cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Persistent mullerian duct syndrome and transverse testicular ectopia: embryology, presentation, and management.

Abstract Background The finding of persistent mullerian duct syndrome (PMDS) with transverse testicular ectopia (TTE) is rare. We present nonidentical triplets with PMDS with TTE. Cases Triplet A presented with a right inguinal hernia and left nonpalpable testis at 4 months of age. Ultrasound demonstrated 1 testis in the right hemiscrotum. Laparoscopy revealed both testes in the right inguinal canal with a thick midline structure. Triplet B presented at 6 months of age in the exact manner with similar intraoperative findings as triplet A. No additional mullerian structures were identified in triplets A and B. Both underwent laparoscopic left orchiopexy and open right inguinal herniorraphy/orchiopexy. A portion of vas was noted in the path specimen of triplet B. Triplet C presented at 7 months of age with a nonpalpable left testis. Laparoscopy demonstrated bilateral fallopian tubes and a midline uterine remnant. Open bilateral orchiopexy was performed, and bilateral biopsies confirmed testes. All 3 were 46-X,Y. Conclusion Persistent mullerian duct syndrome with TTE may be encountered when performing laparoscopy for patients with nonpalpable testis. The persistent mullerian remnants vary among individuals and alter the normal anatomy, thus may complicate diagnosis and surgical management.
Tests on Armature Resistance of Synchronous Machines

Armature resistance of synchronous machines, although usually disregarded when making torque-angle and excitation calculations, must be taken into account when making an accurate analysis. Values of armature resistance obtained in a series of tests are presented in this paper, which is a companion paper to ``Test Values of Armature Leakage Reactance'' in this issue, pages 700-5. Discussion of test methods, the effect of pole form on losses, and the use of effective armature resistance in determining the vector diagram of the machine are included herein.
The application of extreme-value theory to M-ary detection systems☆

An application of Gumbel's extreme-value theory to M-ary detection systems is described. Application of Gumbel's method for binary detection requires a “fixed threshold”. Since a fixed threshold does not exist for M-ary processes, a method is developed whereby an “artificial threshold” is created. The method developed is used to analyze the signal detection portion of an advanced digital computing system. The results obtained show a general agreement with the previously presented theoretical results. The savings obtained by using Gumbel's method, as opposed to simple monitoring of errors, is large.
Rad4TopBP1 associates with Srr2, an Spc1 MAPK-regulated protein, in response to environmental stress.

Abstract Rad4TopBP1 is a scaffold in a protein complex containing both replication proteins and checkpoint proteins and plays essential roles in both replication and checkpoint responses. We have previously identified four novel fission yeast mutants of rad4+TopBP1 to explore how Rad4TopBP1, a single protein, can play multiple roles in genomic integrity maintenance. Among the four novel mutants, rad4-c17TopBP1 is a thermosensitive mutant. Here, we characterized rad4-c17TopBP1 and identified a rad4-c17TopBP1 allele specific suppressor named srr2+ (suppressor of Rad4TopBP1 R2 domain). srr2+ has previously been identified as an environmental stress-responsive gene (GenBank™ accession number AL049644.1, locus spcc191.01). srr2+ null cells are sensitive to hydroxyurea (HU) at elevated temperatures. Deletion of srr2+ in rad4-c17TopBP1 exacerbates the HU sensitivity of the mutant. Overexpression of srr2+ suppresses the rad4-c17TopBP1 mutant sensitivity to temperature and HU and restores the compromised ability of rad4-c17TopBP1 to activating Cds1 kinase in response to HU treatment. Furthermore, stress-activated MAPK, Spc1 (also known as StyI or Phh1), induces the expression and phosphorylation of the Srr2 protein. Significantly, environmental stress induces co-precipitation of Srr2 protein with Rad4TopBP1, and the co-precipitation is compromised in the rad4-c17TopBP1 mutant. These results have led us to propose a model; Rad4TopBP1 exists in a large protein complex to coordinate genomic perturbations with checkpoint responses to maintain genomic integrity. In addition, when cells experience environmental stress, Rad4TopBP1 associates with Srr2, an Spc1 MAPK-responsive protein, to survive the stress, potentially by providing a link of the Spc1 MAPK response to checkpoint responses.
A Novel Gene Product that Couples TCR Signaling to Fas(CD95) Expression in Activation-Induced Cell Death

Cross-linking the TCR in T cell hybridomas induces cell apoptosis following activation. This activation-induced apoptosis has been used as a model for clonal deletion of thymocytes or peripheral T cells. Anti-TCR-induced apoptosis of T cell hybridomas requires de novo macromolecular synthesis, including up-regulation of Fas and FasL. The Fas-FasL interaction then activates the apoptosis program. To study apoptosis-specific signaling processes, we generated a mutant T cell hybridoma line defective in induction of apoptosis, but competent to induce activation, upon TCR triggering. Subsequently, we cloned the gene TDAG51, which restored activation-induced apoptosis when transfected into the mutant cell line, and showed that TDAG51 expression was required for Fas expression. Thus, TDAG51 plays an essential role in induction of apoptosis by coupling TCR stimulation to Fas expression.
Commercial scale validation of a process scale-up model for lubricant blending of pharmaceutical powders

An experimental study was conducted to verify that lubrication mixing in commercial-scale bin blenders can be described by a previously-reported lubrication blending process scale-up model. Specifically, the mixing of two placebo formulations (2:1 MCC:lactose, and 2:1 MCC:DCP) with 1% magnesium stearate in 100, 400, and 2000 L bin blenders at 30% and 70% blend fill levels for several extents of lubricant mixing was examined. The lubricated powder blends were assessed for bulk/tapped density and powder flow, as measured by Hausner's ratio. The blends were then compressed into tablets and evaluated for tensile strength, friability, and disintegration. It was observed that the lubrication rate constant, γ, for tablet tensile strength and for bulk specific volume were similar. Furthermore, powder flow, as measured by Hausner's ratio, improved with increased extent of lubrication. Tablet disintegration and tablet friability were both minimally affected as a result of extended lubrication for the placebos blends evaluated in this study. The results of this study confirm that the lubrication mixing model can be applied to scale-up the lubrication blending process from batches made in 30 mL bottle blenders to batches made in 2000 L bin blenders, which is a range of nearly five orders of magnitude.
LTE network coverage prediction for multi-traffic users in an urban area

Due to the advancement of telecommunication platform, users are now demanding new applications such as Online Gaming, mobile TV, Web 2.0, and to meet this requirement operators needed to design more flexible network. For the deployment of this network, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) works on the Long Term Evolution (LTE) and propose a system which has larger bandwidths (up to 20 MHz), low latency and packet optimized radio access technology having peak data rates of 100 Mbps in downlink and 50 Mbps in the uplink [3,4]. Radio access technology for LTE is OFDM (Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) which provides higher spectral efficiency and more robustness against multipath fading, as compared to CDMA (Code division multiple access). Offering a greater coverage by providing higher data rates over wider areas and flexibility of use at existing and new frequency bands plan is a major challenge. In this paper, we are analyzing practical coverage scenario in an urban area (i.e. Kolkata) in terms of received signal levels, total noise, interference, throughput, and quality factor for downlink signal level.
Assessment of nonpoint source pollution in stormwater runoff in Louisville, (Jefferson County) Kentucky, USA

First flush (first 20 min) and composite (first 3 h) samples of stormwater runoff were collected during a 1-year period (1991–1992) from six sites in the Louisville, Kentucky (USA), metropolitan area. Each collection was analyzed for organic and inorganic compounds, pesticides, nutrients, dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, alkalinity, conductivity, hardness, pH, and temperature. The toxicity of the water was determined by bioassay of fathead minnows (Pimphales promelas Rafinesque).
Agricultural potential estimated from the ratio of actual to potential evapotranspiration

The R-index, defined as the ratio of actual evapotranspiration (Et) and potential evapotranspiration (Ep), is a useful measure of plant water supply in relation to plant water demand. It also can be used to indicate soil moisture conditions. The R-index has a distribution which follows closely to the Beta distribution function. The R-index and its probability distribution together can be used to assess land use feasibility and irrigation potential requirements for selected crops. Studies have shown that R-index in the neighborhood of 0.90 can be assumed as optimum water requirement and in the neighborhood of 0.60 can be considered as requiring irrigation for crop growth. For example, the R-index was at the optimum level in Ames, Iowa (during the growing season) as little as 25% of the days in a dry season, and as much as 50% in a wet season for corn. Irrigation is indicated for this area about 2–3 years out of 10. Comparison between Illinois—Iowa and Nebraska indicates that Illinois—Iowa has a higher probability of R-index ≥ 0.90 and lower probability of an R-index < 0.60 than in Nebraska. This type of analysis can be used to study land classification and utilization.
Afatinib for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring sensitizing mutations in the tyrosine kinase (TKI) domain has led to a significant change in the management of this disease. The classic or sensitizing mutations are G719X mutation in exon 18, in-frame deletions or insertion of exon 19, L858R or L861Q mutation in exon 21. Approximately 90% of these mutations are exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R point mutation. Gefitinib and erlotinib are reversible first-generation inhibitors of mutant EGFR, and treatment with these agents in the first-line setting has demonstrated a progression-free survival of 9.5-13.7 months. However, the majority of these patients ultimately develop resistance to these drugs. Afatinib is an irreversible pan-ErbB inhibitor that was developed to circumvent the problem of resistance to first-generation TKIs. The LUX-Lung studies have evaluated the efficacy and toxicities of afatinib in treatment-naive and refractory NSCLC patients. The promising results of some of these trials led to approval of afatinib by the US Food and Drug Administration for patients with advanced NSCLC and EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations. Afatinib causes toxicities similar to those of the first-generation EGFR TKIs, such as diarrhea, rash, acne, and stomatitis, and overall is well tolerated. This article focuses on the clinical studies of afatinib in patients with NSCLC.
Inhibition of thymopoiesis of CD34+ cell maturation by HIV-1 in an in vitro CD34+ cell and thymic epithelial organ culture model.

The mechanisms by which HIV-1 affects thymopoiesis were determined by preincubating CD34+ cells or cultured thymic epithelial (CTE) cells with lymphotropic (T-) and monotropic (M-) strains of HIV-1 in an in vitro CTE organ and CD34+ cell coculture model that allows for analysis of development of thymocytes and mature T cells. When purified CD34+ cells were precultured with either T- or M-tropic strains of HIV-1, thymopoiesis was impaired in a two-week coculture manifested by decreased cell number of thymocytes generated. However, the percentages of thymocyte subpopulations were comparable to control uninfected cocultures. Furthermore, HIV infection of thymocytes was predominantly observed in the CD44+CD3− population. However, in a four-week coculture experiment, HIV infection and depletion of more mature thymocytes were also observed. When CTE cells were preincubated with T- and M- tropic strains of HIV before addition of CD34+ cells, the number of thymocytes and subpopulations of thymocytes at early and later stages of maturation were markedly decreased. Furthermore, CD34+ and CD44+ CD3− cells become HIV-infected. In summary, HIV-1 infection inhibited thymocyte maturation at early stages of thymocyte maturation CD44+CD25−CD3−. In addition, HIV also depleted later stages of CD4+ thymocyte subpopulations.
INCORPORATING CUSTOMER PREFERENCES AND MARKET TRENDS IN VEHICLE PACKAGE DESIGN

Demand models play a critical role in enterprise-driven design by expressing revenues and costs as functions of product attributes. However, existing demand modeling approaches in the design literature do not sufficiently address the unique issues that arise when complex systems are being considered. Current approaches typically consider customer preferences for only quantitative product characteristics and do not offer a methodology to incorporate customer preference-data from multiple component/subsystem-specific surveys to make product-level design trade-offs. In this paper, we propose a hierarchical choice modeling approach that addresses the special needs of complex engineering systems. The approach incorporates the use of qualitative attributes and provides a framework for pooling data from multiple sources. Heterogeneity in the market and in customer-preferences is explicitly considered in the choice model to accurately reflect choice behavior. Ordered logistic regression is introduced to model survey-ratings and is shown to be free of the deficiencies associated with competing techniques, and a Nested Logit-based approach is proposed to estimate a system-level demand model by pooling data from multiple component/subsystem-specific surveys. The design of the automotive vehicle occupant package is used to demonstrate the proposed approach and the impact of both packaging design decisions and customer demographics upon vehicle choice are investigated. The focus of this paper is on demonstrating the demand (choice) modeling aspects of the approach rather than on the vehicle package design.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
E17. Achievement Games: Is Snaky a Loser?

Problems 17.3(A) and 17.3(B) come from “achievement” games invented apparently in 1976 by the famous graph theorist Frank Harary, author of over 700 papers and the well known (I enjoyed reading it in Russian translation) 1969 book Graph Theory. Frank wrote an article [Har] about these games for Geombinatorics that was “Dedicated toMartin Gardner, who gave Snaky its name.” Therefore I have a rare opportunity and distinct pleasure of giving the microphone to the inventor.
On encoding values for data recorded as X > C

In many medical and other contexts, an ordered variable is measured and the limits of measuring ability will be reached. In such cases, the data may be reported as X > C. For example, in a cell count, a laboratory technician may report the data as count > 100. If the data are a dependent variable, censored data methods are the standard techniques. However, if X is an independent variable, some methods need to be devised to handle the problem. A simple method is to encode the values X > C to some value X 0 . A candidate for this is the conditional mean (or median) of X given X > C. This paper gives some results, and examines some robustness questions for the proposed method.
Borehole seismic quantitative diagnosis of a seismic velocity model for 3D seismic imaging of subsurface structures

ABSTRACT Quantifying uncertainties of surface seismic velocity models is a difficult task. The use of multifarious vertical seismic profiling data provides quantification of velocity model uncertainties. Two borehole seismic diagnosis methods for velocity model uncertainties are developed. The first method is performed with 3D ray‐traced first arrival times through a surface seismic velocity model and compared with measured first arrival times from downhole receivers. It generates a profile of absolute and relative misfits, indicating the velocity uncertainty as a function of depth. The second approach directly compares the differences between the first arrival incident angles measured from 3‐C borehole seismic data and the calculated first arrival incident angles of seismic rays through the velocity model to quantify the model uncertainties. Five seismic velocity models in the Gulf of Mexico are diagnosed using the diagnosis methods with up to six sets of borehole seismic data recorded in three wells. The uncertainty profiles vary with depths and azimuths, revealing the complexity of velocity model uncertainties and providing some clues for further velocity updating. The diagnosis methods are used as velocity updating QC tools and integrated with the conventional seismic velocity updating flow to complement the criteria of flat common image gathers.
CD14-dependent alterations in c-Jun expression in the liver after burn injury.

Background Burn injury-triggered activation of lipopolysaccharide signaling via the CD14 pathway alters the expression of a variety of downstream genes contributing to pathogenic changes in distant organs. The regulation of CD14 and its role in the immediate-early response of c-Jun in the liver after burn injury were investigated in this study. Materials and methods An incidental identification of the differential induction of CD14 mRNA after an approximately 18% TBSA burn injury in mice was confirmed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses of CD14 expression. Subsequently, CD14’s role in the immediate-early regulation of c-Jun expression in the liver after injury was examined by Western blot analysis using CD14 knockout (KO) mice. Results RT-PCR analysis demonstrated a rapid and transient induction of CD14 mRNA in the liver and lungs of mice after injury. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a peak induction of CD14 reactivity in cells appearing to be Kupffer cells at day 1 after injury. Furthermore, an augmented and delayed induction of c-Jun mRNA was observed in the liver of CD14 KO mice after injury compared to wild-type controls. The induction of phosphorylated (serine 63 or serine 73) forms of c-Jun after injury was lower in the livers of CD14 KO mice than that in WT controls. Conclusions This study provides evidence that injury elicits CD14 induction as well as hyperphosphorylation of the c-Jun N-terminus activation domain and that CD14 is involved in the modulation of c-Jun’s transactivation potential via phosphorylation, which may be associated with hepatic pathogenesis after injury.
An Ordering Theoretic Method of Multidimensional Scaling of Items.

A method for the multidimensional scaling of dichotomous item data is presented which is derived from ordering theory. This method is related to the methodological multivariate extension of Guttman...
Fast volume rendering of compressed data

Volume rendering has been proposed as a useful tool for extracting information from large datasets, where non-visual analysis alone may not be feasible. The scale of these applications implies that data management is an important issue that needs to be addressed. Most volume rendering algorithms, however, process data in raw, uncompressed form. In previous work, we introduced a compressed volume format that may be volume rendered directly with minimal impact on rendering time. In this paper, we extend these ideas to a new volume format that not only reduces storage space and transmission time, but is designed for fast volume rendering as well. The volume dataset is represented as indices into a small codebook of representative blocks. With the data structure, volume shading calculations need only be performed on the codebook and image generation is accelerated by reusing precomputed block projections. >
A 48 GHz, 500W CW Extended Interaction Klystron

A CW 48 GHz 500 Watt saturated 250 MHz Extended Interaction Klystron (EIK) has been developed and delivered for use in the ESA Alphasat program. Designed for integration into a new CPI Satcom Division High Power Amplifier (HPA), this EIK may be operated in a linear mode up to 300 Watts rated output power, with performance optimized at 75 Watts. The EIK is temperature stabilized over a 60°C temperature range such that no field adjustment is required. This paper summarizes design parameters and test results.
Accuracy and efficiency of algorithms for the demarcation of bacterial ecotypes from DNA sequence data

Identification of closely related, ecologically distinct populations of bacteria would benefit microbiologists working in many fields including systematics, epidemiology and biotechnology. Several laboratories have recently developed algorithms aimed at demarcating such 'ecotypes'. We examine the ability of four of these algorithms to correctly identify ecotypes from sequence data. We tested the algorithms on synthetic sequences, with known history and habitat associations, generated under the stable ecotype model and on data from Bacillus strains isolated from Death Valley where previous work has confirmed the existence of multiple ecotypes. We found that one of the algorithms ecotype simulation performs significantly better than the others AdaptML, GMYC, BAPS in both instances. Unfortunately, it was also shown to be the least efficient of the four. While ecotype simulation is the most accurate, it is by a large margin the slowest of the algorithms tested. Attempts at improving its efficiency are underway.
Transplantation of embryonic occipital cortex to the brain of newborn rats: A golgi study of mature and developing transplants

Segments of the occipital cortex were taken from rat embryos (E16–E19) and transplanted to the cerebral cortex or the tectal region ofa new-born rat host. With the aid of Golgi impregnation techniques, neuron morphology was studied in cortical transplants which had survived for 1 week or more in the host brain. In mature transplants (> 4 weeks) three main groups of neurons, termed groups I–III, were identified. Group II neurons resembled pyramidal neurons of the intact cerebral cortex. No preferential orientation of either soma or dendrites of group I neurons was observed in the transplants, and some group I neurons was observed in the transplants, and some group I neurons had curved spical dendrites. Group II neurons had predominantly stellate form and their dendrites were densely covered with spines. Paucity or absence ofdendritic spines characterized group III neurons which exhibited various dendritic topologies. Different neuron types were also recognized in immature transplants growing for 1 and 2 weeks in the host brain. The sequence of dendritic maturation of transplanted cortical neurons is similar to that seen in intact cortex, although the stage reached related more to the actual age of the transplant than to that of the host. Thus, group I neurons in the 1-week-old transplants taken from E16 embryos had not attained the same complexity of branching as pyramidal neurons in the surrounding host cortex, but rather resembled slightly younger cells more like those found in the cerebral cortex of the newborn rat. These results show, therefore, that at least the basic cell classes identified in intact visual cortex can also be recognized in the cortical transplants. This will provide a foundation for studies defining which cells project to the host brain and which are involved in particular intrinsic connections.
Deployment automation with BLITZ

Minimizing the computing infrastructure (such as processors) in a distributed real-time embedded (DRE) system deployment helps reduce system size, weight, power consumption, and cost. To support software components and applications on the computing infrastructure, the hardware must provide enough processors to ensure that all applications can be scheduled without missing real-time deadlines. In addition to ensuring scheduling constraints, sufficient resources (such as memory) must be available to the software. It is hard to identify the best way(s) of deploying software components on hardware processors to minimize computing infrastructure and meet complex DRE constraints. This paper provides the following contributions to the study of the deployment of software components to hardware in DRE systems: (1) we present an algorithmic deployment technique that minimizes the required number of processors, while adhering to real-time scheduling, resource, and co-location constraints, (2) we show how this technique can be augmented with a harmonic period heuristic to further reduce the number of required processors, and (3) we present empirical data from applying three different deployment algorithms for processor minimization to a flight avionics DRE system.
Relationships Between Clinical Attachment Level and Spine and Hip Bone Mineral Density: Data From Healthy Postmenopausal Women

Background: There are physiological reasons to expect an association between bone mineral density of the spine and hip and attachment loss. To this point, however, most studies have found no correlation. Methods: The 135 patients in this report were part of a randomized controlled trial of estrogen replacement. All patients were in good oral health at entry and received annual oral prophylaxis as part of the study. Standard probing measurements were made with a pressure sensitive probe at 6 sites on each tooth. Bone mineral density was measured with dual-energy x-ray absorbtiometry at the lumbar spine (anterior-posterior and lateral) and proximal femur (neck, trochanter, intertrochanter, Ward's triangle, and total area). These procedures were performed at baseline and at annual intervals for 3 years. Results: Correlations between cross-sectional measurements of clinical attachment level and bone mineral density were very weak, and did not approach statistical significance (–0.06 ≤r ≤0.10, 0.15 ≤P ≤0.75). ...
In-flight radiometric and spatial calibration of EO-1 optical sensors

We have made an in-flight determination of the radiometric calibration of the ALI and Hyperion sensors on the EO-1 satellite. Ground and atmospheric measurements were made coincident with satellite images of high reflectance ground targets in both the southwestern United States and Argentina. Calibration coefficients derived from the in-flight experiments are compare to preflight values. We have also made preliminary comparisons of the spatial performance of ALI as compared to ETM+ on Landsat 7. Preliminary results are presented.
Fuzzy vision - Multiple inputs speed image understanding

The fuzzy vision system designed for the interpretation of multiple successive images is described. The system is noise insensitive and can be mapped directly onto parallel processing hardware. The system consists of a region generator and a viewer which access a common semantic net; the components and operation of these subsystems are examined. The advantages and disadvantages of the fuzzy vision system are discussed. Diagrams of the region generator, viewer, and a semantic net are provided. An example depicting the operation of the fuzzy vision system is presented.
RecStore: an extensible and adaptive framework for online recommender queries inside the database engine

Most recommendation methods (e.g., collaborative filtering) consist of (1) a computationally intense offline phase that computes a recommender model based on users' opinions of items, and (2) an online phase consisting of SQL-based queries that use the model (generated offline) to derive user preferences and provide recommendations for interesting items. Current application usage trends require a completely online recommender process, meaning the recommender model must update in real time as new opinions enter the system. To tackle this problem, we propose RecStore, a DBMS storage engine module capable of efficient online model maintenance. Externally, models managed by RecStore behave as relational tables, thus existing SQL-based recommendation queries remain unchanged while gaining online model support. RecStore maintains internal statistics and data structures aimed at providing efficient incremental updates to the recommender model, while employing an adaptive strategy for internal maintenance and load shedding to realize a balance between efficiency in updates or query processing based on system workloads. RecStore is also extensible, supporting a declarative syntax for defining recommender models. The efficacy of RecStore is demonstrated by providing the implementation details of three state-of-the-art collaborative filtering models. We provide an extensive experimental evaluation of a prototype of RecStore, built inside the storage engine of PostgreSQL, using a real-life recommender system workload.
Protonic and electronic conductivity of the layered perovskite oxides HCa2Nb3O10 and Ca4Nb6O19

Abstract The structural and electrical properties of the Dion–Jacobson series layer perovskite HCa 2 Nb 3 O 10 were investigated. Within the intermediate temperature range (200–475 °C), the compound undergoes topochemical dehydration to Ca 4 Nb 6 O 19 and, under reducing atmospheres, partial reduction of Nb(V) to Nb(IV). These changes occur upon heating and are not reversed on cooling. Analysis of impedance data shows that the conductivity of Ca 4 Nb 6 O 19 is predominantly electronic under reducing atmospheres, consistent with the behavior of other structurally related mixed-valence layered niobates.
Graphene-induced Ge (001) surface faceting

Abstract Faceted Ge surfaces result from the growth of a graphene overlayer on Ge (001) by chemical vapor deposition. The surface exhibits four-fold symmetry after faceting, with the surface normal of the facets tilted towards [100] from the average surface normal. X-ray reflectivity measurements allow the facet angles, directions, and symmetry to be measured precisely as a function of deposition conditions. Graphene grown from a CH4 precursor in a H2/Ar carrier atmosphere at temperatures from 870 to 920 °C yields facets on the Ge surface with an average facet angle of 7.70° ± 0.07°. Additionally, a distribution of facet angles is observed with an angular spread of approximately ± 1°. The facet pattern has four-fold symmetry over a large area with no indication of the formation of competing facets from reflectivity measurements. The facet angle tends toward the {107} facet of Ge with slight variation as a function of temperature indicating that the facet angles are dominated by surface energetics. The slight dependence on temperature is accompanied by a reconstruction of the surface into {001} facets under slow-cooling conditions, suggesting that the surface diffusion kinetics and temperature dependence have an important role in the formation of the faceted surface structure at lower temperatures.
Cooperative Learning in a Health Economics Course: 2008 U.S. Presidential Campaign and Health Care Reform

The author provides a description of an innovative cooperative learning project set in the context of the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign. Student groups were tasked to become experts on one reform issue pertinent to the U.S. health care system. Students worked independently researching their group’s reform issue before collaborating as a group to synthesize their findings. As the designated authorities on their issue student groups organized oral presentations to educate their classmates, providing background information necessary for students to prepare a final individual paper addressing all health care reform issues presented. A key feature of this project is that it builds learning interdependencies within and across groups. Anecdotal and empirical evidence suggest this project enhanced student learning and interest in health care reform policy.
Analysis of Fatigue Crack Propagation in NR/BR Rubber Blend

Abstract Fatigue behavior in a blend of natural rubber (NR) and polybutadiene rubber (BR) has been investigated. The energy release rates measured from load-displacement curves recorded during the fatigue test could be used to characterize the fatigue crack propagation (FCP) history of NR/BR blend. Crack propagation kinetics showed an initial low slope “ozone crack regime” with an S-shaped “mechanico-oxidative cut growth regime”. The blend has a mechanical fatigue limit of 2.4 kJ/m2. The crack initiation constituted 25% of the total fatigue life and the low slope stage comprised 40% of the crack propagation life. Examination of the fracture profile and the fracture surface revealed that microcracks and crack tip roughening were two damage mechanisms controlling the resistance to crack propagation in the “mechanico-oxidative cut growth regime”, while the reverse herringbone pattern near the notch corresponded to the “ozone crack regime”.
The Extinction of Conscientious Objectors in the Armed Forces

I am pleased with this invitation to respond to the article ‘Conscience and Carnage in Afghanistan and Iraq’, by Larry Minear. His article offers valuable perspectives – weaving together comments f...
New surgical approaches to the management of ocular exposure secondary to facial paralysis

Restoring dynamic eyelid function in patients who experience facial paralysis is a difficult problem. Some procedures necessary to protect the globe, such as tarsorrhaphies, may be cosmetically disfiguring and functionally disabling. Several surgical procedures may be used in combination to restore function and, at the same time, achieve satisfactory cosmesis. The use of gold weights and ear cartilage grafts is described. In the author's experience, the use of this combination produces very good results.
Hair Removal using Light

There are 3 means by which light can destroy hair follicles : thermal (due to local heating), mechanical (due to Shockwaves or violent cavitation) and photochemical (due to generation of toxic mediators like singlet oxygen or free radicals). Removal of hair has been attempted by all three means.
Phase Diagram of a Three-Dimensional Antiferromagnet with Random Magnetic Anisotropy

Three-dimensional antiferromagnets with random magnetic anisotropy (RMA) that have been experimentally studied to date have competing two-dimensional and three-dimensional exchange interactions which can obscure the authentic effects of RMA. The magnetic phase diagram of Fe_{x}Ni_{1-x}F_{2} epitaxial thin films with true random single-ion anisotropy was deduced from magnetometry and neutron scattering measurements and analyzed using mean-field theory. Regions with uniaxial, oblique, and easy-plane anisotropies were identified. A RMA-induced glass region was discovered where a Griffiths-like breakdown of long-range spin order occurs.
The Solutions to the Longer Length of the Units' Downtime in Zhelin Hydropower Plant B

Zhelin hydro electric power plant is one of the main Peak-Load and Frequency modulation electric power factories in Jiangxi power grid. The generating unit starts and stops frequently. Because of the design reasons,when the tailwater level of the lower reaches is low,the wheel will be partially exposed to the air during Plant B generating unit shut down,it will make the generating unit stopped for a long time,it is bad for the thrust bearing,it is also bad for the generating unit to adjust the peak and frequency. This article introduces the existing solution and other possible solutions,and analyses the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. It also discusses the practicability and superiority of the flexible electric braking solution.
Principles and Defense Techniques of DDoS Attacks in Electricity Auxiliary System Security Protection

Currently,under the State Electricity Regulatory Commission Decree Fifth "Electricity auxiliary system security protection requirements" and "National power auxiliary system security protection overall plan" and requirements of other relevant documentation,the power auxiliary systems are developed and implemented information security protective measures by electric power enterprises.This paper reviewed the principles of DDoS attacks;Then,based on the power auxiliary system security protection overall plan,combined with the characteristics of DDoS attacks,analyzed the risk of DDoS attacks that may be subject to the security protection system;Finally,the DDoS attack defense techniques of the power auxiliary system security protection system are discussed.
Dilemmas and Opportunities in Gender and Sport-in-Development

Sport can be a powerful, and potentially a radical and transformative tool in empowering girls and women and affecting gender norms and relations throughout a society. As with able-bodiedness/disability and youth, gender emerges at the intersection of the physical and the social, and this is precisely where sport also resides. The embodied nature of both gender and sport suggests possibilities for intertwining the two for development interventions. Programmes such as the Go Sisters EduSport in Zambia1 and Moving the Goal Posts in Kenya demonstrate this as they provide physical, psychological, and social benefits, targeted at girls and young women. However, seeking to empower females through sport is somewhat paradoxical given that the world of sport can be a bastion for male privilege and power, an important arena for asserting a particular kind of male dominance over women (and some men), as well as furthering EuroAmerican hegemony vis-a-vis the Global South. Indeed, objections to women’s general involvement in sport (which varies according to the type of sport and location), often rest on the ways in which ‘gender norms’ (viewed historically and spatially) are challenged by external forces, which can range from NGOs to the state and to international cultural flows. With variation across settings, there remains a strong link between sport, body practices, gender and sexuality.
Salmonella Control in Food Production: Current Issues and Perspectives in the United States

Abstract Salmonella spp. is one of the more prominent foodborne pathogens that represent a major health risk to humans, given that they are facultative intracellular pathogens capable of causing gastroenteritis. Several Salmonella serovars have been associated with the consumption of a wide range of foods. The emergence and prevalence of Salmonella serovars in foods has been studied, but the predominant serovars have varied somewhat over the years. Over time, Salmonella spp. have developed resistance to conventional and widely used antibiotics leading to considerable public health concerns. Consequently, interest in more natural, nonsynthesized antimicrobials as potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics to treat Salmonella infections has heightened. Historically, compounds from different biological sources have been widely promoted for their potential antimicrobial capabilities against microorganisms. In this chapter, multidrug-resistant Salmonella strains, mechanisms of antimicrobial action, and the potential for alternative antimicrobial compounds are discussed.
The Spectral Element Method

The only way to efficiently handle wave propagation problems in structures with complicated boundaries and discontinuities is to develop a matrix methodology for use on a computer. In this chapter, we develop such a method.
mTOR, Autophagy, Aminoacidopathies, and Human Genetic Disorders

Abstract The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) lies at the center of an intricate metabolic signaling hub orchestrating growth, proliferation, and catabolic outcomes such as autophagy and cellular fate. As such, defective regulation in the upstream effectors of mTOR contributes to many pathological conditions including: metabolic diseases, neurological disorders, epilepsy, and autism. Herein the congenital disorders discussed relate directly or indirectly to signaling by the mTOR hub, with a particular emphasis on autophagy defects. Discussion points include a brief background on upstream mTOR signaling, including amino acid input on nutrient status, and downstream effects of these pathway inputs. In light of these mechanisms research studies related to mTOR, rapamycin use, and autophagy within the context of heritable disorders are summarized. Some of these disorders, such as tuberous sclerosis complex, have a strong association and a direct genetic link to the mTOR pathway as well as pertinent clinical trials underway. Others, such as the aminoacidopathy maple syrup urine disease are associated through pathognomonic, not through in vivo, research studies to date, but further research efforts could prove insightful.
Do Directors Suffer External Consequences for Poor Oversight of Executive Compensation? Evidence from Say-on-Pay Votes

We provide the first evidence of significant external labor market penalties when directors fail to properly oversee executive compensation. When shareholders express disapproval through low Say-On-Pay (SOP) support, equity values decrease at firms linked by a shared director (interlocking firms), directors lose external board seats and compensation committee positions, and external directorial compensation decreases. Additionally, shareholder scrutiny increases at interlocking firms: shareholders are more likely to select annual SOP voting and offer low subsequent SOP support. We also provide the first evidence that SOP votes provide shareholders with a valuable mechanism to influence director incentives, and therefore, executive compensation contracts.
P018 Evaluation of labtype CWD and XR assays utilizing labscan3d for high throughput/resolution HLA typing

Aim High resolution HLA typing with clinical applications is preferred in some applications of transfusion and transplantation medicine. Concordance of results was determined between new reverse sequence specific oligonucleotide assays (rSSO; LABType CWD and LABType XR, One Lambda, Canoga Park, CA) and our current assays, rSSO (LABType SSO) and sequence-based typing (SBT; SeCore). Methods Forty-eight patient samples previously tested by our current rSSO and SBT assays were selected randomly. The 2 new assays and a new multiplex flow analyzer (LABScan3D TM ) were utilized to detect HLA-A common and well-defined alleles (LABType CWD) and HLA-B and DRB1 alleles at high resolution (LABType XR). DNA was amplified with group specific primers targeting exons 2, 3, 4, and 5 for HLA-A and HLA-B, and exon 2 for HLA-DRB1. Results We determined the concordance between the 2 new and our current assays (Table 1). The LABType CWD identified 6 out of 96 HLA-A alleles (6.25%) at the allele level (4-digit resolution) and was also able to resolve 1 ambiguous allele combination, exceeding the resolution obtained by our current LABType SSO. The LABType XR assay provided results with shorter allele strings in 59 out of 96 HLA-B alleles (61.5%) and 22 out of 96 HLA-DRB1 alleles (22.9%), respectively, exceeding the resolution obtained by our current SeCore SBT without reflux testing. Discordances were observed resulting from false bead reactions or ambiguous allele combinations. Conclusions The new LABType CWD and XR assays are suitable platforms for high throughput testing. Utilization of the LABType XR kits potentially could yield better results than SBT thus making them a consideration for clinical applications requiring quicker turn around time. However, even with LABType XR, additional testing may still be necessary to resolve any remaining discrepancies and ambiguities. Download high-res image (157KB) Download full-size image
Patterns of help-seeking in a national sample of student veterans: a matched control group investigation.

Abstract Objectives This study examined patterns of professional and nontraditional help-seeking in a national sample of veterans from 57 colleges/universities and demographically matched students from the same institutions who had not served in the US Armed Forces. Methods In total, 945 veterans and 2835 demographically matched nonveteran students from the same 4-year institutions completed assessments of help-seeking intentions and behaviors from professional, religious and informal sources in the Healthy Minds Study between 2011 and 2015. Results Drawing on bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models, equal ratios of these samples (2:1) did not endorse professional help-seeking intentions or behaviors. When compared to nonveteran students, veterans had greater intentions for religious help-seeking but were less likely to seek help from family/friends. Nearly half of depressed veterans who had not utilized services had also not sought help from any religious or informal sources. Conclusions Unmet mental health needs might interfere with the success of a sizeable contingent of veterans pursuing new vocational goals. Community-based programs that can educate and/or equip nontraditional sources of support in veterans' naturally occurring relationships might offset these concerns.
Chapter 5: The Emergence of Privacy Norms in Nineteenth Century America

Although the line of descent is clear, it’s best to classify privacy rights as the step-child, and not the full child, of property rights. This is because privacy conventions emerged from property rights. That is, during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries privacy claims were enforced only by social understandings about proper behavior. In contrast, property claims were backed by the force of law. Needless to say, some privacy rights were protected by the law of property; in particular, prohibitions on trespass protected privacy interests in seclusion. In numerous settings, however, conventions alone served as the basis for someone’s claim to privacy. This chapter reviews the unlegislated social order that emerged in the centuries before privacy’s incorporation into constitutional doctrine. It draws on comments made by fictional characters in popular novels, on remarks by eminent writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, and injunctions contained in etiquette books to show that the tripartite conception of privacy was already discernible in nineteenth-century American life. Even before the Court began to speak of constitutional rights of privacy, it was already clear that there was widespread respect for norms calling for restraint bearing on seclusion, informational control, and the autonomous conduct of personal life.
Processability and Properties of a Rayon/Nylon Composite Fiber

The effectiveness of line speed and coating material feed pressure as control parameters in producing a rayon/nylon sheath-core bicomponent fiber has been studied, and the mechanical and sorptive properties of these internally reinforced rayon fibers have been determined. Results indicate that there is a wide range of line speeds and feed pressures under which a stable, completely regenerated viscose rayon coating can be applied to a nylon 6 core fiber, and line speed and viscose feed pressure can be successfully used as process control parameters. The nylon core fibers dominate the mechanical properties, conferring characteristics that should impart strength and durable press performance to the fabrics formed from them. The sorptive characteristics are dominated by the rayon skin, however, and since this skin is unoriented, its contribution is enhanced with respect to that which might be expected from oriented rayon found in neat fibers.
Adapted Miniature Golf: A Community Leisure Program for Students with Severe Physical Disabilities:

The body of instructional research addressing community leisure skill training for students who are mentally retarded and severely physically disabled is limited. Effective training typically requi...