotherapy concurrent with SRS, particularly in patients with high programmed death-ligand 1 expression or low Lung Immune Prognostic Index, is associated with improved DI-PFS and no increased risk of radiation necrosis compared with other systemic therapies for NSCLC.
Comparison of Psychosocial Barriers to Advanced Heart Failure Therapies in Rural and Urban Patients

Background Psychosocial evaluation of candidates for advanced heart failure (HF) therapies identifies risk factors for poor outcomes. The degree of psychosocial risk considered acceptable to proceed with advanced therapies varies between centers. We hypothesized that rates of patients declined for advanced therapies because of mental health disorders, substance abuse and inadequate social support would differ for urban versus rural candidates, as community resources to mitigate risk factors vary. Methods Medical records for 213 consecutive patients undergoing psychosocial evaluation for advanced HF therapies between May 2014 and October 2017 were reviewed. Patients were separated into rural or urban categories based on home zip codes and urban influence codes from the United States Department of Agriculture. Demographics, comorbidities and psychosocial characteristics were collected. Categorical variables were compared using Fisher's exact test and continuous variables using the Student's t-test. Results The overall population was 54 years old, 27% female, and 23.5% African American with prevalent comorbidities. Regional codes identified 62 patients as rural and 151 patients as urban. Demographics and prevalence of medical and psychosocial comorbidities were similar between the two cohorts. There were no significant differences in the frequency of cited medical or social barriers alone to advanced therapies between cohorts. The combination of medical and social barriers was more commonly cited as the reason for ineligibility for transplant in rural patients (p=0.04). Conclusion Rural patients are more often declined for transplant due to combinations of medical and psychosocial concerns, despite similar prevalence of individual stressors. Further study is required to describe the differences in resources available to heart failure patients, standardize criteria among centers, and improve disparities in access to advanced therapies.
Digestible and metabolizable energy concentrations and amino acid digestibility of dried yeast and soybean meal for growing pigs

Energy values and amino acid (AA) digestibility of dried yeast (DY) and soybean meal (SBM) were determined in 2 experiments with growing pigs. Experiment 1 was conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) in DY and SBM. Thirty barrows with a mean initial body weight (BW) of 20.6 kg (SD = 1.04) were assigned to 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with period and BW as blocking factors. A reference diet was prepared with corn, canola meal, and soybean oil as energy-contributing ingredients. Four additional diets were prepared by adding 5% and 10% DY or SBM at the expense of energy-contributing ingredients in the reference diet. The ratio of corn, canola meal, and soybean oil was kept consistent across the experimental diets. Each experimental period consisted of 5-d adaptation and 5-d quantitative collection of feces and urine. Test ingredient-associated DE or ME intake (kcal/d) was regressed against test ingredient intake [kg dry matter (DM)/d] to estimate the DE or ME in test ingredients as the slope of linear regression model. The DE in DY was estimated at 3,933 kcal/kg DM, which was not different from the estimated DE in SBM at 4,020 kcal/kg DM. Similarly, there was no difference between DY and SBM in the estimated ME (3,431 and 3,756 kcal/kg DM, respectively). Experiment 2 was conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA in DY and SBM. Twenty-one barrows with a mean initial BW of 20.0 kg (SD = 1.31) were surgically fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum and assigned to 3 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW as a blocking factor. Two semi-purified diets containing DY or SBM as the sole nitrogen source and one nitrogen-free diet (NFD) were prepared. The NFD was used to estimate the basal ileal endogenous losses of CP and AA. Pigs were fed the 3 diets for 5 d as adaptation, followed by 2 d of feeding with ileal digesta collection. The SID of AA, except Gly and Pro, in DY was less (P < 0.05) than in SBM. The SID of indispensable AA in DY ranged from 64.1% for Thr to 85.2% for Arg, and those in SBM ranged from 83.9% for Thr to 91.8% for Arg. In conclusion, energy values of DY are not different from those of SBM, whereas AA in DY is less digestible than in SBM. The estimated DE and ME as well as the SID of AA in DY and SBM can be used in diet formulation for growing pigs using these ingredients.
The long noncoding RNA Meg3 regulates myoblast plasticity and muscle regeneration through epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Formation of skeletal muscle is among the most striking examples of cellular plasticity in animal tissue development, where muscle progenitor cells are reprogrammed by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to produce multinucleated myofibers. The regulation of EMT in muscle formation remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) Meg3 regulates EMT in myoblast differentiation and skeletal muscle regeneration. Chronic inhibition of Meg3 in C2C12 myoblasts induced EMT, and suppressed cell state transitions required for differentiation. Furthermore, adenoviral Meg3 knockdown compromised muscle regeneration, which was accompanied by abnormal mesenchymal gene expression and interstitial cell proliferation. Transcriptomic and pathway analyses of Meg3-depleted C2C12 myoblasts and injured skeletal muscle revealed a significant dysregulation of EMT-related genes, and identified TGFβ as a key upstream regulator. Importantly, inhibition of TGFβR1 and its downstream effectors, and the EMT transcription factor Snai2, restored many aspects of myogenic differentiation in Meg3-depleted myoblasts in vitro. We further demonstrate that reduction of Meg3-dependent Ezh2 activity results in epigenetic alterations associated with TGFβ activation. Thus, Meg3 regulates myoblast identity to maintain proper cell state for progression into differentiation.
Using Transitional Proximity for Faster Reinforcement Learning

Abstract Why does reinforcement learning take so long? One major reason is that reward spreads too slowly through the agent's policy. When an agent receives reward, existent methods only pass the reward back to internal states along the current path. Normally there are many possible paths to goal states however, and the agent must follow each of them successfully one or more times in order to complete learning. Our algorithm learns the transitions between internal states so that rewards may be passed not only along the one path taken this trial, but also passed back through all transitions learned during previous trials. States closer to the current state receive correspondingly more of the current reward. We call this distance between states in transition space transitional proximity. We explain the basics of reinforcement learning, Q-learning and Kohonen Networks, and then formally develop Transitional Proximity Q-learning in this framework. Experimental results confirm faster learning and much quicker convergence to optimal policies.
Chronic Lyme Disease

Chronic Lyme disease is a poorly defined diagnosis that is usually given to patients with prolonged, unexplained symptoms or with alternative medical diagnoses. Data do not support the proposition that chronic, treatment-refractory infection with Borrelia burgdorferi is responsible for the many conditions that get labeled as chronic Lyme disease. Prolonged symptoms after successful treatment of Lyme disease are uncommon, but in rare cases may be severe. Prolonged courses of antibiotics neither prevent nor ameliorate these symptoms and are associated with considerable harm.
The New Battleground of Museum Ethics and Holocaust Era Claims: Technicalities Trumping Justice or Responsible Stewardship for the Public Trust? - Appendix A - Statute Only

STATUTE ONLY - FULL ARTICLE ALSO AVAILABLE ON SSRN: With President Barack Obama in the White House, former Senator Hillary Clinton appointed as Secretary of State and Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat appointed to head the U.S. delegation to the Holocaust Era Assets Conference in Prague June 2009, the administration is about to address the “unfinished business” remaining after President Clinton’s presidency concerning Holocaust era restitution. There will be a particular emphasis on looted art. For a multitude of reasons, it is highly unlikely that an international tribunal to resolve such disputes will be forthcoming. Thus, claimants and present-day possessors will continue to come to loggerheads over the less clear-cut claims, which will lead to additional litigation. This article proposes that the second best solution is to create exclusive jurisdiction over such claims in federal courts while offering protection to bona fide purchasers, which currently is not available under U.S. law, via a stepped-up basis under the Tax Code upon restitution. It also provides for improved access to information for claimants by expanding discovery obligations and providing museums funding for provenance research. Finally, it resolves the thorny conflicts-of-law problem commonly implicated in such cases and offers a refined definition of “looted personal property” that should be subject to restitution.
Leadership and Organizational Change

In the research paper, we will collect, evaluate and apply the concepts, theories and strategies for leadership and organizational change. For this, purpose was selected Deep-Water Truck Company as an example for organizational changes. Then, the paper will include an interview with the leader of the organization. Where the information is provided by the leader, will be the basis for the paper.
Silicon Hetero Junction Solar Cells by Hot-Wire CVD

We are reporting high performance silicon heterojuncton (SHJ) solar cells fabricated using the hot-wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) technique. On p-type c-Si float-zone wafers, we used an amorphous n/i contact to the top surface and an i/p contact to the back surface to obtain an open circuit voltage (V oc ) of 0.67 V in a 1 cm2 cell with an independent confirmed efficiency of 18.2%. This is the best reported p-type SHJ solar cell, at least by HWCVD. On n-type c-Si float-zone wafers, we used an amorphous (p/i) front emitter and an a-Si:H (i/n) back contact to achieve a Voc of 0.69 V on 1 cm2 cell. We found that proper c-Si surface cleaning prior to the amorphous Si deposition and double-heterojunction is a key to the high Voc. In the heterojunction region, an abrupt interface from c-Si to a-Si:H results in a high Voc; while incorporating a transition to either microcrystalline or epitaxial Si at the c-Si interface results in a low V oc . Lifetime measurement shows that the back surface recombination velocity can be reduced to ~15 cm/s through a-Si:H passivation. Amorphous silicon heterojunction layers on crystalline wafers thus combine low-surface recombination velocity with excellent carrier extraction. The advantages of using HWCVD in comparing with plasma-enhanced CVD are the fast deposition rate and, more important, a wide range of deposition parameters enabling formation of an effective heterojunction with high V oc . Further, the heterojuction cell processing is entirely below 200°C making it one of the few promising low-stress methods for the manufacturing of next generation ultra-thin Si wafer solar cells.
Theory & Methods: Recovering Information from Incremental Responses

Summary Some yields analysed and reported in the literature have been adjusted by subtracting a control. It is found that full information can be recovered for estimable parameters and the error variance using these incremental responses, in comparison with unadjusted data. These findings are of practical importance, and they supplement materials usually found in a graduate course in linear inference. The issues are illustrated using a case study from the literature.
The Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect: Theory and Experiment

The quantum anomalous Hall effect is defined as a quantized Hall effect realized in a system without an external magnetic field. The quantum anomalous Hall effect is a novel manifestation of topological structure in many-electron systems and may have potential applications in future electronic devices. In recent years, the quantum anomalous Hall effect was proposed theoretically and realized experimentally. In this review article, we provide a systematic overview of the theoretical and experimental developments in this field.
Regaining your competitive edge

Abstract The author maintains that the key to survival and growth in a world of rapid change, technological development and competitive challenge is ‘Management Effectiveness’. Regaining the competitive edge in difficult conditions means developing superb management skills and translating them into effective management action. He lists and describes eight key elements of Strategic Business Management and outlines the steps in General Motors strategic planning process.
Ascending digits task as a measure of executive function in geriatric depression

The authors hypothesized that older depressed patients would perform more poorly on the Ascending Digits Task (ADT) when matched against a nondepressed elderly comparison group. In a novel measure, the ADT, 129 older depressives scored more poorly than 129 comparison subjects in bivariate analyses and models controlling for demographic variables. The ADT may be a good measure of executive function in older adults.
A unified strategy for the retrofit synthesis of flowsheet structures for attaining or improving operating procedures

Abstract A unified strategy for retrofit synthesis of process flowsheets and operating procedure planning is presented. This stragegy introduces structural actions (operators) as options for producing satisfactory sets of operating procedures for chemical processing systems, allowing synthesis of operating procedures in otherwise infeasible situations. Incorporation of stationary states by structural changes to the original flowsheet is used to increase process flexibility and add modularity and verifiability to the operating procedures. The methodology requires the initial flowsheet description, local and global constraints, the initial and goal states, possible procedural and structural actions, a unit model library and safety/reliability and economic evaluation functions. It produces sets of process flowsheets and corresponding operating procedures. Structural actions designed to support stationary states are used to propose flowsheet changes when operating procedures are infeasible or unsatisfactory. Parts of the strategy have been implemented in a computer program, the Procedural and Structural Planner (PSP) and tested on a hydrocarbon chlorination example.
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN SIX TREATED BABOON-TO-MAN RENAL HETEROTRANSPLANTS.

SUMMARY Six baboon-to-man renal heterotransplants, each consisting of a pair of kidneys, were examined. Two had been removed from their recipients at forty-nine and sixty days after transplantation because of the ever-increasing doses of immunosuppressive drugs needed to control rejection; the other four pairs of kidneys were examined after death of the recipients at nineteen, twenty-three, thirty-five, and forty-nine days. All the kidneys were enlarged. On the subcapsular surfaces of one pair there were petechias; four were mottled with irregular haemorrhages and infarcts; one pair had undergone almost complete hemorrhagic infarction. The transplants were heavily infiltrated with plasma cells, lymphocytes, large pyroninophilic lymphoid cells and eosinophils. Mitoses, “LE” cells and erythrophagocytosis were seen. Associated with this infiltration there was rupture of peritubular capillaries, interstitial cedema and widespread tubular damage. Fibrinoid necrosis of the walls of arterioles and interlobular arteries, with narrowing and obstruction of some vessels by fibrin and platelet deposits on the intima were common in all except one pair of kidneys. Associated with these vascular lesions there were focal infarcts and extensive interstitial haemorrhages. All the histological changes were more severe than those seen either in treated human renal homotransplants or in a comparable series of chimpanzee-to-man renal heterotransplants where cellular infiltration was slight and vascular lesions only present at the height of rejection. This work was aided by grants A-6283, A-6344, HE-07735, AM-07772, A1-01452, and OG-27 from the U.S. Public Health Service, and by a grant from the Medical Research Council. We would like to thank Drs D. Baitlon, J. Gordon, R. B. Hill, D. Lang, and D. E. Smith who performed the autopsies on these cases. We are particularly grateful to Dr D. T. Rowlands, who supervised most of the autopsies, for his helpful co-operation throughout this study. Expert assistance in preparing the sections and photomicrographs was given by Miss Jane Rendall.
Paradigms of Political Integration and Unification: Applications to Korea

Since national independence and national unification are often viewed as norms of the international polity, divided states and peoples are considered abnormal, and there are a variety of theories seeking to show how a divided people can achieve unification. Some theories stress the role of attitudes, others focus on material conditions, such as levels of communication and trade. In the study of integrative efforts in Western Europe, there has been some controversy over the assessments based on disparate theoretical perspectives. In order to identify the issues involved, the paper provides a guide to the theories and definitions used by the following: Karl Deutsch, Ernst Haas, David Mitrany, Joseph Nye, Amitai Etzioni, Leon Lindberg and Stuart Scheingold, Johan Galtung, and others. Applications of integration theory paradigms to Third World countries have demonstrated additional problems in academic theorizing about political unification. Nonetheless, while interest in European integration is decreasing, the era of the New International Economic Order presupposes increased concern for integrative efforts in the Third World. The paper concludes with an examination of current prospects toward Korean unification in light of existing theoretical approaches and trends. The main need today is to construct an infrastructure of informal interaction between the peoples of North and South. After social communication is frequent, the two regimes can take up proposals for formal integration in more practical terms.
An approach for development of reusable container system in large scale manufacturing

Abstract Currently many industries are facing problems of disposing solid waste material. Packing containers is a significant contributor to this type of waste. The amount of waste generated has been incresing over some time. The disposal costs of such solid waste material have risen due to increasing environmental awareness and difficulty is finding disposal space. In 1988 it was estimated that 56.8 million tons, or 31.6% of the nation's municipal solid, waste, was attributed to containers and packaging [U.S., E.P.A. Report 1988]. As a result of this high volume disposable material, most popular ways of disposal, landfills are estimated to be closed within very few decades. This situation is exerting significant pressure on manufacturing facilities management to eliminate or reduce the amount of solid waste. In this paper we address the problem of reducing the volume of disposable containers without affecting the normal operations of distribution of parts and material. The approach of solving this problem involves first dividing it into three subproblems. Each subproblem is analyzed and solution method is developed. Then the solutions obtained are integrated to arrive at a solution to the main problem. The three sub- problems are (1) designing a box that can minimize total cost of using the box for transporting parts materials, (2) Developing “best” container layout on pallet. (3) Assigning parts to a container “optimally”.
Cardiovascular effects of buccal exposure to dermal nicotine patches in the dog: a comparative evaluation.

Objective: Safety concerns have been raised over the possible effects of inappropriate exposure to transdermal nicotine patches. This study was initiated to determine whether placement of these products into the mouth could affect cardiovascular function. Methods: In a series of 10 anesthetized beagle dogs, Nicoderm®, Habitrol®, ProStep® I (Intact), ProStep® D (Damaged) transdermal nicotine products or the Skoal Bandit® smokeless tobacco plug were placed in the buccal cavity for 5 minutes. Systemic arterial blood pressure and the electrocardiogram were monitored for up to 90 minutes after exposure with blood samples at intervals during the first 10 minutes for plasma nicotine concentration. Results: The systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressures and heart rate increased within 2 minutes of buccal exposure to either the intact or the damaged ProStep nicotine product. Ventricular arrhythmias were observed in 6 of 10 dogs exposed to the intact patch and 7 of 10 dogs exposed to the damaged patch during t...
Statistical Considerations on Design and Analysis of Bridging and Multiregional Clinical Trials

Global drug development with the objective of gaining regulatory approval from multiple regions/countries has been getting attentions by both regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical industry in the ...
Polarization energies, transport gap and charge transfer states of organic molecular crystals

A self-consistent calculation of electronic polarization in organic molecular crystals and thin films is presented in terms of charge redistribution in nonoverlapping molecules in a lattice. The polarization energies P + and P - of a molecular cation and anion are found for anthracene and perelynetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA), together with binding energies of ion pairs and transport gaps of PTCDA films on metallic substrates. The 500 meV variation of P + +P - with film thickness agrees with experiment, as do calculated dielectric tensors. Comparisons are made to submolecular calculations in crystals.
QoS and bandwidth management in broadband cable access network

A novel method is presented to switch from the current scheme of "best-effort" networks in which the provisioning of customer services may be unfair, to quality-of-service (QoS) based networks in which bandwidth allocation meets the subscriber's service level agreement contracts. Further, the current scheme in which the bandwidth allocation is provisioned on a static basis for each subscriber is enhanced to be flexible and time varying. The new approach enables the service provider to meet the bandwidth needs of each subscriber flexibly, and also enhances the utilization of the infrastructure by predicting the individual and integrated usage of all subscribers. The benefits to the service providers are optimization of the network resources and higher potential revenue due to an increased number of subscribers. In this paper, we narrow our scope to dynamic provisioning of QoS, defined by class of service, to bandwidth allocation in broadband cable access network. The self-provisioning of QoS in managing bandwidth in a cable system is presented in the context of automated service provisioning, service-level management, and policy management.
Statins may reduce breast cancer risk, particularly hormone receptor-negative disease

Estrogen and progesterone receptor-negative breast cancer disproportionately affects young women and African Americans, has a poor prognosis, and lacks an effective chemoprevention agent. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, known as “statins,” are appealing candidate agents for breast cancer chemoprevention because of their demonstrated safety after decades of widespread use. In preclinical studies, statins inhibit multiple cancer-associated pathways in both hormone receptor (HR)-negative and HR-positive cell lines. Epidemiologic studies of statins and breast cancer show inconsistent results, with some suggesting a reduction in HR-negative breast cancer incidence in lipophilic statin users. However, large meta-analyses show no association between statin use and overall risk of breast cancer, although most did not evaluate tumor HR status. Multiple phase 1 and 2 prevention studies of statins for breast cancer risk reduction are ongoing. If results are promising, they may justify a randomized trial of statins for breast cancer chemoprevention, with a focus on HR-negative disease.
The infrared spectrum of 3-methyldiazirine

Abstract Vapor and solid phase infrared spectra have been obtained for 3-methyldiazirine in the 250–4000 cm −1 region. Vapor phase band contours, characteristic group frequencies, and the vibrational assignments for other substituted diazirines were used in assigning the fundamental frequencies. All fundamentals were observed except the CH 3 torsion which normally occurs below 250 cm −1 .
Implementing breast cancer decision aids in community sites: barriers and resources.

Objective To assess the feasibility of implementing four patient decision aids (PtDAs) for early stage breast cancer treatment decisions into routine clinical care in community settings. Background There is very limited information available about implementing decision aids into routine clinical practice and most of this information is based on academic centres; more information is needed about implementing them into routine clinical practice in community settings. Design Structured individual interviews. Setting and participants Providers from 12 sites, including nine community hospitals, a community oncology centre and two academic centres. Main outcome measures Usage data, barriers to and resources for implementing the PtDAs. Results Nine of the 12 sites were using the PtDAs with patients. All of the sites were lending the PtDAs to patients, usually without a formal sign-out system. The keys to successful implementation included nurses’ and social workers’ interest in distributing the PtDAs and the success of the lending model. Barriers that limited or prevented sites from using the PtDA included a lack of physician support, a lack of an organized system for distributing the PtDAs and nurses’ perceptions about patients’ attitude towards participation in decision making. Conclusions It is feasible to implement PtDAs for early stage breast cancer into routine clinical care in community settings, even with few resources available.
Mechanisms of Decay of Laminar and Turbulent Vortices.

Abstract : Dynamics of an infinitely long one-dimensional vortex and a swirl are compared with dynamics of a semi-infinitely long trailing vortex and trailing swirl. With increasing distance, the change in axial velocity difference between the core of the trailing-vortex and the surrounding region causes radial convection and some associated axial convection of angular momentum. In laminar or turbulent trailing vortices, this is the dominant mechanism for decrease in velocities of swirl in the core and corresponding growth of the core. Axial velocity difference between the core of the trailing-vortex and the surrounding region is necessary for the sustenance of turbulence in the vortex core. A theory of turbulent trailing-vortex is developed on the basis of these mechanisms and the results are compared with experimental observations. (Author)
Superiorly directed atrial ectopy from the left inferior pulmonary vein.

P wave morphology is often useful in planning and prognosticating invasive electrophysiology testing with an aim at ablation. It is generally believed that atrial ectopy of a pulmonary vein site of origin will be inferiorly directed. We report the case of superiorly directed P waves originating from the left inferior pulmonary vein, likely the result of a prior pulmonary vein isolation procedure. As demonstrated by our case, standard algorithms to identify the site of origin of atrial ectopy should be used with caution in patients with prior ablative procedures.
RF/photonic antenna for high-capacity wireless communications

This paper proposes the integration of an antenna with a photodetector for high capacity wireless communications. The side-illuminated waveguide photodetector (WGPD) is used to convert the RF-modulated optical power into a microwave signal, which in turn is fed to an antenna. The WGPD is a standard p-i-n device grown on a semi-insulating InP substrate and fabricated using conventional techniques. The performance of this RF/photonic antenna in the frequency range 17-20 GHz is studied theoretically and experimentally. An equivalent circuit model for the WGPD is developed to estimate the photodetector impedance as a function of frequency to assist in the impedance matching between the photodetector and the antenna. The agreement between measurement and circuit model results for the WGPD impedance is very good. It is envisioned that a large number of such RF/Photonic antenna elements could be networked together into a star configuration, feeding in and out of a radio hub.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Orientational and Vibrational Relaxation Dynamics of Perylene and 1-Methylperylene in Aldehydes and Ketones

We report on the rotational diffusion and vibrational population relaxation dynamics of the probe molecules perylene and 1-methylperylene in selected aliphatic aldehyde and ketone solvents. The reorientation data demonstrate that, for both solvent systems, there is a change in the nature of the solvent−solute interactions with both probe molecules as the hydrodynamic volume of the solvent molecules approaches that of the probes. The solvent-dependent change in behavior occurs for different solvent aliphatic chain lengths in the two systems. Vibrational population relaxation measurements for two probe molecule vibrational modes reveal efficient intermolecular coupling in all cases. The data point to the role of the solvent aldehyde proton in mediating solvent−solvent and solvent−solute interactions, leading to chromophore dynamics reminiscent of those seen in the n-alcohols. Reorientation of the two probes in the ketones yields results that are more consistent with those seen in the alkanes, suggesting the...
Effect of Sustained Load on Dispersion of Ventricular Repolarization and Conduction Time in the Isolated Intact Rabbit Heart

Effect of Sustained Load on EP Parameters. Introduction: It is well known that myocardial stretch can elicit ventricular arrhythmias in experimental models. However, previous reports have predominantly documented stretch-induced arrhythmias during short, pulsatile stretch. The arrhythmogenic mechanism of sustained static stretch is incompletely understood. Methods and Results: To examine the influence of sustained load on several electrophysiologic parameters, a latex balloon was placed into the left ventricle of ten isolated Langendorffperfused rabbit hearts and filled with a neutral volume of fluid. The heart was paced from a catheter inside the right ventricle (apicoseptal endocardial position), and the following parameters were studied during steady-state pacing with a cycle length of 500 msec (S1) and during extrastimulation (S2, base drive of 8 beats): monophasic action potential (MAP) durations at 90% repolarization (APD90) from 5 to 6 epicardial electrodes located on both ventricles and one right ventricular endocardial contact electrode; dispersion of APD90 (range of MAP durations from all electrodes); effective refractory period (ERP) and longest activation time (pacing stimulus to MAP upstroke). After baseline recordings, the balloon inside the left ventricle was filled with a volume of 1.0 mL of fluid by means of a servo-controlled pump. The ERP was significantly shortened from 198 ± 9 msec at baseline to 183 ± 8 msec during sustained load (P < 0.03). Similarly, the average APD90 was shortened from 180 ± 5 msec at baseline to 175 ± 6 msec during sustained load (P < 0.006) with steady-state pacing and from 178 ± 6 msec to 170 ± 8 msec during premature extrastimulation (P < 0.03). At the same time, dispersion of APD90 was increased from 27 ± 5 msec to 38 ± 6 msec (P < 0.002) during steady-state pacing and from 28 ± 4 msec to 38 ± 6 msec (P = 0.013) during premature extrastimulation. The longest activation time among all MAP recordings was increased from 39 ± 2 msec to 43 ± 3 msec (P = 0.003) during steady-state pacing and from 56 ± 6 msec to 69 ± 6 msec during premature extrastimulation (P < 0.003). Conclusions: Sustained load shortens the ERP and the mean APD90 and at the same time increases dispersion of APD90 and prolongs activation times. These findings provide additional insight into the arrhythmogenic mechanisms of sustained mechanical load.
An implicit method for reconstructing dynamic three-dimensional phase boundaries under low Peclet number conditions

Abstract This article develops an implicit inverse method for reconstructing dynamic multidimensional phase boundaries. The technique is suitable for problems having small liquid phase Peclet numbers, Per = (VrL/ α ), where Vr is the characteristic liquid phase velocity scale evaluated relative to the solid phase velocity scale, L is a characteristic length scale, and α is a characteristic thermal diffusivity. Under these conditions, a multidimensional Stefan problem emerges. Explicit front-tracking procedures are eliminated by incorporating the latent heat effect in an effective, temperature dependent specific heat. Time-sequential reconstruction is then performed by solving a multidimensional nonlinear inverse heat conduction problem. As an illustration, evolving phase boundaries are reconstructed within moving and stationary plates subject to concentrated, high energy density heat sources. It is found that boundaries can be accurately reconstructed using either exact or noisy temperature measurements.
Preserving privacy in sensor-fog networks

To address the privacy-utility tradeoff associated with wireless sensor networks in general, and a smart television remote in particular, we study and test usability factors and privacy aspects associated with the current framework models of a TV remote, and port the paradigm of Fog computing to arrive at an optimal solution. A Fog node, being closer to the end-devices not only mitigates the problem of latency but also enables computationally expensive operations, which were earlier possible only at cloud-side. We explore various adversary models, which can potentially compromise our framework and suggest measures to help avoid them.
Estimation of blood gas contents from expired air under normal and pathologic conditions.

Abstract Methods of estimating arterial-venous O 2 content difference, mixed venous CO 2 content and tension, and average arterial CO 2 content are presented. They are based on the continuous gas analysis of expired air during a prolonged expiration. The influence of CO 2 storage in lung tissue and certain pathophysiologic conditions on the accuracy of these methods was systematically investigated with a comprehensive multi-chamber computer simulation of the lung. For normal levels of CO 2 storage capacity, satisfactory estimates of arterial-venous O 2 content difference are feasible for differences less than 8 volumes percent; with high levels of CO 2 storage capacity, large errors can occur. Storage of CO 2 in lung tissue causes large errors in the estimates of mixed venous CO 2 content and tension, and average arterial CO 2 content ; reliable estimates do not appear to be feasible from analysis of expired gas. Simulated pathophysiologic conditions of interstitial pulmonary edema or atelectasis also introduce large errors. This analysis delineates the theoretic limitations of an estimation technique in clinical applications where acute respiratory dysfunctions occur.
Metaphysics and reality of the feminine in early Neo-Confucian thought

Abstract The rise of the Neo-Confucian movement marks an important transition in the history of Chinese women. Before this mode of thought became widespread, customs regarding divorce, remarriage, and education generally allowed women a relatively high degree of personal freedom. The Neo-Confucian movement changed this by reinterpreting the Confucian classics in ways that sharply limited the range of social options open to women. Most significantly the Neo-Confucians emphasized the flawed nature of yin, the basic feminine element, enshrining this antipathy in their complex metaphysical systems. These philosophic abstractions soon influenced works ranging from history to family management. In this way the attitudes expressed by Neo-Confucians slowly spread into the popular consciousness. Thus many of the popular notions held toward women in China today date from the beginnings of Neo-Confucianism.
Buckling strength analysis of adhesively bonded aluminum hat sections

This paper provides an analytical solution for the critical buckling stress of adhesively bonded aluminum hat sections under static axial compression. The governing rectangular plate member of the structure is treated based on the differential equation for out-of-plane deflections of thin plates. Finite element eigenvalue buckling analysis is performed to verify the assumed simply supported boundary conditions for common edges between adjacent plate elements. Elastic restraint is applied to the two loaded edges of the rectangular plate, and the relative critical buckling stress is computed according to the transcendental equations. It is found from experiments that there is no adhesive bonding failure in the elastic buckling stage. The analytical solution yields buckling stress predictions which are in reasonable agreement with measured values.
A variant of Nesprin1 giant devoid of KASH domain underlies the molecular etiology of autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia type I

Nonsense mutations across the whole coding sequence of Syne1/Nesprin1 have been linked to autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia Type I (ARCA1). However, nothing is known about the molecular etiology of this late-onset debilitating pathology. In this work, we report that Nesprin1 giant is specifically expressed in CNS tissues. We also identified a CNS-specific splicing event that leads to the abundant expression of a KASH-LESS variant of Nesprin1 giant (KLNes1g) in the cerebellum. KLNes1g displayed a noncanonical localization at glomeruli of cerebellar mossy fibers whereas Nesprin2 exclusively decorated the nuclear envelope of all cerebellar neurons. In immunogold electron microscopy, KLNes1g colocalized both with synaptic vesicles within mossy fibers and with dendritic membranes of cerebellar granule neurons. We further identified vesicle- and membrane-associated proteins in KLNes1g immunoprecipitates. Together, our results suggest that the loss of function of KLNes1g resulting from Nesprin1 nonsense mutations underlies the molecular etiology of ARCA1.
Synthesis of selenium analogs of glycerol from 1,2,3‐selenadiazoles

A series of 1-(2-arylethynylselenomercapto)-2,3-epoxypropane and 1,3-di(2-arylethynylselenomercapto)-2-propanol were synthesized starting from 1,2,3-selenadiazoles and epichlorohydrin.