cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vacancy-related defects and the E δ ' center in amorphous silicon dioxide: Density functional calculations

The microscopic identification of vacancy-related defects in silicon dioxide has been a major challenge. Particularly in amorphous silica, the role of vacancy clusters is still controversial. Experimental data have led to suggestions that the ${E}_{\ensuremath{\delta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ center is a four-vacancy cluster instead of a single vacancy. Here we report density functional calculations that explore the energetics and electronic structure of single vacancies and clusters of four vacancies in realistic models of amorphous silica. A total of 76 O vacancies and 38 four-vacancy clusters were examined, and their energy levels and hyperfine parameters were calculated. Results for single vacancies compare well to previous theory. A key result for four-vacancy clusters is that relaxations localize the unpaired electron preferentially on one Si atom, resulting in a strongly anisotropic electron-paramagnetic-resonance signal. Electrons at single vacancies have a more benign anisotropy which is more compatible with the observed isotropic signal.
Observation of Spin Waves in Sodium and Potassium

We report the first observation of spin waves in sodium and potassium at low temperatures. Utilizing the theory of Platzman and Wolff, we are able to deduce the first two Legendre coefficients of the Landau correlation function for a Fermi liquid.
EXPERIMENTAL LATHYRISM IN THE CHICK EMBRYO THE DISTRIBUTION OF ß-AMINOPROPIONITRILE

1. C(14)-labeled beta-aminopropionitrile distributed throughout the egg contents within 10 minutes postinjection. By ion exchange chromatography and electrophoretic analysis three major components of the extractable dialyzable radioactive material could be demonstrated, representing at least 80 per cent of the total. The acidic and basic components were identified as beta-aminopropionitrile and cyanoacetic acid, while the fraction isoelectric at pH 5.3, consisting of two components, remained unidentified. 2. Less than 1 molecule of betaAPN per 100 molecules of protein was present in the highly purified extractable lathyritic bone collagen indicating that binding of the lathyrogen is not a factor in collagen extractability. 3. The proximity of betaAPN to collagen in bone is not essential to its extractability. 4. The effect of incubation temperature of the embryo on collagen extractability suggests the involvement of a metabolic process in this phenomenon.
In vitro immunopharmacologic effect of suramin on modifying Th-subset cytokine levels in splenocytes and T-cell clones: a therapeutic application for autoimmune disease

The in vitro immunopharmacologic effect of suramin, a polysulfonated napthylurea, was examined on splenocytes and T helper (Th) 1 and 2 clones. Cytokine capture assays revealed that suramin inhibited the production of IFN-gamma, whilst IL-4 is increased in splenocytes. To examine whether suramin preferentially acts on Th cells, clones SP39A1 and SP41D5 were used. The former is a Th1 clone, whereas the latter is Th2. Suramin also inhibited IFN-gamma production by SP39A1, whilst IL-4 production by SP41D5 was enhanced. The action of suramin was of a dose-dependent nature. With regards to T cell proliferation, suramin inhibited the proliferation of both SP39A1 and SP41D5. The ability of suramin to manipulate Th subset cytokine balance can render it a feasible therapeutic agent in autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
Taking Capital Punishment Seriously

Although Asia is the most important region of the world when it comes to capital punishment, it is also one of the most understudied. This article identifies four research questions that deserve attention from students and scholars who believe taking capital punishment seriously requires studying Asia seriously too. What are the empirical contours of capital punishment in contemporary Asia? What are the histories of capital punishment in Asia? Can Western theories of capital punishment explain patterns and changes in Asia? And what is the future of capital punishment in Asia? If researchers take the trouble to explore these questions, the death penalty will not only become an interesting window into law and society in Asia, but Asia will prove to be an instructive window into the death penalty—the gravest real-life problem in the law.
Unexpected 1,3-oxazolidine formation in the attempted oxidation of N-aryl-N-methyl substituted β-amino alcohols using pyridinium dichromate

Abstract 1,3-Oxazolidines were obtained from the reaction of N -methyl substituted β-amino alcohols with pyridinium dichromate in dichloromethane. A single electron transfer mechanism, SET, is proposed to account for the formation of the 1,3-oxazolidines.
Production smoothing in a serial supply chain: A laboratory investigation

The purpose of this paper is to examine production smoothing in supply chains. Using the controlled setting of the laboratory, we systematically investigate supply chain features that lead to production smoothing. In contrast to prior laboratory studies of the bullwhip effect, we find that the bullwhip effect disappears in several of our experiments. More importantly, our study shows that when customer demand has a predictable seasonal component, retailers smooth orders. This behavior is more pronounced when changing order levels is costly. The results demonstrate how simplifying the structure of the supply chain leads to production smoothing behavior.
Improving grape quality using microwave vacuum drying associated with temperature control.

: Microwave (MW) vacuum dehydration using temperature to control the level of MW power demonstrated potential in improving the performance of the process. Product surface temperature measured by an infrared temperature sensor was used to control MW power at any level between 0 and 3 kW. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated an r2= 0.942 for prediction of final moisture content and r2= 0.985 for prediction of puffed character of grapes based on product temperature, time, specific energy, fresh fruit sugar, and fresh fruit moisture content. Temperature was found to be the most significant predictor. The elemental and compound contents of grapes dried using MW vacuum was compared to sun-dried raisins. The grapes dried using MW vacuum exhibited better preservation. Vitamin A was found in the MW-vacuum-dried grapes but none was detected in the raisins, and Vitamin C, thiamine, and riboflavin were also higher in the MW-vacuum-dried grapes than in the raisins.
Electrical brain stimulation as the reinforced CS in Pavlov's conditioned inhibition paradigm.

Abstract Rabbits received Pavlovian conditioned inhibition training (nictitating membrane response) using ESB as the reinforced CS and a tone as the conditioned inhibitor. Summation, retardation, and generalization tests indicated that the use of ESB in the paradigm did not interfere with the development of inhibitory control by the tone.
Designing research to reveal the young child's emerging competence

The focus of this paper is to suggest factors which a marketing researcher should consider in designing experimental procedures that are congruent with the young child's cognitive capacities. Several components of the experimental environment are identified as important in designing an age-appropriate task: familiarity with factual information, context, verbally presented information, and the goal of the experimental task. A young child's strategies for processing an experimental task that exceeds his or her cognitive capacities are considered. Finally, the paper addresses implications for marketing researchers when tailoring experimental procedures to young children.
Upper gastrointestinal tract eosinophilic disorders: pathobiology and management.

Patients with eosinophilic esophagitis present with symptoms similar to those from gastroesophageal refiux disease along with dense esophageal eosinophilia (normal gastric and duodenal biopsies) that persist despite aggressive acid blockade. The dramatic increase in prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis over the past several years provides clinicians with a new explanation for previously unexplained dysphagia, food impaction, vomiting, and abdominal pain. As a product of this recognition, an increasing number of basic and translational studies are building a new understanding of the pathogenesis of esophageal eosinophilia. This review addresses recent studies that define clinical features, genetic predisposition, pathogenetic mechanisms, and treatment options for eosinophilic esophagitis.
Progesterone biosynthesis by human corpora lutea in vitro.

Abstract The present data were obtained from thirty-four human corpora lutea in the menstrual cycle and in the first trimester of pregnancy. The amount of progesterone in the corpora lutea and that synthesized in vitro from endogenous precursors with and without human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) were measured spectrophotometrically. The progesterone concentration ranged from 17.1 to 42.0 μg/g wet tissue in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and from 24.0 to 60.0 μg/g wet tissue in the first trimester of pregnancy. Progesterone synthesis in vitro was larger on incubation of slices of the latter. Exogenous HCG greatly stimulated progesterone synthesis from endogenous but no difference was found in its effect on corpora lutea at the two stages. In situ the corpus luteum graviditatis seemed to be stimulated by a higher concentration of gonadotropin than the corpus luteum menstruationis.
The Effect of Executive Function on Biological Reasoning in Young Children: An Individual Differences Study

There is substantial variance in the age at which children construct and deploy their first explicit theory of biology. This study tests the hypothesis that this variance is due, at least in part, to individual differences in their executive function (EF) abilities. A group of 79 boys and girls aged 5–7 years (with a mean age of 6½ years) were presented with two test batteries: (a) a biology battery that probed their understanding of life, death, and body functions and (b) an EF battery that tested working memory, inhibition, and set-shifting skills. Individuals' EF scores significantly predict their biology scores, even after controlling for age and verbal IQ.
Evidence for the Effectiveness of Jungian Psychotherapy: A Review of Empirical Studies

Since the 1990s several research projects and empirical studies (process and outcome) on Jungian Psychotherapy have been conducted mainly in Germany and Switzerland. Prospective, naturalistic outcome studies and retrospective studies using standardized instruments and health insurance data as well as several qualitative studies of aspects of the psychotherapeutic process will be summarized. The studies are diligently designed and the results are well applicable to the conditions of outpatient practice. All the studies show significant improvements not only on the level of symptoms and interpersonal problems, but also on the level of personality structure and in every day life conduct. These improvements remain stable after completion of therapy over a period of up to six years. Several studies show further improvements after the end of therapy, an effect which psychoanalysis has always claimed. Health insurance data show that, after Jungian therapy, patients reduce health care utilization to a level even below the average of the total population. Results of several studies show that Jungian treatment moves patients from a level of severe symptoms to a level where one can speak of psychological health. These significant changes are reached by Jungian therapy with an average of 90 sessions, which makes Jungian psychotherapy an effective and cost-effective method. Process studies support Jungian theories on psychodynamics and elements of change in the therapeutic process. So finally, Jungian psychotherapy has reached the point where it can be called an empirically proven, effective method.
Snakes and spin rotators for high energy accelerators

Abstract A modification to the continuous family of snake and spin rotators, discovered by Steffen, is discussed. A compact snake configuration is found to have the advantages of requiring a smaller total integrated dipole magnet strength and a smaller transverse displacement for circulating particles. A split snake configuration has the advantage of allowing an entire experimental insertion region to be located between the two halves of the snake. Such configurations could serve as both a snake and a 90° spin rotator for experiments requiring different helicity states. General properties of these snake configurations are discussed.
Aggressive, rejected, and delinquent children and adolescents: a comparison of their friendships

Research on children and adolescents who engage in antisocial behaviors generally has used three indices: aggression, social rejection, and delinquency. Although research in these indices remains relatively independent of each other, a common focus has been to examine peer influence on antisocial behavior. Further, researchers have been particularly interested in peer influences in the context of friendship, perhaps because friendships are special and voluntary close relationships, which presumably have a major impact on development. However, research on the friendships of children and adolescents who engage in antisocial behavior has not been directly compared across these indices. The present review provides this examination. Although rejected children have fewer friends than aggressive children and delinquent adolescents, friendships with peers who engage in antisocial behaviors were found to increase one's own antisocial status across all three indices. Little is known about the characteristics of rejected and aggressive children's friends, but research has suggested the importance of nonschool friendships and of nonstructured activities for delinquents. Although aggressive and delinquent children were often friends with others who engaged in these behaviors, rejected children perhaps selected friends based not on similarity but on availability, and were often friends with younger or cross-gender peers. Finally, although research examining positive features of aggressive, rejected, and delinquent children's friendship quality reported mixed results, the friendships of children of all three antisocial behavior indices were reported as high in friendship conflict. More research is needed, particularly examining the role of friendships during the transition from childhood antisocial behaviors to delinquency.
Scattering of Three Dimensional Optical Radiation

Scattered light contains information about the obstruction that scattered it. Using three dimensional polarimetry, we determine the shape anisotropy of scattering particles.
Individual and environmental factors that significantly impact short- and long-term interest in engineering

This paper provides data and recommendations for best practices grounded in the argument that a set of individual qualities and elements of the educational setting that have been identified in the research literature as playing a significant role in promoting women's retention in engineering majors and interest in engineering as a career, have similarly significant effects on men's interests. Data from questionnaires completed by students in eight colleges or schools of engineering (N=1629) and from interviews conducted during nine campus visits demonstrated the importance of one individual quality-motivation-and one environmental quality — perceptions of support from family and friends-on both the short- and long-term interest in engineering of male and female undergraduate engineering majors. The perception that faculty members and peers cared about them and respected their ability to succeed in engineering was significant in predicting both men's and women's intent to remain in an engineering major. These finding underscore the importance of interactions that communicate the conviction that students have the ability and commitment to succeed in engineering.
Spindle cell tumors of the pleura: differential diagnosis

Spindle cell tumors that arise in or metastasize to the pleura must be thoroughly evaluated to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. Malignant mesothelioma is the most common tumor arising in the pleura, but metastatic tumors to the pleura occur more frequently. Additionally, many tumors arising in the lung and surrounding tissues involve the pleura. It is crucial to arrive at a correct diagnosis since many of these neoplasms show different prognoses and require varying treatment modalities. Sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma is a rare tumor that arises in the pleura, and can be confused with numerous tumors arising in or metastasizing to the pleura, including synovial sarcoma, metastatic sarcomatoid carcinoma, metastatic melanoma, thymoma, renal cell carcinoma, localized fibrous tumor, leiomyosarcoma, and other types of sarcoma. Desmoplastic malignant mesothelioma is a fibrous sarcomatoid variant of malignant mesothelioma, and is occasionally mistaken for chronic fibrous pleurisy. Here, we review morphological, clinical, histological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular methods that aid in the diagnosis of spindle cell tumors of the pleura, and we provide specific examples of patients in which this multi-modal approach proved to be helpful.
Steel Production and Resource Allocation: An Empirical Study

THE U.S. steel industry has some interesting characteristics which have made itself a favored object of inquiry in many recent economic studies. The market structure of the industry, its pricing practices, the high degree of vertical integration in the production process, the long run existence of apparent excess capacities, the intrinsic nature of economies of scale in its production operations, etc., are but few of the many examples. Among them, the most interesting ones are perhaps those related to production: the choice of production techniques and the economies of scale, the effects of technological changes on input requirements and, consequently, on resource allocation. The purpose of this paper is to construct a production model of steelmaking which is capable of reflecting changes in production techniques and input requirements, and to use this model to study the impact of technological and environmental changes on the industrial performance. The first part of the paper gives a brief description o...
The Graft-Versus-Myeloma Effect: Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease but Not Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease Prolongs Survival in Patients with Multiple Myeloma Receiving Allogeneic Transplantation

Abstract We conducted a study of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) undergoing allogeneic transplantation to evaluate outcome parameters. Fifty-seven consecutive patients with MM received an allogeneic transplantation between 2004 and 2011 at our institution. Patients who had received at least 1 prior autologous transplantation were included. Twenty-six patients underwent allogeneic transplantation for consolidation after a response to their first autograft, and 30 patients received an allogeneic transplantation as salvage therapy. Donor source was evenly distributed between related and unrelated. The median follow-up was 52 months. Thirty-two (57.1%) patients achieved a complete response (CR). At 5 years, 49.2% of all patients were in CR. Sixteen patients received either donor lymphocyte infusions or immune suppression withdrawal for disease progression, with a 62.5% response rate. The 5-year overall survival (OS) for all patients was 59%. The 5-year OS for the 30 patients in the consolidation group was 82% compared with 38% for those in the salvage group. In multivariate analysis, 3 factors remained significantly associated with OS. These include being in the salvage group (hazard ratio [HR], 4.05; P = .0196), acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) (HR, 2.99; P = .034), and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), which was highly protective, with a 5-year OS of 78.8% for patients with cGVHD versus 42.6% for patients without cGVHD (HR .17, P = .008). Our data show that allogeneic transplantation for MM can lead to sustained remissions. aGVHD is significantly deleterious to OS and progression-free survival, whereas cGVHD is strongly favorable, supporting an important role for the graft-versus-myeloma effect.
Parallel Implementation and Practical Use of Sparse Approximate Inverse Preconditioners with a Priori Sparsity Patterns

This paper describes and tests a parallel message-passing code for constructing sparse approximate inverse preconditioners using Frobenius norm minimization. The sparsity patterns of the preconditioners are chosen as patterns of powers of sparsified matrices. Sparsification is necessary when powers of a matrix have a large number of nonzeros, making the approximate inverse computation expensive. For our test problems, the minimum solution time is achieved with approximate inverses with less than twice the number of nonzeros of the original matrix. Additional accuracy is not compensated by the increased cost per iteration. The results lead to further understanding of how to use these methods and how well these methods work in practice. In addition, this paper describes programming techniques required for high performance, including one-sided communication, local coordinate numbering, and load repartitioning.
A robust budding model of Balinese water temple networks

Abstract Ethnohistory, genetics and simulation are used to propose a new ‘budding model’ to describe the historical processes by which complex irrigation communities may come into existence. We review two alternative theories, Wittfogel's top-down state-formation theory and common-pool resource management, and suggest that a budding model would better account for existing archaeological and ethnographic descriptions of a well-studied network of irrigation communities on the island of Bali. The budding model is supported by inscriptions and ethnohistorical documents describing irrigation works in and around the drainage of the Petanu River, an area with some of the oldest evidence for wet-rice agriculture in Bali. Genetic analysis of Y-STR and mtDNA shows correlated demographic histories and decreased diversity in daughter villages, consistent with the budding model. Simulation results show that the network of irrigation communities can effectively adjust to repeated budding events that could potentially s...
The Effects of Imported Mexican Farm Labor in a California County

MEXICAN NATIONALS have been a legal component of the American farm labor force since the negotiation of an international agreement in 1951. The majority of these contract laborers have been employed in the states of Texas and California in which frequently they constitute the major portion of the farm labor force. The presence of such large numbers of imported workers can be expected to produce profound economic and social effects in communities in which they are employed. This is a study of the effects of imported Mexican contract labor upon the economy and social structure of one of the leading agricultural counties in the State of California. The study was conducted in 1957 in San Joaquin County, California, which is served by the metropolitan center of the City of Stockton, a city of approximately 85,000 population.
Organizational identification and perceived organizational support as mediators of the procedural justice–citizenship behaviour relationship: A cross-cultural constructive replication

This study examined the psychological processes that might underlie the relationship between procedural justice and organizational citizenship behaviour using an integrative approach. In doing so, we focused on the mediating effects of perceived organizational support and organizational identification in the relationship simultaneously. Framed as an integrated test of social exchange and social identity predictions, the hypotheses were tested using two cross-cultural samples (i.e., South Korea and the United States) as well as different operationalizations of the constructs of interest, which meets the criterion of a constructive replication (Lykken, 1968) by two samples (N = 130, 135). Interestingly, the results showed convergence in support of the mediating role of organizational identification, but not perceived organizational support, when the two mediators were included in the model concurrently. These findings indicate that social identity may be the dominant psychological mechanism underlying the r...
Effect of formulation parameters on 2-methoxyestradiol release from injectable cylindrical poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) implants

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of various formulation strategies to achieve 1-month continuous (improved) release of the novel anti-cancer drug, 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), from injectable cylindrical poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) implants. PLGA implants were prepared by a solvent extrusion method. PLGA 50:50 (M(w)=51 kDa, end group=lauryl ester) (PLGA-lauryl ester) implants loaded with 3-30 wt% 2-ME exhibited a pronounced lag phase (i.e., corresponding to induction time to polymer mass loss) and triphasic release profile. Incorporation of 5 wt% hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) (approximately 57% release after 28 days) or Pluronic F127 (approximately 42% release after 28 days) in PLGA-lauryl ester implants reduced the lag-phase and improved the drug release moderately over a period of 28 days. The formation and the incorporation of a 2-ME/polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8000 solid dispersion in PLGA-lauryl ester implants further increased drug release (approximately 21% and 73% release after 1 and 28 days, respectively), attributable to improved drug solubility/dissolution, higher matrix porosity, and accelerated polymer degradation. Blending of PLGA 50:50 (M(w)=24 kDa, end group=COOH) (PLGA-COOH) with the PLGA-lauryl ester also provided moderate enhancement of 2-ME release over a period of 28 days. PLGA-COOH (M(w)=24 kDa) implants with 3-5% w/w pore-forming MgCO(3) exhibited the most desirable drug release among all the formulations tested, and, demonstrated 1-month slow and continuous in vitro release of approximately 80% 2-ME after a minimal initial burst. Hence, these formulation approaches provide several possible avenues to improve release rates of the hydrophobic drug, 2-ME, from PLGA for future application in regional anti-cancer therapy.
Evaluation of groundwater flow patterns around a dual-screened groundwater circulation well

Dual-screened groundwater circulation wells (GCWs) can be used to remove contaminant mass and to mix reagents in situ. GCWs are so named because they force water in a circular pattern between injection and extraction screens. The radial extent, flux and direction of the effective flow of this circulation cell are difficult to measure or predict. The objective of this study is to develop a robust protocol for assessing GCW performance. To accomplish this, groundwater flow patterns surrounding a GCW are assessed using a suite of tools and data, including: hydraulic head, in situ flow velocity, measured hydraulic conductivity data from core samples, chemical tracer tests, contaminant distribution data, and numerical flow and transport models. The hydraulic head data show patterns that are consistent with pumping on a dual-screened well, however, many of the observed changes are smaller than expected. In situ thermal perturbation flow sensors successfully measured horizontal flow, but vertical flow could not be determined with sufficient accuracy to be useful in mapping flow patterns. Two types of chemical tracer tests were utilized at the site and showed that much of the flow occurs within a few meters of the GCW. Flow patterns were also assessed based on changes in contaminant (trichloroethylene, TCE) concentrations over time. The TCE data clearly showed treated water moving away from the GCW at shallow and intermediate depths, but the circulation of that water back to the well, except very close to the well, was less clear. Detailed vertical and horizontal hydraulic conductivities were measured on 0.3 m-long sections from a continuous core from the GCW installation borehole. The measured vertical and horizontal hydraulic conductivity data were used to construct numerical flow and transport models, the results of which were compared to the head, velocity and concentration data. Taken together, the field data and modeling present a fairly consistent picture of flow and transport around the GCW. However, the time and expense associated with conducting all of those tests would be prohibitive for most sites. As a consequence, a sequential protocol for GCW characterization is presented here in which the number of tools used can be adjusted to meet the needs of individual sites. While not perfect, we believe that this approach represents the most efficient means for evaluating GCW performance.
SU-E-J-09: Performance Optimization of Thick, Segmented Scintillators for Radiotherapy Imaging.

Purpose: Thick segmented scintillators, incorporating a 2‐dimensional matrix of optically‐isolated scintillator elements, have shown considerable potential for improving the performance of megavoltage active matrix, flat‐panel imagers (MV AMFPIs). While over a factor of 20 improvement in DQE at zero spatial‐frequency has been demonstrated for prototypes incorporating CsI(Tl) and BGO scintillators, less‐than‐optimal element‐to‐element alignment (misalignment) as well as mis‐registration to the underlying AMFPI array pixels can result in spatial resolution loss, reducing DQE improvement at higher spatial frequencies. In this presentation, a method to restore spatial resolution and DQE, based on the use of a high resolution AMFPI array along with special binning techniques, is investigated. Methods: The effect of misalignment and mis‐registration of segmented scintillators on imaging performance was investigated theoretically and empirically through determination of the modulation transfer function(MTF) and DQE, as well as through realization of reconstructed images of a phantom in a cone‐beam CT geometry. The empirical investigation, which was conducted using a 6 MV photon beam, employed a prototype BGO segmented scintillator consisting of 120×60 elements separated by 50 μm‐thick septal walls and an element‐to‐element pitch of 1016 μm. The scintillator was coupled to a higher resolution 127‐μm‐pitch AMFPI array. Results: Misalignment and mis‐registration result in significant degradation of spatial resolution, leading to DQE reduction at non‐zero spatial frequencies. While mis‐registration for a well‐aligned scintillator can be overcome through 8×8 binning of the array pixels to match the scintillator elements, any misalignment will affect such binning and lead to spatial resolution loss. However, the use of ‘selective’ binning, consisting of the selection of those pixels corresponding to the interior locations of each element, improves resolution while preserving DQE. Conclusions: The use of high‐resolution AMFPI arrays combined with selective binning allows prototype AMFPIs incorporating thick, segmented scintillators to achieve imager performance limited only by scintillator performance. Work Supported by NIH grant R01‐CA051397
Dy:YAG Phosphor Coating Using the Solution Precursor Plasma Spray Process

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269Dy:YAG phosphor coatings were deposited using the solutionprecursor plasma spray process. The phase composition, micro-structure, and photoluminescent properties of the as-depositedcoatings were investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis conﬁrmedthat the coating is mainly composed of the YAG phase with asmall amount of an intermediate YAP phase. Scanning electronmicroscopymicrographrevealed that the as-sprayed coatinghascolumnar structures with a thickness of B60 lm. The measure-ment of photoluminescent properties indicated that the phosphorcoatingexhibitstwopredominantemissionregions:ablueregion(470–500 nm) and a yellow region (560–600 nm), which are as-signed to
Linear versus nonlinear model-based restoration of medical images corrupted with signal-dependent noise

Due to coherent imaging techniques employed in medical imaging such as ultrasound imaging, signal dependent speckle noise appears as granular noise that is difficult to remove without blurring the image details. Considerable efforts have been spent to design systems with improved resolution and reduced speckle noise. This study investigates the effect of recently developed nonlinear and linear filtering techniques in restoring medical images corrupted with speckle noise. Preliminary results demonstrate that a class of nonlinear filters based on mathematical morphology outperforms linear wavelet filters and a simple nonlinear median filter in removing speckle noise.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Transient studies on intramicellar excimer formation. A useful probe of the host micelle

Abstract Transient studies on the monomer-excimer reactions of pyrene and sodium 5-[1-pyrenyl]pentanoate in the cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) micelles lead to estimates of [M T ] (total micelle concentration) and k E (rate constant for intramicellar excimer formation). Changes in [M T ] and k E are observed with additives >1.0 × 10 −3 M (sodium hexanoate in CTAC and n -dodecyl alcohol in SDS).
Interaction of divalent cations with triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid

Abstract Further studies of the interactions of divalent metal ions with triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid (TTHA) have revealed that mononuclear, binuclear, and protonated mononuclear complexes are formed in solution with Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II) and Pb(II) iions. Equilibrium constants are reported for the various complex species formed, and possible structures for the mononuclear are reported for the various complex species formed, and possible structures for the mononuclear species are suggested. Other reports describing the nature of the complexes formed by this ligand with divalent metal ions are confirmed in that the binuclear complexes are resistant to hydrolysis in alkaline solution, and that the symmetrical binuclear complex is considered the most likely structure.
Electrodeposition of copper on plasma and thermally oxidized titanium substrates

Abstract The effect of plasma and thermal oxidation of titanium cathode blanks on copper electrodeposition was studied. Polarization, potential and current step experiments were performed to evaluate electrochemical changes caused by the oxidation treatments. Scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the titanium substrates and the deposited copper films. Particular emphasis was given to the initial stages of copper nucleation and growth. The results showed that copper electrocrystallization was strongly influenced by the condition of the oxidized titanium surface. High density, uniform copper coverage was found on titanium substrates oxidized at 400 and 500 °C for 3 h under plasma or low oxygen pressure (80 m Torr) environments. The copper nucleation density and uniformity decreased considerably on titanium surfaces oxidized at 100 and 200 °C. Attempts were made to identify changes in the mechanism of copper nucleation on the oxidized titanium substrates using models developed by Thirsk and Harrison ( A Guide to the Study of Kinetics , Academic, New York, 1972 , p. 115).
Workplace telecommunications technology to identify mental health disorders and facilitate self-help or professional referrals.

Abstract Purpose. Test the feasibility and impact of an automated workplace mental health assessment and intervention. Design. Efficacy was evaluated in a randomized control trial comparing employees who received screening and intervention with those who received only screening. Setting. Workplace. Subjects. 463 volunteers from Boston Medical Center, Boston University, and EMC and other employed adults, among whom 164 were randomized to the intervention (N = 87) and control (N = 77) groups. Intervention. The system administers a panel of telephonic assessment instruments followed by tailored information, education, and referrals. Measures. The Work Limitation Questionnaire, the Medical Outcomes Questionnaire Short Form-12, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, question 10 from the Patient Health Questionnaire to measure functional impairment, and the Perceived Stress Scale-4 and questions written by study psychiatrists to measure emotional distress and social support respectively. The WHO-Five Well-being In...
Breathing pattern abnormalities and arterial oxygen desaturation during sleep in the congestive heart failure syndrome. Improvement following medical therapy.

We observed breathing pattern abnormalities and arterial oxygen desaturation in patients with stable congestive heart failure during overnight polysomnography. To determine whether congestive heart failure was the reason for these abnormalities, we then studied six additional patients before and after treatment of heart failure. Breathing was more abnormal (153 ± 87 episodes/night) during decompensation of heart failure and improved with medical therapy (72 ± 100 episodes/night) (p
An illustration of survival analysis: Factors affecting contraceptive discontinuation among American teenagers

This article describes the methodology of survival analysis which can be used to examine data in which the dependent variable consists of lengths of time between a specific starting and an ending point. These lengths of time are called survival times. To illustrate this method the authors analyze the duration of oral contraceptive use among sexually active black and white teenage women. The starting point here is the reported time that the pill was 1st used and the end point is 1st discontinuation of the pill. (authors)
Design of beam-columns in steel frames in the United States

Abstract This paper attempts to give designers an insight into the recent developments of the design criteria of steel beam-columns in the USA. The important features include (1) the ultimate strength of columns and beams that are special cases of beam-columns, (2) the secondary effects ( P-δ and P-Δ ) that should be considered in the ultimate strength design of beam-columns, and (3) the simplified computer-based second-order elastic and inelastic analysis methods that are suitable for adoption in the practical design for beam-columns in rigid frames. Recommended and proposed ultimate strength design interaction equations in the USA for different categories of beam-columns are presented. Important features of these equations are summarized. Several illustrative examples are given. Directions of further research are indicated.
AD HOMINEM ARGUMENTS AND INTELLIGENT DESIGN: REPLY TO KOPERSKI

Jeffrey Koperski claims in Zygon (2008) that critics of Intelligent Design engage in fallacious ad hominem attacks on ID proponents and that this is a “bad way” to engage them. I show that Koperski has made several errors in his evaluation of the ID critics. He does not distinguish legitimate, relevant ad hominem arguments from fallacious ad hominem attacks. He conflates (or equates) the logical use of valid with the colloquial use of valid. Moreover, Koperski doesn't take seriously the legitimate concerns of the ID critics, and in doing so, commits the straw man fallacy. In the end, I show that no one disagrees with the criticism of improper use of fallacies as methods of evaluation. But what constitutes proper, relevant evaluation of the ID theorists and their motivation is a matter of dispute. And sometimes attacking a person as a method of evaluation is justified, and thus is not fallacious. The definition of ad hominem arguments as either a “good way” or a “bad way” rests on justification, which I argue ID opponents have. The basis for these good objections relies on the motivation many Christians have to share their faith with non-Christians, which they call the “great commission.”
Echinostoma trivolvis (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) second intermediate host preference matches host suitability.

Many trematodes infect a single mollusk species as their first intermediate host, and then infect a variety of second intermediate host species. Determining the factors that shape host specificity is an important step towards understanding trematode infection dynamics. Toward this end, we studied two pond snails (Physa gyrina and Helisoma trivolvis) that can be infected as second intermediate hosts by the trematode Echinostoma trivolvis lineage a (ETa). We performed laboratory preference trials with ETa cercariae in the presence of both snail species and also characterized host suitability by quantifying encystment and excystment success for each host species alone. We tested the prediction that trematodes might preferentially infect species other than their obligate first intermediate host (in this case, H. trivolvis) as second intermediate hosts to avoid potentially greater host mortality associated with residing in first intermediate hosts. In our experiments, ETa had roughly equivalent encystment success in Helisoma and Physa snails, but greater excystment success in Physa, when offered each species in isolation. Also, the presence of the symbiotic oligochaete Chaetogaster limnaei in a subset of Helisoma snails reduced encystment success in those individuals. When both hosts were present, we found dramatically reduced infection prevalence and intensity in Helisoma—ETa cercariae strongly preferred Physa. Thus, the presence of either an alternative host, or a predator of free-living parasites, offered protection for Helisoma snails from E. trivolvis lineage a infection.
New structural matrices for a beam element with shear deformation

Abstract This paper provides the structural matrices (stiffness, mass, and geometric stiffness) for straight Timoshenko beams with arbitrarily shaped cross sections and in an arbitrarily oriented coordinate system. These new matrices are needed because shear deflections in the two perpendicular planes of a Timoshenko beam cannot be considered uncoupled for arbitrary cross sections even if the coordinate system is aligned with principal axes.
Thought Self‐leadership: Cognitive Strategies for Managerial Effectiveness

The organisational literature suggests a plethora of techniques available to managers to enhance their managerial effectiveness (e.g., planning tools, decision‐making guidelines, etc.). However, an often‐overlooked skill that could assist managers in overcoming obstacles in their daily jobs involves the self‐management of their cognitive processes. In fact, a leading psychologist has written, “One of the most significant findings in psychology in the last twenty years is that individuals can choose the way they think,” (Seligman, 1991, p.8). It has been suggested that managers can better lead themselves and work more effectively with others by applying strategies that help them to manage or control their thoughts. More productive thinking and improved performance are the payoffs. This theory, labelled Thought Self‐Leadership (TSL), centres on employees' establishing and maintaining constructive desirable thought patterns (Neck & Manz, 1992; Manz & Neck, 1991; Neck & Milliman, 1994). This perspective suggests that just as we tend to develop behavioural habits that are both functional and dysfunctional, we also develop habits (or patterns) in our thinking that influence our perceptions, the way we process information, and the choices we make in an almost automatic way.
Paradoxical sleep suppresses immediate early gene expression in the rodent suprachiasmatic nuclei.

Light stimulates neuronal activity with subsequent expression of the protein product of the immediate early gene, c-fos, in the Suprachiasmatic Nuclei (SCN). Non-photic stimuli is also thought to modulate activity within the SCN. Here, we sought to determine the effects intrinsic stimuli, specifically, the states of wakefulness and sleep upon c-fos protein expression in the SCN. In 16 rats, c-fos protein expression was evaluated at a fixed time of 1600 hours (subjective night), following one hour of electroencephalographically defined sleep. During sleep, as the state of paradoxical sleep (PS) increased, c-fos protein expression decreased (r -0.41, p < 0.033). The PS-associated reduction of c-fos positive cells occurred equally between animals asleep in the light and those asleep in the dark. We propose a model whereby PS duration might function as a homeostatic-entraining mechanism to reduce neuronal activity within the SCN, and thereby modulate circadian rhythms during sleep.
Acute Care Utilization by Patients After Graduation of Their Resident Primary Care Physicians.

BACKGROUND The disruption in provider continuity caused by medical resident graduation may result in adverse patient outcomes.
Safety of high-energy neodymium: YAG laser pulses in YAG sclerostomy

YAG sclerostomy was performed in 15 eyes of nine cynomolgus monkeys. Individual pulse energies ranged between 10 and 135 millijoules. Total pulse energy ranged between 2,000 and 36,000 millijoules in order to test the extreme range of energy that might be required. Both acute effects and chronic effects were studied in the corneal endothelium, the lens capsule, the iris, the ciliary body, the retina, and the sclera. Techniques included flat preparations of the corneal endothelium, paraffin sections for light microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Our conclusion is that individual pulse energies of up to 135 millijoules with a total of up to 36 joules of energy are safe in monkey eyes when performing YAG sclerostomy.
Enhanced wavelength resolution chromatic dispersion measurements using fixed sideband technique

We describe a new chromatic dispersion measurement technique that enables sub-picosecond timing and sub-picometer wavelength accuracy simultaneously. Experimental results comparing the new measurement technique with the standard modulation phase shift are shown.
Group consensus: do we know it when we see it?

The issue of consensus is unclear in technology-supported meetings. Research indicates that technology supported groups have less consensus than face-to-face groups, and that it is the technology that is at least partly to blame for the non-consensus process loss. This paper reports on an experiment that addresses the issue of how well individuals understand consensus. The results show overwhelmingly that individuals neither agree on what consensus looks like nor do they apply a consistent interpretation of consensus. In addition, the lack of consensus in technology-supported groups may not be due to the technology at all, but rather to the incorrect assumption that individuals know consensus when they see it.