cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comments on Supernova Remnants and Ancient Novae

The low expansion velocity of the Crab Nebula proves conclusively that the supernova of + 1054 was not type I. Only five supernova remnants found in radio surveys are connected with ancient novae, + 185, + 1006, + 1054, + 1572, + 1604. This corresponds to reasonable expectation. Most of the objects in historical records were comets, the remainder mostly ordinary novae. Most radio remnants are too old, some too heavily obscured to be found in historical records.
maxPET, a dedicated mammary and axillary region PET imaging system for breast cancer

Presents initial measurements from a high-performance prototype dedicated PET camera (maxPET) designed for mammary and axillary region imaging. The system consists of two 15/spl times/15 cm/sup 2/ planar scintillation detector plates operating in coincidence, with each plate composed of 25 modular detectors. The modular detectors are comprised of a 9/spl times/9 array of 3/spl times/3/spl times/20 mm/sup 3/ lutetium oxyorthosilicate (LSO) detector elements, read out by a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube (PS-PMT). A multiplexing readout scheme is used to reduce the number of readout channels from 200 (4X and 4Y readouts per PS-PMT) to 8 channels per plate. The detectors have a measured intrinsic spatial resolution of 2.3 mm. Over 95% of the 4050 crystals in the system can be identified in flood histograms of the detector plates. The coincidence timing resolution for the entire system is 8.1 ns. A line source phantom was scanned with the system and images reconstructed using focal plane tomography. The estimated resolution in projection images is 4 mm based on profiles taken through the line source phantom images. The goal of the maxPET system will be to aid in breast cancer patient management by assisting in imaging women with dense fibro-glandular breasts, detecting axillary lymph node metastases without surgery, and monitoring chemotherapy effectiveness. Future research on the maxPET system will focus on changes to the electronics to improve count rate performance and timing resolution and the mounting of the detectors on a rotating gantry for tomographic studies.
Insights into the origin of perylene from isotopic analyses of sediments from Saanich Inlet, British Columbia

Perylene is an abundant and common polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in sedimentary settings, yet its origin remains puzzling. We have investigated the relation of perylene to the amount and type of organic matter in the sediments of Saanich Inlet, a coastal marine anoxic basin. Organic matter is predominantly marine in origin, but the proportions of marine and land-derived components have varied. Perylene concentrations generally increase with sediment depth, relative to TOC, which indicates continued formation of this compound by microbially mediated diagenesis. Perylene δ13C values range between −27.7 and −23.6‰, whereas TOC δ13C values vary narrowly from −21.7 to −21.2‰ over the same sediment depth interval. The variation in isotopic difference suggests that perylene originates from more than one precursor material, both aquatic and continental organic matter, different microbial processes, or some combination of these possibilities.
Comparison of Meropenem MICs and Susceptibilities for Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates by Various Testing Methods

We describe the levels of agreement between broth microdilution, Etest, Vitek 2, Sensititre, and MicroScan methods to accurately define the meropenem MIC and categorical interpretation of susceptibility against carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC). A total of 46 clinical K. pneumoniae isolates with KPC genotypes, all modified Hodge test and blaKPC positive, collected from two hospitals in NY were included. Results obtained by each method were compared with those from broth microdilution (the reference method), and agreement was assessed based on MICs and Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) interpretative criteria using 2010 susceptibility breakpoints. Based on broth microdilution, 0%, 2.2%, and 97.8% of the KPC isolates were classified as susceptible, intermediate, and resistant to meropenem, respectively. Results from MicroScan demonstrated the most agreement with those from broth microdilution, with 95.6% agreement based on the MIC and 2.2% classified as minor errors, and no major or very major errors. Etest demonstrated 82.6% agreement with broth microdilution MICs, a very major error rate of 2.2%, and a minor error rate of 2.2%. Vitek 2 MIC agreement was 30.4%, with a 23.9% very major error rate and a 39.1% minor error rate. Sensititre demonstrated MIC agreement for 26.1% of isolates, with a 3% very major error rate and a 26.1% minor error rate. Application of FDA breakpoints had little effect on minor error rates but increased very major error rates to 58.7% for Vitek 2 and Sensititre. Meropenem MIC results and categorical interpretations for carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae differ by methodology. Confirmation of testing results is encouraged when an accurate MIC is required for antibiotic dosing optimization.
Determination of exact rotation angle and discrimination for rotated images

The complex frequency scaling property of Fourier transforms may be very effective for the determination of exact image rotation angle in application areas such as defense, manufacturing agriculture and commerce. In this paper, we exploit the complex frequency scaling property of Fourier transform to determine the exact angle of rotation of a target image with respect to reference image. We also investigate the validity of the developed algorithm using occluded target images. Further, we extend our algorithm to differentiate between different but similar rotated target images. We use both gray scale and DARPA's moving and stationary target recognition program's synthetic aperture radar images to validate our algorithm.
A mathematical model of the inner medullary collecting duct of the rat: acid/base transport

A mathematical model of the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) of the rat has been developed that is suitable for simulating luminal buffer titration and ammonia secretion by this nephron segme...
High-Risk Features and Tumor Differentiation in Retinoblastoma: A Retrospective Histopathologic Study

Abstract Context.—Certain histopathologic risk factors in enucleated eyes are important indicators for adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with retinoblastoma. Objectives.—To determine the frequency of histopathologic risk factors in a large series of retinoblastomas treated by enucleation on file in the pathology laboratory of a large American eye hospital, assess the relationship between tumor differentiation and age at enucleation, and investigate the frequency of photoreceptor differentiation and the role of retinoma/retinocytoma as retinoblastoma precursor. Design.—Retrospective histopathologic review of 387 eyes with retinoblastoma treated by enucleation including 297 with no prior treatment. Results.—Fifty-five of 297 untreated eyes (18.5%) had high-risk features. Retrolaminar optic nerve invasion was present in 31 (10.4%), and 24 (8.1%) had massive uveal invasion (defined as >3 mm in diameter). Of the high-risk eyes, 70.9% had iris neovascularization and 60% had neovascular glaucoma. There was a sta...
Anaphylactoid reactions to the nonvascular administration of water-soluble iodinated contrast media.

OBJECTIVE. Anaphylactoidlike reactions occur during the nonvascular administration of iodinated contrast media. Many of these reactions have been severe. These reactions have occurred with many procedures, including gastrointestinal imaging, cystography, sialography, and hysterosalpingography. CONCLUSION. This article reviews reports of these reactions. It also reviews what the literature recommends concerning how to deal with individuals undergoing these procedures who are at a higher risk for anaphylactoidlike reactions.
The Technical Writer's Role in Preserving Intellectual Property Rights Outside the United States Tutorial

This tutorial introduces issues regarding dissemination of information and texts that can affect international intellectual property rights. Four areas of concern for technical communicators include: (1) US and international rules about the disclosure of ideas and inventions; (2) corporate policies about confidentiality; (3) the complexities of international enforcement of intellectual property; and (4) principles of keeping records, including laboratory notebooks, that show ownership (including ownership of business methods). The training approach stresses a multipart program that includes understanding the patenting process; understanding and supporting corporate policies; and participating in dialogue about situations involving dissemination of information. This training should prepare technical communicators to evaluate or to recognize when to seek help from counsel in evaluating whether information should be disseminated.
Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the lower extremities: improved screening using a novel dual birdcage coil and in-scanner exercise protocol.

Objective The purpose of this study was to design and evaluate an MRI screening protocol for chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) of the lower legs using an in-scanner exercise protocol and novel dual birdcage coil design for improved imaging.
TRADING WITH THE ENEMY DURING WARTIME

IN THEIR DEFENSE of the town of Grave against a siege by the Dutch and their allies in 1674, the French, concerned that the town was dangerously overstuffed with ammunition from other fortresses th...
A three-dimensional approach towards measuring sender anonymity

We first illustrate using examples that existing measures in literature are not sufficient to fully characterize the anonymity provided by an anonymous system. We then propose a new isolation measure, based upon presence of outliers in a distribution, and show that this measure is critical towards quantifying the overall anonymity provided by the system. We provide justification for three distinct aspects of anonymity, important from the perspectives of a user, a system designer, and an attacker, leading to a three-dimensional approach towards measuring sender anonymity. We further show how two anonymous systems can be compared in terms of the degree of anonymity provided, using the proposed 3-tuple metric and appropriate weights reflecting the attributes desired in the system. Finally, we apply the proposed metric to an existing anonymous system and discuss the insights gained.
Investigation of the Connectivity of Hydrophilic Domains in Nafion Using Electrochemical Pore-Directed Nanolithography

A method of determining the connectivity of ion-conducting hydrophilic channels within the Nafion polymer electrolyte membrane by way of pore-directed nanolithography has been developed. Electrochemical etching of a silicon surface is performed through a Nafion-membrane mask. The resulting silicon surface imaged by tapping-mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM) provides a footprint of the hydrophilic channels at the Nafion-silicon interface. In a similar fashion, a TMAFM phase-contrast image of the top surface of the Nafion mask prior to etching reveals the spatial distribution of hydrophilic domains at the surface of the polymer membrane. Collectively, these images provide detailed information about the structure of the hydrophilic channels at the top and bottom surfaces of the Nafion membrane. Autocorrelation statistical analysis of these two sets of images shows that only 48% of hydrophilic channels beginning at the Nafion surface connect to the silicon-Nafion interface.
Long-Term Productive Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection of CD1a-Sorted Myeloid Dendritic Cells

Myeloid, CD1a-sorted dendritic cells (MDC) productively replicated human immunodeficiency virus strains encoding envelope genes of either primary X4R5 or R5 strains for up to 45 days. Cell-free supernatant collected from long-term infected MDC, which had been exposed to an X4R5 virus 45 days earlier, was still infectious when placed over activated T cells. These data imply that DC can act as a persistent reservoir of infectious virus.
Advanced metrology and gas purifier yield improvement

Advanced spectrometric and spectroscopic metrology techniques for moisture measurement are employed to characterize inert (nitrogen, noble) and hydrogen gas purifier performance. Material properties relevant to efficient contaminant adsorption on regenerable media are systematically probed to achieve a marked improvement in purifier moisture removal capacity and efficiency. Gains in moisture drydown, upset recovery time, purity stability and low pressure purity are made to facilitate semiconductor processes targeting high device yield.
Oxidation Behavior of MuIlite‐Coated SiC and SiC/SiC Composites under Thermal Cycling between Room Temperature and 1200°‐1400°C

Refractory oxide barrier coatings are a promising approach for improving the environmental durability of silicon-based ceramics in severe environments. The oxidation durability of a newly developed fully crystalline mullite coating on SiC and SiC/SiC composites was investigated under thermal cycling between room temperature and 1200°-1400°C with a higher frequency (1- or 2-h) and a lower frequency (20-h) cycling for times up to 1200 h. The new mullite coating exhibited significantly improved adherence and resistance to cracking when compared to conventional mullite coatings. Current issues include oxidation of SiC-based substrates, void formation at the coating/substrate interface, and cracking in the coating through the thickness.
Comparative effectiveness of different angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on the risk of hospitalization in patients with heart failure.

Aims: Existing randomized controlled trials do not address the comparative effectiveness of different angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) on hospitalization due to heart failure (HF)-hospitalization in patients with HF. We sought to examine the effect of four ACEIs on HF-hospitalization in a large real-world HF population. Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis of a national cohort of patients with HF identified from the Department of Veterans Affairs (TX, USA). A multiple propensity score analysis was used to balance 47 baseline patient characteristics between the different ACEIs. The effect of different ACEIs on time to HF-hospitalization was assessed using the multiple propensity score-weighted multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. Results: The study included 139,994 patients with 69.50% (97,293) on lisinopril, 21.79% (30,503) on fosinopril, 8.41% (11,775) on captopril and 0.30% (423) on enalapril. Propensity scores balanced nearly all differences between different ACEIs gr...
Performance Evaluation of Asphalt Mixes Containing Steel Slag Aggregate as a Measure to Resist Studded Tire Wear

AbstractStudded tire wear can lead to the severe deterioration of asphalt pavement; therefore, the reduction of studded tire wear is urgently needed to improve asphalt pavement conditions and save repair costs. Steel slag is a coproduct of the steel industry and features high hardness compared to conventional crushed aggregate, such as granite and limestone. This study evaluated the performance of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) that contains steel slag aggregate (SSA) as a surface material to mitigate studded tire wear. The physical properties of the SSA were assessed to determine its suitability in HMA. Four percentages (0, 20, 40, and 60%) of SSA were used in asphalt mixes, and the mix designs for the HMA were conducted in accordance with Superpave mix design. The performance of the mixes was evaluated comprehensively in terms of studded tire wear resistance, thermal cracking resistance, moisture susceptibility, and rutting. The results indicate that the addition of steel slag increased the mixtures’ studded tir...
In vitro incorporation of cholesterol-14C in to very low density lipoprotein cholesteryl esters

The cholesteryl esters of very low density lipo- proteins become labeled when human plasma is incubated with ch~lesterol-~~C. The relative order of magnitude of the specific activity of the cholesteryl esters of the major lipoprotein frac- tions is: high density lipoproteins >> very low density lipo- proteins > low density lipoproteins. This pattern of labeling is similar to that found by others in experiments performed in vivo. Very low density lipoprotein cholesteryl esters are proba- bly not formed by direct action of the plasma 1ecithin:choles- teryl acyltransferase, since significant esterification of choles- terol does not occur when very low density lipoproteins are in- cubated separately with the enzyme. Instead, labeled choles- teryl esters formed in the other lipoprotein fractions transfer to the very low density lipoproteins, the relative amount of monounsaturated esters transferred being slightly greater than that of saturated and polyunsaturated esters. The results sup- port the possibility that the acyltranaferase indirectly increases the concentration of very low density lipoprotein cholesteryl esters in vivo.
Binary supramolecular adduct based upon trimeric perfluoro-ortho-phenylenemercury and 4-chlorobenzaldehyde: Enumerating the strength of perfluorophenyl–perfluorophenyl interactions

Abstract Due to its proximity of Hg(II) atoms, electron-withdrawing properties and inherent accessibility to electrophilic sites on the molecular surface, trimeric perfluoro-ortho-phenylenemercury, (o-C6F4Hg)3, has demonstrated a capacity to form supramolecular adducts with a variety of neutral and anionic substrates. Often within these complexes the Lewis acid, (o-C6F4Hg)3, interacts with a Lewis base rather than itself in the solid state via various supramolecular interactions. Among these, perfluorophenyl–perfluorophenyl interactions have been utilized in the construction of various supramolecular materials; however, within these molecular complexes, this category of non-covalent interaction is not often observed. Even though these perfluorophenyl–perfluorophenyl interactions have been used to produce new materials, their overall strength has not been generally reported in the literature. In this contribution, we highlight not only the synthesis, structural and spectroscopic properties of a novel binary supramolecular adduct between (o-C6F4Hg)3 and 4-chlorobenzaldehyde (4-ClBA) [(o-C6F4Hg)3(4-ClBA)] 1, but also report on the overall strength of the perfluorophenyl–perfluorophenyl interaction energies determined by means of computational chemistry. The carbonyl group of the 4-ClBA substrate was found to interact with all three mercury atoms within (o-C6F4Hg)3 via Hg⋯O contacts. An infrared spectroscopic analysis of 1 demonstrated a lower wavenumber for the carbonyl stretching frequency when compared to that for the free substrate confirming the presence of these Hg⋯O interactions.
How to Read Moore's "Proof of an External World"

We develop a reading of Moore’s “Proof of an External World” (PEW) that emphasizes the connections between this paper and Moore’s earlier concerns and strategies. Our reading has the benefit of explaining why the claims that Moore advances in “Proof of an External World” would have been of interest to him, and avoids attributing to him arguments that are either trivial or wildly unsuccessful. Part of the evidence for our view comes from unpublished drafts which, we believe, contain important clues concerning Moore’s aims and intent. While our approach to PEW may be classified alongside other broadly "metaphysical" readings, we believe that a proper recognition of the continuity in Moore’s philosophical concerns and strategies across his philosophical career shows that the customary distinction between "epistemological" and "metaphysical" interpretative approaches to PEW is at best superficial.
Mechanism for the Direct Synthesis of H2O2 on Pd Clusters: Heterolytic Reaction Pathways at the Liquid–Solid Interface

Direct synthesis (H2 + O2 → H2O2) is a promising reaction for producing H2O2, which can replace chlorinated oxidants in industrial processes. The mechanism of this reaction and the reasons for the importance of seemingly unrelated factors (e.g., Pd cluster size and solvent pH) remain unclear despite significant research. We propose a mechanism for H2O2 formation on Pd clusters consistent with steady-state H2O2 and H2O formation rates measured as functions of reactant pressures and temperature and the interpretations of proton concentration effects. H2O2 forms by sequential proton-electron transfer to O2 and OOH surface intermediates, whereas H2O forms by O-O bond rupture within OOH surface species. Direct synthesis, therefore, does not proceed by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism often invoked. Rather, H2O2 forms by heterolytic reaction pathways resembling the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR); however, the chemical potential of H2 replaces an external electrical potential as the thermodynamic driving force. Activation enthalpies (ΔH(⧧)) for H2O formation increase by 14 kJ mol(-1) when Pd cluster diameters increase from 0.7 to 7 nm because changes in the electronic structure of Pd surface atoms decrease their propensity to cleave O-O bonds. ΔH(⧧) values for H2O2 remain nearly constant because barriers for proton-electron transfer depend weakly on the coordinative saturation of Pd surface atoms. Collectively, these results provide a self-consistent mechanism, which clarifies many studies in which H2O2 rates and selectivities were shown to depend on the concentration of acid/halide additives and Pd cluster size. These findings will guide the rational design of selective catalysts for direct synthesis.
Microenvironmental Regulation of Metastasis by Exosomes

Exosomes and microvesicles are small spherical membrane fragments shed by several cell types during physiological processes. Increasing attention has been focused on the role of exosomes in malignant progression and metastasis. This chapter highlights the functional roles of tumor exosomes in influencing pre-metastatic niche formation and metastatic behavior. We discuss their interaction with cells within the tumor microenvironment (bone marrow-, endothelial-, and mesenchymal-derived cells) and attempt to shed light on the mechanisms underlying these interactions. We address the emerging role of tumor-secreted exosomes as new players that change the tumor microenvironment during tumor progression. Furthermore, we comment on the contribution of exosomes secreted by non-tumor cells such as endothelial, bone marrow, and mesenchymal cells to metastatic progression. Data are presented to highlight the role of exosomes in influencing the metastatic behavior of tumors. We conclude that exosome research has the potential to uncover new targets and lead to new therapies against tumor and metastatic progression.
Cash Is King: An Easy Way to Understand Debits and Credits (A Workshop Manual)

In Accounting, it is a well-known problem that many students often have difficulty in deciding whether to debit or credit an account to increase its balance. After practicing and teaching Accounting for more than forty years, the authors have developed a simple, practical and fault-proof method of handling debits and credits -- the Cash is King Method. In this workshop manual, ten instructional examples are provided to demonstrate how to use the Cash is King Method to assist the students in navigating debits and credits and guiding them in recording all accounting transactions correctly.
Biodiesel sim: crowdsourcing simulations for complex model analysis

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel source that can be easily made by novices with an inexpensive home-made reactor using waste vegetable oil, but producing high quality fuel using a home-made reactor is difficult due to the complexity of the chemical interactions and the configurations of the processor. A biodiesel processor is a complex system that can be modeled and simulated using formal modeling methods, but accurate modeling can require prohibitively expensive analysis. In this work we present our model analysis approach designed to 'crowdsource' simulations of a formal Stochastic Hybrid System model of biodiesel production. The approach uses an iPad application called Biodiesel Sim, which allows users to play a simulation game that calculates trajectories of a formal stochastic model of biodiesel production. The results of simulations run in the game are collected in a centralized database, which can be searched by users or researchers via a website to encourage users to improve their simulations. The framework used in this application can be used as a template for analysis of other formal models.
Tarifparteien und Regierungen in Europa: Mit Tarifverträgen gegen den Abschwung?

Die Tarifparteien in Europa haben vielfaltige Masnahmen ergriffen, um auf die gegenwartige Wirtschaftskrise zu reagieren. In vielen Landern haben arbeitsmarktpolitische Masnahmen wie Kurzarbeit und Teilarbeitslosigkeit dazu beigetragen, Beschaftigung zu erhalten und Einkommensverluste aufgrund von krisenbedingten Arbeitszeitverkurzungen zu begrenzen. Den Tarifparteien kommt bei der Umsetzung dieser Masnahmen eine Schlusselrolle zu. Dabei zeigen sich deutliche Unterschiede zwischen Wirtschaftssektoren und Landern. Branchen- und betriebliche Abkommen zur Flexibilisierung der Arbeitszeit und der Lohnfestlegung sowie zur Qualifizierung der Arbeitnehmer konzentrieren sich vor allem auf die Sachguterproduktion, wahrend sich in den Dienstleistungssektoren keine derartigen Losungen abgezeichnet haben. Auserdem zeigt sich, dass in Landern mit weitgehend dezentralen Tarifverhandlungen - wie in den meisten mittel- und osteuropaischen Landern und Grosbritannien - die Bedingungen fur die Tarifparteien, Losungen auf dem Verhandlungswege zu erreichen, weit weniger gunstig waren als in Landern, die uber zentrale Tarifsysteme und ein hohes Mas an Koordinierung zwischen den Tarifverhandlungsebenen verfugen.
Parent gender and child removal in physical abuse and neglect cases

Criminal justice research frequently investigates relationships between punishment decisions and demographic characteristics of the accused, such as gender, race, and age. While there are many similarities between criminal justice and child welfare cases, research on child maltreatment has yet to examine potential demographic influences on case outcomes. The current study examines relationships between parent gender, type of maltreatment, and child removal among agency responses to child maltreatment cases. Using data collected by the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), we identify differences in the likelihood of child removal from the parental home across type of maltreatment and perpetrator gender. Our results indicate that mother perpetrators of physical abuse not only face significantly higher likelihood of removal than mother perpetrators of neglect, but are more at risk for losing their children than father perpetrators of both physical abuse and neglect. Findings suggest that gendered attributions and stereotypes regarding parenting can shape assessments of parents' blameworthiness, dangerousness, and rehabilitative potential. We propose that future research on child maltreatment cases adapt and apply justice concepts and frameworks to uncover potential unwarranted demographic disparities in agency decision-making.
The End of Ownership

If you buy a book at the bookstore, you own it. You can take it home, scribble in the margins, put in on the shelf, lend it to a friend, sell it at a garage sale. But is the same thing true for the ebooks or other digital goods you buy? Retailers and copyright holders argue that you don't own those purchases, you merely license them. That means your ebook vendor can delete the book from your device without warning or explanation—as Amazon deleted Orwell's 1984 from the Kindles of surprised readers several years ago. These readers thought they owned their copies of 1984. Until, it turned out, they didn't. In The End of Ownership, Aaron Perzanowski and Jason Schultz explore how notions of ownership have shifted in the digital marketplace, and make an argument for the benefits of personal property. Of course, ebooks, cloud storage, streaming, and other digital goods offer users convenience and flexibility. But, Perzanowski and Schultz warn, consumers should be aware of the tradeoffs involving user constraints, permanence, and privacy. The rights of private property are clear, but few people manage to read their end user agreements. Perzanowski and Schultz argue that introducing aspects of private property and ownership into the digital marketplace would offer both legal and economic benefits. But, most important, it would affirm our sense of self-direction and autonomy. If we own our purchases, we are free to make whatever lawful use of them we please. Technology need not constrain our freedom; it can also empower us.
Surface Ablation and Melting of Fusion Materials Simulated by Transient High Heat Flux Generated in an Electothermal Plasma Source

An electrothermal (ET) plasma source has been used to produce intense transient high heat flux to evaluate surface erosion and melting of plasma-facing materials. The source produces high heat flux relevant to expected conditions during disruption event in future large fusion devices. Surface vaporization has been evaluated for selected fusion-relevant materials under radiant energy deposition. Additional simulation included the effect of melting and splattering. Vapor and droplet formation and their associated shielding effect have been investigated in this paper to assess the difference between a developed boundary layer from only vapor or melt layer or the mixed vapor-melt layer with possible ejection of molten droplets away from the surface. Fully self-consistent erosion models are developed and implemented in the ET ETFLOW code in a new version ETFLOW-boundary layer to model the response of plasma-facing materials and their erosive behavior under transient ET plasma high heat fluxes closely similar to expected ones in future fusion large tokamaks.
Post-intensive care unit syndrome in gynecologic oncology patients

The purposes of the present study are to describe the demographic and treatment characteristics of women on the gynecologic oncology service who required intensive care and assess prevalence of risk factors for post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). A retrospective chart review was performed encompassing patients requiring admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) on the gynecology oncology service between 1/2008 and 12/2012. Descriptive statistics were computed using SAS version 9.3. One hundred eleven patients met study criteria. Most were Caucasian (85 %), were married (50 %), and had stage III/IV disease (82 %). Risk factors for PICS were as follows: 9 % had baseline anxiety, 20 % had baseline depression, 21 % were taking an SSRI prior to admission, and 18 % took other psychiatric medications. Most ICU admissions (47 %) were for planned post-operative management. Thirty-seven percent required mechanical ventilation for a median of 1 day (range, 1–24). Twenty percent required new scheduled psychiatric medications while in the ICU, and 8.1 % of patients were discharged with a newly prescribed antidepressant. Of patients, 15.3 % had consultations with psychiatry or social work. Six percent of patients expired, and 18 % had a nontraditional discharge disposition. Overall, 60 % of the patients had at least one recognized risk factor for PICS. Given the preponderance of psychiatric disorders and mechanical ventilation during post-operative ICU care in patients with gynecologic cancer, prospective evaluation of risk factors and utility of risk-reducing interventions for PICS is warranted. Long-term cognitive or physical disability is known to hasten mortality; thus, preventative strategies may increase the survival and quality of life for this patient population.
Late Extrusion of an Implantable Pulse Generator of a Spinal Cord Stimulator.

UNLABELLED The objective of this manuscript was to report a case of a patient with extruded pulse generator 3 years after implantation of a spinal cord stimulator system.With the increasing incidence of chronic pain, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is becoming more commonly utilized by pain physicians. SCS is a generally safe intervention with minimal adverse effects; however, there are risks of complications which practitioners should be aware of prior to and after placement of the SCS. We present a case of a patient with a late complication of extrusion of an implantable pulse generator (IPG) of a SCS that was promptly identified and successfully removed without any complications. A 60-year-old male truck driver with history of failed back syndrome and diabetes underwent a SCS system implanted with excellent relief of his pain. The SCS was implanted with 2 leads with the IPG being sutured 3 cm in depth in the superior gluteal region. Three years after the implantation, he developed pain over the site of the generator and presented to our clinic with extrusion of the non-rechargeable pulse generator from his gluteal region.The pulse generator was successfully removed with the battery not being infected. This late complication may have been related to his ongoing profession of daily driving with pressure necrosis from prolonged sitting and constant vibration during long rides associated. Structural size and design of the pulse generator may have had an important contribution as well. To our knowledge this complication has not been reported in the literature.Physicians that place or manage patients with SCSs should be aware of this rare complication and maintain vigilance even after remote implantation of the SCS systems. KEY WORDS Spinal cord stimulator, complication, extrusion, implantable pulse generator, neuromodulation, failed back syndrome, battery complication.
Determinants of Housing Consumption

Instead of viewing housing as a competing use of capital, as in Chapter 2, the present analysis turns to housing as a competitor for consumer resources. This involves a shift in the definition of housing. While the preceding chapter dealt with new construction or additions to the housing stock, we now examine consumer allocations to pay for the services rendered by the total inventory of dwellings. What factors explain inter-country variances in the share of household budgets allocated to housing services? The answer will be more tentative than the results of the investment analysis. The number of countries reporting relevant data is smaller, the sample is still more heavily weighted by advanced nations, and statistics are less adequate. In comparison to the determinants of housing investment, the theoretical underpinning for empirical work on the determinants of housing consumption across nations is quite weak. This chapter represents a first effort to chart new territory.
Jobs, Flags, and Laws: How Interests, Culture, and Values Explain Recruitment into the Utah Minuteman Project

Immigration is currently a combustible social issue in the United States, contributing to national political polarization. The Minuteman Project is one prominent group shaping contemporary immigrat...
Resource-Based View of Knowledge Management for Competitive Advantage

We are not only in a new millennium, but also in a new era: the knowledge era. Sustainable competitive advantage is dependent on building and exploiting core competencies. The resource-based view (RBV) of the firm defines a strategic asset as one that is rare, valuable, imperfectly imitable and non-substitutable. Knowledge is seen as a strategic asset with the potential to be a source of competitive advantage for an organization. In this paper, we provide a model that examines how and why knowledge management (KM) can be used to create competitive advantage from the RBV of the
Presence of Soluble CD26 Peptidase Activity in Human Serum Albumin (FlexBumin): Implications for Cell Freezing and Thawing Protocols during Transplantation

Hematopoietic cells are commonly exposed to human serum albumin (HSA) in the clinical setting and fetal bovine serum (FBS) in the research setting. Serum is utilized as a standard reagent across multiple research disciplines for tissue culture (10–20% FBS). HSA is a common reagent in the clinical setting and is routinely added to hematopoietic cells (0.5–4% HSA) in preparation for cryopreservation. Many labs also wash cryopreserved hematopoietic stem cells with HSA (1–5%) prior to autologous or allogenic transplantation to rid the cells of the DMSO used during cryopreservation. Lastly, HSA is sometimes infused directly into patients in the clinic for such indications as the short-term treatment of nephrotic syndrome. We have generated data suggesting that the peptidase CD26 (dipeptidylpeptidase IV/DPPIV) regulates HSC/HPC function, release of HPC out of the bone marrow (BM) during G-CSF induced mobilization, and engraftment of HSC/HPC into the BM during transplantation. It is within this context that we evaluated the presence of CD26/DPPIV activity in HSA. HSA of 20%, 10%, 2.5%, and 1% were prepared by diluting Flexbumin 25% (Baxter Healthcare) with 0.9% NaCl. FBS (Hyclone) concentrations were prepared likewise. Bovine Serum Albumin Fraction V (BSA) concentrations were prepared weight by volume. CD26/DPPIV activity was assayed utilizing the Gly-Pro-p-nitroanilide substrate in a 96-well format. Standard p-nitroanilide (pNA) curves were created by serially diluting pNA with 5mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5. 4mM Gly-Pro-pNA substrate was then combined with each test solution in 5mM Tris-HCl. Absorbance readings (A405) were then taken at 37° C every 5 minutes for 60 minutes. CD26 inhibition was achieved by treating with Diprotin-A (Ile-Pro-Ile). Prior to measurement of CD26 activity, HSA, BSA, or FBS were combined with Diprotin-A incubated at 37° C for 15 minutes. Final Diprotin-A concentrations during treatment were 5000μM, 500μM, 50μM, 5μM, 0.5μM, 0.05μM, 0.005μM, and 0 μM. Evaluation of CD26 activity in 1%, 2.5%, 10%, and 20% HSA solutions revealed a statistically significant and dose dependent level of CD26 activity within the serum (p
Clonal Dominance at the Progenitor Cell Level Defines Clinical Phenotype More Accurately Than the Neutrophil Allele Burden in JAK2V617F-Positive MPD Patients.

The chronic myeloproliferative disorders (MPD), polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocytosis (ET) and idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) differ phenotypically but share the same mutation, JAK2 V617F . To determine how the same mutation yields three different phenotypes, we examined the relationship between disease phenotype and the quantitative JAK2 V617F allele burden in both CD34 + cells and neutrophils. The study population consisted of 126 PV, 41 ET and 18 IMF JAK2 V617F -positive patients with a median disease duration of 8 years. The JAK2 V617F allele burden was determined by allele-specific quantitative PCR using genomic DNA from neutrophils and circulating purified CD34 + cells; in 6 ET, 6 IMF and 13 PV patients, erythroid colonies cloned from CD34 + cells were genotyped for JAK2 V617F . As we previously reported, the mean neutrophil JAK2 V617F allele burdens were lower in ET compared to PV and IMF (38% vs 66%; p V617F allele burden correlated directly with the reticulocyte count (R=.452, p + cell JAK2 V617F allele burdens were lower than the corresponding neutrophil allele burdens (25% vs 39% in ET, p=.04, and 56% vs 64% in PV, p=.01), but these were equivalent in IMF (77% and 77%). The median CD34 + cell allele burden was lower in ET patients compared to PV or IMF patients (p + cell allele burden correlated with disease duration (R=0.358; p = 0.035), and more strongly correlated with the white cell count (R=.725; p + JAK2 V617F allele burden was lower than the neutrophil allele burden, and did not identify wild-type progenitors in PV and IMF subjects in whom the CD34 + cell and neutrophil allele burdens were similar. Based on this observation, we defined clonal dominance at the progenitor level as a difference of 10 or less between the neutrophil and CD34 + allele burdens. Clonal dominance was present in 22% of ET, 53% of PV and 90% of IMF patients, and was independent of the clonal genotype as clonal dominance was present with heterozgous only (ET, PV and IMF), homozygous only (PV or IMF) or mixtures of heterozygous and homozygous clones (PV, IMF). Within PV, clonally dominant subjects had significantly longer disease durations (11 vs 5.5 years, p=.01), higher white cell counts (18.2 vs 11.1, p=.02), larger spleens (4 vs 0 cm below the costal margin, p=.003), and were more commonly receiving chemotherapy than the nonclonally dominant PV patients (46% vs 22%, p=.02). Importantly, the neutrophil allele burden did not differ between clonally dominant and nondominant PV patients (mean 72.8 vs 68.7%, p=0.506). We conclude that the extent of JAK2 V617F CD34 + cell clonal dominance is a major determinant of disease class within the MPD, and within PV, is a major determinant of extramedullary disease and leukocytosis. The extent of clonal dominance at the progenitor level cannot be determined from the neutrophil allele burden alone, and thus limits the utility of the neutrophil allele burden as a disease marker.
Hospital-acquired anemia due to diagnostic and therapy-related blood loss in inpatients with myasthenia gravis receiving therapeutic plasma exchange.

Introduction Daily laboratory testing (DLT) is an important cause of iatrogenic anemia. Therapeutic plasma exchanges (TPE) represent another source of blood loss. This study investigated the contributions of DLT and TPE to changes in hemoglobin of inpatients with myasthenia gravis (MG) exacerbation. Study design and methods All admissions for MG that included TPE between 2008 and 2012 were identified. The DLT- and TPE-related blood losses per patient were estimated based on the number of laboratory tests and TPE procedures. The primary endpoint was the difference between the discharge hemoglobin (Hgb) and the admission Hgb (ΔHgb). Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to identify clinical predictors of ΔHgb. Results A total of 46 patients (52% male, average age of 58 years) had 90 hospitalizations and underwent 424 TPEs during the study-period. Their average length of stay (LOS) was 10.4 days, and total DLT and TPE-related blood losses were 107 and 94 mL, respectively. While 41% of patients were anemic on admission, 90% were anemic at discharge. The average ΔHgb was −2.2 g/dL. The patient's blood volume, renal function, admission number, LOS, and combined blood losses correlated with ΔHgb by linear regression, but only DLT was an independent predictor of ΔHgb in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion Approximately 50% of MG patients admitted for TPE developed hospital-acquired anemia, which was directly correlated with the volume of blood collected for laboratory tests. A variety of strategies to reduce DLT could circumvent this iatrogenic complication.
Image improvement method for positron emission mammography

Abstract Purpose To evaluate in clinical use a rapidly converging, efficient iterative deconvolution algorithm (RSEMD) for improving the quantitative accuracy of previously reconstructed breast images by a commercial positron emission mammography (PEM) scanner. Materials and methods The RSEMD method was tested on imaging data from clinical Naviscan Flex Solo II PEM scanner. This method was applied to anthropomorphic like breast phantom data and patient breast images previously reconstructed with Naviscan software to determine improvements in image resolution, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR). Results In all of the patients’ breast studies the improved images proved to have higher resolution, contrast and lower noise as compared with images reconstructed by conventional methods. In general, the values of CNR reached a plateau at an average of 6 iterations with an average improvement factor of about 2 for post-reconstructed Flex Solo II PEM images. Improvements in image resolution after the application of RSEMD have also been demonstrated. Conclusions A rapidly converging, iterative deconvolution algorithm with a resolution subsets-based approach (RSEMD) that operates on patient DICOM images has been used for quantitative improvement in breast imaging. The RSEMD method can be applied to PEM images to enhance the resolution and contrast in cancer diagnosis to monitor the tumor progression at the earliest stages.
Frobenius Algebras and the Symmetric Group

Publisher Summary The theory of groups supplies vector spaces, quantum numbers, and matrix elements for quantum mechanics. This chapter discusses finite groups, in particular point groups and symmetric group. The symmetric group is of central importance in the theory of systems with identical particles: electrons for atoms, molecules, and solids, nucleons for nuclei, and quarks for elementary particles. The symmetric group plays a major role in the theory of linear groups. The product spaces that are symmetry adapted to the symmetric group provide a basis for the irreducible representations of the general linear and unitary groups. For any finite group, there is defined a linear algebra, a finite-dimensional vector space for which the group supplies a basis. Finite group theory is presented in a nonalgebraic way as matrix representation theory.
Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Study of Fumed Silica Powder Compaction

Abstract In a previous study of fumed silica by mercury porosimetry (ref. 1), we established an inverse dependence of the powder compressibility → on applied pressure P, heralded by power-law differential volume vs pressure curves. Independent small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements, undertaken to establish microstructure, indicated a decreasing zero-angle intensity, I(q→0), with increasing sample compression. Preliminary analysis suggested that I(q7rarr;0) is proportional to the compressibility → . Since it is well known that I(q→0) is proportional to → for systems in thermodynamic equilibrium, our results implied an analogous relation for systems in mechanical equilibrium. However, the preliminary study was incomplete, lacking scattering data for a wide range of compactions. In this paper, we have tested this relationship, in the low pressure regime, by correlating the scattered neutron intensity from samples in various degrees of compaction. We find that, while the intensity does decrease with increasing compaction (after removing the effects due merely to greater sample density) as expected according to the compressibility analogy, the dependence is not the same as that found by mercury porosimetry. Lightly compressed fumed silica has been studied as a percolating system by several groups (refs. 2–4); our results pertain to states of greater compaction.
Model-Based Software Integration for Flexible Design of Cyber-Physical Systems

The paper discusses the design of complex embedded systems around intelligent physical worlds (IPW). Here, an IPW is an embodiment of control software functions wrapped around the raw physical processes to perform the core domain-specific adaptation activities. The IPW exhibits an intelligent behavior over a limited operating region of the system—in contrast with the traditional models where the physical world is basically dumb. To perform over a wider range of operating conditions, the IPW interacts with an intelligent computational world (ICW) to patch itself with suitable control parameters and rules/procedures relevant in those changed conditions. The modular decomposition of an application into IPW and ICW lowers the overall software complexity of building embedded systems.