cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recent Progress In Thin Film Polycrystalline Solar Cells Based On Cadmium Sulfide

AbstractRecent developments in thin film polycrystalline cells based on CdS /Cu2S have established this cell as amajor contender for large scale terrestrial application. Conversion efficiencies for CdS /Cu2S now exceed 8 %, with firm reason to believe that 10% is achievable. A modified cell using (CdZn)S is expected to be capableof about 15% conversion efficiency.IntroductionThe direct conversion of sunlight to electricity will become possible on a large scale only with the devel-opment of a low cost highly stable solar cell. To produce such a cell, two classes of requirements, physicaland economic, must be satisfied. Satisfying the physical requirements will assure that the cell will havehigh initial efficiency and a long usable life. However, economic considerations such as amount and cost ofcell components must also be satisfied in order that the device can be produced on an extremely large scaleat very low cost per installed peak kilowatt.'In order that photovoltaic conversion can be used to produce electrical power atgost competitive withconventional sources, the solar arrays must be produced for roughly $200 /peak kwatt. To achieve such costgoals using cells with '' 10% conversion efficiency requires that direct material costs account for 75% ormore of2the factory cost of the cells with the semiconductor and substrate comprising 95% of the material
Feasibility studies of ArF chromeless mask (CLM) for sub-80-nm era

In this paper, we discuss feasibility of ArF chromeless mask (CLM) for sub-80nm era. Simulation and experiment are performed in terms of influence of quartz sidewall angle of CLM, process margin for 80nm DRAM cells, and mask polarity such as trench or mesa etc. Mask layouts are optimized through the use of resist patterning simulation for various critical layers of DRAM with trench and mesa type CLM, respectively. Lithography simulation is done by using in-house tool based on diffused aerial image model. SOLID-CTM is also using in order to study the influence of quartz sidewall angle and mask polarity. In the case of mask polarity, mesa type CLM is easier to make in the view of mask-making process, but in view of lithographic performance, trench type CLM is found to be better than mesa type. Quartz sidewall angle of CLM is one of the important factors for lithographic performance. The quartz sidewall angle of CLM gives severe impact on the lithographic performance. As quartz sidewall angle of CLM gets below 90 degrees, image quality, such as process window, aerial image contrast, are further degraded especially in the mesa type CLM. In addition, we also studied influence of phase error, transmittance error etc.
Differential heating/cooling chip joining method to prevent chip package interaction issue in large die with ultra low-k technology

A differential heating/cooling chip join method was developed for Pb-free flip chip packaging of ultra low-k (ULK) technology Si chips on organic substrates to prevent Chip-Package Interaction (CPI) — related damage upon chip joining. A chip was mounted to a bonder head and a substrate was located on a base plate and they were held at different elevated temperatures during the bonding process. The temperature difference between the Si chip and the organic substrate during assembly provides a substantially matched thermal expansion and minimizes stress induced by coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch. From the modeling study, it was confirmed that chip warpage, Controlled Collapse Chip Connection (C4) stresses/strains, and ULK stresses decreased significantly by differential heating/cooling chip join method, with further improvement noted as the substrate temperature was decreased during the bonding process. X-ray, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and C-mode scanning acoustic microscope (C-SAM) were used to examine the defects after flip chip assembly. Noncontact white light reflectometry was also used to measure the warpage shape of the assembled silicon chip and the organic substrate. Observation under C-SAM indicated that fractures in the ULK layers were dramatically reduced by the differential heating/cooling chip joining process compared to the conventional reflow process. Non-destructive X-ray images indicated there were no solder bridging in any area of the chip interconnects. The experimental results showed that the differential heating/cooling chip join process can effectively reduce fractures in the ULK layers and prevent C4 bump bridging in a large die package with low-K dielectric constant device integration and high Ag content solder bumps.
Origins of regulatory behavior.

Abstract Theoretical investigations show that any catalyst which can function by both single displacement and double displacement formal mechanisms can yield regulatory behavior. The associated Hill coefficient can be as large as 2 or as small as 0.2, depending on the values of the individual rate constants. Structurally simple catalysts may often be capable of regulatory behavior on this basis, although very few catalysts as complex and highly evolved as enzymes appear to be. Experimental studies with sulfur-transfer reactions illustrate these notions. Small molecular, monofunctional catalysts for such reactions characteristically yield kinetic behavior indicative of a single displacement formal mechanism with some sulfur-donor substrates and a double displacement formal mechanism with others. With individual donor substrates that can enter into both types of catalytic cycle, regulatory behavior with respect to the acceptor substrate is observed. Further, in the presence of appropriate mixtures of donor substrates, regulatory behavior mimicking either positive or negative cooperativity for the sulfur-acceptor substrate can be obtained. The evolutionary development of enzymes must have proceeded starting from such simple catalysts. The low order catalytic efficiency of the simple catalysts is associated with a considerable formal mechanistic versatility. However, increasing the catalytic efficiency necessarily involved sacrifice of much of this versatility and of its associated inherent regulatory capability as well. The evolution of highly efficient enzymes has thus required the concomitant development of different kinds of mechanisms for producing the same kinds of regulatory behavior as those shown by the simpler catalysts.
PS1-7: Health Plan Participants in a Study of Self-Screening for Melanoma

Background/Aims In contrast to declines in the incidence of most common cancers, melanoma continues to rise with 76,250 new cases and over 9,000 deaths in the US in 2012. While melanoma detected at early stage has an excellent prognosis, most Americans do not know skin cancer signs. Population-based physician-initiated screening has proved impractical. Self-skin examination (SSE) has the potential to ameliorate the harm from melanoma in a feasible, cost-effective way. The limited studies of SSE to date were conducted mostly among patients receiving dermatology-specialty care.
Membrane localization and topology of leukotriene C4 synthase

Leukotriene C4(LTC4) synthase conjugates LTA4 with GSH to form LTC4. Determining the site of LTC4synthesis and the topology of LTC4 synthase may uncover unappreciated intracellular roles for LTC4, as well as how LTC4 is transferred to its export carrier, the multidrug resistance protein-1. We have determined the membrane localization of LTC4 synthase by immunoelectron microscopy. In contrast to the closely related five-lipoxygenase-activating protein, LTC4 synthase is distributed in the outer nuclear membrane and peripheral endoplasmic reticulum but is excluded from the inner nuclear membrane. We have combined immunofluorescence with differential membrane permeabilization to determine the topology of LTC4 synthase. The active site of LTC4 synthase is localized in the lumen of the nuclear envelope and endoplasmic reticulum. These results indicate that the synthesis of LTB4 and LTC4 occurs in different subcellular locations and suggests that LTC4 must be returned to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane for export by multidrug resistance protein-1. The differential localization of two very similar integral membrane proteins suggests that mechanisms other than size-dependent exclusion regulate their passage to the inner nuclear membrane.
Diagnostic Imaging Features of Congenital Nose and Nasal Cavity Lesions

A wide variety of congenital nasal lesions can present to clinical attention due to airway obstruction, the presence of a mass, and/or cosmetic deformity, including pyriform aperture stenosis, choanal atresia, nasopharyngeal atresia, arrhinia, congenital germline fusion cysts, cephaloceles, neuroglial heterotopia, nasolacrimal duct mucoceles, hamartomas, supernumerary nostril, and bifid nose. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which are the main imaging modalities used to characterize these lesions, often serve complementary roles. Familiarity with embryology and anatomy is also essential for recognizing the diagnostic imaging findings related to congenital nasal lesions.
Two-Tiered Political Entrepreneurship and the Congressional Committee System

Theories of political entrepreneurship usually focus on the construction of coalitions necessary to change policy. We argue that political entrepreneurs who are unable to secure favored policies may redirect their efforts to a “higher tier,” attempting to change the rules of the game to enable the exploitation of future political profit opportunities. We present a taxonomy of three levels of political rules - pre-constitutional, constitutional, and post-constitutional - and identify the salient characteristics of institutional entrepreneurship that targets rules at each level. The development of the congressional committee system is explored as a case study in entrepreneurship over post-constitutional rules.
Potential benefits of canine companionship for military veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

AbstractInvestigators surveyed 30 U.S. military veterans with PTSD who reported having benefited from living with a dog. The subject population included men and women aged 34 to 67, with a mean of 56.9 years (SD = 8.1), who were being treated at two Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinics. Participants received a questionnaire packet designed to assess aspects of their mental and physical health and relationship with a canine companion, which they completed at home and returned either in person or by mail. The packet consisted of the PTSD Checklist-Military Version (PCL-M); Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II); Veterans Short Form Health Survey and Health Behaviors Questionnaire (SF-36); Dog Information Sheet; Dog Relationship Questionnaire; and Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale. Respondents indicated that since adopting their dog they had experienced improvement in several areas, including feeling calmer, less lonely, less depressed, and less worried about their and their family’s safety. These results suggest that living with a companion dog may help relieve some of the psychological distress associated with PTSD in some veterans.
N-glycosylation is essential for ileal ASBT function and protection against proteases

The bile acid transporter ASBT is a glycoprotein responsible for active absorption of bile acids. Inhibiting ASBT function and bile acid absorption is an attractive approach to lower plasma cholest...
Experimental Study of a Dual Reflux Enriching Pressure Swing Adsorption Process for Concentrating Dilute Feed Streams

A dual reflux (DR) enriching pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process with two beds and an intermediate feed located at z/L = 0.5 was studied experimentally for concentrating a dilute feed of ethane in N2 using MeadWestvaco BAX-1500 activated carbon. A five-step cycle was used with feed, light reflux, and heavy reflux steps carried out simultaneously, and cocurrent depressurization and heavy product pressurization steps carried out simultaneously during different segments of the cycle. A parametric study showed that the light reflux flow rate, feed/heavy reflux step time, heavy product flow rate, and ethane feed mole fraction all had significant effects on the process performance in terms of purity and recovery. It also showed that it was relatively easy to concentrate ethane using a pressure ratio of only 7. The average of 19 runs with an ethane feed concentration of 1.38 vol % gave an ethane enrichment of 45.8 (63.2 vol %) and ethane recovery of 84%, while producing N2 at high purity (99.8 vol %) and rec...
Interaction between GABAergic anticonvulsants and the NMDA receptor antagonist MK 801 against MES- and picrotoxin-induced convulsions in rats

The interaction between GABAergic (barbiturates, diazepam, ethanol) and other (phenytoin) anticonvulsants and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK 801 in protecting rats against maximal electroshock (MES)- and picrotoxin-induced (10 mg/kg) convulsions was studied. MK 801 (0.1 to 5 mg/kg) showed anticonvulsant responses against MES-induced convulsions in a dose dependent manner, higher doses showing severe muscle relaxation, motor incoordination, and anticonvulsant action. It also produced stereotypic head movement, circling behavior, and affected locomotion. When subanticonvulsant dose (1 mg/kg) of MK 801 was simultaneously administered with subprotective doses of GABAergic anticonvulsants, it significantly potentiated the effects of barbiturates, as compared to other agents. At 1 mg/kg, MK 801 did not offer protection against tonic convulsions though protected (100%) the animals from mortality due to picrotoxin-induced convulsions. It potentiated the effect of a subprotective dose (5 mg/kg) of pentobarbital, but not of diazepam, against tonic convulsions. However, no mortality was observed in either group. The antiglutamate action of barbiturates, particularly that of pentobarbital, may contribute to the observed potentiating response between pentobarbital and MK 801.
Doppler guide wire flow-velocity indexes measured distal to coronary stenoses associated with reversible thallium perfusion defects

A Doppler guide wire was used to measure phasic coronary blood flow velocity distal to coronary stenoses in 17 symptomatic patients with corresponding positive exercise or adenosine thallium scintigrams. Distal average peak velocity and diastolic/systolic flow-velocity ratio were obtained in 16 vessels with stenoses (55% to 85% diameter stenosis) and a corresponding reversible thallium defect and in 11 control vessels with no stenosis or thallium defect. Coronary flow-velocity reserve was obtained with intracoronary adenosine. Coronary flow reserve (2.3 +/- 0.4 vs 1.2 +/- 0.3, p < 0.01) and diastolic/systolic flow-velocity ratio (1.95 +/- 0.56 vs 1.44 +/- 0.59, p < 0.04) were significantly different between normal vessels and distal to stenoses, respectively. Excellent concordance between distal coronary flow reserve and diastolic/systolic flow-velocity ratio to thallium scintigraphy was noted. A coronary flow reserve of < 1.8 and a diastolic/systolic flow-velocity ratio of < 1.7 predicted a reversible thallium perfusion scintigram (concordance 96% and 88%, respectively). Distal coronary flow velocity indexes may provide an alternative means of physiologic assessment of lesion severity during coronary angiography.
Active Site General Catalysts Are Not Necessary for Some Proton Transfer Reactions of Thymidylate Synthase

Several steps of the reaction catalyzed by thymidylate synthase (TS) require proton transfers to and from O-4 and C-5 of the pyrimidine moiety of substrate dUMP. It has been proposed that one or more of three active site residuesGlu60, His199, and Asn229together with ordered water molecules serve as general catalysts in facilitating such proton transfers. These three residues, individually and together, were mutated to residues incapable of proton transfer, and the mutant enzymes were purified and tested for activity in the formation of dTMP and the dehalogenation of 5-bromo- and 5-iodo-dUMP. The dehalogenation reaction pathway shares at least two direct chemical counterparts with the TS reaction pathway which are believed to involve general acid/base catalysisnamely, the addition and elimination of the catalytic Cys of TS at C-6 of the pyrimidine substrate. Generally, the mutations had detrimental effects on dTMP synthesis with the triple mutant being completely inactive. In contrast, single mutants TS E...
Controlled Ion Ejection from an External Trap for Extended m/z Range in FT-ICR Mass Spectrometry

An auxiliary rf waveform of the same amplitude and phase applied to all the rods of an ion accumulation multipole creates an m/z-dependent axial pseudo potential. Controlled decrease of the auxiliary rf amplitude releases ions from the accumulation multipole sequentially from high to low m/z. The slope of the auxiliary rf voltage ramp is adjusted so that ions of different m/z reach the center of the ICR cell at the same time point, which mitigates the typical time dispersion observed in external source FT-ICR and extends the observable mass range for a single data acquisition by 2- to 3-fold. For complex mixture analysis, twice the number of elemental compositions are assigned when the auxiliary rf ejection is applied compared with the standard gated trapping.
Effects of retinol and retinol palmitate on glycolipid and glycoprotein galactosyltransferase activities of rat liver plasma membranes

Summary Purified plasma membranes isolated from rat liver exhibited low levels of galactosyltransferase activity toward endogenous glycolipid and glycoprotein acceptors. The addition of retinol (0.005 mM) stimulated the transfer of [ 14 C]galactose from UDP-[ 14 C]galactose to endogenous glycolipid and glycoprotein acceptors of plasma membranes while higher or lower concentrations of retinol were either inhibitory or had no effect. Retinol palmitate (0.005 mM) stimulated the transfer of [ 14 C]galactose from UDP-[ 14 C]galactose into glycolipid but not glycoprotein acceptors of isolated plasma membranes and was inhibitory at concentrations above 0.05 mM. The addition of ATP (0.5 mM) to incubations in the absence or presence of retinol (0.025 or 0.005 mM) inhibited incorporation of [ 14 C]galactose into glycolipid and glycoprotein acceptors. Plasma membranes did not catalyze the synthesis of [ 14 C]galactosyl retinyl phosphate in incubations containing UDP-[ 14 C]galactose and retinyl phosphate. The results of this study indicate that retinol stimulates incorporation of [ 14 C]galactose into glycolipid and glycoprotein acceptors of isolated plasma membranes. The mechanism of stimulation is unknown but does not appear to be a simple detergent effect or the result of retinol acting as a galactosyl retinyl phosphate intermediate.
Water on Organosilane-Treated Silica Surfaces

Abstract Both a fully hydroxylated silica (HiSil 233) and a partially hydroxylated silica (Cab-o-Sil M-5) were treated with organosilanes and a silazane. Water adsorption isotherms were then monitored on the resulting products. Reflectance IR spectroscopic measurements were used to follow the reactions of the surface hydroxyls with the silanes and to examine the subsequent water adsorption. The main objective was to ascertain the water susceptibilities of the different functional groups and the availability to water of any residual hydroxyls. The silazane and silanes employed were: hexamethyldisilazane, vinyl-trichlorosilane, and the alkoxysilanes: γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethyoxysilane, and amino-propyltriethoxysilane. The latter three were reacted from the liquid phase, first hydrolyzing to the silanetriols, with additional complications from condensation reactions. The vinyl compound and the disilazane were reacted from the vapor phase. Sharp differences between the results for the fully hydroxylated and the partially (25%) hydroxylated silica were found. The silanetriols upon heat treatment formed a multilayer polymer network on the latter and only a two-dimensional network on the former apparently due to hydrogen bonding to residual hydroxyls. The reacted silanes formed umbrellas over reacted hydroxyls on the former which were nevertheless available to water molecules. With the latter, however, a much more hydrophobic surface was produced. A number of details were also provided by the reflectance IR measurements.
Anisotropic buckypaper through shear-induced mechanical alignment of carbon nanotubes in water

Abstract A simple method for aligning nanotubes in buckypaper with a modified Taylor–Couette system is reported. Using shear forces produced by a rotating cylinder to orient multi-walled carbon nanotubes in a surfactant-assisted aqueous dispersion, the suspended nanotubes are simultaneously aligned and filtered. The resulting buckypaper is composed of nanotubes with preferential orientation in the direction of flow and possesses anisotropic electrical and mechanical properties, which are both enhanced parallel to the direction of orientation. The technique presented here requires no specialized equipment and can be implemented with any type of carbon nanotube synthesized by any method. Furthermore, the size of the buckypaper sheets can be easily increased by adjusting the length and diameter of the cylinders in the setup, offering the possibility for low-cost production of large quantities of oriented buckypaper.
Effects of chronic sleep fragmentation on wake-active neurons and the hypercapnic arousal response.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Delayed hypercapnic arousals may occur in obstructive sleep apnea. The impaired arousal response is expected to promote more pronounced oxyhemoglobin desaturations. We hypothesized that long-term sleep fragmentation (SF) results in injury to or dysfunction of wake-active neurons that manifests, in part, as a delayed hypercapnic arousal response. DESIGN Adult male mice were implanted for behavioral state recordings and randomly assigned to 4 weeks of either orbital platform SF (SF4wk, 30 events/h) or control conditions (Ct4wk) prior to behavioral, histological, and locus coeruleus (LC) whole cell electrophysiological evaluations. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS SF was successfully achieved across the 4 week study, as evidenced by a persistently increased arousal index, P < 0.01 and shortened sleep bouts, P < 0.05, while total sleep/wake times and plasma corticosterone levels were unaffected. A multiple sleep latency test performed at the onset of the dark period showed a reduced latency to sleep in SF4wk mice (P < 0.05). The hypercapnic arousal latency was increased, Ct4wk 64 ± 5 sec vs. SF4wk 154 ± 6 sec, P < 0.001, and remained elevated after a 2 week recovery (101 ± 4 sec, P < 0.001). C-fos activation in noradrenergic, orexinergic, histaminergic, and cholinergic wake-active neurons was reduced in response to hypercapnia (P < 0.05-0.001). Catecholaminergic and orexinergic projections into the cingulate cortex were also reduced in SF4wk (P < 0.01). In addition, SF4wk resulted in impaired LC neuron excitability (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Four weeks of sleep fragmentation (SF4wk) impairs arousal responses to hypercapnia, reduces wake neuron projections and locus coeruleus neuronal excitability, supporting the concepts that some effects of sleep fragmentation may contribute to impaired arousal responses in sleep apnea, which may not reverse immediately with therapy.
SignBright: a storytelling application to connect deaf children and hearing parents

Deaf children of hearing parents face many unique challenges that have been shown to adversely impact their interpersonal interactions and development. Contemporary research indicates that many of these challenges stem from environmental factors, including a lack of exposure to language concepts during early developmental stages. In this paper, we will present an innovative solution to foster connection and understanding between deaf children and hearing parents, SignBright. In addition, SignBright promotes acquisition of sign language skills by hearing parents and deaf children, providing greater opportunities for interfamilial dialogue and bonding, and promoting development of social and linguistic competencies.
Nanoscale supramolecular ordering in gel-surfactant complexes: Sodium alkyl sulfates in poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)

Studies of slightly cross-linked polycationic gels interacting with anionic surfactants have been performed by using random copolymers of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMACl) and polyacrylamide (PAAm) with varying content of PDADMACl and degree of cross-linking. Gel samples which had been fully swollen in water were placed in aqueous solutions of sodium alkyl sulfates (octyl (SOS), decyl- (SDCS), dodecyl (SDS), tetradecyl (STS), and hexyl (SHS) sulfates). The degree of the sample volume contraction depends on the PDADMACl content. The collapsed gel−surfactant complexes were studied using synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering. All studied samples containing PDADMACl exhibited pronounced supramolecular nanostructures. The gel−SDCS complex exhibited a cubic structure with a periodicity (7.75 nm) of approximately 4 times the surfactant molecular length, while the gel−SDS, gel−STS, and gel−SHS complexes showed hexagonal supramolecular ordering with a periodicity of approximately 2 times the sur...
The social responsibilities of biological scientists.

Biological scientists, like scientists in other disciplines, are uncertain about whether or how to use their knowledge and time to provide society with insight and guidance in handling the effects of inventions and discoveries. This article addresses this issue. It presents a typography of structures in which scientists may contribute to social understanding and decisions. It describes the different ways in which these contributions can be made. Finally it develops the ethical arguments that justify the view that biological scientists have social responsibilities.
On a problem of klee concerning convex polytopes

A non-simpliciald-polytope is shown to have strictly fewerk-faces ([(d−1)/2]≦k≦d−1) then some simpliciald-polytope with the same number of vertices; actual numerical bounds are given. This provides a strong affirmative answer to a problem of Klee.
1400 LOW PEAK INSPIRATORY PRESSURES (PIP) FOR VENTILATION OF INFANTS WITH HYALINE MEMBRANE DISEASE (HMD)

In an effort to decrease barotrauma, air leaks, and subsequent chronic lung disease we investigated ventilation of infants with HMD on lower PIP. MAP was held constant since it is a prime determinant of oxygenation and ventilation. We studied ten stable, unparalyzed infants with HMD on time cycled, pressure limited ventilators (Baby Bird). They were between 820-3060 gms, 24-82 hours old and on an FI02 of .30-.80. MAP, PIP, inspiratory time (ti) and ventilator rate (f) were determined for each infant (Baseline (B)). PIP was then lowered by 30% and f increased by decreasing the expiratory time to maintain MAP constant (Study (S)). End expiratory pressure, FIO2 and ti were not changed. Each infant was studied in the following sequence: B-S-B-S-B for 20 minutes at each setting. The results, as mean values, are shown in the following table: There was no significant difference in B or S blood gases (ABG). We conclude that stable, unparalyzed infants with HMD may be mechanically ventilated at lower PIP with no change in ABG's if MAP is held constant.
A Nonparametric Approach for Assessing Goodness-of-Fit of IRT Models in a Mixed Format Test

Investigating the fit of a parametric model plays a vital role in validating an item response theory (IRT) model. An area that has received little attention is the assessment of multiple IRT models used in a mixed-format test. The present study extends the nonparametric approach, proposed by Douglas and Cohen (2001), to assess model fit of three IRT models (three- and two-parameter logistic model, and generalized partial credit model) used in a mixed-format test. The statistical properties of the proposed fit statistic were examined and compared to S-X2 and PARSCALE’s G2. Overall, RISE (Root Integrated Square Error) outperformed the other two fit statistics under the studied conditions in that the Type I error rate was not inflated and the power was acceptable. A further advantage of the nonparametric approach is that it provides a convenient graphical inspection of the misfit.
TRANSIENT ANALYSIS OF THE START-UP OF A WATER HEAT PIPE FROM A FROZEN STATE

A two-dimensional transient model is developed to simulate the start-up of a radiatively cooled water heat pipe from a frozen state. The model incorporates sublimation and resolidification of working fluid; melting of working fluid in the porous wick structure; condensation of working fluid as a thin film on a frozen substrate, and drainage of the film; liquid flow and heat transfer in the porous wick; and thermal and hydrodynamic couplings of phases at their respective interfaces. The model handles the change of phase in the wick using a modified fixed-grid homogeneous enthalpy method, employing a mushy-cell temperature range of 2 × 10−8 K (limited by machine accuracy), without numerical instabilities. The simple method, based on the frozen fraction developed to calculate the heat fluxes at the boundaries of the mushy cell, improved accuracy and reduced oscillations in temperature time histories by 1–2 orders of magnitude.
On the Timing of Climate Agreements

A central issue in climate policy is the question whether long-term targets for greenhouse gas emissions should be adopted. This paper analyzes strategic effects related to the timing of such commitments. Using a two-country model, we identify a redistributive effect that undermines long-term cooperation when countries are asymmetric and side payments are unavailable. The effect enables countries to shift rents strategically via their R&D efforts under delayed cooperation. In contrast, a complementarity effect stabilizes long-term cooperation, because early commitments in abatement induce countries to invest more in low-carbon technologies, and create additional knowledge spillovers. Contrasting both effects, we endogenize the timing of climate agreements.
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY AND ALCOHOL BEHAVIOR AMONG THE ELDERLY

Research directly testing Akers's social learning theory has been thus far confined to teenage drug, drinking, and smoking behavior. This study extends the application of social learning theory to older adults' alcohol behavior. Data were gathered through face-to-face interviews of 1,410 people sixty years of age or over living in New Jersey and Florida in either retirement (age homogeneous) or age-integrated communities. A social learning model of differential association, differential reinforcement, and definitions is supported by findings on elderly drinking behavior. As is true for younger age groups, drinking among the elderly is related to the norms and behavior of one's primary groups, one's own attitudes toward (definitions of) alcohol, and the balance of reinforcement for drinking.
The Text of the Gospels and the Koridethi Codex

Since the time of Griesbach it has been generally recognized that the main problem of textual criticism in the New Testament is due to the existence of three distinct types of text, the Neutral, Western, and Syrian (or Antiochian). The great contributions of Westcott and Hort were the clear delineation of this problem and the establishment in considerable detail of the Neutral text. The Western text they only indicated in outline, and the Antiochian text was left with little further definition than that already provided by the Textus Receptus.
Teaching Korean Rhythms in Music Class Through Improvisation, Composition, and Student Performance

The purpose of this article is to introduce the characteristics of Korean rhythmic patterns and provide effective ways to teach Korean rhythms based on the theoretical and pedagogical approaches derived from 5,000 years of Korean musical tradition. First, we have provided the fundamental principles of Korean rhythms that represent the culture from which the music originated. Then, we have introduced the pedagogical process of Korean music, which includes the use of gu-em (Korean verbal syllables of music) and improvisatory practice. Finally, we have offered the resource of composition and the schoolwide performance using Korean rhythms that would be suitable to a contemporary educational context. By doing this, music educators will gain an understanding of the characteristics of Korean rhythms and acquire the skills necessary to teach them in the classrooms; as a consequence, they can confidently incorporate Korean rhythms in general music classes.
The surge standard for “events of Katrina magnitude”

Hurricane Katrina was historic in magnitude. From ref. 1: “The large size of Katrina throughout its history, combined with the extreme waves generated during its most intense phase, enabled this storm to produce the largest storm surges (reliable observations up to 28 ft) that have ever been observed within the Gulf of Mexico, as determined from analyses of historical records.” The analysis by Grinsted et al. (2) of the effects of rising temperatures on the frequency of Atlantic hurricane surge invokes “events of Katrina magnitude” as a standard by which other events are judged. However, we believe the Katrina benchmark, as used, is seriously flawed, in large part because the tide gauge spatial resolution used was so coarse that none of the locations forming the index ever experienced a true surge event of Katrina magnitude. This casts doubt on the claim that Katrina-level surge events may occur many times per decade by the late 21st century.
Battleship - A senior design preparatory experience

The senior design capstone project can be overwhelming for some electrical and computer engineering technology students. In addition to selecting a topic and then actually designing something, it may be the first time that a student has had to execute all aspects of a project from conception to completion. In preparation for this challenge, students could benefit from practice on a somewhat predefined project. This paper presents a series of homework and laboratory assignments that guide the student through the development of a large object-oriented programming project: an Internet enabled version of the game battleship. Project elements include rules of play, a graphical user interface for ship placement, another for battle, and a communications protocol for play over the Internet. While the overall scope of project is fixed, there are many opportunities for the students, as a team, to impose variations on the theme during the specification process. This customization activity promotes a sense of ownership and commitment. Student feedback has been positive and the paper includes a summary of their comments.
Novel Experimental Protocol for Studying Temporal Decay of Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Polymer Properties: Quantitative Analysis of Coupling to Polymer Dynamics and Conditions for Temporal Stability

A new experimental approach has been developed which allows characterization of rotational dynamics of NLO chromophores in amorphous polymers over 12 decades in time, from 10−6 to 106 sec. Measurements over such a broad distribution in relaxation times are important not only in determining how the chromophore orientational dynamics are coupled to polymer dynamics but also in making accurate predictions of the temporal stability of technological interest. In particular, accurate characterization over a broad range of time scales reveals that NLO polymers meet technological requirements more easily than is predicted using a less complete characterization.
Collisional quenching corrections for laser-induced fluorescence measurements of NO A2Sigma(+)

Quantitative combustion diagnostics using laser-induced fluorescence require a knowledge of energy transfer and quenching rates at elevated temperatures. Such information is critical both for experimental design and for subsequent reduction of measured signals to measurements of temperature and species concentrations. We present the results of a study of electronic energy transfer in NO A2S+. These results are cast in the form of empirical correlations which have been developed to facilitate the practical applications of quenching corrections. The choice of particular functional forms for these correlations is based on a classical collisional model of the process. This model has been calibrated against an extensive set of measured cross sections. Results are presented for a number of species of interest in combustion and aerothermodynamic applications.
Effect of postoperative epidural analgesia on morbidity and mortality after lung resection in Medicare patients

Abstract Study Objective To perform an analysis of the Medicare claims database in patients undergoing lung resection to determine whether there is an association between postoperative epidural analgesia and mortality. Design Retrospective cohort (database) design. Setting University hospital. Measurements We examined a cohort of 3501 patients obtained from a 5% nationally random sample of 1997 to 2001 Medicare beneficiaries who underwent nonemergency segmental excision of the lung (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes 32.3 and 32.4). Patient data were divided into two groups depending on the presence or absence of billing for postoperative epidural analgesia (Current Procedural Terminology code 01996). The primary outcomes assessed were death at 7 and 30 days after the procedure. The rates of major morbidity (acute myocardial infarction, angina, cardiac dysrhythmias, heart failure, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, sepsis, acute renal failure, somnolence, acute cerebrovascular event, transient organic syndrome, and paralytic ileus) were also compared. Multivariate regression analysis incorporating race, gender, age, comorbidities, hospital size, hospital teaching status, and hospital technology status was performed to determine whether the presence of postoperative epidural analgesia had an independent effect on mortality or major morbidity. Main Results Multivariate regression analysis showed that the presence of epidural analgesia was associated with a significantly lower odds of death at 7 days (odds ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.80; P = 0.001) and 30 days (odds ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.35-0.78; P = 0.002) after surgery. There was no difference between the groups with regard to overall major morbidity. Conclusions Postoperative epidural analgesia may contribute to lower odds of death after segmental excision of the lung, although the mechanism of such a benefit is not clear from our analysis.
An improved magnetic characterization method for highly permeable materials

In this paper, we propose an improved method of characterizing highly permeable magnetic materials. The method is experimentally simple, inexpensive, and more accurate than that in IEEE Standard 393-1991. Our method places special emphasis on determining magnetic characteristics during saturated conditions.
Root carbon contributions to soil aggregate formation and function

Plant root systems interact with a complex array of heterogenious soil environments exhibiting unique spatial/temporal biophysical properties (e.g., multiple levels of branching, root-induced biopores, root exudation, death and decomposition). Such properties enable roots to invade lesser hostile regions of the soil matrix with a hierarchy of survival responses among the different root segments. Highly orchestrated plant root genomics and environmental interactions govern the majority of root activities. These include extraction patterns of nutrients and water from a vast array of unevevenly distributed soil biogeochemical and biophysical microsites ( dm3). At the same time roots release to their surroundings organic compounds that serve as a source of carbon, hormones and other biologically active materials to a variety of microorganisms and charged mineral-organic surfaces. Evaluating the morphological and physiological complexities of this spatio-temporal array of root activities in heterogeneous field sites has generated a myriad of methods for evaluating belowground portions of plants. Each of these methods have been designed to measure an accumulated demographic response of roots (e.g., root biomass, length or position) or a specific root function (eg., uptake, disease, or macropore development) by a segment or the entire portion of the root system. This plethora of approaches has directed most root scientists to select a single method for most measurements or combine a composite of methods for sampling roots and soils, separating roots from soils, and the best methodology for quantifying the desired root parameter or function.
Unlocking the ancient Maya and their environment: Paleo-evidence and dating resolution

The Classic Period lowland Maya collapsed at the apex of their material achievements and population size. From about A.D. 800–1000, their societal structure and infrastructure collapsed and their heartlands (henceforth region, which extended north-south from present day central Quintana Roo and
An investigation of shock strengthening in a conical convergent channel

The behaviour of an initially plane, strong shock wave propagating into a conical convergence is investigated experimentally and theoretically. In the experiment a 10° half-angle cone is mounted on the end of a pressure-driven shock tube. Shock waves with initial Mach numbers varying from 6.0 to 10·2 are generated in argon a t a pressure of 1·5 Torr. During each run local shock velocities a t several positions along the cone axis are measured using a thin multi-crystal piezoelectric probe inserted from the vertex. This technique produces accurate velocity data for both the incident and reflected shock waves. In the corresponding analysis, a simplified characteristics method is used to obtain an approximate solution of the axisymmetric diffraction equations derived by Whitham (1959). Both the shock velocity measurements and the axisymmetric diffraction solution confirm that the incident shock behaviour is dominated by cyclic diffraction processes which originate at the entrance of the cone. Each diffraction cycle is characterized by Mach reflexion on the cone wall followed by Mach reflexion on the axis, These cycles evidently persist until the shock reaches the cone vertex, where the measured velocity has increased by as much as a factor of three. Real-gas effects, enhanced in the experiment by increasing the initial Mach number and decreasing the pressure, apparently alter the shock wave behaviour only in the region near the vertex. Velocity measurements for the reflected shock within the cone show that the shock velocity is nearly constant throughout most of the convergence length.
Abstract state machines capture parallel algorithms

We give an axiomatic description of parallel, synchronous algorithms. Our main result is that every such algorithm can be simulated, step for step, by an abstract state machine with a background that provides for multisets.
The pineal gland: An intermediary between the environment and the endocrine system

Abstract Although the effects of the pineal gland on the reproductive system have been defined in some depth, the gland has a range of actions on other endocrine glands as well. Some of the extra-reproductive effects of the pineal may be secondary to changes in the neuroendocrine-reproductive axis, although others may well be direct consequences of the secretion of pineal hormonal agents. This review will consider the role of the pineal gland and one of its hormonal products, melatonin, in the control of the neuroendocrine axis. Since the bulk of the investigations to date have been concerned with the interaction of the pineal gland with the reproductive system, this area of research will be emphasized in the following discussion. On the other hand, some of its other actions also will be considered.
Control of photoresist properties: a Kalman filter based approach

The photolithography step in the semiconductor manufacturing process becomes increasingly critical as linewidths decrease for the next generation of integrated electronics. It therefore becomes necessary to reduce variations in photoresist parameters such as resist film thickness and photoactive compound concentration during manufacture. In this paper, we present a simple feedback scheme for accurately regulating these parameters. Our approach involves obtaining a simple, static process model the coefficients of which are recursively adjusted based on previous wafer measurements. We use this adaptive model to determine appropriate input setpoints for the next wafer. The effectiveness of this scheme in reducing process drift is exhibited by experimental data. Our results supports the widespread contention that modern feedback control offers the promise of improving the semiconductor manufacturing processes, often with relative ease and minimal capital cost.
Hybrid optical/RF channels: characterization and performance study using low density parity check codes

A hybrid channel, consisting of a free space optical (FSO) link and a parallel radio frequency (RF) link, is considered. The FSO link carries most of the transmitted data while leaving only a small fraction of the data to be carried by the RF link. It is first shown that the capacity of the proposed hybrid structure is much higher than the capacity of a single FSO link. Next the performance of the hybrid channel is studied using a low density parity check code. A density evolution strategy for the hybrid channel is derived and a Gaussian approximation technique is presented. Using these techniques, the conditions for the convergence of the message passing algorithm in terms of minimum data carrying rate through the RF link are derived. Finally, numerical results showing the benefits of the hybrid channel under various channel conditions are presented.
Reverse search for monomial ideals

We give a set of multidegrees that support all the numerical information for a monomial ideal that can be reverse searched and hence is parallelizable and has space complexity that is polynomial in the size of the input. Our approach uses a new definition of closed sets for simplicial complexes that may be useful in other contexts.
Shape and Reflectance from Image Intensities

This paper presents new results in the area of image intensity understanding. We address the problem of recovering three-dimensional shapes of surfaces from twc-dimensional intensity images. Previous shape-fromintensity methods are not applicable to surfaces with varying reflectance properties. These methods are also inaccurate in the case of concave surfaces as they do not account for interreflections. Here, we present shape recovery methods that overcome both these problems. Our solutions are based on physics-based models of reflection and interreflection. Multiple images of a surface are obtained by varying the source direction. Shape and reflectance parameters are computed simultaneously from the measured image intensities. Experimental results are included to demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the proposed shape recovery methods.
Media Reviews: Mineralogical Almanac

two regular and one special issue annually; in English. Publisher Michael Leybov. Individual subscriptions are US $75; regular issues are US $35 each and special issues US $45. Order from U.S. repr...