cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atom-by-atom fabrication by electron beam via induced phase transformations

New developments in manufacturing and automation, from three-dimensional printing to the “Internet of things,” signify dramatic changes in our society. The push toward quantum materials is driving device fabrication toward atomic precision. Recent results suggest that scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with sub-angstrom scale beams could offer a solution. However, a detailed theoretical understanding of the interaction of the electron beam with solids is needed to form a basis for new technology. This article summarizes the existing literature on electron-beam interactions with solids with a focus on irreversible transformation. We further suggest that the theoretical framework of a two-temperature model developed for fast ion damage in solids could be applicable to predicting the effects of fast electrons. Recent results from STEM-directed epitaxial growth on crystalline–amorphous interfaces are discussed in detail. Finally, perspectives on the development of this field in the near future are offered.
Ancestry-specific and sex-specific risk alleles identified in a genome-wide gene-by-alcohol dependence interaction study of risky sexual behaviors.

We previously mapped loci for the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genome-wide gene-by-alcohol dependence interaction (GW-GxAD) analyses of risky sexual behaviors (RSB). This study extends those findings by analyzing the ancestry- and sex-specific AD-stratified effects on RSB. We examined the concordance of findings for the AD-stratified GWAS and the GW-GxAD analysis of RSB, with concordance defined as genome-wide significance in one analysis and at least nominal significance in the second analysis. A total of 2,173 African-American (AA) and 1,751 European-American (EA) subjects were investigated. Information regarding RSB (lifetime experiences of unprotected sex and multiple sexual partners) and DSM-IV diagnosis of lifetime AD were derived from the Semi-Structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism (SSADDA). In our ancestry- and sex-specific analyses, we identified four independent genome-wide significant (GWS) loci (p < 5*10−8) and one suggestive locus (p < 6*10−8). In men, we observed a GWS signal in FAM162A (rs2002594, p = 4.96*10−8). In women, there was a suggestive locus in PLGRKT (rs3824435, p = 5.52*10−8). In AAs, there was a GWS signal in GRK5 (rs1316543, p = 1.25*10−9). In AA men, we observed an intergenic GWS signal (rs12898370, p = 4.49*10−8) near LINGO1. In EA men, there was a GWS signal in CCSER1 (rs62313897; p = 7.93*10−10). The loci identified in this GWAS implicate molecular mechanisms related to psychiatric illness and personality features, suggesting that the interplay between AD and RSB is mediated by alleles associated with behavioral traits.
Data in the 21st Century

The past couple of decades have witnessed exponential growth in data, due to the penetration of information technology across all aspects of science and society; the increasing ease with which we are able to collect more data; and the growth of Internet-scale, planet-wide Web-based and mobile services—leading to the notion of “big data”. While the emphasis so far has been on developing technologies to manage the volume, velocity, and variety of the data, and to exploit available data assets via machine learning techniques, going forward the emphasis must also be on translational data science and the responsible use of all of these data in real-world applications. Data science in the 21st century must provide trust in the data and provide responsible and trustworthy techniques and systems by supporting the notions of transparency, interpretability, and reproducibility. The future offers exciting opportunities for transdisciplinary research and convergence among disciplines—computer science, statistics, mathematics, and the full range of disciplines that impact all aspects of society. Econometrics and economics can find an important role in this convergence of ideas.
K{\"a}hler geometry of horosymmetric varieties, and application to Mabuchi's K-energy functional

We introduce a class of almost homogeneous varieties contained in the class of spherical varieties and containing horospherical varieties as well as complete symmetric varieties. We develop K{a}hler geometry on these varieties, with applications to canonical metrics in mind, as a generalization of the Guillemin-Abreu-Donaldson geometry of toric varieties. Namely we associate convex functions with hermitian metrics on line bundles, and express the curvature form in terms of this function, as well as the corresponding Monge-Amp{e}re volume form and scalar curvature. We then provide an expression for the Mabuchi functional and derive as an application a combinatorial sufficient condition of properness similar obtained by Li, Zhou and Zhu on group compactifications.
Transnational ties and ethnic identities in the parental homeland: second-generation Indian Americans in India

This article explores the ‘return’ migration of high-skilled, second-generation Indian-Americans from the United States to India. Based on interviews with fifty-six respondents, it asks: What trans...
Watershed microinfarct pathology and cognition in older persons

Abstract Brain microinfarcts are common in aging and are associated with cognitive impairment. Anterior and posterior watershed border zones lie at the territories of the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries, and are more vulnerable to hypoperfusion than brain regions outside the watershed areas. However, little is known about microinfarcts in these regions and how they relate to cognition in aging. Participants from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a community-based clinical-pathologic study of aging, underwent detailed annual cognitive evaluations. We examined 356 consecutive autopsy cases (mean age-at-death, 91 years [SD = 6.16]; 28% men) for microinfarcts from 3 watershed brain regions (2 anterior and 1 posterior) and 8 brain regions outside the watershed regions. Linear regression models were used to examine the association of cortical watershed microinfarcts with cognition, including global cognition and 5 cognitive domains. Microinfarcts in any region were present in 133 (37%) participants, of which 50 had microinfarcts in watershed regions. Persons with multiple microinfarcts in cortical watershed regions had lower global cognition (estimate = −0.56, standard error (SE) = 0.26, p = 0.03) and lower cognitive function in the specific domains of working memory (estimate = −0.58, SE = 0.27, p = 0.03) and visuospatial abilities (estimate = −0.57, SE = 0.27, p = 0.03), even after controlling for microinfarcts in other brain regions, demographics, and age-related pathologies. Neither the presence nor multiplicity of microinfarcts in brain regions outside the cortical watershed regions were related to global cognition or any of the 5 cognitive domains. These findings suggest that multiple microinfarcts in watershed regions contribute to age-related cognitive impairment.
Similar ligand–metal bonding for transition metals and actinides? 5f1 U(C7H7)2−versus 3dn metallocenes

U(C7H7)2− is a fascinating 5f1 complex whose metal–ligand bonding was assigned in the literature as being very similar to 3d7 cobaltocene, based on a crystal-field theoretical interpretation of the experimental magnetic resonance data. The present work provides an in-depth theoretical study of the electronic structure, bonding, and magnetic properties of the 5f1 U(C7H7)2−vs. 3d metallocenes with V, Co, and Ni, performed with relativistic wavefunction and density functional methods. The ligand to metal donation bonding in U(C7H7)2− is strong and in fact similar to that in vanadocene, in the sense that the highest occupied arene orbitals donate electron density into empty metal orbitals of the same symmetry with respect to the rotational axis (3dπ for V, 5fδ for U), but selectively with α spin (↑). For Co and Ni, the dative bonding from the ligands is β spin (↓) selective into partially filled 3dπ orbitals. In all systems, this spin delocalization triggers spin polarization in the arene σ bonding framework, causing proton spin densities opposite to those of the carbons. As a consequence, the proton spin densities and hyperfine coupling constants are negative for the Co and Ni complex, but positive for vanadocene. The of U(C7H7)2− is negative and similar to that of cobaltocene, but only because of the strong spin–orbit coupling in the actinocene, which causes to be opposite to the sign of the proton spin density. The study contributes to a better understanding of actinide 5f vs. transition metal 3d covalency, and highlights potential pitfalls when interpreting experimental magnetic resonance data in terms of covalent bonding for actinide complexes.
Passive Myasthenia Gravis Induced in SCID Mice by Transfer of Blood Cells from Myasthenie Patients

More than 25 years ago, experiments that involved daily injections into mice of immunoglobulins purified from serum of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients demonstrated that this procedure reproduced in the mice the characteristic clinical and electrophysiologic features of MG [1]. During the same years other seminal experiments demonstrated that administration to mice of purified monoclonal antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) also reproduced the clinical and electrophysiologic symptoms of MG (rev. in [2]). Those findings proved that autoantibodies against the AChR at the neuromuscular junction cause the symptoms of MG.
The pathogenesis of postirradiation anemia.

1. To assess the effects of irradiation on erythrocytes in vivo, one group of rabbits was injected with radioiron-tagged erythrocytes immediately before, and a second group immediately after exposure to x-rays. A third control group received the tagged erythrocytes but no irradiation. There was a drop in red cell mass in both irradiated groups as compared with the controls, but there was no difference between the two irradiated groups, i.e., between the behavior of irradiated and nonirradiated erythrocytes in irradiated hosts. These findings indicate that there is no direct effect of irradiation in the median lethal range on erythrocytes in vivo. 2. The degree of anemia was studied as a function of irradiation dose. It requires nearly lethal doses of x-rays to cause a conspicuous anemia. In the fatally irradiated animals the drop in red cell mass and total circulating radioiron is precipitous; in those nonfatally irradiated the drop is gradual and relatively slight, even though the animals may have received the same dose. 3. Increase of specific organ activity of the liver and spleen of irradiated animals can be correlated with hemosiderin deposits and congestion. Deposition of hemosiderin is a consequence of irradiation, its degree increasing with the effectiveness of the irradiation. 4. The erythrocyte mass of rabbits obtained by two direct isotopic technics (P 32 and Fe 59 ) and one indirect technic (T-1824 dye) differ by constant ratios. The Fe 59 /P 32 ratio is 0.89; the Fe 59 values are regarded as correct. With the aid of conversion factors either technic can be used. If an indirect technic is employed and the erythrocyte mass is estimated on the basis of plasma volume measurements, it is necessary to calculate first the average body hematocrit. This is done by multiplying the large vessel hematocrit by a conversion factor, which is 0.83 in normal rabbits.
The Football Boost? Testing Three Models on Impacts on Sports Spectators’ Self-Esteem:

To explain the wide attraction to sports, self-esteem impacts of a live American college football game were investigated; testing hypotheses were derived from mood-as-information, social identity, ...
EA-PLRU: Enclave-Aware Cache Replacement

In SGX-based systems, cache lines belonging to enclaves must be encrypted when they are evicted from the last-level cache, and decrypted on a cache miss before they are brought into the cache from memory. Because encryption and decryption introduce overheads in terms of performance, memory pressure and power consumption, it is important to reduce the frequency of LLC misses and replacements of enclave lines. We consider a system where enclave and non-enclave applications co-exist in the system and share the last-level cache. To decrease the frequency of encrypt/decrypt operations, we introduce a new cache replacement policy that slightly favors enclave lines over non-enclave lines. Specifically, we modify the last level of pseudo-LRU replacement logic, so that it favors an enclave line over a non-enclave line regardless of how recently each line has been accessed. We also add a probabilistic component to this new policy to balance performance and make replacement policy non-deterministic and therefore resilient to side-channel attacks that exploit predictable patterns of cache line replacement.
Spectral vegetation indices of wetland greenness: Responses to vegetation structure, composition, and spatial distribution

Abstract Land conversion and fragmentation threaten the resilience and biodiversity of wetland ecosystems which makes the future of their services to humans uncertain. Remote sensing can provide frequent and consistent data to facilitate wetland monitoring from regional to national scales and support their conservation and adaptive management. However, unique characteristics of wetlands, particularly land cover heterogeneity and background reflectance from soil, water and dead biomass, limit the efficacy of remote-sensing based metrics developed for terrestrial ecosystems. To identify the factors impacting satellite-based measurements of wetland greenness, we tested how six spectral vegetation indices responded to the land surface characteristics and regional climatic and edaphic context of 1,138 wetlands sites surveyed by the U.S EPA's National Wetland Condition Assessment. Spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) were estimated using all cloud-free surface reflectance data captured in 2011 by Landsat 5 TM and 7 ETM+. We tested two annually aggregated metrics —maximum and median greenness— for each SVI to facilitate the analysis of such a large dataset of satellite images. Using univariate and multivariate ordinary least square regression, we assessed how the annual maximum and median of each SVI responded to indicators of vegetation structure and composition, presence of dead biomass, open water, bare soil, and climatic/edaphic variables. Results show that, in the full national-scale dataset, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI) were most responsive to field-based metrics of vegetation structure and composition. However, the responses of SVIs differed significantly among wetland types, suggesting that their use should be tailored to the specific characteristics of the monitored wetlands. Annually aggregated metrics showed different sensitivity in multivariate models, with median greenness being more sensitive to structure and composition, but also to confounding site variables including litter, open water, and bare soil. This study represents a first-time effort to study relationships between the on-site properties of wetlands and their spectral characteristics at a national scale.
The Legal Molecule

Situated at the intersection of the cultural study of pharmaceuticals and the cultural study of law and using Trantor’s (2011) critique of ‘the law and technology enterprise’ as a point of departur...
Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging methods for determining pressure injury risk

Abstract Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are well-established medical imaging technologies. Researchers have had much success using these technologies to improve our understanding of pressure injury etiology, but their use in clinical practice for pressure injury risk assessment and monitoring has not been established. The process for interpreting the images is a critical step toward clinical implementation, and much of the recent work described in this chapter is aimed at developing these processes. This chapter is a review of the progress made toward using ultrasound and MRI technologies to achieve a better understanding of pressure injury risk factors and toward the clinical use of these technologies to assess wounds at an early stage in their development. Other work reviewed describes the advancement toward clinical implementation of these technologies to track wound progression.
Examining Heterogeneity of Outcomes in a Weight Gain Prevention Program for Young Adults.

Objective This study aimed to characterize young adults who experienced significant weight gains (> 10%) over 3 years in a weight gain prevention program. Methods Secondary data analysis from the Study of Novel Approaches to Weight Gain Prevention (SNAP), a randomized trial comparing two self-regulation interventions and a control arm in young adults (18-35 years; BMI 21-30.9 kg/m2 ), was used. Large Gainers (≥ 10% of their body weight; n = 48), Small Gainers (2.6%-9.9%; n = 149), and Weight Stable participants (± 2.5%; n = 143) were compared on dimensions affecting weight gain. Results Differences in weight gain among the three groups were significant by year 1 and subsequently increased. Those who became Large Gainers were heavier at baseline and further below their highest weight, and they reported more weight cycling than Weight Stable, with Small Gainers intermediate. Neither study arm nor pregnancy explained weight change differences among the three groups. Large Gainers reported more depressive symptoms than Weight Stable at years 1 and 2. Large Gainers were less likely to weigh themselves at least weekly at 4 months, before differences in weight gain emerged, and at years 1 and 2. Conclusions Large Gainers (representing almost 10% of participants) could be identified early by greater weight issues at baseline and lower use of weight gain prevention strategies.
On estimators for aggregate relational algebra queries

CASE-DB is a relational database management system that allows users to specify time constraints in queries. For an aggregate query AGG(E) where AGG is one of COUNT, SUM and AVERAGE, and E is a relational algebra expression, CASE-DB uses statistical estimators to approximate the query. This paper extends our earlier work on statistical estimators of CASE-DB with the following features: (a) new statistical estimators for COUNT queries with projection, (b) extending the methodology for SUM and AVERAGE aggregate queries, (c) new sampling plans based on systematic sampling and stratified sampling. We also present performance evaluation experiments of the estimators with the above extensions using correlated and uncorrelated database instances.
Using a Deep Neural Network and Transfer Learning to Bridge Scales for Seismic Phase Picking

The important task of tracking seismic activity requires both sensitive detection and accurate earthquake location. Approximate earthquake locations can be estimated promptly and automatically; how...
Reputation-based Collaborative Distributed Energy Management System Framework for Cyber-physical Microgrids: Resilience against Profit-driven Attacks

This article investigates the resilience of the consensus-based distributed microgrid energy management system (MG-EMS) against profit-driven attacks. A holistic framework, called reputation-based collaborative distributed EMS (R-CoDEMS), is proposed to model the system dynamics, profit-driven adversaries, and the cybersecurity of the distributed MG-EMS under profit-driven attacks. Simulation results on a real microgrid system indicate that the R-CoDEMS can effectively detect, mitigate, and recover from the attacks in a fully distributed fashion. The main technical contributions of this research work are: (1) systematically formulating and quantifying the system adversary, assets, threats, vulnerabilities, and risks of the consensus-based distributed MG-EMS; (2) proposing a reputation-based attack detection and mitigation strategy to overcome single and coordinated profit-driven attacks.
Ethics of archival research on political violence

While archival research most often does not include direct interaction with living subjects, ethical issues surrounding this method are no less acute. These issues are even more profound in studies...
An inclusive review on the synthesis of molybdenum carbide and its hybrids as catalyst for electrochemical water splitting

Abstract The world is using lot of fossil fuels due to increase in energy demand. This results in high production of CO2 which is the main reason for global warming and harmful for the environment. These issues have driven the scientists to develop environment friendly alternative energies to replace these harmful fuels. Hydrogen has become one of the most promising fuels which are environment friendly and sustainable. To produce this green and clean source of energy, electrochemical water splitting has become one of the most suitable routes. For the efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) an active catalyst is required to achieve high conversion efficiency. Many catalysts have been reported in the literature for hydrogen production through different methods. But Molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) has attracted a lot of attention and attraction to produce hydrogen through HER due to its high surface activity and electrochemical properties. In this review, the recent research progress has been reported on the Mo2C for HER mechanism. Different methods for the synthesis of Mo2C and its hybrid has been discussed extensively, along with different strategies to modify the physicochemical properties of Mo2C and its hybrid. Furthermore, the application of Mo2C related to its activity, durability, activation, and deactivation mechanism of the catalyst are critically reviewed. It is concluded that by the addition of another component in Mo2C can enhance the activity of the catalyst and gives more conversion rate. Hence, it realizes that Mo2C certainly can be used as an alternative catalyst for hydrogen production via water splitting.
A CRISPR-Cas9 Repressor for Epigenetic Silencing of KRAS

KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in cancers. Currently no direct and effective anti-KRAS therapies are available. Using the powerful CRISPR-Cas9 technology to target the mutant KRAS promoter, we designed an epigenetic repressor to silence KRAS through epigenome editing. Catalytically dead Cas9 (dCas9) functioned as a DNA binding device, which was fused with a transcriptional repressor histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1). We designed a panel of three CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) covering 1500-bp range of the KRAS promoter and identified that crRNA1 and crRNA2 efficiently silenced KRAS. The suppression of K-Ras resulted in a significant inhibition of cell growth, suppression of colony formation in soft agar and induction of cell death in cancer cells with KRAS mutations. In addition, the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay demonstrated dCas9-HDAC1 modified histone acetylation on the KRAS promoter. Furthermore, transfection of dCas9-HDAC1 protein and gRNA ribonucleoprotein complex also inhibited K-Ras and suppressed cell proliferation. In summary, we have developed a new strategy that combines CRISPR-Cas9 technology with HDAC1 epigenetic silencing to target cancers driven by KRAS mutations.
Rosalie Kane: How I Became a Gerontologist

I remember the first time Rosalie and I ever spoke: at least I remember her speaking (a mile-a-minute) and my saying “yes” and “I’ll do it”.It was in the late 70’s when I received that call from Ro...
Characterizing Light-Adapted Pupil Size in the NIR Spectrum

Advances in iris recognition discuss the impact of pupil size variations on iris matching accuracy, thus promoting the need to model these covariates that are present in the near infrared (NIR) spectrum to measure their level of authenticity. This work incorporates these principles to propose a novel methodology that automatically distinguishes subject-specific variations of light-adapted pupil size behavior in iris video sequences consisting of two main steps. In the first step, the sinuous nature of the light-adapted pupil size is characterized, which depends on the dilation extrema, the dilative rate of change, and midpoint behavior. In the second and final step, these aspects are fed into a classification framework that distinguishes subject-specific light-adapted pupil size responses. Experimental results, when using the West Virginia University Pupillary Light Reflex Ramp (WVU-PLR Ramp) dataset, convey the efficacy of this approach with classification accuracies ranging from 92% - 100% when support vector machines (SVMs) are used and 100% when neural networks (NNs) are applied. The results of this work can be used to effectively describe light-adapted variations in pupil size. Additionally, these results indicate that the changes in light-adapted pupil size can potentially be a soft iris biometric trait.
ODR and Innovation in the United States

Technology is revolutionizing the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) field, especially in the wake of Covid-19. Despite the long-held assumptions that increasing understanding, building empathy, and crafting resolution are only possible in-person, effective ways have emerged for assisting the resolution of the exploding number of disputes that have burgeoned online. Technology has become the “fourth party” through the growing field of online dispute resolution (ODR), which includes use of technology and computer-mediated-communication (CMC) in negotiation, mediation, arbitration and other dispute resolution processes. ODR is infiltrating every area of dispute resolution, from courts (small claims, tax, landlord/tenant, family and more) to the block chain. Furthermore, innovation in the field continues to grow, as institutionalization expands in the U.S. legal tech market. Nonetheless, it is questionable whether this expansion has sufficiently considered sound and ethical dispute system design. This chapter in a new Treatise on ODR explores ODR’s recent development in the U.S., analyzes the providers that self-identified as providing “ODR” to the National Center for Technology and Dispute Resolution (NCTDR) in the U.S., and proposes closer attention to dispute system design. Moreover, the chapter invites further innovation and research in the ODR to advance access to justice.
The Deubiquitinase Activity of A20 Is Dispensable for Its Role in NF-κB Signaling

Ubiquitination of multiple signaling adaptor molecules by K63-linked ubiquitin chains have been proposed to be a key regulatory mechanism in NF-κB activation. Deubiquitinase enzymes such as A20 have been suggested to limit the persistence of NF-κB activation by removing regulatory ubiquitin chains from ubiquitinated substrates. A20 has garnered significant interest as mice lacking A20 die prematurely from multiorgan inflammation and cachexia, as a result of increased NF-κB signaling. Thus, it is evident that A20 is nonredundant in its ability to limit the persistence of NF-κB signaling. To understand the physiological relevance of A20-mediated deubiquitination, we generated knock-in mice that lack the deubiquitinating function of A20 (A20-OTU mice). We hypothesized that these mice would have an inflammatory phenotype because of increased, persistent NF-κB signaling. However our results show that A20 OUT mice display normal NF-κB activation and no inflammatory phenotype, thereby demonstrating that the deubiquitinase activity of A20 is dispensable for normal NF-κB signaling.
Understanding the Himalayan Townscape of Shimla Through Resident and Tourist Perception

This study focuses on the Himalayan townscape of Shimla, a popular tourist destination. It analyses the development of Shimla in terms of its history and Butler’s life cycle resort model. It compares and contrasts current development practices through site interviews with residents and tourists. It examines and discusses the city’s recent growth in terms of three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social and economic concerns. The paper provides planning recommendations for creating sustainable development for tourism. It concludes that for Shimla to continue as a viable tourist destination, it must have a comprehensive strategic plan encompassing social, political, and economic forces to protect its natural and cultural landscape. Planners must realize that tourism and the quality of the physical environment are intertwined. A failure to protect and enhance this environment will erode not only the visual character of Shimla’s townscape but will also result in environmental degradation.
Control of microtubule-dependent activation of nucleic acid sensors for antiviral host defenses (INM6P.419)

Viral targeting of dynein-based transport mechanisms plays an important role for intracellular movements and replication of viral pathogens. We show that the activation of the microtubule and dynein motor complex-associated guanine nucleotide exchange factor GEF-H1, encoded by Arhgef2, is essential for sensing of foreign RNA by RIG-I-like receptors. GEF-H1-deficient macrophages have a profound defect in the induction of IFN-β following detection of synthetic dsRNAs including HMW and LMW poly(I:C) and 5′ppp-dsRNA. The recognition of viral RNA and synthetic dsRNA in the MAVS pathway required the nucleotide exchange activity of GEF-H1. Furthermore, microtubule networks were required for the activation and interaction of GEF-H1 with TBK1 for IRF3 phosphorylation and subsequent induction of Ifnb1 gene expression. Generation of GEF-H1 deficient mice revealed a pronounced signaling defect that prevented antiviral host responses to encephalomyocarditis virus and influenza A virus. In conclusion, our findings identify GEF-H1 as an antiviral signaling component that directs utilization of TBK1 in the MAVS-dependent nucleic acid detection pathways for the sensing of ssRNA virus infection and induction of IFN-β expression and secretion.
Utilization of Zn alloy for the manufacture of automotive power device modules

The wide-band-gap power devices such as SiC and GaN semiconductors have excellent physic properties, such as high breakdown voltage, high power density, high switching frequency and very low power loss under high temperature, and are believed to be the key components of power switching for electric vehicle and renewable energy applications. For this purpose, ITRI is developing various high-temperature-resistance assembly technologies such as Ag sintering and solid-liquid interdiffusion bonding (SLID) for the package of wide-band-gap power devices. Zn-based allloys have high thermal resistance and good mechanical strength under high temperatures, and are attractive to adopt as soldering materials for power electronics package. However, Zn-based alloys have not been widely used for mass production because of the high melting temperatures and they oxidize easily even under room temperature. A strong flux shall use to remove the oxides on the surface in soldering process but the high process temperatures may damage the other parts during the manufacture. A new assembly technology by using Zn alloy to bond direct bonding copper (DBC) on a Ni-plated Cu heatsink was proposed in this investigation, the peak temperature of process was reduced to 280°C and the dimension of voids within the solder joint was less than 3%. A very stable intermetallic compound, AuZn 8 replaced the others to form at the interface between Zn alloy and Ni layer, its thickness varied slightly even aged at 150°C for 1000 h and the reliability performance was supposed being acceptable for the package of power electronics.
MICROELECTRODE STUDY OF SPREADING DEPRESSION (SD) IN FROG RETINA

Using microelectrodes, the field potential change associated with SD (SDP) was recorded from frog retinas conditioned with Cl--free Ringer's. In such retinas, SDP was induced by light or chemical agents such as glutamate, aspartate and K+. These chemicals, when applied iontophoretically, produced a local graded response which eventually triggered SDP.A potential similar to the local response to chemicals was ften discerned on the rising phase of SDPs produced by light or occurring spontaneously. The SDP was maximal across an innermost retinal layer 50um;m or less in thickness with the intraretinal polarity predominantly negative, indicating that the major sink of SDP is in the inner plexiformlayer. The influence of SDP on the receptor potential was relatively small, but the other components completely disappeared at the beginning of SDP, recovering gradually thereafter. Concomitantly, a strongdepolarization occurred in the ganglion cells. Stimulation of the optic nerve could induce SDP, but nerve impulse activity is not important for SDP because tetrodotoxin was unable to prevent SDP due to light or chemical agents.
Ethnographic Solutions to the Problems of Russian Adoptees

A decade after perestroika, Russia's citizens are suffering a serious decline in quality of life. Unemployment, the costs of child rearing and mortality have increased significantly in the last decade as fertility rates have declined (Heleniak, 1995: 446, Perevedentsev, 1993: 13), and the number of Russian suffering from disease, malnutrition, drug abuse and crime has also risen considerably since the 1980s (Likhanov, 1996, Garrett, 1997). As a result, many Russian children have been abandoned to state-run childcare systems. In 1991, it was reported that over 59,000 children were admitted to such systems (Serkova, 1992). That same year, the Russian government, unable to care for the growing numbers of children unaccounted for, opened its doors for the first time in history to outsiders willing to offer a home to Russia's children.
Cholestasis Post-Liver Transplantation

Cholestasis occurs frequently after liver transplantation and has a very broad differential diagnosis. Cholestasis can occur anytime throughout the post-transplant period and may be intrahepatic or extrahepatic in origin. This chapter reviews the common causes of cholestasis in the post-transplant setting.
Recent performance results of the National Ignition Facility Beamlet demonstration project

The laser driver for the National Ignition Facility will be a departure from previous inertial confinement fusion laser architecture of a master oscillator single pass power amplifier (MOPA) design. The laser will use multi-segment Nd:Glass amplifiers in a multipass cavity arrangement, which can be assembled into compact and cost effective arrays to deliver the required multi- megajoule energy to target. A single beam physics prototype, the Beamlet, has been in operation for over two years and has demonstrated the feasibility of this architecture. We present a short review of Beamlet`s performance and limitations based on beam quality both at its fundamental and frequency converted wavelengths of 1.053 and 0.351 {mu}m.
Closing the loop: assessment and accreditation

Program assessment has become an important part of the accreditation process for virtually every educational institution. As in all process improvement activities organizations need to establish goals and objectives prior to determining outcome measures used to monitor the organization's progress toward meeting these goals. This paper describes the evolving assessment plan used by the Computer and Information Science department to assess student performance in its three undergraduate degree programs in computer science, information systems, and software engineering.
Prelude to Brazil: Leo Waibel's American Career as a Displaced Scholar

Beyond Germany, Leo Waibel (1888–1951) built a distinguished reputation for his work in Africa and the Americas. Today he is remembered especially in Brazil, where he boosted the development of geo...
Personality, psychopathology, and nicotine response as mediators of the genetics of smoking

Individual differences in psychopathology, personality, and nicotine responsitivity and their biological bases are evaluated as mechanisms potentially mediating smoking heritability. Smokers are more likely to be high in neurotic traits (e.g., depression, anxiety, anger) and in social alienation (psychoticism, impulsivity, unsocialized sensation-seeking, low conscientiousness, low agreeableness) and low in achievement/socioeconomic status. Psychological and biological mechanisms putatively mediating these associations are reviewed. It is concluded that a number of relatively indirect and complex processes, as well as more direct (e.g., self-medication for psychopathology, nicotine sensitivity), mediate the inheritance of smoking behavior.
Attributional mediators of social inhibition and avoidance

People differ in the degree to which they become inhibited and avoidant when they feel socially anxious This study explored the hypothesis that characterological attributions for one's feelings of nervousness in social settings are related to social inhibition and avoidance In a preliminary study, the dimensions people use to explain their feelings of nervousness and relaxation were determined One hundred and twenty-five subjects then completed measures of social anxiousness, inhibition, and avoidance, and made attributions for feeling nervous and relaxed in 10 interpersonal scenarios As predicted, attributions of nervousness to characterological factors, such as ability and personality traits, correlated positively with social inhibition and avoidance Unexpectedly, behavioral attributions for nervousness also predicted inhibition and avoidance
Effect of hypophysectomy and growth hormone on immune development in the domestic fowl.

Abstract The effect of hypophysectomy and recombinant growth hormone (rcGH) treatment on the growth and development of the immune system was investigated in young chickens. Flow cytometric analysis of cell surface markers revealed no changes in the proportion of thymocytes expressing CT-1a, CD4, and/or CD8 among any of the treatment groups. In contrast, the proportion of both single positive CD4 and CD8 peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was altered in hypox birds treated with rcGH compared to the vehicletreated group. Specifically, rcGH treatment produced a decrease in the proportion of CD8 + cells and an increase in the percentage of CD4 + PBL. There was little change in the labeling intensity of PBL or thymocytes associated with any treatment; however, double positive (CD4 + CD8 + ) thymocytes from hypophysectomized chicks that were not given rcGH had increased fluorescence relative to rcGH supplemented hypox chicks. As expected, hypophysectomy reduced body, skeletal, and thymic growth. Treatment of hypox chicks with rcGH enhanced body weight while thymic weights were somewhat increased. Skeletal growth was not significantly altered by rcGH. Bursal growth appeared refractory to either treatment. These studies support the conclusion that growth hormone influences thymic growth and the maturation of thymus-derived lymphocytes. These results also demonstrate a biological activity for chicken growth hormone derived through recombinant technology.
Abstract A70: Crafting a collaborative agenda to create health equality: Outcomes from a cancer survivorship research roundtable

The George Washington University Cancer Institute9s (GWCI) Center for the Advancement of Cancer Survivorship, Navigation and Policy (caSNP) hosted a research roundtable in which oncology and policy leaders gathered to identify significant barriers to equitable survivorship care and create recommendations to reduce health disparities among cancer survivors, particularly for underserved populations. Procedure: Twenty-four leaders in the fields of oncology and health policy were invited to attend the 2009 Cancer Survivorship Research and Health Disparities Symposium. The following day, the experts convened to discuss three core topics: 1) Primary barriers to optimal survivorship for underserved groups; 2) Research strategies that have been most effective in reaching and helping underserved communities in promoting wellness and addressing other chronic diseases that require long-term follow-up; 3) Research, resources, and measures needed to establish efficient, effective, sustainable models to provide survivorship care to underserved populations. These topics were predetermined based on feedback from the symposium that occurred the previous day. Summary of Data: Three areas of research focus needed to reduce health inequalities in cancer survivorship emerged from the roundtable discussion: improved physician-patient communication, transition from active care, and late effects of cancer treatment. Experts were divided into three groups and each group was assigned the task of addressing one of the primary areas of focus. Groups presented their findings in the form of a request for proposals (RFP). Mock-RFPs included culturally-tailored communication interventions to improve patient understanding of his/her diagnosis and treatment options; comparative effectiveness studies to study the impact of longitudinal patient navigation on patient-reported health outcomes; and the need for evidence-based guidelines for screening and management of long-term effects of cancer. Conclusions: In order to help researchers conduct studies that work to reduce health and quality of life inequities among survivor populations, the panel recommends the following guidelines: Community-based research designs should incorporate insights from the population(s) under study; The development and use of culturally-specific communication methods and evaluation tools; Research to improve physician-patient communication and patient-centered care; Research and training to improve cultural competence among health care professionals; Research on the outcomes and comparative effectiveness of navigation models, survivorship care planning and survivorship program models; Research to develop evidence-based management of cancer survivors and guidelines for survivorship care planning. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A70.
Modification by pyrethroids and DDT of phosphorylation activities of rat brain sodium channel.

The effects of pyrethroids and DDT on the alpha-subunit protein of the rat brain sodium channel were studied by using both native and exogenously added cAMP-dependent protein kinases. For this purpose, the sodium channel was partially purified, using the method of Hartshorne and Catterall [J Biol Chem 259: 1667-1675, 1984], and 32P-phosphorylated using [gamma-32P]ATP and exogenously added catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. By comparing the phosphorylation patterns of the isolated sodium channel to those of the partially purified or unpurified (i.e. intact synaptosomes) preparations, it was concluded that the alpha-subunit of the voltage-sensitive sodium channel protein is the only phosphorylatable protein present at the 260 kD molecular weight range on the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretogram. Phosphorylation of the alpha-subunit was induced by depolarization, and this process was inhibited by 10(-6) to 10(-10) M 1R-deltamethrin, but not by 1S-deltamethrin, the latter being an inactive enantiomer of the former. DDT produced a similar effect, but only at a higher concentration range. By using lysed synaptosomal membranes, it was possible to study the direct effects of these compounds on the alpha-subunit, which were similar to those produced by depolarization of intact synaptosomes.
Predictors of Outcome in Patients Presenting with Acute Ischemic Stroke and Mild Stroke Scale Scores.

Background Although National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a known predictor of outcome in acute ischemic stroke, there are other factors like age, ambulatory status, and ability to swallow that may be predictors of outcome but are not assessed by the traditional NIHSS. The aim of this retrospective review was to identify predictors of outcome in mild ischemic stroke. Methods Discharge outcomes from patients who presented to our large academic stroke center with acute ischemic stroke from 2005 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Of 7189 patients reviewed, 2597 had initial NIHSS less than 5. Outcome measures were modified Rankin Scale (MRS) score 0-1 and discharge to home. Results In all, 65% of patients with NIHSS 0-4 were discharged directly home independent of treatment. Of those patients discharged to home, 74% were able to ambulate independently and 98% passed their dysphagia screen. Of patients not discharged directly home, 66% were unable to ambulate independently and 21% did not pass their dysphagia screen. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant effect of dysphagia screen (P = .001), ability to ambulate independently (P = .002), age (P = .016), and NIHSS (P = .005) on discharge to home but not MRS of 0-1 (P = .564). Conclusions In patients with mild stroke scale scores defined as NIHSS 0-4, several factors including age, NIHSS, ambulatory status, and ability to swallow may be independent predictors of functional outcome and discharge home. These data support the development of a modified grading system for assessing functional outcome in mild stroke that considers these factors.
Convective Contribution to the Genesis of Hurricane Ophelia (2005)

Abstract The convection occurring in the tropical depression that became Hurricane Ophelia (2005) was investigated just prior to tropical storm formation. Doppler radar showed a deep, wide, intense convective cell of a type that has been previously thought to occur in intensifying tropical depressions but has not heretofore been documented in detail. The updraft of the cell was 10 km wide, 17 km deep, had updrafts of 10–20 m s−1 throughout its mid- to upper levels, and contained a cyclonic vorticity maximum. The massive convective updraft was maintained by strong positive buoyancy, which was maximum at about the 10-km level, probably aided by latent heat of freezing. Evaporative cooling and precipitation drag occurred in the rain shower of the cell but were insufficient to produce a strong downdraft or gust front outflow to force the updraft. The convective updraft was fed by a layer of strong inflow that was several kilometers deep. Wind-induced turbulence, just above the ocean surface, enriched the equi...
Representative Sampling of Maritally Violent and Nonviolent Couples A Feasibility Study

Despite the methodological advantages of representative sampling, few researchers in the field of marital violence have employed random samples for laboratory assessments of couples. The current study tests the feasibility and sampling success of three recruitment methods: (a) random digit dialing, (b) directory-assisted recruitment, and (c) a hybrid method. The number of successful telephone contacts with couples does not differ across the three methods; most successful calls contact nonviolent couples. The sample recruited through all three methods does not appear to match the demographics of the calling area, and all methods require a high monetary and human resource investment.
Instantaneous Frequency Estimation Using Adaptive Linear Predictor Weights

A computationally efficient scheme for estimating the digital instantaneous frequencies of narrowband inputs is introduced. The frequency estimates are obtained by searching for minima of the inverse input power spectrum. This spectrum is estimated at each input sample from the weights of an adaptive linear predictor which uses the LMS (least mean square) algorithm to update its weights. The related minima are sought via an iterative search algorithm, referred to as the iterative frequency estimator. This algorithm is computationally more efficient than available methods, and also provides a higher resolution. Simulation results are included; these include tracking of random message sequences in FM signals, and the formant frequency estimation of speech.