cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic Resection of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent a rare but distinct histopathologic group of intestinal neoplasms of mesenchymal origin [1]. Historically, most of these tumors were classified as leiomyomas, leiomyoblastomas, and leiomyosarcomas due to the mistaken belief that they were of smooth muscle origin [1–3]; however, with the advent of electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry, a pleuropotential intestinal pacemaker cell, the interstitial cell of Cajal, was identified as the origin of GISTs [4]. These cells have myogenic and neurogenic architecture and are found within the myenteric plexus, submucosa, and muscularis propria of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract [4, 5]. The recent discovery and identification of the CD117 antigen, a c-kit proto-oncogene product, and CD34, a human progenitor cell antigen, in the majority of GIST have led to further delineation of the cellular characteristics of these neoplasms [6–8].
Physical processes in circumstellar disks

We review the basic physical processes which occur incircumstellar disks. We discuss the possible role of gravitational instabilities in producing both disk accretion and secondary bodies within the disk. Next, we consider the viscous evolution of disks and the possible sources of the viscosity. We briefly consider magnetic instabilities tidal effects, and vortex motions. We also discuss the process of planet formation
Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Infertility

Women are twice as likely to be morbidly obese as men. Approximately 80–85 % of women undergoing bariatric surgery are of childbearing age. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has a prevalence of 6–10 % in women of reproductive age. Over 50 % of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. Obese women with PCOS have higher rates of anovulation than their leaner counterparts with the same diagnosis. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine criteria for PCOS requires two of the following symptoms: oligomenorrhea and/or anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. There also has to be exclusion of other hyperandrogenic causing states. This chapter identifies some of the pathophysiological factors present in morbid obesity that increase susceptibility to polycystic ovarian syndrome. Plus, the chapter reviews the current evidence and describes the effect of bariatric surgical procedures on fertility in morbidly obese women.
Transcranial Motor Evoked Potentials

Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) are the most recent addition to routine intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IOM). Enthusiastic reports of improved outcomes obtained with the use of somatosenory evoked potential (SEP) monitoring, primarily for scoliosis procedures in children and young adults, were quickly followed by case reports of isolated postoperative motor injury without sensory changes [1]. These reports reflected the reality of the anatomy and physiology of motor/sensory pathways. MEP and SEP pathways are located in different topographic and vascular regions of the cerebral cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. Motor functional pathways are more sensitive to ischemic insults than SEP pathways [2].
A comparison of stellar and gas-phase chemical abundances in dusty early-type galaxies

While we observe a large amount of cold interstellar gas and dust in a subset of the early-type galaxy (ETG) population, the source of this material remains unclear. The two main, competing scenarios are external accretion of lower mass, gas-rich dwarfs and internal production from stellar mass loss and/or cooling from the hot interstellar medium (ISM). We test these hypotheses with measurements of the stellar and nebular metallicities of three ETGs (NGC 2768, NGC 3245, and NGC 4694) from new long-slit, high signal-to-noise ratio spectroscopy from the Multi-Object Double Spectographs (MODs) on the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). These ETGs have modest star formation rates and minimal evidence of nuclear activity. We model the stellar continuum to derive chemical abundances and measure gas-phase abundances with standard nebular diagnostics. We find that the stellar and gas-phase abundances are very similar, which supports internal production and is very inconsistent with the accretion of smaller, lower metallicity dwarfs. All three of these galaxies are also consistent with an extrapolation of the mass-metallicity relation to higher mass galaxies with lower specific star formation rates. The emission line flux ratios along the long-slit, as well as global line ratios clearly indicate that photoionization dominates and ionization by alternate sources including AGN activity, shocks, cosmic rays, dissipative magnetohydrodynamic waves, and single degenerate Type Ia supernovae progenitors do not significantly affect the line ratios.
Total synthesis of podophyllotoxin and select analog designs via C–H activation

Abstract An account of our previously disclosed total synthesis of the aryltetralin lignan natural product podophyllotoxin, a building block used in the synthesis of the FDA-approved anticancer drug etoposide, is disclosed. A C–H activation disconnection was viewed as being amenable to the preparation of E-ring modified analogs but proved challenging to execute. Various insights into palladium-catalyzed C–H arylation reactions on complex scaffolds are reported ultimately leading to the implementation of this strategy and the synthesis of compounds inaccessible by semisynthetic means.
Abstract B84: Physiologic pancreatic cancer imaging using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI)

Background: Accurately identifying and monitoring pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remains a significant challenge. Whereas conventional imaging (CT and MRI) report only anatomic information, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) has the ability to show physiologic differences in tissue perfusion based on the kinetics of IV-contrast. We coupled DCE-MRI with data-modeling methods to obtain reproducible, high-resolution physiologic images in a series of patients with and without PDA in order to more accurately identify PDA. Methods: Patients with borderline-resectable PDA (BR-PDA) or at high-risk for PDA (HR), but without cancer were imaged with DCE-MRI. T1-weighted images were collected during IV contrast injections [Figure 1]. Both tumor and the pancreatic body or non-tumor pancreas were identified and using dual-compartment pharmacokinetic modelling, DCE-MRI parameters were quantified and compared between groups. Results: Between 6/2014 and 2/2015, 12 DCE-MRIs were completed: 9 HR and 3 BR-PDA. Significant differences in the DCE-MRI parameters blood flow (F), first-pass extraction (E), mean capillary transit-time (tc), transfer constant (Ktrans), volume of extravascular-extracellular space (Ve) and blood volume (Vb) were found in normal HR pancreases vs. the tumors in BR-PDA patients [Table 1A]. When comparing non-tumoral pancreases in both cohorts, only F, Ktrans, and Vb differed [Table 1B]. Conclusions: DCE-MRI of the pancreas is feasible and provides imaging biomarkers of vascular structure and function in both tumoral and non-tumoral pancreases which may allow for earlier and more accurate identification of PDA in these high risk populations. Citation Format: Laura E. Fischer, Matthias Schabel, Bryan Foster, Charles R. Thomas, Jr., William Rooney, Brett C. Sheppard, Erin W. Gilbert.{Authors}. Physiologic pancreatic cancer imaging using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Advances in Science and Clinical Care; 2016 May 12-15; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(24 Suppl):Abstract nr B84.
Mathematical model derivation of an unmanned circulation control aerial vehicle UC2AV

This paper presents a system identification method to derive accurate mathematical models for an unmanned circulation control aerial vehicle (UC2AV) that account for the effects of circulation control (CC) on the vehicle dynamics. The X-plane flight simulator and the CIFER system identification software are utilized to first derive simulation models to verify and validate the proposed system identification methodology. This is followed by flight tests to derive mathematical models and stability derivatives for the aircraft with CC-on and CC-off. Flight tests indicate a nose down pitching moment effect induced by CC, which in turn alter the UAV trim values and dynamics. Analysis of the two sets of mathematical models reveal that CC changes the longitudinal trim values and improves the lateral maneuverability of the UAV. Verification experiments indicate an acceptable match between the derived models and UAV dynamics by calculating root mean square (RMS) error values and by quantifying the model predictive ability through calculating the Theil inequality coefficient (TIC).
Why face recognition accuracy varies due to race

The varying accuracy of face recognition across race and gender has attracted a good deal of media attention. Publications ranging from the New York Times to Wired have carried headlines like ‘Facial Recognition Is Accurate, if You're a White Guy’ and ‘The best algorithms still struggle to recognize black faces equally’ 1 , 2 , 3 . Press releases by organisations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Georgetown Law Center on Privacy & Technology 4 , 5 have spurred some of this media coverage – which at times has been more sensationalised than well-informed about the technology.
The Reproducibility Initiative

Reproducibility is a foundation of solid scientific and technical research. The ability to repeat research is key to confirming the validity of a scientific discovery. At IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems (TPDS), we are committed to enabling reproducible research through transparency and the availability and potential reuse of code. We have partnered with Code Ocean, New York, a cloud-based computational reproducibility platform, to pilot the post-publication peer review of code associated with papers published in TPDS. Authors who have published in TPDS can make their work more reproducible and earn a reproducibility badge by submitting their associated code for post-publication peer review.
Morphogenetic Requirements for Embryo Patterning and the Generation of Stem Cell-derived Mice: A Dissertation

Cell proliferation and differentiation are tightly regulated processes required for the proper development of multi-cellular organisms. To understand the effects of cell proliferation on embryo patterning in mice, we inactivated Aurora A , a gene essential for completion of the cell cycle. We discovered that inhibiting cell proliferation leads to different outcomes depending on the tissue affected. If the epiblast, the embryonic component, is compromised, it leads to gastrulation failure. However, when Aurora A is inactivated in extra-embryonic tissues, mutant embryos fail to properly establish the anteroposterior axis. Ablation of Aurora A in the epiblast eventually leads to abnormal embryos composed solely of extra-embryonic tissues. We took advantage of this phenomenon to generate embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived mice. We successfully generated newborn pups using this epiblast ablation chimera strategy. Our results highlight the importance of coordinated cell proliferation events in embryo patterning. In addition, epiblast ablation chimeras provide a novel in vivo assay for pluripotency that is simpler and more amenable to use by stem cell researchers.
Active Participation, Insignificant Gains: The Elusiveness ofGender Equality for African Women in the Liberal Global Economy

By the mid-C20th, feminist analysis began acknowledging the active participation of African women in their countries’ economic systems as producers. However, historically, gains from trade devolve disproportionately to men, a problem compounded by the dominance of governance institutions locally, nationally, regionally and globally by men. Unfortunately, contemporary awareness of uneven gains from trade hasn’t produced transformation in the global political economy. These disparities have extraordinary distributional consequences for gender equality. They stimulate differential responses between economic sectors, producers, and regions, between the Global North and South, as well as between and within African countries. Advancements in trade and the profitability therefrom generate prodigious wealth. Given wide acknowledgment of the need for gender equity and equality, why are disparities in gains from trade still heavily weighted towards men? This paper examines African women’s continued parlous gains plus domestic and international causes and consequences of their marginalization. It also suggests remedies.
Modeling and Analysis of a Differential Mode Active EMI Filter With an Analog Twin Circuit

Conventional passive EMI filters are bulky and occupy up to 30% of converter volume and weight. Active EMI filters are a key technology that enables the volume reduction of passive components in the EMI filter. The effectiveness of traditional active EMI filter for volume reduction is limited by the additional overhead from the passive components for noise sensing and compensation to ensure stability. In this article, a novel active EMI filter is proposed and demonstrated for differential mode noise attenuation. The filter consists of a twin circuit made up of low voltage/current components that mimic the high-power passive filter components in the main circuit. Unlike the conventional active EMI filter, the proposed filter uses compensation networks which consists of low-voltage surface-mount components only. The modeling of the entire circuit is carried out, and verified with small-signal measurements. The filter is then tested in a converter and the experimental results are shown to be consistent with the model and the small-signal measurements.
Biomarkers and indoor air quality: A translational research review

Introduction: Air pollution is linked to mortality and morbidity. Since humans spend nearly all their time indoors, improving indoor air quality (IAQ) is a compelling approach to mitigate air pollutant exposure. To assess interventions, relying on clinical outcomes may require prolonged follow-up, which hinders feasibility. Thus, identifying biomarkers that respond to changes in IAQ may be useful to assess the effectiveness of interventions. Methods: We conducted a narrative review by searching several databases to identify studies published over the last decade that measured the response of blood, urine, and/or salivary biomarkers to variations (natural and intervention-induced) of changes in indoor air pollutant exposure. Results: Numerous studies reported on associations between IAQ exposures and biomarkers with heterogeneity across study designs and methods. This review summarizes the responses of 113 biomarkers described in 30 articles. The biomarkers which most frequently responded to variations in indoor air pollutant exposures were high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), von Willebrand Factor (vWF), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP). Conclusions: This review will guide the selection of biomarkers for translational studies evaluating the impact of indoor air pollutants on human health.
Neoadjuvant treatment of localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide and its incidence is rising in the United States. The only potential curative treatment for this disease is surgical resection, however, due to the lack of an effective screening strategy, the majority of patients present with advanced or metastatic disease which preclude resectability. Further, the best clinical outcomes occur in those patients that receive multimodality treatment with surgical resection combined with chemotherapy with or without the addition of radiation therapy. Despite decades of innovation in treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and advancements in surgical techniques, the long term outcomes for this disease remain poor with high rates of both local and distant recurrence despite curative intent treatment. The dismal outcomes of this disease highlight the dire need for more effective treatment strategies and therapeutics. This review focuses on the treatment of localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma with an in depth review of the literature to support the use of chemotherapy in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant setting in this disease and exploration and discussion of the growing paradigm shift to neoadjuvant treatment. Further, this review highlights the ongoing and planned clinical trials evaluating neoadjuvant treatment strategies and novel therapeutics in localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Management of inflammatory temporomandibular joint collapse in children.

Abstract Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common pediatric rheumatologic condition.( Abramowicz et al., 2016 Jul) 2 The etiology and pathogenesis have not been fully elucidated; a combination of environmental and certain immunogenic factors is suspected. This review will provide current knowledge and concepts of diagnosis and management of children with JIA and TMJ arthritis.
Adapting behavioural interventions to compensate for cognitive dysfunction in persons with opioid use disorder.

Treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is often in the context of biobehavioural interventions, consisting of medication for OUD (for example, methadone and buprenorphine), which is accompanied by psychoeducation and/or behavioural therapies. Patients with OUD often display weaknesses in cognitive function that may impact the efficacy of such behavioural interventions. A review of the literature was conducted to: (1) describe common cognitive dysfunction profiles among patients with OUD, (2) outline intervention approaches for patients with OUD, (3) consider the cognitive demands that interventions place on patients with OUD and (4) identify potential accommodation strategies that may be used to optimise treatment outcomes. Cognitive profiles of patients with OUD often include weaknesses in executive function, attention, memory and information processing. Behavioural interventions require the patients’ ability to learn, understand and remember information (placing specific cognitive demands on patients). Accommodation strategies are, therefore, needed for patients with challenges in one or more of these areas. Research on accommodation strategies for patients with OUD is very limited. We applied research from populations with similar cognitive profiles to form a comprehensive collection of potential strategies to compensate for cognitive dysfunction among patients with OUD. The cognitive profiles and accommodation strategies included in this review are intended to inform future intervention research aimed at improving outcomes among patients with OUD.
Propagation of VHTRC manufacturing uncertainties with RAVEN/PHISICS

Abstract The International Atomic Energy Agency recently concluded a Coordinated Research Program (CRP) to evaluate the effect of propagation of uncertainties on design and safety parameters in High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs). This CRP catalyzed the development of novel software and methods relevant to HTGR uncertainty analysis. In the framework of this CRP, the statistical analysis code RAVEN was coupled to the neutron transport code PHISICS, using 6-group cross section libraries generated with the modules TRITON/NEWT from SCALE 6.2.1. This article describes the mechanics of the RAVEN/PHISICS sequence, and reports the effects of manufacturing uncertainties on integral parameter uncertainties found in the Very High Temperature Reactor Critical (VHTRC) core. The VHTRC experimental results included propagation of manufacturing uncertainties to obtain eigenvalue (keff) and temperature coefficient (αT) uncertainties. RAVEN/PHISICS was used to reproduce this analysis and to compare the predicted output uncertainties to the experimental measurements on the three VHTRC cores (HC-I, HP, HC-II). Results from the sequence agree with the experimental values (σ[keff] ~ 0.00300). The analysis also focuses on the interpretation of input uncertainties. The simulations conducted with RAVEN/PHISICS demonstrated the input uncertainties can induce a threefold increase in the resulting output uncertainties, depending on the mathematical modeling of the raw input uncertainties. In particular, the use of a unique uncertainty value repeated over lattice elements constitutes the major contribution to the keff and αT uncertainties, while modeling these uncertainties with random independent values leads to negligible keff and αT uncertainties, due to cancellation of errors. The propagation of the manufacturing uncertainties was also repeated using 56 energy groups in the neutron transport calculations, and showed a moderate impact on the output (keff, αT) uncertainties (~10 % difference) compared to the base-case 6-group simulations.
What is a Nation

Reimagining the national map should also invite a reimagining of “nation” as a category. Maps do crucial work in stitching together the term's two overlapping meanings—nation as territorial state, ...
The Territorial Basis of the Division of Labor

: The study considers both the theoretical significance and operational measurement of the territorial basis of the division of labor. Two such measurements, the index of dissimilarity and the standardized index of dissimilarity, are discussed in detail with regard to their adequacy and applicability. In addition, a theory linking the territorial basis to technological efficiency and urbanization is presented and tests performed with data for the United States for each of the census years from 1900–1950. Positive relations were found between the three variables, lending strong support to the theory.
The initial subevent of the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake: Is earthquake size predictable?

We examine the initial subevent (ISE) of the M 6.7, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake in order to discriminate between two end-member rupture initiation models: the ‘preslip’ and ‘cascade’ models. Final earthquake size may be predictable from an ISE's seismic signature in the preslip model but not in the cascade model. In the cascade model ISEs are simply small earthquakes that can be described as purely dynamic ruptures. In this model a large earthquake is triggered by smaller earthquakes; there is no size scaling between triggering and triggered events and a variety of stress transfer mechanisms are possible. Alternatively, in the preslip model, a large earthquake nucleates as an aseismically slipping patch in which the patch dimension grows and scales with the earthquake's ultimate size; the byproduct of this loading process is the ISE. In this model, the duration of the ISE signal scales with the ultimate size of the earthquake, suggesting that nucleation and earthquake size are determined by a more predictable, measurable, and organized process. To distinguish between these two end-member models we use short period seismograms recorded by the Southern California Seismic Network. We address questions regarding the similarity in hypocenter locations and focal mechanisms of the ISE and the mainshock. We also compare the ISE's waveform characteristics to those of small earthquakes and to the beginnings of earthquakes with a range of magnitudes. We find that the focal mechanisms of the ISE and mainshock are indistinguishable, and both events may have nucleated on and ruptured the same fault plane. These results satisfy the requirements for both models and thus do not discriminate between them. However, further tests show the ISE's waveform characteristics are similar to those of typical small earthquakes in the vicinity and more importantly, do not scale with the mainshock magnitude. These results are more consistent with the cascade model.
Computer integrated design and manufacturing

Introduction: Geometric Modelling, Engineering Design, Design for Manufacturing, Group Technology, Process Planning, Production Control, Manufacturing Control, Numerical Control, Robotics, Measurement, Analysis, and Actuation. Computer Integrated Manufacturing Implementation.
Congress, Federal Courts, and Domestic Relations Exceptionalism

Family law is often cited as a paradigmatic example of state law, and the Supreme Court has trumpeted the importance of limiting the federal government's reach into this area reserved for the states. Yet, it is also true that a variety of federal programs affect the family, so it is important to figure out which areas are reserved for the states and which are not. This article analyzes and clarifies the “domestic relations exception” in the two different kinds of cases in which it might arise: 1) when federal courts should not exercise jurisdiction, and 2) when Congress should not make certain kinds of laws. The tests for determining when the exception is triggered and what must be shown to override the exception differ depending upon the context in which the exception has been asserted. Regrettably, the Supreme Court has given mixed messages over which areas are beyond Congress's power to regulate and which kinds of cases cannot be heard by a federal court. The Court’s subsequent Windsor decision did nothing to clarify these issues.
Temporal analysis of human development indicators: principal component approach.

In this study, we used the weighted principal component method on the human development indicators to measure and analyzethe progress of human development in the world. The main principal component was employed to quantify the temporal changes of the human development of several selected countries by the proposed Z-test. The trends of the human development in the period of market transition in two large countries, China and Russia, were discussed in terms of the impact of public health as well as economic development. The association of the main principal component obtained from our study and the human development index reported by the United Nations Development Programme was estimated by the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.
Conflict of Laws in Massachusetts, Part II: Related Problems in Selecting the Applicable Law

This article is a survey of conflict of laws principles in Massachusetts. It explains the historical and current Massachusetts approach to conflict of laws issues, and then applies that methodology to a variety of substantive and procedural topic areas. It concludes with recommendations for ways that Massachusetts courts can improve their analysis of these problems to promote fair and consistent outcomes.
Gesture development in toddlers with an older sibling with autism.

Nonverbal communication deficits are characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and have been reported in some later-born siblings of children with ASD (heightened-risk (HR) children). However, little work has investigated gesture as a function of language ability, which varies greatly in this population.This longitudinal study characterizes gesture in HR children and examines differences related to diagnostic outcome (ASD, language delay, no diagnosis) and age.We coded communicative gesture use for 29 HR children at ages 2 and 3 years during interactions with a caregiver at home.Children in the ASD group produced fewer gestures than their HR peers at 2 years, though large individual differences were observed within each subgroup at both ages. In addition, reliance on particular types of gestures varied with age and outcome. Both ASD and language delay children exhibited a pattern of reduced pointing relative to their no diagnosis peers.Similarities and differences exist between communication in HR infants with language delay and their HR peers, reinforcing our understanding of links between verbal and nonverbal communication in populations at risk for language delay.
Immunization Performance Measurement in a Changing Immunization Environment

Objective. The measurement of performance in the delivery of recommended vaccinations for children is used frequently as a marker for quality of care and as an outcome for studies of interventions to improve immunization coverage levels. The critical element of immunization performance measurement is the determination of immunization status. This methodologic review 1) discusses immunization status as a measure of quality of primary care for children, 2) describes immunization status measures used in immunization intervention studies, and 3) examines selected technical issues of immunization status measurement. Methods and Topics. 1) Description of the characteristics of immunization status measurements obtained by a systematic review of studies published between 1980 and 1997 on interventions to raise immunization coverage, and 2) illustration of technical considerations for immunization status measurement using one local database and one national database of immunization histories. Technical issues for immunization status measurement include 1) the need to use documented immunization histories rather than parental recall to determine immunization status, 2) the need to link records across providers to obtain complete records, 3) the sensitivity of immunization status to missing immunization data, and 4) the potential of measures incorporating combinations of immunizations to underestimate the degree of vaccination in a population. Conclusions. Immunization performance measurement has many characteristics of a robust quality of care measure, including high acceptance by primary care providers of routine vaccination, association of immunization status with the conduct of other clinical preventive services, agreed-on technical and programmatic standards of care, and legislative requirements for medical record documentation. However, it is not without challenges. Careful attention to technical issues has potential to improve immunization delivery health services research.
Effects of Ce on Inclusions, Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Corrosion Behavior of AISI 202 Stainless Steel

The sizes and morphologies of nonmetallic inclusions, microhardness, tensile strength, and Charpy impact toughness in AISI 202 stainless steel with different Ce contents were synthetically analyzed by means of SEM, TEM, microhardness tester, and tensile and Charpy impact tests. Effects of Ce addition on the corrosion behavior were investigated in 5 wt.% H2SO4 solution for different periods of time through measuring AC impedance. The EIS measurements indicate that the steels with Ce addition exhibit higher R p values than those without Ce, which illustrates the relative resistance to uniform corrosion is accompanied by an increasing Ce addition. Ce addition to AISI 202 stainless steel improves its uniform corrosion resistance owing to metamorphic inclusions and the improvement of electrode potential in matrix. Upon increasing Ce addition, the indentation morphology of samples transfers from sink-in types to pile-up types, explaining good machinability of steels containing Ce. It is witnessed from the fracture mode that Ce refines the grain size of steels, significantly increasing the strength; in the meantime, its plasticity is improved, thereby solving the contradiction between the strength and the plasticity of steels. It is concluded that AISI 202 stainless steel with 0.016 wt.% Ce addition in the mass fraction has the best mechanical properties and the uniform corrosion resistance.
Genetics and molecular pathology of gastric malignancy: Development of targeted therapies in the era of personalized medicine

Gastric malignancy constitutes a major cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Despite recent advances in surgical techniques combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy approaches, patients with advanced disease still have poor outcomes. An emerging understanding of the molecular pathways that characterize cell growth, cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis has provided novel targets in gastric cancer therapy. In this review, recent advances in the understanding of molecular tumorigenesis for common gastric malignancies are discussed. We also briefly review the current targeted therapies in the treatment of gastric malignancies. Practical insights are highlighted including HER2 testing and target therapy in gastric adenocarcinoma, morphologic features and molecular signatures of imatinib-resistance GISTs, and recent investigations aimed at tumor-specific therapy for neuroendocrine tumors.
Definition of the energy map and its applications to the study of chromophores in proteins

The porphyrin in metal-free cytochrome c molecules was investigated using fluorescence line narrowing spectroscopy. An energy map is defined to illustrate the environmental effects on the vibronic structure of a chromophore. In the approximation of pure electronic distortion, the population distribution in the energy scale can be characterized by a function. An intuitive definition of this distribution function is determined for the porphyrin in cytochrome c, and the validity of this approximation is experimentally verified. In addition, numerous excited state vibrational levels suggest a method to quantify the relative absorption probabilities for (0,0)yields(1,k) transitions.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Performance of metal wrapped through solar module

A prototype of metal wrapped through (MWT) solar module was carried out in Photovoltaic Technology Center in Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). The module is a 3×3 array with an aperture area of 1432.89cm2. For the applied MWT cells, the advantage is the about 6.89% in the front-side Ag paste metallization coverage, in which the MWT cell is 2.2% enhancement in light through area as compared to the conventional H-grid pattern solar cell. The MWT solar cells are strung by ribbon materials, while the high conductivity paste (volume resistivity: 0.00042 Ohm-cm) was applied between the ribbon and MWT solar cells. Furthermore, it is an advantage that a highly packing density matrix without busbar in the margin area due to a well-designed circuits. It is demonstrated that the prototype metal wrapped through solar module connect with conductive adhesive results in a high module efficiency of 15.87% in aperture area, which is characterized with solar simulator of AAA class in spectrum, uniformity, and temporal stability. The electrical performances of the metal wrapped through solar module were characterized as 22.74Wp, 5.54A, and 5.55V in maximum power output, short circuit current (I sc ) and open circuit voltage (V oc ), respectively. Yet, compare the IV performances of MWT cell and prototype module, the efficiency decreased 0.66% in absolute from 16.53% to 15.87%, which should be due to the reduction of fill factor (FF) from 74.38% to 73.96%.
Risk-based input–output analysis of hurricane impacts on interdependent regional workforce systems

Natural disasters, like hurricanes, can damage properties and critical infrastructure systems, degrade economic productivity, and in extreme situations can cause injuries and mortalities. This paper focuses particularly on workforce disruptions in the aftermath of hurricanes. We extend the dynamic inoperability input–output model (DIIM) by formulating a workforce recovery model to identify critical industry sectors. A decision analysis tool is utilized by integrating the economic loss and inoperability metrics to study the interdependent effects of various hurricane intensities on Virginia’s workforce sectors. The extended DIIM and available workforce survey data are incorporated in the decision support tool to simulate various hurricane scenarios. For a low-intensity hurricane scenario, the simulated total economic loss to Virginia’s industry sectors due to workforce absenteeism is around $410 million. Examples of critical sectors that suffer the highest losses for this scenario include: (1) miscellaneous professional, scientific, and technical services; (2) federal general government; (3) state and local government enterprises; (4) construction; and (5) administrative and support services. This paper also explores the inoperability metric, which describes the proportion in which a sector capacity is disrupted. The inoperability metric reveals a different ranking of critical sectors, such as: (1) social assistance; (2) hospitals and nursing and residential care facilities; (3) educational services; (4) federal government enterprises; and (5) federal general government. Results of the study will help identify the critical workforce sectors and can ultimately provide insights into formulating preparedness decisions to expedite disaster recovery. The model was applied to the state of Virginia but can be generalized to other regions and other disaster scenarios.
Shock Consolidation of Powders – Theory and Experiment

A recently proposed model of shock consolidation of powders quantitatively predicts regimes of input energy and shock duration required to produce well-bonded compacts. A growing data base from shock experiments in which the shock wave and powder parameters of importance are controlled allows evaluation of the model. Rapidly solidified crystalline AISI 9310, and microcrystalline Markomet 3.11, as well as amorphous Markomet 1064 and crystalline Mo powders, have been consolidated by shocks up to 2 μsec duration. The formation of amorphous layers on Marko 3.11 particle surfaces indicates that surface melting and rapid solidification occurred. Decreasing amounts of amorphous structure are retained in Marko 3.11 and 1064 powder compacts with increasing shock energies. Significant improvement in Mo particle bonding is achieved by reducing surface oxides prior to shock consolidation.
Ral and Rheb GTPase Activating Proteins Integrate mTOR and GTPase Signaling in Aging, Autophagy, and Tumor Cell Invasion

Diverse environmental cues converge on and are integrated by the mTOR signaling network to control cellular growth and homeostasis. The mammalian Tsc1-Tsc2 GTPase activating protein (GAP) heterodimer is a critical negative regulator of Rheb and mTOR activation. The RalGAPα-RalGAPβ heterodimer shares sequence and structural similarity with Tsc1-Tsc2. Unexpectedly, we observed that C. elegans expresses orthologs for the Rheb and RalA/B GTPases and for RalGAPα/β, but not Tsc1/2. This prompted our investigation to determine whether RalGAPs additionally modulate mTOR signaling. We determined that C. elegans RalGAP loss decreased lifespan, consistent with a Tsc-like function. Additionally, RalGAP suppression in mammalian cells caused RalB-selective activation and Sec5- and exocyst-dependent engagement of mTORC1 and suppression of autophagy. Unexpectedly, we also found that Tsc1-Tsc2 loss activated RalA/B independently of Rheb-mTOR signaling. Finally, RalGAP suppression caused mTORC1-dependent pancreatic tumor cell invasion. Our findings identify an unexpected crosstalk and integration of the Ral and mTOR signaling networks.
Information content and consumer readership of print ads: A comparison of search and experience products

This study builds on past research involving the economics of advertising information (Nelson 1970, 1974) to examine the interplay between advertisers' provision and consumers' readership of information. The authors focus on the prepurchase verifiability of advertising claims in three product categories: search products, experience shopping products, and experience convenience products. They use a broader measure of the information content of advertising than in past research, together with Starch readership scores for a sample of ads from nine U.S. magazines. The results show that the relationship between information provision and readership is positive for search products, negative for convenience products, and nonsignificant for shopping products. Average information levels are significantly higher in ads for shopping products than for convenience and search products. These findings suggest that advertisers may be underinforming consumers when promoting search products.
Method for measuring the electron excitation cross section of the metastable 1 s 5 level of Ne

The electron excitation cross section of the metastable $1{s}_{5}$ level of neon is measured by a new technique that involves laser excitation of the metastables to a fluorescing level. A method for obtaining an absolute calibration of the cross section is given. The value of the direct cross section is 16\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}19}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at 20 eV energy of the incident electrons.
EPA-1751 – Cognitive function correlates of apathy in late-life depression

Instruction Apathy is defined as lack of motivation that occurs in various neuropsychological disorders. Apathy frequently co-occurs in patients with late-life depression, and previous studies have shown that apathy is associated with frontal cognitive impairment that constitutes the distinct depressive syndrome in late-life depression. Here we tested elderly patients with mild to moderate depression on behavioral tasks requiring executive and non-executive functions. Aims The aim of this study was to examine that apathy, not depression, is associated with executive function in patients with late-life depression. Methods We enrolled 83 patients (67.9 ± 6.4 years of age; 51 women) with major depressive disorder from the geriatric psychiatric clinic of the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of non-demented major depressive disorder. Patients with a history of any psychiatric disorders other than major depression, or major medical illness including neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, were also excluded. All participants were administered the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale. The apathy-related items of the Ham-D are diminished work/interest, anergy, lack of insight, and psychomotor retardation. We employed pairs of behavioral task to assess whether apathy has a distinct effect on executive control functions. Each test pair consisted of an executive and a non-executive task. Results We showed that the extent of apathy significantly accounted for variances in performance in the frontal executive but not non-executive cognitive tasks. Conclusion These results extend previous studies by relating apathy to deficits in executive function in patients with late-life depression and suggest the importance of assessing the ‘apathetic syndrome’ in the clinical evaluation of patients with late-life depression
Scepticism about Knowledge of Content

Externalism about content threatens to undermine privileged access and to generate scepticism concerning knowledge of one's own mental states. Suppose that the contents of one's mental states are, in part, determined by physical and social states of affairs external to one's mind and body. This is, roughly, the externalist, 'anti-individualist' view of content which has its roots in Hilary Putnam's twin earth thought experiment and which has been most extensively developed by Tyler Burge.' Some have worried that this externalist view has the consequence that in order to know the contents of one's own mental states, one must know the pertinent external, content-determining physical and social states of affairs.2 If externalism about content does have this consequence, then one cannot know the contents of one's states in any direct or privileged way, since knowledge of content would have to be based upon knowledge of the external, content-determining circumstances, which knowledge is as accessible to others as it is to oneself. Worse, if one lacked knowledge of the key external circumstances, then one would altogether lack knowledge of the contents of one's own states, even knowledge based on inference. John Heil argues that externalism about content neither generates scepticism nor undermines privileged access.3 In this paper, I will attempt to clarify the reasons behind scepticism about knowledge of content and to explain why Heil's defence of externalism fails to answer the sceptic. According to externalism about content, the following is possible: person S and his twin S* are physically, behaviourally, functionally, phenomenologically, and introspectively indistinguishable through time even though some of S's mental states differ in content from the corresponding 'twin' states of S*, this difference arising from differences between the two thinkers' external physical (or social) environments. For example, when earthling S utters the sentence 'Water is wet', it expresses his thought that water is wet. But when S*, a twin earthling, utters the sentence on twin earth, replete with XYZ instead of H20, it expresses a different thought from S's, namely the thought that twater is wet. Twin earth is often conceived as a (part of) a possible world different from the actual world. But consider a single possible world containing both earth and twin earth, existing in spatio-temporal relation to each other. In the two-world scenario, S and his counterfactual counterpart S* are phenomenologically and introspectively indistinguishable: things seem exactly the same to them, point for point. In the oneworld scenario, suppose that S is, unbeknownst to him, transported from his
A general method for the n-alkylation of thioamides.

Abstract Thioamides are N-alkylated in a two-step procedure: (i) Reaction with an aldehyde and benzotriazole yields an adduct which is (ii) reduced to the N-alkylthiomide by NaBH 4 .
Stereo TV Improves Manipulator Performance

Six observers, experienced in telerobotic operations, were used across four replicated studies of remote performance of a simulated space station assembly task. An alignment/insertion task was performed with a remotely operated manipulator arm viewed either directly or through stereoscopic or monoscopic TV viewing systems. Target position, space light, and learning effects were also assessed by measures of task time and manipulator collisions. Performance with Stereo view was significantly superior to that with Mono in Experiments 1, 2, and 4. It's superiority fell below required significance levels in Experiment 3 due to of the accumulation of practice effects across the first two studies. Experiment 4, in which the left-right positions of manipulator arm and task element were reversed, reestablished the strong superiority of Stereo view over Mono. These results clearly show the superiority of Stereo TV over Mono viewing systems. They suggest that learning can also improve performance under Mono view when accompanied by Direct view and Stereo view experience, but such learning is specific to the perceptual and motor conditions that were present in practice. Space lighting was not significant in the two studies in which it was assessed.
Enhanced phase-stepped interferometry via appropriate filtering

Phase-stepped interferometry is a well known technique for the measurement of surface deformation. Since in this technique phase characteristics of a linear system is computed using the arctangent func- tion, in some points the raw phase data exceeds the value 2p. Moreover the surface roughness, phase unwrapping, and extra noise imposed from the environment makes the surface look like an original surface with huge impulsive noise and simply using PSI technique does not produce an accurately reconstructed surface. In this paper, a filtering technique is proposed that suppresses the noise and enhances the image quality. It is shown that the raw phase data prefiltered by a mean filter eliminates Gaussian noise. Then, after proper unwrapping treatment, the data should be filtered with a rank conditioned median (RCM) filter. The RCM filter is very effective at treating impulsive type noise while preserving step edges without blurring. © 1999 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engi- neers. (S0091-3286(99)01911-X)