cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New midyear age-sex-color-specific estimates of the U.S. population for the 1940s and 1950s: including a revision of coverage estimates for the 1940 and 1950 censuses

This paper describes new midyear (July 1) estimates of the “true” population of the United States by age, sex, and color (white, nonwhite) for the 1940s and 1950s. It also presents the corresponding implied coverage estimates for the 1940 and 1950 censuses. The new population estimates are calculated by combining the most recent figures on the 1960 population with estimates of the demographic components of change for the 1950s and 1940s in an iterative reverse cohort-component projection algorithm. Among the principal findings of the new estimates are: (a) existing midyear estimates of the “true” population in the 1950s are 450,000 to 500,000 too high; (b) existing age-specific estimates for the 1950s tend to underestimate the population at the older ages (55 years and over) and overestimate the population in the young and middle adult years (15 to 54 years); (c) estimates of the “true” population in the 1940s were too low except for nonwhites at ages 65 and over; (d) existing estimates of percentage net undercount and underenumeration for the 1950 and 1940 censuses tend to be too high, substantially so for nonwhites in the 1940 Census; and (e) nonwhites were more completely enumerated in 1940 than in 1950. Thus, in addition to being methodologically and temporally consistent with post-1960 estimates, the new population estimates described here imply some substantial revisions in demographic, social, and economic statistics for the two decades prior to 1960.
Characterizations of multi-segment DFB laser

ABSTRACT Tunable semiconductor laser has various applications including Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), optical switching in Local Area Networks (LAN) and Chemical Sensing, or Spectroscopy. There are different approa ches for tunable semiconductor lasers. Large wavelength tuning range is required for communication applications, such as WDM. Whereas a frequency modulation (FM) requires small but fast frequency shifts. Two-Segmen t laser is one of the methods to realize continuous optical tuning. The device consists of two coupled cav ities having a series of well-defined modes. The modes are equally spaced within a cavity but the mode spacing between the two cavities is slightly different. Characterization results of such lasers are very important. In this paper we will present the characterization results of two segment InGaAs/InP distributed feed back (DFB) tunable lasers. Keywords: DFB Lasers, tunable laser, two segment laser, semiconductor lasers. 1.0 Introduction
Slow-motion population dynamics in Mojave Desert perennial plants

To investigate survivorship and regeneration in desert perennial plants, individual shrubs were mapped, meas- ured and tagged on a nearly level 360 m2 plot of diverse Mojave Desert vegetation in 1981, they were re-mapped and measured 15 years later, in 1996. A large majority of the shrubs persisted between censuses. Modest birth (establish- ment) and death rates indicate that plants are replaced approxi- mately every century, while the median longevity of several species is much longer. A 15-yr intercensus interval, appropri- ate for most species (i.e. birth and death rates were measur- able), is too short for several larger shrubs (including Larrea divaricata, Ephedra nevadensis, Yucca schidigera and the larger Opuntia spp.) in which virtually no births or deaths occurred and in which longevity must be extremely high. While individuals of most species grew over the 15-yr interval, others did not, and some individuals shrank in size. In a number of species, individual growth rates were signifi- cantly reduced according to the number of neighbouring plants rooted 0.5 - 2.0 m distant. Even Larrea tridentata, one of the largest species, showed significant effects of growth rate reduction where crowded by allospecific plants, despite the generally much smaller sizes of these neighbours.
Lithium ion cell modeling using orthogonal collocation on finite elements

Abstract The physics-based pseudo two-dimensional (P2D) model for lithium ion cells requires significant computation time. To reduce this burden, the orthogonal collocation on finite elements (OCFE) method is applied here. The number of node points both in the macro-scale and in the micro-scale in the P2D model is reduced by optimally locating the node points. This OCFE method is shown to be better than other approximate methods for the spherical diffusion equation with flux boundary conditions. This OCFE method is also used to solve the P2D model equations and the results are compared to those obtained from COMSOL (a commercial differential/algebraic equation solver using FEM).
Iterated function systems for geothermal energy exploration

Abstract A simple method for enhancing geothermal resource exploration is proposed. This utilizes iterated function systems (IFS). Both the hardware and software packages are readily available.
State Memory and Reentrance in a Paramagnetically Limited Superconductor

We report observations of a new quasistatic nonequilibrium phenomenon in the density of electronic states (DOS) of a superconductor. Tunneling measurements of the DOS of ultrathin Al films, at the spin paramagnetically limited parallel magnetic field transition, reveal a strongly hysteretic DOS spectrum. We show that the hysteresis can be characterized as a quasistatic state memory effect in which the state of a film (normal or superconducting) is determined by its state prior to entering the hysteretic region. We also show that state memory can lead to the onset of superconductivity with increasing temperature, i.e., reentrance.
Prostanoid production via COX-2 as a causative mechanism of rodent postoperative ileus.

Abstract Background & Aims: This study demonstrates a significant role for cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostanoid production as mechanisms for surgically induced postoperative ileus. Methods: Rats, COX-2 +/+ , and COX-2 −/− mice underwent simple intestinal manipulation. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to detect and localize COX-2 expression. Prostaglandin levels were measured from serum, peritoneal lavage fluid, and muscularis culture media. Jejunal circular muscle contractions were measured in an organ bath, and gastrointestinal transit was measured in vivo. Results: The data show that intestinal manipulation induces COX-2 messenger RNA and protein within resident muscularis macrophages, a discrete subpopulation of myenteric neurons and recruited monocytes. The manipulation-induced increase in COX-2 expression resulted in significantly elevated prostaglandin levels within the circulation and peritoneal cavity. The source of these prostanoids could be directly attributed to their release from the inflamed muscularis externa. As a consequence of the molecular up-regulation of COX-2, we observed a decrease in in vitro jejunal circular muscle contractility and gastrointestinal transit, both of which could be alleviated pharmacologically with selective COX-2 inhibition. These studies were corroborated with the use of COX-2 −/− mice. Conclusions: Prostaglandins, through the induction of COX-2, are major participants in rodent postoperative ileus induced by intestinal manipulation. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2001;121:1354-1371
Distributed Collaborative Filtering on a Single Chip Cloud Computer

Many-cores on chip have now become a reality. They necessitate the revisit of several layers of a cloud infrastructure. For this to happen, parallel programming runtimes need to be designed for many-cores on chip as the target architecture. In this paper, we show that Map Reduce programming paradigm can be adapted to run on Intel's experimental single chip cloud computer (SCC) with 48-cores on chip. We demonstrate this using a Collaborative Filtering (CF) recommender system as an application. CF is widely used in e-commerce deployments to predict user's preference towards an unknown item from their past ratings. We address scalability with data partitioning, combining and sorting algorithms, maximize data locality to minimize communication cost within the SCC cores. We demonstrate ~2x speedup, ~94% lower power consumption for benchmark workloads as compared to a distributed cluster multi-processor nodes in use today.
The response of the urinary bladder, urethra, and ureter to radiation and chemotherapy

A comprehensive review of the physiological and clinical response of the urinary bladder, ureter, and urethra to radiation and chemotherapy is presented. The clinical syndromes that follow therapy for cancer of the bladder, prostate, and cervix are reviewed in detail. Methods of assessing, scoring, and managing toxicity are discussed.
Measurements of electron mobility-lifetime product and surface recombination velocity of Cd 1-x Zn x Te radiaton detectors for different surface processing conditions

We explored the dependence of electron mobility-lifetime product (μτ) and surface recombination velocity ( S/μ) on surface processing and temperature for Cd 1-x Zn x Te (CZT) radiation detectors. The surfaces of the CZT crystals were mechanically polished and then chemically etched with 2% bromine-in-methanol. Different regions at the Au contacts were illuminated with light at a wavelength of 650-, 800-, 900-, and 940-nm. The position-dependent and temperature- dependent values of the electron mobility-lifetime product and surface recombination velocity were measured using a direct current (DC) photoconductivity technique. The study revealed that this technique is a valuable and practical method to measure the spatial- and temperature-variations of the surface recombination velocity and bulk lifetime for CZT detectors. We discuss the correlation between the DC photoconductivity and measurements of the detector performance.
Adrenocortical insufficiency with normal basal levels of urinary 17-hydroxycorticoids: diagnostic implications.

Adrenocortical function has been studied in 7 patients who had some of the symptoms of Addison’s disease, yet had normal basal levels of 17-hydroxycorticoid excretion in the urine. Tetrahydrocortisone was found to be the major component of the urinary 17-hydroxycorticoids. Its identity was established by paper chromatographic separation and sulfuric-acid spectrum. None of the patients responded to the intravenous administration of ACTH by a rise in steroid excretion, thus demonstrating the absence of any significant adrenocortical reserve. In 6 of the 7 patients hyperpigmentation was the first symptom observed, and in 2 it was the patient’s only complaint. The clinical recognition. of partially compensated adrenocortical insufficiency is of practical importance, since under conditions of severe stress acute adrenal insufficiency may occur and may go unrecognized.
Eosinophils, ribonucleases and host defense: solving the puzzle

The eosinophil ribonucleases eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN/ RNase 2) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP/RNase 3) are among the major secretory effector proteins of human eosinophilic leukocytes, cells whose role in host defense remains controversial and poorly understood. We have recently described the unusual manner in which this ribonuclease lineage has evolved, with extraordinary diversification observed in primate as well as in rodent EDNs and ECPs. The results of our evolutionary studies suggest that the EDN/ ECP ribonucleases are in the process of being tailored for a specific, ribonuclease-related goal. With this in mind, we have begun to look carefully at some of the intriguing associations that link eosinophils and their ribonucleases to disease caused by the single-stranded RNA viral pathogen, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Recent work in our laboratory has demonstrated that eosinophils can mediate a direct, ribonuclease-dependent reduction in infectivity of RSV in vitro, and that EDN can function alone as an independent antiviral agent. The results of this work have led us to consider the possibility that the EDN/ECP ribonucleases represent a heretofore unrecognized element of innate and specific antiviral host defense.
Life cycle assessment of three water supply systems: importation, reclamation and desalination.

The issues of water supply and management will become more and more critical as the global population increases. In order to meet future demands, water supply systems must be developed to maximize the use of locally available water. It is also important to minimize the impact of water system developments on the environment. In this study, the overall environmental impacts were compared for water importation, reclamation and seawater desalination to address the water scarcity in areas where local supplies are not sufficient. The city of Scottsdale, Arizona was chosen for this study. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was performed and it suggests that seawater desalination has the highest impact whereas reclamation shows a relatively lower impact. However, Importation and reclamation systems have comparable results for several damage categories. The impacts of facility operations are significantly higher than the construction phase even when the life-span of infrastructure reduces from 50 year to 10 year. Due to the high impacts associated with the energy use during plant operations, different energy mixes were analyzed for their capabilities to lower the environmental burden.
Synthesis of 3-methylpseudouridine and 2′-deoxy-3-methyl-pseudouridine

Abstract The first chemical synthesis of 3-methyl-ψ-uridine (5) and its 2′-deoxy analogue (9) has been achieved. ψ-Uridine was trimethylsilylated and the crude product was treated with acetyl chloride, to give the 1-acetyl derivative (3). Crude 3 was methylated with dimethoxymethyldimethylamine and then saponified, to give crystalline 5 in 82% overall yield. Treatment of 5 with 1,3-dichloro-1,1,3,3-tetraiso-propyldisiloxane afforded the 3′,5′-protected product, which was converted into the 2′- O -[(imidazol-1-yl)thiocarbonyl] derivative 7. Reduction of 7 with tributyltin hydride followed by deblocking of the product gave crystalline 2′-deoxy-3-methyl-ψ-uridine (9) in 35% yield from 5.
A comparison of Player/Stage/Gazebo and Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio

Robotic development environments are a key technology for enabling the rapid advancement of the state of robotics. This paper compares two prominent robotic development environments to examine the limitations in the current state of the art. The first is Player/Stage/Gazebo which is a well established open source project. The second is Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio, a fairly new offering from a major player in the software industry. The comparison was done in two ways: 1) by examining the documented features and 2) examining usability experience gained while implementing two common mobile autonomous robotic tasks, wandering and foraging. The tasks were executed in simulation and on a 914 PC-BOT from White Box Robotics. Quantitative results were generated using a set of well defined feature and usability criteria. These results were then further analyzed by a qualitative analysis of the entire process it took to implement both tasks.
Negative Volume Thermal Expansion Via Orbital and Magnetic Orders in Ca 2 Ru 1 − x Cr x O 4 ( 0 x 0.13 )

${\mathrm{Ca}}_{2}{\mathrm{RuO}}_{4}$ undergoes a metal-insulator transition at ${T}_{\mathrm{MI}}=357\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{K}$, followed by a well-separated transition to antiferromagnetic order at ${T}_{N}=110\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{K}$. Dilute Cr doping for Ru reduces the temperature of the orthorhombic distortion at ${T}_{\mathrm{MI}}$ and induces ferromagnetic behavior at ${T}_{C}$. The lattice volume $V$ of ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ru}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{x}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ ($0lxl0.13$) abruptly expands with cooling at both ${T}_{\mathrm{MI}}$ and ${T}_{C}$, giving rise to a total volume expansion $\ensuremath{\Delta}V/V\ensuremath{\approx}1%$, which sharply contrasts the smooth temperature dependence of the few known examples of negative volume thermal expansion driven by anharmonic phonon modes. In addition, the near absence of volume thermal expansion between ${T}_{C}$ and ${T}_{\mathrm{MI}}$ represents an Invar effect. The two phase transitions, which surprisingly mimic the classic freezing transition of water, suggest an exotic ground state driven by an extraordinary coupling between spin, orbit, and lattice degrees of freedom.
Enhancement of voltage stability by an optimal selection of load following units

In this paper we examine how the voltage stability and control of power systems can be enhanced by an appropriate choice of load following units. An algorithm is proposed to optimize this choice using the relationship between reactive power limits in the system and voltage instability. A variety of experiments are presented for the IEEE 118 bus system, with seventh order two axis generator models.
Should the Google book settlement be approved

Considering the precedent that could be established by approval of the controversial Google book settlement.
Patient safety problems in adolescent medical care

Abstract Purpose This study estimates the annual incidence and describes the nature, types, and contributing factors involved in patient safety problems in adolescent medical care. Methods This study uses data from the population-based Colorado and Utah Medical Practice Study to describe the incidence of hospital-based adverse events and preventable adverse events in adolescents and "critical incidence analysis" data reported by pediatric clinicians to elucidate the nature, types, and contributing factors in adolescent patient safety problems. Results The incidence of adverse events in adolescents in the Colorado and Utah Medical Practice Study was 2.74 (CI 95% = 2.62–2.86), significantly higher than all other age groups of children. The incidence of preventable adverse events in adolescents was 0.95 (CI 95% = 0.65–1.25), significantly higher than that of children 1–12 years old, but not significantly different than infants. Diagnostic events were most common, followed by medication events. Services associated with the highest frequency of events were pharmacy and Family Practice. In the critical incident analysis, adolescent-specific factors contributed to 54.8% of the described patient safety problems. Discomfort with adolescents, a factor not described for other age groups of children, contributed to 17% of the adolescent patient safety problems. Conclusions Adolescents experience relatively high rates of patient safety problems compared with other age groups of children. Adolescents represent a defined population with a patient safety risk profile that differs from adults and younger children. The substantial contribution of adolescent-specific factors suggests that patient safety improvements, to be effective, should address adolescent-specific risks.
Hardware Based I/O Virtualization Technologies for Hypervisors, Configurations and Advantages - A Study

IT organizations are taking advantage of virtualization to consolidate server infrastructure, reduce power consumption, cooling and management costs, and provide simpler and more affordable solutions for high availability, load balancing and disaster recovery [1]. One of the challenges with Virtualization Technology today is: delivering fast and scalable I/O bandwidth for virtualized servers. This paper will present various native I/O virtualization technologies (SRIOV, MRIOV and other proprietary ones) and describe how they will address the challenges presented by Server Virtualization. These emerging Hardware based I/O technologies can help IT organizations further increase consolidation ratios, virtualize a wider range of applications, and manage workloads more effectively by providing near to direct I/O access Performance as the I/O path length is comparable to a dedicated adapter assigned to a VM. . They also provide a necessary prerequisite for next-generation cloud computing models, which will ultimately deliver another major leap in data center efficiency through dynamic control of hardware. At the end, this paper will evaluate the advantages, limitations of native I/O Virtualization technologies.
Enhancement of Au capture efficiency and activity of Au/TS-1 catalysts for propylene epoxidation

Abstract A method for enhancing the useful Au content in Au/TS-1 catalysts for vapor-phase propylene epoxidation is reported. Exposure of calcined TS-1 support to 1 M NH 4 NO 3 at 80 °C, followed by vacuum drying, produced a modified TS-1 support material. Deposition precipitation of gold on these modified TS-1 supports resulted in a fourfold increase in Au capture efficiency and produced catalysts with 5–10% conversion of propylene with 75–85% selectivity for PO, at 200 °C and a space velocity of 7000 ml h −1 g −1 cat . In this system, 10% conversion and 76% selectivity amount to a rate of 134 g PO h −1 kg −1 cat . An optimal Au content that is support dependent is observed for these catalysts.
Access to Tax In Justice

Every morning, Monday through Friday, school children across the United States raise their voices in unison and pledge allegiance to America, with liberty and justice for all. America, in turn, pledges to these children and the world that it is a nation of liberty, justice, and laws. Laws drafted by representatives intended to follow through on America’s promise of liberty and justice for all. Yet for more than 16 million of these children and 30 million adults living in poverty in 2011, America does not deliver on its promise of justice. In a recent global study, America ranked 27th out of 31 countries in social justice. Social justice was evaluated by looking at six key factors: poverty prevention, access to education, labor market inclusion, social cohesion and non-discrimination, health, and “intergenerational justice." Prevention of poverty is a fundamental precondition for social justice. Under conditions of poverty, engagement in and access to basic education, labor, and health care services are demonstrably curtailed. The causes of poverty are numerous, interrelated, and complex. Nevertheless, poverty reflects the consequences of national policies in fundamental societal arenas including education, labor, immigration, welfare, and taxation. This essay examines access to the most successful antipoverty program for working lower-income families with children, the earned income tax credit (EITC). At almost 40 years young, the EITC lifts more children out of poverty each year than any other program in America today. Nevertheless, because the EITC is a social benefit program delivered through the federal income tax system by the Internal Revenue Service, America's revenue collector, EITC beneficiaries bear meaningful access to tax justice costs. This essay discusses these costs and proposes specific opportunities to empower, rather than undermine this long-term, successful, bipartisan antipoverty tax provision.
Effects of Presynaptic Calcium Stores on Short-Term Synaptic Plasticity

In reconstructions of hippocampal neuropil, Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER) appears in a majority of the presynaptic terminals. In the presence of ongoing electrical activity, Inositol Triphosphate Receptors (IP3Rs) on the SER initiate a positive feedback loop that can lead to release of calcium from the SER via an IP3-mediated pathway. We investigated how the presence of this additional source of calcium in addition to the Voltage Dependent Calcium Channels (VDCCs) can regulate synaptic transmission. We carried out 3D Monte Carlo simulations of the molecular interactions that govern transmitter release in a 1) Canonical CA3-CA1 synapse 2) Synapse reconstructed from serial section Transmission Electron Microscope images. The relatively simple geometry of CA3-CA1 synapses allows activity-dependent local calcium at the active zone and the related transmitter release profiles to be quantitatively analyzed. In paired-pulse stimulation, the presence of molecular pathways that regulate the calcium stores increased the calcium buffering capacity of the synapse, which decreased the initial release probability and enhanced paired-pulse facilitation. In contrast, a high-frequency stimulus could trigger the activation of presynaptic Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors (mGluRs) leading to IP3 production and ultimately to release of calcium from the SER. IP3Rs operated at a much slower time scale, on the order of seconds compared to the millisecond timescale of the VDCCs. This led to an increase in the basal level of intracellular calcium and enhanced transmitter release rates. We further explored the functional implications of the range of SER geometries observed in the synaptic ultrastructure and the effect of different arrangements between IP3Rs and VDCCs on synaptic plasticity. The synaptic ultrastructure precisely orchestrated the degree of facilitation and depression and the existence of presynaptic calcium stores provided the synapse with an additional intrinsic time scale that could be regulated by activity.
Myths about freeze desalting

Abstract Since the inception of freezing as a process for desalting sea water, a variety of misconceptions about the process have evolved and persisted, even when countered with scientific and engineering information to the contrary. Such misconceptions or myths have been very damaging to the commercial development of freezing as a competitive desalination process. A number of these myths are explored with respect to their engineering validity and a comparison is made between freezing and other important desalination processes.
Using the Veterans Administration National Surgical Quality Improvement Program to improve patient outcomes

Abstract Background. The primary goal of collecting quality assurance data is to ultimately improve patient care. The VA National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) provides each station with risk-adjusted morbidity and mortality data on a regular basis. This report of one medical center's use of the risk-adjusted data shows how it can be used to improve patient care. Materials and methods. Risk-adjusted surgical outcome data for Fiscal Year 1996 (FY96) was received from the NSQIP coordinating center. The Salt Lake City VA medical center was identified as a high outlier for morbidity in general surgery. Patient charts were reviewed and data analyzed to determine practice patterns and to determine if there were any provider issues. Data analysis revealed a large number of wound complications and uncovered a practice pattern of closure of contaminated wounds. Using these data and data from the literature, wound infection and disruption prevention protocols were instituted in the fall of 1997. Wound complications from January to December 1996 (preprotocol) and January to December 1998 (postprotocol) were compared using Student's t test. Results. The total number of operations in 1998 was 719 compared with 634 in 1996. Superficial wound infections dropped from 3.6 to 1.7%, while overall wound complications dropped from 5.5 to 2.9%. None of these changes were statistically significant. Conclusions. Although introduction of wound infection and disruption prevention protocols did not result in a statistically significant decrease in wound complication, it did result in a clinically significant improvement in patient care.
The future of surgical journals

IN 1989 when Fleischmann and Pons claimed to have produced room temperature fusion, the ensuing flashes of discussion and reports of attempts at confirmation were transacted largely by fax. When comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 hit Jupiter, the first images of the event were disseminated instantly on the Internet. The exciting claim by Princeton mathematician Andrew Wiles to have proved Fermat's 350-year-old Last Theorem is now being scrutinized and fleshed out in fermat@e-math.ams.org. Medical students of today no longer have folders filled with torn-out magazine articles and file card cross-references. They are fluent with MEDLINE, CD-ROMs, and databases with automatic E-mail updates on topics of their choice. What then is the future of paper journals, such as Archives of Surgery? Scholarly journals in and out of medicine serve several functions, including dissemination, discrimination (ie, editing), summarization, and archiving. DISSEMINATION AND RETRIEVAL For material that is not time sensitive, paper journals, even those
Religious interests and the decision to persist in seminary training

Abstract Religious interest data for students who plan to remain in seminary training are examined and compared with like data for students who are either undecided or plan to leave the seminary.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Placement Without Skin Incision: Results of a Randomized Trial

Background: During percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement, skin incision is performed as standard practice. We suspected that this time-honored principle is unnecessary. Methods: In a prospective, randomized trial, 50 adults undergoing PEG placement were randomized to skin incision omission PEG (IOPEG) and standard PEG (SPEG). Two- and 7-day PEG site evaluations were performed to grade stomal infection, bleeding, pain, and overall satisfaction using a standardized scoring system. Median stomal evaluation scores were compared between groups using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Completion rates were compared using a t-test. Results: Placement success for the IOPEG and SPEG technique was 22/25 (88%) and 24/25 (96%), respectively (p = NS). Three failed IOPEG attempts required an incision to complete due to increased pull force encountered. One SPEG failed due to inability to transilluminate. Stomal evaluation scores of infection, bleeding, pain, leakage, and patient satisfaction were not significantly...
All-Solution Thin-film Capacitors and Their Deposition in Trench and Through-Via Structures

Thin integrated passive devices (IPDs) will play a critical role in the miniaturization of future high-performance electronic and bioelectronic systems. Silicon-based capacitors are currently manufactured with expensive processes such as sputtering and atomic layer deposition. Solution-deposited electrodes and dielectrics in trench and through-via structures provide alternative low-cost routes. Two solution-deposition techniques, spin-coating and vacuum infiltration, are investigated in this paper. A representative all-solution-derived thin-film capacitor consisting of sol-gel lanthanum nickel oxide (LNO) as the electrode, and sol-gel lead zirconate titanate as the dielectric thin-film is demonstrated in the first part of this paper. The role of barriers in reducing leakage currents is studied using three electrode systems: LNO/Si, LNO/ZrO2/Si, and LNO/Pt/Ta/Si. Capacitors with LNO electrodes directly deposited on naturally oxidized silicon resulted in higher leakages, more defects and a lower yield. The results show that the zirconia barrier suppresses the leakage current in the dielectric. The second part of this paper describes sol-gel films deposited in the through-via and trench surfaces to demonstrate the sol-gel conformal coating technique. Scanning electron microscopy cross-section analysis shows that the vacuum infiltration conformally coated through-vias. These solution deposition techniques may have the potential to fabricate IPD capacitors at low cost.
Health status and functioning among the homeless mentally ill: An assessment of the medical outcomes study SF-36 scales☆

Abstract While the SF-36 health status instrument has documented reliability and validity for nonpsychiatric populations, use of the instrument among people who are severely mentally ill requires investigation. This paper evaluates the performance of six of the eight SF-36 subscales in a large sample of homeless mentally ill individuals, examining: (a) the internal consistency of each subscale, (b) the internal structure of the SF-36 as a measurement instrument, (c) the average levels of functioning and well-being reported compared to a general population sample, (d) the sensitivity of the scales to clinical differences, and (e) the relationship between change on the SF-36 and change on other related measures. Data confirm high levels of internal reliability, a two-factor structure similar to that reported for the general population, and the ability of the short-form scales to discriminate between groups varying in level of clinical disturbance.
A phylogenetic reanalysis of allozyme variation among populations of Galapagos finches

We reanalysed Yang & Patton's allozyme data, published inAukin 1981, of Darwin's finches with a variety of distance and cladistic methods to estimate the phylogeny of the group. Different methods yielded different results, nevertheless there was widespread agreement among the distance methods on several groupings. First, the two species ofCamarhynchusgrouped near one another, but not always as a monophyletic group. Second,Cactospiza pallidaandPlatyspiza crassirostrisformed a monophyletic group. Finally, all the methods (including parsimony) supported the monophyly of the ground finches. The three distance methods also found close relationships generally between each of two populations ofGeospiza scandens, G. difficilisandG. conirostris. There is evidence for inconstancy of evolutionary rates among species. Results from distance methods allowing for rate variation among lineages suggest three conclusions which differ from Yang and Patton's findings. First, the monophyletic ground finches arose from the paraphyletic tree finches. Yang and Patton found that the ground finches and tree finches were sister monophyletic taxa. Second,Geospiza scandensappears to be a recently derived species, and not the most basal ground finch. Third,G. fuliginosais not a recently derived species of ground finch, but was derived from an older split from the remaining ground finches. Most of these conclusions should be considered tentative both because the parsimony trees disagreed sharply with the distance trees and because no clades were strongly supported by the results of bootstrapping and statistical tests of alternative hypotheses. Absence of strong support for clades was probably due to insufficient data. Future phylogenetic studies, preferably using DNA sequence data from several unlinked loci, should sample several populations of each species, and should attempt to assess the importance of hybridization in species phylogeny.
Distribution of potential soft tick vectors of African swine fever in the Caribbean region (Acari: Argasidae)

The distribution of Ornithodoros species which are considered potential biological vectors of African swine fever virus in the Caribbean basin are discussed and mapped. Species included are: O. coriaceus Koch, O. turicata (Duges), O. puertoricensis Fox, O. talaje (Guerin-Meneville), and O. dugesi Mazzotti. Survey methods for burrow dwelling ticks are reviewed and results of recent surveys in Florida and on the island of Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti) presented.
The relationship of ultrastructural and cytochemical features to absorptive activity in the goldfish intestine.

In the adult goldfish, Carassius auratus (a stomachless freshwater teleost), there is a striking proximal-to-distal gradient in the microscopic appearance of the intestine. This gradient is correlated, moreover, with differences in the site of absorption of lipid and protein. The proximal regions (intestinal bulb and anterior intestine) have a greater surface area, manifested by elongated mucosal ridges in which the epithelial cells have regularly arranged closely spaced microvilli. The distal region (posterior intestine) has less overall surface area, but the epithelium exhibits the typical ultrastructural features of pinocytosis, namely extensive invagination of the luminal surface membrane and massive accumulation of vesicles and vacuoles in the apical cytoplasm. In addition, a conspicuous PAS-positive supranuclear “body” is visible with the light microscope. Administered triglyceride is absorbed exclusively by the epithelium of the anterior regions, where presumably, it must be hydrolyzed prior to uptake. Protein (horseradish peroxidase), on the other hand, is absorbed primarily in the most distal region, where the epithelium appears to be equipped for the uptake of large intact molecules. These regional differences are discussed in relation to comparable differences in the mammalian intestine, especially during development.
Behavioral responses to weak electric fields and a lanthanide metal in two shark species

Abstract The unintentional catch of sharks on hooks intended for other fishes is an economic, environmental and safety concern. Recent research has sought to repel sharks from baited hooks by applying various lanthanide metals and alloys to stimulate the elasmobranch electrosensory system. We present a simplified experimental methodology to test responses of two shark species to a single lanthanide metal. Behavioral responses to prey-simulating, weak electric fields were quantified to establish the sensitivity of the electrosensory system in Squalus acanthias (Linnaeus, 1758) and Mustelus canis (Mitchill, 1815). Both species detected electric fields
The Role of Modularized QFD in an Interdisciplinary Approach for System Concept Selection

This paper discusses a role of modularized Quality Function Deployment (QFD) matrices in an interdisciplinary approach for system concepts selection. The approach uses a set of interdisciplinary tools that consists of marketing, accounting, value engineering and design engineering. When using modularized QFD matrices in the interdisciplinary approach, engineers specify target requirements before assessing how each output design requirements (e.g., system requirements) contributes to the achievement of input design requirements (e.g., customer requirements). Then engineers use their value of each output design requirement in QFD relationship matrices. By setting target requirements for each system module, engineers can freeze interactions between modules when modularizing QFD matrices. By using engineers’ value in QFD relationship matrices, engineer can allocate worth of system (for the customers) to system modules based on engineers’ value. The target cost of modules calculated from the allocated worth reflect both customers’ and engineers’ value.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Lack of Effect of Cholestyramine on the Pharmacokinetics of Clofibrate in Man

The study was undertaken to determine whether cholestyramine (16 g daily) interfered with clofibrate absorption when the two drugs were given together. Fifteen patients taking 1 g of clofibrate twice daily (for 2 to 416 weeks) participated in the study. Clofibrate (as the acid, p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid, CPIB) was quantified by thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography. In patients taking clofibrate only, mean plasma CPIB concentration before the morning dose of clofibrate was 123 mug/ml. Peak levels were reached 3.5 hours after drug intake, the mean peak plasma CPIB concentration being 193 mug/ml. Absorption of CPIB exceeded 99%. Ninety-eight percent of the daily CPIB-intake was excreted in the urine, 61% being conjugated. In vivo degradation of CPIB did not occur. Free and conjugated CPIB was present in bile (mean fasting level being 55 mug/ml. The decay of radioactive CPIB in plasma was not log-linear: the mean t 1/2 of the first exponential was 0.45 hours, and of the second 15.1 hours. The pool size in 3 patients 3 hours after the morning dose of clofibrate was 1054 mg. CPIB was not detectable in adipose tissue, and kinetic data gave no hint of drug accumulation in patients on long-term therapy. In 6 patients given cholestyramine together with clofibrate, there was no significant alteration in fasting plasma CPIB levels, 24-hour urinary and faecal excretion of CPIB or in the half-life and pool size of the drug. A short delay in reaching peak plasma CPIB levels was the only consistent finding.
Influence of earth's gravity on (g - 2) measurements

Experimental probes of the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, which are sufficiently sensitive to probe electro-weak unification contributions to (g−2), are also sufficiently sensitive to test an interesting feature of general relativity. The gravitational field of the earth produces a background space-time metric which will influence (g−2) measurements.
Random-Dot Motion Displaces Ehrenstein Illusion

When a random-dot screen is used as a background for Ehrenstein figures, brightness enhancement is replaced by a change of grain and structure. Dots in the illusory area appear less densely packed and may be perceived as concentrically organized. When the screen is moved with respect to the Ehrenstein figures, the illusory patches seem to move in the same direction and out of the inducing area while maintaining their characteristic organization. It is proposed that neurophysiological mechanisms with different persistencies are involved in producing the observed phenomenon. It is also suggested that random dots moving along the same open path are combined into a figure, whereas dots crossing the lines of the pattern remain unstructured and serve as a ground against which the displacement is seen.
Overwinter Mortality of Gizzard Shad: Evaluation of Starvation and Cold Temperature Stress

Abstract Overwinter mortality of gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum has been attributed to starvation, cold stress, and predation; however, the interactions among these factors are not well understood and can change across winter. We evaluated possible causes for overwinter mortality of age-0 gizzard shad through a combination of experiments and field sampling during the winters of 2005–2006 and 2006–2007. In the first experiment, gizzard shad were placed into cages in Oneida Lake, New York, during three time periods prior to ice formation. The fish exhibited low mortality at temperatures above 8°C but high mortality (>75%) in all cages as temperature dropped below 8°C. We observed no consistent patterns of length-dependent mortality or changes in total percent dry weight (DW). However, the viscerosomatic index (VSI) decreased during all time periods, indicating disproportionate use of visceral tissues. In the second experiment, gizzard shad were exposed to temperature treatments of 1, 2, and 4°C in experim...
Development and retroviral transduction of porcine neonatal pancreatic islet cells in monolayer culture.

To learn more about the potential of neonatal porcine pancreatic duct and islet cells for xenotransplantation, the development of these cells when cultured as monolayers was evaluated. Immunostaining for islet hormones and cytokeratin-7 revealed that day eight monolayers consisted of approximately 70% duct cells and less than 10% beta cells. Using Ki-67 immunostaining as a proliferation marker, the fraction of beta cells in the cell cycle was shown to decrease from 20% at day three to 10% at day eight, and for duct cells from 36 to 19%. Insulin secretion increased 2.4-fold upon glucose stimulation, and 38-fold when 10 m M theophylline was added, showing the responsiveness of the neonatal beta cells. Reaggregated monolayers consisted mostly of duct cells, but 4 weeks after transplantation, grafts contained predominantly endocrine cells, with duct cells being almost absent, suggesting in vivo differentiation of duct cells to endocrine cells. Monolayer susceptibility to retroviral transduction was also investigated using a Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus-based vector. Approximately 60% of duct cells but less than 5% of beta cells expressed the transgene, indicating that precursor duct cells are better targets for transgene expression. These results show that porcine neonatal pancreatic cells can be cultured as monolayers in preparation for transplantation. Furthermore, in such a culture setting, precursor duct cells have a high rate of proliferation and are more efficiently transduced with a retrovirus-based reporter gene than are beta cells.
Volatilization of sulfur from milk heated in presence of added methionine, glutathione, and cystine.

Summary The amount of sulfur evolved from milk heated at 75 C for 30 min was 54 μg/liter, compared to 110 μg/liter for milk heated to 80 C for 30 min. The S-35 concentration in the volatiles from milk containing added S-35-labelled methionine or glutathione was greater when the milk was heated at 80 than at 75 C, but with milk containing S-35-labelled cystine, more radioactivity was found in the volatiles when the milk was heated at 75 than at 80 C.
On the relationship between fractal dimension and the performance of multi-resonant dipole antennas using Koch curves

This paper relates for the first time, multiple resonant frequencies of fractal element antennas using Koch curves to their fractal dimension. Dipole and monopole antennas based fractal Koch curves studied so far have generally been limited to certain standard configurations of the geometry. It is possible to generalize the geometry by changing its indentation angle, to vary its fractal similarity dimension. This variation results in self-similar geometry which can be generated by a recursive algorithm. Such a variation is found to have a direct influence on the input characteristics of dipole antennas. The primary resonant frequency, the input resistance at this resonance, and the ratio of first two resonant frequencies, have all been directly related to the fractal dimension. Curve-fit expressions can also be obtained for the performance of antennas at their primary resonance, in terms of fractal iteration and fractal dimension. The antenna characteristics have been studied using extensive numerical simulations and are experimentally verified. These findings underscore the significance of fractal dimension as an important mathematical property of fractals that can be used as a design parameter for antennas. The use of these ideas would not only reduce the computational intensity of optimization approaches for design of fractal shaped antennas, but also help antenna designers approach the problem systematically. Design formulation for antennas based on other fractal geometries can be similarly obtained after identifying suitable parameters of variation. This would therefore help analytical design of multiband and multifunctional antennas using fractal geometries.
Unilateral Presidential Powers: Significant Executive Orders, 1949-99

The conventional sense of presidential power remains anchored in Neustadt's notion of persuasion in a fragmented constitutional system. Here, the authors add to an emerging literature that redirects attention to formal sources of presidential authority. They examine the frequency of executive orders from 1949 to 1999 and offer new evidence that presidents rely on executive orders to effect significant policy change and send strategic signals to other actors in the political system. They contend that executive orders enable presidents to recast the organization and activities of the federal government and, at times, the larger contours of American politics. After assessing the political and temporal logic behind this manifestation of institutional power, the authors conclude with several observations about the implications of the findings for the study of the American presidency.