cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Norms, Power, and Human Rights

The Justice Cascade: How Human Rights Prosecutions Are Changing World Politics. By Kathryn Sikkink. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2011. 342 pp., $18.77 hardcover (ISBN-13: 978-0-39307-993-7). Making Human Rights a Reality. By Emilie Hafner-Burton. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2013. 296 pp., $25.16 paperback (ISBN-13: 978-0691155364) If there is one field within the study of international affairs where progress has undeniably been made over the past two decades, it surely is the study of human rights, which has grown from a marginal enterprise in which only a few scholars were engaged to a full-blown subfield of international affairs that attracts some of the most talented scholars publishing in the most prestigious outlets. Kathryn Sikkink and Emilie Hafner-Burton have each made remarkable contributions to our knowledge in this field. Sikkink's work, especially Activists Beyond Borders (Keck and Sikkink 1998) and the Power of Human Rights (Risse-Kappen, Ropp, and Sikkink 1999), continues to have an enormous influence on how scholars theorize about human rights and on how they design their case studies. Emilie Hafner-Burton has become, along with Beth Simmons, the most prolific human rights scholar primarily (though not exclusively) using quantitative methods. Now both scholars have written books that are aimed not just at academic audiences but also at policymakers and the educated public. Both books do a majestic job translating scholarly research for a broader audience. Both books also have normative agendas: they wish to improve current policies, practices, and institutions. This is where the similarities end, however. Where Sikkink focuses on a specific domain of human rights—the end of impunity for those who commit the most basic violations of human rights—Hafner-Burton takes aim at the entire international human rights system. Where Sikkink identifies a positive trend, Hafner-Burton presents us with a mostly pessimistic assessment of the current state of affairs. Where Sikkink worries about the potential corrupting influence of power, Hafner-Burton views power as an essential ingredient for pushing states to improve their human rights records. Sikkink's book has two central objectives: The first is to document and explain the “justice cascade.” The justice norm, …
Direct Hemin Transfer from IsdA to IsdC in the Iron-regulated Surface Determinant (Isd) Heme Acquisition System of Staphylococcus aureus*

The iron-regulated surface determinants (Isd) of Staphylococcus aureus, including surface proteins IsdA, IsdB, IsdC, and IsdH and ATP-binding cassette transporter IsdDEF, constitute the machinery for acquiring heme as a preferred iron source. Here we report hemin transfer from hemin-containing IsdA (holo-IsdA) to hemin-free IsdC (apo-IsdC). The reaction has an equilibrium constant of 10 ± 5 at 22 °C in favor of holo-IsdC formation. During the reaction, holo-IsdA binds to apo-IsdC and then transfers the cofactor to apo-IsdC with a rate constant of 54.3 ± 1.8 s–1 at 25 °C. The transfer rate is >70,000 times greater than the rate of simple hemin dissociation from holo-IsdA into solvent (ktransfer = 54.3 s–1 versus k–hemin = 0.00076 s–1). The standard free energy change, ΔG0, is –27 kJ/mol for the formation of the holo-IsdA-apo-IsdC complex. IsdC has a higher affinity for hemin than IsdA. These results indicate that the IsdA-to-IsdC hemin transfer is through the activated holo-IsdA-apo-IsdC complex and is driven by the higher affinity of apo-IsdC for the cofactor. These findings demonstrate for the first time in the Isd system that heme transfer is rapid, direct, and affinity-driven from IsdA to IsdC. These results also provide the first example of heme transfer from one surface protein to another surface protein in Gram-positive bacteria and, perhaps most importantly, indicate that the mechanism of activated heme transfer, which we previously demonstrated between the streptococcal proteins Shp and HtsA, may apply in general to all bacterial heme transport systems.
Successful Rebellious Professionals: The Black Woman's Professional Identity and Community Commitment

Using interview data from a larger career study of 25 black women who have achieved public recognition as workers for change in the black community, this paper explores the experiences of seven black professional women. The conflicts they confronted as black professionals, resolution of those conflicts, the special conditions of conflict resolution through rebellious professionalism, are explored, as well as the curious routes to success which place them in the position of role models to other human services professionals who are organizationally constrained from rebelling in such ways. The implications of these routes to professional success are explored in an effort to understand contemporary nationalism among black professionals and semi-professionals within the context of conflicts between dominant group organizational expectations and black community membership. The data suggest that particularistic commitments do not necessarily conflict with professional ideals if success is defined in terms of com...
Electronic structure and soft X-ray emission bands of aluminum-palladium alloys

Abstract The electronic structure of the intermetallic compounds of aluminum with palladium has been studied by investigating their aluminium soft X-ray band spectra. The appearance of high intensity sharp peaks in the emission spectra reveals the existence of localised electron states of p and s - d symmetries at about 3 and 7 eV below the Fermi level respectively.
HMO versus non-HMO private managed care plans: an investigation on pre-switch consumption

This paper investigates the switching behavior of enrollees in U.S. managed care plans through treatment effect analyses of the disaggregated expenditures of the plan switchers and stayers prior to switching. Propensity score matching methods are used to estimate the average treatment effects on the treated where switching is the treatment. Analyses on subsamples provide detailed insights into pre-switch consumption behavior. The results, which are based on a national representative data set from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, indicate that switchers (from HMO to non-HMO) spend more on hospitalization, utilize less cholesterol checks and flu shots before switching. The other type of switchers (from non-HMO to HMO) spends less on prescribed medicine and office-based physician visits, while female switchers use less breast exams, Pap smears and mammograms prior to switching. The findings suggest that the non-HMO private managed care plans provide better coverage on hospitalization, office-based physician visits and prescribed medicine than the HMO plans.
The need for Evaluation of Criminal Justice Education

Criminal justice education programs, the majority of which have enjoyed growth and development in the past decade, are now faced with the prospect of evaluation and assessment. Pressure to engage i...
Recovery After Cervical Decompression Surgery for the Treatment of Crowned Dens Syndrome Causing Progressive Neurological Decline: A Case Report

Traumatic injury to the spinal cord can be divided into complete and incomplete subtypes, based on complete or partial absence of neurologic function below the level of injury. Incomplete spinal cord injury has been shown to occur following cervical hyperextension or flexion injury in the setting of preexisting cervical spinal stenosis. The broad spectrum of symptoms from incomplete spinal cord injury includes weakness and sensory deficits potentially affecting upper and lower extremities, as well as bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction in severe cases. The most common type of incomplete spinal cord injury is central cord syndrome, which is characterized by a more severely impaired motor function in the upper than the lower extremities [1, 8, 10, 13, 16]. Progressive neurological deficit has also been reported to occur due to C1–C2 pannus formation in the setting of rheumatic disease [4, 12, 17, 19, 20]. Crowned dens syndrome (CDS) is a rare but known cause of decreased cervical range of motion and severe axial neck pain, in the setting of calcium deposition around the odontoid, for which medical treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or steroids has been reported [2, 7]. Patients with CDS may present with symptoms of cervical myelopathy caused by a mass containing calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) at the atlantoaxial articulation and/or in the transverse ligament and/or in the ligamentum flavum [3, 9, 11, 14, 15]. According to the findings of Goto et al. evaluating 2,023 patients with neck pain as the chief complaint, 40 patients were identified with CDS, indicating a prevalence of 2.0% [7]. Chang et al. reported an overall prevalence of radiographically evident atlantoaxial CPPD deposition of 12.5%, which was increasing with age [5]. However, severe and gradually progressive neurological deterioration due to an isolated large mass consisting of calcium pyrophosphate at the C1–C2 level causing functional quadriplegia is rare, and, therefore, the optimal treatment remains to be determined. Surgical decompression and stabilization may alleviate the compression on the cervical spinal cord [11], yet the potential for neurological recovery remains to be further elucidated. We report the case of an 87-year-old male diagnosed with quadriplegia resulting from CDS who made an excellent recovery following surgical decompression.
Stability of solution sets for generalized differential equations

where R(t, x) is a compact subset of Euclidean n-space for real t and x E Rfl, has been proved by Castaing [l, Theorem 21 for convex-valued R and by Filippov [2, Th eorem I] for R satisfying a Lipschitz condition. In [1] it was also shown that the set of solutions to (1) has upper semicontinuous dependence on the initial point. Theorem 2 below will show that under the joint assumption of convexity and a Lipschitz condition on R, the set of solutions to (1) has continuous dependence on the initial point. This result is based on the following theorem on the stability of the fixed point set of a set-valued contraction.
Thermal infrared lightcurves of the impact of comet Shoemaker‐Levy 9 fragment R

The impact of fragment R was observed at thermal infrared wavelengths of 7.85, 10.3 and 12.2 µm from the NASA/Infrared Telescope Facility on July 21 UT, using the MIRAC2 mid-infrared array camera. Thermal emission at the three wavelengths was sampled sequentially using a 1.8% circular variable filter, with an average time interval of 17 seconds between observations at different wavelengths. Continuous imaging of Jupiter in this mode began at 5:08 UT and extended to 5:55 UT. We present calibrated lightcurves for the three wavelengths. Clear evidence for enhanced emission from the impact region first appears at 5:41 UT, with the peak in emission at all three wavelengths occurring ∼3.5 minutes later. The information content of the data is presented in terms of plots of the product of emissivity times angular size versus source temperature for each wavelength. Assuming that the peak in the lightcurves is due to rotation of the hot impact site into view from Earth, we estimate a diameter of ∼1900 km for the source emitting area at 5:44:30 UT and estimate a lower limit on the source temperature at this time of ∼1350 K. This lower limit drops to 800 K if the diameter of the emitting region was actually a factor of two larger.
A Computer Program to Calculate Adjusted and Unadjusted Interrater Reliabilities for Sets and Subsets of Judges.

A computer program to be used to assess interrater reliabilities has been written. Given judges' ratings on a set of variables pertaining to subjects or events, the program will produce for each variable, a printed analysis of variance summary table for between subjects/ events, within subjects/events, and between judges sources of variability, a reliability coefficient, an adjusted reliability coefficient and means and standard deviations for each rater. Further, analysis of variance and reliability output for subsets of judges is generated.
Note on dynamic conductivity from tunneling experiments in a high-Tc superconductor

Abstract We find new, trapped states in which electrons are trapped in a lattice wave. These trapped states lie in the superconductor gap, and they account for the conductivity measured at low voltage in tunneling experiments. The density of these trapped states changes at an energy ϵ′ below the gap; this results in a peak in the tunneling current at a voltage ϵ′ / e .
Green's Functions for Solving Unsteady Flow Problems in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs With Arbitrary Fracture Connectivity: Part I-Theory

A general theory of Green's functions for solving boundary-initial value problems governed by two linear pressure diffusion equations coupled through a fluid transfer term which depends on the pressure histories, is presented. The governing equations, developed previously by Wijesinghe and Culham (1984), describe the flow of fluid in naturally fractured reservoirs with arbitrary fracture connectivity simultaneously taking into account both fracture and pore system permeabilities and unsteady interporosity fluid transfer. In this study, the relationship between the Green's functions (ie. generalized source solutions) and the adjoint Green's functions is determined, and the boundary conditions which must be imposed on the adjoint Green's functions to obtain explicit solutions for the fracture and pore pressures, are presented. The fundamental Green's functions, which characterize the basic properties of the two coupled differential equations, are derived and examples of their application to reservoir fluid flow problems are given. As in the case of the classical diffusion equation for fluid flow in single porosity formations, the Green's functions based on the present theory enable solutions to complex fluid flow problems in naturally fractured reservoirs to be systematically constructed from simpler source solutions.
Developmental plasticity of dendritic morphology and the establishment of coverage and connectivity in the outer retina

Developing retinal neurons differentiate their distinctive dendritic morphologies through cell-intrinsic instructions and cellular interactions within the local environment. This review examines the contributions of interactions with afferents and with homotypic neighbors upon the dendritic morphogenesis of retinal bipolar cells in four different mouse models that modulate the frequency of these interactions. Comparisons with horizontal cell differentiation are discussed, and differences between the dendritic plasticity within the outer versus inner plexiform layers are highlighted. Finally, the developmental plasticity of the bipolar and horizontal cells is considered in light of the natural variation in afferent and target cell number, ensuring a uniformity of coverage and connectivity across the retinal surface.
Analysis of published sprout seed sanitization studies shows treatments are highly variable

Consumption of raw sprouts has caused many foodborne illness outbreaks in the last decade, and most outbreaks have been linked to contaminated seeds. Many seed sanitization treatments have been studied as a means to reduce the risk of illness associated with sprouts. Published data on seed sanitization were analyzed collectively to identify factors that influenced the efficacy of seed sanitization and to determine the variability associated with various sanitization processes. Temperature and duration of the sanitization treatment were found to produce a negligible effect on log microbial reductions. Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and total aerobic microorganisms were all inactivated at similar rates. Data were fit to triangular or uniform distributions for 16 different chemical treatments. Among the most effective treatments were 8% hydrogen peroxide (uniform distribution [2.5, 4.5]), 20,000 ppm of chlorine (triangular distribution [1, 2.5, 6.5]), and 1% Ca(OH) 2 (triangular distribution [0.5, 4, 5]). Chemical treatments where more published data were available showed more variability.
Load of Challenge Marek's Disease Virus DNA in Blood as a Criterion for Early Diagnosis of Marek's Disease Tumors

Abstract Outbreaks of Marek's disease (MD) in vaccinated flocks still occur sporadically and lead to economic losses. Unfortunately, adequate methods to predict MD outbreaks are lacking. In the present study, we have evaluated whether high load of challenge MD virus (MDV) DNA in peripheral blood could aid in the early diagnosis of MD and in monitoring efficacy of vaccines against MD. One experiment was conducted to simulate field conditions by combining various vaccines (turkey herpesvirus [HVT] and HVT + MDV serotype 2 [SB1]) and challenge viruses (GA, Md5, and 648A). Vaccine efficacy among our experimental groups ranged from 13.3% to 94.2%. Each chicken was sampled three times during the length of the experiment (3, 5, and 15 wk postchallenge [wpc]), and gross lesions were evaluated in chickens that died and at termination of the experiment. DNA was extracted from whole blood and buffy coats from each sample, and the load of challenge MDV DNA and HVT DNA were quantified by real-time polymerase chain rea...
Decision Support System for Microtunneling Applications

Microtunneling is a trenchless technology method used for installing new pipelines. The inherent advantages of this method over open-cut trenching have led to its increasing use since its first introduction into North America in the early 1980s. With this technology, surface disruption can be minimized, especially in urban areas, and high accuracy of installation (usually less than 2cm over 100m) can be achieved in both line and grade. But microtunneling machines are very expensive and few contractors have extensive experience with this technology. Microtunneling can also be risky when unexpected obstacles or soil changes occur. Careful constructability analysis is needed, and an appropriate microtunneling method should be selected in order to achieve successful completion of microtunneling projects. A computerized decision support system (DSS) for microtunneling was developed to support decision making for contractors who want to bid on microtunneling projects. This paper discusses the decision-making pr...
Iron isotope fractionation between aqueous Fe(II) and goethite revisited: New insights based on a multi-direction approach to equilibrium and isotopic exchange rate modification

The Fe isotope compositions of naturally occurring Fe oxide minerals provide insights into biogeochemical processes that occur in modern and ancient environments. Key to understanding isotopic variations in such minerals is knowledge of the equilibrium Fe isotope fractionation factors between common minerals and aqueous Fe species. Because experimental measurements of isotopic fractionation may reflect a combination of kinetic and equilibrium fractionations during rapid dissolution and precipitation, even in experiments that employ the three-isotope method, assessment of the attainment of equilibrium is often difficult. Here, we re-examine Fe isotope exchange, via a 57 Fe tracer, and natural mass-dependent fractionation, through changes in initial 56 Fe/ 54 Fe ratios, between aqueous Fe(II) (Fe(II)aq) and goethite. This approach uses the three-isotope method, but is distinct in its evaluation of kinetic isotope fractionation and the attainment of equilibrium by: (i) employing a multi-direction approach to equilibrium at 22 C via reaction of three Fe(II)aq solutions that had different initial 56 Fe/ 54 Fe ratios, (ii) conducting isotopic exchange experiments at elevated temperature (50 C), and (iii) modifying the rate of isotopic exchange through a combination of trace-element substitutions and particle coarsening to evaluate corresponding temporal changes in fractionation trajectories that may reflect changing instantaneous fractionation factors. We find that rapid isotopic exchange produces kinetic isotope effects between Fe(II)aq and goethite, which shifts the 56 Fe/ 54 Fe ratios of Fe(II)aq early in reactions toward that of goethite, indicating that the instantaneous Fe(II)aq–goethite fractionation factor under kinetic conditions is small. Importantly, however, this kinetic fractionation is “erased” with continued reaction, and this is evident by the congruence for multiple-exchange trajectories of distinct initial Fe(II)aq solutions toward the same final value over long reaction times. Experiments at higher temperature result in a smaller fractionation between Fe(II)aq and goethite, consistent with a 1/T 2 temperature dependence. Coarsened and trace-element substituted goethites that had low surface areas produced much slower rates of isotopic exchange than the chemically pure forms or goethite of smaller crystal size, resulting in only partial isotopic mixing (10–40%). Fractionation-exchange trajectories produced during slow isotopic exchange are linear, however, and extrapolate to the same (within error) Fe(II)aq–goethite fractionations at 100% isotopic mixing as that for reactions of pure goethite. We conclude that the equilibrium 56 Fe/ 54 Fe fractionation for Fe(II)aq–goethite at 22 C ranges between � 1.04 ± 0.08& and � 1.22 ± 0.11& (2r), depending on particle size, where the more negative fractionation is influenced by surface Fe that has distinct isotopic properties; these results are consistent with earlier measure
Astrocytes conspire with neurons during progression of neurological disease

As astrocytes are becoming recognized as important mediators of normal brain function, studies into their roles in neurological disease have gained significance. Across mouse models for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, astrocytes are considered key regulators of disease progression. In Rett syndrome and Parkinson's disease, astrocytes can even initiate certain disease phenotypes. Numerous potential mechanisms have been offered to explain these results, but research into the functions of astrocytes in disease is just beginning. Crucially, in vivo verification of in vitro data is still necessary, as well as a deeper understanding of the complex and relatively unexplored interactions between astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and neurons.
Integrating functional and data modeling in a computer integrated manufacturing system

A structured methodology for linking data modeling with functional modeling in a computer integrated manufacturing system is presented. The target application, the functional and data models, and a method for developing the data model starting from the functional model are described. This approach ensures that the data model is complete and non-redundant with respect to the functional model. A scheme that enables various functions in the functional model to be linked with the data elements of the data model is also presented. Such a linkage makes it possible to determine the impact of a change in the functional model on the data model and vice versa. >
On the evaluation of the safety aspects of nanomaterial in medical device – a regulatory perspective

Nanotechnology is widely used in many aspects of the design and manufacture of medical devices. To date, many of these new medical devices, referred to as nano medical devices, have been submitted to health authorities for premarket regulatory review. There are ongoing discussions between medical device manufacturers and regulatory authorities regarding the standards and methods required for the evaluation process. Taking into consideration aspects including nano-toxicology and biocompatibility, the clinical effects of nanotechnology and risk management, there are issues yet to be resolved. In this article, we will discuss nano medical device safety from the regulatory control point of view.
Current concepts for oil decontamination of crush injuries: a review

This anecdotal, non-systematic review serves to explore the principles and methods of effective oil decontamination from cutaneous wounds, particularly crush injuries. The current expansion of the petroleum industry is necessary to meet increasing world demands for oil. Most stages of oil refining and applications involve significant injury risks, particularly for crush injuries that become contaminated with petroleum compounds. A literature review regarding a standard of care for effective cutaneous oil decontamination is lacking. Based on case reports, animal models, and in vitro studies identified in our expert opinion review, standard water and soap cleansing may not be an appropriate approach. Instead, the principle of ‘like dissolves like’ guides the use of lipophilic, petroleum-derived solvents to attract and subsequently dissolve the petroleum contaminant from the skin injury. Limitations include paucity of and dated literature sources regarding the topic as well as no models specifically addressing crush injuries. Our literature review found that oil decontamination of cutaneous injuries may be best accomplished with oil-based cleansers. Certainly, this topic has significant importance for the potentially carcinogenic petroleum compounds that pervade virtually every aspect of modern human life.
CELL MITOTIC CYCLE SYNTHESIS OF NIL HAMSTER GLYCOLIPIDS INCLUDING THE FORSSMAN ANTIGEN

The synthesis of phospholipids and glycolipids during the cell mitotic cycle of an established hamster line, NIL, has been studied. Cells were synchronized with excess thymidine and mitotically harvested by shaking. Cells were radioactively labeled for 4 h with palmitate, glucosamine, or galactose. Lipids were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography. As cells progressed through the mitotic cycle, incorporation into phospholipids increased but the fraction represented by each remained constant. Similarly, ceramide monohexoside, dihexoside, and hematoside were labeled equally in all phases. Ceramide trihexoside and tetrahexoside were labeled only during G(1) and S. Ceramide pentahexoside (the Forssman antigen) shows density-dependent synthesis, accumulation, and reactivity. Ceramide pentahexoside was labeled during all phases of the mitotic cycle but the rate of incorporation decreased in S and G(2). The total amount of lipid assayed immunologically in cell extracts gradually increased. Exposure of the Forssman antigen in untreated or trypsin-treated cells was studied using binding of chemically labeled antiForssman antiserum. The amount of antigen detected in trypsinized cells increased during G(1) and early S but then remained constant. Mitotic cells exposed all detectable antigen. As cells progressed through the mitotic cycle, a large fraction of the Forssman antigen became cryptic.
Pten inactivation alters peripheral B lymphocyte fate and reconstitutes CD19 function

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) phosphatase serve essential functions in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation and survival by modulating intracellular phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI-3,4,5-P3) concentrations. Here we show that the conditional deletion of Pten in B cells led to the preferential generation of marginal zone (MZ) B cells and B1 cells. PTEN-deficient B cells were hyperproliferative in response to mitogenic stimuli, and exhibited a lower threshold for activation through the B cell antigen receptor. Inactivation of PTEN rescued germinal center, MZ B and B1 cell formation in CD19-/- mice, arguing that recruitment and activation of PI3K are the dominant roles for CD19 in these B cell subpopulations. These findings establish the central role of PI-3,4,5-P3 regulation in the differentiation of peripheral B cell subsets.
Exploring Practical Mobile Interaction for Enterprise Business Process

We explored the practical challenges in implementing mobile business processes today, and proposed a Business Communication Interaction Manager (BCIM) system. With BCIM, mobile users’ application session correlation policies are explicitly enforced using a rule-based session correlator, communication processes are controlled through state machine technology, thus complex and transactional mobile interactions in business processes can be quickly implemented. For case study, we deployed BCIM in a real enterprise environment to enable advanced mobile business processes. Useful insights on behavior of users from the study are gathered, and best practices to improve user experience are discussed.
Adeno-associated virus vector mediated transduction of primary normal human breast epithelial cells

Cultured human breast epithelial cells from reduction mammoplasty specimens were transduced using an adeno-associated virus vector encoding the marker gene E. coli -galactosidase. Subconfluent, growing, breast epithelial cells were more easily transduced than confluent, quiescent, cells. Transduction of non-dividing confluent cells could be greatly increased by ultraviolet light-induced DNA damage or by prior exposure to the DNA synthesis inhibitor hydroxyurea. The effects of ultraviolet light and hydroxyurea on transduction were additive when these agents were applied together.
WeatherLink-a networking tool for dynamic data

WeatherLink is a universal networking tool. It allows the efficient manipulation of text or binary files. It can create, control, and clean up processes. WeatherLink is easily maintained and works effectively with both archived and dynamic data and it is self monitoring. Its architecture allows the tool to mold itself to the application. It makes no difference whether the application is ingesting image, statistical, or textual data-the created database and its interface will specifically adapt itself to the application, allowing the user efficient access to the data. In WeatherLink, the authors have a versatile, easy to use networking tool contributing to the development of more efficient scientific data management and retrieval. >
Age-related disparities in use of completion lymphadenectomy for melanoma sentinel lymph node metastasis.

Abstract Background Guidelines recommend that patients with melanoma metastatic to the sentinel lymph node (SLN) undergo a completion lymphadenectomy (CLND) of the affected lymph node basin. We have previously reported on decreased use of SLN biopsy among elderly patients. We hypothesized that elderly patients with SLN metastases would have lower rates of CLND relative to their younger counterparts. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried for patients who underwent SLN biopsy for intermediate thickness cutaneous melanoma (Breslow thickness 1.01 mm–4.00 mm) from 2004 to 2008 and were found to have SLN metastasis. Patients were categorized according to age by decade. We then used multivariate logistic regression models to predict receipt of CLND. Additional covariates included sex, race/ethnicity, T stage, tumor histology, tumor location, and ulceration. The likelihood of receiving a CLND was reported as OR with 95% CI; significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results Entry criteria were met by 765 patients. Of these, 548 (71.6%) patients underwent CLND. On multivariate analysis, patients in the age groups 70–79 y old (OR 0.39, CI 0.20–0.78; P = 0.007) and ≥80 y old (OR 0.27, CI 0.12–0.61; P = 0.001) were less likely to undergo CLND than the youngest age group (1–39 y old). Conclusions Elderly patients with SLN metastasis are less likely to receive CLND than their younger counterparts. A multi-center randomized clinical trial evaluating the potential survival benefit of CLND is ongoing. Further research to assess reasons why the elderly are less likely to receive CLND are needed.
An Efficient and Simple Approach to Computing the Green's Function for the Rectangular Cavity

In this letter, we propose an efficient and simple approach to computing the Green's function for the rectangular cavity. By splitting the Fourier series representing the Green's function and by utilizing the analytical formula, we will show that our approach could result in a simple formula for accelerating the Green's function computation.
Asset Price Bubbles and Central Bank Policies: The Crash of the "Jackson Hole Consensus"

This paper reexamines the main arguments of whether or not monetary policy should respond to asset bubbles. The question of how the central bank should respond to an asset bubble can be reformulated in two ways. First, how does the central bank respond while an asset bubble is growing, and second, how does it respond after the bubble bursts? There has been strong agreement among economists that a central bank should respond to the bursting of a bubble by aggressively decreasing the Fed funds rate to minimize the adverse impact of financial instability on the real economy. However, there is no clear answer to the question of how the central bank should respond to an asset bubble before it bursts. If there is evidence that the asset price bubble is contributing to inflation, then there is general agreement that the central bank should respond. But what if prices remain stable? These issues are critically reviewed and the conclusion is reached that the high costs associated with the 2007–2009 financial crisis have encouraged the development of a new central bank policy paradigm that encourages ―leaning against bubbles‖ and giving due consideration to alternative tools other than interest rate policy tools.
Impact of Visibility and Investment Advisor Credibility on the Valuation Effects of High‐Tech Cross‐Border Acquisitions

Since foreign high-tech firms exhibit a high level of asymmetric information, there is much investor skepticism surrounding the potential benefits to US firms that acquire them. However, the investor perception may be more favorable when the acquisitions involve more visible targets and advice from investment banks with a strong reputation. Based on a sample of 503 high-tech cross-border acquisitions, bidding-firm shareholders experience positive but statistically insignificant valuation effects overall. However, bidder firms experience positive and significant valuation effects when the foreign high-tech target receives a high level of media attention and when the acquisition is endorsed by a top-tier investment bank. Visibility and credibility enhance the perceived benefits of acquiring foreign targets that have substantial intangible assets and a high level of asymmetric information.
A goal-oriented self-tuning caching algorithm

The contribution of this paper is a novel approach to adaptivity that combines alternatives rather than selecting one among alternatives. Using only three, homogenous, cache replacement algorithms, GD-GhOST were able to provide a cache replacement policy that requires no tuning or user-intervention beyond the initial selection of the performance criteria to be optimized. Overall, at its worst observed performance GD-GhOST was within approximately 1% of the best policy's miss ratio, and at its best, GD-GhOST reduced byte miss rates by well over 50%.
Degradation of Magnesium Aluminum Spinel by Lithium Fluoride Sintering Aid

The effect of LiF sintering aid on the degradation of transparent magnesium aluminate spinel during hot-pressing was studied. LiF is used to etch spinel particles during the hot pressing process. The LiF was found to react with the aluminum in the spinel structure, thereby leaving Mg-rich regions behind that do not sinter well and result in opaque white regions in the otherwise transparent matrix.
Magnetic field measurements of limpet mines attached to a ship's steel hull

With the increased threat of terrorist attacks against docked naval and commercial vessels, the use of magnetically attached limpet mines or explosives is of major concern. Detecting limpet mines, or verification of their absence, using magnetic field sensors could be a quick and inexpensive method to determine if a vessel is under attack. Before the design of such a magnetic detection system can begin, the mines' field strength must first be quantified. The field distribution in the proximity of a small, medium, and large limpet mine was measured initially in a magnetically clean laboratory environment. The experiment was then repeated with the mines attached to the steel hull of a destroyer, while measuring the resultant field strengths on the opposite side of the hull. These data can be used in the design of limpet mine detection systems.
Common component analysis for multiple covariance matrices

We consider the problem of finding a suitable common low dimensional subspace for accurately representing a given set of covariance matrices. With one covariance matrix, this is principal component analysis (PCA). For multiple covariance matrices, we term the problem Common Component Analysis (CCA). While CCA can be posed as a tensor decomposition problem, standard approaches to tensor decompositions have two critical issues: (i) tensor decomposition methods are iterative and rely on the initialization; (ii) for a given level of approximation error, it is difficult to choose a suitable low dimensionality. In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of CCA that yields an effective initialization and iterative algorithms for the problem. The proposed methodology has provable approximation guarantees w.r.t. the global maximum and also allows one to choose the dimensionality for a given level of approximation error. We also establish conditions under which the methodology will achieve the global maximum. We illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method through extensive experiments on synthetic data as well as on two real stock market datasets, where major financial events can be visualized in low dimensions.
An Empirical Analysis of the Relation between Board of Director Composition and Financial Statement Fraud

This study empirically tests the prediction that the inclusion of larger proportions of outside members on the board of directors significantly reduces the likelihood of financial statement fraud. Results from logit regression analysis of 75 fraud and 75 no-fraud firms indicate that no- fraud firms have boards with significantly higher percentages of outside members than fraud firms. Results are not sensitive to the definition of outside directors used, given that no-fraud firms have significantly higher percentages of both "grey" and "independent" directors than fraud firms. Interestingly, the presence of an audit committee does not significantly affect the likelihood of financial statement fraud. Additionally, as outside director ownership in the firm and outside director tenure on the board increase and as the number of outside directorships in other firms held by outside directors decreases, the likelihood of financial statement fraud decreases.
A Dynamic Analysis of the U.S. Cigarette Market and Anti-smoking Policies

An empirical dynamic oligopoly model of the cigarette industry is developed to study the responses of firms to various anti-smoking policies and to estimate the implications for the policy efficacy. Firms are modeled as coordinating in price and competing in advertising in a dynamic game. The dynamic model captures two crucial features of the cigarette industry: 1) dynamic demand due to addiction and 2) differences between young smokers and adult smokers in their responses to price and advertising. The structural parameters are estimated using a combination of micro and macro level data and firms' optimal price and advertising strategies are solved as a Markov Perfect Nash Equilibrium. I find that the estimated dynamic model predicts industry prices and advertising expenditures extremely well. Moreover, the simulation results show that increasing the tobacco tax reduces both the overall smoking rate and the youth smoking rate, while advertising restrictions may back fire and actually increase the youth smoking rate. Furthermore, the long run effects of anti-smoking policies on reducing smoking rates tend to be smaller than the short run effects, as firms have stronger incentives to exploit current smokers over the short run.
Development and Application of Interfacial Anti-Diffusion and Poor Mesh Numerics Treatments for Free Surface Flows

Volume of Fluid (VOF) method is widely used to simulate free surface flows. There are various interface tracking and capturing schemes available with this model. The explicit interface tracking scheme based on geometrical reconstruction of the interface is the most accurate but computationally expensive. On the other hand, there are interface capturing schemes based on algebraic formulation that are comparatively more diffusive but computationally less expensive. These interface capturing schemes can be used with implicit and explicit volume fraction formulations. For industrial strength cases, the use of implicit schemes is increasing as it is a good compromise between speed and accuracy. In meshing such complex geometries, there is a tradeoff between the cell count and the quality of mesh. While resolving the key areas with good quality mesh and keeping the cell count within acceptable limit, sometimes quality of mesh in certain regions suffers. Such regions may contain highly skewed cells, cells with high aspect ratio or high cell-jumps. Such mesh can have issues in convergence, worsen the issue of interfacial diffusion and lead to inaccurate results. In the present work, two numerical treatments called interfacial anti-diffusion and poor mesh numerics are developed and implemented in ANSYS Fluent R16. Interfacial anti-diffusion treatment helps reduce the numerical diffusion and sharpen the interface. Poor mesh numerics treatment identifies cells with bad quality and applies appropriate numerical treatment to help stability and convergence. Results of test cases and an industrial strength case are reported with and without these treatments. It is shown that using these treatment results in improvement of stability and accuracy. For the industrial strength case, the results are in good agreement with the experimental data.
Development of building energy asset rating using stock modelling in the USA

The US Building Energy Asset Score helps building stakeholders quickly gain insight into the efficiency of building systems (envelope, electrical and mechanical systems). A robust, easy-to-understand 10-point scoring system was developed to facilitate an unbiased comparison of similar building types across the country. The Asset Score does not rely on a database or specific building baselines to establish a rating. Rather, distributions of energy use intensity (EUI) for various building use types were constructed using Latin hypercube sampling and converted to a series of stepped linear scales to score buildings. A score is calculated based on the modelled source EUI after adjusting for climate. A web-based scoring tool, which incorporates an analytical engine and a simulation engine, was developed to standardize energy modelling and reduce implementation cost. This paper discusses the methodology used to perform several hundred thousand building simulation runs and develop the scoring scales.
Effects of a Distribution of Volume Relaxation Times in the Annealing of BSC Glass

The influence of a distribution of relaxation times is studied in annealing experiments. A two-relaxation time model is proposed, which permits the calculation of the distribution of relaxation times from the crossover data of Spinner and Napolitano as well as that of Ritland. This model also characterizes the structure of any glass in terms of two parameters. Thus, quenched equilibrium as well as nonequilibrium glass were compared with rate cooled glasses with respect to their behavior upon further annealing as well as their conductivity at low temperatures with excellent agreement. Borosilicate crown glass was found to have a narrow distribution of relaxation times which is particular to associated liquid monomers rather than polymers. The results can be explained in terms of a topological model for the distribution of relaxation times. The temperature dependence of the viscosity is due to a true activation energy rather than a free volume effect.
P1-11-12: Patterns of Care of Newly Diagnosed Patients with Breast Cancer in Mexico.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. More than 55% of breast cancer deaths occur in low and middle income countries. Although incidence rates for breast cancer are lower in developing countries, mortality rates are higher. This phenomenon has been attributed to limited access to care for breast cancer patients, including screening and early diagnosis as well as primary surgical, radiation and systemic therapies. Similar to trends in other poor and middle income countries, breast cancer mortality in Mexico is rising. The goal of this survey of physicians caring for patients with breast cancer in Mexico is to obtain information about current treatment patterns of newly diagnosed patients and to describe their clinical characteristics. Methods: A web-based closed survey has been sent to 854 physicians providing care to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients across Mexico, including medical oncologists and breast cancer surgeons. The survey instrument contains 35 questions assessing demographic data, access to diagnosis and treatment in a variety of clinical patient scenarios. The responses will be anonymous and entered automatically into a secure database for analysis. Fisher exact test will be used for the frequency analysis. Chi-squared statistics and Kendall correlation will be used for nominal and ordinal variables respectively. Results: The results will be presented at the 2011 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Conclusions: The results of this survey will highlight potential disparities in care received by breast cancer patients across the full geographic and socioeconomic spectrum of Mexico in order to highlight the need for uniform, quality based approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer patients in Mexico, and will serve as an example of how one middle income country faces challenges and unmet medical needs regarding access to care of women with breast cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-11-12.
Optional Safety Devices: Delegating Product Design Responsibility to the Market

Early in the development of a robust system of products liability law, American courts delegated most of the responsibility for assuring the safety of product designs to the market. Except for designs that failed to perform their intended functions and thus should be said to be dangerously self-defeating, most courts rejected claims that products were legally defective because they could have been designed more safely. As long as the relevant risks were obvious or product sellers supplied adequate warnings of hidden risks, product purchasers, not courts, determined how much design safety was appropriate. And then came the products liability revolution. Spurred by the adoption of strict liability under § 402A of the Restatement (Second) of Torts, courts began in the 1970s to question, and then to reject, the idea that adequately-informed consumers always make sensible decisions regarding product design safety. Thus arrived a new era in American products liability in which courts began independently to review the reasonableness of manufacturers’ product design choices, thereby second-guessing decisions reached in the market. In fairly short order courts abolished the patent danger rule and opened their doors to a broad range of fault-based design defect claims.Perhaps the most significant exception to the general pattern of courts overriding markets by engaging in broad product design review — a controversial subject upon which this essay focuses — concerns optional safety devices with respect to which purchasers, not courts, often make controlling decisions. The issue of when courts should delegate responsibility for product design safety is complex. What has been lacking to date is a structured approach to this issue. This essay, for the first time, pulls together the various strands of rationale offered by the courts into a coherent approach, concluding with a proposed Restatement section with comments. Work remains to be done in applying the suggested approach to future cases. The authors believe that this essay provides an important starting point for further development.