cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Reading Level of Surgical Consent Forms in Hand Surgery

Purpose The average United States adult reads at an eighth-grade reading level. In an effort to ensure that patients understand written medical information, the National Institutes of Health and American Medical Association suggest that patient-directed material be written at a sixth- to eighth-grade reading level. We hypothesized that the mean reading level of surgical consent forms for hand surgery is not at or below an eighth-grade reading level (the suggested maximum from the National Institutes of Health). Methods We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive consent forms used for hand surgery patients from 7 hand surgeons at our institution from June, 2017 to October, 2017. Consent forms were reviewed to collect the hand-written portion describing the procedure. We also assessed our institution's consent form template. This text was assessed for readability and reading level with the following tools: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Flesch Reading Ease. We categorized the procedures written on each consent form by procedure type and then created simplified language for the same procedure below an eighth-grade reading level. Results Mean Flesch-Kincaid grade level of all consent forms was 10.5 (SD, 5.8) and mean Flesch readability was 33.6 (SD, 38.8), or difficult to read. A total of 78% and 58% of forms were written above the sixth- and eighth-grade reading levels, respectively. Readability was remarkedly poor; 94% and 88% of consent forms were written above sixth- and eighth-grade readability, respectively. The grade level of the consent form template was 17.1. Conclusions Most consent forms were written above a sixth- to eighth-grade reading level and may not have been well-understood by patients. It is possible for physicians to write on surgical consent forms at a reading level that patients are more likely to understand by opting for less specialty-specific words and writing in shorter sentences. Improving the readability of patient-directed materials is an approach to improving patient-centered care. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic IV.
Cortical bone vessel identification and quantification on contrast-enhanced MR images.

Background: Cortical bone porosity is a major determinant of bone strength. Despite the biomechanical importance of cortical bone porosity, the biological drivers of cortical porosity are unknown. The content of cortical pore space can indicate pore expansion mechanisms; both of the primary components of pore space, vessels and adipocytes, have been implicated in pore expansion. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) is widely used in vessel detection in cardiovascular studies, but has not been applied to visualize vessels within cortical bone. In this study, we have developed a multimodal DCE-MRI and high resolution peripheral QCT (HR-pQCT) acquisition and image processing pipeline to detect vessel-filled cortical bone pores. Methods: For this in vivo human study, 19 volunteers (10 males and 9 females; mean age =63±5) were recruited. Both distal and ultra-distal regions of the non-dominant tibia were imaged by HR-pQCT (82 µm nominal resolution) for bone structure segmentation and by 3T DCE-MRI (Gadavist; 9 min scan time; temporal resolution =30 sec; voxel size 230×230×500 µm 3 ) for vessel visualization. The DCE-MRI was registered to the HR-pQCT volume and the voxels within the MRI cortical bone region were extracted. Features of the DCE data were calculated and voxels were categorized by a 2-stage hierarchical kmeans clustering algorithm to determine which voxels represent vessels. Vessel volume fraction (volume ratio of vessels to cortical bone), vessel density (average vessel count per cortical bone volume), and average vessel volume (mean volume of vessels) were calculated to quantify the status of vessel-filled pores in cortical bone. To examine spatial resolution and perform validation, a virtual phantom with 5 channel sizes and an applied pseudo enhancement curve was processed through the proposed image processing pipeline. Overlap volume ratio and Dice coefficient was calculated to measure the similarity between the detected vessel map and ground truth. Results: In the human study, mean vessel volume fraction was 2.2%±1.0%, mean vessel density was 0.68±0.27 vessel/mm 3 , and mean average vessel volume was 0.032±0.012 mm 3 /vessel. Signal intensity for detected vessel voxels increased during the scan, while signal for non-vessel voxels within pores did not enhance. In the validation phantom, channels with diameter 250 µm or greater were detected successfully, with volume ratio equal to 1 and Dice coefficient above 0.6. Both statistics decreased dramatically for channel sizes less than 250 µm. Conclusions: We have a developed a multi-modal image acquisition and processing pipeline that successfully detects vessels within cortical bone pores. The performance of this technique degrades for vessel diameters below the in-plane spatial resolution of the DCE-MRI acquisition. This approach can be applied to investigate the biological systems associated with cortical pore expansion.
Orally bioavailable glutamine antagonist prodrug JHU-083 penetrates mouse brain and suppresses the growth of MYC-driven medulloblastoma

A subset of poor-prognosis medulloblastoma has genomic amplification of MYC. MYC regulates glutamine metabolism in multiple cellular contexts. We modified the glutamine analog 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) to mask its carboxylate and amine functionalities, creating a prodrug termed JHU-083 with increased oral bioavailability. We hypothesized that this prodrug would kill MYC-expressing medulloblastoma. JHU-083 treatment caused decreased growth and increased apoptosis in human MYC-expressing medulloblastoma cell lines. We generated a mouse MYC-driven medulloblastoma model by transforming C57BL/6 mouse cerebellar stem and progenitor cells. When implanted into the brains of C57BL/6 mice, these cells formed large cell/anaplastic tumors that resembled aggressive medulloblastoma. A cell line derived from this model was sensitive to JHU-083 in vitro. Oral administration of JHU-038 led to the accumulation of micromolar concentrations of DON in the mouse brain. JHU-083 treatment significantly increased the survival of immune-competent animals bearing orthotopic tumors formed by the mouse cerebellar stem cell model as well as immune-deficient animals bearing orthotopic tumors formed by a human MYC-amplified medulloblastoma cell line. These data provide pre-clinical justification for the ongoing development and testing of orally bioavailable DON prodrugs for use in medulloblastoma patients.
Evolution of nuclear gene families in primates. Copy-number variation in the argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) pseudogene family and the anonymous DNA sequence, D1S1.

Changes in the copy number of nuclear genes provide the raw material for the creation of new gene functions. To better understand the mechanisms for such events, and their physiologic and evolutionary consequences, it is valuable to study a well characterized and closely related group of species such as primates. Fortuitously, most of the powerful molecular techniques and DNA probes developed for research in humans are equally applicable to non-human primates. We review what is known of copy number variation in primates and describe two informative DNA probes: pAS-1, a cDNA probe to the human urea cycle enzyme argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS), and an anonymous DNA probe, D1S1.
Row crop grain harvester path optimization in headland patterns

Abstract Harvesting is one of the most complex field operations for grain producers requiring route planning that is subject to change based on spatial crop yield and scheduling with support vehicles. Inefficient routing increases operation time which lead to negative impacts including: increased labor cost, crop loss, and unnecessary hours put on expensive machinery. In addition to increased time, inefficient routing also increases the amount of unnecessary in-field travel, which increases fuel cost and the possibility of soil compaction. The goal of this research was to implement an optimization routine that could determine the most efficient harvest pattern for row crop harvesters in actual fields. A Genetic Algorithm was developed that was able to optimize the harvest route and provide a feasible solution in real field conditions. The algorithm was validated using spatial yield data from three fields and the optimized travel path reduced the non-working in-field travel between 13.8 and 31.5 percent.
The Potential for Undue Patient Exposure during the Use of Telementoring Technology.

Background Surgical telementoring holds great promise for safe and effective patient care and medical education, but recording and streaming audio and video introduces the potential for exposure of patient information. Physicians maintain an ethical responsibility to protect the privacy of patients, and privacy violations may carry significant legal liability. Despite the legal treatment of violations as discrete, methods for quantifying and characterizing the exposure of patient information during procedural recordings are lacking. This study is the first to quantify the potential risk for violation of privacy when using a wearable, telementoring technology capable of video and audio recording during surgical procedures in various locations including the operating room, interventional radiology suite, and the intensive care unit. Methods A head-mounted recording device, Google Glass™, was used to record routine neurosurgical and critical care procedures in a convenience sample of patients. Periods of maximal risk, including the beginning of procedures, were targeted. Recordings were manually coded for discrete instances of exposure of directly identifying information and indirectly identifying information. Results Twenty-two procedures were recorded for a total of 12 hours, during which 807 directly identifiable exposures were found. The overall average rate of exposure was 1.13 exposures per minute. Most exposures were full-face images (90%), names (7%), or phone numbers (3%). Indirectly identifying exposures were found to be tattoos, genitals, and caretaker names. The rate of exposures was found to be lower in the operating room (OR) when compared to the intensive care unit (ICU) or interventional radiology (IR) suite (p = 0.0376). Conclusions High rates of potential privacy violations were discovered and found to be related the location of the procedure. Sterile draping of the face prior to recording, when appropriate, would mitigate most exposure risk, though patient names and unique tattoos may be an underappreciated source of potential exposure. This study establishes the most conservative baseline to compare techniques for preventing exposure of patient information on telementoring or video/audio recording/streaming platforms.
Active Temporal Control of Radiative Heat Transfer with Graphene Nanodisks

The ability to dynamically control the radiative transfer of heat at the nanoscale holds the key to the development of a diverse number of technologies, ranging from nanoscale thermal-management systems to improved thermophotovoltaic devices. Recently, graphene has emerged as an ideal material to achieve this goal, since it can be electrically doped to support surface plasmons, collective oscillations of the conduction electrons. These resonances produce large and spectrally narrow optical cross sections, which dictate the emission and absorption properties of the graphene nanostructure and, thus, the heat that it radiatively exchanges with other objects and the environment. For attainable levels of doping, the plasmons supported by graphene nanostructures naturally lie in the midinfrared part of the spectrum, which is the most relevant wavelength range for radiative heat transfer under realistic temperatures. Furthermore, these resonances are actively tunable, thus providing full dynamic control over the heat transfer. Motivated by this great potential, we present a comprehensive analysis of the temporal evolution of the radiative heat transfer between arrangements of graphene nanodisks, showing that it is possible to exploit the tunability of these structures to obtain actively controlled heat transfer scenarios not possible with conventional passive nanostructures. The results of this work provide a framework for achieving fully dynamical control over nanoscale radiative heat transfer and thus provide fundamental insights into this process.
A comprehensive anatomical and phylogenetic evaluation of Dilophosaurus wetherilli (Dinosauria, Theropoda) with descriptions of new specimens from the Kayenta Formation of northern Arizona

Dilophosaurus wetherilli was the largest animal known to have lived on land in North America during the Early Jurassic. Despite its charismatic presence in pop culture and dinosaurian phylogenetic analyses, major aspects of the skeletal anatomy, taxonomy, ontogeny, and evolutionary relationships of this dinosaur remain unknown. Skeletons of this species were collected from the middle and lower part of the Kayenta Formation in the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona. Redescription of the holotype, referred, and previously undescribed specimens of Dilophosaurus wetherilli supports the existence of a single species of crested, large-bodied theropod in the Kayenta Formation. The parasagittal nasolacrimal crests are uniquely constructed by a small ridge on the nasal process of the premaxilla, dorsoventrally expanded nasal, and tall lacrimal that includes a posterior process behind the eye. The cervical vertebrae exhibit serial variation within the posterior centrodiapophyseal lamina, which bifurcates and reunites down the neck. Iterative specimen-based phylogenetic analyses result in each of the additional specimens recovered as the sister taxon to the holotype. When all five specimens are included in an analysis, they form a monophyletic clade that supports the monotypy of the genus. Dilophosaurus wetherilli is not recovered as a ceratosaur or coelophysoid, but is instead a non-averostran neotheropod in a grade with other stem-averostrans such as Cryolophosaurus ellioti and Zupaysaurus rougieri. We did not recover a monophyletic ‘Dilophosauridae.’ Instead of being apomorphic for a small clade of early theropods, it is more likely that elaboration of the nasals and lacrimals of stem-averostrans is plesiomorphically present in early ceratosaurs and tetanurans that share those features. Many characters of the axial skeleton of Dilophosaurus wetherilli are derived compared to Late Triassic theropods and may be associated with macropredation and an increase in body size in Theropoda across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary.
Effects of exercise on thoracic blood volumes, lung fluid accumulation, and pulmonary diffusing capacity in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) experience symptoms of exertional dyspnea that may be related to lung fluid accumulation during exercise. A computed tomography ...
Modulation of dendritic spines by protein phosphatase-1

Protein phosphatase-1 (PP-1), a highly conserved multifunctional serine/threonine phosphatase, is enriched in dendritic spines where it plays a major role in modulating excitatory synaptic activity. In addition to established functions in spine maturation and development, multi-subunit holoenzyme forms of PP-1 modulate higher-order cognitive functions such learning and memory. Mechanisms involved in regulating PP-1 activity and localization in spines include interactions with neurabin and spinophilin, structurally related synaptic scaffolding proteins associated with the actin cytoskeleton. Since PP-1 is a critical element in synaptic development, signaling, and plasticity, alterations in PP-1 signaling in dendritic spines are implicated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders. The effects of PP-1 depend on its isoform-specific association with regulatory proteins and activation of downstream signaling pathways. Here we review the role of PP-1 and its binding proteins neurabin and spinophilin in both developing and established dendritic spines, as well as some of the disorders that result from its dysregulation.
Mortalin depletion induces MEK/ERK-dependent and ANT/CypD-mediated death in vemurafenib-resistant B-RafV600E melanoma cells.

Therapy resistance to a selective B-Raf inhibitor (BRAFi) poses a challenge in treating patients with BRAF-mutant melanomas. Here, we report that RNA interference of mortalin (HSPA9/GRP75), a mitochondrial molecular chaperone often upregulated and mislocalized in melanoma, can effectively induce death of vemurafenib-resistant progenies of human B-RafV600E melanoma cell lines, A375 and Colo-829. Mortalin depletion induced death of vemurafenib-resistant cells at similar efficacy as observed in vemurafenib-naive parental cells. This lethality was correlated with perturbed mitochondrial permeability and was attenuated by knockdown of adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) and cyclophilin D (CypD), the key regulators of mitochondrial permeability. Chemical inhibition of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 also suppressed mortalin depletion-induced death and mitochondrial permeability in these cells. These data suggest that mortalin and MEK/ERK regulate an ANT/CypD-associated mitochondrial death mechanism(s) in B-RafV600E melanoma cells and that this regulation is conserved even after these cells develop BRAFi resistance. We also show that doxycycline-induced mortalin depletion can effectively suppress the xenografts of vemurafenib-resistant A375 progeny in athymic nude mice. These findings suggest that mortalin has potential as a candidate therapeutic target for BRAFi-resistant BRAF-mutant tumors.
Introduction: Preserving a Rules-Based International Order

This book grows out of the work of a study group convened by the American Branch of the International Law Association. The study group had a mandate to examine threats to a rules-based international order and possible responses. The book consists of fourteen chapters, plus this Introduction. The several chapters in the book generally support the conclusion that the rules-based international order confronts significant challenges, but it is not unraveling—at least, not yet. Climate change is the biggest wild card in trying to predict the future. If the world’s major powers—especially the United States and China—cooperate with each other to combat climate change, then other threats to the rules-based order should be manageable. If the world’s major powers fail to address the climate crisis by 2040 or 2050, the other threats addressed in this volume may come to be seen as trivial in comparison. This Introduction is divided into three parts. Part I presents a brief history of the rules-based international order. It shows that—between 1945 and the first decade of the twenty-first century—the international system evolved from a primarily sovereignty-based order to a much more rules-based order. However, since about 2008 or 2010, we have witnessed significant backsliding towards a more sovereignty-based order, especially in the areas of international trade and international human rights law. Part II then briefly surveys the major, current threats to the rules-based international order. Finally, Part III outlines a strategy to mitigate those threats in the interest of preserving a rules-based international order that is consistent with liberal, humanitarian values.
Low affinity integrin states have faster binding kinetics than the high affinity state

Integrin conformational ensembles contain two low-affinity states, bent-closed and extended-closed, and an active, high-affinity, extended-open state. It is widely thought that integrins must be activated before they bind ligand; however, one model holds that activation follows ligand binding. As ligand-binding kinetics are not only rate limiting for cell adhesion but also have important implications for the mechanism of activation, we measure them here for integrins 4{beta}1 and 5{beta}1 and show that the low-affinity states bind substantially faster than the high-affinity state. On and off-rate measurements are similar for integrins on cell surfaces and ectodomain fragments. Although the extended-open conformations on-rate is [~]20-fold slower, its off-rate is [~]25,000-fold slower, resulting in a large affinity increase. The tighter ligand-binding pocket in the open state may slow its on-rate. These kinetic measurements, together with previous equilibrium measurements of integrin conformational state affinity and relative free energy on intact cells, are key to a definitive understanding of the mechanism of integrin activation.
Examining the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on community engagement for people with mobility disabilities.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent mandates upended community participation in the United States. People with disabilities were often more vulnerable to the adverse effects of the pandemic. Some areas of community participation affected for this population include employment, access to transportation, and social engagement and connection to others. Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for people with mobility disabilities across a variety of topics related to community engagement including social interactions with family and friends, and access to caregivers, groceries, transportation, and employment. Methods A survey was administered to participants with mobility disabilities (N = 39). Participants were asked to elaborate on topic areas that they identified as being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and a content analysis in search of themes from open-ended responses. Results Results indicate that access to family and friends was the most negatively affected topic related to participation, followed by access to food and groceries, transportation, employment, living independently, caring for others, and participating in the community in general. In response to these pandemic-related challenges, participants reported utilizing technology to connect with others and to get essential items delivered. Conclusions Findings from this rapid research emphasize the need for emergency preparedness strategies, accessible and reliable resources related to technology use (e.g., Internet), and continued access to services for people with disabilities to maintain various aspects of community participation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and in the future.
Associations between bedtime eating or drinking, sleep duration and wake after sleep onset: findings from the American time use survey.

Sleep hygiene recommendations discourage eating before bedtime; however, the impact of mealtime on sleep has been inconsistent. We examined gender-stratified associations between eating or drinking 30 min). This study utilised 2003-2018 data from the American Time Use Survey, a nationally representative sample of USA residents aged ≥15 years. Participants recorded weekday/weekend activities during a 24-h period. Age-specific sleep duration and WASO were estimated categorically and continuously. Eating or drinking were identified from all activities recorded <1, <2 and <3 h before bedtime. Mean ± se sleep duration was 8·0 ± 0·006 h, and 6% of participants ate or drank <1 h prior to weekdays bedtime. Overall, eating or drinking <1 h prior to bedtime was associated with longer weekdays sleep duration. Women and men who ate or drank <1 h before bedtime, v. those who did not, had 35 min (95% CI (30,39)) and 25 min (95 % CI (21,29)) longer sleep duration, respectively, as well as increased odds of WASO; women (OR=2·03, 95% CI (1·66,2·49)) and men (OR=2·64, 95% CI (2·08,3·36)). As the interval of eating or drinking prior to bedtime expanded, odds of short and long sleep durations and WASO decreased. This population-based data linked eating or drinking <1 h before bedtime to longer sleep duration, but increased WASO. Eating or drinking further from bedtime lowers the odds of short and long sleep duration and WASO. Causal pathways are difficult to discern, though inefficient sleep after late-night eating could increase WASO and trigger compensatory increases in sleep duration.
The three faces of social psychology.

The current "crisis" of social psychology largely reflects the division of the field into three increasingly isolated domains or faces: (1) psychological social psychology, (2) symbolic interactionism, and (3) psychological sociology (or social structure and personality). A sociology of knowledge analysis suggests that the distinctive substantive and methodological concerns of each face reflect the intellectual and institutional contexts in which it developed. Psychological social psychology has increasingly focused on individual psychological processes in relation to social stimuli using laboratory experiments; symbolic interactionism, on face-to-face interaction processes using naturalistic observations; and psychological sociology, on the relation of macrosocial structures and processes to individual psychology and behavior, most often using survey methods. Brief critical discussion of the faces indicates that the strengths of each complement weaknesses in the others, highlighting a need for more interchange among them. Psychological sociology receives special emphasis because it currently lacks the coherence and clear identity of the other faces, yet is essential to a well-rounded social psychology since it balances the increasingly microsocial emphases of the other faces. Although diagnosis does not guarantee cure, this paper aims to promote modification of the very faces and trends it depicts. The expansion of the Handbook of Social Psychology from one volume in 1935 to two volumes in 1954 and five volumes by 1968-69 reflects the rapid growth of the broad interdisciplinary field of social psy
Maps of Bounded Rationality (II)

In the late 1970s, scholars started to study if and how bounded rationality works in practice. Experiments were set up and there started the ever growing literature on the subject. The first evidences were related to falsifying neoclassical approaches to rationality, e.g., the theory of expected utility (see below), while the latter efforts cover a wider terrain, focusing on heuristics, ethics, cooperation, and altruism (discussed in a later chapter).
Nomenclatural problems of Breviphrentis stumm, 1949 and Contophrentis new genus (Devonian rugose corals)

The siphonophrentidae is a family of Devonian rugose corals that are known mostly from eastern North America, a part of the Eastern Americas biogeographical Realm (EAR) during the Devonian. Breviphrentis Stumm, 1949, has been considered a siphonophrentid by most previous authors and, in a recent monograph (Oliver, 1993), I described three EAR species as Breviphrentis and referred others to the genus.
Safe agents in space: lessons from the autonomous sciencecraft experiment

An Autonomous Science Agent is currently flying onboard the Earth Observing One Spacecraft This software enables the spacecraft to autonomously detect and respond to science events occurring on the Earth The package includes software systems that perform science data analysis, deliberative planning, and run-time robust execution Because of the deployment to a remote spacecraft, this Autonomous Science Agent has stringent constraints of autonomy and limited computing resources We describe these constraints and how they are reflected in our agent architecture.
Design of composite straps

Abstract A finite element computer code was developed for calculating the stresses and strains in, and elongations of, racetrack shaped composite straps loaded by two pins in tension. A procedure was also established for estimating the failure loads of such straps, by utilizing the results provided by the finite element method and the Tsai-Wu failure criteria. Tests were performed to validate the stress analysis and the failure model. Forty-three steps were made of either T300/976, T1000/081, IM6/081 graphite-epoxy, K49/081 kevlar-epoxy, or S-2/081 glass-epoxy. The strains and failure loads of these straps were measured, and the data were compared to the calculated strains and failure loads. The calculated values agreed well with the data. Charts were also developed for estimating the failure loads of racetrack shaped straps. Lastly, the design of composite straps loaded by two or more pins is discussed.
Complex effects of predators: determining vulnerability of the endangered June sucker to an introduced predator

Efforts to ameliorate the negative effects of introduced predators on native species depend on a clear understanding of the complex interactions between predator and prey. We illustrate the necessity of considering size variation of predators and prey and antipredator responses of prey, using a case study of an endangered fish, June sucker (Chasmistes liorus) and an introduced predator, white bass (Morone chrysops). Using a mathematical model, we assessed vulnerability of young June suckers to predation by a growing cohort of white bass. Additionally, we experimentally evaluated whether young white bass selectively occupy vegetated habitats (in contrast to adults) similar to those occupied by young June suckers. June suckers are most vulnerable to young white bass immediately after they hatch and vulnerability declines thereafter. They are vulnerable for some period of time under all combinations of predator and prey growth rates. Young white bass selected vegetated habitats, and this response was increased in the presence of adult white bass. These data suggest that young white bass may be a significant source of mortality for small June suckers, contrary to previous assumptions. Results of this study inform conservation actions designed to decrease the effect of predation on small June suckers, such as potential effects of adding vegetated refuge habitats, possible effects of manipulation of spawning time, and the design of predator-free grow-out areas.
Study of contact and shallow junction characteristics in submicron CMOS with self-aligned titanium silicide

La resistance de contact entre TiSi 2 et les regions peu profondes n + et p + de l'emetteur et du collecteur en technologie CMOS est etudiee pour des profondeurs de jonctions et epaisseurs de siliciure variables. La contribution du contact a la resistance serie totale du dispositif peut etre importante si la formation du siliciure consomme beaucoup de silicium et de dopants. De faibles resistances de contact sont obtenues pour des jonctions n + de 0,15 μm et p + de 0,20 μm quand l'epaisseur de titane est reduite pour conserver une concentration de dopage elevee a l'interface TiSi 2 /Si. On peut aussi employer un processus non conventionnel pour implanter des dopants supplementaires dans le titane. Une couche mince de dopant est alors eliminee par diffusion dans le silicium apres la reaction de formation du silicium, et recuite pour reduire la resistance de contact et les courants de fuite. Cette derniere technique est plus facile a appliquer aux dispositifs CMOS qui exigent des couches de titane plus epaisses et/ou des jonctions moins profondes
Spontaneous Formation of Hierarchical Macro−Mesoporous Ethane−Silica Monolith

Monolithic ethane−silica gels with well-defined co-continuous macropores and highly ordered mesopores have been synthesized via a spontaneous route from silicon alkoxide with the aid of a structure-directing agent. While the macropores are formed by the concurrent phase separation and sol−gel transition induced by the polymerization reaction, the mesopores are templated by the self-organization of the structure-directing agent. Starting from a homogeneous mixture of the starting components, all the structure formation processes take place spontaneously in closed conditions at a constant temperature. Subsequent evaporation drying and heat treatment result in gels with hierarchical and fully accessible pores in discrete size ranges of micrometer and nanometer. While the local alignment of the mesopores is confirmed by FE-SEM observation, the long-range mesoscale order over the whole sample is evidenced by X-ray diffraction measurements. With the addition of a micelle-swelling agent, the mesostructural trans...
An analysis of the perceived ineffectiveness of educational research and some recommendations 1

Abstract While not the usual type of presidential address, this paper follows a conviction that began with a similar presidential address to the American Educational Research Association, that it is more important to use this occasion to consider critical problems confronting the profession than to report personal research. Because of the leadership role that educational psychologists have traditionally played, the consideration of these problems, which affect the entire educational field, seemed particularly appropriate.
Is the QRS-T angle a more sensitive marker of ischemia than ST-segment deviation?

Background: An abnormal spatial QRS-T angle (QRSTA) has a larger hazard ratio for fatal cardiac events than established cardiovascular and ECG risk factors. The spatial angle between the QRS and T axes is the angle between the directions of ventricular depolarization and repolarization. Purpose: Our hypothesis was that in the presence of an increased heart rate (HR), the QRSTA is a more sensitive marker of myocardial ischemia than ST-segment deviation during continuous monitoring in patients with left ventricular failure. Methods: Twenty-four-hour Holter studies (Mortara, Milwaukee, WI) with narrow QRS complexes (b120 milliseconds) were evaluated for HR events. An ischemic period was defined as an episode of tachycardia (≥100 beats/ min) with an accompanying HR increase of 25 beats/min or greater for more than 20 minutes. Measurements of the QRSTA were calculated from the 12-lead electrocardiogram using the QRS/Tsimple formula. The delta from pre-HR event vs HR event for both QRSTA and max ST-segment deviation (mV) was evaluated. Results: Seventy HR events were identified during 62 Holter studies. Average differences between ischemic events (n = 36, or 51%) vs nonischemic HR events (n = 34, or 49%) was 52 ± 15 vs 27 ± 7 beats/min for HR, 28° ± 25° vs 24° ± 24° for QRSTA, and 43 ± 30 vs 30 ± 26mV for ST deviation, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting ischemia by QRSTA and ST deviation based on certain cut points are illustrated in the table below. Conclusions: In patients with left ventricular, the traditional standard STsegment deviation (100 mV) is not sensitive enough to detect ischemia; an approach that uses a combination of QRSTA changes (20°) and lowthreshold ST deviation (50 mV) during tachycardia is more accurate to detect ischemia.
Three Modes of Citation: Historical, Casuistic, and Literary Writing in Büchner

This contribution develops a comprehensive understanding of citation as a discursive process that comprises, among other forms of citation, quotation in historical writing, case histories, and literature. History proper and the genre of case histories are analyzed as asymmetrical—pragmatic—forms of citation, literature as a symmetrical form. Buchner's work is shown to be a unique site for opening the investigation on the practices of citation.
Kinetics of carbon monoxide hydrogenation on a polycrystalline nickel ribbon catalyst

Abstract Ultrahigh vacuum procedures have been employed to highly purify reactant gases and to prepare a clean Ni ribbon for use as a methanation catalyst in a static reactor. The kinetics of CO-hydrogenation to produce CH4 have been studied over a Ni catalyst temperature range of 600–740 K using 4 H2 : 1 CO at a total pressure of 120 Torr. Under thse conditions, the reaction was found to be highly selective (less than 1% higher hydrocarbons produced). Small amounts of CO2 were also produced continously during methanation. The initial rate of CH4 production was used to estimate the activation energy (66 kJ mole-1 in this temperature range. Satisfactory agreement was observed between our rate measurements (turnover numbers) made on a 10 cm2 Ni ribbon and other kinetics studies made on supported Ni catalysts of much larger surface area. A comparison of data from different laboratories suggests that the methanation activation energy falls as the Ni temperature is raised, and that raising the reaction temperature also produces enhanced selectivity towards CH4 production.
The relation between linguistic structure and associative theories of language learning models: constructive critique of some connectionist learning models

Abstract Recently proposed connectionist models of acquired linguistic behaviors have linguistic rule-based representations built in. Similar connectionist models of language acquisition have arbitrary devices and architectures which make them mimic the effect of rules. Connectionist models in general are not well-suited to account for the acquisition of structural knowledge, and require predetermined structures even to simulate basic linguistic facts. Such models are more appropriate for describing the formation of complex associations between structures which are independently represented. This makes connectionist models potentially important tools in studying the relations between frequent behaviors and the structures underlying knowledge and representations. At the very least, such models may offer computationally powerful ways of demonstrating the limits of associationistic descriptions of behavior.
Synthesis and initial characterization of arsenic (V) polyamines

Abstract The interfacial synthesis of arsenic (V) polyamines is presented. Soluble products exhibit weight-average molecular weights of about 105. Steric nature and nucleophilicity of the diamine do not appear to be critical factors. Base initiated degradation of the product is important. Condensation is “diffusion controlled” to a stirring rate about 11,000 rev/min, thereafter being kinetic controlled. Thermal degradation begins after ca. 200°C occurring via an oxidative mode in air. Stability plateaux are kinetically controlled.
Lower extremity compartment syndrome: When to suspect acute or chronic pressure buildup

Acute compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency. A high index of suspicion is needed in cases of severe contusion, especially if patient complaints seem to outweigh physical findings. Acute surgical fasciotomy is an effective treatment and should be carried out expeditiously if compartment pressures are elevated over 70 mm Hg in order to avoid complications such as chronic disability due to contractures or rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome most often occurs in the anterior or the lateral compartment. Patients have only exercise-related symptoms and recover quickly after resting from the inciting activity. Diagnosis is difficult, but the anterior compartment pressure may be checked fairly readily with a handheld pressure catheter. Deep posterior compartment problems are harder to check because of the difficulty in reaching this area. Thallium stress testing appears promising for diagnosing both anterior and posterior problems and may augment, or even replace, the catheter measurement in the deep posterior and perhaps even the anterior compartment. Thallium stress testing is noninvasive and may be a more physiologic measurement. Fasciotomy may be indicated if conservative treatment lacks efficacy. For unknown reasons, the deep posterior compartment does not respond as quickly, or as well, to fasciotomy as the anterior compartment.
CT Enterography: Principles, Trends, and Interpretation of Findings

Computed tomographic (CT) enterography is an emerging alternative to traditional fluoroscopy for the assessment of disorders of the small bowel. The greatly improved spatial and temporal resolution provided by multidetector CT scanners, combined with good luminal distention provided by negative oral contrast agents and with good bowel wall visualization, have made CT enterography the main imaging modality not only for investigating proved or suspected inflammatory bowel disease but also for detecting occult gastrointestinal tract bleeding, small bowel neoplasms, and mesenteric ischemia. CT enterography is particularly useful for differentiating between active and fibrotic bowel strictures in patients with Crohn disease, thus enabling selection of the most appropriate treatment (medical management or intervention) for an improved outcome. CT enterography allows excellent visualization of the entire thickness of the bowel wall and depicts extraenteric involvement as well, providing more detailed and comprehensive information about the extent and severity of the disease process.
Deletions of the INK4A Gene Occur in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors but not in Neurofibromas

The INK4A gene, a candidate tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 9p21, encodes two protein products, p16 and p19ARF. p16 is a negative cell cycle regulator capable of arresting cells in the G1 phase by inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinases 4 (Cdk4) and 6 (Cdk6), thus preventing pRB phosphorylation. p19ARF prevents Mdm2-mediated neutralization of p53. Loss of INK4A is a frequent molecular alteration involved in the genesis of several neoplasms, including tumors of neuroectodermal origin. This study investigated the frequency of INK4A gene alterations in a series of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) and neurofibromas (NFs). INK4A gene and the p19ARF-specific exon 1β were studied in 11 MPNST samples from 8 patients and 7 neurofibromas. Presence of INK4A deletions was assessed by Southern blotting hybridization and by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR). INK4A point mutations were examined by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequencing. The p16 promoter methylation status was determined by PCR amplification of bisulfite-treated DNA. Homozygous deletions of exon 2, thus affecting both p16 and p19ARF, were identified in MPNSTs from 4 of 8 patients. Deletions, mutations, or silencing by methylation were not identified in the neurofibromas analyzed. Based on our results, we conclude that INK4A deletions are frequent events in MPNSTs and may participate in tumor progression. Silencing of p16 by methylation, which occurs often in several tumor types, is uncommon in MPNSTs.
Chronometric analysis: Clinical applications in aging and dementia

Reaction time (RT) measurement offers increased clinical precision in the neuropsychological assessment of age‐related dementia. Chronometric procedures are generally well accepted and reliable and demonstrate both diagnostic and functional sensitivity to cognitive decline. This review focuses on the use of RT for the evaluation of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and introduces the timed card‐sorting task as a convenient measure of response time for use in the clinical setting. Methodological issues and hypothesized attentional mechanisms underlying RT slowing in AD are discussed.
OLSR and approximate distance routing: Loops, black holes, and path stretch

With the proliferation of high-performance mobile devices, there has been renewed interest in MANETs. This paper focuses on the impact of stale topology information in OLSR, a widely used proactive MANET routing protocol. Specifically, we examine routing loops, black holes, and path stretch when the topology information is stale. We find that as the topology information becomes stale, OLSR suffers from all of these problems. Moreover, OLSR specifies some optimizations that exasperate these problems. As an alternative, we propose a simple approximate distance-based routing scheme that computes routing slightly differently than OLSR, but is less impacted by stale topology information. In particular, we prove loop-freeness under a mild condition. Routers can maintain this condition in a distributed fashion that results in far less overhead than OLSR.
Reduction of finite element models employing inclusion principle

The overlapping expansion/contraction method has been developed by Ikeda and Siljak[1] to simplify the decentralized control design. This method expands a given interconnected system to yield a larger model which now consists of disjointed subsystems - the expanded model is said to include the original model if certain conditions are satisfied. Recently, as an extension of the inclusion principle to matrix-second-order systems, the existence of an expanded system in a matrix-second-order form has been established by the authors[2]. The subsystems comprising this expanded system can then be obtained in standard matrix-second-order form. The aim of this paper is to show the applicability of these results to order(model) reduction of finite element models of flexible structures. Specifically, we will show that the above subsystems can be directly obtained from the elemental equations (requiring neither the expanded system nor the original assembled set of equations) of the structure. This naturally results in substantial saving in computations and computer memory.
Quasi-half-cycle terahertz pulse generation via optical rectification in quantum wells using shaped optical pulses.

It is shown that optical rectification in biased quantum wells using specially shaped optical pulses can be used to generate quasi-half-cycle THz electromagnetic pulses. Namely, we investigate THz generation by pulses incorporating a rapid π phase shift. We further explore the potential of this scheme for high-repetition-rate quasi-half-cycle THz pulse generation.
Genetic Tailoring of Pharmacotherapy in Heart Failure: Optimize the Old, While We Wait for Something New

Abstract Background The combination of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-adrenergic receptor blockers remains the essential component of heart failure (HF) pharmacotherapy. However, individual patient responses to these pharmacotherapies vary widely. The variability in response cannot be explained entirely by clinical characteristics, and genetic variation may play a role. The purpose of this review is to examine our current state of understanding of beta-blocker and ACE inhibitor pharmacogenetics in HF. Methods and Results Beta-blocker and ACE inhibitor pharmacogenetic studies performed in patients with HF were identified from the Pubmed database from 1966 to July 2011. Thirty beta-blocker and 10 ACE inhibitor pharmacogenetic studies in patients with HF were identified. The ACE deletion variant was associated with greater survival benefit from ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers compared with the ACE insertion. Ser49 in the beta-1 adrenergic receptor, the insertion in the alpha-2C adrenergic receptor, and Gln41 in G-protein–coupled receptor kinase 5 are associated with greater survival benefit from beta-blockers, compared with Gly49, the deletion, and Leu41, respectively. However, many of these associations have not been validated. Conclusions The HF pharmacogenetic literature is still in its very early stages, but there are promising candidate genetic variants that may identify which HF patients are most likely to benefit from beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors and patients that may require additional therapies.