cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Similar Outcome with Early Reduced Intensity Conditioning (RIC) Allogeneic Transplant to Autologous-Non-Myeloablative Allogeneic (Auto-Allo) Transplant in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

Although autologous transplant remains standard of care for patients with multiple myeloma, it is rarely curative. Allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplant (PSCT) using reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) or non-myeloablative conditioning following autologous PSCT (auto-allo) have been used in an attempt to improve survival. Although the graft vs. myeloma effect is an important therapeutic aspect of these approaches higher relapse rates have been reported using reduced intensity regimens suggesting that cytoreduction with auto PSCT (auto-allo) is required for optimal disease control. To examine the differences between RIC and auto-allo PSCT we performed a retrospective analysis of 49 patients who underwent auto-allo and RIC transplants. Thirty-seven patients received an auto-allo PSCT using melphalan (200mg/m2) prior to auto PSCT and TBI (200 cGy) prior to allograft PSCT and twelve patients underwent RIC allograft PSCT following fludarabine (125mg/m2) and melphalan (140mg/m2), between Feb 2000 to April 2005. Donors included HLA matched siblings (47) or matched unrelated donors (2 in the RIC group). Median follow up for the alive patients is 4.5 and 5.4 years for the auto-allo and the RIC groups, respectively. Median age was 51 years in the auto-allo group (range 38–66) and 48 years in the RIC group (range 42–62). Patients in the auto-allo group received their allograft within 60–120 days following autologous PSCT. In the RIC group, 7 patients failed a previous single (1) or tandem (6) auto PSCT. Cytogenetic data were available in 47 patients prior to transplant, with chromosome 13 deletion present in 2 patients in the auto-allo group and in 4 patients in the RIC group. Median B2-microglobulin was 1.8 in the auto-allo group and 2.1 in the RIC group. There were more patients in complete remission (CR)/partial remission (PR) in the auto-allo group (76%) than in the RIC group (17%, P= 0.0005), and there were more patients who received early transplant ( Conclusion: Our data suggest that RIC allograft and auto-allo PSCT-associated treatment related mortality is similar, and RIC allograft when administered earlier during the disease course may result in similar outcome. However whether using early reduced intensity allogeneic transplant could eliminate the need for cytoreductive auto-PSCT needs to be addressed in prospective clinical trial.
Central Venous Cannulation

Central venous cannulation is an essential skill for all cardiovascular specialists and provides a safe and secure route for the administration of parenteral agents. Often performed in an emergent fashion, where intravenous access is required for delivery of potentially life saving medication, this technique may also be used when limited peripheral options are available.
I-131 hyperthyroidism treatment dose comparisons: How much information is required to adequately treat our patients?

2121 Objectives : Nuclear Medicine Departments generally perform a 2-hr uptake, a 24-hr uptake, and a scan using I-123 prior to treating patients with hyperthyroidism. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how much higher the I-131 calculated treatment dose is in patients who exhibit peak uptake at two hours than that of patients who exhibit peak uptake in subsequent uptakes. Methods : 400uCi of I-123 tracer was administered to each patient. Uptakes were obtained at 2, 24, 48, and 72-hrs. Patients are scanned at 24hrs using a Pinhole Collimator. Based on the uptakes, Teff ½ of the I-123 is calculated for the patient. From the scan, the thyroid gland weight is derived using a Planimeter and is clinically estimated by a physician (correlation coefficient is 0.9) to objectively prescribe an I-131 treatment dose for each patient. In 2005, 61 of 172 hyperthyroid patients were treated at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. Results : Of the 61 patients, 8 exhibited peak 2-hr uptakes, and were treated with a mean dose of 34mCi I-131. 21 patients had 24-hr peak uptakes and were prescribed a mean dose of 22.6mCi I-131. 22 patients exhibited 48-hr peak uptakes and were given an average dose of 21.9mCi I-131. The last 10 patients showed 72-hr peak uptakes, and were prescribed approximately 18.2mCi I-131 for their condition. On average, 21.5mCi of I 131 was prescribed to each of the 53 patients who demonstrated a later peak uptake that followed their 2-hr uptake. If a standard dose of 15mCi of I-131 were given to treat Hyperthyroidism, only 12 of the 61 patients would be adequately dosed for their condition. Based on our calculations, 26 of the 51 under-dosed patients would have been significantly under-dosed. Conclusions : Of the 61 patients, 59 were rendered hypothyroid with a single I-131 therapy dose. 8 patients who exhibited peak uptake at 2 hrs required significantly higher I-131 therapy dose than those patients who had higher subsequent uptakes. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain at least 2 and 24-hr uptakes to effectively prescribe I-131 hyperthyroid treatment doses. Otherwise, a significant number of patients will highly likely be under-dosed.
A Tightly Regulated Genetic Selection System with Signaling-Active Alleles of Phytochrome B

Selectable markers derived from plant genes circumvent the potential risk of antibiotic/herbicide-resistance gene transfer into neighboring plant species, endophytic bacteria, and mycorrhizal fungi. Toward this goal, we have engineered and validated signaling-active alleles of phytochrome B (eYHB) as plant-derived selection marker genes in the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). By probing the relationship of construct size and induction conditions to optimal phenotypic selection, we show that eYHB-based alleles are robust substitutes for antibiotic/herbicide-dependent marker genes as well as surprisingly sensitive reporters of off-target transgene expression.
Analysis of patients ≥65 with predominant cervical spine fractures: Issues of disposition and dysphagia.

Background: Cervical spine fractures occur in 2.6% to 4.7% of trauma patients aged 65 years or older. Mortality rates in this population ranges from 19% to 24%. A few studies have specifically looked at dysphagia in elderly patients with cervical spine injury. Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate dysphagia, disposition, and mortality in elderly patients with cervical spine injury. Settings and Design: Retrospective review at an the American College of Surgeons-verified level 1 trauma center. Methods: Patients 65 years or older with cervical spine fracture, either isolated or in association with other minor injuries were included in the study. Data included demographics, injury details, neurologic deficits, dysphagia evaluation and treatment, hospitalization details, and outcomes. Statistical Analysis: Categorical and continuous data were analyzed using Chi-square analysis and one-way analysis of variance, respectively. Results: Of 136 patients in this study, 2 (1.5%) had a sensory deficit alone, 4 (2.9%) had a motor deficit alone, and 4 (2.9%) had a combined sensory and motor deficit. Nearly one-third of patients (n = 43, 31.6%) underwent formal swallow evaluation, and 4 (2.9%) had a nasogastric tube or Dobhoff tube placed for enteral nutrition, whereas eight others (5.9%) had a gastrostomy tube or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placed. Most patients were discharged to a skilled nursing unit (n = 50, 36.8%), or to home or home with home health (n = 48, 35.3%). Seven patients (5.1%) died in the hospital, and eight more (5.9%) were transferred to hospice. Conclusion: Cervical spine injury in the elderly patient can lead to significant consequences, including dysphagia and need for skilled nursing care at discharge.
Occupational Exposures and Health Outcomes Among Immigrants in the USA

Immigrants experience higher rates of occupational injury and fatality than their native-born counterparts. This review summarizes the current data related to occupational/environmental exposures and explores potential reasons for the disparities. Immigrant workers are employed in sectors that expose them to dangerous working conditions. They experience increased risk for exposure to heat, pesticides, hazardous chemicals, and cleaning agents, as well as physical hazards such as falls. Immigrant workers are at increased risk for occupational injury and fatality due to the nature of the work they traditionally perform, a lack of enforced safety regulations, and limited access to health care or worker’s compensation benefits.
Blue Ribbon Abstract Award : Standardization of the central venous catheter insertion process reduces catheter-associated bloodstream infections in a university hospital medical intensive care unit

ISSUE: Use of central venous catheters (CVC) has been associated with increased incidence of bloodstream infections (BSIs). We set out to decrease the rate of CVC-associated BSI (CVC-BSI) by implementing a multifaceted intervention that included provider education, a standardized insertion checklist, and real-time performance feedback. PROJECT: Our institution defines CVC-BSI using National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system criteria. During the year prior to the intervention (October 2001 to September 2002), our 14-bed medical intensive care unit (MICU) had a CVC-BSI rate of 7.6/1000 central line days. Based upon published guidelines, a multidisciplinary team developed a mandatory online tutorial and examination for medical and nursing staff. At each CVC insertion or guidewire exchange, the bedside nurse completed a standardized checklist that identified evidence-based insertion behaviors. The checklists were scanned into a computerized database, allowing rapid data entry. Real-time performance feedback reports were generated, and the MICU staff and physicians were provided unit specific data at the start of each month and 3 weeks later to allow resident physicians, who rotate monthly, to review their data and adjust their practice as needed. This collaborative intervention was designed to be educational and not punitive in nature. RESULTS: Following implementation in October 2002, the intervention has been used for 701 CVC insertions. The CVC-BSI rate for lines impacted by this study decreased to a 2004 rate of 1.9/1000 central line days. There have been two periods of greater than 200 days each between CVC-BSI. Positive feedback from this intervention has led to its acceptance and continued use for more than 2 years. MICU is proud of the low BSI rate and works to maintain it. LESSONS LEARNED: Using a standardized intervention aimed at CVC insertion reduces CVC-BSI rates. Development of a successful program requires cooperation and buy-in from physicians as well as nursing staff to effect change. Use of a standardized form provides data for process improvement as well as documentation for the medical record. The observation checklist is available in the electronic medical record. Due to the continued success in the MICU, we started implementing the intervention in all critical care areas in 2004.
Toward the Rational Design of Sustainable Hair Dyes Using Cheminformatics Approaches: Step 1. Database Development and Analysis

Herein, we report on the initial step of the design process of new hair dyes with the desired properties. The first step is dedicated to the development of the largest, publicly available database of hair dye substances (containing temporary and semipermanent hair dyes as well as permanent hair dye precursors) used in commercial hair dye formulations. The database was utilized to perform a cheminformatics study assessing the computed physicochemical properties of the different hair dye substances, especially within each cluster of structurally similar dyes. The various substances could be differentiated based on their average molecular weight, hydrophobicity, topological polar surface area, and number of hydrogen bond acceptors, with some overlap also observed. In particular, we found that dyes such as C.I. Basic Orange 1 and 2 were clustered among the precursors, suggesting that their diffusion behavior is similar to that of permanent hair dye precursors. We anticipate taking advantage of this interestin...
WEAKLY COMPACT SUBSETS OF BANACH SPACES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses weakly compact subsets of Banach spaces. The fields of analysis, general topology, and set theory have another happy reunion in the study of weakly compact subsets of Banach spaces. This chapter also presents some of the basic results and recent advances relating to weakly compact sets from a set theoretic topologist's point of view. The EC spaces are topological spaces that are homeomorphic to weakly compact subsets of Banach spaces. EC spaces are preserved under closed subsets, countable products, and continuous images. The concept of an EC space originated in the study of Banach spaces and continues to play an important role in the field. This chapter also reviews a few of the basic Banach space and measure space results concerning ECs and discusses the way in which these results relate to set theoretic topology.
Making Federal Information Technology Accessible: A Case Study in Social Policy and Procurement

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that all information technology bought by the federal government be accessible to persons with disabilities. That goal, simple to state, has been enormously complex to implement. In imposing a social initiative on the procurement system, Congress has left a huge number of issues unresolved - including, most critically, who is to pay for the initiative. This article reviews the issues raised by Section 508, and traces common patterns that emerge when, as with Section 508, social goals are implemented through a large, complex, and deeply entrenched procurement system. The article traces the impact of established constituencies, inside and outside the government, both in slowing Section 508's progress and in filling gaps left by Congress and the regulators. The article suggests that, as the U.S. procurement system grows ever more streamlined in the coming years, the patterns and pitfalls of Section 508 - and of other social initiatives - will become an increasingly prominent part of the procurement system.
Breaking ranks? Differentiating nominal group technique scoring approaches for consensus and prioritization

ABSTRACTDue to myriad applications of the nominal group technique (NGT), a highly flexible iterative focus group method, researchers know little about its optimal scoring procedures. Exploring bene...
Molecular Genetic Anatomy and Risk Profile of Hirschsprung's Disease.

Abstract Background Hirschsprung’s disease, or congenital aganglionosis, is a developmental disorder of the enteric nervous system and is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in neonates...
Migratory strategy explains differences in timing of female reproductive development in seasonally sympatric songbirds

Divergent migratory strategies among populations can result in population‐level differences in timing of reproduction (allochrony) and local adaptation. However, the mechanisms underlying among‐population variation in timing are insufficiently understood, particularly in females. We studied differences in reproductive development and its related mechanisms along the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis (HPG) in closely related migratory and sedentary (i.e. resident) female dark‐eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) living together in sympatry during early spring. Despite exposure to the same environmental cues in early spring, residents initiate breeding prior to the departure of migrants for their breeding grounds. We investigated whether residents would be more reproductively developed than migrants based on their behavioural differences. Alternatively, females could exhibit similar reproductive development in response to the same environmental cues despite differences in migratory behaviour. To compare their degree of reproductive development during seasonal sympatry and the underlying mechanisms of these differences, we collected ovarian and liver tissue in early spring prior to migration and compared transcript abundance of genes associated with reproduction using quantitative PCR. We also used stable hydrogen isotopes to infer relative breeding and wintering latitude of migrants. We found higher transcript abundance of luteinizing hormone receptor and aromatase in the ovary in addition to significantly heavier ovaries in residents than in migrants. Together, these results suggest greater sensitivity and response to upstream endocrine stimulation in resident females. Transcript abundance for other receptors in the ovary and liver associated with reproduction, however, did not differ between populations. When comparing ovarian development within migrants, females with lower hydrogen isotopes (indicating higher breeding latitudes) had smaller ovaries, suggesting that longer‐distance migrations may further delay reproductive development. Based on differences in ovary mass and transcript abundance, we conclude that females that differ in migratory strategy also differ in timing of reproductive development. These results support that divergent migratory behaviour drives allochrony and could enable reproductive isolation between populations; mechanistic differences at the level of gonadal stimulation can explain these differences in timing of reproductive development. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
High-energy particle interactions in large targets. 1. Hadronic cascades, shielding, energy deposition

This manual is primarily a collection of calculations of the development of hadronic cascades in steel and concrete in some typical geometries for incident protons of momenta ranging from 30 GeV/c to 1000 GeV/c. It is hoped that they will be useful when designing and reviewing shielding of beam lines and. experimental setups. The emphasis IS placed on radiation safety. Some data pertaining to the design of ionization calorimeters are also presented.
Two-Resolution Detection of Lung Tumors in Chest Radiographs

We have developed a computer system that helps radiologists to detect the images of lung tumors in chest radiographs. The system has high sensitivity and few false detections per film. To conserve memory space and especially execution time, our system operates at both “coarse” and “fine” digitizations, corresponding to sampling apertures of 1200µm and 600µm, respectively. At the first of a series of steps at coarse digitization, our system detects on the average 47 candidate tumors per radiograph. All subsequent steps reduce the number of candidates while retaining high sensitivity. Through a sequence of feature extractions and classifications at coarse followed by fine digitization these tumor candidates are reduced to only about 5 per radiograph. The resulting miss probability is 0.10, about one-third that of an average competent radiologist.
25.3 A 65nm Edge-Chasing Quantizer-Based Digital LDO Featuring 4.58ps-FoM and Side-Channel-Attack Resistance

Low-Dropout Regulators (LDOs) are commonly desired for fine-grained power management in SoCs because of their compact area, high current efficiency, and small output ripple. Digital LDOs (DLDOs) are increasingly adopted in recent years thanks to voltage and process scalability. However, achieving a fast response to a load change requires a conventional synchronous DLDO to either increase its sampling frequency with a large power overhead, or include a large output capacitor $(\mathrm{C}_{\mathrm{OUT}})$ with increased chip area and cost. Various control schemes have been proposed to mitigate these drawbacks. In synchronous designs, attempts have been made to employ more complex control algorithms to achieve faster response [1], and to replace the PMOS switch array with switched capacitors for reduced dynamic energy consumption [2]. On the other hand, asynchronous DLDOs with event-driven [3] and beat-frequency VCO-based structures [4] show promise across the key performance, power and area metrics. Recently, voltage regulators are also found to be useful in enhancing the resistance of cryptographic engines and processors against power and EM side-channel attacks (SCAs) [5]–[7], which are physical attacks representing a severe threat to mobile and embedded devices. Employing regulators for SCA defense is promising because they are already used in most systems and require no modifications to existing computing architectures and algorithms like other circuit-level defenses [8]–[9]. In this paper, we present a high-performance and SCA-aware DLDO leveraging the unique properties of the Edge-Chasing Quantizer (ECQ). The 65nm DLDO prototype achieves: 1) a 101.7mV droop and 506ns settling time after a 20mA, 0.1ns step load change, with only a 0.1nF capacitor; 2) a 0.018mm2 active area and 99.4% peak current efficiency; and, 3) more than 14000× improvement in power SCA resistance on a 128b AES engine, with 27.5% area, 19.4% power, and 4.54% performance overheads over a standalone AES, and negligible overhead when compared to an AES design integrated with conventional DLDOs.
Relational Work in the Economy

In her groundbreaking scholarship on intimacy and economy, Viviana Zelizer coined the concept of relational work, or efforts in matching social relations with economic transactions and media of exc...
Chapter 6 – Marine Sediments

Occupying more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, the oceans are a very important source of paleoclimatic information. Between 6 and 11 billion metric tons of sediment accumulate in the ocean basins annually, and this provides an archive of climatic conditions near the ocean surface or on the adjacent continents. Sediments are composed of both biogenic and terrigenous materials. The biogenic component includes the remains of planktic (near surface-dwelling) and benthic (bottom-dwelling) organisms, which provide a record of past climate and oceanic circulation, in terms of surface water temperature and salinity, dissolved oxygen in deep water, nutrient or trace element concentrations, etc. By contrast, the nature and abundance of terrigenous material mainly provide a record of humidity-aridity variations on the continents, or the intensity and direction of winds blowing from land areas to the oceans, and other modes of sediment transport to, and within, the oceans (fluvial erosion, ice-rafting, turbidity currents, etc.). Marine sediments also contain biomarkers (organic molecules derived from terrestrial or marine organisms), which can be useful proxies of paleoceanographic conditions or of paleoenvironmental conditions on the adjacent continents.
Aggression and Somatic Symptoms: the Role of Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance

The current study used a longitudinal design (via three biweekly assessments) to assess the association of state aggression and somatic symptoms and the potential role of trait emotion regulation and distress tolerance in these associations in a sample of 186 college students. Multilevel modeling was used to examine the influence of state psychological aggression and state physical aggression on somatic symptoms (i.e., within-person variables) and the moderation of emotion regulation and distress tolerance (i.e., between-person variables) on the relation between aggression and somatic symptoms. The results indicated that state psychological aggression was positively associated with somatic symptoms. Emotion regulation moderated the influence of psychological aggression on somatic symptoms, in which psychological aggression was associated with somatic symptoms among those who reported medium and high levels of difficulties in emotion regulation, but not those with low levels of difficulties in emotion regulation. Distress tolerance did not moderate the association between aggression and somatic symptoms. The current findings speak to the importance of including the assessment of psychological aggression in health promotion programs and medical visits and identifying emotion regulation as a treatment marker for those with somatic symptoms.
A High-Density Single-Turn Inductor for a 6 kV SiC-based Power Electronics Building Block

This paper presents the design and optimization of a single-turn magnetic-core inductor for a 6kV, 40Hz power electronics building block (PEBB) using 10kV SiC MOSFET modules. The inductor design begins with a comprehensive comparison between air-core, single-turn and multi-turn magnetic core structures, and the single-turn magnetic core structure is concluded to be the most suitable solution for the given specifications. The design process is then followed by an optimization of geometric dimensions and magnetics by a trade-off among power loss, volume, and parasitic capacitance. To achieve high compactness by minimizing the electric field stress in the air, a grounded shielding layer is applied to surround the winding, and the high-electric-field space is filled with void-free solid insulators. Major issues resulting from the shielded winding structure include extra loss on the shield, concentrated electric field at fringes, and induced grounding current. These problems have been addressed by shield conductivity selection, a proposed field-grading termination, and a well-designed damping circuit, respectively. Finally, the fabrication process of a prototype and the experimental performance are demonstrated.
Empirical insights on technology use for navigating human services

A considerable portion of the US population still lacks access to technology, which causes challenges for marginalized communities to access information and services. Research on the digital divide...
Microstructure-Based Random Finite Element Method Model for Freezing Effects in Soils and Cold Region Retaining Walls:

This paper describes the development of a random finite element model that allows holistic simulation of the phase transition and consequent development of internal stress and volume changes in fro...
Identifying Weak Joints in Jointed Concrete and Composite Pavements from Traffic Speed Deflectometer Measurements by Basis Pursuit

AbstractWeak joints are the source of most performance problems in jointed concrete pavements (JPCPs) and composite pavements created by overlaying a JPCP. Until recently, it has been prohibitively...
Structural and Electrical Demonstration of SiGe Cladded Channel for PMOS Stacked Nanosheet Gate-All-Around Devices

In this paper, horizontal gate-all-around (hGAA) devices with a SiGe cladded nanosheet (NS) channel have been explored for their potential benefits of Vt modulation and improved NBTI. The SiGe cladded NS channel was formed through trimming of the Si NS channel followed by selective SiGe epitaxial growth. Selective Si NS channel trimming of 1 - 2 nm per side with low roughness and conformal SiGe cladding epitaxial growth of 2 - 3 nm with good crystallinity were demonstrated. It is shown that a SiGe cladding NS channel provides a reduction of threshold voltage (Vt) and improved reliability. It is also shown that a conformal Si cap grown on the SiGe cladded NS channel suppresses the interface trap density (Dit).
Time and the Reader of the Roman de la Rose

This article argues for reading the Roman de la Rose according to an asynchronous model of narrative time. In particular, this article shows that the Roman de la Rose explicitly thematizes and insc...
Power Splitting based Precoding for the MIMO-BC with Multicast and Confidential Messages

This paper studies secure precoding and power allocation for the two-user multiple-input multiple-output broadcast channel (MIMO-BC) with common and confidential messages. In this setting, the base station provides three services: A public service (a multicast or common message) to serve both users and two confidential messages to serve each of the two users secretly. The capacity region of this channel is characterized using secret dirty-paper coding. This scheme is, however, prohibitively complex for practical implementations. Under this scenario, a linear precoding method based on a power splitting scheme among the three services is proposed to optimize the corresponding rate equations in a separated manner by decomposing the MIMO-BC into two wiretap channels and a multicast channel. This approach leverages the wiretap channel solutions to design a precoder for the above channel. Particularly, alternative optimization is applied to the modified wiretap channels. For the multicast channel, analytical solutions together with a nonlinear random search are developed in different cases. Numerical results illustrate the efficacy of the proposed linear precoding and power allocation method. The proposed method also outperforms existing solutions over related problems such as the MIMO-BC with one confidential broadcasting and multicasting, etc.
Fast and High-Resolution NLoS Beam Switching over Commercial Off-the-Shelf mmWave Devices

The high directionality of mmWave communication makes its line-of-sight (LoS) path susceptible to blockage when the user is moving. Most existing solutions have very stringent requirements on the antennas of the transmitter and the receiver, which are hardly met by today's consumer-level commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) mmWave products. In reality, a COTS device uses low-resolution wide-beam antennas, and hence cannot support the aforementioned methods for NLoS beam switching in response to the LoS blockage. In this paper, we develop a new method to support high-resolution mmWave multi-path channel resolving based on coarse-grained wide-beam phased array antennas. We design a novel real-time beam-switching algorithm that allows COTS devices to estimate the location and reflection coefficient of the dominant reflectors. Whenever the current LoS is blocked, our algorithm can compute in real-time the best alternative beam direction based on estimated reflectors to establish a strong NLoS link. We implemented the proposed algorithm on a COTS mmWave device and evaluated the system's performance on the physical and transport layer. Our experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm on estimating dominant reflectors and calculating strong alternative beam directions, and its efficacy in providing robust connections for COTS mmWave devices.
Multiscale modeling of tumor adaption and invasion following anti-angiogenic therapy

In order to promote continued growth, a tumor must recruit new blood vessels, a process known as tumor angiogenesis. Many therapies have been tested that aim to inhibit tumor angiogenesis, thus starving the tumor of nutrients and preventing tumor growth. However, many of these therapies have been unsuccessful and can paradoxically further tumor development by leading to increased local tumor invasion and metastasis. In this study, we use agent-based modeling to examine how hypoxic and acidic conditions following anti-angiogenic therapy can influence tumor development. Under these conditions, we find that cancer cells experience a phenotypic shift to a state of higher survival and invasive capability, spreading further away from the tumor into surrounding tissue. Although anti-angiogenic therapy alone promotes tumor cell adaptation and invasiveness, we find that augmenting chemotherapy with anti-angiogenic therapy improves chemotherapeutic response and delays the time it takes for the tumor to regrow. Overall, we use computational modeling to explain the behavior of tumor cells in response to anti-angiogenic treatment in the dynamic tumor microenvironment.
Hepatic Lobar Distribution of Splenic and Mesenteric Blood Flow in Man

The hepatic lobar distribution of 131I- labeled serum albumin injected into the superior mesenteric and splenic arteries was studied in 6 normal subjects and in 8 patients with portal hypertension to determine whether streamlining of flow in the portal vein leads to selective hepatic distribution of portal inflow. Isotope dilution curves recorded simultaneously from the right and left (or sagittal) hepatic veins were similar in most patients whether injection was made into the superior mesenteric or splenic arteries. The ratio of the area of curves recorded from the right to that from the left (or sagittal) hepatic veins averaged 0.91 after superior mesenteric injection and 0.95 after splenic injection. The absence in man of a consistent pattern of hepatic distribution of portal inflow makes this explanation for the localization of blood-borne hepatic lesions untenable.
Convection of Plasmaspheric Plasma into the Outer Magnetosphere and Boundary Layer Region: Initial Results

We present initial results on the modeling of the circulation of plasmaspheric- origin plasma into the outer magnetosphere and low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL), using a dynamic global core plasma model (DGCPM). The DGCPM includes the influences of spatially and temporally varying convection and refilling processes to calculate the equatorial core plasma density distribution throughout the magnetosphere. We have developed an initial description of the electric and magnetic field structures in the outer magnetosphere region. The purpose of this paper is to examine both the losses of plasmaspheric-origin plasma into the magnetopause boundary layer and the convection of this plasma that remains trapped on closed magnetic field lines. For the LLBL electric and magnetic structures we have adopted here, the plasmaspheric plasma reaching the outer magnetosphere is diverted anti-sunward primarily along the dusk flank. These plasmas reach X = -15 R(sub E) in the LLBL approximately 3.2 hours after the initial enhancement of convection and continues to populate the LLBL for 12 hours as the convection electric field diminishes.
HONG KONG'S INFLATION AND DEFLATION UNDER THE US DOLLAR PEG: THE BALASSA-SAMUELSON EFFECT OR EXPORT PRICE SHOCKS?

Hong Kong's US dollar peg, adopted in 1983, has failed to deliver price stability. Hong Kong experienced high inflation before the Asian financial crisis and prolonged deflation after it. The annual rate of inflation (GDP-deflator based) was 7.4% in the first period (1985–97) and −2.0% in the second (1998–2007). There was no clear trend for the inflation rate to converge to the US level. The nominal anchor via a fixed exchange rate in Hong Kong had an upward and downward drift in the order of 4% from the US inflation rate, casting doubt on the anchor's efficacy. Despite Hong Kong's high output growth relative to that of the United States, the Balassa-Samuelson effect was not the main factor behind the pre-Asian crisis inflation. Price shocks in service exports played a major role in Hong Kong's general prices through the two periods.
The Jefferson Lab high resolution TDC module

We discuss the design of a high resolution TDC module for use in nuclear physics experiments at Jefferson Lab. Preliminary results on the performance of the prototype module are presented.
Agents Protecting Agents: An Empirical Study of Takeover Defenses in Spinoffs

When a firm spins off a subsidiary, the parent managers create a governance structure for the spinoff and decide whether spinoff management will be protected by takeover defenses. We find evidence that agency costs at the parent firm level affect the adoption of takeover defenses for the spinoff. Takeover defenses are most common when parent managers have weak incentives to maximize firm value, and more common when parent managers would personally benefit by entrenching spinoff managers. Takeover defenses in spinoffs are also more common than in similar IPOs, where governance decisions are made by parties with substantial ownership stakes in the firm. We also find that many spinoff charters commonly contain takeover defenses that are prohibited at the parent firm, thus effectively undercutting parent shareholders' rights. Finally, we find that this entrenchment reduces share value in the parent.
Can Pensions Be Restructured in (Detroit’s) Municipal Bankruptcy?

This paper, which was written as a White Paper for the Federalist Society, describes and assesses the question whether public employee pensions can be restructured in bankruptcy, with a particular focus on Detroit. Part I gives a brief overview both of the treatment of pensions under state law, and of the Michigan law governing the Detroit pensions. Part II explains the legal argument for restructuring an underfunded pension in bankruptcy. Part III considers the major federal constitutional objections to restructuring. Part IV discusses arguments based on the Michigan Constitution and Part V assesses several Chapter 9 arguments against restructuring. None of these arguments appear to prevent restructuring. Assuming that pensions can in fact be restructured, Part VI discusses the Chapter 9 factors that may affect the extent to which they are or can be restructured in a particular case.
Hashimoto Thyroiditis in Childhood – Review of the Epidemiology, Genetic Susceptibility and Clinical Aspects of the Disease

Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of thyroid diseases in children and adolescents. It is also the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism with or without goiter. The incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis has increased dramatically over the past few decades, affecting up to 5% of the general population in iodine sufficient areas. HT is caused by the complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and endogenous factors. Significant progress has been made in identifying and characterizing the genes involved in pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of this review is to analyze current opinions and options regarding the etiology, genetic contribution to the pathogenesis, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the HT in children.
"Break copy" duplication: a model for chromosome fragment formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Introduction of a chromosome fragmentation vector (CFV) into the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae results in a targeted homologous recombination event that yields an independently segregating chromosome fragment (CF) and an alteration in the strain's karyotype. Fragmentation with an acentric CFV directed in a centromere-proximal orientation generates a CF that contains all sequences proximal to the targeting segment and results in loss of the endogenous targeted chromosome to yield a 2N-1 + CF karyotype. In contrast, fragmentation with a centric CFV directed in a centromere-distal orientation generates a CF that contains all sequences distal to the targeting segment and retention of the endogenous targeted chromosome to yield a 2N + CF karyotype. We have termed this phenomenon "break copy" duplication. Using yeast strains in which the centromere had been transposed to a new location, it was demonstrated that the centromere inhibited break copy duplication. These data suggest that CF formation is the product of an unscheduled DNA replication event initiated by the free end of the CFV and is analogous to a "half" double-strand break gap-repair reaction. We suggest that break copy duplication may have evolved as a mechanism for maintenance of ploidy following DNA breakage.
Graceful quorum reconfiguration in a robust emulation of shared memory

Providing shared-memory abstraction in message-passing systems often simplifies the development of distributed algorithms and allows for the reuse of shared-memory algorithms in the message-passing setting. A robust emulation of atomic single-writer/multi-reader registers in message-passing systems was developed by Attiya, Bar-Noy and Dolev (1995). This emulation was extended by Lynch and Shvartsman (1997) to multi-writer/multi-reader registers using reconfigurable quorum systems. In this work we present a new atomic multi-writer/multi-reader register service that includes a fault-tolerant reconfiguration service. This new emulation has a substantially improved performance and fault-tolerance characteristics. We introduce the concept of intermediate quorum configurations and show how they can be used by readers/writers during reconfiguration. The result is that the quorum reconfigurations are graceful: readers and writers no longer "busy-wait" during reconfigurations, bur are able to complete their operations. An additional advance is that the reconfigurer is eliminated as the single point of failure. When the reconfigurer fails, readers and writers continue using intermediate configurations. In finite executions, read and write operations terminate in bounded time using a bounded number of messages (the bounds depend on the "currency" of the configuration at the invoker of the operation). Finally, the service places no restrictions on the installed quorum configuration: a previously installed quorum system can be replaced by an arbitrary new quorum system.
NASA's K/Ka-band broadband aeronautical terminal for duplex satellite video communications

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has begun the development of a broadband aeronautical terminal (BAT) for duplex video satellite communications on a variety of aircraft. The BAT is designed exclusively for use with NASA's K/Ka-band Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS). In the article the overall BAT system and the experiments currently planned for its demonstration are overviewed. Examples of how such a system may first be introduced as a commercial product are given. Functional descriptions of the BAT subsystems are given, with an emphasis on the antenna. The capabilities of the ACTS satellite that the BAT system will utilize are summarized. >
Resonant Cavity Measurements of Ionized Wakes

A transmission resonant cavity technique, which is suitable for making measurements of electron line densities and collision frequencies in the ionized wakes of hypervelocity projectiles, is described. With this method electron density measurements can be made over six orders of magnitude. Resonant cavity design requirements and limitations of the method are discussed. Typical data from measurements behind projectiles traveling at speeds up to 6.5 km/s are given.
o,p'-DDD (mitotane) therapy of adrenal cortical carcinoma: observations on drug dosage, toxicity, and steroid replacement.

Four patients with adrenal cortical carcinoma were treated with standard doses of o,p′-DDD. Plasma levels of o,p′-DDD and its metabolites o,p′-DDA and o,p′-DDE were measured. o,p′-DDD was measurable for up to 8 months after stopping therapy, and trace levels of metabolites were detectable at 18 months. Although 2 of 3 patients with measurable disease had objective tumor response and one patient achieved a complete response, severe drug toxicity occurred in all patients and signs of adrenal insufficiency occurred in three. Low dose therapy with o,p′-DDD is suggested, together with full gluco and mineralo-corticoid replacement. Measurement of o,p′-DDD and its metabolites in plasma may prove clinically useful in developing effective but less toxic dosage schedules. Cancer 42:2177–2181, 1978.
Adaptive Anomaly Detection Using a Hidden Markov Model

Online condition monitoring and diagnosis systems are very important in the modern manufacturing industry. We present a new method to assess the degradation processes of multiple failure modes using the Hidden Markov Model (HMM). The HMM is combined with statistical process control (SPC) to detect the occurrence of unknown faults. This method allows an HMM to adjust and update the state space with the identification of new states. Hence, the online degradation assessment and adaptive fault diagnosis can be simultaneously obtained. The turning process are used to illustrate that previously unknown tool wear processes can be successfully detected at the early stages using the HMM.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
The Calculus of Relations as a Foundation for Mathematics

A variable-free, equational logic $\mathcal{L}^\times$ based on the calculus of relations (a theory of binary relations developed by De Morgan, Peirce, and Schroder during the period 1864---1895) is shown to provide an adequate framework for the development of all of mathematics. The expressive and deductive powers of $\mathcal{L}^\times$ are equivalent to those of a system of first-order logic with just three variables. Therefore, three-variable first-order logic also provides an adequate framework for mathematics. Finally, it is shown that a variant of $\mathcal{L}^\times$ may be viewed as a subsystem of sentential logic. Hence, there are subsystems of sentential logic that are adequate to the task of formalizing mathematics.
An investigation of the mechanism of total internal reflection in tropospheric microwave propagation

Some calculations are performed concerning the amplitude and phase fluctuations of a totally reflected monochromatic and homogeneous radio beam from a monotonically stratified tropospheric layer. In a first approximation the incident beam is considered to be collimated; the reflected beam is then also collimated but inhomngeneous along a cross section parallel to the interface. Next, a more realistic case is considered in which the incident beam is given by an angular bundle of rays corresponding to a certain radiation polar diagram of the transmitting source. Under this condition the totally reflected field presents a more complicated structure in space, since it manifests focusing or defocusing effects not only along the boundary of the layer but also with height from this interface. A numerical evaluation of these fluctuations with height is of special interest; in principle they may justify vertical space diversity efficiency in a number of typical cases concerning more especially obstructed microwave paths.
High-valent manganese in polyoxotungstates. 4. Catalytic and stoichiometric alkene oxidation

Abstract Six manganese-containing heteropolytungstates, α-[(XO 4 )W 11 MnO 36 ] n − (XW 11 Mn; X = P, Si, B, and Zn), γ-[(SiO 4 )W 10 Mn III 2 O 36 H 6 ] 4− (SiW 10 Mn 2 ), and [Mn II 4 (H 2 O) 2 (PW 9 O 34 ) 2 ] 10− (P 2 W 18 Mn 4 ) have been compared as catalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexene and cis -stilbene by iodosylbenzene. The yield of epoxide and the cis/trans isomer ratio of stilbene epoxides are dependent upon the charge of the XW 11 Mn catalysts. In addition to the oxidation reactions, isomerization of cis -stilbene to trans -stilbene was observed when an oxidized derivative of P 2 W 18 Mn 4 was used as a catalyst. Stoichiometric oxidation of cyclohexene or cis -stilbene by high-oxidation-state manganese-substituted heteropolyanions was also examined. Product distributions from stoichiometric oxidation are different from those from the catalytic reactions for each heteropolyanion, suggesting that different reaction pathways may be involved in these two types of reactions.
Cardiovascular mortality in the Southeastern United States: the coastal plain enigma.

Abstract The spatial pattern of cardiovascular mortality in Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina has suggested that causative factors in the geochemical environment may be involved. Agestandardized mortality rates for sex and race subgroups of the population over two time periods are used to examine the pattern. An optimal regression analysis indicates the divergent mortality associations of the groups. Canonical analysis is used to examine the linkages of mortality and socio-economic variable sets over time. Stress of change factors are indicated in explaining the mortality pattern and need to be included in any design to isolate influences of the geochemical environment.
Preparation of chronic lung lymph fistulas in sheep.

Abstract The majority of lung lymph in the sheep drains through a large caudal mediastinal lymph node. At a preliminary operation, we remove the systemic lymph contamination. We obtain lung lymph by cannulating the efferent duct of the node. We use a physiologic test in which we elevate systemic and pulmonary venous pressures separately to show that the origin of the lymph is from the lung. The overall success rate in obtaining lung lymph flow for periods longer than 1 week is less than 50%. Successful animals are excellent models in which to study net lung fluid and protein flow.