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By prescribing a management approach, SFAS No. 131 calls for segmentation that more faithfully reflects firms' organizational design. This study evaluates the success of SFAS No. 131 in inducing firms to disclose more about their organizational design. We find that firms that changed their segment disaggregation in response to SFAS No. 131 increased the relatedness of operations combined in segments suggesting that their external reporting is more aligned with their internal organizational structures. We also find that firms reporting a single segment under SFAS No. 14 but multiple segments under SFAS No. 131 tended to hide certain operations under SFAS No. 14. Finally, we provide evidence that firms that did not change their segment definitions in response to SFAS No. 131, combine more dissimilar operations that likely deviate from their internal organizational structures to a greater extent than firms that changed their segment definitions in response to SFAS No. 131.

One of the popular methods of treating lumbar spine pathologies involves a posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using bilateral interbody non-expandable cages. Due to the geometry of these cages, they can require extensive bony removal and nerve root retraction. Some resultant risks of the procedure include dural lacerations and post-operative neuropraxia. Expandable interbody cages may address some of these concerns and possibly decrease the risks associated with PLIF procedures. This is the first study to our knowledge evaluating the biomechanical characteristics of an expandable lumbar interbody device in a cadaveric human spine model. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical characteristics of a new expandable interbody cage in single segment posterior lumbar interbody fusion using cadaveric lumbar spines.Copyright © 2009 by ASME

The complete exoskeleton of the widely dispersed remopleuridid trilobite Hypodicranotus is reconstructed for the first time based on well-preserved silicified material of Hypodicranotus striatulus (Walcott 1875) from the lower Whittaker Formation (Upper Ordovician, Edenian) of the southern Mackenzie Mountains. The minute oval pygidium consists of a single segment and, as such, it is the most reduced trilobite pygidium known. The subfamily Hypodicranotinae Přibyl and Vaněk is a junior synonym of the Remopleuridinae Hawle and Corda.

An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor as a distinct clinciopathologic entity in the lung has gained wide acceptance. The majority of these tumors are either contained within a single segment or pulmonary lobe and may cross the interlobar fissure and/or extend into the mediastinum, especially if arising in a perihilar location. We describe the case of a 13-year-old male with a 4-year history of an unresponsive lung mass in the left hemithorax. The resected tumor showed the typical morphology of a fasciculated fibroblastic/myofibroblastic lesion.

Perceptual units for category identification of infant cries have been studied. Three cry categories discussed in this paper are the hunger cry, the call cry (i.e., cry calling for infant‐mother interaction), and the anger cry. The original samples have been classified into these three categories. In order to generate stimuli to be used in the perceptual experiments, each of the cry samples is first segmented into single‐segment units according to breath groups of the cry samples. Next, the single‐segment units are combined with each other in temporal order to generate two‐, three‐, five‐, and seven‐segment unit stimuli. In addition to the multisegment unit stimuli thus obtained, the single‐segment units and the three original samples are used as one‐segment unit stimuli and full‐segment unit stimuli, respectively, in the perceptual experiments. In identifying the cry stimuli, subjects are instructed to make a forced choice among the three cry categories. The experimental results show that category identification rates are greatly dependent upon the number of segments making up each stimulus. However, the identification rates are temporarily saturated at two‐segment units in the call cry and at three‐ to five‐segment units in the hunger and anger cries. This fact indicates that the units with two to five segments are the perceptual units. Temporal duration of the perceptual units across all three categories is similar (i.e., about 6–8 s).

Current techniques for model surgery and occlusal splint fabrication lack the ability to mark, measure and plan the position of the orbital rim for LeFort III and Monobloc osteotomies. This report describes a model surgery technique for planning the three dimensional repositioning of the orbital rims. Dual orbital pointers were used to mark the infraorbital rim during the facebow transfer. These pointer positions were transferred onto the surgical models in order to follow splint-determined movements. Case reports are presented to illustrate how the model surgery technique was used to differentiate the repositioning of the orbital rim from the occlusal correction in single segment and combined LeFort III/LeFort I osteotomies.

The primary objective of the National Airspace System (NAS) is the transportation of passengers and cargo. It is no surprise, therefore, that passenger trip time performance is positively correlated with passenger satisfaction, airfare elasticity, and airline profits. Regulatory consumer information available to airline passengers provides measures of trip performance using only flight data (and not passenger trip data). Previously, researchers, using a small set of proprietary airline data, demonstrated that trip delays experienced by passengers due to missed connections, cancelled flights, and delayed flights are not negligible. Further they showed that flight delay data cannot be used as a proxy for passenger trip delays. This paper describes a comparative statistical analysis between flight delay data and passenger trip delay data for one year's worth of flights on the 1030 single segment routes between the OEP-35 airports. The passenger trip data is derived from publicly available data-bases and accounts for delays experienced by passengers on single segment routes due to cancelled flights as well as delayed flights. The statistical analysis indicates that: (i) the percentage of on-time flights is statistically equivalent to the percentage of on-time passengers, (ii) the average passenger trip delay was 34 minutes in excess of the average flight delay, and (iii) average passenger trip delay for the worst 5% of delayed passengers was 150 minutes in excess of the flight delay. The implications of these results for consumers and consumer protection are discussed.

Many clinical studies support the opinion that carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) assessed by B-mode ultrasound in extracranial carotid arteries, either in a single segment (common carotid) or in multiple segments (aggregate of measures in common carotids, bifurcations, and internal carotids), is a valuable mirror of coronary risk status and a worthwhile predictor of subsequent coronary heart disease (CHD), the leading source of cardiovascular death.1–3 Indeed, traditional and emerging risk factors for CHD have been found mostly to be closely correlated with increased carotid IMT.1 Also, increased carotid IMT is associated with substantially increased risk of a future CHD event in primary and secondary prevention populations.1 Thus, by analysing the proportion of subjects developing a CHD event according to the carotid IMT level at the onset of the follow-up in two pioneering prospective population-based studies,4,5 it has been shown that markedly increased IMT above ∼1 mm was associated with a 12–16% 10-year CHD incidence depending on age, sex, and carotid segment(s) measured, whereas the lowest percentiles of IMT distribution were associated with a CHD … *Corresponding author. Tel: +33 1 43 95 93 91; fax: 33 1 45 39 11 93. E-mail address: alain.simon{at}brs.aphp.fr

On the 31st of July 2002 the Lombardy local government issued a memorandum, C.R. 35/SAN, providing "guidelines to investigate drugs of abuse addiction in order to judge driving performance". About hair samples, this memorandum advises that the proximal lock of 6 cm-length would be analysed for opiates, cocaine, cannabinoids, amphetamine and derivatives, divided into two segments of 3 cm each. The Local Medical Driving Licence Commissions (CML) can decide whether or not to enforce these instructions; from our survey it resulted that most CMLs do not abide by the memorandum, not requiring segmental analysis. The purpose of our study was to verify whether this procedural discordance could affect analytical results and, consequently, the evaluation of the subject's driving performance. We analysed hair samples taken from subjects who were requesting the renewal of their driving licence in our Laboratory during the period from 1 August 2002 to 31 December 2006. We divided samples into two groups: (1) samples previously analysed in one single segment which resulted positive for at least one analyte, but under the cut-off (0.5 ng/mg), were re-analysed in accordance with the guidelines; (2) samples previously processed following guidelines which resulted positive in one of the segments were newly analysed in a single segment. Comparing the new results with the original ones, an increase of positive results emerged in the first group. The second set of results fully supported the first ones. These results underscore the importance of the 35/SAN memorandum, so if the guidelines had been followed there would have been a larger amount of driving licence renewal denied.

Naturally occurring allelic variations underlying complex traits are useful resources for the functional analysis of plant genes. To facilitate the genetic analysis of complex traits and the use of marker-assisted breeding in rice, we developed a wide population consisting of 217 chromosome single-segment substitution lines (SSSLs) using Oryza sativa L. 'Hua-Jing-Xian74' (HJX74), an elite Indica cultivar, as recipient, and 6 other accessions, including 2 Indica and 4 Japonica, as donors. Each SSSL contains a single substituted chromosome segment derived from 1 of the 6 donors in the genetic background of HJX74. The total size of the substituted segments in the SSSL population was 4695.0 cM, which was 3.1 times that of rice genome. To evaluate the potential application of these SSSLs for quantitative trait loci detection, phenotypic variations of the quantitative traits of days to heading and grain length in the population consisting of 210 SSSLs were observed under natural environmental conditions. The results demonstrated that there was a wide range of phenotypic variation in the traits in the SSSL population. These genetic materials will be powerful tools to dissect complex traits into a set of monogenic loci and to assign phenotypic values to different alleles at the locus of interest.Key words: rice, mapping population, single segment substitution lines, marker-assisted selection, quantitative trait loci.

This paper presents an investigation into the design of a caterpillar-like robot Catty that utilizes only pneumatic actuators both for propulsion and steering. The proposed approach offers a robot of fully compliant behavior with many advantages. The aim of this research is to verify the mobility of the proposed design and applicability of the caterpillar robot for inspection purposes. Fig. 1 shows a single segment prototype system of the proposed robot, which is able to perform 2-D motion on the smooth non-vertical surfaces. It can also bend the body almost 90 deg. in vertical plane and provides an opportunity for concave transitions.

We investigate the effect of Cross-Phase Modulation (XPM) in a single segment Intensity Modulation Direct Detection (IM/DD) Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) transmission system. Computer simulation is carried out to evaluate the XPM induced eye penalty due to the input channel power, channel spacing, fiber length, channel bit rate and number of channels. The results show that for 2 dB eye penalty, the maximum allowable fiber length is 35 km, 60 km and 75 km for a channel bit rate of 12.5 Gbit/s, 10 Gbit/s and 7.5 Gbit/s respectively. The effect of XPM in a single-segment configuration can effectively be reduced by increasing the channel spacing to more than 100 GHz.

Despite SEC and state-level resistance, and contrary to the trend pursued by other firms, many electric utilities have diversified into non-electric and unregulated businesses. Moreover, this failure to focus has been rewarded with higher firm values, again contrary to the discounts documented in the literature for other diversifying firms. Prior literature has questioned whether these premiums (or discounts) can be attributed to diversification per se. Rather, these premiums could arise from the characteristics of the diversifying firms, which have then endogenously chosen to diversify. In a new approach, where regulation can make the diversification decision largely exogenous, we examine the investment policies of the comparable electric-segments in the diversifying and non-diversifying utilities. We find that single-segment electric utilities over-invest compared to diversifying utilities, which explains their diversification premiums and implies that diversification can create value by opening up new investment opportunities.

Three terminal ‘dotted-I’ interconnect structures, with vias at both ends and an additional via in the middle, were tested under a variety of test conditions. Failures (mortalities) were observed even when segments were tested under conditions that would not have led to failure in two-terminal structures. Mortalities were found in right segments with jL values as low as 1250 A/cm, which is lower when compared to the immortality condition (jL)cr of 3700 A/cm reported for similar via-terminated structures. Moreover, we found that the mortality of a dotted-I segment is dependent on the direction and magnitude of the current in the adjacent segment. These results suggest that there is not a definite value of the jL product that defines true immortality in individual segments that are part of an interconnect tree. More importantly, the critical jL value for a single segment of Cu interconnects may be reduced or increased by an adjacent segment. Therefore independently determined (jL)cr values cannot be directly applied to interconnects with branched segments, but rather the magnitude as well as the direction of the current flow in the adjoining segments must be taken into consideration in evaluating the immortality of interconnect segments in an interconnect network.

Today LANs are being interconnected by means of bridges, routers and gateways to form enterprise-wide networks. Early LAN performance studies have focused on single segment performance and have not addressed LAN interconnection devices. The performance of these devices is important since they can become bottlenecks in large multi-segment networks. Performance data reported by vendors is not applicable to the actual scenarios encountered in an operational network. However, vendor-provided data can be used to calibrate models of interconnection devices that, along with other models, yield performance data for a network. Several software packages are available for modeling LANs. Some of them, though easy to use, contain simplistic, linear models of network interconnection devices which are inadequate for complex configurations. Therefore, modeling a multiple segment LAN requires a more generic and powerful tool such as Network 11.5 which was used for this study. This paper presents the results of the evaluation of some bridges and routers. >

This paper presents remote periodic messages and function blocks (FBs) scheduling in a single segment Foundation fieldbus (FF) system. First, we regard remote periodic messages and FBs as tasks, and then propose a compact mode and only consider precedence constraints to build the model of tasks, in which each job is completed as earlier as possible. Next, considering the communication block, a scheduling algorithm based on job slack time monotonic and compact mode for all remote periodic messages and FBs is presented in order to meet their precedence constraints and time constraints. Finally, an example of application shows the process of scheduling of remote periodic messages and FBs.

This paper follows a new perspective on speech errors within the framework of Articulatory Phonology, as proposed by Goldstein et al. (in prep.). On the basis of kinematic evidence, their work has demonstrated that speech errors are not restricted to categorical exchanges of position of segmental units, but rather gestures that compose segments can exhibit errors that vary from zero to maximal in magnitude. Here we report results from two perceptual experiments which use stimuli selected on the basis of their articulatory properties only, covering a range of errorful gestural activations. The outcome of the perceptual experiments suggests that different segments show different degrees of vulnerability to (subsegmental) speech errors: While listeners detected errors reliably for some segments, for other segments the reaction to errorful and non-errorful tokens was not distinct. The data suggest that at least for some error types an asymmetric error distribution arises due to perception, while production itself is not asymmetric. However, for error types involving segments whose gestural compositions stand in a subset relationship to each other (as described below), asymmetries may indeed originate in production due to the overall dominance of a gestural intrusion bias observed in the production data of Goldstein et al. (in prep.)., ZAS Papers in Linguistics, Bd. 28 (2002): Papers on phonetics and phonology: the articulation, acoustics and perception of consonants

For a sample of U.S. firm years spanning the time period 1980 through 1996 we document a positive association between the excess value of diversification as defined by Berger and Ofek [1995] and security analyst ratings of voluntary disclosure as developed by the Association for Investment Management and Research (i.e., AIMR rankings). Our results are not attributable to differences in proxies for firm performance or information environment. Moreover, we find no relation between the excess values of single segment firms and their AIMR rankings. Taken together, these phenomena suggest that disclosure plays a monitoring role in disciplining management's operating decisions. We also examine an alternative proxy for disclosure quality that captures the degree of segment disaggregation, and document a positive association between this measure and excess value. Additional analyses of the association between non-market based measures of performance (i.e., return on assets) and our disclosure proxies provide mixed support for the monitoring effect hypothesis.

This paper refines the Berger and Ofek (1995) methodology to estimate the valuation discount of diversified firms in Australia between 1988 and 1998. Mixed evidence is found for the diversification discount, with diversified firms trading at a discount to single segment firms using an earnings-based excess value measure and at a premium employing an assets excess value measure. Measurement errors are identified with the earning-based excess value measure and refinements are presented. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models are applied to explain the variations in the diversification results. There is strong evidence for differential pricing of diversified firms in Australia with higher performing diversified firms trading at a premium to single segment firms.

Diversified firms trade at a discount relative to similar single-segment firms. We argue in this paper that this observed discount is not per se evidence that diversification destroys value. Firms choose to diversify. Firm characteristics, which make firms diversify, might also cause them to be discounted. Not taking into account these firm characteristics might wrongly attribute the observed discount to diversification. Data from the Compustat Industry Segment File from 1978 to 1996 is used to select a sample of single segment and diversifying firms. We use three alternative econometric techniques to control for the endogeneity of the diversification decision. All three methods suggest the presence of self-selection in the decision to diversify and a negative correlation between firm's choice to diversify and firm value. The diversification discount always drops, and sometimes turns into a premium, when we control for the endogeneity of the diversification decision. We do a similar analysis in a sample of refocusing firms. Again, some evidence of self-selection by firms exists and we now find a positive correlation between firm's choice to refocus and firm value. These results consistently suggest the importance of taking the endogeneity of the diversification status into account, in analyzing its effect on firm value.

Axons in the bilateral brain of Drosophila decide whether or not to cross the midline before following their specific subsequent pathways. In commissureless mutants, the RP3 and V motoneuron axons often fail to cross the midline but subsequently follow the mirror-image pathways and innervate corresponding muscle targets on the ipsilateral side. Conversely, in roundabout mutants, the RP2 and aCC motoneuron axons sometimes cross the midline abnormally but their subsequent pathways and synaptic targeting are the perfect mirror images of those seen in wild type. Furthermore, within a single segment of these mutants, bilateral pairs of motoneuron axons can make their midline decisions independently of each other. Thus, neither the growth cones’ particular molecular experience nor the decision at the midline caused by these mutations affects their ability to respond normally to subsequently presented cues.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:57:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0034-71082000000100015.pdf: 150929 bytes, checksum: 8a94d0e9cec5d1c6d4c6b801ad22cdca (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:57:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0034-71082000000100015.pdf: 150929 bytes, checksum: 8a94d0e9cec5d1c6d4c6b801ad22cdca (MD5) Previous issue date: 2000-02-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:52:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0034-71082000000100015.pdf: 150929 bytes, checksum: 8a94d0e9cec5d1c6d4c6b801ad22cdca (MD5) S0034-71082000000100015.pdf.txt: 17363 bytes, checksum: 3bde77135ba48d58ba7830e984e9d258 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2000-02-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T15:13:46Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0034-71082000000100015.pdf: 150929 bytes, checksum: 8a94d0e9cec5d1c6d4c6b801ad22cdca (MD5) S0034-71082000000100015.pdf.txt: 17363 bytes, checksum: 3bde77135ba48d58ba7830e984e9d258 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T15:13:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0034-71082000000100015.pdf: 150929 bytes, checksum: 8a94d0e9cec5d1c6d4c6b801ad22cdca (MD5) S0034-71082000000100015.pdf.txt: 17363 bytes, checksum: 3bde77135ba48d58ba7830e984e9d258 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2000-02-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Antenas com malformações diversas, extraídas de zangões de Apis mellifera de ocelos claros, foram desenhadas e dissecadas para a contagem de discos olfativos dos segmentos morfologicamente alterados, em comparação com as antenas normais de seus irmãos. Alguns zangões apresentaram anormalidades morfológicas em um dos segmentos da antena direita ou esquerda, mas outros possuíam dois ou mais segmentos alterados na mesma antena. Zangões com malformações em ambas as antenas também foram observados. Os segmentos 4 e 5 do flagelo foram os mais freqüentemente afetados. em um menor número de casos, a freqüência de discos olfativos nos segmentos malformados não diferiu significativamente em relação à observada nos segmentos normais. Contudo, na maioria dos casos estudados, as malformações antenais ocasionaram uma significativa redução no número de discos olfativos dos segmentos malformados. Malformed antennae of Apis mellifera light ocelli drones were drawn, dissected and mounted permanently on slides containing Canada balsam, in order to count the olfactory discs present in each segment, in comparison with the number of those structures in normal antennae of their brothers. Some drones presented morphological abnormalities in a single segment of the right or left antenna, but others had two or more malformed segments in a same antenna. Drones with malformations in both antennae were also observed. The 4th and 5th flagellum segments were the most frequently affected. In a low number of cases the frequency of olfactory discs in malformed segments did not differ from that one recorded for normal segments. However, in most cases studied, the antennal malformations brought about a significant reduction in the number of olfactory discs from malformed segments. Universidade Estadual Paulista IBRC Departamento de Biologia Universidade Estadual Paulista IBRC Departamento de Biologia

Surgical treatment of obesity (bariatric surgery) is the only effective long term solution for many patients. The procedures are designed to produce reduced intake, various degrees of malabsorption of nutrients, or both. Micronutrient deficiencies, especially those involved in erythropoiesis and bone metabolism, are common to nearly all bariatric surgery. They are inconsistently responsive to supplementation. The pattern of deficiency associated with gastrointestinal bypass procedures suggests that absorption of micronutrients is more dependent upon the functioning of the gut as a whole than the capacity of any single segment.

In this study, six Secondary Single-segment substitution lines (SSSLs) and five double-segment substitution lines (DSSLS) that had higher yield were produced by selective crossing of seven primary SSSLs. The DSSL-D3 had significantly higher (by 9.44%) yield than Huajingxian74, the recurrent parent. With pyramided QTL qGL3, qGWT3, qPN and the Waxy locus, the DSSL D2 showed a higher yield (by 8.70%) combined with long and high-quality grain. These results indicated that pyramiding of favourable QTL using SSSLs is feasible to improve rice yield and quality.

Perceptual sensitivity to temporal modification in two consecutive speech segments was measured in word contexts to explore the following two questions: (1) whether there is an interaction between multiple segmental durations, and (2) what aspect of the stimulus context determines the perceptually salient temporal markers? Experiment 1 obtained acceptability ratings for words with temporal modifications. The results showed that the compensatory change in duration of a vowel (V) and its adjacent consonant (C) is not perceptually so salient as expected for the simultaneous modifications in the two segments. This finding suggests the presence of a time perception range wider than a single segment (V or C). The results of experiment 1 also showed that rating scores for compensatory modification between V and C do not depend on the temporal order of modified pairs (VC or CV), but rather on the loudness difference between V and C; the acceptability decreased when the loudness difference between V and C became high. This suggests that perceptually salient markers locate around major jumps in loudness. The second finding, the dependence on the loudness jump, was replicated in experiment 2, which utilized a detection task for temporal modifications on nonspeech stimuli modeling the time-loudness features of the speech stimuli. Experiment 3 further investigated the influence of the temporal order of V and C by utilizing the detection task for the speech stimuli instead of the acceptability ratings.

Two methods are presented for determining the sensitivity of joint resultants to variations in body segment parameters (BSPs) when solving inverse dynamics problems: the exact sampling method (ESM), and the approximate variational method (AVM). These methods are illustrated by applying them to a single segment in fixed-axis rotation. The results indicate that (a) the AVM provides first-order (linear) approximations to the total variations in joint resultants obtained when using the ESM, (b) the ESM should be used when BSP variations become large and higher-order terms in these variations can no longer be ignored as negligible in the BSP-dependent expansions for the joint resultants, (c) small percent variations in BSPs can propagate into considerably larger percent variations in the joint resultants obtained when solving inverse dynamics problems, and (d) if BSP variations are sufficiently small to allow nonlinear terms in these variations to be ignored as negligible, the AVM is much simpler and easier to use than the ESM.

Grain shape is one of the important factors determining rice yield and grain quality,it is a typical quantitative trait controlled by multiple genes.As novel research material,chromosome single segment substitution lines are useful in QTL identification because of minimizing the interference of genetic background among plants.In this study,QTLs for grain shape were identified with 119 rice chromosome single segment substitution lines derived from Nipponbare as donor parent in the background of Guanglu'ai 4 by one-way analysis of variance and Dunnett's test for means comparisons between chromosome single segment substitution lines and the recipient parent Guanglu'ai 4.A total of 39 QTLs for grain shape were identified on 11 chromosomes except chromosome 10 with a significance of P≤0.001.Among them,19 QTLs were identified for grain length,with the additive effect from 0.18 mm to 1.06 mm and the additive effect percentages from 2.40% to 14.13%;14 QTLs were identified for grain width,with the additive effect from 0.09 mm to 0.31 mm and the additive effect percentages from 2.71% to 9.15%;and 6 QTLs were identified for grain thickness,with the additive effect from 0.05 mm to 0.10 mm and the additive effect percentages from 2.14% to 4.46%.The results are important for the QTLs cloning and molecular breeding of rice grain shape.

Rotaviruses (RVs) are the leading cause of diarrhoea in cattle and buffalo calves worldwide. A total of 100 faecal samples were collected from the diarrhoeic cattle and buffalo calves from the organised dairy farms in the Mathura region. Extraction of viral RNA was done in 10% faecal suspension using phenol: chloroform/TRI reagent. The extracted RNA was subjected to RNA-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. In total, 12 samples were positive for Group A RV, showing 11 segments of RNA genome of the virus in the pattern 4:2:3:2. Based on the migration of segments 10 and 11, all positive samples were characterised as long electropherotypes. Differences in the migration pattern of class I segments was observed. In type 1 pattern, all the four segments (1, 2, 3 and 4) migrated separately. In type 2 pattern, segments 2 and 3 co-migrated. In all the samples, class III segments (7, 8 and 9) moved as a single segment. One sample showed the presence of an additional band between gene segments 5 and 6. Multiple bands were present in two samples. A 12% prevalence of Group A bovine RV was found in the present study in the Mathura region. The samples were positive in the months of August-November and in calves aged below 1 month.

Artificial neural networks are computer systems which can be trained to recognize similarities in patterns and which learn by example; one of the more straightforward types being the feed forward neural network (FFNN). We previously reported the use of FFNNs for classification of hypoperfusion patterns in bull's-eye representation of 201Tl single photon emission tomography myocardial perfusion studies and showed that, when such an image was divided into 24 segments, FFNNs could detect perfusion defects without direct comparison to a normal data base. This has been extended in this investigation to assess the ability of an FFNN, trained on data in which only a single segment was hypoperfused, to detect this abnormal segment when the hypoperfusion pattern of the other segments in the image varied. The results indicated that the network could reliably determine whether a segment was normally or under perfused, with accuracies of 99% and 100%, respectively, if all other segments were normally perfused. It could also reliably detect a normally perfused segment, even if other segments were hypoperfused, with accuracies of 95% and 98%. The network was less reliable, however, in detecting a hypoperfused segment when other segments were also hypoperfused, showing accuracies of only 74% and 88%.

Objective Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) offers some of the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. However, an additional skin incision is necessary in order to gain these advantages. The author recently performed a modified PPSF through a single skin incision and it yielded good results. Here, we report the single incision percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (SIPPSF). Methods The medical records of 51 patients who underwent single segment transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with pedicle screw fixation (PSF) between December 2009 and December 2011 were reviewed. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the PSF technique used; conventional group (Group C), SIPPSF (Group S) and PPSF through multiple skin incisions (Group M). Operation time, estimated blood loss (EBL) and pain intensity before and after the operation using a numeric rating scale (NRS) were evaluated. Results The number of patients in Group S, Group C and Group M was 25, 17 and 9, respectively. The NRS demonstrated a reduction in pain intensity in all the patients, and there were no differences in NRS scoring between the three groups. Group S showed a reduction in the EBL compared to Group C (p=0.001) and a reduction in the operation time compared to Group M(p=0.003). Conclusion The author supposes that the type of skin incision does not correlate significantly with the clinical results of TLIF with PPSF. However, it can be considered that SIPPSF offers the advantage of avoiding an additional paramedian skin incision.

Using analytical techniques and Langevin dynamics simulations, we investigate the dynamics of polymer translocation through a nanochannel embedded in two dimensions under an applied external field. We examine the translocation time for various ratio of the channel length $L$ to the polymer length $N$. For short channels $L\ll N$, the translocation time $\tau \sim N^{1+\nu}$ under weak driving force $F$, while $\tau\sim F^{-1}L$ for long channels $L\gg N$, independent of the chain length $N$. Moreover, we observe a minimum of translocation time as a function of $L/N$ for different driving forces and channel widths. These results are interpreted by the waiting time of a single segment., Comment: 7 pages, 10 figures

This study examines the cross-linguistic phonetic interactions in the production of diphthongs by French–English bilingual children. Tautosyllabic vowel-glide combinations in English and French have different phonological statuses. This combination corresponds to a single segment (i.e., a diphthong) in English, but two separate segments (i.e., vowel+glide) in French. Using a picture-naming experiment, the study aims to investigate (1) whether English diphthongs (e.g., /aI/ as in bye) and French tautosyllabic vowel-glide combinations (e.g. /aj/ as in baille ‘yawn’) have different phonetic implementations and, if so, (2) whether bilingual children maintain two separate categories. Diphthongs were recorded for six monolingual speakers of French and English, and four 6-7 year-old bilingual French-English speakers living in the US. To best capture the dynamic properties of diphthongs, the curves corresponding to F1 and F2 trajectories were submitted to statistical comparisons using the Smoothing Spline ANOVA. ...

— An edge-lit backlight with a thin structure and 2-D dimming function is a highlighted requirement. To achieve a thin backlight unit for 2-D dimmable displays, a monolithic functional light-guide plate (LGP) was segmented by using a recessed U-groove with graded height as semi-partitions. The height of the U-groove controls the cross-talk between the segments. A single segment was characterized with an array of louver-shaped micro-prisms that function as unilateral reflectors for light distributing, directing, and extracting. Arrays of rounded micro-prisms, and lenticular prisms for in- and out-coupling, are designed on the light injection surface and front surface of the LGP for light-cone shaping on the BLU. The light guide has a length of 73.0 mm, a width of 40.7 mm, and a thickness of 0.7 mm. The LGP was segmented into 16 segments where the width and graded height of the recessed U-prism between the segments is 0.020 mm and 0.10–0.50 mm, respectively. By using the monolithic light-guide plate, the cross-talk is suppressed to 20% and 4% at the center of first and second neighboring segments, respectively.

Purpose: To demonstrate the advantages of a new planning technique, “single‐segment IMRT” (SS‐IMRT): field optimization via inverse planning for static fields. Field optimization extends beyond beam weighting to field shaping via MLC leaves. This can present a non‐uniform beam fluence to the PTV for single fields while the total plan still provides excellent dose coverage. Unlike typical IMRT, the fields are entirely static, presenting no problem for moving targets nor significantly more monitor units. This can be particularly beneficial in the case of SBRT for lung.Method and Materials: Multiple treatment plans were generated for 10 patients with lungtumors adjacent to the chest wall. All patients were planned for SBRT, typically 54Gy in 3 fractions. Conventional plans had MLCs conforming to the PTV, with minor manual adjustments made to achieve conformity and protect normal structures. SS‐IMRT plans used the treatment planning system's IMRToptimization to achieve those same goals while limiting each beam to a single segment. Plans were compared in terms of dose conformity and uniformity in the PTV, sparing of the normal structures, and planning time. Results: In all 10 cases SS‐IMRT achieved superior treatment plans with little increase in planning time. Improvements in dose conformity and uniformity depended primarily on the quality of the conventional forward plan. Significant reductions in the maximum chest‐wall dose were always achieved, although sometimes the volume of chest wall receiving low to intermediate dose was increased. Overall, SS‐IMRT plans were more consistent in their quality, and planning time was not significantly longer. Conclusion: Inverse planning algorithms developed for IMRT can be very useful for optimizing static field shapes when dynamic treatments are not ideal (e.g. lungSBRT). The inverse planning optimization algorithm was consistently able to improve PTV coverage, reduce hotspots overall, and shift high‐dose regions away from the chest wall.

Electric utility planning and regulation stand on the brink of a revolution. This revolution involves the adoption of a new regulatory model based on societal benefits and costs. The issue of whether and how to reflect external costs in the planning calculus has crystallized the issues surrounding this fundamental shift. How it is finally resolved will do much to shape regulation and planning in the future. In the U.S. we have been brought to this point through the advent, evolution and adoption of least-cost planning (LCP). In this paper I briefly describe two fundamental changes in regulatory perspective that have occurred as a result of LCP. I suggest that our present efforts to include external costs into planning have functioned as adjuncts to newly-evolved LCP benefit-cost procedures. I argue that we have approached the question of externalities too narrowly, focusing on a single segment of the benefit-cost procedure and improperly limiting the universe of externalities we consider. I examine techniques and results of some recently-developed methods, and conclude that they rely on uncertain and limited data and may have little actual effect on utility-resource acquisition. I conclude by proposing a more-comprehensive program for incorporating externalities in utility planning and acquisition and discussing the prospects and prerequisites for the success of such an approach.

Krauss JR, Evjenth O, Creighton D. Minneapolis, MN 55447, Lakeview Media LLC, 2006, spiralbound (with DVD), 134 pp, illus, ISBN: 978-1-59975-195-5, $79.95. This is an excellent workbook for physical therapists interested in developing their manual therapy skills. It is extremely well organized with 6 chapters: “Introduction,” “Applying TSM,” and 1 chapter for each spinal region—cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, and sacroiliac joint. The book is spiralbound so it will lie flat when opened. In the authors’ clinical experiences, they observed that many commonly used manipulation techniques did not relieve pain or improve segmental hypomobility. They concluded that this was because the techniques lacked specificity of forces and involved the use of large angular or rotational forces. The authors developed the techniques of translatoric spinal manipulation (TSM) as a method of spinal manipulation that specifically isolates motion to a single segment. Translatoric spinal manipulation is defined …

We consider the relationship between the Flory-Huggins theory of polymer solutions and self-consistent field theory (SCFT). We show that for uniform solutions, the external field in SCFT is related to the excess chemical potential of a polymer chain and that this is approximated by multiplying the number of segments in the chain by the excess chemical potential of a single segment in a fluid of segments. If the excess chemical potential of the segment is taken to be that of a lattice gas in the Bragg-Williams approximation, one regains the Flory-Huggins expression for the Helmholtz energy. In this approach the Flory-Huggins term commonly ascribed to the entropy of mixing of the solvent, arises directly from the chosen form of the segment excess chemical potential. As for SCFT, a result of this work is the clarification of the nature of the mean-field potential and whether solvent entropic effects have or have not already been taken into account.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of posterior lumbar interbody fusion utilizing pedicle screw fixation and chip bone graft, and to compare the radiologic and clinical results in two group which use local chip bone and autoiliac chip bone respectively. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 58 cases of single segment chip bone posterior lumbar interbody fusion which were followed up for more than 1 year. Group I was operated with local chip bone and group II with autoiliac chip bone. Radiologic union was assessed, based on Brantigan & Steffee method and functional outcome by Kirkaldy-Willis criteria. Student t-test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Clinical satisfaction of group I and II were 81.3% and 88.1% respectively (p>0.05). Though 12% of group II complained about pain on the donor site, no one among them were assessed as unsatisfactory. Radiological union was confirmed in 75% in group I and 90% in group II (p>0.05). Twenty five percent of group I and nineteen percent of group II showed collapsed union without significant differences. There were no significant differences between group I and II in loss of disc height, segmental lordosis, operation time and blood loss. Conclusion: Both local and autoiliac chip bone posterior lumbar interbody fusion are useful methods in the aspect of radiologic union and functional outcome and there are no significant differences between two groups. However, considerable collapsed unions were observed in both groups. It is necessary to investigate long term influence of collapsed union on the adjacent segment and functional outcome.

Purpose of study: Anterior cervical discectomy fusion (ACDF) and plating is frequently performed for posterior facet fracture subluxations. The objective of this study was to report the rate and predictors of radiographic failure of this technique. Methods used: All single-level unilateral facet fracture subluxations and bilateral facet fracture subluxations treated with a single-level ACDF and plate were included. Retrospectively, 107 cases were identified (87 with complete radiographs) from January 1992 to December 2001. Radiographic failure was defined as a change in translation of greater than 4 mm and/or change in angulation of greater than 11 degrees between the immediate postoperative films and the most recent follow-up. Fusion was assessed radiographically (modified Bridwell). of findings: Radiographic failure was present in 11 of 87 (13%). There was no correlation between radiographic failure and age, gender, surgeon, unilateral or bilateral, plate type, level of injury, degree of translation or alignment at the time of injury. Radiographic failure was associated with preoperative facet fractures and end plate fractures, as well as pseudarthrosis at follow-up. Relationship between findings and existing knowledge: Given the popularity of anterior surgery for posterior cervical injuries, the presence of an end plate fracture, even subtle, or facet fracture should alert the surgeon to a high risk of radiographic failure. Overall significance of findings: Loss of postoperative alignment occurred in 13% of facet fracture subluxations treated with ACDF and plating. Concern regarding mechanical failure of flexion/distraction injuries should be high with associated fractures of either the facets or of the end plate. End plate fracture was associated with both mechanical failure and pseudarthrosis. Disclosures: No disclosures. Conflict of interest: No conflicts.

There are different non-idealities related to cloth filters, which are cleaned by jet pulses. The well-known phenomenon of cake compaction causes progressive curves of the pressure drop versus time. Some experiments show degressive shapes of the pressure drop, though. It will be shown, that this behavior can be explained by dividing the filter in segments. Each model segment can have a different cake thickness, whereas the pressure drop of every single segment is the same at any time during filtration. The capacity of this model is pointed out to determine the cake load on existing filters and to simulate unknown operating points.

Recent behavioral research suggests that listeners hearing words containing segments that have undergone place assimilation are able to recover the underlying form of the modified segment and anticipate the place of the segment that triggers assimilation. The present study contrasts acoustic place cues in unmodified coronals, assimilated underlying coronals, and underlying noncoronals in connected read speech in an attempt to characterize the nature of acoustic modification produced by place assimilation, and to understand how a single segment might encode the places of articulation of two segments. Adult male and female speakers produced triplets of sentences showing this three‐way contrast across a variety of consonants and vowel contexts. Acoustic measures examined formant transitions and relative amplitudes. The implications of the results of these analyses for the the structure of acoustic categories for place information and the abstract representation of place are discussed.

AIM: To study the radioimmunoimaging (RAII) using the human/mouse chimeric Ab to evaluate its targeting activity in animal models. METHODS: To chimeric Ab was labeled with 131I. RAII was performed at different intervals after injection of radio-labeled Abs in nude mice with human hepatoma xenograft, and tissue distribution of radioactivity was measured. Comparison was made in the chimeric Ab between the single segment Ab and previous murine mAb against HBxAg. RESULTS: The experimental objects developed tumor-positive image after 2 days of radio-labeled Abs injection, and the peak accumulation of radioactivity fell on the 7th day. The tumor/liver ratioactivity of the chimeric Ab, single segment Ab, anti-HBx mAb, and the control group was 281 ± 0.21, 2.44 ± 0.16, 4.60 ± 0.19, and 0.96 ± 0.14, respectively. CONCLUSION: The genetic engineering Abs have a considerable targeting activity which can be used as a novel humanized vector in the targeting treatment of liver cancer.