cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Position paper: software architectures for cooperative systems

We have been developing desktop conferencing systems at IBM Hursley for the last 5 years. An early version [1] was first demonstrated at Telecom '91 in Geneva (and later was a prize winner in the 1993 British Computer Society awards), while the IBM Person to Person product has been available since early 1993. Our current work centres on Lakes, an architecture [2, 3, 4, 5] for collaborative working developed to support a wide range of collaborative applications of the "same time/different place" variety across different platforms and communications media.The Lakes application programming interface is designed to allow applications to:• initiate peer applications and share resources, on a variety of hardware and software platforms, located on nodes across a diverse and complex communications network.• define multiple dedicated logical data channels between shared applications, suitable for a broad range of multimedia traffic, independent of the structure of the underlying physical network.• serialize, synchronize, merge or copy the data streaming between shared applications.• support a range of attached devices and to allow the interception and redirection of the device data.Four key issues influenced the design of Lakes:1. it should be flexible2. it should allow the creation of intelligent networks3. it should support interoperability4. application programming should be as simple as possibleWe believe these issues are extremely important in the design of co-operative systems generally. Each of them is discussed below.
Shoulder-Joint Infection: Diagnosis and Management

The best way to address sepsis is obviously to avoid it. When, however, it does occur, early suspicion, diagnosis, recognition, and rapid management represent the guiding principles of avoiding disaster. The presence of warmth, redness, pain, fever, and loss of mobility are hallmarks of infection in the shoulder, as in other joints. Early detection through sterile aspiration and culture, laboratory testing, imaging, careful physical evaluation and a high index of suspicion will allow for rapid management. Particularly troublesome pathogens include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , and Propionibacterium acnes . These organisms may require prolonged (15-day) laboratory incubation to detect. Early on, aggressive irrigation and debridement either arthroscopically or by formal arthrotomy with removal of all potentially infected or nonviable tissue can allow salvage. In more advanced cases, staged exchange arthroplasty has proven to be an effective technique for salvage management. This, combined with extended intravenous antibiotics, allows secondary revision arthroplasty with antibiotic impregnated cement once all indicators suggest that the patient is free of infection. This technique has proven effective in our hands and has been duplicated by others providing reasonable function below the horizontal with elevation ranging from 70 to 120° and excellent pain relief.
Precursor-mediated kinetics of domain growth

Lattice-gas models that allow the influence of precursor states on the kinetics of domain growth to be studied are presented and discussed. Monte Carlo simulations are performed on a square lattice with these models, for the case of equal and repulsive lateral interactions between nearest and next-nearest neighbors. The dynamics used in the simulations incorporate the energy barrier that an adsorbed molecule must surmount in order to migrate on a crystal surface. We find that domain growth is well described by l\ensuremath{\sim}${\mathrm{At}}^{1/2}$, although during early stages of growth smaller exponents may be observed. The growth exponent of (1/2 holds regardless of the mobility of the precursor. We also find that the coefficient A in the growth law is proportional to the square root of the diffusion coefficient of the adsorbate particles.
Cyberdemocracy or Potemkin E-Villages? Electronic Governments in OECD and Post-Communist Countries

Abstract The dramatic increase in the use of the World Wide Web and the Internet in government may foreshadow important changes in the nature of governance. A number of theorists have posited that the adoption of networked information systems is accompanied by inevitable shifts toward democratic government. Others argue that technologies are secondary factors in changes in levels of democracy or types of governance. Our article examines the openness of cabinet-level websites in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and post-communist countries as a measure of an important aspect of governance that has only recently been operationalized. It provides a brief review of other studies in this field and the directions in which they are heading. The article analyzes the effects of political, cultural, economic, and technical factors on openness of cabinet-level websites in OECD and post-communist countries. The question is whether the level of democracy and cultural legacies affect op...
Analyzing pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Pain coping strategies in patients who have had knee replacement surgery

This study used the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) to investigate pain coping strategies in 52 rheumatoid arthritis patients who reported having knee pain 1 year or more following knee replacement surgery. Data analysis revealed that, as a group, these patients were active copers in that they reported frequent use of a variety of pain coping strategies. Pain coping strategies were found to be related to measures of pain and adjustment. Patients who rated their ability to control and decrease pain high and who rarely engaged in catastrophizing (i.e., who scored high on the Pain Control and Rational Thinking factor of the CSQ) had much lower levels of pain and psychological disability than patients who did not. Coping strategies were not found to relate to age, gender, obesity status or disability/compensation status. Taken together, these results suggest that an analysis of pain coping strategies may be helpful in understanding pain in arthritis patients who have pain following joint replacement surgery.
Rail, Steam, and Speed: The “Rocket” and the Birth of Steam Locomotion – By Christopher McGowan

The advent of the steam engine and the railroad in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries changed the world almost as dramatically as the birth of the Internet in the twentieth century. As with th...
Effect of alcohols on the phase transitions of dihexadecylphosphatidylcholine.

Abstract We have systematically investigated the effect of short chain alcohols (methanol to n -propanol) on the phase transitions of 1,2-dihexadecylphosphatidylcholine (DHPC), a lipid that forms a stable interdigitated gel phase (L β1 ) in aqueous solution. The temperature of the low-temperature L β1 to P β′ phase transition of DHPC was found to increase with alcohol concentration, showing that alcohol interacts preferentially with the interdigitated phase relative to the non-interdigitated gel. The main transition of DHPC exhibited a biphasic effect of alcohol concentration similar to that previously observed with DPPC (Rowe, E.S. (1983) Biochemistry 22,3299–3305). As alcohol concentration is increased the lower L β1 to P β′ and main P β′ to L α transitions of DHPC merge at the threshold concentration of the biphasic effect, so that above this concentration there is one phase transition from L β1 directly to L α . This is analogous to DPPC above its biphasic threshold. Similar to DPPC, the transition between L β1 and L α exhibits marked hysteresis.
A stage model of education and innovation type in China: the paradox of the dragon

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual stage model of education and innovation type. The model depicts the influence of education on innovation and the paper aims to discuss the implications of it for the national competitiveness of China.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a newly created conceptual stage model of education and innovation supported by observations and a literature review based on past and present innovation efforts in China.Findings – The paper demonstrates the importance of linking creative education with radical innovation that is associated with higher value‐added economic activities. The findings of the empirical studies to date in China suggest that such a change will not be easy. There is a need to increase the propensity towards creative thought processes even if this is considered “undesirable behavior” both in the Chinese classroom and for the Chinese Communist party. Evidence suggests that without such creativity, self‐initiated radical inno...
Neuropathologic Findings in Reye Syndrome

Brain tissue from three patients with a clinical diagnosis of Reye syndrome was compared with tissue from three control patients. All Reye syndrome patients demonstrated cytotoxic cerebral edema, with swelling of astrocyte foot processes, which was not seen in controls. Myelin sheath splitting was seen both in controls and patients, but myelin blebs were uncommon in both. Mitochondrial changes also were not seen. Although cerebral edema is a nonspecific finding, it appears to be characteristic of Reye syndrome.
Renormalization group and compositeness in quantum-field theory

By making use of the renormalization group technique, we show that the compositeness conditions required for the equivalence of quantum chromodynamics and the corresponding four-fermion theory may be demonstrated for a large class of gauges. It is also pointed out from a study of soluble models that the equivalence in the sense that the wave functions are the same for finite energy does not guarantee the total equivalence of the Yukawa-type theory to the four-fermion theory.
NONITERATIVE LEAST SQUARES ESTIMATES, STANDARD ERRORS, AND F-TESTS FOR ANY ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE WITH MISSING DATA

This article generalizes Rubin's method of least squares estimation of missing values in any analysis of variance. The general method produces not only least squares estimates of all parameters and the residual mean square, but also the correct least squares standard error and t-test of any contrast as well as the least squares sum of squares and F-test due to any collection of contrasts. The method is noniterative and requires only those subroutines designed to handle complete data plus a subroutine to find the inverse of an m x m symmetric matrix, where m is the number of missing values.
No association between psychometrically-determined schizotypy and olfactory identification ability in first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia and non-psychiatric controls

Abstract Objective This study examined potential associations between schizotypy—including positive, negative, and disorganized domains—and olfactory identification ability. Based on a prior report (Park, S., Schoppe, S., 1997. Olfactory identification deficit in relation to schizotypy. Schizophr. Res. 26, 191–197), it was hypothesized that positive and negative schizotypy would be associated with poorer olfactory identification ability, at least among male participants. Method As part of a larger study, the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) were administered to 98 participants, including 44 healthy first-degree relatives of individuals with schizophrenia and related disorders and 54 non-psychiatric controls. Potential associations between SPQ subscales and UPSIT score were examined while considering the effects of sociodemographic variables on these measures. Results SPQ and UPSIT scores were not significantly different in first-degree relatives and controls. There was no evidence of an association between SPQ domains and UPSIT score, even when controlling for possible confounding variables, including age and educational attainment. Conclusions The nascent literature on potential associations between schizotypy and olfactory identification ability has yielded mixed findings to date. The current study does not support a correlation between these two markers, and this lack of association—in addition to equal olfactory identification performance in relatives and controls—casts doubt on the utility of the UPSIT as a measure of an endophenotypic trait. Future research would benefit from larger, more diverse samples; the addition of objective, interviewer-based measures of schizotypy; and attention to potentially confounding sociodemographic variables.
Student and Teacher Negotiations of Racial Identity in an Afro-Ecuadorian Region.

In this article, using data collected primarily through interviews and observations the researcher explores how students and teachers of African descent at the Jaime Hurtado Academy understand and interpret race and racism in the city and province of Esmeraldas, which is the only region of the country where Afro‐Ecuadorians comprise the largest proportion of the population. The findings reveal that students often distanced themselves from their Blackness through racial mixture, and that parents played a critical socializing role in their students’ negotiations of racial identity. Additionally, it was found that teachers universally embraced their Blackness, although they simultaneously acknowledged their mixed racial ancestry. These findings contest literate understandings of race and ideological attempts by elites to exclude Afro‐Ecuadorians within the dominant discourse of national identity.
First line treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer – specific focus on albumin bound paclitaxel

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide in both men and women. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for more than 80% of cases. Paclitaxel has a broad spectrum of activity against various malignancies, including NSCLC. Paclitaxel is poorly soluble in water and thus, until recently, its commercially available preparations contained a non-ionic solvent Cremophor EL®. Cremophor EL® improves the solubility of paclitaxel and allows its intravenous administration. However, certain side-effects associated with paclitaxel, such as hypersensitivity reactions, myelosuppression, and peripheral neuropathy, are known to be worsened by Cremophor®. Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel ([nab-paclitaxel] ABRAXANE® ABI-007) is a new generation formulation of paclitaxel that obviates the need for Cremophor®, resulting in a safer and faster infusion without requiring the use of premedications to avoid hypersensitivity. Albumin-binding receptor-mediated delivery and lack of sequestering Cremophor® micelles allow higher intratumoral concentration of pharmacologically active paclitaxel. Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated a superior tolerability profile of nab-paclitaxel in comparison to solvent-bound paclitaxel (sb-paclitaxel). A recent Phase III trial compared the effects of weekly nab-paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin versus sb-paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin given every 3 weeks for first line treatment of NSCLC. This trial highlights the weekly nab-paclitaxel combination as an alternate treatment option for NSCLC, with higher response rate in squamous cell NSCLC and longer survival in elderly patients. This review will focus on the properties of nab-paclitaxel and its use in the first line treatment of NSCLC.
Amorphization maps for Ni-Cr-P metallic glasses

Analyse de la structure des alliages Ni−Cr−P avec des compositions en chrome de 0 a 55%, et phosphore de 10 a 25% obtenues par trempe depuis l'etat liquide a differentes vitesses. Les resultats sont portes sur des diagrammes. Presentation des enthalpies et entropies de cristallisation, et des valeurs de la durete Vickers pour les alliages Ni 80−x Cr x P 20 (pour x=0 a 40)
The suicide rate in Austrian prisons: does it conform to sociological theory?

The Austrian prison suicide rate for 1950–1995 was shown to be associated in a similar manner to the social indicators of marriage, birth, and divorce rates as the suicide rate of Austrian males in...
Downregulation of protein kinase C suppresses induction of apoptosis in human prostatic carcinoma cells.

Abstract Protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in propagating signals for apoptosis. We have investigated the effect of pharmacological modulation of PKC activity in DU-145 human androgen-independent prostatic carcinoma cells. The apoptotic death of these cells is characterized by the acquisition of classical apoptotic morphology and generation of ≥1-mbp and 450- to 600-kbp DNA fragments in attached preapoptotic cell populations prior to cellular detachment and accrual of 30- to 50-kbp DNA fragments. We found that induction of apoptosis was arrested by downregulation of PKC activity and not by transient activation or inhibition of the enzyme. Concentrations and durations of exposure to phorbol esters that downregulated PKC activity correlated with inhibition of VP-16 or melphalan-induced morphological apoptosis and generation of the 30- to 50-kbp DNA fragments. Chronic exposure to phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) did not, however, suppress production of the ≥1-mbp and 450- to 600-kbp DNA fragments found in preapoptotic cell populations, suggesting that PKC downregulation may interfere with the transition between a preapoptotic cell and an apoptotic cell. PKC isozyme analysis revealed that chronic PDBu treatment caused downregulation of PKC-α and -ϵ in DU-145 cells. Using concentrations of the PKC inhibitor UCN-01 that were consistent with PKC-α inhibition (but not PKC-ϵ inhibition), however, did not mimic the effects of chronic PDBu treatment, implying that downregulation of PKC-ϵ may be of particular importance. Together, these findings suggest that phorbol esters may act as tumor promoters by suppressing apoptosis.
Demographic estimates from Y chromosome microsatellite polymorphisms: Analysis of a worldwide sample

Polymorphisms in microsatellites on the human Y chromosome have been used to estimate important demographic parameters of human history. We compare two coalescent-based statistical methods that give estimates for a number of demographic parameters using the seven Y chromosome polymorphisms in the HGDP-CEPH Cell Line Panel, a collection of samples from 52 worldwide populations. The estimates for the time to the most recent common ancestor vary according to the method used and the assumptions about the prior distributions of model parameters, but are generally consistent with other global Y chromosome studies. We explore the sensitivity of these results to assumptions about the prior distributions and the evolutionary models themselves.
The structure of the microwave emission from sunspot magnetic fields

Theoretical microwave intensity and polarization maps have been obtained for a sunspot model which incorporates a point dipole buried below the photosphere, a 2000-km thick transition region separating the chromosphere from the corona, a coronal temperature of 2.5 x 10 to the 6th K, and a coronal density of about 10 to the 9th/cu cm. The present code includes both thermal bremsstrahlung and thermal gyroemission at the 1st-5th harmonics of the local electron gyrofrequency. The maps are shown to accurately reproduce many of the observed sunspot features. Significant changes in the I and V maps are found over closely spaced frequencies in the 5-GHz band which would be detectable with the VLA.
The Influence of Mentorship and Role Modeling on Developing Physician-Leaders: Views of Aspiring and Established Physician-Leaders

BACKGROUND Although the benefits of mentoring in academic medical centers have been amply discussed, the major focus has been on conferring traditional academic skills (e.g., grantsmanship, publications, etc.). In contrast, little attention has been given to the career development of physician–leaders (e.g., communication, vision, teambuilding, etc.).
Electronic Impact of Inclusions in Diamond

X-ray topography data are compared with photodiode responsivity maps to identify potential candidates for electron trapping in high purity, single crystal diamond. X-ray topography data reveal the defects that exist in the diamond material, which are dominated by non-electrically active linear dislocations. However, many diamonds also contain defects configurations (groups of threading dislocations originating from a secondary phase region or inclusion) in the bulk of the wafer which map well to regions of photoconductive gain, indicating that these inclusions are a source of electron trapping which affect the performance of diamond X-ray detectors. It was determined that photoconductive gain is only possible with the combination of an injecting contact and charge trapping in the near surface region. Typical photoconductive gain regions are 0.2 mm across; away from these near-surface inclusions the device yields the expected diode responsivity.
Comparative Transcriptional Profiling of Borrelia burgdorferi Clinical Isolates Differing in Capacities for Hematogenous Dissemination

Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, is genetically heterogeneous. Previous studies have shown a significant association between the frequency of hematogenous dissemination in Lyme disease patients and the genotype of the infecting B. burgdorferi strain. Comparative transcriptional profiling of two representative clinical isolates with distinct genotypes (BL206 and B356) was undertaken. A total of 78 open reading frames (ORFs) had expression levels that differed significantly between the two isolates. A number of genes with potential involvement in nutrient uptake (BB0603, BBA74, BB0329, BB0330, and BBB29) have significantly higher expression levels in isolate B356. Moreover, nearly 25% of the differentially expressed genes are predicted to be localized on the cell surface, implying that these two isolates have cell surface properties that differ considerably. One of these genes, BBA74, encodes a protein of 257 amino acid residues that has been shown to possess porin activity. BBA74 transcript level was >20-fold higher in B356 than in BL206, and strain B356 contained three- to fivefold more BBA74 protein. BBA74 was disrupted by the insertion of a kanamycin resistance cassette into the coding region. The growth rates of both wild-type and mutant strains were essentially identical, and cultures reached the same final cell densities. However, the mutant strains consistently showed prolonged lags of 2 to 5 days prior to the induction of log-phase growth compared to wild-type strains. It is tempting to speculate that the absence of BBA74 interferes with the enhanced nutrient uptake that may be required for the entry of cells into log-phase growth. These studies demonstrate the value of comparative transcriptional profiling for identifying differences in the transcriptomes of B. burgdorferi clinical isolates that may provide clues to pathogenesis. The 78 ORFs identified here are a good starting point for the investigation of factors involved in the hematogenous dissemination of B. burgdorferi.
Extraction of semiconductor microchip differential gain by use of optically pumped semiconductor laser

The small-signal modulation response of a vertical external cavity surface emitting laser is analyzed to determine its resonance frequency in relation to photon density, allowing nondestructive extraction of characteristic parameters of chips, such as internal loss and differential gain.
Individual Behaviors Dominate the Dynamics of an Urban Mountain Lion Population Isolated by Roads

Large carnivores can be particularly sensitive to the effects of habitat fragmentation on genetic diversity [1, 2]. The Santa Monica Mountains (SMMs), a large natural area within Greater Los Angeles, is completely isolated by urban development and the 101 freeway to the north. Yet the SMMs support a population of mountain lions (Puma concolor), a very rare example of a large carnivore persisting within the boundaries of a megacity. GPS locations of radio-collared lions indicate that freeways are a near-absolute barrier to movement. We genotyped 42 lions using 54 microsatellite loci and found that genetic diversity in SMM lions, prior to 2009, was lower than that for any population in North America except in southern Florida, where inbreeding depression led to reproductive failure [3-5]. We document multiple instances of father-daughter inbreeding and high levels of intraspecific strife, including the unexpected behavior of a male killing two of his offspring and a mate and his son killing two of his brothers. Overall, no individuals from the SMMs have successfully dispersed. Gene flow is critical for this population, and we show that a single male immigrated in 2009, successfully mated, and substantially enhanced genetic diversity. Our results imply that individual behaviors, most likely caused by limited area and reduced opportunities to disperse, may dominate the fate of small, isolated populations of large carnivores. Consequently, comprehensive behavioral monitoring can suggest novel solutions for the persistence of small populations, such as the transfer of individuals across dispersal barriers.
A prospective descriptive study exploring hope, spiritual well-being, and quality of life in hospitalized patients.

Patients facing changes in their physical health are at a juncture for emotional and spiritual transition within the context of the life changes accompanying illness or injury. As nursing care focuses on the entire person, the identification of psychosocial and spiritual needs is part of the comprehensive nursing care designed with the patient. However, often the physical care and tasks seem most pressing in a busy clinical environment. A study evaluating relationships among hope, spiritual wellbeing, quality of life (QOL), and length of stay (LOS) in a sample (N=48) of hospitalized patients across time points spanning admission, discharge, and 6 weeks after discharge is presented.
What Makes a Topic Interesting? A Conceptual and Methodological Exploration ofthe Underlying Dimensions of Topic Interest

Interest has long been recognized as an important motivator of learning. Recent research, however, has reported a trend of declining interest in science among young students, which suggested that school science has not been effectively fostering student interest. In order to help students develop an enduring interest in the topics taught at school, the first, and perhaps the fundamental step is to understand what it is about a topic that makes it interesting (or uninteresting). As a preliminary effort to address this question, a mixedmethod study combining quantitative data from paired-comparison preference judgments and qualitative data from semi-structured interviews was undertaken with the goal of determining the underlying topic attributes that influence middle school students’ perceived interestingness of school-related topics. The results suggest a set of possible attribute dimensions – a topic’s activeness, importance, familiarity, coolness, and challengingness. Implications of the findings in the context of related research and future research directions are discussed.
Beyond simulation: can adjunctive technologies accelerate learning in gastrointestinal endoscopy?

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a complex manual task with an extended learning curve. Numerous technologies are emerging that may accelerate the acquisition of endoscopic skills for trainees and experienced practitioners in gastroenterology. A wide variety of endoscopic simulators are available, ranging from ex vivo porcine models to computer simulators with haptic feedback. In parallel with endoscopic simulation, innovations are also occurring in "adjunctive" technologies for live endoscopy (ie, technologies that aim to provide more detailed visual or even 3-dimensional information streams to the endoscopist during a procedure). Such adjunctive technologies include live torque and force monitoring during colonoscopy and 3-dimensional views of scope positioning with respect to patient anatomy during linear endosonography. These innovations are spurred on by potential improvements in patient safety, procedural efficiency, and the possibility of expanded therapeutic applications in endoscopy. Additionally, providing more robust visual displays of key data such as scope position, overlaid on or adjacent to the endoscopic image, has the potential to alter the learning curve for gastroenterology trainees.
4A isolated half-bridge gate driver with 4.5V to 18V output drive voltage

Isolated half-bridge gate drivers are used in a variety of applications that range from motor drives to isolated power supplies. However, providing isolated, adequate and well-timed half-bridge gate drive signals in these applications presents its own set of challenges. This paper presents an isolated half-bridge gate driver which supports 4.5V to 18V gate drive voltages. The gate drive outputs can switch capacitive loads up to 2nF in 12ns with 4A peak currents, at frequencies up to 1MHz, with no constraints on duty-cycle variation. Coreless micro-transformers are used for transmitting gate drive signals from input to isolated outputs. The gate drive signals are encoded before they are sent to the transformers, and then decoded to reproduce the gate drive output signals. The optimized encoding/decoding scheme enables sub 40ns propagation delay and less than 1ns delay matching, which are designed to improve the performance and efficiency of AC-to-DC and DC-to-DC power supplies, solar-power inverters and motor-control designs. Up to 5kV isolation is achieved through 20μm polyimide layers sandwiched in between the primary coils and the secondary coils. Also with two independent isolation channels, the half-bridge gate driver provide 800V galvanic isolation between the drivers' high-side and low-side outputs, which minimizes the potential for cross conduction and makes it ideal for providing reliable control over a wide range of bus voltages. An example application of the half-bridge gate drivers in a motor driver will also be discussed.
Continuous Activity Monitoring and Intelligent Contextual Prompting to Improve Medication Adherence

Poor medication adherence is a serious medical problem, particularly in older adults. Various solutions have been developed to remind people to take their medications, but these systems are usually simple time-based alarm systems that are not particularly effective. We describe a system that is context aware, and that utilizes information about past patterns of behavior plus the current context to provide prompts at the appropriate time and place. A case study from our initial deployment of the system to eleven older adults illustrates the possibilities and advantages of context aware prompting systems.
A Search for Degradation Mechanisms of CdTe/CdS Solar Cells

CdTe/CdS solar cells have demonstrated stability over thousands of hours of field testing, but have not yet established the same track record for reliability achieved by crystalline Si PV modules. In order to identify potential degradation mechanisms, this paper describes a series of experiments in which CdTe/CdS solar cells are subjected to combinations of temperature, voltage and illumination levels intended to stress the devices beyond levels which would be experienced in the field. During this process the devices display decreases in Voc and FF which are tentatively attributed to chemical changes at the low resistance contact to the CdTe and to changes in the electrical transport properties of the CdTe. Two thermally activated effects were observed depending upon stress bias. Reverse bias appears to degrade bulk CdTe electrical properties while forward bias strengthens a reverse diode which most likely is located at the back contact. Chemical analysis of the back contact region of the devices using XPS reveals strong oxide peaks in all stressed samples. Evidence of Cd diffusion into the Mo contacts is observed by SIMS and Auger. Mo diffusion into the CdTe is promoted by reverse bias stressing. Cu migration consistent with positively charged ions was indicated bymore » SIMS.« less
Parallel algorithm for wiring two-terminal nets in the knock-knee mode

In this paper, the problem of stretching a layout in the knock-knee mode is represented while considering its wirability. The previous O(n/spl times/m) time serial algorithm for this problem which is bared on two layers needs (2m-1)/spl times/n layout area in the worst case, where m=number of rows and n number of columns. However, O(n log n) time serial algorithm that is able to wire all the two-terminal nets within (m/spl times/3n/2) layout area is given in the paper. This serial algorithm is applied to generate a parallel CREW PRAM algorithm that can wire all the nets in O(log n) time by using O(n) number of processors.
A Novel Interaction between Pyk2 and MAP4K4 Is Integrated with Glioma Cell Migration

Glioma cell migration correlates with Pyk2 activity, but the intrinsic mechanism that regulates the activity of Pyk2 is not fully understood. Previous studies have supported a role for the N-terminal FERM domain in the regulation of Pyk2 activity as mutations in the FERM domain inhibit Pyk2 phosphorylation. To search for novel protein-protein interactions mediated by the Pyk2 FERM domain, we utilized a yeast two-hybrid genetic selection to identify the mammalian Ste20 homolog MAP4K4 as a binding partner for the Pyk2 FERM domain. MAP4K4 coimmunoprecipitated with Pyk2 and was a substrate for Pyk2 but did not coimmunoprecipitate with the closely related focal adhesion kinase FAK. Knockdown of MAP4K4 expression inhibited glioma cell migration and effectively blocked Pyk2 stimulation of glioma cell. Increased expression of MAP4K4 stimulated glioma cell migration; however, this stimulation was blocked by knockdown of Pyk2 expression. These data support that the interaction of MAP4K4 and Pyk2 is integrated with glioma cell migration and suggest that inhibition of this interaction may represent a potential therapeutic strategy to limit glioblastoma tumor dispersion.
Worker “Right to Know” in 30-year Retrospect: Did We Get it Right, with What We Know Today?

Three decades later, did we negotiators get it right? When in 2007 we passed the 30th anniversary of the first “right to know” workplace disclosure rules, 1 should we who negotiated the rule reflect favorably on what was produced? And which of the competing sides, once labeled Doomsayers or Pollyannas, has been proven correct by the miraculous clarity of hindsight? We who were “present at the creation” of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (“OSHA”) Hazard Communication Standard 2 find the saga a mixture of success, frustration and unmet expectations. This essay offers one player’s historical and policy retrospective, and I draw an ambiguous conclusion about an unsettled controversy.
Taguchi-Method-Based CFD Study and Optimisation of Personalised Ventilation Systems

This paper presents a Taguchi-method-based approach that can quickly and accurately predict the operating performance of personalised ventilation (PV) systems using limited computational fluid dynamics simulation results. This method was used to optimise the operation characteristics (supply air temperature, velocity and flow rate) of a new PV air terminal device (ATD) design with the goal of achieving an overall best performance of thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy efficiency. With the new ATD system, supply air temperature was found to have a significant influence on thermal comfort, IAQ and energy; volume flow rate was found to have a significant effect on IAQ and minor effects on thermal comfort and energy; and supply air velocity was found to have insignificant effects on all performance characteristics. Two new methods were developed to rapidly identify optimal system parameters for the best overall performance. Multiple solutions were obtained for the optimised system where impro...
Complex fragment emission in the 200-MeV 4 He+ nat Ag, 197 Au reactions

Spectra, angular distributions, and cross sections have been measured for Z=3{endash}14 fragments produced in 200-MeV {sup 4} He-induced reactions on {sup nat} Ag and {sup 197}Au targets. In addition, isotopic yields were measured at forward angles. Two-component moving-source fits have been performed on the data to evaluate the relative contributions of nonequilibrium and equilibrium emission mechanisms. At forward angles, the complex fragment yields are dominated by nonequilibrium emission, with IMF energies extending from the emission barrier to momenta in excess of the incident beam. Backward of 90{degree} the yields are nearly isotropic and exhibit spectra consistent with emission from an equilibrated composite nucleus. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
p38MAPK activation and DUSP10 expression in meningiomas

The mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38MAPK has been implicated in regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, expression, activation and regulation has not been studied in meningiomas, to our knowledge. p38MAPK is regulated, in part, by dual specificity phosphatases (DUSP) that inactivate signaling by dephosphorylation. DUSP10 is also a likely participant in regulating meningioma proliferation. Five fetal and an adult human leptomeninges and 37 meningioma cultures (MC) were evaluated for DUSP10 as well as phosphorylation of its substrates p38MAPK and p44/42MAPK by western blot and DUSP10 expression by polymerase chain reaction. Platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), transforming growth factor B1 (TGFB1) and cerebrospinal fluid effects on DUSP10 and signaling were also studied in vitro. DUSP10 and phospho-p38MAPK and phospho-p44/42MAPK were detected in all six leptomeninges. DUSP10 was detected in 13 of 17 World Health Organization grade I, 11 of 14 grade II and four of six grade III meningiomas. Phospho-p38MAPK was detected in nine of 17 grade I, two of six grade II, and four of six grade III meningiomas. In the majority of meningiomas DUSP10 expression correlated inversely with phosphorylation of p38MAPK. PDGF-BB increased DUSP10 in MC2 and MC4 and weakly in MC3. TGFB1 increased phosphorylation of p38MAPK and caspase 3 activation. Thus p38MAPK and DUSP10 likely participate in the pathogenesis of meningiomas.
Mappings of Semigroups Associated with Ordered Pairs

(1966). Mappings of Semigroups Associated with Ordered Pairs. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 73, No. 10, pp. 1078-1082.
Preclinical Efficacy and Safety Profile of Allometrically Scaled Doses of Doxycycline Used to Turn "On" Therapeutic Transgene Expression from High-Capacity Adenoviral Vectors in a Glioma Model.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most commonly occurring primary brain cancer in adults, in whom its highly infiltrative cells prevent total surgical resection, often leading to tumor recurrence and patient death. Our group has discovered a gene therapy approach for GBM that utilizes high-capacity “gutless” adenoviral vectors encoding regulatable therapeutic transgenes. The herpes simplex type 1-thymidine kinase (TK) actively kills dividing tumor cells in the brain when in the presence of the prodrug, ganciclovir (GCV), whereas the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) is an immune-stimulatory molecule under tight regulation by a tetracycline-inducible “Tet-On” activation system that induces anti-GBM immunity. As a prelude to a phase I clinical trial, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved doses of the tetracycline doxycycline (DOX) allometrically scaled for rats. DOX initiates the expression of Flt3L, which has been shown to recruit dendritic cells to ...
HBV carrying condition in people of Panshi

Objective: To understand the situation of hepatitis B virus carrier in Panshi to provide the basis of hepatitis B infection.Methods:The ELISA method was used in 13,260 employees in two pairs of semi-detection of hepatitis B,according to different gender,urban and township,to compare between the two.Results:HBsAg positive rate in different sex was no significant difference;in urban areas and between towns and townships were significantly different;HBsAg positive rate between the two on a downward trend.Conclusion:The regular medical practitioners,patients with early detection,the relevant departments should supervise the injection of hepatitis B vaccine,the protection of vulnerable populations to reduce morbidity.
A case report of Neisseria mucosa peritonitis in a chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patient

Peritonitis is a leading complication of chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. However, very rarely does Neisseria mucosa cause peritonitis. We describe an unusual case of N. mucosa peritonitis in a chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patient. A 28-year-old Hispanic male presents with diffuse abdominal pain exacerbated during draining of the peritoneal fluid. Peritoneal fluid examination was remarkable for leukocytosis and gramnegative diplococci. Bacterial cultures were positive for N. mucosa growth. The patient was treated with ciprofloxacin with preservation of the dialysis catheter. This case highlights the rarity and importance of Neisseria mucosa causing peritonitis in chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients’. There seems to be a unique association between N. mucosa peritonitis and chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients’. The patient was successfully managed with ciprofloxacin along with salvaging of the dialysis catheter.
Erratum to: The Brand's PREACH Survey: A Capacity Assessment Tool for Predicting Readiness to Engage African American Churches in Health.

The purpose of this study was to develop the Brand’s PREACH (Predicting Readiness to Engage African American Churches in Health) Survey, a capacity assessment tool based on the Brand’s PREACH Model to predict the readiness of African American (AA) churches to engage in health promotion programming (HPP). The survey assessed church infrastructure (physical structure, personnel, funding, and cultural/social support), frequency of HPP and readiness to engage in HPP. The survey was administered to 108 AA churches in Illinois and North Carolina. The study findings revealed that churches with more infrastructure tended to engage in more HPP. Churches with less infrastructure tended to engage in less HPP. Overall, infrastructure was associated with and able to predict the readiness of AA churches to engage in HPP.
Information Technology as Driver of Digitisation

Driven by the extreme increase in the efficiency of information technology (IT), the digitisation wave keeps approaching us unstoppably and ever faster. The so-called Moore’s Law, which more than 50 years ago has already described a doubling of the capacity of integrated circuits over a period of 12 months, has been synonymous with the ongoing massive increase in the performance of IT. The chapter first explains the essential fundamentals of IT development. Subsequently, the subjects of IT security and energy demand are highlighted as potential obstacles to the development of digitisation. In a technology outlook, future developments such as 3D chip architectures, carbon nanotubes and quantum computers are presented. These build the basis for future IT performance improvements. The chapter concludes with the concept of technological singularity on a rather visionary outlook. Until now there don’t appear to be technological limits and it is only a matter of time until the human intelligence will be overtaken by “machine intelligence”.
Alteration of π-Electron Distribution To Induce Deagglomeration in Oxidized Polar Aromatics and Asphaltenes in an Aged Asphalt Binder

This paper features electronic evaluation explaining molecular association and dissociation during oxidative aging and rejuvenation process in polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Specifically, we employ both computational modeling and laboratory experiments to show how the presence of external stimuli such as biorejuvenator can alter π-electron distribution to further induce deagglomeration. To better link findings to real-world materials and application, the study is done on the oxidized asphaltene and resin molecules; in addition, the disturbance of electron distribution is done using a biorejuvenator derived from animal waste. As petroleum asphalt binder oxidizes, the association forces between polar aromatics are strengthened owing to the introduction of polar chemical functionalities to their molecular structure. This is evidenced by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showing that a new peak at high d-spacing appears after oxidation that is consistent with graphene-oxide-like (GO-like) structures. The GO-li...
Electro-optically controlled acousto-optic racetrack modulator etched in LNOI platform

For the first time, a fully integrated electro-optically controlled acousto-optic racetrack modulator is presented on the Lithium Niobate Over Insulator (LNOI) platform. This design takes advantage of the unique acousto-optic and electro-optic (EO) properties of LN to build an efficient modulator that can be tuned to operate at the desired wavelength. We ensure the manufacturability of the modulator coupler by avoiding etching of narrow and uncontrollable gaps. The lower racetrack arm is split using two Multi-Mode Interference (MMI) couplers and EO control is used to tune the coupling condition. The device integrates multiple functionalities on LNOI, hence showcasing important building blocks for RF-photonic applications.
High Energy X-Ray Diffraction Technique for Monitoring Solidification of Single Crystal Castings

X-ray diffraction has been used successfully to study metal solidification and temperature-dependent phase changes1–3. However, this research used very thin specimens (a few mm at most), furnaces with low attenuation x-ray windows (beryllium, graphite, or polyimide), and low x-ray energies (< 50 keV). Since the penetration depth of low-energy x-rays is shallow, traditional x-ray diffraction is thus unable to probe the interior of thicker structures. Others have used higher energies to study thicker samples. Work, including that by Green4 and by Kopinek, et al5, extended x-ray diffraction investigations to energies exceeding 150 keV.
Exon shuffling: new genes from old.

Introduction Over the past several years, scientists in- volved in the study of the immune response have witnessed a minor revolution as the techniques of molecular biology have been applied to some of the genes of the immune system. In particular, the genes that encode the major histocompatibility antigens, both the class-I (H-2, Qa, and Tla in the mouse; HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C in man) and the class-II (I-A and I-E in the mouse; HLA- DP, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DR in man) have been cloned, representative genes have been sequenced, and the isolated DNA sequences have been introduced into tissue culture cells in the first steps of the detailed analysis of their expression [ 1 ]. One of the most exciting aspects of a mo- lecular biological approach to the study of the immune system has been the opportunity to generate novel immunologically active genes by in vitro mutagenesis, and to analyze their function following their introduction into tis- sue culture cells. Thus, either major deletions or rearrangements ofexons (resulting in gross changes in the domain organization of the encoded protein [2-1 I]) or point mutations (leading to specific amino acid substitutions [12]) can be generated at will. The contribu- tion of particular regions of the expressed cell surface antigen to either serological or cell- mediated recognition can be evaluated. The first such in vitro mutagenesis experiments (now commonly referred to as exon-shuffiing experiments) were of the type involving ma- jor rearrangements of exons derived from different murine class-I genes [2]. Since these kinds of studies have been performed' in sev- eral different laboratories with a general con- sistency to the results and interpretations, we will focus our attention in this brief review on them. More recently, similar kinds of experi- ments have been performed in the human class-I system [9] and in the murine class-II system [10]. In addition, in our own labora- tory, class-II/class-I recombinant genes have been generated and analyzed [ 11 ].