cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal deformation compensation of a composite beam using piezoelectric actuators

Maintaining the surface shape of precision structures such as spacecraft antenna reflectors has been a challenging task. Surface errors are often introduced by thermal distortions due to temperature differences. This paper presents numerical and experimental results of active compensation of thermal deformation of a composite beam using piezoelectric ceramic actuators. To generate thermal distortion of the composite beam, two film heaters are bonded to only one side of the beam using thermally conductive materials. To correct thermal deformation caused by the film heaters, PZT (lead zirconate titanate), a type of a piezoelectric ceramic material, is used in the form of patches as actuators. These PZT patches are bonded on the other side of the beam. First, finite-element analyses are conducted with consideration of the coupled effects of structural, electric and thermal fields on the composite beam. These analyses include static coupled field modeling of the beam deformation with PZT actuation, transient modeling of the beam under thermal loading, and static coupled field modeling of the composite beam with thermal distortion and simultaneous PZT actuation to correct this distortion. Then, experiments are conducted to study the thermal effect, the PZT actuation effect and active thermal distortion compensation using PZT actuators with a proportional, integral and derivative feedback controller. Finite-element modeling and experimental results agree well and demonstrate that the proposed method can actively perform structural shape control in the presence of thermal distortion.
New power electronics converter interfacing a DG system with hybrid dc/ac microgrid

In this paper is proposed an integrated power electronics solution able to connect a distributed generation (DG) system with a hybrid dc/ac microgrid. One of the main advantages of the proposed converter is high level of integration with reduction of one power switch, while keeping the same features of the conventional solution, such as (i) bidirectional power flow between dc and ac micro-grids, (ii) independent control in both dc and ac parts, and (iii) different operation conditions using a unique power conversion circuit. Despite proposing a new solution, this paper presents the converter models and an analysis of the converter in terms of its operation and PWM strategy, as well as the analysis of the power flow among different elements employed in the system.
The Modification of Self-Destructive Behavior by a Mother-Therapist Using Aversive Stimulation.

The use of aversive stimulation by a mother in the treatment of herseverely self-destructive son is described. The procedures were effective in controlling the behavior in both school and home environment.
Progress in deep broadband interferometric nulling with the adaptive nuller

Deep, stable starlight suppression is needed for the direct interferometric detection of Earth-like planets and requires careful control of the intensity and phase of the beams that are being combined. We have developed a novel compensator for the Terrestrial Planet Finder Interferometer based on a deformable mirror to correct the intensity and phase at each wavelength across the bandwidth of 8 to 12 microns wavelength. This paper will discuss the results of using the adaptive nuller to achieve deep broadband nulling in the mid-IR.
Prostaglandin prevents alterations in DNA, RNA, and protein in damaged gastric mucosa

Fasted rats were given either 16,16-dimethyl-PGE2 (dmPGE2) (1 μg/kg) or normal saline subcutaneously followed by the oral administration of 1 ml of 100% ethanol or saline 30 min later. At 1, 3, 6, and 24 hr later, animals were sacrificed, their stomachs examined for necrotic ulcerations, and the incorporation of [3H] thymidine into DNA as well as tissue levels of DNA, RNA, and protein content of glandular mucosa determined. Compared with control animals, severe ulcerations of 70–80% of the glandular mucosa were observed in rats give 100% ethanol at all time periods. Accompanying these ulcerations were marked depressions in tissue levels of DNA and RNA at 1, 3, 6, and 24 hr after exposure to ethanol, and protein at 1, 3, and 6 hr following ethanol. In rats pretreated with dmPGE2 before ethanol administration, these alterations in tissue levels of DNA, RNA, and protein were prevented as were ulcerations of the glandular stomach at each time period. Synthesis of mucosal DNA was not significantly different from control rats in any of the groups studied. It is concluded that (1) gastric mucosal damage by alcohol is associated with a decrease in tissue levels of DNA, RNA, and protein; (2) dmPGE2 maintains normal tissue levels of DNA, RNA, and protein by preventing the shedding of mucosal cells by alcohol; and (3) the ability of dmPGE2 to prevent gastric damage by alcohol is not mediated through stimulation of DNA synthesis.
A Direct Substitution Method for Multicomponent Solute Transport in Ground Water

A numerical method was developed using a direct substitution approach for simulating one-dimensional multicomponent solute transport in ground water. The method has the ability to treat equilibrium reactions of aqueous and surface complexation, and precipitation-dissolution. The concentrations of aqueous component species, adsorbed component species, and precipitated species are chosen as the principal dependent variables. The substitution takes place after the transport equation is discretized. The resulting system of equations is solved using the Newton-Raphson method and the Jacobian matrix is computed analytically. This method is computationally more efficient than sequential iteration methods due to its faster convergence rate. It is also computationally more efficient than other direct substitution methods which compute the Jacobian matrix numerically.
Electrochemical Behavior of Thin Film Analogs of Mg ( Zn , Cu , Al ) 2

This work was supported by the United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research grant no. F49620-99-1-0103 under the guidance of Dr. Paul Trulove and by the Air Force Research Laboratory under the guidance of Dr. Kumar Jata, contract F33615-96-D-5835.
Immediate two-stage tissue expander breast reconstruction compared with one-stage permanent implant breast reconstruction: a multi-institutional comparison of short-term complications.

AbstractProsthesis-based techniques are the predominant form of breast reconstruction worldwide, with two-stage tissue expander procedures being the most popular. In the past decade, there has been increasing interest in performing single-stage implant reconstruction immediately following mastectomy as an attempt to simplify the reconstructive course and improve psychosocial morbidity. However, there is a paucity of large-scale, multi-institutional data comparing the outcomes of these two reconstructive strategies. Patients who underwent immediate tissue expander or implant reconstruction following mastectomy from 2006–2010 were identified using standardised operation codes. Demographic information for patients, 30-day outcomes, and adverse events for each type of reconstruction were analysed and compared between groups. A total of 10,561 patients underwent immediate breast reconstruction. There were 9033 patients who underwent tissue expander placement (2752 bilateral), and 1528 patients who underwent im...
Biotransformation of 2,4,6–trinitrotoluene in Anabaena sp. cultures

The transformation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was investigated in cultures of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. by conducting a series of batch assays. 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene was added to Anabaena sp. cultures in single and consecutive additions, at various initial concentrations, to determine its transformation kinetics, to identify products formed, to evaluate potential toxicity, and to determine the effect of light deprivation on the TNT transformation process. 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene disappearance occurred only in the presence of Anabaena sp. cultures maintained under a normal 16-h photoperiod. Toxicity leading to culture chlorosis and death was observed in batch systems with an initial TNT concentration greater than 10 mg/L. A low rate and extent of TNT disappearance was observed in light-deprived cultures, which were inhibited even at low TNT concentrations (i.e., <4 mg/L). At pH values between 7.5 and 8.5, azoxy-tetranitrotoluene isomers were detected in both the culture medium and solvent extracts of biomass and accounted for only 20 and 4.4% of the initially added TNT moles, respectively. At a culture pH range between 5.6 and 5.9, achieved by aeration with a 5% CO2/air mixture, hydroxylaminodinitrotoluene equimolar to the TNT addition was produced and then depleted from the culture medium with prolonged incubation. Although TNT reduction in Anabaena sp. cultures occurred, yielding low levels of azoxy-tetranitrotoluene isomers or hydroxylaminodinitrotoluene (depending on the culture pH conditions), uptake and other transformation reactions of TNT and/or its transformation products by Anabaena sp. may have taken place. Based on a less than 15% observed increase of biomass concentration over the relatively short incubation periods (usually <6 h) and by considering the mean biomass concentration constant, the TNT disappearance rate followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The biomass carbon-normalized TNT disappearance rates in Anabaena sp. cultures were about three orders of magnitude higher than previously reported TNT disappearance rates obtained in batch cultures of aquatic plants.
Intersexuality in Rana cantabrigensis

The specimen described presents a typical intersexual condition, in which not only the primary sex characters, but also the accessory sex organs and the secondary sex characters are of a mixed type. Both gonads are ovotestes, in which the ovarian as well as the testicular tissues are morphologically normal, but functionally underdeveloped. Stromal hyperplasia is distinct, especially so in the left gonad; it is probably a functional factor in the generative process of the spermatic tissue. Sex transformation in the intersexual frogs may probably be initiated by an abnormality in sex differentiation or in the genetical constitution of sex, and is only subsequently influenced and modified by environmental action. Absolute dominancy of male sex in the process of sex transformation is questionable. There are indications that in frogs sex transformation may possibly occur in a female direction.
The Theory and Practice of Culturally Relevant Education A Synthesis of Research Across Content Areas

Many teachers and educational researchers have claimed to adopt tenets of culturally relevant education (CRE). However, recent work describes how standardized curricula and testing have marginalized CRE in educational reform discourses. In this synthesis of research, we sought examples of research connecting CRE to positive student outcomes across content areas. It is our hope that this synthesis will be a reference useful to educational researchers, parents, teachers, and education leaders wanting to reframe public debates in education away from neoliberal individualism, whether in a specific content classroom or in a broader educational community.
The Ecological Expert: acting to create information to guide action

Technological interfaces often provide restricted access to controlled systems, requiring human operators to compensate by developing and reasoning with internal models. One solution to this problem is to enhance interface displays to provide the operator with an external system model or models. This design approach presumes complete and accurate display models can always be created and also ignores how inadequate interface resources for action, as opposed to perception, may be contributing to interaction difficulties. The article considers an alternative approach focussing on enhancing interface resources for action, motivated by the observation that people can sometimes compensate for inadequate perceptual conditions by acting to generate novel sources of perceptual information. The majority of the paper consists of a description and mathematical analysis of how performers at various skill levels use action to create perceptual information during system control, in the context of an everyday control task: short order cooking. The analysis also demonstrates how the most expert performers used action to create an external model of task dynamics that could be used in lieu of an internal model. The scope and limits of this action based design approach are considered.
Diurnal Cycle of Convection during the 2004 North American Monsoon Experiment

Abstract The diurnal cycle of summer monsoon convection in the coastal, mountainous region of northwestern Mexico is investigated using data from the 2004 North American Monsoon Experiment (NAME). Data from a special sounding network consisting of research and operational sites have been quality controlled and combined with surface, wind profiler, and pibal observations to create a gridded dataset over the NAME domain. This study concentrates on results from the interior portion of the NAME sounding network, where gridded analysis fields are independent of model data. Special attention is given to surface and pibal observations along the western slope of the Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO) in order to obtain an optimal analysis of the diurnally varying slope flows. Results show a prominent sea-breeze–land-breeze cycle along the western slopes of the SMO. There is a deep return flow above the afternoon sea breeze as a consequence of the elevated SMO immediately to the east. The upslope flow along the western...
Event-related delta, theta, alpha and gamma correlates to auditory oddball processing during Vipassana meditation

Long-term Vipassana meditators sat in meditation vs. a control (instructed mind wandering) states for 25 min, electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded and condition order counterbalanced. For the last 4 min, a three-stimulus auditory oddball series was presented during both meditation and control periods through headphones and no task imposed. Time-frequency analysis demonstrated that meditation relative to the control condition evinced decreased evoked delta (2–4 Hz) power to distracter stimuli concomitantly with a greater event-related reduction of late (500–900 ms) alpha-1 (8–10 Hz) activity, which indexed altered dynamics of attentional engagement to distracters. Additionally, standard stimuli were associated with increased early event-related alpha phase synchrony (inter-trial coherence) and evoked theta (4–8 Hz) phase synchrony, suggesting enhanced processing of the habituated standard background stimuli. Finally, during meditation, there was a greater differential early-evoked gamma power to the different stimulus classes. Correlation analysis indicated that this effect stemmed from a meditation state-related increase in early distracter-evoked gamma power and phase synchrony specific to longer-term expert practitioners. The findings suggest that Vipassana meditation evokes a brain state of enhanced perceptual clarity and decreased automated reactivity.
Tree growth and rainfall

The relationship of tree growth to that rainfall which furnishes soil moisture for growth has been approached in two ways: by an analysis of growth patterns and by direct correlation. For the latter method, growth-layer sequences were taken from trees which grew in the forest interior.
Convection in a vertical slot

A boundary-layer approximation is used to describe the convective regime in a laterally heated vertical slot at large Prandtl numbers. The determination of the core flow requires the solution of the vertical boundary-layer equations in a rectangle, subject to appropriate boundary conditions on each of the four walls. Solutions based on a spectral decomposition in the vertical direction allow a comparison with experimental and numerical results, and an appraisal of an approximate solution frequently used as a basis for stability studies. Both the numerical results and an approximate stability argument lead to a simple criterion for the appearance of multiple rolls in the slot which appears to be in good agreement with experiments.
Low-dimensional adaptive output feedback controller design for transport-reaction processes

This paper focuses on adaptive output feedback control of transport-reaction processes described by semi-linear parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) in the presence of unknown reaction parameters. Galerkin projection is applied to derive a low-dimensional reduced order model which employed as the basis for the adaptive controller design. The proposed control structure is a combination of a Lyapunov-based controller, an adaptation law and a static observer. The adaptation law is introduced to identify the unknown parameters while the static observer is employed to estimate the system modes required by the controller which cannot be measured directly from the process. The stability of the closed-loop system is shown using Lyapunov arguments. The effectiveness of the proposed low-dimensional adaptive output feedback control structure is illustrated on a tubular chemical reactor where the spatiotemporal dynamics of temperature and concentration are modeled by semi-linear parabolic PDEs. The control objective is considered to be thermal dynamics regulation in the presence of unknown heat of reaction.
Sources of Corruption: A Cross-Country Study

Why is government corruption more pervasive in some societies than in others? In this article we examine public choice explanations that attribute corruption to a lack of competition in either political or economic arenas or both. The principal part of our analysis draws on recently-published data about levels of corruption for a broad cross-section of countries reported for the early 1980s. We supplement this with an additional analysis of a second dataset on corruption measured during the late 1980s. Our analyses confirm that political competition affects level of corruption, but this effect is nonlinear. Corruption is typically lower in dictatorships than in countries that have partially democratized. But once past a threshold, democratic practices inhibit corruption. However, we obtained mixed results with respect to the relationship of economic competition and corruption: government size does not systematically affect corruption, but membership of the Oil Producing and Exporting Countries (OPEC) does. Finally, corruption is more pervasive in low-income countries which tend to underpay public sector employees.
Measurement of building penetration into medium buildings at 900 and 1500 MHz

The propagation loss into ten medium-sized buildings in Schaumburg, IL, has been measured. At 900 MHz, the mean penetration loss in the lower enclosed floors at or near ground level was found to be 10.8 dB with a standard deviation of 5.8 dB. At 1500 MHz, penetration loss was found to be 10.2 dB, and the standard deviation was 5.6 dB. Data was also taken up to 12 floors (with a higher concentration of data on the first five floors) to show higher elevation trends in the penetration loss. The measured building penetration loss was combined with data from other references, and the slope of a best fit curve as a function of frequency is found to be -7.9 dB per decade.
The Effects of Modality and Stress across Task Type on Human Performance

This investigation integrates four different approaches to the study of attention and multiple task performance, to include the effects of stimulus modality presentation, the influence of spatial separation in visual stimulus presentation, the effects of stress, and the influence of task type (dual-task versus information-integration task), in a spatial vector monitoring task. A significant benefit of cross-modal (visual-auditory) presentation was found when information was integrated at both levels of stress, while an interaction between modality and stress level occurred in the dual task condition, favoring the intra-modal (visual-visual) presentations at the lower stress level. The auditory display tended to be more stress resistant. The results support Kahneman's concept of stress-related resource expansion, provide weak support for perceptual narrowing, and provide little support for a processing modalities dimension of the Multiple Resource Model. Instead, they are consistent with the concept of aud...
Results of a 90-day safety assurance study with rats fed grain from corn borer-protected corn.

The results of a 90-day rat feeding study with grain from MON 810 corn (YieldGardCornborer - YieldGard Cornborer is a reg- istered trademark of Monsanto Technology, LLC) that is protected against feeding damage from corn and stalk boring lepidopteran insects are presented. Corn borer protection was accomplished through the introduction of cry1Ab coding sequences into the corn gen- ome for in planta production of a bioactive form of Cry1Ab protein. Grain from MON 810 and its near-isogenic control was separately formulated into rodent diets at levels of 11% and 33% (w/w) by Purina Mills, Inc. (PMI). All diets were nutritionally balanced and con- formed to PMI specifications for Certified LabDiet � (PMI Certified LabDiet 5002 is a registered trademark of Purina Mills, Inc.) 5002. There were a total of 400 rats in the study divided into 10 groups of 20 rats/sex/group. The responses of rats fed diets containing MON 810 were compared to those of rats fed grain from conventional corn varieties. Overall health, body weight, food consumption, clinical pathology parameters (hematology, blood chemistry, urinalysis), organ weights, and gross and microscopic appearance of tissues were comparable between groups fed diets containing MON 810 and conventional corn varieties. This study complements extensive agro- nomic, compositional and farm animal feeding studies with MON 810 grain, confirming that it is as safe and nutritious as grain from existing commercial corn varieties.
Research Report: Effectiveness of clickers: Effect of feedback and the timing of questions on learning

Individual response devices or ''clickers'' are now being used in many classrooms as an active-learning component of courses. Educators may wonder whether clickers are truly beneficial to learning. This study was designed to examine whether clickers increase retention of lecture material over two days in a more controlled situation than the live classroom. Participants watched a video lecture and were either given clicker questions about the video or no clicker questions with a 'test' occurring two days later. The effect of immediate feedback and the timing of the questions (either throughout the video or all at the end) were assessed. It was found that clicker questions improved memory for material two days later compared to no-clicker controls, provided that immediate feedback was given about each question. Scores two days later actually improved compared to scores on the day of the video when feedback was given about the correct answers. The timing of clicker questions did not affect scores. Results are consistent with studies that took place in more ecologically valid but less controlled live classroom situations. The results may guide educators in the effective use of clickers.
The Status of Investigations into Computer Hardware Design Based on the Use of Continued Fractions

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that representations of numbers other than positional notation may lead to practical hardware realizations for digital calculation of classes of algorithms. This paper describes current research in the use of continued fractions. Although practicality has not been demonstrated, theoretical results are promising.
Severe Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency From Contact Lens Wear: Patient Clinical Features

Purpose To describe characteristics of patients with severe limbal stem cell deficiency associated with contact lens (CL) wear. Design Retrospective case series. Methods Database search of patients with severe limbal stem cell deficiency related to CL wear was conducted. The charts of 12 patients (18 eyes) were reviewed. Outcome measures included patient demographics, CL type, duration of wear, indications for wear, symptoms, location and laterality of limbal stem cell deficiency, coexisting ocular disease, and treatment. Results Mean patient age at presentation was 42 years (range, 19 to 58 years), and 8 patients (67%) were female. Mean duration of CL wear was 14.1 years (range, 1 to 20 years), 6 patients (50%) had bilateral disease, and all wore soft CLs for refractive error correction. Vision was decreased to a mean of 20/78 (range, 20/30 to 20/250) in all eyes. Fifteen eyes (83%) had photophobia, pain, or both. Findings leading to the diagnosis included whorl-like epitheliopathy, corneal conjunctivalization, and late fluorescein staining of the involved epithelium for at least 6 clock hours. On average, 10 clock hours (range, 6 to 12 clock hours) were involved, and 11 eyes (61%) had total ocular involvement. Conservative treatments failed in all eyes. Fourteen eyes (78%) underwent limbal stem cell transplantation with systemic immunosuppression. Conclusions Severe limbal stem cell deficiency related to CL wear is a clinical diagnosis that an ophthalmologist should recognize. Female patients, soft CLs, and extended duration of wear time are associated with this condition. Conservative measures may not reverse the disease, and limbal stem cell transplantation with systemic immunosuppression is a surgical option for these young and healthy patients.
Client Perceptions of Occupational Health and Safety Management System Assistance Provided by OSHA On-Site Consultation: Results of a Survey of Colorado Small Business Consultation Clients

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) On-Site Consultation Service provides assistance establishing occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) to small businesses. The Safety and Health Program Assessment Worksheet (Revised OSHA Form 33) is the instrument used by consultants to assess an organization's OHSMS and provide feedback on how to improve a system. A survey was developed to determine the usefulness of the Revised OSHA Form 33 from the perspective of Colorado OSHA consultation clients. One hundred and seven clients who had received consultation services within a six-year period responded to the survey. The vast majority of respondents indicated that the Revised OSHA Form 33 accurately reflected their OHSMS and that information provided on the Revised OSHA Form 33 was helpful for improving their systems. Specific outcomes reported by the respondents included increased safety awareness, reduced injuries, and improved morale. The results indicate that the OHSMS assist...
Social context, stressors, and disparities in women's health.

Objective: to describe stressors experienced by women living in an economically disenfranchised urban community and test the relationships between those stressors and women's self-reported health status. Methods: We used a stress process framework to examine the implications of economic divestment and race-based residential segregation on the lives and health of women raising children in Detroit. We conducted qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with 48 community residents and surveyed 679 women raising children in this community. Regression models controlling for age, education, and income examined the relationships of each of these stressors to symptoms of depression and general health status. Results: Stressors described by women in the in-depth interviews included financial, work, family, safety, police and other municipal services, and disrespect or unfair treatment. Financial, police, and safety stress and unfair treatment were significantly associated with symptoms of depression; financial and family stress were significantly associated with self-reported general health status. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that life stressors associated with economic divestment contribute to the disproportionate burden of disease experienced by African-American women residing in urban communities. Efforts to address racial and socioeconomic disparities in women's health should include policies that support economic development and municipal infrastructure as fundamental to the maintenance of health.
Conclusions and Research Directions

The book started with a description of the most popular still image and moving picture compression techniques. Among those topics reviewed were JPEG and Motion JPEG, fractals, wavelets, H.261/H.263, and MPEG. Each of these techniques were shown to have their particular merits.
Comprehensive Strategies to Reduce Readmissions in Older Patients With Cardiovascular Disease

Older adults are frequently readmitted to the hospital soon after hospitalization for common cardiovascular conditions. Yet there are few high-quality data on the best strategies to reduce short-term readmissions because most studies have involved small numbers of participants, single-centre design, and strong susceptibility to bias. Despite these limitations in the literature, a clear signal exists that most studies involving a singular type of intervention, a singular type of health provider, or a low intensity of intervention have failed to reduce readmissions. In contrast, interventions that are most likely to lower readmissions have used comprehensive approaches, including combined hospital and postacute care, multimodal interventions, multidisciplinary teams, or frequent longitudinal contact. Components of a comprehensive approach with the highest level of evidence include high-quality, disease-specific care; multiple transitional care interventions; involvement of multidisciplinary teams; early and frequent outpatient follow-up; and, when possible, home visits. These findings are consistent with data demonstrating that older adults have multiple sources of vulnerability and experience elevated readmission risk from a broad spectrum of medical conditions for an extended time after hospital discharge. Because readmission reduction is difficult and requires new ways of conceptualizing links between inpatient and postacute care, financial incentives may ultimately be required to motivate hospitals and health systems to redesign care processes, deploy new resources, and collaborate with out-of-hospital providers and organizations.
Challenges and opportunities of using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry methods to develop complex vaccine antigens as pharmaceutical dosage forms

Liquid chromatographic methods, combined with mass spectrometry, offer exciting and important opportunities to better characterize complex vaccine antigens including recombinant proteins, virus-like particles, inactivated viruses, polysaccharides, and protein-polysaccharide conjugates. The current abilities and limitations of these physicochemical methods to complement traditional in vitro and in vivo vaccine potency assays are explored in this review through the use of illustrative case studies. Various applications of these state-of-the art techniques are illustrated that include the analysis of influenza vaccines (inactivated whole virus and recombinant hemagglutinin), virus-like particle vaccines (human papillomavirus and hepatitis B), and polysaccharide linked to protein carrier vaccines (pneumococcal). Examples of utilizing these analytical methods to characterize vaccine antigens in the presence of adjuvants, which are often included to boost immune responses as part of the final vaccine dosage form, are also presented. Some of the challenges of using chromatographic and LC-MS as physicochemical assays to routinely test complex vaccine antigens are also discussed.
Detection of genes encoding Toll-like receptors and accessory molecules in mammary gland and mammary epithelial cells from Holstein cows

Primers to amply TLR4,TLR2,CD14 and MD-2 genes were designed according to the rela-ted bovine sequences and were applied to detect the genes in mammary gland and mammary epithelial cells from Holstein cows cultured in vitro by RT-PCR.The four genes were expressed in the bovine mammary epithelial cells.With the exception of MD-2 gene,the remaining genes were detected in bovine mammary tissues.Innate immunity defense may be reinforced with the presence of the receptors and accessory mole-cules.These results provided a foundation for understanding the innate immunity of mammary gland and for further studies on the role of mammary epithelial cells in innate immunity of mammary gland.
Effect of MOCVD TiN film thickness shifton Wgap fill capability

Due to its excellent coverage capability and conformality, MOCVD TiN has been widelyused as a diffusion barrier and adhesion layer material for W and Al plugs in integrated circuits. Inthis paper, the effect of MOCVD TiN thickness on W gap fill capability is explained.
Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion versus Multiple Daily Injections of Insulin for the Management of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnancy: Association with Neonatal Chemical Hypoglycemia

Objective We hypothesized that patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) who were managed during their pregnancy with a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) would have a lower incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia (NH) than patients managed with multiple daily injections (MDI) of insulin. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort of 95 women with T1DM who delivered singleton, term neonates between 2007 and 2014. The primary outcome was incidence of NH (capillary plasma glucose ≤ 45 mg/dL) in the first 24 hours after birth. Results The incidence of NH was 66.0% (62/95). The NH rate was significantly higher in women managed with CSII versus MDI (62 vs. 38%, p = 0.024). Neonates with NH had a higher birth weight (3,867 ± 658 vs. 3,414 ± 619 g, p = 0.002). When analyzing intrapartum glucose management, mothers of neonates with NH had significantly less time managed on an insulin infusion (median interquartile range 7 [3.5–30.5] vs. 17.5 [2.0–17.5] hours, p = 0.014). In multivariable analysis, only maternal body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.035) and time on an insulin infusion (p = 0.043) were significantly associated with NH. Conclusion In our population of patients with T1DM, CSII was more prevalent in the NH group; however, when controlling for other factors, intrapartum glucose management and early maternal BMI were the only variables associated with NH.
Speciation, Sexual Selection and

Sexual selection is one of the evolutionary forces thought to cause speciation, and has been shown to play a pivotal role in numerous taxa. Some controversy surrounds the hypothesis; however, due to inconsistent results especially from comparative analyses and theory, and also regarding whether sexual selection alone is sufficient or must be paired with natural selection to cause speciation. This article reviews our current state of knowledge about evolutionary patterns resulting from sexual selection, and the ways in which sexual selection can cause increases in reproductive isolation. It also explores two emerging themes – comparing male competition and female choice, and how learning may influence mate preference for conspecifics.
Quality Marketing Education and a Book Rental System: Can they Coexist?

A predominantly black university with an AACSB accredited business school has a book rental system which was initiated in 1957. The adopted books must be used for at least three years in each course. This paper reports the results of a survey which measures the student's knowledge, attitudes, intensions and behavior with respect to the book rental system and how it affects their education process.
From Disgrace to Distinction: Nocturnal Burial in Seventeenth-century Germany

As the preceding chapters have shown, the framework of the Lutheran funeral ritual was established by 1550. Centred on the funeral sermon, the ritual was defined by the participation of the clergy and the community in the funeral procession. Following pre-Reformation tradition, honourable funerals took place only during the day: burial at night was reserved for criminals, suicides, notorious drunkards and other dishonourable people.
Fetal Anticonvulsant Syndrome with Neocerebellar Hypoplasia

An infant with dysmorphic features and hypoplasia of the cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum is reported from the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, England as an extreme example of anticonvulsant teratogenicity.
Automated SEM/EDS Image Analysis of Particles on Filter Blanks

The automated Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) Image Analysis (IA) system is used to measure the compositions and numbers of particle contaminants found on virgin 0.4 µm polyester membranes. This type of filter is commonly used in the laboratory for trapping particles borne in aerosols and liquids (1). This paper describes a baseline for the level of particle contamination on filter blanks. Establishing a baseline on the blanks is critical for providing needed accuracy when sampling environments containing low particle concentrations. The results from the blanks are compared to a set of filters used in measuring the particle levels in IBM disk files.
Field: The spaces between

TE Selected Shorts encourages brief, cogent visual explorations of a single topic in landscape architecture. The contributions to be published are chosen by a panel of scholars and designers. This ...
Dual-Language Learner Development

Much has been discovered through brain imaging studies in the past few decades about how we learn to speak, understand, read, and write different languages. This chapter focuses on how the brain learns both first and second languages, as well as how the bilingual brain is different from the monolingual brain. It explores learning to speak and understand oral language versus learning to read and write. Dual-language learners are a heterogeneous group and, within that heterogeneity, their language learning is dependent upon cognitive, affective, and sociocultural factors as well as individual educational opportunities. We review the stages of language acquisition and how learning English as a second language interacts with the student’s first language. We talk about the differences between vocabulary that is learned and used at home versus language learned in academic settings. We explain how some second language learners become trapped in early stages of language acquisition because they have a language-based learning disability. When this happens, it can be challenging for school psychologists and other educational professionals to make special education eligibility decisions. A thorough understanding of the language acquisition process, provided in this chapter, lays the groundwork for such decisions.
Attitudes towards credit after the Great Recession

ABSTRACTThe US Survey of Consumer Finances provides a rich but underutilized source of data measuring attitudes towards credit. Using this data, this article finds there a great degree of heterogeneity in attitudes; however, the distribution of these attitudes has shifted only moderately after the financial crisis, with households on average only becoming a bit more conservative. There is evidence that age, race and gender affect attitudes towards credit, most noticeably when attitudes are broken down by specific credit use rather than credit in general.
A Review of Empathy, Its Importance, and Its Teaching in Surgical Training.

Background There has been much discussion in the medical literature about the importance of empathy and physician communication style in medical practice. Empathy has been shown to have a very real positive effect on patient outcomes. Most of the existing literature speaks to its role in medical education, with relatively little empiric study about empathy in the surgical setting. Objective Review of empathy and its importance as it pertains to the surgeon-patient relationship and improving patient outcomes, and the need for increased education in empathy during surgical training. Methods The published, peer-reviewed literature on patient-physician and patient-surgeon communication, medical student and resident education in empathy, and empathy research was reviewed. PubMed was queried for MESH terms including “empathy,” “training,” “education,” “surgery,” “resident,” and “communication.” Results There is evidence of a decline in empathy that begins during the clinical years of medical school, which continues throughout residency training. Surgeons are particularly susceptible to this decline as by-product of the nature of their work, and the current lack of formalised training in empathic patient communication poses a unique problem to surgical residents. Conclusions The literature suggests that empathy training is warranted and should be incorporated into surgical residencies through didactics, role-playing and simulations, and apprenticeship to empathic attending role models.
Post-Discharge Nutrition in Preterm Infants

The fundamental principle underlying nutritional support is that intake meets needs thereby ensuring the best outcome; in the case of the preterm infant, optimal growth and development. Achieving this goal is problematic and most, if not all very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWI) are undernourished and under-grown at initial hospital discharge.
Juvenile solitary confinement as a form of child abuse

Placing incarcerated juveniles into solitary confinement continues to occur in certain states of the United States, despite the accumulating evidence that it may cause substantial psychological damage to the teenagers who must endure it. The practice has been widely condemned by professional and human rights organizations, amid a growing appreciation of the immaturity and vulnerability of the adolescent brain. Although several states and the federal government have been successful in abolishing or dramatically reducing the use of juvenile solitary confinement, it remains common practice in many facilities. Clinicians working in correctional facilities where juvenile solitary confinement is employed are therefore faced with difficult questions of ethics, as to how best to balance their competing duties, and how to respond to such state-sanctioned ill treatment of their patients. Given the emerging consensus around the psychological damage wrought by sustained solitary confinement, clinicians may well reach the difficult conclusion that they are both legally mandated and ethically bound to file a report of suspected child abuse. Such a report would be unlikely to be investigated for administrative reasons, but it would allow clinicians to communicate the gravity of their concern effectively.
Optogenetic surface stimulation of the rat cervical spinal cord.

Optogenetics in the spinal cord can be used both for therapeutic treatments and to uncover basic mechanisms of spinal cord physiology. For the first time, we describe the methodology and outcomes o...
Historical Census Record Linkage

For the past 80 years, social scientists have been linking historical censuses across time to study economic and geographic mobility. In recent decades, the quantity of historical census record linkage has exploded, owing largely to the advent of new machine-readable data created by genealogical organizations. Investigators are examining economic and geographic mobility across multiple generations, but also engaging many new topics. Several analysts are exploring the effects of early-life socioeconomic conditions, environmental exposures, or natural disasters on family, health and economic outcomes in later life. Other studies exploit natural experiments to gauge the impact of policy interventions such as social welfare programs and educational reforms. The new data sources have led to a proliferation of record linkage methodology, and some widespread approaches inadvertently introduce errors that can lead to false inferences. A new generation of large-scale shared data infrastructure now in preparation will ameliorate weaknesses of current linkage methods.
APE-Gen: A Fast Method for Generating Ensembles of Bound Peptide-MHC Conformations

The Class I Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is a central protein in immunology as it binds to intracellular peptides and displays them at the cell surface for recognition by T-cells. The structural analysis of bound peptide-MHC complexes (pMHCs) holds the promise of interpretable and general binding prediction (i.e., testing whether a given peptide binds to a given MHC). However, structural analysis is limited in part by the difficulty in modelling pMHCs given the size and flexibility of the peptides that can be presented by MHCs. This article describes APE-Gen (Anchored Peptide-MHC Ensemble Generator), a fast method for generating ensembles of bound pMHC conformations. APE-Gen generates an ensemble of bound conformations by iterated rounds of (i) anchoring the ends of a given peptide near known pockets in the binding site of the MHC, (ii) sampling peptide backbone conformations with loop modelling, and then (iii) performing energy minimization to fix steric clashes, accumulating conformations at each round. APE-Gen takes only minutes on a standard desktop to generate tens of bound conformations, and we show the ability of APE-Gen to sample conformations found in X-ray crystallography even when only sequence information is used as input. APE-Gen has the potential to be useful for its scalability (i.e., modelling thousands of pMHCs or even non-canonical longer peptides) and for its use as a flexible search tool. We demonstrate an example for studying cross-reactivity.
Historical Perspective of Cambodian Medicine with a focus on Neurology (P2.051)

Objective: To chronicle the history of medicine and neurology in Cambodia with a focus on its establishment and evolution. Background: Cambodia, a Southeast Asian country, has experienced numerous changes to its healthcare system dating as far back as 802. Even though treatments were limited, the Khmer Empire (802–1431) put in great efforts to establish over a hundred hospitals and rest houses along the main roads. At the time, treatments for neurological conditions included herbal drugs, sorcery and even plunging into water and washing the head multiple times. Following the Khmer Empire Era, multiple advances were made, including integration of Western and Chinese medicine. However, these developments came to a halt during the Khmer Rouge period (1975–1979). The entire healthcare infrastructure was demolished along with most physicians and other medical personnel. In 1979, the Vietnamese-backed Heng Samrin government, the People’s Republic of Kampuchea (PRK), took control of the nation and made healthcare one it’s top priorities. Design/Methods: Information was gathered through literature review using PubMed, MD Consult, OVID, primary texts and research at various academic institutions in Cambodia. Results: Since 1979, the main focus has been on reviving medical education and establishing training facilities. Currently, there are 5 medical schools and 10 neurologists for a population of 15.14 million people. However, there are no neurology training programs. Conclusions: The Keck School of Medicine of USC received a grant from World Federation of Neurology, which allowed faculty to travel to Cambodia and teach the clinical and diagnostic aspects of neurology over the course of two years. We expect a neurology residency to start in 2017 to help the patient population that suffers from stroke, seizure disorders and various other types of neurological disorders. Even though the past has had its rough patches, the future has untapped potential. Study Supported by: This study was supported by World Federation of Neurology. Disclosure: Dr. Singh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sahai-Srivastava has nothing to disclose. Dr. Khosa has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mishra has nothing to disclose.