cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination QAD in Audited and Unaudited Companies

Based on QAD (quality of accounting data) information it is possible to determine how the company is able to manage its economic activities. The basic element is the level of QAD perceived by users of accounting information. This article describes using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to get an overview to the quality of accounting information. Then there is used statistical methods T-test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to set the differences between QAD in audited and unaudited companies. The first step is to define the various criteria which adversely affect the quality of accounting data and then their assignment to groups according to the context. Subsequently, on the basis of Saaty’s method determine the weights of the criteria in each group and then by using the AHP method determine their importance. Then the quality of accounting data in 71 companies is determined and the differences between accounting data quality of audited companies and accounting data quality of unaudited companies are detected. Fulltext: https://doi.org/10.1515/acta-2016-0009
Operational Perspective of Lessons Learned From the Ebola Crisis

ABSTRACT Given its potential to quickly spread internationally and initially uncontrollable nature, the 2014 to 2015 Ebola outbreak has implications for global biosecurity. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Technical Reachback provided near real-time analysis and recommendations as outbreak-relevant events unfolded. Our review of often-conflicting or incomplete information was required to answer policy decision makers about the expanding Ebola epidemic, and enable the formulation of best-possible U.S. Department of Defense and Government response. Challenging questions often did not have obvious information available from which to provide a definitive answer. Nevertheless, through use of best-practice science and medicine, we provided timely and scientifically accurate weekly review for decision makers. Our comprehensive analyses included the nature of the outbreak, its global and national impact, contributing factors to this and future Ebola outbreaks, the U.S. Government and international response, ...
New relationships for multi-neighborhood search for the minimum linear arrangement problem

Abstract We develop a series of theorems about the graph structure of the classical Minimum Linear Arrangement (MinLA) problem which disclose properties that can be exploited by Multi-Neighborhood Search (MNS) algorithms. As a foundation, we differentiate between swaps of labels attached to adjacent and non-adjacent nodes to create two new neighborhood classes, and show how our theorems yield efficient algorithms for updating key arrays used by local search procedures. In addition, we introduce a class of neighborhoods called set-based neighborhoods supported by a theorem that identifies solutions (labelings) for the MinLA problem in polynomial time that dominate exponential numbers of alternative solutions. The component neighborhoods within this new neighborhood class can be applied in various sequences in conjunction with the first two new neighborhoods introduced. Our results also apply to problems with objectives different than those of MinLA. Finally, our results make it possible to exploit the new neighborhoods according to the user's choice of MNS protocols and alternative local search algorithms.
The microsoft catapult project

All new Microsoft Azure and Bing servers are being deployed with an FPGA that sits both between the server and the data center network and on the PCIe bus. The FPGA is currently being used to accelerate networking on Azure machines and search on Bing machines, but could very quickly and easily be retargeted to other uses as needed. In this talk, I will describe how we decided on this architecture, the new data center model it introduces, and the benefits it provides.
What Work the Fundamental

Although it is very often taken for granted that there is something fundamental, the literature appears to have developed with little to no careful consideration of what exactly it is that the fundamentalia are supposed to do. If we are to have a good reason to believe that there is something fundamental, we need not only to know what exactly it is that the fundamentalia are invoked for, but why it is that nothing else is available for the task to hand. A good argument in defense of fundamentality, then, will contain an assumption that stipulates an explanatory target; along with a second, crucial, assumption that tells us that no dependent entity is available to do the work that needs to be done. In this paper, I explore both of these assumptions.
DNA microarray analysis using a smartphone to detect the BRCA-1 gene

DNA microarrays are used to examine changes in gene expression of a large number of genes simultaneously by fluorescent labeling of complementary DNAs (cDNAs). The major bottleneck in implementing microarray technology in resource-limited settings lies in the detection instrument used for generating images of spotted oligonucleotides post-hybridization. While various methods such as a lateral flow assay have been presented to accomplish point-of-care disease detection, there is no simple and effective instrument available to gather spot images maintaining the standard microarray procedures. Nanotechnology based sensors connected with a portable smartphone readout system have the potential to be implemented in microarray technology. Here, we describe a portable fluorescence microarray based imaging system connected to a smartphone for detecting breast cancer gene expression (BRCA-1) from exon 11. This is based on the interactive binding of probe DNA to Cy3-target DNA. A paper-based microfluidics approach was used to demonstrate the DNA hybridization assay. The imaging principles of the assembled device named "FluoroZen" are similar to those of a fluorescence microscope. It uses two light spectrum filters, one to excite the fluorescent dye and the other to capture the emission spectrum. The images were acquired by using CCD cameras from FluoroZen. The smartphone integrated paper microfluidics platform presented here could be translated into clinical settings to perform point-of-care testing.
A Pediatric and Neonatal Critical Care Transport Team's Standard of Care for Suspected Stroke of a Pediatric Patient

Background A 314 bed free standing Children's Hospital is the region's first and only dedicated pediatric stroke center offering comprehensive, individualized treatment protocols for children (Children's Mercy, 2018). The WHO estimates 1-2/210,000 children will have a stroke. Mortality is 2-11% but persistent neurological deficit will occur in 68-73% of children who experience a stroke (Bernard Ann Neurol 2008). "Recognition and early intervention are critical to minimizing brain damage" (Mutka Sharma, MD). Depending on the length of time since the stroke, treatment options can vary. Rapid identification and treatment can be lifesaving and/or potentially improve neurologic outcomes (Children's Mercy 2018). Objectives To provide a Pediatric and Neonatal Critical Care Transport team the training, job aides and standardization for the recognition and treatment of a pediatric patient with stroke symptoms requiring transport to a Pediatric Stroke Center. ●Identify pediatric patients with symptoms concerning for stroke ●Initiate a Stroke Alert Protocol if child has focal neurologic deficit and meets criteria for activation ●Aid in the pre Pediatric Stroke Center triage process and stroke evaluation ●Provide rapid assessment, stabilization, and transport of children with stroke-like symptoms to pediatric center ●Initiate neuroprotective measures designed to minimize secondary neurologic injury IMPLEMENTATION ●Clinical Practice Guideline ●Suspected Stroke Checklist ●tPA Administration and Monitoring Guidelines Results Because symptoms of a pediatric ischemic stroke can vary greatly from an adult ischemic stroke, our Critical Care Transport Team is specially trained and prepared to transport a pediatric patient with stroke symptoms from anywhere in the area. If a pediatric ischemic stroke is suspected by a referral and/or our transport team, our collaborative team of Medical Control Physicians (MCP), Transport Personnel, Referral Physicians and Emergency Room Physicians are all specially trained to activate our stroke protocol immediately should a patient present with stroke symptoms. Since implementation we have transported and treated 2 patients with basilar artery stroke. Both patients had successful clot retrieval and full neurological recovery! Several other critical diagnosis as a result of being a stroke mimicker were made during the stroke alert and/or stroke activation procedure including brain tumor, HSV encephalitis, brain abscess, Schawannoma and Moya Moya disease. Conclusion There has been an increase in rapid diagnosis, early recognition and treatment of pediatric patients with acute ischemic stroke and other stroke mimickers that required emergent intervention following implementation of our Stroke Alert Protocol, Clinical Practice Guideline, Suspected Stroke Checklist and tPA Administration and monitoring Guideline for Pediatric and Neonatal Critical Care Transport.
Novel Medical Therapeutics for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Drugs used in the treatment of HCM are largely off-label. In addition, their efficacy is variable, with none approaching a high level of consistent efficacy. Accordingly, increasingly symptomatic patients move on to invasive therapies, including septal reduction therapy and heart transplantation. HCM has been given orphan drug discovery status, spurring multiple companies to invest in novel pharmacotherapies in this space. Three drugs have reached development, with two recently halted. The remaining drug, mavacamten (Myokardia, Inc.), is approaching its pivotal trial after encouraging results in pilot trials on patients with obstructive HCM. Further research is needed, but it seems likely that new medications with greater efficacy will be available commercially within the next decade.
The lived experience of orthodox Jewish nursing students

Expanding cultural diversity in the United States creates social imperative requiring healthcare agencies to attract and retain nurses from diverse groups. The purpose of this research was to under...
Redefining Work and Education in the Technological Revolution

Just as Dewey argued during the industrial revolution, from the 1890s–1930s, and Martin argued in the 1960s–1990s with our “second wave” working revolution (when middle class women joined the work force in significant numbers): today’s times are out of joint, potentially dangerous conflicts exist, and teachers have some responsibility in making things right. We are in another social revolution, as work is changing significantly again, due to advances in technology. Let’s call these current changes in work the technology revolution. Again, we need to rethink our school structures, curriculum, and pedagogy. In an effort to contribute to that process, I direct our attention to the need to redefine work, and re/examine the connections between work and education in this paper.
Readmission after emergency general surgery.

Abstract Background Readmission rates are an important metric because they enable an evaluation of care and affect Medicare funding. This study evaluates factors contributing to readmission after emergency general surgery. Methods The Virginia Health Information database was used to identify patients who had undergone the most common emergency general surgery procedures from 1/2011-6/2016. Analyses were performed for 30 and 90-day readmission. Results 121,223 records met initial inclusion criteria and 54,372 remained after exclusions. In 30 days there were 5050 readmissions and 7896 readmissions in 90 days. Factors significant in contributing to 30-day readmission were length of stay, discharge location, and several comorbidities. For 90-day readmission the same factors were significant with the addition of urgent vs emergency admission and insurance status as well as additional comorbidities. Discharge to rehab, SNF, or with home healthcare had particularly high rates of 90 day readmission. Conclusions We identified factors that contribute to readmission after emergency general surgery providing targets for future interventions. Improved follow up for patients discharged with rehab or home health needs is our next step.
Arcing Fault Detection with Interpretable Learning Model Under the Integration of Renewable Energy

Under the trend of deeper renewable energy integration, active distribution networks are facing increasing uncertainty and security issues, among which the arcing fault detection (AFD) has baffled researchers for years. Existing machine learning based AFD methods are deficient in feature extraction and model interpretability. To overcome these limitations in learning algorithms, we have designed a way to translate the non-transparent machine learning prediction model into an implementable logic for AFD. Moreover, the AFD logic is tested under different fault scenarios and realistic renewable generation data, with the help of our self-developed AFD software. The performance from various tests shows that the interpretable prediction model has high accuracy, dependability, security and speed under the integration of renewable energy.
United States liver allocation.

Purpose of review The current review discusses the system of liver allocation in the United States, the adoption of the national liver review board (NLRB), and the pending major change to the system of distribution (acuity circle model). Recent findings The system of liver allocation in the United States is based on the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, a formula which uses commonly available tests (international normalized ratio, bilirubin, creatinine, and recently, sodium) prioritizes candidates on the waitlist according to likelihood of death without access to transplant. This review provides an overview of modifications to MELD allocation and well as a summary of the benefits and weaknesses. The review also details the pending major revision to the distribution of liver allografts, which attempts to reduce the geographic disparity in access by sharing across a broader geographic area. Finally, the review describes the implementation of the NLRB, which replaced the previous system in May 2019. Summary The system of liver allocation and distribution in the United States has been subject to ongoing optimization, though the recent adoption of the NLRB, and pending change to distribution will significantly impact the system with the goal of reducing geographic disparity.
Medical thoracoscopy in intensive care unit

During the last decade, there has been a tremendous effort towards making procedures less invasive, which could reduce complications, decrease hospital stay and minimize overall health care cost. Medical thoracoscopy (MT) or pleuroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure commonly performed by interventional pulmonologist in United States. It has a favorable safety profile allowing access to the pleural cavity with a thoracoscope via a small chest wall incision to perform diagnostic or therapeutic interventions under direct visualization. MT allows the physician to perform pleural biopsy with high accuracy, drain loculated pleural effusion, guide chest tube placement and perform pleurodesis. As compared to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), MT is less invasive, does not require single lung ventilation, has a comparable diagnostic yield, and better tolerated in high-risk patients. MT can also be performed at bedside in critically ill patients. Although MT is generally safe, a multi-disciplinary discussion between the interventional pulmonologist, intensive care team, anesthesiologist and thoracic team is necessary to ensure best clinical practice as well as minimize complications for such high-risk patients. The purpose of this article is to review technique, diagnostic and therapeutic indications, as well as contraindications of performing bedside MT in intensive care unit. It aims to review both advantages and limitations of performing MT in intensive care unit.
Robotic Low Anterior Resection and Partial Bladder Resection for Management of Locoregional Endometrial Cancer Recurrence.

ABSTRACT Objective To demonstrate a robotic tumor debulking for management of locoregional endometrial cancer recurrence. Design Case report. Setting Tertiary referral center in New Haven, CT. Interventions A 70-year-old patient with a history of stage IB endometrioid endometrial cancer presented with rectal bleeding 3 years after the completion of treatment. A mass involving the distal sigmoid colon/upper rectum and bilateral distal periureteral masses were visualized on imaging. There was no distant metastatic disease. Colonoscopic biopsies were consistent with endometrial cancer recurrence. Because the patient was symptomatic with rectal bleeding and had no distant metastasis, it was recommended that she undergo surgical resection for management of this locoregional recurrence. The patient was placed in reverse Trendelenburg position with a rightward tilt to mobilize the splenic flexure. Once the cephalad aspect of the descending colon mobilization was completed, the patient was placed in Trendelenburg lithotomy position to expose the pelvis. A robot was docked at this point and the pelvic avascular spaces were delineated. A medial-to-lateral approach was used in mobilization of the sigmoid colon mesentery. The left ureter was identified and the sigmoid branches of inferior mesenteric artery were sealed. The descending/sigmoid colon junction was stapled. After complete mobilization of the sigmoid colon, the tumor-free upper rectum was delineated and stapled. Attention was then turned to the distal peri-ureteral masses. The 2-cm mass on the right, which was densely adherent to the distal right ureter, was completely resected after extensive ureterolysis. The resection of the 4-cm mass on the left which involved both the distal left ureter and the bladder dome required an intentional cystotomy and a partial cystectomy to attain negative margins ( Supplemental Figure 1 ). The procedure was continued with the bowel anastomosis. The anvil was introduced through the vagina and was placed into the proximal limb through an antimesenteric incision. An end-to-end tension-free anastomosis was performed and adequate vascularization was confirmed with intravenous indocyanine green. Conclusion Robotic low anterior resection and partial bladder resection were performed without any complications with negative margins. Robotic tumor debulking should be considered in appropriate patients when managing locoregional recurrence of endometrial cancer [ 1 , 2 ].
Early Life Exposure to Environmental Contaminants (BDE-47, TBBPA, and BPS) Produced Persistent Alterations in Fecal Microbiome in Adult Male Mice

The gut microbiome is a pivotal player in toxicological responses. We investigated the effects of maternal exposure to 3 human health-relevant toxicants (BDE-47, tetrabromobisphenol [TBBPA], and bisphenol S [BPS]) on the composition and metabolite levels (bile acids [BAs] and short-chain fatty acids [SCFAs]) of the gut microbiome in adult pups. CD-1 mouse dams were orally exposed to vehicle (corn oil, 10 ml/kg), BDE-47 (0.2 mg/kg), TBBPA (0.2 mg/kg), or BPS (0.2 mg/kg) once daily from gestational day 8 to the end of lactation (postnatal day 21). 16S rRNA sequencing and targeted metabolomics were performed in feces of 20-week-old adult male pups (n = 14 - 23/group). Host gene expression and BA levels were quantified in liver. BPS had the most prominent effect on the beta-diversity of the fecal microbiome compared with TBPPA and BDE-47 (QIIME). Seventy-three taxa were persistently altered by at least 1 chemical, and 12 taxa were commonly regulated by all chemicals (most of which were from the Clostridia class and were decreased). The most distinct microbial biomarkers were S24-7 for BDE-47, Rikenellaceae for TBBPA, and Lactobacillus for BPS (LefSe). The community-wide contributions to the shift in microbial pathways were predicted using FishTaco. Consistent with FishTaco predictions, BDE-47 persistently increased fecal and hepatic BAs within the 12α hydroxylation pathway, corresponding to an up-regulation with the hepatic BA-synthetic enzyme Cyp7a1. Fecal BAs were also persistently up-regulated by TBBPA and BPS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry). TBBPA increased propionic acid and succinate, whereas BPS decreased acetic acid (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). There was a general trend in the hepatic down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and the oxidative stress sensor target gene (Nqo1), and a decrease in G6Pdx (the deficiency of which leads to dyslipidemia). In conclusion, maternal exposure to these toxicants persistently modified the gut-liver axis, which may produce an immune-suppressive and dyslipidemia-prone signature later in life.
Looking out, working in: How policymakers and experts conceptualize health system models in Argentina, Costa Rica, and Peru

Abstract While research has pointed to the role of foreign models in national policy-making we know less about how and why these models are embraced by experts. In this article I examine how experts in Argentina, Costa Rica, and Peru think about foreign models in health: do they compare their countries’ health system to their neighbors’ and other regional countries? Or do they expand beyond their surroundings, looking to those countries with more advanced welfare states and health systems, notably European countries? I focus on which characteristics are salient to experts and policymakers in considering foreign models and how we can account for differences. Drawing from a unique dataset of interviews with national policymakers, civil society actors, consultants, and international organization personnel working in health in Argentina, Costa Rica, and Peru I find that broad political and social concerns, rather than strictly health performance, affect how and whether respondents name foreign models for emulation. In Costa Rica, a country with a strong, universal healthcare system, experts are less willing to rely on foreign models, though they do cite desirable traits abroad. In Argentina, the political structure—its status as a federal state, guides many of experts’ comparisons. In Peru, on the other hand, experts are much more willing to articulate foreign, especially regional, models. I conclude by discussing the importance of considering policymakers’ conceptual frames for understanding policy models and reform in key sectors implicated in development, such as health, especially in the global South.
Cast Method Effect of Carbon Nanofiber Aggregates on Structural Health Monitoring

Previous research on carbon nanofiber aggregates (CNFAs) have shown stable and reliable results for stress sensing with alternating current. The CNFAs necessarily contain carbon nanofibers (CNFs), responsible for the conductivity of this sensor. In addition to the other ingredients present in a CNFA, two 23 gauge welded galvanized steel wire meshes are embedded inside the CNFA cube to create a bridge between the external electrical impedance measuring device and the electrical impedance produced in the CNFA cube. Traditionally, CNFs were mixed in the cement mortar during CNFA casting. However, in this research, CNFAs are cast with CNFs glued to the wire meshes using conductive adhesive to improve the sensitivity of the cement-based sensor. CNFAs were tested under progressive monotonic uniaxial compression for the sweep-frequency test at the frequency range of 500 Hz to 300 kHz. A comparative study on the results from the two sets of CNFA tests shows that sensitivity can be improved when CNFS are glued on wire meshes with conductive adhesive. This paper includes the study of CNFA casting with new technique that increases the accuracy and reliability of sensors in structural health monitoring.
Comparison of iron staining and scoring methods on canine bone marrow aspirates.

Background Insufficient iron for erythropoiesis can occur in multiple conditions, including absolute iron deficiency, which is often caused by chronic external hemorrhage in dogs. Distinguishing this from other causes of iron-restricted erythropoiesis allows appropriate intervention. Decreased marrow iron assessed by Prussian blue staining is a method to diagnose absolute iron deficiency, but scoring systems for marrow iron are not validated in dogs. Objectives Our objectives were to (a) evaluate the technical performance of two bone marrow iron scoring systems used in human medicine and (b) examine the effects of destaining and restaining on iron stores after Wright-stained marrow slides are destained and restained with a Prussian blue stain. Methods Two marrow aspirate slides were included from each of 12 ill dogs in which marrow was collected during clinical evaluation. One slide was directly stained with Prussian blue. The other was first stained with Wright stain, then destained and restained with Prussian blue. Three blinded observers scored the presence of iron in each of the 24 randomized slides using the Gale (scale 0-6) and sideroblast methods (percentage score). Slides were then re-randomized and rescored. Results For the Gale method, interobserver agreement was fair, and intraobserver agreement was substantial to perfect. There was less agreement using the sideroblast method, with a significant observer effect. Iron scores were significantly lower in destained slides compared with those stained directly. Conclusions Interobserver and intraobserver agreements were acceptable for the Gale method, but the sideroblast method should be used cautiously. A destaining procedure before Prussian blue staining could decrease marrow iron scores.
Extrapolation of ACOSOG Z0011 trial results—A survey of breast cancer providers

We surveyed breast providers from a national oncology cooperative group to evaluate axillary management recommendations for patients with 1-2 positive sentinel lymph nodes (+SLNs) with scenarios not explicitly included in the Z0011 trial. These scenarios included patients underrepresented (premenopausal, HER2+/triple-negative tumors, and invasive lobular carcinoma) or excluded (treated with mastectomy or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy [NAC]) from the ACOSOG Z0011 trial. Survey response rate was 94/149 (64%). For patients in underrepresented groups, 45-63% of providers recommended no further axillary treatment. For mastectomy patients, 45-55% recommended multi-disciplinary discussion. 83% felt more data are needed to change practice, but 41% believed there would be significant accrual challenges to a clinical trial. For patients treated with NAC, recommendations varied widely. 85% felt more data are needed to change practice, but 26% felt there would be significant accrual challenges. For all scenarios, 86-100% of radiation oncologists recommended axillary radiation, while surgeons more often recommended no further axillary treatment. Traditional randomized trials are likely not feasible to provide answers to these critical management questions, so more pragmatic or big data studies may be needed.
A Scoping Review of Decolonization in Indigenous-Focused Health Education and Behavior Research.

Public health remains acutely affected by the historical legacy and ongoing processes of colonization. Although scholars have advocated for decolonization of public health systems, the principles a...
Dynamic Fair Resource Division

A single homogeneous resource needs to be fairly shared between users that dynamically arrive and depart over time. Although good allocations exist for any fixed number of users, implementing these...
Examining Field Experiences of Teacher Candidates During COVID-19: Systemic Inequities Unveiled for Underserved English Learners in K-12 Grades

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 challenged schools and credential programs to adjust pedagogy, but rapid changes impeded equitable practices to K-12 grade English Learners (ELs). The framework stems from critical multicultural education. Data represented 81 credential candidates across three universities. Study confirmed that ELs lacked access to online learning, active engagement with peers/teachers, and differentiated instruction due to rapid changes and uncertainties to their programs.
Endoscopic Endonasal Management of Metastatic Lesions of the Anterior Skull Base: Case Series and Literature Review

Background The anterior skull base is an uncommon site for brain metastases. A limited number of cases have been reported where a region of the skull base is accessed through an expanded/extended transsphenoidal route. In addition, reports of overall and progression-free survival rates are lacking. Objective To report progression-free and overall survival rates for skull base metastases treated with aggressive endoscopic endonasal surgery and radiation therapy. Methods We retrospectively review a prospective database of patients at New York Presbyterian Hospital undergoing expanded endoscopic endonasal surgery from 2004 to 2014. From this database, we identified all patients whose final pathology revealed a metastatic lesion in the midline skull base. Results Seven hundred forty-nine patients underwent endonasal endoscopic surgery. Final pathology in 12 patients (1.6%) revealed metastasis to the sellar or parasellar region. Tumors were located in the sella, suprasellar cistern, clivus, ethmoid sinuses, sphenoid sinus, cavernous sinus, and craniovertebral junction. Breast and lung cancers were the most common primary diagnoses. Gross total resection was achieved in 41.6% of patients. There were no postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Adjuvant radiation therapy was used in 92% of cases. Median follow-up was 14 months (range, 1–55). Median progression-free and overall survival were 18 and 16 months, respectively. Conclusions The range of anterior skull base metastatic lesions that can be managed endonasally has increased with the advent of extended endonasal endoscopic surgical approaches. Favorable results can be obtained with this surgical approach as part of the overall management paradigm for patients with skull base metastases.
Kidney: Hereditary Disorders

Hereditary disorders of the kidney consist of a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by abnormalities in the ability of the kidneys to filter waste products and/or maintain acid–base and fluid homeostasis. Elucidation of the underlying genetic lesions has enhanced our basic understanding of renal physiology, as well as of normal kidney development and cellular differentiation. Keywords: kidney diseases; kidney development; ion transport; hypertension; acid–base balance; electrolytes
Introduction to Conventional Transmission Electron Microscopy: Defects in crystals

Introduction In this chapter, we will continue the discussion of the dynamical theory of electron diffraction. We will cover several of the most important defects: dislocations, stacking faults, and other planar boundaries, and we will discuss the diffraction contrast caused by various types of interfaces, e.g. domain walls and twins. Finally, some aspects of the weak beam technique will be covered. In all cases, we will describe how image simulations can be carried out. The survey of defects in this chapter is by necessity limited to only a few defects. The reader will find that the methods are sufficiently general, so that they may be applied to other defects with only minimal modifications to the experimental procedures or numerical algorithms. Crystal defects and displacement fields One of the most important applications of conventional TEM is the study of defects in crystalline materials. As we have seen in Chapter 1, a crystal is characterized by a periodic 3D lattice, decorated with a motif or asymmetric unit consisting of one or more atoms. From space group theory, we know that the symmetry elements of a crystal structure are either rotational, translational, or a combination of both. Since a space group is a group of infinite order, and since real crystals are always of finite size, we find that a crystal cannot completely satisfy all elements of a particular space group. In other words, space group symmetry must be broken at one or more points in space. The most obvious case of broken symmetry is found at the bounding surfaces of the crystal and we have already described the importance of this type of symmetry breaking in Sections 2.6.3 (page 119) and 5.8 (page 328).
Contact resistance degradation in z-axis connectors operated at burn-in temperatures

Elevated temperature tests were performed on molybdenum wire button z-axis socket assemblies in an effort to develop and qualify a high footprint density burn-in socket for pinless modules. Stress tests were performed at 200/spl deg/C, with periodic mating and unmating of the substrate from the socket. These tests revealed that after 172 hours of stress, the mean contact resistance increased by over an order of magnitude. Individual measurements of the stressed circuit board, socket and substrate revealed that the substrate contributed the majority of the observed resistance increase and that the degradation was due to diffusion and oxidation of the Cr/Cu/Ni/Au pad metallurgy on the pinless ceramic substrates. The resistance contributions of the socket and circuit board pads were also analyzed and various wire button contact metallurgies were evaluated in order to minimize their role in the degradation. Overall, this work demonstrates the importance of maintaining the integrity of all metallurgical interfaces when using z-axis interconnects at elevated temperatures. >
Is there a high frequency limit to laser action

The usefulness of radiation of any frequency is greatly enhanced by even a modest improvement in its degree of coherence. In the very short wavelength end of the spectrum, coherent sources have yet to be developed; if and when they are, they should enable new processes and new kinds of measurement, just as they have in the optical, infrared and microwave regions. Thus, the development of new coherent sources, and, in particular, of lasers for generating radiation of shorter wavelengths is desirable.
The function of the endocytic scaffold protein Pan1p depends on multiple domains.

Pan1p is an essential protein of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is required for the internalization step of endocytosis and organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Pan1p, which binds several other endocytic proteins, is composed of multiple protein–protein interaction domains including two Eps15 Homology (EH) domains, a coiled-coil domain, an acidic Arp2/3-activating region, and a proline-rich domain. In this study, we have induced high-level expression of various domains of Pan1p in wild-type cells to assess the dominant consequences on viability, endocytosis, and actin organization. We found that the most severe phenotypes, with blocked endocytosis and aggregated actin, required expression of nearly full length Pan1p, and also required the endocytic regulatory protein kinase Prk1p. The central coiled-coil domain was the smallest fragment whose overexpression caused any dominant effects; these effects were more pronounced by inclusion of the second EH domain. Co-overexpressing nonoverlapping amino- and carboxy-terminal fragments did not mimic the effects of the intact protein, whereas fragments that overlapped within the coiled-coil region could. Yeast two-hybrid and in vivo coimmunoprecipitation analyses suggest that Pan1 may form dimers or higher order oligomers. Collectively, our data support a view of Pan1p as a dimeric/oligomeric scaffold whose functions require both the amino- and carboxy-termini, linked by the central region.
On fast timing closure: speeding up incremental path-based timing analysis with mapreduce

Incremental path-based timing analysis (PBA) is a pivotal step in the timing optimization flow. A core building block analyzes the timing path-by-path subject to a critical amount of incremental changes on the design. However, this process in nature demands an extremely high computational complexity and has been a major bottleneck in accelerating timing closure. Therefore, we introduce in this paper a fast and scalable algorithm of incremental PBA with MapReduce – a recently popular programming paradigm in big-data era. Inspired by the spirit of MapReduce, we formulate our problem into tasks that are associated with keys and values and perform massively-parallel map and reduce operations on a distributed system. Experimental results demonstrated that our approach can not only easily analyze huge deisgns in a few minutes, but also quickly revalidate the timing after the incremental changes. Our results are beneficial for speeding up the lengthy design cycle of timing closure.
Teaching Hospitals Today and the Challenge for Excellence

The contemporary pediatric chairman exists in an extraordinary professional milieu. The challenge for academic leaders in this deacde becomes more rigorous with each passing day. No longer will the traditional attributes of teacher, clinician, and biomedical researcher suffice. The chairman must also become a competitive academic-administrative leader with additional skills in personnel management and entrepreneurial business pursuits. At the same time, the arena in which he or she toils, the teaching hospital, has become an economic battle-ground. Competition for patient population and teaching material in our academic medical centers is intense. Can we meet it? Nonteaching community hospitals surround every teaching institution. These hospitals provide primary and secondary hospital care with much less fuss.
Methods of Controlling the Loop Heat Pipe Operating Temperature

The operating temperature of a loop heat pipe (LHP) is governed by the saturation temperature of its compensation chamber (CC); the latter is in turn determined by the balance among the heat leak from the evaporator to the CC, the amount of subcooling carried by the liquid returning to the CC, and the amount of heat exchanged between the CC and ambient. The LHP operating temperature can be controlled at a desired set point by actively controlling the CC temperature. The most common method is to cold bias the CC and use electric heater power to maintain the CC set point temperature. The required electric heater power can be large when the condenser sink is very cold. Several methods have been developed to reduce the control heater power, including coupling block, heat exchanger and separate subcooler, variable conductance heat pipe, by-pass valve with pressure regulator, secondary evaporator, and thermoelectric converter. The paper discusses the operating principles, advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Chemical analyses of asporogenic mutants of Bacillus cereus.

Lundgren, D. G. (Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.) and J. J. Cooney. Chemical analyses of asporogenic mutants of Bacillus cereus. J. Bacteriol. 83:1287–1293. 1962.—Bacillus cereus ATCC 4342 and three temperature-sensitive asporogenic mutants were compared regarding some basic cellular components and response to metals in a synthetic medium. The mutants sporulate when cultured at 28 C but are asporogenic when cultured at 37 C; the parent sporulates at both temperatures. Results of amino acid analyses of cells harvested at characteristic times during the culture cycle revealed no qualitative differences which could be related to the asporogenic nature of the mutants. All sporulating cultures synthesized dipicolinic acid during sporulation, but asporogenic cultures did not. The patterns of zinc, potassium, sodium, and calcium uptake, but not of iron or manganese uptake, appear to be affected in the asporogenic mutants.
Phase I study of high-dose piroxantrone with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

PURPOSEWe performed a phase I trial of piroxantrone with and without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to determine whether the use of this cytokine would enable us to increase the dose-intensity of piroxantrone.PATIENTS AND METHODSThirty-eight patients received 121 courses of piroxantrone administered once every 21 days. Initial patient cohorts received piroxantrone alone starting at 150 mg/m2 and the dose was escalated in subsequent patients until dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was reached. Patient cohorts then received escalating doses of piroxantrone starting at 185 mg/m2 administered with G-CSF beginning day 2.RESULTSDose-limiting neutropenia occurred in three of six patients treated with 185 mg/m2 piroxantrone; the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of piroxantrone alone was 150 mg/m2. Three of six patients treated with piroxantrone and G-CSF exhibited dose-limiting thrombocytopenia at 445 mg/m2; the MTD of piroxantrone with G-CSF was thus 355 mg/m2. Seven patients developed symptomatic congesti...
When Do CEOs Have Covenants Not to Compete in Their Employment Contracts

When do American CEOs have covenants not to compete (CNCs) in their employment contracts? To answer this question, we collected a random sample of nearly 1000 CEO employment contracts for 500 companies randomly selected from the S&P 1500 for the time period 1996 to 2010. Our main findings are very revealing. First, our analysis shows that CEO’s are less likely to have CNCs in their employment contracts if the contracts are being enforced in jurisdictions that do not permit strong CNC clauses. Thus, contracts that are likely to be enforced in California are much less likely to include non-compete clauses as its state courts will not enforce those provisions. Second, there is a significant trend toward greater usage of CNC clauses in CEO employment contracts over time. This suggests that employers are more aware than ever of the importance of using CNC clauses and confirms other scholars’ assumptions that, at least in one context, these clauses are used increasingly by employers. Third, there is strong path dependence in the use of CNC clauses: if a company used one in a prior CEO employment contract, then it is much more likely to insist on one in a later contract. Next, longer term contracts are more likely to have CNC clauses than short term contracts. This is likely because the firm has more firm specific investment in CEOs that stay for longer periods. Finally, we find that more profitable firms are more likely to use noncompete provisions in their CEO’s employment contract suggesting that for these firms the risk of harm from a departing CEO may simply be more acute than with other firms.
Novel antiferromagnetic quantum phase transition in underdoped cuprates

We investigate a zero-temperature itinerant antiferromagnetic transition where the fermions possess a d-wave gap. This problem pertains to both the nodal liquid insulating phase and the d-wave superconducting phase of the underdoped cuprates. We find that a non-trivial quantum phase transition exists, and that the quantum critical point is dominated by a long-ranged interaction ($|x-y|^{-2d}$) of the N\'{e}el order parameter, which is induced by the Dirac-like fermions near gap nodes. We formulate a Ginzburg-Landau functional and estimate the critical exponents via the large-N expansion method.
Large step volumetric potential reduction algorithms for linear programming

We consider the construction of potential reduction algorithms using volumetric, and mixed volumetric — logarithmic, barriers. These are true “large step” methods, where dual updates produce constant-factor reductions in the primal-dual gap. Using a mixed volumetric — logarithmic barrier we obtain an $$O(\sqrt {nmL} )$$ iteration algorithm, improving on the best previously known complexity for a large step method. Our results complement those of Vaidya and Atkinson on small step volumetric, and mixed volumetric — logarithmic, barrier function algorithms. We also obtain simplified proofs of fundamental properties of the volumetric barrier, originally due to Vaidya.
Overview of Routes of IgG Administration

The use of exogenous serum to provide protection against infections began more than a century ago. Over time, this concept matured and led to the preparation of concentrated immunoglobulin (IgG) products that were safe and effective when delivered subcutaneously (SC) or intramuscularly (IM) but were not ideal for intravenous (IV) use. Continued improvements led to the development of IgG preparations that are safe for either subcutaneous IgG (SCIG) or intravenous IgG (IVIG) delivery and allow providers and patients significant flexibility to develop an effective but manageable treatment plan. Factors that influence the choice of IgG product and delivery method can maximize the therapeutic benefit and provide the best possible quality of life for patients.
Ordinal Discrete Choice Analyses of Wisconsin Cross-Median Crash Severities

A cross-median crash (CMC), in which a vehicle crosses the median, is one of the most severe crashes because of the risk of colliding with an opposing vehicle. Ordinal discrete choice modeling efforts for investigating the nexus between the underlying severity propensity and miscellaneous roadway-safety-related factors for single- and multivehicle CMCs that occurred from 2001 to 2007 in Wisconsin are described. Ordinal logit (ORL) and probit (ORP) models were employed for the severity analyses. For multivehicle CMCs, the final ORP model found that road condition has a significant effect on severity. Adverse road conditions enhance the likelihood of a more severe consequence if a CMC occurs. Winter precipitation negatively affects CMC severity, and logically Wisconsin's geographical location plays a significant role. The final ORL model found that alcohol and drug use incurs more severe consequences when a CMC occurs. Both models found that more severe injuries occur on roadways posted with higher speed li...
Goal specificity and knowledge acquisition in statistics problem solving: Evidence for attentional focus

Solving training problems with nonspecific goals (NG; i.e., solving for all possible unknown values) often results in better transfer than solving training problems with standard goals (SG; i.e., solving for one particular unknown value). In this study, we evaluated an attentional focus explanation of the goal specificity effect. According to the attentional focus view, solving NG problems causes attention to be directed to local relations among successive problem states, whereas solving SG problems causes attention to be directed to relations between the various problem states and the goal state. Attention to the former is thought to enhance structural knowledge about the problem domain and thus promote transfer. Results supported this view because structurally different transfer problems were solved faster following NG training than following SG training. Moreover, structural knowledge representations revealed more links depicting local relations following NG training and more links to the training goal following SG training. As predicted, these effects were obtained only by domain novices.
Organic polymer light-emitting devices on plastic substrates

In this paper, we describe a high-performance organic polymer light-emitting device (OLED) fabricated on the ITO coated plastic substrates. The device, using air-stable Al as the cathode, has a bi-layer structure consisting of a hole transporting (amine-fluorene) and an emissive (benzothiadiazole-fluorene) conjugated polymer layers prepared by the spin-coating technique. Device shows a green light emission (approximately 570 nm), and has a good brightness (greater than 400 cd/m2), acceptable emission efficiency (greater than 6.4 cd/A), and high external quantum efficiency (greater than 1.8%).© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Restoring Images With Shift-Varying Degradations

We compare two methods of restoring images with linear spatially-varying degradations: the singular value decomputation method, and the projection iterative method. Our tentative conclusion is that: (1) they give restorations of comparable quality; (2) the projection iterative method requires less computation time.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.