cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global Politics on Trial: Using Educational Debate for Teaching Controversies of World Affairs

World politics is rife with complex controversial issues. A time-honored method of teaching controversies and skills of critical analysis is educational debate. This study seeks to acquaint educators of world politics with methodology of educational debate and provide practical recommendations on how to make this method of instruction a success. It focuses on challenges to functional debate—difficulties with motivating students to think critically and assessing them reliably, engaging all students in debates and maintaining rapport in the classroom, selecting appropriate topics for debates and economizing instructor's preparation time—and suggests approaches for tackling the barriers to this instructional technique. The practical recommendations proposed in the study have been validated in the research literature and evidence collected in the introductory international relations classes by means of action research.
A general polarimetric radar calibration technique

A polarimetric radar calibration procedure is introduced and verified with experimental results. The procedure requires measurements of three known targets in order to determine the distortion matrices that characterize the effect of the measurement system on the transmitted and received waves. The scattering matrices for the known targets can be of any form, provided that a limited set of constraints is satisfied. A special case, wherein the transmit and receive distortion matrices are the transpose of each other, is considered. This case is useful for some single antenna systems and has the advantage that only two known targets are required. >
Cranial nerve enhancement in the Guillain-Barré syndrome.

We report a case of Guillain-Barre syndrome with enhancement of multiple cranial nerves seen with postcontrast MR imaging. Clinical symptoms and electrodiagnostic studies reflected abnormalities of some but not all of the enhancing cranial nerves.
Memory and selective learning in children with spina bifida-myelomeningocele and shunted hydrocephalus: A preliminary study

Background: Selective learning is the ability to select items of relevance from among less important items. Limited evidence exists regarding the efficiency with which children with spina bifida-myelomeningocele and shunted hydrocephalus (SB/SH) are able to learn information. This report describes initial data related to components of learning and metacognitive skills in children with SB/SH. Methods: Twenty six children with SB/SH and 26 controls (age: 7 – 16 y) with average intelligence, and monolingual English-speaking backgrounds participated in the study. Exclusion criteria for the SB/SH group were: prior history of shunt infection, history of seizure or shunt malfunction within the previous three months, prior diagnoses of attention disorders and/or clinical depression. Children were presented lists of words with equal exemplars each of two distinct semantic categories (e.g. fruits, animals), and told to make as high a score as possible by learning the words. The value of the words was designated by category membership (e.g. animals = low value; fruits = high value). The total number of words learned across three learning trials was used to determine memory span. Selective learning efficiency (SLE) was computed as the efficiency with which items of greater value were selectively learned across three trials. Results: Children with SB/SH did worse than controls on memory span (P < 0.05). Although SLE was not significantly different between groups, when asked what strategy was used in the selective learning tasks, 65% of the SB/SH children said they tried to remember all words (inefficient strategy). In contrast, 85% of controls said they tried to remember the higher value words – the more efficient strategy.
H-Ras Expression in Immortalized Keratinocytes Produces an Invasive Epithelium in Cultured Skin Equivalents

Background: Ras proteins affect both proliferation and expression of collagen-degrading enzymes, two important processes in cancer progression. Normal skin architecture is dependent both on the coordinated proliferation and stratification of keratinocytes, as well as the maintenance of a collagen-rich basement membrane. In the present studies we sought to determine whether expression of H-ras in skin keratinocytes would affect these parameters during the establishment and maintenance of an in vitro skin equivalent. Methodology/Principal Findings: Previously described cdk4 and hTERT immortalized foreskin keratinocytes were engineered to express ectopically introduced H-ras. Skin equivalents, composed of normal fibroblast-contracted collagen gels overlaid with keratinocytes (immortal or immortal expressing H-ras), were prepared and incubated for 3 weeks. Harvested tissues were processed and sectioned for histology and antibody staining. Antigens specific to differentiation (involucrin, keratin-14, p63), basement-membrane formation (collagen IV, laminin-5), and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT; e-cadherin, vimentin) were studied. Results showed that H-ras keratinocytes produced an invasive, disorganized epithelium most apparent in the lower strata while immortalized keratinocytes fully stratified without invasive properties. The superficial strata retained morphologically normal characteristics. Vimentin and p63 co-localization increased with H-ras overexpression, similar to basal wound-healing keratinocytes. In contrast, the cdk4 and hTERT immortalized keratinocytes differentiated similarly to normal unimmortalized keratinocytes. Conclusions/Significance: The use of isogenic derivatives of stable immortalized keratinocytes with specified genetic alterations may be helpful in developing more robust in vitro models of cancer progression.
Cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids: evidence for new players.

It is now well established that the psychoactive effects ofCannabis sativa are primarily mediated through neuronal CB1 receptors, while its therapeutic immune properties are primarily mediated through CB2 receptors. Two endocannabinoids, arachidonoylethanolamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, have been identified, their action on CB1 and CB2 thoroughly characterized, and their production and inactivation elucidated. However, many significant exceptions to these rules exist. Here we review the evidence suggesting that cannabinoids can modulate synaptic transmission, the cardiovascular system, and the immune system through receptors distinct from CB1 and CB2, and that an additional “independent” endocannabinoid signaling system that involves palmitoylethanolamide may exist.
Asymptotically optimal CDMA receiver: perfect MAI cancellation

Multiple access interference (MAI) as well as multipath distortions are two major obstacles in multiuser communication. The MAI in the received data vectors can be eliminated by projecting the received data onto the subspace orthogonal to the code space of interfering users. After this operation, an equivalent single user model with AWGN is obtained. Therefore various detection techniques, e.g., maximum SNR, subspace, constrained optimization, iterative least squares with projection (ILSP), etc. can be successfully applied to estimate transmitted symbols and the multipath channel of the desired user, but with reduced complexity and asymptotically optimal performance. The proposed receiver is simulated by ILSP and constrained optimization method and its performance compared with the RAKE receiver and the decorrelating receiver. Much lower bit error probability is achieved for a wide range of SNRs.
Characterization of the Effect of Solutes on the Water-Binding and Gel Strength Properties of Carrageenan

The water activity of carrageenan gels with incorporated solutes was determined by cryoscopic osmometry. Kappa (k), kappalambda (kλ) and iota (κ) carrageenan were utilized at concentrations of from 0.1 2% solids producing a sol, viscous sol, and gel. The solutes used were sucrose, NaCl, Na2SO4, KCl, NH4Cl and urea at concentrations ranging from 0.05–1.0 kinetic units per kg H2O. All the solutes were found to give aw values as measured cryoscopically withhin 0.0005 units of literature values. The water activity of pure carrageenans at 0.1–2% solids was greater than 0.999. Addition of some solutes increased the water binding of the carrageenan-solute-water system as was found by a lower aw than expected. This interaction effect increased with increasing concentration of solute and carrageenan and was greater for solutes with lower activity coefficients. The interaction effect increased in the following order: Na2SO4, NaCl, KCl, and NH4 Cl. The force required to rupture the gel was measured using the Instron Universal Testing Machine. Solutes were found to influence the gel strength of k and kλ carrageenans, but not ι carrageenan. The solutes increased kλ carrageenan's gel strength in increasing order: urea, sucrose, Na2SO4, NaCl, NH4Cl, and KCl and k carrageenan's gel strength in increasing order: sucrose, Na2SO4 and NaCl. There appears to be no simple relationship between gel strength and water-binding when solutes are added to carrageenan.
Vigabatrin: A Novel Therapy for Seizure Disorders

OBJECTIVE:To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and adverse effects of vigabatrin and its role in the management of seizure disorders.METHODS:A MEDLINE search of English-language literature from January 1993 through January 1999 was conducted using vigabatrin as a search term to identify pertinent studies and review articles. Additional studies were identified from the bibliographies of reviewed literature. The manufacturer provided postmarketing surveillance data. Priority was given to randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies.FINDINGS:Vigabatrin is a selective and irreversible inhibitor of γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase. In controlled clinical trials of vigabatrin add-on therapy in patients with uncontrolled partial seizures, 24–67% of patients achieved a ≤50% reduction in seizure frequency. Data from two comparative trials with carbamazepine monotherapy indicate that vigabatrin monotherapy reduces the frequency of partial seizures in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy...
Utilization of Tests for Lyme Disease Antibody at a University Hospital

We performed a retrospective study on patients who had a positive screening antibody test result for antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi to determine the clinical indicators used by physicians to order this test. Eighty-two evaluable patients who were screen positive (indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) between August 1991 and March 1993 were included. Additional tests, isotype-specific capture immunoglobulin enzyme immunoassay and Western blot (immunoblot) analysis (immunoglobulin G), were performed on positive samples. Of 82 patients with a positive screening test result, 54 (66%) had no serologic evidence of Lyme disease on the basis of additional testing (positive predictive value, 34%). Only 28 of 82 patients (34%) had clinical indicators suggestive of Lyme disease. Antibody screening tests may provide misleading information if they are not accompanied by more specific assays. Inappropriate testing of patients without indications of Lyme disease is frequently performed, and the ordering practices of physicians should be reassessed.
Cell surface expression and turnover of the α-subunit of the epithelial sodium channel

The renal epithelial cell line A6, derived from Xenopus laevis, expresses epithelial Na+ channels (ENaCs) and serves as a model system to study hormonal regulation and turnover of ENaCs. Our previo...
Spectrum of radiographic femoroacetabular impingement morphology in adolescents and young adults: an EOS-based double-cohort study.

Background: Symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement is a known prearthritic condition. Impingement morphology is poorly defined in the adolescent population. The purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of radiographic impingement morphology in adolescents with no symptomatic hip problems. Methods: Ninety anteroposterior images of the hip in forty-five consecutive adolescents with scoliosis met the inclusion criteria. Sex distribution was equal. The second cohort (ninety hips) was an age-matched group with no scoliosis. None had symptomatic hip problems. Images were analyzed for coxa profunda, protrusio acetabuli, Tonnis angle, anteroposterior alpha angle, center-edge angle, acetabular crossover, ischial spine sign, and neck-shaft angle. Results: Of the 180 hips, 92.8% demonstrated at least one parameter suggesting impingement morphology, whereas 52.2% showed at least two signs. Evidence of coxa profunda was seen in 81.7% of the hips, while a negative Tonnis angle was seen in 31.1% and a center-edge angle indicative of acetabular overcoverage was seen in 15%. An acetabular crossover sign was detected in 27.2% of the hips, while an abnormal anteroposterior alpha angle was found in 5.6% of the hips in male patients and 6.7% of the hips in female patients. Statistical analysis revealed that abnormal alpha angles (p = 0.029), crossover signs (p = 0.029), and ischial spine signs (p = 0.026) were more common in the cohort without scoliosis, and coxa profunda was more common in females (p = 0.034). Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of radiographic impingement morphology beyond the spectrum of normal in this double-cohort study of adolescents. Femoroacetabular impingement remains a dynamic problem, and we caution against relying only on the use of hard-set static radiographic parameters when evaluating femoroacetabular impingement. This study raises the important question of what morphologic characteristics should be defined as abnormal, when at least one finding of impingement morphology is noted in such a large segment of the population. On the basis of the normative data obtained, reference values for radiographic parameters of femoroacetabular impingement morphology should be redefined. Normal values for a Tonnis angle were between –8° and 14°, the upper limit of the center-edge angle was 44°, and the normal values for femoral neck-shaft angle were between 121° and 144°. Surgical indications should be tailored to physical examination findings and not radiographic findings alone. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
EMF report: is there consensus?

Although the National Research Council's (NRC's) new report on electromagnetic fields (EMFs) (J. Kaiser, News & Comment, [p. 910][1]) makes interesting scientific reading, it falls short as a balanced and informative public communication tool. Like its predecessor committees, the NRC panel chose not to make a prominent display of the true state of scientific uncertainty in their ranks; instead, it issued a carefully worded conclusion that “no conclusive and consistent evidence shows that exposures to residential electric and magnetic fields produce cancer.” This presentation is regrettable for two reasons. First, rational people may choose to take action to eliminate or reduce risk even when the probability that the risk is real is less than that associated with “conclusive and consistent evidence.” The NRC report provides the public with no judgments about how likely or unlikely it is that EMFs really cause cancer. All we can glean from the conclusions is that the panel thinks that there is something less than perhaps a 90% chance that the EMF hazard is real. A more neutral approach, and one that addresses the public's information needs more effectively, would have been for the committee simply to report the range of members' subjective judgments of the probability that EMF exposure is truly hazardous. Second, those readers unfamiliar with the long-standing scientific uncertainty over EMF health effects may miss the nuances of the NRC committee's conclusions and come to the mistaken belief that scientists have concluded with certainty that EMFs pose no health hazard. Indeed, this inference was the gist of many news stories that followed the release of the report. We might ask how different those news reports would have looked had the committee reported the complementary and equally true conclusion that “no conclusive evidence shows that EMFs are safe.” [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.274.5289.910
Analysis of multilayer periodic structures with different periodicities using a Hybrid FDTD/GSM method

An efficient algorithm to compute the scattering properties of multilayered periodic structure with different periodicities using a hybrid finite-difference time-domain/generalized scattering matrix (FDTD/GSM) technique is described. In this algorithm the constant horizontal wavenumber approach is used to compute the scattering parameters of each layer. A Floquet harmonic analysis of the periodic structure is presented, where propagation and evanescent behaviors are studied. In addition, guidelines for harmonic selection for specific layer separation is provided. The scattering matrices of different layers including proper harmonics are cascaded to obtain the GSM of the entire structure. The algorithm is verified through numerical examples including frequency selective surface (FSS) with different periodicities. Results showed good agreement with the results obtained from the FDTD simulation of the entire structure, while the new procedure provides significant saving in the computational time and storage memory.
The Factory Pattern in API Design: A Usability Evaluation

The usability of software APIs is an important and infrequently researched topic. A user study comparing the usability of the factory pattern and constructors in API designs found highly significant results indicating that factories are detrimental to API usability in several varied situations. The results showed that users require significantly more time (p = 0.005) to construct an object with a factory than with a constructor while performing both context-sensitive and context- free tasks. These results suggest that the use of factories can and should be avoided in many cases where other techniques, such as constructors or class clusters, can be used instead.
Phylogenetic Evidence for an Association Between Tunneling Behavior and the Evolution of Horns in Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Abstract Dung beetles employ numerous behavioral strategies to sequester dung away from other insects, and these have been broadly grouped into two categories: species that dig tunnels beneath the dung (tunnelers) and species that roll dung on the surface of the soil (rollers). Many species also are armed with rigid exoskeletal outgrowths called horns. Horns function as weapons, and horn sizes can be extreme. One widespread pattern within dung beetles is that tunneling species often have horns, whereas rolling species almost always do not, suggesting that residing (and fighting) inside tunnels at the dung deposition site may be an important ecological prerequisite for the evolution of horns in dung beetles. Here, we test explicitly for an historical association between tunneling behavior and the evolution of horns using a recent phylogeny for the scarabaeine dung beetles. We show that all eight of the independent gains of horns included in our analyses occurred on branches of the phylogeny reconstructed a...
Inflammation and Infection in the Etiology of Prostate Cancer

Abstract The role of infection and inflammation in the etiology of prostate cancer (PCa) is not entirely clear. Some evidence indicates that there are inflammatory lesions associated with PCa, which also correlate with prognosis. However, inflammation itself on biopsy does not always correlate with PCa. There are mechanisms to explain why inflammation could contribute to PCa, and some inflammatory genes that may be important. Evidence for specific inflammatory biomarkers is limited. The role of diet, and infection are not certain. The relationship of inflammation, and perhaps infection, likely involves inciting events in genetically susceptible people, influenced by their environment, to contribute to the development of PCa.
The Chronically Critically Ill

Chronic critical illness is a condition that affects an increasing number of patients who suffer an acute illness or injury. Patients require prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation which is best achieved by daily periods of unassisted breathing. They are at high risk of infectious complications, so infection control measures are essential elements of their care. Hospital mortality for chronically critically ill (CCI) patients is similar to that of patients who require mechanical ventilation for shorter periods; however, 1-year mortality is greater than 50 %. Fragmentation of care presents significant organizational challenges as hospital survivors cycle between multiple post-acute care institutions. Associated healthcare costs are significant, and the majority of those costs are covered by public programs. Patients and their surrogate decision makers should be made aware of long-term outcomes and care needs and be engaged in a discussion of patient values and appropriate goals of care.
Administrative Recourse in Canon Law

Administrative Recourse in Canon Law is short entry of approximately 2,800 words to appear in the DICTIONARY OF CANON LAW (Liturgical Press 2007, J. Conn & J. Provost, eds.). The article consists of four sections. The first section offers a general description of administrative recourse in the canon law of the Roman Catholic Church. Section Two attempts to sharpen the focus of the discussion by defining the object of the administrative process in canon law. Section Three situates the discussion of administrative justice in the theological context of communio based upon the doctrine of Vatican II. The final section provides an overview of the procedure for administrative justice pursuant to the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
An Important Link in the Chain Connecting Ancient Chinese Philosophy to Present-Day Style of Chinese Technical Communication: Introducing Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine—China's First Comprehensive Medical Book

Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, China's first comprehensive medical book, served as the key link between Yi Jing, which initiated China's high-context culture, and the high-context style of modern Chinese technical communication. In the form of dialogues between Yellow Emperor and his minister, its 24 fascicles cover four major topics of the organs, diagnosis, diseases, and treatments. While examining the body and discussing various diseases and treatments, the book expands on Yi Jing's philosophy through integrating three interrelated concepts: Tao, Yin and Yang, and Five Elements (word, fire, soil, metal, and water). In this way, the book, for the first time in Chinese history, explicitly treated humans and their behaviors as individual events conditioned by the natural context, emphasizing context as the conditioning force. This emphasis on context is manifest in modern Chinese technical communication as two textual devices of establishing personal relationships and creating ideal physic...
Small-Molecule Bulk Heterojunctions: Distinguishing Between Effects of Energy Offsets and Molecular Packing on Optoelectronic Properties

We report on the dependence of time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) and photocurrent in small-molecule bulk heterojunctions on the donor–acceptor (D/A) LUMO offset, D/A separation, and acceptor domain structure. We chose a high-performance functionalized fluorinated anthradithiophene (ADT) derivative, ADT-TES-F, as the donor and two other fluorinated ADT derivatives, ADT-R-F (where R is a variable side group), as well as two functionalized fluorinated pentacene (Pn) derivatives, Pn-R-F8, as acceptors. The choice of ADT and Pn acceptors enabled us to separate the effects of the D/A LUMO offset, which was approximately zero in the case of ADT acceptors and ∼0.55 eV in the case of Pn acceptors, from those of molecular packing on the optoelectronic properties. The acceptor side groups R were chosen based on (i) packing motifs in the solid state and (ii) size, to achieve different D/A separations at the D/A interface. Addition of an ADT-R-F acceptor to the ADT-TES-F donor introduced disorder, which resulted in...
Validated biomarker responses influence medical surveillance of individuals exposed to genotoxic agents.

There is currently a vast armamentarium of biomarkers for evaluating human exposures to environmental carcinogens, the effects of such exposures and/or susceptibility to disease outcome. Before application, however, these biomarkers require validation in terms of truly reflecting what is claimed. Transitional epidemiological studies bridge the gap between laboratory and field. In a transitional study, a biomarker response is the dependent variable being evaluated, while the intended measure, i.e. exposure, effect or susceptibility, is the independent variable. Once validated, biomarker responses provide valuable data for use in making human health risk assessments and as guides for individual medical surveillance programmes. An analysis of medical decision-making illustrates how biomarker responses that increase the relative risk of subsequent disease occurrence change the 'pre-test likelihood' of having the disease, thereby influencing interpretation of medical diagnostic tests and even the choice of tests to be performed. This argues that an individual's response using validated biomarkers should be made part of the medical record.
Effects of Tunnel Location for Suture Augmentation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee is frequently injured, but it has limited healing potential. Surgical reconstruction using soft tissue autografts is often required for active patients. However, about 20–25% of patients have less than satisfactory results and some even developed of osteoarthritis in the long-term. Thus, there is a need for alternative approaches. With advances in functional tissue engineering, healing of the ACL using growth factors and/or bioscaffolds has generated new clinical interests [1].Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Applications of a New Isothermal Single Pellet Diffusion Reactor

Abstract A new isothermal single pellet diffusion reactor is developed for reaction engineering studies under severe intraparticle mass transfer limitations. It is equipped with two operational modes for analyzing the centerplane concentration: Attenuated Total Reflectance-FTIR, and GC analysis. With benzene hydrogenation on nickel/kieselguhr as a model reaction, several studies are underway: reactor transient and steady state behavior, kinetic and diffusivity modeling, and induced activity gradients.
HPLC determination of content of procaine hydrochloride and residual p-aminobenzoic acid in procaine hydrochloride injection

Objective:To develop an HPLC method for determination of content of procaine hydrochloride(PCHC) and its decomposed product p-amino benzoic acid(PABA)in procaine hydrochloride injection.Methods:The HPLC was performed on a hypersil C_(18)column(4.6mm×150 mm,5μm),the mobile phase was buffer solution [0.05 mol·L~(-1)potassium dihydrogen phosphate-0.0025 mol·L~(-1)sodium 1-heptanc sulfonic acid(1:1,ad- justed to pH 3.0 with phosphoric acid)]-acetontrile(90:10),the detection wavelength was 283 nm,the flow rate 1.0 mL·min~(-1)and the column temperature 40℃.Meanwhile,the area rate of PABA to PCHC at their content rate 1.2% was considered as the PABA limit.Results:The PCHC and the PABA linear range were0.0125-0.125 mg ·mL~(-1)(r=0.9998)and 0.2-2μg·mL~(-1)(r=0.9999)respectively,and the average recoveries were 102.3% and 102.5%.The area rate of PABA to PCHC is below 1.865%.Conclusions:The method is convenient,rapid and accurate,which can be used to assay PCHC and PABA in procaine hydrochloride injection.
Circadian variation in plasma prolactin, gonadotropins, and testosterone in diabetic male patients with and without impotence*

The circadian variation in plasma levels of prolactin, gonadotropins, testosterone, and glucose were studied in 10 young diabetic male patients. Four patients were asymptomatic without sexual dysfunction and six patients had organic impotence. The results of this study indicate that diurnal levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and testosterone are similar in diabetic patients with and without impotence. During the nocturnal period, a sleep-related increase in plasma prolactin levels was noted in diabetic patients without impotence. In diabetic patients with impotence, plasma prolactin levels were similar during the diurnal and nocturnal periods. These results further support previous findings that diabetic patients with organic impotence do not have abnormal gonadotropin and testosterone levels.
Energy and Delay Tradeoffs of Soft-Error Masking for 16-nm FinFET Logic Paths: Survey and Impact of Process Variation in the Near-Threshold Region

A near-threshold voltage (NTV) operation provides a recognized approach to low-power circuit design due to its balancing of minor performance degradation relative to its significant power savings. However, the scaling voltage and the technology process give rise to increased susceptibility to radiation-induced soft errors for systems operating at NTV. In this brief, we develop new results for the evaluation of alternatives to mask single-event transients in combinational logic and single-event upsets in storage elements for three commonly utilized redundancy approaches, namely, spatial, temporal, and a hybrid of both spatial and temporal. The performance and energy impact of each approach is quantified at the NTV operation. Additionally, the impact of an increased effect of threshold voltage variation at NTV is assessed for all redundant systems. We also investigate the effect of technology scaling by comparing the energy and performance variation of the 45-nm MOSFET planar and the 16-nm high- $\kappa/$ metal-gate bulk fin-typed field-effect transistor structures as modeled by the Predictive Technology Model NanGate open source library via simulations in HSPICE. The results indicate that delay variation of temporal redundancy (22.34%) is lower than the variation of both triple module redundancy and self-voting dual module redundancy (31.6% and 35.2%, respectively), although the variation of 16-nm is beneath that of 45-nm technology node for both. On average, operating at NTV using trigate 16-nm bulk FinFET devices reduces energy consumption and incurs less performance impact for redundant systems. Utilizing temporal redundancy based on a trigate 16-nm process achieves 56.2% energy savings at a 27.6% delay increase compared with a spatial redundancy approach.
Privacy Preservation in the Age of Big Data

Anonymization or de-identification techniques are methods for protecting the privacy of subjects in sensitive data sets while preserving the utility of those data sets. The efficacy of these methods has come under repeated attacks as the ability to analyze large data sets becomes easier. Several researchers have shown that anonymized data can be reidentified to reveal the identity of the data subjects via approaches such as so-called “linking.” In this report, we survey the anonymization landscape of approaches for addressing re-identification and we identify the challenges that still must be addressed to ensure the minimization of privacy violations. We also review several regulatory policies for disclosure of private data and tools to execute these policies.
In situ strain monitoring in gas tungsten arc welding processes

Strain/stress evolution during welding is essential to understand material's mechanical behavior and the formation of weld defects such as distortion, cracks and residual stresses. In-situ measurement of strain has been very challenging due to the impact from high temperature and intense arc light. In this work, a newly-developed integrated optical system was utilized to monitor material's thermal and strain field adjacent to the fusion line during GTAW process. It was found that the variation of the measurement data could be positively correlated to the change of welding parameters and the characteristics of the final weldment. The purpose of this work is to develop a real-time welding quality monitoring system to proactively prevent the formation of certain weld defects.
Registration and Tracking Accuracy of the HipSextant Navigation System

Introduction Half of all acetabular components placed using conventional methods are malpositioned 1 . The HipSextant™ Navigation System (Surgical Planning Associates, Boston, MA) is a mechanical navigation system, adjusted on a patient-specific basis, designed to achieve appropriate cup alignment as simply and rapidly as possible. The current study assesses the surgeon9s ability to register and track the pelvis and align the cup using the system. Methods A bioskills model pelvis (Pacific Research Laboratories, Inc., Vashon, WA) was prepared by placing screws to mark the anterior pelvic plane points and by inserting a long cup alignment pin, simulating a cup insertion handle, into the acetabulum. The bone model was then scanned using CT. The HipSextantTM Navigation System Planning Application was then used to plan the use of the HipSextant for the surgery. This is accomplished by creating a 3D model, designating the AP plane (marked by the screws), and then determining the HipSextant docking points. One of these three points is behind the posterior wall of the acetabulum (the basepoint). The second of these three points is on the lateral aspect of the anterior superior iliac spine. The third point, the landing point, is located on the surface of the ilium and equally distant from the other two points (Figure 1). The two protractors on the HipSextant planning application were then adjusted to be parallel with the cup alignment pin on the bone model. A surgeon and assistant were then asked to dock the HipSextant on the bone model and to visually align the direction indicator to be parallel with the cup alignment pin. The two protractor angles on the instrument were recorded. This allowed for calculation of error in operative anteversion and operative inclination between the plan and the actual alignment that was accomplished. Four pairs of surgeon and assistant each performed the docking and alignment procedure 10 times for a total of 40 measurements. Results The results of the 40 tests demonstrated a mean error of operative anteversion of −0.06 degrees with a standard deviation of 0.65 degrees and a range of 0 to 2 degrees. The mean error of operative inclination was −0.34 degrees with a standard deviation of 0.65 degrees and a range of 0 to 2 degrees (Figure 2). The ANOVA test demonstrated no statistical difference in the means of the four groups. Conclusion The current study demonstrates the ability of a pair of surgeons of varying experience to use the patient-specific mechanical navigation system to align the acetabular component with a high degree of accuracy with a very small range of error (maximum 2 degrees in both anteversion and inclination).
Anti-PD-L1 Efficacy Can Be Enhanced by Inhibition of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells with a Selective Inhibitor of PI3Kδ/γ

Checkpoint inhibitors are relatively inefficacious in head and neck cancers, despite an abundance of genetic alterations and a T-cell-inflamed phenotype. One significant barrier to efficacy may be the recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) into the tumor microenvironment. Here we demonstrate functional inhibition of MDSC with IPI-145, an inhibitor of PI3Kδ and PI3Kγ isoforms, which enhances responses to PD-L1 blockade. Combination therapy induced CD8+ T lymphocyte-dependent primary tumor growth delay and prolonged survival only in T-cell-inflamed tumor models of head and neck cancers. However, higher doses of IPI-145 reversed the observed enhancement of anti-PD-L1 efficacy due to off-target suppression of the activity of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes. Together, our results offer a preclinical proof of concept for the low-dose use of isoform-specific PI3Kδ/γ inhibitors to suppress MDSC to enhance responses to immune checkpoint blockade. Cancer Res; 77(10); 2607-19. ©2017 AACR.
The management of development projects

This paper describes a methodology for the management of development projects. Known as the Project Development Cycle, this technique can be used to monitor the progress of technical endeavours of any magnitude. The development cycle provides management with a well–defined tool to assess design integrity, technical progress, product competitiveness and ease of manufacturing. The process establishes five phases common to all development projects. It defines the roles of each of the major operatives in a classical vertically–integrated organization. It sets up detailed criteria, prerequisite to moving projects from phase to phase, and suggests an appropriate framework for measuring project status. A detailed example from the semiconductor industry is provided to illustrate the value and flexibility of this method of technology management.
Minimizing operational cost for zero information leakage

While proper encryption can protect the confidentiality of messages in network protocols and distributed systems, private contents of messages may still leak from metadata, such as communication paths or message lengths. Many privacy strategies seal leakages by introducing noise into the system, e.g., by injecting dummy messages into the system. These solutions achieve a degree of privacy while introducing an overhead in operational cost, e.g., by transmitting information-less messages. In this paper, we show that randomization is never required for minimizing the operational cost of perfectly secure privacy strategies. While this result is surprising and counterintuitive, it allows for a simplification in the search for optimal solutions and in the analysis of the performance of the selected solutions.
Host-Parasite Interactions

The immune system represents a complicated assemblage of coordinated genes, proteins, cells and tissues. The field of ecological immunology (EI) is founded on the assumption that immunological defenses incur costs (energetic or fitness) under different ecological conditions. These costs are expected to shape investment in immunity and to alter the dynamics of infection. Considering that the primary function of the immune system is to defend the host against infection, it is warranted to ask—to what extent is immune function meaningful outside of parasitism? Parasites provide a physiological context for immune function. The full complexity of the immune response may only be elucidated by the interplay between diverse tissues, cells and molecules of the host and the parasite. Parasites also provide a conceptual keystone for ecological and evolutionary exploration of immune function. We illustrate these points by describing the connections between immune responses at two scales (cell and tissue) against two taxonomic groups of parasites (unicellular and multicellular). We discuss four challenges for future research in EI: (I) Researchers need to empirically demonstrate host-parasite interactions that affect fitness of the organisms under study; (II) Researchers should interpret immunological traits relative to both defense and tolerance; (III) Tests of immunological traits should include co-infections; (IV) The perspective of the parasite should be more thoroughly considered. We believe addressing these challenges will strengthen the integration of immunology and ecology as the field continues to grow.
Micro-RNA-1 is decreased by hypoxia and contributes to the development of pulmonary vascular remodeling via regulation of sphingosine kinase 1

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) upregulation is associated with pathologic pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but the mechanisms controlling its expression are und...
A meta-modeling approach for spatio-temporal uncertainty and sensitivity analysis: an application for a cellular automata-based Urban growth and land-use change model

The paper presents a computationally efficient meta-modeling approach to spatially explicit uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in a cellular automata (CA) urban growth and land-use simulation model. The uncertainty and sensitivity of the model parameters are approximated using a meta-modeling method called polynomial chaos expansion (PCE). The parameter uncertainty and sensitivity measures obtained with PCE are compared with traditional Monte Carlo simulation results. The meta-modeling approach was found to reduce the number of model simulations necessary to arrive at stable sensitivity estimates. The quality of the results is comparable to the full-order modeling approach, which is computationally costly. The study shows that the meta-modeling approach can significantly reduce the computational effort of carrying out spatially explicit uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in the application of spatio-temporal models.
Fission Gas Release from UO2+x in Defective Fuel Rods

The literature dealing with fission gas release from UO{sub 2+x} is reviewed. A simplified semiempirical model predicting fission gas release from UO{sub 2+x} fuel to the fuel rod plenum as a function of stoichiometry excess x is developed to apply to the fuel of a defective light water reactor fuel rod in operation. An effective diffusion coefficient including a parabolic dependence of x is obtained based on existing data in the literature. The new diffusion coefficient is a composite expression of intrinsic, fission-enhanced, and nonstoichiometry-induced diffusion. The effective diffusion coefficient is incorporated into the Booth model to assess the time-dependent fractional fission gas release. The new model predictions are compared with existing data.
Attachment and Dislocation: African-American Journeys in the USA

My ethnographic writing cannot sit still, as people in the text move from place to place through time and over time; they are forced to move; they may follow their hearts; they change their course, and they change before my eyes. This essay describes the methodological challenge of doing ethnography over time, space, place, and generation, and the creation of writing strategies that convey the multiple meanings of home and the complexities of race, gender, generation, and social inequality.
INTERACTIONS OF PROTONS WITH PHOTOSYSTEM II

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the interactions of protons with photosystem II (PSII). The location of the oxygen-evolving center (OEC) of the PSII toward the inside of the thylakoid membrane has important consequences. The protons generated during the oxidation of water can be released to the inside of the thylakoid and are, thus, able to contribute to the protonic energy needed in the phosphorylation of ADP to ATP. The enzyme complex of the OEC can operate in a slightly acid environment that appears to be beneficial for both its function and its integrity. In the mechanism of electron-transport driven ATP formation, the use of the energy from water-derived protons in photophosphorylation implies that it becomes a part of the total proton-motive force generated between thylakoid lumen and the external medium. The studies reviewed in the chapter show that the protons of the OEC site and those of the aqueous lumen phase equilibrate readily only when the thylakoids are swollen. Such swelling greatly increases the sensitivity of PSII to alkaline conditions. Similarly, when the natural state of the OEC is disturbed as in PSII-enriched membrane particles, it is labile in slightly alkaline media, and the pH optimum for O2-evolution is shifted to values well below seven.
Retention through redemption.

Corporate America and the U.S. Navy share one big problem: employee retention. Today's knowledge workers hop from start-up to start-up. And 40% of the navy's new recruits leave the service before their four-year tours of duty are up. D. Michael Abrashoff came face to face with the navy's retention problem when he took command of the USS Benfold. Before he became captain, sailors couldn't get away from the ship fast enough. Today the vessel is the pride of the Pacific fleet, and sailors from other ships are clamoring to join its crew. In this firsthand account, Abrashoff explains how he got the ship and its crew back on course by breaking bad habits--personal and professional ones--and jettisoning old attitudes. During his 21 months aboard the Benfold, Abrashoff came to realize that in today's technology-intensive U.S. Navy, the traditional command-and-control style wouldn't work. And it hadn't--the Benfold's 310 sailors had cheered derisively when Abrashoff's predecessor had left the ship. So he defied 225 years of navy tradition in his quest to engage the sailors in their work, increase their performance, and keep them around for their entire tours of duty. He retained his crew by redeeming them--showing them how to be not just better sailors but better people, too. That meant breaking them down when they were at their worst and then building them up to reach their best. It also meant personal redemption for Abrashoff; he resolved to really listen to what his sailors were saying. The result? Cost-saving ideas for the entire navy and surging confidence and commitment among crew members.
Complete Proofs to Theorems in 'Information Technology, Organizational Design, and Transfer Pricing'

This note contains complete proofs to the four theorems in Dikolli and Vaysman (2006) "Information technology, organizational design, and transfer pricing." In a setting where a production department can only coarsely communicate private information to a marketing department, Theorem 1 establishes conditions under which the firm maximizes expected profit under cost-based transfer pricing. Theorem 2 specifies conditions under which the firm's expected profit under negotiated transfer pricing is strictly higher than under cost-based transfer pricing. Theorem 3 demonstrates how with a sufficiently fine information system, the ordering can switch: cost-based transfer pricing allows the firm to generate a higher expected profit than with negotiated pricing. Finally, in a setting where both production and marketing are able to communicate only coarse information, Theorem 4 identifies conditions under which negotiated pricing allows the firm to generate a higher expected profit than with cost-based pricing.
Size Dependence and Role of Decoherence in Hot Electron Relaxation within Fluorinated Silicon Quantum Dots: A First-Principles Study

Reeves et al. in their recent work on small silicon quantum dots [Reeves, Nano Lett., 2015, 15, 6429−6433] found that surface passivation with fluorine atoms results in a significant slow down of hot electron relaxation because there exist particular electronic states that retain the hot electron for an extended time, and the relaxation time scale is largely influenced by shuttling of the hot electron between energetically adjacent states by such unique electronic states. In this work, we investigate how the quantum dot size changes this observation associated with the fluorine passivation and also consider the effect of decoherence. With the larger size of silicon quantum dot, the distinct hot electron shuttling behavior is no longer observed, and the relaxation time constant is much shorter. At the same time, decoherence can significantly slow down the hot electron relaxation by a factor of two or more. Our study reveals that slow hot electron relaxation can result from the quantum Zeno effect, in addit...