cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of focus difference of nested and isolated features for scanner proximity matching

Assuming that all exposure tools on which a certain production reticle is being used are from same type and configuration it can be expected that the performance of the reticle should be independent from the exposing machines. When planning or performing arrangements for process transfer between different production sites or capacity expansion within one site performing a proximity matching between different exposure tools is a common activity. One of the objectives of a robust optical proximity correction (OPC) model is to simulate the process variation. Normally, the wafer critical dimension (CD) calibration of an OPC model is applied for one specific scanner first. In order to enhance the tolerance of the OPC model so called fingerprints of different scanners should be matched as closely as possible. Some examples of features for fingerprint test patterns are “critical dimension through pitch” (CDTP), “inverse CDTP”, “tipto-tip” and “linearity patterns”, and CD difference of disposition structures. All of them should also be matched as tightly as possible in order to reduce the process variation and to strengthen the tolerance of an OPC model. However, the focus difference between nested and isolated features which is directly influenced by different exposure tools and reticle layers will have an effect on the proximity matching of some patterns such as inverse CDTP and uniformly distributed disposition structures. In this manuscript the effects of focus differences between nested and isolated features for scanner proximity matching will be demonstrated. Moreover, the results for several scanners and different mask layers using advanced binary mask blank material will also be investigated. Even if some parts of the proximity features are closely enough to each other different parity proximity patterns will be affected by the focus difference between dense and isolated features. Because the focus difference between isolated and dense features is dependent on the illumination conditions, different mask layers applied for a proximity correction will lead to different results. The effects of source variations causing isolated and dense feature focus differences between scanners for 28 nm poly, 1X metal and contact layers will be illustrated.
κ-Carrageenan Interaction with Bovine and Caprine Caseins As Shown by Sedimentation and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Techniques

The solubility and hydration characteristics of κ-carrageenan−casein systems from bovine and caprine milk with incorporated salt (NaCl) were determined by means of sedimentation and 17O nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. Relative salt interaction parameters for both caseins alone and caseins in mixtures with κ-carrageenan were assessed by nonlinear regression analysis from the characteristics of solubilization of the systems. The κ-carrageenan−casein interactions appear to depend largely on the ratios of κ- to αs1-casein and possibly αs2-casein. Second virial coefficients (B0 values) and hydration products derived from 17O NMR data suggest that while soluble at high salt, the caprine casein mixtures exhibit strong interactions, whereas the bovine counterparts do not. At lower salt concentrations the solubility data and the 17O NMR data are in agreement. Thus, a structural dependence upon protein components in salt-containing κ-carrageenan−casein solutions from bovine and caprine milk has been d...
Advances in inherently conducting polymers

Article de synthese: structure electronique des polymeres dopes et purs, proprietes spectroscopiques, ouvrabilite, typologie des polymeres (copolymeres greffes, statistiques, sequences, polymeres hydrosolubles), stabilite, orientation moleculaire et supramoleculaire, domaines d'application
Donor/Acceptor Coupling in Mixed-Valent Dinuclear Iron Polypyridyl Complexes: Experimental and Theoretical Considerations

Coupling between donor and acceptor orbitals for optically-induced intervalence electron transfer processes has been considered for a series of rigid mixed-valent dinuclear tris(2,2‘-bipyridine)iron complexes. Each of the four complexes considered contains three saturated bridges which link the two tris(2,2‘-bipyridine)iron moieties. The bridging linkages are −CH2CH2−, −CH2CH2CH2−, −CH2OCH2−, and −CH2SCH2−. Despite differences in the composition of the bridges X-ray diffraction and/or molecular dynamics calculations show that the metal−metal separation and relative bipyridine orientations among all four complexes are nearly identical. Consequently, the only factor which differs significantly among these complexes and which might affect the donor−acceptor coupling in the mixed-valent forms is their connectivity. These complexes thus provide a unique opportunity to focus on potential superexchange coupling in the absence of ambiguities introduced by other structural and energetic considerations. Theories de...
Low temperature box and tissue handling device for embedding biological tissue for immunostaining in electron microscopy

Abstract A box cooled with liquid nitrogen and a simple tissue handling device allow low temperature resin embedding of biological tissue to become a convenient routine procedure.
Algebraic representation for multiple anharmonic oscillators via compact and non-compact unitary groups

Abstract Coupling of two and three Morse oscillators is treated algebraically using the compact and non-compact Lie groups SU( n ) and SU( n , 1). A model hamiltonian which separates into harmonic, anharmonic, and coupling terms is expressed simply in terms of the group generators.
Social use of computer-mediated communication by adults on the autism spectrum

The defining characteristics of autism, including difficulty with nonverbal cues and need for structure, and the defining characteristics of computer-mediated communication (CMC), including reduction of extraneous cues and structured exchange, suggest the two would be an ideal match. Interviews and observations of 16 adults on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum reveal that many seek greater social connectedness and take advantage of interest-based online communities to foster successful, supportive relationships. However, CMC intensifies problems of trust, disclosure, inflexible thinking, and perspective-taking, making it difficult for some to maintain relationships. Interventions in the form of information visualization and CMC-specific social skills training are presented. Intervention considerations and participatory design opportunities are discussed.
Regionalization of streamflow characteristics for the Gulf -Atlantic Rolling Plains using leverage -guided region -of -influence regression.

Multivariate regression models are oft en applied to hydrologic regions to estimate peak flows at ungauged basins in an area. Such regression models can be derived using a region of influence (RoI), which is a selected set of basins that are hydrologically similar to the ungauged basin for whic h peak flow estimates are required. These regions can be poorly defined resulting in unstable parameter estimates because observations at a few basins may disproportionately influence the parameters. Conventional treatment is to drop the basin, if the prob lem is even recognized. We propose a leverage -guided RoI regression approach that redefines the region of influence. This new procedure uses two newly defined RoI leverage and influence metrics. The proposed approach is applied to 996 streamflow gauging stations in the southeast United States to estimate the 50 -year peak flow. The new leverage -guided RoI regression approach resulted in lower root -mean -square estimation errors, produced fewer observations with large leverage, and eliminated all influential observations.
Surface formation energy for intergranular fracture in two-dimensional polycrystals

A global energy minimization method for calculating intergranular fracture surfaces which minimize surface formation energy was developed using standard graph algorithms. The intergranular fracture of equiaxed, single-phase, polycrystalline grain structures was examined under a variety of energetic conditions. In energetically isotropic systems the minimum energy fracture surface has length 1.1 times the sample width independent of grain size. A criterion for fracture mode was derived for this case. Using a ball-and-spring model, local mechanical effects were found to increase fracture length by at most 5% in isotropic systems. The presence of typical low-energy, low-angle grain boundaries minimally affects intergranular fracture path, but may alter the preferred fracture mode. In systems with randomly dispersed, very weak boundaries (i.e., microcracks), fracture surfaces veer to follow low surface formation energy boundaries, resulting in tortuous, low-energy fracture paths, and intergranular fracture is strongly preferred.
Association between adolescent pregnancy and a family history of teenage births.

RESULTS: Compared with young women with no family history of teenage births, young women whose sister had had a teenage birth and those whose sister and mother both had had teenage births were significantly more likely to experience a teenage pregnancy (odds ratios, 4.8 and5. 1, respectively). Young women who had only a sister who had had a teenage birth had greater odds ofpregnancy than young women who had only a mother who had had a teenage birth (4.5). Having both a mother and a sister who had had teenage births was independently associated with an elevated risk of pregnancy (3.7), even after controlling for socioeconomic and mothers' parenting characteristics. Frequent companionship with an older sister was associated with increased odds of teenage pregnancy (4.5); frequent conflict with an older sister who had had a teenage birth was marginally associated with decreased odds of the outcome (0.3). CONCLUSION: Pregnancyprevention interventions targeting young women according to maternal and sibling teenage birth histories may be effective.
Tumor necrosis factor increases in vivo glucose utilization of macrophage-rich tissues.

Abstract Glucose utilization of different tissues was investigated in vivo by the 2-deoxyglucose tracer technique. After infusion of a non-lethal dose of recombinant human TNF-α (150 μg/kg) to rats, glucose utilization was increased by 80–100% in spleen, liver, kidney, by 60% in skin and by 30–40% in lung and ileum. The largest increase (150%) was observed in the diaphragm. There was no significant change in glucose utilization by skeletal muscles, testis and brain. These data show that TNF exerts metabolic effects on macrophage-rich tissues, and suggest that enhanced secretion of TNF may be one of the important factors in eliciting the metabolic changes in sepsis and endotoxicosis.
Nuclear surface N-acetyl neuraminic acid terminating receptors for myxovirus attachment.

INSIGHT into the molecular organization of cellular membranes may be gained by defining their molecular components in terms of functional groups which serve as receptors for virus attachment. Thus, the specific attachment of myxovirus to neuraminic acid-terminating glyco-protein groups on the cell surface and the loss of virus binding capacity following exposure of cells to neuraminidase serve to define the neuraminic acid molecule in its role as a functional receptor on the plasma membrane1. This report describes the first use of this approach to map the surface of nuclei by comparing the characteristics of myxovirus attachment and elution of whole cells with isolated nuclei. Here we demonstrate that the surface of cytoplasm-free nuclei prepared by treating cells with an anionic detergent contains specific receptors for the attachment of myxovirus, and that in terms of viral adsorption and elution the surface of nuclei isolated from HeLa cells reacts much like that of an erythrocyte, or of a host cell the viral engulfment capacity of which has boon destroyed by heat.
Palladin Is an Actin Cross-linking Protein That Uses Immunoglobulin-like Domains to Bind Filamentous Actin

Palladin is a recently described phosphoprotein that plays an important role in cell adhesion and motility. Previous studies have shown that palladin overexpression results in profound changes in actin organization in cultured cells. Palladin binds to the actin-associated proteins α-actinin, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, profilin, Eps8, and ezrin, suggesting that it may affect actin organization indirectly. To determine its molecular function in generating actin arrays, we purified palladin and asked if it is also capable of binding to F-actin directly. In co-sedimentation and differential sedimentation assays, palladin was found to both bind and cross-link actin filaments. This bundling activity was confirmed by fluorescence and electron microscopy. Palladin fragments were then purified and used to determine the sequences necessary to bind and bundle F-actin. The Ig3 domain of palladin bound to F-actin, and a palladin fragment containing Ig3, Ig4, and the region linking these domains was identified as a fragment that was able to bundle F-actin. Because palladin has multiple Ig domains, and only one of them binds to F-actin, this suggests that different Ig domains may be specialized for distinct biological functions. In addition, our results suggest a potential role for palladin in generating specialized, actin-based cell morphologies via both direct actin cross-linking activity and indirect scaffolding activity.
Phonon absorption of far-infrared radiation in small-metal-particle systems

The phonon absorption of small Al spheres is calculated within the jellium model. By taking into account the effect of local jellium-density modulation due to normal modes of elastic oscillations, it is shown that the excitation of a phonon by far-infrared radiation is associated with a transition dipole moment on the order of ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$ a.u./sphere. The origin of the dipole, whose magnitude is relatively insensitive to sphere size, can be traced to the incomplete screening of jellium-density modulation near the particle surface. The resulting phonon absorption for a system of 10-A\r{} Al particles is calculated to be comparable in magnitude to Drude absorption at similar frequencies. Conditions for the experimental observation of the effect are discussed.
Labeling of monoclonal antibodies with radionuclides

Antibodies, specifically monoclonal antibodies, are potentially very useful and powerful carriers of therapeutic agents to target tissues and diagnostic agents. The loading or charging of antibodies with agents, especially radiotracers, is reviewed here. The choice of radiosotope for immunodetection and/or immunotherapy is based on its availability, half-life, nature of the radiation emitted, and the metabolic pathways of the radionuclide in the body. Most important of all are the derivatization techniques available for labeling the antibody with the given radionuclide. Isotopes of iodine and divalent metal ions are the most, commonly used radionuclides. Antibodies labeled with iodine at tyrosine residues are metabolized rapidly in vivo. This leads to the incorporation of metabolized radioactive iodine into various tissues, mainly the thyroid gland and stomach, and to the accumulation of high levels of circulating iodine in the blood, which masks tumor uptake considerably. To overcome these limitations, the use of iodohippurate as an iodine-anchoring molecule, to the protein should be considered. When divalent or multivalent metal ions are used as the preferred, radionuclide, bifunctional chelating reagents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) are first coupled to the protein or antibody. These chelating molecules are attached to the protein by formation of an isopeptide linkage between the carboxylate of the chelating reagent and the amino group of the protein. Several procedures are available to generate the isopeptide linkage. When the anchoring of the chelating agent through isopeptide linkage results in the inactivation of the antibody, periodate oxidation of the carbohydrate moiety of the antibody, followed by reductive coupling of chelator, could be considered as an alternative. There is still a need for better, simpler, and more direct methods for labeling antibodies with radionuclides.
Writing Arden Syntax medical logic modules

The Arden Syntax for Medical Logic Modules is a language for encoding medical knowledge bases that consist of independent modules. The Arden Syntax has been used to generate clinical alerts, diagnostic interpretations, management messages, and screening for research studies and quality assurance. An Arden Syntax knowledge base consists of rules called Medical Logic Modules (MLMs), which are stored as simple ASCII files that can be written on any text editor. An MLM is made of slots grouped into three categories: maintenance information, library information, and the actual medical knowledge. Most MLMs are triggered by clinical events, evaluate medical criteria, and, if appropriate, perform an action such as sending a message to a health care provider. This paper provides a detailed tutorial on how to write MLMs.
Clostridium difficile Colitis Associated With Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome

The authors report the case of a 46-year-old woman who presented with vomiting and profuse bloody diarrhea. Laboratory studies were significant for a hematocrit of 27% and lactate dehydrogenase of 5,394 U/L (5,394 U/L). Her renal function deteriorated rapidly with a peak creatinine of 12.4 mg/dL (1,096.4 micromol/L), and platelet count dropped simultaneously to a nadir of 123,000/microL (123 x 10(9)/L]. Schistocytes were observed in peripheral blood smear. Stool was positive for Clostridium difficile toxin A by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Stool assay for Shiga-like toxin was negative by EIA, and stool cultures returned negative for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other enteric pathogens. A diagnosis of C difficile colitis associated with hemolytic-uremic syndrome was made; the patient received plasmapheresis and recovered with no relapse after 10 months of follow-up. This is the second reported case of C difficile colitis associated with hemolytic-uremic syndrome in an adult.
Labour migration: A developmental path or a low-level trap?

This article focuses on the debate about the developmental impact of migration on the sending countries. Throughout the post-Second World War period, temporary labour migration has been promoted as a path to development. Remittances have grown to rival or surpass official development assistance and have increased living standards in the sending countries. However, the evidence over time is that the remittances do not lead to development or even to higher incomes that are sustainable without further migration. Some determinedly temporary labour migration schemes offer promise. But where the pattern of migration and remittances locks into a semi-permanent arrangement (the standard line is ‘There's nothing more permanent than “temporary” migration’), then this may be a developmental trap for the South whereby, in a semi-permanent ‘3 Ds Deal’, the South forgoes self-development in favour of being a long-range bedroom community to supply the labour for dirty, dangerous, and difficult jobs in the North.
Computer Simulations of a Lithium-Ion Polymer Battery and Implications for Higher Capacity Next-Generation Battery Designs

Most commercial lithium-ion polymer cells differ from traditional lithium-ion cells only in their cell construction and packaging. Their use of thinner separators, immobilized gel electrolyte solutions, and metallized plastic laminated packaging potentially allow an improvement in both rate capability and energy density over previous generations of thin prismatic cells. Computer simulations of the performance of a specific commercial lithium-ion polymer cell (Sony's UP383562) are used to examine the capacity, energy density, and rate capability attainable by these systems. The current first-generation commercial cells are studied, and their performance is extrapolated to next-generation designs that are shown to achieve even higher capacities and energy densities. Fundamental limits in the energy density attainable by these systems are described. © 2003 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.
Point defects in FeAl

Point defects in annealed B2-phase FeAl samples in the range 47–53 at.% Fe were studied using 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy. Spectra were analyzed using local environment models according to which point defects in atomic shells close to probe atoms induce shifts in the nuclear monopole interaction. For well-annealed samples, better results were obtained assuming only the presence of FeAl antisite and VFe vacancy defects, and not of AlFe antisite defects. Monopole interactions of 57Fe probes on the Fe and Al sublattices having no defects in the first two shells were about +0.27 and −0.03 mm s−1, respectively, with respect to Fe in alpha-Fe metal. The shifts induced by FeAl and VFe defects in the first shells of Fe probes on the Fe and Al sublattices were −0.15 and −0.24 mm s−1, respectively, and, in the second shells, +0.06 and +0.011 mm s−1. In addition to structural defects needed to accommodate deviations from stoichiometry, annealed samples were found to contain several percents of FeAl and VFe defects due to lattice disorder, with greater disorder in Fe-deficient alloys.
The influence of intergenerational relationships on marital quality following the death of a parent in adulthood

Bereavement not only is an individual psychological experience but also has meaningful social and familial impacts. This article examines how relationship quality with both a deceased and a surviving parent influence adult children’s marital quality over time and whether this differs by gender. Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Study of Generations, a study of three- and four-generation families from Southern California. The sample included married adult children who experienced the death of a parent between survey waves (N = 304). A series of multilevel random effects models were estimated using a before/after loss framework. Analyses revealed that improvements and declines in relationship quality with a surviving parent were related with improvements and declines in marital quality following the death of a first parent, regardless of gender. High pre-loss relationship quality with a deceased parent resulted in improved marital quality only for sons who lost mothers. Findings support the linked lives...
Three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation of the fetal face

ABSTRACTThis paper reviews the state of the art of three-dimensional imaging of the fetal face. The technique, clinical applications, advantages and limitations of this new technique are reviewed.
Lessons Learned from a Leadership Development Club for High School Athletes

Leadership is a highly desirable skill in athletics and can be carried throughout the lifetime. Too often, however, leadership is only superficially discussed with high school student-athletes and rarely taught or reinforced over time. This article provides a description of a youth leadership club formed at a high school for the purpose of sharing leadership principles in an environment that could empower young student-athletes to create their own way to learn and practice leadership. This entails the process of student-athletes developing meaningful and varying roles; then creating, directing and facilitating their own leadership program for middle school students, resulting in a meaningful and more complete educational experience.
Effect of prolonged intraluminal α-amylase inhibition on eating, weight, and the small intestine of rats

Effects of chronic intraluminal amylase inhibition on eating and the digestive system are unclear. In growing rats, we determined the effect of ingesting a wheat amylase inhibitor (AI) on eating, weight, small intestinal mucosal growth, and disaccharidases. Three groups of 12 rats received AI, were pair-fed controls (PFC), or had free access to food (FAC). After measuring food intake and body and stool weight for 21 d, rats were decapitated and the small intestine was divided into four segments. AI and PFC rats had similar food intake, weight gain, and stool output, but these were less than FAC rats (P < 0.005). AI rats ate less (P < 0.001) than PFC during the light cycle and less than FAC rats during darkness. Mucosal DNA and RNA were reduced (P < 0.05) in the upper small intestine of AI and PFC rats compared with FAC rats. Mucosal weight, RNA, and disaccharidase activities were greater (P < 0.01) in the ileum of AI rats compared with PFC and FAC rats. AI alters the amount and pattern of food intake, reduces weight gain, upper small intestinal mucosal weight, protein and DNA, and increases distal small intestinal mucosal weight, RNA, and disaccharidases. AI likely causes these effects by inducing satiety and increasing carbohydrate delivery to the distal intestine.
Anterior shoulder dislocation increases the propensity for recurrence: a cadaveric study of the number of dislocations and type of capsulolabral lesion

Background The number of anterior shoulder dislocations that predispose to recurrence is unknown; some clinicians recommend surgical repair after the initial episode and others after multiple recurrences. The purpose of this study was to quantify the forces during successive anterior dislocations of cadaveric shoulders and to inspect the capsule and labrum afterwards, in order to assess the propensity for recurrence. Materials and methods Twenty-two human cadaveric shoulders were tested using a custom cadaveric shoulder dislocation device with simulated muscle loading. Each was positioned in the apprehension position and the humerus was moved in horizontal abduction until the shoulder dislocated. The joint reaction force was measured, as was the force that developed passively in the pectoralis major muscle. Following 3 successive dislocations, each was inspected for anterior capsulolabral lesions. Results There was a significant decrease in force after the second dislocation. In 11, there was no labral avulsion and a significant decrease in force after the first dislocation. In the other 11, there was a labral avulsion and a significant decrease in force after the second dislocation. Conclusion Two successive anterior shoulder dislocations may increase propensity for recurrence; but this is influenced by the type of capsulolabral lesion that occurs. No labral avulsion, likely a result of capsular stretching, may be a worse prognostic finding than labral avulsion after the initial episode.
Exploring the world of agent-based simulations: simple models, complex analyses: exploring the world of agent-based simulations: simple models, complex analyses

Agent-based simulations are models where multiple entities sense and stochastically respond to conditions in their local environments, mimicking complex large-scale system behavior. We provide an overview of some important issues in the modeling and analysis of agent-based systems. Examples are drawn from a range of fields: biological modeling, sociological modeling, and industrial applications, though we focus on recent results for a variety of military applications. Based on our experiences with various agent-based models, we describe issues that simulation analysts should be aware of when embarking on agent-based model development. We also describe a number of tools (both graphical and analytical) that we have found particularly useful for analyzing these types of simulation models. We conclude with a discussion of areas in need of further investigation.
Malignant schwannoma. A Clinicopathologic Study

During the period from 1920-1970, 902 patients with a tumor of the peripheral nervous system were treated at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Histologic review of this material revealed 115 cases which fulfilled strict criteria for clinicopathologic diagnosis of malignant schwannoma, i.e., tumorinvolved nerve trunks with fusiform or oval swelling and arising from the nerve sheath. There was no significant age or sex predilection. Association with plexiform neuroma or with stigmata of von Recklinghausen's disease was found to be indicative of a poor prognosis. Radical local excision controlled small tumors. Muscle group dissection or major amputation was reserved where large tumors or recurrence precluded local excision. Lymphatic invasion and lymph node involvement by malignant schwannoma was not observed. Regional lymph node dissection is unnecessary.
Paroxetine-Induced Increase in Activity of Locus Coeruleus Neurons in Adolescent Rats: Implication of a Countertherapeutic Effect of an Antidepressant

The concern that antidepressant (AD) drugs, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and paroxetine (PAR) in particular, can increase suicidality during the early treatment of juvenile patients (children and adolescents) has created a dilemma for clinicians treating depressives. Although preclinical research cannot resolve controversy in this area, our present findings may provide insight into how AD drugs might, under certain conditions, exacerbate rather than ameliorate the depressive state. Both clinical and preclinical evidences indicate that the principal noradrenergic cell group in the brain, the locus coeruleus (LC), is overactive in depressives and that, conversely, effective AD treatments decrease the activity of LC neurons. We report here that short-term (2 and 4 days) administration of PAR produces an increase in the activity of LC neurons (spontaneous firing rate and sensory-evoked responses) in young rats, contrary to the ‘therapeutic' decrease in activity typically observed in adult rats. Blood levels of PAR were lower in young rats than in adult rats, although similar low blood levels produced by a lower dose of PAR in adult rats failed to produce an increase in LC activity. In addition, activity of young rats in the swim test was determined to assess depressive-like responses. The same dose/durations of PAR, which produced the largest increases in LC activity in young rats, produced decreases in swim-test activity, indicating that brief administration of PAR in young rats can promote, rather than reduce, the depressive state. These results offer a model that may help screen potential adjunctive treatments to avoid early adverse effects of ADs.
Preservation of the saphenous vein during inguinal lymphadenectomy decreases morbidity in patients with carcinoma of the vulva.

BACKGROUND Traditional inguinal lymphadenectomy includes the removal of a portion of the saphenous vein. The authors hypothesized that preserving the saphenous vein would decrease morbidity without affecting treatment outcome. METHODS A retrospective review of 83 patients with carcinoma of the vulva who underwent inguinal lymphadenectomy between 1990–1998 was performed. Postoperative short term and long term complications were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 139 inguinal dissections were performed in 83 patients. The saphenous vein was preserved in 62 patients and ligated in 77 patients. The clinical characteristics of the patients, the operating time, and the estimated blood loss were not significantly different between the two groups. The incidence rate of short term complications including fever, seroma, phlebitis, lymphocyst, and deep venous thrombosis also was similar. Cellulitis occurred in 39% of the patients who underwent vein ligation compared with 18% of the patients who underwent a vein-sparing procedure (P = 0.006). Short term (< 6 months) lower extremity lymphedema occurred in 70% of the vein-ligated group compared with 32% of the vein-spared group (P < 0.001). Chronic edema (≥ 2 years) was present in only 3% of the patients who underwent saphenous vein preservation compared with 32% of those who underwent vein ligation (P = 0.003). Chronic lymphedema in the vein-spared group was observed in only one patient who received postoperative radiation. Overall, individuals with preservation of the saphenous vein were less likely to develop complications (56% vs. 23%; P < 0.001). There was no difference in the rate of incidence of recurrent disease between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Preservation of the saphenous vein during inguinal lymphadenectomy reduces both the short term and long term postoperative complications without affecting treatment outcome. The saphenous vein should be preserved routinely in patients undergoing inguinal lymphadenectomy. Cancer 2000;89:1520–5. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Phosphotungstic acid staining of the organ of corti for electron microscopy

Phosphotungstic acid (PTA) 1% in absolute alcohol was used, according to Bloom and Aghajanian's ('66) method, during the final dehydration stage of glutaraldehyde-fixed cochlear specimens which were processed for electron microscopic study without osmium treatment. Familiar structures emerged with additional characteristics. PTA stained supporting elements. Synaptic areas were emphasized and the synaptic bar of hair cells opposite afferent endings was densely stained. Dark clumps were found near the synaptic surface of efferent nerve endings that seemed to correspond to the material sometimes seen between vesicles near the synaptic cleft. A dense layer was present in hair cells opposite efferent terminals between the outer layer of the double membrane and the synaptic membrane. Formations resembling synapses between the nerve endings of outer hair cells were emphasized by PTA staining, but were difficult to find because of their rarity. It seems unlikely that synaptic interaction between cochlear nerve endings is vital in the basic physiology of hearing. PTA staining permits recognition of cochlear nerve ending type independent of hair cell features which will make it a useful aid for the study of the development of the inner ear and of pathological ear conditions.
Grade V renal injury: avulsion of the renal pedicle.

A 31-year-old man sustained blunt trauma to the left flank after a motorcycle accident and was initially normotensive, but had gross hematuria. A CT scan (Figure) after administration of intravenous contrast showed findings leading to a radiographic diagnosis of Grade V renal injury, including lack of contrast perfusion to the left kidney (arrowhead), extensively displaced in an anterolateral fashion by the large retroperitoneal hematoma. The point of avulsion from the left renal artery is clear (arrow). The great distance between the point of origin of the left renal artery and the kidney itself was sufficient to preoperatively establish an avulsion injury. The patient was managed with exploratory laparotomy and left nephrectomy. Intraoperative findings were significant for a large retroperitoneal hematoma and a nonviable left kidney with an avulsed renal artery and laceration of the renal vein. Renal injuries occur in approximately 10% of patients who sustain abdominal trauma; 90% of these cases involve blunt trauma. The presence of gross hematuria is an important physical exam sign, but may be present relatively infrequently with renal pedicle injuries. The vast majority of renal trauma, especially blunt trauma, can be managed nonoperatively. Indications for operative management of renal vascular injuries include bleeding, manifested by extensive retroperitoneal hematoma and hemodynamic instability related to the injury. The need for nephrectomy is uncommon with parenchymal injuries, but is frequently necessary with main renal artery and Grade V injuries.
Optimal power distribution control under different total power constraint strategies for multicode MC-CDMA with zero-forcing successive interference cancellation

Multicode multicarrier CDMA (MC-CDMA) is a promising candidate for supporting multimedia services in future wireless communications. However, the performance of this system is limited by self-interference (SI) and multiuser interference (MUI). To mitigate this problem, a nonlinear zero-forcing successive interference cancellation (ZF-S1C) receiver is applied in this paper. Furthermore, to minimize each user's bit error rate (BER), optimal power distribution control (PDC) is considered. Results show that in correlated Rayleigh fading channels, the multicode MC-CDMA system based on the ZF-SIC receiver with the optimal PDC remarkably out performs other receivers proposed in the literature. Moreover, the ZF-SIC integrated with the optimal PDC present significant performance advantage over that with the equal BER PDC, particularly under a short-term total transmit power constraint.
Robust coding schemes for indexing and retrieval from large face databases

This paper introduces two new coding schemes, probabilistic reasoning models (PRM) and enhanced FLD (Fisher linear discriminant) models (EFM), for indexing and retrieval of large image databases with applications to face recognition. The unifying theme of the new schemes is that of lowering the space dimension ("data compression") subject to increased fitness for the discrimination index.
Optical Matrix-Vector Processors: Basic Concepts

During the past decade or so, numerous schemes have been proposed and developed for performing vector-matrix-based algebraic operations optically. This paper reviews the major methods, providing the basis for an understanding of more complicated opto-electronic architectures and algorithms.
Dioxygen activation by a neutral beta-diketiminato copper(I) ethylene complex.

The synthesis and structure of two thermally stable neutral β-diketiminato copper(I) olefin complexes are presented along with the structure of a Cu(II)2(μ-OH)2 dimer that results from the reaction of the Cu(I) ethylene complex with O2via the proposed intermediacy of a Cu(III)2(μ-O)2 species.
Space Radiation Risks for Astronauts on Multiple International Space Station Missions

Mortality and morbidity risks from space radiation exposure are an important concern for astronauts participating in International Space Station (ISS) missions. NASA’s radiation limits set a 3% cancer fatality probability as the upper bound of acceptable risk and considers uncertainties in risk predictions using the upper 95% confidence level (CL) of the assessment. In addition to risk limitation, an important question arises as to the likelihood of a causal association between a crew-members’ radiation exposure in the past and a diagnosis of cancer. For the first time, we report on predictions of age and sex specific cancer risks, expected years of life-loss for specific diseases, and probability of causation (PC) at different post-mission times for participants in 1-year or multiple ISS missions. Risk projections with uncertainty estimates are within NASA acceptable radiation standards for mission lengths of 1-year or less for likely crew demographics. However, for solar minimum conditions upper 95% CL exceed 3% risk of exposure induced death (REID) by 18 months or 24 months for females and males, respectively. Median PC and upper 95%-confidence intervals are found to exceed 50% for several cancers for participation in two or more ISS missions of 18 months or longer total duration near solar minimum, or for longer ISS missions at other phases of the solar cycle. However, current risk models only consider estimates of quantitative differences between high and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. We also make predictions of risk and uncertainties that would result from an increase in tumor lethality for highly ionizing radiation reported in animal studies, and the additional risks from circulatory diseases. These additional concerns could further reduce the maximum duration of ISS missions within acceptable risk levels, and will require new knowledge to properly evaluate.
Mechanomutable properties of a PAA/PAH polyelectrolyte complex: rate dependence and ionization effects on tunable adhesion strength

Advances in nanoscale processing and simulation have led to the capability to directly control the mechanical properties of a material through change of its structural makeup at the nanoscale. A novel class of mechanomutable materials in which mechanical properties can be both tunable and reversible via in situ modifications of a material's nanostructure through stimuli such as pH, light, or electrical fields provides a promising strategy to develop stimuli-responsive polymer-composites. Here we report atomistic-level molecular dynamics (MD) studies, used to investigate the tunable adhesion properties of a polyelectrolyte complex consisting of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) to elucidate the complexation and electrostatic cross-linking behavior of the constituent polymers of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) systems. To accommodate a link between experimental and simulation results, a rate dependence investigation of the adhesion strength is undertaken to reconcile the time-scale limitations of atomistic simulations. A comparison with Atomic Force Microscopy experiments is provided, showing good agreement with simulation results. To investigate potential mutability of the system, we perform a systematic variation of the percent ionization of each constituent polymer. The ultimate strength of adhesion for the aligned polymers is shown to range from approximately 15 nN to 40 nN for an equivalent pH range of pH 2.5 to pH 10. Theoretical regimes of ionization extend the adhesion strength range from 8 nN to 45 nN, displaying the potential application of tunable, mechanomutable PAA/PAH systems. The findings reported here should be useful in steering experimental efforts in the characterization of polyelectrolyte multilayer composites.
Unobtrusive Measures: An I nventory of Uses

The logic and advantages of unobtrusive measures are briefly reviewed. The literature on unobtrusive measures is then summarized under four large classes-physical traces, archives, simple observati...
Preparation of Phosphopeptides Derived from αs-Casein and β-Casein Using Immobilized Glutamic Acid-Specific Endopeptidase and Characterization of Their Calcium Binding

Phosphopeptides that were derived from alpha s-CN or beta-CN were prepared with immobilized glutamic acid-specific endopeptidase, and their Ca2+ binding was characterized. alpha s-Casein or beta-CN was hydrolyzed in a fluidized bed bioreactor containing 2 ml of immobilized glutamic acid-specific endopeptidase by recirculating 20 ml of alpha s-CN or beta-CN solution (10 mg/ml in 50 mM Tris.HCl and 0.02% NaN3, pH 8.0) for 3 h at 20 degrees C. The molecular masses of casein peptides were monitored by SDS-PAGE. Each hydrolysate was applied to an anion-exchange column using stepwise elution with various concentrations of KCl to separate peptides. The casein phosphopeptide content of the elution profile was monitored by analysis of protein and P concentrations. Calcium binding in phosphopeptide-enriched fractions was determined by CaCl2 titration and measurement of free Ca2+ with a Ca-selective electrode. The electrophoresis patterns showed four major peptides having molecular masses of 10.8, 9.0, 6.6, and 3.6 kDa in the alpha s-CN hydrolysate and 9.3, 8.2, and 6.2 kDa in the beta-CN hydrolysate. The highest concentrations of P were detected in the fractions that eluted with 0.4 and 0.5 M KCl for the alpha s-CN hydrolysate and with 0.4 M KCl for the beta-CN hydrolysate. The calcium-binding ability was found only in the fraction that was eluted with 0.4 M KCl; the maximum Ca2+ binding and the apparent binding constant were 0.24 mmol/mg of protein and 75 M-1, and 0.14 mmol/mg of protein and 148 M-1, respectively. alpha s-Casein phosphopeptides had different patterns for Ca2+ binding than did beta-CN phosphopeptides as the total Ca concentration was increased. Calcium binding to these casein phosphopeptides differed from that previously characterized for the tryptic peptides.
Molecular separation of two behavioral phenotypes by a mutation affecting the promoters of a Ca-activated K channel

The Drosophila slowpoke gene encodes a BK-type calcium-activated potassium channel. Null mutations in slowpoke perturb the signaling properties of neurons and muscles and cause behavioral defects. The animals fly very poorly compared with wild-type strains and, after exposure to a bright but cool light or a heat pulse, exhibit a "sticky-feet" phenotype. Expression of slowpoke arises from five transcriptional promoters that express the gene in neural, muscle, and epithelial tissues. A chromosomal deletion (ash2(18)) has been identified that removes the neuronal promoters but not the muscle-tracheal cell promoter. This deletion complements the flight defect of slowpoke null mutants but not the sticky-feet phenotype. Electrophysiological assays confirm that the ash2(18) chromosome restores normal electrical properties to the flight muscle. This suggests that the flight defect arises from a lack of slowpoke expression in muscle, whereas the sticky-feet phenotype arises from a lack of expression in nervous tissue.
Asymptotic Efficiency of Semiparametric Two-step GMM

Many structural economics models are semiparametric ones in which the unknown nuisance functions are identified via non-parametric conditional moment restrictions with possibly non-nested or overlapping conditioning sets, and the finite dimensional parameters of interest are over-identified via unconditional moment restrictions involving the nuisance functions. In this article we characterize the semiparametric efficiency bound for this class of models. We show that semiparametric two-step optimally weighted GMM estimators achieve the efficiency bound, where the nuisance functions could be estimated via any consistent non-parametric methods in the first step. Regardless of whether the efficiency bound has a closed form expression or not, we provide easy-to-compute sieve-based optimal weight matrices that lead to asymptotically efficient two-step GMM estimators.
Thoracoscopic direct clipping of the thoracic duct for chylopericardium and chylothorax.

Abstract Background . Chylothorax is a challenging clinical problem. Untreated, it carries a high mortality and morbidity. Traditional surgical management for cases refractory to conservative treatment is thoracic duct ligation through a right open thoracotomy. Methods . We describe 4 patients treated successfully by video-assisted thoracic surgery, using ports and no thoracotomy, and precise ligation and division of the thoracic duct just above the diaphragm. A pericardial window was made in the patient with chylopericardium, as in the patient with end-stage renal disease. Pleurodesis was used in the patient with esophageal carcinoma and the patient with jugular and subclavian vein thrombosis. Results . There were 2 women aged 18 and 42 years and 2 men, aged 61 and 65 years. No procedure-related mortality or morbidity occurred. In patients 1, 2, 3, and 4, the postoperative duration of drainage was 5, 7, 7, and 5 days, respectively (mean duration, 6 days) and the hospital stay, 5, 9, 10, and 5 days, respectively (mean stay, 7 days). There was no recurrence of chylothorax or chylopericardium during follow-up (range, 2 to 24 months; mean follow-up, 9 months). One patient died of esophageal carcinoma 4 months after operation. Conclusions . Video-assisted thoracic surgery without a thoracotomy is an effective way of treating chylothorax and carries minimal morbidity.