cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Don’t pass the automated vehicles!: System level impacts of multi-vehicle CAV control strategies

Abstract With increasing number of vehicles registered on road the CO2 emissions and the amount of fuel wasted because of congestion has been rising. V2X and Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technology allows vehicles and traffic infrastructure to communicate with each other, and could facilitate better use of existing resources by providing vehicles information about their surroundings and traffic signals. The information regarding the phase of traffic signal, vehicles’ position and vehicles’ speed can be used by drivers and autonomous vehicle control algorithms to make informed decisions as they approach traffic signals. This research proposes a coordination heuristic to improve traffic flow of CAV vehicles through traffic signals and reduce system wide emissions. A simulation was used to compare the system level impacts to emissions, travel time, and wait time of the proposed coordination heuristic to a single vehicle optimization strategy and baseline driver behavior. The results of this research suggest that traffic density and CAV market penetration impact the potential benefits of CAV control strategies. At low CAV penetration rates both the single vehicle and coordination heuristic produced increased emissions primarily driven by driving behavior of non-V2X enabled vehicles. At higher CAV penetration rates the coordination heuristic significantly outperformed the single vehicle control strategy and baseline driver behavior with regards to emissions reduction. The analysis indicates that at 900 vehicles per hour for either of the two driving strategies: coordination heuristic or single-vehicle optimization, to be more preferred over baseline driver behavior, at least 50% of the vehicles should be CAV. Once a threshold penetration rate of CAV vehicles is achieved, vehicles following the coordination heuristic generate nearly 10% fewer CO2 emissions than vehicles following baseline driver behavior, a 30% improvement over the reduction in CO2 emissions obtained using single-vehicle optimization. The vehicles following the coordination heuristic also have less travel time than vehicles following single-vehicle optimization, and less wait times than vehicles following baseline driver behavior.
Improved set-size labeling mediates the effect of a counting intervention on children's understanding of cardinality.

How does improving children's ability to label set sizes without counting affect the development of understanding of the cardinality principle? It may accelerate development by facilitating subsequent alignment and comparison of the cardinal label for a given set and the last word counted when counting that set (Mix et al., 2012). Alternatively, it may delay development by decreasing the need for a comprehensive abstract principle to understand and label exact numerosities (Piantadosi et al., 2012). In this study, preschoolers (N = 106, Mage = 4;8) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) count-and-label, wherein children spent 6 weeks both counting and labeling sets arranged in canonical patterns like pips on a die; (b) label-first,wherein children spent the first 3 weeks learning to label the set sizes without counting before spending 3 weeks identical to the count-and-label condition; (c) print referencing control. Both counting conditions improved understanding of cardinality through increases in children's ability to label set sizes without counting. In addition to this indirect effect, there was a direct effect of the count-and-label condition on progress toward understanding of cardinality. Results highlight the roles of set labeling and equifinality in the development of children's understanding of number concepts.
Crystalline nickel, cobalt, and manganese antimonates as electrocatalysts for the chlorine evolution reaction

The chlorine-evolution reaction (CER) is a common, commercially valuable electrochemical reaction, and is practiced at industrial scale globally. A precious metal solid solution of RuO_2 or IrO_2 with TiO_2 is the predominant electrocatalyst for the CER. Herein we report that materials comprised only of non-precious metal elements, specifically crystalline transition-metal antimonates (TMAs) such as NiSb_2O_x, CoSb_2O_x, and MnSb_2O_x, are moderately active, stable catalysts for the electrochemical oxidation of chloride to chlorine under conditions relevant to the commercial chlor-alkali process. Specifically, CoSb2Ox exhibited a galvanostatic potential of 1.804 V vs. NHE at 100 mA cm^(−2) of Cl_2(g) production from aqueous pH = 2.0, 4.0 M NaCl after 250 h of operation. Studies of the bulk and surface of the electrocatalyst and the composition of the electrolyte before and after electrolysis indicated minimal changes in the surface structure and intrinsic activity of CoSb_2O_x as a result of Cl2(g) evolution under these conditions.
Standalone alignment technology enabling feed-forward compensation of on-product overlay errors

A standalone alignment technology was developed as a fundamental solution to improve on-product overlay (OPO). It enables high performance alignment measurements, and delivers state-of-the-art feed-forward corrections to exposure scanners. Dense alignment sampling and high order alignment correction is effective for scanner fingerprint matching and for correcting heavy distortion at a wafer edge. A mark asymmetry correction is detailed as effective solution which improves the OPO performance for heavily processed wafers. An OPO test result showed significant improvement using its feed-forward corrections. A high accuracy topography sensor is described as a new metrology innovation. The standalone alignment technology provides critical metrology tool functions such as process monitoring as well.
Functional and pharmacological properties of triheteromeric GluN1/2B/2D NMDA receptors.

Key points Triheteromeric NMDA receptors contain two GluN1 and two distinct GluN2 subunits and mediate excitatory neurotransmission in the CNS. Triheteromeric GluN1/2B/2D receptors have functional properties intermediate to those of diheteromeric GluN1/2B and GluN1/2D receptors. GluN1/2B/2D receptors are more sensitive to channel blockade by ketamine and memantine compared to GluN1/2B receptors in the presence of physiological Mg2+ . GluN2B-selective antagonists produce robust inhibition of GluN1/2B/2D receptors, and the GluN2B-selective positive allosteric modulator spermine enhances responses from GluN1/2B/2D but not GluN1/2A/2B receptors. These insights into the properties of triheteromeric GluN1/2B/2D receptors are necessary to appreciate their physiological roles in neural circuit function and the actions of therapeutic agents targeting NMDA receptors. Abstract Triheteromeric NMDA-type glutamate receptors that contain two GluN1 and two different GluN2 subunits contribute to excitatory neurotransmission in the adult CNS. In the present study, we report properties of the triheteromeric GluN1/2B/2D NMDA receptor subtype that is expressed in distinct neuronal populations throughout the CNS. We show that neither GluN2B, nor GluN2D dominate the functional properties of GluN1/2B/2D receptors because agonist potencies, open probability and the glutamate deactivation time course of GluN1/2B/2D receptors are intermediate to those of diheteromeric GluN1/2B and GluN1/2D receptors. Furthermore, channel blockade of GluN1/2B/2D by extracellular Mg2+ is intermediate compared to GluN1/2B and GluN1/2D, although GluN1/2B/2D is more sensitive to blockade by ketamine and memantine compared to GluN1/2B in the presence of physiological Mg2+ . Subunit-selective allosteric modulators have distinct activity at GluN1/2B/2D receptors, including GluN2B-selective antagonists, ifenprodil, EVT-101 and CP-101-606, which inhibit with similar potencies but with different efficacies at GluN1/2B/2D (∼65% inhibition) compared to GluN1/2B (∼95% inhibition). Furthermore, the GluN2B-selective positive allosteric modulator spermine enhances responses from GluN1/2B/2D but not GluN1/2A/2B receptors. We show that these key features of allosteric modulation of recombinant GluN1/2B/2D receptors are also observed for NMDA receptors in hippocampal interneurons but not CA1 pyramidal cells, which is consistent with the expression of GluN1/2B/2D receptors in interneurons and GluN1/2A/2B receptors in pyramidal cells. Altogether, we uncover previously unknown functional and pharmacological properties of triheteromeric GluN1/2B/2D receptors that can facilitate advances in our understanding of their physiological roles in neural circuit function and therapeutic drug actions.
Abstract 105: MCL-1 Promotes Drp1-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission as an Adaptive Response to Stress

The anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family member, Myeloid Cell Leukemia-1 (MCl-1), is highly expressed in myocardium and plays a critical role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. We have previously fou...
Urinary incontinence in women and men

Urinary incontinence is one of the top 10 chronic health conditions in the United States and affects the lives of 13 million Americans. Although common in both men and women, it is a gender-specific condition whose lifetime distribution, incidence, and etiology differ between the two sexes. Recent advances in health care, along with the increasing aging of the population, create a demand for the treatment of urinary incontinence. This article reviews the currently available treatment options, many of which vary inter- and intra-gender.
Association of Tripartite Motif Containing 11 rs564309 With Tau Pathology in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Background Intronic variant rs564309 in tripartite motif containing 11 (TRIM11) is associated with clinical phenotypic differences in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), whereby the minor allele (A) is more common in atypical PSP than typical PSP (PSP-Richardson's syndrome). However, rs564309 has not been investigated relative to neuropathological outcomes. Objective Evaluate the association of rs564309 with the neuropathologically assessed severity of tau pathology, as measured by semi-quantitative scores for neurofibrillary tangles, tufted astrocytes, neuropil threads, and oligodendroglial coiled bodies. Methods 797 neuropathologically confirmed PSP cases were genotyped for TRIM11 rs564309 and assessed for tau pathology across 20 neuroanatomical regions. Tau pathology measures and age at death were examined for association with TRIM11 rs564309-A using multivariable linear regression models. Results TRIM11 rs564309-A was associated with increased neurofibrillary tangles pathology (P = 0.050), but was not significantly associated with age at death, neuropil threads, coiled bodies, or tufted astrocytes tau pathology scores. Conclusions TRIM11 rs564309 may influence burden of neurofibrillary tangles tau pathology in PSP; further study is warranted. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Pain Experience in Social VR: The Competing Effect on Objective Pain Tolerance and Subjective Pain Perception

The distractive qualities of virtual reality are known to decrease pain. As technology develops, new opportunities to augment VR’s distractive capacities are arising. For example, social interaction in virtual reality can increase distraction and possibly also provide social support. Below, we describe a pilot study designed to investigate whether interacting with an attachment Figure versus interacting with a stranger in the virtual world would yield any difference on participants’ pain ratings and pain threshold in an experimental pain task. We designed a within-group single-factor experiment with three conditions; being alone in VR, interacting with an attachment Figure in VR, and interacting with a stranger in VR. We aimed to investigate the effect on participants of distinct attachment styles in close relationships. In preliminary findings, we observed trends for the highest tolerance for mild induced pain when participants interacted with their loved ones. Besides, participants reported the most severe perceived pain when interacting with strangers in VR. We discuss implications for future work.
Clinical Experience of Edaravone in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Objective: To describe clinical experience with edaravone in ALS over a period of 12 months Methods:The current study retrospectively investigated characteristics in a group of patients (n=31) with ALS who underwent edaravone treatment. Information including age, gender, race, and site of onset of symptoms were collected for all patients. Adverse events with edaravone therapy was documented where available. Results:The average age of the patients observed was 62.09 years, with 18 males and 13 females. 18 patients had limb onset, 12 bulbar onset, and 1 diaphragmatic onset. 7 of the 31 patients discontinued treatment at the end of one year. The average age of patients who discontinued edaravone was 65.71 years, of whom which 3 had limb onset, 3 bulbar onset, and 1 diaphragmatic onset. No perceived benefit, port complications, systemic bacteremia, and development of atrial fibrillation were documented as reasons for discontinuation of therapy.Conclusion: Edaravone is well tolerated in ALS patients at the end of one year. Lack of perceived benefit and port related complications are common reasons for discontinuation of treatment
Collagen Peptides Improve Lymphocyte Distribution in Peripheral Blood and T Lymphocyte Proliferation in Spleen of Mice under the Condition of Simulated Weightlessness

Objective To investigate whether collagen peptides can improve the immune functions of mice under the condition of simulated weightlessness. Methods Mouse tail-suspension model was used to simulate the effects of weightlessness. Tail-suspended mice were intraperitoneally injected with 600 mg collagen peptides per kilogram body weight once a day for 10 days. Then, the mice were killed, and white blood cells were counted and classified. Lymphocyte subsets and T lymphocyte proliferations in spleens were analyzed. Results Compared with normal control group, total and differential count of leukocytes, lymphocytes, T cells，CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B cells and NK cells, and splenic T lymphocyte proliferation all decreased in the weightlessness simulated mice (P＜0.05). Except for NK cells, the above-mentioned parameters were increased after administration of collagen peptides, and some of the parameters were recovered to the levels of normal control mice (P＜0.05). Conclusion Collagen peptides can effectively improve peripheral blood lymphocyte distributions and T lymphocyte proliferations of mice under the condition of simulated weightlessness. This study nay provid the experimental basis for improvement of immune functions of astronauts.
Rethinking Music Learning in the New Normal

Over the past few months, the pandemic has led to many changes across the world. What used to be a part of our daily routines (e.g., strolling in the park) suddenly becomes risky and dangerous. As ...
Characterization of TP53-wildtype tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas: rare exceptions to the binary classification of ovarian serous carcinoma.

While TP53 mutation is widely considered to be a defining feature of tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), rare TP53-mutation-negative cases have been reported. To gain further insight into this rare subset, a retrospective review was conducted on 25 TP53-wildtype tubo-ovarian HGSCs, constituting 2.5% of 987 HGSCs profiled by the MSK-IMPACT sequencing platform. Consistent with serous differentiation, positive staining for Pax8 and WT1 was present in virtually all TP53-wildtype HGSCs. Other characteristic features of HGSC, such as serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma, or genetic alterations of CCNE1 and BRCA1/2 were identified in these tumors, furthering supporting their classification as bona fide HGSC, despite lacking TP53 mutations. Overall, the level of chromosomal instability of TP53-wildtype HGSCs was intermediate between low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC) and TP53-mutated HGSC. Morphologic assessment by observers blinded to mutation status revealed a significant subset of tumors with Grade 2 nuclear atypia (which exceeds the degree of atypia allowed for LGSC, but less than typically encountered for HGSC) combined with micropapillary features (6/19, 32%, chemotherapy-naive TP53-wildtype HGSCs compared to 0/21, 0%, TP53-mutated HGSCs; p = 0.007). Some TP53-wildtype HGSCs harbored driver mutations in KRAS (n = 3), BRAF (n = 1) or NRAS (n = 2). Overall, 10 (40%) cases had “LGSC-like” morphology (i.e., Grade 2 nuclear atypia and micropapillary features) and/or RAS/RAF mutation, and most of these showed a wildtype p53 pattern of expression by immunohistochemistry (7/9, 78%). The remaining TP53-wildtype HGSCs (n = 15, 60%) exhibited severe nuclear atypia (Grade 3) and were morphologically indistinguishable from conventional TP53-mutated HGSC. Despite lacking genetic alterations of TP53, these “usual HGSC-like” tumors often showed evidence of p53 dysfunction, including downregulation of expression (‘null’ or equivocal p53 staining in 9/14, 64%) or MDM2 amplification (n = 2). Our results support the existence of TP53-wildtype HGSCs, which comprise a heterogeneous group of tumors which may arise via distinct pathogenic mechanisms.
Clinically Meaningful Change in Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among Older Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Background Among older patients with atrial fibrillation, there are limited data examining clinically meaningful changes in quality of life (QoL). We examined the extent of, and factors associated ...
Altered frontal-mediated inhibition and white matter connectivity in pediatric chronic tic disorders.

Tics are unique from most movement disorders, in that they are partially suppressible. As part of the inhibitory motor network, the pre-supplementary motor area is engaged in motor control and may be involved in tic physiology. We used dual-site transcranial magnetic stimulation to assess inhibitory connectivity between right pre-supplementary motor area and left primary motor cortex, which has previously been demonstrated in healthy adults. We also used diffusion tensor imaging to investigate white matter connectivity in children with chronic tics. Twelve children with chronic tic disorder and fourteen typically developing controls underwent MRI with diffusion tensor imaging indices analysis followed by single and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation with conditioning pulse over the right pre-supplementary motor area followed by left motor cortex test pulse. Neurophysiologic and imaging data relationships to measures of tic severity and suppressibility were also evaluated in tic patients. Pre-supplementary motor area-mediated inhibition of left motor cortex was present in healthy control children but not in chronic tic disorder participants. Less inhibition correlated with worse tic suppressibility (ρ = − 0.73, p = 0.047). Imaging analysis showed increased fractional anisotropy in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus, corpus callosum, corona radiata and posterior limb of the internal capsule (p < 0.05) in tic participants, which correlated with lower self-reported tic suppressibility (ρ = − 0.70, p = 0.05). Physiologic data revealed impaired frontal-mediated motor cortex inhibition in chronic tic participants, and imaging analysis showed abnormalities in motor pathways. Collectively, the neurophysiologic and neuroanatomic data correlate with tic suppressibility, supporting the relevancy to tic pathophysiology.
National Security in the Obama Administration: Reassessing the Bush Doctrine

Preface 1. The Obama Presidency and the World He Inherits Part 1: The Bush Doctrine Reconsidered 2. The Evolution of a Post 9/11 National Security Perspective 3. The Real Bush Doctrine 4. The Bush Doctrine: Myths and Criticisms Part 2: The Strategic World After 9/11 5. The New Calculus of Risk 6. Deterrence, Containment and Adversarial Bargaining Post 9/11: North Korea and Iran 7. Dangerous Threats and the Use of Force 8. Strategic Options and the Future of the Bush Doctrine Part 3: The Politics of Post 9/11 National Security 9. The Politics of Risk Assessment 10. The Politics of Post 9/11 National Security: A Profound Worldview Divide 11. Obama's National Security Tasks: Worldview, Leadership and Judgment
Supine pressor (roll-over) test: an evaluation.

Abstract One hundred supine pressor (roll-over) tests were reviewed and results were compared with clinical outcome and the literature. The present study revealed insignificant statistical differences, except for test sensitivity, in a comparison of all pregnancies without a prior history of hypertension, with subgroupings excluding patients with history of or potential urinary disease and patients with a recorded elevation in blood pressure occurring only in the early postpartum period. This lent support to the lowest false positive and false negative rates observed, 46% and 27%, respectively, seen in the subgroup having neither history of urinary disease nor significant potential for renal disease. For this subgroup, sensitivity of the test was 60%. Data were combined to create a hypothetical situation and reveal maximal potential in test predictability.
Nuclear Data Sheets for170Pt

Nuclear structure data pertaining to {sup 170}Pt have been compiled and evaluated, and incorporated into the ENSDF data file. This evaluation of {sup 170}Pt supersedes the previous publication (Coral M. Baglin, Nuclear Data Sheets 77, 125 (1996) (literature cutoff date October 1995)), and includes literature available by 17 February 1999. The newly incorporated references are: 98Se20, 98Ki210, 97Ju04, 97Uu01, 96Bi07 and 95Au04. Three new data sets have been added, as follows: {sup 174}Hg {alpha} decay, {sup 171}Au p decay (1.02 ms), (HI, xn{gamma}).
Performance of tumor growth kinetics as an imaging biomarker for response assessment in colorectal liver metastases: correlation with FDG PET

To correlate RECIST, volumetric criteria, and tumor growth kinetics at multidetector-computed tomography with tumor metabolic activity at FDG PET in colorectal liver metastases (CRCLM) treated with bevacizumab-based chemotherapy. Thirty-two CRCLM in 20 patients treated with bevacizumab-based chemotherapy were evaluated. Pre- and post-treatment CT scans were used to calculate reciprocal of doubling time (RDT), percentage change in the lesion’s longest transaxial diameter (RECIST 1.1), and percentage change in the tumor volume. The accuracy of these parameters in predicting response based on standard uptake value analysis at FDG PET was assessed. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation, student’s t, Mann–Whitney, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Fisher’s exact tests. According to FDG PET, 24/32 (75%) lesions were categorized as responders and 8/32 (25%) lesions as nonresponders. Based on RDT, 26/32 (81.25%) lesions were classified as responders and 6/32 (18.75%) lesions as nonresponders. Response classification according to RDT and FDG PET was concordant in 30/32 (93.75%) lesions, whereas RECIST 1.1 and volumetric criteria were concordant with FDG PET for 20/32 (62.5%) and 21/32 (65.63%) lesions, respectively. A strong association was found between RDT and response based on FDG PET (odds ratio = 127.4; 95% CI 5.54–2997; P < 0.0001). Tumor growth kinetics may be an effective imaging biomarker for response evaluation in CRCLM.
Overlapping resonance model of deep inelastic electron scattering

We suggest that deep inelastic electron scattering can be understood in terms of overlapping resonance contributions to the amplitude of virtual forward Compton scattering. The resonance contributions are calculated with the help of a semi-empirical model of the hadron spectrum, under the assumption that the virtual resonance photoproduction matrix elements are universal functions of the photon energy divided by the resonance mass squared. We derive an asymptotic expression for the structure functionW2 and compare it with experimental data. The prediction of the model agrees well with the experimental results.
A hybrid discontinuous in space and time Galerkin method for wave propagation problems

SUMMARY Medium-frequency regime and multi-scale wave propagation problems have been a subject of active research in computational acoustics recently. New techniques have attempted to overcome the limitations of existing discretization methods that tend to suffer from dispersion. One such technique, the discontinuous enrichment method, incorporates features of the governing partial differential equation in the approximation, in particular, the solutions of the homogeneous form of the equation. Here, based on this concept and by extension of a conventional space–time finite element method, a hybrid discontinuous Galerkin method (DGM) for the numerical solution of transient problems governed by the wave equation in two and three spatial dimensions is described. The discontinuous formulation in both space and time enables the use of solutions to the homogeneous wave equation in the approximation. In this contribution, within each finite element, the solutions in the form of polynomial waves are employed. The continuity of these polynomial waves is weakly enforced through suitably chosen Lagrange multipliers. Results for two-dimensional and three-dimensional problems, in both low-frequency and medium-frequency regimes, show that the proposed DGM outperforms the conventional space–time finite element method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Should self-destructive behavior affect a patient's access to scarce medical resources?

A 35-year-old man with moderate plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis that has been well controlled on methotrexate (MTX) 20 mg weekly for the last 4 months presents for follow-up. He recently heard about adalimumab, and asks about starting treatment with this drug. He explains that although he has abstained from drinking while taking MTX, he craves alcohol. He had previously been on acitretin for years, during which time he was usually abstinent, but during the transition from acitretin to MTX, he was frequently intoxicated. Today, his skin is clear. He has not had any side effects while on MTX, but he states, ‘‘I want to live the way I want to,’’ including engaging in binge drinking. What is the clinician’s best course of action? A. Agree to switch the patient to adalimumab because he wishes to freely drink alcohol and have less laboratory monitoring. B. Continue MTX because it has controlled his disease and has not caused any adverse effects. C. Advise the patient that he can safely drink less than 100 g of alcohol per week while taking MTX, but will still need laboratory monitoring. D. Tell the patient that you cannot continue treating him unless he enrolls in an alcohol treatment program.
Cycloaddition of phosphanylidene-σ4-phosphoranes ArPPMe3 and quinones to yield 1,3,2-dioxophospholanes

The reaction of phosphanylidene-σ4-phosphoranes ArPPMe3 (Ar = 2,6-Mes2C6H3 or 2,4,6-t-Bu3C6H2) with select ortho-quinones yields 1,3,2-dioxophospholanes, one of which shows interesting π-stacking of the aromatic groups in the solid state.
SU-FF-I-13: Accurate Measurement of Lead Shielding In-Situ

Purpose: To design a protocol for measuring or verifying the amount of lead in a wall of unknown thickness for purposes of radiation shielding in a diagnostic x‐ray room. The aim is to develop a method of accurate measure for thicknesses up to 1/8 inch of lead that can be used with a simple scintillation counter attached to a standard survey meter. Method and Materials: We employed a simple scintillation detector connected to a digital rate/meter scaler combination and a scintillation detector attached to a multi‐channel analyzer (MCA). Measurements were made for a Tc‐99m source in a vial placed in a lead cylinder in alignment with a 1 inch by 1 inch scintillation detector.Lead sheets (2′ × 2′) were placed half‐way between the source and detector. The energy spectra were obtained as well as integrated counts with the survey meter. Background was determined and subtracted from the measurements. Different regions of the spectrum were investigated by integrating over varying energy ranges (variable low energy to 195 keV). A plot of the counts as a function of lead thickness were obtained and compared to the expected attenuation curve for a good geometry. In addition we have investigated the effect of collimation and source geometry. Results: As expected the results for a window about only the photopeak produced the expected logarithmic variation as a function of thickness given sufficient count statistics. At lower energy thresholds, the scatter caused significant deviation from the expected behavior beyond 1/16 inch. An effective half‐value layer was derived as a function of lower energy threshold and thickness. Conclusion: We have developed a method to determine with reasonable accuracy the value of an unknown thickness of lead in the wall of an x‐ray room using a scintillation detector with a digital survey meter.
Variation in the iron oxidation states of magnetite nanocrystals as a function of crystallite size: The impact on electrochemical capacity

Abstract We have investigated magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) as an electroactive battery electrode material, where a linear relationship was observed between Fe 3 O 4 crystallite size and capacity, with a negative slope. In order to better understand this novel relationship, we report here the Rietveld refinement and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) investigation of nanosized Fe 3 O 4 as a function of crystallite size (7–26 nm). Rietveld refinement established that the Fe 3 O 4 samples were phase pure, while the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) provided insight into the local geometries and electronic structure of the iron centers, including oxidation state assignment. From our current and recent studies, we suggest that the surface of the Fe 3 O 4 crystallites is rich in Fe 3+ , thus as the Fe 3 O 4 crystallite size decreases, the electrochemical capacity increases, due to a net enrichment of Fe 3 O 4 in Fe 3+ .
AN INTRODUCTION TO NONSTANDARD FINITE DIFFERENCE SCHEMES

Nonstandard finite difference schemes offer the potential for either constructing exact discrete models of differential equations or obtaining discrete models that do not have the elementary numerical instabilities. While the general laws for constructing such schemes are not precisely known at the present time, a number of important rules have been discovered. This paper provides an introduction to the nonstandard finite difference rules, explains their significance, and applies them to several model ordinary and partial differential equations. Several major unresolved issues and problems are briefly discussed.
The next generation of biomaterial development.

As defined by [Park & Lakes (2007)][1], a biomaterial is a material that replaces either a tissue within the body or a function of the body. The development of novel biomaterials is an iterative process that involves the creation of increasingly safer, more reliable, more inexpensive and more
Leaks, strictures, and necrosis: a review of anastomotic complications following esophagectomy

Since the first reports of esophageal resection for the treatment of various esophageal diseases and disorders, morbidity related to the anastomosis and the chosen replacement conduit have remained a frequent nemesis, a constant concern, and an ongoing area of research and experimentation. In this review of this key component of esophageal resection, an analysis is presented of the most frequent complications related to the anastomosis and conduit: anastomotic leak, conduit necrosis, and conduit stricture. In each case, a review of the current pertinent literature and experience is reported with a view to providing management recommendations to minimize or prevent occurrences, to improve timely diagnosis and to best treat these complications when they arise.
Biologically aggressive papillomas of the nasal cavity: the role of radiation therapy

Five patients were irradiated at the University of Florida for advanced and/or recurrent papillomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses from December 1969 through December 1981. Three patients were irradiated either before or after resection and two patients were treated with radiation therapy alone. Two patients had pure inverted papilloma, one patient had inverted papilloma associated with a focus of squamous cell carcinoma, and two patients had cylindrical cell papillomas. Four patients are alive and continuously disease free at 3, 3, 4, and 11 years following treatment. One patient died of intercurrent disease nine years following treatment without evidence of recurrent tumor.
Climate forcing by the on-road transportation and power generation sectors

Abstract The on-road transportation (ORT) and power generation (PG) sectors are major contributors to carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions and a host of short-lived radiatively-active air pollutants, including tropospheric ozone and fine aerosol particles, that exert complex influences on global climate. Effective mitigation of global climate change necessitates action in these sectors for which technology change options exist or are being developed. Most assessments of possible energy change options to date have neglected non-CO 2 air pollutant impacts on radiative forcing (RF). In a multi-pollutant approach, we apply a global atmospheric composition-climate model to quantify the total RF from the global and United States (U.S.) ORT and PG sectors. We assess the RF for 2 time horizons: 20- and 100-year that are relevant for understanding near-term and longer-term impacts of climate change, respectively. ORT is a key target sector to mitigate global climate change because the net non-CO 2 RF is positive and acts to enhance considerably the CO 2 warming impacts. We perform further sensitivity studies to assess the RF impacts of a potential major technology shift that would reduce ORT emissions by 50% with the replacement energy supplied either by a clean zero-emissions source (S1) or by the PG sector, which results in an estimated 20% penalty increase in emissions from this sector (S2). We examine cases where the technology shift is applied globally and in the U.S. only. The resultant RF relative to the present day control is negative (cooling) in all cases for both S1 and S2 scenarios, global and U.S. emissions, and 20- and 100-year time horizons. The net non-CO 2 RF is always important relative to the CO 2 RF and outweighs the CO 2 RF response in the S2 scenario for both time horizons. Assessment of the full impacts of technology and policy strategies designed to mitigate global climate change must consider the climate effects of ozone and fine aerosol particles.
How Should the Graduate Economics Core be Changed

The authors present suggestions by graduate students from a range of economics departments for improving the first-year core sequence in economics. The students identified a number of elements that should be added to the core: more training in building microeconomic models, a discussion of the methodological foundations of model-building, more emphasis on institutions to motivate and contextualize macroeconomic models, and greater focus on econometric practice rather than theory. The authors hope that these suggestions will encourage departments to take a fresh look at the content of the first-year core.
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model for Digoxin Distribution and Elimination in the Rat

Abstract A plasma flow rate-limited pharmacokinetic model was developed to describe the distribution of digoxin to the heart, liver, kidneys, skeletal muscle, and GI tract in the rat. The model also provides for renal, hepatic (metabolic and biliary), and GI clearance as well as for biliary and Gl secretion and GI reabsorption of digoxin. Predicted concentrations of digoxin in the heart, liver, skeletal muscle, and plasma were consistent with experimental observations in conscious rats after an intravenous dose. The model was extended to describe digoxin concentrations in the plasma of bile duct-ligated rats and ureter-ligated rats, simply by modifying appropriate clearance parameters. Excellent agreement was obtained between predicted and observed urinary excretion rates of digoxin for 12 hr after an intravenous dose to normal and bile duct-ligated rats.
Networking: challenges for network-centric operations

This paper examines some of the challenges facing the community in providing radio communications to enable information systems for military operations. We believe that much of the on-going/completed work is necessary, but not sufficient, to provide the military Network Centric Operations, which integrates military’s network centric enterprise with network centric warfare. Additional issues need to be addressed to better support battle commanders as well as decider-sensor-effecter linkages. We discuss a possible way ahead.
A new index of habitat alteration and a comparison of approaches to predict stream habitat conditions

Summary 1. Stream habitat quality assessment complements biological assessment by providing a mechanism for ruling out habitat degradation as a potential stressor and provides reference targets for the physical aspects of stream restoration projects. This study analysed five approaches for predicting habitat conditions based on discriminant function, linear regressions, ordination and nearest neighbour analyses. 2. Quantitative physical and chemical habitat and riparian conditions in minimally-impacted streams in New Hampshire were estimated using United States Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program protocols. Catchment-scale descriptors were used to predict segment-scale stream channel and riparian habitat, and the accuracy and precision of the different modelling approaches were compared. 3. A new assessment index comparing and summarizing the degree of correspondence between predicted and observed habitat based on Euclidean distance between the standardized habitat factors is described. Higher index scores (i.e. greater Euclidean distance) would suggest a greater deviation in habitat between observed conditions and expected reference conditions. As in most biotic indices, the range in index scores in reference sites would constitute a situation equivalent to reference conditions. This new index avoids the erroneous prediction of multiple, mutually exclusive habitat conditions that have confounded previous habitat assessment approaches. 4. Separate linear regression models for each habitat descriptor yielded the most accurate and precise prediction of reference conditions, with a coefficient of variation (CV) between predictions and observations for all reference sites of 0.269. However, for a unified implementation in regions where a classification-based approach has already been taken for biological assessment, a discriminant analysis approach, that predicted membership in biotic communities and compared the mean habitat features in the biotic communities with the observed habitat features, was similar in prediction accuracy and precision (CV = 0.293). 5. The best model had an error of 27% of the mean index value for the reference sites, indicating substantial room for improvement. Additional catchment characteristics not readily available for this analysis, such as average rainfall or winter snow-pack, surficial geological characteristics or past land-use history, may improve the precision of the predicted habitat features in the reference streams. Land-use history in New Hampshire and regional environmental impacts have greatly impacted stream habitat conditions even in streams considered minimally-impacted today; thus as regional environmental impacts change and riparian forests mature, reference habitat conditions should be re-evaluated.
Modeling Bidirectional Transport of New and Used Organelles in Fast Axonal Transport in Neurons

This paper develops a model for simulating transport of newly synthesized material from the neuron body toward the synapse of the axon as well as transport of misfolded and aggregated proteins back to the neuron body for recycling. The model demonstrates that motor-assisted transport, much similar to diffusion, can occur due to a simple concentration difference between the cell body and the synapse; organelles heading to the synapse do not need to attach preferably to plus-end-directed molecular motors, same as organelles heading to the neuron body for recycling do not need to attach preferably to minus-end-directed molecular motors. The underlying mechanics of molecular-motor-assisted transport is such that organelles would be transported to the right place even if new and used organelles had the same probability of attachment to plus-end-directed (and minus-end-directed) motors. It is also demonstrated that the axon with organelle traps and a region with a reversed microtubule polarity would support much smaller organelle fluxes of both new and used organelles than a healthy axon. The flux of organelles is shown to decrease as the width of organelle traps increases.
Available and useful: OAI at the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress (LC) was an early adopter of the OAI Protocol for Metadata Harvesting. The protocol allows LC to make digitized historical collections available for integration into other services. The protocol was straightforward to implement and the harvesting traffic has no perceptible effect on the primary users of the American Memory project. Now that services can integrate records for cultural heritage resources from many sources, it is time to build on that experience to develop better services. How should the scarce resources available to produce metadata be deployed to most advantage to support discovery in different contexts? How might metadata harvesting be exploited to support new interfaces and enhanced navigation among related resources in digital libraries? This article starts a conversation between metadata providers and service builders by describing LC’s experience and questions that have surfaced.
Repressive Tolerance and the Practice of Adult Education

Herbert Marcuse's concept of repressive tolerance argues that behind the justification of tolerance lies the possibility of ideological domination. Tolerance allows intolerable practices to go unchallenged and flattens discussion to assume all viewpoints have equal validity. When alternative, dissenting views are inserted into the curriculum dominant ideology means they are always positioned as the 'other' in relation to the mainstream. This article takes Marcuse's concept and applies it to a number of familiar adult educational practices and concerns. It considers how Marcuse's contrasting notion of liberating tolerance might be manifest in adult education.
Photoreactions of tetrafluorodiphosphine with partially fluorinated ethenes

Abstract The photoreactions of tetrafluorodiphosphine with partially fluorinated ethenes have been observed to result in the formation of 1,2-bis(diflourophosphino) -1-fluoroethane, 1,2-bis(difluorophosphino)-1,1-difluoroethane, and 1,2-bis(difluorophosphino)-1,1,2-trifluoroethane. A rapidly diminishing yield of product results with increasing fluorination of the olefin.
Regulation of DNA double-strand break repair pathway choice

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are critical lesions that can result in cell death or a wide variety of genetic alterations including large- or small-scale deletions, loss of heterozygosity, translocations, and chromosome loss. DSBs are repaired by non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR), and defects in these pathways cause genome instability and promote tumorigenesis. DSBs arise from endogenous sources including reactive oxygen species generated during cellular metabolism, collapsed replication forks, and nucleases, and from exogenous sources including ionizing radiation and chemicals that directly or indirectly damage DNA and are commonly used in cancer therapy. The DSB repair pathways appear to compete for DSBs, but the balance between them differs widely among species, between different cell types of a single species, and during different cell cycle phases of a single cell type. Here we review the regulatory factors that regulate DSB repair by NHEJ and HR in yeast and higher eukaryotes. These factors include regulated expression and phosphorylation of repair proteins, chromatin modulation of repair factor accessibility, and the availability of homologous repair templates. While most DSB repair proteins appear to function exclusively in NHEJ or HR, a number of proteins influence both pathways, including the MRE11/RAD50/NBS1(XRS2) complex, BRCA1, histone H2AX, PARP-1, RAD18, DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), and ATM. DNA-PKcs plays a role in mammalian NHEJ, but it also influences HR through a complex regulatory network that may involve crosstalk with ATM, and the regulation of at least 12 proteins involved in HR that are phosphorylated by DNA-PKcs and/or ATM.
Chemical methods to induce Beta-cell proliferation.

Pancreatic beta-cell regeneration, for example, by inducing proliferation, remains an important goal in developing effective treatments for diabetes. However, beta cells have mainly been considered quiescent. This “static” view has recently been challenged by observations of relevant physiological conditions in which metabolic stress is compensated by an increase in beta-cell mass. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlining these process could open the possibility of developing novel small molecules to increase beta-cell mass. Several cellular cell-cycle and signaling proteins provide attractive targets for high throughput screening, and recent advances in cell culture have enabled phenotypic screening for small molecule-induced beta-cell proliferation. We present here an overview of the current trends involving small-molecule approaches to induce beta-cell regeneration by proliferation.
A theoretical model for F-actin remodeling in vascular smooth muscle cells subjected to cyclic stretch

A constrained mixture theory model was developed and used to estimate remodeling of F-actin in vascular smooth muscle cells that were subjected to 10% equibiaxial stretching for up to 30min. The model was based on a synthesis of data on time-dependent changes in atomic force microscopy measured cell stiffness and immunofluorescence measured focal adhesion associated vinculin as well as data on stress fiber stiffness and pre-stretch. Results suggest that an observed acute (after 2min of stretching) increase in cell stiffness is consistent with an increased stretch of the originally present F-actin plus an assembly of new F-actin having nearly homeostatic values of stretch. Moreover, the subsequent (after 30min of stretching) decrease in cell stiffness back towards the baseline value is consistent with a replacement of the overstretched original filaments with the new (reassembled), less stretched filaments. That is, overall cell response is consistent with a recently proposed concept of "tensional homeostasis" whereby cells seek to maintain constant certain mechanical factors via a remodeling of intracellular and transmembrane proteins. Although there is a need to refine the model based on more comprehensive data sets, using multiple experimental approaches, the present results suggest that a constrained mixture theory can capture salient features of the dynamics of F-actin remodeling and that it offers some advantages over many past methods of modeling, particularly those based on classical linearized viscoelasticity.
HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: COMPETING THROUGH QUALITY

San Jacinto College North (SJCN) is the smallest campus in a three college district. The college is located in the North Channel area of Houston, Texas, and has a very diverse population composed o...