cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative studies of p-type InP layers formed by Zn3As2 and Zn3P2 diffusion

The Zn3As2 and Zn3P2 were used as Zn-diffusion sources to form a p-region in undoped-InP wafers. The p-type InP formed by Zn diffusion from a Zn3P2 source has higher transmittance over the testing-spectrum range 1,000–1,700 nm versus Zn diffusion from a Zn3As2 source. In the case of a p-type region formed from a Zn3As2 source, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed As atoms were reduced from the oxide state and formed an InAs composition, which introduces more absorption loss.
Retrograde Gbb signaling through the Bmp type 2 receptor Wishful Thinking regulates systemic FMRFa expression in Drosophila

Amidated neuropeptides of the FMRFamide class regulate numerous physiological processes including synaptic efficacy at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ). We demonstrate here that mutations in wishful thinking (wit) a gene encoding a Drosophila Bmp type 2 receptor that is required for proper neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction, also eliminates expression of FMRFa in that subset of neuroendocrine cells (Tv neurons) which provide the systemic supply of FMRFa peptides. We show that Gbb, a Bmp ligand expressed in the neurohemal organ provides a retrograde signal that helps specify the peptidergic phenotype of the Tv neurons. Finally, we show that supplying FMRFa in neurosecretory cells partially rescues the wit lethal phenotype without rescuing the primary morphological or electrophysiological defects of wit mutants. We propose that Wit and Gbb globally regulate NMJ function by controlling both the growth and transmitter release properties of the synapse as well as the expression of systemic modulators of NMJ synaptic activity.
Relationship of Embryonic Development to Egg Weight, Hatch Weight, and Growth in Japanese Quail

Relationships between egg, embryo, hatch, two-week and four-week body weights of three quail lines differing in growth rate were investigated. Two of the quail lines had previously undergone 29 generations of selection for increased four-week body weight, and the third line was a nonselected control. Selected lines produced heavier eggs, larger 10 to 11 day embryos, and larger chicks. Percent embryo weights were similar for all three lines indicating that correction for egg size eliminated differences in embryo weight. Percentages of hatch weights of selected lines were significantly (P less than .01) larger than comparable percentages in the control line. Correlations between egg and embryo weights were of low magnitude but correlations between egg and hatch weights were large (.7 to .8). Mean regression coefficients for four-week body weight on egg weight were 5.11 and 2.67 g. in trials 1 and 2, respectively. Relationships between egg, embryo, hatch, and body weights of Japanese quail appeared to be of the same general magnitude as those observed in the domestic fowl.
Fine-Structure Measurement in the First Excited State of Positronium

The $2^{3}S_{1}\ensuremath{-}2^{3}P_{2}$ energy splitting of positronium has been observed by inducing rf transitions in a weak magnetic field (\ensuremath{\simeq} 50 G) in the absence of a buffer gas and observing a resonant increase in the Lyman-$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ emission. We obtain 8628.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.8 MHz, which is within 2 standard deviations of the theoretical value computed to order $\ensuremath{\alpha}^{3}R$ by Fulton and Martin.
DSM-IV threshold versus subthreshold bulimia nervosa.

Objective: The purpose of the present work is to determine whether bulimia nervosa (BN) and eating disorder not otherwise specified, BN type (EDNOS-BN) were qualitatively distinct in terms of eating and general psychopathology. Method: This study presents a comparison of 138 women with BN and 57 with EDNOS-BN from a multisite study on eating-related and general psychopathology measures. Results: Although women with BN reported higher lifetime history rates of anorexia nervosa, greater binge eating and vomiting frequency, and more eating concerns, no significant differences were observed between groups on measures of perfectionism, impulsivity, obsessive-compulsiveness, anxiety, depressive symptomatology, or alcohol/substance problems. Based on the partial η2 values, the distinction between BN and EDNOS-BN accounted for < 5% of the criterion variance in general psychopathology measures. Post hoc analyses comparing EDNOS-BN with objective bulimic episodes (OBEs; n = 34) versus no OBEs (n = 23) found greater EDEQ-4 Restraint subscale scores for EDNOS-BN without OBEs. However, there was no significant difference on the EDEQ-4 Eating Concern subscale between the two EDNOS-BN subgroups. Conclusion: The findings highlight the clinical significance of BN partial syndrome and prompt reevaluation of existing BN diagnostic boundaries. Post hoc analyses also underscore the need for greater differentiation within EDNOS. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
Increased vascularity and spontaneous metastasis of breast cancer by hedgehog signaling mediated upregulation of cyr61

The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is well known for its involvement in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis during ontogeny. The ligand, Sonic Hh (SHH), has an important role in vascular formation during development. However, SHH expression is upregulated on tumor cells and can impact the tumor microenvironment. We have investigated the effects of autocrine as well as paracrine Hh signaling on tumor cells as well as on endothelial cells, respectively. Upon constitutive expression of SHH, breast cancer cells showed aggressive behavior and rapid xenograft growth characterized by highly angiogenic tumors that were spontaneously metastatic. In these cells, SHH caused activation of the Hh transcription factor, GLI1, leading to upregulated expression of the potent pro-angiogenic secreted molecule, CYR61 (cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61). Silencing of CYR61 from these SHH-expressing Hh activated cells blunted the malignant behavior of the tumor cells and resulted in reduced tumor vasculature and limited hematogenous metastases. Thus, CYR61 is a critical downstream contributor to the Hh influenced pro-angiogenic tumor microenvironment. We also observed concomitant upregulation of SHH and CYR61 transcripts in tumors from patients with advanced breast cancer, further ratifying the clinical relevance of our findings. In summary, we have defined a novel, VEGF-independent, clinically relevant, pro-angiogenic factor, CYR61, that is a transcriptional target of Hh-GLI signaling.
Methodologies for Damage Identification in MEMS Structures

While significant research is focused on the design and fabrication of the MEMS devices, studies on in-service failure evolution and the consequences of failure/damage are limited. Long term embedding and reliable performance of MEMS devices in systems require understanding of failure evolution and recalibration/retuning of the devices. The objective of this research is to study the effects of micro-mechanical damage on MEMS device response and develop techniques for monitoring device failure. This work entails the development and validation of models for simulating device performance and emulating the response of damaged devices. A device level to system level hierarchical methodology is developed to simulate the electro-mechanical operation of MEMS devices. The methodology is illustrated using MEMS-based accelerometer as an example. The response of undamaged devices and devices with a damaged mechanical stage can be simulated using this method. The emulation of a damaged device is carried out using a special finite element developed to represent cracks in the mechanical stage of the MEMS device. An inverse damage detection methodology is formulated using the emulated device response, a local optimization technique and the response from a physical device which enables detection and localization of damage. The damage detection method can establish, while in operation, the extent and the location of damage in the MEMS device. Experimentation with a commercial MEMS accelerometer is performed to measure the characteristics of a physical device and the effectiveness of the damage detection method. Some correlations with experiments are presented. The impact of this research is on improved device reliability and robustness as well as self-calibration features of MEMS devices.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Exercise during pregnancy and its association with gestational weight gain.

We examined the association between exercise during pregnancy and meeting gestational weight gain recommendations. Data came from the 2009 South Carolina Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (n = 856). Women reported their participation in exercise/sports activities before and during pregnancy, including the number of months and types of exercise. We developed an exercise index (EI), the product of the number of months spent in exercise and average metabolic equivalents for specific exercise. The 2009 Institute of Medicine’s guideline was used to categorize gestational weight gain into three classes: inadequate, adequate, and excessive. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to adjust for confounders. Over 46 % of women exceeded the recommended weight gain during pregnancy. Nearly one third (31.9 %) of women reported exercising ≥3 times a week at any time during pregnancy. Compared to women who did not report this level of exercise during pregnancy, exercising women were more likely to meet gestational weight gain recommendations (32.7 vs. 18.7 %) and had a lower odds of excessive gestational weight gain [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.43, 95 % confidence interval 0.24–0.78]. Women with an EI above the median value of those women who exercised or women who exercised ≥3 times a week for 6–9 months during pregnancy had lower odds of excessive gestational weight gain (AOR for EI 0.20, 0.08–0.49; AOR for months 0.26, 0.12–0.56, respectively). Our findings support the need to promote or increase exercise during pregnancy to reduce the high proportion of women who are gaining excessive weight.
Comparison of methods for arresting hydration of cement

Abstract Arresting of cement hydration, followed by drying, is necessary to prepare samples for many techniques of microstructural analysis. This paper reviews the effects on microstructure and composition of cement paste caused by the most common drying techniques, including direct drying (oven, microwave, D-drying, P-drying, and freeze drying) and solvent exchange methods. Supercritical drying is proposed as a method that could effectively preserve the cement microstructure, but which has not been applied to cementitious materials. Experiments are reported that systematically quantify the effects of drying from several solvents, freeze drying, and direct drying of young paste. Freeze drying is an effective drying method to prepare samples for chemical analysis, but it might change the microstructure. Isopropanol exchange followed by ambient drying is the best known method for preserving the microstructure with minimal effect on the composition of cement.
Comparing Multiunidimensional and Unidimensional Item Response Theory Models

For tests consisting of multiple subtests, unidimensional item response theory (IRT) models apply when the subtests are known to measure a common underlying ability. However, in many instances, due to the lack of a satisfactory index for assessing the dimensionality assumption, the test structure is not clear. A more general IRT model, the multiunidimensional model, is more flexible and efficient in various test situations. This article compares these two classes of normal ogive two-parameter models and shows that the multiunidimensional model offers a better way to represent test situations not realized in unidimensional models.
Selective inhibition of MAO-A but not MAO-B activity increases rat pineal melatonin.

Clorgyline, a selective MAO-A inhibitor, increased (5 times) rat pineal melatonin and N-acetyl-serotonin (NAS) content, and decreased 5-HIAA level by 80%. Deprenyl, a selective MAO-B inhibitor, did not change melatonin or other pineal indoles content. The data obtained show that inhibition of MAO-A but not B enzyme is responsible for pineal melatonin increase caused by MAO inhibitors.
Electrical Contact Resistance and Device Lifetime Measurements of Au-RuO 2 -Based RF MEMS Exposed to Hydrocarbons in Vacuum and Nitrogen Environments

Electrical Contact Resistance (ECR) measurements are reported for RF micro-electromechanical switches with Au-RuO2 contacts, situated within an ultrahigh vacuum system equipped with in situ oxygen plasma cleaning capabilities. Two studies are reported, each involving a comparison of the ECR in vacuum and nitrogen environments for measurements performed immediately after cleaning. The first study reports measurements of initial resistance (resistance measured upon first time closure) versus pressure as dodecane gas is admitted to the chamber. A significant increase is observed at pressures in vacuum as low as 10−5 torr, (P/Psat < 10−4) consistent with earlier reports involving repetitive cycling of macroscopic switches in partial pressures of hydrocarbons in nitrogen. Somewhat unexpectedly, however, the resistance only doubles, even for pressures sufficiently high as to result in full monolayer condensation. In a second study, switch lifetimes in vacuum (10−8–10−9 torr) and nitrogen gas environments are compared, for switches operated immediately afterward, or alternatively left open for a number of days before operation. Although it was expected that vacuum would reduce and/or prevent contamination of the electrical contact surfaces, no enhancement or extension of lifetime was observed: Continuous operation of a switch in a nitrogen environment immediately after plasma cleaning was in fact the only procedure observed to indefinitely prolong device lifetime. The results suggest that (1) Hydrocarbon reaction products, but not mobile physisorbed hydrocarbons themselves, are responsible for increasing ECR by orders of magnitude and (2) Repetitive cycling motion of a clean switch in nitrogen inhibits formation of physisorbed hydrocarbon contaminants on the contacts, while vacuum levels far superior to 10−9 torr are required to prevent contamination.
A Transient Mixed Lubrication Model of a Rotary Lip Seal with a Rough Shaft

A rotary lip seal, widely used in machines containing rotating shafts, is usually protected from mechanical and thermal damage by a thin film of lubricant under the lip, separating the lip and the shaft surfaces. However, under some transient conditions such as those during startup and shutdown, the fluid film is not fully established or it breaks down, and the seal operates in the mixed lubrication regime. To simulate such cases, a transient mixed lubrication analysis has been developed. It generates predictions of such seal operating characteristics as load support sharing between hydrodynamic and contact pressure, contact and cavitation area ratio, the reverse pumping rate, and the average film thickness. In most previous numerical simulations of the rotary lip seal, the shaft surface is modeled as perfectly smooth. In the present study, a more realistic shaft surface with asperities is used, and the effect of the shaft surface roughness on the behavior of the seal is investigated. Presented at the STL...
The long term effectiveness of intensive stuttering therapy: A mixed methods study

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of client perceptions of an intensive stuttering therapy program that utilizes a multi-faceted approach to therapy. The study also proposed to gain a deeper understanding about the process involved in long-term maintenance of meaningful changes made in therapy. Methods The study used a mixed methods design. The core method was a phenomenological approach using semi-structured interviews. Objective clinical data was gathered concurrently. This included archival records and current measures on a variety of assessments to evaluate stuttering severity and attitudes toward communication. Results The major themes generated from participants’ transcripts included (1) the positive effects of the Duration and Nature of the Program; (2) Speech Techniques Learned; (3) Attitude Change and Counseling; and (4) activities related to Desensitization and Transfer. The participants also reported positive effects of their personal motivation and clinician attitudes. Clinical data indicated that the participants made measurable clinical gains on all measures of stuttering severity and attitude change following the intensive clinic and these changes were maintained long after the program was completed. Conclusions It appears that this intensive stuttering therapy program is effective for making positive changes in behavioral measures of speech disfluencies, and attitudes. Clients reported multiple factors directly related to the program and personal factors that contributed to treatment effectiveness. Hence, future studies should explore and report on a variety of factors related to communication attitudes and overall quality of life in addition to behavioral measures of speech. Educational objectives: After reading this article, the learner will be able to: (a) identify the basic tenets of evidence-based practice; (b) summarize what we currently know about the effectiveness of behavioral treatments of stuttering; (c) identify factors that client report as important to treatment effectiveness.
Numerical Investigations of the Roles of Radiative and Evaporative Feedbacks in Stratocumulus Entrainment and Breakup

Abstract When the surface buoyancy flux is small and the shear is weak, turbulence circulations within a stratus-topped boundary layer are driven by two buoyancy-generating processes at cloud top: radiative cooling and evaporative cooling. These two processes respond very differently to entrainment, however. When the entrainment rate increases, the effectiveness of radiative cooling in driving circulations decreases (a negative feedback) but the effectiveness of evaporative cooling can increase (a positive feedback). The roles of these two competing feedbacks in determining the entrainment rate, and hence in determining cloud breakup, are examined in this paper through large eddy simulations. Three stratus cases (with a small surface buoyancy flux) are simulated: one is stable with respect to the Lilly–Randall–Deardorff cloud-top entrainment instability criterion, and the other two are unstable. Only one of the two cloud decks in the unstable regime dissipates totally; the other remains nearly solid. A me...
Local television news and voter support for law enforcement

Television has become “the” medium of the masses in contemporary America. However, there has been very little systematic investigation about television’s impact upon agents of political authority, such as municipal police agencies.
Electronic quantum-dot cellular automata

This paper presents an overview of the electronic implementation of quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA). QCA is a computing paradigm that encodes and processes information by the position of individual electrons. This opens the possibility of dense, ultra-low power devices. Resent results are presented from QCA cells implemented using metal-dots, as well as investigations toward molecular and silicon QCA devices.
Aryepiglottic fold width in patients with epiglottitis: where should measurements be obtained?

PURPOSE: To determine the best site for measurement or assessment of the aryepiglottic folds and determine whether evaluation of the lower portion of the folds is useful. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The lateral neck radiographs from 38 children with epiglottitis were retrospectively reviewed and compared with findings in 100 patients with croup and 100 control patients. In all patients, the fold thickness was measured at three levels: at the midpoint (site 1), just behind the epiglottis (site 2), and at the base, just above the false vocal cords (site 3). RESULTS: Full-thickness measurements obtained at sites 1 and 2 were statistically significant predictors of epiglottitis (sensitivity, 94.74%; specificity, at least 96.50%) in comparison with those obtained in patients with croup and control patients. CONCLUSION: The best site for width assessment is the upper half of the folds. Measurement at the base, where the folds overlie the arytenoid cartilage, is not nearly as accurate and should be avoided.
Parental Perspectives on a Behavioral Health Music Intervention for Adolescent/Young Adult Resilience during Cancer Treatment: Report from the Children’s Oncology Group

Abstract Purpose This article describes parental perspectives on the helpfulness and meaningfulness of a behavioral health music therapy intervention targeted to adolescents/young adults (AYA) with cancer undergoing stem cell transplantation. We demonstrate how qualitative methods may be used to understand critical aspects of an intervention and mechanisms by which the intervention impacts the target AYA outcomes of resilience and quality of life. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was used to obtain parents' perspectives. A maximum-variation purposive sampling technique was used to sample 16 parents whose AYA had been randomized to the intervention group. A semistructured open-ended interview was conducted between 100 and 160 days after the AYA's transplant. Results Results were grouped into three categories: (1) helpfulness and meaningfulness of the intervention to AYA adjustment to the transplantation experience; (2) helpfulness and meaningfulness of the intervention for parents; and (3) AYA ability to participate in the intervention during the acute phase of transplant. Conclusions Parents observed and interacted with their AYA who participated in a targeted behavioral intervention. Thus, parents were able to describe mechanisms through which the intervention was helpful and meaningful for the AYA and indirect personal benefits for themselves. The results suggest the importance of the targeted outcomes identified in the Resilience in Illness Model and mechanisms of action in the Contextual Support Model of Music Therapy, and identify approaches for future study.
What does purchasing power parity mean

This paper examines the theoretical and empirical content of purchasing power parity (PPP) in efficient markets. It analyzes the sources of deviations from the strictest version of PPP (that exchange-adjusted price levels are everywhere identical), focusing on the role played by uncertainty, relative price changes, inappropriate price data, transaction costs, and government intervention in creating these deviations. It then identifies and addresses the key issue involving purchasing power parity: are the deviations from PPP that occur sufficiently large, persistent, and predictable as to enable individuals or governments to successfully exploit them? An answer of ‘no’ is shown to be consistent with both economic theory and the empirical evidence.
Clarifying ambiguity in intraseasonal Southern Hemisphere climate modes during austral winter

The relative importance of annular and nonannular characteristics in the wintertime Southern Hemisphere circulation is investigated using reanalysis data between 1978 and 2010. Weekly averaged data are chosen to capture the typically short time scale of intraseasonal atmospheric variability. In existing studies, the southern annular mode (SAM) has been shown to exhibit significant nonannular behavior in the western Southern Hemisphere during austral winter. Variability in this region is also characterized by wave-like disturbances, and this “overlap” in nonannular behavior between different climate modes has led to a lack of consensus when defining and measuring impact from these wave-like disturbances. A number of approaches are adopted, including empirical orthogonal function analysis, teleconnection correlation analysis, and the application of a vector autoregression model to isolate directions of causality and wave propagation. Austral winter variability is shown to be dominated by nonannular wavelike disturbances, rather than a seesaw pattern between high and middle latitudes. The wavelike disturbances have the largest amplitude in the western Southern Hemisphere, are quasistationary, and exhibit eastward propagation of information. This suggests that the dominant pattern of western Southern Hemisphere intraseasonal variability during austral winter, which is commonly associated with the SAM, is, in fact, a wave-like mode of variability. Supporting material:
High-efficiency millimeter-wave GaAs/GaAlAs power HEMT's

The power, gain, and efficiency of 0.5-µm gate-length, 75- and 50-µm gate-width multiple heterojunction high electron mobility transistors (HEMT's) have been evaluated from 10 to 60 GHz. At 10 GHz, with a source-to-drain voltage as low as 2.4 V, the device delivers a power density of 0.37 W/mm with 13.4-dB gain and 60.8-percent efficiency. At 60 GHz, a 50-µm device gave 0.4 W/mm with 3.6-dB gain and 14-percent efficiency. The power density and efficiency of these 0.5- µm gate-length HEMT's above 40 GHz are the best reported for a three-terminal device. Fundamental frequency oscillations up to 104 GHz were observed when a device was bonded as a free-running oscillator.
Lack of evidence for presenilins as endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ leak channels

Familial Alzheimer disease (FAD) is linked to mutations in the presenilin (PS) homologs. FAD mutant PS expression has several cellular consequences, including exaggerated intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) signaling due to enhanced agonist sensitivity and increased magnitude of [Ca2+]i signals. The mechanisms underlying these phenomena remain controversial. It has been proposed that PSs are constitutively active, passive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ leak channels and that FAD PS mutations disrupt this function resulting in ER store overfilling that increases the driving force for release upon ER Ca2+ release channel opening. To investigate this hypothesis, we employed multiple Ca2+ imaging protocols and indicators to directly measure ER Ca2+ dynamics in several cell systems. However, we did not observe consistent evidence that PSs act as ER Ca2+ leak channels. Nevertheless, we confirmed observations made using indirect measurements employed in previous reports that proposed this hypothesis. Specifically, cells lacking PS or expressing a FAD-linked PS mutation displayed increased area under the ionomycin-induced [Ca2+]i versus time curve (AI) compared with cells expressing WT PS. However, an ER-targeted Ca2+ indicator revealed that this did not reflect overloaded ER stores. Monensin pretreatment selectively attenuated the AI in cells lacking PS or expressing a FAD PS allele. These findings contradict the hypothesis that PSs form ER Ca2+ leak channels and highlight the need to use ER-targeted Ca2+ indicators when studying ER Ca2+ dynamics.
Issues Associated with a Total Systems Approach to Designing Dependable Systems

A total system approach, developed by the nuclear-reactor-safety community, is extrapolated to the design of complex, critical systems. The essential properties of these systems are described, and a generic paradigm for subsequent designs is proposed.
Evaluation of VIIRS ocean color products

The Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) was successfully launched on October 28, 2011. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) onboard the Suomi NPP, which has 22 spectral bands (from visible to infrared) similar to the NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), is a multi-disciplinary sensor providing observations for the Earth’s atmosphere, land, and ocean properties. In this paper, we provide some evaluations and assessments of VIIRS ocean color data products, or ocean color Environmental Data Records (EDR), including normalized water-leaving radiance spectra nLw(λ) at VIIRS five spectral bands, chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration, and water diffuse attenuation coefficient at the wavelength of 490 nm Kd(490). Specifically, VIIRS ocean color products derived from the NOAA Multi-Sensor Level-1 to Level-2 (NOAA-MSL12) ocean color data processing system are evaluated and compared with MODIS ocean color products and in situ measurements. MSL12 is now NOAA’s official ocean color data processing system for VIIRS. In addition, VIIRS Sensor Data Records (SDR or Level- 1B data) have been evaluated. In particular, VIIRS SDR and ocean color EDR have been compared with a series of in situ data from the Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) in the waters off Hawaii. A notable discrepancy of global deep water Chl-a derived from MODIS and VIIRS between 2012 and 2013 is observed. This discrepancy is attributed to the SDR (or Level-1B data) calibration issue and particularly related to VIIRS green band at 551 nm. To resolve this calibration issue, we have worked on our own sensor calibration by combining the lunar calibration effect into the current calibration method. The ocean color products derived from our new calibrated SDR in the South Pacific Gyre show that the Chl-a differences between 2012 and 2013 are significantly reduced. Although there are still some issues, our results show that VIIRS is capable of providing high-quality global ocean color products in support of science research and operational applications. The VIIRS evaluation and monitoring results can be found at the website: http://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/sod/mecb/color/index.html.
A note on Almon's endpoint constraints

In this paper, we show that Almon's (1965) endpoint constraints do not constrain the endpoints, as commonly thought. In particular, the endpoints are not constrained to equal zero. Consequently, these constraints have neither a basis in economic theory nor the econometric justification frequently ascribed to them.
Fabrication Control of the Resonance Frequencies of High-Index-Contrast Microphotonic Cavities

Microphotonic filters require precise control of the relative resonance frequencies of integrated dielectric micro-cavities. Using high-index-contrast microring resonators, we present, demonstrate, and analyze techniques allowing small and accurate corrections of resonance frequencies at fabrication.
Micro methods for the quantitative determination of iron and copper in biological material.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the micro methods for the quantitative determination of iron and copper in biological material. The essential features of the method to be described are wet ashing, evaporation of excess acid, reduction, neutralization with excess sodium acetate, development of color with a suitable bathophenanthroline, and extraction with a small quantity of organic solvent followed by spectrophotometric determination. Irrespective of the final determination of the metal that can be carried out by various means, the preparation of the samples for the final determination shares common features in most instances. In this respect also the precautions to be taken with the two metals, iron and copper, are very similar, since they are both ubiquitous contaminants. The main problem can be stated as this: The difficulty does not lie in finding the metal that is there, but rather in not finding metal that does not belong there.
Network multiplexer with truncated heavy-tailed arrival streams

This paper investigates the asymptotic behavior of a single server queue with truncated heavy-tailed arrival sequences. We have discovered and explicitly asymptotically characterized a unique asymptotic behavior of the queue length distribution. Informally, this distribution on the log scale resembles a stair-wave function that has steep drops at specific buffer sizes. This has important design implications suggesting that negligible increases of the buffer size in certain buffer regions can decrease the overflow probabilities by order of magnitudes. A problem of this type arises quite frequently in practice when the arrival process distribution has a bounded support and inside that support it is nicely matched with a heavy-tailed distribution (e.g. Pareto). However, the primary interest in this scenario is in its possible application to controlling heavy-tailed traffic flows. More precisely, one can imagine a network control procedure in which short network flows are separated from long ones. If the distribution of flows is heavy-tailed this procedure will yield a truncated heavy-tailed distribution for the short network flows. Intuitively, it can be expected that with short flows one can obtain much better multiplexing gains than with the original ones (before the separation). Indeed, the analysis confirms this expectation.
Wrong-Side Thoracentesis: Lessons Learned From Root Cause Analysis

Importance Despite the recognized value of the Joint Commission’s Universal Protocol and the implementation of time-outs, incorrect surgical procedures are still among the most common types of sentinel events and can have fatal consequences. Objectives To examine a root cause analysis database for reported wrong-side thoracenteses and to determine the contributing factors associated with their occurrence. Design, Setting, and Participants We searched the National Center for Patient Safety database for wrong-side thoracenteses performed in ambulatory clinics and hospital units other than the operating room reported from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2011. Main Outcomes and Measures Data extracted included patient factors, clinical features, team structure and function, adherence to bottom-line patient safety measures, complications, and outcomes. Results Fourteen cases of wrong-side thoracenteses are identified. Contributing factors included failure to perform a time-out (n=12), missing indication of laterality on the patient’s consent form (n=10), absence of a site mark on the patient’s skin within the sterile field (n=12), and absent verification of medical images (n=7). Complications included pneumothoraces (n=4), hemorrhage (n=3), and death directly attributable to the wrong-side thoracentesis (n=2). Teamwork and communication failure, unawareness of existing policy, and a deficit in training and education were the most common root causes of wrong-side thoracentesis. Conclusions and Relevance Prevention of wrong-site procedures and accompanying patient harm outside the operating room requires adherence to the Universal Protocol and time-outs, effective teamwork, training and education, mentoring, and patient assessment for early detection of complications. The time-outs provide protected time and place for error detection and recovery.
SOLUBLE E-SELECTIN: AN EARLY PROGNOSTIC INDICATOR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA † 1014

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) continues to be a major complication in prematurely born infants. Early recognition of infants at greatest risk for BPD would allow intervention prior to the development of lung injury. We have reported that E-Selectin, an inflammatory adhesion molecule, increased in the lungs and serum (sE-Selectin) of animals exposed to hyperoxia. We tested the hypothesis that sE-Selectin would increase in infants at risk for the development of BPD. We measured sE-Selectin in cord blood and in samples on days 1, 3, and 7 from neonates born at ≤29 wks gestation. The infants were evaluated at one month of life to determine whether they met criteria for the diagnosis of BPD, characterized as mild (stage 1-2) or severe (stage 3-4) by the Northway radiographic stages of BPD. Table
Fast breeders: all cons, no pros?

The Fast Breeder Reactor: Need? Cost? Risk? Edited By Colin Sweet. Pp.232. (Macmillan Press: London, 1980.) £20.
A simple model of molecular imaging with noncontact atomic force microscopy

Using functionalized tips, the atomic resolution of a single organic molecule can be achieved by noncontact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) operating in the regime of short-ranged repulsive Pauli forces. To theoretically describe the atomic contrast in such AFM images, we propose a simple model in which the Pauli repulsion is assumed to follow a power law as a function of the probed charge density. As the exponent in this power law is found to be largely independent of the sample molecule, our model provides a general method for simulating atomically resolved AFM images of organic molecules. For a single perylene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride (PTCDA) molecule imaged with a CO-terminated tip, we find excellent agreement with the experimental data. Our model eliminates the need to take into account the full tip and sample system and therefore reduces computational cost by three orders of magnitude.
Graphics and interactive systems: design considerations of a software system

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) maintains a CDC 6600 and a CDC 7600 computer for doing numerical studies related to the atmosphere. These computers are operated in a batched multi-programming mode by a unique operating system implemented by the system's development staff (seven programmers). Hard copy output from the computers is handled either by the line printers or by the two Computer Output Microfilm Recorders (COM). A large library of graphic routines is frequently used by the applications programmers to produce outputs ranging from contour maps to movie titles. Around 600,000 frames of graphic output are produced each month, and nearly 80 percent of all jobs generate some graphic output.
New approaches to Helicobacter pylori infection in children.

Helicobacter pylori infection is usually acquired during childhood, and evidence-based guidelines regarding diagnosis and treatment of infected children have been recently published. Diseases associated with H. pylori infection are gastritis, duodenal ulcers, mucosal-associated lymphoid-type (MALT) lymphoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma. The association of specific symptoms with H. pylori infection in children and adults (ie, recurrent abdominal pain and nonulcer dyspepsia) remains controversial. Additionally, the role of H. pylor in gastroesophageal reflux disease or in extra-gastrointestinal diseases (ie, coronary artery disease) lacks sufficient evidence to demonstrate causality. The diagnosis of H. pylori-associated diseases in children can reliably be made through gastroduodenal endoscopy with biopsies. Clinical trials are underway for the validation of noninvasive diagnostic tests for the H. pylori-infected child, and current guidelines recommend eradication therapy for infected children with duodenal and gastric ulcer, gastric lymphoma, and atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia. The natural history of childhood H. pylori infection is poorly described. Moreover, rational approaches to the prevention and control of childhood H. pylori infection are critically needed, requiring characterization of the determinants for acquisition and persistence and the disease outcomes following eradication.
Scanning electrochemical microscopy. 59. Effect of defects and structure on electron transfer through self-assembled monolayers

Electron transfer (ET) rate kinetics through n-alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols of different chain lengths [Me(CH2)nSH; n = 8, 10, 11, 15] on Au and Hg surfaces and ferrocene (Fc)-terminated SAMs (poly-norbornylogous and HS(CH2)12CONHCH2Fc) on Au were studied using cyclic voltammetry and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The SECM results allow determination of the ET kinetics of solution-phase Ru(NH3)63+/2+ through the alkanethiol SAMs on Au and Hg. A model using the potential dependence of the measured rate constants is proposed to compensate for the pinhole contribution. Extrapolated values of koML for Ru(NH3)63+/2+ using the model follow the expected exponential decay (β is 0.9) for different chain lengths. For a Fc-terminated poly-norbornyl SAM, the standard rate constant of direct tunneling (ko is 189 ± 31 s-1) is in the same order as the ko value of HS(CH2)12CONHCH2Fc. In blocking and Fc SAMs, the rates of ET are demonstrated to follow Butler−Volmer kinetics wit...
Privatization of public goods

Much has been written on the nature and provision of public goods.' A central issue has been whether the market will lead to an over or under provision of public goods (see Borcherding, 1978).2 This note takes an entirely different approach by examining the incentive of entrepreneurs to convert the non-exclusionary characteristics of public goods into the exclusionary characteristic associated with private goods. The approach is best stated by way of example. In the 1960s there was a debate over the optimal provision of a public good called entertainment from a television signal (Minasian, 1964: 71; Samuelson, 1964: 81; Buchanan, 1967: 193). This debate preceded the marketing of video cassettes. The cassette is exclusionary with respect to time, space, and quantity. Entertainment in this form can hardly be called a public good. Yet the nature of the good, defined as entertainment from a tube, has remained the same. It is only the manner in which the good or utility is produced and distributed that has changed. Similar arguments can be made for a variety of other goods. Certain aspects of fire protection have been privatized by the introduction of smoke alarms, of police protection by the introduction of sophisticated electronic devices, of computer services by the introduction of mini computers, of education by the introduction of home computers, etc.3 That is, competing technologies arise that allow various degrees of exclusion. It is in the nature of the production and distribution process, not the utility that is derived therefrom, that leads to classifying some goods as public or quasi-public and others as private goods. All so-called public goods could be transformed into private goods if relative costs were ignored. This note examines: (1) the effect of differences in the relative costs of alternative technologies, (2) whether it matters which technology is introduced first,
Vesicular glutamate transporter DNPI/VGLUT2 is expressed by both C1 adrenergic and nonaminergic presympathetic vasomotor neurons of the rat medulla.

The main source of excitatory drive to the sympathetic preganglionic neurons that control blood pressure is from neurons located in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). This monosynaptic input includes adrenergic (C1), peptidergic, and noncatecholaminergic neurons. Some of the cells in this pathway are suspected to be glutamatergic, but conclusive evidence is lacking. In the present study we sought to determine whether these presympathetic neurons express the vesicular glutamate transporter BNPI/VGLUT1 or the closely related gene DNPI, the rat homolog of the mouse vesicular glutamate transporter VGLUT2. Both BNPI/VGLUT1 and DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNAs were detected in the medulla oblongata by in situ hybridization, but only DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA was present in the RVLM. Moreover, BNPI immunoreactivity was absent from the thoracic spinal cord lateral horn. DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA was present in many medullary cells retrogradely labeled with Fluoro-Gold from the spinal cord (T2; four rats). Within the RVLM, 79% of the bulbospinal C1 cells contained DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA. Bulbospinal noradrenergic A5 neurons did not contain DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA. The RVLM of six unanesthetized rats subjected to 2 hours of hydralazine-induced hypotension contained tenfold more c-Fos-ir DNPI/VGLUT2 neurons than that of six saline-treated controls. c-Fos-ir DNPI/VGLUT2 neurons included C1 and non-C1 neurons (3:2 ratio). In seven barbiturate-anesthetized rats, 16 vasomotor presympathetic neurons were filled with biotinamide and analyzed for the presence of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity and/or DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA. Biotinamide-labeled neurons included C1 and non-C1 cells. Most non-C1 (9/10) and C1 presympathetic cells (5/6) contained DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA. In conclusion, DNPI/VGLUT2 is expressed by most blood pressure-regulating presympathetic cells of the RVLM. The data suggest that these neurons may be glutamatergic and that the C1 adrenergic phenotype is one of several secondary phenotypes that are differentially expressed by subgroups of these cells.
Regenerative Medicine Based on Muscle-Derived Stem Cells

The management and treatment of orthopaedic injuries has improved greatly over the last two decades, with the advent of minimally invasive operative techniques and sophisticated rehabilitation augmented by the always increasing knowledge of tissue biology and biomechanics. Despite the progress, scientists and orthopaedic surgeons continue to struggle with the limited healing capacity of damaged structures, such as degenerated articular cartilage, injured skeletal muscle, atrophic fracture nonunion, inflammatory conditions, and aging tissues. Therapeutic approaches that address the underlying pathophysiology of these disorders at the cellular and molecular level are quickly becoming a clinically applicable reality. Rapidly evolving field of stem cell therapy and gene therapy became integral part of regenerative medicine. Researchers have isolated and thoroughly characterized a population of skeletal muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) that display improved regenerative capacity in various tissues of the musculoskeletal system, when compared with skeletal myoblasts. These cells can be used to regenerate bone and articular cartilage, skeletal and cardiac muscle; they can repopulate bone marrow and repair peripheral nerve structures. Although the true origin of MDSCs remains unclear, their high degree of similarity with blood vessel–derived stem cells suggests their potential origin could be from the vascular wall. Here, we review the current knowledge concerning the use of gene therapy and tissue engineering applications based on MDSCs to improve the healing of various tissues of the musculoskeletal system, including bone and articular cartilage, as well as injured and diseased skeletal muscle.
Predictors of coronary angiography in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy : the Washington, DC dilated cardiomyopathy study

Although a number of clinical and demographic factors have been associated with the performance of angiography in cardiac patients, clinical studies of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) have often excluded patients who have not undergone coronary angiography to rule out coronary artery disease (CAD). To examine the impact of this diagnostic criterion on population-based studies of idiopathic DCM, we examined characteristics of probable cases of DCM who did or did not have a recorded history of angiography. The cases (n = 129) were ascertained from five medical centers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area over the period 1 July 1990 through 29 February 1992. All of these cases had evidence of ventricular dilation and hypokinesis, with a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 40%. Cases with a history of known CAD, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, or secondary cardiomyopathy were excluded. Sixty-two (48%) of the cases had a recorded history of angiography. Age, educational level, diabetes, alcohol use, insurance status, and type of hospital were significantly associated with angiography in bivariate analysis (p < 0.05). Diabetes and hypertension were inversely associated with history of angiography among black cases, and positively associated with angiography among whites. In logistic regression analysis, age was the strongest independent predictor of angiography (p < 0.025). The associations with educational attainment and alcohol use were of borderline significance (p < 0.10). Thus, in epidemiologic studies of idiopathic DCM, particularly in biracial populations, the exclusion of cases who have not undergone angiography may bias risk estimates and result in the underestimation of incidence and prevalence.