cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A generalized model for radiation-induced amorphization and crystallization of U3Si and U3Si2 and recrystallization of UO2

Abstract A rate-theory model of radiation-induced amorphization and crystallization of U3Si during ion irradiation has been generalized to include U3Si2 and UO2. The generalized model has been applied to ion-irradiation and in-reactor experiments on U3Si and U3Si2 and provides an interpretation for the amorphization curve (dose required to amorphize the material as a function of temperature), for the ion-radiation-induced nanoscale polycrystallization of these materials at temperatures above the critical temperature for amorphization, as well as for the role of the small crystallites in retarding amorphization. An alternative mechanism for the evolution of recrystallization nuclei is described for a model of irradiation-induced recrystallization of UO2 wherein the stored energy in the UO2 is concentrated in a network of sinklike nuclei that diminish with dose due to interaction with radiation-produced defects. The sinklike nuclei are identified as cellular dislocation structures that evolve relatively early in the irradiation period. The complicated kinetics involved in the formation of a cellular dislocation network are approximated by the formation and growth of subgrains due to the interaction of shock waves produced by fission-induced damage to the UO2.
Multi-scale soft-lithographic lift-off and grafting (MS-SLLOG) process for active polymer nanophotonic device fabrication

This paper reports a new microfabrication process named "Multi-Scale Soft-Lithographic Lift-Off and Grafting (MS-SLLOG)" used to construct active nanophotonic devices. MS-SLLOG is a low-temperature (less than 150°C) microfabrication technique that allows soft lithographically molded polymer micro-structures to be integrated together with silicon-based microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structures to perform active control. Moreover, MS-SLLOG process allows us to achieve a hierarchical device structure seamlessly accommodating feature sizes ranging from tens of nanometer to sub-millimeters on a single chip for nanophotonic structure integration. To demonstrate the MS-SLLOG process capability, a strain-controlled micro-optical grating device is fabricated and experimentally characterized. The experimental results successfully show the operation of an active polymer nanophotonic device fabricated by the MS-SLLOG process.
Lack of Evidence for Encystment in the Parasitic Amoeba Hydramoeba hydroxena (Entz)

SYNOPSIS. It is known that hydras infected with H. hydroxena commonly disintegrate and release scores of amoebae. Spherical resting bodies found among the free amoebae have been described as cysts and it has been suggested that they give rise to amoebulae. Using Hydra pseudoligactis as the host, a study was made of the history of the free amoebae and of the structure, nature, and fate of the so-called cysts. All such amoebae transformed into spherical bodies that resembled cysts, even to the presence of an external membrane. These bodies invariably disintegrated after 2–3 days and they never produced amoebulae. They were called pseudocysts. The external membrane proved to be a layer of gelated cytoplasm. Unlike a true cyst membrane, it dissolved in KOH and it underwent solation when the pseudocyst disintegrated. It is concluded that the pseudocysts are actually weakened, starved, moribund amoebae. At present there is no evidence that H. hydroxena is capable of producing true cysts; its transmission from host to host appears to be solely by means of the amoeboid trophozoite.
Mass dynamics of wintering Pacific Black Brant: body, adipose tissue, organ, and muscle masses vary with location

We compared body size and mass of the whole body, organs, adipose tissue, and muscles of adult Pacific Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans (Lawrence, 1846)) collected concurrently in Alaska and Baja California during the fall, winter, and spring of 2002–2003. Head and tarsal lengths of males were similar between sites and slightly larger for females in Alaska than in Baja California. Brant appear to operate under similar physiological bounds, but patterns of nutrient allocation differ between sites. Birds wintering in Alaska lost similar amounts of adipose tissue during early winter as birds in Baja California gained during late winter before migration. Masses of the body, adipose tissue, and flight muscles during mid-winter were similar between sites. Seasonal adipose tissue deposition may, therefore, equally favor winter residency or long-distance migration. Gonad and liver masses increased in late winter for birds in Alaska but not for those in Baja California, suggesting birds wintering in Baja may...
Malfunction and failure of robotic systems during general surgical procedures

There has been recent interest in using robots for general surgical procedures. This shift in technique raises the issue of patient safety with automated instrumentation. Although the safety of robotics has been established for urologic procedures, there are scant data on its use in general surgical procedures. The aim of this study is to analyze the incidence of robotic malfunction and its consequences for general surgical procedures. All robotic general surgical procedures performed at a tertiary center between 2008 and 2011 were reviewed from institutional review board (IRB)-approved prospective databases. A total of 223 cases were done robotically, including 102 endocrine, 83 hepatopancreaticobiliary, 17 upper gastrointestinal, and 21 lower gastrointestinal colorectal procedures. There were 10 cases of robotic malfunction (4.5 %). These failures were related to robotic instruments (n = 4), optical system (n = 3), robotic arms (n = 2), and robotic console (n = 1). None of these failures led to adverse patient consequences or conversion to open. Six (2.7 %) cases were converted to open due to bleeding (n = 3), difficult dissection plane (n = 1), invasion of tumor to surrounding structures (n = 1), and intolerance of pneumoperitoneum due to CO2 retention (n = 1). There was no mortality, and morbidity was 1 % (n = 2). To our knowledge, this is the largest North American report to date on robotic general surgical procedures. Our results show that robotic malfunction occurs in a minority of cases, with no adverse consequences. We believe that awareness of these failures and knowing how to troubleshoot are important to maintain the efficiency of these procedures.
Doctrine and Deep Structure in the Contraception Mandate Debate

This short essay is part of an exchange on religious liberty challenges to the so-called “contraception mandate,” which requires many employer-provided health insurance plans to cover contraception as part of preventative care.The general idea of religion-based exemptions to general laws has been controversial for a long time. But rarely has a specific claim for exemption provoked as much vehemence as in the current fight over the contraception mandate. Doctrinally, the legal problem here is hard but conceptually straightforward, and comes down to whether the government has a compelling interest in applying the rule to employers with sincere religious objections. Both sides, though, see larger stakes at play. Opponents of the mandate describe it as an attack on bedrock principles of religious freedom. And some supporters want to avoid even reaching the compelling interest analysis and argue that the mandate often infringes no legitimate religious interests to begin with.Both these extreme views are wrong. But they are also important. And they demand explanation. They suggest some imperfectly articulated undercurrents in the current American conversation about religion and the law. My goal here is therefore twofold – to analyze the legal problem, and to say something about the deep structure of the conflict, which goes beyond a simple legal dispute.
In Search of Progressive Black Masculinities Critical Self-Reflections on Gender Identity Development among Black Undergraduate Men

During the last several decades, research concerning the developmental trajectories, experiences, and behaviors of college men as “gendered” persons has emerged. In this article, we first criticall...
Childhood Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

1. Barry Sarvet, MD 1. Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Baystate Health System, Springfield, MA. * Abbreviations: CBT: : cognitive behavioral therapy DSM-IV-TR: : Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition , Text Revision ERP: : exposure and response prevention GABHS: : group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus OCD: : obsessive-compulsive disorder PANDAS: : pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection PCP: : primary care provider SCARED: : Screen for Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders SSRI: : selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects up to 3% of children and adolescents, with nearly 75% of these experiencing comorbid diagnoses. Physicians need to familiarize themselves with the diagnostic criteria and basic screening tests, including the Pediatric Symptom Checklist and the Screen for Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, as well as the principles of effective treatment, including Cognitive Behaviorial Therapy and pharmacologic agents. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Know the definition of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and be familiar with its signs and symptoms. 2. Understand the biological and environmental contributions to the development of OCD. 3. Be aware of the comorbidities associated with OCD. 4. Know the therapies available for treating OCD, both cognitive and pharmacologic. 5. Understand the role of the primary care physician in the management of OCD. Joseph is an 11-year-old boy whose mother has brought him to the pediatrician for a concern about his hands. The skin is dry, cracked, and erythematous. Joseph is wearing gloves in the office and is unhappy about being there. He does not want to show his hands to the doctor. No other area of skin is affected. The condition has worsened gradually over several months. Joseph’s mother has noticed that he washes his hands often and consumes large quantities of hand sanitizer gel throughout the day. Joseph vehemently denies this behavior. In addition, there is a several-year history of frequent hand-washing, increasing in severity over the past several months, and avoidance of touching door knobs, handles, playing cards, books, and toys that are not his own. He wears gloves everywhere he goes outside of his house. Joseph worries about germs and getting sick, and he avoids …
Amplified stimulated emission of sub-wavelength gratings integrated VCSEL

We demonstrate the monolithic integration of a VCSEL half-cavity and a single-layer sub-wavelength grating as its top mirror. Polarization-selective amplified stimulated emission with selection ratio of 20 dB was obtained.
Mitral Valve Ring in Normal vs Dilated Left Ventricle* Cross-Sectional Echocardiographic Study

To assess the role of dilatation of the mitral valve ring in the genesis of mitral regurgitation in patients with dilated left ventricles, cross-sectional echocardiography (CE) was performed on 23 normal subjects (group 1), 11 patients with congestive cardiomyopathy who had mitral regurgitation (group 2), and 11 patients with congestive cardiomyopathy and no mitral regurgitation (group 3). By performing CE in the long axis, the maximum anteroposterior diameter of MVR in diastole (Dd), the smallest diameter in systole (Ds), and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVED) were measured. Percentage of shortening of MVR in systole (ΔD%) and ratio Dd/LVED were calculated. The LVED, Dd, and Ds were significantly higher than normal in Group 2 and Group 3 patients, while ΔD% and Dd/LVED were significantly lower. Dd was within normal limits in eight patients in Groups 2 and 3, four of whom had mitral regurgitation. We conclude that dilatation of the mitral annulus occurs only in some patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, and it does not occur in proportion with the degree of dilatation of the left ventricle. Mitral regurgitation, which occurs in association with left ventricular dilatation, may be due to a mechanism independent of mitral ring dilatation, such as loss of sphincteric action of the annulus or malalignment of the papillary muscles.
Spaces for Play: The Impacts of Entertainment Development on New York City

The economies of many American cities have shown signs of recovery after the deindustrialization of the preceding two decades. Tourism has been one of the principal components of inner-city economic growth. Although building facilities for tourists represents a gamble for urban leaders, numerous examples of success exist. New York City possesses a sizable competitive advantage in the tourism sector The authors examine New York's tourism market. Case studies are presented of three tourist-based developments: the Jacob Javits Convention Center; the 42nd Street entertainment district, and a proposed stadium plan for the Yankees. These cases are typical of the type of tourist-based developments currently being pursued by many U.S. cities. It is concluded that tourism facilities are promising investments; this is tempered by considerations relating to the high levels of public subsidy demanded for projects-like the proposed Yankee Stadium development-that do not offer a sufficient return on public subsidy.
Probation Supervision and the Control of Crime Opportunities: An Empirical Assessment

Mainstream accounts of community corrections supervision emphasize rehabilitation on the one hand, and surveillance and control on the other.This article, however, examines whether probation supervision is used to reduce the exposure of offenders to crime opportunities. Using data from a national community corrections survey, it finds that opportunity-focused supervision (OFS) practices are, to varying degrees, common. Most OFS activities coalesce around a distinct strategy that involves harnessing efforts of potential handlers, place managers, and capable guardians to help steer offenders away from crime opportunities, deployed somewhat independently of conventional supervision strategies. Predictors of the OFS strategy are different from other supervision approaches, and include low caseloads, juvenile supervision, and working in an office serving a rural area.
On wafer-packing problems

Wafer packing is a process of combining multiple chip designs on the same wafer such that the fabrication cost can be shared by several designs and hence reduced. This technique is widely used for designs that require a small number of dies or chips. It is essential to have computer algorithms to decide how to allocate designs to wafers in order to reduce the total fabrication cost. Based on different wafer fabrication techniques, two versions of the wafer packing problem are formulated. The authors study different variations for each version. They present algorithms to find optimal solutions for these variations which are polynomial-time solvable. They also present heuristic algorithms for those proven to be NP-hard. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithms is demonstrated by experimental results. >
Structure elucidation of A58365A and A58365B, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors produced by Streptomyces chromofuscus.

A58365A and A58365B, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors isolated from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces chromofuscus NRRL 15098, are homologous compounds of molecular formulas C12H13NO6 and C13H15NO6. The molecular similarities of the two inhibitors were established by comparison of their 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and UV spectra. Catalytic hydrogenation of A58365A led to a tetrahydro-deoxy derivative, C12H17NO5; extensive 1H NMR decoupling studies at 360 MHz allowed all the non-exchangeable protons of the derivative to be connected in a continuous substructure. This fragment was combined with information from other spectroscopic methods to suggest the structures for A58365A (1) and A58365B (2); the conclusions were confirmed by an X-ray crystallographic analysis of A58365A-dimethyl-ester.
Principals' Influence on Instructional Quality: Insights from US Schools.

This article seeks to explain the ways in which leadership makes a difference to the quality of instruction in US schools by reviewing research published since 2000. The review of research is presented in three major sections, organised according to the methodology used in each study. The first section looks into quantitative studies that probe the structural relationships among members and activities related to teaching and learning. Primarily drawing on surveys completed by school stakeholders, these studies uncover patterns of influence using advanced statistical methods. The second section summarises findings from qualitative case study research, which provide specific examples of conditions that support the leadership patterns previously identified. The final section offers further explanations of how these patterns of influence operate by examining the alignment of formal and social components of interactions through network methodology.
Monte Carlo simulation of the X‐ray fluorescence excited by discrete energy photons in homogeneous samples including tertiary inter‐element effects

A Monte Carlo model is derived for the simulation X-ray fluorescence from homogeneous samples including primary, secondary and tertiary fluorescence events. The model is designed specifically for an annular radioisotope source mounted coaxially with a circular detector. It is verified with analytical relationships for the limited case of fixed sample entrance and exit angles. The results indicate accuracies (2% or better) that are well within our knowledge of X-ray fluorescence parameters (such as fluorescence yields), yet can be calculated with very modest (15 seconds) digital computer calculation time.
The Nck-interacting kinase (NIK) phosphorylates the Na+-H+ exchanger NHE1 and regulates NHE1 activation by platelet-derived growth factor.

NIK, a recently identified Nck-interacting kinase, acts upstream of the MEK kinase MEKK1 to activate the c-Jun N-terminal kinase JNK. We now show that NIK binds to and divergently activates the plasma membrane Na-H exchanger NHE1. In a genetic screen, NHE1 interacted with NIK at a site N-terminal (amino acids 407–502) to the Nck-binding domain, and this site is critical for its association with NHE1 in vivo. NIK also phosphorylates NHE1; however, the phosphorylation sites, which are distal to amino acid 638, are distinct from the NIK-binding site on NHE1 (amino acids 538 – 638). Expression of wild-type, but not a kinase-inactive, NIK in fibroblasts increased NHE1 phosphorylation and activity. The kinase domain of NIK, however, was not sufficient for this response in vivo. Full phosphorylation and activation of NHE1 required both the kinase and the NHE1-binding domains of NIK, suggesting that the NHE1-binding site functions as a targeting signal. The functional significance of an interaction between NIK and NHE1 was confirmed by the ability of a kinase-inactive NIK to selectively inhibit activation of NHE1 by platelet-derived growth factor but not by thrombin. Moreover, although NIK activates JNK through a mechanism dependent on MEKK1, it phosphorylated and activated NHE1 independently of MEKK1. These findings indicate that NIK acts downstream of platelet-derived growth factor receptors to phosphorylate and activate NHE1 divergently of its activation of JNK.
Evidence for resistance polymorphism in the Bromus tectorum/Ustilago bullata pathosystem: implications for biocontrol

Bromus tectorum L. (cheatgrass or downy brome) is an important exotic weed in natural ecosystems as well as in winter cereal cropland in semiarid western North America. The systemic, seedling-infecting head smut pathogen Ustilago bullata Berk. commonly infects cheatgrass stands, often at epidemic levels. We examined factors controlling U. bullata infection levels in greenhouse studies with parental lines of four B. tectorum populations from contrasting habitats and U. bullata bulk teliospore collections from within the four populations. The U. bullata infection process appeared to have broad environmental tolerances, so that it was relatively simple to develop a protocol for obtaining high infection percentages in susceptible lines. Bromus tectorum populations generally showed highest infection levels when inoculated with locally collected U. bullata teliospores. This effect was most marked for the warm desert population, which was completely resistant to U. bullata collected from other areas, but 100% su...
OM Forum—OM Research: From Problem-Driven to Data-Driven Research

This essay, based on my 2013 MSOM Distinguished Fellow lecture, presents my view on new opportunities and challenges for research in operations management.
Structural reliability analysis by univariate decomposition and numerical integration

Abstract This paper presents a new and alternative univariate method for predicting component reliability of mechanical systems subject to random loads, material properties, and geometry. The method involves novel function decomposition at a most probable point that facilitates the univariate approximation of a general multivariate function in the rotated Gaussian space and one-dimensional integrations for calculating the failure probability. Based on linear and quadratic approximations of the univariate component function in the direction of the most probable point, two mathematical expressions of the failure probability have been derived. In both expressions, the proposed effort in evaluating the failure probability involves calculating conditional responses at a selected input determined by sample points and Gauss–Hermite integration points. Numerical results indicate that the proposed method provides accurate and computationally efficient estimates of the probability of failure.
Structural Contributions to Charge Transport across Ni-Octanedithiol Multilayer Junctions

We report the fabrication and characterization of multilayer thin films incorporating 1,8-octanedithiols and Ni atoms. Low-temperature charge transport measurements exhibit inelastic co-tunneling and resonant tunneling features that correspond energetically to vibrational excitations of the molecular multilayer. Several junctions exhibit changes in conductance features characteristic of charge defect-gating. Transport through our junctions is shown to be dominated by the intrinsic properties of the multilayer.
Design Tools for Digital Microfluidic Biochips: Toward Functional Diversification and More Than Moore

Microfluidics-based biochips enable the precise control of nanoliter volumes of biochemical samples and reagents. They combine electronics with biology, and they integrate various bioassay operations, such as sample preparation, analysis, separation, and detection. Compared to conventional laboratory procedures, which are cumbersome and expensive, miniaturized biochips offer the advantages of higher sensitivity, lower cost due to smaller sample and reagent volumes, system integration, and less likelihood of human error. This paper first describes the droplet-based “digital” microfluidic technology platform and emerging applications. The physical principles underlying droplet actuation are next described. Finally, the paper presents computer-aided design tools for simulation, synthesis and chip optimization. These tools target modeling and simulation, scheduling, module placement, droplet routing, pin-constrained chip design, and testing.
Interaction of hyperthermia and radiation in murine cells: hypoxia and acidosis in vitro, tumor subpopulations in vivo.

To better understand the effect of the level of oxygenation and pH on the heat-radiation interaction, these factors were modeled in vitro using FSaIIC cells in monolayer and correlated with the response of Hoechst 33342 dye-defined FSaIIC tumor subpopulations treated in vivo . Exposure to both 42°C and 43°C for 1 h in culture prior to graded single fractions of radiation resulted in a striking decrease in the radiation oxygen enhancement ratio which was pH as well as temperature dependent. The oxygen enhancement ratio at 37°C and pH 7.40 (or pH 6.45) was 2.9, but decreased to 1.4 at 42°C at normal pH, 1.2 at low pH, and 1.0 at 43°C at both pH values tested. This decrease in the oxygen enhancement ratio resulted from a far more marked decrease in D values for the radiation survival curves of hypoxic cells compared to normally oxygenated cells at elevated temperatures. In addition, the shoulder region of the radiation survival curves was significantly decreased with increasing temperatures and the magnitude of the decrease was greatest in hypoxic cells at low pH. In vivo treatment followed by immediate tumor excision showed that bright cells (presumably oxygenated cells at normal pH) were ∼2-fold more sensitive to 10 Gy of radiation than were dim cells (presumably hypoxic cells at low pH) but that dim cells were 2.5-fold more sensitive to 43°C for 30 min hyperthermia. The combination of hyperthermia followed by radiation proved to be 1.8-fold more toxic to dim than to bright cells. Both hyperthermia alone and hyperthermia plus radiation, in contrast to radiation alone, were significantly more cytotoxic when tumors were left in situ for 24 h prior to excision as compared with immediate excision. These results indicate that hyperthermia markedly sensitizes hypoxic cells at low pH to the cytotoxic effects of radiation, as well as effectively killing cells in this tumor subpopulation.
p53 and the PWWP domain containing effector proteins in chromatin damage repair.

In eukaryotic cells, DNA damage repair occurs on a template DNA that is organized with histones to form nucleosomes and chromatin structures. As such, chromatin plays an important role in DNA damage repair. In this review, we will use “chromatin damage repair” as a framework and highlight recent progress in understanding the role of chromatin, chromatin modifiers, chromatin binding effectors (e.g., the PWWP domain proteins), and the p53 tumor suppressor. We view chromatin as an active participant during DNA damage repair.
Divalent cation sensitivity of BK channel activation supports the existence of three distinct binding sites.

Mutational analyses have suggested that BK channels are regulated by three distinct divalent cation-dependent regulatory mechanisms arising from the cytosolic COOH terminus of the pore-forming α subunit. Two mechanisms account for physiological regulation of BK channels by μM Ca2+. The third may mediate physiological regulation by mM Mg2+. Mutation of five aspartate residues (5D5N) within the so-called Ca2+ bowl removes a portion of a higher affinity Ca2+ dependence, while mutation of D362A/D367A in the first RCK domain also removes some higher affinity Ca2+ dependence. Together, 5D5N and D362A/D367A remove all effects of Ca2+ up through 1 mM while E399A removes a portion of low affinity regulation by Ca2+/Mg2+. If each proposed regulatory effect involves a distinct divalent cation binding site, the divalent cation selectivity of the actual site that defines each mechanism might differ. By examination of the ability of various divalent cations to activate currents in constructs with mutationally altered regulatory mechanisms, here we show that each putative regulatory mechanism exhibits a unique sensitivity to divalent cations. Regulation mediated by the Ca2+ bowl can be activated by Ca2+ and Sr2+, while regulation defined by D362/D367 can be activated by Ca2+, Sr2+, and Cd2+. Mn2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ produce little observable effect through the high affinity regulatory mechanisms, while all six divalent cations enhance activation through the low affinity mechanism defined by residue E399. Furthermore, each type of mutation affects kinetic properties of BK channels in distinct ways. The Ca2+ bowl mainly accelerates activation of BK channels at low [Ca2+], while the D362/D367-related high affinity site influences both activation and deactivation over the range of 10–300 μM Ca2+. The major kinetic effect of the E399-related low affinity mechanism is to slow deactivation at mM Mg2+ or Ca2+. The results support the view that three distinct divalent-cation binding sites mediate regulation of BK channels.
ASR: Adaptive Selective Replication for CMP Caches

The large working sets of commercial and scientific workloads stress the L2 caches of Chip Multiprocessors (CMPs). Some CMPs use a shared L2 cache to maximize the on-chip cache capacity and minimize off-chip misses. Others use private L2 caches, replicating data to limit the delay due to global wires and minimize cache access time. Recent hybrid proposals use selective replication to balance latency and capacity, but their static replication rules result in performance degradation for some combinations of workloads and system configurations. This paper proposes Adaptive Selective Replication (ASR), a mechanism that dynamically monitors workload behavior to control replication. ASR replicates cache blocks only when it estimates the benefit of replication (lower L2 hit latency) exceeds the cost (more L2 misses). Full-system simulations of 8-processor CMPs show that ASR provides robust performance: improving performance by as much as 29% versus shared caches, 19% versus private caches, and 12% versus CMP-NuRapid [9] and Victim Replication [41]. Furthermore, while ASR does not improve the performance of all workloads, it provides performance stability by always performing at least comparably to the best alternative including Cooperative Caching [8].
Promessa e desafios do desenvolvimento

The global economy is changing rapidly, and China, India, and Mexico represent particularly interesting cases because of their divergent development models. Global consolidation is increasing in the past decade because of the rapid growth of China in manufacturing export industries, and India's surge in the offshoring of information technology services. The apparel industry also illustrates the consolidation trend because of a shift in international regulation with the phase out in 2005 of the quotas associated with the Multi-Fiber Arrangement. Industrial upgrading trajectories in China and Mexico are compared, using international trade data to look closely at export profiles in key industries and products destined for the U.S. market. China's "supply chain cities" are examined as a new form of economic organization that seeks to geographically integrate export production with other high-value segments of global value chains.
The effects of enhanced levels of calcium on the gravireaction of sunflower hypocotyls

A current hypothesis states that there is a redistribution of wall calcium from the lower to the upper sides of horizontal shoots during gravireaction, and because calcium stiffens walls, the unequal calcium distribution results in differential wall extensibility on the upper and lower sides, and thus, causes unequal growth. If this hypothesis is valid, then saturating the cell walls with calcium should minimize the effect of calcium redistribution, and thereby inhibit gravicurvature and stiffen the walls. To test this hypothesis, sunflower seedlings were grown on agar containing 0 to 50molm-3 CaCl2. The wall-bound calcium content of the tissues increased as the external concentration of CaCl2 increased, and the epidermal layers were saturated with calcium by the 10molm-3 CaCl2 treatment. Contrary to the predictions from the hypothesis, the vertical growth and the gravicurvature rate of plants grown in 10molm-3 CaCl2 were actually accelerated, and wall extensibility, as measured by the Instron technique, was unaffected. These results contradict the hypothesis, and provide further evidence that wall-bound calcium is not involved in the reaction phase of gravicurvature.
The relationship between genetic and environmental influences on resilience and on common internalizing and externalizing psychiatric disorders

Resilience to stressful life events (SLEs), which increase risk of psychopathology, is influenced by genetic factors. The purpose of this paper was to map the overlap of etiologic risk factors for resilience onto the broad psychopathological map. Resilience was defined as the difference between the twins’ total score on a broad measure of internalizing symptoms and their predicted score based on their cumulative exposure to SLEs. Cholesky decompositions were performed with OpenMx to quantify the overlap in genetic and environmental risk factors between resilience and four phenotypes [major depression (MD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), alcohol abuse or dependence (AAD), and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)]. The genetic factors that influence resilience account for 42 and 61 % of the heritability of MD and GAD, respectively, and 20 and 18 % for AAD and ASPD, respectively. The latent genetic contribution to MD was shared 47 % with resilience, and for AAD, this estimate was lower (23 %). The shared environmental covariance was nominal. Genetic influences on resilience contribute to internalizing phenotypes to a higher degree than to externalizing phenotypes. Environmental influences can also have an enduring effect on resilience. However, virtually all of the covariance between resilience and the phenotypes was genetic.
Mechanical Property Performance of Polymer-Modified Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement Mortar Systems

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of polymer glass-transition temperature (Tg) on the mechanical property performance of mortars containing calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement and vinyl acetate/ethylene dispersible polymer powder (VAE DPP). Competitive products were acquired from companies A, B, and C. Company A supplied VAE DPP with glass-transition temperatures of 64°F (18°C) and 19°F (−7°C). Company B supplied VAE DPP with glass-transition temperatures of 59°F (15°C) and 5°F (−15°C). Company C provided VAE DPP with glass-transition temperatures of 68°F (20°C) and −8°F (−22°C). It is important to note that differences in glass-transition temperature result from differences in the ratio of monomers utilized for production of the liquid polymeric dispersion during reaction polymerization, where the pertinent ratio is that of ethylene to vinyl acetate for materials germane to this study. Additionally, each utilized polymer powder may also differ in constituent components comprising the polymer powder as a result of the drying process, where constituent materials should not be limited to products typically utilized for forming protective colloids or products utilized as anti-caking agents. Each polymer was tested in a standard mortar formulation with polymer/cement ratio of 2/5 and water/cement ratio of 0.48. Experimental results show that polymer modification improves the ductile performance of CSA cement mortars. Additionally, experimental results show that the glass-transition temperature of vendor-specific products influences the mechanical property performance of polymer-modified CSA cement mortars.
Shabo on logical versions of the Direct Argument

In a recent paper, Seth Shabo sets out to show that logical renderings of the Direct Argument for incompatibilism about moral responsibility and causal determinism, an influential incompatibilist argument for this conclusion, fail. In particular, Shabo argues that the Direct Argument—cashed out in logical terms—fails because it rests on an invalid rule of inference, Rule B. Shabo argues that Rule B, rendered logically, is subject to a counterexample that he constructs. If he’s right about this, it follows that logical versions of the Direct Argument fail. In the paper, I argue that Shabo’s alleged counterexample to Rule B is unsuccessful. Since Shabo’s counterexample fails, I conclude that he has failed successfully to undermine logical versions of the Direct Argument.
Effects of a Wrapping Technique on Passive Range of Motion in a Spastic Upper Extremity

Limited range of motion (ROM) and subsequent soft tissue contractures resulting from spasticity are common developments in patients with acquired hemiplegia from cerebrovascular accidents. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a wrapping technique on ROM in patients with a spastic upper extremity. Four adult patients, postcerebrovascular accident of less than one year, received wrapping of the upper extremity for three hours, three times a week on alternating days for a total of two to four weeks. Baseline passive range-of-motion (PROM) measurements were established for shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction, shoulder external rotation, and wrist extension; these movements were commonly limited in all patients. The PROM was recorded after each wrapping session. The results showed a significant change in PROM for all motions in all patients (p = less than .01). In addition, all patients reported a decrease in pain in the upper extremity. Comparisons of videotapes of two patients at baseline and after 12 wrappings revealed an increase in ROM and a decrease in spasticity in the upper extremity during ambulation. These findings should encourage clinicians to experiment further with the wrapping technique and to report their findings.
An analytical model of energy consumption in Hybrid Technology Networking

The North American freight railroad industry is moving towards on-board sensor networks for real-time or near real-time status monitoring of railcars' components. The sensors are to be powered by batteries or energy harvesting sources of power. Hence, the critical constraint for such a sensor network is available energy balanced against energy consumption requirements in order to achieve multi-year operational life while maintaining overall system performance. A detailed characterization of energy consumption thus is important, leading to optimum use of available energy and maximizes life of the network. The unique linear network topology encountered in this railroads domain application led our team to the design of a multi-protocol radio technology for effective network operation. In this work we will present an energy consumption model for it.
The synthesis of bismuth sulfide, antimony sulfide, and their solid solutions from tribenzylbismuth, tribenzylantimony, and elemental sulfur

The condensed phase reactions of tribenzylbismuth or tribenzylantimony and elemental sulfur under mild thermal conditions (≤275°C) produces the respective sesquisulfides in good yields and high pur...
Abstract CN08-01: Role of mutations in epigenetic regulators in pathogenesis of myeloid malignancies

Clinical, cytogenetic, and gene-based studies have been used to inform biology and improve prognostication for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplasia (MDS), and myeloroliferative neoplasms (MPN). Most recently, a series of candidate gene and whole genome studies have identified recurrent somatic mutations in AML patients including TET2, ASXL1, DNMT3A, and cohesin complex mutations. Moreover, these mutations can be used to improve risk stratification in AML independent of established clinical parameters. Integrating mutational data with dose-intensity revealed that high-dose daunorubicin improved survival in patients with DNMT3A/NPM1 mutations or MLL translocations relative to treatment with standard dose daunorubicin, but not in patients wild-type for these alterations. These data provide important clinical implications of genetic alterations in AML by delineating mutation combination genotypes that predict outcome in AML and improve AML risk stratification. Of biologic importance, the TET family of proteins have been shown to place a hydroxyl mark on methylated DNA and lead to DNA demethylation. We and others have found that TET2/IDH mutations leads to loss of DNA hydroxymethylation and a hypermethylation phenotype in leukemia patients. In addition, in vitro and in vivo studies show that TET2 loss or neomorphic IDH1/2 mutations leads to impaired hematopoietic differentiation, increased stem cell self-renewal, and myeloid transformation in vivo. We have also investigated the role of mutant DNMT3A in AML pathogenesis,a and shown these mutations cooperate with other disease alleles to induce leukemic transformation and to confer chemoresistance due to impaired DNA damage sensing. We will present novel data showing how these mutations coopt the epigenetic state of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in order to contribute to transformation and that these mutations have biologic and prognostic relevance. Citation Format: Ross L. Levine, Alan Shih, Olga Guryanova, Cem Maydan, Ari Melnick. Role of mutations in epigenetic regulators in pathogenesis of myeloid malignancies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr CN08-01.
Corrosion Cause Analysis and Prevention Methods of the Internal Walls of the Liquid Light-Hydrocarbon Storage Tanks

A study was made of the corrosion causes of the internal walls of the liquid light-hydrocarbon storage tanks. The analyses of the surface shape and microstructure of the corrosion samples using SEM show that the sulfide in the corrosion products was mainly composed of FeS; the qualitative measurement of the storage tank materials and the chemical components of the corrosion products using AES show that the surface elements of the storage tank materials were Fe,O, and C, and the surface elements of the corrosion products mainly were Fe, O,C,S, and very little Cl; the analysis of XPS shows that the oxide in the corrosion products was Fe_3O_4. Finally, some corresponding prevention methods were proposed based on the corrosion mechanism.
Routine pituitary suppression with leuprolide before ovarian stimulation for oocyte retrieval

Pituitary suppression with leuprolide acetate (LA) was used before and during ovarian stimulation with human menopausal gonadotropins in 45 consecutive women having their first cycle of in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET). As anticipated, a low rate of cycle cancellation (6.7%) was necessary for poor responses. Follicles were allowed to develop to a larger diameter than with our prior protocol without LA. On the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), 11.5 + 0.7 follicles of at least 1.0 cm were visualized; 11.7 + 0.9 oocytes were retrieved; 67.5% fertilized and 6.7 + 0.6 normal embryos were available for transfer. Of the 3.4 + 0.1 embryos transferred per patient, 24.6% implanted. The rates of clinical pregnancy per retrieval and per stimulation were 54% and 47%, respectively, of which 23.8% aborted. Routine use of LA resulted in a highly efficient level of ongoing pregnancy per initiated cycle, and therefore may produce a superior first cycle for IVF-ET.
Alpha 1-adrenergic control of chloride transport in the rat S1 proximal tubule

To identify in vivo the specific alpha-adrenergic receptor mediating direct neural control of chloride transport in the rat S1 proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), the major effector site of neural re...
How Well Do They Convert? Trending ASAPS Presentations to Publication From 1995-2010

Background The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) sponsors an annual conference that promotes education, advocacy, and care. There, researchers deliver abstracts as podium and poster presentations. Subsequently, ASAPS encourages submitting these research findings for publication. Yet, many never become published manuscripts. Objectives To quantify the conversion rates of oral abstract presentations to publication from 1995 to 2010. Secondary objectives included evaluating trends in presentations, publications, time to publication, and published journal distribution. Methods Comprehensive literature search in PubMed cross-referencing oral abstract presentations and determining peer-reviewed publication status. The conversion rate and time to publication was calculated. Results A total of 569 oral presentations met the inclusion criteria. The mean annual presentations was 35.6. A total of 360 presentations became journal publications. The mean annual publications was 22.5. The mean conversion rate was 63.3% (R2, 0.1271; P -value of .23). The mean time to publication was 19.8 months. Most publications occurred within two years of presentation (87.5%). Publications appeared in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery ( PRS , 48.6%), Aesthetic Surgery Journal ( ASJ , 27.8%), Aesthetic Plastic Surgery ( APS , 5.6%), Annals of Plastic Surgery ( AnnPS , 4.2%), Clinics in Plastic Surgery ( CPS , 3.9%), and other journals (10%). Trending ASJ publications vs other journals in five year intervals demonstrated an increase from 18.7% to 58.8%. Conclusions While the number of presentations and publications declined, the time to publication, and conversion rate remained largely the same. Despite its short existence, ASJ became the predominant journal publishing ASAPS abstracts by the end of the study period.
A Project to Design and Build Compact Heat Exchangers

Students designed and manufactured compact, shell-and-tube heat exchangers in a project-based learning exercise integrated with our heat transfer course. The heat exchangers were constructed from common building materials available at home improvement centers. The cost of materials for a device was less than $20. The project gave students hands-on, mechanical experience with common tools and materials of construction. Students developed their skills in engineering judgment and gained confidence in basic principles of engineering design.
Deme Formation in a Dispersive Gall-Forming Midge

Deme formation in herbivores was originally thought to result from breeding within isolated populations that are highly adapted to their host plant (Edmunds and Alstad 1978). If some herbivore genotypes have advantages over others on particular hosts, and this variation is heritable over time, then these isolated populations, or demes, should diverge from the parent population and become reproductively isolated.
Early oral immunotherapy in peanut-allergic preschool children is safe and highly effective.

Background Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is an effective experimental food allergy treatment that is limited by treatment withdrawal and the frequent reversibility of desensitization if interrupted. Newly diagnosed preschool children may have clinical and immunological characteristics more amenable to treatment. Objective We sought to test the safety, effectiveness, and feasibility of early OIT (E-OIT) in the treatment of peanut allergy. Methods We enrolled 40 children aged 9 to 36 months with suspected or known peanut allergy. Qualifying subjects reacted to peanut during an entry food challenge and were block-randomized 1:1 to receive E-OIT at goal maintenance doses of 300 or 3000 mg/d in a double-blinded fashion. The primary end point, sustained unresponsiveness at 4 weeks after stopping early intervention oral immunotherapy (4-SU), was assessed by double-blinded, placebo-controlled food challenge either upon achieving 4 prespecified criteria, or after 3 maintenance years. Peanut-specific immune responses were serially analyzed. Outcomes were compared with 154 matched standard-care controls. Results Of 40 consented subjects, 3 (7.5%) did not qualify. Overall, 29 of 37 (78%) in the intent-to-treat analysis achieved 4-SU (300-mg arm, 17 of 20 [85%]; 3000 mg, 12 of 17 [71%], P = .43) over a median of 29 months. Per-protocol, the overall proportion achieving 4-SU was 29 of 32 (91%). Peanut-specific IgE levels significantly declined in E-OIT-treated children, who were 19 times more likely to successfully consume dietary peanut than matched standard-care controls, in whom peanut-specific IgE levels significantly increased (relative risk, 19.42; 95% CI, 8.7-43.7; P Conclusions At both doses tested, E-OIT had an acceptable safety profile and was highly successful in rapidly suppressing allergic immune responses and achieving safe dietary reintroduction.