cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Silicon Carbide (SiC) Antennas for High-Temperature and High-Power Applications

The main objective of this letter is to evaluate semi-insulating silicon carbide (SiC) material as a candidate for dielectric substrate for patch antennas, with a long-term potential for monolithic antenna integration on a SiC semiconductor chip, operation in extreme environments, and other applications. First, computer-aided design of microstrip patch antennas operating at 10 GHz was conducted. The antenna designs were implemented using semi-insulating SiC substrates and gold ground planes and patches. A good agreement between the experimental results and simulation was obtained at the band of operation. Return loss and radiation patterns were investigated. As future work, a possibility of utilizing highly conductive (heavily doped) SiC epitaxial layers as the ground planes and radiating patches were investigated using computer simulations.
A subjective model of experimentation

Abstract Typically an experiment is defined by a set of possible signals and a likelihood function, and both are specified exogenously—they are taken to be observable by the analyst. This paper renders them subjective by showing that they may be derived from suitable choice behavior. This is done in the context of an axiomatic representation theorem for preference on a suitable domain.
ALGAE AND DETRITAL MATTER AS FOOD FOR JUVENILE PURPLE-HINGE ROCK SCALLOPS, Hinnites multirugosus GALE

Feeding experiments using commonly-cultured algae were conducted with purple-hinge rock scallops, Hinnites multirugosus Gale, to suggest the application of these algae to hatchery culture of scallops. The uptake of finely divided particulate matter was also studied to ascertain the possible importance of detritus as a supplemental food for the rock scallop. A 1:1:1 mixture by culture volume of Tahitian Isochrysis, Tetraselmis suecica, and Dunaliella salina appeared to be superior as a diet for juvenile rock scallops. Significant growth also occurred in juvenile rock scallops fed T-Isochrysis, T. suecica, Isochrysis galbana, and Rhodomonas sp. Gymnodinium splendens, Monochrysis lutheri, and Dunaliella salina fed alone were poor foods for juvenile rock scallops. Finely divided particulate matter as radiolabeled abalone fecal matter was utilized as food. Significant radioactivity appeared in DNA, RNA, lipid, protein, carbohydrate, and free-reducing substances after one week providing evidence that particulate matter was incorporated into juvenile rock scallop metabolic pathways.
Earthquake prediction: the scientific challenge.

As recently as 20 years ago the problems of earthquake prediction research were approached through a compilation of a succession of isolated case histories of presumed precursors to subsequent large and small earthquakes. The hope was that these precursory phenomena would appear before many, if not all, subsequent events. Alas, some of these hopes have either evaporated or have proved extremely difficult to document. Topics such-as anomalies in the ratio of Pto S-wave velocities, magnetic fields, resistivity, tilt, emission of noble gases, and so on are no longer at the leading edge of contemporary interest. Although interest in these areas is occasionally rekindled, the spark is difficult to fan into flame, and investment of support and effort in these areas has not been heavy in recent times. Today our approach is much the same as before: we continue to study a succession of case histories of events leading to strong earthquakes. Even today, there are occasional reports of new precursory anomalies, such as a change in the magnetic field before the Loma Prieta earthquake and, as will be discussed later in this collection of papers, observation of an increase of the concentration of chlorine and other ions in well waters before the Kobe earthquake. Whether these new areas will prove to be universals or disappear as others have remains for the future. But some avenues of phenomenology have continued to be pursued: clustering and anticlustering of earthquakes, creep measurements, changes in the attenuation factor, paleoseismicity methods, etc. A second thread of earlier prediction research was the presumption that small earthquakes were scaled-down versions of large ones, and hence the supposition was made that the study of small earthquakes would reveal important truths about large ones, a model if not driven by the scaling implicit in the Gutenberg-Richter distribution, then at least with the notion of scaling lurking in the background. These ideas suggest that simple isolated fractures in an elastic solid have a distribution of stresses and slips that are scaled only by the sizes of the cracks and hence whatever precursors, and postcursors for that matter, that might be observed will also be similarly scaled. This direction of research has also undergone modification over the years: on present-day models, earthquake fractures take place in a prestressed solid in which fluctuations are significant perturbations of the uniformity of the stress field. But small fractures take place in the shadows cast by the stress field of the larger and the largest fractures. The chain of self-similarity is broken for the largest earthquakes, since the largest fractures do not have stress fluctuations with even larger scales to contend with. Furthermore, the details of the fracture and of the properties of nearby rocks are not resolved observationally in smaller earthquakes, certainly not as clearly as in the case of large earthquakes. Today, the paradigms have shifted to the study of strong earthquakes and away from the
Experimental investigations of critical phenomena

The experimental observation of critical phenomena in liquid-vapour, binary liquid, magnetic and other systems is discussed. A wide variety of techniques is considered. Each method is treated in detail, and its advantages and inherent problems discussed. Recent precise work is stressed. The results are presented in a normalized graphical form and integrated with data obtained from older techniques whose reliability is assessed in the light of present knowledge. An introduction to the main physical ideas is provided.
A fluorometric technique for measuring sinking rates of freshwater phytoplankton1

A recording fluorometer provides a rapid, automatic way to estimate sinking rates of freshwater phytoplankton, the determinations taking from 15 min for populations sinking at 1.0 m day−1 to 2 h for populations sinking near the limit of detection, 0.1 m day−1. The shape of the fluorescence output provides information on the distribution of sinking rates about the mean. Measured sinking rates of Asterionella formosa Hass. agree well with published data. Sinking rates of fluorescent micronic beads at various temperatures agree with Stokes’ law. The technique is applicable to marine phytoplankton, reducing the time needed for a determination two to five times over existing methods and so increasing the sensitivity that measurements may be directly possible for natural water samples.
Expression of plasma membrane Ca-ATPase in the adult and developing gerbil cochlea

The distribution of the plasma membrane Ca-ATPase (PMCA) was mapped in the adult and developing gerbil cochlea by immunostaining with a monoclonal antibody against the human erythrocyte PMCA. In the mature cochlea, intense immunoreactivity was present at the surface of stereocilia of both inner (IHC) and outer (OHC) hair cells. The basolateral plasma membrane of IHCs but not OHCs stained strongly whereas that of strial marginal cells and the epithelial cell layer of Reissner's membrane showed only weak reactivity. Nerve terminals underlying IHCs were also selectively stained. At birth, strong to moderate reactivity for PMCA was present in the basolateral plasma membrane of IHCs and OHCs, strial marginal cells, and epithelial cells lining the scala media surface of Reissner's membrane and in the neurolemma of spiral ganglion cells. Immunostaining in the basolateral plasmalemma of OHCs, strial marginal cells, and epithelial cells lining Reissner's membrane remained strong to moderate up to 14 days after birth when it diminished or disappeared entirely, suggesting a developmental role for PMCA activity in these sites. Expression of PMCA at the surface of IHC and OHC stereocilia was first observed at 10 days after birth and staining reached adult levels by 14 days after birth. The abundance of PMCA in the stereociliary plasma membrane of mature hair cells supports the suggested involvement of Ca2+ in regulating transduction and adaptation mechanisms.
SALVATION VERSUS LIBERATION: THE MOVEMENT FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS IN A HISTORICAL CONTEXT

I examine the current movement for children's rights in the United States in terms of the history of child saving, and of the recent events concerning human rights. I stress the conflicts between the salvation and liberation of children, especially in the areas of education and justice. I also consider various approaches to children's rights to define the current movement, and review recent concerns so that I may clarify future needs and strategies.
DNA content measurement can be obtained using archival material for DNA flow cytometry. A comparison with cytogenetic analysis in 56 pediatric solid tumors.

Background. Although flow cytometry (FCM) has become a widely used technique for the measurement of DNA content in solid tumors, the correlation of ploidy analysis by FCM with cytogenetic analysis (CGA) is not well described. The sensitivities of G-banded CGA and FCM were compared to determine the accuracy of the DNA index value (DI) as a measurement of chromosome number. Methods. Tumor specimens from 56 pediatric cases were analyzed for DNA content by both FCM and CGA. Nuclei for FCM were prepared from archival tissue in 53 specimens using a modification of the Hedley technique and from fresh tissue in 3 specimens. Metaphase chromosomes for CGA were prepared from standard solid tumor harvests and Giemsa-trypsin banding procedures. Ploidy status for this study was defined as (1) diploid—DI between 0.97 and 1.03 by FCM or chromosome number ± 2 from normal by CGA (44–48); and (2) aneuploid—DI 1.03 by FCM or total chromosomes 48 by CGA. Results. Forty-nine of the 56 pediatric specimens were evaluable by both techniques. Concordance was observed in 34 cases (69%) between the two techniques in assigning similar ploidy status to a tumor (22 diploid and 12 aneuploid). It also was observed that among the aneuploid concordant cases, the actual DI obtained from archival material could predict total chromosome number with 95% accuracy. The 15 discordant cases showed a distinct aneuploid population by FCM, but were diploid by CGA. Conclusions. A correlation of 69% was obtained between both techniques to assign a similar ploidy status (diploid versus aneuploid) in 56 pediatric solid tumors. These results support the combined use of CGA and FCM to obtain the most complete analysis of DNA content and chromosome abnormalities in pediatric solid tumors. FCM on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue can be used to measure total DNA content.
Dynamic MEMS devices for multi-axial fatigue and elastic modulus measurement

For reliable MEMS device fabrication and operation, there is a continued demand for precise characterization of materials at the micron scale. This paper presents a novel material characterization device for fatigue lifetime testing. The fatigue specimen is subjected to multi-axial loading, which is typical of most MEMS devices. Polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) fatigue devices were fabricated using the MUMPS process with a three layer mask process ground plane, anchor, and structural layer of polysilicon. A fatigue device consists of two or three beams, attached to a rotating ring and anchored to the substrate on each end. In order to generate a sufficiently large stress, the fatigue devices were tested in resonance to produce a von Mises equivalent stress as high as 1 GPa, which is in the fracture strength range reported for polysilicon. A further increase of the stress in the beam specimens was obtained by introducing a notch with a focused ion beam. The notch resulted into a stress concentration factor of about 3.8, thereby producing maximum von Mises equivalent stress in the range of 1 through 4 GPa. This study provides insight into multi-axial fatigue testing under typical MEMS conditions and additional information about micron-scale polysilicon mechanical behavior, which is the current basic building material for MEMS devices.
Gas-Liquid Chromatography to Determine Concentrations of Petroleum Oil that Might be Left on Cotton Foliage After Application of Insecticides Mixed with Solvents

Gas-liquid chromatography, a detector of thermal conductivity, and programmed temperatures were used to determine concentrations of 4 types of petroleum oil on disks of cotton leaves washed in isooctane. The lower limit of sensitivities of the 4 oil types ranged from about 0.02 to 0.05% (weight oil/weight solvent). The recoveries of the oil from washings of the leaf disks were 96% or better.
The radiologic phenotype of the D1 trisomy syndrome. Abnormalities of the ribs and pelvis

Summary Radiography of the ribs and pelvis in the D 1 trisomy (13–15) syndrome disclosed abnormalities not evident on clinical examination. All the children in this study had radiologic evidence of anomalous development of the thorax. They most commonly (7 of 8) had marked hypoplasia or aplasia of the first rib. Three of the 8 infants did not have a twelfth rib. The pelvis was generally dysplastic with a strong tendency (7 of 8) to significantly low acetabular angles. It should be possible with time to describe the radiologic phenotype in an autosomal trisomy, such as the D 1 trisomy, in as precise (and useful) terms as the clinical phenotype.
Characteristics of injection drug using parents who retain their children

While it is known that injection drug users (IDUs) often have their children removed or place them voluntarily, little is known about factors associated with whether IDU parents live with their children. We identified a community sample of 391 IDU parents with at least one child under age 14 (index IDU parents). For these IDU parents, 62% did not have any of their children under age 14 living with them. We assessed whether certain health factors, risk related behaviors, social indicators, and active drug use were related to whether children of IDUs were living with the index IDU parent. IDU parents who were living with their children were overwhelmingly more likely to be female, more likely to have health insurance, and engage in no-risk or low-risk drug practices, as compared to moderate/high-risk practices. Additionally, HIV negative and HIV positive asymptomatic parents were about three times more likely to be living with their children than HIV positive parents with clinical symptoms commonly seen among those suffering from HIV-related illnesses. HIV-related clinical symptoms, rather than HIV status per se, seem to be associated with retention of children.
COSTS AND BENEFITS OF FLOWER ABSCISSION AND FRUIT ABORTION IN ASCLEPIAS SPECIOSA

Costs and benefits associated with flower abscission (dropping of flower prior to postfertilization ovary enlargement) and fruit abortion (shriveling of ovary after postfertilization enlargement) are examined in Asclepias speciosa, in which °97% of the ovaries fail to develop into mature pods. The cost in terms of mineral nutrients of producing flowers and initiating pods was low relative to mature pod production as both abscised flowers and initiated pods that aborted containing °3.2% of the amount of N, P, K, or Mg in mature pods. Abortion of initiated pods sometimes entailed an additional loss of nutrients over that entailed in flower abscission, as large aborted pods contained two to seven times the amount of N, P, K, or Mg is abscised ovaries that did not initiate surplus pod development. The relatively low cost of producing surplus ovaries and initiating surplus pods is partially opposed by the benefits of selective pod maturation. Within umbels, smaller developing pods contained less N, P, K, and water than did larger pods of the same age, and slower growing pods had a lower percentage of N and, at certain stages, less P, K, and water than faster growing pods of the same size. Smaller pods within umbels also contained both fewer and lighter seeds. These results suggest that pods differ in ability to compete for limiting resources. Through selective elemination of the poorest competitors (the slower growing, smaller pods) at an early age, pod abortion may result in survival of the fittest offspring.
Current source inverter based cascaded solid state transformer for AC to DC power conversion

There are applications like railway traction system where power converters for HVAC to MVDC or MDAC to LVDC are required with a high power/weight ratio. The conventional way is to use heavy line frequency or medium frequency transformers followed by a controlled rectifier. The availability of high voltage SiC devices has made it possible to raise the switching frequency to higher value and hence the size and weight of the transformer can be reduced. This paper proposes a cascaded current source converter based topology with high frequency isolation as a replacement of the huge line frequency transformer. The paper also presents experimental results as a validation of the functionality of the converter.
Strategies for competing in today's market

Focuses on the forces driving the evolution of the EDA industry to its current state. The author gives reasons why certain issues, such as pricing, have risen to the forefront, and also presents the core organizational structure and necessary strategic adaptations required by EDA vendors to compete in today's market. >
From microblogs to social images: event analytics for situation assessment

With the rising popularity of microblogging sites like Twitter and Jaiku, we are seeing huge volumes of user generated spatio-temporal-thematic data being created in real time. If combined effectively, this multimedia data can be used to detect events, and understand various 'situations' as they are evolving at different spatio-temporal granularity across the world. In this work, we demonstrate the use of a 'social pixel' based approach to situation assessment. Taking inspiration from traditional image pixels which represent aggregation of photon energies at a location, we consider aggregation of user interest levels at a different geo-locations as 'social pixels'. Combining such pixels spatio-temporally allows for creation of social images and video. We demonstrate how the use of relevant media operators upon such 'images', and use of domain based rules can be used to decide relevant control action decisions to be taken at both, micro and macro levels. The ideas are showcased using a Swine flu monitoring application which uses Twitter data.
Ecological Responsibility in Sociology

Davis, Kingsley 1949 Human Society. New York: MacMillan. Couldner, Alvin W. and Helen P. Gouldner 1963 Modem Sociology. New York: Harcourt, Brace and World. Hartley, R. E. 1960 "Some implications of current changes in sex-role patterns." Merrill-Palmer Quarterly 6 (April) :153-164. Komarovsky, M. 1950 "Functional analysis of sex roles." American Sociological Review 15 (August):508516. Parsons, T. 1943 "The kinship system of the contemporary United States." American Anthropologist 45 (January-March):22-38. Robins, L. N. and M. Tomanec 1962 "Closeness to blood relatives outside the immediate family." Marriage and Family Living 24 (November) :340-346. Rossi, Alice 1969 "Women in science: why so few?" Pp. 470-486 in B.C. Rosen, H. J. Crockett, and C. Z. Nunn (eds.), Achievement in American Society. Cambridge: Schenkman. Sussman, M. B. 1959 "The isolated nuclear family: fact or fiction?" Social Problems 6 (Spring): 333-340. Sussman, M. B. and L. Burchinal 1962 "Kin family networks: unheralded structures in current conceptualizations of family functioning." Marriage and Family Living 24 (August):235-240. Sweetser, D. A. 1968 "The effects of Industrialization on intergenerational solidarity." Rural Sociology 31 (June) :156-170. 1966 "Intergenerational ties in Finnish urban families." American Sociological Review 33 (April) :236-246. Young, M. and P. Willmott 1957 Family and Kinship in East London. New York: Free Press.
Carbohydrate-specific cell adhesion directly to glycosphingolipids separated on thin-layer chromatography plates

Abstract Cell surface carbohydrates and complementary carbohydrate receptors may mediate cell-cell recognition and adhesion. We report a method which detects carbohydrate-specific adhesion of intact eukaryotic cells directly to glycosphingolipids separated on thin-layer chromatography plates. Various glycosphingolipids were chromatographed on high-performance silica gel thinlayer chromatography plates, and the plates were coated with a thin film of poly(isobutyl methacrylate) and mounted in a specially designed plexiglass chamber. Metabolically radiolabeled cells were added to the chamber, which was then sealed and gently centrifuged to bring the cells into contact with the surface of the TLC plate. After incubation to allow adhesion to occur, the chamber was inverted and centrifuged to remove nonadherent cells from the plate surface. The plate was removed from the chamber, the adherent cells were fixed in place with glutaraldehyde, and the plate was dried and subjected to autoradiography. Chicken hepatocytes, which have a cell surface receptor for N-acetylglucosamine, adhered only to those areas of the plate to which appropriate glycosphingolipids (having that terminal sugar) had migrated. Cell adhesion was blocked by soluble N-acetylglucosamine (but not by other sugars) and was readily detectable using a variety of developing solvents. Cell adhesion to as little as 8 pmol of the appropriate lipid was readily detected. This method can be used to test glycosphingolipids as cell surface recognition markers for a variety of cell types.
A multidimensional model of sexual health and sexual and prevention behavior among adolescent women.

Abstract Purpose Sexual health refers a state of lifespan well-being related to sexuality. Among young people, sexual health has multiple dimensions, including the positive developmental contributions of sexuality, as well as the acquisition of skills pertinent to avoiding adverse sexual outcomes such as unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Existing efforts to understand sexual health, however, have yet to empirically operationalize a multi-dimensional model of sexual health and to evaluate its association to different sexual/prevention behaviors. Methods Sexual health dimensions and sexual/prevention behaviors were drawn from a larger longitudinal cohort study of sexual relationships among adolescent women (N = 387, 14–17 years). Second order latent variable modeling (AMOS/19.0) evaluated the relationship between sexual health and dimensions and analyzed the effect of sexual health to sexual/prevention outcomes. Results All first order latent variables were significant indicators of sexual health (β: 0.192 – 0.874, all p Conclusions Sexual health is an empirically coherent structure, in which the totality of its dimensions is significantly linked to a wide range of outcomes, including sexual abstinence, condom use and absence of STI. This means that, regardless of a young person's experiences, sexual health is an important construct for promoting positive sexual development and for primary prevention.
Maintaining Large Weight Losses: The Role of Behavioral and Psychological Factors

Few studies have examined predictors of weight regain after significant weight losses. This prospective study examined behavioral and psychological predictors of weight regain in 261 successful weight losers who completed an 18-month trial of weight regain prevention that compared a control condition with self-regulation interventions delivered face-to-face or via the Internet. Linear mixed effect models were used to examine behavioral and psychological predictors of weight regain, both as main effects and as interactions with treatment group. Decreases in physical activity were related to weight regain across all 3 groups, and increased frequency of self-weighing was equally protective in the 2 intervention groups but not in the control group. Increases in depressive symptoms, disinhibition, and hunger were also related to weight regain in all groups. Although the impact of changes in restraint was greatest in the Internet group and weakest in the face-to-face group, the latter was the only group with increases in restraint over time and consequent decreases in magnitude of weight regain. Future programs should focus on maintaining physical activity, dietary restraints, and frequent self-weighing and should include stronger components to modify psychological parameters.
Solar wind interaction with lunar crustal magnetic anomalies

Abstract Using Lunar Prospector data, we review the magnetic field and electron signatures of solar wind interaction with lunar crustal magnetic sources. Magnetic field amplifications, too large to represent direct measurements of crustal fields, appear in the solar wind over strong crustal sources, with the chance of observing these amplifications depending on upstream solar wind parameters. We often observe increases in low-energy (≲100 eV) electron energy fluxes simultaneously with large magnetic field amplifications, consistent with an increase in plasma density across a shock surface. We also often observe low frequency wave activity in the magnetic field data (both broadband turbulence and monochromatic waves), often associated with electron energization, sometimes up to keV energies. Electron energization appears to be correlated more closely with wave activity than with magnetic amplifications. Detailed studies of the interaction region will be necessary in order to understand the physics of the Moon–solar wind interaction. At present, the Moon represents the only natural laboratory available to us to study solar wind interaction with small-scale crustal magnetic fields, though simulation results and theoretical work can also help us understand the physical processes at work.
Structural distortions in 5-10 nm silver nanoparticles under high pressure

We present experimental evidence that silver nanoparticles in the size range of 5-10 nm undergo a reversible structural transformation under hydrostatic pressures up to 10 GPa. We have used x-ray diffraction with a synchrotron light source to investigate pressure-dependent and size-dependent trends in the crystal structure of silver nanoparticles in a hydrostatic medium compressed in a diamond-anvil cell. Results suggest a reversible linear pressure-dependent rhombohedral distortion which has not been previously observed in bulk silver. We propose a mechanism for this transition that considers the bond-length distribution in idealized multiply twinned icosahedral particles. To further support this hypothesis, we also show that similar measurements of single-crystal platinum nanoparticles reveal no such distortions.
The inertia of a Hermitian matrix having prescribed diagonal blocks

Abstract For i =1,…, m let H i be an n i × n i Hermitian matrix with inertia In( H i )= ( π i , ν i , δ i ). We characterize in terms of the π i , ν i , δ i the range of In( H ) where H varies over all Hermitian matrices which have a block decomposition H = ( X ij ) i , j =1,…, m in which X ij is n i × n j and X ii = H i .
Limiting Time for Responding Enhances Behavior Corresponding to the Merits of Compliance Appeals: Refutations of Heuristic-Cue Theory in Service and Consumer Settings

Scarcity has been widely assumed (e.g., Cialdini, 1993) to function as a cue and thereby hinder evaluative scrutiny of compliance-gaining requests (appeals). In contrast, liberalized commodity theory (Brock & Brannon, 1992) postulated that scarcity should augment evaluative scrutiny of requests and thereby enhance behavioral correspondence to the merits of requests. In natural-setting tests, 143 telephone operators and 305 fast-food customers complied more with a request in response to strong than to weak reasons and did so especially when the request was accompanied by scarcity information, operationalized as a time restriction on responding. Thus, restriction did not function as a cue. Rather, in both service and consumer settings, scarcity enhanced behavior that corresponded to the merits of requests. Compliance theorists and practitioners should reconsider the cue claim for compliance appeals and should weigh the implications of bidirectional responding to compliance appeals.
Unmet need in family planning in South Asia Region

Today's population in South Asia is estimated at 1.2 billion. With an average annual growth of 2%, it increases by more than 24 million people each year, the highest increment in the world. Despite recent improvements in the contraceptive prevalence rate, all countries in the region experience high levels of unmet need for contraception, Several of the region's characteristics have a bearing on the challenge of promoting and providing family planning services: women's status is particularly low; the persistence of son preference results in higher female than male mortality at all ages; the young age structure means an increasing number of people entering childbearing ages. Being predominantly rural, the region experiences shortages of trained health personnel as well as major problems of accessibility to basic health services.
Microplate-reader compatible perfusion microbioreactor array for modular tissue culture and cytotoxicity assays.

One important application of tissue engineering is to provide novel in vitro models for cell-based assays. Perfusion microbioreactor array provides a useful tool for microscale tissue culture in parallel. However, high-throughput data generation has been a challenge. In this study, a 4 × 4 array of perfusion microbioreactors was developed for plate-reader compatible, time-series quantification of cell proliferation, and cytotoxicity assays. The device was built through multilayer soft lithography. Low-cost nonwoven polyethylene terephthalate fibrous matrices were integrated as modular tissue culture scaffolds. Human colon cancer HT-29 cells with stable expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein were cultured in the device with continuous perfusion and reached a cell density over 5 × 107 cells/mL. The microbioreactor array was used to test a chemotherapeutic drug 5-FU for its effect on HT-29 cells in continuous perfusion 3D culture. Compared with conventional 2D cytotoxicity assay, significant drug resistance was observed in the 3D perfusion culture. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Analysis of field reports from anaesthesia volunteers in low- to middle-income countries.

Objectives The objective of this study was to identify key experiences and common motifs of volunteer doctors who have participated in anaesthesia-related volunteer experiences abroad through the Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO) programme. An additional goal was to understand the effects of medical volunteerism in developing countries on the volunteers themselves. Methods After a medical mission with HVO, anaesthesia volunteers submit a post-experience report. Twenty-five reports were randomly selected from the 58 available trip reports, including five from each of the five countries collaborating with HVO. Data in the reports were analysed using a modified grounded theory and constant comparative technique until thematic saturation was achieved. Results Three major discoveries emerged from the analysis of post-experience reports: (i) anaesthesia residents and attending physicians find their volunteer experiences in the developing world to be personally rewarding and positive; (ii) most participants feel their educational interventions have a positive impact on local students and anaesthesia providers, and (iii) global volunteerism poses challenges, primarily caused by lack of resource availability and communication issues. Conclusions Our results give new insight into the experiences of and challenges faced by a cohort of HVO-sponsored anaesthesia volunteers while abroad and validates the positive effects these global health experiences have on the volunteers themselves. This group of anaesthesia volunteers was able to further their personal and professional growth, sharpen their physical diagnosis and clinical reasoning skills in resource-poor environments and, most importantly, provide education and promote an exchange of ideas and information.
Clinical characteristics of newly diagnosed primary, pigmentary and pseudoexfoliative open-angle glaucoma in the Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study

Background/aims Three types of open-angle glaucoma (OAG)—primary, pigmentary and pseudoexfoliative—are frequently encountered. The aim of this study was to compare demographic, ocular and systemic medical information collected on people with these three OAG types at diagnosis, and determine if the OAG type affected the prognosis. Methods Information on 607 participants of the Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study was accessed. Descriptive statistics characterised their demographic, ocular and medical status at diagnosis. Comparisons were made using analysis of variance and χ 2 or Fisher9s exact tests. Multinomial, mixed and logistic regression analyses were also performed. Results Relative to people with primary OAG, those with pigmentary OAG were younger, more likely to be white, less likely to have a family history of glaucoma, and were more myopic. Those with pseudoexfoliative OAG were older, more likely to be white, more likely to be women, less likely to have bilateral disease, and presented with higher intraocular pressure (IOP) and better visual acuity. The type of glaucoma was not associated with IOP or visual field progression during follow-up. Conclusion Characteristics of newly diagnosed enrollees differed by the type of OAG. While some of these differences relate to the pathogenesis of OAG type, other differences are noteworthy for further evaluation within population-based samples of subjects with newly diagnosed OAG.
The Brahmin double: the Brahminical construction of anti-Brahminism and anti-caste sentiment in the religious cultures of precolonial Maharashtra

Critiques of caste and ‘Brahminism’ featured prominently in the social, political and intellectual life of colonial India. It is often assumed that Brahmins took the lead in developing such critiques as a consequence of the ideological influences of liberalism and nationalism. But how do we account for such critiques, articulated by Brahmins themselves, in India's precolonial centuries? My essay will explore ‘religious’ materials from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries in which Brahmins appear to be agents in the creation of anti-caste and in particular anti-Brahmin sentiment. I situate this Brahminical anti-caste and anti-Brahmin discourse within a largely performative public sphere, where Brahmins balanced their role as ‘knowledge specialists’ in heterogeneous social, religious and cultural contexts where they were a significant minority. Here, Brahmin advocates of anti-Brahmin and anti-caste sentiment offered a ‘double’, a discursively constructed ‘Brahmin’, thus deflecting or diffusing critici...
An effective ensemble method for hierarchical clustering

The notion of cluster ensembles has been accepted in recent years as an effective alternative to individual clustering. Ensemble based clustering methods have typically focussed on combining different clustering results from a single data set and have been limited to partitional clustering only. In this paper, we present an effective ensemble algorithm for combining the results of hierarchical clustering of multiple datasets. We use a graph theoretic approach to combine multiple cluster hierarchies into a single set of partitional clusters. A graph is generated from the cluster hierarchies based on the association strengths of objects in the hierarchies. A graph partitioning algorithm is then applied to generate partitional clusters. Our algorithm can handle multiple contextually related heterogeneous datasets that use different feature sets, but consist of non-disjoint sets of objects. We used our algorithm to solve a document clustering problem and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm.
A Novel Experimental Technique for Quantifying the Local Mechanical Environment of Skeletal Tissues

A growing body of evidence indicates that mechanical cues modulate the development and repair of skeletal tissues by regulating gene expression and tissue differentiation.[1–3] Further understanding of how the mechanical environment modulates these biological processes could be applied to enhance skeletal repair following injury or disease. Bone healing provides an excellent in vivo system for investigating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli, due to the recruitment of pluripotent, mechano-sensitive, mesenchymal stem cells. For example, recent studies have shown that bending and/or shear motion applied to a healing bone defect can result in cartilage rather than bone formation.[4,5] However, while different global (i.e. organ level) mechanical stimuli are known to result in different healing outcomes, the specific local (i.e. tissue level) stimuli that promote different tissue fates have yet to be established. Finite element analyses can provide estimates of these local stimuli, yet these analyses require many assumptions regarding tissue material properties and boundary conditions. Our overall goal in this study was to develop an experimental technique for quantifying the distributions of local strains that develop in skeletal tissues during mechanical loading.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
A Model for the Introduction of Infant Mental Health Services to Community Mental Health Agencies

Abstract This paper describes a unique model of clinical training undertaken jointly by the Child Development Project at the University of Michigan, 12 community mental health agencies, and the Michigan Department of Mental Health. The objective was to train clinicians as infant mental health specialists as a way of introducing infant mental health services to the community mental health network. This paper describes the program and illustrates the pathway from trainee to specialist and consultant. The impact of the program is briefly evaluated.
A Comparative Study of Subcutaneously Administered Terbutaline and Epinephrine in the Treatment of Acute Bronchial Asthma

Terbutaline, a new bronchodilator drug reported to have selective affinity for beta 2-adrenergic receptors, was compared with epinephrine in the treatment of 49 adult subjects with acute bronchial asthma. Under double-blind conditions, 24 subjects received 1.0 mg of terbutaline sulfate, and 25 subjects received 0.5 mg of epinephrine hydrochloride subcutaneously. Spirometric measurements, heart rate, and blood pressure, as well as subjective responses, were recorded prior to, and then at 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after administration of the drug. The results indicate that terbutaline is an effective bronchodilator drug in subjects with acute asthma; however, the heart rate rose significantly after administration of terbutaline, with a maximal increase of 25 percent above control. Review of the literature reveals that tachycardia is a consistent finding when subcutaneous doses of terbutaline in excess of 0.25 mg are administered. Stimulation of beta 1-adrenergic receptors in the heart appears to be the most important factor involved in this response. A lesser cardioaccelerator effect was observed after administering epinephrine in a dose producing an equivalent degree of bronchodilatation.
Motivation Terminology in Reading Research: A Conceptual Review

Despite the importance of motivation in understanding the development and practices of reading, problems persist in how motivation-related constructs are defined and investigated. This article reports a concept analysis of how 12 terms have been used in current reading research. Selection criteria resulted in the identification of 92 data-based articles published in 28 peer-reviewed journals from 2003 to 2013. Over the period examined, there was a steady increase in the number of studies reported. Most were conducted in North America and Europe. Only 17 % of the studies offered explicit definitions of the target constructs they examined. Another 64 % relied on various forms of implicit definitions, and 19 % provided no definitions of any kind. Usage problems frequently occurred as well. These included instances of vague associations among terms, occurring in 20 % of the studies, synonymous reference to distinctly different constructs in 32 %, and inaccurate statements made about constructs in 20 %. Although a variety of motivation theories were used to ground the investigations, some 22 % were essentially atheoretical. These difficulties were unrelated to the impact factor of the journals in which they appeared. Possible causes are discussed, together with suggestions for improvement.
Adenocarcinoma of Bartholin's gland associated with Paget's disease of vulvar area

A unique case of adenocarcinoma of Bartholin's gland associated with Paget's disease of the vulva is presented. The histologic finding of intraductal carcinoma of Bartholin's gland extending along the secretory ducts to involve the epidermis and its pilar system is shown associated with typical Paget's disease of the vulva. The pathogenesis and the prognosis of the Paget's disease and the underlying adenocarcinoma of Bartholin's gland are discussed.
If you plan, then you can: How reflection helps defensive pessimists pursue their goals

This research examines how the two propensities that underlie defensive pessimism (pessimism and reflection) operate independently to influence the defensive pessimistic process. It investigates the hypothesis that the propensity to reflect, or plan, counteracts the detrimental effects of pessimism by encouraging not only planning, but also the pursuit of those plans. Consistent with these predictions, two studies revealed that the propensity to reflect helped defensive pessimists pursue their plans by (a) increasing goal importance, (b) promoting effort, (c) raising initial expectations, and (d) buffering the anticipated sting of failure. Pessimism hindered performance by increasing anxiety and lowering expectations. Thus, the propensity to reflect counteracts pessimism by not only promoting planning, but also processes that help the pursuit of those plans.
The Garden of White-Light Optical Signal Processing

Sample applications of the increasingly interesting white-light optical signal processing and an account of some colorful results.
Sediment-water exchange of Vibrio sp. and fecal indicator bacteria : Implications for persistence and transport in the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, USA

In estuaries, frequent resuspension and deposition of sediment complicate bacterial transport model development by transporting particle-attached bacteria and possibly inducing bacterial responses, such as growth, degradation, or changes in attachment. In order to better characterize these dynamics, observations were made in the Neuse River Estuary (NRE) using the combination of an in situ sampler to monitor the water column and sediment cores to monitor sediment concentrations. Two allochthonous bacteria, Escherichia coli (EC) and Enterococcus sp. (ENT), were selected as proxies for fecal contamination from stormwater runoff. Vibrio sp. (VIB), native to the NRE, was also observed as an autochthonous bacterial group that includes potentially pathogenic species. Two sampling periods were identified as dominated by different suspension types: runoff and resuspension. Despite this difference, several bacterial measures remained comparable between sampling periods. In bottom water, VIB concentration was correlated with salinity and ENT concentration was correlated with turbidity. Differences were observed for EC, where higher concentrations were found in hypoxic waters and sediment during the resuspension period. In the sediment, EC and VIB concentrations significantly increased following the passage of Hurricane Ophelia in September 2005. Throughout this study, all bacterial groups showed evidence of persistence in sediment, suggesting that sediment resuspension represents a significant source of bacteria to the water column.
Differential phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of β2-adrenoceptor sites Ser262 and Ser355,356

Activated beta2-adrenoceptors are rapidly desensitized by phosphorylation of Ser262 by protein kinase A (PKA) and of Ser355,356 by G-protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK). We sought to determine whether the phosphorylation and subsequent dephosphorylation of these sites had similar kinetics and requirements for receptor endocytosis. The phosphorylation of the PKA and GRK sites were measured using antibodies that recognize phosphoserine 262 and phosphoserine 355,356. Endocytosis in stably transfected HEK293 cells was blocked by inducible expression of dominant-negative dynamin-1 K44A or by treatment with hypertonic sucrose. The phosphorylation of the GRK site Ser355,356 during a 10 microM isoprenaline treatment rapidly reached a steady state, and the extent of kinetics of phosphorylation were unaffected by dynamin-1 K44A expression, and minimally by hypertonic sucrose. In contrast, phosphorylation of the PKA site Ser262 during a 10 microM isoprenaline treatment peaked after 2 min and then rapidly declined, while inhibition of endocytosis enhanced and prolonged phosphorylation. Treatment with 300 pM isoprenaline, a concentration too low to provoke endocytosis, also resulted in prolonged PKA site phosphorylation. The dephosphorylation of these sites was measured after removal of agonist. Significant dephosphorylation of phosphoserines 262 and 355,356 was observed under conditions of very low endocytosis, however dephosphorylation of the GRK site was greater if antagonist was present after removal of agonist. The results indicate that the kinetics of beta2-adrenoceptor GRK and PKA site phosphorylation are distinct and differently affected by endocytosis, and that receptor dephosphorylation can occur either at the plasma membrane or in internal compartments.
Use of elevated source/drain structure in sub-0.1 um NMOSFETs

As MOSFET feature sizes are scaled down to 0.1 micrometers and below, new techniques are required to develop and fabricate shallow, low contact resistance, and low leakage S/D junctions. In this study, 2D device simulations have been performed to compare conventional drain/source extension and elevated source/drain structure approaches for sub-0.1 micrometers MOSFETs. With a relatively deep n+ junction (approximately 0.1 micrometers ) in the D/S extension structure, the sidewall spacer needs to be wide enough such that the n+ front is away from the gate edge in order not to contribute significantly to short-channel effects due to additional charge sharing and drain-induced-barrier-lowering (DIBL). However this requires increased device layout area and results in increased parasitic resistance due to the long and shallow D/S extensions. Elevated S/D structures offer an alternative solution by providing a sacrificial layer for silicidation and a shallow n+ junction in the substrate to minimize the impact of n+ junctions on short-channel effects in sub-0.1 micrometers devices. The use of elevated S/D structure allows scaling down of the spacer width and relaxing the subsurface doping requirement to achieve a specified DIBL level. These lead to a significant increase in the drive current and a reduction in the junction capacitance. The gate-to-S/D capacitance associated with elevated S/D MOSFET can be controlled by proper scaling of the elevated layer thickness along with other pertinent design parameters.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A lattice characterization of convexity

Abstract The lattice of convex subsets of a real vector space is characterized, and conditions for modularity in the lattice are obtained.