cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MRI of benign lumbosacral nerve root enhancement

Enhancement of nerve roots in the lumbosacral spine after intravenous administration of gadolinium contrast agents is seen in benign conditions such as disc herniation and spinal stenosis and may be observed in either the unoperated or postoperative spine. Correlating reasonably well with the clinical syndrome, nerve root enhancement represents actual pathology within nerve roots reflected by this breakdown in the blood-nerve barrier. Nerve root enhancement may be used in certain circumstances to show and confirm clinically relevant neurological disease.
A geometric switching approach toward thermal activation of metalloenediynes

Tetradentate metalloenediynes with strong imine and weaker thioether coordination serve as a geometrically non-rigid switch to drive thermal Bergman cyclization.
AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT TECHNIQUE FOR SEARCHING FOR SIMILAR BRAIN ACTIVATION PATTERNS

In this paper, we introduce a new approach for content-based similarity search for brain images. Based on the keyblock representation, our framework employs the principal component analysis to reduce the dimensionality and improve the computational efficiency. Moreover, the "similarity" between two images is measured using both the histogram model and the summed Euclidean distance. We performed experiments on different fMRI datasets, and compared the proposed framework with the keyblock approach. The results of the experiments demonstrated the improved effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach in similarity searches.
Autosomal dominant aniridia: probable linkage to acid phosphatase-1 locus on chromosome 2

Maximum likelihood analysis for linkage between autosomal dominant aniridia and 12 biochemical and serological markers in a single large family showed a probable linkage between autosomal dominant aniridia and the enzyme acid phosphatase-1. The presence of an autosomal dominant aniridia gene linked to acid phosphatase-1 on chromosome arm 2p and the existence of an aniridia syndrome resulting from deletion of band 13 of the short arm of chromosome 11 establishes a chromosome basis for genetic heterogeneity of aniridia phenotypes.
The Difficulty of Targeting Cancer Stem Cell Niches

Normal stem cell niches typically are identified by their distinctive anatomical features and by association with tissue-specific stem cells. Identifying cancer stem cell (CSC) niches presents a special problem because there are few if any common anatomical features among tumors, and the physical phenotypes that reportedly describe the CSCs as entities may be subject to the host's microenvironment, sex, and tumor stage. Irrespective of a niche's location, the occupant's phenotype, or the precise molecular composition, all niches must do basically the same thing: maintain the activities in a stem cell that define it as such. Therefore, a potentially successful strategy, both for elaborating a molecular and cellular portrait of a CSC niche, and for therapeutically targeting them, is to identify components in the tumor microenvironment that are required for maintaining the functions of self-renewal, differentiation, and quiescence in the face of cytotoxic therapeutic regimens.
The Service Facility Startup and Capacity Model and its Application to the National Cranberry Case

This paper provides formal modeling for and analytical aid to the startup and capacity problem facing Receiving Plant #1 of National Cranberry Cooperative. The analysis is based on a finite-horizon, single-facility queueing system with general variability. Using marginal analysis, we derive simple formulas that the optimal starting time and processing capacity should satisfy. These formulas lead to the comparative statics results showing that the starting time should be optimally delayed or the processing capacity optimally decreased when the operating cost increases, when the waiting cost decreases, when the cumulative arrival process decreases, or when the capacity of storage increases. We then demonstrate that three important performance measures, the expected waiting, tardiness, and operating costs, are jointly convex with respect to two control variables, starting time and processing capacity, in a generalized version of the model. Therefore, in the applications that involve minimizing these measures, the simple formulas derived from first-order conditions are necessary and sufficient for optimality. The applications of the model in service and manufacturing operations are numerous.
Acute Lung Injury: Prevention May Be the Best Medicine

Acute lung injury affects a subset of hospitalized patients but is not universal. This syndrome can substantially delay ventilator liberation, prolong intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and increase mortality. As with many critical illness syndromes, the available treatment options are limited in number and impact. Once a patient develops lung injury, the best known strategy is supportive care. Observational studies have identified potential risk factors and have suggested that the use and timing of certain critical care interventions may influence the likelihood of developing lung injury. These findings suggest that a well designed screening tool and the systematic application of best practices in critical care may limit the risk of lung injury. An effective prediction score may also facilitate enrollment in pharmacopreventive trials. Development of such tools is accelerated by multicenter collaboration.
Flow and Distribution of Fluid Phases through Porous Plant Growth Media in Microgravity: Progress to Date

Results from plant growth experiments utilizing particulate growth media during space flight revealed difficulties associated with providing reliable reproducible gaseous and water supply to plant roots. These limitations were attributed to insufficient understanding of liquid configuration and growth media transport processes in reduced gravity. The objective of this NASA-funded research program is to develop a framework for modeling and quantitative characterization of physical processes associated with flow of wetting and non-wetting phases in particulate plant growth media in microgravity. This paper provides an overview of research plans and current status of research activities. Characterization and modeling of substrate water retention and transport properties in microgravity is key to management and control of gas and liquid fluxes within plant root zones. Modeling efforts will focus on both 1) a pore network model for describing discontinuous fluid phase transport (ganglia/blobs) and 2) a statistical distribution model describing water retention and hydraulic conductivity as functions of various pore configurations. Minimizing hydrostatic forces within porous media by using thin samples on earth may provide an approximation to microgravity conditions. In our preliminary study we have used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to detect and track the evolution of liquid configuration and dynamics within thin slices of opaque porous media (Aquafoam with mean pore size of 50 μm). Both twoand three dimensional temporal MRI imaging has been performed in thin Aquafoam slices positioned vertically and horizontally (to simulate the effect of gravity). The wetting front exhibited percolation-type patterns and fingering. Preliminary results show that gravity dominates liquid flow even for low Bond numbers. Although the capillary forces are very strong the small hydrostatic pressure built in the initial liquid volume determines the subsequent evolution of the wetting front.
Exafs Studies of Grain Boundary Diffusion and Segregation

The dominant pathway for thin film interdiffusion and interface reactions is often via grain boundaries. We have made EXAFS measurements of grain boundary constituents for two systems: interdiffusion in Ag-Au bilay-ers and solid state reaction of Nb with a copper-tin bronze to form Nb3Sn. The Ag-Au results indicate that Au in saturated Ag grain boundaries has an environment similar to a dilute Au in Ag solution with reduced coordination. For the Nb-bronze reaction, the results for the Cu environment indicate distinct changes in the grain boundary environment when small amounts of Ti, Hf, Zr, and Ta are added to the starting Nb. Both results demonstrate the ability of EXAFS to probe grain boundary environments, and to provide important structural information in understanding solid state diffusion and interdiffusion in thin film systems.
Statistical inference in two-stage online controlled experiments with treatment selection and validation

Online controlled experiments, also called A/B testing, have been established as the mantra for data-driven decision making in many web-facing companies. A/B Testing support decision making by directly comparing two variants at a time. It can be used for comparison between (1) two candidate treatments and (2) a candidate treatment and an established control. In practice, one typically runs an experiment with multiple treatments together with a control to make decision for both purposes simultaneously. This is known to have two issues. First, having multiple treatments increases false positives due to multiple comparison. Second, the selection process causes an upward bias in estimated effect size of the best observed treatment. To overcome these two issues, a two stage process is recommended, in which we select the best treatment from the first screening stage and then run the same experiment with only the selected best treatment and the control in the validation stage. Traditional application of this two-stage design often focus only on results from the second stage. In this paper, we propose a general methodology for combining the first screening stage data together with validation stage data for more sensitive hypothesis testing and more accurate point estimation of the treatment effect. Our method is widely applicable to existing online controlled experimentation systems.
Aberrant protein phosphorylation at tyrosine is responsible for the growth-inhibitory action of pp60v-src expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract Expression of pp60v-src, the transforming protein of Rous sarcoma virus, arrests the growth of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To determine the basis of this growth arrest, yeast strains were constructed that expressed either wild-type v-src or various mutant v-src genes under the control of the galactose-inducible, glucose repressible GAL1 promoter. When shifted to galactose medium, cells expressing wild-type v-src ceased growth immediately and lost viability, whereas cells expressing a catalytically inactive mutant (K295M) continued to grow normally, indicating that the kinase activity of pp60v-src is required for its growth inhibitory effect. Mutants of v-src altered in the SH2/SH3 domain (XD4, XD6, SPX1, and SHX13) and a mutant lacking a functional N-terminal myristoylation signal (MM4) caused only a partial inhibition of growth, indicating that complete growth inhibition requires either targeting of the active kinase or binding of the kinase to phosphorylated substrates, or both. Cells arrested by v-src expression displayed aberrant microtubule structures, alterations in DNA content and elevated p34CDC28 kinase activity. Immunoblotting with antiphosphotyrosine antibody showed that many yeast proteins, including the p34CDC28 kinase, became phosphorylated at tyrosine in cells expressing v-src. Both the growth inhibition and the tyrosine-specific protein phosphorylation observed following v-src expression were reversed by co-expression of a mammalian phosphotyrosine-specific phosphoprotein phosphatase (PTP1B). However a v-src mutant with a small insertion in the catalytic domain (SRX5) had the same lethal effect as wild-type v-src, yet induced only very low levels of protein-tyrosine phosphorylation. These results indicate that inappropriate phosphorylation at tyrosine is the primary cause of the lethal effect of pp60v-src expression but suggest that only a limited subset of the phosphorylated proteins are involved in this effect.
The old and new: PCCs, VIIa, and long-lasting clotting factors for hemophilia and other bleeding disorders

What is the correct use of established clotting factors, prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs), and activated factor VII in bleeding complications of trauma, surgery, and old and new oral anticoagulants? How will new clotting factors, specifically the long-acting factors, change the hemostatic management of coagulation deficiency disorders? From bench to bedside, comparative coagulation studies and clinical trials of modified clotting factors are providing insights to help guide hemostatic management of congenital and acquired bleeding disorders. Comparative thrombin-generation studies and preclinical and clinical trials suggest that PCCs and fresh-frozen plasma are effective in reversing the anticoagulant effects of warfarin, yet there are few data to guide reversal of the new oral anticoagulants dabigatran and rivaroxaban. Although coagulation studies support the use of PCCs to reverse new oral anticoagulants, correlation with clinical response is variable and clinical trials in bleeding patients are needed. For congenital bleeding disorders, exciting new technologies are emerging from the bench. Data from clinical trials of molecularly modified coagulation factors with extended half-lives suggest the possibility of fewer infusions, reduced bleeds, and better quality of life in persons with hemophilia. Preclinical studies of other novel prohemostatic approaches for hemophilia and other congenital coagulation disorders include RNA interference silencing of antithrombin, monoclonal anti-tissue factor pathway inhibitor (anti-antibody, anti-tissue factor pathway inhibitor) aptamer, bispecific anti-IXa/X antibody, and fucoidans. Understanding the comparative coagulation studies of established prohemostatic agents, the pharmacokinetics of new long-acting clotting factors, and their correlation with bleeding outcomes will provide opportunities to optimize the hemostatic management of both congenital and acquired hemostatic disorders.
Inter-professional shared decision making – increasing the “shared” in shared decision making

Shared decision making (SDM) has been shown to increase patient engagement, patient satisfaction and adherence to treatment. Yet SDM remains underutilized in primary care due to factors such as the additional time required to implement, particularly for individual physicians. Inter-professional SDM (IP-SDM) is a model of SDM that distributes the tasks of SDM across different professionals involved in the care of the patient. IP-SDM has the potential to increase efficiency, provide more opportunities for patients to discuss the decision, and increase patient and provider satisfaction. Office visit workflows aligned to the steps of SDM allow team members to leverage their unique skills and training and enhances the decision making process for the patient. We argue that this approach should receive greater attention in primary care and throughout the healthcare system.
Pulmonary metallothionein expression in rats following single and repeated exposure to cadmium aerosols

This study examined the expression of metallothionein (MT) isoforms in the lungs of Lewis rats exposed to Cadmium (Cd) aerosols. With the use of isoform-specific oligonucleotide probes and Northern hybridization analysis, we demonstrated that a dramatic, rapid, and coordinate increase occurred in pulmonary MT-1 mRNA and MT-2 mRNA following Cd inhalation exposure. MT mRNAs levels reached a maximum at 2 h post-exposure and remained above control levels at 96 h after exposure. A considerable lag between the time of maximal elevations in MT mRNAs and MT protein accumulation was observed and suggested that regulatory mechanisms in addition to transcriptional control could be involved. MT expression (protein and mRNA) and Cd lung burden were directly related to aerosol Cd concentration. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry studies showed good correlation between the localization of MT protein and MT mRNAs. However, staining for MT protein and MT mRNA was not uniformly distributed in the lung. MT was particularly prominent within the alveolar compartment. Even within this area, however, heterogeneity of MT expression was evident. Experiments were subsequently conducted to determine whether prior exposure to Cd modulates the transcriptional activity of MT genes such that there is a greater elevation in gene expression upon reexposure to Cd. Surprisingly, animals pretreated with Cd exhibited a smaller incremental increase in MT mRNA levels in response to subsequent Cd exposure than controls with no prior treatment. Moreover, MT mRNA levels were elevated to a similar extent regardless of whether animals were exposed to Cd aerosols for 1, 2, or 3 weeks (3 h/day; 5 days/week). MT protein and lung Cd burden, on the other hand, exhibited an increasing linear trend as a function of exposure number. In summary, this study has demonstrated that: (1) the lung responds to Cd inhalation exposure by increasing MT mRNA and MT protein levels; (2) MT expression is prominent within alveolar cells but not all cells are MT positive; and (3) Cd-pretreatment does not increase the transcriptional potential of MT genes when the animal is subsequently reexposed to Cd.
Obesity and sudden death: visceral response?

The public health burden of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is high, accounting for about 50% of cardiovascular deaths, and resulting in more years of potential life lost than any single cancer.1 There is an established association between obesity and SCD2 ,3 which has attained increased importance due to the burgeoning global rise in the proportion of overweight and obese individuals. In the USA, obesity has reached epidemic proportions. A third of the population is obese, with median body mass index (BMI) above 27 kg/m2 and age-adjusted obesity prevalence above 35% for both sexes.4 Obesity appears to drive overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality largely by its link to cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and hypertension. Traditionally, BMI has been used in analyses of obesity and outcomes, but there is a growing literature suggesting that the distribution of body fat is important in determining cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. In particular, abdominal adiposity appears to confer a higher risk for CVD than obesity in general.5 From a mechanistic perspective, there are several reasons why a detailed examination of obesity as a risk factor for SCD is warranted. Obesity is associated with a variety of ECG abnormalities, including prolonged ventricular repolarisation (QT interval), which increases susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias. Obesity also increases risk for heart failure, LV hypertrophy and dilatation, sleep apnoea, and altered sympathetic tone, all of which may increase risk of SCD beyond traditional CVD risk …
Genetic analysis of colon tumors induced by a dietary carcinogen PhIP in CYP1A humanized mice: Identification of mutation of β‐catenin/Ctnnb1 as the driver gene for the carcinogenesis

Replacing mouse Cyp1a with human CYP1A enables the humanized CYP1A mice to mimic human metabolism of the dietary carcinogen, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), by N(2) -hydroxylation to a proximate carcinogen. Our previous study demonstrated that PhIP, combined with the dextrin sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, induces colon carcinogenesis in hCYP1A mice. Here, we employed whole exome sequencing and found multiple gene mutations in PhIP/DSS-induced colon tumors. Mutations in the exon 3 of Ctnnb1/β-catenin, however, were the predominant events. We further sequenced the key fragments of Apc, Ctnnb1, and Kras, because mutations of these genes in the humans are commonly found as the drivers of colorectal cancer. Mutations on either codon 32 or 34 in the exon 3 of Ctnnb1 were found in 39 out of 42 tumors, but no mutation was found in either Apc or Kras. The sequence context of codons 32 and 34 suggests that PhIP targets +3G in a TGGA motif of Ctnnb1. Since mutations that activate Wnt signal is a major driving force for human colorectal cancers, we conclude that the mutated β-catenin is the driver in PhIP/DSS-induced colon carcinogenesis. This result suggests that the colon tumors in hCYP1A mice mimic human colorectal carcinogenesis not only in the dietary etiology involving PhIP, but also in the aberrant activation of the Wnt signaling pathway as the driving force.
Fat-specific protein 27 modulates nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 and the cellular response to stress

Fat-specific protein 27 (FSP27), a member of the cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor α-like effector (Cide) family, is highly expressed in adipose tissues and is a lipid droplet (LD)-associated protein that induces the accumulation of LDs. Using a yeast two-hybrid system to examine potential interactions of FSP27 with other proteins, a direct interaction with the N-terminal region of nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 (NFAT5) was identified. NFAT5 is a transcription factor that induces osmoprotective and inflammatory genes after its translocation to the nucleus. The interaction between FSP27 and NFAT5 was confirmed by bimolecular fluorescence complementation and coimmunoprecipitation. Using immunocytochemistry, NFAT5 is detected in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus under isotonic conditions; however, overexpression of FSP27 inhibited the hypertonic-induced nuclear translocation of NFAT5. Consistent with the suppression of NFAT5 nuclear translocation, in cells transfected with a reporter construct containing the NFAT5 response element from the monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1) promoter, FSP27 overexpression repressed hypertonic-induced luciferase activity and the expression of NFAT5 target genes. Knockdown of FSP27 in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes increased the NFAT5-mediated rise in MCP1. These results suggest that FSP27 not only modulates LD homeostasis but also modulates the response to osmotic stress via a physical interaction with NFAT5 at the LD surface.
Time-domain chirally-sensitive three-pulse coherent probes of vibrational excitons in proteins

Abstract The third-order optical response of Bosonic excitons is calculated using the Green’s function solution of the nonlinear exciton equations (NEE), which establish a quasi particle-scattering mechanism for optical nonlinearities. Both time-ordered and non-ordered forms of the response function which represent time and frequency domain techniques, respectively, are derived. New components of the response tensor are predicted for isotropic ensembles of periodic chiral structures to first order in the optical wavevector. The nonlocal nonlinear response function is calculated in momentum space. The finite exciton–exciton interaction length is used to greatly reduce the computational effort. Applications arc made to coupled anharmonic vibrations in the amide I infrared band of peptides. Chirally sensitive and non-sensitive signals for α helices and antiparallel β sheets are compared.
Effects of brief alcohol interventions on drinking and driving among youth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol-impaired driving persists as a major cause of traffic fatalities and injuries among young drivers. This meta-analysis examined whether brief alcohol interventions were effective in reducing driving after drinking among adolescents and young adults. METHOD: Our systematic search identified 12 experimental/quasi-experimental evaluations (16 intervention groups) that measured driving while intoxicated and related consequences and provided data for effect size calculation (N = 5,664; M age =17 years; 57% male). The studies were published between 1991 and 2011. Three-level random-effects meta-analyses using a structural equation modeling approach were used to summarize the effects of the interventions. RESULTS: Compared with controls, participants in brief alcohol interventions reported reduced drinking and driving and related consequences (ḡ = 0.15, 95% CI [0.08, 0.21]). Supplemental analyses indicated that reductions in driving while intoxicated were positively associated with the reduced post-intervention heavy use of alcohol. These findings were not attenuated by study design or implementation factors. CONCLUSIONS: Brief alcohol interventions under 5 hours of contact may constitute a promising preventive approach targeting drinking and driving among adolescents and young adults. Reducing heavy episodic alcohol consumption appeared to be a major factor in reducing drunk-driving instances. Interpretation of the findings must be made with caution, however, given the possibility of publication bias and the small observed effect size. Future research should focus on the exact mechanisms of behavior change leading to beneficial outcomes of brief alcohol interventions and the potential effectiveness of combined brief interventions and other preventive approaches. Language: en
River stage influences on uranium transport in a hydrologically dynamic groundwater-surface water transition zone

A well-field within a uranium (U) plume in the groundwater-surface water transition zone was monitored for a 3 year period for water table elevation and dissolved solutes. The plume discharges to the Columbia River, which displays a dramatic spring stage surge resulting from snowmelt. Groundwater exhibits a low hydrologic gradient and chemical differences with river water. River water intrudes the site in spring. Specific aims were to assess the impacts of river intrusion on dissolved uranium (Uaq), specific conductance (SpC), and other solutes, and to discriminate between transport, geochemical, and source term heterogeneity effects. As a result of water table elevation fluctuations, river water intrusion, and changes in groundwater flow directions, time series trends for Uaq and SpC were found to be complex and displayed large temporal and well-to-well variability. The wells were clustered into subsets exhibiting common behaviors resulting from the intrusion dynamics of river water and the location of source terms. Hot-spots in Uaq varied in location with increasing water table elevation through the combined effects of advection and source term location. Heuristic reactive transport modeling with PFLOTRAN demonstrated that mobilized Uaq was transported between wells and source terms in complex trajectories, and was diluted as river watermore » entered and exited the groundwater system. Moreover, while Uaq time-series concentration trends varied significantly from year-to-year as a result of climate-caused differences in the spring hydrograph, common and partly predictable response patterns were observed that were driven by water table elevation, and the extent and duration of river water intrusion.« less
Review Essay: Learning from Forgiveness

Many have argued that contemporary American criminal punishment is overly harsh and unforgiving, especially in its use of mandatory minimum penalties. But what does forgiveness have to do with the criminal law? In this essay review of two recent books on the philosophy of forgiveness, I argue that forgiveness is a form of relational responsibility, in which personal interaction between judge and judged, and the value of an ongoing human relations are central features in determining personal responsibility. This contrasts with legal responsibility, which is idealized as impersonal, rule-dictated and disinterested in personal relationships. Looking at some particular uses of mandatory life sentences in California - for juvenile murderers and third strike offenders - I suggest ways that concepts of relational responsibility, including those from forgiveness, might inform how punishment decisions are made.
The B-ring's surface mass density from hidden density waves: Less than meets the eye?

Abstract Saturn’s B ring is the most opaque ring in our Solar System, but many of its fundamental parameters, including its total mass, are not well constrained. Spiral density waves generated by mean-motion resonances with Saturn’s moons provide some of the best constraints on the rings’ mass density, but detecting and quantifying such waves in the B ring has been challenging because of this ring’s high opacity and abundant fine-scale structure. Using a wavelet-based analyses of 17 occultations of the star γ Crucis observed by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini spacecraft, we are able to examine five density waves in the B ring. Two of these waves are generated by the Janus 2:1 and Mimas 5:2 Inner Lindblad Resonances at 96,427 km and 101,311 km from Saturn’s center, respectively. Both of these waves can be detected in individual occultation profiles, but the multi-profile wavelet analysis reveals unexpected variations in the pattern speed of the Janus 2:1 wave that might arise from the periodic changes in Janus’ orbit. The other three wave signatures are associated with the Janus 3:2, Enceladus 3:1 and Pandora 3:2 Inner Lindblad Resonances at 115,959 km, 115,207 km and 108,546 km. These waves are not visible in individual profiles, but structures with the correct pattern speeds can be detected in appropriately phase-corrected average wavelets. Estimates of the ring’s surface mass density derived from these five waves fall between 40 and 140 g/cm2, even though the ring’s optical depth in these regions ranges from ∼1.5 to almost 5. This suggests that the total mass of the B ring is most likely between one-third and two-thirds the mass of Saturn’s moon Mimas.
Teaching Accounting Ethics: A Problem-Based Learning Approach

Research has shown problem-based learning (PBL) to be an effective learning method in a variety of ways. This paper discusses the merits of implementing PBL in college accounting classrooms to teach ethics effectively. This paper reviews literature on the use of PBL in business and non-business areas and discusses how these research findings can be used to adapt the PBL pedagogy to successfully inculcate ethics into the mindset of accounting students. We found that many of the skills imparted by the PBL process, such as flexible thinking, problem solving, self-directed learning, collaboration, and intrinsic motivation, are crucial to the acquisition of ethical values. Although PBL with regard to mature learners has been studied extensively and a few papers have discussed the merits of implementing PBL in the college accounting classroom, no research has been conducted to date that has focused specifically on how it can best be adapted to effectively teach ethics in the accounting classroom. By using PBL to make the learning of business ethics more interesting and relevant to students, we educators hope to optimally influence and educate the next generation of accountants to make ethical decisions in their professional practices.
Steroids for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

The efficacy and safety of high-dose, intermittent IV methylprednisolone (IVMP) as initial and long-term maintenance therapy for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) were analyzed by a retrospective review of outcome data derived from patients’ medical records between 1992 and 2003 at Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.
Material properties design of C/C nozzle divergent section

In a nozzle structure,through orthogonal experiment and finite element analysis,the generatrix direction maximum tension stress,hoop direction maximun compressive stress and interlaminar maximum shear stress under three levels of radial elastic modulus,generatrix(hoop) elastic modulus,radial thermal conductivity,generatrix(hoop) thermal conductivity,radial thermal expansion,generatrix(hoop) thermal expansion,specific heat and density,etc.were obtained through range analysis,and optimum design scheme of parameters was preliminarily obtained.Then though variance analysis,it is found that the generatrix elastic modulus,the radial thermal conductivity and generatrix thermal expansion are three significant factors.Last,combined with C/C material application environment and technological process,the final material optimum design is presented and through finite element thermal stress analysis,it is found that the extreme stresses are far lower than allowable stresses.
Software for Apportionment of Asbestos-Related Mesotheliomas

Patients with an asbestos-related mesothelioma may be legally entitled to financial compensation. In this context, a physician may be called upon to apportion the contribution of an asbestos containing product or facility where there was asbestos exposure in the development of that individual's mesothelioma. This task is mathematically not simple. It is a complex function of each and the entire individual's above-background asbestos exposures. Factors to be considered for each of these exposures are the amount of exposure to mesotheliogenic fibers, each of the asbestos containing products' potency to cause mesothelioma, and the time period when the exposures occurred relative to when the mesothelioma was diagnosed. In this paper, the known factors related to asbestos-related mesothelioma risk are briefly reviewed and the software that is downloadable and fully functional in a Windows® environment is also provided. This software allows for rapid assessment of relative contributions and deals with the somewhat tedious mathematical calculations. With this software and a reasonable occupational history, if it is decided that the mesothelioma was due to above-background asbestos exposure, the contribution of an asbestos containing product or a time period of asbestos exposure can be apportioned.
An aerial 3D printing test mission

This paper provides an overview of an aerial 3D printing technology, its development and its testing. This technology is potentially useful in its own right. In addition, this work advances the development of a related in-space 3D printing technology. A series of aerial 3D printing test missions, used to test the aerial printing technology, are discussed. Through completing these test missions, the design for an in-space 3D printer may be advanced. The current design for the in-space 3D printer involves focusing thermal energy to heat an extrusion head and allow for the extrusion of molten print material. Plastics can be used as well as composites including metal, allowing for the extrusion of conductive material. A variety of experiments will be used to test this initial 3D printer design. High altitude balloons will be used to test the effects of microgravity on 3D printing, as well as parabolic flight tests. Zero pressure balloons can be used to test the effect of long 3D printing missions subjected to low temperatures. Vacuum chambers will be used to test 3D printing in a vacuum environment. The results will be used to adapt a current prototype of an in-space 3D printer. Then, a small scale prototype can be sent into low-Earth orbit as a 3-U cube satellite. With the ability to 3D print in space demonstrated, future missions can launch production hardware through which the sustainability and durability of structures in space will be greatly improved.
SLOPE EFFICIENCIES OF Cr 3+ VIBRONIC LASERS

Tunable near-infrared lasers based on vibronic sideband emission from Cr3+ have proliferated rapidly in the short period since the introduction of alexandrite, which was the first laser medium of this type.1 In most Cr3+ laser crystals, the measured slope efficiencies have been well below the theoretical maximum value. In some cases, the tuning range is also smaller than expected based on the measured wavelength dependence of the emission cross section. Excited-state absorption (ESA) originating from the upper laser level could account for these deviations from ideal performance. We report the results of direct measurements of ESA as well as its influence on laser efficiency.
Meteors as Probes of the Upper Atmosphere

In this short discussion of the use of meteors in upperatmospheric research no attempt is made to achieve historical completeness. For an interesting historical account of meteors and the basic theory of the earth’s attraction, the reader is referred to Olivier’s book on the subject [61]. Watson’s Between the Planets [85] covers in semipopular style the related subjects of comets, meteors, meteorites, and minor planets. Pioneering work on meteoric and atmospheric theory such as that by Schiaparelli [76] in 1871 is discussed by Kopff [37] in his section on meteors in the Handbuch der Astrophysik. Hoffmeister [30] has summarized much of the other material in his book on the subject. A recent account, concentrating mostly on the early work by Lindemann and Dobson, is given by Mitra [59] in his valuable volume The Upper Atmosphere.
Situation-Aware Decision Making in Smart Homes

The ability to efficiently predict the elderly's future situations and make the right decision accordingly is a necessity in developing smart homes. In this paper, we propose a hybrid and dynamic predictive model which utilizes higher order Markov models integrated with a situation ranking technique. More specifically, we employ a revised version of PageRank algorithm to take the properties of the situation-graph structure and semantics into account and dynamically rank the situations considering the user's mental state. Then we apply rankings as prior probabilities in order to build the corresponding Markov model. Also, we utilize rankings to identify milestone situations and transitions in order to compress the representation model. Experiments show that the predictions obtained by this approach are more efficient and effective than the ones produced from the pure predictive graphical model-based approaches.
Intelligent imputation technique for missing values

Missing value is a widespread problem for data quality because most of the statistical procedures require a value for each variable. The missing value may lead to biased parameter estimates, and may result in degradation of data quality. Imputation has been used to replace the missing data by plausible estimation. This research combines the Hot-Deck and Expectation Maximization imputations with the C5.0 classifier technique to estimate missing values and to improve the data quality. It would fit numeric, categorical, and continuous data sets. The Hot-Deck imputation deals with categorical and mixed data types. The Expectation Maximization imputation is a best method for numerical data and to increase association with other variables. The C5.0 classifies the data in lesser time with minimum memory usage. It has a higher accuracy compared to other classifiers. This new embedded ‘Intelligent Imputation Technique for Missing Values’ is used for the main process of acquiring knowledge from data. This technique is compared with the original C5.0 algorithm and the results are presented.
Preschool Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children with Congenital Heart Disease.

Objective To describe preschool neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with complex congenital heart disease (CHD), who were evaluated as part of a longitudinal cardiac neurodevelopmental follow-up program, as recommended by the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and identify predictors of neurodevelopmental outcomes in these children. Study design Children with CHD meeting the American Heart Association/American Academy of Pediatrics high-risk criteria for neurodevelopmental delay were evaluated at 4-5 years of age. Testing included standardized neuropsychological measures. Parents completed measures of child functioning. Scores were compared by group (single ventricle [1V]; 2 ventricles [2V]; CHD plus known genetic condition) to test norms and classified as: normal (within 1 SD of mean); at risk (1-2 SD from mean); and impaired (>2 SD from mean). Results Data on 102 patients were analyzed. Neurodevelopmental scores did not differ based on cardiac anatomy (1V vs 2V); both groups scored lower than norms on fine motor and adaptive behavior skills, but were within 1 SD of norms. Patients with genetic conditions scored significantly worse than 1V and 2V groups and test norms on most measures. Conclusions Children with CHD and genetic conditions are at greatest neurodevelopmental risk. Deficits in children with CHD without genetic conditions were mild and may not be detected without formal longitudinal testing. Parents and providers need additional education regarding the importance of developmental follow-up for children with CHD.
Thrombosis in Thyroid Cancer

Background The number of studies on venous thromboembolism (VTE) and thyroid cancer is very scarce and existing data are contradictory. This paper reviews VTE in thyroid cancer. Methods The following words were used for a comprehensive literature review using MEDLINE database: Blood coagulation factors; thyroid hormones; blood coagulation tests; venous thromboembolism; receptors thyroid hormone; hemostasis; fibrinolysis; bleeding; blood coagulation disorders; thyroid neoplasms; Thyroid cancer, papillary; Thyroid cancer, follicular; Thyroid carcinoma, anaplastic; Thyroid cancer, Hurthle cell; Familial medullary thyroid carcinoma; venous thrombosis; Pulmonary embolism; Blood coagulation factors. The studies, which include any changes in hemostasis and thyroid cancer were included and reviewed. Results Although few studies have shown a possible increase in VTE occurrence in thyroid cancer in patients ≥ 60 years old and in proximity to cancer diagnosis, other studies could not find any difference compared to general population. New thyroid cancer classification excluding common subtype(s) with benign nature, may affect the results of the future studies on association of VTE and thyroid cancer. Conclusions Prospective studies on the occurrence of VTE in various types and severities of thyroid cancer and in different age groups are warranted, as the results would affect clinical practice on the necessity of usage of anticoagulants in some thyroid cancer groups.
Breakfast Was My Idea

Long before there was anything anyone would call the field of arts and business, Goffman (1959) showed us how we could understand organizations as theater. Although, organization as theater has never been one of the dominant metaphors (Morgan 1997) of how we think about what an organization is, it is a well-established idea that sits beneath what is probably the most common conjunction of arts and business. The Applied Improvisation Network, which consists of practitioners who use theatrical improvisation methods to work within organizations has over 5000 members world-wide. Chicago’s famous Second City comed club has a commercial division dedicated to working with businesses.
The Biology of Schlemm’s Canal

As aqueous humor drains, it is collected by a venous vessel, Schlemm's canal, which encircles the eye at the corneoscleral junction. Apart from its role in returning aqueous humor to the systemic circulation, Schlemm's canal participates in the generation of resistance to its drainage that serves to maintain intraocular pressure at a relatively constant level over a lifetime. Such regulation is accomplished by unique anatomical and physiological features of the inner wall and its relationship with the underlying trabecular meshwork cells and extracellular matrix in the juxtacanalicular tissue region of the conventional drainage pathway. Dysfunction of this region results in ocular hypertension, the primary risk factor for a group of diseases known as glaucoma.
Can cosmic strings and an axial magnetic field coexist in a stationary godel Universe

A configuration of cosmic strings immersed in an axial magnetic field is studied in a stationary Godel cosmology. Strings oriented along thez direction require an axial magnetic field to support the resultant geometry while radially directed strings and azimuthal wrapped strings do not require an axial magnetic field to support the geometry but lead to a state of compression in the absence of the magnetic field.
Computational optical tomography using 3-D deep convolutional neural networks

Deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) offer a promising performance for many image processing areas, such as super-resolution, deconvolution, image classification, denoising, and segmentation, with outstanding results. Here, we develop for the first time, to our knowledge, a method to perform 3-D computational optical tomography using 3-D DCNN. A simulated 3-D phantom dataset was first constructed and converted to a dataset of phase objects imaged on a spatial light modulator. For each phase image in the dataset, the corresponding diffracted intensity image was experimentally recorded on a CCD. We then experimentally demonstrate the ability of the developed 3-D DCNN algorithm to solve the inverse problem by reconstructing the 3-D index of refraction distributions of test phantoms from the dataset from their corresponding diffraction patterns.
Part III Epilogue

The changes that university-based business schools made after the 1959 foundation reports moved the business school closer to the traditional preferences of the university (i.e., research, discovery of knowledge) and away from the preferences of the business profession (i.e., training professionals, addressing critical short-term problems facing business). The primary emphasis has been a focus on dis-aggregation of knowledge while not as strong an emphasis is being placed on re-aggregation. This re-aggregation is essential to contributing to a professional knowledge system.
Further Improvements of the Single-Shot 3D Movie Camera

This chapter introduces two methods, which significantly improve the measurement outcome of the single-shot 3D movie camera: The further increase of the 3D data density and channel efficiency by the application of a projected pattern with crossed lines. The acquisition of texture information, which enhances the visual impression of the acquired 3D model and could also serve as an additional source of information. Both methods require a slight softening of the ‘pure doctrine’ of the previous two Chaps. 5 and 6, as now additional space-bandwidth restrictions are introduced. In exchange, both improvements are applicable without the need of additional cameras in the setup.
Development and validation of an asthma exacerbation prediction model using electronic health record (EHR) data

Objective: Asthma exacerbations are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and cost. Accurately identifying asthma patients at risk for exacerbation is essential. We sought to develop a risk prediction tool based on routinely collected data from electronic health records (EHRs).Methods: From a repository of EHRs data, we extracted structured data for gender, race, ethnicity, smoking status, use of asthma medications, environmental allergy testing BMI status, and Asthma Control Test scores (ACT). A subgroup of this population of patients with asthma that had available prescription fill data was identified, which formed the primary population for analysis. Asthma exacerbation was defined as asthma-related hospitalization, urgent/emergent visit or oral steroid use over a 12-month period. Univariable and multivariable statistical analysis was completed to identify factors associated with exacerbation. We developed and tested a risk prediction model based on the multivariable analysis.Results: We identified 37,675 patients with asthma. Of those, 1,787 patients with asthma and fill data were identified, and 979 (54.8%) of them experienced an exacerbation. In the multivariable analysis, smoking (OR = 1.69, CI: 1.08-2.64), allergy testing (OR = 2.40, CI: 1.54-3.73), obesity (OR = 1.66, CI: 1.29-2.12), and ACT score reflecting uncontrolled asthma (OR = 1.66, CI: 1.10-2.29) were associated with increased risk of exacerbation. The area-under-the-curve (AUC) of our model in a combined derivation and validation cohort was 0.67.Conclusion: Despite use of rigorous methodology, we were unable to produce a predictive model with an acceptable degree of accuracy and AUC to be clinically useful.