cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ba8ZnTa6O24: A New High Q Dielectric Perovskite

The hexagonal perovskite, Ba8ZnTa6O24, was prepared in single-phase form and was found to be a stable secondary phase, formed as a result of the loss of ZnO from Ba(Zn1/3Ta2/3)O3 microwave dielectrics. The experimental and calculated X-ray patterns of Ba8ZnTa6O24 indicate it is isostructural with Ba8Ta6NiO24 with an 8H (cchc)2 close-packed BaO3 stacking sequence and the lattice parameters, a=10.0825(14), c=19.0587(38)A. High-density ceramics of Ba8ZnTa6O24 could be prepared at temperatures considerably lower (1400°C) than those used to sinter pure Ba(Zn1/3Ta2/3)O3, and exhibit very good microwave dielectric properties with ɛ=30.5, Qf=62 300, and τf=+36 ppm/°C at 8.9 GHz.
Seasonal Variation in Precipitation Patterns to the Global Ocean: An Analysis of the Gpcp Version 2 Data Set

An analysis of temporal and spatial variation of oceanic precipitation was conducted on the GPCP version two data set. While the precipitation patterns observed are generally similar to the previous climatologies, new features and greater detail of global precipitation were revealed from out analysis of the GPCP data set. High precipitation waw observed in the inter-tropical convergence zone, the South Pacific convergence zone, and the storm tracks in the North Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Low precipitation was observe in the Polar regions and in the subtropics of the East Pacific, East Atlantic, and the Southeast and Northwest Indian Ocean. The spatial coverage of these high and low precipitation regions changed thruough the year. A strong seasonal cycle or precipitation was observed for the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres and for each ocean basin. Global precipitation also varied significantly with both latitude and longitude, with a latitudinal maximum at 56 degrees South, 39 degrees South, 4 degrees South, 6 degrees North, 39 degrees North, and 56 degress North, and a longitudinal maxiumum over each ocean. The seasonal varying precipitation patterns are a foundation for evaluating the effect of wet deposition on ocean circulation, flux of chemical species, and its effect on marine ecosystems.
Hydrated copper ion chemistry: Guided ion beam and computational investigation of Cu2+(H2O)n (n = 7-10) complexes

Cross sections for the threshold collision-induced dissociation of Cu2+(H2O)n, where n = 8–10, are measured using a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. The primary dissociation pathway is fou...
Sexual identity: research strategies.

Children from the first 2 years of life show an awareness that they are either male or female. Later they usually behave in ways culturally appropriate to this awareness. Still later they exhibit a preference for sexual partners of one or the other sex. These three developmental phases, (1) core-morphologic identity, (2) gender role behavior, and (3) sexual partner orientation, constitute sexual identity, a basic personality feature. My concern is with how sexual identity develops. Many strategies exist for answering this question; some will be reviewed here.
Generalized Quasilinearization versus Newton's Method for Convex-Concave Functions

In this paper we use the Method of Generalized Quasilinearization to obtain monotone Newton-like comparative schemes to solve the equation F(x)=0, where F(x) I C[W,R]. Here, F(x) admits the decomposition F(x)=f(x)+g(x), where f(x) and g(x) are convex and concave functions in W, respectively. The monotone sequences of iterates are shown to converge quadratically. Four cases are explored in this manuscript.
Abstract A79: Vitamin D status and breast cancer aggressiveness among African American and European American women in South Carolina

Background and Significance: Racial disparities exist in breast cancer, with African-American (AA) women being diagnosed with more aggressive disease and exhibiting higher mortality than their European-American (EA) counterparts. Vitamin D is of interest in breast cancer prevention and prognosis because of its ability to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis and differentiation in both normal and malignant breast cells. Circulating 25hydroxyD [25(OH)D] concentrations in humans are a measure of vitamin D status, and vary based on sun exposure, dietary intake, supplement use, skin tone, age, and body mass index [BMI = weight(kg)/height(m)2], among other factors. This study examines racial differences in vitamin D status and the association between serum 25(OH)D and clinical parameters among women diagnosed with breast cancer in South Carolina. Methods: A total of 107 women between 33 and 84 years of age and diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous five years were enrolled in the study (n=60 AA, n=47 EA). Each participant donated a blood sample, and serum 25(OH)D was measured by enzyme immunoassay. Age, BMI, clinical characteristics, and treatment were abstracted from medical records. Results: The mean (±SD) concentration of serum 25(OH)D in EA women was 29.8 ± 12.1 ng/ml while the mean concentration in AA women was 19.3 ± 10.0 ng/ml. Vitamin D deficiency (defined as serum 25(OH)D Conclusions: This study corroborates other research showing racial differences in vitamin D status and provides further support for a protective role of vitamin D in breast cancer, particularly for highly aggressive disease. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was high, suggesting the need for monitoring of vitamin D levels among breast cancer patients. This work was supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute, Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (Community Networks Program) to the South Carolina Cancer Disparities Community Network (SCCDCN) [1 U01 CA114601] and the Cancer Center of the University of South Carolina. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A79.
Locking Down a University Library: How to Keep People Safe in a Crisis: A Mansfield University of Pennsylvania Perspective

This study presents a perspective into how one college—Mansfield University of Pennsylvania—has dealt with this new threat to personal security, specifically in the library. Issues covered include what a lockdown is; planning, policies, and procedures; logistics planning and equipment; partnering with other offices; physical security; the issue of patrons; communications; safe places in the library; post-lockdown reviews; and more.
Becoming a Competitive Applicant: Recommendations for Graduate Students Interested in Matching with a Forensic-Focused Predoctoral Internship

Thirty-seven training directors from forensic-focused predoctoral internships participated in this study. More than 75% of respondents reported that it is essential for interns to gain knowledge and experience in administering personality and intelligence assessment instruments before their internship year. It is also important for applicants to have had experience with diverse clinical populations and experience in conducting cognitive-behavioral therapy prior to their doctoral internship. Further, training directors emphasized the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and flexibility while on internship. Recommendations to bolster applicants' chances of matching with forensic-focused internships are discussed.
The electronic melting pot hypothesis: The cultivation of acculturation among Hispanics through television viewing

This study demonstrated a correlation between English‐language television viewing and the acculturation level of Hispanic immigrants. Phase 1 compared 3 operationalizations of television exposure, C. Gerbner and L. Gross's (1976) total exposure, R. P. Hawkins and S. Pingree's (1981) content‐specific exposure, and W. Potter and I. Chang's (1990) proportional exposure, correlating these with a measure of acculturation. The proportional measure correlated most highly. Phase 2 compared 3 predictors of acculturation, the proportional television exposure measure and 2 interactions with this measure, using 2 intervening variables: motivation to use television for cultural information and the perceived reality of English‐language programming. The exposure‐motivation interaction, chosen to serve in Phase 3, was the strongest predictor. In Phase 3, significant acculturation differences among light viewers caused by durations of residence in the United States were nonsignificant among heavy viewers, as predicted by ...
Differential Distribution of Stem Cells in the Auditory and Vestibular Organs of the Inner Ear

The adult mammalian cochlea lacks regenerative capacity, which is the main reason for the permanence of hearing loss. Vestibular organs, in contrast, replace a small number of lost hair cells. The reason for this difference is unknown. In this work we show isolation of sphere-forming stem cells from the early postnatal organ of Corti, vestibular sensory epithelia, the spiral ganglion, and the stria vascularis. Organ of Corti and vestibular sensory epithelial stem cells give rise to cells that express multiple hair cell markers and express functional ion channels reminiscent of nascent hair cells. Spiral ganglion stem cells display features of neural stem cells and can give rise to neurons and glial cell types. We found that the ability for sphere formation in the mouse cochlea decreases about 100-fold during the second and third postnatal weeks; this decrease is substantially faster than the reduction of stem cells in vestibular organs, which maintain their stem cell population also at older ages. Coincidentally, the relative expression of developmental and progenitor cell markers in the cochlea decreases during the first 3 postnatal weeks, which is in sharp contrast to the vestibular system, where expression of progenitor cell markers remains constant or even increases during this period. Our findings indicate that the lack of regenerative capacity in the adult mammalian cochlea is either a result of an early postnatal loss of stem cells or diminishment of stem cell features of maturing cochlear cells.
Responses to Failure: The Effects of Choice and Responsibility on Impression Management

The study demonstrates that, when confronted with failure, subjects may attempt to justify their position by manipulating information that is to be presented to others. Evidence also was found that...
The influence of maternal mobility on birth outcomes of non-hispanic blacks.

Background We investigated whether the “healthy migrant” effect is applicable to an internally mobile U.S.-born population, that is, whether infants born to women that moved within the United States had better birth outcomes compared to those infants whose mothers did not move. Methods This study used 1995–2001 National Center for Health Statistics live birth/infant death cohort files of singleton infants born in the U.S. to non-Hispanic Black women. Results Infants born to women who moved had significantly lower risks of low birth weight, preterm birth, and SGA compared to the non-mobile group. Conclusions There is evidence to support the healthy migrant effect in an internally migrant Black population. The findings of this study suggest infants of non-Hispanic Black mothers who were born in one state and moved prior to delivery had more positive birth outcomes when compared to those infants of women who did not move prior to delivery.
Biomedical versus cultural constructions of abnormality: the case of idiopathic hirsutism in the United States.

From an examination of (1) psychological and social stresses documented by the medical profession of women with amounts of hair departing from what is considered to be the “feminine” distribution of hair (idiopathic hirsutism), (2) biomedical information about male and female hair growth and distribution, (3) definitional influences of society, and (4) instrumental maneuverings of depilatory industries, this paper offers insights about the alteration of natural female facial and body hair to conform to a social construct of gender status. Although the hair problem is interesting in itself, its implications are much broader, for what lies behind conceptions of abnormality is a biological reality mediated by social constructs and classificatory schema.
Paraphrase procedures for assessing comprehension of health outcome measures: an illustration from schizophrenia research.

Valid measurement of health outcomes require instruments that are meaningful to those who use them. Clinicians, patients, and others involved in health care have different perspectives on health conditions that are likely to lead to different interpretations of outcome measures and reductions in the accuracy and validity of outcome measurements. This study used paraphrase procedures, a systematic approach for evaluating respondent comprehension, to evaluate descriptions designed for use in studies of schizophrenia treatment outcomes. In four stakeholder groups directly and indirectly involved in schizophrenia treatment (clinicians, patients, patients’ families, and the general public), the paraphrase procedures identified comprehension problems that could compromise measurement quality and yielded specific information to guide improvement of the outcome descriptions. The paraphrase procedures detected comprehension problems that were not identified by respondents. This study suggests that systematic asses...
Do patient goals vary with stage of prolapse

Objectives To assess the relationship between stage of pelvic organ prolapse and self-expressed patient goals at initial urogynecologic evaluation. Study Design From February to December of 2010, women presenting for evaluation of pelvic floor disorders were asked to identify up to 5 goals for treatment. Charts were reviewed for demographics. Patients were grouped according to stage of prolapse and goals were grouped into 9 categories. Results Two hundred twenty-six women completed the questionnaire. Relief of urinary symptoms were the most commonly stated goal regardless of prolapse stage, pelvic organ prolapse quantitative-0 (59%), pelvic organ prolapse quantitative-I (78%), pelvic organ prolapse quantitative-II (55%), and pelvic organ prolapse quantitative-III (58%). Lifestyle, daily activity, and sexual function goals were the second, third, and fourth most common goals in all stages, respectively. Conclusion Resolution of urinary symptoms, ability to perform daily activities, and sexual function goals are at least as important as resolution of prolapse symptoms and may be the reason for seeking care.
Forced cocurrent smoldering combustion

An analytical model of cocurrent smoldering combustion through a very porous solid fuel is developed. Smoldering is initiated at the top of a long radially insulated uniform fuel cylinder, so that the smolder wave propagates downward, opposing an upward-forced flow of oxidizer, with the solid fuel and the gaseous oxidizer entering the reaction zone from the same direction (hence, cocurrent). Radiative heat transfer was incorporated using a diffusion approximation, and smoldering was modeled using a one-step reaction mechanism. The results indicate that, for a given fuel, the final temperature depends only on the initial oxygen mass flux, increasing logarithmically with the mass flux. The smolder velocity is linearly dependent on the initial oxygen mass flux, and, at a fixed value of the flux, increases with initial oxygen mass fraction. The mathematical relationship determining the conditions for steady smolder propagation is presented.
Tourism from Above and Below: Globalization, Localization and New Orleans's Mardi Gras

Scholars currently debate whether tourism is a force of standardization that eradicates local cultures and traditions or whether tourism is a force of heterogeneity that enhances place distinctiveness. This article uses a case study of the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans to explain the connections between global forces and local actions in the development of urban tourism. I argue that the globalization and localization of Mardi Gras are occurring simultaneously with the result being a mix of homogenizing and particularizing influences in New Orleans. I develop this argument by distinguishing between ‘tourism from above’ and ‘tourism from below’, a distinction that helps to explain how tourism can help undermine as well as promote local differences. ‘Tourism from above’ refers to the global level forces of commodification, standardization and rationalization that affect all cities. ‘Tourism from below’ refers to the ways in which local groups and individuals resist the homogenizing effects of globalized tourism and use tourism to anchor Mardi Gras in place and create new carnival traditions. Analysis of global-local connections in tourism provides an important opportunity for theoretical development and offers a unique perspective for understanding tourism as a process of globalization and localization. Les intellectuels s’interrogent actuellement sur le fait que le tourisme soit ou non une force de normalisation capable d’eliminer cultures et traditions locales, ou une force d’heterogeneite qui renforce le caractere distinctif des lieux. Utilisant une etude de cas sur la celebration de Mardi gras a la Nouvelle-Orleans, l’article explique les relations entre forces mondiales et actions locales dans le developpement du tourisme urbain: mondialisation et localisation de cette fete se produisent simultanement, se traduisant dans la ville par une combinaison d’influences homogeneisantes et singularisantes. La demonstration etablit ensuite une distinction entre ‘tourisme par le haut’ et ‘tourisme par le bas’ qui permet d’eclaircir comment l’activite peut contribuer tant a attenuer qu’a favoriser les differences locales. Le ‘tourisme par le haut’ s’applique aux forces mondiales de banalisation, normalisation et rationalisation qui touchent toutes les grandes villes. Le ‘tourisme par le bas’ portent sur les moyens qu’appliquent groupes et individus locaux dans le but de resister aux effets homogeneisateurs du tourisme mondialise et de se servir de cette activite pour ancrer Mardi gras dans le lieu et creer de nouvelles traditions carnavalesques. L’analyse des relations entre les plans mondial et local dans le domaine du tourisme offre une possibilite interessante de theorisation et une perspective unique d’apprehension du tourisme comme processus de mondialisation et localisation.
Some new systolic designs for two-dimensional convolution

Two-dimensional convolution is a fundamental, computationally-intensive operation used in image processing, and an operation particularly difficult to implement on systolic arrays. We present two new systolic solutions, both developed with the assistance of a systolic array design tool called SAGE. One of the solutions is developed first as a 3D systolic array and is then projected onto the 2D plane to produce a planar array. The design methodology employed is also discussed.
A Prominent Role of the Flagellin Receptor FLAGELLIN-SENSING2 in Mediating Stomatal Response to Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 in Arabidopsis

The FLAGELLIN-SENSING2 (FLS2) receptor kinase recognizes bacterial flagellin and initiates a battery of downstream defense responses to reduce bacterial invasion through stomata in the epidermis and bacterial multiplication in the apoplast of infected plants. Recent studies have shown that during Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato (Pst) DC3000 infection of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), FLS2-mediated immunity is actively suppressed by effector proteins (such as AvrPto and AvrPtoB) secreted through the bacterial type III secretion system (T3SS). We provide evidence here that T3SS effector-based suppression does not appear to be sufficient to overcome FLS2-based immunity during Pst DC3000 infection, but that the phytotoxin coronatine (COR) produced by Pst DC3000 also plays a critical role. COR-deficient mutants of Pst DC3000 are severely reduced in virulence when inoculated onto the leaf surface of wild-type Columbia-0 plants, but this defect was rescued almost fully in fls2 mutant plants. Although bacteria are thought to carry multiple microbe-associated molecular patterns, stomata of fls2 plants are completely unresponsive to COR-deficient mutant Pst DC3000 bacteria. The responses of fls2 plants were similar to those of the Arabidopsis G-protein alpha subunit1-3 mutant, which is defective in abscisic acid-regulated stomatal closure, but were distinct from those of the Arabidopsis non-expressor of PR genes1 mutant, which is defective in salicylic acid-dependent stomatal closure and apoplast defense. Epistasis analyses show that salicylic acid signaling acts upstream of abscisic acid signaling in bacterium-triggered stomatal closure. Taken together, these results suggest a particularly important role of FLS2-mediated resistance to COR-deficient mutant Pst DC3000 bacteria, and nonredundant roles of COR and T3SS effector proteins in the suppression of FLS2-mediated resistance in the Arabidopsis-Pst DC3000 interaction.
Microcounseling and Beyond: A Dialogue with Allen Ivey

This interview with Allen Ivey reflects the recent changes in his micro-counseling model and the manifestation of his social consciousness in microcounseling's cross-cultural patina.
Modification of the radiosurgery-based arteriovenous malformation grading system.

OBJECTIVE: The radiosurgery-based arteriovenous malformation (AVM) grading scale was developed to predict patient outcomes after radiosurgery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether simplifying this grading system using location as a two-tiered variable detracted from the accuracy of the scale. METHODS: Regression analysis modeling on 220 patients who underwentAVM radiosurgery between 1987 and 1992 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center using location as a two-tiered variable resulted in the following equation: AVM score = (0.1) (volume, mL) + (0.02) (age, yr) + (0.3) (location, hemispheric/corpus callosum/cerebellar = 0; basal ganglia/thalamus/brainstem = 1). Testing of the modified grading system was performed on 247 patients who underwent AVM radiosurgery between 1990 and 2001 at the Mayo Clinic. The mean modified AVM score was 1.62. The mean duration of patient follow-up was 70 months. RESULTS: There was no difference between the original and modified radiosurgery-based AVM scale with regard to AVM obliteration without new neurological deficits (F = 0.92, P = 0.53) or decline in Modified Rankin Scale (F= 0.83, P = 0.56) after radio-surgery. The modified radiosurgery-based AVM scale correlated with the percentage of patients with AVM obliteration without new deficits (= ≤ 1.00, 89%; 1.01-1.50, 70%; 1.51-2.00, 64%; ≥2.00, 46%) (r = -0.98, P 2.00, 36%) (r= 0.99, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Simplifying the radiosurgery-based AVM grading system using location as a two-tiered variable did not detract from the accuracy of the scale. This system has been validated by numerous centers performing both gamma knife- and linear accelerator-based procedures and should be used in future studies on AVM radiosurgery to stratify patients for more accurate comparative analyses.
Subsidization and Privatization: In a Multinational Mixed Oligopoly

This paper studies a single multinational market where private and public firms from different nationalities compete. The model allows the domestic government to subsidize its firms. In contrast to previous studies in this model, the subsidy varies with the market structure. Privatizing either the domestic public firm or the foreign public firm or both of them unambiguously increases the optimal subsidy rate and domestic social welfare. Nonetheless, both countries would benefit from simultaneous privatization.
Impaired renal and extrarenal potassium adaptation in old rats.

Impaired renal and extrarenal potassium adaptation in old rats. Young (3 to 4 months) and old (21 to 22 months) rats were fed either a regular or high potassium (K) diet. After acute potassium chloride infusion, the fraction of infused K excreted (K efficiency) was similar in rats on a normal diet (57 ± 3%, young, vs. 61 ± 2%, old). With high K feeding there was a significant increase in the young, 69 ± 4%, but not in the old rats, 62 ± 2%. Na-K ATPase activity was markedly reduced in the renal medulla of old rats on a regular or high K diet. In addition, the response to acute K loading was compared in acutely nephrectomized rats. In the young rats on a regular diet plasma K increased from 3.72 ± 0.09 to 5.28 ± 0.16 mEq/liter while with K ingestion the increase was significantly less, 3.62 ± 0.07 to 4.75 ± 0.12 mEq/liter. In the old rats plasma K increased similarly on a regular or high K diet, 3.68 ± 0.10 to 5.68 ± 0.33 mEq/liter and 3.76 ± 0.06 to 5.97 ± 0.30 mEq/liter, respectively. Thus, old rats have impaired renal and extrarenal adaptation, but they have a normal response to an acute K challenge. A reduction in Na-K ATPase may account for the defect in renal adaptation in the aged rats. Anomalies de l'adaptation potassique renale et extra-renale chez les rats âges. Des rats jeunes (3 a 4 mois) et âges (21 a 22 mois) ont ete nourris avec un regime soit normal, soit riche en potassium (K). Apres perfursion aigue de chlorure de potassium, la fraction excretee du K perfuse (capacite de K) etait identique chez les rats recevant un regime normal (57 ± 3% chez les jeunes, contre 61 ± 2% chez les vieux). Lors d'un regime riche en K, il y avait une augmentation significative chez les jeunes, 69 ± 4%, mais non chez les vieux rats, 62 ± 2%. L'activite Na-K ATPase etait reduite de facon marquee dans la medullaire renale des rats âges recevant un regime normal ou riche en K. En outre, la reponse a une charge potassique aigue a ete comparee chez des rats nephrectomises aigus. Chez les jeunes rats recevant un regime normal, le K plasmatique s'est eleve de 3,72 ± 0.09 a 5,28 ± 0,16 mEq/litre tandis qu'apres ingestion de K, l'augmentation etait significativement plus faible, de 3,62 ± 0,07 a 4,75 ± 0,12 mEq/litre. Chez les vieux rats, le K plasmatique s'est eleve de facon identique lors d'un regime normal ou riche en K, de 3,68 ± 0,10 a 5,68 ± 0,33 mEq/litre, et de 3,76 ± 0,06 a 5,97 ± 0,30 mEq/litre, respectivement. Ainsi, les rats âges ont une anomalie de l'adaptation renale et extrarenale, mais ils ont une reponse normale a une modification aigue du K. Une reduction de la Na-K ATPase pourrait contribuer au defaut d'adaptation renale chez les rats âges.
Can white blood cell count predict preterm delivery in women with vaginal bleeding between 20-37 weeks gestation?

VAGINAL BLEEDING BETWEEN 20-37 WEEKS GESTATION? MICHAEL WHITE, THOMAS TREVETT JR, WATSON BOWES, ROBERT STRAUSS, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina OBJECTIVE: To determine whether white blood cell count (WBC) is predictive of preterm delivery (PTD) in women admitted with vaginal bleeding between 20-37 weeks. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of all women who were admitted to the University of North Carolina Hospitals with documented vaginal bleeding from 20-37 weeks gestation from 1996 to 2003. Women were excluded if there was evidence of placenta previa or preterm rupture of membranes. Potential risk factors for preterm delivery were extracted from the medical records. Clinical and laboratory factors were assessed at time of presentation. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to create odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: 105 patients met inclusion criteria for analysis. The risk of PTD in this cohort before 32 and 37 weeks gestation was 32 and 82%, respectively. History of preterm delivery and tobacco use in pregnancy were included in the final model although these variables did not prove to be significant. Predictors of preterm birth included race, white blood cell count, hematocrit, and systolic blood pressure. After controlling for possible confounding variables, for each 1unit increase in WBC, the risk of delivery prior to 37 weeks increased by an OR of 1.32 (95% CI 1.06-1.69). CONCLUSION: Women presenting with unexplained vaginal bleeding who have elevated WBC at initial evaluation are at increased risk of preterm delivery.
Defect structure in GaN pyramids

High-quality GaN/AlN layers grown on (111) Si substrates have been used as the seeding layer for lateral epitactic overgrowth of GaN. The selective overgrowth was controlled by depositing a Si3N4 mask on the GaN seed layer. Growth of additional GaN resulted in the formation of GaN pyramids above the apertures in the patterned Si3N4 mask. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the GaN pyramids, the GaN seed layer, and the AlN buffer layer in the samples have the following epitactic relationship with respect to the silicon substrate: \([11\bar 20]_{{\rm GaN}} ||[11\bar 20]_{{\rm AIN}} ||[\bar 110]_{{\rm Si}} \) and \((0001)_{{\rm GaN}} ||(0001)_{{\rm AIN}} ||(111)_{{\rm Si}} \). The pyramids were found to consist of a defective core region and a nearly defect-free outer region. In the core of the pyramid (at, or above, the aperture in the mask), numerous dislocations thread through the pyramid perpendicular to the interface plane. Some of these threading dislocations, which originated from the GaN/AlN seed layer, bend abruptly through 90° at the edge of this core region. In the outer part of the GaN pyramid, the density of vertically propagating dislocations was much lower. Most of the dislocations in this region are closely parallel to the original (0001) substrate plane. The top few microns of material are found to be essentially defect-free. The growth mechanism of the GaN pyramids is discussed in light of this defect structure.
Membrane alterations in phenylhydrazine-induced reticulocytes

Abstract It is known that reticulocytes formed in animals in response to phenylhydrazine treatment have a shorter life span than those formed as a consequence of bleeding. The experiments presented illustrate that the reticulocytes formed consequent to the action of this drug exhibit membrane alterations, in the absence of intracellular oxidative changes (e.g., to hemoglobin), which might be expected to contribute to their decreased survival. These membrane alterations include the formation of flourescent chromolipids, a decrease in spectrin polypeptides, and an increase in high molecular weight membrane protein polymers. It is suggested that these effects are unique to the reticulocytes formed as a response to phenylhydrazine since they are a consequence of the peroxidation of membrane phospholipids initiated by this agent.
Best practices to ensure the stability of sige HBT cascode low noise amplifiers

This work provides a detailed examination of the stability of SiGe cascode low noise amplifiers (LNAs). The upper base is identified as a problematic node for stability. S-probe simulations are used to extract reflection coefficients internal to the circuit and provide insight on how to improve the stability of a cascode amplifier and thereby establish “best practices” for designers. These techniques are incorporated into a cascode LNA design fabricated on a 180 nm, 150 GHz f T SiGe BiCMOS technology. The measured SiGe LNA has a gain of 16.5 dB and a noise figure of 2.1 dB at a center frequency of 9.2 GHz. A series of measurements using tuners at both the input and output confirm the LNA is stable for all impedances covered by the tuners (│Γ│ < 0.8).
Synthesis of highly pure bismuth-2223 by a two-powder process

Abstract Use of a so-called two-powder process results in rapid formation of a highly pure superconducting bismuth-2223 phase during powder-in-tube processing. In this process, Sr χ Ca 1−χ CuO 2 and Bi 1.8 Pb 0.4 Sr 2−χ Ca 1+χ Cu 2 O 8 are formed as separate intermediate phases, and mixed, then processed together within a silver sheath. Mixtures with χ values of 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 are studied in order to probe the relationship between 2223 formation and the melting behavior of 2212. The best results to date have been obtained with the χ=0.0 mixture containing high-melting, strontium-rich 2212 and calcium cuprate. The process is very reproducible and produces nearly pure 2223 in as little as 50 h.
Evaluation of Ultrasonic Methods for In-Situ Real-Time Characterization of Drilling Mud

A real time multi-functional ultrasonic sensor system is proposed to provide automated drilling fluid monitoring that can improve the capability and development of slimhole and microhole drilling. This type of reliable, accurate, and affordable drilling fluid monitoring will reduce the overall costs in exploration and production. It will also allow more effective drilling process automation while providing rig personnel a safer and more efficient work environment. Accurate and timely measurements of drilling fluid properties such as flow rate, density, viscosity, and solid loading are key components for characterizing rate of drill penetration, providing early warning of lost circulation, and for use in real-time well control. Continuous drilling fluid monitoring enhances drilling economics by reducing the risk of costly drilling downtime, increasing production performance, and improving well control. Investigations conducted to characterize physical properties of drilling mud indicate that ultrasound can be used to provide real-time, in-situ process monitoring and control. Three types of ultrasonic measurements were evaluated which include analysis of in wall, through wall and direct contact signals. In wall measurements provide acoustic impedance (the slurry density and speed of sound product). Through wall and direct contact measurements provide speed of sound and attenuation. This information is combined to determine physical properties such as slurry density, solids concentration and can be used to detect particle size changes and the presence of low levels of gas. The measurements showed that for the frequency range investigated in-wall measurements were obtained over the slurry density range from 1500 to 2200 kg/m3 (10 to 17 pounds solids per gallon of drilling fluid). Other measurements were obtained at densities in the 1500 to 1800 kg/m3 range. These promising measurement results show that ultrasound can be used for real-time in-situ characterization of the drilling process by monitoring drilling mud characteristics.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Statin use in children in the United States.

To the Editor .— In a recent revision, American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines recommend pharmacologic treatment for subgroups of children at highest risk of heart disease.1 To help inform the public discussion of these recommendations, it is useful to consider the numbers of children already receiving 1 group of pharmacologic agents: statins. Authors of a comprehensive analysis of all medications prescribed to 17.6 commercially insured children in 2004 (in the Caremark [now CVS Caremark] database) produced tabulations of the number of children for whom prescriptions of individual statins …
The Craniofacial Anomalies Archive at St. Louis Children's Hospital: 20 Years of Craniofacial Imaging Experience

This article describes how the Craniofacial Imaging Laboratory at the Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Deformities Institute, St. Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University Medical Center, has developed an electronic archive for the storage of computed tomography image digital data that is independent of scanner hardware and independent of units of storage media (i.e., floppy disks and optical disks). The archive represents one of the largest repositories of high-quality computed tomography data of children with craniofacial deformities in the world. Archiving reconstructed image data is essential for comparative imaging, surgical simulation, quantitative analysis, and use with solid model fabrication (e.g., stereolithography). One tertiary craniofacial center's experience in the establishment and maintenance of such an archive through three generations of storage technology is reported. The current archive is housed on an external 35-GB hard drive attached to a Windows-based desktop server. Data in the archive were categorized by specific demographics into groups of patients, number of scans, and diagnoses. The Craniofacial Imaging Laboratory archive currently contains computed tomography image digital data for 1827 individual scans. The earliest scan was done in 1980; the most recently stored scan for the purposes of this report occurred in May of 2000. The average number of scans archived per complete year was 94, with a range of 59 to 138. Of the 1827 total scans, 74 percent could be classified into specific diagnostic categories. The majority of the archive (55 percent) is composed of the following five diagnoses: sagittal synostosis (17 percent), unilateral coronal synostosis (11 percent), hemifacial microsomia (10 percent), plagiocephaly without synostosis (10 percent), and metopic synostosis (7 percent). Storage of computed tomography image data in a digital archive currently allows for continuous upgrading of image display and analysis and facilitates longitudinal and cross-sectional studies, both intramural and extramural. Internet access for clinical and research purposes is feasible, but contingent on protection of patient confidentiality. The future of digital imaging regarding craniofacial computed tomography scan storage and processing is also discussed.
Mothers' and Nurses' Perceptions of the Needs of Women Experiencing Preterm Labor

Objective To describe and compare mothers' and nurses' perceptions of the needs of women experiencing preterm labor. Design A descriptive/comparative approach was used. Setting A tertiary‐care teaching facility. Participants Convenience sample of 14 postpartum mothers and 25 registered nurses. Main outcomes Subjects responded to 56 statements about the needs of women in preterm labor. Results No statistically significant differences were found between mothers and nurses in their total responses to questionnaire items, but some significant Isolated differences existed. Conclusion The nurse who identifies and satisfies these needs is likely to be more effective in meeting nursing‐care goals.
Abrasiveness Control of a Thin Boron Carbide Coating Through Counterpart Tempering

Boron carbide (B4C) coatings have previously been studied for potential use as finite-life run-in coatings. B4C itself exhibits high hardness and favorable wear resistance. In dry sliding wear, it polishes its counterpart mating surface and provides fatigue resistance to a coated part by removing asperities that would otherwise cause fatigue failure. Thus, the ability of these coatings to polish the counterpart mating surface is the critical property for their functioning as fatigue coatings. Employing such run-in coatings requires precise control of the changes in abrasiveness during the polishing process. This study found that the rate at which the coating abrasiveness decreases can be controlled by varying the tempering temperature of the steel counterpart. This paper discusses the underlying factors that contribute to these effects.
Size and boundary effects in discrete dislocation dynamics: coupling with continuum finite element

In this work, we develop a framework coupling continuum elasto-viscoplasticity with three-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics (micro3d). The main problem is to carry out rigorous analyses to simulate the deformation of single crystal metals (fcc and bcc) of finite domains. While the overall macroscopic response of the crystal is based on the continuum theory, the constitutive response is determined by discrete dislocation dynamics analyses using micro3d. Size effects are investigated by considering two boundary value problems: (1) uniaxial loading of a single crystal cube, and (2) bending of a single crystal micro-beam. It is shown that boundary conditions and the size of the computational cell have significant effect on the results due to image stresses from free-boundaries. The investigation shows that surface effects cannot be ignored regardless of the cell size, and may result in errors as much as 10%. Preliminary results pertaining to dislocation structures under bending conditions are also given.
Interleukin-1β Induces the Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 during Decidualization in the Primate1

Since interleukin (IL)-1 can modulate fetal/maternal interactions, we hypothesized that IL-1beta is one potential embryonic cytokine that regulates the conceptus-induced decidual response in baboon stromal fibroblasts. Treatment of stromal fibroblasts with IL-1beta (10 ng/ml, 10 min) resulted in the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and IkappaB-alpha. This suggests that IL-1beta induces multiple signaling pathways in stromal cells that result in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade and the transcription factor NF-kappaB. After 4 h of stimulation, IL-1beta induced gene expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) but not cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1). PGE2 synthesis paralleled COX-2 messenger RNA expression. The addition of hormones [36 nM estradiol-17beta, 1 microM medroxyprogesterone acetate, and 100 ng/ml relaxin] to IL-1beta-treated cells induced insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) messenger RNA expression after 3 days of incubation. A specific COX-2 inhibitor, NS 398 (10 nM), partially inhibited IGFBP-1 protein synthesis. In contrast, the induction of IGFBP-1 by N6, 2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3:5'-cyclic monophosphate (dbcAMP) and hormones was not affected by NS 398 treatment. Both dbcAMP and IL-1beta, in the presence of hormones, can independently induce IGFBP-1 gene expression and decidualization. However, if IL-1beta and dbcAMP were added together, IGFBP-1 expression was inhibited. These data suggest that IL-1beta can activate multiple signaling pathways that either positively or negatively regulate IGFBP-1 gene expression and decidualization.
Theory of Solid He 3 . II. The Quasicrystal Approximation

The double cluster expansion procedure first proposed in a previous paper (I) is used to compute expectation values with respect to correlated trial wave functions. A low-order application of this procedure to solid ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ results in the "quasicrystal approximation". An analysis of this approximation is given. Numerical results on the ground-state energy are consistent with calculations by other authors. This paper is complementary to I, and points out the fundamental difficulty common to all nonstochastic variational calculations on solid ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$. It suggests that the next stage of progress will rely on a partial summation of the cluster expansion to all orders via the solution of integral equations derived for the solid distribution functions.
On the germination of turions and the life cycle of Potamogeton trichoides Cham. et Schld.

Abstract The life cycle of P. trichoides Cham. et Schld. has been studied in a pond near Nijmegen (The Netherlands); the germination of its turions has been studied in relation to temperature, cold induction (stratification) and light dependency. The species shows a summer-green annual life cycle, surviving the winter period by means of turions. Timing of turion germination appears to be well regulated by the water temperature, but light was also effective.
Energy Balance and Metabolic rate in Active Midlife Women

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To understand the relationship between energy balance and metabolic rate during rest, sitting, and standing in active midlife women. The metabolic consequences of abnormal eating habits in young women are well documented; however, there is a paucity of data examining this issue in active midlife women. This study examined the relationship between energy balance (EB) and metabolic rate at rest (RMR), sitting, and standing in active (>4 h aerobic activity/wk) midlife women (40–5O yrs). All subjects (n=15) reported being premenopausal, weight stable (>2yr), and completed the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) (cognitive restraint subscale). Energy intake (El) and energy expenditure (EE) were estimated concurrently using 7-d weighed food and activity records. EB (kcal/d) was determined by subtracting El from EE. Subjects were rank ordered from most negative to least negative EB. The upper tertile (EB=−742 kcal/d; n=5) were classified as having negative (MEG) EB and the upper tertile (EB=−130 kcal/d; n=5) were classified as adequate (ADQ) EB. Metabolic rate was measured twice after a 12-h fast at the same time during the menstrual cycle and 20–24 h after the last exercise bout. NEG and ADQ subgroups were similar in age, body weight, body fat, fat-free-mass (FFM), restrained eating scores, and EE, but differed (P
A laboratory model of subduction zone anisotropy

Abstract Measurements of split seismic shear-waves near Pacific subduction zones show that fast polarization directions are primarily trench-parallel in the seaward-side mantle beneath a subducting slab and variable in the mantle wedge beneath back arc basins. It is generally accepted that the azimuth of the fast polarization direction defines the average orientation of the crystallographic a-axis in olivine. Here we use laboratory experiments to determine the orientation of the olivine a-axis in the upper mantle in the vicinity of a subducting slab. A laboratory analog for olivine a-axis motion during creep deformation is developed using small cylinders (whiskers) suspended in a viscous fluid. Subduction beneath a stationary overriding plate, variable dip angles and realistic rollback and down-dip plate kinematics are examined. Plate rollback produces strong plate-parallel whisker alignments for all dip angles examined. Alignment in the wedge occurs in three layers: a layer of dip-parallel alignment above the downgoing plate, a layer of subhorizontal alignment beneath the overriding plate, and a core of intermediate orientations. The amount of alignment beneath the overriding plate and the wedge core decreases with increasing dip angle. Our results indicate that olivine a-axis orientation in the seaward-side mantle is controlled by the amount of slab rollback, and that orientations in the mantle wedge depend upon slab dip angle.
Dynamics of Langerhans cells in genetically defined murine epidermal cell culture

SUMMARY Unlike keratinocytes, Langerhans cells express both surface ATPase activity and Ia (HLA-DR) ANTIGENS. A well-characterized in vitro system containing Langerhans cells would be of great use in elucidating their functions. Thus, epidermal cell cultures derived from neonatal Balb/c mice were examined for the presence of Langerhans cells. Twenty-four hours after initiation of culture, ATPase- and Ia-positive cells were seen to be associated with cell aggregates. By day 3, Langerhans cells migrated on to the substratum and, as the cultures matured and stratified, were seen both in groups and as single cells for the duration of the cultures (day 14). During culture, although the total number of cells increased, the percentage of cells expressing Ia antigen and ATPase activity remained constant, suggesting that Langerhans cells increase in number during cell culture. Such a situation could arise from actual division of Langerhans cells during culture or from latent expression of Ia antigen and ATPase activity by pre-existing cells. This is the first study of the dynamics of Langerhans cells in a cell culture system and shows that Langerhans cells are present throughout the lifespan of the cultures.
Octopamine and proctolin mimic spontaneous membrane depolarisations in Lucilia larvae.

Octopamine and proctolin at concentrations below 10−8 M reversibly induce a spontaneous rhythmic depolarization which occurs in body-wall muscles ofLucilia larvae. The effect appears to be postsynaptic and mediated by receptors specific for each substance.