cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electromigration Induced Damage and Structure Change in Cr-Al/Cu and Al/Cu Interconnection Lines

The mechanisms of electromigration open failure in quartz passivated Al-Cu interconnection lines were studied by interrupting the stress test at selected intervals and photographically recording the damage. In this way a semicontinuous record of the progressive damage build up to and including open failure has been obtained for a variety of stress conditions, passivation thickness, flat lines and these going over steep topography and interconnection lines with a thin Cr underlay. It is demonstrated that the predominant mechanism that controls open failure and its variation within the confines of the above variables is the dynamic behavior of voids and their interaction with the physical and geometrical structure of the line, which act as obstacles to void motion. It is further shown that during stress the physical structure of the line i.e. precipitate particles and grain size is also coarsening which in turn provides more effective obstacles to void motion. Open failure is caused by mobile void/obstacle interactions. With no passivation on the line, failure times are significantly reduced and dynamic void behavior is no longer present i.e. voids grow in place until an open occurs. Stable underlayers such as Cr, markedly increase the lifetime by temporarily supporting the current enabling both the dynamic healing process to more effectively come into play or supporting the void until it can move downstream into the larger bond pad.
Contact Angle Study on Polymer-Grafted Silicon Wafers

Surface wettability and hydrophilicity of terminally grafted PVP and PVAc on smooth silicon wafers were investigated by advancing and receding contact angle measurements. Surface wetting trends correlated with polymer graft yield. Contact angle hysteresis results did not reveal a clear dependence of surface wetting on surface roughness (determined by atomic force microscopy) at the nanoscale level. Surface roughness appeared decrease with increasing chain length for the present surfaces produced by free radical graft polymerization. Contact angle analysis in terms of surface tension components demonstrated that the degree of hydrophilicity of polymer-grafted smooth inorganic surfaces depends on both polymer functionality and polymer graft yield. It is postulated that reorientation of surface-grafted polymer chains could account for changes in surface wettability, similar to those observed for solid polymer films.
Robust bit-loaded wireless OFDM

Bit-loaded OFDM systems have been widely studied in the literature. In these systems, a bit-loading algorithm assigns different power and number of bits to the sub-channels according to their quality, thus improving the performance of the system. To do this, channel state information (CSI) must he available at the transmitter. When the CSI available at the transmitter is not reliable, the performance gain achieved by bit-loading is degraded. In this paper we consider the effect of unreliable CSI on the performance of a bit-loaded OFDM system. In particular, we consider the case where CSI is outdated as a result of a delay between the channel sensing and transmission of the bit-loaded symbol. The combination of such delay and time variations of the channel results in outdated CSI. We then propose a robust bit-loaded system which uses frequency domain code division multiplexing (CDM). In our proposed system, the bit and power allocation is assigned to groups of sub-channels. Within each group, the data symbols are spread in frequency using orthogonal codes. Therefore, frequency diversity is achieved without any loss in the transmission rate. Simulation results show that the proposed system is considerably less sensitive to outdated CSI.
Optical parametric amplification of 1-kHz high-energy picosecond midinfrared pulses and application to infrared transient-grating experiments on diamond

Optical parametric generation of high-repetition-rate high-energy picosecond mid-IR pulses is demonstrated by use of a Q-switched mode-locked cavity-dumped output-coupled Nd:YAG laser as the pump source for a seeded LiIO3 optical parametric amplifier. By mixing a high-energy cavity-dumped pulse that is frequency doubled to λ = 532 nm with a dye-laser pulse at λ = 611 nm, we generated 2-μJ, 50-ps pulses at λ = 4.1 μm at a repetition rate of 1 kHz. The application of these IR pulses to nonlinear spectroscopy is demonstrated by measurement of the thermal diffusivity of diamond with IR transient-grating experiments.
Regularly scheduled voluntary exercise synchronizes the mouse circadian clock

Circadian rhythm entrainment has long been thought to depend exclusively on periodic cues in the external environment. However, evidence now suggests that appropriately timed vigorous activity may also phase shift the circadian clock. Previously it was not known whether levels of exercise/activity associated with spontaneous behavior provided sufficient feedback to phase shift or synchronize circadian rhythms. The present study investigated this issue by monitoring the sleep-wake, drinking, and wheel-running circadian rhythms of mice (Mus musculus) during unrestricted access to running wheels and when free wheel rotation was limited to either 12- or 6-h intervals with a fixed period of 24 h. Wheel rotation was controlled remotely. Mice spontaneously ran in wheels during scheduled access, and free-running sleep-wake and drinking circadian rhythms became entrained to scheduled exercise in 11 of 15 animals. However, steady-state entrainment was achieved only when exercise commenced several hours into the subjective night. The temporal placement of running during entrainment was related (r = 0.7003, P less than 0.02) to free-running period before entrainment. Mice with a free-running period less than 23.0 h did not entrain but exhibited relative coordination between free-running variables and the wheel availability schedule. Thus the circadian timekeeping system responds to temporal feedback arising from the timing of volitional exercise/activity, suggesting that the biological clock not only is responsive to periodic geophysical events in the external environment but also derives physiological feedback from the spontaneous activity behaviors of the organism.
Treatment of Injured Spinal Cord: Engraftment of Neural Stem Cells

Spinal cord injury is one of the main causes of disability in the young population. Based on the associated pathological changes, many modalities of treatments, including stem cells and non-stem cells transplantation have, been trialed with very promising results. The route of delivery and engraftment of these cellular transplants is an important determining factor in the functional outcome, and should be chosen as to be safe and efficacious on human patients. In this chapter we will discuss the pathology of spinal cord injury, the potential cellular therapy, and the routes of delivery.
Temperature dependence of H c 3 H c 2 in pure vanadium

The ratio of the surface-nucleation field to the bulk superconducting critical field, $\frac{{H}_{c3}}{{H}_{c2}}$, has been measured over the reduced temperature range $0.2ltl0.92$ ($t=\frac{T}{{T}_{c}}$) in high-purity vanadium. It is found that the asymptotic value of the ratio at the low-temperature end of the range is 1.77 and as $t\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1$, $\frac{{H}_{c3}}{{H}_{c2}}$ also approaches 1 rather steeply. The experimental results are explained by considering the surface interaction potential to be slightly depressed as compared to the bulk interaction potential as suggested by Hu. This picture requires a modified boundary condition from that used in de Gennes's original calculation of a constant $\frac{{H}_{c3}}{{H}_{c2}}$ ratio. We have determined that a reduction in the interaction potential of 0.9% is needed over a distance of $1.2{\ensuremath{\xi}}_{0}$ to explain the temperature dependence of $\frac{{H}_{c3}}{{H}_{c2}}$. A few possibilities as to the cause of this phenomenon are discussed.
International adoptees as teens and young adults: family and child function

Many of the >339,000 international adoptees arriving in the USA during the last 25 years are now teenagers and young adults (YA). Information about their long-term social integration, school performance, and self-esteem is incomplete. Moreover, the relation of these outcomes to facets of family function is incompletely understood. We hypothesised that growth, development, and health at arrival would predict the social and academic success of YA adoptees, and that family flexibility would correlate with more favourable outcomes for family and teen. Arrival records of 88 international adoptees aged 15–25 years were reviewed. Adoptees and their parents completed a series of standardised questionnaires. Results showed that self-esteem was good, although 15% were anxious or unhappy. Family stress varied widely and was higher for families with adopted sons. Adoption satisfaction varied, and correlated to family coping skills, inversely to family stress, but not to age, development, behaviour, growth at arrival,...
A Combined Experimental and Computational Study of the Substituent Effect on Micellar Behavior of γ-Substituted Thermoresponsive Amphiphilic Poly(ε-caprolactone)s

The effect of the core substituent structure on the micellar behavior of thermoresponsive amphiphilic poly(e-caprolactone) diblock copolymer micelles was investigated through a combination of experimental and computational methods. The polycaprolactone (PCL) amphiphilic block copolymers used in this study consisted of a hydrophilic poly{γ-2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy-e-caprolactone} block, which also endowed the polymer with thermoresponsiveness, and various hydrophobic poly(γ-alkoxy-e-caprolactone) blocks. Five different substituents have been attached to the γ-position of the e-caprolactone of the hydrophobic block, namely octyloxy, ethylhexyloxy, ethoxy, benzyloxy, and cyclohexylmethoxy, which self-assembled in aqueous media to generate the core of the micelles. All five synthesized diblock copolymers formed micelles in water and displayed thermoresponsive behavior with lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in the range of 36–39 °C. The impact of different substituents on the micelle proper...
Effects of phlorizin on membrane cation-dependent adenosine triphosphatase and p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activities.

Phlorizin stimulated the K+-dependent phosphatase activity (measured with p -nitrophenyl phosphate) but inhibited the (Na+ + K+)-dependent adenosine triphosphatase activity in an enzyme preparation obtained from rat brain. The concentration of phlorizin required for half-maximal stimulation of the phosphatase was 0.05 mM, whereas the Ki for the ATPase was 0.06 mM. Of a series of hydroxylated aromatic compounds, phloretin alone also stimulated the phosphatase. With the phosphatase, 0.03 mM phlorizin decreased the concentration of KCl required for half-maximal velocity ( K 0.5) from 1.92 to 1.17 mM but had little effect on V max. Na+ inhibited the phosphatase, and phlorizin increased the Ki for NaCl, from 6 to 12 mM. With the ATPase, 0.1 mM phlorizin similarly decreased the K0.5 for KCl, from 0.74 to 0.48 mM, and increased the K 0.5 for NaCl, from 5.0 to 10.5 mM. The positive cooperative allosteric response to Na+, as indicated by the Hill plot with n > 1, was also converted to a negative cooperative response. In addition, phlorizin inhibited the Na+-dependent phosphorylation of the enzyme. These data indicate that phlorizin reacts similarly with the cation-dependent ATPase and phosphatase, serving as a heterotropic allosteric modifier to increase the apparent affinity toward K+ but to decrease it toward Na+. These findings further imply that the phosphatase represents an aspect of the over-all ATPase reaction. Finally, the data raise the possibility that the inhibition of sugar transport by phorizin and phloretin may be mediated in part through an effect on the Na+-dependent aspects of that transport system. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The proficient technical assistance of Mrs. Shelly Buzzard is gratefully acknowledged.
Managers Making Sense of Millennials: Perceptions of a Generational Cohort

The study of generational cohorts has seen an increase in popularity in scholarly and popular literature. Millennials comprise the newest cohort to enter the workplace. This study explores how managers use social categorization to make sense of their Millennial-generation employees. Data were collected through interviews conducted with managers in order to learn how they viewed and described Millennials. Twenty-five managers in the hospitality industry were interviewed. Data were analyzed by searching for membership categorization devices (MCDs), then patterns in usage and meaning of the devices were explored. Three patterns were identified in using MCDs to reference Millennials: “kids”, “age group,” and “Millennials”/variations of the term. These findings are examined in reference to how they may inform managerial behavior as well as guide further study of generational cohorts.
Risk of Disease Spread through Bioterrorism

Bioterrorism is seen as a clear and present danger, although historically, acts of bioterrorism have been relatively unpredictable, rare and, thus far, small-scale events. The risk of an event is elevated by increasing contact among species and a global connectivity that provides rapid dissemination of infectious diseases regardless of origin. Virtually any pathogenic microbe could be used by bioterrorists. An attack may be difficult to distinguish from a naturally occurring infectious disease outbreak; however, consequences are likely to be similar. The U.S. agricultural sector is extremely vulnerable to bioterrorist attacks because our animals and plants have little or no innate resistance to foreign pathogens and are not vaccinated or otherwise protected against these diseases. It is also important to note that weapons or delivery systems are not an issue because the animals and plants themselves are the primary vector for transferring agents. Most bioterrorism agents are zoonotic in origin, thus an attack on animal populations could pose a health risk to humans. Additionally, disease outbreaks resulting from bioterrorism could jump to wildlife species, persist in the environment, replace locally adapted enzootic strains, expand their range, or emerge as a new zoonotic disease in naive human and animal populations.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury in the Term Newborn: Neuropathology, Clinical Aspects, and Neuroimaging

Hypoxic-ischemic cerebral injury in the full-term infant results in a variety of neurologic manifestations. The pathogenetic events resulting in this central nervous system injury may occur throughout the prenatal period. Several clinical patterns of signs and symptoms of hypoxic-ischemic cerebral injury have been identified in the term infant. Further, characteristic neuroradiologic patterns of this injury can be discerned. Information derived from the term infant's clinical course and neuroimaging data convey useful neurodevelopmental prognostic information. Several potential and promising therapeutic agents exist may attenuate the sequelae of hypoxic-ischemic cerebral injury to the term infant.
Associations between tobacco and nicotine product use and depressive symptoms among college students in Texas.

Abstract Background There is a well-established link between cigarette smoking and depression; less is known about the potential association between alternative tobacco products, such as hookah, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette use) with depression. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now regulating tobacco products and is interested in tobacco product use among those with mental health problems and other special populations such as college students. Methods Cross-sectional statewide convenience sample study of 5438 college students in 24 colleges and universities in Texas. Past 30-day use of hookah, cigar, smokeless tobacco, cigarette, and e-cigarette use were measured by self-report. Depressive symptoms were measured by the 10-item short form of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies scale. Results Only e-cigarette use was positively associated with depressive symptoms, even after accounting for all other tobacco products and socio-demographics. There were no significant interactions between race/ethnicity or gender with each of the tobacco products on depressive symptoms. Conclusions E-cigarette use was positively associated with depressive symptoms among college students in Texas. Further research is needed to determine causality, which may inform FDA regulatory planning.
Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction and Vocal Cord Dysfunction

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) occurs in individuals with and without chronic asthma. The symptoms of EIB are often subtle and difficult to differentiate from normal manifestations of intense exercise. Diagnosis of EIB based on subjective symptoms alone is extremely inaccurate. Objective testing is strongly recommended to document a diagnosis of EIB. Treatment of EIB with a short-acting bronchodilator before exercise is 80 % effective. If short-acting bronchodilators are used daily for prophylaxis, controller agents such as inhaled steroids should also be added. Adjunctive treatment approaches (adequate warm-up, allergen avoidance, dietary modification, etc.) may also be helpful.
Multiple Systemic Contributors versus Root Cause Learning from a NASA Near Miss

In 2013 NASA nearly drowned an astronaut during an Extravehicular Activity (EVA 23) on the International Space Station due to spacesuit water leakage. Indicators of trouble on the preceding EVA (22...
On the effects of topology and node distribution on learning over complex adaptive networks

Adaptive networks consist of a collection of nodes with adaptation and learning abilities. The nodes interact with each other on a local level and diffuse information across the network through their collaborations, as dictated by the network topology and by the spatial distribution of the nodes. In this work, we consider two types of nodes: informed and uninformed. The former collect data and perform processing, while the latter only participate in the processing tasks. We examine the performance of adaptive networks as a function of the fraction of informed nodes. The results reveal an interesting trade-off between convergence and performance. The analysis indicates that the larger the proportion of informed nodes in a network, the faster the convergence rate is at the expense of a deterioration in the mean-square-error performance. The conclusion suggests an important interplay relating the number of informed nodes, the desired convergence rate, and the desired estimation accuracy.
MPLEx: a method for simultaneous pathogen inactivation and extraction of samples for multi-omics profiling

The continued emergence and spread of infectious agents is of great concern, and systems biology approaches to infectious disease research can advance our understanding of host-pathogen relationships and facilitate the development of new therapies and vaccines. Molecular characterization of infectious samples outside of appropriate biosafety containment can take place only subsequent to pathogen inactivation. Herein, we describe a modified Folch extraction using chloroform/methanol that facilitates the molecular characterization of infectious samples by enabling simultaneous pathogen inactivation and extraction of proteins, metabolites, and lipids for subsequent mass spectrometry-based multi-omics measurements. This single-sample metabolite, protein and lipid extraction (MPLEx) method resulted in complete inactivation of clinically important bacterial and viral pathogens with exposed lipid membranes, including Yersinia pestis, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Campylobacter jejuni in pure culture, and Yersinia pestis, Campylobacter jejuni, and West Nile, MERS-CoV, Ebola, and influenza H7N9 viruses in infection studies. In addition, >99% inactivation, which increased with solvent exposure time, was also observed for pathogens without exposed lipid membranes including community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium difficile spores and vegetative cells, and adenovirus type 5. The overall pipeline of inactivation and subsequent proteomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic analyses was evaluated using a human epithelial lung cell line infected with wild-type and mutant influenza H7N9 viruses, thereby demonstrating that MPLEx yields biomaterial of sufficient quality for subsequent multi-omics analyses. Based on these experimental results, we believe that MPLEx will facilitate systems biology studies of infectious samples by enabling simultaneous pathogen inactivation and multi-omics measurements from a single specimen with high success for pathogens with exposed lipid membranes.
Culturally Responsive Social Robotics Instruction for Middle School Girls

To attract more female students to study human-robot interaction (HRI) and robotics in college, new approaches for engaging middle and high school students need to be developed. This paper presents a unique approach to teaching middle school girls primary human-robot interaction concepts and humanoid robot programming using culturally responsive pedagogy. We describe what culturally responsive social robotics (CRSR) instruction is, how we incorporated CRSR and human-robot interaction instruction into a middle school girls social robotics program, and how we evaluated its effectiveness using mixed methods evaluation.
Computer modeling for pharmacological treatments for dystonia

Dystonia is a movement disorder that produces involuntary muscle contractions. Current pharmacological treatments are of limited efficacy. Dystonia, like epilepsy is a disorder involving excessive activity of motor areas including motor cortex and several causal gene mutations have been identified. In order to evaluate potential novel agents for multitarget therapy for dystonia, we have developed a computer model of cortex that includes some of the complex array of molecular interactions that, along with membrane ion channels, control cell excitability.
The combined effects of driver attitudes and in-vehicle feedback on fuel economy

Abstract This paper presents results from a study of driver feedback, driver attitudes, and the adoption of ecodriving behaviors. The study ran for one year; each driver was engaged in the experiment for four weeks. Narrowly defined, ecodriving represents the set of behaviors that a driver can use to minimize the energy use of a trip after the trip has begun. The general ecodriving behaviors are moderating acceleration, top speed, and braking. Ecodriving has long been recognized as a potential source of reductions in transportation energy use, with reduction estimates ranging widely from less than 5% to over 20% depending on context. In-vehicle feedback that provides drivers with salient information suited to their personal goals may be one way to motivate ecodriving. Although many studies have tested unique feedback designs, little research has been conducted into the cognitive precursors to driver behavior change that may underlie the adoption or rejection of ecodriving practices, and therefore underlie the effectiveness of any feedback design. This study examines both precursor cognitive factors and driver behavior changes with the introduction of energy feedback, using a framework hypothesizing that attitudes, social norms, perceived control, and goals influence behavior and behavior change. The study finds that the introduction of a feedback interface can both activate these cognitive factors and result in behavior change. Furthermore, the study finds that there was an overall 4.4% reduction in fuel consumption due entirely to one group that showed increases in their knowledge of fuel economy and reported high levels of technical proficiency during the experiment. Statistically significant relationships are found in this group between the magnitude of cognitive change and the magnitude of behavior change – supporting the theoretical framework. The second group made no improvement and may have been confused by the feedback. The effect of baseline (pre-feedback) performance of the drivers indicates drivers that already have highly efficient driving styles do not benefit much from feedback.
Assessment of malpractice claims due to spinal epidural abscess.

OBJECTIVE Spinal epidural abscesses (SEAs) can be difficult to diagnose and may result in neurological compromise or even death. Delays in diagnosis or treatment may worsen the prognosis. While SEA presents a high risk for litigation, little is known about the medicolegal ramifications of this condition. An enhanced understanding of potential legal implications is important for practicing spine surgeons, emergency medicine physicians, and internists. METHODS The VerdictSearch database, a large legal-claims database, was queried for "epidural abscess"-related legal cases. Demographic and clinical data were examined for all claims; any irrelevant cases or cases with incomplete information were excluded. The effects of age of the plaintiff, sex of the plaintiff, presence of a known infection, resulting paraplegia or quadriplegia, delay in diagnosis, and delay in treatment on the proportion of plaintiff rulings and size of payments were assessed. RESULTS In total, 56 cases met the inclusion criteria. Of the 56 cases, 17 (30.4%) were settled, 22 (39.3%) resulted in a defendant ruling, and 17 (30.4%) resulted in a plaintiff ruling. The mean award for plaintiff rulings was $5,277,468 ± $6,348,462 (range $185,000-$19,792,000), which was significantly larger than the mean award for cases that were settled out of court, $1,914,265 ± $1,313,322 (range $100,000-$4,500,000) (p 0.49). The presence of a previously known infection was also not associated with the proportion of plaintiff verdicts or indemnity payments (p > 0.29). In contrast, juries were more likely to rule in favor of plaintiffs who became paraplegic or quadriplegic (p = 0.03) compared with plaintiffs who suffered pain or isolated weakness. Monetary awards for paraplegic or quadriplegic patients were also significantly higher (p = 0.003). Plaintiffs were more likely to win if there was a delay in diagnosis (p = 0.04) or delay in treatment (p = 0.006), although there was no difference in monetary awards (p > 0.57). Internists were the most commonly sued physician (named in 13 suits [23.2%]), followed by emergency medicine physicians (named in 8 [14.3%]), and orthopedic surgeons (named in 3 [5.4%]). CONCLUSIONS This investigation is the largest examination of legal claims due to spinal epidural abscess to date. The proportion of plaintiff verdicts was significantly higher in cases in which the patient became paraplegic or quadriplegic and in cases in which there was delay in diagnosis or treatment. Additionally, paralysis is linked to large sums awarded to the plaintiff. Nonsurgeon physicians, who are often responsible for initial diagnosis, were more likely to be sued than were surgeons.
Stephen Austin: Empresario of Texas. By Gregg Cantrell. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1999. Pp. xiv, 493. $29.95.)

Gregg Cantrell, professor of history at Hardin-Simmoms University, has written an intriguing and intelligent biography of the "'Father of Texas", Stephen Fuller Austin. This is the first major retelling of Austin's life in over seventy years, and it departs significantly from these earlier works. While previous biographies centered on Austin's career and accomplishments, this book concentrates on his personal life, personality, and character.
Spinning particles, axion radiation, and the classical double copy

We extend the perturbative double copy between radiating classical sources in gauge theory and gravity to the case of spinning particles. We construct, to linear order in spins, perturbative radiating solutions to the classical Yang-Mills equations sourced by a set of interacting color charges with chromomagnetic dipole spin couplings. Using a color-to-kinematics replacement rule proposed earlier by one of the authors, these solutions map onto radiation in a theory of interacting particles coupled to massless fields that include the graviton, a scalar (dilaton) $\ensuremath{\phi}$ and the Kalb-Ramond axion field ${B}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}}$. Consistency of the double copy imposes constraints on the parameters of the theory on both the gauge and gravity sides of the correspondence. In particular, the color charges carry a chromomagnetic interaction which, in $d=4$, corresponds to a gyromagnetic ratio equal to Dirac's value $g=2$. The color-to-kinematics map implies that on the gravity side, the bulk theory of the fields $(\ensuremath{\phi},{g}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}},{B}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}})$ has interactions which match those of $d$-dimensional ``string gravity,'' as is the case both in the BCJ double copy of pure gauge theory scattering amplitudes and the KLT relations between the tree-level $S$-matrix elements of open and closed string theory.
The treatment efficacy of multiple opposition phonological approach via telepractice for two children with severe phonological disorders in rural areas of West Texas in the USA

The goals of the present study were to (1) examine the effects of the multiple opposition phonological approach on improving phoneme production accuracy in children with severe phonological disorde...
Effect of a part-hour shading methodology on the sensitivity of shading calculations to horizon uncertainty

Abstract A previous study investigated how horizon measurement uncertainty leads to errors in annual irradiance calculations. Those results were based upon determining shading for whole hour periods by testing whether the mid-hour point fell below the horizon. In this study, we test an alternate approach that considers fractional shading during each hourly window. We find only very slight changes in the P90 sensitivity of irradiance to horizon measurement errors. In the previous study, we observed that approaches using whole-hour shading resulted in a maximum sensitivity that increased as smaller position increments were considered for the horizon measurement error. Here, we observe that part-hour shading is less sensitive to the magnitude of these errors, especially with regard to horizon azimuthal measurement. Additionally, we find that the maximum sensitivity is reduced when considering these smaller position increments. The decision to adopt a part-hour shading methodology requires balancing the relatively minor benefits against the additional computational complexity required for the approach.
Non-union rate of type II and III odontoid fractures in CPPD versus a control population

The objective was to determine if there is a significant difference between rates of non-union of type II and III odontoid fractures in patients with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition (CPPD) compared with a control population. A 10-year retrospective picture archive and communications system review was performed of 31 CPPD patients and 31 control patients. Imaging studies were reviewed for radiographic or CT evidence of osseous union and complications. There was a significant difference in the rates of non-union between the two groups, with the non-union rate reaching 90.3% in the CPPD group and 32% in the control group. Comparing the degree of displacement and angulation of the two groups did not show a significant difference. The results indicate that odontoid fracture non-union rates are significantly higher in CPPD patients and should be taken into consideration when diagnosing odontoid fractures and deciding on appropriate treatment.
The Organization of Saxon Business

Although Bueck had shown industry the way to cope with the economic bogey posed by organized labor, particular conditions in Saxony impelled businessmen there to detach the socioeconomic question of work stoppages from the political specter of Social Democracy. Bueck speaking for big business said the two should not be separated; the Centralverband should lead the struggle against both. Stresemann speaking for small business disagreed. Finding Bueck’s political tactics highhanded and old-fashioned, he expressed the twentieth-century view of the new lobby that to be effective an economic pressure group had to muster both interests and opinions. The purpose of an employer association was not just to organize management; it must rally public sentiment, then drifting towards strikers, back to manufacturers who in Saxony were not strong enough to pursue the fire-eating tactics (Scharfmacherei) Bueck’s name conjured up. Stresemann reasoned that Bueck’s do-or-die attitude was sharpening class feeling and provoking political unrest in the proletariat. Implacable management was tightening the grip radical socialism had on the workers. Last-ditch tactics dismayed small businessmen.
Individualized Behavior Therapy (IBT)

The studies described in Chapter 4 collectively formed the basis of a major research treatment study, henceforth to be referred to as Individualized Behavior Therapy (IBT) for alcoholics. This study was conducted at Patton State Hospital during 1970 and early 1971. Whereas all the earlier Patton research studies had been rather limited in focus, the IBT study was designed as a multiple-component research treatment-evaluation project.
Physiography of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea

The Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea have attracted the attention of many geological investigators because of their topographic complexity. Early students suggested that both regions were sites of landmasses that had subsided to their present depths or been oceanized. Others have treated both areas as permanent oceanic basins with one (Gulf of Mexico) being surrounded by landmasses and the other (Caribbean) by island arcs and geosynclines (Paine and Meyerhoff, 1970; Meyerhoff and Meyerhoff, 1972). Recent investigators have attempted to explain their complex tectonics and stratigraphy, particularly the Caribbean, in the light of global tectonics. Proponents of sea-floor spreading have suggested that the Caribbean is a remnant of pre-Mesozoic sea floor trapped between the westerly drifting American continents and later sealed from the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans by subduction zones (Deuser, 1970; Edgar et al., 1971; Malfait and Dinkelman, 1972). Other mobilists have interpreted the Caribbean as a young ocean basin formed during separation of the American continents (Funnell and Smith, 1968; Ball and Harrison, 1969, 1970; JOIDES, 1971). The present report attempts to describe the physiography of both areas in the light of seismic reflection data collected by numerous investigators during the past decade, data from the Deep-Sea Drilling Project, and a new detailed bathymetric chart of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. These new data greatly expand the fund of critical knowledge and have resulted in new insights into the origin and evolution of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.
Lack of Patient Compliance in Real-World Practice Negatively Affects Sustained Viral Response Rates to Direct Acting Agent Therapy for Hepatitis C.

To assess the true efficacy of direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in real-world clinical practice, taking into account those patients that do not complete therapy or the necessary follow-up to establish sustained viral response (SVR). Retrospective data collection of 261 genotype 1 HCV-infected patients, treatment naive or treatment experienced, treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir combination therapy at an academic medical center. All patients received individualized teaching and counseling prior to starting therapy stressing importance of compliance with laboratory monitoring and treatment completion. Intention to treat SVR rates (ITT-SVR) and per-protocol SVR rates (PP-SVR) were calculated. Chi-squared test was used to compare the number of subjects lost to follow-up in the treatment-naive vs. treatment-experienced groups. Characteristics of noncompliant patients were compared to compliant patients. ITT-SVR rates for the entire cohort were 74%, significantly lower than the 95% PP-SVR rate for the compliant patients (p < 0.001). ITT-SVR was lower in treatment-naive patients compared to treatment-experienced patients (68% vs. 86%). Among the entire cohort, 22% of patients either discontinued therapy prematurely (7%) or did not return for SVR assessment (15%). Failure to complete therapy or return for SVR assessment was statistically more common among treatment-naive patients compared to treatment-experienced patients (28% vs. 11%, p = 0.0016). There is a significant rate of noncompliance among patients treated with DAA in real-world clinical practice despite pre-treatment education efforts. The ITT-SVR rates observed in clinical practice were significantly lower than those reported by clinical trials, and this difference was most pronounced among treatment-naive patients.
Transitioning to low-carbon suburbs in hot-arid regions: A case-study of Emirati villas in Abu Dhabi

Abstract The continued and global popularity of single-family homes indicates that a scalable, yet regionally appropriate strategy for achieving zero-carbon suburban development is needed in the coming decades. This need is especially critical in the hyper-arid region around the Arabian Gulf where per-person carbon emissions are among the highest in the world. Using geometrically sensitive simulation models for a household's building energy, water, and automobile use, this paper uses Emirati neighborhoods in Abu Dhabi, UAE as a case study to estimate emissions for a baseline and set of future possible scenarios towards transitioning single-family households in the region to low, and eventually near-zero operational carbon emissions. An analysis of the combined impact of energy efficiency gains through (1) technology adoption and better design, (2) carbon intensity reduction from renewable energy transitions, and (3) carbon sequestration from parcel scale tree planting is presented. From a baseline CO2 emissions of 64.3 tons per household per year for new construction, the study finds future emissions potential reductions of 33.7%–49.0% from improved house design, 98.1% from electrification and solar energy sourcing, and 99.4% from combined design and technology improvements. This study also finds that if the water-energy nexus in Abu Dhabi transitioned to solar-powered, reverse-osmosis desalination, trees would become net carbon sinks (0.6–1.9 kg CO2/m2/yr). As a result, in the future, low-density neighborhoods with dense areas of tree planting may become a sustainable housing typology when measured by net operational emissions. This fact would upend multiple current assumptions by Western planners about sustainable transitions for arid regions.
“They Want the Spanish but They Don’t Want the Mexicans”: Whiteness and Consumptive Contact in an Oregon Spanish Immersion School:

Drawing from in-depth interviews with 18 white, black, Latinx, and multiracial parents whose children attend a Spanish immersion elementary school, the author examines the politics of race, class, ...
Nano-ozone bubbles for drinking water treatment

Safe drinking water is a key necessity, and ozonation is one of the common processes in drinking water preparation. The main drawbacks of using conventional ozone methods are the high-buoyancy-rela...
Predictors of residential mobility and its impact on air pollution exposure among children diagnosed with early childhood leukemia

Epidemiology studies relying on one address to assign exposures over time share common methodological limitations in failing to account for mobility that may introduce potential exposure misclassification. Using Texas birth certificate and cancer registry data, we identified predictors of residential mobility among mothers of children diagnosed with early childhood leukemia in Texas from 1995 to 2011. We used U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Air Toxics Assessment data to estimate residential levels of benzene and 1,3-butadiene based on addresses at birth and diagnosis and applied mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression models to evaluate differences in exposure classification between the two time periods. In total, 55% of children moved from time of birth to diagnosis, although they generally did not move far (median distance moved was 8 km). Predictors of mobility, at delivery, included younger age, being unmarried and living in neighborhoods with high benzene levels, and, at diagnosis, increasing child’s age and living in neighborhoods with low poverty rates. We observed that the odds of being assigned to a higher exposure quartile at diagnosis relative to the time of birth decreased by 31% for 1,3-butadiene (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.59–0.82) and by 12% for benzene (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.75, 1.05).
On a dynamic model for Voltage Source Inverter should not be used

In this paper we develop a dynamic voltage source model that mimics synchronous generators. The presented formulation as an electrostatic generator has a dynamic that corresponds to the steady state current controlled voltage source model of synchronous generators. Then we apply the linearized equations of the designed electrostatic generator in port-Hamiltonian framework and construct a novel control law for voltage source inverter. This model provides the reference voltage for Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) that triggers the power electronic circuit of inverter
Design and Aging Challenges in FinFET Circuits and Internet of Things (IoT) Applications

The advent of FinFETs has extended the CMOS lifeline by a few more technology nodes (5 nm and even 3 nm are now under development), so it is critical for digital circuit designers and researchers to understand some of the fundamental differences between advanced FinFET nodes and older planar devices, along with the associated challenges (e.g., design and aging challenges) in the forthcoming sub-10 nm regime. This chapter consists of two major thrusts. In the first thrust, we present a comprehensive study that compares multiple technology nodes spanning from old planar devices to the most advanced FinFET nodes. This study adds to the FinFET design knowledge base and helps designers gain a thorough understanding of various design challenges. The second trust mainly looks at the impact of FinFET aging within the context of Internet of Things (IoT). Through extensive simulations with foundry-provided FinFET aging models, we conclude that aging can severely affect certain category of IoT applications; hence, this aspect needs to be incorporated in the design cycle to meet the overall system lifetime targets. Several candidate techniques against aging are also presented for designing robust IoT chips that perform faster, consume lower power, and last longer than without the use of these techniques.
Simplified analogs of sclerophytin A as potential anticancer agents

3971 Sclerophytin A (1), a rare 2,11-cyclized cembranoid natural product of marine origin, was reported to possess potent growth inhibitory activity against the L1210 cell line. We have embarked on the synthesis of highly simplified analogs of sclerophytin A that can be synthesized in 3-5 steps in the hope of developing potential anticancer agents. For the preparation of analogs 2, aldol condensation of (S)-(+)-carvone with a halo-benzaldehyde gave aldol adducts in acceptable yield and moderate to high diastereoselectivity. Etherification of alcohols afforded glycolates. Cycloaldol reaction of keto-esters afforded isobenzofurans in good yields and as single diastereomers. For the preparation of analogs 3, oxidative rearrangement of alcohols gave enones. Compounds with different substitutions at the R (methyl, ethyl, geranyl) and X (bromide, dichloride) positions were prepared. The human KB-3 carcinoma cell line was used to assess their growth inhibitory properties using the MTT colorimetric assay. IC50 values ranged from 3 to >100 μM. The most potent compounds were those with R = ethyl and X = 3-bromide or 2,4-dichloride. Further refinement of the structures and testing of antitumor properties are ongoing. Supported by the Arkansas Biosciences Institute and the NIH (CA75577, RR15569).
Floating Lungs: Forensic Science in Self-Induced Abortion Prosecutions

Pregnancy that ends in still birth later in pregnancy – particularly where a person gives birth outside of a hospital – raises the specter of criminal behavior. To successfully prosecute a person for the death of a child, however, requires that a child was born alive. Prosecutors mobilize forensic science as an objective way to determine life. This paper focuses on one such forensic method: the hydrostatic lung test (HLT) also known as the floating lung test (FLT). In essence, the forensic scientist takes pieces of the lung and places them in water. If the lungs float, scientists find that baby as having been born alive. If the lungs sink, the infant is thought to have died in utero exculpating the accused. Drawing on extensive historical research and review of cases from the mid-1800s until the present, this paper engages with a larger literature on forensic science and criminal law to interrogate the relationship between scientific expertise, evidence, and lawmaking in the context of self-induced abortion late in pregnancy. The paper makes two arguments. First, I argue that adjudication is integral to validation of forensic science and the legitimation of the HLT. In other words, courts play a key role in sustaining the belief that the HLT is a true test of whether a child was born alive. Second, I offer two frames to understand why it is that courts and juries are invested in an objective test to enable the prosecution of women. First, I argue that as the carceral state has taken hold, prioritizing personal responsibility and emphasizing prosecution and punishment, science was conscripted into the project of individual responsibility. Blame and finality are central goals of the criminal justice system and this is true in the context of pregnancy and childbirth related prosecutions. Second, I argue that courts rely on the HLT as a means to respond to a moral panic about pregnancy and abortion. This moral panic reflects past and ongoing raced and gendered social anxieties around pregnancy and abortion. It fits within a long history of cases in which medical and forensic evidence and expertise mobilized, shaped, and legitimated by courts for the sake of successful prosecutions of pregnant women, mothers and caretakers in the context of the “crack baby epidemic” and shaken baby syndrome. In our contemporary moment, the HLT provides a way to legitimately prosecute women whose pregnancies are still births, miscarriages, or who self-abort.
Undergraduate Textbook Representations of Meiosis Neglect Essential Elements

The process of meiosis is an essential topic that secondary and postsecondary students struggle with. The important meiosis-related concepts of homology, ploidy, and segregation can be described using the DNA Triangle framework, which connects them to the multidimensional nature of DNA (chromosomal, molecular, and informational levels). We have previously established that undergraduate biology students typically fail to describe and/or link appropriate levels to their explanations of meiosis. We hypothesize that students' understanding mirrors the resources they are given – in other words, textbook figures often lack many of the important connections that experts include when talking about meiosis. Prior work showed that text in meiosis chapters typically fails to include many concepts that experts consider important, so we examined how textbook figures present meiosis concepts. We found that almost all textbook representations include the chromosomal level of DNA, but few include the other levels, even to illustrate concepts that are rooted in informational and/or molecular levels. In particular, the molecular level of DNA was absent from nearly all introductory textbook figures examined, and the informational level was seldom depicted in mid/upper-level textbook figures. The previously established deficits in text portions of textbooks are clearly not compensated by their accompanying illustrations.