cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy-Efficient Monolithic Three-Dimensional On-Chip Memory Architectures

Memory bandwidth is one of the major performance bottlenecks for chip multiprocessors (CMPs), which continue to integrate an increasing number of cores with the help of Moore's Law. The growing disparity between the CPU clock rate and off-chip memory access speed is known as the Memory Wall. This problem has been actively studied in the past two decades. It is addressed by placing memory closer to the processor, such as stacking the memory directly on top of a CMP, thereby significantly reducing the interconnect latency between them. However, previous 3D-stacked memory architectures use through-silicon via (TSV)-based three-dimensional (3-D) integration, which bonds multiple dies with TSVs that have diameters in the 1-5 $\mu \text{m}$ range. Unlike TSV-based 3-D integration, monolithic 3-D integration builds device tiers sequentially on a single substrate. Different tiers are connected using monolithic inter-tier vias (MIVs), which have a diameter (around 50 $\text{nm}$ ) that is the same as that of a local via. Main memory typically consists of DRAM, which is volatile and thus requires periodic refresh to maintain the stored data. This increases both the energy consumption and access latency. However, various nonvolatile RAMs (NVRAMs) have emerged as possible universal memory technologies, which promise low power, fast read access, high density, and nonvolatility. In this paper, we present an efficient memory interface for monolithic 3D-stacked RAM (both DRAM and NVRAMs such as resistive RAM and nanotube RAM). It takes advantage of the tremendous bandwidth made available by MIVs to implement an on-chip memory bus in order to hide the latency of large data transfers. We propose a multientry row-based write buffer to increase the buffer hit rate and reduce the number of memory core accesses. We decouple read and write accesses using extra interconnects available through MIVs to increase memory throughput. We also present an adaptive power-down policy to maintain balance between energy efficiency and performance. Simulation results show that the proposed architecture can achieve both high performance and energy efficiency, and is thus attractive for low-power/high-performance computing.
Trauma, inflammation, cochlear implantation induced hearing loss and otoprotective strategies to limit hair cell death and hearing loss

Hair cells are highly sensitive units that in response to trauma, inflammation, and cochlear implantation activate different signaling pathways leading to hair cell death and hearing impairment. In this chapter we discuss the most recent literature regarding signaling pathways of hair cell loss, mechanisms and inflammatory responses after noise exposure and electrode insertion, and otoprotective strategies that can limit hair cell death and hearing loss.
Effects of Mechanical Damage and Temperature on the Electrical Performance of CIGS Thin-Film Solar Cells

In this paper, we investigate the effect of mechanical damage and temperature on copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cells through experiments and modeling. After generating mechanical damage on CIGS solar cell with 20% increments, the electrical performance was measured (current–voltage curve) while temperature was varying from 10 to 70 °C at 20° increments. Other measured values are open-circuit voltage ( V oc), fill factor (ff), maximum power ( P max). Those electrical values ( V oc, ff, P max) are found as a function of temperature and percent damage. Moreover, the parameters of the single diode solar cell model were obtained as a function of temperature and percentage damage: light generation current ( IL ), saturation current ( I0 ), shunt resistance ( R sh), and series resistance ( R s ). Our paper contributes to the deeper understanding of the concurrent effect of temperature and mechanical damage to solar cells.
Introducing an Emergency Management Curriculum into Public Affairs

AbstractWith the magnitude of disasters increasing in the U.S. and worldwide, a specialization in emergency management is clearly needed. This paper makes a case for introducing emergency managemen...
Audit study of cancer research mentorship opportunities by NCI-funded PIs: Analysis of a pathway barrier for diversity.

6566Background: The pipeline of diverse cancer researchers is critical. Audit studies suggest that racial discrimination disadvantages black (vs. white) people with respect to educational/professio...
Menopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer: what is the evidence from randomized trials?

The relationship between menopausal hormone therapy (HT) and breast cancer is complex and further complicated by misinformation, perception, and overgeneralization of data. These issues are address...
Computational multinomial combinatorics for colorings of 5D-hypercubes for all irreducible representations and applications

We have developed computational multinomial techniques for colorings of 5D-hypercubes for all irreducible representations of the five-dimensional hyperoctahedral group up to 10 different color types. We have used the computed character tables of the 5D-hyperoctahedral group of order 3840 with 36 irreducible representations to obtain multinomial generating functions for coloring combinatorics for all irreducible representations. Explicit tables are provided for coloring tesseracts of 5D-hypercubes up to 10 colors for all 36 irreducible representations, 32 vertices and 80 faces of the 5D-hypercube. A number of chemical applications to non-rigid molecules and weakly-bound clusters such as (H2O)5, (Cl2O)5, (OF2)5, and non-rigid pseudo-rotating pentacoordinated complexes such as Co(H2O) 5 3+ as well as to genetic regulatory networks are outlined.
The Modulatory Role of MicroRNA-873 in the Progression of KRAS-Driven Cancers

KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated proto-oncogenes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and aberrantly activated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). A profound role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenesis of human cancer is being uncovered, including in cancer therapy. Using in silico prediction algorithms, we identified miR-873 as a potential regulator of KRAS, and we investigated its role in PDAC and TNBC. We found that reduced miR-873 expression is associated with shorter patient survival in both cancers. miR-873 expression is significantly repressed in PDAC and TNBC cell lines and inversely correlated with KRAS levels. We demonstrate that miR-873 directly bound to the 3′ UTR of KRAS mRNA and suppressed its expression. Notably, restoring miR-873 expression induced apoptosis; recapitulated the effects of KRAS inhibition on cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion; and suppressed the activity of ERK and PI3K/AKT, while overexpression of KRAS rescued the effects mediated by miR-873. Moreover, in vivo delivery of miR-873 nanoparticles inhibited KRAS expression and tumor growth in PDAC and TNBC tumor models. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence that miR-873 acts as a tumor suppressor by targeting KRAS and that miR-873-based gene therapy may be a therapeutic strategy in PDAC and TNBC.
Hemorrhoid Banding: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

BACKGROUND:Hemorrhoid banding is an established treatment for symptomatic internal hemorrhoids with proven efficacy, low cost, and limited discomfort. Although the costs and quality of life following individual banding treatments have been investigated, little is known about cumulative cost and qual
A Container-Attachable Inertial Sensor for Real-Time Hydration Tracking

Various sensors have been proposed to address the negative health ramifications of inadequate fluid consumption. Amongst these solutions, motion-based sensors estimate fluid intake using the characteristics of drinking kinematics. This sensing approach is complicated due to the mutual influence of both the drink volume and the current fill level on the resulting motion pattern, along with differences in biomechanics across individuals. While motion-based strategies are a promising approach due to the proliferation of inertial sensors, previous studies have been characterized by limited accuracy and substantial variability in performance across subjects. This research seeks to address these limitations for a container-attachable triaxial accelerometer sensor. Drink volume is computed using support vector machine regression models with hand-engineered features describing the container’s estimated inclination. Results are presented for a large-scale data collection consisting of 1908 drinks consumed from a refillable bottle by 84 individuals. Per-drink mean absolute percentage error is reduced by 11.05% versus previous state-of-the-art results for a single wrist-wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor assessed using a similar experimental protocol. Estimates of aggregate consumption are also improved versus previously reported results for an attachable sensor architecture. An alternative tracking approach using the fill level from which a drink is consumed is also explored herein. Fill level regression models are shown to exhibit improved accuracy and reduced inter-subject variability versus volume estimators. A technique for segmenting the entire drink motion sequence into transport and sip phases is also assessed, along with a multi-target framework for addressing the known interdependence of volume and fill level on the resulting drink motion signature.
Clinical value of echocardiography and multi-slice spiral CT in the diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease in children

Objective To investigate the value of echocardiography and multi-slice spiral CT in the diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease(CCHD). Methods 73 children with CCHD were selected and diagnosed by echocardiography and multi-slice spiral CT in Children's Hospital of Shanxi Province from April 2012 to April 2016.The distribution of disease types in 73 children with CCHD was recorded, and the diagnostic accuracy of multi-slice spiral CT was compared with echocardiography, multi-slice spiral CT and echocardiography. Results 73 children with CCHD had a total of 172 cardiac malformations confirmed by operation and pathology.By segment analysis, there were 30 cases of extracardiac vascular malformations, 52 cases of abnormal heart and vascular connection, 90 cases of atrial and atrioventricular junction deformity.Multislice spiral CT was performed to detect 155 cases of cardiac malformations, including 28 cases of extracardiac malformation, 48 cases of maligant heart and great vessels, 79 cases of intracardiac and atrioventricular malformation.Echocardiographic diagnosis of 158 cases of cardiac malformations, including 28 cases of extracardiac vascular malformations, 49 cases of large vascular malformations, 81 cases of intracardiac and atrioventricular junction deformity.Echocardiography combined with multi-slice spiral CT in the diagnosis of 167 cases of cardiac malformations, including 29 cases of extracardiac vascular malformations, 50 cases of large vascular malformations, 88 cases of intracardiac and atrioventricular malformation.The diagnostic accuracy between echocardiography [91.86%(158/172)] and multislice spiral CT [90.12%(155/172)] had no significant difference (P>0.05). The diagnostic accuracy of echocardiography combined with multi-slice spiral CT was 97.09%(167/172), which was higher than 91.86%(158/172) of echocardiography and 90.12%(155/172) of multislice spiral CT, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). Conclusion The echocardiography combined with multi-slice spiral CT in the diagnosis of CCHD has high accuracy, it can provide strong imaging support for surgical options and prognosis. Key words: Echocardiography; Tomography, spiral computed; Children; Congenital abnormality; Heart disease
The longitudinal association of changes in diurnal cortisol features with fasting glucose: MESA

Little is known about the longitudinal association between fasting glucose (FG) and the diurnal cortisol profile among those with normal fasting glucose (NFG), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and diabetes. To assess the temporality of the relationship between cortisol and glucose, we examined the association of: A) change (Δ) in diurnal cortisol curve features with ΔFG; B) prior annual percent change in FG with diurnal cortisol curve features; and C) baseline cortisol curve features with ΔFG over 6 years among participants with NFG, IFG and diabetes in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. The main outcome measures were: A) 6-year ΔFG (n = 512); B) diurnal cortisol curve features (wake-up cortisol levels, cortisol awakening response, total area under the curve, overall decline slope and bedtime cortisol) (n = 1275); and C) 6-year ΔFG (n = 700). After full multivariable adjustment among participants with diabetes, each annual percent change increase in wake-up cortisol, total area under the curve (AUC), and overall decline slope was associated with a significant increase in FG over 6 years in all models (all p < 0.05). A 1% prior annual increase in FG was associated with a 2.8 % lower (-2.8 %; 95 % CI: -5.3 % to -0.4 %) bedtime cortisol among participants with NFG at baseline. A 1 % flatter overall decline slope was associated with a 0.19 % increase in subsequent annual % change in FG over 6 years among participants with diabetes. Among participants with diabetes there was a positive association of change in wake-up cortisol, total AUC and overall decline slope with change in FG. Baseline overall decline slope was positively associated with change in FG among the baseline diabetes group. These results suggest a detrimental role of cortisol contributing to glycemia among individuals with diabetes.
Data-driven detection of subtype-specific and differentially expressed genes

Tissue or cell subtype-specific and differentially-expressed genes (SDEGs) are defined as being differentially expressed in a particular tissue or cell subtype among multiple subtypes. Detecting SDEGs plays a critical role in molecularly characterizing and identifying tissue or cell subtypes, and facilitating supervised deconvolution of complex tissues. Unfortunately, classic differential analysis assumes a convenient null hypothesis and associated test statistic that is subtype-non-specific and thus, resulting in a high false positive rate and/or lower detection power with respect to particular subtypes. Here we introduce One-Versus-Everyone Fold Change (OVE-FC) test for detecting SDEGs. To assess the statistical significance of such test, we also propose the scaled test statistic OVE-sFC together with a mixture null distribution model and a tailored permutation scheme. Validated with realistic synthetic data sets on both type 1 error and detection power, OVE-FC/sFC test applied to two benchmark gene expression data sets detects many known and de novo SDEGs. Subsequent supervised deconvolution results, obtained using the SDEGs detected by OVE-FC/sFC test, showed superior performance in deconvolution accuracy when compared with popular peer methods.
The LAIs Are Coming! Implementation Science Considerations for Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Therapy in the United States: A Scoping Review

Long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (LAI-ART) is one of the latest advancements in HIV control with the potential to overcome oral ART barriers to adherence. The objective of this article is to anticipate and examine implementation considerations for LAI-ART using components of the PRISM model, a Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model for integrating research findings into practice. We conducted a scoping review from January to August 2020 of the growing literature on LAI-ART implementation and other fields using LAI therapies. Key considerations regarding LAI-ART were parsed from the searches and entered into the PRISM implementation science framework. The PRISM framework posed multiple questions for consideration in the development of an optimal implementation strategy for LAI-ART in the United States. These questions revealed the necessity for more data, including acceptability of LAI-ART among many different subgroups of people living with HIV (PLWH), cost effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and patient-reported outcomes, as well as more detailed information related to the external environment for optimal LAI-ART implementation. Ethical considerations of LAI-ART will also need to be considered. The anticipation of, and excitement for, LAI-ART represent the hope for a new direction for HIV treatment that reduces adherence barriers and improves prognoses for PLWH. We have a unique window of opportunity to anticipate implementation considerations for LAI-ART, so this new therapy can be used to its fullest potential. Outstanding questions remain, however, that need to be addressed to help achieve HIV suppression goals in diverse populations.
Strength of analyst coverage following IPOs

Abstract Firms with poor aftermarket performance are given higher target prices and are more likely to receive strong buy recommendations, especially by analysts affiliated with the lead underwriter. This favorable coverage is relatively short lived, typically lasting less than six months. Controlling for the quantity of coverage received, stock prices of newly public firms increase more when the target price ratio is high and recommendation is a strong buy. These results suggest that when a firm goes public, underwriter-affiliated analysts provide protection in the form of “booster shots” of stronger coverage if the firm experiences poor aftermarket stock performance.
Sufficiency and the Minimally Good Life

What, if anything, do we owe others as a basic minimum? Sufficiency theorists claim that we must provide everyone with enough – but, to date, few well-worked-out accounts of the sufficiency threshold exist, so it is difficult to evaluate this proposition. Previous theories do not provide plausible, independent accounts of resources, capabilities, or welfare that might play the requisite role. Moreover, I believe existing accounts do not provide nearly enough guidance for policymakers. So, this article sketches a mechanism for arriving at an account of the minimally good life that can help locate the sufficiency threshold.
Biologically Related Aspects of Nanoparticles, Nanostructured Materials, and Nanodevices

Biological molecules and systems have a number of attributes that make them highly suitable for nanotechnology applications. For example, proteins fold into precisely defined three-dimensional shapes, and nucleic acids assemble according to well-understood rules. Antibodies are highly specific in recognizing and binding their ligands, and biological assemblies such as molecular motors can perform transport operations. Because of these and other favorable properties, biomolecules, biophysics, and biology are themes that run through all of the topics of this report.
Recent Developments in Nonlinear Programming

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the recent developments in nonlinear programming. Nonlinear programming has been a topic of discussion among people concerned with allocation problems about as long as linear programming has. The recent past has shown a great increase in the attention devoted to this area and some of the reasons for this new interest are readily ascertained. On the theoretical side, a large part of the purely mathematical theory of linear programming is now well in hand. The practical value of the solution of these problems is high. Almost no real problem is linear; linearity represents our compromise between reality and the limitations of our tools for dealing with it. This chapter presents a survey of the majority of techniques that have been proposed for nonlinear programming problems. Disparate as they are, they may be grouped under several broad headings in such a way that the techniques belonging to one group are similar in concept, aimed at a certain class of problem, and may have similar computational effectiveness. This chapter also discusses differential gradient methods, large-step gradient methods, simplicial methods, columnar procedures, the cutting-plane method, the process of initiating an algorithm, and computer routines and literature on direct differential gradient methods, Lagrangian differential gradient methods, the simplex-corrected gradient method, projected-gradient procedures, quadratic programming, separable programming, the decomposition procedure, and the cutting-plane method .
Approximation of dynamic systems using recurrent neuro-fuzzy techniques

Fuzzy systems, neural networks and its combination in neuro-fuzzy systems are already well established in data analysis and system control. Especially, neuro-fuzzy systems are well suited for the development of interactive data analysis tools, which enable the creation of rule-based knowledge from data and the introduction of a-priori knowledge into the process of data analysis. In this article an architecture is presented that was designed to learn and optimize a hierarchical fuzzy rule base with feedback connections using a genetic algorithm for rule base structure learning and a gradient descent method to optimize the fuzzy sets of the learned rule base. Since this architecture is able to store information of prior system states, the model is especially suited for the analysis of dynamic systems.
Among-Pass, Interregional, and Single- versus Multiple-Season Comparisons of Detection Probabilities of Stream Fishes

Abstract Unequal detection of stream fishes must be accounted for when estimating assemblage composition. Detection probabilities (p) may differ among electrofishing passes, regions, and methods of estimation. We used data sets collected from (1) the middle New River basin, Virginia, using three-pass electrofishing; (2) the upper Wabash River system of northern Indiana, using the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) protocol; and (3) the NAWQA database, collected throughout the United States. We tested for among-pass differences in p using the New River data set. To test for interregional differences, we compared average detection probability (p avg) between the New and Wabash river data sets. We compared single- and multiple-season estimates using the New River and NAWQA data sets. We found no differences among pass-specific p for 97% of the species in the New River data set. No significant differences in p avg were found between the New and Wabash river systems for 73%...
Analysis of Inter-Provider Conflicts in Healthcare (P4.283)

OBJECTIVE: Quantify the frequency of disruptive behavior noted by different providers and elucidate some of the factors that influence the risk of disruptive behavior. Our specific aims in this investigation utilizing the Provider Conflict Questionnaire (PCQ) included; determining what conflicts exist among a large sample of healthcare providers, how to assess the extent and frequency of disruptive behaviors, and what types of consequences result from these conflicts. BACKGROUND: Patient safety is a high priority of healthcare organizations. The Joint Commission (TJC) is now requiring that healthcare organizations promulgate polices to investigate and resolve disruptive behavior among employees. DESIGN/METHODS: The survey was created on-line and was emailed to a large number of providers. In addition, the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN), the editorial board of Surgical Neurology International, Spine Supplement, and the New York State Nurse Practitioner Association posted the survey on their websites. RESULTS: The convenience sample included 617 respondents to the questionnaire. All incomplete responses (failure to answer all 17 items on the questionnaire) were excluded from data analysis. Our major finding was that disruptive behavior was observed in 82% of organizations; 74% of respondants personally witnessed these behaviors, while 5% personally experienced these behaviors. Friedman analysis of variance (ANOVA) analyses demonstrated that the difference between these three estimates were significant (χ2=207.8 df=2, P<0.0001). In addition, 45% of respondents felt that disruptive behavior did negatively influence patient care. Providers that worked in a hospital setting were more likely to experience disruptive behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Organizations can no longer stand by and ignore behaviors that threaten not only the bottom line of the institution, but also most critically, patient safety. As more attention is being paid to recommendations and mandates from the TJC and the Institute of Medicine (IOM), we will need more data, like those provided from this study, to better document how to address, resolve, and prevent future “misbehaviors.” Study Supported by: Winthrop University Hospital Disclosure: Dr. Stecker has received personal compensation for activities in legal cases. Dr. Stecker has received royalty payments for articles in UpToDate. Dr. Stecker has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Mosby/Elsevier Clinical Skills.
Geographical Approaches to Understanding Urban Decline: From Evolutionary Theory to Political Economy…and Back?

This article surveys selected theories of urban growth and decline, from an American shrinking cities perspective, on the backdrop of three key themes. First, urban change is context-dependent. Second, urban (de)growth processes are multiscalar. And third, growth and shrinkage are not part of a dichotomy but are different realizations of similar underlying processes. Because the relationships between globalization and regional- and city-level urban restructuring tendencies are relatively established in the shrinking cities literature, the present article focuses primarily on sublocal theoretical approaches. This is intended to uncover insights about the mechanisms and bottom-up constraints that influence the direction of urban change. The review leads to a proposed framework for understanding how urban neighborhoods (do not) respond to internal or external pressures to change. Notably, the framework is partially derived from efforts that seek to re-ground the study of urban change in evolutionary theory, which in some ways represents a theoretical turn back toward the earliest (ecological) school of thought on urban decline. However, while earlier evolutionary approaches were acontextual and deterministic, the proposed framework emphasizes that analyzing urban change demands attention to multiple spatial scales and location-specific features, particularly the distribution of social capital within a city.
GAs: Selected Topics

GA theory provides some explanation why, for a given problem formulation, we may obtain convergence to the sought optimal point. Unfortunately, practical applications do not always follow the theory, with the main reasons being: the coding of the problem often moves the GA to operate in a different space than that of the problem itself, there is a limit on the hypothetically unlimited number of iterations, and there is a limit on the hypothetically unlimited population size.
Evolution of miniature detectors and focal plane arrays for infrared sensors

Sensors that are sensitive in the infrared spectral region have been under continuous development since the WW2 era. A quest for the military advantage of 'seeing in the dark' has pushed thermal imaging technology toward high spatial and temporal resolution for night vision equipment, fire control, search track, and seeker 'homing' guidance sensing devices. Similarly, scientific applications have pushed spectral resolution for chemical analysis, remote sensing of earth resources, and astronomical exploration applications. As a result of these developments, focal plane arrays (FPA) are now available with sufficient sensitivity for both high spatial and narrow bandwidth spectral resolution imaging over large fields of view. Such devices combined with emerging opto-electronic developments in integrated FPA data processing techniques can yield miniature sensors capable of imaging reflected sunlight in the near IR and emitted thermal energy in the Mid-wave (MWIR) and longwave (LWIR) IR spectral regions. Robotic space sensors equipped with advanced versions of these FPA's will provide high resolution 'pictures' of their surroundings, perform remote analysis of solid, liquid, and gas matter, or selectively look for 'signatures' of specific objects. Evolutionary trends and projections of future low power micro detector FPA developments for day/night operation or use in adverse viewing conditions are presented in the following test.
The “Parallel Channel” Sign of Biliary Tree Enlargement in Mild to Moderate Degrees of Obstructive Jaundice

Ultrasound has been shown to be of value in the diagnosis of obstructive jaundice. The previously reported criteria using ultrasound for diagnosing obstructive jaundice have consisted of: (a) the demonstration of an enlarged common bile duct or (b) a characteristic pattern of radiating, sonolucent, tubular channels from the portal hepatis representing enlarged bile ducts. An enlarged common bile duct may be differentiated from the portal vein in that the latter has a characteristic “comma” shape on longitudinal sections. However, these findings are seen only in advanced stages of obstructive jaundice, and are usually associated with a bilirubin greater than 10 mg.%. Previous investigators have stressed the importance of not confusing branches of the portal venous system with enlargement of the biliary tree. Demonstration of the confluence between suspected enlarged bile ducts and the common bile duct by serial sections has been advised before diagnosing enlarged bile ducts. However, this may be technically difficult to demonstrate. To date, a reliable means using ultrasound in distinguishing a minimally enlarged biliary tree due to obstructive jaundice from the portal venous system within the liver has not been established.
Reconstructive Surgery in the Thermally Injured Patient

Abstract : Reconstruction is a necessity in the complete care of the burn patient. This need has grown not only because of advances made in critical care resulting in improved patient survival, but also because of an increased number of burn admissions. In 2011, the American Burn Association approximated that 450,000 people suffer annually from burn injuries requiring medical treatment. Of these, 45,000 require admission, 55% (24,750 admissions) will enter the 125 hospitals with specialized burn care centers, an increase of 340% from 1995. Among those admitted to these burn centers, the expected overall survival rate is 94.8%.2 Depending on the depth and location of the burn injury, many of these patients require reconstructive surgery to ameliorate the late effect of burn scarring. In addition to a greater demand for reconstruction secondary to the number of surviving patients, there has also been an increased awareness by patients and their providers that reconstructive surgery is a possibility. Furthermore, advances in tissue engineering and in surgical techniques have increased the options available to patients who previously might have unreconstructable deformities.
A Finite Element Model for Drop-on-Demand Printing of Designer Hybrid Cardiovascular Constructs

A Finite element model (FEM) was constructed and used to predict the mechanical properties of hybrid cardiovascular tissue engineering constructs. The model allows implementing 3D structures with desired porosities, mechanical and chemical properties. CAD models where designed using the FEM, with mechanical properties matching those of cardiac tissue. Contractile cardiac hybrids have been fabricated by arranging alternate layers of hydrogels and mammalian cardiovascular cells according to these CAD models using inkjet printers. Alginate hydrogels with controlled microshell structures were built by spraying cross-linkers onto ungelled alginic acid using inkjet printers. Cells were seen to attach to the inside of these microshells. The cells remained viable in constructs as thick as 1 cm due to the programmed porosity. Microscopic and macroscopic contractile function of cardiomyocytes sheets was observed in vitro. These results suggest that the printing method could be used for hierarchical design of functional cardiac patches, balanced with porosity for mass transport and structural support.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Compensation for Governance in Grantmaking Foundations

Private and community grantmaking foundations are part of the U.S. nonprofit sector, although they primarily distribute funds rather than seek them. Like all nonprofit organizations, they are governed by a board of directors or trustees. Despite normative expectations that members of charitable boards work without compensation, many grantmaking foundations provide fees and other benefits to their trustees. Although these payments are required by law to be reasonable and necessary, some compensation is demonstrably high and occasionally incidental to the effective operation of the foundation. This article documents and probes the practice of individual and institutional trustee compensation in the 10,000 largest U.S. grantmaking foundations. It shows that the practice is common, if not widespread. Typical trustee compensation is not necessarily unreasonable, although cases in the upper distribution might deserve more regulatory and public scrutiny. Independent foundations, larger foundations, those with st...
O-mannosylation of cadherins

Two reports in PNAS by Vester-Christensen et al. (1) and Lommel et al. (2) provide critical new insight into how a unique family of glycans contributes to early embryonic development, brain development, and malignant transformation. Following transfer of mannose (Man) to Ser or Thr by protein O-mannosyltransferase (POMT), either POMT1 or POMT2, the O-Man can be further modified with N-acetylglucosamine, galactose, sialic acid, PO4, N-acetylgalactosamine, glucuronic acid, and xylose to generate structures, such as those illustrated in Fig. 1. Glycans linked to proteins via O-Man represent a major fraction of the O-glycans in the brain, where they were first described (3). However, just which glycoproteins are modified with O-Man in the brain, as well as in other tissues, has yet to be determined.
Vibrational control of nonlinear systems: Vibrational stabilizability

In this work, the theory of vibrational control for nonlinear systems is developed. The present paper gives criteria for stabilizability of nonlinear systems by linear multiplicative vibrations, by almost periodic forcing and by vector additive vibrations. Illustrative examples are also considered. In a subsequent paper, the problem of vibrational controllability and transient behavior will be addressed.
Relationship between ambient and leaf litter temperatures in overwintering habitats of boll weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Temperature data are unavailable for most boll weevil overwintering habitats. As a result, ambient data often are used to estimate overwintering survival and emergence. In this study, relationship of ambient and overwintering habitat temperatures was determined for 6 habitats in the Rolling Plains of Texas. The amplitude of the daily temperature cycle in the leaf litter of each habitat was dampened compared with that recorded for ambient. Average minimum daily leaf litter temperature was 3.19°C higher in the shelterbelt habitat, followed by mesquite–grass pasture (3.54°C), tall shinnery motte (3.64°C), low shinnery brush (3.81°C), lovegrass (4.01°C), and pecan (6.01°C). Likewise, the average maximum daily leaf litter temperature was 3.77°C lower in shelterbelt, followed by pecan (3.86°C), lovegrass (3.87°C), mesquite-grass pasture (4.07°C), low shinnery brush (5.51°C), and tall shinnery motte (6.12°C). Stepwise multiple regression of hourly leaf litter temperatures explained 93% of the variability, with hourly ambient temperature and week of year being significant variables. Similarly, multiple regressions of daily leaf litter minimum temperatures and daily leaf litter maximum temperatures explained 96 and 90% of the variability, respectively, with ambient temperatures and week of year being significant variables for both regressions. The effect of temperature quality (ambient versus leaf litter) and sampling frequency (hourly versus daily) on positive (>6.1°C) and negative (<0.0°C) degree-days experienced by overwintering boll weevils was quantified for each of the 6 habitats for 4 yr of independent data, representing 2 mild and 2 severe winters. Degree-day calculations based on fitting minimum–maximum data to an asymmetrical double sine curve overestimated positive degree-day accumulation by 2.5%. Ambient temperature positive degree-days were similar to that for mesquite–grass pasture habitat, but the ambient temperatures overestimated positive degree-days experienced by overwintering weevils in the pecan by 6.5%, followed by low shinnery brush (6.7%), lovegrass (8.7%), tall shinnery motte (9.2%), and shelterbelt (15.7%). All habitats had significantly fewer cumulative negative degree-days compared with that calculated for ambient. Pecan leaf litter accumulated 99% fewer negative degree-days, followed by shelterbelt (95%), tall shinnery motte (88%), low shinnery brush (82%), lovegrass (71%), and mesquite–grass pasture (50%).
How is the children's implant profile used in the Cochlear Implant Candidacy Process?

Abstract Objective The complex process of cochlear implant candidacy assessment at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is guided by a modified version of the Children's Implant Profile (ChIP) that has been used world wide over the past 18 years. The aim of this study is to analyze the use of the modified ChIP (mChIP) in the candidacy process by the CHOP Cochlear Implant Program. Of special interest were those cases in which the recommendation regarding implantation appeared inconsistent with the mChIP score. These were further analyzed to understand the real-life decision processes. Methods This retrospective study involved 121 children assessed for cochlear implant candidacy at CHOP over a 2-year period. The mChIP ratings of No Concern, Some Concern and Great Concern were assigned values of 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Values of 1.5 and 2.5 were used when the check mark was on the boundary between two categories. An average score was calculated and the relationships between mChIP scores and the recommendation regarding implantation were examined. Results Eighty-seven children were considered suitable for cochlear implantation; implantation was not recommended for 20. Another 14 cases in which one or more areas of the mChIP had not been completed were excluded. Using a criterion based solely on the mean score would correctly predict 75% of the team's recommendations to implant and 75% of recommendations not to implant. Examination of the cases where implantation was not recommended illuminated the decision-making process. Conclusions A statistical analysis of the mChIP fails to capture the complexity of the decision-making process. Most important, it appears that the team's practice is generally to recommend implantation when there is at least a modest prospect of benefit, unless there are absolute contraindications or many areas of Great Concern.
Effect of Easily Ionized Elements upon the Spatial Emission Properties of Microwave-Induced Plasmas

Spatially resolved measurements of emission from microwave-induced plasmas (MIPs) sustained in helium in a Beenakker resonant cavity and in a surfatron have been compared and contrasted. Particular emphasis has been placed upon the study of a common interference effect in MIP sources, namely the enhancement (or suppression in some instances) of analyte emission intensity by matrices containing an easily ionized element (EIE). The presence of the EIE caused a strong enhancement of analyte emission in the Beenakker cavity system but had a relatively smaller influence upon analyte emission in the surfatron system at higher concentrations of EIE. The difference in behavior between the two systems toward EIEs appears to be attributable to improved sample injection into the plasma in the case of the surfatron.
Site-Selective Chemistry and the Attachment of Peptides to the Surface of a Microelectrode Array

Peptides have been site-selectively placed on microelectrode arrays with the use of both thiol-based conjugate additions and Cu(I)-coupling reactions between thiols and aryl halides. The conjugate addition reactions used both acrylate and maleimide Michael acceptors. Of the two methods, the Cu(I)-coupling reactions proved far superior because of their irreversibility. Surfaces constructed with the conjugate addition chemistry were not stable at neutral pHs, especially the surface using the maleimide acceptor. Once a peptide was placed onto the array, it could be monitored in “real-time” for its interactions with a biological receptor.
Radiofrequency ablation of an unusual vertebral body osteoid osteoma contiguous with the intervertebral disc.

expression of S100 protein, but exhibits coexpression of cytokeratins, which could not be demonstrated in the present case. In addition, the characteristic MDM2 amplification of well differentiated liposarcoma could not be detected (not shown). The bone biopsy shows broad lamellar trabeculae with osteoblastic rimming and displacement of hematopoiesis by aggregates of pale tumor cells. (a) Higher magnification of hibernoma cells reveals large, multivacuolated lipocytes with centrally placed small, hyperchromatic nuclei. (Hematoxylin and eosin stain; original magnification, 100). (b) The hibernoma cells show a distinct nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of S100 stain. (Original magnification, 200). This antigen is typically expressed by lipocytes; however, it may be shared by activated macrophages or chordoma cells. Mamlouk et al ’ JVIR 1756 ’ Letters to the Editor
Effects of angiotensin ii on expression of the gap junction channel protein connexin43 in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes

Abstract Objectives. To elucidate signal transduction pathways regulating expression of myocardial gap junction channel proteins (connexins) and to determine whether mediators of cardiac hypertrophy might promote remodeling of gap junctions, we characterized the effects of angiotensin II on expression of the major cardiac gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Background. Remodeling of the distribution of myocardial gap junctions appears to be an important feature of anatomic substrates of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with heart disease. Remodeling of intercellular connections may be initiated by changes in connexin expression caused by chemical mediators of the hypertrophic response. Methods. Cultures were exposed to 0.1 μmol/liter angiotensin II for 6 or 24 h, and Cx43 expression was characterized by immunoblotting, confocal microscopy and electron microscopy. Results. Immunoblot analysis revealed a twofold increase in Cx43 content in cells treated for 24 h with angiotensin II (n = 4, p Conclusions. Angiotensin II up-regulates gap junctions in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes by increasing Cx43 synthesis. Signal transduction pathways activated by angiotensin II under pathophysiologic conditions could initiate remodeling of conduction pathways, leading to the development of anatomic substrates of arrhythmias.
A tunable X-ray source for characterization of X-ray dispersing elements☆

Abstract We have built a wavelength tunable X-ray source for calibration of X-ray dispersers. The source utilizes a double-element, constant exit-angle monochromator to select a given X-ray energy out of a beam of broad-band radiation. An example of the sources utility for select crystal calibrations is presented.
Axisymmetric Coanda-assisted vectoring

An experimental demonstration of a jet vectoring technique used in our novel spray method called Coanda-assisted Spray Manipulation (CSM) is presented. CSM makes use of the Coanda effect on axisymmetric geometries through the interaction of two jets: a primary jet and a control jet. The primary jet has larger volume flow rate but generally a smaller momentum flux than the control jet. The primary jet flows through the center of a rounded collar. The control jet is parallel to the primary and is adjacent to the convex collar. The Reynolds number range for the primary jet at the exit plane was between 20,000 and 80,000. The flow was in the incompressible Mach number range (Mach < 0.3). The control jet attaches to the convex wall and vectors according to known Coanda effect principles, entraining and vectoring the primary jet, resulting in controllable r − θ directional spraying. Several annular control slots and collar radii were tested over a range of momentum flux ratios to determine the effects of these variables on the vectored jet angle and spreading. Two and Three-component Particle Image Velocimetry systems were used to determine the vectoring angle and the profile of the combined jet in each experiment. The experiments show that the control slot and expansion radius, along with the momentum ratios of the two jets predominantly affected the vectoring angle and profile of the combined jets.
The Effects of Zinc on Contractility, Membrane Potentials, and Cation Content of Rat Atria

Zinc depresses the contractile force of electrically driven rat atria logarithmically with time. The threshold concentration is about 5 x 10-6 M zinc and the half-time for contractile depression at 10-4 M is about 25 minutes. Zinc also depresses spontaneous activity of atria and alters the transmembrane potential parameters in a manner similar to quinidine. Unlike quinidine, zinc causes an elevation of the resting potential and an elevation of cellular potassium which varies with time in the same way as the resting potential. Exposure to 10-4 M zinc for 60 minutes causes a statistically significant fall in atrial calcium content and an amount of radioactively labeled zinc is taken up which is quantitatively equal to the calcium lost. Zinc has no effect on rigor caused by iodoacetate but inhibits rigor caused by 1-fluoro-2,4 dinitrobenzene. It is postulated that zinc depression of contractile force is not due to metabolic inhibition, probably not due to quinidine-like action on the cell membrane, but may be due to an interference in the handling of calcium by the cell.
An ion-exchange microcolumn employing gold minigrids as supports for the on-line immobilization of poly(L-aspartate)

A novel ion-exchange column for metal chelation was developed employing stacked gold TEM grids from Polysciences Inc. as a support for the immobilization of poly(l-aspartic acid) (PLAsp) using self...
Second Language Interaction: Current Perspectives and Future Trends.

This article considers how the nature of interaction may best be represented in the second language (L2) construct. The starting point is Bachman’s model of communicative language ability which, it is argued, incorporates interaction from an individual-focused cognitive perspective. The alternative view advocated here is that individual ability and contextual facets interact in ways that change them both. Thus, ‘an ability - in language user - in context’ view is to be preferred over Bachman’s ‘ability - in language user’ representation. Acceptance of this new approach entails a local, context-bound view of language ability, which is difficult to reconcile with the tester’s need for score generalizability. The way forward is to recognize that, while some contexts activate stable ability features, others produce more variable performance from learners. Thus, the focus of both theory formulation and empirical research should be on how to account for inconsistent performance in particular contexts from a soc...