cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metric Optimization-Based Design of Systems Subject to Hostile Disruptions

In many applications, engineering systems are required to operate acceptably well in hostile environments. In the past, survivability engineering has addressed this requirement using heuristic rule-based design approaches followed by analysis to determine if survivability constraints have been satisfied. The treatment of survivability as a constraint rather than an independent design objective hinders the ability of system engineers to trade off survivability with other design objectives, such as cost and performance. Herein, the survivability problem is posed in terms of maximizing expected performance and minimizing the risk of unacceptable performance. Design metrics that allow optimal selection of systems on the basis of these survivability dimensions are presented. The metrics are part of a systematic approach to system engineering in which survivability concerns are quantified and individual systems and entire classes of systems can be compared objectively. These metrics are a necessary step toward an integrated design process wherein tradeoffs between all design objectives can be identified. This methodology is demonstrated on the design of a notional electric warship integrated engineering plant (IEP) that is subject to hostile disruptions posed by antiship missiles. By use of this method, the performance of the IEP is shown to be improved.
MTPSec: customizable secure MTP3 tunnels in the SS7 network

The signaling system 7 (SS7) is the control network used by public telephones all over the world. Having been designed in an era where few large companies controlled the entire network, SS7 has virtually no security. Due to telecommunication deregulation, liberalization of economies and the convergence of telephone, IP and wireless networks, interfaces to SS7 have increased. We show how these deficiencies can be exploited to isolate or shut down telephone switches. As a solution, we propose MTPSec - a framework that enforces authentication and custom creates secure channels at the message transfer part level 3 (MTP3) layer. We show by simulation that employing MTPSec adds only 360 /spl mu/ seconds to an average call setup time delays to a domestic telephone call in an average sized country. It is quite tolerable for getting an additional security service given that the current connection delays are between 2.0 to 2.5 seconds.
The Impact of Discordance Between Biopsy and Pathological Gleason Scores on Survival After Radical Prostatectomy

Purpose: Although discordance in the Gleason score between biopsy and radical prostatectomy specimens has been well recognized, the prognostic importance of this discrepancy has not been definitively established. We investigated the association of Gleason score discordance with postoperative systemic progression and death from prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: We evaluated the records of 8,054 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1987 and 2003. Gleason score at biopsy and prostatectomy was categorized as 6 or less, 3 + 4, 4 + 3 and 8 to 10. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the impact of biopsy Gleason score on postoperative survival in patients in each pathological Gleason score stratum.Results: Discordance in Gleason score was associated with adverse pathological features, including advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis and positive surgical margins (each p <0.001). On multivariate analysis increasing biopsy Gleason score was significan...
Probabilistic Analysis of the Planar k-Median Problem

We consider a problem in which we are given n points distributed randomly in a planar region of area A. We are asked to select K of the points to serve as centers so as to minimise the sum over the n points of the distance between each point and its closest center. This paper shows that the optimal value of this problem grows as $n\sqrt{A/K}$ almost everywhere. This result is used to study an aggregation heuristic that is a formalized version of aggregation methods frequently used for practical location problems. Given any prespecified e > 0, the heuristic can be made to achieve e-optimality almost everywhere. The running time is polynomial in n if K ≤ ln n and linear in n if K ≤ ln ln n. Since all previously proposed heuristics: require n2 time even if K = 1, the aggregation heuristic is dominant for problems with sufficiently small K. Although our main results are asymptotic for large n, the probability that they hold for finite n is known to exceed 1-2π-1/2n-K-2, which is nearly 1 even for moderate n-K.
Differential reward responses during competition against in- and out-of-network others

Social interactions occur within a variety of different contexts––cooperative/competitive––and often involve members of our social network. Here, we investigated whether social network modulated the value placed on positive outcomes during a competitive context. Eighteen human participants played a simple card-guessing game with three different competitors: a close friend (in-network), a confederate (out-of-network) and a random number generator (non-social condition) while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. Neuroimaging results at the time of outcome receipt demonstrated a significant main effect of competitor across multiple regions of medial prefrontal cortex, with Blood Oxygen Level Dependent
Explorations of Negotiation Behaviors in Ten Foreign Cultures Using a Model Developed in the United States

The universality of a problem-solving model of business negotiations is explored using 700 business people from 11 cultures as participants in a bargaining simulation. Both theoretical and measurement issues are considered using structural equations and partial least squares as the primary data analysis approaches. The results regarding the universality question are equivocal-findings varied across cultural groups in most cases. However, the theoretical model still appears to be a useful tool for understanding how business negotiations vary across cultural groups.
Collimator interchange system for adaptive cardiac imaging in C-SPECT

Use of a small field of view can greatly improve the imaging performance of cardiac SPECT systems, compared to using conventional whole-body SPECT system that use a large field of view for cardiac imaging. To maximize the benefits, however, it is important to locate the heart and place it accurately into the small FOV. To achieve high performance across the general population, a system must provide imaging configurations optimized for different size and location of the heart and the size of the patient. Because of the critical role the collimator plays in SPECT, it would be ideal if a dedicated collimator could be used for each of the different patient groups. The ability to exchange collimators without moving the patient can enable serial studies with different imaging options while preserving anatomic registration. We developed a slit exchange system for the slit-slat collimator of the C-SPECT cardiac platform. The full-scale prototype, a precision link conveyor following a curved, body contouring path, allows four distinct transaxial collimation options and can be expanded further. The collimators can be exchanged in 10 seconds without disturbing the patient, allowing truly adaptive clinical SPECT imaging The positioning precision for all elements of the system is within 0.1 mm and has shown no degradation over 100,000 complete revolutions of the conveyor — well above the expected usage for a clinical system. We believe that the rapid and precise operation allowing optimal collimation for different imaging tasks is an important technological step for SPECT.
When to cut? Using an objective structured clinical examination to evaluate surgical decision-making

Objectives: To create an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) tailored to surgical residents that uses surgical case scenarios appropriate for the experience level of the resident to evaluate whether residents understand the indications for a specific surgery, identify when indications are met, and make the appropriate decision to proceed with an operation. Methods: The surgical OSCE consisted of two case scenarios: a junior case created for postgraduate year (PGY) 2 to 3 level residents and a senior case created for PGY 4 to 5 level residents. Four senior residents and four junior residents in the otolaryngology department participated. Residents were instructed to proceed as if they had all the capabilities of the otolaryngology clinic. Recordings were made of each encounter and were reviewed by two separate faculty member with expertise in each case. Faculty evaluated whether surgical indications were elicited by history, whether certain physical examination or radiographic findings were recognized, whether residents made the correct diagnosis, and whether residents not only made the decision to proceed with surgery but also indicated the correct surgery. Results: Seniors (100%) were better at obtaining needed surgical information and indications than juniors (25%). Seniors were more willing to make the decision to proceed with surgery (100%), whereas no juniors actually scheduled surgery. The reasons for this ranged from failure to elicit surgical indications to lack of surety in proceeding with surgery. All seniors recommended the appropriate surgery, but only 75% correctly identified the need for emergent intervention. Results of evaluations were reviewed with each resident individually. Conclusions: The surgical OSCE was successful in evaluating resident surgical decision-making. Juniors were not as capable as seniors in eliciting surgical indications and in “making the jump” to proceed with surgery. These results were used by our faculty to work with juniors on surgical history-taking and decision-making. These results were also useful in identifying seniors who could recognize an emergency situation.
How Expert Clinical Educators Teach What They Know.

Schon's Model of Reflective Practice is based on how physicians think, and it emphasizes learning from experience. In this study, 13 “above average” clinical teachers were interviewed, exploring the question “How do good teachers transmit to learners the knowing-in-action that is imbedded in experience”? The findings indicate that physicians think like the other professionals studied by Schon and that the stages of his model are apparent in the way good physician-teachers help residents learn from patient care experiences. This paper discusses characteristics of the physician-teachers, examples of how their responses fit Schon's model, ways this teaching method can be incorporated into existing curricula, and implications of the model for other components of the medical education continuum.
How Is a Sensory Map Read Out? Effects of Microstimulation in Visual Area MT on Saccades and Smooth Pursuit Eye Movements

To generate behavioral responses based on sensory input, motor areas of the brain must interpret, or “read out,” signals from sensory maps. Our experiments tested several algorithms for how the motor systems for smooth pursuit and saccadic eye movements might extract a usable signal of target velocity from the distributed representation of velocity in the middle temporal visual area (MT or V5). Using microstimulation, we attempted to manipulate the velocity information within MT while monkeys tracked a moving visual stimulus. We examined the effects of the microstimulation on smooth pursuit and on the compensation for target velocity shown by saccadic eye movements. Microstimulation could alter both the speed and direction of the motion estimates of both types of eye movements and could also cause monkeys to generate pursuit even when the visual target was actually stationary. The pattern of alterations suggests that microstimulation can introduce an additional velocity signal into MT and that the pursuit and saccadic systems usually compute a vector average of the visually evoked and microstimulation-induced velocity signals (pursuit, 55 of 122 experiments; saccades, 70 of 122). Microstimulation effects in a few experiments were consistent with vector summation of these two signals (pursuit, 6 of 122; saccades, 2 of 122). In the remainder of the experiments, microstimulation caused either an apparent impairment in motion processing (pursuit, 47 of 122; saccades, 41 of 122) or had no effect (pursuit, 14 of 122; saccades, 9 of 122). Within individual experiments, the effects on pursuit and saccades were usually similar, but the occasional striking exception suggests that the two eye movement systems may perform motion computations somewhat independently.
Reciprocal Positive Affect and Well-Regulated, Adjusted Children: A Unique Contribution of Fathers

SYNOPSIS Objective. The study investigated real-time, sequential exchanges of affect in both mother–child and father–child dyads within a triadic framework. Child emotion dysregulation was examined as a mechanism by which parent–child reciprocal positive and negative affect are associated with child psychopathology symptoms. Design. Fifty-one mother–father–child (aged 7–12 years) triads participated in an emotion discussion task, and behavioral observations were coded for negative and positive affect. Parents completed measures of child psychopathology symptoms and emotion regulation skills. Results. Although mothers exhibited greater levels of positive emotional reciprocity than fathers, father–child reciprocal positive affect was uniquely associated with child symptoms of psychopathology. Child emotion dysregulation mediated the relation between paternal reciprocal positive affect and child symptoms; mediational models did not hold for mothers. Conclusions. Fathers play a unique role in boys’ and girls’...
Waterhyacinth Weevils (Neochetina eichhorniaeandN. bruchi) Inhibit Waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Colony Development

Abstract The weevils Neochetina eichhorniae and N. bruchi were released in the USA for waterhyacinth control during the early 1970s and have since been used in many other countries. Although successful control has been reported, questions regarding the efficacy of these insects remain unresolved. This lack of consensus may be attributed to the subtle impacts of these agents on plant health and vitality or to unrealistic expectations on the part of evaluators. Previous studies that anticipated impacts to pre-existing mats were designed to document declines of established plant populations. This approach overlooks important consequences that occur during plant colonization, because suppression of growth can be as important as reduction of existing populations. We investigated the effects of Neochetina spp. on the expansion of waterhyacinth mats and the subsequent colonization of the surrounding water surface under conditions designed to simulate incipient infestations. Varying numbers of weevils (0 to 4000, in increments of 1000 weevils) were released in early April onto 10-m 2 mats at two sites, one in north Florida and one in south Florida, during 1992 and 1993, respectively. Results were more striking at the northern site. Maximum leaf area was 122 cm 2 in the control vs 65 cm 2 in the 4000-weevil plot. Maximum leaf length was 70 cm vs 51 cm. Plant coverage at the southern site increased only half as fast in the 4000-weevil plot as in controls, and this disparity was even greater at the northern site. Weevil infestations at both sites produced smaller, less intertwined mats and impeded growth of the plants. Weevil dispersal out of the plots at both sites caused weevil numbers to equalize among treatments by midsummer. However, suppression of plant growth in plots receiving the most weevils persisted several months beyond the term during which differences in weevil populations were evident, especially at the northern site. Release of weevils earlier in the year or multiple releases throughout the year might suppress growth even further.
I-V and Gain Characteristics of Electrowetting-Based Liquid Field Effect Transistor

This work presents an electrowetting-based liquid state field effect transistor (liquiFET) consisting of glass substrate, an Al2O3-covered transparent ground electrode (ITO), source and drain metal contacts (ITO), a hydrophobic insulator (amorphous fluoropolymer), a hydrophobic/hydrophilic grid (Kapton/SU-8), two fluids (electrolyte/oil), and top gate electrode (Au wire). The I-V characteristics and transconductance of the liquiFET are measured and the electrostatic field distribution inside the device is simulated.
Efficacious blinding of ginger for randomized controlled trials

Ginger (Zingiber Officinale Roscoe) has a distinct aroma that is difficult to blind in randomized controlled trails. We tested whether packaging encapsulated ginger in blister packs leads to effective blinding. We recruited 32 healthy volunteers age 18 and up through advertisement in the University of North Carolina and the community. They were asked to examine either 1 clear gelatin capsule of 250 mg of ginger powder or 1 similar looking clear gelatin capsule of placebo (brown sugar) in a blister pack before and after opening the pack; after which they were asked to swallow the capsule. Sixty percent correctly identified capsules filled with placebo versus 23.4% correctly identified capsules filled with ginger. c2 tests revealed no differences between the two treatment arms in content (the majority thought they were taking a placebo), look, smell and taste of the capsules. Prior familiarity with ginger did not increase prediction rates. Our results demonstrate that ginger can be effectively blinded by packing individual capsules in blister packs.
Which code construct metrics are symptoms of post release failures

Software metrics, such as code complexity metrics and code churn metrics, are used to predict failures. In this paper we study a specific set of metrics called code construct metrics and relate them to post release failures. We use the values of the code construct metrics for each file to characterize that file. We analyze the code construct metrics along with the post release failure data on the files (that splits the files into two classes: files with post release failures and files without post release failures). In our analysis we compare a file with post release failure to a set of files without post release failures, that have similar characteristics. In our comparison we identify which code construct metric, more often than the others, differs the most between these two classes of files. The goal of our research is to find out which code construct metrics can perhaps be used as symptoms of post release failures. In this paper we analyzed the code construct metrics of Eclipse 2.0, 2.1, and 3.0. Our results indicate that MethodInvocation, QualifiedName, and SimpleName, are the code constructs that differentiates the two classes of files the most and hence are the key symptoms/indicators of a file with post release failures in these versions of Eclipse.
Nursing Home Resident Barriers to Effective Pain Management: Why Nursing Home Residents May Not Seek Pain Medication

Objectives Multiple barriers to effective pain management are present in the nursing home setting. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the extent to which residents in pain declined to request pain medication from the staff, and the reasons provided by the residents to explain this behavior. Design Every 3 months, a 20% sample of residents in 12 nursing homes was administered a short pain interview, then observed for pain indicators. Medical records were reviewed at the same time for documentation about pain and its treatment. All residents were asked if they had pain (or a similar word) now or in the past 24 hours. They were also asked if they had pain but did not request pain medication. If affirmative, the resident was asked to provide up to three reasons for not requesting medication. Setting The study was conducted in 12 Colorado nursing homes, located in both urban and rural settings. Participants A total of 2033 nursing home residents completed pain interviews and/or were observed for pain indicators by trained research assistants. These interviews took place before, during, and after implementation of an intervention to improve pain practices. Measurements A cognitive organizing structure was used to categorize resident responses into a coherent classification. Individual responses were assigned by team members to the appropriate category using a consensus process. The final classification scheme consisted of 10 categories of reasons why residents do not request pain medication. Results More than one-half of residents (59.5%) reporting pain in the past 24 hours did not request medication for that pain. Subjects in pain were most likely to state medication concerns or stoicism as the reasons for not requesting pain medication. Concerns about staff reactions to a request or perceptions that the staff was too busy were also mentioned frequently by the residents. Subgroup analyses suggested that residents in pain but not requesting pain medication were significantly more likely to be in rural rather than urban nursing homes (67.9% vs. 52.9%, P ≤ .01), and white as compared to nonwhite ethnicity (60.6% vs. 52.1%, P ≤ .05). They also tended to be older on average (80.4 ± 12.1 years vs. 77.9 ± 12.7 years, P ≤ .01) than residents who did request pain medication. Finally, residents in pain but not requesting pain medication were significantly more likely to report having both continuous (c) and intermittent (i) pain (71.8% [c + i] vs. 61% [c] or 56.5% [i], P ≤ 0.01). Conclusion Interventions to reduce pain in nursing home residents need to be responsive to the concerns of the residents. It must be acknowledged that resident preferences and beliefs may lead to declined pain interventions regardless of the staff’s motivation to make the resident more comfortable. Staff nurses also need to make a more concerted effort to systematically assess pain and offer pain medication to residents rather than rely on resident requests.
Using genetic algorithms to select inputs for neural networks

The application of neural networks to nuclear power plants for fault diagnostics is a very challenging task. How to select proper input variables for neural networks from hundreds of plant processing variables is crucially important to the success. Genetic algorithms are used in this study to guide the search for optimal combination of inputs for the neural networks to reach the criteria of fewer inputs, faster training, and more accurate recall. Data from Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Watts Bar Nuclear Power Plant simulator are used to demonstrate the potential applications of genetic algorithms and neural networks to nuclear power plants. >
Therefore, what are recombination proteins there for?

Summary The order of discovery can have a profound effect upon the way in which we think about the function of a gene. In E.coli, recA is nearly essential for cell survival in the presence of DNA damage. However, recA was originally identified, as a gene required to obtain recombinant DNA molecules in conjugating bacteria. As a result, it has been frequently assumed that recA promotes the survival of bacteria containing DNA damage by recombination in which DNA strand exchanges occur. We now know that several of the processes that interact with or are controlled by recA, such as excision repair and translesion synthesis, operate to ensure that DNA replication occurs processively without strand exchanges. Yet the view persists in the literature that recA functions primarily to promote recombination during DNA repair. With the benefit of hindsight and more than three decades of additional research, we reexamine some of the classical experiments that established the concept of DNA repair by recombination, and we consider the possibilities that recombination is not an efficient mechanism for rescuing damaged cells, and that RecA may be important for maintaining processive replication in a manner that does not generally promote recombination. BioEssays 23: 463‐470, 2001. fl 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Hydrogen Ignition Mechanism for Explosions in Nuclear Facility Piping Systems

Hydrogen explosions may occur simultaneously with water hammer accidents in nuclear facilities, and a theoretical mechanism to relate water hammer to hydrogen deflagrations and explosions is presented herein. Hydrogen and oxygen generation due to the radiolysis of water is a recognized hazard in pipe systems used in the nuclear industry, where the accumulation of hydrogen and oxygen at high points in the pipe system is expected, and explosive conditions may occur. Pipe ruptures in nuclear reactor cooling systems were attributed to hydrogen explosions inside pipelines, i.e., Hamaoka, Nuclear Power Station in Japan, and Brunsbuettel in Germany. Prior to these accidents, an ignition source for hydrogen was not clearly demonstrated, but these accidents demonstrated that a mechanism was, in fact, available to initiate combustion and explosion. A new theory to identify an ignition source and explosion cause is presented here, and further research is recommended to fully understand this explosion mechanism.
The Culturagram: An Educational Tool to Enhance Practice Competence With Diverse Populations

For more than 25 years social work educators and practitioners have attempted to develop tools that would assist them in their efforts to work more effectively with people from different backgrounds. This issue is particularly important for students entering the profession. However, there has been little discussion in the literature about the developmental process of students and beginning practitioners and the effect of such tools on their attainment of practice competencies. This article discusses how the use of a culturagram influenced baccalaureate social work students’ ability to understand, assess, and plan an intervention with an immigrant family in a case scenario. We found that the culturagram augmented students’ learning and demonstrated the potential to move students and practitioners beyond cultural awareness to an ability to engage with difference.
Possible triaxial shape of even- A mercury nuclei and a phase transition between ≤ Hg 80 196 and Hg 80 1 9 8 , 2 0 0

Evidences for the existence of triaxial shapes in the ground states of even-even nuclei are considered. Most if not all previous reports that support the existence are not definite. The observed decreasing of the energies of the ${2}_{1}^{+}$ and ${4}_{1}^{+}$ states for $^{198,200}\mathrm{Hg}$ compared to the lighter Hg nuclei is opposite to the expected when $N$ increases and deformation decreases. We show that a triaxial model with a phase transition between $N=116 \mathrm{and} 118$ qualitatively can explain the regularities in $B(E2)$ ratios and ${E}_{I}$ for the collective levels with ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={2}_{1}^{+}, {4}_{1}^{+}, {6}^{+}, \mathrm{and} {2}_{2}^{+}$ in $^{192\ensuremath{-}200}\mathrm{Hg}$.NUCLEAR STRUCTURE Analysis of levels in $^{192\ensuremath{-}200}\mathrm{Hg}$ in triaxial rotor model.
The roles of X rays and other types of electromagnetic radiation in evaluating paintings for forgery and restoration

Abstract Radiologists are experts in the use of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to diagnose, and sometimes treat, disease. Medicine, however, is not the only industry which uses EMR to problem solve. EMR has a long standing role in the forensic examination of cultural properties. This article examines the roles of xrays and, to a lesser degree, gamma rays and beta particles in ruling out forgery and guiding the restoration of paintings. Of the 3 aforementioned EMR types, xrays have the largest role in painting authentication and restoration; much of this article is an overview of the different mechanisms by which xrays can be generated, as well as the information gleaned, from the different technologies in the forensic examination of paintings. Currently, the best method which uses EMR to examine paintings in 2 or 3D is optical coherence tomography (OCT). While OCT is not a widely known modality to the radiologist, it is a known technique in ophthalmology. The physics of OCT and the information yielded during painting examination will be discussed. While there is a high demand for forensic art experts, there are obstacles a radiologist would face should he/she decide to expand, or divert, their practice into this fascinating field.
Identification Modes of Professionals: Relationship with Formalization, Role Strain, and Alienation

The article explores the forms of the identification of professionals in organizations and their connections with role ambiguity, role conflict and alienation. To determine if there were significan...
On the Non- rational Studies

The present paper intends to clarify misunderstandings in non rational studies: considering non ration as the opposition of ration; confusing non ration with non rationalism; and confining the non ration in the narrow field of epistemology. Thus, the author believes that it is not as simple as a simple question that which decideswhich.
Broadcasting with receiver message side information: A deterministic approach

This paper considered, via a deterministic approach, the problem of broadcasting with receiver message side information, which arises naturally in the context of decoding-forward strategies in multiway relay network communication. An outer bound on the capacity region of the linear deterministic broadcast channel with general receiver message side information is provided and is shown to be tight when the side information configuration satisfies a certain property. As a corollary, the proposed outer bound is shown to be the capacity region of the linear deterministic broadcast channel with receiver message side information and with K les 3 users.
Thyroid hormones and changes in body weight and metabolic parameters in response to weight loss diets: the POUNDS LOST trial.

The role of thyroid hormones in diet-induced weight loss and subsequent weight regain is largely unknown. To examine the associations between thyroid hormones and changes in body weight and resting metabolic rate (RMR) in a diet-induced weight loss setting. Data analysis was conducted among 569 overweight and obese participants aged 30–70 years with normal thyroid function participating in the 2-year Prevention of Obesity Using Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS) LOST randomized clinical trial. Changes in body weight and RMR were assessed during the 2-year intervention. Thyroid hormones (free triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (T4), total T3, total T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)), anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline, 6 months and 24 months. Participants lost an average of 6.6 kg of body weight during the first 6 months and subsequently regained an average of 2.7 kg of body weight over the remaining period from 6 to 24 months. Baseline free T3 and total T3 were positively associated, whereas free T4 was inversely associated, with baseline body weight, body mass index and RMR. Total T4 and TSH were not associated with these parameters. Higher baseline free T3 and free T4 levels were significantly associated with a greater weight loss during the first 6 months (P<0.05) after multivariate adjustments including dietary intervention groups and baseline body weight. Comparing extreme tertiles, the multivariate-adjusted weight loss±s.e. was −3.87±0.9 vs −5.39±0.9 kg for free T3 (Ptrend=0.02) and −4.09±0.9 vs −5.88±0.9 kg for free T4 (Ptrend=0.004). The thyroid hormones did not predict weight regain in 6–24 months. A similar pattern of associations was also observed between baseline thyroid hormones and changes in RMR. In addition, changes in free T3 and total T3 levels were positively associated with changes in body weight, RMR, body fat mass, blood pressure, glucose, insulin, triglycerides and leptin at 6 months and 24 months (all P<0.05). In this diet-induced weight loss setting, higher baseline free T3 and free T4 predicted more weight loss, but not weight regain among overweight and obese adults with normal thyroid function. These findings reveal a novel role of thyroid hormones in body weight regulation and may help identify individuals more responsive to weight loss diets.
Pulsatile Erlotinib in EGFR-Positive Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients With Leptomeningeal and Brain Metastases: Review of the Literature

Patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive (EGFR+) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) show improved response rates when treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as erlotinib. However, standard daily dosing of erlotinib often does not reach therapeutic concentrations within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), resulting in progression of central nervous system (CNS) disease. Intermittent, high-dose administration of erlotinib reaches therapeutic concentrations within the CSF and is well tolerated in patients. Experience with "pulsatile" dosing, however, is limited. We review the literature on the pharmacology and clinical outcomes of pulsatile erlotinib in the treatment of EGFR+ NSCLC with brain and leptomeningeal metastases, and include available data on the use of next-generation TKIs in CNS progression. We also provide our institution's experience with patients treated with pulsatile erlotinib for CNS metastasis, and propose clinical criteria for its use. Pulsatile erlotinib is a reasonable alternative in EGFR+ patients with new or worsening CNS disease, without evidence of systemic progression, and without confirmed T790M resistance mutations within the CNS.
Functional Results and Patient Satisfaction of First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis Using Dual Crossed Screw Fixation.

A total of 262 feet in 228 consecutive patients underwent first metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) fusion; thus, the present study is the largest single-surgeon patient series reported. The inclusion criteria included severe painful deformity of the first MPJ due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gouty arthritis and stage 3 or 4 hallux rigidus. The exclusion criteria were revision surgery of the first MPJ, fixation other than with dual crossed screws, and a postoperative follow-up period of <3 months. Fusion of the first MPJ was fixated with dual-crossed 3.0-mm screws. The office follow-up period was ≥3 months postoperatively and the survey follow-up period was ≥6 months postoperatively. The mean duration to radiographic evidence of arthrodesis was 7.00 ± 2.33 weeks, and 252 of the feet (96.18%) achieved successful arthrodesis. The mean postoperative office follow-up duration was 30.43 ± 6.59 weeks. The mean modified American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons scale score was 51.2 ± 3.28 of maximum possible of 68 points. The mean subjective score was 37.1 ± 2.5 (maximum possible of 50 points), and the mean objective score was 14.5 ± 1.7 (maximum possible of 18 points). Furthermore, 200 patients (87.72%) reported that they had little to no pain, 187 (82.02%) reported they either mostly liked the appearance of their toe or liked it very much, and 173 (75.88%) reported that they could wear any type of shoe most or all the time after the operation. Of the respondents, 207 (90.79%) stated they would have the surgery repeated, and 197 (86.40%) would recommend the surgery to a family member or friend.
Reactions of N2O5 with Salty and Surfactant-Coated Glycerol: Interfacial Conversion of Br– to Br2 Mediated by Alkylammonium Cations

Gas–liquid scattering and product-yield experiments are used to investigate reactions of N2O5 with glycerol containing Br– and surfactant ions. N2O5 oxidizes Br– to Br2 for every solution tested: 2.7 M NaBr, 0.03 M tetrahexylammonium bromide (THABr), 0.03 M THABr + 0.5 M NaBr, 0.03 M THABr + 0.5 M NaCl, 0.03 M THABr + 0.01 M sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 0.01 M cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr). N2O5 also reacts with glycerol itself to produce mono- and dinitroglycerin. Surface tension measurements indicate that 0.03 M THABr and 2.7 M NaBr have similar interfacial Br– concentrations, though their bulk Br– concentrations differ by 90-fold. We find that twice as much Br2 is produced in the presence of THA+, implying that the conversion of Br– to Br2 is initiated at the interface, perhaps mediated by the charged, hydrophobic pocket within the surface THA+ cation. The addition of 0.5 M NaBr, 0.5 M NaCl, or 0.01 M SDS to 0.03 M THABr lowers the Br2 production rate by 23%, 63%, and 67% of the THABr val...
A new characterization technique for extracting parasitic inductances of fast switching power MOSFETs using two-port vector network analyzer

This paper discusses a new technique to accurately characterize parasitic inductances of discrete fast switching MOSFETs based on S-parameters measurement using two-port vector network analyzer. The method is validated through case studies of 1200V SiC MOSFET in TO-247 and 30V silicon trench MOSFET in SO-8 package.
Conducting polymer as electrochromic material: polyaniline

The first conducting polymer was reported in 1977 when Shirakawa, MacDiarmid, Heeger and other coworkers1 discovered that polyacetylene (Fig. 1), an organic polymer and electrical insulator, could be converted into an electrical conductor by absorbing a small amount of iodine. Since then, active research has led to the synthesis of new conducting polymers. Examples are: polyphenylene2, polypyrrole3, polythiophene4, poly-(phenylenesulfide)2 and polyaniline5. Their chemical structures are shown in Fig. 1.
Acceleration of Pd-Catalyzed Amide N-Arylations Using Cocatalytic Metal Triflates: Substrate Scope and Mechanistic Study

The Pd/xantphos-catalyzed cross-coupling of amides and aryl halides is accelerated by cocatalytic metal triflate additives. A survey of nitrogen nucleophiles reveals improved yields for a variety of N-aryl amide products when Al(OTf)3 is employed as a catalytic additive, with some exceptions. Initial rates of catalysis indicate that the Lewis acid acceleration is more pronounced when bromobenzene (PhBr) is used in comparison with iodobenzene (PhI). The observation of an aryl halide dependence on rate and various qualitative kinetic experiments are consistent with a mechanism in which ligand exchange of halide for amide (“transmetalation”) is turnover limiting. The mechanism may be different depending on whether PhBr or PhI is used as a coupling partner. Oxidative addition complexes (xantphos)Pd(Ph)(X) (X = Br, I; xantphos = 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene), likely intermediates in catalysis, have been prepared; their differing interactions with Yb(OTf)3 in solution resemble the halide depe...
Solvent-Assisted Self-Assembly of CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals into One-Dimensional Superlattice

The self-assembly of colloidal nanocrystals into ordered architectures has attracted significant interest enabling innovative methods of manipulating physicochemical properties for targeted applications. This study reports the self-assembly of CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) in one-dimensional (1D) superlattice chains mediated by ligand–solvent interactions. CsPbBr3 NCs synthesized at ≥170 °C and purified in a nonpolar solvent, hexane, self-assembled into 1D chains, whereas those purified in polar solvents, including toluene and ethyl acetate, were disordered or formed short-range two-dimensional (2D) assemblies. The NCs assembled into 1D chains showed red shifts in both the absorbance and photoluminescence spectra relative to those of disordered NCs purified in a 50/50 hexane/ethyl acetate mixture. Microscopy and X-ray diffraction results confirmed the formation of polymeric nanostrands in hexane followed by organization of the NCs into 1D chains along the nanostrands. Our results suggest that exce...
A first-principles study of phonon transport properties of monolayer MoSe 2

MoSe 2 as one of the promising two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) recently emerged as promising alternative of graphene for nano-electronic and opto-electronic devices. However, the heat removal is a critical issue for devices using two-dimensional (2D) materials, and low thermal conductivity of monolayer MoSe 2 can significantly affect the performance and reliability of electronic devices. In this study, we use the density functional theory (DFT) and the phonon Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) to study the phonon transport properties of monolayer MoSe 2 and compared the results with MoS2. The iterative solution of the BTE is used to predict the thermal conductivity of MoSe 2 , which is compared with the relaxation time approximation. Model for considering effect of sample size and defects are developed for monolayer MoSe 2 . Our results show the impact of sample size, Se vacancies, boundary and anharmonic phonon scattering on the thermal conductivity of MoSe 2 . Defect model is built based on the phonon scattering caused by the missing atom mass and the change of force constants between the under-coordinated atoms near the vacancies. Results indicate that the presence of 1%, 2% and 4% Se vacancies decrease the thermal conductivity of monolayer MoSe 2 by 11.2%, 23.4% and 46.2% at room temperature. The results from this work will help in understanding the mechanism of phonon transport in 2D materials and provide insights for the future design of MoSe 2 -based electronics.
Frequency and Cost of Vaccinations Administered Outside Minimum and Maximum Recommended Ages-2014 Data From 6 Sentinel Sites of Immunization Information Systems.

Objective To quantify vaccinations administered outside minimum and maximum recommended ages and to determine attendant costs of revaccination by analyzing immunization information system (IIS) records. Study design We analyzed deidentified records of doses administered during 2014 to persons aged Results Among 3 394 047 doses with maximum age recommendations, 9755 (0.3%) were given after the maximum age. One type of maximum age violation required revaccination: 1344 (0.7%) of 194 934 doses of the 0.25-mL prefilled syringe formulation of quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (Fluzone Quadrivalent, Sanofi Pasteur, Swiftwater, PA) were administered at age ≥36 months (revaccination cost, $111 964). We identified a total of 7 529 165 childhood, adolescent, and lifespan doses with minimum age recommendations, 9542 of which (0.1%) were administered before the minimum age. The most common among these violations were quadrivalent injectable influenza vaccines (3835, or 0.7% of 526 110 doses administered before age 36 months) and Kinrix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium; DTaP-IPV) (2509, or 1.2% of 208 218 doses administered before age 48 months). The cost of revaccination for minimum age violations (where recommended) was $179 179. Conclusion Administration of vaccines outside recommended minimum and maximum ages is rare, reflecting a general adherence to recommendations. Error rates were higher for several vaccines, some requiring revaccination. Vaccine schedule complexity and confusion among similar products might contribute to errors. Minimization of errors reduces wastage, excess cost, and inconvenience for parents and patients.
Characterization of air pollutant concentrations, fleet emission factors, and dispersion near a North Carolina interstate freeway across two seasons

Abstract We present field measurement data and modeling of multiple traffic-related air pollutants during two seasons at a site adjoining Interstate 40, near Durham, North Carolina. We analyze spatial-temporal and seasonal trends and fleet-average pollutant emission factors and use our data to evaluate a line source dispersion model. Month-long measurement campaigns were performed in summer 2015 and winter 2016. Data were collected at a fixed near-road site located within 10 m from the highway edge, an upwind background site and, under favorable meteorological conditions, along downwind perpendicular transects. Measurements included the size distribution, chemical composition, and volatility of submicron particles, black carbon (BC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), meteorological conditions and traffic activity data. Results show strong seasonal and diurnal differences in spatial distribution of traffic sourced pollutants. A strong signature of vehicle emissions was observed within 100–150 m from the highway edge with significantly higher concentrations during morning. Substantially higher concentrations and less-sharp near-road gradients were observed in winter for many species. Season-specific fleet-average fuel-based emission factors for NO, NOx, BC, and particle number (PN) were derived based on up- and down-wind roadside measurements. The campaign-average NOx and PN emission factors were 20% and 300% higher in winter than summer, respectively. These results suggest that the combined effect of higher emissions and their slower downwind dispersion in winter dictate the observed higher downwind concentrations and wider highway influence zone in winter for several species. Finally, measurements of traffic data, emission factors, and pollutant concentrations were integrated to evaluate a line source dispersion model (R-LINE). The dispersion model captured the general trends in the spatial and temporal patterns in near-road concentrations. However, there was a tendency for the model to under-predict concentrations near the road in the mornings and over-predict concentrations in the evenings.
Expression and regulation of alarmin cytokine IL-1α in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells play important immune-regulatory roles in a variety of retinal pathologic processes, including the production of inflammatory cytokines that are essential mediators of the innate immune response within the ocular microenvironment. The pro-inflammatory "alarmin" cytokine IL-1α has been implicated in both infectious and non-infectious retinal diseases, but its regulation in the retina is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the expression and regulation of IL-1α within hRPE cells. To do this, IL-1α mRNA and protein in hRPE cells was assessed by RT-PCR, qPCR, ELISA, Western blot, and immunofluorescence following treatment with a variety of stimuli and inhibitors. ER stress, LPS, IL-1β, and TLR2 activation all significantly increased intracellular IL-1α protein. Increasing intracellular calcium synergized both LPS- and Pam3CSK4-induced IL-1α protein production. Accordingly, blocking calcium signaling and calpain activity strongly suppressed IL-1α protein expression. Significant but more moderate inhibition occurred following blockage of TLR4, caspase-4, or caspase-1. Neutralizing antibodies to IL-1β and TLR2 partially eliminated LPS- and TLR2 ligand Pam3CSK4-stimulated IL-1α protein production. IFN-β induced caspase-4 expression and activation, and also potentiated LPS-induced IL-1α expression, but IFN-β alone had no effect on IL-1α protein production. Interestingly, all inhibitors targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway, with the exception of Ly294002, strongly increased IL-1α protein expression. This study improves understanding of the complex mechanisms regulating IL-1α protein expression in hRPE cells by demonstrating that TLR4 and TLR2 stimulation and exposure to IL-1β, ER stress and intracellular calcium all induce hRPE cells to produce intracellular IL-1α, which is negatively regulated by the PI3K/Akt pathway. Additionally, the non-canonical inflammasome pathway was shown to be involved in LPS-induced hRPE IL-1α expression through caspase-4 signaling.
Large area oxide thin film by laser deposition

We have developed a large area deposition method of YBa2Cu307-x(YBCO) superconducting thin films by excimer laser deposition. A substrate-rotation method with substrate off setting to the center of the plume was used to make large area YBCO thin films. Thickness variation of less than ±10%, uniform superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of >87K and uniform surface morphology were achieved by the substrate-rotation method.
Asparagine and Glutamine: Co-conspirators Fueling Metastasis

Cancer cells frequently hijack normal metabolic pathways to promote their growth and metastasis. Two recent papers by Knott et al. (2018) and Pavlova et al. (2018) demonstrate that asparagine and glutamine work in concert to drive tumor growth and metastasis through modulation of cell survival, growth, and EMT regulatory pathways.