cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Association of Adverse Childhood Experiences With Anxiety and Depression for Children and Youth, 8 to 17 Years of Age.

Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression and examine their association with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among children and adolescents ages 8 to 17 years old. Methods Using data from the 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health, we conducted a cross-sectional study design with a total sample of 39,929. Our exposure and outcome variables included caregiver report of 9 ACE exposures and current anxiety or current depression. Survey sampling weights and SAS survey procedures were implemented to produce nationally representative results. Results Our study found that 9% of children had current anxiety while 4% had current depression. Multivariate analysis concluded that all ACE measures were associated with significantly higher odds of both anxiety and depression. Children exposed to 4 or more ACEs had higher odds of anxiety (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4–2.1) and depression (aOR = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.7–2.9) than children with exposure to fewer than four ACEs. Assessment of the outcomes of anxiety and depression separately showed differential impacts of ACE exposures as associations were stronger with depression for almost all ACE categories. Conclusions Our study demonstrates a differential association between ACEs and anxiety and depression. This highlights the importance of assessing the impact of ACEs on internalizing behaviors separately. These findings are significant for pediatric providers as diagnosis and treatment for mental health disorders are vital components of pediatric care and further support the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation to screen for ACEs.
Effectiveness of Nursing Interventions using Standardized Nursing Terminologies: An Integrative Review

The purpose of this integrative review is to synthesize recent literature that used NANDA International diagnoses, Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), and Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) to determine the effectiveness of nursing interventions and cost-analysis and to identify the direction for future effectiveness research using standardized nursing terminologies (SNTs). A search was performed using the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus, and KoreaMed, covering the period from 2003 to 2018. A total 267 articles were identified, and 24 articles were analyzed for this review. Eighteen studies evaluated the effectiveness of nursing interventions based on outcomes, and of those 18 studies, four examined the effectiveness based on the development of NNN linkages. Six studies analyzed the cost of nursing interventions. Integrating SNTs into electronic health records (EHRs), developing NNN linkages, and further effectiveness studies using SNTs are required to determine the value of nursing care to improve patient outcomes.
Considering Diverse Learners in STEM: Incorporating Universal Design for Learning with Clickers

The growing numbers of students with disabilities in colleges and universities have driven efforts to increase accessibility and awareness of appropriate accommodations. However, many faculty are unaware of how to design and implement courses to address the needs of these diverse learners. To assist instructors in considering this issue, we unpack how an educational framework called Universal Design for Learning (UDL) aligns and supports a cognitively engaging pedagogical strategy, Peer Instruction (PI). Peer Instruction is an evidence-based, active learning practice that utilizes automated response devices [sometimes called “clickers”] to engage diverse learners. We provide an overview of UDL principles, describe the potential alignment of PI with UDL principles, and provide data related to faculty awareness of clicker use within the UDL framework.
3D Printing for Humanitarian Relief: The Printer Problem

The 72-hour time period immediately following a natural disaster is when the affected people are in the most need of relief aid [1]. During this time period, relief aid organizations suffer from bottlenecked and expensive supply chains that are required to transport items to a post-disaster area. In addition to these complexities, communication about what supplies are needed in the affected areas is often minimal or completely cut off. Therefore, relief organizations must rely on estimates to decide on what supplies are brought and the quantity of said supplies. There is a need for a way to provide those affected by disaster with exactly the supplies needed to increase the speed and effectiveness of the relief aid supply chain. Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is common type of 3D printing technology that demonstrates the capabilities needed to help solve the problems in the relief aid supply chain. In this paper the use of 3D printing in disaster relief scenarios is reviewed, and a new 3D printer designed specifically for use in disaster relief efforts is introduced. Commercially available 3D printers are designed to operate in stationary, low-stress environments, usually a home or office. Because of this, current 3D printers are not designed for frequent travel, operation in harsh outdoor environments, or use away from reliable power sources and are therefore not well suited for humanitarian relief situations. These attributes are critical needs for equipment that is operated in disaster relief areas. The 3D printer developed herein is designed to succeed where other printers fail by being portable, durable, and off-grid capable. The design addressed portability by maximizing the build-volume-to-footprint ratio. This was down with the implementation of a novel X and Z linear motion control, and fold-able frame design. Durability was considered by the use of a sturdy frame, isolated electronics, and ability to be enclosed from the environment. Lastly the integration of an integrated battery system gives the printer the ability to operate off-grid. This paper discusses the design considerations for this technology, as well as the importance of portability, off-grid capability, and durability as design features for a 3D printer to be used in humanitarian relief scenarios.
Trend of Death in Pediatric Ventriculo-Peritoneal Shunts in the United States

Background: Ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) have been used to treat hydrocephalus for many years. This procedure has saved many lives, but it does not come without its complications. Considering the invasiveness of the procedure, we sought to investigate the mortality rate of VPS in children in the USA. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database to examine patients from the ages of 0 - 17 years who underwent the procedures involving the insertion, replacement, or removal of VPS from 1997 to 2012. Z-test was used to analyze the statistical significance. Results: During the study period, we recorded a total number of 165,484 cases of VPS with 54.5% occurring in males. The mean age was 5.25 years old, and the average mortality rate was 1.03%. The annual number of patients receiving VPS at all institutions during the study period decreased significantly from 13,075 in 1997 to 8,499 in 2012 (P = 0.001). The rate of patients receiving VPS per 100,000 discharges at all institutions during the study period also decreased significantly from 18.4 in 1997 to 11.5 in 2012 (P = 0.0001). The number of in-hospital deaths significantly decreased from 150 in 1997 to 50 in 2012 (P = 0.001), and the main decrease in the mortality happened after 2009 (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Utilization of pediatric VPS decreased in the USA between 1997 and 2012, and the number of in-hospital deaths significantly decreased as well. This may be related to better healthcare services in recent years, especially with more emphasis on the inpatient quality indicators (IQIs). Future research should determine the cause of the significant decrease and use the information to continue bringing the mortality rate down. J Neurol Res. 2020;10(3):69-72 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jnr573
Implementation and Evaluation of a Virtual Elective in Otolaryngology in the Time of COVID-19.

ObjectiveTo develop and evaluate a virtual otolaryngology medical student elective created during the COVID-19 crisis with the intention of teaching the basic tenets of otolaryngology and increasin...
Hippocampal CA2 sharp-wave ripples reactivate and promote social memory

The consolidation of spatial memory depends on the reactivation ('replay') of hippocampal place cells that were active during recent behaviour. Such reactivation is observed during sharp-wave ripples (SWRs)-synchronous oscillatory electrical events that occur during non-rapid-eye-movement (non-REM) sleep1-8 and whose disruption impairs spatial memory3,5,6,8. Although the hippocampus also encodes a wide range of non-spatial forms of declarative memory, it is not yet known whether SWRs are necessary for such memories. Moreover, although SWRs can arise from either the CA3 or the CA2 region of the hippocampus7,9, the relative importance of SWRs from these regions for memory consolidation is unknown. Here we examine the role of SWRs during the consolidation of social memory-the ability of an animal to recognize and remember a member of the same species-focusing on CA2 because of its essential role in social memory10-12. We find that ensembles of CA2 pyramidal neurons that are active during social exploration of previously unknown conspecifics are reactivated during SWRs. Notably, disruption or enhancement of CA2 SWRs suppresses or prolongs social memory, respectively. Thus, SWR-mediated reactivation of hippocampal firing related to recent experience appears to be a general mechanism for binding spatial, temporal and sensory information into high-order memory representations, including social memory.
The Practice Boundaries of Advanced Practice Nurses: An Economic and Legal Analysis

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of State regulation that determines the extent of professional independence of advanced practice nurses (APNs). We find that in States where APNs have acquired a substantial amount of professional independence, the earnings of APNs are substantially lower, and those of physicians’ assistants (PAs) are substantially higher, than in other States. These results are striking since PAs are in direct competition with APNs; the only real operational difference between these groups is that PAs are salaried employees who must work under the supervision of a physician. The implication is that physicians have responded to an increase in professional independence of APNs by hiring fewer APNs and more PAs. The finding that earnings of APNs decline when they attain more professional autonomy vis-a-vis physicians reinforces work by Sass and Nichols on physical therapists.
How to decay your learning rate.

Complex learning rate schedules have become an integral part of deep learning. We find empirically that common fine-tuned schedules decay the learning rate after the weight norm bounces. This leads to the proposal of ABEL: an automatic scheduler which decays the learning rate by keeping track of the weight norm. ABEL's performance matches that of tuned schedules and is more robust with respect to its parameters. Through extensive experiments in vision, NLP, and RL, we show that if the weight norm does not bounce, we can simplify schedules even further with no loss in performance. In such cases, a complex schedule has similar performance to a constant learning rate with a decay at the end of training.
Breast carcinoma screening and risk perception among women at increased risk for breast carcinoma: results from a national survey.

BACKGROUND The Gail model is validated to estimate breast carcinoma risk. The authors assessed the association of Gail risk scores with screening and cancer risk perception. METHODS Using the 2000 National Health Interview Survey, the authors studied women ages 41–70 without a cancer history. Gail scores ≥ 1.66% defined increased risk. The authors used logistic regression to assess associations between breast carcinoma risk and previous and recent (≤ 1 year) mammography and clinical breast examination (CBE). RESULTS Of 6410 women, 15.7% had increased risk. High-risk women more frequently reported previous mammograms (94% vs. 85%; P < 0.0001), previous CBE (93% vs. 88%; P < 0.0001), recent mammograms (70% vs. 54%; P < 0.0001), recent CBE (71% vs. 61%; P < 0.0001), and high cancer risk perception (20% vs. 9%; P < 0.0001). However, 30% of high-risk women had not received a recent mammogram. After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, access to care factors, and cancer risk perception, high-risk women remained more likely to have received recent mammography (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.45, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.19–1.77), recent CBE (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.08–1.61]), and previous mammography than average-risk women. The authors observed an interaction between risk and age, with women ages 41–49 years more frequently reporting previous mammography (OR, 4.79; 95% CI, 1.55–4.81) than average-risk, same-age women. For women age ≥ 50 years, the odds of previous mammography were similar regardless of risk. CONCLUSIONS In a nationally representative sample, 15.7% of women had increased breast carcinoma risk using the Gail model. High-risk women perceived higher cancer risk and more often received screening. However, nearly one in three high-risk women did not receive recent screening and most of these women did not perceive increased risk. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Comparative Studies on Four Sulfhydryl Endopeptidases ("Ficins") of Ficus glabrata Latex

Abstract Five sulfhydryl endopeptidases were purified to homogeneity from commercial preparations of Ficus glabrata latex. One of these corresponded to ficin isolated from the same source by Englund, King, Craig, and Walti (Biochemistry, 7, 163 (1968)). Each of these enzymes appeared to consist of a single polypeptide chain, of 25,000 to 26,000 molecular weight, with amino-terminal leucine. They displayed very similar specificity and kinetic properties towards the B chain of oxidized insulin, casein, and synthetic ester substrates. The enzymes showed differing retention behavior on cation exchangers, different mobilities in polyacrylamide gels, reproducible differences in amino acid composition, particularly in the content of arginine and tyrosine, and distinct peptide maps. The tryptic peptide maps strongly suggest that these enzymes share a high proportion of common regions in their amino acid sequences. They do not appear to arise by cleavage of a common precursor.
Rationalizing Aircraft Performance Dynamic Modeling in Airline Fleet Planning Decisions

Normal 0 21 false false false TR X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 This study develops a dynamic model and identifies factors that can be used to evaluate aircraft performance. Aircraft performance modeling is a cornerstone ingredient in airline fleet planning decisions. Fleet planning is a core aspect of airline operational efficiency. The wrong aircraft in the wrong mission can cost an airline both operationally as well as financially. The study focuses on the evaluation of modern commercial jet aircraft larger than 50 seats used by airlines. Development of an acceptable model would assist airlines in decision making when procuring aircraft for the airline specific requirements. Fleet flexibility is also an important criterion today and the tool would also assist in matching the right aircraft to the optimum flight schedules. Currently, different aircraft types are compared by their static parameters, such as payload range, wingspan, gross weight, engine s.l.s.t. (sea-level static thrust), aircraft manufacturer, and even manufacturer of engine. However, these are inadequate measurements of aircraft performance as they consider static parameters alone. Two airplanes that look exactly the same may have different power engine thrusts and certified gross weights. Either of these two parameters cause to perform differently. Mismatching aircraft types to their intended missions will occur if, during the procurement study phase, the airline does not consider future and potential variations in its route structure. A list of aircraft “static” features hence is insufficient as an evaluation tool. We propose a definite distinction between static and dynamic parameters and as such we believe we contribute to the academic literature through the consideration and analysis of these different parameters. While static parameters as mentioned before are well known and used, dynamic parameters are less common, and perhaps less understood by higher-level management. Because dynamic parameters by definition have variable values, cause and effect between these parameters become an interesting phenomenon to be also investigated. In the paper, after reviewing the definition of “aircraft performance” and its impact on airline operations, we provide a multidimensional performance model for assessment of aircraft. Keywords: Aircraft design and airline fleet planning; Airline strategy, Management and operations; Airline and airport performance.
Ill-Posed Problems and the Methods of Their Solution

In this chapter, we study a regularization method of a stable solution of the ill-posed inverse problems. The development of the regularization methods begins with the formulations of the sensitivity and resolution of geophysical methods and of the well-posed and ill-posed inverse problems. This chapter presents the foundations of regularization methods of inverse problem solution, including a description of regularizing operator, stabilizing functional, and Tikhonov parametric functional. The methods of selection of the optimal regularization parameter are discussed as well.
The effect of acetaminophen on tooth movement in rabbits

Orthodontic patients have reported the use of analgesics during therapy. However, common anti-inflammatory analgesics, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, have been shown to slow the rate of tooth movement. Acetaminophen, another common analgesic, does not possess anti-inflammatory properties. The effect of acetaminophen on tooth movement was studied using New Zealand white rabbits. Experimental animals were matched to a control animal of the same sex and weight. Under anesthesia, springs were ligated between the lower first molar and incisor, resulting in approximation of these teeth. Under blinded conditions, seven of the rabbits received 1000 mgs of acetaminophen daily. Seven control animals received water. The animals were sacrificed after 21 days. The movement of incisors and molars was measured. Results showed considerable movement within both the experimental and control groups, but no significant difference in tooth movement between them. Acetaminophen has no effect on the rate of tooth movement in rabbits undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Cost of Equity: Evidence from Corporate Tax Disputes

This study examines the relation between social concerns on firms' tax positions and their cost of equity. Corporate social performance can influence capital market processes but little empirical evidence has been presented yet in terms of the effects of tax disputes on shareholder preference. I contribute by showing that tax concerns expressed by a social monitoring index are associated with a higher implied cost of equity capital. In other words, firms may lower their cost of equity capital and contribute to the community by acting as non-aggressive taxpayers.
Lipid Binding Inhibits α-Synuclein Fibril Formation

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, and the cause is unknown; however, substantial evidence implicates the aggregation of α-synuclein as a critical factor in the etiology of the disease. α-Synuclein is a relatively abundant brain protein of unknown function, and the purified protein is intrinsically unfolded. The amino acid sequence has seven repeats with an apolipoprotein lipid-binding motif, which are predicted to form amphiphilic helices. We have investigated the interaction of α-synuclein with lipid vesicles of different sizes and properties by monitoring the effects on the conformation of the protein and the kinetics of fibrillation. The nature of the interaction of α-synuclein with vesicles was highly dependent on the phospholipid composition, the ratio of α-synuclein to phospholipid, and the size of the vesicles. The strongest interactions were between α-synuclein and vesicles composed of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate/1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-RAC-(1-glycerol)/1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and involved formation of helical structure in α-synuclein. A strong correlation was observed between the induction of α-helix in α-synuclein and the inhibition of fibril formation. Thus, helical, membrane-bound α-synuclein is unlikely to contribute to aggregation and fibrillation. Given that a significant fraction of α-synuclein is membrane-bound in dopaminergic neurons, this observation has significant physiological significance.
Post-fertilization Synthesis of Polyadenylic Acid in Sea Urchin Embryos

Sea urchin embryogenesis is accompanied by polyadenylic acid [poly(A)J synthesis. Inhibition of protein synthesis and prevention of the first cleavage result in a significant increase in poly(A) content, suggesting that poly(A) synthesis occurs immediately after fertilization.
Synthesis and Ion-Complexing Properties of a Novel Polymer-Supported Reagent with Diphosphonate Ligands

A new chelating resin with diphosphonate groups has been synthesized from the tetraethyl ester of 1,1-vinylidenediphosphonic acid. Comonomers such as acrylonitrile allow the sterically hindered monomer to be incorporated into the polymer network. A copolymer was prepared by suspension polymerization in high yield with diphosphonate, acrylonitrile, and styrene in the monomer solution at a 4.5 :1 :3.1 weight ratio and 5 wt % divinylbenzene as the cross-link agent. Bifunctionality enhances metal ion complexation kinetics. The diphosphonate ligands are selective chelators, while sulfonic acid ligands covalently bound to the phenyl groups enhance the accessibility of metal ions in the polymer matrix. The complexing ability of the polymer is studied with Eu(III) as the target ion in 0.04-4.0 N HNO 3 solutions in both the presence and absence of 0.40 N NaNO 3 . A sulfonic acid ion exchange resin complexes 14.3% Eu(III) while the diphosphonate-based polymer complexes 96.5% from a 1 N HNO 3 /0.4 N NaNO 3 solution.
QRS Duration and Mechanical Dyssynchrony Correlations with Right Ventricular Function after Fontan Procedure

Background In studies of adult patients, increased QRS duration and mechanical dyssynchrony have been associated with decreased ventricular function. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that similar findings would be present in a population of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) after the Fontan procedure. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. All patients with HLHS after the Fontan procedure were eligible. QRS duration was measured using 12-lead electrocardiography. Echocardiographic measurements of mechanical dyssynchrony included Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) QRS to onset of s′ wave difference between the left ventricle and the right ventricle, time to peak strain, time to peak systolic strain rate (SRs), the standard deviation of time to peak strain rate (modified Yu strain), and the standard deviation of time to peak SRs (modified Yu SRs). Right ventricular (RV) functional measurements included DTI s′ wave, DTI RV myocardial performance index, global strain, global SRs, and RV fractional area change. Pearson's correlations were performed between the variables. Results Thirty-one echocardiographic studies were performed on 26 patients. The median age was 5.3 years (range, 2.5–15.4 years). QRS duration was correlated significantly with global SRs ( r = 0.42). Time to peak SRs was correlated significantly with DTI s′ wave ( r = −0.48) and global SRs ( r = 0.37). Modified Yu SRs was correlated significantly with global strain ( r = 0.35) and RV fractional area change ( r = −0.35). Conclusions Both QRS duration and mechanical dyssynchrony were correlated with RV function, albeit weakly. The clinical significance of these findings is intriguing, but only larger studies will determine if these measurements are reliable in guiding treatment options for this complex patient population.
Staff Narratives Promising to Change ‘Welfare as We Know It’

The 1996 welfare reform devolved greater responsibility and flexibility to state welfare organizations; however, most of these organizations have not transformed their organizational cultures towards a vision of client well-being. This study examines dominant and alternative narratives espoused during twenty-two interviews with staff in a welfare organization. The dominant narrative endorsed the welfare program and understood ‘success’ as client compliance, which resulted in regulatory suggestions for change, such as implementing stricter policies. The alternative narrative subverted this dominant narrative by identifying problems with the welfare program, which resulted in suggestions for organizational change that promoted client well-being. Fostering alternative narratives in welfare organizations may prompt liberatory organizational culture shifts that redefine the notion of client ‘success’.
Learning and decision costs in one‐person games

This paper reports the results of a two-part data analysis of learning in a repeated costly decision experiment. In the first part we test payoff dominance under the hypothesis of expected payoff maximization. We utilize a dynamic probability distribution over decisions for each player, characterizing what each player has learned about the payoff function by the moments from these distributions. In the second part, we test the hypothesis of expected payoff maximization for players in each treatment group. Expected payoff maximization is supported but payoff dominance is not.
Metabolism Studies of Polycyclic Mutagens and Carcinogens Using Liquid Chromatography with Ultraviolet and Electrochemical Detection

Abstract HPLC ultraviolet (UV) and electrochemical (EC) detectors connected in series were used to classify the metabolites of naphthalene, anthracene, acridine, and phenanthridine into phenolic and nonphenolic categories. This method of classification is based on comparison of the relatively high response of the EC detector to electroactive species such as phenols to the more nonselective response of the UV detector. The method is generally useful for many biologically active substances.
Implications of Regional Cost Adjustments to School Finance Plans

The purpose of this article is to present evidence against the use of regional cost adjustments in state schoolfinance plans. Basic assumptions underlying proposals to compensate for the presumed effects of differences among districts in the prices paid for educational resources are contrasted with research evidence.
AUTOMATIC COUNTING OF RADIOACTIVITY ON TWO-DIMENSIONAL PAPER CHROMATOGRAMS *

Radioactive tracer techniques, coupled with chemical analysis by paper chromatography, became important in biochemical research in the late 1940’s, and today many investigations into intermediary and other aspects of metabolism rely on these methods. Soon after the marriage of chromatography to the use of tracers, various instruments were constructed which were able simultaneously to locate the positions of radioactive compounds on paper chromatograms and to determine the amount of radioactivity in each separated compound. Such devices are now available commercially in many different designs, and are intended for the scanning and counting of one-dimensional chromatograms only.
Comment on a continuous droplet source for plasma production with pulse lasers

Lafrance comments that the continuous droplet source described by Schwenn and Sigel (see 1974 J. Phys. E: Sci. Instrum. 7 715) can be improved by taking into account recent developments in the field of hydrodynamic stability.
The expression of cocaine sensitization is not prevented by MK-801 or ibotenic acid lesions of the medial prefrontal cortex

Previous work has established that the development of cocaine sensitization is prevented by co-administration of the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 or by prior ibotenic acid lesions of the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC). The present study examined the effect of these treatments on the expression of cocaine sensitization. Rats were treated with 15 mg/kg cocaine for 5 days and then challenged with cocaine 3 days later to establish the presence of sensitization. The next day, rats received 0.1 mg/kg MK-801 30 min before cocaine challenge. This dose of MK-801, which is sufficient to prevent the development of cocaine sensitization, did not prevent its expression. Rather, it augmented the response of sensitized rats to cocaine challenge and produced a non-significant trend towards augmentation of the acute response to cocaine in saline-pretreated rats. For PFC lesion experiments, rats were sensitized to cocaine and then received either ibotenic acid or sham lesions of the PFC. One week later, all rats were challenged with cocaine. Sham lesioned and ibotenic acid lesioned rats exhibited the same degree of sensitization. Thus, neither NMDA receptor transmission nor PFC projections appear necessary for the expression of cocaine sensitization.
Structure-property relationship for excimer formation in poly(alkylfluorene) derivatives

Abstract Poly(9,9-dialkylfluorene-2,7-diyl)s were synthesized by nickel (0) mediated polymerization. This polymerization yielded high molecular weight and thermally stable polymers. To study the structure-property relationship of excimer formation in the polymer films, absorption and fluorescence spectra were measured before and after annealing at elevated temperature. The annealed films showed a longer wavelength emission band corresponding to excimer formation in the homopolymers.
A three-dimensional automated visual inspection system for SMT assembly

The emergence of surface mount technology (SMT) in the electronics industry has created new challenges. Among these challenges is the need for more advanced and capable systems to monitor the quality of the products in the manufacturing process. Years of effort have been dedicated to the development of visual inspection units using conventional two-dimensional (2D) computer vision systems. Although these systems have proven to be a possible solution to the inspection problem, the level of quality desired for real-time inspection systems has not been attained. The difference in component dimensions, legends, colors, and reflective properties make identification and classification of surface mount devices (SMDs) a very difficult task. Since the information obtained from 2D sensors is not always sufficient to correctly infer the condition of the electronic components, a tool capable of providing an additional measurement dimension should prove very valuable. This paper describes the techniques used in developing a three-dimensional (3D) automated inspection system for SMDs. In particular, we explore four different inspection approaches. The testing and results of the system show that it is technically and economically feasible to develop a low-cost, reliable automatic visual inspection (AVI) system for printed circuit boards (PCBs) using the techniques described.
Asymmetry in zonal phase propagation of ENSO sea surface temperature anomalies

[1] It is often emphasized in the literature that the phase propagation of El Nino sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies along the equator changed from westward to eastward after a mid- to late-1970s climate regime shift in the Pacific. Theories have been developed to explain this change of phase propagation in terms of changes in background state on which El Nino events develop. Those theories also suggest that the direction of La Nina anomaly phase propagation should have changed from westward to eastward as well. However, the direction of La Nina SST anomaly phase propagation did not change after the mid- to late-1970s. Instead, La Nina SSTs continued to exhibit westward phase propagation along the equator, a feature overlooked in both observational analyses and theories. This paper highlights the asymmetry in zonal phase propagation between El Nino and La Nina sea surface temperature anomalies since 1980 and discusses the implications of that asymmetry for understanding El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) dynamics.
Oxygen-18 exchange between enriched water and pentacyanonitroferrate(II) ion

Abstract The rate of exchange of oxygen-18 between sodium pentacyanonitroferrate(II) and enriched water was studied. The effects on the rate of exchange caused by changes in concentration of Na4Fe(CN)5NO2, pH of the solution, ionic strength of the solution, and the solution's temperature were studied. The proposed mechanism is Fe(CN) 5 NO 2 -4 + H 2 O ⇌ k -1 k 1 Fe(CN) 5 NO 2 H -3 + OH - Fe(CN) 5 NO 2 H -3 + H 2 O ⇌ k -2 k 2 Fe(CN) 5 NO 2 + H 2 -2 + OH - Fe(CN) 5 NO 2 H -3 + O∗H - → k 3 Fe(CN) 5 NOO∗H -3 + OH - and the rate law for oxygen-18 exchange is Rate = k 3 ( k 1 [ Fe(CN) 5 NO 2 -4 ]+ k -2 [ Fe(CN) 5 NO 2 H 2 -2 ][ OH - ]) k -1 [ OH - + k 2 The activation energy is 15·4±0·5 kcal/mole.
Financial networks with electronic transactions: modelling, analysis and computations

Abstract Advances in telecommunication networks, and, in particular, the Internet have transformed the economic landscape for financial decision-making. In this paper, we focus on financial networks with electronic transactions and with different tiers of decision-makers and we develop an integrated framework for the modelling, analysis and computation of solutions to such problems. Specifically, we consider an economy consisting of three types of decision-makers: those with sources of funds; intermediary ones, and consumers associated with the financial products at the demand markets. Those with sources of funds can transact with the intermediaries either physically or electronically as well as directly in an electronic manner with the consumers. The intermediaries, in turn, can also transact with the consumers either in a physical or an electronic fashion. We address the behaviour of the decision-makers, identify the network structure of the problem, derive the equilibrium conditions, and establish the ...
Model Independent Parametric Decision Making

Accurate knowledge of the effect of parameter uncertainty on process design and operation is essential for optimal and feasible operation of a process plant. Existing approaches dealing with uncertainty in the design and process operations level assume the existence of a well defined model to represent process behavior and in almost all cases convexity of the involved equations. However, most of the realistic case studies cannot be described by well characterised models. Thus, a new approach is presented in this paper based on the idea of High Dimensional Model Reduction technique which utilize a reduced number of model runs to build an uncertainty propagation model that expresses process feasibility. Building on this idea a systematic iterative procedure is developed for design under uncertainty with a unique characteristic of providing parametric expression of the optimal objective with respect to uncertain parameters. The proposed approach treats the system as a black box since it does not rely on the nature of the mathematical model of the process, as is illustrated through a number of examples.
Relationship of Band-Edge Luminescence to Recombination Lifetime in Silicon Wafers

In recent years, intrinsic luminescence has been used as a method to characterize the recombination lifetime of crystalline silicon. The assumption is that the steady-state intrinsic photoluminescence at 1.09 eV (1.134 μm) can be related to the recombination lifetime. In this work, we measured the band-edge photoluminescence (PL) intensities of a number of single-crystal wafers. The resistivity in the wafer set ranges from 1 to 11,000 ohm-cm under constant excitation intensity. We then measured the PL spectra and recombination lifetimes of these wafer sets under a variety of conditions. The lifetime was measured using resonant-coupled photoconductive decay (RCPCD) in both air ambient and an iodine/methanol solution. The same procedure was used for the PL spectra. Plots of the measured lifetime versus the PL intensity showed weak correlation between the two quantities in air ambient. However, there is a positive relationship between the near-bandgap PL intensity and the recombination lifetime for passivated surfaces. Some fundamental physical reasons will be used to explain these results.
Estimating the marine signal in the near infrared for atmospheric correction of satellite ocean-color imagery over turbid waters

The classic atmospheric correction algorithm, routinely applied to second-generation ocean-color sensors such as SeaWiFS, MODIS, and MERIS, consists of (i) estimating the aerosol reflectance in the red and near infrared (NIR) where the ocean is considered black (i.e., totally absorbing), and (ii) extrapolating the estimated aerosol reflectance to shorter wavelengths. The marine reflectance is then retrieved by subtraction. Variants and improvements have been made over the years to deal with non-null reflectance in the red and near infrared, a general situation in estuaries and the coastal zone, but the solutions proposed so far still suffer some limitations, due to uncertainties in marine reflectance modeling in the near infrared or difficulty to extrapolate the aerosol signal to the blue when using observations in the shortwave infrared (SWIR), a spectral range far from the ocean-color wavelengths. To estimate the marine signal (i.e., the product of marine reflectance and atmospheric transmittance) in the near infrared, the proposed approach is to decompose the aerosol reflectance in the near infrared to shortwave infrared into principal components. Since aerosol scattering is smooth spectrally, a few components are generally sufficient to represent the perturbing signal, i.e., the aerosol reflectance in the near infrared can be determined from measurements in the shortwave infrared where the ocean is black. This gives access to the marine signal in the near infrared, which can then be used in the classic atmospheric correction algorithm. The methodology is evaluated theoretically from simulations of the top-of-atmosphere reflectance for a wide range of geophysical conditions and angular geometries and applied to actual MODIS imagery acquired over the Gulf of Mexico. The number of discarded pixels is reduced by over 80% using the PC modeling to determine the marine signal in the near infrared prior to applying the classic atmospheric correction algorithm.
Otitis Externa: A Disease of Multifactorial Etiology

Dogs and cats with long-standing otitis externa pose a difficult diagnostic challenge for the veterinarian, because chronically affected ears usually have the same appearance regardless of the underlying cause(s). In patients with chronic otitis externa, the disease is often caused by different combinations of primary, predisposing, and perpetuating factors. The unique therapeutic needs of each patient may be determined by careful interpretation of historical and physical findings, which should be supported by ancillary diagnostic tests.
The Influence of Perceived Source Credibility on End User Attitudes and Intentions to Comply with Recommended IT Actions

Through persuasive communications, information technology IT executives hope to align the actions of end users with the expectations of senior management and of the firm regarding technology usage. One highly influential factor of persuasive effectiveness is the source of the persuasive message. This study presents a conceptual model for explaining the influence of source credibility on end user attitudes and behavioral intentions to comply with organizationally motivated, recommended IT actions within a decentralized, autonomous environment. The results of this study suggest that the elements of source competency, trustworthiness, and dynamism are significant determinants of attitudes and behavioral intentions to engage in recommended IT actions. These findings reveal the importance of these elements of effective communication in persuading end users to follow recommended IT activities and advance IT acceptance and adoption research through the application of persuasive communication theory to the domain.
Innate immune recognition of infected apoptotic cells directs T H 17 cell differentiation

Adaptive immune responses rely on differentiation of CD4 T helper cells into subsets with distinct effector functions best suited for host defence against the invading pathogen. Interleukin (IL)-17-producing T helper cells (T(H)17) are a recently identified subset, separate from the T helper type 1 (T(H)1) and T helper type 2 (T(H)2) subsets. Synergy between the cytokines transforming growth factor-beta and IL-6 in vitro induces development of T(H)17 cells in mouse and human systems, whereas IL-23 supports expansion of these cells. However, it is not known which conditions in vivo would induce this combination of cytokines. Furthermore, it is enigmatic that a combination of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines would be required to generate an effector T(H)17 response. Here we show that the relevant physiological stimulus triggering this combination of cytokines is the recognition and phagocytosis of infected apoptotic cells by dendritic cells. Phagocytosis of infected apoptotic cells uniquely triggers the combination of IL-6 and transforming growth factor-beta through recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns and phosphatidylserine exposed on apoptotic cells, respectively. Conversely, phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in the absence of microbial signals induces differentiation of the closely related regulatory T cells, which are important for controlling autoimmunity. Blocking apoptosis during infection of the mouse intestinal epithelium with the rodent pathogen Citrobacter rodentium, which models human infections with the attaching and effacing enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, impairs the characteristic T(H)17 response in the lamina propria. Our results demonstrate that infected apoptotic cells are a critical component of the innate immune signals instructing T(H)17 differentiation, and point to pathogens particularly adept at triggering apoptosis that might preferentially induce T(H)17-mediated immunity. Because T(H)17 cells have been correlated with autoimmune diseases, investigation of the pathways of innate recognition of infected apoptotic cells might lead to improved understanding of the causative defects in autoimmunity.
Reviews and comments on alcohol research

Abstract This section of the journal is designed to provide readers with reviews of recent literature, and to stimulate research on questions that are important in the treatment and prevention of alcohol addiction. Research can provide insight into the causes of alcohol abuse and addiction, as well as answers to questions concerning the biomedical and psychological consequences of alcohol consumption. The ideas and critique expressed in this department are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, editorial board, or publisher of Alcohol . Reference to the original articles is recommended before quoting any of this material in scientific publications.
Cultivating Systemic Thinking in the Next Generation of Business Leaders

In response to criticism that they do not train students to be effective decision makers, many business schools have attempted to modify their graduate management programs. We suggest that a primar...
Spontaneous transformation to anchorage-independent growth of a xeroderma pigmentosum fibroblast cell strain

A skin fibroblast cell strain (GM2995) derived from a patient with xeroderma pigmentosum was received at low passage. As the cells were serially passaged (1:4 dilution), their size and growth characteristics changed. By passage 13, approximately 90% of the colonies produced by cells seeded at low density were composed of small, densely packed cells. Cells capable of anchorage-independent growth were observed after passage 7; they formed round, smoothedged colonies in soft agar. The frequency of cells exhibiting anchorage-independent growth increased rapidly at subsequent passages, reaching 35–50% of the population by passage 20. This phenomenon was accompanied by the appearance of aneuploidy. These cells are still proliferating actively at passage 35. These late-passage GM2995 cells retain the extreme hypersensitivity to the cytotoxic effect of UV radiation characteristic of early-passage GM2995 cells.
Coherent techniques and digital-micromirror-device-based switched photonic time delay control for high-frequency antenna arrays

Two photonic delay line structures are introduced that are based on the binary operation of Digital Micromirror DEvices (DMDs). These structures include a binary switched design based on multiple DMDs, and a non-binary delay line using a single DMD. These DMD-based delay lines do not require polarized light for operation.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Radiofrequency ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia using a novel magnetic guidance system compared with a conventional approach.

Background A novel magnetic guidance system has been developed that allows the operator to remotely navigate an electrophysiology mapping/ablation catheter to precise locations in the heart for treatment of tachyarrhythmias. To date, this new technology has not been directly compared with the conventional approach. Objective To compare the use of the magnetic guidance system to the conventional approach for ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia. Methods Between November 2002 and October 2004, 28 patients with atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia treated with the magnetic guidance system were retrospectively compared with 28 matched control patients. Results Patients treated using the magnetic guidance system had similar procedure durations and fluoroscopy times compared with the matched controls. The only statistically significant difference between the groups was a longer time between insertion of the ablation catheter and placement of the first radiofrequency lesion in the magnetic guidance system cohort (23.3 ± 12.0 vs. 10.5 ± 13.9, p=0.001), possibly due to the research protocol. However, there was a trend toward a shorter total time that radiofrequency energy was applied in the magnetic guidance system cohort (5.2 ± 4.5 vs. 8.0 ± 7.2, p=0.087). There were no major complications or recurrences after at least 3 months of follow-up among the patients treated with the magnetic guidance system. Conclusion The magnetic guidance system appears to have similar, and possibly improved, clinical efficacy compared with conventional catheter navigation for the treatment of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.