cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prenatal Androgenization Affects Gender-Related Behavior But Not Gender Identity in 5–12-Year-Old Girls with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Gender assignment of children with intersexuality and related conditions has recently become highly controversial. On the basis of extensive animal research and a few human case reports, some authors have proposed the putative masculinization of the brain by prenatal hormones-indicated by the degree of genital masculinization-as the decisive criterion of gender assignment and have derived the recommendation that 46,XX newborns with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and full genital masculinization should be assigned to the male gender. The purpose of this study was to test in CAH girls of middle childhood the assumption that prenatal androgens determine the development of gender identity. Fifteen girls with CAH (range of genital Prader stage, 2-4/5), 30 control girls, and 16 control boys (age range, 5-12 years) underwent 2 gender-play observation sessions, and a gender identity interview yielding scales of gender confusion/dysphoria. About half a year earlier, mothers had completed 2 questionnaires concerning their children's gender-related behavior. The results showed that, as expected, CAH girls scored more masculine than control girls on all scales measuring gender-related behavior, with robust effect sizes. By contrast, neither conventionally significant differences nor trends were found on the 3 scales of the gender identity interview. We conclude that prenatal androgenization of 46,XX fetuses leads to marked masculinization of later gender-related behavior, but the absence of any increased gender-identity confusion/dysphoria does not indicate a direct determination of gender identity by prenatal androgens and does not, therefore, support a male gender assignment at birth of the most markedly masculinized girls.
Renal cell carcinoma marker (RCC-Ma) is specific for cutaneous metastasis of renal cell carcinoma.

Background Renal cell carcinoma marker (RCC-Ma) is a monoclonal antibody against a normal renal proximal tubule antigen. RCC-Ma expression is relatively specific for primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Its expression in cutaneous metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (MRCC) and other cutaneous clear cell lesions has not been studied. Methods One hundred and thirty-seven cutaneous clear cell lesions including eight xanthomas, 32 xanthelasmas, 25 xanthogranulomas, seven balloon cell nevi, six clear cell hidradenomas, 29 sebaceous adenomas, six sebaceous epitheliomas, eight sebaceous carcinomas, and 16 MRCC were examined using immunohistochemistry for the expression of RCC-Ma. Results RCC-Ma was expressed in 10 of 16 (62.5%) MRCC, all with greater than 20% of cell labeling. Of these, 4 of 10 (40%) labeled with a membranous pattern and 6 of 10 (60%) labeled with both a membranous and a cytoplasmic pattern. RCC expression was not seen in any of the other clear cell lesions (p Conclusions Our study demonstrates that RCC may be a valuable component of a panel of immunohistochemical markers when evaluating cutaneous clear cell lesions.
Evaluation of constrictive pericarditis by 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography

A 71-year-old gentleman presented with a history of progressive right-sided heart failure. On 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), the patient was found to have a markedly thickened and calcified pericardium, with a maximal pericardial thickness of 14 mm over the inferior right and left ventricular surfaces (Panels A and B). Cine MDCT reconstructions demonstrated a conical-shaped deformity …
Cellular response of titanium and its alloys as implants.

Abstract The cellular response of osteocytes to commercially pure titanium (α) and its alloys (α + β and β) has been tested in a culture media, and the results have been supplemented by analyses from various techniques such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopic (ICP-AES) analysis, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), metallography, and electrochemical measurements. These results have been correlated with respect to the presence of various alloying elements in these alloys to qualify them for human application. The newer β alloys have been examined for their potential use as implants. These results serve as a preliminary baseline to characterize the best alloy system for a comprehensive long-term investigation.
The Penguin encyclopedia of popular music

From Abba to ZZ Top via Oasis, James Brown, and Frank Sinatra, this wonderful resource to the world's nonclassical music has been updated and revised to include a wider range of New World and ethnic musicians from Latin America and Africa along with a range of new entries from the contemporary Brit-pop scene and all of your old favorites. Donald Clarke covers a truly spectacular array of artists, from the early blues (Big Bill Broonzy, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith) and ragtime Scott Joplin, Eubie Blake) to the golden age of Broadway musicals, the great swing bands of the 1930s, jazz from around the world, American country, English folk, rock 'n' roll, reggae, soul, funk, punk, and the rest. The extensive Index ensures that no songwriter, musician, record label, or musical style is overlooked.
Contextualizing nativity status, Latino social ties, and ethnic enclaves: an examination of the 'immigrant social ties hypothesis'.

ObjectivesResearchers have posited that one potential explanation for the better-than-expected health outcomes observed among some Latino immigrants, vis-a-vis their US-born counterparts, may be the strength of social ties and social support among immigrants.MethodsWe examined the association between nativity status and social ties using data from the Chicago Community Adult Health Study's Latino subsample, which includes Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and other Latinos. First, we used ordinary least squares (OLS) regression methods to model the effect of nativity status on five outcomes: informal social integration; social network diversity; network size; instrumental support; and informational support. Using multilevel mixed-effects regression models, we estimated the association between Latino/immigrant neighborhood composition and our outcomes, and whether these relationships varied by nativity status. Lastly, we examined the relationship between social ties and immigrants' length of time in the USA.Results...
Results of lacrimal gland botulinum toxin injection for epiphora in lacrimal obstruction and gustatory tearing.

Purpose To describe the author's experience with the use of botulinum toxin (Botox, Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA, U.S.A.) injection in the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland for symptomatic epiphora due to lacrimal obstruction or gustatory tearing. Methods This is a retrospective review of 46 patients treated by the author with botulinum toxin injection in the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland for symptomatic epiphora due to lacrimal obstruction or gustatory tearing from 2001 through 2008. All patients were injected with 2.5 units of botulinum toxin, and the patients' subjective responses were assessed 1 to 2 weeks later. If there was insufficient response, they were reinjected with an additional 2.5 units of botulinum toxin and re-evaluated in 1 to 2 weeks. The response to the treatment and complications were evaluated. Results Overall, 74% of patients treated felt that tearing was mostly or completely improved. The only complication was temporary ptosis in 11% of the patients. Conclusion Botulinum toxin injection in the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland can be used effectively and safely for symptomatic epiphora due to lacrimal obstruction and gustatory tearing. Although the beneficial results are temporary, the patient satisfaction in selected patients is high.
Immunobiology of the TAM receptors

Recent studies have revealed that the TAM receptor protein tyrosine kinases — TYRO3, AXL and MER — have pivotal roles in innate immunity. They inhibit inflammation in dendritic cells and macrophages, promote the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and membranous organelles, and stimulate the maturation of natural killer cells. Each of these phenomena may depend on a cooperative interaction between TAM receptor and cytokine receptor signalling systems. Although its importance was previously unrecognized, TAM signalling promises to have an increasingly prominent role in studies of innate immune regulation.
Overview, prevention, and treatment of rabies.

Rabies is a uniformly fatal viral encephalitis that causes 30,000 to 70,000 deaths worldwide each year. Prevention is the primary approach to the disease. In the United States, 25,000 to 40,000 people are treated annually for exposure to rabid or potentially rabid animals at a per-patient cost exceeding $1000. Rabies is transmitted usually by saliva from infected animal bites. However, recent findings that rabies can be transmitted from bats to humans by relatively casual contact has resulted in dramatic changes in guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for postexposure prophylaxis. We review the 5 clinical stages of rabies, current methods of diagnosis, and prevention in animal reservoirs and in humans. We also discuss the use of rabies immune globulin and active and passive vaccinations for preexposure prophylaxis and postexposure treatment of rabies. Human exposure to rabies will always be a possibility, but methods to prevent the disease both before and after exposure to the virus are safe and readily available.
A Report on the Operational Reliability of the Fermilab Main Ring Magnets

Over the past three years the magnets in Fermilabs main ring have failed at a rate of 3.5% per year. As a result of the evolution of fabrication techniques six magnet types can be identified. This report presents the magnet failure statistics for the past seven years and draws conclusions as to what is expected in the future for each fabrication technique. Operational conditions at the time of each failure have been recorded for the past two years, and this information has been used to make hardware changes and procedural changes to reduce the number of failures resulting from causes external to the magnet. A black listing technique is used to find magnets which are close to failure; these magnets are removed during maintenance periods to prevent interruption to the physics program.
Migrating and nonmigrating diurnal tides in the middle and upper atmosphere excited by tropospheric latent heat release

[1] The global-scale wave model (GSWM) is used to investigate mesospheric and lower thermospheric migrating and nonmigrating diurnal tidal components that propagate upward from the troposphere, where they are excited by latent heat release associated with deep tropical convection. Our diurnal tidal forcing parameterization is derived from a 7-year database of global cloud imagery. The GSWM migrating response is sufficiently large to modulate the dominant radiatively excited migrating diurnal tide in the middle and upper atmosphere during every month of the year. Five additional nonmigrating diurnal components, the eastward propagating zonal wave numbers 2 and 3, the westward propagating zonal wave number 2, and the standing oscillations, also introduce significant longitudinal variability of the diurnal tide in these regions. The comparative importance of the nonmigrating components evolves from month to month and varies with tidal field. Our GSWM investigation suggests that other dynamical models must account for the tropospheric latent heat source in order to make realistic predictions of the diurnal tide in the middle and upper atmosphere.
Redistricting and the Congressional Black Caucus

In this article I explore the impact of the new Black-majority House districts on the power of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and the nature of Black representation in those districts. These districts are controversial, largely because they are viewed as an embodiment of a "politics of difference" (i.e., Blacks must represent Blacks), rather than a "politics of commonality." My preliminary research contradicts this common view. I conclude that (a) the new size of the CBC has substantially increased its political clout while simultaneously pushing it into the political mainstream; and (b) newly elected African Americans in Congress are more likely to promote the politics of commonality than the politics of difference. These conclusions are based on an examination of the CBC's role in passing legislation, their patterns of roll call voting, committee assignments, and participation in the Democratic party leadership.
GABA Has Excitatory Actions on GnRH-Secreting Immortalized Hypothalamic (GT1-7) Neurons

The effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on clonal gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-secreting hypothalamic (GT1-7) neurons were investigated using patch-clamp and fura-2 imaging techniques. Loca
Broadband behavior rating scales as screeners for autism

In order to start providing important early intervention services to preschoolers and toddlers with autism, those children first need to be identified. Despite the availability of specialized autism assessment instruments, there is a need for effective screeners at the early childhood level. Three broadband behavior rating scales were evaluated in this study to determine if any of the scales on the instruments could adequately distinguish between children with autism from other clinically referred children. There were four scales from two instruments that resulted in mean scores outside the average range and had statistically significant differences. However, the small mean score differences and analyses of sensitivity and specificity suggest those scales have limited practical usefulness when used by clinicians.
Self-organizing innovation networks: implications for globalization

Abstract The most valuable and complex technologies are increasingly innovated by networks that self-organize. Networks are those linked organizations (e.g., firms, universities, government agencies) that create, acquire, and integrate the diverse knowledge and skills required to create and bring to the market complex technologies (e.g., aircraft, telecommunications equipment). In other words, innovation networks are organized around constant learning. Self-organization refers to the capacity these networks have for combining and recombining these learning capabilities without centralized, detailed managerial guidance. The proliferation of self-organizing innovation networks may be linked to many factors, but a key one seems to be increasing globalization. Indeed, globalization and self-organizing innovation networks may be coevolving. Changes in the organization of the innovation process appear to have facilitated the broadening geographical linkages of products, processes, and markets. At the same time, globalization seems to induce cooperation among innovative organizations. Research on innovation networks is used to illustrate these ideas. The evolution of the automotive industry provides a test case.
An improved, randomized algorithm for parallel selection with an experimental study

A common statistical problem is that of finding the median element in a set of data. This paper presents an efficient randomized high-level parallel algorithm for finding the median given a set of elements distributed across a parallel machine. In fact, our algorithm solves the general selection problem that requires the determination of the element of rank k, for an arbitrarily given integer k.Our general framework is an SPMD distributed-memory programming model that is enhanced by a set of communication primitives. We use efficient techniques for distributing and coalescing data as well as efficient combinations of task and data parallelism. The algorithms have been coded in the message-passing standard MPI, and our experimental results from the IBM SP-2 illustrate the scalability and efficiency of our algorithm and improve upon all the related experimental results known to the author.The main contributions of this paper are(1) New techniques for speeding the performance of certain randomized algorithms, such as selection, which are efficient with likely probability.(2) A new, practical randomized selection algorithm (UltraFast) with significantly improved convergence.
Field Evaluation of Highway Capacity Manual 2000 Analysis Procedures for Two-Lane Highways

Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 2000 two-lane rural highway directional, two-way, and passing-lane analysis procedures based on field data and simulation were evaluated. Detailed field data were collected from two highway sections in northern Idaho, one with and one without passing lanes. The TWOPAS simulation model was used to provide additional insights. Particular attention was given to the differences in estimates for percent time spent following (PTSF) produced by the two-way and directional analysis procedures. It was found that the two-way analysis procedure was more accurate, although both procedures produced estimates that were too high. The passing-lane analysis procedure was also evaluated, and the HCM 2000 procedure was found to be conservative in its estimates of PTSF reductions due to a passing lane.
PERMEABILITY OF CONCRETE SUBJECTED TO CYCLIC LOADING

The effect of microcracking development and propagation on the permeability of concrete was investigated in this study. Large numbers of single-edge-notched beams as well as unnotched beams were prepared in the laboratory and in the field from different concrete mixes and subjected to dynamic loading at various stress ratios. During the cyclic loading, stress-strain and air permeability measurements were simultaneously recorded using strain gauges and the poroscope apparatus. Obtained strain and the air permeability measurements were used to evaluate the deterioration of concrete during crack initiation and further propagation. After fatigue testing, other sets of samples were cored from the fractured beams for water permeability testing. Results from these samples were used to correlate with the air permeability as well as with the compressive strength of the beams. Findings indicated that at the first stage of cyclic loading the beam samples exhibited large strains along with a rapid deterioration in th...
Use of Anticoagulation in Elderly Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Who Are at Risk for Falls

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate data addressing use of anticoagulation in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), in particular those at risk of falls.DATA SOURCES:Primary literature was identified through PubMed MEDLINE (1966–December 2007) and EMBASE (1980–December 2007) using the search terms anticoagulation, warfarin, aspirin, elderly, falls, older persons, atrial fibrillation, bleeding, education, stroke, and use. Additional references were obtained through review of references from articles obtained.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:Clinical studies evaluating warfarin and aspirin efficacy in AF, as well as studies evaluating anticoagulation and falls, elderly patients, and bleeding were considered for inclusion. Selection emphasis was placed on randomized studies of AF and those evaluating anticoagulation and falls.DATA SYNTHESIS:Uncertainties over the optimal treatment for elderly patients with AF still exist. Variance in the guidelines is reflected in current practice, as some discrepancies are p...
Parameterizing Mesoscale Wind Uncertainty for Dispersion Modeling

Abstract A parameterization of numerical weather prediction uncertainty is presented for use by atmospheric transport and dispersion models. The theoretical development applies Taylor dispersion concepts to diagnose dispersion metrics from numerical wind field ensembles, where the ensemble variability approximates the wind field uncertainty. This analysis identifies persistent wind direction differences in the wind field ensemble as a leading source of enhanced “virtual” dispersion, and thus enhanced uncertainty for the ensemble-mean contaminant plume. This dispersion is characterized by the Lagrangian integral time scale for the grid-resolved, large-scale, “outer” flow that is imposed through the initial and boundary conditions and by the ensemble deviation-velocity variance. Excellent agreement is demonstrated between an explicit ensemble-mean contaminant plume generated from a Gaussian plume model applied to the individual wind field ensemble members and the modeled ensemble-mean plume formed from the ...
Variation in the pattern of cranial venous sinuses and hominid phylogeny.

In 1967 Tobias noted that Australopithecus boisei cranium O.H.5 exhibited a cranial venous sinus pattern in which the occipital sinus and the marginal sinuses of the foramen magnum appeared to have replaced the transverse-sigmoid sinuses as the major venous outflow track. Specimens of A. robustus and several more recently recovered A. boisei crania also show evidence of enlarged occipital-marginal sinuses. In contrast, A. africanus and H. habilis retain a dominant transverse-sigmoid system that characterizes the great majority of extant apes and modern human cadaver samples. Pliocene A. afarensis exhibits a high frequency of occipital-marginal drainage systems. An examination of several series of precontact North American Indian crania shows that the frequency distribution of the occipital-marginal sinus pattern is spatiotemporally disjunct , ranging from 7.5% to 28%. The Late Pleistocene sample from P redmost , Czechoslovakia, also shows a very high incidence of occipital-marginal sinus patterns (approximately 45%). These observations suggest that occipital-marginal and transverse-sigmoid sinus patterns are adaptively equivalent character states. This conclusion is supported by the fact that enlarged occipital-marginal and transverse-sigmoid sinus systems often coexist on the same and/or contralateral sides of the head. It is well known that the frequencies of such adaptively neutral traits are often heavily influenced by population-specific epistatic interactions. The utilization of such traits in phylogenetic reconstruction entails a substantial risk of mistaking parallelism for synapomorphy . It is concluded that using functional-adaptive criteria in the definition of morphologic characters is a more reliable method to guide phylogeny reconstruction. In light of this, the distribution of venous sinus variants in Plio -Pleistocene hominids gives little or no basis for revising the phylogenetic scheme of Johanson and White (1979), or the functional-adaptive interpretation offered by White et al. (1981).
Boundary scan in board manufacturing

This article discusses the development of a board level manufacturing test for a surface mount board implemented with boundary scan. The board examined is a composite of several actual products. Methods for effectively developing a boundary scan test are examined along with some of the advantages of approaching the development in unique ways. Additionally, the criteria for using these methods are developed. Results for test development time and the resulting test coverage show that with two weeks of test development using boundary scan it is possible to increase the rate of solder opens detection from 80% to 99% for a large ball-grid-array module.
ARGMode - Activity Recognition using Graphical Models

This paper presents a new framework for tracking and recognizing complex multi-agent activities using probabilistic tracking coupled with graphical models for recognition. We employ statistical feature based particle filter to robustly track multiple objects in cluttered environments. Both color and shape characteristics are used to differentiate and track different objects so that low level visual information can be reliably extracted for recognition of complex activities. Such extracted spatio-temporal features are then used to build temporal graphical models for characterization of these activities. We demonstrate through examples in different scenarios, the generalizability and robustness of our framework.
Genetic and environmental influences on leaf phenology and cold hardiness of native and introduced riparian trees.

To explore the roles of plasticity and genetic variation in the response to spatial and temporal climate variation, we established a common garden consisting of paired collections of native and introduced riparian trees sampled along a latitudinal gradient. The garden in Fort Collins, Colorado (latitude 40.6°N), included 681 native plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera) and introduced saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima, T. chinensis and hybrids) collected from 15 sites at 29.2–47.6°N in the central United States. In the common garden both species showed latitudinal variation in fall, but not spring, leaf phenology, suggesting that the latitudinal gradient in fall phenology observed in the field results at least in part from inherited variation in the critical photoperiod, while the latitudinal gradient in spring phenology observed in the field is largely a plastic response to the temperature gradient. Populations from higher latitudes exhibited earlier bud set and leaf senescence. Cold hardiness varied latitudinally in both fall and spring for both species. For cottonwood, cold hardiness began earlier and ended later in northern than in southern populations. For saltcedar northern populations were hardier throughout the cold season than southern populations. Although cottonwood was hardier than saltcedar in midwinter, the reverse was true in late fall and early spring. The latitudinal variation in fall phenology and cold hardiness of saltcedar appears to have developed as a result of multiple introductions of genetically distinct populations, hybridization and natural selection in the 150 years since introduction.
Development of a Rocket Test Facilities Database for NASA and DoD Capabilities Management

*Under sponsorship of the National Rocket Propulsion Test Alliance (NRPTA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Stennis Space Center (SSC), a secure online database of U.S. static rocket test facilities has been developed to support test assignment and test capability management within the NASA and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) rocket test communities. The NRPTA includes members from each of the primary NASA and DoD rocket test facilities, and was established to shape the government’s rocket propulsion test capability to efficiently meet national test needs through intra- and inter-agency cooperation. It is responsible for major decisions on implementation of new test capabilities, facility infrastructure modification or investment, and test assignment among its members. The Chemical Propulsion Information Agency (CPIA) at Johns Hopkins University has developed a relational database of rocket test facility capabilities to support the mission of the NRPTA; this database contains extensive detail on facility status, condition and test capabilities on all major NASA, DoD and commercial static rocket test facilities. This technical paper discusses development of the database, the data collection and management process, the role of the database as an NRPTA test assignment and capabilities management tool, and ongoing developments to enhance the database scope and expand accessibility
High performance file I/O for the Blue Gene/L supercomputer

Parallel I/O plays a crucial role for most data-intensive applications running on massively parallel systems like Blue Gene/L that provides the promise of delivering enormous computational capability. We designed and implemented a highly scalable parallel file I/O architecture for Blue Gene/L, which leverages the benefit of the hierarchical and functional partitioning design of the system software with separate computational and I/O cores. The architecture exploits the scalability aspect of GPFS (General Parallel File System) at the backend, while using MPI I/O as an interface between the application I/O and the file system. We demonstrate the impact of our high performance I/O solution for Blue Gene/L with a comprehensive evaluation that consists of a number of widely used parallel I/O benchmarks and I/O intensive applications. Our design and implementation is not only able to deliver at least one order of magnitude speed up in terms of I/O bandwidth for a real-scale application HOMME (achieving aggregate bandwidth of 1.8 GB/Sec and 2.3 GB/Sec for write and read accesses, respectively), but also supports high-level parallel I/O data interfaces such as parallel HDF5 and parallel NetCDF scaling up to a large number of processors.
Time-Changed Birth Processes and Multi-Name Credit Derivatives

A credit investor such as a bank granting loans to firms or an asset manager buying corporate bonds is exposed to correlated corporate default risk. A multi-name credit derivative is a financial security that allows the investor to transfer this risk to the credit market. In this article, we study the valuation and risk analysis of multi-name derivatives. To capture the complex economic phenomena that drive the pricing of these securities, we introduce a time-changed birth process as a probabilistic model of correlated event timing. The self-exciting property of a time-changed birth process captures the feedback from events that is often observed in credit markets. The stochastic variation of arrival rates between events captures the exposure of firms to common economic risk factors. We derive a closed-form expression for the distribution of a time-changed birth process, and develop analytically tractable pricing relations for a range of multi-name derivatives valuation problems. We illustrate our results by calibrating a tranche forward and option pricer to market rates of index and tranche swaps.
Electrical behavior of biological materials

The lumped-parameter AC equivalent circuit is used as a systematic means of representing the impact of multiple conduction and polarization processes, along with the role of a microstructure, on a biological material's electrical behavior. Systems are encounted that lead to overlapping semicircular plots, which indicates the presence of multiple polarization events having relaxation times close to one another. In this instance the data analysis becomes more complex. In situations where there exists a continuous distribution of relaxation times, the semicircular plots are found to have their centers depressed below the abscissa. This can be an indication of the interaction of polarizing units or of heterogeneous variations within the system microstructure. >
7DS - Node Cooperation and Information Exchange in Mostly Disconnected Networks

When the node density in a network decreases below the level necessary to sustain ad-hoc and mesh networks, communication can succeed only by leveraging node mobility and transitioning to message-based communications. In the 7DS (Seven Degrees of Separation) project, we have been investigating how to emulate two core Internet services, namely Web access for information retrieval and email for delivering messages from mobile nodes to the Internet. We have implemented and evaluated a 7DS prototype system that leverages search, feedback and propagation limits to build a scalable system that can deliver data to and from mobile nodes. 7DS makes data exchange in disconnected networks possible by providing an application-level set of protocol services that will enable exchange of information between peer devices. It enables dynamic information exchange by using a proxy server, a multicast query system, a search engine, and a transport entity. With these entities, 7DS can perform efficient and transparent data exchange among peers in the absence of a network connection. Data exchange with the larger Internet occurs when peers enter or exit the peer network.
Service Systems as Customer-Intensive Systems and Its Implications for Service Science and Engineering

What does differentiate service systems from traditional subjects of systems engineering such as manufacturing, and software? We address this issue by defining customer-intensive systems, based on ideas by Sampson (2001), and show how customer-intensive systems encompass almost all service systems. After proposing a new form of visualization for customer-intensive processes and discussing its merits and shortcomings, we argue how in customer-intensive systems the presence of human beings and organizations inside the production process radically modifies fundamental tenants of systems engineering. We then describe four fundamental changes in traditional science and engineering system methodologies to adapt them to the realities of customer-intensive systems. We conclude by arguing whether the complexity often observed in service systems is, in fact, a reflection of the complexity of human beings and organizations that are input to them.
Development and Characterization of Broadly Cross-reactive Monoclonal Antibodies Against All Known Ebolavirus Species

As of 25 March 2015, the largest recorded outbreak of Ebola virus infection is ongoing, with almost 25 000 cases and >10 000 deaths. There are 5 genetically and antigenically distinct species within the genus Ebolavirus. Limited cross-reactivity and protection is observed between these 5 Ebolavirus species, which complicates vaccine development. However, on the basis of sequence homology between the 5 Ebolavirus species, we hypothesize that conserved epitopes are present on the viral glycoprotein (GP), which can be targeted by antibodies. In the current study, a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies was isolated and characterized using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine cross-reactivity, avidity, and competition for epitope binding; Western blot analysis was also performed. Four monoclonal antibodies were identified by ELISA as cross-reacting with the GPs of all 5 Ebolavirus species. The identification of cross-reactive antibodies that bind the GPs of all known Ebolavirus species will give us important insight into the presence of conserved epitopes on the viral GP. These data will be crucial for the development of novel therapeutics and diagnostic assays.
Single-Spatial Light Modulator Bistable Optical Matrix Device Using Optical Feedback

For an array of independent picture elements on a spatial light modulator (SLM), we present a configuration where each element is in one of two stable equilibrium states. Their stability as well as the means for switching between them is exhibited theoretically and experimentally. The distinguishing feature of the array of the independent bistable switching elements is that the implementation of each involves only a single active element in the feedback loop so that optimum use of the active area of the SLM is made.
Exact Logistic Regression: Theory, Applications, Software

We provide an alternative to the maximimum likelihood method for making inferences about the parameters of the logistic regression model. The method is based on appropriate permutational distributions of sufficient statistics. It is useful for analysing small or imbalanced binary data with covariates. It is also applicable to small-sample clustered binary data. We illustrate the method by analysing several biomedical data sets with LogXact, a new module of the StatXact software package.
Thermodynamic Theory of Single-Crystal Lead Titanate with Consideration of Elastic Boundary Conditions

A phenomenological free-energy function including the effects of elastic boundary conditions was presented and used to investigate the single-domain, single-crystal properties of the ferroelectric perovskite, PbTiO3. In particular, the effects of tensile and compressive hydrostatic stress on the spontaneous polarization, Curie point, dielectric susceptibility, and piezoelectric property coefficients were examined. The calculated shift of the Curie point with hydrostatic stress, along with the entropy and enthalpy of the ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition, was found to be in good agreement with experimental measurements. The isothermal variation of the relative dielectric susceptibility and piezoelectric coefficients with hydrostatic stress exhibited the expected behavior near the ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition.
Circuit simulation based obstacle-aware Steiner routing

Steiner routing is a fundamental yet NP-hard problem, in VLSI design and other research fields. In this paper, we propose to model the routing graph by an RC network with routing terminals as input ports and Hanan nodes as output ports. We show that the faster an output reaches its peak, the higher the possibility for the correspondent Hanan node to be a Steiner point. Iteratively adding one or multiple selected Steiner points to build and improve Steiner trees leads to 1-cktSteiner and Blocked-cktSteiner (in short, B-cktSteiner) algorithms, respectively. When there are no routing obstacles, 1-cktSteiner obtains similar wirelength compared with the best existing algorithm FastSteiner. Both are less than 1% worse than the exact solution, but 1-cktSteiner is up to 11.3/spl times/ faster than FastSteiner. Compared with the fastest existing heuristic FLUTE, B-cktSteiner has similar runtime but up to 1.9% shorter wirelength. Different from FastSteiner and FLUTE which are only applicable to non-obstacle cases, 1-cktSteiner and B-cktSteiner can be applied to routing with obstacles with minimal runtime increase. Compared with the best existing obstacle-avoiding algorithm An-OARS Man, 1-cktSteiner has similar runtime and reduces wirelength by 6.12%. and B-cktSteiner has an average speedup of 352/spl times/ with a similar wirelength.
Sight-Word Practice in a Flash!

For learners who need sight-word practice, including young students and struggling readers, digital flash cards may promote automatic word recognition when used as a supplemental activity to regula...
Fenestrated and branched endovascular aneurysm repair outcomes for type II and III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

Objective Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair remains a challenging clinical pathology. Endovascular technology, in particular the evolution of fenestrated and branched (F/B) endografts used in endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has provided a less invasive method of treating these complex aneurysms. This study evaluated the technical and clinical outcomes of F/B-EVAR for extensive type II and III TAAA. Methods Data from 354 high-risk patients enrolled in a physician-sponsored investigational device exemption trial (2004-2013) undergoing F/B-EVAR for type II and III TAAA were evaluated. Technical success, perioperative clinical outcomes, and midterm outcomes (36 months) for branch patency, reintervention, aneurysm-related death, and all-cause mortality were analyzed. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation and were assessed using Kaplan-Meier, univariate, and multivariate analysis. Results F/B-EVARs incorporating 1305 fenestration/branches were implanted with 96% of target vessels successfully stented. Completion aortography showed 2.8% patients had a type I or III endoleak. Procedure duration (6.0 ± 1.7 vs 5.5 ± 1.6 hours; P P P P P P Conclusions F/B-EVAR is a robust treatment option for patients at increased risk for conventional repair of extensive TAAAs. Technical success and branch patency are excellent, but some patients will require reintervention for branch-related endoleak. Aneurysm extent portends a higher risk of perioperative and long-term morbidity and mortality. Additional efforts are needed to improve outcomes and understand the utility of this treatment option in the general TAAA population.
Oral Contraceptives and Excess Mortality From Venous and Pulmonary Thromboembolism in the United States

Analysis of trends in mortality from thromboembolic disorders in women in the reproductive ages was motivated by two types of information. The first is that the proportion of women who are using oral contraceptives is large, estimated in a national survey in 1965 to be 15% of married women under age 45 (1). The second is that the risk of death from pulmonary embolism or cerebral thrombosis has been reported to be increased by a factor of 8 in these women (2). The combination of a large proportion of oral contraceptive users with such an increased risk should produce a doubling in the overall national mortality from these causes for women in the childbearing ages.
Vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPases are functionally expressed in plasma membranes of human tumor cells

Mammalian cells generally regulate their intracellular pH (pHi) via collaboration between Na(+)-H+ exchanger and HCO3- transport. In addition, a number of normal mammalian cells have been identified that express H(+)-adenosinetriphosphatases (ATPases) in their plasma membranes. Because tumor cells often maintain a high pHi, we hypothesized that they might functionally express H(+)-ATPases in their plasma membranes. In the first phase of the present study, we screened 19 normal and tumorigenic human cell lines for the presence of plasmalemmal H(+)-ATPase activity using bafilomycin A1 to inhibit V-type H(+)-ATPase and Sch-28080 to inhibit P-type H(+)-K(+)-ATPase. Bafilomycin A1 decreased pHi in the six tumor cell lines with the highest resting pHi in the absence of HCO3-. Sch-28080 did not affect pHi in any of the human cells. Simultaneous measurement of pH in the cytoplasm and in the endosomes/lysosomes localized the activity of bafilomycin to the plasma membrane in three cell lines. In the second phase of this study, these three cell lines were shown to recover from NH4(+)-induced acid loads in the absence of Na+. This recovery was inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide, bafilomycin A1, and ATP depletion and was not significantly affected by vanadate, Sch-28080, or hexamethyl amiloride. These results indicate that a vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase is expressed in the plasma membrane of some tumor cells.
Photoperiod and Reproduction in Flying Squirrels, Glaucomys Volans

In Michigan and Massachusetts, flying squirrels, Glaucomys volans, have two peaks in breeding activity; the first peak in the number of litters is in April and the second in August. All 19 males examined from March through July had scrotal testes, but only two of eight from August through November and five of 12 from December through February. Experimental data indicate that long photoperiods, beginning in September, inhibited testicular descent during the normal breeding season. The normal, seasonal reproductive cycle was maintained in the absence of temperature cues. Testicular descent in males was hastened with accelerated decreases in photoperiod. Reproduction was induced 6 months out of phase when animals were exposed to photoperiods 6 months out of phase with the seasons.
Non-Price Competition and the Measurement of Prices

Ever since the publication of The Wealth of Nations the notion of exchange value has remained the most fundamental and possibly the most consistently defined concept of economic science. Bickerings as to whether "power in exchange," "quantity received in exchange," or "ratio of exchange" best expresses the concept, as to whether exchange value is a variable attribute of a commodity or merely a disembodied ratio, have not been taken as seriously affecting its precision. Possibly these differences, if consistently followed out, might have led to various differences in doctrine. But historically, if not logically, the differences alluded to have been verbal. I do not propose to suggest any revision of an elementary concept which has worn well in actual service.1
The Threats to Marketing Research: An Empirical Reappraisal:

Excessive interviewing, lack of consideration and abuse of respondents, and the use of marketing research as a sales ploy have been identified as serious threats to marketing research. The authors ...
Gastric vagotomy in the treatment of peptic ulcer.

A hypersecretion of gastric juice, both in the empty stomach and in response to the stimulus of food-taking, is regularly found in patients with duodenal and gastrojejunal ulcers. When a similar hypersecretion of gastric juice is produced in experimental animals, ulcers will result. Of the total amount of gastric juice produced in 24 hours in normal animals, 45 per cent is due to the nervous phase, 45 per cent to the antral or hormonal phase, and 10 per cent to the intestinal phase of secretory stimulation. In duodenal ulcer patients, the nervous phase of stimulation is enormously exaggerated and may account for 80 per cent of the total acid output of the stomach. This nervous phase of secretion is permanently abolished by a complete supradiaphragmatic vagotomy. This operation is both practical and effective, and the side effects of the procedure can be controlled by a type of postoperative management that is also simple and effective.
DO IPAD APPLICATONS HELP STUDENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IMPROVE LIFE-READINESS SKILLS?

Students with developmental disabilities often struggle with life-readiness skills (e.g., literacy skills such as reading and writing, task completion, and communication), which also help prepare students for the workplace. Assistive technology tools offer these students a means to do better in these areas. In this action-research study, we provided students with developmental disabilities (N=9) who were transitioning out of secondary school with iPad applications (apps) that could help them improve their life-readiness skills. The Common Core State Standards’ overall objective is students’ college and career readiness by the end of secondary school. While collecting qualitative and quantitative data across the 2012-2013 academic years, a group of educators worked with the students and their parents to help them learn and apply the iPad apps for life-readiness skills. The results indicated that all students improved in life-readiness skills. Ideas for future research as well as limitations of this study are also discussed.
Mitral valve replacement with the glutaraldehyde-preserved porcine heterograft: Clinical, hemodynamic, and pathological correlations

Follow-up studies were performed on the first 32 patients to undergo mitral valve replacement with the glutaraldehyde-preserved porcine heterograft premounted on a semirigid stent at the Stanford Medical Center. There was one operative death among the 23 patients who had isolated mitral valve replacement and two operative deaths among the remaining 9 patients who had additional valve surgery or coronary artery grafting. During the follow-up period of 483 months, or 17 ± 5 months per patient, there were three late deaths, two thromboembolic events within the first postoperative month in patients in atrial fibrillation, and one reoperation. A pannus of tissue formed on the atrial side of an otherwise normal heterograft necessitated the one reoperation because of inflow obstruction. Functional improvement from preoperative Class III or IV to postoperative Class I or II was noted in 24 of the 29 survivors of the operation, an 83 per cent improvement rate. Catheterization in the 5 unimproved patients, performed 6 ± 3 months after operation, showed advanced left ventricular disease and normal heterograft function in 4 and mitral restenosis in the fifth. Catheterization in 5 clinically improved patients 17 ± 4 months after operation showed normal heterograft and normal regurgitation. The mean gradient across the ten mitral heterografts averaged 5.7 ± 2 mm. Hg. ventricular function. Angiography in these 10 patients showed no significant mitral Normal heterograft histology was noted in four recovered valves at 4, 4, 18, and 29 months.