cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcription imparts architecture, function and logic to enhancer units.

Distal enhancers play pivotal roles in development and disease yet remain one of the least understood regulatory elements. We used massively parallel reporter assays to perform functional comparisons of two leading enhancer models and find that gene-distal transcription start sites are robust predictors of active enhancers with higher resolution than histone modifications. We show that active enhancer units are precisely delineated by active transcription start sites, validate that these boundaries are sufficient for capturing enhancer function, and confirm that core promoter sequences are necessary for this activity. We assay adjacent enhancers and find that their joint activity is often driven by the stronger unit within the cluster. Finally, we validate these results through functional dissection of a distal enhancer cluster using CRISPR–Cas9 deletions. In summary, definition of high-resolution enhancer boundaries enables deconvolution of complex regulatory loci into modular units. A massively parallel reporter assay (eSTARR-seq) shows that gene-distal transcription start sites can delineate active enhancers with higher resolution than histone modifications.
FALSE-ALARM PROBABILITY IN RELATION TO OVERSAMPLED POWER SPECTRA, WITH APPLICATION TO SUPER-KAMIOKANDE SOLAR NEUTRINO DATA

The term "false-alarm probability" denotes the probability that at least one out of M independent power values in a prescribed search band of a power spectrum computed from a white-noise time series is expected to be as large as or larger than a given value. The usual formula is based on the assumption that powers are distributed exponentially, as one expects for power measurements of normally distributed random noise. However, in practice, one typically examines peaks in an oversampled power spectrum. It is therefore more appropriate to compare the strength of a particular peak with the distribution of peaks in oversampled power spectra derived from normally distributed random noise. We show that this leads to a formula for the false-alarm probability that is rather more conservative than the familiar formula. We also show how to combine these results with a Bayesian method for estimating the probability of the null hypothesis (that there is no oscillation in the time series), and we discuss as an example the application of these procedures to Super-Kamiokande solar neutrino data.
REDD, PINC and Other Shades of Green: Institutional Requirements for an International Forest Carbon Sequestration Treaty in a Post-Kyoto World

Because forests play a critical role in the global carbon cycle, the international community is actively pursuing policies and programs to conserve and increase the amount of carbon stored in forests. As the international community moves closer to an agreement on terrestrial carbon sequestration, it is important to consider the types of institutions that will be required to support an international forest carbon sequestration (IFCS) agreement. This article of explores the institutional needs of IFCS and reaches two conclusions. First, the types of institutions required for a successful IFCS program differ from those involved in a global emissions trading program. Second, even within the range of IFCS programs under consideration, the types and extent of institutions required will differ substantially. This article explores a variety of institutions including those designed to support negotiations, to support implementation and governance, to induce and maintain participation by national governments, and to enhance country readiness.
Using Large-Scale Datasets to Amplify Equitable Learning in Urban Mathematics

Our purpose in this article was to provide researchers using NCES datasets to analyze secondary students’ mathematics achievement in urban schools with methodological considerations and analytical suggestions. We are hopeful that researchers interested in students’ mathematics achievement in urban schools will consider accessing and using NCES studies to deepen our collective understanding beyond IES summary statistics featured in reports such as NAEP and TIMMS and tables from The Condition of Education. We believe that studies of large-scale data that are attentive to the methodological considerations of complex sampling, data clustering and causal inference, will contribute nuanced perspectives of promising policy and practice directions for improving disparities in urban secondary school students’ inequitable mathematics achievement outcomes.
A Young Boy with Fever and Grunting.

Author(s): Shapiro, Daniel J.; Neal, Jeffrey T. | Abstract: Case Presentation: A 16-month-old boy presented with acute fever of 99° Fahrenheit (after receiving antipyretics), grunting, and tachypnea. On examination, he was tachycardic, tachypneic, and ill-appearing with abdominal distention and diffuse tenderness. A plain film abdominal radiograph showed moderate free air, and emergent laparoscopy revealed perforated Meckel’s diverticulitis with peritonitis.Discussion: Although tachypnea and grunting in preverbal or nonverbal patients are often considered to be signs of respiratory illness, these findings may reflect intra-abdominal emergencies. Perforated Meckel’s diverticulitis is an important differential consideration in patients with pneumoperitoneum.
The Relationship Between Epidermal Mitotic Density, Atypical Mitotic Figure Density, Breslow Depth, Ulceration, and Dermal Mitotic Rate in Cutaneous Melanoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Prognostic factors for melanoma include Breslow depth (BD), ulceration, and dermal mitotic rate (DMR). No studies have queried the effect of epidermal mitotic density (EMD) or atypical mitotic figu...
Serum Fructosamine is a Valid Measure of Glycemic Status in the Presence of the Sickle Cell Mutation

Background: The glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test can be unreliable in the presence of hemoglobinopathies and remains cost-prohibited and impractical in many developing countries. The increasing burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where sickle cell anemia, the most common inherited hemoglobinopathy, is prevalent calls for alternative tests for the management of T2D. In the present study, we evaluated the utility of serum fructosamine (FRA) as a biomarker of glycemic control that is not affected by abnormal hemoglobin or red blood cell (RBC) turnover. Methods: The accuracy of FRA in monitoring and diagnosing T2D was evaluated using the Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUROC) and other measures in a training dataset of 618 Nigerians [155 (25·1%) carrying sickle cell trait (HbAS) and 463 (74·9%) without sickle cell trait (HbAA)]. The FRA’s diagnostic cut-off was validated in an independent cohort of 634 West Africans. Findings: FRA was similar between HbAS and HbAA participants (Median = 287 vs 275 umol/L, p=0·11) despite statistically different HbA1c median among the two groups. FRA was highly correlated with both HbA1c (r HbAA = 0·80, r HbAS =0·82, p<0·001) and fasting glucose (FG) (r HbAA =0·72, r HbAS = 0·83, p<0·001) independent of sickle cell trait (SCT). With optimal thresholds of 352·5 umol/L and 309·5 umol/L, FRA had 81·5% [CI 95%:0·76-0·87] and 82·4%, [CI 95% 0·77-0·88] sensitivities and 97·4% [CI 95%:0·95-1·00] and 92·4% [95% CI 0·90-0·95] specificities for identifying individuals with controlled glycemic index and individuals with T2D respectively and independently of SCT. The diagnosis cut-off was validated in a multi-ethnic population with a good positive predictive value (94·6%). Interpretation: We showed that FRA is an effective alternative to HbA1c for monitoring and diagnosing T2D in populations where SCT is prevalent. Funding: National Institutes of Health. Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose. Ethical Approval: The study protocol was approved by the institutional ethicsreview board (IRB) of the National Institutes of Health/National Human Genome Research Institute (protocol HG-09-N070) and the IRBs of each participating institution, including University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria; College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria; University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant prior to enrollment.
Joint twin-field-qkd-mceliece cryptosystem

To overcome rate-distance-limit of QKD protocols, we propose a joint TF-QKD-McEliece scheme in which TF-QKD is used for raw-key transmission while McEliece-cryptosystem to transmit parity bits for information reconciliation. Proposed scheme is able to achieve record distance of 1127 km, thus significantly outperforming TF-QKD schemes.
Evidence-Based Principles for How to Design Effective Instructional Videos

Drawing on research conducted by Mayer (2020), this article examines evidence-based principles for how to design effective instructional videos and shows how they are grounded in cognitive theories of learning and instruction. Principles include multimedia (present words and graphics), coherence (avoid extraneous material in slides and script), signaling (highlight key material), redundancy (do not add captions that repeat the spoken words), spatial contiguity (place printed text next to corresponding part of graphic), temporal contiguity (present corresponding visual and verbal material at the same time), segmenting (break a complex slide into progressively presented parts), pre-training (provide pre-training in the names and characteristics of key concepts), modality (present words as spoken text). personalization (use conversational language), voice (use appealing human voice), image (do not display static image of instructor's face), embodiment (display gesturing instructor), and generative activity (add prompts for generative learning activity).
The Time-Dependent Multiple Flying Sidekicks Traveling Salesman Problem: Parcel Delivery with Traffic Congestion

This research examines the impacts of congestion on the road network in a last-mile delivery system consisting of a truck and multiple drones. Existing literature in this area assumes that the truck travel time between two nodes is fixed. However, this assumption may be dangerous considering that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, or drones) have limited endurance, as congestion may delay the truck’s arrival at retrieval locations, potentially causing crashes. We introduce the time-dependent multiple flying sidekicks traveling salesman problem, in which truck travel times on each road segment may vary throughout the day. A mixed integer linear programing formulation is provided for small-scale problems, while an ant-pair colony system heuristic is proposed for problems of realistic scale. Results indicate significant improvement in terms of feasibility and time savings over the case in which schedules are generated by neglecting congestion. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrates the ability of the proposed model to increase the utilization of UAVs and smaller roads during high congestion to minimize overall delivery time.
Research on External Fault of Salient Pole Synchronous Motor at Rated Load

The pumped storage power station is an inevitable product of the power system structure and power supply demand development to a certain stage, and it is a necessary management tool to ensure the safe and stable operation of the power system. Pumped storage power plants have the ability to improve and balance the load of the power system, which can improve the quality of power supply to the power grid and improve overall economic benefits. With the development of high-tech industries such as informatization and digitization and the improvement of people's living standards, society has higher and higher requirements for pumped storage power stations. Pumped storage motor is a three-phase salient-pole synchronous motor used in pumped storage power stations. This paper simulates and analyzes the stator voltage, current and electromagnetic torque when single-phase grounding short circuit, inter-phase short circuit, and two-phase grounding short circuit occur in pumped-storage motors, and the law of change is obtained.
Interactions between physical activity and clinical factors in the relationship with quality of life and emotional health outcomes of gynecologic cancer survivors

Objectives: Physical activity (PA) has been shown to improve physical and emotional outcomes in cancer survivors, however, it is unclear who may benefit most from increased PA. Our objective was to describe the associations between PA and emotional health outcomes and quality of life (QOL) in gynecologic cancer survivors, and if they varied by clinical factors including receipt of chemotherapy or radiation therapy (RT), route of surgery and disease stage. Methods: Patients were recruited from an academic gynecologic oncology practice to a prospective cohort study. Participants completed semi-annual validated surveys on QOL, depression, distress and health behaviors. Clinical data was abstracted from medical records. The exposure was adherence to PA guidelines (yes/no; at least 150 minutes of moderate or vigorous PA combined, or 75 minutes of vigorous PA, per week). Potential effect modifiers hypothesized to interact with PA included: receipt of chemotherapy (yes/no), RT (yes/no), disease stage (stage I/II vs. III/IV) and receipt of minimally invasive surgery (yes/no). Primary outcomes in this analysis were continuous scores of distress (NCCN Distress Thermometer), depression (PHQ-8), anxiety (GAD-7), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; PCL-5) and QOL (FACT-G). Linear regression models for each outcome tested for interactions between PA and potential effect modifiers. Models were adjusted for age, disease stage, receipt of chemotherapy, body mass index, type of gynecologic cancer and self-reported pain. Results: A total of 362 participants provided sufficient data to be included in this analysis; of those, 213 (59%) met PA guidelines. Mean age was 59.8±10.8 years. Most participants were diagnosed with uterine (40%) or ovarian cancer (43%). We found evidence for an interaction between PA and receipt of chemotherapy with regard to depression (p=0.01), anxiety (p=0.05), and QOL (p=0.05); and between PA and having advanced stage cancer with regard to depression (p=0.03). Interactions favored greater effects between PA and outcomes in those receiving chemotherapy or having advanced stage disease. Among those with more pain (vs. no/little pain), there was an interaction between PA and receipt of chemotherapy with regard to QOL (p=0.03), and between PA and advanced stage with regard to QOL (p=0.02) and depression (p=0.02); but no evidence for interaction among those with no/little pain. We found no evidence of interaction between PA and receipt of RT or minimally invasive surgery with any of the emotional health outcomes or QOL. Conclusions: Gynecologic cancer survivors with advanced stage cancer, those who received chemotherapy and those reporting more pain may derive the greatest benefit from PA to improve QOL and emotional health. The complex interplay that exists between PA, pain and emotional health is clinically relevant and warrants further investigation in order to understand how best to support gynecologic cancer survivors and maximize their QOL.
Contextual Understanding and Improvement of Metamorphic Testing in Scientific Software Development

Background: Metamorphic testing emerges as a simple and effective approach for testing scientific software; yet, its adoption in actual scientific software projects is less studied. Aims: In order for the practitioners to better adopt metamorphic testing in their projects, we set out to first gain a deep understanding about the current qualify assurance workflow, testing practices, and tools. Method: We propose to integrate various empirical sources, including artifact analysis, stakeholder interviews, and gap analysis from the literature. Results: Applying our approach to the Open Water Analytics Stormwater Management Model project helped to identify four new needs requiring continued and more research: (1) systematic and explicit formulation of metamorphic relations, (2) metamorphic testing examples specific to the scientific software, (3) correlating metamorphic testing with regression testing, and (4) integrating metamorphic testing with build tools like CMake and continuous integration tools like GitHub Actions. Conclusions: Integrating different empirical sources is promising for establishing a contextual understanding of software engineering practices, and for action research, such as workflow refinements and tool interventions, to be carried out in a principled manner.
CTR Diagnostics for Laser Produced Electron Beams in MG Magnetic Fields Generated by the 1 Ma Pulsed Power Machine

The Zebra pulsed power generator routinely produces longitudinal and transverse magnetic fields of 1-3 MG. The 1 MA Zebra machine coupled with a 50 TW Leopard laser will be used to conduct experiments for the collimation of fast electron in solid targets by external magnetic fields. Guiding of fast electrons is important for the fast ignition concept for ICF, particle accelerators, and medical application. Coherent transition radiation (CTR) diagnostics indicates a shape of the beam of fast electrons on the rear side of the target. CTR is generated when a modulated electron beam crosses the boundary of the refractive index. Modulations are a result of the laser’s oscillating electric field. CTR is generated on the backside of Si and CH targets at laser intensity of ~10 19 W/cm 2 . Targets will be placed in the axial magnetic field generated in coil loads by the Zebra pulsed power machine. A high resolution CTR beampass was developed. Spatial resolution of the beampass was improved from 9 μm resolution to 2 μm, this is capable of imaging of the fine structure of electron beam filamentation. To accommodate for the new diagnostic a new style current return cage was also built and tested.
Techniques in distal access of wide-necked giant intracranial aneurysms during treatment with flow diversion.

With approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED), the use of flow diversion has become more common for the treatment of unruptured giant aneurysms in the anterior circulation that cannot be treated by traditional endovascular methods. Early results have been very encouraging, with occlusion rates of large and giant aneurysms approaching 90% at 6 months;[1] however, the change in paradigm from an intrasaccular to an endoluminal approach has introduced a new set of technical challenges to the neurointerventionalist. In particular, access of the distal normal vessel often can be a formidable obstacle in giant aneurysms with disjointed in- and outflow limbs. Several papers have addressed the issue of maintenance of distal access once it is established,[2,3,5] but none focuses on the techniques for obtaining distal access. Through three illustrative cases, we present several techniques that are useful in crossing giant intracranial aneurysms during their treatment with flow diversion.
Cognition-centered conservation as a means of advancing integrative animal behavior

The field of conservation has recently seen a shift toward the integration of behavior into the context of preserving biodiversity. We contend that this integration has been one-sided, typically done to improve conservation outcomes while ignoring the potential benefits that conservation has to the field of behavior itself. We propose that conservation provides a strong selective framework in which to investigate the origin and maintenance of behavior as well as a forum to examine the interdisciplinary nature of animals’ cognitive responses to their environment. Using ectotherms as models, we argue that by engaging conservation, behaviorists have the opportunity to generate novel hypotheses, test established hypotheses in novel ways, and engage in collaborations central to the goals of integrative animal behavior.
The Entrepreneurial Director

The argument that the board of directors can be a helpful tool for entrepreneurships and small businesses derives from the rationale for using boards from both a macro and a micro perspective.Society depends on boards to provide overall checks and balances in the running of businesses.This could not be more evident from the role of the board in Enron’s collapse (U.S. Senate 2002). The boardʼs value to the entrepreneur is found in the application of the micro perspective.Two sets of recommendations are developed to formulate an improved model of directorship actions and behaviors. First, duties and responsibilities of the board of directors are expanded to help guide entrepreneurs.Second, five unique behavior patterns are then proposed that can be particularly helpful in carrying out the duties and activities of the board for guiding entrepreneurial success.
Processual Variation in Tourist Art

Serving as their own critics, tourist artists juxtapose Western and African themes. For them, tourist art is both a source of commerce and a necessary vehicle for the dissemination of new ideas. It is a way of popularizing innovative styles, experiments with technique, and new commercial strategies. In this chapter, I examine processual variation, which entails stylistic and technological innovation, as a stimulus for changes in imagery and art. Processual variation has two important features: (1) the communication of knowledge about artistic techniques; and (2) the development of corresponding changes in styles. In broader terms, I explore the relationship of tools and techniques to changes in communication across the groups of artists. Processual variation is a key source of innovation in tourist art. My discussion challenges the sharp dichotomy between idealist and materialist approaches to changes in culture and communication by suggesting that the two approaches are interrelated in the conception and spread of new orientations to art.
Taurine Boosts Cellular Uptake of Small D-Peptides for Enzyme-Instructed Intracellular Molecular Self-Assembly.

Due to their biostability, d-peptides are emerging as an important molecular platform for biomedical applications. Being proteolytically resistant, d-peptides lack interactions with endogenous transporters and hardly enter cells. Here we show that taurine, a natural amino acid, drastically boosts the cellular uptake of small d-peptides in mammalian cells by >10-fold, from 118 μM (without conjugating taurine) to >1.6 mM (after conjugating taurine). The uptake of a large amount of the ester conjugate of taurine and d-peptide allows intracellular esterase to trigger intracellular self-assembly of the d-peptide derivative, further enhancing their cellular accumulation. The study on the mechanism of the uptake reveals that the conjugates enter cells via both dynamin-dependent endocytosis and macropinocytosis, but likely not relying on taurine transporters. Differing fundamentally from the positively charged cell-penetrating peptides, the biocompatibility, stability, and simplicity of the enzyme-cleavable tauri...
Cockcroft-Gault versus modification of diet in renal disease: importance of glomerular filtration rate formula for classification of chronic kidney disease in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

Objectives Our purpose was to compare formulae for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS) patients. Background Assessment of GFR is important for antithrombotic dose adjustment in NSTE ACS patients. Methods We assessed estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with Cockcroft-Gault (C-G) and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formulae in 46,942 NSTE ACS patients from 408 CRUSADE (Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable angina patients Suppress ADverse outcomes with Early implementation of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines) hospitals. Formula agreement was shown continuously and by chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages. We determined in-hospital outcomes and the association between antithrombotic dose adjustment and bleeding for moderate CKD as determined by each formula. Results The median (interquartile range [IQR]) eGFR was 53.2 ml/min (34.7, 75.1 ml/min) by C-G and 65.8 ml/min (47.6, 83.5 ml/min) by MDRD. The mean eGFR was higher with MDRD (∼9.1 ml/min), but this difference was greater in age, weight, and gender subgroups. Chronic kidney disease classification differed in 20% of the population and altered when antithrombotic dose adjustment was required by C-G versus MDRD (eptifibatide: 45.7% vs. 27.3%; enoxaparin: 19.0% vs. 9.6%). Conclusions Important CKD disagreements occur in ∼20% of acute coronary syndrome patients, affecting dosing adjustments in those already susceptible to bleeding. Dosing based on C-G formula is preferable, particularly in the small, female, or elderly patient.
Optimal multiclass classifier threshold estimation with particle swarm optimization for visual object recognition

We present a novel method to maximize multiclass classifier performance by tuning the thresholds of the constituent pairwise binary classifiers using Particle Swarm Optimization. This post-processing step improves the classification performance in multiclass visual object detection by maximizing the area under the ROC curve or various operating points on the ROC curve. We argue that the precision-recall or confusion matrix commonly used for measuring the performance of multiclass visual object detection algorithms is inadequate to the Multiclass ROC when the intent is to apply the recognition algorithm for surveillance where objects remain in view for multiple consecutive frames, and where background instances exists in far greater numbers than target instances. We demonstrate its efficacy on the visual object detection problem with a 4-class classifier. Despite this, the PSO threshold tuning method can be applied to all pairwise multiclass classifiers using any computable performance metric.
Somatic mutational landscape of AML with inv(16) or t(8;21) identifies patterns of clonal evolution in relapse leukemia

Somatic mutational landscape of AML with inv(16) or t(8;21) identifies patterns of clonal evolution in relapse leukemia
Linewidth of Relaxation Oscillations of a Shunted Superconducting Point Contact

When a superconducting weak link is shunted with a very small resistor and fed with a constant-current source the Josephson oscillation can be very nearly sinusoidal, corresponding to constant-voltage bias of the weak link. However, there is an inductance L o of the loop containing the weak link and the resistor. If L 0>Φ0/2πi c where Φ0 is the flux quantum and i c the critical current, relaxation oscillations occur. These oscillations correspond roughly to the charging of L 0 to a current i≃ic followed by a sudden switch of some number N of flux quanta across the weak link, reducing the current to some lower value. We have observed the spectrum of these oscillations as a function of temperature and find that the character of the spectrum changes periodically with a period corresponding to ic(T)L0=Φ0
Psychophysical testing in rodent models of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Abstract Processing of visual information begins in the retina, with photoreceptors converting light stimuli into neural signals. Ultimately, signals are transmitted to the brain through signaling networks formed by interneurons, namely bipolar, horizontal and amacrine cells providing input to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which form the optic nerve with their axons. As part of the chronic nature of glaucomatous optic neuropathy, the increasing and irreversible damage and ultimately loss of neurons, RGCs in particular, occurs following progressive damage to the optic nerve head (ONH), eventually resulting in visual impairment and visual field loss. There are two behavioral assays that are typically used to assess visual deficits in glaucoma rodent models, the visual water task and the optokinetic drum. The visual water task can assess an animal's ability to distinguish grating patterns that are associated with an escape from water. The optokinetic drum relies on the optomotor response, a reflex turning of the head and neck in the direction of the visual stimuli, which usually consists of rotating black and white gratings. This reflex is a physiological response critical for keeping the image stable on the retina. Driven initially by the neuronal input from direction-selective RGCs, this reflex is comprised of a number of critical sensory and motor elements. In the presence of repeatable and defined stimuli, this reflex is extremely well suited to analyze subtle changes in the circuitry and performance of retinal neurons. Increasing the cycles of these alternating gratings per degree, or gradually reducing the contrast of the visual stimuli, threshold levels can be determined at which the animal is no longer tracking the stimuli, and thereby visual function of the animal can be determined non-invasively. Integrating these assays into an array of outcome measures that determine multiple aspects of visual function is a central goal in vision research and can be realized, for example, by the combination of measuring optomotor reflex function with electroretinograms (ERGs) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the retina. These structure–function correlations in vivo are urgently needed to identify disease mechanisms as potential new targets for drug development. Such a combination of the experimental assessment of the optokinetic reflex (OKR) or optomotor response (OMR) with other measures of retinal structure and function is especially valuable for research on GON. The chronic progression of the disease is characterized by a gradual decrease in function accompanied by a concomitant increase in structural damage to the retina, therefore the assessment of subtle changes is key to determining the success of novel intervention strategies.
Numerical Calculation of Stress Intensity Factors in Functionally Graded Materials

The finite element method is studied for its use in cracked and uncracked plates made of functionally graded materials. The material property variation is discretized by assigning different homogeneous elastic properties to each element. Finite Element results are compared to existing analytical results and the effect of mesh size is discussed. Stress intensity factors are calculated for an edge-cracked plate using both the strain energy release rate and the J-contour integral. The contour dependence of J in an inhomogeneous material is discussed. An alternative, contour independent integral $$\tilde J$$ is calculated and it is shown numerically that $$\tilde J$$ , the strain energy release rate G, and the limit of J as Γ approaches the crack tip (where Γ is the contour of integration) are all approximately equal. A simple method, using a relatively coarse mesh, is introduced to calculate the stress intensity factors directly from classical J-integrals by obtaining lim#x0393;→ 0 J.
Design enablement for yield and area optimization at 20 nm and below

There are challenges at 20nm and below to maintain node to node area reduction and also enable a fast yield ramp and high yield to enable cost scaling. GLOBALFOUNDRIES uses special constructs to reduce cell area along with rule based, model based and pattern based design for manufacturing (feed back from manufacturing to design) and design enabled manufacturing (feed forward from design to manufacturing) in order to achieve these goals.
Modeling magnetostrictive generation of elastic waves in steel pipes, II. Comparison to experiment

This paper describes continued investigation of magnetostrictive generation of elastic waves in steel pipes via alternating current through a coil about the pipe in the presence of a longitudinal static magnetic field. In paper I, electromagnetic theory was used to find solutions for changing electromagnetic fields induced in the pipe. The solutions were used to obtain magnetostrictive forcing terms in an elastic wave equation for solutions appropriate to continuity of normal stresses across cylindrical boundaries. It was found that longitudinal L(0, 1) and L(0, 2) elastic wave modes could be propagated for the frequency range considered. The amplitudes of these waves were dependent on the magnetostrictive forcing terms, which were in turn attributable to the alternating electromagnetic fields. In this paper, measurements are reported for the a.c. magnetic permeability of a steel pipe as a function of frequency and static magnetic field. These values are inserted into the model, and after other appropriate substitutions, predictions for wave amplitudes generated in the pipe are compared against experimental measurements.
Coupled-Core Multi-Core Fibers for Spatial Multiplexing

Coupled-core multi-core fibers (MCFs) offer characteristics that are beneficial for long-haul spatially multiplexed transmission. Using full-vector solution of the wave equation, we study the number of propagating modes and several modal characteristics, including intermodal beat lengths, group delay spread, mode-dependent chromatic dispersion, and intramodal and intermodal effective areas. We identify a range of design parameters that simultaneously optimizes these characteristics. Our results demonstrate the limited accuracy of perturbation-based analyses in characterizing MCFs with closely spaced cores.
A Light Water Excess Heat Reaction Suggests That “Cold Fusion” May Be “Alkali-Hydrogen Fusion”

This paper reports that Mills and Kneizys presented data in support of a light water excess heat reaction obtained with an electrolytic cell highly reminiscent of the Fleischmann-Pons cold fusion cell. The claim of Mills and Kneizys that their excess heat reaction can be explained on the basis of a novel chemistry, which supposedly also explains cold fusion, is rejected in favor of their reaction being, instead, a light water cold fusion reaction. It is the first known light water cold fusion reaction to exhibit excess heat, it may serve as a prototype to expand our understanding of cold fusion. From this new reactions are deduced, including those common to past cold fusion studies. This broader pattern of nuclear reactions is typically seen to involve a fusion of the nuclides of the alkali atoms with the simplest of the alkali-type nuclides, namely, protons, deuterons, and tritons. Thus, the term alkali-hydrogen fusion seems appropriate for this new type of reaction with three subclasses: alkali-hydrogen fusion, alkali-deuterium fusion, and alkali-tritium fusion. A new three-dimensional transmission resonance model (TRM) is sketched. Finally, preliminary experimental evidence in support of the hypothesis of a light water nuclear reaction and alkali-hydrogen fusion is reported. Evidence ismore » presented that appears to strongly implicate the transmission resonance phenomenon of the new TRM.« less
Cryopreserved homograft valves in the pulmonary position: Risk analysis for intermediate-term failure ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the durability of cryopreserved homografts used to replace the “pulmonary” valve and to identify factors associated with their late deterioration. Methods: We reviewed our entire experience (1985-1997) with 331 survivors in whom cryopreserved homograft valves (pulmonary, n = 304; aortic, n = 27) were used to reconstruct the pulmonary outflow tract. Median age was 14 years (range, 2 days–62 years). Operations included Ross operation (n = 259), tetralogy of Fallot (n = 41), truncus arteriosus (n = 14), Rastelli operation (n = 11), and others (n = 6). Median follow-up was 3.8 years (range, 0.2–11.2 years); late echographic follow-up was complete for 97% of patients. Homograft failure was defined as the need for explantation and valve-related death; homograft dysfunction was defined as a pulmonary insufficiency grade 3/4 or greater and a transvalvular gradient of 40 mm Hg or greater. Results: Homograft failure occurred in 9% (30 of 331 patients; Kaplan-Meier); freedom from failure was 82% ± 4% at 8 years. Homograft dysfunction occurred in 12% (39 of 331 patients), although freedom from dysfunction was 76% ± 4% at 8 years. For aortic homografts, this was 56% ± 11%, compared to 80% ± 4% for pulmonary homografts ( P = .003). For patients aged less than 3 years (n = 38), this was 51% ± 12%, compared with 87% ± 4% for older patients ( P = .0001). By multivariable analysis, younger age of homograft donors, non-Ross operation, and later year of operation were associated with homograft failure; younger age of homograft donors, later year of operation, and use of an aortic homograft were associated with homograft dysfunction. Conclusions: Homograft valves function satisfactorily in the pulmonary position at mid-term follow-up. The pulmonary homograft valve appears to be more durable than the aortic homograft valve in the pulmonary position. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117:141-7)
Excess Helium as an Explanation for Metal Deficiency in Coronal Plasma

We suggest an alternative explanation for the apparently low metal abundances observed in some very active late-type stellar coronae: that the He abundance in these coronae is enhanced, causing lower line-to-continuum ratios. The dependence of the total free-free Gaunt factor on the square of the nuclear charge means that He can begin to dominate the EUV and X-ray thermal continua of a hot plasma with only a doubling of the abundance of He -->2 + nuclei relative to H -->+ nuclei. Using model continua, we calculate the relation between He abundance and apparent metal deficiency. We suggest that He might be selectively enhanced by preferential mechanisms for retention of He nuclei in the corona or by diffusion processes, as recent sophisticated calculations indicated might be the case under certain coronal conditions. While it might seem unlikely that He nuclei could be enhanced in the hot gas phase of elliptical galaxies, until the possible presence of small-scale structure and spatial inhomogeneities in their interstellar media are better understood, diffusion and other element fractionation processes should perhaps not be ruled out entirely in the context of trying to understand the puzzlingly low metal abundances found from X-ray studies of elliptical galaxies.
Weighing the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery: choose your own adventure.

Bariatric surgery offers patients an explicit choice, a tradeoff between risks and benefits. Making the right choice is a complex balance between the risks of surgery (eg, short-term and long-term complications) and the benefits of weight loss (eg, resolution of comorbid diseases and increased longevity). When compared with other bariatric procedures, biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch offers maximal weight loss, yet it continues to be the least common operation performed.1 The Risstad et al2 study reminds us why. We learnedfromRisstadetal2 that 1ormoreadverseevents occurred in nearly 80% of patients during the first 5 years after duodenal switch. This included a 14%hospitalization rate for protein and vitamin malabsorption as well as a reoperation rate of 45% to address problems of the initial procedure. The high rate of adverse events with duodenal switch is consistent with other reports.3 Moreover, the benefits of undergoing duodenal switch hardly seemworth the sacrifice when comparedwith gastric bypass. In this study, duodenal switch resulted in significantlymoreweight loss and lower serumlevels of lipids but therewere no significant differences in blood pressure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and pulmonary function. Given the high complication rates of duodenal switch in the study by Risstad et al, it is difficult to recommend duodenal switchasa first-lineweight lossprocedure.At thevery least, patients seeking this procedure should receive ample warning regarding the very high risks of adverse nutritional outcomes and the high reoperation rate. Patientswith poor complianceandpoor follow-upshouldnotbeofferedthisprocedure because they could be at risk of fatal complications if postoperative problems are not addressed in a timely fashion. Despite itsnarrowrole inclinicalpractice,duodenal switch may find a resurgence in the future as a second stage procedure for patients who have failed weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy.4 Sleeve gastrectomy, which is part of the duodenal switchoperation, isnowthemost commonbariatricprocedure performed in many regions of the country. Many surgeons advocate revising patientswith inadequateweight loss after sleeve gastrectomy to aduodenal switch.Risstad et al remindus that this strategy should only beusedwith great caution and only in a select group of patients with excellent follow-up and compliance.
Rural Taxation in Ethiopia, 1981-1989: A Policy Analysis Matrix Assessment for Net Producers and Net Consumers

Abstract During the period of socialist rule (1974–1991), Ethiopian agriculture was subject to an array of policy interventions. This paper uses a policy analysis matrix (PAM) approach to determine the effects of various policies on different types of households and in aggregate. The analysis extends the usual use of PAMs by including consumption requirements and by addressing the variation in the impact of specific policies through time. Household models are used to quantify the effects of government intervention on both net consumers and net producers of cereals. The analysis reveals that although cereal purchases were sometimes subsidized through overvaluation, cereal-deficit households paid high prices because of market segmentation and experienced reduced incomes due to exchange rate distortions. Households that tended to be surplus faced substantial indirect taxes through low producer prices. Results suggest that undistorted markets could enable many farms to accumulate sufficient reserves to cope with production variations, but farms with average land availabilities are not sustainable given current technologies, even with efficient commodity markets.
Carrier-Current Differential Protection for Transformer Banks

WHEN carrier current was first applied to protective relaying of the directional type, it consisted of a simple telegraph channel. Subsequent developments have expanded the capabilities to the extent that each carrier channel for pilot relaying now may provide one or more of the following additional services:
An economic decision-making framework for analysing atmospheric deposition impacts in Eastern U.S. Forests

Potential biological effects of atmospheric deposition on trees and forests, their likely impacts on forest outputs, and suggested techniques for valuing the forest output impacts are examined. The potential biological effects of pollutants, to the extent they injure trees, are mortality, growth loss, predisposition to secondary pathogens and stresses, visible damage, and loss of reproductive vigor. Output impacts include changing the quantity, quality, and timing of timber yields from existing and subsequent stands. Recreation and scenic beauty impacts are most likely to be reflected by users who discontinue the activity, users who substitute another site or activity, or users who continue the activity as before but have decreased enjoyment. Water impacts seem least likely to occur but would be measured by changes in yield, quality, and timing if they did. Wildlife impacts will be reflected in changes in species and population numbers. Techniques for placing economic values on impacts are suggested where possible.
Uncertainty propagation in a multiscale model of nanocrystalline plasticity

Abstract We characterize how uncertainties propagate across spatial and temporal scales in a physics-based model of nanocrystalline plasticity of fcc metals. Our model combines molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to characterize atomic-level processes that govern dislocation-based-plastic deformation with a phase field approach to dislocation dynamics (PFDD) that describes how an ensemble of dislocations evolve and interact to determine the mechanical response of the material. We apply this approach to a nanocrystalline Ni specimen of interest in micro-electromechanical (MEMS) switches. Our approach enables us to quantify how internal stresses that result from the fabrication process affect the properties of dislocations (using MD) and how these properties, in turn, affect the yield stress of the metallic membrane (using the PFMM model). Our predictions show that, for a nanocrystalline sample with small grain size (4 nm), a variation in residual stress of 20 MPa (typical in today's microfabrication techniques) would result in a variation on the critical resolved shear yield stress of approximately 15 MPa, a very small fraction of the nominal value of approximately 9 GPa.
Detection of villous atrophy using endoscopic images for the diagnosis of celiac disease.

The most common cause of villous atrophy is celiac disease. The current ‘‘gold standard’’ in the diagnosis of celiac disease is the demonstration of villous atrophy in duodenal biopsies, which are usually obtained during a fiber-optic endoscopic foregut examination [1]. Since conventional upper tract endoscopy does not extend past the duodenum, it is not suitable to determine the length of pathological involvement of the small intestine. Moreover, since duodenal villous atrophy is often patchy [2, 3], gross mucosal features, such as scalloping of duodenal folds, reduction of duodenal folds, mosaic pattern (cobblestone appearance of the mucosal surface), and mucosal fissuring [4–7], can be used to identify involved areas. It is nevertheless possible to miss the involved areas since the gross manifestations of villous atrophy may be absent in mild disease [8, 9].
Phenotypic analysis of bovine chondrocytes cultured in 3D collagen sponges: effect of serum substitutes

Repair of damaged cartilage usually requires replacement tissue or substitute material. Tissue engineering is a promising means to produce replacement cartilage from autologous or allogeneic cell sources. Scaffolds provide a three-dimensional (3D) structure that is essential for chondrocyte function and synthesis of cartilage-specific matrix proteins (collagen type II, aggrecan) and sulfated proteoglycans. In this study, we assessed porous, 3D collagen sponges for in vitro engineering of cartilage in both standard and serum-free culture conditions. Bovine articular chondrocytes (bACs) cultured in 3D sponges accumulated and maintained cartilage matrix over 4 weeks, as assessed by quantitative measures of matrix content, synthesis, and gene expression. Chondrogenesis by bACs cultured with Nutridoma as a serum replacement was equivalent or better than control cultures in serum. In contrast, chondrogenesis in insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS(+3)) serum replacement cultures was poor, apparently due to decreased cell survival. These data indicate that porous 3D collagen sponges maintain chondrocyte viability, shape, and synthetic activity by providing an environment favorable for high-density chondrogenesis. With quantitative assays for cartilage-specific gene expression and biochemical measures of chondrogenesis in these studies, we conclude that the collagen sponges have potential as a scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.
On guaranteed stability of uncertain linear systems via linear control

This paper addresses the problem of stabilizing an uncertain linear system. The uncertaintyq(·) which enters the dynamics is nonstistical in nature. That is, noa priori statistics forq(·) are assumed; only boundsQ on the admissible variations ofq(·) are taken as given. The results given here applied to so-called matched systems differ from previous results in two ways. Firstly, the stabilizing control in this paper is linear; for this same class of problems, many of the existing results would require a nonlinear control. Furthermore, those results which do in fact yield linear controls are only valid when a certain matrix Ω(q) (formed using the given data) is negative definite for allq ∈Q. In contrast, the theory given here only requires compactness of the bounding setQ. Secondly, we show that the so-called matching conditions (used in earlier work) can be generalized so as to encompass a larger class of dynamical systems.