cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Healing of the shallow fault zone from 1994–1998 After the 1992 M7.5 Landers, California, Earthquake

We conducted seismic surveys at the Johnson Valley fault in 1994, 1996, and 1998. We found that the shear velocity of the fault zone rock increased by ∼1.2% between 1994 and 1996, and increased further by ∼0.7% between 1996 and 1998. This trend indicates the Landers rupture zone has been healing by strengthening after the mainshock, most likely due to the closure of cracks that opened during the 1992 earthquake. The observed fault-zone strength recovery is consistent with a decrease of ∼0.03 in the apparent crack density within the fault zone. The ratio of decrease in travel time for P to S waves changed from 0.75 in the earlier two years to 0.65 in the later two years between 1994 and 1998, suggesting that cracks near the fault zone are partially fluid-filled and have became more fluid saturated with time.
Rings, fields, the Chinese remainder theorem and an extension-Part I: theory

The much celebrated Chinese Remainder Theorem has been widely employed in designing fast computationally efficient algorithms in the field of digital signal processing. It has two versions. One is over a ring of integers and the second is over a ring of polynomials with Coefficients defined over a field. In this research work, we extend the Chinese Remainder Theorem to the case of a ring of polynomials with coefficients defined over a finite ring of integers. The entire work is closely related to the already established results on finite fields. This extension is expected to serve as a keystone in the future design of number-theoretic algorithms for performing some of the most computationally intensive tasks. This approach is superior to the number-theoretic-transforms in the sense that the limitations on both the word length and the sequence length are completely removed. In fact, the number-theoretic-transforms may be considered as a very special case of our general approach. Furthermore, the computations required in this work. Which inherits all the merits of the Chinese Remainder Theorem, can be performed in parallel. >
Regulation and sequence of the Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 groESL operon, encoding a cyanobacterial chaperonin.

Abstract The molecular chaperonins such as GroEL are now widely regarded as essential components for the stabilization of integral membrane or secretory proteins before membrane insertion or translocation, as well as for the assembly of macromolecular complexes such as ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase. The groESL operon of Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 was cloned as two independent lacZ-groEL translational fusions by immunoscreening a lambda ZAP genomic expression library and then sequenced. The derived amino acid sequences of the GroES and GroEL proteins demonstrated very high levels of amino acid identity with cognate chaperonins from bacteria and chloroplasts. The bicistronic 2.4-kilobase transcript from this operon, barely detectable in RNA preparations from cells grown at 30 degrees C, accumulated approximately 120-fold in preparations from cells grown for 20 min at 45 degrees C. Under these conditions, GroEL protein accumulated to 10-fold-higher levels. Primer extension analysis was used to identify a cyanobacterial heat shock promoter located at -81 base pairs from the groES initiation codon. The transcriptional -10 and -35 sequences differ slightly from Escherichia coli consensus heat shock promoter sequences.
TB database: an integrated platform for tuberculosis research

The effective control of tuberculosis (TB) has been thwarted by the need for prolonged, complex and potentially toxic drug regimens, by reliance on an inefficient vaccine and by the absence of biomarkers of clinical status. The promise of the genomics era for TB control is substantial, but has been hindered by the lack of a central repository that collects and integrates genomic and experimental data about this organism in a way that can be readily accessed and analyzed. The Tuberculosis Database (TBDB) is an integrated database providing access to TB genomic data and resources, relevant to the discovery and development of TB drugs, vaccines and biomarkers. The current release of TBDB houses genome sequence data and annotations for 28 different Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and related bacteria. TBDB stores pre- and post-publication gene-expression data from M. tuberculosis and its close relatives. TBDB currently hosts data for nearly 1500 public tuberculosis microarrays and 260 arrays for Streptomyces. In addition, TBDB provides access to a suite of comparative genomics and microarray analysis software. By bringing together M. tuberculosis genome annotation and gene-expression data with a suite of analysis tools, TBDB (http://www.tbdb.org/) provides a unique discovery platform for TB research.
A computational algorithm for decentralized minimum-energy control of large scale systems

This paper describes an algorithm based on the interaction prediction principle for computing decentralized minimum-energy control of linear systems with prescribed initial and final states. The technique is noniterative at the infimal level, and utilizes a reinjection type coordinator with constant averaging. Results are summarized for computational experiments comparing the effects of subsystem interactions and averaging on convergence.
Superoxide dismutase mimetic properties exhibited by vacancy engineered ceria nanoparticles

In this report ceria nanoparticles are shown to act as catalysts that mimic superoxide dismutase (SOD) with the catalytic rate constant exceeding that determined for the enzyme SOD.
Characterization of Benign and Metastatic Vertebral Compression Fractures with Quantitative Diffusion MR Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Conventional imaging techniques cannot be used to unambiguously and reliably differentiate malignant from benign vertebral compression fractures. Our hypothesis is that these malignant and benign vertebral lesions can be better distinguished on the basis of tissue apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs). The purpose of this study was to test this hypothesis by using a quantitative diffusion imaging technique. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with known cancer and suspected metastatic vertebral lesions underwent 1.5-T conventional T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging to identify the lesions. Diffusion-weighted images of the areas of interest were acquired by using a fast spin-echo diffusion pulse sequence with b values of 0–250 s/mm2. The abnormal regions on the diffusion-weighted images were outlined by using the conventional images as guides, and the ADC values were calculated. On the basis of pathologic results and clinical findings, the cases were divided into two categories: benign compression fractures and metastatic lesions. The ADC values for each category were combined and plotted as histograms; this procedure was followed by statistical analysis. RESULTS: The patient group had 12 benign fractures and 15 metastases. The mean ADC values, as obtained from the histograms, were (1.9 ± 0.3) × 10−4 mm2/s and (3.2 ± 0.5) × 10−4 mm2/s for metastases and benign fractures, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that quantitative ADC mapping, instead of qualitative diffusion-weighted imaging, can provide valuable information in differentiating benign vertebral fractures from metastatic lesions.
Hybrid neural-networks modeling of an enzymatic membrane reactor

Abstract Many complex biochemical and chemical processes are suitable candidates for modeling via artificial neural‐networks (ANN) but the black‐box approach of ANN may limit the model's ability to extrapolate beyond its training data. In recent years, a major effort has been launched to develop hybrid artificial neural networks (HANN), in which a degree of deterministic first‐principle approach is integrated into the black‐box ANN to achieve the best of both. In this paper, two HANN models were developed for a steady‐state continuous‐flow enzymatic tubular membrane reactor used for saccharification of cellulose to glucose and cellobiose. These HANN models were found to perform much better than a pure ANN model with no first‐principle component. The improvements were particularly significant when extrapolations beyond the sets of training data were involved. It was also found that, in hybrid neural‐networks modeling of a bioreactor, incorporation of fundamental but flexible information on bio‐reaction rat...
Six degrees of freedom CBCT-based positioning for intracranial targets treated with frameless stereotactic radiosurgery

Frameless radiosurgery is an attractive alternative to the framed procedure if it can be performed with comparable precision in a reasonable time frame. Here, we present a positioning approach for frameless radiosurgery based on in-room volumetric imaging coupled with an advanced six-degrees-of-freedom (6 DOF) image registration technique which avoids use of a bite block. Patient motion is restricted with a custom thermoplastic mask. Accurate positioning is achieved by registering a cone-beam CT to the planning CT scan and applying all translational and rotational shifts using a custom couch mount. System accuracy was initially verified on an anthropomorphic phantom. Isocenters of delineated targets in the phantom were computed and aligned by our system with an average accuracy of 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, and 0.4 mm in the lateral, vertical, and longitudinal directions, respectively. The accuracy in the rotational directions was 0.1°, 0.2°, and 0.1° in the pitch, roll, and yaw, respectively. An additional test was performed using the phantom in which known shifts were introduced. Misalignments up to 10 mm and 3° in all directions/rotations were introduced in our phantom and recovered to an ideal alignment within 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, and 0.4 mm in the lateral, vertical, and longitudinal directions, respectively, and within 0.3° in any rotational axis. These values are less than couch motion precision. Our first 28 patients with 38 targets treated over 63 fractions are analyzed in the patient positioning phase of the study. Mean error in the shifts predicted by the system were less than 0.5 mm in any translational direction and less than 0.3° in any rotation, as assessed by a confirmation CBCT scan. We conclude that accurate and efficient frameless radiosurgery positioning is achievable without the need for a bite block by using our 6DOF registration method. This system is inexpensive compared to a couch-based 6 DOF system, improves patient comfort compared to systems that utilize a bite block, and is ideal for the treatment of pediatric patients with or without general anesthesia, as well as of patients with dental issues. From this study, it is clear that only adjusting for 4 DOF may, in some cases, lead to significant compromise in PTV coverage. Since performing the additional match with 6 DOF in our registration system only adds a relatively short amount of time to the overall process, we advocate making the precise match in all cases.
Topological defects: origin of nanopores and enhanced adsorption performance in nanoporous carbon.

A scanning transmission electron microscopy investigation of two nanoporous carbon materials, wood-based ultramicroporous carbon and poly(furfuryl alcohol)-derived carbon, is reported. Atomic-resolution images demonstrate they comprise isotropic, three-dimensional networks of wrinkled one-atom-thick graphene sheets. In each graphene plane, nonhexagonal defects are frequently observed as connected five- and seven-atom rings. Atomic-level modeling shows that these topological defects induce localized rippling of graphene sheets, which interferes with their graphitic stacking and induces nanopores that lead to enhanced adsorption of H(2) molecules. The poly(furfuryl alcohol)-derived carbon contains larger regions of stacked layers, and shows significantly smaller surface area and pore volume than the ultramicroporous carbon.
Regeneration in hypophysectomized anuran tadpoles.

Summary1. A comparison was made between regenerating tail-tips in normal and hypophysectomized Rana pipiens tadpoles. 2. No significant differences were noted in amount of regeneration/unit time or in the histology of regenerates. 3. Age of the hypophysectomized animal had no discernible effect on tail-tip regeneration. 4. Independence of pituitary influence in regeneration exhibited by the anuran tail and Triturus retina-iris-lens system is discussed in relation to the dependence of limb regeneration in Triturus.
Allan Charles Wilson. 18 October 1934 — 21 July 1991

Allan Charles Wilson was born on 18 October 1934 at Ngaruawahia, New Zealand. He died in Seattle, Washington, on 21 July 1991 while undergoing treatment for leukaemia. Allan was known as a pioneering and highly innovative biochemist, helping to define the field of molecular evolution and establish the use of a molecular clock to measure evolutionary change between living species. The molecular clock, a method of measuring the timescale of evolutionary change between two organisms on the basis of the number of mutations that they have accumulated since last sharing a common genetic ancestor, was an idea initially championed by Emile Zuckerkandl and Linus Pauling (Zuckerkandl & Pauling 1962), on the basis of their observations that the number of changes in an amino acid sequence was roughly linear with time in the aligned haemoglobin proteins of animals. Although it is now not unusual to see the words ‘molecular evolution’ and ‘molecular phylogeny’ together, when Allan formed his own biochemistry laboratory in 1964 at the University of California, Berkeley, many scientists in the field of evolutionary biology considered these ideas complete heresy. Allan’s death at the relatively young age of 56 years left behind his wife, Leona (deceased in 2009), a daughter, Ruth (b. 1961), and a son, David (b. 1964), as well his as mother, Eunice (deceased in 2002), a younger brother, Gary Wilson, and a sister, Colleen Macmillan, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. In this short span of time, he trained more than 55 doctoral students and helped launch the careers of numerous postdoctoral fellows.
Multiple order-entry points in e-business: Issues and challenges

Many formerly traditional retail organizations now include functionality for on-line order fulfillment in addition to traditional order processing at physical retail stores. The coexistence of these two types of order fulfillment creates a hybrid distribution system. One of the distinguishing features of this type of distribution system is its multiple order-entry (and consequently order-processing) points: one at the retail outlets and one at the distribution center(s). The new challenges introduced by the hybrid distribution system exist on many levels, including the co-existence of multiple requirements associated with differences in: demand pattern (and consequently, differences in material handling and storage requirements), shipping and transportation methods, inventory systems, information systems, and performance measurement. This paper describes the major issues and challenges associated with hybrid distribution systems and identifies directions for future research.
Application of Generalized Linear Models to Predict Semiconductor Yield Using Defect Metrology Data

Semiconductor yield modeling is essential to identify processing issues, improve quality, and meet customer demand. However, the massive amounts of data collected during the fabrication process and the number of historical models available make yield modeling a complex and challenging task. This paper presents a methodology to guide the practitioner in determining what data should be collected, integrated, and aggregated, followed by a modeling strategy to forecast yield using generalized linear models based on defect metrology data. This technique yields results at both the die and the wafer levels, significantly outperforms existing models found in the literature based on prediction errors, and identifies significant factors that can drive process improvement. This method also allows the nested structure of the process to be considered in the model, improving predictive capabilities and violating fewer assumptions. An example is presented to discuss this approach and to demonstrate the advantages of these models over the models of the past.
The Cognitive Science of Visual‐Spatial Displays: Implications for Design

This paper reviews cognitive science perspectives on the design of visual-spatial displays and introduces the other papers in this topic. It begins by classifying different types of visual-spatial displays, followed by a discussion of ways in which visual-spatial displays augment cognition and an overview of the perceptual and cognitive processes involved in using displays. The paper then argues for the importance of cognitive science methods to the design of visual displays and reviews some of the main principles of display design that have emerged from these approaches to date. Cognitive scientists have had good success in characterizing the performance of well-defined tasks with relatively simple visual displays, but many challenges remain in understanding the use of complex displays for ill-defined tasks. Current research exemplified by the papers in this topic extends empirical approaches to new displays and domains, informs the development of general principles of graphic design, and addresses current challenges in display design raised by the recent explosion in availability of complex data sets and new technologies for visualizing and interacting with these data.
The Chatanika and Sondrestrom Radars – a brief history

Abstract. The Sondrestrom upper atmospheric research facility, located just north of the Arctic Circle near the west coast of Greenland, will soon celebrate 30 yr of operations. The centerpiece of the facility, an incoherent scatter radar, has collected 46 000 h of data on the ionospheric state parameters. This instrument was designed and built to measure the effects of nuclear bombs on radio wave propagation in the South Pacific, but instead was deployed to Alaska to study the effects of auroral structuring on the ionosphere, and was later moved to Greenland to explore the auroral cusp and the dynamics of the polar cap boundary. This is the story of the birth and genesis of the instrument, its travels, and the evolution of its facility.
Vegetation data, Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed, Arizona, United States

[1] The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Southwest Watershed Research Center Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW) is an outdoor laboratory located in southeastern Arizona to study water and soil conservation in semiarid lands. Permanent vegetation transects were established adjacent to 55 rain gauges within WGEW in 1967 to quantify vegetation. Some sites were subsequently added or dropped. Detailed vegetation data were collected in 1967, 1994–2000, and 2005, including repeat photography of transects. Ground cover data were collected after 1967. A vegetation map was developed in 2002. The transect sites, vegetation map, data collection methods, and current data availability are described. Data are available at http://www.tucson.ars.ag.gov/dap/.
A T Cell-specific Enhancer of the Human CD40 Ligand Gene

We observed that the human CD40 ligand (CD40L) gene 5′-flanking region conferred weak promoter activity in activated CD4 T cells, suggesting that additional regions are required for optimal CD40L gene transcription. We therefore examined a 3′-flanking segment of the CD40L gene, which contained a putative NF-κB/Relcis-element, for its ability to enhance CD40L promoter function. This segment augmented CD40L promoter activity in an orientation-independent manner in CD4 T-lineage cells but not in human B cell or monocyte cell lines. Mapping of CD4 T-lineage cell nuclei identified a DNase I-hypersensitive site in the flanking region near the NF-κB/Rel sequence, suggesting a transcriptional regulatory role. This was further supported by truncation analysis and site-directed mutagenesis, which indicated that the CD40L 3′-flanking NF-κB/Relcis-element was critical for enhancer function. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that thecis-element preferentially bound the p50 form of the NF-κB1 gene contained in human T cell nuclear protein extracts. This binding also appeared to occur in vivo in CD4 T cells based on chromatin immunoprecipitation assays using NF-κB p50-specific antiserum. Together, these results suggest that the CD40L gene 3′-flanking region acts as a T cell-specific classical transcriptional enhancer by a NF-κB p50-dependent mechanism.
Use of Ar36 to Evaluate the Incorporation of Air by Ash Flows

The Ar 36 content of densely welded glasses from ash-flow units provides a means by which the amount of air entrapped and subsequently resorbed by the glasses during compaction and welding may be calculated. The amount of air measured in glasses from nine upper Tertiary ash-flow sheets in the western United States ranges from 0.033 to 13 ppm; median is about 1 ppm. These values are very small compared with the total amounts of volatiles which probably were incorporated during welding. The data strongly suggest that large volumes of air are not incorporated by ash flows during their eruption and lateral movement.
Scalability Planning for Cloud-Based Manufacturing Systems

Cloud-based manufacturing (CBM) has recently been proposed as an emerging manufacturing paradigm that may potentially change the way manufacturing services are provided and accessed. In the context of CBM, companies may opt to crowdsource part of their manufacturing tasks that are beyond their existing in-house manufacturing capacity to third-party CBM service providers by renting their manufacturing equipment instead of purchasing additional machines. To plan manufacturing scalability for CBM systems, it is crucial to identify potential manufacturing bottlenecks where the entire manufacturing system capacity is limited. Because of the complexity of manufacturing resource sharing behaviors, it is challenging to model and analyze the material flow of CBM systems in which sequential, concurrent, conflicting, cyclic, and mutually exclusive manufacturing processes typically occur. To address and further study this issue, we develop a stochastic Petri nets (SPNs) model to formally represent a CBM system, model and analyze the uncertainties in the complex material flow of the CBM system, evaluate manufacturing performance, and plan manufacturing scalability. We validate this approach by means of a delivery drone example that is used to demonstrate how manufacturers can indeed achieve rapid and cost-effective manufacturing scalability in practice by combining inhouse manufacturing and crowdsourcing in a CBM setting.
Doubling wireless channel capacity using co-polarised, co-located electric and magnetic dipoles

Experiments are described demonstrating the ability to realise independent information channels using co-located, co-polarised electric and magnetic dipoles in the presence of multipath propagation. The calculated information capacity is in good agreement with a random matrix channel model.
Preparing Physicians with Optimal Processes and Process Improvement Skills

Current medical education concentrates on the first skill set – what to do – but not so much on the rest. Being knowledgeable and being effective are equally necessary, and they are not the same. Truly great health care won’t be ours unless we work more in teams and systems, get all the stakeholders involved, including patients, and employ clinical improvement (PDSA) methods.
Enhanced magnetization in V x Fe 3-x O 4 nanoparticles

Abstract Nanoparticles of VxFe3−xO4 with up to 33% vanadium doping (x=0 to 1) and a 9 nm diameter are investigated in order to determine the site preference of the vanadium and the magnetic behavior of the nanoparticles. The iron and vanadium L23-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra are used to identify that vanadium initially substitutes into the tetrahedral iron site as V3+ and that the average iron moment is observed to increase with vanadium concentration up to 12.5% (x=.375). When the vanadium incorporation exceeds 12.5%, the XAS and MCD show that the vanadium begins substituting as V2+ in the octahedral coordination. This coincides with a rapid reduction of the average moment to zero by 25% (x=.75). The frequency-dependent alternating-current magnetic susceptibility (ACMS) displays a substantial increase in blocking temperature with vanadium concentration and indicated substantial variation in the strength of inter-particle interactions.
Postmolar choriocarcinoma: An independent risk factor for chemotherapy resistance in low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of a clinicopathologic diagnosis of choriocarcinoma (CCA) on clinical characteristics, extent of disease, and response to chemotherapy in low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Methods We reviewed the records of 678 patients with low-risk GTN (FIGO stage I and stages IIIII, score Results Of 678 women with low-risk GTN, 129 (19.0%) had a clinicopathologic diagnosis of CCA. Patients with CCA had higher parity (median 1 vs. 0, p=0.003), more pretreatment human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels at >100,000mIU/mL (12.7% vs. 5.9%, p=0.009), longer duration of disease (19.6 vs. 9.9weeks, p 10,000mIU/mL (OR 2.62, p=0.002), and higher FIGO score (3–4: OR 2.02, p=0.027; 5–6: OR 5.56, p Conclusions Clinicopathologic diagnosis of postmolar CCA in patients with low-risk GTN is associated with higher pretreatment hCG levels, higher FIGO scores, and increased resistance to first-line single-agent methotrexate chemotherapy.
Towards Physics-Based Interactive Design for Manufacturing of Cast Parts Using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics on GPUs

The current state-of-the art interactive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) for casting is limited to checking designs for correct draft angles and undercuts. DFM for mold filling is limited to finding thin sections in the part. Efforts towards developing an interactive physics-based DFM tool to check design for mold fillability at the detailed design stage are described in this paper. The presented approach incorporates a numerical simulation of the flow of the melt into part geometry. The Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method, a mesh-free, particle-based, technique, is used to handle free-surface flows. The highly parallel nature of discrete particle methods makes SPH an excellent candidate for optimization through parallelization. Novel algorithms and data-structures for executing SPH methods on graphics processing units (GPUs) were designed. The presented preliminary implementation, which executes on a consumer GPU, achieves a 30× speedup over a serial implementation on a high end CPU. With further algorithmic optimizations, and given the rapid growth in computing capabilities of GPUs, the authors believe the novel method reported here will provide interactive DFM for mold filling within the next 2 to 3 years.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Efficiency of Multi-Zone Fracturing in Vertical Wells: A Case Study

Extensive multi-zone multistage hydraulic fracturing treatments are now being executed in low permeability oil and gas fields around the world. Due to the limited access to the subsurface, post-treatment assessments are mainly limited to few techniques such as tiltmeter, microseismic and tracer-logs. The first two techniques are mainly used to determine fracture extension; however, fracture height and fracture initiation at all perforation clusters could only be confirmed through radioactive tracer logs or detailed pressure analysis. In this paper, we consider real examples from a field from Central America and investigate potential problems led to the limited generation of fractures in multi-zone treatments. For instance, some of the post-frac radioactive logs show very low concentration of tracers at some perforated zones in comparison with other zones. On the other hand in some cases, tracer logs indicate presence of tracers in deeper or shallower zones. Different reasons could cause fracture growth in non-perforated zones, including but not limited to: perforation design problems, casing/cement integrity problems, lack of containment, instability of fracture growth in one or some of the zones, and finally making a mistake in selecting lithology for fracturing. In this paper, some of these issues have been examined for a few sample wells using treatment pressure data, petrophysical logs and post-frac tracer logs. Some recommendations in designing the length and arrangement of perforations to avoid these problems in future fracturing jobs are provided at the end of this paper.© 2013 ASME
Salivary gland anlage tumor ("congenital pleomorphic adenoma"). A clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of nine cases

Salivary gland anlage tumor (SGAT) is a polypoid lesion of the nasopharynx that presents with respiratory distress at birth or within the first few days or weeks of life. Among our nine cases, there was a male predilection (7M:2F). All tumors were in the midline and attached to the posterior pharyng
Palliative care from the beginning of treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer. Highlights from the "2010 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium". Orlando, FL, USA. January 22-24, 2010.

Palliative care ought to be offered at the initiation of treatment for people who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, given the poor relative survival rate and the intractable symptom profile of those who have this life-limiting disease. In this article, we argue that palliative treatment of people with pancreatic cancer is not found in extending survival, but rather, in promoting quality of life. This argument is made by reviewing the literature on the state of palliative care in pancreatic cancer and by summarizing key studies presented at the "2010 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium" held in Orlando, FL, USA on January 22-24, 2010. The studies discussed here include: i) a study of a random sample of 564 patients with pancreatic cancer that found that the symptom cluster of fatigue and pain predicted survival (Abstract #265); ii) a retrospective study of 108 patients that identified anticoagulation therapy in those who developed portal vein thrombosis prolonged survival (Abstract #143); iii) a double-blind randomized control trial of 50 patients with gastrointestinal cancers who were cachexic in which a thalidomide-olanzapine-megasterol acetate combination attenuated the effects of cancer-anorexia-cachexia syndrome (Abstract #209); iv) a retrospective study on the role of adjuvant chemoradiation and chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer (Abstract #230); and v) the benefit of chemotherapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer 80-year-old or more (Abstract #232). Based on the results presented at the meeting, we believe that the discussion of palliative care in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer must not conflate the notion of increased survival with increased quality of life, the latter of which is part and parcel of the goal of palliative care. We believe that future study on the effect on quality of life of early palliative-care interventions among people with pancreatic cancer is necessary. Image: Yale University School of Nursing. New Haven, CT, USA.
An apparatus to measure frictional, anelastic, and viscous behavior in ice at temperate and planetary conditions

In this paper, we describe a cryogenic, servo-controlled biaxial friction apparatus designed to measure the deformational behaviors of ice. The apparatus is specifically designed to accurately achieve and measure the low differential stresses applicable to deforming ice on earth and on icy satellites. We can apply loads in the range ∼2–1800 kPa and velocities up to 4 mm/s, with resolution of 39 Pa and 0.7 μm, respectively. Precise temperature control, measurement, and insulation allow testing at constant temperature (from −2 to −30 °C) for prolonged periods of time. The apparatus is tested with various plastics as well as with polycrystalline ice samples and the results are consistent with previously published values. Critical components of the instrument are described along with examples of data collection schemes and preliminary results. The flexibility of the design allows for both glaciological and planetary applications over a range of deformational behaviors including friction, anelastic, and viscous.
Energy and Ecology

Reckoning the externalized cost of depletive waste in energetic terms underscores the fact that patterns of energy flow—even over millions of years, and even under extreme human interference with nature’s pace of change—follow definite physical laws. A consideration of these ecological and thermodynamic laws will introduce an analysis of energy costs under two remaining categories of environmental externality: “seral disturbance” and “pollutive build-up.”
Perceived genetic knowledge among pre-licensure undergraduate nursing students

Objective : This study assessed the perceived retention of genetic knowledge of pre-licensure undergraduate nursing students who received a stand-alone genetics course. Methods : Design: Two analyses of total score were of interest: 1) Assessment of retention of knowledge of education group at sophomore level [n = 62; 2013], junior level [n = 60; 2014] and senior level [n = 42; in 2015] and 2) Comparison of the education group [n = 62] to a control group who learned genetic content that was woven into their clinical courses [n = 74]. Methods: Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), as the total scores were approximately normally distributed. p -values less than or equal to alpha = 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Some subjects in the assessment of retention knowledge over time remain the same. Results : The education group had a statistically significantly higher total score than the control group: mean ± standard deviation = 70.1 ± 13.8 vs. 54.2 ± 19.6, respectively for education and control groups; p -value < .001. Although education clearly had an impact on total score, the perceived knowledge was not retained over the years: average total scores of 70.1 in 2013 to 67.2 in 2014 and 61.6 in 2015; p -value = .006. Conclusions : Education has a significant effect on perceived knowledge, yet maintaining that knowledge base requires reiteration of the content through-out the curriculum. Clinical Relevance: Nurse educators’ need to be able to integrate genetic/genomic competencies into nursing curricula and reinforce the content to ensure nursing students are able to retain and utilize this knowledge when in practice.
Molecular Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging of Radiation-Induced P-Selectin Expression in Healthy Mice Colon.

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of using molecular contrast-enhanced ultrasound (mCEUS) to image radiation (XRT)-induced expression of cell adhesion molecules that mediate inflammatory response to XRT in healthy mouse colon tissue. Methods and Materials The colons of male BALB/c mice (aged 6-8 weeks, n=9) were irradiated with 14 Gy using a Kimtron IC-225 x-ray irradiator operating at 225 kV/13.0 mA at a dose rate of 0.985 Gy/min. The head and thorax regions were shielded during irradiation. A second control cohort of mice was left untreated (n=6). Molecular CEUS was carried out before and 24 hours after irradiation using a VEVO2100 system and MS250 21-MHz center frequency transducer. Each imaging session comprised mCEUS imaging with P-selectin targeted microbubbles and control microbubbles targeted with an isotype control IgG. Quantification of mCEUS was carried out by measuring the differential targeted enhancement (dTE) parameter. The perfusion parameters peak enhancement and area under the curve were also extracted from the initial injection bolus. Animals were sacrificed at 24 hours and the colon was resected for immunohistochemistry analysis (P-selectin/CD31-stained vessel). Results For P-selectin targeted microbubble, a significant increase (40 a.u.; P =.013) in dTE (P-dTE) was observed in irradiated mice over 24 hours. In contrast, a nonsignificant change in P-selectin dTE was observed in control mice. For control microbubbles, no significant difference in the IgG dTE parameter was noted in treated and control animals over 24 hours. A nonsignificant increase in the peak enhancement and area under the curve perfusion parameters associated with blood volume was noted in animals treated with radiation. Quantitative histology indicated significantly elevated P-selectin expression per blood vessel (36% in treated; 14% in control). Conclusion Our results confirm the feasibility of using mCEUS for imaging of XRT-induced expression of P-selectin as a potential approach to monitoring healthy tissue inflammatory damage during radiation therapy.
A cloud shadow model for analysis of solar photovoltaic power variability in high-penetration PV distribution networks

The primary challenge with high penetrations of solar power into power distribution feeders lies in the solar resource's inherent variability and uncertainty during partly cloudy days. To avoid unnecessary limitations to the rapid integration of PV to the grid, there is a need to understand and characterize PV variability from the prospective of utility operators and planners. To this end, this paper presents an easily implemented cloud shadow model to simulate realistic solar power variability of both distributed and large centralized PVs at various locations on a feeder at one second intervals. Power of four actual PV plants installed on an EPRI test feeder is simulated using the cloud shadow model and compared to actual one second measured data. The practical usefulness of the proposed model is confirmed by examining the distribution of PV ramp rates at time windows ranging from 10 to 60 seconds as well as the correlation between modeled and measured power output.
Search and Research on Economics of Pair Programming

This research aims to answer two research questions. Is pair programming more cost-effective than solo programming? In what situations is pair programming more cost-effective than solo programming ...
The drivers of sugarcane expansion in Goiás, Brazil

Between 2003 and 2013, sugarcane area expanded six-fold, from 142,000 ha to 847,000 ha, in Goias State and the Federal District, Brazil. And while there has been much research on land-use dynamics of sugarcane expansion in established sugarcane growing regions, little is known about the dynamics associated with its expansion in sugarcane frontiers like Goias. Understanding these dynamics provides critical information for environmental, economic, and political decisions. Here, we investigate the agricultural land-use change dynamics associated with sugarcane production in Goias and interrogate the relationship between biophysical, institutional, and logistical factors associated with sugarcane expansion. Our results demonstrate that pasture is seven times more likely to be converted to sugarcane than soy, and most new sugarcane area was not sourced in native Cerrado vegetation. Although there exist few biophysical limitations to sugarcane expansion, capital, infrastructure, and institutions constrain production. Lastly, we show that areas where soy is currently cultivated may be converted to sugarcane in the future given the expansion of transportation and sugarcane infrastructure. Thus, we suggest incentivizing the cultivation of sugarcane on degraded pastures and supporting increased pasture stocking rates to ensure continued protection of both natural vegetation and food production while supporting the expansion of sugarcane in the state.
Todo Mejora en el Ambiente: An Analysis of Digital LGBT Activism in Mexico

Digital media present great potential for disseminating campaigns, connecting with constituencies, and creating spaces for connectivity. This article explores a contemporary digital media project, ...
When Quitting is Not an Option: Unpacking the Links Between Workplace Mistreatment and Withdrawal

Research has generally conceptualized withdrawal as either a type of physical separation from the organization (turnover, absenteeism, etc.) or as a type of effort reduction (daydreaming, avoiding ...
On the Nature of Mathematical Entities

In What is Mathematics, Really? I argued, following Leslie White, that mathematical entities are real objects and that they are part of culture, i.e., sociocultural entities and intersubjective.
A new weighted injury severity scoring system: better predictive power for adult trauma mortality.

An accurate injury severity measurement is essential in the evaluation of trauma care and in outcome research. The traditional Injury Severity Score (ISS) does not consider the differential risks of the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) from different body regions, and the three AIS involved in the calculation of ISS are given equal weights. The objective of this study was to develop a weighted injury severity scoring (wISS) system for adult trauma patients with better predictive power than the traditional Injury Severity Score (ISS). The 2007–2014 National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) Research Datasets were used. We identified adult trauma patients from the NTDB and then randomly split it into a study sample and a test sample. Based on the association between mortality and the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) from each of the six ISS body regions in the study sample, we evaluated 12 different sets of weights for the component AIS scores used in the calculation of ISS and selected one best set of weights. Discrimination (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, concordance) and calibration were compared between the wISS and ISS. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves from the wISS and ISS are all 0.83, and 0.76 vs. 0.73 for patients with ISS = 16–74 and 0.68 vs. 0.53 for patients with ISS = 25–74. The wISS showed higher specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and concordance when they were compared at similar levels of sensitivity. The wISS had better calibration than the ISS. By weighting the AIS from different body regions, the wISS had significantly better predictive power for mortality than the ISS, especially in critically injured adults.
Incidence and Factors Associated With Attentional Fatigue in Working Long-term Breast Cancer Survivors.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of attentional fatigue and the relationship between sleep disturbance and attentional fatigue in working long-term breast cancer survivors (BCS). METHODS A descriptive, correlation design was used. The data for this study were drawn from a larger descriptive study designed to understand the impact of cognitive dysfunction on work-related outcomes. Breast cancer survivors completed questionnaires regarding sleep disturbance, attentional fatigue, and demographic and medical characteristics. Sleep disturbance, a subscale of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, is measured by asking 9 questions about sleep disturbances. Attentional fatigue was measured by the Attentional Function Index. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were performed to assess the impact of sleep disturbance on attentional fatigue, controlling for covariates. RESULTS Sixty-eight female BCS, ranging from 29 to 68 years old (mean [SD], 52.1 [8.6] years old) and, on average, 4.97 (SD, 3.36) years posttreatment, participated. Thirty-four percent of BCS had poor to moderate attention function. Sleep disturbance significantly predicted attentional fatigue (P < .05), explaining 16% of the variance, F4,57 = 2.68, P < .04, R = 0.16. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians can assess and intervene to decrease sleep disturbance, which may also improve attentional fatigue in BCS. However, sleep disturbance is only 1 contributing factor. Further investigation into factors contributing to attentional fatigue in BCS is warranted.
Plant small non-coding RNAs and their roles in biotic stresses.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as critical components of gene regulatory networks across a plethora of plant species. In particular, the 20-30 nucleotide small ncRNAs (sRNAs) play important roles in mediating both developmental processes and responses to biotic stresses. Based on variation in their biogenesis pathways, a number of different sRNA classes have been identified, and their specific functions have begun to be characterized. Here, we review the current knowledge of the biogenesis of the primary sRNA classes, microRNA (miRNA) and small nuclear RNA (snRNA), and their respective secondary classes, and discuss the roles of sRNAs in plant-pathogen interactions. sRNA mobility between species is also discussed along with potential applications of sRNA-plant-pathogen interactions in crop improvement technologies.
Young People as Political Influencers on Social Media: Skepticism and Network Thinking

This study uses in-depth qualitative focus groups to explore how young people perceive their own persuasive efficacy when posting about their political views on social media. The findings reveal both skepticism and optimism, depending upon how an individual conceptualizes the process of viral influence more broadly. While some young people feel that they lack the reach on social media to make a significant impact or to change the minds of those who hold opposing views, others employ forms of "network thinking" to conceptualize how their political posts contribute to larger network effects and movement-building among their likeminded peers.
Structural Signal Selection for Post-Silicon Validation

With increase in circuit complexity and decrease in feature size, as well as time to market window, a lot of functional bugs escape pre-silicon verification phase and manifest themselves in the manufactured silicon. These bugs must be detected before a chip is shipped to a customer. A major problem in identifying these bugs is that the chip is already manufactured and hence, provides low observability. Recent design-for-debug techniques like Embedded Logic Analyzer (ELA) identifies some of the internal signals of the design that will help in improving the overall chip observability. However, the question remains which signals to select among the plethora of signals in a design? In this chapter, we will discuss some relevant signal selection techniques that take into account the structure and topology of the design.
Mask-Based Microsphere Photolithography

Microsphere Photolithography (MPL) uses a self-assembled array of transparent microspheres to focus incident ultraviolet radiation and produce an array of photonic jets in photoresist. Typically, the microspheres are self-assembled directly on the photoresist layer and are removed after exposure during development. Reusing the microsphere array reduces the expense of the process. A mask is formed by transferring the self-assembled microsphere array to a transparent tape. This can be used for multiple exposures when pressed into contact with the photoresist. This paper demonstrates the use of this process to pattern infrared metasurface absorbers and discusses the effects of the mask-based MPL process on the metasurface performance.Copyright © 2018 by ASME