cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Initial Experience With Staging Rectal Adenocarcinoma Using 7T Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Abstract Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the preferred method for local staging of rectal cancer. Current MRI technology, operating at 1.5-3 T, results in incorrectly reported tumor depth and therefore inaccurate staging in one-third of individuals. Inaccurate staging can result in suboptimal treatment in patients with rectal cancer and can submit them to unnecessary treatments. The Medical College of Wisconsin Center for Imaging Research houses one of approximately twenty experimental 7 T MRIs worldwide capable of imaging the human pelvis. We present our initial experience with this novel imaging technique for the human rectum. Methods This was a prospective observational trial conducted at a single institution. Patients diagnosed with rectal cancer and who underwent low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection between July 2015 and July 2017 were included. Excised rectal specimens were suspended in a saline-filled container and imaged by MRI at 7T. Tumor depth and lymph node status were determined by a single radiologist who was blinded to the pathologic results. These MRI interpretations were then compared with the pathologic stage. Results Seven of the 10 patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiation. When using the T1-weighted volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination–flex fat-suppressed sequences, radiologic and pathologic interpretation was identical regarding tumor depth in 7 of 10 patients (70%). Nodal status was correctly interpreted by 7T MRI in 8 of 10 patients (80%). Lymph nodes as small as 2 mm were able to be correctly characterized as harboring malignancy. Conclusions We have demonstrated that 7T MRI of the rectum ex vivo has a strong correlation with histologic results. With its superior signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution, 7T MRI holds promise in more accurately staging rectal cancer and may be useful in correctly categorizing response to neoadjuvant therapy.
A distal enhancer that directs Otx2 expression in the retinal pigment epithelium and neuroretina

Background Homeodomain transcription factor Otx2 is essential for embryonic development of multiple head tissues, including retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and neuroretina. Temporospatial regulation of Otx2 expression is critical for its functions. Molecular dissection of the cis-acting enhancers will help elucidate how Otx2 expression is regulated. Results We comprehensively characterized distal enhancer hs1150 that was previously identified in a high throughput study. We established multiple transgenic mouse lines in which human hs1150, corresponding mouse hs1150, and two highly conserved sub-fragments in the mouse hs1150 were individually fused to a minimal hsp68 promoter to drive reporter expression. We found that hs1150 enhancer directed reporter expression in the RPE, neuroretina, and brain in a developmentally regulated manner. Human hs1150-directed reporter expression largely recapitulated Otx2 expression in the RPE, in the early neuroretina, and to a lesser degree in the early brain. Mouse hs1150, although shorter than human hs1150, exhibited similar enhancer activity, indicating functional conservation of hs1150 enhancer across species. Both of the highly conserved subfragments in mouse hs1150 enhancer directed reporter expression in the early neuroretina, indicating that the hs1150 enhancer has two functional components. Conclusions Our findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of Otx2 retinal expression.
Marijuana, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, and Pain in the Urologic Patient.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To describe marijuana's clinical role for urologic symptoms. METHODS Studies related to marijuana, voiding dysfunction, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and pain through January 2019 from PubMed were evaluated for relevance and quality. RESULTS Forty-eight studies were reviewed. Cannabinoids have mixed efficacy for neurogenic LUTS and little evidence for non-neurogenic LUTS, chronic non–cancer-related and perioperative pain. For cancer-related pain, high-level studies demonstrate cannabinoids are well-tolerated with unclear benefit. CONCLUSION Cannabinoids appear well-tolerated in the short-term, but their efficacy and long-term impact is unproven and unknown in urologic discomfort. Cannabinoids for urologic symptoms should be further explored with well-designed randomized controlled trials.
Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Smoke-Free Spaces by Smokers: Results from the 2014-2015 Population Assessment on Tobacco and Health Study.

Background: Smoke-free air policies exist to protect users and nonusers from exposure to tobacco smoke. Although electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) may expose passerby to nicotine and particulate matter, few US states regulate indoor use of ENDS. The purpose of this study was to investigate reported rationales for ENDS use and reported ENDS use in public smoke-free places by dual cigarette/ENDS users. Methods: A population of ENDS/cigarette co-users (n = 2051) was drawn from Wave 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) dataset (2014–2015). Harm reduction beliefs and cessation behavior of co-users were investigated as predictors of ENDS use in public smoke-free places using logistic regression. Results: Fifty-eight percent of dual users reported past 30-day ENDS use in public smoke-free places. Reported use of ENDS to cut down on cigarette smoking (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.86, 3.05), as an alternative to quitting tobacco (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.37, 2.13), or because of belief that ENDS help people to quit cigarettes (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.20, 1.92) were significantly associated with increased odds of ENDS use in smoke-free places. Conclusions: Beliefs that ENDS were useful as cessation tools or posed modified risk to users and nonusers were associated with elevated odds of use ENDS in locations where conventional tobacco is prohibited. Due to limitations in the survey instrument, in-home ENDS use could not be directly assessed in this analysis. However, these self-reported findings suggest that use of ENDS in public places where cigarette use is prohibited is prevalent enough to be of concern for future regulation and enforcement efforts.
Chapter 8 – Carbon nanotubes

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an introduction to carbon nanotubes. The single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) consist of singular graphene cylindrical walls with diameters ranging between 1 and 2 nm and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have thicker walls, consisting of several coaxial graphene cylinders separated by a spacing (0.34 nm) that is close to the interlayer distance in graphite. The outer diameters of MWNTs range between 2 nm and 25 nm, and the inner hollows range from ∼1 nm to 8 nm. In MWNTs, there is no three-dimensional ordering between the individual graphite layers, suggesting that the interlayer structure is turbostratic. Individual SWNTs have uniform diameter, although when formed they show a strong tendency to pack together in larger bundles. In fact, the packing occurs in a regular triangular lattice structure with an intertube spacing in each of the bundles that corresponds to about 0.315 nm and a lattice parameter of 1.7 nm.
Storytelling as a means of improving community and decreasing burnout in a large academic cancer center.

11018Background: Burnout is highly experienced amongst physicians who care for patients with cancer. Workplace isolation is a risk factor for burnout. The field of oncology is growing at a rapid pa...
Characterization and anti-tumor activity of a chimeric tetravalent anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody

903 A tetravalent chimeric anti-human CD22 antibody (cRFB4-TetraMAb) with improved anti-tumor activity has been developed. The DNA encoding the single chain Fv (scFv) was spliced to the Fc of human IgG1 and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The construct was purified on Sepharose- Protein G followed by HPLC. The characteristics of the cTetraMAb were analyzed and compared to its parental divalent MAb, RFB4. The TetraMAb bound to CD22+ Daudi cells as well as the divalent RFB4, but had a slower dissociation rate. Both the TetraMAb and the divalent RFB4 bound equally well to FcγR-positive human cells, to human C1q, and to recombinant human FcRn in vitro. It also had comparable ADCC activity when human effector cells were used. Despite its slightly larger size, the TetraMAb penetrated normal tissues in Swiss Webster mice as well as the divalent MAb. The TetraMAb had a longer half-life in both Swiss Webster mice and mFcRn-/hFcRn+ transgenic mice, and it showed improved anti-tumor activity in SCID mice xenografted with various CD22 positive human tumor cell lines. Moreover, the enhanced activity of the TetraMAb was dose-related. In conclusion, these data suggest that this tetravalent RFB4 antibody should be further developed for human use.
A Cross-Disciplines and Cross-Sector Mixed-Methods Examination of Design Thinking Practices and Outcome

This mixed method study investigated design thinking (DT) practices and outcomes from across disciplinary frameworks within one institution of higher education. Building upon prior DT studies, it examined three interlocking research questions: What DT practices are being implemented across the curriculum? What kinds of outcomes do faculty observe? What are the significant relationships between particular practices and observed outcomes? Thirty-five courses were examined via a faculty survey adapted from Liedtka and Bahr (2019), and a semi-structured interview created by Lake, Ricco, and Whipps (2018). In alignment with liberal arts educational practices, the most frequently utilized DT practices included working in teams that recognize diverse contributions and engaging in active listening in order to find shared meaning. Consistent with expectations for project- and team-based courses, faculty felt such practices yielded valued outcomes, concluding DT practices built trust across teams and increased the quality of solutions. Relationships between practices and outcomes revealed the utilization of more ethnographic tools was associated with a lower frequency of expanding relationships and resources, and that a greater focus on design criteria to find an ideal solution hampered efforts towards trust building. These findings suggest DT requires time and trust which can be constrained by the imposed deadlines of semester-based projects. The survey and interviews pointed to both similarities and differences between disciplines in DT practices. Future research investigating design thinking pedagogy should include faculty, students, and stakeholders with multiple touchpoints for assessment to identify learning experiences that build change-making capacities and yield genuinely valuable and viable real world projects.
The health and social consequences during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic among current and former people who inject drugs: A rapid phone survey in Baltimore, Maryland.

Abstract Background There is limited data on the health and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among people who inject drugs (PWID). Methods We conducted a rapid telephone survey from April-June 2020 among participants of the community-based AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) cohort study in Baltimore, Maryland. This interviewer-administered survey collected information on COVID-19 knowledge, symptoms, testing, diagnosis, and prevention behaviors, recent substance use, housing conditions, interruptions to healthcare, access to harm reduction and drug treatment, mental health, and social support. Results Of 443 current and former PWID who participated in the survey, 36 % were female, 85 % were Black, 33 % were living with HIV and 50 % reported any substance use in the prior six months. COVID-19 awareness was high, but knowledge of symptoms and routes of transmission were lower. PWID reporting recent substance use were less likely to always socially distance (63 % vs. 74 % among those without recent use, p = 0.02), and Black PWID were more likely than non-Black to socially distance (73 % vs. 48 %, p Conclusions This rapid assessment highlighted that PWID currently using drugs may be less able to practice social distancing and increased SARS-CoV-2 transmission may occur. Ongoing monitoring of substance use and mental health, as well as overdose prevention is necessary as the pandemic and public health responses continue.
Eupsychian Management: Spirit of the Good in Humanity and Society:

Eupsychian management was Abraham Maslow’s term for workplaces of creativity, synergy, and continuous learning. His ideas were crystalized while visiting Non-Linear Systems, founded by Andrew Kay. ...
On Reworks in a Serial Process with Flexible Windows of Time

Consider the planning of a multi-task serial production process where the prior task yields are continuous values determined from previous production data. Applying these values in the planning stage for the processing of discrete units does not necessarily guarantee a discrete input-output value for each task, thereby resulting in an approximate solution. Supposing the priors are conservative estimates, this research provides two simple models to determine these input–output values by discretizing the units at each task, thereby establishing a lower bound on the discrete output quantity (throughput). Both single- and multi-period models are presented where the multi-period model allows for reworks from previous time periods.
COVID-19 data sharing and collaboration

There is an immediate need to study COVID-19, and the COVID-19 Data Archive (COVID-ARC) provides access to data along with user-friendly tools for researchers to perform analyses to better understand COVID-19 and encourage collaboration on this research. The COVID-19 pandemic has been spreading rapidly across the world, and there are still many unknowns about COVID-19. There is an urgent need for scientists around the world to work together to model the virus, study how the virus has changed and will change over time, understand how it spreads, and study transmission after vaccination. COVID-ARC can also prepare scientists for future pandemics by putting the infrastructure in place to enable researchers to aggregate data and perform analyses quickly in the event of an emergency. We have developed a platform of networked and centralized web-accessible data archives to store multimodal data related to COVID-19 and make them broadly available and accessible to the world-wide scientific community to expedite research in this area. COVID-ARC provides tools for researchers to visualize and analyze various types of data as well as a website with tools for training, announcements, virtual information sessions, and a knowledgebase wherein researchers post questions and receive answers from the community.
Evaluating the potential bioextractive capacity of South Florida native macroalgae Agardhiella subulata for use in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA)

Abstract With the expansion of marine aquaculture throughout the world comes a need for solutions to improve the economic viability and environmental sustainability of farming operations. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) has been identified as a promising method of farming that typically combines multiple cultured species in connected systems in an effort to decrease the concentration of nutrients expelled as waste products from intensive finfish culture while also increasing commercial profits via subsequent extractive biomass production. This study examined the effectiveness of South Florida native red macroalgal species Agardhiella subulata for use as a productive, nutrient-extracting species for IMTA in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean regions. When cultured in a pilot-scale, land-based IMTA system for replicated 15 day trials with American red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, A. subulata grew up to 14.4% d−1 and significantly decreased the concentration of all measured dissolved inorganic nutrients in the effluent water. The average percent (% ± SE) removal of nutrients were: 68.8 ± 4.8 ammonia, 94.5 ± 1.3 nitrate, 96.6 ± 2.0 nitrite, and 93.2 ± 3.1 phosphate from primary culture effluents. Further evidence of A. subulata fitness for commercial IMTA practices is shown through significantly high bulk nitrogen tissue concentration of experimental (nutrient-enriched) compared to control (un-enriched) groups. Results of this study demonstrate the efficient growth and nutrient removal capabilities of A. subulata when used in IMTA applications with marine finfish production in warm water environments, as may be encountered in marine aquaculture projects in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean regions.
Analysis of the ratio of ℓ1 and ℓ2 norms in compressed sensing

Abstract We study the ratio of l 1 and l 2 norms ( l 1 / l 2 ) as a sparsity-promoting objective in compressed sensing. We first propose a novel criterion that guarantees that an s-sparse signal is the local minimizer of the l 1 / l 2 objective; our criterion is interpretable and useful in practice. We also give the first uniform recovery condition using a geometric characterization of the null space of the measurement matrix, and show that this condition is satisfied for a class of random matrices. We also present analysis on the robustness of the procedure when noise pollutes data. Numerical experiments are provided that compare l 1 / l 2 with some other popular non-convex methods in compressed sensing. Finally, we propose a novel initialization approach to accelerate the numerical optimization procedure. We call this initialization approach support selection, and we demonstrate that it empirically improves the performance of existing l 1 / l 2 algorithms.
Hindcast of Soil Moisture Using SMAP, Land Surface Model Output Data, and Regression Methods

This work addresses the problem of artificially extending satellite-derived soil moisture data using soil moisture estimates generated by a land surface model. We calibrate regression algorithms in a set of spatially and temporally coincident surface soil moisture estimates derived from the coarse Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) radiometer and soil moisture simulated by the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) Noah model, which assimilates atmospheric forcing and ancillary data. Once calibrated, we apply the regression model to the GLDAS-Noah soil moisture, and ancillary data, to estimate the soil moisture that would have been observed if SMAP had been available on a given past date. We explore the feasibility of the approach in a study area of size $12\times 12$ degrees located in Southern Brazil. The Random Forests and XGBoost regression algorithms show reasonable reconstruction skills over a 642-day hindcast period $(r^{2}=0.84,\text{RMSE}=0.051\mathrm{m}^{3}/\mathrm{m}^{3})$ . These results suggest the approach is worth further investigation.
Religion and Forgiveness of Others

This chapter examines the role of religion in forgiving others. We begin by briefly discussing the conceptualization and practice of forgiveness within Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and Buddhism. This is followed by an overview of empirical studies on how forgiveness relates to religiosity, prayer, meditation, sanctification, and congregational support. Studies on the effectiveness of religiously based forgiveness group interventions are highlighted. We also review outcome studies on interventions designed to enhance forgiveness in religious communities. Implications for clinicians and researchers working with people who are trying to forgive others are discussed.
Bringing in a New Era in Character Education

The authors provide a unique perspective on what is needed to make character education an effective, lasting part of our educational agenda. Each chapter points out the directions that character education must take today and offers strategies essential for making progress in the field.
Predisposing factors and precipitants for bathing disability in older persons.

OBJECTIVES: To identify potential predisposing factors and precipitants for bathing disability. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Greater New Haven, Connecticut. PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred fifty-four community-living residents aged 70 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Potential predisposing factors were measured every 18 months for 6 years during comprehensive home-based assessments. Participants were followed with monthly telephone interviews for a median of 61 months to ascertain exposure to potential precipitants, which included illnesses and injuries leading to hospitalization or restricted activity, and to determine the occurrence of persistent disability in bathing. RESULTS: Over the course of nearly 8 years, 333 (44.2%) participants developed persistent disability in bathing. After accounting for age, sex, and race, nine predisposing factors were independently associated with persistent bathing disability. The strongest associations were found for inability to rise from a chair, low bathing self-efficacy, and low physical activity, each of which more than doubled the risk of persistent bathing disability. After the potential precipitants were added to the final model, the associations between the predisposing factors and persistent bathing disability were only modestly diminished. The effects of the precipitants on persistent bathing disability were large, with multivariable hazard ratios of 24.6 for hospitalization and 3.01 for restricted activity only. The relative contributions of the predisposing factors and precipitants to the development of persistent bathing disability were 47.7% and 27.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Disability in bathing is attributable to a combination of predisposing factors that make community-living older persons vulnerable and intervening illnesses or injuries that act as precipitants. These factors and precipitants may be suitable targets for the prevention of bathing disability.
Donovan v. Philip Morris USA, Inc. : The Best Approach to Satisfying the Injury Requirement in Medical Monitoring Claims

Medical monitoring claims seek money damages for the costs of medical testing required after toxic exposure. However, victims of toxic exposure often face challenges proving medical monitoring claims. Many courts require plaintiffs prove they have a present physical injury, and victims usually do not have any disease or illness attributable to the toxic exposure when they bring medical monitoring claims. This Note argues that while a present physical injury should be required, a plaintiff that demonstrates subcellular changes indicating toxic exposure and an increased risk of developing a disease sufficiently satisfies the present physical injury requirement. The best standard for addressing a medical monitoring claim was outlined in Donovan v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., a recent decision by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.
British hunters in colonial India, 1900-1947: The Gentleman Hunter, New Technology, and Growing Conservationist Awareness

I hope to fill the scholarly void on British hunters in colonial India. There has been relatively little scholarly work on hunters in India in general in comparison to Africa where there is a proliferation of academic work done on hunting. This paper deconstructs the hunting experiences of British men in India by drawing upon a collection of hunting books, private papers, and letters. These men include eminent sportsmen like James Best and humanitarian hunters like Jim Corbett. By the 20 th century there developed a conservationist ethos among many hunters and the colonial state to protect wildlife as a system of laws, licenses and permits was instituted along with the use of guns, restraint and reliance on shikaris or native hunters. My argument is that the character of British hunting changed and can be summarized as gentlemanly masculine, as well as imperialist. Distinct differentiation between tribals/poachers and British sportsmen were also clearly defined in the 20 th century. By the 20 th century, humanitarian hunters appear who only hunted to protect villagers, new technology becomes intertwined with hunting, a greater sense of nostalgia for the past makes its presence, a greater introduction of emotion, artificial rearing appears in the subcontinent, and sahibs (British males) emulate maharajas or native princes.
Standard cell library characterization for FinFET transistors using BSIM-CMG models

In order to suppress the short channel effects and improve the scalability of transistors, FinFET devices have been proposed and increasingly adopted as successor of the conventional bulk CMOS. In this paper, we describe the characterization of a standard cell library based on FinFET, using the Predictive Technology Model (PTM) and BSIM-CMG models recently made available. RTL synthesis and HSPICE simulation results are presented to verify the correctness of the library, and performance is compared against conventional planar CMOS technology.
Early filtration and mortality in meningococcal septic shock

Following the introduction of a policy of early therapeutic filtration for presumed meningococcal septicaemic shock, the overall mortality has decreased.
A Qualitative Analysis of the Coping Strategies of Substitute Teachers.

This study distinguishes whether substitute teachers enact coping strategies that mitigate the source of work-related stress (problem-centered) or coping strategies that enable them to adapt to stress created by work-related stressors (avoidance-centered). The author gathered data for this analysis by conducting 37 in-depth interviews with substitute teachers and shadowing 14 of them for a total of 122 hours of observation. Through a grounded theory analysis, a trend emerged that showed substitute teachers engaged in both problem-centered and avoidance-centered coping strategies, with a slight numerical advantage given to problem-centered strategies. By understanding how substitute teachers deal with these issues, scholars can prepare future generations of substitute teachers with successful coping strategies. Cette etude evalue dans quelle mesure les suppleants ont recours a des strategies d’adaptation qui attenuent la source de stress professionnel (axees sur les problemes) ou a des strategies d’adaptation leur permettant de s’adapter au stress cree par des stresseurs lies au travail (axees sur l’evitement). L’auteur a collecte les donnees pour cette analyse en passant des entretiens en profondeur avec 37 suppleants et en observant 14 de ceux-ci pendant un total de 122 heures. Une analyse fondee sur une theorie a base empirique a revele que les suppleants ont tendance a adopter tant des strategies d’adaptation axees sur les problemes que celles axees sur l’evitement, les premieres affichant un leger avantage numerique. Si on comprend les mecanismes d’adaptation des suppleants, les formateurs peuvent fournir des strategies d’adaptation valables aux generations de suppleants a venir.
Nursing education—Responsibility for preparation of leadership personnel

Resume Les transformations sociales, politiques et economiques dans tous les pays du monde sont en train de modifier nos concepts sur la sante et les soins medicaux; elles font naitre le besoin de decisions cruciales sur le role et la fonction du personnel soignant et sur les programmes d'etudes necessaires pour preparer un tel personnel. Plus que toute autre profession rattachee a la sante, celle d'infirmiere a ete atteinte par ces changements. Les infirmieres ont assume des tâches complexes liees aux soins complexes de grands malades. Au meme moment, elles ont assume des tâches de direction essentielles au maintien des institutions et, avec la diminution du nombre des medecins de famille, elles ont accepte des responsabilites toujours croissantes pour le maintien de la sante dans les familles. Pour resoudre le probleme du nombre, la profession d'infirmiere a ete forcee de preparer du personnel soignant a plus d'un niveau. Avec l'accroissement en nombre et la multiplication des niveaux du personnel soignant, il est devenu imperatif pour les infirmieres qui portent la principale responsabilite des soins, assument la surveillance et l'enseignement de celles qui contribuent a ces soins, d'avoir une preparation plus etendue que la majorite des infirmieres dans les annees passees. Aux Etats-Unis, on en vient progressivement a accepter que la preparation de base d'une fonction situee a un niveau professionnel plus pousse se fasse seulement dans le cadre du college ou de l'universite. Depuis 1950, le nombre des programmes de baccalaureat admis par la Ligue Nationale des Infirmieres est monte de 45 a 140. Avec l'extension et le renforcement des programmes du baccalaureat, il a ete possible de developper egalement les programmes a un niveau universitaire pour preparer les infirmieeres a la specialisation clinique, a la recherche et a l'enseignement, a la surveillance ou a l'administration. Il y a maintenant 34 programmes d'etudes superieures pour les infirmieres, admis par la Ligue Nationale des Infirmieres. Bien que les systemes d'education different d'un pays a l'autre, il est imperieux pour chaque pays de preter plus d'attention qu'on ne l'a fait par le passea la necessite de preparer un personnel de direction. Si le chefs sont competents, ils mettront a meme ceux qui sont moins prepares d'augmenter leur competence. Des chefs bien prepares sont indispensables a la realisation de buts a long terme pour mieux soigner les malades et pour mieux preparer ceux qui contribuent a les soigner.
Failure rate data for glovebox components and cleanup systems at the Tritium Systems Test Assembly

Fusion facility safety and reliability/availability analyses require accurate component failure rate information to provide meaningful results. While fission reactor operating experience data may be adequate for some types of components, there are some data needs that are fusion-specific, such as tritium fueling and handling system information. This paper summarizes data analysis of tritium glovebox confinement systems and an air detritiation system from the Tritium Systems Test Assembly (TSTA) at Los Alamos National Laboratory. These analyses benefit fusion design work by highlighting weak areas in designs to allow for modifications and upgrades, making future designs more robust. The TSTA results are generally smaller failure rates than the information from other industries, thus showing one of the benefits of gathering these fusion-specific data.
The neogene east antarctic ice sheet: A dynamic or stable feature?

Abstract This paper is a review of the history and behaviour of the East Antarctic ice sheet during the late Neogene and is a response to the publication of Sugden et al. (1993a), ‘The Case for a Stable East Antarctic Ice Sheet’, in Geografiska Annaler , 75A (4). The Antarctic ice sheet is a critical factor in the global climate and oceanographic system. Knowledge of its historical development is critical to understanding global palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatic systems and their development. The ‘Webb-Harwood hypothesis’ proposes that the ice sheet. while being present in Antarctica for more than 40 Ma, was, until recently (ca. 2.5 Ma), a dynamic feature, waxing and waning under a more temperate climatic and glaciologic regime. The ‘stabilistic hypothesis’ proposes that the current ice sheet has existed in its present cold and polar form for at least the last 14 Ma. ‘The Case for a Stable East Antarctic Ice Sheet’ is the clearest statement of the stabilistic argument to date. The authors find support for their viewpoint by presenting evidence, from several geologic data bases, that does not support their own null ‘meltdown hypothesisr, which they deem to be equivalent to the ‘Webb-Harwood hypothesis’, thereby they conclude supporting the ‘stabilistic hypothesis’. However, their conclusions are weakened by: failure to reject their null hypothesis, conflict between the ‘meltdown’ and ‘Webb-Harwood’ hypotheses, infraction of geological laws, and poor application of stratigraphic principles. Several issues are highlighted here as important for direction of future research and discussion concerning Late Cenozoic Antarctic glacio-climatic history.
Distinguishing νμ→ντ oscillations and exotic oscillation/decay hypotheses using Super-K atmospheric neutrino data

Abstract In this talk, I will review the Super-K analysis to distinguish between the ν μ →ν τ oscillation hypothesis and other exotic oscillation/decay scenarios. All of the tested exotic hypotheses are excluded by the Super-K atmospheric neutrino data at the greater than 4σ level. A limit is placed on the admixture of ν sterile states in a ν τ , ν sterile mixture to be less than 25% at 90% CL. In addition, a 2.2σ tau lepton appearance signal is reported which is consistent with our expectation of ν μ →ν τ oscillations.
Asymmetric dark matter and effective operators

In order to annihilate in the early Universe to levels well below the measured dark matter density, asymmetric dark matter must possess large couplings to the standard model. In this paper, we consider effective operators which allow asymmetric dark matter to annihilate into quarks. In addition to a bound from requiring sufficient annihilation, the energy scale of such operators can be constrained by limits from direct detection and monojet searches at colliders. We show that the allowed parameter space for these operators is highly constrained, leading to nontrivial requirements that any model of asymmetric dark matter must satisfy.
Co-constructing the service experience: Exploring the role of customer emotion management

This article introduces customer emotion management as an integral part of the service experience. By building primarily on Hochschild (1983), this study provides a deeper understanding of customer...
The Relationship Between Childhood Teasing and Later Interpersonal Functioning

Accepted February 5, 2005 The current study explored the relationship between recall of a form of bullying, specifically childhood teasing, and later interpersonal functioning in a sample of 414 college students. It was predicted that memories of frequent teasing during childhood would be associated with fewer close friends, a more anxious attachment style in the context of romantic relationships, and lower social self-esteem in early adulthood. Although recalled-teasing was not associated with number of friends later in life, it was related to other interpersonal difficulties. Specifically, frequent teasing was associated with less comfort with intimacy and closeness, less comfort in trusting and depending on others, a greater degree of worry about being unloved or abandoned in relationships, and poorer social self-esteem. The relationship of these difficulties to specific domains of teasing was also explored.
Immune Mechanisms of Sublingual Immunotherapy

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a well-established allergen-specific immunotherapy and a safe and effective strategy to reorient inappropriate immune responses in allergic patients. SLIT takes advantage of the tolerogenic environment of the oral mucosa to promote tolerance to the allergen. Several clinical studies have investigated the complex interplay of innate and adaptive immune responses that SLIT exploits. The oral immune system is composed of tolerogenic dendritic cells that, following uptake of allergen during SLIT, support the differentiation of T helper cell type 1 (Th1) and the induction of IL-10-producing regulatory T cells. Following SLIT, allergic disease-promoting T helper cell type 2 (Th2) responses shift to a Th1 inflammatory response, and IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β production by regulatory T cells and tolerogenic dendritic cells suppress allergen-specific T cell responses. These immune changes occur both in the sublingual mucosa and in the periphery of a patient following SLIT. SLIT also promotes the synthesis of allergen-specific IgG and IgA antibodies that block allergen-IgE complex formation and binding to inflammatory cells, thus encouraging an anti-inflammatory environment. Several of these revealing findings have also paved the way for the identification of biomarkers of the clinical efficacy of SLIT. This review presents the emerging elucidation of the immune mechanisms mediated by SLIT.
A noble quest: cultivating Christian spirituality in Catholic adolescents and the usefulness of 12 pastoral practices

The essay considers the process of cultivating Christian spirituality in Catholic adolescents. It will integrate and document official Catholic Church teachings on the subject and also unofficial scholarly reflections. The expose briefly defines adolescent spirituality and situates the process of cultivating adolescent spirituality in Catholic youth ministry. The concentration of the inquiry is predominantly single‐minded – addressing briefly – 12 Catholic spiritual virtues, traits, practices, and disciplines that cultivate adolescent spirituality in US Catholic young people.
Methane combustion over the α-alumina supported Pd catalyst: Activity of the mixed Pd/PdO state

Abstract The effect of variations in temperature and oxygen partial pressure on the methane oxidation activity of α-alumina supported Pd catalysts was studied experimentally. It was found that after pretreatment at temperatures above 800°C, conditions where the metallic state of the catalyst is stable, “negative activation” occurred on cooling cycle leading to increase in conversion with decreasing temperature. The pretreatment at temperatures exceeding 800°C was found to be a necessary condition in order for this effect to take place. This phenomenon is attributed to appearance of highly dispersed PdO clusters in thermodynamic equilibrium with the previously formed metallic Pd surface. The contradictory results on the activity of Pd/PdO phase of the catalyst towards methane oxidation reported in the literature are explained by the proposed hypothesis.
Optimization of the determination of 4-aminopyridine in human serum and urine by column liquid chromatography.

Abstract Two convenient reversed-phase column liquid chromatographic procedures are described for the determination of 4-aminopyridine in human serum and urine. A 0.5-ml aliquot of serum after the addition of a 0.5-ml solution of 4-(aminomethyl)pyridine in 0.1M Na2HPO4 as the internal standard is passed through a 1-ml BondElut C18 silica extraction column. The column is selectively washed to remove acidic, neutral and weakly basic compounds. The desired compounds are eluted with a 0.3-ml aliquot of 35% perchloric acid-methanol (1:100, v/v). A 10-μl aliquot of the eluate is infected onto a 150 × 4.6 mm I.D. column packed with 5-μm C18 silica particles that is eluted at ambient temperature with a mobile phase containing octanesulfonic acid as the ion-pairing agent. The peaks are monitored at 263 nm. A 0.25-ml aliquot of urine or 0.5 ml of serum is mixed with N-propionylprocainamide as the internal standard and subjected to benzoylation by Schotten Baumann reaction. The reaction mixture is adjusted to pH 5.5–6 and extracted with a BondElut C18 extraction column. An aliquot of the eluate is chromatographed at ambient temperature with a mobile phase containing tetramethylammonium perchlorate. The peaks are monitored at 278 nm.
Three-dimensional numerical study on droplet formation and cell encapsulation process in a micro T-junction

Abstract Liquid droplets are widely used as reaction media for the chemical manipulation of cells. The droplet formation and cell encapsulation process involves multiphase flows along with coupled cell membrane-fluid mechanics. In this study, the droplet formation behavior in a T-shaped micro-fluidic device is simulated using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). As the capillary number increases from 0.002 to 0.056, three regimes of droplet formation are identified and analyzed. The pressure variations of the continuous phase elucidate clearly the break-up mechanisms of the three regimes. Further, the LBM is combined with the immersed boundary method (IBM) for simulating the cell encapsulation as well as the cell deformation inside the droplet. For the mechanical model of the cell, we considered the factors of in-plane tension, bending stiffness on the surface and the total volume constraint of the cell. A finite element model is adopted to calculate the in-plane tension on cell membrane which is discretized into flat triangular elements. Bending stiffness is considered through a spring network method to avoid the unphysical folding phenomenon of the cell surface. A simple Hookean “spring” approach is used to describe how the cell reacts to a change of its total volume. The cell model without the consideration of bending stiffness and volume constraint is validated by studying the transient deformation of an initially spherical cell with Neo-Hookean surface constitutive laws under shear flow. Results of this numerical simulation are in good agreement with previous theory prediction. Based on this cell model and the numerical approach, cell encapsulation in a micro T-junction device is simulated for the first time. Some important properties of the flow field and the cell deformation behavior are reported and discussed. The simulation results of this study can help illustrate the fundamental mechanism of a droplet formation and cell encapsulation process in micro-channels.
The control of inspector satellites via relay satellites

There are various robotic On-Orbit Servicing concepts existing, which aim at utilizing inspector satellites for obtaining high-fidelity video feedback from the remote environment. Most of these inspection tasks, which involve proximity operations, can be done autonomously by the spacecraft. However, there are cases such as sensor malfunctions or undefined spacecraft states, in which it seems advantageous to have the possibility of human interaction with the inspector satellite. An operator on ground with the capability of real-time control can complement autonomous operations and add robustness to mission operations. The SPHERES Interact program at the MIT Space Systems Laboratory currently develops concepts for efficient human spacecraft interaction. Using three experimental satellites aboard the International Space Station, a series of tests were executed, which evaluated different approaches and methods. Additionally, using another three of these experimental satellites on the air bearing table at the Space Systems Laboratory, advanced concepts can already be developed and verified on ground. This paper shows experiments, in which the SPHERES at MIT were controlled via a geostationary relay satellite of the European Space Agency (ESA), using a ground station in Germany. It emphasizes the benefits of real-time human spacecraft interaction and describes the design of the associated test environment.
Synthesis, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of Di-Guerbet esters

Several Di-Guerbet esters (DGE) suitable for lubricant applications were synthesized from branched Guerbet alcohols and Guerbet acids. The mass spectra of DGE under electron-ionization and positive chemical-ionization (PCI) conditions were recorded. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, especially in PCI mode with methane as reagent gas, is an effective method for analyzing DGE. In methane positive chemical-ionization mass spectrometry, the DGE give molecular ion peaks. In both PCI and EI modes, some other characteristic ions including up to four McLafferty rearrangement products with high m/z are observed. Thus identification of both hydrocarbon moieties is possible. The DGE were also characterized by 1H-and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance.
Adaptive temperature control of a class of home refrigerators

A simplified dynamic model of a household refrigerator incorporating a single evaporator, variable position air damper, and variable speed evaporator fan is constructed. It is shown that, with proper parametric values, the model can accurately recreate data measured from such a refrigerator. Using the model, a model reference adaptive controller is derived and executed on a physical plant. The new controller improves upon the temperature tracking accuracy of stock controllers and is shown to adapt to changing unit types, environmental conditions, and loading cases.
Autoradiographic distribution of 125I calcitonin gene-related peptide binding sites in the rat central nervous system

Abstract Using autoradiographic method and 125 I-Tyr o rat CGRP as a ligand, receptor binding sites were demonstrated in the rat central nervous system. Saturation studies and Scatchard analysis of CGRP-binding to slide mounted tissue sections containing primarily cerebellum showed a single class of receptors with a dissociation constant of 0.96 nM and a B max of 76.4 fmol/mg protein. 125 I-Tyr o rat CGRP binding sites were demonstrated throughout the rat central nervous system. Dense binding was observed in the telencephalon (medial prefrontal, insular and outer layers of the temporal cortex, nucleus accumbens, fundus striatum, central and inferior lateral amygdaloid nuclei, most caudal caudate putamen, organum vasculosum laminae terminalis, subfornical organ), the diencephalon (anterior hypothalamic, suprachiasmatic, arcuate, paraventricular, dorsomedial, periventricular, reuniens, rhomboid, lateral thalamic pretectalis and habenula nuclei, zona incerta), in the mesencephalon (superficial layers of the superior colliculus, central nucleus of the geniculate body, inferior colliculus, nucleus of the fifth nerve, locus coeruleus, nucleus of the mesencephalic tract, the dorsal tegmental nucleus, superior olive), in the molecular layer of the cerebellum, in the medulla oblongata (inferior olive, nucleus tractus solitarii, nucleus commissuralis, nuclei of the tenth and twelfth nerves, the prepositus hypoglossal and the gracilis nuclei, dorsomedial part of the spinal trigeminal tract), in the dorsal gray matter of the spinal cord (laminae I-VI) and the confines of the central canal. Moderate receptor densities were found in the septal area, the “head” of the anterior caudate nucleus, medial amygdaloid and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the pyramidal layers of the hippocampus and dentate gyri, medial preoptic area, ventromedial nucleus, lateral hypothalamic and ventrolateral thalamic area, central gray, reticular part of the substantia nigra, parvocellular reticular nucleus, Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum, nucleus of the spinal trigeminal tract and gracile fasciculus of the spinal cord. The discrete distribution of CGRP-like binding sites in a variety of sensory systems of the brain and spinal cord as well as in thalamic and hypothalamic areas suggests a widespread involvement of CGRP in a variety of brain functions.
Horseshoes, global supply chains, and an emerging Chinese threat: Creating remedies one idea at a time

Abstract The horseshoe shape offers a model from which the complex relationships currently linking most Chinese and United States supply chain partners can be productively visualized. Wielded metaphorically, the horseshoe also illustrates how a momentous global trend may be rising within many Chinese-American supply chains, and why that trend might impose serious threats against United States economic interests for years to come. Because the trend exists independent of almost all domestic firms’ potential responses, only rarely can an associated domestic threat be eliminated within a particular United States/Chinese supply chain. Most United States firms possess a critical capability that could diminish the force of the emerging Chinese threat: the ability to manage and execute key supply chain functions more creatively. As the horseshoe illustrates, many domestic firms may soon be compelled to become more creative. To address this need, a supply chain creativity matrix model is developed in this article. The model demonstrates how domestic supply chain firms can stimulate and identify superior ideas amongst their managerial and subordinate ranks, therefore expanding the firm's creative efficiency in the strategic execution of key supply chain functions. Those firms should be better able to defend themselves against these emerging Chinese threats.