cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Secondhand smoke exposure in early life and the risk of breast cancer among never smokers (United States).

Evidence is increasing that some early life exposures affect breast cancer risk. Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) during childhood may be one such exposure. As part of the WEB Study (Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer Study), we conducted a population-based, case-control study with 1166 women aged 35 to 79 diagnosed with histologically confirmed, primary, incident breast cancer. Controls (n = 2105) were randomly selected from the Department of Motor Vehicles driver’s license list (≤age 65) and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services rolls (>age 65). Participants were queried regarding household and workplace SHS exposure. Person-years of lifetime cumulative SHS exposure were computed as well as cumulative exposure up to 21 years of age. Unconditional logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Lifetime cumulative exposure to household SHS was not associated with an increase in breast cancer risk for premenopausal (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.54–2.56) or postmenopausal (OR = 1.29; 95% CI = 0.82–2.01) women. Neither was risk increased among women exposed to SHS before the age of 21 or at the time of birth, menarche, or a women’s first birth. In this study, exposure to SHS either in adult or early life does not appear to be associated with the risk of breast cancer.
Metallophilic interactions in iodido(2,2':6',2''-terpyridine)platinum(II) diiodidoaurate(I).

In the title compound, [PtI(C15H11N3)][AuI2], the [PtI(terpy)]+ cations (terpy is 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine) stack in pairs about inversion centers through Pt⋯Pt inter­actions of 3.5279 (5) A. The [AuI2]− anions also exhibit pairwise stacking, with Au⋯I distances of 3.7713 (5) A. The [PtI(terpy)]+ cations and [AuI2]− anions aggregate forming infinite arrays of stacked ⋯({[PtI(terpy)]+⋯[PtI(terpy)]+}⋯{[AuI2]−⋯[AuI2]−})⋯ units.
K- and L-shell ionization of atoms by relativistic electrons

Results of a relativistic calculation of the cross section for the ionization from the K and L shells by high-energy electrons are presented. The calculation use the first-order Born approximation to treat the interaction between the scattered and atomic electrons. Plane waves are used to treat the high-energy scattered electron, while solutions of the Dirac equation in a Hartree-Slater central potential are used to describe the atomic electrons. Results are presented for a set of elements from Z = 18 to 92 and incident energies from 50 keV to 1 GeV. Calculated results are given for the correction due to the density effect arising from the polarizability of the medium. In the calculation of this correction, the medium is treated as composed of free electons.
Getting the rotation right: techniques for assessing rotation in intramedullary tibial and femoral nailing.

This article reviews different radiographic techniques for assessing intraoperative rotation prior to interlocking and assessment of postoperative rotational deformities.
Fabrication and characterization of a surface-patterned thin film composite membrane

Abstract Thin film composite (TFC) membranes are critical components for reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) processes. Similar to other liquid-based filtration membranes, TFC membranes are susceptible to concentration polarization and fouling/scaling. Recently, surface topography modification has been shown as a potential approach for fouling mitigation. However, for TFC membranes, tailoring the surface topography remains a challenge. Here, we demonstrate for the first time, successful fabrication of a patterned TFC membrane. A two-step fabrication process was carried out by (1) nanoimprinting a polyethersulfone (PES) support, and (2) forming a thin dense film atop the PES support via interfacial polymerization (IP) with trimesoyl chloride and 1,3-phenylenediamine solutions. Chemical, topographic, and permeation characterization was performed on the imprinted IP membranes, and their permselectivity was compared with that of a flat (non-imprinted) TFC membrane prepared using the same IP procedure.
Blind linear models for the recovery of dynamic MRI data

Classical accelerated dynamic MRI schemes rely on the sparsity or banded structure of the data in specified transform domains (eg. Fourier space). Clearly, the utility of these schemes depend on the specific data and the transform. For example, these methods only provide modest accelerations in free-breathing myocardial perfusion MRI. In this paper, we discuss a novel blind linear model to recover the data when the optimal transform is not known a-priori. Specifically, we pose the simultaneous recovery of the optimal linear model/transform and its coefficients from the measurements as a non-convex optimization problem. We also introduce an efficient majroize-minimize algorithm to minimize the cost function. We demonstrate the utility of the algorithm in considerably accelerating free breathing myocardial perfusion MRI data.
VI. A Petrographic, Metallographic, and X‐Ray Study of Enamel‐Metal Contact Zones

Pieces of enamel were removed from contact zones and studied microscopically and with the X-ray and metallographic microscope. A new technique for enamel study is suggested.
Communicative technology and the emerging global curriculum

In the 1910 rural community where my father was growing up, his teachers did not train him to become the pilot and aviation pioneer he later became. Airplanes had barely been invented and few if any teachers probably had any idea what skills one might need to fly them. Their curriculum certainly didn't reflect the world shrinking changes that aviation was about to bring. Similarly, in the 1940 rural community where I was growing up, my teachers did not train me to become the pioneer in computing and education which I later became. Computers were virtually unheard of by teachers and they certainly had no idea what thinking skills would be necessary for designing software. And, once again, the curriculum didn't reflect the changes that computers were about to launch.
Fractional-slot and dead-coil windings

THE expression “fractional-slot windings” is commonly applied to machines where the number of slots is not an integer multiple of the product of the number of poles and phases. Dead-coil windings (D.W.) refer to windings where some of the slots contain wedges instead of coil sides. We shall use the term (F.W.) in this paper to comprise all windings which are not (D.W.). The term (F.W.) therefore comprises both whole-slot as well as fractional-slot windings which contain no dead coils.
Interest Group Competition on Federal Agency Rules

In the lobbying literature, the effects of competition—two or more interests lobbying on opposing sides of a policy debate—have not been assessed with regard to government agency policymaking. Cons...
Proteolytic Degradation of Heme-Modified Hepatic Cytochromes P450: A Role for Phosphorylation, Ubiquitination, and the 26S Proteasome?

The resident integral hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins, cytochromes P450 (P450s), turn over in vivo with widely varying half-lives. We and others (Correia et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 297, 228, 1992; and Tierney et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 293, 9, 1992) have previously shown that in intact animals, the hepatic P450s of the 3A and 2E1 subfamilies are first ubiquitinated and then proteolyzed after their drug-induced suicide inactivation. Our findings with intact rat hepatocytes and ER preparations containing native P450s and P450s inactivated via heme modification of the protein have revealed that the proteolytic degradation of heme-modified P450s requires a cytosolic ATP-dependent proteolytic system rather than lysosomal or ER proteases (Correia et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 297, 228, 1992). Using purified cumene hydroperoxide-inactivated P450s (rat liver P450s 2B1 or 3A and/or a recombinant human liver P450 3A4) as models, we now document that these heme-modified enzymes are indeed ubiquitinated and then proteolyzed by the 26S proteasome, but not by its 20S proteolytic core. In addition, our studies indicate that the ubiquitination of these heme-modified P450s is preceded by their phosphorylation. It remains to be determined whether, in common with several other cellular proteins, such P450 phosphorylation is indeed required for their degradation. Nevertheless, these findings suggest that the membrane-anchored P450s are to be included in the growing class of ER proteins that undergo ubiquitin-dependent 26S proteasomal degradation.
Introducing Chemical Transport Selectivity into Gold Nanotubule Membranes

Abstract : We recently described polymeric membranes that contain a collection of monodisperse Au nanotubules with inside diameters of molecular dimensions (<1 nm). W showed that these membranes can be used to cleanly separate small molecules on the basis of molecular size. These membranes can also show charge-based transport selectivity which can be reversible switched between cation and anion-selective states. In addition to molecular size- and charge-based selectivity, chemical interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonding or hydrophobic interactions) between the membrane material and the molecule to be transport can be used to control transport selectivity. The introduction of such chemically-based transport selectivity into the Au nanotubule membranes is described here. This was accomplished by chemisorbing thiols (R-SH) to the Au tubule surfaces. Membranes derivatized with two different R groups - the hydrophobic R = -C16H33 and the more hydrophilic R = -C2H4-OH - were prepared. We show here that the rate and selectivity of transport in these membranes is dramatically altered by the chemical identity of the R group.
Age, Gender, and Autonomic Tone Effects on Surface Electrocardiographic Indices of Ventricular Repolarization

Background: Prolonged QT offset dispersion (QToD), an index of heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization, is thought to be an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. However the influence of gender and autonomic tone in healthy adults on age-related changes in measures of ventricular repolarization are not well characterized. Methods: QToD and T wave complexity were measured in 56 healthy subjects with no detectable heart disease (by echo and stress test)—38 young subjects with a mean age of 28 ± 4 years and 18 old subjects with a mean age of 71 ± 7 years. QToD and T wave complexity were computed from 12-lead ECGs using the GE Marquette QT Guard automated analysis program with manual over-reading at rest (baseline), following exercise, and double autonomic blockade with atropine and propranolol. Data was analyzed using factorial ANOVA. Results: Young males had a significantly greater QToD than young and old females at baseline (28 ± 5 ms, 23 ± 5 ms, and 22 ± 5 ms, respectively, P < 0.01), an intrinsic effect independent of changes in autonomic tone. In contrast, females had significantly greater T wave complexity than males following exercise and double autonomic blockade with a definite trend at baseline. There was no correlation between T wave complexity and QToD. Conclusions: Age and gender demonstrate a complex interaction on indices of myocardial repolarization with different measures behaving differently. These findings have implications for better understanding age and gender effects on myocardial electrophysiology. A.N.E. 2001;6(4):290–297
Environmental Effects on Rural-to-Urban Migration in China

Abstract Migration process has become increasingly important in recent research on population and the environment. A majority of the existing migration and environment literature has focused on the environmental causes and determinants of migration. With the largest rural-to-urban migration flow in world history, and growing concerns about the environmental problems accompanying its fast economic development, China provides a particularly important case for migration and environment research. This paper reviews major migration theories and recent research on environmental effects on migration, with specific attention to the influences of environmental factors on rural-to-urban labor migration in China. A comprehensive multilevel conceptual framework is developed for studying the environmental causes of rural-to-urban migration in China. The effects of land resources on household labor migration decisions in rural China are explored to illustrate the application of this framework.
Romantic Attachment as a Moderator of the Association Between Childhood Abuse and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Childhood abuse can have significant negative effects on survivors that often last into adulthood. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of romantic attachment in understanding the relationship between childhood abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in adulthood. Data for this study were taken from the first wave of a five-wave longitudinal study. The sample included 120 mothers in their third trimester of pregnancy. Regression analyses were conducted in order to examine adult romantic attachment as a possible protective or vulnerability factor. Main effects of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance on PTSD symptoms were found, such that higher levels of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were related to more PTSD symptoms. Attachment avoidance moderated this relationship, such that child abuse was significantly related to greater PTSD symptoms in those with high attachment avoidance. Implications for attachment-based interventions are discussed.
Shrinking Core Model for the Discharge of a Metal Hydride Electrode

Metal hydride particles are used to make negative electrodes 1-3 in nickel/metal hydride batteries. The performance of these electrodes is affected by both the kinetics of the processes occurring at the metalelectrolyte interface and the hydrogen diffusion within the bulk of the metal alloy particle. Two different phases exist in the metal hydride particles. The hydriding or charging process of metal hydride particles was discussed in detail in Ref. 4 where equations governing the diffusion of hydrogen in the particle during charging (hydriding) were derived from the fundamental laws of mass and momentum transfer. Zhang et al. 4 were the first to develop rigorous boundary conditions based on jump balances. They provided a closed-form solution for the charging of metal hydride electrodes assuming a known (constant) concentration at the surface. They derived expressions describing the motions of the ab interface and the weight fraction of hydrogen entering the electrode particle from the electrolyte. They predicted that for particles of smaller radius and smaller diffusion coefficients, the pseudosteady-state (PSS) solution 5-12 does not provide an accurate solution of the governing equations. Unfortunately, their model cannot be used to predict the effect of applied current density on the concentration profiles and charge/discharge curves for the metal hydride electrodes. The discharge process of a metal hydride particle includes a phase change as shown schematically in Fig. 1. In the fully charged state (Fig. 1a) the metal hydride particle is in the b phase. The discharge process begins when the adsorbed hydrogen (Hads) at the surface of the particle reacts electrochemically with hydroxide ions as follows discharge
Effect of Prenatal Glucocorticoids on Cerebral Vasculature of the Developing Brain

Background and Purpose— Prenatal glucocorticoids prevent germinal matrix hemorrhage in premature infants. The underlying mechanism, however, is elusive. Germinal matrix is enriched with angiogenic vessels exhibiting paucity of pericytes and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive astrocyte end feet. Therefore, we asked whether glucocorticoid treatment would suppress angiogenesis and enhance periendothelial coverage by pericytes and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive end feet in the germinal matrix microvasculature. Methods— We treated pregnant rabbits with intramuscular betamethasone and delivered pups prematurely by cesarean section at E29 (term=32 days). Endothelial turnover, vascular density, pericyte coverage, glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive end feet, cell death, and growth factors orchestrating angiogenesis, including vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietins, transforming growth factor-β, and platelet-derived growth factor-B, were compared between betamethasone-treated and un...
A multiagent multicellular systems biology model of Trichoplax adhaerens

We present an agent-based simulation model of the animal Trichoplax adhaerens (phylum: Placozoa). The model attempts to simulate the whole organism based on a cellular-level description. The question we wish to address is: How does whole organism morphology and behavior emerge from cellular activity? A prototype animal model was specified, designed and implemented. Cellular-level as was as animal-level behavior and morphology was demonstrated.
Transport of ultratrace reduced gases and particulate, near-surface oxidation, metal deposition and adsorption

ABSTRACT A model for a reduced chimney above ore deposits is presented that complements the existing electrical charge model. This new model emphasizes the role of reduced gases in the formation of the chimney. A computer model for the transport of reduced gases in the unsaturated zone and subsequent microbial oxidation is applied to a hydrocarbon gas chimney. The role of nitrogen soil gases is demonstrated for active epithermal systems. The formation of gaseous As(CH 3 ) 3 and its transport and oxidation in the unsaturated zone is postulated for the formation of near-surface extractable As, and possibly other elements. The transport of Hg and its flux into the atmosphere is demonstrated to have a significant seasonal variation. This in turn results in variation in seasonal soil gas Hg concentrations. The unsaturated zone model is applied to the vertical transport of ultrafine particulates with application to Au. Barometric pumping causes pressure gradients in the unsaturated zone that are capable of moving sub-micron Au particulate to the surface. A variety of exploration methods are suggested by the data and modelling of transport processes.
Root carbon flow from an invasive plant to belowground foodwebs

Aims Soil foodwebs are based on plant production. This production enters belowground foodwebs via numerous pathways, with root pathways likely dominating supply. Indeed, root exudation may fuel 30–50 % of belowground activity with photosynthate fixed only hours earlier. Yet we have limited knowledge of root fluxes of recent-photosynthate from invasive plants to belowground foodwebs.
Best Practices in Counseling the Gifted in Schools: What’s Really Happening?

School counselors play a vital role in meeting the needs of gifted students in their buildings. However, because there is a lack of structured, standardized, and empirically tested best practices for counseling gifted students, school counselors may not know how best to serve this unique population. The purpose of this study was to investigate gifted and talented adolescents’ experiences with the counseling techniques, strategies, and approaches most frequently cited in the gifted education literature in order to determine if any of these best practices were actually occurring. Few of these best practices were experienced by gifted and talented adolescents surveyed. School counselor preparation programs should consider providing training curriculum that addresses issues unique to the learning and development of gifted students.Putting the research to useSchool counselors play an integral role in supporting the talent development of gifted students. While there is an abundance of suggested best practices i...
Materials science and fabrication processes for a new MEMS technology based on ultrananocrystalline diamond thin films

Most MEMS devices are currently based on silicon because of the available surface machining technology. However, Si has poor mechanical and tribological properties which makes it difficult to produce high performance Si based MEMS devices that could work reliably, particularly in harsh environments; diamond, as a superhard material with high mechanical strength, exceptional chemical inertness, outstanding thermal stability and superior tribological performance, could be an ideal material for MEMS. A key challenge for diamond MEMS is the integration of diamond films with other materials. Conventional CVD thin film deposition methods produce diamond films with large grains, high internal stress, poor intergranular adhesion and very rough surfaces, and are consequently ill-suited for MEMS applications. Diamond-like films offer an alternative, but are deposited using physical vapour deposition methods unsuitable for conformal deposition on high aspect ratio features, and generally they do not exhibit the outstanding mechanical properties of diamond. We describe a new ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) film technology based on a microwave plasma technique using argon plasma chemistries that produce UNCD films with morphological and mechanical properties that are ideally suited for producing reliable MEMS devices. We have developed lithographic techniques for the fabrication of UNCD MEMS components, including cantilevers and multilevel devices, acting as precursors to micro-bearings and gears, making UNCD a promising material for the development of high performance MEMS devices. We also review the mechanical, tribological, electronic transport, chemical and biocompatibility properties of UNCD, which make this an ideal material for reliable, long endurance MEMS device use.
On formal power series representations for uncertain systems

The concept of minimality as developed for uncertain and multidimensional systems represented by linear fractional transformations (LFTs) is related to realization theory results for formal power series. We discuss the relationship between the notions of minimality for LFT and series realizations, and present a method for obtaining one type of minimal realization from the opposing type. An extension of an existing minimality result for formal power series to the multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) case is also presented.
Effects of Age on Balance Assessment Using Voluntary and Involuntary Step Tasks

BACKGROUND: Taking a step while standing and modifying a step while walking are two strategies often used to maintain balance when balance disturbances are encountered during activities of daily living. This study investigated whether performance on an involuntary step task, which is assumed to be a surrogate for fall recovery abilities, was comparable to performance on a voluntary step task. METHODS: The performance of a voluntary and an involuntary step task was measured in healthy young adult (mean age 21 years) and healthy elderly adult (mean age 68 years) female subjects. Subjects stepped as fast as possible in the direction of a minimally destabilizing lateral waist pull (voluntary step task), or they responded naturally to a large destabilizing lateral waist pull (involuntary step task). The effects of age, task, and their interaction on the primary outcome variables of step foot liftoff time, landing time, step length, and step height were examined. RESULTS: In the voluntary step task, the older adults, compared to the young, required significantly more time to lift their foot (Young: 307 msec; Elderly: 424 msec). In the involuntary step task, the elderly were as quick as the young in lifting their foot (Young: 322 msec; Elderly: 335 msec). The young lifted their foot at about the same time for the two tasks. The elders, on the other hand, lifted their foot significantly earlier in the involuntary step task, compared to the voluntary step task (Vol: 424 msec; Invol: 335 msec). CONCLUSIONS: A voluntary step task underestimates the ability of healthy elderly adults to respond quickly when large destabilizing balance disturbances are encountered. Language: en
Energetics of nanoparticle oxides: interplay between surface energy and polymorphism†

Many oxides tend to form different structures (polymorphs) for small particles. High temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry has been used to measure the enthalpy as a function of polymorphism and surface area for oxides of Al, Ti, and Zr. The results confirm crossovers in polymorph stability at the nanoscale. The energies of internal and external surfaces of zeolitic silicas with open framework structures are an order of magnitude smaller than those of oxides of normal density.
A new scheduling based heuristic for three layer gridless channel routing

The authors develop a novel heuristic algorithm, SCHEDULER, for three-layer gridless channel routing. This algorithm is based on a mapping of two-processor resource constraint scheduling to three-layer gridless channel routing using the HVH model. This mapping permits the application of well-developed scheduling heuristics to the channel routing problem. SCHEDULER has been implemented and tested extensively. Experimental results show that the quality of the solutions generated is comparable to that of routings produced by existing three-layer channel routers assuming that doglegs are not allowed. Also, the scheduling-based heuristics are very fast and can route benchmark examples in less than two minutes on a SUN 3/60 workstation. >
Physically based information science of magnetic recording. I. Information capacity of a medium model

The data processing inequality of information theory states that no recording system using a medium can achieve a capacity greater than the capacity of the medium itself. The authors describe an efficient method for determining the storage capacity of a magnetic storage medium. The method is applied to a medium model consisting of a tessellation of magnetic grains and obtain a numerical measure of the storage capacity. It is found that intergranular dipolar and exchange interactions reduce the storage capacity below that of a tessellation of noninteracting grains. >
Fractional abundances of molecules in dense interstellar clouds: A compendium of recent model results.

In this paper we present calculated fractional abundances in dense interstellar clouds for selected atomic and molecular species using three different homogeneous, pseudo-time-dependent models discussed by Bettens, Lee, & Herbst (1995): the new standard model, the new neutral-neutral model, and model 4. We have run each model with 3 different hydrogen densities – 103 , 104 , and 105 cm-3 – and two temperatures – 10 K and 50 K. “Low metal” elemental abundances have been used for all three models; the new standard model has also been run with “high metal” abundances.
The Development of a Physical Education Teachers’ Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Instrument

In the present investigation a questionnaire was developed to assess physical education teachers’ self-efficacy for teaching classes in which their students were engaged in high levels of physical activity (i.e., at least 50% of class time). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses resulted in the development of a 16-item, 4-factor, multidimensional physical education teachers’ physical activity self-efficacy scale (PETPAS) that produced reliable and valid scores. The Student factor reflected teachers’ efficacy for managing students who didn’t enjoy or value physical activity. The Time factor was indicative of teachers’ efficacy when they didn’t have enough time to teach. The Space factor reflected teachers’ efficacy perceptions when they had difficulty teaching because of a lack of space. Finally, the Institution factor was composed of questions that represented teachers’ efficacy beliefs for overcoming a lack of institutional support. The results of the current study provide preliminary psychometric...
Arbitration Clauses in Credit Card Agreements: An Empirical Study

This article uses a newly available database of consumer credit card agreements to take the first, in-depth empirical look at why credit card issuers use arbitration clauses. Based on a sample of credit card agreements made available by 298 issuers under the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, it finds that while most credit card agreements include arbitration clauses, the substantial majority of credit card issuers (247 of 298, or 82.9 percent) do not use arbitration clauses in their credit card agreements. The article also finds that credit card issuers are more likely to use arbitration clauses when they (1) specialize in making credit card loans; (2) make riskier credit card loans; and (3) have a larger credit card portfolio. Conversely, issuers are less likely to use arbitration clauses when they are (1) mutually owned (i.e., credit unions) rather than shareholder owned (i.e., banks); and (2) are located in states in which class arbitration waivers are unenforceable. These empirical findings have potentially important implications for a number of timely policy questions, such as: What sorts of options are available to consumers who wish to obtain a credit card that is not subject to an arbitration clause? How might increased regulation of arbitration (whether by Congress or by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) affect the market for credit card loans? and How are businesses likely to respond to the Supreme Court's recent decision in AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion?
Syria in the Arab Spring: The integration of Syria’s conflict with the Arab uprisings, 2011–2013:

How did Syria’s conflict interact with the broader wave of regional protest known as the Arab Spring? This article uses a unique, complete Twitter dataset of tweets including the word “Syria” in En...
Cultural influences on artistic creativity and its evaluation.

Two studies were designed to compare (a) the rated creativity of artworks created by American and Chinese college students, and (b) the criteria used by American and Chinese judges to evaluate these artworks. The study demonstrated that the two groups of students differed in their artistic creativity. American participants produced more creative and aesthetically pleasing artworks than did their Chinese counterparts, and this difference in performance was recognized by both American and Chinese judges. The difference between the use of criteria by American and Chinese judges was small, and consisted mainly of the American judges' use of stricter standards in evaluating overall creativity. Moreover, in general, there was a greater consensus among Chinese judges regarding what constitutes creativity than among American judges. The study also revealed, but preliminarily, that the artistic creativity of Chinese students was more likely to be reduced as a function of restrictive task constraints or of the abse...
A control system for photolithographic sequences

The goal of our control system is to improve the reliability, accuracy, and economy of operation of a sequence of interrelated processes. We achieve this task by using well known, rigorous statistical techniques to continuously monitor process parameters, detect out-of-control equipment, and then optimally adjust relevant machine inputs to bring the process back on target We have implemented the supervisory control system on the photolithography sequence in the Berkeley Microfabrication Laboratory, where it has been conclusively proven that the supervisory control system increases significantly the capability of the entire process. The supervisory control algorithms, consisting of feedback and feed-forward control, multivariate, model-based statistical process control (SPC), and automated specification management algorithms, are independent of machine and/or process, and can be applied to any semiconductor manufacturing sequence.
A Modified Indentation Toughness Technique

A modified indentation technique for measuring toughness is described. The method retains the elastic/plastic basis of previous contact fracture descriptions but eliminates explicit reference to residual stress parameters in the toughness formulation. Accordingly, improved correlations between indentation data and “conventional” Kc values are obtained, even for materials (e.g. anomalous glasses) with nonideal deformation responses.
Predictors of Metastatic Disease after Prostate Brachytherapy

Purpose: To identify predictors of metastatic disease after brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer. Methods and Materials: All patients who received either brachytherapy alone (implant) or brachytherapy in combination with external beam radiation therapy for treatment of localized prostate cancer at The Mount Sinai Hospital between June 1990 and March 2007 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed on the following variables: risk group, Gleason score (GS), clinical T stage, pretreatment prostate-specific antigen level, post-treatment prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSA-DT), treatment type (implant vs. implant plus external beam radiation therapy), treatment era, total biological effective dose, use of androgen deprivation therapy, age at diagnosis, and race. PSA-DT was analyzed in the following ordinate groups: 0 to 90 days, 91 to 180 days, 180 to 360 days, and greater than 360 days. Results: We included 1,887 patients in this study. Metastases developed in 47 of these patients. The 10-year freedom from distant metastasis (FFDM) rate for the entire population was 95.1%. Median follow-up was 6 years (range, 2-15 years). The only two significant predictors of metastatic disease by multivariable analyses were GS and PSA-DT (p < 0.001 for both variables). Estimated 10-year FFDM ratesmore » for GS of 6 or less, GS of 7, and GS of 8 or greater were 97.9%, 94.3%, and 76.1%, respectively (p < 0.001). Estimated FFDM rates for PSA-DT of 0 to 90 days, 91 to 180 days, 181 to 360 days, and greater than 360 days were 17.5%, 67.9%, 74%, and 94.8%, respectively (p < 0.001). Estimated 10-year FFDM rates for the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were 98.6%, 96.2%, and 86.7%, respectively. A demographic shift to patients presenting with higher-grade disease in more recent years was observed. Conclusions: GS and post-treatment PSA-DT are both statistically significant independent predictors of metastatic disease. Patients with a high GS and/or short PSA-DT have a higher likelihood of developing metastatic disease and should be considered for systemic therapy.« less
The Influence of Ethical Leadership and Regulatory Focus on Employee Outcomes

Regulatory focus theory is proposed as offering an explanation for the influence of ethical leadership on organizational citizenship behaviors and employee commitments. The prevention focus mindset of an employee is argued to be the mechanism by which an ethical leader influences extra-role compliance behavior as well as normative commitment, whereas the promotion focus mindset of an employee is argued to be the mechanism by which an ethical leader influences extra-role voice behavior as well as affective commitment. Moreover, leader-member exchange is proposed as a moderator of the relationship of ethical leadership to regulatory focus mindsets and employee behavior and commitments. Using the data collected in two waves from 250 working adults, we tested the proposed relationships with moderated mediation bootstrap procedures. The findings generally support the hypothesized relationships and point toward important implications for ethical leadership in work settings.
Influence of Centrifugation on Diamond Film Deposition By Chemical Vapor Transport

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of diamond films at high gravity was first suggested by Regel in 1990. However, the prior methods for diamond CVD were unsuitable for mounting on a large centrifuge. All required a flowing gas system for hydrogen-hydrocarbon mixtures at low pressure, with the attendant gas cylinders, flow controllers, vacuum pump, and waste gas disposal system. Many required a plasma generator. In 1996, we described a new closed Chemical Vapor Transport (CVT) reactor that could deposit diamond films without continual addition of gas.1 Hot graphite is used as a carbon source in the presence of hydrogen at low pressure, without a metal filament or plasma. Under proper conditions, this technique has provided diamond growth rates an order of magnitude larger than the ~1 µm/h typical for diamond CVD processes. High-quality polycrystalline diamond was deposited on a wide variety of substrates, including silicon, glass, copper, molybdenum, gold, graphite and carbon felt.2 The deposits were not removed by the “scotch-tape test.” Patterned selective deposition was achieved on a copper pattern on oxidized silicon.3
Stoichiometrically Controlled Solid State Synthesis and Crystal Growth of C60H2

We have demonstrated the direct solid state synthesis of C60H2 by controlling the amount of hydrogen introduced into the reaction with C60. Palladium hydride has been used as the source of hydrogen. The main product 1,2-C60H2 is the isomer previously predicted by computational studies to be the lowest in energy of the possible 23 isomers; in addition, small amounts of the thermodynamically most stable isomer of C60H2, 1,2,3,4-C60H2, has also been obtained. To determine structural parameters by x-ray diffraction, crystal growth from various solvents yielded complex solventcontaining crystals which were examined; however, the complex nature of these crystals have so far precluded detailed crystal structure determinations.
Thyroid parafollicular cells: An accessible model for the study of serotonergic neurons

Serotonergic neurons play key roles in modulating a wide variety of behavioral and homeostatic processes. However, there is a paucity of good model systems to study these neurons at a molecular level. In this review we will present evidence that cell lines derived from an unexpected source, thyroid parafollicular cells (PF) (also called C cells), fit the criteria for use as models for the study of serotonergic neurons. A strength of PF cell lines over other cell lines is that the parental PF cells have serotonergic properties and a neuronal potential that is consistent with their neural crest origin. Furthermore, PF cells and PF cell lines are capable of expressing the fundamental properties of serotonergic neurons, including: (1) serotonin (5-HT) biosynthesis by tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), (2) vesicular 5-HT storage and regulated release, (3) expression of a 5-HT autoreceptor, and (4) expression of the 5-HT transporter. In this review, we will focus primarily on the serotonergic and neuronal properties of the rat CA77 PF cell line and the parental rat PF cells. The applicability of CA77 cells for molecular analyses will be described. First, their use for studies on the glucocorticoid regulation of the TPH gene will be discussed. Second, control of the calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide (CT/CGRP) gene will be discussed, with particular emphasis on the application of serotonergic drugs in treating migraine headaches. These examples highlight the versatility of thyroid PF cell lines as a system for studying the control of both serotonin biosynthesis and physiological actions.
Ultrathin invisibility skin cloak

We experimentally demonstrate an ultrathin conformal skin cloak that can hide three-dimensional objects of arbitrary shape in the visible wavelength range by exploiting the phase control capability of metasurface.
Pathways to a Stable Union? Pregnancy and Childbearing Among Cohabiting and Married Couples

This study analyzes the stability of cohabiting and marital unions following a first birth. But unlike previous research, it compares the subsequent trajectories of unions that began with a pregnancy to those in which conceptions came after coresidence. The U.S. data from the 2006–2010 and 2011–2013 cross-sectional files of the National Survey of Family Growth indicate that roughly 1-in-5 first births were associated with rapid transitions from conception into either cohabitation or marriage. Moving in together following a pregnancy—especially an unintended one—is unlikely to lead to marital success or union stability. Compared with marital unions, dissolution rates following birth were particularly high for couples who entered a cohabiting union following conception. Only a small minority of these couples married (i.e., less than one-third), and these marriages experienced high dissolution rates. The results also suggest that the most committed cohabiting couples got married after finding themselves pregnant, leaving behind the most dissolution-prone cohabiting couples. The American family system is being transformed by newly emerging patterns of fertility among cohabiting couples.
Analysis of diastolic function of fetal heart with congenital diaphragmatic hernia with Doppler tissue imaging

Objective To assess the value of Doppler tissue imaging(DTI) in evaluating diastolic function of fetal heart with congenital diaphragmatic hernia(CDH) . Methods A total of 22 fetuses with CDH and 151 normal fetuses were studied with DTI. Maximum velocity of ventricle myocardium was recorded,and then peak velocity of ventricular inflowing tract was assessed with pulsed-wave Doppler. Ratio of early diastolic peak velocity and maximum velocity of ventricle myocardium(E/Ea) was calculated. Results Early diastole Ea value of fetus with CDH decreased significantly than that of gestational age-matched normal fetus while E/Ea ratio did not change obviously. Conclusion Ventricle diastolic function of CDH fetus doesn’t change obviously. E/Ea ratio can be used as a quantitative index for evaluating the filling pressure of the ventricles.
Squirrels, Acorns, and Tannins

Squirrels, but also birds such as jays, bury acorns in the ground to cache them as winter food. By this behavior, they also disperse the acorns and start the germination process by exposing the acorns to soil moisture. Burying protects acorns from surface-feeding competitors such as deer, ruffed grouse, and turkeys. It also prevents other squirrels from pilfering the stores, provided the “owner” remembers where he had buried the seeds, and other squirrels are not attracted by the odor of the buried seeds.
Measuring sustained attention and perceived workload

Objective:We examined the effects of spatial uncertainty, field dependence/independence (FD/I), and sex on vigilance performance and perceived workload in elementary school children.Background:Building on previous work in which children demonstrated their ability to evaluate workload, we tested whether spatial-uncertainty manipulations in a vigilance task would elicit in children the same deleterious effects on performance and workload as it does with adults. We also examined individual difference effects associated with FD/I and sex to determine their influence on both performance and workload.Method:In the low-uncertainty task, stimuli appeared in the center of the computer screen; in the high-uncertainty task, they appeared in one of the four quadrants of the screen. Neutral events consisted of uppercase letter strings. Critical signals consisted of a single lowercase letter among uppercase letters. Following each vigil, children completed a workload assessment via a modified version of the NASA Task L...
Death to the Privacy Calculus

The “privacy calculus” has been used extensively to describe how people make privacy-related decisions. At the same time, many researchers have found that such decisions are often anything but calculated. More recently, the privacy calculus has been used in service of machine learning approaches to privacy. This position paper discusses the practical and ethical questions that arise from this use of the privacy calculus.
TIF at a Turning Point: Defining Debt Down

Tax increment financing (TIF) is currently the most important fiscal instrument for local development initiatives in this country. In theory, a TIF project requires no new taxes, and pays for itself by expanding the value of the tax base. However, many state TIF programs have the potential to encourage misallocation of resources, with both specific legislative provisions and larger institutional factors providing incentives for unproductive investments. Three common structural elements of TIF can be especially problematic: The interpretation of, “blight,” the assumption that future increases in property value are caused by the TIF project, and the ability of a TIF district to appropriate the future tax base growth of other, overlapping jurisdictions, most notably school districts. Clarity and transparency are essential to citizen oversight, but many TIF programs are largely hidden from taxpayer notice. Debt limits and a requirement of voter approval constitute a deliberate check on municipal borrowing, but legislatures and courts have generally agreed that bonds secured by tax increment financing do not constitute debt for these purposes. Yet the earmarking of taxes on future increases in property values can function as a type of unrecognized municipal debt, presenting problems of accountability and repayment capacity common to state and local borrowing of all kinds.
Presentation of the Morris F. Collen Award to Reed McArthur Gardner, PhD

Election to the fellows college of the American Medical Informatics Association (The American College of Medical Informatics [ACMI]) recognizes significant and continuing contribution to the field of medical informatics. The College awards its highest accolade once a year, when appropriate, in recognition of lifetime achievement and singular contribution to the field. This award, the Morris F. Collen Award, recognizes those individuals, who, like Dr. Collen, have not only been noteworthy pioneers in the field, but whose professional and personal contribution and conduct over a lifetime are worthy of approbation and emulation. The College has recognized Dr. Reed McArthur Gardner as the 2005 recipient of the Collen Award. Reed's career has evolved with the field, from his earliest days as a hardware engineer building data acquisition devices for clinical decision support systems to his work as an evaluator of hospital information systems. Reed demonstrates persistence, integrity, and a passion for his work. He is a pioneer in biomedical instrumentation and standards, an unrelenting investigator, and a dedicated and demanding educator and mentor and is viewed by his colleagues as an unselfish collaborator and wonderful person to work with. He is fittingly recognized with this highest honor in the field of medical informatics. Figure 1 Reed McArthur Gardner, PhD. Reed Gardner was born in October 1937 in St. George, UT, to Wayne C. and Bessie McArthur Gardner. He was the fourth of five children. Reed's father, a sheep rancher, taught him the joy of work and accomplishment. Reed recounts, “My father taught me how to work. For example, he gave me ‘doggie,’ or orphan, lambs to raise, which I fed with a bottle until they were large enough to join the sheep herd. Then, when the lambs were sold in the fall, Father put the money into a college fund for me.” Tragically, at …