cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The parylene–aluminum multilayer interconnection system for wafer scale integration and wafer scale hybrid packaging

Polyimides have been considered as interlayer dielectrics for wafer scale integration (WSI) and wafer scale hybrid packaging (WSHP). However, high temperature curing steps for polyimide lead to large stresses in polyimide films. This is due to differing thermal expansion coefficients of the metal conductor, insulator and substrate materials causing yield and reliability problems. Polyimides also require the use of solvents, and tend to outgas during subsequent processing. They tend to absorb moisture with resulting degradation of dielectric constants. Also, the spin on method used to apply and planarize polyimide layers exhibits nonuniformity of thickness on large wafers. In this paper we examine parylene (Poly-p-xylylene) and some of its derivatives as possible interlayer dielectrics due to some of their attractive features. Parylene has a low dielectric constant. It can be vapor deposited at low temperatures and in vacuum. It is also highly resistant to corrosion and is a clear, transparent material with possible use for optical interconnections. This paper studies the reactive ion etching properties for polyimides and parylenes in an oxygen containing plasma under identical conditions. The etching rates of the parylenes and polyimides have been compared. The surface properties of these polymers are examined. Further, the film growth properties of aluminum deposited on the etched surfaces using the ionized cluster beam are investigated.
Effect of continuous flow high-pressure throttling on rheological and ultrastructural properties of soymilk

Soymilk processing uses a filtration or centrifugation step to remove coarse solids in the comminuted soy. The objective was to utilize the whole beans and determine the effect of continuous flow high pressure throttling (CFHPT) process in reducing particle size and narrowing down the particle size distribution. The rheological and ultrastructural properties of such soymilk were also determined. Whole dehulled soybeans and deionized water were ground in a food processor before comminution in a Megatron (process M) or a Fitzmill (process F) or a Stonemill (process S). The comminuted slurry was homogenized at pressures of 69, 103, 138, 207, and 276 MPa using a CFHPT system, heated to 80 degrees C in a tubular heat exchanger prior to depressurization, and held at elevated temperatures of 97, 106, 114, 131, and 148 degrees C, respectively, for each applied pressure after throttling. To avoid flashing, back pressure was applied after the holding tube and soymilk was cooled immediately. Process M produced soymilk with smallest particle size and the highest apparent viscosity. All soymilk samples showed non-Newtonian pseudoplastic flow behavior. Ultrastructural images showed a clear protein network with very small fat globules entrapped in the protein matrix. Particles were uniformly distributed when the highest pressure treatment was applied for process M, which was considered as the best process.
Recycling of roofing membrane rubber by ultrasonic devulcanization

The recycling of vulcanizates based on EPDM roofing membrane rubber using a new ultrasonic devulcanization reactor with a grooved barrel was carried out. This reactor provided continuous devulcanization at an output as high as 2.52 g/s. Die pressure and ultrasonic power consumption were measured as a function of processing conditions. The mechanical properties of virgin vulcanized and revulcanized roofing membranes were measured. Tensile strength of the revulcanized rubber was found to be similar to that of the virgin vulcanizate. Gel fraction, crosslink density, and dynamic properties of the virgin vulcanizate, the ultrasonically devulcanized rubber, and the revulcanized rubber were determined. Also, dynamic properties and the cure behavior of the virgin compound and of the devulcanized roofing membrane were investigated. All these properties were found to be dependent on processing conditions during devulcanization. The thermal stability of the virgin compound, virgin vulcanizate, and devulcanized and revulcanized rubbers were studied by means of TGA. It was found that the thermal stability of all the vulcanizates in air and nitrogen environments remained practically intact, while that of devulcanized rubber in air environment was a function of processing conditions.
Reality monitoring of physically similar and conceptually related objects

Three studies showed that information used in determining a target memory’s source may be derived not only from the target event itself, but also from other nontarget events or memories. Subjects were more likely to claim that an imagined object was perceived when it physically resembled or was conceptually related to another specific item that was actually perceived, relative to when there was no physical resemblance or semantic relation. Furthermore, error rates for imagined items increased with the number of perceived items that they resembled. However, subjects’ orienting task at encoding (perceptually biased or perceptually plus conceptually biased) did not systematically affect error rates. The results indicate that reality monitoring decisions about a target object are influenced by similar physical and conceptual information that was derived from other objects.
Probabilistic methods for the evaluation of seismic damage of existing structures

Resume de la litterature valable sur les diverses methodes probabilistes pouvant etre appliquees a lAcoustique l'Acoustique architecturalede Zone urbainexisUrbanismen dMesure in situiquRuent Zone industrielleniques utilisees dans la reconnaissance de modele et des methodes d'inference
Synthesis, crystal structure, and high-precision high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance investigation of a manganese(III) complex: [Mn(dbm)2(py)2](ClO4).

The complex [Mn(dbm)2(py)2](ClO4) (dbm = anion of 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione (dibenzoylmethane), py = pyridine) was synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. It has tetragonally distorted geometry with the axial positions occupied by the py ligands and the equatorial positions by the dbm ligands. This mononuclear complex of high-spin Mn(III) (3d4, S = 2) was studied by high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) both as a solid powder and in frozen dichloromethane solution. Very high quality HFEPR spectra were recorded over a wide range of frequencies. The complete dataset of resonant magnetic fields versus transition energies was analyzed using automated fitting software. This analysis yielded the following spin Hamiltonian parameters (energies in cm-1): D = −4.504(2), E = −0.425(1), B40 = −1.8(4) × 10-4, B42 = 7(3) × 10-4, B44 = 48(4) × 10-4, gx = 1.993(1), gy = 1.994(1), and gz = 1.983(1), where the B4n values represent fourth-order zero-field splitting terms tha...
Cadmium and zinc chelates of hexafluoroacetylacetone the gas phase reaction of a novel volatile cadmium complex with hydrogen sulphide

Abstract Three new hexafluoroacetylacetonate (hfa) chelates of cadmium having compositions, NH 4 Cd(hfa) 3 .H 2 O, Cd(hfa) 2 .NH 3 .H 2 O and Cd(hfa) 2 .2H 2 O have been synthesized. The syntheses, molecular weight, infra-red, NMR spectra and other properties of these chelates and of Zn(hfa) 2 .2H 2 O are discussed. A study of the gas phase reaction between Cd(hfa) 2 .NH 3 .H 2 O and hydrogen sulphide leading to the deposition of thin films of cadmium sulphide is also described.
Susceptibility of Epoxy Coatings To Damage by Fresh Water Immersion

Abstract Data are given on tests of epoxy coatings, resistance to submersion in fresh water with a variety of curing agents as the variable. Examples are given showing where formulations cured by amines failed. Naval Research Laboratory tests showed epoxy coatings blistered consistently. A hypothesis is offered on the mechanism by which the coatings fail and the mechanism of blistering. 5.4.5,4.6.7
High-Precision Pressure Shifting Measurement Technique Using Frequency-Stabilized Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy

Abstract We describe a high-precision method for measuring pressure shifting of absorption lines. The technique involves the acquisition of high-resolution spectra using a cavity ring-down spectrometer whose length is continuously locked to a frequency-stabilized reference laser over a range of sample pressures. We discuss a relatively large correction arising from the pressure-dependence of dispersion in the cavity modes, and we demonstrate pressure shifting measurements in air for transitions in the 16 O 2 A -band. Pressure shifts in the range - 0.011 to - 0.007 cm - 1 atm - 1 are reported. We measured relative positions of line centers to within 70 kHz and determined pressure shifting coefficients over a 5 kPa pressure range with relative uncertainties approximately equal to 1.0%, which constitutes a five-fold improvement over previous measurements.
The patterns of product and process innovations: resource-based view

The “product life cycle (PLC) model” of innovations (Utteback & Abernathy, 1975) has greatly contributed toward establishing a general logic to elucidate how the innovation patterns of a wide range...
MAHJONG AND URBAN LIFE: INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, COLLECTIVE INTERESTS, AND CITY IMAGE IN POST-MAO CHINA

Through an examination of issues arising from mahjong playing, this article explores changes in daily life and popular culture at the turn of the twenty-first century and argues that these changes reflect political, economic, social, and cultural transformations, in which conflicts between individual rights and collective interests have become increasingly prominent. This study discusses issues relating to mahjong from stories at four different levels: individual, community, the city, and the nation, which, respectively, look at conflicts among neighbors, examine the role of the Residential Committee in the neighborhood, observe the responses of the municipal government and official media to the city's image, and reveal the dilemma when the socialist state confronts mahjong issues. From the specific issues arising from mahjong, we can see how the new culture of the market economy in today's China coexists with elements from a more traditional lifestyle.
Schematic knowledge changes what judgments of learning predict in a source memory task

Source monitoring can be influenced by information that is external to the study context, such as beliefs and general knowledge (Johnson, Hashtroudi, & Lindsay, 1993). We investigated the extent to which metamnemonic judgments predict memory for items and sources when schematic information about the sources is or is not provided at encoding. Participants made judgments of learning (JOLs) to statements presented by two speakers and were informed of the occupation of each speaker either before or after the encoding session. Replicating earlier work, prior knowledge decreased participants’ tendency to erroneously attribute statements to schematically consistent but episodically incorrect speakers. The origin of this effect can be understood by examining the relationship between JOLs and performance: JOLs were equally predictive of item and source memory in the absence of prior knowledge, but were exclusively predictive of source memory when participants knew of the relationship between speakers and statements during study. Background knowledge determines the information that people solicit in service of metamnemonic judgments, suggesting that these judgments reflect control processes during encoding that reduce schematic errors.
Proton pump inhibitors and H. pylori infection: why the concern?

Proton pump inhibitor therapy, even on a short-term basis, is associated with a decrease in antral gastritis and an increase in gastritis of the body. On a long-term basis, some series show the development of atrophic gastritis and some show none or hardly any. All studies fail to show or to report any significant increase in the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia with long-term PPI therapy. If one wants to determine whether PPIs cause atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia, then the angularis primarily and the gastric antrum secondarily need to be studied because that is where most IM resides in the intestinal types of cancer. Instead of focusing on the angularis an antrum, the studies have evaluated biopsies from the gastric body, the least likely spot to be intestinalized in association with the intestinal type of gastric cancer. H. pylori is associated with both intestinal and diffuse types of gastric cancer. Obtaining an answer to the question of whether PPI therapy or any other type of therap increases gastric cancer risk in H. pylori-positive patients will require epidemiologic studies in which cancer is the end point. Intermediate theoretic markers are not available for diffuse cancers. If intermediate markers are used for the intestinal type of gastric cancer, then atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia might provide some insight on theoretical grounds. However, the published long-term studies to date have not addressed that question because of where they have focused the biopsy sampling, and/or because of failure to report data on intestinal metaplasia.
Matrix metalloproteinases inhibition provides neuroprotection against hypoxia-ischemia in the developing brain

The present study was designed to investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the immature brain and the long term effects of early MMPs inhibition after hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury. HI was induced by unilateral ligation of the right carotid artery followed by hypoxia (8% O(2) for 2 h) in P7 rat pups. GM6001, a broad spectrum MMPs inhibitor, was injected (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally at 2 h and 24 h after HI injury. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, brain edema, MMP-2/-9 activity, TIMP-1/-2 and tight junction protein (TJP) level were evaluated using IgG staining, Evan's blue extravasation, brain water content, zymography and western blot. Doxycycline, another MMPs inhibitor, was injected (10 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally at 2 h after HI, then BBB integrity and brain edema were measured at 48 h post-HI using brain water content measurement and IgG staining. The long-term effects of early MMPs inhibition (GM6001, 100 mg/kg) were evaluated by neurobehavioral tests, body weight, and brain atrophy measurement. GM6001 attenuated brain edema and BBB disruption at the dosage of 100 mg/kg. MMP-2 activity increased at 24 h and peaked at 48 h after HI, whereas MMP-9 activity peaked at 24 h and tapered by 48 h after HI. MMP-9/-2 activities were significantly attenuated by GM6001 at 24 h and 48 h after HI. The degradation of TJPs (ZO-1 and occludin) at 48 h after HI was reversed by GM6001 treatment. Early MMPs inhibition had long-term effects that attenuated ipsilateral brain tissue loss, and improved neurobehavioral outcomes after HI. These results suggest that early MMPs inhibition with a broad-spectrum inhibitor provides both acute and long-term neuroprotection in the developing brain by reducing TJPs degradation, preserving BBB integrity, and ameliorating brain edema after neonatal HI injury.
Methionine metabolism in mammals: regulatory effects of S-adenosylhomocysteine.

Abstract S -Adenosylhomocysteine inhibits betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase. The inhibition is nonlinear, competitive in relation to homocysteine, and noncompetitive in relation to betaine. S -Adenosylhomocysteine activates cystathionine synthase at all concentrations of the substrates, serine and homocysteine. By altering the distribution of homocysteine between these competing pathways, S -adenosylhomocysteine may be significant in the regulation of methionine metabolism in the intact animal.
Paleomagnetic study of antarctic deep-sea cores.

The magnetic inclinations and inten sities of about 650 samples from seven deepsea cores taken in the Antarctic were measured on a spinner magnetometer. This series of measurements provided a magnetic stratigraphy, based on zones of normally or reversally polar ized specimens for each core, which was then correlated with the magnetic stra tigraphy of Cox et al. (1). One core (V16-134) gave a continuous record of the paleomagnetic field back to about 3.5 million years. When selected samples were subject ed to alternatingfield demagnetization, most were found to have an unstable component that was removed by fields of 150 oersteds; all samples from two cores were partially demagnetized in a field of 150 oersteds. The average inclination in these two cores was then in good agreement with the average inclination of the ambient field for the latitude of the core site. It was also found that the intensities of the samples decreased at the points of reversal; this finding is to be expected if, as has been postulated by the dynamo theory, the intensity of the dipole field decreases to zero and builds again with opposite polarity. We believe that the magnetiza tion of the cores results from the pres ence of detrital magnetite, although other magnetic minerals also may be present. Four faunal zones (, X, , and ) have been recognized in these Antarctic cores on the basis of upward sequential disappearance of Radiolaria. The faunal boundaries and reversals consistently have the same relations to one another, indicating that they are both timedependent phenomena. Using previously determined times of reversal, one may date the following events in the cores: 1) Radiolarian faunal boundaries:-X, 2 million years; X-, 0.7 million years; -, 0.4 to 0.5 million years. These dates are in good agreement with ages previously extrapolated from radio metric dates. 2) Initiation of Antarctic diatom ooze deposition, approximately 2.0 mil-lion years ago. 3) First occurrence of ice- rafted detritus, approximately 2.5 million years ago. One can also calculate rates of sedi mentation, which vary in the cores studied from 1.1 to about 8.0 millimeters per 1000 years. Sedimentation rates for the Indian Ocean cores are higher than for the Bellingshausen Sea cores. The near coincidence of faunal changes and reversals in the cores suggests but does not prove a causal relation. We conclude from this study that paleomagnetic stratigraphy is a unique method for correlating and dating deep sea cores, and that future work with such cores may provide a complete or nearly complete record of the history of the earth9s magnetic field beyond 4 million years.
Proline-based modulation of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol and viable cell yields in cultures of Pseudomonas fluorescens wild-type and over-producing strains.

The antifungal compound 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) is produced in the rhizosphere of wheat by pseudomonad populations responsible for the natural biological control phenomenon known as “take-all decline.” Studies were conducted to elucidate the impact of DAPG and its co-product 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone (THA) on the production of Pseudomonas fluorescens for biological control. Increasing DAPG from 0.1 g/l to 0.5 g/l and THA from 0.05 g/l to 0.5 g/l significantly inhibited the growth and lowered the yield of viable bacteria in liquid cultures. On further examination of these metabolites applied in seed coatings, levels of DAPG and THA exceeding 0.05 mg/g seed significantly reduced wheat germination percentages. The three-way interaction of DAPG, THA, and culture medium ingredients was significant, and greatest seed germination loss (40–50%) was observed when 0.5 mg DAPG and 0.25 mg THA were combined in a coating of 0.5 ml culture medium per gram of seed. Based on the results of Biolog GN microplate, flask, and fermentor screens of C sources, proline was found to optimize the viable cell yields of the P. fluorescens strains tested. The combination of proline with glucose and urea as C and N sources in growth media could be optimized to minimize DAPG production and maximize the vitality of P. fluorescens Q8R1-96 and Q69c-80:miniTn5:phl20 (DAPG over-producer). In production cultures, the proline supply rate offers a potentially useful means to optimize the biological control agent yield and quality.
The California Current of the Last Glacial Maximum: Reconstruction at 42°N based on multiple proxies

Multiple paleoceanographic proxies in a zonal transect across the California Current near 42°N record modern and last glacial maximum (LGM) thermal and nutrient gradients. The offshore thermal gradient, derived from foraminiferal species assemblages and oxygen isotope data, was similar at the LGM to that at present (warmer offshore), but average temperatures were 3.3° ±1.5°C colder. Observed gradients require that the sites remained under the southward flow of the California Current, and thus that the polar front remained north of 42°N during the LGM. Carbon isotopic and foraminiferal flux data suggests enhanced nutrients and productivity of foraminfera in the northern California Current up to 650 km offshore. In contrast, marine organic carbon and coastal diatom burial rates decreased during the LGM. These seemingly contradictory results are reconciled by model simulations of the LGM wind- field, which suggest that wind stress curl at 42°N (and thus open-ocean upwelling) increased, while offshore Ekman transport (and thus coastal upwelling) decreased during the last ice age. The ecosystem of the northern California Current during the LGM approximated that of the modern Gulf of Alaska. Cooling and production in this region was thus driven by stronger open-ocean upwelling and/or southward flow of high-latitude water masses, rather than by coastal upwelling.
Influence Of Partial Coherence On Projection Printing

A computer program for the Simulation And Modeling of Profiles for Lithography and Etching (SAMPLE) is used to explore the effects of partially coherent mask illumination on the image intensity distribution and on the developed resist profiles. Features of the image are discussed with respect to the degree of illumination coherence and to focus error. The impact of the image features on line-edge profiles in resist is explored via a resist development simulation. The minimum (toe) intensity of the image of narrow lines is defined and found to be an important factor in the control of resist linewidth. Simulated resist profiles of a typical mask pattern indicate a reasonable value of .7 for the partial coherence parameter o.
Effect of estrogen on the expression of galanin mRNA in pituitary tumor-sensitive and tumor-resistant rat strains.

Abstract The hypothesis that estrogen-induced pituitary tumors are mediated by the neuropeptide galanin was tested using tumor-resistant (Sprague-Dawley; SD) and tumor-sensitive (Fischer 344; F344) rat strains. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) increased expression of galanin mRNA in both strains after 1, 2, and 4 weeks of treatment and doubled pituitary weights in F344 rats while pituitary weights in SD rats were unchanged by DES treatment. In F344 rats, both the expression of galanin mRNA and pituitary weights increased linearly with the length of DES treatment. In SD rats however, despite increasing levels of galanin mRNA, pituitary weights did not increase. These data indicate that galanin gene expression, by itself, is not sufficient to account for increased pituitary growth. However, our data do not rule out the possibility that galanin has an indirect role in promoting pituitary growth.
Measurements of spout voidage distributions, particle velocities and particle circulation rates in spouted beds of coarse particles—II. Experimental verification

Experimental data are presented using 2.7 mm and 4.9 mm spherical glass particles spouted with air to verify the particle circulation theory presented in Morgan et al. (Chem. Engng Sci.40, 1367–1377 (1985)) The particle mass flowrate, particle circulation rate and spout voidage profiles are in excellent agreement with the theory. To fit the particle velocity profile, the spout must contract slightly near the inlet to the bed and then expand to the average spout diameter.
Assessment of myocardial contractility from ventricular pressure recordings

Peak values of the normalized first and second derivatives of left ventricular pressure, which are measured during the isovolumic contraction period, have been shown to be useful measures for assessing myocardial contractility. These indices were readily obtained from high speed pressure tracings by means of a fiberoptic pressure catheter which has an unusually high frequency response and low noise level.
A Cross-Layer Admission Control Framework for Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks using Multiple Antennas

Unlike single omnidirectional antennas, multiple antennas offer wireless ad-hoc networks potential increases in their achievable throughput and capacity. Due to recent advances in antenna technology, it is now affordable to build wireless devices with more than one antenna. As a result, multiple antennas are expected to be an essential part of next-generation wireless networks to support the rapidly emerging multimedia applications characterized by their high and diverse QoS needs. This paper develops an admission control framework that exploits the benefits of multiple antennas to better support applications with QoS requirements in wireless ad-hoc networks. The developed theory provides wireless ad-hoc networks with flow-level admission control capabilities while accounting for cross-layer effects between the PHY and the MAC layers. Based on the developed theory, we propose a mechanism that multiple antenna equipped nodes can use to control flows' admissibility into the network. Through simulation studies, we show that the proposed mechanism results in high flow acceptance rates and high network throughput utilization.
Bimatoprost for glaucoma therapy: pharmacology, clinical efficacy and controversy

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Lowering intraocular pressure pharmacologically remains the primary therapeutic approach. Glaucoma pharmacotherapy with prostaglandin analogs lowers intraocular pressure primarily by increasing aqueous humor outflow. One of these analogs, bimatoprost, is purported to be more effective than the others and possibly activates different receptors. Existing evidence suggests that, in humans, bimatoprost is equally or slightly more effective in lowering intraocular pressure compared with other prostaglandin analogs and acts through the same mechanism. There is a slightly greater incidence of side effects compared with latanoprost. Bimatoprost can be used in combination with other classes of glaucoma therapeutic agents and can be substituted for other prostaglandin analogs.
Endogenous mammalian histone H3.3 exhibits chromatin-related functions during development.

Background: The histone variant H3.3 plays key roles in regulating chromatin states and transcription. However, the role of endogenous H3.3 in mammalian cells and during development has been less thoroughly investigated. To address this gap, we report the production and phenotypic analysis of mice and cells with targeted disruption of the H3.3-encoding gene, H3f3b. Results: H3f3b knockout (KO) mice exhibit a semilethal phenotype traceable at least in part to defective cell division and chromosome segregation. H3f3b KO cells have widespread ectopic CENP-A protein localization suggesting one possible mechanism for defective chromosome segregation. KO cells have abnormal karyotypes and cell cycle profiles as well. The transcriptome and euchromatin-related epigenome were moderately affected by loss of H3f3b in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with ontology most notably pointing to changes in chromatin regulatory and histone coding genes. Reduced numbers of H3f3b KO mice survive to maturity and almost all survivors from both sexes are infertile. Conclusions: Taken together, our studies suggest that endogenous mammalian histone H3.3 has important roles in regulating chromatin and chromosome functions that in turn are important for cell division, genome integrity, and development.
The peaking phenomenon and the global stabilization of nonlinear systems

The problem of global stabilization is considered for a class of cascade systems. The first part of the cascade is a linear controllable system and the second part is a nonlinear system receiving the inputs from the states of the first part. With zero input, the equilibrium of the nonlinear part is globally asymptotically stable. In linear systems, a peaking phenomenon occurs when high-gain feedback is used to produce eigenvalues with very negative real parts. It is established that the destabilizing effects of peaking can be reduced if the nonlinearities have sufficiently slow growth. A detailed analysis of the peaking phenomenon is provided. The tradeoffs between linear peaking and nonlinear growth conditions are examined. >
Advanced Photon Source booster synchrotron low-emittance lattice commissioning results

Recent efforts at the APS have focused on reducing beam loss during storage ring (SR) injection to minimize radiation damage to the APS undulators. Reducing beam loss at injection is particularly important during top-up operation where injection occurs once every two minutes. One way to potentially improve injection efficiency is to simply reduce the emittance of the beam from the APS booster, thereby allowing the beam to be brought closer to the injection septum. Recently several low-emittance operating modes for the APS booster have been studied. The emittance is lowered from the standard value by increasing the horizontal tune in stages. The vertical tune is simultaneously decreased to minimize the required defocusing sextupole strength for chromaticity correction. Calculations indicate that up to 29% reduction in emittance is possible-a result that has been achieved in studies. A lattice with emittance 17% lower than the standard lattice has been thoroughly commissioned and has been used for routine APS top-up operation since July 2002. Results of beam measurements and comparison to calculations for various low-emittance lattices are reported in this paper.
The Practice Of Imaging Self-Referral Doesn’t Produce Much One-Stop Service

Imaging as a result of self-referral—when a physician refers patients for imaging tests at a facility owned or leased by the same physician—is widespread. The practice has come under much scrutiny because it is associated with higher volumes of imaging services. Proponents of such self-referral argue that the practice offers patients convenient same-day, one-stop service and allows treatment to start sooner. Our analysis of 2006 and 2007 Medicare data showed that self-referral provided same-day imaging for 74 percent of straightforward x-rays, but for only 15 percent of more-advanced procedures such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Policy makers attempting to make the use of imaging more responsible should consider narrowing Medicare’s special provision allowing referrals to a physician’s own practice so that the provision covers x-rays only.
Association of anterior glottic webs with velocardiofacial syndrome (chromosome 22q11.2 deletion).

Abstract Objective An association between anterior glottic webs and velocardiofacial syndrome (chromosome 22q11.2 deletion) has previously been noted in a number of case reports. Our objective was to determine if the presence of such webs warrants a high index of suspicion for this chromosome deletion. Study design and setting This study was carried out in the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion status was determined for all patients endoscopically diagnosed with anterior glottic webs between July 1998 and December 2000. Families of patients who tested positive for the deletion were referred to the Cincinnati Children's Division of Human Genetics for additional evaluation and counseling. Results Eleven of 17 patients (65%) with anterior glottic webs were positive for chromosome 22q11.2 deletion. Of these 11 patients, 5 showed subtle clinical manifestations of velocardiofacial syndrome and underwent genetic testing due only to the presence of a web. All 11 patients were diagnosed with velocardiofacial syndrome. Conclusion We strongly recommend that all patients diagnosed with anterior glottic webs undergo fluorescence in situ hybridization evaluation for this chromosome deletion.
Trajectories of Adherence to Airway Clearance Therapy for Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Objective Although cross-sectional studies have demonstrated poor adherence to airway clearance therapy (ACT) for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), no studies have identified longitudinal patterns of adherence. The objective was to characterize and identify predictors of ACT adherence trajectories for individuals with CF. Methods Secondary data analyses were conducted for a randomized clinical trial examining differences in three ACTs. Participants (n ¼153; M ¼14.3 years, 55% male, 86% Caucasian, baseline FEV1% predicted: M ¼86.7)/primary caregivers completed Daily Phone Diaries, an empirically supported adherence measure, every 4 months. Results Group-based trajectory modeling revealed the best-fitting solution was a three-group model: low-adherence (14%), medium-adherence (49%), and high-adherence (37%) groups. ACT type was the only significant predictor of adherence trajectories. Discussion Three trajectories of adherence to ACT for patients with CF were found. With the identification of trajectories, adherence interventions can be targeted for the subgroup at highest risk in order to prevent poor health outcomes.
Patents as technical literature

Patents are an important technological information resource. They are different from journal literature in that they are stand-alone documents and have a uniformity of presentation. Studies show that eight out of ten US patents contain technology not disclosed elsewhere in the scientific and technical literature. However, there is evidence to suggest that, outside of the chemical field, patents are not utilized as a major source of technological information. Currently, some of the more significant efforts concerning patent information dissemination are those involving the 30 Patent Depository Libraries in the United States which maintain patent collections and serve the public in the use of these collections. The Patent and Trademark Office distributes some ten million copies of patents annually as well as some 5000 copies weekly on its Official Gazette which contains a summary of the approximately 1500 US patents issued each week.
Organic fouling of forward osmosis membranes: Fouling reversibility and cleaning without chemical reagents

The recently resurgent forward osmosis (FO) membrane process has the potential to become a sustainable alternative to conventional membrane processes. However, the fouling and cleaning behavior of FO membranes remains largely unknown. There is a need to fully understand the fouling phenomena in FO in order to take advantage of this emerging technology. In this study, we used alginate as a model organic foulant to examine FO membrane fouling and cleaning behavior with the ultimate goal of determining the underlying FO fouling/cleaning mechanisms. Results showed that alginate fouling in FO is almost fully reversible, with more than 98% recovery of permeate water flux possible after a simple water rinse without any chemical cleaning reagents. We also studied the role of applied hydraulic pressure in membrane fouling and cleaning by performing fouling tests in FO (without hydraulic pressure) and RO (with hydraulic pressure) modes. Flux recovery in the FO mode was much higher than that in the RO mode under similar cleaning conditions, although the rate of membrane flux decline was similar in the two modes. The fouling reversibility of FO was attributed to the less compact organic fouling layer formed in FO mode due to the lack of hydraulic pressure. Our results suggest that operating in FO mode may offer an unprecedented advantage in reducing or even eliminating the need for chemical cleaning. AFM force measurements were used to elucidate the impact of membrane materials (cellulose acetate versus polyamide) on membrane fouling and cleaning behavior. Adhesion force data revealed that a small percentage of relatively adhesive sites on the membrane surface play an important role in increasing membrane fouling potential and decreasing cleaning efficiency. This finding implies that using average adhesion force to predict membrane fouling potential is inadequate. Extensive long-range adhesion forces are observed for the polyamide membrane in the presence of alginate and calcium ions. The long-range interactions are attributed to calcium bridging of alginate molecules between the AFM probe and the adhesive sites on the polyamide membrane surface.
Mode of Origin and Sources of Genotypic Diversity in Triploid Gynogenetic Fish Clones (Poeciliopsis: Poeciliidae)

Most tributaries of the Rio Fuerte in northwestern Mexico contain one or more clones of allotriploid fish of the genus Poeciliopsis. We used multilocus allozyme genotypes and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes to examine several potential modes of origin of these gynogenetic all-female fish. The allozyme studies corroborated earlier morphological work revealing the hybrid constitution of two triploid biotypes, Poeciliopsis 2 monacha-lucida and Poeciliopsis monacha-2 lucida. Each biotype carries one or two whole genomes from the each of the sexual species P. monacha and P. lucida. Restriction site analysis of mtDNA revealed that P. monacha was the maternal ancestor of five electrophoretically distinguishable triploid clones. Four of five clones were marked by closely related, composite, allozyme/mtDNA genotypes, suggesting they had common origins from an allodiploid clone of the P. monacha-lucida biotype. Genotypic analysis revealed that all five clones arose via the "genome addition" pathway. Fertilization of unreduced ova in P. monacha-lucida females by sperm from P. monacha and P. lucida males, respectively, gave rise to both biotypes.
Prioritized Maximal Scheduling in Wireless Networks

This paper considers the scheduling problem in wireless networks. We focus on prioritized maximal scheduling, where a maximal scheduler chooses the links in an order specified by certain priority. We first analyze the capacity region of a maximal scheduler with fixed priority, where a lower bound is formulated and shown to be tight. Next we propose both centralized and distributed algorithms to search for the optimal priority for a given arrival rate. The algorithms are optimal in the sense that, if the arrival rate is in the lower bound region of any prioritized maximal scheduling, it is stable under the result of our algorithms. Finally, by combining the priority assignment and maximal scheduling, we prove that we can achieve a certain fraction of the optimal capacity region, which is bounded below by a constant for most networks.
Doctor-patient communication in the e-health era

The digital revolution will have a profound impact on how physicians and health care delivery organizations interact with patients and the community at-large. Over the coming decades, face-to-face patient/doctor contacts will become less common and exchanges between consumers and providers will increasingly be mediated by electronic devices. In highly developed health care systems like those in Israel, the United States, and Europe, most aspects of the health care and consumer health experience are becoming supported by a wide array of technology such as electronic and personal health records (EHRs and PHRs), biometric & telemedicine devices, and consumer-focused wireless and wired Internet applications. In an article in this issue, Peleg and Nazarenko report on a survey they fielded within Israel's largest integrated delivery system regarding patient views on the use of electronic communication with their doctors via direct-access mobile phones and e-mail. A previous complementary paper describes the parallel perspectives of the physician staff at the same organization. These two surveys offer useful insights to clinicians, managers, researchers, and policymakers on how best to integrate e-mail and direct-to-doctor mobile phones into their practice settings. These papers, along with several other recent Israeli studies on e-health, also provide an opportunity to step back and take stock of the dramatic impact that information & communication technology (ICT) and health information technology (HIT) will have on clinician/patient communication moving forward. The main goals of this commentary are to describe the scope of this issue and to offer a framework for understanding the potential impact that e-health tools will have on provider/patient communication. It will be essential that clinicians, managers, policymakers, and researchers gain an increased understanding of this trend so that health care systems around the globe can adapt, adopt, and embrace these rapidly evolving digital technologies.
Analysis of Vivaldi antenna over a heterogeneous ground using a 3-D TLM-CE method

The Vivaldi antenna has been widely studied and applied due to its simple structure, wideband, and high gain. However, calculating the current distribution and the radiation pattern for the Vivaldi antenna over a heterogeneous ground is a challenging problem because of the complex environment. The moment method (MoM) is well suited for solving antenna problems in uniform media, but not suited for modeling the fields in the heterogeneous media. On the other hand, the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method and the transmission line matrix (TLM) method are suited for modeling the fields in the heterogeneous media. They are not well suited for solving antenna problems. In order to use TLM method to analyze Vivaldi antenna over a heterogeneous ground, a current equivalency (CE) principle is proposed in this paper. Based on the current-equivalency (CE) technique, a 3D TLM method is able to directly compute the current distribution, input impedance, and the radiation pattern of the antennas. The computed results of the Vivaldi antennas agree very well with experimental results.
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Experience with Millimeter (38 GHz) Wave Communications Systems

Because of potential needs to broaden the utilization of available frequency spectra, BPA installed and tested a 38 GHz millimeter wave oonunications link during a period from 1977 through 1979. The link operated on a 15.1 km (9.4 mile) path which included one 1.8 x 2.4 meter (six feet by eight feet) passive elliptical reflector. Each end was monitored for rainfall and link performance.
Creating Order from Chaos: Epigenome Dynamics in Plants with Complex Genomes

Flowering plants have strikingly distinct genomes, although they contain a similar suite of expressed genes. The diversity of genome structures and organization is largely due to variation in transposable elements (TEs) and whole-genome duplication (WGD) events. We review evidence that chromatin modifications and epigenetic regulation are intimately associated with TEs and likely play a role in mediating the effects of WGDs. We hypothesize that the current structure of a genome is the result of various TE bursts and WGDs and it is likely that the silencing mechanisms and the chromatin structure of a genome have been shaped by these events. This suggests that the specific mechanisms targeting chromatin modifications and epigenomic patterns may vary among different species. Many crop species have likely evolved chromatin-based mechanisms to tolerate silenced TEs near actively expressed genes. These interactions of heterochromatin and euchromatin are likely to have important roles in modulating gene expression and variability within species.
The influence of inhaled multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the autonomic nervous system.

Heart rate and cardiovascular function are regulated by the autonomic nervous system. Heart rate variability (HRV) as a marker reflects the activity of autonomic nervous system. The prognostic significance of HRV in cardiovascular disease has been reported in clinical and epidemiological studies. The present study focused on the influence of inhaled multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on autonomic nervous system by HRV analysis. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were pre-implanted with a telemetry device and kept in the individual cages for recovery. At week four after device implantation, rats were exposed to MWCNTs for 5 h at a concentration of 5 mg/m3. The real-time EKGs were recorded by a telemetry system at pre-exposure, during exposure, 1 day and 7 days post-exposure. HRV was measured by root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD); the standard deviation of inter-beat (RR) interval (SDNN); the percentage of successive RR interval differences greater than 5 ms (pNN5) and 10 ms (pNN10); low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF). Exposure to MWCNTs increased the percentage of differences between adjacent R-R intervals over 10 ms (pNN10) (p < 0.01), RMSSD (p < 0.01), LF (p < 0.05) and HF (p < 0.01). Inhalation of MWCNTs significantly alters the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Whether such transient alterations in autonomic nervous performance would alter cardiovascular function and raise the risk of cardiovascular events in people with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions warrants further study.
The Healthy Immigrant Paradox and Child Maltreatment: A Systematic Review

Prior studies suggest that foreign-born individuals have a health advantage, referred to as the Healthy Immigrant Paradox, when compared to native-born persons of the same socio-economic status. This systematic review examined whether the immigrant advantage found in health literature is mirrored by child maltreatment in general and its forms in particular. The author searched Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, CINAHL PLUS, Family and Society Studies Worldwide, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Social Work Abstracts, and SocINdex for published literature through December 2015. The review followed an evidence-based Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. The author identified 822 unique articles, of which 19 met the inclusion criteria. The reviewed data showed strong support for the healthy immigrant paradox for a general form of maltreatment and physical abuse. The evidence for emotional and sexual abuse was also suggestive of immigrant advantage though relatively small sample size and lack of multivariate controls make these findings tentative. The evidence for neglect was mixed: immigrants were less likely to be reported to Child Protective Services; however, they had higher rates of physical neglect and lack of supervision in the community data. The study results warrant confirmation with newer data possessing strong external validity for immigrant samples.
Prediction of Rice Husk Particulate-Filled Polymer Composite Properties Using a Representative Volume Element (RVE) Model

In this study, a numerical representative volume element (RVE) model was used to predict the mechanical properties of a Rice Husk Particulate (RHP)-Epoxy composite for use as an alternative material in non-critical applications. Seven different analytical models Counto, Ishai-Cohen, Halpin-Tsai, Nielsen, Nicolais, Modified Nicolais and Pukanszky were used as comparison tools for the numerical model.The mechanical properties estimated for 0%, 10% and 30% RHP-Epoxy composites using the numerical and analytical models are in general agreement with each other. Using the analytical models, it was calculated that an increase in volume percentage of RHP to 30% led to continual reduction in elastic Young’s modulus and ultimate tensile strength of the composite. The numerical RVE models also predicted a similar trend between filler volume percentage and material properties.Overall, the results of this study suggest that RHP can be used to reduce the composite raw material costs by replacing the more expensive polymer content with agricultural waste products with limited compromise to the composite’s mechanical properties.Copyright © 2015 by ASME