cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Suspected Deep Venous Thrombosis in Oncologic Patients

Impedance plethysmography (IPG) and duplex scanning with color flow Doppler were performed in 100 consecutive high-risk patients with clinically suspected deep venous thrombosis. Risk factors included recent surgery (< three weeks) in 23%, malignant disease in 91%, clotting abnormalities in 32%, and limited activity in 70%. Lower limb findings of either edema, calf tenderness, or both occurred in 92%. There was agreement between the two tests in 76 patients (29 positive and 47 negative). In 12 patients the IPG was positive and the duplex negative. Four of these had extensive pelvic disease, 2 had lung cancer with an obstructive profile, and 2 had heart failure, all of which are known to cause false-positive IPG results. In the other 12 patients the IPG was negative and the duplex positive; however, 3 of these patients had nonocclusive thrombi, 5 had pelvic disease, and 1 had a hemiparesis of the involved lower limb. In 15 patients (11 with positive duplex studies and 4 with negative) a venogram was obtained and confirmed the results. All patients were followed up clinically and none developed complications suggesting inaccurate duplex results. In conclusion, the IPG is of limited utility in this population with a sensitivity of 71%, specificity of 80%, and false-negative rate of 29% when duplex Doppler and clinical outcome are used as the standard. Where available, duplex Doppler should be preferred for evaluation of suspected deep venous thrombosis in patients with extensive medical disease.
Advances in GML for Geospatial Applications

This paper presents a study of Geography Markup Language (GML), the issues that arise from using GML for spatial applications, including storage, parsing, querying and visualization, as well as the use of GML for mobile devices and web services. GML is a modeling language developed by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) as a medium of uniform geographic data storage and exchange among diverse applications. Many new XML-based languages are being developed as open standards in various areas of application. It would be beneficial to integrate such languages with GML during the developmental stages, taking full advantage of a non-proprietary universal standard. As GML is a relatively new language still in development, data processing techniques need to be refined further in order for GML to become a more efficient medium for geospatial applications.
Upgrading the Florida State University Tandem

Florida State University has had an active tandem Van de Graaff program in nuclear physics since 1960 when the Model EN tandem was installed. The installation of a Super FN tandem in 1970 upgraded the voltage available to 9.5 MV and enabled the program to move effectively into the area of heavy ion experimentation. Development of a practical inverted sputter source at Florida State enhanced the variety of available ion beams and thereby the vitality of the program. The laboratory is steadily becoming a more regional facility as other laboratories are shut down and replaced with national facilities with great demands on their beam time. Because of heavy schedules, the national laboratories are less effective in the training of students than university laboratories which characteristically undertake longer and more involved experiments.
You Can Get There from Here: Responses to Simulated Magnetic Equator Crossing by the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)

The avian magnetic compass works as an inclination compass. Instead of using the polarity of the magnetic field to determine direction, birds use the inclination of the dip angle. Consequently, transequatorial migrants have to reverse their response to the magnetic compass after crossing the magnetic equator. When confronted with an artificial magnetic field that reverses the vertical component of the magnetic field, migrants such as the bobolink reverse their headings relative to magnetic north even in the presence of visual cues such as stellar patterns. Bobolinks, which breed in temperate North America and winter in temperate South America, were tested in a planetarium under fixed star patterns in a series of magnetic fields incremented each night from the natural field in the northern hemisphere through an artificial horizontal field to an artificial southern hemisphere magnetic field. The birds maintained a constant heading throughout the experiment and did not reverse direction after the simulated crossing of the magnetic equator as previous experiments predicted. In nature, this response would have meant continuation of their migration flight across the equator and into the opposite hemisphere. The switch from “equatorward” orientation to “poleward” orientation is probably triggered by experience with a horizontal magnetic field and/or visual cues. The ability to maintain an accurate heading while crossing the magnetic equator may be based on the use of visual cues such as the stars.
Adolescent pregnancy in Africa: A programmatic focus

An increasing age of marriage coupled with high rates of premarital sexual activity have caused notable changes in the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies in much of the developing world. In Africa, local policy makers are beginning to perceive the medical implications of these changes as the youth component of illicit abortion, maternal mortality, and sexually transmitted disease becomes more visible. Other social issues, which include school leaving, unemployment, violence and drug abuse, are emerging among the young people of Africa as elsewhere. A successful approach to these problems will require a multi-disciplinary perspective of the adolescent with professional contributions from the arenas of health, behavior, education and sociology. This report stresses the thesis that adolescents constitute a unique sub-population whose special needs must be recognized in Africa; strong institutional facilities are required, backed by committed advocates and leadership for the youth sector. Programs initiated in Kenya and Zimbabwe serve as useful models for other African locales.
φ -symmetric Hamilton cycle decompositions of graphs

The existence of symmetric Hamilton cycle decompositions for complete graphs and cocktail party graphs has been defined and explored in recent work by Akiyama et?al., Brualdi and Schroeder, and others. In these works, the notion of symmetry in cocktail party graphs K 2 m - F was integrally tied to the missing 1-factor. In this paper, we generalize the notion of symmetric decompositions in two ways. First, we require only that F is symmetric and show that if F is not the invariant 1-factor under the symmetry action, then K 2 m - F has a symmetric Hamilton cycle decomposition for every m ? 2 . Second, we consider other actions as symmetry, apply such definitions to appropriate complete graphs and complete multipartite graphs, and classify the existence of Hamilton cycle decompositions with such symmetry.
Superinduction of Interferon with Metabolic Inhibitors: Possible Mechanisms and Practical Applications

Ten years have passed since cycloheximide was first shown to enhance endotoxininduced production of interferon in mice, in the first demonstration of what was later called the superinduction of interferon. Various inhibitors of protein and RNA synthesis, as well as combinations of these inhibitors, have been shown to act as superinducing agents of interferon production stimulated by polyriboinosinicpolyribocytidylic acid. The evidence that superinduction is due to the suppression of a mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation of interferon synthesis is rather convincing. The notion (first proposed about six years ago) that this modification is caused by a protein "repressor" remains the most plausible, albeit still unproved, hypothesis. The availability of systems that translate with fidelity interferon messenger RNA isolated from induced cells should prove most useful in the elucidation of post-transcriptional control mechanisms of interferon synthesis and of interferon superinduction. Meanwhile, superinduction has become a useful tool for the production of large quantities of interferon. In particular, this technique has been successfully applied to the production of interferon from human diploid fibroblasts. The clinical potential of this material remains to be critically examined.
Prediction of the effect of the geometric phase on product rotational state distributions and integral cross sections

Abstract The effect of the geometric phase induced by the conical intersection between the two lowest electronic states of the H + H 2 system on product rotational state distributions and integral cross sections is investigated. This effect is shown to significantly change these distributions and the para-to-ortho and ortho-to-para integral cross sections for energies above 1.8 eV. In addition, the results are in qualitative agreement with the experimentally measured distributions for the D + H 2 reaction. They predict that under appropriate conditions the geometric phase effect may be significant in the many systems that display conical intersections.
Person drawings by transsexual clients, psychiatric clients, and nonclients compared : indicators of sex-typing and pathology

The drawings by 31 transsexual clients, 61 psychiatric inpatients, and 62 nonclient college students were compared to derive information about whether they differed with regard to sex-typing and psychopathology. Transsexuals did not differ from nonclients or psychiatric patients as far as their conceptualization of masculinity is concerned, nor are they more or less sex-role stereotyped. However, their conceptualization of femininity of women differs significantly from that of the other groups in that transsexuals view women as more feminine than either of the other groups. Finally, transsexuals differed from both nonclients and psychiatric patients in inconsistent patterns across other variables, indicating that they are neither similar to nonpathological controls, nor to psychiatric inpatients. This uniqueness of the transsexual group is discussed in the context of multiple possible interpretations.
TEXTURAL CHANGES IN CANNED APRICOTS IN THE PRESENCE OF MOLD POLYGALACTURONASE

Several factors affecting texture of canned Blenheim apricot halves were investigated. Presence of polygalacturonase from Rhizopus arrhizus resulted in severe texture breakdown during post-canning storage. The degree of breakdown was proportional to the amount of enzyme added. Apricot halves at optimum ripeness were canned in #303 cans with 36° Brix in-going sucrose syrup preheated to 24, 60, 75 and 90°C respectively with or without added mold polygalacturonase. Addition of mold polygalacturonase to the cans resulted in rapid softening during the storage period. The samples treated with 36° Brix sucrose syrup at 24, 60, 75°C showed rapid decrease in firmness. The sample canned with 90°C syrup in the presence of mold polygalacturonase showed less softening during storage. Thermal effect on activity of polygalacturonase from the mold Rhizopus arrhizus on pectic acid was determined. Crude enzyme was more heat resistant than the purified enzyme. There was 13.5% residual polygalacturonase activity in the crude extract after heating at 100°C for 20 min.
Synaptic activity reduces intraneuronal Aβ, promotes APP transport to synapses and protects against Aβ-related synaptic alterations

A central question in Alzheimer's disease research is what role synaptic activity plays in the disease process. Synaptic activity has been shown to induce beta-amyloid peptide release into the extracellular space, and extracellular beta-amyloid has been shown to be toxic to synapses. We now provide evidence that the well established synaptotoxicity of extracellular beta-amyloid requires gamma-secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein. Recent evidence supports an important role for intraneuronal beta-amyloid in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. We show that synaptic activity reduces intraneuronal beta-amyloid and protects against beta-amyloid-related synaptic alterations. We demonstrate that synaptic activity promotes the transport of the amyloid precursor protein to synapses using live cell imaging, and that the protease neprilysin is involved in reduction of intraneuronal beta-amyloid with synaptic activity.
Nutrition and breast cancer

The study of mammary adenocarcinoma has covered a period of eighty years. Early data suggesting that a genetic component was involved in the transmission of the disease, and later studies revealing viral implications, are briefly mentioned. The geographical variation in the incidence of breast cancer, particularly differences in incidence rates found in Eastern and Western populations, is discussed. The correlation between nutrition and the onset of mammary adenocarcinoma is considered with reference to the protein content of the diet. It is suggested also that polyunsaturated fatty acids may be involved in the epidemiology of the disease.
Short-term temporal dynamics of yeast abundance on the tall fescue phylloplane.

Six replicate trials were conducted to determine the short-term temporal dynamics and the effects of foliar applications of nutrients on the phylloplane yeast community of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). In each trial, 2% sucrose + 0.5% yeast extract solution or sterile deionized water (control) was applied to the experiment plots. Twelve hours post-treatment (at 0600 hours), leaf samples were collected and yeast colony-forming units (cfu) were enumerated by dilution plating. This process was repeated at 1200, 1800, and 2400 hours in each trial. Significant differences were observed between the number of yeast cfu and the time at which the samples were collected. On average, the number of yeast cfu recovered was significantly less at 1800 hours and significantly greatest at 2400 hours when compared with all other sampling times. Averaged over all time intervals, we observed a trend of increased yeast abundance in turf treated with the nutrient solution compared with control treatments. In a sep...
Inclusive and exclusive educational change: emotional responses of teachers and implications for leadership

This article reports research results concerning one of the most important areas of leadership theory and practice, educational change and its impact upon teachers. Drawing on individual interviews with 50 varied teachers in 15 Canadian elementary and secondary schools, as well as supplementary focus groups, the article analyses teacher's emotional responses to educational change. The paper finds that while teachers report having largely positive emotional experiences of self‐initiated change and predominantly negative ones concerning mandated change, almost half the examples of self‐initiated change that are cited actually have a legislated, mandated origin. More important for the experience and management of change, therefore, is not so much whether change is external or internal in its source, but whether it is inclusive or exclusive in its design and conduct. Implications of this analysis are drawn for edcucational leadership at the school and system levels.
Life stressors and husband-to-wife violence

The current review critically evaluates the research conducted on the relationship between life stressors and husband-to-wife violence. Empirical work suggests that there may be multiple pathways accounting for the relationship between life stressors and husband-to-wife violence. Contrary to previous reviews of the literature, we found that the existing evidence supports a direct association between life stressors and husband-to-wife violence. In addition, a number of variables mediate and moderate the relationship between life stressors and violence including marital satisfaction, depression, attitudes accepting of husband-to-wife violence, violence in the family of origin, and alcohol abuse/dependence. In order to assist investigators interested in conducting research in this area, we conclude this review by identifying remaining problems in the research and recommending possible solutions.
Reliable and Efficient Data Transfer in Wireless Sensor Networks via Out-of-Sequence Forwarding and Delayed Request for Missing Packets

We present a new protocol for lossless data transfer in wireless sensor networks using less time and fewer messages in comparison to the well-known protocol PSFQ (C.-Y. Wan, 2002), without compromising the reliability. The two key features for the better performance of our protocol are out-of-sequence packet forwarding and delayed request for missing packets
Induction LINACS and free electron laser amplifiers

Abstract : The purpose of this conference, as I understand it, is to bring together the communities involved in fusion research with those involved in directed energy weapons research. Steve Dean pointed out in his opening remarks that there have actually been many connections in the past between activities in fusion research and directed energy weapons. The purpose of the Astron experiment was to generate plasma confinement through magnetic field reversal from a circulating electron ring. Next to the Astron fusion experiment was a buncher ring in which the electron beam from the Astron accelerator went around in a circle and over into a 60-foot propagation tank next door. The purpose of the buncher ring was to make a chopped electron beam to study beam propagation in air. This was a program called Seesaw, funded by DARPA. It started in the late 1950's, and the original purpose of that research program was to look at ballistic missile defense concepts with particle beams. Incidentally, the building that housed this experimental apparatus is currently the site of the large magnetic mirror experiment, MFTF. These investigations of field reversed plasma confinement states for magnetic fusion, the basis for Nick Christofilos' Astron concept, and the particle beam weapon research, both involved making new kinds of accelerators for very high beam currents, unprecedented in their day. The idea that was born out of this need was the linear induction accelerator.
Predictors of Survival in Never-Smokers with Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Large-Scale, Two-Phase Genetic Study

Purpose: Lung cancer in never-smokers (LCINS) is increasingly recognized as a distinct disease from that in ever-smokers owing to substantial differences in etiology, clinical characteristics, and prognosis. Therefore, we aimed to identify prognostic markers specific for LCINS. Experimental Design: First, 11,930 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 904 inflammation-related genes were genotyped, and their associations with overall survival in 411 patients with LCINS at MD Anderson Cancer Center were analyzed. Next, validation of the top 27 SNPs in 311 patients with LCINS at Mayo Clinic was conducted. Results: Three SNPs ( IL17RA :rs879576, BMP 8A:rs698141, and STY: rs290229) were validated ( P CD74 :rs1056400 and CD38: rs10805347) reached borderline significance ( P = 0.08) in the Mayo Clinic population. We validated a survival-tree created in the MD Anderson population exploring gene–gene interactions in the Mayo Clinic population. This survival-tree stratified patients into subsets with significantly different risks of death: patients with the rs1056400_ GG /rs698141_ GA + AA genotype had significantly higher risk of death in both MD Anderson (HR:2.32, 95%CI: 1.58–3.41) and Mayo (HR:1.97, 95%CI: 1.11–3.50) populations compared with those with the rs1056400_ GG /rs698141_ GG or rs1056400_ GA + AA genotype. We evaluated these five SNPs in 996 ever-smokers from MD Anderson and found no significant associations. Conclusions: Our study provides strong evidence that inflammation-related genetic variations can affect clinical outcomes in LCINS, which may lead to significant biologic insight into these outcomes. Clin Cancer Res; 18(21); 5983–91. ©2012 AACR .
Regulation of medical devices in radiology: current standards and future opportunities.

Today’s radiology community depends heavily on cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices to serve patients. These products are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under a system that grants marketing approval for only those indications for which the safety and effectiveness have been established. Although this complex system is the result of a societal decision to ensure device safety and effectiveness, it has the potential to delay product marketing and impede innovation. Medical device regulation recently has undergone major changes with the enactment of the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA), legislation that is intended to increase system efficiency while retaining the requirement of safety and effectiveness. However, many of the envisioned improvements cannot occur without cooperative interaction between stakeholders in the device development process, including the FDA and the clinical medicine community. The radiology field must continue...
The Ambiguities of Academic Freedom

While most of the cases that led to the founding of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in 1915 had to do with firings of professors who had championed controversial political views, the AAUP founders were also concerned about dismissals on religious grounds. One case especially, that of Lafayette College, is particularly revealing not only of the character of the religious issues involved but also of the attitudes toward religion of those who defined what became the standard twentieth-century American concepts of academic freedom. Reflections on the religious dimensions of the construction of academic freedom in America also have important implications for religiously oriented higher education and scholarship today.
UWB receiver design for low resolution quantization

Digital implementation of ultra-wideband receivers requires analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) at an extremely high speed, thereby limiting the available bit resolution. Herein, a new family of receiver structures optimized and tailored to quantized observations is presented. The generalized-likelihood ratio test (GLRT) based on the quantized samples is derived and shown to provide performance improvements in comparison to the infinite resolution GLRT rule employed on the quantized received signal. Furthermore, simulation results reveal that four bits of resolution are sufficient to closely approach the performance of a infinite resolution receiver.
Differences in Englemann Spruce Forest Biogeochemistry East and West of the Continental Divide in Colorado, USA

We compared Englemann spruce biogeochemical processes in forest stands east and west of the Continental Divide in the Colorado Front Range. The divide forms a natural barrier for air pollutants such that nitrogen (N) emissions from the agricultural and urban areas of the South Platte River Basin are transported via upslope winds to high elevations on the east side but rarely cross over to the west side. Because there are far fewer emissions sources to the west, atmospheric N deposition is 1–2 kg N ha−1 y−1 on the west side, as compared with 3–5 kg N ha−1 y−1 on the east side. Species composition, elevation, aspect, parent material, site history, and climate were matched as closely as possible across six east and six west side old-growth forest stands. Higher N deposition sites had significantly lower organic horizon C:N and lignin:N ratios, lower foliar C:N ratios, as well as greater %N, higher N:Ca, N:Mg, and N:P ratios, and higher potential net mineralization rates. When C:N ratios dropped below 29, as they did in east-side organic horizon soils, mineralization rates increased linearly. Our results are comparable to those from studies of the northeastern United States and Europe that have found changes in forest biogeochemistry in response to N deposition inputs between 3 and 60 kg ha−1 y−1. Though they are low by comparison with more densely populated and agricultural regions, current levels of N deposition, have caused measurable changes in Englemann spruce forest biogeochemistry east of the Continental Divide in Colorado.
Suboptimal LQG-design via balanced realizations

A new low sensitivity realization for the quadratic regulator is derived. The main idea is the generalization of the "balanced realizations" of Moore via the separation principle. The results lead directly to a new approximation method for the LQG problem and reduced order regulator synthesis.
BP, Cardiovascular Disease, and Death in the Folic Acid for Vascular Outcome Reduction in Transplantation Trial

The optimal BP level in kidney transplant recipients remains uncertain. This post hoc analysis of the Folic Acid for Vascular Outcome Reduction in Transplantation (FAVORIT) trial cohort assessed associations of BP with a pooled cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcome and with all-cause mortality. In 3474 prevalent kidney transplant patients, mean age was 52±9 years, 63% were men, 76% were white, 20% had a history of CVD, 40% had a history of diabetes mellitus, and the median time since transplant was 4.1 years (25th to 75th percentiles, 1.7-7.4); mean systolic BP was 136±20 mmHg and mean diastolic BP was 79±12 mmHg. There were 497 CVD events and 406 deaths. After adjustment for demographic and transplant characteristics and CVD risk factors, each 20-mmHg increase in baseline systolic BP associated with a 32% increase in subsequent CVD risk (hazard ratio [HR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.19 to 1.46) and a 13% increase in mortality risk (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.27). Similarly, after adjustment, at diastolic BP levels 70 mmHg, there was no significant relationship between diastolic BP and outcomes. Higher systolic BP strongly and independently associated with increased risk of CVD and all-cause mortality, without evidence of a J shape, whereas only lower levels of diastolic BP associated with increased risk of CVD and death in this trial.
Topological Methods for the Analysis of Solar Magnetic Fields

The solar coronal magnetic field is anchored to a complex distribution of photospheric flux consisting of sunspots and magnetic elements. Coronal activity such as flares, eruptions and general heating is often attributed to the manner in which the coronal field responds to photospheric motions. A number of powerful techniques have been developed to characterize the response of the coronal field by describing its topology. According to such analyses, activity will be concentrated around topological features in the coronal field such as separatrices, null points or bald patches. Such topological properties are insensitive to the detailed geometry of the magnetic field and thereby create an analytic tool powerful and robust enough to be useful on complex observations with limited resolution. This article reviews those topological techniques, their developments and applications to observations.
An Analysis of Learning Objectives and Content Coverage in Introductory Psychology Syllabi.

Introductory psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate courses and often serves as the gateway to choosing psychology as an academic major. However, little research has examined the typical structure of introductory psychology courses. The current study examined student learning objectives (SLOs) and course content in introductory psychology syllabi (N = 158). SLOs were mapped to the APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major. Content analysis was based on the principles for quality undergraduate education promulgated by the American Psychological Association. Over 50% of the syllabi contained objectives specific to the science and application of psychology (knowledge base, research methods, and application). Analysis of content coverage revealed instructors spent significantly more time on topics related to physiological and cognitive psychology and spent significantly less time on topics related to the history and scope of psychology, research methods, and developmental psychology. ...
Dexamethasone protection against photochemical retinal injury.

• Photochemical retinal injury was produced in the foveomacula of the rhesus monkey using the light from an indirect ophthalmoscope. The eyes were examined by both light and electron microscopy. Damage consisted of vacuolization of the retinal pigment epithelium and neurosensory retinal layers. Pretreatment with subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone for 16 weeks prior to light exposure markedly decreased damage to the retinal pigment epithelium, but had no apparent effect on damage to the neurosensory retina in eyes examined 18 hours after exposure. The mechanism responsible for this protective effect is unknown.
New Ways of Working and Organization: Alternative Agrifood Movements and Agrifood Researchers

The remarkable growth of alternative agrifood movements-organics, fair trade, localism, Slow Food, farmers' markets, community-supported agriculture, food security, food safety, food sovereignty, anti-genetically modified organisms, animal welfare, and others-and their attraction to younger academic scholars offer a unique opportunity to explore ways to strengthen such movements utilizing the structural position and distinctive skills of academic researchers. The various movements constitute the major resource; sympathetic academic researchers are a second resource. Mobilizing these two resources in a new organization, the Alternative Agrifood Researchers without Borders, has the potential to contribute to strengthening the movements and their original progressive orientations and advancing civil society. To be effective, a new organization should parallel existing structures in state and market but focus on progressive goals aimed at reducing inequalities and expanding political and social participation. In building a body of literature usable for comparative analysis, the goal should be more effective alternative agrifood movements providing better services to broader global constituencies while simultaneously improving academic research quality. I draw on three social theories-resource mobilization, strategic intervention, and structural parallelism-to encourage careful revision of established academic paradigms.
SMART-TV: a fast and scalable nearest neighbor based classifier for data mining

K-nearest neighbors (KNN) is the simplest method for classification. Given a set of objects in a multi-dimensional feature space, the method assigns a category to an unclassified object based on the plurality of category of the k-nearest neighbors. The closeness between objects is determined using a distance measure, e.g. Euclidian distance. Despite its simplicity, KNN also has some drawbacks: 1) it suffers from expensive computational cost in training when the training set contains millions of objects; 2) its classification time is linear to the size of the training set. The larger the training set, the longer it takes to search for the k-nearest neighbors. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm, called SMART-TV (Small Absolute difference of Total Variation), that approximates a set of potential candidates of nearest neighbors by examining the absolute difference of total variation between each data object in the training set and the unclassified object. Then, the k-nearest neighbors are searched from that candidate set. We empirically evaluate the performance of our algorithm on both real and synthetic datasets and find that SMART-TV is fast and scalable. The classification accuracy of SMART-TV is high and comparable to the accuracy of the traditional KNN algorithm.
Target Cascading in Optimal System Design

Target cascading is a key challenge in the early product development stages of large complex artifacts: how to propagate the desirable top level design specifications (or targets) to appropriate specifications for the various subsystems and components in a consistent and efficient manner. Consistency means that all parts of the designed system should work well together, while efficiency means that the process itself should avoid iterations at later stages, which are costly in time and resources. In the present article target cascading is formalized by a process modeled as a multilevel optimal design problem. Design targets are cascaded down to lower levels using partitioning of the original problem into a hierarchical set of subproblems. For each design problem at a given level, an optimisation problem is formulated to minimize deviations from the propagated targets and thus achieve intersystem compatibility. A coordination strategy links all subproblem decisions so that the overall system performance targets are met. The process is illustrated with an explicit analytical problem and a simple automotive chassis design model that demonstrates how the process can be applied in practice.
Skin care management in cancer patients: an evaluation of quality of life and tolerability.

Purpose The objective of this study is to evaluate quality of life (QoL) and tolerability of three articles specifically developed for cancer skin care management (skin moisturizer, face moisturizer, and face wash).
Equibiaxial deformation-induced injury of alveolar epithelial cells in vitro

Deformation of the alveolar epithelial basement membrane with lung inflation has been implicated in blood-gas barrier breakdown during the development of ventilator-induced lung injury. To determin...
A Thousand and One Epidemic Models

Mathematical models have become important tools in analyzing the spread and control of infectious diseases. Although chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease receive more attention in developed countries, infectious diseases are the most important causes of suffering and mortality in developing countries. Recently, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is the etiological agent for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), has become an important sexually-transmitted disease throughout the world. Tuberculosis is again becoming a problem because drug-resistant strains have evolved. Understanding the transmission characteristics of infectious diseases in communities, regions and countries can lead to better approaches to decreasing the transmission of these diseases. Mathematical models are useful in building and testing theories, and in comparing, planning, implementing and evaluating various detection, prevention, therapy and control programs. See Hethcote and Van Ark [30] for a discussion of the purposes and limitations of epidemiological modeling.
Standards of Proof

This essay develops a formal framework for selecting welfare-enhancing standards of proofs. It reduces the inquiry to one equation with five variables and graphs the decision space in which each standard of proof dominates. The value of that exercise is demonstrated by applying the model in three contexts: (1) private party litigation, (2) government deprivations, and (3) affirmative defenses. In the first two at least, the new framework guides the selection of proof standards better than existing doctrine.
Classic Factor Analysis

In this chapter we explore the classic factor analytical model. Factor analysis is extremely important in its scientific historical role in explicitly recognizing measurement error in behavioral research,. and in providing a rigorous means of conceptualizing unobservable constructs and the theoretical nomological networks in which the constructs are embedded. More recently its importance is also in its foundational role as a predecessor to the currently enormously popular structural equations modeling techniques. Finally, classic factor analysis is also still commonly used today as an exploratory method. This chapter is organized as follows: First. the concepts of unobservable constructs and measurement error are reviewed. Second, factor analysis is distinguished from principal components analysis — these terms are often mistakenly used interchangeably even though these models have very different theoretical bases (if not empirical performances). Third, the decisions that must be made in the process of conducting a factor analysis are addressed. These issues include the "number of factors to retain" and the method of "rotation" to facilitate interpretation of the results. Finally, several advanced topics (e.g. higher-order factor analysis, multi-mode factor analysis, etc.) are discussed briefly. Several small data sets are analyzed throughout the chapter to provide examples, and the SAS and SPSSX commands necessary to run simple jobs are provided in Appendix A.
Assessments of image-based and scatterometry-based overlay targets

Having a well designed overlay metrology target is one of the ways to improve on-product overlay performance. The traditional screening method in which multiple targets types are added to successive reticle tape outs and then evaluated by trial-and-error may not suffice for the 7nm node and beyond. For instance, although segmentation of image-based overlay target has been reported by many as a means for improving overlay measurement, we find that segmentation does not guarantee improvement. In fact it can be undesirable. Fundamental understandings of metrology and wafer process are required to properly design the targets and carefully optimize them for a given process stack involving multilevel measurement. This paper investigates the Blossom, AIM, and scatterometry targets at the FEOL, MOL, and BEOL patterning levels in 7nm node to gain knowledge needed in order to comprehensively map out the overlay target solutions for future nodes.
Beyond CPS: Developing an Effective System for Helping Children in Neglectful Families

In this paper, I examine the role Child Protective Service (CPS) systems should have in protecting children from "neglectful" or highly inadequate parenting. I estimate that twenty percent of all children experience seriously inadequate parenting that has the potential of seriously compromising their immediate and long-term health or development, at some point during childhood. I identify three aspects of health and well-being that underlie most state policies and programs for children; safety during childhood, economic success in adulthood, and emotional health. I argue that while all of these aspects of well-being are important, CPS systems should be authorized to intervene only when there is a threat to a child's immediate physical safety or mental health, not to a child's long-term academic or emotional development. CPS systems do not have, and never will have, the capacity to address the long-term development of children. I believe, however, that the state does have an obligation to take affirmative steps to improve parenting that significantly compromises children's academic and emotional development. I outline a new system of coordinated services that should be implemented in order to enable all parents provide basically adequate parenting.
IS CARDIAC MRI A COST-SAVING STRATEGY FOR NEW CARDIAC PATIENTS?

The most commonly used cardiac imaging modalities are 2D Echo(2DE) and nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging(MPI). Cardiac MRI(CMR) is considered 2nd line for evaluation of chest pain, dyspnea, palpitations and syncope. Despite widespread availability, 2DE and MPI have inherent limitations that may
Theoretical effects of UTB urea transporters in the renal medullary microcirculation

A mathematical model of transport in the renal medullary microcirculation was used to investigate the role of the UTB urea transporter expressed in descending vasa recta (DVR) endothelia and red blood cell (RBC) membranes. Our simulations suggest that UTB raises RBC and plasma and interstitial urea concentrations by facilitating radial diffusion of the solute and therefore serves to increase the contribution of urea to the corticomedullary osmolality gradient, assuming no secondary effects on tubular transport. However, by lowering transmural urea concentration gradients, UTB reduces water efflux from DVR through aquaporin-1 (AQP1) water channels, thereby decreasing plasma sodium concentration. The net result of these competing effects on the osmolality gradient depends on the fraction of filtered urea that is reabsorbed by vasa recta. We also found that the contribution of UTB to water transport across DVR and RBCs is negligible, even in the absence of AQP1. Our model predicts that UTB plays a significant role, however, in reducing the shrinking and swelling of RBCs as blood flows along the medulla.
Immediate Versus Delayed Treatment Does Not Influence Long-term Outcomes After Radiation Therapy for Vestibular Schwannoma

Purpose/Objective(s): Observation after detection is now frequently selected as a primary management option for vestibular schwannoma (VS). It is uncertain whether this approach affects patient outcomes. It is possible that patients treated at time of progression are at an increased risk of treatment failure compared to patients treated at the time of initial detection, even among patients who may not have progressed for many years without treatment. In this study, we explore whether the decision for early or delayed treatment impacts treatment success among patients treated with hypofractionated stereotactic radiation therapy (HSRT). Materials/Methods: A retrospective review of 432 VS patients treated with HSRT regimens of 25Gy in 5 fractions or 12-15Gy in 1 fraction was performed. Patients were stratified as: (1) Early (nZ291, 67.4%), patients treated at time of initial presentation and (2) Delayed (nZ141, 32.6%), patients with radiological and/or clinical progression during a period of observation. Continuous data are summarized using median (interquartile range) and categorical data via frequency (percentage). Outcomes were measured from the date of treatment. Results: The median follow-up was 73.3 (48.7-102.9) months in the early group and 61.5 (41.0-88.7) months in the Delayed group. Baseline demographics and median baseline tumor volume (BTV) between the two groups were similar, except for older age at treatment (P 0.05). No significant differences were observed between groups with regards to median tumor volume at last follow-up, treatment failure requiring salvage microsurgery, or rate of clinical/radiological progression after treatment. Of note, a greater reduction in baseline tumor volume was observed in the Delayed group (median: -41.1%, IQR: -66.7% 9.4%) compared to the Early group (median: -32.5%, IQR: -66.7% 11.0%); however, this finding was not significant (P>0.05). Salvage microsurgery was required in 11 (3.8%) patients in the early group and 3 (2.1%) patients in the Delayed group. Ultimately, radiation therapy was equally successful in most patients in both groups (Early: nZ280, 96.2% vs Delayed: nZ138, 97.9%, PZ0.6). Conclusion: We report no difference in treatment failure rates among VS patients treated at time of initial detection versus those treated at time of progression. These data suggest that delaying RT-related toxicity by postponing RT until progression may be a reasonable approach. Author Disclosure: E.W. Sankey: None. A.E. Marciscano: None. I. Jusue-Torres: Research Grant; Salisbury Family Foundation. A. Liu: None. H.W. Francis: None. M. Lim: None. K.J. Redmond: Research Grant; Elekta Ab oligometastases research consortium. D. Rigamonti: Research Grant; Nicholl Family Foundation, Salisbury Family Foundation. L.R. Kleinberg: None.
Altered cellular anatomy and physiology of acute brain injury and spinal cord injury.

Trauma to the brain and spinal cord results in initial physical damage to neural tissue and vasculature. This primary damage leads quickly to a proliferation of cells and chemical mediators that continue to damage the central nervous system. This secondary injury is more devastating than the primary injury because it leads to the degeneration of nearby healthy cells and complicates the recovery and regeneration of the brain and spinal cord. Selected aspects of altered cellular physiology are discussed, including the neurotoxic roles of excitatory amino acids, free fatty acids, free radicals, and increased intracellular calcium.
Climate denial's Trump card

Nisbel warns that a Donald Trump presidency would disrupt the fight against global warming. Trump's promise to cancel the Paris climate agreement, end US funding for United Nations climate change programs, and roll back Obama administration regulations to cut power plant emissions should worry all. Republicans skeptical about anthropogenic global warming are nothing new. Yet a Trump presidency poses an existential threat to efforts to combat climate change that are qualitatively different from past candidates. It could set in motion a wave of political and economic crises, creating turmoil that would fatally disrupt efforts to tackle this issue.
Advocates of Dignity Can Do Better than Death

Many progressives see a natural alignment between state-approved medically assisted death (as distinct from our established “right to die”) and the liberties our Court has embraced in recent decades. In fact, after the Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which struck down laws excluding same-sex couples from civil marriage, some prominent LGBT activists set their sights on assisted-suicide laws. However, Jim Obergefell’s story is the story of a man with a long-term illness; of a spouse who had the privilege to care for him as he died; and of the power we all have to imbue our whole lives - even the end of our lives. The concept of “death with dignity” places value on some ways of being (ambulatory, verbal, capable of performing daily functions without assistance), and declares other lives - disabled lives - as “undignified.” It is also a simplistic, inadequate, and not particularly progressive approach to an issue - end-of-life needs of individuals and their families - that demands a comprehensive, progressive solution. Because assisted suicide laws carve certain people out of the state’s definition of “dignity” they are not the progeny of the Obergefell decision. They are inconsistent with a progressive conception of liberty because they do not offer meaningful choice; and that neither the history of the LGBT rights movement nor progressive values dictate that state-approved physician-assisted death is our next civil rights battle. I propose that those of us who value autonomy, comfort, self-determination, and justice in end-of-life care and decisions dedicate ourselves to address the stigma and misunderstanding that cause so many Americans to define dignity to be inconsistent with disability; de-link equality from sameness; enhance autonomy by providing education and supporting individuals and families in considering their options and communicating their wishes; and ensure access to high-quality care, services, and supports so that people have meaningful opportunities to exercise choice, not hypothetical rights.
VUV and XUV reflectance of optically coated mirrors for selection of high harmonics

We report the reflectance, ~1° from normal incidence, of six different mirrors as a function of photon energy, using monochromatic vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation with energies between 7.5 eV and 24.5 eV. The mirrors examined included both single and multilayer optical coatings, as well as an uncoated substrate. We discuss the performance of each mirror, paying particular attention to the potential application of suppression and selection of high-order harmonics of a Ti:sapphire laser.
Aldehyde Deformylation and Catalytic C–H Activation Resulting from a Shared Cobalt(II) Precursor

The tetradentate ligand N,N′-dibenzyl-N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine (bbpc) was used to prepare cobalt(II) diacetonitrilo and cobalt(III) peroxo complexes, the latter of which was structurally characterized. The cobalt(III) peroxo compound forms from reactions between the cobalt(II) complex, hydrogen peroxide, and a base, and it stoichiometrically reacts with aldehydes to yield mixtures of alkenes and ketones. The cobalt(II) precursor is capable of catalyzing the activation of weak C–H bonds by either iodosobenzene or m-chloroperbenzoic acid. This chemistry differs from most previously characterized cobalt-mediated C–H activation in that (1) it is catalytic, rather than stoichiometric, with respect to the cobalt and (2) it does not need a second Lewis acid metal ion in order to proceed.