cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Face Ventilation on a Bleederless Longwall Panel

A ventilation study using tracer gas was conducted at a western US coal mine. The objective of the study was to evaluate the movement of longwall face air exchanges between the face and worked-out area and to document the presence or absence of face airflow pathways between these locations. The mine operator uses a bleederless longwall ventilation system with a back return and a blowing mine ventilation system. The study was conducted on an active panel and included both underground and surface monitoring sites. The study used sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) released as a slug on the longwall face and in the front of the gob inby the face. The velocity of the tracer gas movement in the gob was 0.019 m/s (3.7 fpm). The rate of movement for the overall tracer gas slug averaged about 0.0091 m/s (1.8 fpm). A separate tracer gas test initiated with the release of SF6 into the legs of the first shield showed the existence of more than one pathway of face air in the general direction from the headgate towards the tailgate corner. Maintaining adequate ventilation air on longwall faces is important for worker safety and for the dilution of methane emitted from the face and caved gob. A more detailed characterization of longwall system air and gas movement allows a mine to better assess its ventilation design for controlling gas on the face and in the gob.
A Randomized Single-Blinded Trial of Ibuprofen- versus Opioid-Based Primary Analgesic Therapy in Outpatient Otolaryngology Surgery.

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of pain control and opioid consumption between patients who receive opioid as primary analgesic therapy and those who receive ibuprofen.Study DesignProspective rand...
Experimental and Numerical Study of Collector Geometry Effect on Solar Chimney Performance

تطورت محطات التوليد الكهربائية بوساطة المدخنه الشمسيه منذ سنه 1930م .محطة الطاقة الشمسية تعد مولدا للطاقة النظيفة. الدراسة الحالية هي عملية وعددية عن منطقة الانخفاض في المجمع الشمسي.منطقة الانخفاض تعني تغير الارتفاع بين سقف المجمع الشمسي وبين صفيحة الامتصاص (قاع المجمع الشمسي) التي تكون ذات بعد معين عن مركز المجمع وهذا البعد يعتمد على حجم النوذج المستعمل.درس تغير ارتفاعات منطقة الانخفاض عمليا وعدديا حيث تم استخدم ثلاثة ارتفاعات ( 3.8، 2.6، 1.28) سم على التوالي.الهدف من هذا البحث هو دراسه تأثير ارتفاعات منطقة الانخفاض على السرعه التصميمية (السرع الذي تقوم بتحريك ريش التوربين الموجودة عند مدخل المدخنة). بينت النتائج ان استخدام الارتفاع 1.28سم هوالافضل والسبب في ذاك عند تقليل الارتفاع بين السقف والقاع تعني تقليل من مساحه الجريان داخل المجمع الشمسي مما يؤدي الى زياده في سرعة الجريان تؤدي الى زياده كفاءة المدخنة الشمسية.
Assessment of fine particles released during paper printing and shredding processes

In this study, we investigated the airborne particles released during paper printing and paper shredding processes in an attempt to characterize and differentiate these particles. Particle characteristics were studied with real time instruments (RTIs) to measure concentrations and with samplers to collect particles for subsequent microscopy and cytotoxicity analysis. The particles released by paper shredding were evaluated for cytotoxicity by using in vitro human lung epithelial cell models. A substantial amount of particles were released during both the shredding and printing processes. We found that the printing process caused substantial release of particles with sizes of less than 300 nm in the form of metal granules and graphite. These released particles contained various elements including Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, N, K, P, S and Si. The particles released by the paper shredding processes were primarily nanoparticles and had a peak size between 27.4 nm and 36.5 nm. These paper particles contained elements including Al, Br Ca, Cl, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, N, Na, Ni P, S and Si, as determined by scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (SP-ICP-MS) analysis. Although various metals were identified in the paper particles, these particles did not elicit cytotoxicity to simian virus-transformed bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS2B) and immortalized normal human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE1). However, future studies should investigate other cytotoxicity effects of these paper particles in various types of lung cells to identify potential health effects of the particles.
Stretchy Skin and Hyperextensibility: A Case of Vascular Abnormalities

Case Report: An otherwise healthy 14-month-old presented for a second opinion related to “stretchy skin” and concerns for a vascular abnormality. The patient had previously undergone hernia repair without complication. The patient’s maternal grandfather and father were first cousins. Two of the patient’s cousins had surgery for an unspecified vascular abnormality. A maternal grandmother had cardiac valve surgery later in life. Physical exam revealed mild blepharophimosis, periorbital fullness, down-slanting palpebral fissures, mild malar hypoplasia, and a somewhat beaked nose. He had hyperextensibility and excessive wrinkling of the hands, and slight redundancy of the skin on his face and lower sacrum. A …
The indirect effect of bullying on adolescent self-rated health through mental health: A gender specific pattern

Abstract Introduction Bullying is a prevalent concern among adolescents and causes great mental/behavioral consequences. In addition to the direct association between bullying victimization and adolescent physical health (measured by self-rated health), this study investigates the indirect effect of mental health and the moderating role of gender to such relationship. Methods Study participants comprised a national sample of adolescents (n = 3435) aged 15 to 16 years old in the United States. Results Structural equation modeling analyses showed that, in addition to the main effect of bullying on adolescents physical health, (based on joint significance test) mental health has an indirect effect on and gender moderates the relationship between bullying victimization and adolescents' self-rated health. Conclusions Bullying has negative impact on adolescent health. Prevention and intervention programs need to take into account the critical roles of gender and mental health in addressing the negative consequences of bullying victimization.
A MetAP2 inhibitor blocks adipogenesis, yet improves glucose uptake in cells.

Adipose tissue expansion involves angiogenesis to remodel its capillary network. The enzymemethionine aminopeptidase 2(MetAP2) promotes angiogenesis.MetAP2 inhibitors suppress angiogenesis and have...
Clinical electrophysiology of axonal polyneuropathies

Axonal neuropathies encompass a wide range of acquired and inherited disorders with electrophysiologic characteristics that arise from the unique neurophysiology of the axon. Accurate interpretation of nerve conduction studies and electromyography requires an in-depth understanding of the pathophysiology of the axon. Here we review the unique neurophysiologic properties of the axon and how they relate to clinical electrodiagnostic features. We review the length-dependent Wallerian or "dying-back" processes as well as the emerging body of literature from acquired axonal neuropathies that highlights the importance of axonal disease at the nodes of Ranvier. Neurophysiologic features of individual inherited and acquired axonal diseases, including primary nerve disease as well as systemic immune mediated, metabolic, and toxic diseases involving the peripheral nerve, are reviewed. This comprehensive review of electrodiagnostic findings coupled with the current understanding of pathophysiology will aid the clinician in the evaluation of axonal polyneuropathies.
The effect of adult thymectomy upon helper function in Xenopus laevis, the South African clawed toad

Carrier-primed helper activity enhancing anti-hapten (TNP-) responses in young adult Xenopus laevis reached peak levels 2-4 days after a low dose challenge (0.005% RBC) of unconjugated carrier. It fell quickly to negligible levels by 10 days. Adult thymectomized (ATx) animals were consistently unable to generate substantial levels of hapten-specific antigen-binding spleen cell (ABC) activity. Since ATx does not severely reduce splenic ABC responses to the high dose (10% RBC) of carrier used for hapten challenge, the results suggested a role for Xenopus adult thymus in carrier-specific enhancement of an anti-hapten response.
Teatro liminal, poesía y un pasado que no muere en la Plaza de Tlatelolco: Auxilio: Au Secours

En el otono de 2018, los grupos colectivos TeatroSinParedes y Theatre 2 L’acte montaron la pieza colaborativa francomexicana Auxilio: Au Secours, en el Centro Cultural Universitario Tlatelolco, durante el quincuagesimo aniversario del 2 de octubre de 1968. En esta pieza se combinan el teatro, la poesia, la narrativa de Roberto Bolano y configuraciones espacio-temporales que obligan a los espectadores a abandonar su pasividad, enfrentarse con el legado del 68 y reconocer su responsabilidad en la creacion del futuro de Mexico. Incorporando las teorias de Ranciere, Benjamin y otros, este articulo muestra como la representacion de Auxilio descentraliza el 68 al desplazarse entre pasado, presente y futuro y al representar el ciclo de represion, violencia y desilusion que impide que el pasado muera y, por ende, que los mexicanos contemplen el futuro. Liminal Theatre, Poetry and a Past that Lives on in the Tlatelolco Plaza: Auxilio: Au Secours Abstract In the fall of 2018, collective theatre groups TeatroSinParedes and Theatre 2 L’acte staged a collaborative Franco-Mexican piece, Auxilio: Au Secours, in the Centro Cultural Universitario Tlatelolco as part of the fiftieth anniversary of October 2, 1968. In this performative work, theatre, poetry, the narrative of Roberto Bolano, and temporal-spatial configurations are combined in order to force the spectators to abandon their comfortable passivity, come to grips with the legacy of 1968, and recognize their responsibility in determining Mexico’s future. By incorporating the theories of Ranciere, Benjamin, and others, this article shows how the creators of Auxilio decenter 1968 by moving among past, present, and future; thereby representing the cycle of repression, violence, and disillusion that keeps the past alive, and impedes Mexicans to look into the future. Recibido: 08 de julio de 2019 Aceptado: 16 de agosto de 2019
La Lucha Sigue: Making the Case for Institutional Support of Undocumented and DACAmented Students in Higher Education

This project used a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach to explore the experiences of undocumented and DACAmented college students in Southern Nevada. CBPR is a collaborative approach to research that involves members of the community being studied to be a part of the entire research process and builds on the strengths of the community. Relying heavily on the knowledge and voices of our community partners, the UndocuNetwork, we conducted interviews with undocumented and DACAmented student activists about their experiences in higher education. We discuss the findings from in-depth interviews with twelve undocumented and DACAmented student activists who are leading the movement at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to make higher education more accessible and supportive of undocumented and DACAmented students. The questions were written broadly to foster discussion on three main topics: institutional activism, access and barriers to student resources, and campus climate. Participants shared a sense of responsibility to engage in institutional change work, and embraced their agency and exhibited resiliency for navigating higher education through their peer support network. We argue that undocumented and DACAmented students in the UndocuNetwork fill a gap within the institution in sharing resources and helping each other navigate higher education.
Near-field measurement techniques and applications

In Chapters 3 and 4 open-ended rectangular waveguides were used to inspect multi-layered dielectric composites and metals for surface cracks, respectively. Microwave non-destructive measurements are not exclusively conducted using open-ended rectangular waveguide probes. As mentioned in Chapter 1 other probes such as open-ended coaxial lines, monopole antennas, stripline resonators and many others may be employed depending on the application. However, no matter which probe is used, there is still a need for a complete measurement system complementing the probe used. Such a system requires a microwave frequency generator, some type of a detector and a means to separate the incident signal from that reflected by the specimen under test, or a mechanism to combine these two signals. Furthermore, unlike far-field approaches (i.e. radar systems) there is a wide range of parameters of interest that may need to be measured. These parameters include phase and magnitude of reflection coefficient, phase and magnitude of transmission coefficient, reflected and transmitted power, standing wave properties, quality factor and resonant frequency of a cavity, just to name a few. Consequently, there exists a wide variety of measurement systems that are capable of providing these sought for parameters.
Nonnegative C2(R2) interpolation

Abstract In this paper, we prove two improved versions of the Finiteness Principle for nonnegative C 2 ( R 2 ) interpolation, previously proven by Fefferman, Israel, and Luli. The first version sharpens the finiteness constant to 64, and the second version carries better computational practicality. Along the way, we also provide a detailed construction of nonnegative C 2 interpolants in one-dimension, and prove the nonexistence of a bounded linear C 2 -extension operator that preserves nonnegativity.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Its Treatment in Aging: Effects on Alzheimer’s disease Biomarkers, Cognition, Brain Structure and Neurophysiology

Here we review the impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, neuroanatomy, cognition and neurophysiology, and present the research investigating the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. OSA is associated with an increase in AD markers amyloid-β and tau measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and in blood serum. There is some evidence suggesting CPAP therapy normalizes AD biomarkers in CSF but since mechanisms for amyloid-β and tau production/clearance in humans are not completely understood, these findings remain preliminary. Deficits in the cognitive domains of attention, vigilance, memory and executive functioning are observed in OSA patients with the magnitude of impairment appearing stronger in younger people from clinical settings than in older community samples. Cognition improves with varying degrees after CPAP use, with the greatest effect seen for attention in middle age adults with more severe OSA and sleepiness. Paradigms in which encoding and retrieval of information are separated by periods of sleep with or without OSA have been done only rarely, but perhaps offer a better chance to understand cognitive effects of OSA than isolated daytime testing. In cognitively normal individuals, changes in EEG microstructure during sleep, particularly slow oscillations and spindles, are associated with biomarkers of AD, and measures of cognition and memory. Similar changes in EEG activity are reported in AD and OSA, such as "EEG slowing" during wake and REM sleep, and a degradation of NREM EEG microstructure. There is evidence that CPAP therapy partially reverses these changes but large longitudinal studies demonstrating this are lacking. A diagnostic definition of OSA relying solely on the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) does not assist in understanding the high degree of inter-individual variation in daytime impairments related to OSA or response to CPAP therapy. We conclude by discussing conceptual challenges to a clinical trial of OSA treatment for AD prevention, including inclusion criteria for age, OSA severity, and associated symptoms, the need for a potentially long trial, defining relevant primary outcomes, and which treatments to target to optimize treatment adherence.
A descriptive analysis of outpatient antibiotic use for urinary tract infections in Virginia.

Background: Data regarding outpatient antibiotic prescribing for urinary tract infections (UTIs) are limited, and they have never been formally summarized in Virginia. Objective: We describe outpatient antibiotic prescribing trends for UTIs based on gender, age, geographic region, insurance payer and International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes in Virginia. Methods: We used the Virginia All-Payer Claims Database (APCD), administered by Virginia Health Information (VHI), which holds data for Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. The study cohort included Virginia residents who had a primary diagnosis of UTI, had an antibiotic claim 0–3 days after the date of the diagnosis and who were seen in an outpatient facility in Virginia between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2016. A diagnosis of UTI was categorized as cystitis, urethritis or pyelonephritis and was defined using the following ICD-10 codes: N30.0, N30.00, N30.01, N30.9, N30.90, N30.91, N39.0, N34.1, N34.2, and N10. The following antibiotics were prescribed: aminoglycosides, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (TMP-SMX), cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, penicillins, tetracyclines, or nitrofurantoin. Patients were categorized based on gender, age, location, insurance payer and UTI type. We used χ2 and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel testing. Analyses were performed in SAS version 9.4 software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Results: In total, 15,580 patients were included in this study. Prescriptions for antibiotics by drug class differed significantly by gender (P < .0001), age (P < .0001), geographic region (P < .0001), insurance payer (P < .0001), and UTI type (P < .0001). Cephalosporins were prescribed more often to women (32.48%, 4,173 of 12,846) than to men (26.26%, 718 of 2,734), and fluoroquinolones were prescribed more often to men (53.88%, 1,473 of 2,734) than to women (47.91%, 6,155 of 12,846). Although cephalosporins were prescribed most frequently (42.58%, 557 of 1,308) in northern Virginia, fluoroquinolones were prescribed the most in eastern Virginia (50.76%, 1677 of 3,304). Patients with commercial health insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare were prescribed fluoroquinolones (39.31%, 1,149 of 2,923), cephalosporins (56.33%, 1,326 of 2,354), and fluoroquinolones (57.36%, 5,910 of 10,303) most frequently, respectively. Conclusions: Antibiotic prescribing trends for UTIs varied by gender, age, geographic region, payer status and UTI type in the state of Virginia. These data will inform future statewide antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Funding: None Disclosures: Michelle Doll reports a research grant from Molnlycke Healthcare.
Exponential Decay of Rényi Divergence Under Fokker–Planck Equations

We prove the exponential convergence to the equilibrium, quantified by Renyi divergence, of the solution of the Fokker–Planck equation with drift given by the gradient of a strictly convex potential. This extends the classical exponential decay result on the relative entropy for the same equation.
Corneal Endothelial Cell Changes After Phacoemulsification Combined with Excisional Goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade or iStent: A Prospective Fellow-Eye Comparison

Purpose To characterize changes in endothelial cell density and morphology following phacoemulsification combined with either excisional goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB-phaco) or first-generation iStent trabecular microbypass implantation (iStent-phaco). Setting A single clinical practice. Methods Twenty-one adult subjects from one center with visually significant cataract and mild-moderate open-angle glaucoma underwent KDB-phaco or iStent-phaco in one eye and the alternate procedure in the fellow eye as part of a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial. Specular microscopy and pachymetry were performed before and 6-29 months after surgery. Parameters analyzed included change from baseline of endothelial cell density (ECD), the coefficient of variation (CV), the percent of hexagonal cells (%HEX), and central corneal thickness (CCT). Results Baseline ECD, CV, %HEX, and CCT were similar between groups. A mean (standard deviation) of 18.2 (5.8) months postoperatively (range 12.5-28.7 months), the change from baseline in ECD was -90 ± 226 cells/mm2 (-3.4%) in KDB-phaco eyes (p=0.083) and -239 ± 247 cells/mm2 (-9.0%) in iStent-phaco eyes (p<0.001); the change in iStent-phaco eyes was significantly greater than in KDB-phaco eyes (p=0.013). The magnitude of Endothelial Cell Loss (ECL) was not correlated with length of postoperative follow-up time in either group. No significant differences in change from baseline in CV, %HEX, or CCT were noted with the exception of a decrease in %HEX in iStent-phaco eyes (p=0.017). No eyes manifested corneal edema, decompensation, or other cornea-related complications. Conclusion Both KDB-phaco and iStent-phaco are associated with postoperative ECL, with iStent-phaco producing significantly greater ECL than KDB-phaco. The clinical significance of these findings is unclear, and future studies are warranted to more robustly characterize long-term effects of glaucoma surgical procedures-with and without permanent implants-on ECD and corneal health and to develop evidence-based guidelines for the pre- and post-operative evaluation of corneal health in eyes undergoing glaucoma surgery.
The human preference for symmetric walking often disappears when one leg is constrained

KEY POINTS We hypothesized that minimization of metabolic power could drive people to walk asymmetrically when one leg is constrained We studied healthy young adults and independently constrained one or both step lengths to be markedly shorter or longer than preferred using visual feedback When one leg was constrained to take a shorter or longer step than preferred, asymmetric walking patterns were less metabolically costly than symmetric walking patterns When one leg was constrained to take a shorter or longer step than preferred and the other leg was allowed to move freely, most participants naturally adopted an asymmetric gait People may prefer to walk asymmetrically to minimize metabolic power when the function of one leg is constrained during fixed-speed treadmill walking ABSTRACT: The bilateral symmetry inherent in healthy human walking is often disrupted in clinical conditions that primarily affect one leg (e.g. stroke). This seems intuitive: with one leg constrained, gait becomes asymmetric. However, the emergence of asymmetry is not inevitable. Consider that symmetric walking could be preserved by matching the movement of the unconstrained leg to that of the constrained leg. While this is theoretically possible, it is rarely observed in clinical populations. Here, we hypothesized that minimization of metabolic power could drive people to walk asymmetrically when one leg is constrained, even when symmetric walking remains possible. We tested this hypothesis by performing two experiments in healthy adults. In Experiment 1, we constrained one step to be markedly shorter or longer than preferred. We observed that participants could significantly reduce metabolic power by adopting an asymmetric gait (one short/long step, one preferred step) rather than maintaining a symmetric gait (bilateral short/long steps). Indeed, when allowed to walk freely in this situation, participants naturally adopted a less effortful asymmetric gait. In Experiment 2, we applied a milder constraint that more closely approximated magnitudes of step length asymmetry that are observed in clinical populations. Responses in this experiment were more heterogeneous, though most participants adopted an asymmetric gait. These findings support two central conclusions: (1) symmetry is not necessarily energetically optimal in constrained human walking, and (2) people may prefer to walk asymmetrically to minimize metabolic power when one leg is constrained during fixed-speed treadmill walking, especially when the constraint is large.
Building a Competitive City Through Innovation and Global Knowledge: The Case of Sino-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park

Special economic zones can be an effective instrument to promote industrialization if implemented properly in the right context. In China, starting in the 1980s, special economic zones were used as a testing ground for the country's transition from a planned to a market economy, and they are a prime example of China's pragmatic and experimental approach to reforms. One of the great special economic zone success stories in China is the Suzhou Industrial Park, a modern industrial township developed in the early 1990s through a Sino-Singapore partnership. It is successful not just in the economic sense, but also in terms of urban and social development in an eco-friendly way. One key lesson is that in a weak market environment, a facilitating and reform-oriented host government, coupled with foreign expertise and knowledge as well as a "whole value chain" approach can go a long way in developing urban-industry well-integrated special economic zones. This paper is intended to examine the success factors and key lessons of the Sino-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, which can be useful for other developing countries.
Development of a Balanced Mix Design Method in Oregon to Improve Long-Term Pavement Performance:

Most state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and asphalt contractors do not think that commonly used asphalt mixture properties, such as voids in mineral aggregate (VMA), voids filled with aspha...
DEspRhigh neutrophils are associated with critical illness in COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 infection results in a spectrum of outcomes from no symptoms to widely varying degrees of illness to death. A better understanding of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent, often excessive, inflammation may inform treatment decisions and reveal opportunities for therapy. We studied immune cell subpopulations and their associations with clinical parameters in a cohort of 26 patients with COVID-19. Following informed consent, we collected blood samples from hospitalized patients with COVID-19 within 72 h of admission. Flow cytometry was used to analyze white blood cell subpopulations. Plasma levels of cytokines and chemokines were measured using ELISA. Neutrophils undergoing neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) formation were evaluated in blood smears. We examined the immunophenotype of patients with COVID-19 in comparison to that of SARS-CoV-2 negative controls. A novel subset of pro-inflammatory neutrophils expressing a high level of dual endothelin-1 and VEGF signal peptide-activated receptor (DEspR) at the cell surface was found to be associated with elevated circulating CCL23, increased NETosis, and critical-severity COVID-19 illness. The potential to target this subpopulation of neutrophils to reduce secondary tissue damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection warrants further investigation.
Dislocations and flux pinning in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7

The dislocation structures of bulk textured and epitaxial thin film YBa2Cu3O7 superconductors are examined. Correlations between increases in flux pinning and dislocation densities are noted. A model for flux pinning by individual dislocations is presented. This gives a treatment of strain induced effects and effects of normal state region interactions. It is shown that the values of pinning predicted are in line with experimental observations.
Remarks at Memorial Service for the Honorable Morris E. Lasker, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

Remarks at the Memorial Service for the Honorable Morris E. Lasker, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York on July 9, 2010.
A Review of “Disability in Islamic Law”

Professor Vardit Rispler-Chaim follows up her seminal Islamic Medical Ethics in the Twentieth Century (1993) with an equally important work examining the status of people with disabilities within I...
Chapter 1 CVD technologies for silicon: A quick survey

Publisher Summary The chapter presents a survey on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technologies as they are applied in the realm of silicon. Epitaxy has been a primary application of CVD. Focusing on silicon technology, it is important to spend some time introducing bulk processes for the production of high-purity silicon. Electronic-grade silicon is by far the most abundant material (exceeding 20,000 metric tons per year) synthesized by CVD. Another interesting digression will involve optical fiber manufacturing, taking a glance there, too, at silicon compounds and CVD. Silicon-based electronics expanded rapidly into many branches: discrete devices and integrated circuits, power applications, central processing unit (CPU) and microprocessor unit (MPU), and memories. In this very expansion are the seeds for other CVD applications. The Siemens reactor is constructed around thermal hydrogen reduction of trichlorosilane (TCS). The Komatsu reactor is based on the same concept as the Siemens reactor, but is designed around silane decomposition. The main parameters of the Siemens process, as a consequence of the TCS precursor choice, are the temperature and precursor dilution. The chapter also presents a preliminary introduction to some of the silicon products of CVD systems in the microelectronics industry.
Effect of potassium rate and placement on soil test variability across tillage systems.

Abstract Experiments were conducted from 1994 through 1996 at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center of the University of Illinois and the Belleville Research Center of Southern Illinois University to evaluate potassium rates (56, 112, and 168 kg K ha‐1 as liquid KCl formulations) and placement methods in a com (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation using chisel tillage (CT) and no‐tillage (NT) practices. Four placement methods were used: surface broadcast, surface band (25 cm wide band over each row), surface dribble (15 cm from each row), and banding 28 kg K ha‐1 (as a starter) 5 cm to the side and 5 cm below the planted seed (remainder of the K rate was surface broadcast). In April of 1997, at the Belleville Research Center only, soil cores in incremental depths of 0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm were collected in a 5‐cm spaced transect across and perpendicular to the two center rows of plots of each placement method that received 112 kg K ha‐1. Four transects were taken from each plot with the soi...
Vasoactive drugs, microvascular permeability, and hemorrhagic pancreatitis in cats

Abstract We investigated the mechanisms by which 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E 2 and histamine induced pancreatic hemorrhage in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis in cats. In normal animals, when large molecular weight dextran molecules were infused into the systematic circulation, they were recovered in secretin-stimulated pancreatic juice in low concentrations. Both 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E 2 (in a dose that increased splenic artery blood flow and microvascular permeability]and histamine fin (in a dose that increased permeability only) increased the amount of dextran recovered in pancreatic juice. Isoproterenol, in a dose that produced the same increase in blood flow as 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E 2 but which did not increase microvascular permeability, did not alter the amount of dextran recovered. This suggested that the increase in dextran output after 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E 2 was primarily due to the increase in microvascular permeability caused by the drug. In other experiments, a combination of H 1 - and H 2 -receptor antagonists (mepyramine and cimetidine) protected against the development of pancreatic hemorrhage in both the prostaglandin- and histamine-treated animals. Indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor) protected against the development of hemorrhage in the histamine-treated animals. Our results support the hypothesis that changes in microvascular permeability may be important in the pathogenesis of parenchymal hemorrhage in this model.
Vertical Guidance in Turbulence using Optimal Dynamic Interpolation With Application to a Lockheed L1011-100

The motivation for the work is aircraft guidance in a time controlled air traffic management system (ATM). This paper discusses two forms of optimal dynamic interpolation guidance (ODIG) and the effects of turbulence on its performance. The first form of ODIG is based on a cost functional that penalizes acceleration. The second form of ODIG penalizes both acceleration and velocaty excursion. Both have been applied to the L1011-100 vertical guidance problem in the presence of turbulence (the Dryden turbulence model was used). A flight management system's (FMS) vertical flight plan is used to obtain waypoints which serve as inputs to the ODIG algorithm. The algorithm produces reference commands which are issued to a certified FAA L1011-100 model and an autopilot. The resulting dynamic behavior is compared to the results obtained from reference commands produced by an L1011-like commercial aircaft's flight management system model (FMSM) under the same turbulence.
Use of proteomics and PCR to elucidate changes in protein expression in oral streptococci

Several techniques are available for the exploration of changes in gene expression and protein repertoire in bacteria due to changes in environment. We have been interested in the changes that S. mutans, a cariogenic oral micro organism, makes in response to growth at low pH values. Two approaches that we have utilized to evaluate alterations in gene expression are the polymerase chain reaction and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The use of degenerate primers in PCR amplification of genes by homology-based approaches is included as well as a method for the construction of genetic fusions by splice-overlap extension PCR (SOEPCR). As genome nucleotide sequences become available for the streptococci, PCR will likely be used more in combination with protein databases, or proteomes, to explore the expression of genes under specific environmental conditions. Therefore, we include a description of two-dimensional gels prepared using protein extracts of cells grown in steady-state under different environmental conditions.
A continuous-time varactor-based temperature compensation circuit for floating-gate multipliers and inner-product circuits

Floating-gate (FG) transistors are commonly used in synthetic neural systems for implementing analog multipliers. However, conventional floating-gate multipliers are sensitive to variations in temperature which limit their application to only controlled environments. Previously, we had reported an off-chip temperature compensation algorithm for floating-gate current memories which used varactors to cancel out the temperature dependent factors. In this paper, we report a continuous-time circuit implementation of the temperature compensation algorithm and show that it enables on-chip implementation of temperature compensated current amplifiers and analog multipliers. Using measured results from fabricated prototypes in a 0.5μm CMOS process, we demonstrate the functionality of the compensation circuit and show that it leads to an order-of-magnitude lower temperature sensitivity for FG multipliers when compared to an uncompensated case.
Early Intervention with an Estrogen Receptor β-Selective Phytoestrogenic Formulation Prolongs Survival, Improves Spatial Recognition Memory, and Slows Progression of Amyloid Pathology in a Female Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Our recent developments have yielded a novel phytoestrogenic formulation, referred to as the phyto-β-SERM formulation, which exhibits an 83-fold binding selectivity for the estrogen receptor subtype β (ERβ) over ERα. Earlier studies indicate that the phyto-β-SERM formulation is neuroprotective and promotes estrogenic mechanisms in the brain while devoid of feminizing activity in the periphery. Further investigation in a mouse model of human menopause indicates that chronic exposure to the phyto-β-SERM formulation at a clinically relevant dosage prevents/alleviates menopause-related climacteric symptoms. This study assessed the efficacy, in an early intervention paradigm, of the phyto-β-SERM formulation in the regulation of early stages of physical and neurological changes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a female triple transgenic mouse model of AD. Results demonstrated that, when initiated prior to the appearance of AD pathology, a 9-month dietary supplementation with the phyto-β-SERM formulation promoted physical health, prolonged survival, improved spatial recognition memory, and attenuated amyloid-β deposition and plaque formation in the brains of treated AD mice. In comparison, dietary supplementation of a commercial soy extract preparation showed no effect on cognitive measures, although it appeared to have a positive impact on amyloid pathology. In overall agreement with the behavioral and histological outcomes, results from a gene expression profiling analysis offered insights on the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with the two dietary treatments. In particular, the data suggests that there may be a crosstalk between ERβ and glycogen synthase kinase 3 signaling pathways that could play a role in conferring ERβ-mediated neuroprotection against AD. Taken together, these results support the therapeutic potential of the phyto-β-SERM formulation for prevention and/or early intervention of AD, and warrants further investigations in human studies.
An invariant imbedding approach to spectral-line formation by noncoherent scattering

Spectral line formation, assuming frequency redistribution for plane parallel stellar atmosphere containing nonuniform distribution of internal emission sources
Outcomes of arthroscopic treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum and description of the technique

Hypothesis We hypothesize that a technique for all-arthroscopic fixation of capitellum osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions using suture fixation and autogenous iliac crest bone grafting offers a successful alternative to open internal fixation techniques as shown by 2-year validated patient-reported outcomes. Methods Our technique uses arthroscopic all-inside suture fixation with iliac crest autogenous bone grafting. The procedure was performed on 4 elite-level, adolescent athletes presenting with 5 unstable capitellum OCD lesions resulting in elbow pain, limited range of motion, and decreased ability to play. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an unstable OCD lesion, which was correlated with arthroscopy. Postoperatively, patients were evaluated by the short version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire; Oxford Elbow and Mayo Elbow scores; visual analog scale; postoperative range of motion; and return to play. Results Three female patients and one male patient aged 13 to 15 years underwent the procedure. The mean final follow-up period was 2.8 years. Union was achieved in all patients, as seen on magnetic resonance imaging at a mean of 3 months. At follow-up, the mean loss of extension was 2°. Mean flexion was 153°. There was no loss of supination or pronation. The mean score on the short version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire was 11. The mean Mayo Elbow score was 88. The mean Oxford Elbow score was 42. The mean visual analog scale score was 2. The mean time to return to play was 4 months. All patients continued to compete at an elite level. There were no infections or cases of fixation failure, and no patients required conversion to open surgery or needed revision surgery. Conclusion Arthroscopic all-inside fixation of unstable OCD lesions is a successful technique, facilitating athletes to return to an elite level of play.
Incentives Versus Reciprocity: Insights from a Field Experiment

AbstractThe authors conduct a field experiment in which they vary the sales force compensation scheme at an Asian enterprise that sells consumer durable goods. With variation generated by the experimental treatments, the authors model sales force performance to identify the effectiveness of various forms of conditional and unconditional compensation. They account for salesperson heterogeneity using a hierarchical Bayesian framework to estimate the model. They find conditional compensation in the form of quota bonus incentives to improve performance; however, such compensation may lead to lower future performance. The authors find little difference in effectiveness between a quota bonus plan and punitive bonus plans framed as a penalty for not achieving quota. They find that unconditional compensation, in the form of reciprocity, is effective at improving sales force performance only when it is given as a delayed reward; however, the effectiveness of this plan decreases with repeated exposure. The authors ...
The study of suicidal behavior in the schools.

The studies reviewed indicate that suicidal behavior is infrequent among school children (12%), but increases progressively among junior high (35%), high school (65%), and college students (50-65%). Though considerable, these values are lower than those of similar-age psychiatric populations. Estimates of the rate of actual attempts were 3% for elementary students, 11% for high school students, and 15-18% for college students. Most were low-lethality attempts for which medical or other attention was not sought. Accordingly, the vast majority of suicide attempts will not be uncovered by investigations dealing solely with clinical or medically identified populations. The most commonly identified correlates of suicidal behaviors included depressive symptoms, social problems, family disorganization and problems, life stress, and poor problem-solving skills. Academic problems were not as important. These findings must be interpreted in light of methodological constraints. Response rates have been low, samples have been small, minorities have been underrepresented, nonstudents have been ignored, and volunteers of unreported characteristics have predominated. The representativeness of such groups is questionable. The definition and categorization of behaviors have varied considerably, making between-study comparisons difficult. The differences among thoughts, threats, and attempts (the most frequently used categories) have often not been taken into account. Rather, in analyses, these behaviors have been treated as if they were homogeneous entities and grouped together. Where attempters have been separated from ideators, they too have been treated as a single entity. Many deliberately survived attempts are manipulative and oriented toward the benefits the individual survivors expect. Such attempts probably differ substantially in nature from those attempts where survival is not intended. Understanding of this phenomenon could be enhanced by a comparison of the characteristics of those with high- and low-lethality attempts. Similarly, a third group of behaviors--that of chronic behavior patterns that potentially hasten death (alcoholism, drug abuse, self-mutilation, and risk taking)--has not been adequately addressed in terms of its relationship to more discrete suicidal events. Data have generally been obtained via anonymous self-administered questionnaires. The accuracy of retrospective self-reports on emotionally laden events is suspect. Only in two instances have self-reported questionnaire data been validated via interviews with subjects alone or subjects and their families. The time frames on which the referent behaviors has been collected have included "last week", "last month", "last year", "lifetime", and not specified. The longer the interval between the occurrence of the behavior and the report, the greater the likelihood that some reporting inaccuracies may occur.
Pseudoredundant vacuum energy

We discuss models that can account for today's dark energy. The underlying cosmological constant may be Planck scale but starts as a redundant coupling which can be eliminated by a field redefinition. The observed vacuum energy arises when the redundancy is explicitly broken, say by a nonminimal coupling to curvature. We give a recipe for constructing models, including $R+1/R$-type models, that realize this mechanism and satisfy all solar system constraints on gravity. A similar model, based on Gauss-Bonnet gravity, provides a technically natural explanation for dark energy and exhibits an interesting seesaw behavior: a large underlying cosmological constant gives rise to both low- and high-curvature solutions. Such models could be statistically favored in the string landscape.
Streptococcus mutans Dextransucrase: Requirement for Primer Dextran

Dextran stimulation (priming) of the dextransucrase (EC 2.4.1.5) from Streptococcus mutans strain 6715 was studied. The dextransucrase activity in supernatant fluids from glucose-grown cultures was shown to be partially primer dependent. During extended storage at 4 C the enzyme retained its activity. However, the ability to make dextran became increasingly primer dependent. Hydroxylapatite-chromatographed enzyme preparations were completely dependent upon added dextran for rapid synthesis of methanol-insoluble glucan from sucrose. Half-maximal stimulation of new dextran synthesis occurred with dextran at a concentration of 2 to 3 muM and with a molecular weight of about 2,600. Neither glycogen, amylose, inulin, nor isomaltose functioned as primer. Studies with the dextransucrase activities detectable by in situ assay in polyacrylamide gels subjected to electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions revealed that the major activity was detectable in the presence of sucrose alone and was stimulated by addition of primer dextran. The minor activity was only detected when primer dextran was present. Homogeneous preparations of both enzymes contained 30 to 40% carbohydrate.
Selenite nuclear cataractogenesis: a scanning electron microscope study.

The sequential changes during selenite nuclear cataractogenesis were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and correlated with slit lamp observations. A posterior opacity, visible with the slit lamp 1–2 days after injection of sodium selenite, was found to consist of masses of vacuoles in the superficial posterior cortex by SEM. 2–3 days post injection, a biomicroscopic refractile ring around the nucleus was represented by SEM abnormalities suggesting membrane damage and possible loss of cytosol in the perinuclear region. All normal structure in this region was lost by 5 days after injection when the central nucleus had become opaque. SEM also showed evidence for damage in areas which were still clear by slit lamp examination. Changes, characteristic of aging, were found near selenite induced damage in peripheral (younger) fibers.
Transfer pricing in a dynamic marketing-operations interface

Abstract A transfer price mechanism is proposed to coordinate the strategies of the marketing and operations functional areas operating in a dynamic interface environment in a decentralized firm. Marketing and operations are strategic decision-makers in a differential game, in which marketing has price and advertising and operations has production as control variables, and advertising goodwill and production backlog are state variables. A constant transfer price is entered into the objective functionals for marketing and operations, and subgame perfect feedback strategies are derived for price, advertising, and production as functions of the state variables. The feedback strategies allow a solution for the dynamic system involving goodwill and backlog, and the total payoff to the firm, the sum of the payoffs to marketing and operations, is determined as a function of the transfer price. Finally, for certain parameter conditions an interior maximum of the payoff function is achieved, and the optimal transfer price is identified.