cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interactive singing of a male Mueller's gibbon with a simulated neighbor

This study provides evidence for interactive singing, or countersinging, in the dawn song of a male Mueller's gibbon. Tape-recorded answering calls from a simulated neighbor were initiated at the subject's baseline rate (every 18 sec), then successively at every 14 sec, 10 sec, 18 sec, 22 sec, and 26 sec. Two types of evidence for interactive singing were considered. First, the subject's initiation rate significantly increased when the initiation rate of the simulated neighbor increased (but did not decrease when the simulated neighbor's rate decreased). Second, the subject's rate of interruption of the simulated neighbor's vocalizations remained at the same low level regardless of the initiation rate of the simulated neighbor; these interruption rates were, in all cases, significantly lower than would have been expected by chance if interactive singing were not occurring. Evolutional value of interactive singing is considered in relation to demonstration of individual fitness and achievement of clear communication between neighboring groups.
Field Guide to the Cultivated Eucalypts (Myrtaceae) and How to Identify Them1

This paper provides identification keys that are based entirely on morphological features to commonly and widely cultivated eucalypts, encompassing Eucalyptus L'Her., Angophora Cav., and Corymbia K. D. Hill & L. A. S. Johnson in the Myrtaceae Juss. The key includes 173 taxa: one species of Angophora, nine species of Corymbia, and 163 species of Eucalyptus. Evidence for cultivation was determined by accounts in the literature, herbaria, personal communications, and observations of living trees in cultivation in Europe, North America, Africa, and Australia. The locations, prevalence of cultivation, and naturalization of several eucalypt species are discussed.
Health and lifestyle behaviors among persons at risk of Lynch syndrome

The aim of this study was to evaluate health behaviors among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and their at-risk relatives prior to undergoing genetic counseling and testing for Lynch syndrome and to examine associations between health risk behaviors and specific demographic and psychological variables. Participants included patients with CRC (n = 319) and their cancer-unaffected relatives (n = 110) who were enrolled in studies regarding Lynch syndrome genetic testing. Prior to undergoing genetic counseling or testing, participants completed a questionnaire including measures of demographic characteristics, health behaviors, cancer screening practices (Pap test, clinical breast exam, and mammogram), and psychological distress. Unaffected participants scored higher on a risk behavior index (RBI) than patients with CRC (1.7 (SD = 1.0) vs. 1.4 (SD = .09); p < .01). All female participants underwent cancer screening at rates similar to national data. Higher RBI scores were associated with being male, having less education, and age less than 50-years. We identified several health behaviors for potential intervention, including smoking, alcohol use, and diet. Genetic counseling offers a promising avenue for education and risk behavior reduction in persons at increased risk for cancer due to a familial or genetic predisposition, and a teachable moment to introduce lifestyle modifications.
Determination of calcium and magnesium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry in fraser fir (Abies fraseri) and red spruce (Picea rubens) foliage from Richland Balsam Mountain, North Carolina

Abstract The red spruce ( Picea rubens ) and Fraser fir ( Abies fraseri ) are conifers which grew naturally at high elevation sites in the southern Appalachian mountains. The Fraser fir has suffered a severe decline, due to an exotic insect, the Balsam woolly adelgid (BWA), while the red spruce in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has undergone a mild decline that has been attributed to reduced foliar calcium and magnesium levels induced by acidic deposition. The first goal of this project was to develop a suitable method for the determination of conifer foliage. A dry combustion procedure followed by flame atomic absorption analysis was shown to be convenient and provide good accuracy and precision. The second goal of the project was to analyze red spruce and Fraser fir foliage from 10 saplings at Richland Balsam Mountain, NC for calcium and magnesium, and compare the results to a study done at this site in 1968-1969. Foliar red spruce concentrations of calcium and magnesium in 1994 were 1932 ± 712 and 330 ± 68 μg/g, respectively, compared to values of 4164 ± 388 and 788 ± 62 μg/g in 1968-1969 that were reported in the literature. For Fraser fir, a similar trend was observed: in 1994, foliar calcium and magnesium levels were 2830 ± 873 and 387 ± 81 μg/g; in 1968-1969 the literature levels were 4095 ± 219 and 853 ± 60 μg/g. Statistical analysis of these data at the 0.01 critical value showed a decrease in foliar calcium and magnesium concentrations in this study compared to the earlier work, indicating that acidic deposition may have a role in the decline of red spruce and Fraser fir.
Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the Rce1p CaaX Protease

The Rce1p protease is required for the maturation of the Ras GTPase and certain other isoprenylated proteins and is considered a chemotherapeutic target. To identify new small-molecule inhibitors of Rce1p, the authors screened the National Cancer Institute Diversity Set compound library using in vitro assays to monitor the proteolytic processing of peptides derived from Ras and the yeast a-factor mating pheromone. Of 46 inhibitors initially identified with a Ras-based assay, only 9 were effective in the pheromone-based assay. The IC 50 values of these 9 compounds were in the low micromolar range for both yeast (6-35 µM) and human Rce1p (0.4-46 µM). Four compounds were somewhat Rce1p selective in that they partially inhibited the Ste24p protease and did not inhibit Ste14p isoprenylcysteine carboxyl methyltransferase, 2 enzymes also involved in the maturation of isoprenylated proteins. The remaining 5 compounds inhibited all 3 enzymes. The 2 most Rce1p-selective agents were ineffective trypsin inhibitors, further supporting the specificity of these agents for Rce1p. The 5 least specific compounds formed colloidal aggregates, a proposed common feature of promiscuous inhibitors. Interestingly, the most specific Rce1p inhibitor also formed a colloidal aggregate. In vivo studies revealed that treatment of wild-type yeast with 1 compound induced a Ras2p delocalization phenotype that mimics observed effects in rce1 ste24 null yeast. The 9 compounds identified in this study represent new tools for understanding the enzymology of postisoprenylation-modifying enzymes and provide new insight for the future development of Rce1p inhibitors. (Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2007:983-993)
Market Coverage and Service Quality in Digital Subscriber Lines Infrastructure Planning

Digital subscriber lines (xDSL) belong to a family of technologies that provide the ability to transmit digital data over local telephone (copper) infrastructure. As the second most popular broadband platform in the United States, it is estimated that over twenty-five million xDSL lines are in service, capturing nearly 30 percent of the U.S. broadband market. While the service range of xDSL is somewhat limited, often extending to a maximum of 18,000 feet from a central office (CO), available bandwidth also decays as distance increases from the CO. As a result, there are often marked disparities in the quality of xDSL service within market areas. This article proposes a bi-objective location model for maximizing both service coverage and quality of coverage in siting digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs). An application of the developed model highlights important implications for telecommunication policy.
The Religious Problem of the Italian Risorgimento as Seen by Americans

At the outset of Italy's struggle for political regeneration religious differences divided American opinion as to the justice of the Italian demands and continued to color that opinion throughout the years that followed. Before the election of Pius IX to the Papacy, Americans had read and heard a great deal about the tyranny of the various despotic governments of Italy after the Congress of Vienna. Books of travel, memoirs, biographies, autobiographies, accounts of newspaper correspondents in various cities of the peninsula, stories told by returning travellers and by Italian exiles in America had painted a most gloomy picture of the spiritual and physical conditions under which many liberals were suffering in the dungeons of the despots who had been restored to power after the downfall of Napoleon. Nowhere were conditions worse, it was believed, than in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and in the Papal States.
Blast transformation and fibrotic progression in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia: A literature review of incidence and risk factors

Polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) constitute two of the three BCR-ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms and are characterized by relatively long median survivals (approximately 14 and 20 years, respectively). Potentially fatal disease complications in PV and ET include disease transformation into myelofibrosis (MF) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The range of reported frequencies for post-PV MF were 4.9-6% at 10 years and 6-14% at 15 years and for post-ET MF were 0.8-4.9% at 10 years and 4-11% at 15 years. The corresponding figures for post-PV AML were 2.3-14.4% at 10 years and 5.5-18.7% at 15 years and for post-ET AML were 0.7-3% at 10 years and 2.1-5.3% at 15 years. Risk factors cited for post-PV MF include advanced age, leukocytosis, reticulin fibrosis, splenomegaly and JAK2V617F allele burden and for post-ET MF include advanced age, leukocytosis, anemia, reticulin fibrosis, absence of JAK2V617F, use of anagrelide and presence of ASXL1 mutation. Risk factors for post-PV AML include advanced age, leukocytosis, reticulin fibrosis, splenomegaly, abnormal karyotype, TP53 or RUNX1 mutations as well as use of pipobroman, radiophosphorus (P(32)) and busulfan and for post-ET AML include advanced age, leukocytosis, anemia, extreme thrombocytosis, thrombosis, reticulin fibrosis, TP53 or RUNX1 mutations. It is important to note that some of the aforementioned incidence figures and risk factor determinations are probably inaccurate and at times conflicting because of the retrospective nature of studies and the inadvertent labeling, in some studies, of patients with prefibrotic primary MF or 'masked' PV, as ET. Ultimately, transformation of MPN leads to poor outcomes and management remains challenging. Further understanding of the molecular events leading to disease transformation is being investigated.
Environmental Security and Governance in the Americas

This was prepared as a white paper for heads of state and delegations preparing for the 34-state Summit of the Americas held in 2001 in Quebec City. It argues that certain environmental challenges, such as climate change, natural disaster vulnerability, and the impact of development on resource availability, should be seen as 'non-traditional' security threats to states in the Inter-American system. The paper suggests that environmental security is not a new regional issue, but it has new urgency - pointing to natural disasters that taxed governments and economies heavily, but noting that environmental security concerns go well beyond disaster mitigation. Environmental challenges raise concerns for the health, well being and economic viability of communities in the region - those directly affected, and those called upon to respond. It notes that some progress has been made at a regional level, and some governments have begun to consider environmental issues in strategic planning. Yet no deliberate effort contemplates the range of environmental security challenges facing the region, or seeks to devise a response. Given the increasing importance of these challenges, and their impact on populations, economies and resources, the paper examines the emerging concept of environmental security and its particular relevance for the Western Hemisphere. It outlines action to date and calls for strategic interdisciplinary response in the near term. At the heart of meaningful progress is coordination among environmental, economic and defense institutions to analyze potential threats and address priority concerns. The paper urges policy makers setting the agenda for the Quebec City Summit to heed environmental security concerns and consider an appropriate response within the context of the Summit agenda.
Small Business Consulting: A 10-Region Analysis of Small Business Institute Programs, 1990*

Small Business Institute programs have operated in the U .S . for almost two decades. This particular i1ehicle for small business consulting has been the focus of many studies. However, a comparative analysis of the programs of the 10 SBA geographical regions has yet to be undertaken. This study examines similarities and differences in the SBI programs in all 10 regions and at the same time provides a database upon which other hypotheses may be developed . The benefits anticipated from the results of the research may be used in public policy decisions and in evaluating contributions by SBIs to the private sector .
The Latin Americanization Thesis: An Expectation States Approach

The Latin Americanization thesis posits that the racial hierarchy in the United States is now composed of Whites, Honorary Whites, and Collective Blacks, with skin tone being the primary determinant of one’s placement within this tripartite system of social status. Extant research mostly examines this approach at the macro level; relatively little is known about the thesis at the micro level. By examining goal-oriented task groups, our experiment tests whether Whites exhibit transitive levels of influence, a behavioral indicator of social status, in a manner consistent with this three-tier system. Furthermore, with applications of graph-theoretic models from status characteristics and status cue theories, we assess the social psychological mechanisms buttressing the proposed racial hierarchy by comparing propositions from four theories put forth by scholars of race/ethnicity (we translate their propositions into graphs and mathematical calculations). In so doing, we pose the question: In our experimental setting, which matters more, skin tone or ethnic background, or do both have equal effects on behavior? Our results support the purported racial hierarchy of the Latin Americanization thesis. On average, Whites were influenced the most by White confederates; Whites were influenced less by their light-skinned Latino/a confederates, and even less by dark-skinned Latino/a confederates. Model fit statistics for the propositions translated into graphs and values demonstrate that ethnic distinctions and skin tone are independent stratifiers in the form of status characteristics. This finding supports the notion that skin tone and ethnic background have the equivalent capacity to invoke processes to create the tripartite system of racial/ethnic inequality.
A Review of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Obesity: Exploring the Link.

Objective: The incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obesity are on the rise, and evidence continues to support the observation that individuals who have symptoms of PTSD are more likely to develop obesity in their lifetime. The incidence of obesity in individuals with PTSD, including war veterans, women, and children exposed to trauma, is not solely attributable to psychotropic medications, but actual pathophysiologic mechanisms have not been fully delineated. Additionally, there are no studies to date demonstrating that obese individuals are predisposed to developing PTSD compared to the general population. This review explores the pathogenic pathways common to both PTSD and obesity, which include inflammation, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, cellular structures, and neuroendocrine activation.
Relationship Between Nasal and Humoral Antipoliomyelitic Substances

In 1917 Amoss and Taylor1 reported that the nasal washings of certain individuals had the ability to neutralize the virus of poliomyelitis. Apparently there was no uniformity in regard to the type of person possessing this power not in regard to the regularity of the individual response. These authors worked largely with material from normal adults but tests were also made with washings from four cases of acute poliomyelitis. Since the washings had been obtained from one patient on the 15th day after onset of the disease when immune bodies might have developed and from the other after immune serum had been administered, the authors suggest there might be some relationship between the neutralizing ability of these two body fluids. They, however, failed to present further experimental evidence in support of this hypothesis. Flexner and Amoss2 mentioned the inability of producing infection by the nasal route in a certain percentage of monkeys, although the normal serum of these animals is devoid of neutralizing power. These authors consider the normal nasal mucosa a valuable defense against infection with the virus and believe this property to be distinct from that shown to be in the serum. Bearing in mind that much of the recent work points to the nasal route as the portal of entry for the virus of poliomyelitis,3 and that this entry can be circumvented by treatment with certain chemicals such as sodium alum and picric acid,4,5'6'7 it was thought advisable to determine what relationship, if any, might exist between nasal and humoral antipoliomyelitic substances in different selected groups of people. It was also thought of interest to repeat the earlier work of Amoss and Taylor in view of the later knowledge in respect to methods; to activity of the virus and to data collected concerning the neutralizing ability of serums from normal individuals. Moreover, while the presence of such humoral neutralizing substances has been arbitrarily taken as an indicator of tissue immunity to poliomyelitis, yet recent experimental
Over-Expression of a Core Repeat from an Insect Silk Protein that Forms Intramolecular Disulfide Bonds

A gene encoding one complete [C+SR] core repeat from spla, a 1000-kDa silk protein from Chironomus tentans. was synthesized and its recombinant protein expressed to high levels in bacterial cells. We observed that reducing agents significantly alter the electrophoretic mobility of this protein. A variety of data indicate that the purified recombinant protein is folded and its structure stabilized by two intramolecular disulfide bonds.
Nanoconfined Solid–Solid Transitions: Attempt To Separate the Size and Surface Effects

The solid–solid phase transitions in ammonium nitrate, ammonium perchlorate, and sodium nitrite confined to native and organically modified silica nanopores are analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry. The study reveals the effect of nanoconfinement on the transition temperature and links it to the kinetic parameters of the process. It is suggested that the effect of nanoconfinement is primarily the surface interaction effect in the native pores and the size effect in organically modified pores. It has been found that in organically modified pores the transition temperature is always depressed relative to the bulk, whereas in the native pores its behavior is generally unpredictable. Kinetic analysis of the transitions in terms of a nucleation model indicates that the experimentally observed shifts in temperature can be explained by a combination of changes in the free energy of nucleation and preexponential factor of the respective processes.
SPMM: estimating infection duration of multivariant HIV-1 infections.

Motivation Illustrating how HIV-1 is transmitted and how it evolves in the following weeks is an important step for developing effective vaccination and prevention strategies. It is currently possible through DNA sequencing to account for the diverse array of viral strains within an infected individual. This provides an unprecedented opportunity to pinpoint when each patient was infected and which viruses were transmitted. Results Here we develop a mathematical tool for early HIV-1 evolution within a subject whose infection originates either from a single or multiple viral variants. The shifted Poisson mixture model (SPMM) provides a quantitative guideline for segregating viral lineages, which in turn enables us to assess when a subject was infected. The infection duration estimated by SPMM showed a statistically significant linear relationship with that by Fiebig laboratory staging (P = 0.00059) among 37 acutely infected subjects. Our tool provides a functional approach to understanding early genetic diversity, one of the most important parameters for deciphering HIV-1 transmission and predicting the rate of disease progression. Availability and implementation SPMM, webserver, is available at http://www.hayounlee.org/web-tools.html. Contact hayoun@usc.edu Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Toward a dynamic multilevel theory of team personality

Scholars have used a variety of ways to examine personality at the team level, yet never has a dynamic, multilevel approach been taken to examine the structure of team personality, how it develops, and how and why it may influence team effectiveness. If the concept of personality at the team level is to be taken seriously, we argue that a consistent theoretical orientation is necessary to synthesize past findings and guide future research. To fill this need, we discuss the definition, function, structure, and emergence of team personality, culminating in the development of a dynamic multilevel model linking individual team member personalities to team personality. This model is the basis through which we describe the development, path dependence, and impact of team personality. We conclude by discussing the theoretical and practical implications of our model.
The Effects of Mental Imagery with Video-Modeling on Self-Efficacy and Maximal Front Squat Ability

This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of mental imagery supplemented with video-modeling on self-efficacy and front squat strength (three repetition maximum; 3RM). Subjects (13 male, 7 female) who had at least 6 months of front squat experience were assigned to either an experimental (n = 10) or a control (n = 10) group. Subjects′ 3RM and self-efficacy for the 3RM were measured at baseline. Following this, subjects in the experimental group followed a structured imagery protocol, incorporating video recordings of both their own 3RM performance and a model lifter with excellent technique, twice a day for three days. Subjects in the control group spent the same amount of time viewing a placebo video. Following three days with no physical training, measurements of front squat 3RM and self-efficacy for the 3RM were repeated. Subjects in the experimental group increased in self-efficacy following the intervention, and showed greater 3RM improvement than those in the control group. Self-efficacy was found to significantly mediate the relationship between imagery and front squat 3RM. These findings point to the importance of mental skills training for the enhancement of self-efficacy and front squat performance.
A case-case control study on risk factors of the re-treatment multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis

Objective To explore the risk factors of patients with re- treatment multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis( MDR- TB) and to provide suggestions for intervention. Methods A case- case control study was carried out between patients with or without re- treatment MDR- TB,with a questionnaire interview and multivariate logistic regression analysis to explore the risk factors of re- treatment MDR- TB. Results A total of 172 patients were enrolled in this study including99 re- treatment MDR- TB patients and 73 re- treatment non- MDR- TB patients( P 0. 05). There was no significant difference between case group and control group in gender,age,residence and marital status. The sick time,the anti-tuberculosis treatment time,the number of anti- tuberculosis treatments,the rate of adverse reactions,history of taking isoniazid or rifampicin and the number of treatment interruption were higher in cases than those in control group( P 0. 05),while the months of first- treatment were lower than those in control group( P 0. 05). The number of anti-tuberculosis treatments( ≥ 3),adverse reactions during treatment,the months of first- treatment were significant risk factors by the multivariable regression model,with the adjusted ORs and 95% CIs of 5. 07( 1. 89,13. 64),4. 27( 2. 04,8. 94) and 2. 35( 1. 06,5. 22),respectively. Conclusion The number of anti- tuberculosis treatments,adverse reactions during treatment,the months of first- treatment were risk factors of patients with re- treatment MDR- TB.
Pulmonary effects of antineoplastic therapy

Pulmonary toxicity is common after cancer therapy and can result from all therapeutic modalities. The consequential decrease in lung function ranges in severity from subclinical to life-threatening or even fatal and can manifest in the acute setting or many years after completion of therapy. Radiation effects are due to direct insult to the pulmonary parenchyma and, for younger children, impaired thoracic musculoskeletal development. Radiation pneumonitis can occur in the acute/subacute setting, as well as fibrosis with comprised gas exchange as a late effect of direct lung irradiation; thoracic wall malformation can cause restriction of function as a chronic sequela. The pulmonary effects of cytotoxic drugs usually present as acute effects, but there is the potential for significant late morbidity and mortality. Of course, surgical interventions can also cause both acute and/or late pulmonary effects as well, depending on the specific procedure. Although treatment approaches for the management of pediatric cancers are continually adapted to provide optimal therapy while minimizing toxicities, to a varying degree all therapies have the potential for both acute and late pulmonary toxicity. Of note, the cumulative incidence of pulmonary complications rises with increasing time since diagnosis, which suggests that adult survivors of childhood cancer require lifelong monitoring and management of potential new-onset pulmonary morbidity as they age. Knowledge of cytotoxic therapies and an understanding of lung physiology and how it may be altered by therapy facilitate appropriate clinical care and monitoring of long-term survivors.
Macular syphilides absent in red tattoo.

Abstract A generalized eruption of macular syphilides was not found in the red-cinnabar-colored region of a tattoo on the flexor surface of the patient's forearm.
Free to Choose Medicine and Right to Try (PowerPoint Presentation)

This PowerPoint presentation summarizes why consumer choice and competition are needed to restructure the FDA regulatory system. We need a new system that allows patients, advised by their doctors, to make informed decisions about the use of not-yet-approved drugs versus FDA-approved drugs. Decisions consistent with their own unique health situations and consistent with their own preferences for risk. Three principles of Free To Choose Medicine are described that provide the foundation for such a system. Support for freedom of choice for patients has been gaining momentum as 31 states have passed Right To Try legislation. This state legislation would allow patients with a terminal illness access to not-yet-FDA-approved drugs. Three future political scenarios are laid out as possible responses to the new political environment created by Right To Try. There may be a near-term opportunity for substantial support of Free To Choose Medicine principles in order to achieve the bipartisan goal of better drugs, sooner, at lower cost.
Metastatic Extracavitary Cardiac Melanoma The Role of Contemporary Imaging Techniques in Diagnosis and Surgical Planning

Melanoma is a neoplasm notorious for its dismal prognosis and its propensity for cardiac involvement. Roughly a third of patients diagnosed with primary cutaneous melanoma develop pulmonary, osseous, cerebral or hepatic metastatic disease ante mortem. In contrast, ante mortem cardiac involvement is reported in 2% of cases but in over 50% of patients with metastatic melanoma postmortem.1 Cardiac involvement is usually multifocal, believed to disseminate hematogenously and commonly involves the epicardium, myocardium, pericardium or may present as intracavitary tumors.2 The surgical management of cardiac tumors can be challenging, particularly when they occur in locations that make surgical access and resection technically difficult. Recent refinements in myocardial perfusion imaging, computerized tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging help provide precise information on anatomic location, vascularity, and tumor extension into adjacent mediastinal structures.3 Early detection of cardiac melanoma has important therapeutic and prognostic …
Remote power transfer using magneto-electric devices

We report remote power transfer using magneto-electric devices. The experiments were performed at room temperature for piezoelectric beam coupled with electromagnet. Neodymium magnet was used as mass loading. We observed the output power of the order +19.3 to -71.1 dB given the gap between the input and output source was varied from 4 mm to 12 mm for the device (21.3 mm × 3.59 mm × 0.57 mm) with best performance at the resonance peak. We tested the device for frequency sweeps of 10-100 Hz and 100-5000 Hz. This enabled us to figure out the output power for the device at resonant frequencies over a wide frequency range. The device has high input impedance (as opposed to coils) and can be miniaturized aggressively to below 100 μm linear dimensions. The piezoelectric beams have much higher quality factors (Q) larger than 1000 while coils have low Qs (~ 20) and the harvesting efficiency is proportional to Q.
The physical mechanism investigation between HK/IL gate stack breakdown and time-dependent oxygen vacancy trap generation in FinFET devices

In this paper, the detailed TDDB models of HK/IL gate stack for N/PMOS were established through the analysis of oxide trap generation in FinFET technology. We systematically characterized gate oxide traps of HK and IL layers by AC admittance and SILC spectrum methodologies. We found that the generation of deep traps in HK layer plays the decisive role in NMOS TDDB, while the formation of deep traps in IL and HK layers are critical to PMOS TDDB. In addition, the deep traps in HK/IL gate stack were found to be highly responsible for the permanent damage during stress, such that, the physical mechanisms of HK/IL gate stack breakdown in FinFET devices can be successfully explained through the time-dependent HK and IL trap generations. From this trap studies, we demonstrated that TDDB reliability of FinFET technology can be improved through the reduction of deep traps.
Long-term trends in fish community composition across coastal bays and lakes in the Lavaca–Colorado Estuary

Human impacts continue to alter community structure, emphasizing the need to understand how spatial and temporal variability in disturbance and conservation affect ecological communities to optimiz...
Influence of Package Assembly Process on Solder Joint Reliability - an Application of Component Level Shock Methodology

This paper presents the effect of package assembly processes and substrate features on flip chip ball grid array (FCBGA) package solder joint shock performance. The study covered only on lead-free solder system. The package assembly processes include the ball attach reflow temperature, oven environment setting, simulated burn-in, number of board reflow and substrate features such as solder resist profile and solder pad Ni thickness. These assembly parameters play significant role in determining the quality of the solder joint as a function of entrapped flux residue. Both Cold Ball Pull (CBP) and component level shock test methodologies were adopted to study the assembly interaction with SJR performance of FCBGA package. With the above studies, result shows that a better quality solder joint can be attained through eliminating flux residue. This has been demonstrated through CBP monitoring where the observed brittle fail mode reduces significantly while component level testing shows improvement in shock performance.
Digital Traces of Online Self-Organizing and Problem Solving in Disaster

Natural disasters are associated with breakdown of existing structures, but they also result in creation of new social ties in the process of self-organization and problem solving by those affected. In highly-distributed setting of social media, collaborative arrangements must depend on the aspects of work that facilitate (or not) the creation of a shared information space-such as an explicit shared site of work and visible, legible record of the activity. In my dissertation I investigate what organizational structures emerge through problem solving in the context of more or less explicit shared site of work and more or less visible record of activity.
Functional analysis of Na + /H + exchanger 9 variants identified in patients with autism and epilepsy

Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 9, NHE9, finely tunes the pH within the endosomal lumen to regulate cargo trafficking and turnover. In patients with autism, genetic approaches have revealed deletions, truncations and missense mutations in the gene encoding NHE9 (SLC9A9). To help establish causality, functional evaluation is needed to distinguish pathogenic mutations from harmless polymorphisms. Here, we evaluated three previously uncharacterized NHE9 variants, P117T, D496N, and Q609K reported in patients with autism and epilepsy. We show that NHE9-DsRed localizes to recycling endosomes in HEK293 cells where it significantly alkalinizes luminal pH, and elevates accumulation of transferrin. All three NHE9 variants were expressed and localized to endosomal compartments, similar to wild-type NHE9. In contrast to previously characterized NHE9 variants, we observed no loss-of-function with respect to endosomal pH homeostasis and transferrin endocytosis. These findings suggest that the three NHE9 substitutions analyzed in our study are either benign polymorphisms or may have a cell-type specific or regulatory function not detected in our cell culture model. Our findings highlight the importance of combining the use of cellular studies of function with sequencing technologies that capture genomic variation in patients.
New York State Breast Density Mandate: Follow-up Data With Screening Sonography

Objectives To evaluate the impact on breast cancer detection from screening breast sonography performed in women with mammographically dense breasts. Methods This study used a retrospective chart review. Data collected included total number of screening mammograms, total number of dense breast screening sonograms, total number of procedures performed, biopsy results, and demographic data. Data were obtained from January 1, 2013, through August 31, 2015. During this period, there were a total of 195,982 screening mammographic examinations performed at our facility. Of these, 83,234 patients (42.5%) were informed that their breast tissue was heterogeneously dense or extremely dense. We specifically reviewed cases to identify those with findings on sonography only. The positive predictive value, biopsy rate, and cancer detection rate were determined. Results During the study period, 5434 screening sonographic examinations were performed in 4898 women with heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breasts. Most (95.7%) of the sonographic examinations resulted in an American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 1 or 2 designation. A total of 101 lesions were given a BI-RADS 3 designation; 134 suspicious findings were given a BI-RADS 4 or 5 designation; and 100 of these were seen on sonography only, all of which underwent tissue sampling, resulting in the diagnosis of 18 malignancies; all were invasive. In evaluating screening sonographic findings, we found a positive predictive value of 18.0%, with an overall biopsy rate of 2.0% and a cancer detection rate of 3.3 per 1000. Conclusions The results of our continued evaluation of our screening sonography program confirm that screening breast sonography in women with dense breast tissue can detect otherwise occult malignancy, with a low biopsy rate.
Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP)

Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), at the present time, continues to be the most commonly used cardiac support device. IABPs enhance myocardial function by maximizing oxygen supply and minimizing oxygen demand. A balloon placed in the proximal descending aorta is inflated and deflated, and by synchronizing this counterpulsation with either the ECG or arterial waveform, blood can be displaced. During diastolic inflation, blood is displaced both proximally and distally, increasing diastolic pressure and thereby increasing coronary and systemic perfusion. Deflation of the balloon just before the left ventricle contraction reduces afterload and LV strain.
Photomechanical Stress Analysis Under Cryogenic Environments

Industrial applications of cryogens motivates the need to develop stress analysis techniques suitable for these conditions. Non-contacting optical techniques are attractive as they are unaffected by thermal expansion, magnetic fields or the hostile environment of the cryogen. This paper extends holographic-moire and Young’s fringe techniques to measure displacements (mixed mode) in the vicinity of a crack in a glass-composite submerged in liquid nitrogen. The authors are unaware of prior use of these techniques under cryogenic conditions.
Manifestation of octane rating, fuel sensitivity, and composition effects for gasoline surrogates under advanced compression ignition conditions

Abstract Substantial research effort has been spent on the development of advanced compression ignition (ACI) engine combustion strategies over the past decades, including homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI), reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI), and gasoline direct-injection compression-ignition (GDCI), etc. The behavior of gasoline-type fuels under compression ignition conditions has subsequently attracted extensive experimental and kinetic modeling interest. On the other hand, towards the development of future transportation fuels and engines, the evaluation of general fuel properties, instead of endless testing of specific fuels, should be the future research focus. In this study, the individual roles of the research and motor octane numbers (i.e., RON and MON) and fuel sensitivity (S) in characterizing the ignition performance of gasoline surrogates have been systematically investigated under a typical ACI engine condition using well-validated surrogate and kinetic models. The crank angle corresponding to 50% total heat release (CA50) was utilized as an indicator of the overall fuel reactivity, and iso-contours of CA50 were mapped out in the full engine operating domain characterized by the temperature and pressure at intake valve closing (IVC). By comparing the ignition performance of toluene primary reference fuel blends (TPRF) with the same RON, MON or S values, the distinctive effects and dominant ACI operating conditions of these fuel properties are clearly demonstrated. The role of equivalence ratio is also discussed by comparing the intrinsic stoichiometric condition of the standard octane rating tests and the lean mixture conditions required by ACI operation. The results show that octane sensitivity manifests itself in the high pressure low temperature operating regime for fuels with identical RON or MON, through different low temperature reactivities and heat release rates, while in low pressure high temperature conditions, combustion phasing is less sensitive to all fuel properties, including RON, MON and S. TPRFs with the same sensitivity show the largest variation of CA50 in the intermediate operating conditions, where the thermodynamic traces pass primarily through the ignition delay regime characterized by negative-temperature coefficient (NTC) behavior. Finally, by comparing the combustion phasing of five different gasoline surrogates with nearly identical RON and MON, potential compositional effects for gasoline fuels under ACI condition are further discussed via kinetic modeling. This study also demonstrates that the controlling fuel properties of gasoline-like fuels depend on ACI operating conditions (pressure and temperature trajectory), which should be carefully considered when constructing fuel metrics and comparing experimental results of ACI engines.
Case 100: Severe Case of Hyperkalemia During Rapid Blood Transfusion

Today you are assigned to anesthetize an 80-year-old female for a uterine malignancy (88 lbs, 5′5″, ASA 2). She has hypertension but no history of ischemic heart disease. On exam she is marked cachectic with a hard mass palpated in her lower abdomen. Her HCT is 30%. The other laboratory values, ECG and chest x-ray, are normal. A routine general anesthetic is given and 20 G right radial line and a triple lumen CVP are inserted into the right jugular vein.
A cross-sport comparison of performance-based outcomes of professional athletes following primary microfracture of the knee.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to compare performance-based outcomes among professional athletes in four major North American sports following microfracture to treat symptomatic chondral defects of the knee. Methods Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL), and National Hockey League (NHL) athletes who underwent primary unilateral microfracture of the knee were identified through a previously reported protocol based on public sources. Successful return-to-play was defined as returning for at least one professional regular season game after surgery. Regular season player statistics and sport-specific performance scores were compiled for each player. Each player served as his own control, with the season prior to surgery defined as baseline. Comparisons across sports were enabled by adjusting for expected season and career length differences between sports and by calculating percent changes in performance. Results One hundred thirty one professional athletes who underwent microfracture were included. One hundred three athletes (78.6%) successfully returned to play. The ratio of games started-to-games played before surgery was found to be a significant positive independent predictor of returning (p = 0.002). Compared with their preoperative season, basketball and baseball players demonstrated significantly decreased performance one season after surgery (− 14.8%, p = 0.029 and − 12.9%, p = 0.002, respectively) that was recoverable to baseline by postoperative seasons 2–3 for baseball players but not for basketball players (− 9.7%, p = 0.024). Conclusion Knee microfracture surgery is associated with a high rate of return to the professional level. However, the impact of this procedure on postoperative performance varied significantly depending on sport.
Bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces with spontaneous pneumomediastinum: An intravenous methamphetamine complication.

Abstract Objective To present an unusual case and proposed mechanism of bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces with pneumomediastinum in a patient with intravenous methamphetamine use. Case report Thin white man presented with confusion and chest pain after intravenous methamphetamine use. Initial workup found bilateral pneumothoraces with pneumomediastinum. Conservative management was initiated and subsequent radiographs and physical examination revealed subsequent improvement in pneumothoraces and pneumomediastinum. Conclusion Intravenous methamphetamine use increases a wide number of inflammatory markers that can increase the risk of spontaneous pneumothoraces and pneumomediastinum. In patients with known risk factors, methamphetamine use can promote an increased incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum.
The Measurement of Skeletal Maturation

Human biologists usually apply the term “maturity” to level of maturity; that is, the extent to which an individual, or a group of individuals, has proceeded towards adulthood. Therefore, maturation is a particular type of development: development that proceeds to the same end point in all individuals. In this sense, measures relative to adult size for the same individual, for example, present stature as a percentage of actual or predicted adult stature, are measures of maturity. The measurement of skeletal maturity is based on the recognition of maturity indicators; these are visible changes or stages that occur during maturation.
Fuel management optimization using genetic algorithms and expert knowledge

The CIGARO fuel management optimization code based on genetic algorithms is described and tested. The test problem optimized the core lifetime for a pressurized water reactor with a penalty functio...
Embedded System Design using UML and Platforms

Important trends are emerging for the design of embedded systems: a) the use of highly programmable platforms, and b) the use of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) for embedded software development. We believe that the time has come to combine these two concepts into a unified embedded system development methodology. Although each concept is powerful in its own right, their combination magnifies the effective gains in productivity and implementation. This paper defines a UML profile, called UML Platform, and shows how it can be used to represent platforms. As an example, the Intercom platform designed at the Berkeley Wireless Research Center is presented to illustrate the approach.
Trade-offs between syntactic and semantic processing in the comprehension of real texts

Work on the machine-understanding of real texts, such as newspaper stories, has tended to be done either entirely by semantic means (conceptual analyzers, word expert parsers) or with a staged approach first using syntactic processing (part of speech analysis plus traditional or statistical parsing) and then phrase by phrase semantic analysis. The first technique has difficult problems in control structure and can miss the obvious; the second has almost insurmountable problems with structural ambiguity during its parsing phase and must often fall back on statistical methods and good guesses. We present a technique for natural language understanding that is anchored in a lexically-driven syntactic analysis based on semantic grammars. It solves the control problem by constructing its primary grammar through the application of syntactically principled schemas using Tree Adjoining Grammar. Additional default rules of syntactic combination are also allowed when the validity of the combination is undeniable and the semantic interpretation of the new phrase is always the same, as with auxiliary verbs, relative pronouns, and the like. We discuss recent developments in our work, where a richer model of semantic composition allows us to have more of the work done by the syntactic default rules without having to anticipate the semantic interpretation of a particular pair constituents while still yielding a specific, object-oriented model of the information in the understood text.