cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patterns and consequences of egg destruction among joint-nesting acorn woodpeckers

Reproductive competition among joint-nesting female acorn woodpeckers, Melanerpes formicivorus, culminates in the removal and subsequent destruction of eggs laid by co-breeders. Females destroying eggs gain both by synchronizing egg laying and by having more of their own eggs incubated in the final clutch. Here results are summarized based on observations of 19 joint nests. Egg destruction accounted for the loss of 38% of all eggs laid. Either or both joint-nesting females destroyed eggs at the same nest, and a female that destroyed eggs during one nesting attempt sometimes had her own eggs destroyed during the next. Egg destruction was not moderated by the genetic relatedness of joint-nesting females and was apparently unrelated to behavioural dominance, but substantially lowered per female success of three- compared with two-female nests. Females did not discriminate between eggs; thus egg destruction ended when both females laid normal eggs simultaneously in the nest cavity. However, egg destruction ended most frequently when a female did not destroy an egg laid by her co-breeder 1 day prior to laying her own first egg. Such failures to destroy eggs entail short-term fitness costs that may be compensated by the potential for reciprocity across breeding attempts. Abnormally small ‘runt’ eggs, rarely found in other species of birds, were commonly laid as the first egg of the clutches of one or both joint-nesting females. The laying of runt eggs may allow females to destroy normal eggs laid simultaneously by their co-breeders. Egg destruction is a major constraint on the degree to which females nest jointly. More generally, egg destruction and its associated behaviour patterns demonstrate that reproductive interference can be as complex and destructive within groups of close relatives as between unrelated individuals.
Pyogenic granuloma of the epiglottis

Abstract The lobular capillary hemangioma, commonly known as pyogenic granuloma, is a common benign vascular lesion arising from both cutaneous and mucosal sites. The lesion is prevalent in the pediatric population, although airway involvement is rare. To date localization to a supraglottic subsite remains unreported in the literature. Here we describe a unique case of pyogenic granuloma arising from the epiglottis of a three year-old patient.
Berriasian (Early Cretaceous) radiometric ages from the Grindstone Creek Section, Sacramento Valley, California

Abstract The Grindstone Creek Section, Glenn County, Northern California is a sequence of hemipelagic mudstone, siltstone and sandstone interbedded with concretionary limestone and a few thin tuffs and bentonites. Two tuffs have been collected from a narrow interval of this sequence and subjected to mineralogical and isotopic analyses. UzPb isotopic analyses of zircon fractions from these volcanic horizons indicate an age of 137.1 + 1.6/−0.6 Ma. A detailed investigation has been conducted on the calcareous nannofossil stratigraphy of this section based on numerous samples with moderately preserved assemblages. The nannoflora is largely of Tethyan affinity, and allows direct correlation with the Berriasian stratotype section, with sections with published magnetostratigraphies and with a DSDP site drilled between known magnetic anomalies. The dated tuffs lie in the lower part of the upper BerriasianCretarhabdus angustiforatus Zone (Assipetra infracretacea Subzone) and within the narrow range ofRhagodiscus nebulosus. At three different sections, this subzone can be correlated with M-sequence Polarity Zones M16 and M16n. An independent magnetostratigraphic correlation is provided at DSDP Site 387, drilled between anomalies M15 and M16, where basal sediments containR. nebulosus. Buchia collected within a meter of the lower tuff lie within theB. uncitoides Zone which is Berriasian in age. The upper tuff level, which occurs 65 m above the lower tuff, is situated within the overlyingB. pacifica Zone. This zone had previously been correlated with the early Valanginian, but is clearly also partly of Berriasian age based on nannofossil stratigraphy. Our results allow an estimate of the age of the Berriasian-Valanginian and Jurassic-Cretaceous boundaries of 135.1 Ma and 141.1 Ma, respectively, and these fall within the range of, but differ significantiy from, several published time-scales.
Mechanical Testing of Monolayers. 1. Fourier Transform Analysis

Mise au point d'une nouvelle technique pour realiser des tests mecaniques sur des couches monomoleculaires. Donnees sur les proprietes viscoelastiques des couches monomoleculaires
Cooperativeness of the Higher Chromatin Structure of the β-Globin Locus Revealed by the Deletion Mutations of DNase I Hypersensitive site 3 of the LCR

High-level transcription of the globin genes requires the enhancement by a distant element, the locus control region (LCR). Such long-range regulation in vivo involves spatial interaction between transcriptional elements, with intervening chromatin looping out. It has been proposed that the clustering of the HS sites of the LCR, the active globin genes, as well as the remote 5' hypersensitive sites (HSs) (HS-60/-62 in mouse, HS-110 in human) and 3'HS1 forms a specific spatial chromatin structure, termed active chromatin hub (ACH). Here we report the effects of the HS3 deletions of the LCR on the spatial chromatin structure of the beta-globin locus as revealed by the chromatin conformation capture (3C) technology. The small HS3 core deletion (0.23 kb), but not the large HS3 deletion (2.3 kb), disrupted the spatial interactions among all the HS sites of the LCR, the beta-globin gene and 3'HS1. We have previously demonstrated that the large HS3 deletion barely impairs the structure of the LCR holocomplex, while the structure is significantly disrupted by the HS3 core deletion. Taken together, these results suggest that the formation of the ACH is dependent on a largely intact LCR structure. We propose that the ACH indeed is an extension of the LCR holocomplex.
Cross Flow Boiling in Micro-Pin Fin Heat Sinks

Flow boiling of water across a bank of circular staggered micro pin fins, 250 μm long and 100 μm diameter with pitch-to-diameter ratio of 1.5, was experimentally studied for mass fluxes ranging from 346 kg/m2 s to 794 kg/m2 s and surface heat fluxes ranging from 20 W/cm2 to 350 W/cm2 . The local two-phase heat transfer coefficients were measured using thermistors located along the flow path of the channel. The flow was visualized and classified as vapor slug and annular flow patterns. Based on the observed flow patterns, the dominant heat transfer mechanism during boiling process was assumed to be convective boiling.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Program of early development in the mammal: Synthesis and intracellular migration of histone H4 during oogenesis in the mouse

Synthesis of histone H4 by mouse oocytes and unfertilized eggs has been examined by using a modified high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis procedure capable of resolving basic proteins (M. J. LaMarca and P. M. Wassarman, 1979, Develop. Biol. 73, 103-119). Histones were separated on such gels and observed rates of incorporation of [35S]methionine into histone H4 were converted into absolute rates of synthesis by using previously determined values for the absolute rates of total protein synthesis in mouse oocytes and unfertilized eggs (R. M. Schultz, G. E. Letourneau, and P. M. Wassarman, 1979, Develop. Biol. 68, 341-359; 73, 120-133). Histone H4 was synthesized at all stages of oogenesis examined, and accounted for 0.07, 0.05, and 0.04% of total protein synthesis in growing oocytes, fully grown oocytes, and unfertilized eggs, respectively. During oocyte maturation the absolute rate of histone H4 synthesis decreased by about 40%, as compared to a 23% decrease in the rate of total protein synthesis during the same period. These measurements indicate that enough histone is synthesized during oogenesis in the mouse to support two to three cell divisions. Examination of the intracellular location of newly synthesized proteins in fully grown oocytes revealed that histone H4 was highly concentrated in the nucleus (germinal vesicle), whereas total protein and tubulin were not. Nearly 50% of the histone H4 synthesized during a 5-hr period was located in the oocyte's germinal vesicle, as compared to 1.9 and 0.9% for total protein and tubulin, respectively. These results are compared with those obtained using oocytes and eggs from nonmammalian animal species.
Multifunctional nanoparticles for drug/gene delivery in nanomedicine

Multifunctional nanoparticles hold great promise for drug/gene delivery. Multilayered nanoparticles can act as nanomedical systems with on-board "molecular programming" to accomplish complex multi-step tasks. For example, the targeting process has only begun when the nanosystem has found the correct diseased cell of interest. Then it must pass the cell membrane and avoid enzymatic destruction within the endosomes of the cell. Since the nanosystem is only about one millionth the volume of a human cell, for it to have therapeutic efficacy with its contained package, it must deliver that drug or gene to the appropriate site within the living cell. The successive delayering of these nanosystems in a controlled fashion allows the system to accomplish operations that would be difficult or impossible to do with even complex single molecules. In addition, portions of the nanosystem may be protected from premature degradation or mistargeting to non-diseased cells. All of these problems remain major obstacles to successful drug delivery with a minimum of deleterious side effects to the patient. This paper describes some of the many components involved in the design of a general platform technology for nanomedical systems. The feasibility of most of these components has been demonstrated by our group and others. But the integration of these interacting sub-components remains a challenge. We highlight four components of this process as examples. Each subcomponent has its own sublevels of complexity. But good nanomedical systems have to be designed/engineered as a full nanomedical system, recognizing the need for the other components.
Diffuse reflectance Fourier-transform IR studies on the role of catalyst support on selectivity in ethene oxidation

Abstract Infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was used to study the role of adsorption on the support material on the selectivity to ethylene oxide in ethylene oxidation. With silver catalysts supported on high surface area alumina, no selectivity to ethylene oxide was observed. DRIFTS studies also showed that significant ethylene adsorption on the alumina support was occurring. Further studies on the high surface area alumina support indicated that hydroxyl groups play a major role in ethylene adsorption on the support. With catalysts where there was no evidence of ethylene adsorption on the support, such as silver on low surface area alumina and silver on silica, ethylene oxide was formed.
Process simulation in stamping – recent applications for product and process design

Abstract Process simulation for product and process design is currently being practiced in industry. However, a number of input variables have a significant effect on the accuracy and reliability of computer predictions. A study was conducted to evaluate the capability of FE-simulations for predicting part characteristics and process conditions in forming complex-shaped, industrial parts. In industrial applications, there are two objectives for conducting FE-simulations of the stamping process; (1) to optimize the product design by analyzing formability at the product design stage and (2) to reduce the tryout time and cost in process design by predicting the deformation process in advance during the die design stage. For each of these objectives, two kinds of FE-simulations are applied. Pam-Stamp, an incremental dynamic-explicit FEM code released by Engineering Systems Int'l, matches the second objective well because it can deal with most of the practical stamping parameters. FAST_FORM3D, a one-step FEM code released by Forming Technologies, matches the first objective because it only requires the part geometry and not the complex process information. In a previous study, these two FE codes were applied to complex-shaped parts used in manufacturing automobiles and construction machinery. Their capabilities in predicting formability issues in stamping were evaluated. This paper reviews the results of this study and summarizes the recommended procedures for obtaining accurate and reliable results from FE simulations. In another study, the effect of controlling the blank holder force (BHF) during the deep drawing of hemispherical, dome-bottomed cups was investigated. The standard automotive aluminum-killed, drawing-quality (AKDQ) steel was used as well as high performance materials such as high strength steel, bake hard steel, and aluminum 6111. It was determined that varying the BHF as a function of stroke improved the strain distributions in the domed cups.
Methoxychlor induces estrogen-like alterations of behavior and the reproductive tract in the female rat and hamster: Effects on sex behavior, running wheel activity, and uterine morphology

The current investigation was designed to determine if the pesticide methoxychlor (M) mimicked the effects of estrogen in the brain and on behavior. Running wheel activity (RWA) and sex behaviors were evaluated in this study because the role of estrogen in the regulation of these behaviors has been thoroughly established. M exposure at 400 mg/kg/day (90% pure) induced high levels of acyclic RWA and persistent vaginal estrus in the female rats. Following ovariectomy (ovx), RWA declined precipitously in controls but remained at high levels in M-treated-ovx females. M also produced estrogen-like alterations of the uterine endometrial epithelium, the ovary, and growth after ovx. In another study, ovx female rats were dosed with M at 200 mg/kg/day and then with progesterone (P). P acts as an antiestrogen and specifically suppresses estrogen-induced RWA. P blocks the synthesis of estrogen receptors in the CNS and reproductive tract but does not lower RWA induced by nonestrogenic mechanisms. After 14 days of M administration RWA was increased fourfold over the ovx-oil-treated females. Subsequently, P injections reduced RWA levels far below those seen when the ovx-M-treated rats were injected with oil. The P-induced decline represents a 95% inhibition of the M-induced increase in RWA. Subsequently, M-treated-ovx rats and hamsters were injected with P and tested for their ability to display reproductive behaviors when paired with a stud male. Female sexual behaviors are induced by the administration of estrogen followed by progesterone. In this study the M-treated females displayed reproductive behaviors, in contrast to the oil-treated rats and hamsters. The observation that the high levels of RWA induced by methoxychlor treatment in ovx rats can be suppressed by concurrent progesterone injections demonstrates that the increase in RWA is due to the estrogenic effects of methoxychlor on the CNS. The fact that methoxychlor, followed by P injections, induces behavioral estrus in the rat and hamster extends this estrogenicity to other areas in the CNS.
2010–2011 Meetings and Conferences

Since meetings are our outlet as medical doctors and scientists to learn about the latest advances in our field, this issue highlights some worldwide meetings and conferences that may be of significan
Sequential adsorption of bacteriophage T4 lysozyme stability variants at solid-water interfaces

Abstract The sequential adsorption of the wild type T4 lysozyme and one of its structural stability variants was studied, using ellipsometry and 125I radioisotope labeling techniques. The mutant lysozyme was produced by substitution of the isoleucine residue at position 3 in the wild type with a tryptophan residue, resulting in a protein with lower structural stability. The mutant protein was more resistant to surfactant-mediated elution, and apparently adsorbed at the interfaces with a greater interfacial area/molecule than the wild typeT4 lysozyme. However, the results of each type of experiment suggested that sequential adsorption and exchange of proteins occurred only in the case of the less stable mutant followed by the wild type. This suggests that, in these exchange reactions, properties of the adsorbing protein (e.g. its ability to adsorb when a relatively small amount of unoccupied area is present) were more important than the apparent binding strength of the adsorbed protein molecules.
The effect of two-way coupling and inter-particle collisions on turbulence modulation in a vertical channel flow

Abstract Turbulence modulation due to its interaction with dispersed solid particles in a downward fully developed channel flow was studied. The Eulerian framework was used for the gas-phase, whereas the Lagrangian approach was used for the particle-phase. The steady-state equations of conservation of mass and momentum were used for the gas-phase, and the effect of turbulence on the flow-field was included via the standard k–e model. The particle equation of motion included the drag, the Saffman lift and the gravity forces. Turbulence dispersion effect on the particles was simulated as a continuous Gaussian random field. The effects of particles on the flow were modeled by appropriate source terms in the momentum, k and e equations. Particle–particle collisions and particle–wall collisions were accounted for in these simulations. Gas-phase velocities and turbulence kinetic energy in the presence of 2–100% mass loadings of two particle classes (50 μm glass and 70 μm copper) were evaluated, and the results were compared with the available experimental data and earlier numerical results. The simulation results showed that when the inter-particle collisions were important and was included in the computational model, the fluid turbulence was attenuated. The level of turbulence attenuation increased with particle mass loading, particle Stokes number, and the distance from the wall. When the inter-particle collisions were negligible and/or was neglected in the model, the fluid turbulence was augmented for the range of particle sizes considered.
Identification and role of plasma membrane aquaporin in maize root

Using antiserum against expressed aquaporin fusion protein, GST-RD28, the distribution of aquaporin in the plasma membrane of maize root protoplasts has been examined under confocal laser scanning microscopy by indirect fluorescence staining. Results indicate that there are abundant aquaporins in maize roots, which are distributed in plasma membrane unevenly. Western blotting analysis of total protein solubilized from maize root plasma membrane shows that antiserum against GST-RD28 can cross-react with one protein around 55 Ku. Another 28 ku protein can also be detected when the concentration of SDS and DTT in SDS-PAGE sample buffer is increased. The 55 and 28 ku proteins may be dimeric and monomeric of aquaporin respectively. Functional experiments show that aquaporin blocker HgCl2 and aquaporin antiserum can suppress the swelling of maize root protoplasts in hypotonic solution, indicating that aquaporin in plasma membrane of protoplast facilitates rapid transmembrane water flow.
Inline multi-harmonic calibration method for open-path atmospheric ammonia measurements

We demonstrate a real-time inline calibration method for an open-path ammonia sensor using a quantum cascade laser (QCL) at 9.06 μm. Ethylene (C2H4) has an absorption feature partially offset from the ammonia absorption feature, and the ethylene signal serves as a reference signal for ammonia concentration in real time. Spectroscopic parameters of ammonia and ethylene are measured and compared with the HITRAN database to ensure the accuracy of the calibration. Multiple harmonic wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) signals are used to separate the ambient ammonia and reference ethylene absorption signals. The ammonia signal is detected with the second harmonic (2f), while it is calibrated simultaneously with a high-harmonic (6–12f) signal of ethylene. The interference of ambient ammonia absorption on the ethylene reference signal is shown to be negligible when using ultra high-harmonics (≥6f). This in situ calibration method yields a field precision of 3 % and accuracy of 20 % for open-path atmospheric ammonia measurements.
Interstrain mitochondrial DNA polymorphism detected in Acanthamoeba by restriction endonuclease analysis.

Abstract The genus Acanthamoeba includes pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains of amebas with unclear taxonomic and evolutionary relationships. To explore these relationships further, we have examined mitochondrial DNA fragment patterns obtained for 15 Acanthamoeba strains by use of five restriction endonucleases. The mitochondrial DNA molecules were circular, averaging 41.6 ± 1.5 kilobase pairs. Fragments resulting from endonuclease digestion of the DNA were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Ten distinct families of electrophoretic patterns (digestion phenotypes) were observed. Seven phenotypes were found for seven strains considered nonpathogenic or of unknown pathogenicity. Three phenotypes were associated with pathogenic strains. One of these phenotypes included a single pathogenic strain, a second included one pathogen and one strain of unknown pathogenicity, and the third included five pathogenic strains. The latter five were of widespread geographic origin and previously were assigned to two different species. The results suggest that extensive nucleotide sequence diversity occurs among strains from a single species of Acanthamoeba , but that subgroups of strains with similar sequences also occur. Thus, restriction enzyme analysis can identify clusters of strains and may be a useful approach to classification in the genus. Improvements in classification should help clarify relationships among pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains.
Equilibrium charge-state fractions for 3.3-39 keV deuterium atoms and ions in magnesium vapor

Abstract Equilibrium charge-state fractions of 3.3-39 keV deuterium atoms and ions in magnesium vapor are reported. The maximum D − yield is 6.2% at low energies.
Applications of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in percutaneous ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation

Percutaneous catheter ablation is an established therapy for symptomatic drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Accurate delineation of relevant anatomy is critical but often challenging and limited in traditional technologies such as intra-procedural fluoroscopy. There has been an increased interest in non-invasive three-dimensional imaging technologies, especially computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as useful tools for patients undergoing AF ablation. Here, we review applications of CT and MRI before, during, and after AF ablation and highlight areas for future research.
Microlaminate composites as thermal barrier coatings

Thick multiple-layered Ni/NiCoCrAlY and Ti/CoCrAlY microlaminate composites are explored as thermal barrier coatings. The method of fabrication of these laminates and the measurement technique used to determine thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of these coatings are discussed. Results indicate that the thermal conductivity of the laminate composite perpendicular to the laminate plane decreases with increasing number of interfaces; the drop in thermal conductivity is likely to be associated with interfaces which act as a barrier to the transfer of heat across them; the variation in thermal conductivity with the number of interfaces is not linear.
MAKING ICS WORK FOR YOU WHEN IT REALLY COUNTS! – HARD LESSONS LEARNED ON THE SHORES OF CALIFORNIA

ABSTRACT The moment an oil spill occurs, response speed is of the essence. Yet how often have you participated in the Incident Command System (ICS) at a spill and been frustrated with the speed or ...
“Muddying the clear waters”: Teachers' take-up of the linguistic idea of revoicing

Abstract This article examines a collaborative study group's discussions about “revoicing,” an idea from linguistics that has been identified as an important discourse strategy in the teaching of mathematics as well as other content areas. This group, made up of eight middle grades (grades 6–10) mathematics teacher-researchers (TRs), one university professor, and two graduate students in the United States, is involved in a longitudinal study with the purpose of better understanding how doing action research on their own classroom discourse impacts mathematics TRs' beliefs and classroom practices. Using qualitative research methods, we examined transcripts from 18 project meetings to understand how the teachers talked about revoicing as well as how their understandings of this idea changed across time. We contend that collaborations with teachers can provide rich developmental views of how teachers come to understand aspects of their classroom discourse.
Current Issues: Incorporating Counseling Into Graduate Education

Counseling is considered a critical component of effective clinical practice. As such, speech-language pathologists and audiologists should receive explicit preparation in counseling as part of the...
Mechanism of Induction of Mammary Differentiation in Sprague-Dawley Female Rats by Perphenazine

Mammary growth and secretion were produced in adult female Sprague-Dawley rats by daily administration of 5 mg/k/day of perphenazine, an amino derivative of chlorophenothiazine (Trilafon) for 5 days. Identical treatment given to hypophysectomized rats failed to produce any mammary gland growth. The addition of estradiol (10 μg/k/day), progesterone (1 mg/k/day), hydrocortisone (10 mg/k/day) and ovine prolactin (1 mg = 24 IU/ k/day) alone or in combination with perphenazine (5 mg/k/day) in hypophysectomized rats did not produce a lactogenic effect comparable to that achieved in intact rats by perphenazine alone. Determination of pituitary prolactin content after various periods of perphenazine treatment showed that perphenazine caused an immediate decrease followed by a considerable increase in prolactin activity. It is concluded that the perphenazine-induced mammary differentiation in intact rats was associated with stimulation of pituitary secretion of prolactin. (Endocrinology 83: 1217, 1968)
Diel cycles in the fluorescence of dissolved organic matter in dystrophic Wisconsin seepage lakes: Implications for carbon turnover

We monitored the dynamics of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) fluorescence in two Wisconsin bog lakes over timescales ranging from hours to months. Peatland-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) was the major solute in both bog lakes, and diel cycles were dominant features of the CDOM fluorescence time series. Two distinct diel cycles that differed in amplitude and timing were observed: one in oxic epilimnia and a second in anoxic, hypolimnetic waters. These cycles were not attributable to instrumental artifacts (i.e., daily oscillations of temperature, ambient light, or battery voltage), hydrologic forcing, or the effects of inner filtering, pH, or redox conditions. High light extinction coefficients, especially in the ultraviolet region (∼ 10 m−1 to 30 m−1), suggest that DOM photolysis was negligible at the depths of the CDOM fluorescence probes in these dark-water lakes (dissolved carbon concentration: 10 mg C L−1 to 20 mg C L−1). The diel cycles were apparently governed primarily by biological activities that mediate DOM production (release) and destruction (uptake). Rates of carbon turnover derived from properties of the epilimnetic CDOM fluorescence cycle (0.28 mg C L−1 d−1) were similar to rates of net ecosystem production based on daily CO2 dynamics (0.32 mg C L−1 d−1). It appears that a small, secondary pool of labile organic carbon turns over at relatively high rates in these bog lakes, consistent with the two-compartment view of DOM stability.
Acoustic Identification of Bats in the Eastern United States: A Comparison of Parametric and Nonparametric Methods

Ultrasonic detectors are widely used to survey bats in ecological studies. To evaluate efficacy of acoustic identification, we compiled a library of search phase calls from across the eastern United States using the Anabat system. The call library included 1,846 call sequences of 12 species recorded from 14 states. We determined accuracy rates using 3 parametric and 4 nonparametric classification functions for acoustic identification. The 2 most flexible classification functions also were the most accurate: neural networks (overall classification accuracy ¼ 0.94) and mixture discriminant analysis incorporating an adaptive regression model (overall classification accuracy ¼ 0.93). Flexible nonparametric methods offer substantial benefits when discriminating among closely related species and may preclude the need to group species with similar calls. We demonstrate that quantitative methods provide an effective technique to acoustically identify bats in the eastern United States with known accuracy rates. 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Partitioning issues in circuit simulation on multiprocessors

A decomposition technique known as node tearing is used to perform circuit simulation on a multiprocessor. The effect of partitioning the circuit on the final speedup achieved is considered. Using a very simple model for the LU decomposition time of sparse matrices, a circuit-partitioning problem based on node tearing is formulated to maximize speedup on a multiprocessor. An abstract hypergraph partitioning problem is then posed along with an algorithm for its solution. The original circuit partitioning problem is then transformed into an equivalent hypergraph partitioning problem, thereby generating partitions for the circuit. The effect of the tradeoff of circuit-partitioning time versus the number of available processors on the speedup factor is also studied. >
Limitations of the US Food and Drug Administration laparoscopic banding trial

Martin et al [1] report on findings from a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-supervised trial of Inamed’s laparoscopic banding system. The data being reported are important since they provide valuable information collected in an externally monitored clinical trial, a rarity in the bariatric surgery literature. None of the plethora of studies reporting favorable results with banding procedures had this level of monitoring and these data should serve as a reference for laparoscopic banding outcomes. However, there are some important caveats. Laparoscopic banding procedures are a valuable adjunct for managing severe obesity. Gone are the days when only 1 operation was advocated since only the gastric bypass had a favorable risk benefit ratio. Now laparoscopic banding operations provide an alternative with lower operative risk. However, weight loss results are modest compared to those observed for gastric bypass. Long-term outcomes for a US population remain poorly defined. Martin’s study is composed of 2 trials. The first (trial A) was a multicenter open-label clinical trial of the laparoscopic banding system that had 3-year follow-up. Serving as the basis for Inamed’s FDA application, this trial was widely criticized for its high complication rate compared to the already extensive international experience. The trialists were early in their learning curve for the operation, finding that their technique for band placement was problematic. The second trial (trial B) was similar to trial A but used the pars flacida technique for some of the band placements and only included surgeons with demonstrated laparoscopic surgery skills. The latter investigation had less rigorous follow-up that was limited to 1 year. Learning curves were evident. Trial A had a 43% complication rate that was substantially reduced once the learning curve was passed. Trial B’s complication rate was 25%. Although these numbers appear high, they include all sorts of adverse events, many that are of little consequence to patients. If one assesses the major complications (perforations, erosions, hepatic or splenic injury) the complication rate in trial A was 2.4% during the first year and 2.1% for trial B; these major complication rates are much less than for gastric bypass and are consistent with reports from numerous laparoscopic banding procedure case series. Most interestingly, there was substantial heterogeneity across
Investigation of CO2 capture mechanisms of liquid-like nanoparticle organic hybrid materials via structural characterization

This publication was based on work supported by Award No. KUS-C1-018-02, made by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). We are also grateful to Dr Luis Avila, Ms Dolly Shin and Dr Camille Petit for their help with the ATR FT-IR measurement.
The value of carotid endarterectomy in reducing the morbidity and mortality of recurrent stroke.

Abstract Survivors of ischemic stroke are at high risk of sustaining recurrent strokes, which tend to be more severe and are often fatal. Controversy exists regarding whether or not carotid endarterectomy (CEA) achieves its objectives of preventing recurrent stroke and reducing subsequent death in such patients. Therefore, we analyzed the records of 275 consecutive patients who underwent 350 CEAs between 1977 and 1983 and identified 95 patients (34.5%) who had suffered a preoperative stroke, which was the primary indication for operation. All had either full recovery (13.7%) or only mild (63.2%) or moderate (23.1%) neurologic deficits at the time of operation. Patients with severe deficits did not undergo operation. The operations were performed whenever the neurologic recovery had reached a plateau, without a specific interim waiting period between the stroke and the operation. The combined operative morbidity/mortality rate was 2.7% (three patients), both deaths caused by stroke in patients with mild preoperative neurologic deficits and one (0.9%) nonfatal postoperative stroke involving the retina in a patient who also had a mild preoperative deficit. Long-term follow-up averaged 32 months (range, 6 to 72 months). No ipsilateral recurrent strokes occurred during this period after CEA. Life-table analysis revealed a recurrent stroke rate of 3.2% (0.64% per year) and a 5-year survival rate of 81.3%. Patients who were neurologically normal at the time of operation had a cumulative 5-year survival rate of 90.9%. None of the late deaths was due to recurrent stroke. These results are significantly better than the natural history of untreated ischemic strokes and support the concept that CEA reduces both the long-term rate of ipsilateral stroke recurrence and stroke-related death in patients with previous stroke and neurologic recovery. (J VASC SURG 1986;4:443-9.)
Impact of Lateral Asymmetric Channel Doping on 45-nm-Technology N-Type SOI MOSFETs

Lateral asymmetric channel doping is applied to 45-nm technology NFET devices. The measured effective drain-current enhancement over coprocessed symmetric control devices is 10%. Analysis reveals that the dominant physical mechanism, which accounts for two-third of the total enhanced drain current, is an 8% increase in the source-side injection velocity. The remaining one-third is attributed to the decreased drain-induced barrier lowering. This paper concludes with an analysis of the switching characteristics of CMOS inverters composed of an asymmetric NFET and a companion symmetric PFET and shows a 5% improvement in the delay. The improvement is explained in terms of the increased velocity and 30% reduction in drain junction capacitance.
A projection-based method for production planning of multiproduct facilities

An algorithm is presented for identifying the projection of a scheduling model's feasible region onto the space of production targets. The projected feasible region is expressed using one of two mixed-integer programming formulations, which can be readily used to address integrated production planning and scheduling problems that were previously intractable. Production planning is solved in combination with a surrogate model representing the region of feasible production amounts to provide optimum production targets, while a detailed scheduling is solved in a rolling-horizon manner to define feasible schedules for meeting these targets. The proposed framework provides solutions of higher quality and yields tighter bounds than previously proposed approaches.
Computer modeling of a-SiC:H/a-Si:H heterojunction solar cell performance as a function of the apportionment of the bandgap discontinuity

A computer-model study is used to investigate the effects of the distribution of the bandgap discontinuity in a-SiC:H/a-Si:H heterojunction p-i-n solar cells. It is found that the influence of the energy location of the p-layer/i-layer bandgap discontinuity on cell performance is strongly dependent on the acceptor doping density in the p-layer and the gap state densities in both the p-layer and the p/i interface region. If all the bandgap discontinuity appears in valence band, then achieving the best performance requires high values of the acceptor doping density. If the discontinuity is equally shared between the bands, then only moderate doping in the p-region is required. If the bandgap discontinuity is entirely in the conduction band, then lower doping can be tolerated. >
Nonlinear cluster transformations for increasing pattern separability

The objective of classification is to generate a nonlinear multidimensional decision boundary that partitions the pattern space into prescribed classes. However, these algorithms are successful only when the data is well distributed in their domain. In practice, patterns from different classes can be closely packed with significant overlap. Prior to classification, the data is generally preprocessed so that the intercluster to intracluster distance ratio is maximized. This paper discusses limitations of conventional approaches for preprocessing based on Fisher's linear discriminant, and proposes an intuitive nonlinear cluster transformation (NCT) that can be used for increasing the intercluster distances within a set of data points. A generalized regression neural network (GRNN) is used to learn the functional mapping between original clusters and transformed clusters. The performance of this proposed method was tested on a benchmark database and then on a real world database of patterns generated for odor identification. Initial results using NCT have been very promising.
STW chemical sensors

A new kind of chemical sensor which is based on the surface transverse wave (STW) delay line is reported. This sensor is ideally suited to measurements of surface-attached mass under fluid immersion, and it is demonstrated operating under these conditions at 250 MHz. The mass sensitivity of an STW sensor is approximately 10 times greater than that of a thickness shear mode (TSM) or shear horizontal acoustic plate mode (SH-APM) sensor. The sensitivity is roughly comparable to that of a flexural plate wave (FPW) sensor, but it does suffer from the FPW sensor's fragility. The STW device is applied to biosensing. By directly immobilizing antibodies on the surface, the sensor is used to detect human immunoglobulin G at a level of 33 nanomoles/liter. >
Asymmetric one‐storey elastic systems with non‐linear viscous and viscoelastic dampers: Earthquake response

Investigated are earthquake responses of one-way symmetric-plan, one-storey systems with non-linear fluid viscous dampers (FVDs) attached in series to a linear brace (i.e. Chevron or inverted V-shape braces).Thus, the non-linear damper is viscous when the brace is considered rigid or viscoelastic (VE) when the brace is flexible. The energy dissipation capacity of a non-linear FVD is characterized by an amplitude-dependent damping ratio for an energy-equivalent linear FVD, which is determined assuming the damper undergoes harmonic motion. Although this formulation is shown to be advantageous for single-degree-of-freedom (SDF) systems, it is difficult to extend its application to multi-degree-of-freedom (MDF) systems for two reasons: (1) the assumption that dampers undergo harmonic motion in parameterizing the non-linear damper is not valid for its earthquake-induced motion of an MDF system; and (2) ensuring simultaneous convergence of all unknown amplitudes of dampers is difficult in an iterative solution of the non-linear system. To date, these limitations have precluded the parametric study of the dynamics of MDF systems with non-linear viscous or VE dampers. However, they are overcome in this investigation using concepts of modal analysis because the system is weakly non-linear due to supplemental damping. It is found that structural response is only weakly affected by damper non-linearity and is increased by a small amount due to bracing flexibility. Thus, the effectiveness of supplemental damping in reducing structural responses and its dependence on the planwise distribution of non-linear VE dampers were found to be similar to that of linear FVDs documented elsewhere. As expected, non-linear viscous and VE dampers achieve essentially the same reduction in response but with much smaller damper force compared to linear dampers. Finally, the findings in this investigation indicate that the earthquake response of the asymmetric systems with non-linear viscous or VE dampers can be estimated with sufficient accuracy for design applications by analysing the same asymmetric systems with all non-linear dampers replaced by energy-equivalent linear viscous dampers. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A dual way to design a navigation menu; concrete `storylines' combined with a negotiation process

To design navigation menu about environmental and safety issues, a method with 'storylines' is combined with a negotiation process based on the available information. To confront the design with the costumers needs, a forum discussion with these costumers is organised. The results of this combined method were very satisfactory. The storylines brought the material back to the working processes and information of the units and the negotiation process made it possible to achieve a broad commitment. The final forum discussion was a helpful confrontation with the costumers.
Calvin Goldscheider: Israeli Society in the 21st Century: Immigration, Inequality, and Religious Conflict

Calvin Goldscheider is an original thinker and I have found his previous work on American Jewry to be intellectually adventurous and consistently compelling. I opened his new book on Israeli society with high expectations, and was not disappointed. The first section of the book establishes the role of demography in the foundation and background of Israeli society. The second section discusses urbanization, religion, and gender roles as structural and cultural factors that are key ingredients shaping social change and inequality. The third section provides an analysis of ‘‘inequalities based on gender, ethnic, and religious characteristics.’’ It includes a discussion of the structure of social class in Israel and the generational transmission of social class inequalities. The final section looks at marriage and family formation. The final chapter on ‘‘emergent Israeli society’’ reviews three ‘‘externals’’ that enhance ‘‘the understanding of internal developments in Israel’s changing society:’’ the relationship of Jewish communities outside of Israel, the ‘‘Palestinian question’’ (the relationship of Israel to the territories it administers), and the impact of the Palestinian Diaspora. Most of what is written about Israeli society tends to be passionate. Ari Shavit’s widely read My Promised Land: the Triumph and Tragedy of Israel is a case in point. Goldscheider, by contrast, takes a straightforward, dispassionate approach, and this is one of the book’s great strengths. His discussion of Arabs is one example. First of all, he refers to them as Arab Israelis, not Israeli Arabs. Where others argue about whether or not Israel is an ‘‘apartheid’’ state, Golscheider provides a detailed, factual, and nuanced discussion of the sources of inequality for Arab Israelis and its
Extensive cholelithiasis over 10 years in a patient with lymphoma.

A 73-year-old female with a history of primary biliary cirrhosis, Sjogren syndrome, and hypertension recently presented with nausea, vomiting, and fever. She was found to have panhypopituitary syndrome, and extensive mediastinal and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. A lymph node biopsy revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. A CT scan without contrast of the abdomen in January 2015 revealed cholelithiasis but no biliary dilation or gallbladder wall edema (arrows in panel A, horizontal view; and panel B, coronal view). There was no significant abnormality in her liver function tests.
Single crystal growth and phase stability of photovoltaic grade ZnSiP2 by flux technique

ZnSiP2 is a potential optoelectronic material with possible application in lasers, LED's, photonic integrated circuits, and photovoltaics. The development of ZnSiP2 as a photovoltaic material could address the current technological challenge of implementing a monolithic top cell on silicon for tandem photovoltaics. In this work we present a detailed description of the growth of ZnSiP2 single crystals, which has enabled thorough optoelectronic characterization. A flux growth technique was used, under various conditions, to grow ZnSiP2 single crystals in Zn solution. The results of these growth experiments, along with analysis of previously determined phase diagrams, show that three secondary phases form as a result of the Zn flux growth technique: Zn3P2, Si, and the remaining Zn flux. Potential reasons for the formation of these particular phases are discussed, but their presence is found to be non-detrimental, and they can easily be removed. The resulting single crystals are high purity and enable the characterization of the fundamental optoelectronic properties of ZnSiP2.
Association of standard clinical and laboratory variables with red blood cell distribution width

Background Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) strongly predicts clinical outcomes among patients with coronary disease and heart failure. The factors underpinning this association are unknown. Methods In 6,447 individuals enrolled in the Measurement to Understand the Reclassification of Disease of Cabarrus/Kannapolis (MURDOCK) Study who had undergone coronary angiography between 2001 and 2007, we used Cox proportional hazards modeling to examine the adjusted association between RDW and death, and death or myocardial infarction (MI). Multiple linear regression using the R 2 model selection method was then used to identify clinical factors associated with variation in RDW. Results Median follow-up was 4.2 (interquartile range 2.3-5.9) years, and the median RDW was 13.5% (interquartile range 12.9%-14.3%, clinical laboratory reference range 11.5%-14.5%). Red blood cell distribution width was independently associated with death (adjusted hazard ratio 1.13 per 1% increase in RDW, 95% CI 1.09-1.17), and death or MI (adjusted hazard ratio 1.12, 95% CI 1.08-1.16). Twenty-seven clinical characteristics and laboratory measures were assessed in the multivariable linear regression model; a final model containing 18 variables explained only 21% of the variation in RDW. Conclusions Although strongly associated with death and death or MI, only one-fifth of the variation in RDW was explained by routinely assessed clinical characteristics and laboratory measures. Understanding the latent factors that explain variation in RDW may provide insight into its strong association with risk and identify novel targets to mitigate that risk.