cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real-time optical characterization of thin film growth

The further spatial reduction together with stringent thickness and composition tolerances in manufacturing of advanced electronic and optical devices require new approaches to control the growth process as well as to improve the insight into the deposition process itself. The development of non-invasive, real-time, structure-specific analytical tools for characterizing phenomena occurring at surfaces and interfaces during thin film growth has therefore to address both, providing a detailed understanding of the thin film growth process and providing robust process control signals in real-time. This review gives an overview of the principles of angle resolved reflectance techniques applied to real-time thin film process monitoring, the study of surface reaction kinetics, and to growth process control. The capabilities of high-sensitive thin film growth monitoring and control are illustrated for the growth of III-V compounds under pulsed chemical beam epitaxy conditions, using p-polarized reflectance spectroscopy as an example.
Abrogation of T cell quiescence characterizes patients at high risk for multiple sclerosis after the initial neurological event

Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) refers to the earliest clinical manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS). Currently there are no prognostic biological markers that accurately predict conversion of CIS to clinically definite MS (CDMS). Furthermore, the earliest molecular events in MS are still unknown. We used microarrays to study gene expression in naive CD4+ T cells from 37 CIS patients at time of diagnosis and after 1 year. Supervised machine-learning methods were used to build predictive models of disease conversion. We identified 975 genes whose expression segregated CIS patients into four distinct subgroups. A subset of 108 genes further discriminated patients in one of these (group 1) from other CIS patients. Remarkably, 92% of patients in group 1 converted to CDMS within 9 months. Consistent down-regulation of TOB1, a critical regulator of cell proliferation, was characteristic of group 1 patients. Decreased TOB1 expression at the RNA and protein levels also was confirmed in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Finally, a genetic association was observed between TOB1 variation and MS progression in an independent cohort. These results indicate that CIS patients at high risk of conversion have impaired regulation of T cell quiescence, possibly resulting in earlier activation of pathogenic CD4+ cells.
Nicotine's oxidative and antioxidant properties in CNS

Nicotine has been reported to be therapeutic in some patients with certain neurodegenerative diseases and to have neuroprotective effects in the central nervous system. However, nicotine administration may result in oxidative stress by inducing the generation of reactive oxygen species in the periphery and central nervous system. There is also evidence suggesting that nicotine may have antioxidant properties in the central nervous system. The antioxidant properties of nicotine may be intracellular through the activation of the nicotinic receptors or extracellular by acting as a radical scavenger in that it binds to iron. The possibility that nicotine might be used to treat some symptoms of certain neurodegenerative diseases underlies the necessity to determine whether nicotine has pro-oxidant, antioxidant or properties of both. This review discusses the studies that have addressed this issue, the behavioral effects of nicotine, and the possible mechanisms of action that result from nicotine administration or nicotinic receptor activation.
Photoelectron scanning electron microscope (PSEM) for high speed noncontact testing

AbstractThe electron emitter in a conventional SEM is replaced by a pulsed laser /photocathode combination, resulting in a source producing electron pulses of order 1 ps in duration at a 100 Mhz repetition rate and with a peak brightness of 3 10' A /cm2.steradian. By using this instrument in the voltage contrast mode, without contact with the samples, we have beenable to measure electrical pulses propagating on coplanar transmission lines with a temporal resolution of 5 ps, a voltage re-solution of 3 mV /(Hz)' /2 and a spatial resolution of 0.1 µm. These measurements are achieved with extraction fields above thesample of about 1 kV /mm.IntroductionWith advances in device technology leading to switching times of less than 50ps there has been much recent work on tech-niques for ultrafast electrical measurements. Many of these methods have been based on the use of a laser -generated opticalprobe and include electro -optic sampling' 2, photoemissive sampling3 -5 and charge density measurements6. Because of theirlimited spatial resolutions these methods are likely to encounter difficulties as device and wiring geometries enter the submicronregime. High speed scanning e -beam techniques have also been developed using fast deflection beam blanking systems' some-times even associated with a beam bunching mode of operation' . The drawback of these techniques is that for sub -1Opstemporal resolutions and accelerating voltages suitable for looking at Integrated Circuits I.C's, typically 1 -2kV, then there isconsiderable spot size degradation and submicron spatial resolution is difficult to achieve simultaneously with these operatingparameters. Here we describe a technique based on the modulation of the gun itself through a pulsed laser generated electronprobe. It combines the temporal resolution of laser based techniques and the spatial resolution of more conventional scanningelectron microscope (SEM) methods, together with their superior capability in the probe addressability over wide fields as isneeded for the testing of integrated circuits (I.C.).Electron probeIn our novel instrument the electron emission source of a conventional SEM is replaced by a pulsed laser /photocathodecombination. Figure 1 shows a schematic of the system. A modelocked Nd:YAG laser produces 70ps pulses at 1.06
Thermal and material transfer in turbulent gas streams—A method of prediction for spheres

The thermal and material transport from spheres in turbulent air streams have been reduced to analytical expressions taking into account the Reynolds number of the flow, the level of turbulence of the air stream, and the diameter of the sphere. The coefficients for these expressions are based upon experimental work ranging from drops to spheres of about 1 ft in diameter. The range of Reynolds numbers involved extends from 2 to 1.33 × 106. The standard error of estimate for all the experimental measurements was about 15 per cent, while the standard error of estimate for measurements for a much smaller range of sphere diameters was approximately 4 per cent.
Learning Visual Features for the Avatar Captcha Recognition Challenge

Captchas are frequently used on the modern world wide web to differentiate human users from automated bots by giving tests that are easy for humans to answer but difficult or impossible for algorithms. As artificial intelligence algorithms have improved, new types of Captchas have had to be developed. Recent work has proposed a new system called Avatar Captcha, in which a user is asked to distinguish between facial images of real humans and those of avatars generated by computer graphics. This novel system has been proposed on the assumption that this Captcha is very difficult for computers to break. In this paper we test a variety of modern visual features and learning algorithms on this avatar recognition task. We find that relatively simple techniques can perform very well on this task, and in some cases can even surpass human performance.
H3K4me3 Stimulates the V(D)J RAG Complex for Both Nicking and Hairpinning in trans in Addition to Tethering in cis: Implications for Translocations

The PHD finger of the RAG2 polypeptide of the RAG1/RAG2 complex binds to the histone H3 modification, trimethylated lysine 4 (H3K4me3), and in some manner increases V(D)J recombination. In the absence of biochemical studies of H3K4me3 on purified RAG enzyme activity, the precise role of H3K4me3 remains unclear. Here, we find that H3K4me3 stimulates purified RAG enzymatic activity at both the nicking (2- to 5-fold) and hairpinning (3- to 11-fold) steps of V(D)J recombination. Remarkably, this stimulation can be achieved with free H3K4me3 peptide (in trans), indicating that H3K4me3 functions via two distinct mechanisms. It not only tethers the RAG enzyme complex to a region of DNA, but it also induces a substantial increase in the catalytic turnover number (k(cat)) of the RAG complex. The H3K4me3 catalytic stimulation applies to suboptimal cryptic RSS sites located at H3K4me3 peaks that are critical in the inception of human T cell acute lymphoblastic lymphomas.
A new cross subdivision scheme for surface design

Abstract In this paper, a new primal approximation 2 -subdivision scheme for surface design, being named the cross scheme or C-scheme for short, is presented. The C 2 -continuity of the C-scheme is mathematically analyzed. The new scheme can be effectively applied to any 3D mesh of quadrilaterals. Extraordinary vertices and miscellaneous boundary scenarios are handled as well. Extensive implementation shows that it performs better than the classical Catmull–Clark subdivision scheme both at nearby vertices and along the non-vertical and non-horizontal directions.
Crystal Structure of a New Quinternary Oxide: NaTl3Cu4Te2O12

A new quinternary oxide, NaTl3Cu4Te2O12, has been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The reported material was synthesized by hydrothermal techniques using TlNO3, CuO, TeO2, and NaOH as reagents. The material exhibits a two-dimensional layered structure consisting of edge-shared CuO6 and TeO6 polyhedra separated by Na+ and Tl+ cations. NaTl3Cu4Te2O12 crystallizes in space group C2/m with a = 12.9800(17) A, b = 9.3455(12) A, c = 5.2335(7) A, β = 104.276(2)°, V = 615.24(14) A3, and Z = 2. The synthesis and crystal structure of a new quinternary oxide, NaTl3Cu4Te2O12 is reported.
Detection of a weak maser emission pedestal associated with the SiO maser

Results are reported for high-spectral-resolution observations of the v = 1, J = 1-0 SiO maser sources at 43,122.027 MHz (6.95 mm wavelength) associated with the variable stars Omega Cet, NML Tau, VY CMa, R Leo, W Hya, VX Sgr, NML Cyg, and R Cas. A weak underlying maser emission pedestal is clearly observed in the spectra of all but NML Cyg and R Cas. The data indicate that the underlying pedestal of SiO emission appears to originate in a shell-like region around the star, has a thermal appearance even though it must be due to weak maser emission, and appears to be part of the spectral signature of SiO maser emission from late-type stars. It is found that the center velocities of the pedestals may be used to determine stellar radial velocities. Observations of large-scale time variations in the intensity of the Ori A SiO maser and the detection of weak maser pedestals associated with each of the two strong emission-feature groups in Orion are also discussed. It is suggested that the Orion molecular cloud might contain two late-type long-period variable stars that may be semiregular variables.
Operators for manipulating language structures

The manipulation of symbolic expressions, optimization of computer programs by a compiler, and the use of graphical or pictorial input-output have heretofore been considered to be unrelated problems. The Algorithmic Theory of Language provides a language structure capable of representing both the syntactic and semantic structure of statements in algebraic, procedural, or graphical languages. Utilizing the semantic sequencing information in the structure, “operators” defined for atomic forms may be applied to arbitrarily complex structures to provide a uniform and powerful manipulation capability for these and other areas of application. This paper describes an on-line, experimental version of a system constructed in this manner.
Study of a Vinylidenecarbene−Cycloalkyne Equilibrium in the D3-Trishomocubyl Ring System

The same cage-annulated vinylidenecarbene, 7a, could be generated and subsequently trapped in situ by cyclohexene via either of the following methods: (i) low-temperature reaction of 4-(dibromomethylene)pentacyclo[6.3.0.02,6.03,10.05,9]undecane (6) with n-BuLi−THF and (ii) low-temperature reaction of 5-bromopentacyclo[7.3.0.02,7.03,11.06,10]dodec-4-ene (12) with LDA−THF. These results, together with the corresponding results of site-specific 13C-labeling experiments performed on 6-C(4)13CBr2 and 12-13C(5), provide evidence for the thermodynamic stability of 7a vis-a-vis 7b. In addition, the results of semiempirical and ab initio MO calculations demonstrate the relative kinetic as well as thermodynamic preference for 7a vis-a-vis 7b.
Recombinant factor C assay for measuring endotoxin in house dust: Comparison with LAL, and (1 → 3)‐β‐D‐glucans

Background Measurement of exposure to environmental endotoxin is frequently performed using a Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) based assay. Recently, a new method has become available with similar sensitivity and potentially greater specificity using recombinant Factor C (rFC) from the horseshoe crab Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda. A preliminary study was carried out to determine the comparability of LAL and rFC in measuring endotoxins in house dust for large scale epidemiologic studies. Methods House dust samples were collected from family rooms by vacuuming 1 m2 of the center of the room. Sixty sieved house dust samples were assayed for endotoxin by LAL (Cambrex, KQCL lysate) and rFC (Pyrogene, Cambrex) and for (1 3)-β-D-glucans by ELISA. The resistant parallel line estimation was used for data analysis of LAL and rFC. A four-parameter logistic fit with inverse prediction was used to calculate (1 3)-β-D-glucan levels of the samples. Results The spike recovery was 113.63% (95% CI = 101.69, 125.57%) for LAL and 99.69% (95% CI = 90.14, 109.24%) for rFC assays. The LAL assay gave higher endotoxin estimates compared with rFC. The LAL and rFC estimates were highly correlated (r = 0.86, P < 0.0001). The difference between LAL and rFC endotoxin estimates correlated with the LAL estimates (r = 0.51, P < 0.0001). However, the difference was not correlated with (1 3)-β-D-glucans. Conclusion LAL and rFC gave comparable results, hence either assay can be used for studies of endotoxin exposure. The current study shows that (1 3)-β-D-glucan is not a major factor interfering with endotoxin measurements in house dust using a Cambrex KQCL LAL preparation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:296–300, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cloning of the 3′ end of rat bax-α and corresponding developmental down-regulation in differentiating primary, cultured oligodendrocytes

Bax-alpha is thought to form heterodimers with Bcl-2 and prevent apoptotic cell death. A sequence was isolated from oligodendrocyte cDNA corresponding to the uncloned 3' end of the rat bax-alpha coding region and part of the 3' UTR via a degenerate polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based cloning method. The rat bax-alpha clone is 96 and 91% homologous to mouse and human clones, respectively, and the 3' UTR demonstrates high homology with the cloned human 3' UTR. Northern analysis demonstrated that the 1.0 kb bax-alpha mRNA species was predominant. bax-alpha mRNA is expressed in mitotic, oligodendrocyte progenitors, and is subsequently down-regulated 2-fold in differentiating oligodendrocytes.
Colonization and tissue tropism of Helicobacter pylori and a novel urease-negative Helicobacter species in ICR mice are independent of route of exposure.

Background. In humans, Helicobacter pylori is known to colonize the stomach and to induce persistent gastritis; selected reports also suggest it causes extragastric disease, including hepatitis. H. pylori and a novel urease-negative Helicobacter sp. induce gastritis and typhlocolitis, respectively, when inoculated orally into mice. Experimental typhlocolitis and hepatitis have been caused by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of H. hepaticus, H. bilis, and the novel Helicobacter spp. However, the route by which IP-inoculated organisms localize to specific areas of the gastrointestinal system is unknown. Materials and Methods. To determine whether Helicobacter spp. can be isolated from blood, can preferentially colonize specific tissues, and can cause pathological changes, we inoculated 6-week-old outbred mice orally or intraperitoneally with H. pylori or a novel Helicobacter sp. Results. When these mice were inoculated by the IP route, H. pylori was cultured from lungs, spleen, liver, cecum, and stomach on day 1 after inoculation, from liver and stomach mucosa on day 3 after inoculation, and from the stomach on day 30 after inoculation, suggesting preferential colonization of the stomach. After inoculation by the IP route, the novel intestinal Helicobacter sp. was cultured from the blood, lungs, spleen, liver, kidneys, cecum, and feces but not from stomach mucosa on day 1 after inoculation. By day 30 after inoculation, the novel Helicobacter sp. was cultured from cecum and feces only, suggesting that it had preferentially colonized the lower bowel. By the IP route, the novel Helicobacter sp. induced hepatitis that persisted for 30 days after inoculation. Though mice inoculated intraperitoneally with H. pylori developed an acute hepatitis, the liver lesion began to resolve 30 days after inoculation. Mice inoculated orally with either H. pylori or the novel Helicobacter sp. did not have hepatitis on day 30 after inoculation but developed 100% colonization of stomach and cecum, respectively. Conclusion. The isolation of H. pylori and the novel Helicobacter sp. from multiple tissues infers that a transient helicobacter bacteremia occurs when Helicobacter spp. are injected intraperitoneally, but organisms are cleared rapidly from nontarget tissues and preferentially colonize specific regions of the gastrointestinal tract.
Principal leadership of parent involvement

Strategies to increase parent involvement and its beneficial effects, in particular, among parents whose children traditionally have low academic achievement, abound in the educational literature. Yet, conspicuously absent is an empirical examination of the relation of principal behaviors on parent involvement. The present study analyzed survey data from principals regarding their behaviors and the relation of their behavior to survey data from parents regarding involvement in their children’s education. Among schools having higher concentrations of socioeconomically‐disadvantaged and non‐English‐speaking students, the roles of master teacher and missionary were associated with higher levels of parent involvement and the role of the gamesman with lower levels of parent involvement. Results suggest that the effectiveness of principal roles is dependent on the needs and life circumstances of socioeconomically‐disadvantaged school populations.
Effect of morphine administered in the periaqueductal gray and at the recording locus on nociresponsive neurons in the medullary reticular formation

Neurons in the medullary reticular formation (MRF) contained within the nuclei reticularis gigantocellularis and reticularis paragigantocellularis were evaluated for their responses to morphine administered in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and iontophoresed at the recording site. Morphine had a predominant excitatory effect on neurons in the MRF whether microinjected in the PAG or iontophoresed at the recording locus. Although morphine generally excited neurons in the MRF when administered at either site, examination of individual neurons for their responses to both modes of administration of morphine indicated that the effect produced by morphine administered in the PAG was rarely mimicked by morphine iontophoresed at the recording locus. Moreover, morphine administered in the PAG markedly attenuated the noxious evoked excitatory response of MRF neurons, an effect not reliably produced by morphine iontophoresed in the MRF when microinjected in the PAG is not mediated by an enkephalinergic interneurons. The implications of these results on the role of the MRF in opiate-induced antinociception are discussed.
Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Latent Gene vFLIP Inhibits Viral Lytic Replication through NF-κB-Mediated Suppression of the AP-1 Pathway: a Novel Mechanism of Virus Control of Latency

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) latency is central to the evasion of host immune surveillances and induction of KSHV-related malignancies. The mechanism of KSHV latency remains unclear. Here, we show that the KSHV latent gene vFLIP promotes viral latency by inhibiting viral lytic replication. vFLIP suppresses the AP-1 pathway, which is essential for KSHV lytic replication, by activating the NF-κB pathway. Thus, by manipulating two convergent cellular pathways, vFLIP regulates both cell survival and KSHV lytic replication to promote viral latency. These results also indicate that the effect of the NF-κB pathway on KSHV replication is determined by the status of the AP-1 pathway and hence provide a mechanistic explanation for the contradictory role of the NF-κB pathway in KSHV replication. Since the NF-κB pathway is commonly activated during infection of gammaherpesviruses, these findings might have general implications for the control of gammaherpesviral latency.
A necessary and sufficient stability criterion for semiproper linear time-varying systems

Recent results for semiproper systems are extended. The notion of prime decompositions for semiproper systems is introduced and used to derive a necessary and sufficient stability criterion for a subclass of semiproper systems. It is shown that a previously developed spatial decomposition procedure can be used to obtain a prime decomposition. In addition to the results, some errors in an earlier paper (1987) are corrected. >
Performance Characteristics of 3D Supersonic Micronozzles

A 3D numerical investigation of the flow in a converging-diverging MEMS-based supersonic nozzle is reported. Owing to the large surface area to volume ratio of a MEMS device along with inherently low Reynolds numbers, substantial viscous subsonic ‘boundary’ layers develop along the expander walls which reduce thrust production and nozzle efficiency. Decomposed hydrogen peroxide monopropellant flow is simulated using continuum 3D flow models. The flow field is analyzed to determine subsonic layer growth rate and to characterize this impact on micronozzle performance. Simulations are performed over a range of nozzle expander halfangles (15 ◦−45 ◦) and for several nozzle depths (25μm− 400μm). Simulation results are analyzed and thrust production, subsonic layer development, and efficiencies are compared to inviscid theory and previous 2D simulations. It is shown that the subsonic layers on the expander walls can grow sufficiently large and merge together causing subsonic flow across the entire crosssection of the flow field up to the nozzle exit. The consequence is reduced thrust output and efficiency. Viscous losses are quantified in 3D and are shown to be greater than prior 2D models owing to the addition of nozzle side-walls in a 3D simulation.
Factor structure and predictive utility of the Binge Eating Scale in bariatric surgery candidates

Abstract Background Screening for binge eating before bariatric surgery is a component of the recommended clinical practice for bariatric surgery candidates. The Binge Eating Scale (BES) is 1 of the most commonly used self-report measures of eating behaviors in preoperative evaluations; however, the factor structure of this measure has not been evaluated in the bariatric population. The aims of the present study were to report the mean, standard deviation, and reliability of the BES for patients seeking bariatric surgery; to evaluate the 2-factor structure of the BES using confirmatory factor analysis; and to investigate the association between the BES and its factors with surgical weight loss. The setting was an academic medical center. Methods A total of 530 patients completed the BES as a component of their psychological evaluation before undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Results Approximately one third of patients reported at least mild to moderate binge eating, with 9% of patients reporting severe binge eating on the BES. The BES demonstrated good internal consistency. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a 2-factor structure, consisting of feelings/cognitions related to binge eating and behavioral manifestations of binge eating, was the best fit to the data. Nonsignificant correlations were found between the BES and its 2 factors with short-term postoperative weight loss. Conclusion The BES measures 2 aspects of binge eating in bariatric surgery candidates, feelings/cognitions and behavioral manifestations of binge eating. Consideration of these factors in patients presenting for bariatric surgery could allow for a more detailed understanding of binge eating in this population.
A Simple, Evacuable, Double-Beam Infrared Hot Cell Assembly

A common 10-cm Pyrex infrared gas phase cell can be heated to a temperature of about 250°C under a vacuum of 10−4 Torr if the crystal windows are sealed to the cell body with silicone rubber. A double-beam, forced-air circulation chamber or oven has been designed and constructed so that such cells can be used to obtain compensated high-temperature infrared spectra. The temperatures of both the sample and reference cells are essentially identical since the forced circulation in the oven achieves a thermal homogeneity over the whole interior of the oven. The temperatures of the cells may be raised or lowered relatively rapidly without damage.
Comparison of conventional staining methods and monoclonal antibody-based methods for Cryptosporidium oocyst detection.

The sensitivity and specificity of seven microscopy-based Cryptosporidium oocyst detection methods were compared after application to unconcentrated fecal smears. The seven methods were as follows: (i) a commercial acid-fast (AF) stain (VOLU-SOL) method, (ii) Truant auramine-rhodamine (AR) stain method, (iii) fluorescein-conjugated C1B3 monoclonal antibody (MAb) direct fluorescence method, (iv) OW3 MAb indirect fluorescence method, (v) biotinylated OW3 indirect fluorescence method, (vi) biotinylated OW3-indirect diaminobenzidine (DAB) method, and (vii) biotinylated OW3-aminoethylcarbazole (AEC) method. A total of 281 randomly collected Formalin-fixed fecal samples (submitted to the Maricopa County Health Department, Phoenix, Ariz.) and 30 known positives (Formalin-fixed and K2Cr2O7-preserved stools from our laboratory) were examined in a blind test; 32 of 311 samples (10.3%) were confirmed positive. Of the confirmed positives, 40.6% were identified by the AF method, 93.8% were identified by the AR method, 93.8% were identified by the C1B3 method, 81.3% were identified by the OW3-DAB method, 71.9% were identified by the OW3-AEC method, 100% were identified by the OW3 indirect fluorescence method, and 100% were identified by the biotinylated OW3 indirect fluorescence method. False-positives were encountered by the AF and AR methods (52.0 and 85.7% specificity, respectively), while no false-positives encountered by the MAb-based methods. Oocysts in infected tissue sections were easily detected by the MAb-based methods. Images
The characteristics of dyadic trust in executive coaching

This qualitative study explores the development of trust in executive coaching relationships. Interviews were conducted with 27 high-level executives who were voluntarily engaged in executive coaching for the purpose of leadership development. The theory that emerged from these findings, as expressed in an integrated model of sequential, interdependent trust development, was that interplay of relational, situational, and behavioral factors influenced the development of trust in executive coaching. Trust was highest when (a) the client was willing to disclose honest feelings and thoughts to the coach and was met with a supportive, nonjudgmental reaction from the coach; (b) the organization was supportive of the positive leadership development that could occur in executive coaching; (c) the coach and client were clear about expectations of confidentiality and outcomes; and (d) the coach supportively confirmed the client's developmental needs, and challenged the client's leadership behaviors. These multiple, interdependent factors manifested throughout the coaching relationship to result in bonds of trust.
Faulty behavior of storage elements and its effects on sequential circuits

It is often assumed that the faults in storage elements (SEs) can be modeled as output/input stuck-at faults of the element. They are implicitly considered equivalent to the stuck-at faults in the combinational logic surrounding the SE cells. Transistor-level faults in common SEs are examined here. A more accurate higher level fault model for elementary SEs that better represents the physical failures is presented. It is shown that a minimal (stuck-at) model may be adequate if only modest fault coverage is desired. The enhanced model includes some common fault behaviors of SEs that are not covered by the minimal fault model. These include data-feedthrough and clock-feedthrough behaviors, as well as problems with logic level retention. Fault models for complex SE cells can be obtained without a significant loss of information about the structure of the circuit. The detectability of feedthrough faults is considered. >
Reflection and Reasoning in Moral Judgment

While there is much evidence for the influence of automatic emotional responses on moral judgment, the roles of reflection and reasoning remain uncertain. In Experiment 1, we induced subjects to be more reflective by completing the Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) prior to responding to moral dilemmas. This manipulation increased utilitarian responding, as individuals who reflected more on the CRT made more utilitarian judgments. A follow-up study suggested that trait reflectiveness is also associated with increased utilitarian judgment. In Experiment 2, subjects considered a scenario involving incest between consenting adult siblings, a scenario known for eliciting emotionally driven condemnation that resists reasoned persuasion. Here, we manipulated two factors related to moral reasoning: argument strength and deliberation time. These factors interacted in a manner consistent with moral reasoning: A strong argument defending the incestuous behavior was more persuasive than a weak argument, but only when increased deliberation time encouraged subjects to reflect.
A six-element beam-scanning array

A six-element beam-scanning coupled MESFET oscillator array was designed and constructed. Resistively loaded transmission line networks were used to strongly couple each oscillator to its two nearest neighbors. Measured H-plane radiation patterns indicate continuous scanning from /spl minus/30 to +40 degrees (from broadside). >
Drug development and IBS drugs: experience from the past, current challenges, and proposal for the future

Over the past decade, the failed promise of animal models and preclinical pharmacology, and a changing landscape in the regulatory perspectives have impacted the development of drugs for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In general, animal models have failed to predict efficacy of medications developed for visceral pain. On the contrary, extensive experience with different endpoints in large, randomized, and controlled trials has generated some data on psychometric validation and unprecedented information about responsiveness of binary or global endpoints. However, it has now become necessary to pursue further validation studies in the run-up to or during pivotal trials. Guidance documents from regulatory agencies in Europe and the United States have focused on patient response outcomes (PROs) and associated impact on quality of life. These extra validation steps will undoubtedly result in delays in drug development. Providing relief to patients should galvanize all parties to achieve effective and fair strategies for regulatory approval.
Insulin pump therapy in the perioperative period: a review of care after implementation of institutional guidelines.

Background: An institutional policy was previously established for patients with diabetes on insulin pump therapy undergoing elective surgical procedures. Method: Electronic medical records were reviewed to assess documentation of insulin pump status and glucose monitoring during preoperative, intraoperative, and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) phases of care. Results: Twenty patients with insulin pumps underwent 23 procedures from March 1 to December 31, 2011. Mean (standard deviation) age was 58 (13) years, mean diabetes duration was 28 (17) years, and mean duration of insulin pump therapy was 7 (6) years. Nearly all cases (86%) during the preoperative phase had the presence of the device documented—an improvement over the 64% noted in data collected before the policy. Intraoperatively, 13 cases (61%) had the presence of the pump documented, which was higher than the 28% before implementation of the policy. However, documentation of pump status was found in only 38% in the PACU and was actually less than the 60% documented previously. Over 90% of cases had glucose checked in the preoperative area and the PACU, and only 60% had it checked intraoperatively, which was nearly identical to the percentages seen before policy implementation. No adverse events occurred when insulin pump therapy was continued. Conclusions: Although some processes still require improvement, preliminary data suggest that the policy for perioperative management of insulin pumps has provided useful structure for care of these cases. The data thus far indicate that insulin pump therapy can be continued safely during the perioperative period.
“A CHAMBERED NAUTILUS” The Contradictory Nature of Puerto Rican Women's Role in the Social Construction of a Transnational Community

Recent transnational migration literature does not sufficiently explore women's role in the development of transnational communities. By analyzing 30 interviews with Puerto Rican migrant and return migrant women, the author shows that women, through subsistence production, play a significant role in the social construction of transnational communities. By using a transnational perspective and placing migrant women's subsistence work and its contradictory nature at the center of her analysis, the author challenges studies that assume that maintaining ties to homelands leads to freedom for all family members, moves away from home/host binary frame works of immigrant women's experiences that locate greater gender oppression in home countries and more freedom in host societies, and explores women's complex perceptions of home.
Prior information and uncertainty in inverse problems

Solving any inverse problem requires understanding the uncertainties in the data to know what it means to fit the data. We also need methods to incorporate data‐independent prior information to eliminate unreasonable models that fit the data. Both of these issues involve subtle choices that may significantly influence the results of inverse calculations. The specification of prior information is especially controversial. How does one quantify information? What does it mean to know something about a parameter a priori? In this tutorial we discuss Bayesian and frequentist methodologies that can be used to incorporate information into inverse calculations. In particular we show that apparently conservative Bayesian choices, such as representing interval constraints by uniform probabilities (as is commonly done when using genetic algorithms, for example) may lead to artificially small uncertainties. We also describe tools from statistical decision theory that can be used to characterize the performance of inv...
Whipping up some gourmet software

A great chef's modus operandi can provide excellent lessons in how to achieve scale, while retaining quality in software development. Both remarkable software and superb cooking are a mix of science and art; of repetition and innovation; and of theory and intuition. From this blend comes practices that aim to balance quality, scale, and time pressures. Perhaps the most essential lesson is that there are no shortcuts to success.
Pancreatic hormone profiles and metabolism posthepatectomy in the dog: Evidence for a hepatotrophic role of insulin, glucagon, and pancreatic polypeptide

Gut-related peptide hormones, especially insulin and glucagon, have been implicated in promoting hepatic regeneration. To elucidate the interrelationship between pancreatic peptide hormones and hepatic regenerative activity, we evaluated pancreatic hormone levels and their metabolism before and over a 15-day period after limited (42%) and extended (72%) hepatectomy in the dog. Serum insulin, glucagon, and pancreatic polypeptide levels increased significantly after both limited and extended hepatectomy but not after sham laparotomy. In the case of glucagon only, these increases were related to the extent of liver resection. No significant changes in plasma somatostatin levels were observed posthepatectomy. Plasma glucose levels remained normal throughout the period of study. Metabolic clearance rates and plasma half-lives for insulin, glucagon, and pancreatic polypeptide did not change over the study period. Peripheral C-peptide/insulin molar ratios were unchanged posthepatectomy, indicating no change in hepatic insulin extraction. In the absence of demonstrable changes in hormone metabolism or metabolic stimuli to secretion, these increases in pancreatic hormone levels, coinciding with the period of known maximal hepatic regenerative activity, are compatible with the notion that these are hepatotrophic responses, which could conceivably be mediated by humoral feedback signals from the liver to the endocrine pancreas.
Altered brain activity in women recovered from bulimic-type eating disorders after a glucose challenge: a pilot study.

Objective: It is not known whether individuals with bulimic-type eating disorders have a dysregulation of brain pathways that modulate appetite. Taste plays a role in the regulation of appetite and the purpose of the current study was to determine whether bulimic women have alterations in the physiologic response to the blind administration of glucose. Method: To avoid the confounding effects of a current eating disorder, and to assess possibly trait-related disturbances, we studied 10 subjects recovered (� 1 year) from a bulimic-type eating disorder and 6 control women. Subjects were administered a solution of glucose or artificial saliva (control solution) in alternating blocks during a functional magnet resonance imaging scan. Results: Individuals who recovered from a bulimic-type eating disorder had significantly lower activation in the right
How Implicit Assumptions about Followers Shape the Mentoring Behaviors of Top Executives

Why are some leaders more engaged in mentoring than others? From a social cognitive perspective, I examine how top executives’ mentoring behaviors are shaped by their implicit assumptions about fol...
High current gain 4H-SiC npn bipolar junction transistors

The authors report a common emitter current gain /spl beta/ of 55 in npn epitaxial-emitter 4H-SiC bipolar junction transistors. The spacing between the p+ base contact implant and the edge of the emitter finger is critical in obtaining high-current gain. V/sub CEO/ of these devices is 500 V, and V/sub CBO/ is 700 V.
Assessment of residual damage in leadfree electronics subjected to multiple thermal environments of thermal aging and thermal cycling

Electronic systems are often stored for long periods prior to deployment in the intended environment. Aging has been previously shown to effect the reliability and constitutive behavior of second-level leadfree interconnects. Deployed systems may be subjected to cyclic thermo-mechanical loads subsequent to deployment. Prognostication of accrued damage and assessment of residual life is extremely critical for ultra-high reliability systems in which the cost of failure is too high. The presented methodology uses leading indicators of failure based on microstructural evolution of damage to identify impending failure in electronic systems subjected to sequential stresses of thermal aging and thermal cycling. The methodology has been demonstrated on area-array ball-grid array test assemblies with Sn3Ag0.5Cu interconnects subjected to thermal aging at 125°C and thermal cycling from −55 to 125°C for various lengths of time and cycles. Damage equivalency methodologies have been developed to map damage accrued in thermal aging to the reduction in thermo-mechanical cyclic life based on damage proxies. Assemblies have been prognosticated to assess the error with interrogation of system state and assessment of residual life. Prognostic metrics including α-λ metric, sample standard deviation, mean square error, mean absolute percentage error, average bias, relative accuracy, and cumulative relative accuracy have been used to compare the performance of the damage proxies.
Rapid Fabrication of a Nano Interdigitated Array Electrode and its Amperometric Characterization as an Electrochemical Sensor

Nano interdigitated array (IDA) electrodes (electrode finger width = 100 nm; finger spacing = 200 nm; surface area = 0.2 mm2) have been fabricated and characterized amperometrically for the electrochemical detection of the concentrations of reversible redox species. Using p-aminophenol as the redox species, a detection limit of 10 pM of the species concentration has been achieved. This detection limit is three orders of magnitude lower than the micro IDA counterpart that has been reported to date, proving the enhanced redox cycling at the nano IDA electrodes. Using a higher electron dose, the proximity effect of the electron beam in the e-beam lithography process has been utilized to reduce the duration of the nano IDA pattern transfer step to less than 30 minutes. This makes it possible to fabricate the entire sensor within a day, including the electrode metal evaporation, metal lift-off and electroplating of reference electrode.
Iron deficiency activating latent pernicious anaemia.

A 48-year-old woman developed anaemia with evidence of both iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies. These deficits were corrected following treatment with ferrous sulfate and ascorbic acid. Subsequently, she was found to have latent pernicious anaemia. It is suggested that iron deficiency may play a role in the development of vitamin B12 deficiency in certain patients with latent pernicious anaemia.
Flavihumibacter petaseus gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from soil of a subtropical rainforest.

A yellow-coloured bacterium, T41T, was isolated from a soil sample of a subtropical rainforest in Nepal. Cells were Gram-reaction-positive, aerobic, non-motile, short rods. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain formed a cluster with Terrimonas ferruginea, Terrimonas lutea, Niabella soli, Flavisolibacter ginsengiterrae, Flavisolibacter ginsengisoli, Niastella yeongjuensis and Niastella koreensis in the phylum Bacteroidetes. The strain showed the highest sequence similarity to the type strain of Terrimonas lutea (93.2 %). The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the predominant cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-15 : 0 (33.8 %), iso-15 : 1 G (13.3 %) and iso-17 : 0 3-OH (12.9 %). The DNA G+C content was 48.1 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic data and genomic distinctiveness, strain T41T represents a novel species in a new genus in the phylum Bacteroidetes, for which the name Flavihumibacter petaseus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Flavihumibacter petaseus is strain T41T (=CGMCC 1.7723T =NBRC 106054T).
Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes in Childhood

The incidence of type 2 diabetes has increased dramatically in the past decade in Pima (Akimel O'odham) children, aged 5-17 years, living in the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC). As a result, a diabetes primary prevention program called Quest was implemented in 1996 at an elementary school in the GRIC for students in kindergarten and grades 1-2. The Quest program has four components: (1) biochemical and anthropometric assessments, (2) classroom instruction about diabetes, (3) increased daily physical activity at school, and (4) a structured school breakfast and lunch program. Preliminary results of the program indicate that the school provides a stable environment for behavior change and interventions that slow weight gain in early childhood.
Bradycardic onset of spiral wave re-entry: structural substrates.

Aims The least understood aspect of re-entrant cardiac arrhythmias is how they start spontaneously. The known mechanisms for re-entry induction involve the application of premature electrical stimuli or rapid pacing, whereas in a clinical setting, re-entry often occurs at normal heart rates. Here, we propose a physiological mechanism of re-entry onset at normal and slow heart rates, which is based on structurally determined heterogeneities. Methods and results Using a two-dimensional tissue model with Luo–Rudy II kinetics, we study electrical propagation in the presence of macroscopic coupling heterogeneities. We find that spiral wave re-entry occurs if steep and smooth coupling gradients are situated side by side, with the critical steepness depending on the frequency of stimulation. We demonstrate how bradycardia can unmask a slow endogenous pacemaker in a poorly coupled region, subsequently leading to spiral wave re-entry. Conclusion In the presence of coupling heterogeneities, a single excitation coming from the less coupled region may induce spiral wave re-entry.
Organometallic uranium(IV) fluoride complexes: preparation using protonolysis chemistry and reactivity with trimethylsilyl reagents.

Reaction of the uranium alkyl complex (C5Me5)2UMe2 (1) with Et3N·3HF in toluene in the presence of a donor ligand (pyridine or trimethylphosphine oxide) results in gas evolution and the formation of the uranium(IV) difluoride complexes (C5Me5)2UF2(L) (L = NC5H5 (2), Me3PO (3)). Similarly, reaction of (C5Me5)2U[κ2-(C,N)-CH2Si(CH3)2N(SiMe3)] (5) with Et3N·3HF in toluene gives the uranium(IV) amide-fluoride complex (C5Me5)2U[N(SiMe3)2](F) (6). The fluoride complex (C5Me5)2UF2(NC5H5) (2) shows versatile reaction chemistry with a variety of trimethylsilyl reagents and demonstrates that the U–F bond provides an attractive synthetic strategy for accessing new functional groups that are not available from alkoxide or chloride complexes.
Interpretation of direct writing M center HD curve characteristics of photodichroic NaF crystals

Hurter-Driffield curves for a number of photodichroic NaF crystals containing M centers are obtained at room temperature in the direct writing mode. The data from most of the samples are fit reasonably well by a simple one-parameter reorientation model in which the transitions from the original to the final polarization states are made indirectly via the side states. Reciprocity in the photographic sense is observed to obtain; this tends to confirmthe single photon aspect of this model. The correspondence of the reorientation parameter to exposureis not unique; impurities seem to enhance sensitivity. On a obtenu des courbes Hurter-Driffield a la temperature ambiente, par le mode d'ecriture directe, pour plusieurs cristaux photodichroiques de NaF qui contiennent des centres M. Les resultats pour la plupart des echantillons correspondent bien a un modele de reorientation a un seul parametre dans lequel les transitions des etats initiaux de polarisation auxetats finaux sont faites indirectement a travers les etats lateraux. La reciprocite, au sens photographique, est valable. Ceci confirme le caractere a photon unique de ce modele. La relation entre le parametre de reorientation et l'illumination n'est pas unique, les impuretes accroissent la sensibilite.