cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Critical thought experiment to choose the driving force for interface propagation in inelastic materials

Abstract The problem of defining the driving force for interface propagation in inelastic materials is discussed. In most publications, the driving force coincides with the Eshelby driving force, i.e. it represents a total dissipation increment on the moving interface due to all the dissipative processes (phase transition (PT) and plasticity). Recently (Levitas, V.I., 1992a. Post-bifurcation Behaviour in Finite Elastoplasticity. Applications to Strain Localization and Phase Transitions. Universitat Hannover. Insititut fur Baumecharik and Numerische Mechanik, [BNM-Bencht 1JP 585-LC, 92/5, Hannover; Int. J. Eng. Sci. 33 (1995) 921; Mech. Res. Commun. 22 (1995) 87; J. de Physique III 5 (1995) 173; J. De Physique III 5 (1995) 41; Int. J. Solids Struct. 35 (1998) 889], an alternative approach was developed in which the driving force represents the dissipation increment due to PT only, i.e. total dissipation minus plastic dissipation. The aim of this paper is to prove the contradictory character of application of the Eshelby driving force to inelastic materials. For this purposes, a problem on the interface propagation in a rigid–plastic half-space under homogeneous normal and shear stresses is solved using both definitions, along with the principle of the maximum the driving force. Finite strain theory is used. It appears that the first approach exhibits some qualitative contradictions, which are not observed in our approach. In particular, even for shape memory alloys, when transformation strain can be accommodated elastically (or even without internal stresses), maximization of the Eshelby driving force requires as much plasticity as possible. When applied shear stress tends to the yield stress in shear of a new phase, the driving force tends to infinity, i.e. PT has to always occur at the beginning of plastic flow. Note that in this paper plasticity means dislocation plasticity rather than plasticity due to twinning. Twinning during martensitic PT is the appearance of several martensitic variants which are in twin relation to each other. Consequently, for twinned martensite one has microheterogeneous transformation strain without plastic dissipation term, i.e. both approaches coincide.
A Switched-Capacitor Voltage Tripler With Automatic Interleaving Capability

This paper presents a high-efficiency switched-capacitor voltage tripler topology aimed at high-power applications. A soft-switching scheme without the addition of extra components is adopted to minimize the switching loss and the electromagnetic interference noises. A two-step current charging method is used to enable the input current and output voltage interleaving functionality without adding an excessive number of components. The large loss on the input capacitor that exists in the traditional switched-capacitor topologies is eliminated by employing this interleaving scheme. The soft switching and interleaving results are analyzed in detail. The experimental results for a 2-kW prototype are demonstrated to verify the functionality of the proposed topology.
Spatial variation in zooplankton community structure is related to hydrologic flow units in the Missouri river, USA

Zooplankton are a vital link in the food webs of large rivers, and their communities are shaped by both local environmental features and advection. In the Missouri River, flow characteristics naturally change along its length, but human modifications to facilitate commercial transport have altered natural flow in many sections of the river. We evaluated the effect of flow on zooplankton community structure at multiple spatial scales, and used multivariate analyses to evaluate the relative importance of flow and local abiotic environment on these communities. During July‐September 2005, zooplankton samples and physicochemical measures were collected from the Missouri River main channel at 78 sites over a 2831km range (Montana to Missouri). We identified a total of 30 cladoceran species, 22 copepod species and 27 rotifer genera, and we detected highly significant differences in zooplankton community structure among hydrologically distinct flow units and larger spatial zones. At the local scale, crustacean zooplankton and rotifers responded differently in the analyses. For copepods and cladocerans, distance from the nearest upstream reservoir explained more of the overall community pattern of the river than any other combination of environmental factors, reflecting the influence of damson the zooplankton community of the Missouri River. For rotifers, a combination offlow characteristics due to impoundment and channelization and local environment (temperature) was important. Our study indicates that, because of the overwhelming effect of flow on zooplankton communities, hydrology must first be taken into account before zooplankton can be used as bioindicators of other environmental stresses. Copyright # 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Undergraduate Student Socialization and Learning in an Online Professional Curriculum.

Using data collected from a qualitative case study of an online baccalaureate nursing program, we examined the influence of online degree programs on undergraduate student socialization and learning. We considered how components of socialization—knowledge acquisition, investment, and involvement—are influenced by the online context. The findings suggest the importance of considering non-academic influences in regards to nontraditional student experiences. The theoretical intersection of online learning and undergraduate student development offers new and significant areas of research, specifically related to the pedagogical role of faculty and the impact of social engagement. Implications for future research and practice are offered.
Denominational perceptions of stress and the provision of support services for clergy families

The purpose of this study was to examine what various denominations perceived about stress in the lives of their clergy and their families to determine the types of supportive services currently being provided by denominations for clergy families. The population for this study included 33 denominations that each reported more than 200,000 U.S. members: 28 denominations chose to participate. Each participating denomination was contacted by telephone to determine a representative within the denominational hierarchy who could give a relatively definitive answer to the questions of interest for the present study. Descriptive and inferential statistical procedures indicated that a majority of denominations have some awareness of the stresses and demands that their clergy and their families are facing. However, only a minority of denominations are providing support services that might help clergy manage effectively the resultant stress. Denominations' perceptions of stresses and demands as well as the types of support services provided are identified and discussed. Recommendations and implications are identified for future program development and evaluation.
Effects of adrenalectomy on macronutrient selection patterns in the rat.

Abstract The present studies examined the effects of adrenalectomy (ADX) on nutrient selection of rats over the 24-h period, as well as during the first 2 h of the nocturnal feeding cycle. Results indicate that ADX, in rats showing generally similar preferences for carbohydrate and fat, equally suppresses intake of both of these nutrients over the 24-h period. The relative impact of ADX on carbohydrate and fat intake may shift depending upon baseline, with carbohydrate-preferring rats showing a stronger decrease in intake of this diet after ADX and fat-preferring rats exhibiting a greater decline in fat intake after ADX. Acute injections of corticosterone (CORT) and aldosterone (ALDO) are both found to restore carbohydrate as well as fat intake to ADX rats over the 24-h period. However, in the first 2 h of the dark feeding cycle, carbohydrate intake is found to be selectively suppressed after ADX, and CORT injection (0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg, SC) restores carbohydrate intake during this early dark period, while producing a small increase in fat intake only at the higher dose. This is in contrast to ALDO administration at dark onset, which has a stronger stimulatory effect on fat intake in the ADX rat but does not fully restore carbohydrate intake. These findings indicate that CORT and ALDO have differential effects on nutrient intake in ADX rats particularly at the onset of the dark cycle, and it is suggested that these are mediated, respectively, by the type I and type II steroid receptor systems in the brain.
Position statement for EUROCAL 85: the efficiency of mathematical models

Nature has a way of producing mathematical models to beholders with an open mind for beauty. Those models provide a challenge to explore their constructive aspects, to investigate their properties by algorithmic methods implying a way to prove them, and to using them as a basis for further experimentation.
Commentary: Environmental Influences: Issues of Timing and Type

Long-term neurodevelopmental outcome is frequently considered the benchmark in determining the natural sequelae of biologic risks, or the efficacy of various medical interventions in infants born at extremely low birth weight (ELBW; Aylward, 2005). Initially, primary emphasis in outcome studies was placed on major disabilities: moderate/severe intellectual disabilities, sensorineural hearing loss/blindness, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. However, increasing numbers of ‘‘non-disabled’’ survivors subsequently were found to display problems at later ages. These high prevalence/low severity dysfunctions include learning disabilities (written expression, math, reading), borderline/low average IQ scores, neuropsychological deficits (e.g., visual motor integration, executive function) and behavior problems (Aylward, 2002, 2005). These dysfunctions occur in 50–70% of those born at ELBW, and 70% of these children require special education services (Taylor, Klein, & Hack, 2000). High prevalence/low severity dysfunctions tend to aggregate and work synergistically (Aylward, 2002, 2005). While major disabilities can be identified early, high prevalence/low severity dysfunctions often become more obvious as the child grows older. Therefore, the social, ethnic, and educational backgrounds of parents have a greater likelihood of influencing these problems in longitudinal follow-up. This situation has an impact on casual inferences by introducing risk and protective factors as mediators and moderators of ELBW and later outcomes (Rose, Holmbeck, Millstein Coakley, & Franks, 2004). Environment contains ‘‘process’’ (proximal aspects experienced most directly; mother–infant interactions, stimulation in the home) and ‘‘status’’ features (distal or broader, involving aspects that the child experiences more indirectly; socioeconomic status, neighborhood) (Aylward, 1992). Process or proximal environmental variables are more predictive early on, while status factors are more influential later (Brooks-Gunn, Duncan, & Aber, 1997). Sociodemographic factors are associated with verbal, academic, and general cognitive abilities; both biomedical and environmental risks affect learning disorders (Aylward, 1992, 2002). Brofenbrenner’s ‘‘microsystem’’ incorporates these factors and includes various aspects of the immediate environment (family, school, peer group, neighborhood, and childcare milieu). The paper by Andreias et al. (2009) has many strengths: a control group, use of a theoretic model, a multilevel modeling approach, adequate follow-up compliance, and inclusion of various measures of the microsystem. At 8 years of age, family environment had a greater influence on academic achievement than did neighborhood characteristics (poverty rate, high school dropout rate). Neighborhood had an effect over and above that of individual and family variables, indicating a unique contribution. However, the model that included individual, family, and neighborhood factors accounted for the most explained variance. The current data raise the possibility of an evolving
Conservation of Amino Acids in Human Rhinovirus 3C Protease Correlates with Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Activity of Rupintrivir, a Novel Human Rhinovirus 3C Protease Inhibitor

The picornavirus 3C protease is required for the majority of proteolytic cleavages that occur during the viral life cycle. Comparisons of published amino acid sequences from 6 human rhinoviruses (HRV) and 20 human enteroviruses (HEV) show considerable variability in the 3C protease-coding region but strict conservation of the catalytic triad residues. Rupintrivir (formerly AG7088) is an irreversible inhibitor of HRV 3C protease with potent in vitro activity against all HRV serotypes (48 of 48), HEV strains (4 of 4), and untyped HRV field isolates (46 of 46) tested. To better understand the relationship between in vitro antiviral activity and 3C protease-rupintrivir binding interactions, we performed nucleotide sequence analyses on an additional 21 HRV serotypes and 11 HRV clinical isolates. Antiviral activity was also determined for 23 HRV clinical isolates and four additional HEV strains. Sequence comparison of 3C proteases (n = 58) show that 13 and 11 of the 14 amino acids that are involved in side chain interactions with rupintrivir are strictly conserved among HRV and HEV, respectively. These sequence analyses are consistent with the comparable in vitro antiviral potencies of rupintrivir against all HRV serotypes, HRV isolates, and HEV strains tested (50% effective concentration range, 3 to 183 nM; n = 125). In summary, the conservation of critical amino acid residues in 3C protease and the observation of potent, broad-spectrum antipicornavirus activity of rupintrivir highlight the advantages of 3C protease as an antiviral target.
Two-level cache for distributed system in RAID 5 disk controller

We proposed a two-level disk cache model to achieve higher hit ratios and relieve 'small write problem' in RAID 5 disk controller and to enhance reliability of disk cache using non-volatile memory device for stable data. Especially this model improved utilization of first level cache. The proposed cache system consists of two-level caches with different associativities and different block sizes. The first level cache is a set-mapped cache with small block size that uses a set-associative mapping scheme. A set-mapped cache is reduces conflict miss ratios as compared with conventional direct-mapped cache. And the second level cache is a fully-mapped cache with large block size that uses a fully-associative mapping scheme. The large block sizes as a multiple of small blocks. The aim is to show, in terms of hit ratio and service time, that the two-level cache structure presented in this paper is in fact much improved.
Understanding mobile phone requirements for young adults with cognitive disabilities

Mobile phones have transformed the way we communicate with friends and family, coordinate our daily activities, and organize our lives. For families with children with cognitive disabilities there is widespread hope, though not always fulfilled, that personal technologies - particularly mobile phones - can bring a dramatic increase in their children's level of safety, independence, and social connectedness. In this research, we conducted semi-structured interviews with five families to understand the current patterns of remote communication among young adults with cognitive disabilities and their parental caregivers, and the role that remote communication played in increasing independence and safety. While some of the young adults used mobile phones and some did not, we identified common themes in requirements, patterns of use, and desires for an accessible mobile-phone based remote communication system. Requirements include the need for a simplified navigation menu with fewer options and a rugged handset and charger input. Families used mobile phones for safety check-ins and help getting un-stuck. While parents desired increased social involvement for their children, they observed that their children did not often chat with friends on the phone.
A Policy Evaluation of Transport Subsidies for Poultry Litter in West Virginia

In 2000 and 2001, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture administered a pilot transport subsidy program to demonstrate the feasibility of moving surplus poultry litter nutrients to areas with nutrient-deficient soils. Three subsidy program goals were evaluated ex post: (1) attracting first time buyers; (2) subsidizing economically feasible litter use; and (3) encouraging environmentally appropriate litter use. The first two goals were met with 62% of participants being first time users and 89% of the subsidized litter being an economically feasible replacement for commercial fertilizer. Under the third goal, environmental protections provided by program participants were found to be comparable to those practiced by poultry growers. While the program met these goals over the short term, most participants did not become committed users of litter without continued transport subsidies.
Electrical and Optical Properties of Multi-Shaped ZnO Micro and Nanostructures: Shape Dependence Sensitivity

In this paper we report the electrical and optical properties of ZnO micro and nanostructures. These structures are grown by catalyst free direct vapor method and the morphology consists of nanowires and microspheres embedded in the network of nanowires. The photoluminescence properties indicate the absence of defect band at 510 nm in case of nanowires- microspheres morphology. The prototype UV photoconductive- type sensors were fabricated from both ZnO structures and the electrical properties were studied. The electrical properties are found to vary with the morphology of samples. To understand the opto-electronic properties the UV sensors were studied (under UV illumination) at varying oxygen pressure ambient in a vacuum sealed chamber and the decay time of the UV sensors were measured.
Introduction: Human migration to protected area edges in Africa and Latin America: Questioning large-scale statistical analysis

The introduction to this set of papers highlights four challenges to the large-scale analysis of population growth at protected area edges in Africa and Latin America undertaken by George Wittemyer and colleagues in their 2008 paper published in Science. First, it raises questions about their sampling procedures, given national-level variation in systems of protected area designation and protected area estates. Second, it challenges the largely economic model of migration decisions that underlies their analysis. Third, it highlights the neglected variable of land tenure systems as a factor facilitating or impeding migration. Fourth, it points to the problematic politics of reducing human communities and polities to 'populations' subject to management from afar.
Fitting Stochastic Volatility Models in the Presence of Irregular Sampling via Particle Methods and the EM Algorithm

Abstract. Stochastic volatility (SV) models have become increasingly popular for explaining the behaviour of financial variables such as stock prices and exchange rates, and their popularity has resulted in several different proposed approaches to estimating the parameters of the model. An important feature of financial data, which is commonly ignored, is the occurrence of irregular sampling because of holidays or unexpected events. We present a method that can handle the estimation problem of SV models when the sampling is somewhat irregular. The basic idea of our approach is to combine the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm with particle filters and smoothers in order to estimate parameters of the model. In addition, we expand the scope of application of SV models by adopting a normal mixture, with unknown parameters, for the observational error term rather than assuming a log-chi-squared distribution. We address the problems by using state–space models and imputation. Finally, we present simulation studies and real data analyses to establish the viability of the proposed method.
Web Messaging: A New Tool for Patient-Physician Communication

Objective: There is a high demand by patients to communicate electronically with their doc- tor. This study evaluates the use of a web messaging system by staff and patients of UC Davis community Primary Care Network (PCN) clinic. Design: Eight providers and their staff and patients were surveyed on use of this web messaging system, and physician productivity was measured with Relative Value Unit (RVU) and office visit data. Results: 36.9% (238/645) of registered users responded to the survey. The web messaging system was preferred over phone calls by both providers and patients for the communication of non-urgent problems. A great majori- ty of patients found it easy to use (88.8% or 206/232) and were satisfied (85.8% or 199/232). Satisfaction was significantly associated with timely provider response (Goodman-Kruskal Gamma = 0.667, 95% CI = 0.546-0.789). Clinicians were also favorable to the system and, despite concerns, were not inundated with mes- sages. Most found it easy to use, perceived it to improve patient communication, and valued the insurance reimbursement capability. Furthermore, the system did not have a negative impact on physician productivity. Conclusion: A patient-provider web messaging system, which provides a combination of security and access controls, customized routing, rich knowledge content, and insurance reimbursement capability, is a useful addi- tion to the array of communication options available to health care providers and their patients.
Implementation of a content-scanning module for an Internet firewall

A module has been implemented in Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) hardware that scans the content of Internet packets at Gigabits/second rates. All of the packet processing operations are performed using reconfigurable hardware within a single Xilinx Virtex XCV2000E FPGA. A set of layered protocol wrappers is used to parse the headers and payloads of packets for Internet protocol data. A content matching server automatically generates the Finite State Machines (FSMs) to search for regular expressions. The complete system is operated on the Field-programmable Port Extender (FPX) platform.
The effects of internal refractive index variation in near-infrared optical tomography: a finite element modelling approach

Near-infrared (NIR) tomography is a technique used to measure light propagation through tissue and generate images of internal optical property distributions from boundary measurements. Most popular applications have concentrated on female breast imaging, neonatal and adult head imaging, as well as muscle and small animal studies. In most instances a highly scattering medium with a homogeneous refractive index is assumed throughout the imaging domain. Using these assumptions, it is possible to simplify the model to the diffusion approximation. However, biological tissue contains regions of varying optical absorption and scatter, as well as varying refractive index. In this work, we introduce an internal boundary constraint in the finite element method approach to modelling light propagation through tissue that accounts for regions of different refractive indices. We have compared the results to data from a Monte Carlo simulation and show that for a simple two-layered slab model of varying refractive index, the phase of the measured reflectance data is significantly altered by the variation in internal refractive index, whereas the amplitude data are affected only slightly.
A CASE environment for parallel programming

The Linda program builder (LPB), a computer-assisted software engineering (CASE) tool for explicit programming, is presented. It isolates much of the administrative effort in constructing parallel programs, and maintains a program-describing database. This database feeds information to the compiler for optimization, to a visualizer for enhanced program visualization, and to other tools in the environment. The LPB is a window-oriented, menu-based, user-friendly system which provides coordination frameworks for program construction. It also represents an alternative approach to high-level programming languages. >
Comedian-in-Chief: Presidential Jokes as Enthymematic Crisis Rhetoric

To understand how jokes have functioned as part of U.S. presidents’ strategic communication, this project examined every available White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD) speech over the last century, documenting various presidents’ approaches to humor. I argue that the ability to talk about difficult or taboo subjects through jokes’ deeply enthymematic ways of communicating has offered presidents expanded rhetorical spaces during crises, providing insights into why they started using humor with such routine frequency. Working with multiple factors shaping the modern presidency, presidents have used the elastic and inventive nature of enthymematic joking in attempts to move pressing issues outside immediate lines of criticism. The use of jokes in presidential communication is charted through three periods of WHCD. Several implications are drawn from this analysis, including the risks of humor as a rhetorical strategy.
A Note on Hierarchy and Coordination: An Aspect of Decentralization

A mathematical expression for the cost of maintaining a client-centered service organisation is derived. It shows the dependency of the total cost on the service-request load, the number of hierarchical levels of the organization, and the administrative costs. The mathematical formulation is based on a model in which the main variables are the times spent on communication between different levels of the organisation and on communication between agents at the same level. The optimum number of levels for minimising cost is derived, and its sentivity to request load is investigated.
CROSS-CORRELATION TRACKING TECHNIQUE FOR EXTRACTING SPEED FROM CAMERAS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS

An algorithm to estimate speed from traffic surveillance cameras in a variety of traffic congestion, weather, and lighting conditions is presented. The features from the images are projected into a one-dimensional sub-space and transformed into a linear coordinate system by using a simplified camera model. A cross-correlation technique is used to summarize the movement of features through a group of images and to estimate mean speed for each lane of vehicles. A Kalman filter technique with a set of maximum-likelihood optimal parameters is used to estimate the traffic speed by lane to create an optimal space-averaged speed.
Antibacterial Activity of EndoSequence Root Repair Material and ProRoot MTA against Clinical Isolates of Enterococcus faecalis

Introduction: Endodontic repair materials such as mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) are used for various endodontic procedures. An alternative material to MTA withpurportedlyimprovedhandlingpropertiesisEndoSequence Root Repair Material, which is available as premixed putty (ESP) or syringeable paste (ESS) and is described as possessing antibacterial activity during its setting reaction due to its highly alkaline pH. The aim of this in vitro study was to determine whether ESP and ESS possess antibacterial properties against a collection of Enterococcus faecalis strains recovered from root canal infections. The hypotheses tested were that (1) ESP and ESS possess antibacterial activity during their setting reaction, (2) there is no difference between ESP, ESS,andMTAinantibacterialactivity,and(3)E.faecalis strains isolated from root canals differ in susceptibility to the materials. Methods: The direct contact test was used. ESP, ESS, and white MTA were preincubated at 37C in >95% humidity for 30 minutes and 24 hours before 1-hour direct contact exposure to E. faecalis strains(n=10).Absenceofantibacterialcarryovereffect from the materials to the bacterial cultures was confirmed. Log10 viable counts were compared by using analysis of variance with significance level at P # .05. Results: Combining data for all strains, the mean ( standard deviation) log10 viable counts for ESP (4.55 0.85), ESS (4.5 0.95), and MTA (4.12 1.26) were significantly lower than for untreated controls (7.40 0.33) (P < .0001). The reduction in viable counts ranged from 1.86 0.24 to 4.78 0.42, with no statistically significant differences between the materials or preincubationperiods.Onestrainwassignificantlymoresuscep
Planning Paths for Elastic Objects under Manipulation Constraints

This paper addresses the problem of planning paths for an elastic object from an initial to a final configuration in a static environment. It is assumed that the object is manipulated by two actuators and that it does not touch the obstacles in its environment at any time. The object may need to deform to achieve a collision-free path from the initial to the final configuration. Any required deformations are automatically computed by the planner according to the principles of elasticity theory from mechanics. The problem considered in this paper differs significantly from that of planning for a rigid or an articulated object. In the first part of the paper, the authors point out these differences and highlight the reasons that make planning for elastic objects an extremely difficult task. The authors then present a randomized algorithm for computing collision-free paths for elastic objects under the above-mentioned restrictions of manipulation. The paper includes a number of experimental results. The work...
Restoration of Wetland and Riparian Systems: The Role of Science, Adaptive Management, History, and Values

iparian and wetland ecosystems have been extensively altered with increasing human demands for more available land for agriculture, water management, resource extraction and urbanization. More than fifty percent of the original wetlands in the United States were lost by the 1980s and more have been lost or greatly altered since (Gibbs 2000), while more than ninety percent of the riparian areas have been altered or lost (Kentula 1997). Recent realization that these ecosystems provide many beneficial services to both humans and natural processes has elevated the concern for their losses or degradation. Laws such as the Clean Water Act recognize the importance of wetlands and require protective action when wetlands are disturbed. Concern for water quality and wildlife habitat, as well as recreational potential, has encouraged individuals and communities to restore or rehabilitate those wetlands and riparian areas that have not been totally extirpated, and where lost, attempts are being made to recreate these systems. Restoration is not solely a scientific effort. Several concepts have been developed that should be considered when addressing restoration activities (National Research Council 1992). These include the role of science and policy, an understanding of historic perspectives, and adaptive management. To be successful, restoration has to occur within the constraints of the biophysical and sociopolitical worlds. Ignoring the interplay between these two “worlds” will not only create problems for the restoration practitioner, but potentially end in failure. This paper discusses several components critical to restoration success, initially addressing the importance of the scientific process in developing restoration goals, and then showing the importance of adaptive management, understanding historic conditions, and the role of social and political inputs to the effort. All of these components must come into play if there is to be a hope for restoration efforts to be successful.
Glucocorticoid metabolism in the in ovo environment modulates exposure to maternal corticosterone in Japanese quail embryos (Coturnix japonica)

Maternal effects have gained attention as a method by which mothers may alter the physiological condition and phenotype of their offspring based upon current environmental conditions. The physiological and phenotypic outcomes of glucocorticoid-mediated maternal effects have been extensively studied in a variety of vertebrates; however, the underlying mechanism is currently unclear. Here, we injected tritiated corticosterone into the yolks of freshly laid Japanese quail eggs (Coturnix japonica) and traced its movement and metabolism through the in ovo development period. We found that corticosterone was extensively conjugated throughout the egg by the end of development, and while minimal corticosterone was detected within the embryo during development, accumulation of a conjugated metabolite in the embryo started to occur on day 6 of development. Because no movement and metabolism of corticosterone occurred in infertile eggs, our findings suggest that embryos are not passive recipients of maternal steroids, but instead appear to possess extensive metabolic capabilities, which may modulate their exposure to maternal steroids.
Cry Deception and Let Loose the Dogs of War: The Rhetorical Ethics of Colin Powell's "Denial and Deception"

Cry Deception and Let Loose the Dogs of War: The Rhetorical Ethics of Colin Powell's "Denial and Deception"
Art of Armed Conflicts: An Analysis of the United States' Legal Requirements towards Cultural Property under the 1954 Hague Convention, The

Following the looting of the Iraqi National Museum in 2003 countries and scholars around the world called upon the United States of America to ratify the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. Scholars and the media wrote articles indicating the ratification of the 1954 Hague Convention would prevent another looting incident such as the one at the Iraqi National Museum because the United States would have a legal requirement to protect cultural property from third parties, including civilians. Still, other scholars claimed customary international law already imparted a legal requirement upon the United States to protect cultural property from third parties. Some sources, however, indicated that the United States did not have a legal requirement to protect cultural property from third parties under the 1954 Hague Convention. Ambiguities in the 1954 Hague Convention have fostered these inconsistencies in views of the protections afforded to cultural property under the Convention. On March 13, 2009, the United States Senate ratified the 1954 Hague Convention. Now that the Senate has ratified the Convention, this discrepancy in views of the United States’ legal requirements under the 1954 Hague Convention has taken on increased relevance. This article outlines the 1954 Hague Convention and defines cultural property under the Convention. This article also considers States' legal requirements towards cultural property before and during armed conflict and illuminates discrepancies in views of the States’ legal requirements towards cultural property during armed conflict. Then, while analyzing key provisions in the 1954 Hague Convention that imparts legal requirements towards cultural property during occupation, this article highlights discrepancies in views of the States’ legal requirements towards cultural property during occupation. Finally, this article analyzes if there should be a duty to protect cultural property from third parties during armed conflict and occupation and if the United States could have a legal requirement outside the 1954 Hague Convention to protect cultural property from third parties during armed conflict and occupation.
Did symbolism sink the constitution? Reflections on th eEuropean Union's state-like attributes

After several years of debate and controversy, in June of 2007 the European Union abandoned its proposed Constitution. On December 13, 2007, representatives of the Member States signed a replacement document, a treaty amendment called the Lisbon Treaty. This new instrument will contain most of the substantive innovations of the Constitution. Furthermore, it will follow the Constitution 's lead in preserving virtually all of the Union 's state-like attributes that had been created under the existing EU Treaties. These attributes include the EU'S legal status, institutions, and other characteristics that closely resemble the characteristics of a typical nation state. However, the Lisbon Treaty will not contain certain state-like terms and symbols found in the Constitution. Chief among these discarded items is the title "Constitution." This article examines the many structural and procedural aspects of the Union that closely mirror those of a nation state. At each point the discussion reflects on the role and utility of these features. Some elements are identified as essential to the EU'S success, others as optional. In the final section the author reviews the Constitution's employment of state-like terminology and its enshrinement of typical national symbols. The author's conclusion is that the inclusion of these largely promotional characteristics was a significant contributor to the Constitution 's downfall.
Outcomes after resection of cortisol-secreting adrenocortical carcinoma.

Abstract Background We sought to define the impact of cortisol-secreting status on outcomes after surgical resection of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Methods The U.S ACC group database was queried to identify patients who underwent ACC resection between 1993 and 2014. The short-term and long-term outcomes were assessed. Results The incidence of all functional and cortisol-secreting tumors was 40.6% and 22.6%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, cortisol secretion remained associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications (odds ratio=2.25, 95 % confidence interval=1.04 to 4.88; P = .04). At a median follow-up of 17.6 months, 118 patients (50.4%) had developed a recurrence. On multivariable analysis, after adjusting for patient and disease-related factors cortisol secretion independently predicted shorter recurrence-free survival (Hazard ratio=2.05, 95% confidence interval=1.16 to 3.60; P = .01). Conclusions Cortisol secretion was associated with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity. Recurrence remains high among patients with ACC after surgery; cortisol secretion was independently associated with a shorter recurrence-free survival. Tailoring postoperative surveillance of ACC patients based on their cortisol secreting status may be important.
Accelerating all-pairs shortest path using a message-passing reconfigurable architecture

In this paper, we study the design and implementation of a reconfigurable architecture for graph processing algorithms. The architecture uses a message-passing model targeting shared-memory multi-FPGA platforms. We take advantage of our architecture to showcase a parallel implementation of the all-pairs shortest path algorithm (APSP) for unweighted directed graphs. Our APSP implementation adopts a fine-grain processing methodology while attempting to minimize communication and synchronization overhead. Our design utilizes 64 parallel kernels for vertex-centric processing. We evaluate a prototype of our system on a Convey HC-2 high performance computing platform, in which our performance results demonstrates an average speedup of 7:9× over the sequential APSP algorithm and an average speedup of 2:38× over a multi-core implementation.
Thermal Boundary Resistance from 0.5–300K

Many experiments[1] have shown conclusively that phonons scatter diffusively at interfaces when the temperature exceeds a few K. On the other hand, heat pulse transmission experiments[2] have shown that the acoustic mismatch model, which assumes that the phonons are not diffusively scattered, approximately predicts the transmission of phonons through an interface even at temperatures above several tens of K. The thermal boundary resistance should depend on whether or not the phonons are diffusively scattered at the interface. In order to see the effect of diffuse scattering on the thermal boundary resistance, one must be able to accurately measure the thermal boundary resistance over a broad temperature range. There are two major difficulties in measuring the thermal boundary resistance: temperature extrapolation from the thermometers to the interface becomes much more difficult as the interface temperature is raised, and the power required to produce a temperature discontinuity increases rapidly with increasing temperature. We have developed a technique for accurately measuring the thermal boundary resistance from below 1K to near room temperature.
Is Justice Just Us? Using Social Science to Inform Criminal Law Doctrine

This is a review of JUSTICE, LIABILITY AND BLAME, by Paul Robinson and John Darley. The book is a summary of 18 studies which surveyed lay subjects about their attitudes toward various aspects of criminal law doctrine, including the act requirement for attempt, omission liability, accomplice liability, the felony-murder role, and the intoxication and insanity defenses. In virtually every study, the authors found that the subjects disagreed with the Model Penal Code's position, the common law's position, or both. The authors contend that results of surveys such as theirs should play a significant role in designing criminal doctrine, both because lay opinion can inform the normative judgments inherent therein and because gaps between the law and the public's views can exacerbate noncompliance with the law. This review argues that neither reason supports giving significant weight to such surveys. It also quibbles with minor aspects of the authors' methodology. The overall conclusion, however, is that the book "generates numerous interesting hypotheses for criminal theoreticians" and "teaches useful lessons to all those who would do social science in the service of the law."
900 HYPOAMMONEMIA IN GYRATE ATROPHY OF CHOROID AND RETINA

Gyrate atrophy (GA) is an inherited chorioretinal degeneration associated with hyperornithinemia. The enzyme defect is a deficiency of ornithine-δ-aminotransferase (OAT) (Valle et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 74:5159, 1977). In 4 GA patients we have noted abnormalities in the components of the labile nitrogen pool in plasma. Most impressive was a reduction in plasma ammonium concentration (GA range 0-13 μM; normal mean ± 1SD is 27±6 μM). Plasma glutamate (GA 5-22 μM; normal 43±14 μM), aspartate (GA 6-15 μM; normal 15±5 μM), and glutamine (GA 367-557 μM; normal 654±64 μM) were also reduced. Alpha-ketoglutarate was normal. No other amino acids were subnormal except lysine (owing to lysinuria). Arshiraff et al. (Clin. Res. 25:321A, 1977) reported low blood glutamates in GA and suggested that this resulted from decreased formation of glutamate in the OAT reaction. We suggest alternatively that high ornithine concentrations in GA stimulate the urea cycle, producing a new balance between the rate of urea formation and the levels of urea precursors. The rate of urea formation in GA is normal (SUN 10-17 mg/dl, urea N excretion 10 g/day). Hence urea precursors are all lowered. The corollary, that arginine (and therefore ornithine) deficiency results in hyperammonemia has been well established in animal species that require arginine. The subnormal levels of urea precursors, particularly glutamate, could play a role in retinal degeneration
Retaining Faculty in Academic Medicine: The Impact of Career Development Programs for Women.

Abstract Background: For more than two decades, national career development programs (CDPs) have addressed underrepresentation of women faculty in academic medicine through career and leadership curricula. We evaluated CDP participation impact on retention. Methods: We used Association of American Medical Colleges data to compare 3268 women attending CDPs from 1988 to 2008 with 17,834 women and 40,319 men nonparticipant faculty similar to CDP participants in degree, academic rank, first year of appointment in rank, and home institution. Measuring from first year in rank to departure from last position held or December 2009 (study end date), we used Kaplan–Meier curves; Cox survival analysis adjusted for age, degree, tenure, and department; and 10-year rates to compare retention. Results: CDP participants were significantly less likely to leave academic medicine than their peers for up to 8 years after appointment as Assistant and Associate Professors. Full Professor participants were significantly less li...
Investigation to the Upper Bingling Temple Caves

Different to other part of the Bingling Temple Caves 炳灵寺石窿, the Upper Bingling Temple Caves belong to Tibetan Buddhism, with a certain number of historical relics which are valuable to the study of the Tibetan Buddhism. In the past, the temple did not bring to scholar's attention because it is located in remote mountain districts, has inconvenient communication. The Caves have been investigated into until August 1997, and serial number of the caves and niches were given. In this paper, wall-paintings, sculptures, collections and so on from the caves are published. Based on result of the investigation, author made his suggtions about the protection of the historical relics from the Upper Bingling Temple Caves.
Syrian Identity in the Greco-Roman World

By engaging with recent developments in the study of empires, this book examines how inhabitants of Roman imperial Syria reinvented expressions and experiences of Greek, Roman and Syrian identification. It demonstrates how the organization of Greek communities and a peer polity network extending citizenship to ethnic Syrians generated new semiotic frameworks for the performance of Greekness and Syrianness. Within these, Syria's inhabitants reoriented and interwove idioms of diverse cultural origins, including those from the Near East, to express Greek, Roman and Syrian identifications in innovative and complex ways. While exploring a vast array of written and material sources, the book thus posits that Greekness and Syrianness were constantly shifting and transforming categories, and it critiques many assumptions that govern how scholars of antiquity often conceive of Roman imperial Greek identity, ethnicity and culture in the Roman Near East, and processes of 'hybridity' or similar concepts.
Stent retrieval thrombectomy in acute stoke is facilitated by the concurrent use of intracranial aspiration catheters

Background New device technology has changed the techniques used for revascularization of emergent large vessel occlusion in acute stroke. We report technical results using stent retrievers (SRs) for thrombectomy alone versus SRs used in conjunction with a new group of devices, intracranial aspiration catheters (IACs). Our aim is to demonstrate differences in procedural time and thrombectomy attempts between these two groups. Methods A retrospective evaluation was performed of a prospectively maintained database of 97 patients treated at a single institution for anterior circulation stroke with SRs. Patients were divided into two groups, a combination group defined as the SR/IAC group and the SR alone group defined as the SR group. Results Patients in the SR/IAC group had a mean age of 66 years vs 59 years in the SR group (p=0.008). Mean presenting National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores in the SR/IAC and control groups were 18.7 and 18.2, respectively (p=0.50). Recanalization rates (Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2b or 3) in the SR/IAC and SR groups were 85% (58/68) and 90% (26/29), respectively (p=0.41). Mean time from groin arteriotomy to recanalization was 50±3.6 min (range 19–136) in the SR/IAC group (n=59) and 61±6.6 min (range 28–140) in the SR group (n=27) (p=0.049). The total number of thrombectomy attempts in the SR/IAC and SR groups were 1.9±0.1 (range 1–4) and 2.5±0.6 (range 1–6), respectively (p=0.009). Post-procedural subarachnoid hemorrhage was seen in 15% (10/68) and 10% (3/29) of cases in the SR/IAC and SR groups, respectively (p=0.41). Conclusion When using SRs for intracranial stroke thrombectomy, the concurrent use of IACs is associated with a decrease in procedural time and thrombectomy attempts compared with use of SRs alone.