cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracking hands above large interactive surfaces with a low-cost scanning laser rangefinder

a set of receive electrodes placed about the display perimeter provided signals that corresponded to body distance. Although this system responded well enough to body dynamics and location for its original application, the limited disambiguation from four receive electrodes was unable to result in a repeatable hand tracker without excessively constraining the body’s posture and placement. We have developed an inexpensive scanning laser rangefinder to measure the real-time position of bare hands in a 2-D plane up to distances of several meters. We have used this device to build a precise, multipoint “touchscreen” interface for large video projection systems. In this paper, we describe the concepts and hardware, plus outline an application for an interactive multimedia environment. Other groups have implemented hand trackers using video cameras and computer vision techniques. Some [3] employ IR light sources and cameras behind a translucent rearprojected screen to see hands near the front, while others [4] use multiple cameras to observe a 2D gesture space. Like most vision approaches, the performance of these systems can suffer from background light (including light from the display itself in the latter case), image clutter, limited speed of response, and the need for multi-camera correspondence.
Robust multicast scheduling based on relaying, power control, and rate adaptation in wireless networks

In this paper, we present a class of heuristic algorithms for executing an adaptive power, adaptive rate TDMA schedule for multicasting messages from base stations to clients in a cellular system. Messages that are targeted for multicast over an area of operation are distributed across a backbone network to the base stations. Members of the multicast group are scattered across the area cells. The presented basic algorithm strives to achieve a high receive throughput rate. In each time slot within a multicast interval, a specific group of base stations is scheduled to transmit their multicast messages to their associated clients at specified transmit power and rate levels. To enhance the performance robustness of the system, under base station failure events, we extend the basic algorithm by introducing an opportunistic relay aided multicasting operation. Under the extended multicasting protocol, in addition to using base stations to multicast messages to nodes that are located closer to them, mobile stations can be elected to relay multicast messages that they have received directly from their base stations to peripheral nodes in their neighborhood. We show that this extended adaptive power and rate multicasting scheduling algorithm is effective in adapting to a failure of a base station node, limiting the performance degradation that is incurred. For an illustrative scenario, the extended relay aided scheme is noted to yield a throughput rate that is higher than that attained by a scheme that doesn't employ relay nodes by about 20%, while consuming less energy resources.
Situated Inference versus Conversational Implicature

As Grice defined it, a speaker conversationally implicates that p only if the speaker expects the hearer to recognize that the speaker thinks that p. This paper argues that in the sorts of cases that Grice took as paradigmatic examples of conversational implicature there is in fact no need for the hearer to consider what the speaker might thus have in mind. Instead, the hearer might simply make an inference from what the speaker literally says and the situation in which the utterance takes place. In addition, a number of sources of the illusion of conversational implicatures in Grice's sense are identified and diagnosed.
Burseraceae: a model for studying the Amazon flora

A well-studied group of plants can serve as a model for addressing issues in conservation, evolution, and biogeography, making it possible to assign conservation status with confidence and detecting not only those taxa that are most threatened but also those that represent basal, unique, and/or relictual members of entire lineages. Clarified higher-level phylogenetic relationships open the door to more refined systematics of clades without having to worry if they are para- or polyphyletic. A well-studied group can also be an excellent testing ground for new or under-utilized tools and independent data sets. Research on the Burseraceae, with over 100 taxa in the Amazon, is rapidly arriving at the point where the family can be used effectively both as a tool for conservation and as a model for studying the processes influencing the origin and maintenance of high diversity in the Amazonian flora. First, we are resolving higher-level phylogenies as well as species-level taxonomy in various clades, allowing comparative approaches. Second, the family occurs throughout Amazonia and is well-represented in most habitats overall, but most of the taxa are restricted in their distributions and/or habitats; this makes it possible to test the relative importance of geographic barriers vs. habitat diversity in the speciation process. The family is sufficiently large to provide adequate statistical power for hypothesis testing and yet small enough to achieve the necessary sampling intensity, allowing us to assess the relative impacts of morphological innovation, ecological opportunity, and biogeographic events on the diversification of Burseraceae and related groups.
Small intestinal submucosa for patch grafting after plaque incision in the treatment of Peyronie's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Report the results using porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) as a graft material in the surgical management of Peyronie's disease (PD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of men with PD who underwent surgical correction of the curvature by plaque “H” incision and patch grafting with 4-ply SIS (Cook, Bloomington, IN) by a single surgeon at our institution. Degree and direction of curvature, sexual function, and co-morbidities were assessed pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were identified. Mean age was 57 ± 8, range 42-70 years. Median follow-up was 14 months, range 3-89 months. At presentation, all reported penile curvature. Also reported were difficulty with vaginal penetration (determined by question number 2 of the sexual encounter profile questionnaire - SEP2), palpable plaque, hourglass deformity, difficulty with firmness, and difficulty with sustaining erection (determined by SEP3) in77%, 69%, 77%, 62%, and 46% of patients, respectively. Mean and median degrees of curvature of the primary deformity were 71 and 67.5 degrees, respectively. Three patients had secondary curves of less than 30 degrees in a different direction. Mean and median plaque size were 3.5 and 2.7 cm2, respectively. Seven patients had one graft and six patients had two grafts placed with a mean size of 15 ± 0 cm2. CONCLUSIONS: For the patient with PD, SIS grafting can achieve a functionally straight erection with durable results yet with relatively high rates of erectile dysfunction. SIS is a viable graft material for use in the surgical treatment of PD.
Percutaneous Acetabuloplasty Compared With Open Reconstruction for Extensive Periacetabular Carcinoma Metastases

For destructive metastatic periacetabular disease, options include open acetabular reconstruction or percutaneous cement acetabuloplasty (PA). We reviewed 28 consecutive patients with Harrington grade II or III lesions, 17 who underwent Harrington-type or anti-protrusio reconstruction and 11 who underwent PA. Primary outcome measures were performance status (PS), ambulatory status (0=unassisted ambulation, 1=assisted ambulation, 2=nonambulatory), and 10-point VAS score. The surgery group had better pain reduction than the PA group at 3 months (3.6 vs. 1.5 points, P=0.04), and a trend at final follow-up (3.8 vs. 1.4 points, P=0.06). Improvement in ambulatory status was better in the surgery group at 3 months only (0.53 vs. -0.14, P=0.03). Thus compared with PA, open reconstruction may provide improved pain relief and ambulation.
ATP downregulates P2X7 and inhibits osteoclast formation in RAW cells

Multinucleated giant cells derive from fusion of precursor cells of the macrophage lineage. It has been proposed that the purinoreceptor P2X7 is involved in this fusion process. Prolonged exposure ...
Redesigning Contracted Service Procurement for Internet-Based Electronic Commerce: A Case Study

This paper describes a case study focused on redesigning procurement processes for research grants management at the U.S. Office of Naval Research. These processes focus on the procurement of R&D services, and how they can be redesigned and supported using Web-based capabilities. Through the application of empirical results and theoretical concepts from business process reengineering, electronic commerce, and IT-based process management, we gain insight into issues and challenges to be addressed in redesigning the procurement of contracted services with Web-based EC capabilities. Accordingly, four research questions are identified and addressed which build from these results and concepts. Finally, in collaboration with other participants in this effort, the case study reveals that we could contribute to a substantial reduction in process cycle time and operational costs associated with the annual funding of thousands of research grant procurement actions at ONR.
Population continuity vs. discontinuity revisited: Dental affinities among late Paleolithic through Christian‐era Nubians

The present study revisits a subject that has been a source of long-standing bioarchaeological contention, namely, estimation of Nubian population origins and affinities. Using the Arizona State University dental anthropology system, frequencies of 36 crown, root, and intraoral osseous discrete traits in 12 late Pleistocene through early historic Nubian samples were recorded and analyzed. Specifically, intersample phenetic affinities, and an indication of which traits are most important in driving this variation, were determined through the application of correspondence analysis and the mean measure of divergence distance statistic. The results support previous work by the author and others indicating that population discontinuity, in the form of replacement or significant gene flow into an existing gene pool, occurred sometime after the Pleistocene. This analysis now suggests that the break occurred before the Final Neolithic. Samples from the latter through Christian periods exhibit relative homogeneity, which implies overall post-Pleistocene diachronic and regional population continuity. Yet there are several perceptible trends among these latter samples that: 1) are consistent with documented Nubian population history, 2) enable the testing of several existing peopling hypotheses, and 3) allow the formulation of new hypotheses, including a suggestion of two post-Pleistocene subgroups predicated on an age-based sample dichotomy.
Work Stretch Properties for the Scheduling of Continuous Operations Under Alternative Labor Policies

For a seven-day's-a-week operation in which N employees are needed on each weekday and n on each weekend day, with N at least as large as n, the work stretch is developed for each of several different rest policies. The work stretch is the number of consecutive work days between rest days. Additionally, work force size formulas are developed for policies not previously covered in the literature.
Discrete plane-wave decomposition by least-mean-square-error method

The recording of a point source wavefield can be decomposed into a set of plane‐wave components, each corresponding to different angles of propagation. Such plane‐wave seismograms have a far simpler structure than the spherical waves of the point source records, which makes them desirable in many steps of seismic data processing such as predictive deconvolution, migration, inversion, etc. The implementation of the plane‐wave decomposition requires the computation of the Radon transform in the discrete data domain. A straightforward application of the integral solutions to geophysical problems fails to compensate for the sampled and limited aperture nature of the actual data. In this paper, we give a new method in which the x-t domain is shown to relate to the p-τ domain by a linear system of equations in the time‐space domain. An iterative least‐mean‐square‐error method is introduced to solve the set of equations. This method is combined with a unique method of alias suppression which uses the reasonable ...
A convenient synthesis of silacyclobutenes

Abstract Flash vacuum pyrolysis of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3-methoxysilylpropenes has been found to be an efficient route to silacyclobutenes. The thermolysis is viewed as proceeding through initial β-elimination of trimethylmethoxysilane followed by cyclization of the resulting 1-sila-1,3-butadiene.
Sidereus Nuncius it ain't: Cells, Gels, and the Engines of Life

by Gerald H. Pollack Ebner and Sons (2001) 305 pages. ISBN 0-9626895-1-3 $27.95 ![Figure][1] Ever since seeing a book entitled Why People Believe Weird Things , I've been meaning to sit down and read it. Although I haven't yet gotten around to reading that particular book, I
Effects of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Immunization on Reproductive Function and Behavior in Captive Female Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni)

Fertility control is a potential method for managing overabundant wildlife populations; however, current technology is limited by duration of treatment efficacy and unacceptable side effects. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a single immunization with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine to suppress reproductive function in pregnant female elk and to evaluate potential behavioral and pathological side effects of treatment. Eighteen captive adult female elk were randomly allocated to one of two experimental groups. Ten females were administered a conjugated and adjuvanted GnRH vaccine intramuscularly, and eight elk received an adjuvant sham vaccine without conjugated GnRH. We compared success of existing pregnancy, neonatal survival, subsequent fertility, reproductive behavior rates, and side effects of treatment between January 2006 and January 2010. The GnRH vaccination did not affect existing pregnancy or calf survival during the year that it was applied; however, it reduced the proportion of pregnant females for 3 yr. Male precopulatory behavior rates exhibited toward GnRH-vaccinated females tended to be greater than those directed at sham-vaccinated females during the second half of the breeding season, when GnRH vaccinates continued to be proceptive. Strong immune and inflammatory responses, including robust GnRH antibody concentrations in GnRH vaccinates, and sterile pyogranulomatous injection site abscesses in both groups, were consistent with vaccination. In conclusion, this GnRH vaccine resulted in prolonged, albeit reversible, impairment of fertility, and is associated with extended reproductive behaviors and partial suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function in captive female elk.
Numerical experiments with optical pulses in V-type media.

We present the results of a series of numerical experiments on the propagation of pairs of coupled short optical pulses in media with in-homogeneous broadening. The main results apply to propagation in three-level media in the V configuration.
On parameter estimation for noncausal models of non-Gaussian signals

The authors consider the problem of estimating the parameters of a stable (stationary), scalar ARMA (autoregressive moving average) (p, q) signal model driven by an i.i.d. (independently identically distributed) non-Gaussian sequence. The driving noise sequence is not observed. The signal is allowed to be nonminimum phase and/or noncausal (i.e., poles may lie both inside and outside the unit circle). The author addresses the problem of parameter identifiability given the higher order cumulants of the signal on a finite set of lags. The set of lags required to achieve parameter identifiability is the smallest to date. Two computer simulation examples are presented to illustrate the proposed approach. >
High-order unstructured curved mesh generation using the Winslow equations

We propose a method to generate high-order unstructured curved meshes using the classical Winslow equations. We start with an initial straight-sided mesh in a reference domain, and fix the position of the nodes on the boundary on the true curved geometry. In the interior of the domain, we solve the Winslow equations using a new continuous Galerkin finite element discretization. This formulation appears to produce high quality curved elements, which are highly resistant to inversion. In addition, the corresponding nonlinear equations can be solved efficiently using Picard iterations, even for highly stretched boundary layer meshes. Compared to several previously proposed techniques, such as optimization and approaches based on elasticity analogies, this can significantly reduce the computational cost while producing curved elements of similar quality. We show a number of examples in both two and three space dimensions, including complex geometries and stretched boundary layers, and demonstrate the high quality of the generated meshes and the performance of the nonlinear solver.
A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF PHYLLOTINE RODENT FROM BOLIVIA

A new species (Muridae, Sigmodontinae, Phyllotini), belonging to a new genus, is described on the basis of 2 specimens from 1 locality in the mountain forests of southeastern Bolivia. Diagnostic features are posteriorly divergent edges of supraorbital region, large and hypsodont molar teeth with somewhat prismatic pattern, and anterior zygomatic process not projecting as an overhanging point. The diploid chromosome number is 56 and the fundamental number is 76. Other external, cranial, dental, and karyologic characters in the tribe and new taxon are described, illustrated, and discussed. The hypothesized phylogenetic placement of the new genus based on gene-sequence, chromosomal, and morphologic data is presented relative to evolutionary relationships of selected phyllotine taxa.
Interpreting Multilingual Laws: Some Costs and Benefits

Legal systems are constantly faced with vague or ambiguous laws, and must determine which available meaning best reflects the understanding intended by the enacting legislature. In the U.S., these debates often involve conflict over method: Should the court look to legislative history, to canons of construction, to similar language used in other statutes? Often, different answers to these questions yield different outcomes. Multilingual legal systems, especially those in in which multiple language versions of the same law are equally authoritative, add an interpretive method: It is possible to compare different versions of the same law and draw inferences about intent thereby. EU laws are written in all 24 official languages, and all are deemed equally authoritative.This article compares the interpretation of multilingual laws, especially by the Court of Justice of the EU, with U.S. Supreme Court cases in which similar interpretive issues are at stake. It argues that the comparison of language versions serves to disambiguate the laws in many cases, leaving less room for courts to take advantage of linguistic accident to impose a reading that is loyal to at least one reading of the statute, but disloyal to the intention of the enacting legislature. Even when comparison of language versions does not yield a clear result, it informs legal interpreters that reliance on language is not adequate, and thus also serves to reduce excessive judicial reliance on indeterminate language.There are also drawbacks to multilingual interpretation. The most significant is lack of notice. A monolingual individual relying on the language of the law may find out later that she has disobeyed a law because a court adopts a version of the law in a language that she does not understand. This potential undermines the value of universal accessibility that multilingualism is designed to promote. Legal systems in multilingual domains must decide for themselves how to balance the benefits and costs. This article argues that the benefit of increased fidelity to the legislature outweighs the notice issue.
Homograft bone in revision acetabular arthroplasty. A clinical and radiographic study

Thirty-seven patients with extensive acetabular defects due to loose implants had revisions with uncemented components, the acetabulum being augmented with homograft bone. In six of these, a histological study of graft incorporation was made. At a mean follow-up of 1.5 years 34 patients were free of pain and 35 could walk for 30 minutes or longer. No graft had obviously sequestrated. Two components had radiological evidence of migration but remain asymptomatic. We conclude that cementless revision surgery with homograft supplementation of the acetabulum is clinically successful in the short-term. The long-term outcome is unknown.
Structure-based approach to the identification of a novel group of selective glucosamine analogue inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi glucokinase

Glucokinase and hexokinase from pathogenic protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi are potential drug targets for antiparasitic chemotherapy of Chagas' disease. These glucose kinases phosphorylate d-glucose with co-substrate ATP and yield glucose 6-phosphate and are involved in essential metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway. An inhibitor class was conceived that is selective for T. cruzi glucokinase (TcGlcK) using structure-based drug design involving glucosamine having a linker from the C2 amino that terminates with a hydrophobic group either being phenyl, p-hydroxyphenyl, or dioxobenzo[b]thiophenyl groups. The synthesis and characterization for two of the four compounds are presented while the other two compounds were commercially available. Four high-resolution X-ray crystal structures of TcGlcK inhibitor complexes are reported along with enzyme inhibition constants (Ki) for TcGlcK and Homo sapiens hexokinase IV (HsHxKIV). These glucosamine analogue inhibitors include three strongly selective TcGlcK inhibitors and a fourth inhibitor, benzoyl glucosamine (BENZ-GlcN), which is a similar variant exhibiting a shorter linker. Carboxybenzyl glucosamine (CBZ-GlcN) was found to be the strongest glucokinase inhibitor known to date, having a Ki of 0.71±0.05μM. Also reported are two biologically active inhibitors against in vitro T. cruzi culture that were BENZ-GlcN and CBZ-GlcN, with intracellular amastigote growth inhibition IC50 values of 16.08±0.16μM and 48.73±0.69μM, respectively. These compounds revealed little to no toxicity against mammalian NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and provide a key starting point for further drug development with this class of compound.
A novel technique for perineal hernia repair

Perineal hernia is an uncommon complication of abdominoperineal resection of the rectum. Gracilis muscle flaps can be used to reconstruct the pelvic floor. The traditional repair utilises gracilis muscle alone, without overlying tissues and skin. We present the case of a 69-year-old white man who presented with a perineal hernia subsequent to abdominoperineal resection for advanced rectal cancer who was successfully treated with a modified de-epithelised gracilis myocutaneous flap with no evidence of recurrence at 18 months postsurgery. Surgical repair of postoperative perineal hernia using a gracilis flap spares the morbidity of abdominal-based reconstruction and provides a good option for patients in whom the abdomen is unavailable. Use of a myocutaneous flap adds strength to the repair when compared to reconstruction with the gracilis muscle alone, owing to the strength imparted by the dermis.
Evaluation and Determination of the Effectiveness of the Overall Ventilation System in a Spray-painting Room

[Objective] To evaluate the effectiveness of the overall ventilation system in a spray-painting room.[ Methods] In the case of normal operation of the ventilation system in a spray-painting room,benzene,toluene,xylene,gasoline,ethyl acetate,etc.were determined individually and evaluated comprehensively as occupational hazards.The overall ventilation rate, purification efficiency,occupational hazards concentration(or intensity)were measured and evaluated before and after operation of the ventilation system .[ Results] At all the individual working positions determined,the change of concentration(or intensity) of the occupational hazards before and after operation of the ventilation system,purification efficiency,and air quality changes were in line with the hygiene requirements.Overall ventilation rate and the controlling wind velocity at all working position,as well as the general evaluation results of the position No.2 did not meet the requirement.[ Conclusion] There was hidden danger of the occupational hazards in spray-painting room,the ventilation system for dust and vapor prevention needs to be optimized.
Football injuries of the ankle: A review of injury mechanisms, diagnosis and management

Football is the most popular sport worldwide and is associated with a high injury rate, most of which are the result of trauma from player contact. Ankle injuries are among the most commonly diagnosed injuries in the game. The result is reduced physical activity and endurance levels, lost game time, and considerable medical cost. Sports medicine professionals must employ the correct diagnostic tools and effective treatments and rehabilitation protocols to minimize the impact of these injuries on the player. This review examines the diagnosis, treatment, and postoperative rehabilitation for common football injuries of the ankle based on the clinical evidence provided in the current literature.
Digital Signature with Hashing and XML Signature patterns.

Data security has become one of the most important concerns for organizations. Information is a valuable asset and needs to be protected. One important countermeasure against attackers is the use of digital signatures. Digital signatures provides message authentication and may also provide message integrity. We present here two patterns: XML Signature and Digital Signature with Hashing patterns. The XML Signature pattern, a specialization of the Digital Signature with Hashing, is used to secure XML messages.
Managing and Troubleshooting Encryption

Encryption is the friend we all love to hate. On the one hand, it’s an (almost) cast-iron guarantee that when a company server gets hacked or leaks occur, which they do more often than we read about in the news, any data loss won’t result in that data being revealed. On the other hand, if something goes wrong with that encryption, all of the valuable data can be lost.
Accommodation space controls on incised-valley sediment accumulation rates during the Holocene marine transgression (0–11 ka) in Grays Harbor, a large meso-tidal estuary, Washington, USA

Abstract Holocene deposits (0–11 ka) that were drill cored (275 samples from 17 sites) in the meso-tidal Grays Harbor estuary were analyzed for 1) sediment texture and source components and 2) calibrated radiocarbon age. These data were used with basin 10 m-contour interval volumes to establish relations between rates of increasing basin accommodation space and sediment volume accumulation. Rates of increasing accommodation space (0.3–2.1 × 106 m3 yr− 1) are based on interval volumes and a sea level curve (0–11.5 ka) for the Grays Harbor basin. Total sediment accumulation rates (0.41–1.4 × 106 m3 yr− 1) are computed for the same 10 m-depth intervals (0–60 m depth MSL) and corresponding 10 m-interval sedimentation durations (0.7–5.0 × 103 ka) from a sediment level curve. The rates of basin increasing accommodation space and total sediment accumulation are positively correlated (R2 = 0.81), but sediment accumulation lagged behind increasing accommodation space (23–37%) during early- and middle-Holocene time (7–10 ka). Slowing rates of sea level rise after 8 ka, permitted combined river and littoral inputs of sediment to reduce basin subtidal water depths (~ 10 m) to intertidal water depths (~ 1 m). The ratios between sand and mud components in the analyzed Holocene deposits are negatively correlated to basin water depth. Shallowing tidal flats promoted the export of river mud out of the estuary and the import of littoral sand into the central estuary areas. Variable rates of increasing basin accommodation space 1) directly controlled the total sediment accumulation rate in the evolving basin and 2) indirectly controlled the relative proportions of mud and littoral sand accumulation, due to changing water depths in the basin. The late-Holocene accumulation of littoral sand (52% of total sediment volume) is used to compute the net littoral sand sink (~ 100 × 106 m3) in the Grays Harbor basin from a potential 1.0 m rise of future sea level following predicted global warming. The contribution of littoral sand from adjacent barrier sand spits (20 km in length) to fill the increasing accommodation space in the Grays Harbor estuary could result in 0.5–1.0 km of shoreline retreat following a 1.0 m rise in sea level.
Performance-Based (Risk-Informed) Regulation: A Regulatory Perspective

Performance-based regulation (PBR) has been mandated at the national level in the United States and at the agency level, where appropriate, at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC). Guidan...
Pitch and Heave Tests and Uncertainty Assessment for a Surface Combatant in Regular Head Waves

Towing-tank experiments of coupled pitch and heave motions are presented for a surface combatant advancing in regular head waves. The data include ballasting parameters, time histories, fast Fourier transform (FFT), Fourier series amplitudes, and pitch and heave transfer functions and phases for a range of speeds, wave steepnesses, and wave frequencies. The geometry is David Taylor Model Basin (DTMB) model 5512, which is a 1/46.6 scale geosim of DTMB model 5415 (DDG-51) with L PP = 3.048 m. The experiments are performed in a 3.048 x 3.048 x 100 m towing tank equipped with a plunger-type wave maker. The test program is undertaken to provide a validation data set for unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes and other computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes, including rigorous uncertainty assessment of the experimental results following standard procedures. Results indicate that the regular head waves are linear with second- and third-order magnitudes consistent with third-order Stokes waves. Pitch and heave responses and phases show expected trends for long and short wavelengths and are linear or Ak independent for all test conditions. Maximum response occurs for frequency of encounter equal to pitch and heave natural frequencies and L PP / λ = 0.75. Under these conditions, an equation is derived that predicts the Froude number for maximum response as a function of ship geometrical coefficients.
Lawyers in Congress:What Difference Does It Make?

Roger Davidson and Nelson Polsby have both argued that social scientists have missed some of the very important effects that legislators' legal training has on the legislative process. Although lawyer members dominate the U.S. Congress, there has been little study about how their legal training affects Congress as an institution. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, this study finds that lawyers have more positive attitudes toward the courts, are less likely to see the courts as politically motivated, are less willing to strip the courts of jurisdiction, and see congressional reaction to the courts as non-routine. Various scholars have claimed that the federal courts are protected from congressional attacks because of their prestige and because of their special role in our governmental system. These arguments capture how the lawyers in this study view the courts. Thus the behavior of many legislators is affected by their legal training and socialization.
Clinical Relevance of Oxidation-Reduction Potential in the Evaluation of Male Infertility

Objective To evaluate (1) the relationship between oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and abnormal sperm quality, and (2) the changes in ORP and sperm parameters over time, in search of a potential surrogate marker of poor sperm quality that may assist in the diagnosis of oxidative stress-related male infertility. Materials and Methods A total of 194 infertile men were included and 28 patients were identified to have repeated semen analyses and ORP measurements. The semen samples obtained were categorized into normal and abnormal sperm parameters based on the World Health Organization's fifth edition guidelines. Wilcoxon tests were used to compare the results of different groups. Correlations were analyzed by the Spearman rank-order correlation and receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to estimate optimal ORP cutoffs for identifying abnormalities. Results ORP levels were significantly elevated in semen samples with abnormal sperm parameters. ORP at a cutoff of 1.57 (mV/106 sperm) was able to detect at least 1 abnormal sperm parameter with a sensitivity of 70.4% and a specificity of 88.1%. ORP at a cutoff of 2.59 (mV/106 sperm) had the highest predictive value in detecting oligozoospermia with 88% sensitivity and 91.2% specificity. The increases in sperm concentration and motility in patients tested for semen analysis at 2 consecutive time intervals were related to a decline in ORP levels. Conclusion ORP is a reliable method in predicting poor sperm quality. The introduction of ORP in male infertility evaluation may help overcome the high technical variability of semen analysis and assist in the diagnosis of oxidative stress-related infertility.
A Combinatorial Study for Interdiffusion, Crystallography and Mechanical Behavior of Ni-Mn-Ga Alloys

The ferromagnetic shape memory and magnetocaloric properties of NiMnGa alloys are closely related to the martensitic transformation from high temperature austenitic phase to low temperature martensitic phase. The transformation temperature and the resulting microstructure and crystallography of the martensites can be very complex, but are crucial to the optimization of the material performance. A combinatorial study with a series of solid-to-solid diffusion couples and various characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam, transmission electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, and nanoindentation, was carried out to investigate the microstructural and crystallographic development, and mechanical properties in NiMnGa alloys. Both austenitic and martensitic phases were found at room temperature in each diffusion couple with a clear interphase boundary. Crystallographic variations in martensitic phase, including non-modulated (NM) martensite and modulated (5M or 7M) martensite, were found in the diffusion couples. All martensitic microstructure consists of variants with different orientations and the twinning relationship. A decrease of reduced elastic modulus (Er) was observed with Ni substituting for Ga in the austenitic phase. However, an opposite trend of an increase in Er was found in the martensitic phase. The softening of the elastic constants near the vicinity of martensitic transformation contributed to a sharp decrease in Er near the interphase boundary. The measured Er had a larger scatter for the martensitic phase than that for the austenitic phase.
The effect of self-criticism on working memory in females following success and failure

Abstract Maladaptive self-criticism has been associated with diminished goal-progress. The present study examined the impact of failure and success experiences on performance on working memory measures, in order to gauge goal-directed performance. Participants with varying levels of self-criticism completed a baseline working memory task, a randomly assigned success or failure feedback manipulation on a separate task, followed by a second working memory measure. Results demonstrated varying feedback-dependent test-retest performance across levels of self-criticism. While low self-critics did not differ in test-retest scores across feedback conditions, failure resulted in a decrease of performance in moderate self-critics, and an increased performance in high self-critics. Conversely, after success, moderate self-critics displayed an increase, while high self-critics displayed a decrease in performance at retest. Findings shed light on varying perceptions and responses to failure versus success across levels of self-criticism, which has important implications for factors that impact motivation and goal-directed performance.
Behavior-Informed Algorithms for Automatic Documentation Generation

Programmers rely on source code documentation to quickly understand what the source code does and how they would use it. Unfortunately, many programmers do not have the time to write and maintain source code documentation. A solution to this problem is to document and summarize source code automatically. Unfortunately, research efforts to automatically generate documentation have stalled recently because the research community does not know exactly what a summary of source code should include. To solve this problem, my overall strategy is to study programmer behavior in order to write algorithms that mimic that behavior. I have four key areas of work in which I execute that strategy: First, I determine what areas of code programmers read when they create documentation. Second, I find patterns in programmers' eye movements when they reading code. Third, I use recordings of developer-client meetings to extract user story information. Finally, I propose to conduct a grounded theory study at a medium sized software company to determine whether factors outside the code influence source code summarization. This paper discusses the foundation for my career in the software engineering community, and I seek the community's advice.
Practice Makes Perfect: Corporate Worship and the Formation of Spiritual Virtue:

This article argues that corporate worship is one of the primary means of making disciples through the ritual formation of spiritual virtue. It explains that a disciple is formed not only through t...
The correlation of the society for vascular surgery wound, ischemia, and foot infection threatened limb classification with amputation risk and major clinical outcomes

The Society for Vascular Surgery Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) threatened limb classification more comprehensively describes the extent of limb threat in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia than many previous classification systems. Several centers have published 1-year amputation rates stratified by WIfI clinical stage. Stage 1 limbs have the lowest amputation risk, Stage 4 limbs have the highest, and Stages 2 and 3 have an intermediate risk. As WIfI clinical stage increases, wound healing time is longer, 1-year wound healing rate is lower, and reintervention rate, hospital costs, length of stay, and readmission rate all increase.
Recent Studies on the Mitochondrial Phosphate Transport Protein (PTP) and on its Relationship to the ADP/ATP Translocase (AAC) and the Uncoupling Protein (UCP)

The metabolite carriers of the inner mitochondrial membrane perform essential functions by making the transport of metabolites compatible with the chemiosmotic hypothesis and providing a link for metabolic pathways separated by the mitochondrial inner membrane. Active research programs are being carried out to characterize these transport proteins. Studies have been reported on ten of these (Table 1) and have recently been summarized (Kramer & Palmieri, 1988). Some time ago, we embarked on a research program to identify the protein responsible for the transport of inorganic phosphate and to determine the mechanism by which the protein is able to carry out this transport. This phosphate transport protein (PTP) has been identified, purified, and its activity reconstituted (Wohlrab, 1986) and the sequence of the protein has been determined (Kolbe & Wohlrab, 1985; Runswick et al., 1987; Aquila et al., 1987). Our partial protein sequence permitted us to identify homologies between the PTP and the ADP/ATP carrier. At the same time, similar homologies between the sequence of the uncoupling protein (UCP) and that of the ADP/ATP translocase were also identified (Aquila et al., 1985). Thus while there are homologies among these three transport proteins, it will be of interest to determine whether non-phosphate (neither inorganic like PTP or organic like UCP or AAC) carriers such as the dicarboxylate, oxoglutarate, or monocarboxylate carriers will have similar homologies.
Chapter 12 Semiconductor Nanophotonics Using Surface Polaritons

The properties of crystalline materials are dictated by the physical arrangement and behaviour of their constituent atoms. The behaviour of electrons and phonons (lattice vibrations), generally dominate the optoelectronic properties of a material. Electrons typically occupy either bound states, where they are unable to move and contribute to charge transfer, or in a delocalised state, where they can propagate through the lattice and carry electric current. These states form energy bands, called valence and conduction bands (see Fig. 12.1a), and the energies of these bands are one of the key ways of classifying materials. In a metal, these bands of energies overlap, and as a result, electrons are always able to freely propagate throughout the material. On the other hand, in an insulator these bands are separated by an energy difference (the band gap) and there is a small electronic density of states near the valence and conduction band edges. Semiconductors exist in-between these two extremes. They possess a band gap, but charge carriers can be moved between bands through either external stimuli or during the growth process via doping. This means that whilst semiconductors intrinsically behave as insulators, perturbations induced by thermal energy, light, dopants, or an electric field can switch them into acting as a conductor. Furthermore, in polar semiconductors the charge separation between the ionic lattice sites allow for crystalline vibrations (phonons) to couple with infrared to terahertz light. This broad range of interactions is what has made semiconductors an integral part of electronics, light emitting diodes, lasers, detectors and photovoltaics.
The world in an eye [eye image interpretation]

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of exactly what visual information about the world is embedded within a single image of an eye. It turns out that the cornea of an eye and a camera viewing the eye form a catadioptric imaging system. We refer to this as a corneal imaging system. Unlike a typical catadioptric system, a corneal one is flexible in that the reflector (cornea) is not rigidly attached to the camera. Using a geometric model of the cornea based on anatomical studies, its 3D location and orientation can be estimated from a single image of the eye. Once this is done, a wide-angle view of the environment of the person can be obtained from the image. In addition, we can compute the projection of the environment onto the retina with its center aligned with the gaze direction. This foveated retinal image reveals what the person is looking at. We present a detailed analysis of the characteristics of the corneal imaging system including field of view, resolution and locus of viewpoints. When both eyes of a person are captured in an image, we have a stereo corneal imaging system. We analyze the epipolar geometry of this stereo system and show how it can be used to compute 3D structure. The framework we present in this paper for interpreting eye images is passive and non-invasive. It has direct implications for several fields including visual recognition, human-machine interfaces, computer graphics and human affect studies.
COMPLICAÇÕES BUCAIS DA RADIOTERAPIA NO TRATAMENTO DO CÂNCER DE CABEÇA E PESCOÇO

INTRODUCAO: O câncer de cabeca e pescoco compreende as neoplasias que ocorrem na cavidade bucal e nasal, face, faringe, laringe e glândulas. A irradiacao na regiao de cabeca e pescoco acarreta danos aos tecidos sadios, resultando em manifestacoes bucais, como candidose bucal, disgeusia, caries por radiacao, mucosite, xerostomia, trismo e osteorradionecrose. OBJETIVOS: Discorrer sobre as complicacoes bucais decorrentes da radioterapia na regiao de cabeca e pescoco, descrevendo os principais fatores de risco e efeitos colaterais do tratamento, assim como enfatizar a importância do odontologo durante o tratamento radioterapico. METODOLOGIA: Trata-se de um trabalho descritivo e de aspecto qualitativo de revisao de literatura, por meio de revistas, artigos cientificos e livros. Utilizou-se principalmente busca ativa nas bases de dados virtuais Scielo e Google Academico. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSAO: A radioterapia e uma forma de tratamento utilizada para o tratamento dos tumores malignos de cabeca e pescoco, utilizando feixe de radiacoes ionizantes. Sao muitos os efeitos colaterais causados no tratamento radioterapico podendo apresentar irritacao, feridas na boca e vermelhidao, boca seca ou saliva espessa, dificuldade para engolir, alteracoes no paladar ou nauseas, fadiga e diarreia. Os pacientes que sao submetidos a esse tratamento, desenvolvem complicacoes bucais, sendo necessario o acompanhamento do odontologo em todas as fases do tratamento. CONCLUSAO: Manifestacoes bucais e efeitos colaterais merecem atencao especial, pois comumente ocorrem em decorrencia do tratamento radioterapico do câncer de cabeca e pescoco. Estudos neste sentido sao importantes tanto para definir a conduta terapeutica, quanto para alivio ou diminuicao do desconforto causados aos pacientes.
A VP35 Mutant Ebola Virus Lacks Virulence but Can Elicit Protective Immunity to Wild-Type Virus Challenge.

Summary Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) VP35 protein is a suppressor of type I interferon (IFN) production, an inhibitor of dendritic cell maturation, and a putative virulence determinant. Here, a recombinant EBOV encoding a mutant VP35 virus (VP35m) is demonstrated to activate RIG-I-like receptor signaling and innate antiviral pathways. When inoculated into cynomolgus macaques, VP35m exhibits dramatic attenuation as compared to wild-type EBOV (wtEBOV), with 20 or 300 times the standard 100% lethal challenge dose not causing EBOV disease (EVD). Further, VP35m infection, despite limited replication in vivo, activates antigen presentation and innate immunity pathways and elicits increased frequencies of proliferating memory T cells and B cells and production of anti-EBOV antibodies. Upon wtEBOV challenge, VP35m-immunized animals survive, exhibiting host responses consistent with an orderly immune response and the absence of excessive inflammation. These data demonstrate that VP35 is a critical EBOV immune evasion factor and provide insights into immune mechanisms of EBOV control.
Diagnosis of culture-negative female genital tract tuberculosis with peritoneal involvement by polymerase chain reaction.

BACKGROUND: Female genital tract tuberculosis (TB) is a common cause of infertility in developing countries. It is a paucibacillary form of the disease of which smears and cultures are usually negative. CASE: We were able to use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA to support a clinical and histologic diagnosis of a typical case of culture negative female genital tract TB. CONCLUSION: PCR may be a useful adjunct to diagnostic efforts in gynecologic tuberculosis.