cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Asthma Mobile Apps to Improve Asthma Self-Management: User Ratings and Sentiment Analysis of Publicly Available Apps.

Background: The development and use of mobile health (mHealth) apps for asthma management have risen dramatically over the past two decades. Asthma apps vary widely in their content and features; however, prior research has rarely examined preferences of users of publicly available apps. Objective: The goals of this study were to provide a descriptive overview of asthma mobile apps that are publicly available and to assess the usability of asthma apps currently available on the market to identify content and features of apps associated with positive and negative user ratings. Methods: Reviews were collected on June 23, 2020, and included publicly posted reviews until June 21, 2020. To characterize features associated with high or low app ratings, we first dichotomized the average user rating of the asthma app into 2 categories: a high average rating and a low average rating. Asthma apps with average ratings of 4 and above were categorized as having a high average rating. Asthma apps with average ratings of less than 4 were categorized as having a low average rating. For the sentiment analysis, we modeled both 2-word (bi-gram) and 3-word (tri-gram) phrases which commonly appeared across highly rated and lowly rated apps. Results: Of the 10 apps that met the inclusion criteria, a total of 373 reviews were examined across all apps. Among apps reviewed, 53.4% (199/373) received high ratings (average ratings of 4 or 5) and 47.2% (176/373) received low ratings (average ratings of 3 or less). The number of ratings across all apps ranged from 188 (AsthmaMD) to 10 (My Asthma App); 30% (3/10) of apps were available on both Android and iOS. From the sentiment analysis, key features of asthma management that were common among highly rated apps included the tracking of peak flow readings (n=48), asthma symptom monitoring (n=11), and action plans (n=10). Key features related to functionality that were common among highly rated apps included ease of use (n=5). Users most commonly reported loss of data (n=14) and crashing of app (n=12) as functionality issues among poorly rated asthma apps. Conclusions: Our study results demonstrate that asthma app quality, maintenance, and updates vary widely across apps and platforms. These findings may call into question the long-term engagement with asthma apps, a crucial factor for determining their potential to improve asthma self-management and asthma clinical outcomes.
Intimate partner violence, circulating glucose, and non-communicable Disease: Adding insult to injury?

Abstract Analyzing data from the 2015–2016 Indian Demographic and Health Survey (N = 41,768), we investigate how women's circulating glucose varies with the severity of intimate partner violence (IPV) they have experienced in the last year and how their likelihoods of corresponding noncommunicable diseases vary with IPV severity in their lifetime. Consistent with a physiological stress response, women who have recently experienced severe IPV exhibit higher glucose levels and are more likely to have extremely high levels—forewarning of disease development—than women who have not experienced IPV. Correspondingly, women who have ever experienced severe IPV in their lifetime have 33%–200% higher probabilities of diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disorders, and cancer and are 70% more likely to have any of these diseases and 175% more likely to have multiple than women who have experienced none.
Consistent Autoregressive Spectral Estimates: Nonlinear Time Series and Large Autocovariance Matrices

We consider the problem of using an autoregressive (AR) approximation to estimate the spectral density function and the n × n autocovariance matrix based on stationary data X1, … , Xn. The consistency of the autoregressive spectral density estimator has been proven since the 1970s under a linearity assumption. We extend these ideas to the nonlinear setting, and give an application to estimating the n × n autocovariance matrix. Under mild assumptions on the underlying dependence structure and the order p of the fitted AR(p) model, we are able to show that the autoregressive spectral estimate and the associated AR‐based autocovariance matrix estimator are consistent. We are also able to establish an explicit bound on the rate of convergence of the proposed estimators.
Why AI Works

One of the comments on AI has been that we don’t really understand what’s going inside the black box of an AI model. What are all the hidden neurons doing when a CNN is recognizing a cat? How is an AI model able to generalize to unseen examples? Another persistent comment has been that we don’t really know what’s happening during the training process. What is the nature of this optimization landscape? Why doesn’t the training get stuck in a local minimum?
Randomized multivariate Central Limit Theorems for ergodic homogeneous random fields

Abstract We present new versions of the CLT which are valid for each ergodic homogeneous multivariate random field ( X 1 ( ⋅ ) , … , X d ( ⋅ ) ) on R m or Z m ( m ≥ 1 ) (in particular, for each ergodic stationary random process and for each ergodic stationary random sequence) such that for all l E [ | X l ( 0 ) | 2 + δ ] ∞ for some δ > 0 ( l = 1 , . . . , d ) ; in some statements ergodicity is not assumed. Randomization made it possible to significantly weaken the strong mixing conditions and other restrictions of dependence, that are imposed in the conventional CLTs. These results pave the way to consistent statistical inference for homogeneous random fields and stationary processes with strong dependence.
Austen's Narrative Perspective and the Problem of Interpretation in Emma and Persuasion

In the novels Emma and Persuasion, Jane Austen uses different narrative perspectives as experiential didactic tools for her audience. Using both confined and fluid narrative perspectives, Austen simultaneously presents subjective and objective perspectives to her readers. These seemingly conflicting perspectives present multiple realities that challenge readers’ assumptions about how to relate to certain characters, and how characters relate to one another. Austen does not make judgments for her audience or privilege any view of reality, however, and in fact seems to discourage the formation of absolute judgments, an act that her devout Anglican background might suggest she believes ought to belong only to God. Instead, the use of narrative perspective in Emma and Persuasion presents readers with a different experience. The narrative perspective allows readers to view others more generously, reassess their own process of judgment, and experience a more complex, conflicted world without straightforward answers—a fictional experience with further applications in reality.
Disarming ‘Militainment’: reading peace and resistance

Young people's popular culture consumption is a part of everyday life. Popular culture shapes young people's understandings of the world and their social interactions and is a site of values construction, identity formation and reproduction. Pop culture is one of the technologies through which everyday peace is understood and created within militarised societies. Young adult (YA) fiction that critiques war from within cultures of violence and inspires social justice micro-movements from within cultures of consumption, disrupting the dominant narratives these cultures embody, creates conceptual and discursive room for (rethinking) initiatives, such as peacebuilding. Considering the works of J.K. Rowling and Suzanne Collins in the context of the last decade's ‘war on terror’ and everyday militarisation, the paper argues that these works, and their wider political uses, offer insights into the interrelated roles of pop culture and of young people in peace formation.
Studies on Polynucleotides LXXXIX. A STUDY OF AMINO ACID INCORPORATION IN A RETICULOCTYE CELL-FREE PROTEIN-SYNTHESIZING SYSTEM WITH POLYRIBONUCLEOTIDES WITH REPEATING NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCES USED AS MESSENGERS

Abstract A cell-free protein-synthesizing system from rabbit reticulocytes has been used to study amino acid incorporation with the use of polyribonucleotides of defined sequences as messengers. The following polyribonucleotide messengers were tested, and the amino acids incorporated in response to the corresponding messenger are shown in parentheses: poly r-U (Phe), poly r-A (Lys), poly r-C (Pro), poly r-UG (Val, Cys), poly r-AC (His, Thr), poly r-UC (Leu, Ser), poly r-AUC (His, Ile, Ser), poly r-GUA (Ser, Val), poly r-AUG (Asp, Met), poly r-CAA (Asn, Gln, Thr), and poly r-UUG (Val, Cys, Leu). No amino acid was incorporated in response to UAG and UGA codons. Reticulocyte ribosome preparations, after preincubation in the cell-free protein-synthesizing system to remove endogenous messenger RNA and washing with glycerol, still retained most of the enzymic activities required for protein synthesis. Such ribosome preparations were almost free of endogenous amino acids and transfer RNA. When tested in the presence of the above mentioned polyribonucleotide messengers but in the absence of lysate, these ribosome preparations gave amino acid incorporations similar to those described above. In addition, particularly in the presence of high Mg++ concentration, poly r-UG stimulated incorporation of methionine and tyrosine in addition to valine and cysteine and poly r-UUG stimulated incorporation of isoleucine and tyrosine in addition to valine, leucine, and cysteine. Competition experiments with unlabeled amino acids allowed the following ambiguous codon assignments: GUG for methionine, UGU for tyrosine, and GUU for isoleucine.
Body Psychotherapy Activates Long-Term Recovery from Addiction: Anatomy of a Resentment

Older paradigms in addiction research equated abstinence with recovery. Current literature focuses on systems and relationships to support long-term recovery. This article investigates literature on long-term recovery, the gap in resentment deactivation, and utilizing body psychotherapy to boost clinical treatment of long-term recovery. A theoretical foundation is presented for the model, Anatomy of a Resentment, in which the structure of resentments is examined using cognitive and somatic techniques. The prototype is offered as a clinical tool to bridge cessation of use with long-term recovery and reignite adult development, scaffolding increased quality of life for individuals in long-term recovery from addictions.
Screening for Hepatitis C

of the Clinical Problem Hepatitis C virus affects an estimated 180 million people worldwide,making it themost common chronic blood-borne pathogen.1 Less than half of infected individuals clear their infection without treatment, and 15% to 40% of patients with HCV progress to cirrhosisorhepatocellular cancer.HepatitisCvirus infection is themost commonindication for liver transplantationand is thecauseof8000 to 13 000 deaths in the United States each year.2 SinceHCV testingofbloodproductswas implemented in 1992, the2most important risk factors forHCVacquisitionarepastor current injection drug use and birth between 1945 and 1965.3 DetectionofHCV infectionhasprovendifficultbecausebehavioral riskhistories are often incomplete, most newly infected individuals have no ormild nonspecific symptoms, and up to 50%of those infected have persistently normal serum transaminase values. Not surprisingly, 45% to85%of all personswith chronicHCV infection are unaware that they are infected.3When patients are identified and receive proper HCV treatment, they can reduce their risk of hepatocellular cancer by 70% and all-cause mortality by 50%.3
Computational Depth and Reducibility (Extended Abstract)

This paper investigates Bennett's notions of strong and weak computational depth (also called logical depth) for infinite binary sequences. Roughly, an infinite binary sequence x is defined to be weakly useful if every element of a non-negligible set of decidable sequences is reducible to x in recursively bounded time. It is shown that every weakly useful sequence is strongly deep. This result (which generalizes Bennett's observation that the halting problem is strongly deep) implies that every high Turing degree contains strongly deep sequences. It is also shown that, in the sense of Baire category, almost every infinite binary sequence is weakly deep, but not strongly deep.
Models of My Life

Part I Journey to a 21st birthday: the boy in Wisconsin forests and fields education in Chicago encounter with a scientific revolution - political science at Chicago. Part II The scientist as a young man: a taste of research - the City Managers' Association managing research - Berkeley teaching at Illinois Tech a matter of loyalty building a business school - the Graduate School of Industrial Administration research and science politics mazes without minotaurs roots of artificial intelligence climbing the mountain - artificial intelligence achieved. Part III View from the mountain: exploring the plain personal threads in the warp creating a university environment for cognitive science and A.I. on being argumentative the student troubles the scientist as politician foreign adventures. Part IV Research after 60: from Nobel to now the amateur diplomat in China and the Soviet Union guides for choice. Afterword: the scientist as problem solver.
Semilinear Neumann boundary value problems on a rectangle

We consider a semilinear elliptic equation Δu + λf(u) = 0, x ∈ Ω, ∂u/∂n = 0, x ∈ ∂Ω, where Ω is a rectangle (0, a) x (0, b) in R 2 . For balanced and unbalanced f, we obtain partial descriptions of global bifurcation diagrams in (A, u) space. In particular, we rigorously prove the existence of secondary bifurcation branches from the semi-trivial solutions, which is called dimension-breaking bifurcation. We also study the asymptotic behavior of the monotone solutions when λ → ∞. The results can be applied to the Allen-Cahn equation and some equations arising from mathematical biology.
A Nutribusiness Strategy for Processing and Marketing Animal-Source Foods for Children

Nutritional benefits of animal source foods in the diets of children in developing countries indicate a need to increase the availability of such foods to young children. A nutribusiness strategy based on a dried meat and starch product could be used to increase children's access to such foods. The "Chiparoo" was developed at The Pennsylvania State University with this objective in mind. Plant-based and meat ingredients of the Chiparoo are chosen based on regional availability and cultural acceptability. Chiparoo processing procedures, including solar drying, are designed to ensure product safety and to provide product properties that allow them to be eaten as a snack or crumbled into a weaning porridge. Continued work is needed to develop formulation and processing variations that accommodate the needs of cultures around the world.
Infusing work-based learning with Confucian principles: a comparative perspective

Purpose – The globalization of the market economy and the technology revolution present multiple demands for education to meet the needs of the knowledge society. In this global context, work-based learning (WBL) has become increasingly valuable and critical for individuals and governments to enhance employability and to produce competitive workforces. Yet, the interdependence nature of globalization urges us to learn from each other the various theoretical and methodological approaches to WBL. Applying an appreciative inquiry, the purpose of this paper is to propose the transformation of current WBL practices by integrating or “meshing” Confucian Learning Model (CLM) into Western approaches for sustainable human development in this multi-cultural economic-driven global context. Design/methodology/approach – This study is grounded in literature review and critical examination of profound pedagogical theories and practices from both Western and Eastern perspectives. Western education philosophies, learning...
How Can We Ignore the Why

Abstract Katz's (1960) theory of the Functional Approach to Attitude Change is applied to the largely atheoretical world of health care professionals' attitudes toward older adults. A brief summary of the research on health care professionals' attitudes toward older adults is presented and the application of Katz's theory to these attitudes is explored in depth. Empirical studies which test even trace elements of this theory are examined. Directions for future research are suggested, and social workers, possessing so many relevant skills and holding positions in the health care arena, are encouraged to become actively involved.
An improved part grouping model for minimizing makespan in FMS

In some flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs), limited tool magazine capacity requires grouping of parts into subsets for production. Although several studies have addressed the part grouping issue, research comparing the performance of models is scanty. Moreover, there is no congruency in the objectives of the present part grouping models and subsequent loading models. Traditionally, part grouping is addressed before machine loading. In this study, we overcome the drawbacks by proposing two models: model LM, which does not require part grouping, and model PGLRM (part grouping, loading and routing model), which requires part grouping. The performance of model LM serves as a benchmark. These two models also address machine loading and part routing issues concurrently. Model PGLRM's performance is then compared with the performance of model LM and few other existing part grouping models in terms of makespan and routing flexibility. Our analysis shows that model PGLRM not only results in a lower value of makespan but also imparts higher routing flexibility as compared to existing part grouping models.
Potassium-stimulated angiotensin release from superfused adrenal capsules and enzymatically dispersed cells of the zona glomerulosa.

The cells of the adrenal cortex contain angiotensin-II (All), but whether this peptide is synthesized there (vs. internalized from the systemic circulation), whether it is secreted, and whether it is important in aldosterone production remain uncertain. To address these issues, we studied AI and AII release from superfused rat adrenal capsules and dispersed glomerulosa cells. Superfused adrenal capsules released 7-fold more AII in 270 min than the capsules originally contained (495 ± 101 fmol AII/rat released vs. 66 ± 8 fmol AII/rat tissue content). The amount of AI released in the same period only slightly exceeded the tissue content. In response to higher potassium concentrations in the medium (9 vs. 3.6 mM K+), adrenal capsules and dispersed glomerulosa cells both released significantly more AI and AII into the superfusate. This release of AI and AII was oscillatory. The oscillations occurred in each of 15 experiments, with a period of 45–90 min. Decapsulated adrenal glands (the zona faciculata/reticul...
Nutritive Value of a New Hull-less Barley Cultivar in Broiler Chick Diets

The hull-less barley mutant Franubet, derived from Betzes (CI 6398), has an unusual starch type, with granules that appear fractured when viewed with an electron microscope. Hull-less Franubet barley from three crops and a hulled barley, Ershabet (CI 15722) were used in a series of 21-day broiler chick feeding studies using 21% protein diets supplemented with 44% protein soybean meal, DL-methionine, minerals, vitamins, and an antibiotic. Barley-containing diets were compared with corn diets in varying proportions as basal grains. Supplemental beta-glucanase added to Franubet diets resulted in improvement in chick growth over that of birds fed diets unsupplemented with beta-glucanase. In some cases, chicks fed Franubet barley with or without the supplemental enzyme had weight gains equal to those fed corn. Feed:gain ratios corresponded to weight gain results. In one trial, Ershabet barley, a hulled cultivar, was compared with Franubet barley, with and without beta-glucanase, and corn as basal grains. Results from feeding both barleys were equal to those of feeding corn when supplemented with enzyme, although performance of the hull-less cultivar tended to be superior with respect to chick body weight gain and feed:gain ratio. Franubet barley appears to have high nutrient digestibility for poultry compared with other barleys.
“Viewing” Pregnancy as an Existential Threat: The Effects of Creatureliness on Reactions to Media Depictions of the Pregnant Body

Although pregnancy clearly evokes many positive reactions, women's pregnant bodies sometimes inspire negative responses. However, little if any empirical attention has been devoted to understanding the psychological reasons for such ambivalence. In this article we tried to fill this gap by using a conceptual analysis grounded in terror management theory. According to this perspective, because people are motivated to deny their similarity to animals (and the mortal vulnerability that entails), when such concerns are salient, they will react negatively to that which has the potential to highlight the creaturely aspects of humanity (i.e., pregnancy). In two experiments, priming the similarity between humans and animals led participants to respond more negatively to a pregnant compared to non-pregnant Demi Moore magazine cover (Study 1) and to perceive Gwyneth Paltrow as less competent when she was portrayed as pregnant (Study 2). We consider implications for understanding objectification and derogation of women.
Mechanistic Computational Model of Ovarian Steroidogenesis to Predict Biochemical Responses to Endocrine Active Compounds

Sex steroids, which have an important role in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes, are synthesized primarily in the gonads and adrenal glands through a series of enzyme-mediated reactions. The activity of steroidogenic enzymes can be altered by a variety of endocrine active compounds (EAC), some of which are therapeutics and others that are environmental contaminants. A steady-state computational model of the intraovarian metabolic network was developed to predict the synthesis and secretion of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2), and their responses to EAC. Model predictions were compared to data from an in vitro steroidogenesis assay with ovary explants from a small fish model, the fathead minnow. Model parameters were estimated using an iterative optimization algorithm. Model-predicted concentrations of T and E2 closely correspond to the time–course data from baseline (control) experiments, and dose–response data from experiments with the EAC, fadrozole (FAD). A sensitivity analysis of the model parameters identified specific transport and metabolic processes that most influence the concentrations of T and E2, which included uptake of cholesterol into the ovary, secretion of androstenedione (AD) from the ovary, and conversions of AD to T, and AD to estrone (E1). The sensitivity analysis also indicated the E1 pathway as the preferred pathway for E2 synthesis, as compared to the T pathway. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of using the steroidogenesis model to predict T and E2 concentrations, in vitro, while reducing model complexity with a steady-state assumption. This capability could be useful for pharmaceutical development and environmental health assessments with EAC.
Meat tenderizer in the acute treatment of imported fire ant stings

Meat tenderizer containing the proteolytic enzyme papain was tested for therapeutic efficacy in the sting of the imported fire ant. The parameters of pain and itching were used to evaluate qualitatively the sting response in 22 healthy medical students, and the laser Doppler velocimeter was used to assess quantitatively the change in cutaneous blood flow. The results indicated that, during the acute-phase reaction, no clinically or statistically significant difference was found between stings treated with meat tenderizer and stings treated without tenderizer. Therefore we conclude that meat tenderizer is of no therapeutic value in the acute treatment of the imported fire ant sting.
Effects of indiscriminate foraging by tropical hummingbirds on pollination and plant reproductive success: experiments with two tropical treelets (Rubiaceae)

In cloud forest at Monteverde, Costa Rica, two common treelets (Palicourea lasiorrachis and Cephaelis elata, both Rubiaceae) depend simultaneously on one hummingbird population (Lampornis calolaema) for pollination. Both species are distylous and self-incompatible. In laboratory experiments, we examined possible effects of indiscriminate foraging by hummingbirds among flowers of both species, as observed in the field, on pollination of Palicourea. In each of 35 trials, captive L. calolaema probed 2 flowers from pin plants of Palicourea followed by 20 thrum flowers of the same species, with either 0, 2, or 10 Cephaelis flowers intervening. We assessed pollen transfer by staining and counting pin pollen tubes growing in thrum styles; counts of 0, 1, or ≥2 pollen tubes relate directly to seed output (0, 1, or 2 seeds per fruit, respectively). Intervening Cephaelis flowers sharply reduced pollen receipt by thrum flowers of Palicourea and reduced some aspects of pollen dispersal from pins as well, thereby curtailing maternal and paternal reproductive potential of Palicourea. Such effects of interspecific pollen loss on reproductive output may lead to strong competition among some, though not all, combinations of plant species pollinated by L. calolaema or of other plant combinations that share animal pollinators.
Effect of interfacial shear on gas absorption into a turbulent falling film with co-current gas flow

Abstract Experimental measurements of the liquid side mass transfer coefficient are reported for CO2 absorption into a turbulent falling water film at 25°C with co-current gas flow. The liquid film Reynolds number was in the range 1830 to 8030. As the gas velocity was increased from 0 to 14 m/s there was a more than four fold increase in the mass transfer coefficient. The data is well correlated by ( K L K o L ) = 1+2.3( τ i τ o w ) . Data for the skin friction coefficient are also reported, showing a large increase above the dry wall value for high liquid and gas phase Reynolds numbers.
Preparing for Parenthood?: Gender, Aspirations, and the Reproduction of Labor Market Inequality

This article explores how anticipations of parenthood differentially affect the career aspirations and choices of women and men who have not (yet) had children. Drawing from in-depth interviews conducted separately with 60 coupled young adults (30 heterosexual couples), I find that women in my sample were disproportionately likely to think and worry about future parenthood in their imagined work paths. Moreover, women were more likely than men to alter or downshift their present-day career goals in anticipation of the changes in preferences and responsibilities that accompany new parenthood. Because men were unlikely to engage in the mental work of anticipating parenthood, they were also free from its emotional and behavioral consequences. In this way, gendered anticipations of parenthood, which begin relatively early in an individual’s career path, are likely to play a key role in reproducing patterns of labor market inequality even before the real constraints of parenthood have set in.
FPGA-based Accelerator Design for RankBoost in Web Search Engines

Search relevance is a key measurement for the usefulness of search engines. Shift of search relevance among search engines can easily change a search company's market cap by tens of billions of dollars. With the ever-increasing scale of the Web, machine learning technologies have become important tools to improve search relevance ranking. RankBoost is a promising algorithm in this area, but it is not widely used due to its long training time. To reduce the computation time for RankBoost, we designed a FPGA-based accelerator system. The accelerator, plugged into a commodity PC, increased the training speed on MSN search engine data by 2 orders of magnitude compared to the original software implementation on a server. The proposed accelerator has been successfully used by researchers in the search relevance ranking .
A comparison between dually diagnosed inpatients with and without Axis II comorbidity and the relationship to treatment outcome.

The presence of a personality disorder (PD) has been associated with certain types of poor treatment outcomes in patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). The purpose of this study was to deter...
Growth of the Tooth Germ in Newborn Rats Exposed to Oxygen at Atmospheric and High Pressure

Newborn rats were exposed intermittently to oxygen at high pressure (93 psig) 15 times for a period of eight days. Growth of the tooth germs was the same as that of the control rats in air at atmospheric pressure, with the exception of the enamel and dentin layers, which grew less. The width of the tooth germ of rats exposed to oxygen at atmospheric pressure increased.
Effect of Heated or Unheated Soybean Meal With or Without Niacin on Rumen Protozoa

Cattle fed heated soybean meal as a protein supplement had lower rumen protozoal counts than did those fed unheated soybean meal. Adding niacin to unheated soybean meal increased protozoal counts, but the difference was not significant. Adding niacin to heated soybean meal increased holotrich, entodiniomorph, and total protozoal counts. Apparently conventional heating of soybean meal makes niacin unavailable to rumen protozoa.
High-performance CMOS-compatible self-aligned In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As MOSFETs with GMSAT over 2200 µS/µm at V DD = 0.5 V

We demonstrate high-performance self-aligned In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As-channel MOSFETs with effective channel length L EFF down to 20 nm, peak transconductance G MSAT over 2200 µS/µm at L EFF = 30 nm and supply voltage V DD = 0.5 V, thin inversion oxide thickness T INV = 1.8 nm, and low series resistance R EXT = 270 Ω.µm. These MOSFETs operate within 20% of the ballistic limit for L EFF ≤ 30 nm and are among the best In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As FETs in literature. We investigate the effects of channel/barrier doping on FET performance and show that increase in mobility beyond ∼ 500 cm2/Vs has progressively smaller impact as L EFF is scaled down. Our self-aligned MOSFETs were fabricated using a CMOS-compatible process flow that includes gate and spacer formation using RIE, source/drain extension (SDE) implantation, and in-situ-doped raised source/drain (RSD) epitaxy. This process flow is manufacturable and easily extendable to non-planar architectures.
A construct validation study of the Haan defense scales.

This study tested the validity of the Haan (1%5) psychological defense scales, which have shown promise for clinical and research assessment. Three subject samples participated: ex-inpatients (n = 80) from a longitudinal high- risk project, their spouses (n = 104), and private college students (n = 124). Valid defense scales were predicted to show a specific pattern of correlations with MMPI ego-strength and standard scales across all three cohorts, with measures of symptoms among the ex-inpatients, and with overall severity of pathology for all groups in a pattern consistent with Vaillant's defense model. The regression scale showed excellent validity, and projection received equivocal support, but the other scales were not validated. Denial appeared to reflect psychological health.
Influence of composition on the superconducting transition temperature of alloys with the A-15 structure

Abstract Superconducting transition temperatures are presented for a wide range of compositions within the A-15 phase of the NbAl system. The maximum Tc of 19.0 K clearly occurs for a composition greater than that of stoichiometric Nb3Al. This observation, together with a modern calculation by Shen, suggests that the important controlling factor for the maximum Tc in the A-15 class of materials is the approach to the “ λ ƒ 2 limit” rather than structural instabilities or the stoichiometric composition.
C-terminal binding proteins are essential pro-survival factors that undergo caspase-dependent downregulation during neuronal apoptosis

C-terminal binding proteins (CtBPs) are transcriptional co-repressors that are subject to proteasome-dependent downregulation during apoptosis. Alternative mechanisms that regulate CtBP expression are currently under investigation and the role of CtBPs in neuronal survival is largely unexplored. Here, we show that CtBPs are downregulated in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) induced to undergo apoptosis by a variety of stressors. Moreover, antisense-mediated downregulation of CtBP1 is sufficient to cause CGN apoptosis. Similarly, the CtBP inhibitor, 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyric acid, induces expression of the CtBP target Noxa and causes actinomycin-sensitive CGN apoptosis. Unexpectedly, we found that the mechanism of CtBP downregulation in CGNs undergoing apoptosis varies in a stimulus-specific manner involving either the proteasome or caspases. In the case of CGNs deprived of depolarizing potassium (5K apoptotic condition), caspases appear to play a dominant role in CtBP downregulation. However, incubation in 5K does not enhance the kinetics of CtBP1 degradation and recombinant CtBP1 is not cleaved in vitro by caspase-3. In addition, 5K has no significant effect on CtBP transcript expression. Finally, mouse embryonic stem cells display caspase-dependent downregulation of CtBP1 following exposure to staurosporine, an effect that is not observed in DGCR8 knockout cells which are deficient in miRNA processing. These data identify caspase-dependent downregulation of CtBPs as an alternative mechanism to the proteasome for regulation of these transcriptional co-repressors in neurons undergoing apoptosis. Moreover, caspases appear to regulate CtBP expression indirectly, at a post-transcriptional level, and via a mechanism that is dependent upon miRNA processing. We conclude that CtBPs are essential pro-survival proteins in neurons and their downregulation contributes significantly to neuronal apoptosis via the de-repression of pro-apoptotic genes.
Impact of network conditions on delay-stable communications in closed industrial control networks

To properly operate closed industrial control networks, it is required that communication with nearly constant delay bounds be supported. In [9] the authors introduced FlexTDMA in order to provide this support, and with minimal delay-jitter in an asynchronous network, under unicast communication. In this paper we consider how periodic on-off traffic and frame loss are managed in the presence of network component clock drifts and bandwidth loads, and introduce the FlexTDMA+ protocol. This protocol includes three improvements over FlexTDMA: baseline preemption, partial baselining and baseline deadline density control. In this paper we consider the relative value of each of these improvements, individually and in combination, has in handling these network conditions.
A study on 3D-printed coplanar waveguide with meshed and finite ground planes

Direct digital manufacturing technology is gaining increasing attention for RF and microwave applications. The introduction of new materials and processes utilized by this technology has triggered the need to study their high frequency performance. Challenges with this type of fabrication include the intrinsic surface roughness of materials produced using fused deposition modeling (FDM), control of the metallization thickness, minimum feature sizes, and the tolerance on the component dimensions. In this work, a fully printed coplanar waveguide (CPW) is fabricated and characterized. In addition, finite ground CPW (FGCPW) and a meshed ground CPW are implemented to reduce ink usage and printing time. To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first study of a meshed ground CPW.
Kirkwood-Buff Thermodynamics Derived from Grand Canonical Molecular Dynamics and DRISM Calculations

The grand canonical ensemble techniques?both Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics?have become very popular in recent years, but no direct link between the number fluctuation results from these simulation methods and a Kirkwood?Buff theory has been established. In this article we look at Kirkwood?Buff integrals computed using thermodynamic averages derived from grand canonical ensemble molecular dynamics simulations and compare them to similar quantities derived from the dielectrically consistent reference interaction site model many-body theory. These calculations will be carried out for three different water models, SPC, SPC/E, and TIP3P.
Field performance of transgenic Russet Burbank and Lemhi Russet potatoes

Transformed Russet Burbank and Lemhi Russet clones which contained three different transgene constructs were evaluated for performance under field conditions in Idaho. The transgenic lines were characterized over two growing seasons, using plants grown from both greenhouse produced minitubers (first year) and field grown seed (second year). Individual clones were evaluated for a variety of agronomic and quality properties. Many of the transformed clones showed reduced yield and increases in percent malformed and undersized tubers. Other characteristics, such as specific gravity and fry color, showed less variability. The variation observed in non-transgenic clones regenerated from tissue culture was less than that of the transformed lines. Out of an original population of 57 transgenic lines in tissue culture, maintenance of key agronomic and quality properties of the parental material was observed in only four clones. These results suggest that experiments designed to generate transgenic lines for the marketplace should be initiated with a large number of transgenic clones.
EFFECT OF HIGH PRESSURE ON THE SECOND HARMONIC GENERATION EFFICIENCIES OF THREE MONOCLINIC ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

The effect of pressure to ∼90 kbar has been measured on the second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency for the monoclinic crystals 4-aminobenzophenone (ABP), 4-Br-4‘-methoxychalcone (BMC), and 2-methyl-4-nitroaniline (MNA). In ABP and BMC the SHG efficiency increases by 2−3 orders of magnitude with some dependence on orientation. The results can be explained qualitatively in terms of a decrease in Δk, the mismatch between the coupled fields, i.e., by pressure tuning of Δk. Powdered samples give much smaller increases in SHG efficiency but a clearer indication of first-order phase transitions, probably between point groups of the monoclinic structure. MNA crystal exhibits a very sharp increase in SHG efficiency by a factor ∼20 at pressures below 10 kbar. At pressures above ∼30 kbar self-absorption by the sample becomes dominant.
Operational sex ratio, mediated by synchrony of female arrival, alters the variance of male mating success in Japanese medaka

Abstract The hypotheses that variation in male mating success and use of aggression by competing males increase with decreasing synchrony of female arrival were experimentally tested. Groups of three male Japanese medaka,Oryzias latipes(Pisces, Oryziidae) were allowed to compete for females that were placed in the tank either simultaneously (synchronous treatment, male-to-female operational sex ratio=0·5) or sequentially (asynchronous treatment, operational sex ratio=3). In these experiments, the mating system of medaka was scramble-competition polygyny because male mating success was primarily determined by their persistence in following and courting females rather than by dominance and aggression. As predicted, the coefficient of variation of male mating success and the rate of aggression by males was higher in the asynchronous than in the synchronous treatment. In addition, the percentage of matings in which a sneaker participated was also higher in the asynchronous than in the synchronous treatment. Operational sex ratio, mediated by female synchrony, seems to be an important proximate factor influencing the intensity of male-male competition. These results suggest that differences between males in their ability to scramble for females can generate important variance in mating success, a mechanism that is often overlooked in the literature on mating systems.
Yersinia enterocolitica and thyroid autoimmunity.

The concordance rate of Graves disease in pairs of identical twins of 30 to 60% points to the influence of environmental factors, and infections have often been incriminated in the pathogenesis9,12.17. More than 15 years ago we demonstrated an increased frequency of antibodies to Yersinia enterocolitica (Y. ent.) serotype 31. which later was confirmed by others,19.20 suggesting a link between infection with Y. ent. and autoimmune thyroid diseases.
6949 Familial association of barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: Preliminary investigations suggest that Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (ECA) may have a genetic predisposition. Aim: To determine whether patients with BE or ECA have an increased prevalence of BE and/or ECA in their families. Methods: Patients with BE and ECA were identified through a pathology database at a university hospital. The diagnosis of BE or ECA was reconfirmed by an experienced gastrointestinal pathologist. The control group consisted of a cohort of patients enrolled in a pharmacotherapy study of esophagitis. All control subjects had gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and endoscopic evidence of esophagitis without BE or ECA. Patients and controls were given a standardized questionnaire (modified Mayo GERQ) about severity and duration of reflux symptoms, risk factors, and detailed family history. Prevalence of a family history of BE or ECA was compared between index patients and control subjects. Results: Questionnaires were returned by 18/54 (33%) in the BE/ECA group and 24/46 (52%) in the control group. Four (22%) index patients in the BE/ECA group compared to none (0%) in the control group reported at least one first- or second- degree relative with BE or ECA (p = 0.03, Fischer's exact). One patient reported 2 first-degree relatives (1 ECA and 1 BE), and another reported an identical twin with BE. Compared to the control group, the BE/ECA group tended to be older (mean age, 62 years vs. 55 years, p 30 kg/m2) were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: Patients with Barrett's esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma are more likely to have a family history of BE or ECA compared to GERD patients without BE. Prospective studies to determine the prevalence of BE in family members of patients with BE or ECA are needed.
Exercise-induced endocrine pathologies

There has been a substantial increase in women practicing sports over the past 30 yr. While exercise provides many health benefits, there appears to be a unique set of risks associated with intense exercise for the female athlete. The female athlete triad encompasses these risks, including amenorrhea, osteoporosis and eating disorders. The incidence of menstrual irregularities including primary and secondary amenorrhea and shortened luteal phases is much higher among women partaking in athletics, specifically in sports requiring low body weight for performance and aesthetics. The hormone pattern seen in these amenorrheic athletes includes a decrease in GnRH pulses from the hypothalamus, which results in decreased pulsatile secretion of LH and FSH and shuts down stimulation of the ovary. The recently discovered hormone leptin may also play a large role as a significant mediator of reproductive function. The prevalence of eating disorders is high among female athletes who practice sports which emphasize leanness. Consequently, the cause of menstrual irregularities is not due to the exercise alone, but to chronic inadequate or restrictive caloric intake that does not compensate for the energy expenditure. The most dangerous risk associated with amenorrhea for the female athlete is the impact on the skeleton. Complications associated with amenorrhea include compromised bone density, failure to attain peak bone mass in adolescence and increased risk of stress fractures. The diagnosis of exercise-associated menstrual dysfunctions is one of exclusion. The most effective treatment is to decrease the intensity of the exercise and increase the nutritional intake. Hormone replacement has also been under investigation as a possible treatment.
A method for monitoring antifibrinolytic therapy in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms

✓ A rapid fluorometric assay technique has been utilized to assess the degree of fibrinolytic inhibition in 20 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms treated with epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA). This method quantitates the available plasminogen activity (APA) of plasma, and has proven to be a reliable means of monitoring antifibrinolytic therapy. Determination of the plasma APA also permits correlation of the level of fibrinolytic activity with putative complications of EACA therapy. Normal control plasma APA was 3.1 ± 0.7 CTA units/ml, but in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), pretreatment fibrinolytic activity was supranormal at 3.78 ± 0.88 CTA units/ml. During continuous intravenous administration of EACA (1.5 gm/hr) in patients with SAH, the plasma fibrinolytic activity was decreased to 0.9 ± 0.31 CTA units/ml. A case is described which exemplifies the use of this assay. In addition, an approach to monitoring antifibrinolytic therapy using the plasma APA is proposed.
Characteristics of 2D Cylindrical Photonic Crystals Band Gap with Square Lattice

The structure of two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystals (PCs) with square lattice is proposed in this paper, and researches on characteristics of photonic band gap (PBG) are conducted using finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, then the effects of the dielectric constant and the radius of dielectric rods on band gap are analysed, dielectric rods in air (rods/air). The research results indicate that in the case of TE and TM polarization mode, the difference value of dielectric constant of medium and dielectric rods affects forming PBG.The band gap broadens with the difference value increasing. Whats more, the complete band gap (CBG) appears in range of large rods radius structure when dielectric constants of rods are smaller than that of medium.
Plant virus expressing hybrid coat protein with added murine epitope elicits autoantibody response

A modified tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was used to direct the synthesis of TMV coat protein hybrids containing a 13 amino acid sequence of the murine zona pellucida ZP3 protein. This hybrid protein was found to be robust and accumulate to high concentrations in inoculated plants. Virus-like particles containing the hybrid coat protein could be readily purified from infected plant tissue. Parenteral immunization with these virus-like particles as antigen resulted in serum antibody recognizing ZP3 epitope in C57BL/6J and BALB/cBy mice. The antibodies recognized synthetic ZP3 peptide and the authentic murine ZP3 glycoprotein. Antibodies were recruited in vivo to the zone pellucida in female mice.