cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Qua-Problem for Names (Dismissed)

The primary focus of this paper is the so-called “qua-problem” for names, a problem which I argue is spurious and thus apt for dissolving rather than solving. This pseudo problem can be conceptualized (following Devitt and Sterelny’s Language and Reality) as involving a pair of questions which appear to put pressure on the causal theorist to introduce a descriptive element into her theory of reference. One question concerns how a name can be grounded in a whole object when only a (spatio-temporal) part of the object is perceived; the other question asks for an explanation of failed groundings in cases where the speaker is very wrong about the perceived object they have attempted to name. I deny that causal theorists need to make any concessions to descriptivism in order to adequately address these concerns. In response to the first question, I appeal to a default, psychologically motivated, practice of naming only whole objects; in response to the second question, I suggest, through a series of thought experiments, that reference does not in fact fail even in cases where the speaker is radically mistaken about the perceived object they are attempting to name. After responding to a trio of objections Devitt has made to the proposed dissolution of the qua-problem for names, I compare the case of names to the far more complex case of natural kind terms, where (I suggest) there may indeed be a genuine qua-problem, even if one not amenable to the particular solution proposed by Devitt and Sterelny.
Abstract 14232: The Cathepsin D-m6pr-erk1/2 Pathway Mediates Cellular Senescence and Osteogenic Activities in Human Aortic Valve Interstitial Cells

Background: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular disorders in the elderly, and aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) play a major role in valvular calc...
Emergence of a novel urogenital-tropic Neisseria meningitidis.

Purpose of review Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is primarily associated with asymptomatic nasopharyngeal carriage and invasive meningococcal disease (sepsis and meningitis), but like N. gonorrhoea (Ng), Nm can colonize urogenital and rectal mucosal surfaces and cause disease. First noted in 2015, but with origins in 2011, male urethritis clusters caused by a novel Nm clade were reported in the USA (the US_NmUC). This review describes research developments that characterize this urogenital-tropic Nm. Recent findings The US_NmUC evolved from encapsulated Nm serogroup C strains. Loss of capsule expression, lipooligosaccharide (LOS) sialylation, genetic acquisition of gonococcal alleles (including the gonococcal anaerobic growth aniA/norB cassette), antimicrobial peptide heteroresistance and high surface expression of a unique factor-H-binding protein, can contribute to the urethra-tropic phenotype. Loss-of-function mutations in mtrC are overrepresented in clade isolates. Similar to Ng, repeat US_NmUC urethritis episodes can occur. The US_NmUC is now circulating in the UK and Southeast Asia. Genomic sequencing has defined the clade and rapid diagnostic tests are being developed for surveillance. Summary The US_NmUC emerged as a cause of urethritis due to acquisition of gonococcal genetic determinants and phenotypic traits that facilitate urogenital tract infection. The epidemiology and pathogenesis of this urogenital-tropic pathogen continues to be defined.
One anastomosis gastric bypass versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a 30-day follow-up review

One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) type procedures have been widely adopted outside the United States. International experience of OAGB commonly suggests improved early postoperative safety with OAGB over Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). This study aims to report on the early experience with OAGB in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) accredited centers, and compare with RYGB in terms of complication rates. The MBSAQIP public use files from 2015 to 2018 were used to identify adult patients who underwent primary OAGB and RYGB. Propensity score analysis was used to estimate the marginal population-average differences between OAGB and RYGB patients. Based on the matched samples, McNemar’s tests and Wilcoxon signed rank test were carried out for binary and continuous outcomes. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Propensity score matching analysis resulted in 279 matched pairs for OAGB and RYGB. Twelve OAGB patients (4.3%) experienced a complication; 3 of them (1.1%) were diagnosed with anastomotic leaks. Compared to 14 (5%) of RYGB patients experiencing a complication; 5 (1.8%) were diagnosed with anastomotic leaks. Reintervention, reoperation and readmission rates for OAGB were 2.5%, 3.2% and 5%, compared to 1.8%, 1.8%, and 3.2% for RYGB. Our study supports previous data that suggests OAGB has a similar early safety profile compared to RYGB and perioperative risks of OAGB should not be of a concern regarding its adoption. Conversely, OAGB does not seem to be associated with an improved safety profile over RYGB.
Contemporary Guidelines for Tympanostomy Tube Placement

Although tympanostomy tube placement has been one of the most common surgical procedures in children in the USA for many years, clinical practice guidelines were not developed until recently. In 2013, the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) published a clinical practice guideline based on an extensive literature review to address specific indications for surgery. These clinical practice guidelines focus primarily on chronic otitis media with effusion and recurrent acute otitis media and provide an evidence-based framework for decision-making strategies. Although a useful tool to assist in clinical decision-making, it is important to keep in mind that individual patient considerations and circumstances must also be taken into account when making treatment decisions. Otherwise, healthy children with minimal risk of developmental delays should be given a generous observation period prior to offering tympanostomy tube placement; higher-risk children should undergo more prompt surgical intervention.
Gruppe der Picornaviren

Die Gruppe der Picornaviren besteht aus kleinen, Ather-resistenten RNS-Viren. Man unterscheidet die folgenden biologischen Untergruppen: A. Vom Menschen isolierte Picornaviren: 1. Enteroviren a) Polioviren, Typen 1–3 b) Coxsackieviren A, Typen 1–24* c) Coxsackieviren B, Typen 1–6 d) Echoviren, Typen 1–33** 2. Rhinoviren (etwa 60 Typen) B. Von Tieren isolierte Picornaviren (einschlieslich Maul- und Klauenseuche der Rinder, das als Rhinovirus eingeordnet wird). C. Einzelne Pflanzenviren ( Tomaten bushy stunt Virus, gelbes Mosaikvirus der Ruben) haben ahnliche Eigenschaften wie Picornaviren. Einige kurzlich entdeckte RNS-Bakteriophagen weisen ebenfalls einzelne Eigenschaften auf, die vermuten lassen, das sie letztlich als Picornaviren eingruppiert werden mussen.
A view from the top: examining elites in large-scale land deals

AbstractA rise in large-scale land acquisitions has been documented in the popular media and scholarly literature, but with little attention to elite actors and their motivations. In this introduction to the special issue, we expand upon commonly held understandings of the drivers of global land acquisitions to explore the complex, dynamic and sometimes contradictory motivations of elites directly and indirectly involved in land deals. Focusing on the relationships between state actors, private investors, transnational corporations and scientific experts, we outline some principal ways in which elites with diverse interests shape land negotiations. We then introduce the articles in this issue and their contributions to the literature on land deals.
Magnetic coupling between nonmagnetic ions: Eu 3+ in EuN and EuP

We consider the electronic structure of, and magnetic exchange (spin) interactions between, nominally nonmagnetic ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{3+}$ ions ($4{f}^{6}$, $S=3$, $L=3$, $J=0$) within the context of the rocksalt structure compounds EuN and EuP. Both compounds are ionic (${\mathrm{Eu}}^{3+}$; ${N}^{3\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${P}^{3\ensuremath{-}}$) semimetals similar to isovalent GdN. Treating the spin polarization within the $4f$ shell, and then averaging consistent with the $J=0$ configuration, we estimate semimetallic band overlaps (Eu $5d$ with pnictide $2p$ or $3p$) of $\ensuremath{\sim}0.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ (EuN) and $\ensuremath{\sim}1.0\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ (EuP) that increase (become more metallic) with pressure. The calculated bulk modulus is $130\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}(86)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$ for EuN (EuP). Exchange (spin-spin) coupling calculated from correlated band theory is small and ferromagnetic in sign for EuN, increasing in magnitude with pressure. Conversely, the exchange coupling is antiferromagnetic in sign for EuP and is larger in magnitude, but decreases with compression. Study of a two-site model with ${\stackrel{P\vec}{S}}_{1}∙{\stackrel{P\vec}{S}}_{2}$ coupling within the $J=0,1$ spaces of each ion illustrates the dependence of the magnetic correlation functions on the model parameters, and indicates that the spin coupling is sufficient to alter the Van Vleck susceptibility. We outline a scenario of a spin-correlation transition in a lattice of $S=3$, $L=3$, $J=0$ nonmagnetic ions.
Survival in Adult Lung Transplant Recipients Receiving Pediatric Versus Adult Donor Allografts

Background Recent evidence showed that pediatric donor lungs increased rates of allograft failure in adult lung transplant recipients; however, the influence on survival is unclear. Methods The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was queried from 2005 to 2013 for adult lung transplant recipients (≥18 years) to assess survival differences among donor age categories ( Results Of 12,297 adult lung transplants, 12,209 were used for univariate Cox models and Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis and 11,602 for multivariate Cox models. A total of 1,187 adult recipients received pediatric donor lungs compared with 11,110 receiving adult donor organs. Univariate and multivariate Cox models found no difference in survival between donor ages 0 to 17 and donor ages 18 to 29, whereas donor ages 60 and older were significantly associated with increased mortality hazard, relative to the modal category of donor ages 30 to 59 (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.381; 95% confidence interval = 1.188% to 1.606%; p Conclusions Pediatric donor lung allografts were not negatively associated with survival in adult lung transplant recipients; however, the oldest donor age range was associated with increased mortality hazard for adult lung transplant recipients.
Complex Billiard Hamiltonian Systems and Nonlinear Waves

The relationships between phase shifts, monodromy effects, and billiard solutions are studied in the context of Riemannian manifolds for both integrable ordinary and partial differential equations. The ideas are illustrated with the three wave interaction, the nonlinear Schrodinger equation, a coupled Dym system and the coupled nonlinear Schrodinger equations.
Benzodiazepine discontinuation and patient outcome in a chronic geriatric medical/psychiatric unit: A retrospective chart review

Aim A substantial number of elderly patients take benzodiazepines (BZD) regularly despite concerns about toxicity and possible dependence, and there are relatively few data to guide clinicians' decisions regarding discontinuing benzodiazepines in the elderly. Methods We carried out a retrospective chart review of 75 elderly patients admitted to a chronic medical/psychiatric unit who were taking a standing dose of benzodiazepines on admission, comparing 40 patients who discontinued benzodiazepines versus 35 who did not discontinue. Purpose We examined the association of BZD discontinuation versus continuation with clinical outcomes on discharge, and further examined clinical characteristics associated with BZD discontinuation. Results Discontinuers had shorter length of stay without evidence of worse cognitive and functional outcome except a trend toward increased incidence of agitation. Logistic regression models suggested anxiety, higher age and higher dose of antidepressants at the beginning were significantly related to successful discontinuation during admission after regression. Conclusion These data imply that BZD withdrawal during admission can be safe and feasible in many elderly frail patients, and that withdrawal might be associated with shorter duration of chronic hospitalization. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14: 388–394.
Oligopoly and Merger: A Simple Classroom Game.

Professor Miller describes a game which has been used in intermediate price theory courses as well as in introductory classes. Two versions are presented—a duopoly and a six-firm market, both with undifferentiated product and a known market demand schedule. Students are also asked to make a monopoly of the six firms by forming a trust or holding company. Miller contends that the game is more stimulating than lectures aud suspects that it will result in longer retention.
The Gamma Radiation from B 11 Bombarded by Protons

The spectrum of gamma radiation emitted when ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}$ is bombarded by protons has been investigated with a NaI scintillation counter. Capture gamma rays have been found which occur in a direct transition to the ground state of ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$ and a cascade transition through a level in ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$ at 4.45 Mev. Yield curves for these gamma rays have been obtained for proton energies up to 2.8 Mev, and the cross sections for emission of the various gamma rays are given. In addition to the well-known resonance at 0.163 Mev, new resonances have been found at 0.675 Mev with $\ensuremath{\Gamma}=0.33 \mathrm{Mev}\mathrm{and} 1.388 \mathrm{Mev}$ with $\ensuremath{\Gamma}=1.27$ Mev. Spin and parity assignments for these states which are deduced from the results of this and the ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}(p, \ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{Be}}^{8}$ reactions are ${2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ (or ${3}^{+}$) and ${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, respectively. A 2.13-Mev gamma ray has also been observed, which is produced in an inelastic scattering reaction involving the first excited state of ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}$. This reaction exhibits a resonance at 2.664 Mev with a width of 48 kev. The cross section at resonance is 3.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}26}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$.
Using polymeric materials to control stem cell behavior for tissue regeneration

Patients with organ failure often suffer from increased morbidity and decreased quality of life. Current strategies of treating organ failure have limitations, including shortage of donor organs, low efficiency of grafts, and immunological problems. Tissue engineering emerged about two decades ago as a strategy to restore organ function with a living, functional engineered substitute. However, the ability to engineer a functional organ is limited by a limited understanding of the interactions between materials and cells that are required to yield functional tissue equivalents. Polymeric materials are one of the most promising classes of materials for use in tissue engineering, due to their biodegradability, flexibility in processing and property design, and the potential to use polymer properties to control cell function. Stem cells offer potential in tissue engineering because of their unique capacity to self-renew and differentiate into neurogenic, osteogenic, chondrogenic, and myogenic lineages under appropriate stimuli from extracellular components. This review examines recent advances in stem cell-polymer interactions for tissue regeneration, specifically highlighting control of polymer properties to direct adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of stem cells, and how biomaterials can be designed to provide some of the stimuli to cells that the natural extracellular matrix does.
Circulating T- and B-Cell Abnormalities in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus

Seven patients with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), 11 patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), and 17 age-, sex-, and race-matched controls were examined for the number of circulating peripheral blood T and B cells, immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesizing cells, and Ig secreting cells. A significant alteration in T-cell subsets was detected only in SCLE patients who manifested a decreased number of OKT8 cells. Circulating B cells were significantly increased only in the SCLE patients. The percentage of Ig synthesizing and secreting cells was significantly increased in both the DLE and the SCLE groups. The somewhat unexpected increase in Ig synthesizing and secreting cells in the DLE patients could not be accounted for by antimalarial treatment or the concurrence of the HLA-DR3 phenotype. There was, however, a weak but significant correlation between the degree of B-cell activation in the DLE patients and the number of American Rheumatism Association criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) possessed by these patients. These data demonstrate that abnormalities in B-cell function similar to those seen in SLE can also be found in a group of lupus erythematosus patients whose clinical disease expression is limited predominantly to the skin.
Phytofiltration of arsenic-contaminated groundwater using Pteris vittata L.: effect of plant density and nitrogen and phosphorus levels.

This field-scale hydroponic experiment investigated the effects of plant density and nutrient levels on arsenic (As) removal by the As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L. (Chinese brake fern). All ferns were grown in plastic tanks containing 30 L of As-contaminated groundwater (130 μg·L−1 As) collected from South Florida. The treatments consisted of four plant densities (zero, one, two, or four plants per 30 L), two nitrogen (N) concentrations (50% or 100% of 0.25-strength Hoagland solution [HS]), and two phosphorous (P) concentrations (15% and 30% of 0.25 strength HS). While low P was more effective than high P for plant As removal initially, N levels showed little effect. At 15% P, it took 3 wk for the ferns at a plant density of four to reduce As to less than 10 μg L−1 (USEPA and WHO standard), whereas it took 4–6 wk at plant densities of one or two. For reused ferns, established plants with more extensive roots than “first-time” ferns, a low plant density of one plant/30 L was more effective, reducing ...
Numerical investigation of generalized quasilinearization method for reaction diffusion systems

In, we have developed generalized quasilinearization method for reaction diffusion systems when the forcing functions are the sum of convex and concave functions. The solutions of the corresponding linear systems converge monotonically, uniformly and quadratically to the unique solution of the nonlinear problem. As a byproduct of our result, we have discussed the reaction diffusion system when the forcing function satisfies mixed quasimonotone property. In this paper, we have established the application of the theoretical results developed in with numerical examples. We also demonstrate the consistency of the finite different scheme and discuss the stability and convergence of the scheme for the examples considered here.
Quantitative measurement of motor and somatosensory impairments after mild (30 min) and severe (2 h) transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats

We tested the hypothesis that mild and severe ischemic cell damage are reflected in neurological and functional recovery after stroke. Rats were subjected to either 30 min or 120 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion or sham operation. Neurological and functional tests including, gross neurological score, and rotarod and adhesive removal tests were performed at various time points up to 21 days after stroke. Significant differences between groups of animals were detected using the rotarod and adhesive removal test. A significant correlation between lesion volume and adhesive removal test was detected in rats subjected to 30 min of ischemia. Our data indicate that quantitative rotarod and adhesive removal tests measure different aspects of functional recovery after stroke, and both are useful in characterizing functional recovery from an ischemic insult.
Making Sense of Clinical Trial Data: Is Inverse Probability of Censoring Weighted Analysis the Answer to Crossover Bias?

Ideally, therapeutic interventions are evaluated through randomized clinical trials. These trials are commonly analyzed with an intent-to-treat (ITT) approach, whereby patients are analyzed in their assigned treatment group regardless of actual treatment received. If an interim analysis of such trials demonstrates compelling evidence of a difference in benefit, ethical considerations often dictate that the trial be unblinded and participants be provided access to the more efficacious agent. Because interim analysis may not address longer-term outcomes of interest, important clinical questions such as overall survival benefit-the ultimate test of efficacy to many-may remain unanswered. The ensuing crossover disturbs randomization and may lead to biased longer-term analysis, compromising the utility of clinical data. This has been especially apparent in recent adjuvant and prevention breast cancer trials. We consider four such trials: HERA (Herceptin Adjuvant), NSABP P-1 (National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Breast Cancer Prevention P-1), MA.17, and BIG 1-98 (Breast International Group 1-98), the long-term outcomes of which were complicated by unblinding and selective crossover. We also discuss the biases associated with ITT analysis and, alternatively, censoring of follow-up data (ie, dropping out) after selective crossover. Moreover, we discuss how the statistical procedure of inverse probability of censoring weighted (IPCW) analysis may be used to account for selective crossover as an alternative to ITT or censoring analysis, as was recently done for the BIG 1-98 trial. Notably, IPCW analysis may be particularly suited for detecting overall survival benefits that otherwise would not be detected with an ITT approach, as reported for the BIG 1-98 trial.
Successful laser lead extraction through a stented baffle in a patient with surgically corrected D-transposition

A 28-year-old man with a dual-chamber implantable defibrillator presented with inappropriate shocks due to lead fracture. He was born with D-transposition, subpulmonic ventricular septal defect (VSD) …
40-year-old female with menorrhagia and abdominal pain: A case of metastatic gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

Choriocarcinoma is part of a rare spectrum of placental abnormalities known as gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). It is the most invasive form of GTD, with a mortality rate approaching 100% if left untreated. It spreads predominantly hematogenously to multiple target sites, most commonly the lungs. Due to its hypervascular nature, it is often complicated by bleeding. We describe a case of choriocarcinoma in a 40-year-old female with metastases to the lungs, brain, and bilateral kidneys resulting in large retroperitoneal hematomas.
Enhancing mobile phones to support collaborative communication for micro-entrepreneurs in emerging economies: user studies and Research directions

In emerging economies such as India, micro-entrepreneurs and their businesses represent the majority of the workforce in the unorganized, informal sector involved in small scale trading, or services such as carpentry, plumbing, and so on. In recent years, basic mobile phones have seen rapid adoption, and micro-entrepreneurs have been at the forefront of this trend, driven by the need for timely information and communication. In this paper, we studythe rich communication needs of such micro-entrepreneurs, that if addressed can help them work better with their clients & business partners. Based on a preliminary contextual inquiry, we designed a mobile device prototype to support mobile collaboration using images, voice and digital ink. We then conducted a qualitative user study in the lab with real users drawn from the target population, to understand how such a device may be useful for micro-entrepreneurs. The study reveals that while our prototype is a step in the right direction, there are a number of areas for further improvement. We believe that these findings will be of interest to designers and mobile service providers addressing this important segment of the population.
Pulpectomy procedure for deciduous teeth with severe pulpal necrosis

A complete pulpectomy procedure is described that should be considered as a possible treatment plan for deciduous teeth with severe pulpal necrosis. A complete pulpectomy procedure is presented as a possible treatment plan for deciduous teeth with severe pulpal necrosis. General and dental criteria that aid in tooth selection are presented.
Class Structure and Social Change: The Contradictions of Class Relations in Advanced Capitalist Society*

Recently some mainstream sociologists have renewed their efforts to discard the traditional Marxist concepts of class structure, class contradictions, and class struggle as outmoded and unimportant components of social analysis. In contrast, this article argues in favor of the continuing relevance of these concepts and of Marxist class analysis in general in line with economic decline and increasing class polarization in the United States. Applying Marxist class analysis to the study of the advanced capitalist class structure and its contradictions, this article emphasizes the pivotal role of the Marxist approach in sociology in analyzing the dynamics of contemporary capitalist society.
2-Nitrosoamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline stability and reactivity.

N-Nitrosamines and nitrosamides can initiate cancer. These studies evaluated the stability and reactivity of 2-nitrosoamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (N-NO-IQ) to assess its possible role in the initiation of colon cancer by 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ). 14C-N-NO-IQ was incubated with different solvents and pHs in the presence and in the absence of nucleophiles and analyzed by HPLC. The products identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry include 2-chloro-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (2-Cl-IQ), 2,2‘-azo-3,3‘-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (AZO-IQ), 2-azido-IQ (2-N3-IQ), 3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (deamino-IQ), and IQ. A variety of organic solvents were tested with 0.1 N HCl. 2-Cl-IQ and IQ were formed following acidification of all solvents. AZO-IQ was only formed in methanol. Deamino-IQ was the major product formed in all of the alcohols tested, except for methanol. Under acidic conditions that completely convert N-NO-IQ in 5 min (acetonitrile with 0.1 N HCl), 6...
Risk-Aware Mitigation for MANET Routing Attacks

Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANET) have been highly vulnerable to attacks due to the dynamic nature of its network infrastructure. Among these attacks, routing attacks have received considerable attention since it could cause the most devastating damage to MANET. Even though there exist several intrusion response techniques to mitigate such critical attacks, existing solutions typically attempt to isolate malicious nodes based on binary or naive fuzzy response decisions. However, binary responses may result in the unexpected network partition, causing additional damages to the network infrastructure, and naive fuzzy responses could lead to uncertainty in countering routing attacks in MANET. In this paper, we propose a risk-aware response mechanism to systematically cope with the identified routing attacks. Our risk-aware approach is based on an extended Dempster-Shafer mathematical theory of evidence introducing a notion of importance factors. In addition, our experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach with the consideration of several performance metrics.
Vertical variation of roughness length at the Boulder Atmospheric Observatory

Observations near the BAO tower site have suggested a roughness length of about 0.01 m. Wind profiles from the tower yield values between 0.04 and 0.30 m. We now analyze fluctuations of vertical velocity at 10 m, and get intermediate values, differing with wind direction. Thus, inferred z0 values increase systematically with height.
Reactor Structural Response to Molten Fuel-Coolant Interactions

Abstract In order to realistically determine the structural response of a liquid metal fast breeder reactor to a molten fuel-coolant interaction (MFCI), an MFCI region was incorporated into the two-dimensional, hydrodynamic containment code, REXCO-H. In this way, it is possible to account for the two-dimensional hydrodynamic response, as well as for the effect of vessels and plates, upon the expansion process in the MFCI region. The MFCI model has been extended in order to increase the usefulness of the code under a variety of conditions. The sodium equation of state has been improved using basic thermodynamic relations and recent data to incorporate temperature dependent properties. Heat transfer models available to describe the MFCI include not only a quasi-steady-state model, but also a parametric model, including the fuel heat of fusion. Nonhomogenous MFCI regions can be treated by assigning different parameters to each zone within a region, including volume fractions of fuel, sodium, steel, and void, as well as initial fuel and coolant temperatures and fraction of molten fuel. Several cases have been studied in order to delineate the effect of various parameters on the peak pressures generated in the MFCI zones. These include effect of initial fuel and coolant temperatures, void fraction, amount of molten fuel and/or vessel wall compliance. The response of a typical reactor configuration is evaluated for a given set of initial conditions.
On regularity and singularity of free boundaries in obstacle problems

The author presents a simple approach to both regularity and singularity theorems for free boundaries in classical obstacle problems. This approach is based on the monotonicity of several variational integrals, the Federer-Almgren dimension reduction and stratification theorems, and some simple PDE arguments.
Photo-triggerable Hydrogel-Nanoparticle Hybrid Scaffolds for Remotely Controlled Drug Delivery.

Remotely-triggerable drug delivery systems enable the user to adjust dosing regimens on-demand based on a patient's physiological response and clinical needs. However, currently reported systems are limited by the non-specific leakage of drugs in the absence of triggering and the lack of repeatability over multiple cycles of release. To this end, we have designed a unique hydrogel–nanoparticle hybrid scaffold that provides a chemically-defined, remotely-triggerable and on-demand release of small molecule drugs. Our hybrid platform consists of three distinct components: (1) a photo-triggerable chemical compound, which serves to release a covalently-bound drug upon photo-irradiation, (2) a nanoparticle, which serves to covalently bind the photo-triggerable compound, and (3) a polymeric hydrogel, which serves to hold the drug-conjugated nanoparticle. Upon photo-irradiation, the activation of the photo-triggerable compound is designed to initiate a series of intramolecular chemical rearrangements, which would cleave the covalently-bound drug and release it from the hydrogel. The combination of these distinct components in a single scaffold proved to be an effective drug delivery system, as demonstrated by the delivery of a model drug to a malignant cancer line. Our hybrid scaffold can be easily tuned for practically any biological application of interest, thus offering immense potential for clinical therapies.
Mechanisms of restenosis and redilation within coronary stents—Quantitative angiographic assessment

Objectives. This study was designed to assess the relative contributions of intimal hyperplasia and stent compression to the lumen narrowing seen after intracoronary stenting and to determine whether the lumes enlargement produced by angioplasty of in-stent restenosis results primarily from compression or extrusion of intimal hyperplasia through the stent or from additional stent expansion. Background. Palmaz-Schatz stent placement outwardly displaces plaque and eliminates elastic vessel recoil to provide a large and smooth lumen. Some degree of late lumen narrowing occurs within each stent and causes significant restenosis (≥50% stenosis) in 25% to 30% of treated lesions. It has not been clear, however, whether this narrowing results from stent compression (crush) or from in-stent intimal hyperplasia. Because the Palmaz-Schatz stent has a distinct radiographic shadow, it is possible to determine the late diameter of both the stent and the enclosed vessel lumen to assess the relative contributions of these two processes. Methods. From cineangiograms, initial (after stenting) and late (follow-up) lumen and stent diameters were examined in 55 patients (59 stents, group I) who had both immediate and 6-month (192 ± 117 days) angiography. Lumen and stent diameter were also examined before and after dilation in 30 patients (30 stents, group II) who underwent angioplasty of severe in-stent restenosis. Results. Late loss in minimal lumen diameter was 0.99 ± 0.87 mm for group I despite only a slight (0.03 ± 0.23-mm) reduction in the corresponding stent diameter. After redilation for in-stent restenosis, the acute gain in minimal lumen diameter was 1.51 ± 0.82 mm for group II, again without appreciable increase (0.06 ± 0.20 mm) in stent diameter. Conclusions. Restenosis after intracoronary Palmaz-Schatz stenting appears to be due predominantly to lumen encroachment by intimal hyperplasia within the stent, with minimal contribution of stent compression. Lumen enlargement after coronary angioplasty of in-stent restenosis appears to be due primarily to compression or extrusion of intimal hyperplasia the ough the stent, or both, rather than to further stent expansion.
THE LEGITIMATE CONCERN WITH FAIRNESS.

Abstract Decision usefulness has become a central principle for organizing accounting research and practice. Arguments presented in this paper demonstrate two serious conceptual problems with a singular reliance upon decision usefulness: assuming the symmetry of decision usefulness and ignoring the simultaneity of efficiency and distributive effects. Arguments are provided supporting a concept of fairness as a construct necessary to provide accounting with a lexicon complete enough to discuss accounting problems.
A Review of Dynamic-Mode Seeding of Summer Cumuli

This paper reviews the field experiments and theoretical studies relating to the ice-phase seeding of summer convective clouds for the purpose of affecting their dynamic evolution and precipitation production. The review reports on studies of both tropical and extratropical clouds, citing the physical evidence for microphysical and dynamic changes and reviewing the numerical modeling efforts in support of the field experiments. The statistical evidence is also reviewed. A critique and discussion of the results is given, and many questions related to these dynamic-mode seeding hypotheses are posed. Strategies for attacking the many unsolved problems are presented briefly.
Theoretical Upperbound of the Spurious-Free Dynamic Range in Direct Digital Frequency Synthesizers Realized by Polynomial Interpolation Methods

In this paper, a universal mathematical method is proposed to determine the upperbound of the spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) in direct digital frequency synthesizers (DDFSs) realized by piecewise polynomial interpolation methods. The Fourier series is used to establish a linear matrix relationship between the frequency spectrum of the interpolated sinusoidal signal and the coefficients of the interpolating polynomials. This matrix relationship can be considered as a linear overdetermined system of equations, which can be solved for the ideal spectrum where the fundamental harmonic has an amplitude of one and the other harmonics are zero. It is shown that the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse and Chebyshev minimax methods find the coefficients corresponding to the largest signal-to-noise ratio and maximum SFDR designs, respectively. The proposed method is used to show that the maximum SFDR of a DDFS based on the even fourth-order polynomial interpolation is 74.35 dBc. A DDFS based on the aforementioned method is designed and its architecture is optimized to obtain an SFDR of 72.2 dBc. A VLSI implementation of the proposed DDFS is also reported.
Screening for ovarian cancer: what are the optimal surrogate endpoints for clinical trials?

The inability to identify relevant markers for presymptomatic screening in early stage or “preinvasive” ovarian cancer had plagued investigators and clinicians facing the problems of early detection. The characteristic late stage of disease at initial presentation has hindered our understanding of the biologic progression and stepwise molecular alterations that result in ovarian carcinoma. To date, most screening studies have focused on identifying early anatomic changes using ultrasound or fluctuations in serum biomarkers such as CA-125. These screening methodologies have proven inadequate in both sensitivity and specificity for early stage ovarian cancer detection. Molecular analysis of ovarian carcinomas has revealed alterations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes associated with these tumors. The HER-2/neu oncogene, a member of the epidermal growth factor family, is amplified or overexpressed in approximately 25–30% of ovarian carcinomas. Significant data substantiate an important role for HER-2/neu in the pathophysiology of ovarian cancer. While potentially an attractive surrogate endpoint biomarker (SEB), serum HER-2/neu levels have not proven to be a useful screening modality. In response to the urgent need for improved early detection for ovarian cancer, our current research efforts include differential hybridization studies between normal and malignant ovarian epithelium to define potentially unique ovarian cancer antigens which may ultimately have clinical utility; defining physical alterations that occur in malignant ovarian tissues using implanted telemetry systems; studies using positron emission tomography to detect changes in glucose metabolism between normal and malignant ovarian tissues; and screening studies using a 3-dimensional ultarsound unit to improve the accuracy of this technique in recognizing early neoplastic changes. By taking diverse approaches to tackle this problem, an improved understanding of ovarian carcinogenesis should translate into the identification of appropriate SEBs for early detection.
Acute myocarditis. Rapid diagnosis by PCR in children.

BACKGROUNDThe diagnosis of viral myocarditis remains difficult and generally depends on clinical and histological criteria. Viral cultures and serology are often unrewarding, with low yields. The purpose of this study was to analyze the usefulness of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the rapid diagnosis of acute myocarditis in children.METHODS AND RESULTSPCR was used to analyze 38 myocardial tissue samples from 34 patients with suspected acute viral myocarditis and 17 control patients with congenital heart disease (14) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (3). Myocardial samples were obtained at the time of right ventricular biopsy (13 samples), from explanted hearts (18 samples) at transplantation, and from cardiac autopsy specimens (24 samples) and were evaluated for the presence of enterovirus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), adenovirus, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) using PCR primers designed to consensus and unique sequences of these viral genomes. Blood also was obtained at the time of biopsy (11) or transplant ...
Adaptive machine learning algorithm for multispectral image analysis

This paper describes a machine learning algorithm for analyzing the multispectral images of natural scenes. A mathematical training algorithm has been developed to guide the operation of a statistical pattern recognition technique for detecting and extracting the image clusters in a multidimensional feature space. For this purpose, the peak modality of 1-D image histograms is selected as the mathematical training criterion. The algorithm is applied to the clusters of the color images of natural scenes in 3-D feature space. During the training process, image clusters are detected in some well-defined decision elements using constant lightness and chromaticity loci of the uniform color space. This gives non-parametric estimates of the clusters' distributions without imposing any constraints in their forms. The linear discriminant method is then used to project simultaneously the detected clusters onto a line for region isolation. This permits utilization of all the spectral properties for object recognition and inherently recognizes their respective cross correlation.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Anesthesia Information Management Systems Marketplace and Current Vendors

This article addresses the brief history of anesthesia information management systems (AIMS) and discusses the vendors that currently market AIMS. The current market penetration based on the information provided by these vendors is presented and the rationale for the purchase of AIMS is discussed. The considerations to be evaluated when making a vendor selection are also discussed.
Effect of Transient Voltages on Power Transformer Design-III Non-Resonating Auto-Transformer

Transient voltage phenomena within auto-transformers differ from those in transformers, because in the former there are two points of the winding connected to independent transmission lines. This allows independent variation of the potential of these points. When a surge comes to an auto-transformer from one line only, the other line acts practically as a ``solid ground'' for internal oscillations of the windings, provided it is long enough. Transient voltage stresses between turns and between coils, therefore, are higher in auto-transformers than in transformers of the same voltage rating. The non-resonating auto-transformer has been developed for commercial use. In mechanical construction it is essentially the same as the non-resonating transformer. The presence of two independent lines connected to an autotransformer permits several conditions of surge excitation. This allows corresponding variations in the design of shields.
Cryopreservation of tench, Tinca tinca, sperm: Sperm motility and hatching success of embryos

Abstract The aim of the present study was to elaborate cryopreservation methods for ex situ conservation of tench. Success of cryopreservation was tested during two series of experiments. The first set of experiments studied the effects of two types of cryoprotectants (DMSO and a combination of DMSO with propanediol at ratio 1:1) at concentrations of 8 and 10% and three different equilibration times in two different immobilization solutions (IS) (Kurokura 180 and Kurokura) before freezing (0.0, 2.0 and 4.0 h after T 0 ). The K4 cooling programme was used to freeze 1 ml of cryoextended sperm using 1.8 ml cryotubes. Main monitored parameter was hatching rate after using of cryopreserved sperm. The second set of experiments studied the volume effect of 0.5, 1 and 5 ml straws and compared these with 1.8 ml cryotubes as well as the effect of the cooling programme (K4 and L1). Following the results of the first study, a combination of DMSO and propanediol (ratio 1:1) at concentration of 10% was added to extended sperm in Kurokura 180 IS. Main monitored parameter was hatching rate after using cryopreserved sperm, supplementary parameters were sperm velocity and motility percentage assessed at 10 s post-activation. Sperm was collected directly into IS and stored at 4 °C for 2.5 h. Thereafter were sperm samples pooled, equlibred in IS (first set of experiments) or directly mixed with cryoprotectants (DMSO or a mixture of DMSO with propanediol at ratio 1:1) and transferred to 1.8 ml cryotubes or straws (0.5, 1 and 5 ml). Then the cryotubes/straws were directly transferred to pre-programmed PLANER Kryo 10 series III and cooled using two different cooling programmes including a slow cooling programme (a) named K4 (from +4 to −9 °C at a rate of 4 °C min −1 and then from −9 to −80 °C at a rate of 11 °C min −1 ) and a rapid cooling programme (b) named L1 (directly from +4 to −80 °C at a rate of 20 °C min −1 ). Both slow (K4) and rapid (L1) cooled samples were held 6 min at −80 °C. Finally, samples were transferred into liquid N 2 . The frozen spermatozoa were thawed in a water bath (40 °C) according to the frozen volume and checked for fertilization and hatching rates. Percentage of sperm motility and sperm velocity were measured using video recorded frames. ANOVA showed a significant influence of frozen and fresh sperm in all treatments. The hatching rates of 33.8% were obtained when sperm was equilibrated for 0 h before freezing in IS of Kurokura 180 and frozen with a 10% of mixture 1:1 of DMSO and propanediol into straws of 5 ml and cooled using program L1. The velocity of frozen-thawed spermatozoa ranged from 31 to 46 μm s −1 and in post-thawed sperm was not significantly different according to frozen sperm volume, but a higher velocity was obtained when sperm was fast frozen using programme L1. A large volume of frozen sperm could reveal the best procedure for freezing, but also for simulating methods of artificial propagation for future practical use of frozen tench sperm at a large scale.
New clinical developments in histone deacetylase inhibitors for epigenetic therapy of cancer

DNA methylation and histone acetylation are two well known epigenetic chromatin modifications. Epigenetic agents leading to DNA hypomethylation and histone hyperacetylation have been approved for treatment of hematological disorders. The first histone deacetylase inhibitor, vorinostat, has been licensed for cutaneous T cell lymphoma treatment. More than 11 new epigenetic agents are in various stages of clinical development for therapy of multiple cancer types. In this review we summarize novel histone deacetylase inhibitors and new regimens from clinical trials for epigenetic therapy of cancer.
SoK: Security and Privacy in Implantable Medical Devices and Body Area Networks

Balancing security, privacy, safety, and utility is a necessity in the health care domain, in which implantable medical devices (IMDs) and body area networks (BANs) have made it possible to continuously and automatically manage and treat a number of health conditions. In this work, we survey publications aimed at improving security and privacy in IMDs and health-related BANs, providing clear definitions and a comprehensive overview of the problem space. We analyze common themes, categorize relevant results, and identify trends and directions for future research. We present a visual illustration of this analysis that shows the progression of IMD/BAN research and highlights emerging threats. We identify three broad research categories aimed at ensuring the security and privacy of the telemetry interface, software, and sensor interface layers and discuss challenges researchers face with respect to ensuring reproducibility of results. We find that while the security of the telemetry interface has received much attention in academia, the threat of software exploitation and the sensor interface layer deserve further attention. In addition, we observe that while the use of physiological values as a source of entropy for cryptographic keys holds some promise, a more rigorous assessment of the security and practicality of these schemes is required.