cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anesthetic management for lung transplantation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW For end-stage lung disease refractory to medical management, lung transplantation remains the definitive treatment. However, this procedure presents unique challenges for the anesthesiologist. This review summarizes the recent literature regarding this procedure and its anesthetic management. RECENT FINDINGS Changes in the lung allocation system have had an impact on the characteristics of patients presenting for lung transplantation, resulting in patients who are older, sicker, and possibly presenting for retransplantation. In addition, various donor and recipient characteristics, including BMI, race, sex, and comorbidities such as diabetes and atrial fibrillation, have been shown to influence outcomes. Perioperative management, particularly colloid administration, adequate pain control, and treatment of pulmonary hypertension, may also affect outcomes. SUMMARY Careful preoperative assessment of pulmonary and cardiac function and comorbidities are particularly important for this patient population. Lung protective strategies, intra-operative transesophageal echocardiogram, pulmonary artery catheterization, cardiopulmonary bypass, inhaled nitric oxide, and inhaled prostacyclin are all important tools for the anesthesiologist to optimize patient care.
PWAM boost-converter-inverter system for EV engine starter/alternator

This paper proposes a pulse-width-amplitude-modulation (PWAM) method for a boost-converter-inverter system in electrical vehicle motor drive application. A 1kW prototype has been built and tested. By using this method, a 87% switching loss reduction, a two times power density increase, and 30% cost reduction can be achieved. It is also demonstrated that it posses less harmonic distortion than SPWM at only 1/3 switching frequency of the latter one. The maximum overall system efficiency reaches 96.7% at 1kW. The whole system power density is 2.3kW/L or 0.5kW/b. As a result, a high efficiency, high power density, high temperature and low cost boost-converter-inverter system can be achieved to use in electrical vehicle motor drive.
Use of irradiated cartilage in rhinoplasty of the non-Caucasian nose.

Abstract Background Aesthetic correction of the non-Caucasian nose may require a high volume of graft material to achieve an aesthetically pleasing shape and contour while maintaining characteristics in keeping with the patient's ethnicity. Objective We report our experience with the long-term use of irradiated homograft costal cartilage (IHCC) in 17 non-Caucasian patients. Methods Individually packaged specimens of IHCC were obtained from government-approved tissue banks for intraoperative use in the augmentation of the dorsum as an onlay graft and, when necessary, to create maxillary-columellar-tip (MCT) struts and crural and spreader grafts. A V-shaped cut was made at the base of the MCT graft to accommodate the anterior maxillary ridge. The dorsal-only cartilage grafts were sutured to the underlying periosteum and framework to prevent tipping or shifting of the cartilage. Small tip grafts were not used, and defatting of the tip skin was avoided. Results Patients were monitored for periods ranging from 7 months to 14 years. No immediate complications were noted, and only 1 late complication (>30 days after surgery) occurred; it involved the shifting of a dorsal graft that had not been sutured. Patient satisfaction was excellent. Conclusions The use of IHCC for augmentation rhinoplasty of the non-Caucasian nose saves operative time, eliminates both the need to harvest cartilage and the morbidity that can result from this procedure, and provides excellent, long-lasting aesthetic results with few complications.
Magnetic anomalies in the Carolina Coastal Plain

A magnetic survey of southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina carried out with an Askania vertical variometer shows that the Atlantic Coastal Plain of this region contains many linear magnetic anomalies with a general northeast-southwest trend. These linear anomalies are of both positive and negative sign relative to the regional average. Many localized or “point-highs” were also found. These point-highs seem to be associated with the elliptical depressions or “bays” which are common in this general region. [This paper will appear in full in an early issue of the Journal of Geology.]
The effects of a number of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds on parturition in the rat

Abstract A method was developed for assessing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds for their potency in blocking parturition, and prolonging gestation, in the rat. This consisted of injecting compounds into groups of 10 to 13 rat dams twice daily from Day 18 through Day 22 of pregnancy, and comparing the treated dams with appropriate controls on Day 23. The rate of blocked parturition appeared to be positively related to dose of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent and, therefore, this model and end-point appeared to be useful for assessing different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds for potency. Among the twenty-seven non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents evaluated by this method were: ibuprofen, phenylbutazone, tolmetin, flufenamic acid, 2(p-biphenyl) acetic acid, mefenamic acid, aspirin, fenoprofen calcium, flumazole, ketoprofen, naproxen, isoxicam, indomethacin, 2(p-biphenyl) propionic acid, 2(2′-fluoro-4-biphenyl) propionic acid, flurbiprofen, sudoxicam and piroxicam. Piroxicam, sudoxicam, flurbiprofen, 2(p-biphenyl) propionic acid and 2(2′-fluoro-4-biphenyl) propionic acid showed the greatest potency. The relationship between structure and activity and between the blocking of parturition and the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis are discussed.
Little Rock’s Social Question: Reading Arendt on School Desegregation and Social Climbing

This essay interprets Hannah Arendt’s concept of the “social question” through a reading of her controversial essay “Reflections on Little Rock.” I argue that Arendt’s social question refers to soc...
P-value interpretation and alpha allocation in clinical trials.

Abstract PURPOSE: Although much value has been placed on type I error event probabilities in clinical trials, interpretive difficulties often arise that are directly related to clinical trial complexity. Deviations of the trial execution from its protocol, the presence of multiple treatment arms, and the inclusion of multiple end points complicate the interpretation of an experiment’s reported alpha level. The purpose of this manuscript is to formulate the discussion of P values (and power for studies showing no significant differences) on the basis of the event whose relative frequency they represent. METHODS: Experimental discordance (discrepancies between the protocol’s directives and the experiment’s execution) is linked to difficulty in alpha and beta interpretation. Mild experimental discordance leads to an acceptable adjustment for alpha or beta, while severe discordance results in their corruption. RESULTS: Finally, guidelines are provided for allocating type I error among a collection of end points in a prospectively designed, randomized controlled clinical trial. CONCLUSIONS: When considering secondary end point inclusion in clinical trials, investigators should increase the sample size to preserve the type I error rates at acceptable levels.
Mixing in Thermals with and without Buoyancy Reversal

Abstract The mixing characteristics of turbulent thermals were investigated in a water tank via laser-induced fluorescence techniques. The concentration of mixed fluid in the far field of a “classical” thermal is approximately uniform, whereas the near field is dominated by a moderately diluted toroidal core. The effects of atmospheric evaporative cooling on thermals were simulated by using chemicals with nonlinear buoyancy-reversing behavior. Even though the trajectory of an “evaporating” thermal depends strongly on a buoyancy-reversal parameter, the minimum mixing rate is not greatly modified. A simple derivation, based on the self-similar properties of thermals, provides the minimum molecular-scale mixing rate, which agrees with the measurements. These observations may enhance the understanding of cumulus clouds in weakly stratified environments.
Electron diffraction and computer modeling of poly(naphthalic anhydride) crystal structure

Single crystals of pol(naphthalic anhydride) (PNA) have been grown using our confined thin film melt polymerization technique. Lamellae, 70-100 A thick, are found for the crystals polymerized at 180°C with thinner lamellae for a 200°C polymerization temperature. In addition, irregular lath-shaped crystals are found for both polymerization temperatures, apparently formed by a solid-state polymerization process within the original needle-like monomer crystals. The crystal structure of PNA has been studied by electron diffraction (ED) and computer modeling based on seven different zonal ED patterns. It is found that, in most cases, two or three different zonal patterns are superimposed with a common plane, suggesting variable chain tilting even in individual lamellae. Shearing of the material shortly after the initiation of polymerization, permitted obtaining an additional [010] zone ED pattern. A monoclinic unit cell with one chain, two repeat units is proposed based on measurements of 21 independent reflections; the space group is Pc11; a = 6.26 A, b = 4.33 A, c = 18.60 A, and a = 122.5°. The computer-simulated (Cerius 2 ) molecular conformation and chain packing are described with the corresponding simulated electron diffraction patterns being in good agreement with the observed ones.
A Method to Calculate the True Temperature Profile using Data from a Thermocouple with High-Temperature Shunting Errors

An algorithm that can be used to calculate the true temperature profile from a series of temperature measurements made with a thermocouple having shunting errors due to insulator leakage is described. Inputs to the program are a series of voltages measured at the cold end of the thermocouple as it is inserted into the temperature gradient and the physical and material characteristic of the thermocouple.
The structure of high-velocity gas in Orion and the possible role of IRc9

The spatial and velocity distribution of shocked gas in the Orion molecular cloud has been studied in detail through observations of near-infrared and middle-infrared H2 lines. It is argued that the observed structure requires either an asymmetric outflow or an inhomogeneous ambient molecular cloud, and that the second explanation appears the more likely. It is suggested that mild activity by IRc9, such as a T Tauri type wind or FU Orionis type flare, would be consistent with its apparent nature and could have caused the necessary density structure in the cloud.
The Fluorescent Decay of CsI(Tl) Excited by Charged Particles

The fluorescence from a CsI(0.08% Tl) scintillator excited by charged particles which come to a stop within the scintillator has been measured for alpha particles, deuterons, and protons. In the region 0.1 to 0.6 microseconds after its initial rise, the fluorescent decay can be accurately described by a simple exponential. The characteristic time for this exponential decay has been measured at several energies up to 28.7 MeV for a particles and 7.2 MeV for protons. We have found a linear relationship between this decay time and the logarithm of the particle energy, ? = k ln E + ?o, where k and ?o are constants which are characteristic of the type of stopping particle.
Automatic Image Annotation and Retrieval Using Group Sparsity

Automatically assigning relevant text keywords to images is an important problem. Many algorithms have been proposed in the past decade and achieved good performance. Efforts have focused upon model representations of keywords, whereas properties of features have not been well investigated. In most cases, a group of features is preselected, yet important feature properties are not well used to select features. In this paper, we introduce a regularization-based feature selection algorithm to leverage both the sparsity and clustering properties of features, and incorporate it into the image annotation task. Using this group-sparsity-based method, the whole group of features [e.g., red green blue (RGB) or hue, saturation, and value (HSV)] is either selected or removed. Thus, we do not need to extract this group of features when new data comes. A novel approach is also proposed to iteratively obtain similar and dissimilar pairs from both the keyword similarity and the relevance feedback. Thus, keyword similarity is modeled in the annotation framework. We also show that our framework can be employed in image retrieval tasks by selecting different image pairs. Extensive experiments are designed to compare the performance between features, feature combinations, and regularization-based feature selection methods applied on the image annotation task, which gives insight into the properties of features in the image annotation task. The experimental results demonstrate that the group-sparsity-based method is more accurate and stable than others.
Telementoring and Teleproctoring

Telemedicine has previously been defined as "live two-way interactive video communication between a physician and a patient and/or another physician, where all participants are able to see and hear one another much like a face to face encounter." This concept has gained recent notoriety because of the great advances in telecommunications and the potential future increased cost-effectiveness associated with its utilization. We have developed a telementoring deployment protocol that can be effectively used to introduce a student to telementoring processes. The strict protocol uses military commands to facilitate smooth information transfer. The use of a concept called tactical information deployment provides the surgeon with rapid access to reference information in the operating suite. Multimedia interactive CD-ROMs, with digitized movie clips, illustrations, sound bits, and the latest academic review of the literature arm the surgeon with a database that establishes an unprecedented clinical adaptive capability (CAC). The availability of this information is invaluable to surgeons in their initial advanced laparoscopic procedural efforts. Telementoring simulator opportunities are included to acclimate the participant to the process. If the process seems comprehensive, it is meant to be. This is a high-risk situation, and a patient's welfare is on the line. If this concept is to reach its maximal healthcare delivery potential, responsible and academically credible training programs should be established with directional guidelines.
A Comparison of Five Methods for Estimating the Standard Error of Measurement at Specific Score Levels

The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (1985) recommended that test publishers pro vide multiple estimates of the standard error of mea surement—one estimate for each of a number of widely spaced score levels. The presumption is that the standard error varies across score levels, and that the interpretation of test scores should take into ac count the estimate applicable to the specific level of the examinee. This study compared five methods of estimating conditional standard errors. All five of the methods yielded a maximum value close to the middle of the score scale, with a sharp decline occurring near the extremes of the scale. These trends probably char acterize the raw score standard error of most standard ized achievement and ability tests. Other types of tests, constructed using alternative principles, might well exhibit different trends, however. Two methods of estimation were recommended: an approach based on polynomial smoothing of point estimates suggested by Thorndike (1951) ...
Increased incidence of menstruation-associated bactericidal defects in neutrophils from women who have recovered from toxic shock syndrome.

There is a growing suspicion that a host abnormality may contribute to the pathogenesis of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). We found that females (5 of 5) who had recovered from TSS had transient, menstruation-associated decreases (≥9%) in the ability of their neutrophils to killStaphylococcus aureus, 502A in vitro more often (P=0.040 by Fisher's exact test) than non-TSS-affected control subjects (5 of 12). In addition, the average decrease in bactericidal activity in neutrophils obtained during menstruation from recovered TSS patients was 30 ± 9% compared to 7 ± 7% for neutrophils from non-TSS-affected control subjects. The results are consistent with the possibility that transient menstruation-associated decreases in neutrophil bactericidal function may indicate susceptibility and/or contribute to the development of TSS.
Spacecraft charging control demonstration at geosynchronous altitude

ATS-6, which was launched on May 30, 1974, has now completed its first eclipse season. Potentials as great as 11,000 volts were observed between the spacecraft and ambient plasma. Both ATS-5 and 6 have ion engine experiments onboard. These experiments have been used to clamp the spacecraft potential slightly negative when emitting an ion beam and momentarily discharge the spacecraft when only operating the ion engine's neutralizing electron source. Descriptions of the neutralizer's operation and their effect on potential are presented. In addition, spacecraft charging data for ATS-5 and 6 are presented and correlated over the same eclipse season.
Dynamic Changes during Acid-Induced Activation of Influenza Hemagglutinin

Summary Influenza hemagglutinin (HA) mediates virus attachment to host cells and fusion of the viral and endosomal membranes during entry. While high-resolution structures are available for the pre-fusion HA ectodomain and the post-fusion HA2 subunit, the sequence of conformational changes during HA activation has eluded structural characterization. Here, we apply hydrogen-deuterium exchange with mass spectrometry to examine changes in structural dynamics of the HA ectodomain at various stages of activation, and compare the soluble ectodomain with intact HA on virions. At pH conditions approaching activation (pH 6.0–5.5) HA exhibits increased dynamics at the fusion peptide and neighboring regions, while the interface between receptor binding subunits (HA1) becomes stabilized. In contrast to many activation models, these data suggest that HA responds to endosomal acidification by releasing the fusion peptide prior to HA1 uncaging and the spring-loaded refolding of HA2. This staged process may facilitate efficient HA-mediated fusion.
Development and Assessment of a Molecular Structure and Properties Learning Progression.

Previously, we found that: (i) many students were unable to construct representations of simple molecular structures; (ii) a majority of students fail to make the important connection between these representations and macroscopic properties of the material; and (iii) they were unable to decode the information contained in such representations. Assuming that lack of an understanding of the purpose of such representations inhibited students’ meaningful learning, we have worked to address this “representation problem” explicitly in the context of a novel introductory general chemistry curriculum: Chemistry, Life, the Universe, and Everything (CLUE). CLUE includes a learning progression to help students master the relationships between molecular structure and bulk properties. Two methods were used to assess student learning: OrganicPad, a tablet-PC program that can recognize, record, and grade student free-form naturalistic structure drawings; and the Implicit Information from Lewis Structures Instrument (IIL...
Mutant p53 Protein Is Targeted by Arsenic for Degradation and Plays a Role in Arsenic-mediated Growth Suppression

p53 is frequently mutated in tumor cells, and mutant p53 is often highly expressed due to its increased half-life. Thus, targeting mutant p53 for degradation might be explored as a therapeutic strategy to manage tumors that are addicted to mutant p53 for survival. Arsenic trioxide, a drug for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia, is found to target and degrade a class of proteins with high levels of cysteine residues and vicinal thiol groups, such as promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) and PML-retinoic acid receptor α fusion protein. Interestingly, wild type p53 is accumulated in cells treated with arsenic compounds, presumably due to arsenic-induced oxidative stresses. In this study, we found that wild type p53 is induced by arsenic trioxide in tumor cells, consistent with published studies. In contrast, we found that arsenic compounds degrade both endogenous and ectopically expressed mutant p53 in time- and dose-dependent manners. We also found that arsenic trioxide decreases the stability of mutant p53 protein through a proteasomal pathway, and blockage of mutant p53 nuclear export can alleviate the arsenic-induced mutant p53 degradation. Furthermore, we found that knockdown of endogenous mutant p53 sensitizes, whereas ectopic expression of mutant p53 desensitizes, tumor cells to arsenic treatment. Taken together, we found that mutant p53 is a target of arsenic compounds, which provides an insight into exploring arsenic compound-based therapy for tumors harboring a mutant p53.
PreProPath: An Uncertainty-Aware Algorithm for Identifying Predictable Profitable Pathways in Biochemical Networks

Pathway analysis is a powerful approach to enable rational design or redesign of biochemical networks for optimizing metabolic engineering and synthetic biology objectives such as production of desired chemicals or biomolecules from specific nutrients. While experimental methods can be quite successful, computational approaches can enhance discovery and guide experimentation by efficiently exploring very large design spaces. We present a computational algorithm, Predictably Profitable Path ( PreProPath ), to identify target pathways best suited for engineering modifications. The algorithm utilizes uncertainties about the metabolic networks operating state inherent in the underdetermined linear equations representing the stoichiometric model. Flux Variability Analysis is used to determine the operational flux range. PreProPath identifies a path that is predictable in behavior, exhibiting small flux ranges, and profitable, containing the least restrictive flux-limiting reaction in the network. The algorithm is computationally efficient because it does not require enumeration of pathways. The results of case studies show that PreProPath can efficiently analyze variances in metabolic states and model uncertainties to suggest pathway engineering strategies that have been previously supported by experimental data.
A Humanized Mouse Model of Tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) is the second leading infectious cause of death worldwide and the primary cause of death in people living with HIV/AIDS. There are several excellent animal models employed to study tuberculosis (TB), but many have limitations for reproducing human pathology and none are amenable to the direct study of HIV/M.tb co-infection. The humanized mouse has been increasingly employed to explore HIV infection and other pathogens where animal models are limiting. Our goal was to develop a small animal model of M.tb infection using the bone marrow, liver, thymus (BLT) humanized mouse. NOD-SCID/γcnull mice were engrafted with human fetal liver and thymus tissue, and supplemented with CD34+ fetal liver cells. Excellent reconstitution, as measured by expression of the human CD45 pan leukocyte marker by peripheral blood populations, was observed at 12 weeks after engraftment. Human T cells (CD3, CD4, CD8), as well as natural killer cells and monocyte/macrophages were all observed within the human leukocyte (CD45+) population. Importantly, human T cells were functionally competent as determined by proliferative capacity and effector molecule (e.g. IFN-γ, granulysin, perforin) expression in response to positive stimuli. Animals infected intranasally with M.tb had progressive bacterial infection in the lung and dissemination to spleen and liver from 2–8 weeks post infection. Sites of infection in the lung were characterized by the formation of organized granulomatous lesions, caseous necrosis, bronchial obstruction, and crystallization of cholesterol deposits. Human T cells were distributed throughout the lung, liver, and spleen at sites of inflammation and bacterial growth and were organized to the periphery of granulomas. These preliminary results demonstrate the potential to use the humanized mouse as a model of experimental TB.
Thermoelastic stress analysis of fatigue cracks subject to overloads

In this study, the effects of plasticity-induced crack closure and overloads were investigated using thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) in aluminum alloy 2024. The amplitude of the stress intensity factors were evaluated during crack growth by fitting a Muskhelishvili-type description of the crack tip stress fields to the TSA data using the multipoint overdeterministic method. A new method to directly measure the extent of the crack tip plastic zone is proposed based on the phase difference between the TSA and forcing signals. The presence of crack tip plasticity was clearly identified and correlated with changes in the stress intensity factor values obtained from the TSA data both during constant amplitude loading as well as single and multiple overloads. Immediately post-overload the plastic zone increased in size by up to 50% whereas the amplitude of the stress intensity factor and the crack growth rate decreased until the crack grew through the plastic region created by the overload when the pre-overload value of the crack growth was re-attained. The experimental data of mode I stress intensity factor, crack growth rate and radius of crack tip plastic zone obtained from thermoelastic data in the region affected by the overload were used to estimate the exponent in the Wheeler crack growth model which was found to be a function of percentage overload and the number of cycles of overload.
Isomerization of β‐Alkynyl Allylic Alcohols to Furans Catalyzed by Silver Nitrate on Silica Gel: 2‐Pentyl‐3‐Methyl‐5‐Heptylfuran

Isomerization of β-alkynyl allylic alcohols to furans catalyzed by silver nitrate on silica gel: 2-pentyl-3-methyl-5-heptylfuran intermediate: 2-bromo-1-octen-3-ol intermediate: 7-methylene-8-hexadecyn-6-ol product: 2-pentyl-3-methyl-5-heptylfuran Keywords: addition, to CC; alkenylation, C-alkenylation; annulation, heterocyclic-[5]; coupling; cyclization, miscellaneous; metal-catalyzed reactions, palladium; rearrangements
Validity of the age-of-onset criterion for ADHD: a report from the DSM-IV field trials.

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the validity of the DSM-IV requirement of an age of onset of impairment due to symptoms before 7 years of age for the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method The validity of this criterion was examined in a clinic sample of 380 youths aged 4 through 17 years by comparing youths who met symptom criteria for ADHD and either did or did not display impairment before age 7 years. Results Nearly all youths who met symptom criteria for the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive subtype also met the age of onset of impairment criterion, but 18% of youths who met symptom criteria for the combined type, and 43% of youths who met symptom criteria for the predominantly inattentive type, did not manifest impairment before 7 years. For the latter two subtypes, requiring impairment before age 7 years reduced the accuracy of identification of currently impaired cases of ADHD and reduced agreement with clinicians' judgments. Conclusions These findings raise questions about the validity of the DSM-IV definition of age of onset of ADHD. Marked differences in the ages of onset of both symptoms and impairment for the three subtypes of ADHD support the validity of distinguishing among these subtypes in DSM-IV .
Increased cellular and circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress in nascent metabolic syndrome.

Context: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) confers a greater risk for both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. Oxidative stress (OS) could contribute to this excess risk. However, there are few data examining both cellular and circulating biomarkers of OS in MetS uncomplicated by diabetes and CVD. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate both cellular and circulating biomarkers of OS in MetS uncomplicated by diabetes or CVD. Design and Setting: At an academic medical center, we compared MetS (n = 43) vs. control subjects (n = 33). Fasting blood was collected for monocyte isolation and assay of OS biomarkers. Main Outcome: Monocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity (p22 phox and p47), superoxide anion release, oxidized-low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), nitrotyrosine, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor were measured. Results: There was significantly increased release of superoxide from the monocytes (basal and after activation) of MetS compared with controls adjus...
PS–PMMA Block copolymer system as compatibilizer for PS–PVC blends

We are studying the use of PS–PMMA block copolymer systems to improve the mechanical properties of immiscible PS–PVC blends. For a particular PS–PMMA block copolymer system, we found that effective compatibilization occurs at compatibilizer levels of 1–5 wt % in a 50/50 PS–PVC blend. In the samples, storage and stress relaxation moduli were at least midway between those of pure PS and PVC. On the other hand, the equivalent uncompatibilized blend exhibited storage and stress relaxation moduli that are much lower than those of the soft PVC component. Stress relaxation moduli of pure PS remained fairly constant with time, while a 25% drop was observed for pure PVC after 120 sec. Also after 120 s, stress relaxation moduli for the uncompatibilized blend exhibited a 20% drop, while a less than 10% drop was observed for the compatibilized PS–PVC blends.
Differential sensitivity to regional-scale drought in six central US grasslands

Terrestrial ecosystems often vary dramatically in their responses to drought, but the reasons for this are unclear. With climate change forecasts for more frequent and extensive drought in the future, a more complete under- standing of the mechanisms that determine differential eco- system sensitivity to drought is needed. In 2012, the Central US experienced the fourth largest drought in a century, with a regional-scale 40 % reduction in growing season precipi- tation affecting ecosystems ranging from desert grassland to mesic tallgrass prairie. This provided an opportunity to assess ecosystem sensitivity to a drought of common mag- nitude in six native grasslands. We tested the prediction that drought sensitivity is inversely related to mean annual precipitation (MAP) by quantifying reductions in above- ground net primary production (ANPP). Long-term ANPP data available for each site (mean length = 16 years) were used as a baseline for calculating reductions in ANPP, and drought sensitivity was estimated as the reduction in ANPP
Physical and predictive models of ultrathin oxide reliability in CMOS devices and circuits

The microelectronics industry owes its considerable success largely to the existence of the thermal oxide of silicon. However, recently there is concern that the reliability of ultra-thin dielectrics will limit further scaling to slightly thinner than 2 mm. This paper will review the physics and statistics of dielectric wearout and breakdown in ultrathin SiO/sub 2/-based gate dielectrics. Electrons or holes tunneling through the gate oxide generate defects until a critical density is reached and the oxide breaks down. The critical defect density is explained by the formation of a percolation path of defects across the oxide. Only 1 year) stress experiments are now being used to measure the wearout and breakdown of ultrathin (<2 nm) dielectric films as close as possible to operating conditions. These measurements have revealed the details of the voltage dependence of the defect generation rate and critical defect density, allowing better modeling of the voltage dependence of the time-to-breakdown, Such measurements are used to guide the technology development prior to the manufacturing stage. We then discuss the nature of the electrical conduction through a breakdown spot and the effect of the oxide breakdown on device and circuit performance. In some cases, an oxide breakdown does not lead to immediate circuit failure, so more research is needed in order to develop a quantitative methodology for predicting the reliability of circuits.
Damage production and accumulation in SiC structures in inertial and magnetic fusion systems

Abstract Radiation damage parameters in SiC/SiC composite structures are determined in both magnetic (MFE) and inertial (IFE) confinement fusion systems. Variations in the geometry, neutron energy spectrum, and pulsed nature of neutron production result in significant differences in damage parameters between the two systems. With the same neutron wall loading, the displacement damage rate in the first wall in an IFE system is ∼10% lower than in an MFE system, while gas production and burnup rates are a factor of 2 lower. Self-cooled LiPb and Flibe blankets were analyzed. While using LiPb results in higher displacement damage, Flibe yields higher gas production and burnup rates. The effects of displacement damage and helium production on defect accumulation in SiC/SiC composites are also discussed.
Sub1 functions in osmoregulation and in transcription by both RNA polymerases II and III.

Sub1 is implicated in transcriptional activation, elongation, and mRNA 3′-end formation in budding yeast. To gain more insight into its function, we performed a synthetic genetic array screen with SUB1 that uncovered genetic interactions with genes involved in the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) osmoresponse pathway. We find that Sub1 and the HOG pathway are redundant for survival in moderate osmolarity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis shows that Sub1 is recruited to osmoresponse gene promoters during osmotic shock and is required for full recruitment of TBP, TFIIB, and RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) at a subset of these genes. Furthermore, we detect Sub1 at the promoter of every constitutively transcribed RNAP II and, unexpectedly, at every RNAP III gene tested, but not at the RNAP I-transcribed ribosomal DNA promoter. Significantly, deletion of SUB1 reduced levels of promoter-associated RNAP II or III at these genes, but not TBP levels. Together these data suggest that, in addition to a general role in polymerase recruitment at constitutive RNAP II and RNAP III genes, during osmotic shock, Sub1 facilitates osmoresponse gene transcription by enhancing preinitiation complex formation.
Thermal and spatial profiling of TSV-induced stress in 3DICs

The thermal and spatial variation of Cu through silicon via (TSV)-induced stress in 300mm Si wafers has been investigated for both isolated TSVs and TSV arrays using top-down and cross-sectional spectral microRaman imaging. The TSV-induced stress in Si results from plastic yield of the Cu, is compressive in the immediate vicinity of the TSV, and transitions to a tensile state at larger separations - in quantitative agreement with finite element modeling (FEM). TSV arrays (linear and square) lead to substantial tensile stress enhancement within the array. Moreover, thermal annealing showed that the intra-array Si stress field became more compressive with increased post-CMP thermal annealing while the Si stress-field external to the arrays exhibited little change. This may open potential avenues for reduction of TSV-induced Si stress in 3DICs.
Development of Secondary Structure, Growth Characteristics and Cytogenetic Analysis of Human Transitional Cell Carcinoma Xenografts in Scid/Scid Mice

AbstractPurpose: The growth of human bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in scid/scid mice was examined.Materials and Methods: Cystocopically obtained TCC biopsies were implanted in scid/scid mice, and successful xenografts were compared with original tumors for growth and genetic characteristics.Results: Low grade papillary tumors formed fluid-filled pseudobladders lined with malignant urothelium and papillary fronds containing fibrovascular cores recruited from the murine host. High grade xenografts grew without these secondary structures. When compared with the patient tumors, xenograft growth fractions, as measured by proliferating cell nuclear antigen, p53 expression and ploidy, were similar in each case.Conclusions: The scid/scid xenografts maintain phenotype and architecture. This model may be useful for studying factors determining tumor grade, angiogenesis and tissue organization.
Design tools for packaging

Increasing package design complexity and performance requirements, shorter time to market demands, and cost reduction targets require efficient tool suites and standardized design processes. There is a need to integrate design tools, environments and processes to provide a true concurrent design methodology between IC, Package and Board. This paper focuses specifically on the necessary evil "Packaging" area. It describes how Intel's packaging tools evolved through the years and outlines the future challenges that need to be addressed to make the overall process as seamless as possible.
Double-Diffusive Intrusions in a Stable Salinity Gradient “Heated from Below”

Abstract Two-dimensional direct numerical simulations (DNS) are used to investigate the growth and nonlinear equilibration of spatially periodic double-diffusive intrusion for negative vertical temperature Tz < 0 and salinity Sz < 0 gradients, which are initially stable to small-scale double diffusion. The horizontal temperature Tx and salinity Sx gradients are assumed to be uniform, density compensated, and unbounded. The weakly sloping intrusion is represented as a mean lateral flow in a square computational box tilted with a slope equal to that of the fastest-growing linear theory mode; the vertical (η) domain size of the box L*η is a multiple of the fastest-growing wavelength. Solutions for the fastest-growing wavelength show that the intrusion growth is disrupted by salt fingers that develop when the rotation of the isotherms and isohalines by the intrusion shear results in temperature and salinity inversions; the thick inversion regions are separated by a thin interface supporting diffusive convecti...
Gulf Stream Meander Propagation Past Cape Hatteras

The propagation and growth characteristics of Gulf Stream meanders past the stream’s separation point at Cape Hatteras are analyzed using yearlong time series from a mooring program sponsored by the Minerals Management Service, which included moorings imbedded in the Gulf Stream cyclonic flank both upstream (south) and downstream (north) of Cape Hatteras. In the upstream region, energetic meanders of 3‐8-day period, 180‐380-km wavelength propagate downstream along the Gulf Stream at speeds of 40‐55 km day 21. This variability decays almost completely across the Gulf Stream separation, with growth in lower-frequency variability (30‐120 day) in the downstream direction. Wavelength and phase speed in the 3‐8-day band are strong functions of frequency, with increasing phase speed for increasing wavenumber. Phase speeds upstream from Cape Hatteras and across the Gulf Stream separation point are faster for a given wavenumber than downstream from Cape Hatteras, in keeping with prior published estimates. At the upstream end of the study site, both baroclinic and barotropic mechanisms contribute to the decay of 3‐8-day meanders and growth of lower-frequency 30‐120day variability in the downstream direction. At the downstream end of the study region, the reverse holds, with both baroclinic and barotropic mechanisms contributing to growth of 3‐8-day meanders and decay of lowerfrequency 30‐120-day variability.
Self-Serve Internet Technology and Social Embeddedness: Balancing Rationalization and Relationships

Much of the research on the impacts of electronic communication networks such as the Internet presents as competing substitutes personal, embedded relationships and computer-mediated, arm’s-length relationships between exchange partners. More recent research highlights the complementarity of these two kinds of relationships (e.g., Kraut et al. 1999). However, this research has not explored what following a strategy of complementarity means in situ. This paper seeks to address this shortcoming. Using ethnographic data to explore the consequences of implementing a self-service technology in an environment in which social relationships and social capital are regarded as a key to success, the research presented here highlights the tensions inherent in a business model that seeks to integrate rationalization and relationships.
xFS: a wide area mass storage file system

The current generation of file systems are inadequate in facing the new technological challenges of wide area networks and massive storage. xFS is a prototype file system we are developing to explore the issues brought about by these technological advances. xFS adapts many of the techniques used in the field of high performance multiprocessor design. It organizes hosts into a hierarchical structure so locality within clusters of workstations can be better exploited. By using an invalidation-based write back cache coherence protocol, xFS minimizes network usage. It exploits the file system naming structure to reduce cache coherence state. xFS also integrates different storage technologies in a uniform manner. Due to its intelligent use of local hosts and local storage, we expect xFS to achieve better performance and availability than current generation network file systems run in the wide area. >
Effect of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on the Mechanical Properties and Tacticity of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)

Nanoparticles were incorporated into poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix by the mean of in situ bulk polymerization. Particle chemistry, size, shape, and percent loading were experimental variables in the synthesis and mechanical properties were assessed, particularly impact resistance, which showed improvement at the optimal particle loading. In assessing the mechanisms of this improvement, the elongated shape of zinc oxide particles appears to promote crack deflection processes to introduce a pull-out mechanism similar to that observed in fiber composite systems. Raman spectroscopy was performed to examine the effect of polymer chain conformation and configuration with the addition of nanoparticles.
A PDE-constrained SQP algorithm for optical tomography based on the frequency-domain equation of radiative transfer

It is well acknowledged that transport-theory-based reconstruction algorithm can provide the most accurate reconstruction results especially when small tissue volumes or high absorbing media are considered. However, these codes have a high computational burden and are often only slowly converging. Therefore, methods that accelerate the computation are highly desirable. To this end, we introduce in this work a partial-differential-equation (PDE) constrained approach to optical tomography that makes use of an all-at-once reduced Hessian sequential quadratic programming (rSQP) scheme. The proposed scheme treats the forward and inverse variables independently, which makes it possible to update the radiation intensities and the optical coefficients simultaneously by solving the forward and inverse problems, all at once. We evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme with numerical and experimental data, and find that the rSQP scheme can reduce the computation time by a factor of 10–25, as compared to the commonly employed limited memory BFGS method. At the same time accuracy and robustness even in the presence of noise are not compromised.
Competence and Critique in Technical Communication: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Journal Articles

This study uses qualitative content analysis to discuss current perspectives in technical communication pedagogy. It examines the 1990-94 issues of five major scholarly journals—a collection of 563...
Adaptive chip-rate equalization of downlink multirate wideband CDMA

We consider a downlink DS-CDMA system in which multirate user signals are transmitted via synchronous orthogonal short codes overlaid with a common scrambling sequence. The transmitted signal is subjected to significant timeand frequency-selective multipath fading. In response to this scenario, a novel two-step receiver is proposed that combines chip-rate adaptive equalization with error filtering. In the first step, a code-multiplexed pilot is used to adapt the equalizer. The use of error filtering implies a third-order LMS algorithm which has significant advantages over standard LMS in tracking the time-varying channel. In the second step, decision-direction is used to improve the error signal used in adaptation, resulting in improved tracking performance. The performance of the adaptive receiver is studied through analysis and simulation.
We Shall Not Overcome: Divided Identity and the Failure of NICRA 1968

AbstractThe role of national identity is such that any group that can authoritatively claim to ‘own’ the national identity can assert the legitimacy of their vision for the state; persuading other sectors of society to support their cause. The Northern Irish Civil Rights Association was unable to bridge the divide between themselves and Northern Irish security forces or their Protestant neighbors. The role that divided identity has played in Northern Ireland since its inception has increased structural impediments to bridging the gap between protesters and security forces, leading to a resurgent IRA and the outbreak of the Troubles.
Mapping of the presumptive brain regions in the neural plate of Xenopus laevis

Two cell autonomous fluorescent labels (DiI and Hoechst) were used as vital markers in a fate map study of the Xenopus neural plate and ridge. Most areas of the brain derive from the neural plate in a fate map that is consistent with the topology of a sheet rolling into a tube, i.e., neighboring areas are maintained as neighbors. This has enabled us not only to plot the fates of larval brain structures, but also to suggest their primordial orientation in the neural plate. Since overlapping areas of the plate gave rise to overlapping regions of the central nervous system (CNS), we have been able to construct a space-filling model of the neural plate, whereby the number of founder cells for each brain region fate-mapped may be estimated roughly. Much of the telencephalon, ventral forebrain, and dorsal brain stem derives from the neural ridge and not the neural plate in the stage 15 Xenopus embryo. The structures of the forebrain were examined in detail because there were indications of substantial cell movements in this region. The anterior pituitary arises from the mid-anterior ridge, while hypothalamic structures arise from the midline regions of the anterior neural plate. Consistent groups of ventral hypothalamic structures were labeled when fluorescent markers were applied to these parts of the neural plate, indicating stereotyped cell movements. Detailed comparisons were made between the fate map of the Ambystoma neural plate (Jacobson, 1959) and that of Xenopus.
Radiation Therapy for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor where the ability to control the primary tumor (local control) presents a significant challenge. External beam radiation has the potential to improve local control when following established safe and effective protocols. Radiation is primarily used as adjuvant treatment after extrapleural pneumonectomy or pleurectomy/decortication and as palliative treatment in some cases. The target volume for radiotherapy of malignant pleural mesothelioma can be quite extensive and thus toxicity is its chief limitation.