cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geometrically-exact sandwich shells : The static case

The present formulation offers a general method for analyzing the static response of geometrically-exact sandwich shells undergoing large deformation. The layer directors at a point in the reference surface are connected to each other by universal joints, and form a chain of rigid links. Finite rotations of the directors in every layer are allowed, with shear deformation independently accounted for in each layer. The thickness and the length of each layer can be arbitrary, thus allowing the modeling of an important class of multilayer structures having ply drop-offs. The present formulation is thus suitable to model shell structures with patches of constrained viscoelastic materials or of piezoelectric materials. The nonlinear weak form of the governing equations of equilibrium is constructed here, and then the linearization of the weak form and the associated inextensible directors update are derived, leading to a symmetric tangent stiffness matrix. A Galerkin finite element projection of the linearized equilibrium equations results in a system of nonlinear algebraic equations, in which the interpolation accounts for the finite rotations of the directors. We present extensive numerical examples, including sandwich shells with three identical layers and ply drop-offs, to illustrate the applicability and versatility of the proposed formulation.
Conjugated estrogen/bazedoxifene tablets for the treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause

Conjugated estrogen/bazedoxifene (CE/BZA) therapy represents a new, progestin-free treatment in the management of postmenopausal health. CE/BZA pairs CE with the selective estrogen receptor modulator, BZA. The rationale for the development of CE/BZA was that BZA, acting primarily as a selective estrogen receptor degrader in uterine and breast tissue, would sufficiently inhibit the proliferative effects of CE on the endometrium. The absence of a progestin would reduce the incidence of uterine bleeding, breast pain and increased breast density associated with progestin-containing hormone therapy. CE/BZA has been evaluated in five multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and active-controlled Phase III trials known as the SMART trials. CE/BZA has been shown to maintain the established benefits of estrogen therapy for treatment of vasomotor symptoms and prevention of a loss in bone mineral density (bone mass), while minimizing certain estrogenic effects, particularly in the uterine endometrium and breast.
Reducing Risk Rather than Trying to Beat the Market: A New Look at Optimal Portfolios under the Mean-Variance Model

While much of the equity investment management industry is focused on achieving returns superior to that of the overall market, widespread studies have shown that this is both difficult to do consistently and that the achievable gains have low economic significance (fund returns show low dispersion about the mean). In this investigation, we look at another aspect of “beating the market” – whether or not it is possible to achieve the same market gains, but with lower volatility. We first investigate the performance of portfolios formed from a number of weighting schemes, including commonly used weights as well as weights suggested by a risk-parity approach (as suggested by Asness, Frazzini, and Pedersen (2012)). We then look at the empirical performance of both unconstrained and long-only Global Minimum Variance Portfolios. Further, we develop an optimization algorithm to calculate low-volatility portfolios in an iterative fashion. Finally, as an extension, for a selection of portfolios that empirically dominate the market portfolio in a mean-variance sense (in a theoretical environment), we investigate their real-world performance taking into account various real-world frictions.We find that, in a frictionless environment, there are a number of portfolios formed from simple weighting schemes that show both higher mean return and lower volatility than the market portfolio in the test period (1930 to 2010). The optimization algorithm that is proposed is successful (empirically) in generating portfolios with much lower volatility than the initial portfolios it is given (with only a lesser decline in mean return). The real-world performance analysis accounting for market frictions suggests that, prior to 2002, high transaction costs prevent desirable properties of portfolios that dominate the market portfolio from being realized. However, lower trading costs (due to decimalization, etc.) since then allows the practical implementation of portfolios that achieve market returns with lower volatility.
Barriers for accrual to clinical trials in adult patients (pts) with thoracic malignancies

6058 Background: Despite recent advances in the treatment of pts with thoracic malignancies, the outcome continues to be poor. Only about 3% of all adult oncology pts enroll in clinical trials comp...
A flexible importance sampling method for integrating subgrid processes

Abstract. Numerical models of weather and climate need to compute grid-box-averaged rates of physical processes such as microphysics. These averages are computed by integrating subgrid variability over a grid box. For this reason, an important aspect of atmospheric modeling is spatial integration over subgrid scales. The needed integrals can be estimated by Monte Carlo integration. Monte Carlo integration is simple and general but requires many evaluations of the physical process rate. To reduce the number of function evaluations, this paper describes a new, flexible method of importance sampling. It divides the domain of integration into eight categories, such as the portion that contains both precipitation and cloud, or the portion that contains precipitation but no cloud. It then allows the modeler to prescribe the density of sample points within each of the eight categories. The new method is incorporated into the Subgrid Importance Latin Hypercube Sampler (SILHS). The resulting method is tested on drizzling cumulus and stratocumulus cases. In the cumulus case, the sampling error can be considerably reduced by drawing more sample points from the region of rain evaporation.
Imaging thermal conductivity with nanoscale resolution using a scanning spin probe

The ability to probe nanoscale heat flow in a material is often limited by lack of spatial resolution. Here, we use a diamond-nanocrystal-hosted nitrogen-vacancy centre attached to the apex of a silicon thermal tip as a local temperature sensor. We apply an electrical current to heat up the tip and rely on the nitrogen vacancy to monitor the thermal changes the tip experiences as it is brought into contact with surfaces of varying thermal conductivity. By combining atomic force and confocal microscopy, we image phantom microstructures with nanoscale resolution, and attain excellent agreement between the thermal conductivity and topographic maps. The small mass and high thermal conductivity of the diamond host make the time response of our technique short, which we demonstrate by monitoring the tip temperature upon application of a heat pulse. Our approach promises multiple applications, from the investigation of phonon dynamics in nanostructures to the characterization of heterogeneous phase transitions and chemical reactions in various solid-state systems.
Cost of Time and Household Choice between Direct and Delegated Investment

This study investigates households' decision between direct equity investment and indirect investment through mutual funds. We present evidence that the tendency to invest through delegated portfolio management (i.e. mutual funds) versus direct investing is significantly influenced by households' cost of time. Households with greater professional engagement, personal responsibilities, and less leisure time, proxies for higher cost of time, invest more in mutual funds relative to direct investment. The results are robust when controlling household risk-aversion and investment abilities. The findings underscore how search costs influence household financial decision-making and the growth of mutual fund industry.
Extension of the two-dimensional mass channel cluster plot method to fast separations utilizing low thermal mass gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Implementation of a data reduction and visualization method for use with high-speed gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS) is reported. The method, called the "2D m/z cluster method" facilitates analyte detection, deconvolution, and identification, by accurately measuring peak widths and retention times using a fast TOFMS sampling frequency (500 Hz). Characteristics and requirements for high speed GC are taken into consideration: fast separations with narrow peak widths and high peak capacity, rapid data collection rate, and effective peak deconvolution. Transitioning from standard GC (10-60+ minute separations) to fast GC (1-10 min separations) required consideration of how to properly analyze the data. This report validates use of the 2D m/z cluster method with newly developed GC technology that produces ultra-fast separations (∼1 min) with narrow analyte peak widths. Low thermal mass gas chromatography (LTM-GC) operated at a heating rate of 250 °C/min coupled to a LECO Pegasus III TOFMS analyzed a 115 component test mixture in 120 s with peak widths-at-base, wb (4σ), of 350 ms (average) to produce a separation with a high peak capacity, nc ∼ 340 (at unit resolution Rs = 1). The 2D m/z cluster method is shown to separate overlapped analytes to a limiting Rs ∼ 0.03, so the effective peak capacity was increased nearly 30-fold to nc ∼10,000 in the 120 s separation. The method, when coupled with LTM-GC-TOFMS, is demonstrated to provide unambiguous peak rank (i.e. the number of analytes per overlapped peak in the total ion current (TIC)), by visualizing locations of pure and chromatographically overlapped m/z. Hence, peak deconvolution and identification using MCR-ALS (multivariate curve resolution - alternating least squares) is demonstrated.
The effect of L-carnitine and soybean oil on performance and nitrogen and energy utilization by neonatal and young pigs.

A total of 64 neonatal pigs was used in an experiment to study the effect of L-carnitine and soybean oil on pig performance and N and energy utilization. Pigs were weaned at an average of 3 d of age and individually fed diets that contained dextrose, corn syrup solids, and isolated soy protein for 21 d. Two levels of soybean oil (1.18 or 12.31%) and L- carnitine (0 or 800 ppm) were used in a factorial arrangement of treatments. Diets were formulated to contain the same nutrient content per megacalorie of ME. Total fecal and urine collections were made from d 17 to 21 of the experiment. Pigs were paired within treatments on d 21 and housed in pens until d 63. L- carnitine was lowered to 750 ppm and the soybean oil additions were 1.15 or 13.22% from d 21 to 42 and 2.17 or 14.74% from d 42 to 63. Soybean meal replaced isolated soy protein from d 42 to 63. Analysis of covariance was used with calculated ME intake per day as the covariate. There were no carnitine x soybean oil interactions (P > .05) for any criteria measured. L-carnitine or soybean oil did not (P > .05) affect ADG, grams of gain per megacalorie of ME, ME as a percentage of GE or N retained as a percentage of N consumed. In conclusion, L-carnitine did not im- prove the utilization of ME in diets that contained high additions of soybean oil, and calories from soybean oil were utilized as effectively as calories from carbohydrate by neonatal and young pigs.
Exposure of Brachycorynella asparagi (Homoptera: Aphididae) Eggs to Water Vapor Deficits: Effects on Water Loss and Mortality of Eggs and Longevity of First-instar Fundatrices

Water vapor flux density of Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordvilko) eggs at 3.3 and 1.1°C increased with water vapor density deficit although the flux decreased over time of exposure. Weight change of the eggs due to net water loss from the surface of the eggs was inversely related to vapor density deficit days (=vapor density deficit × days of exposure). Apparent vapor diffusion resistance of the eggs increased with vapor density deficit days. It appears that as the eggs dried out, the egg matric water potential decreased resulting in a slower rate of water loss. There is some evidence that the eggs absorbed water from the air. The LE50 for egg mortality due to desiccation was 192.3 vapor density deficit days. Hatching time and longevity of first-instar fundatrices that were not exposed to additional desiccation were not related to exposure of the eggs to different humidities.
Ultrasonic temperature measurements with fiber optic system

Ultrasonic temperature measurements have been developed and widely applied in non-contact temperature tests in many industries. However, using optical fibers to build ultrasound generators are novel. This paper reports this new fiber optic ultrasonic system based on the generator of gold nanoparticles/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites. The optical acoustic system was designed to test the change of temperature on the aluminum plate and the temperature of the torch in the air. This paper explores the relationship between the ultrasonic transmission and the change of temperature. From the experimental results, the trend of ultrasonic speed was different in the aluminum plate and air with the change of temperature. Since the system can measure the average temperature of the transmission path, it will have significant influence on simulating the temperature distribution.
Measuring the Model Risk of Quadratic Risk Minimizing Hedging Strategies with an Application to Energy Markets

Measures of model risk based on the residual error from hedging in a misspecified model were recently proposed in (Detering and Packham, 2013). These measures rely on the assumption that the model used for hedging represents a complete financial market. We show that under certain conditions, in a diffusion setup, markets can be completed to derive measures of model risk for the original market. If the market can not be completed, as it is the case in most market models that allow for jumps, we derive measures that are applicable in a more general setup. In a case study we measure the model risk that is present when hedging options on energy futures with a simplified model compared to a model that better fits the empirical returns observed in the market.
A Study on Pesticide Resistance of Culex Pipiens Pallens in Qiandao Lake Town

Objective To explore the pesticide resistance of Culex pipiens pallens in Qiandao Lake town.Methods The larval bioassays method was used to determine the resistance levels of natural strain and susceptible strains of Culex pipiens pallens in four instar larvae exposed to 6 common pesticides of Deltamethrin,Beta-Cypermethrin,Allethrin,Propoxur,Three Chlorine Insecticidal Ester and Dichlorvos.Results The resistance ratio of natural strain to deltamethrin,beta-cypermethrin,dichlorvos,propoxur was 22.94,3.56,2.46 and 1.83,respectively,which were all higher than that of susceptible strain.No significant difference in the resistance to allethrin and three chlorine insecticidal ester was found between these two strains.Conclusion The resistance of natural strain of Culex pipiens pallens in Qiandao lake town to deltamethrin is in high level,but the resistance to Beta-Cypermethrin,dichlorvos,Three Chlorine Insecticidal Ester,Allethrin and Propoxur was near to susceptible strains.
Insecure "Provably Secure Network Coding" and Homomorphic Authentication Schemes for Network Coding.

Network coding allows the routers to mix the received information before forwarding them to the next nodes. Though this information mixing has been proven to maximize network throughput, it also introduces security challenges such as pollution attacks. A malicious node could insert a malicious packet into the system and this corrupted packet will propagate more quickly than in traditional copy-and-forward networks. Several authors have studied secure network coding from both information theoretic and probabilistic viewpoints. In this paper, we show that there are serious flaws in several of these schemes (the security “proofs” for these schemes were presented in these publications). Furthermore, we will propose a secure homomorphic authentication scheme for network coding.
Characteristics of the liver microsomal drug-metabolizing enzyme system of newborn rats.

Sodium dithionite-reduced hepatic microsomes from neonatal (5-7-day-old) rats displayed (a) an absorption maximum at 452 nm in the presence of carbon monoxide and (b) an equilibrium for the ethyl isocyanide-induced absorption peaks at 430 and 455 nm at pH 7.9. These preparations elicited little or no spectral change with ethylmorphine but elicited the type R-I spectral change with other type I substrates. Carbon monoxide formation in the presence of NADPH and the rate of conversion of cytochrome P-450 to cytochrome P-420 by mersalyl (sodium [(3-hydroxymercuri-2-methoxypropyl)-carbamoyl]phenoxyacetate) were greater in microsomes from neonates than in those from adults. In the presence of NADPH, lipid peroxidatic activity was high, ethylmorphine N-demethylation was low, and aniline hydroxylation was the same in microsomes from neonates compared with the same activities in microsomes from adults. In the presence of NADH, ethylmorphine N-demethylase activities in both the adult and neonatal preparations were identical, but more cytochrome P-450 was reducible by this nucleotide in the latter preparation. These observations demonstrate that the drug-metabolizing system of the neonate differs from that of the adult.
Anesthesia for Major Trauma

The role of the anesthesiologist in the management of patients with major trauma is emphasized, with a concentration on those features that relate to airway management and fluid resuscitation. Problems peculiar to thoracic, spinal, and head injuries and trauma to the globe of the eye are outlined.
Self-directed work teams: application to a drug information center.

OBJECTIF: Decrire le passage de la forme traditionnelle de gestion vers une equipe autogeres au sein d'un centre d'information. La plupart des organisations, incluant celles de la sante, reevaluent presentement leurs structures de gestion afin de s'adapter aux changements economiques, educationnels, et technologiques. Dans certains cas une approche d'equipe (utilisant des equipes autogerees [EAG]) est preferee. Les EAG peuvent entrainer des benefices tels qu'une reduction des couts et une augmentation de la motivation des employes. Le centre d'information de Chicago, affilie a l'Universite de l'Illinois, utilise depuis toujours lee methodes traditionnelles de gestion. Pour des raisons economiques et professionnelles, la structure organisationnelle a ete modifiee afin de permettre la mise en place d'une EAG. Une reevaluation de la mission et des activites du centre en a decoulee. DISCUSSION: Bien que la transition ne soit pas encore completee, la mise en place d'une EAG s'est avaree un changement tres positif. De par sa nature, une EAG requiert un plus grand engagement des membres de l'equipe au niveau de tous les aspects operationnele du centre, permettant a chacun d'elargir son champ de competence. Le structure de l'equipe permet aussi une plus grande liberte afin de poursuivre des projets d'interet personnel. Un certain nombre de points restent encore a resoudre, tel que la salaire en fonction de la performance, l'auto-evaluation et l'evaluation par les pairs. CONCLUSIONS: Les EAGs peuvent amener plusieurs benefices a l'organisation. Pour que leur implantation soit un succes, certains facteurs doivent etre satisfaits. Le plus important est certainement l'engagement de la part des gestionnaires et une communication efficace entre les membres de l'equipe et les gestionnaires.
Exploring the Systems Analyst Skill Set: Perceptions, Preferences, Age, and Gender

Information systems (IS) workers need an appropriate skill set to effectively exploit technology innovations. Social constructivist theory would indicate that some aspect of a systems analyst's job evolution is attributable to the nature of both their perceptions of importance for various job skills and preferences toward using their professional job skills. Self-report survey data gathered from 124 systems analysts reveal analysts collectively recognize all skill dimensions explored have some degree of importance to their role. Systems analysts seem to perceive their role as a socio-technical function and desire this functional duality as they rank interpersonal skills and system development skills significantly higher than political skills and knowledge, technology skills, and business task knowledge for both preferences to use and perceptions of importance. Results show differences exist in perceptions and preferences among the sexes and age groups studied. Findings will add to the existing body of IS ...
Regulation of synthesis and degradation of rat adrenal phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase. III. Stabilization of PNMT against thermal and tryptic degradation by S-adenosylmethionine.

The regulation of phenylethanolamine N -methyltransferase degradation in vivo is mediated via adrenal glucocorticoids. The glucocorticoid inhibition of PNMT degradation is mediated via an endogenous adrenal stabilizing factor whose levels are controlled by glucocorticoids. A partially purified preparation of the endogenous stabilizing factor has an absorption maximum of 265 nm and migrates with S-adenosylmethionine and 3',5'-cyclic AMP on paper chromatography. S-adenosylmethionine is highly effective in stabilizing PNMT against both thermal and tryptic degradation, while cyclic AMP is ineffective as a stabilizing agent. S-adenosylhomocysteine, the demethylated product formed from S-adenosylmethionine during transmethylation stabilizes PNMT against tryptic but not thermal degradation. S-adenosylmethionine administration to hypophy-sectomized rats partially restores PNMT levels in vivo and enzyme thermal stability in vitro . ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors wish to express their gratitude to Dr. Helena Kramer of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences for her invaluable help in the statistical analysis of the regression data.
CSF Neopterin Levels in Febrile Convulsions

Neopterin, a marker for activation of the cellular immune system, and interferon-gamma were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid of 40 infants and young children (ages 0.75 to 4.6 years) admitted with fever and/or convulsions to Nippon Medical School 2nd Hospital or Tama Nagayama Hospital, Japan.
Stimulation of Baroresponsive Parts of the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract Produces Nitric Oxide-mediated Choroidal Vasodilation in Rat Eye

Preganglionic parasympathetic neurons of the ventromedial part of the superior salivatory nucleus (SSN) mediate vasodilation of orbital and choroidal blood vessels, via their projection to the nitrergic pterygopalatine ganglion (PPG) neurons that innervate these vessels. We recently showed that the baroresponsive part of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) innervates choroidal control parasympathetic preganglionic neurons of SSN in rats. As this projection provides a means by which blood pressure signals may modulate ChBF, we investigated if activation of baroresponsive NTS evokes ChBF increases in rat eye, using Laser Doppler flowmetry to measure ChBF transclerally. We found that electrical activation of ipsilateral baroresponsive NTS and its efferent fiber pathway to choroidal SSN increased mean ChBF by about 40-80% above baseline, depending on current level. The ChBF responses obtained with stimulation of baroresponsive NTS were driven by increases in both choroidal blood volume (i.e. vasodilation) and choroidal blood velocity (presumed orbital vessel dilation). Stimulation of baroresponsive NTS, by contrast, yielded no significant mean increases in systemic arterial blood pressure. We further found that the increases in ChBF with NTS stimulation were significantly reduced by administration of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nω-propyl-l-arginine (NPA), thus implicating nitrergic PPG terminals in the NTS-elicited ChBF increases. Our results show that NTS neurons projecting to choroidal SSN do mediate increase in ChBF, and thus suggest a role of baroresponsive NTS in the blood pressure-dependent regulation of ChBF.
Binding Properties of a Human Anti-Ib ScFv Antibody (HIb-1) to Native, Recombinant, and Transgenicially Expressed Human Platelet GP Ibα Antigen.

HIb-1 is a single chain antibody (ScFv) originally obtained from the Griffin.1 library. ScFv from this library are derived from the in vitro recombination of germline human immunoglobulin V H and V L chain segments whose diversity has been greatly increased by mutagenesis directed at the CDR3 regions. HIb-1 was selected from the library by sequential biopanning first against CHO cells surface-expressing human GPIbα, and then against human platelets. Previous studies using Western blot analysis have shown that HIb-1 binds to an epitope within the 45 kDa amino-terminal portion of GPIbα (Lapan, Lyle, and Miller, 1999, Thromb. Haemost. 82S:393). HIb-1 displays inhibitory activity against both ristocetin-induced and shear-induced platelet aggregation. Biacore surface plasmon resonance analysis was used to establish dissociation constants between HIb-1and either the extracellular domain of GPIbα (i.e., “glycocalicin” or GC) derived from normal human platelets or the CHO-cell secreted GPIbα 1–483 recombinant extracellular protein. With native GC immobilized on dextran sulfate, the K D for binding by analyte HIb-1 was ~600nM. With the wild-type recombinant GPIbα 1–483 bound to dextran sulfate, the K D was only slightly higher at ~900 nM. We additionally studied a double mutant increase-of-function GPIbα 1-483 containing the Gly 233 →Val 233 and Met 239 →Val 239 substitituions. The K D of HIb-1 binding to the double mutant was virtually identical to that of the wild-type, at ~900 nM. Binding of HIb-1 to native GC immobilized in an ELISA assay format was also performed. HIb-1 showed saturable binding, with a half-maximal binding concentration of approximately 170 nM. Flow cytometric analysis was also performed on platelets from murine GPIbα-null (i.e., “Bernard-Soulier”) mice that had been rescued with the human GPIbα transgene (Ware, Russell, and Ruggeri, 2000, PNAS, 97:2803), as well as upon normal mice. Murine platelets were gated using a rat anti-murine GPIIb/IIIa antibody. HIb-1 did not bind to normal murine platelets, but showed strong binding to platelets from the transgenic animals, comparable in intensity to that seen with the GPIbα mab SZ-2 (for which quantitative bead analysis indicated approximately 8,000 GPIbα receptors per platelet). It should be noted that the binding capabilities of HIb-1 to human GPIbα are those of a monovalent ScFv molecule of approximately 30 kDa, and may be sufficient for studies of in vivo GPIbα inhibition either in the case of acute injury model or of longer-term models involving repeated dosing. Model systems of more chronic inhibition, however, may require conversion of the ScFv into IgG molecules, in order to achieve greater avidity.
The Rate of Crystallization of Linear Polymers with Chain Folding

Under a variety of circumstances commonly encountered in practice linear macromolecules crystallize into the form of thin platelets whose large upper and lower surfaces consist of an array of molecular folds. We refer to these as “chain-folded crystals” or “chain-folded lamellae,” the latter term usually being reserved for folded structures in polymers crystallized from the melt. The theory of the rate of formation of these platelets will be outlined, and the prediction and origin of the thin dimension given. The thin dimension of the crystal platelets is determined by kinetic factors, and the elucidation of the kinetics of growth is therefore of importance in polymer morphology on both a molecular and a macroscopic scale.
Ubiq: A Scalable and Fault-Tolerant Log Processing Infrastructure

Most of today’s Internet applications generate vast amounts of data (typically, in the form of event logs) that needs to be processed and analyzed for detailed reporting, enhancing user experience and increasing monetization. In this paper, we describe the architecture of Ubiq, a geographically distributed framework for processing continuously growing log files in real time with high scalability, high availability and low latency. The Ubiq framework fully tolerates infrastructure degradation and data center-level outages without any manual intervention. It also guarantees exactly-once semantics for application pipelines to process logs as a collection of multiple events. Ubiq has been in production for Google’s advertising system for many years and has served as a critical log processing framework for several dozen pipelines. Our production deployment demonstrates linear scalability with machine resources, extremely high availability even with underlying infrastructure failures, and an end-to-end latency of under a minute.
Drug Delivery from a Multi-faceted Ultrasound Contrast Agent: Influence of Shell Composition

Many cancer therapy regimes still rely heavily on the systemic administration of toxic chemotherapeutic agents. Ultrasound contrast agents consisting of microbubbles (MBs) have emerged as a drug delivery vehicle to overcome the challenges associated with systemic chemotherapy. Here, we describe the development of non-immunogenic, functionalized polylactic acid (PLA) MBs for use in targeted cancer therapy. Our previous studies have shown that the balance between acoustic behavior and improved immune avoidance was scalable and successful to different degrees with two different PEGylation methods and was best achieved using incorporation of PEG–PLA at 5 wt % and for a LipidPEG at 1 wt %. Capitalizing on this, we now attach a targeting ligand, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), which selectively induces tumor cell death upon binding to cancer cell-specific surface receptors, initiating a transmembrane apoptosis signal. Additionally, the functionalized MBs were designed to coencap...
Polymer solar cells: P3HT:PCBM and beyond

For the last two decades, polymer solar cells (PSCs) have been a cynosure of the photovoltaic community, as evidenced by the growing number of patent applications and scientific publications. Efforts to achieve high power conversion efficiency in PSC, propelled by advances in device architecture, material combination, and nanomorphology control, evolved into poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT):phenyl-C61-Butyric-Acid-Methyl Ester (PCBM) bulk heterojunction PSCs, which had been the best seller in PSC research for a decade. Subsequently, PSC research was redirected towards the synthesis of low bandgap materials and optimization of tandem cells, which led to a power conversion efficiency of ∼13%. Even though this efficiency may not be sufficient enough to compete with that of inorganic solar cells, unique properties of PSCs, such as mass roll-to-roll production capability, as well as flexibility and lightness, suggest their niche market opportunities. In this review, an overview of developments in PSCs is...
Advanced control for the continuous dropwise additive manufacturing of pharmaceutical products

Abstract The chapter presents a dropwise additive manufacturing process for pharmaceutical products (DAMPP) as an alternative to conventional methods. This mini manufacturing process for the production of personalized pharmaceutical products utilizes drop-on-demand (DoD) printing technology for the deposition of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) onto edible substrates. Here we present an advanced process control framework for DAMPP, including online monitoring, automation, and closed loop control, in order to produce individual dosage forms with the desired critical quality attributes, including formulation composition, drop size, deposit morphology, and dissolution performance. In order to achieve desired product morphology, a surrogate model based on polynomial chaos expansion is developed to relate the critical process parameters to deposit morphology using dissolution data of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. The proposed process control strategy can effectively mitigate variations in the dissolution profiles due to variable dosage amounts and enable the application of the DoD system for the production of individualized dosage regimens.
Institutional, stakeholder, and cultural influences on corporate social performance: an institution-based view

Although scholars are beginning to explore the institutional and stakeholder influences on corporate social performance (CSP), these influences have been examined in isolation and as separate forces. Research on CSP also has not considered that institutions and stakeholders are embedded within distinct cultures, which are not homogeneous and can differ on key dimensions. To address these issues, we explore how institutional pressures from organisations' external stakeholders can influence CSP and how these influences can, in turn, differ across cultures. Specifically, we theorise about the influence of coercive institutional pressures, stemming from pressures exerted on firms by organisations and institutions that firms depend on for tangible and intangible resources. Drawing from the institution-based view of firm strategy, we argue that in order to acquire tangible and intangible resources, firms often respond to stakeholders' coercive pressures by engaging in activities to improve CSP. Thus, coercive institutional forces and CSP are positively related. Furthermore, we posit that the influence of stakeholders on CSP will differ across cultures. We focus on a particularly salient cultural dimension - power distance - and theorise that high power distance strengthens the coercive effects of government and weakens the effects of unions and interest groups on CSP.
Visual Snow Syndrome: Proposed Criteria, Clinical Implications, and Pathophysiology.

In this article, we review illustrative case descriptions of both primary and secondary visual snow from our clinic. We discuss recently proposed criteria for visual snow syndrome and offer a slight modification of these criteria. We also discuss the theories on the pathophysiological mechanisms of visual snow, as well as the current approach to treatment. Visual snow is a condition where patients see constant, innumerable flickering dots throughout the visual field, similar to “TV static.” Though visual snow was originally described in 1995, there were still fewer than 10 cases in the literature prior to 2014. In the last 4 years, this has grown to approximately 200 cases and there has been a concentrated effort to better understand and characterize this condition. It has become apparent that patients who see visual snow frequently have additional visual and non-visual symptoms, and the consistency of these symptoms has led to proposed criteria for visual snow syndrome. When seeing a patient with visual snow, it is important to rule out a possible underlying secondary etiology. Patients with visual snow syndrome frequently have comorbid migraine, but visual snow appears to be a separate entity from persistent migraine aura. The pathophysiology of this syndrome is not clear, but recent neurophysiologic and neuroimaging studies have helped advance our understanding.
Attitude Toward Her Professional Role

Many people, including nurses, have an aversion to the use of the term role in connection with human relationships. It has for them the implication of acting, of playing a part, instead of being oneself, and thus connotes phoniness and insincerity.
An efficient PBR targeted photosensitizer for breast cancer imaging and therapy

1134 Objectives Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) overexpression has been reported in various human breast cancer cell lines. It was reported that the very aggressive human breast cancer cell MDA-231 has extremely high PBR expression. PK11195, an isoquinoline analog, is one of the PBR ligands of highest PBR binding affinity. Due to the long biological half life of our photosensitizers, there is a need to label it with a longer lived radioisotope. In our present study, our objectives were (i) To synthesize and characterize conjugates of highly efficient photosensitizer 2-(1-hexyloxyethyl)-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH) developed in our laboratory with I-PK11195 for both imaging (PET) and Photodynamic therapy (PDT), (ii) detailed in vitro and in vivo studies are currently in progress to investigate the molecule affinity, target specificity and PDT efficacy. Methods I-PK11195 molecule was conjugated with HPPH by incorporating a six carbon amide linker. After investigating its PBR binding affinity, the molecule was converted into the corresponding 124I-derivatives. Its imaging ability was investigated on MDA-231 tumor bearing mice (Scid) using a high-resolution scanner (microPET Focus 120®). Comparative in vitro and in vivo PDT efficacy investigations were also performed. Results Excellent tumor localization of the conjugate molecule was observed. Conjugating photosensitizer with PK11195 improves its PBR binding affinity. Conclusions I- PK11195 can be a good vehicle to deliver photosensitizers to PBR over-expressed breast cancer regions and the conjugate molecule could be a very promising photosensitizer for both tumor imaging (PET) and PDT
PFO and Various Types of Surgery

When a patient undergoes a surgical operation is the presence of a PFO significant? With the prevalence of PFO approximately 25 % of the adult population it would, at first glance, seem that a PFO would be incidental and of no relevance to the operative and postoperative course. Yet the surgical and anesthesiology literature is full of case studies of patients who had a PFO that was directly related to paradoxical embolism of both air and clot. In this chapter a general review of surgical considerations relative to PFO is provided followed by five specific surgical operations that are clearly impacted by the presence of a PFO. Consideration of PFO closure may sometimes be appropriate. These five areas are three transplant operations (lung, liver, and heart), ventricular assist device implantation, and neurosurgical operations performed in the sitting position.
Factors Affecting the Preferred Surgical Technique in Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background:Despite several well-described operative techniques, the optimal management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in pediatric patients remains unclear.Purpose:To identify surgeon...
Balancing Operative Efficiency and Surgical Education: A Functional Neurosurgery Model.

Background Attending surgeons have dual obligations to deliver high-quality health care and train residents. In modern healthcare, lean principles are increasingly applied to processes preceding and following surgery. However, surgeons have limited data regarding variability and waste during any given operation. Objective To measure variability and waste during the following key functional neurosurgery procedures: retrosigmoid craniectomy (microvascular decompression [MVD] and internal neurolysis) and deep brain stimulation (DBS). Additionally, we correlate variability with residents' self-reported readiness for the surgical steps. The aim is to guide surgeons as they balance operative safety and efficiency with training obligations. Methods For each operation (retrosigmoid craniectomy and DBS), a standard workflow, segmenting the operation into components, was defined. We observed a representative sample of operations, timing the components, with a focus on variability. To assess perceptions of safety and risk among surgeons of various training levels, a survey was administered. Survey results were correlated with operative variability, attempting to identify areas for increasing value without compromising trainee experience. Results A sampling of each operation (n = 36) was observed during the study period. For MVD, craniectomy had the highest mean duration and standard deviation, whereas the MVD itself had the lowest mean duration and standard deviation. For DBS, the segments with largest standard deviation in duration were registration and electrode placement. For many steps of both procedures, there was a statistically significant relationship between increasing level of training and increasing perception of safety. Conclusion This proof-of-concept study introduces an educational and process-improvement tool that can be used to aid surgeons in increasing the efficiency of patient care.
Combinatorial Identities for Incomplete Tribonacci Polynomials

The incomplete tribonacci polynomials, denoted by T (s) n (x), generalize the usual tribonacci polynomials Tn(x) and have been shown to satisfy several algebraic identities. In this paper, we provide a combinatorial interpretation for T (s) n (x) in terms of weighted linear tilings involving three types of tiles. This allows one not only to supply combinatorial proofs of earlier identities for T (s) n (x) but also to derive new ones. In the final section, we provide a formula for the ordinary generating function of the sequence T (s) n (x) for a fixed s, as previously requested. Our derivation is combinatorial in nature and makes use of an identity relating T (s) n (x) to Tn(x).
Improving the Hpv Vaccine Completion Rate in Children Aged 12 Years in a Pediatric Resident-staffed Patient Centered Medical Home

Introductory Statement: Complete vaccination against the human papilloma virus (HPV) is safe and effective in reducing the rate of cervical cancers and genital warts. According to the National Immunization Survey (NIS) in 2013, only 37.6% of girls and 6.8 % of boys between 13-17 years received the 3 recommended doses of HPV vaccine. Aim of the Study: • To …
Geometrical Quasiparticle Condensation Model of Melting in Two Dimensions

In this paper we describe a new model of the two-dimensional (2D) melting transition, motivated by the recent observation of Glaser and Clark that the structure of a 2D simple dense liquid can be characterized as a random square-triangle tiling containing numerous low-strength tiling faults. The model is based on the assumption that melting is associated with the proliferation and condensation of geometrical quasiparticles, which in 2D are local, nontopological fluctuations from the triangular crystal lattice to the square lattice. The quasiparticles interact via strong, highly anisotropic, short-ranged interactions that produce the characteristic tiling structure of the 2D liquid. This model is derived from and illustrated by molecular dynamics simulation studies of 2D liquid structure, and quantified using a lattice representation that embodies its essential features. The model exhibits a first-order transition for sufficiently strong quasiparticle interactions, and accounts for the volume change associated with melting in a straightforward way. However, there is no phase transition as a function of temperature for the choice of quasiparticle interactions that most accurately reproduces the local geometry of the 2D liquid, suggesting that the contribution of topological defects to the thermodynamics of the melting transition cannot be neglected.
Asymmetrical Design in Electrical Machines

This paper investigates asymmetrical designs for electrical machines, specifically focusing on permanent magnet motors. Three different asymmetrical design methods are introduced, including the stator asymmetry, the rotor asymmetry and the unity motor asymmetry. Three design examples based on the unity motor asymmetry concept are provided. Design examples highlight the benefits of the asymmetrical design in terms of reduced cost and torque ripple as well as improved sensorless control performance.
Coarse-grained MD simulations reveal beta-amyloid fibrils of various sizes bind to interfacial liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered regions in phase separated lipid rafts with diverse membrane-bound conformational states.

Abstract The membrane binding behaviors of beta-amyloid fibrils, dimers to pentamers, from solution to lipid raft surfaces, were investigated using coarse-grained (CG) MD simulations. Our CG rafts contain phospholipid, cholesterol (with or without tail- or headgroup modifications), and with or without asymmetrically distributed monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (GM1). All rafts exhibited liquid-ordered (Lo), liquid-disordered (Ld), and interfacial Lo/Ld (Lod) domains, with domain sizes depending on cholesterol structure. For rafts without GM1, all fibrils bound to the Lod domains. Specifically, dimer fibrils bound exclusively via the C-terminal, while larger fibrils could bind via other protein regions. Interestingly, a membrane-inserted state was detected for a trimer fibril in a raft with tail-group modified cholesterol. For rafts containing GM1, fibrils bound either to the GM1-clusters, with numerous membrane-bound conformations, or to the non-GM1-containing-Lod domains via the C-terminal. Our results indicate beta-amyloid fibrils bind to Lod domains or GM1, with diversified membrane-bound conformations, in structurally heterogeneous lipid membranes.
The Effect of Topical Tacrolimus on Pedicled Flap Survival.

Purpose Skin necrosis is a known postoperative complication of mastectomies. The pathophysiology of tissue necrosis involves lymphatic congestion, followed by venous congestion and ultimately arterial insufficiency. Recent mouse model studies have shown topical tacrolimus to increase growth of lymphatic collateral vessels and decrease lymphedema, potentially obviating the cycle of necrosis and increasing skin survival. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of topical tacrolimus on skin flap necrosis in a rat model. Methods A cranially based dorsal skin flap measuring 3 × 10 cm was raised and reinset on 22 Sprague-Dawley rats. They were then randomized to either the control (topical petroleum jelly) or the treatment (topical 0.1% tacrolimus) arm. In addition, 0.2 g of either ointment was spread over the flap and then covered with an occlusive dressing. Dressings were changed daily with reapplication of both the topical ointment and occlusive dressing. The rats were sacrificed 7 days postoperatively; areas of viable tissue, reversible ischemia, and full thickness necrosis were measured with Fiji software, and comparative analysis was performed with GraphPad statistical software. Results The average area of the dorsal flaps in the control and tacrolimus groups was 22.5 and 23.9 cm, respectively. In the control cohort, the average viable area was 42.4%, the average reversible ischemia area was 43.6%, and the average necrotic area was 13.9%. In the tacrolimus cohort, the average viable area was 31.5%, the average reversible ischemia area was 59.3%, and the average necrotic area was 9.2%. Total necrotic area was significantly lower in rats receiving topical tacrolimus as compared with controls (P = 0.015). Furthermore, the ratios of necrotic to reversible ischemia and necrotic to viable tissue were significantly lower in the tacrolimus group as compared with controls (P = 0.003, P = 0.015). There was one incidence of wound dehiscence secondary to rodent self-removal of dressings and suture that required reoperation and reinset. Conclusions Topical tacrolimus was associated with significantly less full thickness necrosis as compared with topical.