cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Breast cancer treatment and chemoprevention.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To outline modern principles of surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic treatment of breast cancer, and to review preliminary data on breast cancer prevention. QUALITY OF EVIDENCE: A MEDLINE search was conducted from 1966 to the beginning of 1999; most of the studies reviewed are randomized clinical trials. MAIN MESSAGE: Breast conservation surgery should be offered to all women with early breast cancer because studies demonstrate survival rates equivalent to those with mastectomy. If mastectomy is chosen, breast reconstruction should be offered. Most women with breast cancer are treated systemically with either chemotherapy or tamoxifen, or both, and mortality is substantially reduced. Data indicating that tamoxifen prevents breast cancer are promising; more studies with both tamoxifen and raloxifene are under way. All women should be strongly encouraged to enter clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: Because many issues face women recently diagnosed with breast cancer, they often seek out family physicians as advisors to help negotiate a complex treatment path. The possibility of preventing breast cancer will undoubtedly raise questions among family members of women with breast cancer that should appropriately be answered and referred, if necessary, by family physicians.
Simulating future energy consumption in office buildings using an ensemble of morphed climate data

Abstract Designers and policy makers use simulations to characterize building energy performance; depending on localized weather files—typically assembled from historically-measured weather data—to project the building’s behavior and energy use. However, changes in global climate and advances in climate science research reveal significant differences between historical meteorological trends and the patterns of current and future climate. The increasing variability and uncertainty associated with climate change will affect buildings in complex ways that depend on the interaction of buildings’ properties, human behavior, and climatic context. Previous studies developed and tested methods to create future climate files by modifying historical data, typically assuming a single model of global climate and a single emission scenario. The present study takes a more comprehensive approach, using an ensemble of fourteen Global Climate Models and two Representative Concentration Pathways to incorporate the uncertainty of future climate projections into building energy simulations. To understand the effects on buildings over their lifespan, a prototypical large office was tested in three different US cities (Boston, Miami and San Francisco) and three future time windows (2030, 2060 and 2090). Driven by increases in cooling energy, annual primary energy consumption increased by 2090 for all projected climate conditions tested, by up to 10% in the edge-case climate of San Francisco where cooling requirements had hitherto been minor. There was significant variability in results and drivers among the different locations and projections, emphasizing the need for specific modeling to support local design practices.
Rigorous computations with an approximate Dirichlet domain

Abstract In this paper we address some problems concerning an approximate Dirichlet domain. We show that under some assumptions an approximate Dirichlet domain can work equally well as an exact Dirichlet domain. In particular, we consider a problem of tiling a hyperbolic ball with copies of the Dirichlet domain. This problem arises in the construction of the length spectrum algorithm which is implemented by the computer program SnapPea. Our result explains the empirical fact that the program works surprisingly well despite it does not use exact data. Also we demonstrate a rigorous verification whether two words of the fundamental group of a hyperbolic 3-manifold are the same or not.
Systemic Sirolimus to Prevent In-Stent Stenosis in Pediatric Pulmonary Vein Stenosis

Evaluate the efficacy of systemic sirolimus (rapamycin) in preventing in-stent stenosis (ISS) in pediatric intraluminal pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS). Report the adverse events related to sirolimus therapy. There is a high incidence of ISS following stent implantation in PVS. The use of sirolimus in preventing ISS has not been reported. Retrospective review of all patients who received sirolimus (8 week course) for treatment of ISS for PVS between January 2013 and June 2018. Forty stents (37 bare metal, 3 drug-eluting) in 20 patients were treated with sirolimus; 20 at the time of implantation (primary prevention [1P]) and 20 following documented ISS requiring transcatheter reintervention (secondary prevention [2P]). Treated patients were young (median 2 y/o [0.7–5.7]) and most had PVS associated with congenital heart disease (75%, 15/20; 4/15 with TAPVC). In the 1P group, 85% (17/20) of stents were without significant (< 50%) ISS at median of 102 days (range 56–527); the growth rate of ISS in this group was 7.5 ± 7.1%/month. In the 2P group, most stents had a slower growth rate of ISS after sirolimus therapy compared to pre-treatment (median 3.7 [− 0.2 to 13.1] vs. 10.4 [1.3 to 19.5] %/month; p < 0.001). One patient developed pneumonia on drug while concurrently taking another immunosuppressive agent. No other serious adverse events were related to sirolimus therapy. Systemic sirolimus slows the growth rate of ISS following stent implantation in PVS compared to pre-treatment rates and was administered safely in a small number of pediatric patients with complex heart disease.
Analyzing Systems Architectures using Inter-Level and Intra-Level Dependency Matrix (I2DM)

How architects decompose a high-level system architecture often has an outsized impact on subsystem interface complexity and integration strategy. In practice system decomposition tends to be based on experiential know-how, structure of the performing organization, and legacy constraints. Architectural decomposition needs to take other factors into account such as management culture, political considerations, regulations, and social factors. It is important to ensure that the decomposition modularizes the system to reduce systemic complexity. A “best practice” decomposition today calls for a layered architecture with the layers corresponding to operation, function, form, implementation, and organization. How well a particular decomposition works ultimately determines the effectiveness of system integration strategy and resultant system complexity. At each architectural level, the system exhibits a certain degree of complexity. Therefore, aligning modules at each level with the level above can significantly reduce overall system complexity. In this paper, we propose a methodology based on an Inter-Level and Intra-Level Dependency Matrix (I2DM), a dependency-focused specialization of the N2 matrix. When combined with optimization algorithms, and alignment heuristics, this combination helps uncover problematic interactions that could potentially pose integration challenges down the line, and produce unintended, undesirable outcomes. This paper evaluates genetic algorithm with heuristics for system decomposition. The effectiveness of this algorithm is analyzed and an approach for developing an effective integration strategy is presented.
Optimal artifact suppression in simultaneous electrocorticography stimulation and recording for bi-directional brain-computer interface applications.

Objective. Electrocorticogram (ECoG)-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are a promising platform for the restoration of motor and sensory functions to those with neurological deficits. Such bi-directional BCI operation necessitates simultaneous ECoG recording and stimulation, which is challenging given the presence of strong stimulation artifacts. This problem is exacerbated if the BCI's analog front-end operates in an ultra-low power regime, which is a basic requirement for fully implantable medical devices. In this study, we developed a novel method for the suppression of stimulation artifacts before they reach the analog front-end. Approach. Using elementary biophysical considerations, we devised an artifact suppression method that employs a weak auxiliary stimulation delivered between the primary stimulator and the recording grid. The exact location and amplitude of this auxiliary stimulating dipole were then found through a constrained optimization procedure. The performance of our method was tested in both simulations and phantom brain tissue experiments. Main Results. The solution found through the optimization procedure matched the optimal canceling dipole in both simulations and experiments. Artifact suppression as large as 28.7 dB and 22.9 dB were achieved in simulations and brain phantom experiments, respectively. Significance. We developed a simple constrained optimization-based method for finding the parameters of an auxiliary stimulating dipole that yields optimal artifact suppression. Our method suppresses stimulation artifacts before they reach the analog front-end and may prevent the front-end amplifiers from saturation. Additionally, it can be used along with other artifact mitigation techniques to further reduce stimulation artifacts.
Ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate toxicity towards human SK-MEL-28 melanoma cell line involves mitochondrial toxicity, intracellular GSH depletion, quinone and reactive oxygen species formation

3968 In search of a novel drug for melanoma therapy, we set to investigate the biochemical basis of ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (4-EHB) toxicity against human SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells. 4-EHB was investigated for its metabolism by tyrosinase, an abundant enzyme found in melanoma, and rat liver microsomal P450 enzymes. The extent of GSH depletion was used as a surrogate marker for 4-EHB metabolism by these enzymes. A number of biochemical modulators were used to investigate the mechanism of the 4-EHB toxicity towards human SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells using thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was measured using 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. The intracellular GSH was investigated. 4-EHB was metabolized 60% by tyrosinase/O2 at 2 h. The extent of 4-EHB metabolism by CYP2E1 induced rat liver microsomes/NADPH/O2 was 26% at 2h. 4-Hydroxyanisole (4-HA), an analogue of 4-EHB, was metabolized by tyrosinase/O2 and microsomes/NADPH/O2 for 100% and 88%, respectively. The LD50s (day 2) of 4-EHB and 4-HA towards SK-MEL-28 human melanoma cells were 75 and 50 μM, respectively. It was found that dicoumarol, a diaphorase inhibitor, and 1-bromoheptane, a GSH reactant and intracellular GSH depletory agent, increased 4-EHB toxicity towards SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells indicating that quinone formation played an important role in 4-EHB’s mechanism of toxicity towards melanoma cells. Cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) protein, was significantly potent in inhibiting 4-EHB toxicity towards melanoma cells. In addition, trifluoperazine was equally effective at inhibiting MPTP opening in melanoma cells. 4-EHB also led to ROS formation when it was incubated with melanoma cells. Dicoumarol and 1-bromoheptane increased the extent of ROS formation when co-incubated with 4-EHB whereas trifluperazine and cyclosporin A significantly inhibited the ROS formation by 4-EHB. We also showed that 4-EHB (75 μM) significantly depleted the intracellular GSH without a significant change in viability after 2 h incubation, indicating that the GSH depletion precedes 4-EHB cytotoxicity. In summary, the mechanisms of 4-EHB toxicity towards melanoma cells were found to be due to quinone reactive intermediate formation, ROS formation, intracellular GSH depletion and induced mitochondrial toxicity.
Receipt Of Home-Based Medical Care Among Older Beneficiaries Enrolled In Fee-For-Service Medicare

Millions of older Americans are homebound and may benefit from home-based medical care. We characterized the receipt of this care among community-dwelling, fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries ag...
Increasing non-opioid pain management in the cancer patient presenting to the emergency department.

237Background: The opioid epidemic is claiming more than 115 lives daily in the US (1). Pain is commonly the chief complaint of cancer patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) and aggre...
"Free Seeds, Not Free Beer": Participatory Plant Breeding, OpenSource Seeds, and Acknowledging User Innovation in Agriculture

In the context of user-innovation, agriculture has been a field where farmers substantively contributed to developing and improving existing and new plant varieties. This essay paraphrases Free Software Foundation founder and computer programmer par excellence Richard Stallman’s description of what “free software” means in the context of what the open source software movement may have to impart to contemporary plant breeding. It looks at how the rise and expansion of intellectual property rights in plants and varieties during the twentieth century has significantly reduced the role of farmers in plant breeding, turning them into consumers providing labor to raise crops in which others hold the underlying intellectual property rights. This essay makes three basic points. First, it examines the shift in the treatment of plant genetic resources (PGRs) from “common heritage” to “sovereign property.” This shift occurred during 1980s through the 1990s and was embodied in the characterization of PGRs in the 1983 International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources (IUPGR) to the characterization in the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as “sovereign property.” This was a development that was harmonious to expanding intellectual property rights in such resources as articulated and required by the 1994 Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS). Secondly, this essay stresses the relationship between the public domain and intellectual property rights by examining the difference between “openaccess” resources, where no one has the right to exclude, and “limited
Food Index Forecasting

Designing efficient and robust algorithms for accurate forecast of price index is one of the most prevalent challenges in the food market business. With the exponential rate of development, evolution of sophisticated algorithms and the availability of fast computing platforms, it has now become possible to effectively and efficiently extract, store, process and analyze food price index data with diversity in its contents. One of the leading food processing companies in the USA approached us to use the price index data for over six food categories and forecast for the upcoming 18 months so that they can get an idea about the upcoming price trends, which will help in making more informed decisions in their business. In this paper, all the data used for analyzing purpose was external (freely available) data. We used the monthly price index data for USA for raw/processed food categories, published by United States Department of Labor for the period January 2010 till May 2018. Different univariate and multivariate time series modeling approaches were used to model the price data, and best-fitted model was chosen for each of the individual categories.
Heterogenous phenotypes of congenital nephrotic syndrome related to NPHS1 mutation

We report the heterogeneous outcomes in congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) secondary to variants in NPHS1 gene. We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients with genetically confirmed NPHS1-related CNS who presented to one center between 2000 and 2018. Four patients from three families were identified. Three progressed to kidney failure at 2–10 years and required kidney replacement therapy. Two patients with Arg1160Ter NPHS1 variant had slow disease progression, with one reaching only stage 2 chronic kidney disease in early adulthood. This report shows the phenotypic heterogeneity in CNS with NPSH1 variants indicating that genotype/phenotype correlations in NPHS1-related CNS are poor.
Astrocyte inflammatory signaling mediates α-synuclein aggregation and dopaminergic neuronal loss following viral encephalitis

Abstract Viral infection of the central nervous system (CNS) can cause lasting neurological decline in surviving patients and can present with symptoms resembling Parkinson's disease (PD). The mechanisms underlying postencephalitic parkinsonism remain unclear but are thought to involve increased innate inflammatory signaling in glial cells, resulting in persistent neuroinflammation. We therefore studied the role of glial cells in regulating neuropathology in postencephalitic parkinsonism by studying the involvement of astrocytes in loss of dopaminergic neurons and aggregation of α–synuclein protein following infection with western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV). Infections were conducted in both wildtype mice and in transgenic mice lacking NFκB inflammatory signaling in astrocytes. For 2 months following WEEV infection, we analyzed glial activation, neuronal loss and protein aggregation across multiple brain regions, including the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). These data revealed that WEEV induces loss of SNpc dopaminergic neurons, persistent activation of microglia and astrocytes that precipitates widespread aggregation of α-synuclein in the brain of C57BL/6 mice. Microgliosis and macrophage infiltration occurred prior to activation of astrocytes and was followed by opsonization of ⍺-synuclein protein aggregates in the cortex, hippocampus and midbrain by the complement protein, C3. Astrocyte-specific NFκB knockout mice had reduced gliosis, α-synuclein aggregate formation and neuronal loss. These data suggest that astrocytes play a critical role in initiating PD-like pathology following encephalitic infection with WEEV through innate immune inflammatory pathways that damage dopaminergic neurons, possibly by hindering clearance of ⍺-synuclein aggregates. Inhibiting glial inflammatory responses could therefore represent a potential therapy strategy for viral parkinsonism.
Entertaining Education --- Using Games-Based and Service-Oriented Learning to Improve STEM Education

This paper addresses the development of a computer game design and development curriculum at the authors' institution. The basis for curriculum decisions, as well as comparison to the other institutions' curricula is covered. In situating the curriculum within the current degree programs, games-based versions of existing courses are also being offered. The experience of the authors with the initial offering of a games-based introductory programming course is also explained, along with the initial assessment of results from the experience. Our experience of using games-based learning in an introductory laboratory is presented. Finally, we demonstrate how games-based learning can be extended beyond the classroom as we work to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with local elementary schools; our current project develops an ocean ecosystem exploration game that teaches oceanography and ecological sustainability.
Numerical Analysis and Graphics Visualization With Matlab

Preface. 1. MATLAB Primer. Before Starting Calculations. How to Do Calculations. Branch Statements. Loops with for/end or while/end. Reading and Writing. Array Variables. Unique Aspect of Numbers in MATLAB. Mathematical Functions of MATLAB. Functions That Do Chores. Developing a Program as an M-File. How to Write Your Own Functions. Saving and Loading Data. How to Make Hard Copies. 2. Graphics with MATLAB. Simple Plotting. Interactive Editing of Figures. How to Print or Record Graphs. Plotting of Two-Dimensional Functions. Triangular Grid and Contours. Curvilinear Grid and Contours. Plotting Curved Surfaces. MATLAB as a Drawing Board. Interactive Graphics. M-Files. 3. Linear Algebra. Matrices and Vectors. Matrix and Vector Operations in MATLAB. Inverse Matrix. Linear Equations. Unsolvable Problems. The Determinant. Ill-conditioned Problems. Gauss Elimination. Gauss-Jordan Elimination and Matrix Inversion. LU Decomposition. Iterative Solution. Matrix Eigenvalues. 4. Polynomials and Interpolation. MATLAB Commands for Polynomials. Linear Interpolation. Polynomial Interpolation with Power Series. Lagrange Interpolation Polynomial. Error of Interpolation Polynomials. Differentiation and Integration of Lagrange Interpolation Formula. Interpolation with Chebyshev Points. Cubic Hermite Interpolation. Two-Dimensional Interpolation. Transfinite Interpolation. M-Files. 5. Numerical Integration. Trapezoidal Rule. Simpson's Rules. Other Quadratures. Numerical Integration with Infinite Limits or Singularities. MATLAB Commands for Integrations. Numerical Integration on a Two-Dimensional Domain. M-Files. 6. Numerical Differentiation. Derivatives of Interpolation Polynomials. Difference Approximations. Taylor Expansion Method. Algorithms to Automate Derivations. Difference Approximation for Partial Derivatives. Numerical Evaluation of High-Order Derivatives. M-Files. 7. Roots of Nonlinear Equations. Graphical Method. Bisection Method. Newton Iteration. Secant Method. Successive Substitution Method. Simultaneous Nonlinear Equations. M-Files. 8. Curve Fitting To Measured Data. Line Fitting. Nonlinear Curve Fitting with a Power Function. Curve Fitting with a Higher-Order Polynomial. Curve Fitting by a Linear Combination of Known Functions. 9. Spline Functions and Nonlinear Interpolation. C-Spline Interpolation. Cubic B-Spline. Interpolation with a Nonlinear Function. M-Files. 10. Initial-Value Problems of Ordinary Differential Equations. First-Order ODEs. Euler Methods. Runge-Kutta Methods. Shooting Method. Method of Lines. 11. Boundary-Value Problems of Ordinary Differential Equations. Introduction. Boundary-Value Problems for Rods and Slabs. Solution of Tridiagonal Equations. Variable Coefficients and Nonuniform Grids. Cylinders and Spheres. Nonlinear Ordinary Differential Equations. Appendix A: Colors. Appendix B: Drawing Three-Dimensional Objects. Appendix C: Movies. Appendix D: Image Processing. Appendix E: Graphical User Interface. Appendix F: Answer Key. Subject Index.
A Review of Marching Procedures for Parabolized Navier-Stokes Equations

It has now been generally accepted that boundary-layer methodology can be extended to the so-called parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) equations for a significant variety of flow problems. In a recent paper, Davis and Rubin [2.82] have reviewed several viscous flow computations in which parabolized or thin-layer techniques have been applied in order to accurately determine the flow characteristics. This publication also reviews some of the early history of the PNS development.
Prostaglandin release by spinal cord injury mediates production of hydroxyl radical, malondialdehyde and cell death : a site of the neuroprotective action of methylprednisolone

The present study explores in vivo whether and how prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), a membrane phospholipid hydrolysis product, causes neuronal death. The concentration of PGF2α measured by microdialysis sampling increased threefold immediately following impact injury to the rat spinal cord. Administration of PGF2α into the cord through a dialysis fiber caused significant cell loss, increased extracellular levels of hydroxyl radicals and malondialdehyde – an end product of membrane lipid peroxidation – to 3.3 and 2.3 times basal levels, respectively. This suggests that PGF2α-induced cell death is partly due to hydroxyl radical-triggered peroxidation. Generating hydroxyl radical by administering Fenton's reagents into the cord through the fibers significantly increased malondialdehyde production – the first direct in vivo evidence that hydroxyl radical triggers membrane lipid peroxidation. Methylprednisolone significantly reduced the release of PGF2α upon spinal cord injury and blocked PGF2α-induced hydroxyl radical and malondialdehyde production, but did not significantly reduce Fenton's reagent-induced malondialdehyde production, despite the production of more malondialdehyde by PGF2α. This suggests that methylprednisolone may not directly scavenge hydroxyl radical, and that its ‘antioxidant’ effect is a consequence of blocking the pathways for producing toxic PGF2α and for PGF2α-induced hydroxyl radical formation, thereby reducing membrane lipid peroxidation.
Feedforward Control of Flexible and Nonlinear Piezoelectric Actuators

In this chapter, the control without sensors, also called feedforward control, of piezoelectric actuators is proposed. Typified by hysteresis and creep nonlinearities and by badly damped vibration, the design of the controller (compensator) is based on precise models and on the inversion of the latter. For that, the hysteresis is first modeled and compensated by using the Prandtl–Ishlinskii technique. Then, the creep is treated. Finally, the badly damped vibration is modeled and controlled. Experimental results along the chapter demonstrate the efficiency of the approach.
Triggering Events and New Daily Persistent Headache: Age and Gender Differences and Insights on Pathogenesis-A Clinic-Based Study.

Objective To define what are the age and gender differences for new daily persistent headache (NDPH) triggering events and how this may relate to the pathogenesis of NDPH. To describe several new triggering events for NDPH. Methods All patients were diagnosed with primary NDPH at a headache specialty clinic during the time period of 01/2009 through 01/2013. This was a retrospective analysis of patient medical records utilizing an electronic medical record system. Results Ninety-seven patients were diagnosed with primary NDPH (65 women and 32 men). The mean average age of onset was younger in women than men 32.4 years vs 35.8 years. Fifty one of ninety seven NDPH patients (53%) did not recognize a triggering event while an infection or flu-like illness triggered NDPH in 22%, a stressful life event in 9%, a procedure (surgical) in 9%, and some “other” recognized trigger in 7%. All of the NDPH patients who developed new onset headache after an invasive surgical procedure were intubated. There was no significant difference in frequency for any of the triggering events between genders. The youngest age of onset was for a post stressful life event trigger while the oldest age of onset was in the post-surgical subgroup. Women developed NDPH at a younger age of onset for all recognized triggers, but there was no significant difference in ages of onset between the genders. There was no significant difference in the number of NDPH patients who had a history of migraine or no history and if they developed NDPH after any triggered event vs no triggering event. However, the majority of patients who developed NDPH after a stressful life event did have a precedent migraine history (67%). Newly noted triggers include: hormonal manipulation with progesterone, medication exposure, chemical/pesticide exposure, massage treatment, and immediately post a syncopal event. Conclusion More than 50% of NDPH sufferers do not recognize a triggering event to their headaches. A key finding from the present study is the recognition that of those patients who developed NDPH after an invasive surgical procedure all required intubation and we speculate a cervicogenic origin to their headaches. The fact that both genders had an almost equal rate of occurrence for most NDPH triggers and almost the same age of onset suggests a common underlying pathogenesis for similar triggering events. A precedent history of migraine did not enhance the frequency of triggered vs nontriggered NDPH except possibly for a stressful life event.
Pullout strength of suture anchors used in rotator cuff repair.

Background: Surgical treatment of rotator cuff tears may be complicated by osteoporosis of the proximal part of the humerus. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pullout strength of suture anchors is affected by the location of the anchor placement and by bone mineral density. We hypothesized that higher bone mineral density is associated with higher pullout strength of suture anchors. Methods: Peripheral quantitative computed tomography was used to measure total, trabecular, and cortical bone mineral density in different regions of the lesser and greater tuberosities in seventeen cadaveric humeri. Suture anchors were inserted into individual regions and subjected to cyclic loading. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to assess differences in bone mineral density and load to failure between regions of interest. Pearson correlation was used to determine the association between bone mineral density and pullout strength of suture anchors. Results: Total, trabecular, and cortical bone mineral densities were an average of 50%, 50%, and 10% higher, respectively, in the proximal part of the tuberosities compared with the distal part (p < 0.01). Within the proximal part of the greater tuberosity, trabecular bone mineral density of the posterior region and cortical bone mineral density of the middle region were, on the average, 25% and 16% higher, respectively, than the densities in the other regions (p < 0.01). Load to failure in the proximal part of the tuberosities was an average of 53% higher than that in the distal part (p < 0.01). The lesser tuberosity showed, on the average, a 32% higher load to failure than did the greater tuberosity (p < 0.01). Within the proximal part of the greater tuberosity, loads to failure in the anterior and middle regions were, on the average, 62% higher than the load to failure in the posterior region (p < 0.01). Overall positive correlations were found between bone mineral density and load to failure (0.65 ≤ r ≤ 0.74, p < 0.01). Conclusions: We found that pullout strength of suture anchors correlates well with bone mineral density of the tuberosities. Higher loads to failure were found in regions in the proximal part of the tuberosities. Placement of anchors in these regions may prevent anchor loosening, formation of a tendon-bone gap, and failure of the rotator cuff repair.
Enhanced conversion efficiency in wide-bandgap GaNP solar cells

In this work, we demonstrate ∼2.05 eV dilute nitride GaNP solar cells on GaP substrates for potential use as the top junction in dual-junction integrated cells on Si. By adding a small amount of N into indirect-bandgap GaP, GaNP has several extremely important attributes: a direct-bandgap that is also tunable, and easily attained lattice-match with Si. Our best GaNP solar cell ([N] ∼ 1.8%, Eg ∼ 2.05 eV) achieves an efficiency of 7.9%, even in the absence of a window layer. This GaNP solar cell's efficiency is 3× higher than the most efficient GaP solar cell to date and higher than other solar cells with similar direct bandgap (InGaP, GaAsP). Through a systematic study of the structural, electrical, and optical properties of the device, efficient broadband optical absorption and enhanced solar cell performance are demonstrated.
Mechanisms of Population Heterogeneity Among Molting Common Mergansers on Kodiak Island, Alaska: Implications for Genetic Assessments of Migratory Connectivity

Abstract. Quantifying population genetic heterogeneity within nonbreeding aggregations can inform our understanding of patterns of site fidelity, migratory connectivity, and gene flow between breeding and nonbreeding areas. However, characterizing mechanisms that contribute to heterogeneity, such as migration and dispersal, is required before site fidelity and migratory connectivity can be assessed accurately. We studied nonbreeding groups of Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser) molting on Kodiak Island, Alaska, from 2005 to 2007, using banding data to assess rates of recapture, mitochondrial (mt) DNA to determine natal area, and nuclear microsatellite genotypes to assess dispersal. Using baseline information from differentiated mtDNA haplogroups across North America, we were able to assign individuals to natal regions and document population genetic heterogeneity within and among molting groups. Band-recovery and DNA data suggest that both migration from and dispersal among natal areas contribute to admi...
Quantitative assessment of the effects of a fixed 50% coronary artery stenosis on regional myocardial flow reserve and transmural distribution of blood flow

Experimental coronary artery stenoses produced by external constrictors that reduce vessel diameter by 50% under basal conditions have been shown to reduce myocardial hyperemic flow reserve. Because such lesions may exhibit dynamic increases in severity during coronary vasodilation, the results of these studies are not necessarily applicable to human patients with fixed, proximal coronary stenoses of similar baseline severity. Accordingly, the present study was conducted in 16 closed chest conscious pigs in order to assess the effects of a fixed, rigid 50% stenosis on maximal myocardial hyperemic flow and transmural distribution of blood flow. Eight pigs (Group I, stenosis) were instrumented with a 50% stenosis and eight were not (Group II, control). After obtaining control measurements of hemodynamics and regional myocardial blood flow (microsphere technique), adenosine was infused at doses of 100, 200 and 400 μg min-1(x 10 minutes at each dose) directly into the left anterior descending coronary bed distal to the stenosis (Group I) or at a similar level in animals without a stenosis. Hemodynamics and blood flow measurements were made at the 10th minute of each infusion level of adenosine. The results (mean ± 1 standard deviation) of the study were as follows. Under basal conditions, transmural, endocardial and epicardial flows (ml min-1g-1) in Group I pigs (1.48 ± 0.40, 1.51 ± 0.45 and 1.30 ± 0.35, respectively) did not differ significantly from respective flows in Group II pigs (1.56 ± 0.26, 1.57 ± 0.27 and 1.43 ± 0.30). Likewise baseline endocardial to epicardial flow ratios were comparable between the two groups (Group I = 1.16 ± 0.22 versus Group II =1.11 ± 0.09, p = NS). Transmural, endocardial and epicardial blood flow in Group I pigs increased to the same extent as respective flows in Group II pigs at each dose of adenosine tested. Maximal transmural, endocardial and epicardial flows in Group I pigs increased, respectively, to levels 3.56 ± 1.56, 3.56 ± 2.03 and 3.26 ± 1.16 above baseline values. Similar responses occurred in Group II (3.38 ± 1.02, 3.21 ± 0.91 and 3.25 ± 1.44, respectively). The endocardial/epicardial flow ratio in Group I at maximal vasodilation (1.20 ± 0.34) did not differ significantly from that in Group II (1.19 ± 0.34). Thus, the data demonstrate that in contrast to 50% stenoses formed with external coronary constrictors, fixed proximal 50% stenoses do not reduce maximal myocardial hyperemic flow reserve.
Mean Distribution of 500-mb Topography and Sea-Level Pressure in Middle and High Latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere during the 1950–59 Decade, January and July

Abstract Circumpolar decadal 500-mb mean maps and data for middle and high latitudes are presented for January and July, 1950–59. These maps are based largely on recent Northern Hemispheric upper-air observations and are superior to previous normals. The 500-mb January map is the first long-period mean for that month to show a splitting of the jet stream over the North Pacific with a secondary branch passing to the north of Alaska. In July, the polar vortex is rather symmetrically centered over the North Pole at 500 mb. The tendency during the past decade for the Aleutian and Icelandic lows to form winter auxiliary cells to the cast of the parent cells is supported by the sea-level-pressure data for January. Relatively low sea-level mean pressures in the vicinity of the North Pole are confirmed for July. It is implied that July mean virtual temperatures over the Polar Basin previously have bun underestimated by approximately 3K.
Auction-based distributed scheduling and control scheme for flexible manufacturing systems

An auction-based algorithm for real-time scheduling of flexible manufacturing systems with alternate routings is presented. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is demonstrated by comparing it with various priority rules via simulation. The framework was built on a model developed by MacChiaroli and Riemma in 2002. The cost function of the original model was modified to incorporate ‘time’ as the primary criterion. The coefficients in the cost function were calibrated to improve the effectiveness of the approach. A software environment that included various Visual Basic® modules and the simulation package Promodel® were developed to implement the concept. The model was compared with typical priority rules on the basis of average tardiness, average lateness, average due date deviation, utilization balance, average throughput, average wait time and total cost. Analysis of the results showed that the auction-based approach outperformed the priority rules on most performance measures. The study conclude...
Simulation and Modeling of Amorphous Silicon Thin-Film Devices

We describe a computer program which solves the complete set Of transport equations for device-quality amorphous silicon in two spatial dimensions and time. When modeling amorphous silicon devices, it is extremely important to account for the high concentration of time-dependent trapped charge present due to the continuous distribution of localized states in the semiconductor’s bandgap. Our model is based on a realistic density-of-states distribution and includes a detailed description of the trap occupation functions for electrons and holes. These occupation functions are calculated self-consistently with respect to the electrostatic potential and free-carrier concentrations within the semiconductor.
High-density quark matter under stress

Abstract We study the effect of SU(3)-flavor breaking on high-density quark matter. We discuss, in particular, a nonzero electron chemical potential and a finite strange-quark mass. We argue that these perturbations trigger pion or kaon condensation. The critical chemical potential behaves as μ e ∼ mm s Δ/p F and the critical strange-quark mass as ms∼m1/3Δ2/3, where m is the light-quark mass, Δ is the gap, and pF is the Fermi momentum. We note that parametrically, both the critical μe and ms2/(2pF) are much smaller than the gap.
A note on “A modification of Nordsieck's method using an ‘Off-Step’ point”

An examination was made of the experimental results presented by J.J. Kohfeld and G.T. Thompson [1] in their paper on a modification of Nordsieck's method for the numerical solution of ordinary differential equations, using a multiple precision arithmetic package [2] available on the IBM 7094 at The Ohio State University Computer Center. A comparison was made between the errors of the Nordsieck and the Gragg-Stetter-Nordsieck methods in which, after the starting procedure, the interval length “h” was held constant. Results relative to the five functions used by Kohfeld and Thompson are presented in Tables I and II (@ b means 10b).
Regulation of autocrine fibroblast growth factor‐2 signaling by perfusion flow in 3D human mesenchymal stem cell constructs

Perfusion bioreactor systems play a crucial role in mitigating nutrient limitation as well as providing biomechanical stimuli and redistributing regulatory macromolecules that influence human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) fate in three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds. As fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is known to regulate hMSC phenotype, understanding the role of autocrine FGF-2 signaling in the 3D construct under the different perfusion flow provides important insight into an optimal bioreactor design. To investigate FGF-2 signaling inhibition in hMSC cultured in the porous poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) scaffolds perfused under two flow configurations, PD173074, an FGFR1 inhibitor, was added in growth media after 7 day of pre-culture and its impact on hMSC proliferation and clonogenicity during the subsequent 7 days of cultivation was analyzed. Compared with control constructs in growth media, the addition of PD173074 resulted in significant reduction in hMSC proliferation and colony formation in both constructs with a more dramatic reduction in the parallel flow constructs. The results demonstrate that autocrine FGF-2 plays a significant role in 3D scaffold and suggest modulation of the perfusion flow in the bioreactor as a strategy to influence autocrine actions and cell fate in the 3D scaffold. V C 2012 American Insti
Aortic ghost artifact in ultrashort te multislice gradient echo MR images is not increased by paramagnetic enhancement

Pulsation artifact on gradient echo images with ultrashort TE (i.e., < 3 msec) and intermediate TR is primarily from view-to-view amplitude modulation. Paramagnetic contrast agents increase the signal from blood during diastole without increasing the intensity of unsaturated systolic blood, decreasing signal modulation between systole and diastole. In a phantom and in humans, artifact decreased or remained the same following contrast enhancement.
Saul Bellow: Master of the Comic

Teaching Saul Bellow's novels is a delight because he, like Proust, always gives the reader “true impressions,” hints of deeper meaning, glimpses beyond appearances to the inner part of the persona...
Participant examples and classroom interaction

Abstract This article describes one way in which larger social conflicts influence classroom conversations. Members of different social groups in any society engage in various characteristic patterns of interaction when they participate in mixed-group conversations. In American society, one such pattern is the typical conflict between working-class whites and lower-class blacks over the merits of welfare. The analysis presented here uncovers this social conflict in a classroom conversation among working-class white teachers and lower-class block students. Unlike the typical social conflict, however, the interaction in this classroom takes place at an implicit level. Teachers and students produce and orient to the linguistic cues through which their interactional conflict takes place, but this goes on beneath awareness. In analyzing their conversation, this article describes a level of interactional activity through which speakers implicitly position themselves with respect to each other. Language provides rich interactional resources that speakers use to organize and to transform their relationships with other participants in conversation. This article provides a theoretical description of some of these linguistic resources, then describes how they are used in the classroom interaction.
Inner Bremsstrahlung Emitted in Electron Capture Decay of Ni 59 , A 37 , and Fe 55

The continuous gamma-ray spectra (inner bremsstrahlung) accompanying orbital electron capture in ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{59}$, ${\mathrm{A}}^{37}$, and ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{55}$ have been studied with the use of a scintillation spectrometer of NaI(Tl). The shape of the spectrum of ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{59}$ has been found to correspond to a second forbidden spectrum ($\ensuremath{\Delta}I=2$, No) and is distinctly different from that of an allowed one. The parameter, $\ensuremath{\lambda}$, of the correction factor, ${C}_{2s,T}$, is approximately 0.33; the value of $\frac{{A}_{\mathrm{ij}}}{{T}_{\mathrm{ij}}}$, for a pure tensor interaction, is (-6). The probability of emission of a photon of energy greater than 100 kev has been shown to be 1.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4 times the theoretical value.The spectrum of ${\mathrm{A}}^{37}$ has an allowed shape at energies as low as \ensuremath{\sim}35 kev, and the ratio of emission probabilities $\frac{{P}_{(\mathrm{exp})}}{{P}_{(\mathrm{theoret})}}$ is 1.05\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.25 for the region of energy lying above 35 kev. The spectrum of ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{55}$ has been compared with the calculations of Glauber and Martin. In this case, the value of $\frac{{P}_{(\mathrm{exp})}}{{P}_{(\mathrm{theoret})}}$ is 1.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 at higher energies.
The autoreduction of pertechnetate in aqueous, alkaline solutions

The autoreduction of pertechnetate (99TcO4-) to Tc(IV/V) alkoxide complexes in aqueous, alkaline, solutions is described. Solutions of sodium pertechnetate (0.01M) reacted with nitrogen and oxygen donor ligands (1.0M) in 2M sodium hydroxide. Solutions containing nitrogen donor ligands (e.g., EDTA) showed the initial formation of lightly colored complexes followed by rapid decomposition in air. In contrast, stable, reduced complexes were formed within minutes of mixing pertechnetate with mono- and disaccharides in strong base, as indicated by a persistent color change. Chemical yields of these reactions were determined by thin layer chromatography or paper chromatography and radiochemically assayed with a Bioscan imaging scanner. Analysis by UV-vis spectroscopy suggested that Tc(IV) or Tc(V) complexes were produced, with the oxidation state dependent on the reducing ligand. These experiments may help explain the reduction of pertechnetate to the soluble complexes that have been found in the Hanford nuclear waste tanks.
Rule-based optimization approach for airline load planning system

Abstract For a multiple-segment flight with passenger aircraft, the primary objective of commodity load planning is to improve the operational efficiency while satisfying the constraints of weight and balance, aircraft structure limitation and flight safety. Unfortunately the objective is hard to be measured since commodity information of down-line stations is unavailable. In order to solve this problem a rule based optimization approach is proposed in this paper. The approach is a heuristic described by rule flow, which is constructed by high-level business logic and optimization algorithms. Based on such approach, a system with a visual rule editor, a business object modeler and a rule engine was developed and implemented in a North American airline. The flexibility, stability and efficiency of the system were illustrated by real cases studies from the client. And the client’s operation results had proved the system can help the client save about $84 Million per year on fuel consumption and improve its ground operation efficiency.
Branching random walks and contact processes on homogeneous trees

Branching random walks and contact processes on the homogeneous tree in which each site has d+1 neighbors have three possible types of behavior (for d≧ 2): local survival, local extinction with global survival, and global extinction. For branching random walks, we show that if there is local extinction, then the probability that an individual ever has a descendent at a site n units away from that individual’s location is at most d− n/2, while if there is global extinction, this probability is at most d−n. Next, we consider the structure of the set of invariant measures with finite intensity for the system, and see how this structure depends on whether or not there is local and/or global survival. These results suggest some problems and conjectures for contact processes on trees. We prove some and leave others open. In particular, we prove that for some values of the infection parameter λ, there are nontrivial invariant measures which have a density tending to zero in all directions, and hence are different from those constructed by Durrett and Schinazi in a recent paper.
AN INTEGRATIVE MODEL OF THE EMPOWERMENT PROCESS

Abstract Employee empowerment theory and research lacks a single, unifying model capable of integrating the multiple levels of activity and complex relationships that characterize the empowerment process. The model proposed in this paper describes the empowerment process from intervention design to subsequent employee behavior. The dynamics of the empowerment process are presented as reflecting the interaction between the localized work environment and the individual employee, within the broader organization context. We argue that the definitions presented in this paper can serve to integrate and unify the literature and research on empowerment. Links between the organization context, the local work environment, intervening perceptions and attitudes, and specific components of psychological empowerment are suggested. The role of individual differences within these relationships is also described. Finally, we discuss implications for researchers and managers.