cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-Power High-Isolation RF-MEMS Switches With Enhanced Hot-Switching Reliability Using a Shunt Protection Technique

This paper presents a shunt protection technique to improve the hot-switching reliability of metal-contact radio-frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF-MEMS) switches. The proposed technique places shunt protection contacts in front of the main contact of an RF-MEMS metal contact switch to block RF signal while the main contact is switching ON or OFF. The shunt protection contact creates a local cold-switching condition for the main contact to increase the lifetime of the switch under hot-switching condition. The shunt protection technique can also increase the overall isolation of the switch. To demonstrate the technique, RF-MEMS switches with and without shunt protection were fabricated using all metal process. Compared with the unprotected switch, the protected switch has longer lifetime under hot-switching condition. The protected switch has >100-million cycles and up to 500-million cycles lifetime under the 1-W hot-switching condition, measured in open-air laboratory environment. Besides, the isolation of the shunt-protected switch is 70 dB at 1.0 GHz and 36 dB at 40 GHz, and the insertion loss is 0.30 dB at 1.0 GHz and 0.43 dB at 40 GHz.
Indirect calorimetry: a potential but as yet unrealized technique for guiding nutritional management.

1. Hopkins RO, Jackson JC. Long-term neurocognitive functionafter critical illness. Chest. 2006;130:869-78.2. Fiser DH, Long N, Roberson PK, Hefley G, Zolten K, Brodie-Fowler M.Relationshipofpediatricoverallperformancecategoryand pediatric cerebral performance category scores at pediatricintensive care unit discharge with outcome measures collectedathospitaldischargeand1-and6-monthfollow-upassessments.Crit Care Med. 2000;28:2616-20.3. Taylor HG, Klein N, Hack M. School-age consequences of birthweightlessthan750g:areviewandupdate.DevNeuropsychol.2000;17:289-321.4. AlieviPT,CarvalhoPR,TrottaEA,MombelliFilhoR.Theimpactofadmission to a pediatric intensive care unit assessed by meansof global and cognitive performance scales. J Pediatr (Rio J).2007;83:505-511.5. Fiser DH. Assessing the outcome of pediatric intensive care. JPediatr. 1992;121:68-74.6. Meaney PA,Nadkarni VM,Cook EF,Testa M,Helfaer M,Kaye W,et al. Higher survival rates among younger patients afterpediatric intensive care unit cardiac arrests. Pediatrics. 2006;118:2424-33.7. HopkinsRO,WeaverLK,PopeD,OrmeJF,BiglerED,Larson-LOHRV. Neuropsychological sequelae and impaired health status insurvivors of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.AmJRespir Crit Care Med. 1999;160:50-6.8. Starr JL, Whalley LJ.Drug induced dementia. Incidence,management and prevention. Drug Saf. 1994;11:310-7.9. Hopkins RO, Weaver LK, Chan KJ, Orme JF Jr. Quality of life,emotional, and cognitive function following acute respiratorydistress syndrome. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2004;10:1005-17.10. Jackson JC, Gordon SM, Hart RP, Hopkins RO, Ely EW.Theassociation between delirium and cognitive decline: a review ofthe empirical literature. Neuropsychol Rev. 2004;14:87-98.11. Hopkins RO, Suchyta MR, Jephson A, Orme JF Jr., Weaver LK,Clemmer TP, et al. Hyperglycemia and neurocognitive outcomein ARDS survivors. Proc Am Thorac Soc. 2005;2 abstracts:A36.12. Hofer A,Niedermayer B,Kemmler G,Rettenbacher MA,Trebo E,Widschwendter CG, et al. Cognitive impairment inschizophrenia: clinical ratings are not a suitable alternative toneuropsychological testing. Schizophr Res. 2007;92:126-31.13. Taylor HG, Minich N, Bangert B, Filipek PA, Hack M. Long-termneuropsychological outcomes of very low birth weight:associations with early risks for periventricular brain insults. JInt Neuropsychol Soc. 2004;10:987-1004.14. Woods SP, Weinborn M, Ball JD, Tiller-Nevin S, Pickett TC.Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL): an identical twin case studyillustration of white matter dysfunction and nonverbal learningdisability (NLD). Child Neuropsychol. 2000;6:274-85.
Atmospheric Ice Nucleating Particle measurements at the high mountain observatory Mt. Cimone (2165 m a.s.l., Italy)

Abstract Measurement campaigns at the high mountain Observatory Mt. Cimone (CMN; 2165 m a.s.l.) were performed during May 2014 and October 2015. The concentration of Ice Nucleating Particles (INPs) were measured offline with a dynamic filter processing chamber (DFPC), in the deposition and condensation mode, after collecting PM 1 and PM 10 aerosol samples. Presented INP data are the first ever published for a high mountain site in the Mediterranean basin. During the May campaign, parallel INP measurements were also carried out at San Pietro Capofiume (SPC), a low altitude rural background area within the Po Valley basin, by the same offline technique. The average INP PM10 concentration at CMN was 86 m −3 (saturation ratio S w = 1.01; T = −18 °C) during the May 2014 campaign, while it was 171 m −3 at SPC, in the same period. A lower average INP PM10 concentration was observed at CMN during October 2015 (43 m −3 ). A significantly higher activated fraction (AF) characterized the October 2015 campaign, suggesting that the seasonal changes in the aerosol sources have an impact on the INP efficiency of the aerosol at CMN. Super-micrometer INP contributed for ∼30% of total INP in the May 2014 campaign, at both sites, and for ∼70% in the October 2015 campaign, showing the importance of coarse particles in the INP population. The analysis of meteorological parameters, gaseous tracers concentrations and backwards trajectories suggests that the INP population at CMN is contributed by transport processes occurring at diverse spatial scales, from the local to the synoptic scale. During the Saharan Dust transport Event observed in May 2014, a reduction of the AF was observed, suggesting, for this case, a limited ice nucleating activity for Saharan dust particles. This may be due to physico-chemical aging of the Saharan dust particles during transport or to the relatively high activation temperature at which the experiments were performed in this study.
The template specificities of DNA polymerase in

Abstract DNA polymerase activities in cell-free lysates of unfertilized eggs, larvae and immature ovaries of Xenopus laevis were compared to purified E. coli DNA polymerase I using several natural and synthetic templates. The templates were tested as the native and denatured forms of normal and DNase I treated molecules. Although the Xenopus polymerases tended to prefer DNase I treated Xenopus DNA over the other templates tested, so did the E. coli polymerase I. In general, the template preferences of the polymerases studied depended in complex ways on both the form and the species of origin of the template.
Data and analysis for the CODATA 2017 special fundamental constants adjustment

The special least-squares adjustment of the values of the fundamental constants, carried out by the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) in the summer of 2017, is described in detail. It is based on all relevant data available by 1 July 2017. The purpose of this adjustment is to determine the numerical values of the Planck constant h, elementary charge e, Boltzmann constant k, and Avogadro constant N A for the revised SI expected to be established by the 26th General Conference on Weights and Measures when it convenes on 13–16 November 2018.
Efficacy of Prostatic Artery Embolization for Catheter-Dependent Patients with Large Prostate Sizes and High Comorbidity Scores.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate efficacy and safety of prostate artery embolization (PAE) in urinary catheter–dependent patients with large prostate volumes and high comorbidity scores. Materials and Methods A retrospective single-center review was conducted of 30 patients with urinary retention at time of PAE from November 2014 through February 2017. Mean (range) age was 73.1 years (48–94 y), age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index was 4.5 (0–10), duration of urinary retention was 63.4 days (2–224 d), International Prostate Symptom Score quality-of-life (IPSS-QOL) was 5.3 (3–6), and prostate volume was 167.3 cm 3 (55–557 cm 3 ). These parameters were collected at 3, 6, and 12 months after PAE. Trials of voiding were performed approximately 2 weeks after PAE and, if failed, every 2 weeks thereafter. Adverse events were graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Results At a mean (range) of 18.2 days (1–72 d), 26 (86.7%) patients were no longer reliant on catheters. Follow-up was obtained in all patients eligible at 3 and 6 months and 17 of 20 (85.0%) patients eligible at 1 year. Mean (range) IPSS-QOL improved significantly to 1.2 (0–5), 0.7 (0–4), and 0.6 (0–4) at 3, 6, and 12 months (all P 3 (27–248 cm 3 ) at 3 months ( P Conclusions PAE represents a safe and effective option for management of patients with urinary retention, especially patients with large prostates who are not ideal surgical candidates.
A Discussion of Productivity Growth and Technology

Most macroeconomists remained skeptical about the new economy until the late stages of the last expansion. Certainly, the business press and a few high-profile economists (including Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan) were quicker to proclaim a new era of faster productivity growth. But macroeconomists were naturally cautious, aware that productivity (however measured) is inherently volatile and procyclical. As robust numbers continued to come in quarter after quarter, however, many macroeconomists finally became new economy converts, persuaded that productivity had, indeed, accelerated.
Boron-Doped C24 Fullerenes for Alkyl Functionalization or Potential Polymerization.

Replacing a single carbon atom in C24 with a boron atom allows the functionalization of one additional carbon atom. Such a process involves little energy cost with regard to the structure of the fullerene. Two such replacements are required if the fullerenes are to act as “pearls on a string”. This work shows trends for increasingly higher levels of carbon replacement with boron as well as hydrogenation, methylation, and ethylation of a subsequent carbon atom in such a boron-doped small fullerene. Additionally, dimers are shown to be stable, and the linking ethyl groups actually stabilize the overall structure more than when the ethyl groups are on the surface of the structure and are not serving as linkers. Such stringed fullerenes would certainly have applications to materials science if polymers could be made from these stringed pearls and would be suitable for neutron radiation shielding in spacecraft or spacesuits.
Indian summer monsoon variability forecasts in the North American multimodel ensemble

The representation of the seasonal mean and interannual variability of the Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) in nine global ocean-atmosphere coupled models that participated in the North American Multimodal Ensemble (NMME) phase 1 (NMME:1), and in nine global ocean-atmosphere coupled models participating in the NMME phase 2 (NMME:2) from 1982–2009, is evaluated over the Indo-Pacific domain with May initial conditions. The multi-model ensemble (MME) represents the Indian monsoon rainfall with modest skill and systematic biases. There is no significant improvement in the seasonal forecast skill or interannual variability of ISMR in NMME:2 as compared to NMME:1. The NMME skillfully predicts seasonal mean sea surface temperature (SST) and some of the teleconnections with seasonal mean rainfall. However, the SST-rainfall teleconnections are stronger in the NMME than observed. The NMME is not able to capture the extremes of seasonal mean rainfall and the simulated Indian Ocean-monsoon teleconnections are opposite to what are observed.
Supporting Immigrant-Origin Children: Grounding Teacher Education in Critical Developmental Perspectives and Practices

Despite many welcoming individuals and communities, the hegemonic narrative regarding immigrant origin families suggests that hard work may not be enough to overcome the economic, social, and political walls within and encompassing the United States. The increasingly diverse stories of immigrant families are often met with undifferentiated policies and practices, despite considerable racial, ethnic, linguistic, socioeconomic, and other variations. This article provides teacher educators and teacher candidates an ecologically and developmentally sensitive framework to understand immigrant-origin children in a holistic manner in order to support their overall development and learning. It concludes by applying the framework to guide equity-based practices within schools, and by educators, policy makers, and the public so they may more effectively contribute to the education and development of immigrant-origin and other students.
Cluster-Based Profile Analysis in Phase I

The author propose a new technique, referred to as cluster-based profile monitoring, to aid in determining the possible existence of profiles in the historical data set resulting from an out-of-control process.
Limitations and advantages of meta-analysis in clinical trials.

Meta-analysis has recently been applied to a variety of areas in medical research (Collins and Langman 1985; Himel et al. 1986; Collins et al. 1985; Tran and Welt- man 1985). By meta-analysis we mean a quantitative synthesis of data across several different but related studies. This usually entails the application of uniform methods of statistical analyses and/or data presentation. Reasons for performing a meta-analysis include confirmation of a general hypothesis by combining data from related studies, estimation of a general treatment effect by combining data from related studies, generation of hypotheses for further testing, and convincing others of a finding by presenting a systematic summary of all studies related to that finding.
Solar Energy for Clean and Affordable Water Desalination

Producing fresh water via sea- and brackish-water desalination is essential for arid, water-scarce regions, but it is expensive and energy-intensive. The cost of energy is a major contributor to this high cost and the use of fossil fuels that currently power desalination plants causes emissions of greenhouse gases and other hazardous pollutants. The recent cost reductions and efficiency advances of photovoltaic systems create opportunities for developing low-cost and emission-free desalination technologies. However, the adoption of PV-powered water desalination and reuse technologies is hampered by the lack of concepts and designs that are integral to the variability of the solar resources. This paper describes the status and prospects of PV-integrated grid-connected and autonomous desalination systems and presents a holistic approach accounting for the variable conditions of the solar resources in different regions of the world to advance the development and deployment of environmentally friendly water desalination technologies worldwide.
Impact of Perceived Racism on Healthcare Access Among Older Minority Adults.

Introduction Older minority individuals are less likely to receive adequate health care than their white counterparts. This study investigates whether perceived racism is associated with delayed/forgone care among minority older adults, and whether poor doctor communication mediates this relationship. Methods Study cohort consisted of minority participants, aged ≥65 years, in the 2015 California Health Interview Survey (N=1,756). Authors obtained data in November 2017, and statistical analyses were performed from February to April 2018. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted with relevant covariates, including insurance coverage, years living in the U.S., and language. A mediation analysis was also performed. Results Among minority older individuals, perceived racism was significantly associated with delayed/forgone care (AOR=3.92, 95% CI=1.38, 11.15, p=0.010). Poor doctor communication significantly and partially mediated the relationship (AOR=3.64, 95% CI=1.30, 10.21, p=0.014), accounting for 9.9% of the total effect. Conclusions Perceived racism may contribute to health disparities for older minority individuals in part through doctors communicating messages that discourage adequate utilization of health care. Future research should explore culturally sensitive communication skills that reduce this barrier to receiving adequate health care.
Some American Exceptional Contributions in Finance

This chapter provides discussion on the financial theories of American contributors that are exceptional. We visit some names that are popular in economics as well. In those cases where the authors have contributions in many separate disciplines, we compartmentalize them. This chapter presents high theories such as Capital Asset Pricing Model, Arbitrage Pricing Theory, and Cox-Ingersoll-Ross that are popular in the literature of economics. The backdrop of these theories is asset pricing, which goes back to Louis Bachelier, who is considered the father of modern finance. Much effort went into correcting and extending Bachelier’s application of Brownian Motion in the area of Stochastic pricing models. Some of the exceptional theories in this chapter include the Brownian basis of speculation theory, Random Walk models with Martingale and Markov processes, the Black-Sholes option pricing model, and the Modigliani-Miller theorem. As with Chap. 3, many authors are considered as precursors to the exceptional models. The discussion includes works by Paul Samuelson, Robert Merton, Robert Lucas Jr., and Harry Markowitz.
Metastatic behavior of mixed invasive ductal lobular carcinoma (mIDC/ILC).

1085Background: Mixed invasive ductal lobular carcinoma (mIDC/ILC) is a poorly described subtype of invasive breast cancer, characterized by its composition of both ductal and lobular histopatholog...
Patient characteristics and surgical variables associated with intraoperative reduced right ventricular function.

Abstract Objective Perioperative right ventricular function is a significant predictor of patient outcomes after cardiac surgery. This prospective study aimed to identify perioperative factors associated with reduced intraoperative right ventricular function. Methods Right ventricular function was assessed at the beginning and end of surgery by standardized transesophageal echocardiographic measurements, including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, peak systolic longitudinal right ventricular strain, and fractional area change, in 109 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery at Cleveland Clinic. Associations between right ventricular function and 33 patient characteristics and perioperative factors were analyzed by random forest machine learning. The relative importance of each variable in predicting right ventricular function at the end of surgery was determined. Results Longer aortic clamp duration and lower baseline right ventricular function were highly important variables for predicting worse right ventricular function measured by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, right ventricular strain, and fractional area change at the end of surgery. For example, right ventricular function after longer aortic clamp times of 100-120 minutes was worse (median [Q1, Q3] tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion 1.0 [0.9, 1.1] cm) compared with right ventricular function after shorter aortic clamp times of 50 to 70 minutes (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion 1.5 [1.3, 1.7]; P = .001). Right ventricular strain at the end of surgery was reduced in patients with worse baseline right ventricular function compared with those with higher baseline right ventricular function (end of surgery right ventricular strain in lowest quartile −13.7 [−16.6, −12.4]% vs highest quartile −17.7 [−18.6, −15.3]% of baseline right ventricular function; P = .043). Conclusions Intraoperative decline in right ventricular function is associated with longer aortic clamp time and worse baseline right ventricular function. Efforts to optimize these factors, including better myocardial protection strategies, may improve perioperative right ventricular function.
Draft Genome Sequences of Dysgonomonas sp. Strains BGC7 and HGC4, Isolated from the Hindgut of a Lower Termite.

ABSTRACT Dysgonomonas spp. are facultative heterotrophs which colonize diverse environments, including the hindgut of the lower termite Reticulitermes flavipes. Dysgonomonas genomes are enriched for genes involving oligo- and polysaccharide utilization, enabling modification of a wide array of complex glycans. Here, we report draft genome sequences for Dysgonomonas sp. strains BGC7 and HGC4.
Foundations of explanations as model reconciliation

Abstract Past work on plan explanations primarily involved the AI system explaining the correctness of its plan and the rationale for its decision in terms of its own model. Such soliloquy is wholly inadequate in most realistic scenarios where users have domain and task models that differ from that used by the AI system. We posit that the explanations are best studied in light of these differing models. In particular, we show how explanation can be seen as a “model reconciliation problem” (MRP), where the AI system in effect suggests changes to the user's mental model so as to make its plan be optimal with respect to that changed user model. We will study the properties of such explanations, present algorithms for automatically computing them, discuss relevant extensions to the basic framework, and evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms both empirically and through controlled user studies.
Reply to Robson et al.

Summary Robson et al.’s commentary 1 on our article, ‘Floral pigmentation has responded rapidly to global change in ozone and temperature’ 2 , questions the study’s conclusion that floral ultraviolet (UV) pigmentation has responded to global change, particularly to total column ozone (TCO). Robson et al. 1 claim that our study spanned a time frame in which ozone was not declining and suggest no biological relationship between UV-B exposure and UV floral pigmentation. To support their claims, they selectively remove and reanalyze data. We respond with a critique of their interpretations of our results, and analyses of temporal patterns of TCO data from Koski et al. 2 . Despite Robson et al.’s concerns, our study continues to support a link between temporal changes in ozone and temperature, and temporal changes in UV floral pigmentation.
A Review of Tire Imprint Evidence

This slim book consisting of 20 short chapters deals with a very important topic and will undoubtedly be of some value to criminalist and investigator alike. The author, a retired tire tread designer with several years of experience in helping investigators locate candidate tires capable of making certain tracks and in interpreting casework exhibits, could be expected to contribute the definitive work on the subject. The latter this book is not. There is not a great deal presented that experienced forensic scientists have not learned from casework experience, readings scattered among diverse sources, and, perhaps visits to tire manufacturing facilities. There seems to be no question that Mr. McDonald knows much of forensic science relevance that he could teach us about tires. One would have hoped that some of this expertise could be made available to criminalists. Very little that is not already known to experienced criminalists is shared in this volume. This is probably not a book that will remain on the criminalist's bookshelf. Although it may provide some useful new information for many criminalists, this new information is likely to be mastered in one reading. This is not a reference work.
The Relationship of the Pediatrician to the Child’s Family

When she regained her balance, Katie felt a warm, thick substance oozing from her lip. Groping in the direction of her mouth, she touched herself and then saw that her fingers were soaked with bright, red blood. Suddenly the pain came, first a far-away wave, and then sharp stabbing sensations all around her face. Katie began to sob. What had happened?
Glucocerebrosidase mutations in Gaucher disease.

Thirty-six mutations that cause Gaucher disease, the most common glycolipid storage disorder, are known. Although both alleles of most patients with the disease contain one of these mutations, in a few patients one or both disease-producing alleles have remained unidentified. Identification of mutations in these patients is useful for genetic counseling. The DNA from 23 Gaucher disease patients in whom at least one glucocerebrosidase allele did not contain any of the 36 previously described mutations has been examined by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, followed by sequencing of regions in which abnormalities were detected. Eight previously undescribed mutations were detected. In exon 3, a deletion of a cytosine at cDNA nt 203 was found. In exon 6, three missense mutations were identified: a C→A transversion at cDNA nt 644 (Ala176→Asp), a C→A transversion at cDNA nt 661 that resulted in a (Pro182→Thr), and a G→A transition at cDNA nt 721(Gly202→Arg). Two missense mutations were found in exon 7: a G→A transition at cDNA nt 887 (Arg257→Gln) and a C→T at cDNA nt 970 (Arg285→Cys). Two missense mutations were found in exon 9: a T→G at cDNA nt 1249 (Trp378→Gly) and a G→A at cDNA nt 1255 (Asp380→Asn). In addition to these disease-producing mutations, a silent C→G transversion at cDNA nt 1431, occurring in a gene that already contained the 1226G mutation, was found in one family. The mutations described here and previously known can be classified as mild, severe, or lethal, on the basis of their effect on enzyme production and on clinical phenotype, and as polymorphic or sporadic, on the basis of the haplotype in which they are found. Rare mutations such as the new ones described here are sporadic in nature.
Magnetic Nanoparticles and Quantum Dots for Analytical Applications

Quantum dots (QDs) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs; typically 1–100 nm in dimension) have many applications in analytical methods. Quantum dots are semiconductor nanoparticles whose electronic energy levels are substantially controlled by the particle dimensions. This control comes about due to quantum confinement; that is, the size of the particle becomes small compared with the typical exciton size in the bulk material. An exciton is a hole-electron pair that has been spatially separated due to energy input. QDs have unique optical properties that make them useful as an analytical tool. These properties include broad absorbance spectra, narrow emission spectra, emission wavelength that is tunable by adjusting particle size, high quantum efficiency, and low photobleaching rates. Selectively attaching QDs to target analytes can effectively label the analyte for highly sensitive detection using optical or electrochemical methods. MNPs are commonly made of magnetite (Fe3O4) or maghemite (γ-Fe2O3). In the nanoscale range, these materials are typically superparamagnetic. The magnetic properties of these nanomaterials allow them to be manipulated by magnetic fields or detected by magnetic means. Furthermore, the relatively low toxicity of iron oxides allow for their use for in vivo applications. This review covers analytical applications of MNPs and QDs. The literature covered is mainly articles that appeared a few years before 2010 to emphasize advances contemporary to this review.
Distribution of ascorbate-2-sulfate and distribution, half-life and turnover rates of [1-14C]ascorbic acid in rainbow trout.

Rainbow trout (250 g) were maintained at 15 degrees C for 3 months on a low ascorbic acid diet, given (1-/sup 14/C)ascorbic acid by gavage, then fed the NAS/NRC requirement 12 times per week. Total urine, fecal water and branchial water were collected daily from five fish placed in metabolism chambers for four successive 5-day periods. Tissue samples were analyzed for /sup 14/C, ascorbic acid (C1) and ascorbate-2-sulfate (C2). Excretion analysis indicated t1/2 . 42 days. After 20 days, the feeding schedule was changed to 3 times per week. Fish fed /sup 14/C were sampled after 1, 2, 3 and 4 months. The half-life in each organ except brain was inversely proportional to the dietary level of ascorbate. Concentrations of C1 and C2 in the various tissues reflected dietary intake of vitamin C. Total C (CT . C1 + C2) levels were maintained in the liver even with the low vitamin C diet. Estimates of body pool for C1 are 27-29 mg/kg. At the higher ascorbate intake CT was 92-114 mg/kg, but decreased by 34% at the lower feeding rate to 51-62 mg/kg. Data indicate that there are two or more body pools that include a store of C2, whichmore » is readily interconverted in metabolizing tissues to and from C1. Since air and water stable C2 is antiscorbutic for fish, it is the preferred form of ascorbate for fish feeds.« less
A Reticulated Cover Slip

Preparation and use of a reticulated cover slip is described as an aid in orientation under the microscope.
An Explosion in the Desert

Dr. Atomic . John Adams, composer. Libretto by Peter Sellars . San Francisco Opera, co-production with Lyric Opera of Chicago and De Nederlandse Opera, Amsterdam. San Francisco, 1 to 22 October 2005. [www.doctor-atomic.com][1] This thought-provoking opera is centered around Oppenheimer and the detonation of the world's first atomic bomb in the New Mexico desert. [1]: http://www.doctor-atomic.com
Role of Lipid Peroxidation in Dapsone-Induced Hemolytic Anemia

Dapsone hydroxylamine (DDS-NOH) is a direct-acting hemolytic agent responsible for dapsone-induced hemolytic anemia in the rat. The hemolytic activity of DDS-NOH is associated with the formation of disulfide-linked hemoglobin adducts on membrane skeletal proteins. We have postulated that this membrane protein "damage" is a consequence of DDS-NOH-induced oxidative stress within the red cell and that it serves as the trigger for premature removal of injured but intact red cells from the circulation by splenic macrophages. Oxidative stress has also been associated with the induction of lipid peroxidation, and it is possible that direct damage to the lipoidal membrane may play a role in the premature sequestration of the damaged cells in the spleen. To investigate this possibility, rat and human red cells were incubated with hemolytic concentrations of DDS-NOH and examined for evidence of lipid peroxidation using two independent assays: thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances formation and cis-paranaric acid degradation. Phenylhydrazine, which is known to induce lipid peroxidation in red cells, was used as a positive control. The extent of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances formation and cis-paranaric acid degradation in DDS-NOH-treated rat and human red cells was not significantly different from that in control cells. In contrast, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances formation and cis-paranaric acid degradation were significantly increased in red cells treated with hemolytic concentrations of the positive control, phenylhydrazine. These data suggest that lipid peroxidation is not involved in the mechanism underlying dapsone-induced hemolytic anemia.
If we send it, they will study: the effect of a practice placement exam on placement exam scores and success in calculus I

ABSTRACT Most colleges administer mathematics placement exams to “place” students into their first mathematics course. According to Hassett, Downs, and Jenkins,[6] the importance of these placement exams is not communicated to the students. As a consequence, students do not prepare for the exams, and because of poor performance, may be forced to register for courses they had already passed at a different institution. In this study, we analyze the effect of mailing a practice algebra and trigonometry placement exam with solutions to all incoming first year students. Our results indicate that a small amount of study resulted in significantly higher placement exam scores (p ≈ 0) and reduced enrollment in remedial mathematics. The practice placement exam did not inflate placement exam scores – students who took the practice placement exam were as successful in Calculus I as those who did not take the practice placement exam.
Ricardian equivalence for local government bonds: A utility maximization approach

Abstract We show that Ricardian equivalence holds for local public finance if and only if subnational units use property taxes. However, for other tax bases, the unique equilibrium has the same economic outcome as in models where districts may not issue debt.
Idiopathic myocardial hypertrophy simulating rheumatic heart disease.

Abstract This 26-year-old white male patient was intermittently hospitalized for 1 to 2 years prior to death from congestive failure primarily because of cardiac arrhythmias. Autopsy findings revealed only massive cardiac hypertrophy primarily of the left ventricle with fibrosis of the myocardium and evidence of acute pulmonary edema with congestion of the liver, spleen, and kidneys. The etiology of the left ventricular and auricular hypertrophy and fibrosis was not apparent.
The Role of Antibodies and Von Willebrand Factor in Discordant Pulmonary Xenotransplantation

Pulmonary xenotransplantation is one potential solution to the paucity of donors but is currently limited by rapid failure of the graft. Unlike cardiac and renal xenotransplants, pulmonary xenografts release large quantities of swine von Willebrand factor (vWF). Swine vWF binds xenoreactive antibodies and is capable of activating primate platelets. The contribution of swine vWF to lung xenograft dysfunction is not entirely clear. To probe the role vWF plays in xenograft dysfunction, we traced the fate of xenoantibodies in vWF+ and von Willebrand factor-deficient (vWFD) swine lungs. These studies showed that the vast majority of xenoantibodies bind the vWF released from the vWF+ swine lung, and thus do not remain bound on lung endothelium. The vWF complexed to xenoantibody remained capable of aggregating primate platelets. With this information, we performed swine-to-baboon lung transplants using vWF+ and vWFD donors. Without vWF present to complex xenoantibodies, a picture of hyperacute rejection more typical of heart and kidney xenografts, with antibody deposition along the graft endothelium, interstitial hemorrhage, and edema occurred. These findings suggest that porcine vWF plays a major role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary xenograft dysfunction, and suggests promising strategies to treat lung xenograft dysfunction.
Direct Experimental Evidence of Back-Surface Ion Acceleration from Laser-Irradiated Gold Foils

Au foils were irradiated with a 100-TW, 100-fs laser at intensities greater than ${10}^{20}\text{ }\mathrm{W}/{\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{2}$ producing proton beams with a total yield of $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{11}$ and maximum proton energy of $g9\text{ }\mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}$. Removing contamination from the back surface of Au foils with an Ar-ion sputter gun reduced the total yield of accelerated protons to less than 1% of the yield observed without removing contamination. Removing contamination from the front surface (laser-interaction side) of the target had no observable effect on the proton beam. We present a one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation that models the experiment. Both experimental and simulation results are consistent with the back-surface acceleration mechanism described in the text.
Using agents and autonomic computing to build next generation seamless mobility services

Next generation networks seek to integrate wide-area and local-area wireless and wired systems in order to provide seamless services to the end user, providing freedom of movement between metropolitan/enterprise and indoor/outdoor coverage while maintaining continuity of applications experience. Seamless Mobility, and its vision of seamless service delivery, requires significant changes to existing wired and wireless network management systems. Seamless Mobility is an experiential architecture, predicated on providing mechanisms that enable a user to accomplish his or her tasks without regard to technology. This talk will describe a novel autonomic architecture that uses a variety of different types of agents to synthesize knowledge about the environment, the context of users and their service and resource needs, and the capabilities and constraints placed on the network at any given time.Agents act according to a unique context-aware policy governance approach, and work autonomously to orchestrate system behavior according to business goals. This talk will conclude with a summary of research directions at Motorola Labs and future work to be undertaken.
Effects of Pacing on Stationary Reentrant Activity: Theoretical and Experimental Study

Abstract It is well known that electrical pacing may either terminate or change the rate and/or ECG appearance of reentrant ventricular tachycardia. However, the dynamics of interaction of reentrant waves with waves initiated by external pacing are poorly understood. Prevailing concepts are based on simplistic models in which propagation occurs in one-dimensional rings of cardiac tissue. Since reentrant activation in the ventricles occurs in two or three dimensions, such concepts might be insufficient to explain the mechanisms of pacing-induced effects. We used numerical and biological models of cardiac excitation to explore the phenomena, which may take place as a result of electrical pacing during functionally determined reentry. Computer simulations of a two-dimensional array of electrically coupled FitzHugh-Nagumo cells were used to predict the response patterns expected from thin slices of sheep ventricular epicardial muscle, in which self-sustaining reentrant activity in the form of spiral waves was...
Airborne video surveillance

Video image exploitation is an increasingly crucial component of battlefield surveillance systems. In orderto address the present difficulties pertaining to video exploitation of tactical sensors, DARPA has developedthe Airborne Video Surveillance (AVS) program. AVS will utilizes Electro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR)video imagery similar to that available from current and future Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems.The AVS program will include the development, integration, and evaluation of technologies pertaining toprecision video registration, multiple target surveillance, and automated activity monitoring into a systemcapable of real-time UAV video exploitation. When combined with existing EO and IR target recognitionalgorithms, AVS will provide the Warfighter with a comprehensive video battlespace awareness capability.Keywords: video exploitation, unmanned aerial vehicles, battlefield surveillance, precision registration,multiple target tracking, activity monitoring, video mosaic
Subjective Magnitude Information in Semantic Orderings.

Subjects compared the magnitudes of pairs of concepts from the semantic orderings of time, quality, and temperature, choosing either the concept that was longer/better/warmer or the concept that was shorter/worse/colder . Decision time depended on two factors. First, decision time decreased as the subjective difference between the magnitudes of the two concepts being compared increased. Second, the decision was made more quickly when the form of the comparative in the question was congruent with the scale position of the terms being compared. For example, it was easier to choose the longer term of the pair decade-century , and the shorter term of the pair second-minute . The results demonstrate that the semantic representations of ordered terms contain subjective magnitude information.
Wood Porch Design and Construction Issues

A porch structure, as discussed in this paper, refers to a structural system made up of platforms and stairs intended as a means to provide an alternate access to a multi-unit residential building. Although usually located in the back of a building, a porch could be located on any side, including in the front. Most common porches in Chicago are wood structures. However, steel and masonry porches are also prevalent. While most existing porches have performed reasonably well, the focus of new design requirements is to enhance safety by increasing the live load capacity of porches, and by adhering to structural details that provide maximum efficiency needed to transfer loads from floor to joists, girders, and columns down to the foundation and the ground. The main purpose of this narrative is to review these requirements and provide a forum for further discussions within the structural engineering community on porch design and construction issues. The discussions presented in this narrative focus on wood porches.
Research on Pollutant Loading of Biological Aerated Filter

The aim of this study is to investigate the pollutant loading of two-stage biological aerated filter in series. We choose Shenyang Xiannhe wastewater treatment plant as research site. By testing pollutant loading under conditions of the same hydraulic loading and different hydraulic loading respectively, we discovered that there was great difference between the 1st filter and the 2nd filter. COD loading of the 1st filter varied from 2.0 m-3.d-1 to 6.0 m-3.d-1,however NH4-H loading was more complex with NH4-H remove rate being negative in most cases . COD loading of 2nd filter was from 0.2 m-3.d-1to 1.5 m-3.d-1,and NH4-H loading was from 0.4 m-3.d-1 to 1.5 m-3.d-1. Key words: biological aerated filter;pollutant loading.
A Theory of Interpersonal Relations for Cross Cultural Studies

The problem of the Japanese American West Coast Survey was to determine whether the interpersonal style of Japanese Americans was influenced by their inheritance of Japanese interpersonal patterns, and also whether this style could account for their unusual proclivity for organizing voluntary associations. G. H. Mead’s interpersonal theory was seen as particularly suitable for explaining the most prominent features of the Japanese interpersonal style-such as their delayed response tendency in interactions, low individuality, exceptional attentiveness to the attitudes of others, emphasis on consensus forming, and strong preference for group decision making and group action-and for showing how Japanese Americans could become socialized in this style and dispose them toward organizational activity. The utility of Mead’s scheme as a basis for explaining Japanese behavior patterns was further assessed by examining its value in interpreting major findings about Japanese national character produced by the Institute of Statistical Mathematics in its fifty-years study of the subject. We concluded that Mead’s interpersonal theory offered a highly suitable basis for designing our study and for interpreting our collected observations.
Chinese Educational Achievement and “Folk Theories of Success”

This article examines issues of human agency and Ogbu's concept of “folk theory of success” in the context of the Dutch Chinese immigrant educational experience. It argues that minority educational behavior and the way it comes about cannot be described with static interpretive frames; rather, it must be located within the context of a flexible “cultural logic” that determines the interpretation of continually changing circumstances facing an individual or group and provides malleable blueprints for behavior and folk theories of success.
Technical factors influencing sonographic visualization of fetal echogenic intracardiac foci

Purpose A fetal echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF) is most commonly a normal variant in a normal fetus, but owing to reports of an increased risk of aneuploidy with EIFs, the finding causes concern when noted on routine obstetric sonograms. This study was undertaken to determine which factors influence the sonographic visualization of fetal EIFs. Methods In part 1 of the study, records from 1,920 fetal sonographic examinations were reviewed for fetal age, indication for sonography, and abnormal findings. For all cases with EIFs recorded and 645 randomly selected cases with no record of EIFs, sonograms were reviewed for heart position at the time of the 4-chamber view, technologist performing the examination, fetal position, heart visibility, transducer frequency, machine type, amount of amniotic fluid, and presence/absence of an EIF. In part 2 of the study, machine settings were evaluated with respect to visualization of EIFs. Results In part 1 of the study, only the technologist performing the examination and the fetal position were associated with visualization of EIFs. In part 2 of the study, we found that the standard obstetric mode settings are better for visualization of EIFs than are the fetal echocardiographic mode settings. Conclusions We conclude that technical factors influence visualization of EIFs. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 28:479–484, 2000.
Hypertension of renal origin

In the early nineteenth century Bright [4] brought attention to the association between renal disease and hypertension. Later in the century, Tigerstedt and Bergmann [39] injected a water-soluble extract derived from the renal cortex of a healthy rabbit, termed renin, into a vein of a second rabbit, producing a marked and sustained hypertension. No further studies on the association of renal disease and hypertension were carried out until Goldblatt et al's [13] classic experiments in the dog in 1934. Goldblatt demonstrated that reversible elevation in systemic arterial pressure could be produced by clamping the main renal artery of one of two healthy kidneys. The blood pressure returned to normal on removal of the kidney or clamp. Taking a cue from Goldblatt's observations, clinicians
Novedades en el tratamiento del cáncer de próstata metastático hormono-independiente

Resumen Objetivo revisar los ultimos avances en el tratamiento del cancer de prostata hormono-independiente (CPHI). Metodologia revision de los ultimos resumenes de comunicaciones y presentaciones en congresos, y de la literatura cientifica utilizando las siguientes palabras clave para busquedas en Medline/PubMed: androgen independent/hormone refractory prostate cancer, novel treatment options. Revision de ensayos clinicos en fase II y fase III. Conclusion dos estudios de gran trascendencia, -el SWOG 9916 y el Taxotere 327- han probado que la supervivencia de los pacientes con CPHI puede mejorar tras la administracion intravenosa de docetaxel cada 3 semanas. La combinacion de docetaxel y prednisona proporciona supervivencias de 19 meses, mientras que la asociacion de mitoxantrona y prednisona se sigue de supervivencias de 16 meses. A pesar de esa diferencia, todavia es necesario mejorar el beneficio en terminos de supervivencia, dado que el periodo libre de recidiva entre los respondedores es frecuentemente breve (6 meses), y los pacientes a menudo mueren por progresion tumoral. El satraplatino (un nuevo analogo del platino) utilizado en segunda linea ha proporcionado un beneficio adicional de 1,5 semanas libres de progresion. No obstante, es necesario desarrollar drogas menos toxicas para mejorar significativamente la supervivencia.
Deformation of Mesozoic dikes in New England

Slickensided fractures occur in 52{percent} of the 235 Mesozoic dikes examined in Vermont, New Hampshire, and southern Maine. About 80{percent} are tectonically reactivated cooling joints; about 20{percent} are true faults. Stress configurations were derived from the fractures by using the Gephart stress inversion programs. The data provide clear evidence for east-northeast-west-southwest compression, north-south compression, and regional arching. Evidence of east-northeast-west-southwest compression dominates the data set. This stress has probably affected New England since Early Cretaceous time.