cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of cytochrome P-450 in the dual pathways of N-demethylation of N,N-dimethylaniline by hepatic microsomes.

1. The role of cytochrome P-450 in the demethylation of N, N'-dimethyl aniline (DMA) has been investigated by studying carbon monoxide (CO) inhibition and its reversal by light.2. Two distinct pathways of N-demethylation are present in hepatic microsomes from phenobarbital-(PB) and 3-methyIcholanthrene-(3-MC) induced rats.3. Pathway A, the demethylation of DMA, is catalysed by a microsomal cytochrome P-450 system similar to the one we have reported for the dealkylation of benzphetamine and 3-ethylmorphine, in that there is a maximal, although weak, light reversal of CO inhibition by wavelengths of light around 445 nm.4. The second pathway consists of two enzyme steps (pathways B + C).5. Pathway B is the step in which the N-oxide of DMA, N, N'-dimethylaniline N-oxide (DMAO) is formed and this step is catalysed by the flavin amine mixed-function oxidase described by Ziegler and his co-workers.6. Pathway C, the demethylation of DMAO, requires a cytochrome P-450 with rather unusual properties.7. This reaction...
Applying the Common Rule to Public Health Agencies: Questions and Tentative Answers About a Separate Regulatory Regime

No one questions the importance of protecting human subjects of research, but over the past few years dissatisfaction has surfaced with the manner in which the protection is conferred by the federal regulatory system referred to as "The Common Rule." This paper considers the case for exempting public health agencies from the Common Rule. It finds the case reasonable, and suggests that crafting such an alternative system for public health agencies could suggest ways to improve the Common Rule in other areas of research.
Effect of pH and solubility on in vitro skin penetration of methotrexate from a 50% v/v propylene glycol-water vehicle

Abstract In vitro percutaneous absorption of methotrexate from a saturated solution in a 50% v/v propylene glycol-water vehicle was examined across suitably characterized human cadaver skin. A detailed study of solubility and pH parameters in the range of 2–6 pH units was conducted. A clear trend towards increasing steady-state penetration rate with increasing pH was evident. Relatively high lag times were observed even at optimal pH values emphasizing the importance of prolonged application of drug to achieve therapeutic concentrations. From a vehicle at pH 2, the steady-state rate of penetration was very low and the data suggested drug binding with stratum corneum. Although the drug solubility in the vehicle was considerably lower at pH 4 than at pH 2–3, the steady-state rate and extent of penetration were higher. Both drug solubility and steady-state penetration rate were significantly higher at pH 5.29 than at pH 4. Increasing the vehicle pH to 6.34 increased the drug solubility as well as steady-state rate of penetration but the percent amount penetrated declined. The lag times were also large at this pH. Relatively high drug solubility and gradually increasing contribution of shunt pathways probably account for this result. In view of the observed pH-solubility profile, for a 50% v/v propylene glycol-water vehicle, a pH between 4 and 5 would appear to provide the most favorable environment for passive diffusion since the concentration of unionized methotrexate would be optimal.
Trump(et)ing Identities: Racial Capital and Lesbian and Gay Organizing

Drawing on one of the features of the intersectional imagination, this article focuses on how lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) leaders of color talk about race as a barrier and conduit in their work as activists and social movement organizers. Using qualitative data from four focus groups, this article highlights three findings: (a) although research participants view their lives as intersectional, certain traits or characteristics often take precedence over others; (b) viewing intersectionality through the lens of race often showcases how stereotyping is perceived and experienced; and (c) all participants agreed that their own racial–ethnic identity helped them in their activist work, but not everyone agreed that it hindered their work. Together, these findings help define what the author identifies as racial capital, further underscore the justification for including LGBT people of color in the study of intersectionality, and add a new dimension to the framework: positive identity management.
Antagonistic Control of Social versus Repetitive Self-Grooming Behaviors by Separable Amygdala Neuronal Subsets

Animals display a range of innate social behaviors that play essential roles in survival and reproduction. While the medial amygdala (MeA) has been implicated in prototypic social behaviors such as aggression, the circuit-level mechanisms controlling such behaviors are not well understood. Using cell-type-specific functional manipulations, we find that distinct neuronal populations in the MeA control different social and asocial behaviors. A GABAergic subpopulation promotes aggression and two other social behaviors, while neighboring glutamatergic neurons promote repetitive self-grooming, an asocial behavior. Moreover, this glutamatergic subpopulation inhibits social interactions independently of its effect to promote self-grooming, while the GABAergic subpopulation inhibits self-grooming, even in a nonsocial context. These data suggest that social versus repetitive asocial behaviors are controlled in an antagonistic manner by inhibitory versus excitatory amygdala subpopulations, respectively. These findings provide a framework for understanding circuit-level mechanisms underlying opponency between innate behaviors, with implications for their perturbation in psychiatric disorders.
Second‐order accurate constraint formulation for subdivision finite element simulation of thin shells

We present a new method for enforcing boundary conditions within subdivision finite element simulations of thin shells. The proposed framework is demonstrated to be second-order accurate with respect to increasing refinement in the displacement and energy norm for simply supported, clamped, free and symmetric boundary conditions. Second-order accuracy on the boundary is consistent with the accuracy of subdivision-based approaches for the interior of a body. Our proposed framework is applicable to both triangular and quadrilateral refinement schemes, and does not impose any topological requirements upon the underlying subdivision control mesh. Several examples from an obstacle course of benchmark problems are used to demonstrate the convergence of the scheme.
Bound auxin formation in growing stems.

The term “bound auxin” is herein used to describe auxin conjugates insoluble in organic solvents which dissolve indoleacetic acid (IAA) and its derivatives, but hydrolyzable by NaOH to release IAA. Bound auxin from pea stems was fractionated into water-soluble, water-insoluble/NaOH-hydrolyzable, and insoluble components. Formation of bound auxin commenced with 15 minutes of applying exogenous labeled IAA, and progressively increased in amount, relative to IAA uptake, over 6 hours. Formation was not restricted to any particular zone of the stem and occurred in both light- and dark-grown stems. A greater quantity of bound auxin was formed in light-grown stems, reaching 4.2 and 7.7%, of the IAA taken up, in the water-soluble and water-insoluble/NaOH-hydrolyzable fractions after 6 hours. The presence of sucrose, during either the IAA treatment or an aging pretreatment had no effect, though 6 hours aging did cause a subsequent increase in the water-insoluble fraction of the bound auxin. Bound auxin formation in light-grown stems was dependent on respiratory metabolism, being reduced by KCN. It was also reduced, compared to total uptake, by inhibitors of RNA, and protein synthesis (6-methylpurine and cycloheximide) but only when the inhibitors preceded auxin addition and were present for a 4-hour period. Addition of inhibitors following auxin had no effect, suggesting an early inductive effect of auxin on bound auxin formation. Inhibitors of cell elongation had no effect. Deoxyglucose, an inhibitor of glucan synthesis, had only a small effect on the water-soluble fraction. Bound auxin is an important auxin product in growing plants. Its function is unknown, but some possibilities are discussed.
Phonon-Assisted Jump Rate in Noncrystalline Solids

An exact calculation of the acoustic-phonon-assisted jump rate has been carried out. It is found that while the Miller-Abrahams (single-phonon) approximation is adequate for the study of shallow-impurity conduction at helium temperatures, it is typically inappropriate for the study of hopping between deep states in noncrystalline solids. In particular, the multiphonon jump rate will display a nonactivated temperature dependence below the Debye temperature which is similar to the often-seen $\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}{(\frac{{T}_{0}}{T})}^{\frac{1}{4}}]$ behavior.
Mass-Selected Ion Mobility Studies of the Isomerization of the Benzene Radical Cation and Binding Energy of the Benzene Dimer Cation. Separation of Isomeric Ions by Dimer Formation

A mass-selected, ion mobility drift-cell technique has been used to study the isomerization of the benzene radical cation generated by electron impact (EI) ionization. Evidence is presented for the generation of both the benzene and fulvene cations, with a lower limit for the barrier of isomerization Ea(benzene+• → fulvene+•) estimated as Ea > 1.6 eV. The reduced mobilities of the benzene and fulvene cations are nearly similar, making it difficult to separate the two ions in pure helium. However, because of the large difference in the bonding of the benzene and fulvene cations with neutral benzene, the two isomeric ions are readily separated in the presence of neutral benzene in the drift cell. This suggests that isomer ions with similar mobilities can be separated on the basis of the degree of their associations with their neutral precursor in the drift cell. This separation concept allows us to discover the “hidden isomerization” process responsible for the generation of the fulvene cations via EI ioniz...
Testing Estimator's Credibility - Part II: Other Tests*

For pt.I see ibid., p.Z001330-7 (2006). Many estimators and filters provide assessments of their own estimation error. Are these self-assessments trustable? What is the degree to which they are trustable? This is Part II of a two-part series that provides answers to some of these questions, referred to as the credibility of the estimators. It proposes several tests for credibility and a test-based solution to the problem of comparing estimators' credibility. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the utility and effectiveness of the proposed tests
A systems model of technological innovation

A systems framework is developed for synthesizing the major themes of previous research of technological innovation. The focus is on two specific types of input to innovation systems: decision inputs and implementation inputs. Each of these input categories is examined in detail, and interactions among their components are investigated. Broader relationships between the decision and implementation inputs are explored, first as a function of the organization's innovation goals, and then over time as the innovation process unfolds through the organization. Some key management-related stimuli and obstacles which can occur at various points in the innovation system are also examined. >
Mapping the dimensions of a dynamic field

Le schema conceptuel des principales dimensions en sciences de l'information correspond aux ensembles ressources, technologies, organisations et contexte social et leurs diverses intersections entre eux.
Government Risk‐Financing Pools: An Assessment of Current Practices

Since 1970, state and local governments have experienced two “insurance crises;” the first occurred in the mid- to late-1970s and the second in the mid-80s. The result has been a twenty-year period of time in which state and local governments have been able to afford insurance only intermittently-if insurance has been available at all. In response to this problem, local governments, government associations, and state governments created alternative risk-finartcing mechanisms to provide coverage for themselves. These mechanisms, commonly referred to as self-insurance pools, enable local governments within a state to pool together risks and resources to finance the costs of fortuitous losses. In 1988, the first comprehensive examination of pooling practices was undertaken through a nationwide survey. This article reports the findings from the first follow-up study since the 1988 survey and further extends knowledge of pooling and pooling practices.
Angular Distributions of Deuteron-Induced Reactions in Lithium

Angular distributions of ($d, t$), ($d$, ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$), ($d, p$), and ($d, {d}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) reactions have been obtained using a natural lithium target. Butler type calculations for $l=1$ transfer fit all of the above data except for the ($d, {d}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) reactions. A $Q$-value of 0.974\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.015 Mev has been assigned to the first excited level in ${\mathrm{Li}}^{8}$. The ${\mathrm{He}}^{5}$ ground state was observed with the two reactions ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}(d, \ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{He}}^{5}$ and ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}(d, {\mathrm{He}}^{3}){\mathrm{He}}^{5}$ for which the $Q$ values were 14.26\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.09 Mev and 0.91\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.09 Mev, respectively.
Synthesis and Biocidal Efficacy of Self-Spreading Polydimethylsiloxane Oligomers Possessing Oxyethylene-Functionalized Quaternary Ammoniums

In an effort to develop a more versatile creeping biocide that is capable of self-spreading and self-decontaminating of pathogenic bacteria, we report the development of two new homologous series of hybrid PDMS molecules. These oligomers were synthesized with terminal quaternary ammonium functionalities bearing variable length oxyethylene moieties. It is shown that the ionic interaction of the ammonium groups with the surface onto which it spreads can be tempered by the oxyethylene segments through close association of the polar chains with the cationic centers within the hydrophobic PDMS environment, thereby promoting self-spreading of the molecule. Once the compounds spread to a humid environment, the oxyethylene chains “blossom” and subsequently expose the biocidal centers, at which point, function as broad spectrum versatile antimicrobials. While biological evaluation showed antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria for all samples, one series was found to be much more effective due to lower steric hindrance surrounding the biocidal cationic termini. However, this increased exposure of the cationic center also altered the physical properties of the compounds except those isolated as a waxy solid. Self-spreading abilities with increasing oxyethylene chain length correlating to a decreasing spread rate. The decontaminating ability of the two most active compounds was demonstrated by allowing samples to spread to pools of water contaminated with S. aureus, yielding log reductions as high as 5.7 in less than two hours without external influences. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Recovering Physicians in Addiction Psychiatry Fellowships

In this report, the authors describe the characteristics and experiences of recovering fellows in a university addiction subspecialty fellowship. Four stages of adjustment were identified: 1) initial adjustment, 2) role conflict, 3) role integration, and 4) graduation. From a faculty viewpoint, it is particularly important to separate clinical from educational responsibilities in dealing with recovering fellows. Despite some continuing conflict about treatment models, most fellows achieved their training goals and were able to successfully adapt to post-training practice. However, some fellows were unable to integrate personal recovery and professional roles.
Separating Vesicle Fusion and Exocytosis in Hypertonic Conditions

: The existence of an osmotic gradient between the vesicular contents of chromaffin and mast cells and the extracellular fluid plays a key role in the exocytotic process. Altering this gradient by elevating the external buffer osmolarity allows for the inhibition of exocytosis from cells and isolation and identification of prespike current events upon stimulation using cyclic voltammetry. Subsequent replacement of the osmotic gradient leads to release of the contents from fused vesicles.
On the morphology of summer algae dynamics in non-stratified lakes

Abstract In the need for a model able to explain both slow and rapid changes in the behavior of algae, this paper applies a special technique to the construction of a more realistic dynamical system. The result is a transformation of a Monod type growth rate into an integrated Rabinowitch nonlinear functional form. A cusp catastrophe is subsequently unfolded from the state representation equation. Several qualitative aspects of the eutrophication phenomena then arise from the geometry of the model in a natural way. Also elucidated are the possible size of a collapsed algae biomass and the estimation of summerkill risks.
Nature and growth of anodic and thermal oxides on GaAs and AlxGa1−x As

Abstract This paper considers the nature of anodic and thermal oxides on GaAs and AlxGa1−xAs, with x=0.2, 0.5 and 0.8. Anodic oxides were produced in NH4H2PO4 solution and thermal oxides formed in O2 at 500°C. The chemical composition of the oxides (⩽30 nm thick) has been evaluated using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), complemented by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and other techniques. Anodic oxides on GaAs comprise both Ga2O3 and As oxides. For AlxGa1−xAs, Ga is enriched in the outer part of the film due to Ga-phosphate formation. The higher the Al content in the oxide, the less Ga-phosphate is present. Al is enriched at the inner interface, the amount increasing with increasing Al content in the substrate. These anodic films basically comprise a three-layer structure: Ga phosphate:Ga/As oxide:Ga/As/Al oxide. Thermal oxides on GaAs consist almost entirely of Ga2O3, with a small As enrichment at both the gas–oxide and the oxide–substrate interfaces. This is also the case for thermal films on Al0.8Ga0.2As, but now the main components of the film are Ga2O3 and Al2O3. Unlike anodic oxides, thermal oxides on both AlxGa1−xAs and GaAs are stable in the air and do not change perceptibly over a period of several months.
The presentation of Lagrange's equations in introductory robotics courses

The topic of Lagrange's dynamic equations is presented in a fashion suitable for introductory robotics courses. The development of the material does not rely on either principles of virtual work or variational calculus. The thrust of the demonstration is that, given dynamic for a rigid body, one can always manipulate the equations to show that the equations depend exclusively on the difference between the total kinetic and potential energies of the system. >
Murder-Suicide—An Extended Suicide

The author reviews the syndrome of murder-suicide, focusing particularly on the jealous-paranoia type. After touching upon statistical data and psychoanalytical, sociological, and psychiatric theories, he proposes that a better name for this syndrome would be extended suicide. The author contends that the murderer acts primarily out of a realistic sense of loss, which might be, at times, compounded by psychological and sociological factors. In his view, the aggressor/killer is unable to accept the failure of what he thought was a good and satisfactory relationship. The killer is viewed as a fragile, dependent, ambivalent, aggressive individual who hides behind a facade of self-assertion, and is unable to withstand the reality of an unexpected rejection and, possibly, a drastic life change. He commits suicide after killing his extended Self.
The NF2 interactor, hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (HRS), associates with merlin in the ‘open’ conformation and suppresses cell growth and motility

The neurofibromatosis 2 tumor suppressor protein, merlin or schwannomin, functions as a negative growth regulator; however, its mechanism of action is not known. In an effort to determine how merlin regulates cell growth, we analyzed a recently identified novel merlin interactor, hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (HRS). We demonstrate that regulated overexpression of HRS in rat schwannoma cells results in similar effects as overexpression of merlin, including growth inhibition, decreased motility and abnormalities in cell spreading. Previously, we showed that merlin forms an intramolecular association between the N- and C-termini and exists in "open" and "closed" conformations. Merlin interacts with HRS in the unfolded, or open, conformation. This HRS binding domain maps to merlin residues 453-557. Overexpression of C-terminal merlin has no effect on HRS function, arguing that merlin binding to HRS does not negatively regulate HRS growth suppressor activity. These results suggest the possibility that merlin and HRS may regulate cell growth in schwannoma cells through interacting pathways.
Bias in somatic hypermutation of human VH genes

Translationally silent mutations, which are not antigen selected, of human VH6 Ig gene rearrangements isolated from human spleen were analyzed for bias to gain insight into intrinsic features of the mutation process. Sixty-three clones representing 38 VH6DJ rearrangements had an overall mutation frequency of 4.5%, a replacement/silent (R/S) mutation ratio of 2.1 and 167 unique silent mutations. The silent mutations showed bias in: (i) targeting to CDR1 and CDR2, (ii) an increased frequency of mutations of A compared to T nucleotide bases on the coding strand, and (iii) an increased frequency of transitions versus transversions. Bias of C-->G over C-->A, of G-->C over G-->T and of A-->C over A-->T transversions was also present. Hot spots of mutation were observed, some which corresponded to potential sites of stem-loop formation. The results suggest that the somatic mutation process in man may be targeted to the complementarity determining region for some V genes, exhibits specific base substitutions favoring transitions and specific types of transversions, and may be occurring on only one DNA strand.
A cost model for evaluating information retrieval systems

This paper develops a mathematical model for use in studying how to minimize the cost of operating a mechanized retrieval system. Through the use of cost analysis, the model provides a method for comparative evaluation between information retrieval systems. The cost model divides the costs of a retrieval system into two components: system costs and user costs. In addition, it suggests that a trade off exists between the performance level of the system and the combination of user and system time that is expended in working with the system. With this approach it is possible to determine the allocation of user and system. This minimizes the total cost of operating the system. This allocation is done for a given performance level and for a given cost per unit of user and system time.
Regional Ecological Risk Assessment of a Near Shore Marine Environment: Cherry Point, WA

We conducted a regional ecological risk assessment for a near shore marine environment in northwestern Washington State using the Relative Risk Model. The objectives of this study were threefold: (1) to analyze cumulative impacts from multiple sources of chemical and non-chemical stressors in the near shore region and upland watersheds of Cherry Point (2) to determine the utility of Monte Carlo type uncertainty analysis in a rank-based regional risk assessment and (3) to investigate the effects of model habitat characterization on risk estimates. We used geographic information systems to compile and compare spatial data to determine ranks for sub-regions within the study area. By quantitatively combining ranks with exposure and effects filters, we estimated total relative risk between sub-regions and relative contributions of stressors. Finally, we used Monte Carlo analysis and an alternative ranking scheme to evaluate the effects of model and parameter uncertainty on risk predictions. The regional risk assessment results suggest the major contributors of risk are vessel traffic, upland urban and agricultural land use and shoreline recreational activities. This assessment demonstrated the applicability of regional risk assessment to marine near shore regions and the benefit of Monte Carlo analysis in describing uncertainty in a Relative Risk Model regional risk assessment.
Two-generation reproductive toxicity study of inhaled tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME) vapor in CD rats.

Under Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances draft guidelines, CD weanling F0 rats (30 of each gender per group) inhaled tertiary amyl methyl ether vapor at 0, 250, 1500 or 3000 ppm 5 days a week and 6 h a day for 10 weeks, with vaginal cytology evaluated for weeks 8-10. The F0 animals then produced F1 offspring, with exposure 7 days a week from mating through to lactation. During the F1 prebreed exposure period, vaginal patency, preputial separation (PPS) and vaginal cytology were evaluated. The F1 animals were mated, with F2 anogenital distance measured on postnatal day zero. At F2 weaning 30 of each gender per group were selected for postwean retention, with no exposures, through vaginal patency and PPS. Body weights, feed consumption and clinical signs were recorded throughout the study. Adult F0 and F1 systemic toxicity was present at 1500 and 3000 ppm. Minor adult male reproductive toxicity was present at 3000 ppm. There were no adult effects on vaginal cyclicity, estrous cycle length, mating, fertility, pregnancy, gestational length or ovarian and uterine weights. There were no treatment-related gross or histopathologic findings in parental male or female systemic or reproductive organs. The F1 and F2 offspring toxicity was present at 1500 and 3000 ppm. The no-observable-adverse-effect level for adult systemic and offspring toxicity was 250 ppm and 1500 ppm for male reproductive toxicity (females at >3000 ppm).
Sparse low-rank fusion based deep features for missing modality face recognition

Multi-modality data recently attract more and more research attention. In this paper, we concentrate on a very interesting problem — image classification with missing modality. Specifically, only images in one modality as well as a relevant auxiliary database are accessible during the training phase, which is significantly different from general image classification under the same modality. To this end, we propose a novel framework integrating multiple deep autoencoders with bagging strategy. For each autoencoder, we generate its input by randomly sampling data from other modality and the auxiliary database, and enforce its output to lie in a common feature space through Robust PCA. Finally, a novel sparse low-rank feature fusion approach is proposed in the test phase to integrate multiple features learned from different autoencoders, followed by a decision voting. Extensive experiments on two databases, i.e., BUAA-NIRVIS, Oulu-CASIA NIRVIS databases demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework when there is only one modality available for training.
The Role of the Instructors as a Determinant of Students&#146; Satisfaction in University Online Education

This study examines the role of the Instructor as a determinant of students' satisfaction in the context of university online course. A total of 397 valid unduplicated responses from the students who have completed at least one online course at a university in the Midwestern United States were used to fit the structural equation model using LISREL 8.7. All of the antecedent constructs hypothesized to affect user satisfaction except one (instructor care and responsiveness) are not significant suggesting that instructor knowledge, instructor facilitation/ stimulation, and instructor feedback did not affect the perceived satisfaction of students who take Web-based courses. Therefore, the construct measuring instructors individual attention to students and responsiveness to students concerns is the most influential factor to significantly increase the satisfaction of students taking online classes. The findings suggest that personal care for each student is the critical element that can activate students metacognition. Metacognitive feedback directs the learners attention to learning outcomes and therefore may lead to a high level of students satisfaction.
Effects of ingesting a commercial thermogenic product on hemodynamic function and energy expenditure at rest in males and females.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a commercially available thermogenic product (TP) on resting energy expenditure (REE) and hemodynamic variables in a randomized, double-blind, placebo (PL)-controlled study. Eight male (age: 23.0 ± 3.70 years, weight: 95.77 ± 16.44 kg, height: 182.4 ± 7.87 cm) and 10 female (age: 23.6 ± 4.81 years, weight: 67.25 ± 5.74 kg, height: 172.42 ± 10.31 cm) physically active individuals participated in this study. Participants reported to the laboratory on a 10-h fast and performed baseline testing on REE, heart rate, and blood pressure. Participants were then randomly assigned to ingest 3 capsules of either an experimental TP or a vitamin E PL. Criterion variables were then measured at 1-, 2-, and 3-h post ingestion. Data were analyzed by 2-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS, version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill.). Supplementation of the TP resulted in a significant main effect for time (p = 0.040) and for interaction (p < 0.01) in REE when com...
Characterization of Intermetallic Growth for Gold Bonding and Copper Bonding on Aluminum Metallization in Power Transistors

Gold wire bonding to aluminum pad is a widely applied interconnection method in microelectronics industry for years. Copper wire bonding has gained popularity due to its economic advantage and superior electrical performance compared to gold wire bonding. It has been known that at elevated temperatures, interdiffusion between ball bond and aluminum pad leads to intermetallics growth and voids formation at the gold-aluminum interface. Our study reveals that this would influence the drain-to-source on-resistance RDS(on), which is an important parameter for power MOSFET as it determines how much current the device can carry for low to medium frequency applications. We observe that both gold bonds and copper bonds demonstrating very stable RDS(on) at 150degC thermal aging up to a few thousands hours. Nevertheless, at much higher thermal aging temperature of 200degC, gold bonds start to form Kirkendall voids at early aging stage. The voiding causes the gold ball to be isolated away from the aluminum pad, resulting in undesired drastic rise of RDS(on) value. In contrast, copper bonds render much more stable RDS(on) at 200degC thermal aging over time owing to the relatively small interdiffusion rate of Cu-Al phases. As a result, copper is more suitable to be utilized as bonding method in MOSFET devices. In Fairchild Semiconductor, we progressively replace gold bonding with copper bonding in our power transistor products since 2006 so that the customers can have more reliable and longer life products. In addition, our research findings will further top-up the customer confidence to use our copper wire bonding devices in high temperature field applications based on the strong point that, there is no problem associated with the intermetallic growth defects for copper bonds at elevated temperatures.
A survey of radiology practices' use of after-hours radiology services.

Purpose The study's purpose was to identify the characteristics of and the motives behind radiologists' use of after-hours services. Methods From August of 2005 to June of 2006, 300 nonspecialty hospitals randomly selected from the 2005 American Hospital Association Directory of Hospitals were contacted by phone, e-mail, and mail, with an attempt made to speak to the chiefs of radiology. We obtained 115 responses, a 38.3% response rate, including 64 from practices that used an external after-hours service. These 64 are the subject of this study. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistical analyses. Results Practices gave convenience as the most important reason they use after-hours services, with value for recruiting ranked second and shortage of radiologists for off-hours coverage ranked third. Three-fourths of practices said they receive 5% or less of their reads from these services. Two-thirds of practices paid the service approximately as much as they collected or more. Approximately 40% of respondents used an after-hours service located internationally. Of these, 56% said that the radiologists reading internationally were either all Americans or mostly Americans and 40% did not know the proportion of foreigners. Regardless, in-state licensure of all interpreting teleradiologists is essentially universal. Conclusion Most radiology groups using after-hours services do so for convenience rather than shortage of staff to provide coverage. Most practices send a small percentage of their studies to the services. Although overseas-located services are commonly used, there is little evidence of other than American radiologists or American-trained radiologists at these services.
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanospheres and microspheres for short- and long-term delivery of bioactive ciliary neurotrophic factor.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been shown to be neuroprotective in the central nervous system (CNS). However, systemic administration and bolus injections have shown significant side effects and limited efficacy. Sustained, local delivery may lead to effective neuroprotection and avoid or limit adverse side effects, but sustained CNTF delivery has proven difficult to achieve and control. For controlled, sustained delivery, we investigated several processing variables in making poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nano- and microspheres to optimize CNTF encapsulation and release. Nano- and microspheres were 314.9 ± 24.9 nm and 11.69 ± 8.16 µm in diameter, respectively. CNTF delivery from nanospheres was sustained over 14 days, and delivery from microspheres continued over more than 70 days. To assess protein bioactivity after encapsulation, neural stem cells (NSCs) were treated with CNTF released from nanospheres and compared to those treated with unencapsulated CNTF as a control. NSCs treated with CNTF expressed markers specific to mature cells, notably astrocytes; some increase in oligodendrocytic and neuronal marker expression was also observed. Significantly, cells treated with CNTF released by nanospheres exhibited a similar degree of differentiation when compared to those treated with control CNTF of equivalent concentration, showing that the process of protein encapsulation did not reduce its potency. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;100: 1010–1019. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Observations on the cortical reaction in eggs of Brachydanio rerio as seen with the scanning electron microscope

Ripe eggs of Brachydanio rerio were fixed at selected intervals of time after activation, dechorionated, and prepared by standard techniques for viewing under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The surfaces of eggs fixed two to four minutes after activation show all stages in the activation and extrusion of the cortical granules. At least four morphologically distinct and temporally sequential stages for the cortical granule reaction are observed with the SEM. These include the elevation of the cortical granule above the egg surface, the extrusion of the contents of the cortical granule, the transient participation of the limiting membrane of the cortical granule in egg surface membrane formation, and replacement of the granule limiting membrane by the egg plasma membrane. We propose that a consequence of egg activation is the retrieval of the cortical granule membrane.
Sensing-based shape formation on modular multi-robot systems: a theoretical study

This paper presents a theoretical study of decentralized control for sensing-based shape formation on modular multi-robot systems, where the desired shape is specified in terms of local sensor constraints between neighboring robot agents. We show that this problem can be formulated more generally as distributed constraint-maintenance on a networked multi-agent system. It is strongly related to a class of multi-agent algorithms called distributed consensus, which includes several bio-inspired algorithms such as flocking and firefly synchronization. By exploiting this connection, we can theoretically analyze several important aspects of the decentralized shape formation algorithm and generalize it to more complex multi-agent scenarios. We show that the convergence time depends on (a) the number of robot agents and agent connection topology, (b) the complexity of the user-specified goal, and (c) the initial state of the robots. Using these results, we can provide precise statements on how the approach scales, and how quickly the system can adapt to perturbations. These results provide a deeper understanding of the contrast between centralized and decentralized multi-agent algorithms.
Visual context capture and analysis for driver attention monitoring

Driver distraction is recognized as a major factor in the cause of automobile accidents. Therefore, it is extremely important for an intelligent driver support system to be able to monitor the driver's attentive state. This paper proposes a system to monitor driver attention based on a variety of information sources. The LISA-Q test vehicle is used to synchronously capture video, audio, vehicle information, LASER RADAR information, and GPS information as input to the driver state evaluation. Information about the driver's facial affects, lane keeping, steering movements, and time headway are all extracted from the multimodal data streams and evaluated.
Optimal placement of FSO relays for network disaster recovery

Free Space Optics (FSO) relays can be used to recover a network which is partially disconnected due to natural disasters or terrorist attacks. Rapid and efficient recovery can be achieved thanks to FSO technology being wireless and providing high bandwidth. However, placement of such relays is a challenging problem as FSO links greatly depend on weather conditions. In this paper, we find the minimum number of transceivers and their optimal placement which guarantees the recovery of a certain fraction of network capacity in the worst weather conditions and maximizes the throughput in the best weather conditions through transceiver reconfiguration. The problem is formulated as an integer linear program (ILP) which takes the link availability prediction as an input and guarantees fairness to all existing traffic flows. To avoid the complexity of the ILP, an efficient probabilistic heuristic that computes the placement of FSO transceivers is proposed. We show through extensive simulations that the heuristic performs within 12% of the optimal performance.
Interaction of a bioherbicide and glyphosate for controlling hemp sesbania in glyphosate‐resistant soybean

The bioherbicidal fungus, Colletotrichum truncatum (Schwein.) Andrus & Moore, was tested at different inoculum concentrations alone and in combination with, prior to or following treatment with different rates of glyphosate (N-[phosphonomethyl]glycine) (Roundup Ultra) for the control of hemp sesbania (Sesbania exaltata [Raf.] Rydb. ex A.W. Hill) in Roundup Ready soybean field plots.Colletotrichum truncatum and glyphosate were applied in all pair-wise combinations of 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 ¥ 10 6 spores mL -1 (i.e. 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, and 25 ¥ 10 11 spores ha -1 ), and 0.15, 0.30, 0.60, and 1.2 kg ha -1 , respectively. Weed control and disease incidence were enhanced at the two lowest fungal and herbicidal rates when the fungal spores were applied after glyphosate treatment.The application of the fungus in combination with or prior to glyphosate application at 0.30 kg ha -1 resulted in reduced disease incidence and weed control regardless of the inoculum’s concentration.At the highest glyphosate rates, the weeds were controlled by the herbicide alone.These results suggest that it might be possible to utilize additive or synergistic herbicide and pathogen interactions to enhance hemp sesbania control.
The integration of business intelligence and knowledge management

Enterprise executives understand that timely, accurate knowledge can mean improved business performance. Two technologies have been central in improving the quantitative and qualitative value of the knowledge available to decision makers: business intelligence and knowledge management. Business intelligence has applied the functionality, scalability, and reliability of modern database management systems to build ever-larger data warehouses, and to utilize data mining techniques to extract business advantage from the vast amount of available enterprise data. Knowledge management technologies, while less mature than business intelligence technologies, are now capable of combining today's content management systems and the Web with vastly improved searching and text mining capabilities to derive more value from the explosion of textual information. We believe that these systems will blend over time, borrowing techniques from each other and inspiring new approaches that can analyze data and text together, seamlessly. We call this blended technology BIKM. In this paper, we describe some of the current business problems that require analysis of both text and data, and some of the technical challenges posed by these problems. We describe a particular approach based on an OLAP (on-line analytical processing) model enhanced with text analysis, and describe two tools that we have developed to explore this approach--eClassifier performs text analysis, and Sapient integrates data and text through an OLAP-style interaction model. Finally, we discuss some new research that we are pursuing to enhance this approach.
Interleukin-6 Attenuates Serotonin 2A Receptor Signaling by Activating the JAK-STAT Pathway

The serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor and the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), have both been implicated in psychiatric disorders. Previously, we demonstrated that these molecules both facilitate cognitive flexibility, a prefrontal cortex-mediated executive function impaired in multiple mental illnesses. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that IL-6 influences 5-HT2A receptor signaling, providing a potential mechanism by which this cytokine may influence behavior. We first demonstrated that 5-HT2A receptors and IL-6– mediated STAT3 phosphorylation colocalize in cells of the prefrontal cortex, providing the neuroanatomical substrate for a potential interaction. In the neuronally derived A1A1 cell line, which expresses both IL-6 and 5-HT2A receptors, we found that IL-6 attenuates inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation in response to the 5-HT2 agonist, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI), suggesting that IL-6 can regulate 5-HT2A receptor function. To identify the signaling pathway(s) that mediate this effect, we measured DOI-mediated IP accumulation in the presence of IL-6 and either the JAK-STAT inhibitor 124 [(9b,10a,16a,23E)-2,16,20,25-tetrahydroxy-9-methyl19-norlanosta-1,5,23-triene-3,11,22-trione], JSI-124, or the extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor, 2-(2-amino-3methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (PD-98059). The IL-6 effect was blocked by JSI-124 but not PD-98059. Furthermore, silencing RNA knockdown of either JAK or STAT blocked the IL-6 effect, suggesting that IL-6–induced JAK-STAT activation can regulate 5-HT2A receptor signaling. Finally, to determine if IL-6 specifically regulates the 5-HT2A receptor system, we measured IP production mediated by another Gq-coupled receptor, bradykinin B2. IL-6 had no effect on bradykinin-mediated IP accumulation, suggesting that regulation may occur at the 5-HT2A receptor. These results may provide clues to the pathologic mechanisms underlying certain psychiatric disorders and may suggest novel therapeutic strategies for their treatment.
Sensory properties of fats and fat replacements.

The typical American diet derives 37% of total daily energy intake from fat.' Fat consumption in the U.S. has been estimated at 98 g/day for men and 65 g/day for women.' Diets low in carbohydrate and fiber but rich in fat have been associated with high prevalence of obesity and elevated risks of coronary artery disease and some forms of cancer.233 Current nutritional guidelines recommend reducing fat consumption to 30% or less of total daily energy intake.2*3 However, reducing fat consumption is no easy task. People generally like the taste of fatcontaining foods and are reluctant to give them up. Poor adherence to very-low-fat diets is a documented problem in the dietary management of plasma lipid disorders: while cravings for sweet desserts are a major obstacle to weight reduction. Even highly motivated patients prove resistant to diets composed entirely of vegetables, fruit, cereal grains, and low-fat meats. Why are fat-containing foods so difficult to give up? The nutritional role of fats is to provide a concentrated source of energy and to supply essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins to the diet.5 However, it is the sensory properties of fats that make a diet flavorful, varied, and rich. Fats are responsible for the texture, mouthfeel, and flavor of many foods, and they play a major role in determining the palatability of the diet.6 Sensory Properties of tats Fats in foods provide a wide variety of oral sensations. Dairy fat in ice cream contributes to product smoothness by preventing the formation of large ice crystals. Water-binding properties of fats in bakery goods are responsible for the sensation of freshness and moisture. The marbling of meat contributes to its tenderness. Frying in fat brings foods to temper
Use of trunk stabilization and locomotor training in an adult with cerebellar ataxia: A single system design

The purpose of this study is to describe the effects of trunk stabilization training and locomotor training (LT) using body-weight support on a treadmill (BWST) and overground walking on balance, gait, self-reported function, and trunk muscle performance in an adult with severe ataxia secondary to brain injury. There are no studies on the effectiveness of these combined interventions in persons with ataxia. The subject was a 23-year-old male who had a traumatic brain injury 13 months prior. An A-B-A withdrawal single-system design was used. Outcome measures were Berg Balance Test (BBT), timed unsupported stance, Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), 10-meter walk test (10-MWT), Outpatient Physical Therapy Improvement in Movement Assessment Log (OPTIMAL), transverse abdominis (TrA) thickness, and isometric trunk endurance tests. Performance on the BBT, timed unsupported stance, FAC, 10-MWT, and OPTIMAL each improved after 10 weeks of intervention. In additions, TrA symmetry at rest improved as did right side-bridge endurance time. LT, using BWST and overground walking, and trunk stabilization training may be effective in improving balance, gait, function, and trunk performance in individuals with severe ataxia. Further research with additional subjects is indicated.